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Top court: Resolving intl disputes key

08:27, March 11, 2024 By Cao Yin ( China Daily

By offering equal protection to domestic as well as overseas litigants, Chinese courts have given full play to the role of mediation in solving commercial disputes. This has helped create a market-oriented and law-based first-class business environment, China's top court said.

In 2023, courts at all levels across China concluded 24,000 commercial cases involving foreign litigants, up 3.6 percent year-on-year, according to the annual work report of the Supreme People's Court.

The average time taken to solve such lawsuits has been reduced by nearly 10 days, said the report, which was submitted on Friday to the second session of the 14th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, for review.

"In the face of the increasing number of disputes, improving the professionalism and efficiency of case hearings is important, as it's related to promoting our high-quality opening-up, our judicial credibility and the investment environment of the market," the top court said.

Over the past few years, Chinese courts have stepped up efforts to improve their efficiency, with more international judiciary exchanges and optimized measures for foreign litigants.

In August 2018, for instance, the top court established an international commercial expert committee as a think tank for tackling foreign-related disputes.

So far, the committee has invited 61 experts from 24 countries and regions to participate, mainly to help solve international commercial cases through mediation and provide opinions in the identification and application of foreign laws, as well as in the studies of foreign-related judicial interpretations and policies.

While requiring every court to offer equal protection to all litigants, regardless of whether they are domestic or foreign, the top court has also encouraged judges to mediate between two sides, taking the mediation as a good remedy in resolving international commercial disputes.

In one case, an Indian national signed up for medical insurance with a Chinese company in 2020. He spent more than 60,000 yuan ($8,350) on surgery and medical treatment in February 2021, but when he turned to the company for compensation, he was turned down. He then sued the insurer in Beijing Chaoyang District People's Court.

During the trial, the court found that the source of the conflict between the litigants was the language barrier. When the insurance contract was signed, the company did not clearly introduce the content to the Indian in a language he could understand, causing him to receive medical treatment beyond the coverage of the policy.

Given the flaws on both sides and to equally protect their legitimate interests, the court organized communications between them, comforting the Indian litigant while urging the company to regulate its interpretation of insurance-related information to applicants.

The communication made the two sides understand each other. Thanks to the mediation of the court, the company eventually agreed to compensate the foreigner.

Furthermore, the court contacted the Beijing Insurance Association, asking it to optimize workflows of the industry and increase explanations of insurance content to customers to prevent similar disputes.

"This successful mediation is an example of contribution of judicial efforts to enhance the international influence of Chinese justice and facilitate the healthy development of China's insurance industry," the top court said.

In addition to efficiently solving international commercial cases to help build a sound business environment, the top court provided opportunities for exchanges among judicial officials from home and abroad last year.

For instance, it held the Maritime Silk Road International Forum on Judicial Cooperation in Quanzhou, Fujian province, and a forum for judges from Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
National political advisors and nuclear experts shared with China.org.cn that nuclear power, as a low-carbon and clean energy, is crucial for China's green development and for achieving the country's "dual carbon" goals. Nuclear technology application industry is also considered a part of the new quality productive forces.

Photo shows national political advisors and nuclear experts sharing their ideas and insights on China's nuclear development during the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which concludes on March 10, 2024, in Beijing. [Photo courtesy of CNNC]

Xin Feng, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and secretary of the Communist Party of China committee at the China Institute of Atomic Energy, described nuclear energy as a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient source of energy.

In his proposal to the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, he advocated for the active development of an integrated nuclear energy system that incorporates a closed fuel cycle with fast reactors. He described this approach as "the necessary path to implementing the 'three-step' nuclear energy development strategy (thermal reactors - fast reactors - fusion reactors), ensuring the sustainable development of nuclear energy, and aiding in achieving China's 'dual carbon' goals."

Lu Tiezhong, another member of the CPPCC National Committee and chairman of China National Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (CNNP), emphasized that nuclear energy's clear green and low-carbon characteristics make it a practical choice for achieving China's "dual carbon" goals. These goals include reaching peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and attaining carbon neutrality by 2060.

"In the course of building a great modern socialist country in all respects, prioritizing the integration of nuclear energy into the green and low-carbon policy framework can demonstrate China's green and low-carbon commitments in global climate governance," he said.

In the current green electricity, green certificate and carbon emission trading, the green and low-carbon value of nuclear energy has not been fully recognized or defined. Lu advocated explicitly defining nuclear energy's green attributes within the "dual carbon" policy framework and integrating it into the green policy system. He also suggested leveraging international cooperation to achieve mutual recognition of nuclear energy as a low-carbon energy source, which would assist exporting enterprises in building a green reputation and addressing carbon tariffs.

Additionally, in recent years, small modular reactor technology has gained increasing attention from leading nuclear power countries and international organizations like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and is considered a "game changer" in the nuclear energy sector.

Duan Xuru, a senior fusion expert at the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and a CPPCC member, pointed out the lack of comprehensive regulations and standards for small modular reactors in China. He stressed the urgency of developing and refining a nuclear safety regulatory framework that supports the development of small modular reactors and the comprehensive use of nuclear energy. This framework should align with the current progress in nuclear power and the requirements of the new energy system.

Han Yongjiang, a national political advisor and chairman of China Baoyuan Investment Co., Ltd. and Tongfang Co., Ltd., emphasized that the nuclear technology application industry, which encompasses fields like manufacturing, agriculture, medicine, and environmental protection, is a high-tech and strategic sector. He said it had significantly contributed to global technological advancement, sustainable economic growth, and public health and safety, thus becoming a significant new quality productive force.

"The nuclear technology application industry has always been an important driver in the upgrading of traditional industries and the cultivation of new ones," he stated. "It represents high-end productivity and is a significant marker of a country's high level of development. Although China's nuclear technology application industry started relatively late, its potential for future growth is promising. It will actively promote and drive China's economy towards high-quality, transformative development."

He suggested continuously strengthening the overall planning of the industry's development, enhancing the systematic, forward-looking, and strategic dimensions of industrial development.
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.

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.
California officials are preparing new urban water conservation rules intended to help the state adapt to a drier future caused by climate change. In reality, the proposed restrictions are so great they could actually harm those adaptation efforts by sacrificing the tree canopy we have nurtured in our cities for generations.

The Making Conservation a California Way of Life rule package, proposed by the State Water Resources Control Board, sets conservation targets unique to each urban water agency in the state. While conserving each and every year makes sense, so must the restrictions. A recent report by the non-partisan Legislative Analysts Office found big flaws in the Water Boards approach, describing the proposal as overly complex, expensive and unrealistic, with potential water savings amounting to a mere drop in the bucket statewide.

We are particularly concerned about the potential impact Californias mature urban tree canopies. They serve as our first line of defense against climate change. Trees play a crucial role in cleaning the air, sequestering carbon emissions and providing essential cooling in our urban heat islands. The California Air Resources Board identified support of trees among the most impactful urban adaptations to address climate change.

Opinion

Ironically, the Water Board is proposing to reduce water budgets for outdoor use to the point that property owners could only comply by starving urban forests of water and making California communities hotter and less livable.

The conservation targets start out modestly in 2025, but then require progressively steeper water savings by 2035. The Legislative Analysts Office report states that over 40% of Californias 400 urban water agencies would be required to cut water use by at least 20% by 2035. More than 80 agencies would have to cut water use by over 30%, with inland regions facing much larger reductions than coastal regions. These reductions would essentially mimic 2012-2016 drought conditions that killed or sickened one in five Sacramento trees.

Conservation targets on this scale are a daunting challenge. Water use up and down the state is far more efficient than a generation ago. The more cost-effective ways to advance water conservation, such as rebates to replace older toilets and imposing tiered water rates, have been in place for years.

The Water Boards target for outdoor water use by 2035 is particularly unrealistic. According to the Legislative Analysts Office, achieving these new targets would require big changes to Californias urban landscapes. In addition, the non-partisan Public Policy Institute of California found that achieving water savings of 20%, 30% and more will be challenging for many communities without compromising the health of urban greenery, including shade-providing trees.

The Legislative Analysts Office has also raised concerns about the impact of these regulations on water affordability, particularly for lower-income customers who struggle to afford rate increases and have less ability to reduce water use. These communities, which research shows often have fewer trees than wealthier communities, could bear a greater impact when it comes to tree mortality.

Our members at California ReLeaf, a network of over 80 nonprofit urban forestry organizations, note that the cost of irrigation is a major obstacle to increasing tree canopy in lower-income neighborhoods. Nonprofits receive state and federal money for tree planting to enhance climate adaptation in these neighborhoods, but school districts and municipalities regularly decline projects due to current irrigation constraints.

The Water Board must revise its draft conservation regulations. It should take the recommendations in the Legislative Analysts Office and Public Policy Institute of California reports. In particular, it should set outdoor watering standards consistent with the recommendations from the California Department of Water Resources. This would reduce harm to trees and low-income communities.

Californians have tended our city trees for generations, creating urban forests that provide shade, habitat and beauty. Today, we respect these urban forests even more because we know theyre always working to pull planet-warming gases out of the atmosphere. If we truly want to adapt to climate change, we must find ways to conserve water that allow our trees to continue this work for generations to come.

Jim Peifer is executive director of the Sacramento Regional Water Authority , an association of more than two dozen urban water utilities in Californias capital city metro area. Victoria Vasquez is grants and public policy manager for California ReLeaf , which works to protect, enhance and grow Californias urban and community forests.
Tottori, Mar 12 (News On Japan) - Dangerous behavior by a couple of railway enthusiasts in Japan has sparked outrage as they were caught hugging a vintage train on a test run.

Photos show a man leaning over an express train stopped at a station, with one foot on the step and his left hand pointing at a part labeled "Test Run."

Another man, believed to be an accomplice, audaciously placed both feet on the "coupling" at the front of the train and posed with thumbs up as if to say "like."

According to an eyewitness, the incident took place inside the premises of the unmanned Ebi Station on the JR Hakubi Line in Tottori Prefecture on March 5th.

The witness expressed their frustration, saying, "There was someone on the platform side taking photos. I think they were shooting for about 10 minutes," and added, "It was very infuriating to watch, and it's just a lack of common sense."

The express train "Yakumo," which has been running since the Japanese National Railways era, was undergoing a test run ahead of its retirement.

Both men involved in the incident were carrying large cameras and are believed to be so-called "toritetsu" or train spotters.

According to JR West Japan, there were no JR staff on the platform at the time of the incident.

JR West Japan commented, "We are currently consulting with the police. It is a very dangerous act, and we absolutely want such behavior to stop."

Source: FNN
Five years ago this weekend, southwest Iowa  along with the larger region  faced historic flooding.

The flood swamped or threatened roads, railroad tracks and other critical infrastructure in the area. 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."

The Missouri River peaked at 34.4 feet in downtown Omaha 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.

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. Sizeable pieces of damaged infrastructure have been rebuilt, many to a higher standard than before.

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 Iowa, Nebraska, 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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

Pacific Junction mayor: 'Keep positive'

Five years after the floods, Pacific Junction in Mills County now is home to just under 100 residents, about three-quarters its former number.

But 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

Hamburg 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 Fremont County community 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 and the governors of Nebraska and Missouri.

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.
Pets run away all the time.

If youre lucky, yours will come back on its own or maybe get picked up by a neighbor.

If youre less lucky, your pup could get picked up by animal control and sent to the local humane society. In theory, that outcome shouldnt be too much trouble. However, in practice, it can become an ineffectual quest not unlike that of Don Quixotes imaginary windmills.

That's exactly the experience Marlon Taylor had, and it almost cost him one of the two dogs he raised since they were puppies from the same litter.

On the evening of Sunday, Feb. 4, Taylor was in the middle of moving from an Omaha motel off 108th Street to an extended stay motel near South 118th Street. Taylor, who is studying to become a real estate agent, was in between homes after he fell behind on his rent.

Upon returning to the 108th Street motel after dropping off the last of his stuff at the new place, Taylor discovered that his boys  Kratos and King, 3-year-old Cane Corsos  were missing.

The motel manager told me they were gone, Taylor said. He came to my room with his phone and he showed me on the hotel video camera how the dogs had pawed their way out of the door and ran off in two different directions out two different doors.

What happened over the next three weeks became an almost Keystone Kops-esque farce that thankfully had a mostly happy ending.

Taylor said he was already familiar with the Nebraska Humane Society.

"Kratos, my black dog, is a runner, and theres been two other occasions where hes taken off from where I was at or from where I was staying," Taylor said. "So, as soon as I realized that they had taken off, I immediately sent an email to the Humane Society letting them know that the dogs had taken off, could they please contact me immediately if they saw them."

The following day, Taylor received a phone call from NHS animal control telling him that they had picked up Kratos.

I gave her my address and she showed up and she brought him straight home, Taylor said. Thats when I asked her, Hey, do you know anything about my brown one?

The woman from animal control told Taylor that King had been picked up the night before  the night the two dogs had run off  and was already at NHS.

With Kratos back in his care, Taylor called NHS to see about arranging to pick up King.

I didnt get an answer, so I left a detailed message explaining that I had just talked to the lady and she told me that my dog was there and that I wanted to verify that my dog was there, Taylor said.

Taylor currently doesnt have a car of his own, or else he would have driven straight to NHS. So he waited for someone at the Humane Society to get back to him.

Despite the email and phone message, Taylor didnt hear from anyone at NHS until the following week, which would prove to be too late.

On Thursday, Feb. 8, as Taylor was waiting for NHS to contact him, Creja Caldwell visited the Humane Society with a friend who was interested in getting a dog. Caldwell, who was living with an uncle, already had a puppy of her own.

When Caldwell saw King in the kennel, I was like, Oh my God, this is, like, the perfect dog. Hes so sweet, he doesnt bark, he has, like, the cutest face ever.

Caldwell returned home to pick up her dog, Luna, and brought her back to NHS to see how she and the perfect dog got along.

The two dogs apparently got on well, because Caldwell paid a $35 licensing fee and adopted the dog, whom she named Mocha.

Unfortunately, given her present circumstances, life with "Mocha" was more difficult than Caldwell had anticipated.

Turns out, it wasn't the smartest idea, Caldwell said. So I reached out to some friends and family, I was like, Hey, you know, I got a dog, adopted a dog, and I can't keep it at my place. So, my uncle's friend gave me the link to Kountry Kennel and she was like, These people are really amazing, they take pride in what they do, go talk to them.

Caldwell brought "Mocha" to S&B Kountry Kennel in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

She had just adopted the dog, and she didnt have a place for the dog, Kountry Kennel owner Joe Huntoon told The Nonpareil. She was living in an apartment, with somebody else or in somebody elses apartment, and she had another dog already at home  so why would she adopt this dog?

Huntoon said that he had a feeling Caldwell wasnt going to be able to keep up with payments for boarding the dog.

Im like, this dogs probably gonna end up staying here, Huntoon said. Like, shes gonna rack up a bill, shes going to leave the dog.

A few days later, on Saturday, Feb. 17, a Kountry Kennel employee named Jason Blodgett told his boss that he had just seen a Facebook post about a missing dog that looked an awful lot like "Mocha."

Blodgett said he had first saw the post a few days earlier, but as soon as he saw "Mocha" in the kennel, he noticed the similarities to the Facebook post.

Meanwhile, a few days before Caldwell brought Mocha to Kountry Kennel, on Monday, Feb. 12, Taylor finally received the phone call from NHS that he had been waiting for.

Thats when the lady called me back and she said, Im so sorry that Im just now hearing your messages and getting back to you, how can I help you? Taylor said. I explained my situation to her."

The woman who called from NHS checked their records, looking for a dog named King, but nothing came up.

She said, Im going to dig into this, Taylor said. She said, Im going to talk to my manager, and Im going to dig into this further, and Im going to call you back.

Five days later, Taylor still hadnt received that call, so he finally took matters into his own hands and asked a friend to drive him over to the Nebraska Humane Society offices on 90th and Fort on Saturday, Feb. 17.

I pleaded my case to the lady at the counter, Taylor said. She asked me my name and shes looking through the emails and shes like, Is this about King? And I said, Yes, yes, maam, this is about my dog King.

The woman from the counter went and spoke with a colleague and then suddenly her and the lady were whispering, Taylor said.

After they got done whispering, the lady came back to me and told me to meet her around the side and that she was going to walk me through all the kennels, Taylor said. I walked through eight kennels and, of course, I didnt find my dog.

At this point, Taylor contacted the Facebook group Lost Pets of Omaha Area, which partners with the Humane Society to help people find lost pets, and explained his situation.

It just so happened that the lady that answered me on Facebook is the same person that has been a customer of mine, Taylor said.

Since the pandemic, Taylor has been making and selling T-shirts and other merchandise printed with the phrase Kindness Destroys Hate to raise money for families in need.

She immediately recognized who she was talking to, and she told me shes going to do everything she can, Taylor said.

The next day, Tuesday, Feb. 20, she called Taylor and told him that his dog had been adopted.

Distraught, Taylor returned to Facebook and posted an update: HE'S GONE... IN THE PROCESS OF ME PLAYING TAG AND TRYING TO SPEAK TO A HUMAN.. HE WAS IMMEDIATELY ADOPTED OUT AFTER THE 3RD DAY. NO CLUE WHO OR WHERE TO.

Not 30 minutes later, Blodgett, the Kountry Kennel employee, responded to Taylors post.

I sent him a picture of the dog that was here, Blodgett said. Hes like, immediately, Thats my dog, 100%.

Blodgett looped his boss, Huntoon, into the conversation and they tried to figure out a way to prove that the dog in their care was actually Taylors missing dog.

Taylor offered to get a ride from a friend and bring Kratos, Kings brother, with him, thinking that when Kratos and King see each other for the first time in nearly three weeks, it will be obvious that they know each other.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, Taylor and Kratos got a ride to S&B Kountry Kennel for their reunion with King.

Shortly before Taylor arrived at the kennel, Huntoon received a phone call from Caldwell, who said she wanted to bring her other dog, Luna, to the kennel to play with Mocha  finally, the star-crossed dog owners would be able to talk face to face.

When Taylor and Kratos got to the kennel, Huntoon took them to a field out back of the building before going to get Mocha from his kennel.

Me and Kratos waiting in the big field and then they brought -- we waited a safe distance away -- then they brought King out into the field, and he was laying on the ground and (Huntoon) was petting him ... which was good, because I wanted him to be distracted before noticing us, Taylor said.

From the other side of the field, Taylor called out, Hey, baby, and King took off running toward him and Kratos.

That dog jumped up, and just (zoomed) across that whole field straight to me, Taylor said.

Taylor said he heard Huntoon saying in the background that "Mocha" was, in fact, King.

With Taylors furry family back together, it was time to speak with Caldwell, who, after adopting King from the Humane Society, was his legal owner.

He was just like, you know, I've had him since he was a puppy, he showed me all these pictures, and then he showed me the emails and the calls to Humane Society, and I was like, Wow, Caldwell said.

Huntoon asked Caldwell what she wanted to do, given the situation.

I paid for all the stuff, I adopted him, he's my dog now, but I've had times where my dogs have gotten out and ended up (at NHS) and somebody has adopted them or the Humane Society was, like, Well, you dont have a license  so we cant prove that its yours, Caldwell said. I kind of floated back into that part of my life where I was like, OK, do I keep this dog because I fell in love with it or do I give it back to the person that raised it since he was a puppy? And in that moment, I was just, like, Ive only had him for two weeks. This is, like, his family.

Taylor gave Caldwell $45 to cover the cost of adopting the dog and a bag of dog food she had bought.

When the ordeal was over, and King and Kratos were reunited, Taylor was almost at a loss for words.

It was tears, bro, it was tears, he said. The best way I can describe it is like having one of my kids missing.

Despite only being in his care for about a week, King definitely made an impression on Huntoon, especially when he saw King playing with his brother.

I told (Taylor) if anything happens to these dogs, you let me know and I will help you out, like a guardian angel, if you will, Huntoon said. Now youve made a friend-type thing. These dogs are great, and theyre innocent of the whole thing.
France says it has asked 46 countries if they would be willing to supply more than 2,000 police officers to help secure the Paris Olympics this summer, as organizers finalize security planning for the French capital's first Games in a century while on heightened alert against potential attacks.
Rwandas ruling party chose President Paul Kagame as its candidate to run for July presidential elections for a fourth seven-year term.

Kagame, 66, has fostered his grip on power in Rwanda since his first election as president in 2003. Since then, he has won two other elections with over 90% of the votes.

He is expected to face fierce competition from his rival frank Habineza of the Green Party.

Rwandas election will take place against the backdrop of worsening ties with DRC which accuses Kigali of backing rebels.
Italys Eni said it found significant reserves of oil and gas offshore Cote dIvoire, with a specific well in particular having as much as 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent of potential resources.

This will be Enis second big hydrocarbon discovery off the West African nation over the past few years following on from its play opening Baleine find that was fast-tracked to first production in 2023.

The well encountered light oil, gas, and condensates in various intervals of Cenomanian age characterized by good to excellent permeability values. Preliminary assessments indicate potential resources ranging between 1 and 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent, Eni said in a press release.

The President of Cote dIvoire Alassane Ouattara and the Chief Executive Officer of Eni Claudio Descalzi discussed the development plan of the discovery and the role the project will play in addressing local energy needs.

Eni operates Block C1-205 in partnership with Ivorian National Oil Company Petroci Holding.
The Economic Community of Central African States lifted sanctions on Gabon and decided to re-integrate the country to the bloc, after six months of membership suspension after the coup.

The decision was confirmed by Burundis foreign minister following a blocs meeting in Equatorial Guinea.

The countrys military authorities promised to restore democratic governance in the country by 2025.

The African Union has also suspended Gabon following the coup that ousted Ali Bongo.

With the coup, Gabon has joined Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger which have been led by military rulers.
Moroccos agriculture ministry strongly denied reports on foreign media and social media claiming the Kingdoms exported strawberries are infected with hepatitis A.

The ministrys strong rejection of such allegations followed a similar denial by Moroccos food safety agency which conducted tests on the strawberries unveiling the fallacy of the rumors spread on social media.

The allegations emanate from parties aiming to undermine the reputation of Moroccos farm products, the agriculture ministry said in a statement.

Moroccos farming exports have been hit by a series of attacks including verbal assaults on trucks carrying fresh produce against the backdrop of farmers protests in the EU.

This led Moroccos foreign minister Nasser Bourita to warn of a growing protectionism and a rejection of the southern Mediterraneans fresh produce, despite the fact that Morocco, for instance, runs a deficit in food trade with the EU in general.

Moroccos farmers association COMADER said last week it will resort to the courts against the repetitive attacks and slur campaigns in European circles against Moroccan exports.
Nigeria will apply for membership of the BRICS in the next two years and it intends to join the group with or without pressure from the West, the countrys foreign minister Yusuf Tuggar has said.

During a recent three-day working visit to Russia, where he held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, Tuggar re-iterated Nigerias intention to join the BRICS within the next two years. Last month, Tuggar disclosed to the media that the West African country is looking to send in its application to join the elusive club. In an interview with the Russian news publication, Sputnik Africa, earlier this week, he reiterated that his country has not abandoned its objective to be a part of the group, an idea he has been touting since 2023. Nigeria is also looking to enhance its relationship with Russia, which initiated the creation of the BRICS, an intergovernmental organization that accounts for about a quarter of the global economy and more than 40% of the worlds population.

We intend to do it, the Nigerias foreign minister told Sputnik. Like I said before, Nigeria runs a deliberative democratic system. So there tends to be a lot of engagement with different interest groups, different internal bodies before such an action is taken. He also noted that Nigerias intention to be part of the BRICS group would not be influenced by the West. You have to understand one thing, Nigeria is not the sort of country that succumbs to pressure, the minister said. He also noted that Nigeria welcomed Russian alternatives to the SWIFT payment system and Africas biggest economy will consider their use if it satisfies its national interests. BRICS now comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
Representatives of the Royal Armed Forces, the U.S. army and their allies are putting final touches to the preparations for the upcoming multinational military exercise African Lion 2024.

The military planners started this Monday a five-day meeting at the Southern zone HQ of the Royal Armed forces. The agenda includes a planning exercise for senior officers, combined military manoeuvres, civil-military operations and decontamination exercises showing how to remove chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) material from equipment and humans.

These exercises seek to enhance interoperability and response capabilities of multinational forces, said a press release issued by the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces.

The African Lion 2024 is planned May 20-31 in Agadir, Tan-Tan, Tata, Kenitra, Benguerir and Tifnit. The exercise aims to strengthen military cooperation between Morocco and the United States and foster communication between the armed forces of the participating countries for shared peace, security and stability in the region.

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the African Lion exercise series. It has started as a bilateral exercise between the U.S. Marines and the Moroccan Army, but the drills have grown every year to include three additional African host nations, multiple African and European partners and allies, and the entire U.S. joint and total force.
Born in Phoenix and raised in the town of Coolidge, Arizona, Mike Cook thought he wanted to be a forest ranger.

After taking several college courses during the height of the Vietnam war, Cook decided to enroll in classes to be a draftsman for the U.S. Navy.

Cook, now a North Platte resident, met his wife during his years studying to be a draftsman in Flagstaff, Arizona. However when the two looked into marriage housing none was available, so Cook left school.

In 1969, while working with the Santa Fe Railroad, Cook got the notice that he was called into active duty. Thinking that as a draftsman he would be stationed on a carrier ship or cruiser, Cook was taken by surprise when he was assigned to Vietnam along with 50 others to start arms training.

Cook recounted these experiences Monday as part of the Share Your Story video project sponsored by the Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundations.

Bellevue University staffer JR Richardson is spearheading the Share Your Story project, which will ultimately be on display at the Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Papillion, which is set to open June 6.

I was about a week and a half from finishing my tour when President (Richard) Nixon said that they were going to start reducing forces in Vietnam, Cook said.

Back stateside, Cooks professional career brought him to Union Pacific Railroad and North Platte. After a return to his home state of Arizona for several years, Cook and his wife decided to return to North Platte 11 years ago to be near children and grandchildren.

Cook is leading the Lincoln County effort to get as many stories from Vietnam veterans as possible.

I would hope that all Vietnam Era Veterans will take this as an opportunity to help leave their knowledge of the personal effects of war for future generations about a time in this Country when many were called to service, Cook said. This was a time of great change for the people in this Country as well as a time when many things occurred that required healing. I believe that this program is an important part of this process and would like all Veterans and their families to join in this effort.

The Memorials mission is to develop, erect and maintain a memorial to honor all Veterans who served during the Vietnam War, 1955-75, and to further provide a lasting historic educational account for future generations.

According to a release by Richardson, the memorial will profoundly memorialize Nebraskans who lost their lives in Vietnam, as well as those who served the country during that time, by providing videos of veterans from all across the state as they recount their experiences.

It is estimated that by 2030, almost half of the Nebraska Vietnam War-era Veterans living today will be deceased, said Tom Brown, NVVMF board president in the release. This makes it all the more urgent for us to capture these personal, historical accounts and create a visible statement of gratitude for the Veterans service and sacrifice.

More information on the Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial can be found at nvvmf.org.
Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Last week, state Attorney General Letitia James was booed and heckled with pro-Trump chants as she gave remarks during an FDNY promotion ceremony. Now, the department is reportedly looking for the people who disrupted her speech.

On Thursday, James, whose prosecution of Donald Trump over inflated real-estate prices ended badly for the former president, took the stage at the Christian Cultural Center in Starrett City, Brooklyn. She was there to honor the 65 uniformed members from Fire and EMS Operations and the Bureau of Fire Investigation, 29 members of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, and 34 civilian employees receiving promotions at the ceremony. The FDNY was also preparing to swear in Reverend Pamela Holmes as the departments first Black woman fire chaplain.

Audience members started booing beginning from the moment James was announced and continued as she began speaking. The attorney general tried to calm the crowd. Oh, come on. Were in a house of God, James said as the heckling persisted. First  simmer down. Thank you, thank you, thank you for getting it out of your system. But the crowd did not stop there, eventually escalating into chants of Trump.

James is a frequent target of Trumps ire on social media, where he has consistently hurled a variety of insults at the states first Black woman attorney general, including calling her racist, corrupt, and Peekaboo, which some say is an allusion to an anti-Black slur.

The New York Post reported that the department was launching an investigation into the protest at the ceremony. According to the outlet, the FDNY is circulating a memo at firehouses across the city, advising the department is looking through footage of the event to find those who disrupted the ceremony, calling their actions grossly inappropriate.

When youre not on duty, feel however you want about politicians, the internal letter reads, per the Post. Vote. Protest. Thats your right. But dont do it on the jobs time, on other members time, or on their families time. Do it on your own time.

Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh returned to the church on Sunday, apologizing to the congregation for the actions of the crowd.

Local and state Republican criticized the FDNYs decision to investigate the protest. Councilmember Joann Ariola, who chairs the bodys Fire & Emergency Management Committee, said first responders should not be held accountable for exercising their First Amendment rights. Councilmember Inna Vernikov called the commissioner and department political hacks and hypocrites. During a recent appearance on Fox News, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis suggested that the department shouldnt have invited James in the first place, calling her a polarizing figure.

James addressed the incident in an interview with Politico Tuesday. I support an individuals right to protest. I support the First Amendment, and I will defend all of those individuals who engage in the freedom of expression, she said. However, when it comes to political speech in houses of worship, thats unacceptable.

The attorney general said she doesnt think those responsible should be disciplined, calling it a teaching moment.

In a statement, FDNY spokesman Jim Long said the departments action is not a political one. Nobody is hunting anyone down. Were looking into those who clearly broke department regulations, he said. It has nothing to do with politics. Its about professionalism at an official event held in a house of worship.

Andrew Ansbro, the president of the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association, wrote in an Post op-ed that the heckling of James was juvenile. But he noted that similar incidents have happened before and said department higher-ups shouldve stepped in during the moment, calling the search for the perpetrators after the fact an disingenuous attempt to save political face.

I apologize to AG James for this unfortunate event, and I hope my apology will be accepted. But were going to vigorously defend our members because in the end, what they did wasnt new and if it was wrong, the people that should have stopped them failed to do so, he wrote.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Belal Khaled/Anadolu via Getty Images

The people of Gaza are in desperate need of food. Five months into Israels bombing and near-blockade of Gaza, the countrys response to Hamass October 7 attack, public-health officials are reporting dire food shortages and rising rates of infectious disease. For many young children, the threat of famine has already turned deadly. To help understand the crisis, I spoke with UNICEFs Middle East and North Africa regional director Adele Khodr. From headquarters in Jordan, Khodr described the danger for Gazan children, her organizations role in providing limited aid to the region, and the urgency of a cease-fire to avoid further humanitarian disaster.

At least 20 children have reportedly died due to dehydration and malnutrition in Gaza, with most of those dying at hospitals in northern Gaza. Why is the situation in the north so dire?

It is dire simply because this is the region of Gaza to which access is very, very limited. Meaning that the road there is not safe, to start with. And the security situation is also very bad. These people dont have enough food to sustain them, and UNICEF is having problems sending in drugs. The latest shipment we were able to do was on March 3, but it was a very small quantity transported not even in a truck, but in two four-wheel-drive cars. So its basically the insecurity  the fact that missions there are dropped at the last moment for security reasons. This is why food hasnt been there for a very long time. And of course this is the area that has witnessed the highest level of military action since the beginning of the war.

Children, especially those under the age of 2, cannot eat everything the way an adult would. They need special food  breast milk for the kids who are less than a year old. And if the mother doesnt have enough food, she will not be able to breastfeed a child. Other specialized food for children, like infant formula, is simply not available. And on top of that, there are very limited quantities of water. We are not sure about the safety or the quality of it. This leads to dehydration and the infections that cause diarrhea and cause complications in a childs body.

According to UNICEFs State of Palestine report last week, thousands of babies due to be born in Gaza over the next month are at risk of dying. Is that because of all the factors you just mentioned, in addition to the bombing itself?

Yes, plus vaccine-preventable diseases in Rafah, where most of the population is. We were able to get vaccines there and have the children vaccinated. But then there is the north, where we took vaccines, but are the children vaccinated? We really dont know. So yes, malnutrition, dehydration, a rise in the proportion of infectious diseases. You have no water  maybe there will be cholera. There is very poor sanitation, very poor hygiene. So anything could happen. These are all reasons for an increase in the proportion of child death  all preventable reasons. I think the most important part of the statement we put out a few days ago is that there is a rate of 15.6 percent of severe acute malnutrition among children in the north. In the south, in Rafah, it is 5 percent, which means that where you have aid that is reaching the people, the situation is much better. So it means that it is preventable.

Once you have reached severe acute malnutrition, unless it is treated, theres more possibility of getting an infection. There has to be RUTF, ready-to-use therapeutic feeding, for the children, what is usually known as PlumpyNut. And sometimes the child has to be followed up with and given other medications in case they have complications associated with severe acute malnutrition.

Is it difficult to get a child out of severe malnutrition even in a well-stocked hospital that is not in a war zone?

In some places, you can have an 80 or 85 percent success rate in treating children with severe acute malnutrition. In good hospitals, it could reach 90 percent. And Im not talking about advanced countries. Im talking about hospitals even in some developing countries where we work.

The stat you mentioned, of 15.6 percent acute malnutrition among children in the north, was from January. Is it safe to assume the number has risen since then? And why?

One reason that it has risen could be that in February, the number of trucks that went into north Gaza has gone down 50 percent from what it was in January, overall. And this is the main reason you have less and less supplies going in.

Are the supply trucks getting stopped by IDF forces, or are UNICEF and other organizations deciding that its too dangerous to send them?

The entry points into Gaza are very few in number to start with. It also takes a long time to screen the trucks. Sometimes it takes so much time that those who are waiting at the border, when their turn comes, will hear, Oh, no, the truck point is closed. So they have to start at zero and go back the next day. This is why trucks are spending a very, very long time on the route. Sometimes, also, they have to transfer items from one truck to another because some of the roads are simply too small.

What do Israeli soldiers say when they stop a truck full of aid?

There are some items  not the nutrition items, but sometimes medical supplies and sometimes water supplies  we call them dual-use items. They say that those items could be used for other purposes and this is why they are not allowed to let them in.

Has there been a change in strategy after Israeli troops reportedly fired on crowds who had gathered for food packages?

No. Why? We dont have any other means of doing this, right? When people are really hungry, they will assemble around where the food is. There is no other means of distribution  you cannot send the food to peoples houses. When you come in with a truck, it is very human and very normal that people will come around to try to take supplies. You cannot prevent them from doing that, but you also have to make sure you have the necessary security to prevent chaotic scenes. That security has to be provided by a certain police force that has not been working recently, something called the Blue Police. You also have to ensure that locations that are marked, which have GPS coordinates usually given to the military, are deconflicted locations, so that they are not bombed. This is what we call deconfliction.

What specifically is UNICEF delivering into Gaza when its allowed to?

At the beginning, we were delivering, number one, large quantities of drinking water. Now we are not doing that anymore, but we are securing the operation of one of the desalination plants, so we can do operation and maintenance on it. And thats a major source of water.

Number two are vaccines. Then we have what we call emergency supplies. We have an emergency kit that contains some very basic mother-and-child-health medical supplies. They are not surgical supplies because this is not our specialty  its the specialty of the WHO. But the kit includes antibiotics, analgesics, special medications for acute respiratory infections, for diarrhea, for the mothers and their children. Then we have something called a family hygiene kit for sanitation, which includes detergent, soap, and toothpaste.

We have also distributed something called high-energy biscuits, and some ready-to-use food for the small kids, and this is not only for the kids who are malnourished, but for the regular kids, who might be 6 months old. And then ready-to-use therapeutic food and a special type of milk powder that is given with the ready-to-use therapeutic food. Sometimes we bring in fuel. We also send some dignity kits, mostly for women, for issues that have to do with female hygiene. And we distributed a lot of winter clothes for children when the weather was very bad.

Youre not delivering drinking water because the focus is on the desalination plant, which does more?

We were bringing in bottled water. Bottled water is super expensive and its simply not sustainable. So its better to look at other ways of disinfecting the water you have in the pipes. And NGOs and other charity organizations were bringing bottled water in too. We were asked to put a hold on water and prioritization of other supplies. Things like the family hygiene kits, like vaccines, like the medical supplies.

Where are the UNICEF workers organizing all this?

We have an office in Gaza. We moved the staff to Khan Yunis, and now our staff are in Rafah. And we have increased the number of international staff we have there. Before the war we had two, and now sometimes we have ten, sometimes it could be 12 or 13 international staff. The number of locals is much higher than that.

And then we have what we call a supply hub in Egypt that makes frequent visits to el-Arish, but the majority of them are based in Cairo, basically doing supply and logistics.

If there were a cease-fire, how would that help UNICEF bring in more aid?

First, there would be more security. We expect that we would have a higher number of trucks going in, and that we would be able to distribute aid with less risk of people getting killed from gathering around the distribution, because there would be more food and water available for people. It would definitely reduce the number of children who are malnourished and prevent them from getting sick and from eventually dying.

What do you think of recent U.S. efforts to provide aid through air drops and a floating dock to ship in aid?

I think there is a lot of talk about air drops and about opening a new port or a maritime corridor. We really welcome this additional aid, but we dont think that the air drops can replace the land crossings, the land routes. They remain the only way that we are able to deliver the supplies at scale. You cannot drop all the supplies from the sky  its simply not possible.

And some specialized supplies like vaccines and food items for the children, especially a specific type of milk powder, have to be temperature-controlled. So we need to make sure that we secure additional land entry points, that we have speeding up of inspections at the borders, that we allow a larger number of trucks to cross, that the dual-list items are allowed, and that there are enough trucks within Gaza to be able to move freely without any security impediments to be able to really make sure that our aid is delivered.

And we hope that all this will be achieved with a cease-fire, and this is why were calling for one. Because unless this is done, then it is really very difficult to see an end to this situation.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: The Prince of Wales/Instagram

While many Americans are just tuning in to the current Kate Middleton drama, I have been casually following her for nearly two decades. Initially, I had a lot of sympathy for Prince Williams girlfriend, who had been unfairly saddled with a nasty nickname by the British tabloids. And though I had rarely even heard her speak, my opinion of her remained pretty favorable as she morphed into Catherine, Princess of Wales. I enjoyed watching her 2011 wedding with my mom, she wears pretty dresses that my tax dollars dont pay for, and she comes off better than some other top royals in Prince Harrys Spare. While I have plenty of qualms with the royal institution as a whole, Catherine herself always seemed pretty innocuous; I just couldnt get that worked up over one future sister-in-law allegedly making the other cry over flower-girl tights.

So for months, I have resisted the temptation to dive too deeply into theories about whats really going on with Catherines health. Seeing her pose outside the hospital, made up and in heels, just hours after giving birth was horrifying. When Kensington Palace announced on January 17 that the princess had undergone a planned abdominal surgery the previous day and would be recuperating in private for several months, my only thoughts were (1) I hope shes doing well and (2) its good that this time the palace is letting her recover in private.

After King Charles was diagnosed with cancer a short time later, it seemed understandable that the public wanted health updates on both him and his daughter-in-law. But I tried not to engage with the many conspiracy theories and tasteless memes circulating on the internet. Catherine had announced she was taking time off to recover from surgery, then she did just that. On February 27, her husband canceled a public appearance due to a personal matter, but Kensington Palace said the princess was still doing well. So wheres the story?

Then on March 10, which is Mothers Day in Britain, the royal press team tried to assure us that Catherine was fine by releasing an obviously edited photo of the princess and her children, George, Charlotte, and Louis  and now I cant keep myself from going full Pepe Silvia.

What broke me wasnt the Photoshopping itself. As a veteran royals watcher, I first counted everyones fingers when the image popped up on my Instagram feed Sunday morning. The British royal family has been accused of releasing altered images as far back as 2015. Most recently, people spotted missing digits, misplaced legs, and general anatomical weirdness in the familys 2023 Christmas card:

So in the Mothers Day photo, I wasnt surprised to see Louis doing something strange with his fingers, weirdness around the waistband of Charlottes skirt, or a jagged edge along the building in the lower left thats so obvious you can see it without zooming in. Soon, internet sleuths had pointed out so many odd elements in the photo that its hard even to catalogue all the possible alterations. Several major photo agencies killed the photo over concerns that it had been manipulated.

These are the inconsistencies I've noticed about the #KateMiddleton photograph. I've lightened the shadows to better demonstrate. pic.twitter.com/N99yrrCcdP  Johnny Galuva (@JohnnyGaluva) March 10, 2024

What did shock me was the palace releasing this apology on Monday morning, supposedly from Catherine herself:

Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mothers Day. C  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 11, 2024

Why is the royal press team  which exists to shape the familys perfect public persona  letting Catherine personally take the fall for releasing a horribly Photoshopped image? Its well known that she dabbles in photography; the palace has released dozens of images credited to her. But now were supposed to believe she also personally edited a photo taken by her husband, then threw it up on Instagram with no assistance from a professional?

None of it makes sense. Where is Catherine? Why is the palace being so secretive about the royals health? What are they covering up?!

In retrospect, Ive been edging closer to the Where Is Kate? conspiracy-theory rabbit hole for days. Kensington Palace is known for carefully controlling Catherine and Williams image and rarely responding to royal gossip. So it struck me as fishy  or at least sloppy  when Catherines rep gave a statement to Page Six a little over a week ago and TMZ managed to obtain blurry paparazzi shots of a person who looked sort of like Catherine being driven around near Windsor Castle.

Then on Friday, I read an excellent Nieman Lab interview with former BuzzFeed News royal correspondent Ellie Hall in which she confirmed that Kensington Palaces handling of Catherines health issues has been bizarre:

Royal press offices rarely go on the record. As former Guardian editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger noted in this great column that I reference all the time in my work, its unusually difficult to judge the reliability of royal reporting because it is a world almost devoid of open or named sources. You almost never see stories with direct attributions to royal spokespersons, which is one of the big reasons why this Kate Middleton is missing saga is so interesting. A Palace spokesperson has gone on the record three times  first in response to a Spanish media report that Kate was in a coma, then in response to the widespread social media speculation about her status, and then once again in response to Williams reaction to the social media speculation.

Instead of going on the record, royal press offices will give briefings and in some situations provide information to a core group of royal reporters  with the caveat that these reporters wont say that the information came from an official spokesperson. Phrases like this reporter understands or this news outlet can confirm are very common in stories about the royal family. If you follow royal reporters on Twitter, you can always tell when one of these memos is sent, because within minutes of each other, reporters will tweet a similarly worded update or clarification. We saw this happen last week when news of [British financier and husband of royal-family member Lady Gabriella] Thomas Kingstons death was made public. Later that day, royal reporters started tweeting within minutes of each other that Williams absence from the memorial service was not related to the tragedy. (The fact that Kensington Palace wanted this information to get out has, of course, been deemed highly significant by some conspiracy theorists.)

Halls accompanying timeline of how the Kate Middleton conspiracy theory developed online includes plenty of lurid details that have mostly been omitted from mainstream coverage of her health issues. Theres video of a royal convoy purportedly rushing to the hospital on December 28, a member of the extended royal family recently died by suicide, and a Spanish journalist insists Catherine was in a medically induced coma (which the palace contends is total nonsense). And in the wake of the the Mothers Day photo debacle my social media feeds have been flooded with people insisting the image was cobbled together from an old Kate Middleton Vogue cover, and doing deep analysis of the bricks in the background of a new shot of the princess in a car with William.

To be clear, Hall isnt saying she believes the Kate Truthers. And a week ago, I was rolling my eyes and quickly scrolling past social-media posts suggesting Catherine was anywhere other than lying low at her home in Windsor. But Im an Anglophile who grew up on Agatha Christie mysteries and the tabloid drama between King Charles and Princess Diana. Even though all this supposed evidence is highly circumstantial  and the likeliest explanation is that members of the royal press team are stunningly bad at their jobs  I cant resist clicking on dubious Kate Middleton speculation any longer.

This piece has been updated.
 Flash

A boy sits on debris after Israeli attacks in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 7, 2024. [Photo/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.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Just a few days after Donald Trump posted a nearly $92 million bond for defaming the writer E. Jean Carroll (and then went on to apparently defame her again), the presumed Republican nominee went on CNBC to talk a little bit about his newfound love of cryptocurrencies. Crazy new currencies is what he says he calls them now. I do little things sometimes for fun. You know, make money with it. Have fun with it, too, he added. Trump, you might remember, has dabbled in digital currencies before. There are the NFTs, depicting him as a glorious leader or in various kinds of ridiculous heroic guises, as a samurai or a cowboy. I wish I looked as good as I do on those cards  that I can tell you. They give me muscles where, believe me, I dont have them, he said in a promotional video.

But Trump didnt appear on the financial-news network just to give his thoughts on the crypto market  he had moneymaking schemes to talk about, made all the more urgent by his $500 million and rising debt to the U.S. court system. Trump is facing a little bit of a cash crunch at the moment, since the SPAC for his social-media network, Truth Social, appears to be tied up in litigation, and New York attorney general Letitia James has threatened to seize his assets if he doesnt pay for defrauding the state over the inflated values of his properties.

Trump doesnt appear to have much interest in HODLing bitcoin, he implied. However, he seems extremely happy to see that people are paying him in bitcoin for his Never Surrender gold sneakers, which are somehow both limited edition and made-to-order. I will sometimes let people pay through bitcoin. I will let people get involved inif you think of it, its an additional form of currency, he said. Bitcoin broke through new all-time highs, above $72,000, on Monday morning.

Trump talks crypto and shills his NFT on CNBC



I wish my favorite founder would shill my bags on TV

pic.twitter.com/rznr3Q6ViM  bunny  (@DaBunnyOFFICIAL) March 11, 2024

He went on: The last pair sold for $450,000, he said. People were going crazy for these sneakers. You probably were, too. Everybody was. Every friend I have had called me for a pair of sneakers. And I noticed that so many of them were paid for with the new currency. Its a new cryptocurrency. I couldnt believe the amount.

Take all that for what its worth, but Trump does appear to see the utility that comes with loving crypto  namely, that there are a lot of people who own it and some of those people might vote for him. Elsewhere in the interview, Trump implied he wouldnt crack down on crypto if hes returned to the Oval Office. (To the extent thats different from the Biden administration, under which a slate of bitcoin ETFs recently were approved, albeit reluctantly, is still to be determined.) The crypto lobby has, also, become an electoral force during this election and has already helped defeat California representative Katie Porter in her Senate-nomination bid.

Whatever the reason, Trump may be in need of even more crypto soon. During his interview, he went on to again go after Carroll, calling her Ms. Bergdorf Goodman, and said, wrongly, that she had leveled a false accusation against him. (Hes appealing.) A lawyer for Carroll told Maggie Haberman of the New York Times that 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, E. Jean Carroll.
16 items in this article 3 items on sale! Photo: Courtesy of the retailer

Youre not imagining it: Its a confusing time to buy a couch. Classic brands and DTC companies make great sofas and terrible sofas, which often look quite similar. And although manufacturers provide a ton of specifications and customizations  upholstery material, cushion-fill material, Martindale rating, the style of the joinery and springs  it can feel daunting to translate all that information into an understanding of how a couch will actually look and feel once its in your home.

The good news is that there are plenty of great couches out there, often for the same affordable prices as the terrible sofas. To find them, I began by caucusing designers, co-workers, and friends, and honed in on two indispensable qualities: comfort and durability. Any big-ticket item of furniture should invite you to sit on it for hours without the urge to move to a comfier seat. It also should, with reasonable maintenance, last for a long time and not deflate, discolor, fray, sag, or break within a few years. To test for comfort, I put on my walking shoes and went to 11 showrooms across New York City  from an eerie basement off Union Square to accidentally crashing a workday at Hems second-floor showroom-slash-office  and sat on a final tally of 57 couches. (Article, which doesnt have a showroom, shipped its Sven couch to our office.)

Durability is trickier to measure. As a thrifty shopper who was radicalized by a 2017 Awl piece about the West Elm Peggy sofa, I start from a place of skepticism about any sofas life span, even an expensive one. But I couldnt simulate years of wear and tear on dozens of sofas, so as a proxy, I asked longtime owners of sofas on this list about how theyre holding up. I also deployed a strategy Ive developed for my own furniture purchases: scanning Reddit and Craigslist. The theory is this: If buyers feel scammed by a furniture company or sofa model, they will be vocal on Reddit (search the brand name, and browse r/furniture and r/BIFL). If theres unanimous hate, I stay away. I also search for models on Craigslist, the best way to find pictures of how a sofa might look after a few years of wear and tear. Alarm bells go off if my search turns up a lot of sofas that look sad and deflated. If the sofa looks great  or if I dont see many listings, indicating that buyers arent reselling  thats a good sign.

What were looking for Frame The frame provides a sofas structure, supporting your weight when you sit down. Look for strong materials like hardwood and metal, and avoid plywood or particleboard, which are weaker and more prone to breaking. The frame will also often contain springs, which help distribute your weight for support and bounce. Where possible, Im listing what style of springs a sofa contains. Fill A good couch is a comfortable one, and ergonomics specialists like Esther Gokhale, a posture-focused integrative therapist in the Bay Area, said that being able to keep a lengthened spine on it (a.k.a. not slouching) matters most. Most couch cushions have a foam core wrapped in a softer and more pillowy material, like polyfill, feathers, down, or a blend of all three. High-quality foam and filling are the most important qualities in how comfortable your couch is  look for high-density or high-resiliency foam. In general, a firmer couch translates to a higher proportion of foam in the seat cushions, and a fluffy, sink-into-a-cloud couch means more fill. Upholstery Upholstery is the most fun aesthetic decision when buying a sofa  go for anything from buttery leather to mid-century tweed to velvet. To avoid cushions that go threadbare or pill, look for their Martindale rating, a measure of a textiles resistance to abrasion. Im looking for a rating of above 40,000 Martindales for the heavy daily use you can expect from a sofa. Size A couch is a big-ticket item, and some genuinely might be too big to get through your door, so make sure you measure  multiple times. Carlie Rice, social-media manager at online interior-design service Havenly, says that many of the companys designers swear by placing masking tape on the floor to map out the dimensions of their possible couches. You really want to get a good feel for the dimension of the sofa before buying it, she says. Most of the couches here are available in different sizes, though the average length is around 80 inches. Weve noted all the sizes available for each model so you can find the best couch for your specific space.

Best overall

Crate&Barrel Oceanside Sofa From $1,999 From $1,999 Frame: Engineered hardwood, sinuous spring | Filling: Polyfoam; fiber and feather-down blend | Upholstery: 246 options, including performance fabrics | Size: 78, 90, and 102 inches In my odyssey to sit on every sofa in New York City, there were only a few that compelled me to sit on them again and confirm that they really were as comfortable as I first thought. One of them was the Crate & Barrel Oceanside sofa, a customizable, reasonably priced, fits-anyone sofa with some of the comfiest seat cushions I encountered. It occupies a good middle ground between firm and cushy  a nice soft sink without the falling into a pit of pillows feeling that signals high maintenance to keep cushions looking plump. I tested a model upholstered in performance fabric (Ascend in ivory) and was surprised at how soft and non-crunchy it felt. The Oceanside has a minimal, well-proportioned design and comes in a ton of configurations: You can customize your height and depth and build out a custom sectional. Although I dont have a tester who can speak to its long-term durability, it has good reviews online, with most complaints relating to its lowish height and some customers experience of long lead times. In the standard size, youll sit 17 inches off the ground with a 30-inch-high backrest, which is on the low end. For taller households, it also comes in a regular height, with a seat 19.5 inches off the ground (a bit higher than youd sit in a standard dining chair) and a 32.5-inch-high backrest. From $1,999 at Crate and Barrel Buy

Best less-expensive leather couch

Frame: Solid and engineered wood | Filling: High-density foam, polyester and duck feather fill | Upholstery: Leather | Size: 72 and 88 inches

The Sven couch by DTC furniture company Article is everywhere  it was recommended by several experts we consulted, and it was the most-repeated model when we polled stylish people about their couches. Its got that iconic mid-century look that many clients are seeking, says Alexandra Kalita, founder of Common Bond Design. It also appealed to ergonomics expert Gokhale, who noted that the firmness gives you the chance to tip your pelvis forward a little if you want to sit upright, and when you sit back, theres room to have your sacrum supported.

I tested the Article Sven couch in a conference room in the Vox Media offices. Photo: Author

After two weeks of testing in the Vox Media office, Ive concluded that the Sven is a solid choice for a stylish leather couch on the less-expensive end of the spectrum. My testers scored it around a B+ for comfort, with some unevenness in the cushions and a supportive, firm, non-cushy feel. I noticed a few cost-cutting details  some sewing errors on the bolster pillows; the zippers on the cushion covers are made of plastic, not metal, and become unthreaded easily when youre zipping them back up  but it is, all told, a couch that looks and feels more expensive than it is. One thing to note is that the Sven has an issue with cushions sagging or deflating over time, which is more noticeable in non-leather upholstery. The brand recommends fluffing them to reinflate the filling, and if youre a DIYer, you can also supplement them with your own filling (I recommend Reddit-favorite retailer the Foam Factory).

Best less-expensive fabric couch

West Elm Harmony Sofa $1,599 now 4% off From $1,529 Frame: Engineered hardwood frame with slot and tenon joinery, sinuous spring | Fill: High-resiliency polyurethane seat cushions, 50% polyester fiber, 45% duck feather and 5% duck down fiber back cushions | Upholstery: Over 100 fabrics | Size: 76, 82, 92, and 104 inches The Harmony is a highly versatile, highly customizable couch thats been in the West Elm catalogue for years. Weve used this sofa in so many projects as its insanely comfortable and has great lines, says Joslyn Taylor of Swoon, the Studio. It has many of the specs I look for  a hardwood frame, sinuous springs, and down cushions  at a lower price than many other sofas with the same qualities. Its comfortable without being cushy  I returned to the West Elm store in Chelsea twice to conclude that it is a good sit  and comes with three different sizes of cushions, perfect for nestling in and getting comfortable. Its also easy to customize, with two different depths (41 inches and 47 inches) and over 100 choices of fabric, including performance fabrics, yarn-dyed linen, and over 40 shades of velvet. It comes in every configuration imaginable: as a sofa, a sectional, sleeper, and chair-and-a-half. From $1,529 at West Elm Buy

Best velvet couch

Anthropologie Willoughby Two-Cushion Sofa From $1,798 Frame: Laminated hardwood, sinuous springs | Fill: High-resiliency foam, fiber padding, hypoallergenic blend of down and feathers, spring coils | Upholstery: Ten fabrics, over 100 colors | Size: 69, 79, and 89 inches Anthropologies Willoughby sofa is the platonic ideal of an overstuffed vintage velvet couch. It nods to an iconic George Smith, but for a fraction of the price, says Taylor. It isnt squishy or fluffy like the RH Cloud, but is still quite comfortable for a firmer sofa, with an even, bouncy sink. Though it comes in leather and brushed cotton, it is most popular in cotton-polyester velvet, which has a substantial, plush handfeel. Upholstery with a dense weave is also great for pets with claws  a fabric with a more open weave, like linen or boucle, will be irresistible to cats, but velvet is dense enough that its hard to get a claw into and wont snag easily. From $1,798 at Anthropologie Buy

Best down-filled couch

RH Cloud Sofa From $3,995 Frame: Engineered wood and hardwood with corner-blocked joinery, pocket springs | Fill: High-resiliency foam, down, and feather seat cushions; feather, down and polyfiber back cushions | Upholstery: 98 fabrics, including leather | Size: Five lengths, from 72 inches to 120 inches The RH Cloud was the first sofa I tested, and I think all the other sofas suffered for it. The fluffiest of fluffy sofas, you sink into its feather-and-down-filled cushions and never want to leave. Its a favorite of celebrities and influencers, including Stas Karanikolaou, who included it in her list of things she cant live without. I have an emotional attachment to it. I spend probably 70 percent of my life on my couch, she says. Its like youre laying on a duvet. Its worth noting that, like other down-filled sofas, the RH Cloud is not low-maintenance. Down has the magical ability to reinflate again and again after its compressed, but it requires fluffing to get air back into the fibers and restore that nice fluffy loft. If daily or weekly cushion refluffing does not appeal to you, a firmer sofa like Anthropologies Willoughby couch or the Hem Palo may be preferable. From $3,995 at RH Buy

Best (less expensive) feather-filled couch

Best low couch

Hem Palo Modular Two-Seater Sofa From $2,899 Frame: Wood, steel | Fill: High-density foam | Upholstery: 70% virgin wool, 30% viscose; 7 colors | Size: 77 inches Hem is a Swedish furniture company with pieces that are distinctly Scandinavian, without the mid-century sensibility of Arne Jacobsen or Hans Wegner. The Palo is a firm, low, elegantly proportioned modular sofa that comes in several different configurations  including a sectional and a daybed-like lounger  and allows for add-ons over time, like additional seats, armrests, and even a mini side table. Hem is worth the splurge, says Aelfie Oudghiri, a Brooklyn designer known for her rugs. This couch is shockingly comfortable. Interior designer Lucy Harris agrees. We used the Palo modular sofa for a client, and it is higher quality than you would expect for the price. When former Strategist senior editor Margaret Rhodes tested it a few years ago, she described it having a specific kind of austere comfort. After sitting on it myself, I agree: Although you dont sink into it, its firm cushion is supportive, and I could feel the quality of its construction. It has a modular steel-and-wood frame, which translates to greater durability, and the wool-viscose upholstery feels soft and substantial. From $2,899 at Hem Buy

Best soft slipcover couch

Frame: Hardwood and plywood, webbing, sinuous springs | Fill: High-density foam, choice of feather down or poly fill | Upholstery: Removable slipcovers in linen, cotton canvas, velvet, and faux fur; 31 colors | Size: 72 or 84 inches

If you like Belgian linen sheets and taking naps, youll love the Sixpenny Neva sofa. Its a fluffy, squishy sofa with easy-to-remove slipcovers and cushion fill thats proportionally heavier on the down (or polyfill, if you have allergies or concerns about animal products) and lighter on the foam than the average sofa. The trade-off is that the Neva will never look crisp and untouched, and youll have to occasionally refluff the cushions to keep them plump, but its incredibly comfortable. It was recommended by multiple designers, including Jenn OBrien, who loves the unfussy, casual air this sofa has. Eva Lee, director of BuzzFeeds newsroom operations, bought the Neva love seat in the washed-cotton-linen fabric: I liked the lived-in look of the Neva and its a great size for a New York City studio apartment like mine. It was also important to Lee, who has a dog, that the sofa be slipcovered: Ive washed the covers multiple times now, and they slip back on easily and still look good, she reports.

Sixpenny Neva, canine sales associate. Photo: Author

One caveat is that the Neva is not the lowest-maintenance sofa, best suited for those who enjoy the highs and lows of caring for natural fibers. (I am in this camp, but I dont have pets or kids.) Other than a recycled synthetic faux fur, the upholstery fabrics are all made from cotton, linen, or a blend of the two, without synthetic fibers, and arent treated with products to make them stain- or UV-resistant. That means they break in beautifully and have a lovely handfeel, but the color may change over time. Thread-dyed cotton linen is best for UV resistance, and it also helps to wash all the slipcovers at once to keep color even. You can find more of the brands textile-care recommendations on their website.

Best firmer slipcover couch

Maiden Home Dune From $2,725 Frame: Hardwood; glued, double-doweled, and corner-blocked joints; sinuous springs | Fill: High-resiliency foam; feathers, down, and fiber | Upholstery: 23 fabrics, including performance fabrics and linen | Size: 12 sizes, from 60 inches to 120 inches For a slipcovered couch with a firmer feel and lower-maintenance upholstery, I recommend the Maiden Home Dune, which comes recommended by interior designer Emily C. Butler: I have purchased several Maiden Home sofas for clients over the past year with great success, she says. (The brand is also a Reddit favorite.) The Dune has a similar breezy, lived-in look to the Sixpenny Neva, with a few features that translate to easier maintenance. The cushions are firmer and require less fluffing, and the sofa also comes in performance fabric, which helps prevent stains from setting. Like the Neva, slipcovers can be removed and washed, and both brands recommend air-drying. From $2,725 at Maiden Home Buy

Best chunky couch

Hay Mags Soft Low 2.5-Seat Sofa $4,545 now 30% off From $3,182 Frame: Wood, springs | Fill: High-density foam, down | Upholstery: 36 fabrics, including leather | Size: 92.25 inches, 121.75 inches After months of research, creative director Isabel Castillo Guijarro bought the Mags 2.5-seat sofa from Hay because it had all the elements she was looking for: low, comfortable (sturdy but not hard), timeless, and durable. Guijarro placed it in the middle of the room and enjoys it as a social sofa: friends can sprawl out, sit on the armrests, or lean against the back without obstructing conversation. I tried it out at the Design Within Reach store in midtown Manhattan and was impressed by the quality of the construction and materials. It was firmer than I expected, not at all squishy or fluffy  a salesperson told me that soft in the name refers to the sofas soft curves rather than the feel of its cushions  but it was comfortable and supportive. It has a big, fun, chubby footprint (even the smaller size is larger than many sofas on this list), so it may be better suited for large spaces than small apartments. Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens has the Mags sofa and reports that its durable: After almost two years, its holding up well, with no pilling or sagging. From $3,182 at Design Within Reach Buy

Best mid-century-influenced couch

Frame: Hardwood frame, webbing | Fill: High-resiliency foam; feather, down, and fiber; downproof ticking | Upholstery: 223 options, including leather and performance fabrics | Size: 79, 89, and 102 inches

I found out about the Pierson sofa from Alyssa Shelasky, a columnist at the Cut and editor of the Sex Diaries series, who bought it after a long search for a couch with her ideal depth of 40 inches (Deep enough to blissfully watch The Traitors after a long stressful day of deadlines and parenting, but not so deep that I never left my apartment again.) The sofa has a lot of qualities Im looking for  a hardwood frame, high-quality foam cushions, tons of fabric options  and is very comfortable to sit in, with a firmer, supportive feel. I especially liked the leather version  leather is tricky to sew, and the Pierson had some of the best sewing and finishes I saw in all my showroom visits. Most of the companys furniture is made in America, including the Pierson, which is manufactured in Texas.

Best statement sofa

Audo Eave Sectional Sofa by Norm Architects From $6,333 From $6,333 Photo: Retailer Frame: Pine, plywood, MDF, steel springs | Fill: High-resiliency foam | Upholstery: 8 options | Size: Modular, from 65 inches to 114 inches If youre looking for a sofa with an unexpected design element, consider Audos Eave sofa, recommended by Evelyn Zhang, senior designer at the New York Times T Brand. After looking at a bunch of Scandinavian brands (Muuto, Paustian, and Woud) and visiting showrooms, Zhang decided on the Eave sectional in a vibrant Yves Klein blue velvet. (The shade wasnt in the swatch book; the company put her in touch with its fabric supplier for more options.) I tend to gravitate toward classic, simple designs that have a slight unexpected twist to them, she says. I really loved the rounded back of the Eave, which felt quite different and special. She appreciated the fact that the seat was deep enough to sit with my legs crossed or cuddle with my dog on, with enough back support to work or lounge on it every day for hours at a time. Its also modular, with plenty of customization options  it can be configured as a two-seater love seat, a sectional, or a dining sofa with spindle-like metal legs. From $6,333 at Audo Buy

Our experts

 Ashlie Broderic, interior designer

 Baylee Floyd, interior designer

 Emerie Forehand, interior designer

 Heather Goerzen, Havenly design editor

 Esther Gokhale, integrative therapist

 Isabel Castillo Guijarro, creative director

 Emily Henderson, interior designer

 Joanna Jones, interior designer

 Alexandra Kalita, interior designer

 Eva Lee, director of BuzzFeeds newsroom operations

 Dan Mazzarini, interior designer

 Courtney McLeod, interior designer

 Jenn OBrien, interior designer

 Aelfie Oudghiri, Aelfie founder

 Margaret Rhodes, former Strategist senior editor

 Carlie Rice, Havenly social-media manager

 Joslyn Taylor, interior designer

 C.S. Valentin, interior designer

 Sophia Venturo, interior designer

 Evelyn Zhang, designer

Additional reporting by Lauren Ro

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If you thought Janine Teagues was a try-hard, just wait.

Bradley Cooper knows you think he's a bit of a try-hard. So what better show for him to guest star on than Abbott Elementary, home to ultimate try-hard Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson)?

Cooper guest-starred on the show in a special new episode that landed the post-Oscars time slot, making his appearance even more pointed. He plays himself, popping into Melissa's (Lisa Ann Walter) classroom when one of her students brings him in for show-and-tell after spotting him at a local deli.

Whenever Im in Philly, you know the deli across the street? Thats my first stop, Cooper, who grew up in Pennsylvania, says. My dad used to always take me there. They have the best hoagies in the city."

Gilles Mingasson/Disney Bradley Cooper on 'Abbott Elementary'

His second grade pal interjects, "Everybody wanted to take a picture with him, so I figured he was famous."

And it turns out that's about as well as the rest of the students and teachers of Abbott know him, too. Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph), in her classic fashion, confuses The Holdovers with The Hangover, calling the gross-out comedy "heartwarming" until Gregory (Tyler James Williams) corrects her.

Janine names He's Just Not That Into You as her favorite Cooper film, which he says is really more of an ensemble project. Melissa calls him "the face of Alias," which he admits is not quite accurate.

Then, Janine reminds them that Cooper is currently starring in a critically acclaimed film, you know, the one he's been hitting the Oscar campaign trail hard for. But no one can name Maestro, which he wrote, directed, and starred in as famed composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. Instead, Melissa thinks he's in Oppenheimer, which Ava (Janelle James) doubles down on when he gently corrects Melissa. Are you sure? Everybody was in Oppenheimer," she quips.

Gilles Mingasson/Disney Bradley Cooper on 'Abbott Elementary'



The kids really only care about if Cooper was in Spider-Man, which leads him to do his Rocket Raccoon voice to prove he was in Guardians of the Galaxy. Another kid asks him why his teeth aren't whiter, to which he replies, "I cant whiten them because theyre too sensitive."

Story continues

Writer and producer Brittani Nichols previously teased Cooper's appearance to EW, saying, "The guest star is amazing. There'll be some fun moments to look back on once we reveal who it is. People will be shocked to see. It was almost given away so many times."

Gilles Mingasson/Disney Bradley Cooper on 'Abbott Elementary'

The last few weeks have seen the tail-end of an increasingly exhausting Oscar campaign that included Cooper revealing his shockingly open floor plan and the naked side effects of that and bizarre attempts to crucify Cooper for daring to want to win an Academy Award.

It was refreshing then to see Cooper stop by to honor his Pennsylvania roots (lest we forget how many scenes in Silver Linings Playbook he wears an Eagles jersey) and poke a bit of fun at himself. especially after Maestro's shutout at Sunday night's awards made him one of the most-nominated living people without an Oscar win to his credit.

It's okay Bradley; Philly still loves you anyway.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

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Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.
The City of Auburns Workforce Development has launched the Career Skills Program, a program meant to assist local veterans seeking jobs by connecting the veterans with local companies.

According to a news release from the city, the program is a partnership with Fort Moore and the U.S. Army Transition Assistance Program, designed to help veterans who are retiring or leaving the military and transitioning back to civilian life. The program will connect veterans to internships and careers with local Auburn industries.

This program is a win-win for all involved  our local companies are looking for great employees, and veterans, particularly coming out of Fort Moore, are often looking to stay in the area and begin a new career, said Workforce Development Director Amy Brabham. By simply connecting them, we help bridge the gap and meet the needs of veterans and our industry base.

The program has already hit the ground running with Army veteran Tony Dein, who spent more than 25 years in the Army gaining experience in training and development, operational leadership and project management. In February, Dein began an internship with 2AUSA, LLC, a die-casting company that is a Tier 1 supplier for major automobile and heavy truck manufacturers. In October, 2AUSA was named a finalist for Alabama Manufacturer of the Year.

Anyone who is interested in participating in or learning more about the program can contact Trevor Cook with the Citys Workforce Development team at 334-501-7303 or tcook@auburnalabama.org.
Investments in new oil production have been stalling since about 2014. This has led many to suggest that higher prices for longer are on the cards, supported by anti-oil industry energy policies in key jurisdictions that are home to the largest private producers.

Yet a case might be made that although lower, the oil industry's investments over the past decade have become better targeted at prospects with a good chance of a discovery. Either that, or they have become luckier than usual. Nowhere is this clearer than in Africa.

Earlier this month, French TotalEnergies said that it would buy a 33% stake in an exploration block offshore South Africa. Its partner QatarEnergy was also taking part in the acquisition in Block 3B/4B, with a 24% interest. The acquisition is part of the French supermajor's exploration campaign in South Africa's neighbor Namibia, which shares the Orange Basin with South Africa.

The Orange Basin has recently become something of a hot spot rivaling Guyana. The last couple of years have seen a string of discoveries revealing reserves estimated at around 5 billion barrels so far. And the rate of success has been unusually high, with 15 confirmed discoveries of commercial volumes of hydrocarbons in 17 exploration wells drilled since February 2022, per the Financial Times.

The largest discovery so far was made by TotalEnergies in the Venus field offshore Namibia, with estimated reserves of 3 billion barrels. No wonder the company is expanding in the areaeven as forecasts for peak oil demand persist.

"Following the Venus success in Namibia, TotalEnergies is continuing to progress its Exploration effort in the Orange Basin," the senior vice president for exploration at the French company, Kevin McLachlan, said last week, following the news of the South Africa investment.

"South Africa's side of the Orange Basin resembles those of Namibia, it is highly prospective with at least two prospects in the northern region of the basin potentially containing millions of barrels of oil and associated gas," according to Jonathan Salomo, who is the lead geologist for the West coast of South Africa at the country's Petroleum Agency. Related: Two Countries That Could Break Putin's Gas Grip On Europe

TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy are not alone in their pursuit of Africa's hitherto untapped oil and gas riches. In January this year, a Canadian company specifically focused on Africa and named accordinglyAfrica Oil Corpcompleted the purchase of additional acreage in the same Orange Basin block that TotalEnergies and the Qatari state oil company are planning to expand into.

The block is estimated to contain prospective resources equal to some 4 billion barrels of oil equivalent, Offshore Energy reported back in January, with success probability ranging between 11% and 39% for the 24 prospects in the block.

Southern Africa is a hotspot, then, but it is not the only one in Africa. Offshore Energy again reported this month that a Houston-based energy company had struck a deal to buy a Swedish exploration player to gain access to an offshore block in the Ivory Coast.

The target company, Svenska Petroleum Exploration, holds a 27% stake in the Baobab field offshore the Western African country that is most famous for its cocoa. The Baobab field is a producing one, yielding some 4,500 gross barrels of oil equivalent daily, with plans to expand this and extend the productive life of the field.

Oil is not the sole focus of international investors, either. Liquefied natural gas has become a priority for many as Europe joined the big buyers' club two years ago, providing a huge boost to exploration, including in Africa, which already produces some LNG but could produce a lot more.

The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project, for instance, is about to enter operation in the third quarter of this year. Located on the border between Senegal and Mauritania, the project is led by BP in partnership with Kosmos Energy and the state energy companies of the two countries. GTA LNG will have an annual capacity of 2.3 million tons initially, to be expanded to 10 million tons over three phases.

Next year could also see the pre-final investment decision on the Tanzania LNG terminal, which aims to tap the country's offshore gas resources. The price tag of the project is $42 billion and it is being developed by an all-star cast including Equinor, Shell, and Exxon. The capacity of the project is seen at a minimum of 10 million tons annually, potentially turning Tanzania into a sizeable player in the LNG market.

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Oil and gas exploration in Africa is booming, in part because the continent contains a lot of the hitherto undiscovered global hydrocarbon reserves and in part because local governments appear to be a lot more open to the idea than the governments in Big Oil's home countries and nearby jurisdictions.

Wood Mackenzie calculated last year that the energy industry is investing a total $800 billion in African oil and gas. The investment cycle began in 2010, the firm's upstream research director said at an industry event in October, and will end with Africa emerging as a leading producer of LNG from floating terminals and a growing source of deepwater oil.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Bank of America is looking to expand its business related to the energy transition, boosting carbon trading, and power and natural gas markets trading, senior executives have told Bloomberg.

Banks in the United States and Europe are looking to boost exposure to trading products and financing projects that are deemed of key importance to the energy transition.

Bank of America (BofA) will hire people for trading roles as client demand for energy transition-related products is rising.

The U.S. banking giant is already expanding its exposure to power and natural gas markets and in trading of environmental products, George Cultraro, Global Commodities Head at Bank of America, told Bloomberg.

Gas is also seen as a transition fuel by BofA and the bank is betting on gas trading, too, according to Brett Orlando, Managing Director and Global Head of Commodities Transition at Bank of America.

There is also significant growth in compliance market trading, particularly in the EU, with the carbon pricing and the EUs carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), Orlando told Bloomberg.



Related: Two Countries That Could Break Putin's Gas Grip On Europe

Moreover, BofAs institutional clients are also increasingly interested in index trading products that include key battery metal commodities, the executive noted.

Major banks are also financing various decarbonization projects and initiatives with the so-called transition finance.

Last month, UK banking giant Barclays signaled it is looking to avoid claims of greenwashing with a new set of guidelines about what transition finance is and how its new transition finance team should apply it.

In February, Barclays revised its Climate Change Statement saying that it would no longer provide project finance, or other direct finance to energy clients for upstream oil and gas expansion projects or related infrastructure.

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The bank will also impose restrictions for new energy clients engaged in expansion of oil and gas, as well as restrictions on non-diversified energy clients engaged in long lead expansion. Barclays is putting additional restrictions on unconventional oil and gas, including Amazon and extra heavy oil.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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A team of oil industry experts from Brazils state energy major Petrobras have traveled to Venezuela at the invitation of President Nicolas Maduro despite U.S. sanctions against Venezuelas oil industry.

Citing unnamed sources, Bloomberg reported that the Petrobras delegation had visited several oil fields in Lake Maracaibo, a top oil-producing region in Venezuela, and a logical priority for the government, which wants to reverse years of declining production.

This visit is the latest in a string of visits from foreign state-owned oil companies that have also featured a delegation from Algerias Sonatrach and Bolivias YPFB, the Bloomberg report noted. Pemex also sent officials to Venezuela.

Venezuelas economyand oil industryhas been crippled by some of the toughest U.S. sanctions and years of underinvestment. Last year, the Biden administration loosened the sanction noose allowing Chevron to return to Venezuelas heavy oil fields but now many fear a reversal of this after President Maduro banned an opposition candidate from running in the presidential elections scheduled for July. The ban has left Maduro as the only candidate.

The relaxation of the sanctions last year led to an increase in oil production, with the daily average hitting 850,000 bpd in November last year. The government has been aiming to boost production to 1 million barrels daily.

At the same time, the Maduro government seems to be eyeing oil reserves in the Essequibo region that constitutes two-thirds of the territory of neighboring Guyana but Venezuela claims is its own territory.

The government organized a referendum on the issue last December and announced overwhelming support for its territorial claim, sparking worries that Venezuela may invade Guyana to take its oil riches. The Essequibo region contains a lot of the oil discovered in Guyana so far, including the Stabroek Block where Exxon and its partners have so far discovered reserves of some 11 billion barrels.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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A few days after losing $14 billion in market value, Brazils state-run oil company, Petrobras, said it may dole out a special dividend after all, CEO Jean-Paul Prates said Monday, which could be the subject of a vote during Aprils meeting of shareholders.

Brazil's shares crashed on Friday, shaving $14 billion off the companys market value after it disappointed investors by skimping on its dividend, with the ramifications spilling beyond Petrobras and into the wider Brazilian stock market.

Also contributing to the 11% drop in share prices on Friday were reports that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had ordered Petrobras board members to vote against the dividenda development that Petrobras chief executive Jean-Paul Prates denied.





Related: Two Countries That Could Break Putin's Gas Grip On Europe

Lula has summoned Prates to discuss the issue, with the two scheduled to meet later on Monday. Prates said he would not leave his role over the dividend issue.

Investors and analysts had expected an extraordinary dividend between $3 and $4 billion for the quarter, on top of the $2.9 billion regular dividend. But Prates shocked investors when he announced that the year-end payout to shareholders, including the Brazilian government only be for the routine dividend of $2.9 billion.

On Monday, Morgan Stanley downgraded Petrobras from Overweight to Equalweight, reducing its price target to $18, down from $20 over the extraordinary dividend uncertainty. Morgan Stanley said it did still see upside potential and a strong base dividend yield (12%); however, it said investors might shy away from increasing their stakes until the dust settles.

Petrobras shares were trading at $14.84 at 2:32 p.m. ET on Monday, down 10.12% on the day.

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Saudi oil giant Aramco is cutting supply of its heavier crudes to Asia in April, due to field maintenance, despite meeting full volume nominations for next month, multiple sources familiar with the plans told Reuters on Monday.

Most buyers in China and India will receive the full contractual volumes they had asked for, although the supply slate of grades is being reshuffled to include fewer barrels of heavier crudes, according to the unnamed sources who have spoken to Reuters.

At least one Chinese buyer asking for additional volumes of Arab Medium and Arab Heavy has been denied, while at least one Indian refiner saw full volumes met, but with reduced heavy crude volumes, the sources told Reuters.

Last week, Saudi Arabia raised the official selling prices of its crude for Asian buyers for April following the extension of the OPEC+ production cut agreement until the end of the first half of 2024.

The price for the countrys flagship Arab Light grade was raised by $0.20 per barrel over the Oman/Dubai average, meaning April deliveries will cost $1.70 per barrel more than the Oman/Dubai average, up from $1.50 per barrel this month.

At the same time, Saudi Aramco lowered its prices for European buyers, by between $0.60 and $0.70 per barrel. Prices for sales to the United States were virtually unchanged.

The price hike to Asia came despite expectations by some in the oil industry that the Saudis would leave the April prices unchanged from March.

Early this month, OPEC+ agreed to extend its production cuts as benchmark prices remained stubbornly range-bound, largely on expectations of weak demand growth and additional supply from non-OPEC producers that could satisfy most of the new demands coming this year.

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The rollover of the cuts, including Saudi Arabias extension of its extra voluntary production reduction of 1 million barrels per day (bpd), was widely expected by the market and failed to make any impression on oil prices.

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Europeans are not fond of the idea that their gasoline and diesel-powered cars could soon be banned, a new survey has found.

Conducted among 15,000 people in Germany, France, and Poland, the survey found that the ban on internal combustion engine cars is the least popular of the European Unions climate policies. The list of policies had 40 entries.

The European Parliament voted in favor of the 2035 ban on sales of new internal combustion engine cars in February 2023.

The vote was narrow, with 340 out of 640 MEPs in favor but it confirmed plans announced by the European Commission last year. The plans were announced following a deal struck between the European Parliament and the Council of Europe to mandate zero emissions from cars and vans from 2035.

The vote was followed by national government approvals of the ban several months later. The ban is the outcome of new EU rules that target 55% CO2 emission reductions for new cars and 50% for new vans from 2030 to 2034 compared to 2021 levels, as well as 100% CO2 emission reductions for both new cars and vans from 2035, the EU said in March last year.

Related: Two Countries That Could Break Putin's Gas Grip On Europe

The landmark deal was made possible after Germany  the biggest economy, the biggest car market, and the biggest car manufacturer  sought and won an exemption for e-fuels. Germany wanted sales of new cars with internal combustion engines if they run on e-fuels to continue beyond 2035.

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Yet even Germans are not fans of the ban, which carmakers have warned could wreak havoc on car markets in the bloc. In fact, even left-wing voters are not fans of the ban, although they are seen as the main voter base for the legislators who make the new climate laws. With the right expected to win big in the June European parliament elections, there is a chance that the ban will be subjected to a review.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Wang Yi (C), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, attends a closing meeting of the talks between the Saudi delegation led by Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban (L), Saudi Arabia's Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and National Security Advisor, and Iranian delegation led by Admiral Ali Shamkhani (R), Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2023. [Photo/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.

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, Turkiye 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.

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."
The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), the UKs energy market regulator, has opened an investigation into an unnamed company for alleged abuse of dominant position.

The opening of this investigation does not imply we have made any findings about whether there has been an infringement of competition law, said Ofgem, which is investigating via its Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA).

GEMA has launched an investigation under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 into suspected breaches of competition law. The investigation concerns a suspected abuse of a dominant position, Ofgem said.

The probe is in its early stage of initial evidence gathering, the UK energy regulator said.

Ofgem has been frequently investigating energy companies for anti-competitive practices and for failing to comply with the UKs legislation for consumer protection.

At the end of last year, a company owned by UK-based supermajor Shell was fined by the energy regulator, weeks after the communications regulator also fined part of the customer-facing part of the group. Hudson Energy Supply (HES), a non-domestic market energy supplier which Shell had bought in 2019, was fined with $2 million (1.6 million) after Ofgem found it failed its customers by failing to comply with a number of important licence conditions. Shell insisted the actions leading to the penalties took place before it bought HES.

At the end of 2023, Ofgem  following a detailed investigation  decided to impose a financial penalty on EP SHB Limited (EPSHB), requiring it to pay $30.3 million (23.63 million) for breaching its generation license in a way that unfairly raised consumers bills.

Ofgems investigation found that between October 2019 and May 2021, EPSHB breached the Transmission Constraint Licence Condition (TCLC) by submitting excessive bid prices at its South Humber Bank gas-fired power station (SHBA) during periods when the ESO needed it to lower its output, the regulator said.

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Despite current challenges, experts believe the fundamental shifts driving EV adoption remain intact, suggesting a potential recovery and growth for the EV industry and nickel demand in the future.

Declining interest in EVs, evidenced by slowing sales in major markets like China and the US, has further exacerbated the drop in nickel prices.

Indonesia's contribution to the global nickel supply has surged, leading to oversupply and driving down prices, with projections indicating continued market dominance.

Nickel prices are proving a headache for miners across the world: oversupply of the metal plus low electric vehicle (EV) demand has created a profit-stealing two-year price slide.

Anglo Americans nickel revenues fell by around 23 percent in 2023, according to its latest earnings report. The EBITDA for nickel at Vale fell by 56 percent over the same period, from 1,924mn to 668m.

The nickel price is down 27 percent year on year.

How have prices fallen so far, so quickly?

Oversupply from Indonesia

Part of the reason nickel prices have been sliding is oversupply in the market.

Indonesia has been the main [source] of supply growth in the last few years due to a lack of investment from the traditional players in the nickel market, Nikhil Shah, nickel analyst at CRU, said.

This glut of nickel has pushed the price down, Shah said, adding that prices will remain under pressure throughout 2024.

Indonesia now accounts for over half of global nickel supply and is set to increase its market share further this year.

Benchmark has forecast Indonesian nickel production for the battery industry to grow by over 600% by 2030, thanks to significant Chinese investment in processing plants.

Source: CRU

Steering away from EVs

On the other side of the equation, demand for EVs is weakening, pulling nickel prices even further down. Nickel is a key component in EV batteries.

After a frenzy of activity and hype in the last few years, sales of EVs slowed in 2023 and are likely to slow further.

China, which is forecast to account for a majority of global EV sales in 2024, had an underwhelming performance in 2024, which hit supply chains and impacted investor sentiment toward [EVs], according to Global X ETFs.

Similarly, the amount of US consumers planning to buy an EV has fallen by around a fifth in the last year, according to Deloittes 2024 Global Automotive Consumer Study.

A variety of challenges continue to stand in the way of EV adoption, according to the report, including high prices, charging time, and availability of charging infrastructure.

The market value of Tesla, which has 19.1 percent of the EV market, has fallen by 27.3 percent in the year to date.

Many governments have been scaling back subsidies, and thats added to the slowdown in EV sales, Shah said.

Shah split EV adoption into two phases and said that while the initial adoption of EVs into the consumer had taken place, the second phase has been held back by high prices and the cost-of-living crisis.

Related: Two Countries That Could Break Putin's Gas Grip On Europe

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Destocking by Chinese battery raw materials companies after a bumper 2022 has also pulled prices down, according to Shah.

However, the problems nickel faces may be short term.

Despite the oversupply of battery raw materials and demand uncertainty in the short term, the fundamental shifts which have encouraged EV adoption in recent years are intact and this is a bump in the road, according to Global X.

Next-generation technology will improve charging time, safety, and affordability of EVs, they added.

In our view, the EV industry has a long runway for growth ahead, Global X said.

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Travel is something that has always been a big part of my life. The same goes for my husband - to cut a long story short, we would have never even met each other if a love for travel hadnt been in the equation. I grew up in Australia, and I think as a consequence of growing up on an island nation it gave me that desire to explore what else was out there. My husband was a military brat, and spent time in both the States and Japan growing up. Hes also has had to travel as a consequence of being in the Air Force himself, so you could say exploring the world is in his blood.

When we found out that wed be living in Japan for several years as a result of this current assignment, I think our main feeling was excitement.

For my husband, returning to Japan was in part like returning to his childhood home. Despite not being at the same base that he spent a big part of his formative years at, hes comfortable in Japan - he speaks the language, he knows his way around well, and he had friends here already.

Id never been to Japan before, but it was always somewhere that I had wanted to travel to.

We figured that this tour in Japan could very well be the only opportunity we have to live here, depending on where future assignments take our family, of course - but we wanted to take the bull by the horns and explore as much of the country as we could. Ultimately, we didnt want to feel like wed missed out on any opportunities to see and do things whilst we were here. I think a lot of the time when people think of Japan, they think of the major tourist spots. For instance, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima were places I had always wanted to visit before we moved here. Little did I know that there are so many things to do away from those places, too! I cant remember exactly whether it was my husband or I who started the idea of whether we could visit every single prefecture of Japan in our time here, but its become something of our mission now.

To give you a brief rundown, Japan has a total of 47 prefectures. The largest of those is Hokkaido, with a land size of 83,457 square kilometers, and the smallest is Kagawa prefecture, only taking up 1,876 square kilometers. Our ultimate goal for visiting every prefecture is that we need to do something in each location. That means some sort of activity, whether it be stopping at a museum or castle, doing some sort of local art or craft, visiting a shrine or temple - the list goes on. It cant simply be driving on through it, or stopping at a generic rest area to fill up with gas and grab a meal. We have found that a really good place to start if youre planning on visiting a new prefecture is the local prefectural tourism website. I have found that these tend to have a lot of great information for things to do and see, and also highlight things that are unique to the area. Also, since they're geared towards tourists, there's always an English version of the page which definitely helps!

The first prefectures we explored were those that were close to base, to start with. Yokota Air Base is located in Tokyo prefecture, so of course theres plenty to do there - after all, Tokyo is a bustling metropolis with no shortage of fun activities. I think if youre visiting Tokyo, then its one of those places that has something for everyone. If youre a history buff theres plenty of shrines and temples with fascinating stories behind them. Theres the fun and quirky Harajuku, and ritzy shopping in Omotesando. Theres also Akihabara for fans of manga and anime, and the worlds busiest pedestrian crossing in Shibuya - honestly, I cant even begin to describe just how much there is to see and do here. Im convinced that I could live in Japan for my entire life and not even scratch the surface of what there is to do in this prefecture.

Theres a number of other prefectures that can be accessed relatively easily for a day trip or a weekend trip nearby to Tokyo. If you have a car, obviously the flexibility is going to be significantly easier - you can go at your own pace and you can visit places a bit more off the beaten track, without being bound to train timetables or routes. Weve driven for day trips to Saitama, Gunma, Ibaraki, Shizuoka, Chiba, Kanagawa, Yamanashi, Tochigi and Nagano prefectures. Ive never seen fall leaves as beautiful as I have in Gunma, and Mount Fuji is on the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. Theres the snow monkey park in Nagano (seriously, its National Geographic magazine worthy!) and Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are in Chiba - so you can quickly see how you can amass quite a few prefectures locally just by seeing some of the sights that are most likely on your Japan bucket list.

Its a little trickier with time and distance when it comes to visiting some of the prefectures further afield. Some of them will require long train trips, even longer car rides, or hopping on a plane. Weve done two super long, but very compressed road trips to try and get as many prefectures visited as possible. The first road trip we took was up north to cover off Niigata, the Tohoku region (Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata) and Hokkaido - we basically did one to two days in each prefecure.

Some people would say it was madness, but it was a lot of fun. We went grape picking in Yamagata, visited a shrine in Akita, saw ancient ruins and the Nebuta Museum in Aomori and went to Hakodate in Hokkaido and enjoyed the morning markets and the historic red brick building area. We also spent time strolling the streets of Morioka in Iwate prefecture, saw the historic Sendai Castle site and Zuihoden in Sendai prefecture, and checked out another castle in Fukushima - its all a bit of a blur but it was a great trip!

We also did another slightly crazy road trip to see some of the prefectures further south, again doing essentially a day or two in each place. On that trip, we crossed off all four prefectures on the island of Shikoku as well as Aichi, Mie, Gifu, Shiga, and Hyogo. Weve taken other trips on the bullet train to Ishikawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Tottori, and also just got back recently from a trip to Okinawa prefecture.

Right now, of the 47 prefectures we are challenging ourselves to visit, we only have a total of 11 left to see. Our remaining prefectures are Fukui, Toyama, Shimane, Yamaguchi, Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima. Were determined to see them in the remaining 16 months or so that we have left in Japan. Right now, were considering the possibility of flying down to Kyushu later this year. We plan on renting a car to do some exploring of the prefectures on the island there, to tick a few more places off our list!

Based on where I've been so far, sometimes people ask me if I have my favorite places. I loved Kobe in Hyogo prefecture - something about it just being a city on a harbor reminded me of cities back home in Australia. I thought Tottori prefecture was incredibly unique - I never knew Japan had sand dunes where you could literally ride a camel until I went there. Okinawa has some of the most beautiful clear water beaches I've ever seen, Ishikawa had amazing hands on art and crafts that you could participate in and get to take home, and Kyoto truly has some of the most breathtaking shrines and temples you could ever dream of. In short, every place I have been has brought something different to the table and I can wholeheartedly say that I have loved everywhere I have been for different reasons!

Some people ask why were attempting to do this, or think that its something of a random goal - but for us, its really made us look at things differently. I firmly believe now that anywhere we end up living will have a myriad of exciting things for us to do. Being a military family means that we dont get to choose where we end up, but we do get to choose how we approach our circumstances. It can be all too easy to say theres nothing for me to do here! or Ive exhausted everything there is to see in the local area - but thats the joy of broadening our boundaries.

This country has so much to offer, and Im so happy that we are fully embracing every bit of it - as crazy as our self imposed challenge may be!
A federal appeals court on Monday affirmed the judgment in favor of a former Omaha Police Department captain who successfully sued the city for retaliating against her after she filed a discrimination complaint with the Mayors Office.

In an opinion from a three-judge panel on the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the court affirmed the award of nearly $1 million in lost wages, benefits, damages and attorney fees granted to Kathy Belcastro-Gonzalez, a 27-year OPD veteran. Belcastro-Gonzalez sued the City of Omaha and Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer in 2019 after she was passed up for a promotion despite being ranked first on the departments outside promotional test.

She has been vindicated  first by a jury, then by a trial court, then by a circuit court, said Tom White, Belcastro-Gonzalezs attorney. Hopefully the city looks at this and decides it would be best just to leave Kathy Gonzalez and her family alone.

The city has limited avenues for legal recourse  it could ask the three-judge panel to rehear the case, or request the entire 8th Circuit bench to review the decision  but a statement from City Attorney Matt Kuhse suggests the city will not appeal further.

The City of Omahas law department has reviewed the ruling from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, affirming the jury verdict and legal rulings in this case, Kuhse said. While the City maintains our position that neither the City of Omaha nor Police Chief Todd Schmaderer engaged in discrimination, this decision brings this case to a close.

Belcastro-Gonzalezs claim of retaliation stemmed from a 2010 complaint she made against then-Capt. Kerry Neumann, alleging he created a hostile work environment for female officers. Another female lieutenant filed a similar but unrelated complaint around the same time.

Seven years later, the two women were informed by the officer who was in charge of internal affairs the investigation had not been conducted properly. Thats when Belcastro-Gonzalez filed a gender discrimination complaint with the Mayors Office in 2017.

In 2018, two spots for deputy chief became available. Belcastro-Gonzalez applied and tested No. 1 on the citys outside promotional test service, but she was not selected for the position. Instead, Schmaderer chose No. 2 and No. 5 on the list for promotion.

Belcastro-Gonzalez sued the city and Schmaderer, alleging the decision not to promote her was retaliatory and related to the discrimination complaints she made. At trial, Schmaderer denied any connection.

In September 2022, a jury sided with Belcastro-Gonzalez and found her complaint played a role in Schmaderers choice not to promote her. The jury awarded her $680,000 in lost wages and benefits plus $20,000 in other damages after hearing evidence in a four-day trial. The city was ordered by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Bataillon to pay $285,000 in attorney and witness fees, bringing the total payout to nearly $1 million.

Last year, the city and Schmaderer appealed to the 8th Circuit on various grounds: That the lower court should have granted summary judgment in favor of the city prior to the case going to trial; that evidence from Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission proceedings should not have been admitted at trial; and the attorneys fees awarded to Belcastro-Gonzalez were unreasonable and overbilled.

In Mondays opinion, the 8th Circuit found the claims to be without merit. The city and Schmaderer have 14 days to petition for further review.

Though the decision will likely mark the end of one legal battle for Belcastro-Gonzalez, she filed another federal discrimination lawsuit against the city and Schmaderer in January. In that lawsuit, she alleges she was again retaliated against when she was fired from the department in May 2022.

Belcastro-Gonzalez also alleges the department and Schmaderer have continued to retaliate against her since her termination. The lawsuit claims OPD added inaccurate and baseless allegations of wrongdoing to her personnel record and refused to cooperate in a background investigation when she applied for a job with the Lincoln Police Department.

In a statement released after the filing of the January lawsuit, Kuhse said the complaint contained factual inaccuracies and denied that Schmaderer prevented Belcastro-Gonzalez from being hired by Lincoln police.
A 17-year-old Omaha boy ticketed for driving 117 mph and a 40-year-old Iowa man cutting cookies in an intersection Friday were two examples of disturbing driving behavior reported by deputies from the Douglas County Sheriffs Office on Monday.

The teen, who was driving a 2024 Kia Sorrento, was pulled over about 9:30 p.m. near 204th Street and West Center Road where the speed limit is 55 mph. He told the deputy that he was in a hurry to meet his girlfriend while on a break from work. The teen faces a maximum penalty of $300 if convicted.

Deputies from the Sheriffs Office and officers from the Omaha Police Department were conducting a special traffic enforcement to deter illicit street racing when they located a large gathering near 72nd Street and McKinley Road about 10:45 p.m., Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson said.

Deputies described a street takeover in which the intersection was blocked off and a 2024 Dodge pickup truck was spinning out, or cutting cookies. A police helicopter followed the pickup truck, which reached speeds of 130 mph while traveling to Iowa.

The truck was eventually stopped on Big Lake Road in Pottawattamie County, where the driver was taken into custody. Four teenagers, ages 14, 14, 17 and 18, were also in the pickup.

The driver told officers that he thought it would be cool for the teens to see vehicles doing cookies in the middle of the street, Hanson said. The teens were released to their parents.

The driver was allegedly in illegal possession of a handgun and drug paraphernalia. He was booked into Pottawattamie County Corrections on suspicion of gun and drug charges, Hanson said.
Three arrests were made in connection with a shooting Sunday night near Fontenelle Park in North Omaha that sparked a police chase into Iowa.

Omaha police were called to the area of 48th and Pratt Streets about 6:20 p.m. for a report of shooting. Officers located Taw Moo, 27, of Omaha, who was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center with a gunshot wound. He later died.

Police said Monday the shooting is being investigated as a homicide.

Gang-unit officers located a Dodge Challenger thought to have been involved in the shooting just before 7 p.m. near 46th Street and Ames Avenue. The Challenger fled the area at high speed when officers attempted a traffic stop.

Near 66th Street and Grand Avenue, a passenger in the Challenger got out and ran. The passenger, a 17-year-old male in possession of a rifle, was captured following a foot pursuit.

The Challenger was being driven recklessly, the police spokesman said, as it eluded officers and crossed into Iowa. The vehicle became disabled on Interstate 29 and two men, ages 25 and 18, were taken into custody. They were later booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail.

Omaha police also are investigating a shooting that injured a 57-year-old man early Sunday at an apartment just north of 66th Street and Ames Avenue. Officers responded to the scene at 1:41 a.m. and located A Taw, of Omaha, with a gunshot wound.

Taw was taken to an Omaha hospital with an injury that was not thought to be life-threatening. The police spokesman said its not known if the two shootings are related.
It looks like a robot from a sci-fi movie, with a big head, long body and spider legs.

Its a virus that doesnt infect people  in fact, it has the possibility to help humans with its bacteria-killing capabilities.

Earth has lots of these viruses called bacteriophages. And one Ralston High School student discovered his own as part of an international undergraduate project to research ways to treat antibiotic-resistant infections.

Senior Sean Mathews joined a small class at Metropolitan Community College this year to participate in the schools first cohort in the Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) program. The class is run by Graham Hatfull, a microbiologist and professor of biotechnology at the University of Pittsburgh, along with the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science Education Division in Maryland.

Metro is one of 230 institutions around the world tasking undergraduates with researching bacteriophages, or phages for short. The University of Pittsburghs SEA-PHAGES program already has thousands of archived phages that continue to be researched.

Phages are found naturally around the planet, especially in soil, and instead of infecting people, they infect and kill bacteria.

Mathews found his phage in the soil of a creek bed near Hickory Hill Park in Papillion. His biology instructor at Metropolitan, Bhaswati Manish, warned the class that not everyone would find one.

I was super excited when I first got my virus, Mathews said. We came back and on our agar plates there was a tiny spot where a virus was, and I was just super happy. I wrote, WE HAVE A VIRUS!!! (in my notebook) with all caps and exclamation points.

Mathews named his phage CapTrips, based on a deadly virus called Captain Trips in a Stephen King novel. In reality, his phage and others in the SEA-PHAGES program are anything but deadly  at least to humankind.

Just last year, a phage from Hatfulls lab was used to treat an Omaha boys antibiotic-resistant ear infection. The research team at the University of Pittsburgh also published a paper in 2019 about their use of phages obtained through the SEA-PHAGES program that helped a London teen who developed a life-threatening infection after receiving a double-lung transplant.

Right now, we are doing different programming to see the entire genome of the virus and to see what each genes function is, Mathews said. Then (well) see if there are any new genes that are in our virus that can be helpful.

A passion for science

Manish said this is the first year Metropolitan Community College has participated in the SEA-PHAGES program, and she hopes to continue it after research ends this spring. The class will have opportunities to get their work published, possibly in a scientific journal. Mathews research has already been accepted to a couple of science symposiums this year.

Research results can have tremendous impact and thats what were hoping for, Manish said. For example, the discovery with Sean  lets say we have annotated the genome and we find some interesting proteins. They might not be very crucial for him right now, but eventually down the line...it can help in answering the questions of antibiotic resistance.

Laura Prochaska, a science teacher at Ralston High, found Manishs course last summer when the district was exploring Metropolitan courses for high school students.

Prochaska said Mathews has always been an advanced student. He had a strong passion for science and took AP Biology as a junior.

I just thought this would really take his learning to a different level, Prochaska said. Im excited to see his first year in college, with him (already knowing) all those lab protocols that most students are coming in and learning.

For now, the viruses from Mathews class are sitting in a freezer, waiting to be researched more. They will eventually be sent to the University of Pittsburgh, where they might be put to use to help others.

Mathews plans to continue his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he wants to study microbiology or molecular biology.

I want to become a researcher after this, Mathews said. I really like just discovering the new possibilities of what could be out there.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024
The great flood of 2019 spread destruction widely across Nebraska. But it vented its fury on two of the states most important military installations as if it were an invading army.

Over several days in mid-March, a winter bomb cyclone storm dumped heavy snow across most of Nebraska, following one of the snowiest Februarys in the states history.

Then the temperatures jumped sharply. So much snow melted so fast that all of the rivers in the state flooded at once.

At Camp Ashland, on the Platte River 30 miles southwest of Omaha, the flood laid siege to a Nebraska National Guard regional training center used by 100,000 Guard, Army and Army Reserve soldiers each year.

Salt Creek, a Platte tributary, spilled into the camp March 13. For the next three days, the swollen Platte scoured away the earthen levee that had protected the base for decades.

Finally it got weak enough that it broke open, said Lt. Col. Dustin Young, the Nebraska National Guards deputy construction, facilities and maintenance officer.

A torrent of water surged through the deep, wide gash in the levee and into the camp. Sand, trees and roots covered the camp up to five feet deep, and more than 11 acres of soil washed away. Every building that wasnt already on stilts was damaged or destroyed  49 structures.

"It flooded old buildings, knocked them off their foundations. It covered some roads, said Col. Shane Martin, the Nebraska National Guards U.S. property and fiscal officer, who supervised the cleanup and reconstruction in its early phases. It was a big mess.

Offutt flood recovery cost $1 billion. 'It was a catastrophe.'

The devastation was even worse at Offutt. Engorged with snowmelt, the Missouri River overflowed one of two levees protecting the base, and breached the other.

Muddy, fetid floodwaters surged across two miles of flood plain and filled the base like a bathtub, defying three days of furious sandbagging efforts of hundreds of Offutt airmen and civilian volunteers.

The deluge covered one-fourth of Offutts lone runway and swamped 137 buildings with water and muck up to 8 feet deep.

It was a catastrophe. The immediate impact was pretty unbelievable, Col. Mark Himes, then-commander of the Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District, said in 2022.

Though both the old and new headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Command stood on higher ground and were spared, the headquarters of the 55th Wing and several of its squadrons were destroyed.

So was a $234 million simulator for 55th Wing Rivet Joint and Cobra Ball crews, and three-fourths of Offutts Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), the secure rooms where classified information is handled and stored. Large hangars for the bases fleet of RC-135 and E-4B aircraft were damaged.

About 3,200 of the bases 11,000 employees were displaced and forced to squeeze into often-makeshift office space on the upper part of the base.

Nebraskas congressional delegation, led by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon  an Air Force veteran who once commanded the 55th Wing  worked to secure funding to clean up and rebuild the base, at an expected cost of at least $1 billion.

By the end of 2020, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District had repaired the damaged levees and raised them 2 to 3 feet.

The $35 million project  funded by the NRD, the State of Nebraska, Sarpy County, and the cities of Bellevue and Omaha  had been in the works for years and was just weeks from starting in spring 2019 when the floods hit.

Everybody has been working at breakneck speed to get the base area protected and get this done, John Winkler, the districts general manager, told The World-Herald in 2020.

New Offutt buildings stand on 'pyramids of dirt'

To reduce the impact of future floods, 55th Wing engineers drew up plans for eight functional campuses totaling 24 buildings. Many will be two or more stories high, replacing a sprawl of single-story buildings built in the 1940s and 1950s.

All of the new campuses are in the same flood plain that was inundated by the 2019 flood. But buildings and roads are being raised significantly.

Were building these islands. Itll be like pyramids of dirt, said Maj. Eric Armstrong, acting director of Offutts flood recovery Project Management Office, in 2022. Were taking the time to really think about how we do this.

Donald Fucik, the Air Force project manager for the flood recovery effort, said critical buildings will be built at least three feet higher than the last flood.

A lot of these are eight, nine feet up, he said in 2022. Were basically building anthills.

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the supply shortages that followed, delayed the rebuilding effort. Many of the projects didnt start until last year. Full occupancy of the new campuses is expected by 2028  nine years after the flood.

Offutt is on its way back, Fucik said.

A camp on 12-foot stilts. At Camp Ashland, 'we have great infrastructure'

Camp Ashland is already there.

A year ago, the Nebraska National Guard wrapped up a $62.3 million reconstruction effort with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of seven new elevated classroom and administrative buildings at the 1,184-acre training site  the last piece of the rebuilding puzzle.

The new buildings replaced 28 old single-story ones ruined in the flood. Those structures had only recently been rebuilt after an earlier flood, in 2015, that had been billed as a once-in-1,000 years event.

The 2019 flood was even worse.

Rebuilding a base that had been wiped out by floods twice in four years gave Guard officials some pause. Young said they studied the possibility of relocating the Camp Ashlands units and facilities to another training site 15 miles away, at Mead. But cost estimates came in at $80 million, considerably more than rebuilding Camp Ashland.

So engineers set about constructing the new buildings atop sturdy 9-foot concrete pillars, their floors a full 12 feet above ground  well above the level of the last two floods.

Engineers also used fill dirt and gravel to raise the motor pool above the floodplain. That will allow soldiers to quickly move trucks up out of harms way.

The last flood, we had all the vehicles lined up on the levee, Young said. That was pretty scary.

The flood damaged the bases infrastructure as well, knocking out utilities.

To reduce reliance on off-site power, the Guard installed a solar array  also built on stilts. A backup generator that runs on natural gas couldnt be moved, but a high concrete wall was built around it for protection. Transformers and heating and cooling units were rebuilt on elevated metal decks.

Were pretty self-sufficient out here, Martin said. We had good infrastructure before. Now we have great infrastructure.

The Army Corps of Engineers spent $8.5 million to extend a 7-foot, concrete-topped bulkhead that had reinforced part of the levee by half a mile, to the north end of the camp  adding protection for the camp at the river bend where the Platte breached the levee last time.

Salt Creek, however, remains Camp Ashlands Achilles heel. The stream drains a watershed that stretches all the way to Lincoln. Both the 2015 and 2019 floods began with the creek flowing into the camp, and little has been done to mitigate the risk.

Young said he hopes the Guard someday can join with the Corps, the Lincoln Water System, and the Lower Platte South NRD to come up with a flood-control plan to steer overflow from Salt Creek into the Platte River before it reaches the camp.

Because of its vulnerable location, more floods at Camp Ashland are all but inevitable. In the years since the Great Flood of 2019, army engineers have worked to make sure when the next one comes, they can evacuate quickly and come back to minimal damage.

Thats what we owe to the taxpayers who are giving us the money to rebuild, Young said. Even though the flood was devastating, we came out a lot better off than we were before.

Photos: National Guard's Camp Ashland working to better deal with future floods

Photos: Offutt Air Force Base drying out after flood
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which had it inaugural sitting on Wednesday has warned politicians and others against public analysis of its proceedings and making verdicts while the court is yet to make a pronouncement.

President of the court of appeal, Zainab Bulkachuwa, who gave out the warning, lamented the analysis of proceedings especially on social media, promising that actions will be taken against offenders.

Bulkachuwa said litigants in the pending presidential election petitions before the tribunal will have equal chance to argue their case.

Any breach will not be condoned and we will not hesitate in taking necessary action against such offenders, Bulkachuwa said.

We assure all stakeholders that each litigant will be given equal opportunity to present his case in a mature manner before us.

We are witnesses to what has been happening in high-profile cases where such cases are being discussed and publicly decided prematurely in both the social and electronic media before the announcement of the verdict by the court.

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We pray that this time would be an exception for the benefit of the nation. We dont expect counsel to any of the parties to hype the polity after any sitting by making a public analysis in the media as to what transpired in court.

She urged the parties, lawyers, public commentators and journalists to refrain from public discourse of the proceedings until the tribunal pronounces its judgement.

These proceedings should be treated as would any other low-profile case, where proceedings in court are not discussed publicly until a decision is pronounced by the court, Bulkachuwa said.

According to her, the admonition is also extended to the parties, their respective counsel and the members of the press, stressing that the tribunal will make information available as and when due.
Nine out of the 102 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Gamboru-Ngala, Borno State, who were reportedly abducted by Boko Haram terrorists while fetching firewood in the bush on Sunday, March 4, have safely returned home.

While media reports confirmed by locals that the young IDPs were abducted by the terrorists, with further confirmation by the UN, which condemned the abduction of over 200 IDPs, the Borno State government dismissed the abduction narrative, arguing that they only lost their way back home from the wilderness.

In fact, we dont even believe that they were abducted, Dr. Barkindo Mohammed Saidu, the Durector-General, Borno SEMA, who led the state government fact-finding team to Ngala immediately after the reported abduction, had told newsmen in Maiduguri, Friday, March 8.

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 Ransome; but nobody has called anybody for any Ransome yet.

As of Sunday, March 10, no authority gave The PUNCH any 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.

We have been reliably informed that nine out of the missing IDPs traced their way back to the camp last Friday, March 8, Dr. Saidu revealed to The PUNCH on Sunday, adding, Officials at Ngala have been instructed to mount an intensive and extensive vigilance to inform us about any trickling number returning.



The Borno SEMA helmsman maintained, 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.



Dr. Saidu explained: 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.

He continued, This is why we dont even believe the abduction story and the numbers quoted.

The PUNCH could not immediately reach the 7 Div spokesman, Lt. Col. Ajemusu Jingina, for a military update about the IDPs.
Members of the Armed Forces, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have reportedly neutralized 20 fighters affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

Also in the joint operation which was conducted on March 7, the security operatives destroyed 50 of their camps.

Among the camps destroyed included the IPOBs Supreme Headquarters, Command and Control Centre, and Military Council Headquarters.

The operation is the second conducted in the same Local Government since the beginning of the month and the third in the state.

On March 5, Personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy killed five fighters IPOB fighters during a gun battle that occurred at Ejemekuru in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

Also, on March 2, troops killed an IPOB fighter after a fierce gun duel and recovered three Improvised Explosive Devices, one Toyota Highlander SUV, one Hilux vehicle, and eight rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, among others from their hideouts.

However, in a statement on Sunday, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba said the troops came in contact with many Improvised Devices planted by the fighters and ditches along the axis to the camps.

Buba added that the fighters hideouts were well concealed with foliage that prevented them from being sighted during air surveillance.

The statement read, On March 7, 2024, the combined troops of Operation Udo Ka with Nigeria Police, Department of State Security Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps conducted a raid/clearance operations to the IPOB/ESN violent extremists/terrorists in Mother Valley, Orsu LGA of Imo State.

The team cleared about 50 IPOB/ESN hideout tents in the valley including terrorists Supreme Headquarters and their Command and Control Centre as well as its Military Council Headquarters.

Troops also, cleared Buteuzors hideout/residence office, logistic base, temple, and shrine. The hideouts were well concealed with foliage that afforded the criminals cover from air surveillance to prevent monitoring and detection.

The Valley had sufficient power supply for the camps. The terrorists hibernated there, reared animals, and also owned farms to be self-sustaining to live and fight. During the operations, troops also encountered several command IEDs and ditches along the axis of the camp.

Buba stated that the ditches dug by the fighters were covered and the IEDs detonated.

He noted that in the fight that ensued after making contact with the fighters, 20 of them were killed and several weapons were recovered from them.

Buba said, All were detonated and ditches were covered with excavators 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. Following a firefight, troops neutralised 20 terrorists and recovered several quantities of assorted weapons such as G3 rifles, AK47 rifles, auto pump action guns, double barrel guns, locally made pistols, and RPG bombs.

Troops also recovered assorted ammunition which included 226 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 216 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 172 live cartridges, 4 AK47 magazines, and 3 G3 magazines. Other items recovered include several quantities of IEDs (OGBUNIGWE), POS devices, baofeng radios, mobile phones, handheld IEDs, CCTV cameras, inverters, and batteries. Additional items include Biafra flags amongst others.

Buba also said shallow graves were spread across the IPOB fighters camps, accusing them of being involved in ritual killings.



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. The ritual killings at the camp account for the several cases of missing persons in the region.

The recovered items are being processed and analysed for their intelligence value. Nevertheless, troops are sustaining the momentum and going in pursuit of the terrorist and their cohorts, dislodging them from their enclaves, the statement added.
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 unidentified number of individuals may have been trapped following the collapse of a five-storey building under construction on Basden Street, Fegge, in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, The PUNCH reports.

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.

More details later
Alves press advisor, Acaz Felleger, has said they were considering legal action against Albuquerque over his post on social media.

Dani Alves brother has criticized an online prankster, Paulo Albuquerque, for spreading false information claiming that Dani Alves had committed suicide in prison.

The rumours that the 40-year-old killed himself in jail went viral overnight.

Alves press advisor, Acaz Felleger, has said they were considering legal action against Albuquerque over his post on social media.

Albuquerque had tweeted: The information Im receiving is that Daniel Alves has killed himself.

Hours later, he posted again: People, for the love of God, what sort of repercussion is this?

I was referring to my cousin Danielzinho from the city of Nova Iguacu who had disappeared, but has now been found alive.

Alves brother Ney, whose brother has been handed a four-and-half-year jail sentence, said in a furious Instagram Live response:



How cruel human beings can be!
By Felix Oti, Awka

Contrary to security and media reports authenticating the fairness of the election of the President- General of Urum Town Union held on December 30th, 2023, the Anambra State Government has cancelled the poll.

The different reports from the Electoral Committee set by the government, the security agencies including the officials of the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Nigeria Police; as well as the reports by the Media organizations that monitored the election said the election of President General was conclusive with a winner announced. However, the loser of the election allegedly connived with the states Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affiars, Hon. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne to scuttle the election, as he canceled it almost 3 months after.

Investigations revealed that the only two positions under contest were President General and Vice President General. Other positions had only one candidate each which were submitted unopposed before the election proper started in the contending positions.

Election into the post of President General of Urum Community was peacefully conducted and Sir Felix Godwin was declared winner before the supporters of Mr. Chinedu Nduka who came second, ignited chaos, resulting to various degree of injuries, destruction of properties including the house of the winner of th election, Sir Godwin and aggravated damages on Urum citizens, contrary to the December, 2023 Peace Accord between candidates.

Nwabunwanne announced the cancelation last Friday night to the immediate-Past President-General of the community, Ambassador Aloysius Tabansi, who accused him of supporting evil and conflict in Urum, as the cancellation confirms he has some dealings with Hon. Chinedu Nduka to ignite crisis in Urum community.

According to Ambassador Tabansi, Hon Nwabunnwanne also told him that cancelled the election because Urum leadership in Diaspora angrily spoke to him not to cancel the free and fair election. He said he was unhappy why they should speak to him in such a manner as if they were directing him. However, he also later claimed that Governor Soludo ordered him to cancel the election, even as he threatened Urum People to do their worst.

The community alleged that the cancellation wouldnt have been an issue if there were confirmed reasons for such. Again for the Commissioner to ask the community to beg a looser of the election to accept defeat, means there was a script being acted by the Commissioner with Hon. Nduka and cohorts.

Efforts to speak to Commissioner Nwabunnwanne proved abortive as several calls placed to his mobile line were not answered, neither was the text replied.

However, 13 hours later after efforts were made to hear from the Commissioner, to no avail,

the Commissioner, according to information, reached out to announce that a new election would be conducted in Urum but did not explain further.

Urum community was insisting that the PG election which was already concluded should subsist, while a by-election should be held for offices yet to be conducted, sequel to tension orchestrated by the Hon. Ndukas group shortly after election results for PG were announced.

The Community accused the Commissioner of aiding and abetting crisis in Urum and appealed to Governor Soludo to intervene and save the community the impending crisis by ensuring that a Certificate of Recognition is issued to the winner, Sir Godwin, as done to other communities.

Meanwhile, Urum Community has written the Governor via the chambers of M.A Emejulu Esq in a Save Our Soul letter, SOS, requesting for his intervention in the injustice from the office of his Commissioner, Hon TonyCollins Nwabunwanne who refused to issue a Certificate of Recognition to the PG-elect of Urum Community, Sir Godwin.

The letter to the Governor was also copied to the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affiars, and Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, who is from Awka North, where Urum Community is situated.

The letter dated February, 20, 2024, read in part: It is Our Clients instruction to crave your exalted attention to the attached Urum Peace Accord of Police Report correspondent of 22nd January, 2024 and the above correspondent of 9th day of February, 2024 by concerned and respectable natives of Urum Community in their unalloyed quest to foster peace and prosperity in Urum community in line with your agenda for collaborative leadership and a livable and prosperous homeland of one people and one agenda.

With you Sir, as selfless servant leader, a public intellectual, public servant and a passionate village boy with humble beginning who has received abundant grace and blessings from God, we see infinite possibility of your gracious intercession to the delay in the release of Certificate of Recognition to a duly elected President General of Urum, Sir Felix Godwin as the few adversaries believed to have orchestrated same, had been jubilating to the displeasures of the majority that validly exercised their franchise and if not timously redressed is a time bomb.

Our Client is striving to pacify since it is clear that it is only Sir Felix Godwin that has not collected his Certificate of Recognition amongst his group.

Thank you Sir for your bountiful policies that are up lighting the state.

According to investigation, reports from the media and the security, Sir Felix Godwin, the newly-elected President General of Urum Community, Awka North, Anambra State, is under threat and is seeking for protection of his life and property from security agencies.

Urum Community alleged that Chinedu Nduka was assisted by one Obiorah Umeadi and cohorts in causing tension that forestalls further conducting of other elections.

Urum alleged that Chinedu Nduka and cohorts have been going to offices to frustrate the recognition letter to the new PG.

However, Urum Community restates its commitment in support of the Soludo Administration while commending him for the massive road projects ongoing across Anambra, expressing gratitude to the completed Amansea-Ugbene-Ugbenu with a spur to Awba-Ofemmili and the UNIZIK Junction-Okpuno-Isuaniocha-Urum Road among other road projects ongoing.

The community insisted that Hon Nwabunwanne was the reason for so many complaints across communities over Town Union elections, as he has created so many crisis in communities by deliberately toying with peoples mandate, adding that in months to come, these may mar the solidarity and opportunities the government should have enjoyed freely from the people as proactive government.

Urum told newsmen that the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affiars had claimed the election was inconclusive, referencing DSS report. But when presented with the DSS report of superior evidence and argument, he now accused Urum in Diaspora of asking him questions.

The Community is asking that the full weight of the law be unleashed against those who violated the peace accord signed by the candidates that they would join hands with the duly-elected officers of the Town Union to spin the wheel of progress in the community.

It would be recalled that the Urum Town Union election, which held on December 30, 2023, but the town is the only town without a Certificate of Recognition given to the winner by government, out of over 40 elections conducted during the period, even when the Committee on Election in Urum and that of government, security agencies and media had same report on the election.

The election was conducted by Prof. Paul Oraeke as the Electoral Committee Chairman, while Mr Joseph Chukwuma Echidiegwu headed the team that represented the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The DPO, Achalla Division Police Headquarters, CSP Kattey Emmanuel led Policemen. The DSS, ASATU and Central Vigilante Urum operatives were also present at the venue of the election, at Community Primary School field, Urum.

Information gathered showed that the results were counted by the Communitys Electoral Committee, headed by Prof. Oraeke, and that Sir Godwin scored over five hundred votes. But a protest from the camp of Hon. Nduka, with claims that most voters voted more than once was sustained.

The Electoral Committee cancelled the announced election results and decided to re-conduct the counting.

After the second counting, Sir Felix Godwin scored 458 votes while Hon. Chinedu Nduka scored 447 votes and results were announced by electoral Chairman, declaring Sir Godwin as winner having scored the highest votes.

The Urum Development Union led by Ambassador Aloysius Tabansi, the immediate-past President-General, Chief Ignatius Nnaemeka, the Chairman of Urum in Diaspora; Chief Matthew Nwodo, and Chairman Urum Concerned Citizens and Evangelist Anthony Arinze as the General Secretary have been appealing to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Nwabunwanne since December to release their Certificate of Recognition, all to no avail, till date.

He had agreed to release it severally and even called the two parties to settle, only to ask the winner and Urum Community to beg the loser, Hon Nduka before he would issue the Certificate of Recognition to the new PG.

The community viewed this as unbecoming for them to beg the loser of an election as a condition for Commissioner to give them certificate of recognition. The Commissioner, on Friday night, announced that a new election would be conducted at Urum, just to satisfy his alleged masters.

Again, Urum Leaders of Thought have requested Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to ask the Commisioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affiars, Hon. Nwabunwanne the interest he has in Urum, that he is insisting on destabilizing the community after a peaceful election, whereas there was a community without evidence of election but he signed their Certificate of Recognition but insisted on not giving Urum Community despite evidence of election by all observers.

Credible information at our disposal two weeks ago said Hon. Nwabunwanne planned to cancel Urum election as a cover up for the community he gave certificate of recognition, even when election didnt take place in that community. We thought it was a mere rumour till Friday night when we receive the cancellation information from the outgoing President General, they said.

The Leaders of Thought include Chief Ignatius Nnaemeka, the Chairman Urum in Diaspora; Chief Matthew Nwodo, the Chairman of Urum Concerned Citizens; and Chief Ozo Loius Umegbolu, the Chairman of Urum Elders Forum; among others.

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Plateau Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has urged the Muslim faithful in the state to pray for peace as they commence the Ramadan fast.

Mutfwang, who stated this in a statement on Monday, asked Muslims to also pray for political leaders so that they can provide good governance.

He said, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes on behalf of the government and the peace-loving people of Plateau State to you all, as you embark on this month of sacrifice and self-denial.

Indeed, Ramadan offers a precious window for soul-searching, spiritual renewal, and moral fortification.

It is a time when acts of kindness and charity shine brightest, illuminating the path for those who have less.

The observance of the 2024 Ramadan fast holds particular importance for us as a community.

It presents a cherished opportunity to pray for our leaders so that they can provide good governance.

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As we undertake this noble spiritual endeavor, I urge each one of us to pray for a peaceful and prosperous Plateau State.

As we thank God for the little we have done so far, I wish to seize this moment to reaffirm my unwavering commitment to the welfare of all Plateau citizens.

Be assured that my administration is actively addressing the security concerns and economic challenges we face.

With steadfast faith, I believe that Plateau will soon reclaim its esteemed status as a beacon of peace and a hub of tourism.

The Time is Now for us to unite and embark on a transformative journey to realize the Plateau of our aspirations.

I extend my sincere best wishes for a fulfilling and spiritually enriching Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem.
The government of Oyo State has placed a ban on the use of styrofoam boxes and single-use plastics, for food services, storage, and other related purposes.

The PUNCH reports that the state House of Assembly had, on Thursday, February 8, 2024, urged the state government to ban the use of styrofoam for food purposes in the state.

It, therefore, inaugurated the Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force to oversee the enforcement of food safety rules and regulations in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, who made this announcement during the Food Safety Stakeholders Forum, and the inauguration of the task force, held at the conference room of the ministry, Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan, the state capital, said the decision was part of government efforts to uphold food safety standards in the state.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Akintunde Ayinde, Ajetunmobi said, Prevention is better and cheaper than cure; hence the need for people to adhere strictly to food standards to save lives in the state.

The menace of food poisoning, indiscriminate use of chemical products for food production, processing, packaging, and other sharp practices being carried out by food business operators have become great public health concerns in the state.

The directorate of Food, Water, and Laboratory Services is saddled with the responsibility to regulate food business operations to ensure the presentation of wholesome edibles for public consumption in the state, planned to double her efforts to monitor/inspect food business premises in the state.

Consequently, the use of Styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related usage in the state is also banned. she declared.

The commissioner explained that the task force would be sensitising the actors along the food chain on the importance attached to the implementation of food safety standards by the government.

Earlier, the director of food, water, and laboratory services in the ministry, Afusat Akande, highlighted the basic requirements that actors along the food chain must meet before they can be certified.

Akande explained that the requirements included routine medical fitness certificates from designated state government hospitals, evidence of regular fumigation of production premises by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources recognized consultant, and water quality analysis by the
Popular US content creator, Kai Cenat has reportedly made a $3,000 donation to a school project in Makoko, Lagos.

Recall that Makoko is a densely populated waterfront slum known for its stilted and floating structures situated along the Lagos Lagoon.

Cenat made the donation after he visited Nigeria for the first time.

His trip was reportedly facilitated by Shank, the Nigerian skit maker.

The duo spent three days in the Makoko area of Lagos.

In a video shared via Cents YouTube channel, Shank could be seen showing the content creator around.

They both also sampled Nigerian delicacies like Amala and engaged with children during a visit to a school within the community.

In a car clip while on their way to another location, Shank could be seen expressing shock that Cenat had given out $3,000 to a random person.

You did not know? You go ask. Why would you give somebody Look at this boy! Shank said.

Cenat, however, clarified that it was for a school project and inquired if the money was enough.

So with that money, he should be able to help the school a lot, Cenat added.

The clip sparked several positive reactions on social media, particularly X.

This is not the first time celebrities have aided Makoko.
Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has met with the President of Angola on a trade mission with oil refineries, hydro power, pharmaceuticals and agriculture as areas of interest.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo led Nigerian investors under the aegis of the Angola Nigeria Business Council on the visit at the weekend.

Obasanjo in a closed-door meeting with the Angola President, Joao Lourenco, hinted that key areas of investment, including oil refineries, hydro power projects, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and more were dicussed.

The former Nigerian President also met with Chairman of the Sovereign Wealth Fund, Armando Manuel, to explore possible joint investments between the two nations.

President Obasanjo also had a meeting with the former Prime Minister of Angola, Lopo Nascimento, to discuss investment opportunities and shared history between the two countries, particularly in light of Nigerias aid to Angola as a Frontline State in 1976, when President Obasanjo was the Military Head of State of Nigeria and Nascimento was the Prime Minister of Angola.

President of Angola Nigeria Business Council, Arch. Mrs Fifi Ejindu, said the Business Council serves as a driver for advancing economic cooperation with the private sector of both Countries taking the lead, stressing, we can do great things when we stand together.

Ejindu also met with The Vice President of the Republic of Angola, Esparanca da Costa, hinting that her meeting comprehensively covered essential topics, fostering a dynamic and productive exchange of

strategies to enhance economic cooperation and bilateral relations between Angola and Nigeria.

The President of the Council explained that Obasanjos involvement in the visit to Angola became necessary because of his envious positive popularity in Angola and he is being looked upon to facilitate and attract investors from Nigeria to Angola and vice-versa.

The Special Envoy to former President Obasanjo, Amb. Leke Adebiyi, said the visit was deemed productive and successful, as all parties expressed a keen interest in pursuing joint business ventures between investors from both Nigeria and Angola.

This effort aligns with the vision of fostering stronger economic ties, creating viable investment opportunities, and promoting mutually beneficial partnerships between the two nations.

Adebiyi added that, the visit serves as a promising development in the ongoing efforts to bolster economic cooperation and trade relations, with the aim of harnessing the potential for growth and prosperity in both Nigeria and Angola.

As our nations continue to explore new avenues for collaboration and investment, a brighter and more prosperous future awaits both Nigerian and Angolan citizens, concluding, we look forward to the continued partnership and shared success in the realm of investment and economic development, Adebiyi said.

The delegation included the President of Angola Nigeria Business Council, Arch. Mrs Fifi Ejindu, Angolas Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Jose Zau, the Executive member of Angola Nigeria Business Council/Special Envoy to former President, Ambassador Leke Adebiyi.

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By Izunna Okafor, Awka

It was a moment of thought-provoking charge, as the women of the Anglican Church of Redemption, Awka (ACORA), yesterday, joined the rest of mothers in the Anglican Communion to celebrate the 2024 Mothering Sunday.

Themed Building a Model Christian Home, the 2024 Mothering Sunday service, which held at the Anglican Church of Redemption, Awka, Anambra State, was heralded by a one-day interactive seminar, where the women were enlightened on Tips for Healthy Relationship Between Wife, Husband and Mother-in-Law.

In his 2024 Mothering Sunday sermon, a curate of the Church, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Ogbuefi, who dwelt on the topic, Building a Model Christian Home, described a Christian home as a home where Jesus Christ dwells and where Bible is the Modus Operandi, adding that both the father, the mother and the children all have parts to play in building a Christian home.

According to him, a Christian father is the architect of a Christian home, while the Christan mother is the builder.

He further described a Christian father as one who leads his family in the way God of the Lord, who is known for truth, who is blameless, vigilant, teachable, who is of good behaviour, and who lives by example.

Citing Proverbs, 14:1, Rev. Ogbuefi said a wise woman builds her homes, but a foolish woman scatters and tears it down with her own hands.

While describing women as special breed who build and multiply everything is given to them; the Anglican cleric further hinted that a Christian mother fears God and her husband, adding that she is also not lazy but hardworking and gives to others who are in need.

According to him, when parents are performing their roles as Christian parents, they will definitely produce/raise Christian parents and consequently have a Christian home, since Ephesians advises children to obey their parents.

The priest further revealed that the country and the society at large are in trouble today because there are many broken homes and families, given that family is the smallest unit of the society. He also advised the parents to play their roles in all faithfulness, to build a model Christian home, so as to make the church, the country, and the society a better place and also make it to eternity with God at last.

Contributing, in their separate remarks, the Vicar of the Church, Ven. Obiora Alokwu; the curates, Rev. Can. Clement Izuegbu, and Rev. Lucky Onebunne, who described mothers as unique people in the society, reminded them of the mandate God entrusted in them, and further challenged them to be dedicated, virtuous and prayerful to actualise the mandate.

On their own parts, the wife of the Vicar, Dr. Mrs. Stella Alokwu, and the wives of the curates, Mrs. Amaka Izuegbu, Dr. Mrs. Obiamaka Ogbuefi, and Mrs. Cherish Onebunne re-emphasized the need for mothers to raise and nurture their children in Godly ways, live in the fear of God, and have unflinching respect their husbands, all for the purpose of building a Christian home and a better society at large.

In a vote of thanks, the Chairperson of the 2024 Mothering Sunday Committee in the Church, Mrs Ebere Otti, described the years Mothering Sunday as a success, and appreciated the Committee members and everyone who contributed in one way or the other to its success, while also praying God to bless and replenish them in folds.

The event was not without the usual funfair and conviviality, as it also featured a series of presentations by the women and the members of the Anglican Children Ministry (ACM) in the church, as well as assorted vittles that helped make the day a remarkable and memorable one indeed; including the special renditions and anthems by the mothers, laced with the melodious tunes of local instruments.

More photos from the event:

Photo credits: ACORA Media

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ABUJA  A National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja on monday affirmed Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa as validly elected President for the second term of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) just as it sacked the Alhaji Tajudeen Agbedes led Chairman Caretaker Committee.

Justice Oyewumi also restrained forthwith the former President of the union, Comrade Najeem Usman Yasin who was also the Chairman Board of Trustees from interfering in the day to day running of the affairs of the union. She held that Najeem can act as chairman of the board.

The presiding judge Justice O.O Oyewumi while delivering her judgment on the leadership crisis rocking the union held that the Zonal Delegates Conference across the six zonal councils of the union held on 24th May 2023 where Baruwa emerged as President for a second term in office was valid.

The court also validated the Quadrennial National Delegate Conference held on August 23rd 2023 at TaaL Hotels Lafia Nasarawa State where the President and other national officers emerged and inaugurated.

Oyewumi declared as illegal, null and void and unconstitutional the national delegates conference held on 25th October 2023 where the so-called Acting President, Alhaji Isa Ore and his National Administrative Council were said to have emerged.

She ruled that there was no evidence of crisis in the union and therefore there was no basis for the invocation of doctrine of necessity which led to the constitution of the so-called Caretaker Committee.

Recall that the Lagos State Park Management Committee led by Musiliu Akinsanya (Aka MC Oluomo) was on August 28, 2023 forcefully took over the secretariat of the union located at Garki 2 after a violent attack on the national officers and staff despite the armed security agents deployed to provide security.

Baruwa was arrested on September 13, 2023 alongside four other national officers of the union by the police and detained at the former facility of the Special Anti Robbery Squad ( SARS ) in Abuja

The situation that forced the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to give Nigerian Police 48 hours to vacate the secretariat of the union or face shutdown

In a communique signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union threatened it would muster all its affiliates for a showdown in support of what it said is the legally elected NURTW leadership.

It accused the Nigeria Police Force of interfering in the internal affairs of NURTW and other unions, saying the police have usurped powers of arbitration in disputes, contrary to the dictates of statutes governing industrial relations.

It alleged that the Inspector General of Police acquiesced to invasion of the NURTW national secretariat to unseat the elected leadership and install a stooge.

It affirmed legality of the Baruwa-led leadership, warning that moves to upturn governance of the transport union could lead to violence.
The President who made the appeal on Monday during a working visit to Minna , the Niger State capital, said such moves would alleviate the hardship in the country.

President Bola Tinubu has made a plea to the 36 state governors.

He begged them to begin the payment of wage awards to workers in their various states.

The President who made the appeal on Monday during a working visit to Minna, the Niger State capital, said such moves would alleviate the hardship in the country.

Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State were among the governors at the event.

The President who spoke directly to Abdulrazaq, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, urged all sub-national governments to emulate the Federal Government in taking steps that would mitigate the current hardship.

He said, The student loan program will commence, there will be unemployment benefits for our graduates.

The social security program for the elderly and the vulnerable will commence. We are fine tuning all of those areas. We are going to relieve people of hunger.

And if all of you, Im glad that I am facing AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

I have been paying wage award pending the determination of the new minimum wage. Let all the sub-nationals start paying that. The wage award with whatever they are taking now, will relieve the public.

I am not giving an order, I am appealing to you sub-nationals. Its a relief to the people.
Erelu Elebute Halle

Erelu Elebute Halle, the 2022 gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, in Ekiti state has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Halle made this known in Ado Ekiti at the ADP secretariat in Similoluwa, Ado Ekiti, while unveiling the new Chairman of ADP in Ekiti State, Mr Ayodeji Ojo.

Speaking to journalists, Halle affirmed that the new chairman had served the party diligently for eight years, adding that she can attest to his ability to take the party to an enviable height.

According to her, her decision to leave the party was a personal decision having X-rayed the last election and consulted widely with stakeholders.

She affirmed that she got invitation from many parties but noticed that a lot of them are after her money.

She said APC is a family that cares, adding that Governor Biodun Oyebanji has shown her love and respect beyond expectations.

Halle noted that APC celebrated her and supported her during her fathers burial just as she opened up that she is not interested in struggling for the ticket with Oyebanji.

She said, I decided to join APC because of the love I have received from Governor Oyebanji and because I believe in the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

I am leaving but not leaving you, I will be ready to support you at any time you need me, I urge you to remain united and work hard to sustain the party.

I am one of the major financier of ADP and I will continue to support the party irrespective of whether I stay or leave.
A mystery that lasted for five decades has been solved after a missing French submarine was located off the coast of France. Previous efforts to locate La Minerve had failed since it vanished near the port of Toulon on the French south coast in January 1968 with 52 sailors on board.

The cause of the vessels disappearance while it was carrying out a military exercise was never discovered, although it has been proposed that it imploded as it dropped to the bottom of the sea.

Experts also thought that it could have been due to a problem with its rudder, a collision, the explosion of a missile or torpedo, or something wrong with its oxygen supply systems.

After an appeal by the families of the victims, a new search located the vessel using hi-tech equipment that mapped the tides and currents in the Mediterranean, Agence France Presse reported.

In the end it was a boat belonging to private U.S. company Ocean Infinity which found the submarine wreckage on Sunday. It had broken into three pieces and was at a depth of 2,370 meters, 27 miles off the coast from Toulon.

Herve Fauve, the son of the commander of the vessel, Andre Fauve, toldLe Monde:Many people told me they were supporting me during the search because they didnt want me to feel alone but they didnt believe it would be found.

Jean-Marc Meunier, the brother of Francois Meunier, who was quartermaster on La Minerve, said: Its the end of a long wait and many questions. I have my grandchildren around me who I used to tell about the Minerve, hugging me. Its a relief, hugely emotional. These 52 sailors had been abandoned in some ways

Frances defense minister, Florence Parly, had announced a new search mission at the start of 2019. On Monday, she tweeted: Its a success, a relief and a technical feat. I am thinking of the families who have waited for so long for this moment.

The wife of one of the lost sailors, Therese Scheirmann-Descamps said: I cant find the words to describe my emotion. Its extraordinarily soothing, for my children too. Its such a surprise, such a joy, she said, according to AFP.
A former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri has reacted to the N10.33 trillion 2020 budget proposals presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Omokri described as lifeless, the 2020 budget, noting that Buhari had spent more on debt servicing than capital expenditure, describing the president as a locust that consumes without producing.

Omokri said that the saddest thing about the budget was that Buhari, who has more than doubled Nigerias debt from N11 trillion in 2015, to N24 trillion today, is depending on more debt for his budget.

To show how much General @MBuhari has spent your future away, consider that in his budget, debt servicing takes N2.45trn, which is more than capital expenditure of N2.14trn. Mind you, debt servicing is paying interest on the debt, not repaying the debt.

General @MBuhari is spending more on debt servicing (paying interest on debt) than capital expenditure because he more than doubled Nigerias debt from N11 trillion in 2015, to N24 trillion today. Buhari is a locust. He consumes without producing.

General @MBuharis 2020 budget adopted an exchange rate of N305 to $1. Manufacturers, ordinary Nigerians and smaller and medium scale enterprises dont get it at that rate. Buhari rather gives it to pilgrims to Mecca and his cronies, like Nasir Danu.

Nigeria can never grow with General @MBuharis 2020 lifeless budget. How can you devote ONE quarter (1/4) of your budget for debt servicing, half (1/2) for paying salaries, with only one fifth (1/5) for capital expenditure? You are eating your future.

To show how selfish General @MBuhari is, Health has a paltry N46bn, because he and his family go to London for their health needs. That is why he budgeted multiple billions for the Presidential Jet, so his children can fly, while you die! God forbid!

As is typical of the affidavit wielding General @MBuhari, Education is not a priority, with Works and Housing, Transportation, and other sectors getting bigger allocation. Remember that under @GEJonathan, education got the highest sectoral allocation!

The saddest thing about this budget is that General @MBuhari, who has more than doubled Nigerias debt from N11 trillion in 2015, to N24 trillion today, is depending on more debt for his budget. For every N1 Buhari spends, He is borrowing almost N3.

General @MBuhari publicly insulted ex-President Obasanjo when he wrote a letter warning him. But Obasanjo has the moral authority to warn. Obasanjo paid off Nigerias entire debt, but Buhari has more than doubled it N11 trillion, to N24 trillion.

General @MBuharis budget, as usual, contains very optimistic revenue targets. But he did not meet his target in 2916, 2017, 2018 and 2019, so who is he fooling? The only target Buhari has met since he took office is the target to impoverish Nigerians.

Under General @MBuhari, Nigeria obviously doesnt make enough to properly fund our budgets. Yet, Buhari bought a N200 million @MercedesBenz Maybach for himself while the @NGRSenate budgeted N5.5 billion for SUVs. Obviously, the problem is our leaders!

Omokri had, also recently, faulted claims Buhari made in his October 1, Independence Day national broadcast, describing them as lies.

PV: 0
Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man identified as John Onyeme for beating his wife, Esther Onyeme, to death after accusing her of being promiscuous and also denying him sex.

It was gathered that the deceased, Esther Onyeme, was a deaconess and proprietress of a nursery and primary school in the community.

Speaking with newsmen, Neighbours said John always accused her wife of fornication and starving him of sex which often triggered disagreements between the couple who live together in with their three children in Ladi-Lak, Bariga area of the state.

Five months ago, Esther packed out of the house in the heat of a fight with her husband and relocated to a church.

John reportedly went to the church on Friday, January 31, 2020 and beat her to a pulp. She was admitted to a private hospital in the community where she died three days after.

A resident of Ayorinde Street, Tope Adeyemo, told newsmen that the woman had on several occasions reported John at the Pedro Police Station covering the neighbourhood. He said:

He had been beating the woman for a long time and she reported him many times at the Pedro Police Station. The woman ran a private school in the community. She was responsible and industrious but the man thought she was fornicating around. She left him five months ago when his trouble became too much. They have three children together. The eldest among them is 16 years old. They are now in their village in the East. It is disheartening.

A neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that he had repeatedly warned John to desist from beating his wife to no avail.

He normally beat her at night. He would chase her around the passage with a knife. I begged him to stop beating her but he said I should not interfere in their matters gain. I told him he would kill her one day. That was sometime last year. No one here would say good thing about John. He even accused a chemist of sleeping with his wife. He does not take care of the children yet he didnt allow the woman to have rest of mind. It was a painful exit because the woman was hard working. She was the one taking care of the family, he said.

Another neigbour, who wanted to be identified as Bola, said Esther established the school located on Oyeyemi Street, Ladi-Lak, about five years ago, adding that it was unfortunate her life was cut short. She said:

It is tragic. She should be in her mid 40s. Most times, the husband beat her for denying him sex. Which woman would allow an irresponsible man to be having sex with her? She left home about five months ago when she could no longer bear his trouble. Some family members begged her to come back because of the children and she did. The same day she returned home, the man beat her. That was when she packed out of the house. She was diligent. She founded the school about five years ago. She was even planning to establish another school.

Academic activities were on when newsmen visited the school on Wednesday.

The head teacher of the school, who declined to give her name, described Esther as a loving woman, adding that they struggled to run the school.

With God on our side, we are trying our best to keep the school going. She was a kind woman. She took care of the pupils and teachers and carried everybody along. She was in school on Friday, she added.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bala Elkana, said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, for further investigation.

One Apostle Friday Ugorji reported at the police station that around 9am on July 31, one Esther Onyeme, a deaconess in his church, informed him that her estranged husband, one John Onyeme, beat her to the point of death. The pastor rushed her to hospital for treatment. Around 10.30am on February 3, she gave up the ghost. The corpse has been deposited at the Mainland General Hospital Mortuary for autopsy. The suspect is in police custody, he said.

ALSO READ: Man Beats His Wife Mercilessly For Wearing Mini Skirt Without Pant While Doing House Chores
<! Eniola admus and Ushebeb >

Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus, has returned to Nigeria after fears she might be stuck in the United Kingdom in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The 42-year-old actress had on Thursday expressed fear that she might be trapped in the UK due to restriction of movements over the pandemic.

However, Badmus revealed on Instagram on Friday that she had returned to Nigeria.

Las las we don show for Lagos.. Thank you, Lord for journey mercies., she wrote.

See post below:

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BLOOMINGTON  A newly released version of the Catholic Diocese of Peorias restructuring plan for Central Illinois churches would spare Bloomingtons Holy Trinity from previously announced possible closure  at least for two years.

In Bloomington-Normal, the most notable change from the second to third model would keep Holy Trinity open and Historic St. Patrick associated with it, but now as a separate parish with a shared pastor. It also would call for that pastor to develop a facilities and financial plan for them within two years.

Those two churches were to be merged with St. Mary, but the latter would remain alone in the new model.

In the merged parishes, one church would be the primary site, one or two would be secondary sites and other churches would be no longer used.

The third model released to the public still is not the final word on the diocese's reorganization of its 156 parishes in 26 counties stretching from the Quad Cities to Danville. The update was produced after public comment on the second model in the fall, and Bishop Louis Tylka still plans to announce the final plan on May 19.

Faced with changing demographics, declining attendance and fewer priests in the future, Tylka announced on Aug. 3, 2022, a two-year process involving a consulting firm with the goal of building "a vibrant, sustainable mission-driven Church for the future.

Tylka was not available to comment on the revised model Monday. The Rev. Jeffrey Stirniman, pastor of Holy Trinity, also was not available to comment Monday.

Striniman previously told The Pantagraph the parish was giving it their "best shot" at convincing the diocese to reconsider its possible closing and there was still a lot of hope in keeping the historic and architecturally significant building open.

In November, an estimated 500 or more Holy Trinity parishioners signed a petition asking the bishop to save the parish from closing, as part of public comment phase of the restructuring plan.

The updated model recommends:

Bloomington-Normal, Downs

Holy Trinity and Historic St. Patrick becoming separate parishes with a shared pastor and a total of two priests. The model recommends the pastor develop a long-term facilities and funding plan within two years.

Merging St. Patrick of Merna on Bloomington's east edge and St. Mary in Downs with two priests assigned.

Leaving St. Mary of Bloomington standing alone with one priest.

Leaving Epiphany in Normal standing alone with two priests.

Coordinating Mass times and ministries across the Twin City area.

Outside Bloomington-Normal

Merging St. Mary, El Paso (primary) and St. John, Benson (secondary) with one priest assigned.

Merging St. Mary, Metamora (primary), St. Luke, Eureka, and St. Joseph, Roanoke (both not is use) with one priest assigned.

Merging St. Mary, Delavan (primary), St. Joseph, Hopedale, and Immaculate Conception, Manito (both secondary) and St. Patrick, Havana, and St. Mary, Lewistown site, (both not in use) with one priest assigned.

Merging St. John the Baptist, Clinton (primary), St. Patrick of Wapella (secondary) and St. John the Evangelist, Bellflower, and Sacred Heart, Farmer City (both not in use) with one priest assigned.

Merging Holy Family, Lincoln (primary), St. Mary, Atlanta, and St. Patrick, Elkhart (both secondary) and St. Thomas Aquinas, Mount Pulaski (not in use) with two priests assigned.

Merging St. Mary, Wenona (primary), St. Patrick, Minonk (secondary), St. John the Baptist, Lostant, and St. Ann, Toluca (both not in use) with two priests assigned.

Merging St. Patrick of Dwight (primary) and St. Paul of Odell (secondary) and not using the Sacred Hear Campus site with one priest assigned.

Leaving St. Mary of Pontiac standing alone with two priests.

Merging St. Andrew of Fairbury (primary) and Sts. Peter and Paul, Chatsworth (secondary) and St. Rose in Strawn (not in use) with one priest assigned.

Merging St, Joseph, Chenoa (primary), St. Mary, Lexington (secondary) and St. Joseph, Flanagan (not in use) with one priest assigned.

The changes are driven by resource issues, including declines in the number of priests and Mass attendance, that extend well beyond Central Illinois. From 1970 to 2020, the number of priests in the U.S. dropped by 60%, according to data from Georgetown Universitys Center for Applied Research.

Currently, there is a request to zone Bloomington's Holy Trinity Catholic Church as an S-4 Historic Preservation District.

If approved, the designation would help to protect the church as a site of historical and cultural significance. A public hearing on this zoning request, which was initiated by the Historic Preservation Commission, will take place on March 21.

Katherine Murphy, communications and external affairs manager for Bloomington, said the city is unaware of any correlation between the timing of the S-4 Historic Preservation District request and any restructuring plans for the diocese.

Drew Zimmerman and Mateusz Janik of The Pantagraph contributed to this report.

History photos: Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Bloomington 1935: Holy Trinity Catholic Church 1938: Holy Trinity Catholic Church 1953: Holy Trinity Catholic Church 1953: Holy Trinity Catholic Church 1953: Holy Trinity Catholic Church 1953: Holy Trinity Catholic Church 1953: Holy Trinity Catholic Church
NORMAL  The Illinois Shakespeare Festival has announced its 2024 Sutter Scholarship recipients.

The scholarship was created by festival patron Craig Sutter in memory of his mother and father, G. Jean Sutter and H. Everett Sutter. The scholarship provides support for students majoring in acting at Illinois State University.

Sutter Scholars study theater and take part in an internship with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival as members of the professional acting company.

This year's recipients include:

Sage Brown, ISU junior acting major from Bloomington;

Devin Creighton, ISU sophomore acting and theater education major from Naperville;

Andrew Conrad Faber, ISU sophomore acting major from Huntley.

Brown is a graduate of Bloomington High School and is certified in several areas of stage combat. He recently portrayed Uncle Louis in "Lost in Yonkers" directed by ISU alum Jane Lynch. His other roles have been in "Equus," "Good Kids," "The Thanksgiving Play," "Space Girl" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream." He will be a 2024 ISF acting member.

Creighton is a graduate of Neuqua Valley High School. She has appeared in three ISU productions, including "The Colored Museum," "Equus" and "How to Clean Your Room." This spring she will be "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and she will be a member of the 2025 ISF acting company.

Conrad Faber recently portrayed Victor Frankenstein in "Frankenstein" and understudied the role of Dysart in "Equus." He will also appear as Demetrius in a "A Midsummer's Night's Dream" and will join the 2025 ISF acting company.

These students are also members of the cast of Bard in a Box, the Illinois Shakespeare Touring group, which performs an abbreviated version of "Romeo and Juliet" at middle and high schools in the Bloomington-Normal area.

Visit illinoisshakes.com/tickets for more information.

Behind the masks: Photos from the Midnight Masquerade Ball Shelleigh and Kevin Birlingmair, Amber Gruenloh, Easterseals Central Illinois Community Vice President Pat Messinger helps her husband Dean with his mask. Pat and Dean Messinger Mark and Sara Larsen Cindy and Mark Segobiano Jason and Jill Stahr, Dr. Vijay Misra, Dr. Rishi Shukla Marcia and Fred Basolo Mark and Melissa Isenburg Tremper Mary and John Burns Mary and John Burns, Mark and Cindy Segobiano, Doris Zink, Pat and Dean Messinger, Melissa and Mark Tremper Scott Miller taking a selfie with Melissa Isenburg Tremper Sara Quah, Marcia Basolo Geneva and Brett Aberle check out the auction items Drs. Tom Nielsen, Kathy Bohn Michael and Bev Stevens Alyssa and Russell Edelman Cathy and Tom Holbrook Morgan Falconer, Geneva Aberle, Lyndsey Ramsey Tyanez and Anthony Jones Shelleigh Birlingmair bids on a basket as Dr. Tom Nielsen, Dr. Kathy Bohn and auction organizer Bev Stevens peruse the many unique items Sara Quah chats with jazz pianist Michael Gardner as he performs for the appreciative crowd. Rob Lipic, Kim Ensign, Kate Burcham, Erin Williams, Pam Deaton, Amber Gruenloh, Annie Swanson, Andrea Arduini Jonell Kehias, Erin Williams Dana and Chris Shafer Josh and Brittney Jackson, Evan and Betsy Aughenbaugh Easterseals Central Illinois President/CEO Melissa Riddle, Tony Riddle Doris Zink, Mary Burns Annie Swanson, Katie Rife Bob Dobski, Sonja Reece, Steve Dobski Bob Dobski, Doris Zink Scott Schahrer, Meghan Meyer, Tori Howard, Tyler Davis Peter Heinle, Alicia Bury Ted Foos, Jimie Alexandre Uma Balakrishnan, Paige Meyer Carolyn and Bruce Sutter Valerie and Ryan Hypke
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

March 11, 1924: While anglers gazed on hungrily, 15,000 game fish of varying sizes  some weighing as much as 6 pounds  were lifted from the Illinois state fish car at Illinois Central depot yesterday and transferred into zinc tanks for transport to Miller Park lake, Lake Park, the lake of the Anglers' Club and the lake of McLean County Country Club.

75 years ago

March 11, 1949: There were more people in the orchestra than there were on the main floor Thursday night (March 10) at Normal Community High school. Only a balcony full of youngsters saved the 75 piece Bioomington-Normal Symphony orchestra the embarrassment of playing to so few.

50 years ago

March 11, 1974: The McLean County Board chose Dr. John Wenum to fill a vacant board seat until the seat can be filled in an election in November. Wenum, head of the political science department at Illinois Wesleyan University, received 13 votes to 12 for George H. "Hub" Parker.

25 years ago

March 11, 1999: Northpoint Elementary School fourth grader Lindsey Fehrman was one of three girls who demonstrated their pet-related inventions to Jay Leno, the "Tonight Show" audience and the millions of people watching TV last week. The family was contacted about Lindsey's invention, the "Gerbil Grabber," after reading a mention of it in a Pantagraph story about Unit 5's annual inventors convention held last December at Northpoint.

Vintage Pantagraph newspaper ads for medicine, 'magic' remedies Clover Blossom Extract - Nov. 15, 1883 St. Jacobs Oil - July 14, 1887 Castoria - July 26, 1892 Rheumatic Ring - May 29, 1894 Beefmalt - May 29, 1894 Wakefield's Cough Syrup - Feb. 13, 1908 S.S.S. - April 23, 1908 Olive Tablets - Nov. 20, 1911 Cold-go - Dec. 11, 1911 Dr. Danby - Dec. 11, 1911 Allcock Plasters - March 2, 1917 Olive Tablets - Feb. 23, 1918 Laxative Bromo Quinine - Oct. 16, 1918 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - April 24, 1919 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - April 29, 1919 Snake Oil - Nov. 22, 1919 Beecham's Pills - Nov. 22, 1919 Snake Oil - Nov. 29, 1919 Doan's Kidney Pills - March 8, 1920 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - Sept. 21, 1920 J.C. Hutzell's Eczema Treatment - Nov. 11, 1922 Gude's Pepto-Mangan - April 2, 1923 O-Joy Corn Wafers - March 4, 1930 Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription - March 19, 1930 666 Tablets - March 25, 1930 Cuticura - March 25, 1930 Geo-Mineral - Dec. 8, 1948 Anacin - Jan. 16, 1963 Liquiprin - Aug. 27, 1970 Icy Hot - Nov. 20, 1977
The Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has come under fire once again from the Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, for the ongoing economic turmoil in the nation.



Despite Dr Bawumia's reputed expertise, Dr. Forson criticised his failure to meet expectations since assuming office alongside President Akufo-Addo.



Dr Forson, representing Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, lambasted Dr. Bawumia's performance as abysmal, calling for accountability from Ghanaian voters in the upcoming 2024 elections.



During his contribution to the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, March 11, Dr Forson accused Dr. Bawumia of squandering the fiscal space inherited from the previous John Mahama government.



Dr. Forson condemned the Akufo-Addo administration's management of the country, alleging that it has resulted in significant hardships for the Ghanaian populace.



"Mr Speaker, those who held various lectures on textbook management of the economy have been in charge of Ghanas economy for the last seven years."



"Despite resolving all issues of the economy at those lectures, the reality is that the economy has collapsed on the watch of Dr. Bawumia, the chief lecturer," he said.

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In a bid to prepare for the impending rainy season and mitigate the risk of flooding, the Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has issued a directive urging the Ghana Hydrological Authority to expedite drainage works across the country.



The directive by the Minister is to minimize the potential impact of heavy rains on communities in flood-prone areas of the country.



He gave this directive during an inspection of ongoing dredging works on the Odaw River Basin as well as flood mitigation measures being implemented in several communities in Alogboshie, Kasoa-Iron City, Weija and its surrounding environs on Saturday, March 9, 2024.



"For us, one of the key things is the speed of work. We want to be clear that our contractors need to ensure that they deliver on time or sometimes as quickly as possible ahead of schedule," stated Minister Oppong Nkrumah.



Accompanied by key officials from the Ministry and its Agencies including Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfoh, Project Coordinator at GARID, and Dr. John Kisi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Hydrological Authority, Minister Oppong Nkrumah inspected the progress of various drainage projects in Accra.



These projects, under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) and the Ghana Hydrological Authority, aim to address perennial flooding issues, particularly in the capital.



Scope of works



The drainage and desilting works for beneficiary Assemblies in the Greater Accra Region is under the governments National Flood Control Programme (NFCP).



With the government having committed about GH450 million so far under the programme, to mitigate perennial flooding, especially in Accra, the sector Minister reaffirmed its commitment to addressing flood risk and enhancing infrastructure and services in affected communities.



At the time of inspection, dredging works on the Odaw River had been underway for about two weeks, with Dredge Masters tasked with removing solid waste materials along a 10-kilometre stretch of the river. This initiative is expected to improve flood risk management and solid waste management in the targeted communities within the Odaw River Basin.



In addition to dredging works, construction of storm drains is underway in various communities as part of GARID's Community Upgrade Programme. These projects, including the construction of storm drains, improvement of access roads, expansion of water supply, and provision of street lights, aim to enhance resilience to flooding and improve overall infrastructure in beneficiary communities.



Minister Oppong Nkrumah's inspection tour also included visits to ongoing construction sites in communities such as Alogboshie, Kasoa-Iron City, and Weija. These projects involve the construction of storm drains to accommodate floodwaters and prevent erosion caused by runoff from mountainous areas.



Dr. Sarfoh who showed the Minister the ongoing construction of a storm drain in Alogboshie, highlighted the government's efforts to reduce the risk of flooding in Accra following the June 3rd flood disaster.



He said the government since the disaster has put in place measures including dredging the Odaw River, implementing structural measures to improve drain capacity, and constructing major drains to redirect runoff from vulnerable areas.



This followed the inspection of another storm drain at Kasoa-Iron City by the Minister and his team. He received a brief on the progress of construction works which is about 80% done before making his way to Weija and its environs where he inspected the construction of another storm drain to accommodate runoffs from the mountains.



Receiving a brief from Dr. Kissi, the Minister inspected ongoing works. The scope of work includes the construction of a drain along the Weija-Kasoa highway that will prevent runoffs from the mountainside of the road from flooding the street. This will also see the construction of a catchpit that will ensure that drains are not filled with sand eroded from the mountaintop due to the disturbed vegetation.

*Compensation*



Mr Oppong Nkrumah stressed the need for adequate engagement with affected persons as a result of these ongoing construction works to ensure that theyre duly compensated. He said much as the government is looking to mitigate the risk of flooding in the city, it shouldnt come under circumstances where people are rendered homeless with no proper compensation.



Responsibility of Assemblies



In his admonition to the beneficiary Assemblies, the Minister said for residents to benefit fully from the drainage systems when completed, the Assemblies should take responsibility for it regular maintenance charging them to regularly desilt to make the investment worthwhile.



He called for the need to maintain and improve drainage infrastructure for the safety and well-being of the residents within the Municipalities, adding that regular maintenance of drains is of utmost importance to mitigate the risks of flooding and safeguard our communities.



In furtherance of this, the Minister said the Ministry will see to it that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed between the Ministry and the local assemblies to ensure the regular maintenance of these drains.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Ghana's Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, has painted a vivid picture of the late broadcaster Kwabena Kwakye, popularly known as Wofa K.K of Oman FM, describing him as a man deeply rooted in tradition yet unyielding in his convictions.



Osei-Opare's words resonated with sincerity and respect as she reflected on Wofa K.K.'s unwavering commitment to Ghanaian values and democratic principles. She spoke of his remarkable ability to ignite passionate discussions on both political and national issues, setting him apart as a formidable force in the media landscape.



"Throughout his career, Wofa K.K remained steadfast in his dedication to our traditions," Osei-Opare said in a glowing tribute to the late broadcaster at his One Week observation over the weekend. "His voice was not just a mere echo; it was a clarion call for all Ghanaians to uphold our heritage while striving for progress."



Her tribute shed light on Wofa K.K.'s fearless approach to journalism, where neutrality was not a barrier to speaking out against perceived injustices or advocating for change. It was this unwavering spirit that earned him admiration and respect from both colleagues and listeners alike.



But Wofa K.K.'s impact extended beyond the confines of the media. Osei-Opare highlighted his invaluable contributions as a member of the GNPC board, where he continued to champion the cause of national development until his untimely passing.



"Even in his final moments, Wofa K.K remained dedicated to his duty, offering his last critique on matters of national importance," Osei-Opare said. "His absence leaves a void, especially as we navigate the challenges leading up to the December 2024 elections."



His last critique on a recent ministerial reshuffle highlighted his unwavering dedication to national development, she added.



As Osei-Opare reflects over his death, she urged Ghanaians to find solace in the legacy left behind by Wofa K.K. His life, she noted, was a testament to the power of passion, conviction, and unwavering dedication to Ghana's progress.



Though his demise has caused us pain, yet we are grateful to God that his life was impactful. Let us take solace in the beautiful memories we shared with him and be encouraged by his legacy as we do our best for God and country, Osei-Opare said.



"Boiling Point," his renowned programme on Net2 TV and Oman FM, according to her was a no miss programme for her, adding that it captured the attention of many, including senior government officials, who regarded it as essential viewing. His absence will be deeply felt, particularly as Ghana approaches the crucial December 2024 elections.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The President of Malta, H.E Dr George Vella and the First Lady of Malta, Mrs. Mary-Anne Vella, on Friday, 8th March 2024, paid a working visit to the National Lottery Authority (NLA) as part of his three-day State Visit to Ghana.



The Board Chairman, His Eminence Torgbui Francis Seth Nyonyo, the Director-General, Mr. Samuel Awuku, the Deputy Director-General, Ms. Anna Horma Miezah, and some management members received President George Vella and his delegation. President George Vella was accompanied by the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Ghanas High Commissioner to Malta, H.E. Barbara Akuorkor Benisa and Maltas High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Jean Claude Galea Mallia and a team from Malta.



While thanking President George Vella and his delegation for honouring NLA with the visit, the Director-General of the NLA, Mr. Samuel Awuku, chronicled the NLAs journey from its inception as the Department of National Lotteries (DNL) to its transition to the National Lottery Authority (NLA), highlighting the role the Maltese Government played in its establishment.





He recounted to the delegation how the Maltese Government, upon request from the then Prime Minister, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, assisted Ghana in setting up a lottery institution by sending Maltese Public Officers of the Malta Lotteries Department to Ghana. This was after the then Finance Minister, Mr Komla Gbedema, discovered the lottery in Malta while on an official assignment.



One of the two officers, Mr William Francis Brennan, who was instrumental in establishing DNL, later became its Director-General from 1958 to 1967. Appreciative of the gesture by the Maltese Government, the NLA named its Draw Hall, the Brennan Hall and erected a bust on its compound in honour of Mr. William Francis Brennan.



Mr. Awuku also talked about the NLAs Good Causes Foundation, established in 2021 under the leadership of the Board Chairman, His Eminence Torgbui Francis Nyonyo, and the NLA Governing Board. The Foundation gives back to society and has impacted the lives of over 400,000 people.



Mr Awuku thanked President Vella and the team for the cooperation between NLA and the Republic of Malta and called for more collaboration in the years ahead.

"Mr. President, we also want to begin an exchange program with the Malta Gaming Authority where some of our Staff can visit Malta every year to learn about best practices and new technologies."





In recounting how the lottery was initiated in his country, H.E. President George Vella commended the NLA for sustaining the lottery business over the years and contributing to society through the Good Causes Foundation, as Malta is currently doing.



The NLA has done well to sustain this for more than 60 years since its introduction, and the reviews have been good. When we started the lottery in Malta, we did not know that it would have a positive effect here in Ghana, and I must say I am very impressed with what I have seen so far."



After interacting with Management, President George Vella and the delegation were led to Mr. William Francis Brennan's bust to pay homage. Subsequently, they proceeded to Brennan Hall to interact with the NLA staff.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Member of Parliament for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye has on Sunday, March 10, 2024 handed over a newly constructed borehole to residents at Mpatasie, a suburb of the Bantama constituency.



The borehole facility, funded by the Bantama Asenso-Boakye Foundation, aims to provide sustainable access to clean water for the area, following a request by the community leaders to find a remedy to the water challenges facing the community.



This social intervention is part of the Member of Parliament's vision to utilize his foundation and collaborate with partner organizations to install boreholes across communities facing similar challenges, ensuring widespread access to clean water and fostering sustainable development.



At a brief ceremony to commission the borehole, the member of parliament for Bantama who is also the Minister for Roads and Highways expressed his commitment towards improving the living conditions of all the communities within the constituency.



He underscored that this project is one of many aimed at aiding the community, acknowledging its significance in addressing the water crisis faced by residents in the area.



Indeed, water is indispensable, reason most often, people describe water as life. Considering the essential role it plays in our daily lives, that is why I found it crucial to address this pressing issue of water scarcity in this area. Again, Its for this reason that weve made it accessible to all, without any financial burden to residents, Asenso-Boakye added



He reiterated the importance of responsible management of the facility by urging the Assembly Member of the area and Electoral Area Coordinator to use the borehole judiciously and manage it effectively. This includes implementing careful stewardship practices, to safeguard the longevity of the facility, and ensuring sustained access to clean water for the community.



The lawmaker took the opportunity to commend the community leaders, especially Mr. Solomon K. Acheampong, the Assembly Member of Abrepo Mpatasie, and Dr. PK Owusu, the Electoral area coordinator for their outstanding efforts in making the project possible.



In response, the Assembly Member, speaking on behalf of the community leaders, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the lawmaker for addressing their pressing need by providing a lasting solution to their water challenges. He further assured him of their commitment to ensuring the judicious use of the borehole, fulfilling its purpose in serving the community's water needs effectively.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The widow of the late Dr. John Kumah, deputy finance minister and New Patriotic Party (NPP) member of Parliament for the Ejisu constituency in the Ashanti Region, has stated categorically that her husband did not die as a result of food poisoning as has been circulated by sections of mainstream media and social media but he battled with a serious illness for over a year.



Speaking in an exclusive interview with Asaase News Wilberforce Asare in her marital home in Chantan, a suburb in Accra, Apostle Lilian Kumah said her late husband had been battling with a terminal disease for nearly a year now since it was discovered by his doctors in Germany and that is what her husband succumbed to on Thursday, 7 March 2024, and not food poisoning.



Stop the speculation

In a very sobering and grieving voice, Apostle Mrs. Lilian Kumah, who is also the General Overseer of Disciples of Christ Ministries, asked all those speculating about the cause of the death of her husband to put a stop to it because it is exacerbating the pain of his immediate family and the larger Kumah family.



She also called for swift police action against known persons such as Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, who has publicly stated that her late husband was poisoned but has not been made to provide any evidence to prove the wild claim he has made about the death of John Kumah.



Why is it that someone (referring to Captain Smart) has been this bold to claim that he knows for a fact that a person like John Kumah who has serviced his country virtually all his life, was poisoned, while he was working for his country and party (New Patriotic Party, NPP), why should we sit down and not bring that person to book.



If it is true that a person who is not dead but alive claims that he knows how my husband (John Kumah) died and that he was poisoned, and that person is still moving around for the past three weeks, it hurts me, it saddens me and I do not know how best to express my frustrations about these false claims by Captain Smart, the widow of John Kumah, Apostle Lilian Kumah said.



If there are laws in this country concerning such false claims, I think this is the time for the leadership of the land to bring that wicked person (Captain Smart) to book to prove his false claims and to point out the persons who were involved in the poisoning of my late husband, Mrs. Kumah further stated.



Speaking about the real cause of the death of her husband, Apostle Lilian Kumah pointed out that John Kumah was diagnosed with a blood-related disease sometime in August 2023 in Germany when she accompanied her husband for a medical check-up.



Mr. Kumah added that throughout all the medical check-ups of her husband in Germany and Ghana, not once did any of the medical doctors they encountered, ever mention the issue of poisoning in the blood vessels of her husband, the late John Kumah.



My husband went through pain but he never showed that he was in pain. He went through all the pain to do everything he needed to do during the period of his ill-health.



He was motivated by a particular motto that he always operated by which is, We dont do what is convenient, we do what we are commanded to do. So [despite] all the pain, he endured, Mrs. Kumah remarked.



Right from day one since he was diagnosed in Germany, I have been part of the medical processes my husband went through, and no one, none of the doctors ever told me that my husbands medical situation was because of poisoning.



I have all the medical reports both from Germany and Ghana and food poisoning has never been mentioned in any of the reports, the late John Kumahs widow added.



Dr. John Kumah died at about 12:40 PM at the Suhum government hospital after an ambulance he was traveling in together with his wife and medical doctor, from Ejisu to Accra was diverted to the Suhum medical facility when the doctor on board noticed that Mr Kumahs condition was fast deteriorating.



On arrival at the hospital, a little after 11:00 am on Thursday, 7 March 2024, the medical team moved straightway to try and stabilize him so could continue with his journey to Accra for his onward planned journey to Germany where he has been receiving treatment for his health challenge. However, the Suhum government hospitals efforts failed to keep him alive.



John Kumahs profile

The late Dr. John Kumah was a lawyer in private practice and an entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in leadership, creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness in creating jobs and supporting youth development.



As the first chief executive officer for the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), he successfully positioned the NEIP as the enabler of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ghana.



Under his leadership, the programme trained the staff of seven thousand (7,000) start-ups in 2018 under the Presidential Business Support Programme and supported one thousand, three hundred and fifty (1,350) beneficiaries with funds.



Before he began working for the government, Kumah was the founding member and managing partner of the law firm Aduaprokye Chambers. He also worked as the founder of Majak Associates Ltd, a building and construction company.



In November 2020, Kumah received a doctorate in business innovation from the Swiss Business School in Switzerland. Before then, he had acquired a Masters degree in applied business research from the same business school in 2019.

Source: asaaseradio.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Dean of the Ghana Armed Forces Staff and Command College, Professor Vladimir Antwi Danso, has stated that President Akufo-Addo is right to have assured the international communities of his intentions of waiting for the verdict of the Supreme Court regarding the passage of the anti-gay bill.



Prof. Vladimir Antwi Danso said that, if the President says he is waiting on the verdict of the Supreme Court, it means that the President is then thinking of a democracy that will benefit everyone.



He added that if Parliament brings a bill for him to assent, which might not favour other foreign diplomats, then the president has the right to assure the diplomats of his willingness to consider their welfare.



He said, "If Parliament presents a bill that is not in the interest of the country or other international communities, then the President has the right to return the bill to Parliament while assuring the international communities to remain calm."



In the same vein, if parliament also realizes that there is a loophole in a presidential bill, it is the responsibility of parliament to come back to the president for further deliberation."



Prof. Vladirmir Antwi Danso added that, all the president was trying to achieve was to encourage them to remain calm while letting them know that Ghanas democracy is institutionally based. When the president does this, it doesnt mean he has discarded the bill.



Watch the video below





Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Klottey Korle, Valentino Nii Noi Nortey has kickstarted his campaign with a decentralized approach, urging party members to strive for success in the upcoming 2024 elections.



Addressing a select group of NPP members at his office in Accra, Nortey emphasized the importance of concerted efforts to ensure victory for the party in the forthcoming elections.



He called for unity and dedication among NPP members in Klottey Korle, stressing the need for proactive engagement in the campaign process.



The NPP Constituency Organizer for Klottey Korle, Eric Doe echoed Nortey's sentiments, emphasizing the significance of active participation in the campaign from the onset. He highlighted the departure from traditional campaign strategies, emphasizing the need for a fresh approach to achieve favorable outcomes.



Mr. Nortey outlined his campaign strategy, emphasizing a retail approach that involves the active participation of all NPP members in the constituency. He emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement, stating that success lies in reaching out to every polling station.



The 'Win Your Polling Station' initiative, according to Mr. Nortey, aims to optimize campaign efficiency through a division of labour. He emphasized the importance of building trust and representation at each polling station to effectively communicate the party's message.



Regarding the perception of politically biased polling stations, Mr. Nortey remained optimistic, asserting that hard work and dedication can win over voters irrespective of party affiliations. He urged supporters to focus on engaging with voters and winning their hearts.



While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Mr. Nortey remained resolute in his belief that victory is achievable through collective effort and hard work. He emphasized the pivotal role of supporters in securing the parliamentary seat for Klottey Korle in the upcoming elections.



Mr. Eric Doe reiterated the need for proactive engagement among party members, emphasizing the importance of adopting innovative campaign strategies. He urged members to take initiative and actively contribute to the campaign efforts, underscoring the collective responsibility in shaping the party's electoral success.



Nii Noi Nortey is set to contest against Dr. Zanetor Rawlings of the National Democratic Congress in the parliamentary elections for the Klottey Korle constituency on December 7, 2024.

Source: graphiconline.com









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The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako alias Chairman Wontumi has been accused of allegedly trading the presidential running mate slot of the party for his personal gains.



According to the Manhyia South Constituency Chairman of the NPP, Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta popularly known as Tom Tom, this politically destructive development must be checked before it breaks the partys front in the their stronghold of Ashanti Region.



In separate radio interviews on Kumasi-based Sompa FM and Accra-based Okay FM on Monday, March 11, 2024, the Manhyia South constituency chairman appealed to the national executives of the party to call Chairman Wontumi to order.



Strategy



Providing details, Tom Tom said since it became open that the running mate will be chosen from the Ashanti Region, Wontumi has allegedly devised a strategy to benefit from the process.



 He [ Wontumi] is trading the running mate slot. First he did it with Education Minister, Dr Adutwum and when it failed, he shifted to Dr John Kumah until his untimely death,  Tom Tom stated.



Destruction



He further indicated that following the unfortunate death of Dr Kumah, Chairman Wontumi has upped his game to destroy any other person he opposes as a possible running mate. He is doing this using his aides led by a presenter of Wontumi media, Oheneba Nana Asiedu.



Tom Tom further averred that developments on Wontumi fm/radio in the last few days attest to the machinations of Chairman Wontumi .



Conspiracies



Against the backdrop of the development, the Manhyia South NPP Chairman stressed the urgent need for the party leadership to check the conspiracies adopted by Chairman Wontumi so as to keep the party intact in Ashanti Region.



Already, divisions are being created in the region and this must be arrested as early as possible because we cannot toy with our stronghold  he said.



Watch Video Below





Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has embarked on a two day tour in the Greater Accra region.



This tour is directed towards building a united NDC ahead of the December 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections. The former President together with his running mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, met the greater Accra regional executives and constituency executives of the party on Monday, 11 march for the day one of his two-day tour.



John Mahama met members of the NDC at the Dodowa to discuss strategies the party can adopt to have a resounding victory come December 2024.



Addressing the former president and candidate of the NDC, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the party Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore stated that, the NDC could only win the elections when they are united.



He underscored the need to train constituency executives in the usage and of drones to monitor proceedings at the various polling stations since the previous elections have proven that elections are won at the polling stations.



The Secretary for the Greater Accra Caucus of Members of Parliament, Hon. Sam George, revealed that the caucus is ready to extend a helping hand to the various constituencies in the Greater Accra region to enable them have a smoother election campaign.



In his statement, candidate Mahama admonished all party executives and Members of parliament to be vigilant both at the polling stations and at the various collation centers in order to ensure an accurate data collection.



The meeting with NDC members and executives is part of the flagbearers building Ghana Tour.



After the meeting the regional and constituency executives, John Mahama and his entourage are expected to pay a courtesy call on the Greater Accra House of chiefs as well as a visit to some markets within the Greater Accra Region.



For his day two tour, John Dramani Mahama is expected to visit the Spare Parts Dealers at Abossey - Okai and other parts of the Greater Accra region to discuss how best the business could be elevated when he is voted into power as the next president.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has once again submitted a petition to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) concerning the new Bank of Ghana (BoG) Complex.



In his previous petition, Ayariga alleged corruption involving the Bank's Governor, Deputy Governors, the Board of Directors, and the project contractor, Goldkey Properties Ltd.



He also expressed concerns about the substantial increase in the project cost from USD 121,807,517.94 to USD 222,799,760.55, despite minimal changes in the scope of work.



Ayariga stressed the OSP's authority to investigate suspected corruption cases and urged transparency in the utilization of public funds in his October petition.



In a follow-up letter to the OSP on Monday, March 11, Ayariga requested an update on the status of the investigation.



"This is to follow up on your investigation of the complaint of suspected procurement breaches relating ot the new headquarters building of the Bank of Ghana at Ridge, Accra."



"You will recall that in October 2023, made a formal complaint to your office and requested you to investigate what I believed to be a case of corruption in the procurement of the new headquarters building of the Bank of Ghana at Ridge in Accra. The suspects, in this case, included the governor and the deputy governors of the Bank of Ghana, namely; (1) Dr Ernest Kwamina Addison (Governor), (2) Maxwell Opoku-Afari (First Deputy Governor), and (3) Elsie Ado Awadzi (Second Deputy Governor)," an excerpt of the statement said.







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Moscow Fashion Week, a vibrant showcase of the talented emerging designers who are making their mark on the world stage, recently presented an array of global designs in Russias sprawling metropolis, highlighting the country's growing influence on global fashion. This affair, which spanned from March 1st to 8th, drew attention not just for its venueEurope's largest citybut for acting as a global platform that represented a wide selection of established and emerging fashion talents from dozens of countries.



At the heart of this weeklong celebration was the expressive diversity of African fashion. Ethiopian designer Mastewal Alemu, along with South Africas Boys of Soweto and DOPE Store, brought to the runway collections penetrated with narratives and social consciousness. Alemus commitment to ethical fashion, the Boys of Sowetos fusion of past and futuristic influences to address societal themes, and DOPE Stores vibrant assimilation of street culture with design emphasized the richness diversity brings to global fashion.



The event's grand finale unfolded at the Russia'' exhibition at VDNH, where graduates from Moscows leading fashion schools displayed their collections, invigorating the runway with innovation and a sharp reflection on Russian cultural identity. Sergei Sysoev, a notable designer and head of the costume design department at the Russian Kosygina University, extolled the graduates for their creativity and emphasis on Russia's heritage. The finale was further enlivened by a performance from Otyken, a group celebrated for their modern musical compositions inspired by the cultures of Northern and Siberian smaller nations, and who have also earned a Grammy nomination.



Moreover, Moscow Fashion Week placed a significant emphasis on inclusivity and social issues, integrating models with Down syndrome (courtesy of KUZINA) and spotlighting collections like FIGHTELEMENT that raised awareness for vitiligo, underscoring a commitment to embracing diversity and challenging exclusivity on the runway.



Beyond the fashion shows, Moscow Fashion Week emerged as a hotspot for networking within the international fashion sector, facilitated by the presence of celebrities, influencers, and a strategically curated marketplace and showroom. Highlighted among the attendees were Italian film star Ornella Muti and her daughter, Naike Rivelli, whose participation underscored the events embrace of models across a wider age spectrum. Additionally, Chinese actress Lily Ji captivated audiences with her wear of ancestral Chinese costumes, manifesting a bridge between heritage and contemporary fashion.



In essence, Moscow Fashion Week not only asserted Russias evolving influence in the fashion world but also championed a forward-moving ethos grounded in innovation, cultural exchange, and the nurturing of new talent. Leveraging African designers to the European stage, Moscow cements its position as an emerging fulcrum in the international fashion landscape, steering trends marked by creativity, diversity, and inclusivity.







Source: Michael Grisham









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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CAPE MAY  Jim Plousis has had a number of titles over the years: Ocean City police officer, Cape May County sheriff, U.S. marshal, Casino Control Commission chairman.

One title he never thought hed have is author.

George Ingram had approached me about writing a book, and I really wasnt interested, Plousis said Friday. Then, at the time, I was involved with the United States Marshals Survivors (Benefit) Fund. His suggestion was, Well, why dont we just write a book, and all the proceeds go to the United States Marshals Survivor Fund?

The fund pays for the funerals of officers, U.S. deputy marshals, as well as local law enforcement officers who are assigned to the marshals task force and are killed in the line of duty, Plousis said.

With the proceeds, they do other fundraisers other than just a book, so we agreed, he said.

The result was the 2018 memoir Jersey Lawman: A Life on the Right Side of Crime, co-written by Plousis and Ingram. A staged reading of Jersey Lawman will take place April 20 at the East Lynne Theater Company.

Jersey Lawman covers Plousis four-decade-long career in law enforcement, from his early days as an Ocean City patrolman to his tenure as Cape May County sheriff, culminating in his nomination to United States marshal for New Jersey by then-President George W. Bush in 2002.

Cape businesses sponsor 'Jersey Lawman' reading: Hometown briefs East Lynne Theater Company of Cape May has secured three main sponsors for its upcoming staged reading based on the memoir Jersey Lawman: A Life on the Right Side of Crime by Jim Plousis and George Ingram.

Im honored, Plousis said of the reading. George Ingram passed away two years ago; I wish he could be there. His wife will be there. I cant say enough about him. He put his heart and soul in this book for six years, and he really went the extra mile.

Plousis said he and Ingram met weekly during those six years to craft the book.

Every Tuesday night, I would go to his house. We would sit from 6 to 9 oclock, and he would review things that I did, and then he would do the research in the local newspapers.

Proceeds from sponsorships of the reading will benefit the U.S. Marshals Survivors Benefit Fund and East Lynnes $1.2 million capital campaign, which will finance East Lynnes future home, the Clemans Theater at Allen AME Church in Cape May.

Former law enforcement officer Tony Bianchino, co-owner of Nana & Poppys Ice Cream Parlor in Sea Isle City and the events main sponsor, expressed his pleasure in supporting the cause, having worked with Plousis in the Cape May County Sheriffs Office.

Every once in a while, Id think about him, like, whats he doing now? Its interesting where life takes you, said Bianchino. It will do some real good for a worthy cause.

The reading is scheduled for 8 p.m. April 20 at 500 Hughes St., Cape May. Admission is pay-what-you-will. For more information, visit eastlynnetheater.org.
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
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  More than one-third of New Jersey residents think the increased use of artificial intelligence will make their lives worse, according to a poll by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University released Monday.

Those polled also said it is very important (57%) or somewhat important (23%) to have government regulations and oversight over the use of AI.

Residents opinions of AI vary widely depending on the use, but none of the applications asked about garnered majority support. Pluralities of 45% and 44% view the use of smart home devices or facial recognition technology as positive uses of AI, respectively, but more than 70% have a negative view of uses like generating fake images or videos (71%), companies using personal data to customize the content users see online (71%) or using AI in hiring decisions (76%).

Artificial intelligence is already ingrained in many aspects of daily life, but people are feeling uneasy about some of the ways its being used, said Hughes Center interim Director Alyssa Maurice. Technology continues to outpace policy, and AI is no exception. The poll shows residents want those regulatory guardrails in place.

The center polled 606 residents in the state.

Artificial animals: AI threatens photo comps, conservation Images produced by generative artificial intelligence  AI programs that create new material in response to a prompt  now often appear as realistic as actual photographs.

Residents are split over how AI will impact their lives. Thirty-six percent said the increased use of AI will make their lives worse, while 1 in 4 said it will make their lives better. About the same rate (26%) said it will have no impact. Just over 1 in 10 (12%) are unsure how it will affect them, according to the poll.

Of those who think it will improve their lives, a majority (58%) said the main reason is convenience, or that it will make their daily tasks easier or faster, followed by 13% who said it will make their jobs easier. The third most cited reasons were that AI is helpful for learning and that it will lead to medical or diagnostic advancements, both at 5%.

Most residents have very little (44%) to no trust (35%) that AI will be used ethically and responsibly, while 16% have some trust and 2% have a lot of trust it will be used in good faith. As many as 78% of respondents think the increased use of AI will cause the spread of false information to increase, while only 4% think it will cause misinformation to decrease and 9% think it will have no effect.

Young people may have a slightly more positive outlook than their older counterparts on some uses of AI, like smart home devices and AI chatbots, but people of all ages were on the same page about the potential for harm and the need for oversight, Maurice said.
Advisory: Schedule for China's NPC session on March 11

Xinhua) 08:53, March 11, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Gov. Phil Murphys job rating hovers at about 50%, with independents becoming more negative during his second term, according to the latest Monmouth University poll released Monday.

Views of how the governors policies impact property taxpayers and the middle class continue to be more negative than positive, according to the poll, which also found some support for Murphys proposed corporate fee to fund NJ Transit upgrades.

The prevailing opinion is that Murphy does a decent job keeping an eye on the books, but there is disagreement on where he chooses to focus his efforts, said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute. This is more of a general sense about his priorities than a specific critique of any given policy, given that few New Jerseyans actually follow the budget process.

While 50% of New Jersey adults approved of Murphys overall job performance, 42% disapproved, with the same results found among the states registered voters.

At the start of Murphys second term in April 2022, a Monmouth poll found 55% approved of his performance and 35% disapproved.

The difference largely reflects changes in how independents view Murphy. The percentage of independents who disapprove of him has increased from 35% two years ago to 49% in the latest poll.

His rating has been more stable among both Democrats (83% approve now and 86% in 2022) and Republicans (79% disapprove now and 77% in 2022).

While 53% of state residents say the governor has done a good job managing New Jerseys finances over the past six years, only 25% say Murphys program priorities are in line with their own priorities.

How much are South Jersey districts receiving in school funding? The state Department of Education has released its school district funding for the 2024-25 school year.

Nearly half (45%) say Murphys priorities are too liberal for them and another 18% feel Murphys priorities are not liberal enough.

About 45% of New Jersey residents have heard about the 2025 fiscal year budget that Murphy proposed two weeks ago.

Opinion on the budget plan is divided, with 5% satisfied with it, 19% not particularly satisfied but can live with it, and 16% dissatisfied with it. The remaining 60% have no opinion or have not heard about the proposal.

The poll also asked how Murphys policies have affected different constituent groups in New Jersey.

His worst ratings are for his impact on property taxpayers (24% helped and 48% hurt) and middle-class residents (27% helped and 47% hurt).

The poll also asked about the impact of Murphys policies on transit riders. Overall, 19% of New Jerseyans say he has helped transit riders and 28% say he has hurt them.

In his state budget proposal, Murphy proposed a tax on businesses that have annual profits over $10 million to create a dedicated fund to improve the infrastructure and performance of NJ Transit, the agency that runs most of the buses and trains in the state.

Four in 10 New Jerseyans approve of this tax proposal, 28% disapprove of it and 32% are unsure about it.

Most Democrats (68%) support this plan while half (50%) of Republicans oppose it. Among transit users, 44% of regular riders and 45% of occasional riders approve of the proposal, while only 32% of non-riders agree.
A coalition of labor unions is opposing a bill (A4045/S2930) that would change the Open Public Records Act in New Jersey, making it more difficult for many people to get access to public documents.

"This legislation would make sweeping changes to the Open Public Records Act, severely limiting public access to government documents and related information," the group wrote Monday in a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, D-Bergen, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin D-Middlesex.

The bills have been fast-tracked in the Assembly and Senate, and the letter also expressed concern about the rushed nature of the process.

Identical bills were introduced last week in both houses by Scutari and Assemblyman Joe Danielsen, D-Somerset, Middlesex, and were due to be heard in two committee hearings simultaneously Monday.

The Assembly version passed that body's State and Local Government Committee Monday morning with only Assembly members Claire Swift, R-Atlantic, and Erik Simonsen, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, voting no. The vote came after a long meeting where dozens of opponents spoke.

"At a time when protecting our democracy is more important than ever, we should be enhancing the publics trust in government and not restrict access and dismantle transparency," the letter states. "This bill expands the already extensive list of exceptions and places additional obstacles in the path of the public to obtain access to government records. This would be a giant step backward for transparency and democracy in the state of New Jersey."

Supporters of the bills have said government offices have had to hire more people to fulfill OPRA requests, mainly because of a large number of documents requested by commercial interests.

But the restrictions would affect everyone from the average property taxpayer to the largest corporation.

This gets pretty close to a repeal of OPRA. Its going to hobble it to a point to make it practically useless, John Paff, a prolific records requester who chairs the New Jersey Libertarian Partys open government advocacy project, told the New Jersey Monitor recently.

Paff often releases documents on questionable government actions and lawsuit settlements that would otherwise remain secret.

The labor leaders said the bill will also harm their ability to access information used in collective bargaining and to represent members.

"As labor unions, access to government records is crucial to our ability to represent our members," the letter states. "The amendments included in the bill are extensive and require thorough review and debate by labor unions, members of the public, and stakeholders who seek the disclosure of government records to promote the public interest in democracy and open government."

The letter was signed by leaders of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, 32BJ SEIU, AFSCME New Jersey Council 63, ATU NJ State Joint Council, Communications Workers of America, District 1 Health Professionals & Allied Employees HPAE, Hudson County Central Labor Council, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, IFPTE Atlantic Council, IFPTE Local 196, IFPTE Local 194, The NewsGuild of New York, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Rutgers AAUP-AFT, Rutgers Adjunct Union, PTLFC-AAUP-AFT, United Council of Academics at NJIT, AAUP-AFT and United Steelworkers Local 4-200.
TRENTON  New Jersey and the nation were not prepared when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the state remains underprepared for the next emergency, according to an independent report examining New Jerseys response to the pandemic that sickened nearly 3 million people statewide and killed over 33,000.

The report released Monday faults planning, communication and decision-making before and during the pandemic, which broke out in early 2020.

Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy called the pandemic the greatest crisis our state has ever faced.

He promised an outside review of his administrations response to the outbreak in its early days. The $9 million publicly funded report was done by the law firm of Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP and Boston Consulting Group. It was led by Paul Zoubek, a former assistant state attorney general.

I know New Jersey will be better off because of this review, and my administration looks forward to working with the Legislature on its recommendations, Murphy said.

State Republicans have been sharply critical of Murphys performance during the pandemic, including mask mandates and shutdowns, but had not publicly reacted to the release of the report as of early Monday afternoon.

The report was blunt in listing failures leading up to the pandemic, as well as during it.

We collectively failed as a nation and as a state to be adequately prepared, Zoubek wrote. At the state level, heroic actions were taken to respond in good faith to the crisis. Despite the lessons of the last four years, New Jersey remains underprepared for the next emergency.

Lovers of the Pine Barrens come together for art, education, more in Galloway Lines on the Pines is an annual gathering of artists, authors and artisans who have a passion for the Pine Barrens. This year's theme was "bugs and insects of the NJ Pine Barrens."

The report also noted things New Jersey did well during the pandemic, including making significant systemic improvements.

The state, to its credit, took bold and early steps designed to substantially reduce the number of people infected: shut-downs, quarantines, mask requirements, and social distancing were all implemented and resulted in dramatic improvements in health outcomes over the course of the pandemic. By the Delta and Omicron wave, New Jersey became one of the states with the lowest death rates, the report read.

It also said the states campaign to vaccinate residents and convince those hesitant to receive the shots helped New Jersey combat the spread of the virus.

But no level of effort could overcome an inadequate healthcare infrastructure and scarcity of basic medical supplies, the report read. Neither the state nor the federal government had clear, executable plans in place to respond to and manage such limited resources in an uncertain and rapidly evolving environment.

In a typical example, the report noted that in 2015  five years before the pandemic  the state health department created a pandemic influenza plan that the report said was extremely accurate in predicting what would eventually happen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the existence of that plan was not widely known within senior state leadership when COVID-19 hit, the report said, adding that several people in state government it interviewed said some other agency ought to have an emergency preparedness manager for such instances.

In fact, that position exists (and is staffed) in the other agency, but the people we spoke with were unaware of that fact, the report said.

The report also found that communal care facilities, including those caring for veterans were particularly vulnerable to the spread of the virus due in part to wholly inadequate infection controls.

Thousands enjoy 36th annual Atlantic City St. Patrick's Day Parade Atlantic City held its 36th annual St. Patrick's parade on the Boardwalk Saturday, despite the gusty winds, chilly weather, and the chance for rain.

The report accepted previously issued criticism by the U.S. Department of Justice and the State Commission of Investigation finding broad failures in leadership and management, including a systemic inability to implement clinical care policy, poor communication between management and staff, and a failure to ensure basic staff competency (that) let the virus spread virtually unchecked throughout the facilities.

The report recommended updating and stress-testing existing emergency response plans, conducting training and practice exercises across the state for a wider range of emergencies, not just pandemics.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP  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.

Our thoughts are with the Hamilton police officer who was shot in the line of duty last night. We are praying for a full and speedy recovery.  Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 9, 2024

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."

Atlantic City Police Foundation Annual Hero Luncheon
A local police officer has won the 2024 Iowa Association of Women's Police Officer of the Year award.

Officer Kassey Middagh won the award, the Muscatine Police Department announced last week. Middagh said she is thankful for the award and recognition behind but felt completely shocked about receiving it.

I obviously did not expect it at all, though I kind of had an idea when I saw my entire family walk into the room. My chief was also staring at me, but it was definitely still shocking and exciting, she said.

This is the third award that Middagh has received over the past year. In 2023, she also received two lifesaving awards from the city of Muscatine. This also is the third time in the past four years that a Muscatine officer has won the Iowa Association of Women's Police Officer of the Year award

The recognition, she said, means everything to her.

Its kind of a cliche in the police officer world that we all get into policing to help people, but thats genuinely why I became a police officer," she said. "I wanted to help my community and show my kid that where we live is a safe place, and I play a role in keeping it safe.

"The fact that my department allows that type of recognition and holds their officers up is just amazing, it gives us a really good feeling.

When asked about the previous life-saving instances, Middagh shared that the first award came after an open-line 911 call where they could hear a female resident trying to get someone to wake up. Middagh arrived on scene as the only officer and found a male who was unresponsive with no heartbeat and wasn't breathing.

She began performing CPR until medics arrived.

By the time medical got there, he was alert and responsive and breathing on his own again, so that was a good ending to that one, Middagh said.

The second instance had similar circumstances, although Middagh and a fellow officer were able to get more information about the incident prior to arriving on-scene where they found a male who was unresponsive and without a heartbeat.

Once there, Middagh and the other officer supplied a couple of shocks to the patient through an AED machine in addition to performing chest compressions until medical got there to apply further lifesaving measures.

Prior to becoming a police officer, Middagh first worked at Allsteel for 10 years. While there, she was trained as a first responder, performing chest compressions and other lifesaving measures on fellow employees when needed.

It doesnt happen often as a police officer, but it is something Im trained in and comfortable doing, she said.

Middagh also worked as a 911 dispatcher for Muscatine County before finally deciding to become an officer about two years ago.

With three awards under her belt, Middagh said she hopes to continue doing her job as an officer all while focusing on some of her biggest police-related passions. These passions are community policing  taking the time to go out in the community and help humanize the badge through local events and connecting with residents  and mental health awareness.

Ive taken a couple of courses in crisis intervention training, which is essentially where someone is having a mental health or substance abuse crisis, she said. Im trained in recognizing these instances and knowing that they are in a crisis situationand thats something I want to bring more recognition to, the fact that mental health is so prevalent in our community.

Middagh also took a moment to thank her fellow officers and supervisors at the police department. Her supervisors, she said, are amazing and are always offering encouragement.

"The fact that three female officers from the Muscatine Police Department have won this Officer of the Year award feels like a direct correlation to the supervisors that we have and the tools that we are given," she said.
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.
On Monday a Rock Island County judge found Glen J. Evans Jr. guilty of first-degree murder for the 2023 shooting death of another man.

Evans, 19, of Rock Island, faced a single count of first-degree murder, according to court records. Authorities allege he killed Zavion A. McNair, 19, on Aug. 19, 2023, at a house party in the 2000 block of 33rd Street in Rock Island.

McNair died on the way to the hospital, police said previously. Evans, shot in the leg, was treated and released.

Evans opted for a bench trial, so Judge Daniel P. Dalton, not a jury, had to decide Evans culpability. Testimony began on Feb. 27 and concluded March 1. Dalton has been deliberating since then.

Dalton announced the verdict at an afternoon hearing. The families, friends and loved ones of McNair and Evans filled the gallery.

Sentencing has been scheduled for May 17.

After the hearing, Dalton said there will be a presentence investigation performed ahead of the sentencing hearing. Such investigations are designed to develop a background report on a defendant to assist a judge in determining the appropriate sentence.

Defense attorney Kelvin McCabe, of the Rock Island County Public Defenders Office, said he expects to appeal.

At trial, McCabe contended that his client acted in self-defense. Assistant States Attorney Jessie Brockways argued there was no justification for the killing.

The overview

Brockway put numerous witnesses on the stand, including teens who attended the party, Rock Island police officers and forensics experts. McCabe cross-examined the state's witnesses and Evans elected to testify in his own defense.

When the shooting began, Evans and McNair were arguing over a gun, according to trial testimony. McNair apparently took it from Evans, who was trying to get it back. Both men were armed when the confrontation occurred.

Authorities recovered the gun that evidence indicates killed McNair. The gun witnesses said McNair had was not recovered.

Accounts, however, of how the shooting started differed between the defense and prosecution.

State witnesses testified that they did not see McNair make any threatening moves and did not see the first shot fired. One, a juvenile, said she heard the shot come from behind her and that Evans was standing behind her.

Brockway told Dalton during the final day of testimony that there is no evidence that McNair aimed or fired a gun.

Evans testified that McNair acted aggressively toward him and shot first, hitting Evans.

Evans said he then started shooting back as they both ran from the room, McNair in front. McNair still had the gun in his hand, so Evans kept shooting until he saw McNair had dropped the gun.

The video

Brockway also played security video footage from the front of the house. The footage, recovered by police, included the shootings final moments. The camera covered the residences front porch and stairs, the front yard and the nearby street.

There is a loud bang, people scream and flee the house, then there are more bangs. McNair tumbles down the front-porch stairs and comes to rest in the yard. He drops what police identified as a probable handgun.

A gunman, whom police identified as Evans, stands over him and fires several more shots. Once he stops shooting, the gunman picks up the dropped object then walks out of the cameras view a few moments later.

Evans returned to the house while police were still on the scene after the shooting, according to authorities.

The guns

Evans testimony included that when he confronted McNair about the missing handgun, he saw that McNair had it under his arm.

Evans said he had one of his fathers pistols, which Evans found in the glovebox of his car while looking for the missing handgun.

Evans is the son of Rock Island County Republican Central Committee Chairman Glen J. Evans Sr., according to previous reporting. Evans Sr. also testified at the trial.

When Evans Jr. left the yard after the shooting, he encountered his father, both said during the trial.

Evans Sr. testimony included that hed received phone calls that something had happened and that someone had taken his sons gun. He went to the neighborhood where the party was happening. Just after arriving, he heard the shots. Soon after, he met his son.

Both he and Evans Jr. told the court Evans Jr. returned his fathers firearm to Evans Sr.

Shortly after the shooting, Evans Sr. turned that pistol in to the Rock Island Police, according to testimony.

Evans Jr. told police he put the firearm he took from McNair in his car.

Dalton's evaluation of the evidence

Before announcing his verdict, Dalton gave an overview of how he interpreted the trial evidence.

The judge said he thought McNair did shoot first  the wound on Evans leg was not consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot  but that Evans, not McNair, was the aggressor.

There was testimony that Evans had threatened McNair, Dalton said. Witnesses also said Evans had a gun in his hand and was pointing it in McNairs direction, though it was also pointed toward the ground.

Once Evans did that, McNair was well within his rights to shoot.

Dalton also noted testimony and evidence that when Evans returned to the party just before the shooting, he left his car running and was wearing gloves.

While reviewing the video, Dalton said he saw a moment where Evans shifted his stance while standing on the porch  Evans could see the gun dropped by McNair but continued to fire.

Dalton also referenced Evans Jr. testimony that put the gun hed taken from McNair in his car.

That gun disappeared, Dalton said.

The judge said he thought that pistol was made to disappear. It didnt go missing on its own.
Discover an ever-changing and expanding collection of dinosaurs, fossils and amazing discoveries when the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research in Hill City celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The Black Hills Institute of Geological Research, or BHI, was founded in 1974 by Peter Larson and James A. Honert. Since 1978, BHI has been located on Main Street in Hill City. BHIs original collection has expanded over the past 50 years to become one of the worlds finest and most comprehensive research collections of minerals and fossils, according to a press release from BHI.

Larson, BHIs president, co-owns BHI with mineralogist Robert Farrar. Together, the two have built a remarkable collection of geological and paleontological specimens.

Weve been around 50 years and were still pushing the cutting edge of science. Its pretty amazing, said BHI business manager Adam Weaver.

BHIs anniversary is March 15. During its anniversary week, from March 11 to March 16, the museum is offering free admission and special events for all ages.

Whats exciting about our museum is right now, we have more than 1,500 real fossils on display and more than 400 full-scale replicas on display. The replicas are mostly made by BHI, Weaver said. We have an entire mineral collection of hundreds of minerals. Some of the most fantastic ones we just got in February. Whats on display is constantly changing. Youll go there most every day and find something new.

Visitors to BHIs museum typically take self-guided tours, but during the 50th anniversary week, guided tours of the museum will be given hourly, Weaver said. Because the museums collection is continually changing and expanding and contains specimens from around the world, Weaver encourages everyone to take one of the guided tours.

Every day, theres something thats very different, he said. Scientists have not classified everything that was alive. Theyre constantly finding new species and new things and learning new things about what used to live on our planet.

The anniversary week guided tours will highlight many of the museums amazing artifacts, including the largest ever shark tooth found, and a fossil of a shark, the fish it ate and the squid the fish ate. BHI also has more fossilized, specially preserved octopi than any facility in the western hemisphere, Weaver said, and a meteorite that was part of the Moon.

With someone giving you a tour, there are some of the most fantastic things that the average visitor might otherwise overlook, Weaver said.

Anniversary events

Anniversary events start March 11. Joey Rodriguez presents Live Reptiles! at 3:30 p.m. He will bring a menagerie of reptiles that visitors can touch and learn about.

Peter Larsons daughter, Ella Larson, will lead a Paleo Art workshop at 3:30 p.m. March 12. Ella will show visitors how scientists and artists reconstruct prehistoric beasts. Art supplies will be provided so visitors can learn how to draw dinosaurs.

A Deep Time Scavenger Hunt will take place at 3:30 p.m. March 13. BHIs Science Communicator Alex Ruger will take visitors on a tour through geologic history. Visitors will be on the lookout for creatures hiding in the museum, and then visitors will try to place the creatures in the right time period.

Peter Larson will give a presentation T. rex! at 4 p.m. March 14, and he will regale visitors with tales of T. rex around the museum.

Peter Larson has been doing paleontology his entire life, Weaver said. Pete has been doing this for nearly 70 years and hes as excited as when he was a little kid.  Pete is still kind of a kid that just loves fossils.

He is the worlds T. rex expert. Who knows what kind of stories hes going to tell? That will be very interesting, Weaver said.

Guest speaker Clayton Phipps, The Dinosaur Cowboy, will give a presentation at 2:30 p.m. March 15. Phipps is a Montana rancher and a prolific fossil hunter who has been collecting them for more than 25 years. Specimens hes found are in some of the most renowned museums in the world. Phipps also helps run Cowboy Dino Digs.

After Phipps presentation, stay for Trivia Night at 3:30 p.m. I think if someone is a dinosaur nerd, this is a great opportunity to have the nerdiest dinosaur trivia, Weaver said.

March 16 caps off anniversary week with guest speakers, a book signing and a screening of Dinosaur 13. Guest speakers will be at BHI, and the book signing and screening will be at Elks Theatre in Rapid City.

The days events begin with a presentation by dinosaur hunter Walter Bill Stein at 11 a.m. He has been dinosaur hunting since 1996 and has discovered and worked on more than 30 important dinosaur fossils. Stein owns and operates Paleo Adventures, a fossil dig company based in Belle Fourche. He is the founder of the Hell Creek Paleontological Society and he is building a museum in the Northern Hills.

Frank Garcia of the World Fossil Finder Museum in Hot Springs also will give a presentation on Saturday, Weaver said.

Dr. Robert Bob Bakkers talk, Billy the Hyena and the Poop that Saved Paleontology, begins at 3 p.m.

People will definitely want to go to Bob Bakkers talk, said Alex Ruger, BHI science communicator. The talk focuses on the work of an early paleontologist William Buckland and how scientists have changed their view of the past over the decades and centuries. As you can tell from the title of his talk, Dr. Bob is a very funny and engaging speaker, and he possesses a wealth of knowledge across the biological and geological sciences. Hes also giving away art, which is a really cool opportunity for people.

A book signing for Rex Appeal starts at 6 p.m. at Elks Theatre, followed by a screening of Dinosaur 13 and a panel discussion. Tickets are on sale now for the Dinosaur 13 screening.

People come from all around the world just to go to our museum, Weaver said. We wanted to do the anniversary celebration before tourist season so people that live here and drive by it can discover it again. Thats our big thing. Were hoping locals rediscover whats next to them.

Museum expansion

In addition to celebrating its 50th anniversary, BHI announced it is expanding its world-renowned museum.

Weaver said BHI recently purchased a motel property next to BHIs headquarters and museum. With this purchase, BHI will ultimately be able to offer the public a museum four times larger than the current museum.

In conjunction with the expansion, the Museum at Black Hills Institute plans to change its name to the Black Hills Museum of Natural Science, BHI announced in a press release. The expanded museum will be more immersive and will include some specimens never before seen by the general public. The museum will contain a comprehensive display of Earths history that will rival any similar exhibits in the Great Plains region.

One of the gems in the expanded museum will be a 150-million-year-old camarasaurus named Elaine, which will be permanently on display at BHI, Ruger said. Elaine was found in the Black Hills of Wyoming.

Weaver said the institute has a long history of naming dinosaurs and important specimens, and Larson believes giving dinosaurs like Elaine human names makes science more relatable.

Whats special about Elaine is her head. Shes a new species, Weaver said, describing Elaine has having been a long-necked dinosaur similar to the famed Sinclair dinosaur seen at gas stations. Elaine has a unique head shape and a thin skull.

Elaines skull is in really good shape, Weaver said. For that shape of dinosaur, its one of the best skulls in the world.

For more information about Black Hills Institute of Geological Research and its anniversary activities, go to bhigr.com/events.
The Rapid City Police Department on Monday publicly identified the man who died of a gunshot wound Friday afternoon in west Rapid City. A 21-year-old man was arrested for first-degree murder within hours of the shooting.

McGarland Walker, 24, of Rapid City, was found dead Friday in the 4500 block of Candlewood Place. Police discovered his body after responding to a gunshot call around 4:45 p.m.

Luke Birch, 21, of Rapid City, was arrested and booked into the Pennington County Jail around 2 a.m. on Saturday. After his arrest, police said they identified him as the alleged shooter after "following up on numerous leads since the shooting took place."

The investigation also indicated Birch knew Walker prior to the shooting, according to police.

Birch is scheduled to appear in court for his initial appearance at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. At that hearing, a magistrate judge will address his bond.

Walker's death is the third homicide in Rapid City in 2024. On Feb. 20, 54-year-old Julie Fisk was found beaten to death in her home on Longview Road in Rapid Valley. Brent Kertzman, 64, of Rapid City was arrested for first-degree murder and arson. Law enforcement stated evidence at the scene indicated someone started a fire in the home.

Two days later, on Feb. 22, 25-year-old Esther Wolfe was shot in the head on Pine Street just off of East North Street in north Rapid City. Pennington County State's Attorney Lara Roetzel called the shooting a "public execution."

Two men, 21-year-old Arkadius Wright Sr. of Box Elder and 23-year-old Ezekiel Mayweather of Rapid City, were arrested for her death. Mayweather is accused of orchestrating the killing because of a belief Wolfe was involved in the death of his brother. Wright is accused of shooting Wolfe.
FISH WEEK SCHEDULE

The Bitterroot Water Partnership (BWP) will be hosting the 2024 International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) at the Mary Stuart Rogers Performing Arts Center in Victor on Friday, March 15. Doors open at 6 p.m., screenings will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the event. Total run time is one hour and forty-five minutes.

IF4 guests will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for multiple prizes, including a full day guided fishing trip on the Bitterroot River. All film festival and raffle ticket sales will go to support the Bitterroot Water Partnership and their conservation work, including habitat restoration and the annual Bitterroot River Cleanup.

MONDAY, MARCH 11

Virtual kick-off with special social media challenge

TUESDAY, MARCH 12

7 p.m.: Game night at Tin Can Bar and Draft Room, 207 Main St. in Stevensville, featuring custom games like Wordle, Connections, crossword puzzles and more.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

58 p.m.: Fly tying at Bitter Root Brewing, 101 Marcus St, Hamilton. Join BWP and local fly-tying experts to learn about basic entomology, how to match the hatch, and try your hand at tying your own dry fly.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

5:30  7 p.m.: "Lets Get Reel: Threats and Solutions for our Waters & Fisheries," an expert panel and discussion, Daly Leach Community Room, 1010 W. Main St., Hamilton. Local experts will discuss conservation challenges and solutions for sediment pollution, warming waters, and changing snowpack.

*This event is full  a recording of the event will be shared online.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

4:306:30 p.m.: Bitterroot Water Partnership pint night at Cowboy Troys in Victor with Bitter Root Brewing. 2359 U.S. Highway 93, Victor, MT.

7 p.m.: International Fly-Fishing Film Festival screening at the Mary Stuart Rogers Performing Arts Center at Victor School, 425 4th Ave., Victor. Doors open at 6 p.m. Screening begins at 7 p.m. BWP will be at the theater with raffle prizes in hand, trivia, and more. Purchase tickets online (debit only) at bitterrootwater.org/get-involved/fishweek2024/, at the BWP office, or at any Fish Week events.
A huge part of Richmonds culture is its food scene. With a rich array of diverse eateries, the city bursts with a unique flavor of its own.

Celebrating Richmonds Black culinary industry, the eighth annual Richmond Black Restaurant Experience kicked off with Mobile Soul Sunday. More than 20 Black-owned vendors gathered in Monroe Park to showcase the city's Black creatives, entrepreneurs and business owners.

Food trucks on-site included Bajan Goodness, BKs Loaded Kitchen, Fries in Disguise, Croakers Spot and plenty more. The event also featured music from DJ Rayvonn and an Art Seen Art walk and Marketplace that housed Black creative vendors and crafters.

Attendee and food blogger Sheora Harris raved about her food from Fries in Disguise, a craft fry food truck serving up delicious fry recipes like parmesan garlic fries, nacho fries and the spaceship shrimp fries tossed in bang-bang sauce. Harris appreciates the opportunity to connect with the community.

Everybodys celebrating food, its what brings us together, Harris said. Its an opportunity to celebrate, eat and vibe for a bit. The importance is to bring the community together with something we all enjoy: food.

The Richmond Black Restaurant Experience runs through Sunday, March 17, and more than 35 Black-owned restaurants in the Richmond area and beyond will participate. The weeklong celebration infusing culture, art and food increases visibility for small-business owners.

Samuel Veney, part owner of Philly Vegan, says the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience is the restaurant's busiest week of the year.

"It's an incredible week for us, Veney said. Every week this year has been just as busy as our past Black restaurant weeks, so we are looking forward to having the busiest week we've ever had in the history of Philly Vegan.

Philly Vegan is a Richmond-based, family-owned and -operated restaurant offering an authentic Philly cheesesteak flavor with a plant-based twist using mushrooms and Beyond Meat as a meat substitute. Located at 1126 Hull St., Philly Vegan has garnered praise for its cheesesteaks and hospitality since its start as a pop-up in 2019.

From the beginning, it just took off. The first time we sold any food, people loved it. From there, we just continued to grow, Veney said.

Philly born and Richmond raised, Veney, 43, has been making cheesesteaks since childhood. He attributes his issues with acid reflux and the Netflix documentary What the Health as factors that led him and his family to becoming vegan.

It changed my perspective on dairy. I feel lighter and better, Veney said.

Over the past few months, Veney has been thrust into the spotlight after sharing his restaurant's ongoing issues with the city's meals tax. At one point, Philly Vegan received a bill for $37,000 for uncollected meals tax.

Veney has been sharing his story because he believes in the Richmond dining community and he hopes that by sharing his experience, a solution to the ongoing problems will be found.

Veney runs Philly Vegan alongside Celicia Hartridge and Ratha Chhay. The idea for the restaurant began as a way to leave a legacy for their children.

Veney's soon-to-be 6-year-old son, Samuel, and 5-year-old daughter, Jahzara, have already begun sharpening their customer service skills, greeting patrons and handing out menus at events.

We include them as much as possible because this is their legacy and we wanted to show them that they have the power to be who they want to be. This is their enterprise, Veney said.

Philly Vegan is big on providing for the community. Once a month, the restaurant offers a day where customers pay-what-you-can, allowing community members to get a taste of Philly Vegan's cuisine despite their financial situation.

The restaurant's most popular items are the Philly cheesesteak supreme, the cheeseburger quesadilla and the Philly sampler, which includes a vegan Philly cheesesteak egg roll, a slider and the eatery's famous Philly cheesesteak fries.

During last year's Black Restaurant Experience, Philly Vegan included special menu items like seafood cakes. Veney says there are a few surprises in store for this year as well.

It's really important because it gives the opportunity for people to try new things and to show what we have to offer as Black-owned restaurants, and we have a lot to offer," he said. We have very diverse menus and backgrounds. The beauty of it is seeing how much excellence we have in the city of Richmond.

Aside from his own food, Veney is excited to try dishes from M&F Jamaican Cafe and the jackfruit from Ronnies Barbeque.

It's just a beautiful experience to see so many Black-owned restaurants come together to bring joy to the city and make everyone smile. The food makes everybody smile, he said.

See a full list of restaurants participating in Richmond Black Restaurant Week at rbre365.com.

PHOTOS: Philly Vegan
Virginia State Police said troopers on Monday morning arrested nine pro-Palestine protesters who had stopped traffic on Interstate 95 in Richmond by wrapping themselves in chicken wire and lying in the southbound lanes of the highway.

The protests caused delays of up to 4 miles until nearly 11 a.m., according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Police began receiving calls from motorists on I-95 South near Exit 78 for Arthur Ashe Boulevard at around 6:54 a.m. Monday, according to VSP Sgt. Jessica Shehan. Troopers arrived at the scene shortly after and found nine individuals in the road.

The protesters were wearing sleeping dragon devices, which contained PVC piping and chicken wire, Shehan said. They had linked themselves together with two ladders and a large chain.

VSP declared an unlawful assembly at around 7:09 a.m. and brought the protesters to the right shoulder of the highway for their own safety and to expedite the reopening of the highway, Shehan said. Three of the protesters voluntarily gave up almost immediately, according to Shehan, while the remaining six were extricated from their devices by specially trained troopers.

All nine protesters were taken into custody and charged with unlawful assembly, being a pedestrian on the interstate, stopping the vehicle of another and obstructing the free passage of others, Shehan said. They have been identified as:

Zayneabideen Rasul Al-Murshidi, 23 of Roanoke

Kemp Walker Barber, 25, of Richmond

Charles D. Caines, 23, of Round Hill

Kenrick Keith Cameron Jr., 25, of Richmond

Jasmine Juliet Cuellar, 30, of Richmond

Sarah Elizabeth Milkowski Dahlgren, of Henrico

Max Hudson Gray Holland, 24, of Henrico

Naomi Destiny Isaac, 25, of Richmond

Connor Joris McCarty, 21, of Norfolk

Shehan said two of the southbound lanes of I-95 were reopened by 7:20 a.m. The final lane was reopened by 10:30 a.m. No injuries were reported.

The Richmond Police Department, Richmond Fire Department and Virginia Department of Transportation provided support for the operation, Shehan said.

From the Archives: The Capitol Hotel
Data suggests that the Richmond Police Department is making fairer stops of motorists on the basis of race.

In 2023, 46% of drivers stopped in Richmond were Black, according to data collected under the Virginia Community Policing Act.

Thats a marked decline from 2020, when 75% of drivers stopped were Black. Data from 2017 through most of 2018 indicates a similarly high disparity.

The data substantiates the Richmond Police Departments claim that its traffic officers do not pull over drivers on the basis of race. Black community organizers say more change to the department is needed.

According to the data, the trend toward fairer stops was gradual. In 2021, 59% of drivers pulled over by Richmond police were Black. The next year, the number dropped to 49%, then to 46% in 2023.

For comparison, around 43% of Richmonds driving age population is Black, according to data from the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

Just under 47% are white, and white drivers made up around 41% of stops. Virginia State Police, which collected the data from departments, track stops of drivers who are Indigenous American, Asian or Pacific Islander, Black and white. The data includes Hispanic drivers under a separate ethnicity category, which makes comparison difficult.

In February, a federal judge ruled that Richmond police officers discriminate against Black drivers by stopping them at five times the rate of white drivers.

The ruling stemmed from the case of Keith Rodney Moore, a Black driver who was pulled over for having suspicious plates. Police said his car was the third that a traffic enforcement unit had seen with the same numbers, triggering the stop.

Moore then fled from police at the scene. He had a firearm in his car and, because of a past felony conviction, Moore was likely facing a mandatory minimum sentence of two years behind bars.

U.S. District Court Judge John A. Gibney threw out the case, however, finding that Moore provided substantial evidence that the stop was discriminatory.

One would think that Virginias citizens would cry out in protest over this situation, but they dont, Gibney wrote in his opinion.

Gibneys opinion did not take into account the most current data, however. The data central to his ruling spanned the six-month period running up to Moores arrest on Dec. 5, 2020. Later data, which were more flattering to the Richmond Police Department, would not have been relevant to Moores arrest and were not included.

Police spokesperson James Mercante did not credit the decline to any particular anti-bias efforts initiated by the department, but Mercante did reference the agencys general orders that require officers not to allow bias into their policing.

The orders state that officers are strictly prohibited from engaging in bias-based policing. Police are asked to make stops based on reasonable suspicion, probable cause and what are called legitimate profiles of crime suspects.

The Richmond Police Department does not stop motorists based on race, Mercante said in response to questions.

Traffic stop data varies from year to year and does not necessarily reflect the demographics of the population of the city as a whole, he said.

Reactions

Former Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette said hes still very frustrated with the state of traffic stops in Virginia overall, despite the positive trend under current Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards.

Thats just Richmond, Barnette said of the most recent numbers. We worry about the entire commonwealth of Virginia.

Barnette cited a report released last year by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. That report found Black and Hispanic drivers were disproportionately stopped and tended to have higher rates of search and arrest when they were stopped.

Barnette said those numbers underscore the persistence of discrimination and called for the state to continue prioritizing de-escalation training and hiring diverse officers.

Organizers in the city said the news is good, but it does not absolve years of discriminatory stops.

Im reminded of the words of Malcolm X, if you stick a knife in my back 9 inches, and you take it out 6 inches, theres still a knife in my back. And if you take it all the way out, you still stuck a knife in my back. Its about healing the wound, said Yohance Whitaker, an organizer with the Legal Aid Justice Center and the Richmond Transparency Accountability Project.

Where we are in Richmond is that folks are not even willing to admit that there was a knife in the first place, Whitaker said.

He says discriminatory stops are simply baked into modern policing. RTAP has demanded police ban predictive policing.

Whitaker believes traffic stops should emphasize safety, and citizens would be better served if police did not initiate traffic stops for broken taillights, suspicious plates or expired registrations.

However, police believe those stops are necessary to bring down overall crime.

When a motorist displays a fraudulent tag, they could be doing so to avoid registration fees or insurance premiums, but the motorist could also have sinister intent such as obscuring the ownership of a vehicle used in a violent crime, Mercante said.

Fewer stops overall

The stop data also indicates that Richmond police officers are making many fewer stops of drivers than in prior years.

In 2021, police stopped around 5,000 drivers. In 2022, police stopped fewer than 2,000. In 2023, the numbers were similar.

That may be because of staffing.

Chief Edwards efforts have sought to rejuvenate a department that is short more than 150 sworn officers.

In January, he said part of that effort included rehiring, including traffic enforcement officers. Some were allowed to rejoin the force part time.

Prior to their rehires, Edwards said the department was unable to fully staff the traffic unit.

From the Archives: Richmond Police
Richmond police on Monday identified the victim of a Friday morning shooting at a bus stop outside City Hall as Vincent Robertson Jr., 33, of Richmond.

Officers initially responded to the the Government Center GRTC Pulse bus stop outside City Hall in the 900 block of East Broad Street at around 7:47 a.m. Friday for the reports of a shooting. At the scene, officers found Robertson with an apparent gunshot wound.

Robertson was transported to VCU Medical Center, where he died of his injuries at around 8:30 a.m. Friday, police said.

Police Chief Rick Edwards said the shooting stemmed from a brief interaction between Robertson and the suspect, who is described as a Black male with a short beard.

At the time of the shooting, he was wearing a white jacket, blue jeans, Fila sneakers, a face mask and sunglasses.

Police said the man walked to the bus stop before opening fire and then headed westbound on East Broad Street. He was last seen walking south near Fourth and Cary streets.

The incident remains under investigation. Detectives have asked eyewitnesses and businesses with security cameras in the area to contact Detective Godwin at (804) 646-5533 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

Who are they? VA 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). : Erika Villalobos-Avila (VA) Erika Villalobos-Avila, Age Now: 15, Missing: 12/04/2023. Missing From Fairfax, VA. ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT: Fairfax County Police Department (Virginia) 1-703-691-2131 .
Raymond Lew, CEO and President/Country Head of Sun Life Malaysia, introduces the InsureLit campaign aimed at equipping Malaysians with essential insurance and takaful knowledge and instilling positive financial behaviours.

In todays fast-paced world, financial stability and security are crucial for individuals and families. One of the key components of financial stability is insurance literacy.

However, a recent survey by Sun Life Malaysia, a leading life insurance and family takaful company, has found that when it comes to insurance and takaful literacy, many Malaysians do not have a firm grasp of this crucial aspect of personal finance. In this survey, insurance covered both conventional insurance and takaful.

In fact, the survey revealed that only 28% of respondents are confident in their knowledge of insurance and takaful products. Meanwhile 22% of the respondents indicated low to no insurance/takaful knowledge, and 50% said they were unsure and need to rely on others for assistance.

The Insure or Unsure: Sun Life Insurance Literacy Survey, which was conducted in January 2024 garnered the participation of 1,107 respondents. It aimed to assess respondents insurance literacy by gauging their self-perceived understanding of insurance and takaful products and terminologies, discover their behavioural patterns in purchasing and managing their policies/certificates, as well as identify the barriers to insurance or takaful literacy.

The survey results showed that female respondents are at a higher risk of exposing their financial wellbeing to financial shocks and emergencies due to a lack of insurance/takaful literacy. Among those who had Poor levels of self-perceived understanding, female respondents made up 63% of all respondents, which is 1.7 times more than male respondents (37%).

Additionally, female respondents were found to be twice more likely than men to not recall key information without referring to their insurance policy/takaful contract. They were also twice as likely to rely on agents for policy/contract comparisons and recommendations compared to men.

On a broader scope, the survey found more worrying data  nearly one-third (32%) of respondents are not covered by any life insurance/takaful plan. This is despite the fact that 72% of all respondents agree that insurance or takaful is important in providing financial protection in the event of calamities or emergencies.

(Image: CodeBlue)

This finding highlights the correlation between the level of understanding and insurance/takaful ownership. The lower the level of self-perceived understanding, the more likely they are to not own any insurance/takaful coverage  which is highly concerning, given that only 28% of respondents have Good self-perceived levels of understanding of insurance/takaful.

Raymond Lew, Chief Executive Officer and President/Country Head of Sun Life Malaysia, expressed his concern over these survey findings, stating that they highlight the neglected aspect of insurance or takaful literacy among Malaysians.

In todays ever-changing economy, Malaysians need to bolster their financial resilience by acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills to manage their finances and plan for the future. Insurance literacy is a crucial financial skill, ensuring financial stability during unpredictable times, Lew commented.

Lew also acknowledged that there is no one-size-fits-all approach in raising the insurance/takaful literacy level among Malaysians. In particular, womens need for financial and insurance education should be addressed, especially as Malaysia continues to strive for gender equality and inclusivity. With more women in the workforce and corporate roles, it stands to reason that they should also be empowered to reduce any existing gaps in securing their financial wellbeing and future.

Based on the survey findings, we will embark on a mission to actively engage consumers and level up their awareness about insurance/takaful literacy through our year-long InsureLit campaign, aimed at equipping Malaysians with essential insurance and takaful knowledge and instilling positive financial behaviours. Ultimately, we hope to empower them to make better and smarter decisions for a financially fit future, Lew said.

Specifically, the InsureLit campaign will involve a variety of face-to-face and online educational initiatives, including digital and social media awareness, roadshows, and sponsored financial programmes. There will also be a dedicated Financial Empowerment Award, curated in collaboration with Tatler Malaysia, to honour women leaders advancing the financial literacy agenda, along with board games and outreach programmes for primary school students.

To learn more about the InsureLit Campaign and its upcoming activities, visit the Sun Life Malaysia InsureLit Campaign page.

Experience the best of both worlds with Sun Life Malaysia  a trusted insurance and takaful provider. As a proud member of Sun Life, a global financial organisation, we bring 159 years of expertise to offer innovative solutions to help Malaysians achieve a financially-fit future. Visit us at www.sunlifemalaysia.com.

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Boys found selling to Playa del Carmen Fifth Avenue tourists victims of labor exploitation

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  An investigation has lead police to the location of two minors believed victims of labor exploitation. The two children, both boys, were rescued by Playa del Carmen authorities from their home Saturday during a operation.

Over the weekend, authorities reported that the boys were picked up after being seen selling for several days along Fifth Avenue. At the end of their shift, authorities watched as the boys handed their earnings over to men who police witnessed mistreating them.

Their whereabouts was tracked down and the children removed from the home, however, the men were not at the home at the time police arrived and therefore, arrests were not made.

The State Attorney Generals Office reports that derived from investigative acts, personnel from this social representation located two children working on the tourist walkway on 5th Avenue.

For a few days they observed the minors and found that after several hours of work, they approached some men to whom they gave money and if not, they mistreated them.

After locating the address where the minors lived, the Prosecutors Office obtained a search warrant for the place located in Diagonal Aeropuerto and Tercera Sur, where they rescued the two children who were in precarious conditions. They (the boys) said they were originally from Chiapas and they are in this municipality without their parents.

Both boys were medically evaluated and placed under state protection. Meanwhile, investigative work continues to find the whereabouts of the alleged exploiters, the State Attorney said.
Hundreds of military set out to take back streets of Tulum

Tulum, Q.R.  Over the weekend, hundreds of military personnel were deployed in Tulum to take back its streets. Military from the Mexican Army and National Guard have been brought in to reinforce security in the municipality.

In a notice by Ejercito Mexicano and Guardia Nacional, more than 200 personnel were deployed in a newly formed Regional Task Force to carry out operations in coordination with local authorities. One goal of the operations is to inhibit the activities of organized crime and address the municipalitys security problems.

Another Regional Task Force goal is to carry out planning and intelligence work that strengthens the rule of law by carrying out ground reconnaissance and deterrents in the municipality of Tulum.

Task Force operations are also being worked out to reverse crime and homicide rates linked to organized crime.

Military began with weekend roadside check stops. Photo: March 10, 2024.

Among the characteristics of the military personnel that make up the Regional Task Force is its great mobility and deployment capacity with weapons, material, equipment and training, they reported.

A moto driver is being inspected by new patrolling military. Photo: March 9, 2024.

This training reinforces the inter-institutional operations that are carried out in coordination with state and municipal authorities, both in the urban areas such as hotels and on surrounding roads.

The newly deployed military personnel will act at all times with firmness, carrying out tasks of deterrence, prevention, patrols, reconnaissance and establishment of military security posts that generate an environment of tranquility, they said.

Highway check stops were also seen set up around the municipality. Photo: March 10, 2024.

Over the weekend, more than 200 military personnel were deployed in Tulum to collaborate with local authorities and combat organized crime. The new deployment came shortly after Tulum City Council swore in Pedro Enrique Jaramillo Visoso as the new head of Public Security.
Nightwatchmen shot at new Playa del Carmen Tren Maya station

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  A young nightwatchmen continues to recover after being shot late Saturday. The security guard was hit by a bullet while on duty at the new Playa del Carmen Tren Maya station.

His father and brother, who are also security guards for same company, rushed the 19-year-old to Playa del Carmen hospital in a mototaxi to be treated for a gunshot wound. The young man was reportedly shot in the leg near a Maya Train warehouse during his nighttime security rounds.

The shooting happened at the facilities of the new Tren Maya station in the Villas del Sol subdivision in west Playa del Carmen around 11:00 p.m. Saturday.

A bullet hit the young security guard in the leg while he was making rounds Saturday night.

Jose N was treated for one bullet wound to his right leg at the General Hospital. The male alleged responsible for shooting security guard Jose N fled on a motorcycle. Authorities are investigating if the shooting was a direct or random attack.
Natural gas producer EQT Corp. of Pittsburgh plans to buy the lead partner in the Mountain Valley Pipeline in a corporate reshuffling as the project nears possible completion.

Pipeline company Equitrans Midstream Corp., itself a creation of EQT that began as a standalone company in 2018, has overseen the pipeline projects construction for six years and is to be its operator.

Equitrans will merge into EQT under the deal announced Monday. The companies have timed the buy-back deal to close this year assuming its approved by regulators. Equitrans shareholders are in line to receive nearly $5.5 billion in EQT stock as payment.

Slowed by court challenges mounted by environmental organizations, the project has stopped and restarted multiple times but grown in cost to more than $7.5 billion amid further delays announced last month. Equitrans has said it expects to provide about $4 billion of MPVs final cost, with four other partners including Roanoke Gas funding the rest.

Based outside Pittsburgh, Equitrans has told regulators it is working toward a June 1 commissioning date.

EQT President and CEO Toby Z. Rice called the deal a once in a lifetime opportunity to vertically integrate one of the highest quality natural gas resource bases anywhere in the world. As we enter the global era of natural gas, it is imperative for U.S. natural gas companies to evolve their business models to compete on the global stage against vertically integrated rivals.

The pipelines path stretches from West Virginia to the North Carolina border and includes several Roanoke and New River valley localities.

Opponents have tried on the ground and in court to delay and to stop the pipeline, which they believe is an environmentally unsound and unneeded project.

After numerous legal filings against the project, a federal appeals court ruled against what may be the last legal challenge last month.
State lawmakers elected Leisa K. Ciaffone to fill the Circuit Court vacancy opened upon the death of Judge Onzlee Ware.

Ciaffone, of Salem, was elevated by the Virginia General Assembly to an eight-year term on the 23rd Judicial Circuit, starting July 1.

Previously, Ciaffone has served as judge for the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, appointed in 2013 and 2019.

Ware died last month. He was the first Black judge on Roanoke Circuit Court, and a former member of the House of Delegates.

Ciaffone will be the second woman to hold a Circuit Court judgeship in the Roanoke Valley, with Diane Strickland, who retired in 2002, being the first.

The state legislature elected judges last week. Its one of the final actions that lawmakers take before adjourning for the year.

Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, in confirming Ciaffones appointment, described Ware as a friend.

We wanted to be sure that the Roanoke City courts were not left without judges, Rasoul said. If we dont fill in the slots, then the rest of the judges become backed up.

Ciaffones former seat in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court will be filled by Rachel L. D. Thompson, of Salem. Her term is six years, starting July 1, according to a House resolution.

Thompson is listed online as owner and managing attorney of Poarch Thompson Law, which specializes in immigration and adoption, based in Salem. She is also a member of the Salem School Board, among other appointments.

Elevating these two women will help to add diversity and perspective to our judicial circuit, Rasoul said.
U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, will host a 2024 Service Academy Day event on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Richardson Auditorium, Rooker Hall, at New River Community College in Dublin.

For those high school students interested in serving their country, the U.S. Service Academies offer a way to both serve and further their education. I encourage all high school students, parents, and school staff to attend on April 13th to learn more about their options, Griffith said in a news release.

The event will feature representatives from each of the U.S. Service Academies, the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, the Virginia Military Institute, and other Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs, according to the release.

Students in surrounding jurisdictions, outside of the Ninth District Griffith represents, may attend to receive information about the Service Academies and serving in the military, according to the release.

For more information, contact Josh Hess at (540) 381-5671 or josh.hess@mail.house.gov.

- The Roanoke Times
The 2024 race for Roanoke mayor expanded to three candidates on Monday, with David Bowers announcing another run, this time as a Republican.

Bowers served four terms as mayor: three as a Democrat in 1992, 1996 and 2012, and one as an independent in 2008.

Bowers, an attorney, has tried several times unsuccessfully to return to the Roanoke council since then, including a loss in the 2022 council race and in the 2020 mayoral election, which he lost to current Mayor Sherman Lea, a Democrat.

Bowers announced last year that he would become a member of the Republican party.

He told The Roanoke Times when he made the decision:

Not a day goes by that someone doesnt stop me at the store, the Food Lion, the Kroger, on the street, and say, Would you please run for mayor again, Bowers said. My answer consistently has been dont count me in, but dont count me out.

Democrats long have dominated Roanokes council, presently holding the mayors position and five of the six council seats, with the sixth occupied by an independent, Stephanie Moon Reynolds, who is also running for mayor this year.

The last Republican to serve on city council was Mayor Ralph Smith, who defeated Bowers in 2000 and was in office through 2004.

Bowers said last year that it was Smith who sparked his thoughts about changing parties by introducing him in April to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican who has been discussed as a possible candidate for national office. In his written statement, Bowers said that he was impressed by the governors progressive and expansionist vision and referred to him as our young Gov. Youngkin.

The meeting with the governor came about five months after Bowers most recent unsuccessful run for office. In the 2022 council race for three seats, Bowers independent campaign received 8% of the vote and finished seventh behind the three winning Democrats and three Republican candidates. Bowers received more votes than two other independents.

His announcement of his mayoral bid this year reads:

The move signals a change in the political landscape of Roanoke City, underscoring Bowers belief in bipartisan approaches to governance. And his desire to implement new and innovative solutions to the citys most pressing issues, including crime, economic and tourism development, and energy independence.

Bowers said he will discuss more during a press conference at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, at his law office downtown on Church Street.

Im deeply committed to Roanoke and plan to use my vast experience and passion to better the city for everyone, his website said.

This years mayoral campaign will be a compelling one. Moon Reynolds, a former city clerk, would be Roanokes first female mayor. Meanwhile, Lea, who is not seeking another term, has endorsed his Democratic partymate Vice Mayor Joe Cobb in the race. Cobb, who got the most votes of any candidate in his last council campaign, was the citys first openly gay elected candidate when we was first elected in 2018. He is a chaplain for a senior living community.

The mayor and three other council seats are on the November ballot. So far, the only city council candidates to announce are Democrats Terry McGuire and Phazhon Nash.

Councilman Luke Priddy, a Democrat, has not yet announced whether hell run for another term this year. There will be at least two new council members with Moon Reynolds opting to run for mayor instead of her council seat and Councilwoman Trish White-Boyd opting not to run again.

The candidate filing deadline is April 4. Election Day is Nov. 5.
The private jet that crashed short of the runway at Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County on Sunday was en route from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to an event at the nearby Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, state police said Monday.

State police said there were no survivors among the five people on board, who included a pilot, a first officer and three passengers, one of them a child. Their remains have been sent to the state medical examiners office for the Western District for positive identification.

The plane, a twin-engine IAI Astra 1125 was short on its approach to the runway, struck trees and crashed into a hillside around 3 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The airport, at an elevation of 3,792 feet, is the highest airport east of the Mississippi. Its runway is more than mile long.
A small private jet crashed in woods in Bath County, killing the five people aboard, Virginia State Police said.

Police responded to the crash site at approximately 3 p.m. Sunday in the 6200 block of Airport Road, which is near Ingalls Field Airport. Police said the aircraft caught fire upon impact. Four adults and one child, died at the scene.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been notified and state police investigators are working with the FAA and NTSB to confirm the flight path of the aircraft and identify the occupants.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Francis Marion University has reached the point with its autism studies program of being ready to award student scholarships and hire professors ahead of the fall semester when the program will launch.

Key players on both the faculty and student end of the equation are Jim and Candace Brown, who have donated generously to the program, said university President Fred Carter.

How, how, how are we going to attract good faculty to this program? Well, obviously the funding allows us to acquire some good faculty.

But the funding by Jim and Candace Brown goes further, Carter said.

One gift endowed a chair in Dean Faulkenberrys name to honor Ron Faulkenberry, Carter said. That endowed chair will attract someone with the credentials to develop and lead the program, he said.

Carter said the search has identified some instructors who will be brought in to interview for the position.

And then of course the last piece of this is the money to fund student scholarships  and Candace and Jim Brown again, Carter said. They have made available to the university sufficient funds that we will at least for the next few years be able to fund five scholarships a year with it but through their generosity and through their support.

The complex part of this is recruiting students into this program who really have an affinity for working with men and women with autism and we think well be successful in that effort as well, Carter said.

FMU African-American Faculty and Staff Coalition Celebrates 23rd annual gala FLORENCE, S.C. -- Dr. Christopher Barton, associate professor of archaeology at Francis Marion University, received the FMU African-American Faculty and Staff Coalitions Diversity Award at the organizations 23rd annual scholarship reception held at the FMU Performing Arts Center Thursday night.

I think that when you put together the three components of money, when you put together the $1 million in recurring operation money that the legislature has given us, you put together that endowed chair the Browns funded and now the scholarships which theyre funding, you really have, you have enough, Carter said.

I think well recruit and educate young men and women who will leave here with a remarkable set of skills for dealing with autistic populations a lot of different ways, Carter said.

And by the way, I also think this will do one other thing. If were successful over the next 10 years or so, I think well create a substantial market among the school districts and higher education institutions in this state for men and women who understand autism more as a result of the formal education theyve been able to acquire.

Carter said the final hurdle the program had yet to clear was approval by the Council on Higher Education, but it has received all other necessary approvals.

Even while weve gone through these preliminary approvals, I think that all four departments have been working together to try to identify students that they think might might be good fits for this new program, he said of the psychology department, the school of education occupational therapy department and the speech language pathology department, which all will offer classes as part of the major.

Carter said applicants to the program include many people who have an autistic sibling.

Theyve grown up with an autistic brother, autistic sister, he said. They can now consider a course of study that will allow them to serve the autistic community.

I just think this is the right program for us at the right time, Carter said.
Marina Bay Sands where man came up with the scam, and was later caught by the police (left) and pair of hands bound by string (Photos: Getty Images)

SINGAPORE  A 33-year-old man allegedly faked his own kidnapping in order to cheat his aunt into paying a bogus ransom that was to be used to recoup his gambling debts in Singapore.

Liu Changjian, a Chinese national, was charged in court on Monday (11 March) for attempting to cheat Liu Ya Bo into paying 30,000 yuan (S$5,630) as ransom for his release. He had gambling debts between S$20,000 and S$30,000.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a media release that he pretended to be his abductor, and sent threatening messages to his aunt last week.

How did he allegedly execute the plan

Court documents said that Liu allegedly put his plan in action when he was at the Marina Bay Sands Casino last Thursday and Friday (7 and 8 March). Preliminary investigations uncovered that he arrived in Singapore on 1 March, and was supposed to return to China last Wednesday, but failed to do so.

His aunt, who was in China, had received text messages from an unknown person through WeChat, a Chinese instant messaging app. The unknown person sought a ransom of 30,000 yuan for Lius release, and forwarded a photo of Lius travel document as proof.

Liu's aunt then alerted his father, who was also in China, of the matter. He then called the SPF for help last Saturday evening.

Police said it received a call for assistance last Saturday (9 March) at about 6.51pm. After extensive searches and investigations, officers from the Central Police Division found Liu in the Marina Bay area within three hours. He did not receive the ransom from his aunt, and his mobile devices were seized.

Liu pleaded not guilty, and will next appear in court for a pre-trial conference on 25 March. If convicted of attempted cheating, Liu could face a jail term up to 10 years and/or fined.

Take precaution when receiving unsolicited calls

The SPF advised members of the public to take precautions when receiving unsolicited calls, especially from unknown parties with + prefix phone numbers that originate from abroad.

Story continues

The precautions also include ignoring such calls and the callers instructions, not transferring any funds if the caller is of dubious identity, and calling a trusted friend or relative before acting.

Screenshots of WeChat text messages Liu sent to his aunt (Photos: SPF)

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Paul Schrader was in meltdown in 1972. Drinking heavily, living in his car, he was hospitalised with a gastric ulcer. There he read about Arthur Bremer's attempt to assassinate Alabama Governor George Wallace: the story was the germ of his screenplay for Taxi Driver (1976). Executives at Columbia hated the script, but when Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, who were flying high after the triumphs of Mean Streets (1973) and The Godfather Part II (1974), signed up, Taxi Driver became too good a package to refuse.



Scorsese transformed the script into what is now considered one of the two or three definitive films of the 1970s. De Niro is mesmerising as Travis Bickle  pent-up, bigoted, steadily slipping into psychosis, the personification of American masculinity post-Vietnam. Cybill Shepherd and Jodie Foster give fine support and Scorsese brought in Bernard Herrmann, the greatest of film composers, to write what turned out to be his last score. Crucially, Scorsese rooted Taxi Driver in its New York locations, tuning the film's violence into the hard reality of the city. Technically thrilling though it is, Taxi Driver is profoundly disturbing  finding, as Amy Taubin shows, racism, misogyny and gun fetishism at the heart of American culture.



In her foreword to this special edition, published to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the BFI Film Classics series, Amy Taubin considers Taxi Driver anew in the context of contemporary politics of race and masculinity in the US, and draws on an exclusive interview with Robert De Niro about his memories of making the film.
SIOUX CITY -- Dr. Carolyn J. Rants, a former vice president at Western Iowa Tech Community College and Morningside College (now Morningside University), died Friday. She was 87.

Her death was confirmed in a Facebook post by her son, Christopher, a former Speaker of the Iowa House. Her death was sudden and unexpected, Christopher Rants wrote.

"I know some of you maybe even heard from her or interacted with her as recently as Thursday," he said in the post.

Carolyn Rants was the first woman to hold the title of vice president at Morningside; she was named the vice president for student affairs in 1984. Before that she was dean for student development. She retired from Morningside in 1999. That same year, she was named executive director of enrollment services at Western Iowa Tech. By 2001 she was WIT's dean of students; subsequently she became the vice president of instruction and student services.

She was a highly active member of social and professional organizations, particularly the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an honor society for women educators she joined in 1962. Between 2008 and 2010, after she'd retired from Western Iowa Tech, she was Delta Kappa Gamma's international president.

"I have stayed a member because of the support and professional development that I have received as a part of this organization," she said in 2013 of her membership in Delta Kappa Gamma. "Many of my leadership skills have been honed through workshops, training and involvement as a leader at different levels."

The Quota Club of Sioux City named Rants its Woman of the Year in 1988. She was still with the organization, later renamed the Quota Club of Siouxland, when it disbanded last year.

Carolyn J. Halloran was born Oct. 3, 1936 to John Leon Halloran and Christine (Helzer) Halloran, and grew up in Hastings, Nebraska. On June 1, 1957, she married Marvin L. Rants, who was at the time a commercial pilot and flight instructor; he subsequently became an educator and a school principal in Sioux City. They later divorced.

The couple had two sons, Christopher and Douglas.

Carolyn Rants had a long list of education credentials by the standards of her era, receiving a bachelor's degree from the University of Omaha (now the University of Nebraska-Omaha), a master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a doctorate from the University of South Dakota. She taught elementary school in Nebraska and in Michigan for 11 years before moving to Sioux City. She joined the faculty at Morningside in 1974, initially as a part-time instructor in the education department before becoming an assistant professor of education.

In a 1984 "Women in Charge" profile, Rants described herself as a people person who was met with success while working in higher education.

"I found I was able to organize, put together programs and move up into administrative departments," she said at the time.

Over the years Rants was part of numerous boards and organizations, including the Unity Point Health St. Lukes Partners Board of Directors, the Siouxland YWCA, the Siouxland Red Cross and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Siouxland. She was nominated for a Women of Excellence Award in 2012. She was also a member of the American Association of University Women and was a past president of Iowa Women in Educational Leadership.

Funeral services are planned Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Sioux City. According to Christopher Rants' Facebook post, she wanted her services to be "positive and upbeat."
SIOUX CITY -- A man charged with setting a garage on fire at a Sioux City mobile home park has pleaded not guilty.

The lawyer for Mario Arias, 31, of Sioux City, entered the written plea Sunday in Woodbury County District Court to charges of first-degree arson and driving while license barred.

Arias was arrested Feb. 21 and charged with setting the fire at Evergreen Village, 5309 Highway 75 North. Police received a report of a disturbance at the mobile home park and, according to court documents, the caller reported her husband was burning down their garage.

After firefighters arrived and began putting out the fire, Arias attempted to flee in a vehicle and drove over fire hoses. He was stopped by officers and apprehended.

After the fire was extinguished, investigators found accelerant pour patterns between the detached garage and the home. Arias' clothing also had a strong odor of gasoline, court documents said.

There were no injuries from the fire.
SIOUX CITY  Former Sioux City talk radio host Sam Clovis has reached a settlement of a negligence lawsuit he filed against a Sioux City hospital and several doctors.

Clovis and his wife, Charlotte, of Hinton, Iowa, had said a number of doctors failed to diagnose a thoracic spinal cord abscess in 2019, resulting in spinal damage that left him a paraplegic who needs around-the-clock care.

He sued the five doctors, UnityPoint -- St. Luke's, Regency Square Care Center and Family Healthcare of Siouxland in April 2021, saying alleged negligence led to a failure to diagnose and treat a staph infection or order imaging that could have detected the abscess earlier.

In an order filed March 4 in Woodbury County District Court, District Judge James Daane said he had been informed all claims had been settled. Because a number of the settlement details will take time to resolve, Daane scheduled a settlement status conference for July to ensure the lawsuit is resolved and dismissed.

Clovis' attorneys, Stan Munger and Marc Humphrey, declined to comment. Clovis, a former Morningside College professor and Republican political operative who served as a policy adviser to former President Donald Trump, could not be reached for comment.

A lawyer for UnityPoint also declined to comment, and a UnityPoint spokeswoman said the health system had no comment.

According to the lawsuit, Clovis went to the UnityPoint -- St. Luke's emergency room on April 21, 2019, complaining of chest pain that radiated around to his back. Chest x-rays showed no broken bones, and doctors prescribed him painkillers.

Clovis continued to have chest and back pain and shortness of breath and was later admitted to the hospital and treated for suspected pneumonia. The lawsuit said blood samples taken showed the presence of staph infection, but it appeared that none of the treating physicians were ever notified of the test results.

While hospitalized, Clovis complained of weakness in his legs and ongoing pain in his back. After being transferred to the hospital's rehabilitation wing, an MRI of Clovis' lower back showed a narrowing of his spinal canal, but no imaging was done of the areas of his back where Clovis said the pain was located.

He was transferred to the Regency Square Care Center in South Sioux City to continue rehab and continued to have back pain and weakness and numbness in his legs.

About three weeks later, he was admitted to the hospital and had an MRI of his mid and upper back. The results showed an abscess, and Clovis had surgery to drain it. The surgery caused little to no change in his paraplegic status, the lawsuit said.

Clovis had been seeking a judgment awarding him and his wife damages to compensate them for past and future medical expenses and loss of bodily function, pain and suffering, past lost earnings and loss of future earning capacity.
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SIOUX CITY  Representatives from a Minneapolis environmental engineering firm told Sioux City Council members Monday that the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) project delivery approach for the first phase of the rebuild of the city's aging wastewater treatment plant "is likely going to be the most attractive way to go."

"Proposing to do phase one as one large contract gives the city an economy of scale, which means you're going to have larger, more national contractors focused on bidding this project in order to achieve that economy of scale. And you're just, frankly, likely to get a lot more bids, better bids by going the CMAR route, we feel, in this particular project," said Hazen and Sawyer's Gary Haubner, who is the project director for the wastewater treatment plant improvement project.

Hazen and Sawyer delivered a presentation about project delivery methods during the council's weekly meeting at City Hall. Hazen and Sawyer is providing design, site survey and geotechnical investigation, construction administration and observation, as well as post construction services for the project.

Last year, the council, in spite of objections from the business community, approved a residential, commercial and industrial sewer rate hike to help fund a projected $470 million three-phase rebuild of the plant, 3100 S. Lewis Blvd. The council has committed to the first two phases of the project, which consist of rebuilding the plant at its current location and also slightly increasing the plant's capacity, which the Iowa DNR is requiring.

The plant poses significant safety issues for city staff and has a history of compliance issues with the state. In January 2022, the DNR filed suit against the city over alleged repeated environmental violations at the plant, which dated back to March 2012. The city faces fines adding up to millions of dollars.

The first phase will address all safety and reliability issues associated with the liquids stream treatment process, along with odor control at York, Floyd and Riverside lift stations. The second phase will address reliability issues with the solids handling processes. In FY 2025, $300 million in is being requested for construction and $12 million for odor control. The funding source for the $312 million is sewer Iowa revolving loan proceeds.

Sioux City wastewater treatment plant The Sioux City wastewater treatment plant is shown in a 2022 file photo.

The council has two main delivery methods to choose from for the project:

Design-Bid-Build (DBB) is the traditional method of delivery for construction projects -- design, publicly advertise, contractors bid, the lowest bid is selected. Cost alone determines the successful bidder and the contractor is not involved in the design in this method, which has been used by cities and municipalities for infrastructure projects for decades.

Although CMAR has only been authorized for water and wastewater projects in Iowa since July 2022, it has been used in other states for the past 20 years. CMAR presents potential financial benefits through early contractor involvement, value engineering and risk mitigation strategies. CMAR's upfront costs may appear higher, but it has the potential to reduce change orders, project delays and overall construction expenses."

"The key feature here is that the city is really typically locked into the low bid under the Design-Bid-Build process," Haubner said. "The contractor's really only involved in the project at the time of bidding. They have no involvement throughout the design process. The first time they're seeing the project is when those bid documents are publicized and advertised."

With CMAR, Haubner said the construction management firm is brought on during the design process and selected on a "best value basis."

"So, you can consider cost along other factors and get the right fit for the city to act as the construction manager and then, subsequently, as the contractor as well," he said. "They're able to look at the design as it's progressing and provide input on matters of constructability, matters of cost, sequencing."

Haubner said that local and regional contractors will be pulled into the project with either delivery method, but he noted that will particularly be the case with CMAR.

"Just because of the size of the project, it's just more economical to use local labor forces when they can," he said.

In regard to the project delivery method, Mayor Bob Scott said he's not sure if he's "for or against anything."

"They've got to be a pretty darn good contractor, whether you hard dollar, or whether you construction management," Scott said. "You may get one guy that bid outside the scope and territory, but I don't think there's any difference in the first line. I really don't, just because you've got to have a lot of, not only money, but a lot of expertise to bond a $270 million job. As we talked, there are very few contractors that can handle this."

Scott asked Haubner for their closest sewer plant project to Sioux City. They responded that they've done work in Denver and the Twin Cities.

"We've done a variety of different ways. We've done a lot of hard bid projects. We've done a lot of CMAR projects," he said.

The council is expected to vote on the project delivery approach at its next meeting.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  A teenage girl was critically injured and hospitalized after a fight near Hazelwood East High School late last week, St. Louis County police said Sunday.

Police responded just after 2:30 p.m. Friday to a fight near the intersection of Norgate and Claudine drives in Spanish Lake, Missouri, a community in north St. Louis County. Officers found a girl suffering from a severe head injury.

On Saturday, police arrested another girl, 15, on suspicion of assault, according to a release. Her name was not released because she is a juvenile.

The Hazelwood School District released a statement Saturday condemning bullying and fighting in the community and urging people to take ownership and work towards a resolution for the sake of our children.

The Hazelwood School District offers our sincerest condolences to everyone involved, and will offer additional emotional support from our support and crisis team to those in need, the statement said.

A graphic video began circulating on social media over the weekend that showed two girls fighting in the middle of a street. By the end, one of the girls was lying on the pavement, severely injured. Police said Sunday they had confirmed the video was authentic through an investigation.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include details of a video of the fight that was circulating online.

The location of the school has also been corrected.
WASHINGTON  Just before dawn one summer day in Washington, the president of the United States stripped naked on a rock by the river, plunged in and saw a dead man float to the surface.

We know this about John Quincy Adams because he kept a diary for the ages. So have many presidents, from George Washington to Joe Biden. In these journals  a collection of notebooks in Biden's case  they confide to themselves, express raw opinions, trace even the humdrum habits of their day and offer seat-of-the-pants insight on monumental decisions of their time.

Here, also, they may possess and spill secrets they shouldn't. That's part of why Biden is facing more congressional scrutiny this week for his sloppy handling of classified documents after his vice presidency. Meantime Donald Trump became the first person in history to be charged with a crime for making off with sensitive government records as president  and then, unlike Biden, resisting demands to return them.

Adams called his diary his second conscience"  not to mention a place to record his frequent skinny-dipping in the Potomac  and presidents since have vouched for the value of scribbling down the day's observations or dictating them to a recorder to help them think things through and preserve them in memory, if not memoirs.

The process of converting a jumble of thoughts into coherent sentences makes you ask tougher questions, Barack Obama said of his journaling.

Jimmy Carter, who came away from the White House with more than 5,000 pages of transcribed entries, allowed, I seldom exercised any restraint on what I dictated.

Dwight Eisenhower wrote in a diary entry not only about infighting on a scientific advisory panel, but its highly secret (if questionable) analysis that Soviet atomic bombs could be rendered 99% ineffective by surrounding them with a type of radioactivity to which they were uniquely vulnerable.

Trump's diary was named Twitter.

Now Robert Hur, the special counsel who probed Biden's treatment of classified material but declined to recommend charges, is to appear before a House committee Tuesday to explain findings that left both parties ambivalent, for opposite reasons.

Democrats are relieved Biden won't be charged but upset that Hur cited old-age memory fog as one reason the president should get a pass. Republicans wanted Biden prosecuted yet were delighted to see Hur fuel the public's sense that Biden is too old for the job.

The hearing is bound to touch on the ample history of presidents who left office with documents containing state secrets, even after the 1978 Presidential Records Act mandated that the government has "complete ownership, possession, and control of all presidential and vice presidential records. The act was just one part of a reformist cleanup of government from Richard Nixon's corrupt presidency.

A president's diary is exempt from that act, at least when its content does not relate to the conduct of official business, but classified information is not supposed to be there.

According to Hurs report, Bidens diaries contained highly classified reflections on foreign adversaries, homeland threats and notes from the Presidents Daily Brief, including some determined to be top secret with markings signifying they came from human intelligence sources  among the most closely controlled secrets in the U.S. government.

He appeared to keep multiple sets of notes, one organized for his daily reflections and another devoted to foreign policy.

There is evidence that, after his vice presidency, Mr. Biden willfully retained marked classified documents about Afghanistan and unmarked classified handwritten notes in his notebooks, both of which he stored in unsecured places in his home, Hur wrote.

He had no legal authority to do so, Hur went on, and the president's actions risked serious damage to Americas national security. But he said the evidence falls far short of proving that Mr. Biden retained classified materials willfully.

The special counsel investigation drew a sharp contrast between Biden and Trump, crediting the Democrat with fully cooperating in the return of documents he shouldn't have had.

After being given multiple chances to return classified documents and avoid prosecution, Mr. Trump allegedly did the opposite," Hur said. "According to the indictment, he not only refused to return the documents for many months, but he also obstructed justice by enlisting others to destroy evidence and then to lie about it.

Presidents who have been less conspicuous in disdaining the rules have not faced such trouble.

Ronald Reagan, Hur noted in his report, left the White House in 1989 with eight years of handwritten diaries, which he appears to have kept at his California home even though they contained Top Secret information. The Justice Department took no known steps to retrieve or secure the diaries.

Carter dictated entries to his diary and had them typed by a secretary. Returning to Plains, Georgia, after his presidency, Carter realized he had 21 large volumes of double-spaced text, excerpts of which became a book.

Hur said there is some reason to think Carter and another enthusiastic diarist, George H.W. Bush, both had classified information in their diaries. But that was hardly shocking.

Historically, after leaving office, many former presidents and vice presidents have knowingly taken home sensitive materials related to national security from their administrations without being charged with crimes, Hur wrote.

Students of history have always placed great stock in the unguarded musings of high officials, whether in a diary, a leaked conversation or one of the thousands of White House recordings that six presidents secretly taped from the Franklin Roosevelt administration to the downfall of Nixon.

They provide unique windows into the presidency, helping us better understand how policy is made and power is used, said Marc Selverstone, director of Presidential Studies and co-chair of the Presidential Recordings Program at the University of Virginia's Miller Center. You get it, as LBJ would have said, with the bark off.

Election distrust in Cochise County runs deep, and change is slow to come Election distrust in Cochise County runs deep, and change is slow to come Election issues amid other local concerns, politics
Lincoln Journal Star. March 9, 2024.

Editorial: Piecemeal approach to tax reforms brings danger

Increase the sales tax by 1 or 2 cents to offset property taxes. Eliminate sales tax exemptions to build receipts to the state general fund. Repeal the inheritance tax. Put a hard cap on property tax growth requests by local government or require those subdivisions to lower their levies in proportion to valuation increases.

Those are just some of the ideas aimed at restructuring Nebraskas taxation system being considered by the Legislature this session.

But those proposals are being considered individually with little regard to the cumulative impact on the state and local government budgets and operations, a method that, in keeping with standard legislative practice, could lead to serious unintended consequences if a handful of those measures are implemented.

The sales tax increase, which former Gov. Pete Ricketts properly labeled a tax shift, would, for example, favor property owners, especially those who have large, expensive holdings, and make all Nebraskans, especially those who will receive no property tax relief, pay one of the highest rates of sales tax in the country.

That would have a negative impact on those least able to pay, instantly increasing the cost of living for the underemployed, cash-strapped families and those on fixed incomes.

And, eliminating select sales tax exemptions, according to the proponents of those who now receive the exemptions, would hit the businesses that sell tax-exempt goods, such as farm machinery, and professions hard, slowing down the states economy.

Repealing the inheritance tax would impact counties, especially in rural areas, likely forcing them to increase property taxes to make up for the lost revenue  a change that goes in the opposite direction of the proposed sales tax increases.

Putting a hard cap on local subdivision tax increases, which was deliberately excluded in the property tax relief plan approved by the Legislature last year, will severely hamstring public schools, especially larger districts like Lincoln Public Schools, as would the proposal to tie levies with valuation changes.

And, if, however unlikely, all of those measures would happen to be approved in the Legislatures rush to the conclusion of the short session, the combined economic displacements and negative impacts on local governments and schools could create serious issues for individual taxpayers, particularly those with low incomes, businesses and education, which legislators claim to support.

Theres a simple solution to this jumble of the uncertain impact of tax proposals. Rather than haphazardly pass the tax-related bills, the Legislature should set them aside in favor of a comprehensive study of the states tax system, directed to result in a series of property, sales and, perhaps, income tax measures that would be considered in the 2025 session.

That study would identify how the proposals would work together, anticipate and incorporate ways to prevent unintended consequences of the individual plans and come up with a plan that could receive widespread legislative support from rural and urban interests alike and, importantly, be fair and equitable to all Nebraskans, not just property owners.

Kearney Hub. March 10, 2024.

Editorial: KHOP makes big dent in rural health shortages

Nebraskas future rests on our states ability to attract and retain profession als in key fields. Were battling for teachers, law officers and attorneys and many other professionals.

Were often told about the desperate need for people skilled in the building trades, in business, mechanics and agriculture, to name a few.

Perhaps the most troubling shortage is the one that has developed in the medical fields. Many Nebraska towns have no doctors. Many need nurses or professionals trained to operate the technology to diagnose and treat illnesses. Without these professionals, our rural communities face an uphill battle recruiting professionals in other fields.

The need for medical professionals in rural areas ranks as one of the most pressing and difficult to address, but there is good news.

Last week, the University of Nebraska at Kearney quietly announced that UNK has recruited a record-breaking group of students into the Kearney Health Opportunities Program, its signature health science program.

According to the announcement, a record-breaking 72 high school seniors have been accepted into KHOP for fall 2024. This years number represents a significant increase from 2023 when 56 students were admitted into the program.

KHOPs rural roots

The 72 KHOP students enrolled at UNK for 2024 come from these rural communities: Ashland, Atkinson, Aurora, Bassett, Bee, Bladen, Blair, Blue Hill, Bridgeport, Cambridge, Campbell, Central City, Columbus, Cook, Dannebrog, De Witt, Doniphan, Elgin, Firth, Fremont, Genoa, Grand Island, Hastings, Hebron, Holdrege, Kearney, Laurel, McCool Junction, Miller, Minden, Morrill, Norfolk, North Platte, Ogallala, Osceola, Pickrell, Pierce, St. Paul, Sargent, Seward, Stromsburg, Stuart, Tilden, Waco, Wallace, Western, Wilber, York, Yutan.

KHOP began in 2010 as a partnership between UNK and the University of Nebraska Medical Center to grow the states health care workforce by recruiting and training students from rural Nebraska who are committed to practicing in rural settings.

The program is based on the belief that students who learn medicine in a rural communities such as Kearney will graduate and decide to practice in rural areas.

That belief is proving to be valid as a strong majority of KHOP students do remain in rural communities after graduation.

KHOP aggressively offers incentives to attract students. Financial assistance, academic support and professional development opportunities are available. Many participants receive full-tuition scholarships to UNK and guaranteed admission to UNMC.

Dental hygiene, dentistry, medical laboratory science, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant and radiography are among the fields available to KHOP students.

When the Rural Health Education Center thats under construction at UNK opens, students will be able to train as physicians.

Instituting the KHOP program was challenging, but under the leadership of Peggy Abels, director of UNK Health Sciences, and the visionaries who supported the strategy to train medical professionals in rural settings, Nebraska is making progress in addressing health care needs.

This years record-setting crop of KHOP students is a giant dose of encouragement, especially as construction is fully under way on the Rural Health Education Center just north of the existing Health Education Center.

Financial support for the rural health care endeavor will complement existing efforts to address rural Nebraskas shortage of medical professionals.

Abels underscored the significance of the record-setting KHOP class for fall 2024.

Its very promising and exciting to have such a highly talented group of students who are dedicated to practicing health care in rural Nebraska, she said. 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.

McCook Gazette. March 4, 2024.

Editorial: Dont become a victim of the lates online scams

Attorney General Mike Hilgers call for vigilance during National Consumer Protection Week couldnt have come at a more crucial time. The prevalence of online fraud, particularly in the form of identity theft, financial scams, and cyber threats, underscores the importance of safeguarding personal information and accounts. However, recent revelations regarding the widespread and evolving nature of cryptocurrency scams, notably the pig butchering scam, demand even greater caution and awareness from consumers.

The pig butchering scam, originating from Southeast Asia but now impacting victims globally, represents a disturbing trend in online fraud. Victims, often targeted through social media platforms and fake dating profiles, are manipulated into investing in cryptocurrency, only to be left with substantial financial losses when the perpetrators vanish. The sophistication of these scams, coupled with their coercive and exploitative nature, highlights the urgent need for enhanced preventive measures and international cooperation.

While the Attorney Generals efforts to educate Nebraskans on protecting their privacy and increasing data security are commendable, its crucial to recognize the evolving landscape of online fraud. The pig butchering scam serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in cyberspace, where perpetrators exploit vulnerabilities for financial gain, often at the expense of unsuspecting victims.

In light of these developments, consumers must exercise caution and skepticism when engaging online, particularly with unfamiliar individuals or investment opportunities. Relying on free resources and reporting mechanisms provided by authorities, such as the Consumer Affairs Response Team, can aid in identifying and combating fraudulent activities. Additionally, staying informed through reputable sources and platforms like @ProtectNE on Twitter can help individuals stay ahead of emerging threats.

Furthermore, the international community must prioritize collaboration and coordination in addressing the root causes of pig butchering scams, including human trafficking and exploitation. Efforts to dismantle fraud networks and hold perpetrators accountable must be intensified to mitigate the far-reaching impact of these crimes.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. offers these tips to improve your cybersecurity:

 Do not open emails from people you dont know and dont click any links unless you are absolutely sure its safe.

 Be careful with links and new website addresses, even if they come from friends. Their email may have been unknowingly compromised.

(asterisk) Secure your personal information such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords; be sure that the website you are on is really secure.

 Stay informed on the latest cyber threats. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) can provide you with Alerts.

 Use Strong Passwords. Strong passwords are critical to online security. Review CISA guidance on Choosing and Protecting Passwords.

 Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs. Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.

Update the operating systems on your electronic devices. Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.

As Nebraskans and citizens worldwide navigate the complexities of the digital age, exercising caution and vigilance remains our best defense against online fraud. Let National Consumer Protection Week serve as a reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard personal information, protect against financial scams, and uphold the principles of consumer rights in the digital realm.

END
On this day in 2012, a former jock and stockbroker who enlisted in the U. S. military after 9/11 murdered 16 Afghan civilians, the majority of whom were children, in a two-part massacre remembered as the most infamous American war crime since the Vietnam war.

You may use this page to remember the victims of the Kandahar Massacre, or pursue your own areas of freewheeling, off-topic discourse. Find previous discussions in the Open Thread archive. Excepting the entreaty that you remain on topic, all of Slates usual commenting policies apply.

If you depend on this community and Slates journalism, please consider joining Slate Plus. We appreciate your support.
Given the way this awards season startedwith Jo Koys absolutely abysmal performance as Golden Globes hostthe bar was low for this years Oscars host, Jimmy Kimmel. Luckily for all of us, he made it through nearly unscathed. Here are Kimmels opening monologue jokes, ranked from the best to the most groan-worthy.

Actual LOLs

 This night is full of enormous talent, and untold potential. But so was Madame Web, so who knows?

 Barbie is a feminist icon thanks to Greta Gerwig, who many believe deserved to be nominated for Best Director. [The audience applauds.] I know youre clapping, but youre the ones who didnt vote for her, by the way. Dont act like you had nothing to do with this.

 Not even 20 years ago, things werent going that great for Robert [Downey Jr.]. He played the villain in a movie where Tim Allen turns into a dog, right? And if you ever decide to remake that film, I have just the guy to play Tim Allen. Messi [from Anatomy of a Fall]! Who, even though hes a dog, may have given the performance of the year in Anatomy of a Fall. Messi has an overdose scene. Honestly I havent seen a French actor eat vomit like that since Gerard Depardieu.

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 Emma Stone, you are so unbelievably great in Poor Things. Emma played an adult woman with the brain of a child, like the lady who gave the rebuttal to the State of the Union on Thursday night.

 Bradley [Cooper] brings his mother to every awards show. Its very sweet, but I guess the question is: How many times can one bring his mom as his date before he is actually dating his mom? Are you working on a movie about Freud right now and not telling us?

 In the future, they will be adding an Oscar for Achievement in Casting. That is great news for actors because now, not only will you be able to watch someone else win an Oscar for a part you didnt get, youll also be able to watch the person who didnt think you were right for it win one too.

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 Remember that kid from The Fabelmans? This is what he looks like now. [The camera cuts to Steven Spielberg.]

 For five months, this group of writers, actors, directorsthe people who actually make the filmssaid, We will not accept a deal. Well, not the directors. You guys folded immediately. But the rest of us said, We will not accept a deal without protections against artificial intelligence. And as a result, actors no longer have to worry about getting replaced by A.I. Thanks to this historic agreement, actors are now able to go back to worrying about being replaced by younger, more attractive people.

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 If a movie premieres at the Grove and there are no actors there to promote it, does Mario Lopez make a sound?

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 This very strange town of ours, as pretentious and superficial as it can be, at its heart is a union town. Its not just a bunch of heavily Botoxed, Hailey Bieber, smoothie-drinking, diabetes-prescription-abusing, gluten-sensitive nepo babies with perpetually shivering chihuahuas. This is a coalition of strong, hardworking, mentally tough laborerswomen and men who would 100 percent for sure die if we even had to touch the handle of a shovel.

Meh

 Ryan [Gosling] and Margot [Robbie], I want you to know that if neither one of you wins an Oscar tonight, you both already won something much more important: the genetic lottery. Ryan  you are so hot. Lets go camping together and not tell our wives.

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 Killers of the Flower Moon is so long, in the time it takes you to watch it, you could drive to Oklahoma and solve the murders yourself.

 Not only is Yorgos [Lanthimos] nominated for Best Director, his editorwhose name is also Yorgos, Yorgos Mavropsaridisis nominated too. We have two Yorgoses in the house tonight. Will they both win? Yorgos is as good as mine.  All right, lets get 20 seconds for room tone?

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 48 years ago, Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster were nominated for Taxi Driver, and theyre both nominated again tonight. 1976 was the year. Thats pretty crazy. In 1976 Jodie Foster was young enough to be Robert De Niros daughternow shes 20 years too old to be his girlfriend.

Were They Groaning or Booing?

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 This is the highest point of Robert Downey Jr.s long and illustrious career  well, one of the highest points.  I mean, look at this guy: Hes so handsome, so talented. Hes won every award there is to win. Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket, or do you just have a very rectangular penis?

 Christopher Nolan doesnt have a smartphone, he doesnt use email, and he writes his scripts on a computer with no internet connection, which is a powerful way of saying, I will not allow my porn addiction to get in the way of my work.

 Interesting fact about [Cillian Murphys] name: Its pronounced kill-ee-an when he does drama. When he does comedy, its silly-ann.

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 Before she got this movie, Lily [Gladstone] was ready to quit acting and take a job at the Department of Agriculture tracking murder hornets. Now shes nominated for an Oscar, which is so great for her, but also makes me worry that no one is tracking these murder hornets.

 Sandra [Huller] plays a woman on trial for murdering her husband in Anatomy of a Fall and a Nazi housewife living next to Auschwitz in The Zone of Interest, and while these are very heavy subjects for American moviegoers, in Sandras native Germany, theyre called rom-coms.
Oppenheimer may be a movie about the most important fucking thing thats ever happened in the history of the world, but by the time the 96th Academy Awards drew to a close, its crowning achievement already felt like an anticlimax. Standing center stage with the envelope for Best Picture, Al Pacino neglected to read out the names of the 10 nominees and cut right to the chase, so abruptly that it seemed to take the room a moment to realize that it was all over.

Like nearly all the ceremonys major awards, Oppenheimers seven winsfor picture, director, actor, supporting actor, cinematography, editing, and scorewere foregone conclusions. Emma Stone edging past Lily Gladstone in Best Actress was the nights biggest surprise, not least to the shows producers, who uncharacteristically slotted the award between Best Director and Best Picture in apparent anticipation of a historic win by Gladstone, who would have been the first Native American to triumph in any acting category. But Stones flamboyant, theatrical performance in Poor Things is exactly the kind that the Oscars tend to reward, and shed been considered the favorite until losing to Gladstone at the Screen Actors Guild Awards two weeks back. So its hard to be shockedalthough quite easy to be disappointedat the academy favoring her over the quiet strength of Gladstone in Killers of the Flower Moon.

Instead of surprise, the show had spectacle, including a dazzling production number built around Barbies Im Just Ken, performed by a pinked-out Ryan Gosling and several of the movies living dolls, with a guitar solo by Slash and, after Gosling and his microphone waded into the audience, backing vocals from Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and America Ferreraand Emma Stone. Each acting award was presented by five past winners in the category, who addressed each nominee in moments that were mostly touchingly personalized and occasionally blandly puffed-up. Like this years Emmys, which reconstructed vintage sitcom sets to bring the mediums past alive, the cross-generation encomiums seemed designed to convey the sense of something larger than the awards themselves, a history enlarged with each new name added to the books.

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Oppenheimer is explicitly a movie about history, about men concerned with how their actions will resonate in years to comeand yet who lack the foresight to fully grasp the consequences of their actions. With the benefit of hindsight, we feel the ominous foreshadowing of Robert Oppenheimers final words, as he suggests that the bomb he invented might one day destroy the entire world, but the chain reaction stops there. Nolan famously wrote parts of his script in the first person to indicate his allegiance to Oppenheimers subjective point of view, but seeing through his eyes alleviates us of the responsibility of using our own.

This years Oscar nominees were a bloody batch, from the (unseen) mass casualties of Oppenheimers A-bombs to the shattered skull of Anatomy of a Fall. (Poor Things, at least, is more interested in other bodily fluids.) But the winners tended to be those that kept that violence, or at least the responsibility for it, at a remove, whether shrouding it in ambiguityAnatomys Did She Do It?or displacing it through time and space. Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon is a notable exception, using its final moments to break through the veil of history and confront the audience with its own complicity, the decades in which Hollywoodincluding many of the directors Scorsese grew up idolizingtreated the extermination of the U.S. Indigenous population as a historical necessity and sometimes even a rousing spectacle. And for its trouble, it ended the night as the Oscars biggest loser, winning in none of its 10 nominated categories.

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The Zone of Interest, which notched an expected victory in Best International Feature and a surprise win in Best Sound, keeps its characters at a physical remove as well as a historical one by shooting its Nazi protagonists with stationary cameras hidden around the set, denying the characters the close-ups that might tempt us to empathize with them. But as he accepted the award for international feature, director Jonathan Glazer insisted that it is a movie about now as much as then. All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present, he said, reading carefully from a printed speech, not to say Look what they did then, rather Look what we do now.  He and his producer James Wilson, he went on, stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent peoplewhether the victims of Oct. 7 in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims of this dehumanization.

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Although several celebrities sported red cease-fire buttons on the red carpet, that would stand as the ceremonys only other clear reference to the conflict. Cillian Murphy dedicated his Best Actor Oscar to the peacemakers everywhere but left the audience to imagine where exactly that was. Ramy Youssef used several early red-carpet interviews to call for a cease-fire, but the Oscars official pre-show limited the zone of inquiry to his upcoming gig hosting Saturday Night Live.

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As if Killers going home empty-handed werent bad enough, Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel took an early shot at the films three-and-a-half-hour running time, glossing over how important that length is to conveying the oppressive weight of its systematic murder spree. But even Killers is easier to watch than 20 Days in Mariupol, the documentary whose account of Russias attack on the Ukrainian city features gory images of dead children and infants. This is painful to watch, says director Mstyslav Chernov, who shot the film while working as a video journalist for the Associated Press, but it must be painful to watch.

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Related From Slate With Oppenheimers Win, Christopher Nolan Has Done Something Not Even Spielberg Managed Read More

Mariupol won Best Documentary, an intriguing pick considering how the films skepticism about the power of its own images clashes with the Oscars historic triumphalism. As much as Chernov struggles desperately to transmit his footage via the regions shaky infrastructure and pleads with editors to air the footage they have, he reflects, We have seen so many dead people, dead children. How could more death change anything?

Chernov seemed ambivalent about even accepting his award. Probably I will be the first director on this stage to say I wish I would never have made this film, he began. I wish to be able to exchange this to Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities. I wish to give all the recognition to Russia not killing tens of thousands of my fellow Ukrainians. The Oscars tend to favor uplift, but its hard to muster much grounds for optimism when the subject of last years Oscar-winning documentary, Alexei Navalny, made a repeat appearance this year as the first face in the In Memoriam segment.

Oppenheimer is a dazzling cinematic achievement, a formally inventive and morally serious work that also features big explosions and made nearly a billion dollarsin short, a perfect combination of everything the movie industry likes to believe that it stands for. And yet, looking over the awards as a whole, its hard to escape the feeling that Oscar voters left themselves the tiniest of escape hatches, sternly judging slaughter at a distance while gracing the movies that follow its resonances into the present with little more than a perfunctory nod.
Nearly a third of young people, according to polling done last year, now say that getting a college education is less important than it was 20 years ago. Higher education enrollments, declining for nearly a decade, are dropping at an alarming rate. And though going to college is still the default plan for many, views are changing.

Why are kids cooling on college? The disruption of the pandemic was certainly a factor. So is price: As the cost of higher education soars, growing numbers of young people are questioning the value of a degree. And for conservative families, the drumbeat of negative headlinespainting campuses as woke indoctrination campshasnt helped.

Among political observers, Americans sinking belief in college is being interpreted as yet another threat to the Democrats already unwieldy coalition, one in which college-educated voters now make up the majority. As voters turn away from college, goes the refrain, theyll inevitably turn away from the Democratic Party.

But theres a bigger shift occurring, one that points to a way forward for Democrats.

Consider another swing in public opinion: perceptions of labor unions. According to Gallup, 77 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 presently approve of unionsthe highest figure in more than two decades. And that pro-union sentiment crosses traditional dividing lines. Across race, class, and political party, this generation is remarkably united in believing that unions mean a better future.

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Together, the declining confidence in higher education and rising support for organized labor point to a significant change in the way that young people view their economic futures.

For decades now, it has been an article of faith that human capital investmentseducation, in other wordsare the foundation of labor market success. As Bill Clinton famously put it, What you earn depends on what you learn. But after confronting a recession, a pandemic, and spiking inequality, young Americans are decidedly less sold on that vision of economic prosperity. Moreover, recent victories by organized workers have offered a vivid reminder of whats been missing from the human capital equation: collective power.

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Notably, Joe Biden seemed to speak to precisely this realignment in his State of the Union address last week, largely bypassing the sort of education-as-economic-advancement rhetoric of his predecessors. Instead, he boasted of having created tens of thousands of good-paying jobs that dont require college degrees, and proclaimed that unions built the middle class. Its a decidedly old message, but one that may hold new appeal for young voters.

The Human Capital Era

Half a century ago, an emergent breed of new Democrat sought to shrug off the New Deal economic agenda, which was rooted in big government and organized labor. For upstarts like Bill Clinton and his future running mate Al Gore, economic rewards in the 21st century would be the result of knowledge and skills, requiring investments in training and retraining. When New Democrats assessed the partys traditional union allies, they saw what economists refer to as deadweight lossesinefficiencies that were keeping the price of labor artificially high and rendering domestic industries unable to compete in an era of globalization. It was another example, as they saw it, of the need for a Democratic Party that reined in the power of unions and embraced the free market.

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The solutions of the 30s wont solve the problems of the 80s. Such was the mantra of the Democrats self-described neoliberal faction. The structure of the American union movement, argued Randall Rothenberg in a 1984 paean to the new liberalism, seems to be antithetical to the organization of postindustrial society. To survive in a globalized economy, unions and their members needed to recognize that their moment had passed; they needed to embrace a future in which labor market outcomes would depend on smarts, not solidarity. Rothenberg summed up this dilemma bluntly: If, as the neoliberals state, the future depends not on the technostructure but on the entrepreneur, it is difficult to see how organized labor, as it now exists, fits into their political economy.

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Such a perspective was vividly captured in the 1992 novel turned film Primary ColorsJoe Kleins thinly disguised chronicle of Clintons first presidential campaign. Midway through the novel, the candidate, whose campaign is reeling, pays a visit to out-of-work shipyard workers in New Hampshire. Rather than coddling them, as party leaders of the past might have, the Clinton doppelganger dishes out straight talk about the realities of the new knowledge economy. Neither their jobs nor their union was coming back, declared the candidate, because were living in a new world now, a world without borderseconomically, that is.

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The alternate vision proposed by the insurgent Democratic Leadership Councila group that included Clinton and Gore, legislators like Dick Gephardt and Joe Lieberman, and power brokers like Charles Peters, founder of the influential Washington Monthlyswapped out solidarity for individual training and skills acquisition. To participate in the knowledge economy, workers who had long relied on unions to protect salaries and benefits needed to acquire more human capital through education and training. The only way middle-class people can keep good jobs with growing incomes, proclaimed Clinton in a 1992 speech, is to be Iifetime learners and innovators.

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The bipartisan embrace of training vouchers that workers could use to pay for upskilling exemplified this way of thinking. The 1990s concept of the Individual Training Account originated with the conservative Business Roundtable. But the New Democrats thrilled to the idea of a fund, paid for by equal contributions from employer and employee, that could be used by displaced workers to acquire new skills.

Individual Training Accounts never took off, but the vision of each American endlessly acquiring new skills to meet the demands of a global knowledge economy became Democratic Party orthodoxy. When Barack Obama convened a summit of union leaders at the White House in 2015, he couldnt resist encouraging members of the working class to head back to school, even as he sought to win their support. Among the commonsense principles offered by Obama that afternoon: If you work hard in America, you should have a pathway to the education and training you need to grow your skills and earn raises and promotions and the chance to get ahead.

The Education Myth

The populist backlash seeded in part by Democratic rhetoric that seemed to blame economic losers for their own misfortune has been well chronicled. But less understood is the generational resistance to what scholar Jon Shelton calls the education myththe uniquely American belief that the answer to every economic woe is more education. For young workers who graduated into the Great Recession, or who joined the workforce just as COVID was shuttering the economy, or who are now staring down a future in which A.I. could destabilize entire industries, the idea that an additional investment in their human capital will protect them from layoffs or ever-concentrating corporate power sounds like a joke.

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In short, many younger Americans no longer subscribe to the Clintonian idea that Education is economic development. And this change has begun to reveal itself, not just in diminishing faith in the importance of higher education, but also in a generational shift regarding the role that government should play in confronting structural problems. Compared to a decade ago, young people today are far more likely to believe that the government should do more to reduce poverty and curb climate change, as well as to provide food, shelter, and health insurance to Americans who cant afford them. More than a generation ago, Democrats made the case that big government and big unions were the enemy, and sought to shift the onus of economic responsibility onto individuals. Having seen the results play out, young people are increasingly interested in turning back the clock.

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The recent wave of high-profile strikes and workplace actions will likely cement this shift. Autoworkers joining forces across three different plants in the fall of 2023, for instance, had overwhelming public support. In part, thats because standing up to billionaires is an increasingly popular undertaking in an economy that often feels like its designed to cleave the country in two. But the United Auto Workers successful strike wasnt just a symbolic victory. The wage hikes they won were also a rebuke to the notion that better pay can only come as a result of human capital investment. Assembly line workers who started the strike making $20 an hour will see their pay double by the end of the contractnot because they retrained, reskilled, or reeducated, but because their union carried out one of the most effective labor actions in recent memory.

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Indeed, the recent surge in workplace activism, fueled in part by a tight labor market, now extends to workers who are among the most educated, including pharmacists, teachers, nurses, and screenwriters. Last year, nearly 50,000 unionized graduate students throughout the University of California system participated in the single largest higher education strike in history. And graduate students have been forming unions at a record clip, winning elections, often by wide margins. Last year alone, graduate students unionized at Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Northeastern, NYU, Stanford, the University of Chicago, and Yale. While labor union membership numbers remain mired at depths last seen in the 1920s, whatever resurgence is underway is being driven largely by young people.

The Future of College and the Future of Work

For most of the past half century, the Democratic Party has loudly proclaimed the injustice of economic inequality. And the policy solution they offered achieved exactly what leaders like Bill Clinton had hoped. Staking out the political center, New Democrats ate into a voting bloc assembled by Ronald Reagan. Their positions on work, wages, and welfare, particularly, were brashly blanddesigned to win the middle.

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The only problem was that those policies didnt work. It may be more popular to suggest that the haves neednt be threatened by policies designed to aid the have nots. One consequence of class conflict, after all, is that there are opposing sidesboth of whom have the ability to vote. But its wishful thinking to suggest, as the Democrats did for so long, that a rising tide will lift all boats.

Why did the Democratic Party break with unions and begin shilling college for all as its economic mantra? Because an emphasis on human capital development promised winners without losers. Unions, of course, do the opposite: They proudly extract concessions for their members at the bargaining table. New Democrats like Clinton, and party leaders who followedneoliberals like Barack Obama, who didnt outwardly identify as such, but whose policies indicated otherwisewanted to frame economic development as a win-win. Go to college and get a good job, they repeatedly said. Then you dont have to join a union. The last part was never uttered, but it was implicit.

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Nearly 50 years later, the evidence is in. Human capital is a better sales pitch than it is an economic policy. And in this new Gilded Age, it seems almost comical to worry about a win-win. Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are planning to colonize outer space. Meanwhile, nearly 40 million Americans live in poverty.

This is good for unions. Theyre back in vogue. But what does this mean for higher education?

As long as going to college was framed as the key to economic mobility, enrollments boomed. Now, it seems, those days are over. Yet this neednt be a bust for the nations colleges and universities. After all, the vast majority of them, at least those not operating on a for-profit basis, do add real value. Moreover, if freed from the shackling dogma that their core function is job training, they might do an even better job at what they actually donamely, producing and embodying a reservoir of social, cultural, and technical capacities that enrich community life at every scale. Still, there will be some time in the wilderness, as colleges and universities reckon with the reality that price tags cant escalate forever on the promise that degrees pay for themselves. And, in light of recent controversies, leaders will have to reassure the public that higher education really is the marketplace of ideas that it has long claimed to be.

Meanwhile, young people will be making a new futureone that looks surprisingly like the past. Rejecting the idea that they are solely responsible for their economic futures, a new generation is increasingly attracted to the concepts of collective interests and organized labor. They might even embrace another old notion: learning for learnings sake.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill on Wednesday designed to restore IVF access following the state Supreme Courts disastrous decision last month holding that embryos are legally children. Republican legislators rushed the measure through in the face of a nationwide outcry over the sudden halt in fertility services caused by the courts shocking ruling. It is unclear, however, whether the new law will solve the problem the court createdor whether the court, which seems committed to embryonic personhood under the Alabama Constitution, will even uphold the measure in the first place.

On a new episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the stopgap legislation and the looming legal battle over its constitutionality. Their conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

To listen to the full episode of Amicus, join Slate Plus.

Dahlia Lithwick: Lets talk about Alabama Legislature believing they solved the problem created by their state Supreme Court by enacting new legislation that hives off IVF and thus satisfies neither side. I think this just continued a roiling and fractious debate in which only one side can possibly be telling scientifically true facts.

Mark Joseph Stern: This new bill in Alabama sailed through the Legislature, and as you said, it creates special immunity from liability for IVF providers and patients. Remember, the Alabama Supreme Court said that embryos are children under the states wrongful death statute, opening up clinics and perhaps even patients to massive punitive damages for the destruction of an embryo. This bill shuts that down in theory by offering a super sweeping shield from liability that attaches to IVF clinics, and that even though there are all these fetal personhood statutes that say life begins at the moment of fertilization, none of that applies to IVF. The bill was designed to let IVF clinics resume treatment as quickly as possible by telling them, Dont worry, youre not going to get hit with millions and millions of dollars in punitive damages for every embryo thats damaged or destroyed.

Will it work?

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IVF experts and medical groups are pretty skeptical that it will. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine said that without a more permanent and thorough fix, it will be difficult to recruit new physicians to the state because theyll still be afraid to practice there. Barbara Collura, president of the National Infertility Association, noted that theres more work to be done because the new legislation does not address the underlying issue of the status of embryos as part of the IVF process. Thats clearly true. I also think its important to note that the fight isnt over: Even as the Legislature was passing this by lopsided margins, leading anti-abortion groups were gearing up for battle and expressed staunch, vigorous opposition to the new billa bill which, as recently as a few weeks ago, Republicans were assuring us they would all support.

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I think thats really important. This is, again, saying the quiet parts loud. The bill is a sop to all the folks who wanted to overturn Roe v. Wade and are now saying, Wait, IVF was never supposed to be implicated! It carves out IVF so Alabama lawmakers can say, Look, we protected IVF! But as you say, thats never going to be good enough for the embryonic personhood crowd.

Related From Slate The Alabama IVF Ban Conversation Is Missing the Bigger Point Read More

The bill is frankly contradictory to the views and goals of the anti-abortion movement. The leading groups of the movement sent this letter to Gov. Ivey telling her to veto the legislation, which didnt workshe signed it. But their letter claimed the law would cause irreversible damage to the thousands of embryos, parents, and women in this state, who must resist an ideology that treats human beings as expendable commodities. And it warns: Any legislation on this issue must take into consideration the millions of human lives who face the fate of either being discarded or frozen indefinitely, violating the inherent dignity they possess by virtue of being human.

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Again, were talking about tiny little eight-cell things you can only see with a microscope. But the anti-abortion movement has been consistent on this. So have the architects of the legal movement to overturn Roe and entrench fetal personhood into law. Just a sampling: Carter Snead, an anti-abortion advocate and director of the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, said the law contradicts the Legislatures stated commitment to the intrinsic equal dignity of every human being regardless of age, size, location, condition of dependence, or social status, calling it a shocking error in judgment that will have catastrophic results. Joshua Cradock, a lawyer who has written one of the most prominent law review articles proposing fetal personhood under the 14th Amendmentbasically, a constitutional ban on all abortionsalso savaged the bill. He said it erodes legal protections for human beings created through IVF. Of course, Senate Republicans just blocked a bill that would have established federal protections in all 50 states for IVF.

It doesnt sound like the fight is over.

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Theres already another lawsuit against an IVF clinic that could tee up another decision at the Alabama Supreme Court. Republicans in Alabama are patting themselves on the back right now. But I think this is just the beginning of the battle.

One more thing: As you wrote when the decision came down, the Alabama Supreme Courts position on fetal personhood wasnt just rooted in their feelings. It was also rooted in the Alabama Constitution itself. So presumably the court could overturn any statute that restores IVF, including this one.

Absolutely. The majority specifically said that the state constitutions Sanctity of Life amendment, which establishes fetal personhood, is directly aimed at stopping courts from excluding unborn life from legal protection and grants a substantive right to embryos to receive full equal protection under the law. I think theres a real possibility that this same majority could come back and say the new legislation runs afoul of the state constitution by granting absolute immunity to IVF clinics. It could rule that the Legislature is depriving both embryos and patients of the ability to vindicate the equality of these unborn lives, taking away a protection that previously existed. I mean, the majority said these were weighty concerns in the last ruling.

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Its not really a stretch to see the court acting on those concerns the next time around.

This was actually discussed during legislative debates. Look at state Rep. Terri Collins, a Republican who sponsored Alabamas really draconian abortion ban, which has no exception for rape or incest, and a 99-year prison sentence for providers. Collins acknowledged that the new IVF bill might be unconstitutional under the Sanctity of Life amendment. But then she said the Legislature didnt have to think about that right now, because its very divisive and everybody has very strong opinions on when life begins.

Well, yes, Rep. Collins, we all do have those views. But they really only become a problem when they are enshrined into law and used to deprive Americans of their basic ability to build families.
Keeping up with Donald Trumps court schedule is a dizzying task, since he faces two federal trials, a criminal trial in Georgia, and two separate civil and criminal trials in New York. (Oh, and hes running for president.) To make it easier to follow along, each Monday well be looking back on all the Trump trialrelated developments you might have missed the previous week.

Last week, Trump settled one of his many hefty legal bills, putting up a nearly $92 million bond in the E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit. There was a catch, though: Carroll wont yet be able to collect the money because his lawyers have also filed an appeal of the judges ruling. And coming up this week, Trumps legal team will get to present its defense in the classified documents case in a court-ordered hearing, while a judge down in Georgia will decide whether embattled District Attorney Fani Willis will get to stay on her election interference case.

Fani Willis Future Could Be Determined This Week

After a two-week-long hearing into allegations that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis had an inappropriate relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she hired to work on her election interference investigation, this week Judge Scott McAfee is expected to announce whether Willis should be disqualified from trying her case.

A quick refresher on what exactly went down in that hearing: Ashleigh Merchant, an attorney representing Mike Romanwho was charged alongside Trump and 17 others in Willis indictmentaccused Willis of inappropriately hiring Wade and alleged that the two were dating before he was hired. That created a conflict of interest, Merchant argued, because Wade paid for vacations for himself and Willis with funds he earned from Fulton County.

Willis and Wade testified that their relationship began shortly after he was hired and said their trips together were split, with Willis paying Wade back for her share. But Merchant argued that Willis and Wade were lying about the timeline of their relationship, with each side calling in Willis father, John Floyd, Wades ex-business partner Terrence Bradley, and a slew of other witnesses to testify.

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Merchant wants Willis and Wade disqualified from prosecuting their case and to have all of Romans charges dropped. Trump has since joined the motion as well. McAfee said he needed two weeks to consider all the evidence presented, which means his decision would be expected by this Friday.

Its worth noting that disqualifying a prosecutor is pretty rare, but if it does happen to Willis, then her case would be handed off to the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia. That group would pick her replacement, though theres no guarantee that the indictments scope or charges filed would remain the same or move forward at all.

Trump Will Argue His Defense in the Classified Documents Case

Prosecutors and attorneys for the former president are gearing up for a long day in court this week, after Judge Aileen Cannon ordered a hearing to consider Trumps claim that hes protected from criminal prosecution under the Presidential Records Act.

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Now Trump has thrown out a slew of arguments over why he cant be prosecuted by special counsel Jack Smith, including: A) the claim that he was covered by presidential immunity, B) that he declassified materials as personal when leaving the White House, and C) that, while president, he was the constitutional superior of the [National Archives]. Meanwhile, Smith has hit back in his own filings, arguing that the classified documents Trump held on to were not keepsakes, memorabilia, or trophies for [Trump] to keep and use as he pleased after his return to life as a private citizen but were required by law to be preserved, retained and safeguarded by the National Archives Administration, as required by the Presidential Records Act.

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The PRA was established in 1978, and it dictates that official records of presidents and vice presidents are officially converted from private to public when they leave office. It also leaves the National Archives in charge of managing these records.

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Cannon wants Trumps legal team to preview its arguments on Thursday, specifically how and why the former president is protected from prosecution under its read of the PRA. She told both sides to be prepared to spend the whole day in court.

Trump Posts Bail, While Appealing Defamation Verdict

The former president has started making a dent in his legal bills, securing a nearly $92 million bond due in the E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit. But Trumps attorneys posted the bond while also filing an appeal request, a move that will prevent Carroll from actually collecting her payment while the appeals process plays out.

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The bond came one day after Trumps attorneys failed to get an extension from Judge Lewis Kaplan, who flatly rejected the request and concluded, [Trump] has had since January 26 to organize his finances with the knowledge that he might need to bond this judgment. And on top of appealing Kaplans original judgment, Trumps attorneys have also asked for a new trial. They argue that Kaplan dramatically limited the scope of what Trump could say during his testimony on the witness stand, which they believe was erroneous and prejudicial.

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Trumps $92 million bond is the second payment he has had to make to Carroll, the first was last year, when a jury found that he had sexually abused and defamed her, awarding the writer $5 million. (Hes also appealing that judgment.) This comes just weeks after Trump was slapped with a $454 million penalty for overinflating his assets, stemming from a civil fraud lawsuit by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

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And to kick things off this week, the former president went on CNBCs Squawk Box and may have defamed Carroll again. I have no idea who she is, except one thing, I got sued, said Trump of Carroll. He also characterized the defamation verdicts against him as the most ridiculous decisions, adding, Including the Ms. Bergdorf Goodman, a person Id never met. Carrolls lawyer said they were closely monitoring his remarks.

Trouble Is Brewing in Arizona

For at least the past six months, investigators in Arizona have been quietly looking into Trumps efforts to overturn the states 2020 election results, an endeavor launched by the states Democratic attorney general, Kris Mayes. And last week there were signs that the investigation was ramping up; Politico first reported that Arizona prosecutors began issuing grand jury subpoenas to multiple people in Trumps orbit.

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Related From Slate What Exactly Was the Fake Electors Scheme? Read More

And most of those folks are considered to be the 11 local GOP officials in Arizona who acted as fake electors for Trump in the aftermath of the 2020 election, according to unnamed sources who spoke to the Washington Post. Former Arizona GOP Chairwoman Kelli Ward and state Sens. Jake Hoffman and Anthony Kern are among the 11 fake electors, who broadcasted themselves signing a fake certificate in December 2020 certifying that Trump won the state. (He didntBiden won the state of Arizona.) One of these fake electors was also spotted at Trumps Stop the Steal rally shortly before rioters launched an insurrection on the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Mayes told CNN last year that her investigation was robust and that her office was going to make sure that we do it on our timetable, applying the resources that it requires to make sure that justice is done, for not only Arizonans, but for the entire country.

Mayes is following in the footsteps of Georgia, Michigan, and Nevada, where AGs charged local GOP officials for acting as fake electors for Trump.
Among the election cases blowing up this Supreme Court term, several cases dealing with online speech could have a major impact on the tidal wave of disinformation that already threatens to wash away sense and truth in 2024. New technologies are supercharging online disinformation, which as we know, quickly turns into real-life conflict. At the same time, laws and regulations around speech and online content are stuck in the past century. On this weeks Amicus podcast, Dahlia Lithwick was joined by Barbara McQuade, former federal prosecutor and author of Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America, to discuss whether and how the courts might handle a dizzying array of new threats to election integrity from social media and disinformation. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Dahlia Lithwick: The United States is uniquely susceptible [to disinformation] in part because of the First Amendment, in part because of a legal regime under which we operate, and this notion that for better or for worse, the marketplace of ideas is the way to go. You talk about how corrupt and corruptible the marketplace of ideas is. But I find myself struck by the twin facts that we have archaic doctrine that cannot possibly metabolize technological change fast enough, and then we also have these archaic ideas about how a marketplace of ideas could work. Do you mind just thinking through the ways in which its almost overdetermined that we cant get control of this because of the constraints of the First Amendment?

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Barbara McQuade: I think we can, but I do think that it makes it really challenging. We all cherish the First Amendment; people on the left, on the right, and in between. Everybody understands why the First Amendment is so important. And so it makes it difficult to say Were going to ban disinformation, because who is the arbiter of what is disinformation and what is not? But we need to rethink social media and whether its completely hands-off. As you well know, no right is absolute, including our First Amendment rights to free speech. As long as there is satisfaction of strict scrutinythat is, a compelling governmental interest and a limitation that is narrowly tailored to achievethat interest does pass constitutional muster.

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So I think we need to think about that online. People refer to social media as the virtual town square. Elon Musk loves to say that this is the modern town square. But its really different from the town square, right? Its very different from a real person standing on a soap box in the town square. In the town square, we can see whos speaking. Is it really a Black activist or is it a Russian guy in a hoodie? We can assess their credibility based on who it is. We can also see how other members of the public are responding. Are people cheering? Are they booing? Are they just walking by and ignoring this person?

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Whereas online, people get likes and shares that may be generated by bots. It might be controlled by the speaker themselves, but we dont know that. So they can create the illusion of popularity when it may be that no real people are liking and sharing that message at all. So the parallels dont work the way they do in real life. But I do think that we can regulate social media even without addressing content, and that might be the way to do it. Content-based regulation is where you get into trouble with the First Amendment.

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But there are other things we could dolike regulating the algorithms, the computer code that tells programs what to do. A couple of years ago, there was this Facebook whistleblower named Frances Haugen. She was a data scientist at Facebook and she disclosed that Facebook was designing algorithms to deliberately generate outrage. Because if you were outraged, you were more likely to stay online. More eyeballs would be on the ads, and the platform would make more money. So people were being manipulated so that Facebook could turn a profit. You know the old phrase, If you dont know what the product is, its probably you? Turns out it was true at Facebook. So we could have regulations that say that algorithms may not be used to manipulate people to generate outrage, or at least require disclosure of those algorithms, so that people would know which platforms are trying to use them to generate outrage.

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The other thing that these social media companies do is they microtarget people to the most minute degree such that they know what messages are going to resonate with you. So Ive been shopping for winter boots and suddenly I see ads for winter boots everywhere. Wow. How did they know? Well, they know because of my search history and because of the things Im clicking on and what Im communicating with, but they know, down to every detail, everything there is to know about us. And so we get bombarded with certain messages that only we see and maybe other people arent seeing. And when you and I are not seeing messages other people are seeing, its very difficult for us to rebut them. Only people in certain echo chambers are hearing certain messages about 2000 mules, or whatever the allegation of the day is, and its difficult for the rest of society to rebut that the way we could if it were out there in the public domain.

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And so perhaps disclosing some of the ways groups are being microtargeted, which microgroup we are in, how were being sorted, we could require disclosure of all of those things.

Related From Slate The Supreme Court Forgot to Scrub the Metadata in Its Trump Ballot Decision. It Reveals Something Important. Read More

I want to ask you, because youre so steeped in these questions of data privacy and national security and technology, what you made of oral arguments in these content moderation cases. Im trying to be generous when I say that you have a Supreme Court whos just in this complete mashup of technology they dont fully understand. Theyre searching for a metaphor: Is it a publisher or is it a phone company? [What should they do with] Section 230? Theres so many pieces of this, and all due respect to the court, they never cover themselves in glory when they do these technology cases.

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I think it was Justice Kagan herself who said last term, talking about some of these cases, that the last people you want deciding these issues is nine people in black robes, because we dont get it, we dont understand any of this. It is a challenge as technology becomes more complicated. I know Ive talked to a judge who served on the FISA court, where the technology that theyre dealing with now for surveillance techniques has become so complicated that they need technical amici to help explain how the systems work.

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Youre talking about the two Netchoice cases, Netchoice v. Paxton and Moody v. Netchoice, that are challenging these laws passed in Texas and Florida that would say it is illegal for social media platforms to remove content that violates their community standards. Its really interesting because each side is sort of accusing the other of violating their free speech rights. The states say that the social media platforms are engaging in censorship when they take content down, and the social media platforms are saying, You are violating our First Amendment rights by forcing us to say things that violate our terms of service. We dont want bullying and harassment and threats on our platforms because our business model is all about having a safe space for conversation. And you know, sometimes people are a little bit provocative, but we wanna take down anything that might be hurtful or dangerous. And so its this First Amendment faceoff. No, youre violating my First Amendment rights. No, youre violating my First Amendment rights!

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There were two justicesno surprise, I supposeThomas and Alito, who actually did say: How is what youre doing anything but censorship? So, they seem to have their minds made up [as to] who was violating the First Amendment.

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But it seems to me social media platforms are private actors. I dont see how they can possibly violate anyones First Amendment rights and engage in censorship that would violate the First Amendment, because theyre not state actors. Theyre private entities, so I think they get to decide what goes on their platforms and what doesnt. So I think theyre going to win these cases.

It does raise a bigger issue, though, of how to think about social media platforms. On the one hand, they want to say, Were publishers and we should enjoy the same editorial discretion that the New York Times enjoys. On the other hand, they say, But were not publishers when it comes to defamation laws, because there we get this immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Were just a platform! Were like the soap box in the town square, were not involved in content in any way, we just provide this place where people can come and talk. So it kind of seems they want to have it both ways.

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At some point we have to adjust the way we think about social media platforms. They dont really fit squarely into any category, so I think we need to think carefully. Were probably overdue for some adjustments to Section 230. I dont know exactly what that might look like, but it does feel like a little bit of a square peg in a round hole the way were trying to deal with it right now.

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And then weve got this other case coming down the pike in the Murthy caseabout whether the Biden administration violated the First Amendment when it asked social media companies to consider removing certain content that was dangerous to public safety, about COVID remedies and other kinds of things.

I suspect that their ability to jawbone with social media companies should remain permissible. But that is a concern too. How heavy-handed can they be in telling social media companies what they can and cannot post? I think as long as its a request and not a demand, it should be OK. But were really struggling with figuring out how we deal with this huge part of our lives that doesnt really fit any of our traditional ideas of how speech works.
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As a small business owner, freelancer, or entrepreneur, you understand the importance of making well-informed decisions. One choice you might not have considered yet is the selection of an American flag for your business or personal use. This guide will cover everything you need to know about buying US flags, including materials, sizes, care tips, and FAQs. The aim is to help you make the best choice possible for you.

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The American flag serves as a powerful symbol of national pride and unity, reflecting our shared values and history. When you fly an American flag outside your business or home, youre not only showcasing your patriotism but also fostering a sense of community among your fellow citizens.

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The American flag has evolved throughout our nations history, with each change reflecting significant events and milestones. Flying the flag is an opportunity to honor the sacrifices and achievements of those who have come before us, making it a meaningful choice for your business or personal use.

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Whether youre celebrating a national holiday, commemorating a special event, or showing support for our military, American flags play an essential role in these occasions. Displaying the flag is a simple yet powerful way to contribute to the festive atmosphere while promoting a sense of national pride.

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There are a few factors to consider when looking to purchase high-quality flags online. Here are the most important ones:

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Outdoor American flags are typically made from more durable materials like nylon and polyester, with reinforced stitching and corners to withstand the elements. Indoor flags are often made from materials like cotton, with additional features like embroidered stars and sewn stripes. Make sure to select a flag suitable for its intended purpose, be it outdoor or indoor use.

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Specialty stores like Valley Forge Flags and Annin Flagmakers focus on providing high-quality flags and flag-related products. These stores often manufacture flags in the USA and are committed to delivering exceptional craftsmanship and durability. Both of these sellers and many others, offer their merchandise on Amazon and other online retailers.

Our Top Picks: American Flags for Sale

When it comes to selecting American flags, especially for businesses and public displays, its more than just a purchase; its an investment in a symbol of national pride and heritage. The right flag not only represents your respect for the country but also reflects on your businesss image. Quality, durability, and appropriateness are paramount. Whether its for indoor, outdoor, ceremonial, or everyday display, each aspect of the flag needs careful consideration. Heres how we evaluate American flags for our recommendations:

Material Quality: Durability and suitability for the intended use (e.g., cotton for ceremonial use, polyester or nylon for outdoor longevity). Scale of Importance: 9/10 Size and Proportion: Ensuring the flag size is appropriate for the flagpole and the setting. Scale of Importance: 8/10 Color Fastness: Resistance to fading, especially for flags intended for outdoor use. Scale of Importance: 8/10 Weather Resistance: Ability to withstand various weather conditions without deteriorating. Scale of Importance: 9/10 Craftsmanship: Quality of stitching, stars, stripes, and grommets, ensuring the flag doesnt fray or tear easily. Scale of Importance: 9/10 Flag Code Compliance: Adherence to the United States Flag Code in terms of dimensions, colors, and design. Scale of Importance: 10/10 Mounting and Display Options: Availability of compatible hardware for different display settings. Scale of Importance: 7/10 Price and Value for Money: Finding a balance between cost and the quality of the flag. Scale of Importance: 7/10 Brand Reputation and Warranty: Trustworthiness of the manufacturer and availability of guarantees or warranties. Scale of Importance: 6/10 Eco-Friendliness: Preference for flags made with sustainable practices and materials. Scale of Importance: 5/10

Annin Flagmakers American Flag

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Star Spangled Flags Polyester American Flag

Star Spangled Flags Polyester American Flags are expertly crafted in the USA with a focus on durability and quality.

This flag features embroidered stars and sewn stripes, with lock-stitching on all seams and quadruple stitching on the fly end for extended durability. Designed with attention to detail, the flag includes water-resistant material and 2 sturdy brass grommets on a thick polyester canvas header.

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Star Spangled Flags Polyester American Flag

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Made in USA Flags Polyester All Weather American Flag

This flag boasts lock-stitching on all seams and vibrant red, white, and blue stripes that are individually sewnnot printed. The embroidered white stars have a high thread count, creating a raised and detailed appearance.

Dimensions: 58 ft

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Made in USA Flags Polyester All Weather American Flag

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Grace Alley Outdoor American Flag

Crafted by American workers, this flag is made with all-American materials and is Flag Code compliant. The 46 US Flag is constructed from Durawavez nylon to endure various outdoor environments. Its polyester heading adds strength, and the flag features four-point needle fly hemstitching and durable brass grommets.

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Valley Forge Sleeved American Flag

The Valley Forge Sleeved American Flag is 100% made in the United States and certified by the Flag Manufacturers Association of America (FMAA). This flag is ideal for five-foot residential flagpoles and features a sleeve with a leather tab on the left edge for secure attachment to a flagpole.

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Grace Alley 3 Pack of Outdoor American Flags

Grace Alley brings you a 3-Pack of 35 ft outdoor American Flags, designed for outdoor use and 100% made in the USA. Each flag in the pack is crafted with Durawavez Nylon, offering high wind durability and weather resistance for outdoor environments. The American flags feature a polyester heading for added strength, a four-point needle fly hem, brass grommets for secure attachment, and sewn and embroidered stripes and stars.

Dimensions: 35 ft (3-Pack)

Material: American-made Durawavez Nylon

Made in the USA

Fade-resistant and long-lasting

Polyester heading for added strength

Brass grommets for durability

1-year, no-questions-asked warranty

Grace Alley 3 Pack of Outdoor American Flags

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Annin Flagmakers Tough-Tex Polyester Flag

Introducing the Annin Flagmakers Tough-Tex Polyester Flag: a 610 ft. U.S. flag designed for industrial, commercial, or institutional use. This flag boasts bright and bold colors achieved using SolarGuard dyes, processed for sun protection. It features 50 embroidered white stars and 13 sewn red and white stripes, with four rows of stitching on the fly hem for enhanced durability.

Dimensions: 610 ft

Material: Premium 2-ply polyester

Made in the USA and FMAA certified

Vibrant SolarGuard dyes for sun protection

Rust-proof grommets

Annin Flagmakers Tough-Tex Polyester Flag

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DANF Flags TearProof Series Outdoor American Flags

The 35 ft TearProof Series American Flag from DANF FLAG is crafted to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. This flag is made of robust 200GSM spun polyester and features advanced water-repellent, UV protection, and fade-resistant treatments to ensure its colors stay bright and true.

Featuring real brass grommets, this outdoor-ready flag is designed with longevity in mind. Four rows of stitching on the fly edge prevent rapid wear and tear, making this flag an enduring symbol of American craftsmanship.

Dimensions: 35 ft

Material: 100% spun polyester

Made in the USA

Fade-resistant and weather-resistant

Embroidered stars, sewn stripes

Brass grommets for secure display

DANF Flags TearProof Series Outdoor American Flags

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SYII American Flag with Gold Fringed Hem

The SYII American Flag is crafted with quality and attention to detail. This 35 foot flag is designed with a banner-style pole sleeve and showcases gold fringed edges that add elegance to its appearance. Constructed with heavy-duty polyester, its well-suited for both indoor and outdoor use.

Dimensions: 35 feet

Material: Durable polyester

Made in the USA

Luxury embroidered white stars

Pole sleeve for easy display

SYII American Flag with Gold Fringed Hem

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Caring for Your American Flag

Proper Flag Storage and Maintenance

Proper care and storage of your American flag will ensure it stays beautiful and durable for years to come. When not in use, store your flag in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. If your flag becomes dirty or stained, clean it according to the manufacturers instructions, typically using a mild detergent and lukewarm water. Allow the flag to air dry thoroughly before storing it.

How to Clean and Preserve Your Flag

Cleaning your flag regularly will help maintain its vibrant colors and prevent damage from dirt and pollutants. For outdoor flags, consider using a flagpole with a rotating collar to reduce flag wear caused by tangling. Additionally, remove your flag during severe weather conditions to minimize potential damage.

Tips for Displaying Your Flag Respectfully

Follow the US Flag Code guidelines to ensure youre displaying the American flag respectfully. Hang the flag with the union (blue field with stars) at the top left, whether displayed horizontally or vertically. When flown at half-staff, raise the flag to its peak before lowering it to the halfway point. Be mindful of lighting requirements if your flag is displayed outdoors 24/7; it should be illuminated during nighttime hours.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there specific guidelines for displaying an American flag?

Yes, the US Flag Code provides guidelines for displaying the American flag respectfully. Adhering to these guidelines demonstrates patriotism and respect for our nations history and values.

What are the differences between nylon and polyester flags?

Nylon flags are lightweight and fly easily in the wind, making them ideal for mild weather conditions. Polyester flags are more durable and better suited for harsh weather, as they can withstand high winds and prolonged sun exposure.

How can I ensure my flag lasts longer outdoors?

Choose a flag made from durable materials like nylon or polyester and follow proper care and maintenance guidelines. Additionally, consider investing in a flagpole with a rotating collar to reduce wear from tangling.

Are there any laws or regulations regarding flag size and display?

While there are no specific laws governing flag size or display, following the US Flag Code guidelines ensures respectful and appropriate flag use.

Can I customize my American flag with my business logo?

It is not recommended to alter the design of the American flag, as it may be seen as disrespectful. Instead, consider creating a custom flag featuring your business logo alongside the American flag or incorporating patriotic elements into your logo design.

Choosing the perfect American flag for your business or personal use involves considering factors such as material, size, intended use, and where to buy the flag. Our comprehensive guide aims to help you make an informed decision, ensuring that you find a flag that meets your needs while promoting patriotism and supporting American businesses.

Remember to follow proper care and maintenance guidelines to keep your flag looking beautiful and durable for years to come. With the information provided in this guide, youll be well-equipped to choose an American flag that you can proudly display and cherish for years to come.

Save money on shipping costs for your Amazon purchases. Plus, enjoy thousands of titles from Amazons video library with an Amazon Prime membership. Learn more and sign up for a free trial today.
Businesses must file annual federal income tax returns by a set due date. However, the rules impacting filing extensions are often confusing, which is responsible for business tax extension myths that people believe. Find out what is true so you wont be held responsible by following myths that have no merit.

For partnerships and S corporations on a calendar year, the deadline is March 15, 2024; for calendar-year C corporations and sole proprietors, the deadline is April 15, 2024. Businesses that cant meet the deadline may obtain a filing extension.

Tax Extension Myths

Here are five mythsand the realities of filing extensions.

Myth: You need a good reason for requesting a filing extension.

Reality: You dont need to give a reason to the IRS when requesting a filing extension. Common reasons why extensions are used are missing records needed for return preparation, busy CPAs or other tax return preparers, or just procrastination. Again, whatever the reason a business may have for wanting an extension, it isnt relevant to asking for and obtaining more time to file.

Myth: No action is required to obtain a filing extension.

Reality: While there are some situations that result in automatic extensions (explained later), in most cases, to get an extension, you need to request one no later than the original due date of the return.

C corporations, S corporations, and partnerships use Form 7004 to ask for an extension.

to ask for an extension. Sole proprietors and independent contractors, who file Schedule C (or Schedule F for farmers) with their Form 1040 or 1040-SR, use Form 4868 or make an estimated tax payment indicating its for purposes of an extension.

As mentioned, there are several situations where more time is automatically granted for filing a return; no request is needed.

Sole proprietors who live abroad have two extra months to file and can then request an additional four months.

and can then request an additional four months. The IRS may grant additional filing time for victims of federal disasters. For example, due to the Texas winter storms in February 2021, the IRS announced an extension to June 15, 2021, for individual and business tax returns.

Myth: A filing extension gives you more time to pay your taxes.

Reality: A filing extension avoids late filing penalties but does not extend the time for paying taxes. For example, a sole proprietor whose 2020 Form 1040 is due on April 15, 2021, may obtain an extension to file the return by October 15, 2021, and avoid late filing penalties. However, any taxes unpaid as of April 15 are subject to late payment penalties, which accrue until actually paid.

Myth: A filing extension increases the risk of being audited.

Reality: There is no hard or anecdotal evidence that filing a return under an extension is an audit red flag. Returns on extension are processed in the same manner as returns filed through the usual filing deadline. While the IRS hasnt said so, it appears that an extension does not increaseor decreasethe chances of being audited.

Myth: An extension for filing a federal return automatically extends the time to file a state income tax return.

Reality: In some cases, the federal filing extension does act to extend the due date for state income tax returns. However, rules vary by state and separate state-level action is necessary. For example, New York requires C and S corporations to submit state forms , usually electronically, to obtain a six-month extension; the same is true for individuals and partnerships . Check state-level filing deadlines and the rules for obtaining extensions where desired.

Final thoughts

Think carefully about whether to obtain a filing extension. If your business is a pass-through entityan S corporation, partnership, multi-member limited liability companyan extension for the business return will delay the information needed by the owner to complete his or her personal return and necessitates requesting another extension (this one for the owner). Also, any taxpayer expecting a refund should probably not delay filing because it merely extends the interest-free loan to the government. If you are unsure about deadlines, extensions, or other federal and/or state tax matters, reach out to a tax professional.
Short profiles of the people running to become Slovakia's next head of state.

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A total of 11 candidates are running in the first round of this year's presidential election, which will take place on Saturday, March 23. Opinion polls suggest that two of the candidates are clear favourites to go through to a second round at which voters will decide who is to replace Zuzana Caputova as president in June.

We already know that the next Slovak president will be a man: in 2024, there were no successful nominations by female hopefuls, so all eleven confirmed candidates are men.

Assuming that no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the votes on March 23  a safe assumption, based on current polling and the fact that no presidential candidate has ever won more than 50 percent in the first round  the two candidates with the highest number of votes will proceed to the April 6 run-off.

Public opinion polls indicate the upcoming election will be a battle between Peter Pellegrini, leader of the Hlas party the current speaker of parliament, and Ivan Korcok, a professional diplomat who served as foreign minister between 2020 and 2022.

Below, The Slovak Spectator brings you the profiles of all 11 candidates, in the approximate order in which they have been polling recently: Peter Pellegrini, Ivan Korcok, Stefan Harabin, Igor Matovic, Jan Kubis, Andrej Danko, Krisztian Forro, Marian Kotleba, Patrik Dubovsky, Milan Nahlik, and Robert Svec.

Peter Pellegrini

Peter Pellegrini (Source: TASR)

Age: 48

Profession: Lawmaker

City: Banska Bystrica

Peter Pellegrini, chair of the Hlas party and speaker of parliament, launched his political career in 2002 as an assistant to Smer MP Lubomir Vazny. He was elected as an MP, for Smer, for the first time in 2006.

Pellegrini served in various posts in Smer-led governments, including as state secretary (i.e. deputy minister) at the Finance Ministry, as education minister, as speaker of parliament, and as deputy prime minister for investment and informatisation. In 2018 he replaced Robert Fico as prime minister after Fico was forced to step down in the wake of protests following the double murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova in February 2018.

At the 2020 general election, Pellegrini was given the number one post on the Smer partys slate. The party received the second highest number of votes, but was unable to form a government. After the election loss, Pellegrinis conflicts with Fico escalated, and he left Smer in June 2020 with a group of party colleagues. They then formed Hlas. In the 2023 early parliamentary election, the party ended third, and formed a governing coalition with Smer and the Slovak National Party (SNS).

Pellegrinis campaign motto is Slovakia needs calm already. As head of state, he says he would promote the national interests of Slovakia. At the same time, he claims that nothing would change in the foreign policy orientation of the country. While assuring voters that he would guarantee that Slovakia remains a solid part of the EU and NATO, he has declined to criticise the openly Kremlin-sympathetic and NATO-sceptical foreign policy pursued by his partys coalition partner, Smer, and his own political partner Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Find out more about the candidate (in Slovak): Web | Facebook | Instagram

Ivan Korcok

Ivan Korcok (Source: TASR)

Age: 59

Profession: Diplomat, foreign policy expert

City: Banska Bystrica

Ivan Korcok has spent nearly all of his professional life in diplomacy. He started working at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in 1993, and has since served in various posts in Slovakia and abroad, including as ambassador to Germany (2005-2009), the EU (2009-2015), and the United States (2018-2020). He was a state secretary (i.e. deputy minister) at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in 2002-2005 (during the second Mikulas Dzurinda government) and in 2015-2018 (during Robert Fico's third government).

In 2020-2022 he served as foreign minister, as a nominee of the Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party.

Korcok is running as a civic candidate. He managed to collect more than 40,000 signatures for his candidacy.

The motto of his campaign is Politely, but firmly. In the campaign, he promotes values like the rule of law, tolerance, and respect towards all democratic opinions and all minorities living in Slovakia. He stresses the need for Slovakia to maintain a clear, Western-oriented foreign policy orientation, and remain fully involved in EU and NATO structures.

Find out more about the candidate (in Slovak): Web | Facebook | Instagram

Stefan Harabin

Stefan Harabin (Source: TASR)

Age: 67

Profession: Lawyer, judge, pensioner

City: Bratislava

Stefan Harabin is former chair of the Supreme Court and a former minister. He ran also in the 2019 presidential election, ending third.

Until 1989, Harabin worked at the district court in Poprad, eastern Slovakia, and after the revolution worked at the regional court in Kosice. In 1991, he was elected a member of the Supreme Court, and served as its president in 1998-2003 and 2009-2014. Between 2006 and 2009, Harabin was justice minister in the first Fico government, as a nominee of Vladimir Meciar's Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS).

Harabin founded the Homeland (Vlast) party in 2019. The party has failed to win seats in any parliamentary elections.

In his campaign, he promotes values like peace, Slovakias dignity, law and justice for everyone, family and bread. Harabin is a strong critic of the EU, and an outspoken supporter of Russia and its all-out invasion of Ukraine.

Find out more about the candidate (in Slovak): Web (also English version available) | Instagram | Telegram

Igor Matovic

Igor Matovic (Source: TASR)

Age: 50

Profession: Lawmaker

City: Trnava

Igor Matovic, chair of the Slovensko movement (former Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OLaNO)), entered politics in 2010 as an MP elected on the SaS slate. He made it into parliament thanks to preferential votes, despite running from the last spot on SaS's candidate list. Matovic was kicked out of the SaS caucus for supporting a parliamentary proposal submitted by Smer, thus violating the coalition agreement.

He later founded his own party, OLaNO, which has been elected to every parliament since 2012. In 2020, it came first in the parliamentary election.

As a result of that victory, Matovic became prime minister, but was forced to resign after little more than a year, in 2021, for his mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic and as a result of roiling conflicts in the then-ruling coalition. He took the post of finance minister in the subsequent Eduard Heger government, but resigned in December 2022.

Even though he acknowledges that he has little chance of making it to the second round, Matovic says he decided to run for president to create a corridor for the truth and also pose unpleasant questions to other candidates.

Find out more about the candidate (in Slovak): Facebook | Instagram

Jan Kubis

Jan Kubis (Source: TASR)

Age: 72

Profession: Diplomat, lecturer

City: Bratislava

Former diplomat Jan Kubis is running as a civic candidate.

He has worked at the Foreign Ministry and in various international posts during his diplomatic career. He was Slovakia's ambassador to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva, and served in high functions in the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). He was appointed UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon in 2019, and as head of the UN Support Mission in Libya in January 2021. He served as the first special representative of the EU for the Middle East.

In 2006-2009, Kubis served as foreign affairs minister in the first Robert Fico government, as a nominee of Vladimir Meciar's Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS).

The motto of his presidential candidacy is Love to Slovakia, respect abroad. He stresses that he is a Slovak in the heart, a diplomat in the head and would use his experience as a diplomat to resolve conflicts.

Find out more about the candidate (in Slovak): Web | Facebook | Instagram

Andrej Danko (withdrawal on March 18)

Andrej Danko (Source: TASR)

Age: 49

Profession: Lawmaker

City: Bratislava

Andrej Danko is the leader of the Slovak National Party (SNS) and currently one of parliament's four deputy speakers.

Between 2006 and 2010 he served as an assistant to several SNS MPs, becoming leader of the party in 2012 after the party lost all its seats in that year's election. In 2016, the SNS re-entered parliament and joined the third Fico government; Danko was appointed speaker of parliament. In 2020, SNS once again failed to win any seats, but once again returned to parliament in 2023, and joined the fourth Fico government.

Danko, an admirer of Vladimir Putin and Hungarian premier Viktor Orban, managed to collect about 20,000 signatures in support of his candidacy. In his campaign, he has focused on topics like stability, the preservation of the current ruling coalition, and tough measures against those who, he says, have stolen millions of euros from the state. He says he wants to investigate "what happened in the country" during the previous coalition government of OLaNO, SaS, Sme Rodina and Za Ludi.

In recent months, he has been mocked for crashing his car into a traffic light pole in early January and leaving the scene without calling the police. The case remains under investigation.

The motto of his campaign is: Andrej Danko  a president who will never betray you.

Find out more about the candidate (in Slovak): Facebook | Instagram | Telegram

Krisztian Forro

Krisztian Forro (Source: TASR)

Age: 48

Profession: Politician

City: Velka Maca (Galanta district)

Krisztian Forro, chair of the non-parliamentary Hungarian minority political party Aliancia - Szovetseg, is the only ethnic Hungarian candidate in the 2024 presidential election.

Forro joined the Party of the Hungarian Coalition (SMK) in 2004, and served as its last chair in 2020-2021. The SMK then formed the newly created Aliancia - Szovetseg together with two other political parties representing the Hungarian minority in Slovakia, and he became the new party's chair.

Forro is running as a civic candidate. He collected nearly 30,000 signatures from citizens. In the campaign he has emphasised Hungarian-related topics. He also wants to finance the campaign from his own resources and from supporters' gifts.

As for foreign policy, he said that Ukraine deserves humanitarian aid, but that he does not think the delivery of weapons is the right solution. He does not oppose Ukraines EU membership if it meets the conditions, the SITA newswire reported.

Find out more about the candidate (in Hungarian): Web | Facebook | Instagram

Marian Kotleba

Marian Kotleba (Source: SITA)

Age: 47

Profession: Politician

City: Banska Bystrica

Marian Kotleba chairs the far-right Kotlebovci  People's Party Our Slovakia (LSNS) party. He also ran in the previous presidential election in 2019, in which he ended fourth.

In 2003, he became leader of the extremist party Slovenska Pospolitost, which was later banned and dissolved by the courts. In 2010, he took control of the Friends of Wine Party (Strana priatelov vina), and transformed it into the LSNS.

In a shock result at the time, Kotleba was elected as governor of the Banska Bystrica Self-Governing Region in 2013 (serving until 2017), and then as an MP in 2016-2022. At the 2023 election, his party failed to pass the 5-percent threshold.

In April 2022, Kotleba was convicted for expressing sympathy towards a movement suppressing basic rights and freedoms. He was given a conditional sentence, but lost his seat as an MP. In 2023, the Specialised Criminal Court ruled that Kotleba had proved during his probation that he could lead a proper life, so he was able to run for president, SITA reported.

Find out more about the candidate (in Slovak): Facebook | Instagram | Telegram

Patrik Dubovsky

Patrik Dubovsky (Source: TASR)

Age: 59

Profession: Historian

City: Dunajska Streda

Historian Patrik Dubovsky, who studied at University College London, works at the Nations Memory Institute (UPN).

He worked at the Culture Ministry, and also the Government Office. In 2004, he started working at the UPN, where he focuses on religious persecution and civic resistance during the communist regime in Czechoslovakia.

He started his political career in the 1990s in the Democratic Party (DS). In 2020 he ran for parliament on the Za Ludi party slate, but was not elected.

Dubovsky came to public attention when he filed a criminal complaint against Deputy Speaker of Parliament Lubos Blaha (Smer) for replacing the official portrait of the president with a portrait of Cuban communist revolutionary Che Guevara in his office. Subsequently, he received anonymous threats.

Find out more about the candidate (in Slovak): Facebook | Instagram

Milan Nahlik

Milan Nahlik (Source: Facebook/Milan Nahlik vlastenec)

Age: 48

Profession: Police officer

City: Bratislava

Milan Nahlik is a former police officer.

In the 2020 parliamentary election, he ran on the slate of the nationalist party Voice of the People (Hlas Ludu), which did not make it into parliament.

On his Facebook account, he supports Slovakia's departure from the EU.

Find out more about the candidate (in Slovak): Facebook

Robert Svec (withdrawal on March 20)

Robert Svec. (Source: TASR)

Age: 47

Profession: Political scientist

City: Nitra

Robert Svec is the chair of the Slovak Revival Movement (Slovenske Hnutie Obrody), a nationalist party. He ran in the 2019 presidential election, but received less than 1 percent of the vote.

He supports Slovakias departure from the EU and NATO, wants to drop the euro as the national currency and return to the Slovak crown, and says he will introduce a ban on LGBT+ symbols. For years, he has praised Jozef Tiso, the president of Slovakia's Nazi-allied wartime state, at events organised by his party, SITA reported.

Find out more about the candidate (in Slovak): Web | Facebook
Back in October, Neumann Gruppe USA, in conjunction with the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity (CCRE), began accepting applications for their third class of NKG Pace, a paid yearlong training program providing hands-on experience to Black coffee professionals wanting to start a career in the green coffee trade. And now, after multiple rounds of interviews, the class of 2024-25 has been set.

Announced via press release, this years class underwent a rigorous assessment cycle, including the application, a letter of recommendation, multiple interviews, and a multi-part sensory assessment. And in the end, two individuals were chosen to continue on in the program. Jasmin Mitchell is an Army veteran and coffee professional currently based in Dallas, Texas who will join Atlas Coffee Importers in Edmonds, Washington. My goal is to open a coffee concept that serves and promotes healing through coffee, plants and love (community). Im passionate about the work that I do and have a deep love for those whom I have the pleasure of working with and serving, Mitchell states. Community means everything to me, as it has had a huge impact on my life post Covid.

Zion Browns coffee journey began at Pascals Coffeehouse in Gainesville, Florida and has recently taken him to Ethiopia and Rwanda as part of Cxffeeblacks Barista Exchange Program. This was a significant chapter in my coffee story. I traveled to the very origins of coffee, where I interacted with growers, learned about the histories and customs of Black Coffee culture prior to colonization, and worked with others to imagine its future restoration for the diaspora, Brown says in the press release. He will be joining InterAmerican Coffee and Rothfos Corporation in Hoboken, N.J. Both Mitchell and Browns tenures begin May 1st.

Along with this years class, NKG Pace also announced that they will be opening up to the public one lecture a month to increase the availability of free industry information that might aid under-represented professionals in advancing in the U.S. coffee industry. The topics and dates for those lectures will be made public in the near future.

For more information on the class of 2024-25 or to learn more about the public lecture topics once available, visit NKG Paces official website.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/abandonment-issues-what-macrons-verbal-bravado-on-ukraine-conceals-1117270534.html

Abandonment Issues: What Macrons Verbal Bravado on Ukraine Conceals

Abandonment Issues: What Macrons Verbal Bravado on Ukraine Conceals

Sputnik International

In the wake of his explosive remarks late last month about not ruling out sending NATO troops to Ukraine, the French president has scheduled and repeatedly postponed traveling to Kiev. Sputnik asked a Europe-based foreign affairs observer about whats behind the French leaders tough guy posture, and what it may secretly conceal.

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analysis

emmanuel macron

donald trump

sebastien lecornu

ukraine

russia

france

nato

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The Elysee Palace confirmed Sunday that President Emmanuel Macron would be postponing a planned visit to Ukraine which was expected to take place later this week to some time in the coming weeks. This is the third time in a month that Macron has pushed backed the trip, for reasons which remain unclear.Macron made headlines in late February after hinting at the possibility of NATO troops being deployed in Ukraine to fight Russia, with Paris gradually walking back those remarks after a major backlash both in France and among other members of the NATO alliance.There were hypotheses clearly put on the table but not combat ground troops as may have been said here or there, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu assured in an interview with French television late last week, implying that Macron had been misunderstood.Macrons verbal bravado proves the French leader is trying to be more Catholic than the Pope, Adriel Kasonta, a London-based foreign affairs analyst and journalist, told Sputnik. However, Pope Francis advises Ukraine to sit with Russia at the negotiating table, the commentator pointed out.Kasonta believes the loud anti-Russian rhetoric coming out of Paris regarding the Ukraine crisis comes in large part out of terror among European elites over the prospects of Donald Trump returning to power in November and somehow disrupting transatlantic security bonds.European officials are concerned that a Trump presidency will disrupt NATO, which is the main reason why we see discussions about the possibility of putting NATO troops on the ground in Ukraine, and the prism of further escalation, the observer explained. Europe is concerned that if the US abandons it, it could become vulnerable to a possible Russian invasion. Therefore, European leaders are making empty threats directed towards Moscow.Ultimately, Kasonta believes that the danger of this paranoia, which has been fueled by years of propaganda against Russia poses a real threat of escalating into a hot war  possibly even going nuclear, if not tamped down.Baltic leaders have praised Macrons outside of the box thinking on the prospect of Western troops in Ukraine. What Macron is reminding everyone and bringing again to the forefront is the sense of urgency. This is what is needed, Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins said in a joint press conference with his Lithuanian, Estonian and Ukrainian counterparts last week.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/pope-francis-urges-zelensky-to-save-lives-find-courage-to-end-conflict-1117235173.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240229/germany-mulls-re-obtaining-nuclear-arms-names-trump-among-reasons-1117063031.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/eu-nuclear-umbrella-to-embolden-member-states-to-use-french-nukes-politician-warns-1117251223.html

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Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

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Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

why is france not ruling out troops in ukraine, why is europe terrified of trump presidency
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/canada-rebukes-us-over-snag-with-nasams-delivery-to-ukraine---1117248811.html

Canada Rebukes US Over Snag With NASAMS Delivery to Ukraine

Canada Rebukes US Over Snag With NASAMS Delivery to Ukraine

Sputnik International

It has been over a year since Ottawa promised to donate NASAMS worth 406 million Canadian dollars to Ukraine, yet the delivery of the air defense systems... 11.03.2024, Sputnik International

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world

canada

ukraine

nasams

us arms for ukraine

bill blair

nato

joe biden

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Canadas defense minister has accused the United States of delaying the delivery of NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine, the Edmonton Journal reported. Weve tried to expedite that. Unfortunately the Americans ran into some challenges in their own funding envelope, Bill Blair was quoted as saying on Sunday, as he visited the CFB Edmonton base.The minister noted that without the purchase deal between Washington and Ottawa, his country would need years to acquire the NASAMS via the standard procurement process.Ottawa announced the donation of the system worth 406 million Canadian dollars (approximately US $303 million) to the Kiev regime in January 2023. The arrangement was that Canada would cover the costs, but would avoid having to apply to the US government for approval to send the system to Ukraine, as is the case with American military technology sold outside the country.While the Canadian Ministry of Defense has already given the money for the NASAMS to the US government, Washington is yet to finalize the deal.He added that "We want it delivered as quickly as possible."According to US media reports, the Pentagon signed a US $1.2 billion contract with Raytheon for the NASAMS systems meant for Kiev in November 2022. Furthermore, a public notice of the contract is quoted as stating November 2025 as the completion date. The delay comes as the Biden administrations request for another $60 billion for Kiev is still in limbo in the US Congress due to the position of the Republican majority in the House of Representatives. The previously allocated funds ran out last December. Republican lawmakers are currently working on an alternative aid package for Kiev, which might be partially offered as a loan, NBC News reported on Saturday, citing US lower house officials.Although NATO countries have sent close to $125 billion worth of advanced military equipment to Ukraine over the past two years to fuel the proxy war against Russia, the Kiev regime has had little to show for it on the battlefield. Russia has been steadily churning through the costly NATO hardware while ramping up its own domestic defense production. At the same time, Western countries are increasingly facing critical shortages of even basic ammunition after draining their stocks in the rush to prop up Ukraine.Moscow has repeatedly warned NATO countries that by supplying arms to Ukraine, they are both prolonging the conflict and dangerously escalating it. Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, for his part, underscored that any cargo with weapons for the Zelensky regime would become a legitimate target for Russian forces.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230525/was-nasams-successful-in-ukraine-1110585927.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240304/abrams-himars-nasams-and-iris-ts-list-of-pricey-nato-weapons-russia-has-destroyed-in-ukraine-1117124676.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/danish-training-of-ukrainian-f-16-pilots-delayed-over-language-problems---reports-1117250609.html

Danish Training of Ukrainian F-16 Pilots Delayed Over Language Problems - Reports

Danish Training of Ukrainian F-16 Pilots Delayed Over Language Problems - Reports

Sputnik International

Training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots conducted by Denmark has been slowed and delayed for several months due to the soldiers' lack of fluency in English, The New York Times reported on Monday, citing Danish officials.

2024-03-11T07:33+0000

2024-03-11T07:33+0000

2024-03-11T07:33+0000

military

denmark

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kiev

sergey lavrov

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f-16 fighter jet

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Training for the Ukrainian pilots began in August 2023 at Denmarks Skrydstrup Air Base, but took longer than expected over their lack of language skills and poor knowledge of Western flying techniques, the officials said. The Ukrainian pilots were reportedly ready to operate F-16s only in January. In August, Danish and US authorities reportedly said that the pilots insufficient language skills would make F-16 flight training more complex and would require additional language courses. Last July, an international coalition was formed to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s, the fighter jets of its choice, spearheaded by Denmark and the Netherlands. According to Ukrainian defense officials, the coalition also includes Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The White House has confirmed that Kiev will receive the US-made jets from third parties as soon as the Ukrainian pilots finish their training. 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/20240221/us-training-12-ukrainian-pilots-on-f-16s-in-2024-will-graduate-this-summer---air-force-1116897564.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/does-life-exist-on-jupiters-moon-new-data-may-be-getting-closer-to-answer-1117263485.html

Does Life Exist on Jupiters Moon? New Data May Be Getting Closer to Answer

Does Life Exist on Jupiters Moon? New Data May Be Getting Closer to Answer

Sputnik International

Europa, one of Jupiter's largest moons, produces insufficient oxygen to sustain life.

2024-03-11T15:30+0000

2024-03-11T15:30+0000

2024-03-11T15:30+0000

beyond politics

princeton university

florida institute of technology

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jupiter

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Recent data from NASA's Juno spacecraft, which orbits Jupiter, suggests that if anything is concealed within the depths of this moon's shadow, it may lack oxygen. The discovery, published in Nature Astronomy, was based on analysis of data transmitted by NASAs Juno spacecraft while orbiting Jupiter during a quick flyby in September 2022.Jamey Szalay and his research team at Princeton University concluded that while the moon's surface releases hydrogen abundantly, it only produces a mere 18 kilograms of oxygen per second.This falls significantly short of the approximately 1,000 kilograms per second predicted by previous computer models.Despite this shortfall, recent oxygen estimates "are still compatible with microbial habitability for life as we know it," noted astrobiologist Manasvi Lingam of the Florida Institute of Technology, who was not involved in the study.Water bodies buried beneath Europa's surface are assumed to be nutrient-deficient due to their isolation and the absence of sunlight, which powers photosynthesis.But nutrients stockpiled on the oceans' ice-covered rooves over hundreds of millions of years could have been transported by several geological processes to greater depths below. The scarcity of sunlight is "not necessarily a death knell for life in subsurface oceans," remarked Lingam.Europa's atmosphere has a delicate layer of oxygen hugging the moon's surface under a thicker layer of hydrogen. Hydrogen and oxygen continuously replenish the moon's thin air as they escape its radiation-filled icy shell. Szalay explains that these elements are bouncing around...every once in a while, one of them pops off."During Junos few minutes flypast of Europa, its JADE (Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment) instrument detected free hydrogen atoms within the moons environs. It calculated 100 million atoms during its short passage. The Princeton team reverse-engineered how much oxygen is dissipated on the moon's surface and then determined the quantity of oxygen it produces. According to research co-author and JADE instrument lead Frederic Allegrini of the Southwest Research Institute in Texas, means theres no doubt that they come from Europa.Kevin Hand from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a scientist not part of the recent research, has lauded the latest findings as very intriguing. But oxygen is only part of the story, he said.Hands earlier study with his team revealed that the yellowish-brown material covering much of Europa's surface is salt, suggesting the presence of hydrothermal vents on the moons seafloor. That raises the possibility of an energy source that could foster microorganisms like on our planet.Hands and his colleagues also confirmed parts of Europas frosty shell are rich in Epsom salt. Earths microbial life loves to chew away on sulfate. The sulfate on the surface implies that it could also seep into Europa's ocean, significantly enhancing its habitability.Life on Earth likely emerged around four billion years ago. On theory says life could have begun at hydrothermal vents on the seafloor, supplying energy that formed complex organic molecules. Our planet was oxygen-starved for the first half of its existence. The emergence of Earth's atmospheric oxygen is attributed to the evolution of cyanobacteria, capable of oxygen-producing photosynthesis, around two billion years ago.Astrobiologists are gearing up for NASA's Europa Clipper mission scheduled for 2030, following Juno into an orbit near Jupiter. Like Juno, Clipper will avoid orbiting Europa to escape Jupiter's intense radiation belts. It will circle the gas giant while making around 50 flybys of the moon over four years.That mission aims to map Europa's interior and assess its subsurface ocean depth, potentially measuring oxygen abundance just 25 kilometers above its icy surface.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230922/scientists-find-carbon-on-jupiters-moon-europa-raising-questions-about-habitability-1113595323.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231103/salts-organic-compounds-discovered-on-jupiters-ocean-moon-ganymede-1114703599.html

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jupiter's largest moons, europa, nasa's juno spacecraft, jovian auroral distributions experiment, jade, epsom salt, table salt on europa, europa flybys, europa's ocean, microbial habitability for life on europa.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/eu-nuclear-umbrella-to-embolden-member-states-to-use-french-nukes-politician-warns-1117251223.html

EU Nuclear Umbrella to Embolden Member States to Use French Nukes, Politician Warns

EU Nuclear Umbrella to Embolden Member States to Use French Nukes, Politician Warns

Sputnik International

The idea of the EU's nuclear umbrella could lead to other countries using France's nuclear potential, even though France might not be under any threat, the leader of France's Patriots party and candidate for the European Parliament elections, Florian Philippot, told RIA Novosti.

2024-03-11T09:17+0000

2024-03-11T09:17+0000

2024-03-11T09:17+0000

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florian philippot

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Earlier in the year, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Paris had a responsibility to defend the European Union. He added that France's interests had a European dimension, which gave Paris a special responsibility that, in particular, affects French deterrence capabilities. The assertion, Filippot said, means that Macron effectively offered to share French nuclear weapons. Such statements indicate that the French president is not guided by the country's national interest, he added. In February, European Parliament Vice-President Katarina Barley said in an interview with the Tagesspiegel newspaper that the creation of the EU's own nuclear umbrella to replace the US umbrella could become a topic of discussion at the European level. At the same time, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner spoke in favor of greater cooperation with France and the United Kingdom on nuclear deterrence.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221027/us-could-deploy-upgraded-nuclear-bomb-in-eu-in-december-reports-say-1102752501.html

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eu's nuclear umbrella, france's patriots party, french nuclear arms
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/eu-reacts-to-popes-peace-call-rudest-anti-catholic-critique-comes-from-poland-1117270048.html

EU Reacts to Popes Peace Call: Rudest Anti-Catholic Critique Comes From Poland

EU Reacts to Popes Peace Call: Rudest Anti-Catholic Critique Comes From Poland

Sputnik International

The recent call by the Roman Catholic Pope Francis II for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine under the white flag was met with reproach and insults from Western politicians  especially in Germany and Poland.

2024-03-11T17:25+0000

2024-03-11T17:25+0000

2024-03-11T19:25+0000

pope francis

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Pope Francis II has come under fire from staunchly-Catholic Poland for urging Ukraine to seek peace with Russia.The Pontiff made his comments in an interview with journalist Lorenzo Busccella for Swiss RSI TV, recorded in February  which was was only broadcast last week.Busccella asked the Argentine head of the Roman Catholic church for his view on calls for a peace talks between Kiev and Russia  which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has banned by decree.The word to negotiate is a courageous word. When you see that you are being overwhelmed militarily, that the situation is developing in an unfavorable way for you, then you should have the courage to negotiate," Francis continued."You should not be ashamed of negotiating, because otherwise  how many more dead are you going to have? Negotiate and look for an intermediary," he added, naming Turkiye as one candidate.He stressed that Zelensky should "feel ashamed" if he failed to seek peace and "the situation gets worse!In the interview, in Italian and aimed at Swiss Catholics, the Pope confirmed his readiness to step in as a mediator between the warring parties under the authority of the Holy See in Rome.Some of the strongest critique of the Pope's comments came from Ukrainian foreign minister Dmitry Kuleba, who the Pope had encouraged to make the first step towards peace.Our flag is yellow and blue. Under this flag we live, die and win. We will never raise any other flags, Kuleba said.He was echoed Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, who wrote on his X page: One does not capitulate to the evil, one fights against it and wins.Kuleba also compared Francis words to the church's stance during Hitlers rule in Germany, when Pope Pius XII kept silent about many Nazi crimes for fear of anti-Catholic repressions from the Third Reich.We remember Vaticans white flag strategy in the first half of the twentieth century. I would insist on Vaticans not repeating its past mistakes, Kuleba said.German officials went further, dismissing the peace efforts of both the Catholic and Orthodox churches and insisting that Kiev fight on until victory.As a Catholic woman, I am ashamed by the omissions and weaknesses [in the Popes statement]," liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) defese spokeswoman Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann told Tagesspiegel daily. Why, in Gods name, isnt Pope Francis criticizing the Russian Orthodox patriarch Kirill for inciting hatred against the Ukrainian people?This is a deceitful and slanderous statement from a German politician, which is unjust both to the Pope and to Patriarch Kirill and which shows how hostile the modern Western political elite is to Christianity, Vakhtang Kipshidze, deputy head of the Russian Orthodox Churchs Synod Commission on Relations with Society and Media, told Sputnik. The Russian Patriarch never incited any hatred against Ukrainians.""As for the Pope, I think his words should not be interpreted as an anti-Ukrainian statement," Kipshidze stressed. "It was a call for peace, which is unacceptable for Western politicians, because they insist on Ukraines victory at all costs.Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski echoed Strack-Zimmermans comments, despite Polands reputation as a staunchly-Catholic nation. 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, Sikorski wrote on X.Another leader of the ruling Civic Coalition, Grzegorz Schetyna, was even harsher. The Pope is pro-Russian. His statement is evidence of his total ignorance on the subject of European politics, Schetyna accused.Let me remind you that just recently Western politicians and media accused our Patriarch Kirill of being belligerent simply because he did not call for Russias surrender and gave spiritual solace to Russias soldiers, who are often sacrificing their lives now," the Russian church official said."When Pope Francis called for a step towards peace from the side of Ukraine and the West, those same politicians and media outlets in the West lashed out against him  against the head of the Catholic church, he underlined.In Kipshidze's opinion, Pope Francis peace proposal was neither a slip of tongue nor an unformed thought voiced aloud.In my opinion, Pope Francis, who had been an Argentinian bishop before being elected Pope in 2013, represents the views of the Global South on the Ukrainian conflict, Kipshidze said. He wants negotiations and some kind of a peace of the brave, that would take into account the interests of all people living on Ukraines and Russias territories, Kipshidze said.Kipshidze said it was clear that such a peace of the brave is unacceptable to the regime in Kiev and for its western sponsors, who want their Ukrainian proxies to win by any means.This is a very un-Christian approach, but typical for the modern EU, Kipshidze said. Even those parties in the EU which still have the word Christian in their names stopped defending the Christian values of peace and family long ago, he added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/pope-francis-urges-zelensky-to-save-lives-find-courage-to-end-conflict-1117235173.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230630/papal-envoy-patriarch-kirill-discuss-humanitarian-steps-on-ukraine-settlement---holy-see-1111576764.html

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pope francis, catholic church, ukrainian crisis, ukrainian conflict, war in ukraine, ukraine-russia peace negotiations
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/gas-demand-recovery-might-cause-new-price-growth-in-europe-1117268627.html

Gas Demand Recovery Might Cause New Price Growth in Europe

Gas Demand Recovery Might Cause New Price Growth in Europe

Sputnik International

Recovery of gas demand in Europe and rise of the growing competition for it in the Asian market may cause a new round of increases in European energy prices, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday.

2024-03-11T16:24+0000

2024-03-11T16:24+0000

2024-03-11T16:40+0000

economy

alexander novak

europe

russia

european union (eu)

liquefied natural gas (lng)

gas

gas pipeline

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"The EU countries are currently facing the situation when the recovery of gas demand amid relatively low prices may lead to a new increase in energy prices. Therefore, it is wrong to say that Europe has effectively replaced [gas] supplies from Russia," Novak told Russian business magazine Expert. Prices, including those for gas, remain extremely sensitive to external factors, such as competition for energy resources among the rapidly developing Asian economies, the Russian deputy prime minister said, restating that such risks could result in a new increase in energy prices in Europe. The European Union has been gradually reducing its energy imports from Russia. In 2023, Russia accounted for 15% of EU gas imports versus 45% in 2021, for 4% of oil imports versus 27% in 2021, and for 9% of oil products compared with 50% in 2021, Novak said. The decrease has been partially driven by falling consumption and the bloc's deindustrialization policy, the Russian official explained, adding that in 2023, gas consumption in the EU fell by 7% year-on-year and by approximately 20% compared with 2021, to 330 billion cubic meters. At the same time, the bloc's imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) amid the sharp reduction in pipeline gas supplies amounted to over 15 million tonnes in 2023, which is 38% more than in 2021, the Russian deputy prime minister added. Reducing energy dependence on Russia became one of the EU's top priorities after the start of the former's special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The bloc has since announced plans to phase out imports of Russian fuel as part of the sanctions pressure on Moscow. The decision has led to a sharp rise in gas prices across the EU. To curb the price hike, the European Commission presented several measures, including joint purchasing, price caps and increased energy conservation efforts. Additionally, as part of those efforts, the bloc has boosted energy cooperation with a number of countries, including the United States, Algeria and Nigeria, with a particular focus on LNG imports.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240102/how-much-has-europe-overpaid-for-gas-after-rejecting-russian-deliveries-1115896728.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/russia-supplied-76-bln-cubic-meters-of-gas-to-friendly-countries-in-2023-1116445233.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/german-chancellor-calls-for-ceasefire-in-gaza-strip-during-ramadan-1117246553.html

German Chancellor Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza Strip During Ramadan

German Chancellor Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza Strip During Ramadan

Sputnik International

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian movement Hamas during the Ramadan, as well as for the release of Israeli hostages held in the enclave.

2024-03-11T01:14+0000

2024-03-11T01:14+0000

2024-03-11T01:14+0000

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olaf scholz

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israel

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"I am confident that the vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians want the same thing - peace. A step in this direction could be a longer ceasefire: ideally during Ramadan. Such a ceasefire would finally ensure the release of Israeli hostages and an increase in the volume of humanitarian aid flowing into the Gaza Strip. The US president, me and many others advocate for this with all our persistence," Scholz said in a video message on Sunday. 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/israels-operation-in-gaza-strip-can-be-over-in-1-2-months---netanyahu-1117246362.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/germanys-baerbock-open-to-uks-taurus-swap-proposal-as-option-1117250210.html

German FM Open to UK's Taurus Swap Proposal as 'Option'

German FM Open to UK's Taurus Swap Proposal as 'Option'

Sputnik International

Germanys Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is open to David Cameron's suggestion of a swap of Taurus long-range cruise missiles for Storm Shadow missiles for their further transfer to Ukraine, Der Spiegel reported.

2024-03-11T08:35+0000

2024-03-11T08:35+0000

2024-03-11T08:53+0000

world

france

ukraine

poland

nato

annalena baerbock

david cameron

taurus cruise missile

united kingdom (uk)

olaf scholz

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Germanys Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is open to her British colleague David Cameron's suggestion of a swap of long-range cruise missiles for their further transfer to Ukraine, Der Spiegel reported. In particular, Germany could supply Taurus cruise missiles to the United Kingdom, and in return the British side would transfer Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. Thus, Berlin would formally be relieved of responsibility for providing cruise missiles to the Kiev regime, the outlet stated.That would be an option, Baerbock was quoted as saying regarding the proposed exchange on ARD's program Caren Miosga.The German minister on Sunday pointed out that exchanges of a similar nature had already taken place with respect to other material. This, according to the outlet, was a nod at Chancellor Olaf Scholz's previous use of indirect military aid to Ukraine, when he was reluctant to send Leopard 2 main battle tanks to the conflict zone. In January, 2023, Berlin announced it would send its Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks to Ukraine, also agreeing to provide re-export licenses for other countries wanting to supply these German-made armored vehicles. Within weeks of their arrival on the battlefield, Russian forces began hunting the tanks down with missiles and kamikaze drones.UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron recently came up with a potential way to persuade Germany to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles. During a recent interview with German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, he stated that London was ready to help Berlin solve problems preventing the delivery of the cruise missiles to Kiev, or consider the option of buying German missiles and then transferring British Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. Cameron did not discount the possibility of imposing certain restrictions before supplying the weaponry to Kiev.German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly dismissed the idea of providing Ukraine with missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory, as such support would come dangerously close to direct German participation in the conflict.If the swap scheme of Britain procuring Taurus missiles from Germany in exchange for supplying Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine comes to pass, Kiev would likely get the long-range missiles eventually, pundits told Sputnik.The issue of Taurus transfers made the headlines in the wake of a leaked conversation between German military officials discussing a potential attack on the Crimea Bridge.After the intercepted war talk, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again ruled out supplying the missiles to Ukraine since it could require the presence of German troops on the ground to help deploy them. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that long-range Taurus missiles would not be decisive for the conflict in Ukraine and would only help in certain areas, but that Germany does not intend to cross this line. "We have always emphasized that such long-range missiles will not solve this [crisis]," Pistorius said at a joint press conference with Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen.The Kremlin reiterated that the contents of leaked conversations between German officials proved "the direct involvement of the collective West in the conflict in Ukraine."In the wake of Ukraines bungled counteroffensive, the Zelensky regime has been pressing Germany for the delivery of the missiles, which have a range of 500 kilometers (311 miles) and could strike deep inside Russian territory.Moscow has repeatedly underscored that Western arms shipments to Kiev and the training of Ukrainian servicemen only prolong the conflict and will be unable to alter the situation at the battlefield.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240309/not-sending-taurus-missiles-to-ukraine-or-handicapping-them-only-way-to-avoid-escalation-1117233912.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240308/taurus-missiles-to-not-be-decisive-for-ukraine-crisis-germany-to-not-cross-line---official-1117209292.html

france

ukraine

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Svetlana Ekimenko

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Svetlana Ekimenko

taurus missiles for ukraine, cruise missiles for ukraine, ukrainian conflict escalation, cameron proposes missile swap with germany, taurus missiles for storm shadow missiles, nato's proxy war against russia in ukraine
"If the Americans do not give weapons and money, and the Europeans follow them, then the war will end. If the Americans do not give money, then the Europeans are not able to finance this war themselves, and then it will end. Trump is not president now, but his party interferes when the Democrats want to send money to the war. Trump said that if he returns, he will not do this, [he will] not [allocate] a penny. And then this war will end," Orban said in an interview with Hungarian broadcaster M1.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/icrc-head-meets-with-hamas-political-bureau-chairman-in-qatar---organization-1117247246.html

Red Cross President Meets Hamas Chief in Qatar

Red Cross President Meets Hamas Chief in Qatar

Sputnik International

ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric paid an official visit to Qatar, where she met with the chairman of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, as well as Qatari officials, the organization said.

2024-03-11T02:44+0000

2024-03-11T02:44+0000

2024-03-11T07:33+0000

world

qatar

gaza strip

israel

international committee of the red cross (icrc)

ismail haniyeh

hamas

israel-gaza conflict

israeli-palestinian conflict

palestine-israel conflict

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"The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited Qatar on Sunday to discuss the desperate humanitarian situation in relation to the armed conflict in Israel and Gaza. Mirjana Spoljaric met with Ismael Haniyeh, chair of Hamas' Political Bureau, and separately with authorities of the state of Qatar," the organization said on Sunday. The statement added that the ICRC is not involved in negotiations for the release of hostages in Gaza, but is ready to facilitate the implementation of the humanitarian aspects of any agreement by the parties to the conflict.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/20240311/german-chancellor-calls-for-ceasefire-in-gaza-strip-during-ramadan-1117246553.html

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icrc president mirjana spoljaric, chairman of the hamas political bureau ismail haniyeh, icrc activities in gaza conflict, hamas icrc contacts
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/oic-to-send-observers-to-presidential-election-in-russia-1117251962.html

OIC to Send Observers to Presidential Election in Russia

OIC to Send Observers to Presidential Election in Russia

Sputnik International

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will send observers to the presidential election in Russia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said on Tuesday.

2024-03-11T03:41+0000

2024-03-11T03:41+0000

2024-03-28T12:40+0000

russia

russia

organization of islamic cooperation (oic)

russian federation

presidential election

2024 russian presidential election

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"The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has decided to send its observers to the upcoming presidential election in the Russian Federation," the minister said at a meeting with OIC representatives. He added that Russia and Islamic countries are united in the inadmissibility of the imposition of neoliberal values and reject the vicious practice of unilateral restrictive measures against those countries that pursue independent policies. Russia is scheduled to hold its 2024 presidential election on March 15-17. In addition to incumbent President Vladimir Putin, the candidates include lower house international affairs committee chair Leonid Slutsky, lower house Far East and Arctic development committee chair Nikolai Kharitonov, and lower house Deputy Speaker Vladislav Davankov.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240225/inclusive-parliamentary-elections-belarus-welcomes-21-russian-candidates-to-the-ballot-1116956821.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/only-7-out-of-14-challenger-tanks-handed-over-by-uk-to-ukraine-remain-in-service---report-1117248679.html

Only 7 out of 14 Challenger Tanks Handed Over by UK to Ukraine Remain in Service - Report

Only 7 out of 14 Challenger Tanks Handed Over by UK to Ukraine Remain in Service - Report

Sputnik International

Only half of the Challenger 2 tanks handed over by the UK to Ukraine in 2023 can be used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces for combat operations, according to The Sun newspaper.

2024-03-11T06:08+0000

2024-03-11T06:08+0000

2024-03-11T07:07+0000

ukraine

united kingdom (uk)

russia

challenger 2

tank

military

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Only half of the Challenger 2 tanks handed over by the UK to Ukraine in 2023 can be used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces for combat operations, according to The Sun. As the newspaper notes, 5 of the 14 tanks are out of service and waiting for spare parts, the delivery of which from the United Kingdom could take months. One was destroyed by a Russian Lancet UAV and another is being used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to train tank crews deep behind the front lines. It is also reported that two Challenger 2 tanks were damaged in fighting, but have been repaired, with one having its gun barrel replaced.According to him, this is one of the main difficulties associated with the operation of British tanks. The tanker also said that some parts of the Challenger 2 broke "from the very beginning," while others require frequent replacement. According to him, these include some components of the tank's turret and precision targeting system, as well as rubber linings on the tracks.Another drawback of the 62.5-ton Challenger 2 is its weight. Reporters from The Sun, invited to a firing range in Ukraine "close to the front line," write how the tank, with the journalists on its turret, got stuck in a waterlogged ravine. Another tank was used to pull it out.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240307/what-helped-russias-t-72b3-tank-destroy-ukraines-abrams-1117192733.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/putin-signs-law-allowing-use-of-digital-financial-assets-in-international-payments-1117264908.html

Putin Signs Law Allowing Use of Digital Financial Assets in International Payments

Putin Signs Law Allowing Use of Digital Financial Assets in International Payments

Sputnik International

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that authorizes the usage of digital financial assets and digital utility rights, as well as digital rights that include both of these instruments simultaneously in international payments, according to the relevant document published on the official legal information portal.

2024-03-11T13:00+0000

2024-03-11T13:00+0000

2024-03-11T13:00+0000

russia

vladimir putin

bank of russia

russia

assets

foreign assets

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The initial edition of the bill touched upon modernization of financial platforms, while during the second parliamentary reading the document was amended with an opportunity of cross-border payments with the use of digital financial tools, excluding foreign financial assets. The Bank of Russia, together with a body authorized by the government, will set the conditions for separate operations of currencies with digital rights, as well as will be able to ban such operations.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240304/russia-venezuela-discussing-use-of-digital-payments-in-trade-1117125952.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/russian-government-approves-conditions-for-exchange-of-frozen-assets---finance-ministry-1117251103.html

Russian Government Approves Conditions for Exchange of Frozen Assets - Finance Ministry

Russian Government Approves Conditions for Exchange of Frozen Assets - Finance Ministry

Sputnik International

The Russian Government Commission for the control of foreign investments has approved the terms of the exchange of frozen assets, and all transactions must be completed by September 1, the Russian Finance Ministry said on Monday.

2024-03-11T09:16+0000

2024-03-11T09:16+0000

2024-03-11T09:16+0000

russia

russia

european union (eu)

russian finance ministry

ukraine

west

asset freeze

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"The Russian Government Commission for the control of foreign investments has established the procedure for calculating the total initial value of frozen foreign securities owned by one resident, and approved the terms of trading and transactions (transactions) with foreign securities," the statement said. The terms of operations are published on the website of the organizer of the auction, which is LLC "Investment Chamber". The acceptance of applications from Russians within the framework of the exchange of frozen assets will begin on March 25 and end on May 8, and Russian citizens will be able to submit more than 3,500 exchange instruments for buy back as part of the exchange-traded instruments of frozen assets, the ministry said.After the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Western and EU countries imposed comprehensive sanctions against Russia, including the freezing of nearly half of the country's foreign currency reserves. The West is estimated to hold some $300 billion in Russian central bank assets. The European Union is discussing ways to use the frozen assets to finance Ukraine's reconstruction. Russia argues this is illegal and will ruin the Wests reputation as a safe haven for global money.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240225/eu-still-undecided-about-confiscating-revenues-from-russias-frozen-assets---report-1116962395.html

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russian government, russian finance ministry, frozen assets, exchange of frozen assets
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/russias-artillery-munition-production-3-times-higher-than-in-us-europe---reports-1117266041.html

Russia's Artillery Munition Production 3 Times Higher Than in US, Europe - Reports

Russia's Artillery Munition Production 3 Times Higher Than in US, Europe - Reports

Sputnik International

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia seems to be three times ahead of the United States and European countries combined in the production of artillery ammunition, and... 11.03.2024, Sputnik International

2024-03-11T14:00+0000

2024-03-11T14:00+0000

2024-03-11T14:00+0000

military

russia

ukraine

west

artillery

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Russia's production capacity amounts to 250,000 artillery munitions per month or about 3 million annually, while the US and Europe collectively can manufacture only 1.2 million munitions per year to send to Ukraine, a senior European intelligence official told CNN. "The outcome in Ukraine depends on how each side is equipped to conduct this war," a senior NATO official told the broadcaster. Russia had to slow down the production of missiles and other weapons at the start of its special military operation in Ukraine. However, its production started to pick up steam again by the end of 2022. As a result, Russia is currently generating more ammunition than the West, The New York Times reported in September 2023, citing US, European and Ukrainian officials.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240307/watch-russian-artillery-obliterate-ukrainian-positions-1117193245.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/the-dirty-little-secret-behind-the-dramatic-debate-over-taurus-missiles-in-ukraine-1117268184.html

Dirty Little Secret Behind the Dramatic Debate Over Taurus Missiles for Ukraine

Dirty Little Secret Behind the Dramatic Debate Over Taurus Missiles for Ukraine

Sputnik International

The German government seems hopelessly split regarding whether or not to send Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev, with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock suggesting Sunday that Berlin could give Taurus to Britain and that London could in turn send Storm Shadow cruise missiles Ukraines way. But heres what most analyses on the Taurus story are missing.

2024-03-11T16:33+0000

2024-03-11T16:33+0000

2024-03-11T16:42+0000

analysis

annalena baerbock

olaf scholz

ukraine

united kingdom (uk)

germany

bundeswehr

green party

taurus cruise missile

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The potential delivery of German-made cruise missiles to Ukraine sparked a scandal in Berlin at the beginning of March, with a leaked confidential conversation between Bundeswehr commanders discussing the possible use the weapons against Russian infrastructure in Crimea prompted questions about whos really in charge in Germany  the military, or a government which has said it has no plans to send the missiles Kievs way.Foreign Minister and Green Party leader Annalena Baerbock added fuel to the fire on Sunday, saying she was open to the option tabled by her British counterpart David Cameron of sending Taurus missiles to the UK, so that London could deliver more of its Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine.Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit quickly walked back the comments on Monday, telling a briefing that the government had not altered its position on the issue, hinting at disagreement between Baerbock and the chancellor.Baerbock is always supportive of Ukraine, Mikael Valtersson, a former Swedish Armed Forces officer and the chief of staff of the Sweden Democrats Party told Sputnik, commenting on the apparent split in opinion in Berlin.The real issue, which has been overlooked by many observers looking at the missile debate, is that complex weapons systems like Germanys Taurus, Britains Storm Shadow and Frances SCALP-EG variant require support personnel to operate, with this task impossible to farm out to the Ukrainians.If Baerbock gets her way and the swap takes place, the most probable outcome will be for Germany to send maybe 100 Taurus missiles to the UK, and Britain in turn sending about 100 of its remaining Storm Shadows to Ukraine, where existing personnel and infrastructure can subsequently assist in their use against Russia.In any event, if the exchange takes place, it would frankly be a very stupid move on Londons part, according to Valtersson, who said it would indicate much more about the UKs desperation to get weapons to Ukraine than it does about shoring up Kievs capabilities.On the other hand, however, the fact that such discussions are taking place does seem to signal Londons desperation to get the weapons through, the observer believes.If the swap goes through, on top of all the technical issues associated with their deployment are the practical limitations in Kievs ability to deploy the Storm Shadows.In other words, the missiles could help Ukraine for a short while to avoid losing more ground, but it wont change the war in the long run, the observer summed up.Created in the late 1990s and introduced into service in 2003, the Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG is a 1,300 kg, 5.1 meter-long cruise missile with a 3-meter wingspan and a 450 kg warhead. The missile has an operational range of 550 km, accelerates to speeds up to Mach 0.95, and features GPS, inertial and infrared thermography guidance. The missile system is manufactured by European defense giant MDBA.Britain and France have delivered 100 or more Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles to Ukraine to date, with Paris announcing in January that it would send about 40 more of the missiles in 2024. Russian forces captured a Storm Shadow almost completely intact last year to study the missiles secrets.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/germanys-position-on-sending-taurus-cruise-missiles-to-ukraine-not-changed-1117262147.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/big-lizzie-on-fire-flagship-uk-aircraft-carrier-hit-by-blaze-in-latest-malfunction-1117243277.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240302/germany-to-be-dragged-into-ukrainian-conflict-if-taurus-missiles-delivered---official-1117085880.html

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Ilya Tsukanov

why is germany hesitating about sending taurus missiles to ukraine, why hasn't germany sent taurus missiles to kiev
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/uk-mercenary-fighting-for-ukrainian-military-commits-suicide-upon-arrival-home---reports-1117250407.html

UK Mercenary Fighting for Ukrainian Military Commits Suicide Upon Arrival Home - Reports

UK Mercenary Fighting for Ukrainian Military Commits Suicide Upon Arrival Home - Reports

Sputnik International

A UK mercenary, Harry Gregg, inspired by the country's former prime minister to fight in the lines of the Ukrainian armed forces, took his life upon arrival back home, the UK's The Telegraph newspaper reported.

2024-03-11T07:28+0000

2024-03-11T07:28+0000

2024-03-11T07:28+0000

world

united kingdom (uk)

ukraine

mercenaries

suicide

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The 25-year-old decided to join the Ukrainian military after former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss said that she would "absolutely" support anyone going to Ukraine to fight in the battle "for democracy" in 2022, the newspaper reported on Sunday. Gregg decided to go even though he had no formal military training except for a period of training as an army cadet, his family told the newspaper. When he finally came to Ukraine, the training camp he joined was bombed. He was unharmed, but his fellow soldier was seriously injured. Later he witnessed another companion die, the newspaper reported. Gregg was reportedly found dead hanged in his home the day after his 25th birthday. The Russian Defense Ministry has said on numerous occasions that the Kiev regime is using foreign mercenaries as "cannon fodder," warning that the Russian military will continue to destroy them throughout Ukraine.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230125/two-uk-mercenaries-who-fought-on-the-side-of-ukraine-reportedly-killed-near-soledar-1106672051.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/ukraine-loses-over-430-soldiers-us-made-abrams-tank-in-avdeyevka-area-in-past-day---mod-1117263133.html

Ukraine Loses Another US-made Abrams Tank in Avdeyevka Area in Past Day - Russian MoD

Ukraine Loses Another US-made Abrams Tank in Avdeyevka Area in Past Day - Russian MoD

Sputnik International

Ukraine has lost more than 430 soldiers in the Avdeyevka area over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

2024-03-11T11:28+0000

2024-03-11T11:28+0000

2024-03-11T12:09+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

avdeyevka

ukraine

kherson

m1a2 abrams

abrams tanks

russia

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Over the given period, the Russian armed forces have repelled 11 counterattacks by Ukrainian military in the Avdeyevka region, four attacks in the Kupyansk area, and one attack in the Kherson direction. Kiev has also lost up to 180 soldiers in the Donetsk direction and more than over 140 soldiers in the South Donetsk direction in the past day, the ministry added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240227/ukraine-suffers-over-444000-losses-in-manpower-since-special-ops-launch---shoigu-1117011063.html

avdeyevka

ukraine

kherson

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/watch-russian-forces-unleash-grad-mlrs-on-south-donetsk-front-1117265148.html

Watch Russian Forces Unleash Grad MLRS on South Donetsk Front

Watch Russian Forces Unleash Grad MLRS on South Donetsk Front

Sputnik International

The Russian Ministry of Defense has released footage of its Grad MLRS in action in South Donetsk, decimating enemy manpower and military hardware.

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The Russian Ministry of Defense has released footage of its Grad MLRS in action in South Donetsk, decimating enemy manpower and military hardware.Depending on the rocket type, the Grad MLRS can engage targets at varying distances, with some rockets reaching up to 20 kilometers. As an indirect fire weapon system, the rocket complex relies on calculations and data provided by a separate command and control unit to accurately target enemy positions. The MLRS can launch multiple missiles in a short period of time, allowing it to saturate a target area quickly and effectively.

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Multiple-launch rocket systems strike Ukrainian positions, destroying enemy manpower and military hardware Sputnik International Multiple-launch rocket systems strike Ukrainian positions, destroying enemy manpower and military hardware 2024-03-11T14:23+0000 true PT0M13S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/watch-russian-su-34-fighter-bomber-strike-ukrainian-armed-forces-positions--1117248477.html

Watch Russian Su-34 Fighter-Bomber Strike Ukrainian Armed Forces Positions

Watch Russian Su-34 Fighter-Bomber Strike Ukrainian Armed Forces Positions

Sputnik International

The Russian of Defense Ministry has released footage of a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber carrying out precision strikes on positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the southern Donetsk region.

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The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage of an Su-34 fighter-bomber carrying out precision strikes on positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the southern Donetsk region. The strikes were carried out using unguided FAB-500 bombs with a universal planning and correction module, the ministry said.The Russian FAB-500 bombs series is known for its high payload and destructive power, making it a potent weapon in modern warfare.

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Russian Su-34 bombers carrying out precision strikes on Ukrainian forces' positions in the southern Donetsk region. Sputnik International Russian Su-34 bombers carrying out precision strikes on Ukrainian forces' positions in the southern Donetsk region. 2024-03-11T05:02+0000 true PT0M56S

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The week of March 10 - 16, 2024 is Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, an annual campaign held the third week of March of each year. EquiMania! supports the campaign for #FarmSafetyEveryday with many free games and resources to keep youth safe on horse farms and TheHorsePortal.ca is offering a free online course for youth until the end of March.

EquiMania! Online makes learning fun with a series of online interactive activities. Adopting Stop Think Act initiatives (developed in partnership between Workplace Safety & Prevention Services and ESSO), serious accidents can be prevented by taking the time to think about the possible dangers and to prepare for them. Youth learn safety practices from drawings illustrating smart protective gear choices to use while riding, how to be safe around farm equipment and when handling horses. Handling horses and understanding a bit about their behaviour go a long way in preventing injuries. For example, by learning more about how horses see and hear, youth develop an understanding of how the prey animal is likely to react differently than humans to the stimuli around them.

Kids can become danger detectives with an online scavenger hunt to identify hazards on the horse farm by visiting EquiMania.ca. These are just a few of the interactive games young horse enthusiasts can complete while going for a Safety Pledge Certificate.

For those ready to learn even more about how horses communicate, TheHorsePortal.ca offers an on-demand online course, Horse Behaviour & Safety, recommended for teens. This course is free for a limited time until March 31, 2024 thanks to EquiManias sponsors.

(Equine Guelph)
Hall of Fame pacing mare Eternal Camnation passed away at the age of 27 at trainer and owner Jeff Miller's farm in Haviland, Ohio, where she had been living since retiring from racing two decades ago. Miller confirmed with Trot Insider that Eternal Camnation was humanely euthanized on Tuesday, March 5.

Harness racing's richest pacing mare earned more than $4.1 million and won 47 of her 101 starts, with a mark of 1:49.2 taken at The Meadowlands during her extraordinary career competing against world-class mares, including the likes of Bunny Lake, Worldly Beauty, Burning Point, Cathedra Dot Com, Sanabelle Island, Carolina Sunshine and Arts Virtue.

"In my opinion she was like the female Cam Fella, the female version of him," Miller said in a past Trot Radio interview. "Just a gutsy horse that liked to finish hard and knock heads with all the best Free-For-All mares."

A multiple Grand Circuit stakes winner, Eternal Camnation's triumphs included three Breeders Crowns, three Milton Stakes, two Roses Are Red Stakes, a Fan Hanover Stakes and a Jugette. All but one of the Breeders Crowns and the Jugette were won in Canada.

"She's always had a connection to Canada. When we went up there, the people took her in," said Miller in the Trot Radio interview. "People were beside themselves falling over, wanting to be nice and trying to help us. When she won, it seemed like one of their own won."

Eternal Camnation was rewarded for her accomplishments with six O'Brien Awards, including Horse of the Year in 2003, and earned four Dan Patch Awards. She was inducted into the U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2013.

The daughter of Cam Fella out of the Nihilator mare Cool World was bred by Lewis Arno of Princeton, New Jersey and Frederick W. Hertrich of Seaford, Delaware. She was owned by Jeff Miller Stable along with Doc and Dorothy Miller of Delphos, Ohio during the bulk of her racing career.

Eternal Camnation was officially retired from racing in 2004 and was honoured with a stakes race in her name at Mohawk Racetrack.

As a broodmare, Eternal Camnation produced six foals, most notably Rocken Camnation, a winner of 59 races and more than half a million dollars in earnings.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Eternal Camnation.

(With files from Standardbred Canada and Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame)
Louis Rapone, 98, passed away on March 10, 2024. Mr. Rapone was one of the original members of harness racings 1,000 win driving club and was known as one of the premier gatemen in harness racing.

Born in Caledonia, New York on July 9, 1925, he lived near the fairgrounds in that town, leading to his long and successful career in harness racing.

Formal schooling ended after grade school but, as he said, I got a Harvard education beginning at the age of 13 from Mark Kyler. Subsequently, he moved to the Hatchell Stable until he was called into the service and wound up with the Navy. He played in the European Theatre during the war years (1944-1946) and participated in the landings at Anzio, Normandy and Palermo, the latter landing resulting in a severe injury where he was hospitalized for several months.

After being honourably discharged from the service, Mr. Rapone returned to the States and bought his first horse, Flaxey Girl, making his first start at Batavia Downs.

I learned a lot from the masters like Haughton [Billy], Miller [Delvin] and the Senior Simpson [John] and they taught me just about everything I got to know in treating problems that come up with our horses, he said years ago.

I had a knee-knocker by the name of Scudder, he remembered, and he was a notorious knee knocking pacer and I couldnt make any progress with him so I turned him into a trotter and he was good going after that, too.

But Mr. Rapone didnt make a name for himself with the Scudders of the world but rather with trotters like Grace Frost and Bold Colby and the pacers Jimmie Norman and Pole Adios, among many others.

Pole Adios was a nasty thing, he recalled, nasty but very game; but nasty enough that he had to be trained to a pick-up truck.

Pole Adios was one of the rare sub-2:00 horses back in the late 1950s and early 1960s leading Mr. Rapone to be in high demand as a rare catch-driver.

Even prior to that, Delvin Miller realized the talent in Mr. Rapone and had him catch-drive Dale Frost for him at Vernon Downs in a stakes event, which he won.

Yeah, he chuckled, he beat some pretty good horseflesh like Dotties Pick, Speedy Pick and Adios Harry. He could pace in [1]:58 when that kind of mile was really something.

Longtime friend Odell Thompson recently reflected on his 60-year friendship with Lou Rapone saying, I first met Louie back at Washington Park back in the early '60s.

He was one terrific horseman and he would get messages all day long at the stable gate because all these folks wanted Louie to drive for them.

One of Mr. Rapones great wins was in the early 1950s, as he previously related, It was my birthday and I was driving a pacer that hadnt won in a couple of years  I cant remember her name [note: Liza Jane Grattan, with a mark at 2:24] and she won in 2:09 and a piece and youd thought she won a $100,000 stake because she broke 2:10.

It was Lou Rapones 27th birthday and she lowered her mark by :24.2 seconds.

During his career, Mr. Rapone was successful at such venues as Hollywood Park and Washington Park, both one mile ovals; the seven-eighths track at Vernon Downs; Sportsmans Park and their fabled five-eighths surface; and all half-mile tracks in New York.

His 120 pound frame carried him into the winners circle 2,069 times, primarily in an era when racing was conducted eight months a year.

When asked about his greatest moment in racing, Mr. Rapone had said, No doubt, it was Sept. 20, 1958 when I won four races at Batavia Downs. I can tell you their names, too: Governor Baldwin, Dixie Lee Direct, Will Counsel and Blue Skylark.

Ill never forget it because that was the day my daughter, Betty Lou, was born. It just doesnt get any better than that!

It hasnt been all a bed of roses for Mr. Rapone as his son, Patsy, passed away from brain cancer in 1996 and another son, Louis, has passed as well.

He was a helluva horseman, Lou said about Patsy, and you never get over anything like that  losing a son  and I lost two beautiful ones.

Mr. Rapone is survived by his daughter, Betty Lou (Thomas) Buckley; sons, Francis (Nancy) and Louis DiSanto; granddaughter, Jennifer Allums; grandsons, Christopher (Liz) Buckley and Aaron Buckley; and great-grandson, Elijah Buckley.

Information on services for Mr. Rapone are pending.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Lou Rapone.
Nearly 30 years after Alicia Showalter Reynolds disappeared along U.S. 29 in Culpeper County, the nursing 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 last 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, 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 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 recently 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.
Woodland School District is partnering with Vancouver-based Cascadia Technical Academy to offer programs that prepare students to enter fields where new workers are sorely needed.

The district plans to offer a new pre-electrician program beginning fall 2024, which will serve juniors and seniors from Woodland, Kalama, La Center and Ridgefield School Districts.

The program will teach students residential and commercial electric codes, wiring and motor controls, electrical theory and how to read blueprints, preparing them for a field that is expected to see growing demand in the coming years. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that employment for electricians in Washington will grow by 18% between 2020 and 2030.

Cascadia Tech is a Career and Technical Education cooperative run by 10 local school districts, including Woodland. It offers programs in areas from engineering to culinary arts that are meant to prepare students to enter the workforce immediately after high school.

Paraeducators

Woodland and Cascadia Tech have collaborated in the past to create the Teaching Academy, a program based out of Woodlands Columbia Elementary School where students from the same districts served by the pre-electrician program work toward becoming state certified paraeducators and earn college credits toward a Bachelor of Science in Education. During the course, students get experience working with elementary students.

Its a great program and were hoping to increase enrollment even more as we enter next year, Woodland spokesperson Eric Jacobson wrote in an email.

Paraeducators are another group in short supply, both in Washington and around the country. The National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research reported that the attrition rate for Washington paraeducators after the 2021-22 school year was 23%, over twice as high as the 2008-09 rate of 8%.

A large part of the issue is pay; a survey by EdWeek Research Center found that a third of paraeducators nationwide work at least two jobs to make ends meet. In Washington, the average hourly wage for a paraeducator is $22.12, according to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, which isnt enough to keep up with a rising cost of living.

The capital budget for 2024, which was approved Wednesday, includes funding to increase school staff salaries but does not specifically address paraeducator pay despite calls from Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Gov. Jay Inslee and other groups.
Washington is spending nearly $1 million a day on a mammoth project to help salmon migration.

A federal judge, ruling in a lawsuit brought by Washington tribes, ordered the state to restore habitat by tearing out hundreds of poorly designed concrete or metal pipes under highways that block salmon as they swim upstream to spawn.

But Washington hasn't coordinated with a tangle of other public and private parties who own blockages on those same streams, so in some cases the state is spending millions to restore parts of streams that salmon may not be able to reach.

The Seattle Times analyzed the state's own project reports and found that for every barrier the state removes on a waterway, nine others upstream and two downstream partially or fully block fish migration. Most of those other barriers are not scheduled to be removed.

And now as the state rushes to meet a 2030 federal court deadline, it has no clear way of knowing whether all the construction is helping.

The information below covers the basics of this complex issue, but you can read our investigation here.

Why all this road construction for fish?

Beneath highways and roadways lie concrete or metal pipes called culverts, which carry water but are often impassable for migrating salmon.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has completed construction projects to remove 146 culverts and other barriers and open the path for salmon heading upstream to spawn and for young salmon to return to the sea.

In many cases, that has meant tearing up roadways so the streams beneath them can be restored to more fish-friendly habitat. And that has meant a lot of big highway projects, including a $110-million set of four new bridges on or near I-90 in Bellevue.

What is a culvert?

Culverts can look like a corrugated metal tube or a concrete tunnel. They're typically found under roads, parking lots, private driveways and other man-made structures.

Culverts have been used for decades, and if designed properly they allow fish to pass through without problems. But others are too steep, too narrow or have other flaws. Nearly 80 years ago, the state attorney general found that fish-blocking culverts violated state law.

Some culverts let a fraction of fish through, while others stop every single salmon from passing.

Why are culverts being replaced now?

In 2013, a federal judge sided with 21 Western Washington tribes who argued the salmon-blocking culverts violated their treaty fishing rights. The judge issued an injunction, ordering the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to replace its salmon barriers blocking the most habitat by 2030.

Construction ramped up dramatically in the past two years as the Legislature finally devoted significant funding. WSDOT has repaired or replaced a total of 146 injunction culverts, and it has identified 281 more (some of which are under construction) that would open up 90% of the habitat above those priority culverts by 2030.

But WSDOT is singularly focused on fulfilling the terms of the court order, without questioning whether some big projects even make sense for salmon  rendering some state investments ineffective or even worthless.

And the cost keeps rising.

To see how the cost of replacing culverts has grown, check out the charts in our investigation.

Read how the Boldt decision 50 years ago remade Pacific Northwest fishing.

How much will this cost?

This is Washington's most expensive program ever to recover salmon.

The latest estimate for all this construction has basically doubled from $3.8 billion to as much as $7.8 billion  roughly the cost of replacing the Highway 99 viaduct along Seattle's waterfront, twice over, plus change. Or you could buy two new electric ferry fleets.

Where will the money come from?

The work is primarily funded by Washington state taxpayers, with a portion coming from federal sources.

Washington lawmakers are growing skeptical. Two years ago, lawmakers approved their largest single contribution to WSDOT culvert replacements  $2.4 billion in the 2022 Move Ahead Washington package. Lawmakers have yet to figure out how to fund the remainder of the construction.

As costs soar, the Inslee administration isn't asking this simple question: Is it actually helping salmon?

Why does this matter?

In our investigation spanning a year, we reviewed all the hydraulic reports from WSDOT construction projects, traversed Western Washington to visit culvert sites, studied state reports on fish counts and read through thousands of pages of court records to understand the foundations of the federal court order.

As we investigated how the state should most effectively spend taxpayer dollars to save iconic and declining salmon species  while upholding tribal treaty rights  we consulted with a range of experts, tribal leaders, nonprofit organizations, scientists, agency officials and others to understand the nuances of the federal injunction and how it complicates effective salmon recovery.

It's not a question of why the state is doing this work, but how. The complexity lies in which culverts the state targets first, and how it's working with local governments and the tribes on solutions.

This short article touches on some of the main points, but we'd encourage you to read our full investigation and spend some time with our photography and illustrations showing what salmon can face on an urban stream.
Graham Capital Management L.P. purchased a new position in General Electric (NYSE:GE  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 160,867 shares of the conglomerates stock, valued at approximately $17,784,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. King Wealth raised its position in General Electric by 3.2% during the third quarter. King Wealth now owns 2,988 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $330,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares during the period. Ancora Advisors LLC increased its position in General Electric by 5.5% during the third quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 1,776 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $196,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Macroview Investment Management LLC increased its position in General Electric by 43.4% during the third quarter. Macroview Investment Management LLC now owns 317 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC increased its position in General Electric by 2.7% during the third quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,765 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $410,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Merrion Investment Management Co LLC increased its position in General Electric by 3.1% during the third quarter. Merrion Investment Management Co LLC now owns 3,300 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $365,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. 74.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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General Electric Stock Down 1.2 %

General Electric stock traded down $1.97 during trading on Monday, reaching $165.99. The stock had a trading volume of 4,107,912 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,790,993. General Electric has a 52-week low of $86.45 and a 52-week high of $175.81. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $140.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $124.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market cap of $180.65 billion, a PE ratio of 20.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.28.

General Electric Announces Dividend

General Electric ( NYSE:GE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 companys revenue was up 15.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.24 EPS. On average, analysts predict that General Electric will post 4.57 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 28th were given a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 27th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.19%. General Electrics dividend payout ratio is presently 3.82%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have weighed in on GE. StockNews.com upgraded shares of General Electric from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of General Electric from $144.00 to $148.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of General Electric from $148.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of General Electric from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the company from $166.00 to $180.00 in a research report on Friday. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of General Electric from $135.00 to $148.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, General Electric currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $138.71.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on General Electric

Insider Transactions at General Electric

In other news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 13,601 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.55, for a total value of $1,843,615.55. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 48,339 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,552,351.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 13,601 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.55, for a total value of $1,843,615.55. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 48,339 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,552,351.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction on 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 $8,153,863.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock.

About General Electric

(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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Carlson Capital Management raised its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 2.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 13,261 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 375 shares during the quarter. Carlson Capital Managements holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $1,284,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of ABT. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.2% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 137,153,545 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $14,952,480,000 after buying an additional 1,584,552 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 77,225,258 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $8,419,032,000 after acquiring an additional 820,369 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% in the 2nd 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 in the last quarter. Capital International Investors increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 59,178,607 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $6,451,127,000 after acquiring an additional 2,747,652 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 38,966,499 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $4,278,132,000 after acquiring an additional 4,886,954 shares in the last quarter. 73.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ABT has been the subject of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $128.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Citigroup upped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Raymond James upped 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. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $120.00.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

ABT traded down $0.54 on Monday, reaching $120.42. The company had a trading volume of 733,677 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,030,877. Abbott Laboratories has a 1 year low of $89.67 and a 1 year high of $121.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $208.95 billion, a PE ratio of 37.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock 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 for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.19. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.65% and a net margin of 14.27%. The company had revenue of $10.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.19 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.03 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be issued a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.83%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 67.48%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total transaction of $1,620,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,022,916. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total transaction of $1,620,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,022,916. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP John A. Jr. Mccoy sold 472 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.50, for a total transaction of $55,932.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 18,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,223,060. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 71,435 shares of company stock valued at $8,071,298. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

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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AirBoss of America (TSE:BOS  Free Report) had its target price increased by Cormark from C$5.00 to C$5.25 in a research report released on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on BOS. TD Securities decreased their price target on AirBoss of America from C$8.50 to C$6.50 and set a speculative buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. CIBC cut AirBoss of America from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and decreased their price target for the stock from C$6.00 to C$3.75 in a research note on Friday, November 10th. Finally, Pi Financial cut AirBoss of America from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$5.67.

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AirBoss of America Trading Up 1.0 %

AirBoss of America Dividend Announcement

TSE:BOS opened at C$5.20 on Friday. AirBoss of America has a 1 year low of C$3.65 and a 1 year high of C$9.77. The stock has a market cap of C$141.08 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.77, a PEG ratio of -550.53 and a beta of 2.13. The business has a fifty day moving average of C$4.95 and a 200-day moving average of C$4.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 88.07, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 2.51.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.07 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $0.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.38%. AirBoss of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 90.32%.

About AirBoss of America

(Get Free Report)

AirBoss of America Corp., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells rubber-based products in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through AirBoss Rubber Solutions and AirBoss Manufactured Products segments. The AirBoss Rubber Solutions segment involves in the manufacture and distribution of rubber compounds and rubber compounding related chemicals for various application in automotive, heavy industry, rollers, conveyor belting, defense, construction and infrastructure, mining, transportation, and oil and gas industries.

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Almitas Capital LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:BNY  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 15,306 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $134,000.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. AQR Arbitrage LLC boosted its position in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 44.7% in the 3rd quarter. AQR Arbitrage LLC now owns 205,932 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,874,000 after purchasing an additional 63,623 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 70,970 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $734,000 after purchasing an additional 1,515 shares during the period. Saba Capital Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 47.6% in the 3rd quarter. Saba Capital Management L.P. now owns 1,255,100 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $11,421,000 after purchasing an additional 405,007 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates boosted its position in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 17,405 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $158,000 after purchasing an additional 1,300 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC boosted its position in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 68,005 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $703,000 after purchasing an additional 2,563 shares during the period.

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BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BNY remained flat at $10.64 during trading hours on Monday. The company had a trading volume of 1,844 shares, compared to its average volume of 54,434. BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust has a 1 year low of $8.60 and a 1 year high of $10.80. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $10.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.92.

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Announces Dividend

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Profile

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.043 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.85%.

(Free Report)

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in the investment grade municipal bonds exempt from federal income taxes and New York State and New York City personal income taxes.

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Auxier Asset Management decreased its holdings in shares of Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ARCO  Free Report) by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 321,418 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 2,473 shares during the quarter. Auxier Asset Management owned about 0.15% of Arcos Dorados worth $3,041,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Arcos Dorados by 46.1% during the third quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 537,724 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $5,087,000 after purchasing an additional 169,590 shares during the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its holdings in Arcos Dorados by 1.5% in the third quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 313,398 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $2,968,000 after acquiring an additional 4,538 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its holdings in Arcos Dorados by 21.1% in the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 787,139 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $7,446,000 after acquiring an additional 136,951 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Arcos Dorados by 8.2% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 177,726 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,822,000 after acquiring an additional 13,394 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clearbridge Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Arcos Dorados by 4.0% in the third quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 993,680 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $9,400,000 after acquiring an additional 38,159 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 36.34% of the companys stock.

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Arcos Dorados Stock Down 0.6 %

NYSE:ARCO traded down $0.07 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $11.47. The stock had a trading volume of 139,360 shares, compared to its average volume of 807,146. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61. Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. has a 1-year low of $7.01 and a 1-year high of $13.20. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $12.06 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.04. The company has a market cap of $2.42 billion, a PE ratio of 13.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.27.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ARCO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. TheStreet upgraded Arcos Dorados from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Arcos Dorados in a research report on Friday, December 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $15.00 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Arcos Dorados from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Arcos Dorados has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $13.38.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Arcos Dorados

About Arcos Dorados

(Free Report)

Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc operates as a franchisee of McDonald's restaurants. It has the exclusive right to own, operate, and grant franchises of McDonald's restaurants in 20 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, the U.S.

Further Reading

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Auxier Asset Management reduced its stake in shares of Textainer Group Holdings Limited (NYSE:TGH  Free Report) by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 74,410 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 205 shares during the quarter. Auxier Asset Management owned 0.18% of Textainer Group worth $2,772,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Toroso Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Textainer Group during the 3rd quarter worth $234,000. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Textainer Group by 5.7% during the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 43,747 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,630,000 after buying an additional 2,360 shares during the last quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC raised its position in Textainer Group by 35.2% in the third quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 6,878 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $256,000 after purchasing an additional 1,792 shares during the last quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. bought a new position in Textainer Group in the third quarter valued at about $410,000. Finally, Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new position in Textainer Group in the third quarter valued at about $603,000. 44.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on Textainer Group in a research report on Friday. They issued a hold rating for the company.

Textainer Group Trading Up 0.1 %

Textainer Group stock traded up $0.04 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $49.95. The stock had a trading volume of 207,148 shares, compared to its average volume of 651,104. Textainer Group Holdings Limited has a one year low of $30.22 and a one year high of $50.15. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.76. The stock has a market cap of $2.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.53 and a beta of 1.01. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $49.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $45.96.

Textainer Group (NYSE:TGH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The transportation company reported $1.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.08. Textainer Group had a return on equity of 12.86% and a net margin of 26.57%. The company had revenue of $190.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $195.71 million. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Textainer Group Holdings Limited will post 4.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Textainer Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be given a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.40%. Textainer Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 27.71%.

Textainer Group Profile

(Free Report)

Textainer Group Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, engages in the purchase, ownership, management, leasing, and disposal of a fleet of intermodal containers worldwide. It operates through three segments: Container Ownership, Container Management, and Container Resale. The company's containers include standard and specialized dry freight, and refrigerated containers, as well as other special-purpose containers, which include tank, 45', pallet-wide, and other types of containers.

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AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the sixteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $196.34.

AVB has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Truist Financial downgraded shares of AvalonBay Communities from a buy rating to a hold rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $202.00 to $203.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $183.00 to $188.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a buy rating and a $206.00 target price on the stock. KeyCorp reaffirmed a sector weight rating on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Finally, Wolfe Research downgraded shares of AvalonBay Communities from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

AvalonBay Communities Trading Up 1.0 %

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Clarius Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Clarius Group LLC now owns 1,425 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $270,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Vanderbilt University raised its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanderbilt University now owns 3,728 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $640,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. Wexford Capital LP increased its position in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 1.9% in the second quarter. Wexford Capital LP now owns 3,347 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $633,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV increased its position in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 1.4% in the third quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 4,387 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $753,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Janiczek Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 11.8% in the third quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 624 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $107,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. 88.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Shares of AvalonBay Communities stock opened at $186.95 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $26.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.54, a P/E/G ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.92. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $178.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $177.17. AvalonBay Communities has a 1-year low of $153.07 and a 1-year high of $198.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 1.44.

AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.73 by ($1.03). The firm had revenue of $704.71 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $701.67 million. AvalonBay Communities had a net margin of 33.56% and a return on equity of 7.98%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.59 EPS. Analysts predict that AvalonBay Communities will post 10.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AvalonBay Communities Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be issued a $1.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This is a positive change from AvalonBay Communitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.65. This represents a $6.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.64%. AvalonBay Communitiess payout ratio is 100.76%.

About AvalonBay Communities

(Get Free Report

As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

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Barclays began coverage on shares of Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB  Free Report) in a research report report published on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage issued an equal weight rating and a $22.00 target price on the banks stock.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Associated Banc from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Piper Sandler increased their target price on shares of Associated Banc from $21.50 to $23.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of Associated Banc from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Finally, Raymond James increased their price objective on Associated Banc from $21.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $22.11.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Associated Banc

Associated Banc Price Performance

NYSE:ASB opened at $21.13 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Associated Banc has a 52-week low of $14.47 and a 52-week high of $22.16. The firm has a market cap of $3.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.70, a PEG ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.00. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $20.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $18.91.

Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The bank reported $0.53 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $322.22 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $325.89 million. Associated Banc had a net margin of 8.12% and a return on equity of 8.90%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Associated Banc will post 2.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Associated Banc Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.16%. Associated Bancs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 77.88%.

Insider Activity

In other Associated Banc news, Director John B. Williams sold 2,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.55, for a total transaction of $52,785.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 62,876 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,229,225.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP John A. Utz sold 14,010 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.20, for a total transaction of $297,012.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 89,880 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,905,456. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director John B. Williams sold 2,700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.55, for a total value of $52,785.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 62,876 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,229,225.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 36,465 shares of company stock valued at $742,472. Insiders own 1.49% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Associated Banc

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Associated Banc by 92.2% in the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,433,301 shares of the banks stock valued at $24,524,000 after purchasing an additional 687,552 shares during the period. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Associated Banc by 2,344.7% during the third quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 709,170 shares of the banks stock valued at $12,134,000 after buying an additional 680,161 shares during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its stake in shares of Associated Banc by 7.7% in the third quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 123,392 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,111,000 after buying an additional 8,836 shares during the period. Dark Forest Capital Management LP grew its position in Associated Banc by 22.6% during the third quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 238,155 shares of the banks stock worth $4,075,000 after buying an additional 43,859 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Associated Banc by 5.0% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 665,820 shares of the banks stock valued at $11,392,000 after acquiring an additional 31,875 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.52% of the companys stock.

Associated Banc Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Associated Banc-Corp, a bank holding company, provides various banking and nonbanking products to individuals and businesses in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. The company offers lending solutions, including commercial loans and lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, construction loans, letters of credit, leasing, asset based lending and equipment finance, loan syndications products, residential mortgages, home equity loans and lines of credit, personal and installment loans, auto finance and business loans, and business lines of credit.

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Trust Co. of Vermont lowered its position in shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 28,843 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 201 shares during the quarter. BlackRock accounts for approximately 1.3% of Trust Co. of Vermonts investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest position. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in BlackRock were worth $18,647,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of BLK. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the second quarter valued at $26,000. West Tower Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Archer Investment Corp purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the second quarter valued at $29,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the second quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the second quarter valued at $33,000. Institutional investors own 77.01% of the companys stock.

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BlackRock Stock Down 1.1 %

Shares of BLK traded down $9.34 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $826.78. 219,410 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 589,566. The company has a quick ratio of 3.48, a current ratio of 3.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The company has a market cap of $123.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.61, a P/E/G ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.37. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $798.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of $731.35. BlackRock, Inc. has a 12-month low of $596.18 and a 12-month high of $845.00.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

BlackRock ( NYSE:BLK Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The asset manager reported $9.66 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $8.84 by $0.82. The business had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.65 billion. BlackRock had a return on equity of 14.74% and a net margin of 30.81%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $8.93 EPS. Research analysts forecast that BlackRock, Inc. will post 39.73 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 7th will be issued a dividend of $5.10 per share. This is a positive change from BlackRocks previous quarterly dividend of $5.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 6th. This represents a $20.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.47%. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio is currently 55.88%.

Insider Activity

In other BlackRock news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 30,978 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $809.92, for a total value of $25,089,701.76. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 414,146 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $335,425,128.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other BlackRock news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 30,978 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $809.92, for a total value of $25,089,701.76. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 414,146 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $335,425,128.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Rachel Lord sold 36,059 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $818.06, for a total value of $29,498,425.54. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 17,004 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,910,292.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 100,511 shares of company stock valued at $71,864,028. Insiders own 1.06% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on BlackRock from $719.00 to $793.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 30th. UBS Group increased their price objective on BlackRock from $720.00 to $818.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. TD Cowen raised BlackRock from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $819.00 to $938.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded BlackRock from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $708.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Finally, BNP Paribas raised BlackRock from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $885.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $785.73.

View Our Latest Research Report on BLK

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.

Further Reading

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BlackRock Short Duration Bond ETF (BATS:NEAR  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $50.48 and last traded at $50.41, with a volume of 179391 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $50.46.

BlackRock Short Duration Bond ETF Trading Down 0.1 %

The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $50.49 and its 200 day simple moving average is $50.16.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On BlackRock Short Duration Bond ETF

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Tidemark LLC bought a new stake in BlackRock Short Duration Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Able Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in BlackRock Short Duration Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $49,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in BlackRock Short Duration Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $72,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new position in BlackRock Short Duration Bond ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $144,000. Finally, Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new position in BlackRock Short Duration Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $205,000.

About BlackRock Short Duration Bond ETF

The iShares Short Maturity Bond ETF (NEAR) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund aims to maximize income and preserve capital using very short maturity, USD-denominated global fixed income securities in an actively-managed fund. NEAR was launched on Sep 25, 2013 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Braun Stacey Associates Inc. boosted its position in shares of Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR  Free Report) (TSE:QSR) by 3.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 348,392 shares of the restaurant operators stock after buying an additional 11,667 shares during the period. Restaurant Brands International makes up about 1.1% of Braun Stacey Associates Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. Braun Stacey Associates Inc. owned about 0.11% of Restaurant Brands International worth $23,210,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in Restaurant Brands International by 0.5% during the second quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 41,731,550 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $3,235,062,000 after buying an additional 223,757 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors raised its position in Restaurant Brands International by 7.3% during the second quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 19,898,620 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,542,541,000 after purchasing an additional 1,350,491 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Restaurant Brands International by 3.0% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,834,488 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $576,178,000 after purchasing an additional 312,782 shares during the period. CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its position in Restaurant Brands International by 5.6% during the third quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 4,345,692 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $290,287,000 after purchasing an additional 228,654 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Nova Scotia raised its position in Restaurant Brands International by 0.7% during the third quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 3,235,000 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $215,429,000 after purchasing an additional 21,544 shares during the period.

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Restaurant Brands International Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE QSR traded up $0.08 during trading on Monday, reaching $79.78. 122,706 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,414,655. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $77.31 and its 200 day simple moving average is $72.05. The stock has a market cap of $25.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.12, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.91. Restaurant Brands International Inc. has a 12-month low of $59.99 and a 12-month high of $81.92. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.78.

Restaurant Brands International Increases Dividend

Restaurant Brands International ( NYSE:QSR Get Free Report ) (TSE:QSR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The restaurant operator reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.02. Restaurant Brands International had a return on equity of 32.20% and a net margin of 16.95%. The firm had revenue of $1.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.80 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.72 EPS. Restaurant Brands Internationals revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Restaurant Brands International Inc. will post 3.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.58 per share. This is a positive change from Restaurant Brands Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. This represents a $2.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 20th. Restaurant Brands Internationals payout ratio is 61.54%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Restaurant Brands International news, CEO Joshua Kobza sold 161,353 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.57, for a total transaction of $12,193,446.21. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 578,125 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,688,906.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, insider Duncan Fulton sold 1,218 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.23, for a total value of $89,194.14. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 14,330 shares in the company, valued at $1,049,385.90. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Joshua Kobza sold 161,353 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.57, for a total value of $12,193,446.21. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 578,125 shares in the company, valued at $43,688,906.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 414,074 shares of company stock worth $31,405,529. Corporate insiders own 1.25% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Restaurant Brands International from $83.00 to $81.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Oppenheimer increased their price target on Restaurant Brands International from $83.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 5th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on Restaurant Brands International from $88.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Scotiabank reduced their price target on Restaurant Brands International from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price objective on Restaurant Brands International from $89.00 to $87.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $82.30.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on QSR

Restaurant Brands International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Restaurant Brands International Inc operates as a quick-service restaurant company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Tim Hortons (TH), Burger King (BK), Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (PLK), and Firehouse Subs (FHS). The company owns and franchises TH chain of donut/coffee/tea restaurants that offer blend coffee, tea, and espresso-based hot and cold specialty drinks; and fresh baked goods, including donuts, Timbits, bagels, muffins, cookies and pastries, grilled paninis, classic sandwiches, wraps, soups, and other food products.

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Shares of BellRing Brands, Inc. (NYSE:BRBR  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the twelve brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $57.08.

Several research firms have commented on BRBR. Mizuho upped their price objective on BellRing Brands from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Citigroup began coverage on BellRing Brands in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $67.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays upped their price objective on BellRing Brands from $56.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. DA Davidson began coverage on BellRing Brands in a research report on Friday, December 8th. They issued a neutral rating and a $60.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on BellRing Brands from $61.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday.

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BellRing Brands Trading Down 2.8 %

Shares of NYSE:BRBR opened at $59.77 on Monday. BellRing Brands has a twelve month low of $29.13 and a twelve month high of $62.76. The companys 50 day moving average is $56.02 and its 200 day moving average is $49.63. The company has a market cap of $7.83 billion, a PE ratio of 48.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.84.

BellRing Brands (NYSE:BRBR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The company reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.04. BellRing Brands had a net margin of 9.52% and a negative return on equity of 56.67%. The company had revenue of $430.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $407.91 million. Equities research analysts predict that BellRing Brands will post 1.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Elliot Stein, Jr. sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.81, for a total transaction of $57,810.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 24,646 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,424,785.26. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BellRing Brands

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BRBR. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of BellRing Brands by 1,839.2% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 3,413 shares of the companys stock valued at $78,000 after buying an additional 3,237 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates purchased a new stake in BellRing Brands during the first quarter worth approximately $3,931,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in BellRing Brands by 610.7% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,065,818 shares of the companys stock worth $24,599,000 after purchasing an additional 915,857 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in BellRing Brands by 15,216.3% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 15,010 shares of the companys stock worth $347,000 after purchasing an additional 14,912 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in BellRing Brands during the first quarter worth approximately $221,000. 94.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About BellRing Brands

(Get Free Report

BellRing Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides various nutrition products in the United States. The company offers ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes, other RTD beverages, powders, nutrition bars, and other products primarily under the Premier Protein and Dymatize brands. It distributes its products through club, food, drug, mass, eCommerce, specialty, and convenience channels.

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Shares of Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE:CHCT  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the four ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $35.67.

Separately, Truist Financial decreased their target price on Community Healthcare Trust from $36.00 to $35.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th.

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Community Healthcare Trust Price Performance

Community Healthcare Trust Increases Dividend

Shares of Community Healthcare Trust stock opened at $27.00 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $747.36 million, a P/E ratio of 128.57, a P/E/G ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 0.66. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $26.37 and its 200-day simple moving average is $27.93. Community Healthcare Trust has a 1-year low of $24.50 and a 1-year high of $37.47.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were issued a $0.458 dividend. This represents a $1.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.79%. This is an increase from Community Healthcare Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 16th. Community Healthcare Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 871.43%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Community Healthcare Trust

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in Community Healthcare Trust by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,862,191 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $160,550,000 after purchasing an additional 217,326 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Community Healthcare Trust by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,898,621 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $77,219,000 after purchasing an additional 24,166 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in Community Healthcare Trust by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,569,816 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $51,835,000 after purchasing an additional 39,430 shares in the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Community Healthcare Trust by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,061,674 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $38,008,000 after purchasing an additional 8,827 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Community Healthcare Trust by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,057,058 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $38,276,000 after purchasing an additional 10,517 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.44% of the companys stock.

Community Healthcare Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated is a real estate investment trust that focuses on owning income-producing real estate properties associated primarily with the delivery of outpatient healthcare services in our target sub-markets throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had investments of approximately $1.1 billion in 193 real estate properties (including a portion of one property accounted for as a sales-type lease and two properties classified as held for sale).

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China Development Bank ups support for urban village renovation

Xinhua) 08:56, March 11, 2024

This photo taken on Nov. 25, 2022 shows a view of the Bada community after renewal in Xixiu District of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Li Jingya)

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: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the twelve research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$33.73.

CWB has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. TD Securities raised their target price on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$32.00 to C$34.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Scotiabank upgraded Canadian Western Bank from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and set a C$32.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Veritas Investment Research reiterated a buy rating on shares of Canadian Western Bank in a report on Monday, March 4th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on Canadian Western Bank from C$34.00 to C$33.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 23rd. Finally, National Bankshares upped their price objective on Canadian Western Bank from C$34.00 to C$37.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th.

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Insider Transactions at Canadian Western Bank

Canadian Western Bank Stock Down 1.5 %

In other news, Senior Officer Vladimir Ahmad sold 2,253 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$30.00, for a total value of C$67,590.00. 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

CWB opened at C$28.05 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of C$2.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.50, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 1.57. Canadian Western Bank has a 12 month low of C$22.96 and a 12 month high of C$31.64. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of C$29.38 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$28.95.

Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, March 1st. The company reported C$0.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.91 by C$0.02. Canadian Western Bank had a net margin of 31.97% and a return on equity of 8.58%. The firm had revenue of C$289.99 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$301.10 million. On average, equities research analysts expect that Canadian Western Bank will post 3.6007702 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Western Bank Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 6th. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.85%. Canadian Western Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.61%.

Canadian Western Bank Company Profile

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Canadian Western Bank provides personal and business banking products and services in Western Canada. The company offers current, savings, US dollar, chequing, flex notice, organization, business trust, and trust fund investment accounts. It also offers commercial lending and real estate, equipment financing and leasing, aviation financing, and dealership financing products; agriculture lending products and AgriInvest savings account; variable and fixed rate mortgages; line of credit; registered retirement savings plan, consolidation, and vehicle loans; and credit cards.

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Graham Capital Management L.P. trimmed its stake in shares of Carrier Global Co. (NYSE:CARR  Free Report) by 27.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 179,378 shares of the companys stock after selling 66,603 shares during the period. Graham Capital Management L.P.s holdings in Carrier Global were worth $9,902,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CARR. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in Carrier Global by 29.2% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 16,359 shares of the companys stock valued at $750,000 after purchasing an additional 3,700 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Carrier Global by 40.1% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 36,481 shares of the companys stock worth $1,673,000 after buying an additional 10,445 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Carrier Global by 23.2% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,493 shares of the companys stock worth $343,000 after buying an additional 1,412 shares in the last quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. boosted its position in Carrier Global by 22.7% during the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 65,241 shares of the companys stock worth $2,992,000 after acquiring an additional 12,089 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in Carrier Global by 10.6% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 786,543 shares of the companys stock worth $36,078,000 after acquiring an additional 75,622 shares during the last quarter. 91.47% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Carrier Global

In related news, CEO David L. Gitlin sold 354,539 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.16, for a total transaction of $19,201,832.24. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 422,808 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,899,281.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, CEO David L. Gitlin sold 354,539 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.16, for a total transaction of $19,201,832.24. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 422,808 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,899,281.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, VP Ajay Agrawal sold 16,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.99, for a total transaction of $956,835.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 89,920 shares in the company, valued at $5,214,460.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 397,590 shares of company stock worth $21,586,315. 6.95% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Carrier Global Trading Down 1.1 %

Shares of CARR stock traded down $0.64 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $57.41. The company had a trading volume of 1,515,743 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,860,272. The companys fifty day moving average is $55.70 and its 200 day moving average is $54.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 2.73 and a quick ratio of 2.40. Carrier Global Co. has a fifty-two week low of $40.28 and a fifty-two week high of $60.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.67 billion, a PE ratio of 36.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 1.39.

Carrier Global (NYSE:CARR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $0.53 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.02. Carrier Global had a net margin of 6.10% and a return on equity of 27.19%. The firm had revenue of $5.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.22 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.40 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Carrier Global Co. will post 2.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on CARR shares. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Carrier Global from $63.00 to $60.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Carrier Global from $63.00 to $57.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Carrier Global from $52.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $58.29.

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About Carrier Global

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Carrier Global Corporation provides heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security, and building automation technologies in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through three segments: HVAC, Refrigeration, and Fire & Security.

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Chelsea Counsel Co. cut its position in Barrick Gold Corp (NYSE:GOLD  Free Report) (TSE:ABX) by 5.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 20,834 shares of the gold and copper producers stock after selling 1,200 shares during the quarter. Chelsea Counsel Co.s holdings in Barrick Gold were worth $303,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of GOLD. Snider Financial Group purchased a new stake in shares of Barrick Gold during the 1st quarter valued at $185,000. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Barrick Gold by 13.9% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 42,464,736 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $788,570,000 after buying an additional 5,188,456 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Barrick Gold by 40.8% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 17,824,320 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $437,387,000 after buying an additional 5,164,698 shares during the period. FMR LLC boosted its position in Barrick Gold by 12.2% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 43,399,480 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $631,228,000 after buying an additional 4,731,559 shares during the period. Finally, Kopernik Global Investors LLC purchased a new stake in Barrick Gold during the 2nd quarter valued at $74,934,000. 58.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. National Bank Financial reissued a sector perform overweight rating on shares of Barrick Gold in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $18.00 target price on shares of Barrick Gold in a research report on Monday, March 4th. TD Securities dropped their target price on shares of Barrick Gold from $22.00 to $21.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Argus reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Barrick Gold in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Barrick Gold from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $22.05.

Barrick Gold Stock Performance

Shares of GOLD traded up $0.15 on Monday, reaching $15.91. The companys stock had a trading volume of 14,460,085 shares, compared to its average volume of 20,398,725. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 3.16 and a quick ratio of 2.40. Barrick Gold Corp has a 12-month low of $13.76 and a 12-month high of $20.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.99, a PEG ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.57. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $15.68 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $16.07.

Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD  Get Free Report) (TSE:ABX) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The gold and copper producer reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.21 by $0.06. Barrick Gold had a net margin of 11.16% and a return on equity of 4.64%. The business had revenue of $3.06 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.13 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Barrick Gold Corp will post 0.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Barrick Gold Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a $0.074 dividend. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. Barrick Golds dividend payout ratio is presently 55.56%.

About Barrick Gold

(Free Report)

Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX.



In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of China Green Agriculture (NYSE:CGA  Free Report) in a report issued on Thursday. The firm issued a sell rating on the basic materials companys stock.

China Green Agriculture Price Performance

NYSE:CGA opened at $2.94 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.63 million, a P/E ratio of -2.43 and a beta of 0.49. China Green Agriculture has a 1-year low of $1.61 and a 1-year high of $4.31. The companys fifty day moving average price is $2.67 and its 200-day moving average price is $2.30.

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China Green Agriculture (NYSE:CGA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 9th. The basic materials company reported ($0.40) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $17.80 million for the quarter. China Green Agriculture had a negative net margin of 14.54% and a negative return on equity of 12.68%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

China Green Agriculture Company Profile

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CGA. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in China Green Agriculture by 67.8% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 19,051 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $192,000 after purchasing an additional 7,700 shares in the last quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new position in shares of China Green Agriculture during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $175,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP purchased a new position in shares of China Green Agriculture during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $115,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.74% of the companys stock.

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China Green Agriculture, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, production, and sale of various fertilizers, agricultural products, and bitcoin in the People's Republic of China and the United States. The company operates through four segments: Jinong (Fertilizer Production); Gufeng (Fertilizer Production); Yuxing (Agricultural Products Production); and Antaeus (Bitcoin).

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Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V. (OTCMKTS:KCDMY  Get Free Report) and Rakuten Group (OTCMKTS:RKUNY  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, earnings and risk.

Risk & Volatility

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V. has a beta of 0.77, suggesting that its share price is 23% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Rakuten Group has a beta of 0.98, suggesting that its share price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V. and Rakuten Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V. 13.16% 166.04% 12.72% Rakuten Group -16.31% -32.37% -1.56%

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V. $3.01 billion N/A $395.94 million $0.66 17.18 Rakuten Group $14.77 billion 0.81 -$2.42 billion ($1.26) -4.44

This table compares Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V. and Rakuten Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V. has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Rakuten Group. Rakuten Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V., indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V. and Rakuten Group, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V. 0 0 2 0 3.00 Rakuten Group 0 1 0 0 2.00

Insider & Institutional Ownership

0.0% of Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V. shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V. beats Rakuten Group on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V.

(Get Free Report)

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, and markets disposable products in Mexico. The company offers baby diapers, training pants, swim pants, wet wipes, shampoos, creams, bar soaps, and feeding products. It also provides toilet papers, napkins, facial tissues, paper towels, feminine pads, panty liners, tampons, intimate wipes, and menstrual cups. In addition, the company offers pets shampoos, sprays, repellents, and cleaners. Further, it provides liquid hand soap, foaming liquid soap, and liquid body wash; and underwear, protectors, feminine pads, pre-folded products for adults. Additionally, the company offers anti-bacterial gels; disinfectant sprays; face masks; dispensers; hand towels; and industrial cleaning cloths. The company offers its products primarily under the Huggies, KleenBebe, Kleenex, Evenflo, Petalo, Suavel, Cottonelle, Depend, Kotex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Vogue, Delsey, Diapro, LYS, Fancy, Kimberly-Clark, and Escudo brands. The company exports its products. Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S. A. B. de C. V. was founded in 1925 and is based in Mexico City, Mexico.

About Rakuten Group

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Rakuten Group, Inc. provides services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications to various users in Japan and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Internet Services, FinTech, and Mobile. The Internet Services segment provides range of e-commerce sites, such as Rakuten Ichiba, an Internet shopping mall, online cash-back sites, travel booking sites, portal sites, and digital content sites. It also offers messaging services and sells advertising; and manages professional sport teams. The FinTech segment offers financial services over the internet related to banking and securities, credit cards, life insurance, general insurance, electronic payment business, crypto asset (virtual currency) spot transaction, etc. The Mobile segment provides communication services and technology, electricity supply, and digital content site services. The company was formerly known as Rakuten, Inc. and changed its name to Rakuten Group, Inc. in April 2021. Rakuten Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Setagaya, Japan.

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Converge Technology Solutions (TSE:CTS  Free Report) had its price objective lifted by TD Securities from C$4.25 to C$6.00 in a report published on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. TD Securities currently has a hold rating on the stock.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Cormark upped their target price on shares of Converge Technology Solutions from C$4.50 to C$5.50 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their price objective on shares of Converge Technology Solutions from C$6.00 to C$5.00 and set a speculative buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Desjardins lifted their target price on shares of Converge Technology Solutions from C$5.00 to C$6.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. Echelon Wealth Partners upped their target price on Converge Technology Solutions from C$5.40 to C$5.80 and gave the company a speculative buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, CIBC increased their price target on Converge Technology Solutions from C$4.00 to C$4.50 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$6.43.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Converge Technology Solutions

Converge Technology Solutions Stock Performance

Converge Technology Solutions Announces Dividend

Shares of Converge Technology Solutions stock opened at C$5.42 on Thursday. Converge Technology Solutions has a 52 week low of C$2.24 and a 52 week high of C$5.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 75.63. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$4.43 and a 200-day moving average price of C$3.70. The company has a market cap of C$1.11 billion, a PE ratio of -108.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.14 and a beta of 1.91.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 26th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.01 per share. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 11th. Converge Technology Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -80.00%.

About Converge Technology Solutions

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Converge Technology Solutions Corp. provides software-enabled IT and cloud solutions in the United States and Canada. Its solutions approach delivers advanced analytics, application modernization, cloud, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and digital workplace offerings to clients across various industries.

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Creative Planning raised its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Free Report) by 22.9% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 837,191 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 156,010 shares during the period. Creative Plannings holdings in U.S. Bancorp were worth $27,678,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 130,768.0% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 60,273,882 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,628,544,000 after buying an additional 60,227,825 shares during the last quarter. Mufg Bank LTD. boosted its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 54.1% in the 3rd quarter. Mufg Bank LTD. now owns 68,374,155 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,260,450,000 after buying an additional 24,000,000 shares during the last quarter. Aristotle Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 266.6% in the 3rd quarter. Aristotle Capital Management LLC now owns 23,467,699 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $775,842,000 after buying an additional 17,066,479 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of U.S. Bancorp in the 4th quarter worth approximately $644,436,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 6.0% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 110,704,962 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,657,692,000 after purchasing an additional 6,307,085 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.40% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, insider Timothy A. Welsh sold 12,100 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.33, for a total transaction of $487,993.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 106,958 shares in the company, valued at $4,313,616.14. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, insider Timothy A. Welsh sold 12,100 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.33, for a total value of $487,993.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 106,958 shares in the company, valued at $4,313,616.14. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP James L. Chosy sold 21,582 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.47, for a total transaction of $895,005.54. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 164,880 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,837,573.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 83,021 shares of company stock worth $3,560,833 over the last 90 days. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

U.S. Bancorp Price Performance

Shares of NYSE USB opened at $43.10 on Monday. U.S. Bancorp has a fifty-two week low of $27.27 and a fifty-two week high of $45.85. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $41.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $38.22. The company has a market capitalization of $67.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.81.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.28. U.S. Bancorp had a net margin of 13.36% and a return on equity of 14.89%. The business had revenue of $6.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.85 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.20 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that U.S. Bancorp will post 3.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

U.S. Bancorp Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 29th were issued a dividend of $0.49 per share. This is a boost from U.S. Bancorps previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 28th. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.55%. U.S. Bancorps dividend payout ratio is presently 59.76%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

USB has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of U.S. Bancorp from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 18th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of U.S. Bancorp from $35.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Stephens cut shares of U.S. Bancorp from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. TheStreet raised shares of U.S. Bancorp from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Tuesday, December 26th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of U.S. Bancorp from $48.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $45.35.

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U.S. Bancorp Profile

(Free Report)

U.S. Bancorp, a financial services holding company, provides various financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional organizations, governmental entities and other financial institutions in the United States. It operates through Wealth, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking; Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; and Treasury and Corporate Support segments.

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Deutsche Bank AG reduced its position in Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 25.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,129,446 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 2,732,799 shares during the quarter. Exxon Mobil comprises about 0.6% of Deutsche Bank AGs portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest position. Deutsche Bank AG owned about 0.21% of Exxon Mobil worth $955,860,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. EP Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 9,188.1% in the 3rd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 692,799 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $81,459,000 after buying an additional 685,340 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 11.9% in the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 937,241 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $110,201,000 after buying an additional 99,870 shares during the period. Invst LLC increased its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Invst LLC now owns 10,170 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,196,000 after buying an additional 127 shares during the period. Auxier Asset Management increased its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Auxier Asset Management now owns 12,963 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,524,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Finally, Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in Exxon Mobil in the 3rd quarter valued at about $17,840,000. 58.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Exxon Mobil Price Performance

NYSE XOM traded up $0.23 on Monday, reaching $108.61. 9,679,163 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 18,578,756. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 12 month low of $95.77 and a 12 month high of $120.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $102.22 and a 200 day simple moving average of $105.87. The stock has a market cap of $430.95 billion, a PE ratio of 12.20, a P/E/G ratio of 3.95 and a beta of 0.96.

Exxon Mobil Announces Dividend

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $2.48 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $84.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $90.03 billion. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 18.51% and a net margin of 10.45%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.40 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.15 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 13th. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.74%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

XOM has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Erste Group Bank reissued a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Friday, December 22nd. TD Cowen upgraded shares of Exxon Mobil from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $115.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $120.00 price target on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Monday, February 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $134.00 to $127.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $133.00 to $132.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Exxon Mobil currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $127.53.

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Insider Activity

In other news, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total transaction of $1,231,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 220,678 shares of the companys stock, valued at $22,652,596.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,400 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total value of $252,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 30,189 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,169,845. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total value of $1,231,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 220,678 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,652,596.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.04% of the companys stock.

Exxon Mobil Company Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) by 203.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 385 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 258 shares during the quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $47,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of DLR. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC grew its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 19.8% in the 1st quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 545 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $77,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 15.4% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 691 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $79,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC grew its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 5,448 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $620,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 9,175 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,110,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL lifted its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 17,883 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,164,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.71% of the companys stock.

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Digital Realty Trust Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE DLR opened at $149.28 on Monday. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a 52-week low of $86.33 and a 52-week high of $154.18. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $46.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.33, a PEG ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 0.54. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $140.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $133.02.

Digital Realty Trust Announces Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.27%. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is 164.31%.

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Scotiabank downgraded Digital Realty Trust from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $157.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Friday, February 16th. Barclays raised their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $110.00 to $119.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. Citigroup raised their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $154.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Digital Realty Trust from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $144.00 target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $136.53.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on DLR

Digital Realty Trust Company Profile

(Free Report)

Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges.

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Creative Planning raised its holdings in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) by 13.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 259,380 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 30,763 shares during the period. Creative Plannings holdings in Duke Energy were worth $22,893,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Duke Energy by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 14,863,706 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,330,739,000 after acquiring an additional 464,754 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in Duke Energy by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 10,468,016 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $923,907,000 after buying an additional 492,011 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in Duke Energy by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 9,635,102 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $864,652,000 after buying an additional 257,665 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its stake in Duke Energy by 21.3% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,188,381 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $734,825,000 after buying an additional 1,435,725 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its stake in Duke Energy by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 7,928,738 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $711,525,000 after buying an additional 89,132 shares during the last quarter. 63.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Louis E. Renjel sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.57, for a total transaction of $277,710.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,213 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,315,697.41. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.11% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Duke Energy from $98.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Bank of America cut Duke Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $105.00 to $96.00 in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Duke Energy from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. KeyCorp increased their price target on Duke Energy from $106.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised Duke Energy from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the stock from $90.00 to $108.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $100.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on DUK

Duke Energy Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of Duke Energy stock opened at $94.94 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. The firm has a market cap of $73.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.46. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $94.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $92.39. Duke Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $83.06 and a fifty-two week high of $100.39.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.51 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.53 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $7.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.24 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 9.78% and a return on equity of 8.93%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.11 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 16th will be issued a dividend of $1.025 per share. This represents a $4.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.32%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 15th. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio is 115.49%.

About Duke Energy

(Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I) and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest; and uses coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, oil, solar and wind sources, renewables, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity.

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Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 1,800.0% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 703 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 666 shares during the period. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Altria Group were worth $30,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in MO. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the first quarter valued at about $25,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Nemes Rush Group LLC raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 103.2% during the third quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 636 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 323 shares during the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Legacy Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the third quarter worth about $30,000. 58.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group restated a sell rating and set a $36.10 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. StockNews.com downgraded Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.22.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of MO stock opened at $41.94 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $73.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.16, a PEG ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.65. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $40.76 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $41.54. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $39.06 and a fifty-two week high of $48.04.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $5.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.06 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 244.55% and a net margin of 33.21%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.18 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 25th will be given a dividend of $0.98 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.35%. Altria Groups payout ratio is 85.78%.

Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Thursday, February 1st that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 1.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

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.

Further Reading

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of General Electric (NYSE:GE  Free Report) from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report issued on Friday morning, MarketBeat reports. The brokerage currently has $180.00 price target on the conglomerates stock, up from their previous price target of $166.00.

GE has been the topic of several other research reports. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on General Electric from $148.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on General Electric from $144.00 to $148.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Citigroup raised their target price on General Electric from $135.00 to $148.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Barclays raised their target price on General Electric from $153.00 to $181.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Oppenheimer restated a market perform rating on shares of General Electric in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, General Electric presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $138.71.

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General Electric Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of General Electric stock opened at $167.96 on Friday. General Electric has a one year low of $86.45 and a one year high of $175.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The stocks 50-day moving average is $140.04 and its 200 day moving average is $124.10. The firm has a market cap of $182.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.07, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.28.

General Electric (NYSE:GE  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $19.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.27 billion. General Electric had a return on equity of 10.88% and a net margin of 13.95%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 15.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.24 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that General Electric will post 4.57 EPS for the current year.

General Electric Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 28th were issued a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 27th. General Electrics payout ratio is currently 3.82%.

Insider Transactions at General Electric

In other news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total value of $3,195,107.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 56,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,153,863.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 13,601 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.55, for a total transaction of $1,843,615.55. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 48,339 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,552,351.45. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total value of $3,195,107.85. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 56,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,153,863.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On General Electric

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GE. Sei Investments Co. boosted its stake in General Electric by 10.0% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 305,384 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $27,925,000 after buying an additional 27,682 shares during the period. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in General Electric during the first quarter worth about $1,518,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in General Electric by 2.9% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 11,748 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,075,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares during the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in General Electric during the first quarter worth about $388,000. Finally, West Family Investments Inc. bought a new stake in General Electric during the first quarter worth about $230,000. Institutional investors own 74.83% of the companys stock.

About General Electric

(Get 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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Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its stake in shares of T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:TCHP  Free Report) by 19.0% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 44,435 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 7,099 shares during the quarter. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF were worth $1,207,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new position in shares of T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new stake in T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new stake in T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $61,000. Spire Wealth Management increased its stake in T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF by 2,097.3% during the 3rd quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 2,417 shares of the companys stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 2,307 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG increased its stake in T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF by 54.8% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,295 shares of the companys stock valued at $67,000 after purchasing an additional 812 shares in the last quarter.

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T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF Trading Down 1.1 %

Shares of TCHP stock opened at $34.61 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $456.16 million, a PE ratio of 26.89 and a beta of 1.14. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $32.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $30.19. T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF has a 12 month low of $21.36 and a 12 month high of $35.37.

T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF Profile

The T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF (TCHP) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Russell 1000 Growth index. The ETF currently has 291.89m in AUM and 78 holdings. TCHP is an actively-managed, non-transparent fund that focus on companies with potential for above-average growth TCHP was launched on Aug 4, 2020 and is managed by T.

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Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report) and Grupo Financiero Banorte (OTCMKTS:GBOOY  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach and Grupo Financiero Banortes net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach 16.21% 5.29% 0.57% Grupo Financiero Banorte N/A N/A N/A

Institutional & Insider Ownership

7.6% of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach shares are owned by institutional investors. 12.8% of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach $431.97 million 1.33 $70.01 million $553.73 8.67 Grupo Financiero Banorte $7.68 billion 3.83 $1.73 billion N/A N/A

This table compares Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach and Grupo Financiero Banortes revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Grupo Financiero Banorte has higher revenue and earnings than Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach.

Risk & Volatility

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach has a beta of 0.41, indicating that its share price is 59% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Grupo Financiero Banorte has a beta of 1.17, indicating that its share price is 17% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach pays an annual dividend of $112.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Grupo Financiero Banorte pays an annual dividend of $3.31 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.5%. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach pays out 20.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach and Grupo Financiero Banorte, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach 0 0 0 0 N/A Grupo Financiero Banorte 0 0 0 0 N/A

Summary

Grupo Financiero Banorte beats Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach

(Get Free Report)

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach provides various banking products and services to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Barbara Counties. It offers checking, savings, Christmas club savings, health savings, market rate savings, and money market accounts; demand and time deposits; certificates of deposit; and individual retirement account. The company also provides personal, home, commercial real estate, real estate and construction, and commercial business loans, as well as lines of credit; financing for residential loans comprising single-family and multifamily loans; and credit and debit cards. In addition, it offers account management, receivables and payables, and risk management services; commercial lending services; and faith-based and healthcare banking services, as well as online and mobile banking services. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.

About Grupo Financiero Banorte

(Get Free Report)

Grupo Financiero Banorte, S.A.B. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of banking and financial products and services in Mexico and internationally. The company accepts checking, current, retirement, and payroll accounts; and provides loans, including mortgage, car, payroll, personal, structured, syndicated, SME loans, and credit cards, as well as letter of credit financing, acquisition funding, and import and export foreign trade financing. It is also involved in investment planning, foreign currency purchase/sale, financial advice, brokerage, asset management, investment banking, letters of credit, bank guarantees, and leasing and factoring activities. In addition, the company sells mutual funds and debt and capital instruments; issues debit cards; and provides insurance services for car, home, life, medical, employee, and SMEs, as well as cash management services for collection, trustees, payroll, and lines of credit. Further, it provides online banking, POS, payment, reconciliation, documentary collection, import bills of exchange discount, International wire transfer, remittances, storage, inventory management, logistics, marketing, and payroll services. The company was founded in 1899 and is based in Mexico City, Mexico.

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Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Get Free Report) shares were up 6.4% on Monday . The company traded as high as $4.31 and last traded at $4.31. Approximately 3,024,213 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 51% from the average daily volume of 6,217,822 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.05.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on HL shares. National Bank Financial reaffirmed an outperform market weight rating on shares of Hecla Mining in a research note 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 assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Hecla Mining currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $6.45.

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Hecla Mining Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.65 and a quick ratio of 1.06. The firm has a market cap of $2.73 billion, a PE ratio of -28.46 and a beta of 2.16. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $3.91 and a 200 day simple moving average of $4.19.

Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The basic materials company reported ($0.04) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.02) by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $160.69 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $151.51 million. Hecla Mining had a negative net margin of 11.69% and a negative return on equity of 0.27%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 17.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.02 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Hecla Mining will post 0.01 EPS for the current year.

Hecla Mining Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 12th will be given a $0.006 dividend. This represents a $0.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 11th. Hecla Minings dividend payout ratio is presently -20.00%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hecla Mining

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of HL. Jump Financial LLC increased its holdings in Hecla Mining by 53.8% in the 3rd quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 566,574 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,215,000 after buying an additional 198,254 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in Hecla Mining by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 5,928,871 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $23,182,000 after buying an additional 69,308 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Hecla Mining by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 316,771 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,631,000 after purchasing an additional 22,205 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Hecla Mining by 225.3% during the 3rd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 418,270 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,635,000 after purchasing an additional 289,703 shares during the period. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Hecla Mining by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 13,390,499 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $52,357,000 after purchasing an additional 298,547 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 59.00% of the companys stock.

Hecla Mining Company Profile

(Get 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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Iluka Resources Limited (ASX:ILU  Get Free Report) insider Thomas (Tom) OLeary purchased 93,367 shares of Iluka Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were bought at an average price of A$7.12 ($4.62) per share, for a total transaction of A$664,773.04 ($431,670.81).

Iluka Resources Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.58, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a current ratio of 4.57.

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Iluka Resources Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a Final dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 27th will be given a dividend of $0.04 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 4th. This represents a yield of 0.56%. Iluka Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.75%.

Iluka Resources Company Profile

Iluka Resources Limited engages in the exploration, project development, mining, processing, marketing, and rehabilitation of mineral sands in Australia, China, rest of Asia, Europe, the Americas, and internationally. It operates through Jacinth-Ambrosia/Mid-West, Cataby/South West, Rare Earths, and United States/Murray Basin segments.

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Richmond Vanadium Technology Limited (ASX:RVT  Get Free Report) insider Lingli (Lily) ZHAO sold 3,403,550 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of A$0.38 ($0.25), for a total transaction of A$1,293,349.00 ($839,837.01).

Richmond Vanadium Technology Price Performance

About Richmond Vanadium Technology

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Richmond Vanadium Technology Limited engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties. It holds interests in the Richmond Vanadium project that consists of five tenements totaling 1,403 square kilometers located in the jurisdiction of north Queensland. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Perth, Australia.

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Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC increased its position in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 2.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,548 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 215 shares during the quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLCs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $2,199,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Townsquare Capital LLC boosted its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 3.6% during the third quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 6,750 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,555,000 after buying an additional 232 shares during the period. Toroso Investments LLC lifted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 43.8% during the third quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 14,268 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,286,000 after purchasing an additional 4,344 shares during the last quarter. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC lifted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 5.6% during the third quarter. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC now owns 3,589 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $827,000 after purchasing an additional 189 shares during the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP bought a new stake in Illinois Tool Works during the third quarter valued at approximately $386,000. Finally, Royal London Asset Management Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 154,242 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $35,524,000 after acquiring an additional 3,553 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.56% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have issued reports on ITW. Wells Fargo & Company lowered Illinois Tool Works from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $277.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $238.00 to $239.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Bank of America downgraded shares of Illinois Tool Works from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $260.00 to $235.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Citigroup upped their price target 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. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $215.00 to $224.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued 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 a consensus target price of $239.33.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance

NYSE:ITW opened at $261.18 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $257.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $245.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $78.04 billion, a PE ratio of 26.82, a P/E/G 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 Inc. has a 52-week low of $217.06 and a 52-week high of $267.12.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.42 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.41 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $3.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 18.36% and a return on equity of 96.60%. The companys revenue was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.34 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.12 EPS for the current year.

Illinois Tool Works Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Investors of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a dividend of $1.40 per share. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.14%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is presently 57.49%.

Insider Activity at Illinois Tool Works

In other news, Chairman Ernest Scott Santi sold 50,000 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $254.83, for a total transaction of $12,741,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 221,015 shares in the company, valued at $56,321,252.45. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, Chairman Ernest Scott Santi sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $254.83, for a total value of $12,741,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 221,015 shares of the companys stock, valued at $56,321,252.45. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Sharon Szafranski sold 801 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $256.42, for a total transaction of $205,392.42. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,870 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,505,185.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 152,304 shares of company stock valued at $38,860,831. Insiders own 0.78% of the companys stock.

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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Invst LLC cut its stake in shares of Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE:PXD  Free Report) by 6.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,281 shares of the oil and gas development companys stock after selling 463 shares during the quarter. Invst LLCs holdings in Pioneer Natural Resources were worth $1,671,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Pioneer Natural Resources by 46.4% in the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,242,203 shares of the oil and gas development companys stock worth $968,877,000 after purchasing an additional 1,343,601 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Pioneer Natural Resources by 75,598.7% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 996,195 shares of the oil and gas development companys stock worth $227,521,000 after purchasing an additional 994,879 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in shares of Pioneer Natural Resources by 25.7% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 3,239,964 shares of the oil and gas development companys stock valued at $743,734,000 after acquiring an additional 662,891 shares during the last quarter. J.P. Morgan Private Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Pioneer Natural Resources during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $134,558,000. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors boosted its position in shares of Pioneer Natural Resources by 46.4% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 1,709,765 shares of the oil and gas development companys stock valued at $354,229,000 after acquiring an additional 541,566 shares during the last quarter. 82.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Pioneer Natural Resources Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of PXD traded down $0.44 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $243.08. 371,951 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,181,114. Pioneer Natural Resources has a 52 week low of $177.26 and a 52 week high of $257.76. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The companys 50 day moving average is $228.81 and its two-hundred day moving average is $232.43. The company has a market capitalization of $56.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.03 and a beta of 1.30.

Pioneer Natural Resources Cuts Dividend

Pioneer Natural Resources ( NYSE:PXD Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The oil and gas development company reported $5.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $5.41 by ($0.13). Pioneer Natural Resources had a return on equity of 22.42% and a net margin of 25.28%. The firm had revenue of $5.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.28 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $5.91 EPS. Pioneer Natural Resourcess quarterly revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Pioneer Natural Resources will post 20.61 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 4th will be given a dividend of $2.56 per share. This represents a $10.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 1st. Pioneer Natural Resourcess payout ratio is 24.70%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Truist Financial lowered their target price on Pioneer Natural Resources from $255.00 to $238.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Susquehanna increased their target price on Pioneer Natural Resources from $237.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Mizuho increased their target price on Pioneer Natural Resources from $264.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Argus downgraded Pioneer Natural Resources from a buy rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, November 24th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their target price on Pioneer Natural Resources from $269.00 to $250.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $255.14.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on PXD

Insider Transactions at Pioneer Natural Resources

In related news, EVP Mark H. Kleinman sold 3,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.35, for a total transaction of $820,225.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 49,856 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,683,753.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Scott D. Sheffield sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $235.25, for a total transaction of $2,352,500.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 462,112 shares of the companys stock, valued at $108,711,848. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Mark H. Kleinman sold 3,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.35, for a total value of $820,225.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 49,856 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,683,753.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 24,132 shares of company stock valued at $5,582,149. 0.55% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Pioneer Natural Resources

(Free Report)

Pioneer Natural Resources Company operates as an independent oil and gas exploration and production company in the United States. The company explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and gas. It has operations in the Midland Basin in West Texas. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas.

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Kampmann Melissa S. purchased a new stake in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 24,530 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,347,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in SCHW. Providence Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab during the first quarter worth about $32,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the third quarter worth about $34,000. State of Wyoming grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 71.0% during the second quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 624 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the second quarter worth about $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.61% of the companys stock.

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Charles Schwab Stock Down 0.3 %

NYSE:SCHW traded down $0.21 on Monday, reaching $66.96. The stock had a trading volume of 665,115 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,552,560. The company has a current ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. The company has a 50-day moving average of $64.91 and a 200 day moving average of $60.36. The stock has a market cap of $118.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.00. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 12-month low of $45.00 and a 12-month high of $71.40.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $4.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.49 billion. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 21.33%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.07 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.34 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.49%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.37%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have weighed in on SCHW. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 15th. TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. They set a market perform rating and a $77.00 price target for the company. Raymond James reduced their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $78.00 to $75.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $64.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. Finally, JMP Securities restated a market outperform rating and set a $77.00 price objective on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $69.92.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Charles Schwab

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.49, for a total transaction of $257,960.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 37,611 shares in the company, valued at $2,425,533.39. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Charles Schwab news, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.49, for a total value of $257,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 37,611 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,425,533.39. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.76, for a total transaction of $518,080.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 29,611 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,917,608.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 202,607 shares of company stock worth $13,214,499. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Charles Schwab Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Morgan Stanley boosted its position in Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report) by 102.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,219,291 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,123,755 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley owned about 2.61% of Laboratory Co. of America worth $446,189,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LH. Provence Wealth Management Group acquired a new position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Laboratory Co. of America in the second quarter valued at about $29,000. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.37% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LH has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on 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. Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research report on Friday, February 9th. They issued an in-line rating and a $240.00 price objective on the stock. TheStreet downgraded shares of Laboratory Co. of America from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Thursday, February 15th. SVB Leerink initiated coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a report on Monday, February 26th. They issued an outperform rating and a $260.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Barclays began coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. They set an equal weight rating and a $222.00 price objective for the company. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $243.07.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Jonathan P. Divincenzo sold 500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $215.49, for a total value of $107,745.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 3,401 shares in the company, valued at approximately $732,881.49. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Jonathan P. Divincenzo sold 500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $215.49, for a total value of $107,745.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 3,401 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $732,881.49. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 237 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.45, for a total transaction of $53,668.65. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,729,398.65. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 35,500 shares of company stock valued at $7,670,756. 0.65% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Laboratory Co. of America Stock Performance

NYSE LH opened at $217.50 on Monday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $222.36 and its 200 day moving average price is $213.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a twelve month low of $174.20 and a twelve month high of $234.09. The company has a market capitalization of $18.29 billion, a PE ratio of 46.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.02.

Laboratory Co. of America (NYSE:LH  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The medical research company reported $3.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.29 by $0.01. Laboratory Co. of America had a net margin of 3.24% and a return on equity of 13.99%. The business had revenue of $3.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.02 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.14 EPS. The companys revenue was down 17.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 14.77 earnings per share for the current year.

Laboratory Co. of America Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.72 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 26th. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.32%. Laboratory Co. of Americas payout ratio is 61.67%.

Laboratory Co. of America Company Profile

(Free Report)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as a life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. It operates in two segments, Labcorp Diagnostics and Labcorp Drug Development.

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loanDepot (NYSE:LDI  Get Free Report) is scheduled to be posting its quarterly earnings results after the market closes on Tuesday, March 12th. Analysts expect loanDepot to post earnings of ($0.07) per share for the quarter. Individual that are interested in registering for the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link.

loanDepot Price Performance

NYSE:LDI opened at $2.66 on Monday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $2.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $2.21. The firm has a market cap of $854.05 million, a P/E ratio of -2.86 and a beta of 3.13. loanDepot has a 52-week low of $1.14 and a 52-week high of $3.71. The company has a quick ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.70.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

LDI has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group initiated coverage on loanDepot in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. They issued a neutral rating and a $2.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group cut loanDepot from a neutral rating to a sell rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $1.75 to $3.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Jeff Alexander Walsh sold 59,352 shares of loanDepot stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.31, for a total value of $196,455.12. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 4,076,103 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,491,900.93. 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 180,777 shares of company stock valued at $547,838. 83.88% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On loanDepot

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of LDI. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in shares of loanDepot by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 39,985 shares of the companys stock valued at $141,000 after buying an additional 5,000 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC grew its stake in shares of loanDepot by 26.2% in the 2nd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 27,513 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 5,711 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of loanDepot by 9.3% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 73,215 shares of the companys stock valued at $121,000 after buying an additional 6,227 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of loanDepot by 32.0% in the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 34,712 shares of the companys stock valued at $74,000 after buying an additional 8,415 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of loanDepot in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $47,000. 53.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About loanDepot

(Get Free Report)

loanDepot, Inc engages in originating, financing, selling, and servicing residential mortgage loans in the United States. It offers conventional agency-conforming and prime jumbo, federal assistance residential mortgage, and home equity loans. The company also provides settlement services, which include captive title and escrow business; real estate services that cover captive real estate referral business; and insurance services, including services to homeowners, as well as other consumer insurance policies.

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Shares of Main Street Capital Co. (NYSE:MAIN  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Hold from the six brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $45.50.

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on MAIN shares. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on shares of Main Street Capital from $41.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Main Street Capital from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Main Street Capital from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Main Street Capital from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, B. Riley downgraded shares of Main Street Capital from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $47.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, January 8th.

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Main Street Capital Price Performance

Main Street Capital Announces Dividend

NYSE:MAIN opened at $45.85 on Wednesday. Main Street Capital has a 12 month low of $36.48 and a 12 month high of $46.42. The companys 50-day moving average price is $44.82 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $42.19. The firm has a market cap of $3.90 billion, a PE ratio of 8.78 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a quick ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 0.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14.

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $2.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 7th. Main Street Capitals payout ratio is 55.17%.

Institutional Trading of Main Street Capital

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAIN. Citigroup Inc. lifted its stake in Main Street Capital by 945.9% in the third quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 638 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 577 shares during the last quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of Main Street Capital by 562.3% during the 3rd quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 849 shares during the last quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Main Street Capital by 73.6% during the 4th quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,139 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 483 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in shares of Main Street Capital by 157.9% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,220 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 747 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ICA Group Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Main Street Capital during the 4th quarter worth about $55,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.20% of the companys stock.

Main Street Capital Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Main Street Capital Corporation is a business development company specializes in equity capital to lower middle market companies. The firm specializing in recapitalizations, management buyouts, refinancing, family estate planning, management buyouts, refinancing, industry consolidation, mature, later stage emerging growth.

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Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR  Free Report) during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor purchased 1,546 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $277,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 11,633 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,083,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. increased its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 1,485 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $247,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC increased its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC now owns 1,974 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $353,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Teamwork Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Teamwork Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,027 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $721,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HBK Sorce Advisory LLC increased its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 13,695 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,452,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.36% of the companys stock.

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Broadridge Financial Solutions Stock Performance

Shares of BR stock opened at $203.55 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.97 billion, a PE ratio of 35.46 and a beta of 0.99. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $201.42 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $190.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a 12 month low of $133.97 and a 12 month high of $210.24.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Announces Dividend

Broadridge Financial Solutions ( NYSE:BR Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The business services provider reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.03. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a net margin of 10.82% and a return on equity of 41.12%. The firm had revenue of $1.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.40 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.91 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 7.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.57%. Broadridge Financial Solutionss payout ratio is 55.75%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on BR. Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $205.00 to $214.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $212.00 to $239.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $226.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $203.17.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Broadridge Financial Solutions

Insider Transactions at Broadridge Financial Solutions

In other news, insider Douglas Richard Deschutter sold 12,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.71, for a total value of $2,497,462.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 32,480 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,648,980.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Douglas Richard Deschutter sold 12,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.71, for a total value of $2,497,462.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 32,480 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,648,980.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, President Christopher John Perry sold 6,643 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.17, for a total transaction of $1,329,729.31. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now directly owns 59,282 shares in the company, valued at $11,866,477.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 62,917 shares of company stock worth $12,660,561 in the last quarter. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Company Profile

(Free Report)

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions.

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Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC cut its stake in shares of Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW  Free Report) by 11.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,795 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 233 shares during the quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Arrow Electronics were worth $225,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. California Public Employees Retirement System lifted its holdings in Arrow Electronics by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 339,374 shares of the technology companys stock worth $48,609,000 after purchasing an additional 12,598 shares in the last quarter. South Dakota Investment Council raised its holdings in shares of Arrow Electronics by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. South Dakota Investment Council now owns 74,556 shares of the technology companys stock worth $9,337,000 after acquiring an additional 2,372 shares in the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec raised its holdings in shares of Arrow Electronics by 21.2% during the 2nd quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 566,015 shares of the technology companys stock worth $81,070,000 after acquiring an additional 99,034 shares in the last quarter. Caxton Associates LP purchased a new stake in shares of Arrow Electronics during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $730,000. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Arrow Electronics by 42.9% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,164,451 shares of the technology companys stock worth $145,244,000 after acquiring an additional 349,561 shares in the last quarter. 94.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Arrow Electronics

In related news, CAO Yun Sung Cho sold 739 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.22, for a total transaction of $86,625.58. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 1,389 shares in the company, valued at approximately $162,818.58. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Arrow Electronics news, insider Richard John Marano sold 1,900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.46, for a total value of $221,274.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 12,108 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,410,097.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Yun Sung Cho sold 739 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.22, for a total value of $86,625.58. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 1,389 shares in the company, valued at approximately $162,818.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 4,134 shares of company stock worth $488,795. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Arrow Electronics Stock Performance

NYSE:ARW opened at $120.03 on Monday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $115.45 and its 200 day moving average is $119.78. Arrow Electronics, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $108.51 and a fifty-two week high of $147.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.46 billion, a PE ratio of 7.60 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.39.

Arrow Electronics (NYSE:ARW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The technology company reported $3.98 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.72 by $0.26. Arrow Electronics had a return on equity of 17.22% and a net margin of 2.73%. The company had revenue of $7.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.84 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $5.69 EPS. Arrow Electronicss quarterly revenue was down 15.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Arrow Electronics, Inc. will post 11.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently issued reports on ARW shares. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Arrow Electronics from $128.00 to $124.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 9th. StockNews.com cut Arrow Electronics from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 13th.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics Profile

(Free Report)

Arrow Electronics, Inc provides products, services, and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Global Components and Global Enterprise Computing Solutions.

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Morgan Stanley lowered its position in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A  Free Report) by 10.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,292,200 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 501,714 shares during the quarter. Morgan Stanley owned approximately 1.47% of Agilent Technologies worth $479,954,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies by 1.1% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 31,853,176 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $3,830,344,000 after purchasing an additional 349,651 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies by 1.1% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 24,531,170 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $3,246,209,000 after purchasing an additional 261,435 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies by 2.0% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 13,214,595 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,591,990,000 after purchasing an additional 253,729 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies by 0.4% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 11,076,270 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,238,549,000 after purchasing an additional 39,030 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies by 2.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,378,218 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $765,009,000 after purchasing an additional 174,439 shares during the period.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com raised Agilent Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. Barclays raised their price target on Agilent Technologies from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on Agilent Technologies from $135.00 to $132.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Citigroup raised their price target on Agilent Technologies from $130.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, Bank of America lowered Agilent Technologies from a buy rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the stock from $130.00 to $133.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Agilent Technologies presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $141.31.

Agilent Technologies Trading Down 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE:A opened at $147.87 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $43.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.21, a PEG ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 2.68. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $134.09 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $123.83. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $96.80 and a 52-week high of $151.58.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The medical research company reported $1.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $1.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.59 billion. Agilent Technologies had a return on equity of 27.09% and a net margin of 18.35%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.37 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.5 EPS for the current year.

Agilent Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 24th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.236 per share. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.64%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 1st. Agilent Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.38%.

Insider Activity at Agilent Technologies

In related news, CEO Michael R. Mcmullen sold 2,751 shares of Agilent Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total transaction of $357,630.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 306,206 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $39,806,780. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Michael R. Mcmullen sold 2,751 shares of Agilent Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total transaction of $357,630.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 306,206 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $39,806,780. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Henrik Ancher-Jensen sold 26,331 shares of Agilent Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.36, for a total value of $3,643,157.16. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 82,504 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,415,253.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 39,948 shares of company stock valued at $5,568,576.

Agilent Technologies Company Profile

(Free Report)

Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets, Diagnostics and Genomics, and Agilent CrossLab. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; and vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies.

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Deutsche Bank AG trimmed its holdings in shares of Newmont Co. (NYSE:NEM  Free Report) by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 18,438,706 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 464,128 shares during the quarter. Deutsche Bank AGs holdings in Newmont were worth $681,310,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in NEM. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its stake in Newmont by 22.3% in the 3rd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 145,639 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $5,382,000 after purchasing an additional 26,599 shares during the last quarter. Wintrust Investments LLC grew its holdings in Newmont by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. Wintrust Investments LLC now owns 31,297 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,335,000 after buying an additional 1,738 shares in the last quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. grew its holdings in Newmont by 12.5% in the 3rd quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 456,662 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $16,876,000 after buying an additional 50,794 shares in the last quarter. Monaco Asset Management SAM purchased a new stake in Newmont in the 3rd quarter valued at $2,845,000. Finally, abrdn plc grew its holdings in Newmont by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. abrdn plc now owns 1,150,986 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $42,529,000 after buying an additional 44,574 shares in the last quarter. 79.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In other news, COO Robert D. Atkinson sold 5,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.26, for a total value of $226,930.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 54,251 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,238,396.26. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Newmont Stock Up 3.8 %

Shares of NEM stock traded up $1.28 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $35.19. 11,635,488 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 12,469,022. The businesss fifty day moving average is $34.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $37.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.98. Newmont Co. has a 12-month low of $29.42 and a 12-month high of $52.76. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.56 billion, a P/E ratio of -14.68, a P/E/G ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.49.

Newmont (NYSE:NEM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The basic materials company reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by ($0.01). Newmont had a positive return on equity of 6.21% and a negative net margin of 20.95%. The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.44 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.44 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 23.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Newmont Co. will post 1.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Newmont Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 5th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.84%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 4th. Newmonts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -42.02%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on NEM shares. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on Newmont from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 8th. TD Securities lowered their price target on Newmont from $40.00 to $36.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 23rd. StockNews.com lowered shares of Newmont from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday, February 26th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Newmont in a report on Thursday, February 29th. They issued a buy rating and a $38.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of Newmont from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $53.09.

Read Our Latest Analysis on NEM

Newmont Company Profile

(Free Report)

Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and Ghana. As of December 31, 2022, it had proven and probable gold reserves of 96.1 million ounces and land position of 61,500 square kilometers.

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Harbour Investments Inc. cut its stake in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) by 7.4% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 14,152 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,129 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $811,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in NEE. Country Trust Bank raised its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 975.6% during the 3rd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 441 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp lifted its stake in NextEra Energy by 59.8% in the 3rd quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 556 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in NextEra Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $32,000. West Tower Group LLC purchased a new stake in NextEra Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Legacy Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in NextEra Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $38,000. 76.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

NEE has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com lowered NextEra Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Monday, February 19th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $74.00 target price on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Guggenheim upped their target price on NextEra Energy from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on NextEra Energy from $79.00 to $76.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on NextEra Energy from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $71.85.

NextEra Energy Trading Up 2.8 %

NEE stock opened at $57.81 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $118.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.01, a PEG ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $57.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $59.13. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 52 week low of $47.15 and a 52 week high of $79.78.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $6.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.72 billion. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 11.73% and a net margin of 26.00%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.51 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.44 EPS for the current year.

NextEra Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be issued 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 an increase 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%.

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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WESCO International (NYSE:WCC  Free Report) had its price target increased by Oppenheimer from $175.00 to $190.00 in a report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. Oppenheimer currently has an outperform rating on the technology companys stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on the company. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on WESCO International from $203.00 to $170.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. StockNews.com cut WESCO International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded WESCO International from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and lowered their target price for the company from $202.00 to $173.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, KeyCorp decreased their price target on WESCO International from $185.00 to $165.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $181.33.

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WESCO International Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of WESCO International stock opened at $159.78 on Thursday. WESCO International has a 1 year low of $121.90 and a 1 year high of $195.43. The company has a 50-day moving average of $165.12 and a 200 day moving average of $156.27. The firm has a market cap of $8.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.80, a PEG ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 2.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 2.48 and a quick ratio of 1.42.

WESCO International (NYSE:WCC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The technology company reported $2.65 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.86 by ($1.21). The firm had revenue of $5.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.59 billion. WESCO International had a net margin of 3.42% and a return on equity of 17.01%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $4.13 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that WESCO International will post 14.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

WESCO International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.4125 dividend. This is a positive change from WESCO Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.03%. WESCO Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 11.08%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other WESCO International news, EVP Nelson John Squires III sold 3,490 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $190.00, for a total value of $663,100.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 54,385 shares in the company, valued at $10,333,150. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 2.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of WESCO International

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Park Place Capital Corp increased its stake in shares of WESCO International by 41.3% during the third quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 294 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. KB Financial Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of WESCO International by 76.8% during the third quarter. KB Financial Partners LLC now owns 198 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. FDx Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of WESCO International by 7.3% during the third quarter. FDx Advisors Inc. now owns 1,555 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $224,000 after buying an additional 106 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank increased its stake in shares of WESCO International by 2.1% during the third quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 5,501 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $791,000 after buying an additional 113 shares during the period. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in shares of WESCO International by 5.1% during the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,497 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $267,000 after buying an additional 122 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.15% of the companys stock.

About WESCO International

(Get Free Report)

WESCO International, Inc provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS).

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Banque Pictet & Cie SA lessened its position in Otis Worldwide Co. (NYSE:OTIS  Free Report) by 9.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 325,601 shares of the companys stock after selling 32,550 shares during the period. Banque Pictet & Cie SA owned approximately 0.08% of Otis Worldwide worth $26,149,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Deutsche Bank AG raised its position in shares of Otis Worldwide by 3.0% during the third quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 1,404,975 shares of the companys stock worth $112,834,000 after purchasing an additional 40,685 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Board raised its position in Otis Worldwide by 11.4% during the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 44,105 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,542,000 after buying an additional 4,530 shares during the period. Graham Capital Management L.P. acquired a new position in Otis Worldwide during the third quarter valued at $1,441,000. Comerica Bank acquired a new position in Otis Worldwide during the third quarter valued at $9,128,000. Finally, Brown Shipley& Co Ltd raised its position in Otis Worldwide by 14.1% during the third quarter. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd now owns 39,348 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,160,000 after buying an additional 4,853 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 85.48% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

OTIS has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group upped their price target on Otis Worldwide from $87.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Otis Worldwide from $97.00 to $95.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Argus upgraded Otis Worldwide from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $102.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $100.00 price target on shares of Otis Worldwide in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Vertical Research downgraded Otis Worldwide from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $92.29.

Insider Buying and Selling at Otis Worldwide

In other news, insider Montlivault Stephane De sold 18,393 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.10, for a total value of $1,675,602.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 67,274 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,128,661.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, CEO Judith Fran Marks sold 37,312 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.83, for a total transaction of $3,426,360.96. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 192,319 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,660,653.77. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Montlivault Stephane De sold 18,393 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.10, for a total value of $1,675,602.30. Following the sale, the insider now owns 67,274 shares in the company, valued at $6,128,661.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock.

Otis Worldwide Price Performance

Shares of NYSE OTIS traded down $1.54 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $96.09. 974,804 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,100,823. Otis Worldwide Co. has a 1-year low of $73.32 and a 1-year high of $97.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $38.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.35 and a beta of 1.01. The companys 50-day moving average price is $90.46 and its 200-day moving average price is $85.69.

Otis Worldwide (NYSE:OTIS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.85 by $0.02. Otis Worldwide had a negative return on equity of 30.75% and a net margin of 9.90%. The business had revenue of $3.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.57 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.75 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Otis Worldwide Co. will post 3.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Otis Worldwide Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th were issued a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.42%. Otis Worldwides dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.12%.

About Otis Worldwide

(Free Report)

Otis Worldwide Corporation engages in manufacturing, installation, and servicing of elevators and escalators in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, New Equipment and Service. The New Equipment segment designs, manufactures, sells, and installs a range of passenger and freight elevators, as well as escalators and moving walkways for residential and commercial buildings, and infrastructure projects.

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Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR  Get Free Report) insider Heather A. Planishek sold 32,828 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.95, for a total transaction of $851,886.60. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 662,006 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,179,055.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Palantir Technologies Price Performance

Palantir Technologies stock opened at $26.04 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $20.35 and a 200-day simple moving average of $18.20. Palantir Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $7.19 and a 1-year high of $27.50. The stock has a market cap of $57.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 289.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.39 and a beta of 2.82.

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Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 5th. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $608.35 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $603.48 million. Palantir Technologies had a return on equity of 6.17% and a net margin of 9.43%. Equities analysts expect that Palantir Technologies Inc. will post 0.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Palantir Technologies

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Palantir Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Palantir Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $727,000. Tortoise Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Palantir Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. EP Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Palantir Technologies by 25.1% during the 4th quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 16,516 shares of the companys stock worth $284,000 after purchasing an additional 3,316 shares during the period. Finally, Syon Capital LLC purchased a new position in Palantir Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $431,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 34.21% of the companys stock.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Palantir Technologies from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $5.00 price objective on shares of Palantir Technologies in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. HSBC downgraded shares of Palantir Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $22.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of Palantir Technologies from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded shares of Palantir Technologies from a sell rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the company from $10.00 to $20.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $18.21.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on PLTR

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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Penserra Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Seaways, Inc. (NYSE:INSW  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 19,491 shares of the transportation companys stock, valued at approximately $877,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Swiss National Bank raised its holdings in International Seaways by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 75,200 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $3,384,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. AdvisorShares Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of International Seaways by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC now owns 10,383 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $397,000 after purchasing an additional 324 shares during the period. Point72 Asset Management L.P. increased its holdings in shares of International Seaways by 55.2% in the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,015 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 361 shares during the period. WINTON GROUP Ltd increased its holdings in shares of International Seaways by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 10,652 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $444,000 after purchasing an additional 379 shares during the period. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its holdings in shares of International Seaways by 29.8% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,672 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 384 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.08% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other International Seaways news, SVP Derek G. Solon sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.62, for a total transaction of $44,620.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 38,774 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,730,095.88. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other International Seaways news, CEO Lois K. Zabrocky sold 13,760 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.87, for a total transaction of $727,491.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 148,942 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,874,563.54. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Derek G. Solon sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.62, for a total value of $44,620.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 38,774 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,730,095.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 18,260 shares of company stock valued at $947,911 over the last 90 days. 2.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on INSW shares. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $66.00 target price on shares of International Seaways in a report on Thursday, February 29th. StockNews.com upgraded International Seaways from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 26th.

View Our Latest Analysis on INSW

International Seaways Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE INSW opened at $53.12 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $2.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.72 and a beta of -0.05. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $51.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $47.38. International Seaways, Inc. has a 52 week low of $34.77 and a 52 week high of $54.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 2.37 and a current ratio of 2.38.

International Seaways (NYSE:INSW  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The transportation company reported $2.18 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.08 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $250.73 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $239.36 million. International Seaways had a return on equity of 32.03% and a net margin of 51.92%. On average, research analysts predict that International Seaways, Inc. will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Seaways Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 14th will be paid a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 13th. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.04%. International Seawayss payout ratio is 4.27%.

International Seaways Profile

(Free Report)

International Seaways, Inc owns and operates a fleet of oceangoing vessels for the transportation of crude oil and petroleum products in the international flag trade. It operates in two segments: Crude Tankers and Product Carriers. It serves independent and state-owned oil companies, oil traders, refinery operators, and international government entities.

Further Reading

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Tompkins Financial Corp increased its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,160 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 275 shares during the quarter. Tompkins Financial Corps holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $663,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of PM. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC raised its stake in Philip Morris International by 10.4% during the second quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 213,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,806,000 after buying an additional 20,104 shares in the last quarter. Aspen Grove Capital LLC raised its stake in Philip Morris International by 13.0% during the second quarter. Aspen Grove Capital LLC now owns 4,756 shares of the companys stock valued at $470,000 after buying an additional 547 shares in the last quarter. Berger Financial Group Inc raised its stake in Philip Morris International by 3.0% during the second quarter. Berger Financial Group Inc now owns 3,902 shares of the companys stock valued at $381,000 after buying an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in Philip Morris International by 1.5% during the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 120,894 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,802,000 after buying an additional 1,764 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Elevated Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in Philip Morris International by 2.8% during the second quarter. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC now owns 17,016 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,661,000 after buying an additional 471 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.70% of the companys stock.

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Philip Morris International Price Performance

PM stock traded up $0.38 on Monday, reaching $93.06. The companys stock had a trading volume of 508,722 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,803,283. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52 week low of $87.23 and a 52 week high of $101.92. The company has a market capitalization of $144.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.61. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $91.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $92.61.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by ($0.08). Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 116.29% and a net margin of 8.53%. The business had revenue of $9.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.99 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.39 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 21st will be paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 20th. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is currently 103.59%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have issued reports on PM. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, November 16th. They set a neutral rating and a $95.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Argus reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. UBS Group lowered Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and lowered their target price for the company from $105.00 to $86.50 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Societe Generale raised Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 target price for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $105.40.

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About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Polar Capital Holdings Plc reduced its stake in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 3.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 565,799 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 20,241 shares during the period. Polar Capital Holdings Plc owned approximately 0.25% of Travelers Companies worth $92,401,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its holdings in Travelers Companies by 5.0% during the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 53,229 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $8,693,000 after buying an additional 2,522 shares during the period. Graham Capital Management L.P. boosted its position in Travelers Companies by 4,321.8% during the third quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P. now owns 136,900 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $22,357,000 after acquiring an additional 133,804 shares during the last quarter. Athena Investment Management boosted its position in Travelers Companies by 5.4% during the third quarter. Athena Investment Management now owns 1,966 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $321,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. boosted its position in Travelers Companies by 1,826.3% during the third quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 512,714 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $83,731,000 after acquiring an additional 486,098 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Creative Planning grew its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 45.5% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 89,666 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $14,644,000 after buying an additional 28,020 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.12% of the companys stock.

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Travelers Companies Stock Performance

TRV stock traded up $0.95 on Monday, reaching $219.40. 397,141 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,560,485. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $157.33 and a 12 month high of $223.88. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $210.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $184.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $50.27 billion, a PE ratio of 17.08, a PEG ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.34 and a quick ratio of 0.34.

Travelers Companies Announces Dividend

Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 19th. The insurance provider reported $7.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 business had revenue of $10.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.18 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.40 earnings per share. Travelers Companiess revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be issued a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.27%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on TRV shares. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $185.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $194.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $166.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. HSBC began coverage on shares of Travelers Companies in a research report on Thursday, December 28th. They issued a hold rating and a $203.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Travelers Companies in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued an outperform rating and a $247.00 price objective on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $201.38.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Travelers Companies

Insider Buying and Selling at Travelers Companies

In other Travelers Companies news, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 38,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.55, for a total value of $8,076,900.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 14,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,147,865.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, SVP Paul E. Munson sold 2,121 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.86, for a total transaction of $451,476.06. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 719 shares in the company, valued at approximately $153,046.34. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 38,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.55, for a total transaction of $8,076,900.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 14,810 shares in the company, valued at $3,147,865.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 109,775 shares of company stock valued at $23,343,903 in the last 90 days. 1.29% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Travelers Companies 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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Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 27.2% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 437,363 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 93,591 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company makes up 1.7% of Public Sector Pension Investment Boards portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position. Public Sector Pension Investment Boards holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $234,921,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Graham Capital Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the third quarter worth $2,593,000. Verity Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 15.3% during the 3rd quarter. Verity Asset Management Inc. now owns 752 shares of the companys stock worth $404,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. GUNN & Co INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 3rd quarter worth about $344,000. Oak Grove Capital LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Oak Grove Capital LLC now owns 62,555 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,600,000 after acquiring an additional 2,062 shares during the period. Finally, Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the third quarter valued at about $3,281,000. 81.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Eli Lilly and Company Trading Down 3.7 %

Shares of LLY stock traded down $28.20 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $733.94. 2,436,842 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,393,029. The firm has a market capitalization of $697.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 129.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.34. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $317.24 and a 12-month high of $800.78. The companys 50-day moving average price is $694.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $618.70. 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 Activity at Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.30 by $0.19. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 51.22% and a net margin of 15.36%. The firm had revenue of $9.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.95 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.09 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.44 earnings per share for the current year.

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 1,180 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $645.60, for a total value of $761,808.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 99,542,630 shares in the company, valued at approximately $64,264,721,928. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders sold 195,055 shares of company stock worth $125,254,657 in the last 90 days. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on LLY. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $800.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $650.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. BMO Capital Markets increased 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 report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, DZ Bank cut Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $820.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $677.62.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on LLY

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company 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; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Franco-Nevada (TSE:FNV  Free Report) (NYSE:FNV) had its price objective lowered by Raymond James from C$146.00 to C$138.00 in a report issued on Thursday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. Raymond James currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

FNV has been the topic of a number of other reports. National Bankshares lowered their price objective on shares of Franco-Nevada from C$205.00 to C$190.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on shares of Franco-Nevada from C$200.00 to C$195.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. CIBC decreased their price target on shares of Franco-Nevada from C$258.00 to C$250.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Canaccord Genuity Group decreased their price target on shares of Franco-Nevada from C$170.00 to C$165.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Franco-Nevada from C$186.00 to C$182.00 in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Franco-Nevada has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$189.46.

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Franco-Nevada Price Performance

Shares of TSE FNV opened at C$155.22 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of C$29.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.34, a PEG ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 0.58. Franco-Nevada has a 52 week low of C$139.19 and a 52 week high of C$217.70. The companys 50-day moving average price is C$146.14 and its 200 day moving average price is C$163.33. The company has a current ratio of 37.72, a quick ratio of 23.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63.

Franco-Nevada (TSE:FNV  Get Free Report) (NYSE:FNV) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 5th. The company reported C$1.23 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$1.07 by C$0.16. The firm had revenue of C$412.95 million for the quarter. Franco-Nevada had a net margin of 55.19% and a return on equity of 10.46%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Franco-Nevada will post 4.3681517 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Franco-Nevada Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 14th will be issued a $0.477 dividend. This is a positive change from Franco-Nevadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 13th. This represents a $1.91 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.23%. Franco-Nevadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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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Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE: LB) has recently received a number of price target changes and ratings updates:

3/1/2024  Laurentian Bank of Canada had its price target lowered by analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from C$30.00 to C$26.00. They now have an underperform rating on the stock.

3/1/2024  Laurentian Bank of Canada had its price target lowered by analysts at National Bankshares, Inc. from C$28.00 to C$27.00. They now have an underperform rating on the stock.

3/1/2024  Laurentian Bank of Canada had its price target lowered by analysts at Raymond James from C$32.00 to C$27.00. They now have a market perform rating on the stock.

3/1/2024  Laurentian Bank of Canada had its price target lowered by analysts at Jefferies Financial Group Inc. from C$25.00 to C$24.00. They now have a hold rating on the stock.

3/1/2024  Laurentian Bank of Canada had its price target lowered by analysts at Cormark from C$28.00 to C$26.00.

2/14/2024  Laurentian Bank of Canada had its price target raised by analysts at CIBC from C$32.00 to C$33.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

2/7/2024  Laurentian Bank of Canada was downgraded by analysts at Desjardins from a hold rating to a sell rating. They now have a C$26.00 price target on the stock, down previously from C$27.00.

Laurentian Bank of Canada Stock Performance

Shares of LB stock traded up C$1.07 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting C$28.50. 625,753 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 149,892. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$26.82 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$28.06. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.33, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.25. Laurentian Bank of Canada has a 12-month low of C$24.92 and a 12-month high of C$48.23.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 7th. The company reported C$1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$1.13 by C($0.13). The firm had revenue of C$247.45 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$261.30 million. Laurentian Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 6.42% and a net margin of 18.79%. On average, research analysts expect that Laurentian Bank of Canada will post 4.2805071 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Laurentian Bank of Canada Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Investors of record on Monday, April 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.47 per share. This represents a $1.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 28th. Laurentian Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is currently 48.33%.

Laurentian Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services to personal, business, and institutional customers in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Capital Markets. The Personal Banking segment offers financial services, such as financial advisory services to financial intermediaries; and operates digital direct-to-customer platform to retail clients.

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Rooted Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in iShares Silver Trust (NYSEARCA:SLV  Free Report) by 16.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 33,108 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 4,705 shares during the period. Rooted Wealth Advisors Inc.s holdings in iShares Silver Trust were worth $720,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Marshall Wace LLP increased its position in iShares Silver Trust by 2,340.0% during the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,131,200 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $24,909,000 after purchasing an additional 1,181,700 shares during the period. 1832 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in iShares Silver Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $26,492,000. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of iShares Silver Trust by 48.0% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,711,172 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $62,032,000 after acquiring an additional 879,524 shares in the last quarter. Quantitative Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Silver Trust during the second quarter valued at about $13,481,000. Finally, Kraft Davis & Associates LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Silver Trust during the second quarter valued at about $10,749,000.

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iShares Silver Trust Stock Performance

Shares of SLV stock traded up $0.14 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $22.37. 5,119,983 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 16,405,770. iShares Silver Trust has a one year low of $18.97 and a one year high of $23.94. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $21.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $21.23.

iShares Silver Trust Company Profile

iShares Silver Trust (the Trust) owns silver transferred to the Trust in exchange for shares issued by the Trust. The Trusts each share represents a fractional undivided beneficial interest in its net assets. The assets of the Trust consist of silver held by the Trusts custodian on behalf of the Trust.

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Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY  Free Report) (NYSE:RY) had its price target cut by CIBC from C$140.00 to C$135.00 in a report published on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the financial services providers stock.

RY has been the subject of a number of other reports. Bank of America upgraded shares of Royal Bank of Canada from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from C$130.00 to C$146.00 in a report on Monday, December 18th. National Bankshares increased their price objective on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$135.00 to C$148.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$132.00 to C$140.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Scotiabank boosted their target price on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$140.00 to C$143.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price on Royal Bank of Canada from C$127.00 to C$125.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$137.03.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on RY

Royal Bank of Canada Price Performance

TSE RY opened at C$133.98 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is C$132.45 and its 200 day moving average price is C$124.66. Royal Bank of Canada has a 12 month low of C$107.92 and a 12 month high of C$137.16. The company has a market capitalization of C$188.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 10.64 and a beta of 0.84.

Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY  Get Free Report) (NYSE:RY) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The financial services provider reported C$2.85 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$2.79 by C$0.06. The firm had revenue of C$13.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$13.65 billion. Royal Bank of Canada had a net margin of 28.61% and a return on equity of 13.66%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Royal Bank of Canada will post 11.3350515 earnings per share for the current year.

Royal Bank of Canada Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 24th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 25th will be paid a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 24th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.12%. Royal Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 51.25%.

About Royal Bank of Canada

(Get Free Report)

Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses.

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TD Cowen upgraded shares of Shake Shack (NYSE:SHAK  Free Report) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. TD Cowen currently has $125.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of $91.00.

SHAK has been the topic of a number of other research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Shake Shack from $65.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Monday, March 4th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Shake Shack from $67.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Wedbush reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $80.00 target price on shares of Shake Shack in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Raymond James lifted their target price on shares of Shake Shack from $90.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Shake Shack from $62.00 to $60.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $83.61.

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Shake Shack Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:SHAK opened at $103.63 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $4.38 billion, a PE ratio of 225.28, a PEG ratio of 4.01 and a beta of 1.81. The companys fifty day moving average is $82.29 and its 200 day moving average is $69.29. Shake Shack has a 52 week low of $52.01 and a 52 week high of $108.39. The company has a quick ratio of 2.01, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52.

Shake Shack (NYSE:SHAK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The company reported $0.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $286.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $280.45 million. Shake Shack had a net margin of 1.82% and a return on equity of 3.67%. The companys revenue was up 20.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($0.06) EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Shake Shack will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Shake Shack

In other Shake Shack news, Director Jeffrey Flug sold 771 shares of Shake Shack stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.07, for a total value of $57,878.97. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,740 shares of the companys stock, valued at $430,901.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Shake Shack news, Director Daniel Harris Meyer sold 40,000 shares of Shake Shack stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.34, for a total value of $4,253,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 480,437 shares of the companys stock, valued at $51,089,670.58. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Jeffrey Flug sold 771 shares of Shake Shack stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.07, for a total transaction of $57,878.97. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,740 shares of the companys stock, valued at $430,901.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 101,379 shares of company stock valued at $10,228,398 in the last three months. Company insiders own 10.06% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in SHAK. Raymond James & Associates raised its holdings in shares of Shake Shack by 96.3% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 22,358 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,518,000 after purchasing an additional 10,967 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in Shake Shack by 22.8% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 16,446 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,118,000 after buying an additional 3,054 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its position in Shake Shack by 54.5% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 20,457 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,389,000 after buying an additional 7,216 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers grew its position in Shake Shack by 6.7% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 95,267 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,469,000 after buying an additional 5,985 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its position in Shake Shack by 14.1% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 33,742 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,291,000 after buying an additional 4,160 shares during the period. 91.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Shake Shack

(Get Free Report)

Shake Shack Inc owns, operates, and licenses Shake Shack restaurants (Shacks) in the United States and internationally. Its Shacks offers hamburgers, chicken, hot dogs, crinkle cut fries, shakes, frozen custard, beer, wine, and other products. The company was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

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Sprott Inc. lowered its holdings in Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:DAR  Free Report) by 6.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 5,939 shares of the companys stock after selling 409 shares during the quarter. Sprott Inc.s holdings in Darling Ingredients were worth $319,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new position in shares of Darling Ingredients in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Millburn Ridgefield Corp purchased a new position in shares of Darling Ingredients in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Darling Ingredients in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC purchased a new position in shares of Darling Ingredients in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc lifted its stake in shares of Darling Ingredients by 38.9% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 689 shares of the companys stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.78% of the companys stock.

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Darling Ingredients Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of Darling Ingredients stock traded up $0.46 on Monday, reaching $43.99. The companys stock had a trading volume of 50,237 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,935,476. The company has a market capitalization of $7.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.94 and a beta of 1.28. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $43.87 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $47.28. Darling Ingredients Inc. has a 52 week low of $38.97 and a 52 week high of $71.60. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Analyst Ratings Changes

In other Darling Ingredients news, Director Kurt Stoffel bought 8,000 shares of Darling Ingredients stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $41.62 per share, with a total value of $332,960.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 10,571 shares in the company, valued at $439,965.02. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Corporate insiders own 2.51% of the companys stock.

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on Darling Ingredients from $60.00 to $57.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $95.00 price objective (down previously from $120.00) on shares of Darling Ingredients in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Darling Ingredients from $49.00 to $46.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Stephens reduced their price objective on Darling Ingredients from $55.00 to $50.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $75.80.

Read Our Latest Report on DAR

Darling Ingredients Company Profile

(Free Report)

Darling Ingredients Inc develops, produces, and sells natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients in North America, Europe, China, South America, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Feed Ingredients, Food Ingredients, and Fuel Ingredients. It offers ingredients and customized specialty solutions for customers in the pharmaceutical, food, pet food, feed, industrial, fuel, bioenergy, and fertilizer industries.

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Crane (NYSE:CR  Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Saturday.

Several other analysts have also commented on CR. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Crane from $124.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Vertical Research started coverage on Crane in a report on Monday, November 20th. They issued a hold rating and a $110.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on Crane from $110.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $113.67.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Crane

Crane Stock Down 4.1 %

Shares of NYSE:CR opened at $128.54 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $120.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $105.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.83, a PEG ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.49. Crane has a 12-month low of $67.28 and a 12-month high of $134.01. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

Crane (NYSE:CR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, January 29th. The conglomerate reported $0.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $532.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $519.55 million. Crane had a return on equity of 24.45% and a net margin of 13.10%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Crane will post 7.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Crane

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CR. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Crane by 97.2% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 8,031,020 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $584,384,000 after purchasing an additional 3,959,145 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors bought a new stake in shares of Crane in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $168,567,000. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Crane by 93.0% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,666,141 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $193,106,000 after purchasing an additional 1,285,048 shares during the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL lifted its stake in shares of Crane by 77.0% during the 2nd quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 2,410,330 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $180,078,000 after acquiring an additional 1,048,595 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Crane by 110.6% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,440,120 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $102,501,000 after acquiring an additional 756,198 shares during the last quarter. 85.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Crane Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. The company has three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials. The Aerospace & Electronics segment supplies critical components and systems, including original equipment and aftermarket parts, primarily for the commercial aerospace, and the military aerospace, defense, and space markets.

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Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd (TSE:TVE  Get Free Report) Senior Officer Brian Leslie Schmidt bought 9,395 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$3.66 per share, with a total value of C$34,385.70.

Tamarack Valley Energy Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of Tamarack Valley Energy stock traded down C$0.02 during trading hours on Monday, reaching C$3.46. 1,113,429 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,207,445. Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd has a 1 year low of C$2.76 and a 1 year high of C$4.34. The stocks fifty day moving average is C$3.17 and its 200 day moving average is C$3.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.39, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.52. The firm has a market cap of C$1.88 billion, a PE ratio of 20.41 and a beta of 2.59.

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Tamarack Valley Energy (TSE:TVE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported C$0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.06 by C$0.04. Tamarack Valley Energy had a return on equity of 4.34% and a net margin of 6.70%. The business had revenue of C$418.86 million for the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd will post 0.1851064 earnings per share for the current year.

Tamarack Valley Energy Increases Dividend

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a $0.013 dividend. This represents a $0.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.51%. This is a positive change from Tamarack Valley Energys previous monthly dividend of $0.01. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. Tamarack Valley Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 88.24%.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on TVE shares. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on Tamarack Valley Energy from C$4.50 to C$4.25 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Raymond James cut their target price on Tamarack Valley Energy from C$5.00 to C$4.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Tamarack Valley Energy from C$4.00 to C$4.25 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. CIBC lowered their price target on Tamarack Valley Energy from C$5.25 to C$4.50 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, ATB Capital dropped their price objective on Tamarack Valley Energy from C$6.00 to C$5.50 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Tamarack Valley Energy has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$5.07.

Read Our Latest Analysis on TVE

About Tamarack Valley Energy

(Get Free Report)

Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the Western Canadian sedimentary basin. It primarily holds interests in Cardium light oil plays in Wilson Creek/Alder Flats/Pembina, and Garrington and Lochend areas in Alberta; Viking light oil resource plays in Redwater and Westlock in Alberta, as well as in the Consort area of southeast Alberta and Hoosier area of southwest Saskatchewan; Barons Sands light oil plays located in the Penny area of Southern Alberta; and heavy oil properties located in Hatton area of Saskatchewan.

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Tompkins Financial Corp lessened its holdings in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 51,105 shares of the companys stock after selling 450 shares during the quarter. Procter & Gamble makes up about 1.2% of Tompkins Financial Corps portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Tompkins Financial Corps holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $7,454,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Proquility Private Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in Procter & Gamble by 1.1% in the second quarter. Proquility Private Wealth Partners LLC now owns 6,008 shares of the companys stock worth $912,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. KFA Private Wealth Group LLC raised its position in Procter & Gamble by 2.2% in the third quarter. KFA Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 3,054 shares of the companys stock worth $445,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Watchman Group Inc. raised its position in Procter & Gamble by 0.4% in the third quarter. Watchman Group Inc. now owns 18,052 shares of the companys stock worth $2,633,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Syntegra Private Wealth Group LLC raised its position in Procter & Gamble by 1.5% in the third quarter. Syntegra Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 4,773 shares of the companys stock worth $696,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC raised its position in Procter & Gamble by 0.3% in the first quarter. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC now owns 22,385 shares of the companys stock worth $3,420,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.43% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have issued reports on PG shares. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Procter & Gamble in a report on Monday, November 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $177.00 target price on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Procter & Gamble from $155.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Procter & Gamble from $156.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $168.41.

Procter & Gamble Trading Up 0.4 %

NYSE PG traded up $0.72 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $161.07. 1,329,389 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,989,334. The businesss 50 day moving average is $155.18 and its 200-day moving average is $151.42. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 12-month low of $137.04 and a 12-month high of $162.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $379.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a current ratio of 0.64.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.70 by $0.14. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 34.04% and a net margin of 17.60%. The firm had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.48 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.59 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 19th were given a dividend of $0.9407 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 18th. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.34%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.98%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Gary A. Coombe sold 22,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.32, for a total value of $3,549,040.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 36,845 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,943,835.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Gary A. Coombe sold 22,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.32, for a total value of $3,549,040.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 36,845 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,943,835.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Ma. Fatima Francisco sold 74,443 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.30, for a total value of $11,412,111.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 973 shares in the company, valued at $149,160.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 279,063 shares of company stock worth $43,187,745. 0.17% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Procter & Gamble Profile

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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TimesSquare Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in National Storage Affiliates Trust (NYSE:NSA  Free Report) by 6.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 929,315 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 52,605 shares during the period. TimesSquare Capital Management LLC owned approximately 1.12% of National Storage Affiliates Trust worth $29,496,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in National Storage Affiliates Trust by 83.6% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 828 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 377 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC boosted its holdings in National Storage Affiliates Trust by 1,071.9% in the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 668 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 611 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust by 149.8% during the 3rd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 999 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 599 shares during the period. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust by 342.3% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,119 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 866 shares during the period. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $48,000. Institutional investors own 83.63% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on NSA. StockNews.com raised shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, December 23rd. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an underperform rating and set a $35.00 price target (up previously from $32.00) on shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust in a report on Monday, December 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a sell rating and a $33.00 price target for the company. KeyCorp raised shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust from a sector weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $45.00 price target for the company in a report on Friday, January 5th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust from $35.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, December 28th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $36.33.

National Storage Affiliates Trust Trading Up 0.7 %

NSA opened at $38.42 on Monday. National Storage Affiliates Trust has a twelve month low of $27.86 and a twelve month high of $43.28. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.05. The company has a fifty day moving average of $37.65 and a 200-day moving average of $35.04. The stock has a market cap of $3.07 billion, a PE ratio of 25.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 8.19 and a beta of 0.84.

National Storage Affiliates Trust Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $0.56 per share. This represents a $2.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.83%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. National Storage Affiliates Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 149.33%.

National Storage Affiliates Trust Company Profile

(Free Report)

National Storage Affiliates Trust is a real estate investment trust headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, focused on the ownership, operation and acquisition of self storage properties predominantly located within the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2023, the Company held ownership interests in and operated 1,050 self storage properties, located in 42 states and Puerto Rico with approximately 68.6 million rentable square feet, which excludes 39 self storage properties classified as held for sale to be sold to a third party.

Further Reading

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TimesSquare Capital Management LLC lowered its position in shares of PJT Partners Inc. (NYSE:PJT  Free Report) by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 333,099 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 9,460 shares during the quarter. TimesSquare Capital Management LLCs holdings in PJT Partners were worth $26,461,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dark Forest Capital Management LP increased its position in PJT Partners by 90.2% in the third quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 24,433 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,941,000 after purchasing an additional 11,589 shares during the last quarter. Chartwell Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in PJT Partners during the third quarter valued at $8,676,000. Deutsche Bank AG increased its position in PJT Partners by 13.6% during the third quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 12,723 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,011,000 after acquiring an additional 1,521 shares during the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its position in PJT Partners by 207.2% during the third quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 11,489 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $913,000 after acquiring an additional 7,749 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in PJT Partners by 1.1% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 207,643 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $16,495,000 after acquiring an additional 2,352 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.40% of the companys stock.

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PJT Partners Trading Down 0.1 %

PJT opened at $100.05 on Monday. PJT Partners Inc. has a 12-month low of $59.61 and a 12-month high of $107.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.39 billion, a PE ratio of 32.50 and a beta of 0.69. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $99.13 and a two-hundred day moving average of $89.22.

PJT Partners Announces Dividend

PJT Partners ( NYSE:PJT Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The financial services provider reported $0.96 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.76 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $328.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $304.26 million. PJT Partners had a net margin of 7.09% and a return on equity of 17.44%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 17.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.08 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that PJT Partners Inc. will post 3.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 5th. PJT Partnerss payout ratio is presently 32.47%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently commented on PJT. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $99.00 price target (down from $108.00) on shares of PJT Partners in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. JMP Securities increased their price target on shares of PJT Partners from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Wolfe Research reissued an underperform rating and set a $89.00 price target on shares of PJT Partners in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Seaport Res Ptn lowered shares of PJT Partners from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 5th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on shares of PJT Partners from $86.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $99.50.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on PJT Partners

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, General Counsel David Adam Travin sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.21, for a total value of $466,050.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 1,541 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $143,636.61. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other PJT Partners news, General Counsel David Adam Travin sold 5,000 shares of PJT Partners stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.21, for a total transaction of $466,050.00. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 1,541 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $143,636.61. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Ji-Yeun Lee sold 10,000 shares of PJT Partners stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.58, for a total transaction of $1,045,800.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 73,421 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,678,368.18. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 27,926 shares of company stock valued at $2,875,672. 10.67% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

PJT Partners Company Profile

(Free Report)

PJT Partners Inc, an investment bank, provides various strategic and capital markets advisory, restructuring and special situations, and shareholder advisory services to corporations, financial sponsors, institutional investors, and governments worldwide. It offers advisory services to clients on various transactions, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), spin-offs, activism defense, contested M&A, joint ventures, minority investments, and divestitures.

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Tompkins Financial Corp raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 3.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 34,787 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,163 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company comprises about 2.9% of Tompkins Financial Corps investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest position. Tompkins Financial Corps holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $18,685,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in LLY. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,205,501 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,111,568,000 after purchasing an additional 338,077 shares during the last quarter. Liontrust Investment Partners LLP bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 3rd quarter valued at $8,326,000. Armstrong Fleming & Moore Inc bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at $357,000. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 6,986 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,752,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 474,940 shares of the companys stock valued at $255,105,000 after purchasing an additional 18,079 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.38% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 78,573 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $648.07, for a total transaction of $50,920,804.11. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,333,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $64,375,262,246.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 195,055 shares of company stock worth $125,254,657. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LLY has been the topic of several recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $710.00 to $865.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Truist Financial increased 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 research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and set a $815.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $680.00 to $810.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $677.62.

Read Our Latest Report on Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 4.0 %

NYSE:LLY traded down $30.61 on Monday, reaching $731.53. 1,172,483 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,362,333. The company has a market capitalization of $695.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 129.48, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $317.24 and a 12 month high of $800.78. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $694.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $618.70.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last released 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. The business had revenue of $9.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.95 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 51.22%. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.09 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company 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; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD  Free Report) (NYSE:TD) had its price objective decreased by CIBC from C$88.00 to C$86.00 in a report issued on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. CIBC currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. National Bankshares lifted their price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$86.00 to C$92.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Scotiabank cut Toronto-Dominion Bank from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and cut their target price for the stock from C$95.00 to C$86.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Bank of America cut their target price on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$88.00 to C$86.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their target price on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$95.00 to C$96.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$86.00 to C$81.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Toronto-Dominion Bank has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$90.22.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Toronto-Dominion Bank

Toronto-Dominion Bank Stock Down 0.5 %

Toronto-Dominion Bank Dividend Announcement

TSE TD opened at C$81.38 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is C$81.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$81.76. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a twelve month low of C$75.89 and a twelve month high of C$87.10. The company has a market capitalization of C$145.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.86, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.84.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 9th will be paid a dividend of $1.02 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 8th. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.01%. Toronto-Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio is presently 64.45%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Toronto-Dominion Bank

In other Toronto-Dominion Bank news, Senior Officer Anita Odell sold 5,760 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$84.45, for a total transaction of C$486,432.00. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

About Toronto-Dominion Bank

(Get Free Report)

The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking.

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Trust Co. of Vermont lifted its stake in shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV  Free Report) by 1.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 159,166 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,671 shares during the quarter. AbbVie comprises about 1.6% of Trust Co. of Vermonts investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest position. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in AbbVie were worth $23,725,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Banque Pictet & Cie SA grew its stake in shares of AbbVie by 11.8% during the 3rd quarter. Banque Pictet & Cie SA now owns 196,173 shares of the companys stock worth $29,242,000 after purchasing an additional 20,691 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in AbbVie by 1,393.0% in the 3rd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 87,338 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,019,000 after acquiring an additional 81,488 shares during the last quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plc grew its stake in AbbVie by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plc now owns 366,872 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,686,000 after acquiring an additional 8,000 shares during the last quarter. Invst LLC grew its stake in AbbVie by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. Invst LLC now owns 3,933 shares of the companys stock valued at $586,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in AbbVie in the 3rd quarter valued at about $12,919,000. 67.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at AbbVie

In related news, CEO Richard A. Gonzalez sold 138,616 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $177.27, for a total value of $24,572,458.32. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 519,099 shares in the company, valued at $92,020,679.73. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, CEO Richard A. Gonzalez sold 138,616 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $177.27, for a total value of $24,572,458.32. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 519,099 shares in the company, valued at $92,020,679.73. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Nicholas Donoghoe sold 2,912 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $154.72, for a total transaction of $450,544.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 55,903 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,649,312.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 306,205 shares of company stock worth $53,974,299 in the last three months. Company insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock.

AbbVie Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of ABBV stock traded up $0.53 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $179.38. 2,874,471 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,275,387. The firm has a market cap of $316.87 billion, a PE ratio of 65.51, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.58. AbbVie Inc. has a 1 year low of $130.96 and a 1 year high of $182.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.02. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $169.95 and a 200 day moving average of $155.15.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The company reported $2.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $14.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.02 billion. AbbVie had a net margin of 8.95% and a return on equity of 162.28%. The companys revenue was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.60 EPS. Analysts expect that AbbVie Inc. will post 11.15 earnings per share for the current year.

AbbVie Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.55 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. This represents a $6.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.46%. AbbVies payout ratio is currently 227.11%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on ABBV shares. William Blair raised shares of AbbVie from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of AbbVie from $181.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of AbbVie from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. HSBC cut shares of AbbVie from a buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $167.00 to $156.00 in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of AbbVie from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $173.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $175.36.

Get Our Latest Analysis on ABBV

About AbbVie

(Free Report)

AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; Epkinly to treat lymphoma; Elahere to treat cancer; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat blood cancers.

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Trust Co. of Vermont grew its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 21.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 24,611 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after buying an additional 4,363 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $12,409,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Robbins Farley purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 340.0% during the 3rd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 66 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 1st quarter worth about $35,000. Annapolis Financial Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 38.6% during the 3rd quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 79 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the period. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $39,000. 85.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

NYSE:UNH traded up $12.40 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $488.97. 2,627,337 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,234,030. The stock has a market capitalization of $450.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.23, a PEG ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.54. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52-week low of $445.68 and a 52-week high of $554.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The companys 50 day moving average price is $514.23 and its 200-day moving average price is $518.26.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.16 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.98 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $94.43 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $92.13 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.39%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $5.34 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.79 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Investors of record on Monday, March 11th will be issued a dividend of $1.88 per share. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 8th. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.54%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating and issued a $610.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $591.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Friday, January 19th. Barclays assumed coverage on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. They issued an overweight rating and a $551.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $565.00 to $503.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 20th. Finally, Truist Financial restated a buy rating and issued a $610.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, November 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $579.33.

Read Our Latest Analysis on UnitedHealth Group

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 858 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $525.79, for a total transaction of $451,127.82. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 32,289 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,977,233.31. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About UnitedHealth Group

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its stake in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) by 11.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 244,306 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 25,765 shares during the period. NextEra Energy makes up 0.9% of Trust Co. of Vermonts portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $13,996,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. EP Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 20,939.2% during the 3rd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,216,907 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $69,717,000 after purchasing an additional 1,211,123 shares in the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 625,240 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $35,820,000 after acquiring an additional 26,621 shares in the last quarter. Shaolin Capital Management LLC bought a new position in NextEra Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $4,469,000. GUNN & Co INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. bought a new position in NextEra Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $2,042,000. Finally, Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in NextEra Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $623,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.48% of the companys stock.

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NextEra Energy Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE:NEE traded down $0.27 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $57.54. 5,352,285 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 11,095,018. The firm has a market capitalization of $118.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.01, a PEG ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.50. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $57.99 and its 200-day moving average price is $59.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.55. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a twelve month low of $47.15 and a twelve month high of $79.78.

NextEra Energy Increases Dividend

NextEra Energy ( NYSE:NEE Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $6.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.72 billion. NextEra Energy had a net margin of 26.00% and a return on equity of 11.73%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.51 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict 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. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be issued a $0.515 dividend. This is a positive change from NextEra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 26th. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.58%. NextEra Energys payout ratio is presently 57.06%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on NEE. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of NextEra Energy from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of NextEra Energy from $79.00 to $76.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of NextEra Energy in a research report on Friday, December 8th. They issued a buy rating and a $69.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of NextEra Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, February 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $74.00 target price on shares of NextEra Energy in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $71.85.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on NEE

NextEra Energy Profile

(Free Report)

NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear,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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Harbour Investments Inc. grew its position in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (NYSEARCA:VT  Free Report) by 108.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,103 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 5,247 shares during the quarter. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF were worth $941,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. raised its stake in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 12,998 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,317,000 after acquiring an additional 803 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 91.4% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 226,748 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $22,967,000 after acquiring an additional 108,283 shares in the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its stake in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 11.6% during the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 2,555 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $259,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares in the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank acquired a new stake in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF during the 1st quarter worth $350,000. Finally, Equitable Holdings Inc. raised its stake in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 18.7% during the 1st quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 4,973 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $504,000 after acquiring an additional 782 shares in the last quarter.

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Vanguard Total World Stock ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA VT opened at $108.91 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $32.06 billion, a PE ratio of 14.20 and a beta of 0.94. Vanguard Total World Stock ETF has a one year low of $86.13 and a one year high of $110.02. The firms fifty day moving average is $104.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $99.18.

About Vanguard Total World Stock ETF

Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund ETF (the Fund) is an open-end investment company. The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Global All Cap Index, which covers both well-established and still-developing markets. The Fund invests in both foreign and the United States stocks. The fund offers three classes of shares: Investor Shares, Institutional Shares, and ETF Shares.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (NYSEARCA:VT  Free Report).

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A large portion of Central Nebraska will deal with gusty winds today, prompting the National Weather Service in Hastings to enact a Red Flag Warning.

The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 1-7 p.m. today.

Any fires that ignite may spread rapidly and exhibit extreme fire behavior. Residents are urged to use extreme caution if engaging in activities that could result in fire ignition.

These gusty south-southwest winds will featured a sustained breeze of 15-25 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. There will also be a low afternoon relative humidity (13-20%) across the affected area.
Bill Gates, girlfriend enjoy tea meditation on Danang city mountaintop

By Nguyen Tri, Minh Hue Mon, March 11, 2024 | 7:45 pm GMT+7

American billionaire Bill Gates and girlfriend Paula Hurd had a Vietnamese tea meditation experience under the guidance of Hanoi-based beverage artisan Hoang Anh Suong.

Artisan Hoang Anh Suong (right) takes a photo with billionaire Bill Gates and his girlfriend after a tea meditation session on Ban Co mountain peak in Danang city, central Vietnam, March 6, 2024. Photo courtesy of Suong.

The session was held at the Ban Co mountain peak in Son Tra district, Danang city last week.

Suong has been spreading Vietnams tea culture within the country and abroad for more than 20 years. He has organized thousands of tea meditation sessions for people from all walks of life  politicians, businessmen, artists, intellectuals, students and even monks.

But this was the first time he was doing it for an American billionaire and the first time it was held on a mountain top with the ambience of clouds, breeze, sunset and the murmur of sea waves.

Suong took with him two ancient tea sets that he has used to serve heads of state, along with Lotus and Snow Shan tea.

With the previous experience of organizing tea meditation sessions for a number of heads of state and famous tea masters from Japan and China, I did not feel stressed or worried and the preparation was very quick," he said.

A nun from Danang joined the event and Suong guided the couple with her help.

Vietnam is one of the oldest tea cradles in the world with many old plantations on high mountains in the northern provinces of Ha Giang, Lai Chau, Son La and Yen Bai, Suong said.

He said the visitors were interested in knowing about the ancient tea traditions.

Bill Gates and his girlfriend Paula Hurd paid a four-day visit to Danang starting March 4.
New Zealand firms keen on investment in renewable energy, realty in Vietnam

By Minh Anh Mon, March 11, 2024 | 11:14 am GMT+7

New Zealand businesses have asked the Vietnamese government for further support to invest and expand their operations in Vietnam, particularly in renewable energy, real estate, and aviation.

They made the request at a meeting with visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Auckland on Sunday.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with New Zealand businesses in Auckland, New Zealand, March 10, 2024. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal.

At the meeting, Simon Bridges, chief executive of the Auckland Business Chamber, said New Zealand businesses are interested in tapping Vietnams outstanding development process over the past two decades and see multiple chances to do business in the Southeast Asian country.

PM Chinh showed his appreciation for New Zealands investment plans in Vietnam and promised to create favorable conditions and safeguard their legitimate interests and rights.

He highlighted the positive momentum of Vietnam-New Zealand relations over the past 49 years and potential for joint participation in a number of trade blocs like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA), the and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The government chief said that the sectors of interest to New Zealand firms align with Vietnams priorities and potential like solar and wind power, and suggested they work on specific proposals with Vietnamese government agencies.

In the aviation area, Chinh noted that there used to be direct air links between Vietnam and New Zealand but they were disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic. He expected non-stop air service between the two countries to be resumed soon given the large travel demand, plus the possibility of relaxed visa requirements.

The two countries aim to raise bilateral trade to $2 billion this year from $1.3 billion in 2023.

New Zealand had invested in 52 projects worth a combined $208.35 million in Vietnam as of end-2023, ranking 39th among 144 countries and territories investing in the country, according to Vietnamese government data.
Thai industrial developer WHA eyes second Vietnam facility by end 2024

By Tri Duc Mon, March 11, 2024 | 11:05 am GMT+7

Thailand's WHA Industrial Development is in the process of obtaining licenses to begin construction of WHA Smart Technology Industrial Zone 1 in Vietnams central province of Thanh Hoa by the end of 2024.

Thailand's leading industrial real estate developer made the statement in its 2023 performance review report. In addition to the 500-hectare industrial park, WHA noted that it plans to build two more in Vietnam, namely the 300ha WHA Smart Technology Industrial Zone 2 in Thanh Hoa province and the 400ha WHA Smart Eco Industrial Zone in the central province of Quang Nam.

WHA signed memoranda of understanding with the provincial authorities for the two latter facilities in 2022, the firm added.

WHA Industrial Zone 1 in Nghe An province, central Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Doanh Nghien & Tiep Thi (Business & Marketing) magazine.

WHA currently operates only one industrial park in Vietnam, namely WHA Industrial Zone 1 in the central province of Nghe An, with a total area of 2,100 hectares. Construction of phase 1 with 145 hectares is completed, while phase 2 of 355 hectare is under construction.

Regarding phase 2 of the facility in Nghe An, WHA has reached land lease agreements for 48 hectares with Fu Wing Interconnect Technology (Nghe An), a subsidiary of Foxconn Interconnect Technology; and 43 hectares with Sunny Optical Technology, a major manufacturer of mobile phone lenses and components.

In January 2024, Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, chairperson and CEO of WHA, said the firm has invested $200 million in Nghe An and targets to pour in another $1 billion over the next five years.

For global operations in 2023, WHA reported total revenue of THB17,015 million ($479.7 million), up 9% year-on-year, and net profit of THB4,426 million ($124.8 million), up 9%.
Top New Zealand businesses keen on Vietnam opportunities

By Minh Minh Mon, March 11, 2024 | 2:28 pm GMT+7

Meeting with a high-ranking delegation led by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday, several New Zealand companies expressed interest in tapping investment and cooperation opportunities that Vietnam presents in several fields.

At the meeting in Wellington, they received updates on Vietnams investment policies, particularly in infrastructure development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with representatives of leading New Zealand companies in Wellington, New Zealand, March 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal.

After being briefed about investment opportunities in Vietnam, the firms spoke about their capacities and intentions to invest or cooperate in the fields of education and training; science and technology; food import; training and supply of nurses to care for the elderly; climate change response; green transportation and energy transition; and sustainable, high-tech agriculture.

Among the companies present at the meeting were ANZ bank; dairy cooperative Fonterra; New Zealand GNS Science, a research institute focusing on geological resources, environmental and industrial isotopes as well as natural hazards; Auckland University of Technology; kiwi exporter Zespri; T&G Global Limited, grower and distributor of fresh produce; garment maker and exporter TMC; underground infrastructure constructor Reveal; biotech firm Biolumic; and New Zealand Wind Energy.

Speaking at the meeting, Vietnams Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat said the country was embarking on comprehensive education reforms and needed to learn from developed countries, including New Zealand.

He hoped investors in this field would work with agencies of both countries to boost education cooperation at all levels including research and technology transfers.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan mentioned Vietnams ongoing project to develop one million hectares of high-quality and low-emissions paddy in the Mekong Delta. Australias SunRice has pledged to join this initiative, he said.

Welcoming Biolumics intention to introduce its solutions to increase paddy yield and quality with light application, Hoan offered to connect the firm with Vietnamese partners.

Christine Clark, CEO of Kalandra Education Group, offered 1,000 scholarships for training Vietnamese nurses.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (center) speaks at a meeting with representatives of leading New Zealand' companies in Wellington, New Zealand, March 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said there was huge room for bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, and investment as well as other areas.

He said the cooperation would be facilitated by direct air routes between the two countries, which are set to resume soon.

Chinh suggested that New Zealand associations and businesses take advantage of bilateral trade agreements, cooperation frameworks, and new-generation free trade deals that both countries have signed.

These include the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP); the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP); the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA); and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).

The PM called for wider access to each others markets, particularly mentioning the potential removal of non-tariff barriers for Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural and aquatic products.

He also suggested that New Zealand businesses boost investment ties with Vietnam in sectors like green economy, digital economy, circular economy, knowledge-based economy, science and technology, innovation, electronics, electric vehicles, semiconductors, new energy, critical minerals, biotechnology, healthcare, hi-tech agriculture and training of high-quality human resources.
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.
Now that former Gov. Nikki Haley 2024 presidential bid has ended, she can now look to the future of her career, if she wants to.

At 52 years old, Haley is very much still in her political prime, considering President Joe Biden, 81, and former President Donald Trump, 77, will have a rematch breaking the record for oldest candidates to run for the White House the two of them set four years ago.

In the near term it appears the Bamberg County native probably will take some time to catch her breath and recharge after running a more than one year-long campaign for the White House and retreat to private life.

She will face a decision of how much she wants to stay involved in politics and whether she wants to make another White House run in 2028. If she wants to stay in the public realm, she will have to decide how she does so and one way could be helping other candidates running for office this year.

Preparing for another run would require staying in the news or at least staying on donors and activists radar screens. Making another run may require going around the country and forming relationships with other politicians who could prove helpful in the future.

Haley last held public office in 2018, when she resigned as ambassador to the United Nations.

Trump has said Haley most likely would not be his pick for a vice presidential running mate.

Haley often repeated she wasnt staying in the race to be Trumps vice president and said her extended run was not meant to set up a 2028 campaign.

If I was running for a bogus reason, I would have dropped out a long time ago. The rest of the fellas already did that. They have their own plans. I dont judge them. But Im still here, Haley said in a Feb. 20 speech. Im fighting for what I know is right. And I dont care what the party leaders and political elites want. Ill keep fighting until the American people close the door.

Im used to people questioning my intentions, so Ill make a few things clear, Haley said. Some people used to say I was running because I really wanted to be Vice President. I think Ive pretty well settled that question.

Staying relevant

What is next for Haley depends on how involved she wants to get up and down the ballot in the fall election, said Rob Godfrey, a former aide to Haley when she was governor.

There is the opportunity for Republicans to expand their majority in the House and flip the Senate and she may find herself campaigning on behalf of GOP candidates across the country.

She does it on behalf of those candidates and in doing so she not only helps them out, but she helps the (former) president out if he wins because his majority would be larger in the House, Godfrey said. His working allies would be larger in numbers in the Senate, and Nikki Haley would be seen as an ally who helped make that happen. It also happens to benefit her as well because she would have been seen as a team player.

Whether Haley decides to actively court activists and donors during the next four years, will also inform whats next for her.

Regardless of any of that, she has an important voice thats only grown in its power and significance in the primary process and she will be sought out as a speaker about the future of conservative policy in the country and shes never shied away from the opportunity to talk about that and like anybody else, she has to make money, too, Godfrey said. Im sure that will be a focus of hers as well.

Warren Tompkins, a South Carolina political strategist who worked for Gov. Carroll Campbell, said the former ambassador to the United Nations can be a contributor on cable news or Sunday morning political talk shows.

The country has challenges with China, Russia, Iran and the Middle East. People who are well versed in the foreign policy arena will be in demand.

She has credentials in foreign policy. Thats going to be a huge topic, Tompkins said. It is right now, its not going to go away in the next few years.

Tompkins added if Haley wants to run for a lower office in the next couple of years, she may look at the 2026 Senate or governors race in South Carolina. The states constitution only limits someone from being governor for two successive terms.

Shes got opportunities, Haley said. She just has to figure out what its going to be.

Haleys relevance may also hinge on how much money she has leftover in her campaign account from the presidential run.

If she leaves money in a federal campaign account, thats a basis for her to continue her operations, said Dave Wilson, another South Carolina political strategist. Keeping some level of an operation would allow her to keep relevance.

Another run?

Republicans have traditionally nominated someone as their presidential candidate who had run before and was in the race longer than other hopefuls. They can be as next in line.

Reagan was nominated in 1980 after a failed run in 1976. George H.W. Bush was nominated in 1988 after running in 1980. Bob Dole was nominated after failed runs in 1980 and 1988. In 2008, McCain was nominated after losing to George W. Bush in 2000. Mitt Romney got the nomination in 2012 after coming up short against McCain in 2008.

Nikki Haley campaigns in her home state of SC Former South Carolina Governor Haley expects significant support despite polls showing Trump leading in her home state. If she is to do well h

If she can take that mantle, she can only do it in 2028, said Scott Huffmon, the director of the Winthrop University Poll. But the fact is  only Donald Trump could be Donald Trump. If he gets elected, whoever he sets up as his heir apparent, will not necessarily have the advantage of previous heir apparents because they arent Trump. Being blessed by Trump doesnt automatically guarantee you a victory. We saw that in 2022.

During her 2024 run, Haley often repeated that she performed better than Trump in head-to-head matchup polls against Biden. She pointed to how Republicans lost control of the House in 2018, lost the Senate and White House in 2020, and did not have a large red wave in 2022.

If Trump loses, she is the frontrunner moving forward. If Biden loses, she is going to do a lot of making up to Donald Trump to have any chance of getting at least a nod from him moving forward, Wilson said. Its also dependent on who his running mate is. If Trump wins and his running mate is someone like Tim Scott, Tim Scott would then be set for a massive run for the presidency come 2028.

If Biden wins, she has a I told you so line she can easily run, Wilson added.

Nikki Haley in New Hampshire: Special coverage for The T&D Students from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications are following former S.C. Gov. and Bamberg County native Nik

If Haley does make another run, she would have to reach out to those who have connections to grassroots activists, said Nate Leupp, who leads the 4th District Republican club in the Upstate.

A good presidential campaign needs to be making some key connections which could be a handful of people, but when the campaign season really starts to hit off, when they come to South Carolina for the year, year-and-a-half, two years preceding the actual election, they need to be reaching out to grassroots, Leupp said.

Will voters remember?

Haleys decision to stay in the presidential race through Super Tuesday irked the party faithful who called on her to drop out to allow the party to unite around Trumps candidacy.

Whether those in the GOP, who are most loyal to Trump supporters and dominate the party, will hold Haleys extended run against her will be a question.

I dont care what she does. She just needs to know the backlash is going to come back. Its going to follow her, Tanya Ramp, 39, of Myrtle Beach said last month outside of Trumps rally in Conway.

Scott, 66, and Cindy Simmons, 67, of Myrtle Beach, said they would like to see Haley as part of a Trump administration and stay the full four years, instead of leaving after two years.

She had a good position and how do you walk away from that, Scott Simmons said.

IN PHOTOS: Nikki Haley makes a campaign stop in Orangeburg Former S.C. Governor Nikki Haley holds a rally at the cinema in Orangeburg as a part of her Its A Great Day In South Carolina campaign.

I could see her running in 2028, depending on how the country is at that point, thats when I would make my decision and whos running against her obviously, Cindy Simmons said.

Scott Simmons said he would like to see her as part of Trumps administration.

And even though Trump said he probably wouldnt pick Haley as vice president, the Simmons couple said they could see it working even though Trump and Haley would probably butt heads.

(Haley) would be somebody to challenge him, in a good way, Scott Simmons said.

But a year in politics can be an eternity and so much could happen to effect the trajectories of peoples careers.

You cannot predict politics, Gov. Henry McMaster, who succeeded Haley as governor in 2017, said on Feb. 24 after voting in the S.C. GOP primary. You never know.

McMaster points to Richard Nixons career. After serving two terms as vice president under Dwight Eisenhower, Nixon lost the 1960 presidential election. Nixon then made a comeback and won the White House in 1968 and won re-election in 1972.

Then in just a couple of years, he was gone and everybody thought he was dead again. And then he was back on the book circuit and the lecture circuit and got invited to everything, McMaster said. You cant ever tell.

In the immediate future, Haley did not indicate what she might do this cycle except for returning to private life.

I sought the honor of being your president; but in our great country, being a private citizen is privilege enough in itself. And thats a privilege I very much look forward to enjoying, Haley said.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division has begun a three-year accreditation process to further strengthen its effectiveness and meet nationally recognized standards.

SCDNR accreditation SCDNR officers conduct a turtle excavation device inspection aboard a shrimp boat. The SCDNR Law Enforcement Division began a three-year natio

In January, SCDNR began in the North American Wildlife Law Enforcement Accreditation (NAWLAEA) program. The three-year program will begin with a self-assessment to determine what changes might be implemented, a period of implementing those changes and an evaluation to ensure standards are met.

The accreditation program enables agencies to be systematically and objectively measured, evaluated and continually updated.

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Becoming accredited through NAWLEA will help to ensure that the SCDNR Law Enforcement Division is held to professional and transparent national standards, said Col. Chisolm Frampton, deputy director over the Law Enforcement Division. The accreditation standards will emphasize accountability and pave the way to ensuring greater public trust in our officers.

Deer antler-measuring sessions set across South Carolina Antlers will abound throughout the Palmetto State as the search for new state record deer antlers gets underway during the S.C. Department of Natural Resources' annual series of measuring sessions.

SCDNR will work to align with the programs goals, which include:

Increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of natural resource law enforcement agencies in the delivery of services.

Sea Grant Consortium educator gets DNR environmental award S.C. Sea Grant Consortium educator Elizabeth Vernon Bell is the recipient of the 2023 South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award. Bell received the award on Feb. 2, 2024, at a reception organized by the awards 2023 hosting agency, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).

Promoting cooperation and coordination among all components in the criminal justice system and the communities served.

Ensuring appropriate training for natural resource law enforcement personnel.

Booze, guns may be banned from this popular S.C. lake area. Heres where and why New rules making their way through the S.C. Legislature would add new restrictions to a popular recreation area on Lake Murray, including new prohibitions on alcohol and guns along the lake. The proposed regulations would prohibit the carrying of firearms or other concealable weapons on Bundrick Island, a popular recreation area for boaters and day trippers near the end of Old Cherokee Road, ...

Promoting public confidence in natural resource law enforcement.

Elevating the professionalism of law enforcement agencies involved in the NAWLEA process.

Commitment to excellence: By seeking accreditation, SCDNR is demonstrating its unwavering commitment to excellence in natural resource law enforcement. The accreditation process will not only enhance the agency's capabilities but also contribute to the overall improvement of the profession.

Community impact: Achieving accreditation will further strengthen the agencys ability to serve and protect local communities and the states natural resources. The increased effectiveness and coordination resulting from NAWLEA accreditation will positively impact the areas we serve.

Weeds flourish in lakes; more grass carp proposed From 52 acres to 5,200 acres in two years  thats how fast an invasive aquatic weed called hydrilla has spread across lakes Marion and Moultrie.

Public confidence: SCDNR recognizes the importance of public confidence in law enforcement. NAWLEA accreditation will serve as a testament to SCDNRs dedication to transparency, professionalism and the highest standards of service.

About NAWLEA

The North American Wildlife Law Enforcement Accreditation program is dedicated to advancing the natural resource law enforcement profession. NAWLEA establishes and maintains professional standards, providing a formal mechanism for agencies to be systematically and objectively measured, evaluated, and updated. The program aims to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and professionalism of law enforcement agencies involved in the protection and conservation of natural resources.
Orangeburg County's main library has reduced its hours of operation due to staffing shortages.

Orangeburg County officials say they are aware of staffing concerns and will seek to address the shortage in the near future.

With the service hours spread out over such a long day, we end up having more and more parts of the day that offer even less support to library users and staff helping these library users because its getting busier and busier, Orangeburg County Library Director Anna Zacherl said.

The library had previously been open until 7 p.m. nightly. Its now closing earlier some nights, and opening later some days.

We had to consider many factors when creating the new schedule, Zacherl said. We looked at existing successful program schedules, meeting room use by the community, visitor traffic times and staffing levels.

The library has reduced operations by eight hours per week.

The library's new hours are:

 Monday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

 Tuesday, 10 a.m.  7 p.m.

 Wednesday, 9 a.m.  5 p.m.

 Thursday, 9 a.m.  5 p.m.

 Friday, 10 a.m.  6 p.m.

 Saturday, 11 a.m.  5 p.m.

 Sunday, closed

Zacherl said the demands of daily library use leaves less time for the library's short- and long-term initiatives, such as the summer reading program, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and collection development, which is an ongoing process of selecting, ordering, receiving and cataloguing new books and book requests.

It leaves less time to plan and prepare for requested and popular programs, apply for grants to help with funding, teach classes on digital literacy and engage with other community organizations looking to partner with the library, Zacherl said.

For example, with adequate staffing, the library would be able to engage with the school district to assist with literacy nights and library field trips. It would also be able to work with local colleges that request support for programs.

All of these opportunities are vital to the overall health of a community and we are missing out on more and more opportunities due to staffing/budget constraints, Zacherl said.

We just need more people, she said.

Orangeburg County employs 11 full-time equivalent employees less than the number recommended by the South Carolina State Library System for a county its size.

The increase in FTEs can come in many different forms, Zacherl said. It could be the addition of 11 full time staff, or five full time staff and six to 10 part-time staff, depending on how many hours they work.

The library has 19 full-time funded library staff positions and 16 part-time funded library staff positions spread around the county branches, including the bookmobile.

Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Young acknowledged the challenges.

At the end of the day, come budget season we will be looking at it and trying to determine what we can do to help them, Young said.

Young said the new Russell Street library is also a larger facility than the one that used to be one Louis Street and it costs more to maintain. Utility, insurance, janitorial and landscaping costs are all higher than they were with the old library building.

Those extra costs had to be absorbed in the budget first so we can keep it open and running, Young said. Now we will begin to look at the aspect of the staffing.

Young also noted the library's budget goes to more than just salaries.

Unlike other libraries, our library has a lot of additional monies that go towards bingo night, pageants and teen drops that we fund, Young said.

Laurie Sibley, who is involved with the library, appeared before Orangeburg County Council on March 4 and expressed concerns about the staffing shortages.

Orangeburg loves this library, Sibley said. We know that tons of kids receive tutoring there after school in evenings. We know that 15,000 people attended programs in the library this past year.

We have a treasure here, Sibley continued. We need to protect it. We need to invest in it. Kids who grow up in libraries become parents who read to their own children.

Sibley noted children in poverty are less likely to have books read to them. Books help children explore and have their horizons broadened.

I am asking you to be proactive and to support the library with sufficient programing and book budget and enough people to adequately staff the library so they can maintain their regular hours of operation, Sibley said. I am asking you to protect and invest in the treasure that is our library.

Orangeburg County Council Chair Johnnie Wright acknowledged Sibley's concerns.

We will do the very best we can, Wright said. I think all council understands the value of a library to education.

Zacherl said Orangeburg County's library continues to get busier, consistent with state trends.

More than 50,000 county residents have library cards and from July 1 of 2022 to June 30 of 2023, the library circulated 130,000 items in the approximately 300 days the system was open to the public.

During the same time period, Zacherl said the library also had over 800 outside groups use its meeting room spaces.

We have had an over 33% increase in circulation since we opened the new library system wide. Its really exciting. And it would be an excellent challenge to have if we were adequately staffed, Zacherl said.

Zacherl said libraries are in the business of building human capital.

Public libraries inspire, create, innovate and, in many cases, regenerate. They serve as a source of protection from all sorts of social challenges that can derail generations of families, she said.
An Orangeburg man is going to prison for working with a post office employee to receive marijuana in the mail, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Lemont Antwaun Darby, 37, was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Evidence presented to the court showed that Darby regularly received packages of marijuana through the U.S. Mail from California and elsewhere, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

Mjaan Roland, 31, of Chapin, was a city carrier with the Columbia Main Post Office and Dutch Fork Station. Darby approached Roland in March 2022 and asked him to facilitate the delivery of these packages of marijuana. The address Darby used was on Rolands route.

Darby compensated Roland for some of the deliveries by paying him between $100 and $200, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. On other occasions, he gave him small amounts of drugs.

U.S. District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Darby to 46 months imprisonment, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

Roland previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, the Richland County Sheriffs Department and the State Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston D. Holliday Jr. is prosecuting the case.
Trinity United Methodist Church of Orangeburg will hold its 52nd annual Womens Day Celebration at 10 a.m. on March 17. This tradition brings together women from our community to celebrate faith, fellowship, and shared meals. All women, friends, neighbors, and family members are welcome.

This years Womens Day theme, Faith, Food, and Fellowship invites women to explore the intersection of nourishment, spirituality, and connection.

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We welcome as our guest speaker, Sister Luretheia T. Pearson. Mrs. Pearson is a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church in North, where she serves as a Lay Servant, Adult Class Church School teacher, and a devotional leader for the United Women of Faith.

Trinity UMC marks 158th anniversary Trinity United Methodist Church will begin the celebration of its 158th anniversary on Saturday with a special art exhibit. Bishop Marcus Matthews will speak Sunday at 10 a.m. Matthews' topic will be "Remembering Our Past -- Planning Our Future."

Guest musician/choir director will be Dr. Rosemary Griffin.

A dinner will follow the morning worship service. Tickets are available at $12 per person.

For more information, please visit our website: TrinityUMC-OrangeburgSC.com, Pastor: Reverend Dr. Eddie C. Williams
After a three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Natrona County 4-H clubs returned to the County Fairgrounds Industrial Building on Saturday for their long-running Community 4-H Carnival. Club members offered dozens of activities from face painting and a petting zoo to edgier temporary tattoos. For more information about 4-H in Wyoming, visit wyoextension.org/natronacounty/4h-youth-development.
FOLLOWING a spate of robberies at its outlets across the country in just over a year and a half, Massy Stores yesterday replaced the firm responsible for its security.

G4S Secure Solutions Trinidad Ltd yesterday assumed the role of security provider for Massy Stores, replacing Amalgamated Security Services Ltd.
An elderly man visiting Trinidad from Canada has been murdered in his familys home by intruders.

The body of Hilton Smith, 75, was found on Friday on a bed. His mouth was gagged, and his feet and hands tied.
Your brain hungers for information! Feed it here!

12 The Alaskan Town Where Most People Live in One Building Forest Service Alaska Region The majority of the 200 residents of Whittier, Alaska, live in a single 14-story building named Begich Towers. Hopefully not too many of them are musicians.

11 The Constellation Also Known As The Queen National Library of Wales Because its named for a queen from Greek mythology, the constellation Cassiopeia is also sometimes referred to as The Queen. Pretty sweet nickname, though not nearly as cool as The Big Dipper.

10 Thank God the War On Christmas People Weren  t Around Yet Public Domain Theodore Roosevelt once attempted to ban Christmas trees because he thought it was contributing to deforestation. If Biden tried this, the country would drown in blood.

9 Lightning Bolts Have A Thickness? Matti Blume Ill admit, Ive never once wondered about the precise girth of a lightning bolt. I sort of assumed that kind of measurement didnt apply. I was wrong, and the average lightning bolt is around one inch wide. Good luck verifying. Advertisement Advertisement

8 The U.S. State With the Shortest Border Shared With Canada Dodd, Mead, and Company The meager 42 miles of Pennsylvania that runs along the coast of Lake Erie is the shortest shared border with Canada of any state. Its also one of the most inconvenient places to cross, I imagine.

7 A President With A Penchant for Skinny-dipping Public Domain John Quincy Adams had a daily habit of skinny-dipping in the Potomac River. This would be the easiest opportunity to see a presidents genitals until Bill Clinton was elected. Advertisement Advertisement

6 Santa  s Very Apt Canadian Postal Code Douglas Rahden If you want to send a letter to Santa Claus in Canada, you can use his official, government-issued postal code: H0H 0H0. Now thats just plain fun!

5 The Namesake of Willie Nelson  s Guitar Robbiework Willie Nelsons most famous guitar has been an integral part of his entire career, as you can clearly see by looking at it. Its named Trigger, but not after a gun, but after Roy Rogers' horse of the same name. Though if a horse looked like that, it probably would have long been taken out back and shot. Advertisement Advertisement

4 The Intelligent Way to Talk About Earwax Aney Want to talk about how much earwax you have in polite company? Dont we all! Just call it by its scientific name, cerumen.

3 Velcro Is A Brand Name Alberto Salguero We all know that Kleenex is a brand name, even if its used interchangeably with the word tissue. Less people might know that the same is true for Velcro. Velcro is a specific brand of what are known as hook and loop fasteners. You can see why theyre named that in the disconcertingly zoomed in image above. Advertisement Advertisement

2 We Predicted Neptune Before We Saw It Lunar and Planetary Institute The idea of predicting a massive planet before it had ever been observed? That seems like fuel for a witch fire. In the case of Neptune, however, a French astronomer named Urbain Le Verrier predicted Neptunes location. He sent a letter to a German astronomer telling him where he thought Neptune was, and asking him to use his observatorys telescope. It was found before the end of the day, and only 1 degree from where Le Verrier said it would be.
It must be Tucsons March weather that has brought Minnesota pianist Stephen Carlson to headline Dove of Peace Lutheran Churchs free concert series every couple of years going back to 2006.

He returns yet again on Sunday, March 17, for his eighth time as the series marks its 20th anniversary. This time, Carlson, who teaches at Bemidji State University in Minnesota, will perform works by Jean-Phillipe Rameau, Ravel, Beethoven and Brahms on the churchs recently-acquired Steinway B piano.

Carlson holds the record as the most frequent guest to the series, which the church launched in the early 2000s as a gift to the community. Admission is free, but donations are accepted to benefit local nonprofit organizations.

Carlsons relationship with the series goes back nearly to its beginning. He made his Tucson debut in March 2006, then returned three years later, again in March. All of his appearances over the years  2011, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2022  have come in March, when our temperatures rise to springtime pleasant while winter maintains its icy grip over Carlsons Minnesota hometown.

Carlson has performed throughout much of the U.S. and Canada, including a solo recital in 2005 in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. His recordings include a solo album of selected works by Beethoven, Haydn, Bartok, Debussy and Liszt and a 2022 recording with baritone Cory Renbarger of Schuberts Winterreise.

Sundays concert at the church, 665 W. Roller Coaster Road, begins at 2 p.m. Free-will donations will benefit Old Pueblo Community Services. Get more details at doveofpeacetucson.org or by calling 520-887-5127.

Civic Orchestra of Tucsons Romantic Journey

Who says love is just for Valentines Day?

The Civic Orchestra of Tucson is bringing a little love and romance to the stage this weekend when it performs its Romantic Journey concert Sunday, March 17, at the University of Arizonas Crowder Hall.

Music Director Keun Oh will lead the 70-piece ensemble in a program of Romantic period works including excerpts from Tchaikovskys Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet.

Oh is taking us into Mendelssohns Fingals Cave, an overture he wrote after visiting the Scottish Hebrides islands in 1829 and was mesmerized by the caves weird echoes. The overture, also called The Hebrides, helped to popularize the islands as a tourist destination.

Sundays concert also includes Faures light-hearted Pavane and the first movement of Mozarts Flute Concerto No. 1, with COT principal flute Fran Moskovitz soloing. In addition to the Civic Orchestra, Moskovitz is co-principal flute with Arizona Symphonic Winds.

Sundays concert begins at 3:30 p.m. at Crowder, 1017 N. Olive Road, at the UA School of Music. Admission is free.

Civic Orchestra of Tucson will repeat the concert on March 23 at Canyon del Oro High School in Oro Valley, 25 W. Calle Concordia. At that concert, COT percussionist Marcus Hawkins will perform the third movement from Sejournes Concerto No. 1 for Marimba and Strings and dancers from Ballet Continental of Green Valley will perform.

That concert will be an inclusive sensory-friendly concert in partnership with the Autism Society of Southern Arizona.

The orchestra has invited HOPE Inc., United Cerebral Palsy and the Childrens Clinic Tucson to participate in sensory-friendly activities for those with developmental disabilities. The hour-long program will include an introduction to conducting and a chance for audience members to play some of the percussion instruments and see how other instruments work.

Admission to the Oro Valley concert, which beings at 3 p.m., also is free. Visit cotmusic.org.
For years, El Paso, Texas-based cellist Zuill Bailey was a regular on the Green Valley concert series and with Tucsons St. Andrews Bach Society.

This weekend, he makes his debut with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra.

We are very excited, SASO Music Director Linus Lerner said. Hes is a really great player. I heard some of his CDs; hes very musical. I am very excited to have him playing with us.

Bailey, in his first Tucson area performance since he played Bach in St. Andrews Bach Societys 2018 summer series, will perform Dvoraks Cello Concerto in B minor on a program that also includes Dvoraks Symphony No. 7 in D minor.

The concert opens with Tucson composer Daniel Asias Gateways, a piece Asia wrote on commission from the Cincinnati Symphony in 1995 to mark the orchestras centennial.

Asia said the orchestra was looking for a fanfare to follow Coplands Fanfare for the Common Man, which the orchestra commissioned in 1942 as part of a fanfare commissioning project to commemorate the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Coplands enduring work was the final one premiered by the orchestra in 1943.

Asia, who this spring is winding down his 30-plus-year teaching career at the University of Arizona School of Music, added a little oomph and zing to the definition of a fanfare.

It has some funky stuff, he said, describing funky as bluesy baritone nods, with percussion and brass and some big band flare because I always liked big band. Theres also some sweet stuff, he added.

I packed a lot into a 5-minute piece, he said.

The work ends with a zinger inspired by Stravinskys Rite of Spring that Asia joked he changed the notes to protect the innocent.

Its a very interesting short piece, Lerner said. Its very rhythmic. It reminds me a little bit of Stravinsky.

Lerner anchored the concert, Asia & Dvorak, with the 19th century Czech composers Seventh Symphony, which is often overshadowed by Dvoraks No. 9 From the New World. Musicologists, though, say the Seventh is Dvoraks finest symphony.

Its a fantastic symphony, Lerner said. It reminds me a lot of Brahms in complexity and harmonies. And it is very uplifting.

SASO will perform the concert twice this weekend: at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at SaddleBrookes DesertView Performing Arts Center, 39900 S. Clubhouse Drive; and at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 7575 N. Paseo Del Norte on Tucsons northwest side. Tickets are $35 for SaddleBrooke through dvpac.net and $25 for Tucson through sasomusic.org.

In April, Tucson Symphony Orchestra is performing Asias At the Far Edge on a program anchored by Holsts Planets.
PHOENIX  Republican lawmakers are moving to allow voters around the state to decide  and possibly overrule  how Tucson elects members of its city council.

SCR 1036 would spell out that if cities have council members selected by district, only those people living in the district get the last word on who will be elected. The 16-12 vote sends the measure to the House.

The proposal pushed by Sen. Justine Wadsack, R-Tucson, is specifically designed to overturn the unique modified ward system in Tucson.

Individual council members run within their own districts. And only registered voters in that district can vote in the primary.

But all city voters get to weigh in at the general election. That means someone could prove popular within their own district and yet still lose to someone more popular among the population at large.

City officials have defended the system, saying it ensures that all districts have local representation but that council members are responsive to all part of the city. But Wadsack contends the system isnt fair.

You have areas that have people that vote that are not in the area of interest, she said. In my area in particular, South Tucson should not be voting for city council members who are in Tanque Verde valley or are in another area that have no interest in whats happening in their backyard.

Sen. Priya Sundareshan, D-Tucson, said theres no reason to put the question of how Tucson votes on the November statewide ballot. She said this is something that could be decided by voters in Tucson who could amend their city charter to alter the system.

We tried, Wadsack said. Every time a petition or ballot initiative tries to go through they get so heavily scrutinized and they cant seem to get those petitions approved.

And she insisted that Tucsonans really do want the system scrapped.

The people have come in droves trying to change this for a couple of decades now, several decades, Wadsack said. And it just never gets across.

That, however, doesnt tell the whole story.

Proposals to scrap the hybrid system did make it to the ballot in 1975, 1991 and 1993. And each was rejected.

There also were some efforts more recently, including one last year. But both failed to get sufficient signatures to even put the issue to voters.

Wadsack, for her part, said she remains convinced that allowing only those within a district to have the last word on their representatives is far better.

It actually would be beneficial because the people that actually have the best interests of that district will actually be the voice of that district or that ward, she said.

There also is a political component to all this.

Democrats outnumber Republicans on a city-wide basis by a margin of two to one. And that has made it difficult for a Republican nominated from any district to survive a general election.

In fact, there currently are no Republicans on the city council.

This isnt the first time Republicans have sought to quash Tucsons system of elections.

In 2009, Jonathan Paton, then a Republican state senator from Tucson, pushed through legislation that would have voided the modified ward system. It also would have barred cities from conducting local elections where the candidates political affiliations are listed on the ballot.

That measure was overturned by the state Supreme Court in 2012, The justices said that Tucson, as a charter city, has a right under the Arizona Constitution to decide whether to conduct partisan elections and how to elect council members.

Undeterred, the Public Integrity Alliance filed suit in federal court on behalf of several Tucson Republicans charging that the system was an unconstitutional violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Attorney Kory Langhofer argued that the system gives some voters power power than others and, in some cases, effectively nullified their votes.

That contention was rejected by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Tucsons hybrid system for electing members of its city council imposes no significant burden on voters rights to vote, the appellate court concluded. And Tucson has advanced a valid, sufficiently important interest to justify its choice of electoral system.

The U.S. Supreme Court put the issue to bed in 2017 when it refused to disturb the 9th Circuit ruling.

Wadsack actually has a backup plan which also would undermine Tucsons electoral system.

Her SCR 1037, if approved by voters statewide, would strip any city of at least 500,000 of the right to have its own charter. And if Tucson is no longer a charter city, that would free up lawmakers to decide how its council can be elected.
GARISSA, Kenya, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police said Monday that security has been beefed up near the border with Somalia after nine officers were wounded in a roadside blast on Saturday.

In a security report, the police said that the operation in the area will help thwart attempts for further attacks in the region, which is prone to cross-border incursions by al-Shabab militants.

The enhanced security measures came hours after nine police officers were wounded after an armored personnel carrier they were using for patrol ran over an improvised explosive device in Hagadera, Garissa County.

Police said the officers from the elite Special Operations Group (SOG) were in a convoy of two vehicles when the incident happened on Saturday morning. SOG is heavily involved in operations against al-Shabab terrorists active in the larger northeastern region and coastal areas.

The attack on the officers was aimed at slowing their operations, officials said.

The injured officers were airlifted to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, for specialized treatment.

The area is seen as a main breeding ground for al-Shabab militants terrorizing the region at large. The police said security agencies have thwarted dozens of planned attacks and arrested many suspects.

The recent attacks have forced the government to suspend plans to reopen the border with Somalia. 
Tucson-born Cord Jefferson won an Academy Award Sunday for best adapted screenplay for writing American Fiction, his first film.

Jefferson also directed the film. That was a first for him too.

Ive been talking a lot about how many people passed on this movie in discussing it, and I worry that sometimes that sounds vindictive, Jefferson said while accepting the award Sunday.

I dont want to be vindictive. Im not a vindictive person anymore, Ive worked very hard not to be vindictive anymore.

Its more a plea, a plea to acknowledge and recognize that there are so many people out there who want the opportunity that I was given. I understand that this is a risk-averse industry  I get it, he continued.

But $200 million movies are also a risk, you know, and it doesnt always work out. But you take the risk anyway, he said. Instead of making one $200 million movie, try making 20 $10 million movies, or 50 $4 million movies.

Thank you for trusting a 40-year-old Black guy whod never directed anything before, Jefferson said.

He wrote the screenplay after reading Percival Everetts satirical novel Erasure, Jefferson told the Star in a January interview. The novel is about a Black authors attempt to mock the publishing world by writing a hyper-stereotypical ghetto novel that ends up becoming a bestseller.

Jefferson graduated from Canyon del Oro High School and left Tucson for college in 2000. He worked as a journalist for several years before becoming a writer for television.

In 2019 he earned a Primetime Emmy Award for his work on the HBO limited series Watchmen and wrote for the Netflix comedy Master of None and the NBC sitcom The Good Place.

Meanwhile, another Arizonan was a big Oscar winner Sunday.

Emma Stone, from Scottsdale, won the Academy Award for best actress Sunday for her performance in Poor Things.

It was her second Oscar win for best actress.

In 2017 Stone also won for La La Land.

Stone was honored Sunday for her tour-de-force performance as Bella Baxter, a childlike woman in Victorian London who comes to life through a brain transplant and begins a journey of self-discovery, the Associated Press reported.

Stone is the 13th woman to win two best actress trophies. She was nominated for supporting actress in 2015 and 2019.

She also was nominated this year in the best picture category for producing Poor Things, which lost to Oppenheimer. She was the second woman to be nominated for acting and best picture for the same film after Frances McDormand, who earned both trophies for Nomadland in 2021, the AP reported.
WASHINGTON  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 for 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, adding 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 following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

The recent visit to the U.S.-Mexico border by President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump was characterized as a duel by some media outlets, eliciting the image of cowboys facing off. But in this showdown, there were no heroes, just villains firing off missives harmful to immigrants and border communities.

I am a fronteriza, having lived along the U.S.-Mexico border on both sides for most of my life. I have watched both Democrats and Republicans swoop into our communities to act out political theater without giving thought to the harm their rhetoric causes.

Biden and Trump repeated the same misguided tropes I have heard for 30 years: that to prevent people from coming to the U.S., we need to punish, jail, and deport them. That we need to make it harder for people to come, hire more Border Patrol agents, build more walls to slice through the heart of our communities, and add more surveillance technologies, all of it to deter people from coming.

The Border Patrol officially adopted the current prevention through deterrence strategy in August 1994. But its enforcement-only tactics have failed to reduce migration, have cost billions of taxpayer dollars and have led to thousands of deaths and disappearances of migrants.

Biden said repeatedly that it is time to act, but his so-called bipartisan proposal is just more of the same failed and inhumane strategy: more Border Patrol agents  despite their well-documented human rights abuses  and more surveillance technologies.

Trump framed the issue by dehumanizing and criminalizing migration, listing crimes allegedly committed by unauthorized migrants to stoke anti-immigrant fear and get his base out to the polls. But many studies, including 2023s Immigration and Crime: Taking Stock, which surveyed more than two decades of research on immigration and crime, show that immigrants are less involved in crime than people born in the United States.

Meanwhile, the United States and other destination countries can continue to benefit both economically and culturally from immigration. A recent Health and Human Services study shows that the benefits of immigration far outweigh its costs in the United States: Between 2005 and 2019, asylum seekers and refugees contributed a net of $124 billion to the U.S. economy. Another analysis by The Denver Gazette indicated that irregular immigration contributed nearly $2 billion to Colorados economy while costing taxpayers only about $200 million.

The United States needs a new approach that addresses the reasons people are compelled to move and makes better plans for increased human mobility. Global migration will continue to increase due to ongoing conflicts, economic conditions, changing demographics, climate and environmental factors, and the need for family reunification. The United States cannot enforce its way out of this reality.

The U.S. government and political candidates should pivot to boldly sharing the truth about immigrants, such as how immigrants contribute to cultural and economic benefits in the United States and to my beloved borderlands. And the U.S. government should invest in what communities need. For a fraction of the billions of dollars spent on border deterrence policies and infrastructure, including the wall, the United States could create more safe pathways for human mobility, establish welcoming centers at ports of entry that facilitate orderly, humane border governance processes, and adequately fund these processes so that legal status can be fairly and efficiently determined.

Border communities are struggling, but not due to migration in the way Biden and Trumps visits tried to signal. The U.S. government should also help build healthier, thriving communities  including in the borderlands, by delivering the health-care services, schools, and infrastructure that people across the United States need.
A food truck famous for its giant bacon-wrapped burrito has opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant on Tucsons south side.

Only a mile separates Percheron Mexican Grill's food truck at 4860 S. 12th Ave. from the new 3,600-square-foot Percheron Mexican Grill restaurant at 444 W. Ajo Way, but owner Diego Valencias philosophy for the twin eateries takes him on a slightly different route.

While the food truck, which he opened in 2013 on the corner of South 12th Avenue and West Irvington Road, offers steak, pork and vegetarian burritos, Sonoran hot dogs, quesadillas and caramelos, the brick-and-mortar version, which opened Feb. 29 on the corner of South 12th Avenue and West Ajo Way, is leaning more into the fast-food model of some national burger chains.

We want to focus on the burrito and Sonoran hot dog combos, he said  think meals complete with a drink and fries. We want to do it fast and good and give it to the customer at a good price.

The new restaurant only offers carne asada burritos, although you can get it regular or wrapped in bacon, a specialty that put Percheron on the foodie map in 2017 and forced the restaurant to change its name from WhataBurro once the Texas burger chain with a similar name got wind of it.

You can get the burritos and hot dogs a la carte, as well as carne asada tacos, quesadillas and caramelos. And unlike the food truck, the restaurant opens at 5 a.m. to serve breakfast burritos made with chorizo, bacon or ham.

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Valencia has been considering opening the second location since he bought the building in 2019, after the Mexican restaurant El Ta Comiendo closed. For three years, he used the space as a commissary kitchen to support the food truck and for storage before renovating the building.

When you are thinking of carne asada burritos, we want you to think of Percheron, he said.

Making the jump

Percheron is the latest Tucson food truck to expand to a brick-and-mortar. Last November, the longtime Tucson hot dog stand Brucedog took the plunge and opened up shop in a strip mall at 5975 W. Western Circle Way, off West 36th Street. That was around the same time that Cuppa Gogo went from its candy-apple-red mobile operation to a storefront at 4877 E. Speedway.

Last year, the Mexican food truck El Antojo Poblano made the transition in February into a west-side location at 1108 W. St. Marys Road followed in the spring by The Coop, which spun off from the food truck Cowpig and settled into American Eat Co. at 1439 S. Fourth Ave.

Tucson has a solid track record of successful restaurants born from food trucks, including the grandaddy of them all, Eegees, which started as a cart in 1971 and is now a chain of nearly 30 locations in Tucson and the Phoenix area. Serial Grillers, which opened its first brick-and-mortar in fall 2013, now has four locations, as well as the Detroit-style pizzeria Transplant next door to its taproom, Craft, A Modern Drinkery, both on East Speedway.
Educator Eugene S. Briggs, who was known as the "builder president" of the former Phillips University, got a practical education in Oklahoma politics early in his career.

Briggs was serving as president of Southeastern State Teachers College at Durant when he was given a "leave of absence" in 1933 to allow Gov. William H. "Alfalfa Bill" Murray to appoint another man.

Briggs' successors also learned about politics. During the next five years, the school, now Southeastern State University, had three presidents because of political appointments by Murray and his successor, Gov. E.W. Marland.

Meanwhile, Briggs earned a doctor's degree at Columbia University in New York, served as president of Christian College at Columbia, Mo., and in 1938 became the third president of Phillips University at Enid, where he remained for 23 years.

During his tenure, Phillips' enrollment doubled, campus facilities expanded with more than a dozen buildings, and its endowment increased by more than $1 million. A newspaper article about his retirement in 1960 called him the "builder president" and noted that if a campus building was beige brick, it was likely one of Briggs' projects.

Phillips was founded in 1906 by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) but closed in 1998 after financial problems forced it into bankruptcy.

The Phillips seminary moved to Tulsa, and a Phillips Legacy Foundation was formed with the $3 million in funds from liquidation of the university's assets. The foundation provides scholarships to undergraduate students enrolled at Disciples colleges and universities.

The former Phillips campus now houses the Enid branch of Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Briggs, a native of Missouri, came to Oklahoma in 1919 to be principal of Okmulgee High School and served as superintendent of Okmulgee schools from 1925 until 1928, when he was named president of Southeastern State Teachers College.

When he retired from Phillips, Briggs and his wife moved to Oklahoma City, where he became president of National Investors Life Insurance Co. They had moved back to Enid before Briggs died in April 1978.

Briggs also was active in many civic and professional organizations. He served as a member of the executive committee and board of directors of the Christian Board of Publications in St. Louis and as vice president of the International Convention of Christian Churches. He also served as president of the Great Plains Council of Boy Scouts.

He had received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Phillips, wrote many books on education, and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1951.

Briggs became a member of the Lions Clubs while at Okmulgee and served as international president in 1948-49 -- the first international president never elected.

Briggs was serving as an international director in 1945 when Oklahoma Lions proposed him for third vice president, a position usually filled at an international convention. Because of World War II, the government asked civic groups to cancel conventions and other large meetings that year.

Instead of a convention, the international directors, past presidents and governors council met for a one-day business meeting in Chicago and chose Briggs as third vice president. Selection to that office is tantamount to being elected president two years later, so Briggs became the first president never elected.

The Oklahoma Lions established a Briggs Memorial Foundation that provides 15 annual scholarships.

Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive.
WASHINGTON  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 for 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, adding 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 tools Trump could use to curb abortion access if he's elected The tools Trump could use to curb abortion access if he's elected
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A plea deal with prosecutors is in the works for Epic Charter Schools former chief financial officer in a case described as the largest abuse of taxpayer funds in the history of this state.

Appearing before an Oklahoma County District Court judge Monday morning, with an assistant Oklahoma attorney general present, Josh Brock, 42, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and further time to plea.

His formal arraignment, where he will hear the charges against him and possibly enter a plea, is now set for April 3.

Irven Box, defense attorney for Brock, told the Tulsa World on Monday afternoon: We anticipate eventually working out a resolution of this case with the Attorney Generals Office.

Asked whether that meant a plea deal was in the works, Box responded, Yes, were working toward a plea deal.

Epic co-founders David Chaney and Ben Harris, the other two defendants remaining in the massive racketeering and embezzlement case, are set for a preliminary hearing March 25-29. That is the juncture when a court determines whether the prosecution has sufficient evidence to justify a trial.

After a yearslong law enforcement probe, Chaney, Harris and Brock were arrested and charged in June 2022 in Oklahoma County District Court under the Oklahoma Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, Act.

The criminal case alleges 15 counts, including embezzlement, money laundering, computer crimes and conspiracy to defraud the state.

State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd, whose office delivered damning findings in an October 2020 investigative audit of Epic, has called the case the largest abuse of taxpayer funds in the history of this state.

Prosecutors allege that Chaney, Harris and Brock bilked Epic, one of Oklahomas largest public schools, out of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars by falsely inflating enrollment with ghost students, falsifying invoices, and fraudulently using credit cards paid for with school funds to cover personal and out-of-state charter school expenses.

The criminal charges allege that the trio formed business entities, opened bank accounts and transferred funds in an effort to divert for their own financial benefit state money appropriated for the education of public school students.

They are also charged with money laundering by forming a shell company they called Edtech LLC to conceal or disguise financial transactions between 2017 and 2021 as a way to pay themselves and falsely justify fraudulent management fee invoices they were submitting through their original school management company, Epic Youth Services.

During that time period, Epic Charter Schools had come under new scrutiny by state and federal law enforcement investigators.

A court affidavit filed alongside the criminal charges revealed that investigators have records showing that public school funds were also used to cover the costs of extensive political contributions.

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OKLAHOMA CITY  A bill that proposes to eliminate supervision fees collected by local district attorneys from people who have been placed on probation passed through the Oklahoma House on Monday.

The $40 monthly supervision fees have been controversial. Last year, a House lawmaker, Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, asked Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond for an opinion on the legality of fees being collected by district attorneys who couldnt show that their offices actually did anything to supervise parolees.

Oklahoma has taken money from offenders and offered no behavioral change, no treatment, and no supervision in return, Humphrey wrote in a letter to Drummond in December. The fees have never been applied to the actual act of supervision.

Drummond responded that the district attorneys and Oklahoma District Attorneys Council were in compliance with the law. He noted, however, that the Legislature had earlier increased funding to district attorneys to offset losses of offender fees being redirected to the states general revenue fund.

The offices of county prosecutors, the Administrative Office of the Courts and other state agencies such as the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation historically have drawn on fees paid by individuals to fund operations.

Humphrey said he has calculated that more than $200 million in supervision fees had been collected by district attorneys offices over the past decade or so. He also has taken issue with how fees have been routed through several different funds.

House Bill 3497, authored by Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville, proposes to do away with the $40 monthly probation fees typically paid during the first two years of an individuals probation. The fees are to compensate the district attorney for the costs incurred during the prosecution of the offender and for the additional work of verifying the compliance of the offender with the rules and conditions of his or her probation.

According to a financial impact report, if it passes into law, HB 3497 would reduce state revenues by more than $10 million annually.

The measure passed through the House on a vote of 84-1. Only Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, a former assistant district attorney, voted against it.

Worthen said supervision fees helped to fund a solid program in Comanche and Cotton counties, one that resulted in parolees doing work to clean up roads in the area and doing maintenance and other work to benefit towns such as Geronimo, Fletcher and Elgin.

He suggested that a better way to address concerns about supervision programs in other counties would be to strengthen mandates on the programs rather than do away with fees that fund them.

He added that state employees who monitor people on probation or parole have enough on their plate and appreciate the support of DA supervision of low-level offenders.

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An influx of artificial intelligence (AI) startups is heating up the battle for technical talent in Europe, leaving companies like Google DeepMind to choose between paying big or losing out on the region's best minds.

The runaway success of OpenAI's ChatGPT has energised investors, who have been pouring money into promising AI startups, eager to uncover the next overnight success.

Riding the investment wave, a crop of foreign AI firms - including Canada's Cohere and U.S.-based Anthropic and OpenAI - opened offices in Europe last year, adding to pressure on tech companies already trying to attract and retain talent in the region.

Founded in 2010 and acquired by Google in 2014, London-based DeepMind made its name applying AI to everything from board games to structural biology.

Now the firm faces a host of well-funded rivals flooding its territory, while a growing number of its employees have quit to launch their own ventures.

Recent high-profile exits include co-founder Mustafa Suleyman, who left to set up California-based Inflection AI alongside LinkedIn billionaire Reid Hoffman, and research scientist Arthur Mensch, now CEO of Mistral AI. Both companies have received multi-billion dollar valuations in the short time they have been active.

In an apparent effort to discourage staff from joining other companies or starting their own, DeepMind gave a handful of senior researchers access to restricted stock, worth millions of dollars, earlier this year, according to a source familiar with the matter.

"It's a competitive space for sure," a DeepMind spokesperson told Reuters, adding that the company "continues to do well in attracting and nurturing talent".

Mustafa Suleyman, entrepreneur and co-founder of DeepMind and Inflection AI, speaks at the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park, near Milton Keynes, Britain, November 1, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Closing the gap

According to executive search firm Avery Fairbank, there has been an "exponential increase" in pay for C-suite staff at AI companies in Britain over the last year.

"The entrance of foreign AI giants such as Anthropic and Cohere into London's market will further escalate the competition for AI talent," said Charlie Fairbank, the firm's managing director.

Executives on base salaries of around 350,000 pounds have seen pay packets jump between 50,000 and 100,000 pounds, he said.

Cohere, which designs in-house chatbots and other tools for its customers, hired Phil Blunsom, a lead researcher at DeepMind for seven years, as its chief scientist in 2022.

Sebastian Ruder also joined Cohere from DeepMind in January.

"It's rare to find a company building a massive business from scratch, with many of the leading minds in the industry," he told Reuters. "When that kind of chance comes along, you take it."

Ruder declined to comment when asked about his salary.

Ekaterina Almasque, a general partner at venture capital firm OpenOcean, said DeepMind was no longer the "distant leader in the field".

"All these companies are competing for the same pool of talent, and with the AI skills shortage, that's increasingly more of a pond than an ocean."

Suleyman recently began recruiting London-based technical staff for Inflection AI, while Mensch's Mistral has fast become one of the buzziest startups on the continent, raising $415 million in venture funding in December.

Mistral declined to comment and Inflection did not respond to a request for comment.

Demis Hassabis, Co-Founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, reacts at the 2024 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 26, 2024. Photo: Reuters

More influence

OpenAI opened its first international office in London last year followed swiftly by a second in Dublin - "just the first steps", said the company's Vice President of People Diane Yoon, as it plans to continue expanding into other countries.

Cohere opened its UK office last year and CEO Aidan Gomez told Reuters he is now splitting his time between his native Toronto and London, where the firm plans to double its headcount to 50.

"We go where the talent is, and there's a lot in London and across Europe," Gomez said.

The talent war means workers are increasingly well-placed to make demands of their prospective employers.

London-based AI audio firm ElevenLabs is offering new hires stock options, generous salaries and fully-remote working, although most advertised roles stipulate that employees should be based in Europe.

Having recently raised $80 million in funding from venture capital firms like a16z and Sequoia, the company told Reuters it would soon double its total headcount to 100.

Paris-based startup Bioptimus, also founded by former DeepMind staff, raised $35 million in February.

Thomas Clozel, an early investor in the company said startups were looking to recruit talent from Big Tech like Google by offering them more influence over a company's direction.

"Google is one of the best at what it does and produces some of the best talent," he said. "At a smaller startup, you have a unique opportunity to remain true to the work you are passionate about and have a stake in the success of the company."
KALMTHOUT, Belgium -- Ostriches are normally territorial and aggressive birds best approached with caution, but at a Belgian animal rescue farm, the hand-reared birds are so gentle they will cuddle with visitors.

At the Passiehoeve animal rescue farm in Kalmthout, visitors can sit on a blanket in an enclosure where some of the ostriches will approach, sit, and rest their long necks on human shoulders.

Belgian 15-year-old Gibbe Vanden Kieboom from Brecht, who followed treatments for depression, offers a hug to a 10-month-old ostrich at the De Passiehoeve, an animal rescue farm where animals support people with autism, depression, anxiety, or drug problems, in Kalmthout, Belgium March 8, 2024. Photo: Reuters

"This is the only place in the world where ostriches will really cuddle with people," said Wendy Adriaens, 41, a former corporate executive who started the farm after saving a clutch of ostrich chicks from an ostrich meat farm.

Her farm now has nine ostriches, a horse, a pony, a donkey, pigs, dogs, chickens, ducks and 14 goats. Most come from shelters or are brought by animal rescue services.

Belgian Wendy Adriaens, the founder of De Passiehoeve, an animal rescue farm where animals support people with autism, depression, anxiety, or drug problems, offers a hug to Blondie, a 6-year-old female ostrich at Passiehoeve farm, in Kalmthout, Belgium March 8, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Every year, authorities take away some 7,000 animals from owners because of neglect and Adriaens' farm is part of a network where they are placed.

Her animals are also used as therapy animals for people with autism, depression, anxiety or drug problems. Belgium and the neighbouring Netherlands have hundreds of "care farms" where judicial and medical authorities send people for short- or long-term stays.

Belgian Wendy Adriaens, the founder of De Passiehoeve, an animal rescue farm where animals support people with autism, depression, anxiety, or drug problems, offers a hug to Pinot and another male ostrich, both 10-month-old, at Passiehoeve farm, in Kalmthout, Belgium March 8, 2024. Photo: Reuters

"Horses are also used as therapy animals, but our ostriches are more sensitive. They connect with visitors, they feel everything, and if you have negative thoughts, they step away," Adriaens said.

She added that ostriches - which can weigh up 175 kilos - will be comfortable around humans and even affectionate if treated with kindness.

Belgian Wendy Adriaens, the founder of De Passiehoeve, an animal rescue farm where animals support people with autism, depression, anxiety, or drug problems, offers a hug to Pinot and another male ostrich, both 10-month-old, at Passiehoeve farm, in Kalmthout, Belgium March 8, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Individual cuddling sessions with the ostriches, which typically last an hour or until the birds step away, cost 65 euros ($71) at the farm.

($1 = 0.9152 euros)
NAIROBI, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Monday launched a World Bank-funded 51.7 million U.S. dollar loan project for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Rebecca Miano, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, told journalists in Nairobi, the capital, that the supporting access to Finance and Enterprise Recovery project will provide participating financial institutions, including microfinance institutions, digital lenders and savings and credit cooperative organizations, with concessional loans for onward lending to small entrepreneurs.

"The tenor for microloans is expected to not exceed 18 months, and for small loans, it will not exceed three years, providing flexibility for small enterprises to manage their cash flows," Miano said, adding that the beneficiary enterprises will receive loans ranging from 7,000 shillings (50 U.S. dollars) to 250,000 shillings (1,792 dollars).

Alwaleed Alatabani, practice manager of financial competitiveness and innovation for East and Southern Africa at the World Bank, said Kenya has a significant SME funding gap and that credit to the private sector remains low.

He noted that his organization will also provide technical and advisory support to help the participating financial institutions enhance their efficiency in lending to SMEs. 
Visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon have agreed to strengthen multifaceted cooperation between the two countries as per their strategic partnership, aiming for US$2 billion in two-way trade in 2024.

Their talks took place on Monday (local time) after an official welcome ceremony was conducted in front of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings for PM Chinh and his wife, who are on an official visit to New Zealand at the invitation of PM Luzon.

The ceremony started with the traditional rituals of Maori, the indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand, which included the Hongi, in which people press their noses and foreheads together instead of shaking hands.

PM Chinh performed the Hongi with PM Luzon and received a 19-cannon salute amid the melody of the Vietnamese anthem.

At their talks, PM Chinh thanked the government and people of New Zealand for their warm and thoughtful welcome for his first visit to the country, a peaceful, civilized, beautiful, hospitable, green and safe nation, according to the Vietnam Government Portal.

Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse (front row, R, 3rd and 2nd) are seen being welcomed with a traditional Maori ritual of New Zealand at a reception ceremony in Wellington on March 11, 2024. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre

Vietnam affirms its commitment to strengthen the strategic partnership with New Zealand, PM Chinh said.

He believed that this visit would elevate bilateral relations to new heights, aiming to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2025 for mutual benefit and regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

Hailing PM Chinh's visit, PM Luxon expressed his pleasure in collaborating on political and trade commitments that benefit both nations and contribute to regional and global peace and stability.

Recognizing Vietnam as a nation with robust development momentum, Luxon confirmed that the Southeast Asian country is a crucial partner for New Zealand.

He congratulated the government and people of Vietnam on great economic achievements over the past years, commenting that Vietnam has become a dragon with outstanding growth every year.

The host and guest are committed to promoting cooperation in all key pillars of their strategic partnership, including economy-trade-investment, security and defense, agriculture, culture and people-to-people exchanges, and local-to-local connections, the Vietnam Government Portal reported.

Considering the substantial 60-percent increase in two-way trade over the past five years, both parties aim to achieve a bilateral trade volume of $2 billion by the end of this year.

Visiting Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is greeted by a New Zealand honor guard at a welcome ceremony in Wellington, New Zealand, March 11, 2024. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre

In 2022, the bilateral trade amounted to $1.4 billion, a jump of about 5.7 percent from a year earlier.

In 2023, their turnover reduced six percent year on year to reach $1.3 billion, according to official figures.

Currently, Vietnam is New Zealands 14th-largest trade partner, accounting for 1.7 percent of New Zealands total import-export turnover, while Wellington ranks 38th among Hanois trading partners, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The two leaders agreed that their countries need to make breakthroughs in science and technology, innovation, startup, green economy, digital economy, circular economy, emission reduction, agriculture, and environmentally-friendly technology transfers, as well as in new areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors.

Both sides are committed to setting up a cooperation plan to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

The two PMs laid emphasis on continued coordination and support for each other at regional and world forums, such as the United Nations, Asia-Europe Meeting, and ASEAN-led forums, among others.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luzon are seen at a press conference held after their talks in Wellington on March 11, 2024. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre

Both leaders reiterated the significance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Vietnam Sea; avoiding the threat or use of force; settling disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They were unanimous on strengthening maritime cooperation as well as exchanging and sharing information to turn the East Vietnam Sea into an area of peace, stability, friendship, cooperation, and sustainable development.

After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of three bilateral agreements, including one on education cooperation for 2023-26 between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and the Education New Zealand.

The second deal is on economic and trade cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the New Zealander Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The last is a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance and the Treasury of New Zealand.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luzon (R, 2nd) and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh (L, 2nd) witness the signing of a cooperation document between the two countries in Wellington, New Zealand, March 11, 2024. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre

As part of his visit, PM Chinh on Sunday visited Auckland-based Plant and Food Research Center (PFR), a place with world-leading expertise, providing innovative solutions for hi-tech agriculture, and applying and commercializing research results.

The PFR briefed Chinh on many projects it has implemented with Vietnams ministers, scientists, businesses, and farmers to raise crop output, enhance quality and pest resistance for plants, and apply post-harvest and processing technologiee.

Building on the achieved milestones, the prime minister advised both sides to persist in promoting cooperation in high-potential areas, with a particular emphasis on making breakthroughs in agricultural economic collaboration.

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The advantages of Vietnam and New Zealand are supplementary, which is a foundation for their organizations and enterprises to foster cooperation in the research, production, and processing of farm produce, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said during his visit to the Plant and Food Research Centre (PFR) in Auckland on Sunday.

This is part of his visit to New Zealand through Monday.

The Vietnamese government leader spoke highly of the institute's research achievements and the results of its cooperation with Vietnam.

PFR has cooperated with Vietnam in a US$3.3-million project to develop passion fruit for export conducted in Son La Province, northern Vietnam and the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai in 2023-27.

The center is also working on a dragon fruit project in Vietnam in which three new dragon fruit varieties have been created.

PM Chinh voiced his wish that the two countries would promote their cooperation achievements, tighten the collaboration in potential sectors, and create breakthroughs in agricultural cooperation, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

With a population of just over five million people, New Zealand is a selective market, and entering it can serve as a testament to the quality of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Agriculture is an important pillar in the two nations bilateral trade relations, Wendy Hinton, acting Ambassador of New Zealand to Vietnam, affirmed in an interview ahead of the prime ministers trip.

Vietnam is New Zealands 14th-largest trading partner, with two-way trade hitting $1.3 billion in 2023.

The figure is expected to surpass $2 billion this year.

The Southeast Asian country ranks 13th among the top countries exporting their products to New Zealand and is the 17th-biggest buyer of the latters items.

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Four Vietnamese men and women have been indicted on charges of theft after allegedly repeatedly shoplifting at casual clothing giant Uniqlo and other clothing shops in Japan, The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Saturday.

On February 7, Kyodo News reported that the four people, in their 30s and 40s, were arrested on suspicion of involvement in 67 incidents across Tokyo and seven prefectures, including Osaka and Fukuoka.

They are believed to have stolen 5,237 items during multiple visits to Japan between December 2018 and October 2023, causing losses estimated at around 20 million yen (US$135,000).

According to police, the four claimed to have come to Japan to resolve difficult living conditions in their hometown due to debt and illness.

The group said they were solicited by a ringleader who offered them large remuneration, telling them Japan is an easy place to shoplift.

They were taught stealing techniques in Vietnam by the ringleader, who made the arrangements for them to travel as a group to Japan.

My husband is ill and unable to work, so my parents and child all depend on my income, The Yomiuri Shimbun quoted one of the four members as saying at their first hearing at the Fukuoka District Court on February 26.

I also needed money to pay for an operation for myself.

She added that while she earned 50,000 yen ($340) a month as a fruit vendor in Vietnam, her child quit high school because she could not pay the tuition.

The Fukuoka prefectural police, who apprehended the four individuals, have also obtained an arrest warrant for a woman in her 40s who lives in Vietnam, suspecting that she was giving instructions to the four, Kyodo News reported.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- New Zealand hosted an official reception for Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, featuring 19 cannon shots and special indigenous rituals, on Monday morning. Chinh on Saturday began his first official visit to New Zealand since assuming power in 2021 at the invitation of his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon.

Society

-- Vietnam ranks among the six countries most impacted by climate change globally, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh stated on Sunday.

-- Waste along the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal in Ho Chi Minh City has been collected under an urgent order of the municipal Peoples Committee, in response to media reports highlighting the buildup of garbage in this waterway.

-- Authorities in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam seized nearly 28kg of drugs washing ashore on Ly Son Island, an official confirmed on Sunday night.

-- Traffic police in Hanoi have requested the chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee to issue a decision imposing a fine of VND35 million (US$1,420), revoking the drivers license for 23 months, and impounding the car for seven days for a 36-year-old female driver found driving under the influence of alcohol. This is within the highest penalty range for drivers with breath alcohol concentration exceeding 0.4mg per liter. The incident also prompted speculation about a connection between her and the Ministry of Public Security, which police have refuted.

-- A sleeper bus collided with a parked truck on the Cam Lo-La Son Expressway in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuring seven others on Sunday evening.

-- The plumeria trees around the park located in front of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee office building in District 1 have been replaced with apricot trees and colorful flower carpets, as part of the ongoing renovation of the park.

-- Police from Quang Ngai Province announced on Sunday the arrest of a 30-year-old karaoke parlor owner, who had stripped hostesses and electrocuted them to force them into prostitution.

-- Four Vietnamese men and women who allegedly went on a shoplifting spree at casual clothing giant Uniqlo have been arrested by the Fukuoka prefectural police in Japan, The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Saturday.

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Doctors at E Hospital in Hanoi said on Monday that they had saved a woman run over by a 1.5-metric-ton truck.

The woman was hospitalized in critical conditions with multiple severe injuries.

Doctors found that the woman suffered various bone fractures, including an unstable pelvic fracture, an extraperitoneal bladder perforation, a fractured left leg bone, and a sprained right foot.

Following a consultation, doctors decided to perform a surgical operation on the woman.

Doctor Nguyen Dinh Lien, head of the nephrology, urology, and andrology department at E Hospital, said it was a severe case with a poor prognosis and a high risk of mortality.

The patient weighs only 35 kilograms, which presented the most difficulty of the surgery.

Meanwhile, she sustained many dangerous injuries and lost a lot of blood, which forced surgeons to use about three liters of blood to stabilize the patient.

They performed a laparoscopic surgery to suture her bladder perforation, clean the abdomen, and temporarily rearrange the broken bones.

This was a complicated surgery. As the patient is female and unmarried, doctors tried to ensure her fertility, Lien noted.

After a week, the patient underwent another surgery to have her broken pelvis and leg bones treated.

According to Bui Ngoc Hoang, one of the doctors directly involved in the surgery, an unstable pelvic fracture poses a high risk of fatality.

Doctors weighed surgical solutions to help the woman recover her mobility and fertility soon.

The six-hour surgery was a success.

The woman is recovering well and undergoing physical therapy.

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Waste along the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal in Ho Chi Minh City has been collected under an urgent order of the municipal Peoples Committee, in response to media reports highlighting the build-up of garbage in this waterway.

Garbage on the canal had yet to be collected since early last month as a contract for its removal already expired.

As a result, trash filled the surface of the canal section in Tan Binh District.

The municipal government tasked relevant units with maintaining the waste collection and quickly completing procedures to initiate a new tender for the collection and transport of garbage from the canal.

Ho Chi Minh City Urban Environment Co. Ltd., which was responsible for waste collection on the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Sunday that the company had sent workers to collect waste on the canal from Sunday morning and would continue the job pending the contract signing.

Workers resume the collection of garbage on the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal on March 10, 2024. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

In 2019, the municipal Peoples Committee assigned the Management Center of Waterway System under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport to hold tenders to choose garbage collecting units for city canals, including the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal, director of the center Nguyen Ngoc Tuan told Tuoi Tre on Sunday.

In September last year, the city issued new price norms for the service.

The Management Center of Waterway System had to build new price units and bidding solutions and submit them to the municipal administration for approval.

The center has fulfilled the jobs but the application of the new price norms takes time.

During this period, the center cooperated with Ho Chi Minh City Urban Environment Co. Ltd. to keep collecting trash on the canal, especially during the 2024 Lunar New Year holiday in February.

The canal is filled with a large amount of garbage. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre

Despite the contract expiring on December 31 last year, Ho Chi Minh City Urban Environment Co. Ltd. continued to provide the garbage collection service without charge for about a month.

However, it later discontinued the garbage collection service due to a lack of funds.

Tuan also suggested that local authorities work to prevent residents from littering.

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As more and more world-renowned billionaires and celebrities, most recently American billionaire Bill Gates, publicize their visits to Vietnam, the countrys tourism sector should prepare to take advantage of these golden opportunities, according to a local tourism firm representative.

Over the past few years, many celebrities have visited Vietnam for work or travel, and local service providers should take full advantage of these chances to improve their business.

Jack Tran Tours, a Hoi An-based travel company, has capitalized on Vietnam's popularity among A-listers by providing top-notch services to Finnish President Tarja Halonen and arranging a basket boat tour of Hoi An for her in 2008.

Tran Van Khoa, CEO of Jack Tran Tours, formerly Hoi An Eco Tour, shared that he never expected his company to become as popular as it has.

Then-President of Finland Tarja Halonen (R) goes on a basket boat tour in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam in 2008. Photo: Khoa Tran / Tuoi Tre

Discussing how he wound up serving the former Finnish president, Khoa said that a European tourist had taken a basket boat tour and had such a good time that he promised to introduce the tour to an important guest.

That important guest wound up being the president of Finland!

I was thunderstruck and extremely anxious, but when I saw the president wearing normal clothes, fishing on the river, riding a buffalo, and ploughing a rice field like ordinary guests, I felt less worried, Khoa recalled.

Following the positive experience with Finnish President Halonen, word spread about Jack Tran Tours' excellent service, propelling the company to fame in Vietnam's tourism industry, attracting a surge of international visitors booking their tours.

Hoi An Ancient Town in the namesake city attracts many celebrities. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

Aside from Hoi An, Da Nang City and Thua Thien-Hue Province in central Vietnam, Ha Long Bay in northern Quang Ninh Province, and Hanoi have also welcomed their fair share of celebrities.

Former U.S. President Barack Obamas dinner at a bun cha (rice noodles with grilled pork and meatballs) eatery in Hanoi in 2016 is, perhaps, one of the most well-known visits to Vietnam.

In 2017, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg visited Vietnam, and images from his journey leaked to the public, despite the trip being kept a secret.

Over the past few days, information about the trip to Da Nang and Quang Nam Provinces Hoi An of American billionaire Bill Gates has become hot news.

Former President of Finland Tarja Halonens feeling after her trip to Hoi An in 2008. Photo: Khoa Tran / Tuoi Tre

According to Jack Tran Tours CEO Khoa, the arrival of many world-leading entrepreneurs, celebrities, and politicians to Vietnam proves the position of the Southeast Asian country in the eyes of international partners.

Prominent figures prioritize safety and humanitarian concerns, presenting challenges to meet their specific requirements, Khoa emphasized.

These instances present valuable opportunities for the country, particularly its tourism sector.

Renowned celebrities wield global influence, turning their visits to Vietnam into excellent promotional opportunities.

American billionaire Bill Gates (L, 2nd) attends a wedding party in India before arriving in Vietnam on March 4, 2024.

Some countries, such as Thailand and Malaysia, have offered preferential visa policies to VIP guests.

Vietnam is currently an attractive destination, so it should absolutely deliberate on these policies, Khoa added.

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We want to promote cultural understanding and exchange between Malaysia and Vietnam in a diverse way by showcasing the rich tapestry of Malaysian culture, including its vibrant cuisine, Consul General of Malaysia Firdauz Bin Othman said during the opening of a new Malaysian restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City.

We hope to arouse the interest of Vietnamese people and encourage them to explore Malaysia further, he added.

Through various initiatives and events, such as the collaboration with Lesung Authentic Malaysian Cuisine Restaurant, we consistently keep in mind our mission to foster, inspire, and arouse curiosity surrounding Malaysian culture.

Left to right: Chef Eden Daus, Consul General of Malaysia Firdauz Bin Othman, and Vietnamese chef Tommy Tran at the opening ceremony of Lesung restaurant on March 9, 2023. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News

Launched on March 9 at 72/1 Tran Quoc Toan Street in District 3, Lesung restaurant is driven by Malaysian chef Eden Daus' love for Vietnam, his passion for sharing his heritage, and supported by friends, including Vietnamese chef Tommy Tran and Malaysian content creator Arieff Yong.

For chef Daus, Lesung is a labor of love, a tribute to his cherished memories of home, and a heartfelt expression of gratitude to Vietnam, a country that has embraced him with open arms.

It also aims to serve as a bridge connecting Vietnam and Malaysia through the authentic flavors and warm hospitality that are at the heart of both cultures.

Having fallen in love with the people and vibrant flavors of Vietnam, I wanted to return the favor by sharing the rich, creamy, authentic food and flavors I grew up with, Daus shared his reason for opening the restaurant.

According to the chef, his restaurant sources special ingredients like petai, bunga kantan, asam keping, among others from Malaysia to ensure an authentic culinary adventure for diners.

Lesung serves a wide range of Malaysian dishes, including prawn cucur, roti jala with chicken curry, prawn otak otak, rendang short rib, and eggplant sambal, to name a few.

Malaysian food is served at the opening ceremony of Lesung restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City on March 9, 2023. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News

We are honored to support the opening of Lesung Authentic Malaysian Cuisine Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City as we celebrate the beauty of Malaysia through its diverse tastes, aromas, and traditions, said Madam Nor Hayati Zainuddin, director of Tourism Malaysia.

We aim to showcase the colors of Malaysia and now Vietnamese can taste Malaysian culinary delights right here in Ho Chi Minh City.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
This week on Back Roads is Part 2 of the visit to East Arnhem Land, NT, by guest presenter Rae Johnston.

Back Roads heads deep into the heart of East Arnhem Land, to two remote communities: Gapuwiyak and Galiwinku. Rae Johnston finds the Yolngu peoples lives are deeply connected to their culture, the land and each other.

Guest presenter Rae Johnston continues her journey to East Arnhem Land and two very remote communities that people rarely get to see: Gapuwiyak and Galiwinku.

This is the land of the Yolngu and Rae is invited in to experience firsthand, their incredible culture that stretches back tens of thousands of years. This is a river that flows deep  where traditional law, kinship and relationship to country is everything.

Isolation has helped the Yolngu keep their culture strong. However, these days its getting harder to pass on this knowledge.

Raes first stop is Gapuwiyak. Surrounded by hundreds of kilometres of bush, this small, close-knit community has a secret weapon  creativity. Despite the lack of jobs, people here are finding inspired ways to thrive. Master weavers Lucy Wanapuyngu and her daughter Anna Malibirr take Rae out on country to collect pandanus leaves for their art. Back at the local Arts Centre Rae gets a lesson in just how hard it is to learn this ancient craft. Anna tells Rae shes lucky, her Mum has been teaching her since she was a girl.

A short plane ride takes Rae to her next stop, the small island of Galiwinku or Elcho Island. Here the local school is helping teach Yolngu kids about their culture. Rae joins them for a day out to experience their Learning on Country program. Elder Marcus Lacey thinks its hard for kids to maintain their connection to their culture in the modern world. To motivate the class, they get students to paint themselves with ochre and perform a spectacular bunggul (or ceremony) on the beach.

Before Rae heads home she flies back to Gapuwiyak for one special night. The town gets its glamour on as the local artists fibre fashion hits the catwalk. Its a night of music, song, and dance  a celebration of all things Yolngu.

8pm Tuesday on ABC.
Drag Race Down Under will return to Stan later this year but without RuPaul hosting after three seasons.

Judge Michelle Visage steps up as host, with RuPaul to remain as an Executive Producer.

This is the first time in the 15 year history of the franchise a CIS woman will host in any territory.

Rhys Nicholson will also return as judge, joined by a rotating cast of Australasian drag performers -the first time Down Under queens will judge their peers.

Michelle Visage said: Thank you, RuPaul, for entrusting me with one of your beloved shows. The colour, humour and outrageousness of Down Under drag holds a special place in my heart. Im ready to do everything in my power to encourage these beautiful queens to believe in themselves and let their inner light shine through.

10 new queens from Australia and New Zealand, who will compete for a cash prize and the title of Down Unders Next Drag Superstar will be revealed soon.

RuPaul Charles said: It has been my great honour to bring Drag Race to Australasia. I cant wait to see the franchise flourish under the leadership of the incredible Michelle Visage.

Cailah Scobie, Stans Chief Content Officer, said: Drag Race Down Under is such a beloved show and were excited to welcome Michelle as our new host to nurture fresh local talent alongside Rhys Nicholson and our yet-to-be-announced Australian Drag Race royalty from Season 1, 2 & 3. This season will have the whole world talking, and we cant wait to show what makes Drag Race Down Under so special.

Michelle Visage will feature today at a Stan content showcase at the Sydney Opera House today.

The Stan Original Series Drag Race Down Under is an 860 World of Wonder production in collaboration with Warner Bros. International Production New Zealand for Stan in Australia, WOW Presents Plus everywhere else. Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, and RuPaul Charles serve as Executive Producers. Cailah Scobie (Stan), Amanda Duthie (Stan), Pip Rubira (WB), Nick Tanner (Passion) also serve as Executive Producers. Passion Distribution distributes the series globally in line with Passion Distribution and WOWs distribution strategy.
KABUL, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Afghan caretaker government's chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has emphasized maintaining good relations between Kabul and Islamabad.

"Maintaining good relations between Kabul and Islamabad is a necessity and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan desires to improve relations with all neighboring countries, including Pakistan," the local media outlet Tolonews quoted Mujahid on Monday as saying.

Mujahid made the remarks as a new government has been formed in Pakistan following the Feb. 8 general elections.

The spokesman urged Pakistan's new government to show flexibility with regard to the deportation of Afghan refugees.

More than 2.5 million Afghan immigrants have reportedly been living in Pakistan for decades. 
Producers Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger, founders of Every Cloud Productions, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 22nd Annual Screen Producers Australia Awards next week.

Founded in 2009 Every Cloud Productions built a platform for the development of female-led stories with content across ABC, SBS, Seven Network, Nine Network, Stan, and Acorn TV.

They co-created and produced three seasons of Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries, which has sold to more than 170 territories around the world.

Both are also responsible for creating the AACTA Award-winning Deadlock, Indigenous drama The Gods of Wheat Street, plus Christmas Ransom, Newtons Law, A Sunburnt Christmas, Eden and the reboot of SeaChange (with ITV).

The Award is a celebration of Deb and Fionas long-standing partnership and a testament to power of female-led businesses.

The awards will be presented at The Star Gold Coast on Thursday,21 March as part of Screen Forever 38.

As a creator, producer, and writer, Deb has helped create some of Australias best-loved productions bringing joy to audiences for decades. Before co-founding Every Cloud Productions, Deb began her career at Crawford Productions in Melbourne, later becoming Head of Drama for Artist Services and co-founder of CoxKnight Productions which created feature film, Dead Letter Office, three seasons of ABC series, SeaChange, Ten Network drama series CrashBurn, and childrens series Worst Best Friends.

With over three decades of experience and talent for balancing creative, entrepreneurial and production expertise, Fiona, also, is a powerhouse producer, and her co-creations include two seasons of the spin-off series Ms Fishers Modern Murder Mysteries as well as the successful theatrical feature Miss Fisher & the Crypt of Tears.

Fionas early career included working with feature director Paul Cox and Crawford Productions before producing her first series for SBS television, Ark of Gondwana, and later the 13-part ABCTV series Mercury. Fionas long-standing collaboration with Deb Cox began when she produced the TV series CrashBurn and later was the executive producer and producer of two seasons of East of Everything. Other Producing credits include acclaimed telemovies The Society Murders, The Informant, Small Treasures and the award-winning feature films Only the Brave and the Cannes Directors Fortnight selection Mallboy.
Legendary comedy writer Mike McColl Jones, who wrote for Graham Kennedy, Bert Newton, Don Lane, Mary Hardy and Steve Vizard, has died aged 86.

Mike moved from being a salesman to write comedy for GTV-9, encouraged by Garry Stewart who later ran Melbourne Artists Management.

He and I fancied ourselves as budding comedy writers, so with Garrys contacts we found ourselves a few times a week, parked in Garrys Austin car on the boulevard near GTV-9, he once told TV Tonight.

We were trying to get some scripts accepted for Noel Ferriers IMT. We didnt get a lot used but we had a lot of fun. Suddenly, Noel was carted off to hospital with a hernia, and Graham Kennedy filled in for three weeks.it was the first time I ever wrote for Graham.

Not for an instant did I ever think I would finish up as his personal writer.

A one month trial extended to a working relationship of over 20 years on shows including In Melbourne Tonight and The Graham Kennedy Show.

I introduced a few things into his shows that remained for the full life of the show, he once said. For example, I introduced a segment Headlines of the future that ran every Wednesday for 10 years. Graham would have a mocked-up paper and it was headlines you may read in the paper 30 years hence. I remember the first joke I did for this segment: Today Elizabeth Taylor celebrated her golden wedding anniversary  50 husbands!'

At Kennedys funeral, McColl Jones read a Fax from Heaven, a nod to Kennedys own penchant for communicating via fax.

He would write for Bert Newton, Don Lane, Mary Hardy, and Steve Vizard across shows such as The Don Lane Show, Tonight with Bert Newton, Tonight Live with Steve Vizard and more.

I was lucky enough to have a relationship with Graham, Bert and Steve Vizard and they could almost tell what I was thinking before I said it / did it / wrote it down.

One night during Tonight Live I made Steve laugh so hard that he had to go to a commercial break because he couldnt continue. It was just something I said off the top of my head and he just collapsed laughing  it had hit a nerve. Id say it into his ear live  Id just walk over and tell him something.

He also wrote for Tommy Hanlon Jnr, Jimmy Hannan, Stuart Wagstaff, Ernie Sigley, Frankie J. Holden and even Joan Rivers. He wrote on around 25 Logie Awards broadcasts, two Royal Command Performances for the Queen and Charles and Diana and penned six books.

In 2017 he received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his contribution to television, particularly in the field of writing.

According to McColl Jones, he never sought out accolades for his work.

No! No! The worst thing that could happen to me would be to get singled out  I hated that.

It was enough that the jokes worked on the night, he said.

Shirley Hardy-Rix:

Sad news from the world of television- the passing of the incredibly funny and talented Mike McColl Jones. Many of you wouldnt know him but if youve watched variety and talk shows on tv over the years you will have laughed at his jokes. I was lucky enough to know him and work with him. If there is a life after this one Mike will have the gang back together and be writing gags for Graham Kennedy, Bert Newton, my talented aunt Mary Hardy and so many more. Vale Mike McColl-Jones.

Ian Maurice:

Im feeling very sad. My dear friend Mike McColl Jones has left us. Mike had an incredible career as comedy writer for Graham Kennedy, Bert Newton, Don Lane and the list goes on .. Mike was a unique individual with a heart of gold. I will miss him terribly. To his children I send my heartfelt sympathies and, like all his friends, I have an emptiness in my heart only made easier with the knowledge that my life has been touched by this wonderful human. Rest easy old friend.

Mike was also an avid reader of TV Tonight, my thanks for the insight and generosity.

Additional source / photo: BaptCare
Sosei Group Corporation

Single-target agreement focused on development of novel, small molecule agonists of GPR52 discovered by Sosei Heptares with the potential to simultaneously address positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia

Sosei Heptares will receive EUR 25 million upfront from Boehringer Ingelheim and is eligible for an option exercise payment of EUR 60 million and further milestone payments totaling up to EUR 670 million plus tiered royalties

Ingelheim, Germany, Tokyo, Japan and Cambridge, UK, 11 March 2024  Today, Boehringer Ingelheim and Sosei Group Corporation (Sosei Heptares; TSE: 4565) announced they have entered a global collaboration and exclusive option-to-license agreement. At the center is a joint mission to develop and commercialize Sosei Heptares portfolio of first-in-class GPR52 agonists, a novel G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) target, with the intent to improve patient outcomes by simultaneously addressing positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia1,2,3.

Schizophrenia is a serious condition that affects about 1 in 100 people worldwide4. It is characterized by three clusters of symptoms5,6:

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Positive symptoms  such as psychosis, delusions and hallucinations

Negative symptoms  such as social withdrawal and apathy

Cognitive symptoms  such as attention, planning and memory deficits

The impact of these symptoms on peoples ability to cope with normal day-to-day life is significant and the related burden on carers and society at large is substantial, especially since the age of onset of the disease is typically in the 20s7. While positive symptoms can be stabilized with antipsychotics, some of which can have side effects, there are currently no approved medicines for negative or cognitive symptoms.

The development of a new schizophrenia treatment targeting GPR52 has the potential to address all three aspects of schizophrenia1,2 providing a novel precision treatment. This is based on the location of the receptor in the two areas of the brain that drive the positive (the striatum) and the negative and cognitive symptoms (the prefrontal cortex). The GPR52 agonism calms the striatum while boosting frontal cortical function, which achieves further precision in treatment8.

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Were very excited to enter this partnership with Sosei Heptares with this novel approach, which aims to address a huge unmet need of those living with schizophrenia. This partnership is highly complementary to our other development programs aiming to bring a new precision medicine approach to the treatment of mental health disorders with therapies, which we hope will transform the lives of those living with schizophrenia, states Hugh Marston, Global Head CNS Discovery Research at Boehringer Ingelheim.

Matt Barnes, President of Heptares Therapeutics and Head of UK R&D at Sosei Heptares, commented: This collaboration highlights the significant potential GPR52 has shown in preclinical research as a novel, first in class target for the treatment of schizophrenia and related neurological disorders. Were delighted to partner with Boehringer Ingelheim and leverage its leading expertise in neurological disease research and innovation. Together, we will focus on accelerating the development of this highly innovative program, which is currently in a Phase 1 clinical study, towards patients in need.

About the Agreement

Sosei Heptares will receive an upfront payment of EUR 25 million from Boehringer Ingelheim upon signing and is eligible for an option exercise payment of EUR 60 million and further development, regulatory and commercialization milestone payments totaling up to EUR 670 million plus customary tiered royalties for a clinical-stage asset on future Boehringer Ingelheim product sales.

Under the terms of the agreement, Boehringer Ingelheim has the exclusive option to license Sosei Heptares portfolio of GPR52 agonists following the completion of Sosei Heptares ongoing Phase 1 and subsequent Phase 1b trial and further Phase 2 enabling activities with HTL0048149, a first-in-class GPR52 agonist. Sosei Heptares will retain control and act as sponsor of these trials until option exercise, estimated in 2025. The licensed portfolio will include HTL0048149 as well as multiple differentiated back-up compounds designed by Sosei Heptares using its StaR technology and structure-based drug design (SBDD) platform.

###

About GPR52 and HTL0048149

GPR52 is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) highly expressed in the brain, especially in the striatum and the prefrontal cortex, and represents a potential emerging therapeutic target for a range of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders9.

Sosei Heptares has developed a portfolio of selective GPR52 agonists and modulators leveraging proprietary insights from its StaR technology SBDD platform, the most advanced of which (HTL0048149) entered a first-in-human clinical trial in 202310.

HTL149 has been designed to selectively target GPR52 as a once-daily, oral drug with an antipsychotic and pro-cognitive profile. Uniquely, HTL149 aims to treat positive symptoms (e.g. psychosis, delusions, hallucinations), negative symptoms (e.g. social withdrawal and apathy) and cognitive impairment (e.g. attention, planning and memory deficits) associated with schizophrenia and to minimize adverse effects associated with some of the available antipsychotic drugs9,11,12,13.

Through this novel mechanism of action, HTL149 aims to address the significant proportion of schizophrenia patients who do not respond to existing treatments or are unable to tolerate some of the side effects of antipsychotics, which potentially results in a lack of compliance to antipsychotic treatments. Furthermore, current antipsychotic drugs do not effectively treat the negative or cognitive symptoms of disease.

HTL149 is under investigation in a Phase 1a/b randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single- and multiple-ascending dose study to assess its safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics in healthy volunteers aged 18-55 years. The trial is being conducted in the UK and initial data are expected in 20259,14.

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that transform lives, today and for generations to come. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term, sustainable perspective. More than 53,000 employees serve over 130 markets in the two business units Human Pharma and Animal Health. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com (global) or www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/uk (for UK)

Boehringer Ingelheim has an innovative mental health pipeline focused on precision psychiatry approaches in indications of high unmet patient need. In pivotal trials, it includes a glycine transporter type-1 (GlyT1) inhibitor with iclepertin, addressing cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) (NCT04846868, NCT04846881)15,16 and a prescription digital therapeutic (PDT), CT-155, for people experiencing negative symptoms of schizophrenia (NCT05838625 )17.

About Sosei Heptares

Sosei Heptares is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on bringing life-changing medicines based on world-class science to patients globally. Our vision is to become one of Japans global biopharmaceutical champions.

Our global business combines our world-leading GPCR-targeted StaR technology, structure-based drug design and early development capabilities in the UK with a highly experienced clinical development capability and a commercial operation in Japan. We are leveraging these capabilities to generate and advance a broad and deep pipeline of novel medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, including neurology, immunology, gastroenterology and inflammatory diseases. We intend to develop these opportunities for patients in Japan and globally both internally and through our partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies and emerging technology companies.

Sosei Heptares operates from key locations in Tokyo and Osaka (Japan), London and Cambridge (UK), Basel (Switzerland) and Seoul (South Korea).

Sosei Heptares is the corporate brand and trademark of Sosei Group Corporation, which is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (ticker: 4565). Sosei, Heptares, the logo and StaR are trademarks of Sosei Group companies.

For more information, please visit https://soseiheptares.com/

LinkedIn: @soseiheptaresco | X: @soseiheptaresco | YouTube: @soseiheptaresco

Enquiries:

For Boehringer Ingelheim

Reinhard Malin, Innovation Unit Comms, Corp. Affairs

+49 6132 77 90815 | reinhard.malin@boehringer-ingelheim.com ,

Linda Ruckel, Innovation Unit Comms, Corp. Affairs

+1 (203) 791-6672 | linda.ruckel@boehringer.ingelheim.com ,

For Sosei Heptares

Kentaro Tahara, VP Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy

Shinichiro Nishishita, VP Investor Relations, Head of Regulatory Disclosures

Maya Bennison, Communications Manager

+81 (0)3 5210 3399 | +44 (0)1223 949390 | IR@SoseiHeptares.com

MEDiSTRAVA Consulting (for International Media)

Mark Swallow, Frazer Hall, Erica Hollingsworth

+44 (0)203 928 6900 | SoseiHeptares@medistrava.com

Sosei Heptares Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the discovery, development, and commercialization of products. Various risks may cause Sosei Group Corporations actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: adverse results in clinical development programs; failure to obtain patent protection for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and commercialize products and services; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from development efforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialization activities; and product initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



References



1 Komatsu H et al., Anatomical Transcriptome of G Protein-Coupled Receptors Leads to the Identification of a Novel Therapeutic Candidate GPR52 for Psychiatric Disorders., PLoS One (2014), 9(2), e90134/1-e90134/16, 16 pp., https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0090134

2 Setoh m et al., Discovery of the First Potent and Orally Available Agonist of the Orphan G-Protein-Coupled Receptor 52., J. Med. Chem. 2014, 57, 12, 52265237, June 2, 2014, https://doi.org/10.1021/jm5002919

3 Komatsu, H. Novel Therapeutic GPCRs for Psychiatric Disorders, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015, 16, 14109-14121; doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms160614109 .

4 Dixon L What It Will Take to Make Coordinated Specialty Care Available to Anyone Experiencing Early Schizophrenia: Getting Over the Hump. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017;74(1):78. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.2665

5 Owen M et al., Schizophrenia. The Lancet. Volume 388, Issue 10039, 28 July 2016, Pages 86-97, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01121-6

6 Roth RM et Al., Schizophrenia Research, Volume 98, Issues 13, January 2008, Pages 232-238, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2007.08.020

7 Bleuler, M. Demential Praecox or the Group of Schizophrenias. (International Universities Press, New York, 1950).

8 Wang P et al., Discovery of Potent and Brain-Penetrant GPR52 Agonist that Suppresses Psychostimulant Behavior, J Med Chem. 2020 Nov 25; 63(22): 1395113972, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01498

9 Felsing et al., Structure Activity Relationships of Novel GPR52 Agonists that Suppress Psychostimulant Behavior, The FASEB Journal Volume 35, Issue S1, https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.S1.04064

10 Press release - Sosei Heptares

11 Newcomer, J. W. Second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics and metabolic effects: a comprehensive literature review CNS Drugs 2005, 19 (Suppl. 1) 1 93.

12 Casey, D. E. Metabolic issues and cardiovascular disease in patients with psychiatric disorders Am. J. Med. 2005, 118 (Suppl. 2) 15S 22S.

13 Taylor, D. M. Antipsychotics and QT prolongation Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 2003, 107, 85 957Antipsychotics and QT prolongationTaylor, D. M.Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica (2003), 107 (2), 85-95.

14 https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17231793

15 https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04846868?intr=iclepertin&rank=4

16 https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04846881?intr=iclepertin&rank=3

17 https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05838625?term=ct-155&rank=4








A Palestinian child plays with a sparkler in Rafah, in southern Gaza, where war has made Ramadan celebrations muted (SAID KHATIB)

Dozens of Gazans offered prayers on Monday, the first day of Ramadan, in the middle of the ruins of a mosque hit by an Israeli air strike just days ago.

Standing in rows before a prayer leader with their hands folded, the Palestinian men were entering a fasting month unlike any they had experienced before.

Many of those not attending prayers were out in the streets looking for whatever food they could find for their families living in makeshift camps across the war-ravaged territory.

"I wish the planes would bomb me and I die," said Zaki Hussein Abu Mansur, once the proud owner of a house he had built for his family in Khan Yunis -- where Israeli forces are engaged in a sweeping ground operation against Hamas militants.

"It is better to die than live this life," the 63-year-old told AFP.

"Sometimes we see that the things that we need are in the market but we can't buy them."

Deprivation is normal in Gaza this Ramadan. Markets in Rafah are short on food items and few stores have qatayef, a dessert traditionally sold during Ramadan.

The bright lights and decorations that usually adorn streets during the fasting month are glaringly absent, though some stalls display Ramadan lanterns.

"We can't even afford vegetables, let alone fruit," said Maisa al-Balbissi, a 39-year-old displaced from northern Gaza and now sheltering in Rafah.

"Everything is too expensive. My children and I are unable to buy anything. Prices of even the simplest items have skyrocketed," the mother-of-two told AFP by her tent.

- 'Don't feel joy '-

Palestinians are observing Ramadan this year amid the relentless military campaign launched by Israel in response to Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israel's retaliatory offensive, aimed at eliminating Hamas, has killed at least 31,112 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

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For those forced to stay in overcrowded camps for the displaced, the bleak reality of food shortages and unhygienic living conditions has dampened the holy month's festive mood.

Around 1.5 million people have sought refuge in Rafah, according to the United Nations, largely without access to food, water and medicines.

"I suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems," said Abu Mansur, describing his daily battle to find medicines.

"I cannot eat canned food items."

Despite Israel and Egypt's long-running blockade of the Gaza Strip, in previous years the goods needed for Ramadan were still available.

"This Ramadan is different from last year when everything to do with Ramadan was available -- be it electricity, food, water," said Abdelrahman Ashur, 19.

"Nothing is available anymore. We don't feel that joy. Every Ramadan we used to be at home and now we are sitting in tents that we built with our own hands."

- 'Real test' coming -

As the sun rose on the first day of Ramadan, smoke from air strikes was visible over Rafah.

Awni al-Kayyal, 50, said he saw ambulances carrying dead bodies as soon as he woke up.

"The start of Ramadan has been sad and covered in darkness, with the smell of blood and stench everywhere... I woke up in my tent and started crying at our situation," he told AFP.

Late on Sunday, worshippers performed evening prayers at Al-Hadi mosque, damaged in an Israeli strike.

Its classic Islamic arches are now chipped and cracked, while the concrete columns supporting the ceiling inside are dangerously askew.

According to Gaza's Hamas-run government press office, Israeli forces have targeted more than 500 mosques since the beginning of the war, with 220 of them destroyed.

Meanwhile, in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, fears of clashes during Ramadan prevail among Palestinians.

Every year, tens of thousands of Muslims perform Ramadan prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.

This year Hamas has called on "our people" to mobilise and march towards Al-Aqsa from the start of Ramadan.

"For now it's more or less quiet. We will see on Friday," said Ali, a resident of the Old City, referring to Friday prayers, when large congregations gather at the mosque. "That will be (the) real test," he said.

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Fish swim at the North Seymour Island dive site in Ecuador's Galapagos archipelago, a diverse marine area that Greenpeace hopes will be further protected from the hazards of industrial fishing (Ernesto BENAVIDES)

Greenpeace on Monday called for the creation of a high seas marine protected zone under a new UN treaty to secure a much wider area around Ecuador's famous Galapagos archipelago.

The islands, whose unique fauna and flora inspired British scientist Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, are home to one of the world's largest marine protected areas, in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

But "just outside the Galapagos protected area, industrial fishing fleets continue to plunder the oceans. We must protect this area," Ruth Ramos of the Greenpeace Protect the Oceans campaign said in a statement.

Greenpeace urged governments to ratify the so-called High Seas Treaty adopted by United Nations member states last June to allow for the creation of an expanded protected area in international waters, outside of any country's jurisdiction.

"This historic treaty, once ratified, will enable us to protect a vast area of international waters near the Galapagos Islands, safeguarding a vital migratory superhighway for marine life such as sharks and turtles," said Ramos.

The environmental activist group is carrying out a scientific expedition in the Galapagos, which is home to some 3,000 marine species like sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, sea lions and marine iguanas, to name a few.

The Galapagos islands, some 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) off the mainland of Ecuador, have flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world.

- 'Historic opportunity' -

The existing Galapagos marine reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site created in 1998, is "one of the best examples of ocean protection in action. But it is still an exception in a world where only three percent of the ocean is currently fully or highly protected," Ramos said earlier in the expedition.

The High Seas Treaty was adopted after more than 15 years of discussions to extend environmental protections to international waters which make up more than 60 percent of the world's oceans.

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It can go into effect 120 days after being ratified by 60 countries -- a goal activists hope to reach by 2025.

So far it has been signed by several dozen states but ratified by only two: Palau and Chile.

Ramos said the governments of Ecuador, Panama, Colombia and Costa Rica have taken "admirable steps" to protect the oceans in their national waters.

Under the treaty, "they now have a historic opportunity to demonstrate global leadership by protecting this key area of the high seas and further safeguarding the beauty and biodiversity of the Galapagos region for future generations."

Greenpeace said this could be the first marine protected area created since the treaty was adopted and "would remove the threat of industrial fishing fleets."

"It would also protect a key area of ocean that many threatened migratory species from Galapagos and adjacent marine regions must cross in order to reach key coastal habitats for pupping, nesting and feeding."

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Indian commerce minister Piyush Goyal (centre) addresses diplomats at the signing ceremony of a trade deal between India and the European Free Trade Association (Efta) in New Delhi (PIB/AFP via Getty)

With the UK still struggling to iron out the details of a post-Brexit free trade agreement with India, New Delhi has instead clinched a landmark deal with four European nations that it claims will result in $100bn (78bn) of investment in the country.

Sundays agreement was signed between India and the European Free Trade Association (Efta) bloc of non-EU nations  Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein  after 16 years of negotiations. The EU is also engaged in a race to reach its own trade deal with India.

Under the deal, the four European countries will invest $100bn in India over the next 15 years and create a over million jobs.

In return, India will lift or partially remove what are currently very high customs duties on industrial goods from the four countries.

The deal was unveiled by the Narendra Modi administration at a summit in New Delhi with just days to go before the expected start of the general election campaign season, during which the Indian government is prohibited from making major announcements that could be vote-winners. India is due to hold its elections by mid-May, though the exact dates have yet to be released.

Mr Modi said the conclusion of what he called one of the most pioneering free trade agreements ever was a watershed moment.

This landmark pact underlines our commitment to boosting economic progress and creating opportunities for our youth, he said. The times ahead will bring more prosperity and mutual growth as we strengthen our bonds with Efta nations.

It means India has now signed three trade deals in the past two years, with Australia, the UAE and now the Efta bloc, while negotiations for a UK-India free trade agreement that would double trade to 86bn are frozen in the final stages after some 14 rounds of talks. With the UK also going to the polls later this year, a deal is now not thought to be likely before both countries have formed new governments.

Indian trade minister Piyush Goyal said the deal with the European bloc marked the first time in the history of the world that we are inking an agreement with a binding commitment for investment. He claimed that it shows investor confidence in India is at an all-time high.

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The pact covers some new elements, such as intellectual rights and gender equality, Mr Goyal added, telling a press conference: It is a modern trade agreement: fair, equitable, and win-win for all five countries.

The agreement will provide advantages to the pharmaceutical and medical devices sector within the bloc. Indian exporters will enjoy expanded access for their rice and other goods to European nations, while high-end Swiss watches will gradually become more affordable in India.

Swiss machinery manufacturers, producers of luxury goods, and transport sectors are anticipated to gain, according to the Swiss government. India has extended an invitation to Swiss transport companies to invest in its railways.

The agreement gives Efta nations the chance to export processed food and beverages, electrical machinery, and various engineering products to a potential market of 1.4 billion people at reduced tariffs.

Officials pose after the signing of the agreement with Efta (PIB/AFP via Getty)

India and the four Efta nations now have to ratify the agreement before it can take effect. Switzerland is expected to ratify it by next year.

Analysts said the pact may not immediately help India to reduce a large trade gap with the European bloc, but that it will help to 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 [Norwegian] technologies, said trade economist Ram Singh, who heads a New Delhi think tank, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.

Negotiations for a UK-India deal, billed as the most comprehensive ever signed by New Delhi, were formally launched in January 2022, and the British prime minister at the time, Boris Johnson, declared that he expected it to be completed by Diwali  24 October  that same year.

Hopes for a breakthrough were high and there were talks of plans for a Diwali visit to the UK by Mr Modi to sign the deal, until comments criticising Indian migrants by the then home secretary Suella Braverman appeared to derail negotiations. Progress again stalled in April 2023 amid New Delhis anger over protests at its embassy in London.

British negotiators flew to India last week in what one UK government source described as a last-ditch attempt to clinch a deal. The two sides still differ on a number of points, including the number of visas for Indians to work in the UK and differences over the level of access British car manufacturers should be given to Indias market.

The UKs trade minister, Kemi Badenoch, said last week that an agreement before both countries elections is possible but challenging, adding that she does not wish to use any election as a deadline. She said one of the major reasons for the long-drawn-out discussions is that India is a protectionist economy in comparison with the UKs more liberalised regime.

Talks for an ambitious FTA between India and the EU were resumed in 2021 after being stalled for almost nine years due to differences in issues of customs duties on motor vehicles and spirits, and around the movement of professionals. The EU is Indias second-largest trading partner after the US.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, Canada paused talks for an FTA with India after the two sides were unable to reach agreement on issues around food safety standards. It also came amid a diplomatic row between the two countries after Ottawa said it believed the Indian government had been involved in a plot to assassinate a Canadian Sikh activist in British Columbia.
The blue-and-yellow flag of Sweden was run up a flagpole at NATO's headquarters in a ceremony welcoming it as the alliance's 32nd member (JOHN THYS)

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that Sweden's accession to the US-led alliance showed Russian President Vladimir Putin had "failed" in his Ukrainian war strategy of weakening it.

The Kremlin's invasion not only prompted formerly non-aligned nations Sweden and Finland to come under NATO's defence umbrella, but now "Ukraine is closer to NATO membership than ever before," Stoltenberg said.

His comments, made next to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, came just before Sweden's flag was run up a flagpole at NATO's Brussels headquarters in a ceremony sealing Sweden becoming the alliance's 32nd member country.

"When President Putin launched his full-scale invasion two years ago, he wanted less NATO and more control over his neighbours. He wanted to destroy Ukraine as a sovereign state, but he failed," Stoltenberg said.

"NATO is bigger and stronger," he said.

Finland joined NATO last year, swiftly after applying.

Sweden's adhesion took longer as NATO members Turkey and Hungary held up the process. But Ankara in January and Budapest last week finally gave their formal assent.

- Shared 'risks' -

Sweden's accession officially happened last Thursday in Washington, where Kristersson handed over the relevant documents at the US State Department. He then attended President Joe Biden's State of the Union address.

Monday's rain-slicked ceremony raising the Swedish flag outside NATO sealed the historic expansion in symbolic terms.

The flag -- a yellow cross on a blue background -- was hoisted between the ones for Spain and Turkey, in alphabetical order.

"Sweden's accession shows again that NATO's door remains open. No one can close it. Every nation has the right to choose its own path," Stoltenberg said just before it went up.

In a joint media conference with Kristersson minutes earlier, Stoltenberg had admitted that he "didn't expect" to see Finland and Sweden join during his time as the alliance's secretary general.

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"Of course this changed totally with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and since then things really moved very quickly."

Kristersson said Sweden now "will share burdens, responsibilities -- and risks -- with our allies".

"The security situation in our region has not been this serious since the Second World War, and Russia will stay a threat to Euro-Atlantic security for a foreseeable future," he said.

For Russians, Putin has framed his 2022 all-out invasion of Ukraine as a defensive "special military operation" against an expanding NATO.

The member countries of the alliance have lent their military and financial support to Kyiv in its fightback.

But momentum is slowing as US political will fractures ahead of a November presidential election and as Europe struggles to meet the ammunition needs of an outgunned Ukraine.

Stoltenberg said a negotiated peace was possible for Ukraine -- but only if Putin pulls his forces back.

"President Putin started this war and he could end it today. But Ukraine does not have this option. Surrender is not peace," the NATO chief said.

"We must continue to strengthen Ukraine to show President Putin that he will not get what he wants on the battlefield, but must sit down and negotiate a solution."

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Picture-perfect parks

Garry Basnett/Shutterstock

From desert canyons to tumbling waterfalls, national parks are home to some of the most awe-inspiring natural beauty around the globe. With so many picture-perfect places, we can see why millions of people capture the pretty parks on social media. Using data collated by Mainland Aggregates, we reveal the worlds 30 most beautiful national parks according to Instagram.

Read on and let us know which you have visited!

30. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, USA

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Making it into the top 30 with just over 25,000 posts, tucked away from Hawaii's pristine sandy beaches, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is like another planet. Established in 1916 on the Big Island, the park is home to Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Kilaueas lava continuously flows across the rocky wasteland, with steam rising from the cracked earth resembling a scene from space.

29. Huascaran National Park, Peru

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Set in the worlds highest tropical mountain range, the Cordillera Blanca, Perus Huascaran National Park is the next most Instagrammed scene, with just over 28,000 posts capturing its famous turquoise lakes and mountain scenery. Soaring a mighty 22,205 feet (6,768m), the park centres around its namesake mountain, Mount Huascaran, Perus highest peak. The eye-popping blue lake Laguna 69, is another favourite amongst visitors, sitting at the foot of Pisco Mountain.

28. Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, Argentina

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The Perito Moreno glacier, a sprawling icy expanse is the focal point of this park in southwest Argentina and has earned just over 32,000 posts. Located in the Austral Andes region, the park covers around 1,722 square miles (4,459sq km) featuring lush forests alongside its snowy peaks and ice fields. Nicknamed Perito, its giant glacier is probably one of the most famous attractions in the world.

27. Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Spain

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Nestled on the border between France and Spain, the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park can be found towering high in the Pyrenees mountains. With its rocky surroundings, the park is filled with lofty peaks and rugged valleys, racking up almost 35,000 Instagram posts. Established in 1918, the park was one of Spains first protected areas. Measuring seven miles long (11km) is the parks namesake valley, dotted with thick forests, striking waterfalls and scenic hiking trails.

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26. Tatra National Park, Poland and Slovakia

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Landing the next spot with just over 35,000 posts and measuring around 82 square miles (212sq km) is Tatra National Park on the Slovakian border. Often regarded as Slovakias prettiest peak, its impressive 8,185-foot-high (2,495m) Mount Krivan dominates the park and is a national symbol for Slovakia. The parks snowy mountains and steep slopes typically attract skiers and snowboarders from across the world during winter.

25. Valley of Flowers National Park, India

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Coming in at number 25 with just under 40,000 posts, often hailed as Heaven on Earth this aptly named park in India is famous for its swathes of colourful alpine flowers that decorate the valley. Situated in the state of Uttarakhand in the West Himalayas, the park is also home to an array of endangered animals including snow leopards, Asiatic black bears and musk deer.

24. Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland

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Covering an impressive 5,460 square miles (14,141sq km) in Iceland, the Vatnajokull National Park is Europes largest national park and ranks next with just over 57,500 posts. Known for its majestic mountains, thundering waterfalls and glittering glaciers, it gets its name from the colossal 3,127-square-mile (8,100sq km) ice cap in its borders covering 8% of Icelands land mass.

23. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, USA

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As its name suggests, this park in central Arkansas is famed for its magnificent geothermal hot springs earning it just over 74,300 Instagram posts. A beautiful blend of history and nature, the area rose to fame as a health resort during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, nicknamed The American spa. The historic bathhouses can still be seen on Bathhouse Row, while thermal fountains and open springs are scattered across the park.

22. Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

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With just over 96,000 posts to its name, the Durmitor National Park is distinguished by its high peaks, pine forests and deep gorges. Located in the Dinara mountain range in northwestern Montenegro, the park is best known for the jaw-dropping Tara River Canyon, one of the longest and deepest river canyons in Europe. Dubbed the Tear of Europe for its sheer scale, it measures roughly 50 miles long (82km) and 4,300 feet deep (1,310m) at its peak.

21. Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

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Fringed by icy fiords in New Zealand's South Island, this stunning UNESCO-listed park has racked up 112,000 posts on Instagram. The native Maori people attributed the creation of its fiords to a demigod known as Tu Te Raki Whanoa who carved out the landscape. Described by Rudyard Kipling as the eighth wonder of the world Milford Sound is the parks most famous fiord. Measuring up to 1,312 feet (400m) deep, Milford is studded with steep cliffs, rainforests and cascading waterfalls that plunge into the inky water below.

20. Krka National Park, Croatia

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Making it into the top 20 with nearly 122,000 posts, the Krka National Park takes its name from the magnificent Krka River. Located along Croatias Dalmatian coast, the park covers roughly two thirds of the river and is shaped by its alluring waterfalls and glittering pools. A series of picturesque cascades known as Skradinski Buk waterfall is the parks biggest draw. Regarded as one of Croatias best beauty spots, the falls are dotted with scenic trails zig-zagging through the park.

19. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA

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Hailed for its abundance of incredible wildlife, Wyomings Grand Teton National Park is up next, with a big jump in posts with just under 295,000. Characterised by the Teton mountain range, its rising peaks frame the 485 square miles (1,256sq km) of parkland. The 13,700-foot-high (4,198m) peak of Grand Teton watches over the park and its resident wildlife includes elk, moose, bison and bears.

18. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

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In 18th place with just over 297,600 posts, there are plenty of picturesque spots in the Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. Covering almost 115 square miles (300sq km), the park is halfway between Zagreb and Zadar, best-known for its colour-changing lakes connected by a series of pretty cascades and waterfalls. The lakes change from bright blues to earthy greens due to the tufa build up in the waters.

17. Iguazu National Park, Argentina

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Named after its spectacular falls with just over 345,000 posts, the Iguazu National Park is in the heart of the Paranaense Rainforest. The parks main attraction is Iguazu Falls, a stunning series of 275 waterfalls stretching across the border between Argentina and Brazil. Famed for its crashing cascades and spraying waters, the jaw-dropping falls measure 1.7 miles long (2.7km) and is the largest waterfall system in the world.

16. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia

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Earning over 395,000 posts, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is home to one of Australias most iconic landmarks and lies in the middle of Central Australias outback. Formerly known as Ayers Rock, Uluru is a mighty 1,142-foot-high (348m) red sandstone monolith roughly half a billion years old. The eye-catching rock is a sacred site for the guardians of the land known as the Anangu people and is regarded as one of the worlds most amazing natural wonders.

15. Jasper National Park, Canada

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Known as the biggest park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper encompasses a staggering 4,200 square miles (11,000sq km) and ranks 15th with nearly 405,500 posts. With its shielding mountains, Jaspers starry nights make it the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world. The parks Maligne Lake is another major draw. Measuring 14 miles (22km) long, it is the largest natural lake of the Rockies and its clear blue waters are mesmerising.

14. Arches National Park, Utah, USA

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Situated in eastern Utah, this sprawling park gets its name from the 2,000 natural stone arches that adorn its desert landscape and has earned just under 450,000 Instagram posts. Standing tall at 128 feet (39m), Balanced Rock is the parks most famous attraction. The huge rust-coloured structure carefully balances on a pedestal, almost defying gravity and is certainly a magnificent sight.

13. Sequoia National Park, California, USA

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Famed for its ancient sequoia trees, this aptly named park can be found in east-central California and makes it to 13th with just over 478,000 posts. Set in the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range, its towering trees grow up to 8,000 feet (2,438m). Home to the largest tree in the world (by volume), General Sherman is a whopping 275 feet (84m) tall and 36 feet (11m) in diameter. The giant tree can be found in the Giant Forest with walking paths slicing across the grove.

12. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

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With its sun-bleached landscapes and vibrant wildlife, the Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania makes it to 12th, with just over 511,600 posts and is one of the best-known safari destinations in the world. Established in 1952, the sweeping 12,000-square-mile (31,100sq km) park is home to one of natures most incredible sights, the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra. The park plays host to plenty of other animals too including lions, cheetah, elephants and giraffes.

11. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA

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Missing out on the top 10 with just over 518,000 posts, Bryce Canyon National Park is another gem from Utah, known for its vivid reddish pink cliffs and tall rock spires (called hoodoos) dotted throughout the park. Formed over millions of years, its namesake Bryce Amphitheater is the biggest attraction. Like the name suggests, Sunrise Point is a popular overlook for seeing the colourful canyon as the sun comes up.

10. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

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Making it to 10th place with nearly 537,000 posts, the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is best-known for its pretty peaks and incredible zig-zagging roads. Dubbed as an All American Road the 48-mile-long (77km) Trail Ridge Road is the parks most scenic byway. Soaring over 12,000 feet (3657m) at its peak, its the highest continuous paved road in the US and boasts epic views of the mountains.

9. Kruger National Park, South Africa

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Covering 7,523 square miles (19,484sq km), Kruger National Park is the largest safari park in eastern South Africa and is popular on Instagram with just under 568,000 posts. Known as one of the most popular game-viewing destinations in the world, its diverse landscape is home to some of South Africas most famous wildlife including lions, zebras, elephants, giraffes and rhinos.

8. Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

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Distinguished by its snow-capped mountains, shimmering lakes and winding rivers, the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile comes in eighth with just over 568,600 posts. Often named the eighth wonder of the world, the park is bursting with incredible sights from icy glaciers to dramatic waterfalls. In the heart of the park just below the Paine Massif lies Lake Pehoe (pictured), whose crystal-clear waters wow its visitors.

7. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

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Located in northern Montana, the 1,583-square-mile (4100sq km) Glacier National Park takes seventh place with just over 709,000 posts. From its close proximity to the US-Canada border, the park encompasses a well-preserved ecosystem along the Rocky Mountains often called the Crown of the Continent. The protected region features picturesque mountains, unspoiled valleys and dense forests and became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1976.

6. Zion National Park, Utah, USA

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At number six with just under 962,500 posts is Zion National Park in Utah, founded in 1919, it is the states oldest national park. Measuring an eye-watering 232-square miles (600sq km), its red-hued canyon and scenic overlooks are the most famous spots. At 3,000 feet (914m) deep in places, Zion Canyon is a hiking haven, especially the Narrows. The 16-mile (26km) long stretch is partly submerged by the Virgin River and involves wading through the water.

5. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

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Established in 1872 and coming in fifth place with almost 1.4 million posts, Yellowstone National Park was the first national park in the US and is widely recognised as the oldest in the world. Renowned for its geothermal wonders, Yellowstone features the world's most famous geyser known as Old Faithful (pictured). Named for its recurring eruptions, the hot spring dramatically shoots water up to 100-180-feet (30-55m) high around 20 times per day.

4. Banff National Park, Canada

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In fourth place with just over 2.4 million posts, just northwest of Calgary lies Banff, the birthplace of Canadas national parks. Measuring 2,564 square miles (6,641sq km), Banff National Park was founded in 1885 and is known for its sparkling lakes and steep slopes. Surrounded by the craggy peaks of the Canadian Rockies, the mesmerising waters of Moraine Lake (pictured) is one of the parks most breathtaking sights.

3. Lake District, England

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Encompassing a staggering 912 square miles (2,362sq km) of Englands northwest and making it to the top three with nearly 2.6 million posts, the Lake District is the largest national park in England. Located in Cumbria, the aptly named park is known for its rocky mountains and fells, vast lakes and charming coastline. Home to the largest natural lake in England, Windermere measures an impressive 10.5 miles long (18km).

2. Yosemite National Park, California, USA

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Mountains punctured by waterfalls and soaring sequoia trees dominate California's famous Yosemite National Park which takes second place with almost 2.9 million posts. Set in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the 1,187-square-mile (3,074sq km) park is peppered with peaks and granite cliffs. The most noteworthy cliff is Half Dome, a distinct rock formation rising almost 5,000 feet (1,524m) above Yosemite Valley.

1. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA

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Clinching the top spot with just over 3.6 million posts, the Grand Canyon National park in Arizona is home to one of the most popular landmarks in the US. Certainly, grand in its size, its iconic namesake canyon forms an 18-mile-wide (29km) gorge where the Colorado River has sliced its way through the landscape. Its familiar rust-coloured rock dates back roughly six million years and typically attracts millions of visitors each year.

Now read on for more of Americas stunning natural wonders
Hot off the success of The Terminator, James Cameron directed a follow-up to Ridley Scott's film and took the storyline in a slightly different direction. Making it completely his own, while still maintaining its roots as a direct sequel, Cameron injected a heavy dose of action and adventure. In fact, Aliens pretty much raised the bar in that area, which is a striking contrast to the intense horror elements of the original. The movie is also vastly unique and distinct from the Star Trek and Star Wars movies many were cheering for at the time. Much like its predecessor seven years earlier, this sci-fi feature surprised audiences everywhere, using standard genre tropes and then defying them. Living up to its tagline, "This Time It's War," Aliens is a brash, bare-knuckle display of frenetic action and grandiose violence that, surprisingly, is just as good as Scott's film.

If the first movie can be described as "Jaws in space," as O'Bannon once put it, then Cameron's sequel is essentially "Rambo in space." Instead of a commercial freighter crew battling one vicious monster, a gung-ho, trigger-happy Marine Corps will face off against an entire horde. Part of the excitement comes from watching the soldiers interact aboard the warship Sulaco, their aggressive and combative attitudes being a big focus of the first half. Led by the inexperienced Lt. Gorman (William Hope), the colonial marines refuse to show any fear or apprehension before landing on LV-426. They display a disregard for Ripley's caution and a lack of respect for the danger they're about to encounter. But both Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and the audience understand the seriousness, which creates tension and concern. Once they meet their enemy and most of the team is killed in a matter of minutes, the mission of those reminaing is suddenly one of survival, rather than the seek-and-destroy attitude seen earlier.

What ultimately works best  that is, other than the exciting action  is Cameron carrying over and expanding on many of the same themes explored in Scott's amazing work of horror. In Aliens, the Weyland-Yutani Corporation is given personhood through talking head Carter Burke (Paul Reiser), a guy who immediately rubs us the wrong way. Whereas the first film only mentions human life as expendable and preserving an alien specimen as a priority, this follow-up now turns it into a focal point of soulless corporate greed. Amid all the death and chaos, the company seeks to protect its investment and sees potential profit in the biological weapons area. In this gloomy and miserable future, even the military has been privatized for further commercial opportunities. Ripley is once again forced to battle two types of monsters and helped by Corporal Hicks (Michael Biehn), Vasquez (Janette Goldstein) and Hudson (Bill Paxton).

By placing our tough heroine in the middle of this harsh reality, Cameron is also able to expand on Ripley's character as a strong female voice. Just as in the previous film, she is compelled to prove herself as a woman within a masculine society, which is in sharp contrast to Vasquez's just-one-of-the-boys appearance and posture. In introducing little Newt (Carrie Henn) to the storyline, Ripley takes on a larger, more powerful role, readily accepting a maternal place without leaving behind those characteristics we've already come to admire in her. Indeed, this new attribute of protecting the child  who later eventually calls her "mommy"  from the other violent, monstrous mother, makes her more of a determined and confident hero than the soldiers. Ripley's relationship with Hicks and Bishop (Lance Henriksen) shows a masculine presence that can live peacefully alongside her, listen to her, and work as equals.

And just as in Scott's horror masterpiece, Cameron's Aliens can be enjoyed for the intense action and suspense alone. But for others, these aspects and qualities of the film make it a well-crafted classic of science fiction. The 1991 Special Edition cut of the movie retains this same feel, if not actually make it more apparent to viewers. Most of the extra seventeen minutes in fact seem to add depth and motivation to the Ripley character, such as an early scene with Burke where the two talk about her daughter. It is later mentioned during an intimate moment with Newt, and the idea provides weight to their emotional hug at the end. Other scenes are neither here nor there, information that fans can do without, like Newt's family discovering the alien spacecraft and Hudson's "state-of-the-art" speech. Either way, both cuts are equally enjoyable in my book, and the theatrical version is a classic sci-fi actioner with brains.

Vital Disc Stats: The Ultra HD Blu-ray

20th Century Studios brings James Cameron's Aliens to 4K Ultra HD as a three-disc combo pack with a flyer for a Digital Copy, unlocking the 4K version of the theatrical cut in Dolby Vision HDR with Dolby Atmos audio. The Region Free, triple-layered UHD100 disc sits comfortably opposite a BD50 copy of the movie and a third BD50 disc containing all the supplemental material. All three are housed in a black, eco-elite case with a glossy cardboard slipcover. At startup, viewers are taken to a static screen with the usual options and music playing in the background. In order to access the Special Edition, you must navigate to the Setup submenu.

NOTE: as of press time we haven't been able to pull 4K disc-sourced images. Hopefully soon we can come back and either add new images and/or video sample.
Advisers call for nuclear to be included in green energy transition

09:12, March 11, 2024 By Zheng Xin ( China Daily

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb 22 shows construction on the second phase of the Zhangzhou nuclear power project in Zhangzhou, Fujian province. The project uses Hualong One reactors, which are third-generation reactors developed domestically. [PHOTO/XINHUA]

Nuclear power has massive potential to boost green electricity development in China and should be included in the country's green electricity system for low-carbon development, according to national legislators, political advisers and industry experts.

Nuclear-generated power should be certified as green electricity in China, as the country's expanding fleet of nuclear generators is capable of providing over 160 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, said Yang Changli, chairman of China General Nuclear Power Group, China's largest nuclear power operator by installed capacity.

"Including nuclear power in the green electricity certificate system can help provide an authoritative certification platform for the green and low-carbon attributes of nuclear power, meeting the purchasing demands of the market," said Yang, who is also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

China established a green electricity certification system in 2017 to promote the transformation and development of green and low-carbon energy. Wind and solar power sources are awarded certification and gain a premium in electricity market trading.

While several countries in Europe and the United States have included nuclear power, a stable and reliable high-quality green and low-carbon electricity source, in the category of green electricity at the policy or implementation level, it has not yet been included in China's green certification and green electricity system, making it the only nonfossil energy source excluded from the system, he said.

Yang said the fact that nuclear power companies do not have access to official green electricity certification has prevented them from meeting the rising market demand for green electricity and has curbed the supply of green power.

"The inclusion of nuclear power in the green electricity trading system would not only benefit the environment but also develop a new form of productivity to support the nation's high-quality development," he said.

"It could also increase enthusiasm in purchasing nuclear power, enhancing the competitiveness of nuclear power in the electricity market while promoting the effective realization of the low-carbon value of nuclear power."

According to CGN, the domestic and international carbon reduction situation has led to a continuous increase in demand for green electricity from various entities. If nuclear power was included, it could greatly alleviate the constraints placed on the supply of green electricity to society.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, electricity generated from nuclear power stations has the lowest carbon emissions among renewable energy sources, with one kWh of nuclear-generated electricity only emitting 5.7 grams of carbon emissions, compared with 74.6 grams from solar, 64.4 grams from hydropower and 13.3 grams from wind.

Lu Tiezhong, assistant general manager at China National Nuclear Corp and a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, also called for the inclusion of nuclear-generated electricity into the country's green electricity certification system.

While the scale of nuclear power in operation in China will soon be the largest in the world, and the nation has the foundation to lead the development of the global nuclear energy industry, the value of nuclear energy has not been recognized in current green electricity trading.

Accelerating the inclusion of nuclear energy will help promote China's transition to a green and low-carbon energy mix while supporting its high-quality development, he said.

According to the China Nuclear Energy Association, the total installed capacity of nuclear power generators in operation and under construction in China exceeds 100 million kilowatts, accounting for 21.2 percent of the world's total and has a first-rated safety record.

As of the end of last year, China had 55 nuclear power generators in operation, generating 4.86 percent of all power generated in the year, which helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 323.3 million metric tons, it said.

China is looking to develop its nuclear power sector as part of a broader push for renewables and domestic energy security. Nuclear is expected to contribute about 10 percent of power generation in the country by 2035 and 18 percent by 2060, with a total generation capacity of 400 gigawatts by 2060, the China Nuclear Energy Association said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia, the world's second-largest palm oil producer, saw its palm oil stocks drop in February amid lower crude palm oil (CPO) production, official data showed Monday.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) data showed that the country's palm oil inventories slipped 5 percent to 1.92 million tons in February from January.

Malaysia's CPO production also fell 10.18 percent month on month to 1.26 million tons.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's palm oil exports declined by 24.75 percent month on month to 1.02 million tons.

The country's palm oil imports, on the other hand, increased by 10.38 percent month on month to 32,556 tons. 
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  India

As India implements CAA, 200 Hindu, Sikh families want to return to Afghanistan

Narendra Modi government in New Delhi Monday implemented the Citizenship Amendment Act, popularly known as CAA, even as around 200 Hindu and Sikh families currently staying abroad want to return back to Afghanistan. Read More

Monday March 11, 2024 10:48 PM , ummid.com News Network

New Delhi/Kabul: Narendra Modi government in New Delhi Monday implemented the Citizenship Amendment Act 2029, popularly known as CAA, even as around 200 Hindu and Sikh families currently staying abroad want to return back to Afghanistan.

The amended Citizenship actwas passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2019. The government however refrained from implementing it first because of the protest and later due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

The new act amends the Citizenship Act of 1955 to provide a fast-track pathway to Indian citizenship for migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who belong to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian communities and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

The amended CAA faced opposition and widespread protests , especially by Muslim organizations and rights activists, as the government proposed in the law to grant citizenship to foreigners based on their religion, and it includes all but Muslims who called the law discriminatory.

The Narendra Modi government decided to implement the amended CAA weeks before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The government while introducing the law explained to give shelter to the 'persecuted minorities' outside India, totally ignoring the fact that the minorities in India itself are being persecuted.

Interestingly, along with the Modi governments decision to implement the amended CAA, news reports came that some 200 Hindu and Sikh families currently staying in India and other countries who left Afghanistan after Taliban takeover in 2021 want to return back.

Talking to Tolo News, Manjeet Singh Lamba, the Head of the Sikh and Hindu community in Afghanistan, said around 40 and 50 Sikh and Hindu citizens are living in the country, but close to 200 Sikh and Hindu families are expected to return to the country in the next month.

"Since the Islamic Emirate has recaptured the country, our people are gradually returning. There are some problems with returning to Afghanistan, such as visa issues. Currently, fifty or forty-five people are living in Afghanistan," he told TOLO News.

Surjeet Singh, a resident of Afghanistan, called for the protection of minority rights, especially for Hindus and Sikhs in the country.

"Hindu families who had come before went back to India and are now returning. Their lands have been seized, and we want the Islamic Emirate to return our lands. Although there is now security, we want our security to be further ensured, Surjeet Singh told TOLO News. "We are business-minded people and create favorable conditions for business," said Jagmohan Singh, another sikh citizen.

The Taliban regime pledged that the rights of all minorities in the country are protected, and also said that if the lands of Hindu citizens have been seized, they can appeal to judicial and legal institutions.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, emphasized that if the lands of Hindu citizens has been seized, they can appeal to judicial and legal institutions.

"If their rights have been violated, the doors of all courts are open to them, they can file a lawsuit, and the Islamic Emirate supports them. We do not allow the rights of any Afghan citizen to be lost," Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban government spokesman said.

"The issue of seizing Hindu lands is being thoroughly and completely investigated. If someone's land has been seized or there is an attempt to seize it, it will be prevented, and the properties will be returned to their rightful owners," said Barkatullah Rasooli, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice.

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Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  Ramadan 2024

Muslims on way to Masjid Al Aqsa to offer Taraweeh baton charged

Muslim worshippers on their way to Masjid Al Aqsa to offer Taraweeh prayers on the first day of Ramadan 2024 were baton charged and blocked from entering the Holy Site by the Israeli Occupation Forces. Read More

Monday March 11, 2024 2:01 PM , ummid.com News Network

[Muslim worshippers take part in the evening 'Tarawih' prayers during of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, at Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalems Old City March 10, 2024. (Ammar Awad / Reuters)]

Occupied Jerusalem: Muslim worshippers on their way to Masjid Al Aqsa to offer Taraweeh prayers on the first day of Ramadan 2024 were baton charged and blocked from entering the Holy Site by the Israeli Occupation Forces.

The far right Zionist regime in Israel had earlier vowed to stop prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque in the Occupied Jerusalem during the month of Ramadan if the Israeli hostages are not released.

In response, the Palestinian Resistance Groups said they are ready to free all hostages in exchange of Palestinians languishing in Israeli jails and end of its 76-year-long occupation and immediate ceasefire.

According to the Israeli state broadcaster KAN, the Zionist regime had also allowed extremist Jews to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan.

Nonetheless, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu a week before Ramadan toned down his governments decision to block Taraweeh and other prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque during the Month of Ramadan after a massive outrage.

We will do everything to maintain the freedom of worship on the Temple Mount [Al-Aqsa], while appropriately maintaining security and safety needs, and we will allow the Muslim public to celebrate the holiday, Netanyahu said ahead of Ramadan as quoted by The Times of Israel.

The scene at Al Aqsa on Sunday was totally different to what Netanyahu had promised. The Israeli forces baton charged the Muslims who were on their way to Al Aqsa Mosque to offer Taraweeh  Special Night Prayers, offered during Ramadan.

The Israeli occupation forces assault Palestinians whilst they are trying to reach Al Aqsa mosque. pic.twitter.com/iGkFYpa7S8  Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) March 10, 2024

Eyewitnesses said that many Palestinians who came to perform Tarawih had gathered at the gate of the Noble Sanctuary, or Haram al-Sharif when they were met with aggressive Israeli forces, according to Anadolu Agency.

Later, the Israeli forces allowed only women and elderly to enter the mosque premises. The Muslims, who were blocked from entering the Al Aqsa Mosque, prayed outside in the streets of the Old City.

Al Aqsa Mosque is the world's third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area the Temple Mount, saying it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Images that emerged after the first night of Ramadan at Al Aqsa and shared by news agency Reuters showed fewer number of worshipers praying in the compound because of the blockade and access restrictions imposed by the Israeli police.

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Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  India

SC sets 24-hr deadline for SBI to submit details of Electoral Bonds

The SC also asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to compile the information and publish the details on its official website, no later than March 15, 2024. Read More

Monday March 11, 2024 3:43 PM , ummid.com News Network

New Delhi: In a massive setback for the State Bank of India (SBI), the Supreme Court Monday asked the Indias largest bank to submit to the Election Commission of India (ECI) by tomorrow i.e. Tuesday March 12, 2024 the details of Electoral Bonds.

The Supreme Court of India had in a landmark judgement delivered on February 15, 2024 struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme as unconstitutional, and asked the SBI to disclose the details of the donors and parties benefited from the scheme by March 06, 2024.

The SBI however failed to meet the deadline and even asked the Supreme Court to grant it time till June 30, 2024 to disclose the required details.

The SC while rejecting the SBI request for extension also called its failure to meet the deadline as wilful disobedience.

The apex court also warned that it will initiate contempt proceedings against the government-run bank if it does not provide the information by tomorrow.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who led the five-judge Constitution bench, noted that it was submitted that the donor details were kept in sealed cover in a Mumbai branch of the bank.

The submissions of SBI indicate that the information which was directed to be disclosed is readily available with the bank and therefore there was no reason for further extension as sought for. In view of this, the SBI application is dismissed, the Supreme Court said. The SBI is directed to disclose the details by the close of business hours of March 12, 2024, the bench said.

The SC also asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to compile the information and publish the details on its official website, no later than March 15, 2024.

The electoral bonds scheme was introduced in 2018 with the stated objective of blocking black money from entering the political system.

Soon after the scheme was implemented, a number of parties, including CPM, Congress and also non-profit Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) challenged it in court. They argued that the confidentiality clause came in the way of the citizen's right to information.

The petitioners also submitted before the Supreme Court that a huge, very huge part, of the funds donated under the Electoral Bonds Scheme goes to the ruling BJP.

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The Court of Appeals of Georgia will conduct an off-site oral argument session March 26 at the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Dahlonega Campus. Presiding Judge Sara L. Doyle will be joined by panel members Judge Ken Hodges and Judge Jeffrey A. Watkins. The event is open to the public.

"We are honored to host the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia here on our campus at the University of North Georgia," UNG President Michael P. Shannon said. "This opportunity not only enriches our campus community but also underscores our commitment to fostering the development of our students into leaders who are engaged and informed citizens."

Court will be held at 10:30 a.m. March 26 in the Hoag Auditorium, where the judges will hear three oral arguments. The cases involve a student's suspension from the University of Georgia after a bar fight; a conviction for fleeing from the police after a high-speed chase; and a dispute between neighbors over a new parking place. The judges will hold a question-and-answer session for the students following the arguments.

"The judges are looking forward to holding oral arguments at the University of North Georgia. We enjoy giving students a chance to see attorneys and judges discuss active cases without traveling to Atlanta," Doyle said. "And we're grateful to UNG President Mike Shannon and Assistant Professor Valerie Cochran for making this event possible."

The Court of Appeals is Georgia's intermediate appellate court, with 15 judges who serve in panels of three. Oral arguments are not heard in all cases. The parties must ask to be heard, and the Court only grants about a third of the requests. The Court is committed to increasing confidence in the judiciary by making its judges more accessible to the public by holding court at different venues around the state.
ADEN, Yemen, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Yemen-based branch of the global terrorist network, confirmed the death of its leader, Khaled Batarfi, and named Saad bin Atef Al Awlaki as his successor.

The announcement came through a video statement released on Monday, though the circumstances of Batarfi's death were not disclosed.

Batarfi, a Saudi national, had been in charge of AQAP since 2020, succeeding Qassim Al Rimi who was killed in a U.S. drone strike. Under his leadership, AQAP maintained its insurgency against Yemeni government forces amidst the country's ongoing conflict.

Saad bin Atef Al Awlaki, the new leader, was last seen in a February 2023 video calling for Sunni tribes in southern Yemen to resist the influence of the United Arab Emirates and the Southern Transitional Council.

AQAP, established from the unification of al-Qaida factions in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, remains one of the most formidable and active branches of the terror network. The United Nations estimates its strength at 3,000 to 4,000 members, sustaining itself through criminal activities like bank heists, arms trafficking, counterfeiting, and kidnappings for ransom.

The group has exploited the turmoil in Yemen to expand its control and launch assaults on security and governmental bodies.

Yemen's civil war, which erupted in late 2014, pits the Houthi movement against the internationally-backed Yemeni government, with a Saudi-led coalition intervening in 2015. 
HCM CITY  Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries 67-per cent joint venture Phu My 3 BOT Power Company Ltd has transferred the Phu My 3 Power Plant to Vietnam Electricity (EVN) after commercially operating it for 20 years.

The transfer ceremony was held in Ba Ria  Vung Tau Province, where the plant is located, on March 8.

Under the terms of the build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract, EVN has been appointed by the Government to manage the plant at the end of the contracted term.

It was Viet Nams first independent and BOT power plant.

Sembcorp has contributed to Viet Nams power industry and urban development for over two decades, and the smooth transfer of the Phu My 3 Power Plant would continue to underpin Viet Nams energy needs, the company said in a press release.

As the countrys first independent power plant, it played a major role in advancing knowledge sharing within the emerging combined cycle power generation industry.

It also provided around 100 jobs and enabled the workforce to acquire valuable engineering skills.

Phu My 3 BOT Power Company Ltd has also made contributions to healthcare, education and support to underprivileged families in the community.

This includes sponsoring medical equipment for hospitals, gratitude houses for the poor, student scholarships, and blood donation programmes. VNS
HCM CITY  HCM City is set to become the pioneer among provinces and cities in Viet Nam in devising a comprehensive scheme for developing e-commerce on social media.

This significant step was highlighted during an information-sharing event on the shoppertainment trend in 2024, held in HCM City late last week.

At the event, Truong Minh Huy Vu, deputy head of the HCM City Institute for Development Studies, confirmed that the scheme is currently in the works and is expected to be submitted to the citys authorities soon.

This scheme is a strategic blueprint that outlines the city's perspectives, commercial goals, and cultural targets while establishing a legal framework to manage and foster e-commerce activities on social media platforms.

A surge in e-commerce activities on platforms like TikTok and Facebook has driven the need for such a scheme, with trends such as live streaming involving key opinion leaders (KOLs) and Key Opinion Consumers (KOC) gaining momentum.

According to Vu, after many successful livestreams in Thu uc City, Can Gio District and at Ben Thanh Market, the city plans to host numerous livestreaming events featuring KOLs and KOCs to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and traditional market traders to boost their sales.

Emphasising the future trends in e-commerce, Vu mentioned that the second half of the year would witness a rise in live streaming to sell green products.

Furthermore, he added, e-commerce on social media stands as a crucial channel to cater to the increasing demand for home products.

HCM Citys role as a hub for the economy, culture, and digital transformation is pivotal in driving partnerships and initiatives like KOL and KOC challenges aimed at facilitating successful digital transformation for local businesses.

The city is also focusing on combating the sale of counterfeit products and tax evasion in social media e-commerce activities to ensure market transparency.

With HCM City leading the way in fostering e-commerce on social media, the realm of digital commerce in Viet Nam is set to witness a paradigm shift towards engaging and immersive shopping experiences.

E-commerce trend in 2024

Experts and brand representatives shared insights on e-commerce trends in the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring the concept of shoppertainment as a burgeoning phenomenon.

As per the "Shoppertainment 2024: The Future of Consumer and Commerce in APAC" report by TikTok, there are three fundamental shifts which lay the foundation for brands to thrive in shoppertainment across the domains of content-centricity, full-funnel optimisation, and the creator ecosystem.

First, consumers are moving away from impulsive, discount-centric purchases, seeking content that reveals the true value of products.

Second, there is a growing demand and expectation for content to elevate shopping experiences and facilitate browse-to-buy across platforms.

Third, the rise of content communities emphasises the shift from brand-driven to community-driven networks.

Consumers are increasingly drawn towards content that emphasises product value, rather than discounts. About 79 per cent of consumers are inspired to shop for content that reveals a product's value rather than for discounts.

The report highlighted market archetypes, indicating the preferences of consumers in social-oriented and product-oriented markets with respect to content and recommendations.

Vietnamese consumers, in particular, value recommendations from creators and experts, favouring credibility and communal information exchange.

Brands are advised to collaborate with credible sources and leverage authentic voices to build consumer trust and engagement.

Shant Oknayan, head of Global Business Solutions at TikTok for Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa & Central Asia, emphasised the importance of prioritising emotional needs through shoppertainment to enhance the consumer experience.

Shopping used to be a joyful experience. However, the emergence of e-commerce has shifted its focus to competitive pricing and transactional efficiency. In Asia Pacific, we believe the next big commerce opportunity lies in bringing consumers back into the picture  prioritising their emotional needs through shoppertainment. It is defined as content-driven commerce that entertains and educates first, he said.

The survey, conducted across five Asia-Pacific markets, including Viet Nam, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea, underscored the evolving dynamics of consumer behavior and the emerging trends in e-commerce.  VNS
HCM CITY  Along with other preferential policies, HCM City has announced its financial support for innovative start-up projects in the city.

The citys Department of Science and Technology has announced policies to boost the sustainable growth of the start-up ecosystem in the city.

The city will provide financial support for start-ups in three stages of pre-incubation, incubation and acceleration.

For pre-incubation, start-ups will receive support of VN40 million (US$1,620) per project for no more than six months, including VN10 million ($405) for labour wages and VN30 million ($1,215) for other expenses.

For incubation, they will receive VN80 million ($3,240) per project for no more than one year, including VN30 million ($1,215) for labour wages and VN50 million ($2,025) for other expenses.

For acceleration, they will receive VN400 million ($16,200) per project for no more than one year, including VN150 million ($6,070) for wages and VN250 million ($10,130) for other expenses.

At its 12th meeting in November, 2023, the 10th municipal Peoples Council approved a resolution for granting policies for priority fields, and conditions and support levels for innovative start-up projects in the city.

The eligible subjects of this resolution are individuals, groups, and businesses with innovative start-up projects in the citys priority fields of e-commerce, financial technology, logistics, educational technology, healthcare, high-tech agriculture, sustainable development, digital transformation, and cyber security.

The criteria to select an innovative start-up project for financial aid this year include innovation, implementation capability, socio-economic effects, market potentials, and business model.

Phan Thi Quy Truc, deputy head of the Office for Technology and Technological Market Management under the citys Department of Science and Technology, said this year's start-up-related activities, such as registration, support and incubation, must all be updated precisely on the HCM City Open Innovation Platform (H.OIP).

This is a tool to link members in the citys innovative start-up ecosystem to strengthen the connection among start-ups and other organisations to share knowledge as well as address potential problems and transfer technologies, she said.

According to the project to support the growth of the citys innovative start-up ecosystem in the 2021-25 period, in 2024, the city will boost the innovation capacity of 900 businesses and incubate 300 innovative start-up projects.

It will focus on developing suitable infrastructure and supporting services in order to form a network of centres for innovative start-ups.

The Science and Technology Department is assigned to deliver support to commercialise products of innovative start-ups, help small and medium-sized enterprises to improve their performance, and promote innovative activities in the public sector.

With supporting policies for innovative start-up projects in the 2024-28 period, the city aims at offering aid to more than 1,000 projects at their pre-incubation stage, 700 at their incubation stage, and 200 at their acceleration stage so they can approach venture capitalists by 2028.

Nguyen Viet Dung, director of the citys Department of Science and Technology, said in 2015 the citys innovative start-up ecosystem was merely at its beginning stage.

Thanks to the Governments project on supporting national innovative start-up ecosystems until 2025, along with the citys multiple practical policies, the city now has a good ranking in the global map of these ecosystems, and is currently at the 113rd position out of 1,000 cities worldwide, he said.

Cooperation between the State and academies, universities, incubators and businesses is expected to help the city surpass its set targets by 10-20 per cent after five years, he said.

The plan also mentions training sessions for innovative start-ups. The city is going to hold such sessions about policies and their implementation methods to State management units who receive money to carry out those policies each year.

The city is also providing support to innovative solutions, products and services as well as innovative start-ups during the application process or feasibility evaluation in the form of science and technology tasks.  VNS
WELLINGTON  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined New Zealand businesses in a seminar in Wellington on March 11 to learn about investment cooperation potential and demand between the two countries.

The event, part of his official visit to New Zealand, was held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand, and the ASEAN - New Zealand Business Council (ANZBC).

Local businesses expressed their interest in Viet Nams investment policy, particularly in infrastructure development.

They also presented their cooperation demand and capacity in the fields of education - training, science - technology, food import, training and supply of nurses caring for the elderly, climate change fight, green transportation, carbon emission reduction, energy transition, and sustainable agriculture.

PM Chinh said after nearly 50 years, the two countries relations have made great strides in multiple sectors, but there is still ample room for cooperation, including in economy, trade, and investment.

He said the biggest obstacle to bilateral ties now is the geographical distance, which should be addressed by opening direct air routes, boosting e-commerce, and developing new means of connection.

The head of Government suggested the Government, associations, and businesses of New Zealand promote economic, trade, and investment partnerships with Viet Nam.

He also asked for market opening to fully leverage bilateral trade agreements, cooperation frameworks, and new-generation free trade deals such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the ASEAN - Australia - New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), to which both countries are parties.

Besides, he called for facilitating the access of goods to each others markets and considering the removal of non-tariff barriers to Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural and aquatic products.

PM Chinh recommended New Zealand improve the efficiency of the Inter-governmental Committee and the mechanisms of dialogue between the two countries governments and business communities, while stepping up connectivity with Vietnamese firms.

He said the ANZBC should take the role of a bridge linking the two countries governments and businesses.

He also asked New Zealand businesses to boost investment in Viet Nam through programmes and projects in many sectors, including green economy, digital economy, circular economy, knowledge-based economy, science - technology, innovation, electronics and semiconductor, new energy.

There are about 15,000 Vietnamese people in New Zealand, and many work in trade and investment. Given the fact, the PM suggested New Zealand continue supporting and facilitating Vietnamese companies to operate fruitfully in the country so that they can further engage in global supply chains.

He expressed his hope that economic, investment, and trade cooperation will remain an important pillar of bilateral relations and provide fresh impetus to the two countries' growth.

On grounds of the motto interests harmonised, risks shared, Viet Nam will spare no efforts to safeguard the interests and rights of businesses and create the best conditions for foreign companies, including those from New Zealand, to invest and do business in the country.  VNS
OTTAWA  As Viet Nam is a core part of Canadas Indo-Pacific Strategy, both countries boast numerous opportunities for trade development when the Southeast Asian country becomes the largest trading partner of Canada in the region, a Canadian official has said.

Vice President for Indo-Pacific at Export Development Canada (EDC) George Monize told the Vietnam News Agency's resident correspondent in Ottawa that his agency is working to provide domestic firms with necessary information about the Vietnamese market, and offer them with financial and insurance support so that they could make more achievements in Viet Nam.

Meanwhile, President of Groupe Engram Remy Franzoni described Viet Nam as a wonderful trading partner thanks to the countrys status as a global production hub, golden population and middle-income boom.

He highlighted that Viet Nam is one of the attractive destinations for Canadian enterprises, elaborating the country has competitive labour and business costs along with advantages brought by free trade agreements it has clinched.

Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng recently held a dialogue with Canadian businesses and associations and trade representatives from Viet Nam, Malaysia and Indonesia in preparation for a Canadian trade delegations visit to Viet Nam and Malaysia at the end of March.

At the event, she briefed the Canadian enterprises on the Indo-Pacific Strategy, in which Canada focuses on promoting trade and investment ties with its partners in the region.

Commerce has played an important part in Canadas economic development strategy, she said, adding as the country plans to increase its presence and trade ties with Indo-Pacific  a region with the most dynamic economic growth in the world, it is accelerating negotiations for a free trade pact with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and expects the two sides could ink the deal in 2025.

Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Canada Tran Thu Quynh said that besides accelerating the signing of an ASEAN  Canada trade agreement, Viet Nam and Canada should prepare a deeper cooperation mechanism in the fields of digital economy and green economy in the context that ASEAN is establishing a regional digital economic framework.

As the Chair of the Commission of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2024 and Chair of the G7 Group in 2025, Canada could make further contributions to promoting trade liberalisation and improving the efficiency of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), according to Quynh.

Besides, Canada could become a gateway for enterprises from Viet Nam and other ASEAN member states to penetrate the North American market, she added.

Over the past time, Canadas trade exchange with Viet Nam and Malaysia has been backed by the CPTPP of which the three nations are members.

Viet Nam is currently the largest trading partner of Canada in ASEAN and is one of the economies with the highest economic growth that can bring trade and investment opportunities to Canadian firms. Last year, two-way trade topped US$10 billion.

Meanwhile, Malaysia is also an important partner of Canada in the bloc, with two-way trade reaching nearly $6 billion in 2023.  VNS
HCM CITY  The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), the Japanese government arm that disburses ODA loans, has been funding numerous projects in various sectors in Viet Nam.

At the recent 9th Japan Viet Nam Festival held in 23/9 Park in HCM Citys District 1, it publicised several of its projects in education, water environment, rural development, and tourism.

They include the expansion of the Binh Hung Wastewater Treatment Plant in HCM City's Binh Chanh District in 2023 using loans from JICA, which prevents industrial and household wastewater from entering canals, thus improving the water environment.

Wastewater collection for treatment at the plant was improved in districts 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Binh Chanh.

Its capacity was improved to 469,000cu.m per day, an increase of 328,000 cu.m.

This also eliminated the flooding problem in District 8s Me Coc Wharf, helping reduce flooding in districts 5, 6, 10, and 11 during high tides.

The second is a project to build mechanisms to sustainably develop the handicrafts sector in Quang Nam Provinces mountainous rural regions.

It is being carried out from 2021 to 2026 as part of JICA Partnership Programme by Japans Foundation for International Development/Relief and Quang Nam Province.

It aims to improve the livelihoods of ethnic minorities, there by facilitating handicrafts production using local resources and enabling sustainable tourism by preserving and leveraging local cultures and traditions.

A third project involves the recruitment of Japanese volunteers to introduce the tourism potential of Can Tho, a Lat and a Nang cities as part of JICAs Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers programme.

Japanese volunteers are dispatched to developing countries to contribute their skills and experience, thus strengthening Japans partnership with those countries.

Shota Kamiji, a JICA volunteer working in Can Tho City, said the programme trains volunteers in the language and customs of the country they are being sent to before sending them there for two years.

At the Can Tho Tourism Development Centre, he is tasked with researching the citys tourism spots, culture and history to promote tourism through social media and the centres website in English and Japanese.

He also takes part in organising events.

He said locals are very friendly and the city has plenty of attractive tourist destinations, but since Can Tho is not well-known among Japanese tourists, he is focusing on changing that.

JICA is also investing in the Viet Nam Japan University to enhance its education, research and management quality.

The university was established 10 years ago, and now has around 700 undergraduate and post graduate students.

The Japan Viet Nam Festival celebrates the strong bilateral relationship and promotes cultural exchanges between the two countries.

It was also the closing event of the 50th anniversary celebrations for the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Viet Nam. VNS
TOKYO  A delegation from the Finance Ministry led by Minister Ho uc Phoc on Monday had a working session with Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki and representatives from Japanese partners to promote bilateral financial co-operation.

At the event, the two ministers expressed their delight to see the increasingly strong development of the two countries' relations, especially the upgrade of the ties to the Viet Nam - Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World last November.

They discussed the two countries' financial cooperation in several areas, such as taxes, customs, loans, aid, and use of official development assistance (ODA), while sharing experience and solutions to improve management capacity and professional operations of functional units.

Phoc said that Viet Nam's public debt is currently about 37 per cent of GDP, lower than the set target of 60 per cent. This is an advantage for Viet Nam to attract capital from foreign countries to invest in infrastructure as well as socio-economic development.

The Vietnamese minister informed the host of Viet Nams North-South high-speed railway project, that has an estimated investment of US$67 billion and will be implemented in 2027. Viet Nam expects to mobilise 30 per cent of the investment from foreign capital. Therefore, Viet Nam hopes that Japan will participate in providing capital for this project.

In addition, the two ministers expressed support for each other in multilateral financial cooperation such as within the ASEAN 3 framework, focusing on areas such as the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) and Disaster Risk Finance (DRF) to enhance regional financial stability and resilience.

For his part, Japanese Minister Shunichi Suzuki highly appreciated the Vietnamese Government's efforts in creating favourable conditions for Japanese businesses and banks to co-operate and invest in Viet Nam. He also expressed his willingness to join the North-South High-Speed Railway project as well as other infrastructure projects that Viet Nam is set to carry out.

On the same day, Minister Phoc and the Vietnamese delegation met with President and Chief Executive Officer of Mizuho Bank Masahiko Kato.

At the meeting, Phoc said Viet Nam needs a huge amount of capital for development, including the mobilisation of domestic and foreign financial sources to achieve socio-economic development goals, particularly the financial resources to realise its commitments to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Masahiko Kato said that Viet Nam is one of Mizuho's strategic markets through investment cooperation with Vietcombank. Currently, many Japanese businesses wish to expand their investment scale in Viet Nam, and Mizuho always accompanies and supports capital for these businesses.

He also said that his bank stands ready and will work with Vietcombank so as to provide green credit according to environmental -social - governance (ESG) standards.

Earlier, Phoc and the delegation visited the Japan Exchange Group (JPX), and worked with the President of the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA) and the President of the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).  VNS
Compiled by Thu Tra

HA NOI  Vietnamese businesses are advised to proactively respond to trade defence lawsuits to avoid their negative influence on export activities as trade defence investigations have been expanding in terms of markets and industries.

Chu Thang Trung, deputy director general of the Vietnam Trade Remedies Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that in the current context, the world has continued the trend of globalisation and trade liberalisation, with the reduction of import tariff barriers - one of the characteristics of that trend.

However, several countries have maintained mechanisms to protect domestic industries from unfair competition and excessive imports. And those mechanisms use trade defence tools according to the regulations of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) commitments.

Trung said Viet Nam's exported goods face the risk of being subjected to trade remedies and measures to prevent evasion of trade remedies.

He added that the number of trade defence probes against Viet Nam's exported goods has increased sharply, accounting for 65 per cent of the total number of cases over the past 20 years.

To date, Vietnamese exported goods have been involved in 239 trade remedies investigations. Typically, products such as shrimp, tra fish, honey and aluminium have always coped with investigations, investigation warnings, lawsuits, and imposition of anti-subsidy taxes.

An early trade warning needed

Trung said Vietnamese exporters must get used to trade remedies and defence mechanisms in global trade as the country's export turnover grows rapidly.

"There is no getting around them. The question is how to better support Vietnamese businesses facing trade remedy investigations," he said.

Trung said an early warning is proof that the system is working as intended and that the authority has been in the process of narrowing down Vietnamese products that often faced investigations in the past and those that have experienced rapid growth recently. These are the products to look out for, he said.

"We'd rather be safe than sorry. Of course, we do not want our warnings to come true, but businesses should rather be aware of their risk than to be caught unprepared," Trung said.

Nguyen Thu Trang, director of the WTO and Integration Centre at the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said an early warning system could address some of these issues by giving companies more time to prepare their cases if needed.

"It's better to present a good case than trying to minimise damage. Having more time will allow companies to gather more accounting data to support their case," she said.

Chairman of the Vietnam Aluminium Association Nguyen Minh Ke agreed. He said aluminium is a multi-purpose material and has many competitive advantages in the market, so it has faced increasing trade defence cases in export markets.

In this context, Ke said his association has regularly coordinated with the Vietnam Trade Remedies Authority to provide businesses with training courses on trade defence, while guiding them to prepare documents so as not to be passive or surprised by an investigation from the export market.

At the same time, the association has updated early warnings from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and closely followed trade defence investigations around the world as well as investigation trends with Vietnamese exported goods, to provide notifications and support businesses in responding to lawsuits.

Well-prepared for trade defence probes

Besides support from State management agencies, businesses should be well-prepared with data, documents, personnel resources and financial provisions so that they could be ready to participate in future trade defence investigations, experts said.

In recent times, businesses have paid increasing attention to protecting their interests and minimising risks that might occur in the face of trade remedies investigations, especially investigations against tax evasion of trade remedies.

Once a risk is identified, businesses need to have a solution in advance to address it. The first is to consider whether the use of raw materials is subject to the investigation against trade defence tax evasion or not, to adjust production. At the same time, they should maintain governance so that when allegations arise, they would have evidence to prove them and provide relevant information to investigation authorities.

Closer cooperation among businesses and associations and trade defence consulting agencies is also needed so firms could be more proactive in production activities, they suggested.

Lawyer inh Anh Tuyet from Viet Nam International Law Firm said that businesses needed to regularly update information about trade defence investigations through Vietnamese trade agencies in their exporting countries, the Vietnam Trade Remedies Authority and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Although each market would have its own way of investigating, the common point they all targeted in the lawsuits was the raw material, production and sales areas of the enterprise. That was something that businesses should pay attention to and prepare in advance to have appropriate and effective responses, Tuyet told congthuong.vn.  VNS
HA NOI  A painting by Mai Trung Thu (1906-1980), one of the most prominent artists in Vietnamese history, has fetched the highest bid in the Asian Painters auction titled Modern Vietnamese Art by Aguttes - 828,420 (US$970,000).

Created in the early 1940s, En Plein Air (Outdoors) depicts two women, with one absorbed in her reading while the other seemingly lost in her dreams. They are dressed in ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) that highlights their graceful curves and slender waists. With their hair delicately pulled up in buns and their lips covered in red makeup, these two women are exquisitely elegant and refined.

According to Aguttes, the softness allowed by the successive washings of colours brings a refined aspect that can be observed in En plein air.

Remaining faithful to one of his favourite themes, Mai Trung Thu demonstrates that beyond his perfect mastery of the technique, he also knows how to skilfully mix references while offering an ideal vision of Vietnamese culture, wrote the auction house on their website.

Another painting by Thu, Portrait de Madame Nguyen Nguyet Nga (Portrait of Madame Nguyen Nguyet Nga) ranked second, changed hands for 413,720. The work was painted in 1950.

In the description, the auction house says the painting is a testament to the beauty and richness of a distinctive style that combines Western and Vietnamese influences, gracefully capturing everyday life and human emotions.

The third highest value went to Femme Aux Oeillets (Woman with Carnations) by Le Pho that was sold for 407,340. The artist drew a girl sitting on a chair, holding a flower branch in one hand, with a thoughtful expression on her face. According to Aguttes, this work faithfully reflects the artists delicate and poetic style.

Other paintings sold for high prices include Jeune Femme Au Tricot (Young Woman is Knitting) by Luong Xuan Nhi, Marguerite Au Jardin Jouant Avec Les Poussins (Marguerite is Playing with the Chicks) by Vu Cao am, Fleurs (Flowers) by Le Pho, Zither  Erhu by Mai Trung Thu, Femmes Tissant Le Rotin (Women Weaving Rattan) by Nguyen Phan Chanh, and Les Chrysanthemes (Chrysanthemums) by Vu Cao am. These works have been sold from 164,000-311,640.

Mai Trung Thu was born in 1906 near the northern city of Hai Phong. He was one of the first artists to graduate from the Fine Arts College of Indochina, or Ecole des Beaux-Art de l'Indochine, in Ha Noi, together with other celebrated Vietnamese painters like Le Pho, Vu Cao am and Le Van e.

The painter settled in France in the late 1930s and stayed there until he died; however, he still retained the deepest-rooted sense of Vietnamese identity. He soon abandoned oils for gouache and ink on silk - typical Asian techniques that enabled him to develop a style richly reminiscent of traditional Chinese and Vietnamese art. His artwork often depicted everyday life scenes, landscapes, and portraits, showcasing his skillful use of colours and capturing the essence of Vietnamese culture.  VNS
WELLINGTON New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his spouse on March 11 chaired a welcome ceremony with the traditional Maori ritual for Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse who are on an official visit to New Zealand from March 10-11.

Over nearly 50 years of diplomatic ties, the two countries relations have been developing unceasingly and were upgraded to a strategic partnership in July 2020.

Viet Nam is currently the 14th largest trading partner of New Zealand with bilateral trade reaching US$1.3 billion in 2023. As of November 2023, New Zealand had 52 investment projects worth $208.35 million in Viet Nam, ranking 39th among 143 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam, statistics showed.

There are about 11,000 Vietnamese people in the South Pacific nation, mainly in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington.

During the visit, PM Chinh is scheduled to hold talks and meetings with senior leaders of New Zealand, attend meetings with heads of associations and leading businesses of the country, engage in working sessions with local scientific, technological, and educational institutions, and meet with the Vietnamese community here.

The two sides will discuss measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation, including such focal and traditional areas as trade, investment, labour, education - training, and agriculture. VNA/VNS
WELLINGTON  Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon co-chaired a press conference following their talks in Wellington on Monday morning, saying they agreed to promote all-round cooperation to raise the two countries relations to a new height.

PM Chinh noted that during the talks, the two sides discussed a wide range of areas of cooperation and outlined orientations for the Viet Nam - New Zealand strategic partnership to continue growing strongly in the time ahead.

The countries will consolidate political - diplomatic cooperation to create a solid foundation for bilateral ties. They will enhance and expand cooperation in all the important pillars of their strategic partnership, including economy - trade - investment, security - defence, agriculture, and people-to-people exchange.

In addition, they will accelerate and make breakthroughs in the partnerships in science - technology, innovation, green economy, digital economy, technology transfer, agriculture, and some other sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductor, maritime economy, environmental protection, labour, and vocational training.

The two sides agreed to establish working groups to step up the fruitful implementation of cooperation deals, he said.

Looking into some regional and international issues of shared concern, they agreed to coordinate closely and support each other, especially at the United Nations, the ASEAN-led forums, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

They also agreed in boosting dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation, together effectively responding to common challenges in the region, and fostering cooperation in the Mekong sub-region, the Vietnamese PM said.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the waters; not using or threatening to use force; and peacefully resolving disputes based on international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They agreed to exchange opinions and information, increase maritime cooperation, and make joint efforts to turn the East Sea into an area of peace, stability, friendship, cooperation, and development.

For his part, PM Luxon told the media that during the talks, the two sides made commitments to the building of an Asia-Pacific region of peace, stability, cooperation, and development that generates benefits for both countries and their peoples.

Viet Nam and New Zealand will promote cooperation in all fields, including politics, diplomacy, economy - trade - investment, agriculture, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.

Bilateral trade has been rising steadily by 60 per cent over the last five years. The two countries aim to raise the trade revenue to $2 billion in 2024 and double bilateral investment through certain measures.

The two countries also agreed to jointly build and implement plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the host leader announced.

He and PM Chinh believe that there is still ample room for Viet Nam - New Zealand cooperation. The two countries will work to leverage the potential and organise activities to achieve breakthroughs in 2025, the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, to elevate bilateral ties to a new level.

Both sides shared that with the achievements obtained so far and the determination of the two countries, the Viet Nam - New Zealand relations will keep growing strongly, benefiting the two peoples and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in Asia-Pacific and the world, according to Luxon.

Following the press conference, the two PMs witnessed the signing of several deals, including an agreement on educational cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and Education New Zealand, an agreement on economic and trade cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance and the New Zealand Treasury.  VNS
WELLINGTON  Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon identified major orientations for further strengthening cooperation in multiple areas during talks in Wellington on March 11 morning.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the stable and increasingly effective development of their countries strategic partnership in all aspects, including politics - diplomacy, economy - trade, security - defence, education - training, agriculture, and labour, especially the frequent exchanges of high-ranking delegations and the good growth of bilateral trade, by 60 per cent between 2017 and 2022.

To further intensify multi-faceted cooperation, first, they agreed to stabilise and consolidate political trust, strategic trust, and political - diplomatic cooperation to create a more solid foundation for bilateral ties.

Viet Nam and New Zealand will step up mutual visits and meetings at all levels and via all channels while effectively implementing cooperation mechanisms, including regular meetings between the PMs and ministers of the two countries.

On this occasion, PM Chinh invited his counterpart to pay an official trip to Viet Nam at a suitable time. Luxon accepted the invitation with pleasure.

The two sides also agreed to promote the fruitful implementation of the action plan for implementing the Viet Nam - New Zealand strategic partnership 2021 - 2024, and soon build an action plan for the new period.

Second, the leaders concurred in enhancing and expanding cooperation in all important cooperation pillars of the strategic partnership, including economy - trade - investment, security - defence, agriculture, and people-to-people interaction.

Agreeing to foster economic, trade, and investment ties, they look to raise the countries trade revenue to US$2 billion in 2024 and $3 billion in 2026, and double bilateral investment through certain measures, including opening markets and reducing trade barriers.

Viet Nam welcomes New Zealand investment in all fields, particularly education - training, high-quality agriculture, and renewable energy, PM Chinh said.

At the talks, PM Luxon announced the launch of the third phase of a project on developing high-quality fruit varieties (Vietfruits) worth NZD$6.24 million ($3.85 million) to help small-scaled passion fruit farmers and other stakeholders in value chains to increase productivity.

Amid uncertainties in the region and the world, the PM were unanimous in expanding defence-security cooperation; effectively responding to traditional and non-traditional security challenges that are increasing in the region, including transnational crimes, terrorism, natural disasters, and epidemics; and strengthening cooperation in peacekeeping, maritime security, and intelligence information so as to contribute to regional and global peace, stability, and cooperation.

The two leaders agreed to step up agricultural cooperation, including in climate change response and developing high-tech agriculture, plant saplings, and food safety management.

They reached consensus on expanding collaboration in culture, education-training, and people-to-people exchanges.

PM Chinh showed his hope that New Zealand will increase scholarships for Vietnamese students, and its universities would strengthen links with Vietnamese counterparts, thus meeting the need for high-quality human resources of the Southeast Asian country.

He added that the early reopening of direct flights between the two nations will be an important motivation to expand cooperation in these fields.

Third, the Vietnamese leader agreed to accelerate and make breakthroughs in cooperation in science and technology, innovation, green and digital economic development, environmentally-friendly technology transfer, emission reduction, and emerging technology industries such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), and semiconductor.

He proposed creating breakthroughs in marine economic cooperation and marine environmental protection, accelerating labour cooperation and vocational training, and creating conditions for Vietnamese labourers to work in New Zealand.

Discussing regional and international issues, the two PMs affirmed to maintain coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ASEAN-led mechanisms, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum; and back each other's candidacies at regional and international organisations.

PM Chinh thanked New Zealand for supporting Viet Nam's candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-25 term, congratulating New Zealand on successfully assuming the role as Chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2023, and affirming that Viet Nam will actively promote practical cooperation programmes between ASEAN and New Zealand in its capacity as coordinator of ASEAN - New Zealand relations for 2024-2027.

PM Luxon affirmed that New Zealand will support and cooperate closely with Viet Nam when the Southeast Asian nations hosts the APEC Year 2027.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea; and addressing disputes by peaceful means, based on respect for international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They agreed to share information and strengthen maritime cooperation, and strive to turn the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) into a sea of peace, stability, friendship, cooperation and development.  VNS
WELLINGTON  Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro in Wellington on Monday (local time), as part of his ongoing official visit to New Zealand.

The Governor-General said the PMs visit was of significance as the two countries would celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties in 2025, and expressed her belief that it would be a success, contributing to enhancing the Viet Nam-New Zealand strategic partnership.

Kiro also commended Viet Nam's important role and position in the region, especially within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), affirming that New Zealand always considers Viet Nam a crucial partner in the region.

The PM conveyed regards from Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other high-ranking leaders of Viet Nam to the Governor-General.

Informing Kiro of the outcomes of the talks with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon earlier the same day, Chinh said the bilateral relationship had been developing intensively, extensively, and substantively over the past nearly five decades, especially after the establishment of the strategic partnership in 2020.

Ample room remains for the two sides to foster their strategic partnership, for the sake of their people, and for peace, stability and development in the region, according to the Prime Minister.

Host and guest agreed to strengthen and deepen the relations across spheres, step up people-to-people exchange, carry forward the role of the two countries friendship associations, and weigh the resumption of direct flights.

Chinh laid an emphasis on the six main cooperation areas, namely high-ranking delegation exchange and the implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms; trade-investment; education-training; green economy, sustainable development and environmental protection; cultural exchange; and labour.

The PM suggested New Zealand further facilitate the Vietnamese community to live and study there, and serve as a bridge between the two countries.

Kiro affirmed her support for the Vietnamese community, and lauded their contributions to New Zealands development.

The two sides also concurred to maintain their close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums.  VNS
WELLINGTON  Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament Gerry Brownlee in Wellington on Monday afternoon (local time) as part of his official visit to the South Pacific nation.

Congratulating Brownlee on being elected Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament, PM Chinh expressed his belief that the country would become increasingly prosperous and secure a growing stature in the region and the world, with the New Zealand Parliament playing an important role.

Speaker Brownlee voiced his delight at the progress of the friendship and cooperation in various areas between the two countries.

Both host and guest agreed to exert joint efforts to make new breakthroughs in labour and education - training cooperation.

Speaker Brownlee pledged to promote the granting of long-term visas for Vietnamese citizens. He highly valued the Vietnamese communitys considerable contributions to New Zealand and the bilateral relations. He also agreed to increase people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation to help strengthen the friendship and bonds between the two nations' people.

PM Chinh suggested the two sides continue increasing mutual visits, especially those at the high level; create conditions for their specialty fruits, including banana and passion fruits of Viet Nam and kiwi and cherry of New Zealand, to enter each others markets; foster navigation and aviation connectivity; and step up cultural ties and people-to-people interactions.

Meanwhile, the two countries legislative bodies should continue bringing into play their roles in further strengthening the Viet Nam-New Zealand Strategic Partnership; share experience in resolving national issues, building law-governed states, and exercising supreme supervision; create legal frameworks to assist their respective governments; and work together to promote the implementation of the signed cooperation agreements, he recommended.

The two leaders agreed to facilitate experience exchanges between the parliament's committees, parliamentary friendship groups, female parliamentarians, and young parliamentarians in not only traditional fields but also new ones such as climate change response, just energy transition, digital transformation, and digital economy.

At the meeting, they also touched upon some regional and international issues of shared concern. They agreed that Viet Nam and New Zealand will support each other at international organisations, including the United Nations, ASEAN-led mechanisms, and multilateral parliamentary forums.  VNS
WELLINGTON  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received President of the New Zealand-Viet Nam Friendship Association Roberto Rabel, who is a professor of Victoria University of Wellington, on Monday on the occasion of his official visit to New Zealand.

The Vietnamese leader highlighted the high political trust between the two countries, saying that the two sides share many similarities such as the love for peace, hospitality and sincerity.

He thanked the association for organising numerous practical activities, significantly contributing to enhancing the bilateral relationship.

Briefing the associations members on his trips outcomes, PM Chinh emphasised that the friendship and cooperation between Viet nam and New Zealand have developed in a strong, effective, and practical manner across areas, especially in science and technology, education and training, innovation, circular economy, sharing economy, and knowledge economy.

The two sides have agreed on orientations to promote the bilateral relations in the coming time, and effectively implement signed agreements, PM Chinh said, stressing the necessity to enhance people-to-people exchanges and foster economic, trade and investment cooperation.

He urged the association to continue engaging in practical activities and making significant contributions to boosting people-to-people exchanges as well as cooperation between the two countries, especially in 2025 which marks the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations and five years of their Strategic Partnership.

PM Chinh suggested the association create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in New Zealand to strongly develop, hoping that the associations members will continue to support Viet Nam, especially in sending Vietnamese students to New Zealand for study and research.

He also highly valued the election of Pham Thi Ngoc Lan, a Vietnamese-origin woman to the New Zealand Parliament, stating that this demonstrates that there is an appreciation for and no discrimination against Vietnamese people. He expressed his hope that more Vietnamese-origin persons would participate in leadership positions in state agencies of New Zealand.

The associations members spoke highly of the Vietnamese leaders important visit, showing their belief that the trip would be a success. They also updated the PM on the organisation's activities to contribute to promoting cooperation and strengthening the friendship between the two countries and their people.  VNS
WELLINGTON  New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh have issued a joint press release on the occasion of the latters official visit to New Zealand.

The following is the full text of the joint press release:

"New Zealands Prime Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon welcomed Viet Nam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to New Zealand for his first official visit and constructive bilateral talks on March 11.

The Prime Ministers reaffirmed the deep and enduring friendship and Strategic Partnership shared by Viet Nam and New Zealand, underpinned by strong people-to-people links and close cooperation in areas of diplomacy, economics, trade and investment, education, labour, science and technology.

We have built great momentum in our bilateral relationship since the upgrade of our relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2020. Viet Nam is one of New Zealands key relationships in Southeast Asia, one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and our 14th largest trading partner. We discussed opportunities to significantly boost annual two-way trade to a new goal of US$3 billion in 2026 by enhancing our tourism and education flows, as well as removing non-tariff barriers, accelerating trade promotion activities, fully committing to existing FTAs and studying measures to promote greater investment in both directions, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.

Prime Minister Luxon also announced a new NZD6.24 million investment in Viet Nam's horticulture sector, the Viet Nam Climate-Smart Fruit Value Chain (VietFruit) project, delivered through a partnership with the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research to support climate and economic resilience in Viet Nam's passionfruit industry, building on the highly successful New Zealand-funded dragon fruit project that preceded it.

The Prime Ministers welcomed plans to progress cooperation in the education sector through the new Education Engagement Arrangement focusing on institution-to-institution partnerships in the tertiary sector, innovative education models via digital capability tools, and alumni engagement.

The New Zealand government is committed to boosting international education and diversifying our international education markets. Prime Minister Chinh and I discussed opportunities for more Vietnamese students to study at our world-class universities, says Prime Minister Luxon.

Prime Minister Chinh's visit will also see New Zealand and Viet Nam advancing cooperation across a range of fronts  with new Arrangements also signed on economic and trade cooperation, and finance. High-level defence and police dialogues are also being progressed.

Plans were also announced for a bilateral Oceans Dialogue in 2024 on international law, maritime governance, and marine conservation. The Prime Ministers reiterated the two countries determination to respect international law, including the United Nations Charter and UNCLOS, and their commitment to working together and with other international partners to contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity globally and in the Indo-Pacific, including in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnamese).

The Prime Ministers looked forward to the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations next year as an excellent opportunity to expand the relationship into new areas of mutual interest such as the green economy, climate change digital transformation and agri-tech cooperation.

Viet Nam and New Zealand have made excellent progress together on our Action Plan for the period 2021-2024, resulting in significant outcomes in economic and trade initiatives, defence, security, education and labour. Prime Minister Luxon and I have agreed to accelerate the exchange of high-level visits and contacts, and to actively implement cooperation mechanisms as we look forward to elevating our bilateral relations to a higher level in the near future. I am pleased Prime Minister Luxon has accepted my invitation to undertake an official visit to Vietnam at a mutually convenient time, says Prime Minister Chinh."  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam and New Zealand signed a cooperation agreement to utilise electronic certificates in the veterinary field for the 2024-26 period, witnessed by Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan and New Zealand Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay on March 11.

The signing ceremony was part of the Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinhs ongoing visit to the Pacific nation, meant to specify the signed agreements on food safety and plant quarantine and facilitate customs clearance for agro-fisheries.

Both sides will consult and coordinate with each other to ensure that the new regulations do not hinder trade and explore options with minimal trade impact. If any issues arise from exports-imports from either country, they will jointly resolve any concerns in a manner that protects human, animal and plant health without disrupting trade flow.

They will also simplify and expedite customs clearance procedures at border crossings by transitioning to an official electronic quarantine certification system. This will initially focus on dairy products from New Zealand, with technical assistance offered by New Zealand to Viet Nam's Department of Animal Health (DAH) during the implementation phase.

A trial period for electronic certificates will run from late 2024 to the second quarter of 2025, with expansion to other products planned for the third quarter of 2025 onwards.

When appropriate, they will establish trade agreements recognising disease-free zones/facilities and adopt risk mitigation measures to handle products up to the OIE standards.

Viet Nam acknowledged that New Zealand has provided sufficient information to facilitate market access for its honey and venison products. The agreement outlines a joint effort to develop practical inspection programmes for honey and venison to finalise the risk assessment process for these products from New Zealand.

Additionally, New Zealand will provide post-graduate training courses to improve the capability of the DAHs officials.  VNS
VIENTIANE  Secretary of the Ha Noi Party Committee inh Tien Dung paid a courtesy call to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane on March 11, assuring the host that Ha Noi, as well as Viet Nam, will spare no effort, together with the Party, State and people of Laos, to preserve and foster bilateral special relationship in various areas.

Dung affirmed that Ha Noi always gives high priority to its important political relations with Laos, especially Vientiane capital and northern Lao provinces.

In the coming time, Ha Noi will work together with Vientiane and other Lao localities to enhance cooperation in a more practical and effective manner, he said, adding that in this regard, Ha Noi will increase sharing experiences in various fields.

PM Sonexay Siphandone, for his part, highly valued the success of joint initiatives between the two capitals under their 2022-25 cooperation agreement, especially practical support provided by Ha Noi for Vientiane during this period.

Expressing his confidence that the two capitals will continue effectively realising the 2022-25 cooperation agreement, he wished that Ha Noi would actively share the best practices and lessons learned in Party and political system building, economic management, budget allocation, Capital Law drafting, decentralisation, long-term planning with innovative thinking, building of green-clean-beautiful urban areas and fight against social vices like drug abuse, among others.

He envisioned a future where the two capitals become a model of local-level collaboration, thereby fostering the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation nurtured by leaders of both Parties and States.

In the afternoon the same day, Dung held talks with Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Vientiane Anouphap Tounalom.

Dung said in response to Laos' National Tourism Year 2024, Ha Noi will collaborate with Vientiane to hold a bilateral tourism promotion programme aimed at increasing economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two capitals.

He further highlighted Ha Noi's keen interest in and desire to step up cooperation with Vientiane in quality human resources development this year.

Beyond offering scholarships for university and postgraduate education, Ha Noi stands ready to assist Vientiane in leadership training, and facilitate vocational training and internship opportunities for Vientiane artisans in Ha Noi's craft villages, he said.

Agreeing with Dungs proposals, Anouphap Tounalom vowed to direct local agencies to discuss with Ha Noi counterparts to effectively realise them. This collaborative approach, he believed, will foster deeper mutual understanding and solidify the bonds between the two cities.  VNS
NEW YORK  Ambassador ang Hoang Giang, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), has attended a dialogue with Louise Mushikiwab, Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

The dialogue, chaired by the Group of French-speaking Ambassadors, took place on March 9 at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States. It drew the presence of more than 40 ambassadors and representatives of permanent missions of OIF member countries in New York.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Giang underlined that Viet Nam highly appreciates the efforts of the OIF and Secretary-General Mushikiwabo to promote multilateralism and multilingualism at the UN.

He underlined Viet Nam's support to French-speaking countries sharing and coordinating each other to make contributions to preparation for the future summit, the global digital agreement as well as other discussions at the UN.

He affirmed said Viet Nam will actively contribute to the upcoming 19th Francophonie Summit.

At the event, Secretary-General Mushikiwabo talked about the complicated situation in many regions, challenges that the international community is currently facing such as conflict, political and economic instability, competition between major countries, climate change, differences in development levels, digital transformation and digital disruption which are the priorities and focus of the OIF's actions from now to 2030.

She called on OIF member countries to continue working together to promote a multilateral system based on the central role of the UN, adding that it is necessary to ensure multilingualism in all activities and discussions at the UN for the system to operate effectively and substantially.

Mushikiwabo briefed participants about preparation for the 19th Francophone Summit to be held in France in October which focusing on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.  VNS
ISLAMABAD, March 11 (Xinhua) -- A 19-member federal cabinet of newly-elected Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif took the oath on Monday during a ceremony held at the President House in the capital city of Islamabad.

President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath to the cabinet members that included 18 federal ministers, and one minister of state, according to a statement issued by the President House.

Earlier, the prime minister recommended 19 names to the president to be inducted into the federal cabinet, the majority of them from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, according to a summary forwarded to the President House.

The Pakistan Peoples Party, a major political party of the country's newly formed coalition government, is not the part of the federal cabinet as decided by the party. However, members of other allied political parties including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party also took the oath as federal ministers.

The new cabinet includes members of the National Assembly, senators as well as technocrats.

The portfolios for the cabinet members are expected to be announced later, according to government officials.

Meanwhile, Sharif summoned the first meeting of the cabinet on Monday evening following the oath-taking ceremony. 
Bo Xuan Hiep

HCM CITY  International cooperation is crucial in addressing micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition in lower-income nations, including Viet Nam, experts said.

Darryl James Dong, principal country officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), said more than two billion people are malnourished and face preventable health issues.

Our current food systems exasperate the issue, contributing 30 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, 80 per cent of deforestation and biodiversity loss, and 70 per cent of freshwater withdrawals, he said.

Natia Mgeladze, the lead for Global Food Fortification Advisory at IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, told Viet Nam News that Viet Nam needs funding, human resources, and capacity building to address micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition.

International organisations such as WHO, UNICEF, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), and WFP (United Nations World Food Programme), are working on strategies such as food fortification, diversification, and supplementation to address the issues.

Food fortification has been identified as a crucial tool in tackling public health challenges due to its affordability, according to a report by WHO, which stated food fortification costs only $0.06 per person per year.

Mgeladze said the IFC has launched a project called Food Fortification Advisory to back up private sector clients in adopting and implementing the best fortification practices.

The move aims to promote the best food fortification practices while leveraging local and international nutrition initiatives to address malnutrition issues in Viet Nam and other lower-income countries.

She also pointed out that Vietnamese food producers and distributors should be provided with clear guiding regulations on compliance requirements of food fortification and the use of fortified ingredients.

Twin challenges

Ernest Bethe, the Agribusiness Advisory Manager for Asia at IFC, said Viet Nam is facing the twin challenges of micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition, posing significant negative effects on health, human capital, and child development.

These problems also result in billions of dollars in lost productivity and healthcare expenses globally each year, he added.

Aditya Jagati, a senior programme officer at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said over three billion people around the world suffer from at least one micronutrient deficiency.

Deficiencies in folic acid, iodine, iron, vitamin A, and zinc are responsible for an estimated 2 to 5 per cent loss in GDP, he said.

Conversely, every $1 invested in food fortification generates $27 in economic returns from disease prevention, improved earnings, and enhanced productivity, he said.

He proposed investment in research and development to expand the range and levels of micronutrients in different types of staples to address these challenges.

He also recommended building private sector partnerships to strengthen fortification production quality and enable sustainable markets, he added.

The collaboration would also lend support to the public sector to strengthen regulations and create a level playing field for all actors, he noted.

WHO and UNICEF have recommended Viet Nam implement a Government decree adopted in 2016 mandating food fortification by the Vietnamese food industry.

Nearly 20 per cent of children under age of five in Viet Nam are affected by micronutrient deficiencies, according to a report by UNICEF.

Viet Nam is among 34 countries facing the highest burden of chronic malnutrition, impacting 1.8 million children under the age of five and posing a risk to their physical and cognitive development.  VNS
Viet Nam is currently in the "golden demographic" phase, expected to last until around 2038. Seizing this opportunity and leveraging the advantages of the young workforce by enhancing their skills to adapt to the labour market's requirements is crucial to improve labour productivity and the overall development of the nation.

Low skills = barrier

Experts emphasise the vital role of youth in a country's development, constituting a significant portion of the labour force.

Current statistics from Viet Nam's General Statistics Office reveal a dual demographic scenario  both a golden population structure and ageing population. In 2023, the country's labour force aged 15 and above comprises 52.4 million individuals. Among them, the number of unemployed youth (15-24 years old) is around 437,300, representing over 41 per cent of the total unemployed population. Additionally, in 2023, 27 per cent of the workforce holds diplomas and certificates, posing a notable challenge in enhancing the professional and technical skills of the young workforce.

Addressing challenges faced by young workers, it is widely acknowledged that low skills pose a significant hurdle for Vietnamese youth in the job market. Consequently, improving the skills of young workers and facilitating their participation in the global labour supply chain is deemed crucial.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) forecasts that every five years, 30 per cent of the existing professional skills will become obsolete, necessitating the acquisition of new skills. This underscores the importance of equipping young workers not only with professional skills, but also with adaptability skills to navigate changes effectively.

The ILO believes that in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), many traditional professions are disappearing, but new occupations and jobs will emerge, creating employment opportunities for young workers.

In this context, it is essential not only to provide young people with professional skills through vocational training for secure employment, but also to equip them with soft and adaptive skills suitable for the Industry 4.0 environment. These skills showcase the ability to navigate circumstances, especially non-traditional risks. The dynamic and technology-savvy young workforce, constituting a substantial part of the labour force through vocational training, can actively acquire skills and meet market labour demands.

Truong Minh Huy Vu, deputy director of the Institute for Research and Development in Ho Chi Minh City, highlights an existing gap between the skills of the labour force and the skills demanded by the labour market in Viet Nam. This mismatch results in low utilisation of trained labour and a shortage of skilled workers in the market.

International organisations argue that vocational skills will become the "new international currency" in the future labour market, enhancing competitiveness and labour productivity. In the current scenario, a skilled labour force significantly influences the productivity of both workers and businesses. For young workers, professional skills are increasingly crucial, enabling them to thrive in the current and future job market and contribute effectively to the economy.

Anticipating the market

According to experts, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the restructuring of the economy demand an improvement in the quality of the workforce, with a focus on young people. The desire for a high level of vocational skills and the ability to secure stable, high-income employment is the legitimate aspiration of young people.

Representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs believe that low skills are a barrier for young workers in Viet Nam in the Industry 4.0 job market. Improving the skills of young workers and providing conditions for them to participate in the global labour supply chain is a pressing requirement for the economy. This poses a significant challenge, requiring a substantial change in the vocational education system in Viet Nam.

It is necessary to enhance labour market forecasting, particularly in training for emerging sectors. Locally, ang Minh Thong, deputy chairman of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau People's Committee, highlights the province's significant economic role in the South and its high demand for labour. The province is actively promoting vocational training and skills improvement for the labour force, with a special focus on young workers. Various sectors and organisations are intensifying efforts to inform the youth about the role of vocational education and the importance of acquiring labour skills. Additionally, relevant agencies are closely coordinating to assist learners in finding suitable jobs after completing their training.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau aims to reach 30 per cent of the labour force having vocational certificates by 2025, 80 per cent having information technology skills, and to attract 40 per cent to 50 per cent of high school graduates to vocational education, directly contributing to a young and dynamic workforce for businesses and units.

The province is concentrating on enhancing the quality of vocational education to meet the demand for skilled labour in a developing, modern industrial nation. It is creating favourable conditions for training institutions to participate in the international labour training market, investing in developing the Lilama 2 International Technology College to become a high-quality training and practical vocational centre accessible to ASEAN-4 and G20 countries' standards.

Meeting the labour market demand for the semiconductor and carbon credit sectors, Lilama 2 International Technology College signed a transfer agreement for semiconductor technology and carbon credit training programmes with BTEC Pearson (United Kingdom) in early 2024. The college will enrol the first cohort in these specialties in 2024. The semiconductor technology programme lasts for three years, while the carbon credit specialisation involves short-term training, lasting from three to six months, focusing on training skills for carbon credit applications in factories. VNS
HA NOI  The Ha Noi Department of Health has issued a directive to ramp up preventive efforts against rabies and whooping cough in response to an uptick in cases.

According to the Ha Noi Centre for Disease Control, the capital city has reported nine cases of whooping cough since the beginning of the year until March 7, a significant increase compared to previous years.

Of concern is the majority of affected children, who either haven't been vaccinated or haven't completed their vaccine doses.

Whooping cough or Pertussis, caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, is a respiratory illness primarily affecting children under 5. It spreads easily, especially during colder months. Health officials stress that vaccination is key to prevention.

Aside from vaccinations, ensuring cleanliness and proper ventilation in childcare facilities, schools and homes is crucial. Parents should also maintain good personal hygiene practices for their children and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms like persistent coughing, vomiting or breathing difficulties arise.

On the rabies front, the city has not reported any cases of rabies in humans since the beginning of 2023, but an outbreak has been recorded in dogs in Lieu Tri Village, Me Linh Commune, Me Linh District, with six residents bitten by rabid dogs.

Those bitten by rabid dogs have already received timely vaccinations. Most rabies cases result from bites or contact with infected animals. Once symptoms appear, both humans and animals face grave risks.

To stay ahead of potential outbreaks, the Health Department has called for stepped-up preventive measures against rabies. Cooperation with public information agencies is vital to ensure community awareness and participation in rabies prevention efforts.

Residents are encouraged to report suspected rabid dog or cat bites promptly to the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department for investigation and action.

Measures such as limiting pet ownership and ensuring proper pet care, including vaccinations, are also advised.

In case of possible rabies exposure, seeking immediate medical attention and avoiding unverified remedies are paramount. Healthcare facilities stand ready to provide guidance and vaccinations at designated sites.

Furthermore, health organisations are urged to conduct training programmes to bolster surveillance, risk assessment and outbreak management capabilities.

Public education campaigns will equip communities with the knowledge to effectively handle animal bites and provide prompt access to rabies prevention resources.  VNS
HCM CITY  Southern metropolis HCM City will build the largest medical and pharmaceutical industrial park in the country, according to the citys Department of Health.

The municipal People's Committee has issued a decision to approve the project to develop the citys pharmaceutical industry by 2030 with a vision to 2045.

This is an important step for the city to soon have the countrys largest medical and pharmaceutical industrial park.

Tang Chi Thuong, director of the citys Department of Health, said Viet Nam is facing a shortage of drugs amid a disruption in the supply of finished drugs and raw materials for domestic drug production due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and instability caused by political conflicts among several countries around the world.

Therefore, ensuring pharmaceutical security has become a top priority in the healthcare sector. The focus will be placed on supply chain management and improving domestic pharmaceutical production capacity.

The city has potential to develop its pharmaceutical industry as it is a trade centre in the southern region, which is convenient for transporting and supplying drugs to other areas.

It is home to research facilities, training institutions and production establishments.

Pharmaceutical production, business, and import and export activities in the city always have high growth and account for a large proportion of the country's pharmaceutical economic structure, he said.

The project to develop the city's pharmaceutical industry by 2030 with a vision to 2045 is considered a strategic action programme to meet the integration requirements of economic, scientific and technical development.

Accordingly, the city will focus on transferring technology to produce drugs and medical equipment, prioritising the production of medical equipment using advanced technologies, and producing vaccines, biological products, new drugs, and inventing drugs to meet domestic disease prevention and treatment needs.

It will produce medicines which gradually replace imported drugs, and Vietnamese-made drugs will be exported to other countries at a competitive price.

It will form and develop a specialised medical and pharmaceutical industrial park in the city.

The implementation of the project follows the Party and State's policies on improving people's health and strengthening State management in the field of medicine and pharmacy in the city.

The citys medical and pharmaceutical industrial park will have a centre for research, development and innovation in the field of medicine and pharmacy, large establishments manufacturing and trading specialised medical and pharmaceutical products, supporting products in the high-tech segment, and a trading centre for specialised medical and pharmaceutical products and ancillary products.

It is expected to be completed and put into operation in 2030, with special support policies from the central Government and the city, in order to create a favourable environment for businesses to sell their products in the market.

It is planned to cover an area of 338 hectares in Le Minh Xuan 2 Industrial Park in Binh Chanh District.  VNS
HCM CITY  To mark International Womens Day, Frasers Law Company hosted its inaugural Women in Business Breakfast meeting at The Guest House, Park Hyatt Saigon, on March 7.

Madam Nguyen Thi Mai Thanh, chairwoman of REE Corporation, and a pillar of the Vietnamese business community, delivered the keynote speech that focused on the strengths that Vietnamese women have exhibited throughout the countrys changing times.

Through their self-development and professional development, women have become more proactive in developing their knowledge and skills.

She spoke about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for women in business.

She also received the inaugural Frasers Vietnam Businesswoman of the Year award, saying she did so on behalf of businesswomen everywhere.

At the event, special thanks were also given to panel discussions comprising exemplary women from the Vietnamese and international business communities: Cat-Thao Nguyen, founder of Global Ready; Trang Bui, country head of Cushman & Wakefield Vietnam; Gwen Brooker, partner of Frasers Law Company; Irene Ohler, founder of Lightpath Leadership; Chau Ta, executive director at SC Capital Partners; and Nguyen Thi Dung, head of legal compliance at SmartNet.

The discussions gave attendees insightful and practical examples about how diversity and inclusion can be practised in business.

In celebrating International Womens Day, it is important to promote a truly inclusive workplace, Mark Fraser, managing partner of Frasers Law Company, said.

In our 30 years of practice in Viet Nam, our team has been composed mostly of women, so it is our duty to continue to promote diversity, equity and inclusion not just in business but also in our own communities.  VNS
CAIRO  The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt and Djibouti is working to complete the necessary procedures to repatriate Vietnamese sailors on the Barbados-flagged True Confidence cargo ship, which was struck by a Houthi ballistic missile off the coast of Yemen on March 6.

Ambassador Nguyen Huy Dung said on March 10 that the survivors and the body of seafarer ang Duy Kien, now in Djibouti city, Djibouti, will be brought home as soon as possible.

The embassy has coordinated with the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Arab Emirates and relevant sides in re-granting passports to the surviving crewmen  Pham Van Thanh, 39, from the northern port city of Hai Phong; Nguyen Van Tao, 36, from the northern province of Hai Duong; and Phung Van An, 33, from the northern province of Nam inh  as they have lost all their personal documents, Dung told the Vietnam News Agency in Cairo.

The three would receive their new passports in the next one or two days, the diplomat said.

According to the ambassador, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Djibouti has supported the countries whose citizens are victims of the fatal Houthi attack, including Viet Nam.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt and Djibouti is also working together with relevant agencies in Djibouti to quickly complete the necessary papers to repatriate the deceased's body in line with legal regulations of concerned countries and international practices, he said.  VNS
A NANG  The Japanese Embassy in Viet Nam has funded construction of school classrooms in Phu Tuc Commune and a kindergarten in Hoa Phu Commune of the central citys Hoa Vang District through the Japanese Governments Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP).

The construction of school items in a Nang City, one of eight projects funded by the GGP in Viet Nam, will be funded with VN1.36 billion (US$58,000) toward providing safe and fully-equipped classrooms for children in the two communes  home of the ethnic Co Tu Community  in the suburban and upstream area of a Nang.

The school buildings will also provide a safe shelter facility for local communities in flood and storm season.

The citys foreign affairs department said its the third project with funding from the Japanese Embassy in Viet Nam, after the construction of a kitchen in the boarding Ngo Gia Tu primary school in 2019, and medical equipment donation for a Nang General Hospital.

a Nang and Japans comprehensive relationship has been promoting through annual cultural exchanges among cities in the past decades.

Four prefectures from Japan, including Kisarazu, Kawasaki, Sakai and Yokohama, have inked friendship and co-operation agreements with a Nang, and the annual Viet Nam-Japan Cultural Exchange Day has been organised in a Nang since 2014.

Nine cities in Japan, including Fukuoka, Yokohama, Maebashi, Chiba, Shizuoka, Tokyo, Tottori and Nagasaki, and 82 Japanese businesses have inked co-operation deals with a Nang Citys ong A University for human resources training and employment from central Viet Nam.

More than 300 students from the ong A private university have been employed by Japanese companies for working and studying in Japan since 2017.

Japan promoted its Consular Office in a Nang City to a General Consulate just a year after it was founded in 2020.

A tree planting event marking the 50th anniversary of Viet Nam-Japan diplomatic ties (September 21, 1973 - 2023) was held by the central citys union of friendship organisations and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a Nang City (JCCID) in a Nang last year.  VNS
HCM CITY - With its leading role in the economy and pioneering approach to foreign affairs and international integration, HCM City is promoting co-operation with Japanese localities and contributing to bilateral relations.

Bui Xuan Cuong, deputy chairman of the city Peoples Committee, welcomed visiting Japanese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Komura Masahiro on March 11.

The relationship between Viet Nam and Japan is currently at its strongest ever, according to Cuong.

The decision to elevate this relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World is an accurate recognition of the potential and opportunities for cooperation.

He appreciated the support and attention the Japan Vietnam Festival received from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This was great encouragement for the city and a vivid expression of the deep commitment to the development of bilateral relations, which has been nurtured by both countries for the past half-century.

HCM City had established cooperative relations with seven Japanese localities, he said.

It called on Masahiro to facilitate the establishment of direct channels of communication between businesses in the two countries for cooperation in exports, increasing export value and connecting the city with potential partners and innovation centres in Japan.

This would help the city access resources, experience and support in terms of technology and finance from Japan for developing in a green and sustainable manner, he said.

Masahiro expressed joy at visiting HCM City, especially at a time when the two countries successfully celebrated the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and upgrade of their relationship into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World.

He said Japan wanted to further strengthen cooperation with Viet Nam under the new partnership, benefiting the two countries and the region.

He appreciated the successful organisation of the Japan Vietnam Festival in 2024 by the authorities and people of HCM City.

Japan values cooperation with the city and is ready to share experiences, technology and resources to contribute to its development, particularly for infrastructure development, according to the Japanese diplomat.

He was impressed by the dynamic development of HCM City and gave his thanks to its government for its support to Japanese businesses investing in the city.

He also hoped that the city would continue to improve its investment climate, create conditions for Japanese businesses to continue long-term investment and business operations, contributing to the development of bilateral relations. - VNS.
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The information was shared by Paul Serra, CEO of SunRice in a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Canberra, Australia on March 8. The meeting was scheduled as part of PM Chinhs official visit to Australia, slated for March 7-9.

Sharing about the group's presence in Vietnam Serra noted,In 2008, SunRice purchased the controlling stake at Lap Vo rice processing mill in Dong Thap with a processing capacity of 260,000 metric tons per year. Since 2022, SunRice has partnered with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research to implement the project on the Mekong Delta sustainable rice value chain development. The project aims to develop high-yield, high-quality, and sustainable varieties for international markets.

The CEO also briefed on SunRices investment and business situation in Vietnam and shared the expansion plan going forward. He said he appreciated Vietnams ongoing project to grow one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta by 2030.

PM Chinh said he hoped that the group, with its network and influence, will help Vietnamese companies connect with Australian counterparts to enhance Australia-Vietnam cooperation in the agricultural sector towards green production and healthy competition.

The PM expects that SunRice will continue to expand investments and facilitate the development of the rice supply chain in Vietnam. He suggests the group bolster technology transfer and partnerships with Vietnamese businesses, working directly with farmers to stabilise input and output as well as building warehouses, thereby contributing to increasing the yield, added value, and quality of Vietnamese rice.

He also proposed SunRice to help Vietnamese products make deeper penetration into the global supply chain, especially in the Halal food industry, creating livelihoods to improve peoples lives and contributing to socioeconomic development.

In addition, he also called on the group to explore the possibility of expanding its operation for other Vietnamese agricultural products, such as fruit and seafood.

SunRice is a consumer-focused global food group comprising multiple businesses. It was built by the Australian rice industry over many decades ago, and today it is one of Australias leading branded food exporters.

With revenues exceeding $1 billion and operations and markets spanning the globe, SunRice supplies more than 50 countries with diverse and nutritious food products, and its operations and assets span Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, the United States, Papua New Guinea, the Pacific Islands, and Asia.

Australias SunRice Group acquires rice processing factory in Vietnam This is the first direct investment of SunRice Group in Vietnam, and a significant step towards developing a full and sustainable supply chain in the country.

Australias Corio signs an MoU with EVNGENCO3 for offshore wind Australias Corio Generation, the offshore wind energy branch of Macquarie's Green Investment Group, has signed an MoU with EVNGENCO3, a subsidiary of Vietnam Electricity (EVN), for offshore windfarm development in Vietnam.
by Xiong Maoling, Sun Ding

WASHINGTON, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 U.S. presidential election has entered a new phase as both U.S. President Joe Biden, the Democratic incumbent, and former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, held campaign rallies in the swing state of Georgia recently to step up their reelection effort.

The two launched attacks against each other while having deep political grievances. They also have significant differences in their major policy positions. Analysts believe that as the election campaign unfolds, it may further intensify political disputes and public divisions in the country, potentially leading to more chaos.

FIGHT IS ON

"Trump and I have a very different value set," Biden told supporters in Atlanta, Georgia, noting that if Trump returns to the White House, the United States will be filled with "resentment, revenge and retribution." Additionally, Biden criticized Trump's positions on issues such as abortion, taxes, and immigration.

On the same day, Trump held a rally in Rome, Georgia, where he attacked Biden on immigration and border security, accusing him of allowing illegal immigration from the southern border, saying Biden's "crime" will never be forgiven. At the rally, Trump also mocked Biden's mannerisms.

Georgia, located in the southeastern United States, was won by Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Four years later, Biden narrowly claimed victory in the state. According to the RealClearPolitics website, Georgia is one of the swing states this year, which typically has a critical impact on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.

Before they visited Georgia, two significant milestones occurred in the U.S. presidential election this year: one being the "Super Tuesday" primaries in multiple states, where both Biden and Trump achieved considerable victories in their respective party primaries, thereby expanding their lead and essentially securing their parties' presidential nomination.

The other important event is Biden's State of the Union address, in which he indirectly criticized Trump during this nationally televised speech, accusing "his predecessor" of undermining American democracy as he braces for a rematch. Trump reacted and labeled Biden as a threat to American democracy.

U.S. media predicts that Trump could clinch the Republican presidential nomination as early as March 12. On that day, four states -- Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Washington -- will hold Republican primaries. Meanwhile, Biden is expected to secure the Democratic presidential nomination as early as March 19.

"A rematch means the stakes are high for America," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua. "The visions Trump and Biden have for the country are radically different," he said.

EACH HAS WEAKNESSES

In recent national polls, Trump is slightly ahead of Biden, and he leads in most swing states' polls. Biden has stated that these polls don't mean anything, and it is too early to conclude.

An analysis by Politico suggests that Trump is "gaining momentum," but he faces issues such as campaign funding, party unity, and a series of legal troubles.

Trump is embroiled in four criminal cases, facing a total of 91 felony charges, and has recently been fined hundreds of millions of dollars in two civil cases. He denies all charges and accuses Biden and the Democratic Party of ongoing "political witch hunts" against him.

Instead of weakening Trump's base, these cases and related major developments have helped him gain support within his party and raise more funds. However, a recent poll, released by Bloomberg and Morning Consult, found that 53 percent of voters in key swing states would refuse to vote for Trump if any of the four criminal trials he is facing results in a conviction.

"It's likely that an actual conviction will alienate exactly the voters he needs to either vote for him or stay home on election day," Christopher Galdieri, a political science professor at Saint Anselm College, told Xinhua.

On his path to reelection, Biden faces challenges such as low approval ratings and his advanced age. Most Americans do not approve of his handling of the economy, immigration, and border security.

Adding insult to injury, Biden's recent comments on immigration and response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have also sparked dissatisfaction among some within his party. In the Michigan Democratic primary in late February, over 100,000 people voted for the "uncommitted" option, protesting against the Biden administration's perceived bias in the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict and urging the U.S. government to stop funding the war and call for a ceasefire.

Biden has attempted to downplay concerns and doubts about his physical condition during his State of the Union address. His speech was noticeably more emotional and sharp-worded than usual.

An article in USA Today, however, suggests that one speech is not enough to dispel American voters' concerns about Biden's age and his ability to serve another four years.

"POOR CHOICES ALL AROUND"

The Washington Post noted that the 2024 general election, which has kicked off in earnest, is promising to be "the longest, most expensive and, perhaps, most divisive presidential race in recent memory."

According to a new ABC News/Ipsos poll, Americans are split on who they trust to do a better job leading the country, with 36 percent trusting Trump and 33 percent trusting Biden. Meanwhile, some 30 percent trust neither.

After the battles on Super Tuesday, Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, announced her withdrawal from the presidential race. At Haley's numerous campaign events, Xinhua reporters encountered many bewildered and concerned voters. Some of them didn't fully agree with her policy positions and expressed doubts about her qualifications for the presidency. However, their support for Haley reflected a strong desire for "alternative" options.

At a Nikki Haley campaign event in Tysons, Virginia, in late February, an independent voter who declined to share his name told Xinhua that he supports Haley because "the country needs change."

"Neither the current president nor the past president offer what they should be with the requirements of the job. They have lost their perspective," he said, calling himself "an American patriot."

Missouri Republican Tom Waters told Xinhua that he thinks voters have poor choices all around. "It is sad neither party can find someone suitable to be president," he said.

James Hester, an independent voter in South Carolina, said he really doesn't want a rematch. "I think both of them should bow out gracefully," he said.

"The majority is unhappy that this is the best the system can offer," Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua.

"The rematch will heighten the sense that the system isn't working for ordinary people," Ramsay said. 
Founded in 2004 by friends Phuong Le and Binh Nguyen, HSVG was one of the first companies to bring high-quality foreign skincare products to Vietnam. Aspiring to develop more comprehensive health and beauty solutions for Vietnamese women, the firm launched the multi-brand concept Beauty Box in 2018, aiming to be the Vietnamese equivalent of Sephora or Ulta, two of the top beauty retailers in the United States.

Beauty Box supplies a wide range of high-quality products by foreign brands. They also provide professional services to provide customers with knowledge about their beauty and health routines through consultations and tutorials. By the end of last year, HSVG had grown the brand to a network of 55 stores.

Last November, HSVG became the sixth Beacon Fund portfolio company after Beacon was impressed by the companys strong management team, robust financial management, and application of leading-edge digital tools in numerous aspects of the business.

Thanks to these factors, HSVG commands a leadership position in a high-potential market that has performed well post-COVID. This funding came at the right time, as HSVG was accelerating its transformation from a mono-brand to a multi-brand concept.

Beacon Fund strongly impressed me with their enthusiasm, adaptability, commitment, and transparency throughout the whole investment process  these qualities are also what they look for from prospective investees. This investment from Beacon will help our expansion plans this year and our goal is to increase access to high-quality skincare and beauty products for more Vietnamese women, helping them to feel more confident and beautiful inside and out, said Phuong Le, founder and CEO of HSVG.

Beacon Fund secures $5 million investment from Sasakawa Peace Foundation Beacon Fund, an investment firm supporting female entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia including Vietnam, has received $5 million investment from Japan-based Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

Alibaba strengthens presence in Vietnam with stake in beauty chain Hasaki Alibaba has acquired a minority stake in Vietnam's beauty and cosmetics retailer Hasaki, underscoring its expansion and investment in the burgeoning Vietnamese market.
Under the MoU, CIP will launch a collaboration with PetroVietnam on renewable energy and offshore wind - and commit to exchanging knowledge and information on the energy transition from fossil-based to renewable energy production and consumption. The collaboration covers technology, supply chain, logistics, infrastructure, and skills, among others.

Furthermore, the two companies will explore opportunities to collaborate on developing specific offshore wind projects in Vietnam.

The agreement holds great promise for the future of offshore wind in Vietnam, as the two sides work together to accelerate the energy transition and achieve Vietnams national net emission reduction goal.

Robert Helms, partner at Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners said, We look very much forward to the collaboration with PetroVietnam and consider the MoU another important milestone for our presence in Vietnam. CIP is a pioneer in offshore wind, and we look forward to sharing our knowledge, know-how and technological innovations to deliver Vietnams first offshore wind projects in a close collaboration of the parties and drive forward the green transition in the country.

Stuart Livesey, CEO of Copenhagen Offshore Partners Vietnam said, "This important milestone is the result of more than two years of engaged dialogue and relationship building, and it opens the door for our COP and CIP teams to come together with Petro Vietnam and support Vietnams national survey strategy and work towards delivering of the countrys first offshore wind pilot projects."

CIP has a market leading renewables pipeline of more than 120GW in more than 20 countries and territories including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

The CIP offshore wind portfolio currently consists of nearly 60GW of projects in development, construction and operations phases spread across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

In Vietnam, CIP along with Asiapetro and Novasia is developing the La Gan offshore wind farm in Binh Thuan. The La Gan project has a projected capacity of 3.5GW when fully developed, with a total estimated investment of $10.5 billion.

When fully established, La Gan is expected to power more than seven million Vietnamese households and require over 45,000 jobs, demonstrating CIPs commitment to supporting Vietnams transition to a sustainable and green economy.

La Gan Wind Power Development Corporation signs four MoUs La Gan Wind Power Development Corporation, the developer of the 3.5GW La Gan offshore wind farm project owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Asiapetro, and Novasia, on February 24 signed four MoUs on foundation supply and harbour services.

Crucial La Gan wind venture opens Binh Thuan head office The head office of La Gan Wind Power Development Corporation was officially opened in the south-central province of Binh Thuan last week, showing a commitment to the Vietnamese market.
The government has issued a decree regarding the management of motorised vehicles registered abroad and brought into Vietnam by foreign travelers. (Illustrative photo - Source: VNA)

Hanoi  The government has issued a decree regarding the management of motorised vehicles registered abroad and brought into Vietnam by foreign travelers.

Stipulating general conditions for both foreign drivers and vehicles entering Vietnam, it said individuals must work with international travel service businesses in Vietnam who are capable of making requests for the authorities approval of organising the participation of foreign drivers and motorised vehicles in the local traffic. The approval document must be obtained from the Ministry of Public Security.

Foreign motorised vehicles participating in traffic in Vietnam must meet certain conditions, including being road motorised vehicles as defined in Clause 1, Article 3 of this decree and having valid vehicle registration certificates and licence plates as well as valid safety and environmental inspection certificates for motorised vehicles or equivalent documents (for automobiles). These above-said documents must be issued by the competent authority of the country of registration.

Automobiles with right-hand drive must obtain a diplomatic note from diplomatic missions, consular offices, or international intergovernmental organisation offices in Vietnam. The note is sent to the Ministry of Public Security, requesting permission and stating the reasons for the vehicle to participate in traffic in Vietnam. The automobiles are only allowed temporary entry or re-export through international border gates via road, sea, inland waterway, rail, or air routes as approved by the ministry.

Another general condition is to undergo customs, temporary entry, or re-export procedures in accordance with customs laws immediately at the border gates.

The maximum duration allowed for traffic participation in Vietnam is no more than 45 days. In exceptional circumstances, a stay of no more than 10 additional days is permitted, subject to regulations.

The drivers, meanwhile, must be foreigners holding valid passports or internationally recognised travel documents and visas, and valid residence documents in Vietnam, except for cases exempted from visas under the immigration, emigration, transit, and residence law for foreigners in Vietnam. If foreigners enter the country under unilateral visa exemption, their passport must be valid for at least six months before expiry; while those using electronic visas must enter through international border gates decided by the Government.

Other conditions for the drivers to meet include having a valid driving licence issued by a foreign country suitable for the type of vehicle being driven, and undergoing entry, exit, and residence procedures in accordance with Vietnamese law.

These stipulations will come into effect on May 1, 2024.

Vietnam: a magnet for foreign investors Foreign investors continue to eye expansion in Vietnam to tap into local potential and strategies.

Informal employment instability persists in Vietnam In the intricate landscape of Vietnams job market, a significant challenge comes to the forefront as informal employment takes centre stage. Recent statistics reveal a notable trend, with a striking 60 per cent of employed workers involved in informal work, particularly in agriculture, fishing, and forestry.

UK-Vietnam trade pact already demonstrating value The United Kingdom-Vietnam trade relationship is poised to reach new heights, buoyed by the celebration of 50 years of UK-Vietnam bilateral relations last year, guided by the continued implementation of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), and further boosted by the UK joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
According to Dien Bien Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the show Legend of UVA will introduce the unique history and folk dances of the Thai ethnic culture to audiences.

The show is performed at the real scene of the Uva village cultural house. The entire stage is decorated with the characteristic mountains and forests of the Dien Bien region and the performance space is divided into different areas with constructed mountains, lakes, forests, houses, waterfalls, and streams.

The production will include the participation of folk artists, professional dancers, and amateur actors from the Noong Luong commune, with some experienced stage actors also involved to play the main characters and narrators.

The spaces are equipped with modern lighting and sound effects, along with 'dry ice' smoke generators, and rain curtains. Unique musical scores for each scene, influenced by contemporary and folk songs of the Thai people from the Dien Bien region, will permeate the performance.

The Legend of UVA is part of the opening programme of National Tourism Year 2024, and will be held at 6pm on March 13-17 in Uva village, Noong Luong commune, Dien Bien province.

The opening ceremony and Ban Flower Festival 2024 will take place on March 16 at 7-5 Square in Dien Bien Phu city.
Growth is expected in the countrys consumer finance sector

SCBX, a subsidiary of Thailands oldest bank and one of its leading financial institutions, in late February confirmed the acquisition of Home Credit Vietnam.

The transaction, valued at approximately $860 million, is poised to be finalised in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals in Vietnam and Thailand.

Home Credit Vietnam, a subsidiary of the international investment group PPF, commenced its operations in 2009. In Vietnam, it established itself as a player in the consumer finance market, commanding the second-largest market share, accounting for approximately 14 per cent of the total market value.

Following a previous merger and acquisition deal exceeding $1 billion, where SMBCCF (under SMBC) took over 49 per cent of FE Credit from VPBank, the sale of Home Credit Vietnam to SCB X is now considered the second-largest transaction in the consumer finance industry.

At the time of VPBanks capital sale in late 2021, FE Credit was valued at $2.8 billion, potentially netting VPBank nearly $1.4 billion from the transaction.

AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd. solidified this sentiment with their year-end acquisition of SeABanks finance company, PTF, for $181.27 million.

Kenji Fujita, president and CEO of AEON Financial, said, Vietnams young demographic and swift economic pace set it apart in the region.

Fujita also outlined plans to expand personal lending and credit card issuance, committing to contribute significantly to the Vietnamese finance market with our Asian experience.

SeABank anticipates that the influx of funds will bolster technological investment, fostering product innovation and customer benefits.

Another noteworthy deal saw SHB divesting SHB Finance to Thailands Krungsri for an estimated $151.9 million. The 50 per cent equity transfer was completed in mid-2023, reflecting Krungsris position as part of the Japanese MUFG Group, which owns a 76.88 per cent stake.

In March 2023, UOB concluded the acquisition of Citigroups consumer banking division in Vietnam, including lending and wealth management services.

With such major deals, the financial services sector leapt to the forefront of merger and acquisition activity in 2023, showcasing the markets robust growth.

The financial landscape further diversified as HD Saison sold a 49 per cent stake to Credit Saison Group; Shinsei Group took on Mcredit; Lotte Finance acquired Techcom Finance; and Prudential Vietnam Finance Company, now under Shinhan Card, was rebranded as Shinhan Vietnam Finance Company.

Experts forecast a vibrant 2024 for the sector, buoyed by key economic drivers like domestic consumption, public investment, and exports. Increased consumer lending is part of the strategy to stimulate domestic consumption.

However, the sector is not without its tribulations. Economist Dr. Can Van Luc underscored the imperative for a solid legal framework tailored for non-bank credit institutions. To cultivate a sound and fair consumer finance market, precise laws dedicated to non-banking entities and improved standards for lending and debt recovery are essential, he said.

Nguyen Quoc Hung, secretary-general of the Vietnam Banks Association, voiced concerns regarding consumer lendings mounting challenges, specifically noting an uptick in deliberate loan defaults and the formation of debt evasion cohorts.

We are encountering a distressing increase in non-performing loans as instances of deliberate non-repayment grow, Hung explained. This trend has necessitated financial institutions to tighten credit appraisals, which has introduced new complexities to the lending process.

To navigate these hurdles, industry leaders advocate for integrated solutions to clear the path for this vital sector. Amid the immediate challenges, financial expert Huynh Trung Minh offered a broader perspective, suggesting that current issues are merely short-term obstacles, whereas the sectors long-term potential is substantial.

Despite the immediate headwinds, Vietnams consumer lending holds immense future growth potential, said Minh. The entry of Japanese and Thai partners into the Vietnamese market is expected to bring a wealth of management acumen and operational expertise, signifying the dawn of a more stable and sustainable era for consumer finance. The advent of international players introduces proven operational strategies to our market, promising greater stability ahead.

Home Credit sets sights on Vietnamese consumer finance Despite the recent headwinds in the consumer finance market, Home Credit Vietnam still has its sights set on Vietnam. Pham Ngoc Khang, the company's CFO, spoke with VIRs Thanh Van about his strategy to navigate amidst the turbulence.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) examines products of the Plan and Food Research Centre of New Zealand (Photo: VNA)

Auckland  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the Plan and Food Research Centre (PFR) in Auckland on March 10 as part of his official visit to New Zealand.

The centre 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.

Vietnam-New Zealand Strategic Partnership sustains positive development momentum Vietnam and New Zealand established diplomatic ties in 1975 and elevated their relations to a strategic partnership in 2020. The cooperation results obtained so far are considered a positive foundation for the two countries to foster their cooperation in the future.

Vietnamese, New Zealand PMs outline major orientations for stronger ties Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon identified major orientations for further strengthening cooperation in multiple areas during talks in Wellington on March 11 morning.
PM Pham Minh Chinh (centre) speaks at the seminar in Wellington on March 11. (Photo: VNA)

Wellington  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined New Zealand businesses in a seminar in Wellington on March 11 to learn about investment cooperation potential and demand between the two countries.

The event, part of his official visit to New Zealand, was held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand, and the ASEAN - New Zealand Business Council (ANZBC).

Local businesses expressed their interest in Vietnams investment attraction policy, particularly in infrastructure development.

They also presented their cooperation demand and capacity in the fields of education - training, science - technology, food import, training and supply of nurses caring for the elderly, climate change fight, green transportation, carbon emission reduction, energy transition, and sustainable agriculture.

Talking to New Zealand businesses, PM Chinh said that after nearly 50 years, the two countries relations have made great strides in multiple spheres, but there remains huge room for cooperation, including in economy, trade, and investment.

He perceived that the biggest obstacle to bilateral ties now is the geographical distance, which should be addressed by opening direct air routes, boosting e-commerce, and developing new means of connection.

The visiting leader suggested the Government, associations, and businesses of New Zealand further promote economic, trade, and investment partnerships with Vietnam. He also asked for market opening to maximise bilateral trade agreements, cooperation frameworks, and new-generation free trade deals such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the ASEAN - Australia - New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), to which both countries are parties.

Besides, he called for facilitating the access of goods to each others markets and considering the removal of non-tariff barriers to Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural and aquatic products.

PM Chinh recommended the New Zealand side improve the efficiency of the Inter-governmental Committee and the mechanisms of dialogue between the two countries governments and business communities, while stepping up connectivity with Vietnamese firms. Meanwhile, the ANZBC should further bring into play its role as a bridge linking the countries governments and business circles.

Affirming Vietnams foreign investment attraction policy of prioritising quality, effective, and sustainable investments applying science - technology and friendly to the environment, he asked New Zealand businesses to boost investment ties with Vietnam through programmes and projects in such sectors as green economy, digital economy, circular economy, knowledge-based economy, science - technology, innovation, electronics, electric vehicle, semiconductor, new energy, essential minerals, green finance, biotechnology, health care, high-tech agriculture, and training of high-quality human resources.

There are about 15,000 Vietnamese people in New Zealand, and many work on trade and investment. Given this, the PM suggested the New Zealand side continue supporting and facilitating Vietnamese companies to operate fruitfully in the country so that they can further engage in global supply and production chains.

He expressed his hope that economic, investment, and trade cooperation will remain an important pillar of bilateral relations and an impulse for the two countries to surmount difficulties and challenges to develop further.

In the spirit of interests harmonised, risks shared, Vietnam always protects the rights and legitimate interests of businesses, PM Chinh stated, pledging support and the best possible conditions for foreign firms, including those from New Zealand, to invest and do business effectively and sustainably in the Southeast Asian nation.

New Zealand seeks to level up wide-ranging trade Along with the traditional trade relationship, New Zealand and Vietnam are fostering cooperation in sectors such as education. New Zealands Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Vangelis Vitalis, talked to VIRs Kim Oanh about the potential of bilateral cooperation in more areas.

Vietnam-New Zealand Strategic Partnership sustains positive development momentum Vietnam and New Zealand established diplomatic ties in 1975 and elevated their relations to a strategic partnership in 2020. The cooperation results obtained so far are considered a positive foundation for the two countries to foster their cooperation in the future.
The project was announced on January 26 with construction expected to commence in the third quarter of 2025 and operations to begin by 2030. It will employ advanced and environmentally friendly technology that produces no sulphur dioxide.

Once operational, it is estimated the project will provide approximately 10 billion kWh per year to the national grid, supplying electricity to the northern region and contributing to national energy security.

Thai Binh LNG holds significant importance for the socioeconomic development of the province, said Ngo Dong Hai, secretary of Thai Binh Party Committee.

The project will also open a new chapter by transforming abundant natural gas resources beneath the sea into a source of energy, and as LNG emits about 45 per cent less carbon than coal and 30 per cent less than oil, it is a much more environmentally friendly option than many other fuels.

Alongside contributing to the economic restructuring, enhancing the province's economic scale, increasing budget revenue, addressing employment issues, and playing a crucial role in the industrialisation and modernisation of Thai Binh province, the project is also expected to make a significant contribution to national energy security and the implementation of a politburo resolution to develop LNG-based power, making it a core source of energy and creating an economic space with reduced net emissions, aiming towards zero carbon.

Thai Binh LNG is a mark of the success of the Vietnam-Japan economic forum and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's first official visit to Japan last November, and further illustrates the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

"Thai Binh LNG is the largest foreign-invested project in the province to date. Consequently, the province has actively participated and focused on implementing solutions in accordance with the government's Power Development Plan VIII and the relevant procedures and regulations related to the investment and construction of the project," said Nguyen Khac Than, Chairman of Thai Binh People's Committee at the inauguration ceremony.

Thai Binh LNG has a strong capability of consortium of investors. Tokyo Gas, established in 1885, is renowned as one of Japan's largest gas companies, holding a significant position in the global gas industry. Currently supplying gas to over 11 million customers in Japan, Tokyo Gas is a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) provider for prominent cities such as Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Chiba. To date, Tokyo Gas has participated in over 35 overseas LNG terminal projects and 20 LNG terminal projects in Japan, sharing its expertise and knowledge with numerous countries worldwide.

Kyushu Electric Power Company (Kyuden), established in 1951 with registered capital of $2.2 billion and total assets exceeding $46.6 billion, ranks among the top five power plant developers in Japan.

There is also a domestic investor, TTVN Group, established in 2012 initially as Truong Thanh Vietnam Development Investment Co., Ltd, chaired by Dang Trung Kien. By 2017, the company had increased its capital to $25 million and rebranded as Truong Thanh Vietnam Group JSC (TTVN Group).

From a small enterprise, by the end of 2022, TTVN Group has grown into a diversified conglomerate with capital of $133.33 million, consisting of 20 subsidiaries and affiliated companies operating in 18 provinces across the country, focusing on clean energy projects as its strength and a priority investment direction.

Tokyo Gas makes progress on $2 billion LNG power project in Thai Binh province On January 24, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. announced the establishment of Thai Binh LNG Power JSC for the development of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) to power project in Thai Binh province in collaboration with Truong Thanh Vietnam Group and Japan's Kyuden International Corporation.

Taiwanese firm breaks ground on 45 mln USD computer plant in Thai Binh Good Way Cayman Co. Ltd. from Taiwan (China) held a groundbreaking ceremony for a large-scale plant manufacturing computers and their peripheral equipment at the Lien Ha Thai Industrial Park in the northern province of Thai Binh on February 19.
Thai soldiers inspect some of the 7 million speed pills and 100kg of crystal methamphetamine seized in a forested area of Pai district March 8. (Photo: Bangkokpost).

Bangkok  Thai authorities recently seized a large amount of drug in an area along the Thai-Myanmar border in Pai district of Mae Hong Son province.

Following intelligence reports that a durg gang was preparing to smuggle drugs via natural crossing in Pai Song-ngae village for transport to Chiang Mai, local officials, border patrol and local police were dispatched to border areas in Wiang Nua commune of Pai on March 8.

The joint patrol found six fertilizer sacks containing 1.2 million speed pills and two more sacks containing 35 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine. The drugs were handed over to the Pai police station.

On March 7, troops from the Singhanat military unit of the Naresuan Task Force seized 7 million speed pills and 100 kilogrammes of crystal meth in 37 sacks hidden in a forested area of Wiang Nua.

Mae Hong Son governor Chettha Mokikharat said that he had instructed local officials to increase patrols in all districts of the northern province to crack down on illicit drugs and other illegal goods.

Over 10 million Thais require medical treatment because of air pollution in 2023 Thailands National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has warned that the government must do more to tackle air pollution as more than 10 million people in the country required treatment for pollution-related health problems in 2023.
Thai authorities have arrested eight suspects and confiscated more than 10,000 e-cigarette and vaping devices in a raid near Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok (Photo: The Nation)

Bangkok  Thai authorities have arrested eight suspects and confiscated more than 10,000 e-cigarette and vaping devices in a raid at Number One market near Ramkhamhaeng University (Bangna Campus) in Bangkok.

The campaign, dubbed Vape Operation, is a collaboration between the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and the Royal Thai Police to crack down on sellers of e-cigarette and vaping devices near schools and colleges in the capital, said Puangpetch Chunla-ead, Minister attached to the Prime Ministers Office, who led the operation, on March 6.

The market, which is surrounded by student dorms, is well known for e-cigarette and vaping devices, prompting the OCPB to launch the campaign to stop the selling of illegal items to students and underaged persons.

Investigators found e-cigarette and vaping devices being sold at 14 stalls in the market and arrested eight sellers, as well as confiscated nearly 6,000 vaping items found in these shops. They also tracked down the distribution network of these sellers to a factory in Din Daeng district and seized some 4,000 items. The total value of the confiscated items is estimated at over 3 million THB (about 84,000 USD).

Puangpetch underlined the threat of e-cigarettes on Thai adolescents as these devices can be easily purchased from shops near schools and colleges, while some students even buy them in bulk to resale to their friends. The minister urged parents to closely monitor the behaviours of their children, and report any unusual activities to the OCBD at hotline 1166, website OCPB.go.th, or the Traffy Fondue application.

Thailand banned imports of e-cigarettes and vaping devices, including baraku and electronic baraku smoking devices in 2014. Sellers could face up to three years in prison and/or a 60,000 THB fine, while smugglers could face up to 10 years in prison and/or up to 500,000 THB in fines.

Over 10 million Thais require medical treatment because of air pollution in 2023 Thailands National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has warned that the government must do more to tackle air pollution as more than 10 million people in the country required treatment for pollution-related health problems in 2023.
ADEN, Yemen, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued a warning after receiving a report of an explosion in the vicinity of a commercial ship transiting off the coast of Yemen on Monday.

According to the report from the UKMTO, the master of the unnamed ship reported hearing the sound of an explosion approximately 71 nautical miles southwest of the port city of Saleef in Yemen.

While the ship and crew are reported to be safe, the cause of the explosion remains unknown at this time. The US-led coalition forces operating in the region have launched an investigation into the incident.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident yet.

Since November, the Houthis have increasingly targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which they claim is in retaliation for Israeli strikes in Gaza.

In response, the United States and Britain launched air and missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen starting in mid-January. However, rather than deterring or degrading the rebels' capabilities, these strikes appear to have prompted further escalation from the Houthi forces. 
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon in Wellington on March 11 (Photo: VNA)

Wellington  Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon identified major orientations for further strengthening cooperation in multiple areas during talks in Wellington on March 11 morning.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the stable and increasingly effective development of their countries strategic partnership in all aspects, including politics - diplomacy, economy - trade, security - defence, education - training, agriculture, and labour, especially the frequent exchanges of high-ranking delegations and the good growth of bilateral trade, by 60% during 2017 - 2022.

To further intensify multi-faceted cooperation, first, they agreed to stabilise and consolidate political trust, strategic trust, and political - diplomatic cooperation to create a more solid foundation for bilateral ties. Vietnam and New Zealand will step up mutual visits and meetings at all levels and via all channels while effectively implementing cooperation mechanisms, including regular meetings between the PMs and ministers of the two countries.

On this occasion, PM Chinh, who is on an official visit to the South Pacific nation, invited his counterpart to pay an official trip to Vietnam at a suitable time. Luxon accepted the invitation with pleasure.

The two sides also agreed to promote the fruitful implementation of the action plan for implementing the Vietnam - New Zealand strategic partnership 2021 - 2024, and soon build an action plan for the new period.

Second, the leaders concurred in enhancing and expanding cooperation in all important cooperation pillars of the strategic partnership, including economy - trade - investment, security - defence, agriculture, and people-to-people interaction.

Agreeing to foster economic, trade, and investment ties, they look to raise the countries trade revenue to 2 billion USD in 2024 and 3 billion USD in 2026, and soon double bilateral investment through appropriate measures, including opening markets and reducing trade barriers.

Vietnam welcomes New Zealand investment in all fields, particularly education - training, high-quality agriculture, and renewable energy, PM Chinh remarked.

At the talks, PM Luxon announced the launch of the third phase of a project on developing high-quality fruit varieties (Vietfruits) worth 6.24 million NZD (3.85 million USD) to help small-scaled passion fruit farmers and other stakeholders in value chains to increase productivity.

Amid uncertainties in the region and the world, the PM were unanimous in expanding defence - security cooperation; effectively responding to traditional and non-traditional security challenges that are increasing in the region, including transnational crimes, terrorism, natural disasters, and epidemics; and strengthening cooperation in peacekeeping, maritime security, and intelligence information so as to contribute to regional and global peace, stability, and cooperation.

The two leaders agreed to step up agricultural cooperation, including in climate change response and developing high-tech agriculture, plant saplings, and food safety management.

They reached consensus on expanding collaboration in culture, education - training, and people-to-people exchanges. PM Chinh showed his hope that New Zealand will increase scholarships for Vietnamese students, and its universities will strengthen links with Vietnamese counterparts, thus meeting the need for high-quality human resources of the Southeast Asian country. He added that the early reopening of direct flights between the two nations will be an important motivation to expand cooperation in these fields.

Third, the Vietnamese leader agreed to accelerate and make breakthroughs in cooperation in science and technology, innovation, green and digital economic development, environmentally-friendly technology transfer, emission reduction, and emerging technology industries such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), and semiconductor. He proposed creating breakthroughs in marine economic cooperation and marine environmental protection, accelerating labour cooperation and vocational training, and creating conditions for Vietnamese labourers to work in New Zealand.

Discussing regional and international issues, the two PMs affirmed to maintain coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ASEAN-led mechanisms, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum; and back each other's candidacies at regional and international organisations.

PM Chinh thanked New Zealand for supporting Vietnam's candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, congratulating New Zealand on successfully assuming the role as Chair of the Comprehensive Partnership for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2023, and affirming that Vietnam will actively promote practical cooperation programmes between ASEAN and New Zealand in its capacity as coordinator of ASEAN - New Zealand relations for 2024-2027. PM Luxon affirmed that New Zealand will support and cooperate closely with Vietnam when the Southeast Asian nations hosts the APEC Year 2027.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea; and addressing disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of respect for international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They agreed to share information and strengthen maritime cooperation, and strive together to turn the East Sea into a sea of peace, stability, friendship, cooperation and development.

New Zealand seeks to level up wide-ranging trade Along with the traditional trade relationship, New Zealand and Vietnam are fostering cooperation in sectors such as education. New Zealands Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Vangelis Vitalis, talked to VIRs Kim Oanh about the potential of bilateral cooperation in more areas.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao takes a photo with the executive committee of the Vietnamese Womens Association in Belgium (Photo: VNA)

Brussels  The Vietnamese Womens Association in Belgium convened its first congress for the 2024-2027 tenure in Brussels on March 10, providing a chance for Vietnamese women working and living in the European country to meet and foster their connections.

The association will focus on dealing with current global issues such as climate change and womens role improvement, while gathering women for mutual support in integrating into the host society, and motivating women to pursue their dreams.

Delegates at the congress elected a 13-member executive committee and Pham Thi My Anh as president of the association.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao affirmed the role of Vietnamese women in general and the Vietnamese Womens Association in Belgium in particular in fostering solidarity among Vietnamese women in the European country.

Describing the association as a warm common house for Vietnamese women in Belgium and a venue for them to provide support for each other, the diplomat said that the association aims to serve as a bridge linking Vietnamese women in Belgium and the homeland as well as their peers at home and around the world.

The ambassador pledged to support the association in its operations and keep a close coordination with the Vietnamese Association in Belgium in building a united Vietnamese community.

Thao expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Womens Association in Belgium will help maintain and spread traditional cultural values of Vietnam in the country, especially through the teaching of the Vietnamese language to younger generations.

As scheduled, in March, the Vietnamese Womens Association in Belgium will organise exchanges for Vietnamese women in Belgium and the Netherlands as well as some other European countries.

The Vietnamese community in Belgium currently has nearly 13,000 members.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  The harrowing Holocaust drama  The Zone of Interest, which explores questions of complicity while depicting the mundane lives of a Nazi family in their home adjacent to the Auschwitz death camp, won the Academy Award for best international film.

Our film shows where dehumanization leads, at its worst, writer-director Jonathan Glazer said. Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people. Whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel, or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims, this dehumanization, how do we resist?"

Glazer's reference to Israels war in Gaza came after pro-Palestinian protesters snarled traffic around the Dolby Theatre as the Oscars kicked off.

In her review, The Associated Press Jocelyn Noveck wrote that Glazer has found a way to convey the evil of Nazism without ever depicting the horror itself. But though it escapes our eyes, the horror assaults our senses in other, deeper ways.

Glazer said he hopes the film will draw attention to current conflicts in the world. All our choices are made to reflect and confront us in the present. Not to say, Look what they did then, rather 'look what we do now," he said.

Sandra Huller, one of the film's stars, wept as Glazer's hands shook while reading his acceptance speech.

Huller plays Hedwig, the wife of Rudolf Hoss (Christian Friedel), the bloodthirsty commandant of Auschwitz. The film was the United Kingdom's submission to the Oscars.

In the film, the couple and their children go about their daily routines  living in a home just on the other side of a stone wall from the gas chambers. Hoss spends his work days overseeing the processing of trainloads of people, most sent directly to their deaths. Then he comes home, where he and Hedwig share meals, celebrate birthdays, read their kids bedtime stories and make vacation plans.

Glazer adapted the screenplay loosely from the 2014 Martin Amis novel of the same name, but chose to depict the real-life commandant. Aiming for a chilling meticulousness, the director pieced together the Hoss family history and built the set for their home some 200 yards (183 meters) from where the real one once stood.

The Zone of Interest was also up for best picture, which made it the favorite to win in the international category. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including best sound, which it won; best director, which Christopher Nolan received for best picture winner Oppenheimer; and adapted screenplay, which went to Cord Jefferson for American Fiction." Huller was nominated for best actress for Anatomy of a Fall, but the award went to Emma Stone for Poor Things. 

Last year the winner of best international picture was  All Quiet on the Western Front, a German-language film set in World War I.

This story has been updated to correct a Glazer quote in the second paragraph.

For more coverage of the 2024 Oscars, visit https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards
A man accused of participating in a Waco-area theft ring is scheduled to plead guilty Thursday to four felony charges.

Elijah Watson-El, 21, was arrested along with others in late 2022 on charges related to multiple burglaries in the area. He is scheduled to plead guilty Thursday in Wacos 54th State District Court to a first-degree felony charge of engaging in organized criminal activity, a separate state-jail felony charge of engaging in organized criminal activity and two state-jail felony charges of theft of a firearm.

Court records show Watson sent a letter to the court from McLennan County jail, where he has been in custody with bond listed at $138,000 since November 2022, admitting guilt to the four charges. The letter is not yet in a publicly accessible file with the district clerk.

The McLennan County District Attorneys office has not yet filed any documents of plea offers in Watsons cases. If no negotiated plea agreement is reached, Watson could plead guilty and leave sentencing up to the judge.

Police in November and December 2022 filed charges related to multiple burglaries against Watson; Quincy Jamal White, 21; Stephon Rafael Lucas, 19; Jordan Keyshawn King, 20; and Daquerian Daquis McDowell, 19. Authorities from Waco, Robinson and Falls County filed charges against at least one of the five. Initial Waco charges against Watson, White and Lucas included an engaging in organized criminal activity charge focused on a Sept. 30 burglary of a home. Initial Robinson charges against White, Watson, King and Lucas included an engaging in organized criminal activity charge focused on three burglaries of vehicles Nov. 25.

McDowell was indicted in July 2023 on a second-degree felony charge of aggravated assault and a Class A misdemeanor charge of violating a protective order. Both indictments were dismissed Jan. 4. The dismissal form shows the complaining witness asked for the charges to be dropped.

White has been free on $25,000 bond with a GPS monitor since March 23, 2023. Lucas has remained in McLennan County Jail since November 2022 with bond set at $26,500. Whites and Lucas next court appearances are scheduled for next month.

King pleaded guilty Feb. 29 to six charges and received a 20-month sentence in state jail. King pleaded guilty to three counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, two counts of theft of a firearm and a count of fraudulent use or possession of identifying information.

Another co-defendant of Watson and White in the first-degree felony charge of engaging in organized criminal activity, Paul Daniel Williams III, has been in McLennan County Jail since February of last year with bond set at $55,000. Williams next court appearance is scheduled for next month.
After facing decades of fierce bipartisan resistance to the idea of using state dollars to pay for private school tuition, school voucher supporters in Texas emerged from the Tuesday primaries triumphant.

Their long-held goal has never felt more in reach.

Gov. Greg Abbott succeeded in knocking off nine fellow Republicans who opposed vouchers in the House during last years legislative sessions. More could fall in the May runoffs, placing his signature priority in range in 2025.

Public school advocates, meanwhile, raised the alarm Wednesday about the potential cost to the school system if vouchers become a reality. And both sides promised an even more fervent battle is coming.

Texas is closer than ever to delivering on the promise that every parent be in control of their childs education, said Mandy Drogin, a campaign director at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, an influential conservative think tank.

The foundation, one of the most persistent and outspoken supporters of vouchers, vowed to launch an emboldened and invigorated push for the program in the 2025 legislative session.

Empowering parents with more and better educational options will continue to be one of the top issues in Texas until it gets passed, Drogin said.

On the other side, opponents of vouchers lamented that out-of-state groups and donors poured millions of dollars into the campaigns, writing checks and launching attack ads that in some cases made no reference to education. The states largest educator association called the election a sad day in Texas.

Out-of-state donors have colluded with state leadership to defame and punish honorable public servants from their own party who went to Austin to vote their districts and their consciences, said Kate Johanns, a spokesperson for the Association of Texas Professional Educators. We are disheartened but not dissuaded. Our states 5.4 million public schoolchildren deserve better from the leaders of Texas, and well continue fighting for them.

The fight moves to the runoffs

The reactions signaled even more division to come as the battle for House approval of the program, which could cost the state billions over the next few years, moves into the May runoffs.

Twenty-one House Republicans opposed vouchers last year, teaming up with Democrats to vote 84-63 in favor of an amendment that ultimately doomed the proposal.

The victories of nine pro-voucher newcomers to the Texas House on Tuesday  if they can be bolstered with wins for two more candidates who forced anti-voucher incumbents into runoffs  could be enough to push vouchers across the finish line when the new generation of lawmakers funded by and loyal to Abbott are sworn in next year.

The development is a long time coming, with fights over vouchers dating back more than two decades  when a similar group of rural Republicans held the line against big-money donors at the time, like Texas Public Policy Foundation founder and San Antonio businessman James Leininger.

Vouchers had long been considered dead in the water in the Texas Capitol, where rural lawmakers who worried about the impact of the program on their schools still had influence  and where the idea of voting for district over party line was revered.

That all changed in recent years as Texas conservatives drifted further to the right, with increasingly divisive primaries and district lines redrawn to create less competition in general elections. Partisan politics often demand loyalty to the agenda of state leaders over what the representatives believe is the will of the voters who sent them to Austin in the first place.

But it was Abbotts insistence on passing a voucher program that has breathed new life into the movement. After this years failures, he vowed to get the 11 votes he needed by replacing the defiant Republicans with more loyal ones. In the last month before Tuesdays primary, he aimed $4.4 million at the 10 no votes who were the most vulnerable.

All of the Abbott victories and the runoffs at play are in solidly red districts, basically guaranteeing the primary winners an easy November and a seat waiting for them in the lower chamber come January.

In a statement on election night, Abbott called the results an unmistakable message from voters and vowed to carry on the momentum for pro-voucher candidates who are still fighting to win nominations.

His supporters backed his claim of victory, calling Texas a political bellwether for the potential success of the program in other GOP-leaning states.

This election was a total bloodbath and a mandate for school choice in Texas, Corey DeAngelis, senior fellow at the American Federation for Children, author, and self-proclaimed school choice evangelist said in an emailed statement to the Tribune. The biggest political shift towards school choice in Texas history. School choice was the main dividing line in all of these races. It is already sending shockwaves all across the country and the message is clear: education freedom is a political winner and a GOP litmus-test issue.

But the incumbents and other voucher opponents rejected the idea that Tuesdays results signified broad support. Primaries have historically small turnouts  Tuesday nights being no exception. They are largely decided by voters who are less moderate and more engaged in partisan politics.

I think Republican primary voters have spoken on vouchers to a degree, but to say thats a mandate of the people, meaning all the people, thats tortured logic if not an outright lie, said Brian Woods, deputy director for advocacy at the Texas Association of School Administrators.

Plus, candidates said, many of the attacks they faced during the primary had little to do with the issue of school choice.

Many candidates instead faced attacks calling them soft on border security or weak on gun rights or accused them of secretly colluding with Democrats or supporting Sharia law.

If vouchers are such a winning idea, then why did Abbott run an entire campaign on the message of border security? said state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, head of the House Democratic Caucus.

Fischer cast doubt on the idea that vouchers are inevitable.

There are lots of votes to be cast between now and next January, he said, referring to when the next regular session of the Legislature is scheduled to begin.

Rep. Gary VanDeaver, a Republican from New Boston forced into a runoff Tuesday night, said he rarely fielded criticisms on vouchers on the campaign trail. But he said he was accused of all kinds of anti-Republican behavior that he said is simply false.

They had the audacity to call me weak on guns, he told the Tribune in an interview.

VanDeaver was co-author of a bill in 2021 to eliminate permitting requirements for concealed handguns in Texas.

He got more votes than his top competitor, Chris Spencer, who was backed by Abbott. But after missing the 50% mark necessary to avoid a runoff, hell be a primary target of the pro-voucher movement again in May.

Theyve thrown everything at me but the kitchen sink. I won the vote and have plurality, so Im encouraged. I feel good, he said, adding that hell stand firm in his stance against private school vouchers because its what his district has always wanted  and still wants.

Democrats see opening

Democrats  historically voucher opponents as well  similarly gave no sign of backing down on the issue Wednesday. Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, a former teacher, noted that some anti-voucher Republicans survived, in spite of the onslaught of money and lies. Several, like Reps. Keith Bell, Ken King and Charlie Geren, won their primaries handily.

Last night we saw that Greg Abbott and his billionaire mega-donors will use every dirty trick in the book to privatize our public schools, Talarico said in a statement to the Tribune. Where Abbotts big money did succeed, his handpicked voucher candidates could help Democrats flip these districts in November. Theres a bipartisan pro-public education majority in this state, and Im confident we will keep defending our neighborhood schools.

Public education advocates said that even if they lose the numbers to block vouchers next year, theyll continue to advocate for better school funding, more accountability and teacher pay raises.

It was never just about vouchers, Woods said. Its always been about how we get the best policies for public school kids and the adults who serve them.  After last night, I worry about whether we can work on some of those things.
President Joe Biden went after rival Donald Trump early and often in a defiant State of the Union address Thursday night meant to contrast his presidency with his predecessor's and sell the American public on a second term.
CEDAR FALLS  A large, privately-owned fraternity house is available to purchase for $1.3 million in a prominent spot on the outskirts of the University of Northern Iowa campus.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon brothers, who still live in the 14,122-square-foot building at 1115 W. 23rd St., said that membership numbers and finances had to do with deciding to rightsize and move on from the house.

The two-story house dates back to 1998, takes up a sizable portion of the block, and may be known by passersby as the building with two white lion statues out front. It also has a purple roof and an emblem blinking with multiple colors.

Back then when we built the building, we were near 100 members, but youve seen whats happened to the university (enrollment) and weve had similar reductions, said Robert Lee, president of the Iowa Chi Chapters house corporation.

Thats led to a situation where the fraternity essentially had to force members to live there and the reality is that even with the attempts, the chapter has open beds.

Everyone now has to live in it, but not everyone wants to live together, said Lee.

He said the housing corporation, which owns the building, is doing really well financially, but you dont cash flow without every member living there to pay rent to cover expenses like utilities, upkeep and property taxes.

Fall and spring 2023 academic reports, available on UNIs website, had the Iowa Chi Chapters membership at 24 and 29, respectively, down from a spring 2022 total of 42. The oldest available report from spring 2013 had membership at 59.

The members will continue to live there through late May and, hopefully by then, a sale is finalized, said Lee.

Members will be on their own for housing the next academic year. But Lee is confident that in the future the chapter will identify smaller living quarters  possibly for less than 10 members, maybe just officers  in order for some brothers to live together.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon, known by many as SAE, hosts its annual Paddy Murphy Week philanthropy in the springtime and has more than 220 chapters nationwide.

A Facebook post from Nov. 15, 2015, noted the day as marking the 100th anniversary of the fraternity at the University of Northern Iowa, and 50th anniversary as a Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter, after being originally founded as the Alpha Chi Epsilon fraternity.

The Jan. 22 real estate listing, first reported by The Northern Iowan, labels the building as being capable of housing 48 people and the half acre as a redevelopment opportunity, zoned R-3, for potentially multi-family housing, a religious or campus-related purpose.

The asking price recently dropped from $1.3 million to $1.225 million.

The citys GIS database indicates about nine rental properties immediately to the north and west surround the fraternity house. The St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center is next door to the east and the universitys parking ramp is a stones throw away to the west.

The university is not forcing them to sell and the fraternity chapter  one of only two recognized by the institution in its 2023 reports versus the four in 2013  is not facing any disciplinary action, according to Josh Farris, UNI fraternity and sorority life coordinator.

Theyre doing what makes sense for them, Farris said. Theyre still an active fraternity and we will continue to support them whether they have a house or not.

He said UNI is not really involved in fraternity housing decisions, especially when it involves a private building, and therefore, could not provide additional details related to the rationale.

The real estate listing further explains the house has 24 bedrooms, a kitchenette, library, recreation room, breakfast area, lounge, other common area space and a walk-out level in the back with a 27-vehicle parking lot accessible from a Merner Avenue drive.

Weve gotten serious interest, said Matt Miehe, the Fischels Commercial and Residential Group broker handling the listing, when reached by telephone.

UNI is not interested in the property at this time, a spokesperson and Lee said. Miehe declined to name the possible suitors. Lee says demolition, or in his words starting over, hasnt been discussed.

It was a very hard decision. Nobody wanted it to come to this, but everyone agrees that it has to happen, said Lee, adding that the active student members are completely on board.

Plan B was recruiting more members and that just wasnt happening.

Blake Sailer, president of the Iowa Chi chapters active student members, and Dave Pascarella, director of communications for the North American fraternity, did not respond to emails seeking comment.

Photos: UNI men's basketball vs. Drake, Feb. 24
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, South Carolina.

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.

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 South Carolina 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.
This photo taken on Feb. 13, 2024 shows a scene of a water light show entitled "Unknown Lands: Marco Polo's Fantastic Journey" in Venice, Italy. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

A series of cultural events are held in Italy this year to commemorate Marco Polo, the 13th-century explorer who traveled along the ancient Silk Road to China.

TURIN, Italy, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Italians and Chinese are coming together to remember Marco Polo and his trailblazing journey along the ancient Silk Road over seven centuries ago, through a series of cultural events.

Commemorative activities have been organized in several Italian cities since the beginning of this year to mark the 700th anniversary of the famous traveler's death.

An art exhibition themed "Marco Polo: Art and Discovery" opened on Friday at the MIIT Museum in the northern Italian city of Turin, to showcase artworks by 35 Chinese and Italian artists and art groups.

The exhibition, featuring painting, printmaking, sculpture, video and photography, will run until March 21.

Its curator Fei Xinyao said the artworks portrayed the stories of China through Western artistic techniques, just as Marco Polo did back in his time, documenting ancient China through Italian eyes.

A man views exhibits at an art exhibition entitled "Marco Polo: Art and Discovery" at the MIIT Museum in Turin, Italy, March 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

"Through the exhibition, we also hope to show the world the charm of contemporary Chinese art," Fei added.

Guido Folco, director of MIIT Museum, said cultural exchanges between the two countries are "mutually beneficial." The museum will organize similar exhibitions in the future, he said, as "the Italians are very interested in contemporary Chinese art."

Last month, a water light show themed "Unknown Lands: Marco Polo's Fantastic Journey" was staged in northern Italy's famous lagoon city Venice.

Organized by the Municipality of Venice and the national committee for the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo, the show told the story of Marco Polo's 24-year journey to the Orient with fountains, lights, projections and the performances of actors.

As one of the main events of the 2024 Venice Carnival, the 30-minute water light show was held twice a day during 12 days, with an average audience of 1,500 people for each show, drawing a large number of Venice's local residents as well as tourists.

People are seen at an art exhibition entitled "Marco Polo: Art and Discovery" at the MIIT Museum in Turin, Italy, March 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

The Venice Carnival, themed "To the East. The Extraordinary Journey of Marco Polo," ran from Jan. 28 to Feb. 13. On the last day of the annual event, a show of Hanfu, the traditional attire of ethnic-majority Han Chinese, was seen in the finale of the colorful parade. A group of 22 Italian and Chinese volunteers wearing Hanfu participated in a parade at the Piazza San Marco in the city center.

The clothes, directly transported from the eastern Chinese city of Suzhou, were themed after the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties and displayed the traditional silk culture and millennium-long changes of Chinese traditional costumes.

Suzhou, dubbed "the Venice of the East" by Marco Polo in the 13th century, became a sister city of Venice in 1980. The Hanfu show is also a tribute to Marco Polo.

"Today, we celebrate a friendship that has lasted for 700 years," Venice City Councillor Paola Mar said at the event, adding that Hanfu performances "strengthen the ties between our city and China."

Laura Fincato, a veteran Italian politician and honorary citizen of Suzhou, expressed hope that the two countries can sustain their mutual understanding and respect.

An Italian volunteer displays Hanfu, the traditional attire of Han Chinese, during the Venice Carnival at the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy, Feb. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
As a geriatrician, I discuss the effects of aging with patients every day. I wish I had a chance to give my usual talk to everyone who chortles or tears their hair out about President Joe Bidens fitness for his job.

Three components of memory should be considered: One is formation. Then storage. And finally, recall. The most common issue among seniors is slow recall. This is the familiar tip of the tongue phenomenon, when a word seems to hide or a name wont come to mind. You know the name, its in your bank of memories, it just cant be accessed quickly. Given time, it usually arrives.

This problem, called age-associated memory impairment, often starts for people in their 30s and gradually progresses. Its a nuisance but not disabling. If, like me, you find yourself using the term whatchamacallit, you probably have it. Dont worry, youll be fine.

Alzheimers disease, the most common cause of dementia, is different. Those affected lose the ability to store new memories. They can still access old memories in their memory bank and may recount events that occurred decades ago. But they cant tell you what they had for breakfast because that never entered the memory bank. (I reassure my patients with age-associated memory impairment by asking whether they remember their breakfast. They do.)

Alzheimers is cognitively crippling. Losing the ability to form new memories freezes one in time. Those affected cant make new friends or address new situations without fresh memories. Additionally, the disease progressively impairs other domains, including behavior and ultimately physical skills.

Fortunately, President Biden shows no signs of Alzheimers disease. At news conferences, he references new events and obviously creates new memories efficiently. He speaks slowly and pauses to find words like others with benign age-associated memory impairment. These issues are exacerbated by a chronic speech impediment. Biden has struggled with stuttering since childhood, and remnants of the condition have long been apparent in his speech.

Unfortunately, word hesitations coupled with the mild stutter cant help but affect his public speaking. Bidens political opponents exploit it, with stereotypes about older people, to create a false narrative about intellectual impairment.

I take care of many high-functioning seniors like Biden in my practice. One that I know, who is not a patient of mine, has been my familys lawyer for five decades. Melvin Spears, at 96, recently responded to an emailed legal question with succinct and well-targeted advice, as he always has. When I spoke to him, he acknowledged some concessions to his age. He speaks more slowly, and transportation is a challenge because hes stopped driving. (He considers Uber and Lyft a hassle.) Like Biden, Spears focuses on his work and lets others worry about his age if they choose.

Studies show that high-functioning seniors like Spears and the president compensate for slower reaction time by applying superior knowledge and judgment. The presidency is not a job that requires lightning-quick reflexes. First-hand experience with the successes and failures of U.S. foreign policy over decades, for example, combined with time-tested judgment offers far more than speed in speech or decision-making.

Actuarial tables show that the 81-year-old presidents life expectancy extends nearly eight years, well beyond a second term. He gets excellent health care, has no major chronic illnesses, and at his recent physical at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, he was declared healthy, active and fit for duty. All that means Biden is likely to beat the actuarial estimate. Given his overall health and the absence of current cognitive impairment, he would likely complete a second term with stable cognition.

All candidates for political office in the United States deserve to be evaluated on their accomplishments and capabilities rather than by their age. Seniors may be the last minority whose natural traits are singled out for ridicule and stereotyping. If the American people disagree with President Bidens policies and prefer change, they should support his opponent. But in the absence of valid evidence of true cognitive impairment, their judgment should not be influenced by ageist social stereotypes. Biden and the American political process deserve better.
By Cate McCurry, PA

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 per cent of people voting against the amendment.

The proposed changes to care were also overwhelmingly defeated, with 73 per cent 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 per cent, a significant drop from the abortion referendum in 2018 which saw a turnout of 64 per cent.

Senator Michael McDowell celebrates with No campaigners (Damien Storan/PA)

Earlier, the Taoiseach 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.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to the media at Dublin Castle (Damien Storan/PA)

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.

Roderic OGorman accepted the Government had not persuaded people to vote yes-yes (Damien Storan/PA)

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.

Mr Varadkar said the Government had been given two wallops by the electorate (Damien Storan/PA)

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

Tanaiste 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.

Members of the public arrive at the polling station in scoil Treasa Naofa on Donore Avenue, Dublin, on Friday (Gareth Chaney/PA)

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.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald speaking to the media at Dublin Castle (Damien Storan/PA)

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.
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Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (10 March 2024)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces have improved their position along the front line and defeated manpower and hardware of 21st, 60th and 67th mechanised brigades of the AFU close to Yampolovka, Serebryanka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Nevskoye (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

Three counterattacks by units of 32nd mechanised and 57th motorised infantry brigades of the AFU were repulsed near Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses were more than 110 servicemen, two tanks, and three motor vehicles.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems have been hit.

One AFU ammunition depot has been also destroyed.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces, conducting active combat operations, have taken more advantageous front lines and defeated formations of 54th mechanized, 79th air assault, 5th assault brigades of the AFU and the 4th Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard close to Verkhnekamenskoye, Spornoye, Kurdyumovka, and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 280 servicemen, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, and five motor vehicles.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system and one D-30 howitzer have been hit, as well as two ammunition depots of the AFU.

In Avdeyevka direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, acting actively and coherently, have taken more advantageous lines and positions.

Fire damage was inflicted on manpower and hardware of 24th, 110th mechanised, 71st jaeger brigades and the 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade near Mayorsk, Novokalinovo, Berdychi, and Rozovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Two counterattacks by assault groups of the 78th Separate Air Assault Regiment of the AFU have been also repelled close to Orlovka and Tonenkoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 310 troops, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, and eight motor vehicles.

In addition, in the course of counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-manufactured M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one D-20 howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two D-30 howitzers have been destroyed.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU and the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Ugledar and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were over 150 servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, two D-20 howitzers, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

One AFU ammunition depot has also been destroyed.

In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have defeated manpower and hardware of 65th mechanised and 128th mountain assault brigades of the AFU and the enemy 126th Brigade close to Rabotino, Stepovoye (Zaporozhye region) and Ivanovka (Kherson region).

The enemy losses were up to 45 servicemen and three motor vehicles.

In addition, during the counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system, one German-manufactured Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery system, two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one D-30 howitzer were destroyed.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have destroyed one control point of the 47th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU close to Zhelannoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), two fuel depots, two ammunition depots, one unmanned aerial vehicles control point of the 71st Jaeger Brigade of the AFU near Novokalinovo (Donetsk Peoples Republic), as well as enemy manpower and military hardware in 136 areas.

Air defence facilities have shot down three U.S.-manufactured HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system projectiles.

In addition, 130 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed close to Privolye and Kremennaya (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Aleksandrovka, Yasinovataya, Verkhnetoretskoye, Stepnoye, and Maryanovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Novoye, Trudovoye, Novoprokopovka, and Lyubimovka (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 577 airplanes and 267 helicopters, 14,985 unmanned aerial vehicles, 484 air defence missile systems, 15,420 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,235 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,350 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 19,572 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

Tags:

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Fifteen area fire departments responded to a fire Saturday night at the Mardi Gras Bar in Woodland.

There were no injuries.

One resident, who lived above the bar, was displaced and is being assisted by family and the American Red Cross.

Firefighters from departments in Iron Ridge, Hustisford and Neosho were the first to arrive and found smoke coming from the building at N5003 Highway WS about 9 p.m., Iron Ridge Fire Chief Jason Keller said in a statement. Smoke alarms in the building also were sounding.

Iron Ridge firefighters entered through the rear of the building, where they found smoke and flames in the kitchen. Hustisford firefighters entered through the front and countered heavy smoke and found the blaze had slightly spread to the bar area. Mutual aid was requested.

Interior crews were facing heavy smoke conditions, Keller said. Vertical roof ventilation operations were performed to clear the smoke from the building, allowing crews to check for flames more efficiently.

Firefighters were challenged by buildings multilayer and multi-material room as well as other additions to the structure, Keller said.

It resulted in roofs over roofs and multiple void spaces and chases for the heat, fire and smoke to travel, Keller said. Fire extension was discovered in multiple void areas and old floors which required extensive overhaul operations.

Keller said the scene was cleared around 1 a.m., and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire departments from Allenton, Beaver Dam, Hartford, Horicon, Lebanon, Mayville, Neosho, Knowles, Kekoskee, Slinger, Theresa and CLR also responded.

Beaver Dam Fire Department holds 2022 pinning ceremony BDFD pinning1.jpg BDFD pinning2.jpg BDFD pinning3.jpg BDFD pinning4.jpg BDFD pinning5.jpg BDFD pinning6.jpg BDFD pinning7.jpg BDFD pinning8.jpg BDFD pinning9.jpg BDFD pinning10.jpg BDFD pinning11.jpg BDFD pinning12.jpg BDFD pinning13.jpg BDFD pinning14.jpg BDFD pinning15.jpg BDFD pinning16.jpg BDFD pinning17.jpg BDFD pinning18.jpg BDFD pinning19.jpg BDFD pinning20.jpg BDFD pinning21.jpg
FILE - A spokesperson of the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) shows photos captured by a robotic probe inside one of the three melted reactors at the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant, during a news conference at the TEPCO headquarters in Tokyo, on April 4, 2023. Japan on Monday, March 11, 2024, marked 13 years since a massive earthquake and tsunami hit the countrys northern coasts. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, File)
Cillian Murphy accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "Oppenheimer" during the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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The Lyon County Sheriff's Office is responding to videos shared several times across at least 11 of their Facebook posts from people claiming one of their deputies berated a man and arrested him without cause.
LISBON, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Leader of Portugal's opposition centre-right Democratic Alliance, Luis Montenegro, claimed victory in the country's parliamentary election on Sunday. 
Imagine losing something as basic as electricity or water because you cant afford to pay.



Thats what could happen to millions of low-income American consumers on the verge of losing another must-have utility  high-speed internet  because of the imminent end of the federal governments subsidized Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Especially since the start of the pandemic, high-speed internet has become as essential as any other household utility, enabling consumers to connect to education, entertainment, health care and jobs that are integral to life today.

Nearly 4 in 5 of Americans agree or strongly agree that internet service is as important as water or electricity, according to an October Consumer Reports survey of more than 2,000 adults. But more than a quarter of the survey respondents say affording their monthly internet costs is somewhat or very difficult; 84 percent pay at least $50 a month for broadband access.

The question confronting many in the coming months: Once ACP is gone, how will I afford and find high-speed internet? Users can stick with plans they have through the ACP, but without the subsidy theyll likely have to pay $30 or more a month.

Major internet providers offer discounted rates outside the ACP. What youll pay, at which speed and the potential for data caps is worth looking into.

Laws money is running out

To enable consumers of all income levels to benefit from high-speed broadband, Congress passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November 2021. It authorized $30-a-month subsidies to qualified households based on income and other factors. Those on tribal lands could receive a $75-a-month subsidy toward their internet bill.

Thanks to the law, many of the 22.5 million program participants effectively paid nothing for monthly internet speeds that could reach up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps). Others received access they would otherwise not be able to afford.

The ACP program is now on life support. The original $14.2 billion allocation for this program will be exhausted in late spring. As a result, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program administrators stopped accepting new applications in February, and unless additional money is allocated, April will be the programs last full month.

Stopgap legislation is still on the table

Government officials across the political spectrum have decried the situation. To attempt to keep the program going, a bipartisan group of senators and members of the House has introduced the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024.
Up to A$20 Million Equity Raising to Provide Liquidity and Flexibility to Explore Strategic Partnerships for the Kachi Project



Up to A$20 Million Equity Raising

Sydney, Mar 12, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Lake Resources NL ( ASX:LKE ) ( LK1:FRA ) ( LLKKF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to announce that it has received firm commitments for an approximately A$15 million institutional placement ("Placement") through the issue of approximately 213.6 million new fully ordinary shares ("New Shares") at an offer price of A$0.07 per New Share ("Offer Price").



Highlights



- Strong support received from offshore and domestic institutional and sophisticated investors leading to introduction of new high-quality investors to Lake's register



- In addition to the Placement, Lake will offer all eligible shareholders the opportunity to participate in a SPP to raise up to approximately A$5 million at the same price as the Placement



- Funds will be used for working capital to extend runway, in addition to the recently announced cost saving measures, until the completion of the strategic partnership process



- Upon settlement of the Placement, Lake will have a strong pro-forma 31 December 2023 cash balance of A$46.3 million to advance the strategic partnership process for Kachi



In addition to the Placement, Lake will also be undertaking a Share Purchase Plan ("SPP") at the same price as the Placement, to raise up to A$5 million. The Placement and SPP (together the "Offer") will raise total gross proceeds of up to approximately A$20 million.



The Offer enhances Lake's balance sheet by providing additional working capital and financial flexibility during the strategic partnership selection process for Kachi. Lake is actively conducting outreach to a wide array of potential strategic partners including car and battery manufacturers, lithium producers, oil and gas companies, sovereign wealth funds and private equity. The strategic partnership process is scheduled to conclude in the second half of the year (2H CY24).



Commenting on the Offer, Lake's CEO, David Dickson said: "We are pleased with the level of support shown for Lake from both existing and new shareholders. The equity raising will provide funding capacity to support the delivery of the strategic partnership process. We are pleased to offer our existing retail shareholders the ability to participate in the capital raising via the SPP."



Placement



Under the Placement, the Company will issue approx. 213.6 million fully paid ordinary shares in the Company, representing approximately 15% of issued capital, at A$0.07 per New Share, raising a total of A$15 million (before costs), to institutional, sophisticated and professional investors.



The issue price of A$0.07 per share, represents a 39.1% discount to the last closing price of A$0.115 on 8 March 2024 and a 42.3% discount to the 5-day VWAP of A$0.121 as at the same date.



The New Shares will be issued under the Company's existing placement capacity under ASX Listing Rules 7.1. The Placement is not underwritten.



Barrenjoey Markets Pty Limited and Canaccord Genuity (Australia) Limited acted as Joint Lead Managers and Bookrunners to the Placement. Morgans Corporate Limited is acting as Co-Manager to the Placement.



Share Purchase Plan



In addition to the Placement, the Company will offer all eligible existing shareholders with a registered address in Australia or New Zealand who were holders of Lake shares at 7:00pm (AEDT) on Monday, 11 March 2024 ("Record Date") ("Eligible Shareholders"), the opportunity to apply for new Lake shares, at the same issue price and same terms and conditions as the Placement. The issue price will be $0.07 per share.



Lake intends to raise up to A$5 million and retains discretion over the allocation of shares per investor. The SPP will allow Eligible Shareholders to apply for the maximum allowed of A$30,000 of new fully paid ordinary shares, per shareholder, recognising the ongoing value and support of Lake's shareholders.



The SPP is not underwritten. An SPP booklet containing further terms and conditions of the SPP is expected to be provided to Eligible Shareholders on the 18 th of March.



Lake intends to apply for a waiver under ASX Listing Rule 7.1 as a consequence of the issue price of shares under the SPP being less than 80% of the 5-day VWAP prior to the date of this announcement. If the ASX does not grant this waiver, the SPP will not be exempt from the Company's placement capacity calculation, and therefore the SPP may require shareholder approval at an EGM. If so, the indicative timetable below will be affected accordingly.



To view the Indicative Timetable, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/QQ3Q2A63



To view the Investor Presentation, please visit:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/KZWW2V4P





About Lake Resources NL





Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) (OTCMKTS:LLKKF) is a clean lithium developer utilising state-of-the-art ion exchange extraction technology for production of sustainable, high purity lithium from its flagship Kachi Project in Catamarca Province within the Lithium Triangle in Argentina among three other projects covering 220,000 ha.

This ion exchange extraction technology delivers a solution for two rising demands - high purity battery materials to avoid performance issues, and more sustainable, responsibly sourced materials with low carbon footprint and significant ESG benefits.

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MANILA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Foreign direct investment (FDI) that flowed into the Philippines declined year-on-year by 6.6 percent in 2023, the country's central bank said Monday.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the FDI net inflows reached 826 million U.S. dollars last December, bringing the yearly total amount to 8.9 billion dollars in 2023, compared to 9.5 billion dollars in net inflows recorded in 2022.

The inflows for 2023 came mainly from Japan, the United States, Singapore, and Germany, infused mainly in manufacturing, real estate, and financial and insurance sectors.

"Notwithstanding the country's sound macroeconomic fundamentals, concerns over subdued global economic growth and geopolitical risks continued to weigh on investors' investment plans," the central bank added.

The inflows in December grew year-on-year by 29.9 percent, mainly due to the 86.2 percent growth in nonresidents' net investments in debt instruments, the BSP said.

Similarly, it added that earnings reinvestment improved slightly by 4.1 percent, while nonresidents' net investments in equity capital declined by 21.7 percent. 
Tata Altroz vs Hyundai Exter: Which Car Offers Better Value in 2024?

In the world of compact hatchbacks, Tata and Hyundai offer two contenders battling for the top position. Both Altroz and Exter are known for combining exceptional capabilities with a captivating appearance to lure modern drivers. In this article, we compare the two top vehicle models to help you discover which one would be worth your bucks.

Hyundai

Exter Although categorised as a micro-SUV, the Exter's boxy exterior grants it a rugged appearance. Its engine, a 1.2-litre petrol, can be paired with a 5-speed manual or AMT gearbox, as well as a CNG option. The top-tier model boasts impressive features such as an electric sunroof, paddle shifters (in the AMT model), cruise control, and a touchscreen infotainment system. Overall, the Hyundai Exter car satisfies all requirements for a well-equipped vehicle.

Engine

The Hyundai Exter comes with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine. It packs a punch with the highest power output of 83 bhp and a maximum torque of 114 Nm. A factory-fitted CNG fuel option is also available with 69 bhp of power and 95 Nm of torque. Whether navigating bustling urban roads or cruising on the highway, both the regular petrol and petrol-CNG powertrains provide ample driving performance. So you can confidently go about your daily adventures with ease and efficiency.

Performance

The Hyundai Exter offers a respectable level of performance in everyday situations thanks to its seamless petrol engine. With ample power and a 5-speed gearbox, it meets the demands of a family car in the city. The handling is decent, with neutral and predictable dynamics, and the supple suspension does a great job of smoothing out rough city roads.

Whether navigating through the daily commute or navigating rough roads, the compliant ride of the Exter is more than sufficient. While it may not excite avid drivers, its refined engines provide enough power for everyday driving and running errands. Overall, the Exter is a practical and agile option for efficiently transporting the family on a day-to-day basis.

Appearance

Unfurling a fresh boxy aesthetic, the Hyundai Exter boasts a flair that befits a micro-SUV. Its profile exudes a classic micro-SUV vibe, adorned with sleek diamond-cut alloy wheels, angular wheel arches, and striking black body cladding.

Adding to its rugged appeal are the sleek blacked-out pillars and sturdy roof rails. Glancing at the back, you'll find simple yet refined H-shaped tail lights, complemented by a connecting black strip, a durable skid plate, a sporty roof-mounted spoiler, and a chic shark-fin antenna.

Tata Altroz

The Tata Altroz car boasts a modern and stylish appearance and lively performance, making it a top-notch premium option. Despite its bold and daring appearance, the vehicle maintains the traditional vibe of a hatchback. The Tata Altroz is also one of the safest models in the market, with innumerable advanced features.

Engine

Tata Altroz boasts a diverse range of engine options. You can choose from a 1.2-litre non-turbo petrol, a turbo-petrol variant, and a 1.5-litre diesel powerhouse. All of them have a smooth and responsive manual transmission with five gears.

The non-turbo petrol model offers the convenience of an automatic six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. If you are seeking a more eco-friendly option, the Altroz also offers a CNG version. It is fuelled by a 1.2-litre petrol engine coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Performance

The turbocharged petrol engine delivers lively performance and exceptional driving dynamics. Its power delivery is effortlessly smooth, while the rapid-shifting DCT automatic adds convenience to the driving experience. Meanwhile, the diesel motor prioritises drivability and boasts a powerful mid-range kick. The manual gearbox also impresses with its seamless shifting.

Appearance

The Tata Altroz boasts an aggressive and eye-catching design, particularly in the front fascia. The sharp front grille seamlessly blends with the sleek headlamps, resulting in a striking visual. The clever design also incorporates the grille and headlamps as a layer over the front bumper, which also features LED DRLs and fog lamps.

Let's not forget the bonnet, with its sharp creases that exude a sporty vibe. Moving to the side profile, the Altroz continues to impress with its sporty appearance. Notice the flared wheel arches, contrasting black window lines, blacked-out B-pillar and ORVMs, and stylish dual-tone alloy wheels. Even the door handles, mounted on the C-pillar, add to the overall aesthetics. The sharp shoulder line further enhances the aggressive look while adding a distinctive touch to this phenomenal hatchback.

Conclusion

The sleek exterior design and sporty appearance of the Altroz are sure to turn heads. Plus, the premium interior is packed with fantastic features. With numerous engine and gearbox choices, you can tailor your driving experience to your preferences.

The Hyundai Exter boasts a rugged exterior design, giving it a true SUV feel. The tall stance and elevated seating provide a commanding and confident driving experience. Additionally, this model is fully equipped with an array of features, including some unique to its segment, such as a dashcam and sunroof.

So, making the right choice between these two automotive titans stretches beyond a mere selection of transportation and becomes a reflection of personal preferences.
Bummer, a young and fashionable innerwear company, announced that it has successfully raised 9.25 Crores in a Pre-Series A1 funding round. The funding spearheaded by Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund marks one of their first investments as a fund. Further strengthening the strategic support is the continued backing from Fluid Ventures, an established investor in Bummer since December 2022. This sustained commitment underscores the company's promising growth trajectory. This funding round is a pivotal step in positioning the brand as a formidable $100 million company within the next 5 years. Expecting to generate 50% of revenues from key cities like Ahmedabad, Indore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Bhopal, and Jaipur, the focus is on amplifying brand awareness and expanding into Tier 2, 3, and 4 cities across India. Emphasizing its steadfast commitment to establish a robust marketing foundation and an omni-channel brand presence through offline expansion, with 10,000+ touchpoints nationwide, including EBOs, MBOs, and LFSs, Bummer is focusing on sustainable growth to reach EBITDA breakeven within 12 months. It is actively seeking to recruit seasoned key management personnel (KMPs) to drive expansion into new channels, including offline retail. While Bummers immediate focus remains on India for the next 24 months, the vision extends beyond borders, as it views South-East Asia and the Middle East as potential global markets for the product.

The brand will conduct smaller, intermittent pilots in the global market to gauge potential opportunities. Currently, its global expansion efforts will be conservative, with less than 5% of the budget allocated to these pilots. Sulay Lavsi, the Founder and CEO of Bummer, "We're embarking on an elevating chapter for Bummer, and this Pre-Series A1 funding round marks a significant milestone in our journey. The support and leadership from Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund and Fluid Ventures fuel our vision of expanding with a skilled managerial team. In an industry marked by minimal growth and dominated by a few major players for decades, we see ourselves as a disruptor of this category. Together, we are committed to propelling the brands growth with skilled teams, a strong trustful brand image and we're set to revolutionize this stagnant category, elevating its fashion appeal along with sustainability. Commenting on the strategic investment in Bummer, Abhijeet Pai, Co-founder of Gruhas & General Partner- GCCF, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Team Bummer has crafted a brand that resonates with the young at heart and comfort first consumer in a rapidly evolving domain: the underwear and loungewear space. Bummer is disrupting the longstanding monopoly held by a handful of players in the mens underwear Category. We believe that Bummers innovative approach, coupled with its quality products and edgy new-age design is perfectly positioned to capture the Gen-Z market. With our first investment from the GCCF fund, we look forward to supporting brands that actively shape the future of their respective industries.

Vijay Subramaniam, Founder and Group CEO of Collective Artists Network, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating At Collective Artists Network, we are committed to being the torchbearers of pop culture in India. Bummers approach resonates harmoniously with our ethos, and we firmly believe that the creator economy is poised for explosive growth. We are enthusiastic about contributing to their narrative in the consumer space and shaping the future landscape of creative expression. With the newly secured funds, Bummer is ready for an exciting phase of growth, furthering its mission to provide comfortable, sustainable, and fashionable choices to its audiences. About Bummer: Bummer, founded in 2020 by Sulay Lavsi, is a game-changer in the Indian innerwear industry featured on Shark Tank India - Season 1, this D2C startup redefines innerwear with ultra-soft, eco-conscious comfort wear. Crafted from BeechWood Trees' micro modal fiber, Bummer blends comfort, durability, and style. Breaking industry norms, it embraces bold prints and a vibrant online presence. Embrace Bummer  where comfort meets creativity, challenging norms and celebrating individuality.
It was in July 2023 that Lenovo India had launched a new video series, called Brave New Art, which explored the convergence of traditional analog art and digital technology. In collaboration with Intel, the series featured renowned artists who use Lenovo Yoga laptops to create immersive and innovative works of art.

Now, Lenovo is back with Season 2 of the branded video series, Brave New Art 2.0. According to FCB Kinnect, which has conceptualised this series, Season 2 has the singular promise of being braver, which shines through every aspect  from the diverse art mediums and edgy artists to storytelling, production, and the awe-inspiring final result.

In an exclusive interaction with Adgully, Chandrika Jain, Marketing Director, Lenovo India, elaborates on the objectives of the video series Brave New Art, its alignment with the companys broader marketing strategy, and insights gleaned from Season 1, engaging with young adults and Gen Z, the unique positioning in the market, and more.

What inspired Lenovo India to launch the Brave New Art video series, and what is the main objective behind this initiative?

This is Season 2 of Brave New Art. So, obviously, it is built on the success of Season 1, but the premise or the objective of why we did it hasnt changed. I have said this earlier as well, that we are in, what is called, the attention deficit economy and we are also part of what we call the creator economy.

And then we have a product like Yoga, which is a perfect fit for this economy. So, when you have about 116 million Gen Z users today, who are constantly creating content, 9 hours of content every day, and who are constantly creating and using and consuming content, one wants to step back and say, how do you appeal to this Gen Z audience? And in a way that is authentic, interesting and genuinely engages the audience, to be able to tell them about the Yoga device and what Yoga can do for them. Thats how Brave New Art was born right.

We are only building on that idea to make it even better. Or, if I may say, even braver.

Could you elaborate on the marketing strategies that Lenovo India plans to implement to promote the Brave New Art video series, considering the convergence of traditional analog art and digital technology? And what is the media mix employed, agency involved in the making of this series?

Brave New Art is about converging analog or traditional art, as one calls it, with digital technology. From a marketing strategy standpoint, Ill have to step back and tell you that the audience continues to remain the Gen Z audience for us, or what we call the creator audience loosely.

Yoga is a device that can take inspiration from expression. So, keeping those two in mind, we said, if its the Gen Z audience and creators who we want to go after, the entire media mix was social media that weve used extensively. We have also used YouTube, which is a medium where all the content has been put out, as well as OTT, which is something that we dabbled with in Season 1.

Season 1 was hugely successful on Hotstar, and weve continued that in Season 2 as well, where we have been seeing some great results already. We have reached over 3 million people in Season 2 so far. We have over 40 million views on the content already across different platforms. I would say that it is a fairly successful mix. We worked with FCB Kinnect for Brave New Art Season 2.

Could you share insights into the target audience for the Brave New Art campaign?

It is largely the Gen Z audience that were going after. So, in terms of age group, it is still slightly broader. I wouldnt say that the creator audience is very narrow, but the Gen Z audience or the creator audience is who are of interest to us with this campaign and for this product.

In alignment with the Brave Goes Braver theme, what are Lenovos overarching brand and marketing goals for this year, especially in the context of the video series and its creative concepts?

Brave New Art is a concept developed for Yoga. It is not an overarching concept for Lenovo and Lenovos marketing, but it is largely for Yoga, where we want to take Yoga with the creator audience. What weve done this time around with the content is that we have brought in things like 3D, AI, and have embedded that with a lot of art forms to we take it to a new space. And of course, in all this, show people what Yoga is capable of.

For example, we have four different artists whove been used in the campaign this time. They are Gopika Sukumar, who is a Kalari artist. This is an art form that comes from the South. We merged that with Vinod Hegde, who is a tilt brush artist, and we brought them both together. So, if we were to replace the sword with the tilt brush, what kind of art can come off it and what can we do with that art? That made for an extremely interesting piece of content. We took that further out and made it even braver.

How is this going to influence the marketing content for Lenovo? I think weve tasted success. Weve always known that good content reaches out to the right people in the right way, and weve seen that success with Brave New Art, and bringing in these different influencers who have a certain style of content and serving that up to our audience has taught us more. So definitely, this is something that we want to continue doing in various forms and shapes in a way that matches our products and what we want to bring to our audience a lot more.

We brought together Siddhant Gandhi, a digital artist, and Madhav Goli, an AI artist, which is my favourite in this series. The banter between these two artists to create a museum for people 500 years from today, is a really interesting one  what will it look like, what could the culture be 500 years ahead, what would people eat then, how would they dress up, what would the world around us look like in the future?

It is an extremely interesting piece of work, and definitely got braver. I loved how the content played out.

How do you see the integration of technology and art contributing to Lenovos overall brand positioning and identity?

We are a tech company, there is just no other way. Art is one way for us to express ourselves. And technology, I believe, is a great enabler.

So, it is for me to pick up various instances in culture  art being one of them  which helps us make the point of how technology can enable you and democratise you to do what you do, and do it better. This involves enabling things like AR, VR, or bringing up features like OLED or AI and showing people how this can enable what they already do  whether thats in art or any other form of interest. It becomes easier because this is the best way to show people what technology is capable of doing.
The programmatic advertising landscape is about to get a whole lot more crowded. Amazon, the retail titan, is setting its sights on this multi-billion dollar industry, and its entry is no small shakeup. While established giants like Google and Facebook hold significant sway, Amazon brings a unique set of advantages: a treasure trove of user data, a comprehensive view of the consumer journey, and a relentless focus on innovation. But is Amazon's programmatic push a recipe for disruption and progress, or a cause for concern about competition and privacy? Lets explore the potential impact of Amazon's programmatic ambitions, examining both the exciting possibilities and the challenges that lie ahead.

Will it reshape the ecosystem?

Amazon isn't just another player  it's a retail behemoth with a unique advantage: a complete view of the buyer's journey, from browsing to purchase. This raises a fascinating question: will Amazon revolutionize ad targeting, or will its dominance raise concerns about privacy and competition?

With Amazon's formidable presence in both retail and advertising, how can we envision its entry into programmatic advertising reshaping the landscape, particularly in comparison to established players like Google and Facebook?

Caitlin Borgman, Chief Commercial Officer, ID5, asserts that Amazons entry into the programmatic space could significantly diversify the advertising ecosystem. According to her, compared to some of the other big players, Amazon has the most comprehensive back to front end solution. But Google and Meta still have a stranglehold on the industry; so Amazon must be strategic as they enter this space.

If the goal of advertising is to sell, then Amazon Ads is in a great position. Amazon has access to transaction data which allows them to support both sides of the advertising equation. Consider the fact that both brands and publishers use AWS for web hosting as well as Amazon Retail for consumer transactions. These numerous and critical connections with buyers and sellers make Amazon the best equipped platform to connect hosted data with ad targeting and sales measurement. So its not surprising that Amazon Ads has been its fastest growing business unit even though its relatively small compared to AWS or Amazon Retail. This isn't a bad thing; this just means there is more room for growth. Itll be interesting to see the impact theyll have on newer channels like audio (Audible) and CTV (Amazon Video), says Borgman.

In the realm of digital advertising, Google and Facebook have long been the go-to platforms for accessing high-intent signals at scale, earning trust as the largest and most reliable sources, points out Raj Swaminathan, Senior Director - Revenues and New Initiatives, Globale Media.

However, Swaminathan adds, the landscape shifted dramatically with the rise of e-commerce and the unparalleled growth of online and in-app purchasing spearheaded by Amazon. He points out that Amazon has emerged as a formidable third-largest source of high-intent data, introducing a significant transition from probabilistic to deterministic data.

This transition brought sharper categorization cohorts and a heightened emphasis on ROI and ROAS. Additionally, Amazon's impact extended to providing full-funnel visibility for advertisers and agencies, enabling comprehensive measurement of campaign effectiveness across all stages. This evolution marked a departure from the previous "Spray & Pray" approach, allowing advertisers to sharpen their targeting efforts not only within core product categories but also adjacent product categories. Ultimately, Amazon's entry into the advertising arena has reshaped the landscape, offering advertisers unparalleled value by delivering deterministic signals and refining targeting capabilities, says Swaminathan.

Transparency and efficiency

Amazon has been vocal about the need for greater transparency and efficiency in the programmatic advertising ecosystem. How will their efforts influence industry standards in areas such as data privacy, auction mechanics, fee structures, and overall programmatic ad space?

Its tough to say, says Caitlin Borgman. She points out that Amazon has a relatively closed ecosystem which allows them to control the system within their own walls.

Amazons influence will continue to grow as they increase their dominance and open up their system to more third-party players. The other side of the coin is Amazon will also open itself up to more criticism and regulator involvement. When it comes to fee structures, Amazon faced backlash in the past when it came to seller fees. So there are some checks and balances in place. When looking at the data privacy landscape, the past few years weve seen big tech players move into a de-facto regulator role. In some cases this has been beneficial in bypassing governmental bureaucracy to drive positive change. In other instances it has slanted the playing field and isnt always best for consumers or small businesses, Borgman says.

She adds that when it comes to privacy decisions that truly have consumer interests at heart these decisions should be made with input from big and small players including watch dogs, industry councils, and government officials.

Raj Swaminathan reckons that transparency has become a pivotal focus in the industry, with Amazon and other major platforms capitalizing on its significance.

Across the board, initiatives are being spearheaded to address critical issues surrounding privacy, sustainability, and measurement, and Amazon is no exception. Efforts are underway to enhance the visibility of sources, publishers, and viewability while integrating with third-party trackers and implementing robust verification and fraud protection mechanisms. Amazon stands out by ensuring the compatibility of its DSP with leading measurement tools like Moat, Double Verify, and IAS, providing advertisers and agencies with comprehensive transparency and control. Moreover, Amazon maintains transparency by openly communicating platform changes and equipping advertisers with a console that offers advanced features, reinforcing trust and confidence in the platform, states Swaminathan.

Supply chain dynamics

One of Amazon's strengths lies in its ability to offer integrated solutions across various business functions. How might their involvement in programmatic advertising transform the advertising supply chain and empower brands with greater control and efficiency?

Raj Swaminathan points out that the crux of supply chain dynamics lies in the audience it caters to, and Amazon excels in precisely this aspect.

With a user base exceeding 300 million in a country boasting 1.4 billion inhabitants, Amazon taps into a significant segment of the population with considerable disposable income and purchasing power. This vast audience base is the cornerstone of Amazon's success, setting it apart from its counterparts such as Google and Facebook. Advertisers are increasingly recognizing the value Amazon offers, leading to a significant shift in advertising budgets from Google and Facebook to Amazon, both globally and in India. The allure lies in Amazon's unparalleled full-funnel visibility and insights, extending to the lower end of the funnel. This depth of insights, ranging from marketplace visits to scanned products to added to cart to product purchases and beyond, represents a goldmine for advertisers, positioning Amazon as a transformative force in the advertising landscape, with other e-commerce and quick commerce platforms following suit, he explains.

Caitlin Borgman points out that Amazons involvement in programmatic advertising could streamline the advertising supply chain. Some of the ways brands could benefit from this move would be greater control over campaigns and the ability to leverage Amazons rich data capabilities. This could potentially open the door for greater cross-channel advertising across web properties, in-app gaming, and advanced TV.

Any advancements?

Given Amazon's reputation for innovation and technological prowess, what kind of advancements do you anticipate in programmatic advertising as a result of their involvement, particularly in terms of ad formats, targeting capabilities, and measurement metrics?

Again, Caitlin Borgman expects Amazon to keep their cards close to their chest during the development process. Looking at their past initiatives and current data capabilities I would say we can expect a high quality and well thought-out rollout. Itll be interesting to see what they bring to the table when it comes to measurement as this is something that the entire advertising industry has been calling for.

The driving force behind many advancements in advertising technology lies in AI and ML, albeit considered a cliche, observes Raj Swaminathan.

He adds that among the most significant innovations is the predictive model, which harnesses AI and ML capabilities to forecast user behavior accurately. This model, according to Swaminathan, predicts not only what users are likely to purchase but also when and how they intend to make their purchase, enabling advertisers to strategically target their audience with timely ads and increase conversions.

Additionally, automation plays a pivotal role in streamlining mundane tasks, facilitated by AI and ML technologies. Generative AI, in particular, automates the creation of assets, including creatives and copywriting, while also adapting messaging to cater to custom user segments. This automation not only enhances efficiency but also ensures personalized targeting, optimizing advertising campaigns for maximum impact, says Swaminathan.

Potential challenges

Well, Amazon's entry into programmatic advertising might bring opportunities for increased competition and choice. But then there are potential challenges, especially regarding antitrust concerns, data privacy issues, and transparency within the ecosystem.

Antitrust and privacy concerns have long plagued all platforms, including the industry giants known as the BIG 3, says Raj Swaminathan. These issues, according to him, are nothing new to anyone involved in the digital landscape.

What remains a pressing challenge is the ongoing effort to mitigate the impact of these concerns and utilize data transparently and equitably. Users, in particular, harbour apprehensions regarding the use of their data, leading to the reluctance to accept third-party cookies and advocating for their discontinuation. Users remain largely unaware of how their data is being utilized, and there are concerns about potential abuse or manipulation. Consequently, user consent becomes paramount, driving the growing prominence of First Party data. The effective management of these privacy challenges will pose a significant test for each platform moving forward, he explains.

Amazon has had its fair share of privacy and antitrust issues in the past, says Caitlin Borgman.

If theyve learned their lesson from these past challenges then itll be smooth sailing. One way they can avoid antitrust violations is by continuing to collaborate with some of the smaller industry players. Unfortunately due to Amazons size and sheer dominance across e-commerce platforms it will continue to be a big target, concludes Borgman.
TEHRAN, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran said on Monday the negotiations on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal and removal of the sanctions on the country could soon be concluded if the other party in the talks had the necessary will.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani made the remarks at a weekly press conference in Tehran while commenting on the latest developments in the "sanctions removal talks" between Tehran and world powers.

Kanaani stressed that Iran was committed to the negotiating table and maintained that "if the other party has the necessary political will, the conducted negotiations can be concluded in the shortest time possible, so that all sides, especially those that had unilaterally refrained from fulfilling their obligations, return to their commitments within the deal's framework."

Reacting to recent remarks by the United States about Iran's nuclear program, he stressed that Tehran was cooperating completely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and collaborations between the two sides were continuing to answer a number of questions and resolve certain ambiguities about the country's nuclear program.

Kanaani said Iran's "peaceful" nuclear program was progressing within the framework of the country's rights and obligations stipulated under the safeguards agreement with the IAEA.

In a recent statement at a quarterly meeting of the IAEA's Board of Governors, the United States called on Iran to "dilute all the uranium it has enriched to up to 60 percent purity," which Washington says is "close to the weapons-grade level of roughly 90 percent."

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for removing sanctions on the country. The United States, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments.

The talks on the revival of the JCPOA began in April 2021 in Vienna, Austria. Despite several rounds of talks, no significant breakthrough has been achieved since the end of the last round in August 2022. 
The electoral bonds were introduced with the Finance Bill (2017). On January 29, 2018 the Narendra Modi-led NDA government notified the Electoral Bond Scheme 2018. The bonds will be issued in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 100,000 and Rs 1 crore (the range of a bond is between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1 crore). These will be available at some branches of SBI. A donor with a KYC-compliant account can purchase the bonds and can then donate them to the party or individual of their choice. Now, the receiver can encash the bonds through the partys verified account. The electoral bond will be valid only for fifteen days. The electoral bonds will not bear the name of the donor. Thus, the political party might not be aware of the donors identity.

Today, the Supreme Court rejected the State Bank of India (SBI)s request for an extension of time until June 30 to disclose the information on the purchase and redemption of electoral bonds to the Electoral Commission of India (ECI) and asked it to furnish the details before the end of business hours on March 12. SBI is directed to disclose the details by the close of business hours of March 12, 2024.

A five-judge Constitution Bench presided by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, which went into the aspects of the electoral bonds scheme, said that the submissions of SBI indicate that the information which was directed to be disclosed is readily available with the bank and therefore there was no reason for further extension as sought for.

BJP is the most powerful and richest party in the present time. The political donation decreases the allocation income of the company. So, such payment without approval by the general meeting is illegal. Political parties get huge donations but there is no accountability. The corporate wants the political donation to be kept a secret. All these secret deals are hidden corruptions. In the recent past the RBI and EC had raised red flags pointing out the legality of the scheme. Still the government proceeded with the scheme and got the nod of the parliament in the form of a money bill which again is unlawful. The opposition did not object to such a scam because they were finding some benefits for themselves.

The beneficiary of 95% electoral bonds is the ruling party. Any scheme which provides undue advantage to one political party that too to the ruling party is corruption. The media houses are already in the hands of political and business mafias. A corporate who acts as the patrons of ruling party privilege wont raise any objection on such issues. As media and opposition do not take up the issue in the public domain the people are mostly unaware of the murkiness of the electoral bonds. The electoral bonds have all the features required to transform it into a major scam or corruption scandal.

An electoral bond is like a promissory note that can be bought by any Indian citizen or company incorporated in India from select branches of State Bank of India. The citizen or corporate can then donate the same to any eligible political party of his/her choice. The bonds are similar to bank notes that are payable to the bearer on demand and are free of interest. An individual or party will be allowed to purchase these bonds digitally or through cheque.

SBI says that both of these sets of sealed covers are kept as they are, and that it did not try to track who donated to which party by opening the envelopes. In other words, these two sets of envelopes represent two silos of information that have not been matched with each other. The Supreme Court, however, has asked SBI to do exactly that  come up with details of who donated to which party and how much.
Lee and Aletta Williamson enrolled their adopted son at Heritage Preschool, a private Christian daycare in Homewood, with hopes that he would spend his formative years in a safe and nurturing environment.

But last summer, the Williamsons started noticing a troubling pattern: Their two-year-old, who was the only Black student in his class at the time, was coming home with dozens of discipline reports. Officials later expelled the boy, leaving them with few options for childcare, they said.

The Williamsons sued the preschools Homewood location and its parent company, Heritage Preschools, LLC, in February. The lawsuit claims Heritage employees racially discriminated against their son, who is biracial and African American, and retaliated against the family for bringing up concerns with administrators.

Gods word is about unconditional love, Aletta Williiamson told AL.com. And let me just tell you that what (our son) experienced was anything but unconditional.

Their child, who is named JW in the suit, had hardly ever gotten in trouble at Heritage since he enrolled in 2021, the Williamsons said. But after he was promoted to the two-year-old classroom in May 2023, they started receiving multiple discipline complaints from his teacher, who is identified in the suit as Caroline Harmon.

Preschool incident reports are typically used to document biting and other serious offenses. But the teacher, who is white, singled their son out for typical two-year-old behavior, like sitting under a desk, they said.

Within one three-week period, the suit alleged, the teacher filed about 30 write-ups regarding JWs behavior.

These are small boys, these are literal children, Artur Davis, the Williamsons attorney, told AL.com, noting that his legal team has received additional reports from other Black families at the school of discriminatory behavior.

When you take on the role of educating and training preschool children, youre assuming a difficult task and responsibility, he added. We understand that. But when you exercise your authority one way for little white children, and you exercise your authority another way for little Black children, particularly Black boys, thats a violation of the law.

Heritage Preschools has accepted a summons to appear in court but has not yet responded to the Williamsons complaint.

In a statement to AL.com, Heritage CEO Larry Vann said the preschool adamantly denies the allegations.

Heritage Preschools has very high standards that we hold ourselves to. We take these allegations very seriously, the statement read. We are looking forward to the opportunity to refute the allegations contained in this filing, which is currently being addressed by our attorneys. We do not comment on pending litigation, however, we adamantly deny these allegations and we are looking forward to vindicating ourselves in the court of law.

Timeline of events

Aletta Williamson said she often saw other students misbehavior go unaddressed on visits to the school. JW eventually became reluctant to attend class, and would often hide behind his parents legs when the teacher was present, the suit alleges.

According to the suit, an assistant teacher secretly shared with the Williamsons that she was troubled by the head teachers behavior, and confirmed that their son wasnt behaving in a manner that was unlike any of his classmates.

Officials denied a number of the familys requests  including to review video footage and receive an evaluation from an occupational therapist  and ultimately recommended placing JW on a four-week behavior plan, which the Williamsons likened to the pre-school equivalent of probation.

Requests to put JW in another classroom didnt go anywhere, and the writeups continued, they said.

According to the suit, the Williamsons were eventually told that the school had to remove their child because he was a safety threat to adults. Officials gave the family two weeks to come up with an alternative childcare plan, they said.

At that point, we took a breath and looked at one another and we just expressed to them that we didnt feel that he was treated fairly, Lee Williamson told AL.com.

The Williamsons said they felt their son was targeted, and notified officials that they were planning to file a civil rights complaint and had told lawyers about their situation.

Later that day, they received an email that, due to the threat of legal action, JW would be disenrolled immediately.

You dont know what it felt like to hear them tell us that our job is to keep our teachers safe and the other children safe, Aletta Williamson said. Hes a baby. He is a baby.

Exempt from licensure

In 2023, a CBS 42 investigation uncovered multiple complaints of alleged discrimination and abuse at Heritages Hoover location. Heritage serves six locations across Alabama, including Homewood, Pelham, Trussville, Hoover, Liberty Park and Huntsville.

Briana Merriweather, who is African American, told the station that her three-year-old son was ultimately expelled from the school after he was portrayed as a violent Black child while white students were given a second chance.

There was no ministry, she told CBS. Theyre not doing what they say they do.

The Williamsons lawyers cited Merriweather in the suit, along with another Black Hoover parent, who removed her son from the school after she learned that he was forced to sit in soiled diapers for an unknown amount of time, the suit claims.

Attorneys said Heritage administration has failed to take steps to address alleged discrimination across its campuses  and they believe their status as private, religious centers may play a part.

According to the Alabama Department of Human Resources, all six of Heritages preschools are listed as exempt from licensure, which means that they arent subject to regular inspection.

But private institutions arent immune to federal civil rights law. In the Williamson suit, attorneys are citing a little-known but powerful statute called Section 1981, which prevents discrimination in any economic relationship  including tuition.

Not only is this a really important case for vindicating the rights of Aletta, Lee and JW, but we also think that this could create good precedent that would stop discrimination at other private preschools and schools, said Alexandra Brodsky, a senior attorney at Public Justice, a national legal advocacy organization that is also representing the Williamsons.

Months after their sons expulsion, the Williamsons are still struggling to find a daycare that can accept their 2-year-old son. And the family is worried about the long term impacts this could have on JW down the line.

Hes going to want to know what happened, and how do you prepare to tell your child that he wasnt worthy? Aletta Williamson said.

That they didnt believe he was worthy of the same grace, or that he wasnt worthy of the same care  that he wasnt worthy of the same opportunity to be able to succeed like other children, the white children that were in the classroom?
Jimmy Kimmel mocks Republican Katie Britt during the Academy Award opening:



Emma played an adult woman with the brain of a child like the lady that gave the rebuttal to the State of the Union on Thursday night. pic.twitter.com/xp3P7pX3BW  Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) March 10, 2024

It didnt take long for Jimmy Kimmel to get political Sunday night as the host of the 96th annual Academy Awards.

The Oscars host wasted little time taking on Alabama senator Katie Britts Republican response to President Joe Bidens State of the Union address last week.

Kimmel pointed out Emma Stone, who is nominated for best actress for her role in Poor Things.

Emma played an adult woman with the brain of a child like the lady that gave the rebuttal to the State of the Union on Thursday night, Kimmel quipped.

There was immediate reaction on social media:

@jimmykimmel You just called Katie Britt a woman with no brain, so will not watch the Oscars. Katie Britt is class act unlike you.  Curtis Richard Hannay (@50RealAmerican) March 10, 2024

Jimmy Kimmel with a flawless victory with that Katie Britt joke. Perfection. #Oscars  Jennifer (@Draven1683) March 10, 2024

Jimmy Kimmel killed it. I love it. I knew he was going to rip Katie Britt   Eddie (@eddieb2) March 10, 2024

LOL. Jimmy Kimmel mocked Stepford wife Katie Britt at the #Oscars2024 pic.twitter.com/vbhWvp0dpm  Island Girl - 100% Pro-Choice, Vote Blue (@bluepolitics_) March 10, 2024

Its been open season on Britt since her rebuttal, unleashing 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.

Robert De Niro called Britts acting in State of the Union rebuttal lame.

Britt defended her response to 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.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
Ali Mims is the new Miss Alabamas Teen.

The 16-year-old from Shelby County was crowned on Sunday at Thompson High School in Alabaster. She competed as Miss Hoovers Teen, besting 37 other contestants for the state title.

Mims will start a yearlong reign and move on to represent Alabama at Miss Americas Teen, the national competition linked to Miss America. Hanley House of North Carolina is the current Miss Americas Teen.

Mims takes over the role of Miss Alabamas Teen from Elaina Burt of Birmingham, the 2023 winner. Burt crowned her successor on Sunday at the high schools performing arts center and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

Mims attends Chelsea High School and lives in Harpersville. She performed a soprano aria during the talent competition on Sunday, singing O Mio Babbino Caro (Oh, my Dear Papa) from Giacomo Puccinis 1918 opera Gianni Schicchi.

Mims also participated in physical fitness and evening wear segments during the finals, answered on-stage questions and discussed her philanthropic platform (called a social initiative by the Miss Alabama organization). Its the Joyful Noise Foundation: Music Education for the Special Needs Community, and raises money to put musical instruments in special needs classes.

When asked on stage what it would mean to her to hold the title of Miss Alabamas Teen, Mims said she was inspired by the contestants who came before her, and therefore wanted to be a role model for future contestants.

Its my turn to be able to give back to this organization that has genuinely given so much to me, Mims said, but also to inspire girls sitting in the audience right now so that someday, they too can fulfill their dreams of being on stage, just like I am.

As the winner of Miss Alabamas Teen, Mims will receive $7,500 in scholarship money and her choice of tuition scholarships to schools such as the University of Alabama, Auburn University, the University of Montevallo, Troy University or the University of North Alabama.

Ali Mims performs in the talent competition during the 2024 Miss Alabamas Teen competition at Thompson High School, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Tamika Moore/AL.com) AL.com

Addison Shoemaker was named first runner-up on Sunday. Evie Smith was second runner-up, taking third place. Megan Kent was third runner-up (fourth place). Katherine Grigsby rounded out the top five. All of them will receive scholarship money ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.

Before the pageant finals on Sunday, contestants for Miss Alabamas Teen participated in preliminary events and had off-stage interviews with the judges. The judges for 2024 were Jessica Baeder (a former winner of Miss Alabamas Teen and Miss Americas Teen), Brianna Broady, Tresa Hardin, Beth Mobilian and Barry Moody. Brianna Burrell, Miss Alabama 2023, was the emcee for the finals event.

READ MORE: Miss Alabamas Teen 2024: Meet 38 teens competing for the crown

Miss Alabamas Teen was founded in 2003 as Miss Alabamas Outstanding Teen and has crowned 23 winners to date. (The name of the competition was changed in 2023, dropping the word Outstanding to make it simpler and more concise.) See photos of the previous winners of Miss Alabamas Teen in the gallery below.
Fire swept through an east Birmingham home Sunday evening, leaving one person dead.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office on Monday identified the victim as Randy Kyle Holland. He was 60.

Birmingham firefighters from East Lake and Avondale were dispatched at 6:16 p.m. to a house fire at 6015 Fifth Ave. South.

They arrived to find flames coming from the single-story home, said Battalion Chief Clay Hendon. Part of the roof had already collapsed.

Crews had been told there was possibly someone inside. Hendon said firefighters worked to get the fire under control so they could search the house for the person reported to be trapped.

The search found Holland inside in the part of the house that was heavily involved when firefighters arrived. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 7:51 p.m.

Hendon said the cause of the blaze is under investigation.
A Bayou La Batre woman was killed when she was struck by a vehicle Sunday afternoon, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said Monday.

The incident occurred just after 2 p.m. Sunday on Padgett Switch Road near Alabama 188, inside the Bayou La Batre city limits, when 42-year-old Dessiree S. Hovel was struck by a 2006 Lexus RX400H driven by 85-year-old Daniel S. Taylor of Irvington.

According to ALEA, Taylors vehicle had left the roadway when it struck Hovel, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

No charges have been filed as ALEA continues to investigate the incident.
Its been seven years since the fallout of the controversial Comic Cowboys parade on Fat Tuesday sparked intense reaction over racist signs, leading to some high-profile resignations and an apology from one of Mobiles oldest Mardi Gras organizations.

The controversy will return, once again, on Tuesday when the Mobile City Council will hear renewed complaints about the Comic Cowboys floats. Four people are signed up to speak out against one of the float displays and its portrayal of someone being struck and killed with a Taser by a Mobile police officer.

Our concern is with the float of someone being tased to death by police, said the Rev. Tonny Algood, a community activist and former director with United Methodist Inner City Mission in Mobile. I thought that was very insensitive, especially to family members who have sons and daughters tased by police and especially to the ones who have died recently at the hands of police.

A representative with the Comic Cowboys could not be immediately reached. The secretive parading society, which is 140 years old, rolls its annual Mardi Gras parade with controversial signage on display placards under the longtime guise, Without Malice.

The groups barbs are typically aimed at political figures and public issues on a national, state, and local level.

Algood said he hopes city officials will make a public statement condemning the signage almost one month after the Fat Tuesday parades rolled through downtown Mobile. This is the first time there has been public concern over any of the float displays during this years Comic Cowboys parade.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpsons office did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

It would carry some influence and weight if they speak out against this, said Algood. Silence out of this situation means consent, as far as Im concerned. That goes for our whole community. People in other positions, and elected officials, if they spoke out against it, Im sure it would have an influence.

The controversial sign ties to an issue that is the subject of a federal lawsuit against the city, stemming from the July 2 death of 36-year-old Jawan Dallas during an encounter with two Mobile police officers in Theodore.

Dallas was hit with a Taser stun gun during the encounter, which attorneys for his family claim was the reason for his death. Authorities have since said that underlying medical conditions, and not Tasing, was the cause of death.

For months, the Dallas family and community activists protested at Mobile City Council meetings and elsewhere over the lack of releasing police-worn body camera footage of the altercation with police. The family and their attorneys were able to eventually review the footage, but it has never been released to the public.

The Comic Cowboys float, next to a person being stunned read, MPD finally releases BODY CAM footage with SHOCKING RESULTS.

John Burris, a civil rights attorney in Oakland, Calif., accused police in December of misusing the weapon that is supposed to be non-lethal, while calling its deployer on Dallas as murder. The Mobile County District Attorneys Office said in November that it is not pursuing legal charges against the officers involved in the altercation.

Dallas death has been compared to George Floyd, the Black man whose killing in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis ignited protests across the country over police brutality and racial injustice.

How would we feel if I had a son or daughter and they had been tased to death by police, and they saw that? Algood said about the Comic Cowboys display. Its pretty devastating.

The Comic Cowboys had other floats that took on crime in Mobile.

The Comic Cowboys are seen parading through downtown Mobile, Ala., on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024.Michael Dumas Image Arts

One of the floats read, Mobile finishes second in crime in 2023. Aiming for the top spot in 2024. That float references a widely disputed rankings from online groups that list Mobile and Birmingham as among the Most Dangerous cities.

Another float has a sign that says, If Mobile doesnt stop killing people, Sandy is gonna have to ANNEX again. That sign connects crime to last years vote in West Mobile to annex nearly 20,000 residents into the city, bolstering the citys population to over 200,000 residents.

One float had a sign that inaccurately went after the MoonPie Over Mobile event, for the second year in a row. The sign read, In TIMES SQUARE theyre doing SHOTS. In BIENVILLE SQUARE theyre GETTING shot. That float references shootings that occurred over the past two New Years Eve gatherings in downtown Mobile, although neither incident occurred within Bienville Square where the MoonPie Over Mobile celebration takes place. During the 2023 parade, the group took a dig at the MoonPie event with the image of bullet holes on a target with the inscription, Mobiles New MOON PIE DROP.

Controversy surrounding the parade is nothing new and has existed for many years. But in 2017, there was a political fallout from that years parade which featured a chorus of critics who viewed the placards were overtly disparaging toward Blacks and women and belittling to the city of Prichard.

Among the most talked-about display during the 2017 parade was a sign showing a Black man running with a TV, accompanied with the saying, BLACK LIVES MATTER DEMANDS JUSTICE But it seems it will settle for BIG SCREEN TVs.

Shortly after that years parade, Stimpson announced his resignation from the group. Also, City Councilman Joel Daves, who had been with the Comic Cowboys for 20 years, also resigned.

The group, in a letter to former Councilman Fred Richardson, vowed that in the future, it would cease from comments which may be hurtful to our citizens while taking everyones feelings into consideration.

The council, at the time, said they had no ability to regulate the Cowboys freedom of expression. Richardson, at the time, had hoped the group would consider laying off two specific topics: portraying gun violence and the victims of gun violence to humorous effect, and depicting women being assaulted.

The Comic Cowboys parade through downtown Mobile, Ala., on Fat Tuesday on Feb. 25, 2020.

The 2020 parade also drew criticism after the groups signs targeted Boeing and the companys struggles with the 737 Max airline following tragic plane crashes in 2018 and 2019.

The signage drew outrage on social media, and prompted Airbus  Boeings chief rival, with its largest North American manufacturing operation in Mobile  to release a statement that the Comic Cowboys had no affiliation with the company, and their messaging did not reflect Airbus values.
Palestinians in Gaza observe joyless Ramadan under shadow of bloodshed

Xinhua) 09:22, March 11, 2024

People shop at a market ahead of Ramadan in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on March 10, 2024. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Amina Al-Ashi, a mother of six in the Gaza Strip, has never been as scared of a holiday as she is ahead of this Ramadan.

For millions of starving Palestinians like her, the raging Israel-Hamas conflict and bloodshed seem to render any thought of festivity utterly absurd.

"Last year, on days like these, I was busy hanging Ramadan decorations and preparing for suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and breakfast for several days," the 44-year-old woman recalled.

Ramadan is scheduled to begin on Monday for Palestinians, but Al-Ashi was not even in the mood to welcome the Muslim holy month.

"My children and I starve most of the time due to lack of food. I do not know how to encourage them to fast when they only find the slightest amount of food," she lamented, referring to practices of Islamic traditions during the holy month.

People shop at a market ahead of Ramadan in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on March 10, 2024. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

The nightmare started months ago when heavy Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City took away her job and all her property and shattered her peaceful life.

Before Oct. 7, 2023, Al-Ashi had lived in her own house in the al-Rimal neighborhood in central Gaza City and worked in a women's clothing store.

But after the conflict broke out on that day, she was forced to flee again and again, first to the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, then to the city of Khan Younis, and finally to the southernmost city of Rafah, where she lived in a makeshift tent near the border with Egypt.

Recalling all the joyful moments in Ramadan in previous years, the thin woman said she "began to wish that it would not come this year as there is no food or any other aspect of celebration."

"Even the canned goods that we are supposed to receive as aid are stolen and sold in local markets at exorbitant prices, which I cannot afford," she said.

A woman makes bread at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 8, 2024. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Social order is collapsing in Gaza as millions of desperate Palestinians struggle to make a living amid heavy Israeli strikes, paralysis in public services, and overwhelming humanitarian needs.

Al-Ashi stressed that she does not intend to celebrate Ramadan or even encourage her children to fast for fear that their health will deteriorate if they become malnourished and dehydrated.

In addition, she does not want to see any decorations related to Ramadan anywhere in Gaza, believing that "everyone here is dying without any mercy."

Not far, Emtethal Abu Ramadan has lived with her family in a tent set up by herself shortly after the conflict began. In recent days, she has been preparing Ramadan decorations from scratch. Despite the difficult circumstances, the woman wants to show the grit of Palestinians.

"For more than five months, we have been living in an atmosphere of fear due to the continuous Israeli bombing and destruction of our city ... but we (the Palestinians) want to prove to the world that we are a people who love life even under these tragic circumstances," the 33-year-old mother of three told Xinhua.

The young woman made Ramadan lanterns from cardboard while putting small light bulbs inside them to create a joyful atmosphere for her children in the tent.

"Even on such days, we must remember that life is worth fighting for ... Despite all the pain and sadness that we are experiencing, we can rebuild our homes and city as long as we remain alive," the woman said.

People shop at a market ahead of Ramadan in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 10, 2024. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

In Rafah, hundreds of street vendors touted goods on small stands, trying to make some money before the holy month.

But Abdul Qader Al-Buhaisi felt the pinch of skyrocketing goods prices in the market, saying he would barely be able to buy small amounts of food to prepare even a breakfast for his family on the first day of Ramadan.

"I did not find any type of meat except canned meat, which is sold at prices unaffordable for me," the 45-year-old father of five complained.

"Everyone is a loser ... No one, regardless of rich or poor, can bear the heavy losses of this war," he said, adding, "Warmongers are killing the desire for life within us."

People walk on a street with destroyed buildings in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 8, 2024. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

Israel has waged a large-scale military campaign in Gaza since Oct. 7 last year, right after Gaza-ruling Hamas carried out a surprise military attack on the Israeli towns adjacent to the strip, killing approximately 1,200 people and capturing more than 200 others.

So far, 31,045 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and 72,654 others injured, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

The Palestinians, as well as all Muslims around the world, are preparing to observe Ramadan amid hopes that Hamas and Israel will reach a humanitarian truce to restore calm to Gaza.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
UNITED NATIONS, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Monday called for the deployment of a multinational security force in Haiti as soon as possible.

In a press statement, the council members reiterated their deep concern over the security and humanitarian situation in Haiti and strongly condemned the continued destabilizing criminal activities of armed gangs.

Council members heard Kenya's briefing on the ongoing planning efforts on the deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission and the international pledges made to the mission. They expressed the expectation and hope for the deployment of the MSS mission to Haiti as soon as possible.

The Security Council adopted a resolution in October 2023 to authorize the multinational police force for Haiti. The resolution decides that the cost of implementing this temporary operation will be borne by voluntary contributions and support from individual UN member states and regional organizations.

The council members expressed concern about the limited progress in the political process in Haiti. They urged all political actors to engage constructively in meaningful negotiations to allow the holding of free and fair legislative and presidential elections and restoring democratic institutions as soon as possible.

They expressed grave concern at the illicit flow of arms and ammunition to Haiti, which remains a key factor of instability and violence. They reiterated their demand for UN member states to take the necessary measures to implement the arms embargo and called for further actions by the Security Council.

The council members urged the armed gangs to immediately cease their destabilizing actions. They reiterated the council's call for the perpetrators of these abhorrent acts to be brought to justice and emphasized the council's role in placing and enhancing sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for or complicit in actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of Haiti. 
Two Alabama law enforcement officers who didnt know each other are now forever connected after one saved the life of another.

Jefferson County sheriffs Lt. Mike House said God put it on his heart two years ago that he was to be a kidney donor. He didnt know when and he didnt know who, but he was sure it would happen one day.

Meanwhile, across town, Vestavia Hills police Cpl. Jerry Hughes was spending nine hours a day on dialysis after being diagnosed with renal failure, also a couple of years ago. His daughter turned to social media and local news in search of a kidney.

The two embarked on separate journeys that would land them in the same place at the same time  operating tables at UAB Hospital on Dec. 6, 2023.

In law enforcement, we have a lot of things we do spur of the moment, things that happen, things that we see, things that we have to respond to, House, 55, said. And we do what we have to do.

This was really no different, House said. Somebody needed something to live, and I was very lucky to be able to help with that.

The man saved my life, Hughes said. He gave me time with my family, time with my grandbabies.

He gave me my world back, Hughes said.

Vestavia Hills Police Cpl. Jerry Hughes(Contributed)

The Vestavia Hills Police Department is honoring House as tonights city council meeting.

House said when he was first called to be a kidney donor, he was not what a kidney donor looked like.

I was overweight, I was out of shape, Im middle aged, he said. It didnt make sense to me, but I knew that God doesnt make mistakes, so I knew thats the direction I needed to head.

House reached out to UABs transplant program and told them he wanted to be a donor. He was brought in for testing and, as expected, told he was overweight and out of shape, and didnt qualify to donate his kidney.

They confirmed what I already knew, he said.

It wasnt that he couldnt be a donor eventually, but he had some work to do. UAB gave him a list of benchmarks that he would need to accomplish first.

So, I started working hard on it. I ended up losing about 40 pounds, got in a lot better shape, started taking care of myself, he said. It took me a year to qualify.

Finally, House was ready.

Once I qualified, I didnt know who I was supposed to donate to so that was the next question, he said. I went on the general donor list and stayed on that.

One night, he and his wife were watching the local news on television and saw an interview with Hughes and his wife and daughter. The story focused on Hughes search for a donor.

I normally do not watch TV news. Its very rare that I do but we had it on, House said. Thats when God let me know thats what Id been working towards.

House reached out to his transplant coordinator and asked if he could be a donor for Hughes. Though he had already been through a lot of testing, House went back in for more tests.

Several days later, the coordinator called him back and said he did qualify to donate his kidney to Hughes. She asked him what he wanted to do.

I said, Lets go,' House said.

Jefferson County sheriff's Lt. Mike House(Contributed)

He had never met Hughes but connected with his story.

That story really, really touched my heart, House said. That could have been me.

Most law enforcement officers, we work two and three jobs, long hours, bad shifts, he said. A lot of us dont take care of ourselves the way we should.

Hughes story began when he went for a regular health screening in September 2021, which was required by the police department. It was then he learned his kidney function was low.

The 43-year-old was diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure, and put on peritoneal dialysis, which was something he could do at home. He was also put on light duty with the city.

Hughes did the dialysis for nine hours each night, and then tried to work during the day. Some days it would be tough to make it through a half day,' he said.

He said a patient can do peritoneal dialysis for about 10 years before the kidneys start to fail. After that would come hemodialysis, which could be done for about another eight to 10 years.

It was right before Thanksgiving 2023 when Hughes was notified he was getting a kidney.

The surgeries were then set for December.

Hughes and House didnt meet until two days after the surgery. Hughes did not even know his donor was also a law enforcement officer.

You always hear about a brotherhood in law enforcement, so to me it just came from a brother,' Hughes said. Its very special.

Were all willing to put our lives on the line,' he said, but Mike really stepped up to the plate.

I actually met his wife and family for the first time when I walked in to have surgery. Jerry had already gone back, House said. I didnt meet him until two days after surgery and we were both in recovery.

Knowing who he was but not knowing him, was interesting, House said. I really wanted to know him because we were connected at that point.

He was everything I though he would be and so much more, House said. Hes a wonderful dad, a wonderful husband and Im just honored to have been able to be a part of this.

House and Hughes have stayed in touch since the surgery. Just last week, both men and their wives went out to dinner, the first time all four had been together since the surgery.

Theyre just wonderful people, House said. Down to earth, fun to be around.

House said he is amazed at Hughes tenacity throughout his health struggles.

They faced it with courage and dedication, he said. They were going to do whatever it took to be healthy again.

He had the dedication to do whatever it took, House said. Jerry is my hero in all of this.

Sheriffs Capt. Cory Hardiman thinks House is a hero as well.

Most acts of courage, bravery and heroism take place in the heat of the moment, with little or no time for careful considerations of the potential risks we are accepting at the time, Hardiman said. This is most often how we measure a truly selfless act.

One person, choosing to place themselves in the path of danger to aid another is in my opinion, he said, is truly heroic and worthy of recognition.

House said accolades are not needed.

I wanted this be about Jerry getting a kidney I did not want this to be about me giving a kidney, House said. What I went through has been a journey, but it so much, pales in comparison to what Jerry and his family have gone through.

House marvels at the timing of it all.

It took me a good while to become eligible, he said. God got me on that path long before I knew Jerry existed.

Hughes agrees timing was everything.

It was a miracle to me,' he said. The Lord definitely had a hand in it.
Alabama lawmakers are bringing bills pushing back on pandemic-era provisions, from barring future mask mandates to making sure parents have the last say on vaccines.

Two bills, filed by first-term lawmaker Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, would prevent the government or state health officer from creating mask mandates. One bill limits that restriction to COVID-19, HB158, and the second includes all communicable diseases, HB9.

In my opinion, its not a science bill, said Colvin. If you want to wear a mask, wear a mask. It doesnt bother me. But I dont think its the governments place necessarily to tell us to do that, at least in government and public spaces.

Both bills include carveouts for medical and dental settings and for local detention facilities.

No governmental entity may implement, order, or otherwise impose a mandate requiring an individual to wear a face mask or other face covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19 or any variant of COVID-19, HB158 reads.

The Alabama Department of Public Health said it had no comment in response to the proposed legislation.

Colvin said he was frustrated by the mask mandates during the pandemic and had complaints from constituents about them once he took office.

Im not telling you not to wear one. I just dont think its the governments job to make you wear one, he said, adding that at times he wore a mask during the pandemic.

A third bill, filed by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Mobile, gives parents the right to decide whether their teenagers can be given vaccines.

Its not an anti-vaccine bill, but its a parental rights bill. And this just allows parents to have a say so in the medical care of their children, said Brown.

Currently state law allows minors over the age of 14 to make their own decisions about medical, mental health and dental treatment.

An unemancipated minor may not give consent to the administration of a vaccination for himself or herself without the written consent of a parent or legal guardian.

The bill, HB165, requires written consent from a parent or legal guardian for a minor to receive a vaccine.

Brown said his bill is meant to go beyond challenging concerns from the pandemic.

I knew of scenarios that have happened in the past involving, not just necessarily the COVID vaccines, but flu vaccines, where children have been given vaccines that the parents just werent aware of, he said.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has issued a statement about the controversial image reportedly taken by her husband, Prince William, last week and published on March 10.

Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing, the royal couple posted on their Twitter/X account. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mothers Day. The message was signed off C, indicating it came directly from Catherine.

The statement comes after four news agencies pulled the disputed image following Catherines unspecified abdominal surgery. On Monday morning, the Press Association -- the newswire most relied on by the Royal Family -- removed the photo from its service, following Reuters, the Associated Press and Agence France-Press doing so on Sunday night. According to the AP, PA reportedly asked Kensington Palace for clarification regarding the photograph but did not get an adequate response.

In the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service, the news image wire reportedly stated. PA is the most trusted source of official news relating to the Royal Family. Along with the BBC they were the first to break news of Queen Elizabeth IIs death in 2022 and were the only agency granted video access when Prince Harry and Meghan Markles son Prince Archie was born in 2019.

The photograph, which showed Kate (as she is informally known) sitting outdoors with her three children around her, was reportedly taken by Prince William last week to mark U.K. Mothers Day on Sunday.

Staff at Kensington Palace published it on the royal couples official social media pages on Sunday before issuing it to select press agencies for syndication, as is typical for images distributed by the royals.

Within hours, however, Reuters, AP and AFP had all issued kill notifications, taking down the photograph from their own databases and requesting that clients who had licensed the photograph also remove it from their publications.

In their notice AP said The source has manipulated the image while AFP cited an editorial issue. Reuters said it had withdrawn the photograph following a post-publication review.

Even before the photograph was withdrawn, it had sparked intense interest because it was the first time the Duchess had been seen in public since Christmas Day, when she attended church in Sandringham, U.K. along with her family.

On Jan. 17 Kensington Palace issued a statement saying she had undergone planned abdominal surgery which would require a further 10-day hospital stay but declined to specify the reason for the operation. They indicated Kate would not resume her royal duties -- meaning public appearances -- until after Easter, if not later. In February Prince William attended the BAFTA Film Awards alone.

Last week a paparazzi photograph emerged of Kate and her mother in a car, with Kate in the passenger seat. The blurry picture, in which the duchess is wearing large sunglasses, did little to assuage the publics concern about her welfare.

Whispers that Kate might attend the annual military parade Trooping the Color, during which the Royal Family always appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, were swiftly shot down by the palace last week, causing rumors about the cause of Kates prolonged absence from the public eye to intensify.

The image issued on Sunday to commemorate Mothers Day was initially welcomed by the U.K. press and public, showing Kate looking well. But online commentators soon identified a number of discrepancies, such as an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlottes hand and skirt and the zip on Kates sweater. According to the U.K. press, the palace has declined to comment on either the photograph or the reaction of the photo agencies.

The Duchesss medical leave has come at a particularly tricky time for the British Royal Family after her father-in-law King Charles was also recently diagnosed with cancer. He is currently undergoing treatment.

Variety has reached out to Kensington Palace for comment.

 2024 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
A woman whose personal story of sex trafficking was shared, with details not clearly stated, in Sen. Katie Britts State of the Union response says politicians on both side of the border only want an image.

CNN interviewed Karla Jacinto Romero Sunday, who was a victim of trafficking during the George W. Bush administration.

I hardly ever cooperate with politicians, because it seems to me that they only want an image ....That to me is not fair, Romero said.

Romero said she met Britt at an event at the U.S.-Mexican border between officials and anti-trafficking activists. She said she was never trafficked into the United States. She was not trafficked by Mexican drug cartels, but by a pimp forcing girls into sex work.

Mexican politicians have also used her story for political purposes, she said.

I really would like them to be empathetic: all the governors, all the senators, to be empathetic with the issue of human trafficking because there are millions of girls and boys who disappear, Romero said.

People .. are really trafficked and abused, as she (Britt) mentioned. And I think she (Britt) should first take into account what really happens before telling a story of that magnitude.

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.

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.

Speaking to The Washington Post, Britts spokesman Sean Ross said that the senator was talking about Romero and disputed that Britts language was misleading.

Britt spoke Thursday night from her home in Montgomery on the crisis of Bidens immigration and border policies.

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.

However, she insisted 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.
The State Department is warning travelers not to go to the Caribbean nation of Haiti even as American military forces are being brought in to shore up security at the U.S. Embassy in Port-Au-Prince.

The Travel Advisory for Haiti remains at level four, meaning all travel to the country is discouraged. Other level 4 countries include Russia, Syria and Burkina Faso.

The current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. We are aware that there are few or non-commercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time. As they become available, we urge U.S. citizens to take advantage of them, the US Embassy said in a statement issued this week.

Travelers who are in Haiti are advised to avoid crowds and being outside after dark, keep a low profile and be aware of their surroundings.

Haiti is located on the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic sharing the island to the east. The Dominican Republic is under a level 2 advisory with visitors urged to exercise increased caution.

READ MORE: US issues travel warning for mega-popular spring break tourist spots

The U.S. military presence will protect the embassy and allow non-essential American personnel to leave the area, which has been taken over by violent street gangs, the AP reported.

A do-not-travel alert for Haiti was issued in July 2023 for what the State Department described as kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and poor health care infrastructure. Later that month, the U.S. ordered all family members of U.S. government employees and non-emergency personnel to leave the country. American government personnel have been limited to only confined areas around the Embassy and are not allowed to walk in Port-au-Prince, use any public transportation, visit banks or ATMs, drive at night or travel between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Despite the security issues, which included a mass prison break last week, cruise ship lines continue to stop in the country.

Royal Caribbean ships continue to call on Labadee, the cruise companys property located on a peninsula about six hours drive away from Port-au-Prince, CNN reported. The area is only available to ship guests and visitors do not leave the resort. No security issues have been reported at the resort.

The company said it is monitoring the situation in Haiti.

The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority. Our global security teams are closely monitoring the situation in the area. At all times, we remind guests to remain aware of their surroundings while ashore and follow all State Department guidelines. Should any changes be required, guests will be notified directly, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told CNN.
With the 2024 presidential contenders all but officially nominated, former President Donald Trump says hes ready to take on President Joe Biden on the debate stage.

Trump, during a weekend rally in Georgia, dispensed with rumors he wanted to avoid meeting Biden for a second round of one-on-one debates, after the 45th President refused to join any of his Republican primary opponents on the stage in the run up to this years party nominating contests. The former president repeatedly claimed there was nothing to be gained by debating with the likes of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, citing his months-long domination of the polls.

The general election is a horse race of an entirely different color, if Trumps weekend remarks are to be believed.

Anytime, anywhere, anyplace: Ill debate, Trump declared.

The former president was apparently responding directly to a Friday PBS Newshour conversation between Washington Post Associate Editor Jonathan Capehart and New York Times columnist David Brooks, in which Capehart suggested presidential debates might not occur at all this election cycle, due to Trumps alleged unwillingness to appear for a live meeting with the sitting president.

I dont know whether they will debate. But I do know this, I think President Biden absolutely wants to debate. The question is, does Donald Trump? And that, Im not convinced that he does, Capehart said.

Trump, after criticizing Capeharts employer as a terrible paper and disagreeing with his assertions, made clear that he would be happy to go toe-to-toe with Biden again.

I want to debate Biden, because its important for the American people to hear whats going on, and how can you destroy our country like youre doing it? So, officially, I wanna debate crooked Joe Biden, he said.

According to pool reports, Biden was asked about whether he would be willing to debate with Trump and said only that it depends on his behavior.

Bidens former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain told MSNBC on Sunday that Bidens participation depends on Trumps ability to abide by the standing rules, and on whether or not he could avoid making the meeting into a spectacle more than a debate.

President Biden has debated each time hes run for president, and he debated last time under the rubric of the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debate, Klain said. Last week Trump said he would never participate in Commission debates again. So I think its really up to Donald Trump to make it clear he would agree to this long-standing way in which weve conducted presidential debates in this country.

Trumps assertions that he is willing to debate come following the presidents annual State of the Union address to Congress last week, when a fired-up Biden used the historically unique circumstances of the 2024 election to take aim at his opponent by attacking the policies of his White House predecessor without actually naming the 45th president. It also comes as polling shows the pair in a dead heat heading into November.

According to a national survey of 1,350 registered voters conducted by Emerson College Polling ahead of Bidens speech to Congress, the pair of presidents are tied at 45% support, with 10% of voters still undecided.

This race is well within the polls margin of error and could move in either direction. When undecided voters are pushed in the head-to-head matchup, Biden gains a two-point lead; however, when third-party candidates are factored in, Trump has nearly a two-point edge, Emerson pollster Spencer Kimball said with the polls release.

Young undecided voters are especially prone to picking the incumbent president over the former, according to the survey.

Biden leads Trump among voters under 30, 43% to 37%, with 20% undecided. When these voters are forced to choose between Biden and Trump and their support is included in the total, 58% support Biden and 42% Trump, Kimball said.

Immigration continues to be a winning issue for the former president, with 53% of polled voters saying they think Trump would be better than Biden when it comes to handling the border crisis and a third of voters over 70 saying its the most important issue for them this election cycle.

About two-thirds of voters said Biden would be better on abortion rights and 52% said they prefer he handle the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

______

2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at bostonherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Birmingham Museum of Art has acquired the work of the nations first known professional African American painter

Joshua Johnson, widely recognized as the first professional African American painter known to have worked in the United States, is now immortalized in the Birmingham Museum of Art.

Curators recently acquired his portrait of Elizabeth Gilpin, who lived from 18041892.

A portrait of Elizabeth Gilpin by painter Joshua Johnson. Courtesy Birmingham Museum of Art.Birmingham Museum of Art

Because the BMA is a leading institution in the area of works made by African American and Black artists, we work to build on that collection, including through this purchase of Joshua Johnsons portrait of Elizabeth Gilpin, Katelyn Crawford, Birmingham Musuem of Arts curator of American art, told AL.com.

In the BMAs galleries, this painting expands the history we share about African American artists as well as about the experiences of children in the United States. This is now one of the earliest paintings in the BMAs American art collection.

In 1763, Johnson was born into slavery. He was enslaved by his white father until 1782, when he was freed at about 19 years old, according to Crawford.

Little is known about Johnsons early life until Dec. 19, 1798, when he placed an ad in the Baltimore Intelligencer describing himself as a self-taught genius. The ad also suggested Johnson overcame insuperable racial discrimination, according to the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Johnson spent his career representing early nineteenth-century American life through his portraits.

This painting is a rare work by an important American artist. Fewer than 100 works by Joshua Johnson still exist, Crawford said. Johnsons portrait is now a permanent part of the Birmingham Museum of Art collection, a treasure for the city of Birmingham. Because of the paintings rarity and its importance to the history of American art, it will be on display indefinitely.
A large collection of President George Washington artifacts is coming to Montevallo.

The Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington, in Columbiana, will be relocated to the American Village, in Montevallo. The Harrison museum, founded by descendants of George Washington, includes heirlooms passed down through generations.

We are very excited to have this amazing collection coming to American Village. The addition of the Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington to the American Village campus will expand our opportunities to allow students and citizens to engage in the study and appreciation of Americas founding history, said Col. Alan B. Miller, president and CEO of American Village

The museums collection includes art and artifacts from the colonial period to 1865, such as paintings, letters, furniture, porcelain, glassware, silver, jewelry and busts.

The Washington familys estates feature 18th and 19th-century furniture, such as coin-silver utensils, Minton porcelain, Sevres vases, and a walnut gaming table with tulip and rosewood inlay. The museums oldest item is Colonel Daniel Parkes handwritten will, which married Martha Duncan and George Washington.

The Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington is expected to house the largest collection of Washingtons artifacts outside of their home site at Historic Mount Vernon, in the East Wing of Independence Hall, which is currently under construction in American Village.

I am extremely pleased to have this collection of Washington family heirlooms, which my family has lovingly passed from one generation to the next, find a new home at American Village. Our familys wish was that the collection stay here in Shelby County, and we cannot think of a better steward of these items than American Village, said Helen Harrison Phillips, the daughter of Karl C. Harrison.

The Washington objects will be incorporated into an updated and expanded section of the Village, which is expected to open in 2026.
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." 










English News China to make around 100 space launches in 2024

Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 7 Mars 2024



In terms of international cooperation, China's space industry has carried out various forms of international exchanges such as seminars, discussions, data sharing, technical cooperation, application services, and space culture education, promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

By Liu Shiyao, People's Daily China is projected to make about 100 space launch missions this year, which will set the country's new record, said a blue book released by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) on Feb. 26.



China plans to carry out a series of major space missions this year. The China Space Station has entered the normal operation stage and within 2024, there will be two cargo spacecraft missions, two manned spaceflight missions and two return missions.



China is set to launch Queqiao-2, a relay satellite for communications between the far side of the moon and Earth, and the Chang'e-6 lunar probe, a mission to collect samples from the far side of the moon, the first of its kind in human history.



A detection satellite for ocean salinity is also on CASC's task list, which will empower China with high-resolution and high-precision ocean salinity detection capabilities.



Newly developed Long March-6C and Long March-12 carrier rockets will execute their maiden flight missions.



Besides, China's first commercial spacecraft launch site is expected to have its first launch mission in 2024, and the country will accelerate the networking and construction of multiple satellite constellations.



In 2023, China carried out 67 space launch missions, with this number ranking second in the world, and put 221 spacecraft into space, already setting a record for China.



Among them, the Long March series of carrier rockets were launched 47 times with a 100 percent success rate, breaking through 500 launches cumulatively, and other commercial rockets were launched 20 times.



Looking back on the past year, China's space industry has implemented high-density launch missions in an orderly manner with a high success rate, and the number of spacecraft developed and launched has rapidly increased, with a significant improvement in development capabilities.



In terms of technological innovation, China has made continuous breakthroughs in fields like carrier rockets, manned spaceflight, lunar and deep space exploration, communications, navigation, remote sensing satellites, and scientific and technological experiments.



China's capabilities in accessing, exploring, and utilizing space have grown stronger, and the country has achieved many scientific and technological accomplishments.



Based on space infrastructure like satellite communications, satellite remote sensing, and satellite navigation and positioning, China's space industry has developed a relatively complete application system. This has offered solid support for various national strategies and the country's "dual carbon" goals, and widely served different sectors of the national economy.



In terms of international cooperation, China's space industry has carried out various forms of international exchanges such as seminars, discussions, data sharing, technical cooperation, application services, and space culture education, promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Keeping pace with China is keeping pace with opportunities 5G technology sees application in various industries in China New journey begins for fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)










English News "Two sessions" offers window for international community to understand China

Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 7 Mars 2024



China's "two sessions" will allow the international community to see that the country firmly stays on the path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics, and solidly advances whole-process people's democracy. China is also resolutely pursuing high-quality development to achieve Chinese modernization and promoting high-level opening up to drive common development of the world. Through these efforts, China will make greater contributions to world peace, development, and human progress.

By He Yin, People's Daily This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is critical for achieving the goals set in the 14th Five-Year Plan. The "two sessions" this year, the annual meetings of China's national legislature and top political advisory body, has received broad attention from the international community.



By observing the "two sessions," the international community can deepen its understanding of China's democracy, gain insight into the pulse of China's high-quality economic development, and better grasp the opportunities of cooperation between China and other countries.



Observing the "two sessions" helps the international community understand China's governance. The "two sessions" are a vivid practice of China's whole-process people's democracy, and offers an important window for the international community to understand China's modernization of national governance.



Some foreign scholars believe that by understanding the "two sessions," one can understand how Chinese democracy operates effectively. The deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) actively fulfill their duties and responsibilities, with the voices of the people coalescing into a consensus on national governance.



According to statistics recently released by the State Council Information Office, government departments under China's State Council handled 7,955 suggestions submitted to the NPC and 4,525 proposals submitted to the CPPCC, accounting for 95.7 percent and 96.5 percent of all suggestions and proposals submitted. The departments rolled out over 2,000 policy measures based on some 4,700 suggestions and proposals last year.



China's whole-process people's democracy has not only a complete set of institutions and procedures, but also full of participation and practices. It has taken root in China as a political institution, a mechanism of governance and a lifestyle of the people.



This year marks the 70th anniversary of the NPC and the 75th anniversary of the CPPCC. Through observing the "two sessions," the international community will gain a profound understanding of the wisdom and strength of China's governance.



Observing the "two sessions" helps the international community understand the quality of China's economic development.



Achieving high-quality development is one of the essential requirements of Chinese modernization. Over the past year, China's economy has recovered. With an economic growth of 5.2 percent, higher than the global projection of around 3 percent, China ranks among the top in major economies worldwide. It fully demonstrates the strong endogenous impetus, resilience, and potential of the country's economic development.



China is vigorously implementing its innovation-driven development strategy and promoting the accelerated development of new quality productive forces, which will continuously inject new impetus into high-quality development.



Against the backdrop of a sluggish global economic recovery, the international community looks forward to China's "two sessions" further releasing positive signals of an economic rebound and improvement.



Foreign media believe that China's current goal is to improve people's living standards through high-quality development and the country is driving the transformation of its economic development towards an innovation-driven model, and accelerating coordinated digital and green transitions, which will set an example for the sustainable development of the global economy.

Observing the "two sessions" helps the international community understand the will of China to cooperate with other countries.



China has implemented five measures to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals into China, lifted all entry restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector, accelerated the implementation of 24 policy measures to stabilize foreign investment, signed free trade agreements and investment protection agreements with more countries, and steadily promoted high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with relevant parties.



These measures have sent a clear signal of China's unwavering commitment to further opening up at a higher level, demonstrating China's determination and confidence in providing new opportunities for the world through its own new development.



How China will promote higher-level opening up and enhance its ability to participate in the international circulation has become one of the hot topics drawing attention from the international community at this year's "two sessions."



The international community is particularly interested in China's development direction set by the "two sessions" and expects China to continue contributing to promoting peace and prosperity. International observers said that they look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of China's plans and actions in addressing global challenges through the "two sessions," and they expect China to provide more stability and certainty to the world.



China's "two sessions" will allow the international community to see that the country firmly stays on the path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics, and solidly advances whole-process people's democracy. China is also resolutely pursuing high-quality development to achieve Chinese modernization and promoting high-level opening up to drive common development of the world. Through these efforts, China will make greater contributions to world peace, development, and human progress.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Keeping pace with China is keeping pace with opportunities 5G technology sees application in various industries in China New journey begins for fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)










English News US, UK should stop interfering in Hong Kong's Article 23 legislation

Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 5 Mars 2024



"Ensuring security and development" and "speeding up legislation and boosting the economy" are the most prominent demands of Hong Kong society. The HKSAR government and legislature will surely meet the expectations of society and push forward Article 23 legislation in an orderly manner and as soon as possible. Attempts by any country to obstruct Article 23 legislation will only end in vain.

By Zhong ShengPeople's Daily Recently, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government's public consultation on the legislation of Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law successfully concluded. Out of over 13,000 public opinions, more than 98 percent expressed support or positive views, fully reflecting the strong consensus among the Hong Kong public to expedite the completion of Article 23 legislation. However, the US and the UK have turned a blind eye to this and continue to attack and smear Article 23 legislation.



The US and the UK's interference in Article 23 legislation obviously violates the basic norms governing international relations. Hong Kong is part of China, and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. No foreign country has the right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs. The US and the UK should respect China's sovereignty, abide by the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs which are China's internal affairs. It is worth pointing out that the UK's attempt to intervene in Article 23 legislation by invoking the Sino-British Joint Declaration has no basis in international law. The Sino-British Joint Declaration by no means puts the UK in a position or gives it any right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs.



The US and the UK's sensationalist view that Article 23 legislation will weaken the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people is completely inconsistent with the facts. One of the principles of Article 23 legislation is to protect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the Basic Law of the HKSAR and the provisions of relevant international covenants as applied to Hong Kong. There is a clear line drawn between acts that constitute an offense that endangers national security, and normal commercial exchanges and activities in the fields of economy, culture, and science and technology. The normal activities of foreign institutions and personnel in Hong Kong will be protected in accordance with the law. Article 23 legislation is considered a necessary step to effectively prevent activities that compromise national security and protect the safety of life and property of the Hong kong public. It will also improve Hong Kong's business environment, and better attract businesses and investors to Hong Kong.



The US and the UK have enacted numerous laws to safeguard national security, yet they hypocritically criticize and label Article 23 legislation, which is blatant political manipulation and double standards. The extraterritorial effect of Article 23 is in strict compliance with international law and the common practices of all countries and regions. The definitions of "state secrets" and "external interference" have been fully considered based on the actual situation in the HKSAR and common practices in various countries, and are reasonable, legal, and beyond reproach.



"Ensuring security and development" and "speeding up legislation and boosting the economy" are the most prominent demands of Hong Kong society. The HKSAR government and legislature will surely meet the expectations of society and push forward Article 23 legislation in an orderly manner and as soon as possible. Attempts by any country to obstruct Article 23 legislation will only end in vain.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Keeping pace with China is keeping pace with opportunities 5G technology sees application in various industries in China New journey begins for fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
By

Most of the time, a presidents State of the Union speech is avuncular. I wouldnt say paternal because, as we know, paternalism is next to patriarchy is next to women as sexual objects is next to Adam noticing that Eve was naked.

The point of a president presenting himself as everyones favorite uncle is to sell us on the idea that all is well in the Land of Oz: all friendly like as Eliza Doolittle put it.

But obviously, right now in Bidenomics America, everything is not under control. So forget Uncle Joe. It was Biden the Barbarian, politics red in tooth and claw, on Thursday night.

Naturally, the president started out by bellowing that the U.S. is beset by enemies, foreign and domestic.

What makes our moment rare is that freedom and democracy are under attack, both at home and overseas, at the very same time.

Its Putin abroad and insurrectionists at home. And I am sure that if Biden had ever cracked a book in his life he would have continued:

Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more.

Or close the wall up with our wokey dead.

But was the whole speech about the dastardly enemy? Not at all. There is another side to Biden, and we got it in spades. If you are a friend of the regime then you will get bennies, tons of them. Here is a partial list:

Cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month for every American who needs it! Cap prescription drug costs at $2,000 a year for everyone! an annual tax credit that will give Americans $400 a month to put toward their mortgage My Administration is also eliminating title insurance fees for federally backed mortgages.

And on and on.

Now, if you are a member of the Woking Classes I am sure that Bidens speech had you down at the local organic cafe flashing your sustainable light saber for all the world to see. But what does it mean?

Fortunately, we have a German thinker to explain the whole procedure to us. I am talking about Nazi jurist Carl Schmitt. In The Concept of the Political he wrote:

The specific political distinction to which political actions and motives can be traced is the distinction between friend and enemy.

Hey! Lets check the German version:

Die spezifisch politische Unterscheidung, auf welche sich die politischen Handlungen und Motive zuruckfuhren lassen, ist die Unterscheidung von Freund und Feind.

Get it? Politics is always and only about friends and enemies. Now check out Googles Ngram. Schmitt is soaring in the charts. The last data point is in 2019, and I learned about Schmitt in 2020.

Carl Schmitt is not the only wise philosopher with a word to say about Freund und Feind.

There is Mao Zedong: Who are our enemies? Who are our friends?

Then there is Peruvian dictator Oscar Benavides: For my friends, everything; for my enemies, the law. Paging Jack Smith, Letitita James, Alvin Bragg, and Fani Willis!

Then there is Curtis Yarvin: There is no politics without an enemy.

But I think that my maxim is best of all: Soft power is gifting friends; hard power is fighting enemies.

What are all these philosophers saying? They are saying that one of the deepest human instincts is the need to join with our friends to protect our homes against robbers and our land against enemies. Back in the day the men rallied to the village Big Man to go out and fight the enemy: and to the victors, loot and plunder. In our sophisticated era, of course, our rulers prefer to conscript men to go get trench feet in Flanders fields and give the survivors VA benefits. President Biden:

Thats why I signed the PACT Act, one of the most significant laws ever, helping millions of veterans who were exposed to toxins and who now are battling more than 100 cancers.

Politics is always and only about friends and enemies. So, for our Democratic friends, the foreign enemy is Putin and the domestic enemy is insurrectionists, backed up by the usual race-card pejoratives: racist sexist homophobic transphobic far-right extremist -- according to taste.

Also, the friend/enemy distinction for our wokey friends is encoded in the Allyship narrative , that we wokies are the Allies of the Oppressed Peoples fighting against the White Oppressors.

For Republicans the foreign enemy is illegal aliens at the border and the domestic enemy is the deep state and gangs and criminals in the cities. But we would rather join Ronald Reagan in rhapsodizing about the shining city on a hill:

in my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity.

Enemies need not apply, Carl mein Freund.

Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class.

Image: Gage Skidmore
The U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force all face a severe and worsening recruiting crisis that imperils their future strength, readiness, and warfighting capabilities. Despite devoting immense resources and effort towards attracting qualified recruits, only the Marine Corps and Space Force are meeting targets for bringing in the next generation of talent. This deeply troubling trend has profound implications for national security if left unaddressed.

At the core of this challenge lies a growing disconnect between the culture and values of contemporary American youth and the traditional ethos of military service. Compared to past generations, an ever-shrinking percentage of the population has any direct familial ties or personal familiarity with the armed forces. The concept of military service as a default pathway or rite of passage has diminished significantly.

Most concerning, the recruiting shortfalls now impact a vital demographic that has historically formed the backbone of the all-volunteer force -- young Americans from multi-generational military families. For decades, these legacy families have sustained a vibrant pipeline of highly motivated and dedicated recruits, passing down a shared sense of purpose, tradition, and identity. However, that generational continuity of service shows unprecedented signs of fraying.

My two sons are currently serving active-duty naval officers and represent the fourth generation of service for our family. And while my wife and I are exceedingly proud of this legacy, we are not likely to encourage our three young grandchildren to serve unless things change dramatically.

Prominent voices attribute this disillusionment among legacy military families to the Pentagon's embrace of "woke" social policies and ideological agendas. Critics allege these policies are supplanting the traditional focus on combat readiness and warfighting excellence. They argue that the zealous pursuit of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives alienates the very Americans who would otherwise maintain unbroken family traditions of service.

As Thomas Spoehr, director of The Heritage Foundation's Center for National Defense, notes in his commentary "The Rise of Wokeness in the Military," "Perhaps most troubling, these DEI initiatives are being pursued at the expense of the military's core function: to protect the United States by preparing to fight and win the nation's wars."

Similarly, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska relayed the story of a former Air Force colonel whose son rejected applying to the military academies because of "this woke cultural revulsion that's trying to be shoved down the throats of our military services." This sentiment is not an isolated anecdote but indicative of a deeper and metastasizing disenchantment.

While the U.S. military has always evolved to reflect broader societal changes, critics contend that the current fixation on identity politics, ideological purity tests, and social justice theories erodes the apolitical and merit-based culture essential for unit cohesion and combat effectiveness. They see a force increasingly distracted from its core mission of deterring and defeating foreign adversaries.

At a time of mounting global threats and intensifying great power competition, a U.S. military plagued by internal discord, identity obsessions, and alienation from large swaths of its traditional recruiting pool becomes an acute strategic liability. Rivals like China undertake the most rapid peacetime military expansion in history, while rogue regimes like Iran and North Korea advance their nuclear and missile capabilities undeterred.

The stakes could not be higher, yet the armed forces are mired in ideological tumult that drives away the progeny of its most ardent and natural constituencies. As Josiah Lippincott, a former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer, writes in The Federalist, "White men are increasingly unwilling to join an institution that openly discriminates against them, insults them, and attacks their history and identity."

Bingo. Why would we want our grandchildren to serve in a military that does not value their family legacy or their Christian values and worldview? And how long will it take to rebuild third, four and fifth-generation family legacies once they are broken?

Resolving this crisis will require a paradigm shift at the Pentagon to realign priorities and restore a laser focus on combat readiness as the supreme imperative. Pursuing DEI goals, when prudent and narrowly tailored, is not intrinsically at odds with military effectiveness. However, the scales have tipped much too far towards social experimentation at the expense of cultivating an unrivaled and apolitical warfighting ethos.

Should these corrosive trends continue unabated, bleeding out the military's lifeblood of multi-generational recruits, more drastic and untenable revisions to U.S. defense posture may be forced upon the nation.

The cost of failure is unthinkable. Leaders must act now, with fierce urgency and ruthless focus, to steer the military back onto the course of unsurpassed might and readiness. Appeasing the misguided architects of ideological misdirection is not an option. There can be no higher priority than getting this right--the future of the all-volunteer force and the nation's security depend on it.

Willis Keith is a pseudonym for a retired U.S. Navy captain with over 27 years of active-duty naval service.

Image: Department of Defense
When I think of Indiana, I think of the Heartland. Its one of those flyover states that leftists despise. But what we all must understand is that Americas teachers are the vectors by which leftism is spread everywhere. They graduate from leftist colleges imbued with leftist ideas and then seed these ideas in every K-12 school in America. At East Central High School in St. Leon, Indiana, the leftist infection is so bad that the American flag was seemingly forbiddenbut the kids and public pressure ended the ban on our nations flag in a heartland school.

Libs of TikTok made people aware of the story on Friday when she posted a scoop about what was happening at East Central High:

SCOOP: A student at @EastCentralHS in Indiana drove to school with an American flag on the back of his truck. The school reportedly responded by threatening to punish him if he didn't remove it.



After hearing what happened, nearly 2 dozen other students flew American flags on pic.twitter.com/6EIOTzPlzn  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 8, 2024

The parents narrative is horrifying, so Ive retyped it verbatim here. I added paragraph spacing for clarity and emphasized the language I found especially notable:

Seriously, though, my son is a senior at East Central High School and also attends Southeastern Career Center. I am sure many of you have seen his truck around Bright, Sunman, Lawrenceburg, West Harrison, Versailles, and many other places in Indiana. He has a lot of friends and family around here and makes conversation with everyone. He drives his pretty awesome truck and flying high behind him the American flag, and he has done so since the beginning of the school year. Now, with that in mind, there is I believe 50 ish days of school remaining, and just yesterday, he was pulled into the office by his counselor and vice principal to inform him per the principal at East Central High School that he has to remove the American flag. He is a very smart and respectful young man and is very knowledgeable. He was not angry or argumentative but did let them know he would not be removing his flag. He was told that if he did not, he would be written up for insubordination. My son pulled the school handbook up and pointed out that nowhere in the handbook does it mention the word flag or that you can not have a flag on your vehicle. He also pulled Indiana law, and it is 100% legal to fly the American flag as long as you are following safety laws, which he does. My son asked why he had to remove the flag and was told it could be offensive to others, or it could be controversial. Well, in my opinion, if you are offended by the American flag, then leave the United States of America! If this was any other flag, would something have been said? I dont know, but we can not be offended by Freedom of Speech, and why does someone in the position that a high school principal is in think it is ok take away our freedom of speech? We will stand by our son So, I had waited until today to post this because I needed to see how things would be handled at school. Today nearly 2 dozen high schoolers showed up to school with the American flag on their vehicles not just to support my son and their friend but to stand for what they believe in and what is right. My son was called into the office and of course after further discussion they are now recommending its removed but school will not require him to remove it. It will remain on his truck. He was also told it will be in the student handbook next year that students cannot fly the American flag. I am beyond proud of you Cameron Blasek and all of your friends for standing your ground. As for East Central High School I am ashamed this has even happened but again sometimes there are just people out there who try to tear others down

As you can imagine, this story instantly went viral, and the school locked down its X page. A local news outlet picked up the story:

This is 17-year-old Cameron Blasek.



He was told by East Central High School to remove the American flag from his truck.



He held the line and did not comply.



The next day, students flooded the school parking lot with cars and American flags.



The school caved after the pic.twitter.com/iq3c3gByqD  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 10, 2024

Note that the school denies that it ever had an anti-flag policy because it even has a flag flying on campus. (And I must wonder how many Pride and BLM flags it has flying in its classrooms.) However, what I notice is that the school does not deny the specific narrative that Cameron Blasek related. Hmmm.

Also, that kids parent was right. What an absolutely amazing young man.

Please noteand this is so importantthat the school now completely supports the American flag. (Although, if Camerons version of events is accurate, the fact that the people involved still have their jobs means that this is only a temporary victory.) Leftists will still respond to public pressure. This means that they know that, ultimately, the American people still retain power. However, when we let the reins slip through our fingers, even for a moment, the left will run wild. If we push back, they retreat. Theres a lesson there.

Conservatives are the kind of people who put their heads down and get on with their lives. They have long trusted American institutions, especially in conservative regions, where they believe that people sharing their values work in these institutions. Leftists, however, are performative. They understand that the squeaky wheel gets the grease and the shrieking wheel controls political discourse. Using those squeaks and shrieks, they have taken over institutions across America. They dont have numbers in most places, but they do have the volume.

If we conservatives powerfully back our nation and its Constitution, laws, and traditions, we are a tremendous power. Its time for us to act that way.

Image: X screen grab.
By

Somewhere, Kate Steinle's killer must be smiling.

A California state assemblyman has introduced a bill to provide free legal services to illegal aliens convicted of violent felonies to fight their deportation orders.

Since there's no news article about this so far, here's the bill itself on Legiscan, and below are the relevant parts of the official summary, emphasis mine:

This bill would expand those qualifying services to persons having an intent to reside in and having a nexus to the state, and would expand the scope of services to include, among other things, legal representation and related services for removal defense. The bill would make changes to the definitions of various terms relating to legal services and immigration remedies. Existing law prohibits use of the grant funds to provide legal services to an individual who has been convicted of, or who is currently appealing a conviction for, a violent or serious felony. This bill would remove that prohibition on the use of funds for those individuals. ... The bill would require the Section Chief of the Immigration Services Bureau, at the department, or their representative, to convene an ongoing advisory committee, with a specified composition, to be established by January 1, 2026. Under the bill, the committees purpose would be to create voluntary guidance and make recommendations to the department and to the Legislature on policies and procedures to ensure that indigent immigrant Californians receive the vital legal services and other concomitant resources needed to set up immigrants and their families to thrive in the state. ... Under the bill, personally identifiable information, collected by the department as related to the above-described services, would not be a public record and would be prohibited from disclosure by the department, except where necessary to comply with a court-issued order, warrant, or subpoena.

So you can be illegally present in the country, kill or rape a child, and be convicted of a felony for it, need only claim "an intent" to live in California illegally, and then get a bottomless pit of attorney services to fight deportation. There have been some pretty heinous crimes indeed committed by illegals these days -- from the emptied contents of Venezuela's prisons committing crimes such as the beatings of cops in New York or the murder of a young nursing student in Georgia, or worse still, the emptied contents of Haiti's prisons where two or three major jailbreaks just happened and there are reports of cannibals roasting and eating people over burning tires in the street. In San Carlos, California, in 2022, there was a beheader who was here illegally, so you can bet he'll be happy about this kind of news. The State of California will always be there to pay for his attorneys to fight any potential move to enact his deportation because the state clearly wants him to "thrive in the state," as the bill says.

Which is complete insanity. It comes with funny timing, too, now that considerable national focus is on the wanton murder of young nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia, and the accused Venezuelan killer is an illegal with reported gang ties.

California, of course, has a lot of gangs and is the proud founding ground of the Mara Salvatrucha-13 gang and the Barrio 18 gang, whose denizens are now largely in El Salvador's prisons. Anyone who's still here or coming here as a result of El Salvador cleaning up its crime can rest easy if this bill passes because the state is going to defend them from deportation no matter what they do.

Who is the freak behind this bill, anyway? Legiscan says it's sponsored by one Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer of the 57th Assembly District around Los Angeles. His district, just northwest of Compton, covers Huntington Park and Southgate, two nexuses of illegal immigration, and the politically powerful University of Southern California, which is a nexus of both wokesterism and political corruption.

Legiscan's FollowtheMoney sub-site says that Jones-Sawyer gets 91% of his campaign cash from Big Labor and practically nothing from anyone else, so like much of Sacramento, he's unioned up.

Why would Jones-Sawyer want such a bad bill to pass with his name on it, one that is certain to wreak havoc in communities plagued by gangs, cartels, and an open border letting just about anyone into the country? It's bound to be unpopular with the black residents of his district and the legal Latino immigrants around Southgate and Huntington Park, too.

Jones is interested in criminal justice "reform" issues, too, and did oppose a bill that would have made life hard for cartel human traffickers, according to Wikipedia:

In 2023, Jones-Sawyer committee chair of Public Safety Committee, disapproved of Senate Bill 14, a bill that would include sex trafficking of a minor in the lists of crimes that are defined as serious under California law, making the crime a strike under the Three Strikes law. Jones-Sawyer said it would disproportionately affect Black and Brown Communities. Proponents of the bipartisan bill argued that over 70% of trafficked women in shelters are black and over 50% of children trafficked are black i.e. Figueroa St. Los Angeles. Jones-Sawyer argued, there is no evidence that if you lock someone up for long periods of time, it helps them. However, proponents of SB14 argued this is to protect victims and prevent repeat perpetrators from further trafficking.

Now Jones-Sawyer wants free legal help for all those child traffickers and every other thug not here legally, which raises questions as to whether cartels might just be more influential than supposed in either the unions that pay for his campaigns or are the power he answers to in his district itself.

Cui bono? That's the question with this outrageous bill that is sure ro rain the worst crime possible onto districts throughout the state from foreign criminals with no remedy in sight. If sanctuary cities enabled criminals to flourish in California, think what free leftwing lawyers armed with state money could do to keep these killers in the U.S. forever. This is going sanctuary cities one better.

Image: Official portrait, via Wikipedia // public domain
DEI is hobbling the effectiveness large organizations throughout our economy. Nowhere is this more evident and urgent than the semiconductor chip industry, which is vital to our competitiveness as an advanced economy and our military security.

Matt Cole and Chris Nicholson write in The Hill

The Biden administration recently promised it will finally loosen the purse strings on $39 billion of CHIPS Act grants to encourage semiconductor fabrication in the U.S. But less than a week later, Intel announced that its putting the brakes on its Columbus factory. The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has pushed back production at its second Arizona foundry. The remaining major chipmaker, Samsung, just delayed its first Texas fab. This is not the way companies typically respond to multi-billion-dollar subsidies. So what explains chipmakers apparent ingratitude? In large part, frustration with DEI requirements embedded in the CHIPS Act.

Their article is a case study in bureaucratic strangulation.

The law contains 19 sections aimed at helping minority groups, including one creating a Chief Diversity Officer at the National Science Foundation, and several prioritizing scientific cooperation with what it calls minority-serving institutions. A section called Opportunity and Inclusion instructs the Department of Commerce to work with minority-owned businesses and make sure chipmakers increase the participation of economically disadvantaged individuals in the semiconductor workforce. The department interprets that as license to diversify. Its factsheet asserts that diversity is critical to strengthening the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem, adding, Critically, this must include significant investments to create opportunities for Ameri subsidies cans from historically underserved communities. The department does not call speed critical, even though the impetus for the CHIPS Act is that 90 percent of the worlds advanced microchips are made in Taiwan, which China is preparing to annex by 2027, maybe even 2025.

Speed is everything on the leading edge of chips competition. A new generation of chips starts out with very low yields, the percentage of the wafers that are usable. Its up to the factories, the fabs, to finish the D part of R&D and drive yields from very low to very high. This requires workers who can become closely involved in process improvement. They have to observe, measure, collect and analyze the factors that go into increasing the yield of usable chips. They have to be motivated, smart, and numerate.

Lamentably, these qualities are not equally distributed among all ethnicities and all the identity groups that must be catered to:

requirements that chipmakers submit detailed plans to educate, employ, and train lots of women and people of color, as well as justice-involved individuals, more commonly known as ex-cons.

TMSC in Arizona evidently was unable to keep to an acceptable level of nimbleness:

Tired of delays at its first fab, the company flew in 500 employees from Taiwan. This angered local workers, since the implication was that they werent skilled enough. With CHIPS grants at risk, TSMC caved in December, agreeing to rely on those workers and invest more in training them. A month later, it postponed its second Arizona fab.

Other biggies re also bailing on production here:

Intel is also building fabs in Poland and Israel, which means it would rather risk Russian aggression and Hamas rockets over dealing with Americas DEI regime. Samsung is pivoting toward making its South Korean homeland the semiconductor superpower after Taiwan falls.

Without chip supplies, our manufacturing economy collapses, as we started to see when auto factories shut down when chip shipments from Asia were delayed.

Worse, without an ability to stay at the forefront of electronic military capabilities, we will ultimately lose whatever military pre-eminence remains.

Nurturing excellence (and speed) in the organizations that produce chips is a matter of national security. And DEI bullying degrades our ability to keep up with overseas competitors.

Photo credit: Pexels license
VIENTIANE, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Participants in the 30th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Retreat in northern Laos' Luang Prabang province have pledged to strengthen cooperation and connectivity to bolster trade and the overall economy of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

Representatives from the member states of the ASEAN discussed priority economic deliverables for this year and exchanged views on the regional and global economic outlook, Lao News Agency on Monday quoted Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaythong Kommasith as saying at a press conference after the meeting on March 9.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

At the meeting, the ASEAN economic ministers also discussed some of the key initiatives under the ASEAN Economic Community, such as the negotiations on the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), said Malaythong.

"Against the backdrop of global economic uncertainties, we reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to strengthening the fundamentals of the ASEAN single market through the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement. As the backbone of regional trade, the upgraded version of this agreement will take trade relations between ASEAN member states to the next level," he added.

The ministers emphasized the need for the upgraded ATIGA to facilitate and promote sustainable development and reaffirmed their commitment to the conclusion of most of the chapters in the ATIGA upgrade negotiations within this year.

Ministers also discussed the progress of implementation of the AEC Blueprint 2025 and the development of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

ASEAN economic ministers adopted at the meeting ASEAN Services Facilitation Framework, which is a set of principles and action plans to achieve ASEAN services sector integration and to improve the competitiveness of the services sector.

"We hope that the framework will improve the policy and regulatory environment that enables the seamless provision of services within the regional market," said Malaythong.

Laos introduced 14 priority economic deliverables in the areas of agriculture, tourism, energy, intellectual property, small and medium-sized enterprises, and digital transformation, as well as initiatives to strengthen supply chains and narrow the development gap among ASEAN member states.

ASEAN economic ministers expressed their support for the deliverables proposed by Laos and the bloc is unanimously committed to the timely implementation of these deliverables.

On behalf of Laos as the host of the meeting, Malaythong called on ASEAN economic ministers to work more closely together, seek ways to resolve challenges and set an appropriate direction for future development, especially the implementation of related plans.

He urged to strongly promote development for the benefit of the ASEAN Economic Community and to strengthen the bloc's unity and trading power. 
By

On Joe Biden's watch, Haiti has fallen into complete chaos, costing the U.S. another embassy.

The government is not functioning at all and barbarians have taken over.

The New York Post reports that it's come to this:

Haitis most notorious gang leader, known as Barbecue, may be the most powerful man in the nation as the prime minister remains unable to return home. On Sunday, the US announced that troops had evacuated Americans from the US Embassy and additional forces were brought in to secure the diplomatic compound in Port-au-Prince. Jimmy Cherizier, leader of the notorious G9 and Family gang, is in command of the bulk of the gunmen stirring anarchy in the capital  and he vowed to fight until embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns. I am ready to make an alliance with the devil, ready to sleep in the same bed as the devil, Cherizier told his supporters last week as his fighters destroyed police stations and other government facilities.

It's part of a trend of nations in our hemisphere falling into extreme states of chaos from newly empowered gangs, all of them made rich from shipping illegal migrants into the U.S. and made muscular with new manpower from major prison breaks preceding the armed takeover attacks.

We've seen it in northern Mexico, we've seen it in Ecuador.

In Venezuela and Nicaragua something comparable is happening, except that the worst has already happened: The gangsters are the government, not challengers to the government. But the chaos is also there and these government gangs are growing rich off shipping illegal migrants to the states and emptying their prisons, too.

Now it's going full blown 'horrible' in Haiti, which has been a major transshipment point of illegal migrants into the states (and closely aligned with Nicaragua's game described here) and now has seen at least two major prison breaks in the runup to this disaster.

Videos have been circulating on Twitter and other places demonstrating that Haitian gangs are eating people as cannibals. One video, since deleted, showed someone swiftly macheting a leg off at the knee in a burning tire fire in a street like a piece of meat. Another video (also deleted) showed some savage chewing on someone's finger and then ripping a chunk off some burning corpse's leg in the street, encircled by burning tires, and then chowing down again. I saw these videos and they were both repulsive.

According to the Hindustan Times, the cannibalism did happen in Haiti's Artibonite Valley near its Dominican border, but the video is two years old.

The video has not been independently verified by any news agency. However, according to Times Now, agencies on social media have revealed that the video is two years old and has nothing to do with the current unrest. Although the incident may be true, it is not related to the current situation in the Caribbean nation. One user shared the video with the caption, It turns out that this video is from over 2 YEARS ago of a battle between the Gran Grif and Ti Mepri gangs in the Artibonite Valley. It has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier or today's uprising. The man pictured did this gruesome act to terrorize his rivals.

Presumably that's a debunking given the current state of affairs and we should dismiss the nickname "barbecue" of the current strongman gangster as just a cute childhood nickname.

But that doesn't debunk the idea that some of these gangsters of today might be engaged in this practice. Unless these barbarians in the videos are now dead, they most likely are out and about, given that the prisons are emptied and Haitian law enforcement never was very good to start with. They could be here in the states as "asylum seekers" getting their free hotels, cell phones, transport and more. Or, they could be doing what they do in Haiti right now.

The New York Times did not report cannibalism in Haiti in its report, but it did put out an excellent story describing comparably bad things that is worth reading: Food rotting in refrigerators now that the power is out, people terrified of leaving their homes because of stray bullets and incessant gunfire, food running out, food transport routes blocked, garbage uncollected -- which is a credible argument for a humanitarian crisis in the making -- and a new migrant wave to the states coming.

The reporter on that story, Frances Robles, is an old foreign correspondent and it's telling that her report didn't mention cannibalism, but also didn't dismiss the cannibalism reports as "right-wing conspiracy theories," so it's likely she could not confirm the reports. Odds also are good that she asked around.

And where does this idea that Haiti has cannibals come from? Well, that video of two years ago tells us something. But googling around, I also found this 1959 academic paper by scholar Erika Bourguignon describing cannibalism, and zombie culture in Haiti as pretty problematic from folk culture. Only one page is visible for non-subscribers. Celebrate diversity.

And while cannibalism is unconfirmed, it probably ought not be dismissed out of hand as a new migrant wave from Haiti is sure to come.

All the same, even if the gangsters making Haiti a hellscape are pristine on the cannibalism front, what is happening there is problematic enough.

It's a monstrous humanitarian disaster in the making as well as a knock-on effect of Biden's open border. A whole nation has crashed into chaos now as gangs take over and the nation falls into dysfunction and lawlessness.

The great empowerer of the gangs and cartels is Joe Biden, who opened the border to gang profits and gang power in every country of Latin America. Now, the weakest are going down first.

Image: Twitter screen shot
Pittsburgh is Pennsylvanias second-largest city. Naturally, being a large, northwestern city, its under Democrat control. And also naturally, it responded to George Floyds drug death by doing everything it could to hamstring policing. Inevitably, that meant that the police force began to suffer from a staffing crisis. Now, that staffing crisis means that at night unless people are experiencing a real-time, life-threatening emergency, no police will show up. In Pittsburgh, the broken windows theory of law enforcement is irrelevant; instead, the windows are breaking.

For those young uns who dont remember the 1970s, that was the first decade that felt the full effects of the leftist contention that policing was inherently racist and classist. With police prevented from doing their jobs, cities fell into decay. This was the heyday of subway train tagging in New York and the irritating windshield guys whod dirty your window and then extort you through implied violence if you didnt pay them to clean it.

What helped bring about change was an article entitled Broken Windows that James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling introduced in March 1982s The Atlantic Monthly (when it was still a magazine of ideas and not a Democrat party outlet). The theory was simple: If you dont police small crimes, such as broken windows, criminals will move on to larger crimes. Or, as Wilson and Kelling explained:

Social psychologists and police officers tend to agree that if a window in a building is broken and is left unrepaired, all the rest of the windows will soon be broken. This is as true in nice neighborhoods as in rundown ones. Window-breaking does not necessarily occur on a large scale because some areas are inhabited by determined window-breakers whereas others are populated by window-lovers; rather, one un-repaired broken window is a signal that no one cares, and so breaking more windows costs nothing. (It has always been fun.)

If you show you care, criminals dont escalate. Its intuitively obvious, but it took the partnership of Mayor Rudy Giuliani and NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton to put the theory into effect and (at least for a while) return New York to its former glory. I remember being there in 1994 and meeting a gay man who told me, Ive always been a Democrat, but Giuliani has been such a wonderful mayor for the city that Im voting to reelect him.

In Pittsburgh, though, the city is being forced by leftist policies to tolerate broken windows once again:

BREAKING: Pittsburgh police will no longer respond to certain calls & will instead be redirecting people to a telephone unit.



Those crimes include thefts, harassment, criminal mischief, burglary alarms, etc.



Additionally, there were be only 20 police officers patrolling the pic.twitter.com/H5dqLud72W  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 10, 2024

The state-of-the-art call center cannot compare to a police officer arriving on the scene and instantly pursuing the 16-year-old wannabe gang member who just tagged a building or broke a window. Very soon, there will be more broken windowslots more. And inevitably, that will signal to the criminal classes that nothing can stop them.

Of course, the criminal classes already know that 2024 America is a paradise for them. Were Batmans Gotham in its darkest days or Supermans Bizarro World, where crime lords have their boot on the citys throat.

In New York City, Daniel Perry, a former Marine, is arrested for defending people from a subway maniac, but theres a revolving door at the DAs office when it comes to criminals who have been arrested dozens of times. For example, Edward Johnson, a 57-year-old illegal alien in New York City, has been arrested 23 times that we know of (including gun possession charges) and has another 42 arrests under seal. Nevertheless, he was recently still out and about, violently attacking female doctors and nurses.

The same stories repeat again and again in Americas Democrat-run cities. The institutions are hostile to ordinary citizens and bow before the criminals and their leftist enablers. So its no surprise, really, that Pittsburghs Democrat policies are now creating a situation in which windows will be broken, cars stolen, houses robbed, and citizens assaulted, all without any meaningful police responses.

I end every one of my posts lately the same way: Conservatives need to vote in numbers so overwhelming that every Democrat, from the President of the United States down to the local dog catcher, loses. Otherwise, were going to look like South Africa in a few years, for we will have slipped into a violent, dystopian reality.

Image: Broken windows at the Stehli Silk Mill in Manheim Township, PA, by Smallbones. Public domain.
If President Trump were to win the presidential election this November, a majority of Democrat voters would oppose official electoral certificationat least, that was what a new poll from Rasmussen Reports found. Heres the story, via Wendell Huseb of Breitbart News:

The poll asked likely voters: Some Democrats in Congress have said that if Trump wins this years election, they will vote against certifying the election results because of Trumps role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Do you support or oppose Democrats refusing to certify the election results if Trump wins? 57 percent of Democrats would oppose certification.

Nearly two-thirds of liberals said they would oppose certification.

(The results came from a sample of 912 likely voters and was conducted last week; the results also include a 3 point margin of error.)

Hmmm, dont these same Democrats have a word for this? Something about trying to subvert or undermine the democracy in which they apparently think we live?

Now, I know, youll never believe it, but after years of parroting the insurrection-according-to-the-uninformed narrative, Democrat voters are changing their tune, and embracing exactly what theyve routinely condemned as treasonand, overturning an election that hasnt even happened yet is premeditated. But, thats all fine and dandy, because anything they do is for democracys sake, to protect against fascism and Hitler incarnate, naturally. As someone on social media mused:

Liberals: If we could just jail Trump, get rid of MAGA, end the Electoral College, stack the Supreme Court, ban voter ID, and censor free speech we could save democracy.  Dave Brown  (@davebrownlive) March 5, 2024

Of course though, none of what happened on January 6th could even be remotely considered a criminal insurrection: sure, crimes may have been committed (vandalism), but an unauthorized tour by crowds of unarmed people (in a country with more firearms than people) who were almost entirely peaceful, isnt even close to an organized attempt to overthrow the biggest and most powerful government in the world.

So wait, were to understand, if this poll is correct, that Democrat voters oppose the rule of law? I couldnt tell.

Its not like their support for the invasion of felons pouring across our borders or their willingness to ignore every ethical convention and legal duty to ensure the preservation and guarantee of constitutional rights would have given me any hints or their gross lack of concern for a free and fair election in 2020 could have ever indicated that.

Image generated by AI.
Twenty years ago, although it feels like a lot more than that, most of us woke to shocking news from Madrid:

On March 11, 2004, 193 people are killed and nearly 2,000 are injured when 10 bombs explode on four trains in three Madrid-area train stations during a busy morning rush hour. The bombs were later found to have been detonated by mobile phones. The attacks, the deadliest against civilians on European soil since the 1988 Lockerbie airplane bombing, were initially suspected to be the work of the Basque separatist militant group ETA. This was soon proved incorrect as evidence mounted against an extreme Islamist militant group loosely tied to, but thought to be working in the name of, al-Qaida. Investigators believe that all of the blasts were caused by improvised explosive devices that were packed in backpacks and brought aboard the trains. The terrorists seem to have targeted Madrids Atocha Station, at or near which seven of the bombs were detonated. The other bombs were detonated aboard trains near the El Poso del Tio Raimundo and Santa Eugenia stations, most likely because of delays in the trains journeys on their way to Atocha. Three other bombs did not detonate as planned and were later found intact.

A few days later, the socialists won the election by connecting the incident to Spanish troops in Iraq. It was a pathetic exploitation of the tragedy, but it worked.

At the time, many concluded that the terrorists had won a big one in Spain. It was the first time that terrorists changed a government. Thankfully, it turned out to be the last as PM John Howard of Australia and President George W. Bush were reelected later in 2004.

Unfortunately, Spain's PM Jose Luis Rodriguez-Zapatero turned out to be worse than anyone could have imagined. Spanish troops were removed from Iraq. The terrorists did not leave Spain. That's PM Rodriguez-Zapatero's legacy and the low point of his very mediocre career.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Mr. Tickle
If you were to meditate on the pro-crime policies of the Democrat left (aided and abetted by its Republican squishy collaborators), a number of things might immediately come to mind: the preventable deaths of young women like Laken Riley who was murdered while running by a known felon, one who had been intentionally loosed on the American public; you might think of the crumbling metropolises, like New York City and its deployment of guardsmen to patrol the subway, or Chicago with illegal hordes saturating city block sidewalks and underpasses; you might focus of the lawless Soros prosecutors aiding and abetting the ushering in of a nasty and brutish state of nature a la Mad Max; or, you might think of the scandalous reality that tens of thousands of rape kits sit around untested in warehouses, their DNA contents slowly dissipating over time, because too many politicians couldnt care less about sexual violence.

Yet, heres a fantastic win for conservative policies from someone who actually does care about the sexual victimization of human beings, and another testament that a conservative really is the best man (or woman) for the job; the story, via Just the News:

Arkansas crime lab slashes turnaround time on sexual assault kits under Gov. Sarah Sanders The Arkansas State Crime Lab has whittled down the wait time for sexual assault kit reports from eight months to 90 days, state lawmakers were told Friday.  The state crime lab currently has 130 unassigned kits, down from 600 last year, according to Jennifer Beaty-West, deputy director of scientific operations. She attributed the improved turn-around times to additional staffing provided by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Back in 2015, Arkansass legislature passed a law that required the state crime lab to inventory untested sexual assault kits, and over the course of Asa Hutchinsons 8-year tenure (20152023), the backlogged kits went from 1,300 to 600. (As far as I can tell, this isnt taking into account any new kits that entered the queue.) Over eight years thats a 53.8% decreaseor annually, 6.73%.

Now Hutchinson is a RINO, so slow-moving and inefficient government is just as predictable with him as it is with Democratsbut when a conservative assumes the states executive office? Sanders only became governor in January 2023, and in the course of one year alone, as you see above, that number dwindled from 600 all the way down to 130this is a 78.3% decrease, or more in one year than all of Hutchinsons eight.

And, what used to take eight months to complete now takes 90 days, with a projected turnaround time of just 60 days by next year.

Its not often we conservatives rack up a win" because were living in the most lawless era of American history, but Sanders and the Arkansas voters certainly get credit for this one. Bravo!

Image: Public domain.
As a thirty-four-year veteran of the United States Navy, I unfortunately have seen first-hand the good, the bad, and the ugly of the execution of Americas foreign policy, in many cases altruistic by design but either poorly executed or impacted by outside forces that caused the loss of many American servicemen and womens lives.

The 1983 Bombing of the Marine Corps Barracks in Beirut Lebanon is a prime example of good intentions where Americas policy makers placed Americans in harms way in an untenable situation. Consequently two truck bombs struck buildings in Beirut, Lebanon, housing American and French service members of the Multinational Force in Lebanon (MNF), a military peacekeeping operation during the Lebanese Civil War. The attack killed 307 people: 241 U.S. and 58 French military personnel, six civilians, and two attackers and ultimately lead to the untimely withdrawal of the MNF. End result -- peacekeepers died in vain, and peace was not achieved.

As the Commanding Officer of USS Rushmore (LSD 47) I participated directly in Operation Restore Hope which consisted of a Unified Task Force (UNITAF) -- a United States-led, United Nations-sanctioned multinational force which operated in Somalia from December 1992 until May 1993. UNITAF was charged with carrying out United Nations Security Council Resolution 794 to create a protected environment for conducting humanitarian operations in the southern half of the country. Although altruistic in nature, the operation turned south as Somali warlords competed for relief supplies in their effort to maintain leverage over the populace. Unfortunately, things turned ugly, resulting in the Battle of Mogadishu in which 18 American soldiers were killed in action and another 48 wounded. Like Beirut in 1983 America withdrew her forces without achieving the desired end state.

Fast forward to 2024 where the Biden Administration attempted to provide humanitarian supplies to the people of Gaza by air drop which resulted in the death of civilians on the ground. We have now learned that the next phase if to provide relief supplies by sea which will necessitate the deployment of DoD's Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability, or JLOTS.

Again, another concept that may be easier to plan on paper than to execute in a war zone where food is used as a weapon by Hamas to maintain power over its citizens. I am sure that, as in the examples cited above, there may be unintended consequences resulting in the loss of American lives.

Yes, we have seen this movie before, and it has not ended well. However, lets hope that this one is different, but based on our experience at Abbey Gate during out botched withdrawal from Afghanistan I suspect the ending may be the same.

Image: USAF
Theres a video spreading like wildfire across social media in which a petite female highschooler (Kailee) squares up against a hulking classmate; mere seconds into the video we see the former decisively pummeled, before her head is repeatedly slammed into the cement by the latterIm not sure what led to the students deciding to duke it out, but the encounter left Kailee either dead or clinging to her life in the hospital (I cant find an accurate report on her current condition).

Now, unlike Big Medias penchant for attaching the racism or hate crime label any time a black person is hurt (or dies) by the hands of a white person, since I dont know the details of this fight, I wont be jumping to conclusions based on skin colorand, we do see a black girl step in an attempt to stop the beating after Kailee takes a number of hits once its clear she doesnt stand a chance.

But, what is worth focusing on is what we do know: the response of the media and the school district to the whole tragic scene, as well as the lefts influence within these apparatuses.

First the school districts statement, via Fox News:

It is a tragedy anytime children are hurt. Bullying and fighting in the community is an issue for which we all need to take ownership and work towards a resolution for the sake of our children. The Hazelwood School District offers our sincerest condolences to everyone involved, and will offer additional emotional support from our support and crisis team to those in need. We look forward to continuing to partner with our community for the sake of our children. Please be kind and respectful of the families involved during this difficult time and pledge to help work toward the betterment of our entire community.

As I read that, theres no condemnation, like at all, of the black girls aggressionthe district offers condolences to everyone involved and requests that people be kind and respectful to both the victims family and the perpetrators family. While I certainly wouldnt argue that a person be unkind, or disrespectful to the assailants family, and my heart also breaks for the black girl who no doubt has suffered from a broken home, degenerate influence, and abuse, but shes absolutely to blame for her own actions, and a cry for justice and accountability should obviously be included in a statement from a school district. But then again, this is the public education system, meaning its saturated with leftists with their completely backward sense of victim and perpetratorand even more so, considering this specific districts radical commitment to the DEI ethos:

NEW: Reports are coming in that brutal fights involving students in @HazelwoodSD have been going on for YEARS. The school appears to have incorporated equity based school discipline policies according to their most recent DEI Initiative.



A former student tells me another student https://t.co/aUcv9hEria pic.twitter.com/KEWwLCA6qQ  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 11, 2024

Also, here:

In 2022, Hazelwood School District won the "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Award." They're the best at incorporating DEI!



They were also sued by a former employee who alleged years of discrimination against white employees.



What is going on at @hazelwoodsd?! https://t.co/aUcv9hDTsC pic.twitter.com/gOHMZJVvJt  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 10, 2024

Naturally, given the scene, Big (leftist) Media has chosen to ignore it; at this point, the story appears to have only been picked up by smaller local outlets. As far as I can tell, nothing from CNN, MSNBC, Hollywood, etc.

DEI is simply, Saul Alinksys instruction to rub raw the sores of discontent put into policy; and, the rubbing of those sores of discontent sure does start at a young age. This is one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking videos Ive ever watched, so youve been warned:

They learn violence in childhood pic.twitter.com/kPgn2mFV5C        Brkin (@B2RKN) March 11, 2024

White privilege? What about black privilege, or the latitude to be a violent thug and an absolute menace and escape any punitive consequences. Both videos illustrate the reality that there is a feral subculture that is directly linked to the leftist philosophy, and it is flourishing; I say subculture because of course this does not apply to all blacks. Did blacks act like this when living under the blessings of a civilized and conservative society? HardlyThomas Sowell has a lot to say on the thriving state of the black community prior to the Great Society and anti-poverty programs of 20th century Democrats.

Perhaps we ought to revist the musings of Michael Savage and Scott Adams....

Image from X.
In a historic gesture of interfaith harmony last week, Christian leaders in Pakistan on Wednesday presented two significant religious artifacts to the Supreme Court of Pakistan for curation in its museum.

The artifacts, a copy of the Bible dating back to 1611 and a replica of the Cross of Saint Thomas, symbolize the rich tapestry of religious diversity and the enduring presence of Christianity in the region.

The Bible, known as the King James Version, was commissioned in 1611 and represents a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity, marking the translation of holy scriptures into English, a language accessible to the common people.

The Cross of Saint Thomas stands as a testament to the apostles missionary work in India and his influence that extends to Pakistan.

The placement of these Christian artifacts in the Supreme Courts museum is more than a symbolic act; it is a reaffirmation of Pakistans constitutional commitment to protect the rights of all its citizens, regardless of their faith, said Supreme Court of Pakistans first female Registrar, Jazeela Aslam.

Addressing a delegation of Christian leaders led by Church of Pakistan President Bishop Azad Marshall, the Registrar said that the superior courts of the country were committed to upholding minority rights.

The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the equality of all citizens irrespective of their faith affiliations. The protection of minority rights is not merely a legal obligation, its also a moral responsibility of the state, she said.

Aslam said that the tenets of equality, protection of minority rights, and religious freedom were also highlighted by Pakistan's founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

In his August 11, 1947 historic speech to the Pakistani Constituent Assembly, Jinnah made a few noteworthy remarks concerning minorities. He outlined the ideals that should guide the newly formed country's government in this speech, she said.

She added that various constitutional provisions, including Article 20 (freedom of religion), Article 25 (equality of citizens), Article 36 (protection of minorities), and Article 37 (promotion of social justice and eradication of social evils), explicitly ensure the rights and freedoms of minorities.

However, the effective implementation of these provisions faces challenges rooted in discrimination, intolerance, violence, and extremism. Consequently, the role of the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court of Pakistan, emerges as pivotal in upholding and enforcing the rights of minorities in our nation, she concluded.

Speaking on the occasion, Bishop Marshall lauded the judiciary's commitment to upholding justice and equality for all citizens.

However, the senior bishop said that Pakistani minorities continued to face the challenge of the implementation of their rights despite the constitutional guarantees.

Today, we stand united in our diversity, presenting these artifacts as symbols of our shared heritage and mutual respect. The Supreme Court, the guardian of our constitution, now houses tokens of our faith, reminding us that justice and rights are not bound by religion or creed, he said.

Bishop Marshall further highlighted the importance of access to justice and the provision of constitutional rights to minority Christians.

The presence of these sacred items in the highest court of the land is a beacon of hope for minority communities. It reassures us that our voices are heard, and our rights are safeguarded. It is a step towards eradicating the shadows of discrimination and ensuring that justice is blind to differences, serving all with equality, he said.

The event is being hailed as a significant step towards promoting unity and religious diversity in Pakistan.

It serves as a powerful reminder of the countrys rich cultural mosaic and the enduring spirit of tolerance that is essential for the nations progress, said Catholic priest Khalid Mukhtar.

Father Mukhtar serves as a parish priest in Jaranwala which witnessed violent attacks on multiple churches and homes of Christians on August 16, 2023 after two Christians were falsely accused of desecrating the Quran and writing blasphemous content.

We hope that the Supreme Court will also ensure justice in the Jaranwala case, which is crucial to restore the confidence of the Christian community in the law of the land, he said.

On February 14, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa had rejected a report submitted by the Punjab provincial government on the Jaranwala incident, terming it worthy of being thrown into the dustbin.

The bench gave a 10-day deadline to the Punjab government to submit a fresh report explaining why a majority of the suspects detained in the Jaranwala incident had been granted bail by the courts.
ByteDance and its video-sharing app TikTok are on the brink of being banned in the U.S. Reuters reports that The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a TikTok ban next week, demanding ByteDance divest from its popular app or face a ban in the U.S.

Last week, U.S. lawmakers introduced the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which bares U.S. app stores and web hosting services from distributing apps controlled by foreign adversary countries. The bill requires those apps, including TikTok, to cut ties with their hometown parent company to continue operating in the U.S.

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Accordingly, The U.S. House of Representatives will hold a meeting next week to vote on legislation that gives a six-month deadline to ByteDance to distance itself from TikTok. In other words, ByteDance has to sell its interest in the app and should have no control over its data.

TikTok needs to cut ties with ByteDance to escape a ban in the U.S.

The legislation goes on to vote after the Energy and Commerce Committee cast a 50-0 vote to support the move. It seems U.S. lawmakers are unanimous about banning TikTok in the U.S. unless the app cuts its ties with China-based ByteDance.

With its staggering 170 million users in the U.S., TikTok has become a part of many peoples daily lives. As the fastest-growing app in the country, the recent news of a potential ban comes as a shock. TikTok has been under U.S. scrutiny since 2020, especially after former President Donald Trump accused the app of serving the interests of the CCP.

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TikTok always denied its ties with CCP, but U.S. lawmakers have another idea

Despite TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew making multiple appearances at U.S. Congress hearings and vehemently denying the allegations, the threat of a ban looms large. This suggests that U.S. lawmakers are determined to halt the apps operations in the country.

According to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the lawmakers will vote to force TikTok to sever their ties with the Chinese Communist Party. TikToks lobbying for blocking the legislation have all previously failed.

A TikTok spokesperson has already voiced their concerns, stating that the legislation is an outright ban on TikTok, regardless of any attempts to disguise it. The app also argues that such legislation could potentially infringe on First Amendment rights and harm U.S. businesses.
Kaspersky, a renowned cybersecurity firm, reported a significant surge in phishing attacks thwarted by its anti-phishing system in 2023. The system successfully blocked over 709 million attempts to access phishing and scam websites.

Numerous platforms were exploited by threat actors

Among the pathways most frequently exploited by threat actors were messaging apps, artificial intelligence platforms, social media services, and cryptocurrency exchanges. The trend of increased phishing attacks observed in 2022 persisted in 2023. Notably, the attacks increased by over 40 percent throughout the last year.

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The number of attempts to access phishing links reached a staggering 709,590,011. Scammers commonly propagated travel-related scams like counterfeit airline tickets and fake hotel deals. Additionally, the integration of technologies featuring built-in LLMs provided scammers with new avenues to exploit, while traditional tactics targeting high-profile releases, events, and premieres remained prevalent.

Kaspersky Cyber Security Solutions thwarted 62,127 attempts to redirect users via phishing and scam links on Telegram alone. It represents a significant 22% increase from the previous year. The majority of redirection attempts targeted users in Russia, followed by Brazil, Turkey, India, Germany, Italy, and Mexico. It indicates a global reach of these malicious activities.

Olga Svistunova, a security expert at Kaspersky, emphasized the importance of vigilance and skepticism in combating phishing threats. She advised users to exercise caution when opening emails and clicking links, particularly if the sender or content seems suspicious. Keeping an eye on the spelling of website URLs and the layout of the sites are also proven security measures when surfing the web. It reduces the risk of falling victim to phishing-based scams.

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Kasperskys securelist summarizes that 45.60% of all emails sent worldwide and 46.59% of all emails sent in the Russian web segment were spam. Additionally, Kaspersky Mail Anti-Virus blocked 135,980,457 malicious email attachments.

Multifaceted tactics of cybercriminals in 2023

In 2023, cybercriminals employed a variety of tactics to exploit users. It includes phishing schemes targeting gamers with promises of exclusive game access and in-game valuables, fake tax refund websites preying on users seeking financial benefits, and deceptive lottery offers for work or student visas. Scammers also enticed users with promises of easy money through fraudulent schemes disguised as paid tasks or investment opportunities.

Additionally, attackers leveraged social networks and messaging apps to spread phishing links and scams, such as fake Meta ad credits and fraudulent WhatsApp bots. Moreover, the exploitation of artificial intelligence, with fake AI chatbots offering tech support or investment advice, further contributed to the diverse range of tactics employed by scammers.
Qualcomm is prepping to host an event as early as March 18 at 2:30 PM local time in China where it could introduce the latest flagship Snapdragon chip. Notably, the conferences slogan is Intelligence is in the core, and there is a dragon in it. Per reports, the chip maker could announce the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chips. But take note that Qualcomm hasnt announced anything about these developments yet. Both the chipsets are said to be built on the same architecture as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which has been receiving praises since its launch.

Qualcomm may launch a flagship chip on March 18th

The news about the event comes from a post on Weibo, where the chip maker could announce at least two chips, including a flagship one. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 will steal the limelight of the event, while we anticipate the other chip, 7+ Gen 3, to power up budget smartphones releasing ahead.

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Delving into the technicals of the upcoming chips, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 could boast one 3.01GHz Cortex-X4 core, four 2.61GHz Cortex-A720 cores, and three 1.84GHz Cortex-A520 cores, alongside an Adreno 735 GPU. Conversely, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 could exhibit a similar architecture but with different clock speeds, including a 2.9GHz Cortex-X4 core, four 2.61GHz Cortex-A720 cores, and three 1.9GHz Cortex-A520 cores, completed by an Adreno 732 GPU.

Which phones will feature the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon chips?

The rumored candidates, according to folks at Gizmochina, include the Realme GT Neo6 series, Redmi Note 13 Turbo, Xiaomi Civi 4, OnePlus Ace 3V, Vivo Pad 3, and new devices in the iQOO Neo 9 series. These devices might feature either of the upcoming chips. Notably, the publication adds that we mightve to wait until March 18 when Qualcomm will confirm the releases during its event. So, until then, you may have to take this information with a grain of salt. But regardless of that, we could say that new Qualcomm processors are on their way.
Oscar-nominated US musicians Billie Eilish and Finneas OConnell arrived at the Academy Awards red carpet wearing a red pin, which calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.

Eilish and her brother OConnell, who are up for an original song award for Barbie tune What Was I Made For?, both leant their support to the Artists4Ceasefire campaign ahead of the Oscars at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Mark Ruffalo (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

They previously won an Oscar in the same category for James Bond theme song No Time To Die.

The Artists4Ceasefire group says the pin symbolises collective support for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all of the hostages and for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

American actors Ramy Youssef and Mark Ruffalo, who both starred in surreal comedy Poor Things, up for a best picture Oscar, US director Ava DuVernay and British actor Riz Ahmed were also among those arriving with a pin.

Ramy Youssef at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Youssef told Deadline that its about stop killing kids'.

Were using our voices to speak to peoples hearts, he added.

We want people to have safety and justice.

He also said: Its obviously something a lot of people have a lot of opinions about, and I think there can be a place and time to process feelings.

The best time to process feelings is when there isnt active violence happening. So, we need to stop the violence, we need to stop the bombing.

In October, Hamas  a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK  invaded Israel, kidnapping hundreds of civilians and taking them back to the Gaza Strip as well as killing more than 1,000.

The Israeli Government has retaliated with months of attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding tens of thousands.
Boris Johnsons handling of key Covid meetings was scatty, incoherent and rambling an inquiry has heard.

Vaughan Gething, the Welsh health minister during the coronavirus pandemic, criticised the former prime ministers handling of briefings, at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry hearing on Monday.

Mr Gething, who is now the minister for the economy and running to be the next first minister of Wales, said that COBR meetings  cabinet briefings where the Covid response was discussed  were better handled by former UK health minister Matt Hancock.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson giving evidence in London, during the Covid inquiry (UK Covid-19 Inquiry/PA)

He made the comments in a written statement to the inquiry, which were read out by Tom Poole, lead counsel for the inquiry.

Mr Poole said: When Matt Hancock chaired meetings of COBR there was administrative efficiency and it was a matter of regret that the same could not be said for the meetings chaired by Mr Johnson, who you describe as scatty, incoherent and rambling.

Mr Gething told the hearing that the identity (of the chair) really does matter.

The former health minister also expressed frustration that papers for some meetings were shared with the devolved administrations only 15 to 20 minutes before they started meaning there was no time to prepare.

He also accepted that the Welsh government was not as prepared for a pandemic as it thought ahead of Covid-19.

The preparation we thought we had didnt stand up as well as we thought it would in those early weeks, he said.

The hindsight is of course that we werent as prepared as we could have been but also we werent as prepared as we thought we were.

And I think thats not just in Wales, thats across the UK.

Previous hearings of the inquiry has heard that the Welsh government had found out it would be in charge of its own pandemic response just days before the first lockdown.

Former health secretary Matt Hancock leaving Dorland House in London after giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry in December (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Mr Gething also argued that if the Welsh government had known it would have started planning sooner.

He said: Through March, even an extra day or two would have made a difference to your preparation.

The hearing also heard that Mr Gething made an error during the first Welsh government cabinet meeting where Covid was discussed.

Unpublished minutes of a cabinet meeting show Mr Gething said there were no imported cases of Covid to the UK on February 25 2020.

He accepted that was an error at the inquiry, saying there had already been cases in the UK by that time and what he had meant to say was there were no cases in Wales.

He said: I plainly made an error there, counsel, because in fact there had been plenty of imported cases by then.

The inquiry opened with questions relating to Mr Gethings WhatsApp messages from the pandemic period, which have been completely deleted.

He described their deletion as a real embarrassment and insisted they had been lost during a security rebuild and that he had spoken with the IT team at the Senedd on multiple occasions to attempt to get them back.

Members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru group spoke outside the hearing.

They hit out at Mr Gething, saying: Matt Hancock look like a strategic planning pandemic genius.

Anna-Louise Marsh-Rees, who leads the group, said: We all have to keep remembering that we are here today because thousands of people died in Wales because of these decisions.

Today his responses were a word salad of waffle.

In my opinion, he was not qualified to be health minister for Wales.

He was meant to be in charge of protecting our loved ones and he just didnt and my dad did not stand a chance along with all of our other loved ones.

Whats most upsetting me is that there was zero acknowledgement of any mistakes.

His arrogance of we know best is just astonishing.
South Korea's Methodist Church has excommunicated a pastor for his participation in LGBT activism, according to a church statement provided to media this week.

The Korean Methodist Church upheld its lower church ruling to excommunicate pastor Lee Dong-hwan after it discovered the pastor's involvement in pro-LGBT activities in a country where gay marriage is not recognized, according to AFP.



"The church doctrine stipulates acts of agreeing or sympathizing with homosexuality amount to rules violations," the church said in a verdict.

"Participating in and officiating a blessing ceremony to bless sexual minorities by scattering flower petals, performing a performance waving a large rainbow flag in the square in front of Seoul City Hall, proposing a blessing ceremony for homosexuals ... are all acts of approval or agreement with homosexuality."

Almost a quarter of South Korea's population of 51 million inhabitants identify as Christians, with many holding a traditional biblical stance opposing same-sex marriage as sinful.

The pastor was subject to a church tribunal after praying a blessing for LGBT individuals. On Monday, the Korean Methodist Church's General Assembly Tribunal Committee rejected his appeal of the church's Dec. 8 ruling that he violated canon law by engaging in "pro-homosexuality and sympathy activities." Lee was also accused of slandering the church in media interviews.

According to the Korean daily newspaper Kyunghyang Shinmun, the Gyeonggi Provincial Council of the Korean Methodist Church's General Assembly Tribunal defrocked Lee, the denomination's most severe form of disciplinary action.

Lee will not be given the opportunity to appeal Monday's final decision.

The 43-year-old pastor called the verdict "shameful."

"Excommunicating a pastor for blessing sexual minorities will go down in history of Protestantism as dark history that will only invite laughter later," Lee told AFP.

Lee is considering legal action to contest his excommunication.

Attempts to enact measures to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation have failed in the last decade and a half amid opposition from churches and civic groups.

The global methodist body has been divided over the issue of same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBT clergy.

In the United States, over 7,000 churches have left the United Methodist Church in the last two years over denominational leaders' refusal to enforce its ban on same-sex marriage and gay clergy ordination.

In April 2022, the regional body of the United Methodist Church based in Eastern Europe voted to leave the UMC. In March 2023, the UMC Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference opened the door for regional church bodies to pursue departures from the denomination.

While thousands of congregations across the United States have disaffiliated from the UMC, some congregations had their disaffiliation votes rejected by their regional conferences or faced other obstacles in their bid to leave.

Some of those churches have filed legal action against their respective conferences, accusing them of either not correctly following the disaffiliation process or arguing that the process is unfair.

In early November 2023, a court in Alabama ruled against 42 congregations trying to leave the Alabama-West Florida Conference, concluding that, as a secular court, it did not have the authority to intervene in the churches' complaints.

Thousands of congregations that disaffiliated from the UMC have joined the Global Methodist Church, a theologically conservative denomination launched as an alternative to UMC launched in 2022.



Originally published by The Christian Post
British director Jonathan Glazer has condemned the ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip as he accepted an Oscar for his film about the banality of evil during the Holocaust.

The Zone Of Interest won the best international feature Oscar for the United Kingdom.

The harrowing portrait of a family living in a house and garden next to a concentration camp stars German actor Christian Friedel as Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Hoss while Sandra Huller plays his wife Hedwig.

Jonathan Glazer accepts the award with producers James Wilson and Leonard Blavatnik (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Hoss was a long-serving Nazi officer who was widely acknowledged as one of the architects of mass extermination during the Holocaust.

Much of the film follows the mundanity of family life, never venturing inside the camp, while the background sound and the billowing smoke hints at the horrors taking place over the fence.

Accepting the award, Glazers hands appeared to tremble as he read a pre-written speech, saying: All of our choices were made to confront us in the present. Not to say Look what they did then, rather look what we do now.

He added: Our film shows where dehumanisation leads at its worst  its shaped all of our past and present.

Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.

Whether its the victims of October 7 in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all are victims of this dehumanisation. How do we resist?

He was met with applause before he continued: Alexandria the girl who glows in the film, as she did in life, chose to. I dedicate this to her memory and to her resistance.
Christopher Nolan has had his first Oscar success for portraying the life of the father of the atomic bomb with Oppenheimer.

The London-born filmmaker has been previously nominated for six Academy Awards for pondering the important questions throughout his body of work, but had never won an Oscar for directing until Sundays ceremony.

Nolan went into the ceremony as the favourite to win for Oppenheimer  for which he has been given three nods across the adapted screenplay, director and best film categories.

Emma Thomas, left, and Christopher Nolan accept the award for best picture (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Accepting the directing prize, he praised his brother Jonathan Nolan, creator of Westworld, before hailing his wife and producer Emma Thomas  who picked up best picture along with him and Charles Roven  for being the producer of all our films and all our children.

He lost out on adapted screenplay to American Fiction, but his biopic stormed the awards with seven prizes.

Nolan added: I love you.

To the Academy, just to say movies are just a little bit over 100 years old, I mean imagine being there 100 years into painting or theatre.

We dont know where this incredible journey is going from here. But to know that you think that Im a meaningful part of it means the world to me. Thank you very much.

The 53-year-old also saw his actors, Irishman Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr, take home best actor and best supporting actor at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

The London-born filmmaker has been previously nominated for six Academy Awards (PA Wire)

He has collaborated with Murphy for nearly two decades  also on Batman Begins, Inception, Dunkirk and briefly in The Dark Knight Rises.

Murphy told GQ in February that Nolan gets his family to drop off his scripts to keep it secret and for reasons of tradition while also speaking how his set feels like a private, intimate laboratory.

He added: Theres no phones but also no announcement, everybody just knows. And theres no chairs because he doesnt sit down. Sometimes a film set can be like a picnic.

However, despite often being nominated and never winning during awards season, things are starting to look up for Nolan as this year the Directors Guild of America (DGA) gave him the prize for outstanding directorial achievement and he won a Golden Globe for best director  motion picture.

He also scooped up a directing Bafta gong and Murphy took home the leading actor prize at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Nolan, born in London to a British father and American mother, read English at University College London (UCL), choosing the school because of its filmmaking facilities.

It is also where he met his future wife, Thomas, with whom he has four children and runs a production company, Syncopy  and has worked with across his filmmaking.

Cillian Murphy and Tom Conti attend the BFI Fellowship Annual Dinner, honouring Christopher Nolan (James Manning/PA)

When Nolan was presented with the British Film Institute (BFI) Fellowship for being one of the worlds most innovative and influential film directors, he credited his wife.

He said he never felt alone making films as Thomas always saw things the same way I did in terms of the importance of the medium.

While at UCL, Nolan was president of the film society and produced short films while studying before getting his big break, making his directorial debut with 1998s Following.

Two years later Memento, which saw Guy Pearce as a man suffering memory loss who is desperately trying to discover who attacked him and killed his wife, unlocked Hollywood for Nolan.

The film received two Academy Award nominations, for best original screenplay and best film editing, as well as being a blockbuster success.

Following the well-received Memento, Nolan directed Insomnia, a psychological thriller starring Al Pacino as a detective on the hunt for a killer in an Alaskan town.

It was another critical and commercial smash, the beginning of a gilded run for Nolan.

In 2005, he made the first film in the Dark Knight trilogy, with Christian Bale playing the titular role in Batman Begins.

That was followed by drama The Prestige in 2006, which starred Bale and Hugh Jackman as two rival magicians in Victorian London.

The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises followed in 2008 and 2012 respectively, with both films grossing more than one billion US dollars worldwide.

In 2010, Nolan directed sci-fi action film Inception, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio as a professional thief who steals ideas from victims unconsciousness.

The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning four.

Nolan received his first best director Oscar nomination for 2017s Dunkirk, which depicts the Allies retreat from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk during the Second World War.

He did not receive nods for Interstellar, which shows Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway going on a mission to find a new planet to live on after the Earth becomes uninhabitable, but the blockbuster was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning in 2014 for visual effects.

It also saw him reunited with his brother, the co-creator of TV series Westworld, Jonathan Nolan, who he worked with on Memento, The Prestige and The Dark Knight films.

His time-warping Tenet, starring John David Washington and Robert Pattinson, was one of the few releases for cinemagoers during the pandemic and was hailed by critics  but did not give Nolan any Bafta, Oscar or Golden Globe nomination. It did take home an Academy Award for visual effects.

He is a devotee of the big screen experience  Tenet was shot on 65mm and large-format Imax cameras and had been delayed a number of times, before the espionage thriller became one of the big films of 2020.

His latest project, Oppenheimer, was confirmed in 2021 and is based on the 2005 Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and the late Martin J Sherwin.

Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh (Ian West/PA)

It birthed the Barbenheimer phenomenon, as Greta Gerwigs comedy about the famous doll Barbie and his dark Second World War scientific film were released on the same date.

Barbie was the highest grossing film of 2023, but Oppenheimer has led during awards season, getting 13 Bafta nods.

Aside from showing the downfall of the director of the Manhattan Project, who came under fire due to his activities with socialist groups, the film also dives into the moral questions of the atomic bomb and shows a slow-motion scene of the impact of the devastation wrought on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

However, it has not all been smooth sailing as the premiere in London meant that stars including Robert Downey Jr, Murphy, Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh staged a walkout when the Hollywood union Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) called a strike.
Douglas Ross has been warned he will be Scottish Tory leader in name only if he does not whip his MPs to vote against a windfall tax extension.

SNP MP Kirsty Blackman said the Moray MP faces being humiliated if he is the only Scottish Tory at Westminster to vote against the plans set out in Chancellor Jeremy Hunts budget.

Mr Hunt announced earlier this month that the levy on oil and gas profits will be extended by a further 12 months to 2029.

Mr Ross condemned the decision and said he will not vote for it when it comes before the House of Commons.

UK energy minister and West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie also said he was deeply disappointed in the plans, but has since clarified he will support the budget.

The SNP is not against a windfall tax and backs maintaining it at the 75% rate, and the party has a presumption against new oil and gas licences.

Ms Blackman, an Aberdeen North MP, said Mr Ross should force his spineless colleagues to join him in rejecting the extension.

The SNP politician said: Douglas Ross must whip his spineless seven Tory MPs to vote against these damaging plans, which threaten to destroy jobs and investment across Scotland.

Mr Ross has already been humiliated by the Tory Chancellor, who shafted Scotland with this policy. Now it looks like hell be humiliated again by his own MPs  making him leader in name only and raising questions over how much longer he can stay in his role, with no influence.

Voters in Scotland are getting ready to kick the Tories out at the next election  and by voting SNP we can make Scotland Tory-free.

Unlike Sunak and Starmer, the SNP will always stand up for Scotlands interests, defend Scottish jobs and demand the best deal for Scottish families.

Kirsty Blackman described Tory MPs as spineless (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Scottish Conservative net zero, energy and transport spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: Kirsty Blackman and the SNP are displaying breath-taking hypocrisy masquerading as a friend of Scotlands oil and gas industry when their own policy is to end North Sea production which would decimate the sector and the 100,000 jobs it supports across Scotland.

They have a nerve to try and play political games with the industry when Kirsty has herself stated that she is against granting new oil and gas licences, showing a blatant disregard for the livelihoods of her Aberdeen constituents.

The SNP were also the first party to call for a windfall tax and its only a few months since Humza Yousaf was proclaiming the end of the industry in a speech in New York.

He added: Their ridiculous take is absolutely absurd and is an insult to peoples intelligence.
Former Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson (right) shakes hands with Reform UK leader Richard Tice. (Getty Images) (HENRY NICHOLLS via Getty Images)

Lee Anderson has defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, having had the Tory whip removed after he accused London mayor Sadiq Khan of being controlled by "Islamists".

Announcing his move to Reform, the MP for Ashfield in Nottinghamshire said his former party had stifled "free speech", adding that he found it "unpalatable" that he had been disciplined for "speaking his mind" and claiming other Tory MPs shared his views but would not stick their heads above the parapet.

Meanwhile, Richard Tice, the leader of the populist right-wing party, told the same press conference that he had found a "champion of the red wall" in Anderson, referring to the traditional Labour Party stronghold in the North where the Tories made sweeping gains in the 2019 election.

Hes also coincidentally going to be Reform UKs first member of parliament in the House of Commons," Tice added.

However, some previous remarks made by Anderson about Reform UK are coming back to haunt him, particularly the former Tory deputy chairman agreeing there was "no conceivable world" in which he'd join the party.

Here, Yahoo News takes a look at all the things Anderson has said about Reform in the past, and his attempts to justify his comments today.

Lee Anderson insists he is not defecting because he had the Tory whip removed. (PA) (Victoria Jones, PA Images)

I wouldn't 'knife Tories in the back' by defecting

In an interview with the Telegraph in January, in which he said he wished he had voted for Rishi Sunak's Rwanda bill, Anderson played down suggestions he was considering joining Reform UK.

Asked if there was any "conceivable world" in which he'd defect from the Tories, he said: It was them that financially backed me, its them thats protected me, its them thats given me a political home... So why would I knife them in the back?

He added that Reform UK was trying to "destroy" the Tories because it believes Labour would introduce proportional representation, which would give fringe parties better chances of winning seats in parliament.

But at Monday's press conference, Anderson said these previous remarks had been an attempt to throw journalists "off the scent", adding: "That's just politics, darling."

Its politics. Were all grown-ups in this room, arent we? Im not going to play my full hand. Im not going to play a full hand, Im not going to reveal my full hand to you," he added. Asked whether he could still be trusted to tell the truth, he said: Im not bothered about if you can trust me.

Let me tell you this, and print this, nobody trusts any of you lot in this room, journalists, they dont trust you full stop, so my conscience is clear.

I was offered 'a lot of money' to join Reform UK

In a secret recording of a Lagers with Lee meeting at Cambridge Rugby Club in October 2023, Anderson claimed he was offered a lot of money to defect to Reform UK, the Sunday Times reported.

Speaking at the event, organised South Cambridgeshire Conservative Association, he told activists: Now there is a political party that begins with an R that offered me a lot of money to join them. I say a lot of money, I mean a lot of money.

This was immediately after asking "were not taping this, are we?", which was met with laughter by the crowd.

Tice denied that any money had been offered, saying: Desperate Tories will make desperate lies to save their skin.

Reform UK leader Richard Tice strongly deined that any Tory MPs had been offered money to defect. (Getty Images) (SOPA Images via Getty Images)

Appearing on the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme in November, Tice said he was very "happy to confirm" that he'd had numerous discussions with a number of Tory MPs angry with their party's handling of immigration.

Obviously I will keep those discussions completely confidential, but let me make it absolutely clear: no cash or money has in any way been offered. What has been offered is the chance to change the shape of the debate," he added.

Contrary to his comments in October, Anderson told Monday's conference that no money has been offered at all to entice him to join Reform.

Richard Tice is a 'pound shop Nigel Farage'

Speaking about Reform UK earlier this year to GB News, Anderson said: This is not a proper political party, by the way, this is a company."

Referring to Tice, he said: I think hes a pound shop Nigel Farage and every time he opens his mouth recently on whichever media platform, he is coming across as Reforms answer to Diane Abbott. Hes just saying ridiculous things.

He added: "I get on with Richard reasonably well, but I would say this  hes not Nigel Farage, hes not the leader that Nigel Farage was. In fact, I agree with one of my constituents, who said to me earlier today he is a bit of a pound shop Nigel Farage.

GB News pays Anderson a 100,000 salary, on top of his 86,584 MP pay, to present a show on its network.

Anderson said Tice is 'not the leader that Nigel Farage was'. (Getty Images) (Anadolu via Getty Images)

'I would have defected even if whip wasn't removed'

Anderson insisted his defection has nothing to do with the Tory whip being removed, suggesting he would have made the move anyway.

At Monday's press conference, he said: "My parents have been saying to me for weeks now, you cannot win, we cant vote for you being in the Conservative Party. If my parents are saying that, what chance have I got?"

Friends and family told me to join Reform UK, 'I had to listen'

Anderson suggested his friends, family and staff had told him to join Reform UK and that he had "to listen" to them.

At the press conference in Westminster, he told reporters: I had 4,000 emails last week in my emails, I had a sack full of mail, not just from my constituency, from all round the country. And when my friends and my family, my staff are telling me to join the Reform Party, then I have to listen.

The MP, who defected from Labour to the Tories in 2018, added "my country comes first". Asked about the possibility of a by-election, he said: Youre talking about reckless, it would be pretty reckless for me to suggest a by-election when we could have a general election in May. Theres your answer.

Reform UK will allow me to 'speak for people who feel they're not being listened to'

Joining Reform UK will provide an opportunity to speak for people who don't have a voice, Anderson has claimed.

He told Monday's press conference: It is no secret that Ive been talking to my friends in Reform for a while. And Reform UK has offered me the chance to speak out in Parliament on behalf of millions of people up and down the country who feel that theyre not being listened to."

He added: People will say that Ive took a gamble. And Im prepared to gamble on myself, as I know from my mailbag how many people in this country support Reform UK and what they have to say. And like millions of people up and down the country, all I want is my country back.

Anderson said there had been 'several tipping points' over the last few months that drove him to Reform UK. (Getty Images) (HENRY NICHOLLS via Getty Images)

It's been a 'gradual journey'

Asked what had changed enough to persuade Anderson to jump ship, Anderson told reporters: Theres not been a turning point. We all know that sometimes politicians are about as trustworthy as journalists in what they say and do.

But its been a gradual journey, and I think theres been several tipping points over the past few months. Like I said in my speech, Ive had to do a lot of soul-searching about where I am, what Im doing.

And when I find myself suspended for speaking my mind  and, by the way, speaking up on behalf of millions of people up and down the country who agree with me  that for me is unpalatable. Its a shocker, if Im honest.

I cannot be a part of an organisation which stifles free speech, and many of my colleagues in that place, in the Conservative Party, do back me on this privately.

'I think more Tories will join Reform UK'

Anderson said obliterating the Conservatives at the next general election is not at the top of my agenda, as he predicted more Tories would join Reform UK.

My vision for this party is to win seats like Ashfield places that I think have been let down by my old party, he said on Monday.

I have to be with a party that puts this country first, rather than their mates at the tea parties and clinking their champagne glasses.

He added: Its a sad day that Im leaving my colleagues. But if Im honest, this time next year theyll be sat on the same benches as me.

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Experts are calling for action on medical devices that are prone to unfair biases, including blood oxygen monitors and certain artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools, to prevent harm to ethnic minorities and women.

A report details the findings of the Independent Review of Equity in Medical Devices which looked at the extent and impact of ethnic and other unfair biases in the performance of equipment commonly used in the NHS.

It focused on optical devices such as pulse oximeters, AI-enabled devices and certain genomics applications, where evidence suggested there was substantial potential for harm.

The panel found evidence that pulse oximeters (blood oxygen monitors)  widely used during the Covid-19 pandemic  can overestimate the amount of oxygen in the blood of people with darker skin tones.

This could lead to delay in treatment if dangerously low oxygen levels were missed.

The experts say they did not specifically look at the use of these devices during the pandemic, but because there was an overwhelming number of people with very low oxygen levels the likelihood is that that inaccuracy was large at that time.

Daniel Martin, professor of perioperative and intensive care medicine, Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, said: We can only say that theres association between the harm and the inaccuracy and not causation.

But I think its a reasonably strong signal that theres a potential of harm there, particularly during Covid when oxygen levels are so very low.

The review makes a number of recommendations in relation to the devices, including patients being advised to look out for other symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain and fast heart rate.

It also suggests researchers and manufacturers should work to produce devices that are not biased by skin tone.

On AI-enabled devices, the review found evidence of potential biases against women, ethnic minority and disadvantaged socioeconomic groups.

It highlights potential underdiagnosis of skin cancers for people with darker skin when using AI-enabled devices.

The report suggests this is as a result of machines mainly being trained on images of lighter skin tones.

There is also a long-standing problem of underdiagnosis of heart conditions in women, which AI algorithms in medical devices could make worse, the panel suggests.

The University of Liverpools Professor Dame Margaret Whitehead, chairwoman of the review, said: The advance of AI in medical devices could bring great benefits, but it could also bring harm through inherent bias against certain groups in the population, notably women, people from ethnic minorities and disadvantaged socio-economic groups.

Our review reveals how existing biases and injustices in society can unwittingly be incorporated at every stage of the lifecycle of AI-enabled medical devices, and then magnified in algorithm development and machine learning.

Our recommendations, therefore, call for system-wide action by many stakeholders and now need to be implemented as a matter of priority with full Government support.

Among its recommendations, the report suggests there should be renewed efforts to increase skin tone diversity in medical imaging databanks used for developing and testing optical devices for dermatology, including in clinical trials, and to improve the tools for measuring skin tone incorporated into optical devices.

Enitan Carrol, professor of paediatric infection, University of Liverpool, said: The NHS has a responsibility to maintain the highest standards of safety and effectiveness of medical devices in use for patients.

We found no evidence of actual harm in the NHS, but only the potential for racial and ethnic bias in the performance of some medical devices commonly used in the NHS.

Panel member Professor Chris Holmes warned that the Government needs to understand how AI, including programmes such as ChatGPT, will disrupt clinical and public health practices.

He said: We are calling on the Government to appoint an expert panel including clinical, technology and healthcare leaders, patient and public representatives and industry to assess the potential unintended consequences arising from the AI revolution in healthcare.

Now is the time to seize the opportunity to incorporate action on equity in medical devices into the overarching global strategies on AI safety.

The review was set up in 2022 by then-secretary of state for health and social care Sir Sajid Javid.

He said: The colour of someones skin or where they are from should not impact health outcomes yet the pandemic highlighted how too many of these inequalities remain.

I hope this review and its important recommendations will help deliver much-needed change.

In response to the report, health minister Andrew Stephenson, said: I am hugely grateful to Professor Dame Margaret Whitehead for carrying out this important review.

Making sure the healthcare system works for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, is paramount to our values as a nation. It supports our wider work to create a fairer and simpler NHS.

The Department of Health and Social Care said significant action is already being taken to overcome potential disparities in the performance of medical devices.

This includes the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) now requesting that approval applications for new medical devices describe how they will address bias.

NHS guidance has been updated to highlight potential limitations of pulse oximeter devices on patients with darker skin tone.

The government will also work with the MHRA to ensure regulations for medical devices are safe for patients, regardless of their background, while allowing more innovative products to be placed on the UK market.

Professor Bola Owolabi, NHS Englands director of healthcare inequalities, said: Ensuring all patients get equitable access to high-quality healthcare remains crucial to reducing health inequalities and a priority for the NHS.

I welcome the reports findings and the NHS will work alongside Government and the MHRA to implement them and ensure NHS staff have the resources and training they need to tackle racial bias.
Gordon Brown called for a turnaround strategy for the economy and urged the Treasury to get out of its comfort zone and help the UK break out of a low-growth cycle.

He joined fellow former prime minister Sir John Major on Monday in calling for government reform.

In a speech at the launch of a report by the Institute for Government (IfG), Mr Brown said: We are in a make-or-break decade for our economy.

Our growth levels are half what they were in the last two or three decades. Our productivity levels are now lower. The growth rate is now lower than it was at any time.

Amid low investment, regional economic inequalities and falling living standards, there has got to be a turnaround strategy, he added.

We cannot govern in the way we have been doing if we are going to make this a decade when we can see an economic recovery.

We need to think with almost military precision about how we can put our economy on a war footing so that we are in a position to solve the problems Ive just identified.

And now Gordon Brown takes the stage at @instituteforgov to discuss the Commission on the Centre of Governments recommendations I think they will stand the test of time Were dealing with something that is long overduehttps://t.co/Q28jnocYwX pic.twitter.com/zuArfa2aae  Sam Macrory (@sammacrory) March 11, 2024

The former Labour leader warned that the Treasury is at risk of withdrawing into a comfort zone in which it focuses solely on balancing the books and reducing the national debt.

Speaking in the week following Chancellor Jeremy Hunts Budget, Mr Brown accused the department of blaming international factors, supply side difficulties, trade restrictions, even the weather for failing to achieve economic growth.

If it really restricts itself to being a finance department, then to me there is not much hope for the Treasury to be able to contribute to the economic agenda in the way it should.

But if the Treasury working as an economic department, with No 10 and a National Economic Council  chaired by the prime minister and the chancellor jointly, staffed by the Treasury and the Cabinet Office  then in my view, we have a chance to break out of some of the difficulties that weve had in the past.

The IfG report argued for the break-up of the Cabinet Office and the creation of a new smaller executive cabinet committee, made up of a handful of ministers appointed by the prime minister.

The review is the result of a year-long commission on the centre of government convened by the think tank.

Sir Keir Starmer is considering forming a cabinet inner circle with Angela Rayner, Rachel Reeves and Pat McFadden, the Times reported (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is considering forming a new four-person executive cabinet to make strategic decisions that would then be presented to the full cabinet, according to the Times.

But Mr Brown and Tory former premier Sir John criticised the idea.

In his speech to the think tank, Sir John agreed the 32-person Cabinet had become too large and cumbersome, but said there were practical drawbacks to a formal inner cabinet proposed by the report, including that it would alienate those who are excluded.

Mr Brown said the idea may need some further work.

The suggestion is an inner cabinet of four, which I think John and I would both be quite shocked and surprised if that could ever work, he said.

A quadrumvirate would be very difficult and has an inauspicious past, he said, pointing to King Herod and the Gang of Four in Communist China as examples.

I doubt, as John said, if the other 20 members of the cabinet would be very happy if they were told that they were outside this inner circle.

Former prime minister Sir John Major defended an impartial civil service and criticised ministers who had sought to undermine it (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Sir John, in his remarks, also hit out at some of his successors in Downing Street, issuing a veiled swipe at Rishi Sunaks Rwanda policy and Liz Trusss controversial sacking of top civil servant Sir Tom Scholar.

Let me be clear about this: Three prime ministers in one Parliament, with a few malcontents seeking a fourth, does not help the perception of the centre of government.

Nor does a Supreme Court ruling that the Government has broken the law.

Nor is it a good optic when ministers indulge in public arguments, openly blame or, in one or two occasions, insult their civil servants. Or when they favour the advice of often inexperienced political advisers over that of civil servants with years of specialist experience and knowledge. Or when they sack senior civil servants who offer candid advice, which simply did not suit the Governments thinking.
Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino is set to release a memoir titled Sonny Boy.

Veteran film star Pacino, 83, made his name as Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppolas mafia trilogy The Godfather, alongside stars including Marlon Brando, James Caan and Diane Keaton.

The book, set for release on October 8, is billed as the memoir of a man who has nothing left to fear and nothing left to hide, a statement from publisher Penguin Random House UK said.

Sonny Boy is set for release on October 8 (Penguin Random House/PA)

I wrote Sonny Boy to express what Ive seen and been through in my life, Pacino said.

It has been an incredibly personal and revealing experience to reflect on this journey and what acting has allowed me to do and the worlds it has opened up.

My whole life has been a moonshot, and Ive been a pretty lucky guy so far.

The book announcement comes the day after Pacino took to the Oscars stage to present the best picture prize, the final trophy of the night.

The actor, who won an Oscar for best actor in 1993 for his role in Scent Of A Woman, announced the winner in an unconventional manner without the customary fanfare.

Al Pacino presents the award for best picture during the Oscars (Chris Pizzello/AP/PA)

After landing a role in 1971s Panic In Needle Park, Pacino was Oscar-nominated for his roles in The Godfather and its first sequel, as well as Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon  in which he played a bank robber named Sonny Wortzik.

The memoir encompasses all the great roles, the essential collaborations, and the important relationships in his life, which are given their full due, as is the vexed marriage between creativity and commerce at the highest levels, the publisher said.

It is also about the spirit of love and purpose, while the publishing director of Century, Ben Brusey, described it as literary dynamite.

Al Pacinos iconic performances have defined cinema for over five decades, Brusey said.

From The Godfather films to Scarface, Heat to The Irishman, audiences and critics alike have been mesmerised by his generational talent.

Now, with the long-awaited publication of his memoir, Sonny Boy, Al Pacino reveals himself to be a master storyteller.

Hard-fought, hard-lived and at times hard to believe, Al Pacinos astonishing journey from poverty in the South Bronx to Oscar-winning success is every bit as dramatic, as intense and as heartfelt, as his greatest performances.

Pacino grew up in New York City before studying acting at the Herbert Berghof Studio.

He has been nominated for nine Academy Awards, his first nomination being for The Godfather in 1973 and his most recent in 2020, for his role as union boss Jimmy Hoffa in The Irishman.

He has also been nominated for 19 Golden Globe awards, taking home four gongs.
Watch Kate's uncle Gary Goldsmith praise niece's 'genuine' Mother's Day photo

What did you miss?

Celebrity Big Brother star Gary Goldsmith defended his niece Kate's Mother's Day family photo before the Princess of Wales apologised for experimenting with photo editing.

Kensington Palace released a sweet photo of the family unit to mark Mother's Day. The Princess of Wales was seen smiling alongside her three children  Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. It was the first official photo released of the Princess of Wales since her abdominal surgery in January.

Picture agencies - including Getty Images, AFP, Reuters, Associated Press and PA Media - retracted the photograph over concerns it has been manipulated. AP noted there was an "inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand".

Then the Princess of Wales on Monday morning apologised for editing the controversial family photograph by posting an apology on X, saying: "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mothers Day. C"

Gary Goldsmith appeared on Good Morning Britain. (ITV screengrab) (ITV screengrab)

In a post, personally signed C for Catherine, she said: "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C.

Goldsmith spoke out to defend the photograph during an interview with Good Morning Britain after he was evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house.

What, how and why?

Susanna Reid and Ed Balls grilled Kate Middleton's uncle. (ITV screengrab) (ITV screengrab)

He said: "The smiles on the faces said it all for me. I thought it was beautiful. Obviously the family would not be the ones doing the touch ups. So if that's gone through some filter before it's going out to the broader world, they wouldnt be doing photoshopping themselves.

"But all I was looking at was the faces and smiles, it just looked like beautiful family that they are. It looked really genuine, for the smiles on faces. This whole sleeve gate thing - just leave it alone."

TV host Susanna Reid grilled Goldsmith over his relationship with his niece and how long it had been since he had spoken to her. He answered: "I haven't spoke to Kate for ages."

Reid pressed him further saying: "Ages is how long?"

Goldsmith revealed he spoke to his sister Carole Middleton when his niece was in hospital. He said it had been "maybe a year" since he spoke to Kate herself. He said: "So it's weddings and funerals unfortunately. We don't get to see them that often. Pippa more so. James more so. My sister I checked in with when Kate was in hospital."

What else did Gary Goldsmith say?

Gary Goldsmith praised Kate's photo. (ITV screengrab) (ITV screengrab)

Goldsmith has just left the Celebrity Big Brother house where he hoped to change the opinions people had of him being the "black sheep".

He said: "The agenda was to try and change perceptions of myself. People think of me as the black sheep and there's lots of baggage that follows me around. And Levi - who I love by the way - and Fern said I got the opportunity to show who I really am and my purpose of being who I was.

"They said I achieved it and that I had changed the perceptions of people in the house, which I loved. If I've had that even a smidgen of that on the rest of the UK that's a tick box, mission accomplished."

He joined celebrities from Sharon Osbourne to Louis Walsh and former This Morning star Fern Britton and Dragons' Den star Levi Roots. But the uncle acknowledged he wasn't a celebrity himself but the Celebrity Big Brother house gave him a "sneaky look" into their lives and now he was returning to normality as the first voted out of the house.

He said: "Im not a celebrity. I'm not part of that world. I had a sneaky peek on behind the scenes. I now let the professionals continue."

Good Morning Britain airs on ITVX every week day from 6am until 9am.

Read more

This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/kate-mothers-day-photo-gary-goldsmith-genuine-093708813.html
Liza Koshy took a tumble on the red carpet at the Oscars but appeared to handle the blunder with ease as she laughed at herself and cracked several jokes.

The US media personality and actress appeared on the red carpet of the 96th Academy Awards wearing a red Marchesa gown and towering platform heels in the same colour.

While walking on the carpet in front of photographers, Koshy, 27, slipped and and fell back on to her dress, causing the crowd to gasp.

She brushed of the tumble with ease and appeared to laugh at herself as she was helped back to her feet by two people.

Later, Koshy chatted to Oscars ambassador Amelia Dimoldenberg on the red carpet, where she was asked how she was feeling to be at the awards.

Did you see me eat it? I fell, Koshy replied.

Im joining a legendary group of women like J.Law who fell on the carpet.

I made a whole moment of it. I said wait a second, Im not nominated, Im not presenting, I gotta fall.

British comedian and presenter Dimoldenberg added: Maybe you were trying to smell the carpet.

Social media users pointed out that her choice of footwear could have been the trouble.

On X, formerly Twitter, one wrote: Liza Koshy looks stunning but that fall, felt for her! Huge heels with a huge dress is a daring combo.

I hope shes okay! Tripping can happen to anyone, but Im sure she handled it with grace, another chimed in.

Others praised her outfit, with one saying: Liza Koshy looks amazing and the dress is smashing.
The 2024 Guinness Six Nations burst into life with a memorable fourth round of action that produced thrilling victories for Italy, England and France.

Here, the PA news agency looks at three of the most exciting weekends in Six Nations history.

2024 (March 9-10)

WHAT A MOMENT  pic.twitter.com/Ql2BdrFWdr  England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 9, 2024

Ireland had dominated the competition across its opening rounds, recording three bonus-point victories on what seemed a relentless march towards achieving historic back-to-back Grand Slams, but it all changed in a Twickenham thriller against England.

Steve Borthwicks team went toe-to-toe with their opponents, outscoring them 3-2 on tries before fly-half Marcus Smith dropped a goal with the final act of a pulsating contest that showcased Englands finest display since their 2019 World Cup semi-final success against New Zealand.

Just a few hours earlier, resurgent Italy posted their first Six Nations win in Rome for 11 years, with Test debutant Louis Lynagh  son of former Australia star Michael Lynagh  scoring one of their tries, and France overcame Wales 45-24 a day later in a mad-cap Principality Stadium clash that included an audacious 40-metre reverse pass by Les Blues scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec to his half-back partner Thomas Ramos. The whole weekend delivered 174 points and 20 tries.

2015 (March 21)

Ireland players celebrate winning the 2015 Six Nations title (Mark Runnacles/PA)

Viewed by many as the greatest Super Saturday of all, three teams  Wales, Ireland and England  went into the tournaments final weekend all with a chance of being crowned Six Nations champions.

Wales were first out of the blocks, and they did not disappoint as George North scored three tries in a 61-20 rout of Italy. That immediately piled pressure on Ireland, who knew that a 21-point winning margin against Scotland at Murrayfield would put them top, and they responded impressively to claim a 40-10 victory and leave England needing a minimum 26-point success at the expense of Twickenham visitors France to win the title.

They gave it everything in a classic 12-try contest as England triumphed 55-35. They ended agonisingly short of their target, and the title was decided on points difference in Irelands favour. It had been a breathtaking finale.

2013 (March 16)

Alex Cuthbert scored two tries for Wales in a 30-3 victory over England (David Davies/PA)

England headed to Cardiff with a first Six Nations Grand Slam for 10 years in their sights, but it all unravelled spectacularly on one of the greatest days in Welsh rugby history.

Wales had a chance of silverware themselves, needing victory by seven points or more for back-to-back Six Nations titles, and they delivered with a devastating display that saw them claim a record 30-3 win against their fiercest rivals. Wing Alex Cuthbert scored two tries, and England had to be content with the runners-up spot.

Earlier the same day, Ireland were reduced to ruins in Rome as Italys 22-15 triumph gave them two wins during one Six Nations campaign for the first time since 2007. The Azzurri had never previously beaten Ireland on the Six Nations stage, but nothing could eclipse events in Wales.
In a sobering yet vital recognition ahead of International Womens Day, persecution watchdog Open Doors has released its annual Gender Report, revealing that forced marriage is becoming a "concerningly common practice" impacting Christian women worldwide.



The 2024 Gender Report, compiled by Open Doors global research team, draws attention to the marginalization of Christian women who live in countries ranked as the 50 most dangerous for Christian persecution.

The report highlights the oppression and violence they endure due to their gender and their faith in Christ, noting that forced marriage is a threat to Christian women and girls in an astounding 84% of the countries on the 2024 Open Doors World Watch List.

This year, faith-based forced marriage was identified as a risk for Christian women and girls in 84% of the WWL countries; a concerningly common practice, researchers noted. Forced marriage is a form of exploitation and control and in many contexts, this risk is interwoven with sexual violence."

"For example, in the Horn of Africa, young female Christian converts from a Muslim background can be forced into marriage to keep them from dishonoring their families for leaving the faith," the reports add. "A regional expert notes that often they are forced to marry much older men. Sexual violence and forced marriage are employed as a means of intimidation and control, with these strategies targeted at preventing Christian women and girls from pursuing their faith in Christ."

A regional expert in Cameroon said that forced marriage is becoming a tactic for "intimidation and control in regions experiencing conflict-related challenges."

In areas [of Cameroon] affected by armed conflicts and religious tensions, Christians[can be] at heightened risk of violence and exploitation," the expert stated.

"In the Central African Republic, 'Christian women and girls face heightened risks of rape  and forced marriage during attacks by militants on civilian villages," the report adds. A regional expert stated that "[i]nstances of sexual slavery for abducted girls are reported.

Ryan Brown, the CEO of Open Doors USA, emphasized the gravity of the situation.

Today, more than 365 million people face real persecution and discrimination  unimaginable horrors every day  for following Jesus, he said. And so many of these faithful followers are courageous women  wives, mothers, sisters and daughters choosing this difficult path, choosing to stay true to the gospel, despite increased oppression and brutalities.

The report identifies five primary "pressure points" for Christian women in these countries: forced marriage, sexual violence, physical violence, psychological violence and abduction.

The report notes that women are not only at higher risk due to their Christian faith in WWL-listed countries but also face added risks because of their gender in environments fraught with violent insecurity.

Choosing to follow Jesus, researchers said, further elevates their vulnerability.

As these courageous women face increased persecution, we are witnessing their undying faith in Jesus all the more, said Open Doors US COO Sarah Cunningham. Although widely without a voice and basic human rights, they serve an incomparable purpose in the Kingdom of God  shining a light for Christ in their families and communities and showing us all what real faith looks like.

Researchers found reasons to be hopeful, saying that historically, peace initiatives have been male-dominated and secular. However, as nearly half the world's population is female and a vast majority are religiously affiliated, there's a shift towards more inclusive peace processes, the report said.

Through the unique agency of the church and the strategic position held by policymakers, change is possible, and indeed already underway. This is an encouragement  as well as an invitation to join in, the report said.

Open Doors advises the global Church to "[a]cknowledge the extent of violence against Christian women and girls" to enhance protection and justice for women and girls.

Helene Fisher, a gender persecution specialist with Open Doors USA, told The Christian Post in a 2019 interview that in most cases, persecution against women often revolves around the idea of ruining their sexual purity. Meanwhile, men tend to suffer from forms of economic harassment that can impact their place in society.

That year, the most common trend in the gender-specific persecution of Christians was the targeted raping of women solely for the purpose of bringing shame upon their families and community.

When they are sexually assaulted, there is a shame that is brought upon them in society's views. And they are therefore viewed as tainted, having no future and their family also lose this honor, Fisher explained. And sometimes their whole Christian community is seen as less valuable, less pure.

While there are many cases in which Christian girls and women have been abducted and forced into marriage, girls and women who convert to Christianity can often be forced into marriages by their own families, she said.

Forced marriage is used by a family whose daughter has decided on her own through some kind of exposure to Christianity, maybe via satellite or a friend somewhere or maybe she's had a vision she has turned to Jesus and her family has found out, Fisher explained. [They will] marry her to somebody from the mainstream religion, and then it becomes more or less his problem to make sure that she adheres to the mainstream religion.



Originally published by The Christian Post
Sheryl Martin has revealed how she found a lump while breastfeeding her son, which lead to a cancer diagnosis. (Breast Cancer Now/SWNS) (Breast Cancer Now/SWNS)

A mum has revealed how she was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump while breastfeeding her son.

Sheryl Martin, 42, a housing association manager from Kingston-upon-Thames, London initially put her sore breasts down to changes in her body after pregnancy.

But when she noticed a lump in her boob while breastfeeding her little boy, Finn, now five, she decided to get it checked out.

Martin's GP sent her for further screening and she underwent a biopsy before being diagnosed with breast cancer - specifically ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) - in September 2019.

"To be told at 37 youve only got an 80% chance of being alive in five years time, is just horrific," she explains.

"It was a massive thing emotionally to be getting your head around."

Martin during treatment for breast cancer. (Breast Cancer Now/SWNS) (Breast Cancer Now/SWNS)

Martin first noticed something was wrong while she was breastfeeding her little boy, Finn.

"Even when I went to the GP, he said its probably just from feeding," she explains.

"But their protocol is to send you to the breast screening department."

After a biopsy, Martin was still convinced everything was going to be fine - telling the nurse she was heading to Portugal with her best friend later in the week, but she was told to come back for an appointment two days later.

"I felt so sick, with fear and anxiety, just thinking 'theyre going to tell me Im dying'," she explains.

The tattoo Martin had to cover her mastectomy scar. (Breast Cancer Now/SWNS) (Breast Cancer Now/SWNS)

Unfortunately, her worries were realised in September doctors confirmed she had breast cancer, but reassured it had been caught in the early stages.

After discussing her treatment options with doctors, the mum-of-two had a mastectomy and a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction - where a breast shape was made using her own tissue - in November 2019.

But following her surgery, a review with her doctor found that Martin's cancer was actually HER2 positive - which is a more aggressive type of the disease - so she would need to have chemotherapy.

She planned to get a tattoo of a nipple to replace the one she lost but after her appointment was cancelled decided to get a decorative design.

Initially, Martin planned to get a tattoo of a nipple, to replace the one that she lost.

But during lockdown, her appointment was cancelled, and this made her realise she didnt want to get that kind of tattoo.

"I wanted something more decorative," she adds.

Martin on her 'life changing' trek to Machu Picchu in Peru, raising 6k for Breast Cancer Now.(Breast Cancer Now/SWNS) (Breast Cancer Now/SWNS)

In October 2022, Sheryl and her friend, Anouk, 42, did a trek to Machu Picchu in Peru, raising 6k for Breast Cancer Now.

The trip proved to be a "major catalyst for change" for Martin and when she returned she ended her relationship and got a new job.

She decided to get her breast tattooed with the national flowers of Peru, to commemorate her "life-changing" trip.

After her mum, Heather Martin, 63, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack, the tattoo took on a new meaning - as it resembled flowers from her mum's funeral casket.

Martin celebrating her 40th birthday. (Breast Cancer Now/SWNS) (Breast Cancer Now/SWNS)

Now cancer-free with no evidence of disease, Martin will be walking in The Show by Breast Cancer Now, which is a fashion show featuring models who are living with or have overcome breast cancer.

"I want to raise awareness of breast cancer and to show others the positive side of life after a mastectomy," she explains.

"To normalise different boobs is amazing too.

"It was great to see the models with a range of flat and reconstructions and everything in between.

"I want to show there is life after breast cancer. And what a great life it can be," she adds.

Additional reporting SWNS.

Read more about breast cancer:

Watch: How to check your breasts for lumps
The remarks raise questions over the professionalism of Frank Hester, who will be bankrolling the Tory partys election campaign. Composite: Guardian Design/PA/Getty Images

The Conservative partys biggest donor told colleagues that looking at Diane Abbott makes you want to hate all black women and said the MP should be shot, the Guardian can reveal.

Frank Hester, who has given 10m to the Tories in the past year, said in the meeting that he did not hate all black women. But he said that seeing Abbott, who is Britains longest-serving black MP, on TV meant you just want to hate all black women because shes there.

He also called all his foreign workers together to defend himself against online claims that he had made racist remarks. During this meeting, he said he abhorred racism and told his team their progress would not be based on the colour of your skin, your ethnicity, where your parents are from.

However, he also said we take the piss out of the fact that all our Chinese girls sit together in Asian corner.

The remarks raise questions about the workplace behaviour and professionalism of a man whose money will be helping to bankroll the Conservative partys general election campaign.

Hester, a businessman from West Yorkshire, runs a healthcare technology firm, the Phoenix Partnership (TPP), which has been paid more than 400m by the NHS and other government bodies since 2016, primarily to look after 60m UK medical records. He has profited from 135m of contracts with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in less than four years.

Hester gave 5m to the Conservatives in May 2023 and announced this month a further 5m donation, which had been accepted by the party from his company in November last year. With months to go before the next general election, a party spokesperson confirmed he was now its biggest ever donor.

Labour called for the Conservatives to return the 10m donation from Hester and his company.

After the publication of the remarks, a statement from TPP said Hester accepts that he was rude about Diane Abbott in a private meeting several years ago but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin. The statement said Hester abhorred racism, not least because he experienced it as the child of Irish immigrants in the 1970s.

The statement added: He rang Diane Abbott twice today to try to apologise directly for the hurt he has caused her, and is deeply sorry for his remarks. He wishes to make it clear that he regards racism as a poison which has no place in public life.

TPPs lawyers previously said the company fostered a diverse and inclusive workplace, with a significant proportion of staff from minority ethnic backgrounds, and that Hesters comments had been distorted and taken out of context, and were not a true or accurate characterisation of the company or Hester.

In an interview last week, Hester praised Rishi Sunak for embracing artificial intelligence, saying: The future is AI and weve got a prime minister who gets it.

During a months-long investigation that included interviews with dozens of former TPP employees, many of them said Hester ran a strict workplace environment at the firms headquarters in Leeds, with staff told to make sure they raised their hands straight up when asking a question and instructed to clean fingerprints off the office glass if they left marks.

The Guardian has learned of a 2019 meeting at TPPs headquarters in which Hester spoke about an executive from another organisation, saying: Shes shit. Shes the shittest person. Honestly I try not to be sexist but when I meet somebody like [the executive], I just 

Its like trying not to be racist but you see Diane Abbott on the TV and youre just like, I hate, you just want to hate all black women because shes there, and I dont hate all black women at all, but I think she should be shot.

[The executive] and Diane Abbott need to be shot. Shes stupid  If we can get [the executive] being unprofessional we can get her sacked. Its not as good as her dying. It would be much better if she died. Shes consuming resource. Shes eating food that other people could eat. You know?

Abbott was a Labour MP for more than 35 years until she was suspended by the party in April last year after suggesting that Jewish, Irish and Traveller people were not subject to racism all their lives. She is awaiting a decision on whether she will be reinstated.

On a separate occasion in 2019, Hester called everyone who was foreign among his employees to a meeting where he defended himself against online reviews said to be from former staff accusing him of racist remarks.

In that meeting, he said: I make a lot of jokes about racism, about our different creeds and cultures. But I just want to assure you that it is just the most abhorrent thing.

He added: I want to clear the air and make sure we all know where we are, what we stand for, and we take the piss out of the fact that all our Chinese girls sit together in Asian corner, which they do.

He later said: I would like us to be loving and accepting of each other. We are all humans.

TPPs lawyers, Carter-Ruck, said Hester was conscious that many of his employees from Asia were young and isolated, and he wanted to make them feel welcome and encourage them to integrate. They added that TPP offered to fly Asian employees back to their families in business class when lockdowns were lifted during the Covid pandemic.

Hester, 57, who was made an OBE under David Cameron, has spoken approvingly of Sunak and attended the prime ministers AI summit with Elon Musk in November, shortly after his first 5m donation was made public.

His lawyers said the fact that his donation was to a party led by Britains first Hindu prime minister, a politician of Indian heritage, was further evidence of him embracing diversity.

The TPP workplace is governed by a handbook containing exacting rules. These include instructions on how to be direct when speaking, with yes or no answers, and without using phrases such as I think so or sort of, as well as a directive on how employees must raise their hands straight up when they wish to speak, not half-heartedly.

Employees are told to shout up to the open-plan office with an apology if they are late for work, and walk in and interrupt meetings if they have something to say. They must live within a defined radius of the office in the Leeds suburb of Horsforth, excluding the city centre.

Carter-Ruck said the handbook existed to maintain high standards and showed that the firm took the welfare of its staff seriously, citing early finishes on Fridays and a requirement to take holidays.

Ex-staffers have described how Hester gave huge perks to employees, including 300 for birthday meals and free drinks in the local pub on Fridays. He would take large groups of workers on week-long sailing trips to the British Virgin Islands and Croatia, with the costs paid for by the company. Carter-Ruck said such perks and higher-than-average remuneration indicated a positive working environment.

However, some former TPP workers claimed that many high-achieving graduates were taken on only to be abruptly fired within weeks or months of joining.

TPPs lawyers disputed that its turnover was high, saying two-thirds of staff had been with the company for more than five years and nearly three-quarters had chosen to stay for at least three years.

The companys main clients are the NHS and the DHSC. Figures provided by Tussell, which analyses government spending, show that the government, NHS and local authorities have paid more than 440m to TPP companies since 2016. Hester, the sole owner, collected dividends of 33.5m for the last five years for which accounts for the TPP Group are available.

A TPP spokesperson said: As the safe and trusted custodians of 80m medical records in the UK and around the world, we always hire the best people for the job, regardless of race, gender, sexuality or any other characteristic.

We take care of our people and celebrate diversity in our workplace. We reward our staff well, encouraging them to work collaboratively, to take ownership of their responsibilities and to demonstrate the commitment and professionalism that the NHS, patients and our customers around the world deserve.

Having recently witnessed the tragic consequences that can be caused when software systems of major public services fail, we are proud to demand the highest standards of our staff to ensure we can continue to safely and reliably support our health service.

A Conservative spokesperson said: Mr Hester has made clear that while he was rude, his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor the colour of her skin. He has since apologised.
Cambridge University has been accused of discriminating against pupils from private schools - Poohz/iStockphoto

Cambridge University is scrapping its state school target for undergraduate admissions.

The university said it would take candidates schools into account when selecting students, but that it no longer proposed to have a target for the share of state and private school pupils winning places.

It comes after Cambridge was accused of discriminating against pupils from private schools amid a decline in offer rates at top independent institutions.

Professor Deborah Prentice, who took over as vice-chancellor last summer, has said there is no discrimination against privately educated pupils, but competition is fiercer as more state school pupils have been encouraged to apply.

Professor Deborah Prentice, vice-chancellor at Cambridge, said more state school pupils have been encouraged to apply - Denise Applewhite/Princeton University

Cambridge introduced a state school target for the five academic years leading up to 2024-25, with the ambition of increasing the proportion of state-educated undergraduates from 63.4 per cent to 69.1 per cent.

The university has beaten its target, with the proportion of new students from state schools increasing to 72.9 per cent in 2022-23, compared with 68.1 per cent at Oxford, which has not published a state school target.

All colleges at Cambridge were told they had a shared responsibility for meeting the target.

David Abulafia said he supported plans to scrap the target - David Rose

David Abulafia, a professor emeritus of Mediterranean history at Cambridge, who previously claimed that unjust decisions were excluding better-qualified candidates from independent schools, said he supported plans to scrap the target.

The Office for Students, which regulates university access plans, has previously warned universities against focusing on school type. John Blake, the director for fair access and participation at the regulator, said that university targets on admissions ought to be genuinely useful guides to the actual challenges being dealt with, such as targets around care-experienced students, or those from the poorest households.

He said: Given that over 90 per cent of pupils attend state schools, such a measure alone may provide neither a useful guide nor meaningful accountability for the work a university is committed to.

Cambridges next access plan, which is being drawn up for the years 2025-26 to 2028-29, will focus on how to increase the number of students from deprived socio-economic backgrounds, underrepresented regions of the country, and underrepresented ethnicities, according to Varsity, the universitys student newspaper.

A spokesman for the University of Cambridge said: We will continue to take into account an applicants schooling, particularly if they come from a school which has not seen many applications to Cambridge. Other socio-economic factors will also be considered in the application process to indicate disadvantage of opportunity, as occurs at present.

They added: Consideration of an applicants school type in isolation is not a factor that the Office for Students would expect to see as a specific target in the access and participation plan, however.
A protester in Jamaica holds a sign during a rally to demand that the United Kingdom make reparations for slavery - GILBERT BELLAMY/Reuters

Caribbean nations are set to demand that Britain make reparations for indentured labour in addition to slavery, in a major expansion of the campaign to address colonialism.

Countries that have pushed for payments on slavery are now planning to seek reparative justice surrounding the 500,000 indentured workers shipped from India to work on sugar plantations after African slaves were freed.

Under the indenture system, workers agreed to work for a set number of years in exchange for a pay-off at the end, such as land or a return passage to their place of origin, but most never returned after being duped into their bonded labour.

Exporting indentured labour to the Caribbean was pioneered by Sir John Gladstone, a 19th-century landowner in British Guiana, and father of William Gladstone, who would become prime minister.

Guyana, as it has been known since independence in 1966, received the most indentured labourers of any Caribbean colony, and its leaders are in favour of fresh action to secure reparations.

President Mohammad Irfaan Ali told The Telegraph: All those nations that benefited from abominable systems need to do the morally right thing and to accept their complicity in historical wrongs.

He said leaders were prepared to examine the issue of the atrocities committed under Indian indentured immigration.

History is on our side

Mr Ali believes the push for reparations will be successful, saying: There is a growing awareness in both Britain and in many European capitals about the need for reparative justice. History is on our side, and we are also on the right side of history.

He said his government would work with other Caribbean nations and continue to raise the issue of reparative justice whenever we are afforded the opportunity to do so.

While Mr Ali is convinced that there were grave atrocities committed under Indian indentured immigration, he made clear that these cannot be compared with the genocide against indigenous peoples and African enslavement, which was a crime against humanity and would remain the focus of Caribbean campaigning.

Guyana is one of 14 member states within the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which has sought reparations from Britain and other former colonial powers. It has recently pivoted to a plan to demand payments from businesses and institutions connected to slavery.

Caricom, which is chaired by Mr Ali, previously set out its formal demands in a 10-point plan detailing why and in what form slavery reparations should be given, from apologies to payments and debt cancellations.

In 2014, this was put to European governments that have not offered any redress to date. David Cameron ruled out reparations in a 2015 visit to Jamaica, highlighting Britains role in eliminating the slave trade, and Rishi Sunak rejected calls for reparative payments in 2023.

The Telegraph has learned that this list of demands is currently being updated to include indentured labour, with the formal document set to be put to Britain and other former colonial powers.

Heads of government in the Caribbean will then help to decide the best way to lobby Britain and other countries for reparations.

Indenture came with basic freedoms and pay, and pulled in labour from Portugal, Ireland and China as well as India.

The issue is distinct from chattel slavery, under which African slaves were treated as property with no rights, no pay and no prospect of freedom from their bondage.

Because of these differences, it has been suggested by some sources that using Caricoms existing infrastructure of slavery campaign groups may be inappropriate.

Indentured labourers were bound to agreements to work for a set amount of time, and while they were paid, the use of so-called coolies was brutal and known in the 19th century as a new system of slavery.

Sir John Gladstones aim was to replace slave labour following abolition taking effect in 1834.

Slaves faced a period of apprenticeship until 1838, during which time they remained tied to the land as a source of cheap labour for planters.

As this date approached, Gladstone wrote to friends in the Foreign Office in 1837 and obtained permission to recruit hill coolies from Bengal to work his land  a replacement for slave labour which was taken up by other planters across the Empire.

In 2023, his descendant Charles Gladstone travelled to Guyana to offer a formal apology for the practices of his great-great-great grandfather.

Indentured labourers were largely recruited from the illiterate Indian peasantry, often without knowing what they were signing up to, and shipped to the Caribbean where they faced years of hard labour, disease and a lack of basic rights.

More than 200,000 East Indian labourers went to Guyana under the indenture system, and the largest ethnic group of its modern population  39 per cent  is now of Indian descent.

Indentured labour was also used in other colonies, including South Africa, where young lawyer Mohandas Gandhi, later conferred with the honorific Mahatma, would first make his name campaigning successfully against the system which was officially abolished in 1917.
Blockchain logs show that in May 2021 Copper Technologies transferred more than 1,700 units of ethereum, worth more than $4.2m at the time, to Jonatan Zimenkov. Illustration: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

A cryptocurrency firm transferred digital assets worth more than $4.2m to a crypto wallet belonging to a member of an alleged Russian arms-dealing network who was later hit with US sanctions, it can be revealed.

Details of the transactions involving Copper Technologies raise questions about whether UK laws governing crypto have adapted quickly enough to keep pace with a rapidly evolving sector that has come under increasing scrutiny over the level of anonymity it can provide.

Analysis of crypto records by the Guardian and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) highlights a connection between one of the most prominent cryptocurrency companies and Jonatan Zimenkov, an Israeli-born Russian national.

Zimenkov, 29, was subjected to US sanctions in February 2023 for allegedly assisting the Russian military with the invasion of Ukraine, as part of the Zimenkov network  an arms-dealing and sanctions evasion network headed by his father, Igor Zimenkov.

Records show Copper transferred millions of dollars worth of digital currency in May 2021 to a wallet that has since been identified as belonging to Jonatan Zimenkov. Sanctions were imposed on him 19 months later. Copper, which recruited the former chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond, as an adviser in October 2021, was based in London at the time of the transfer, but has since moved to Switzerland.

While Zimenkov was not subjected to sanctions when the transaction took place, the US Treasury departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has said it believes the network had been active over several years by the time it imposed restrictions on 22 individuals and entities in multiple countries.

In its citation, it said the Zimenkov network had been involved in multiple deals for Russian cybersecurity and helicopter sales abroad, as well as attempts to supply weapons to an unnamed African country.

There is no suggestion that Copper breached any sanctions or any other regulations in place at the time of the transaction.

However, the revelation shines a light on the opaque world of cryptocurrency and the anonymity it can offer, as well as raising questions about how digital assets and transactions involving them should be regulated within the wider financial system.

Copper takes its compliance, legal and regulatory obligations very seriously, and has acted in full compliance with all applicable regulatory standards, including all applicable sanctions prohibitions, in the UK, a spokesperson for the company said.

The Guardian and ICIJ understand that Zimenkov was not a Copper client, meaning it did not have a regulatory obligation to check his identity. The company did not answer specific questions about the nature of its relationship with Zimenkov.

Financial companies have the option to file a suspicious activity report (SAR) when a transaction raises any red flags, even when the rules are not obviously breached. It is not known if Copper filed a SAR, which must be sent to a law enforcement body such as the UKs National Crime Agency.

According to guidance issued in 2020 by the finance industrys joint money laundering steering group, it was considered good practice for crypto firms to gather information about the recipients of transfers to assess potential risks.

But it was not until late 2023 that the UK also adopted a travel rule obliging crypto companies to carry out checks on funds transferred to external parties, after concerns from regulators that this risk was being overlooked.

Transfers of digital currency such as bitcoin and ethereum are logged on a blockchain, the digital ledger that underpins the cryptocurrency ecosystem. While transactions are recorded, they can also provide anonymity to people trying to disguise financial relationships because funds are held in online wallets that do not have to be matched to the holders identity.

Blockchain logs show that in May 2021 Copper transferred more than 1,700 units of ethereum, worth more than $4.2m at the time, to Jonatan Zimenkov. They were transferred in two transactions on the same day, according to the blockchain analytics platform Etherscan.

The purpose of the transactions  and the original source of the digital assets  is unclear. Zimenkov did not return any requests for comment.

The owner of the wallet that received the ethereum transactions is not named in blockchain records, which only show their digital currency address  a string of letters and numbers.

That same address was included in a US Treasury announcement in February 2023, detailing sanctions against the Zimenkov network.

Details of the alleged Zimenkov sanctions evasion network revealed by the US highlight the potential benefit of verifying the identity of people on the other end of such asset transfers.

The address was listed as belonging to Jonatan Zimenkov, who held Russian, Israeli and Italian citizenship, according to US authorities. He attended college and university in London, according to a brochure for a private school.

The US government said that it had identified Zimenkov as part of what OFAC described as a sanctions evasion network that was active over several years. His father was accused by the US government of leading the alleged arms-dealing network.

The Treasury claimed the Zimenkovs engaged in projects connected to Russian defence capabilities, including supplying a Russian company with high-technology devices after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In its sanctions announcement, the US Treasury said the Zimenkov network supported the Russian defence exporters Rosoboronexport and Rostec, both of which were subjected to sanctions.

According to the US Treasury, Igor Zimenkov worked closely with his son and others to enable Russian defence sales to third-country governments. Jonatan Zimenkov had maintained power of attorney for companies in the network on behalf of his father, the department noted.

Both men are alleged to have corresponded with Russian defence firms that were subjected to sanctions and to have taken part in multiple deals for Russian cybersecurity and helicopter sales abroad.

The sanctions apply to several companies the US says have been involved in the arms trade. One such company is GBD Limited, described as a Zimenkov network company that has attempted to supply weapons systems to an African government and has sent millions of dollars to Igor Zimenkov over a period of years.

Russian public corporate records show that Jonatan Zimenkov was registered as an individual entrepreneur in the country in 2019, conducting business activities including wholesale trade of ships, aircraft and other vehicles.

Last year, the Guardian reported that Copper Technologies was involved in a share sale worth more than $19m that benefited a Russian banker who was subjected to sanctions in the US.
The photo issued by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales with Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, taken in Windsor earlier this week by the Prince of Wales. Photograph: Prince of Wales/Kensington Palace

The first official photograph of the Princess of Wales to be released after her abdominal surgery two months ago has been recalled by some of the worlds biggest picture agencies over claims it had been manipulated.

The image, released to mark Mothers Day in the UK, shows Catherine sitting on a chair surrounded by her three children. It is the first authorised picture of her since Christmas.

After its release, the photo was recalled by photo agencies including Associated Press, Agence France-Presse 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 spokesperson for AP told the Telegraph: The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlottes left hand.

AFP said: 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.

Reuters said in a statement it had withdrawn the picture following a post-publication review. We are reviewing the matter, a spokesperson said.

Reuters picture editors said part of the sleeve of Princess Charlottes cardigan did not line up properly, suggesting that the image had been altered. Reuters said it could not immediately establish how, why or by whom the alteration had been made.

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.

In a story published later, Associated Press said that according to its news values and principles, minor edits to photos including cropping, toning and colour adjustment are acceptable when necessary for clear and accurate reproduction and should maintain the authentic nature of the photograph.

It added that changes in density, contrast, color and saturation levels that substantially alter the original scene are not acceptable. Backgrounds should not be digitally blurred or eliminated by burning down or by aggressive toning. The removal of red eye from photographs is not permissible.

Speculation and conspiracy theories have grown since Catherine has been out of the public eye recovering from the planned abdominal operation in January, when it was said she was expected to be recuperating until around Easter.

The photo was posted to the Prince and Princess of Wales social media accounts on Sunday morning, along with a message thanking well-wishers for their support.

Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months, the message read. Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day. C. Kensington Palace said the image was taken in Windsor earlier this week by the Prince of Wales.

Details of the princesss condition have not been revealed, but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Catherine wished her personal medical information to remain private.

Kensington Palace has declined to comment.
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 four 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 Mothers Day, 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 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.

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

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 picture, part of the familys annual tradition of posting a message for Mothers Day, 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.

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 Mothers Day 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.
Swedish police try to move demonstrators from outside the US embassy in Stockholm in 1962. Photograph: AP

Under the driving rain of a Brussels springtime, the Swedish flag was raised on Monday outside Natos headquarters. The organisations secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, welcomed the alliances newest member in its native language: To all Swedes, I say: Valkommen till Nato. The Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson , vowed that his country would be a proud member driven by unity and solidarity.

But, while he basks in the glow of his country finally joining Nato after months of delays, Swedens once thriving peace movement is smarting.

Once widely visible in debates and on the streets  particularly over nuclear weapons, disarmament and the Vietnam war  the movement had already been on the wane since the end of the cold war.

But at the Olof Palme International Centre in Stockholm, a short walk from where the peace campaigner and former Swedish prime minister was assassinated, there is a feeling that ever since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the subject of peace has disappeared from public debate.

Anna Sundstrom, the secretary general of the centre, a democracy and social justice organisation, said: It was perceived to be totally naive to talk about peace. That space was not there. We were called naive or Putinist, making an argument that was only serving the interests of Russia.

Instead, Sweden rapidly made the decision to apply to join Nato, abruptly ending its 200 years of military non-alignment and issuing warnings that the Nordic country  whose neighbours are Finland, Denmark and Norway  was at imminent threat of war.

Kristerssons rhetoric had been reckless, said Sundstrom. We are not standing on the brink of war. Its extremely dangerous to talk in these terms. Even if war were imminent, preparedness was about much more than just military equipment, she added.

A further blow came in December when the government announced it was abolishing a peace fund that had been providing financial support to peace organisations since the 1920s. For Sundstrom it was a worrying sign that the government does not want these kinds of views to be strong.

On Thursday night, Kristersson was First Lady Jill Bidens guest of honour at the US presidents State of the Union speech  hours after the final Nato documentation exchanged hands. The prime minister, who has been grappling with the issue of Swedens Nato membership since taking office in 2022, beamed as he was praised mid-speech by the president and applauded by the room.

Ulf Bjereld, a political science professor at Gothenburg University and an active Social Democrat, said Swedens entry into Nato was a failure of the peace movement. There is very big disappointment among the peace movement in Sweden now. The debate process went so fast and the peace movement failed to stop Nato membership, he said.

When Magdalena Andersson, the Social Democrat leader and former prime minister, who led Swedens initial Nato application, decided to support joining the western military alliance, the peace movement was too weak. They tried to mobilise but it was an issue that was very difficult for them, added Bjereld.

But now that the deal has been done, he believes the movements goals should include banning nuclear weapons on Swedish land.

Stockholm also has a chance to take a stand within the alliance, but Bjereld believes that may depend on who is in government and whether or not Donald Trump wins the next US election.

But many will long for Swedens former policy of military non-alignment, which, Lisa Nabo, the chair of Swedens Social Democratic Youth Association (SSU) who is running for the EU parliament, said gave us a voice to criticise and prioritise humanity and solidarity.

There were fewer protests and dissenting voices than there might have been because of the political sensitivity around the subject, she added. If you criticise Nato, youre automatically pro-Russian. In the debate there is not the possibility to have two thoughts in your head at the same time.

Critics reject this interpretation but also say that peace activists such as Nabo are deluded if they think there is room for ambiguity with an emboldened Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. Before the Social Democrats changed their minds on the issue in a major policy reversal in May 2022, Kristersson accused Andersson of pleasing only Russia with her comments against joining Nato. He said at the time: There isnt anything to be neutral between any more. There is the west and there is Russia.

Meanwhile, among younger generations the immediacy of the climate crisis could sometimes outweigh taking a long-term view on issues such as Nato, she said.

Having not been given a referendum on Nato or the ability to vote in the last election because they were too young, she believes teenagers should be given more clarity on what military service entails.

The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society, which at 140 years old is one of the worlds oldest peace organisations, has seen membership soar from 6,500 before Russias invasion of Ukraine to more than 15,000.

But its president Kerstin Bergea, who has called Swedens Nato membership a historic misprioritisation, said that overall during the Nato debate there was very little space for critical voices and accused Sweden of giving in to the demands of the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban. Swedens historic voice for peace seems to have quietened. We are worried [it]  will go silent.

Now that Sweden has joined Nato, she hopes it will act as a peacemaker within the alliance and take a strong stance against nuclear weapons.

Emma Berginger, a Green party MP who is on the governments defence committee, said the war in Ukraine was a huge gamechanger for the peace movement and for her party, as well as the Swedish population. But she said the application was rushed and should have been subject to more public debate, which meant many were unclear on what being a Nato member really entailed.

Although the Greens voted against Nato membership, they have decided to respect the outcome and will not be calling for Sweden to leave. Instead we want to work in a constructive way influencing what role Sweden may take in the alliance, she said.
Drivers on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and tunnel would be forced to pay fees in both directions under the NSW governments interim report of its review into Sydneys toll road network. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images

Sydneysiders driving across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and tunnel should be forced to pay fees in both directions, a review into the citys patchwork toll road network has recommended, alongside a vision to unify all paid roads under a consistent declining distance-based rate of tolling.

On Monday, the New South Wales government released the interim report of its review into Sydneys toll road network, which has recommended changes to achieve a reset of the network, which would have the effect of spreading the citys toll burden  estimated to cost drivers $123bn over the next 37 years  predominantly from the west to the eastern and northern suburbs.

NSW premier Chris Minns, who came to power in 2022 after campaigning on ending tollmania, said the government is considering the bold options recommended by the review, but that it will take some time to determine his administrations roadmap to a clearer, more equitable tolling system. Current toll relief schemes will remain in place in the interim.

Distance-based tolling network

A key recommendation is for the establishment of a state TollCo  a new body to take back control of tolls.

The new TollCo, as recommended by the review authors  former competition watchdog chair Allan Fels and David Cousins  would be able to provide authority for a system of network tolls, while taking into consideration the array of individual tolling contracts with private owners so that third parties minimum revenues are still met.

The proposed declining distance-based rate of charging would mean a fairer and simpler system, Fels said.

Fels gave an example of how such a structure could work; suggesting that for the first 5km of a toll road, drivers could be charged $1 for each kilometre travelled, 80c per kilometre between 5-10km, and then 60c per kilometre for 10-15km.

The review also recommended tolling drivers on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and tunnel, as well as the Eastern Distributor, in both directions  they are currently only charged in one direction.

Cousins said the effective price paid by drivers taking a return trip on these toll roads should be more than the current one way toll but less than a doubling of the charge.

Fels also said it would be logical to introduce the same tolling scheme for the future western harbour tunnel to open in coming years.

Crossing Sydney harbour would also attract an infrastructure charge in addition to the new network and declining distance charge approach.

The increases to tolling revenues those measures would drivewould fund the proposed decreases to higher tolls that motorists elsewhere in Sydney currently face. Introducing off peak tolling rates across the network could also incentivise extra tolled trips during quieter periods to help raise more revenue and offset what will become cheaper trips elsewhere.

[In] the west where people are traveling longer distances, have fewer alternatives, public transport, and more difficult socio-economic circumstances often, we want to see some reduction in tolls. And the fact is, if its going to all happen within the same revenue envelope, were going to have to see some increases in tolls elsewhere, Cousins said.

Transurban

Across the city, there are 13 roads over 179km with tolled sections, which has led to claims that is Sydney is the most tolled capital city in the world. All but two of the toll roads are run by private operator Transurban as part of an array of long-term agreements which stipulate minimum guaranteed revenue.

Sydneys toll roads have several different pricing structures  some charge a fixed fee, others charge for the distance travelled while, for another road, users pay an access fee as well as for the distance travelled. There are also roads where users are charged differently depending on the time of day or day of the week and some roads only toll users in one direction.

Fels, who revealed the interim report on Monday, said tolls need a big shakeup.

No holds barred, Fels said. The longer that a motorist drives, the less cost per kilometre, which is fairer.

The review also recommended for Ipart to set the tolling settings in the future, reductions for mid-sized trucks to tackle the issue of trucks avoiding toll roads and damaging local roads, and cheaper tolls for motorcycles and towed recreational vehicles.

Fels said the current tolling system was unfair and clogging up free roads. Analysis in the review also found that while toll roads were meant to alleviate pressure on existing free to access arterial roads, many drivers avoid the paid roads.

The problem needs to be tackled seriously and systematically, Fels said.

Fels and Cousins vision for the toll regime overhaul is staged in three phases.

After the initial step of introducing the network wide declining distance based charge, the review set out a second phase, which recommends the future TollCo attempt to find efficiencies such as ways to bring down operational costs and driving competition to reduce toll charges.

The third phase of the reforms would include removing tolls from some roads if the government had the financial capacity, and potentially incorporating currently untolled motorways into the tolling network  though the review noted this ran contrary to the governments election commitment of no new toll roads.

Fels said that to achieve the initial phase of introducing the new network based tolling approach, the government would need to negotiate with Transurban. To avoid potential litigation, the report recommended legislating the changes.

Asked about the likelihood of Transurban agreeing to reforms that see it worse off financially, Fels suggested the government could negotiate with the tolling giant based on modelling showing falling patronage of their roads. However, Fels didnt rule out that the reforms may see Transurban paid some form of compensation.

Tollmania

The review also revealed analysis that drivers will spend $123bn on toll roads measured in 2023 dollars over the next 37 years. The Minns government has blamed the former Coalition government for the state of tollmania.

Driving the mammoth spend on tolls is the privately owned WestConnex project, the final stage of which included the Rozelle Interchange, which caused traffic chaos when it opened late last year.

Of the $123bn toll spend by 2060, 52% of this amount will be spent on WestConnex. Over the next 37 years, Sydneysiders will have paid for the construction cost of the entire WestConnex project three times over.

Related: Commuters slugged with price hikes on Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane toll roads

The report also conducted a review of 1,500 drivers across Sydney which found that 87% felt tolls were too high, and 70% felt toll prices were unfair.

Harri Bancroft, mobility policy manager at the Committee for Sydney thinktank, welcomed the proposal of a coordinated network and both-directional charges for the Sydney Harbour crossing as a way to make tolling fairer and reduce traffic. However Bancroft warned without larger scale road network reform, reducing tolls in some part of the city could encourage more car trips and subsequent traffic.

The oppositions treasury spokesperson, Damien Tudehope, said if tolls were implemented in both directions on the Harbour crossings and Eastern Distributor it would mean Labor had broken an election promise.



They did not rule out these new tolls and higher tolls today. They should have come out and ruled it out - if they were proposing to do that, he told reporters.

Additional reporting: Catie McLeod
Praia do Malhao beach on Portugals Alentejo coast. Photograph: Amaia Arozena and Gotzon Iraola/Getty Images

Coastal and river beaches coalesce beside the Alentejos Vila Nova de Milfontes, a lyrical name meaning new town of a thousand springs. This resort at the mouth of the Mira River is a magnet for Portuguese families in high summer but largely unknown to British visitors, despite its glorious beaches, great food and fine walking.

At this spot in the upper half of the 100km-long Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, the main beaches are found at the ria, where the river meets the sea. Across the ria from town is Praia das Furnas, a long beach, which is reached by car or ferry, with sandbars at low tide that make playing in the crashing waves fun. Nearer town are Praia da Franquia, Praia de Vila Nova Milfontes and Praia de Farol (Lighthouse Beach), with its sloping sands.

Out on the Atlantic coast, Malhao has a wild beauty, and while there are no signs to Aivados beach, locals will point the way. Kayaks and paddleboards can be hired here but, as with all wild Atlantic beaches, great care should be taken in the water. There are several good beach bars and restaurants, including Ocean Drive 7 on Furnas beach and Choupana on Farol beach, a fish shack that is the perfect place to watch the sunset.

The towns Tasca do Celso is renowned for prawns cooked with garlic and rice richly flavoured with the juice of sweet clams

Vila Nova de Milfontes is full of whitewashed houses with windows and doors picked out in bright colours, and crowned by Fort Sao Clemente, built in 1602 to defend the town from Barbary pirates. The fort is closed to the public, but its fun to walk around its perimeter, enjoying views across the ria.

This is a place where people who love good food come to holiday. Cooking in the Alentejo is simple and rustic. Imagination turned stale bread into the Portuguese soupy bread dish acorda, which is dressed with olive oil and coriander and sometimes topped with an egg or a scattering of seafood. Lamb and pork feature heavily, but so do fish and seafood.

The towns Tasca do Celso is renowned for prawns cooked with garlic and rice richly flavoured with the juice of sweet clams. Owner Jose Ramos Cardoso will be found inspecting the fish over a charcoal grill or describing some of the gems on his vast wine list to customers.

Mabi Croissanterie & Gelateria is the place to come for ice-cream (a good local flavour is carapinhao  cream, caramel and pine nut), cakes, pastries and a good selection of homemade savoury snacks called salgados, which include prawn patties, meat croquettes and small chicken pies.

Related:A miracle of design: Faro, the Palm Springs of Portugal

Idalia Costa Jose welcomes guests into her exquisitely old-school 17th-century house, Casa do Adro da Igreja (Churchyard House), right in the centre of town and a short walk from the beach. Inside it is just like a family home, with antique furniture, photographs and knick-knacks all around. Here, Idalia will probably serve a slice of her bolo de chocolate cake with an aperitif or cup of tea. She says the intention is to make guests feel pampered, as by a favourite Portuguese tia (aunt).

Theres a small guest kitchen that has complimentary fruit, beer and wine  and two terraces to enjoy them on. There are seven double bedrooms, some of them with balconies.

Vila Nova de Milfontes is a two-hour drive south from Lisbon. Doubles at Casa do Adro da Igreja from 105 B&B in April
An anti-sexual exploitation advocate is urging the movement to shift its focus by targeting those who drive demand, asserting that the problem will persist if no effort is made to address the businesses that fuel demand for purchasing sex.



On Thursday, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation held an event titled, "Demand Reduction Symposium on Primary Prevention of Sex Trafficking: Moving the Needle on Demand Reduction." During the symposium, sex trafficking survivors, along with a Cook County, Illinois, sheriff and multiple anti-sexual exploitation advocates discussed practical solutions to reduce the demand for and ultimately eliminate sex trafficking.

NCOSE CEO Dawn Hawkins called for a significant shift in the movement to combat sex trafficking. She suggested an approach that involves targeting those who drive the demand for sexual exploitation and consumers of the sex trade.

The global reality is that prevention efforts that center around raising awareness on how to identify, report or prevent victimization are having little impact in the grand scheme of things, Hawkins said, acknowledging that while these efforts are important, these solutions alone cannot solve the problem.

We can't keep putting Band-Aids on this gaping wound, she stressed. We must take an approach thats radically different.  We have to correct the policies that allow those who cause harm to continue doing so with impunity. We have to challenge the institutional and corporate interests that facilitate and profit from this abuse.

Hawkins also called for changing the culture so that people no longer view sex as a commodity that one can buy and sell, citing pornography as an example of what is likely fueling this mindset. She added that the movement cannot work to eliminate sex trafficking while ignoring pornography and other exploitative practices like prostitution.

We can't just seek to alleviate the pain of the exploited, the NCOSE CEO said. We have to prevent that pain from occurring in the first place.

"I would argue that it includes targeting those who drive the demand for sexual exploitation and consumers of the sex trade. We have to correct the policies that allow those who cause harm to continue doing so with impunity. We have to challenge the institutional and corporate interests that facilitate and profit from this abuse. I would say right now we've got X, we've got Reddit, we've got Meta, we've got Visa, we've got hotel chains."

During the events panel discussion, Hawkins called the Department of Health and Human Services February report disappointing. The anti-sexual exploitation advocate believes the report, titled "A Public Health Approach to Preventing Human Trafficking," talked more about addressing vulnerabilities that increase the risk of trafficking instead of focusing on predation.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Hawkins expanded on some of her organizations efforts to combat the demand for buying sex, which includes presenting research to lawmakers. The organization is also working with a sex trafficking survivor to sue Nevada government officials and brothel owners in the state for enabling the practice.

The suit argues that what the Jane Doe in the lawsuit endured at the brothels violated the 13th Amendment, claiming that this was slavery in the form of sex trafficking.

NCOSE released a study in January funded by the National Institute of Justice that analyzed various studies and outlined multiple strategies believed to be effective in reducing the demands driving sex trafficking markets.

Attendees at last week's event also received a handout titled A Call to Embrace the Abolition of Prostitution. The handout cited a study published in 2013 that analyzed 116 countries, finding that legalizing prostitution led to its expansion and an increase in human trafficking overflows.

Another 2018 study cited in the handout found that legalized prostitution in Nevada led to an increase in the states sex trade. According to the study, when adjusted for population, Nevadas sex market is the largest of any state. The research also found that Nevadas number of sex providers per capita is 63% higher than New York and nearly double that of Florida.

The handout also cited the policy recommendations found in Demand Abolitions report, Who Buys? Understanding and Disrupting Illicit Market Demand, for abolishing sexual exploitation.

The policy recommendations cited in the report included moving law enforcements resources away from prosecuting individuals prostituting themselves to prosecuting the buyers instead. In addition, the report recommended mandatory minimum fines for convicted buyers to offset the costs of services for survivors, and law enforcement agencies are working to stop the demand.



Originally published by The Christian Post
Christopher Nolans epic biopic Oppenheimer has swept the Oscars, winning seven prizes, including best director for Nolan, ending his 22-year wait for an Academy Award.

The film about J Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist described as the father of the atomic bomb, was also named best picture, while its star, Cillian Murphy, won best actor, the first Irish winner of this award.

Robert Downey Jr was named best supporting actor for his turn as Lewis Strauss, head of the Atomic Energy Commission, securing him his first Oscar win.

The film was also celebrated for its editing, score and cinematography.

The best picture prize, the final trophy of the night, was handed out by veteran actor Al Pacino, who announced the winner in an unconventional manner without the customary fanfare.

The 83-year-old looked at the card and said: I see Oppenheimer.

Collecting his directing trophy, Nolan thanked his wife and producer of the film, Emma Thomas, as well as Murphy.

(PA Graphics)

Nolan said: Thank you for those who have been there for me and believed in me my whole career.

He added: To the Academy, just to say movies are just a little bit over 100 years old I mean imagine being there 100 years into painting or theatre.

We dont know where this incredible journey is going from here. But to know that you think that Im a meaningful part of it means the world to me. Thank you very much.

Murphy, 47, kissed his wife, artist Yvonne McGuinness, before heading to the stage, where he said making the film had been the wildest, most creatively satisfying journey.

Cillian Murphy is congratulated by his wife, Yvonne McGuinness, after being named best actor (Chris Pizzello/AP)

I am a very proud Irishman standing here tonight, he added.

Acknowledging we are all living in Oppenheimers world now, he added: I would like to dedicate this to the peacemakers of the world.

At the end of his speech, he spoke in Irish, saying go raibh maith agat which means thank you very much.

Emma Stone was named best actress for the surreal comedy Poor Things, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, about a woman who is given the brain of a baby.

(L to R) Robert Downey Jr, best supporting actor, Oppenheimer; DaVine Joy Randolph, best supporting actress, The Holdovers; Emma Stone, best actress, Poor Things; and Cillian Murphy, best actor, Oppenheimer (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

The US star, who already has an Oscar for her performance in 2016s La La Land, revealed she was battling a wardrobe malfunction as she walked up on stage to collect her prize, and blamed Ryan Goslings rousing performance of the Barbie song Im Just Ken.

She said: My dress is broken, I think it happened during Im Just Ken.

She appeared visibly overwhelmed and wept as she said: I dont know what Im saying.

She added: The other night I was panicking  as you can see it happens a lot  that something like this could happen.

After thanking her family, she saved her final thanks for my daughter, who is going to be three in three days and who turned our whole lives technicolour.

She added: I love you bigger than the whole sky, my girl.

Emma Stone struggles with her dress (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Before leaving the stage, she said: Dont look at the back of my dress.

DaVine Joy Randolph was named best supporting actress for her role as a grieving cook in The Holdovers, about a grumpy teacher who stays at school over the holidays.

The highly publicised battle between Barbie, Greta Gerwigs film about the Mattel doll, and Oppenheimer, failed to materialise because Gerwigs film only won one award  the best original song prize for What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas OConnell.

The gong is Eilishs second Oscar win, after she previously won the same category at the 2022 Oscars, for the James Bond theme tune No Time To Die.

Killers Of The Flower Moon, Martin Scorseses western about the murders of wealthy members of the Osage tribe in the 1920s, was completely shut out, having received 10 nominations.

(PA Graphics)

The Zone Of Interest won the best international feature Oscar, becoming the first UK production to win the Oscar in that category.

The film, set in and around the Auschwitz Nazi death camp during the Second World War, features dialogue that is mostly in German and Polish, which made it eligible for the award.

British director Jonathan Glazer accepted the award and said: All of our choices were made to confront us in the present. Not to say Look what they did then, but look what we do now.

He added: Our film shows where dehumanisation leads at its worst  its shaped all of our past and present.

Director Jonathan Glazer accepted the best international feature Oscar for The Zone Of Interest (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.

Whether its the victims of October 7 in Israel or of the ongoing attack on Gaza, all are victims of this dehumanisation.

The Academy Award for original screenplay was presented to French film-makers Justine Triet and Arthur Harari for courtroom drama Anatomy Of A Fall.

Cord Jefferson won the best adapted screenplay Oscar for American Fiction, about a black author who writes the kind of book he despises.

Ryan Gosling performs Im Just Ken from Barbie during the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles (Chris Pizzello/AP)

The ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, saw a string of past winners take to the stage to honour this years nominees.

There was also excitement when Gosling reprised his role of Ken from Barbie for a rendition of the nominated original song, Im Just Ken, from the film.

He was joined by co-stars including Ncuti Gatwa, Simu Liu and Kingsley Ben-Adir for the high energy number, for which he donned a pink glittery suit and gloves, and was also joined by Guns N Roses star Slash for a guitar solo.
Christopher Nolans epic biopic Oppenheimer has swept the Oscars, winning seven awards.

The film about J Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist described as the father of the atomic bomb, was named best picture while Irish star Cillian Murphy won best actor and Nolan took the best director award.

Robert Downey Jr was named best supporting actor for his turn as Lewis Strauss, head of the Atomic Energy Commission.

The film was also celebrated for its editing, score and cinematography.

The best picture prize, the final trophy of the night, was handed out by veteran actor Al Pacino, 83, who announced the winner in an unconventional manner without the customary fanfare.

He looked at the card and said: I see Oppenheimer.

Collecting his directing trophy, Nolan thanked his wife and producer of the film, Emma Thomas, as well as Murphy.

Cillian Murphy with his Oscar (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Nolan said: Thank you for those who have been there for me and believed in me my whole career.

He added: To the Academy, just to say movies are just a little bit over 100 years old, I mean imagine being there 100 years into painting or theatre.

We dont know where this incredible journey is going from here. But to know that you think that Im a meaningful part of it means the world to me. Thank you very much.

Irish actor Murphy, 47, kissed his wife, the artist Yvonne McGuinness, before heading to the stage, where he said making the film had been the wildest, most creatively satisfying journey.

(PA Graphics)

I am a very proud Irishman standing here tonight, he added.

Acknowledging that we are all living in Oppenheimers world now, he added: I would like to dedicate this to the peacemakers of the world.

At the end of his speech, he spoke in Irish, saying go raibh maith agat which means thank you.

Emma Stone was named best actress for the surreal comedy Poor Things, about a woman who is given the brain of a baby.

Emma Stone on stage (Chris Pizzello/AP)

The US star, who already has an Oscar for her performance in La La Land, revealed she was battling a wardrobe malfunction as she walked up on stage to collect her prize, and blamed Ryan Goslings rousing performance of the Barbie song Im Just Ken.

She said: My dress is broken, I think it happened during Im Just Ken.

She appeared visibly overwhelmed and wept as she said: I dont know what Im saying.

(PA Graphics)

She added: The other night I was panicking, as you can see it happens a lot, that something like this could happen.

After thanking her family, she saved her final thanks for my daughter, who is going to be three in three days and who turned our whole lives technicolour.

She added: I love you bigger than the whole sky, my girl.

Before exiting the stage, she said: Dont look at the back of my dress.

Emma Stone struggles with her dress (Chris Pizzello/AP)

DaVine Joy Randolph was named best supporting actress for her role as a grieving cook in The Holdovers, about a grumpy teacher who stays at school over the holidays.

The highly publicised battle between Barbie, Greta Gerwigs film about the Mattel doll, and Oppenheimer, failed to materialise as Gerwigs film won only one award  the best original song prize for What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas OConnell.

Killers Of The Flower Moon, Martin Scorseses western about the murders of wealthy members of the Osage tribe in the 1920s, was completely shut out.

The Zone Of Interest won the best international feature Oscar for the United Kingdom.

Jonathan Glazer (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

British director Jonathan Glazer accepted the award and said: All of our choices were made to confront us in the present. Not to say Look what they did then, but look what we do now.

He added: Our film shows where dehumanisation leads at its worst  its shaped all of our past and present.

Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.

Whether its the victims of October 7 in Israel or of the ongoing attack on Gaza, all are victims of this dehumanisation.

The Academy Award for original screenplay was presented to French filmmakers Justine Triet and Arthur Harari for courtroom drama Anatomy Of A Fall.

Cord Jefferson won the best adapted screenplay Oscar for American Fiction, about a black author who writes the kind of book he despises.

The ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, saw a string of past winners take to the stage to honour this years nominees.

There was also excitement when Ryan Gosling reprised his role of Ken from Barbie for a rendition of the nominated original song, Im Just Ken, from the film.

He was joined by co-stars including Ncuti Gatwa, Simu Liu and Kingsley Ben-Adir for the high energy number, for which he donned a pink glittery suit and gloves and was joined by Guns N Roses star Slash for a guitar solo.
The start of the Oscars was delayed by five minutes on Sunday as pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the award ceremony in Los Angeles.

Jonathan Ross informed viewers watching on ITV of the delay.

In video clips circulating on X, formerly Twitter, crowds of protesters could be seen carrying Palestinian flags and chanting ceasefire now near the Dolby Theatre.

The protest stopped traffic heading towards the 96th Academy Awards for around 20 minutes and blocked guests in their cars.

Several stars had not arrived at the venue 10 minutes before the start time, with Barbie star Margot Robbie thought to be one celebrity caught in the delay.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, some stars began to leave their vehicles and walk to the venue instead as police arrived to disperse the crowd.
Paintings by famous artists have been reimagined in an exhibition showcasing the importance of end-of-life care.

Charity Marie Curie has commissioned artist Lisa Buchanan, also known as Dangerosa, to create the series of works, which will be auctioned for its Great Daffodil Appeal.

The Daffodil Collection, which will be free to visit at a gallery in Londons Mayfair, depicts Marie Curies famous daffodil emblem alongside members of the charitys nursing team, providing care and support to the dying and those close to them.

A curator sets up the exhibition (Matt Alexander/PA)

The exhibition, on Thursday March 14, will be attended by Gavin And Stacey star Alison Steadman, whose mother was supported by the UKs leading end-of-life charity.

Im really looking forward to seeing the new reimagined masterpieces this week, and what a wonderful way to tell the story of what Marie Curie nurses do, she said.

Their work is so important, and were still in a position where one in four people dont get the care they need at the end of their lives.

Marie Curie supported our family and my dear mum at their Liverpool hospice and Ill always be grateful for how wonderful they were and how much they helped when she most needed it.

Its only right that some of the charitys nurses and healthcare assistants have been immortalised in these beautiful paintings.

The collection includes a reimagining of a painting by The Scream artist Edvard Munch, called The Dead Mother And Child.

In the new painting a Marie Curie healthcare assistant is seen caring for a patient in bed while a nurse comforts a child.

Senior Marie Curie nurse Isaac Otengo looks at Lisa Buchanans reimagined version of Nils Dardels The Dying Dandy (Matt Alexander/PA)

There is also a version of Munchs By The Death Bed, which now depicts a senior nurse providing emotional support to family and friends.

Elsewhere, The Death Of Gericault by Ary Scheffer, which shows the death of French painter Theodore Gericault, has been reimagined as a nurse making a patient comfortable in their dying hours.

Another painting, inspired by Nils Dardels The Dying Dandy, shows a senior nurse putting an oxygen mask on a patient.

Artist Buchanan said: From previous experience I truly understand that the work done by Marie Curie to support those during such a difficult time of their lives is incredible.

When they asked me to bring that work to light within these paintings I jumped at the chance to get involved.

Throughout the process I got to know the fantastic nurses who feature in the paintings and learn more about the important work they do on a daily basis, and I cant wait for people to see their vital work at the exhibition.

A visitor looks at Lisa Buchanans version of Ary Scheffers The Death Of Gericault (Matt Alexander/PA)

Maria Novell, chief innovation, income and engagement officer at Marie Curie, said: The purpose of the Daffodil Collection is to highlight the invaluable role Marie Curie nurses and healthcare assistants play providing care, comfort and support in peoples final years, months, weeks and days of life, or when bereaved.

Reimagining these world-renowned artworks for our Great Daffodil Appeal demonstrates what every donation to the appeal helps fund and how it can make a big difference to peoples lives and those close to them.

Id encourage everyone to support this years appeal in any way they can, either by donating, wearing one of our iconic daffodil pins, heading to visit the exhibition, or by holding their own fundraising event.

The Great Daffodil Appeal, held every March, is Marie Curies biggest fundraising campaign of the year and people are encouraged to donate and wear a daffodil pin to help the charity.

Before they are auctioned off, the paintings will go on display for one day at 56 Conduit Street on Thursday March 14 from 10am to 6pm.
The Culture Secretary has received reports from UK regulators over the potential impact of the proposed gulf state-backed takeover of the Telegraph newspaper group.

It comes as Lucy Frazer prepares to reveal a decision on the viability of a deal, amid concerns over how it could have an impact on free speech and accurate representation of the news.

Last year, Abu Dhabi-backed fund RedBird IMI reached a deal with previous Telegraph owners, the Barclay family, to take control of the newspaper group, and fellow publication The Spectator, by paying off debts owed to their bank, Lloyds.

RedBird IMI is an investment fund majority-owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and owner of Manchester City Football Club.

Lucy Frazer is Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport (Lucy North/PA)

The deal for the Telegraph Media Group would also see the fund take control of fellow publication, The Spectator.

Shortly after the deal was announced, Ms Frazer confirmed the Government had triggered a Public Interest Intervention Notice (PIIN) to investigate its potential impact on press freedom.

In January, the Culture Secretary was forced to launch a fresh intervention after the proposed owner announced a new corporate structure for its takeover.

As part of the new process, Ms Frazer asked media regulator Ofcom and competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), to hand over the findings of their probes by Monday.

Both organisations confirmed they have passed this to the minister.

A CMA spokeswoman said: We have submitted our reports assessing competition in the Telegraph/Redbird IMI deal to Government and its now with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to review our findings and make a decision on next steps.

An Ofcom spokesman said: We have provided our advice to the Secretary of State in accordance with the deadline that she has set.

On Monday, Labours shadow culture secretary called for the deal to be blocked.

Thangam Debbonaire told The Spectator that the view of the party is that foreign governments should not own national newspapers.

This is a bid by a foreign power, funded by the deputy prime minister of the UAE, and as such this bid should not pass.
Ryan Gosling performed a hilarious rendition of Im Just Ken at the Oscars, which began with him serenading Margot Robbie and ended with a full-blown sing-along with director Greta Gerwig and co-star America Ferrera.

The Barbie star donned a bright pink suit covered in sparkling rhinestones with gloves to match to perform the smash hit, which received a nomination at the 96th Academy Awards for best song.

Wearing a stetson hat tipped over his head and sunglasses, Gosling started his performance sitting in the audience by singing to his laughing Barbie co-star Robbie, who appeared unable to contain her giggles.

The La La Land actor then moved towards the stage to reveal songwriter Mark Ronson, who wore a billowing pink shirt as he played the guitar.

Slash was brought on stage as part of the performance (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Gosling was then joined onstage by several actors who played Ken in Gerwigs film, Ncuti Gatwa, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, as well as a host of dancers in stetsons.

The army of Kens performed an all-singing all-dancing rendition of the song, which included the actor being lifted into the air surrounded by cutouts of Barbies head.

British-American musician Slash then delivered a killer guitar solo while Gosling stepped out into the audience.

The actor stopped by actress Emma Stone, who enthusiastically sang along, before he shared the microphone with his co-stars in the front row  Robbie, Ferrera and Gerwig  who passionately joined in.
International action to tackle fraudsters is to be discussed by ministers, financial organisations and tech giants from around the world at a summit in London.

Interpols general secretary Jurgen Stock said cross-border co-operation was needed to ensure there are no safe havens for financial fraudsters.

Representatives from the governments of the Five Eyes intelligence partnership  the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand  will be among those attending the Lancaster House summit.

Other nations involved include France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.

Tech firms including Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, TikTok and LinkedIn will also be at the gathering, along with financial sector organisations including HSBC, NatWest, Santander, Visa and national and international banking associations.

Home Secretary James Cleverly stressed the need for international action to tackle fraudsters (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

A forthcoming Interpol threat assessment is expected to show a concerning rise in fraud in all corners of the globe.

Mr Stock said: Changes in technology and the rapid increase in the scale and volume of organised crime has driven the creation of a range of new ways to defraud innocent people, business and even governments. Urgent action is required.

It is important that there are no safe havens for financial fraudsters to operate.

Around 70% of fraud offences in the UK have ties to international criminals, with 3 billion lost to overseas accounts last year.

Interpol has warned that fraud is often perpetrated by organised criminal groups, including human traffickers, who force people to work in scam centres which target potential victims across the world.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: Fraudsters have no regard for boundaries, they devastate citizens in all our countries.

We will only put a stop to this scourge if we fight it head-on together and thats precisely what we plan to do.

Mr Cleverly told attendees on Sunday night: Fraud is often an overlooked crime. It often happens invisibly, it often happens in a way that the victim is unaware of.

Victims can feel too embarrassed to do anything about it, perhaps feeling that they are foolish, and they somehow deserve what has happened to them.

This is the first time we are meeting formally internationally to work on how we fight fraud, how we prevent fraud and how we bring fraudsters to justice.

The main rationale for actually physically coming together is this is an opportunity to exchange notes, to exchange ideas, to exchange business cards and phone numbers.

Ive always said if youre not networking, youre not working, so please, please, please take this opportunity to connect.

The Princess Royal delivers a speech during a Pre-Global Fraud Summit reception (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Also speaking on Sunday night, the Princess Royal said she hoped attendees would discuss the far-reaching impacts of fraud on ordinary people everywhere in the world, particularly those who are least equipped to defend themselves.

Fraud undermines the foundations of trust and integrity it tarnishes the reputation of businesses of any size, she added.

Sometimes the key is the fraudsters themselves who do not take their crime seriously.

Fraudsters need to understand more clearly how much damage can be done this way.

Anne said tackling the problem of fraud would not be a simple challenge but said governments and private organisations alike have a duty to protect citizens against fraud.

That requires a concerted effort from the private sector and civil society, she said. Hopefully together well strive to create a future where the dignity and wellbeing of every individual is safeguarded against exploitation.

Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, said: Over 70% of fraud has an international element and it is clear that we need an efficient and effective joint response with partners across the globe.

The global fraud summit is an important step forward, bringing together colleagues from the public and private sectors to tackle this persistent and pervasive threat.
The Conservative Government is putting the economy on track while the Labour Party U-turn on their U-turns, the Culture Secretary has said.

Opening the third day of debate on the Budget, Lucy Frazer told MPs her party is backing working families and British businesses with tax cuts and tax breaks.

Meanwhile, Labours Wes Streeting claimed he was being blinded by the bright glow coming from the red-faced members opposite as they pinch his partys ideas.

Mr Streeting also argued that millions of low and middle income workers are being dragged into paying higher taxes as a result of the Budget.

Lucy Frazer told MPs her party is backing working families and British businesses with tax cuts (Lucy North/PA)

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Frazer said: We are targeting funding where it is needed most, while the Labour Party talk the economy and indeed the rest of the country down, were backing working families and British businesses with tax cuts and tax breaks.

While the Labour Party U-turn on their U-turns, we are putting our economy on track for new jobs, new growth and new investment. This Conservative Government has a plan, and that plan is working.

Intervening earlier in her speech, Conservative former minister Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) called for a long-term plan to protect pensioners because you cannot just abolish national insurance and replace it with nothing, it can only be replaced with higher tax, which pensioners dont benefit from.

Ms Frazer replied: What we want to do is reduce taxes on working people and it isnt right that they have double taxation.

But he will also know the importance of protecting pensioners, which is why throughout our time in Government we have protected pensioners and one of the key ways of doing that is through the triple lock.

Labours Wes Streeting claimed he was being blinded by the bright glow coming from the red-faced members opposite as they pinch his partys ideas (Stefan Rousseau/PA Images)

Shadow health secretary Mr Streeting said the Conservatives incompetence over the past 14 years has broken Britains economy, adding: Its all there in black and white.

The economy back in recession, the highest tax burden in 70 years, a record tax-raising Parliament, wages lower today than they were in 2010, households worse off than they were at the last election, a fall in living standards over an entire Parliament for the first time in history.

And from next month a real terms cut per person in NHS funding at the point where the NHS is going through the worst crisis in its history.

And what did this Budget contribute to that appalling record? Millions of low and middle income workers are being dragged into paying higher tax, and unprecedented levels of low wage, low skilled migration are damaging the economy  the Government could have fixed both problems but did not.

Later in his contribution, he added: The bright glow coming from the red-faced members opposite is blinding, but never forget, they criticised our policies, they criticised our costings, theyve adopted our policies, theyve adopted our costings, they dont have any credibility left.

That they have finally relented is further evidence that Labour is winning the battle of ideas again today. Never again can the Conservatives claim with a straight face that Labour doesnt have a plan, they wouldnt have the first idea what to do if they didnt have our plans to pinch.

In fact, it seems to me that today the Labour Party has replaced the IEA (Institute of Economic Affairs) as the Conservatives most influential and favoured think tank.
A major Conservative Party donor said he is deeply sorry after reportedly saying former Labour MP Diane Abbott made him want to hate all black women and that she should be shot.

Frank Hester, chief executive of The Phoenix Partnership (TPP), has admitted making rude comments, which were first reported by The Guardian, but said they had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Tories to return the money Mr Hester has donated to the party.

Mr Hester donated 10 million to the Tories last year, according to Electoral Commission records.

He individually donated 5 million to Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks party in May and gave another 5 million via his healthcare software firm in November.

The Guardian reported that Mr Hesters remarks about Ms Abbott were made in 2019, meaning that they likely occurred when she was shadow home secretary under former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The newspaper reported that during a meeting at his Leeds company headquarters, Mr Hester, having previously criticised an executive at another organisation, went on to discuss Ms Abbott, the first black woman elected to Parliament.

He reportedly said: Its like trying not to be racist but you see Diane Abbott on the TV, and youre just like you just want to hate all black women because shes there.

And I dont hate all black women at all, but I think she should be shot.

(The executive) and Diane Abbott need to be shot.

In a statement released via his firm, Mr Hester said he had rung Ms Abbott on Monday to apologise directly for the hurt he has caused her.

The statement said: Frank Hester accepts that he was rude about Diane Abbot in a private meeting several years ago but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been urged to return money donated by Frank Hester (Daniel Leal/PA)

The Guardian is right when it quotes Frank saying he abhors racism, not least because he experienced it as the child of Irish immigrants in the 1970s.

He rang Diane Abbott twice today to try to apologise directly for the hurt he has caused her, and is deeply sorry for his remarks.

He wishes to make it clear that he regards racism as a poison which has no place in public life.

But Tory opponents have seized on the remarks and urged the governing party to give back the cash Mr Hester and his company have donated.

Anneliese Dodds, Labour Party chairwoman, said: These comments are reprehensible.

Frank Hester is the Conservative Partys biggest ever donor, as well as a personal donor to the Prime Minister, it is therefore vital that Rishi Sunak and the Tories return his donations, in full without delay.

Rishi Sunak has claimed that words matter, and he must know that holding on to that money would suggest the Conservatives condone these disturbing comments. Sunak must return every penny.

The Lib Dems made the same call, with Wendy Chamberlain, the partys chief whip, also urging Mr Sunak to rule out any future peerage for Mr Hester.

Wes Streeting, Labours shadow health secretary, went further with his criticisms during remarks in the Commons, saying Mr Hester had used utterly revolting, racist and inciteful language.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting was critical of Frank Hesters remarks (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Addressing MPs, Mr Streeting called on the Prime Minister to also apologise to Ms Abbott.

A Conservative spokeswoman said: Mr Hester has made clear that while he was rude, his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor the colour of her skin.

He has since apologised.

James Daly, deputy chairman of the Tory Party, told Times Radio the remarks were not words I would have used and that he was pleased Mr Hester had apologised.

Downing Street directed questions about Mr Hesters comments to the Conservative Party.

Ms Abbott, first elected as MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington in 1987, has sat as an independent since April after the Labour whip was withdrawn following comments she made in The Observer suggesting Jewish, Irish and Traveller people are not subject to racism all their lives.

She is awaiting the outcome of an independent complaints process set-up by Labour to investigate her remarks.

The Guardian reported that TPP has been paid more than 400 million by the NHS and other Government bodies since 2016, having been given responsibility to look after 60 million UK medical records.

According to the TPP website, Mr Hester founded the company in 1997 as he worked on integrated care models.

TPP describes the firm as providing leading software that is transforming healthcare worldwide.

In 2015, the businessman was made a member of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to healthcare.

Mr Hester has been invited on several government trade missions in the past, including visiting India with then-prime minister David Cameron in 2013.

He appeared at number 321 on the 2023 Sunday Times Rich List, with the newspaper estimating his wealth at 415 million.

The Rich List said Mr Hester spotted an opportunity to build IT software for the NHS when his GP wife grumbled about her computers at work.
The director of 20 Days In Mariupol has said he wished that he did not have to make his Oscar-winning film.

The documentary tells the story of the 20 days that Mstyslav Chernov spent with his colleagues from the Associated Press (AP) news agency in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol after Russia invaded.

Taking to the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, Chernov said he was honoured to take home the first Oscar for Ukraine.

From left, Raney Aronson-Rath, Vasilisa Stepanenko, Mstyslav Chernov, Evgeniy Maloletka, Michelle Mizner and Derl McCrudden on stage (Chris Pizzello/AP)

He added: I probably will be the first director on this stage to say I wish I never would have made this film.

I wish to be able to exchange this (for) Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities.

I wish to give all the recognition (of winning an Oscar for) Russia not killing 10,000s of my fellow Ukrainians.

I wish for them to release all the hostages, all the soldiers who (were) protecting their land, all the civilians who are now in their jails but I cannot change history, I cannot change the past.

But we all together, you some of the most talented people in the world can make sure the history record is set straight and the truth will prevail and that the people of Mariupol and those who have given their lives will never be forgotten because cinema forms memories, and memories form history.

Congratulations to '20 Days in Mariupol'  this year's Best Documentary Feature Film! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/y1Qsf7bTpm  The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 11, 2024

Chernov signed off by saying Slava Ukraini, meaning Glory to Ukraine, a phrase which has become more popular since the war broke out.

February marked two years since the Kremlin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Chernov saying in the winners room that Saturday also marked the anniversary of an attack on the maternity hospital in Mariupol.

He called the bombing a symbol of war crimes perpetrated by Russian forces.

Chernov added: The topic of supporting Ukraine became a bargaining chip for a lot of politicians in the world I hope I remind everyone with our film that this is a humanitarian catastrophe and this is not a political question, this is a humanitarian emergency.

He also spoke about how his heart is in Ukraine as people in his home country continue to be hit by bombing and attacks.
Guy Chambers, long-time collaborator of Robbie Williams and hitmaker who worked with the likes of Kylie Minogue, has expressed his apprehension regarding AI's increasing relevance and usage within the music industry.

During a music apprenticeship talk at the Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in Nottingham, Chambers told The Guardian that AI's potential as a replacement for songwriters like him is "terrifying."

Chambers, one of the UK's bestselling pop songwriters who has worked for and with Mark Ronson, Anastasia, and Katie Melua, also said there might come a time when a disclaimer saying "this is an all-human record" would be necessary due to how fast the technology is improving.

"Any person could put into an AI program something like 'I want a song 100 BPM that sounds like a cross between Abba and Arctic Monkeys,'" the songwriter said, as an example. "And some music will be created and it will be pretty good."

However, other established platforms like YouTube are taking the route opposite of Chambers' apprehension of AI and even announced an experiment with the technology last year.

Current AI Integrations in the Music Industry

Last November 16, YouTube officially released an announcement introducing its upcoming AI system called "Dream Track," a generative tool intended to produce "custom-made" tracks for utilization in its Shorts medium.

The system is its collaborative project with Google DeepMind that allows users to input prompts like: "a ballad about how opposites attract," and it will proceed to churn out a Charlie Puth-like track about exactly that topic, as can be seen in its announcement video below.

Puth and T-Pain join Demi Lovato, Charli XCX, and John Legend as artists who have approved the usage of their voices and styles in the project, which YouTube has since given out to "a small group of select US creators" to be tested in their shorts.

Of the recent integration, YouTube's Global Head of Music Lyor Cohen said: "With any new technology, we have to approach it responsibly. And that's not lost on us."

"It starts by recognizing that artificial intelligence is meant to amplify human creativity, not replace it," he added.

That said, in Chambers' talk last week, he expressed his worries that this innovation might influence the newer generation of musicians negatively and make them "lazy" despite the benefits and "incredible tie-ins with AI" that are still inconceivable even now.

In contrast, he advised young musicians to "be flexible" and build as many varied competencies as they could and even encouraged them to develop "very personal skills," citing "charm and hustle" among others.

Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies Founder Craig Chettle chimed in on the conversation, saying that AI "can be used as a force for good to enhance music" through its ability to reduce the tedium in repetitive and laborious parts of the music-making process.

However, he also said that "there is no substitute to doing it for real," which the Confetti Institute encourages through its recording studios and live events facilities, one of many ways the organization is exploring to help indigent musicians alongside providing higher education courses.

Read Also: Hit West End Musical 'SIX' to Premiere in the Philippines at Solaire Resort's The Theatre

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The Welsh Government will pay to repair schools with collapse-risk concrete, it has been announced.

2.56 million has been made available to cover the cost of remedial works to the five affected schools in Wales, Ysgol David Hughes and Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi on Ynys Mon, Ysgol Maes Owen in Conwy, Ysgol Trefnant in Denbighshire and Eveswell Primary in Newport.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac), which is a lightweight building material used from the 1950s up to the mid-1990s, is now assessed to be at risk of collapse.

The number of schools in Wales identified as having Raac is low compared to the 230 in England and 39 in Scotland.

Five schools are affected (PA)

Minister for Education and Welsh Language Jeremy Miles said the fact that so few cases of Welsh schools with Raac had been identified was testament to the Welsh Governments investment in schools over many years.

I want to make sure every learner can fulfil their potential, and their education is delivered in environments that are fit for purpose, he added.

The council leader for Ynys Mon, which has two affected schools, welcomed the additional funding.

Councillor Llinos Medi said: I would like to thank the Welsh Government for this much-needed funding and its proactive support as we responded to the Raac emergency.

More remedial works are needed and it is important these are carried out as quickly as possible to ensure all areas within the school buildings are safe to use.

Money to repair the 234 education settings in England at risk of collapse will come from the Department for Educations existing capital budget, it is understood.
Zendaya, Margot Robbie and Emily Blunt were among stars wearing sparkling outfits on the Oscars red carpet.

The shimmering theme felt appropriate for the biggest night in showbiz, but unusually for the Academy Awards, no one major trend dominated celebrity outfits.

Some of the biggest stars donned sparkles  like Barbie actress Margot Robbie, who made the surprise decision to wear black instead of pink.

Margot Robbie (Jordan Strauss/AP)

Her shimmering strapless outfit was straight off Versaces Milan Fashion Week runway, and was a more understated ensemble for Robbie, 33, who has spent much of the last year recreating classic Barbie outfits on the red carpet.

Zendaya (Jordan Strauss/AP)

Dune: Part Two star Zendaya, 27, wore a shimmering outfit of an iridescent purple dress with a black sparkling bodice and palm tree-inspired detailing, from Armani Prive.

Emily Blunt (Jordan Strauss/AP)

Emily Blunt, 41, who is nominated for the supporting actress gong for her role in Oppenheimer, wore a fashion label which has dominated the red carpet for this awards season: Schiaprelli.

The Italian fashion house is known for polished designs with a hint of the surreal, and this was certainly seen in Blunts sparkling outfit. The sequinned gown had heavily structured straps and cheeky detailing which looked like the outline of Y-fronts, and was paired with strings of Tiffany & Co jewellery.

America Ferrera (Richard Shotwell/AP)

Barbie star America Ferrera, 39, took a leaf out of co-star Margot Robbies style book, wearing a pink chainmail Versace gown  which looked like a mini version of one Robbie wore to a Barbie event in Sydney last year.

While Robbies outfit was a vintage look, worn by supermodel Claudia Schiffer in 1994, Ferreras was custom-made.

Florence Pugh (Jordan Strauss/AP)

Among all the massive fashion houses represented on the Oscars red carpet, Dune: Part Two star Florence Pugh, 28, wore a lesser-known label  Del Core, a Milanese brand founded in 2020.

The bedazzled architectural bodice of the gown was matched perfectly by the statement snake-style Bulgari necklace.

Emma Stone (Jordan Strauss/AP)

Emma Stone, 35, was one of the celebrities opting against sparkles on the red carpet. Her awards season fashion has been heavily inspired by the 18th-century costuming of her character Bella Baxter in Poor Things, which has earned her a nomination for the best actress gong.

Her Oscars outfit was no different: a pale green strapless dress with a dramatic peplum detailing and a light brocade pattern. Fresh off attending Louis Vuittons star-studded Paris Fashion Week show last Tuesday, Stone once again chose a custom look from the French label.

Cynthia Erivo (Jordan Strauss/AP)

Stone was not the only star in Louis Vuitton  Cynthia Erivo, 37, seemed to be channelling her character Elphaba in the upcoming film Wicked. Her leather-look green Oscars gown had sculptural statement shoulders, with ruffled strings of fabric hanging trailing behind her.

Ariana Grande (Richard Shotwell/AP)

Erivos Wicked co-star, Ariana Grande, 30, also seemed to be inspired by her character in the film, Glinda, wearing a pastel pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown with puffy sleeves and a long train.

Anya Taylor-Joy (Jordan Strauss/AP)

The Queens Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy, 27, wore a custom Dior gown that references one of the French fashion houses most famous looks: the Junon dress, designed by Christian Dior in 1949.

The original gown had a white bodice and a voluminous skirt made up of heavily beaded petals. Taylor-Joys outfit had similar petal detailing on the skirt, with a few key differences  the overall colour was more silvery grey, and the petals were smaller, making for a column-style silhouette.

Jennifer Lawrence (Jordan Strauss/AP)

No Hard Feelings actress Jennifer Lawrence, 33, also wore a Dior ensemble, and was one of the few examples of patterns on the red carpet, wearing an old Hollywood-inspired polka dot strapless dress.

Kirsten Dunst (Jordan Strauss/AP)

Actress Kirsten Dunst, 41, channelled Nineties minimalism in her all-white outfit. The Gucci gown had a square neckline, a low back and spaghetti straps, and was styled with a bold red lip and loose hair.

Dunst seems to be developing an increasingly close relationship with Gucci, and was pictured sitting front row for the Italian fashion houses most recent Milan Fashion Week show.

Danielle Brooks (Jordan Strauss/AP)

Nominated for best supporting actress for her role in The Color Purple, Danielle Brooks, 34, chose a timeless all-black look by Dolce & Gabbana.

The strapless gown had silver detailing on the bodice, a thigh-high leg slit and a dramatic bow with a train.

Lupita Nyongo (Jordan Strauss/AP)

Lupita Nyongo, 41  who took home the best supporting actress award for her role in 12 Years A Slave in 2014  wore a sparkling lilac gown with feather detailing from Armani Prive.

The pastel colour and deep-V neckline almost felt reminiscent of the pale blue Prada gown she wore to the 2014 Oscars.
Two Georgia men have been federally indicted in connection with a "sinister" plot they allegedly hatched last year to release a python to devour the daughter of one of their ex's, prosecutors announced.

Stephen Glosser, 37, and Caleb Kinsey, 34, of Richmond Hill, were arrested in February 2023 on charges of setting off a homemade bomb at the home of a woman with whom one of them had a previous relationship.

On Thursday, they were indicted on multiple federal charges related to the bombing and their alleged plot  which included mailing dog feces to the ex's home, releasing a snake in her residence, and scalping her, the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of Georgia announced.

They had plotted to acquire and release a large python into the victims home to eat the victims daughter, the release said.

The men face charges that include stalking, conspiracy to use an explosive to commit a felony, use of an explosive to commit another felony offense, and possession of an unregistered device. Kinsey was further charged with false statement during the purchase of a firearm and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

The men had the victim under surveillance from December 2022 to January 2023 with the intent to kill, injure, harass, or intimidate, prosecutors said in a news release.

They conspired to shoot arrows into the victims front door, mail dog feces or dead rats to the victims home, scalp her and blow up her home.

Glosser located the victims home using internet searches and mapped out a path to her residence, prosecutors said. Kinsey then allegedly acquired and built an explosive device at Glossers home using Tannerite, which he purportedly purchased online.

Then the two used it to blow up the victims home on Jan. 13, 2023, the prosecutors said.

On that day, Bryan County emergency services responded to a report of an explosion at a residential structure on Demeries Lake Court in Richmond Hill at 5 a.m., Georgias Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire said in a release.

A multi-agency investigation found the cause of the explosion was an IED comprised of a binary explosive compound.

No one was injured in the explosion, WTOC of Savannah reported at the time.

The agency announced Glosser and Kinsey were arrested in connection with the explosion. Kinsey had fled the state and was arrested in Louisiana, and Glosser was arrested locally.

Bryan County Sheriff Mark Crowe previously described the attack as "sinister."

He told local ABC affiliate WJCL of Savannah that a woman and child had moved into the residence the day before the explosion  and one of the suspects had a prior relationship with the woman.

Glosser and Kinsey are in custody awaiting further court proceedings. The docket for the federal case did not list lawyers for the men.

Prosecutors said that, if convicted, the conspiracy charge carries a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison, and the charge of using an explosive to commit a felony carries a penalty of an additional 10 years. The release noted, given these are federal charges, the men won't be eligible for parole.
This handout picture taken on March 10, 2024 in Evolene and released on March 11, 2024 by the Police of the Canton of Valais shows helicopters during the search operation for six cross-country skiers who went missing Tete Blanche sector in the Swiss Alps over the weekend.

The bodies of five missing skiers were found in the Swiss Alps while rescuers continue to search for a sixth person, authorities said.

The Swiss Valais canton police said the bodies of the five members of a group that vanished Saturday near the Tete Blanche mountain were found Sunday around 9:20 p.m. local time.

According to police, the group, which included five members of the same family, had set off on a ski tour from Zermatt, a popular Alpine town. The skiers were Swiss nationals ages 21 to 58.

The group was on the Zermatt-Arolla path near the Matterhorn, which straddles the border between Switzerland and Italy, and was reported missing after a family member who was supposed to pick them up Saturday afternoon in the village of Arolla became concerned when they never arrived, police said.

Altered photo pulled by image agencies: Princess Kate apologizes for 'editing' photo of family

Poor weather conditions hinder search efforts

A search and rescue operation was launched, but officials said very poor weather conditions made operations extremely delicate."

This handout picture taken on March 10, 2024 in Evolene and released on March 11, 2024 by the Police of the Canton of Valais shows a helicopter during the search operation for six cross-country skiers who went missing Tete Blanche sector in the Swiss Alps over the weekend.

Police said a member of the group was able to contact emergency services shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, which helped authorities locate him in the Tete Blanche pass area at about 11,500 feet.

A storm and the risk of avalanches prevented helicopters from approaching the area, and five experienced rescuers who had tried to approach by land had to give up at about 10,000 feet because of the risks involved, police said.

Police have not released the identities of the dead and have not said whether they all were members of the same family.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 missing skiers found dead in Swiss Alps; 1 remains missing
By Leah Douglas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday finalized a rule requiring meat, poultry, or eggs labeled as a U.S. product to come from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the country.

The rule, proposed last March, is a victory for U.S. ranchers who argued for years that use of the voluntary label by companies who raised animals abroad and only slaughtered or processed them in the U.S. was misleading and disadvantaged domestic producers.

"This final rule will ensure that when consumers see 'Product of USA' they can trust the authenticity of that label and know that every step involved, from birth to processing, was done here in America," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement.

Vilsack announced the final rule to cheers at the annual meeting of the National Farmers Union in Scottsdale, Arizona.

"The abuse of the 'Product of U.S.A.' label stripped America's cattle producers of a vital opportunity to market their USA beef while denying consumers the opportunity to support them," said Joe Maxwell, co-founder of the farm group Farm Action, in a statement.

Producers using "Product of USA" or "Made in the USDA" labels will need to comply with the rule by Jan. 1, 2026.

The USDA also announced $9.5 million in grants for 42 projects expanding small-scale local meat processing capacity.

The labeling rule and the processing funds are part of a broader suite of USDA actions to enhance competition in the meat industry.

Mexico, a key U.S. trading partner, expressed "disappointment and worry" after the rule announcement.

"This measure does not consider the nature of the deep integration of the North American livestock and meat sectors," Mexico's agriculture ministry said, adding Mexico exported $3 billion of beef, live cattle and derivatives to the U.S. in 2023.

Meat labeling has been a point of contention between the U.S. and Mexico in the past.

In 2012, the World Trade Organization sided with Mexico and Canada when it ruled that U.S. meat labeling regulations were not fully in line with international fair trading rules and unfairly discriminated against Canada and Mexico because they gave less favorable treatment to beef and pork imported from those countries than to U.S.

Mexico on Monday said the Biden administration's decision could create incentives for incompliance with the WTO's ruling.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas; Additional reporting by Brendan O'Boyle and Adriana Barrera in Mexico City; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Michael Perry)
Billie Eilish, Finneas, Mark Ruffalo, Ava DuVernay, Ramy Youssef and Quannah Chasinghorse are among the latest stars to step onto the red carpet in matching red lapel pins  this time at the Academy Awards. And though he did not walk the carpet, actor Mahershala Ali also donned one of the pins when helping introduce the nominees for this years Best Supporting Actor award. But what do they mean?

Featuring an outline of a hand around a black heart, the pins call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, which Palestinian health authorities say has resulted in 30,000 deaths in Gaza since October. A group of over 400 celebrities have joined Artists4Ceasefire, a campaign that in late October published a letter urging the US Congress and President Joe Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.

In a press statement, Artists4Ceasefire said: The pin symbolizes collective support for an immediate and permanent cease-fire, the release of all of the hostages and for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

Actor Ramy Youssef wearing the Artists4Ceasefire pin at the Oscars on Sunday. - Sarah Morris/WireImage/Getty Images

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay was among several celebrities expressing support for a ceasefire. - Mike Coppola/Getty Images

But in contrast to other symbolic accessories like the Times Up movement, which became ubiquitous at awards shows in 2018 to show support for victims of sexual harrassment, the ceasefire pins have only been seen on a handful of stars on recent red carpets. At this years Grammy Awards, Boygenius and Annie Lennox notably wore the pins, with Lennox pleading for a ceasefire and peace onstage.

(Also on the Academy Awards red carpet, actors Milo Machado-Graner and Swann Arlaud or Anatomy of a Fall wore pins featuring the Palestinian flag.)

On the Oscars red carpet on Sunday, Youssef, a comedian and actor who co-starred in Poor Things alongside Ruffalo and Emma Stone, expressed frustration with the lack of momentum for an end to the war.

Theres no other route, Youssef told Variety of calling for a ceasefire. Its taking so long Thats what were all encouraging everyone to be vocal about.

Other stars who signed the Artists4Ceasefire letter include Cate Blanchett, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Bradley Cooper and America Ferrera.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
There's a lot that's the same, and a lot that's different, at Le Poisson, the new seafood-focused restaurant that had formerly been La Cremaillere in Bedford. The restaurant, long a Grande Dame of French cuisine, has been completely rebranded with a new bar/lounge, a refreshed dining room and a new menu that for the first time is a la carte as opposed to prix fixe.

It opens at 5 p.m., March 15, and is already taking reservations.

Executive Chef/Managing Partner Thomas Burke at Petite Salon at Le Poisson in Bedford March 8, 2024.

What's different?

The biggest wow factor is the bar, which previously had only two stools in the corner (that no one really used) and now has seven seats. The other wow is the lounge area, with blue sofas, chairs and a handful of high top tables. Petite Salon at Le Poisson, as its formally known, has its own branding, its own Instagram (separate from the restaurant) and its own menu. Food is also now allowed  and encouraged  at the bar (it was never offered before).

The whole space, which can accommodate up to 20, is much more open thanks to a wall that was taken down immediately to the right when you walk in. The place also feels brighter and cozier thanks to a blue color scheme, meant to evoke the ocean.

Adding to the lighter ambiance: a mirrored wall which, according to executive chef/managing partner Thomas Burke, was the original glass backdrop to the bar in the '70s (the bar at one point was moved). Burke, in fact, was the force behind the design, selecting everything from the silverware (there are special fish forks) to the plates, pillows (imprinted with a "PS"), artwork, carpeting, light fixtures and porcelain candle holders which, when lit, showcase either cherry blossoms or Paris.

He has meticulously thought of every detail in an effort to both preserve the past but also bring a new energy to the iconic space.

"Working with Charlie Palmer [a chef known for his his signature Progressive American cuisine and string of restaurants] really instilled in me to be more than a chef and be more of a restaurateur," said Burke of the decorating process. "That experience really geared me up for this."

The lounge area of Petite Salon at Le Poisson in Bedford March 8, 2024.

Burke, it should be noted, worked in the kitchens of several Michelin-starred restaurants including Le Bernardin and Aureole in New York City. He also worked as an Executive Chef for the Charlie Palmer Collective.

Still, opening with a new menu, new decor and a new name in an almost 100-year-old restaurant that was once regarded by many in the industry to be the creme de la creme of the fine dining scene is definitely a little nerve wracking. Especially when it's your first venture as a Managing Partner.

That said, the Hastings native, whose cooking attracted a Michelin nod the past two years as a "recommended restaurant" for its "clear reverence for ingredients" and "delicious balance," said he's up for the challenge.

More: Spring 2024 Hudson Valley Restaurant Week features more than 140 restaurants

What can we expect at the bar?

Expect a raw bar menu featuring items like oysters, shrimp cocktail, seafood tower, fish crudo, chilled Maine lobster, Jonah crab claws, Pommes frites and a beet and endive salad. There's also an array of new cocktails such as a lavender gin martini (the signature Petite Salon cocktail), the French 75 (champagne, gin, lemon and sugar) and the Boulevardier (bourbon, Campari and sweet vermouth).

La Crem never had a bar business, so the Petite Salon concept is meant to remedy that: "It makes the restaurant more approachable," said Burke. No reservations are needed to dine here and the loungey vibe makes for a place you want to come midweek and not just save for weekends.

"We want people to be comfortable and hang out," he said.

Story continues after gallery.

What about the dining room?

For those who've been longtime fans  La Crem opened in 1947 after all  the iconic murals, which were painted in 1962 and represent different regions of France, are still here. So there's that. But the room, like the bar, is now much lighter and brighter with new paint (sky blue), new carpeting (navy), blue upholstered chairs and banquettes and Bernardaud Limoges porcelain plates.

The blue from the murals were a big driver in the restaurant's rebranded decor. Blue also happens to be Burke's favorite color.

More inspiration came from the Brittany and Normandy murals as they represent the two coastal regions of France (and hence, where fish come from).

The space also feels larger thanks to the reorganization of the room. What used to accommodate 90 now has room for 77.

The biggest difference, however, are the menu choices. What used to be a prix fixe menu is now a la carte. A chef's tasting menu will also be available.

A table set with the Dover sole and Maine lobster at Le Poisson, a new seafood focused restaurant in Bedford, March 8, 2024.

What's the same?

The emphasis is still on fine dining with a hospitality forward mentality. And while there are certainly a hefty portion of new menu items, a few old time favorites remain like the Duck a l'Orange, escargot, Dover sole and hamachi tartare.

Why fish? What's unique to the Le Poisson menu

"Fish is a little lighter, a little healthier and I have a passion for cooking seafood," said Burke. "I also think it gives us more of an identity. Rather than being a classic French restaurant, now we're a French seafood restaurant."

Burke is also excited about bringing items that are not normally on a lot of Westchester menus to the area. That means, for example, turbot, John Dory, langoustines and Arctic Char. He's also proud to source his fish from Browne Trading Market in Maine who also supply Manhattan restaurants Daniel and Le Bernardin.

Other menu items include tuna carpaccio, Hudson Valley foie gras, red snapper crudo, Colorado lamb chops, Miyazaki Japanese Wagyu beef, North Atlantic halibut and local black bass.

Plus Sunday brunch is coming!

Starting March 24, the restaurant will serve a three course $85 prix fixe Sunday brunch featuring Faroe Island salmon, Dover sole, lobster omelete, prime filet mignon steak and eggs and Crab Benedict. There's also an option to add on raw bar items like Little Neck clams, chilled King crab and others normally found on the Petite Salon menu. Brunch will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.

The Paris-Brest at Le Poisson in Bedford March 8, 2024.

Of interest: Baldwin Place is 'hopping' with new restaurants

Save room for dessert!

Creme brulee, Grand Marnier souffle and Mille Feuille (puff pastry) are among the options. All are made in house by Salvado Mallma who had been the pastry chef for 22 years at yet another French Westchester icon, the since closed La Panetiere in Rye.

If you go

Address: 46 Bedford-Banksville Road, Bedford, 914-234-9647, poissonny.com

Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday; from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for Sunday brunch and from 5 to 9 p.m. for Sunday dinner. Petite Salon at Le Poisson hours are 5 to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.

Good to Know: An upstairs private room accommodates 30 and also has its own name: La Crem Prive. This room is a tribute to La Cremaillere with burgundy carpet, lots of mementos and a more classic vibe.

Fun find: The decorative roosters Le Crem was always famous for can be found in the entryway in the restaurant's "Le Jardin" area which is also filled with flowers.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Le Poisson opens March 15 in Bedford, NY: Here's your first look
The headmaster at Oscar winner Cillian Murphys former school has spoken of his pride at the actors history-making achievement.

Murphy, 47, was named best leading actor for his acclaimed portrayal of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer on Sunday.

The Cork natives win for Oppenheimer makes him the first Irish-born winner of the best actor award.

Presentation Brothers College principal David Barry said the school was so proud of the stars global success.

Mr Barry says the school is delighted at Cillian Murphy's inspiring Oscar win

Presentation Brothers College are delighted for Cillian and his family on his success in winning the Oscar, he told the PA news agency.

Hopefully when hes back in Cork he might be able to visit us.

A portrait, made by senior art students, of Murphy as Tommy Shelby, the actors character in Peaky Blinders, hangs in a school corridor.

His presence is still felt at the school and the actor never forgets where he has come from, the principal said.

Hes always about for us really in our thoughts as the kids walk through the corridors every day.

Your roots are really important and Cillian has worked abroad so often but really never forgets his roots and visits his parents regularly.

Because he has such a busy schedule getting back to Ireland and Cork brings him back to who he is really, he said.

His Oscar win will serve as further inspiration to the current crop of pupils, the headmaster said.

The harder you work, the luckier you get. So if you put in the efforts you will get the rewards eventually, no matter what field youre in," Mr Barry added.

The actor's former primary school had also wished their past pupil well, hanging a banner outside the school in the run up to the Oscars.

Wishing Cillian Murphy the very best of luck at the Oscars tonight. His performance in Oppenheimer was absolutely outstanding.



The entire country is very appreciative of your work and your contribution to the world of film. pic.twitter.com/ms9tnCCDse  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 10, 2024

The principal of St Anthony's National School in Ballinlough said there were also scenes of jubilation among staff and pupils at Cillian's old primary school on Monday.

Sean Lyons told BBC News NI that the Oscar-winning actor was a pupil at the primary school from 1982-1988.

"None of the teachers who taught Cillian are still at the school but I have spoken previously with some of them who were fortunate enough to teach him," he said.

"They all described him as a incredibly bright, witty and just a remarkable young men who was a pleasure to teach.

"One particular teacher, called Denis O'Sullivan, was hugely influential on him and really encouraged him to reach his full potential."

Mr Lyons said Cillian wrote a letter to pupils back in 2015, telling them that they could do anything in life and to follow their passions.

"He is a role model for all the pupils here and proves that hard work really does pay off," Mr Lyons added.

"It really is a remarkable achievement to have a former pupil win an Oscar and proves the stars are the limit for our boys here."

Murphy said he was "a very proud Irishman standing here tonight" as he won best leading actor for Oppenheimer

Murphys historic win was lauded by the President of Irelands official X account.

Michael D Higgins account said it was a wonderful achievement that was so appropriately dedicated to peacemakers everywhere.

Congratulations to Cillian Murphy on his wonderful achievement in winning the Best Actor Oscar, which he so appropriately dedicated to the peacemakers everywhere. Congratulations too to @ElementPictures on the success of Poor Things  President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 11, 2024

Irelands deputy premier Micheal Martin said that Murphy gave an outstanding performance in a film that will stand the test of time, while Irish culture minster Catherine Martin said the win was no more than he deserves.

Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby in BBC drama Peaky Blinders

It is, she added, a a fitting recognition of Murphys immense talent.

Screen Ireland chief executive Desiree Finnegan, said Murphy had long delivered outstanding performances in Irish films, including Small Things Like These, Disco Pigs and The Wind that Shakes the Barley.

She called his performance in Oppenheimer extraordinary and that it deserved the worldwide recognition and critical acclaim.
A now-former forensic scientist with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation manipulated or omitted DNA test results in hundreds of cases, an internal affairs investigation found, which prompted a full review of her work during her nearly 30-year career at the agency.

The CBI released the findings of the investigation into Yvonne Missy Woods Friday, which concluded Woods handling of DNA testing data affected 652 cases between 2008 and 2023, including posting incomplete results in some cases. A review of her work from 1994 to 2008 is also underway, according to the CBI.

This discovery puts all of her work in question, and CBI is in the process of reviewing all her previous work for data manipulation to ensure the integrity of all CBI laboratory results, the agency said. CBI brought in third-party investigative resources to protect the integrity of the inquiry.

Woods, a 29-year veteran of the agencys crime lab, was placed on administrative leave in October after the CBI became aware DNA sample testing performed by Woods may have deviated from standard operating procedures, the agency said. She didnt perform any laboratory work thereafter and retired on November 6, it said.

A separate criminal investigation into Woods conduct is ongoing, and the CBI said it continues to work with law enforcement agencies across the state.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser declined to comment on the criminal case against Woods when contacted by CNN on Friday.

The CBI internal investigation, which was conducted in collaboration with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, did not find Woods falsified DNA matches or fabricated data. It revealed Woods had omitted material facts in official criminal justice records, thus tampering with DNA testing results, and violating agency policies ranging from data retention to quality control measures, the agency said.

Public trust in our institutions is critical to the fulfillment of our mission, said CBI Director Chris Schaefer. Our actions in rectifying this unprecedented breach of trust will be thorough and transparent.

Analyst trained generations of scientists, attorney says

In a statement to CNN on Friday, Woods attorney Ryan Brackley said the findings support Woods earlier statements that shes never created or reported any false inculpatory DNA matches or exclusions, nor has she testified falsely in any hearing or trial resulting in a false conviction or unjust imprisonment.

Brackley said his client has been a loyal and dedicated forensic scientist during her time at the agency and has worked with and trained generations of prosecutors, scientists and law enforcement agents.

The agency said its forensics team discovered Woods deleted and altered data that served to conceal evidence of her tampering as well as her failure to troubleshoot issues within the testing process. The agency said Woods manipulations appear to have been the result of intentional conduct.

The CBI said its also conducting a comprehensive audit of all DNA analysts to ensure the accuracy and completeness of its entire catalog of records.

As part of this process, the agency said it discovered a separate case in which an analyst with the Weld County Sheriffs Office at the Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Laboratory may have also manipulated testing data. The sheriffs office announced last month it fired the DNA analyst as the result of an internal investigation

About $7.5 million may be needed

The Colorado Department of Public Safety has requested almost $7.5 million from state government to review and retest DNA samples after anomalies in the forensic testing of one scientist were discovered.

Based on an early assessment, the CBI estimates approximately 3,000 cases will be required to retest through a third-party accredited laboratory for DNA retesting, according to a report provided by the Office of State Budgeting and Planning.

The cost of retesting is estimated to be $1,000 per case, which equates to $3 million, the Department of Public Safety said.

Additionally, Colorado district attorneys will be responsible for reviewing the legal ramifications of impacted cases, working through the post-conviction review process, and presenting cases for re-trial.  The Colorado District Attorneys Council estimates a statewide impact of 72,000 hours to their offices to address this situation through reworking cases for a total cost of $4,392,000.

The Department of Public Safety has also requested funding to hire an accountant to facilitate the payments to Colorado District Attorneys offices.

Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty told CNN in a statement his office has identified 15 open cases and 55 closed cases in which Woods has testified as a witness.

For the past several months, prosecutors around the state have waited anxiously for information because of the impact on victims, the accused, and our ability to do justice, Dougherty said.

The district attorneys office did not have information on how many of its cases were affected by Woods conduct and emphasized it is too early to know whether any cases will need to be re-tried.

The office of Colorados Fourth Judicial District Attorney told CNN that CBI had informed them of 75 potentially affected cases within its jurisdiction, adding Woods was not used as an expert witness in any of those cases.

Woods faulty analysis led to wrongful conviction, lawsuit claims

A week after Woods resigned from CBI, attorney Mark Burton filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of his client, 64-year-old James Hunter, who is currently in prison. The lawsuit identifies Woods as the lead scientist on his case and alleges Hunter was prosecuted and tried based on fabricated and false evidence.

The suit claims Hunter was wrongly convicted of the 2002 burglary and sexual assault of a mother and her daughter by a suspect who was wearing a mask.

Woods conducted an early, microscopic examination of hairs collected from the crime scene, which was used as evidence to link Hunter to the crime, the lawsuit says. A preliminary hearing dismissed the charges against him after a separate examination found the hairs belonged to the victim, the suit says.

In acknowledging her error in the examination, Woods told the court it was a blow to her ego, according to the lawsuit.

But 10 months after the crime, new evidence of a hair was introduced into the case as evidence, and used to indict Hunter for the same crimes, according to the lawsuit.

There is no verification or record of collection of this hair from the crime scene by the Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the suit noted.

Hunter was ultimately convicted on the charges based on the hair evidence, which was examined and tested by Woods, the lawsuit says.

Last month, attorneys for Woods filed a motion to dismiss Hunters complaint.

The Jefferson County District Attorneys office told CNN due to the active criminal investigation into Woods conduct, which includes labs in its jurisdiction, it is unable to comment.

CNNs Andy Rose and Holly Yan contributed to this report.

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A major drug lord responsible for supplying cocaine to European gangs was arrested in Colombia in a joint operation with Spanish police, authorities in both countries said on Saturday. Julio Andres Murillo Figueroa, 49, collaborated in the 80s and 90s with infamous Medellin Cartel leader Pablo Escobar, police said.

Figueroa, 49, was detained on March 1 in his luxury villa in the region of Antioquia. The fugitive  known as H-1 or El Zar ("The Tsar)  had an arrest warrant issued by Spain for aggravated drug trafficking and membership in a criminal organization.

The suspect is "presumed to be directly responsible for the operations of the (Medellin) cartel in Europe and the cartel's contact with the 'Ndrangheta and Mocro Maffia criminal organizations," Spanish police said.

The 'Ndrangheta is a Calabrian criminal group from southern Italy and the Mocro Maffia is a largely Moroccan gang.

Together, they control much of the cocaine trade through the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam in Belgium and the Netherlands respectively. Just days ago, the leader of the Mocro Maffia was sentenced to life in prison over a series of murders committed by his gang in the Netherlands.

Colombian police said Figueroa was considered the main supplier to Jonas Sture Falk, known as the "Swedish Pablo Escobar," and had direct links to the Gulf Clan, Colombia's largest drug cartel.

Spain is one of the key entry points for cocaine to Europe given its close ties with South America, where the drug is produced.

Spanish authorities seized eight tons of the white powder arriving from Suriname in February and 9.5 tons in a container from Ecuador in August 2023.

Colombia produces about 60% of the cocaine found in the world. A United Nations report released in September found that potential coca production in the country had risen by 24% since 2021.

Why the i's have it

The art of "Gruff," a film that's handmade

Jimmy Kimmel on hosting the Oscars
In celebration of International Women's Day last March 8, the virtuosic duo of pianist Dina Duisen and violinist Deniz Sensoy performed Amy Beach's "Romance Op. 23" in a video by Classic FM.

Beach was a composer who paved the way for women's involvement in the American classical music canon and the industry that surrounds it, especially as she was the first American woman to have published a symphony.

Called "Gaelic Symphony," it was premiered in 1896 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and is the first of many celebrated works Beach would work on, including a remarkable piano concerto, a host of choral works, and even a one-act opera.

That said, it was her "Romance OP. 23" that truly encapsulated her genius as a composer and musician, showing her mastery over the "intimate" style of chamber music made with smaller ensembles in mind.

History of Amy Beach's 'Romance Op. 23'

"Romance" was written for Beach's contemporary and fellow classical music pioneer, the violinist Maud Powell, who was the first to perform mainstay violin concertos in the US featuring pieces by masters like Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, and Coleridge-Taylor.

At its core, the composition is made up of an ever-present but simplistic melody akin to a tender caress, before it slowly ramps up in emotion across six minutes of musical build-up and conversation between the featured instruments, ending with an elegant pianissimo.

The work itself is Beach's "masterclass" in lyrical composition and musical storytelling, the premiere of which was also performed by the composer at the piano beside Powell's violin.

In the inaugural performance, the concert-goers were so immersed in the tenderness of the piece that they asked for a full encore as soon as it ended, something the two 23-year-old virtuosos are trying to recreate in the recent Classic FM-featured performance.

Sensoy, the Turkey-born violinist, entered the world in the year 2000. Now, she is pursuing her education at London's prestigious Royal College of Music and has even received the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Scholarship there.

Joining her is the Kazak-British pianist Dina Duisen, in a performance that was captured at the Purcell Room of the Southbank Centre in London.

Watch the performance here and find more about Sensoy on Hennessey Brown Music's website. As for Dina, check out her recently released solo piano record " Mazurkas from Chopin to Ades" by clicking here.

Read Also: 8,200-Year-Old Cave Paintings in South America Are the Earliest Ever Discovered, Says New Carbon Dating Research

 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Congratulations, youve won an Oscar! Your next mission, should you choose to accept it: Stay golden.

Its not as easy as it seems  just ask Jean Dujardin. Twelve years ago, the French actor beat Brad Pitt and George Clooney in the Best Actor category for The Artist. Other than a brief appearance in The Wolf of Wall Street, he hasnt been heard from on this side of the Atlantic. Adrien Brody gave us one of the most memorable Oscar moments of all time in 2003 when he kissed Halle Berry after winning Best Actor; his leading roles since have been few and far between.

And remember Three Six Mafia? They won Best Original Song in 2006 for Its Hard Out Here for a Pimp; turns out its even harder to maintain a hot hip-hop career. (Lets not even start with the winners from the 90s. Oh, Cuba Gooding Jr.)

This years winners will face much scrutiny as well. Though Robert Downey Jr. has been above the title for decades, Oppenheimer was a firm reminder that his talents go way beyond Iron Man. Now he must carry the momentum to an eclectic new project. DaVine Joy Randolph, meanwhile, is no longer known as a semi-obscure supporting actress from series like Only Murders in the Building. What will she do now that shes in the spotlight?

Complete List of 2024 Oscars Nominees and Winners

Lets study up on all those Hollywood trade announcements and look at the calendar. Heres a rundown of all the big winners from the 96th annual Academy Awards and their upcoming projects.

Getty

Best Actor

Winner: Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer

Up Next: 28 Years Later

What We Know: After reaching the top of his field, Murphy is going back to where it all started. Hes onboard as an executive producer to the just-announced sequel to the 2002 apocalyptic masterpiece 28 Day Later about a virus-inducing societal collapse. Though Murphy hasnt yet officially signed on to reprise his character  a bicycle courier hero who wakes up from a coma to discover the zombie chaos  he said in February that hes available. Fellow Oscar winner Danny Boyle will return to direct.

Aliah Anderson/Getty Images

Best Actress

Winner: Emma Stone, Poor Things

Up Next: Kinds of Kindness

What We Know: Poor Things and good things happen when Stone teams with director Yorgos Lanthimos, so shes giving it two more go-rounds. Kinds of Kindness, already shot and rumored to premiere this May at the Cannes Film Festival, is a contemporary three-part anthology that also stars Jesse Plemons, Margaret Qualley and Willem Dafoe in multiple roles. Stone is also in talks to be in his remake of the South Korean fantasy comedy Save the Green Planet, which centers on a guy who captures and tortures a businessman whom he believes to be part of an alien invasion.

Al Seib/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images

Best Supporting Actor

Winner: Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer

Up next: The Sympathizer

What We Know: Ask for a new project and ye shall receive! In HBOs new seven-episode spy series (premiering April 14), Downey Jr. is the master of disguise as he takes on several characters  each meant to represent various aspects of the American establishment. (Think an up-and-coming California congressman, a CIA operative and a Hollywood film director.) The main story focuses on a spy for North Vietnam (Hoa Xuande) who becomes embedded in L.A.s refugee community in the 1970s.

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Best Supporting Actress

Winner: DaVine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers

Up Next: Shadow Force, Bride Hard

What We Know: Well, season 2 of The Idol is out. But Randolph does have two projects listed on her IMDB profile. The action thriller Shadow Force follows a husband and wife (Kerry Washington and Omar Sy) who hit the road with their son to avoid being killed. For Bride Hard, Rebel Wilson plays a secret agent maid-of-honor who jumps into action when her best friends wedding is taken hostage. Randolphs roles are unknown in both movies, but now that shes swept the awards season, heres hoping she gets to play a lead ASAP.

ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

Best Director

Winner: Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer

Up Next: TBA

What We Know: Unlike some writer-director auteurs, Nolan works at a fairly steady clip with 12 movies in 20-ish years. And while he hasnt announced his next film yet, if you ask him  and many outlets have!  he knows what he wants. Ideas come from everywhere, he told Variety in December. Im open to anything. But I have to feel like I own it completely. It has to go through my fingers on a keyboard and come out through my eyes alone. A few weeks later, he confirmed to Time, Im drawn to working at a large scale. But he did love Past Lives!

Marleen Moise/Getty Images

Best Original Song

Winner: Billie Eilish, What Was I Made For (with her brother, Finneas OConnell)

Up Next: New album, title TBA

What We Know: Since the release of her debut album, 2021s Happier Than Ever, Eilish has achieved the ultimate side hustle cowriting and singing gorgeous ballads for hit movies  and she just picked up her second Oscar to show for it. (All at the age of 22, mind you!) Now its back to business. The superstar took to Instagram on February 11 to share a series of photos in which shes wearing a star-printed ski mask and jacket with the caption, my album is mastered. Note she didnt divulge any other details, including its name and its release.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Best Original Screenplay

Winner: Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall

Up Next: TBA

What We Know: A virtual unknown outside rarified European cinephile circles a year ago is now an in-demand screenwriter and director with a taste for the off-kilter. So it makes perfect sense that, per an interview with French magazine LOBs, she has been offered to direct an adaptation of Daniel Clowes thriller of a graphic novel, Monica, with Cate Blanchett in the title role. That said, she admits she didnt follow through, at least not yet on the offer.

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Best Adapted Screenplay

Winner: Cord Jefferson, American Fiction

Up Next: Just Cause

The Best Red Carpet Fashion From the 2024 Oscars

What We Know: The screenwriter-director has gone from The Good Place to Succession to Watchmen to Station Eleven to Oscar gold. No way hes going on hiatus now. He and writer John Wells (ER, The West Wing) just signed to Amazons limited series thriller starring and executive produced by Scarlett Johansson. (The pair will co-write the first episode and executive produce the series as well.) Loose plot, which is based on a novel: Johanssons struggling reporter for a Florida newspaper is sent to cover the final days of an inmate on death row.
Ryan Gosling performs "I'm Just Ken" from "Barbie" during the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

The 96th Academy Awards were presented on Sunday night in Los Angeles, where many of Hollywoods biggest stars gathered to celebrate the years best in film.

Christopher Nolans sweeping epic about J. Robert Oppenheimer  the American physicist credited with being the "father of the atomic bomb"  came into the night with the most Oscar nominations (13) and won seven, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

 Oscars 2024 recap: 'Oppenheimer' nabs 7, Gosling steals the show and a full list of winners

"We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, Cillian Murphy, who won Best Actor for his portrayal of Oppenheimer, said in his acceptance speech. And for better or worse, we're all living in Oppenheimer's world. So I would like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere."

Here are some of the other best moments from the 2024 Academy Awards.

Robert Downey Jr. won his 1st-ever Oscar

Robert Downey Jr. won the first Academy Award in his 40-plus-year career, nabbing the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer.

"I'd like to thank my terrible childhood and the academy, in that order," Downey said, before thanking his wife, Susan Downey.

She found me a snarling rescue pet that loved me back to life, he said. That's why I'm here."

Ryan Goslings Im Just Ken performance broke Emma Stones dress

Ryan Goslings Oscar-nominated Barbie song didnt win  the trophy went to the other Oscar-nominated Barbie song (What Was I Made For?, by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell)  but his live performance brought the house (er, Dolby Theatre) down.

He wore a pink suit and gloves in what appeared to be an homage to the 1953 Marilyn Monroe classic Gentleman Prefer Blondes. And an army of other Kens joined Gosling, as did Barbie director Greta Gerwig, co-stars America Ferrera and Margot Robbie  and even Slash.

 Oscars 2024 red carpet: See what Emma Stone, America Ferrera and more wore

Poor Things star Emma Stone  who suffered a wardrobe malfunction sometime before taking the stage to accept the Oscar for Best Actress, blamed Gosling. My dress is broken, Stone said. I think it happened during I'm Just Ken.

Emma Stone accepts the Oscar for Best Actress. (Chris Pizzello/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Stone then gave a passionate, tearful speech, in which she thanked all of her fellow Best Actress nominees (Lily Gladstone, Carey Mulligan, Sandra Huller and Annette Bening), the former Best Actress recipients who introduced them (Michelle Yeoh, Sally Field, Jennifer Lawrence, Charlize Theron and Jessica Lange), her husband, parents and daughter, Louise, who turns three this week.

She "has turned our lives technicolor, Stone said.

A nearly nude John Cena presented an Oscar

John Cena presents the Oscar for Best Costume Design. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) (Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag)

In a nod to the notorious 1974 Oscars streaking incident, Cena presented the Academy Award for Best Costume Design to Poor Things while wearing nothing but what appeared to be a skin-colored piece of cloth covering his nether regions.

He used the envelope containing the winner's name to cover himself up before swiftly changing outfits when the lights went down.

A naked John Cena and Jimmy Kimmel bicker on stage at the 2024 #Oscarspic.twitter.com/1JYd5qth6F  The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 11, 2024

Geopolitics were on display  both inside and outside the theater

The ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza were on the minds of many Sunday  both inside and outside the Dolby Theater.

Mstyslav Chernov, director of 20 Days in Mariupol, delivered a powerful speech while accepting the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.

"I wish I would have never made this film," Chernov said. "I wish to be able to exchange this [for] Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities.

"Cinema forms memories and memories form history," he added. Thanks to Ukraine.

Mark Ruffalo gives the peace sign as he arrives at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Stars  including Mark Ruffalo, Billie Eilish and others  wore red pins calling for a ceasefire in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Outside, a group of about a thousand protesters gathered a few blocks away from the red carpet, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the LAPD had bolstered patrols in the area in anticipation of protests. According to police, just one arrest was made.

Kimmel read Trumps mean tweet

Host Jimmy Kimmel during the Academy Awards. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Just before the Oscar for Best Picture was (rather awkwardly!) presented to Oppenheimer, Kimmel told the audience he wanted to read aloud a review of his hosting performance he had seen online. It was a post from former President Donald Trump.

Jimmy Kimmel calls out Donald Trump at the 2024 #Oscarspic.twitter.com/bAGWxUFg9P  The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 11, 2024

"Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars, Trump posted on Truth Social. His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be. Get rid of Kimmel and perhaps replace him with another washed up, but cheap, ABC talent, George Slopanopoulos.

Im surprised youre up this late, Kimmel said in response. Isn't it past your jail time?"

 Oscars streaming guide: Where to watch all the 2024 Academy Award winning movies
Credit - Getty Images

As a health journalist, I've written the phrase the COVID-19 pandemic more times than I care to count in the four years since the World Health Organization (WHO) first used that term on March 11, 2020. But lately, the word pandemic has given me pause.

Maybe youve noticed it too: these days, a lot of people refer to the pandemic in the past tense. During COVID, they say, or, when we were in the pandemic. The implication is that the virus is gone and the pandemic is over.

The former is clearly untrue. The SARS-CoV-2 virus still kills thousands of people around the world each month, saddles still more with chronic symptoms known as Long COVID, and continues to evolve, with the highly transmissible JN.1 variant recently causing waves of infection across the globe.

But are we still a pandemic? No one seems to know for sure.

When I asked Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), she didnt give a direct answer. Rather than getting caught up in the semantics of it, she says, people should feel confident that we are outside of the emergency [phase]. But I dont want folks to forget that COVID is still here and still poses a risk.

Even Maria Van Kerkhove, director of epidemic and pandemic prevention and preparedness at the WHO, admitted that the issue is a confusing one. The WHO continues to describe COVID-19 as a pandemic on its website. Van Kerkhove says thats reasonable given the virus continued global presence, even though we are no longer in the crisis state we were in 2020but, she says, theres no definitive, yes-or-no conclusion about whether thats the right term to use.

There is no universal, agreed definition of what a pandemic is, Van Kerkhove says. If you asked 100 epidemiologists to define what a pandemic is, or, Are we currently in a pandemic?, youd get a lot of different answers.

Whats a pandemic, anyway?

Epidemiologists consider a disease endemic when it spreads in a consistent way, as the flu does each winter in the Northern Hemisphere. An endemic level of disease is the baseline amount for a particular area, which might not be zero but is at least predictable. If a disease suddenly causes a higher-than-average number of cases in a set area, the situation becomes an epidemic.

The definition for a pandemicwhen an epidemic crosses borders, infecting lots of people across multiple countries or continentsis perhaps the squishiest of all.

Calling something a pandemic is essentially a judgment call, because there isnt a precise number of cases, hospitalizations, deaths, or affected countries that definitively denotes one, says Dr. Jonathan Quick, an adjunct professor at the Duke Global Health Institute and author of The End of Epidemics. Anybody who gives you a precise number is just pulling it out of their head.

Using that label is, in some ways, as much a political and public-relations decision as it is an epidemiological one. If youre trying to really reduce the number of deaths, youve got to be very strategic in what you do, says Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. Language is part of the calculus, in that it can spur action from officials and the public alike.

But, technically speaking, labeling something a pandemic has no immediate policy implications. Even the WHO does not formally declare pandemics. The agencys highest official level of alert is a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), a designation meant to mobilize a global, coordinated response. (The PHEIC related to COVID-19 started in January 2020 and ended in May 2023, the same month the U.S. government stopped calling the virus a public-health emergency.)

But, Van Kerkhove says, PHEIC is "not a good acronym. It doesnt evoke the kind of action like the word 'pandemic' does.

Representatives from WHO member countries around the world are working on a formal definition of a pandemicfour years after COVID-19 came onto the sceneas part of a wider effort to strengthen global pandemic preparedness. An alleged recent draft, which was published in February by Health Policy Watch, is a mouthful: the global spread of a pathogen or variant that infects human populations with limited or no immunity through sustained and high transmissibility from person to person, overwhelming health systems with severe morbidity and high mortality and causing social and economic disruptions, all of which requires effective national and global collaboration and coordination for its control. (A WHO spokesperson declined to confirm the legitimacy of that draft definition, but said a new draft of the group's work is set to be published this week.)

That reported definition doesnt include numbers, but it does lay out more precise ground rules for what constitutes a pandemic. The pathogen in question must be contagious, novelsince humans dont have significant preexisting immunity to itand virulent enough to cause lots of death and disease, overwhelming health systems and disrupting society in the process.

Is COVID-19 still a pandemic, or is it endemic?

Under those terms, SARS-CoV-2 still has some pandemic-y features. Its still highly transmissible and circulating widely in countries around the world, and it remains a major cause of death and disability globally.

But it isnt novel anymore, says Katherine Xue, a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University who has studied viral evolution. The majority of the worlds population now has some immunity to the virus through vaccination, prior infection, or both, which means that even a new viral variant is probably not going to be able to infect everybody in the way the original strain could in 2020, she says.

COVID-19s spread isnt perfectly predictablenew variants are emerging all the time, causing spikes in infections all year round rather than seasonallybut it is consistently circulating around the world. To Xue, that means its fair to call it endemic. The picture of COVID that we have now is probably going to be very similar to what we have four years from now, [whereas] the way we dealt with COVID was very different four years ago, she says. The rate of change is different.

COVID-19 also does not overwhelm health systems in the way it once did. Today, with masks, tests, vaccines, and treatments available to some extent around the world, fewer people develop severe disease, and its easier to care for those who do. The virus continues to kill people and cause Long COVID, but global death rates are way down from their peaks.

Dr. Robert Wachter, chair of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, has stopped using the word pandemic, which he says was a shorthand way to convey to the public that COVID-19 constituted a worldwide emergency that required a global shift in behavior. But calling it a pandemic now just doesnt feel right, he says. In his opinion, weve been out of the pandemic phase for about a year, given the widespread availability of tests, treatments, and vaccines.

So whats the word to use now? Experts interviewed for this story were hesitant to pick one. We really dont have the language for things that are somewhere between flus and cold viruses and pandemics," Quick says.

Does the label matter?

It may seem purely semantic, but ambiguity over the p-word has political and public-health implications. While many countries use other labels, like emergency declarations, to unlock funding and trigger coordinated governmental responses to a crisis, calling something a pandemiceven informallyhas gravitas. And saying one has ended implies, rightfully or not, that the threat is gone, which may have trickle-down effects on research funding, disease-prevention efforts, and policies around sick leave and public services.

That may be why public-health experts are so loath to take a firm stance. I would be worried if the headline of your story is, WHO Says Were No Longer In a Pandemic, Van Kerkhove told me. That would have a different level of meaning from a political point of view.

Saying a pandemic is over also sends a message to the public that they can move onassuming, of course, that they havent already. Only about 20% of U.S. adults got the latest vaccine, and a similarly small percentage said they were worried about COVID-19 going into this past holiday season, according to KFF data from late 2023. Lots of people stopped paying attention long before COVID-19s four-year anniversary, and the pandemic is over for them regardless of how much experts debate the right vocabulary to use, Osterholm says.

Contrast that with the daily lives of people who remain especially vulnerable to the disease including those who are elderly, immunocompromised, or coping with Long COVIDand it can feel like were living in separate timelines, Osterholm says. Is the pandemic over for some people earlier than it is for others? Osterholm says. That doesnt seem to make sense. Thats kind of like saying that theres two different temperatures in Minneapolis in one night.

Still, even Osterholm wouldnt say which view is the right one, or when a pandemic is definitively over. I couldnt answer it for you, he says.

Reconciling those different realities is unlikely at this point. And to Quick, thats okay. The key messaging is not about terminology, but about what behaviors are appropriate, he says.

For people who still observe the pandemic, those behaviors wont be at all surprising. Experts recommend getting vaccinated, staying home when youre actively sick, getting tested and treated if necessary, and considering additional precautions like wearing a mask and improving ventilation. But with emergency declarations expired, mandates gone, and public guidance relaxing, whether you choose to do those things is now largely up to you. Were in a different place with COVID, CDC director Cohen says.

Is that place a pandemic? It seems thats also up to you.

Write to Jamie Ducharme at jamie.ducharme@time.com.
The future for the Fair Grove Police Department became brighter as the city's Board of Aldermen selected a new police chief Thursday evening. 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 resignations from the chief and officers left only one fully-trained officer at the department. This was the second time Arnott had taken over the department after the police department underwent a similar turnover 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 over 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's 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 to 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, Mo. 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 fiance 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
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) 

Democrat Kayla Young and Republican Patricia Rucker frequently clash on abortion rights and just about everything else in West Virginias Legislature, but they agree on one thing: Too few of their colleagues are women, and its hurting the state.

There are exceptions to every single rule, but I think in general, men do kind of see this as their field, said Rucker, part of the GOPs Senate supermajority that passed one of the nations strictest abortion bans while Young  the lone Democratic woman elected to the House  opposed it.

Nearly 130 years since the first three women were elected to state legislative offices in the U.S., women remain massively underrepresented in state legislatures.

In 10 states, women make up less than 25% of their state legislatures, according to Rutgers Center for American Women in Politics. West Virginia is at the very bottom of that list, having just 16 women in its 134-member Legislature, or just under 12%. Thats compared with Nevada, where women occupy just over 60% of state legislative seats. Similar low numbers can be found in the nearby southern states of Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Louisiana.

Its absolutely wild to know that more than 50 percent of the population of West Virginia are women, and sometimes Im the only woman thats on a committee, period, said Young, currently the only woman on the House Artificial Intelligence Committee and was one of just two on the House Judiciary Committee when it greenlighted the states near total abortion ban.

The numbers of women filling legislative seats across the U.S. have remained low despite women registering and voting at higher rates than men in every presidential election since 1980  and across virtually every demographic, including race, education level and socioeconomic status.

For the last three decades, voters have demonstrated a willingness to cast ballots for women. But they didnt have the opportunity to do so because women werent running, said Jennifer Lawless, chair of the politics department at the University of Virginia.

The gender gap in political ambition is just as large now as it was then, said Lawless, adding that women are much less likely to get recruited to run for office or think theyre qualified to run in what they perceive as a hostile political environment.

And those running in southern, conservative states  still mostly Democratic women, data show  arent winning as those states continue to overwhelmingly elect Republicans.

In 2022, 39 women ran as their partys nominee for state legislative seats in West Virginia, and 26 were Democrats. Only two of the Democratic candidates won, compared to 11 out of 13 of the Republicans.

Debbie Walsh, director of Rutgers Center for American Women in Politics, said theres more money, infrastructure and support for recruiting and running Democratic female candidates. The Republican Party often shies away from talking about what is labeled or dismissed as identity politics, she said.

Its a belief in a kind of meritocracy and, the best candidate will rise. And if its a woman, great. They dont say, We dont want women, but if its a man, thats fine, too, she said. Theres no sort of value in and of itself seen in the diversity.

Larissa Martinez, founder and president of Womens Public Leadership Network, one of only a few right-leaning U.S. organizations solely supporting female candidates, said identity politics within the GOP is a big hurdle to her work. Part of her organizations slogan is, we are pro-women without being anti-man.

In 2020, small-town public school teacher Amy Grady pulled off a huge political upset when she defeated then-Senate President Mitch Carmichael in West Virginias Republican primary, following back-to-back years of strikes in which school employees packed into the state Capitol.

Carmichael took in more than $127,000 in contributions compared to Gradys self-funded war chest of just over $2,000. Still, Grady won by fewer than 1,000 votes.

Its just youre told constantly, You cant, you cant, you cant do it, said Grady, who has now risen through the ranks to become chair of the Senate Education Committee. And its just like, why give it a shot?

Tennessee state Sen. Charlane Oliver says she didnt have many resources when she first raised her hand to run for political office. She had to rely on grassroots activism and organizing to win her 2022 election.

Yet securing the seat was just part of the battle. Oliver, a 41-year-old Black Democratic woman, is frequently tasked with providing the only outside perspective inside for the Republican supermajority Legislature.

They dont have any incentive to listen to me, but I view my seat as disruption and give you a perspective that you may not have heard before, she said.

Many male-dominant statehouses have enacted strict abortion bans in GOP-controlled states since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. For many female lawmakers, this trend has meant sharing deeply personal stories surrounding abortion and childbirth.

In South Carolina, the abortion debate resulted in an unlikely coalition of five women senators banding together to filibuster a near-total abortion ban. The group took turns describing pregnancy complications, the dangers surrounding limited access to contraceptives and the reproductive system. The chamber has since gained a sixth female senator, raising the total to three Republicans, two Democrats and one independent. Together they are known as the sister senators.

The actions of the original five were met with praise from national leaders, but at home, the consequences have been swift. The Republican women received censures and promises of primary challenges in this years elections.

Women also have championed gun policy, education, health care, and housing proposals.

Recently, some states have allowed candidates to make childcare an allowable expense for campaign finance purposes. Young was the sponsor of her states law  one of her priorities her first session in the Capitol in the minority party.

During Youngs first term in office, she relied on a family member who would care for her two young children while she was at the state Capitol. But she was left without a solution last year when that caregiver passed away unexpectedly days before the session. Her husband, who works in television production, had to stay home and didnt work for two months, meaning the family lost out on his income.

Youngs bill won the vote of Rucker, the first Hispanic woman elected to the West Virginia Senate. She too has had to juggle the challenges of being a working mom. She left her job as a teacher to homeschool her five children, and the family relied on her husbands salary as a pediatric nurse to make ends meet.

I ran for office because I feel like having that voice is actually really important  someone who lives paycheck to paycheck, said Rucker, a first-generation U.S. citizen who made the difficult decision to pull her kids. Im not here because of a title, Im not here because of a position, Im here to do my job, and I want to do the best I can.

___

This story was first published on March 9, 2024. It was updated on March 10, 2024, to correct the number of female state senators in South Carolina. There are currently six, not five. ___

Kruesi reported from Nashville, Tenn. Associated Press journalist James Pollard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
Key takeaways

PIP offers immediate payment for covered medical and other expenses as a result of a car accident.

PIP insurance is required in Delaware at a minimum of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. $5,000 for funeral expenses is included.

The price for your PIP coverage and for your insurance a whole will depend on your personal rating factors.

Insurance requirements vary by state. Delaware PIP statutes require drivers to carry personal injury protection, also known as PIP insurance. That type of coverage helps to pay for medical bills, regardless of fault, for you and your passengers if you are injured in a car accident. This coverage type is generally geared toward medical bills and rehabilitation costs, but it might also extend to lost wages, funeral costs and other essential expenses, depending on the policy. Bankrate explores the nuances of PIP insurance in Delaware to help drivers find the right policy for them.

What is PIP insurance?

PIP insurance, also called no-fault coverage, pays for injuries resulting from an accident for you and any passengers in your vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. PIP can also pay for costs outside of injuries, like lost wages, funeral expenses and costs associated with hiring help to perform household services that you cant handle while you are injured. Unlike medical payments coverage, which is available in some states, PIP must be used for your injuries, at least initially, even if you arent at fault. Your injuries may eventually be paid from the at-fault drivers liability coverage, but your PIP coverage will kick in immediately to help take care of the bills.

Like both bodily injury liability and property damage liability, PIP is a required coverage in Delaware. Other car insurance coverage types are optional and have different functions on your policy. Comprehensive and collision pay to fix physical damage to your car, for example. Other common endorsements include roadside assistance coverage and gap insurance.

Is PIP required in Delaware?

Yes, PIP is required in Delaware because it is considered a no-fault state. Delaware no-fault state laws require drivers to carry PIP, which is intended to quickly help pay for costs associated with an accident, regardless of who is at fault. In the long run, the at-fault drivers insurance may be required to reimburse the not-at-fault drivers insurer, but PIP helps ensure that necessary costs are paid in a timely manner.

PIP coverage is available but optional in some states, but Delaware car insurance laws require that all drivers purchase the minimum amounts of coverage to drive legally. Your car insurance policy in Delaware will have at least the state minimum amounts of PIP included. However, most insurance agents recommend that you purchase higher limits for liability and PIP for more financial protection.

How does Delaware PIP work?

After an accident, PIP insurance is designed to immediately start paying for your injury costs and other qualifying expenses, regardless of fault. Depending on your policy details, PIP may pay up to your policy limits for:

Medical expenses

Funeral expenses

Lost income

Other related costs (home care, housekeeping, rehabilitation, child care, etc. as it directly relates to injuries sustained in an accident)

Unlike other states which have a single limit for PIP, Delaware splits coverage on a per person/per accident basis. In Delaware, the minimum amount of PIP coverage required is:

$15,000 per person

$30,000 per accident

Delaware PIP insurance also includes $5,000 for funeral expenses. Higher limits of PIP can be purchased for an additional cost and will provide more financial protection, though funeral expenses can not be increased beyond the $5,000 per person.

How much does PIP cost in Delaware?

The average annual cost of car insurance in Delaware is $993 for minimum coverage and $2,613 for full coverage. The minimum coverage statistic includes the cost of PIP coverage. The precise price for PIP insurance in Delaware varies based on several factors. Each insurance companys rates will be different based on your rating factors, and you may choose to purchase a higher amount of coverage than the state minimum, which will affect your premium.

You may have the option to choose a deductible for your PIP coverage, which is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket in a claim. Choosing a higher deductible will usually lower the cost of PIP coverage, but it does mean you have more to pay out of pocket if you need to use your PIP.

The cost of your insurance policy as a whole will depend on numerous rating factors, like your age, driving history, the type of car you drive, and the coverage types and limits you choose. To find the cheapest policy for the amount of coverage you need, consider shopping around and getting quotes from several carriers to compare.

Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways

Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state that requires drivers to carry first-party benefits coverage, otherwise known as personal injury protection (PIP).

Pennsylvania drivers are legally required to carry a minimum of $5,000 of medical benefits coverage to comply with the state's minimum car insurance coverage laws.

Adding optional PIP coverage in Pennsylvania can provide payments towards medical-related expenses  including lost wages, disability and rehab costs  and death benefits.

PIP coverage does not pay for any damage to a vehicle or property.

Personal injury protection in Pennsylvania is a standard type of medical coverage offered on car insurance policies in no-fault states.To meet the states auto insurance requirement, Pennsylvania drivers must carry at least $5,000 in First Party Benefits (FPB) coverage, which is commonly known as personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, however there are several options for more enhanced coverage. Bankrates insurance editorial team explains the nuances of coverage selection on your Pennsylvania auto insurance policy, whom PIP covers and how it works to help you determine which option best meets your financial needs.

What is PIP insurance?

Depending on your coverage selection, PIP coverage in Pennsylvania can help cover medical payments, lost wages and funeral expenses should you be involved in an accident, regardless of fault. Since Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, PIP also provides coverage to your passengers and resident family members injured in someone elses vehicle or as a pedestrian.

Pennsylvania policyholders wont see the term personal injury protection in their policy paperwork. Instead, they will see the terms First Party Benefits, Optional First Party Benefits and medical expense benefits to describe what is traditionally called PIP coverage.

How does Pennsylvania PIP work?

The state of Pennsylvania requires insurers to offer medical expense benefit insurance up to at least $100,000. However, policyholders can choose the minimum $5,000 option by completing a coverage selection form. If you carry the minimum requirement and are involved in an accident, you can only claim up to $5,000 for medical payments coverage on your policy. The $5,000 minimum of medical payments does not include lost wages coverage.

Medical expense coverage may be available at a limit above $100,000 depending on your insurance provider. In addition, you could add one or a combination of the following Optional First Party Benefits in varying limits:

Income loss benefit: This option will help cover lost salary if you are unable to work following an approved claim. In most cases, you will be covered for 80 percent of your gross income, up to the limits of your policy.

Funeral expense benefit: Provides payment toward reasonable and necessary expenses for funeral or cremation costs.

Accidental death benefit: With this benefit, if a person who is involved in an accident dies within 24 months of the accident due to injuries sustained, their beneficiary will receive a payment.

Extraordinary medical benefits coverage limits option: This option provides more robust coverage, by offering an amount above the maximum that is usually paid out in a claim, which is $100,000. Typically this coverage has a lifetime limit of $1 million.

Is PIP required in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania requires some form of medical benefits coverage for you and your passengers up to $5,000. This pays towards medical bills for you, your passengers or any others covered by your policy  regardless of who is at fault for the accident  up to the $5,000 limit. Many people consider Pennsylvania a PIP insurance state due to this requirement.

Pennsylvania requires other minimum coverage types for drivers, in addition to the medical benefits. This includes:

$15,000 bodily injury liability per person

$30,000 bodily injury liability per accident

$5,000 property damage liability per accident

Whether carrying PIP coverage or the liability minimums, it is important to remember only purchasing the minimum coverage is more likely to result in a higher risk of out-of-pocket expenses. For instance, if you purchase the $5,000 in medical benefits coverage, this may not be enough to cover expenses for multiple injuries for you and your passengers. Additionally, purchasing the minimum would not provide any additional financial protection if you are out of work due to the injuries sustained.

While drivers looking for cheap Pennsylvania car insurance may want to select limited tort since it tends to reduce the premium drastically, it may be beneficial to speak with a licensed agent before doing so.

How much does PIP cost in Pennsylvania?

The 2024 average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania is $521 annually for minimum coverage and $2,790 per year for full coverage car insurance. Like any other coverage you select for an auto insurance policy, the amount PIP costs is dependent on how much you purchase. While $5,000 of medical payments is the minimum required, you can increase this amount.

Auto insurance rates, including the coverage options, are determined by a number of factors. These factors include your age, ZIP code, vehicle, driving history and several other personal factors. If you are interested in adding higher PIP coverage amounts to your policy, you can work with a licensed insurance agent to understand the options and rates.

Frequently asked questions
Controversial Government legislation to deal with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles has caused huge problems with the justice system, Naomi Long has said.

Stormonts Justice Minister said there continues to be legal uncertainty over the Act as well as a lack of clarity over how a new body set up to investigate Troubles deaths will operate.

Ms Long told MLAs that families seeking answers over deaths deserve to be treated with more respect and dignity.

The Act received royal assent in September despite widespread opposition from political parties, victims organisations in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government.

Troubles victims challenged the Legacy Act in the High Court (Liam McBurney/PA)

Last month, a High Court judge ruled that one of the central elements of the Act, the provision for conditional immunity from prosecution for Troubles offences, is not compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The Government has said it will appeal against the ruling.

The new Act will also halt future civil cases and legacy inquests.

The High Court judgment also ruled that the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) is able to carry out human rights compliant investigations.

Mrs Long was asked about the Legacy Act during ministerial questions at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

She said: There continues to be considerable legal uncertainty around these new arrangements following the judgment handed down by the High Court on 28 February, which is the subject of an appeal by the UK Government.

The judgment included declarations that a number of the Acts provisions, including those relating to immunity from prosecution, are incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and should be disapplied.

It also concluded that the ICRIR is capable of carrying out investigations that are compliant with Articles 2 and 3 convention rights and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Chris Heaton-Harris) has said he remains committed to implementing that new commission.

There however remains a lack of clarity around what the operating model for the new commission will be, how it will interface with justice organisations, what the costs associated with this work will be and how those costs will be funded.

I have written to the Secretary of State seeking confirmation as a matter of urgency of the costs that may arise, especially for the 2024/25 financial year and the funding arrangements for these.

It remains a matter of real regret to me that this legislation passed in Westminster.

It has caused huge problems with the justice system.

Members of Sean Browns family outside court last week (Liam McBurney/PA)

Asked about the cost implications of the Act, Mrs Long said: The Legacy Act was not supported by Executive parties, it remains a UK-Government policy change so I believe the costs associated with the outworkings of that policy should fall to others than the Executive.

The Justice Minister was asked by SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone if she supported a coroners call for a public inquiry into the murder of GAA official Sean Brown.

Mr Brown, 61, was abducted and killed by loyalist paramilitaries as he locked the gates at Bellaghy Wolfe Tones Club in Co Londonderry in May 1997.

A coroner last week called on the Government to order a public inquiry after ruling an inquest cannot proceed due to the withholding of sensitive files.

Mrs Long said: I do believe there will be many families, either as a result of the Legacy Bill or as a result of other issues that have arisen in recent weeks, that will not be able to get the inquests that they wished and expected.

I do believe those families deserve to be treated with more respect and dignity than is currently the case and to be able to access truth and justice in their cases.
A 45-year-old Nebraska woman is facing a criminal charge for allegedly using a loophole to steal more than 7,000 gallons of gas worth more than $27,000, according to media reports.

The woman is accused of improperly using her rewards card from Pump and Pantry in Lincoln, Nebraska, at least 510 times over six months, KOLN-TV reported.

There's usually nothing wrong with using a rewards card, but police say the woman took advantage of a software update from November 2022 that managed orders and rewards cards at the fuel pump, the TV station said.

Unbeknownst to Bosselman Enterprise, owner of Pump and Pantry, the update was allowing anyone who swiped their rewards card twice to switch the gas pump from regular mode to demo mode, WILX-TV reported. While in demo mode, free gas can be administered, the TV station said.

In addition to using the rewards card 510 times, she's accused of being paid to give her card to another woman for free gas, WILX-TV reported. The woman allegedly paid $500 for $700 worth of gas from the rewards member.

How did woman get caught misusing rewards card?

Lincoln police say they caught the woman in the act when they checked surveillance footage and saw her pumping gas into her car several times, according to WILX-TV. Police identified the woman using her rewards card information and court records, the TV station said.

When Lincoln police interviewed her, she told detectives that a man paying off a car debt gave her the rewards card instead of money, WILX-TV reported. Police could not contact the man because he died in January.

Lincoln police believe the woman had been getting free gas from Nov. 13, 2022, to June 1, 2023, KOLN-TV reported. Investigators say the woman got 7,413.59 gallons of free gasoline, which the gas station manager said cost him $27,860.27 in losses, the TV station added.

The woman was arrested March 6 on a theft charge and given a $7,500 bond, according to KOLN. She was not listed as an inmate in the Lancaster County jail as of Monday.

Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nebraska woman facing charge for loophole that got her free gas
Costa Rica and New Orleans-based jazz artist Cyrille Aimee just released her much-awaited "a Fleur de Peau" record with a Caribbean blend last Friday, March 8, through Whirlwind Records.

The full album follows Aimee's three well-received lead singles "Beautiful Way," "Again Again" and "Back to You," all of which have received quaintly-shot and endearing music videos available on the artist's YouTube channel.

As for the album, you can listen to it by clicking here.

'A Fleur de Peau,' a Poppy Blend of Jazz and Costa Rican Culture

Aimee has cemented her place as an artistic mouthpiece of the jazz tradition and its boundless depth, learning from the gypsy masters of her childhood home of France.

This culturally entrenched mentorship would then become a recurring theme across her career, as she found herself studying under great master composers across the world from New York to New Orleans, and most recently, in Costa Rica

However, in developing "A Fleur de Peau," specifically, she embarked in a new kind of musical exploration: using completely personal and original words, compositions, and arrangements that drew on her heritage.

The album was then fully fleshed out with her close collaborator and co-producer Jake Sherman, an American multi-instrumentalist, bringing out the cultural richness of her Dominican roots in the form of African dance rhythm and Spanish folksong soundscapes, while still retaining the allure of a contemporary pop structure.

As per the artist, the origins of the album can be traced deep within the forests of Costa Rica, during a fascinating chronicle of the artist's "creative rebirth."

"I've been writing forever, but this album is my real birth as a songwriter," Aimee explained. "Then when the pandemic hit, I moved to some land I had bought in Costa Rica and - to my own amazement - I designed and built a house in the jungle all by myself."

Aimee said that the house eventually became an "inspiration" and "creative outlet" for her, which helped the creation of the new songs she would then bring to New York where Sherman worked and finally "finished what they started."

The duo would then develop a free-flowing creative process that saw Aimee performing live with her voice, guitar, or baritone ukulele, before Sherman and her would add on the layers of the arrangement.

Here and there, the jazz artist would incorporate her "patented" vocal scat improvisations translated into horns, percussion parts, and counter melodies that Sherman would apply using his expertise with the varying instruments and his actual collection of musical accouterments.

The results are a wide spectrum of musical stylings that are anchored by Aimee's enthralling vocal performances.

"A Fleur de Peau" - Tracklist:

1 Beautiful Way

2 Again Again

3 For the Love of You

4 Inside and Out

5 Yo soy Diosa

6 Back to You

7 Feel What I Feel

8 Here

9 Ma Preference

10 Historia de Amor

Read Also: Lindsey Releases New Single 'Eye of Untold Her' Off of Recently Announced Album 'Duality'

 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A police officer in Alabama has been disciplined after he arrested a woman at her home because she refused to show him her identification.

City leaders have condemned the arrest of Twyla Stallworth, 40, in February and ordered the entire Andalusia Police Department to receive additional training in city ordinances and constitutional and state law.

Stallworth had called police to her home on Feb. 23 on a noise complaint, she said, because a neighbor was playing music too loudly. The music stopped when police visited the neighbor's house but resumed after they left, Stallworth said.

Twyla Stallworth (Twyla Stallworth)

She then went out to her car and purposely turned on the alarm to draw her neighbor's attention, she said. Then another neighbor began playing music loudly, and police soon arrived at Stallworth's home.

Cellphone video shot by Stallworth's son, Jermani Marshall, 18, and released by her attorney, Harry Daniels, shows Andalusia Police Officer John G. Barton standing at Stallworths doorstep asking for her identification.

Maam, Im not arguing with you. Provide ID or go to jail, Barton says in the video.

She said she refused because she did not believe she had to provide identification.

Alabama law allows a police officer who reasonably suspects a crime is being committed to ask for people's names and addresses and explanations of their actions, but it does not say anything about showing identification, such as driver's licenses or passports.

Im going to jail? For not providing my ID? Stallworth responds in the video.

Then Barton orders Stallworth to put her hands behind her back because he is placing her under arrest, the video shows.

Instead, Stallworth walks inside her home. Barton follows, along with Marshall, who can be heard in the background telling his mother that everything is OK and that he is recording the encounter with his cellphone.

After a brief exchange, Barton warns Stallworth it is her last chance to show her ID. Then he shoves her down onto her couch and handcuffs her, the video shows.

She was charged with resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental operations and attempting to elude police, according to court documents.

In a video posted on the city's website, Mayor Earl Johnson condemned Stallworths arrest and said the police department would undergo the additional training.

All charges against Ms. Stallworth are being dropped, Johnson said in the video. The arresting officer has a clean record with our department, but he made a mistake. He has been disciplined for failing in his duty to know the law.

Jermani Marshall, 18, the son of Twyla Stallworth, who captured the cell phone video of the arrest. (Courtesy Twyla Stallworth)

He did not say how Barton was disciplined and could not be reached Monday for comment.

Police Chief Paul Hudson declined to comment by phone Monday. He said in an emailed statement that Barton was given a reprimand but was not suspended.

Requests for a copy of Stallworths arrest report were largely unsuccessful. Hudson provided only the first page, which did not include details of the encounter between Barton and Stallworth.

Under Alabama law, police departments have broad authority to withhold arrest reports.

Stallworth, who is Black, said she believes her arrest may have been racially motivated because both of her neighbors involved in the dispute, who are white, were not arrested.

"My power was taken from me. I wasnt able to fight back, Stallworth said. I wasnt able to protect my son. I felt powerless. Nobody should be treated this way.

Johnson said the city found no evidence of discrimination.

We have reviewed bodycam footage of the incident and see no evidence of racism, Johnson said in the video.

Stallworth, a real estate agent who grew up in Andalusia, about 90 miles south of Montgomery, said she spent 15 hours in jail before her mother came up with more than $3,000 in cash to bond her out.

Stallworth said she has been complaining about her neighbors playing loud music for the past two years.

Daniels said: She was manhandled and slammed on the couch. She wasnt required to show identification. It was an unlawful arrest.

He said Stallworth is considering whether to sue the city and its police department.
Chinese Americans who fought in World War II were honored on Saturday with a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony. Six veterans gathered at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans to accept the honor on behalf of the thousands of their peers that served in the war. Its the highest recognition Congress can give to a U.S. civilian.

Around 20,000 Chinese Americans served during WWII, though upon their return to the U.S. they faced rampant discrimination and laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act, which made it impossible for most Chinese immigrants to become citizens. Since the act wasnt repealed until 1943, it meant many Chinese members of the U.S. armed forces werent citizens at the time of their service in WWII.

The Congressional Gold Medals received by Chinese American World War II Veterans, on March 9, 2024 in New Orleans. (Frank L Aymami III / Courtesy of The National WWII Museum)

In 2018, after a push by Chinese veterans groups, Congress passed a bill collectively honoring them with a Gold Medal, the highest recognition Congress can give to a U.S. civilian. The ceremony was supposed to be held in Washington but was delayed by the pandemic. Similar recognition has been given to Japanese and Filipino American WWII veterans in previous years.

Six of these Chinese American veterans, many now in their 90s, were honored Saturday as they were called one-by-one to accept their medals. The representatives present to accept the medals were a mix of U.S.-born Chinese servicemembers and immigrants from China who were later drafted.

Im very honored and humbled to be selected to do this, said Arthur T.S. Shak, an Army veteran from Hawaii. We are so grateful.  Mahalo to the National WWII Museum president.

Arthur T.S. Shak, U.S. Army Air Corps, holds his certificate honoring the Congressional Gold Medals received by Chinese American World War II Veterans, on March 9, 2024 in New Orleans. (Frank L Aymami III / Courtesy of The National WWII Museum)

The other five honorees were William Shih Yin Ching, Wai Hoo Tong, Donald T.S. Lee, Harry G. Jung and Wing Fook Joseph Li.

Robert M. Lee, another Chinese American WWII vet, told NBC News in 2020 that joining the army was his only choice. As a recent immigrant to the U.S. from China, he was unable to enroll in school or find work, so he enlisted at just 14 years old.

At the time, Lee said hes happy about the efforts to recognize his fellow Chinese American WWII veterans. But he wishes it had come sooner.

I was elated on my behalf, of course, but very disappointed that it was so late that many people would not live long enough to receive it, he said in 2020.

For more from NBC Asian America, sign up for our weekly newsletter.
A man stabbed his wife and three children to death in their family home in Honolulu before taking his own life on Sunday, police said, in one of the deadliest crimes in Hawaii's capital.

None of the victims have been named, but police said the children were aged 10, 12 and 17. All five were pronounced dead at the scene.

Honolulu Police Department Lt. Deena Thoemmes said at a news conference that officers were called to reports of an argument at a house in the city's Manoa district around 9 a.m. Sunday and found five people dead.

The identities of the dead will be released in a report from the medical examiner's office, police said.

"Based on the evidence found at the scene and the investigation thus far, it appears that the adult male killed the female and the juveniles with a knife that was recovered from the scene. The motive is still under investigation," Thoemmes said.

She added that based on evidence found so far, "these don't appear to be random acts." Police are interviewing neighbors and reviewing security camera footage to find out more.

Thoemmes said the killings represented the most deadly crime in Honolulu since seven people were shot dead at a Xerox Corporation building in 1999, still the worst mass shooting to take place in Hawaii.

HPD Chief Arthur "Joe" Logan said at the same news conference: "Id like to give our heartfelt condolences to the families. It's unfortunate and very sad."

He said he visited the crime scene to ensure that his officers were "mentally and physically fit to do their job, which they are."

Logan also said that officers were first called to the house at 8:30 a.m. and may have knocked on the door and spoken to someone, but then left without taking any further action  only to return soon after, following another 911 call.

"So really they didn't have enough information to make entry into the dwelling until we came back at 9 a.m. and spoke to another witness who provided more information," Logan said.

He added that a crime this brutal "doesn't happen in Hawaii very often." He said the scenes inside the house will stay with the officers who responded "for the rest of their lives."

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a statement that he was "heartbroken by the tragic incident ... claiming the lives of an entire family, " Hawaii News Now reported.

Hawaii News Now spoke to neighbors who describe the so-far unnamed family as normal and typical, describing how they would put up decorations for festivals and let the children play in the street.
WASHINGTON  Marcia Fudge, who has served as the secretary of housing and urban development since March 2021, is leaving the Biden administration, the White House said Monday.

"When I took office, we inherited a broken housing system, with fair housing and civil rights protections badly dismantled under the prior administration," President Joe Biden said in a statement. "On Day One, Marcia got to work rebuilding the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and over the past three years she has been a strong voice for expanding efforts to build generational wealth through homeownership and lowering costs and promoting fairness for Americas renters."

Biden continued: "From her time as a mayor, to her years as a fierce advocate in the U.S. House of Representatives, Marcias vision, passion, and focus on increasing economic opportunity have been assets to our country. Im grateful for all of her contributions toward a housing system that works for all Americans, and I wish her well in her next chapter."

The White House said that after Fudge departs, Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman will serve as acting secretary.

In a statement, Fudge said she's resigning effective March 22, but didn't say whether she has other plans for her career.

"For the last three years, I have fully embraced HUD's mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all," she said, adding that as she transitions to life as a public citizen, "I will continue to do the work that I have been called to do."

Fudge is only the second Cabinet secretary to leave the administration during Biden's first term as president. The first was Marty Walsh, who left in March 2023 after serving as labor secretary for two years.

White House chief of staff Jeff Zients had said in an interview published last week by Politico that all current Cabinet members and senior White House staff would remain in their roles for the remainder of Biden's first term.

A White House official said they knew about Fudge's plans in advance and "Jeff was answering a question about whether we have the team in place this year at the Cabinet and at the White House."

In Biden's 2025 budget request released Monday, the Department of Housing and Urban Development requested from Congress a nearly $500 million increase in funding to its programs. It calls for an expansion in access to affordable rent through the Housing Choice Voucher Program and increasing the supply of affordable housing to reduce housing costs.

Before working in the Biden administration, Fudge represented an Ohio congressional district in the House from 2008 to 2021, serving at one point as chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Latam says the incident involved a Boeing 787 Dreamliner

A passenger has described the moment people hit the roof of a plane travelling from Australia to New Zealand during what was described as a mid-air "technical event".

Brian Jokat said a number of people suffered head injuries after the Latam Airlines jet dropped unexpectedly, throwing some out of their seats.

Fifty were hurt and 12 were taken to hospital on landing in Auckland.

Emergency services said one person was in a serious condition.

In total, New Zealand's St John ambulance service said it had "assessed and treated approximately" 50 patients who had been travelling on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which had taken off from Sydney.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Jokat revealed that people had hit the ceiling with such force "some of the roof panels were broken" while others had been thrown down the aisles after the plane "dropped unlike anything" he had ever experienced before.

The person next to him, he added, appeared to be "glued to the ceiling".

"I did think for a split second: 'This is it'," he said.

"There was blood coming from several people's heads and people were yelling and screaming and it was chaos," Mr Jokat added.

Another passenger told Radio New Zealand they saw people "flying around" and leaving traces of their blood on the ceiling.

Some were not wearing their seatbelts, Radio New Zealand reported, quoting one of those on board.

Further details about the "technical event" or what caused it are still not known. FlightAware, an airline tracker, shows the aircraft losing altitude about two hours into the three-hour flight between the two cities.

Chilean-Brazilian carrier Latam Airlines said it "deeply" regretted "any inconvenience and discomfort this situation may have caused its passengers".

It said "a technical event during the flight" had "caused a strong movement" but provided no further information.

"The plane landed at Auckland Airport as scheduled," it added.

The aircraft was scheduled to fly on from Auckland to Santiago, the capital of Chile.

The departure was cancelled and a new flight scheduled for Tuesday, RNZ reported.
MIAMI  During a Sunday sermon in mid-February, Pastor Dionny Baez shared an omen with his congregation.

I believe that God is going to do something very great with the Latino people in the United States, he said.

The congregation responded with applause and remained attentive to the rest of the morning evangelical service held weekly in an old nightclub.

The message evangelical leaders give churchgoers during a presidential campaign is a valuable key to understanding where the evangelical voting bloc is headed.

We are heads of communities, right? There are literally thousands of people who are influenced by our word, said Baez, founder of the H20 Church, in an interview with Noticias Telemundo.

Baez said his priority when supporting a candidate is that they're aligned with his values. He advised others to do the same when they ask him for guidance on the November contest.

Evangelicals are a conservative bloc of the Hispanic electorate that is more involved than ever in the elections, said evangelical Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), which touts itself as the largest Hispanic Christian organization worldwide with over 40,000 churches in the United States alone.

Evangelical Latinos this year are going to vote like no other year," Rodriguez said. The security of the country and the economy, parental rights, the free expression of religion and the rights of Christians are the issues that are mobilizing them the most in this election cycle.

In the U.S., around 10 million Hispanics identify as evangelical or Protestant and approximately three in ten Hispanic Republicans (28%) consider themselves evangelical Protestants, according to the most recent figures from the Pew Research Center.

For decades, U.S. evangelicals have solidly been part of the electoral base of the Republican Party, which defends their conservative positions on abortion and other matters. As conservative Republicans continue to court these voters, their vow to align their political agenda with Christian values has become more frequent and explicit.

A growing support for Christian nationalism

During the National Convention of Religious Broadcasters held at the end of February in Nashville, Tennessee, the packed auditorium burst into applause when former President Donald Trump said, We have to get our religion back, we have to get Christianity back in this country.

No one will touch the cross of Christ under the Trump administration, I swear, Trump said, after falsely claiming that theres religious persecution against Christianity in the U.S.

Donald Trump at the National Religious Broadcasters International Christian Media Convention (Kevin Wurm / AFP - Getty Images)

Trumps rhetoric is linked to the ideology of Christian nationalism, which calls for America to be an unequivocal Christian nation in its laws and customs, and whose adherents don't believe in a separation of church and state.

This system of religious and identity beliefs has permeated among Hispanics who belong to evangelical and Protestant churches.

Though the majority of Americans (67%), reject or are skeptical of Christian nationalism, it resonates strongly with two religious groups: 66% of white evangelicals and 55% of Hispanic Protestants, who say they support or sympathize with this movement, according to a 2023 American Values Atlas survey conducted nationwide by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI).

The survey interviewed over 22,000 adults in 50 states, measuring respondents affinity for the following statements: the U.S. government should declare America a Christian nation; U.S. laws should be based on Christian values; if the U.S. moves away from our Christian foundations, we will not have a country anymore; being Christian is an important part of being truly American; and God has called Christians to exercise dominion over all areas of American society.

Hispanic Protestants were the only religious group that saw an increase in support for Christian nationalism, growing by 12% between the first survey in 2022 and 2023.

By contrast, levels of acceptance for Christian nationalism were significantly lower among other religious groups: 75% of Hispanic Catholics and 92% of American Jews don't identify with these ideas.

The survey found that among whites and Hispanics, but not among Black Americans, "holding Christian nationalist beliefs is strongly correlated with Republican Party identity and support for Trump."

Religious leaders as well as Christian nationalism scholars warn that Christian nationalists seek to exert their beliefs on all aspects of government and society, believing such is the will of God.

'An ideal world'

A few weeks before the PRRI report was published, Noticias Telemundo attended an evangelical service in Miami led by Baez to report on the Latino evangelical vote.

Though Baez and members of the congregation were not asked specifically about the term Christian nationalism, they were asked about their concerns and priorities ahead of the November election and the role of religion played in their political stance.

When Baez was asked whether the laws of this country should be based on Christian values, he said, That would be an ideal world, an ideal world because they are my values, it is my way of thinking, it would be beautiful because I believe that the integral Christian foundation helps the development of the human being. But Baez added that its important to respect others way of thinking as well as their values.

For Osmani Martinez, a Cuban Christian who plans to vote for Trump, it would be very good if the state and the church became one, he said.

Elizabeth Rodriguez, who is Puerto Rican, has worked for many years with the Democratic Party. In addition to her Christian faith, who she chooses on the ballot, she said, will also be influenced by what candidates propose a plan for the well-being of my community, for the well-being of the family.

She advocates freedom and democracy, but said there should be a system where God is included.

Felix Cordova, who is Mexican, has been attending the H20 church where he feels the presence of God. He hopes to be able to participate in the November election after passing his citizenship exam. If he votes, he said, it will be for Trump because he has made a difference, he continues to make it, he is a man who bends the knee and asks the Father for direction.

Cordova considers himself spiritual, is not in favor of abortion and believes that the Republican Party maintains Christian values in a world that, he said, is out of control. For him, spiritual education should be the source of support for American laws.

Raising concerns

Carlos Malave, president of the Latino Christian National Network, believes a lack of education about Christian nationalism and its political connotations has allowed many Hispanics to be indoctrinated with these ideas. He believes Latinos embrace this rhetoric without realizing that it attacks their community.

"When you generally ask the public, in churches, what Christian nationalism is, people cannot give an answer, he said. Malave belongs to Christians Against Christian Nationalism, a group of religious leaders that denounce this ideology as a threat to American democracy and a distortion of the Christian faith.

The Protestant reverend, who was born in Puerto Rico, said that the ideologys undercurrent of racism and patriarchy can facilitate a marginalization of vulnerable groups or minorities, including immigrants. A magnificent job has been done by groups that are extremists to convince even the immigrants themselves that the new immigrants are a threat, Malave said.

Malave said Christian nationalism, which erases the separation of church and state, is based on the supremacy of white culture and the supremacy of Christianity over other religions.

Christian nationalists proffer that the U.S. has been and always should be Christian, from the top to the people, according to the group Christians Against Christian Nationalism. In addition, it carries assumptions about nativism, white supremacy, authoritarianism, patriarchy and militarism, Malave said.

In their book "Taking Back America for God," which delves into how this ideology is increasingly trying to win over conservative Latinos, Andrew Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry argue this is a line of thought that prevails among the followers of Trump.

"American Christian nationalism is a worldview based on the belief that the United States is superior to other countries and that that superiority was divinely established, said Samuel Perry, associate professor at Baylor University, a private Christian academic institution in Texas, in an article on the specialized site "The Conversation."

In their minds, only Christians are true Americans, he notes.

According to Perry, although most Christian nationalists do not commit acts of violence, the ideology suggests that unless Christians control the state, the state will suppress Christianity.

Most of this misinformation and lies that are being perpetuated come from radical Republican groups, Malave said.

Efforts to raise awareness in the Latino community about the implications of this rhetoric are underway, but face major challenges.

Wrestling with immigration positions

Baez says he initially admired Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis proposals, especially those aimed at restricting the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation with younger children in public schools, but became disenchanted with the presidential hopeful when he displayed an anti-immigrant position.

Baez sees Christian Latinos at a crossroads when it comes to going to the polls, since the party that defends its religious principles  the Republican Party  also promotes the most anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric.

What do I say to my congregation? I really tell our people that more than immigration reform or help for people who are entering illegally  we must focus on the values that reflect who we are as a Christian community," he said.

In California, Pastor Samuel Rodriguez said that he's also concerned about the anti-immigrant positions of most conservative Republicans: I dont like it because sometimes the rhetoric is nativist and racist and I dont deny it.

However, he's convinced that without Christianity there is only anarchy, chaos and darkness. That is why he believes that many Christian Latinos no longer support the Democratic Party, particularly for defending abortion.

Let them continue with that strategy to see if it works for them, he said.

Rodriguez said that the U.S. was founded under a Judeo-Christian platform, but when asked whether it should legislate with those values as a guide, he said, We are not a theocracy.

For some far-right politicians, such as the Republican congresswoman for Colorado Lauren Boebert, the separation of state and church is garbage.

The church is supposed to lead the government, not the government is supposed to lead the church, she said in July 2022.

We should be Christian nationalists, said Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who insisted that Christian nationalism should not be feared because it could solve school shootings and sexual immorality in the country.

In early February, a convoy organized for a "Take Our Border Back" rally demonstrated at the southern Texas border, attracting Trump supporters and Christian nationalists who carried crosses and were baptized as they gathered to support hard-line border enforcement.

An earlier version of this story was first published in Noticias Telemundo.
Several major news agencies have withdrawn an image distributed by Kensington Palace showing Catherine, Princess of Wales, and her children, saying they believe the photo has been manipulated.

The photograph is the first officially released image of the princess since she underwent abdominal surgery in January, and comes after weeks of intense public speculation and mounting social media conspiracy theories as to her exact whereabouts and health.

The image was released on Sunday with a message from the princess thanking the public for its support while marking Mothers Day in the United Kingdom. CNN has reached out to Kensington Palace for comment.

An initial CNN review of the image has identified at least two areas that appear to show some evidence of potential manipulation, including Princess Charlottes sleeve cuff, and a zipper on the lefthand side on the jacket of the Princess of Wales.

CNN is continuing to use the original photo, appropriately captioned, in the context of the debate around its alleged manipulation.

This undated photo released by Kensington Palace on March 10, 2024, shows Catherine, Princess of Wales, with her children. The circled areas appear to show evidence of potential manipulation. - Kensington Palace

This area on the sleeve of Princess Charlotte appears to show evidence of potential manipulation. - Kensington Palace

Three major international news agencies also said they found evidence of manipulation.

The Associated Press noted that at closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image.

Agence France-Presse said it had withdrawn the photo due to an editorial issue.

In a note to clients the agency wrote: It has come to light that this handout photo issued by Kensington Palace today of the Princess of Wales and her kids had been altered and therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems.

Reuters and the AP also both pointed to the sleeve of Kates daughter Charlotte as an area that showed evidence of being manipulated or changed.

Reuters said the sleeve did not line up properly, suggesting the image had been altered. It said the agency could not immediately determine how, why, or by whom the alteration was made.

AP also pointed to an inconsistency in the alignment of the daughters hand, saying the image had been manipulated in a way that did not meet APs photo standards.

Most photo agencies and news organizations have stringent rules against publishing images that have been overly edited or manipulated. Reuters, for example, says it only allows the use of Photoshop in very limited ways such as cropping or resizing images, or balancing their color.

Removing elements from a photo or adding to them is strictly forbidden because it undermines trust in both the image and a news organizations credibility even if they are not the source of the changes.

News agencies also often use specialist software to check photographs to check for evidence of manipulation. Rapid advances in generative AI in recent years have made it increasingly easy for bad actors to churn out convincing fake photographs and video, creating further verification difficulties for media organizations.

The removal of the images by major news agencies creates a fresh public relations headache for Britains royal family at a time when it was trying to tamp down some of the more wild speculation that had exploded online in the aftermath of Kates surgery.

Kensington Palace had said in January that the princess, 42, is unlikely to return to public duties until Easter at the end of March. The palace did not reveal what her surgery was for, but said that it was noncancerous.

Her long disappearance from the public eye sparked furious rumors online and international media coverage. Some of this died down somewhat after a photograph emerged in early March of Kate in a car driven by her mother; she was seen wearing dark sunglasses and sitting in the front passenger seat.

But the speculation largely continued raging online, especially on social media, fueled by other incidents within the royal family  such as Prince William pulling out of an important family gathering earlier this month without public explanation.

The palace faced mounting pressure to share more information about the future Queen, without compromising her medical privacy.

In February the palace made the rare move of pushing back against the rumors, saying it had made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess recovery and wed only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands.

This was a breaking news story and has been updated.

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WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's president will propose during a visit to the United States that NATO members spend 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, he said on Monday.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has made defence a top priority for members of NATO's eastern flank, and Poland is spending around 4% of GDP on boosting its armed forces this year.

"I want to propose... that NATO countries decide together that the alliance's requirement will be to spend not 2%, but 3% of GDP on defence, and that this will be a limit below which it is absolutely not recommended to go," Andrzej Duda said during a meeting of Poland's National Security Council.

He said that NATO's response to Russia following the outbreak of war in Ukraine must be "clear and bold".

Duda and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will visit the White House in Washington on Tuesday to mark the 25th anniversary of Poland joining NATO.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish; Editing by Nick Macfie)
South Brunswick siblings Maya and Rohan Mody have been preparing for "The Amazing Race" since elementary school when they created their own version of the game at home. And now theyll have a chance at the real thing when Season 36 of the reality show premiers this week.

The Modys will join 12 other teams in the global adventure to the finish line, with the season premier airing at 9:30 p.m. March 13 on CBS.

The brother and sister recall having Amazing Race-themed birthday parties when they were younger.

"I would make people run around my house and complete different challenges I would set up," said Maya, 20. "We've been watching forever. We've been practicing making those task decisions for almost 15 years, almost our whole lives."

Rohan, 23, remembers the first time he watched The Amazing Race.

"I was in the second grade. It was Season 12. It was the episode where they went to Croatia. And ever since then, it had been a lifelong dream to go on 'The Amazing Race.' And in season 13 and Season 14, there were two really dynamic brother-and-sister duos. I was in third grade and Maya was in kindergarten and we were watching these seasons and watching these people do these crazy tasks. And we both were like, We have to do this one day. And ever since then, we've been waiting until we were of age (18) to be able to apply for the show."

Maya and Rohan Mody will join 12 other teams in Season 36 of "The Amazing Race."

Maya, a junior at the University of Pittsburgh studying biology on the pre-dental track, was 19 during filing, and her older brother is proud of her achievement.

"Maya is one of the youngest people to ever get to do the show as a whole," said Rohan, who graduated in 2022 from George Washington University and is now working on his master's degree in biomedical sciences at Rutgers. "And if you pull all the racers that have ever raced on the chart, she has the latest birthday out of everyone. I think that's pretty cool."

Maya is the physical of the two, while Rohan is the puzzle master. These skills balanced each other out, they felt.

"We're both, I would say, relatively smart and able to do a fair number of tasks, but I'm really strong at puzzles and Maya is very much more coordinated than me, Rohan said. So, anything that was manual labor was Maya's task and anything that was a puzzle was more likely to be my sort of thing. Knowing that ahead of time, was a huge advantage."

"We have a sibling bond that really brings us together," Maya said, noting the two lived together during lockdown. "I know that I can rely on him no matter what's going to come up. We truly have so much trust in one another. In something like 'The Amazing Race,' that's super important."

More: 'The Amazing Race' Season 36 cast: Meet the teams racing around the world

The siblings give credit and thanks to their parents, Monica and Manish, for meeting their goal.

"Without their belief in us, we wouldn't have gotten this far," Maya said.

Longtime host Phil Keoghan kicks off Season 36 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where the teams must lasso their way to the finish line from a traditional Mexican rodeo.

Along the route, racers will go paragliding in Colombia, rally car racing in Argentina, and visit two new to the Race countries  swimming through waterfalls in the Dominican Republic and visiting music superstar Rihannas childhood home in Barbados. Teams also will travel to Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Pennsylvania, where the first team to cross the final finish line will be crowned the winner and take the $1 million prize.

Maya and Rohan Mody will join 12 other teams in Season 36 of "The Amazing Race."

A passion for travel is something else the siblings share, which lines up nicely with the competition.

"We love being able to go to new places and experience new things," Maya said, while her brother added, I can't imagine anyone else to have been my partner throughout this process."

More: Meet the Hillsborough home chef cooking for Gordon Ramsay on 'Next Level Chef'

The Modys cant reveal how they did in Season 36 but said they are very proud of their performance and enjoyed every second of the experience.

"It's been the most surreal experience," Maya said. "And it's been an amazing experience. The sense of family and community that have been behind this show has just been extraordinary to us. I still think it's phenomenal that Rohan and I can say that we've been able to be become a part of it."

"We wanted to do this for so long, so being able to get that phone call that says you can come out and be on the race is so exciting," Rohan said. "And the team that works on this show is exceptional  they've been doing it for a really long time, and they have so much care for the show. They treat it like their child. And just to be a part of that and see what the production team does and then get to experience it ourselves  it really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Rohan said they also are proud they were able to act as role models for the campers at Oak Crest Day Camp in Somerset. The two had worked there for more than six years and both were Aquatic Directors in the summer camp program.

"I feel a big part of what we wanted to accomplish on Race was showing them that they can do anything that they put their mind to," he said. "And we really did get to do that."

"We fulfilled our dream," Maya added.

Each of the new season's episodes will be available to stream on Paramount+ after release, as well as on the CBS website.

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: The Amazing Race South Brunswick NJ contestants
Monday is a somber anniversary in Spain.

Twenty years ago on March 11, 2004, 10 bombs detonated almost simultaneously on four commuter trains in Madrid. The blasts initially killed 191 people and injured over 1,800 commuters during the morning rush hour.

The Madrid train bombing is the second-deadliest terrorist attack in Europe, after the takedown of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988.

Initial reports attributed the Madrid attack to an independent local terrorist cell. But conclusive evidence has since connected the train bombing with the Sept. 11 attack in the United States, which had happened 30 months earlier.

We now know, based on the research that has been done by Spanish investigators, that the attack of March 11 was an Al Qaeda operation, said Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst and an expert on the Middle East. And that the cell that carried out the operation had also been in touch with the cell that had also carried out 9/11. So this is very much relevant to Americans looking back at the events of 9/11.

Riedel served in the White House on Sept. 11, 2001, as a senior adviser to President George W. Bush. And he describes the terrorist attack as the defining moment for Americans born in the last half-century.

9/11 was a national trauma for the United States. It led to a massive rally around the flag, he said. While we may have forgotten 20-something years later, there was bipartisan support for going into Iraq and toppling the Taliban in Afghanistan.

But the decision to go into Iraq, Riedel said, would ultimately weaken that bipartisan support and polarize the country between those in favor and those against the war.

Nevertheless, he also pointed out that in addition to both wars, Sept. 11 transformed the American government with the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the National Counterterrorism Center.

In Spain, with the bombing happening just three days before the national election, the country faced deep divisions.

The disunity stemmed from differing attributions of blame for the commuter train massacre, terrorism expert Fernando Reinares wrote in the book Al-Qaedas Revenge, which contains a forward from Riedel and received an award from the association for the victims of 3/11.

Madrid Train Blasts Cause Devastation (Bruno Vincent / Getty Images)

The aftereffects of that disunity persisted for well over a decade, Reinares wrote, breaking them down in the book.

Those on the right tended to believe that ETA, the Basque nationalist and separatist organization classified as a terrorist group by Spain, was implicated in the Madrid bombing, as the Spanish government initially reported. And those on the left tended to believe that the bombing was payback for Spains participation in the Iraq War.

Both beliefs, Reinares wrote, are false.

There is no direct or indirect evidence that ETA was somehow involved in the bomb attacks. Nor is it true that the idea of perpetrating a massacre in Madrid originated in response to the presence of Spanish soldiers on Iraqi soil, he wrote.

Reinares pointed out in the book that the decision to carry out a terrorist attack was made in December 2001 in Karachi, Pakistan. And recruitment efforts for a 3/11 network began in March 2002, well over a year before the Iraq invasion would take place.

In Spain, the idea of a local home group being the mastermind of the Madrid attack persisted, even after the National Court handed down sentences ranging from three to 43,000 years in 2007 over the train bombings.

One of the main targets of the Spanish investigation, Amer Azizi, whom an indictment called a leader of a Spanish Al Qaeda cell and who was indicted a month after the 3/11 attacks on charges of helping plan the 9/11 terrorist attacks, was still at large during the trial.

The 2022 documentary 11M: Terror in Madrid reported that his death became publicly known after Al Qaeda confirmed it in 2009.

Azizis importance was not understood until he was killed with his boss, Hamza Rabia, Manuel R. Torres, a political science professor at Pablo de Olavide University, said in the documentary.

According to Reinares book, Azizi got approval from Al Qaeda for an attack on Madrid and became a key go-between of the top leaders of the terrorist organization in Pakistan and the 3/11 network in Spain.

In retrospect, Riedel said that underestimating Al Qaeda and shifting focus to Iraq was a big mistake that cost both the U.S. and Spain lives and money.

We should have kept our eye on the ball and continued after 9/11 to pursue Al Qaeda relentlessly until we had destroyed the leadership. Instead, we went into the wrong desert and chased the wrong bad guy, he said.

I think 3/11 and 9/11 underscore the importance of the United States and Europe working together against our common enemies, Riedel said, and to that extent it underscores the importance of having a NATO alliance that brings Americans and Europeans together when we face dangerous crises.
German media refute Western countries' lies about so-called "forced labor" in Xinjiang

People's Daily Online) 09:30, March 11, 2024

German media recently published an article refuting the lies of the United States and some Western countries about the existence of so-called "forced labor" in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

On Feb. 22, the German website german-foreign-policy.com quoted Prof. Bjorn Alpermann, sinologist at the University of Wurzburg, as warning that the allegations of forced labor were "not conclusively proven". Companies with links to Xinjiang should not be held responsible, said Alpermann.

According to the article, German companies are withdrawing from Xinjiang due to pressure from the United States. The campaign forced by Washington against doing business with companies from China's region of Xinjiang has led to the withdrawal of German companies from the region. After BASF has announced that it will abandon its two joint ventures in Xinjiang, Volkswagen is also reviewing the continued existence of its plant in the regional capital of Urumqi. Allegations that the Uygurs living there are being subjected to forced labor on a large scale are the reason for this," the article said.

While Alpermann warned that a "direct coercion" to work cannot be conclusively proven" and advised against "imposing a quasi-embargo on the entire region", a law has already come into force in the United States that prohibits the import of products from Xinjiang in principle. Thousands of Volkswagen vehicles are currently stuck in U.S. ports because Washington claims to have found a component from Xinjiang in them. All of this has shown that forces close to the U.S. government want to turn the campaign to cut off economic relations with Xinjiang into a campaign to cut off all economic relations with China, the article continued.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning recently said that some political forces have spread too many rumors and false information about Xinjiang in the international arena. The so-called "forced labor" is one of them. The aim of these people who fabricated lies about Xinjiang is to disrupt Xinjiang and prevent China's development and revitalization. Such attempts are doomed to fail, Mao continued.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's High Court on Monday upheld a temporary ban on Worldcoin's iris-scanning venture, in the latest blow to a project that has sparked privacy concerns in several countries.

The court said the "safeguarding of the public interest" must prevail, dismissing an appeal by Worldcoin's owners.

Co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in 2019, Worldcoin aims to create a global identity system by getting people to have their irises scanned in exchange for free cryptocurrency and a digital ID.

The venture was temporarily banned on Wednesday by Spain's privacy watchdog following complaints of insufficient information, the collection of data from minors and not allowing the withdrawal of consent.

The watchdog said the processing of biometric data, which has special protection under the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, "entails high risks for people's rights, taking into account their sensitive nature".

It told Worldcoin to stop collecting personal information and stop using data it had already gathered.

Worldcoin said in a statement on its website that Spain's regulator had circumvented the "accepted EU process and rules" without giving details.

More than four million people in 120 countries have signed up to have their irises scanned by Worldcoin, according to its website and queues of people eager to sign up to try out the new tool have formed in Spanish metro stations in recent weeks.

But the project has drawn criticism from privacy campaigners from Argentina to Germany over the collection, storage and use of personal data.

Spain's High Court said that in the event of an eventual favourable judgment lifting the ban, the company would be compensated for any lost income, thereby rejecting the argument of "irreparable damage" alleged by the appellant.

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo, writing by Aislinn Laing, editing by Christina Fincher)
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Swedish payments group Klarna must pay a fine of 7.5 million crowns ($733,324) for violating the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by not providing sufficient information to its users, a Swedish court of appeal ruled on Monday.

Klarna had failed to give clients sufficient information about how it would store their personal data, the court said in a statement, adding that the information was unclear or difficult to access.

The case concerned privacy notes used between March and June, 2020, which have since been updated, according to an earlier statement by Klarna, a buy now, pay later financial services company.

"We have just received the court's decision, and it is too early to comment," a company spokesperson told Reuters on Monday.

Under the European Union's GDPR, companies are legally obliged to inform users and clients about how and why they handle personal data, including how they collect it and for how long they store it.

Sweden's Administrative Court of Appeal on Monday raised the penalty back to the 7.5 million crowns originally sought by the Swedish Data Protection Agency (SDPA). A lower court ruled last year that Klarna should pay 6 million crowns.

Klarna has said the case stemmed from an audit by the SDPA of the privacy information provided to clients in 2020, and was not related to how the company collects or handles data.

($1 = 10.2274 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, editing by Terje Solsvik, Kirsten Donovan)
By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Donald Trump on Monday asked the New York judge overseeing his criminal case on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star to delay the trial until the U.S. Supreme Court finishes reviewing his claim of presidential immunity in a separate case.

The first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president is set to begin on March 25 in a New York state court in Manhattan.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsification of business records.

Prosecutors say he directed his former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, to pay porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she says they had a decade earlier, and then falsely recorded his reimbursement to Cohen as legal expenses.

Trump denies the encounter with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

The move was the latest by Trump seeking to delay the four upcoming criminal trials he faces until closer to, or even after, his expected Nov. 5 election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.

The Supreme Court last month handed Trump a win when it agreed to hear in late April his argument that he is immune from federal prosecution for trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat, a decision that will delay the start of any trial by at least several months.

The court, by contrast, moved faster in acting to ensure that Trump remained on Colorado's primary ballot, rejecting an effort to disqualify him the day before the contest.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in all criminal cases, which he has termed "election interference."

'PRESSURE CAMPAIGN'

In their court filing on Monday, Trump's lawyers said the outcome of the Supreme Court's review was relevant to the hush money case because prosecutors were seeking to present evidence of statements Trump made while he was president.

Last month, prosecutors said they planned to introduce evidence of a "pressure campaign" by Trump in 2018 to ensure Cohen did not cooperate with a federal investigation into the payment to Daniels. Cohen pleaded guilty that year to violating campaign finance law.

In their court filing on Monday, Trump's lawyers called prosecutors' claim of a pressure campaign "fictitious." They said Trump's social media posts about Cohen were "official communications" about "matters of public concern" and thus immune from state prosecution.

"Without immunity from criminal prosecution based on official acts, the President's political opponents will seek to influence and control his or her decisions via de facto extortion," Trump's lawyers wrote.

A spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney's office, which brought the charges, declined to comment.

Last year, Trump made a similar argument as part of an unsuccessful push to move the hush money case from state court to federal court. In denying Trump's request in July 2023, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein wrote that the payment to Daniels "was a purely personal item."

"Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a President's official acts," Hellerstein wrote.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York, editing by Scott Malone and Deepa Babington)
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis during a hearing in the Georgia election interference case in Atlanta on March 1. (Alex Slitz/AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Nathan Wade resigns as special prosecutor after a Georgia judge rules that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can continue prosecuting her racketeering case against former President Donald Trump if Wade  with whom she had a secret romantic relationship  is removed from the case. And a New York judge agrees to delay the start of Trumps hush-money trial from March 25 until mid-April after the former presidents lawyers complained that they were not given enough time to review more than 100,000 pages of recently disclosed documents.

Georgia election interference

Judge rules Fani Willis can stay on  if Wade leaves

Key players: Judge Scott McAfee, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, special prosecutor Nathan Wade

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee found there was no actual conflict brought about by the relationship, but that it created the appearance of impropriety.

As a result, McAfee ruled that either Willis or Wade must be removed from the case for it to continue. Wade submitted a formal letter of resignation to Willis on Friday afternoon.

Trump and 18 others were indicted by a grand jury in Georgia on criminal charges stemming from Williss long-running investigation into their attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in that state.

Trump co-defendant Michael Roman accused Willis of misconduct because of her clandestine relationship with Nathan Wade, whom she appointed as special counsel.

Roman alleged that Willis and Wade did not disclose their relationship while benefitting financially from their prosecution of Trump and his allies. McAfee disagreed.

Without sufficient evidence that the District Attorney acquired a personal stake in the prosecution, or that her financial arrangements had any impact on the case, the Defendants claims of an actual conflict must be denied, the judge wrote.

Why it matters: The case had been on hold for more than two months due to the saga brought on by Willis and Wades tryst. Willis can continue her prosecution of Trump and his associates in Georgia.

Also see: A timeline of how we got here

New York hush money

Judge agrees to a 30-day trial delay to resolve key questions about newly disclosed documents.

Key players: Judge Juan Merchan, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, adult film star Stormy Daniels, former Playboy model Karen McDougal

In his ruling Friday, Merchan said the trial  which was scheduled to start March 25  is now adjourned for 30 days from the date of this letter after Trumps lawyers complained that they had only just started to receive more than 100,000 pages of potential evidence from a previous Justice Department investigation into Trumps alleged hush-money payments during the 2016 campaign.

The delay will push the new trial date to mid-April at the earliest. Until now, this had been the only one of Trumps trials not to face significant delays.

In the meantime, Merchan has scheduled a hearing for March 25 to resolve significant questions of fact" regarding who, if anyone, is at fault for the late production of the documents and whether any sanctions are warranted.

Trumps lawyers have accused Bragg of flouting his obligation to disclose the documents in a timely manner. Merchan has demanded a full timeline of events and all correspondence between Braggs office and federal prosecutors.

Previously, prosecutors in Braggs office told Merchan that they would not oppose a 30-day delay. The U.S. attorney's office [USAO] in Manhattan produced approximately 31,000 pages of additional records [on Wednesday] and represented that there will be another production of documents by next week," prosecutors wrote to Merchan on Thursday. "Those records appear to contain materials related to the subject matter of this case, including materials that the People requested from the USAO more than a year ago and that the USAO previously declined to provide."

Trumps lawyers had sought a 90-day delay to review the new evidence.

Trump is accused of violating New York state tax and campaign finance laws when he paid off Daniels and McDougal in 2016, allegedly to hide his extramarital affairs with both women.

Why it matters: Trumps lawyers have been effective in their strategy of attempting to delay the start of the four criminal trials facing the former president until after the 2024 election. But according to the latest Yahoo News/YouGov poll, nearly two-thirds of Americans (63%) say it is very or somewhat important that voters get a verdict in Trumps trials before the 2024 election  and less than a third (32%) would approve of delaying Trumps federal trials until after the election, making it possible for him to dismiss them if he wins.

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Thursday, March 14

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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Judge Aileen Cannon denies a motion by former President Donald Trump to dismiss the classified documents case against him on the grounds that the Espionage Act contains unconstitutional vagueness. Here are the latest developments.

Classified documents

Judge Cannon denies Trumps motion to dismiss case on unconstitutional vagueness grounds

Key players: Judge Aileen Cannon, special counsel Jack Smith

After hearing arguments Thursday from prosecutors and Trumps lawyers on the question of whether to dismiss the charges against the former president on the grounds that the Espionage Act contains unconstitutional vagueness, Cannon ruled to dismiss Trumps motion, the Associated Press reported.

The argument put forth by Trumps lawyers depends too greatly on contested instructional questions about still-fluctuating definitions of statutory terms/phrases as charged, along with at least some disputed factual issues as raised in the motion, Cannon wrote, adding that a jury would be left to decide those issues.

Cannon has yet to rule on the second motion Trumps lawyers filed to try to get her to dismiss all of the charges in the indictment filed by Smith. That motion contends that the Presidential Records Act protected Trump from prosecution over his hoarding of classified documents after leaving the White House.

Prosecutors say the opposite is true.

Cannon appeared skeptical during Thursdays hearing on that question, saying it would be "difficult to see" how she might dismiss the charges on those grounds.

Trump was in court Thursday to witness the hearing.

Why it matters: A Trump appointee, Cannon has been criticized often regarding her rulings in the case so far. Thursdays ruling showed, however, that not every Trump argument will go his way in her courtroom.

Recommended reading

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Wednesday, March 13

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Former President Donald Trump is expected to attend a Thursday hearing in Judge Aileen Cannons Florida courtroom on whether to dismiss the felony charges against him brought by special counsel Jack Smith stemming from his handling of classified documents. In a blow to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Judge Scott McAfee dismisses six of the felony counts against Trump and some of his co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case. Trump still faces 10 criminal counts in the state, and the judge said that Willis could go back to the grand jury to seek to have the six dismissed charges restored. Here are the latest legal developments facing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024.

Classified documents

Trump expected to attend classified documents hearing on Thursday

Key players: Judge Aileen Cannon, special counsel Jack Smith

Trump is expected to attend Thursdays hearing at which Cannon, a Trump appointee, will hear arguments on whether the Presidential Records Act enabled Trump to designate classified documents as personal items upon leaving the White House at the end of his term, ABC News reported.

President Trump was still the President of the United States when, for example, many of the documents at issue were packed (presumably by the GSA), transported, and delivered to Mar-A-Lago, Trumps attorneys wrote in a filing to Cannon.

Smiths team countered in their own filing that Trumps argument is simply that he is above the law.

Trumps claims rest on three fundamental errors, all of which reflect his view that, as a former President, the Nations laws and principles of accountability that govern every other citizen do not apply to him, prosecutors wrote.

Also at issue is Trumps contention that the Espionage Act is too vaguely written to be used to prosecute him.

There is far too much indeterminacy around the meaning of unauthorized possession with respect to President Trump and the types of documents at issue, his lawyers wrote in a filing to Cannon.

In their response to that argument, prosecutors said that Trump could not have failed to understand the paramount importance of protecting the Nations national-security and military secrets, including the obligations not to take unauthorized possession of, or willfully retain, national defense information.

Why it matters: Cannon has already issued rulings in the case that have been overturned by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Legal experts have criticized her delays in the trial schedule and her willingness to schedule Thursdays hearing to dismiss the charges altogether.

Georgia election interference

Judge dismisses six of 41 charges in Georgia case

Key players: Judge Scott McAfee, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, pro-Trump lawyers John Eastman, Ray Smith and Robert Cheeley, Trump lawyer Steve Sadow, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis

McAfee issued a ruling Wednesday dismissing six of the 41 felony charges made by Willis in her indictments of Trump and 18 others involving their efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, the Associated Press reported.

McAfee did not dismiss the case outright, however, as lawyers for the defendants have sought. The judge said prosecutors had not provided sufficient detail in the indictment regarding the effort by the defendants to pressure lawmakers in the Georgia legislature to appoint an alternate slate of presidential electors.

The lack of detail concerning an essential legal element is, in the undersigned's opinion, fatal, McAfee wrote. They do not give the Defendants enough information to prepare their defenses intelligently."

Trumps lawyer praised the decision: The ruling is a correct application of the law, as the prosecution failed to make specific allegations of any alleged wrongdoing on those counts.

But McAfee gave Willis and her team six months to come up with supplemental information regarding the six charges and resubmit the case to a grand jury.

The judges dismissal of the six charges means that Trump, Giuliani, Meadows, Eastman, Smith and Cheeley now face fewer felony counts. Trump, the driving force behind the effort to overturn Georgias election results, now faces 10 criminal counts in the state, down from 13 originally filed against him.

McAfee is also expected to rule this week on whether to disqualify Willis from prosecuting the case against Trump and the remaining defendants (four of whom have already pleaded guilty in the case).

Why it matters: While prosecutors could opt to go back to a grand jury to present the detail sought by McAfee to secure new indictments on the six dismissed charges, doing so would push the timetable for the start of a trial back significantly.

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Tuesday, March 12

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Prosecutors with New York Attorney General Letitia Jamess office submit a court filing asking Judge Anil Singh to make former President Donald Trump pay the full $464 million bond amount as he appeals the judgment in his financial fraud trial. Singh has already rejected Trumps request to pay just $100 million of that amount. Here are the latest legal developments involving the Republican presidential frontrunner for 2024.

New York financial fraud

Prosecutors tell judge Trump should pay full $464 million bond

Key players: Senior Assistant Solicitor of New York Dennis Fan, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Appellate Judge Anil Singh, Judge Arthur Engoron

On Monday, Jamess team submitted a court filing to Singh arguing that Trump should be made to pay the full $464 million bond ordered by Engoron in the New York financial fraud trial while he appeals that staggering judgment, ABC News reported.

Fan wrote that Trump might seek to avoid paying the full bond amount, which includes nearly $355 million in penalties and roughly $100 million in interest.

"That requirement applies to defendant Donald J. Trump and his co-defendants, just as it applies to any other appellant," Fan wrote in the filing.

Trumps lawyers offered to pay just $100 million of the total bond, telling Singh that he would have to sell off some real estate assets to raise the full amount.

Singh denied that proposal, but stayed Engorons ruling that prevented Trump from obtaining loans in New York to raise the full bond. Singh also gave prosecutors until yesterday to issue their response.

The full appeals court will weigh in on the bond amount and hear Trumps appeal of Engorons ruling, but Fan, in Mondays filing, said the chances of Trump winning were slim.

"Defendants are exceedingly unlikely to succeed on the merits of their appeal. Defendants engaged in brazen fraud and illegality to enrich themselves through the use of Mr. Trumps false and misleading Statements of Financial Condition," the filing said.

Trump has already secured a loan from the Federal Insurance Company, a subsidiary of the Chubb Corporation, to pay the $91.6 million bond in the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial into an escrow account as he pursues an appeal in that case.

Under Engorons order, Trump has until March 24 to post bond.

Why it matters: If Trump is compelled to pay the full bond amount in the fraud trial, he could be forced to begin selling off his New York real estate holdings. But if he refuses or is unable to secure another loan to raise that amount, James could begin to seize some of his assets.

Recommended reading

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Monday, March 11

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After posting a $91.6 million bond on Friday, former president Donald Trump continues to do the thing that resulted in the judgment against him: defame columnist E. Jean Carroll. Carrolls attorney Roberta Kaplan responds to remarks Trump made at a Georgia rally and during an interview with CNBC by noting that the statute of limitations has not expired. Trumps attorneys file a motion to delay the March 25 start date of his hush money trial, saying the judge should allow for the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in first on the question of whether presidential immunity protects him from prosecution. Here are the latest legal developments involving the Republican presidential frontrunner.

E. Jean Carroll defamation

Trump continues to call E. Jean Carroll a liar  and Carrolls lawyer is listening

Key players: columnist E. Jean Carroll, Carrolls lawyer Roberta Kaplan, Judge Lewis Kaplan

Days after posting a nearly $92 million bond for defaming Carroll by denying he met or sexually assaulted her in a department store changing room in 1996, Trump continued to accuse Carroll of lying, the New York Daily News reported.

I just posted a $91 million bond, $91 million on a fake story, totally made-up story, Trump said at a rally on Saturday in Rome, Ga., 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.

On Monday, during an interview on CNBC , Trump continued to cast doubt on Carroll, calling her Ms. Bergdorf Goodman and describing her as a person Id never met.

In May a jury found that Trump had not only known Carroll, but had sexually assaulted and later defamed her, and awarded her $5 million in damages.

In January, a second jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million, in part due to Trumps repeated denials and attacks.

Kaplan, Carrolls attorney, warned that Trumps latest remarks could result in yet another lawsuit.

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, E. Jean Carroll, Kaplan said in a statement.

On Friday, Trump posted notice that he would appeal the second jurys $88.3 million judgment with the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Why it matters: Trump is betting that his appeal will be successful in knocking down the amount a jury has ordered to pay Carroll, but two juries have already ruled against him, finding there was ample evidence to disprove his claims he never met her.

New York hush money

Trump asks court to delay start of hush money case until Supreme Court rules on presidential immunity

Key players: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, adult film actress Stormy Daniels, former Playboy model Karen McDougal, Judge Juan Merchan, U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein

On Monday, Trumps lawyers filed a motion with Merchan to delay the March 25 start of his criminal trial on charges he violated New York state tax and campaign finance laws when he made payments to Daniels and McDougal in 2016 to hide extramarital affairs, Reuters reported.

The grounds for the delay, they wrote, was to give the Supreme Court time to decide whether presidential immunity protects Trump from being prosecuted.

"Without immunity from criminal prosecution based on official acts, the President's political opponents will seek to influence and control his or her decisions via de facto extortion," Trump's attorneys wrote.

The problem with that argument, however, was that Trump was not president when he arranged the payments to the two women.

Trump has asked the Supreme Court to find that presidential immunity protects him from prosecution in the Jan. 6 election interference case because, he claims, challenging the election results was part of his official duties as president.

Last year, however, Hallerstein denied a similar line of argument used by Trumps lawyers when they unsuccessfully tried to have the hush money case moved from state to federal court.

"Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a President's official acts," the judge wrote.

Why it matters: Trump is hoping to delay the hush money case as long as he can, and seems to be testing the limits of the protections that presidential immunity might offer him.
Former President Donald Trump is expected to attend a hearing Thursday in the federal criminal case involving his handling of classified documents in Florida, where his attorneys will argue the case should be thrown out.

Trump is not required to be at the hearing in Fort Pierce, but his lawyers indicated he and his two co-defendants would attend in a court filing Monday, where they asked for extra time to respond to some other outstanding motions in the case.

"The reasons for this request are that (1) the Defendants and counsel need to travel to Fort Pierce prior to March 14 in order to participate in the hearing, which is time we would otherwise use to prepare the other reply submissions; (2) President Trump and counsel need to spend time preparing for the oral argument, which is time we would otherwise use to prepare the other reply submissions," the filing said.

They also said that the former president and his attorneys are preparing for the March 25 start date of his New York criminal trial "and the need to simultaneously devote attention to that case and this matter has been necessitated in part" by the "strategic scheduling demands of the Special Counsels Office."

A short time after their Monday filing, Trumps attorneys filed a separate one in New York, seeking to have the trial there delayed until Trumps presidential immunity claims are decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Trump's Florida filing did not mention the request he was making in New York, but a response from special counsel Jack Smith's office later Monday cited the document in a filing to the Trump-appointed judge who's presiding over the Florida case, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon.

Smith's filing urged Cannon to deny Trump's request for a delay, arguing it's "mostly based on circumstances about which they have been aware" for a long period of time, including the New York trial date.

Cannon has said that Thursday's hearing is expected to take all day.

Trumps legal team and prosecutors from Smith's office are expected to argue their positions on whether some or all of the charges against Trump should be thrown out because of the Presidential Records Act before the case goes to trial.

Smith has urged Cannon to reject Trumps claims that his presidential records can be transformed into personal records upon being removed from the White House.

The two sides will also discuss a second motion to dismiss the case on the theory that the main statute used against Trump is unconstitutionally vague as it applies to presidents.

Trump faces dozens of criminal charges in the case, including willful retention of national defense information, false statements and representations, conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding a document or record and corruptly concealing a document. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The case is currently scheduled to go to trial on May 20, but Cannon is expected to push back the trial date.

Trump, who did not attend a trial in writer E. Jean Carrolls defamation case against him last year, has been appearing in court on a more frequent basis in recent months, even though he is often not required to.

He attended most of a trial in Carrolls second defamation case against him earlier this year, and late last year attended several days of the monthslong civil fraud trial brought against him and his company by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Troy Philipp B admitted to raping and murdering a woman near the popular Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria

A US man has been sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of a fellow American tourist and the attempted murder of her friend near one of Germany's top visitor attractions.

A German court convicted Troy Philipp B, 31, for the attack on the two tourists near Neuschwanstein Castle.

Last month, he admitted attacking one of the women before pushing her and her friend off a ravine on 14 June 2023.

He had befriended the two women before luring them off the public path.

In Monday's sentencing in district court in the town of Kempten, Bavaria, Judge Christoph Schwiebacher noted the "particular severity of guilt" in the case.

He indicated the killer would probably not be eligible for parole after 15 years, which is typical for people who receive life sentences in Germany, according to Agence France-Presse news agency.

German officials did not identify the victims, but relatives named them as University of Illinois graduates Eva Liu, 21, and Kelsey Chang, 22.

The Michigan man lured the two friends away from the Marienbruecke bridge, a popular viewpoint for the fairytale castle.

He led them to a hidden trail, telling them that the way to the bridge was difficult to navigate.

Authorities say he then shoved Ms Liu to the ground, raping and strangling her before Ms Chang tried to stop him.

He pushed Ms Chang into the 50m deep (164ft) ravine and continued assaulting her friend, strangling her with a belt and recording it.

He then pushed an unconscious Ms Liu into the same ravine after some hikers came across the scene.

Mountain rescuers were able to the find the women, and they were airlifted on helicopters. Ms Liu died from her injuries in hospital.

Ms Chang had severe injuries, but survived.

The suspect was not detained until later that day after a massive manhunt.

A tourist who witnessed his arrest said his "face was covered in deep red scratch marks and his neck as well", adding "there was clearly a struggle".

At trial in February, the defendant said he was "deeply ashamed" of his actions, which he claimed were not premeditated. He also admitted possessing child pornography.

In an obituary, relatives described Ms Liu as "a bright and inquisitive student with many passions, including baking, travelling, and music".

The German court did not release the killer's full name, citing privacy laws.

Located 78 miles (126 km) from Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria draws over 1.3 million tourists each year.
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Walgreens has settled charges by New York Attorney General Letitia James that it grossly inflated prices on at least 20 infant formula products after a recall by Abbott Labs led to a nationwide shortage in early 2022.

The largest U.S. pharmacy chain did not admit or deny wrongdoing in entering an assurance of discontinuance with James' office, including a $50,000 payment covering civil penalties and costs, that was made public on Monday.

James said Walgreens raised prices on the 20 products, including Abbott's Similac and Reckitt Benckiser's Enfamil, by 10% or more following the February 2022 recall, and in at least one case boosted formula prices by more than 70%.

Walgreens allegedly sold more than 3,400 cans or bottles or formula at the "unconscionably" inflated prices.

Without admitting or denying wrongdoing, Walgreens agreed not to charge excessive prices on consumer goods and services vital and necessary to people's health and safety.

The Deerfield, Illinois-based company also agreed to donate 9,564 canisters of formula to benefit low-income New Yorkers with infant children.

Walgreens declined to comment.

"During the formula shortage, families were panicked and struggling about how to feed their babies," James said in a statement. "For Walgreens to take advantage of this crisis and jack up formula prices is not only illegal, but downright shameful.

"My office will not tolerate any company that attempts to price gouge our state's consumers," she added.

The settlement was effective as of March 7, and signed by a Walgreens representative on Monday.

Abbott recalled its infant formula and closed its Sturgis, Michigan plant following reports that infants became sick after being fed formula that was produced there. The company reopened the plant that July.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Chris Reese and Stephen Coates)
The White House early Thursday rejected an accusation from Russia that the U.S. was behind a reported drone strike on the Kremlin earlier this week that the Kremlin claimed was meant to kill President Vladimir Putin.

I can assure you the United States has had no role in it whatsoever, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on CNN. We neither encouraged nor do we enable Ukraine to strike outside Ukraines borders.

Russia initially claimed Wednesday that Ukraine had launched what it called a terrorist attack at the Kremlin, which serves as the center of the government as well as Putins residence, when a drone reportedly exploded at the building. Ukraine has also denied involvement.

On Thursday, Moscow laid out its latest accusation of U.S. involvement without citing evidence.

Attempts to disown this, both in Kyiv and in Washington, are, of course, absolutely ridiculous, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday, according to Reuters. We know very well that decisions about such actions, about such terrorist attacks, are made not in Kyiv but in Washington.

Unverified videos shared online showed the aftermath of what Moscow said was the attack at the Kremlin.

Kirby said on CNN that Biden administration officials are not sure who was behind the reported attack but are working to gather more information.

We honestly just dont know what happened here, Kirby said.

The Kremlin accusation of the attack comes as Russia has increased attacks in Ukraine, including missile strikes that have killed scores in the country. Late last week, a barrage of missiles left 25 dead across cities in Ukraine, including 23 civilians  four of them children  in the central city of Uman, officials said.

In just the last 48 hours or so, Mr. Putin has continued to rain down on Ukraine, cruise missiles and drones and conducting other kinds of airstrikes and, and just yesterday killed 23 innocent civilians in a residential complex that they hit likely intentionally, Kirby said early Thursday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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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"Oppenheimer" won big at the 2024 Oscars, coming in with 13 nominations and earning awards in major categories such as best director, best actor and best picture.

"Barbie," the other half of the dual box-office Barbenheimer sensation, earned eight nominations, but only got one win Sunday night for best song.

Other big winners at the 96th Academy Awards were "Poor Things"  which won awards for hair and makeup, production design and costume design  and Cillian Murphy, who won best actor, continuing his winning streak after taking home comparable awards at the 2024 Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards for the title role in "Oppenheimer."

Emma Stone, in what some consider an upset win, took home best actress for her role in "Poor Things," beating out Lily Gladstone, who became the first Native American to be nominated for best actress for her role as Mollie Burkhart in Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon."

This year's ceremony took place at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles and featured its share of both hilarious and touching moments. Comedian and late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel returned to host the Oscars for the second year in a row and his fourth time overall.

The full list of this year's Oscar winners and nominees is below.

Who won the most Oscars for 2024?



"Oppenheimer" won the most Oscars at the 96th Academy Awards with seven, including some of the most coveted awards  best picture and best director. Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy won best supporting actor and best actor for their roles in the film, while the movie also took home awards for cinematography, editing and score.

Best picture"Oppenheimer"  Winner"American Fiction""Anatomy of a Fall""Barbie""The Holdovers""Killers of the Flower Moon""Maestro""Past Lives"

"Poor Things""The Zone of Interest"Best supporting actressDa'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"  WinnerEmily Blunt, "Oppenheimer"Danielle Brooks, "The Color Purple"America Ferrera, "Barbie"Jodie Foster, "Nyad"Best animated short film"War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko"  Winner"Letter to a Pig""Ninety-Five Senses""Our Uniform""Pachyderm"Best animated feature film"The Boy and the Heron"  Winner"Elemental""Nimona""Robot Dreams""Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"Best original screenplay"Anatomy of a Fall"  Winner"The Holdovers""Maestro""May December""Past Lives"Best adapted screenplay"American Fiction"  Winner"Barbie""Oppenheimer""Poor Things""The Zone of Interest"Best makeup and hairstyling

"Poor Things"  Winner"Golda""Maestro""Oppenheimer""Society of the Snow"

Best production design"Poor Things"  Winner"Barbie""Killers of the Flower Moon""Napoleon""Oppenheimer"Best costume design

"Poor Things"  Winner"Barbie""Killers of the Flower Moon""Napoleon""Oppenheimer"Best international feature film"The Zone of Interest," United Kingdom  Winner"Io Capitano," Italy"Perfect Days," Japan"Society of the Snow," Spain"The Teachers' Lounge," GermanyBest supporting actorRobert Downey Jr., "Oppenheimer"  WinnerSterling K. Brown, "American Fiction"Robert De Niro, "Killers of the Flower Moon"Ryan Gosling, "Barbie"

Mark Ruffalo, "Poor Things"Best visual effects"Godzilla Minus One"  Winner"The Creator""Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"

"Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One""Napoleon"Best film editing"Oppenheimer"  Winner"Anatomy of a Fall""The Holdovers""Killers of the Flower Moon""Poor Things"

Best documentary short film"The Last Repair Shop"  Winner"The ABCs of Book Banning""The Barber of Little Rock""Island in Between""Nai Nai & Wai Po"

Best documentary feature film"20 Days in Mariupol"  Winner"Bobi Wine: The People's President""The Eternal Memory""Four Daughters""To Kill a Tiger"Best cinematography"Oppenheimer"  Winner"El Conde""Killers of the Flower Moon""Maestro""Poor Things"

Best live action short film"The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar"  Winner"The After""Invincible""Knight of Fortune""Red, White and Blue"Best sound"The Zone of Interest"  Winner"The Creator""Maestro""Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One""Oppenheimer"Best original score"Oppenheimer"  Winner"American Fiction""Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny""Killers of the Flower Moon""Poor Things"

Best original song"What Was I Made For?" from "Barbie"  Winner"It Never Went Away" from "American Symphony""I'm Just Ken" from "Barbie""The Fire Inside" from "Flamin' Hot"

"Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)" from "Killers of the Flower Moon"Best actorCillian Murphy, "Oppenheimer"  WinnerBradley Cooper, "Maestro"Colman Domingo, "Rustin"Paul Giamatti, "The Holdovers"Jeffrey Wright, "American Fiction"

Best directorChristopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"  WinnerJonathan Glazer, "The Zone of Interest"Yorgos Lanthimos, "Poor Things"Martin Scorsese, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Justine Triet, "Anatomy of a Fall"Best actressEmma Stone, "Poor Things"  WinnerAnnette Bening, "Nyad"Lily Gladstone, "Killers of the Flower Moon"Sandra Huller, "Anatomy of a Fall"Carey Mulligan, "Maestro"Full list of Oscars 2024 winners

Best picture: "Oppenheimer"Best director: Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"Best actress: Emma Stone, "Poor Things."Best actor: Cillian Murphy, "Oppenheimer"Best supporting actress: Da'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"Best supporting actor: Robert Downey Jr., "Oppenheimer"Best original screenplay: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari, "Anatomy of a Fall"Best adapted screenplay: Cord Jefferson, "American Fiction"Best animated feature: "The Boy and the Heron"Best animated short: "War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John Lennon and Yoko Ono"Best international feature: "The Zone of Interest" (United Kingdom)Best documentary feature: "20 Days in Mariupol"Best documentary short: "The Last Repair Shop"Best live action short: "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar"Best score: Ludwig Goransson, "Oppenheimer" Best original song: Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell, "What Was I Made For?" from "Barbie"Best sound: Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn, "The Zone of Interest"Best production design: James Price, Shona Heath and Zsuzsa Mihalek, "Poor Things"Best cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema, "Oppenheimer"Best makeup and hairstyling: Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston, "Poor Things"Best costume design: Holly Waddington, "Poor Things"Best editing: Jennifer Lame, "Oppenheimer"Best visual effects: Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima, "Godzilla Minus One"

Why the i's have it

The art of "Gruff," a film that's handmade

Jimmy Kimmel on hosting the Oscars
U.S. Rep. Mark Green from the 7th District west of Nashville announced last month he would retire from Congress in 2025, then reversed his decision in the space of two weeks.

Thats both surprising and not impressive.

It seems his GOP opposition will either fold or be minor. So hell likely go back to Congress, where  depending on the outcome of the national election  he could be in the minority and no longer chair of the House Homeland Security Committee. It is no longer clear that Republicans can maintain control of the House on Nov. 5, especially after losing a special election last month in New York to Democrat Tom Suozzi for the seat held by expelled Republican George Santos.

U.S. Rep. Mark Green of Clarksville speaks with John Ladd, an Arizona rancher, who was telling Green about the migrants coming across the U.S.-Mexico border who died from the elements while making the dangerous trek.

Green seems to think impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was a high achievement, even if by one vote. Surely, he knows that the current U.S. Senate will fail to deliver the two-thirds vote of 67 needed to convict. But perhaps he hopes to break into prime time when Republican House members lead the impeachment prosecution during the Senate trial.

Green should be concentrating on fixing the border issue now and not in November when he hopes Donald Trump will be president-elect. Why allow another seven months of illegal border crossings for political reasons? That motivation was laid bare by congressional Republicans to take action on the proposed bipartisan bill that gives the GOP what it asked for on immigration policy.

Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., chairs a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on Jan. 10.

By staying in Washington, Green will no longer be able to spend full time in Tennessee running for governor. Other potential rivals are House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. (Skrmetti denies interest but reaped huge media attention suing the NCAA over its pursuit of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville).

Skrmetti increasingly is seen as a partisan figure. He has not answered or even acknowledged requests for legal opinions from Democratic members of the legislature for months while responding to GOP lawmakers in a timely manner.

The current system  in which the Tennessee Supreme Court picks the state AG for an eight-year term  was designed to remove partisan politics. Clearly, that has not worked with Skrmetti. This is most unfortunate as all members of the General Assembly should be treated with equal respect and timeliness.

While he says he is not running for governor in 2026, Skrmetti is securing more media coverage with the popular NCAA issue than the three current likely candidates combined. Unlike other issues Skrmetti advocates, this issue has broad support across the political spectrum.

Last year, former Knoxville attorney Chloe Akers raisedmore than $400,000 for the Liminal Plan, a political action committee  she described it as a movement of moderates  designed to challenge the Tennessee abortion ban, among other issues. She held several fundraising events in Knoxville.

Mayor Indya Kincannon and former mayor Madeline Rogero were among more than 150 donors, and the initiative generated coverage. Several significant donations, including one for $25,000, were made.

The Liminal Fund spent money largely on consultants and surveys. Now it no longer exists because Akers has moved to Nashville.

She has created a new group called Best of Tennessee. Its a 501(c)(4), which means she does not have to disclose names and amounts of donors. She says it will launch in early April.

She is paid a salary (not disclosed how much) from this fund, which she manages. She does not have to disclose how the money is spent.

So much for transparency.

Akers says she has two contract employees with Best of Tennessee  Rachel Albright and Stephen Sebastian  and plans to release more information on April 2.

We will see. It is unclear how much money this new group has raised and how it will be spent beyond salaries. When I asked her, she did not disclose the amount.

At some point Akers will lose credibility if she is not transparent about how this money is being spent and in what political contests she engages.

Former ambassador to China Sandy Randt will speak at 5:30 p.m. March 19 at the Baker Center, 1640 Cumberland Ave., as part of the Ashe Lecture Series. He is the longest-serving American ambassador to China (2001-2009). The public is invited.

Birthdays

March 14: Midge Ayres is 88. Brandon Clark is 36. Joey Creswell, husband of former councilwoman Janet Testerman, is 56. Hubert Smith and Bob Thornton are 70.

March 15: Emilyn Bellingrath is 31. Cynthia DeBusk is 59. Mike DeVoto is 69. Robert Dziewulski is 43. Kathy May is 67. Katheryn Ogle is 38. Attorney Wes Stone is 50.

March 16: Ruth Coughlin is 101. Lou Browning III is 50. Andre Canty is 39. Leland Lee Hume is 73. Cheri Schmutzer is 77.

March 17: Retired U.S. Attorney John Gill is 82. Chris Kinney is 65. Catherine Luther is 62. Mary Maddox is 55. Judge Debbie Stevens is 70.

March 18: Mitchell Cox is 42. Turner Emery is 48. Ron Leadbetter is 77. Terry Martin is 74. Dr. Reuben Pelot is 89. Patrick Phillips is 73. Nicholas St. Sauveur is 32. Attorney Thomas S. Scott Jr. is 84. Airport President Patrick Wilson is 56.

March 19: Catherine Porth is 37.

March 20: George Baddour is 71. David Keim is 56. Brittany Schwartz is 37. Steve Triplett is 45. Barron Trump, son of Donald Trump, is 18. Alan Williams is 69.

Victor Ashe is a former Knoxville mayor and former ambassador to Poland. He is a columnist for Shopper News.

Knox News and Shopper News promptly correct all errors. If you think we have published incorrect information, please email accuracy@knoxnews.com.Describe the error, where you saw it, the date, page number or the URL.

Former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe in the News Sentinel photo studio, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: U.S. Rep. Mark Green vacillates on border issue  and his constituents
Pupils at dAuvergne School have been talking to school children in Cameroon

School children in St Helier have been forging links with their partner school in Cameroon to mark Commonwealth Day.

Pupils from Jersey's dAuvergne School have been talking to children from Bridget Bilingual Nursery and Primary School in Bamenda via a video link.

The children, aged 7 to 8, have been learning about each others countries, culture and lives.

Teachers hope the cultural exchange meeting will be the start of a longer relationship between the schools, benefitting both pupils and staff.

Sam Cooper, head teacher of dAuvergne School, said the Commonwealth Day celebration would be just the beginning of an ongoing relationship.

"We want our pupils to have an understanding of life beyond our island and to be able to relate to those from a background very different to their own," he said.

"In addition, our teaching staff are also looking forward to exchanging experience and contributing to the professional development of their counterparts in Cameroon to support a more equitable education for all."

The video link-up with Africa was arranged by the Commonwealth Education Trust.

It appears to have been a big hit with the children at dAuvergne School who took part.

"It's been very cool to talk to children from different cultures," said one pupil.

Another pupil said: "It's been really, really fun and I really, really enjoyed it because you get to learn things about another school in a different country, and it's just been really, really nice talking."

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Since the pandemic began, lots of schools have been on a hiring spree. Campuses need more classroom teachers, reading specialists, special educators and counselors as baby boomers retire and schools help students make up for lost time. The unprecedented infusion of COVID-19 relief money paid for many of these open positions.

Yet the supply of applicants hasn't caught up with demand, according to a new report from ADP Research Institute, a labor market think tank. The report says there has long been a staffing imbalance, but it has become more pronounced since the pandemic.

The demand for teachers has only grown, but the supply has been very stable, said Nela Richardson, ADPs chief economist. As everybody is talking about the future of work, weve got to talk about the education of that future workforce  and it starts with teachers.

The solution is clear: more competitive wages, as President Joe Biden noted in his State of the Union address last week, making the case for teacher pay raises. Despite an effort to change wages at the federal and local levels, few districts and states have meaningfully increased educator pay. Instead, teacher salaries have grown more slowly than pay for workers in other sectors.

The research institute tracked employment trends using wage and employment data over five years for public and private K-12 teachers across the U.S.

The number of educator job openings has surged since 2021, researchers say, but the number of employed educators has remained relatively flat. For a few months after the onset of the pandemic, the teaching force shrank because of resignations and retirements. Many older educators left their jobs earlier than planned, prompted, in part, by health concerns.

Teacher shortages: 86% of public schools struggle to hire educators

How teacher salaries compare

As of last fall, K-12 teachers in the U.S. earned an average $68,000 annually. Thats 8% less than the average wage for all workers in the country, according to the ADP analysis.

That gap is widening. In 2018, teachers made just 3% less than the average employee. The gap continues to widen even though teachers often have higher levels of education than other workers. That makes the shrinking pay premium even more unsettling, the researchers said.

Demand for teachers has surged in recent years, but the supply of prospective educators has remained stagnant.

That teachers are underpaid is an old story in some sense, Richardson said. She pointed to the wave of teacher strikes around the country starting in 2018.

But the story has gotten worse. After the mass unemployment created by the pandemic, wages in various sectors, such as hospitality and tech, soared as companies sought to recruit staff to fill vacancies. With a few exceptions, that didnt happen in K-12 education.

Stagnating wages contribute to shortages

With school salaries struggling to be competitive, teachers are less inclined to stay on the job. Theyre pursuing other careers, in education and other industries. This trend is especially evident among so-called STEM educators, specializing in science, technology, engineering and math, and those who teach foreign languages, whose skill sets can lead to more lucrative professions.

Prospective teachers are also less likely to pursue education careers in the first place. Wage competitiveness has weakened especially for teachers ages 20 to 30.

The teacher pay premium has declined most dramatically for younger educators.

Though teachers 30 and older are accustomed to making less than the average worker, historically, early-career educators made more than other young entry-level employees. That competitive advantage has been eroding over the past few years as educators' salaries trailed downward, according to the report.

As older teachers retire, theyre vacating positions that early-career or prospective educators are not filling as swiftly. Though teacher employment trends show a consistent drop-off each June among aging teachers, these days the drop-off is happening among younger teachers, too.

The pipeline is broken at both ends, Richardson said.

Where teachers are being hit hardest

The report highlights two regions where educators have experienced the most significant wage changes relative to other workers.

In Floridas Orlando-Deltona-Daytona Beach area, teachers salaries have experienced the biggest decline compared with other employees. Teachers went from earning 28% more than average to just 4% more over five years.

Richardson believes the regions robust leisure and hospitality industry is a big factor. Entry-level jobs in that sector now pay more competitive wages  and those jobs require much less education and training.

American classrooms need more educators: Can virtual teachers step in to bridge the gap?

The Washington, D.C., area has seen the opposite trend in teacher salaries. The area's teacher pay premium saw some of the greatest gains: In 2018, local teachers made just 89% of what a typical worker made. Last year, they made 106% of the average.

In that case, Richardson pointed to the high local demand for private education from wealthy and international families.

But such phenomena remain a relative anomaly. In education, Richardson said, that aggressive hiring and pay didnt keep up with what other companies have been doing.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Teacher shortages are at crisis levels. Yet the pay gaps are growing
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein is encouraging schools to consider taking away smartphones from students during the school day to try to curb social media addiction.

Stein and the Wake County school system are among the groups whove joined federal class-action lawsuits accusing social media companies of creating a mental health crisis and exploiting young people for financial gain.

Stein was joined by Wake leaders at a town hall Monday at Athens Drive High School in Raleigh to talk about protecting students from social media addiction. Stein urged Wake County to consider strategies other North Carolina school districts are using such as taking away students smartphones during the school day.

Parents and students participate in a town hall discussion on the impacts os social media on youth at Athens Drive High School in Raleigh on Monday, March 11, 2024. The attorney generals office and the Wake County school system have both filed lawsuits accusing social media providers of using practices to addict young people to social media.

When I talk about taking phones away from kids at the start of the day, its not to take away their phones so they dont get it back, Stein said to applause from the audience. There is an an appropriate time to do social media and during the school day is not that time.

Stein said that he expected to hear that students were in an uproar in the schools that took away their phones. Instead, Stein said leaders at those schools told him students liked it because they knew no one else was online so they werent missing anything.

The schools also reported that students were now paying much more attention to the teacher instead of using their phones to go on social media, he said.

Will Wake take away students phones?

Taking a phone away during the school day provides balance, said Shinica Thomas, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. You have the opportunity later to get on social media.

Wake school leaders said taking away smartphones is something they may discuss.

Individual Wake schools have policies restricting smartphone use, according to Lisa Luten, a district spokesperson. She said some teachers have students place their phones in a lockbox during class.

Other Wake teachers have students place the phones in a sleeve during class.

Students question Stein

Stein was met with skepticism from some Athens Drive High students during the question and answer portion of the town hall.

To tell teens not to use social media is extremely unrealistic, said Liz Tomblin, an Athens Drive High junior.

James Cochran, an Athens Drive freshman, said taking away phones from students at school wont solve the problem. He asked Stein what the plan would be to get social media companies to stop using the algorithms that are blamed with addicting young people to stay online.

James Cochran, an Athens Drive High School freshman, asks a question during a town hall discussion on the impacts os social media on youth at Athens Drive High in Raleigh on Monday, March 11, 2024. The attorney generals office and the Wake County school system have both filed lawsuits accusing social media providers of using practices to addict young people to social media.

How can we change the algorithms in the future to give kids what they want, give kids what they need, but also make it more effective so a kid can use these types of technology without having to worry about seeing something about them posted online? Cochran asked Stein.

Stein answered that hes not trying to take social media away from high schoolers.

Its part of life, so were not trying to deny reality and live in the land of the 19th Century, Stein continued. The question is do we do it so that its not hurtful to young brains which are still in development, which are still being shaped. The neurological pathways are still being developed.

State Attorney General Josh Stein answers questions during a town hall on the impacts of social media on youth at Athens Drive High School in Raleigh on Monday, March 11, 2024. The Attorney Generals Office and the Wake County School System have both filed lawsuits accusing social media providers of employing practices to addict young people to social media.

Stein said its up to the social media companies to protect young people by changing their algorithms.

North Carolina is among 42 states, who have filed litigation against Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, the Charlotte Observer previously reported. Stein is also investigating TikTok.

Social media attack on our children

Last month, the Wake County school board voted to join a lawsuit against the owners of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube.

It is an attack upon our children, said school board member Cheryl Caulfield. It is an attack on what were facing as parents and as community members.

School board chair Chris Heagarty said the district needed to act, citing incidents such as:

 Racist social media comments on bogus online sites linked to Broughton High School.

 Social media accounts glamorizing student fights at schools, like at Leesville Road High.

 Bomb threats and social media threats made against schools.

 TikTok challenges encouraging students to destroy school property and hit teachers.

Students were recording the fight and fatal stabbing of a Southeast Raleigh High student on campus in November. The school has said multiple students were disciplined as a result of the fatal brawl.

We have seen a culture develop where our law enforcement officers and our teachers cannot intervene in situations where students lives are at stake because they cant get through rings of teachers all gathered around with their cameras trying to record these incidents of violence, glamorizing it, promoting it, Heagarty said. This has to change.

Stein says schools need more counselors

The town hall took place against the backdrop of this years race for governor.

Stein is the Democratic nominee for governor. Hell run against Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor.

Stein accused the Republican-controlled state legislature of woefully underfunding positions for support personnel who could help schools deal with mental health issues.

North Carolina public schools dont meet the nationally recommended ratios of school counselors, school nurses, school psychologists and school social workers, the News & Observer previously reported.

If there were enough counselors, Stein said teachers wouldnt have to take valuable class time helping students who are having a mental health crisis.
Have you ever heard sea lions bark? They make many different noises, and some of them are really cute! Audubon Nature Institute shared different voices that their sea lions make, and they'll make you smile!

The nature institute shared the video on Tuesday, February 5th. It's not very long, but we get to hear four different sounds. We get to hear one sing, one yell, and one makes a sound like a blender. Make sure watch until the end to hear the 'fire breathing dragon!'

Which one was your favorite? I loved both the blender and the fire breathing dragon! The singing was pretty cute, too. I laughed at Audubon commenter @Michael who said, "I have an opening in a rock band if Zoey is available."

Related: Sea Lion at Connecticut Aquarium Is a Regular Little Picasso

What Do Different Sea Lion Sounds Mean?

Sea lions actually make a variety of different sounds, and are overall, pretty noisy...so much so that their sounds can be heard miles away. Sea lions grunt, bark, growl, roar, and whistle, and they all are made in different situations. According to Support Wild, "male sea lions use specific vocalizations to attract a mate, while female sea lions use specific vocalizations to communicate with their pups." They also use the sounds to coordinate group hunting efforts.

Barking sounds are made as threat response and to let others know that territory belongs to them. Growls are made when they are being aggressive, roars are used during mating season, as are whines and buzzing sounds.

Moms and pups have a special way of communicating with each other. It's called the 'mother-pup recognition sequence.' After feeding, the mom makes a loud trumpeting sound, and in response the pup will call back to her mom. They continue this pattern until they find each other. They also use their sense of vision and smell to identify each other in groups. Mom will also use a very high-pitched alarm call to protect her sea lion pup, as mother sea lions are highly aggressive and protective.

Sea Lions Also Use Non-Verbal Sounds to Communicate

Sea lions also use non-verbal sounds like, "flipper slaps on the water, to communicate. These sounds can be used as warning calls to signal the presence of predators or other potential threats, or as playful sounds to signal their intentions or attract the attention of other sea lions."

Although Audubon gave each sound funny names, it sounds like each of their different vocalizations have meaning. Knowing that, I'd guess that the fire breathing dragon might be some kind of warning while singing might mean contentment. Whatever the sounds mean, they're all fun to listen to!

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Home in Olivette, Misouri, where a mother was shot dead

A 25-year-old man has been arrested for shooting and killing his mother in their Missouri home after mistaking her for an intruder.

The Olivette Police Department said Jaylen Johnson was charged with voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the death of 56-year-old Monica McNichols Johnson.

Police said the incident happened around 7:20 a.m. on March 7 at a residence in the St. Louis suburb. Responding paramedics attempted life-saving measures on McNichols Johnson, but were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Johnson's attorney, William Goldstein, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he believed his mother was an intruder when she tried to enter the house through the back door, which was unusual. He said Johnson called 911 immediately after shooting his mom, and that his girlfriend attempted life-saving measures on her.

Goldstein said Johnson has been distraught ever since.

"He hasn't stopped crying," Goldstein said.

Johnson is being held on a $100,000 bond at the St. Louis County Jail.

Goldstein said Johnson has no prior criminal history and kept a gun for protection after having been robbed at gunpoint in the past.

The Olivette Police Department told Scripps News they have no further information to release at this time. An investigation is ongoing.
Nebraska Board of Education member Kirk Penner presents his proposal to ban sexually explicit material form school libraries on March 8, 2023.

The Nebraska State Board of Education pushed back calls on Friday for a ban on sexually explicit and pornographic book materials from all school libraries.

Following a heated exchange in public testimony, including threats to flip tables, the 5-3 vote put an end to Aurora board member Kirk Penners third attempt to get the motion passed.

Without a doubt, there is explicit content in some Nebraska schools, content brought in by adults and made available to minor children, Penner said at the meeting. The question is why adults feel the need to present this type of content to minor children.

During his presentation to the board, Penner read selected scenes with explicit content from books, including The Bluest Eye, Lucky and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

According to the American Library Association, book bans in schools and public libraries have been on the rise since 2021. These bans are primarily directed at books written by authors of color or members of the LGBTQ community.

More: 'Attacks on our freedom': Book bans on the rise in US public schools, libraries

Board Vice President Deborah Neary said while she is against pornography in school libraries, she believes this is a tactic to target books about racism, gender and the LGBTQ community.

My insides are pretty upset ... Im disgusted, Neary said. I dont know anyone anywhere who wants pornography in our libraries and who wants to groom children. I definitely believe parents need to have control over what their kids are learning and what their kids are reading, but there is never a time I believe that a small group of parents, of very loud, vocal parents, should be deciding what all kids read.

Other board members discussed how reading explicit material at an early age is harmful to childrens brains and that they dont need to read books with sexual content to learn about essential topics or life lessons.

No child needs access to sexually explicit materials, Board Member Sherry Jones said. Difficult topics  can be taught without using sexually explicit books.

More: What's behind the national surge in book bans? A low-tech website tied to Moms for Liberty

One of the 31 people testifying was Terri Cunningham-Swanson, a former Plattsmouth school board member who was recalled from her seat earlier this year after she tried to pull books from school library shelves for containing sexually explicit content. Cunningham-Swanson expressed concern that some content in school libraries is exposing kids to pornography.

How the crap is this a question? Cunningham-Swanson said in her testimony. The time for niceties is over and the time has come to maybe start flipping tables and maybe start flipping some board seats. Exposing children to sexualized content is damaging.

Some parents resisted the board, saying they didnt want other parents to regulate what their students could read in their school libraries.

This is setting a dangerous precedent for our state board of education, Jamie Bonkiewicz of Omaha said. Your beliefs are your beliefs. Your religion is your religion. Preach that to your own kids, your grandkids. My kids are not yours. I trust the teachers and administrators in my childrens schools first and I absolutely have no trust in you.

The president of the Nebraska School Library, Chris Haeffner, said school librarians, media specialists, and teachers are well-qualified to make content decisions.

Every child also has the right to find their lives and their learning needs represented in their school library, Haeffner said. History has also shown that local school boards do a darn good job listening to their communities and providing library selection guidelines and reconsideration policies that represent their families.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Time for niceties over.' Nebraska book ban debate gets heated
Authorities have identified two New York National Guard soldiers and a U.S. Border Patrol agent who died when a helicopter that flew over the U.S.-Mexico border crashed Friday in field in southern Texas.

The service members killed in the crash near Rio Grande City were New York National Guard soldiers Casey Frankoski, 28, and John Grassia, 30; and Chris Luna, 49, a border patrol agent, according to the National Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Enforcement. An aircraft crew chief with the New York National Guard, whose name has not been released, was injured and remained in the hospital.

On Friday, around 2:50 p.m. local time, a UH-72 Lakota helicopter assigned to help U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on the southwest border crashed during "aviation operations" near Rio Grande City, 41 miles west of McAllen, according to the Joint Task Force North. The cause of the crash was unknown.

In this frame grab taken from video provided by KRGV, authorities stage near where a helicopter flying over the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas crashed, killing two National Guard soldiers and a Border Patrol agent, Friday, March 8, 2024.

Major General Ray Shields, adjutant general of New York, said in a statement that he was "shocked and devastated" by the deaths of Grassia and Frankoski. He sent prayers for the quick recovery of the crew chief and condolences to Luna's family.

Frankoski, of Rensselaer, New York, enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in October 2016 and quickly rose through the ranks, earning more than 10 service medals and military awards, according to the New York National Guard. She had trained to become a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot.

In 2013, Grassia, of Schenectady, New York, enlisted in the New York Army National Guard as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter maintenance specialist, according to New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs. He was promoted to the rank of chief warrant officer 2 in 2020 after serving as part of the guard's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grassia was a trooper with the New York State Police since April 2022, according to a Facebook post by the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association.

These images provided by the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs show New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officers 2 John Grassia and Casey Frankoski. Both members of the New York National Guard died March 8, 2024 during a helicopter crash near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Frankoski and Grassia and served in Kuwait and most recently were assigned to a company of the 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment, which is part of Joint Task Force North, according to the military and naval affairs division.

Troy A. Miller, senior official performing the duties of the commissioner with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said that he was "heartbroken" by Luna's death and that he and the entire agency were mourning alongside his family, including his wife and two children.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said he was "devastated" by the loss: "Every single day, our Border Patrol Agents place themselves in harms way so that the rest of us can be safe and secure. 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."

This photo provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna. Luna was among those killed in the helicopter crash near Rio Grande City on March 8, 2024.

The UH-72 is a twin-engine helicopter typically used in support of local and state government and law enforcement; it does not conduct missions in combat or hostile environments, according to the military and naval affairs division. The New York National Guard has been deploying UH-72 pilots and support personnel to the southwest border in support of the Border Patrol since 2014.

The helicopter that went down Friday was assigned to the District of Columbia Army National Guard. It was not operating as part of Operation Lone Star, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's nearly $10 billion border security initiative. In January, a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border lost power and crashed, leaving the co-pilot with a minor hand injury and heavily damaging the helicopter.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Victims of helicopter crash near US-Mexico border identified
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will close its Waukesha campus at the end of the spring 2025 semester, eliminating an educational option that has been around since 1966.

The closure announced Monday also raises alarm about the viability of the remaining UW branch campuses, all but one of which reported lower enrollment than Waukesha last fall. Four of the 13 branch campuses have already closed or are moving to an online model at the end of this school year.

This spring, 672 students were enrolled at the Waukesha campus. In 2018, when UW-Milwaukee absorbed oversight of the campus as part of a UW System-wide restructuring, enrollment topped nearly 1,800.

As student demands change, universities must change," UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone said.

In an email to the campus community, Mone said there simply weren't enough students to sustain a two-year campus in Waukesha, especially since Waukesha County Technical College started offering associate degrees in 2023.

"Although we had truly hoped and believed that we would be able to continue long-term operations at the Waukesha campus, the data and financial realities do not allow for this," he wrote.

More than 100 employees affected by UW-Waukesha closure

The closure will affect more than 100 employees, including tenured faculty. Some of the faculty work at UWM's other branch campus in West Bend and were hoping to teach at Waukesha after UWM announced last fall the Washington County campus would close at the end of this school year.

Waukesha County Technical College may hire some of the UWM employees as enrollment grows, according to a university statement.

The technical college's enrollment has trended slightly downward over the past eight years, especially during the pandemic, though it hasn't experienced anywhere near the drop of UWM Waukesha.

Like other technical colleges, WCTC receives local property taxes in addition to tuition revenue and state funding. The state Technical College System is one of the best-funded in the country, according to a report by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum last year.

Meanwhile, the UW System ranked in the bottom 10 states for per-pupil funding.

Waukesha County Technical College to create a university center

The technical college will develop a UWM University Center for students seeking a four-year degree to get help transferring to UWM.

Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow called UWM's closure of the campus an "an innovative action" that he said was "best for Waukesha County."

It provides certainty for planning purposes and creates a consistent pathway to access higher education for our residents," he said. "I am optimistic for the future of higher education in Waukesha County."

UW branch campuses up against demographic forces, budget constraints

The UW System includes 13 four-year universities where students earn bachelor's degrees. There were also 13 UW branch campuses, which for decades served as a pathway for students to start their college degree at a smaller, more affordable campus before transferring to a four-year.

But these campuses have struggled over the past decade to fill students' seats. Tuition was frozen for 15 years. A state budget cut in 2015 led to a gutting of branch campus staff and a "regionalization" strategy that put one dean in charge of multiple campuses.

Shifting demographics also played a role in these campuses' demise. There are fewer students graduating from Wisconsin high schools, and a smaller share of them are choosing to pursue a college degree. Most concerning, college leaders said, is a growing percentage of the public questioning the value of a college degree.

There's competition, too. Waukesha County Technical College has a campus about three miles from UW-Waukesha. The same is true for many of the other branch campuses dotted across the state.

When fewer students enroll, it puts pressure on universities because revenues fall, but costs almost never do.

Mone said the cost of operating the Waukesha campus on a per-student basis was comparable to the main campus. But tuition was about half that.

"This is unsustainable," Mone wrote in an email to the campus community.

2018 merger didn't work, faculty say

In a 2018 Hail Mary, the UW System restructured the branch campuses under the oversight of four-years. The thinking at the time was the larger campuses would subsidize the branches and keep them afloat.

Some UWM branch campus faculty said UWM did little to help them in the wake of the restructuring.

Professors said the student recruitment process prioritized the main campus  where students pay a more expensive tuition rate  at the expense of the branches, hastening enrollment declines. They also said the merger actually complicated the transfer process because classes were numbered and coded differently than what was offered in the same discipline at the main campus.

Mone disputed many of the professors' critiques. He pointed to bachelor's degree options created at the branch campuses and some upgraded facilities as ways in which UWM invested in its Waukesha and Washington County campuses.

This story will be updated after a 2 p.m. Monday press conference.

Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at@KellyMeyerhofer.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha to close after spring 2025 semester
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Ryan Gosling showed up to the 2024 Oscars tonight accompanied by three close family members: his mom, his sister, and his stepdad. But once again on this years award circuit, we did not get an appearance from his wife, Eva Mendes.

Despite our disappointment, its really no surprise that Mendes was not part of the red-carpet family gathering, as she and Gosling have walked only one red carpet together: in 2012, when they attended the premiere of their film The Place Beyond the Pines.

After they got together and started a family, Mendes stepped away from acting to focus on raising their kids; so these days, when Gosling attends his Hollywood events, Mendes and their daughters, Esmerelda, nine, and Amada, seven, support him from afar.

Last year, Mendes explained why she doesnt accompany her husband to his grand Hollywood events anymore.

After sharing an Instagram clip of them onscreen together in The Place Beyond the Pines, Mendes responded to a commenter who said they hoped to see her on the red carpet with him for his Barbie press tour.

What a cool comment, thank you, she wrote in response. But we dont do those things together.

She added: Like these photos Ive been posting, Im only comfortable posting because its already out there.

Sonia Recchia - Getty Images

In a follow-up comment on the same post, Mendes noted shed appeared on the red carpet only once with her beau, back when they did press for Pines. Oh wait -for those who may catch me in a lie -we only were on the red carpet together once when promoting this film, she wrote.

When asked to clarify why she doesnt feel comfortable posting photos of herself and Gosling together, she wrote, By not comfortable, I mean exposing our very private life that we value. Im still dying to do another movie with him though.

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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
Experts recommend a few changes in parents behavior to help make phones less distracting at school

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, its 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.

The hallway is empty at Baton Rouge Magnet High School on Jan. 30, 2023 in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Stephen Smith, file)

A few changes in parents behavior can help make phones less distracting at school. Heres 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 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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 doesnt 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 Childrens 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. Its easy to text, but if I dont 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 its helpful to reach out to parents when theyre 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.

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. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Like many teachers, she says phones arent the only problem. Theres 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.

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The post Why you should stop texting your kids at school appeared first on TheGrio.
YEREVAN, MARCH 11 ARMENPRESS. A visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Ukraine should take place in the coming weeks, the French Presidency said on March 10. It is the third time a planned trip to the country has been postponed since February, Reuters reports.

Macron had initially said he planned go in February to sign a bilateral security accord with President Volodymyr Zelensky. That was postponed with Zelensky eventually coming to Paris to conclude the accord.

Diplomats said a second date had been planned at the start of March before being pushed back to later this week.

The postponement comes just days after a Russian missile missed Ukraine's president and the prime minister of Greece by hundreds of metres when it slammed into port infrastructure in the Black Sea city of Odesa. Macron had also been due to visit Odesa.
YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. A package of Azerbaijani-Kazakh documents was signed in Baku today following talks between the presidents of the two countries, Ilham Aliyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The Presidents signed the Resolution of the first meeting of the Interstate Council, according to Azerbaijani media reports.

In addition, Memoranda of Cooperation were signed between the Funds of the two countries to support small and medium-sized businesses, on cooperation between the Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan and the Central Communications Service of Kazakhstan. A Memorandum was also signed between SOCAR and the company KazMunaiGas on strategic cooperation on the purchase and sale of Kazakh oil and an agreement on a phased increase in the volume of Kazakh oil through the territory of Azerbaijan.

In addition, an agreement on strategic partnership was signed between the Azerbaijani Investment Holding and Samruk Kazyna JSC. An action plan for cooperation between the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan for 2024-2025 has been signed.

A protocol on amendments to the agreement on cooperation between the two countries in the field of education was also signed. In addition, they signed an agreement on mutual recognition of diplomas for the specialty of marine personnel.
The selection follows what was described as a "rigorous" distribution review undertaken by digital media solutions specialist Adobe throughout late 2023.

The deal delivered an advanced suite of products that would unlock a new solution segment for Dicker Data and its network of over 12,000 partners across A/NZ, the ASX-listed distributor said.

Executive director and chief operating officer Vlad Mitnovetski described the win as a significant milestone in the growth of the company's software business.

"Adobe has recognised the value that our people, our marketplace and our wider organisation can bring to their well-established ecosystem and were committed to helping them accelerate their business in Australia and New Zealand," he said.
The bench also directed the Election Commission to publish the details shared by the bank on its official website by 5 pm on March 15

The apex court directive on Monday came during the hearing by the bench on the SBIs plea seeking an extension of time till June 30 to furnish the data.

New Delhi: In a huge setback to the State Bank of India, the Supreme Court on Monday junked its plea seeking an extension of time and ordered it to disclose the data of electoral bonds encashed by political parties to the Election Commission by close of business hours on March 12.

A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud also directed the Election Commission to publish the details shared by the bank on its official website by 5 pm on March 15.

The CJI-led bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai, J.B. Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, put the SBI on notice that the apex court may be inclined to proceed against it for wilful disobedience of its February 15 verdict if the bank failed to comply with its directions and timelines.

In a landmark verdict delivered on February 15, a five-judge Constitution Bench had scrapped the Centres electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous political funding, calling it unconstitutional and ordered disclosure by the EC of donors, the amount donated by them, and the recipients by March 13.

Ordering the forthwith closure of the scheme, the top court had last month directed the SBI, the authorised banker under the scheme, to submit by March 6 the details of the electoral bonds purchased since April 12, 2019, to date to the Election Commission.

The apex court directive on Monday came during the hearing by the bench on the SBIs plea seeking an extension of time till June 30 to furnish the data.

The bench also heard separate pleas seeking the initiation of contempt action against SBI for alleged willful disobedience of the February 15 directives of the apex court.

During the hearing, the top court observed that the SBIs submissions in the plea sufficiently indicated that the information that was directed to be disclosed by the court was readily available.

In view of the above discussion, the miscellaneous application filed by SBI seeking an extension of time for the disclosure of details of the purchase and redemption of electoral bonds until June 30, 2024, is dismissed, it said.

SBI is directed to disclose the details by the close of business hours of March 12, the bench said.

It said: "As regards the ECI, we direct that ECI shall compile the information and publish the details on its official website no later by 5 pm on March 15, 2024.

The SBI shall file an affidavit of its chairman and managing director in compliance with the directions issued by the top court, the apex court said.

On the submissions of senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the SBI, that more time was needed for collating the details and matching them as the information was kept in two different silos with its branches, the bench said it had not directed the bank to match the details of donors and donee with other information.

The bench also took note of Mr Salves submission that if the matching exercise was to be done away with, the SBI could complete the exercise within three weeks.

The top court said the SBI has to just open the sealed cover, collate the details, and give the information to the EC.

At the outset of the hearing, the bench asked the SBI about the steps taken in compliance with the February 15 judgment.

"In the last 26 days, what steps have you taken? Your application is silent on that," it said.

It also asked the SBI to do a "plain disclosure" as per the court's judgment.

Mr Salve told the bench the bank had stopped the issuance of electoral bonds as per the February 15 order of the top court.

We need a little more time to comply with your lordships' order, he said.

While referring to the SBI's application, CJI Chandrachud said as per the bank, the donor details were kept in a sealed cover in a designated branch of the bank.

Justice Khanna said the bank mentioned in the application that all purchaser details were kept in a sealed cover.

In its application, the SBI had contended that the retrieval of information from each silo and the procedure of matching the information of one silo to that of the other would be a time-consuming exercise.

The application said due to stringent measures undertaken to ensure that the identity of the donors was kept anonymous, decoding the electoral bonds and matching the donors to the donations would be a complex process.

"It submitted that the data related to the issuance of the bond and the data related to the redemption of the bond was kept recorded in two different silos. No central database was maintained," it said.

It is submitted that donor details were kept in a sealed cover at the designated branches and all such sealed covers were deposited in the main branch of the applicant bank, which is located in Mumbai, it said.

The apex court expressed its disinclination to take up the contempt plea at this stage, moved by NGOs Association for Democratic Reforms and Common Cause, claiming the SBIs application seeking an extension of time has been deliberately filed at the last moment to ensure that details of donor and the amount of donations are not disclosed to the public before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

It is submitted that the said application is mala fide and demonstrates a wilful and deliberate disobedience & defiance of the judgment passed by the constitution bench of this court. It is further a clear attempt to undermine the authority of this court, the two NGOs had said.
Is India becoming a dictatorship?

There was a popular video recently by a young man named Dhruv Rathee, which irked the governments supporters. Its broad argument may be understood by the title, which was Is India becoming a dictatorship? The examples used in the video included the recent rigging of the Chandigarh mayoral election by the BJP, the recent rigging of the panel to select the chief election commissioner, the misuse of government agencies against Opposition leaders, and so on.

The dictionary defines dictatorship as a form of government in which one person or a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations, and a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in an individual or a small clique. I will leave it to readers to see whether these definitions align with what is happening around us in India today.

The word dictator, like the word fascist, is overused and its real meaning may be lost as it is seen as a term of abuse rather than one of definition. When social scientist Ashish Nandy described meeting our present Prime Minister before he became chief minister, he wrote the following: It was a long, rambling interview, but it left me in no doubt that here was a classic, clinical case of a fascist. I never use the term fascist as a term of abuse; to me it is a diagnostic category comprising not only ones ideological posture but also the personality traits and motivational patterns contextualising the ideology.

Nandy added: Modi, it gives me no pleasure to tell readers, met virtually all the criteria that psychiatrists, psycho-analysts and psychologists had set up after years of empirical work on the authoritarian personality. He had the same mix of puritanical rigidity, narrowing of emotional life, massive use of the ego defence of projection, denial and fear of his own passions combined with fantasies of violence  all set within the matrix of clear paranoid and obsessive personality traits. I still remember the cool, measured tone in which he elaborated a theory of cosmic conspiracy against India that painted every Muslim as a suspected traitor and a potential terrorist. I came out of the interview shaken

To return to dictatorship, to my mind a less emotional and more reliable question is to ask whether we are under authoritarian rule. This is defined as the lack of concern for the wishes or opinions of others. Now, let us look at some indicators to see if this is the case. What are they?

First, is there any concern for the wishes and opinions of those inside the government? To answer that, lets look at two important cases where we have conclusive evidence. The first is the national lockdown of March 24, 2020. The BBC filed 240 RTIs (right to information requests) one year after the lockdown to ask who in the Modi government knew the lockdown was being announced that evening. Was disaster management consulted? Or the finance ministry or health ministry? The answer from the government was: No. Nobody had been consulted or informed.

The second is demonetisation. On November 8, 2016, the Cabinet was summoned and ministers told to not bring their mobile phones, meaning that they did not know till the PM told them that Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes would be useless after that evening. Since the ministers didnt know, the ministries didnt know and didnt prepare for either of these events. Parliamentary forms of government function on something called collective responsibility. But not in New India.

In India, the head of state is instructed not to attend the inauguration of the new Parliament because the Prime Minister wants to preside and protocol requires that the head of state be absent. Similarly, and for the same reason, the head of state is not asked to come to the inauguration of the temple which the PM wants to preside over. This isnt questioned, much less opposed, because the idea that only one individual represents the State has become accepted here. Have a look at his photograph everywhere; one cannot escape it. We need not spend much time going over what this government has done and is doing to the Opposition, by misusing the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation. There is a daily update on that. It is nobodys case that there is any concern for the wishes and opinion of the constitutional Opposition. Those in civil society who dissent have also seen they must go directly to jail because there is no question of tolerating what they say.

Lastly, we must pay heed to what the world outside is saying about India on this subject. This month, the annual V-Dem Institutes report from the University of Gothenburg said: Indias autocratisation process has been well documented, including gradual but substantial deterioration of freedom of expression, compromising independence of the media, crackdowns on social media, harassment of journalists critical of the government, as well as attacks on civil society and intimidation of the Opposition.

Similar findings come from Freedom House, which ranks India as partially free; Civicus, the global alliance of civil society organisations, which rates India as repressed and the Economist Intelligence Unit, which classified India as a flawed democracy.

There are no indices anywhere in the world, including in nations we consider as friends and allies, which suggest that Indians have become more free and India less authoritarian since 2014. There is no objective defence. What the supporters of the Prime Minister, and I accept that there are many, can do instead is to tell us why it is that his divine authoritarianism is so good for us and for our country.
First, an anti-India stance is perceived to create nationalist fervour, although it is hardly ever an electoral issue.

With the PDM 2.0 government now embedded in Pakistan and Imran Khans vitriolic outbursts against India behind us, can we now expect any improvements in India-Pakistan relations? For the better part of the past two years Pakistan has been hamstrung by political instability and internal turbulence. The earlier PDM 1.0, which was also led by Shehbaz Sharif, had made no serious effort at trying to bring change either, although it generally ignored the domain of India-Pakistani relations but also cut down on vitriol; the economic abyss into which it had sunk perhaps gave it very little opportunity to pursue regional policy with any seriousness. To give it the benefit of doubt, perhaps the internal security situation and the problems on the Afghanistan border also restrained it from looking at relations with India. Logic now dictates that with an effective ceasefire in place along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir for the past three years, Pakistan could do well to reduce its own concerns about the eastern border by stabilising the relationship with India, or at least displaying some propensity towards that. It was Gen. Qamar Bajwa, the former Army Chief, who through his long tenure often mentioned the need for Pakistan to pursue peace with its neighbours in order to create the environment for its own growth and development. He mostly contradicted himself soon thereafter by some negativity over Kashmir, which diluted the potential narrative he was projecting. His successor, Gen. Asim Munir, a former D-G of Inter-Services Intelligence and a man considered less steeped in knowledge of strategic issues, has made his stance very clear. In a statement by him in January 2024, Gen. Asim Munir said that since New Delhi has not reconciled with the concept of Pakistan, then how can we reconcile with it. Again, giving to him the benefit of compulsions of a weaker state, can he rise above the ordinary and attempt something transformational to change the state of relations with India or even an initiative towards that. That is an interesting analogy to examine further.

For the last many years Pakistan has pursued a foreign policy for its short-term gains and invariably denied itself the need to find peace on its eastern border to dilute its own security needs and invest necessary funds in strengthening internal resilience.

The leadership somehow remains obsessed with J&K and finds that this policy offers many advantages.

First, an anti-India stance is perceived to create nationalist fervour, although it is hardly ever an electoral issue. The perception still prevails that talking peace with India will fetch negative electoral dividends. Second, it gives the true masters of its destiny, the Pakistan Army, enough cause to pursue the obsessive, suicidal and failed strategy of Zia-ul Haq; the one which seeks retribution against India for the loss of the former East Pakistan. The timeless bogey that is India remains the ideal whipping boy to activate the similarly timeless slogan  Pakistan khatre mein hai (Pakistan is in danger). What can change Pakistans attitude and the approach of its armed forces?

Politically, not much can be expected. With a hung legislature and a coalition to boot, no single party can take the initiative. There are Prime Ministers-in-waiting ready to launch their individual or party campaigns the moment an opening is sensed. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, young and ambitious, may view himself as the messiah who would revenge India for the ignominy that his grandfather faced with the defeat in former East Pakistan and in Shimla in 1972. For his PPP, the tactical soft pedalling towards India is fine, but nothing more.

The belief that the influence of Nawaz Sharif and the wisdom of his years may have tempered him to guide the coalition to the best option for Pakistan to overcome its economic and security problems  to make peace with India  is also misplaced. Nawaz Sharif has to also feather the nest for his daughter Maryam, who has just got a man-sized job as chief minister of Punjab. She is a future PM aspirant and Nawaz or the PML(N) would not want to damage her prospects by being the authors of peace with India.

Pakistans educated citizenry and the media are mature and will always counsel peace as the only way that Pakistan can escape the clutches of complete bankruptcy. Climate change will bring much more havoc to Pakistan and render it thirsty when the need for water arises in summer. Pakistan will by then be an Asian Somalia and a pariah for the world.

Lack of water and an already failing economy, coupled with low levels of manufacturing due to a power deficit and shortage of raw material, will bring Pakistan to its knees. The raging radical militancy and terror, that thrives on low education levels, will wish to see such a state of Pakistan. Sense will probably prevail when all these predictions finally stare it in the face and the Pakistan Army faces internal dissension, something that is already evident.

Will the international community, led by the United States, let Pakistan wallow in the sinkhole it has dug for itself. We have always believed that for the US Pakistan is the most relevant real estate. It has demonstrated direct control over its strategic decisions in the last few years while preventing its economy from sinking further. Will it do so again and will India be factored into being part of the potential solutions, howsoever temporary. The US will not wish to see China gaining influence in any way and bringing India into any solution would run the risk of Pakistan looking more to link closely with China.

Ultimately, it will be money that will decide which way the cookie crumbles. In a quandary, the US turned to Pakistan to sell ammunition to Ukraine and underwrote the almost $900 million it cost Ukraine in the bombs for bailout arrangement.

Pakistan was otherwise known to favour the China-Russia combine but found no options here. Can the US pull off a diplomatic solution through which Pakistan stabilises its eastern border and India sees a dilution of covert and overt threats on its western border. Pakistan can then focus on its western border and India on its northern front. Under deep Pakistani compulsion, such an arrangement may perhaps be possible.

However, in a year when the United States is under siege through the political battle between two old men battling for the presidency, and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza continuing to rage, such thoughts for South Asia may be utopian.
The flight test named Mission Divyastra was carried out from the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha

New Delhi: In what will boost Indias second-strike nuclear capability, the DRDO on Monday carried out the first flight test of the indigenously developed intercontinental ballistic missile Agni-5 with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.

This means that a single ballistic missile will be able to carry multiple nuclear warheads to hit different cities or targets. The flight test named Mission Divyastra was carried out from the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the efforts of the DRDO scientists who participated in the conduct of the complex test. Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, said Mr Modi.

The defence ministry said that various telemetry and radar stations tracked and monitored multiple re-entry vehicles. The mission accomplished designed parameters, it said.

The project director is a woman and has significant womens contribution, government sources said.

With the test of Mission Divyastra, India has joined the select group of nations who have MIRV capability. The United States, Britain, France, China and Russia already use MIRV missiles. Pakistan tested MIRV in 2017, according to Washington-based non-profit advocacy group, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.

Indias nuclear deterrent takes a big step forward with the flight test of an ICBM with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs). The MIRVed Agni 5, aka Divyastra, will bolster India's second-strike capability against China, engaged in a nuclear buildup frenzy, said strategic analyst Brahma Chellaney.

Agni-5 can strike a target at a range of over 5,000 km with a very high degree of accuracy.

The MIRV test was carried amidst speculation that India was planning to launch a K-4 missile, a nuclear capable missile designed to be fired from submarines. A Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 01 was reportedly seen off India's eastern coast near Visakhapatnam purportedly to track the K4 missile launch.

The test was conducted a day before Prime Minister Modi will be in Pokhran to witness exercise Bharat Shakti on March 12. During the exercise, the Army, Navy and Air Force will display prowess of indigenously manufactured defence weapons under the Atma Nirbhar campaign of the Modi government. The event will demonstrate the indigenous capability of the three services through an Integrated Tri-Service Firepower and Manoeuvre Exercise for about 50 minutes, said officials.
Today's news: at least 26 victims in Indonesia due to heavy rain; Ramadan begins amidst tensions surrounding the war in Gaza; A North Korean delegation leaves for Mongolia; In Russia, the commission to reconcile blood conflicts has resolved 13 cases since the beginning of the year.

INDIA  EUROPE

India has signed a free trade agreement with four European countries: Iceland, Switzerland, Norway and Lichtenstein, which form the European Free Trade Association. This historic pact underlines our commitment to promoting economic progress and creating opportunities for our youth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement. The agreement provides for investments in India of 100 billion dollars.

PAKISTAN

The CEO of Pakistan's largest bank has been appointed minister and could soon take up the position at the Finance Ministry, sources told Reuters. Muhammad Auganzeb, CEO and president of HBL bank, was chosen to help the country's economic recovery among several personalities, including Ishaq Dar, who has already held the position four times, but could take on the role of Foreign Minister.

INDONESIA

There are currently 26 victims after the heavy rains that hit the island of Sumatra, while 11 people still remain missing. Landslides and floods have hit several districts and according to the authorities it is likely that the number of deaths could increase in the coming hours, while rescue efforts and the distribution of aid to displaced people continue.

NORTH KOREA  MONGOLIA

A North Korean diplomatic delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong-ho has left for Mongolia, Rodong Sinmun, the country's main newspaper, reported yesterday, without specifying the purpose of the trip. This is the first visit of this kind since 2020 and according to experts it serves to strengthen diplomatic ties with a country traditionally friendly with North Korea.

ISLAM

The holy month of Ramadan begins today for several countries in the Gulf and the Levant, while Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, but also Oman and Jordan will begin fasting starting tomorrow, the religious authorities have announced. For many faithful, the celebration is marked by the war between Gaza and Israel: the Israeli Defense Forces have completed the construction of a new road that crosses the north of the Strip from east to west and according to experts it will serve to control the territory.

ARMENIA  AZERBAIJAN

The deputy prime minister of Armenia, Mger Grigoryan, who chairs the commission for border demarcation with Azerbaijan, declared that the Azeris refuse to recognize the occupation of 31 inhabited centers on Armenian territory, also demanding the return of others 4 villages in the Tavus region, near the state road to Georgia.

RUSSIA

The president of the Russian republic of Ingushetia, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov, announced that since the beginning of the year he has managed to reconcile 13 blood conflicts between family members, thanks to the work of the special reconciliation commission which deals with revenge and problems similar, considered "natural regulatory mechanisms for the defense of life and honor".
With the ultimatum for the return to work of trainees stopped in protest since 19 February falling on deaf ears, the government has sent out the first 5,000 suspension letters. With 93% of doctors absent, nurses allowed to perform some of their duties. Patients' associations denounce: first deaths from postponed treatments.

Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies)  In South Korea, the Ministry of Health has sent preventive license suspension notices to 4,944 medical specialists who disobeyed the order to return to work. This is a new measure adopted to stop the protest that has lasted for three weeks against the government's plan to increase the number of students admitted to medical schools. The strike is paralyzing Korean hospitals, with serious repercussions on patients.

Vice Health Minister Jun Byung-wang told reporters that once the notices are received, doctors will have until March 25 to file objections. According to the latest data, 11,994 trainee doctors from 100 university hospitals have left their jobs, equal to approximately 93% of doctors in training. Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong has promised there will be no consequences if they return to work before the administrative procedures for suspending their licenses are completed. The ministry has also opened a hotline for doctors requesting protection to return to work.

The protest has been going on since February 19 with hospitals suffering cancellations and delays in surgeries and emergency medical care. The government's ultimatum asking interns to return to work by the end of February fell on deaf ears. To address the shortage of medical personnel, the Ministry of Health began deploying 158 military and public health doctors to local hospitals. Last week, he also authorized nurses to perform some doctors' functions, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The government is pushing to increase the number of doctors as a way to solve the shortage in rural areas and in essential sectors, such as pediatrics and neurosurgery, as well as in consideration of the aging population. Doctors argue that increasing fees will compromise the quality of training and other services and lead to increased medical costs for patients. They called for measures to first address the problem of underpaid specialists and improve legal protection against excessive medical malpractice lawsuits.

As the protest continued, disruption to medical services increased. An association of seriously ill patients spoke at a press conference about an increasing number of cases of patients who have suffered serious harm as a result of the strike. For example, a patient with biliary tract cancer had been admitted to a hospital in Seoul for treatment, but he was forced to move to a smaller nursing hospital after the strike and died the next day. "Seriously ill patients have been taken hostage in this ongoing confrontation. This ridiculous situation should be stopped immediately," the association said.

An appeal for a solution to this crisis that looks first and foremost at the well-being of patients was also launched in recent days by the Catholic Episcopal Conference of South Korea.
The latest data on international arms transfers over the past five years come from Sweden-based SIPRI. India is the world's top importer, while the United States, for the first time in 25 years, is Asias largest supplier. Driving rearmament, experts explain, is the perception of a Chinese threat (which continues to boost its war production).

Stockholm (AsiaNews) - In the last five years, the flow of weapons to the East has increased.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has updated its database on arms import-export, finding that between 2019 and 2023, countries in Asia and Oceania took in 37 per cent of the world's arms imports, followed by the Middle East (30 per cent), Europe (21 per cent), the Americas (5.7 per cent), and Africa (4.3 per cent).

Although arms imports to Asia-Pacific fell by 12 per cent overall between 2014-18 and 2019-23 periods, mainly due to a sharp drop in imports from China, the region remains the highest arms importer, with six of the world's top ten largest importers: India, Pakistan, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and China.

SIPRI noted, however, that Chinas imports dropped by 44 per cent in the last five years as it replaces imported weapons (mostly from Russia) with home-made systems.

Despite its current economic woes, Beijing has no intention of curbing military spending; on the contrary, it is expected to boost it by 7.2 per cent this year, the same as last year.

Chinas defence budget was set at 1.665 trillion yuan (US$ 231 billion), the ninth consecutive annual increase.

Two of China's neighbours have boosted their imports: Japan by 155 per cent, and South Korea by 6.5 per cent. The latter also recorded a 12 per cent increase in exports, especially to Poland, the Philippines, and India.

There is little doubt that the sustained high levels of arms imports by Japan and other US allies and partners in Asia and Oceania are largely driven by one key factor: concern over Chinas ambitions, said Siemon Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme. The USA, which shares their perception of a Chinese threat, is a growing supplier to the region.

Indeed, for the first time in 25 years, the United States has become the largest supplier of arms to Asia-Pacific, with 34 per cent of regional imports, compared to 19 per cent for Russia and 13 per cent for China.

Taiwans imports have fallen by 69 per cent, but major deliveries are expected over the next five years, including 66 fighter jets, 108 tanks and 460 anti-ship missiles, all from the United States.

Tensions with China (and neighbouring Pakistan) are the reason why India saw a 4.7 per cent increase in imports compared to the 2014-18 period, making it the world's leading arms importer (9.8 per cent of total imports).

Russia continues to be Indias main supplier, but, for the first time since the 1960s, Russian supplies account for less than half of all transfers; while Russian imports represented 76 per cent in 2009-13, they had dropped to 58 per cent in 2014-18 and are now down to 36 per cent.

India has in fact diversified its procurement by turning to France and the United States and developing its own arms industry.

Pakistan's arms imports grew by 43 per cent in 2019-23 over 2014-18, thanks to stronger ties with China, which now accounts for 82 per cent of its weapons (compared to 69 per cent in 2014-18 and 51 per cent in 2009-13).

Southeast Asia reported a decline of 43 per cent in imports, but some states are rearming, above all, the Philippines, where arms imports have risen by 105 per cent, and Singapore, up by 17 per cent.

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore have also placed major orders for combat ships and aircraft in 2019-23.

Weapons imported by Myanmar, used in its civil war, come from Russia (38 per cent), China (26 per cent), and India (18 per cent).
Celebrations were held yesterday for the diocesan Catholic weekly, a respected voice in India and beyond. In his speech, the cardinal recalled the commitment to promoting dialogue and the legacy based on quality information. Fr. Irudayasamy delved into the topic of artificial intelligence. An award to AsiaNews correspondent Nirmala Carvalho.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "A beacon of truth, a voice of reason and a source of inspiration for countless people, in India and beyond." Thus the card. Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai, paid tribute to the diocesan weekly The Examiner, on the occasion of the celebrations held yesterday in the Indian metropolis for the 175 years of activity.

As we reflect on this important occasion, it is impossible - continued the cardinal - not to be impressed by the rich history and a legacy based on excellence that the Catholic media embodies. Because, he warns, since its birth [and for almost two centuries] it has remained steadfast in its commitment to upholding the values of the Church, to promoting dialogue and to acting as a catalyst for positive change within our community and throughout society in general."

On the occasion of the celebrations, it is also worth mentioning the awarding of "The Golden Pen Award for Excellence in Journalism" to the AsiaNews correspondent from India, the journalist Nirmala Carvalho, who received the coveted award from the hands of the Archbishop of Mumbai .

For the reporter - who for 20 years has been reporting on the life of Catholics (and non-Catholics) in the country and its society, not only in terms of its strengths but also in the critical issues that still persist - it is the recognition of a passionate and appreciated work that continues with renewed commitment and dedication.

Returning to the Examiner celebrations, Card. Gracias recalled how throughout his illustrious history the weekly witnessed moments of triumph and tribulation, navigating the changing landscape of journalism with grace, integrity and unwavering dedication. From its humble origins as a modest newsletter to its current status as a venerable institution of Catholic journalism, The Examiner  he continued  has continually evolved to respond to the needs and challenges of the times, while remaining faithful to its core mission.

In his speech, the cardinal recalled his "ability to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity" as "one of the most notable aspects". It has in fact played a "fundamental" role in "shaping the narrative of critical issues that the Church and society must face. Through his insightful articles and reporting, his thought-provoking commentary, and his unwavering advocacy for justice and compassion he has not only helped inform minds, but has also touched hearts, inspiring countless people to action and reflection. .

Among the many personalities who have contributed in this period of time to the growth of the Indian diocesan weekly - also available online for some time - there is Fr. Anthony Charanghat, editor for over 25 years and contributor to the magazine for 50 years.

From past celebrations, Card. Gracias turns his gaze to the future "to the next 175 years and beyond", urging us to "respect the values and ideals" that have guided him "since his birth: integrity, excellence and a constant commitment to serving the Church and society with humility and compassion". And that this anniversary, he concludes, is a "moment of renewal" in the perspective of the "noble mission of journalism as a force for good in the world".

Among the personalities who attended the celebrations there was also Fr. Plavendran Irudayasamy, who spoke about artificial intelligence, the prospects and challenges in today's media world.

The priest illustrated five guidelines for understanding the current media environment: AI as a fundamental relational quality of human intelligence; promises and risks of artificial intelligence; technology and ideas; the potential it expresses; the peculiarities with respect to the communication environment; the quantification of human possibilities.

Finally, he suggested some practical recommendations, including: a commitment to ethical development of algorithms; promote digital knowledge among young people, guided by Gospel values; create Truth Centers in parishes. Finally, the final quote from Pope Francis, when speaking about AI he hopes that it will not increase inequality and injustice, but will commit to putting an end to wars and conflicts.

(Nirmala Carvalho collaborated)
At least 4,000 suspected terrorists have been arrested since 7 October, pushing up the number of Palestinians in jail from about 5,200 to about 9,000 thanks to the widespread use of administrative detention. Clashes break out overnight between police and Muslims at the start of Ramadan near al Aqsa. Israeli police limit access to the holy site despite pledges to the contrary.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews)  One the consequences of Israels war in Gaza in response to the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October is the extensive use of administrative detention, a controversial practice that has led to prison overcrowding forcing Israeli authorities to plan for more space in anticipation of coming waves of arrests.

With the start last night of Ramadan, the ongoing fighting could get worse. In fact, the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer has already seen fresh clashes near Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif in Jerusalem.

Last month, the number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails rose to about 9,000, up from about 5,200 in early October.

For this reason, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the relevant government agencies to prepare the prison system for an influx of thousands of inmates.

During a meeting with representatives from the ministries of defence, national security, and finance, the IDF and Shin Bet presented estimates showing that thousands of terrorists are expected to be arrested in 2024, which will lead to a lack of space in the prisons if steps are not taken.

Since the start of the war in Gaza, some 4,000 suspected terrorists have been arrested, most in Gaza, but some in the West Bank.

The Israeli Prison Service presented short- and medium-term plans for an increase, which Netanyahu himself wanted to see quickly approved.

Meanwhile, the IDF and Shin Bet said that some 40 suspects held under administrative detention were released to make room "for detainees of a higher threat level," even though they were scheduled to be freed next month.

Under Israel's administrative detention, a suspect can be detained for long periods, even without charges or trial, with the order unilaterally renewed every six months.

Once applied only to Palestinian militants, the measure can be applied to Israelis, although critics are sceptical about how it can be done.

A source of controversy and protests for violating the rights of suspects, this measure is usually used when the authorities have information linking a suspect to a crime, but do not have enough evidence for charges to be laid before a court of law.

Detentions must be renewed by a military court every six months, and prisoners can remain in prison for years.

While some Palestinians have been detained without known charges, the most common reasons for detention include online calls for violence and allegations of terrorist activities.

In Jerusalem, clashes broke out overnight between Palestinians and Israeli police outside the al-Aqsa mosque, at the start of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and prayer, with tensions running higher than in previous years because of the war and Hamass proclamations.

Local sources reported by the Times of Israel say that police attacked Muslim worshippers with batons at the entrance to the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount).

Police reportedly prevented some Israeli Arabs and "hundreds" of Palestinians in East Jerusalem from entering, in breach of Netanyahu's assurances, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that strict restrictions would be imposed on entry.

Several videos show police attacking Arabs with batons. Abraham Initiatives, an organisation that promotes coexistence, reports that people have been stopped by police who have deliberately ignored the prime ministers order for freedom of access.

Police patrol the narrow streets of the Old City in Jerusalem, where tens of thousands of worshippers are expected daily at the al-Aqsa compound, Islam's third-holiest site, for Ramadan.

The mosque compound has often been one of the symbolic places of violence between Israelis and Palestinians in the past and for this reason it has been subjected to constraints and restrictions.

Yet, as late as yesterday, Benny Gantz, a senior member of Israels war cabinet, had promised freedom of access.

"Our war is not against Islam, he said, but against those who hurt Islam values. Against those who commit crimes against humanity and sought to tear apart the Israeli society and our common future.
by Steve Suwannarat

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the disappearance of the human rights activist, an ethnic Malay Muslim, who fought for his coethnics living in southern Thailand. His wife Angkhana was able to take his case to court, a first. Despite suspicions against law enforcement, no one has yet been convicted.

Bangkok (AsiaNews)  Twenty years after the disappearance of Muslim human rights activist Somchai Neelapaijit, many want to know what happened to him and who is responsible for his disappearance at a time when the Thai government was cracking down on ethnic Malay Muslims in the country's southern border region.

A member of two lawyers associations, Somchai Neelapaijit went missing in Bangkok on 12 March 2004 after defending people who had suffered indiscriminate violence by the government, then led by Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra.

Several people he defended had been subjected to torture in military detention, a practice allowed under martial law, which had been imposed on the region.

No one has yet been formally charged for the activist's disappearance, but suspicions have fallen on members of the security forces engaged in repressive activities at the time.

Five members of the police were arrested shortly after Somchai's disappearance, suspected of forcing him into their car, but the Supreme Court acquitted them in 2015.

Somchai's case is also the only one to have reached to court thanks to the courageous and tireless work of his wife Angkhana.

Overall, 82 enforced disappearances have been reported since 1980, but only the last year did this type of action become a criminal offence in Thailand, so all cases have ended in total impunity.

Despite lacking any legal training, Ankhana, a nurse and mother of five, has been seeking the truth since 2005, despite threats and reprisals, with increasing support from human rights groups, thus inspiring people involved in similar cases.

Refusing to succumb to despair after her husband's enforced disappearance, Ms Angkhana Neelapaijit has undertaken a tireless quest for truth and justice as a human rights defender for the past 20 years," reads a statement by a group of independent UN experts, released by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
by Vladimir Rozanskij

A stronghold of the Wagner Company, the Afewerki regime at the UN consistently votes on Moscow's side in resolutions on the conflict in Ukraine. Economic cooperation between the two countries grows steadily from year to year, while a monument to the Russian poet Pushkin has even been erected in Asmara.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - For three years now, Russia has been seeking alternatives to isolation by the West following the invasion of Ukraine, throwing itself into the embrace of the worst rogue countries in the world, which share the Russian regime of international sanctions, of which Moscow is now by far the record holder.

Now it is Eritrea's turn, one of the countries where the activity of the late Yevgeny Prigozin's Wagner company developed most intensely, whose comrades continue the work begun years ago.

The Eritrean president, Isaias Afewerki, is certainly no less than Vladimir Putin in terms of human rights violations and the use of the most diverse forms of slavery as a government program, having led the country for over thirty years.

In the voting on the UN resolutions on Ukraine, Eritrea convincingly sided with Russia in the company of its loyalists, Belarus and North Korea, sometimes even China. Already in March 2022, representatives of Asmara were the only ones to oppose, together with Moscow, against the formation of a commission to investigate Russian crimes in Ukraine.

The political scientist Aleksandra Fokina tried on Novaya Evropa to clarify the reasons why one of the poorest states in Africa and the entire world is so blatantly pro-Russian. At first glance, in fact, there are no particular relationships either from a political or economic point of view that can explain this great friendship, which for over a decade has been expressed in increasingly intense and total ways. Eritrea was the first country to send its high-ranking officials to officially visit Russian-occupied Crimea, in June 2014, not even three months after the farce annexation referendum.

Leading the delegation was the former ambassador of Asmara in Ukraine, Teklaja Minassie Asgedoma, who in 2014 had moved to the role of representative in Russia, and then participated in the IV international economic forum in Yalta in 2018 and concluded an agreement between Sevastopol and Massawa, the most important port in Eritrea.

In May 2023 Afewerki then made his first visit to Moscow to meet Putin, giving a long speech on the score of the most genuine Russian propaganda. The Eritrean president criticized "the crazy ideology and unstoppable actions of the West, which over the last 30 years has only sought domination and the creation of a unipolar world order."

Economic agreements between Russia and Eritrea grow exponentially from year to year, from 427 thousand dollars to 9.3 million in 2021, up to the current 15 million dollars. This is certainly not a primary market for Moscow, which counts on its main partners for several billions, but since last year the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has promised to satisfy all Eritrean requests in the military field, with the delivery of Ural and KamAz tanks, and certainly also beyond the sphere of transport.

A monument to the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin was recently erected in the center of Asmara, whose vague African origins are remembered by the ancestor known as "the black of Peter the Great", disputes between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

After the times of the Cold War, in which Ethiopia and Eritrea had ended up under the control of the Soviet bloc, Eritrea seemed to be headed towards a course of liberal and pro-American transformation, representing a barrier to the spread of terrorism in the region. But since 1998 Afewerki, with the invasion of Djibouti, has achieved the "turn to the East", establishing an authoritarian regime that is increasingly in conflict with the Western powers.

For the Russians "it was like a wedding invitation", says Fokina, especially due to the Eritrean tendency to participate in every type of conflict, causing a mass flight of the population: today 20% of Eritreans live abroad, and in Many country were recruited by Wagner's mercenaries.

Furthermore, military service is compulsory in Eritrea from the age of 18 to 40, for both men and women, a form of slavery much appreciated by the Russians, in a country with strategic ports on the Red Sea, one of the decisive areas of the world conflict in progress.
EV

Photo: SH Proshots

kW

Spied testing in a premiere, the 2025 Rolls-Royce Ghost has a few design updates, especially at the front, which are visible from behind the trippy camouflage. These mostly revolve around the headlamps, which appear to have been inspired by the ones of the Spectre . Mind you, they are not split units, but the fresh graphics might trick the average Joe into thinking they are.The bumper is also new, and the central air intake is also similar to the one of the two-door luxuryup to a point. If it is something the automaker hasn't changed at all, on this prototype at least, which was caught in northern Sweden testing in the cold, it is the imposing grille, which looks identical to the one of the current Ghost. At the rear, it has new taillight graphics and no other novelty for now.We have yet to spot the interior, but we think Rolls-Royce will play it safe by updating the digital gauges and main screen, in all likelihood. It is possible that they might also tweak the design of the steering wheel and center console and perhaps introduce new upholstery and trim options. However, this is what we think, and nothing backs it up yet, so you may want to take it with a grain of salt.Since this is a mid-cycle refresh, we wouldn't look for any chassis tweaks, as the Ghost is already one of the most comfortable luxury sedans out there. It is also possible that the brand's engineers have left the V12 untouched. That would mean it would still be good for 563 hp (571 ps/420) and 627 pound-foot (850 Nm) of torque. The 6.75L twin-turbo mill in the Black Badge is punchier at 592 hp (600 ps/441 kW) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm).All versions of the second-gen Ghost have an eight-speed transmission made by ZF and standard all-wheel drive, and the punchiest takes 4.7 seconds to reach 62 mph (100 kph). The top speed is capped at 155 miles an hour (250 kph), and chances are the specs will remain identical when the facelifted iteration launches.But when is it due? Perhaps for the 2025 model year, in the United States, meaning that the first copies could land in our market before the end of 2024 or early next year. The current Ghost , which takes on the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and Bentley Flying Spur, has an MSRP of nearly $350,000, and we wouldn't be surprised if they make it a bit more expensive.
General Motors is looking to capitalize on a great success during 2023 when it remained the biggest US automaker and overall car company  in terms of sales  across the local automotive market.

SUV

More novelties are coming soon from all brands, but, of course, the brunt of the work will be done by Chevrolet and its sidekick, GMC. We all know that, together, the Silverado (and Silverado HD) plus Sierra (and Sierra HD) series have the power to overcome any obstacle  including dethroning the iconic F-series off its sales pedestal. But GM also counts on a firm grasp across the full-size truck-basedmarket, where the fifth-generation Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, together with the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL cousins, reign supreme.Chevrolet allowed its Tahoe and twelfth-generation Suburban siblings to appear first with the mid-cycle facelift, even ahead of Cadillac's Escalade, not just the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL. The two full-size Chevy SUVs feature perks like a subtly redesigned front and rear, new 24-inch wheels, and also an upgraded 3.0-liter Duramax diesel mill with 10% more ponies under the hood. There's also a massive update in the cabin where there's a standard all-new 17.7-inch-diagonal infotainment center alongside an 11-inch digital instruments cluster.Plus, they also come with GM's Super Cruise because the automaker keeps improving the technology and expanding its reach. Naturally, everyone and their mother thinks that after the refreshed 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the logical progression is also to introduce the 2025 or 2026 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL with their own roster of upgrades. That might not happen soon enough for some, though.Luckily, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators is always ready and willing to oblige. Just recently, the good folks over at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube have envisioned the CGI looks of the upcoming 2025 or 2026 GMC Yukon with a mid-cycle facelift. So, while the host discusses the potential changes  redesigned headlights and taillights, plus a new bumper style and different grille treatments, the channel's resident pixel master took to showcase the changes in an unofficial design project reel.Interestingly, this time around, the outlet has resorted to revealing all the important POVs  front and rear, plus the cockpit view and discussing the modifications on the spot. For example, the interior could receive a new steering wheel, a different center console, and a larger central touchscreen. Of course, the Yukon and Yukon XL siblings could also follow the same path as the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban by implementing a massive screen ensemble for the instrument cluster and infotainment system  and every change is explored and highlighted in CGI.Of course, as per tradition with this channel, the POVs  both from outside and inside  receive the welcomed benefit of an extensive color palette. Additionally, there's also a comparison between the rendered facelift model and the outgoing version. So, what do you think  is GMC also coming with subtle exterior revisions and massive novelties inside for the Yukon and Yukon XL, just like Chevy did for the Tahoe and Suburban
In my car and most other vehicles shipped with factory-installed Android Auto support, the dark mode is automatically enabled in Android Auto and the running apps when you turn on the headlights.My car comes with automatic headlights, so when the light sensor turns on the headlights, Android Auto also switches to the dark mode. As a result, Google Maps, Waze , and the other apps running in my car activate the night mode, too.In 2022, users complained that Android Auto blocked the switch to dark mode, keeping the daytime visual style activated even when the headlights turned on. None of the available workarounds fixed the problem at that point, and despite Google claiming it'd look into reports, no patch has ever been shipped.One of our readers recently told me that the glitch has returned after nearly one year and a half with identical behavior. Android Auto prevents Google Maps and Waze from activating the dark mode, keeping the daytime interface activated even when they drive with their headlights on.It's easy to understand why this is a critical issue. Google Maps' and Waze's daytime visual mode includes a background that could make you temporarily blind at night, so if you look at the screen, it'll take at least a couple of seconds to see the road ahead clearly again. It's the main reason why dark modes make sense in a car, as they make everything running on the screen more eye-friendly when driving at night.It's unclear why the problem is plaguing Android Auto again, but a recent update might be the culprit. If this is the case, you should try downgrading to a previous Android Auto version, as this helps eliminate the likelihood of a glitch in the latest update.It's also unclear who is affected and who isn't. Everything runs correctly in my car with the default configuration, as Android Auto correctly receives the signal from the headlight indicator, activating the dark mode when the headlights also turn on.The problem was widespread in late 2022, with over 300 people confirming it on Google's forums, but it's unknown how many encounter this behavior these days. Leave us a message in the comment box after the jump if you hit this bug and found a fix.There's also a discussion thread on Google's forums where users can provide more information about what happens in their cars, so hopefully, the search giant will release a patch this time.
In anticipation of the first electric air taxi commercial journeys, we need to have adequate infrastructure in place, which includes dedicated charging units. Beta Technologies is one of the few eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) makers that's also pioneering a nationwide network of electric chargers.

Right now, Beta-designed chargers are officially "online" in 19 locations across the US, all the way from Vermont to Florida. Approximately 50 more are in various stages of construction. The electric aviation company is getting closer to its target of 150 charging units all around the country, which is expected to be reached by 2025.All of these charging units were set up in collaboration with various partners, including local FBOs, regional airport operators, and even the Department of Defense. The latest partnership saw Beta and Signature Aviation, a private aviation terminal operator, join forces to prepare the East Coast for electric aviation.More specifically, Beta's electric aviation chargers will be installed at on-airport locations such as Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) and the CharlottesvilleAlbemarle Airport (CHO). The one at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is already up and running, with the FDK and CHO ones expected to become operational as soon as this summer.The main characteristic of the Beta charging stations is their multi-modal design for interoperability. This means that they weren't meant to work only with Beta's Alia aircraft but also with any other eVTOL and even ground-based EVs. The advantages go beyond having a single, compact solution for multiple types of EVs. This is also about supporting integrated operations where zero-emission multi-modal transportation becomes the norm.The typical structure of the Beta charging stations installed so far includes Level-3 chargers installed inside the airport fence for electric aircraft and outside, in the parking lot, for EVs. Lastly, a Level-2 charger is available for public transportation vehicles.Beta's Alia aircraft was, of course, the first one to benefit from these chargers. The eVTOL has several multi-state journeys under its belt, which have required recharging at various locations. Its most impressive flight so far was the trip from Plattsburgh, New York, to Eglin, Florida.It wasn't only a trailblazing long-range electric flight covering 2,400 miles (3,860 km) but also a journey with an important destination. The Alia eVTOL had to get to the Eglin Air Force Base in order to start a three-month-long deployment, which was successfully completed . In fact, Beta will always be linked to the first electric aircraft charger installed at a US Air Force Base, which is an impressive achievement in itself.At the same time, the five-seat Alia electric air taxi is gearing up to become one of the most powerful eVTOLs for urban commutes, cargo operations, and even defense missions.
Buying a brand-new car that serves as more than just a commuting appliance is a privilege. It feels great to drive a vehicle that's versatile and has that specific new car smell. Sadly, in some instances, this honor can turn into a headache rather quickly. But some automakers are better than others. Mazda is somewhere in the middle. Here's why.

SUV

CX-90 3.3 Turbo Select  $39,595;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo Preferred  $43,445;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo Preferred Plus  $45,900;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo Premium  $48,900;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus  $52,950;

CX-90 PHEV Preferred  $47,445;

CX-90 PHEV Premium  $52,900;

CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus  $56,950;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo S  $51,750;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium  $56,450;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus $59,950.

Photo: Mazda

CX-90 3.3 Turbo Select $37,845;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo Preferred $40,445;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo Preferred Plus $42,900;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo Premium $45,900;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus $48,900;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo S $49,850;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium $52,450;

CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus $55,950.

CX-90 PHEV Preferred $49,445;

CX-90 PHEV Premium $54,400;

CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus $57,450.

Photo: Mazda

The three-row Mazda CX-90 is the three-rowyou will want if an all-electric Rivian R1S or Tesla Model X is out of the question and something like the BMW X7 or the Mercedes-Benz GLS is just too pricey.Of course, there's the Toyota Grand Highlander winking at us from the sidelines, too. But if you're looking at an SUV with an in-line six-cylinder powerplant under the hood that also boasts banned F1 tech, chances are other Japanese rides like the Honda Pilot are not an option.Now, imagine it's late 2023 or early 2024. You make up your mind and decide to buy a CX-90 . Depending on the level of equipment you want, you are looking at the following MSRPs:It all goes smoothly, and the gas-powered SUV is great. It proves that Mazda was ready to make the next step forward, and it ticks all the right boxes. There are some hiccups here and there, but that's expected with a brand-new vehicle that's built from the ground up on a novel platform. Fortunately, most dealers were ready to deal with customer complaints in a timely manner.But here's the problem. It's late February 2024, and Mazda comes with a Tesla-like discount out of nowhere. Suddenly, your non-electrified CX-90 lost up to $4,000 in value. Yikes! When writing, the MSRPs are as follows:Those who went with the plug-in hybrid seven-seater enjoyed a positive outcome because the Japanese automaker hiked the prices for this fuel-efficient version. The MSRPs at the time of writing are:Unlike Tesla customers who accepted that their pricey EVs lost a ton of value almost overnight ( our readers were forewarned ), most Mazda buyers aren't that willing to just deal with the new reality.The Japanese marque sold $30,821 CX-90s in the US last year. One of those customers got themselves a $60,000+ Thanksgiving gift last year. The CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus was the SUV they wanted, and it arrived in January this year. Sadly, the car had a few issues.Then, they were left without the running boards they wanted and waited for. As you can imagine, the unexpected price drop only added insult to injury.They were willing to deal with the struggles of owning a first model-year new Mazda, but the artificial devaluation was the last drop. They called the dealership, complained about the situation, explained that they were very unhappy with how everything unfolded and asked for a remedy. As the customer themselves put it, they "paid luxury car money and wanted to be treated" accordingly.The dealership tried to get them behind the wheel of a Kia Telluride, but the Mazda customer refused. In the end, corporate was involved.The automaker's official US representative said they would reimburse the customer's first payment and extend the warranty. So, that tells us one thing: Mazda is aware that the price drop may have upset some of its buyers. It has prepared some countermeasures and is ready to activate them. You just need to call the dealer and tell them to escalate your complaint to corporate. You may be able to offset a bit of that accelerated depreciation. This person refused Mazda's offer. The company's representative said they would get back to them with an update. They didn't wait. They dealt with the diminished value and traded the CX-90 in for an Acura MDX with around 600 miles on the odometer. Talk about being lucky enough not to wait for a brand to make things right!
With Apple still sitting on a money-making machine thanks to the thousands of patents and technology it created for the vehicle, most people in the industry see different reasons for the tech giant to abandon its ambitious automotive expansion.Carlos Ghosn, the former Nissan CEO and now a fugitive in Lebanon, believes Apple ditched the Apple Car for a different reason: the company understood it wouldn't make as much money as it initially believed.Many experts and representatives of automakers believe Apple abandoned the car project because it couldn't get it right. The reasoning makes sense. Apple doesn't have the know-how to build a car, and after failed negotiations with Mercedes, Hyundai, and other traditional carmakers, it decided to build everything from scratch without help. The ambitious strategy failed, so Apple abandoned the idea.However, Ghosn says the reason for giving up on the Apple Car was "because of value." Ghosn believes Apple's brand can "attract anyone," so finding a company to work with on a vehicle was easy. The lower margin, especially as the Apple Car was expected to carry a price tag well over $100K, didn't make sense for a company that is "used to high-margin, huge-return business," Ghosn added.The former Nissan CEO says Apple wanted to build "something totally unique" and didn't plan to become a traditional carmaker.People familiar with the matter said Project Titan was initially developed as a minivan doubling as a living room on wheels. Apple wanted the vehicle to offer Level 5 autonomous driving, meaning no human intervention was required. The vehicle didn't even have a steering wheel and pedals, and Apple wanted human control to be assured via an iPhone app or a gaming controller similar to the one we use for the PlayStation.Apple eventually scaled down its plan when it acknowledged that building a Level 5 self-driving vehicle would have been impossible. It's believed that Apple's leadership team estimated that finalizing an Apple Car would have taken another decade, so CEO Tim Cook decided to abandon the project.The Apple Car was downgraded significantly, at one point reaching the stage where it used a conventional configuration with steering wheels and pedals. Apple wanted the Apple Car to offer very limited self-driving capabilities in an attempt to bring it to the market faster.Ghosn says Apple's focus was to "create value around connectivity," making the Apple Car an integral part of the entire ecosystem. The project will never came to be, though I wouldnt be surprised to see the company resuming the work on the vehicle by the end of the decade.
This changed last weekend. On Saturday (March 9), Bluebird made its way to Ruskin Museum in Coniston, which had long built a Campbell wing for it. The entire museum is dedicated to the life and achievements of the daredevil, but the Bluebird was meant to occupy a very special place.It does now: the hydroplane has been moved in its special wing, where it joins Campbell's old Land Rover, The Lady. The Campbell wing will soon be open to the public.But that's not even the good news. That would be that the museum plans to apply to local authorities to get permission to run the Bluebird again. Initially powered by a Metropolitan-Vickers Beryl axial-flow turbojet engine that made 3,500 pound-force (16 kN) of thrust, the hydroplane went down with a Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine generating 4,500 pound-force (20 kN) of thrust, which Campbell had gotten it on as a loan from the Ministry of Defense.It is believed that Smith kept the engine that he'd used on the demo run in 2018, and the Ruskin Museum isn't saying whether they have a certain replacement in mind. But they are determined to get Bluebird running again, adding that "It's not something that will happen overnight but it will be done."Needless to say, running doesn't mean competing. Given its complicated story and historical significance, it's probably safe to assume that Bluebird K7 is done setting world records. Before the Coniston crash, the last record Campbell set in the Bluebird was in 1964 at Lake Dumbleyung: 276.33 mph (444.71 kph).
For most users, the in-car experience on Android, iPhone, Android Auto, and CarPlay comes down to just two app categories: navigation software and media apps.

Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution

This option is now going away.

Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution

YouTube on Android Auto

Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution

It's why Google Maps and Waze are so popular, with the battle in the media category also getting fiercer. Spotify is often the top choice, but users have many more options to choose from, including Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal, and others.YouTube Music is Google's recommended solution for Android and Android Auto. It's the successor to Google Play Music , an unexpectedly popular pick for Android Auto users.However, it's not a secret that many users don't use YouTube Music but stick with listening to their favorite tunes on YouTube. Most content available on YouTube Music is also live on the full YouTube version, and for drivers, the difference between the two is less important as long as they can listen to their favorite tunes.YouTube also comes with major benefits over YouTube Music. For example, I'm a big fan of electronic music, and some of my favorite mixes for world-class DJs are only available on YouTube. As a result, whenever I want to listen to a recent mix, my only option is to load the YouTube app on my phone (because Android Auto and CarPlay versions are not available). I can then listen to the same content on CarPlay through the wireless connection to the infotainment system.It's also the main reason I purchased YouTube Premium. While YouTube Music comes as an extra benefit, being able to play YouTube in the background was the main selling point for me.It's no secret that many people turned to various tricks to run YouTube in the background without paying for a subscription. Getting the full package in exchange for a monthly fee is more convenient, and considering Google's struggle to spam non-paying users with ads, buying YouTube Premium makes sense. However, if you owned a Xiaomi phone, you could do this without turning to third-party hacks, as the Chinese tech giant offered a way to listen to YouTube in the background pre-loaded with the mobile device.It was called "Play video sound with screen off," and it was available on most Xiaomi phones running MIUI 12 and later.Xiaomi has quietly announced that the company will remove the feature from HyperOS, MIUI 14, MIUI 13, and MIUI 12 devices in the next batch of updates. You can already guess the reason. Xiaomi blames "compliance requirements" for the removal of this popular feature.The company doesn't share more specifics, but Google might have requested Xiaomi to remove the feature. YouTube Premium is a money-making machine for the search giant, and Xiaomi offering a way to get a premium benefit, which customers otherwise must pay for, doesn't' sit well with Google. The Mountain View-based search company did not comment on Xiaomi's recent announcement.With the Chinese tech behemoth pulling this super-popular feature, users who want to play YouTube in the background, no matter if they want to listen to their favorite tunes on Android Auto or like to keep a podcast running when they work out, will have to purchase YouTube Premium.Of course, other free alternatives are still available, and it shouldn't be too difficult to find them if you know where to look. You can also block updates if you want Xiaomi's feature by all means, but running old software is a bad idea from a feature and security perspective. You will eventually miss out on everything that Xiaomi ships to its devices, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Google implementing its own block to prevent Xiaomi users from playing YouTube with the screen turned off.And since we're here, if you're looking for ways to enable YouTube on Android Auto , you can still do this using the methods that have been available for several years already.Google has no intention of bringing a YouTube client to Android Auto, which makes no sense, considering that users can already watch videos on the infotainment system using various methods. Furthermore, YouTube is already available on Android Automotive, Google's embedded operating system, which is often considered an upgraded version of Android Auto. Android Automotive doesn't require a mobile device to run, as it must be installed from the factory by the car manufacturer.While YouTube remains banned on Android Auto and CarPlay, YouTube Music is already available everywhere. With a subscription, YouTube Music provides access to millions of tracks, allowing users to listen to their tunes in the background and while driving.The competition in this space is getting fiercer, especially as rivals Spotify and Apple are also betting big on competing products available everywhere, including the car with Android Auto and CarPlay, where the media app category keeps gaining ground.
"Cosmoclimatology" may explain the real drivers of climate change By Tom Harris

web posted March 11, 2024 Changes in solar output, not humanity's carbon dioxide emissions, is likely the primary driver of climate change over at least the past few centuries. Scientists have long observed a noticeable relationship between solar activity, as indicated by sunspot numbers, and so-called "global temperatures" for centuries. It was in 1613 when Galileo Galilei, the father of modern astronomy, used the newly invented telescope to begin recording darker areas, some far larger than the Earth, on the surface of the Sun. It caused a social and religious uproar because everything beyond the Moon was supposed to be pristine and unblemished despite the fact that there are records from Ancient Greece and China from centuries before Christ of observations of these dark areas. Some people argued that the dark areas were moons or planets in front of our home star. But Galileo was rightthey are actually a characteristic of the Sun itself, a phenomenon we now call sunspots. Today, we know that sunspots are areas of the sun's atmosphere which are up to 3,000 degrees Kelvin cooler than the surrounding photosphere, making them appear much darker. They are caused when the Sun's magnetic field breaks through the surface. The number of sunspots rises and falls in a regular 11-year cycle. This coincides with a change in the amount of radiation emitted by the Sun. Even though sunspots are much cooler than the rest of the photosphere, the Sun is more active when the number of sunspots is also at a maximum. What scientists observed was that, when there were many sunspots, the Earth was warmer. When there were fewer spots, it was colder. Why this was the case, no one knew. After all, as I pointed out in my article from two weeks ago: "The Total Solar Irradiance, the amount of solar energy reaching the top of Earth's atmosphere, only varies by about 0.1% over the course of the familiar 11-year sunspot cycle. While the variations can be greater for longer cycles, for example, the 200-year solar cycle, they are still insufficient to account for the observed warming, at least via direct solar insolation changes." So, for changes in the Sun's output to be a significant driver of the climate change we have seen over the past century and before, there would have to be a natural factor amplifying these changes. Until the 1990s, no plausible explanation for this problem existed, so one could argue that the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was probably justified to ignore sunspots in predicting future climate. But, in 1991, two researchers from the Danish Meteorological Institute, E. Friis-Christensen and K. Lassen, published a new theory in " Length of the Solar Cycle: An Indicator of Solar Activity Closely Associated with Climate ." It was not the answer to the amplification issue, but it was a step forward in recognizing that the Sun plays a more significant role than previously thought. By 1997 scientists started to home in on the answer when Friis-Christensen and Henrik Svensmark, also of the Danish Meteorological Institute, published the paper, " Variation of Cosmic Ray Flux and Global Cloud coverage  A Missing Link in Solar-Climate Relationships ." As I described in last week's article, galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) are high-energy (and high speed, nearly the speed of light) atomic nuclei or other particles traveling through space that originate in supernovas in deep space, eventually flooding into our solar system. When they enter the Earth's atmosphere, they appear to affect climate (note: lower energy cosmic rays originate in the Sun and the variability of solar cosmic rays probably affects climate as well). The IPCC was still perhaps right to not accept these untested new ideas. However, by 2000 the theory was evaluated through experiments and what is now known as the Svensmark or Cosmic Theory appears to provide the missing amplifier that accounts for the observed correlation between solar activity and Earth's climate. Here is how it works. To reach us here on Earth, GCRs must pass through, and is diverted by, the Sun's magnetic field, which varies in strength as solar activity changes as indicated by the changing sunspot numbers. When the field is strong during solar maximum, less GCRs penetrate into the solar system than when the field is weak (note: Cosmic Ray Flux (CRF) is also be affected by the Earth's magnetic field and that too may be influenced by the strength of the magnetic field of the Sun, but that is beyond the scope of this article). As GCRs enter the Earth's atmosphere, they help form particles called aerosols in the lower atmosphere which may grow to cloud condensation nuclei. These are particles around which water can form to create droplets of water, a million of which are needed to make a moderate-sized raindrop. While the original droplets are microscopic in size, they are visible as clouds which act like a screen in a greenhouse controlling the amount of sunlight that can penetrate the atmosphere to heat the Earth's surface. So, when the Sun is in a strong phase, with a stronger magnetic field, less GCRs enter the Earth's atmosphere and we have less clouds. This then amplifies the warming that is directly caused by a more active Sun. Once again, the sequence of events is: a strong Sun causes slight warming on the Earth due to increased solar energy input to our planet.

a strong Sun also causes a stronger solar magnetic field

this field reduces the amount of GCRs that can enter the solar system and so Earth's atmosphere

so less clouds form, amplifying the initial warming by the Sun. The reverse is also believed to be true: a weaker Sun produces less warming on Earth due to decreased solar energy input to our planet.

a weaker Sun also causes a weaker solar magnetic field

this weakened field allows more GCRs to enter the solar system and so Earth's atmosphere

so more clouds form, further reducing the initial reduced warming of the Sun. Now here is where the work of Professor Nir Shaviv of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Professor Jan Veizer, the Distinguished University Professor (emeritus) of Earth Sciences at the University of Ottawa, that I discussed in the two previous parts of this series, comes in. There was initially, and to some extent still is, disagreement in the climate science community (see The Cloud Mystery documentary ) as to whether cosmic ray flux (CRF) really did cause significant changes in climate as Svensmark hypothesized. But when the work of Shaviv and Veizer came out, it gave independent support to the idea that CRF was indeed a significant driver of climate, at least on geologic timescales. It was independent since it is not solar activity changing the cosmic rays affecting the climate over decadal time scales, as Svensmark proposed. Instead, Shaviv and Veizer's work was over hundred million-year timescales in which cosmic rays clearly drove climate due to the frequency and proximity of supernovae. This then lent significant support to Svensmark's theory, important parts of which were bolstered in experiments that Svensmark carried out, and also in the CLOUD experiment at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), an intergovernmental organization that operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world in Switzerland. Science writer Nigel Calder reported that the experiments that could prove Svensmark's theory were delayed for a strange reason: "The Director General of CERN stirred controversy last month, by saying that the CLOUD team's report should be politically correct about climate change. The implication was that they should on no account endorse the Danish heresy  Henrik Svensmark's hypothesis that most of the global warming of the 20th Century can be explained by the reduction in cosmic rays due to livelier solar activity, resulting in less low cloud cover and warmer surface temperatures." In the years following the work by Svensmark, Shaviv and Veizer, there has been an intense campaign aimed at discrediting the variable Sun-GCR-cloud cover idea, with some researchers seeming to show that important elements of it may be wrong. After all, if the Svensmark theory is right, as increasingly seems to be the case, then much of the raison d'etre for the multi-trillion-dollar drive to reduce carbon dioxide emissions falls apart. At the end of The Cloud Mystery documentary Eugene Parker, Professor Emeritus in Physics Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Chicago said: "This has a new dimension now that global warming is a political issue. Things become politically incorrect and, in the United States at least, we have cases of good solid research on global warming being refused for publication because somebody has made up his mind that that isn't the way it is, and you can't publish. I think this is not only unfortunate for the author, it is unfortunate for the country and the world as a whole because this is a problem we had better get straight so we know what to do." The "cosmoclimatology" work of Svensmark, Veizer, Shaviv et al is real world science in action and I will update readers about this again in the near future, so stayed tuned! But, in the meantime, we have a reasonably complete theory that fits temperature variations on Earth on timescales from days to decades to millennia to millions to billions of years. And there is empirical evidence for it all. How exciting! Tom Harris is Executive Director of the Ottawa, Canada-based International Climate Science Coalition . Home
Photo: Instagram | 412donklife

The fifth and latest generation recently blew two candles off its birthday, and since the grand unveiling at the end of 2021, it has proved its worth multiple times. It remains a great alternative to other similarly-sized models and an almost-perfect daily driver that could take its occupants to the end of the world and back, assuming nothing goes wrong with it.We've seen the new Range Rover being subjected to all kinds of tests these past 2+ years. It is also a favorite among certain tuners, so no matter if you're into power boost, custom interiors, or wacky body kits, the right mods are usually a few mouse clicks (or screen touches) away. Mind you, we think this model looks best with no aftermarket touches other than perhaps extra tinted windows and fresh wheels.But since our two cents do not necessarily matter and some owners have chosen to modify theirs, we now have multiple controversial-looking projects. Mansory couldn't have ignored it either, yet they certainly took their time to release the flashy add-ons, as these came out in the second quarter of last year. It's a complete proposal with upgrades inside and out and under the hood, and you can read more about it here Now, you may be wondering what the deal is with the Range Rover pictured in the gallery above. And the answer is very simple: it is a CGI build. This means it only exists in Fantasy Land, and we hope it stays there and doesn't inspire an eccentric owner. Signed by 412donklife, these renderings made their way to social media a few days ago, with a short caption that refers to it as being the "Nastiest Range Rover Ever."The bi-tone look, with teal being the dominating hue and a few black accents here and there, sets it apart from the stock ones, and it rides on a set of oversized multi-spoke alloys that came from Forgiato. As you can imagine, such a project would be very uncomfortable and would have a terrible turning radius, though that doesn't necessarily matter to a small crowd that is into similar builds.One might think we mentioned Mansory above for no reason, but its add-ons were also digitally fitted to this Range Rover, thus making the whole thing even flashier. We're not fans of this premium high-rider and remain convinced that it looks best stock, yet we won't judge you if you dig the look. So, do you?
If you're excited about the prospect of emission-free urban air taxi flights, you'll be happy to hear about not just one but two important developments in connection to the New York area.

A series of pioneering eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) flights in New York highlighted the plans for turning the Downtown Manhattan Heliport into a future hub for electric aviation. Recently, a step further in that direction confirmed that the heliport will have an agnostic operator. This is good news for all eVTOL makers because it was specifically intended as a way to accommodate various types of eVTOLs.The confirmation came as NYCEDC (the New York City Economic Development Corporation) completed the RFP (request for proposals) phase of its project for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. We can expect a multitude of innovative aircraft to operate at this new hub, and this includes the Lilium eVTOL jet.The German eVTOL maker believes that its flagship aircraft, claiming to be the first of its kind worldwide, is particularly compatible with air taxi operations in New York compared to its competitors. That's mostly because, while many eVTOLs are designed for short-range intra-city flights, the Lilium aircraft can promise regional air mobility.What would this look like? During the initial stage, the Lilium jet would be able to reach locations such as the Hamptons, Atlantic City, and Philadelphia. Later on, the German-designed jet could even connect New York to places like Baltimore, Boston, and Martha's Vineyard. Imagine taking an electric jet from NYC to Martha's Vineyard, avoiding the traffic, and arriving on time with the added bonus of no emissions. This later development primarily depends on how fast global battery technology will evolve.The Lilium aircraft doesn't use a hybrid approach to extend its range. Instead, it adapted the existing jet propulsion technology to electric operations. The result is what claims to be the world's first eVTOL jet. The power-lift configuration based on DEVT (Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust) technology claims to improve overall performance while also enabling a bigger payload.The Munich-based aviation company has also secured a series of top-tier suppliers for its flagship aircraft. Collins Aerospace will provide a custom-made pilot interface, GKN Aerospace is developing dedicated electric wiring interconnection systems, and Honeywell will supply the DENSO electric motors.The launch version of the Lilium eVTOL, known as the Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet, will be available for purchase in the US as well as selected European locations. In America, the Texas-based aircraft brokerage and management company EMCJET was designated as the exclusive dealer for private sales until 2030. In its home country, Lilium has teamed up with Lufthansa to explore potential AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) operations in the near future. The Lilium jet is expected to be certified in both Europe and the US by 2026.
If you've been watching our coverage of military vehicles these past few years, then the term Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) might ring a bell or two. If not, here's the rundown: AMPV is a family of next-generation combat vehicles to be fielded by American Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT).

The AMPV family is designed by European contractor BAE Systems , and at the time of writing it comprises five different variants, all of them already selected by the American military to serve its combat needs General Purpose, Mortar Carrier, Mission Command, Medical Treatment and Medical Evacuation.The five various incarnations of the vehicle platform are meant to replace the M113 tracked armored personal carrier, a military workhorse that has been in service since the 1960s. There is no definite timetable for the switch, but the change is coming, and it might bring with exciting new variants of the platform as well.You see, the AMPV is a sort of modular platform on which a variety of equipment can be fitted (up to 30 different turrets), especially when the so-called External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP) top plate is installed.It is this piece of hardware that earlier this year gave birth to a drone-fighting AMPV . Running the Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) turret made by a company called Moog, the prototype was capable of detecting, tracking, identifying, and defeating drones and stationary targets using proximity rounds.This week's AMPV piece of news concerns the same sixth prototype and its ExMEP top plate, but this time, it is equipped with something called the Patria NEMO. That would be a remote-controlled mortar system that can fire 120 mm rounds.This seventh AMPV configuration is the result of work conducted by defense contractors BAE Systems, Kongsberg, and Patria, and the U.S. Army. It can be used to provide indirect and direct fire support to troops on the ground, and it does so with quite effectiveness.More to the point the prototype can shoot mortar rounds at five enemy targets at the same time, all in the span of just four seconds and while the firing platform is either stationary or on the move.What's really important about this weapons platform is that the prototype has already been delivered to the U.S. Army for testing. Over the following months, the vehicle and its systems will be put through their paces at various locations across the U.S.If successful, the AMPV Turreted Mortar vehicle, as it's called, will complement the existing Mortar Carrier version, coming as a "significant enhancement that would not only allow for increased capabilities and force protection, but also keep Soldiers completely under the armor protection provided by the vehicle."Neither of the parties involved said anything about how long the tests of the prototype will last.
11 March 2024 20:44 (UTC+04:00)

Fatime Letifova Read more

For a long time, Spain was one of the countries that supported Azerbaijan on the issue of Garabagh and condemned the Armenian occupation.

For example, in 1993, Spain voted in favour of 4 resolutions of the UN Security Council No. 822, 853, 874, and 884 regarding the Garabagh war. According to these resolutions, Armenian armed units had to leave the occupied Kalbajar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli, Zangilan, and other territories of Azerbaijan. That is, Spain voted in favour of the resolutions demanding that Armenia withdraw from the occupied Azerbaijani lands.

In the "Madrid principles" proposed by the Minsk Group in 2007 regarding the settlement of the Garabagh conflict, the withdrawal of Armenia and the so-called "Nagorno-Garabagh armed forces" from all the occupied territories around Garabagh was emphasised.

The support of this format by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain showed that the country supports the withdrawal of aggressive forces from the territory of Azerbaijan.

The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement published on May 1, 2015, about the unrecognised Nagorno-Garabagh that Spain does not consider the parliamentary elections scheduled to be held in Nagorno-Garabagh on May 3 as legitimate. The ministry stated that those elections have no validity.

"The separation of this territory is the result of the use of force, it is against international law and is not recognised by Azerbaijan," the statement added.

On May 25, 2016, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Ignacio Ibanez, spoke about the Garabagh conflict during his meeting with Azerbaijan Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov in Spain. He said that Spain supports the format of the OSCE Minsk Group aimed at resolving the conflict.

Thus, Spain made many announcements and statements about the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands.

However, in recent years, especially after the 44-day war, the liberation of Azerbaijani lands has caused a 180-degree change in Spain's position towards Azerbaijan.

In December 2021, an agreement was signed between Azerbaijan and Spain in Madrid, providing for the exchange of confidential information and the protection of this information.

The lower house of the Spanish Parliament (Congress) had not ratified the international agreement concluded with Azerbaijan and described Azerbaijan as an aggressor country.

This step by Spain created a shock effect on relations between the two countries. Spain, which has always expressed its support for Azerbaijan, seems to have betrayed its friend by falling prey to Armenian manipulations.

But we should not forget that after the declaration of independence of Catalonia, it was Spain that started the legal procedure against them, called this step separatism against the territorial integrity of the country, and succeeded in arresting and prosecuting the leader of Catalonia, Carlos Puchtemon.

But now it is the same Spain that ignores the attempt of the separatists in Garabagh on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the genocide against the Azerbaijanis, and the trampling of the UN Charter and resolutions.

John Inarritu, a member of the parliament, offered to show solidarity with the Armenian people, who faced "Azerbaijan's aggression".

It seems that John Inarritu has been working on this plan for a long time, thus, the very next day he rushed to the leader of the separatist-terrorist regime, Arayik Harutyunyan, and was awarded the "Mkhitar Gosh" medal of the so-called state.

After that, the deputy said, "It was an honour for me to receive the Mkhitar Gosh medal from the republic of "artsakh". We will continue to support the right of Armenians to live in Artsakh, as well as the need for international recognition."

He knew very well how he hit the relations between Spain and Azerbaijan.

And now, the Spanish deputy, clearly showing his pro-Armenian position, declares that the international community should impose targeted sanctions or other punishments against the persons or organisations responsible for the destruction of the Armenian historical and cultural heritage of "Nagorno-Garabagh".

It is interesting that the Spanish government ignores the condition of Shusha Castle, Garabagh Khan's Palace, Sisernavang Monastery, Natavan Palace, and many other historical and cultural monuments destroyed by Armenians in Garabagh, worrying about the fake monuments of a so-called regime.

The fact that the Spanish deputy was awarded a medal by the so-called regime after his pro-Armenian speeches and clearly took a position against Azerbaijan is either a betrayal of the policy pursued by his country for many years, or he is a tool of the Spanish government to break friendly relations with Azerbaijan.

In both cases, it is unfortunate that Spain is trying to destroy relations with Azerbaijan in this way.

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11 March 2024 11:46 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

A venture capital fund will be established to support startups in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing Yevgeniya Bikmurzina, the head of the Innovation Ecosystem Department at IRIA (Institute of Scientific Research on Economic Reforms).

In 2024, the initiation of innovative activities is targeted at six new universities to support the creation of startups.

She stated that this year, support will be provided for 8 incubation programs. In 2024, four innovation programs will be organized in more than 10 regions of Azerbaijan. Additionally, support is planned for 5 acceleration programs.

This year, 8 competitions will be organized for startups and innovative projects. As part of mentorship programs, the training of 50 mentors is scheduled. An online experience program aims to provide online training to 100 innovation entrepreneurs.

As for the goals, they include the establishment of a venture capital fund, the creation of a $10 million fund for Azerbaijani founders, the signing of 38 investment agreements by angel investors and venture funds, the initiation of another club for angel investors called "DIVIDA," the establishment and support of 1 cluster center within the "Absheron Valley" program, and the creation and support of the activities of 2 regional innovation centers, as emphasized in Yevgeniya Bikmurzina's statement.

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11 March 2024 14:33 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has allocated a credit line of 10 million euros to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports

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11 March 2024 16:48 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

Currently, two technoparks are operating under IRIA. Last year, over 200 local companies applied for activities outside the technopark. Yevgeniya Bikmurzina, the director of the Innovation Ecosystem Department at the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA), spoke at a press conference on the results of IRIA for the year 2023 and the goals for 2024, stating that 70 companies have obtained residency for activities outside the technopark.

In 2023, more than 40 foreign companies visited Baku to familiarize themselves with the local ICT market. Fifteen foreign companies applied to become residents of the technopark, and currently, efforts are underway to grant residency to seven foreign companies. During the first quarter of 2024, 11 local companies obtained residency. Additionally, by the end of the first quarter, it is expected that four local and two foreign companies will receive their registration certificates," added Y. Bikmurzina.

Speaking about the activities in 2023, a representative mentioned that investments from the "Caucasus Ventures" fund amounted to 1 million US dollars for 15 startups. Currently, support has been provided for the creation and operation of two Angel Investor clubs: "Technovate-Sabah Angels Club" and "LTC Angels Network." "Technovate-Sabah" conducted training for 109 angel investors. "Bloom Creative Technologies" and "LTC Angels Network" organized a boot camp for angel investors with the support of IRIA and PASHA Holding.

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The Cultural Center under the Azerbaijani Embassy in France has hosted a concert "Dance of Symbols" and a display of national costumes "Garabagh - a legend of courage and beauty."

The event was organized by the embassy in partnership with the Association of Azerbaijan's Friends, Azernews reports.

Azerbaijan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France and the Principality of Monaco Leyla Abdullayeva addressed the event.

In her speech, the Azerbaijani Ambassador stressed the role of the women in Azerbaijan, their participation in building a modern society.

She recalled the creation of the Society for the Protection of Women in Baku back in 1902, then in 1904  the Society for Promoting the Vocational Education of Women, as well as the opening in Baku of the first school for girls in the entire Muslim East.

Leyla Abdullayeva also briefed the event participants about the granting of women the right to vote and be elected in Azerbaijan in 1918, as well as Azerbaijan's accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

The Azerbaijani Ambassador noted the active participation of women in the country's political and social life.

It was brought to the attention that the concert and display of the Garabagh national costumes will create for everyone an idea of Azerbaijan, located at the intersection of two continents, its culture, traditions and values.

One of the founders of the "Resm" jewelry brand Rasmina Gurbatova presented the "Concert of Symbols."

Jewelry from the Resm brand - Buta, Buta v Ay, Qocbuynuzu, Zfran, Xarbulbul, Xms, Nar and others were presented on the screen.

Furthermore, Rasmina Gurbatova delighted the attendees with music pieces by Azerbaijani, French composers and songs of her own composition.

She was accompanied on the synthesizer by the co-founder of the Culture Volunteers Public Association, well known composer and music director Babir Babirov.

The latest collection of the Baku House of National Clothing, founded by Konul Valibayli, was presented at the event. The collection, embodying elegance and courage, is dedicated to Garabagh region.

Garabagh costumes, which occupy a special place in Azerbaijan's national clothes, are an integral part of the rich cultural heritage of the region.

They reflect the traditions and customs, worldview, creativity, and national thinking of the people. These costumes are an invaluable asset of the Azerbaijani people. The Garabagh collection embodies the history and beauty of Garabagh. The collection was met with great interest.

While preserving elements of traditional ethnic clothing in its products, Baku House of National Clothing passes them on to a new generation.

The main purpose of adding elements of historical national costumes to everyday clothing is to ensure that it can be worn in everyday life, and not just on special occasions.

National costumes created by the Baku House of National Clothes are presented in the collections of many museums in Azerbaijan. Such collections of the Baku House as Borchali, Shusha, Shaki, Shirvan, Lankaran are widely known.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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11 March 2024 12:32 (UTC+04:00)

Editorial

When Armenia occupied the territories of Azerbaijan for thirty years, it considered the UN Security Council resolutions just empty paper, and the world was silent to this. Even because of this, no sanctions or warnings were given to Armenia.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said during an interview with his local media subjects that the international world order has been deteriorated. He said that it is important to concentrate all political efforts in order to correct this situation.

Armenia's view of the world order is actually related to its approach to the processes from a different angles. By considering the current situation in the South Caucasus and Garabagh, which has just been liberated from occupation as contrary to the world order, Mirzoyan presents Yerevan's fluctuating approach to its recognition of the territories of Azerbaijan.

First of all, instead of uttering pompous words, Ararat Samvelovich should be reminded that for almost 30 years Armenia did not comply with 4 mandatory UN SC resolutions, which demanded the immediate liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani territories and the return of refugees back to Garabagh.

It turns out that he made a discovery in international law, but what about the blatant disregard for these resolutions of Armenia, then, according to his logic, the world community should have forced the aggressor country to implement these resolutions, but it remained silent and pretended not to see anything, calling on Armenia and Azerbaijan to a ghostly illusory world.

But we wonder how the world reacts to it? Hopefully the world will not be so naive to believe Mr. Diplomat's crocodile tears.

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11 March 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Editorial

Armenian hysteria continues over the arrested separatist gangs amidst Yerevan's demands for justice to its another scenario of "forcibly displaced people from Garabagh".

Yerevan, which has now begun to understand the nature of how serious the issue is, is already trying to legalize the issue by making protests with tumults in front of international organizations. However, Ruben Vardanyan, Araik Harutnyan and others, who were arrested according to Azerbaijan legislation, created illegal armed groups in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan and engaged in terrorism and sabotage until September 19, 2023.

As always, this time the European Parliament will approach the issue from double standards and discuss the issue of "prisoners of war" on March 19, that is, those arrested over creating illegal armed groups in another country's territory.

First of all, information about the transgressors, former separatist leaders detained in the Garabakh region by Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies do not fall under the category of prisoners of war and the actions of the Geneva Convention. Since they are citizens of Azerbaijan who have committed offenses according to the criminal code and are responsible according to the law. The main crimes they are accused of are the creation and participation in illegal armed groups, separatism, encroachment on territorial integrity, etc.

As for Ruen Vardanyan, being a citizen of a foreign state, he illegally entered the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, by the way, which is now recognized by the Armenian authorities and committed crimes on the territory of another state.

According to international law, prisoners of war are military personnel of another state captured with weapons in their hands in military uniform during hostilities, so none of them fall under this category.

Thus, as mistakenly mentioned by the EPP, illegal armed groups do not fall under this category, i.e., calling the arrested ones prisoners of war is a stark violation of international law.

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On the 50th anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons (1974) -- A dark turn in the pop-culture? (Part Nine) By Mark Wegierski

web posted March 11, 2024 FASA (another major company) had earlier supported the sci-fi miniatures system, Vor: The Maelstrom, whose premise was that evil energies had broken the Earth up into a twisted shell, and a few humans clung precariously to survival. One of the flagship RPG systems of FASA is Shadowrun: Where Man Meets Magic and Machine (originally released 1989). Shadowrun is mainly based on the cyberpunk subgenre of science fiction, however, it introduces a further twist on the theme. There is the introduction of so-called metahumanity (elves, dwarves, orks, trolls), all manner of other creatures of legend (dragons, etc.), and of the possibility of magical practice for most beings, including normal humans -- into a high-tech, gritty cyberpunk world. The setting's premise for this evolution is an upsurge of an enormous wave of magical and occult energies around the year 2011. Some might suggest that our own world today is one "where man meets magic and machine." There is a burgeoning of the most fantastic occult tendencies today, combined with surreal advances in technology. Shadowrun may both point to an increasingly dystopic world, as well as possibly offer some aid in understanding the parameters of such a future, under siege from both the hyper-irrational (the occult, conspiracy-theories, extreme forms of popular music), and the hyper-rational (hyper-technology, socio-technical controls, and corporate/bureaucratic rule). Among the interesting supplements to Shadowrun, is the London Sourcebook (1991), which portrays Shadowrun's vision of the British Isles. Much of England and Scotland are covered by toxic waste areas. On the fringes in Wales and Scotland, magical forces have increasingly taken hold. Wales is a large Elven center, while Tir Nan Og (Ireland) is under the rule of the Shidhe (pronounced "Shee") (the elves). There are at least four aspects of this sourcebook that could be seen as reflections on longstanding aspects of English character. First of all, there is the notion that the use of magic is tightly controlled and licensed. This parallels the fact that today and traditionally in Britain, guns are very tightly controlled. (One remembers the line from Sting's classic rock song, "An Englishman in New York" - "takes more than a license to own a gun.") Secondly, there is the office of Lord Protector (which seems to be an especially favored title in many sci-fi scenarios). It could be argued that a term like Lord Protector is too-antique-sounding for this type of background. Also, it is historically associated with Cromwell, who presided over the execution of Charles I (on January 30, 1649  375 years ago) so it can never in fact coexist with the monarchy, or with traditional aristocratic titles, as it uneasily does in this background. Thirdly, the hypothesized British society is portrayed as one with all manner of class-intricacies, and of various inter-class, inter-ethnic, and "interracial" (humanity and metahumanity) rivalries. Ironically, given the wrenching effects of the posited hypertechnology and the flux of magic, the hypothesized Britain has emerged as seemingly more traditionalist than it is today. It must be said that the notion of "young Elven aristocrats" is a rich conceit, one perhaps that can be appreciated even more if one has had some actual contact with English notions. Fourthly, in the fashion common among the British Left, the actual nature of the rule by privileged families (the condition of England for much of its earlier history) is said to be far different than it appears on the surface. The authors of the supplement have taken great relish in "revising" the now-prevalent notions of Elves in the conventions of fantasy, derived most obviously from Tolkien. In a sense, they are returning to a more traditional view of Elfin nature. (It is interesting that in many dictionaries, elf and goblin are listed as synonyms.) While the Shadowrun elves largely retain qualities of physical attractiveness, it is obvious that many of them are "racists," and that (at the extreme) they are plotting genocide. In a not entirely resolved contradiction, the quasi-Masonic organization that is led by the English Druids, is actually an advocate of pure-human chauvinism. In the supplement, this "new Freemasonry" is seen as extremely powerful in Britain, far more powerful than the actual Freemasons would appear to be today. It has sometimes been argued that in Britain (as opposed to the Continent), Freemasonry has operated as a right-wing, conservative force. If the Elves are portrayed as at least somewhat sinister, the picture of Orks and Trolls is also highly "revisionist." The conventional view of these creatures in the fantasy genre is also derived heavily from Tolkien. In a rather striking twist on the familiar theme, while the Orks' and Trolls' physical appearance remains rather grotesque, they retain entirely normal intellectual and emotional traits (though perhaps somewhat prone to emotions). Thus, they almost invariably become an oppressed proletariat -- others typically judge them by their appearance, not by their character and worth. One could mention here the Shadowrun-related product, High Tech & Low Life: The Art of Shadowrun (1997), which has an interesting written introduction, followed by virtually all of the art that had appeared up to that time with the Shadowrun products. Another RPG product of FASA, Earthdawn, gives a prominent role to "The Horrors" in its portrayal of a fantasy world. Earthdawn had been passed on to another company quite some time ago. The other major intellectual property of FASA is the BattleTech universe. This portrays futuristic combat based around so-called "Mechs" (huge, human-crewed war-robots  for which the generic term, derived from Japanese animation, is "mecha") set in a universe of warring feudal Houses and Regiments. These space empires are mostly European (Russia, Germany, and Scotland) and Oriental (Japan and China) inspired societies. FASA announced in January 2001 that it would be closing down by April 2001. However, its two main creations, BattleTech and Shadowrun were transferred to Wizkids LLC. Wizkids has come out with the hugely popular miniatures collectible game  MageKnight, and is owned by the son of FASA's chief executive (the son was also a co-founder of FASA in 1980). To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home
11 March 2024 15:17 (UTC+04:00)

Editorial

Armenia is exploring new ways to arm itself. After France, Greece, and Cyprus, the Yerevan authorities, who tried to get help from India, found the air route more appropriate. So, in order to sell its weapons to Armenia in a safer and easier way, India is establishing an air corridor to Armenia. India and Armenia supposedly want to open this air route "to handle export of strategic importance", sources say in India.

Thus, according to a source, "HAL & CONCOR have established HALCON, a Joint Working Group for the purpose of the same."

First of all, it should be noted that this air line envisaged by India can be realized only through Iran. Azerbaijan will never allow its airspace to be used by India and Armenia for these purposes.

On the other hand, although this air line is possible only through Iran, the fact that official Tehran allows it also creates a threat against itself. Therefore, Iran should not allow this plan to come true by any means.

In this way, it is envisaged to transport weapons produced in India under a French licence to Armenia. This also suggests that this plan serves India and France's nefarious policy of trading through Armenia and targeting the South Caucasus rather than expanding Armenia's military arsenal.

The operation of the European Union mission in Armenia, Yerevan's gradually ceasing its military cooperation with the Kremlin, and, at the same time, the increasingly narrowing of the scope of the Russian military contingent in Armenia and even the planning of its termination in the coming period show that Armenia is completely under the dictates of the West. Because all the above listed already clearly show that the Western powers intend to gather in Armenia and create a new front against Russia with their strategic goals. In other words, it becomes clear that the process of transferring Armenia completely under the control of the West is underway.

Iran has contributed to the realisation of this plan by creating conditions for a strategic air route between India and Armenia, and it is quite predictable what kind of problems it will cause for Iran itself.

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11 March 2024 22:55 (UTC+04:00)

Fatime Letifova Read more

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyans interview with the TRT World TV channel was another proof of the hypocrisy of this country.

The Armenian government, which had been carrying out illegal operations on Azerbaijani lands for years and caused the displacement of more than 1 million Azerbaijanis from their homelands during the First Garabagh War, is now portraying itself as oppressed and Azerbaijan as an 'aggressor' after liberating its own lands.

We should not forget that Azerbaijan's peace talks with this country have been left unanswered or delayed since November 9, 2020.

Despite this, the Armenian government calls for peace at international conferences and meetings but engages in provocations on the Azerbajani border behind the scenes, especially in February this year, at the time of the inauguration ceremony of President Ilham Aliyev.

A Turkish political analyst, Husamettin Inac, a professor at Turkiyes Dumlupinar University who touched on the issue in a comment for Azernews, spoke about the main purpose of Mirzoyans speech.

He emphasised that after being defeated in 2020 in a 44-day war, Armenia must find a serious basis for an agreement and ensure a final peace treaty.

Armenia, after being defeated in 2020 and in the local anti-terror measures carried out in September 2023, should find a serious basis for an agreement with Azerbaijan and ensure final peace. However, we see a great imbalance in the Armenian government nowadays, he said.

The Turkish professor explained the main reason for Armenias blind policy acts. He added that European countries are filling the gap in Armenia, which Russia left behind.

Because the gap left by Russia in Armenia is currently being filled by European countries, France, and America. It is an example of Armenia's withdrawal from the CSTO and the demand for Russian soldiers' exit from the region.

The message they are trying to convey is this:

"We will give you all kinds of weapons, military equipment, etc. You just fight with Azerbaijan as much as you can, but do not conclude a definitive peace agreement."

Especially Pashinyan's contacts in Europe and America, Macron's visit to Armenia, and the signing of the military defence and cooperation agreement are among the initial factors that show this, he added.

Inac also talked about Armenian people. He noted that Armenians clearly understand what is happening today in the region. They know the normalisation process is in their own favour.

Most of the Armenian people know everything very well. They know very well that they will not be able to fight with Azerbaijan from now on, and even if they fight, they will not be able to win. On the other hand, normalisation of relations with both Azerbaijan and Turkiye will improve their daily lives and well-being.

The expert added that the Armenian diaspora undermines this normalisation process.

"When we look at the Armenian diaspora and their contacts and pressures in different places, we see that the defeated government is trying to reduce criticism against Pashinyan's party. Therefore, there are attempts to sell some fake hopes to the nation in Armenia," he underlined.

He drew attention to the European Union Parliament Assembly and its biased diplomacy. Inac said that Azerbaijan made the right decision by leaving the Assembly at that moment.

Similar allegations were raised in the European Parliament. A number of illogical and absurd claims have been put forward, such as fearing that Azerbaijan will attack Armenia or commit genocide against Armenians within its borders.

They are trying to create an international union that they want to be on Armenia's side. As a result, Azerbaijan gave the right answer and left the parliamentary assembly, the professor emphasised.

Husamettin Inac clarified the issue of international law that Ararat Mirzoyan voiced in his speech. He said that the Armenians have not got any punishment for any of the crimes they have committed so far.

We do not see that Armenia fulfils its obligations arising from international law in any matter. The biggest example of this is the war in Garabagh in 1991 and 1992, after Soviet Russia declared its economic and political bankruptcy and withdrew from the international scene.

For example, when we look at what happened in Khojaly, we see genocide, a terrible crime against humanity. We also see that Armenia was not punished in any way for the Khojaly massacre, he said.

Professor Inac linked Armenia's indifferent approach to the processes in the region and lack of enthusiasm for the peace process to its being a project state. He noted that these types of states always have special privileges not to abide by international law.

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11 March 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are implementing large regional projects, Azernews reports, citing the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan, Alim Bayel, telling at the II meeting of the Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan Business Council.

According to him, the regional projects are including the development of the Middle Corridor, the construction of a fiber-optic communication line with the bottom of the Caspian Sea, etc.

"Last year, the trade turnover between the two countries reached 530 million dollars, which is a record in recent years," he added.

Ambassador said that there is a potential for further increase in trade turnover between the two countries.

He noted that it is necessary to expand the activities of the business council, to involve both large and medium businesses.

"Besides, we should try to have the presidents of both countries participate in the next meeting of the business council."

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11 March 2024 12:41 (UTC+04:00)

An official welcome ceremony has been held for President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev who arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan for a state visit, Azernews reports.

A guard of honor was arranged for the Kazakh President in the square decorated with the national flags of the two countries.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to the Kazakh President.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev saluted the Azerbaijani soldiers.

The heads of state reviewed the guard of honor.

The state anthems of the Republics of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan were played.

The delegation of Azerbaijan was introduced to the President of Kazakhstan, while the delegation of Kazakhstan was introduced to the President of Azerbaijan.

The guard of honor marched in front of the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the accompaniment of a military march.

The presidents posed for official photos.

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11 March 2024 12:54 (UTC+04:00)

Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Your Excellency,

It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Zambia, to extend heartfelt congratulations to Your Excellency on your re-election victory as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Your re-election is a firm affirmation of the trust and confidence that the people of Azerbaijan have in your able leadership and vision to steer the country to greater prosperity. As you assume your fifth term of office, I wish to reaffirm my Government`s commitment and desire to working closely with your Government to strengthen relations and cooperation between our two countries.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration and best wishes for your continued personal good health and prosperity for the people of Azerbaijan.

Hakainde Hichilema

President of the Republic of Zambia"

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
11 March 2024 20:10 (UTC+04:00)

Lithuania banned cars with Russian license plates on Monday, except for diplomatic cars and vehicles transiting through Lithuania to and from Russias Kaliningrad region, according to the Customs Department, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

As of March 11, drivers with Russian license plates will be deemed in breach of the legislation and will in turn be liable under the Code of Administrative Offences, the Customs said.

There are still around 50 Russia-registered cars on Lithuanian territory, with their owners facing fines of 200-6,000 ($219-6,561), the authority said, adding these cars would be seized unless they departed from the country.

The Russian citizens who are heading to or from Russias Kaliningrad Oblast through Lithuania and have corresponding documentation are exempt from the ban, however, transit through Lithuania must not take longer than 24 hours, according to Customs.

Furthermore, cars will not be allowed to enter Lithuania without their owners being physically present in the car.

Lithuania initially banned cars with Russian license plates from entering its territory in September last year, following a recommendation from the European Commission.

All Baltic countries including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, have now banned the entry of vehicles with Russian number plates with Poland, Finland, Norway, and Bulgaria having introduced the bans.

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PA and Hamas vying for support of Palestinian clans By Khaled Abu Toameh

web posted March 11, 2024 The Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas are competing to win the support of large Palestinian clans in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The competition comes in the wake of the talk about handing control over the Gaza Strip to local clans after the removal of Hamas from power. The PA and Hamas understand that the backing of the clans is crucial for maintaining their control over the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. That's why PA and Hamas leaders have always treated the large families and their leaders with utmost respect. In some instances, clan leaders were elevated to the unofficial position of supreme judges and arbitrators, replacing the official judiciary and law enforcement of the PA and Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war has undermined the Iran-backed terror group's grip over the Gaza Strip. Hamas is no longer functioning as a de facto government in the coastal enclave, and most of its security and civilian institutions are in a state of paralysis. The assumption among some Israelis and Palestinians is that the decline in Hamas's power would pave the way for the re-emergence of the clans as significant players in the Gaza Strip. According to sources in the Gaza Strip, a few clans affiliated with the PA and its ruling Fatah faction have begun challenging Hamas over the past few weeks. These clans, known to have dozens of armed members, began operating their own law enforcers in some towns and refugee camps in the Gaza Strip to prevent looting and other acts of anarchy and lawlessness. At least one clan was reportedly involved in escorting some of the trucks loaded with humanitarian aid that entered the Gaza Strip through Egypt and Israel. Alarmed by the possibility that some of the families in the Gaza Strip may start cooperating with Israel or the PA, Hamas leaders have been pressuring clan leaders to declare their support for the terror group publicly. Indeed, a statement issued by several clans in the Gaza Strip recently announced that they stand behind Hamas and the Palestinian "resistance" groups. The PA leadership, for its part, has also been working to gain the backing of the clans, especially those in the Gaza Strip. In recent weeks, PA officials in Ramallah have been exerting pressure on the leaders of several clans in the Gaza Strip not to cooperate with the Israel Defense Forces or Hamas. On March 4, 2024, the PA's official media reported that "Palestinian tribes have renewed their pledge of allegiance and support for the sole, legitimate, political leadership represented by President Mahmoud Abbas. According to the report, the "tribes stressed their rejection of [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanayhu's plan, which aims to form a civil administration in the Gaza Strip on the day after the war." On the same day, PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, in opening remarks at the weekly meeting of the Palestinian cabinet, thanked Palestinian clans in the Gaza Strip for allegedly refusing to cooperate with Israel. How many clans signed on to the statement pledging allegiance to the 88-year-old Abbas is unclear. It is also not clear whether these clans represent a large portion of the Palestinian public in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A single clan could have more than one leader  some affiliated with the PA and others with Hamas. What is clear, however, is that the Palestinian clans will be required to play some role in the administration of the Gaza Strip after the war. Hamas may try to hide behind the clans as part of an attempt to return to power. Similarly, the PA is expected to step up its pressure on the clans of the Gaza Strip to distance themselves from both Israel and Hamas. Palestinians have been calling the PA-Hamas struggle to control the clans harb al-ashaer (war of the tribes). Both the PA and Hamas seem aware that their success is tied to the clan leaders. Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning Israeli Arab journalist, lecturer, and documentary filmmaker specializing in Palestinian affairs. A Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Gatestone Institute and a Fellow of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, he has also worked as a senior producer for NBC in the Middle East and has reported on events in the West Bank and Gaza for several media outlets. Home
#BREAKING "F You! Genocide Supporter!" - Jerry Seinfeld hassled by Pro-palestine protesters as he leaves Bari Weiss' event at the 92Y in NYCDesk@freedomnews.tv to license pic.twitter.com/keXtROOuZt  Oliya Scootercaster  (@ScooterCasterNY) February 26, 2024

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld was seen smiling and waving to a group of anti-Israel protestors who had gathered outside an event he was attending at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan.protesters can be heard screaming at the 69-year-old celebrity, who is Jewish. Seinfeld, who was flanked by NYPD officers, responded to the hecklers by giving a quick wave and climbing into the back seat of a black SUV.The protestors continued yelling and cursing at the comedian as the SUV drove away, per the video footage.Seinfeld had been at an event featuring former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss, who is the founder of the Free Press. Weiss was there delivering the annualaddress, per The New York Post. Protestors gathered to show their condemnation of Weis criticizing a Palestinian writer, Refaat Alareer, who they claim was killed during Israeli airstrikes. Before his death, Alareer wrote on X that if he died, the blame was onSeinfeld has been a vocal supporter of Israel, arriving for a visit in December as a show of solidarity with the country following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas.a statement issued by the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum Headquarters said at the time, per The Times of Israel. They further stated that he and his family wereby the stories ofThe comedian was wearing adog tag around his neck when he visited.Pro-Palestinian protests have become more frequent in New York, and other celebrities have been targeted as well. Actor Alec Baldwin was confronted last December.A protestor said to thealum,Baldwin said in reply, as The Daily Wire previously reported.he added.the protester pressed him.Baldwin yelled back.
Portugal joined Europe's swing to the right as parties of the right triumphed in a snap parliamentary election triggered by the previous Socialist prime minister's resignation in a corruption scandal concerning "green" energy. The party with the largest gain was the populist / nationalist anti-immigration Chega (Enough!) Party which has gained at least 34 seats more than the 12 it held previously. The biggest loser was the Socialist Party which may have lost as many as 45 seats.. Parties of the right finished in first, third, and fourth place in the high turnout election.

With 84% of the vote in and results not likely to change much, the traditional conservative Democratic Alliance led with 32.0% of the vote, up from 30.7% from the last election. The Socialists were second with 28.7%, down from 41.4% in the last election. In third place was Chega with 19.2%, up from 7.2% in the last election. Fourth place went to the center-right Liberal Initiative with 3.8%, followed by the Left Bloc, the Communists, and two tiny green parties.

Seats won at this point are: Democratic Alliance 77, Socialists 75, Chega 46, Liberal Initiative 8, Left Bloc 5, Communists 3, Livre 5, PAN 1. In the last election, the Socialists won 120 of parliament's 230 seats for a majority. The Democratic Alliance and Chega have won at least 123 seats between them, a clear majority. Adding Liberal Initiative, the right has won at least 131 of parliament's 230 seats.

UPDATE: Nearly final seat count: Democratic Alliance 79 (gain of 2), Socialists 77 (loss of 43), Chega 48 (gain of 36), Liberal Initiative 8 (no change), Left Bloc 5 (no change), Communists 4 (loss of 2), Livre 4 (gain of 3), PAN 1 (no change); seat total for right is 135 and for the left is 91. The four seats representing Portugeese citizens living abroad are the only seats still to be determined. The Democratic Alliance is itself composed of three parties, the Peoples Party, the Popular Monarchist Party, and the Social Democratic Party (the latter in Portugal is a party of the right).

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/a-historic-day-for-portugal-as-populists-surge-to-electoral-breakthrough/

https://www.rmx.news/article/portugal-center-right-wins-election-right-wing-chega-party-surges/

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2024/03/11/populists-make-big-gains-in-portuguese-election-as-europe-shifts-right/
A nurse at Crown Point (Ind.) Surgical Suites outpatient surgery center has been charged with stealing hundreds of narcotics from the facility between June and December, according to a March 10 report from the NWI Times.

Jessica Smith, 43, has been charged with felony theft, fraud and forgery and misdemeanor interfering with a drug or alcohol screening test.

Ms. Smith was hired at the surgery center in April as a charge nurse, according to the report. Prior to her hiring, six facility nurses had access to the pill cabinet at the facility.

Ms. Smith allegedly changed the system so she was the only one with access to the cabinet. In December, a nurse administrator noticed irregularities in the cabinet and discovered 300 hydrocodone and acetaminophen pills, 20 Oxycontin pills, 97 Percocet pills, 100 Tramadol pills and 39 vials of fentanyl were missing, according to the affidavit.

The nurse also found an order written in May to dispose of 270 expired Oxycontin pills, which she asked Ms. Smith to complete, but the order was still open.

Ms. Smith was supposed to log pill counts at the end of each day, but had not done so since November. The center had to cancel appointments due to a lack of medication. Ms. Smith also refused to submit for a routine drug test of all employees.






A physician resident is suing the health system that owns his former employer, Detroit Medical Center, alleging he was fired in retaliation for notifying his supervisor of the mistreatment of a patient who became quadriplegic, the Detroit Metro Times reported March 8.

In August, a patient was admitted to Detroit Receiving Hospital for an acute kidney injury and was allegedly placed in a sitting position despite staff knowing he was a fall risk. According to the suit, a hospital employee referred to as a sitter should have restrained the patient so he did not fall, but no one did.

According to the report, the patient fell to the ground, struck his head and injured his spine. He was not taken to the ICU, and the next day he was unable to move his extremities.

Joseph Owens, MD, was one of several residents and physicians in the room after the fall, but he alleges he faced all the criticism. According to the publication, he told his supervisor Shaheena Raheem, MD, afterward that the patient being not properly secured by the sitter amounted to malpractice.

Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare owns Detroit Medical Center. The suit also names Wayne State University, where Dr. Owens was enrolled in the residency program, and Dr. Raheem as defendants.

Dr. Owens was terminated from the resident program in November. He told the Metro Times he was terminated for whistleblowing.

Becker's has reached out to Detroit Medical Center and Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare for comment and will update this story if more information becomes available.






Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, Ill., has regained its level 2 trauma center designation after losing it on Feb. 2.

The designation was restored, effective immediately, on March 11 after the Illinois Department of Public Health and Vista Medical Center East reached an agreement.

"IDPH's goal throughout the period since February 2 has been to work with the hospital management to ensure they can provide the essential, life-saving trauma care for the people of Lake County and the surrounding area that are required to hold a trauma center designation," Michael Claffey, public information officer for IDPH, said in a March 11 statement shared with Becker's.

The hospital initially lost its designation "due to its absence of essential services needed to maintain this designation, including lack of a blood bank, anesthesia, neurology, urology, or a full-time trauma coordinator," Mr. Claffey said in an email shared with Becker's on Feb. 5.

The hospital, which is part of Waukegan-based Vista Health System, was acquired by Glendale, Calif.-based American Healthcare Systems in 2023 for $23.5 million.

"Vista Medical Center-East is pleased to announce that its Level II Trauma designation has been reinstated by the Illinois Department of Public Health," Faisal Gill, chief legal officer for American Healthcare Systems, said in a statement shared with Becker's. "Vista always has been and remains committed to providing the highest quality of medical care for the community."

Mr. Gill also thanked the more than 1,000 employees for "their hard work in regaining this designation."
Digital health platforms must take a page from Big Tech companies  and largely do the opposite to succeed in healthcare, per an MIT Sloan Management Review article.

Healthcare is a much different business than retail, hospitality and tech and must be treated as such by digital health companies looking to succeed, the researchers wrote in the study,

"Health Care Platforms Need a Strategy Overhaul."

Digital health platforms won't replace industry services, a la Airbnb or Amazon, but complement them, so the companies should concentrate on a "narrow and well-defined scope and integrate with established ecosystems," the paper's authors said.

And unlike big social media platforms like Facebook that just want more users, digital health startups should focus on the quality of their user data, using it to improve operations and business development, according to the sturdy.

Digital health platforms also aren't Apple with its centralized app and developer ecosystem  they operate under "distributed orchestration among physicians, health care organizations, governments, insurance companies"  and must act accordingly, participating in the development of regulations, the authors wrote.

"Digital healthcare platforms, if done right and implemented well, can be a large step in solving the productivity crisis in healthcare," said Johan Frishammar, a study author and professor of entrepreneurship and innovation in Sweden, in a March 11 news release. "There is still much to be explored in what these platforms can do and should do, but ultimately they can make healthcare more accessible, more affordable, and more improved."
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Northlake Behavioral Health System in Mandeville, La., has received two "immediate jeopardy" designations for substandard patient care within a year and is at risk of losing the ability to collect Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, nola.com reported March 6.

In a Jan. 31 letter, the Louisiana Department of Health told Northlake that it violated federal hospital standards and must submit a corrective action plan to fix the issues. A Jan. 22 inspection found that several employees were unaware that they had patients under their care who had to be supervised closely or kept away from other patients.

A spokesperson for Northlake told Becker's that the the Immediate Jeopardy warning was lifted after 24 hours and it is implementing a plan of correction.

Northlake is confident that it has addressed the issues and will pass the upcoming CMS inspection, Tony Shir, president of New Orleans-based Ness Healthcare, which operates the hospital, told nola.com.

Last year, Northlake came under fire for failing to maintain prescribed levels of supervision and not adequately screening staff, with some workers having disqualifying criminal records under state law, according to the report.

The Joint Commission also revoked Northlake's accreditation in April 2022 for failing to meet patient safety standards. The hospital has applied for reaccreditation through a different entity.
Dallas-based Steward Health Care is looking to transfer ownership of its nine Massachusetts hospitals as lawmakers shared another letter with Steward's CEO Ralph de la Torre, MD, "blasting him" over the health system's ongoing financial struggles.

"Steward Health Care is working with state officials and others to transition ownership of the Massachusetts hospitals in a way that everyone agrees is best for patients, our employees, and the Commonwealth," a spokesperson for Steward said in a statement previously shared with Becker's. "We are committed to the continuity of care in our communities, and we appreciate the strong level of interest we have received from numerous qualified health systems that could facilitate a smooth transition."

Steward's statement came in response to New Bedford, Mass.-based Southcoast Health's expressed interest in buying Fall River, Mass.-based Saint Anne's Hospital, one of Steward's hospitals.

While Steward attempts to offload its state hospitals, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey's letter to Dr. de la Torre laid out fears over the hospital's stability.

"Steward's Massachusetts hospitals are in deep financial distress and appear to be in danger of closure because of years of mismanagement, private equity schemes, and executive profiteering. You have run this hospital system for 14 years, and reportedly have had access to two private jets while owning two luxury yachts," the letter said. "Meanwhile, suppliers were unpaid, the system piled on debt, and patients in Steward hospitals  suffered because of inadequate care."

The letter pointed to mismanagement and suggested that Steward being in "hundreds of millions of dollars in debt" raises questions over patient care, unpaid vendors, healthcare worker job loss, and if the hospitals will remain open.

"You owe Congress, state officials, and the public answers for the record of failure and greed that has culminated in the current Steward Health Care crisis," the letter said.

This is the second letter that Ms. Warren has shared with Dr. de la Torre regarding the health system's finances. On Feb. 15, Ms. Warren, Mr. Markey and nine other Massachusetts lawmakers also sent a letter to Cerberus, the private equity firm that founded Steward, looking for answers to its troubles.

We have just received the letter and are reviewing their requests," a spokesperson for Steward said in a statement shared with Becker's March 11.

Steward has provided "voluminous data" to Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and the state's executive office of health and human services over the last few weeks, the Steward spokesperson said.

"More recently, we provided detailed hospital level financial information that was requested, and we continue to work cooperatively with state officials. We are committed to our patients, our employees, and communities; we have no plans to close hospitals and are working with state officials on transition plans that we believe will be in the best interests of the Commonwealth. We will review the requests in the letter closely and will respond."
Several hospital and health system executives have stepped down or announced plans to step down from their positions.

Here are hospital and health system executive resignations that were reported by Becker's this year:

Editor's note: This live webpage was updated March 11 and will continue to be updated.

Feb. 13-March 11

1. Craig Lambrecht, MD, resigned as CEO of the combined Billings Clinic-Logan Health system, which merged into a nine-hospital entity in September. Clint Seger, MD, chief physician executive of the health system and CEO of Billings (Mont.) Clinic, and Kevin Abel, president of Logan Health Whitefish (Mont.) and Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell, Mont., will become co-CEOs for the system.

2. Eric Conley, president of the South region for Froedtert ThedaCare Health, the newly combined 18-hospital system in Wisconsin formed by Froedtert Health and ThedaCare, and president of Wauwatosa, Wis.-based Froedtert Hospital, is resigning, effective in mid-April. Mr. Conley has taken a new role as executive vice president and president of acute and post-acute care at Hampton Roads, Va.-based Sentara Health, according to a March 7 news release.

3. Sherita Golden, MD, stepped down as vice president and chief diversity officer of Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine. Inez Stewart, the organization's chief human resources officer, will head the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity until a permanent replacement is named.

4. Emily Mastaler is stepping down as CEO of River Hospital in Alexandria Bay, N.Y., effective in May. She has accepted a new position as chief administrative officer of Stony Brook Southampton (N.Y.) Hospital.

5. Anthony Spensieri, MD, chief medical officer at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., announced in a Feb. 8 email to medical staff that he was stepping down from the role at the hospital, part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare. He led the hospital's medical staff as CMO since November 2019. In February, CMS notified the hospital it was in immediate jeopardy, and the hospital has been implementing a plan of correction.

6. Don Mueller is resigning as president and CEO of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia to take a new role in Chattanooga, Tenn. Mr. Mueller is joining Siskin Children's Institute in Chattanooga, Tenn., a nonprofit organization that provides diagnostic services and treatment for special needs children, according to a Feb. 14 news release. Mr. Mueller's resignation comes as the hospital works to reinstate its permanent license after the state handed it a temporary license due to safety issues. St. Christopher's COO Robert Brooks will transition into the role of president and COO in the coming months, St. Christopher's owner, West Reading, Pa.-based Tower Health, said. Mr. Mueller will remain CEO during the transition period.

Jan. 1-Feb. 12

1. Gil Peri is leaving his role as president of Indianapolis-based Riley Children's Health. Mr. Peri joined Riley Children's in June 2021 after serving as president and COO of Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. Riley Children's did not identify a reason for his departure.

2. Nathan Hough resigned as CEO of Chadron (Neb.) Community Hospital and Health Services, effective Feb. 16. Jennifer Brown, the hospital's CFO since April 2017, was selected to serve as interim CEO after his departure, according to a news release. Mr. Hough is leaving the helm "to pursue a new opportunity closer to family," the release states.

3. Monica Smith, MSN, RN, resigned as COO of Columbia, Mo.-based Boone Health. Ms. Smith has served Boone Hospital Center  and now its parent system  for nearly two decades, according to a Jan. 19 Facebook post from the organization. She has taken a new job with a St. Louis-based healthcare provider.

4. Robert Pretzlaff, MD, resigned as vice president and chief medical officer of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia, Calif. In an interview with The Santa Clarita Valley Signal, Dr. Pretzlaff said he is leaving the role to be closer to family in Northern California and has accepted a new executive job. He was hired as CMO of Henry Mayo three years ago.

5. Robert Golden, MD, is stepping down as dean of Madison-based University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Golden, who has held the role since 2006, announced his plans to depart the institution Jan. 30. He said he will depart his role once the school has a successor in place.

6. Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, president of Brigham and Women's Hospital and executive vice president at Mass General Brigham, will leave his role in the Boston area to accept a new role in Chicago. Dr. Higgins has taken a new role as president and chief academic officer at Rush University, and chief academic officer and senior vice president at Rush University System for Health, Mass General Brigham President and CEO Anne Klibanski, MD, said in an all-staff email shared with Becker's. He begins his new role in April and will, in the interim, transition from his Brigham role, a spokesperson confirmed.

7. Ric Magnuson will leave his role as CFO of Minneapolis-based Allina Health in April. Mr. Magnuson's departure comes after 25 cumulative years of service to the health system, according to a Jan. 18 news release. He spent 17 years holding various roles throughout the organization before returning to Allina in 2016 to assume the CFO role.

8. Kenneth Rose, president and CEO of Texas Health Hospital Mansfield, accepted a new opportunity at another AdventHealth-affiliated hospital. Mr. Rose accepted the role of president and CEO of UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook (Ill.). Texas Health Hospital Mansfield is operated as a joint venture between Arlington-based Texas Health Resources and Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth, while UChicago owns a controlling stake of the AdventHealth Bolingbrook facility.

9. Natalie Mussi, CEO of HCA Healthcare's Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, Calif., is leaving her post for a new opportunity. Ms. Mussi will serve as vice president of operations for Surgery Ventures, a national surgery center network owned by HCA. She will oversee the group's markets in California and Nevada.



10. Margaret Carroll, RN, stepped down as chief nursing officer at Ascension Saint Joseph-Joliet (Ill.). A spokesperson for St. Louis-based Ascension confirmed Ms. Carroll's departure to Becker's Jan. 4. A reason for her departure was not provided.
A skeptic asks: In our global energy crisis, who speaks for mankind? By Charlotte B. Cerminaro

web posted March 11, 2024 In 2018, nearly 75 years after the death of Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla, portions of the documents, schematics and machinery seized from his residence were finally declassified by the FBI and released to the public. One of the most prolific inventors and influential scientists in history, he transformed many theoretical ideas into technological advancement. Among his countless inventions: The first AC electrical system (more efficient than Edison's direct current); AC powered generators and motors; machinery that uses rotating magnetic field currents (early MRI technology); practical applications for x-rays in medical science; transmitting electromagnetic energy to broadcast on infinite wireless channels, for remote guidance systems and of course, the Tesla coil. Of a practical nature, these designs were intended to benefit humanity. With the advent of quantum theory by physicist Max Planck in 1900, the working scientific model of the universe was completely upended. Neils Bohr was famously quoted, "If quantum mechanics hasn't profoundly shocked you, you haven't understood it yet." The theory explains what we already seem to know: The universe isn't just teeming with energy, it is energy. In their elemental state, matter and energy are identical and interchangeable, the perpetual motion of interactive particle-waves. Infinitesimal subatomic particles  known as quanta  uniformly comprise all matter and energy in the known universe. Like some primordial substance of creation itself, they lack differentiation and locality. Thus, it is everywhere...and nowhere. Now understood as more than a theoretical constant, energy is a ubiquitous commodity. Quantum physicists such as Richard Feynman and John Wheeler have calculated the electromagnetic (EM) energy emitted by common subatomic particles such as photons and electrons. One of the first scientists to recognize the staggering implications of quantum mechanics  specifically, Zero-point energy, Tesla's intuitive grasp of these strange new concepts put him in a rare position to design and engineer groundbreaking technological applications. The term 'Zero-point energy' refers to "ground state", an atom or compound's most stable form. In this state, all electrons are in the lowest possible orbit, close to the nucleus. They do not emit excess energy and therefore, energy levels are safe and not prone to instability or decay. As we approach Zero-point energy, a single grain of table salt can power a large household for several years. This simple compound of sodium and chloride ions (Na+ Cl-) contains clean EM energy from its orbiting electrons. The crystalline form is highly stable; decay is negligible. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. With the technological capability to safely harness subatomic energy, there is an incomprehensibility about our nuclear power program  particularly the utilization of massive radioactive isotopes that produce dangerously unstable energy. One area of particular interest in the search for clean energy is quantum electrodynamics, a branch of quantum theory specific to atmospheric energy and motion. Late in the 1920's, Tesla discovered that there are infinite EM interactions between photons, electrons, and atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen. These subatomic particles in the atmosphere are in constant motion, also interacting with natural geomagnetic forces to create oscillations and waves of even higher intensity. After countless experiments, Tesla had blueprints for a feat of technological engineering that we still consider impossible today. Funded by JP Morgan and several other wealthy nvestors, he built "conduction poles" that naturally attracted the abundant atmospheric energy and transmitted it wirelessly to other poles containing AC circuits. He effectively created a working power grid with virtually unlimited clean energy. The funding also included a large broadcasting tower on Long Island for wireless transmission and communication on unlimited channels. With further refinement of these designs, our global energy problems  costly, limited resources, market instability, polluting byproducts, damage to ecosystems, the exploitation and often unsafe modes of resource extraction  would probably be nonexistent. Unfortunately, during WWII there was increasing fear within the US government that these structures were being used by the Germans, or that the technology would fall into German hands. The prototypes were leveled and their schematics are among the hundreds of documents that the FBI has reported as "missing". It would be easy to write off as yet another conspiracy theory, but I am reminded of President John F. Kennedy's words, from one of his most famous speeches. The gravity of this message is further weighed by his educated and well-informed intellect; it must give us pause. An imponderable specter is raised, and it beckons us to look. To see. Only one question comes to mind, its relevance now all-too-clear: Who speaks for mankind? Charlotte B. Cerminaro is a Juilliard-trained classical musician and recording artist. In her free time she enjoys writing and regularly contributes to Enter Stage Right and she attained a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biology. Home
Craig Lambrecht, MD, has resigned as CEO of the combined Billings Clinic-Logan Health system, which merged into a nine-hospital entity Sept. 1.

Clint Seger, MD, chief physician executive of the health system and CEO of Billings (Mont.) Clinic, will become co-CEO for the system along with Kevin Abel, president of Logan Health Whitefish and Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell.

The unified health system has more than 9,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians, and serves an area that comprises Montana, northern Wyoming and the western Dakotas.

"Both Logan Health and Billings Clinic have strong roots across this region," Dr. Lambrecht said in his resignation letter. "As I enter my next chapter, I do not know exactly which pathway I will settle on. I will always remember how invaluable many of the relationships were to me personally."

Board members Craig Bartholomew and Mike Goguen thanked Dr. Lambrecht for his role in bringing the two health systems together, but maintained that there is "much work ahead."

"We are focusing on the strategic benefits of creating an integrated health system, along with working to gain efficiencies to enhance financial performance," the board members said in a March 11 news release shared with Becker's.

As a combined system, Billings Clinic-Logan Health can integrate clinically. Integration teams are identifying operational synergies and opportunities to improve quality, access, coordinated care, and the patient and employee experiences.

The entire integration is expected to take 12 to 24 months.
Bronson Battle Creek (Mich.) Hospital appointed Steve Polega, BSN, RN, vice president and chief nursing officer.

Mr. Polega is returning to the system after about 11 years, according to a March 11 hospital news release. Previously, he served as a clinical coordinator and then nurse manager of the trauma and emergency center from 2001 to 2012 before moving to University of Michigan Health-West, where he served in various leadership roles before becoming chief nursing officer in 2017.

At Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, Mr. Polega will oversee patient care delivery and lead operational improvement and continual advancement for nursing professionals.
Northwest Health in Valparaiso, Ind., has named Simon Ratliff CEO of two Indiana hospitals: one in La Porte, one in Starke.

Mr. Ratliff has served both facilities as interim CEO since Feb. 5, according to a news release published in La Porte County Life.

He brings more than two decades of healthcare leadership experience to the role, and most recently served as president and CEO of the 412-bed Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) General Hospital.
Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health has a new health informatics chief.

Salim Saiyed, MD, was named chief health informatics officer and vice president of diplomate clinical informatics, according to a March 11 news release shared with Becker's. He will serve the region that includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania.

Dr. Saiyed was most recently vice president and chief medical information officer of Harrisburg, Pa.-based UPMC Pinnacle, where he headed digital health strategy and oversaw an Epic EHR implementation. Before that, he was CMIO for Gastonia, N.C.-based CaroMont Health.
Baltimore, Md.-based University of Maryland Medical System has named Tiffany Wiggins, MD, as its chief health equity officer, according to a March 11 news release.

She was previously a medical officer with CMS and a maternal health advisor with HHS.

Dr. Wiggins will work with the diversity team to address gaps in care related to patient experience and outcomes.

Her role took effect at the beginning of March.
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban's generic drug company launched an online pharmacy in January 2022, and as he has spent more time in the healthcare industry, he has been vocal about lessons learned along the way.

Mr. Cuban's Cost Plus Drug Co., which he co-founded with Alex Oshmyansky, MD, PhD, initially launched with a few dozen discounted generics. The company now offers more than 2,000 medications, partners with hundreds of independent and grocery chain pharmacies, and manufactures its own drugs. Dr. Oshmyansky and Mr. Cuban had the initial plan to sell pharmaceuticals at their manufacturing price, plus a 15% markup, $3 pharmacy labor fee and free shipping. Cost Plus Drug Co. now has a $5 labor fee and a $5 shipping fee, and it offers drugs at lower costs than what is typical through insurance by selling directly to consumers or through employer-sponsored programs.

In one example Mr. Cuban gave Fortune, the difference between Cost Plus Drugs' price and the price he'd been paying for employee prescriptions was $141,000.

"What we spent $160,000 on at the [Dallas Mavericks], we could have purchased for $19,000 for Cost Plus," he told the publication.

The company's progress in recent years intensified Mr. Cuban's involvement with healthcare, the pharmaceutical industry and business leaders, many of whom don't understand healthcare coverage, he told Fortune March 4 after participating in a White House roundtable discussion on lowering healthcare costs and bringing transparency to the role of pharmacy benefit managers  the drug pricing middlemen business that's dominated by six companies.

"Even though health insurance costs are the second-largest line item after payroll, CEOs don't really understand it or know anything about it," Mr. Cuban told Fortune. "You have employees that are more worried about whether their kids can get their medications paid for by the company insurance, or whether they're going to be able to get the surgery that they know they need and that the doctor recommends, but the insurance company is not approving."

A report from the PwC Health Research Institute released last year estimated that healthcare costs will increase by 7% in 2024. The report estimated the increase in per-capita costs of medical services and prescription drugs that affect payers' group and individual plans. At the same time, a report released last year from Aon projected average costs for U.S. employers that pay for employees' healthcare will increase 8.5% this year to more than $15,000 per employee.

Amid these projections, Mr. Cuban and Dr. Oshmyansky accused PBMs of prioritizing profits over patients, according to Fortune, while the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, a trade organization representing PBMs, blames drug manufacturers. The association's website states that "specific price concessions that allow drugmakers to realize they can discount less" is one contributing factor to increased drug costs.

Mr. Cuban's companies "walked away from the traditional way" of healthcare coverage and do not work with PBMs that deal in rebates, he told Fortune.

"Everything we just pay for on a transactional basis, and they do what we tell them to do," Mr. Cuban told the publication. "That was an easy switch."

Mr. Cuban now uses AffirmedRx, a pass-through PBM.

Read Fortune's full report here.
Executives across industries take varying amounts of vacations throughout their careers, and they have different perspectives on this topic.

For Seifi Ghasemi, chair, president and CEO of Air Products, an Allentown, Pa.-based industrial gases company founded in 1940, his passion for his work is a contributing factor.

Mr. Ghasemi told Fortune he hasn't taken a vacation since the 35th anniversary of his wedding to his wife, Ellen, whom he married in 1971.

"I love what I'm doing," he said. "I do not have any other hobbies."

Before joining Air Products, Mr. Ghasemi served more than a decade as chair and CEO of Rockwood Holdings, a Princeton, N.J.-based company focused on lithium and advanced materials for electric vehicle manufacturing, according to his biography on the Air Products website. Speciality chemicals company Albemarle Corp. acquired Rockwood Holdings about a decade ago. Mr. Ghasem told Fortune he was an early believer in electric vehicles and went on to Air Products because of its focus on hydrogen.

Vacation time has been a topic of discussion among healthcare executives. Several leaders defended vacation time in response to a LinkedIn post last year from Sachin Jain, MD, about his experience. Dr. Jain  now CEO of SCAN Group and SCAN Health Plan  wrote in the post that he received a call from his boss during his vacation years back during which his boss recommended he take shorter vacations in the future.

"I always think about how often no one notices when you're grinding away for a company or cause," Dr. Jain wrote. "Take your vacations. Don't be a martyr. Almost no one notices your martyrdom."

Dr. Jain's story now has more than 2,250 likes and 167 comments.

Across industries, a July 2023 survey from executive search firm Korn Ferry cited by The Wall Street Journal found more than half of executives said they planned to take a longer vacation that summer than in the past. But half of the nearly 300 professionals polled indicated they connect with work at least once a day while on vacation.

Mr. Ghasemi, with Air Products, told Fortune the hydrogen energy revolution  a movement toward cleaner energy sources by 2050  keeps him motivated at work.

"Believe me, I have more energy, and I travel more, and I work harder than when I was 40 years old," he said. "I don't think just the numbers tell people's age. I really enjoy doing what I'm doing."






Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., will open a health college in August 2025. It will initially offer two nursing degrees to students, with plans for other health disciplines to be added over time, according to a March 11 announcement shared with Becker's.

Both a BSN and MSN will be available for students to pursue in 2025. Soon after, the school plans to also add curriculums for speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physician assistant and physical therapy.
An increase in measles activity this year is coinciding with a rise in potential exposures as infected individuals seek medical care at healthcare facilities across the nation.

Last week, hundreds of people were potentially exposed to the virus in the emergency department of UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif. The exposure is tied to a child who recently traveled internationally and sought care in the ED on March 5.

Sacramento-based UC Davis Health is working with local county health officials to notify about 300 people of the potential exposure.

"UC Davis has a record of each patient and employee who was in the emergency department that day and notifications about potential exposure are taking place through the electronic medical records online messaging portal, letters, in person and over the phone," a spokesperson told Becker's on March 9. "Only those people deemed at risk of exposure that afternoon and evening are being contacted."

Healthcare facilities and health officials in Michigan are also responding to a string of exposures, according to the Detroit Free Press. Hundreds of state residents were potentially exposed to the virus between Feb. 27 and March 1 after two adults sought care at the following healthcare facilities:

Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital's ED

Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital's ED

Henry Ford GoHealth Urgent Care (Dearborn Heights, Mich.)

WellStreet/Beaumont Urgent Care (Dearborn, Mich.)

The individuals had recently traveled abroad and had no record of receiving the measles vaccine.

"Maintaining the health and well-being of our patients, team members and community is our top priority," a spokesperson for Henry Ford Health in Detroit told Becker's on March 11. "We're working alongside health officials to ensure anyone who might've encountered this person in our facility has the proper guidance and support. Vaccinations are the absolute best line of defense against diseases like measles, and we strongly encourage anyone who's not been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible."

As of March 7, the CDC has confirmed 45 measles cases nationwide, up from 41 cases a week prior. In all of 2023, the CDC reported just 58 cases.

Editor's note: Becker's has reached out to Southfield, Mich.-based Beaumont Health and Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Corewell Health for comment and will update this article if more information becomes available.
Police arrested a 54-year-old employee at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital in Gifford, Fla., March 7 after law enforcement found the individual had firearms and ammunition in his possession on the facility's campus, local news outlets reported after the sheriff's office held a news conference March 11.

Christopher Webb was arrested and charged with introduction of a firearm or deadly weapon into a mental health facility, Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers told news organizations. Law enforcement officials initially arrived at the hospital March 7 to serve Mr. Webb, who they said was a patient transporter, with an arrest warrant related to a different charge. The original warrant was related to a charge of exposure of sexual organs after neighbors reported that he walked around the community naked, according to police.

Police said hospital security gave them Mr. Webb's "tactical-style" backpack, which had been at his workstation, where they found two loaded Glock firearms, 10 full magazines and three boxes of ammunition. Mr. Flowers said the suspect purchased the two firearms legally in 2022 and 2023.

The sheriff's department is asking for anyone who has had a "strange interaction" with the suspect to contact them. Mr. Webb posted a $15,000 bond and was released from custody March 8, jail records show. The sheriff's office said Mr. Webb agreed to a risk protection order and 22 firearms were removed from his home.

In a statement sent to Becker's, a spokesperson for Cleveland Clinic confirmed the suspect has been terminated: "The safety of our patients, visitors and caregivers is a top priority. This individual has been terminated and does not have access to the hospital. We appreciate the work of the Indian River Sheriff's Department and are fully cooperating with the investigation."
WaPo's 'fact-check' pyramid scheme of Pinocchios

By Mark Alexander

web posted March 11, 2024

The Washington Post has a celebrated so-called "fact-checker" who is in charge of the paper's speech suppression department. You have likely never heard of Glenn Kessler, but he has mastered the fine art of obfuscation.

Kessler, who has been lurking around WaPo's newsroom for the last 25 years, checks all the boxes for a seasoned Beltway "journalist," a Brown- and Columbia-educated leftist who pontificates to the masses, then retreats to his wealthy Washington suburb. He is the prototypical generationally wealthy white privilege Demo  the great-grandson of an oil industrialist, the grandson of a steel industry magnate, and the son of a retail giant executive.

He is at the pinnacle of that ilk of Leftmedia scribes who, because of their media position, pose a significant threat to Liberty.

Kessler has been editor and chief writer of WaPo's "The Fact Checker" since 2011, making him, according to his bio, "one of the pioneers of political fact-checking." Actually, Kessler is really one of the pioneers of using "fact-checks" to obscure facts when they don't comport with the Left's political agenda.

He is a charter member of the Demos' fact-check protection racket, one of the self-appointed "arbiters of truth" who have excelled at Jeff Bezos's pet paper.

Kessler and his team assign one to four cute little Pinocchio figures to indicate their opinion of the severity of a lie, issuing about five of these assessments each week. The Wall Street Journal, which still has a stable of actual journalists and endeavors to distinguish between news and opinion, long ago declared, "The 'fact check' is opinion journalism or criticism, masquerading as straight news." Power Line's John Hinderaker was also an early critic, asking, "Who Checks the Fact-Checkers?" He accurately asserted: "These 'fact-checkers' nearly always turn out to be liberal apologists who don a false mantle of objectivity in order to advance the cause of the Democratic Party."

For the record, The Patriot Post regularly fact-checks the fact-checkers, but to no avail.

To be fair, some of WaPo's fact-checks are accurately applied to instances of clear lies and deceptions. But Kessler and WaPo have certainly earned their share of Pinocchios for their fake fact-checks  or, equally notable, for the omission of fact-checks when doing so would undermine their most favored political agendas.

Of such omissions, they failed to call out the most egregious of mass media cover-ups in modern political history, the blackout of the corrupt Biden/ChiCom connection, ironically using phony fact-checks to suppress that information just ahead of the fraudulent 2020 election. They toed the Demo Party line on the January 6 "insurrection" and the subsequent false claims about the "murder" of Officer Brian Sicknick

Moreover, Kessler created a database of what he classified as Donald Trump's lies, most of which, in fact, were just typical Trump hyperbole and bravado. But then three months into Joe Biden's term, Kessler suspended his database of Biden lies. This, despite the fact that Biden has distinguished himself as an accomplished pathological liar over his 50 years in office, and those lies have accelerated exponentially since he became president.

More recently, RealClearInvestigations' Paul Sperry awarded Kessler "four of his own Pinocchios" for his disgraceful and deceptive "updates" of coverage of Hunter Biden's corrupt Burisma connections.

Frequently now, Kessler has refined his obfuscatory prose when covering for Demos. In effect, he now fabricates "lies" in order to divert from the truth.

A case in point last week was how he spun the murder of Laken Riley, the 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student murdered while out on a morning jog in Athens, Georgia. After police were alerted by her roommate that she had not returned from her run, they found her battered body in a wooded area nearby.

Georgia investigators arrested 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela. Ibarra crossed our southern border on September 8, 2022, to take advantage of Biden's "catch and release" policy.

In a column Kessler titled "The Truth about Illegal Immigration and Crime," he diverted from the reality of violent assaults and murders by illegal immigrants by claiming to fact-check the assertion that illegal immigrants commit crimes at higher rates than American citizens.

That was a clever diversion that is now typical of his "fact-checks."

Kessler's assessment is so full of fallacious "facts" that it is hard to know where to start, but in the first paragraph alone, he attacks Trump for tying "the killing of a Georgia nursing student ... to the surge of undocumented immigrants at the southern border under the Biden administration."

Note that Kessler shamefully refuses to use the name of that murder victim, Laken Riley.

Furthermore, the fact is that EVERY violent crime committed by an illegal immigrant who entered the U.S. under Biden's disgraceful open border policy  more than NINE MILLION illegal immigrants and counting  would NOT have been committed if that illegal immigrant were not in the U.S. That is the issue.

Regarding the data on violent crime committed by illegals, according to the ICE fiscal year 2023 report, agents arrested 73,822 noncitizens with criminal histories, and those arrested "had 290,178 associated charges and convictions with an average of four per individual [including] 33,209 assaults; 4,390 sex and sexual assaults; 7,520 weapons offenses; 1,713 charges or convictions for homicide; and 1,655 kidnapping offenses."

But to be clear, those 73,822 arrests are also just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. This data does not include the tens of thousands of state and local arrests of illegal immigrants for crimes in which the citizenship status of the assailant is not identified. Nor does it include all the unsolved crimes with prime suspects being illegal immigrants but who remain at large.

Memo to Glenn: Not a single one of those violent assaults, rapes, and murders would have occurred if that illegal immigrant were not in the U.S. Not one.

Kessler then asserts that there is "little evidence undocumented immigrants commit more crime," but what he does not say is there is no national database of crimes committed by illegal immigrants. It is only in his closing paragraph that he acknowledges, "The battle over the numbers indicates how, with limited data to assess, the results can remain subject to dispute and interpretation."

So, what was his point  other than obfuscation?

Let me reiterate again what is not "subject to dispute and interpretation." Not a single one of those violent assaults, rapes, and murders would have occurred if that illegal immigrant were not in the U.S.

Kessler basically became an apologist for the murderer of Laken Riley. I dare him to say her name.

(For the record, regarding the commission of crimes in general, Ronald Mortensen, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, observed that once in our country, "virtually all adult, illegal aliens commit felonies" such as forgery, fraud, identity theft, and perjury, "to procure the documents they need to get jobs, to drive and to obtain other benefits that are restricted to U.S. citizens.")

Kessler then digs a deeper hole of fake facts from there, with a plethora of assertions that are patently false.

For example, in the second paragraph, he asserts that "violent crime rates, especially for homicide in large cities, have fallen sharply during Biden's presidency." That is just more smoke and mirrors.

As I detailed last week in "Joe Biden's Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics, Biden and his Demos deliberately unleashed a record surge in violent crime nationwide just ahead of the 2020 election, advocating for their "Black Lives Matter" rioters and simultaneously promoting their defund police agenda. Then, when the murder rate data dropped by a marginal 1.7% from the dramatic increases, Biden declared, "Our plan is working."

And Kessler echoes that lie to protect Biden.

Glenn Kessler is a Demo hack whose fact-checks are, as noted previously, "opinion journalism or criticism, masquerading as straight news." His operation is a pyramid scheme of Pinocchios, and his obfuscation of truth fits right in with WaPo's motto, "Democracy Dies in Darkness."

(Footnote: Laughably, below Kessler's fact-checks, he notes, "The Fact Checker is a verified signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network code of principles," which links not to some "code of principles" but to Kessler's self-assessment of his fact-checking.)

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
From a New York City physician indicted in an alleged $20.7 million scheme to a call center owner indicted in a $97 million scheme, here are 10 healthcare billing fraud cases that Becker's has reported on since Feb. 16:

1. A Florida man and woman were each sentenced to 27 months in prison for their roles in a scheme that submitted $125 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Tricare.

2. The former CEO and president of a compounding pharmacy in Florida was sentenced to six months in prison for lying to federal agents during a healthcare fraud scheme investigation.

3. A physician pleaded guilty to accepting kickbacks in a fraudulent telemarketing and medical supply scheme.

4. An Ohio man who owned four pharmacies was convicted for dispensing a gastroenterology generic drug without prescriptions and overcharging Medicaid.

5. A marketing company owner from California was charged for his alleged role in a fraud and kickback scheme that cost Medicare more than $10 million.

6. A call center owner was indicted on 10 charges for his alleged role in a durable medical equipment kickback scheme that caused Medicare to lose $97 million.

7. A New Jersey federal grand jury issued an updated indictment against a New York City physician for his alleged involvement in a number of Medicare and Medicaid fraud schemes that totaled more than $20.7 million in false claims.

8. A Lexington, Ky.-based lab agreed to pay nearly $10.5 million to settle allegations it billed Medicare and Medicaid for medically unnecessary urine drug testing.

9. The medical director of several hospice companies was convicted for his role in a $2.8 million Medicare fraud scheme.

10. The owner of two telemedicine companies was charged and agreed to plead guilty in connection with a $110 million scheme involving medically unnecessary durable medical equipment.
New York City-based New York-Presbyterian's Allen Hospital launched a revamped midwifery program following outcry from the community and nurses, PoliticoPro reported March 7.

The hospital announced its midwifery services would be shuttered March 3. The decision to close the hospital's midwifery services was part of a plan to evolve its perinatal care model and care teams, a spokesperson for NewYork-Presbyterian told Becker's in a statement.

Nurses, community members and elected officials gathered outside the hospital to voice their opinion after the service closure was announced.

On March 4, the hospital launched the new program that will include six midwives and a nurse practitioner, the report said. It will be run by the New York City-based Columbia University medical school, which is affiliated with New York-Presbyterian. Currently, four midwives and the nurse practitioner have been hired. The new staff replaced the old programs staffers who took other positions.

"The new program is part of a significant, ongoing investment to upgrade labor and delivery services and facilities at the hospital," New York-Presbyterian spokesperson Angela Smith Karafazli said in a statement to PoliticoPro. "These changes and investments are aimed at both improving care and reducing disparities in maternal health outcomes."
McAllen, Texas, is the most obese and overweight city in the U.S., according to an analysis released March 11 by WalletHub, a personal finance website.

To identify the nation's heaviest cities, WalletHub analysts used 19 metrics to compare 100 of the most populated U.S. metro areas across three categories: obesity and overweight, health consequences, and food and fitness. Metrics ranged from the share of physically inactive adults to the number of health educators and community health workers per capita. More information on the methodology is available here.

Here are the 10 most obese and overweight cities, according to the analysis:

1. McAllen, Texas

2. Jackson, Miss.

3. Shreveport, La.

4. Mobile, Ala.

5. Little Rock, Ark.

6. Knoxville, Tenn.

7. Memphis, Tenn.

8. Lafayette, La.

9. Baton Rouge, La.

10. Chattanooga, Tenn.

Here are the 10 least obese and overweight cities, according to the analysis:

1. Seattle

2. Honolulu

3. Boston

4. Denver

5. San Jose, Calif.

6. Minneapolis

7. Colorado Springs, Colo.

8. San Francisco

9. Portland, Ore.

10. Salt Lake City
The overall healthcare worker vacancy rate in Wisconsin hospitals was 9.9% in September of 2022, a critical but stable post-pandemic rate compared to the identical 9.9% seen in September 2021, according to the 2024 "Wisconsin Health Care Workforce Report."

Here are five updates from the report:

1. By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be at the age of retirement, but in Wisconsin, that rate is 1 in 4. The increased healthcare demand, labor shortages and high retirements will create challenges for hospitals, the report suggested.

2. Hospitals hired 5.65% more nurses in 2022 compared to 2021, according to the NSI Nursing Solutions 2023 "National Health Care Retention and RN Staffing Report." However, even with a hiring increase, Wisconsin's registered nurse vacancy rate is 10%. The national RN vacancy rate is around 16%, the report said.

3. There were 46,000 licensed nursing home beds available for 143,000 blind, disabled and elderly Wisconsin people on Medicaid in 2002. This is a stark contrast to the 26,000 licensed nursing home beds available to meet the needs of 270,000 elderly, disabled and blind people on Medicaid in 2024. "Nursing home bed closures have created a bottleneck in post-acute care access," the report said. "Nursing home bed shortages that rose sharply during the pandemic have continued into 2024 with hundreds of community members ready to leave the hospital remaining under the care of hospital teams because a post-acute care placement is not available."

4. While nurse practitioner employment will see a 38% growth rate in the next 10 years with 30,000 added jobs annually until 2032, this growth rate is still not enough to meet the growing needs for healthcare workers in Wisconsin, the report said.

5. "Addressing health care workforce shortages will require a concerted effort and sustainable immediate, midrange and long-term solutions," Eric Borgerding, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Hospital Association, said in a March 11 news release regarding the report. "Health care organizations, educators, state regulators and elected officials must continue partnering to minimize outdated barriers and implement innovations to encourage, support and advance health care workers in their pursuit of fulfilling attainable and meaningful careers."

The Wisconsin Hospital Association is headquartered in Fitchburg, Wis., and is an advocate for more than 140 hospital and health system members in the state.
Pittsburgh-based UPMC opened a UPMC Spine Care clinic in Lewisburg, Pa.

Services at the Lewisburg clinic include tests and diagnostics and onsite imaging, according to a March 11 news release shared with Becker's. Patients can establish a care plan and get referrals to physicians with UPMC.

"The UPMC Spine Care clinic is a new model for our region designed to support patients in navigating the complexities of the health care system," Patti Jackson-Gehris, president of UPMC in North Central Pa., said in the release. "By implementing one phone number and one centralized team with integrated nurse navigators, all at one location, we're improving the patient experience while ensuring ease of access to life-changing care."
A company in Co Down has been fined 380,000 after a delivery driver fell and suffered a traumatic brain injury while working at its site in the West Midlands.

Timothy Bates was delivering fuel for a temporary diesel generator at Haldane Fisher Limiteds timber processing site on Long Street, Walsall, when he fell from a trailer on July 28 2022.

Haldane Group has its base in Newry and almost 20 branches across Ireland, the Isle of Man and England with its Haldane Fisher brand.

Mr Bates, who is from Stafford, had been stowing equipment in a trailer attached to his truck when the vehicle was struck by a forklift truck reversing out of a nearby mill. This led to the trailer shunting into Mr Bates, with the 57-year-old then falling over and hitting his head onto the tarmac floor below.

He spent five weeks in hospital after sustaining a traumatic brain injury before spending 13 weeks in a care facility where he undertook CBT. He suffers from memory loss and dizziness as a result of his brain injury.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found Haldane Fisher Limited, trading as GE Robinson, failed to identify safe systems of work for the delivery of fuel to the temporary generators at its site. There was inadequate segregation of vehicles and pedestrians in the yard. There were no measures in place to prevent forklift trucks from entering the areas in which delivery drivers were working whilst refuelling generators.

The company understood the risks associated with workplace transport, as control measures had been identified for separating pedestrians and vehicles, but these had not been implemented. Site rules had been identified but were not routinely implemented or monitored by the company.

Every workplace must be safe for the people and vehicles using it and traffic routes must be suitable for the people and vehicles using them. HSE has guidance on workplace transport with advice on keeping traffic routes safe and separating people from vehicles.

Haldane Fisher Limited, of Shepherds Way, Carnbane Industrial Estate, Newry, Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined 380,000 and ordered to pay 5,934.50 in costs at Birmingham Magistrates Court on March 1.

HSE inspector Heather Campbell said: This case highlights the dangers arising from inadequate management of workplace transport. It also highlights the requirements to ensure the safety of non-employees including contractors at employers sites.

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Samantha Wells and supported by HSE paralegal officer Gabrielle OSullivan.
Belfast rappers Kneecap have pulled out of a Texas music and arts festival in protest against its reported connections to the American military and US arms manufacturers.

The controversial hip hop trio were due to travel to Texas for the SXSW (South By Southwest) festival in the coming days.

However, on Sunday, the group posted on social media that they cannot in good conscience attend an arts festival that has The U.S Army as a Super Sponsor and is platforming RTX (formerly Raytheon), Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems, the very companies selling the weapons that have murdered 31,000 Palestinians, over 21,000 of them women and children.

Kneecap on the Late Late Show

Kneecap further stated: We have made the decision to cancel our three shows at SXSW and not travel to Austin as planned on Tuesday.

It is done in solidarity with the people of Palestine and to highlight the unacceptable deep links the festival has to weapons companies and the US military who at this very moment are enabling a genocide and famine against a trapped population.

The Belfast Telegraph has contacted SXSW organisers for further comment.

The annual event, which includes sections on music, film and technology, draws several hundred thousand participants over the course of a little more than a week.

Multiple other musicians that were also due to play at the festival have too withdrawn their participation in reaction to its links with the American military and corporate arms makers.

Kneecap: Critics rave over film but unionists rage over its funding

Describing the protest, The Guardian noted that the US army is listed as a super sponsor of this years festival, and is presenting more than nine events, while Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX [the billion-dollar defense contractor, formerly known as Raytheon], is sponsoring two events at SXSW Pitch, the festivals tech showcase.

RTX, the piece goes on, is known to supply weapons to the Israeli government; on an earnings call in late October last year, RTXs chairman and executive director, Greg Hayes, was quoted as saying shareholders would see a benefit from increased demand for weapons during the war in Gaza. The defense contractor L3Harris, which is also presenting an event at SXSW, has also come under fire for supplying weapons components to the Israeli army.

Kneecap had been due to perform at the SXSW event following their recent US TV debut appearance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last Friday.
The woman is seeking damages against the company, formerly known as Twitter.

A former journalist from Northern Ireland is suing social media giant X over alleged failures to shut down an account linked to her suspected cyberstalker.

The woman, who cannot be identified, is seeking damages against the company, formerly known as Twitter, in an action involving claims for defamation and misuse of private information.

She was granted leave to serve a writ on the firm during a preliminary hearing at the High Court in Belfast.

Proceedings centre on a series of tweets and blogs last year which were said to have targeted the plaintiff in her role as a journalist.

Her lawyers contend that a man currently facing criminal charges used a pseudonym X and account to pursue a relentless campaign of online harassment, cyberstalking, abuse and defamation.

A series of tweets contained serious and false allegations, as well as targeting her with threats, according to their case.

The court was told she has suffered significant damage to her reputation, distress, anxiety and been left living in constant fear.

Despite using an online complaint system to report the X account, no action has been taken.

Barrister Peter Girvan, instructed by solicitor Olivia OKane, argued that the social media platform wrongly failed to terminate, suspend or disable the account and remove the offending tweets.

Similar action is being taken against the Dublin-based owners of blog service provider WordPress and the man accused of posting the content.

Along with her action for damages, the plaintiff is seeking an injunction to secure the removal of all relevant material.

A High Court judge granted leave for her to serve the statement of claim on both companies outside the jurisdiction.

He also confirmed that reporting restrictions to protect the womans identity are to remain in place.

The case will be reviewed again next month, when a date for the full hearing is expected to be set.
Specialist officers arrest Liam Lewis at an apartment block in Belfast City Centre. Photo: Kevin Scott for Sunday Life

Specialist officers arrest Liam Lewis at an apartment block in Belfast City Centre. Photo: Kevin Scott for Sunday Life

A Belgian man arrested in Belfast for alleged online child sex offences is back in custody after losing his bail address.

Liam Lewiss landlord withdrew the accommodation after criminal charges were brought against him, a court heard today.

A judge confirmed that the 29-year-old engineer can be released on bail again once he finds a new address which is to be approved by police.

Lewis, who had been living at the Obel building on Donegall Quay in Belfast, is accused of attempting to sexually communicate with a child, attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

The alleged offences were committed between February 14 and March 8.

Lewis was detained during a police operation mounted at the Obel apartment complex.

Specialist officers arrest Liam Lewis at an apartment block in Belfast City Centre. Photo: Kevin Scott for Sunday Life

At his first appearance before the citys Magistrates Court on Saturday, an investigating detective claimed there was evidence of an online chat log between him and a profile for a 13-year-old girl.

The communication over Kik and Snapchat had been sexual in nature and involved an arrangement to meet, she alleged.

Lewis was said to have been working in Northern Ireland on windmill blade parts, with accommodation provided in the Obel building due to his employment.

He secured bail at that stage under terms which included an order to surrender all travel documents and stay at a set residence.

However, he appeared back in court today for breaching those conditions.

Defence solicitor Ciaran Toner said Lewiss landlord withdrew the agreed bail address following the initial hearing.

Concerns were expressed that the accused may now attempt to secure temporary accommodation.

There was a certain degree of security with the previous address because it was rented by his employer, the detective said.

But District Judge Steven Keown stressed police must be satisfied with any proposed new living arrangements.

Adjourning the case until April 5, Mr Keown confirmed Lewis will be re-admitted to bail if approved accommodation is obtained.
Sri Lankan navy seizes 3 Indian trawlers, apprehends 22 fishermen in its waters

Xinhua) 09:33, March 11, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The constitutional procedure making the vice president the ex officio chairperson of the Rajya Sabha is enmeshed in a few legal incompatibilities (such as rank, salary, and combination of distinct capacities) and the dilution and debasement of democratic as well as federal credos (such as imposing others choices, ignoring endorsement from federating units, etc). Thus, the very provision demands a dispassionate relook.

The role of the vice president (VP) in conducting the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha as its ex officio chairperson often gets mired in avoidable controversies and allegations ranging from being a constitutional brawler (Khare 2022) to embodying party political exercises against the opposition (Indian Express 2023; Hindu 2023), and even as a cheerleader (Mukhopadhyay 2023) of the ruling government. Somenot allex officio chairpersons have reportedly transgressed the basic parliamentary axiom of the bipartisan approach in conducting the proceedings, giving adequate space to the opposition members for pointing towards in-house frictions. In many instances, more so in the last decade, the chairpersons have purportedly held the brief of the government and strangled the space for the opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

On 18 December 2023, 45 opposition Rajya Sabha members of Parliament (MPs) were suspended34 for the rest of the winter session and 11 until the report of the privileges committeeby the chairperson for their deliberate and strategised disorder by way of sloganeering, raising placards, entering the well of the House and gesticulating towards the Chair and for their politicisation rather than expression of collective concern on the security breach in Parliament on 13 December 2023 (Jain 2023). The proscription on the riot brigade comprising such a whopping number in the presently 239-member house stemmed from the apparently non-political demand for a statement from the union minister of home affairs and detailed discussion in Parliament on the breach of security. And the opposition described the edict of the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha as an attack on democracy.
Judge says excuse doesnt have quite the same ring as the dog ate my homework

Suspected member of crime gang The Firm admits lying about puppy chewing tag off

A suspected member of the organised Co Armagh crime gang The Firm, who claimed a puppy chewed through his electronic tag, has admitted he cut it off himself.

Ben Craven (24) and co-accused Kevin Patrick John Harte (53) from Callan Crescent, Armagh, are jointly charged with having a shotgun in suspicious circumstances.

Harte is further accused of taking a car without consent, while Craven is additionally charged with stealing a vehicle worth 4,000, driving dangerously and without insurance, failing to stop for police and possessing cannabis.

Offending allegedly occurred on August 11, 2023, and while both men were initially refused bail, this was later granted at High Court, with conditions including the wearing of an electronic tag.

Craven, of Derryhale Road, Portadown, appeared in court on January 29, charged with damaging the tag earlier that day.

At that time, a defence solicitor for Craven, said: [Craven] has a number of puppies and one of them caused the tag to come off by biting at his ankle.

District Judge Francis Rafferty replied: I commend you for saying that with a straight face.

Are you saying the defendant instructed you to claim a puppy managed to remove the tag from his leg by biting it off? Out of curiosity what breed are these puppies.

The defence replied that they were American Bullies, to which the judge said: So its his contention a puppy bit the tag off a human adult male?

A detective advised no marks were found on Cravens ankle nor teeth marks on the tag.

Pointing out Craven also breached bail twice before and was re-released both times the detective said: This is an escalation and the claim, while not trying to be flippant, reminds one of the dog ate my homework.

Judge Rafferty remarked: The dog ate my tag doesnt have quite the same ring to it.

The defence accepted the courts scepticism but urged bail to be re-granted.

Judge Rafferty enquired: How does he propose to ensure the puppies mightnt overpower him and remove his tag again?

The defence said they could be looked after by other family members.

Remanding Craven in custody, Judge Rafferty said: The contention that a puppy managed to remove his tag is beyond contemptuous.

At the most recent sitting of Dungannon Magistrates Court before District Judge Michael Ranaghan, the defence said Craven saw sense and confirmed he had broken the tag off himself.

It was contended he had an argument with his partner and removed the tag before he disappeared out of the house for a few hours.

Judge Ranaghan imposed a fine of 200 along with 125 compensation for the damaged tag.

Previously, a detective explained the charges were brought against Craven and Harte after police conducted a welfare check after learning of a threat.

During the police check, a car with blacked-out number plates entered the street before driving back out.

It was subsequently found in a lay-by and as police came into view, it reversed at speed, partially entering a ditch.

Officers attempted to block the car from evading them, but it drove forward colliding with the PSNI vehicle.

Given previous information received, officers drew firearms and checks showed the vehicle was reported stolen on June 24, 2023.

A sawn-off shotgun was recovered with two live rounds in the chamber.

The detective said: Police believe these defendants were going to carry out an attack and if there hadnt been an intervention this would have gone ahead.

It is believed they are involved in a wider series of events as part of The Firm.
Teachers in Northern Ireland have not had a pay increase for three years

A formal offer on teachers pay has been made to the five main teaching unions, which could see the starting salary for teachers in Northern Ireland rise to 30,000.

Teachers in Northern Ireland have not had a pay increase for three years. The five main teaching unions have been engaged in long-running strike action but agreed to postpone any further action to allow for further negotiation.

Education Minister Paul Givan said his proposal would bring the starting point for salaries equal to those in England. He outlined a formal offer for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 to unions on Monday.

He said it represents a 24.3% increase from the current starting salary and brings the starting point equal to England.

The pay offer equates to a cumulative total of 10.4% plus 1,000 being applied to the other teachers and leadership pay scales.

Mr Givan said: I am pleased that there has been significant progress on the issue of the teachers pay with a formal offer being made to the teaching unions.

This offer, which equates to a 24.3% pay rise for beginning teachers, will help both attract and retain the best teachers to our schools.

It is unacceptable that teachers have been waiting three years for a pay increase. I have made it clear that my highest priority is to ensure that the teaching profession is paid at a rate which recognises the value of their profession.

This is a positive step in that direction, and I commend the positive negotiations that have taken place within the Teachers Negotiating Committee (TNC) which consists of management and the trade unions representing teachers and school leaders.

The Northern Ireland Teaching Council (NITC) comprises the five main teaching unions  the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), National Education Union (NEU), Ulster Teachers Union (UTU).

The DUP minister continued: The five trade unions which make up the Northern Ireland Teaching Council (NITC) will now consult with their members on the proposals in advance of any formal acceptance.

I would urge all teachers and school leaders to consider the formal offer which, if accepted and implemented, will bring an end to all industrial action which has been ongoing since May 2022.

The ending of the industrial action will create the opportunity to stabilise our education system and allow us to build upon this towards the delivery of world class education in Northern Ireland.

The NITC said the draft agreement is being considered and said they will consult members in the coming week.

Jacquie White, General Secretary UTU said: This pay offer, coming at the end of 3 years of inactivity, is greatly welcomed. It represents a significant step forward in the restoration of salary, a step which has been delivered by our members across the profession standing together for what they deserve. UTU will be recommending that members accept the offer with a view to moving forward and beginning to address the range of other issues faced by the system.

Justin McCamphill, NASUWT National Official for Northern Ireland said: "This agreement has come about as a result of teachers and school leaders standing together on the picket line and resolutely following action short of strike action. The NASUWT are calling on our members to endorse this agreement. Pay restoration remains at the top of our agenda and we look forward to the commencement of negotiations for September 2024."

Graham Gault, National Secretary of the NAHT, said: "The formal offer from the employing authorities is very welcome, and represents the culmination of a significant period of engagement following a protracted industrial campaign. NAHT will consult fully with members on the details of the offer in the coming days."

Mark McTaggart, INTO Northern Secretary said: This offer has come about as a result of the resolute action of teachers and school leaders through 18 months of industrial action. INTO would call on members to accept this agreement, as it represents a step towards restoration of teachers and school leaders pay going forward. The NITC will continue to work together for full pay restoration, beginning with the negotiation around a pay settlement for September 2024.

Pauline Buchanan Regional Secretary of NEU said: This pay offer has been a long time coming. However, we are pleased to have achieved a double digit pay offer for all members and to have raised the bar on pay for new teachers. Recruiting and retaining teachers is vital in enriching the educational experience of all our children, this pay award is a step towards better recognition of the value of education and educators in Northern Ireland.
Clare Burnett with Gwen, a Bouvier des Flandres, which was the Best of Breed winner on the third day of Crufts 2024. Pic: BeatMedia/The Kennel Club

A Co Antrim womans year was made when her dog won a coveted Best of Breed crown at Crufts.

Clare Burnett from Ballymena and Gwen, a Bouvier Des Flandres, wowed the judges at the NEC Birmingham to hold off stiff competition and qualify for the Best in Group showpiece on the famous green carpet.

Crufts, run by The Kennel Club, celebrates happy, healthy dogs and the loving relationship that they enjoy with their owners.

After many years of trying with the breed, 16-month-old Gwen grabbed the prestigious prize thanks to her class act with her committed owner.

Clare said: It feels fabulous being my first time winning Best of Breed at Crufts.

After lots of years of trying, weve had many class titles but never Best of Breed.

Gwen is just a bit special, one of my best yet  Ive always been involved with horses, agriculture, dogs all my life so Ive been doing this for a long time.

She just wants nobody but me in her life, shes really devoted and wherever I go, she wants to and whatever I want her to do shell do her best to do it.

Crufts has been the usual, buzzing and full of excitement  its the big one every year.

Burnett and Gwen were unable to go all the way and book their place in Sunday nights Best in Show finale but still enjoyed a day to remember at the worlds biggest dog show.

Solihull local hero and dog-showing star Melanie Raymond grabbed glory  and admitted the nerves melted away when she stepped on to the green carpet with Australian Shepherd Viking.

The 46-year-old, who lives fewer than five miles away from the NEC in Birmingham, trumped more than 18,000 showing dogs who competed across four spectacular days in the Midlands.

Three-year-old Viking was awarded the dog shows top honour by judge Ann Ingram after prevailing over every canine in the Pastoral Group on Saturday.

Crufts was held from March 7-10 at the NEC Birmingham. Viewers can catch up with highlights on Channel 4, and for further information visit crufts.org.uk
Former victims commissioner Judith Thompson said that the apology to families needs to be specific (Liam McBurney/PA)

It's "uncomfortable and frustrating" that no one will be prosecuted as a result of the Kenova report, a former victims' commissioner has said.

It's after a report last week found the Armys top agent inside the IRA probably cost more lives than he saved after a 40m probe into the activities of Stakeknife was published.

Stakeknife was widely believed to be west Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci, who was 77 when he died last year.

Judith Thompson told the BBC those directly impacted by the report on the Army's prized agent - who was embedded in the heart of the IRA's so-called nutting squad - want different things.

"It is always difficult to get a prosecution and particularly in legacy cases and some families wanted prosecutions and others did not," she said.

"But the report does make recommendations about the resourcing and expertise and the level of expert advice that should be available to the public prosecution service for future cases."

There have been calls for an inquiry into the level of state penetration in the IRA.

Meanwhile, First Minister Michelle ONeill responded to the report by saying she is sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict.

She added her voice to calls for an apology from the Government.

Ms Thompson said any apology should be carefully considered.

"An apology that says I'm sorry but doesn't say what someone is sorry for doesn't land as a full apology with people who may be very clear in their own minds what the wrong was."

The Government last week signalled that there would be no comment on the detail of the report until the final version was published.
Johnny Mercer said he was party to conversations about allegations while training to be a member of the special forces (Aaron Chown/PA)

Minister for veterans affairs Johnny Mercer continued his evidence to the inquiry on Wednesday (Peter Byrne/PA)

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.

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 reportedly 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.

These were clearly not complaints by a small number of individuals within the investigations team but widespread. I have continually down-played 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 the 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.

Mr Mercer in February 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.
The Princess of Wales dominates the front pages after several wire services refused to publish Kates portrait, claiming the image is doctored.

The Daily Telegraph splashes with a piece on the controversial Kate photo as multiple press agencies, including Reuters, the Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse, pulled her first official portrait for 2024 from publication over concerns that it has been manipulated.

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The Daily Mirror and Metro also run with Kate-related headlines, focusing their leads on Kate and her health in the wake of public speculation following a brief hospital stay in January.

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The Daily Express and the Daily Mail splash with Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks latest bid to address the number of working-age Britons signed off as unfit to work.

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The Times leads with a piece on public sector waste, following a new report that indicates doubled government spending on woke jobs.

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The Guardian runs with a warning from counterterrorism and extremism experts urging politicians not to politicise extremism.

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The i splashes with the faulty, multi-million pound-costing Home Office IT system that left NHS staff unable to start work, slowed down immigration, and saw children wait up to 21 months for citizenships.

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The Independent reports that elderly patients are being treated like animals as the NHS struggles to cope with entire geriatric wards and an ever-increasing aged population.

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The Financial Times reports that faith in the US economy is rising, but Americans are wary of crediting Joe Biden for the upturn as the US presidential campaign trail heats up.

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And the Daily Star splashes with claims made by linguist Bernard Cerquiglini, who believes English doesnt exist, adding that Britons are simply speaking badly pronounced French.
Craig Jackson is a professor of psychology and performs psychological autopsies on the mass killers responsible for Hungerford and Dunblane on stage.

Despite tough firearms laws, the UK has seen several horrific gun massacres in the last fifty years.

Hungerford, Dunblane, and the Cumbria shootings, to name but a few.

They were mass killings, carried out by men who finally took his own lives.

What was going on in the minds of these killers the day they decided on mass murder?

Were these attacks planned or spontaneous?

And can these types of mass murderers be spotted before they strike?

Craig Jackson is a professor of psychology and performs psychological autopsies on the mass killers responsible for Hungerford and Dunblane on stage.

He spoke to Ciaran Dunbar.
Belfast-bred former East End gangster: Free my pal Charles Bronson

Reformed criminal, who did jail time with one of UKs most infamous inmates, charts upbringing here during Troubles in new book

Stephen Gillen photographed in Dublin for Sunday Life. Pictures Frank McGrath

John Toner Mon 11 Mar 2024 at 13:00

A notorious gangster who grew up in Belfast has called for authorities to release his old pal Charles Bronson from jail.
UK

I think they are waiting for us to die off, fears Windrush scandal victim
Continuing with the spate of relentless monstrosities in Gaza, the Israeli army, on 29 February 2024, fired at the starving people who had gathered at the Nablus roundabout of the Harun al-Rashid Street of Gaza City to collect bags of flour being delivered by aid trucks. At least 112 people have been killed and hundreds injured in what is being termed the flour massacre. The world witnessed the gut-wrenching sight of bags of flour drenched in blood and dead and injured individuals being carried on donkey cartsfor no ambulance could be availablewho had desperately hoped to get a bag of flour for their families, starving due to the blockade and destruction wrought by Israel. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the Israeli army fired right at the moment when the people gathered around the aid trucks and subsequently the army tanks trampled on the dead and injured bodies.

Initially, Israel claimed that the deaths and injuries were due to a stampede but subsequently changed its version of events to a feeble justification of the firing as necessitated by its forces being posed with a threat from the crowd. Is the very existence of Gazan peoplestanding up and fighting for life, dignity and freedom, despite the cruelties and suffering imposed on themperceived as a threat? It should be noted that the 29 February massacre follows a pattern of Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians seeking aid, with over 14 recorded incidents of shooting, shelling and targeting groups gathered to receive urgently needed supplies from trucks or airdrops between mid-January and the end of February 2024. Within three days of the flour massacre, the Israeli armed forces targeted Gazans waiting for flour trucks at the Kuwaiti roundabout in Gaza City leading to dozens of people being killed and injured. The pattern of initial denial of the criminal acts and their subsequent brazen repetition is reminiscent of Israeli denial of bombing al-Ahli hospital in October 2023, followed by the bombing of all hospitals in Gaza and systematic destruction of medical infrastructure. Such brazenness is a measure of impunity afforded to Israel by its Western backers which leads to normalisation of the horrific atrocities. Even a resolution in the United Nations Security Council, condemning the 29 February massacre, was vetoed by the United States (US) as they dont have all facts on the ground. Contrast this with the suspension of the funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), based on unsubstantiated allegations by Israel, which resulted in compounding the miseries faced by the beleaguered Gazans.
The renewal of close U.S. ties with Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands will contribute to greater regional security, island leaders said after President Joe Biden signed a government funding bill into law that included $7.1 billion for the three Pacific allies.

Bidens signature on Saturday following the passage of the U.S. $460 billion bill through Congress last week averted a partial government shutdown. It also ended uncertainty about funding for the three Micronesian nations that occupy a swath of the western Pacific crucial to U.S. military dominance in the region.

The path to this day has been longer than expected and a challenging road that raised concerns, Federated States of Micronesia President Wesley Simina said in a video posted online Sunday.

At the end of the day, the FSM and the U.S. reached an agreement with an outcome that I am confident will benefit both our nations and contribute to greater peace and prosperity for our peoples and to greater security and stability for the Indo-Pacific region and the world, he said.

The Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau, which together are home to about 200,000 people, give the U.S. military access to their vast ocean territories in exchange for funding and the right for their citizens to live and work in the U.S. The agreements, known as compacts of free association, also allow the U.S. to deny other countries access to the waters between the Philippines and Hawaii.

Amid increased U.S.-China rivalry in the Pacific, the three island nations last year signed new economic assistance agreements with the U.S. that are significantly more generous and provide a total of $7.1 billion over two decades. But budget battles between Republicans and Democrats created uncertainty about when the funding taps would be turned on.

The leaders of Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, the New Zealand and Australian ambassadors to the U.S. and dozens of U.S. politicians had recently rung alarm bells that delays in securing the funding had created an opening for Chinas government to further increase its influence in the region.

Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine said the Nitijela  the Marshall Islands legislature  still needs to give its approval for the updated compact, which includes $700 million in contributions over four years to a national trust fund.

The Marshall Islands was the last of the three nations to sign its amended compact with the U.S. last year after negotiations complicated by the legacy of American nuclear testing on Bikini and Enewetak atolls in the 1940s and 1950s.

U.S. legislative approval represents a very big step in our mutual and enduring efforts to strengthen the compacts, Heine said in a statement.

The compact, she said, is crucial to the wellbeing of our citizens and security of our region.

The Marshall Islands hosts a mainstay U.S. ballistic missile testing and space surveillance range on Kwajalein Atoll. In Palau, the U.S. military is building an over-the-horizon radar station.

Last month, Simina and the leaders of Palau and Marshall Islands had warned in a letter to senior U.S. legislators that uncertainty about funding had resulted in undesirable opportunities for economic exploitation by competitive political actors active in the Pacific.

The letter didnt name China but its inroads with Pacific island nations, including a security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022, have recently galvanized renewed U.S. attention to the region.

Chinas government has courted Pacific island nations for several decades as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, gain allies in international institutions and erode U.S. dominance. Beijing regards Taiwan, a democracy and globally important tech manufacturing center, as a renegade province that must be reunited with the mainland.
Then-Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr. (left), commander of the Western Mindanao Command, inspects a .50-caliber Browning machine gun, which was among 45 firearms seized by army troops from Muslim militants in Marawi City, southern Philippines, March 3, 2022.

A deadly shootout involving fighters from a splinter rebel group and its storming of a village in a separate incident over the weekend rattled an autonomous Muslim region in the southern Philippines ahead of this weeks start of Ramadan.

Soldiers from the Philippine Armys 1st Brigade Combat Team clashed with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on Saturday in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, a town in Maguindanao del Sur province, killing two suspected BIFF members, said Brig. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, the army commander in the area.

Maguindanao del Sur is one of the provinces in the so-called Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which came into being in 2019 and is home to a fragile peace between Manila and former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) separatist guerrillas, who administer the region. The BIFF broke away from the MILF after the latter agreed to a peace deal with Manila 10 years ago.

Cagara said authorities had received reports that about 20 armed members of the BIFF were meeting in the remote village of Kitango. Soldiers dispatched to the region to validate the information were attacked by BIFF, provoking the gunfight, he said.

The bodies of militants were recovered along with a rifle, a .50-caliber homemade Barrett [rifle] and homemade explosives, Cagara told reporters on Saturday.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front today controls the large autonomous region, and has been helping the Philippine military against other southern militant factions.

Also on Saturday, about 100 armed men stormed a village shortly after midnight in the nearby town of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte province, forcing an estimated 350 residents to evacuate.

The village chief of Ambolodto, Bai Shamin Limbona, said in a radio interview that the gunmen attacked the community, firing automatic weapons in different directions. No casualties were reported, as Limbona said the military arrived.

I believe this is politically motivated, Limbona said without giving additional details.

Limbona said the residents had returned to their homes but were keeping boxes and suitcases packed over fears of another attack.

Meanwhile on Sunday, a university student was gunned down in broad daylight after attending a morning Catholic Mass in Cotabato City, the capital of the Bangsamoro region. Police on Monday told reporters they did not have details about the killer of Michael Jan Mangulamas, 21, and they had not yet established a motive.

Filipinos hold a Rukyatul Hilal to view the crescent moon to determine the start of Ramadan when Muslims fast for a month, in Cotabato City, southern Philippines, March 10, 2024. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews]

The series of incidents occurred a few days before millions of Filipino Muslims, most of whom live in the south, particularly in the Bangsamoro region, start their annual fasting during the month of Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam. For 30 days, they are required to refrain from eating and drinking during the daylight hours.

Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani, the Bangsamoro jurist or mufti, officially declared that the first day of Ramadan fasting would fall on March 12.

By the authority vested in me, the crescent moon was not sighted today; therefore, Ramadan fasting will officially begin on Tuesday, Guialani said in an announcement on Sunday.

Before departing from Manila for a state visit to Germany and the Czech Republic, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his solidarity with Muslim Filipinos, saying Ramadan has a special significance in the country as it reminds the people of the rich diversity of our cultural and religious tapestry in the Philippines.

In a statement on Sunday, Marcos expressed hope that the religious occasion would strengthen kingship and pave the way for forgiveness.

It is my hope that this month-long celebration will strengthen our kinship, open our hearts to forgive past grievances and embrace a spirit of harmony that will redound to our collective progress, Marcos said in his message.

The Philippines is a majority Catholic country.

Filipino Muslims spend the afternoon at Timako Port in Cotabato City, southern Philippines, March 10, 2024, ahead of the start of Ramadan. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews]

The autonomous Bangsmaro region has struggled with violence five years after its birth and a little more than a year before its first-ever parliamentary elections.

Weapons in the hands of armed groups including former rebels and private armies, combined with the slow trickle of funds from Manila meant to lift the region out of poverty, remain core challenges, according to analysts and BARMM Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim.

He told BenarNews earlier this year that there are many loose firearms in the Bangsamoro.

Analysts warned of a potentially highly charged May 2025 elections in the region, owing to political feuds and conflicts among clans, along with potential acts of terrorism. The October 2023 village elections in BARMM, analysts said, were the bloodiest elections recorded in the last decade.
Detainees stand behind cell bars at the police Immigration Detention Center in central Bangkok on Jan. 21, 2019. More than 40 Uyghurs have been held for a decade.

After fleeing persecution in China and entering Thailand 10 years ago, more than 40 Uyghurs remain incarcerated in overcrowded detention centers for illegal entry without knowing their fate, their families and rights groups said at a weekend seminar.

The group is among more than 500 Uyghurs who fled Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to Southeast Asian countries in 2014-15, according to Thai officials and nonprofits.

Thai immigration authorities arrested at least 475 Uyghurs  mostly on rubber plantations in Songkhla province  and detained them in March 2014, according to official figures. Since then, more than 100 have been successfully resettled in Turkey, while others have been repatriated to China or escaped custody.

The remaining Uyghurs have been held as illegal immigrants  not refugees  under poor living conditions in detention centers, unable to speak with outsiders, said an advisor to the countrys National Human Rights Commission, Rattikul Chansuriya, who contended that the Uyghurs could be in danger if repatriated to China.

The concerned authorities should urgently find appropriate third countries or other destinations for Uyghur detainees, she told the seminar in Bangkok on Saturday.

She said she had made the same recommendation to Thailands civilian government led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

The concerned authorities should expedite the implementation of the regulations for the screening of aliens who cannot be returned to their country of origin due to potential danger, she said. This is an important mechanism to provide protection to asylum seekers, including Uyghurs.

Thailands foreign ministry had not responded to a request for comment on the Uyghurs by the time of publication.

Suspected Uyghurs are transported back to a detention facility in the town of Songkhla in southern Thailand after visiting women and children at a separate shelter March 26, 2014. [Reuters]

Life for Uyghurs was harsh under the then-government of Prayuth Chan-o-cha, a former army general who seized power in a May 2014 coup.

A month after the forced repatriation of 109 Uyghur men in July 2015, a bomb blast killed 20 people and injured more than 100 others at Bangkoks Erawan Shrine, frequented by Chinese tourists. Thai officials believed the attack was in retaliation for China blocking the transfer of Uyghur refugees to Turkey after Ankara accepted more than 170 Uyghur women and children.

At that time, the Turkish embassy in Bangkok said it was willing to accept all the Uyghurs, but China protested. Beijing has continued to closely monitor the status of the detainees, prompting Bangkok to prevaricate.

One Thai nonprofit said in spite of international pressure on Thailand it continues to be hard to persuade the government to release the Uyghurs.

The Uyghurs are a small group of people, [who] mean nothing. China keeps submitting letters to follow up on Uyghurs with the Thai foreign ministry every day, said Chalida Tajaroensuk, director of the Peoples Empowerment Foundation, a Thai NGO that assists Uyghur refugees.

She said it was hard for advocacy groups and even Thai officials to gain access to the detainees  especially the two Uyghur suspects in the Erawan Shrine bombing  because the government called the matter a top secret security issue.

At least five Uyghurs have died in detention while in Thailand, according to the Germany-based World Uyghur Congress.

An immigration detention center, where human rights activists believe that a group of Uyghurs are being detained, is pictured in the Sathorn area of Bangkok on Sept. 30, 2022. [AFP]

Rattikul said the National Human Rights Commissioner would continue offering various recommendations.

These include establishing a definitive timeline for third-country asylum, ensuring access to psychotherapy, enabling communication with outsiders, providing prompt notification in case of death, and improving detention facilities.

Additionally, the Commissioner is pushing for the government to identify a third country for asylum seekers and the implementation of a no repatriation policy when there is a potential danger. However, these recommendations have so far received no response from the Srettha administration.

I thought this government would have a more liberal policy, or a balanced policy on this matter or human rights issues in general but its disappointing. I still didnt hear anything about them upholding human rights issues in Thailand, she said.

Srettha, whom the media dub a salesman for his economic-focus, is seen by many political pundits as disregarding human rights.

Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson said Srettha needs to stop buckling under Beijings pressure.

Thailand should say to China: Look, according to our law and international standards, we cant send them to you.

Speaking in an animated video at Saturdays seminar, a Turkey-based man whose father remains in a Bangkok cell said no one wanted to become a refugee, but did it out of necessity. He said his family was longing to be reunited.

The man said his parents and siblings were detained in Thailand on March 14, 2014, before all-but-his-father were released for settlement in Turkey.

The most important man in our lives is missing ... We know where he is, but we cannot hug him. said the man, who wished to remain anonymous to protect his family.

His absence is the most visible wound in our soul.
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'The Zone of Interest' director condemns war in Gaza as he accepts Oscar for best international film

The harrowing Holocaust drama The Zone of Interest, which explores questions of complicity while depicting the mundane lives of a Nazi family in their home adjacent to the Auschwitz death camp, won the Academy Award for best international film
In the context of Keralas electoral landscape, rubber gains notable attention, particularly given its status as the second most cultivated crop in the state. This attention underscores the significance of rubber cultivation in shaping political discourse and policy considerations during election cycles. As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections loom closer, rubber has become a pivotal factor in the political arena. Bishop Pamplany, a prominent Christian leader, has made assertions suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could potentially secure seats in Kerala if the price of rubber were increased to `300 per kilogram, highlighting the electoral importance of rubber. The Prime Minister, while speaking at a BJP rally in Kerala, pledged to raise import duties on rubber. While this seems promising, it also reflects the cyclical pattern of attention and support towards rubber farmers during election periods.

In light of the electoral significance of rubber in Kerala, it is pertinent to examine certain recent developments, such as the Ministry of Commerce and Industrys announcement regarding a substantial increase in subsidies for new rubber plantations and re-plantations in the state. The subsidy has been raised to `40,000 per hectare, up from the previous `25,000 provided by the Rubber Board. This decision follows earlier criticisms from farmers in Kerala, who expressed discontent over what they perceived as preferential treatment in subsidy allocation towards farmers in northern states. Notably, the government has augmented the financial package for the rubber sector by 23%, totalling `708.69 crore for the upcoming two years, compared to the previous allocation of `576.41 crore. Such developments underscore the evolving dynamics of rubber-related policies within Keralas electoral context.
PITTSFIELD  One way or another, the Bel Air Dams days are numbered.

Its practical use as a power generator long passed, it is now an active public safety and environmental hazard silently threatening the city's North End and West Side.

"Unsafe," successive state inspections declare. And if that's not argument enough, the water spraying through gaps in the dam's retaining wall  especially when it rains  is particularly alarming. So is the bulge inspectors detected in the masonry dam.

The only question is: How will it end?

Officials have known for decades that the Bel Air Dam is a potentially life-threatening hazard. State officials took its late owner to court 14 years ago in an effort to kick-start maintenance or demolition, to no avail. Given its location  upstream from homes and businesses along Wahconah Street and Bel Air Avenue, and potentially blocking a route to the county's largest hospital  its also categorized as a high hazard. The state has declared it one of six abandoned or unsafe dams that has to go, and set aside $20 million for the work.

The best-case scenario? In 2025 or 2026, heavy equipment and a small army of workers will pull apart the 192-year-old earth and stone dam and haul away an estimated 355 tons of sediment contaminated with heavy metals  the toxic legacy of 19th century industrial New England. The result? A free-flowing Housatonic River, perhaps a shot in the arm for a working-class neighborhood seeking a brighter future, and peace of mind for property owners who've had a wary eye on the dam for decades.

That process requires planning and permits, all of which are in progress.

Disaster models

Then theres the worst-case scenario. Its based on an Army Corps of Engineers program designed to predict flood damage, and is spelled out in an emergency plan the city recently updated.

Given the dam's condition, it's likely the city and state would not be caught by surprise. Mayor Peter Marchetti's administration updated the emergency plan, first compiled by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation in 2017 in cooperation with former Mayor Linda Tyer, shortly after taking office. And the DCR, which oversees the Office of Dam Safety, told The Eagle that it's keeping a close eye on the dam's potential threats as it completes its studying, planning and permitting.

In the worst-case scenario, generated with software developed by the Army Corps of Engineers, a deluge from a 100-year storm sends water over the top of the 192-year-old earth and stone dam. Over half an hour, the embankment and retaining wall finally give way, carving a trapezoidal-shaped gap in the dam and sending a surge of water and sludge roaring downstream toward the North End, Wahconah Park and the West Side. According to the simulation, the river would reach an astonishing maximum flow rate of 8,156.62 cubic feet, or more than 60,000 gallons, per second.

At that speed, the impoundment pond  normally 24 acre feet, but given the scenario, likely closer to its maximum of 54 acre feet  would empty quickly.

An immediate evacuation is ordered and the states emergency management agency is notified. "Move to high ground immediately," residents would be told. Shelters would open at Reid Middle School and Berkshire Community College's Paterson Field House. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency would be notified.

The plan outlines which contractors to call, which streets to evacuate, and even shows how to properly fill and deploy sandbags. But the city would need help.

"We would call MEMA right away and start getting resources immediately," said Fire Chief Thomas Sammons, who is also the city's emergency management director. "It would be too much for us to handle."

But theres nothing to be done about the water. In six minutes, according to the simulation, the wave reaches its peak height of 1006.95 feet above sea level at Pontoosuc Avenue. According to FEMA flood insurance maps currently available online, that's more than a foot above the 100-year flood level of 1,005 feet above sea level.

In half an hour, it's made its way to the West Side.

EVACUATION LIST The following streets are on an evacuation list because they'd be affected by "the high velocity of water from Bel Air Dam," according to the city's emergency action plan:  Goodwill Industries Drive  Pontoosuc Avenue  Wahconah Street  Linden Street  Columbus Avenue  West Street

The wave takes about 30 minutes to dissipate in the vicinity of the CSX railroad bridge, 1.85 miles downriver and south of West Street. There, the simulation puts the high water mark at 994 feet above sea level  a full foot above that area's 100-year flood stage, according to the report.

Under the dry-weather scenario, a breach doesn't have a happier ending, but it hits at less violent speed. In this scenario, it takes an hour for the dam to breach, and it takes 16 minutes for water levels to crest at Pontoosuc Avenue.

Either way, there's flood water and mud everywhere. And that mud might be contaminated with lead, chromium and arsenic  all heavy metals used in the woolen industry. They've been found at concentrations above state-mandated reporting levels according to a 2022 environmental survey of the impoundment dam.

"It would be catastrophic for that part of the city," Sammons said.

'UNSAFE' in capital letters

But the city has prepared. Meetings and training have focused on the dam's condition and how the city would respond, and the department's deputy chiefs and firefighters at the nearby Pecks Road station are well aware of the dam's condition, he said.

While officials are grateful that the state came through with federal funding last year, that sense of relief comes with crossed fingers. With every significant rainstorm, residents and state and local leaders have one eye on the Bel Air Dam.

Im glad the state and feds finally have put the Bel Air Dam at the top of the list [for demolition funding]. That absolutely needs to happen, Sammons said. Ill sleep better when its removed.

Since an Eagle story on the dams condition a year ago, the Office of Dam Safety, a division of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, has conducted three follow-up inspections. They include surveys taken on May 11 and Dec. 7, and an abbreviated high rainfall event inspection on July 19. That inspection followed an eight-day period that saw 5.43 inches of rain in Pittsfield, topped by 1.69 inches on July 16.

That inspection reported no indication that the embankment was overtopped, though water was observed at the top of the masonry dam. Inspectors said they saw significant flow through masonry joints observed on the downstream face of the dam.

But based on visual comparisons to past inspections, there was no obvious indication of masonry blocks that had washed out of the dam, or accelerated displacement of the dam, inspectors from GZA GeoEnvironmental wrote in a report.

Still, the most recent evaluation returned failing grades. "UNSAFE," it says, in all capital letters for emphasis. No fewer than 17 previous deficiencies are cited, and the first catches the attention immediately: "Movement of stone masonry (bulging) on the downstream face of the auxiliary spillway appears to have occurred since the last inspection."

But is it really not getting worse? The report would not go that far, saying the dam's problems can't all be seen in a visual inspection, and simply won't improve. "Such deficiencies are not capable of self-correction and, over time, are expected to only worsen as compared to earlier inspections and reports," it said.

How'd we get here?

For years, the dam was owned by the late J. Barry Hollister, whose Ski America marketing and publishing company was situated on property including the dam. That business shut its doors in 1996.

In 2010, with the state well aware that dam posed a threat, Berkshire Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Ford ordered Hollister to foot the bill for an inspection, pursuant to a lawsuit brought by the state over his failure to maintain the dam and respond to their concerns. At that point, Hollister told officials he could not afford to pay for repairs, let alone demolition.

Hollister died in 2021, with the matter unresolved.

For its part, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation says it has one eye on the dam and the other on obtaining permits to remove it. Earlier this month, its consultants appeared before the city Conservation Commission and were granted permission to collect riverbed samples. Their goal was to find the soil strength of the riverbed once the dam is removed, so they can design a new one.

The work continues. According to a DCR spokesperson, the department has sought a Notice of Ecological Restoration from state environmental regulators. The project qualifies for expedited review, and once thats complete, it will need permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection, the Pittsfield Conservation Commission and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

But DCR also recognizes that its racing the clock. The agency is "conducting routine inspections of the dam until the removal work can begin. This allows us to monitor and take any necessary remedial action to address maintenance needs during this process."

The Bel Air Dam is old news for residents of the North End, especially those on Bel Air Terrace, Wahconah Street and Pontoosuc Avenue, whose properties are in the line of fire.

Jean Kubica, 65, of Bel Air Avenue, has lived in the neighborhood her whole life. She can remember at least two past evacuations over worries the dam wouldn't hold. The first, when she was a teenager, took her to Reid Middle School, then known as North Junior High.

Over the years, Kubica could see signs of water seeping through the retaining wall. But in December, when she spoke with The Eagle's Jane Kaufman about a recent neighborhood meeting on the dam, she said the spray seemed concentrated "all in the same area ... it was coming out pretty good."

"I don't know what that side of the dam looks like [behind the stone wall] but I imagine the erosion is pretty bad," she said. "I'm still a little bit nervous."

"Usually in fall and spring they lower Pontoosuc Lake, so they open that dam, and whatever amount of water comes down," she added. "I get nervous about that."

City councilors representing the immediate neighborhoods are deeply concerned about what a breach would mean for constituents.

Im terrified we wont make it to construction before the dam gives way, Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre said. The planning and permitting process is what it is on the state level and we just cant move the process any faster.

Serre said city public safety officials and the Marchetti administration are on the same page when it comes to the threat. Still, those in potential harms way are very concerned.

Is it simply a flooded basement, which is bad enough, or a permanent shift in the water table? We dont know these things and its the unknown thats scary, Serre said.

Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi said concerns are greatest in West Side neighborhoods near the West Branch. In the most vulnerable neighborhoods, those residents have this on their minds, she said.

Unlike past mayors, Marchetti inherited a long-term solution for Bel Air Dam along with the problem when he took office in January. Marchetti credited former Mayor Linda Tyer for making the dam a safety priority.

We have been actively monitoring water levels, especially during rain events at the dam and notify DCR when action is required to redirect water, he said.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has taken an active part in the work needed at the Bel Air Dam and has made this a project a priority, he added. I am grateful for the continued support of the Healey-Driscoll administration and their recognition of moving this project forward.

Eagle Community Voices Editor Jane Kaufman contributed to this story.
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RICHMOND  Unintended consequences. Employers in states like Oklahoma and Alabama and New Hampshire dont intend to cause poverty. But they do exactly that because they accept the poverty-imposing federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Whats minimum to manage in the Berkshires is $21.83 an hour for an adult with no children, according to the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines for 2024. That obviously goes up when more people are added.

The three states mentioned are among 20 scattered across the country that stick with the $7.25 rate, according to a U.S. Department of Labor report as of Jan. 1. In Massachusetts, as of January, the minimum is $15 an hour for most workers. Agricultural and wait staff are under different regulations, with lower hourly rates.

So, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is perfectly legal in offering $17.25 as its minimum wage  a couple of bucks over the state requirement. But the Mass MoCA workers are perfectly reasonable in asking that the minimum hourly rate be increased to $18.25. That still falls short of whats needed to live here, even if rents  and food prices  are lower in North Adams than in South Berkshire.

The workers went out on strike last week, an uncommon event in the county and highly unusual for a cultural institution. The museum announced that it would remain open, with a few cuts in special programs, and that picketing would be limited to the public sidewalk outside the grounds of the sizable campus.

Museum Director Kristy Edmunds said in a statement Wednesday that Mass MoCA has ensured no disruption in health and retirement benefits, and funded a variety of innovative employee support programs that include student loan, elder and child-care offsets. But one employee commented in an Eagle news story that she didnt feel like were asking for a lot.

Few employees agree to strikes without serious consideration because its a major, personal sacrifice and the ultimate move to make public what they see as a problem with management. Its to be hoped that differences can be resolved quickly, and the museum can go back to displaying art without acrimony.

But the story of the inadequacy of the federal wage law isnt going away. The only states with rates equal to or higher than the Massachusetts minimum are Maryland, New York, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Washington and Washington, D.C. At $17 an hour, D.C. takes the prize.

So, it was not surprising that the president, in the State of the Union address last week, again asked for an increase in the minimum wage. Its also not surprising that Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont last year labeled $7.25 a starvation wage. That was after the Raise the Wage Act of 2023 was proposed in the House of Representatives to gradually increase the federal minimum to $17 by 2028, giving 28 million Americans a raise. It hasnt happened yet, and when it does, it will likely already be outdated.

Arguments against the change include the possibility that employers will cut staff and reduce hours to save money and that some businesses will close. But those in favor talk about raising thousands of families out of poverty and present evidence that the jobs will be there.

When your grandchildren are getting $15 to $20 an hour to babysit, its hard to defend those who pay less than half of that to a working father or mother. Perhaps a living wage would reduce the lines at our food pantries or the number of families who need food stamps to survive. Surely, Congress doesnt intend that any Americans should starve.
"Kathua all set to emerge as North Indias cost-effective and state-of-the-art centre of medical facilities, says Dr Jitendra Singh

North Indias first Government Homeopathic 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.

Dr Jitendra Singh 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. 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.

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.

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 Homeopathic 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 Indias cost-effective and state-of-the-art centre of medical facilities.
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JAIPUR (PTI): A joint military exercise between India and Japan was completed on Friday at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, a defence spokesperson said.



The fifth joint military exercise named 'Dharma Guardian' between the Indian Army and Japan Ground Self Defense Force was successfully conducted at Mahajan Field Firing Range on Friday.



India's Rajputana Rifles battalion and a group of 40 soldiers from Japan participated in the exercise, defence spokesperson Colonel Amitabh Sharma said in a statement.



The primary objective of the exercise was to promote military cooperation and enhance capabilities to carry out joint operations in semi-urban environments under the mandate of the United Nations.



The exercise, conducted in two phases, initially focused on combat conditioning and tactical training which was successfully completed by both the contingents. The acquired skills were then applied in a second phase, the statement said.



The closing ceremony of the joint exercise also featured an armament and material display and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' exhibitions showcasing the country's prosperity and growing industrial potential, it said.


Formosa Plastic Corp.s complex on Lavaca Bay in Point Comfort is seen in June 2023. Dylan Baddour/Inside Climate News

Texas regulators last month approved water rights for a new, 2,500-acre reservoir to meet the growing needs of chemical plants, refineries and other industries on the Gulf Coast.

A draft permit issued Feb. 23 by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality authorizes the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority to divert up to 31 billion gallons per year from the Lavaca River. It would go into a reservoir proposed on property that Formosa Plastics owns, about 2 miles east of its massive Point Comfort chemical complex, where the company has quietly pursued permits to expand in recent years since its Louisiana megaproject has been stalled by legal complaints.

The draft will undergo a 30-day period of public comment before being adopted.

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Its the first time in 50 years that the small river authority has sought additional water rights, general manager Patrick Brzozowski said.

There is interest in our area to develop industrial plants, he said. Thats where the demand is going to come from.

The 20-year-old fracking boom in Texas continues to fuel a downstream buildout on the coast, where pipelines deliver oil and gas to enormous facilities that refine it into chemical products or prepare it for export by sea.

Around Lavaca Bay, this mostly rural middle section of the Texas Gulf Coast still lacks the great conglomerations of chemical manufacturers that ring the water at Houston and Port Arthur to the north and Corpus Christi to the south. Here, a single actor reins supreme: Formosa Plastics, a $460 billion Taiwanese company, and its 2,500-acre complex on Lavaca Bay, which turns Texas shale gas into the materials for common single-use plastics.

The company has incurred hefty fines and complaints for years over unpermitted discharges into air and water. It currently faces steep opposition over its proposed new chemical complex in Louisiana, which has mired the project in challenges over environmental justice, climate impacts and wetlands destruction.

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Now, its prospects for expansion in Texas trouble environmental advocates.

Formosa got such hell from people in Louisiana stopping them that they keep it very quiet when they are trying to expand, said Diane Wilson, a retired Gulf Coast fisherwoman who won a $50 million settlement in 2019 from Formosa over its routine dumping of plastics into Lavaca Bay over decades. They want water for expansion.

Formosa declined to answer questions about expansion plans or the proposed reservoir.

Since the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority (LNRA) applied for the water permit, we feel you should contact LNRA, a Formosa spokesperson wrote in an email.

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Industrial water demand

Two customers, Brzozowski said, account for 98% of water demand in the Lacava-Navidad basin, the smallest major river basin in Texas.

One is the city of Corpus Christi, 100 miles to the southwest, where a single new plastics plant owned by Exxon Mobil and the Saudi Basic Industries Corp. accounts for up to 25% of regional water demand  and where a 2018 city ordinance exempts industrial water users from restrictions during drought.

The other is Formosa Plastics. The two customers consume roughly equal amounts, according to the regions latest water plan.

The Lavaca-Navidad River Authority currently supplies about 28 billion gallons of water each year from its only reservoir, Lake Texana on the Navidad River, with none left to spare. Its pending water rights permits would add to its portfolio an additional 31 billion gallons per year from the neighboring Lavaca River, to be stored at the 16-billion-gallon reservoir  midsize by Texas standards  planned on Formosa property in Jackson County.

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Formosa would get first rights to a portion of the water, Brzozowski said, but the details havent been negotiated.

Expansion plans

For Formosa, the opportunity for growth in Texas comes after legal challenges have stalled its plans for a new, $9.4 billion chemical complex in St. James Parish, La. The Army Corps of Engineers revoked that projects permit to build on wetlands in 2020, and in 2022, a state judge struck down its air pollution permits, citing concerns over environmental justice and climate.

Seventeen days later, Formosa applied with Texas regulators for permits to build a new hexene plant at Point Comfort and expand its adjacent polyethylene plant. The two projects together were approved in September 2023 to emit about 170 tons of regulated pollutants per year.

The company has also applied for amendments to nine of its air permits to authorize four new ground flares  large facilities used for burning off unwanted chemicals  and to sharply increase emissions limits at its existing flares.

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Formosa has not explained why it is seeking to increase flaring limits, said official comments filed with the TCEQ by the Environmental Integrity Project in February 2023.

They could definitely be laying the groundwork for expansion, said Collin Cox, the lawyer who wrote the comments

According to a report this month by the business intelligence website Offshore Technology, upcoming projects at Formosa Point Comfort include expansions at its caustic soda plant, chlorine plant, propylene plant No. 2, PVC plant and its vinyl chloride monomer plant.

That follows 40 years of steady growth for Formosa at Point Comfort. According to the companys website, it began operations at the 2,500-acre complex in 1983 and underwent major expansions in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2012. In 2016, it applied to add a new polyethylene plant, then in 2020 retroactively doubled the plants authorized emissions of volatile organic compounds after it was built.

Formosas first contract with the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority, in 1980, secured 1.6 billion gallons of water per year. Today, Formosa holds contracts for 13.4 billion gallons of water per year.

A notorious polluter

The facility also has a history of illegal pollution. Wilson, the fisherwoman, previously sued Formosa over its large-scale dumping of plastic chemicals into Lavaca Bay. In 2019, she won the largest settlement ever awarded in a case brought by a person under the Clean Water Act, $50 million.

Diane Wilson stands in Port Lavaca across Lavaca Bay from Formosa Plastics Corp.s plant in July 2023. Christopher Baddour/Inside Climate News

In the settlement, Formosa agreed not to dump any more plastic into the bay. However, it has reported 584 violations of that agreement to the TCEQ, most recently on Feb. 26, incurring $15.5 million in additional penalties.

Formosa also regularly reports violations of its air pollution permits, most recently on Jan. 22, when an emergency shutdown caused the release of 27 chemicals, including benzene (a known human carcinogen) at 33 times Formosas permitted rate, butadiene (a probable human carcinogen and a known neurotoxin) at 70 times the permitted rate, and gaseous ethylene (which can be used as a commercial pesticide) at 758 times the permitted rate, according to the companys report to the TCEQ.

On Jan. 17, freezing weather prompted Formosa to release almost 250 tons of air pollution, including gaseous ethylene at 500 times its permitted rate.

They are still polluting, and now they are trying to expand, Wilson said.

The draft water rights permit will undergo a period of public comment during which affected residents may request a hearing before an administrative law judge. If that happens, it could be several years before the project breaks ground, said Brzozowski, the river authority manager.

We dont have a timeline right now. Were trying to get a permit, and we dont know how long it will take, he said. We do know there is future demand. They are interested in how long its going to take.

Trouble in Louisiana

In Louisiana, Formosa continues to slowly advance plans for its huge proposed complex. After the state judge struck down its permits in 2022, Formosa and the state of Louisiana appealed. In January, an appeals court reversed the 2022 decision, revalidating the permits. Opponents of the project have until March to raise the question to the states supreme court.

Regardless of air permits, the project in Louisiana still lacks the authorization to build on wetlands that was revoked by the Army Corps of Engineers in 2020. Since then, the Corps has ordered an environmental impact study of the project  a meticulous, yearslong process.


Mega exercise 'Bharat Shakti' to be held at Pokhran on March 12 is expected to be witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the top military brass.

NEW DELHI (PTI): Mega exercise 'Bharat Shakti' to be held at Pokhran on March 12 is expected to be witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the top military brass and will showcase the "shock and awe" impact that the armed forces seek to achieve in an operational situation with manoeuvre and fighting capabilities.



'Bharat Shakti' will demonstrate the prowess of indigenously manufactured defence equipment of the three services, Additional Director General, Army Design Bureau, Major General C S Mann told reporters here.



The integrated tri-service firepower and manoeuvre exercise at Pokhran will be held for about 50 minutes, he said.



"Synergised joint operations will be decisive in the Indian context. Through live firepower and manoeuvre demonstration, it is endeavoured to showcase the tri-services operational capabilities to counter any threat leveraging indigenous capability and the ability to undertake conflicts in the face of global upheavals," Major General Mann said.



Sources said Prime Minister Modi is expected to watch the integrated tri-service exercise to be held at Pokhran field firing ranges in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district.



LCA Tejas, ALH Mk-IV, LCH Prachand, mobile anti-drone system, BMP-II and its variants, NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier), T90 tanks, Dhanush, K9 Vajra and Pinaka rockets are among the platforms that will be demonstrated.



The first-of-its-kind exercise on such a scale is "not tailored towards any direction (northern or western border) or any adversaries", sources in the defence establishment said.



The exercise at Pokhran will also showcase systems and platforms integrated with the use of artificial intelligence.



"It will showcase live integrated multi-domain operations of the three services in offensive operations using indigenous equipment," as also "high synergy, multi-service, multi-domain capability, thereby demonstrating inter-Service synergy", he said.



The event, being conducted at Pokaran, imposes terrain restrictions on depicting naval manoeuvres. However, such equipment will be showcased as part of the static display that will follow the live demonstration.



"Exercise 'Bharat Shakti' will showcase the 'shock and awe' that the three services seek to achieve in an operational situation by employing manoeuvre and fighting capabilities effectively," Major General Mann said.



In this demonstration, "the latest indigenous equipment of all three services...what impact they will have on adversaries on their physical capabilities and their mental state, the 'shock and awe' will be showcased," he added.



The proceedings will commence with the Army's Special Forces, MARCOS of the Indian Navy and GARUDS of the Indian Air Force "infiltrating by all-terrain vehicles and slithering operations, while surveillance of the battlefield will be carried out by remotely piloted aircraft and drones. This will be followed by the degradation of targets by long-range vectors and artillery guns," he said.



The IAF will achieve a "favourable air situation by engaging strategic targets in depth, whereas the Navy will undertake maritime operations for strategic effects," the senior officer said, some part of the naval segment (happening at sea) of the exercise will be displayed digitally on screen.



Besides firepower and ammunition, logistics capabilities for transporting equipment and evacuation of injured and casualties using the latest technologies will also be demonstrated.



Various types of Radar, UAV-launched precision-guided munition, Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles, and drones of various types, including logistic drones and swarms of drones, and 3D-printed bunkers will be part of the exercise.



The aspects of India's cyber and multi-domain operations capability are also being dovetailed along with the operations of the three services.



Major General Mann termed the announcement of Make in India as a "watershed moment", wherein the year 2020 brought about a "paradigm shift with the launch of Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign".



The campaign proved to be a catalyst for transformation in indigenous R&D, adoption of niche technology and establishment of the indigenous manufacturing ecosystem, ushering in the manifestation of India's quest for self-reliance, he told reporters.



This is evident from the fact that the global share in Indian armed forces capability development projects has "steadily declined", whereas the share of the domestic component has "increased considerably," the senior officer said.



In 2023, subscribing fully to the government's objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat, "98 per cent contracts have been concluded with Indian industry," he added.



"Even in all the cases we have started for procurement, which begin with AoN (Acceptance of Necessity), the majority of them are those which we will procure from Indian industry," the officer said.



Major General Mann said the global situation has been "turbulent" and the recent conflicts have brought into "sharp focus the centrality of national interests and need for Atmanirbharta", adding the supply chain disruption is the first casualty during any global conflicts as experienced in the last few years.



"Therefore, an important aspect of self-reliance is to have minimal dependency on global supply chains especially in terms of critical and fast-moving spares," he said.



Sharing further details on the exercise, Major General Mann said, how individual communication systems of the triservices are integrated, 'e-Tarang' software tool will be showcased, and GIS-related systems, topographical maps, hydrographic charts and air navigation charts with analysis and operational planning capabilities will be showcased.



A "very robust ammunition manufacturing ecosystem" has now taken root in the country, he said.



"Consequently, out of our inventory of existing 175 ammunition items, 154 items are now being sourced from indigenous sources," he added.


Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has hailed the countrys first Oscar as important for our entire country.

Ukraine awoke on Monday to another day of war  Russian drones blasted buildings in the Kharkiv and Odesa regions  but also the news it had won its first Oscar.

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The best documentary victory for Mstyslav Chernovs 20 Days In Mariupol, a harrowing first-person account by the Associated Press journalist of the early days of Russias invasion in 2022, was bittersweet.

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This is the first Oscar in Ukrainian history, and Im honoured, an emotional Mr Chernov said on Sunday at the Academy Awards.

Probably I will be the first director on this stage to say I wish Id never made this film, I wish to be able to exchange this to Russia never attacking Ukraine.

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Back home in his native Ukraine, the award was applauded for exposing the brutal devastation of the war and the message Mr Chernov had sent to the world from one of the biggest stages.

Mr Zelenskiy said he was grateful to the team and thanked journalists across the world still covering the war despite a decrease in attention as it has dragged into its third year and as much of the worlds focus has turned to Israels war against Hamas.

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The horrors of Mariupol must never be forgotten, he said on social media. The entire world must see and remember what the inhumane Russian invasion brought to our people. Cities and villages were destroyed, homes were burned, and entire families were killed by Russian shells and buried in their own backyards.

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The AP team of Mr Chernov, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka and producer Vasilisa Stepanenko arrived an hour before Russia began bombing the port city.

Two weeks later, they were the last journalists working for an international outlet in the city, sending crucial dispatches to the outside world showing civilian casualties of all ages, the digging of mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital and the sheer extent of the devastation.

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The Oscar  and nomination  was a first for both Mr Chernov, an AP video journalist, and the 178-year-old news organisation. The documentary was a joint production of AP and PBS Frontline. It was the first win for Frontline after two previous nominations.

Statuettes were awarded to Mr Chernov, producer and editor Michelle Mizner and producer Raney Aronson-Rath. AP vice president Derl McCrudden is also a credited producer on the film and was among those onstage to accept the award.

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The team behind the documentary accepting the award (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Police officer Volodymyr Nikulin, who is featured prominently in the film as he helped the crew cover the story and ultimately escape Mariupol as Russian forces closed in, said he was happy the film had won the prestigious award.

Mr Nikulin, who was later injured helping victims of a Russian attack on Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, ferried the crew around Mariupol in a desperate attempt to help them find a place where they could transmit their footage because he said it was vital the world could see what was happening.

He said the film served as an important reminder of the most difficult time for our country.

Right now, we may be facing a similarly challenging moment, he told AP in Kyiv on Monday.

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But this film has shown that we can defend our country, that we are united. And at this time, if the world sees that we are fighting, the crimes the aggressor is committing in our country, how it destroys our cities, I believe that the world will support our efforts in the fight, and this will be decisive at this time.

Ukraines human rights chief, Dmytro Lubinets, praised the documentary for showing the truth to the whole world.

Police officer Volodymyr Nikulin, who is featured prominently in the film (Bela Szandelszky/AP)

This awards ceremony is an opportunity to address millions of people. This is what the film director did by mentioning the occupation, prisoners of war, killing of Ukrainians by Russia, and illegal abduction of civilians, he wrote on Telegram.

The award, one of many the documentary has garnered including the Pulitzer Prize, comes as Ukraines forces and ammunition are depleted and Russian troops are trying to push deeper into the Ukraine-held western part of the Donetsk region and penetrate the Kharkiv region to the north.

Drone attacks overnight damaged two multistorey buildings, a hotel and a municipal building in the eastern city of Kharkiv, said regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. No casualties were reported.

An infrastructure facility in the Odesa region was destroyed and windows were shattered, regional governor Oleh Kiper said.

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The award marks the second consecutive Oscar documentary awarded for a film that has shone a harsh light on Russia.

Last year, Navalny, about Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny who died just last month in prison, won best documentary.
The director of 20 Days In Mariupol has said he wished that he did not have to make his Oscar-winning film.

The documentary tells the story of the 20 days that Mstyslav Chernov spent with his colleagues from the Associated Press (AP) news agency in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol after Russia invaded.

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Taking to the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, Chernov said he was honoured to take home the first Oscar for Ukraine.

From left, Raney Aronson-Rath, Vasilisa Stepanenko, Mstyslav Chernov, Evgeniy Maloletka, Michelle Mizner and Derl McCrudden on stage. Photo: Chris Pizzello/AP.

He added: I probably will be the first director on this stage to say I wish I never would have made this film.

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I wish to be able to exchange this (for) Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities.

I wish to give all the recognition (of winning an Oscar for) Russia not killing 10,000s of my fellow Ukrainians.

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I wish for them to release all the hostages, all the soldiers who (were) protecting their land, all the civilians who are now in their jails but I cannot change history, I cannot change the past.

But we all together, you some of the most talented people in the world can make sure the history record is set straight and the truth will prevail and that the people of Mariupol and those who have given their lives will never be forgotten because cinema forms memories, and memories form history.

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Congratulations to '20 Days in Mariupol'  this year's Best Documentary Feature Film! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/y1Qsf7bTpm  The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 11, 2024

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Chernov signed off by saying Slava Ukraini, meaning Glory to Ukraine, a phrase which has become more popular since the war broke out.

February marked two years since the Kremlin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Chernov saying in the winners room that Saturday also marked the anniversary of an attack on the maternity hospital in Mariupol.

He called the bombing a symbol of war crimes perpetrated by Russian forces.

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Chernov added: The topic of supporting Ukraine became a bargaining chip for a lot of politicians in the world I hope I remind everyone with our film that this is a humanitarian catastrophe and this is not a political question, this is a humanitarian emergency.

He also spoke about how his heart is in Ukraine as people in his home country continue to be hit by bombing and attacks.
Supermarket chain Aldi has announced extended opening hours across its 161 stores in Ireland.

From March 25th, all Aldi stores will open from 8am, Monday to Saturday, and close at 10pm.

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The 9am to 9pm time for Sundays and Bank Holidays remains the same.

Customers are advised to check their local stores for changes to the opening times.

Donald Mackay, managing director of operations at Aldi Ireland, said: We are excited to announce our extended opening hours. They will ensure our customers have even more time to explore the wide range of offerings available in-store.

We know our customers have busy lives, and we want to make shopping with Aldi as convenient as possible. Were as committed as ever to providing quality products at unbeatable prices whilst also offering more flexibility to our customers.

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Aldi currently employs 4,650 people and operates a network of 161 stores across the Republic, with an Aldi in every county.

Aldi also plans to expand its store network in Dublin, resulting in an investment of 73 million in 11 new stores with the creation of 350 new full-time jobs over five years.
Child-killer Karen Harrington, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of two-year-old Santina Cawley, has launched a bid to overturn her conviction, arguing that CCTV footage which captured the inside of her home amounted to a breach of her privacy rights.

Harrington (40) was convicted by a jury in 2022 of the murder of the toddler, who was found with extensive injuries in the appellants apartment in Cork City.

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Harrington had denied the murder of Santina at her apartment at Elderwood Park, Boreenmanna Road, Cork, on July 5th, 2019.

However, in May 2022, at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork, seven men and four women returned a unanimous guilty verdict before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath.

The trial heard that Michael Cawley, Santinas father, had been in a relationship with Harrington at the time and had left Santina in Harringtons care in her apartment when he went into Cork City in the early hours of July 5th, 2019, to try and find his cousin who had come from Limerick.

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During the trial, the jury heard evidence that Santina suffered a total of 53 separate injuries. Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster told the trial that her injuries could not have been accidental such was their multiplicity and ubiquity all over her body.

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Dr Bolster told the trial that Santina, who was just 47cm tall and weighed 10.3kg, died from traumatic brain injury and upper spinal cord injury, together with polytrauma and lower limb injuries, all as a result of blunt force trauma.

Karen Harrington was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Santina.

At the Court of Appeal on Monday, Jane Hyland SC, for the appellant, argued that CCTV footage taken from an address that backed onto Harringtons duplex amounted to a breach of her right to privacy and should not have been put before a jury.

Ms Hyland said: The trial judge erred in law in admitting into evidence CCTV footage from Clanrickarde Estate.

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The appellant submits that the said footage was highly prejudicial and that its prejudicial effect far outweighed its probative value at the trial, Ms Hyland submitted.

It is submitted that the footage invaded the appellants right to privacy together with the inviolability of her dwelling under the Irish Constitution by capturing not only the exterior of her dwelling but the interior also, she added.

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Ms Hyland said the footage directly interfered with Harringtons right to privacy under EU law with regard to the European Convention on Human Rights and on protection of personal data under the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Ms Hyland submitted that the Data Protection Act 2018, in regard to processing personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences, demanded suitable and specific measures being taken to safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject [Harrington].

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Counsel submitted that metadata relating to phone records referred to in the case of murderer Graham Dwyer came within the meaning of personal data within data protection laws.

Ms Hyland said the retention of that data could be likened to the retention of personal data in relation to a specific data subject when, for example, domestic CCTV is installed for the purposes of preventing damage or guarding a dwelling.

Dwyer is serving a life sentence for the murder of 36-year-old childcare worker Elaine OHara, who was last seen alive in August 2012 in a park in Shanganagh, south Dublin.

After his 2015 conviction, Dwyer brought a legal challenge over the retention of his mobile phone data.

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His appeal was upheld by the High Court, but the decision was then appealed by the State and subsequently referred to the European Court of Justice. Dwyer is awaiting judgement in a Supreme Court Appeal against his conviction.

Data retention

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Ms Hyland submitted the European Court of Justice confirmed that EU law precludes national legislative measures which provided, as a preventative measure, for the general and indiscriminate retention of traffic and location data relating to electronic communications, for the purposes of combating serious crime.

Sean Gillane SC, for the State, submitted that on day one of Harrington's trial, the issue of CCTV in the case had been addressed by then defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC so that footage could be truncated and presented by a garda before the jury.

Ms Gillane said the garda had then been cross-examined on every clip by the defence, and that all of this was done in the presence of a jury.

Mr Gillane said the defence had asked that a specific piece of footage be played without interruption to the jury and that the defences attitude towards the CCTV evidence had been the exact opposite of overlooking it during the trial.

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, sitting with Ms Justice Una Ni Raifeartaigh and Ms Justice Tara Burns said the court would reserve its judgement in the matter.

During the trial, the court heard that Harrington and Mr Cawley had been drinking together at the apartment of a friend of Harringtons, also in the Elderwood complex, but a row had broken out between them, with Mr Cawley calling Harrington a whore and a prostitute before she went home alone shortly before 1.30am.

Mr Cawley continued drinking at the apartment until around 3am, when he returned to Harringtons duplex with Santina.

The couple had another argument before Cawley left Santina in the care of his partner and walked into Cork City.

Dr Bolster told the trial that the blunt force trauma she found resulted from the child being struck with or against something, and Santinas extensive injuries to her head, upper body and limbs were not the result of any accidental fall.

In May 2022, Harrington was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Santina.
Limerick Fianna Fail TD Willie ODea has broken ranks with his party leadership over its support of proposed hate speech legislation, describing it as woke, and calling for it to be abandoned.

The former minister for defence also described the Green Party and non-governmental organisations as being out of touch with the public.

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Fianna Fail needs to get back to basics and abandon the Hate Speech Bill, etc.

Focus on housing, health, and law & order, and stop playing to the woke gallery. Start listening to the people, stop talking down to them and stop listening to the out of touch Greens & NGOs #Referendum2024, Mr ODea posted on x, formerly Twitter, on Monday.

Mr ODea was expected to join his party leader, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, at a media opportunity in Limerick later on Monday evening ahead of the partys selection convention next week for the Directly Elected Mayor of Limerick.

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The Government had hoped to have incitement to hate legislation on the statute books by late last year, but the legislation has faced delays.

The new Bill aims to repeal the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, with the Government saying the current laws are not fit for purpose.

Those opposed to the legislation have expressed fears it goes too far and poses a risk to freedom of expression.
Palestinians began fasting for Ramadan on Monday as the Muslim holy month arrived with ceasefire talks at a standstill, hunger worsening across the Gaza Strip and no end in sight to the five-month-old war between Israel and Hamas.

Prayers were held outside amid the rubble of demolished buildings late on Sunday. Some people hung fairy lights and decorations in packed tent camps, and a video from a UN-school-turned-shelter showed children dancing and spraying foam as a man sang through a loudspeaker.

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But there was little to celebrate after five months of war that has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians and left much of Gaza in ruins.





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Families would ordinarily break the daily fast with holiday feasts, but even where food is available, there is little beyond canned goods and the prices are too high for many.

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You dont see anyone with joy in their eyes, said Sabah al-Hendi, who was shopping for food on Sunday in the city of Rafah. Every family is sad. Every family has a martyr.

The US, Qatar and Egypt had aimed to broker a ceasefire ahead of the normally joyous month of dawn-to-dusk fasting  with hopes for the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and the entry of a large amount of humanitarian aid  but the talks stalled last week.

Hamas is demanding guarantees that any agreement will lead to an end to the war, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until total victory against the militant group and the release of all remaining hostages.

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Mr Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel had killed Hamass number four leader and added that more targeted killings were to come.





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Three, two, and one are on the way. They are all dead men. We will reach them all, he said.

Mr Netanyahu was probably referencing the assassination of Saleh Arouri, the deputy political head of Hamas and a founder of the groups military wing, who was killed in a blast in Beirut in January. Israel was widely believed to be behind the blast.

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UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Hamas to honour the spirit of Ramadan by silencing the guns and releasing all the hostages.

The eyes of the world are watching. The eyes of history are watching. We cannot look away, he said. We must act to avoid more preventable deaths Desperate civilians need action  immediate action.

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The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostage. Hamas is still believed to be holding around 100 captives and the remains of 30 others after an exchange last year.

The war has driven around 80% of Gazas population of 2.3 million people from their homes and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine. Health officials say at least 20 people, mostly children, have died from malnutrition and dehydration in northern Gaza.



A residential building destroyed in an Israeli strike in Rafah (Hatem Ali/AP)

Israeli forces have largely sealed off the north since October, and aid groups say Israeli restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of law and order have made it nearly impossible to safely deliver desperately needed food in much of the territory.

Israel has vowed to expand its offensive to the southern city of Rafah, where half of Gazas population has sought refuge, without saying where civilians would go to escape the onslaught.

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US President Joe Biden has said an attack on Rafah would be a red line for him, but that Washington would continue to provide military aid to Israel.

He acknowledged in his annual Ramadan message that the holy month comes at a moment of intense pain.

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, he said.

The US and other countries have begun airdropping aid in recent days, but humanitarian groups say such efforts are costly and insufficient.



Parachutes drop supplies into the northern Gaza Strip (Ariel Schalit/AP)

The US military has also begun transporting equipment to build a sea bridge to deliver aid, but it is likely to be several weeks before it is operational.

A ship belonging to Spanish aid group Open Arms carrying 200 tons of food aid was expected to make a pilot voyage to Gaza from nearby Cyprus, though it was not clear when it would depart.

Israel says it welcomes the sea deliveries and will inspect Gaza-bound cargo before it leaves Cyprus. The ship is expected to take two to three days to arrive at an undisclosed location in Gaza.

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The food is being supplied by the World Central Kitchen, a US charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, which said construction work on a jetty in Gaza began on Sunday. Once the ship reaches Gaza, aid will be offloaded by a crane, placed on trucks and driven north.

The US has provided crucial military support to Israel and shielded it from international calls for a ceasefire while urging it to do more to avoid harming civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said at least 31,112 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, including 67 bodies taken to hospital in the past 24 hours. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

Israel blames the civilian death toll on Hamas because the militants fight in dense, residential areas and position fighters, tunnels and rocket launchers near homes, schools and mosques. The military says it has killed 13,000 Hamas fighters.



Smoke rises in the northern Gaza Strip (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Meanwhile, Israeli air strikes late Monday near Lebanons north-eastern city of Baalbek wounded at least six people, a Hezbollah official said.

The official said the locations of the air strikes, the deepest in Lebanon since February 26, have not yet been specified.

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In late February, Israeli air strikes near the historic city of Baalbek killed two Hezbollah members.

The state-run National News Agency said one of the strikes hit a building in the village of Ansar just south of Baalbek. It gave no word on casualties.

Hezbollahs Al-Manar TV reported at least two air strikes, with one striking a building on the outskirts of the village of Taraya and another near Baalbek on the outskirts of Ansar.

Israels military and Hezbollah fighters have been trading fire since the Israel-Hamas was began on October 7. More than 220 Hezbollah fighters and nearly 40 civilians were killed on the Lebanese side, while in Israel, nine soldiers and 10 civilians were left dead in the attacks.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced on both sides of the border.
Chinas national legislature has wrapped up its annual session with the usual show of near-unanimous support for ruling Communist Party leader Xi Jinpings vision for the nation.

The week-long event, replete with meetings carefully scripted to allow no surprises, highlighted how Chinas politics have become ever more calibrated to elevate Mr Xi.

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Mondays agenda lacked the usual closing news conference by premier Li Qiang, the partys second in command. The news conference has been held most years since 1988 and was the one time when journalists could directly question a senior Chinese leader.



President Xi Jinping with premier Li Qiang (Andy Wong/AP)

The decision to scrap it emphasises Mr Lis relatively weak status. His predecessors played a much larger role in leading key economic policies such as modernising state companies, coping with economic crises and leading housing reforms that transformed China into a nation of homeowners.

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The nearly 3,000-member National Peoples Congress approved a revised State Council law that directs Chinas version of the cabinet to follow Mr Xis vision. The vote was 2,883 to eight, with nine abstentions.

Other measures were passed by similarly wide margins. The most nays were recorded for the annual report of the supreme court, which was approved by 2,834 to 44.

In brief closing remarks, Zhao Leji, the legislatures top official, urged the people to unite more closely under the Communist Partys leadership with comrade Xi Jinping at its core.

The party leaders who run the State Council used to have a much freer hand in setting economic policy, said Neil Thomas, a Chinese politics fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

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Xi has been astonishingly successful in consolidating his personal hold over the party, which has allowed him to become the key decisionmaker in all policy domains, he said.



The closing session of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference in Beijing (Ng Han Guan/AP)

As the party champions innovation and self-reliance in technology to build a modern, wealthy economy, it is leaning heavily on more overtly communist ideology that harkens to past eras. Mr Xi has fortified the partys role across the spectrum, from culture and education to corporate management and economic planning.

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Greater centralisation of power has arguably helped Xi to improve central government effectiveness, Mr Thomas said, but the benefits may be outweighed by the costs of stifling political discussion, disincentivising local innovation and more sudden policy shifts.

Developing new quality productive forces  a term coined by Mr Xi last September  emerged as a catchphrase at this years congress.

The term suggests a prioritising of science and technology as China confronts trade sanctions and curbs on access to advanced computer chips and other areas that the US and other countries deem to be national security risks.

On the diplomatic front, China kept Wang Yi as foreign minister. He had stepped back into the post last summer after his successor, Qin Gang, was abruptly dismissed without explanation after half a year in the job.

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Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi (Ng Han Guan/AP)

Analysts thought the Communist Party might use the annual congress to appoint a new foreign minister and close the book on an unusual spate of political mishaps last year that also saw the firing of a new defence minister after a few months in the job.

The Organic Law of the State Council was revised for the first time since its adoption in 1982. The revision calls for the State Council to uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China. It also adds the governor of Chinas central bank to the body.

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Echoing words seen in just about every proposal, law or speech, it spells out that Chinas highest governing officials must adhere to the partys guiding ideology, which refers back to Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought and culminates in Mr Xis philosophy on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Alfred Wu, an expert on Chinese governance at the National University of Singapore, said the revision institutionalises previous changes, making it harder to reverse them.

He described the congress as a one-man show that shows Mr Xis determination to create a system in which the party leads on policy, diminishing the role of the State Council and the legislature.

His determination is very clear, Mr Wu said. He is willing to change everything.

During this years congress, many provincial meetings were opened to the media for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, though they were carefully scripted with prepared remarks and none of the spontaneity once glimpsed in previous decades.
Brian Alfaro last lost a bid to have his prison sentence reduced to 6 years from more than eight years. Staff file photo Brian Alfaro was founded guilty on seven counts of mail fraud in 2020. His company promoted oil and gas wells to investors. Billy Calzada/Staff Photographer

Convicted felon Brian Alfaro, the former San Antonio oil and gas businessman who swindled investors, has failed in a bid to have his eight-year prison sentence cut short.

U.S District Judge Fred Biery on Friday denied Alfaros request to have the sentence shortened to 78 months from 97 months.

Alfaro, 55, argued in a Feb. 20 motion that his term of imprisonment was based on a sentencing range that had since been shortened by the U.S. Sentencing Commission, an independent agency that establishes policies and practices for federal courts. Those include guidelines for the appropriate form and severity of punishment.

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Biery ruled Alfaro is ineligible for a reduction in part because he caused substantial financial hardship to at least one of his victims.

The judge also found he wasnt eligible for a reduction because he hadnt been assessed status points in his case. Such points are included as part of the sentencing guidelines if a defendant committed his offense while under any criminal justice sentence, including probation, parole, supervised release, imprisonment or work release, or escape status.

A defendant may be eligible for a sentence reduction if he didnt already receive an adjustment for his aggravating role in the crime and was not engaged in a continuing criminal enterprise. But Biery ruled Alfaro had received an adjustment and had engaged in a continuing criminal enterprise.

After an eight-day trial in 2020, a jury found Alfaro guilty on seven counts of mail fraud. His company promoted oil and gas wells to investors, who bought units in the drilling projects.

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Alfaro told investors their money would be spent to drill wells with only a small portion covering a management fee. In reality, prosecutors said, investors money supported a lavish lifestyle that included a $2 million house in Shavano Park, a $1 million office building, Spurs season tickets behind the teams bench and expensive automobiles.

Biery originally sentenced Alfaro to 10 years and one month in prison, but it was later reduced to 97 months after an appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

In addition to his motion for a sentence reduction, Alfaro on Feb. 5 filed an amended motion to vacate his sentence and objected to a court order directing him to pay more than $9 million in restitution to his victims. That motion is still pending.
On-the-run mother Constance Marten has told jurors in the UK that she and her partner planned to pay someone to smuggle their baby daughter abroad.

The aristocrat (36) and her partner Mark Gordon (49) are on trial after baby Victoria died while they were camping on the South Downs in wintry conditions last year.

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Giving evidence on Monday, she insisted that there were plenty of people she could have found who would have been willing to help get her daughter abroad, naming advertising and community website Gumtree as one of the places to look.

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon at the Old Bailey (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

Jurors have heard how the couple went on the run from authorities in a bid to keep their baby after their four other children were taken into care, who Marten claimed on Monday were stolen from me by the state.

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Talking about baby Victoria, Marten said: She deserves to be with me. Im a good mother, Im an excellent mother actually.

She told the jury, that after finding out she was pregnant with her fifth child, the plan was to go abroad.

Get away from this country and the services and my family, but unfortunately, there were preventatives from going abroad, she said.

She believed there was a travel ban in place against her after a private High Court case in 2019, the court heard.

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Asked how they were going to get abroad, Marten said: We were going to find some people to smuggle us abroad illegally.

Asked where she was going to go, she initially told the court she would rather keep that private but then said anywhere in Europe away from here.

Marten told jurors that plan B was to stay in the UK and lay low.

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Asked to elaborate on the plan to remain in the UK, Marten said: I probably would not have stayed over here.

I wanted to keep her at least until she was three months old and then give her to a carer who could then try and get her abroad.

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She told the court she would have paid the person to get Victoria out of the UK.

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It would have been a carer, a nanny or something, she added.

If there is a will there is a way, you can always find someone to help.

She insisted she would have spent time with them before entrusting them with her child.

Marten said the plan was to find someone prepared to register Victoria under their own name.

She told the court earlier that she would not have been able to register her daughters birth without alerting the authorities and that she planned to use private medical care on Harley Street if her daughter ever needed medical attention instead of registering her with the NHS.

Challenged on how getting someone else to register the babys birth may have been difficult, Marten said: I am sure these things are doable. I will do anything to save my children.

A shed in Lower Roedale Allotments, East Sussex, where a Lidl bag was found to contain the body of Victoria (Met Police/PA)

Marten also told the court she believed people were following them and tampering with their cars, saying that she found GPS trackers under the vehicles and every single one of our cars has just stopped in the middle of the motorway.

The couple abandoned their car after it burst into flames near Bolton, Greater Manchester, on January 5th last year and were finally arrested in Brighton a few weeks later, on February 27th.

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The couple had refused to answer officers urgent questions about where their baby was and whether she was alive or dead.

Her remains were found by police in a Lidl bag inside a shed on a nearby allotment on March 1st, 2023.

Last week, Marten described how Victoria was born at a rental cottage on Christmas Eve 2022 and died last January 9th.

On how Victoria died, she said: I had her in my jacket and when I woke up my head was on the floor. And when I was sitting up and when I woke up she was not alive.

She told jurors her children meant the world to her, and she had done nothing to Victoria but show her love.

The defendants, of no fixed address, deny manslaughter by gross negligence, perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty and causing or allowing the death of a child.
The mother of teenager Brianna Ghey has met the family of the girl who murdered her child.

Esther Ghey met the mother and uncle of Scarlett Jenkinson, who planned the sadistic killing and lured Brianna, 16, to a park where she was stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife in England last year.

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Jenkinson and her accomplice, Eddie Ratcliffe, both aged 15 at the time, were jailed last month for life and ordered to serve 22 years and 20 years respectively for the exceptionally brutal murder of the trans teenager in Linear Park, Culcheth, Cheshire, on February 11th, 2023.

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Esther Ghey said the private meeting took place last week in her hometown of Warrington, and she hoped the two mothers may work together on the Peace in Mind community interest company she has launched as Briannas legacy.

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Ms Ghey said: Both of us are mothers who are trying to navigate something nobody should ever have gone through.

It was emotional. Both Scarletts mum and uncle are very nice people, just normal people.

We spoke about very personal things, and she was very open with me and she was so respectful as well.

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I think her coming to see me shows a great deal of bravery on her part as well.

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe (Cheshire Police/PA)

And yes, it was a very emotional meeting but Im so glad I did that and appreciate them for giving me that opportunity as well.

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For me it was important to understand how they were as a family, and it was important for me to also understand what has she been going through.

Ms Ghey said she does not feel any hate or resentment towards Jenkinson or her family.

I know that all of these emotions, and feelings of hate, is only going to impact me.

If I feel hate, I could either take whats happened and hide away at home, actually crippled with hate and wanting to get revenge and all of that kind of stuff.

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Or I can try to take a more positive approach and actually make something good out of a horrible, I feel like horrible is too small a word, out of a horrific situation.

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Brianna Ghey was killed in February 2023 (Cheshire Police/PA)

And I choose to do the later. I dont want to be a victim, I dont want to be, I dont want this to impact the rest of my life and stop me from progressing and to stop me being productive and hopefully making a change in society as well.

Mindfulness and the dangers of mobile phones for children were discussed during the meeting, two issues on which Ms Ghey is now campaigning.

Ms Ghey recently met British prime minister Rishi Sunak to discuss her campaigns, having met Labour leader Keir Starmer earlier in the month.

Ms Ghey added: Ive been overwhelmed by the support the Peace in Mind campaign has received.

So to continue this legacy for Brianna, I wanted to create a community interest company to continue its good work.

Our two focuses remain around mindfulness in schools, where we will continue to work with Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP) to train more teachers across the country, and to continue our campaign for better safeguarding around social media and mobile phones.

For more information visit peaceandminduk.org
A former police officer who led the initial response to the Manchester Arena bombing will not face criminal charges over statements he made during reviews into the attack, but will face a disciplinary hearing.

Retired Greater Manchester Police chief inspector Dale Sexton is to face internal proceedings which will judge whether he breached standards of professional behaviour.

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He told the public inquiry into the 2017 attack that he made a deliberate decision not to tell other emergency services he had declared Operation Plato, the national name for dealing with a marauding terrorist firearms attack, because he feared it would hold ambulance and fire crews back.

However, he made no mention of going against protocol and keeping the declaration secret from partner services when interviewed in 2018 as part of the Kerslake Report, an independent review into the emergency response commissioned by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

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The 22 victims of the terror attack during the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena in May 2017. Photo: Greater Manchester Police/PA.

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When challenged by the public inquiry as to why he had not admitted earlier to going against the protocol, he said he felt as though he had almost got away with it on the night.

Inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders later ruled the officer had not deliberately made a decision to withhold the information.

Watchdog the UK Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) originally found there were no grounds for criminal charges or misconduct proceedings, but this was challenged under its Victims Right to Review process.

A file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service last year, and prosecutors have now confirmed no charges will be brought.

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However, the review found there was sufficient evidence for a disciplinary hearing to take place, which will be organised by Greater Manchester Police.

Ariana Grande returned to perform at the One Love Manchester fundraiser concert following the attack. Photo: Dave Hogan for One Love Manchester/PA.

IOPC regional director Emily Barry said: This was a highly complex and challenging investigation. In circumstances like these, thorough scrutiny  both of the police, and our own decision-making, through our Victims Right to Review process  is essential to allow the public to have confidence in the police complaints process.

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Ultimately, we found sufficient evidence to indicate the officer may have breached the standards of professional behaviour when subsequently giving accounts of their decision-making on the night of the attack.

It will now be for a police disciplinary panel to consider the evidence and reach a decision based on all the available information.
Questions have been raised that the first picture of Britains Princess of Wales to be released after her abdominal surgery may have been manipulated before it was posted on social media by Kensington Palace.

The photo of Kate and her children, said by the palace to have been taken by the Prince William in Windsor earlier this week, was posted to mark Mothers Day.

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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 picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.

The photograph was shared with media on Sunday, but it was withdrawn by international picture agencies later the same day because of concerns that the image had been manipulated.

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There was speculation that edits had been made to the left sleeve of Princess Charlottes cardigan, and other areas of the picture also raised concerns about possible manipulation.

Kensington Palace has declined to comment.

Confusion over the picture could fuel online conspiracies about Kate which have been swirling on the internet since her surgery.

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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.

Charles (75) visited his daughter-in-laws bedside after being admitted himself on January 26th, the 11th day of Kates stay.

She was also visited by her husband, William.

Kate left the hospital on January 29th, almost two weeks later, and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

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Details of the princesss condition have not been disclosed, but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

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.

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He carried out his first public engagements since her surgery in early February.

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Kates parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, were expected to be hands-on in helping the Waleses.

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.
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Eating outJust open High-profile brewer opens first Melbourne venue and theres chops by the kilo and spanakopita lasagne Two chefs with a love of fire are having fun with their first beer hall menu at South Melbournes new Pirate Life, serving smoked goat spring rolls, mussels a la oven and other things youll want to eat with beer. Emma Breheny March 12, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the Melbourne hit list April 2024. See all stories .

South Australian brewer Pirate Life touches down in Victoria this week with a rollicking restaurant and beer hall for 220 people in a former mechanics garage in South Melbourne. While therell be some common brewpub items, such as smoked and barbecued meats, the wood-fired kitchen is turning out items that go beyond the obvious. Pirate Lifes Melbourne debut has room for 220 punters in what was once a mechanics garage. Amy Whitfield Mussels a la oven is the humble name given to mussels cooked in a searing-hot cast-iron pan with a typical French medley of white wine, garlic and parsley, plus smoked fish stock made using the hearth. Goat spring rolls, partly inspired by a Chiko roll, involve whole goat sourced from Bacchus Marsh thats smoked and then braised for 15 hours. The meat is shredded and combined with salted cabbage for a beer-friendly snack. Two fire-loving chefs jointly lead the kitchen: Maria Delengas, who was head chef at Adelaides acclaimed fire-driven Arkhe restaurant, and Nicolas Lopez, a Chilean-born chef whose career has skewed towards steakhouses and cooking over fire.

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The chefs culinary backgrounds merge in the lamb forequarter chops with chimichurri. Supplied Delengas says her Greek heritage combined with Lopezs skill in South American barbecue have resulted in winning dishes such as lamb forequarter chops, available by the kilo or half-kilo. Thinly sliced, theyre marinated overnight in parsley and onion, cooked very quickly and served with lots of lemon and chimichurri, a popular condiment for meat in Argentina. Another cross-cultural collab is pickled octopus with ajo blanco, a sauce based on the Spanish soup of stale bread, almonds and garlic. A garnish of oregano nods to Delengas roots. The buildings industrial bones are celebrated in the original paintwork and walls, and enhanced by the large oven and hearth of the open kitchen. An express lunch menu with dishes designed to hit the table in 15 minutes is geared to the surrounding offices and shoppers at nearby South Melbourne Market. The standout is the spanakopita lasagne, which uses the same filling as the Greek pie but sandwiches it between two sheets of pasta instead of pastry.

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Pickled octopus with ajo blanco nods to each chefs heritage. Amy Whitfield This venue is Pirate Lifes fourth. The craft brewer began in Adelaide in 2014 and was quickly snapped up by Carlton & United Breweries (now owned by Asahi). Pirate Life wont be brewing at South Melbourne, but will send beer from its South Australian headquarters to fill the 11 beer taps in South Melbourne, including a special Market Street Lager exclusive to the venue. These will join predominantly Australian wines (the most expensive glass is $20) and four classic cocktails, including a South Side. The opening comes at a tumultuous time for the craft beer industry, with many independent breweries closing because of the difficult economic and regulatory environment. Several are adding full-scale restaurants to diversify their businesses. A retail shop at the front will sell merch and beer.

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Eating outRestaurant news The hot new (and upcoming) Indian restaurants you need to know about right now A wave of young chefs is transforming Melbournes Indian dining landscape. We find out why, and reveal the best places to try it. Tomas Telegramma March 11, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This story appears in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival highlights collection. See all stories .

People have been expecting Indian food to turn the corner in Melbourne for so long, says chef Mischa Tropp. In 2018, he introduced home-style Keralan cuisine to Fitzroys Rochester Hotel before settling down at the new venue Toddy Shop by Marthanden Hotel late last year. Tropp is part of a wave of remarkable young Indian chefs making their mark on Melbournes food scene with restaurants and pop-ups that challenge preconceptions about Indian cuisine, with undeniably delicious results. From left: Mischa Tropp, Helly Raichura and Harry Mangat are cooking the Worlds Longest Brunch. Shelly Horan Leading the pack is Helly Raichura. [Indian] food has always been tasty, she says. Its the perception thats changed. When the Indian chef launched Enter Via Laundry as a supper club in her Box Hill home in 2018, diners were mostly curious about the secrecy of its location.

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Now, with a permanent restaurant in Carlton North, theres a much greater appreciation for the tireless technique she uses in her cooking. Raichuras Enter Via Laundry degustation highlights a different regional cuisine every six months. Jana Langhorst For Tropp, however, an approachable price point was uppermost in diners minds when he began doing pop-ups. Its always been easy for French or Italian cuisines to create perceived value, he says. But diners see value in [Indian cuisine] now, and theyll spend money on anything thats done well, whether that be fine dining or traditional. Mischa Tropp says Melburnians now put greater value on Indian food. Hayden Dibb

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Its a beautiful time to be opening that treasure chest, says Raichura, who credits much of her success to unwavering support from Melbournes large Indian community, with savvy diners relishing a taste of home, then spreading the word to their friends. When we started, we didnt get many Indians; now its 30 per cent or more. Raichura attributes some of the demand to Indian migrants finding success in Australia. Theres a lot more disposable income that Indians now have ... And they really know what theyre eating: whos authentic, whos not. For Tropp, opening his 20-seat venue, tucked just off Smith Street, was a matter of finally having the money and skills, emboldened by almost a decade spent travelling to India, to expand his repertoire. The more great Indian restaurants we have, the better theyll be. Mischa Tropp

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What sets many of this new guard apart is their pride in hyper-regionality instead of serving a broad sweep of dishes from across the subcontinent. Tropp honours the food of his heritage in Kerala, in Indias south; Raichura champions a different regional Indian cuisine every six months, fiercely researching for each new tasting menu. For those familiar with the specific cuisine, its a drawcard. And for those who arent? Tutorials dont come much tastier. Food is wrapped up in a lot of emotions for a lot of cultures, Tropp says. His restaurant has struck a chord with Indians in its emulation of the toddy shops, or drinking establishments, around Kerala that pour fermented coconut juice sourced from toddy palms. They call us up and say, You actually serve toddy? says Tropp. Indeed, he does. Seeing their culture celebrated  for a group who didnt grow up with that  is huge. Its probably going to turn into a bit of a destination for Indians coming to Melbourne.

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And then theres the support from the hospitality industry. Instead of competing, his Indian chef counterparts have bonded  and banded together. Avani winery has provided a base for Indian chefs, including Biji Dinings Harry Mangat and Sandy Soerjadhi (second and third from left). Theyre pictured with the Singh family, son Rohit (far left), Shashi and Devendra. Parker Blain For several years, Shashi and Devendra Singhs Mornington Peninsula winery Avani has showcased some of Melbournes most dynamic Indian talent. Its pop-up restaurant has played host to Biji Dining, a nomadic concept by Harry Mangat, who  like Raichura  cleverly melds his Indian heritage with native Australian ingredients, and Saadi, by husband-and-wife team Sriram Aditya Suresh and Saavni Krishnan  both finalists in the 2023 Young Chef of the Year  who are based at Coburg wine bar Gemini and North Melbournes Mauritian wine bar Manze respectively. The commitment of these trailblazing chefs to honing and sharing their craft is thrilling not only for Melbourne diners today but also for the future of Indian dining here.

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Finding someone with a deep understanding of the cuisine is hard, says Raichura, who worked in corporate HR before embarking on a hospitality career. Its not something we can advertise for ... Skillset is something you often have to import. Tropp adds: Its not like the UK, where Indian chefs come up in all these amazing [Indian] restaurants. A slow but steady stream of new Indian restaurants will, Raichura hopes, create opportunities for people who have capabilities they havent had a chance to express yet. The more great Indian restaurants we have, the better theyll be, Tropp adds. Fish nadan, featuring a broth spiked with Kashmiri chilli, at Toddy Shop, Fitzroy.

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New venues to visit As well as the new Toddy Shop, theres an evolution to explore at some of our most-loved Indian spots. After earning a hat in last years Good Food Guide, Belgrave south-Indian spot Babajis Kerala Kitchen has opened a sophomore diner in Warburton, Babajis Birrarung. The Gandhis  the family that founded Caulfield South treasure Bombay by Night  have relocated their follow-up venue, Cafe Southall from St Kilda to Hampton, upsizing the space and the menu of (mostly) true-to-tradition Indian dishes. Dessert Corner has graduated from an Indian food truck park in Clayton to a fully-fledged diner in Truganina, with owner Deval Patel doing sweet food for every mood.

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Dessert Corners Glory Falooda riffs on a Mughlai cold dessert made with vermicelli. Chris Hopkins And while Punch Lane restaurant Sunda is broadly Southeast Asian, the return of former sous chef Nabil Ansari as head chef  following founding chef Khanh Nguyens departure  means some exciting injections of his Indian heritage on the menu. Upcoming openings to watch Indian fine dining is set to have a moment in Melbourne. Chefs Nishant Arora and Janos Roman met while working on the opening of Society, but this May, after several pop-ups, theyll launch Aanya in Collingwood. Its more fun dining than fine, but razor-sharp technique will result in decidedly fancy dishes such as mango lassi reinvented as a fermented mango oyster with seaweed moss, and cumin-and-goats-yoghurt snow. A partner in Aanya is restaurateur Jessi Singh (Daughter in Law, Bar Bombay Yacht Club), who will open curry pub You My Boy next door, dishing up pub classics with an Indian accent, such as tandoori chicken and chips, and saucy butter-chicken pizzas. Singh is also soon to unveil Bibi Ji in Carlton, serving generous thali on banana-leaf platters.

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Butter chicken pizza or Indian fine dining? The dead end of Smith Street is about to get glitzy Nearby in Carlton North, change is afoot at Raichuras 20-seat degustation diner, Enter Via Laundry. Adding a small bar in the front room will make her masterful cooking more accessible. Snacks will be a mix of past hits and new tricks, like falooda, a weird and wonderful cold dessert of vermicelli and basil seeds layered with Geraldton wax and rosella jelly. Events to book The eruption of Indian innovation through the citys restaurants is mirrored in a glut of Melbourne Food & Wine Festival events, which will bring together Indian talent from all over to offer a snapshot of where the cuisine is at right now  and where it could go. When I look at what the Indian and Indian-Australian chefs are cooking for the festival, Im really excited by the diversity and freshness, says creative director Pat Nourse, who says the events reveal things you may not have known or expected about Indian food.

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Michelin-starred chef Garima Arora, of modern Indian restaurant Gaa in Bangkok. Some of it, like the food Garima Arora does, is influenced by travel and geography  she is an alumna of Noma, and her restaurant is in Bangkok, says Nourse. Gaa at Evergreen (March 15-24, $250) is the Michelin-starred chefs first Australian residency. Other times, Nourse continues, its more a reflection of just how vast and complex the cuisine of India is and how little we see of that complexity and breadth in restaurants, especially in Australia. The 1800-person Worlds Longest Brunch (March 16, $125) in Kings Domain is one hell of a platform, and this year its an Indian triple-header starring Raichura, Tropp and Harry Mangat. Its not somewhere you would ever have expected to see us, says Tropp. Its a reflection of how the markets changed  for the better. Elsewhere, one of Indias most awarded restaurants is coming to town for Indian Accent x Daughter in Law (March 20-21, $270), and Swadeshi: Raja x Sunda (March 18-19, $234) is a chance to try hatted chef Ahana Dutts cooking without the trip to Sydney, as she puts her spin on Indias tribal cuisine with Nabil Ansari.

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The housing crisis is not getting better, and super funds are trying to scare Australians away from the idea that superannuation could help with deposits, the new shadow assistant minister for home ownership Andrew Bragg said.

The Senate Economics Committee held a hearing today which largely focused on the Coalitions housing policy.

Liberal senator Andrew Bragg. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

That policy, in its current form, would allow first home buyers to withdraw $50,000 from their superannuation to help with a deposit for a property.

Some expert witnesses said the $50,000 cap should be lifted or even abolished, and experts from the Menzies Research Centre and the Grattan Institute said any inflationary impact on home prices would be marginal.

It comes after the Super Members Council released analysis which found the scheme could lift prices by $75,000 across the major capital cities.

Bragg, who chairs the committee, said super funds were focused on their vested interests rather than solutions to the housing challenge.

Heres what he said:
A blender a woman allegedly used to concoct a lethal smoothie to kill her son has been found to have traces of three different types of drugs, a court has heard.

The details emerged in the case of Gold Coast woman Maree Mavis Crabtree, 57, who is accused of murdering her son Jonathan by giving him an overdose of prescription drugs in a fruit smoothie in July 2017.

Maree Mavis Crabtree is accused of killing her son.

Crabtree was granted bail last month after jurors were discharged from her trial, which related to the death of her 26-year-old son at their family home in Maudsland. The case was deemed a mistrial.

At previous court hearings in relation to Jonathans death, a judge questioned whether there was any prospect of Crabtree being convicted, with the prosecutions case relying on evidence from Jonathans sister, Tara.
A man has died after allegedly being pulled from a car and stabbed on the Gold Coast, with police later arresting two people over the incident.

Officers had launched a homicide investigation, declaring a crime scene on Santa Barbara Road near Hope Island Shopping Centre and the Boardwalk Tavern, after they were called to the area about 2.20pm.

Following a search for the alleged attackers, police confirmed just before 6pm they had arrested two people, one of whom was a 25-year-old man. Police were yet to confirm the age of the second person.

Police on Tuesday morning charged one of the men, a 23-year-old from Redbank Plains, with murder. He was scheduled to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
An aerial view shows cattle grazing on small islands of hay surrounded by pastureland burned by the Smokehouse Creek fire on Monday, March 4, 2024, near Canadian, Texas. The fire has burned more than a million acres in the Texas Panhandle, killing at least two people and destroying more than 500 structures. (Scott Olson/Getty Images/TNS) Scott Olson/TNS A cow killed by the Smokehouse Creek Fire is moved onto a dump truck as ranchers begin the cleanup process, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Skellytown, Texas. The wildfire, which started Monday, has left behind a charred landscape of scorched prairie, dead cattle and burned-out homes in the Texas Panhandle. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez/Associated Press Christy Oats, left, talks on March 5, 2024, at a U.S. Department of Agriculture informational meeting for farmers and ranchers affected by the Panhandle wildfires at the Hemphill County Exhibition Center in Canadian, Texas. Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune/Mark Rogers Joe Dan Ledbetter, left, and Rick Hargrove look over a map showing the burn site on March 5, 2024, at the Hemphill County Exhibition center in Canadian, Texas, where the U.S. Department of Agriculture held informational meeting for farmers and ranchers affected by the Panhandle wildfires. Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune/Mark Rogers FILE - A telephone pole burns from the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Feb. 28, 2024, in Canadian, Texas. The utility provider Xcel Energy said Thursday, March 7, 2024 that its facilities appeared have played a role in igniting a massive wildfire in the Texas Panhandle that grew to the largest blaze in state history. (AP Photo/David Erickson, file) David Erickson/Associated Press SANFORD, TEXAS - MARCH 03: Firefighters battle flames from the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 03, 2024 near Sanford, Texas. The fire has burned more than a million acres in the Texas Panhandle, killing at least two people and destroying more than 500 structures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Scott Olson/Getty Images In this photo provided by the Flower Mound, Texas, Fire Department, Flower Mound firefighters respond to a fire in the Texas Panhandle, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. A rapidly widening Texas wildfire doubled in size Tuesday and prompted evacuation orders in at least one small town. (Flower Mound Fire Department via AP) Associated Press A dead cow lays on Currie Smiths ranch on Sunday, March. 3, 2024, after it was burned by the Smokehouse Creek fire in Hemphill County, Texas. Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune A rancher uses a tractor to deliver dead cattle to a collection area as the cleanup process begins following the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Skellytown, Texas. The wildfire, which started Monday, has left behind a charred landscape of scorched prairie, dead cattle and burned-out homes in the Texas Panhandle.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez/Associated Press County Extension Agent Andy Holloway addresses the crown on March 5, 2024, during a U.S. Department of Agriculture informational meeting for farmers and ranchers affected by the Panhandle wildfires at the Hemphill County Exhibition Center in Canadian, Texas. Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune/Mark Rogers CANADIAN, TEXAS - MARCH 05: Chris Hager watches with his son Guy as ranch supplies donated by the Goldwaite, Texas community is unloaded at a donation center where it will be distributed to ranchers in need following the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 05, 2024 in Canadian, Texas. The fire has burned more than a million acres in the Texas Panhandle, killing at least two people and destroying more than 500 structures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Scott Olson/Getty Images A helicopter carries a bucket as it flies over homes burned by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Canadian, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez/Associated Press Homes destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek Fire are seen Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Canadian, Texas. (AP Photo/David Erickson) David Erickson/Associated Press STINNETT, TEXAS - MARCH 03: Vernon Jones helps his wife Melissa clean debris from her father's property after a garage and carport were destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 03, 2024 near Stinnett, Texas. The fire has burned more than a million acres in the Texas Panhandle, killing at least two people and destroying more than 500 structures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Scott Olson/Getty Images CANADIAN, TEXAS - MARCH 05: Victims of the Smokehouse Creek fire get relief supplies at a donation center on March 05, 2024 in Canadian, Texas. The fire has burned more than a million acres in the Texas Panhandle, killing at least two people and destroying more than 500 structures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Scott Olson/Getty Images STINNETT, TEXAS - MARCH 03: Aurora Champion does her part as her parents help a friend whose home was destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 03, 2024 in Stinnett, Texas. The fire has burned more than a million acres in the Texas Panhandle, killing at least two people and destroying more than 500 structures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Scott Olson/Getty Images Multiple vehicles and multiple residences are seen destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Canadian, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/David Erickson) David Erickson/Associated Press Ranchers move the remains of cattle killed by the Smokehouse Creek Fire out of burned ranch land, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Skellytown, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez/Associated Press PAMPA, TEXAS - MARCH 04: Seventy-four-year-old Janice Vickers brings in a load of hay from their ranch in Nocona, Texas that she and her husband were donating to help ranchers affected by the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 04, 2024 in Pampa, Texas. The relief program, organized by the disaster assessment and recovery program at Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, is distributing donated feed and other ranch supplies to help ranchers at several cities in the Texas Panhandle. The Vickers droves 5 hours with 160 bales of hay to help their fellow ranchers. The fire has burned more than a million acres in the Texas Panhandle, killing at least two people and destroying more than 500 structures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Scott Olson/Getty Images CANADIAN, TEXAS - MARCH 05: Randy Rathie prepares to unload hay which he hauled 10 hours from his ranch in Quitman, Texas to help victims of the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 05, 2024 in Canadian, Texas. The fire has burned more than a million acres in the Texas Panhandle, killing at least two people and destroying more than 500 structures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Scott Olson/Getty Images CANADIAN, TEXAS - MARCH 05: Cattle stand in a pasture burned by the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 05, 2024 near Canadian, Texas. The fire has burned more than a million acres in the Texas Panhandle, killing at least two people and destroying more than 500 structures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Scott Olson/Getty Images Smoke billows on a field near a windmill during the Smokehouse Creek Fire Feb. 28 in Canadian. Julio Cortez/AP

CANADIAN  Farmers and ranchers who lost livestock, buildings and infrastructure in wildfires that roared across the Texas Panhandle  including one that became the largest in state history  are praying the flames will be extinguished this weekend. But even as the embers die out, leaders of the states agriculture industry say it could take years to recover.

Fast-moving flames devastated the heart of Texas cattle country, torching about 2,000 square miles of grasslands that feed tens of thousands of cattle. Some 3,600 animals had died by midweek, said Sid Miller, state commissioner of agriculture, and more will be euthanized because fires burned their hoofs and udders. It could take years for grasses to regrow and cattle to return, he said, while costs of rebuilding fencing, barns and other ranch infrastructure, expected to be massive, wont be covered by insurance.

The disaster comes less than a year after flooding from nearly a years worth of rain inundated other parts of the Panhandle. Then, drought conditions parched vegetation across the region. Its a cycle thats heightening wildfire risks across the West and Southwest, experts say, but that some Texas ranchers say is just part of life in the Panhandle.

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Jared Blankenship, a rancher and farmer in Hereford who represents the region for the Texas Farm Bureau Federation, said he remembers his grandfather talking about similar swings in weather and fortunes decades ago. Fires are always a concern in a part of the country where arid conditions are common, even if the flames dont usually spread so rapidly.

We just have these aberrant years one way or the other and it seems to be boom or bust, regrettably, Blankenship said. We kind of grow accustomed to these events on a regular basis.

Its just a part of the world where it can happen again tomorrow.

Ranching ecosystem

As the flames began subsiding, ranchers began thinking about how to rebuild.

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On Tuesday afternoon in Canadian, more than 100 people packed a room at the Hemphill County Exhibition Center looking for answers about what government assistance they can tap to help them recover.

Were going to make it through these times: Weve made it through them in the past and were going to make it through now, Andy Holloway, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent based in Hemphill County, told the standing-room-only crowd.

But its a job that will take years. The wildfires wrought havoc on the ecosystem farmers and ranchers need to make a living. They not only lost livestock in the inferno but the hay and grass to feed them, the buildings that house them and the fences that keep them in.

Tatum Swenhaugen, who raises show pigs with her husband on land south of Canadian, said flames killed 40 of her pigs  about half of her stock, a loss of about $70,000.

Every building on the property used to house and breed the pigs burned down, Swenhaugen said. Those buildings need to be rebuilt soon so they can breed pigs to sell during their busy season in the fall.

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FIRE TRACKER: Track wildfire activity across the state with this interactive map

Thats our main income: when we get to sell those babies in the fall, she said. So weve got to have our barns ready to go pretty quick.

Federal programs exist to help farmers and ranchers get some compensation for their losses. Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture briefed the packed crowd on how to apply for funds to help them offset the loss of cattle, replace feed stores and water infrastructure, repair and replace fences and prevent wind erosion. Agency officials said they expect a glut of requests for assistance  and implored attendees to be patient as they process those requests amid local staffing shortages.

Weather whiplash

Such situations will become more common, said Franklin Char Miller IV, a professor of environmental analysis at Pomona College.

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Global warming is intensifying cycles of weather whiplash like the Texas Panhandle has experienced, he said, with extreme rainfall fueling plant growth followed by extreme heat and drought turning it to kindling. It isnt just raising fire threats in Texas, said Miller, a former professor at Trinity University in San Antonio.

Thats as true in California as it is in Texas, Miller said. Its as true in Arizona as it is in Colorado.

In the Texas Panhandle, the fire moved across rangeland where grass grows tall and thick, allowing for flames to climb as high as 30 feet, Sid Miller said. It destroyed several thousand miles of fence, which costs about $10,000 per mile to replace. And some ranches lost all of their cattle, which each cost about $3,000 to replace. Insurance doesnt cover their burial, either, he said.

Other weather extremes had already tested farmers in the region. Drought caused recent cotton crops to fail. And poorly timed downpours and hail last spring and summer meant hardly any tomatoes were harvested in the region. Some farmers were also limited in how much sweet corn they could plant, said Adrianne Brockett, manager of the Hutchinson County farmers market.

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It may take some of them down, Sid Miller said. Its pretty tough to overcome.

Now, many are left to figure out how to move forward. Farmers from across the state and region are sharing hay bales so remaining cattle have something to eat, but many of the livestock will have to be relocated elsewhere indefinitely, Blankenship said.

While the Panhandle region is home to about 85 percent of Texas 11 million head of cattle, Sid Miller said, ranchers losses are not expected to have a broader impact on beef supply or prices. Kevin Good, a vice president at industry research firm CattleFax, said they represent a tiny fraction of the total U.S. herd and could lead to minimal, if any, upward pressure on beef prices.

Whats ahead

The threat of more fires is expected to linger in the months ahead, however.

In Texas, prairie fire season can begin as early as November and commonly spikes in March and April, when winds tend to kick up, said Karl Flocke, a woodland ecologist with the Texas A&M Forest Service. For fires to spread as rapidly as they have recently, he said, just takes strong winds and heavy, continuous grass cover  plus ignition, usually provided by humans.

On Thursday, the Forest Service said power lines ignited the massive Smokehouse Creek fire and Xcel Energy, which provides electricity across the Panhandle, said its equipment apparently played a role.

But the strongest winds of the year typically arrive in the weeks ahead  southwesterly gusts of 40 mph are common in March and April, Blankenship said  there is concern not just over more fires but of wind-driven erosion on areas that have already burned. That will continue until significant rain falls and new grasses can take root.

Theres nothing holding the ground down, said Blankenship, the Hereford rancher.

As aid flows into the region to help farmers and ranchers rebuild, Sid Miller said he is also encouraging them to take care of themselves. Like other states, Texas has a dedicated hotline  the AgriStress Helpline  staffed by operators trained on the crises of practicing agriculture in such a challenging environment.

In Canadian on Tuesday, officials said some who are in need may not ask for help but neighbors should do their best to help them anyway. Officials also cautioned ranchers against neglecting their mental health and to seek mental health services if they need to.

Dont sit and wallow and feel like youre all alone, said Tanya Holloway, another agent with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Thats a very dangerous place to go. Your mental health is important. You need to keep yourself together just like youre trying to keep your cattle together. Because if youre not together your cattle arent going to be put back together.

For Swenhaugen, her business wasnt the only thing the flames upended. Her mothers home  and Swenhaugens childhood home  sat on the same land where she raises pigs. The home burned down along with the other buildings on the property, displacing her mother, who is staying with Swenhaugen. Her mothers homeowners insurance may help pay to rebuild at least one barn, she said.
Billionaires such as Clive Palmer and Mike Cannon-Brookes will have their influence on politics dramatically curtailed as Labor moves to remove big-money donations in the biggest shake-up to Australian election rules in a generation.

The Albanese government will shortly begin briefing MPs on its plans to limit the amount donated to parties and candidates, in a move that will prove controversial among Coalition, Greens and independent MPs. In its legislation, the government will also seek to limit the amount spent in each electorate.

New legislation will reduce the amount of money people and companies can donate to political parties. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

But the rules will not apply until after the next election as Labor gives the Australian Electoral Commission time to administer the overhaul and seeks to avoid opposition claims it is trying to game the system to win a second term.

Under the proposed changes, an individual, company or third-party group who could currently contribute an unlimited amount to a campaign would be banned from giving huge sums to parties, according to senior government sources.
The political debate around changes to vehicle emissions in this country is a re-hash, a re-badge and a repeat of past arguments over our car fleet.

From the Coalitions claim of a ute tax that will make it impossible for a family to drag a boat, caravan and spare car behind their petrol-powered vehicle, to some international auto companies arguing theyll give up on the Australian market, the claims have gone beyond the ridiculous.

The fight over emission standards is a repeat of the argument over the introduction of lead-free petrol. Credit: Tamara Voninski

We know theyre ridiculous because these claims  from huge increases in cost to the haste in which the changes are being made  have been made before about Australian vehicles. And, just like now, vested and political interests were behind those claims.

Plenty of readers are old enough to remember the phase-out of lead from our petrol, which started in 1986. But most of us have forgotten the heated political argument around this decision which was taken by the Fraser government.
Kuriga, Nigeria: Rashidat Hamza is in despair. All but one of her six children are among the nearly 300 students abducted from their school in Nigerias north-west, a region 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 late last week only to be kidnapped by gunmen. She is still in shock.

Five of Rashidat Hamzas six children were abducted at the LEA Primary and Secondary School, in Kuriga, Kaduna state, Nigeria. Credit: AP

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 royal family has scarcely commented on the condition of Catherine, Princess of Wales, since she had abdominal surgery in mid-January when Kensington Palace informed the public she was unlikely to appear in public until after Easter.

The lack of updates and sightings, other than a paparazzi shot on a US-based celebrity gossip site, had sent social media into a conspiracy-laden frenzy regarding her whereabouts.

The Daily Express front page says the photo proves that Catherine is on the mend. The Daily Mail says that attempt at reassurance may have backfired. Credit:

So, where is Catherine? Mainstream British media had largely steered clear of the question, trying to balance their love for royal news with the expectation that public figures in Britain should be entitled to privacy when it comes to health matters. On the weekend The Times dedicated a double-page spread to the issue.

But on Monday, when a Mothers Day photo of Catherine, released by the palace, was deemed to have been manipulated by international photo agencies, the issue became too big to ignore.
A creative arts competition giving older people in Zimbabwe and The Gambia a platform to express their experiences about ageing saw hundreds of entries showcase their artistic talent across four categories: music, dance, prose, and mixed media from across both countries. The competition, part of a University of Bristol led research project, hopes to improve the health and wellbeing of older people living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Despite, many competition entries having no formal training, the judging panel considered the shortlist 'so impressive they should be on national television'. Entries in the mixed media category included handmade pottery and crocheted blankets.

Celia Gregson, NIHR Global Health Research Professor of Healthy Ageing at the University of Bristol and The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe (THRU-ZIM), and Honorary Consultant Geriatrician at the Royal United Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Bath, who led the competition as part of her NIHR-Wellcome-funded research programme 'Healthy ageing in sub-Saharan Africa', said: "We were delighted to see so many people engage with this competition to help share ideas towards wellbeing in older age, and importantly combat ageism.

"It was wonderful to see all the incredible entries and hear peoples views on ageing. One of the most striking comments on ageing from one of the participants was simply, 'Ageing is a great blessing that one should embrace wholeheartedly'."

In Zimbabwe, finalists went through a mentorship stage, where they were assisted in creating innovative final projects, themed around wellbeing and ageing. The Zimbabwe winners, finalists and their artworks were then celebrated in an Art of Ageing Showcase event held last month [Friday 16 February].

The event was attended by multiple stakeholders including members of various ministries, embassies, local and international organisations working with older populations in Zimbabwe. All finalists received participation certificates and gift hampers, and winners received additional cash prizes.

Winners of the Music and Dance category (Zimbabwe): 1st: Hopley Group; 2nd: Vhuramai Dancers; 3rd: Benjamin Mupavaenda

Winners of Prose category (Zimbabwe): 1st: Thandiwe Muzenda; 2nd: Ahani Dube; 3rd: Rose Hanyane

Winners of the Mixed Media category (Zimbabwe): 1st: Florence Nyakapini; 2nd: Lovemore Mandiopera; 3rd: Pauline Chisvo

In The Gambia, a panel of judges met to select the winners from the finalist projects. The winners in the Music/Dance and Spoken Word and Arts and Mixed media categories and all the finalists and their artworks were celebrated at the Art of Ageing Showcase in The Gambia at MRCG@LSHTM Seminar Hall held on Wednesday 28 February.

The event was attended by over 50 stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, the MRCG PI, Ageing with a Smile Gambia, MRCG@LSHTM staff, Alkalos, Village Development Committee and local organisations. The event included a live performance by The Gambias well-known vocalist and songwriter Barhama Cham.

Winners of the Music/Dance and Spoken Words category (The Gambia): 1st: Kaddy Ceesay; 2nd: Borry Gomez; 3rd: Roheyatou Colley

Winners of the Arts and Mixed Media category (The Gambia): 1st: Saikou Ali Ceesay; 2nd: Landing Camara; 3rd: Manifa Njie

In addition to the Art of Ageing art competitions, the engagement programme is also working on an 'Ageing Well' film that will use cinematic storytelling to explore ageing journeys in Zimbabwe and The Gambia.

The film will include expert interviews, testimonials from older people, art, including the art competition top entries, and re-enactments informed by interviews and workshops with older people.
Judicial findings and future deterrence

Judge Jonathan Forbes highlighted the deliberate nature of the failures to comply with compliance notices, criticising Ansa Finance and Fuoco for prioritising their interests over employees rights. Forbes pointed out the absence of remorse and corrective actions from the defendants, stressing the seriousness of the misconduct and its impact on both the ombudsman and the court.
Lifestyle magazine Southern Living has named Buc-ee's the best rest stop in the South as part of its annual rankings. Allison V. Smith for Washington Post via Getty Images

As part of its annual rankings, lifestyle magazine Southern Living is ranking the best places south of the Mason-Dixon line, covering everything from barbecue joints to theme parks.

Any guess what their best travel stop is? Here is a hint: It is described as "steadfastly Texan."

To no ones surprise, Buc-ees has been named Southern Livings Best Travel Stop of 2024. The magazine lauded the Texas-based convenience store chain for its immaculate bathrooms, savory barbecue options and dizzying selection of snacks.

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In a followup to the rankings, author Valerie Rains recounted her first trip to a Buc-ees which she described as a gawkers paradise.

Before getting to the food, Rains perused the stores expansive retail section that is part home-decor store and part outdoor outfitter. Like many first-timers, she was amazed by the range of items available, from corn hole sets and footed pajamas to deer feeders and signature candles.

You could even do your Christmas shopping here, she wrote.

Of course, she was pulled in the direction of the barbecue station by the scent of fresh meat and the chant of busy workers: Hot brisket on the board!

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In a restaurant, Rains said, the chants would be a little charming but kind of hokey.

But in a gas station at midnight, its practically hallucinatory, she wrote. One must wonder  do these singing brisket slingers ever sleep?

Pair that performance with the people-watching opportunities for an optimal Buc-ees show, Rains noted.

To create its annual rankings, Southern Living asks its readers to rate their favorite places across the South. The 2024 survey was fielded from July 12 to August 23, 2023, and had over 20,000 respondents.

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Founded in 1982 and based in Lake Jackson, Buc-ees operates more than 40 travel centers, with most of them in Texas. The company has developed a cult following with its huge stores and beaver mascot.
Pope Francis said crosses and crucifixes were often used superficially by Christians.

(Photo: Remo Casilli/Reuters)

Pope Francis has sparked outrage in Ukraine and among its European allies after suggesting that the war-torn country should have the "courage of the white flag" and negotiate an end to the conflict with Russia. In an interview with Swiss broadcaster Radio Television Suisse (RTS) published on Saturday, the pontiff's comments were met with swift condemnation from Ukrainian officials and religious leaders, who accused him of engaging in "virtual mediation" and failing to recognize the gravity of the situation.

When asked whether negotiations would "legitimize the stronger party," Francis replied, "That is one interpretation. But I believe that the stronger one is the one who sees the situation, who thinks of the people, who has the courage of the white flag, to negotiate." He added that "today, negotiations are possible with the help of international powers."

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba responded forcefully to the pope's remarks, stating 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." He emphasized that "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'."

Father Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, echoed these sentiments while speaking to Ukrainians in New York on Saturday. "Ukraine is exhausted, but it is standing and will stand! Believe me, no one even thinks of surrender, even in the places where fighting is ongoing today," he said, according to a statement from the Greek Catholic Church.

Following the backlash, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, attempted to clarify the pope's comments, explaining that Francis had picked up the image of the white flag "to indicate a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation," and not surrender as some may have interpreted his remarks.

However, the clarification did little to quell the anger among European leaders. Poland's Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski criticized the pope's comments on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "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."

Latvia's President Edgars Rinkevics also weighed in, stating, "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."

Alexandra Valkenburg, the head of the EU delegation to the Holy See, reiterated that "Russia started an illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine two years ago" and that Russia "can end this war immediately" by respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This is not the first time Pope Francis has upset Ukrainian officials during the war. Last year, he called on Russian youth to take pride as heirs of tsars like Peter the Great, a figure held up by Russian President Vladimir Putin as an example to justify his actions in Ukraine.

As the conflict continues, with tens of thousands of Ukrainians killed and the country seeking to recapture all its territory seized by Russia, the pope's comments have highlighted the deep divisions and sensitivities surrounding the war. While Francis may have intended to call for a peaceful resolution, his words have been interpreted by many as a misguided attempt at mediation that fails to acknowledge the reality on the ground and the suffering endured by the Ukrainian people.
The relationship between China and some western countries has deteriorated in recent years due to disagreements over Taiwan. (Photo: Dado Ruvic/Reuters/Illustration)

China's intensification of military activities around Taiwan and significant defense budget increase are raising concerns over regional stability and potential conflict escalation.

Taiwan's top security official, Tsai Ming-yen, disclosed in parliament that China conducts "joint combat readiness patrols" near the island roughly every 7 to 10 days, as part of a broader strategy involving economic pressures and misinformation campaigns. These maneuvers are seen as efforts by Beijing to "normalize" its military presence in proximity to Taiwan, which China claims as its territory-a claim strongly contested by Taiwan.

Amidst these tensions, China's ambassador to Australia has downplayed the health concerns of imprisoned Australian writer Yang Hengjun, suggesting that if Yang adheres to his imprisonment terms, execution might be avoidable.

Yang, convicted on espionage charges, received a suspended death sentence last month, raising international alarm. Despite the controversy surrounding his case, Ambassador Xiao Qian indicated that Yang's health was being adequately attended to and that diplomatic negotiations regarding his situation were ongoing.

In a broader context, China's defense spending is on the rise, with a 7.2% increase for 2024, bringing the total to US$231 billion. This growth marks the third consecutive year of over 7% expansion in military expenditure, amidst heightened tensions with the United States and concerns over China's assertive behavior in regional disputes, including those involving Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Despite China's claims of transparency and adherence to a peaceful development path, the opacity surrounding its defense budget and military objectives continues to provoke skepticism among international observers.

China's military buildup, coupled with its more assertive stance on Taiwan and regional security issues, underscores the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape. The combination of increased military presence around Taiwan and significant defense budget growth highlights the delicate balance between peace and power in the Asia-Pacific region. As Taiwan and its international allies remain vigilant, the global community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that maintains stability and deters conflict.
campus news

PT student aims to reverse health stigma in Buffalo neighborhood

Sirawar Matin works out on some physical therapy equipment at Jericho Road Community Health Center, where he worked during one of his PT rotations. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

My focus is to make physical therapy accessible, especially for people on Buffalos East Side, who tend to be on the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum.  Sirawar Matin, physical therapy student School of Public Health and Health Professions

UB physical therapy student Sirawar Matin asks to meet for this interview at the Broadway Market on Buffalos East Side. Its morning, still weeks away from Easter when the energy there ramps up. But Matin is not deterred. This is his neighborhood, the location of his vision, and despite the sleepy market mood, hes clearly excited to be in the midst of that enormous potential. Matin, still only 25, will graduate this May with a doctorate, a world of plans and the qualities that could very well lead him to becoming part of Buffalos new generation of leaders  a leader concerned about underserved populations, with an immigrants consciousness of lifes hardship along with the unmistakable recognition of opportunity. A Prentice Family Foundation scholar and a 2023-24 Western New York Prosperity Fellow, Matin is an entrepreneur and startup enthusiast who is building business connections throughout Buffalos socio-economic strata, with roots that come from living with his disabled parents, who he encouraged to relocate to Buffalo from New Jersey in 2019. The familys Lovejoy house is a 20-minute walk away. Matin is in a clinical rotation at the Jericho Road Community Health Center adjacent to the Broadway Market. And two blocks north of the market on Stanislaus Street between two mosques is a 10,000-square-foot plot of land that he owns  thanks to his familys faith and commitment. This is where he plans to build his physical therapy practice to address a dire need for those who need treatment but are unfamiliar with it or frightened to get it. It would add a vibrant marker to a revived East Side aimed at a growing and underserved Southeastern Asian population, the same population that shares the challenges and potential of his Bangladeshi family. My focus is to make physical therapy accessible, especially for people on Buffalos East Side, who tend to be on the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum, says Matin.

Sirawar Matin stretches the leg of Navid Siddiqui, a UB alumnus and a physical therapist at Jericho Road Community Health Center. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

The magic of PT

Physical therapy is often considered a luxury, Matin explains. A lot of insurances dont cover it, especially if you are on Medicaid. There arent any physical therapy facilities on the East Side, except for ECMC (Erie County Medical Center) and at Jericho Road. Those are populations in unique locations. So Id like to make this more accessible to the public here. Matin has been called a sparkplug, someone with bubbling enthusiasm. Sitting in the slowly stirring Broadway Market, he conveys a kindness and quiet confidence thats as contagious as it is reassuring. Yeah, 100%, he answers when asked about the benefits of physical therapy and his other aspirations. Time and time again research shows physical therapy improves outcomes across all life spans, whether you are post-op or dont need surgery, he says. And its not accessible to the public here. I dont think the public on the East Side generally knows the benefits of physical therapy. It comes down to lack of representation, he explains. Eighty to 85% of all physical therapists are white. If you dont see someone like you in that field, you are less likely to approach that. In Southeastern Asian cultures in particular, therapy is a covert topic. Southeastern Asian people are stoic. Anytime they hear the word therapy, they get kind of nervous. But physical therapy is to help the public. Its movement therapy. Im just trying to break the stigma. Theres more to Matins blend of talents and qualities. He wants to tap into what he recognizes as this Buffalo nexus of people willing to help, the vibrant and affordable startup scene and a growing Southeastern Asian population as capable and resourceful as they are in need. That will all come together 100% in Matins vacant plot vision, the history of which illustrates where he is in his life right now as well as anything. I always wanted to build my own practice. My mom knew this, right? Matin says, enjoying telling this story again.

Gift from a dowry
Adani Data Networks is looking at solutions to deploy a 5G network in the 26GH band (Photo: Bloomberg)

Chip giant Qualcomm chief executive Cristiano R Amon and billionaire Gautam Adani on Monday discussed role of AI, semiconductors and edge appliances across markets in the fast changing global technology space.

The two leaders met in Mumbai on Monday morning to discuss India's potential around semiconductors, AI and mobility, according to a social media post by Adani.

While Qualcomm is big on designing and manufacturing semiconductors and wireless telecommunications products, Adani group had in 2022 bought a small quantity of fifth generation or 5G spectrum for private captive network deployment in ports, logistics and power generation among others. Adani is also building data centres at multiple locations.

"Great meeting with Qualcomm CEO @cristianoamon & his leaders! Inspiring to hear his vision for semiconductors, AI, mobility, edge appliances and much more across different markets. Exciting to hear about his plans and commitment to India's potential!," Adani said in a post on X.

Amon is expected to inaugurate a Rs 177.3 crore new design centre at Ramanujan IT City in Chennai on March 14. The new centre, which specialises in wireless connectivity solutions with a focus on innovations that complement Wi-Fi technologies, is expected to create jobs for up to 1,600 skilled professionals in Chennai.

Adani Data Networks is looking at solutions to deploy a 5G network in the 26GH band.

No details of any planned partnership was indicated in the post.

Semiconductor industry in India is in its nascent stage and the government is keen to combine unparalleled design capabilities with $10 billion of incentives to draw manufacturers to set up new fabs and units that will cut dominance of Taiwan, South Korea and China.

Manufacturers are being drawn to set up new fabs (semiconductor fabrication plants) to make chips that are an essential component of electronic devices, and are used in automobiles to computers, mobile phones and even washing machines.

The Cabinet recently approved proposals to set up three semiconductor plants, including a mega fab by Tata Group, at a cumulative investment of Rs 1.26 lakh crore.

Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd will set up a semiconductor fab in partnership with Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp at Dholera's special industrial region in Gujarat. The plant will have the capacity to produce 50,000 wafers per month and involve an investment of Rs 91,000 crore.

The government has also approved a proposal by Tatas to build a greenfield semiconductor assembly and test facility in Jagiroad, Assam. The facility will be built with an investment outlay of Rs 27,000 crore and is expected to generate over 27,000 direct and indirect jobs in the region.
Many developed and developing countries including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and nations of the Gulf region are keen to start trade in rupee with India as it would help cut transaction costs for businesses, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said.

He expressed confidence that the development is going to be a "very game-changing" dimension to India's international trade.

"Bangladesh, Sri Lanka are already talking to us and they want us to start this immediately. Other countries in the Gulf region are looking at that. I think it'll take some time for people to see the benefits. And then we'll have more and more developed countries and countries in the Far East also joining the bandwagon. Singapore is already on board to some extent," he said.

The minister added that gradually countries are realising that undertaking trade in domestic currencies has several advantages.

The minister said that it is now picking up traction and a lot of countries have come forward for this arrangement and are talking to India for that as they would also like to initiate direct transactions between their local currency and the rupee.

"Gradually the conscience is setting in that rather than converting all the transactions into a third currency, both ways, adds significantly to transaction costs," Goyal told PTI in an interview.

Undertaking trade in other currencies leads to foreign exchange and transaction losses as there is a cost for conversion. The delays in the movement of money also pushed transactors' costs.

"We started with the UAE. The UAE was one of the first countries to accept this. It's now picking up traction. We get a lot of countries who come and talk to us that they would like to also initiate direct transactions between the local currency and the rupee.

"It's a process which takes time. It involves the central bankers of both nations to create the framework and then it evolves acceptance by importers and exporters," Goyal said, adding "when it will take off, it'll just fly".

The engagement is also beneficial as the Indian Rupee is mostly stable against most of the international currencies and according to experts, this is one of the reasons that different nations today want to have trade relations built on rupee trade.

The rupee trade is also helping many of the countries, which have dollar shortages.

India has started trade in the rupee with neighbouring countries, including Nepal and Bhutan. The rupee trade mechanism has been initiated to facilitate trade in national currency with Russia, while Sri Lanka has included the rupee in its list of designated foreign currencies.

India's first-ever payment in rupees for crude oil purchased was from the UAE and that is helping the world's third largest energy consumer to push for taking the local currency global, as it looks for similar deals with other suppliers.

Changes have been made in the FTP (Foreign Trade Policy) to allow international trade settlement in Indian Rupee with a view to making INR a global currency.

In July 2022, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to allow the settlement of India's international trade in rupee. Accordingly, authorised Indian banks are permitted to open and maintain special rupee Vostro accounts of the partner trading country's banks.

These accounts keep the foreign bank's holdings in the Indian counterpart in rupees. When an Indian trader wants to make a payment to a foreign trader in rupees, the amount will be credited to this Vostro account.

Similarly, in the reverse scenario, the amount to be paid to an Indian trader is deducted from the Vostro account, and credited to the person's regular account.

Several banks, including HDFC Bank and UCO Bank, have opened special Vostro accounts to facilitate overseas trade in the rupee and many countries have expressed interest to have this arrangement for the local currency trade.
Rohingya Muslims, who spent four days in the open after crossing over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, carry their children and belongings after they were allowed to proceed towards a refugee camp, at Palong Khali, Bangladesh. Photo: AP | PTI

Calling the Citizenship Amendment Act a discriminatory law that goes against the constitutional values of equality and international human rights, Amnesty India said the legislation stands in violation of the right to equality.

The Centre on Monday announced the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, paving the way for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The rules were notified days ahead of the expected announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. With this, the Narendra Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants -- Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians -- from the three countries.

Following the notification, Amnesty India hit out at the government in a series of posts on X.

"The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a discriminatory law that goes against the constitutional values of equality and international human rights law. The notification of the rules issued by the (Union) Ministry of Home Affairs will make this divisive law operational from today," it said.

The human rights body said CAA stands in violation of the right to equality before the law and right to non-discrimination, as guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

"The government in 2019 responded to peaceful anti-CAA protests with arbitrary detention under draconian laws and excessive force. We urge the authorities to respect the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful association and assembly while responding to peaceful protests," Amnesty India said in another post.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the president's assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it. Many opposition parties spoke out against the law, calling it "discriminatory".

The law could not come into effect as the rules had not been notified till now.



Watch: Citizenship Amendment Act implemented across India; here's what it means




He said the CAA was strongly opposed, especially in Assam and the entire northeast India, by people who are "victims of migration from Bangladesh and whose language and culture are in danger" (Photo: Shutterstock)

The Narendra Modi-led government's move to notify the Citizenship (Amendment) Act is against the country, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged on Monday and claimed people will respond to it in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

In a long post in Hindi on X, Kejriwal also alleged that implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, is "dirty politics" of the BJP to make poor people from neighbouring countries its vote bank in India.

The Centre on Monday announced implementation of CAA, paving the way for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The rules were notified days ahead of the expected announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. With this, the Narendra Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants -- Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians -- from the three countries.

Kejriwal said on X, "After ruling the country for 10 years, the Modi government has brought CAA ahead of the (Lok Sabha) elections. At a time when the poor and middle class are groaning due to inflation and unemployed youth are struggling from door to door for employment, instead of solving those real issues, these people have brought CAA."



The AAP chief said the BJP is saying that minorities from neighbouring countries will be given Indian citizenship.

"It means they want to bring people from neighbouring states (countries) to India and settle them. Why? To create their vote bank," Kejriwal claimed.

He said the CAA was strongly opposed, especially in Assam and the entire northeast India, by people who are "victims of migration from Bangladesh and whose language and culture are in danger".

The BJP has betrayed the people of Assam and the northeastern states, he claimed.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the president's assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it. Many opposition parties spoke out against the law, calling it "discriminatory".

The law could not come into effect as the rules had not been notified till now.
Pakistani Hindu refugees residing in Delhi expressed hope and happiness on the implementation of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act on Monday, saying they are elated that "we will be called Indian citizens finally".

Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the Centre announced the implementation of the contentious CAA 2019 for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.

Dharamveer Solanki, who is considered the chief of the Pakistani Hindu refugee community in Delhi, told PTI that around 500 from the community will receive citizenship now.

"I and my family have been waiting for this for over a decade now. We are extremely happy that finally we will be called Indian citizens now. I am glad I decided to return to my homeland in 2013," Solanki said.

"It feels like a huge burden has been lifted from our shoulders. With the implementation of this act, around 500 Pakistani Hindu refugee families who live here, will get citizenship," Solanki told PTI.

With the CAA rules being notified, the Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from the said countries. These include Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the president's assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it.

The law could not come into effect as rules had not been notified till now.



Watch: Citizenship Amendment Act implemented across India; here's what it means




Earlier in January this year, Namibian Cheetah 'Jwala' gave birth to four cubs at Kuno National Park | Photo: X @byadavbjp

South African Cheetah 'Gamini' has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur.

An announcement in this regard was made by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Sunday.

The Union Minister said that the total number of Indian-born Cheetah cubs has gone up to 13.

"High Five, Kuno! Female cheetah Gamini, age about 5 years, brought from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa, has given birth to 5 cubs today. This takes the tally of the Indian-born cubs to 13. This is the fourth cheetah litter on Indian soil and the first litter of cheetahs brought from South Africa," Bhupender Yadav said in a post on X.





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Female cheetah Gamini, age about 5 years, brought from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa, has given birth to 5 cubs today.



This takes the tally of the Indian born cubs to 13. This is the fourth cheetah litter on Indian soil and the first litter of High Five, Kuno!Female cheetah Gamini, age about 5 years, brought from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa, has given birth to 5 cubs today.This takes the tally of the Indian born cubs to 13. This is the fourth cheetah litter on Indian soil and the first litter of pic.twitter.com/2II0QIc7LY March 10, 2024

He lauded the officers and staff at Kuno National Park for ensuring a 'stress-free environment' for the cheetahs.

"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!" he said.

Earlier in January this year, Namibian Cheetah 'Jwala' gave birth to four cubs at Kuno National Park.

Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952, only to be reintroduced through the ambitious project in 2022.

In 2022, eight Cheetahs - brought from Namibia - were introduced in India under Project Cheetah. Subsequently, twelve cheetahs from South Africa were also translocated and released in Kuno National Park in February 2023.

A cheetah translocated from Namibia, died at Kuno National Park in January this year. So far, seven adult cheetahs and three cubs born in India have died since March 2023.
A 29-year-old Mexican citizen was attempting to cross the border into the U.S. on March 4 when his truck was referred for a closer inspection, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. samuel howell/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Agents at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge uncovered some monkey business at the border last week.

A 29-year-old Mexican citizen was attempting to cross the border into the U.S. on March 4 when his truck was referred for a closer inspection, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Agents found two live howler monkeys inside, a protected species that is banned for import due to the possible spread of disease, CBP said. The driver was arrested, and the monkeys were turned over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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The offer received bids for 10.80 crore shares as against 1.19 crore shares on offer.

The issue opened for bidding on Wednesday (6 March 2024) and it will close on Monday (11 March 2024). The price band of the IPO is fixed at Rs 381 to 401 per share. An investor can bid for a minimum of 37 equity shares and in multiples thereof.

The IPO comprises only an offer for sale, aggregating up to Rs 650 crore, by Bipinbhai Vithalbhai Hadvani, Gopal Agriproducts, and Harsh Sureshkumar Shah.

The company will not directly receive any proceeds from the offer. All the offer proceeds will be received by the selling shareholders in proportion to the offered shares sold by them.

The promoters and promoter group hold an aggregate of 11,65,05,126 equity shares, aggregating 93.50% of the pre-offer issued and paid-up equity share capital. The post-IPO shareholding for the same is expected to be around 81.49%.

Ahead of the IPO, Gopal Snacks on Tuesday, 5 March 2024 raised Rs 193.94 crore from anchor investors. The board allotted 48.36 lakh shares at Rs 401 each to 19 anchor investors.

Gopal Snacks is an FMCG company dealing in ethnic snacks, western snacks, and other products. The company offers a wide variety of savory products under its brand Gopal, including ethnic snacks such as namkeen and gathiya; western snacks such as wafers, extruded snacks and snack pellets; and fast-moving consumer goods including papad, spices, gram flour or besan, noodles, rusk and soan papdi.

As on 30 September 2023, the product portfolio comprised 84 products, with 276 SKUs across various product categories, thereby addressing a wide variety of tastes and preferences. The products were sold in over 523 locations in India across 10 states and two Union Territories.

The firm reported a net profit of Rs 55.57 crore and sales of Rs 676.20 crore for the six months ended on 30 September 2023.

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(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.)

The initial public offer (IPO) of Gopal Snacks received 10,80,83,438 bids for shares as against 1,19,79,993 shares on offer, according to stock exchange data at 17:30 IST on Monday (11 March 2024). The issue was subscribed 9.02 times.
REC rose 2.60% to Rs 485 after the state-run company inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Jaipur with the Government of Rajasthan.

The MoU is expected to expedite infrastructure projects in Rajasthan, encompassing power generation, metro systems, roads & highways, airports, IT infrastructure, and more. This includes crucial sectors like healthcare, tourism, agriculture, and fiber optic networks.

This collaboration underscores REC's commitment to empowering Rajasthan's infrastructure growth, ultimately contributing to the state's economic prosperity. The MoU signing coincides with the signing of MoUs worth Rs 1.6 lakh crore by Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) under the Ministry of Power and Coal with the Rajasthan government.

REC is a government-owned infrastructure finance company in India. They fund projects in power (including new technologies) and non-power sectors (roads, metro, IT, etc.) for both government and private companies.

On a consolidated basis, net profit of REC rose 13.48% to Rs 3308.42 crore on 23.2% rise in total income to Rs 12071.54 crore in Q3 December 2023 over Q3 December 2022.

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In a significant boost to Rajasthan's infrastructure development, REC, a leading infrastructure financier, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government on 10 March 2024. The agreement, valued at Rs 1.2 lakh crore (Rs 20,000 crore annually for six years), will see REC provide loans for various power and non-power infrastructure projects across the state upto 2030.
OnePlus on March 11 announced that it will launch the Nord CE4 in India on April 1. In the announcement post, the Chinese smartphone brand confirmed the processor details and colourways that the phone will be offered in. OnePlus said the Nord CE4 is poised to redefine the standards of power and performance. The company said it is committed to the ethos of All Power. All You for the upcoming smartphone. Below are the details of the OnePlus Nord CE4:

OnePlus has confirmed that the Nord CE4 smartphone will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset. According to the company, with the new processor, the OnePlus Nord CE4 will offer improved CPU performance (up to 15 per cent) and a 20 per cent boost in power efficiency, compared to its predecessor.

Image: OnePlus

Alongside, the company has shared the preview image that shows a flat frame design and a dual camera setup, placed vertically towards the top left corner, on the back. The company has also confirmed that the smartphone will be offered in Dark chrome and Celadon Marble. OnePlus said that the latter will feature texture-based designs inspired by the OnePlus 11 Marble Odyssey special edition smartphone. For the Dark Chrome colourway, the company said that it will feature a dark coloured back panel with a subtle shiny gradient.

OnePlus Nord CE4: Expected specifications
By Marissa Newman, Gwen Ackerman and Fares Akram

US President Joe Biden warned Israel against attacking the city of Rafah in southern Gaza as cease-fire talks with Hamas remained deadlocked at the beginning of Ramadan.



The US hoped for a breakthrough before Islams holy month, which began after sundown on Sunday. A deal would probably lead to a six-week pause in fighting, the freeing of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Negotiations remain at an impasse, however, with Israel accusing Hamas of stalling in a bid to inflame violence across the region during Ramadan, and Hamas saying more Israeli hostages had died in captivity than earlier believed.

Israel has said that, barring a total surrender by Hamas, it has to launch an assault on Rafah because its the last bastion of the Iran-backed group. Israeli military officials estimate 5,000 to 8,000 Hamas fighters are holed up there. Israels indicated it would be prepared to move into the city during Ramadan if theres no truce.

More than a million Palestinian civilians are also sheltering in Rafah, most of them having fled from northern parts of Gaza at the start of the war in October.

In an interview with MSNBC on Saturday, Biden expressed hope that a cease-fire can still be reached and warned that an Israeli invasion of Rafah would represent a red line.

Previously, he said an offensive couldnt happen until Israel allowed civilians to leave. Netanyahu has pledged that will happen. On Sunday, he reiterated that Israel plans to move forces in at some stage.

Well go there, he said in an interview with Axel Springer, Politicos parent company. I have a red line. You know what the red line is  that October 7 doesnt happen again.

The war has been raging since Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and abducted 250 during their Oct. 7 massacre in southern Israel.

More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israels retaliatory air and ground attacks, according to officials in the Hamas-run territory. Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union.

Bidens comments came as the US military began sending supplies to Gaza by sea and building a temporary dock to deliver large quantities of aid. Ships will carry food, water, medicine and other supplies to the Mediterranean enclave, which has been devastated by the war. In his State of the Union address on Thursday, Biden called the situation in Gaza heartbreaking.

Most aid has gone into Gaza on trucks through the Egyptian border. Some countries, including the US and Jordan, are carrying out air drops too.

The move to open a maritime corridor comes as the US and Arab states criticize Israel  which inspects all goods going into Gaza in case they include military supplies for Hamas  for not allowing trucks in quickly enough.

The president, in a statement released to mark the beginning of Ramadan, said the US will lead international efforts to get aid into Gaza.

Well continue to work with Israel to expand deliveries by land, insisting that it facilitate more routes and open more crossings to get more aid to more people, he said.

The only truce so far lasted a week and ended on Dec. 1. During that, dozens of hostages were released from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

We cannot have another 30,000 Palestinians dead, Biden said on MSNBC, adding that Netanyahu must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

He is hurting Israel more than helping Israel, Biden added, in some of the harshest criticism hes leveled against the Israeli leader.

I dont know exactly what the president meant, Netanyahu said in the Axel Springer interview. 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.

Biden said he would never cut off weapon supplies to Israel and affirmed Israels right to fight Hamas.

Israels Mossad intelligence agency, which is handling the cease-fire and hostage negotiations, said talks were ongoing to narrow the gaps with Hamas. Still, it sounded pessimistic a deal would be struck soon.

Hamas is holding to its position as if it was uninterested in a deal and is striving to ignite the region during Ramadan at the expense of the Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip, Mossad said in a statement.

Hamas is believed to be holding about 130 Israeli hostages. Its unclear how many are still alive.

In an interview with Bloomberg, a Hamas official called Husam Badran said at least 60 hostages had died because of Israels bombardment of Gaza. The claim couldnt be independently verified.
President Droupadi Murmu with President of Mauritius Prithvirajsing Roopun during a meeting, in Mauritius (PTI Photo)

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday met her Mauritian counterpart Prithvirajsing Roopun and held comprehensive discussions on ways to advance the long-standing and multi-faceted bilateral ties between India and Mauritius.

President Murmu gifted a RuPay card, which was recently launched in Mauritius, to President Roopun.

Murmu arrived here earlier in the day on a three-day state visit during which she would be the chief guest at the country's National Day celebrations on Tuesday.

In a post on X, the official handle of the President of India said that President Murmu had a warm and cordial meeting with President Roopun at the Presidential State House.

"The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the unique and multi-faceted bilateral relationship, including through capacity building, science & technology, and collaboration in various developmental projects," it said, sharing a few photographs of the meeting.

President Murmu also appreciated the Ayurvedic Garden which was set up on the grounds of the State House last year, it said.

In a series of posts on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Murmu was warmly received by Roopun at the State House ahead of their bilateral talks.

"The two leaders held discussions on avenues to advance the long-standing and close relations between India and Mauritius, built on the solid foundation of kinship, culture and strong people-to-people linkages," it said sharing a few photographs of the meeting.

Roopun, 64, was born in an Arya Samaj family.

Murmu also visited the Ayurvedic Garden which was set up at the Presidential State House last year in collaboration with the AYUSH ministry.

"Traditional medicine is an important area of partnership between the two countries," the MEA underlined, sharing some photographs of President Murmu visit to the Ayurvedic Garden.

President Murmu was received by Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth on her arrival here at the airport with full state honours "in a special gesture reflecting the exceptionally close ties" between India and Mauritius, the MEA earlier said.

During the National Day celebrations, a contingent of the Indian Navy will also participate in the event along with two ships -- INS Tir and CGS Sarathi.

Apart from holding bilateral meetings with President Roopun and Prime Minister Jugnauth, Murmu will also meet the Speaker of the Mauritius National Assembly, the Chief Justice of the Mauritian Supreme Court and important Mauritian leaders during the three-day visit, the MEA said.

Murmu and Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate 14 India-assisted projects, showcasing the growing expanse and multi-faceted nature of New Delhi's vibrant development partnership with Mauritius that constitutes a "key pillar" of the bilateral relationship, it said.

The MEA said the president will also witness the exchange of important bilateral agreements that seek to further strengthen the robust bilateral institutional collaboration and capacity-building cooperation between the two countries.
The protest-vote movement over President Joe Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war has spread to several states and raised more questions about whether a small but significant number of Democrats angry at Biden might abandon him in November.

A week after 101,000 Michigan voters chose uncommitted on their ballots, so did roughly 263,000 voters in the five Super Tuesday states where similar ballot options were available. Minnesota, which had the most organized effort outside of Michigan, saw 1 in 5 Democratic voters mark the uncommitted option, a higher percentage than the 13% who voted uncommitted in Michigan.

Organizers are watching the state of Washington's primary on Tuesday to see how many voters select uncommitted. And a Leave It Blank campaign has formed for Georgia's Tuesday primary that's intended to have the same effect, as is a uninstructed vote in Wisconsin's April 2 primary.

Supporters of the protest argue anger over the war could endanger Biden's chances in swing states like Michigan against former President Donald Trump in their likely rematch. Biden's allies believe disaffected Democrats will return to the president's fold when faced with a choice between him and Trump, who the president's campaign has argued is a threat to democracy and is planning a sweeping set of policy changes that would attack liberal priorities.

While the reasons for voters favoring unpledged delegates over Biden may differ, the choice has been increasingly pushed as a protest vote against Biden's handling of the conflict in Gaza, where more than 30,000 people have been killed, two-thirds of them women and children, in Israel's offensive following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 people.

We wanted to show that these voters not only morally matter but politically matter as well. Because if they sit out the election, which it seems like many of them might, that would have severe consequences for Biden," said Waleed Shahid, a Democratic strategist who first organized the effort in Michigan.

Lauren Hitt, a Biden campaign spokeswoman, said following the Super Tuesday primaries that the president believes making your voice heard and participating in our democracy is fundamental to who we are as Americans.

He shares the goal for an end to the violence and a just, lasting peace in the Middle East. He's working tirelessly to that end, Hitt added.

As Biden's supporters are quick to point out, the uncommitted vote isn't a historical anomaly. In 2012, over 400,000 people cast their ballots as uncommitted or no preference, expressing discontent with then-President Barack Obama's reelection. Biden has won every state's primary contest so far and is on track to clinch the nomination this month.

Still, the single-issue campaign has alarmed some of Biden's closest allies.

Obama's results were just randomized. This is showing that there are particular groups of our coalition that are upset," said Rep. Ro Khanna, a Biden surrogate and cease-fire supporter.

In late January, Shahid circulated a seven-page memo to nearly 100 pro-Palestinian leaders and organizations nationwide with a plan to leverage Michigan's substantial Arab American population to create maximum electoral disruption.

Michigan's dual role as an early primary state and a pivotal swing state in November provided an ideal situation for attracting national media attention and influential political figures. Coming less than a month before Michigan's Feb. 27 primary, the Jan. 29 memo proposed a plan requiring a budget of approximately $237,000 to politicize and electoralize discontent for Biden's support of Israel.

Over 100,000 people voted uncommitted on Feb. 27, far exceeding a 10,000 vote goal that had been intentionally set low. Khanna, the California congressman, said Biden's recent references to a potential cease-fire were a direct result of the grassroots movement in Michigan.

Biden announced at his State of the Union speech that the U.S. would build a floating pier to deliver aid to Gaza as Israel has restricted the flow of food and other goods at land ports.

While the state's primary was a success for organizers, Shahid said his memo had nothing beyond Michigan.

Hoping to capitalize on the momentum generated in Michigan, small uncommitted campaigns on shoestring budgets began to pop up across the country.

In Minnesota, organizers began making phone calls to voters just five days before the state's Super Tuesday primary, operating on a $20,000 budget. The last-minute push secured 46,000 uncommitted votes, comprising 19% of the total vote share and earning 11 delegates bound for the Democratic national convention.

Minnesota voter Sarah Alfaham voted in the state's Democratic primary as she has for many years but opted to mark uncommitted on her ballot.

Joe Biden has not done enough to earn my vote and not done enough to stop the war, said Alfaham.

Marcus Casillas, 29, was one of the 51,000 people that voted uncommitted in Colorado's March 5 primary. The aerospace engineer was inspired by Michigan voters, and chose uncommitted rather than another Democratic candidate because being part of a more organized protest vote seemed appropriate.

"I firmly believe that in order for me to vote for someone, they need to earn the vote, he said.

The largest effort outside of Michigan has taken place in Washington state, which is set to hold its primary Tuesday. The biggest labor union in Washington, the chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers, has endorsed voting uncommitted in the primary, as have some local Democratic leaders.

The impact of Washington's uncommitted movement could be blunted by the fact that its primary is mostly conducted by early mail-in ballots. Close to a million ballots had been turned in as of Thursday, according to the Washington Secretary of State.

But organizers in different states say they feel they've already exceeded expectations.

One of the coolest comments that I've read is people saying this is the most organized they've seen Democrats in a really long time," said Asma Nizami, a spokesperson for Minnesota's uncommitted campaign. We're doing it across state lines and we're doing it together.
Protests over over Israel's war in Gaza snarled traffic around the Academy Awards on Sunday, slowing stars' arrival at the red carpet and turning the Oscar spotlight toward the ongoing conflict.

Scattered demonstrations were held in the vicinity around the Oscars on Sunday. Los Angeles police, which had expected protests, beefed up their already extensive presence. The Dolby Theatre and the red carpet leading into it are cordoned off for several blocks in every direction.

But protesters carrying signs and chanting for ceasefire disrupted traffic near security checkpoints on Sunset Blvd. Some arrivals were slowed by as much as an hour. Some protesters shouted Shame! at those trying to reach the Oscars. Police in helmets and wielding batons declared an unlawful assembly and threatened arrest.

Several attendees, including Billie Eilish and Finneas, best song nominees for What Was I Made For? from Barbie, wore pins for Gaza. Ava DuVernay and Ramy Youssef were also among those wearing pins.

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 year's 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.

Oppenheimer, 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.

Still, much is circling around this year's show. Aside from the Israel-Hamas war, the war in Ukraine will be on some attendees' minds, particularly those of the journalist filmmakers behind the documentary favorite, 20 Days in Mariupol.

Our hearts are in Ukraine, said Mstyslav Chernov, the Ukrainian filmmaker and AP journalist who directed 20 Days in Mariupol.

And with the presidential election in full swing, politics could be an unavoidable topic despite an awards season that's played out largely in a vacuum.



ALSO READ: Holocaust drama The Zone of Interest wins Oscar for best international film

Hollywood also has plenty of its own storm clouds to concern itself with.

The 2023 movie year was defined by a prolonged strike over the future of an industry that's reckoning with the onset of streaming, artificial intelligence and shifting moviegoer tastes that have tested even the most bankable brands.

The academy, while also widely nominating films like Killers of the Flower Moon and Poor Things, embraced both Oppenheimer, the lead nominee with 13 nods, and Greta Gerwig's Barbie, the year's biggest hit with more than $1.4 billion in ticket sales and eight nominations.

Historically, having big movies in the mix for the Oscars' top awards has been good for broadcast ratings. The Academy Awards' largest audience ever came when James Cameron's Titanic swept the 1998 Oscars.

Last year's ceremony, where a very different best-picture contender in Everything Everywhere All at Once triumphed, was watched by 18.7 million people, up 12 per cent from the year prior.

ABC and the academy are hoping to continue the upward trend after a nadir in 2021, when 9.85 million watched a pandemic-diminished telecast relocated to Los Angeles' Union Station.
India has the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world with aspirational young minds backing its growth. Under the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India currently foster over 100 unicorns and 100,000 startups with a strong track record of innovation across sectors like fintech, e-commerce, Ed-tech, AI, etc. His unwavering trust in Indias youth and entrepreneurial spirit is a testament to the ecosystems rapid boom.I firmly believe in the formidable power of our youth- their energy and enthusiasm are my greatest assets. Our policies are designed to empower the vigor and vitality of our youth. The world is witnessing the remarkable strength of Indian youth and it leaves everyone in awe, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared during the historic Independence Day speech last year.Over the years, the Prime Minister has consistently championed startups as the backbone of a new,. Indias first-ever Startup Mahakumbh embodies this vision by bringing together overunder one roof creating an unparalleled platform for collaboration, funding, and mentorship  precisely the fuel needed to propel Indian startups onto the global stage.Commencing on March 18, 2024, the event welcomes participants from diverse segments of the Indian startup ecosystem, including startups, incubators, unicorns, soonicorns, budding entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, accelerators, angel investors, family offices, state incubators, founders, Alternate Investment Funds, high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), and many more.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose with Joey Martinez, nephew of Uvalde shooting victim Irma Garcia. Courtesy of John Martinez. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose Lyliana Garcia and Alysandra Garcia, the daughters of Irma Garcia, a teacher who was killed in the Uvalde shooting. Courtesy of John Martinez. Meghan Markle poses with John Martinez, nephew of Uvalde shooting victim Irma Garcia. Courtesy of John Martinez.

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry paid a special visit to a Uvalde family this weekend.

John Martinez, the nephew of Irma Garcia, one of two teachers killed alongside 19 children during the May 24, 2022, massacre, said on social media that the royal couple came to his house to celebrate his mothers birthday.

Meghan Markle singing my mom Happy Birthday was the cutest most adorable thing ever, he wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. She even bought her a cake.

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READ MORE: Investigator says Uvalde police not to blame for bungled school shooting response

Martinez posted a series of photos from the visit as well as a video that shows Markle holding a cake and singing Happy Birthday surrounded by other family members.

This isnt Markles first trip to the Texas town. She made an unannounced visit to Uvalde two days after the shooting and was seen placing flowers at a makeshift memorial in front of the county courthouse. She has kept in touch with Garcias family since the tragedy, going out of her way to check in, according to previous posts from Martinez.

Garcia was 48 when she died and had been a teacher for nearly 23 years. Her husband, Joe Garcia, died two days later of an apparent heart attack. Irma and Joe had been married for 24 years and had four children.

On Saturday, Martinez posted a photo of two of the children smiling with Markle, accompanied by the caption, Meghan Markle with Irma and Joes girls, they loved every moment, practically besties.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Texas last week for the South by Southwest conference in Austin. Markle spoke on the International Womens Day panel, discussing a range of topics including the toxicity of social media.

The couple stopped by Uvalde for a local event celebrating the opening of a new playground. Their foundation, Archewell, partnered with the city and the nonprofit Kaboom in 2022 to build the new play space, Harpers Bazaar reported.
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On behalf of the Consulate General and the Federal Government of Nigeria, we wish to convey our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the members of his family, as well as the Government and people of Canada.

The Consulate-General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Guangzhou avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Consulate General of Canada in Guangzhou, China, the assurances of its highest consideration.
Interview: China offers innumerable opportunities, says DHL Express CEO

Xinhua) 09:40, March 11, 2024

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)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Ruben Zamora Sr., father of Mayah Zamora, a survivor of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, listens to comments from audience members reacting to investigator Jesse Prado's report on the police reponse to the massacre. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Uvalde police officers who responded to Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, were outgunned, hamstrung by poor radio communications and missing critical pieces of equipment, notably vests and shields strong enough to provide protection from the shooters high-powered rifle.

Those are some of the main findings of a review of the Uvalde Police Departments performance that day. The review was conducted for the city by Jesse Prado, a retired Austin police detective who is now a private investigator and consultant. Nineteen fourth graders and two teachers were killed at Robb in the deadliest school shooting in Texas history.

Perhaps Prados most controversial conclusion was that Uvalde officers, including those closest to the shooter, did nothing wrong, acted in good faith and complied with department policies.

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Nearly 400 officers from two dozen local, state and federal agencies responded that day. Prados 182-page report focuses on Uvalde police officers.

Kimberly Mata-Rubio, whose 10-year-old daughter Lexi died in the Robb Elementary School shooting, responds angrily to investigator Jesse Prado's report on the May 24, 2022, massacre. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Heres an overview of his findings:

Austin-based investigator Jesse Prado delivers his investigative report on the Police Departments actions during the Robb Elementary School mass shooting on May 24, 2022 to the Ulvade City Council at SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Ulvade, Texas. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Abel Lopez, left, and Felicha Martinez, right, parents of Xavier Lopez, give public comment after Austin-based investigator Jesse Prado delivered his investigative report on the Police Departments actions during the Robb Elementary School mass shooting on May 24, 2022 to the Ulvade City Council at SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Ulvade, Texas. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Jesus OJJO Suarez, right, Uvalde school board member, and reserve school district officer for the CISD police force checks his watch while law enforcement waits outside the classroom where a gunman shot 19 children at Robb Elementary. Courtesy of the State of Texas Law enforcement officials evacuate students and staff from Robb Elementary School after a gunman entered a classroom and began shooting on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Pete Luna /Uvalde Leader-News Veronica Luevanos, left, hugs Nazarea Silguero, right, family members of Jailah Silguero, while listening to public comment after Austin-based investigator Jesse Prado delivered his investigative report on the Police Departments actions during the Robb Elementary School mass shooting on May 24, 2022 to the Ulvade City Council at SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Ulvade, Texas. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News In this photo from surveillance video provided by the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District via the Austin American-Statesman, authorities respond to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. (Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Associated Press Austin-based investigator Jesse Prado, right, listens to families give public comment after delivering his investigative report on the Police Departments actions during the Robb Elementary School mass shooting on May 24, 2022 to the Ulvade City Council at SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Ulvade, Texas. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Video still frames from the body camera of officer Justin Mendoza of law enforcement operations during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Courtesy of the State of Texas Video still frames from the body camera of officer Justin Mendoza of law enforcement operations during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Courtesy of the State of Texas

Some officers rushed toward the gunfire, as they were trained to do

Uvalde police and officers from other law enforcement agencies have been condemned, even called cowards, for failing to storm the classroom where the gunman was holed up. When faced with an active shooter threatening innocent lives, police are trained to confront and neutralize the person immediately, even at risk to their own lives. At Robb, 77 minutes passed before a Border Patrol-led team breached the classroom and killed the gunman.

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But Prado said the first Uvalde officers on the scene were anything but faint-hearted. They took their active-shooter training seriously and tried to follow it, he wrote.

Sgt. Daniel Page and several other officers moved toward the sound of gunfire after entering the school, Prado wrote. They encountered a hallway filled with smoke.

Sgt. Page realized the shots were being fired from classroom 111 and 112, Prado said in his report. His  training taught him to go to the gunfire.

Page recalled that officers on both sides of the hallway walked toward the gunman, and that he headed toward room 112 because he saw bullet holes there, Prados report said.

Then an officers radio beeped, possibly alerting the gunman to the officers presence in the hallway. The shooter then fired through the classroom wall where Page had been standing only a moment earlier. Two officers suffered graze wounds.

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Page could see that the shells on the floor were from an AR-15-style assault rifle. He was not wearing a vest strong enough to repel its rounds.

At this point, Page encountered Uvaldes school police chief, Pedro Pete Arredondo. Page took a call from a Texas Ranger and asked for ballistic shields, rifles and other equipment. Both Page and Arredondo were armed only with their police-issue handguns.

The gunman, meanwhile, was camping, a video game term for when a shooter has a tactical advantage from a fixed position.

Page and Arredondo were on the wrong end of a fatal funnel, Prado wrote. The shooter had a clear line of sight and superior firepower and could quickly kill anyone trying to enter the room.

Austin-based investigator Jesse Prado assessed the Uvalde Police Department's handling of the May 24, 2022, shooting at Robb Elementaty School. Prado found that Uvalde officers acted in accordance with department policy and could not be faulted for the confused overall law enforcement response or the heavy loss of life. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Even after being shot, a police supervisor stayed in the hallway

Lt. Javier Martinez approached the classroom, and when the gunman fired through the wall, Martinez was struck by shrapnel in the back of the head and on one arm. He began bleeding from the head. Staff Sgt. Eduardo Canales, also grazed, was bleeding from the ear.

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Martinez, a former SWAT team commander, intended to take out the shooter but needed to see him first, and he wasnt certain of the buildings layout, Prados report said. Martinez approached the classroom again.

On his second approach, Lt. Martinez wanted to look in one more time and was hoping someone would go with him but no one did, Prado said in the report. At 11:40:21, Lt. Martinez moved forward a third time to the hallway double doors and then came back.

He left briefly to have a paramedic treat his head wound and then returned. By then, many officers (were) in the hallway, including a Texas Department of Public Safety investigator who was examining a backpack full of ammunition the shooter had left behind.

Martinez heard someone say they needed to get the kids out, Prado wrote in his report. Lt. Martinez went outside and assisted with breaking windows to evacuate students from other classrooms.

Officers loved ones were in peril

Video footage from Canales body-worn camera showed that as he was being treated for his graze wound, he told Texas Department of Safety troopers several times that police had to get into the classroom because the assailant was still firing his rifle.

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Canales would later learn his own son was in an unlocked room with a substitute teacher a few doors down from the shooter. The boy escaped through a window and took refuge in someones home near the school.

The sun sets over memorial crosses for the Robb Elementary shooting victims at the town square in Uvalde. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Prepared to sacrifice herself

As Police Detective Renato Lualemaga and other officers set about the task of clearing other classrooms and moving children to safety, they had a close call with a terrified teacher.

Detective Lualemaga had a potentially dangerous encounter with a teacher that was prepared to sacrifice herself for her children, Prado wrote. The woman came out carrying an item that she was going to use as a weapon. The officers yelled that they were police, and she stopped once she realized who they were.

The unidentified teacher led the officers to an area where she was keeping approximately three classes of children out of danger.

Prado says Uvaldes DA hindered his work

I had a lot of difficulty gathering all the evidence, gathering information that I needed to complete a thorough examination, Prado told Uvalde City Council members last week as he briefed them on his findings.

Asked by the citys attorney, Paul Tarski, what the problem was, Prado replied, The district attorney did not allow me to receive a copy of information regarding this case from other sources, other agencies.

Austin-based investigator Jesse Prado, right, listens to victims' family members comment on his report on the police response to the 2022 Robb Elementary School massacre. Prado had just finished briefing Uvalde City Council members on his findings. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Christina Mitchell, district attorney for Uvalde and Real counties, has impaneled a grand jury to consider criminal charges in connection with the Robb Elementary massacre. She did not respond to messages seeking comment on Prados remarks.

Prado said Mitchell allowed him to view some investigative documents but forbade him to make copies. He said he had to take notes by hand while examining a timeline that contained 5,000 entries.

I concluded that it would take me six months or so to be able to review and hand-write the information, rather than seconds to make a copy, Prado wrote in his report.
Discussion

The mean age of OHCA in Chicago decreased from 20142015 to 20202021 overall, for men and women, Black and White adults, as well as for cases in persons with or without presumed cardiac etiology and for nonshockable rhythm type. Decreases in mean age were more pronounced for patients without presumed cardiac etiology, those with nonshockable rhythm, men, and Black adults. Survival for OHCA is low (13), and earlier age of death results in a larger number of YPLL.

The decrease in mean age at OHCA occurrence among patients with noncardiac etiology might be related to the increase in opioid-related overdose (8), which coincides with the steady increase in nonshockable cases over time with a substantial decrease in mean age. Although this change could be related to overdose, the pandemic might have played a role during 20202021. It is not fully known why shockable cases did not reflect this trend of decreasing mean age. The larger decrease in mean age of persons experiencing cardiac arrest among men and among Black adults increased disparities that already existed on the basis of race and sex.

Limitations

The findings in this report are subject to at least three limitations. First, because of the limited number of cases, racial and ethnic groups other than Asian, Black, White, and Hispanic could not be assessed individually. Second, cases that occurred near the city boundary of Chicago might have been served by either Chicago EMS or a different EMS agency. Finally, the contribution of specific causes of OHCA, such as drug overdose or thromboembolic events associated with COVID-19, to the observed trends could not be assessed in this analysis.

Implications for Public Health Practice

This analysis shows a concerning trend at the population level that cannot be entirely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic because it began before the pandemic. Additional research and enhanced surveillance mechanisms (e.g., hotspot identification and cross-linkage of socioeconomic, comorbidity, substance use, and medication use data) could help elucidate the factors contributing to these observed trends and guide prevention efforts (9,10). Promotion of regular health checks is important to identify persons at risk for OHCA and intervene appropriately. Efforts to increase public awareness of the risk of cardiac arrest and knowledge of how to intervene as a bystander could help decrease mortality associated with OHCA. Improved understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the trends observed in Chicago could help guide prevention efforts. Similar analyses in other jurisdictions could help determine whether trends observed in Chicago are more widespread.
Medcems global expansion

ICR Research By

Published 11 March 2024

Turkeys Medcem has invested in both its production facility and export capability with a view to expand its reach on a global scale. ICR chats to Mehmet Ali Ceylan, CEO, Medcem about the companys plans to establish an international terminal network and what steps it is taking to decarbonise its operations.

ICR: You are currently in the process of expanding your production capacity. By how much and how does that change your total capacity?

Mehmet Ali Ceylan (MC): Our first production line had a clinker production capacity of 3.6Mta. However, the second production line has a clinker production capacity of 3Mta. With the capacity increase, we aim to reach a total cement capacity of 8Mta.



ICR: How long has the new line taken to build and at what cost?

MC: Our investment process commenced in July 2021. Initiating this investment during a time marked by disruptions in the supply chains, along with the rise of the accumulated demand that emerged towards the end of the pandemic, posed challenges. Additionally, the Russia-Ukraine war that erupted in February 2022, unfortunately resulting in the loss of many lives, became another factor impacting our investment process.

To continue reading this story and get access to all News, Articles and Video sections of the CemNet.com website, please Register for a subscription to International Cement Review or Login
Bangladesh cement export momentum continued in 8MFY23-24

11 March 2024

Bangladesh has recorded a 51.9 per cent YoY growth in cement export revenue to US$12.35m in the first eight months of FY23-24 (July-February 2024) from US$8.13m in the same corresponding months of the previous year, according to the Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). This figure includes minor amounts of salt, stone and related products. The 24.1 per cent YoY rise in cement exports also surpassed the target of US$9.95m for 8MFY23-24.

Bangladesh had set a higher target export revenue of US$15m for FY23-24 against US$13.66m earned in FY22-23. Generally, most cement exports from Bangladesh are shipped to India, particularly from the northeastern states of Bangladesh. Other popular destinations include Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

In 8MFY23-24, Bangladesh's total export revenue for all merchandise was US$38.45bn, up 3.7 per cent yearly. The full-year target is US$62bn.

Published under
Baltazar Castaneda, 39, has been charged with murder and arson in the Feb. 27 death of his neighbor Richard Amesquita, 58. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

Theres video of a man killing his neighbor before setting fire to his house on the West Side, according to San Antonio police.

Baltazar Castaneda, 39, has been charged with murder and arson in the Feb. 27 death of Richard Amesquita, 58, in the 800 block of Northwest 20th Street, between Woodlawn Lake and Elmendorf Lake Park.

Investigators took a deeper dive into the case after Amesquitas daughter called March 4 and contradicted reports that her father smoked. They reviewed surveillance footage from a school across the street a few days later.

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For about five hours before the fire, Castaneda can be seen pacing back and forth in the street and flaring his arms aggressively, states an arrest affidavit. He appeared to talk to and motion toward things that were not there, the document states.

Castaneda did exercises like pushups and burpees in the street and repeatedly walked up to his neighbors front porch.

Around 9 p.m., Castaneda knocked on his neighbors door. When Amesquita came out onto the porch, the two began to fight, according to police. At some point, Amesquita unsuccessfully tried to escape into his house.

Castaneda can be seen moving the mans body inside and returning to his own home, according to the affidavit.

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Just before midnight, investigators said Castaneda went back to Amesquitas house. The video shows a flicker  like that of a lighter  at the houses front door. As the flames increased, investigators said he leaned and thrust toward them consistent with someone stoking a fire.

About an hour later, fire trucks started arriving at the scene. In the meantime, police said, Castaneda documented the many phases of the combustion process.
A truck and house destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek Fire are seen on March 1 in Stinnett, Texas. The wildfire has become the largest in state history at over 1 million acres. Truly harrowing are the images of orange infernos; black plumes of smoke; charred landscapes; smoking shells of what were houses and cars; and, most heartbreaking, the burnt carcasses of animals chased down by the fast-moving flames. Elias Valverde II/Dallas Morning News

Flame and wind. Apart, they can wreck devastation. Together, the devastation can be of biblical proportions as wind pushes flame for acres in its scorched-earth sprints.

There is no perfection in destruction and death, yet the phrase a perfect storm has become a metaphor for the converging events and causes that can lead to tragedy.

The perfect storm of flame, high temperatures, low humidity and strong wind converged on Smokehouse Creek in the Texas Panhandle on Feb. 26, igniting the the biggest wildfire in the states history and one of the biggest in U.S. history.

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Several wildfires were running concurrently in that region  one was reported 100% contained Monday  but Smokehouse Creek remains the headliner. On Monday morning, 87% of the Smokehouse Creek fire had been contained.

This time of year, a wildfire in Texas isnt unusual. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, of the 30 largest wildfires in Texas history, 90% occurred between January and May. But its the speed of the spread in Smokehouse Creek that was remarkable, its ferocity in overtaking living and inanimate objects that is terrifying. It's the intensity of the scenes from Smokehouse Creek and the width and breadth of damage that is uncommon.

The statistics are startling. Millions of acres burned; thousands of cattle killed; hundreds of structures destroyed; two women killed. One was in her home and the other was trying to exit her truck.

Truly harrowing are the images of orange infernos, black plumes of smoke, charred landscapes, smoking shells of what were houses and cars, and, among the most heartbreaking, the burned carcasses of animals chased down by the fast-moving flames.

The fear and the scale of suffering of animals, including cattle not used to running for their lives, are difficult to comprehend.

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Just my prediction, but it will be 10,000 that will have died, or well have to euthanize, Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller told the New York Times. Its sad. A lot of those cattle are still alive, but the hooves are burned off, the teats on their udders are burned off. Its just a sad, sad situation.

On Feb. 27, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 Texas counties in response to the fire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has guaranteed Texas and Oklahoma will be reimbursed for emergency costs. California Gov. Gavin Newsom dispatched National Guard members and a firefighting aircraft to help.

The Forest Service said its investigators concluded that the Smokehouse Creek fire was ignited by power lines.

Xcel Energy, a utility provider, said Thursday that its equipment appeared to have played a role in igniting the Smokehouse Creek fire, though it did not believe its equipment was responsible for the nearby Windy Deuce fire.

The economic devastation that will result from the fire cant begin to be estimated. Ranchers and farmers in its path have lost everything.

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Although cooler temperatures and reduced wind are helping in the fight against active wildfires, there will remain an underlying risk for new conflagration in the Texas Panhandle and South Texas until spring gifts those regions with an abundance of green vegetation.

Texas wildfire map: Track active fires across the state

Despite recent progress, we shouldn't expect wildfires in Texas or elsewhere to lessen any more than we should expect to see cooler summers. As the climate changes and weather conditions become more extreme, we will see more wildfires across the state.

In the ruins left by the Smokehouse Creek fire and through the acrid smoke, Texas lawmakers get a glimpse of our future. When the fires arrive again, they will bring more destruction to the ecosystem, and the loss of human life, cattle, crop, land, ranches, farms and homes will grow. Not to mention escalating insurance costs.
Chattanoogas own Persian community is celebrating its cultural new year celebration, Nowruz, at Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK in Chattanooga, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 23.The general public is invited to this ticketed event, and there are a limited number of tickets still available. RSVP at https://bit.ly/2024ChattPNY.Organizers said, "The Persian Nowruz occurs each year on the first day of spring, celebrating the rebirth of nature. This is the largest cultural event for Persians, and it is celebrated in a number of countries, including Iran and Afghanistan."The community is invited to celebrate, and entry includes a Persian dinner with kebab, rice, stew, desserts, dancing and information about Persian (and Iranian) culture."This event is hosted by the Chattanooga-area Persian community, and it is spearheaded by Farah and Melody Shekari.Wanting to share their culture and provide a unique event in Chattanooga, they held this event from 2017 until thepandemic in 2020, selling out tickets every year. The event returned last year, and they are excited to be back this year for the fifth year."Now more than ever, I want Persian-Americans and immigrants to share our culture and who we are, as well ashow we contribute to our communities, said Ms. Shekari. We want to introduce and celebrate Persian culture in Chattanooga in the best way possible - through delicious food and fun.
The Chattanooga Republican Women's Caring for America committee has selected Harvesting Inclusive Play as its local project for 2024. The committee, chaired by Erika Ballard, is dedicated to fundraising efforts aimed at establishing a playground for disabled children at Jack Benson Heritage Park in Chattanooga."This initiative reflects our commitment to community service and creating inclusive spaces for children with diverse needs," officials said.In 2023, the Caring for America committee, chaired by Sabrena Smedley, dedicated their efforts to supporting the Isaiah 117 House at Chambliss Center for Children in Hamilton County."This crucial facility was established to provide immediate care for children entering foster care, offering a warm and welcoming alternative to conventional settings. Dedicated volunteers play a vital role in triaging the children's needs upon arrival, ensuring they receive essential care such as baths, hot meals, fresh clothes and a comfortable bed. The committee's commitment to the Isaiah 117 House reflects their compassion and dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of children in need," officials said.The Chattanooga Republican Women's club has received recognition from the Tennessee Federation of Republican Women. The club was presented with an award in acknowledgment of their efforts, raising over $70,000 to support the establishment of the Isaiah 117 House. In addition to this accomplishment, the club was honored with the Muffett Brock Award for club growth and received further recognition for their notable increase in membership. "These accolades reflect the club's dedication to impactful community initiatives and their commitment to fostering growth within their organization," officials said.The Chattanooga Republican Women convene on the second Thursday of each month at 11 a.m., hosting their meetings at Logans Roadhouse in Northgate Mall, Hixson. The next meeting is March 14, with lunch that can be purchased for $21. Andrew Guffee will be joining us as the guest speaker."Republican women are warmly invited to participate in these monthly gatherings, providing an opportunity to engage, connect and contribute to the vibrant community," organizers said. "Your presence is valued, and the club looks forward to welcoming new members at these informative and collaborative sessions."
Stakeholders in Tennessee largely support school choice, but public opinion on universal vouchers is mixed. According to polling data, it is dependent on state policies and program design, indicating no clear mandate. Universal voucher legislation has been the central topic of debate in education for the Tennessee General Assembly.



Milton Friedman wrote about the voucher movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Friedman argued that if parents were given vouchers to choose schools, competition would improve overall education.



The voucher movement was initially designed to enable parents to use vouchers to enroll their children in schools of their choice.

However, law professors Jack Coons and Stephen Sugarman transformed it into an approach focused on achieving equity for underprivileged students. A primary conflict between the proposed designs for choice is whether the subsidy should be equal in dollars for all parents, regardless of their wealth. Friedman is in favor, while Coons and Sugarman are not.Coons and Sugarman campaigned for vouchers to empower underprivileged parents and achieve equal school funding. The voucher movement's equity model has historically enjoyed more support than Milton Friedman's free-market model. Fiscal constraints, controlled spending, and state and local resources are always considerations.In 2022, Tennessee changed its funding model by introducing the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Formula. This model prioritizes students' and districts' needs by providing additional funding to close gaps in achievement and opportunity. TISA uses a complex system of weights to improve academic performance through targeted interventions, ensuring equitable outcomes. By 2027 or sooner, local property taxes will likely increase to support TISA.Tennessee is divided over universal vouchers, with differing stakeholder perspectives. On one side, proponents argue that school choice, mainly through voucher programs, has concerns about the potential consequences of diverting public funds to private schools, including the possibility of increased government regulation. Some critics view school vouchers as an entitlement program, which could lead to dependency on government funding for education decisions.Conversely, some believe vouchers empower parents by giving them more control over their children's education. This perspective often aligns with conservative values of limited government intervention and individual choice, which results in little to no strings attached to universal vouchers.Regarding universal vouchers, Liz Cohen is the policy director of Georgetown Universitys FutureEd think tank. Its not income-tested; its not about getting the lowest-income kids in the worst schools. Universal vouchers have been criticized for diverting taxpayer dollars to private schools and wealthy parents, thus harming public education. They also argue that universal vouchers mainly go to students already attending private schools. They worry about church-state separation, as voucher funds will go to Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and other religious schools.Many who support universal vouchers say it will help vulnerable students who repeatedly fail and are left with inadequate school options. They believe these vouchers provide students with the education they deserve. Where critics see obstacles, they see desirable attributes. They call this funding students instead of systems. Some critics have responded that Tennessee, under the TISA formula, already has student-centered public education funding.Universal school vouchers' economic impact depends on the program's design, implementation, and broader socioeconomic context. The debate on universal vouchers highlights conflicting views on the government's role in education. Policymakers need to examine the structure of public education and the social and economic differences created by decades of funding issues addressed by the new funding formula. They must prioritize children's needs for a brighter future.Nobody believes that there will be fewer strings on private schools over time or that public schools will remain a priority for policymakers. If you break it, you own it, is one of the iconic quotes from former Secretary of State, Colin Powell, to represent warnings ignored and unintended consequences unleashed. Supporters say vouchers can encourage choice, innovation, and efficiency, while critics cite equity, funding, and education quality issues. It is a perpetual cycle of debate. However, with an issue this costly and critical, it is important that we get it right.

* * *

JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville.
Chattanooga Roller Derby is hitting the track again on March 30 for the 2024 season opener.

The home bout will be at the Camp Jordan Arena in East Ridge.

Doors open at 2 p.m. and CRDs juniors team, the Ruby Regulators, will battle the Atlanta Junior Roller Derby at 3 p.m. Then, the All-Stars will compete at 5 p.m. against Atlanta Dirty South Derby.

Finally, Chattanoogas B-team, the B-Railers, will face off against River City Roller Derby at 7 p.m.

The evening will conclude around 9 p.m.
The Princess of Wales re-emerged on social media, but her photo did little to quell public fears regarding her health.

After months of speculation regarding Kate Middletons health, a photo of the Princess of Wales and her three children was released to celebrate Mothers Day in the U.K. However, the image appeared to cause more drama than quell the fears of royal watchers. One royal writer claims this Katespiracy is getting weirder and more unhinged before it gets better.

Reaction to Kate Middleton photo likely isnt going as the palace has planned

On March 10, 2024, a photo of Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis was released to celebrate Mothers Day in the United Kingdom. This is the first palace-approved photograph of Kate since her January abdominal surgery.

However, royal commentator Daniela Elser of News.com.au believes the reaction to the photo isnt generating the anticipated result. She thinks it has to do with behind-the-scenes mistakes falling on the shoulders of Kensington Palace.

This would all be amusing if it wasnt so damaging and embarrassing, Elser writes. The image meant to allay fears and tamp down the hysteria is manipulated. Thus pouring kerosene on the already burning Kate conflagration.

She continues, Things are only going to get worse and weirder and more unhinged before they get better. A situation for which the palace bears responsibility. In just over 12 hours, they havent managed to contain and handle the Katespiracy; but to make it infinitely more loopy and worse.

Royal writer: Kate Middleton health drama proves things are out of control within palace

As Kate Middleton remained out of sight during her recovery, interest in her whereabouts and health reached a fever pitch. A photo meant to quiet down the furor appeared to have the opposite effect.

Things seem so out of control. A few hours from now, Ill probably be back here writing about how Kate is set to join Lauren Sanchezs space mission, wrote Daniela Elser. Or the Great British Bake Off has mistakenly announced that the Princess of Wales is joining the cast. Or Kensington Palace erroneously publishing the full contents of her gratitude journal.

Elser wrote that she believes the well-oiled, well-run, shipshape Wales outfit of yore has somehow run aground. In its place is a new normal of near-daily flubs.

She believes there is a time and place for error. But as interest in Kate Middletons health peaks, this isnt it. Elser says this flub would be amusing: if it werent so damaging and embarrassing.

Why is Kensington Palace unable to handle Kate Middletons health issues?

Kate Middleton photographed in 2019 | Samir Hussein/WireImage

Since Kate Middletons hospitalization, Kensington Palace has kept quiet regarding her health issues. They shared scant details regarding her abdominal surgery and other than a follow-up saying she was well.

Daniela Elser believes that from a PR standpoint, the palace has managed to bungle the events surrounding the Princess of Wales. From a surgery shock to conspiracy theories, Kates health issues took center stage for royal watchers.

First, in January, they managed to shock the world by announcing that Kate was undergoing mysterious abdominal surgery. Something so serious that it would require two weeks in hospital and a recovery longer than some round-the-world cruises, she wrote.

In late February, fruit loopy, unhinged-edness took over much of social media, making spurious claims about the princesss whereabouts and condition, Elser continued. The palace handled this doing exactly nothing.

Kate Middleton continues to recover at home with Prince William and her three children by her side.
Hunters Home in the Cherokee Nation  The Murrell and Ross Families in Indian Territory is a 317-page book that shares the history of the 19th century home located in Park Hill.
NSU students and alumni are invited to attend the event to connect with employers and organizations to discover a wide range of career and education paths.
Gillespie County Elections Administrator Jim Riley speaks in the hallway of the Elections Office in Fredericksburg in the early morning of March 6, 2024. Maria Crane/Texas Tribune

This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access.

FREDERICKSBURG  Bruce Campbell, chairman of the Gillespie County Republican Party, predicted that results from the 13 GOP precincts would start trickling into the county elections office by 8:30 p.m.

By 9:30 p.m., he expressed surprise that none had returned.

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Shortly after, he informed county Elections Director Jim Riley it might be hours before workers finished hand-counting the thousands of early and mailed ballots  a task theyd begun at 7:30 that morning in a glass-walled tasting room at a winery called The Resort at Fredericksburg.

Are you kidding me? Riley said.

Campbell wasnt kidding, or even hedging. In the end, the counting took all night long.

At 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, Gillespie County Republicans completed hand-counting more than 8,000 ballots, following through on a decision the county party made months ago amid a statewide push led by individuals who have promoted some of the wildest election conspiracy theories since the 2020 election.

Gillespie County Republicans decided to hand-count primary ballots even though experts agree, and studies show, the method is time-consuming, costly, less accurate and less secure than using machines.

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In each precinct and at one winery selected as the counting site for ballots cast during early voting, workers paid $12 an hour were hand-counting nearly 8,000 primary ballots, around half of which had been cast that day.

The workers couldnt stop until they finished: Texas law requires the count be continuous. While the Gillespie County Republican Party has so far paid for the hand-count, the state, which allocates money to reimburse political parties and counties for their primary and runoff election expenses, will ultimately reimburse most of its costs. The total has yet to be tallied, but that means Texas taxpayers will foot the final bill.

At the tasting room, called The Edge, ballots had been neatly stacked on tables supported by wine barrels, and estimates for when theyd complete this task fluctuated throughout the evening  from as early as 1 a.m. to as late as 5 a.m. Ultimately, party workers loaded the final set of counted ballots into a constables vehicle in front of the winery at 2:30 a.m. The final precinct would not report its results until just before 4 a.m.

Ballots are counted by hand on top of wine barrels at The Edge in Fredericksburg on March 5, 2024. Poll workers have been hand counting early voting ballots since 7 a.m. Maria Crane/Texas Tribune

It was not the efficient process Republicans envisioned, though one carried out with no visible calamity. From start to finish, the process took almost 24 consecutive hours and involved around 200 people counting ballots. It remains to be seen if any of the candidates on the ballot will challenge the results, or whether this count will withstand next weeks official canvass. Texas law only requires that elections conducted on electronic tabulation equipment undergo a partial recount, so there is no such requirement here.

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You saw how this went, Riley told Votebeat at 5 a.m., when all party members had departed the office. This was a circus. He said hed withhold judgment on whether the count was accurate because he didnt have eyes and ears in the rooms where it happened.

For their part, the Democrats conducted their primary with the help of the county using the same machines theyve used for a few years. Even with paperwork delays and a minor glitch at one polling location, the party was finished counting all of its ballots  around 700 of them  by 10 p.m. It was a light year, as many reliable Democratic voters in the bright red county chose to vote in the Republican primary in order to participate in a contested sheriffs race.

Left, a van that reads "Trump Promises Kept" sits off Main Street in Fredericksburg. Right, campaign signs sit outside of a shop. Maria Crane/Texas Tribune Top, a van that reads "Trump Promises Kept" sits off Main Street in Fredericksburg. Above, campaign signs sit outside of a shop. Maria Crane/Texas Tribune

Campbell said the partys original goal was to have enough volunteers that we finished counting before the Democrats did.

Clearly, that didnt happen, he said.

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Republican Party official David Treibs had been the chief advocate for hand-counting and told Votebeat in December after the plans were finalized that the process was not anything thats really complicated. If you go 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 then you can do it. Party officials expressed confidence results would be known shortly after the polls closed.

Treibs, a precinct judge and local tea party member, turned in his precincts election results  Precinct 13, held at an auction house  about 2 a.m. The counting of 450 ballots wasnt hard at all, he said. Figuring out the paperwork and reconciliation forms was more of a challenge. Its not like we do this every day, he said, though he added that hes looking forward to doing it again.

Oh my God. It was so exciting, he said shortly after turning in the results  visibly energized, despite the hour. I was so happy with it.

Election workers hand-count ballots inside of The Edge in Fredericksburg on March 5, 2024. Early voting ballots for the Republican primaries were counted here on Election Day. Maria Crane/Texas Tribune

Campbell, speaking to Votebeat at 4 a.m. at the countys election office, was more reserved  he said he couldnt say whether the hand-count went well. Youd have to ask those 300 people who worked and counted, he said, including in his count poll workers who operated the polls but didnt count ballots. Youd have to ask the voters.

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Hes also not sure the party could recruit enough people for a high-turnout general election in November. Wed need double the workers, he said. Itll be double the number of hours.

In 2020, Gillespie County Republicans carried out their primary with only 45 workers, and the results were reported in a few hours. None of the candidates challenged the results. This year, more than six times as many poll workers and counters turned up for shifts throughout the day  and some worked the entire time. Still, that fell short of the recruitment goal that party leaders told Votebeat in December they expected to clear without issue.

Treibs has recently begun publishing his own right-wing newsletter, the Fredericksburg Liberty Bell. In its very first edition, published Feb. 19, Treibs wrote the party still needed 100 more volunteers to help with the hand count.

Republican turnout also ultimately exceeded expectations in the county, giving Republican workers a larger task than originally envisioned and pushing counting into the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

A worker from the 9th precinct  a volunteer fire station where only 77 votes were cast all day  was the first to return with results just before 10:30 p.m, after it took four people more than three hours to count those ballots. Precinct 4, where 439 voters cast their ballots on Tuesday at a local Girl Scout cabin, was the last to report. The precinct captain left the elections office around 4:30 a.m.

Jerry Vaclav served as a Democratic election judge on Tuesday, and said the Republicans elongated counting process and frustration over the slow trickle of results serves them right.

The sad part is this makes us look stupid to the rest of the state, he said. Of Texas 254 counties, Gillespie was second to last to report its results. Harris County  the states most populous and home to Houston  still had precincts outstanding as of Wednesday morning. The county, which has become well-known for its recent spate of election problems, has nearly 1,200 precincts.

Ballots from the Republican primary election hand-count were moved from inside of a vehicle onto a rolling rack to be transported inside of the Elections Office of Gillespie County in Fredericksburg on the morning of March 6, 2023. Maria Crane/Texas Tribune

The tasting room at the winery, where about 4,200 early and mailed ballots were counted from 7 a.m. Tuesday to 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, is a picturesque space. Counters worked beneath vaulted ceilings and in front of large windows overlooking a winding section of the Pedernales River. The Resort features a collection of tiny homes for rent and is a popular destination for weddings. Its logo  a take on the popular Come and Take It flag  is a sideways corkscrew labeled Come and Taste it.

It was not the Republican Partys original choice for this process, which had been slated to occur at a local church. Practice sessions, however, revealed the acoustics of the church were not conducive to several groups working separately at the same time. By contrast, the winery provided significant space with plenty of tables, designed purposefully for separate groups to gather at once. The party made the change the week before election day, surprising winery staff who were told the winery would be closed all day on Tuesday to accommodate the hand-count. The winery reopened as scheduled at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

One of the owners of the space, Mickey Poole, is a former Republican candidate for City Council. In 2020, a Gillespie County grand jury charged him with illegal voting and tampering with a government document, though the charges were dropped in 2023. Poole called the charges politically motivated. They stemmed from a ballot he cast in a 2019 referendum on fluoride in the county water system, despite having a homestead exemption in a different county and being registered to vote at his business address  a local Comfort Inn & Suites.

An election worker, left, from Precinct 3 brings materials into the Elections Office on Tuesday. On the right, a trail of light is left behind after a car leaves the parking lot of the Elections Office early Wednesday morning. Maria Crane/Texas Tribune An election worker, top, from Precinct 3 brings materials into the Elections Office on Tuesday. Above, a trail of light is left behind after a car leaves the parking lot of the Elections Office early Wednesday morning. Maria Crane/Texas Tribune

Poole had not responded to a request for comment submitted to the winery.

Republicans in Gillespie County began advocating for hand-counting last summer, when the local partys executive committee  mostly members of the Fredericksburg tea party  voted to ditch all electronic voting equipment used to tabulate votes.

That vote had been sparked by out-of-state election conspiracy theorists, whod made rounds across the state attempting to persuade local leaders to hand-count ballots based on unsubstantiated claims of broad election malfeasance. Among them: tabulation equipment was being manipulated by local election officials to change results.

Most Texas county leaders dismissed the claims. But many Republican party chairs in counties across the state  from large ones such as Dallas and Bexar to rural counties such as Uvalde in South Texas  considered hand-counting before determining it would be more costly and logistically chaotic, and would require around double the number of election workers or more.

Gillespie was the only sizable county in the state where Republicans attempted a full hand-count of their results, though Travis Countys party leadership opted to hand-count mailed ballots  a fraction of total votes cast. With just under 2,000 such ballots to count, the party  which is significantly larger than Gillespies  finished counting around midnight, with quality checks continuing throughout Wednesday.

Ballots are counted by hand on top of wine barrels at The Edge in Fredericksburg on March 5, 2024. Election workers had been counting ballots since 7 a.m. Maria Crane/Texas Tribune

Travis Party officials worked with the secretary of states office and the Travis County elections department to quality-check its count. Campbell did not immediately respond to a question about whether Gillespie Republicans took similar steps to quality-check their count. Travis County also video recorded its hand-count process, a step that the Gillespie County GOP did not take.

A small number of counties with populations of only a few hundred also always count by hand, but rarely have large numbers of ballots or candidate choices, as Gillespie did.

Some of the Gillespie Republican Partys candidates and emissaries were enthusiastic about the change.

We love hand-counting, said Barbi Biedermann, whose husband, Kyle, was running to unseat Republican state Rep. Ellen Troxclair.

I believe its a foolproof system, she said. I think we are going back to how it was. If its not broken, why fix it?

Her husband, with whom she owns two hardware stores in the county, stood campaigning in front of a precinct near downtown. He had been endorsed by those party members whod advocated for hand-counting. I agree with everything my wife said, he told Votebeat, declining to comment further.

When unofficial results were released on the Texas secretary of states website, Kyle Biedermann was shown losing to Troxclair by 9 percentage points. Of the five counties in the state House district, results show Biedermann won only Gillespie County.

Gillespie County voters had more of a mixed reception.

Dudley Kiefer, a longtime resident of Fredericksburg, cast his ballot at Precinct 7, housed at the countys Farm Bureau. Keifer, who has been voting in the Republican primary for 19 years, said he preferred casting his ballot on a machine, citing ease and reliability. With the population we have, we have to take advantage of our technology.
Last Spring, remarkable history was made at the New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Childrens Hospital when two infant girls lives were saved in a one-of-a-kind procedure.

Mia Skaats and Brooklyn Civil are two baby girls who were born with rare heart defects and had to spend time in the hospitals neonatal cardiac intensive care unit.

Mia was born with a form of cardiomyopathy that made it difficult for her heart muscles to pump blood to the rest of her body. As a tiny baby, she was in heart failure and spent seven months in the NICU awaiting a heart transplant.

Brooklyn was diagnosed with truncus arteriosus while her mother was 20 weeks pregnant with her. Brooklyns heart never developed a pulmonary or aortic valve, which is crucial for pumping blood out of her heart.

She had to have surgery when she was only four months old, and her family was preparing for her to have many more surgeries, and doctors knew she too could go into heart failure down the line.

Then, on May 10th, 2023, Brooklyns parents received a call and found out their baby could be a part of a miraculous domino transplant procedure. A domino transplant occurs when one patient receives an organ transplant and donates the healthy, functioning parts of their organ to another patient.

That day in May, Mias family found out the joyous news that their baby girl would receive a donor heart. While Mia had cardiomyopathy, she still had functioning valves, so the doctors realized her valves could be donated to Brooklyn via a domino transplant.

A domino procedure as delicate as this had never been done before on infants, and while the girls families were worried about the risks, they knew it was the best chance they had to save their lives.

Mias donor heart arrived at the hospital around 9:00 pm, and the babies were operated on in rooms right across the hall from each other. Dr. Andrew Goldstone and Dr. Emilie Bacha and their surgical team removed Mias old heart, and it was brought to Brooklyns room, where Dr. Bacha assisted Dr. David Kalfa and his surgical team as they fixed Brooklyns heart.

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If youve grown up around dogs, then youve probably noticed that light-colored eyes are a rarity among domestic canines.

Its so rare, in fact, that seeing a dog with bright blue eyes seems to prompt one of two reactions. People either find the hue seriously stunning or somewhat eerie.

However, the word cute usually isnt used to describe the piercing eye color, and it appears as though dog breeders of generations past took note of that.

According to a recent study published in Royal Society Open Science, there might have been a deliberate effort to breed dogs with darker eyes. This was possibly done to give them a more youthful and approachable look.

The study, conducted by a group of scientists from Japan, examined the differences in eye color between gray wolves and domestic dogs. They analyzed photographs of 22 wolves and 81 dogs from 35 different breeds.

Their findings revealed that, on average, domestic dogs have significantly darker irises compared to wolves. While dark brown eyes are typically seen in dogs, wolves eyes tend to have a yellow hue.

Moreover, the variation in eye color between wolves and domestic dogs might have been a deliberate choice by humans.

The scientists conducted an experiment where they showed participants images of dogs with either digitally lightened or darkened eye colors and asked them to infer the dogs personalities based on these images.

The results showed that dogs with darker eyes were perceived as more amiable and less intimidating, associated with traits like friendliness, sociability, and reliability.

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When archaeologists uncovered the tomb of an ancient chief, they were in for a dazzling surprise. Within the 1,200-year-old tomb was a collection of gold treasures, along with the remains of the chief and dozens of other individuals who were sacrificed to accompany him on the journey to the afterlife.

The grave was located at El Cano Archaeological Park in the Cocle province of Panama. Excavations began in 2022. Other tombs and ceremonial structures have previously been found at the site over the years.

According to the nations Ministry of Culture, the park was once a necropolis that was in use from 700 to 1000 C.E.

The newly discovered tomb yielded a number of funerary offerings. Among the objects were gold bracelets, circular gold plates, two belts made with gold beads, five gold chest plates, gold-covered whale teeth, and crocodile-shaped earrings.

Archaeologists also unearthed two bells, clothing made with dog teeth, a set of bone flutes, and earrings in the shape of a man and a woman.

The grave most likely belonged to an elite chief from the local Cocle culture, who was in his thirties at the time of his death. He was found buried facedown on top of the body of a woman, which was a type of burial that was customary for the culture.

The Gran Cocle culture is known for its expertly crafted gold items and distinct artistic styles. Many examples have been discovered across the country in ancient burial sites. The Cocle culture existed in pre-Columbian times and resided in Panama from approximately 200 B.C.E. to 1550 C.E.

Alongside the chiefs remains, there laid up to 31 other people, who died to serve as the chiefs companions in the afterlife. Its unclear exactly how many people were in the tomb since excavations of the burial site have not yet been completed.

The artifacts found in the tomb have enormous monetary value, but most importantly, they also have historical value. The discoveries shed more light on the burial practices that occurred in Central America before the arrival of Europeans.

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So many people tell stories about all the awful customers they have to deal with when theyre servers in restaurants. While servers do tend to get the brunt of bad customer abuse, hosts also have to deal with it.

One TikTok creator recently went viral after re-enacting an infuriating phone call she had with a customer when she was a hostess.

Sydney (@insydemymind) re-enacted a phone call she had with a customer during a hostess job she had when she was 17, who seemed to not understand the concept of time.

Sydney received a call from a customer whom she referred to as Karen. Karen stood outside the restaurant at 8:30 am, wondering why the doors were locked. Sydney calmly told her it was 8:30 am, and the restaurant did not open until 9:00 am.

The customer then went through a whole rigmarole to accuse Sydney of lying, claiming the restaurant had to be open because it was full of people. Sydney explained that the people in the restaurant were all servers and other staff getting ready to open for the day.

The customer became angrier and began demanding that Sydney let her in. When Sydney explained she couldnt do that because there was still half an hour left until opening, the customer did not let up.

Sydney asked Karen if she had a reservation, and she said yes, that she had one for 8:30.

We dont take reservations until 9:00 am because thats when we open, says Sydney.

I definitely made a reservation for 8:30; I even have an email confirmation on my phone that I can show you if you let me in, replies Karen, the customer.

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State lawmakers in India are seeking to curtail evangelism with a ban on magical healing that could penalize Christians who offer prayer or any non-scientific practices to comfort people who are sick.

Last month, the northeastern state of Assam introduced the bill, which Christian leaders say unfairly targets their communitys custom of praying for the sick. Though church healing meetings in India have drawn people to Christ, local Christians insist that prayer is a legitimate, universal spiritual practice and not an unethical tool for conversion, as Hindu nationalists claimed.

The proposed ban, which passed the 126-member state assembly on February 26, states that:

No person shall take any part in healing practices and magical healing propagation for treatment of any diseases, any disorder or any condition relating to the health of a person (relating to human body) directly or indirectly giving a false impression of treatment to cure diseases, pain or trouble to the human health.

Any first-time offender can face one to three years in prison, a fine of 50,000 rupees (about $600 USD), or both. A subsequent conviction may result in up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of 100,000 rupees (about $1,200 USD).

The bill must be ratified by the president of India to become an act. Assembly leaders in Assam say that the healing ban does not target any particular religion, but they were clear about their aims to restrict evangelism and conversion.

We want to curb evangelism in Assam, so in that direction, the banning of healing  will be a very, very important milestone, said Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam. The state is governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the national ruling party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Healing is a very, very dicey subject, which is used to convert tribal people, said Sarma. We are going to pilot [this bill], because we believe that religious status quo is very important. Whoever is Muslim, let them be Muslims; whoever is Christian, let them be Christians; whoever is Hindu, let them be Hindus, so there can be a proper balance in our state.

The bill has drawn flak from the Christian community and the opposition party.

The Assam Christian Forum (ACF), an umbrella body of all Christian churches in Assam, has spoken out against the ban as a violation of religious freedom and against lawmakers characterization of prayer as magical healing.

Prayer is a universal practice across religions, used to invoke divine healing, the forum stated. Labeling it as magical healing oversimplifies the profound spiritual dimensions of faith and life.

ACF clarified that Christian prayers for healing are acts of compassion, not conversion. According to the forums spokesman Allen Brooks, leaders are concerned that any prayer that may follow healing could be perceived as a motive to convert the other person to Christianity, in which case everybody will go to jail.

In the neighboring state of Nagaland, the Chakhesang Baptist Church Council criticized the Assam bill as wrongly banning Christian practices in a secular country. The council praised its own state for upholding the right to freedom of religion.

The councils executive secretary, C. Cho-o, also objected to the term magical healing as dismissive of supernatural intervention. Healing is the work of God, not the work of Christians, he said. So, when divine healing takes place, Christians cannot claim responsibility, nor can they be blamed for it!

Officially called the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, the proposed law would criminalize any non-scientific healing practices with ulterior motives for exploiting the innocent people.

Besides the punitive provisions, the bill empowers police to enter and inspect any practices within the local limit of jurisdiction of such person where he has reason to believe that an offence under this Act has been or is likely to be committed. It gives officers a free hand to seize any advertisement, record, or document as evidence.

Healing meetings are common in India and have drawn many people to Christ after they have personally experienced healing or have watched their loved ones recover. Local Christians can recount testimonies around the power of healing for the church. (They shared responses anonymously with CT out of security concerns.)

One leader saw how healings can be an entry point for the gospel, attracting people looking for an answer for their physical suffering.

Signs and wonders abound, and many people come to know Jesus as healer first, and then as they walk with him as their Lord and Savior, he said. But to call this a conspiracy or magic would be belittling it. It definitely is not evil, but the grace of God.

A convert shared how transformative healing ministries were for her in the three years since she began attending church.

My family was surrounded with bouts of sicknesses and illnesses. Since I have begun to follow Christ and my family has joined me, we have gotten rid of the bondage of illness, she told CT.

Hindu right-wing groups have for years alleged that Christian groups are engaging in unethical conversion tactics under the guise of healing crusades in India. They have accused Christians of promoting superstitious beliefs, making false claims about miraculous healings, and using deception to convert people, especially from economically disadvantaged communities, to Christianity.

The Organizer, a weekly publication associated with the BJP, ran a special report expressing that the Assam bill will thwart Christian missionaries from luring villagers with magical healing and will prevent them from converting tribals.

The Assam Tribal Christian Coordination Committee (ATCCC) has appealed to the government to review the bill, expressing concerns that its current wording could be misused to target the Christian community.

Like other local Christians, the ATCCC stated that the bill should not link magic healing with proselytization or conversion, as the Christian church aims to share Jesus teachings of love and peace.

The committee urged the chief minister to ensure the bills integrity and to maintain the secular principles of the countrys constitution while passing it, fearing that its current form could lead to more harm than good.

The Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) from Nagaland condemned the Assam bill as an attempt to target Christian humanitarian work by misleadingly equating divine healing with magic used for conversions. It stated Christian healing combines science and prayer, not magic.

The council urged the sister states of northeast India to promote peaceful coexistence instead of sowing division through such discriminatory laws.

A pastor in Guwahati, Assams largest city, believes that even if the ban is brought into action, it will not stand for long.

In Assam, we have both tribals and non-tribals who will not obey the law that is being imposed in the state, said Kamleshwar Baglary of Harvest Baptist Church.

He believes that migrants from other states are responsible for the recent political mayhem in Assam.

Most of the people used by the Hindu fundamentalist organizations are paid workers to execute their plan in the state, Baglary said. They cannot rule in Assam with their ideologies.

While responding to the bill, the ACF also expressed concern over demands by pro-Hindu, right-wing groups like Sanmilito Sanatan Samaj and Kutumba Surakshya Parishad, which have demanded that schools remove Christian symbols like statues of Jesus and Mary, alleging that the institutions are being used for religious conversion activities.

The situation has escalated with anti-Christian posters being pasted on the walls of several Christian schools, including Don Bosco School, St. Marys School, and Carmel School. These posters serve as an ultimatum to remove religious symbols within a specific timeframe. The Assam healing legislation has only added fuel to the fire.

Brooks, the ACF spokesman, has defended the schools as providing equal opportunities beyond caste, creed, and gender, and has clarified that ACFs healing prayer services are not intended for conversion.

He argued that the new law unfairly targets the Christian communitys practices and undermines their long-standing service to the society of Assam. Christian missions have helped preserve the Assamese language and have established educational institutions that have produced many notable figures, including former chief ministers and chief justices.

Our destiny as a nation lies in our diversity, while respecting each others individuality, he said.
Shown is a low-pressure system centered in the Gulf of Alaska. It will move nearly 3,000 miles over the next several days and affect Texas weather by second half of the week. College of DuPage Meteorology

A strong low-pressure system is forming near Alaska, and it is expected to travel nearly 3,000 miles over the next several days. The weather system likely will move through the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday and arrive in the desert Southwest by Thursday.

From there, the low-pressure system will be able to direct moisture from the Pacific Ocean into Texas. Slight rain chances will begin Thursday and increase by Friday and into the weekend. Heres a look at what you can expect throughout the week.

First, were warming up

Before the low-pressure system arrives, a quick warmup is expected Monday through Wednesday. In San Antonio, Monday morning will be chilly, with low temperatures in the 40s, but it warms up after that.

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Temperatures are expected to rise to near 60 degrees by 10 a.m., eclipsing the 70-degree mark at 1 p.m. Afternoon highs between 72 and 74 degrees are expected through South Texas under mostly sunny skies.

Shown are potential high temperatures Monday in South Texas. Pivotal Weather

Tuesday will be a similar day, but highs will be slightly warmer, reaching the mid-70s in San Antonio. Cloudier skies and isolated showers are not out of the question, but most areas will stay dry.

Finally, Wednesday likely will be the warmest day of the week, as temperatures rise to the mid 80s under mostly sunny skies. Thats 10 to 15 degrees above average for mid-March.

The next weather system

As the low-pressure system arrives in the desert Southwest on Thursday, rain chances will start to increase in Texas.

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In San Antonio, the chance is about 30% to 40%, but higher chances are expected to the north, toward Austin, Waco and Dallas. While not everyone will see rain, there is the potential for strong to severe storms Thursday, capable of hail and damaging winds.

Shown is the future radar at 4 p.m. Thursday. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible. Pivotal Weather

Models are indicating that by Friday the weather system will bring a cold front through Texas. As it moves across the state, additional showers and storms will be possible along the front. Isolated flooding will be possible for areas that see the most rain.

The front could stall over the weekend and provide daily chances of showers and storms Saturday, Sunday and further into next week. The front will cool things off, too, likely dropping San Antonios highs into the 60s and low 70s over the weekend.

Exact rain totals Thursday through the weekend will depend on exactly where the front stalls. If it stalls near the Alamo City, multiple inches of rain will be possible in South Central Texas. But if it stalls farther north, the heavier rain totals will shift away from the city.
For the last 25 years, Colin Marshall has been able to walk a couple of minutes down the road from his church in Auckland, New Zealand, to pick up Christian books and materials from his local Manna Christian bookstore. But come the end of March, that will no longer be the case.

When he first heard the news about the closure, the minister of St. John Presbyterian Church said he felt sadness more than anything else. Its a reflection of the economic realities out there, I think as much as anything, he said.

Bible Society New Zealand, which runs 14 Manna Christian bookstores across the country, has announced that its shutting down nearly half of its bookstoresthree this month and another three in May. Its also shutting down its offices in Wellington and said its services would be consolidated at its head office in Auckland by the end of March.

The decisions were made in response to the dynamic challenges the economic climate presents, and sustaining retail operations at some of the stores has been financially challenging for some time, the ministry stated in a press release.

Rachel Afeaki, the World Evangelical Alliances South Pacific regional general secretary and board member for the New Zealand Christian Network, said the bookstores departure was a reflection of the times that we live in. She said the digital age had a huge impact on people wanting to read books, as customers find better deals online and increasingly embrace digital formats.

In her own family, she encourages her four young boys to read for 20 minutes a day but said it was quite a struggle because they were so accustomed to screens. Even for herself, Afeaki received three books last Christmas to read, but she laughed that she was still trying to get through one. But its easy enough for me to read off my phone, its easy enough for me to listen to an audio[book] or a podcast because Im moving, Im on the go, Im driving.

Stewarding resources well

Manna Christian Stores began in 1972 with a shop in Invercargill in New Zealands South Island with a goal to partner with churches and local communities and provide Bible and Christian resources, according to its website. Growing into 14 stores throughout New Zealand, it ran workshops and conferences to train leaders and equip believers, as well as partnering with mission groups to spread the gospel.

Image: Courtesy of Jessie Chiang / Edits by CT

In 2017, it joined with Bible Society New Zealand to form the Bible Society New Zealand Group, with a goal to place a Bible in every empty hand to reach and fill empty hearts everywhere, its website stated.

Last December, Bible Society New Zealands chief executive Neels Janse van Rensburg told the Otago Daily Times that the bookstore chain hadnt been profitable for some years. He pointed to an increase in building leases in multiple locations after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as rising paper prices and international freight costs that make selling books in New Zealand costly.

We have to be good stewards of what weve been entrusted with and if we go on down this path, we are not good stewards, van Rensburg told the newspaper. We have to make hard decisions of how to save the whole or end up in a position where you have to close the whole.

The flagship Invercargill store is one of the stores that will be shutting down.

New challenges of disinformation

The reality facing Bible Society New Zealand is one that Christian ministries all over are grappling with, said Auckland-based Jay Matenga, head of the World Evangelical Alliances Global Witness department.

[Its] one of the things we discovered in missions as we moved increasingly to online instead of hardcopy magazines, as the banks decided no longer to accept checks.  It made it more difficult for people to donate, Matenga said. Theres a whole raft of changes that people are having to get used to.

This also leads to challenges of disinformation, he noted. In the past, brick-and-mortar establishments primarily controlled access to Christian resources and could ensure that its books were written by pastors, theologians, and church leaders they believed to be theologically sound.

Now, all sorts of weird and wonderful ideas are floating around, Matenga said. Even pastors are having difficulty in trying to help guide people into a much more robust, well-researched truth.

The internet and its expanse of information has both empowered Christians to do their own research and opened new avenues of learning. But for those lacking training or experience to discern information well, that freedom can also become a challenge.

Unfortunately, this plays into the whole elitist types of attitudes.  Those with less education particularly in theology would argue, Well, theologians and Christian leaders are just an elitist group. He argued a very strong, robust, and often long training process allows theologians to be able to assess what is helpful or unhelpful for Christlike development.

With this reality in mind, its important for churches themselves to have well-stocked libraries for their congregation to use, Matenga said.

Manna stores will still have a digital presenceBible Society has said it remains resolute in its commitment to serving customers and that Mannas online shop would continue operating to ensure access to its resources and services.

Finding new owners

Bible Society New Zealand was not available for comment for this article, but in its announcement said the decisions were made after long and prayerful consideration.

Matenga believed the closure of Bible Societys Wellington-based office was due to sound business practices rather than other reasons such as lack of donations. I mean, Aucklands [size] is just so large, he said, citing access to international transport hubs and the availability of staff. He noted these were his observations as an outsider.

Bible Society said it recognized the profound impact the closures would have on its staff affected by the changes and the communities it served and said that it would carry this responsibility with the utmost empathy and understanding.

While the digital age brought benefits, there were still lots of people who preferred physical books, said Joel Shoaf, pastor of Bay Baptist Church in Napier, a city on the eastern coast of New Zealands North Island. One of the stores hit by the closures is the Hastings shop, only about a 20-minute drive from his church.

Weve ordered many, many, many books from them  so its going to be sad not to be able to do that locally, said Shoaf.

Its also the only Christian bookstore in the immediate area for the roughly 160,000 people who live in Napier and Hastings. Fellow Napier pastor Rangi Pou, who leads Potters House Church, agreed, noting that other bookstores in Napier sold very little Christian material.

Pou said some church groups in the area run shops that generally stock a couple of Bibles and other books donated by the congregation. But other than that, I dont know of anywhere else where you can walk in and just buy Christian books. The next closest Manna store is in Palmerston North, which is nearly a two-and-a-half hour drive from Napier.

Bible Society asked for offers to buy any of the stores, saying that outside involvement could be crucial in preserving the essence of these community spaces.

Pou said his congregation was not in a financial position to buy the shop, though there were other larger churches in the area that probably did have the capacity.

But its a financial decision, Pou said. No one is going to purchase anything that doesnt make money. It is a business.
Rosie Venner has been talking a lot about banks. She thinks it mattersto God.

We are called to be good stewards, to love our neighbors, to seek peace, to act justly. Surely this should shape how we relate to money and where we bank, she said.

Venner is a British Christian climate change activist working on the Money Makes Change campaign with the JustMoney Movement, a group that aims to be the go-to organisation for Christians and churches applying the teachings of their faith and the biblical calls to justice to the way they handle their money. Which brings her to British banks, and the choices they make when investing the money deposited by Christians who are concerned about the negative environmental effects of burning fossil fuels.

Barclays, for example, which is considered by some experts to be a key corporation controlling global financial stability, was the biggest funder of the fossil fuel sector in Europe from 2016 to 2021, some years investing more than 23 billion pounds (about $30 billion US) and investing in oil extraction in the Arctic Circle and the Amazon rainforest.

Altogether, according to the most recent data, banks pumped more than 733 billion pounds (about $942 billion US) into the fossil fuel industry per year.

Venner would like Christians to pull their money out of banks like that, because the Lord has shown us what is good and requires us to act justly (Micah 6:8).

JustMoney is partnering with a number of Christian climate organizationsJust Love, Operation Noah and Switch It Greento encourage Christians to make financial changes during Lent. Theyre calling it The Big Bank Switch. Its an invitation for believers during the traditional period of fasting and self-examination to align their money with their values by switching from a bank that funds planet-destroying fossil fuels to one that doesnt.

Those who sign The Big Bank Switch pledge to transfer their bank accounts to a green bank in late April. So far more than 100 Christians have promised they will switch banks. The activists hope to persuade 1,000 people to change banks by the end of the campaign.

The very practical action of switching banks allows individuals to influence policies by removing our support for fossil fuel expansion, said Stefan Spence, who has been heading up the campaign for Just Love UK. Companies and governments rely on public support, so the clear message sent by The Big Bank Switch campaign will require a response. Its an appropriate time, as other campaigns like Make My Money Matter are applying similar pressure, and in the last few years, banks have started updating their sustainability policies.

Historically, Spence said, banks have based investment decisions solely on returns for shareholders and concerns about financial risk. The only ethical consideration was for legal compliance. As a result, banks sometimes invested their money in ways that their depositors find morally offensive. The money going to fossil fuel companies makes it less likely that Great Britain will effectively reduce carbon emissions, which for many Christians is an important ethical issue.

As Christians, we understand that the earth and heavens were made to declare the glory of God, Spence said. The plants, animals, and people on Earth are beautiful and precious. Gods command to steward creation involves us caring for both people and the environment.

He points to verses such as Proverbs 22:16 as clear Scriptural mandates. The Bible says God hates it when people try to get ahead in ways that make the rich richer and hurt the poor. And people who sow injustice will reap calamity (v. 8).

And banking doesnt have to be like that, according to Spence. Investors could take ethical considerations into account as they weigh potential profit against financial risk.

Spence notes that this isnt the first time Christians have used their finances to create social change. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, anti-apartheid campaigns effectively used boycotts to push corporations to stop financing projects in South Africa.

Operation Noah, one of the first Christian climate charities in the UK, has also spent a decade encouraging Christians and faith-based organizations to divest themselves of investments that harm the environment.

This pressure does actually work, said Cameron Conant, Operation Noahs communication officer. I think sometimes people can get disheartened and feel like campaigning doesnt work, but I can say as a campaigner who has campaigned for a number of years now, it does actually work.

Conant has seen many individuals change their view, but also points to success moving larger institutions. Last year, the Church of England divested of all oil and gas investments that were not in genuine alignment with agreed-upon goals of limiting carbon emissions.

The strategy, according to Conant, is to help people see that they do have an influence and to connect action to Christian faith.

Who funds fossil fuels? Who allows them to happen? Its our political system and banks, Conant said. Weve tried to speak with a unified Christian voice to say this is something Christians should be united on, that were called to care for Gods creation, and that just like we shouldnt be funding tobacco or arms or gambling as churches and as faith organizations, we shouldnt be funding fossil fuels.

And it may already be working. The Global Fossil Fuel Divestment Commitments Database shows that faith-based organizations are at the forefront of the divestment movement. And major banks are taking notice. Barclays announced last month that it will stop directly financing new oil and gas projects.

Holly-Anna Petersen said Christian Climate Action, of which she is a member, has also had a lot of success in urging Christian organizations to think more carefully about the impact their money is having on climate change. Recently, activists held a vigil outside the Church of England cathedral in Sheffield, urging the church to change banks.

For Christian organizations that often do their own campaigning, to be the subject of a campaign was a bit uncomfortable, Petersen said. They also were quick to see the harm their banking was doing and so were very receptive.

Christian Aid was convinced to switch banks too.

It might be convenient to stay with the bank youve always been with. It certainly does take some effort to switch. But the climate crisis is funded and fueled by money, said Ashley Taylor, Christian Aids senior advocacy advisor. Doing what we can to help turn off that cash flow will be essential if were going to end the suffering of our brothers and sisters living with the worst climate impacts.

Taylor encourages others not to underestimate the impact they can have.

Actions speak louder than words, she said. Its easy to declare a climate emergency, to say we care about the plight of those suffering and that we dont stand with polluters. But by banking with those that fund polluters, we risk being part of the problem we claim to oppose.

Venner said making that connection is key. She remembers when she first realized that the bank where she did business was part of the system she was concerned about. Her banking, she realized, was connected to the very issues she was praying about.

I worked for an international development charity, she said. I met people from all around the world and heard the struggles of communities being moved off their land or having their livelihoods threatened because of mining, large-scale agriculture, or oil and gas projects. The finance that enabled those projects came from the banks I walked past on the high streetit was a direct link to people I cared about, communities I prayed for.

This Lent, she hopes to help other Christians make that same connection with The Big Bank Switch.

I think its coming at the right time, Venner said. Many Christians are concerned about the climate crisis and are waking up to the role of finance within this.

[ This article is also available in Francais. ]
Home News Feds surveilled Americans' private transactions, flagging terms like 'Trump' or 'MAGA

The federal government ordered banks to conduct broad financial surveillance of American citizens' private transactions related to politics or religion to identify people it deems as potential threats, according to a recent report from a congressional subcommittee.

Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal nonprofit specializing in religious freedom cases, was among the organizations listed as hate groups by the U.S. Treasury Department, which advised big banks to monitor customers' donations to the nonprofit.

ADF provided The Christian Post with a copy of the interim staff report by the U.S. House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government released by members of the House Judiciary Committee who are tasked with "upholding fundamental American civil liberties," the report states. "As a part of this mission, the Committee and Select Subcommittee have uncovered startling evidence that the federal government was engaged in broad financial surveillance, prying into the private transactions of American consumers."

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According to the report, the "financial surveillance was not predicated on any specific evidence of particularized criminal conduct and, even worse, it keyed on terms and specific transactions that concerned core political and religious expression protected by the Constitution."

On Thursday, ADF Senior Counsel and Senior Vice President of Corporate Engagement Jeremy Tedesco testified before the Weaponization Subcommittee, which is chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

The subcommittee shared documents earlier this year that showed the federal government flagged terms related to former President Donald Trump for financial institutions. In addition, the federal government is believed to have flagged transactions that involved the purchase of religious texts, such as the Bible.

In his testimony, Tedesco urged Congress to pass the Fair Access to Banking Act, which would place restrictions on banks, credit unions and payment card networks that refuse to do business with law-abiding citizens. He also advised lawmakers to call for greater transparency from financial regulators and institutions.

No American should be denied access to basic financial services such as a bank account, debit or credit card, or payment processing because of their religious or political views, Tedesco stated.

Unfortunately, many Americans have good reason to fear that these essential financial services could be abruptly canceled based on the exercise of their First Amendment freedoms.

Canadian clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson also testified Thursday and warned about the dangers of government surveillance. Peterson cited the Chinese Communist Party and the Canadian government's response to COVID-19 lockdown protests as examples of government surveillance going too far.

With increasing ability to monitor not only the actual attention patterns and behaviors of its citizens but to predict those that are most likely, the persecution of such potential crime becomes ever more likely, Peterson stated. "If you have nothing to hide, you will have nothing to fear, will be the slogan commandeered by those most likely to turn to surveillance to protect and to control."

In a press release last Tuesday, the ADF highlighted amicus briefs it filed in Murthy v. Missouri, National Rifle Association v. Vullo, and Volokh v. James. According to the ADF, the cases involve the government inducing or encouraging powerful businesses to censor and penalize everyday Americans for their speech.

Big Banks and Big Tech pose threats to freedom like Big Brother does, Tedesco stated in the press release ahead of the hearing. Whats worse is the mounting evidence that Big Brother is enlisting Big Business in its censorship schemes.

"The federal government is attempting an end-run around the Constitution by outsourcing censorship to some of the most powerful corporations the world has ever known. But where the First Amendment is concerned, the government cant do indirectly what it is forbidden from doing directly.
Home News Women punished for praying aloud at Nicaraguan prison

Female inmates at La Esperanza prison in Nicaragua, including political detainees, have faced punitive measures for praying aloud. The women, held in the Womens Holistic Penitentiary System in Tipitapa, have been denied outdoor access since mid-January, a stark change from their previous once-a-week allowance.

Some of the women have endured physical abuse during interrogations, evident from bruises on their limbs, according to the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide, which says restrictions extend to the prohibition of Bibles and writing materials for political prisoners, contravening the Nelson Mandela Rules.

A 52-year-old choir director named Olesia Auxiliadora Munoz Pavon, who is from Santa Ana Parish in Niquinohomo, Masaya Department, is among the incarcerated. Arrested on April 6, 2023, Munoz Pavon, previously detained from August 2018 to June 2019 on unfounded charges, gained recognition for her hymn singing in prison.

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La Esperanza, notorious for overcrowding and lacking essential resources like drinking water, beds and medical care, confines up to 75 inmates in bunk-bed-lined cells, with some in solitary confinement. Reports from October 2023 by La Prensa Nicaragua highlighted modifications to maximum-security cells, effectively sealing off political prisoners.

Access to Nicaraguas prisons has been restricted, with the Nicaraguan Centre for Human Rights having been barred since 2010 and the Red Cross expelled in 2023. The U.N. Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua released a report on Feb. 29, condemning the Nicaraguan governments ongoing severe human rights abuses, equating them to crimes against humanity, and urged the release of all unjustly detained individuals.

Anna Lee Stangl, CSWs Head of Advocacy, criticized the inhumane treatment of prisoners for practicing their faith, demanding adherence to the Nelson Mandela Rules and the release of all political detainees in Nicaragua. GHRENs call for expanded international sanctions against those implicated in Nicaraguan human rights violations was reiterated by CSW.

Open Doors has also highlighted the escalating persecution of Christians in Nicaragua, especially since the 2018 anti-regime protests. The governments crackdown has included arrests of Christian leaders, seizure of Christian properties and closures of Christian schools, TV stations and charities. Legal amendments have branded church leaders as terrorists, with the government aiming to control church finances.

The situation for Christians worsened with the Nicaraguan governments actions against the Texas-based mission organization Mountain Gateway in January. Nine Nicaraguan pastors associated with Mountain Gateway were imprisoned for over a month on allegations of forming a criminal structure involved in money laundering and organized crime, alongside three U.S. missionaries.

Despite Mountain Gateways denial of these charges and adherence to legal protocols, the Nicaraguan government has revoked the registration of numerous nonprofit and faith-based organizations, often citing financial misconduct.

Mountain Gateway, which held several evangelistic events in Nicaragua, says it has complied with financial regulations and denies personal profit from ministry funds. The organization, expressing confusion over the legal actions, suggests political motives behind the governments crackdown.

The Nicaraguan governments closure of 342 religious organizations, including numerous Christian associations, under President Daniel Ortegas regime reflects a pattern of religious and political repression.

An ideology in Nicaragua portrays President Ortega as being anointed by God  for sacred Nicaragua.
Home News Granddaughter of nurse in iconic kiss in V-J Day photo speaks out

The granddaughter of the woman in the iconic photo depicting a sailor kissing a nurse to celebrate Japan's surrender to Allied forces and an end to World War II, defended the image after the United States Department of Veterans Affairs tried to ban it.

Caroline Branin is the granddaughter of Greta Friedman, who died in 2016 at 92 in Richmond, Virginia. Friedman came to America in 1939 after fleeing her native Austria to escape the Nazis. In August 1945, Friedman was walking through Times Square on V-J Day when U.S. Navy Sailor George Mendonsa grabbed the dental nurse and kissed her.

Branin told The Daily Mail that Friedman viewed the photo as two young people celebrating in the street and that her grandmother was always very proud of the image," having signed copies of the photo until her death.

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The granddaughter recalled that Friedman told her she had been working on V-J Day and had gone downstairs during lunchtime to see what was happening.

George grabbed her and kissed her. It was a split-second thing, and the photographer just happened to be there, the granddaughter said. She never felt violated or anything like that.

Addressing the perspective of some that the photograph depicts a non-consensual act, Branin said the issue makes for an interesting debate. Branin told The Daily Mail that she believes her grandmother would have enjoyed the discussion if she was still alive.

At college, I had a women and gender studies teacher who showed that image and said: 'This is a sexual assault, Branin recalled. I put my hand up and said that's actually my grandma; she didn't view it that way. The teacher disagreed with me.

I can understand the argument, but for my grandmother, it represented the end of the war, and they're celebrating."

The granddaughter also revealed that she has a copy of the picture in her home, which her grandmother and Mendonsa both signed. Friedman stayed in contact with Mendonsa, and she participated in V-J Day parades with him, according to Branin.

As The Daily Mail reported, Friedman and Mendonsa returned to Times Square in 1980 to recreate the famous photograph, with Mendonsa kissing her once again. By that time, the pair were married to different people. Mendonsa died in 2019.

On Tuesday, the X account End Wokeness shared a copy of a February VA memorandum requesting the removal of the photograph from Veterans Health Administration facilities. The document claimed that the photo depicted a non-consensual act and is inconsistent with the VAs no tolerance policy toward sexual harassment and assault.

A VA spokesperson directed The Christian Post to a tweet by VA Secretary Denis McDonough. McDonough stated in the post that the image is not banned from VA facilities, and the photo will remain.

The spokesperson also included a statement about RimaAnn Nelson, the VA's assistant secretary for health and the individual who wrote the memo. The statement praised Nelson as someone who has dedicated her career to serving veterans. We are fortunate to have her at VA, and she will remain at VA.
Home News Haitian gangs abduct churchgoers amid escalating violence: 'Kidnappings everywhere'

As civil unrest continues in Haiti with high levels of gang violence, a Catholic archbishop has warned that abductions from churches in the Caribbean nation are happening at a troubling rate.

Archbishop Max Leroy Mesidor of Port-au-Prince, the president of the Haitian Bishops' Conference, told the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need on Friday that no place in the country is safe and pastoral work has been "very badly affected."

"There is a real danger of civil war breaking out," he said. "The armed gangs act like an organized army  The police cannot keep up with them."

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Aid to the Church in Need has already reported several abductions of clergy and religious figures in Haiti this year.

"There are kidnappings everywhere," Mesidor said. "Everyone is afraid, including the religious. As soon as you leave Port-au-Prince, you are in danger. ... The gangs even come into the churches to kidnap the people there."

Mesidor's comments come as gangs launched a coordinated, large-scale attack on government buildings in or near downtown Port-au-Prince on Friday. A source who spoke with ABC News reports that various gangs targeted different buildings, including the Presidential Palace, the Interior Ministry and a police headquarters. This resulted in gangs and police engaging in gun battles, sending civilians fleeing the area.

The Presidential Palace hasn't been occupied since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.

The recent uptick in violence began after armed groups conducted raids on two of the country's largest prisons, freeing thousands of inmates. Port-au-Prince is under a complete state of emergency until April 3. Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry was out of the country when the unrest began last week.

Mesidor said the eruption of violence and gang control has made his job more difficult amid the "suffering, violence, gunfights, poverty and deprivation."

"I cannot visit two-thirds of my diocese because the roads are blocked," he explained. "To reach the south of the diocese, I must take a plane. I have not been to the cathedral for two years. ... The last celebration I was able to do in the cathedral was the Chrism Mass. It was full. But, from the Agnus Dei until the end of the service shots were ringing out. We could see the smoke rising nearby."

The archbishop underlined that those who are faithful have displayed a level of "resilience despite their suffering."

"[Because] they are used to suffering, even when, as now, the suffering is on a terrible scale," he said.

There are many seminarians and catechists who have pushed themselves to "persevere" and "brave the danger" as they "wish to fulfill a mission," he added.

"We must bear our cross and follow Christ  especially during this time of Lent. We persevere and we count on the prayers and solidarity of the people," the archbishop noted.

"The most important thing is that the Church continues to bring people together despite all the difficulties. Through sermons or spiritual exercises for young people, we try to rekindle their hope, to get them to organize themselves and not sink into resignation."

Mesidor is grateful for the help of ACN, a pastoral aid organization that supports persecuted churches worldwide. In Haiti, the archbishop said priests receive "almost no salary," and many Christians are impoverished.

ACN aids Haiti through formation, retreats and other programs for seminarians, religious and lay people. The organization also provides stipends for priests and emergency aid for religious sisters.

The abduction of Christian leaders and missionaries in Haiti has driven international headlines in recent years.

In January, gunmen abducted six Catholic nuns from the Congregation of Saint Anne in Port-au-Prince. They were released about a week later.

Last July, the wife of the founder of the Christian education ministry El Roi Haiti was abducted along with the couple's daughter by armed gangsters. They were released in August.

In October 2021, 17 Christian Aid Ministries missionaries were kidnapped. They all eventually were either released or escaped.
Home News Irish voters defeat constitutional amendments to redefine family, role of women

Voters in Ireland have rejected efforts to change the language of the country's constitution regarding what constitutes a family and the role of women in the home, even after supporting progressive referendums in recent years.

In referendum votes on Friday, International Women's Day, Irish voters were asked if they wanted to amend the Irish Constitution to remove language outlining the role of family and women in everyday life. Both efforts were defeated.

According to the Electoral Commission of Ireland, the proposed 39th amendment to the Irish Constitution would have amended Article 41's proclamation that "the State recognises the Family as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of Society, and as a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law."

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The proposal would have altered wording of the Article 41 to remove a statement stating that marriage is the institution "on which the Family is founded." The 39th amendment would have clarified that the definition of family extends to both "marriage" and "other durable relationships" and removed the text identifying marriage as the institution "on which the Family is founded."

Article 41 of the constitution proclaims that "the state recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved." The document also declares "the State shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home."

"The constitutional protection of the Family would be given to both the Family based on marriage and the Family founded on 'other durable relationships,'" The Electoral Commission of Ireland elaborated on the implications of the amendment. "The Family founded on marriage means the unit based on a marriage between two people without distinction as to their sex. The Family founded on other durable relationships means a Family based on different types of committed and continuing relationships other than marriage."

"Different types of family units would have the same constitutional rights and protections," the Electoral Commission added. "The institution of Marriage will continue to be recognised as an institution that the State must guard with special care and protect against attack."

The proposed 40th amendment would have replaced the portions of Article 41 describing the role of women and mothers with a statement reading, "the State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them, gives to Society a support without which the common good cannot be achieved, and shall strive to support such provision."

Before Friday's vote, the Ireland Catholic Bishops' Conference released a statement opposing the proposed changes.

"We are concerned that the proposed Family amendment to the Constitution diminishes the unique importance of the relationship between marriage and family in the eyes of Society and the State and is likely to lead to a weakening of the incentive for young people to marry," they wrote.

The bishops lamented that "the proposed amendment would have the effect of abolishing all reference to motherhood in the Constitution and leave unacknowledged the particular and incalculable societal contribution that mothers in the home have made and continue to make in Ireland."

The bishops maintain that "the present constitutional wording does not in any way inhibit women from working or taking their proper place in social and public life."

"It does, however, respect the complementary and distinct qualities that arise naturally within the Family," they added. "The role of mothers should continue to be cherished in our Constitution."

With a turnout of 44.36%, the proposed 39th amendment to the Irish Constitution was rejected by 67.69% of voters, while 32.31% approved of the constitutional changes. The proposed 40th amendment was rejected by an even larger margin, with 73.93% of voters expressing support for keeping the constitutional language as is and 26.07% supporting the proposed changes.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who enthusiastically supported both proposed constitutional amendments, reacted to the defeat of the referendums during a press conference over the weekend.

Varadkar indicated that his government accepted "responsibility for the results," adding, "It was our responsibility to convince a majority of people to vote 'yes,' and we clearly failed to do so."

"I think we struggled to convince people of the necessity or need for the referendum at all, let alone the detail and wording," he said. Varadkar vowed to continue pushing for "gender equality" and suggested that his government would support the proposal of additional constitutional referendums on unrelated subjects in the near future.

The rejection of both amendments represents a sea change in Ireland, which has recently approved progressive referendums by large margins.

In 2018, voters in Ireland overwhelmingly voted to amend the Irish Constitution to repeal the historically Roman Catholic country's abortion ban. The right to abortion is now protected in the 36th amendment.

Three years earlier, voters in Ireland approved a referendum legalizing same-sex marriage in the country. The referendum made Ireland the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage through a popular vote. The right to same-sex marriage is now established in the 34th Amendment.
Home News Mike Johnson slams Biden's regret for calling man charged in Laken Riley murder 'illegal'

Speaker Mike Johnson accused President Joe Biden of showing "deference" to the man charged with killing 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley by saying he regrets referring to him as an "illegal" immigrant during his State of the Union address.

In a Sunday X post, Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, shared a clip of an MSNBC interview last weekend where Biden stated that he regrets using the word "illegal" instead of "undocumented" to refer to Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national arrested in connection with Riley's Feb. 22 killing.

Johnson described Biden's behavior as an "embarrassment."

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"The president is cowering to his base and showing deference to a man who deserves none," Johnson wrote. "This man is an illegal immigrant who brutally murdered Laken Riley. President Biden should be apologizing to Laken's family."

Ibarra entered the country illegally through El Paso, Texas, on Sept. 8, 2022. Authorities arrested Ibarra last month following the discovery of Riley's body on the University of Georgia campus. The 22-year-old was killed while out for a run. Police later determined that she died from blunt force trauma.

During his State of the Union address last Thursday, Biden acknowledged the Augusta University nursing student's murder when discussing his administration's border policies. Biden mistakenly called her "Lincoln Riley" and stated that she was killed by an "illegal." Considering the term "illegal" is considered politically incorrect by Democrats, Biden walked back that comment during the Saturday MSNBC interview.

"I'm not going to treat any of these people with disrespect," Biden said.

Fellow Democrat and former Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., noted Biden's State of the Union gaffe during an appearance on CNN Thursday night.

"Well, we usually say 'undocumented,'" Pelosi said. "He said 'illegal.' I don't think it's a big deal. I don't think it's a big deal because I think his focus was on the sympathy for the family. It's a terrible tragedy. ... It's a terrible situation that anybody losing a child or a family member. It's a terrible situation, but I think he handled it well."

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., also responded on Sunday to Biden's remarks. During a Fox News "Sunday Morning Futures" interview, the potential GOP vice presidential pick called the president's apology "disgusting."

"No one can explain that. Talk about disgusting," Scott stated. "Joe Biden is more worried about using the word 'illegal' or 'undocumented.' The word he should use is 'murderer.' Here, we have Donald Trump, our president, sitting down with Laken Riley's family. And you have Joe Biden apologizing for what word he used."

Biden also mentioned former President Donald Trump during his Saturday MSNBC interview, claiming that he is different from Trump and does not want to treat people who unlawfully enter the country 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 don't share his view at all," Biden said, answering "yes" when asked if he regretted using the term "illegal."

As Fox5 Atlanta reported, Ibarra and his brother Diego Ibarra had previous encounters with police before the former became a suspect in Riley's murder.

An October 2022 field report from Athens-Clarke County police cited by the outlet showed that both Ibarras were charged with shoplifting from Walmart. Since the shoplifting charge was a misdemeanor, both Ibarras were cited and released on scene.

Diego Ibarra faces up to 10 years in prison for possessing a fraudulent green card, and federal prosecutors also believe the man has ties to Tren de Aragua, one of Venezuela's largest criminal organizations. A memorandum provided to The Christian Post included photos of Ibarra posing with illegal guns and flashing gang signs.

According to affidavits shared last month by The Associated Press, Ibarra is accused of "disfiguring [Riley's] skull" and dragging the woman's body to a secluded location, which brought the additional charge of concealing the death of another person.

While the court documents don't disclose the object used to kill the nursing student, the report stated that the murder is believed to have occurred between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Feb. 22.
Home News Rep. Nancy Mace blasts George Stephanopoulos for 'shaming' her as rape victim over Trump support 'I find it disgusting'

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., accused ABC News' "This Morning" anchor George Stephanopoulos of shaming her as a rape victim when he grilled her about her support for former President Donald Trump on Sunday.

Stephanopoulos, who served as White House communications director under former President Bill Clinton, played a 2019 video of Mace talking about her position on a fetal heartbeat bill in South Carolina from the perspective of someone who was raped when she was a teenager.

Stephanopoulos then asked Mace to explain how she could support Trump when he had been "found liable for rape" in the civil trial between Trump and E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexually assaulting her and sued him for defamation.

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Mace pushed back against Stephanopoulos, accusing him of attempting to use a traumatic part of her past to shame her for her political views.

I was brought on to talk about 2024instead Clinton crony turned fake journalist @Gstephanopoulos attacked me and tried to shame me as a rape victim.



Gross.@ThisWeekABCpic.twitter.com/9uNhypsZdO  Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) March 10, 2024

"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," she continued.

The two went back and forth for some time, with Stephanopoulos maintaining that he was not intending to shame Mace, who repeatedly pushed back and characterized his questions as "disgusting."

"I live with shame," she said. "And youre asking me a question about my political choices, trying to shame me as a rape victim. And I find it disgusting."

She also noted that Trump had not been found liable for rape in a criminal court case regarding Carroll, whom she criticized for joking with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC that that she was going to go shopping and buy a penthouse with the $83 million payout from the defamation suit.

She added that when women like Carroll make light-hearted comments about rape, it makes it harder for other women to come forward with their stories.

"I find it offensive, as a rape victim, that you're trying to shame me for my political choices, and as I've said again repeatedly, E. Jean Carroll has made a mockery out of rape by joking about it," Mace said. "Rape is not funny."

Stephanopoulos later pivoted to ask Mace why she was willing to throw her support behind Trump after having been so fiercely critical of him in the wake of the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

Mace replied that in listening to her constituents in South Carolina, she came to realize that "they've moved beyond January 6."

"Voters held him accountable through our Republican primaries this year. Hes won overwhelmingly," she said. Mace endorsed Trump over former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who dropped out of the race last week after Trump swept most of the delegates on Super Tuesday. Trump has also since endorsed Mace.

Mace reserved harsher language for Stephanopolous after the interview when she laced into Stephanopoulos on X for his line of questioning.

"I was asked to speak on 2024 today, NOT my own rape," Mace wrote. "Ive carried this shame for 30 years, a shame George Stephanopolous will never know. I dont need [Stephanopoulos] 'mansplaining' rape to me or shaming me on national TV for being a survivor of rape."

She also hit out at Stephanopoulos by calling him a "Clinton crony turned fake journalist" and that he "looked like a horses [sic] ass who hates women, especially rape victims."

Mace also retweeted Juanita Broaddrick, who wrote, "Youre not alone, Nancy. He did it to me, too, when he was Bill Clintons mouthpiece."

Broaddrick alleged that Clinton raped her in her hotel room on April 25, 1978, when he was attorney general of Arkansas and she was a campaign volunteer. Clinton has denied the allegation.
Home News Archeologists discover rare 2nd century coin with Hebrew inscription in Judean Desert

Archeologists have discovered a rare bunch of coins in the Judean Desert from the second century AD, one of which is engraved with the name of Eleazar the Priest in ancient Hebrew script.

The engraved coin was uncovered in the Mazuq Ha-he'teqim Nature Reserve and is believed to date back to the first year of the Bar Kokhba Revolt (AD 132) when the Jewish people rose up against the Roman Empire. There were three other coins with the name Simeon, also dating back to the revolt, according to an announcement by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) on March 4.

The coins were uncovered while the IAA was working alongside the Ministry of Heritage and the Archaeological Office for the Military Administration of Judea and Samaria to retrieve ancient artifacts before looters could take them.

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The identity of Eleazar the Priest is a mystery, with some theorizing that it was Rabbi Eleazar Hamodai, a Tannaic Rabbi from the time of Rabbi Akiva, a pupil of Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakai.

It seems that Rabbi Eleazar Hamodai played a significant religious role at the time of the Bar Kokhba Revolt, and he was living in the town of Beitar  the location of the revolt headquarters. The Talmud accounts that he died in Beitar, probably during the revolt. (Jerusalem Talmud Taanit 4:5), the IAA said.

On the obverse face of the coin, a date palm is engraved, with 'Eleazar the Priest' inscribed in ancient Hebrew script. On the reverse, a bunch of grapes is surrounded by the text 'Year One of the Redemption of Israel,' again in ancient Hebrew script."

Eitan Klein, the deputy head of IAA's anti-theft division, who has helped with the mission to protect hidden treasures from being removed by looters, told Haaretz that the coin was found last month, which was about 20 years after the cave was excavated.

The cave is in Matzok Hahe'etekim, a long line of cliffs on the western side of the Dead Sea. Back at the time, archaeologists did discover various items in that cave, Klein said. These included a Roman javelin, which the Jewish rebels had presumably stolen or otherwise obtained from a Roman soldier and stashed in the cave for future use. Which opportunity never arrived.

Regarding whom Eleazar the Priest might be, Klein told Haaretz that there's a lot of uncertainty, including many legends that might not be factual.

"Eleazar lived in Beitar, the capital of the rebellion, of the Bar Kochba state. They say that as long as he would pray, Beitar couldn't be conquered. When he stopped, Beitar was conquered. This legend shows haModai's importance," Klein told the outlet.

At least in the first year. HaModa'i's name only appears on coins from that year, but the rebellion lasted four years. Obviously he was one of the religious leaders at the start of the rebellion. What happened to him?

Klein added that the name was inscribed in ancient Hebrew script, which had stopped being used by the time of the rebellion.

This anachronism was intentional, Klein said. The Bar Kochba rebels deliberately engraved their coins with ancient Hebrew script from the time of the First Temple, as a show of connection to their roots.

"They deliberately used an ancient Hebrew script used at the time of the First Temple, to show the continuity of the Jewish people and of the kingdom of the Jews: the connection between Bar Kochba and the kingdom of David and Solomon.
A young girl tragically lost her life when a boat affirmed on the dangerous English Channel crossing route frequently used by migrants seeking to reach Britain, as reported by French authorities on Sunday.

According to a statement from the prefecture in charge of the northern part of France, on Sunday morning, a small boat carrying sixteen persons overturned off the shore of the northern port city of Dunkirk, as per to ABC News.

Boat Capsizes in English Channel Crossing

A small vessel attempting to cross the English Channel faced a fatal catastrophe as it proved inadequate for the number of passengers it carried, according to authorities. The dire situation unfolded as a couple with four children embarked on the perilous journey, resulting in a devastating outcome.

The maritime authorities overseeing French waters in the channel revealed that the ill-fated boat, carrying 16 migrants, tragically capsized around 30 kilometers from the English Channel. Among the passengers were the seven-year-old daughter of a couple, who succumbed to drowning during the harrowing incident.

A somber statement conveyed the grim news, noting that the girl's father and her pregnant mother managed to survive and were promptly rescued. They, along with their three other siblings, were immediately transported to a hospital for urgent medical attention. Another couple, two men, and six young children also faced the ordeal but were fortunate to be rescued with minor injuries.

The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday morning, raising concerns about the safety of migrants attempting to cross the channel. Authorities indicated that the vessel, likely stolen, was not designed to accommodate such a significant number of people, emphasizing the inherent risks associated with such journeys, according to AP News.

Read Also: Israel-Hamas Ceasefire: What To Expect If Deal Has Been Reached?

Capsizing Raises Concerns Over Safety

This tragedy occurred against the backdrop of heightened surveillance on the channel, leading to an increase in migrants attempting alternative inland routes. The French prefecture for the Nord department noted that the fatal capsizing transpired between two locks, an area deemed "very, very dangerous" by officials.

Prompt response from law enforcement and emergency services was initiated after a member of the public alerted authorities upon witnessing the distressing scene along the canal's shore. The victims, including the surviving family and the additional passengers, were promptly taken to Dunkirk hospital for medical assessment.

Refers to have been raised about the safety and suitability of the vessels used for these dangerous journeys. This unfortunate incident contributes to the increasing worries about the risky initiatives made by migrants to cross the English Channel. Sunday's event serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers associated with these perilous journeys.

The other tragedy on Wednesday, in which three people lost their lives trying to cross the English Channel, shows the critical need for concerted efforts and broad measures to resolve the difficulties experienced by migrants trying to flee across these dangerous seas. Despite the unfortunate results, around 30,000 individuals completed the journey in 2023, as per data from the UK government released in early 2024, CNN reported.

Related Article: US Military to Airdrop Food Aid to Gaza Amid Growing Humanitarian Crisis

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Home News Higher education fueling decline in marriage, birth rate: policy expert

WASHINGTON  A conservative policy expert highlighted the role higher education is playing in the decline of marriage and total fertility, as more people opt to take more time to pursue college degrees, which she warned is extending their adolescence and deferring certain responsibilities.

On Wednesday, the Heritage Foundation hosted an event titled, "The Birth Dearth: Why the Decline in Marriage and Total Fertility Is a Genuine Crisis."

The demographic crisis in the United States is real and a threat to society as we know it. The U.S. and almost all developed countries are failing to replace their populations, the description for the event reads. In 2022, the total fertility rate (TFR) in the U.S. was 1.665 births per woman aged 15-44. This is well below the necessary replacement level of 2.1 births per woman. Among the 38 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), fertility was even lower.

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The opening discussion featured Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., and his wife of 30 years, Amy Kate Budd, who talked about the joy that comes from marriage and raising children. After the conversation with the Budds, the event moved onto two separate panel discussions featuring various policy experts from the conservative think tank.

Lindsey Burke, director of the Heritage Foundations Center for Education Policy, spoke during the last panel, which proposed potential solutions to the decline in marriage and total fertility.

The policy expert noted that a majority of undergraduate students now take six years to complete a four-year degree, thus delaying marriage and family life.

Burke referenced an August 2023 Heritage Foundation paper she published on the subject alongside the Center for Education Policys Senior Research Fellow, Jay P. Greene. During the panel, Burke highlighted a point addressed in the paper, noting that this extension of schooling typically leads to an extended adolescence.

A period of limbo during which people who historically would have taken on adult roles of work and family largely defer assuming those responsibilities, Burke said, citing data from within the past decade that shows the median age for men is 30.5 years old for men and 28.6 years old for women.

Burke also noted that the median age of women at the time of the birth of their first child has increased by three years since 1990. According to the scholar, the delay in marriage and family formation within the last decade has happened at the same time the nation is seeing an increase in enrollment in higher education and graduate school.

I would like to suggest that there are two other ways that college may be contributing to the birth dearth, Burke said. The first is this perceived debt burden among those who borrow to attend college, and the second is through the message that higher education sends to those who attend college.

At the individual level, according to Burke, someone who graduates college and enters the workforce has an average debt of around $222 a month, which the policy expert argued is manageable. The greater threat, however, is the message that colleges promote about marriage and family, according to Burke.

The researcher referenced a February paper published by a professor who compared marriage fundamentalism to structural racism, arguing that an ideology that promotes a two-parent family is a key structuring element of white heteropatriarchal supremacy.

Were telling too many people to go to college more and more and that college is the only way to success, Burke said. More time in higher education is prolonging adolescence and delaying marriage and family formation."

Regarding potential solutions, one of the scholars proposals included restoring the value and dignity of vocational education and cutting off what she described as the open spigot of federal aid.

Burke also condemned canceling student loan debt, which the Biden administration has championed, as she argued that this would only shift the burden onto working families.

We have to think about reorienting higher education, Burke said in response to a question from The Christian Post about how to address the messaging from colleges about marriage and families. To my mind, the way that you do that is to remove these federal subsidies that are out there.

And so, until we are willing to cut off that open spigot, and until we are willing to say we're not going to, quote, forgive student loans on the back end, colleges are going to have free reign to continue."
Home News Muslim bandits kill 2 Christians, abduct dozens from their homes

ABUJA, Nigeria  Muslim terrorists killed two Christians and kidnapped dozens of others in an attack on the outskirts of the city of Kaduna in northern Nigeria, sources said.

The assailants invaded Gonin Gora, a predominantly Christian village in Chikun County, southern Kaduna state, the night of Feb. 28, area residents said.

The attackers, who we know to be Muslim bandits terrorizing Christians in Kaduna state, attacked the Angwan Auta area of Gonin Gora and killed two Christians, area resident Patience Ali told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News in a text message. They also broke into about 10 houses belonging to Christians and kidnapped dozens of members from these households.

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Dozens of other Christians were wounded in the attacks, she said.

Jedidiah John, another resident of the area, also reported the deaths of the two Christians, saying, about 11 houses were broke into by the terrorists. An unspecified number of Christian residents were also abducted and taken to unknown place.

Resident Sunday Audu said the Muslim bandits attacked at about 11 p.m. and did not leave until the early morning of Feb. 29.

The Muslim bandits killed two Christians and abducted many other Christians who are now being held captive, Audu told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News in a text message.

Police confirmed the attack on the Gonin Gora community and said security personnel were deployed to the area to curtail the incessant attacks there.

Samuel Aruwan, commissioner of the state Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News that his office received distress calls from the Gonin Gora community.

The Kaduna state government has directed security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, deploy their personnel to the area to repel the attackers, Aruwan said.

Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2023, according to Open Doors 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report. More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300 abducted.

Nigeria was also the third-highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report.

In the 2024 WWL of the countries where it's most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
Home News Hindu temple backpedals after erasing Lutheran church from website Pastor: Secularism not Hinduism is the 'biggest threat to Christianity in North Texas'

FRISCO, Texas  A Lutheran church in North Texas that was erased from the website of an adjacent Hindu temple is back from the dead  sort of.

As The Christian Post reported last week, Rejoice Lutheran Church, located about 25 miles north of Dallas, was removed along with an entire residential community from the main header image of the website of the neighboring Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple.

But at some point prior to March 7, the temple replaced the image with a blurred version, rather than the previous version which completely erased the church and surrounding homes.

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Now, the Rejoice Lutheran Church building can be seen in the upper left corner  still blurred, but there nonetheless.

While the new image more accurately reflects the landscape of the corner of Eldorado and Independence parkways, its unclear whether the image was changed in response to CPs report.

CP reached out to Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple for comment Thursday. This story will be updated if a response is received.

Rejoice Lutheran, which was founded in 1998 as a mission congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has made its home here since 2009, roughly a decade before the construction began on the temple.

The image controversy is the latest turn in a relationship between Rejoice Lutheran and the Hanuman Temple which Pastor Neil White says has been mostly positive for the last several years  but thats not to say things are perfect.

Its not going to ever be universally positive, White told CP via phone. I mean, there have been times we've had issues.

One of those issues is traffic control, which, for a temple that can draw thousands of visitors for its holy days, can pose a significant challenge, particularly when visitors fill up not just the parking lots directly adjacent to the church, but also those at nearby Heritage High School and Roach Middle School.

They can have thousands of people on a festival week and they will have thousands of people go through there, said White. They will fill up the field to staff, they will fill up the parking lots at the middle school and the high school across the street from us.

It can be a bit of a nightmare at times. And you know, no matter how much the leaders of the community in the temple want to be respectful, you're not always going to have that experience. ... I'm not going to say it's always perfect, but they do try, they really do try."

Still, White said, Rejoice Lutheran was able to work together with the temple to figure it all out, laying the groundwork for an open line of communication between the two places of worship.

There was from the very beginning of their existence here, conversation back and forth between our two communities, and that's continued, he said.

As for the temple removing Rejoice Lutheran from its website, White said he doesnt really look at the temples website too often, but when he did, he noticed it was catered to their community.

So it was not structured the way that a church website would be structured, he added.

He said hes been asked whether hes considered moving Rejoice Lutheran  whose building is fully owned by the church  to another part of town, and while White says thats a possibility, hes not overly concerned about it.
Home News British pensioner on trial for offering to talk to women in crisis pregnancies

A retired medical scientist from Bournemouth, England, is set to face trial for her actions near an abortion facility, where she offered to engage in conversations with women experiencing crisis pregnancies. The case is about the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), conflicting with free speech.

Livia Tossici-Bolt, 62, found herself in legal trouble after holding a sign that read Here to talk, if you want to in proximity to an abortion clinic in Bournemouth, said the human rights and legal group ADF International, which is representing the pensioner. The simple act led to her being accused of violating a local buffer zone ordinance, which prohibits any form of expression that could be seen as approving or disapproving of abortion.

Tossici-Bolt maintains she did not infringe upon the PSPO and its her right to offer consensual conversations under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act. Her refusal to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice issued by local authorities has resulted in her facing charges, with a trial pending at Poole Magistrates Court, the group said.

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We all condemn harassment. But buffer zones are going so far even to criminalize activities which are peaceful and helpful, Tossici-Bolt said. For several years now, I have been offering a helping hand to women who would like to consider other options to abortion, and pointing them to options where they can receive financial and practical support, if thats what they would like. Theres nothing wrong with offering help. Theres nothing wrong with two adults engaging in a consensual conversation on the street. I shouldnt be treated like a criminal just for this.

The U.K. government recently established buffer zones around abortion facilities through the PSPO, aiming to prevent any form of influence. This legislation has led to controversies and criticisms, particularly regarding the potential infringement on free speech and the right to engage in consensual conversations.

The Home Office has been involved in drafting guidance to ensure these rights are protected amid calls from some members of Parliament to revoke these protections.

Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF U.K., criticized the vague nature of local buffer zone laws and the criminalization of individuals like Tossici-Bolt for offering assistance to women in need. He advocated for the protection of freedom of thought and speech, both within and outside buffer zones, aligning with international law standards.

In a related incident, Tossici-Bolt experienced confrontation by officers for allegedly breaching the buffer zone, an accusation that was later retracted by the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council. They apologized for the distress caused to Tossici-Bolt, acknowledging the confusion over her location relative to the buffer zone.

Igunnubole further commented on the broader implications of such enforcement, questioning the legitimacy of criminalizing pro-life viewpoints in public spaces and criticizing the portrayal of buffer zone bans as measures against harassment and intimidation. He pointed out the absence of convictions for harassment and intimidation among pro-life vigil volunteers in the U.K. over the past four decades, challenging the narrative that these volunteers pose a significant threat.
Home Opinion 14 lies and myths in Joe Bidens 2024 State of the Union address

Arriving roughly 20 minutes later than announced, a frenetic President Joe Biden delivered his fourth, and potentially last State of the Union address on Thursday night. His voluminous, staccato, and aggressive remarks previewed a 2024 presidential campaign centered on expanding abortion nationwide, restricting the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, and casting his political foes as an incipient, existential threat to democracy and the United States itself. In just over an hour, Biden spoke a number of lies, false assertions, and dubious statements worth reviewing for the record.

1. The Phantom Ban on IVF

The Alabama Supreme Court shut down IVF treatments across the state, unleashed by a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Biden has invented a phantom ban on in vitro fertilization, or IVF, because the Alabama Supreme Court did not ban IVF. The case in question revolved around a grieving family who had conceived and stored unborn children at a fertility clinic, but the clinics poor security allowed someone to wander in and drop the babies on the floor, killing them. The courts 8-1 ruling decided the parents of children negligently destroyed in IVF clinics could file a civil case, suing for damages under the states 1872 Wrongful Death of a Minor Act.

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The destruction or abandonment of embryos is the norm, rather than the exception, of the practice. Typical IVF procedures regularly implant multiple embryos into the mother, or surrogate, then selectively abort weaker and less viable babies. Others are conceived and left in storage indefinitely. As Mary Szoch, director of the Center for Human Dignity at Family Research Council, has noted, 93% of the embryos created through IVF never result in a live birth. The Alabama Supreme Court decision said nothing about whether that should be legal.

2. Restoring Roe v. Wade, or expanding abortion?

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.

Since the Dobbs decision upended four decades of judicial activism, Joe Biden has repeatedly stated Congress needs to codify Roe v. Wade into law. Yet the extreme bill his administration has endorsed, the so-called Womens Health Protection Act, goes far beyond the provisions of Roe v. Wade. The sweeping, top-down national legislation would impose abortion on the nation and strike down more than 1,300 state pro-life laws, erasing nearly every protection, including laws

Prohibiting sex-selective abortions;

Barring many abortions after viability;

Preventing abortions on babies 20 weeks or older, who are capable of feeling pain;

Disallowing abortions undertaken without parental consent or notification;

Prohibiting telemedicine abortion drug prescriptions, which involve no in-person medical examination;

Banning unlicensed individuals from carrying out abortions;

Allowing pregnant mothers to receive scientifically accurate information about their babies development, or to see an ultrasound or hear the childs fetal heartbeat; and

Allowing pro-life medical professionals the right to refuse to participate in an abortion.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said the address should serve as a wake-up call for those who support the right to life. Pro-life America: You just heard with your own ears what is at stake in this election  the unborn. Biden is committed to eradicating every state pro-life law in America. Other evangelical Christian leaders agreed. The Democrats were saying tonight  that they want to put the right to kill children at the top of their agenda. The reason for that is the wickedness of their hearts, Pastor Robert Jeffress told Fox News Nights Trace Gallagher. When it comes to protecting children, theres no difference between Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Hamas.

Theyre all barbarians, Jeffress said.

3. Kate Coxs life was at risk without an abortion?

Kate Cox, a wife and mother from Dallas. Shed become pregnant again, and had a fetus with a fatal condition. Her doctor told Kate that her own life and her ability to have children in the future were at risk if she didnt act. (Emphasis added.)

Doctors did not tell Kate Cox her pregnancy threatened her life; indeed, that was the entire crux of the case. Texas heartbeat law permits a woman to have an abortion if she faces the risk of death or serious risk of [the] substantial impairment of a major bodily function. Cox sued for an injunction against the law because, tragically, her child had a life-threatening condition, and she faced real  but not life-threatening  complications from the pregnancy. The Texas Supreme Court ruled last December that Coxs physician, Damla Karsan, had actually asked a court to pre-authorize the abortion yet she could not, or at least did not, attest to the court that Ms. Coxs condition poses the risks the [laws] exception requires. Kate Cox had an abortion in another state.

4. Abortion as a treatment for fetal anomalies and rape victims

Kate [Cox] and her husband had to leave the state [of Texas] to get what she needed.  There are state laws banning the freedom to choose, criminalizing doctors, forcing survivors of rape and incest to leave their states to get the treatment they need.

Abortion is not a treatment for a pregnancy caused by rape or incest, nor for children with negative fetal diagnoses, because a baby is not a disease and death is not a cure. Many bioethicists argue that abortion is never necessary for medical reasons. As a board-certified OB-GYN practicing for over 30 years in Texas, delivering over 5,000 babies, I have never had to intentionally kill my unborn patient in order to protect his mother, said Dr. Ingrid Skop of the Charlotte Lozier Institute in a statement emailed to The Washington Stand. Neither premature delivery for a mother in a high-risk pregnancy, nor the most common forms of treatment for an ectopic pregnancy (salpingostomy and salpingectomy), are classified as abortions, because they are undertaken with the intention to save the mothers life, while abortion intends to kill the child.

Often, the unborn child in the fallopian tubes has already died before the procedure takes place. The abortion industry has also capitalized on the fact that the treatment for a miscarriage, Dilation and Curettage (D&C), shares the same name as an abortion procedure. But a D&C carried out after a miscarriage does not, and cannot, take the life of the unborn child; abortion stops a beating heart.

Furthermore, children conceived in rape are rarely acknowledged as human. When my rapist got me pregnant, almost everyone I knew immediately said abortion like there was no other option, revealed one rape victim. I kept her and Im raising her, and she is the BEST thing to ever happen to me. (Emphasis hers.) The same holds for children (rightly, or often wrongly) diagnosed with having a terminal condition. Beverly Jacobson told TWS she rejoices that she did not abort her daughter, Verity, who was accurately diagnosed with Trisomy 18 in the womb. Despite pushback from our medical staff, we chose life. Verity just turned seven years old. She brings us so much delight, and we love her fiercely, Jacobson told TWS.

5. President Donald Trump supports a national abortion ban?

Many of you in this chamber and my predecessor are promising to pass a national ban on reproductive freedom. My God, what freedoms [sic] would you take away?

Although President Donald Trump is said to have privately mused that he likes the idea of protecting unborn life after 15 weeks, he has yet to announce any national pro-life legislation that he would enact in a second term. Only 6% of all abortions take place after 15 weeks  so this national abortion ban would allow at least 94% of all abortions. And after that late date, Trump favors exceptions for rape and incest. Nearly three out of four (72%) Americans  including 60% of Democrats, 70% of registered independents, and 75% of women  believe abortion should not be allowed after 15 weeks, according to a Harvard/Harris poll.

6. Universal pre-K gives children a good start?

Id, like Id suspect all of you, want to give a child, every child, a good start by providing access to preschool for 3- and 4-years-old.

The proposal to establish universal daycare, dubbed Universal Pre-K, is an old one raised by Barack Obama in many of his State of the Union addresses. Joe Biden included a universal pre-K program for children beginning at age three in his $6.9 trillion proposed 2024 budget last March.

There are at least two problems with the proposal. First, preschool does not provide children with as much of a good start as the natural love and affection of their parents. As British researcher Penelope Leach noted, the social and developmental outcomes for children raised by anyone other than their mother is definitely less good. Over decades, studies have repeatedly confirmed that children raised in daycare facilities have higher levels of aggression, hyperactivity, stress, cortisol levels, and behavioral issues, while experiencing lower levels of emotional and physical health and reduced impulse control. These results hold up regardless of quality of care the daycare facility provides. Even the much-touted federal Head Start program had little to no positive effects for children who were granted access, noted a report from Obama-Biden administrations HHS.

Moreover, polls show most women do not want their children raised by strangers in daycare facilities, federally funded or otherwise. The Gallup poll organization reports that it has consistently found that the majority of working mothers would prefer to stay at home and take care of their house and family. Eight out of 10 Americans agree the ideal situation is for the mother not to work, or to work part-time, according to the Pew Research Center.

Critics point out that turning infants and toddlers over to government-run facilities at ever-younger ages opens up children to more effective indoctrination. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said universal pre-K could make sure every child, before they are four years old, is indoctrinated on abortion, LGBTQ ideology, and climate change.

7. Lincoln Riley and illegal immigration





Joe Bidens prepared remarks did not include the words Laken Riley, the name of the 22-year-old Georgia college student murdered by an illegal immigrant. However, Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) invited her parents to the State of the Union, and, in the middle of his address, fellow Georgian Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene shouted that Biden should say her name in the middle of his address.

Lincoln Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed. By an illegal, replied Biden in an impromptu back-and-forth with Greene. But how many thousands of people are being killed by legals?

Biden obliquely cited highly-contested research alleging that illegal immigrants have a lower violent crime rate than legal citizens. The hair-splitting academic argument is irrelevant to the issue: If the young womans Venezuelan murderer had not been in the country illegally, Riley, like countless others, would still be alive.

Guarding the border is an important issue, and its a biblical issue, said Pastor Robert Jeffress after the address.

8. Are his opponents banning books?

Stop denying another core value of America: our diversity across American life. Banning books  its wrong!

Joe Biden has repeatedly accused concerned parents of banning books. But the facts tell another tale. Moms and dads nationally have asked school districts to remove inappropriate, often pornographic, texts from school libraries  and asked community libraries to move them to the adult section. Children are not legally allowed to access pornography, or attend an R-rated movie unaccompanied by an adult. This is a far cry from the 1930s-era Germany Bidens rhetoric conjures up.

9. The Equality Act deserves support?

Pass the Equality Act, and my message to transgender Americans: I have your back.

The so-called Equality Act would add sexual preference and transgender identity to national civil rights legislation, elevating mutable lifestyle choices to the same level as race, sex, and religion. It would remove the rights of Christian (and traditional Jewish) business people to do business and effectively finish off religious freedom in America, said Perkins.

10. Biden has created a safer nation with less crime?

America is safer today than when I took office.  Last year, the murder rate saw the sharpest decrease in history. Violent crime fell to one of its lowest levels in more than 50 years.

Is America safer? asked Tony Perkins. Only in the Lefts make-believe world. Violent crimes against young people have actually doubled. Motor vehicle thefts are up 105% since the pandemic  as even members of Congress have fallen prey to carjackings. The murder rate is up as much as 30% in places like the nations capital and about 18% overall.

11. Democracy Is under Attack?

Not since President Lincoln and the Civil War have freedom and democracy been under assault at home as they are today. What makes our moment rare is that freedom and democracy are under attack both at home and overseas at the very same time.

Democracy faced a far greater internal threat during the Cold War. Communist spies and traitors such as Alger Hiss, Harry Dexter White, Lauchlin Currie, and the Rosenbergs burrowed into sensitive government, largely under the administration of Democratic presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. And they carried out the orders of, or gave vital information, to totalitarian Marxists who genuinely sought global domination and the eradication of faith and freedom. Yet Biden mentioned January 6 three times by name  three times as often as he mentioned murder victim Laken Riley. And he referred to my predecessor 13 times.

Biden also made unsupported accusations of voter suppression and election subversion. He likely has in mind election integrity measures such as voter ID, which he has castigated as Jim Crow 2.0 and Jim Eagle. Yet in states which enacted these measures, such as Georgia, voting increased substantially. Voting in Georgias 2022 midterm election rose by around 200% over 2018 levels.

The speechs labored emphasis on the issue of democracy, Tony Perkins said, portends a 2024 presidential election comprised of a never-ending loop of January 6, abortion, attack on democracy .

12. Did Biden cut the national deficit by $1 trillion?

Weve already cut the federal deficit by over a trillion dollars.

Biden has repeatedly used this misleading statistic. The national deficit, or annual budget shortfall, hit its highest level in modern times during the COVID-19 lockdowns. With businesses closed by government edict, tax revenues predictably plunged. However, the Biden administration has maintained and increased COVID-era spending levels. Bidens spending has piled up a massive $34 trillion national debt  a rough increase of 24% in three years.

13. Do poor children enter school hearing a million fewer words than average?

Children coming from broken homes where theres no books, not read to, not spoken to very often, start school  kindergarten or first grade  hearing, having heard a million fewer words spoken.

The actual figure in the study Biden is citing is not one million words; it is 30 million words. However, as NPR explained, that number comes from just one study, begun almost 40 years ago, with just 42 families, and it cannot be replicated.

14. Progressivism will save the soul of our nation?

Again and again Ive seen the contest between competing forces in the battle for the soul of our nation, between those who want to pull America back to the past and those who want to move America into the future.

Biden is correct that there is a battle for the soul of America, and its people, but he gets the answer wrong. Salvation comes through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who created, fashioned, and sanctified the human soul through His life, death, and resurrection  not from government programs enacted by any president or political party.

These are but an overview, not a comprehensive list, of Bidens fibs, misstatements, and outright malarkey in the 2024 State of the Union address. Just think, said Perkins, President Biden told these tales while looking at the portrait of Moses over the doors of the House chamber.

Originally published at The Washington Stand.
Home Opinion Bidens big abortion lie in his State of the Union address

My mom taught me that saying something you know is not true is a lie. President Joe Biden told some whoppers Thursday night in his State of the Union speech, including several about abortion.

Biden, for example, vowed to restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land. No president, of course, can establish the law of the land, let alone reinstate an overturned Supreme Court decision interpreting the Constitution.

Biden was really saying that he would sign into law the so-called Womens Health Protection Act, which is supported by nearly every Democrat in Congress.

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In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court held in 1973 that our written Constitution protects an unwritten right to privacy that, in turn, includes an unwritten right to abortion. The high court created an elaborate set of rules for each trimester of pregnancy to determine which pro-life legislation crossed the line. (Spoiler alert: Those rules arent in the Constitution either).

The Supreme Court tried to make sense of the resulting confusion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a 1992 decision revising Roe and substituting a new set of rules.

It didnt work. Finally, in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the court in 2022 admitted that it never should have jumped into the abortion fray, overruled Roe and Casey, and returned abortion regulation to the American people and their elected representatives.

At the time, Roe represented a more liberal abortion policy than any state, or virtually any other country on Earth, had ever chosen for itself. Still, the Supreme Court left just a smidgeon of room for a few limits on abortion.

The Womens Health Protection Act would squelch even those meager attempts to protect human beings in the womb.

Democrats bill would prohibit any government  federal, state, or local  from taking any action that could, even potentially, reduce the likelihood of abortion.

In fact, the legislation would require all governments everywhere to repeal any pro-life laws, regulations, or policies that might already be on the books.

Nearly three-quarters of the states, for example, have laws requiring either parental consent or notification before a minor may get an abortion. Nationally, 70% of Americans  including 57% of Democrats  favor at least the latter.

The Supreme Court upheld such laws under Roe, but the Womens Health Protection Act would make requiring any kind of parental involvement impossible.

More than 70% of those surveyed oppose diverting federal tax dollars to support abortion, including a majority of those who identify as pro-choice. The Supreme Court repeatedly held that Roe did not require government to subsidize abortion, but the Womens Health Protection Act would require it.

Most Americans believe that health care workers with religious objections should not be forced to participate in abortion. The Supreme Court has applied the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act to protect the exercise of religion from coercive, pro-abortion government policies. The Democrats bill explicitly makes RFRA inapplicable to any situation that involves abortion.

Even when inventing a right to abortion, the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade referred dozens of times to women, mothers, and unborn children. In fact, the high court held that the presence of a second human being meant that the so-called right to privacy was not unlimited.

Even the proposed Womens Health Protection Act, as recently as 2019, used woman or women nearly three dozen times and stated its purpose as protecting a womans ability to determine whether and when to bear a child. The current version deletes all but one use of women (in the bill title) and now states its purpose as protecting a persons ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy.

The idea that Biden, or those who wrote his speech, knew none of this is laughable. They have read Roe v. Wade and examined the Womens Health Protection Act. They know that one of those bears almost no resemblance to the other.

They know, therefore, that the Womens Health Protection Act would not restore Roe but would instead impose an even more radical abortion regime on the whole country.

Biden could have been honest about that in his speech Thursday night, but instead chose to lie.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
Home Opinion Is Christian nationalism a threat to democracy?

Have you noticed that, almost everywhere you turn, Christian nationalism is in the news? On March 3, a headline on The Christian Post stated: John MacArthur denounces Christian nationalism as faulty viewpoint linked to postmillennialism. On March 7, USA Today announced: As Trump support merges with Christian nationalism, experts warn of extremist risks. Similar headlines could be multiplied by the hundreds. But what, exactly, is Christian nationalism? And is it truly a threat to democracy?

Already in November 2022 an article posted on The Conversation noted that Talk of Christian nationalism is getting a lot louder  but what does the term really mean? That remains a valid question: What does the term really mean? Or does it mean different things to different people?

Are you a Christian nationalist if you love Jesus and love your country? Are you a Christian nationalist if you are simply a patriotic Christian? Are you a Christian nationalist if you believe that America was founded on Christian principles and that, the more we adhere to those principles the more our nation will be blessed? And were the Founding Fathers Christian nationalists?

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Or are you a Christian nationalist if you believe that our nation should be ruled by Christian law? Or that the only ones who have the right to govern America are Christians? Or that the current government should be overthrown because it is anti-Christian?

In their book Christian Nationalism: A Biblical Guide To Taking Dominion And Discipling Nations, Andrew Torba (the CEO of Gab) and Andrew Isker write that, Christian Nationalism is loving your neighbor. Who is our neighbor? Our fellow citizens and especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. Loving them means protecting them from foreign interests, alien worldviews, and hostile invaders. Christian Nationalism means placing the interests of your neighbor and your home above the interests of foreigners in foreign nations. This doesnt mean we neglect foreign nations or do not extend love to them, but rather that we place the interests and worldview of our home above foreign ones.

They continue, While we recognize that Christs Kingdom is not of this world, we also realize the fact remains that He has all authority on earth as well and has commanded us to disciple all nations. (In a separate article, Ill interact with Pastor MacArthurs comments which emphasize the heavenly and spiritual nature of Christs Kingdom and which deny the very concept of Christian nationalism.)

At the same time, they make clear that, If we are going to build a Christian movement it must be exclusively Christian and we cant be afraid to say that out loud. That means no Jews or people of other faiths at the nations helm, along with no atheists or fake Christians-in-name-only.

Is that what it means to be a Christian nationalist?

Two years ago, recognizing that Christian nationalism was going to be a very hot topic (along with the ubiquitous NAR, meaning the New Apostolic Reformation), I joined together with Dr. Joseph Mattera, a theologian and an international leader of leaders, to draw up the NAR and Christian Nationalism Statement. We recognized some dangerous trends in some Christian nationalist circles, the worst of which raised their heads on January 6, 2021. But we also recognized that fine, God-fearing, America-loving, followers of Jesus would be tarred and feathered as Christian nationalists.

If you have the time, I would encourage you to read the entire statement, which is about 1,500 words long. For the moment, rather than giving my own definition of Christian nationalism, which I really cant do, since it means different things to different people, let me cite the final two sections of our statement.

After noting that for some, this simply refers to a healthy form of Christian patriotism, of loving God and loving ones country, we added:

BUT WE SEE IT AS SPIRITUALLY DANGEROUS IF/WHEN

We wrap the Gospel in the American flag (or any national or state flag). We equate our country with the Kingdom of God. We confuse patriotism with spirituality. We compromise our ethics to keep our party (or leader) in power. Our church/denomination/ministry becomes an appendage of a political party. We put more trust in earthly methods than in spiritual methods. We marry the cause of Christ to the cause of a political party (or leader) as if they were one and the same. We become as vulgar and rude as the candidates we follow. We look to the White House or any branch of government in any nation more than to God. We make a human being into a political savior. We equate loyalty to God (which should be unconditional) with loyalty to a party or political leader (which should be conditional). Our prayers and our prophecies become politically partisan.

FINALLY, WE CONCLUDE BY CONTRASTING THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITH EXTREME NATIONALISM:

The Kingdom of God prioritizes the advancement of the Gospel. Extreme nationalism prioritizes the advancement of its ideology even at the expense of the Gospel.

The Kingdom of God produces loyalty to Christ above all else. Extreme nationalism produces loyalty to ones nation above all else.

The Kingdom of God raises the banner of Jesus above all else. Extreme nationalism raises the national flag above all else.

The Kingdom of God promotes the interests of God above the world. Extreme nationalism promotes the interests of ones nation above the Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God views the world through a biblical lens. Extreme nationalism views the world solely through a geopolitical lens.

The Kingdom of God is dependent upon neither an earthly kingdom nor an earthly ruler but upon Jesus as the King of kings (Revelation 19:16). Extreme nationalism is dependent upon both the ideology of an earthly nation and its ruler.

Followers of the Kingdom of God are passionate about a Christ-centered global awakening. Adherents of extreme nationalism are focused primarily on a political/ideological awakening.

Christ-followers are primarily identified with the Kingdom of God. Extreme nationalists derive their primary identity from their nation.

Christ-followers derive their primary value from being children of their heavenly Father (Romans 8:14-17). Extreme nationalists derive their primary value from being citizens of their country.

My suggestion is that, rather than debate the meaning of Christian nationalism we lay out what we do and do not believe, affirming what is right and rejecting what is wrong. Then, to the extent our convictions are biblically based, we seek to live out those principles for the good of the nation, without coercion, force, or God forbid, violence.

Lets honor Jesus in our own lives while we work for the betterment of the nation as a whole.
Home Opinion People. Theyre the worst

My vote for the biggest swing-and-a-miss Christian teaching goes to postmillennialism.

Postmillennialists are the eternal optimists where this life is concerned. They look for a utopian state on earth to be brought about through the church's efforts, and during that golden age, the church, not Israel, experiences the fulfillment of the promises God made to Abraham and David. Once accomplished, Christ returns to rule, after which follows a general resurrection of the dead, a judgment of all people, and eternity begins.

You have to admit, it sounds pretty good, doesnt it? A world that keeps getting better and more Christian in its behavior followed by Jesus coming back and then a sinless eternity kicking off?

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Its hard to beat that. The only thing that comes close is the Mormon teaching where, if I play my cards right, I get to be the god of my own planet with celestial wives.

But alas, postmillennialism isnt biblical and Mormonism isnt true. No celestial wives for me.

The cold, hard truth is the world isnt getting better and more Christian but is instead playing out just like Paul wrote: But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power (2 Tim. 3:15).

If you think that isnt true, just ask In-and-Out Burger.

In January, In-and-Out said it was closing its very busy Oakland, Calif., location due to the citys limp approach to law enforcement, which has resulted in over-the-top crime. Robberies last year were up 22% over the three-year average and auto burglaries (23%), carjackings (15%), and motor vehicle theft (29%) also have spiked. Many In-and-Out patrons and workers found their car windows smashed if they were lucky enough to avoid being robbed at gunpoint.

What did Solomon say? Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil (Ecc. 8:11). His dad (David) said the arrogance of evil people reaches a point where they say, I will not be moved (Ps. 10:6).

If you want more evidence that human behavior is on a downhill slide and would also like a terrific lesson on how to grow domestic terrorism, take a short trip to Britain. Their appeasement of Islam has resulted in the grossest kind of antisemitism and violence.

Politicians who strongly oppose evil against Jewish people are chased in the streets by crazed mobs, all the while the leadership and media pundits sing choruses against the scourge of antisemitism but cant say (out of fear) whos scourging whom.

Speaking out against such evil is now universally dangerous, with venture capitalist Marc Andreessen suggesting on Twitter/X that we all do some homework: Make a list of all the things you believe, but cant say. Then a list of things you dont believe, but must say.

Nope, no evidence for postmillennialism that I can see. In fact, its just the opposite as journalist Chris Hedges notes: We now live in a nation where doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the press destroys information, religion destroys morals, and our banks destroy the economy.

In his nighttime chat with Nicodemus, Jesus identified the human problems that cause all this as being impure and spiritually dead, requiring a rebirth of water (moral cleansing) and spirit (John 3:5). Only afterward do we have the understanding and wisdom needed to live right and make the world a little brighter.

If a fool, as Tim Keller has said, is someone who hates God's definition of reality, then wisdom is competence concerning life's reality. And the precursor to wisdom is understanding, which is why you see a constant complaint about its lack in people throughout the Bible.

Moses complained about Israel: For they are a nation lacking in counsel, and there is no understanding in them (Deut. 32:28). Jesus asked his disciples multiple times, Are you still lacking in understanding also? (Matt. 15:16).

The ability to understand something and its ultimate ends is precious and serves as a protectant for the person and everyone around them. Ronald Regan is famous for giving the following example: How do you tell a communist? Its someone who reads Marx and Lenin. How do you tell an anti-communist? Its someone who understands Marx and Lenin.

Exactly. This is why we see the one-two-punch of understanding and wise living producing goodness in the last soil in Jesus parable of the soils: the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty (Matt. 13:23, my emphasis).

But without either you have yummy burger businesses closing, nations being overrun by government-protected hate, and people who keep electing the same kind of exhausting scorched-earth leadership. Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss, to quote The Who.

In an episode of Seinfeld, Jerry and Elaine are bemoaning their encounters with people, discussing what behaviors bother them. Jerry finally ends the discussion by saying: People. Theyre the worst!

We sure can be.

The Bible says we all start out as being selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness (Rom. 2:8). But we dont have to stay that way  understanding and wisdom are ours if we want it: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).

But if we dont? Then, well see the exact opposite of a postmillennial world and instead mirror what God told Israel through Isaiah: My people do not understand. Alas, sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away from Him. Where will you be stricken again, as you continue in your rebellion? The whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head there is nothing sound in it, only bruises, welts and raw wounds (Isaiah 1:36).

Sounds pretty awful, huh? And the kind of people Isaiah talks about? Theyre the worst.

Lets do our best to not be one of them.
Forced marriage of Christian women becoming 'concerningly common' worldwide

(CP) Persecution watchdog Open Doors has released its annual Gender Report revealing that forced marriage is becoming a "concerningly common practice" impacting Christian women worldwide.

The 2024 Gender Report, compiled by Open Doors' global research team, draws attention to the marginalization of Christian women who live in countries ranked as the 50 most dangerous for Christian persecution.

The report highlights the oppression and violence they endure due to their gender and their faith in Christ, noting that forced marriage is a threat to Christian women and girls in an astounding 84% of the countries on the 2024 Open Doors World Watch List.

"This year, faith-based forced marriage was identified as a risk for Christian women and girls in 84% of the WWL countries; a concerningly common practice," researchers noted. "Forced marriage is a form of exploitation and control and in many contexts, this risk is interwoven with sexual violence."

"For example, in the Horn of Africa, young female Christian converts from a Muslim background can be forced into marriage to keep them from dishonoring their families for leaving the faith," the reports add. "A regional expert notes that often they are forced to marry much older men. Sexual violence and forced marriage are employed as a means of intimidation and control, with these strategies targeted at preventing Christian women and girls from pursuing their faith in Christ."

A regional expert in Cameroon said that forced marriage is becoming a tactic for "intimidation and control in regions experiencing conflict-related challenges."

"In areas [of Cameroon] affected by armed conflicts and religious tensions, Christians...[can be] at heightened risk of violence and exploitation," the expert stated.

"In the Central African Republic, 'Christian women and girls face heightened risks of rape ... and forced marriage during attacks by militants on civilian villages," the report adds. A regional expert stated that "[i]nstances of sexual slavery for abducted girls are reported."

Ryan Brown, the CEO of Open Doors USA, emphasized the gravity of the situation.

"Today, more than 365 million people face real persecution and discrimination  unimaginable horrors every day  for following Jesus," he said. "And so many of these faithful followers are courageous women  wives, mothers, sisters and daughters choosing this difficult path, choosing to stay true to the gospel, despite increased oppression and brutalities."

The report identifies five primary "pressure points" for Christian women in these countries: forced marriage, sexual violence, physical violence, psychological violence and abduction.

The report notes that women are not only at higher risk due to their Christian faith in WWL-listed countries but also face added risks because of their gender in environments fraught with violent insecurity.

Choosing to follow Jesus, researchers said, further elevates their vulnerability.

"As these courageous women face increased persecution, we are witnessing their undying faith in Jesus all the more," said Open Doors US COO Sarah Cunningham. "Although widely without a voice and basic human rights, they serve an incomparable purpose in the Kingdom of God  shining a light for Christ in their families and communities and showing us all what real faith looks like."

Researchers found "reasons to be hopeful," saying that historically, peace initiatives have been male-dominated and secular. However, as nearly half the world's population is female and a vast majority are religiously affiliated, there's a shift towards more "inclusive" peace processes, the report said.

"Through the unique agency of the church and the strategic position held by policymakers, change is possible, and indeed already underway. This is an encouragement  as well as an invitation to join in," the report said.

Open Doors advises the global Church to "[a]cknowledge the extent of violence against Christian women and girls" to enhance protection and justice for women and girls.

Helene Fisher, a gender persecution specialist with Open Doors USA, told The Christian Post in a 2019 interview that in most cases, persecution against women often revolves around the idea of ruining their sexual purity. Meanwhile, men tend to suffer from forms of economic harassment that can impact their place in society.

That year, the most common trend in the gender-specific persecution of Christians was the "targeted" raping of women solely for the purpose of bringing shame upon their families and community.

"When they are sexually assaulted, there is a shame that is brought upon them in society's views. And they are therefore viewed as tainted, having no future and their family also lose this honor," Fisher explained. "And sometimes their whole Christian community is seen as less valuable, less pure."

While there are many cases in which Christian girls and women have been abducted and forced into marriage, girls and women who convert to Christianity can often be forced into marriages by their own families, she said.

"Forced marriage is used by a family whose daughter has decided on her own through some kind of exposure to Christianity, maybe via satellite or a friend somewhere or maybe she's had a vision she has turned to Jesus and her family has found out," Fisher explained. "[They will] marry her to somebody from the mainstream religion, and then it becomes more or less his problem to make sure that she adheres to the mainstream religion."

 The Christian Post
Pleas to free hostages in Nigeria after more abductions

Christian groups are pleading with the Nigerian government to do more to protect civilians from abductions and free those already in captivity.

The call has been issued after reports of at least 600 people, including women and children, being kidnapped in Nigeria last week alone.

Many of the kidnapping victims were living in camps for internally displaced persons in the northern state of Borno.

In a separate incident, at least 287 students and teachers were kidnapped by armed herders from a school in Kuriga, Kaduna State.

The timing is particularly sensitive as next month will mark the 10th anniversary of the kidnapping of 276 girls from their school in Chibok by the Boko Haram terrorist group. While some were released and others escaped, around 100 remain in captivity a decade on.

Jabez Musa, a Nigerian lawyer and partner of Open Doors whose real name has been changed for security reasons, says there has been a rise in kidnappings in the country.

"Abductions have been taking place one here another there, but this is quite different now. Our government has not reacted yet. We are waiting to hear from them to see what they can do," he said.

Open Doors said these were "not isolated incidents" as it accused the Nigerian government of "failing to discharge its duty to protect its citizens from violence and attacks".

"Attacks and kidnappings  particularly in the north of Nigeria  have seriously worsened over the last decade. Christians are among those who are especially targeted," a spokesperson said, adding, "Arms proliferation, impunity and government inaction has allowed the expansion of Boko Haram and increasing violence in the north of Nigeria, where attacks by armed bandits on villages and schools are becoming endemic."

CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland, Henrietta Blyth, has issued an urgent appeal to the Nigerian president to free the victims.

"Boko Haram is notorious for targeting Christians, abducting and killing men and abducting, raping and forcibly marrying women and girls," she said.

"We also urge the Nigerian government to work to get the hostages already held by Boko Haram liberated - including young Christian girls such as Leah Sharibu and the Chibok girls who are still held captive."

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said over 50,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria due to religious persecution over the last 15 years, amounting to a Christian dying every two hours on average.

It said it was "deeply concerned" by the resurgence in mass abductions by terrorist organisations in the country.

CSW's founder president Mervyn Thomas called for the "swift and safe return" of students and for more to be done to protect children from kidnappings.

"It is deeply disturbing that, once again, children simply seeking an education are being treated as commodities to be seized en masse and bartered," he said.

He continued, "For over a decade terrorist groups, including a militia comprising assailants primarily of Fulani ethnicity, have been able to conduct violent attacks and abductions for ransom across Nigeria on an almost daily basis while eliciting a wholly inadequate response from the authorities.

"We therefore urge the current federal administration to become far more proactive in addressing Nigeria's critical security situation by sufficiently resourcing and mandating the armed forces to tackle every insurgency, to liberate all who remain in terrorist captivity, and most crucially, to ensure protection for schools and vulnerable communities."
(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.

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Priest 'shaken' after fake funeral with paid actors, horse-drawn hearse

(CP) In a startling incident at the London Oratory Roman Catholic church in South Kensington, 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 the congregation in a state of shock and confusion.

The plot thickened with the involvement of a man named Clyde Zaube, who claimed to be the deceased's 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 funeral's 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. McHardy's decision to halt the service and ask everyone to leave reflected the bizarre and unsettling nature of the day's 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.

 The Christian Post
Pro-life volunteer charged after offering help to women with unplanned pregnancies

The local authority in Bournemouth has charged a retired medical scientist who held a sign near an abortion clinic saying "here to talk, if you want to".

Bournemouth council accuses Livia Tossici-Bolt of breaching a buffer zone which criminalises expressions of approval or disapproval of abortion within 150m of the clinic.

The Alliance Defending Freedom UK (ADF), which is supporting her, said that several individuals approached Tossici-Bolt to discuss their circumstances while she was holding the sign.

She has been charged after she refused to pay a fixed penalty notice issued by the council. She denies breaching the terms of the buffer zone and argues that the right to consensual conversations is protected under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act.

The 62 year old is awaiting a trial date at Poole Magistrates' Court. She said it should not be a crime to offer help.

"We all condemn harassment. But 'buffer zones' are going so far even to criminalise activities which are peaceful and helpful," she said.

"For several years now, I have been offering a helping hand to women who would like to consider other options to abortion, and pointing them to options where they can receive financial and practical support, if that's what they would like.

"There's nothing wrong with offering help. There's nothing wrong with two adults engaging in a consensual conversation on the street. I shouldn't be treated like a criminal just for this."

Jeremiah Igunnubole, Legal Counsel for ADF UK, blamed "vaguely-written" buffer zone measures, which have seen some pro-life volunteers arrested for praying silently in their heads.

"The principle of freedom of thought and speech must be defended both within and outside 'buffer zones'," he said.

"The Home Office have sought to keep our country in line with international law by protecting freedom of thought and of consensual conversation in the draft buffer zone guidance. It is vital, for the preservation of democracy, that this stands."

The local council recently apologised to Tossici-Bolt for causing her to feel "distressed and harassed" on a separate occasion when officers wrongfully tried to move her from a public street for holding a sign that said "Pregnant? Need help?" along with the number for a helpline.

She was accused of being within the buffer zone but the council later conceded that she was outside the boundary.

Igunnubole said her treatment had exposed the "reality of the slippery slope of censorship".

"If the state is allowed to criminalise the mere holding of pro-life viewpoints within certain public spaces, on what basis can we object to criminalisation in all public spaces?" he said.

"The purported blanket bans on prayer and consensual conversations were never about the prevention of harassment and intimidation  after all, in the UK, not a single pro-life vigil volunteer has been convicted for harassment and intimidation in over 40 years of pro-life presence near abortion facilities."
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Reference code: SVN2024-07

Open to External Candidates



Position Title : Return and Reintegration National Consultant Duty Station : Chisinau, Republic of Moldova Type of Appointment Duration of Consultancy : : Consultancy 1 April 2024  28 February 2025 Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible Closing Date : 24 March 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Internal and external candidates are eligible to apply to this vacancy. For the purpose of the vacancy, internal candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Nature of the consultancy

The overall task of the incumbent will be supporting the Diaspora Relations Bureau return and reintegration sub-programs of the Diaspora Engagement Hub by providing day by day case management, stakeholders engagement, visibility, strategic and operational expertise to promote and facilitate the temporary and permanent return and professional reintegration of Moldovan overseas graduates, Moldovan diaspora and highly skilled returning professionals.

Project Context and Scope

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions, and to sustainably engage diaspora in homeland development. Drawing on its long-standing experience, IOM has formulated a comprehensive strategic approach centered on the 3Es for action: to engage, enable, and empower transnational communities as agents for development  with each area involving a range of interventions by governments and other stakeholders, supported by IOM through policy advice and programming. IOM Moldovas vision prioritizes the need to leverage the positive impact of migration on Moldovas socio-economic development through strengthening the capacities of relevant public authorities for ensuring an effective countrys diaspora engagement policy design and management, and through designing and implementation of innovative instruments for better engagement of the diaspora in countrys development and harnessing other benefits of migration for the countrys development.

Migration waves, which started in the 1990s, have led to an outflow of Moldovan nationals, with a quarter of the population residing abroad (approx. 840 000 pers., NBS; UN DESA and IOM estim.: 1 mln). The resident population stood at 2. mln persons in early 2023 (versus 4.4 mln in 1991), decreasing by 190,000 persons in the last 5 years, while the population growth rate is negative (-1.8% p.a.) due to low fertility and rapid ageing. In the last four years, the share of migrants aged 18-29 years increased to 66% from 55%. The main drivers of such massive migration are socio-economic: poverty, lack of adequate employment opportunities and low salaries, as well as the allure of higher living standards and opportunities abroad. Lack of economic opportunities is a major cause of migration and the reluctance to return especially for the younger population, emphasizing the close relationship between migration and development (socio-economic, democratic and infrastructure, among others). Most of the Moldovans residing in the EU are well integrated, it being already an established/well-integrated community, present in EU member states since end 1990s.

Migration has already caused a major shortage of professionals in sectors which are essential to human capital formation (health, education), or those which are necessary to operationalize investments and sustainable economic growth. The professional sectors are affected by two related phenomena: i) brain-drain and de-skilling professionals through emigration; ii) professionals leaving the system, for jobs in the country or abroad; both are caused by un-attractive salary packages, poor social infrastructure, and perceived governance issues. In recent years Moldova has been challenged by vast brain drain phenomenon placing the country in the top ten within the European region in terms of skilled labor force emigration. Data shows that the emigration rate of high-skilled workers is close to 40 percent in Moldova, being the highest amongst health professionals; other affected sectors include education.

One third of the Moldovan students are educated abroad, benefitting from enhanced access to knowledge, cultural experiences, networks, and further professional opportunities. However, the benefits of migration are nearly matched by its negative impact on human capital development, de-skilling, brain-drain, but also expressed in irregular migration and exploitation, children being left behind by migrant parents, and broken families. As 80% of medical graduates do not even enter the profession, many leaving the country, this worsens the medical services in rural areas, which feature 10 times fewer doctors per capita compared with urban areas. Moldova cannot afford to lose professionals and workforce anymore, nor the investments made in educating them.

Many diaspora members are well integrated abroad, yet they yearn to re-connect with the homeland and to contribute to its prosperity with skills and resources. Diaspora plays an important role as vector of change and supporting the reform and keeping the EU-integration path of the country, through active and informed participation in several rounds of parliamentary and presidential elections.

In this context, IOM Moldova has been systematically working to establish closer and more effective contacts between the Moldovan Government and the diaspora, supporting, and protecting Moldovan citizens working abroad, and developing suitable strategies aiming at minimizing the depletion of human capital and making the most of its diasporas resources. During 2010-2016, IOM Moldova pilot tested several return and reintegration programs which aimed at supporting and promoting the creation of temporary professional placements for Moldovan overseas graduates and returning migrants to promote definitive return and skill transfer. Moreover, in partnership with the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, IOM Moldova supported the development and implementation of a scientific diaspora temporary return program which worked to improve Moldova's capacity in research, innovation, education and development sector through the temporary return of highly qualified diaspora members.

To further valorize the positive impact of migration and institutionalize the good practices of diaspora engagement for the socio-economic development of the country, the Moldovan Government, with the support of IOM and financial assistance from Swiss Development Cooperation Agency (SDC), has developed and implemented a national umbrella program consisting of several sub-programs aimed at valorizing the human potential of the Moldovan diaspora, titled the Diaspora Engagement Hub (DEH). Conceptualized and pilot-tested by IOM since 2015 and institutionalized and implemented by the Diaspora Relations Bureau since 2017, DEH has been implementing such sub-programs as diaspora professional return, diaspora innovative projects, regional thematic partnerships, diaspora women's empowerment, diaspora crowdfunding projects, diaspora educational centers, diaspora excellence groups.

The scope of the assignment

To further unlock the potential of expatriated Moldovan professionals through both short and long-term assignments in strategic areas for EU integration processes, such as the reformation of the justice sector, labor migration management and social protection, investment attraction, green energy, public finance, health, education, research, development, and innovation, the Joint UN Moldova Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund Programme (MMPTF), titled Leveraging the positive impact of migration on Moldovas development through improved policy evidence and better engaged diaspora, will involve close collaboration among IOM, UNDP, UNICEF, and WHO. These organizations will work closely with the Diaspora Relations Bureau, Ministry of Education and Research, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Ministry of Health, and State University of Pharmacy and Medicine to support the implementation of a national sub-program of the Diaspora Engagement Hub. This sub-program will promote and facilitate the temporary and permanent return and professional reintegration of Moldovan overseas graduates and the engagement of highly skilled diaspora members.

Within the first component of the Diaspora Engagement Hub (DEH) return and reintegration sub-program, the MMPTF Programme will support Moldovan overseas graduates' professional placements in Moldovas labor market sectors that align with the knowledge and skills the Moldovan graduates have developed abroad. This initiative aims to facilitate the reintegration of returning graduates into the local workforce by providing them with opportunities that valorize their expertise, as well as promote networking opportunities among returning peers, exchanges of ideas, and mutual support. Selected Moldovan overseas graduates will receive information and logistical support to inform their return and reintegration back home, reimbursement of their international travel expenses, and a monthly living allowance for up to six months, as a top-up to their base salaries in Moldova, as outlined in the operational manual of the sub-program.

The second component of the DEH temporary return and engagement sub-program will assist Moldovan public institutions, including those in education, research, development, and health sectors, in identifying and engaging in sustainable cooperation with highly skilled Moldovan diaspora and returning professionals. This initiative aims to harness the expertise and resources of diaspora members and highly skilled returning migrants through temporary or permanent physical and/or virtual returns to advance the transposition of EU acquis communautaire into national legislation, institutional and policy reforms in the public institutions in Moldova, including advancing the reforms in education, research and development, health as well as other sectors. By facilitating collaboration between diaspora members and highly skilled professionals and local institutions, this component seeks to leverage the knowledge and networks of the diaspora for the benefit of Moldova's development and EU accession priorities. To this end, the selected beneficiaries will receive a daily allowance or expertise fees, along with coverage for their international travel expenses based on the nature of their engagement in Moldova and their involvement with host institutions in the country.

Through these efforts, the MMPTF Programme aims to support sustainable return and reintegration pathways for young professionals  Moldovan overseas graduates, and skilled professionals  Moldovan diaspora members and returning qualified migrants, to contribute with their skills and experiences to the EU integration process in key sectors of Moldova's public sector, economy and society, fostering mutual growth and prosperity.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, the IOM Migration and Development Programme Coordinator, the direct supervision of the Diaspora and Relations Bureau Chief, and in coordination with the UNDP, the consultant will be responsible for providing its consultancy services, within the framework of Joint UN Moldova Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund Programme (MMPTF) tilted Leveraging the positive impact of migration on Moldovas development through improved policy evidence and better engaged diaspora implemented by IOM, UNDP, UNICEF and WHO.

Category A Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

The main tasks of the expert would include two key areas:

Supporting the placement of the Moldovan oversee graduates in public and private institutions in Moldova Supporting Diaspora Relations Bureau (BRD) in elaborating selection criteria of the candidates for temporary professional placements for overseas graduates, as part of Diaspora Engagement Hub Programme; Supporting BRD in developing an application form to be filled in by the interested candidates; Drafting a public notice developed for applications for Moldovan overseas graduates willing to work at a public or private institution in Moldova and ensuring wide dissemination of the information on the program to potential applicants through written press, web-sites including those of the participating institutions and their channels; Liaising with public and private institutions in Moldova to identify institutional counterparts interested in hiring overseas graduates whose qualifications match the needs of the institution and establishing a database of the interested institutions; Establishing one database featuring all interested candidates in temporary professional placements for overseas graduates; Permanently update the database of available vacancies in the public and private sectors and inform on the applicants of the program on a continuous and systematic basis, on the employment options in the public and private sectors in Moldova; Participation in the selection of Moldovan overseas graduates and returning migrants, together with IOM, BRD, and UNDP as part of a joint selection panel and drafting minutes on the decisions taken with the joint panel within three working days from the date of the meeting; Inform the applicants for the grant on their eligibility/non-eligibility for informational/financial support, after coordination with the joint panel ; Planning and organising, including from the logistics point of view (travel, accommodation etc.), the placement of Moldovan overseas at public and private institution in Moldova (for around 50 persons); Actively communicate with the applicants on issues concerning the program; Administrative follow-up of the each Moldovan overseas graduate during the period of six months in Moldova; Identifying, processing and disseminating success stories of Moldovan overseas graduates who contributed with their skills to the development of the institution; Developing and disseminating of information materials as well as within social media; Taking into account the visibility requirements of donor and MMPTF Programme, ensure appropriate visibility and reflection in the media of the program; Supporting the organization of one networking event between beneficiaries to promote socialization, exchange of ideas and a more smoother reintegration experience in Moldova; Support the organisation of a wrap-up session with a number of program participants and host institutions, as well as members of research and development community and media; Monitoring of the programs beneficiaries together with IOM, through phone calls and field visits up to six months after the termination of the beneficiaries contract, filling the necessary questionnaires; Based on filled-in monitoring surveys, draft an assessment reports on the impact of the programme on both the beneficiaries integration and advancement of the activities of the hots institutions; Draft a final administrative report on the activities undertaken within the consultancy; Support in organising other core activities of the Diaspora Relations Bureau relevant to the return and reintegration programs, with potential involvement of beneficiaries (e.g. Diaspora Days).

2. Supporting the engagement and/or temporary placement of highly skilled Moldovan diaspora and returning professionals in interested public institutions from Moldova

Liaising with public institutions in Moldova to identify institutional counterparts interested in engaging with and/or hiring highly skilled Moldovan diaspora and returning professionals whose qualifications match the needs of the institution and analyse the nature and feasibility of the potential assignment; Provide support for the endorsement, by the State Chancellery, and operationalization of the mechanism for short-term engagement/ temporary return to Moldova of highly qualified practitioners; Based on the stock-taking of potential assignments, developing together with the respective institutions the individual terms of reference for the envisaged placements of highly skilled Moldovan diaspora and returning professionals; Establishing a database of interested institutions and their potential expertise needs that can be addressed by highly skilled Moldovan diaspora and returning professionals; Establishing one database featuring all interested candidates in temporary placements representing highly skilled Moldovan diaspora and returning professionals; Permanently update the database of potential expertise needs in the public sectors and inform potential candidates of the program on a continuous and systematic basis about opportunities to engage in collaborations with public institutions; Participation in the selection of the highly skilled Moldovan diaspora and returning professionals, together with IOM, BRD, and UNDP as part of a joint selection panel and drafting minutes on the decisions taken with the joint panel within three working days from the date of the meeting; Inform the applicants on their eligibility/non-eligibility for informational/financial support, after coordination with the joint panel; Planning and organising, including from the logistics point of view (travel, accommodation etc.), the placement of highly skilled Moldovan diaspora and returning professionals at public institutions in Moldova (around 70 persons); Actively communicate with the applicants on issues concerning the program; Administrative follow-up with each of the beneficiary during the period of their engagement with Moldovan institutions; Identifying, processing and disseminating success stories of Moldovan highly skilled Moldovan diaspora and returning professionals engagement in Moldova; Developing and disseminating of information materials as well as within social media; Taking into account the visibility requirements of donor and MMPTF Programme, ensure appropriate visibility and reflection in the media of the program; Support the organisation of round table with a number of program participants and host institutions, as well as members of research and development community and media; Writing monthly reports and final reports on activities undertaken within the consultancy and impact thereof; Monitoring of the programs beneficiaries together with IOM, through phone calls and field visits, filling the necessary questionnaires. Support in organising other core activities of the Diaspora Relations Bureau relevant to the return and reintegration programs, with potential involvement of beneficiaries (e.g. Diaspora Days)

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

Brief monthly progress reports, co-signed by the BRD focal point and endorsed by the IOM Moldovan Migration and Development Programme Coordinator, and coordinated with the UNDP, on the implementation of both sub-programs, describing the the main results achieved during the reporting month, including updated annexes of: (1) two databases featuring all interested candidates from the two sub-programs; (2) a database of available vacancies in the public and private sectors for Moldovan overseas graduates; (3) a database with interested institutions and identified needs of host/engage highly skilled diaspora members. Monthly timesheets of performance, co-signed by the BRD focal point.

Education, Experience and/or skills required

Complete higher education. Experience in international law, human rights, project management, communication, etc. Experience in EU and other international institutions could be an advantage; Organizational and planning skills; Experience in change management, institutional consolidation, performance evaluation ; Experience on migration/diaspora issues could be an advantage. Experience in project cycle management; Experience in designing and working in the excel databases; At least five years of prior work experience in the mentioned domains. Fluency in Romanian and English. Knowledge of another EU language is an advantage; Interaction and communication skills with European institutions, governments, ministries from other countries, labor inspectorates; Advanced computer knowledge.

Competencies

Values

Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible. Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.

Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies  behavioural indicators

Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results. Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes. Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.

Accountability : takes ownership for achieving the Organizations priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.

: takes ownership for achieving the Organizations priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work. Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Other

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this special vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, security clearances and a valid COVID certification.

A prerequisite for taking up the position is legal residency in the country of the duty station and work permit, as applicable.

How to apply:

Interested applicants are invited to send CV and Cover Letter in English to: hrchisinau@iom.int.

For more details on the scope of the assignment, please refer to the following email vvarzari@iom.int.

Please, indicate the position you are applying for and reference code in the subject line of your message.

Closing date for applications is 24 March 2024.

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts the applications duly completed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Posting period:

From 11.03.2024 to 24.03.2024
(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.

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A charity leader has been chosen to run as a Labour Party candidate in the upcoming UK general election.

Laura Kyrke-Smith, executive director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) UK, announced last week on social media that she had been selected as Labours candidate in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Labour is the change that Aylesbury needs and were determined to make it happen, she posted on her X page, which does not name IRC UK as her employer.

A spokesperson for the charity told Civil Society that Kyrke-Smith remains executive director of IRC UK and will be campaigning in her personal time.

Laura continues to work with senior leaders across the IRC to ensure the organisation delivers on its mission, they said.

Kyrke-Smith previously chaired the Labour Campaign for International Development, a socialist society affiliated with the parliamentary party, between 2013 and 2017.

Before joining IRC UK in 2016, initially as its director of communications in Europe, she worked at Portland Communications as a partner and in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as a speechwriter and policy analyst.

Conservative MP Rob Butler won the Aylesbury seat in 2019 with a majority of over 17,000 votes.

Tradition of MPs with charity experience

Rosamund McCarthy Etherington, partner at law firm Stone King, said there is a long tradition of MPs having a close prior connection to a charity.

Its also interesting that levels of voting and participation in democracy are much higher amongst those engaged in charities than in the public as a whole, so there is a close connection between charities and wider civic engagement, she said.

There has also been more recent case law on the ability for employees to engage in political activity being a protected philosophical belief.

Some of the factors to take into account include ensuring that the charity remains independent, not using work time or resources on party political activity, and agreeing any reasonable risk mitigations in relation to communications and social media.

In addition, many charities may grant some kind of sabbatical or unpaid leave, particularly in the short campaign when parliament is dissolved.

Commission guidance

Charity Commission guidance on charities, elections and referendums states that charity employees can stand as MPs and should declare this to their employer.

The trustees should then consider this potential conflict of interest and assess the risks for the charity in terms of both reputation and legal liability of the person taking on both roles simultaneously, the guidance says.

The guidance adds that charities must never support particular candidates even if those candidates belong to a range of political parties.

It also warns charities to be wary of associating or becoming associated in the minds of the public with a particular candidate or political party.

Where the charity supports a popular cause, candidates may see a benefit to themselves in being seen to support the charity, but the charity should be careful to ensure that it is not seen as reciprocating that support, it reads.

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Penny Appeal logo

The Fundraising Regulator is investigating several complaints about different fundraising appeals run by the Penny Appeal.

Its investigation comes as a major donor to the poverty relief charity complained that she felt cheated by the charity over its delay in building an orphanage.

Ishrat Baig told BBC News that she was assured her 40,000 donation to the charity in 2017 would be used to build the home as part of a larger complex in Pakistan within a year give or take a couple of months.

But the BBC reported that building structures did not appear until 2022, while the charity told it that children would begin moving to the site from March 2024.

The Fundraising Regulators investigation does not cover the orphanage donation, Civil Society understands, but it follows several complaints about different fundraising appeals made by the charity.

We expect the investigation will be published later in the spring, a spokesperson for the regulator said.

As this investigation is ongoing, we are unable to share further information at this time.

Meanwhile, the Charity Commission, which issued an official warning to the Penny Appeal last year over a breach of trust or duty or other misconduct and/or mismanagement, said it would consider the Fundraising Regulators findings when they are published.

Last week, the Information Commissioners Office ordered the charity to stop sending unsolicited marketing messages after finding that it had sent more than 460,000 texts over a 10-day period in 2022 to 52,000 people who had not provided their consent.

The Penny Appeal has not yet responded to Civil Societys requests for comment.

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Tributes have been paid to charity sector leader Elizabeth Balgobin, who passed away last week.

Balgobin had held numerous leadership roles throughout her career in the sector including as chief executive of the Bowlby Centre and as head of diversity and inclusion at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

She also held several positions at the National Emergencies Trust (NET), and was a columnist for Governance & Leadership magazine. A selection of her articles can be read here .

Balgobin was diagnosed with stage four cancer earlier this year. She passed away on 8 March, aged 58.

Last week, she wrote that she was grateful for the care she had received and asked people to donate to St Josephs Hospice, if they wished.

I am intensely grateful to North London Hospice, St Joseph's Hospice for the care they have provided to my family, friends and colleagus. Their care has been exemplary.  Elizabeth Balgobin (@balgobinthinks) March 5, 2024

A force to be reckoned with for over 30 years

Balgobin joined NETs allocations committee in spring 2020 and helped to establish and shape its equity scrutiny group, for which she later served as deputy chair.

The groups role was to critique the boards decision-making through the lens of protected characteristics, and to enhance outcomes for the diverse communities.

Balgobin also oversaw NETs equity, diversity and inclusion strategy.

We are deeply saddened to share the news that our wonderful Trustee & friend Elizabeth Balgobin @balgobinthinks has passed away. We have been privileged to have Elizabeth play an integral role in our journey as a charity. Her passion for social justice & her compassion for pic.twitter.com/ugaVJwVUq2  National Emergencies Trust (@NatEmergTrust) March 9, 2024

The NET said: A passionate advocate for social justice striving for nothing short of excellence when it comes to equity, Elizabeth Balgobin has been a force to be reckoned with in the UKs voluntary and community sector for more than 30 years.

It said that whatever hat Elizabeth has worn, her strong value system always guided her actions.

We are privileged that Elizabeth chose to be part of the National Emergencies Trusts journey for the last four years, NET said.

She was nothing short of instrumental in ensuring funds from the 99+m Coronavirus Appeal were distributed efficiently and, above all, equitably for the benefit of those in great need.

In the face of intense external scrutiny, she held steadfast in her commitment to taking a data-led approach to fund distribution  and ensuring equity by bringing lived experience to the forefront of decision-making.

After the Appeal, Elizabeth championed a transparent and progressive approach to the Trusts work; from her invaluable efforts to develop an evaluation framework for future appeals as chair of the evaluation working group, to spearheading our EDI strategy.

Under her influence, we have prided ourselves in taking an actions-not-words approach - and in our culture of continuous improvement.

Thanks to Elizabeth Balgobin, the National Emergencies Trust started its journey with the right foundations: with equity and excellence at the centre.

We are grateful that all future emergency appeals will build on what she started  and resolute, as Elizabeth always was, that we will never knowingly leave anyone behind.

A shining light

The CIoF said: We are all incredibly sad to hear of the death of our former colleague and friend, Elizabeth Balgobin.

Elizabeth was a shining light within our organisation, generous with her time, support and wisdom. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.

We are all incredibly sad to hear of the death of our former colleague & friend, Elizabeth Balgobin @balgobinthinks.



Elizabeth was a shining light within our organisation, generous with her time, support & wisdom. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time pic.twitter.com/i6wdkK4Xul  Chartered Institute of Fundraising (@CIOFtweets) March 11, 2024
Frontline workers at debt advice charity Rooted Finance have voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay, conditions, and trade union recognition.

Union members, represented by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), will be going on strike on 18 and 19 March.

Six employees, which is all of the charitys front of house staff, will be going on strike, according to the union.

IWGB said workers have described anti-union and intimidatory tactics from charity management.

Rooted Finance chief executive Muna Yassin told Civil Society the union was providing inaccurate and potentially damaging advice to members of the charity which risks damaging its relationships and services.

Union: Cruel third sector employers

The dispute at Rooted Finance began in December last year, when workers sent an open letter to management raising concerns over low pay and inadequate training, and requesting voluntary trade union recognition.

IWGB claims the majority of workers who signed a letter requesting union recognition have since then been summoned to disciplinaries and threatened with dismissal.

Seven former employees signed a public letter echoing the accusations made against the charity and sharing their own experiences at the organisation.

The allegations they made included unsafe working conditions, unsustainable workloads, a failure to take health issues seriously, and intimidating and bullying behaviours from management.

Ajmal Waqif, chair of the charity workers branch of IWGB said: It is shocking to see more bad bosses in the charity sector letting the mask slip with their blatant anti-union intimidation.

Rooted Finance management have joined the list of reckless and cruel third sector employers who are willing to drag the reputations of their supposedly progressive institutions through the mud.

The actions of these dangerous directors are preventing well-meaning workers from helping those in need.

CEO disappointed at the tactics employed by the IWGB

Yassin said her charity, which recorded an income of 500,000 in the year to March 2023 including 404,000 from three government grants, would not be bullied by the union.

A few members of staff recently approached Rooted Finance management with a number of demands, including pay rises, following consultation with the IWGB, she said.

Our team is incredibly important to us, and we always strive to ensure that staff are treated fairly, and compensation is equitable and benchmarks favourably to other agencies and similar projects in the sector.

We are disappointed at the tactics employed by the IWGB and it is disturbing to hear about the alleged poor behaviour, which has not been raised previously. We respect all members of our team and take their treatment and wellbeing very seriously.

It is unfortunate that the IWGB continues to provide inaccurate and potentially damaging advice to members of the Rooted Finance team which risks damaging relationships and the services being provided.

While it offers market level pay and benefits, Rooted Finance is not able to offer all of the same benefits as larger charities or the private sector. The actions of a few in partnership with the IWGB are putting these services at risk.

We are continuing to engage with employees and remain available to discuss their individual needs further.

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She came off like Americas mom. Reminiscent of Reagans message of that Shining City on a Hill. His speech was tone deaf. Hers was the perfect pitch. These were all reviews of Alabama Senator Katie Britts official Republican response to President Bidens State of the Union address on Thursday nightlines crafted by allies and distributed to sympathetic conservative influencers before Biden or Britt had even uttered a word, according to the New York Times. When it finally came time for Britt to speak, her address was less shining city on a hill and more failed country in the gutter. She painted Bidens America as a violent hellscape overrun by undocumented immigrants. And the cadence of her delivery was not so much the perfect pitch as that of an overwrought one-woman play off-off-off Broadway.

In the press, the recaps and (real) reviews quickly poured in, many of them focused on Britts rhetorical style. They werent all bad: on CBS, Margaret Brennan said that Britt is known for being a substantive person on the issues; a headline in Voice of America described Britts address as spirited. (Republicans chose Britt to deliver their rebuttal, the story readand deliver she did.) Mostly, though, the reviews were bad. With a sunny, inviting smile, Senator Katie Britt of Alabama welcomed Americans into her kitchen on Thursday night, the Times wrotebut many soon backed away nervously, amid a tonally jarring speech that, among other lines, went into grim detail about a child victim of sex trafficking by drug cartels. The Atlantics Elaina Plott Calabro deemed the speech strange, and out of step with Britts reputation for being startlingly, well, normal. As social-media commenters poured on further scorn, journalists aggregated their posts into content. By Saturday night, Scarlett Johansson was parodying Britt on SNL. By Sunday night, Jimmy Kimmel was mocking her at the Oscars.

Some analysis of the address drafted it into the endless debate over polarization in America. The senators performance may have given me a morning migraine, the Times columnist Michelle Cottle wrote. But Im guessing there were plenty of other folks, including much of the MAGAverse, who found it spot-on. Indeed, Donald Trump and various acolytes praised Britt, at least in public. Butas articles in various major publications proclaimedeven many right-wingers found the speech excruciating. A source close to Trump told the Daily Beast that it was the stuff of nightmares. I dont know what the eff I saw, Megyn Kelly said on SiriusXM. On one conservative network, the initial reaction to the speech was one of stunned silence.

A nation, finally, seemed to agree about something. But amid all the mockery, one reaction to Britts address increasingly stood outand it had little to do with her weird delivery. In a video posted to TikTok on Friday, Jonathan Katz, an independent journalist who once worked at the Associated Press and now writes the newsletter The Racket, patiently fileted a particular claim that Britt had madespecifically the one that went into grim detail about a child victim of sex trafficking by drug cartels. Britt recounted meeting in Texas with an activist who had been trafficked starting at the age of twelve, then strongly implied that this had happened as a result of the Biden administrations approach to the border. (We wouldnt be okay with this happening in a third-world country, Britt said, angrily. This is the United States of America.) Following a rudimentary online search, however, Katz found that the victim Britt was talking about had been trafficked in Mexico between 2004 and 2008, when George W. Bush was the US president.

Katzs fact check went viral and has since reframed much topline coverage of Britts address, with major outlets now questioning its accuracy at least as prominently as its idiosyncratic tone. Even Johansson nodded, in her SNL parody, to Katzs reporting; appearing on Fox News Sunday yesterday, Britt was asked about her anecdote and essentially confirmed the essence of Katzs reporting despite rhetorically doubling down. Among avid journalism-watchers, at least, Katzs work also turned Britts speech into a media storyone dragging in weighty themes from the dire state of the news business to the perceived complicity of political journalists in Republican deception. As I see it, the episode also, to some extent, points to the decline of the fact check, and the riseor, at least, the stubborn persistenceof the vibe check.

Numerous observers questioned why it had taken Katza freelance journalist posting to social mediato undermine Britts claim when much better-resourced newsrooms have legions of reporters whose ostensible job it is to do so. (Especially given how little time it took Katz to establish the context for Britts anecdote; he later described the task as the fastest investigation I think Ive ever done.) Major outlets clearly agree that Britts false claim is a big story, judging by their subsequent scramble to cover it. (The Times phoned the activist at the center of Britts story, who said that shed learned about it from social media and found the whole thing very strange.) Several of these outlets prominently credited Katz in their coverage. Others did so as an afterthought or not at all, while using voice-of-God language that suggested Britts claim had, as if entirely naturally, become the subject of questions, scrutiny, criticism, and backlash.

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That it took Katz to fact-check Britts claim was not, as some observers have implied, a failure of the media, if only because Katz is very much a member of the media and not just some random guy on TikTokindeed, Katz is a very well-known journalist and TikTok is a perfectly legitimate mechanism for the delivery of journalism (even if a lot of what gets delivered on the platform is not legitimately journalism). In his video, Katz showed how the platform can be effective for sharing news in a transparent way, flashing up his research on-screen as he talked viewers through it. Still, it is fair to ask why major newsrooms didnt get to the story first. In an interview with Maria Bustillos for Flaming Hydra, a cooperative for independent publishers to which Bustillos and Katz both belong, Katz welcomed the democratization of mediabut also suggested that the barriers to doing journalism online are now so low because the professional journalism industry has been decimated financially. The good news is no matter what your background, no matter where you come from, you too can make no money, Katz quipped. There should be newspapers that we work at where we do this, he added.

Having more newsrooms, while a very good idea, isnt itself a cure for the sort of journalistic groupthink that can lead to collective oversights like this one. And its only fair to point out that the well-resourced newsrooms we already have werent totally asleep at the wheel here. Outlets including the Washington Post, CNN, and the New York Times all ran rigorous, quick fact checks of Bidens State of the Union address; the Times also checked at least two (albeit fairly general) claims from Britts response, which was also the subject of some checking by PolitiFact and by MSNBCs Rachel Maddow (who pointed out on air that for all her complaints about Bidens border policies, Britt abandoned a bipartisan Senate bill aimed at reforming them after Trump came out against it). Fact-checkers then followed up on Katzs reporting on the specific sex-trafficking claim. The Posts Glenn Kessler awarded it Four Pinocchiosa metric intended to categorize a lie as particularly egregious.

Still, pre-Katz, at least, any fact-checking of Britts speech was a much smaller story across the mediasphere than its delivery. This strikes me, at least to some extent, as a departure from the golden age of fact-checking under Trump, when a practice about as old as journalism itself took off as a focused pursuitand a media story in its own rightin response to Trumps prolific lying, making mini-media celebrities of Kessler and some of his counterparts. If those days are over, that isnt necessarily a bad thing. Even at the time, some observers, including CJRs Ana Marie Cox, criticized the obsession with fact-checking as overly focused on petty minutiae at the expense of more urgent truths that are harder to pin down. Pinocchios give readers an impression that the only thing that matters about a claim is the degree to which it is true, Cox wrote. In reality, other things matter, too, including who makes a claim, and, yes, how. (If nothing else, Britts delivery of her speech was indeed very funny. We could all use a laugh right now.)

On this occasion, though, Britt used a specific, shockingly violent claim to undergird a much bigger narrative about immigration. As The New Yorkers Jonathan Blitzer suggested to my colleague Kevin Lind recently, too much mainstream media coverage of that subject is already organized more around how partisans feel about it than specific factual assessmentsa problem surely exacerbated by how complicated a policy area immigration can be. Those specifics really matter. The immigration debate needs more light, and less misleading heat.

More broadly, Bustillos put it to Katz, in their discussion for Flaming Hydra, that a tendency to prioritize pure vibes over verifiable facts has crossed over from the MAGA media universe and infected mainstream media institutions. To be sure, political coverage has always been concerned with optics, and thats always been especially true of the rebuttal to the State of the Union; Marco Rubios 2013 effort is still better remembered (if the coverage of Britts speech is any guide) for the way he took a drink of water than anything he said. By hamming things up, Britt only made the theater-criticism nature of the coverage seem more on the nose. Still, its not hard to imagine a media moment, not so long ago, when more journalists might have been tasked with checking her specific claims sooner, and with greater prominence. If they had, those claims might instantly have defined her speech, in addition to its weird tone. Thanks to Katz, they still might.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: How do you cover a candidate everyone knowsand no one remembers?

Correction: This post has been updated to clarify that the Washington Posts Four Pinocchios metric predates the Trump administration.

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
Editors note: This is the second of a two-part series. The first part of the story ran on Claims Journal on March 4.

Throughout the fidelity claims handling process, issues or challenges may arise for which parties involved must reconcile.

Here are some common issues that may be encountered:

Proof of Loss: One of the primary challenges in fidelity claims is establishing the proof of loss. The insured party must provide evidence of the fraudulent or dishonest acts committed by an employee or third party. Evidence may include financial records, transaction logs, emails, banking records, internal investigation reports, witness statements or interviews, criminal or civil litigation against parties of interest, or other documentation.Gathering the electronic evidence may require digital forensics professionals to ensure the data is preserved in a defensible way. eDiscovery review tools can also be useful to facilitate the review of this evidence so that it can be presented to the insurer as evidence of the loss. Proofs of Loss may require time for the policy holder to compile and properly document as frauds, by their very nature, are hidden and therefore require the insured/investigator to peel back the onion in order to get to the root of the theft scheme.

One of the primary challenges in fidelity claims is establishing the proof of loss. The insured party must provide evidence of the fraudulent or dishonest acts committed by an employee or third party. Evidence may include financial records, transaction logs, emails, banking records, internal investigation reports, witness statements or interviews, criminal or civil litigation against parties of interest, or other documentation.Gathering the electronic evidence may require digital forensics professionals to ensure the data is preserved in a defensible way. eDiscovery review tools can also be useful to facilitate the review of this evidence so that it can be presented to the insurer as evidence of the loss. Proofs of Loss may require time for the policy holder to compile and properly document as frauds, by their very nature, are hidden and therefore require the insured/investigator to peel back the onion in order to get to the root of the theft scheme. Policy Coverage: Understanding the specific coverage outlined in the policyholders fidelity policy is a crucial step of the claims process. Policies vary in terms, conditions, and coverage/sublimits across different types of organizations. Therefore, the parties must ensure that the claim falls within the scope of the policy, understand the policy limits, and whether the insured is allowed to stack available policy limits. Policies may require the insured to demonstrate that the employee received an improper financial benefit from their actions.

For employee dishonesty or fraud claims, another issue is often the verification of employment status and whether acts by that employee are covered. Most fidelity policies define the term employee and who is covered or excluded, such as regular employees of the insured organization, 1099 employees, owner (normally excluded from coverage), named insured, or uninsured subsidiary. Additionally, most policies outline a number of specific exclusions, including if the insured knew about prior fraudulent activity by that employee.

Policy Exclusions: Fidelity policies often contain exclusions that specify certain individuals, situations, or types of losses that are not covered. The insurance company, claims adjusters, and other professionals need to review these exclusions at the onset of the claim investigation to understand how they may apply to the claim and to ensure that the investigation addresses each potential exclusion. Other typical exclusions include indirect or consequential losses, such as impacted credit rating, loss of potential income, and fines or penalties.

Fidelity policies often contain exclusions that specify certain individuals, situations, or types of losses that are not covered. The insurance company, claims adjusters, and other professionals need to review these exclusions at the onset of the claim investigation to understand how they may apply to the claim and to ensure that the investigation addresses each potential exclusion. Other typical exclusions include indirect or consequential losses, such as impacted credit rating, loss of potential income, and fines or penalties. Reporting Timelines: Issues may arise over when the insured discovered and reported the fraudulent or dishonest act. Fidelity insurance policies typically require the insured to report the act promptly, and failure to report within the specified timeframe could result in the insurance company denying the claim. Exactly when the insured first determines when a possible employee theft has taken place is often an area for potential debate between the carrier and insured.The financial investigator must be cognizant of the date of discovery issue and obtain relevant information to help the insured make the date of discovery determination. Metadata associated with key electronic files can help to determine the exact time associated with fraudulent or dishonest activity.

Issues may arise over when the insured discovered and reported the fraudulent or dishonest act. Fidelity insurance policies typically require the insured to report the act promptly, and failure to report within the specified timeframe could result in the insurance company denying the claim. Exactly when the insured first determines when a possible employee theft has taken place is often an area for potential debate between the carrier and insured.The financial investigator must be cognizant of the date of discovery issue and obtain relevant information to help the insured make the date of discovery determination. Metadata associated with key electronic files can help to determine the exact time associated with fraudulent or dishonest activity. Investigation: Insurance companies may conduct their own investigation of the claim to assess the validity of the claim. However, for more complex claims, outside forensic accountants are often hired to examine the claim, both by the insured and the insurer. These independent professionals evaluate the circumstances and evidence surrounding the loss, identify the responsible parties, conduct interviews of key personnel or parties, and quantify the loss amounts.For some claims, the forensic accountants should be able to provide expertise in the location and possible recovery of stolen assets, such as money, inventory or other physical assets purchased with stolen funds. Also, forensic accountants or investigators with specific expertise or language skills may be needed, particularly if assets have been diverted to foreign countries. Digital forensics and data analytics experts can assist with analysis of financial systems, alternative asset categories (such as crypto currencies), and asset tracing activities.

Insurance companies may conduct their own investigation of the claim to assess the validity of the claim. However, for more complex claims, outside forensic accountants are often hired to examine the claim, both by the insured and the insurer. These independent professionals evaluate the circumstances and evidence surrounding the loss, identify the responsible parties, conduct interviews of key personnel or parties, and quantify the loss amounts.For some claims, the forensic accountants should be able to provide expertise in the location and possible recovery of stolen assets, such as money, inventory or other physical assets purchased with stolen funds. Also, forensic accountants or investigators with specific expertise or language skills may be needed, particularly if assets have been diverted to foreign countries. Digital forensics and data analytics experts can assist with analysis of financial systems, alternative asset categories (such as crypto currencies), and asset tracing activities. Subrogation: If the insurance company pays a claim to the policyholder, the insurer often seeks to recover its losses through subrogation: usually through legal proceedings. During this process, the forensic accountant, legal counsel, and other professionals can assist in the proceedings with guidance as to the nature and location of hidden assets and possibly provide expert witness testimony against the fraudsters.

If the insurance company pays a claim to the policyholder, the insurer often seeks to recover its losses through subrogation: usually through legal proceedings. During this process, the forensic accountant, legal counsel, and other professionals can assist in the proceedings with guidance as to the nature and location of hidden assets and possibly provide expert witness testimony against the fraudsters. Mitigation of Loss: The fidelity insurance company often requires the insured to take reasonable steps to mitigate any future losses, once the fraudulent or dishonest activity is discovered. Forensic accountants and other professionals can assist in evaluating the organizations current internal controls and providing recommendations. Insureds are often asked to provide their carriers with any changes they make to their internal control (I/C) systems in response to the theft. Evaluations of these I/C changes allow the carrier to make a determination about whether or not to provide continuing fidelity coverage for the insured.

The fidelity insurance company often requires the insured to take reasonable steps to mitigate any future losses, once the fraudulent or dishonest activity is discovered. Forensic accountants and other professionals can assist in evaluating the organizations current internal controls and providing recommendations. Insureds are often asked to provide their carriers with any changes they make to their internal control (I/C) systems in response to the theft. Evaluations of these I/C changes allow the carrier to make a determination about whether or not to provide continuing fidelity coverage for the insured. Documentation: As with any investigation, thoroughly documenting the fraudulent or dishonest acts is crucial to a successful claim. All parties involved, especially the claims adjusters, investigators, and forensic accountants, should ensure the preservation of evidence to avoid spoliation, maintain a clear chain of custody, and the successful organization and analysis of large data and document sets. Digital forensic and electronic discovery professionals can work with the investigators to gather, preserve, and analyze the documents and process large volumes of information which sometimes seem overwhelming. Key word searches allow the investigator to zero in on the most relevant data to enable the insured and carrier to ascertain the magnitude of the defalcation and the viability of the supporting data.

As with any investigation, thoroughly documenting the fraudulent or dishonest acts is crucial to a successful claim. All parties involved, especially the claims adjusters, investigators, and forensic accountants, should ensure the preservation of evidence to avoid spoliation, maintain a clear chain of custody, and the successful organization and analysis of large data and document sets. Digital forensic and electronic discovery professionals can work with the investigators to gather, preserve, and analyze the documents and process large volumes of information which sometimes seem overwhelming. Key word searches allow the investigator to zero in on the most relevant data to enable the insured and carrier to ascertain the magnitude of the defalcation and the viability of the supporting data. Dispute Resolution: In certain cases, disagreements may arise between the insured and the insurance company regarding the claims validity, or the amount covered. When this occurs, the dispute may need to be resolved through various dispute resolution methods, such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or legal proceedings.Throughout this process, legal and accounting professionals can assist in the dispute resolution process to aid in a successful outcome. With this in mind, the forensic investigator should maintain their file with an eye towards possible litigation, making their file litigation ready before litigation is ever contemplated. Using a document tracking system that links key documents to reports and analysis helps achieve this goal.

Additional Expertise That May Be Needed in a Fidelity Investigation

Depending on the insureds industry, or the types of information requiring analysis, specific technical expertise may be required to address the investigations needs.

Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrency has been used more and more by threat actors as a way to not only hide their identity, but also limit visibility into the flow of value as it changes hands on the global blockchain. Deploying skills to quantify and trace assets on a chain can be critical to a companys ability to recover lost assets through fraudulent means.

Cryptocurrency has been used more and more by threat actors as a way to not only hide their identity, but also limit visibility into the flow of value as it changes hands on the global blockchain. Deploying skills to quantify and trace assets on a chain can be critical to a companys ability to recover lost assets through fraudulent means. Electronic Device Forensics: Digital forensics experts may need to dig deeper into specific device classes to identify additional communication platforms. For example, documents and data that have been deleted may need to be recovered to aid the investigation. Additionally, encrypted messaging apps (like Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram) may not be immediately evident when reviewing collected electronic evidence. Forensics experts can evaluate the data sources using a variety of forensic tools to determine if specific apps are present and how to access the communications they contain.

Digital forensics experts may need to dig deeper into specific device classes to identify additional communication platforms. For example, documents and data that have been deleted may need to be recovered to aid the investigation. Additionally, encrypted messaging apps (like Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram) may not be immediately evident when reviewing collected electronic evidence. Forensics experts can evaluate the data sources using a variety of forensic tools to determine if specific apps are present and how to access the communications they contain. Cyber: On many occasions, the security architecture of a company plays a key role in how sensitive information becomes available to a threat actor. Poor security protocols and data storage standards provide opportunities for fraudulent activity and information misuse outside of typical data governance models and deployed checks and balances. For example, if an employee that shouldnt have access to approve vendor invoices finds a way to access the general ledger and purchasing systems, it could be possible for them to gain enough information to create a fake entity that could circumvent compliance efforts. Its important to compartmentalize access to specific areas of the business and regularly audit that access to ensure that security breaches dont occur.

On many occasions, the security architecture of a company plays a key role in how sensitive information becomes available to a threat actor. Poor security protocols and data storage standards provide opportunities for fraudulent activity and information misuse outside of typical data governance models and deployed checks and balances. For example, if an employee that shouldnt have access to approve vendor invoices finds a way to access the general ledger and purchasing systems, it could be possible for them to gain enough information to create a fake entity that could circumvent compliance efforts. Its important to compartmentalize access to specific areas of the business and regularly audit that access to ensure that security breaches dont occur. Industry Specialists: If the insured is situated within a highly regulated industry (such as securities, healthcare, public sector, etc.) specialists that are familiar with the datatypes as well as the regulations and compliance standards of the client can be invaluable at limiting the scope of the investigation and applying focus to the specific transactions at issue. Knowing the compliance procedures that the insured is undergoing on a regular basis can help to streamline what areas to focus an investigation on and to highlight areas in the shadows of the regulators. Furthermore, these industry experts can assist with implementing process improvements to help limit these types of activities in the future.

Types of Fidelity Policy Exclusions

There are typically a host of exclusions that appear in most fidelity policies. Coverage that seems to be granted within the declaration pages, loss determination pages or endorsements are often clarified within the Exclusions sections of the policy. It is vitally important for the investigation team to have a thorough understanding of the entire insurance policy, with a watchful eye toward the exclusions section.

All coverage determinations are the exclusive purview of the insurance carrier and their counsel. The insured and their counsel may well have a different interpretation of certain aspects of the policy, but in either case, the forensic accountants role is to understand the key aspects of the policy, including afforded coverages and related exclusions. However, under no circumstances is the forensic investigator to make any coverage determinations. All questions regarding coverage must be deferred to counsel / carrier.

Some typical exclusions that we often find in fidelity bond coverages are:

Limitations on which afforded coverages apply to employees

Exclusions for acts of Owners, Partners, Directors of the insured

Losses that take place after the discovery of the employee theft

Consequential losses

Cost to establish the theft loss unless provided as noted coverage

Loss of potential income or dividends

Any damages other than direct compensatory

Losses dependent solely upon a physical inventory or Profit and loss computation

Accounting errors.

Adapting Fidelity Claims to a Changing Landscape

The future of insurance is highly dynamic and can be influenced by unexpected events, changes in business practices, emerging risks, and emerging technologies. For example, since ChatGPT emerged in late 2022, we have already seen an impact in how fraud is being conducted as well as investigated with this new generative AI technology.

As a result, fidelity insurance providers will continue to adapt to the changing landscape to remain effective in managing and processing claims. In turn, businesses need to also stay informed about these changes to mitigate losses, prevent losses from occurring, and ensure adequate coverage for their specific risks.

Lewis is a senior vice president in J.S. Helds Economic Damages & Valuations practice. As a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner, who is also certified in financial forensics, she specializes in forensic accounting and the analysis of economic damages.

Fogarty is an executive vice president in J.S. Helds Forensic Accounting/Insurance practice. He has more than 35 years of expertise in forensic accounting and fraud examination. As a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner, who is also certified in financial forensics, he specializes in the financial evaluation of damage claims and frauds, including first-party property losses, third-party liability cases, commercial litigation damages, and fidelity matters.

Lewis is a senior vice president in J.S. Helds Economic Damages & Valuations practice. As a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner, who is also certified in financial forensics, she specializes in forensic accounting and the analysis of economic damages.

OMalley is a senior managing director and leads Digital Investigations & Discovery services within J.S. Helds Global Investigations practice. He has been engaged on large multinational investigations and has given expert testimony in the areas of analysis and restoration of electronic data, electronic discovery best practices, and testing of related computer software.
Hand sanitizers were tainted by benzene. Sunscreens and dry shampoos too. Now acne treatments are joining the list of widely used consumer products found to contain high levels of the chemical linked to cancer.

Acne products from brands including Proactiv, Target Corp.s Up & Up and Clinique have elevated levels of the carcinogen, an independent testing laboratory said in a petition filed with the US Food and Drug Administration late Tuesday. The lab asked the FDA to recall the affected treatments  all of which contain the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide  while regulators investigate.

Benzene is a natural component of gasoline and tobacco smoke and can cause leukemia in high amounts, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over the past three years its been detected in several popular products, heightening consumers awareness of the potential threats in their bathroom cabinets and raising questions about the FDAs oversight of the industry. Companies including Johnson & Johnson, Unilever Plc and Procter & Gamble Co. have recalled products.

New Haven, Connecticut-based Valisure LLC, the testing laboratory that filed Tuesdays petition and uncovered the previous risks, has positioned itself as a gatekeeper for consumers. Valisure gained prominence conducting product research and has deals with large health-care systems, including Kaiser Permanente and the US Department of Defense, to test drugs used by their members and weed out substandard treatments.

For its acne research, Valisure tested 66 benzoyl peroxide products, including creams, lotions, gels and washes available either over the counter from major retailers or via prescription. While FDA guidelines allow up to 2 parts per million of benzene, Valisure found up to nine times that amount in some treatments. Those levels jumped significantly when the products were tested at higher temperatures designed to replicate how they might break down over time, for example if stored in a medicine cabinet in a steamy bathroom.

Proactivs 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream, manufactured by Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., contained as much as 1,761 parts per million of benzene during Valisures stability testing, while a similar cream from Target reached 1,598 parts per million and a treatment from Estee Lauder Cos.s Clinique hit 401 parts per million. A 10% benzoyl peroxide cream from Reckitt Benckiser Group Plcs Clearasil initially tested just at the FDA limit, but jumped to 308 parts per million of benzene after being exposed to high temperatures for more than two weeks.

Reckitt is confident that all Clearasil products, when used and stored as directed on their labels, are safe, the company said in a statement. The safety and quality of products are its top priority, Reckitt said. It didnt answer questions about whether it had tested its acne cream for benzene.

Representatives for the FDA, Taro Pharmaceuticals, Target and Estee Lauder didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Reckitt fell 2% and Unilever Plc dipped 0.4% in London, while Estee Lauder slid 1.5% and Taro tumbled as much as 3.4% at 3:01 p.m. in New York.

Acne is the most common skin condition in the US, and affects as many as 50 million people each year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The numbers are even higher among teenagers and young adults: about 85% of those aged 12 to 24 have some form of the condition.

Sales of over-the-counter US acne treatments totaled $1 billion last year, almost double the $593 million in sales in 2019, data from Chicago-based market research firm Circana showed. The AAD guidelines name benzoyl peroxide as one of its top recommendations for treating acne topically.

Valisure President David Light said the contamination happens because benzoyl peroxide can break down and form benzene.

This has been well known for a long time, he said in an interview. All that was needed was for someone to check on it.

Light is listed as an inventor on a patent filed last year for a method to prevent benzoyl peroxide from breaking down into benzene in drug products. The lab tested other kinds of acne products with different ingredients, mainly salicylic acid, and did not find elevated benzene levels in those.

Valisures most high-profile investigation was into heartburn drug Zantac, which the FDA pulled from the market along with generic versions in 2020, months after the lab discovered the drugs active ingredient  ranitidine  could form a probable carcinogen called NDMA.

The FDA has questioned Valisures testing methods in the past. Specifically, the agency has said the independent lab should follow the same testing methods that drug manufacturers use, which are costlier than the way that Valisure tests for benzene.

Valisure stands behind its testing methods and points to its certification from the International Organization for Standardization, which sets testing guidelines for all kinds of products including drugs. In a statement Wednesday, Valisure said the results from its research on acne treatments were most similar to its investigation into those ranitidine products.

The benzene we found in sunscreens and other consumer products were impurities that came from contaminated ingredients; however, the benzene in benzoyl peroxide products is coming from the benzoyl peroxide itself, Light said in the statement.

In 2022, following Valisures previous benzene findings, the FDA warned companies that they should assess the risk of the chemical forming in their own products. The agency doesnt regularly test products it oversees.

The discovery made by Valisure regarding benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products is deeply troubling and gives renewed importance to the need to empower the FDA to immediately act once we are made aware of the dangers of prescription or over-the-counter drugs, US Representative Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat, said in a statement. Benzoyl peroxide products saturate the current market and millions of consumers are unknowingly using a product that increases their exposure to life-threatening carcinogens.

DeLauro has attempted to push legislation that would give the FDA the authority to recall drugs rather than negotiate with companies to do so on a voluntary basis.

Valisures testing also examined benzene in the air surrounding acne treatments and found that even an unopened Proactiv product leaked high levels when kept at 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature of a hot shower, for almost 17 hours. The Environmental Protection Agency has said inhaling benzene at levels of 0.4 parts per billion chronically over a lifetime could result in one additional cancer per 100,000 people, a measure of risk the FDA also uses.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that a pet store chain will have to pay $300,000 to 190 customers who they knowingly sold sick puppies to at locations on Long Island.

As part of the settlement, Shake A Paw will also be required to change their business practices after an investigation reportedly found the pet store kept dogs in inhumane conditions and sold critically sick puppies that died within days or weeks after purchase. Shake A Paw will pay $300,000 in restitution to all impacted customers, many of whom reportedly spent thousands of dollars on medical bills after the puppies they bought fell sick.

The company is also required to stop all misleading advertising about selling the healthiest and best of the best puppies from the most trusted breeders, and can only purchase animals from reputable breeders or brokers that follow state and local laws. Shake A Paw will be banned from selling dogs entirely starting in December 2024 as the result of a new state law taking effect that prevents pet stores from selling dogs.

In December 2021, James sued Shake A Paw after an investigation reportedly revealed its two Long Island locations in Hicksville and Lynbrook falsely advertised sick pets as healthy, failed to disclose the animals medical conditions, misrepresented puppies breeds, and refused to reimburse consumers for veterinarian bills to treat sick dogs.

In one reported case, a customer purchased a puppy that died six days after a Shake A Paw employee told them that the puppy was fine. In another case, a customers puppy was hospitalized for severe double pneumonia two days after purchase. One customer reportedly spent more than $2,000 on veterinary bills after a puppy from Shake A Paw was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection one week after purchase.

The investigation analyzed more than 400 veterinary records of puppies sold at the stores and reportedly found that more than half of the puppies had upper respiratory infections or breathing problems or were infected with parasites. Nearly 10% were reportedly diagnosed with pneumonia.

Shake A Paw also reportedly lied to customers about the sources of its puppies, failing to fully disclose to consumers that puppies originated from establishments knopwn known puppy mills.

After selling sick puppies to customers, Shake A Paw refused to offer reimbursements when they called to complain. Instead, Shake A Paw directed customers to the companys own veterinarians, who would often fail to correctly diagnose illnesses, according to investigators.

Shortly after filing the lawsuit against Shake A Paw, James secured a temporary court order banning its two Long Island stores from purchasing or adopting any new animals for resale in New York, requiring a vet appointed by her office to examine all puppies in Shake A Paws possession prior to their sale, and freezing its bank accounts.
(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."

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Xcel Energy Inc. will likely be wrangling for years with the legal fallout from the wildfires burning through the Texas Panhandle.

The experience of utility companies in California and Oregon sued over massive blazes sparked by downed power lines shows that litigation takes at least three years to play out.

That would put Xcel  which was hit last week with the first suit over the worst wildfire in Texas history  on track to still be fighting claims in 2027. RBC Capital Markets has estimated liabilities of less than $3 billion for the Smokehouse Creek Fire, which has charred more than 1 million acres and resulted in at least two deaths.

While Texas investigators have moved faster than their counterparts in other states to quickly determine that the Smokehouse fire was ignited by power lines attached to a broken wooden utility pole, that wont necessarily resolve the litigation sooner as Xcel is still doing its own investigation.

The first step in what could be a long showdown between Xcel and victims came Thursday when the company acknowledged that its equipment was likely involved in the Smokehouse fire  the largest of the Panhandle blazes  but insisted that it wasnt negligent.

The suit filed March 1 alleges negligence for failure to properly inspect and maintain utility poles and seeks unspecified monetary damages.

The financial and legal risks will likely take months to years to materialize, Moodys Ratings said Friday. Xcel has about $500 million in insurance, which should be sufficient to cover the economic claims from the wildfire, the credit rating company said. However, Texas doesnt have a liability cap for non-economic losses, which could pose some financial risk to Xcel, Moodys added.

Xcel is simultaneously trying to fend off more than 300 lawsuits that have piled up over a 2021 fire in the Denver suburb of Boulder County that was labeled Colorados most destructive fire.

Its unclear whether Panhandle property owners will be able to seize on a legal shortcut  one that doesnt require proving negligence  that was used by fire victims in California to secure compensation from PG&E Corp. following a series of catastrophic fires in the northern part of the state.

Xcel has launched its own claims process for people who lost property or livestock to help people rebuild, the company said in a statement.

We will work with customers to verify and respond to their claims, with a goal to resolve as many claims as possible in the coming weeks or months, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, lawyers have fanned out across the Panhandle seeking to sign up clients. Homeowners insurance companies have to send out their claim adjusters to figure out claims.

The litigation begins in earnest with the fact-finding and information-sharing process known as discovery, which can easily take two to three years in complicated, mass-plaintiff, multibillion-dollar-damage cases. Discovery is ongoing in Xcels Colorado cases and in Hawaii, where Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. is fighting more than 100 suits blaming it for the blazes that destroyed the Maui town of Lahaina in August.

It takes time, said Michael Wara, an attorney who is the director of the climate and energy policy program at Stanford University.

Xcel declined to comment on how long the litigation might take to wrap up.

In Oregon, a decision by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.s PacifiCorp to take its chances with a jury last year marked the first time that a lawsuit over large-scale devastation blamed on utility equipment went to a trial. The company was found grossly negligent for failing to heed weather warnings and shut off electricity in its service areas ahead of a wind storm on Labor Day 2020 that toppled power lines.

But even three and a half years into the litigation, PacifiCorps ordeal isnt over as damages payments for thousands of property owners are still being fought over in court  and appeals could add two more years to the timeline.

PG&E averted going to trial in California by filing for bankruptcy protection in 2019 while facing tens of billions of dollars in estimated liabilities over several fires dating back to 2017 and 2018.

The Golden States largest utility faced extra pressure because it could have been held responsible under a legal principle known as inverse condemnation for damage caused by its equipment regardless of whether it operated responsibly. The company reached a $13.5 billion settlement with wildfire victims and exited bankruptcy in 2020.

In Texas, where the theory isnt as well developed, Fitch Ratings said this week that Xcels local subsidiary wouldnt be subject to inverse condemnation.

But Shelley Ross Saxer, a law professor at Pepperdine University, said the shortcut may be viable under the Texas state constitution. Inverse condemnation would save time for property owners because theres less they need to prove to qualify for damages, Saxer said.

Top photo: A destroyed ranch home following the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Miami, Texas, US, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. The Smokehouse Creek fire in Texas is the largest in the states history and has consumed more than 1 million acres (405,000 hectares), according to Texas A&M Forest Service with dry gusts up to 50 miles per hour sweeping across Texas and the Plains through Sunday.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
Dear Abby: On paper, Im an accomplished woman. I have a doctorate in Educational Leadership and had a 36-year career in education, mostly as a school administrator. I am financially stable and I have many friends. I also have an overwhelming sense of loneliness, and this is where my issues lie.

I was well accepted when I lived in the North, but since moving to Florida, I have had trouble breaking into volunteerism. It took five years before I was accepted for volunteer jobs in my community, and only because of a board members intervention. I have been told there are no openings on certain committees until they hear my background from someone. I joined a philanthropy group, which costs me more than $1,000 a year, and as often as they ask for volunteers, I am never accepted.

Recently, there was a social event sponsored by this group. I was not invited. I learned about it only when someone offered me a ride. When I asked my doctor for the name of someone I could talk to, as the fault must lie within me, he was dismissive. I am sinking further into loneliness and dont know what to do. Do you have any suggestions?

-- Off Track in Stuart, Florida

Dear Off Track: Are you affiliated with a religious institution in your community? If so, it might benefit you to talk with the clergyperson and ask why you may have been excluded from volunteering. In most communities, theres a crying need for people to donate their time and help. If that conversation doesnt provide insight regarding the attitude toward new arrivals in town, it may be time to consider relocating to a more welcoming city, one with opportunities for folks who would like to share their time and talents.

P.S. If there are more Northerners like yourself who have been pushed aside, consider forming a group of your own and socializing with them. You might make some more wonderful friends if you do.

Previously

See all Dear Abby columns

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Copyright 2024, Andrews, McMeel Syndication.
NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio -- The rolls are about to get tastier and sweeter in North Olmsted with the news that Texas Roadhouse is planning a Great Northern Mall location.

The new 7,900-square-foot restaurant will take the place of the vacant JCPenney Furniture outlot building, located south of the mall along Country Club Boulevard.

Im always in favor of eliminating blight, Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones said.

North Olmsted Director of Economic and Community Development Max Upton said the city, along with the owners of Great Northern Mall, have spent the last six months talking to Texas Roadhouse representatives.

This is exciting, because its one of those destination spaces, Upton said. They have a really large following. In fact, when we were reviewing the project, we asked them if they really need this much parking.

Texas Roadhouse told us they have 100 tables and a 90-minute wait every Saturday.

Like the mayor said, its always nice when vacant buildings get knocked down and reinvestment happens. Were talking millions of dollars in investment and 120 new jobs -- all good things are going on over there.

Construction of the new $4.5 million restaurant is expected to be completed in early 2025.

Regarding demolition of the existing building, Upton said the deal with Texas Roadhouse includes the mall and the city splitting the estimated $450,000 cost.

North Olmsted plans on using tax-increment financing (TIF) to cover its end of the demolition bill.

We actually have an existing and under-utilized TIF thats been on the property since 2012, Upton said.

One of the things you can do with TIFs is demolish or get rid of blight. So this is really just us using the existing tools that we have to further development.

Once operational, Texas Roadhouses anticipated $1.6 million annual payroll is estimated to bring in roughly $30,000 to the citys coffers.

Its not a ton, but its not insignificant either, Upton said.

Then, all totaled between the demolition and construction, outfitting the place, youre talking about an $8 million investment, which is nothing to shake a stick at.

The mayor noted that these types of projects are important to serve the symbiotic relationship between the retail-focused mall and adjacent restaurants that keeps the area thriving.

Its something that I feel is a worthwhile investment to help rejuvenate this area, Jones said. Once you start that ball rolling, and you see these new entities going in there, thats going to spark further development. Thats really what were after.

We have the theater reopening, some new entities within the mall and now Texas Roadhouse coming. These will create that dynamic that you need in order to keep this area viable.

Read more news from the Sun Post Herald.
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Independence Middle School eighth-graders Penny McGurr and Adriana Randjelovic have been recognized as among Northeast Ohios top student leaders.

The students were celebrated at the seventh annual Breakfast of Champions hosted March 6 by the Ohio Middle Level Association (OMLA). Around 40 students were joined by family, teachers and administrators to mark their exemplary character and academic achievements.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Sgt. Sarah Shendy waves to every person she sees on the job.

While walking around Case Western Reserve Universitys campus, she stops to say hello to a woman walking her dog. While driving around University Circle in her cruiser, she tries to make eye contact with each person crossing Euclid Avenue and smiles.

She wants everyone to be seen because she knows what its like to not be.

Shendy, a Case police officer, is Ohios first Egyptian-Muslim woman police sergeant. She hopes to be a part of the change in policing in the United States by inspiring more women and diverse candidates to join law enforcement.

When I became a police officer, nobody looked like me. Every police department should really aim to mirror its community. I want people to feel safe, respected and seen, she said.

Shendy, 39, joined the colleges police force last May after working at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in recruiting. She previously worked for Copley police for 14 years.

She is a top-notch human being who is really passionate about her work, said Jeff Scott, the former director of the training academy. The thing that I really loved about her is that she was always doing something to improve her work.

She was born in eastern Saudi Arabia and lived in Egypt. Shendy and her family moved to the United States in 1996, when she was 6. Her dad had finished his doctorate at the University of Akron and started a new job. Shendy graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School when she was 16 and attended Kent State University, where she majored in criminal justice.

Tears welled in her eyes when she talked about the sacrifices her parents have made for her and her siblings.

The two biggest passions in my life are my Arab-American Muslim family and my law enforcement family, she said. Those are the two things that I live and die for.

In 2022, she was recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as a 40 Under 40 recipient. She was appointed director of the Ohio Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment, helping local cities in the selection, hiring and recruitment of police officers.

She said she became interested in law enforcement as a child when police came to her class to speak about the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Growing up, she said, people often bullied her. They made fun of her accent and ridiculed the food she ate and what she wore.

Law enforcement in the Middle East is different. They have absolutely no interest in protecting or befriending citizens, she said. There is no such thing as community-policing, which is a cliche, because all policing should be community-based.

She said her identity maximizes her potential. Shendy said diversity should be a priority in police departments to build trust with the communities they serve.

She listed numerous times her identity was an asset: when she spoke Arabic to help officers in another department bring a lost woman home; when victims found comfort in her presence amid male colleagues; and when she recruited other women and people of color to be police officers.

In 2012, she designed a class to teach officers how to interact with Middle Eastern and Muslim populations.

People dont believe the message until they believe the messenger, she said. And whether youre dealing with an Arab-American community, Jewish community, Hispanic community, whatever the case may be, people want to interact and deal with somebody who speaks their language and who understands their culture, who practices the same religion who eats the same food that they do.

She said she feels her current police department is inclusive and celebrates diversity. The university police signed off on a 30x30 initiative to pledge to have 30 percent of sworn officers in the department be women by 2030.

If you want to change policing, you have to get more qualified women into the profession, she said.

Looking forward, Shendy said, she is excited for the future of police in Ohio and hopes to reach her goal of becoming a police chief.

I dont ever think about retirement, and when I do, it makes me sad. Theres just too much good work to be done, and I am putting it on myself to do it, she said.

Rooted in her Muslim faith, Shendy said she aims to practice a servant leadership style, interacting with people around her, to break up any type of hierarchy between officer and resident.

Police should never lose sight of the fact that it is never about you. And its always about what you can do for others, she said. Any person that I encounter, I want them to walk away from me feeling positive, respected and with dignity.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Stadium-filling country superstar Kenny Chesney will bring his Sun Goes Down Tour to Blossom Music Center on June 6 with opener and CMA song of the year and best new artist nominee Megan Moroney. Tickets for the show go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 15 at KennyChesney.com and Live Nation.

You can also purchase tickets on Vivid Seats, StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketCity and Ticketmaster.

For Chesney, who has sold out stadiums for more than a decade, an amphitheater tour is a relatively intimate setting and he will be bringing music from his upcoming 20th studio album Born, his first album since 2020s Here and Now, featuring the singles Taker Her Home, Just To Say We Did, Guilty Pleasure, and Thinkin Bout. The album is due out on March 22.

There is nothing like being out on the lawn with your friends, or even under the pavilion, on a clear night hearing the music and just being in the moment, Chesney said in the tour release.

You can do some things in that environment you cant at a stadium. Its less production, less massive, but theres a real sense of connection that is undeniable, he said.
WASHINGTON, D. C. - Former Warrensville Heights Democratic Rep. Marcia Fudge announced Monday that shell step down as President Joe Bidens Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, effective March 22.

As a dedicated public servant for nearly five decades, I have been devoted to improving the quality of life for the people of this nation, focusing on those with the greatest need, said a statement she released through the agencys press office.

Having worked at every level of government, including as a mayor, then as a congressional staffer, a member of Congress, and now as the 18th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development I have worked tirelessly to ensure that America lives up to its promise of liberty and justice for all, her statement continued.

A statement from President Joe Biden described Fudges leadership at HUD as transformational. During her three years at HUD, it said the administration proposed the nations largest-ever investments in affordable housing, fought racial discrimination in housing such as redlining, helped first-time homebuyers and worked to cut the cost of renting.

From her time as a mayor, to her years as a fierce advocate in the U.S. House of Representatives, Marcias vision, passion, and focus on increasing economic opportunity have been assets to our country, Bidens statement said. Im grateful for all of her contributions toward a housing system that works for all Americans, and I wish her well in her next chapter.

Bidens statement said that when Fudge departs, Deputy HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman will serve as acting secretary. Fudges statement didnt indicate future job plans, saying: As I transition to life as a public citizen, I will continue to do the work that I have been called to do.

She is Bidens second cabinet secretary to leave the administration. Earlier this year, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh departed to head the National Hockey Leagues players union.

Fudge, 71, grew up in Shaker Heights. She earned an undergraduate degree at Ohio State University, and a law degree from Cleveland State Universitys Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She started her public service career in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office, where she became Director of Budget and Finance.

After then-Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Stephanie Tubbs Jones was elected to Congress in 1998, Fudge became her chief-of-staff. The next year, Fudge became the first woman and first African American to be elected mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, a job she held for two terms. When Tubbs Jones died unexpectedly in 2008, Democrats in Cuyahoga County picked Fudge to replace her on the ballot.

Fudge easily won that job in the heavily Democratic district, and was re-election by large margins until Biden picked her to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2021.

During her time in Congress, Fudge chaired the Congressional Black Caucus. She is also a past national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and frequently wears its signature color: red.

Fudges retirement announcement said its always been her belief that government can and should work for the people.

During her tenure, she said HUD helped more than 2 million families stay in their homes and avoid foreclosure; removed barriers for people with student loan debt trying to buy a home with an FHA mortgage; made mortgages more affordable by reducing the mortgage insurance premium for FHA mortgages and outpaced the market by insuring FHA mortgages for three times as many Black borrowers and twice as many Hispanic borrowers based on percentage of volume.

For the last three years, I have fully embraced HUDs mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all, said Fudge. The people HUD serves are those who are often left out and left behind. These are my people. They serve as my motivation for everything we have been able to accomplish.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat who oversaw Fudges confirmation hearing as chair of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, released as statement that congratulated Fudge on her retirement and thanked her for her service.

She understood that housing is at the center of peoples lives, and she led HUD through a critical period  responding to unprecedented housing challenges during the pandemic, reducing costs for first-time homebuyers, and fighting housing discrimination, Sen. Browns statement said.

U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, a Warrensville Heights Democrat who represents Fudges old congressional district, issued a statement congratulating Fudge on her retirement and welcoming her home.

During an unprecedented time, she restored and revived HUD and fought for quality and affordable housing for all Americans, said Rep. Brown. As the voice of Northeast Ohio in Congress, she was a tireless champion for our community and a national leader on food and nutrition policy, voting rights, and racial justice. Secretary Fudge could connect with everyone, from audiences in Warrensville Heights to the White House.

I know that she will never stop fighting for the people of Northern Ohio no matter what role or title she might take on in her next chapter, added a statement from Toledo Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who served with Fudge in Congress.

A statement from U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, an Akron Democrat, described Fudge as a trailblazer who shattered glass ceilings at every level of government.

Im thankful for Sec. Fudges service to our community, and I know Northeast Ohio is a better place thanks to her leadership, said Sykes. Were very excited to welcome her back home for some well-deserved rest after her years of service.

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne released a statement that praised Fudges dedication to advancing affordable housing, community development, and equity.

We are immensely proud of her accomplishments, and her legacy will continue to inspire progress in Cuyahoga County and across the United States, said Ronayne.

Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Gov. Mike DeWine has endorsed in Ohios contentious Republican U.S. Senate contest with just a little more than a week to go until the March 19 primary election.

DeWine, a Republican, endorsed state Sen. Matt Dolan on Monday, saying he and Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine believe this proven conservative is the strongest candidate to beat Sherrod Brown in the fall.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  National Republicans already have pledged to spend tens of millions of dollars on TV ads this fall in an attempt to defeat Sen. Sherrod Brown in the November election.

National Democrats are answering with a similarly massive ad campaign of their own.
Rotunda Rumblings

Attack ads: Republican candidates in Ohio have adopted a common attack in their appeals to GOP primary voters: painting their opponents as too sympathetic toward gay and transgender people. Andrew Tobias and Jeremy Pelzer report on how the attacks are showing up in Ohios Republican primaries for U.S. Senate and state legislative seats as a reflection on backlash that shows up in polling among GOP voters toward LGBTQ politics and culture.

Personal checks: Two wealthy self-funders in Ohios Republican U.S. Senate race each wrote their campaigns additional seven-figure checks this year to help pay for ads in the final weeks for the election. Tobias writes that Matt Dolan loaned his campaign $2 million, bringing his total self-investment to $9 million, while Moreno wrote his campaign a $1.2 million check, bringing his total investment to $4 million. The loans contribute to both candidates having a sizable cash advantage over the third Republican candidate, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, although LaRoses Super PAC helped make up for some of the different thanks to a $1 million donation from a PAC tied to Illinois megadonor Richard Uihlein.

Court costs: Ohio Supreme Court candidates filed their final campaign finance disclosures before the March 19 primary. As Jake Zuckerman reports, the Ohio Democratic Party-endorsed candidate in the lone contested primary significantly outraised her challenger. Meanwhile, the Republicans waiting for the general have more funds in the bank than their challengers.

Portmans man: Former Sen. Rob Portman has backed a candidate in the Republican Senate race. Per Tobias, he announced Friday that he was endorsing Dolan, citing the Chagrin Falls Republicans conservative record of accomplishment. Dolan and Portman have similar styles and politics, notably including backing continued U.S. financial backing of Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Partisan review: Where Ohio Congress members stand on President Bidens Thursday night State of the Union speech depends on where they sat in the chamber, Sabrina Eaton writes. Democrats praised his remarks for underlining his administrations accomplishments and outlining a clear agenda while those on the GOP side of the aisle dismissed it as empty campaign rhetoric.

Crypto bros: Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio on the top of a list of potential targets for a cryptocurrency industry Super PAC that just spent millions on ads in Californias Senate race. Shane Goldmacher writes for the New York Times the announcement comes as a warning shot to Brown, a cryptocurrency skeptic who chairs the Senate Banking Committee.

College material: Colleges are reviewing their scholarships after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost told officials that race-based scholarships could violate the U.S. Supreme Courts recent ruling striking affirmative action admissions policies. Laura Hancock reports that the ruling may not actually apply to private scholarships and student application essays, however.

Oops: We had a mix-up on Friday with Daylight Savings Time. It began at 2 a.m. on Sunday. (We said it was ending.) If youre reading this, were guessing you got the memo.

Lobbying Lineup

Five organizations lobbying on House Bill 282, a bipartisan bill that would require the Ohio Department of Commerce to establish an indoor mold information and awareness program, as well as to study with medical experts adverse effects of human exposure to mold in damp and water-damaged buildings.

1. Building Environment Council of Ohio

2. City of Toledo

3. Habitat for Humanity of Ohio

4. Ohio Association of Realtors

5. Ohio Chamber of Commerce

Tick Tock

The countdown is on for the March primary, where Ohioans will decide which candidates should advance to the general election. With early voting underway, here are key dates to remember:

March 12: Applications for absentee ballots for primary election must be received by boards of elections

March 18: Absentee ballots returned in the primary must be postmarked via U.S. mail to be counted, so long as theyre received by boards of election by March 23.

March 19: Presidential Primary Election Day. Polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Birthdays

State Rep. Kevin Miller

State Sen. Michael Rulli

Jill Wilson, Ohio House administrative and document specialist

Straight from the Source

Me too, Cookie Monster. Big corporations shrink the size of their products without shrinking their prices, all to pay for CEO bonuses. People in my state of Ohio are fed up  they should get all the cookie they pay for.

-U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat, responding to a Twitter complaint by Cookie Monster about how shrinkflation decreases the size of his cookies.

Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free.
(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.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  State Treasurer Robert Sprague hired a lawyer who recently led the state of Kentuckys aborted effort to steer a $42 million investment into research into medicinal or therapeutic use of ibogaine, a powerful hallucinogen.

In February, Spragues office hired Bryan Hubbard to author a report into potential projects related to treatment of traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other related and unrelated mental health and substance use conditions, according to a copy of his contract. The report would inform a program within Spragues office designed to attract private investment into possible solutions to mitigate the opioid crisis.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  An unidentified driller filed an application to open the Egypt Valley Wildlife Area in Belmont County to oil and gas extraction.

The request could add Egypt Valley to a list of other state-owned, protected lands whose subsurface mineral rights were sold last month to out-of-state oil and gas drillers. That list includes Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County, Valley Run Wildlife Area in Carroll County and Zepernick Run Wildlife Area in Columbiana County.

Ohios land leasing laws shield the identity of the entity asking the state to put the land out to bid. Such information is revealed only if a state board votes to approve the lease nomination and acts on a bid.

The 366-acre lease application, formally posted Monday, now goes up for a public comment period until April 25. From there, the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission will vote. Should the commissioners, all appointed by the governor, approve, then the leasing rights go out to bid.

The wildlife area sits in the unglaciated region of the Allegheny Plateau, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The land was the site of surface-level coal mining for decades, ending in 1998. The site is popular for hunting, fishing, and hiking, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The nomination does not seek surface interruptions at the wildlife area. Rather, the applicant plans to drill thousands of feet down from a well pad adjacent to the plot of land. From there, the bore would turn 90 degrees laterally to reach underneath. Through a technique known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking, a high-pressure spray of water, sand and chemicals is used to free methane (natural gas) from shale.

Republican state lawmakers in 2011 first passed laws enabling the state to lease its lands to the oil and gas industry. However, the administrations of Gov. John Kasich and Mike DeWine failed to lay out rules to implement the idea. Ten years later, GOP lawmakers passed a new law that effectively forced the plan into motion. Gov. Mike DeWine signed the new system into law in 2023.

Since then, the newly animated OGLMC has inked deals that could produce hundreds of millions, if not billions, in state revenue. That includes:

 Salt Fork: $59 million (at $10,250 an acre) plus 20% royalty payments on extracted ores

 Valley Run: $1 million (at $3,500 an acre) plus 18% royalty payments

 Zepernick: $232,000 (at $3,500 an acre) plus 18% royalty payments

They did so over strenuous objection from environmental advocates and activists who said the development will ruin the views at some of the last pristine spaces on the states Marcellus and Utica shale fields. They also raised environmental and human health concerns about the ground water and atmospheric effects of fracking.

Jake Zuckerman covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Burton, a small Geauga County town thats in the main part of the snow belt, recorded 7 inches of snow during Sundays burst of winter weather, according to the latest totals from the National Weather Service.

Hiram in Portage County also had 7 inches, while Auburn Township and Russell Township in Geauga County, and Pierpont Township in Ashtabula County each had 6 inches of snow.

RELATED: A day after snow, 50 degrees and sunny: Northeast Ohio Weather Forecast

Chagrin Falls had the highest total in Cuyahoga County with 5 inches. Broadview Heights and North Royalton each had 2 inches.

Most areas of Lake County had about 1 inch, while Hinckley in Medina County and Macedonia in Summit County each had 2 inches. Elyria in Lorain County had 1 inch.

See the 24-hour totals below:

Cuyahoga County

Chagrin Falls, 5 inches, 9 p.m.

Broadview Heights, 2 inches, 6:45 p.m.

North Royalton, 2 inches, 7:15 p.m.

Brooklyn, 1 inch, 7:30 p.m.

Cleveland Heights, 1 inch, 6 p.m.

Ashtabula County

Pierpont, 6 inches, 7:29 p.m.

Monroe Center, 3 inches, 7:45 p.m.

Jefferson, 3 inches, 6:15 p.m.

Orwell, 1 inch, 8 p.m.

Geauga County

Burton, 7 inches, 8 p.m.

Russell Township, 6 inches, 7 p.m.

Auburn Township, 6 inches, 8 p.m.

Thompson Township, 4 inches, 9:02 p.m.

Lake County

Concord Township, 1.3 inches, 7 p.m.

Lorain County

Elyria, 1 inch, 7 p.m.

Medina County

Hinckley, 2 inches, 7:30 p.m.

Sharon Center, 1 inch, 7 p.m.

Brunswick, 1 inch, 7 p.m.

Portage County

Hiram, 7 inches, 8 p.m.

Summit County

Macedonia, 2 inches, 6:45 p.m.

Tallmadge, 2 inches, 8 p.m.

Bath, 1 inch, 7 p.m.

Trumbull County

Cortland, 5 inches, 9 p.m.

Newton Falls, 1 inch, 7 p.m.
India signs trade pact with European countries

Xinhua) 09:53, March 11, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(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.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(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.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(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."

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.


 
The U.S., despite decades of research and studies, remains without authentic high-speed rail options.



Since 1987, investors have attempted to introduce bullet train service to Texas. In 2014, a group organized under the name Texas Central launched the most recent attempt to connect Dallas to Houston with a bullet train that travels more than 200 miles per hour, shortening a three and a half hour drive to a 90-minute train ride.



"You cannot do that in a car," said Andy Byford, senior vice president of high-speed rail programs at Amtrak. "You cannot do that if you fly, if you factor in going to the airport, going through security, getting back in from the airport at the other end."



Byford is the latest in a long line of U.S. policy experts to call for more high-speed rail connections in the U.S. In 2023, Amtrak revived hopes for the bullet train in the Texas Triangle, when it announced its intention to broaden its partnership with Texas Central.



The fast-growing region contains both the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and Houston, two of the largest population centers in the country.



"If you don't build high-speed rail between Dallas and Houston, then you only have two options," said Congressman Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a former managing director at Texas Central. "You can either expand the airport or expand the highway. It's not going to decrease the travel time between those cities. It's still going to take at least three hours to get between Dallas and Houston"



Local experts told CNBC that the swelling population of Texas drivers has taken a toll on roads in the area, leading to traffic congestion and safety issues.



"Our transportation system is just really trying to keep up with our population growth" said Brianne Glover, senior research scientist at Texas A&M University's Transportation Institute. "Commuters experience somewhere around 40 hours of delay each year."



The Texas Central project has been repeatedly delayed as its backers navigate various regulatory hurdles, including environmental reviews and disputes over property rights. In 2022, the Texas Supreme Court declared that Texas Central, a private entity, met the legal definition of a public interurban electric railway company, giving it the power of eminent domain.



"When I was notified by my nephew through an article about eminent domain, I was absolutely shocked," said Jody Berry, a Dallas-based farmer who has opposed the Texas Central initiative. The proposed alignment for the Texas high-speed rail project crosses Morney-Berry Farm, which Berry's family has cultivated for generations.



"Finding out that the high-speed rail could potentially go through our property has made it very difficult for me to sleep," Berry said.

The project is expected to cost at least $33.6 billion dollars, according to a March 2023 estimate from the Reason Foundation. Similar high-speed rail projects around the world have faced substantial cost overruns in development, including Japan's Tokaido Shinkansen system. The route in Texas is designed to leverage N700 cars found on the Shinkansen system.



The Texas effort has received substantial support from firms in Japan and the U.S. government. In 2018, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation issued a $300 million loan to support the project. And in late 2023, Texas Central received a Corridor ID program grant to study the route's potential for partnership with Amtrak.



With a historic $66 billion commitment to passenger rail, the U.S. government under Biden appears to have its best bet in generations to build high-speed rail systems. But the project and other publicly subsidized ones, such as the California project connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco, remain uncertain. The California project's estimated cost skyrocketed from $33 billion to over $100 billion amid delays and pushback from rural landowners, according to the California High-Speed Rail Authority.



"The Biden Administration's aspirations for high-speed rail fail to account for several realities, including lack of customer demand, economic viability, and impact on existing rail infrastructure," said Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, in a November 2023 congressional hearing on intercity passenger rail systems.



The backers of Texas Central declined repeated requests from CNBC for a comment on the project's progress and expected completion date.



Watch the video above to learn about the long effort to bring high-speed rail system to the Texas Triangle.
(This is CNBC Pro's live coverage of Monday's analyst calls and Wall Street chatter. Please refresh every 20-30 minutes to view the latest posts.) A streaming giant and a chipmaker winner were in focus Monday as part of the early analyst chatter. Oppenheimer increased its price target on Netflix, calling for upside of nearly 20%. Bernstein, meanwhile, reiterated an outperform rating on Taiwan Semiconductor, noting that margins will fare better than the Street expects going forward. Check out the latest calls and chatter below. All times ET. 8:18 a.m.: Truist Securities upgrades Procter & Gamble to buy Truist thinks Procter & Gamble shares have room to run as the consumer goods manufacturer nears an inflection point for volume growth. Analyst Davis Holcombe upgraded shares to buy from hold and raised his 12-month price target by $15 to $175. That number implies the stock could gain 9.1% from Friday's closing price. The upgrade is "based on our belief that PG shares will outperform peers based on improving volume numbers and a normalized macro environment highlighting the company's strength," Holcombe wrote in a Monday note. According to the analyst, Procter & Gamble is a quarter or two from posting volume growth, which he believes will be a catalyst for shares and allow the company to differentiate itself from the overall group of consumer packaged goods stocks, which he expects to continue facing volume declines.  Pia Singh 8 a.m.: Bank of America asks 'What's not to like?' about upcoming General Electric spinoff General Electric is set to maintain its position as industry leader despite its upcoming spinoff, according to Bank of America. Ahead of the energy conglomerate's spinoff, analyst Ronald Epstein maintained his buy rating on shares of General Electric. Citing "strong demand and execution" the analyst also kept his $175 price objective, implying that shares could move up 4% from here. On April 2, General Electric is due to spin its aerospace and defense units from the rest of its business. Epstein believes that General Electric will enter a "goldilocks period" following the spinoff. "The LEAP aftermarket is quickly accelerating from its early innings coupled with continued high utilization of the CFM56. Additionally, defense remains well supported on key platforms, with upside for international orders," he wrote. "Our takeaway from the day was: 'What's not to like?'" Epstein also sees merit in the firm's aerospace business, nodding to its innovation, continuous improvement and strong culture of safety. "Apart from the strong culture, GE is set to capture robust demand with the LEAP engine in narrowbodies and the GEnx in widebodies," he wrote. And while General Electric has a dominating position in its field, the analyst also pointed out the firm is still making active efforts at improvement. "GE finds itself in a prime position across commercial and defense markets with strong demand for OEM and aftermarket, GE is not resting on its laurels," he said. "GE made it clear, investing in technology is a key differentiator and R & D will continue at 6%-8% of sales." Shares of General Electric have climbed 32% this year.  Lisa Kailai Han 7:58 a.m.: Jefferies upgrades PDD Holdings, says geopolitical risks priced in After tumbling more than 20% this year, Chinese ecommerce company PDD Holdings is now attractive, according to Jefferies. The firm upgraded the Temu parent to buy on Monday. "We believe that concerns on geopolitical risks are priced in, and Temu's market share gain story in domestic and overseas markets is intact," analyst Thomas Chong wrote in a note to clients. PDD Holdings is set to report fourth-quarter earnings next week. Chong estimates total revenue for the quarter will grow 15% from the prior quarter and 101% year over year. PDD 1Y mountain PDD in past year Shares were up nearly 5% in premarket trading.  Michelle Fox 7:55 a.m.: 'Buy the AI scare' on Adobe, says Jefferies Now is a good time for investors to buy Adobe on the dip, according to Jefferies. "We expect ADBE to recover as it shares more details on its video AI roadmap  either at earnings, Summit conf., or soon after," analyst Brent Thill wrote, noting that Adobe's current valuation is trading at a discount compared to its large-cap software peers. "Buy the AI scare," he said. Thill reiterated his buy rating and $700 price target, which implies about 26.9% upside for the stock. Adobe's shares are down 7.5% this year, hit by the release of OpenAI's new text-to-video AI generator, Sora, that many traders saw as a threat to Adobe's business model in the creative software market. Thill, however, disagrees that this threat would be long term, forecasting a first-quarter earnings beat and positive metrics on Adobe Firefly's AI adoptionand eventually expecting Adobe to return as a "top beneficiary of AI."  Pia Singh 7:12 a.m.: Nvidia, Western Digital among Morgan Stanley's top AI picks Morgan Stanley's recent Technology, Media & Telecom conference reinforced investors' high levels of interest in artificial intelligence, and that some areas of the industry are going through a "bottoming process." Analyst Joseph Moore said he continues to be positive on AI stock picks, and named Nvidia , Western Digital and Microchip Technology as his favored names coming out of the conference. Computer drive manufacturer Western Digital is the firm's top pick. Moore noted that the company posted higher revenue and earnings guidance, and that the company's NAND business will retain its "significant value proposition" given that the CEO will remain with that side of the company. Western Digital had announced in late October that it will split its hard disk drive and NAND memory businesses into two separate public companies.  Pia Singh 7:11 a.m.: Morgan Stanley downgrades Petrobras shares after the oil company cut its dividend Morgan Stanley has moved to the sidelines on Bazilian petroleum company Petrobras . Analyst Bruno Montanari lowered his price target by $2 to $18, suggesting about 21.8% potential upside for the stock, which is trading 0.8% higher in premarket trading. Shares are down more than 7% so far this year. "We downgrade PBR shares to equal-weight from overweight as we have lower confidence in additional shareholder returns via extraordinary dividends in the near term, leaving the risk-reward proposition more balanced," Montanari wrote in a Friday note. "The PBR positioning has been mostly driven by the company's compelling valuation relative to major oil stocks, which is no longer the case." Petrobras plunged 11.5% on Friday after the company's quarterly results reflected a lower-than-expected regular dividend, disappointing investors. Given the stock's more-than-72% return over the past 12 months, the analyst said he is waiting to see more evidence that the company's capital remuneration account will be used to fund more dividends in future quarters.  Pia Singh 6:29 a.m.: Duolingo initiated at overweight by JPMorgan JPMorgan's Bryan Smilek initiated coverage of online learning platform Duolingo at an overweight rating, forecasting "premium" revenue growth ahead. "Duolingo's freemium strategy, product obsession, & social-first marketing strategy have driven its industry-leading scale, strong brand reputation, & highly efficient acquisition (~90% of user growth organic)," Smilek wrote in a Monday note. "We believe DUOL is well-positioned to deliver sustainable 20%+ Bookings/Revenue growth." Smilek's $270 price target implies the stock can gain about 26.4% over the next year. Shares are down 5.9% year to date, but are still up 11.4% over the past month after the company surpassed fourth-quarter earnings and revenue expectations. The stock added 1.1% in premarket trading Monday. DUOL YTD mountain DUOL year to date Smilek expects Duolingo  which has 6.6 million paid subscribers  to see deeper monetization and paid subscription growth, projecting paid subscribers to double to 12.3 million by 2026. His bull case is also encouraged by the company's use of generative AI to enhance its products and cut costs.  Pia Singh 6:06 a.m.: Morgan Stanley downgrades Hyatt to equal weight, cites 'balanced risk-reward' Morgan Stanley is confident in Hyatt's continued performance after the hotel chain's strong fourth-quarter performance, but thinks shares could be overvalued. Analyst Stephen Grambling downgraded Hyatt to equal weight from overweight and lowered his price target by $7 to $149. That suggests shares could edge lower by about 0.4%. Shares are up about 20.2% year to date. "The pivot to asset light and simplification of the business model has driven outperformance, leaving a more balanced risk-reward," Grambling wrote in a Monday note, noting the stock's three-month run-up. "We continue to appreciate the underlying story and see substantial proceeds from asset sales still driving best in-class FCF/share growth." Hyatt reported a beat on quarterly earnings on Feb. 23, posting earnings of 64 cents per share, excluding items, while analysts polled by FactSet had called for earnings of 38 cents per share. Grambling's 2024 EBITDA estimates are near the top end of consensus guidance, largely reflecting higher royalty and licensing fees offsetting incremental asset sales, he said.  Pia Singh 5:44 a.m.: Netflix shares could gain nearly 20% from here, according to Oppenheimer Oppenheimer is more bullish on Netflix , citing the streaming giant's ability to grow its long-term subscriber base. Analyst Jason Helfstein reiterated his outperform rating and raised his price target on shares by $110 to $725, which suggests roughly 19.9% potential upside from Friday's close. Shares of Netflix have jumped more than 24% this year. NFLX YTD mountain NFLX year to date "We believe NFLX's initiatives such as password sharing rules, advertising and optimizing subscriber plan choices will drive subscriber growth and average revenue per membership (ARM), therefore leading to higher revenue," Helfstein wrote in a Sunday note. "We believe NFLX's dominance will continue, given its clear advantage in producing high-engagement content and monetizing that content more effectively than peers." The analyst estimated a high likelihood of subscriber additions beating Wall Street's estimates in the future, given forecasts assume a major slowdown in paid sharing and ad-tier subscriptions. Helfstein sees subscribers being 17 million higher than the consensus over the next three years as competition in streaming eases with other streaming platforms prioritizing profitability  while Netflix acquires more content and retains its dominant market share in U.S. television viewership.  Pia Singh 5:44 a.m.: Bernstein sticking by Taiwan Semiconductor Taiwan Semiconductor shares are off to a strong start for the year, and Bernstein expects them to continue doing well. Analyst Mark Li reiterated his outperform rating on the stock, calling for stronger gross margins, especially in the second half of the year. "While many worry about 2H24 margins, we expect an HoH improvement. Our 2025 & 2026 gross margin (GM) forecast is also above consensus," Li wrote. "Many now expect TSMC's GM to dip HoH and they attribute the 3-4% drag from 3nm and 1-2% drag for capacity sharing between 5nm & 3nm. We agree the 1-2% drag is incremental from 1H24 to 2H24, but in the 2Q23 earnings call (link) TSMC guided 4Q23 also had 3-4% drag from 3nm too." "We agree TSMC may not enjoy much operating leverage from depreciation, as TSMC guided its 2024 depreciation will be up close to 30% YoY, slightly faster the growth of low- to mid-20s% in revenue this year. However labor cost certainly won't rise as fast as revenue. ... Hence instead of a dip, we project TSMC's GM to rise to 53.5-54.6% in 2H24." U.S.-listed shares of Taiwan Semiconductor are up a whopping 40.7% year to date. The firm raised its price target on them to $150 from $125, implying upside of just 2%. However, it also increased its forecast on Taiwan-listed shares, calling for a 15% increase over the next 12 months.  Fred Imbert
President Joe Biden has proposed expanding free community college across the U.S., and other initiatives to lower higher education costs.

The plans, announced Monday as part of Biden's $7.3 trillion budget for fiscal 2025, face slim chances of becoming law this year with Republicans in control of the House.

Still, the budget reflects the president's policy priorities as he seeks reelection in November.

"With these investments, we can deliver an excellent education to all students, improve learning conditions, build pathways to college and careers, and increase postsecondary education affordability and access," U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

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After the Supreme Court blocked Biden's sweeping student loan forgiveness plan in June, his administration has explored all of its existing authority to leave people with less student debt. It has now canceled debt for almost 3.9 million borrowers, totaling $138 billion in relief, through fixes to forgiveness programs that borrowers historically had trouble accessing.

The president's budget builds on those efforts by further addressing the student loan crisis and offering more ways for people to get through their schooling without going into debt.

Biden's presumptive Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, called for slashing the U.S. Department of Education's budget during his term in the White House.

In contrast, Biden is requesting additional funding for the agency  $82.4 billion for 2025, a $3.1 billion increase from 2024  to subsidize educational costs for many Americans.
U.S. President Joe Biden disembarks Air Force One as he arrives in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., March 11, 2024.

The Biden administration said Monday it is seeking funding from Congress to hire another 2,000 air traffic controllers in the 2025 budget year after a series of near-miss incidents.

The Federal Aviation Administration is facing a persistent shortage of controllers that has caused flight delays and forced the FAA to extend cuts to minimum flight requirements at congested New York City-area airports through October 2024. At many facilities, controllers are working mandatory overtime and six-day work weeks to cover staffing shortages. The FAA wants $43 million to accelerate the hiring and training controllers.
Workers harvest Shiraz grapes by hand at the Helen & Joey Estate vineyard in the Yarra Valley region of Greater Melbourne, Australia. China's review of tariffs on Australian wine is progressing well, Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian said on Monday, but he stopped short of confirming an Australian government claim the dispute would be resolved this month.

China's review of tariffs on Australian wine is progressing well, Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian said on Monday, but he stopped short of confirming an Australian government claim the dispute would be resolved this month.

"Currently, Chinese authorities are reviewing and investigating our tariffs on Australian wine and things are moving on the right track, in the right direction," Xiao told the Australian Financial Review Business Summit.

A day earlier, Australia's trade minister said China would complete its review into the years-long wine tariffs by the end of March.

Beijing rocked some of Australian biggest export industries from coal to lobsters by imposing a host of tariffs starting in 2020 amid souring relations between the countries over Australia's call for an investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors.

Australia responded by complaining to the World Trade Organization, or WTO, but said it would suspend its WTO disputes after China lifted the tariffs. The standoff over China's tariffs of up to 218% on Australian wine remains unresolved.
Former President Donald Trump 's promise of tougher China tariffs if elected again could make doing business in the world's second-largest economy more difficult for American companies like Starbucks which are already facing tough competition from lower-cost domestic competitors. "I fully believe in them [tariffs] economically when you're being taken advantage of by other countries," the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee told CNBC in an interview Monday. The campaign rhetoric aside, many China tariffs imposed by the U.S. during Trump's administration have remained under President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee. No matter who wins the election  any reaccelerated trade war between Washington and Beijing could hurt U.S. consumer companies in China by stoking nationalistic flames among Chinese buyers to boycott American brands. During Trump's trade war, Chinese consumers turned away from some U.S. goods and services in protest. In 2018, shortly after the initial round of Trump levies, then-Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson argued his company's coffee was different. Starbucks built "in China for China," he said. The company operates "as an entity in China that's relevant to the consumer, to the culture, and we're playing the long game," he added at the time . SBUX 1Y mountain Starbucks 1 year Shares of Starbucks rose 1% on Monday as investors, perhaps, shrugged off China trade war worries. To be sure, the stock has fluctuated since the start of the year due to concerns about the company's performance in China where economic pressures and aggressive local rivals pose challenges. Such a scenario could fuel skepticism  already a worry among investors  about Starbucks' appeal to a broad swath of Chinese consumers. "I fear they're too expensive for China," Jim Cramer recently said, referring to Starbucks. China is a "no growth country," he added  given its shrinking population, which is a negative sign for businesses like Starbucks that rely on the country's growing consumption. While still massive with roughly 1.43 million, China lost its most populous nation in the world status to India last year. These pressures in China and the U.S.  the No. 2 and No. 1 markets, respectively, for Starbucks  have been weighing on the stock. Historically, Starbucks has traded at a price-to-earnings multiple of between 22 to 30 times forward earnings estimates. Starbucks' current P/E is 22 times, the lower end of that range. Jeff Marks, director of portfolio analysis for the Club, believes that Starbucks "currently reflects a lot that has gone wrong and doesn't anticipate what could potentially go right." To get back its premium multiple, the company "will need to prove it can get China back on track and reaccelerate U.S. comps," he added. The lagging post-Covid economic recovery in China has added to Starbucks' challenges. Economic improvement there, in part, hinges on whether the Chinese government will pass fiscal spending measures that would help boost consumer confidence. Last week, Beijing announced an ambitious economic growth target of roughly 5% in 2024. The Chinese government admits that meeting this target "will not be easy" as deflation, a property crisis, and mounting debt keep a lid on growth. A weaker Chinese economy is driving consumers there to be price-conscious  hence the rise of competitors like Chinese coffeehouse chains such as Luckin and Cotti, which are more promotional than Starbucks and offer big discounts. Luckin, on average, sells its drinks in China for around $1.38 each compared to $4.18 for Starbucks. Starbucks conversely has more of a premium beverage offering that targets middle- to higher-income consumers. Despite the headwinds, Starbucks sees significant potential in China's premium market and aims to differentiate itself through product innovation, new food offerings, and quality in-store and digital experiences. In its fiscal 2024 first quarter , Starbucks saw a weaker-than-anticipated comeback in China, driven by what management called a "more cautious" consumer that led to lower sales and an increased promotional environment in China. The two reasons Starbucks cited were lower sales of higher-priced merchandise in China and targeted promotional investments to personalize offers and reward customers. Peter Saleh, a restaurant analyst at financial services firm BTIG, said he wouldn't be surprised if Starbucks engages in more promotions in the near term since the Chinese consumer "seems a bit more subdued in the reopening" after the pandemic. "You have to battle for those transactions to increase sales," he told CNBC in an interview. "The goal is to get those customers back in your store. Over time, you can migrate them toward full-priced items." On Starbucks' more recent post-earnings conference call, management said they may be operating in an "increased promotional environment," but they are "not interested in entering the price war" with domestic Chinese coffee competitors. Rather, their focus is "capturing high quality but profitable sustainable growth" by being a leader in China's premium market. As the coffee market matures in China, Starbucks believes the industry will undergo a more defined tiered competition dynamic, which would expand opportunities as a high-end brand. At some point, Saleh believes consumers in China will come back and when they do, Starbucks' appeal will still be there."There are certain things you get at Starbucks you can't get elsewhere," he said. "It's more about the innovation of the brand and experience and that's why people choose to go to Starbucks. They've always operated in the premium segment and they've always found success there." However, it may take more time to get there. BTIG estimates that China's economic recovery has roughly six to eight months, at the least, before investors start to see a change in transaction count. But, since Chinese consumers are not off to a strong start in 2024, it might even take longer than that, according to Saleh. Starbucks has nearly 7,000 stores in China, as of its latest reported quarter. It's on track to hit its goal of 9,000 locations there by 2025. The company maintains "full confidence" in the business opportunity in China and continues to see "enormous potential in China's premium market." Only time will tell whether a Trump administration or another four years of Biden will be able to thread the needle to level the playing field with China without hurting U.S. companies' interests there. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long SBUX. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

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Shares of Raiffeisen Bank on Monday fell nearly 7% amid concerns that the Austrian bank could face U.S. sanctions for doing business with Russia.

The stock was down 6.7% at 2:20 p.m. London time.

Reuters reported last week that U.S. sanctions officials were set to warn banks in Austria to examine their Russian exposure and "take mitigation measures" to ensure they don't fall afoul of Western sanctions on Moscow.

In response to a news article, the company said in a Monday statement: "Media reports implying that the U.S. Treasury has made allegations of sanctions violation or evasion against RBI are also false."

It added in a statement: "The U.S. Treasury has made clear in a general statement that financial institutions that violate or circumvent Russia sanctions may be excluded from the US financial system."

Despite outlining a reduction in its Russia business in its 2023 results and stating that it continues to explore a "sale or a spin-off," its loan volume in the country at the end of the year was 6 billion euros ($6.5 billion). It is the biggest western lender still doing business in Russia, and has been placed on Ukraine's "sponsors of war" blacklist.

 Karen Gilchrist and Jenni Reid
India flag, stock market, exchange economy and Trade, oil production, container ship in export and import business and logistics.

India will lift most tariffs on four nations in Europe in a "watershed" deal that is expected to yield $100 billion worth of investment over 15 years and one billion jobs for the world's fifth-largest economy.

The trade deal with European Free Trade Association nations, not part of the EU, was inked ahead of the country's general elections due in the next few months that may give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a third-straight term in office.

The Indian government has finalized a series of major trade agreements over the past few years, and a deal with the UK is in the pipeline.

This "marks a new turn and watershed moment in the bilateral relationship between India and [European Free Trade Association] countries of Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein," India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in comments shared on X, formerly Twitter.

India expects this free trade agreement to stimulate its key exports in IT services, business services, audio-visual services among others, said Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

The agreement also contains provisions for mutual recognition in professional services such as nursing, chartered accountants and architects, according to an Indian government release.
Ukrainian and allied officials have expressed criticism towards Pope Francis following his recent remarks regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia.

In an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI released Saturday, the pontiff suggested that Ukraine should exhibit the "courage of the white flag" and engage in negotiations to potentially end the war with Russia. However, many interpreted this statement as an insinuation for Ukraine to surrender.

Ukrainian, Allied Officials Defend National Resolve

Reacting to the Pope's comments, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his sentiments of defiance pervasive among Ukrainians, emphasizing their steadfast determination to resist Russian aggression.

"When it comes to the white flag, we know this Vatican's strategy from the first half of the twentieth century. 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," Kuleba wrote. "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."

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski also responded to the Pope's statement, suggesting that the focus should be on encouraging Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine rather than pressuring Ukraine to negotiate. He emphasized that peace could be achieved immediately if Russia took such a step.

"How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine?" Sikorski posted on X. "Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations."

Additionally, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of Ukraine's Greek Catholic Church, emphasized that surrender is not an option for Ukrainians, despite the exhaustion caused by the ongoing conflict.

"Believe me, it never crosses anyone's mind to surrender," he affirmed.

Read Also: NATO Troops to Ukraine Amid Russia War 'Not Unthinkable': Polish Minister

Vatican Clarifies Pope's 'White Flag' Remark

In response to the backlash, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified that the Pope's intention was not to advocate for Ukrainian surrender but rather to emphasize the importance of pursuing peace through negotiations.

Bruni explained that the phrase "white flag" was first used by the interviewer, not by Pope Francis himself, which prompted the response.

"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," Bruni said. "His hope is for a diplomatic solution for a just and lasting peace."

Pope Francis has attempted to remain diplomatically neutral amid the ongoing conflict between the two nations, despite the perception that some of his statements show "sympathy" towards Russia's viewpoint.

Nevertheless, the Pope has repeatedly called for a halt to hostilities and stressed that communication is essential to bringing about peace.

As the diplomatic discourse unfolds, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated that Ukraine will not engage in direct negotiations with Russia unless initiated by the aggressor.

Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of standing against evil and expressed gratitude for the support offered by religious figures within Ukraine.

Related Article: Pope Francis Says Ukraine Should Have 'Courage of the White Flag' With Russia

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Jim Cramer's daily rapid fire looks at stocks in the news outside the CNBC Investing Club portfolio. Reddit: The social media firm plans to raise up to $748 million through its upcoming initial public offering, Bloomberg News reported. Reddit is seeking a valuation of $6.4 billion. "I think Reddit, if they place the deal correctly with Redditors, will go higher," Jim Cramer said, noting Morgan Stanley is one of the investment banks working on the deal. Cramer's Charitable Trust, the portfolio used by the CNBC Investing Club, owns Morgan Stanley. Bitcoin : The cryptocurrency hit a new all-time high Monday above $72,000 a coin, continuing its recent run coinciding with the launch of bitcoin exchanged-traded funds in the U.S. Cramer said he doesn't see a lot of "natural sellers here" for bitcoin. As a result, he said, "I think it can continue to go up," adding that bitcoin is increasingly being viewed as investment to buy and "put away." He added, "It's no longer a currency." Boeing : The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the company around the Alaska Airlines door-panel blowout, The Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend . Shares of Boeing fell more than 3% Monday. "When you open a criminal investigation, typically what they're trying to do is separate the CEO from the company, and get the CEO to have his own counsel. That's what we're looking for to happen here," Cramer said. Netflix : Analysts at Oppenheimer raised their price target on the streaming giant to $725 a share from $615, citing the potential for subscriber growth in the coming years to far exceed Wall Street expectations due to its crackdown on password sharing and the introduction of a cheaper, ad-supported option. "It's really amazing that Disney has not been able to get any of the Netflix love," Cramer said, noting he continues to support activist Nelson Peltz's push for a board seat Disney. The Club owns Disney. EQT Corp. : The Pittsburgh-based natural gas producer announced an all-stock deal to buy Mountain Valley Pipeline owner Equitrans Midstream for $5.5 billion. In discussing the deal, Cramer shined a spotlight on Coterra Energy, an oil-and-gas firm in the Club's portfolio. "I think Coterra is a stock that can go to $35 [per share] without an issue," Cramer said. Shares of Coterra fell about 0.6% Monday, to a little over $26 each.
A soldier in front of the Great Hall of the People on March 11, 2024, the closing day of the National People's Congress in Beijing, China.

BEIJING  China's weeklong annual parliamentary meetings ended on Monday and for the first time in decades, the Chinese premier did not host a press conference.

In a break with tradition, the premier will no longer hold a press conference following this year's parliamentary meetings  at least for the rest of the term, according to an official announcement last week.

Such press conferences were a rare instance of press interaction with the highest levels of China's government.

President Xi Jinping did not speak at the closing ceremony. He typically speaks only at the closing ceremonies of the first session of each National People's Congress, the nation's highest authority which is elected every five years. This year is the second session of the 14th National People's Congress.

To be clear, the annual gathering of the top leadership is typically ceremonial in nature. The real power lies with the ruling Communist Party, which is headed by Xi, who is general secretary of the party and president of China.

Still, announcements made during the Congress can shed some light on government policy.

Here are some highlights of what was announced at this year's week-long parliamentary meeting, which started Tuesday last week and ended Monday.
Meenakshi Sai, 51, looks like any other Indian woman, dressed in a saree and sporting a bindi on her forehead. But unlike many women in her country, she's been driving since she was 18 years old. As of 2020, less than 7% of India's 236 million drivers were women, according to the data website Statista. "I have been driving since I was legally allowed to and have always enjoyed the freedom it afforded me and the feeling of being independent," said Sai. "After my only daughter went away to boarding school, I had a lot of time on my hands. I started traveling a lot, both solo and with friends." Sai was one of a team of eight Indians who drove 20,000 km (12,430 miles) across five countries from Coimbatore, India to St. Petersburg, Russia to spread awareness about cervical cancer. More Indians are taking road trips these days  both within the country and beyond, solo and in groups  as access to better vehicles and better roads grows in the country. There's also the rise of slow travel. However, Sai took her first road trip back in 2016, before it became a trend. "I drove to Thailand with a group of 20 people," she said, "from Manipur in India's northeast to Bangkok, which took us 13 days."

Meenakshi Sai, on a road trip from India to Russia to spread awareness about cervical cancer. Source: Meenakshi Sai

Her next big road trip was from India to London, which she called "complicated." "It took me six months to draw up the itinerary," she said. "It was difficult to find anyone in my own circle of friends and family who had the time or were willing to invest the money in this trip." In the end, she found two women through social media  one from Mumbai, the other from Pollachi  who were interested in joining her. Tata Motors sponsored the trip, which stretched for more than 14,900 miles and coincided with the 70th anniversary of India's independence. The journey took 70 days, taking the three women across 24 countries, including Russia, Poland and Uzbekistan. "We drove around 600 kilometers a day," Sai said. "Many countries had given us date-specific visas so we could not afford to be delayed, even by a few hours."

Sai, who is a vegetarian, said she subsisted on "a lot of potatoes and bread" in countries where meat was a major dietary staple. Source: Meenakshi Sai

Road conditions combined with changing weather and altitude levels made the trip difficult, she said  as did the fact that she's vegetarian, which made suitable food options challenging to find in many countries. "I ate a lot of potatoes and bread in countries like Kyrgyzstan where there was a lot of meat," she said. Sai now runs an overland driving company that organizes road trips across countries like Namibia, Georgia, Armenia, Nepal and Mongolia. "Driving through a country is the way to see it, connecting with locals, stopping where you feel like, border crossings, and thriving on uncertainty. I also love the freedom that the open road gives me," she said.

100 road trips, 50 countries

In 2001, Mumbai-based Rishad Saam Mehta, 51, drove from Delhi to the Nubra Valley, an area of Ladakh in northeast India. "It was my first drive in the high Himalayas, and I didn't know how dangerous and narrow and high the roads were, and the havoc that altitude can play on one physically. It was a lesson learnt the hard way," said the journalist and author.

Rishad Saam Mehta near the Great Wall of China. Source: Rishad Saam Mehta,

Since then, Mehta has taken more than 100 road trips across some 50 countries. One really exciting one was the drive from Munich to Mumbai, which lasted two months and covered eight countries, he said. He also drives different cars, depending on the trip, he said. "I did a drive in a Ferrari through the Bavarian and Austrian Alps, then a snow drive in Spiti in Northern India in a Toyota Fortuner, then a fall drive in New England in a Ford Bronco," he said. "These were all favorites." His advice? "There are many great drives around the world, some I come across by chance, some I research beforehand  but the company has to be good, otherwise, it is a disaster," he said.

The 'Great India World Trip'

Tushar Agarwal, a software engineer, drove from London to Delhi in 2010. He said the journey of 51 days was life-changing and prompted him to resign from his job in London, move back to Delhi, and co-found a company called Adventures Overland with his friend Sanjay Madan in 2012.

A road-side stop in Jordan. Source: Adventures Overland

"I felt that this was my purpose in life there was no looking back," said Agarwal. Today, Adventure Overland is one of India's biggest road trip companies. It organizes curated driving trips across the globe. Agarwal has traveled to 92 countries and gone on road trips in six continents. His most adventurous trip, called the "Great India World Trip," is now a 10-episode series on Discovery Channel. Along with his co-founder Madan, the journey took them across six continents and 50 countries, securing them a Guinness World Record for the longest journey by car in a single country for their 10,600-mile trek across Australia.

A 65-day trip from India to London with Adventures Overland costs around $30,000 and includes a hot air balloon ride and cruise, according to its website. Source: Adventures Overland
The electric vehicle industry in China could stage a comeback after selling off this year with three standout stocks poised to deliver significant returns, according to Morgan Stanley. Analysts led by Tim Hsiao told clients Sunday that under-owned stocks Li Auto , Xpeng and Nio offer investment opportunities, rating all three of them overweight, while the rest of the sector shakes out. On the other hand, BYD , which is equal weight, will likely face another round of downward revisions from analysts due to market saturation in China, Hsiao wrote. "Although the macroeconomic and operational environment is certainly challenging, we think the negative forces influencing the trio of EV stocks are more or less [already reflected] in stock prices," Hsiao told clients. "While challenges persist, we see green shoots to bring the under-owned autos group back into focus in 2Q," Hsiao said. The auto sector in China has sold off about 30% year to date as companies work through bloated inventory due to seasonal market weakness, Hsiao wrote. EV penetration fell from a peak of 40% in December to 33.5% this year as makers of internal combustion engine cars pushed sales aggressively ahead of the Chinese New Year, according to the analyst. Despite a rough start to the year, Chinese EV makers are expected to launch a record number of new models and accelerate expansion plans in Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia, at the same time as they're seeing lower battery costs, Hsiao wrote. Li Auto has booked several profitable quarters in a row, demonstrating solid execution of model launches and effective cost management, Hsiao told clients. Morgan Stanley has boosted total sales volume for the company by 12% in 2024 and 8% in 2025, reflecting stronger demand for new models. Hsiao has a price target of $74 for Li Auto's ADR shares, which implies that the company's stock could double in value from its recent close below $36.50. Xpeng has also successfully launched several new models and has a strong pipeline, the investment bank said, with Morgan Stanley expecting monthly sales to accelerate compared to the second half of 2023, according to Hsiao. The price target of $18 for Xpeng's ADRs imply upside of about 90% from its previous close of $9.52. Nio's plan to introduce a mass market brand could lead to upside for the company's vehicle sales volume, according to Hsiao. Morgan Stanley has a price target of $10 for Nio's ADRs, equal to roughly 72% upside from the previous close of $5.80.
Morgan Stanley has a stock in mind for investors looking to profit as the electric vehicle industry attempts to overcome some hurdles: Phinia . Analyst Adam Jonas initiated coverage of the auto components maker with an overweight rating and a $50 price target, calling the supplier spun off from BorgWarner in 2023 a "key beneficiary of the EV-reset." Phinia specializes in building components for internal combustion engines, or those found in traditional gas-powered vehicles. Specifically, it makes starters and alternators. PHIN 1D mountain Phinia shares rise after Morgan Stanley initiates coverage Shares rose 4% on Monday. Morgan Stanley's price target implies about 47% upside from Friday's close. "We believe PHIN is the purest expression of our 'ICE is Nice' thesis that can generate substantial cash flows for longer than the market anticipates at ~4x EBITDA," Jonas wrote in a Monday note. "With approximately 100% FCF conversion and an 8 to 9% combined cash return yield, PHIN is our preferred risk/reward amongst US suppliers." Underpinning the firm's "ICE is Nice" thesis is the expectation for a slower-than-expected adoption of battery EVs, as the industry grapples with a slew of "underappreciated" geopolitical, environmental and economic hurdles, Jonas wrote. While the company is "far from a growth story," it offers the second-highest adjusted EBITDA margins within its coverage and highlighted its low net leverage, according to Jonas. "A stable top-line, above-peer margins, minimal leverage this is a free cash flow story, augmented by cash return," he wrote. Alongside these perks, Jonas noted Phinia trades at an attractive valuation. Not only does the company take longer than peers to spend its market capitalization on capital expenditures and research and development, but it also looks cheapest within the firm's U.S. supplier coverage on an enterprise value to fiscal 2025 adjusted EBITDA basis. "During a period in US autos where peers continue to spend troves of investor capital on EV/AV expansions that have in many cases been rocky, we believe the market will ultimately give PHIN more credit for its capital discipline," Jonas said.
Nvidia 's long rally could be giving way to a consolidation period that lasts for months, according to Renaissance Macro Research chair Jeff deGraaf. "I think we're stalled here for Nvidia," deGraaf said Monday on CNBC's "Money Movers ." Nvidia slumped on Friday and was down slightly again Monday, but the stock is still up about 75% year to date. That's on top of a more than 200% advance in 2023. NVDA YTD mountain Nvidia's stock is up sharply yaer to date. The chipmaker is also one of the most heavily traded stocks on the market, with derivative trades such as options or the GraniteShares 2x Long Nvidia Daily ETF (NVDL) also seeing heavy activity. This combination of a big rally plus elevated trading activity suggests that the stock is overheated, according to deGraaf. "Don't chase it here. The expectations are so high that when we get this combination of momentum and the option activity, it really is a sign that things are priced to perfection and very unlikely to move in the direction of the bulls in the near term," deGraaf said. DeGraaf said Nvidia could consolidate in a range from roughly $750, near where its 50-day moving average will soon be, to $950. The stock was trading near the $870 level on Monday. This period could take three to six months, deGraaf said, and he compared it to a brief slump Nvidia had last summer. "It's not really a bearish outcome unless you're a very short-term trader. But it does result in this kind of elongated consolidation where that enthusiasm just burns off," deGraaf said. Others who are more bullish on Nvidia have pointed out that the stock isn't terribly expensive on the basis of its price-to-earnings valuation because earnings estimates have risen along with the stock price.
A view of the vehicles parked on the street in Paris, France on Nov. 22, 2023. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images

Parisians have voted to hike parking fees on large SUVs  and it's not the only European city to set its sights on heavier, more polluting cars. At a referendum in Paris last month, almost 55% voted in favor of a specific parking rate for sports utility vehicles (SUVs) for non-residents. With a turnout rate of 5.7%, however, the poll represented only a small proportion of the capital's electoral list. The measure will see drivers pay up to 18 euros ($19.54) an hour to park in the center of Paris, and 12 euros an hour in the wider city. The higher charges will apply to SUVs weighing more than 1.6 metric tons that are hybrid or have a combustion engine, as well as electric SUVs weighing over 2 metric tons. According to Jens Muller, deputy director and head of policy and research at the Clean Cities campaign group, "what happens in Paris usually doesn't stay in Paris." He told CNBC that there's a high chance of other cities following suit, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo agrees, saying following the vote: "Parisians have made a clear choice  other cities will follow."

SUV sales surge

It comes as SUV sales continue to surge, with the International Energy Agency noting that "the shift towards heavier and less fuel-efficient conventional vehicles increases growth in both oil demand and CO 2 emissions." Global carbon emissions from the vehicles neared 1 billion tons in 2022, according to the IEA. SUVs remain popular because of their additional seating, storage space and higher driver position. Meanwhile, Edmund King, president of the U.K.'s AA, told the Times that there were "valid safety reasons why cars have got bigger." "Vehicle safety has improved substantially and much is down to Euro NCAP, [a safety standard] which means modern vehicles have crumple zones, pedestrian protection and numerous airbags, which all add to size," he said. However, data indicates that many of these larger cars are registered to homes in urban areas  causing a problem in already-crowded cities. An analysis of new car registrations in the U.K. by the campaign group Badvertising in 2021 showed that three-quarters of SUVs sold in 2019-20 were registered to urban addresses. And cities in Europe are starting to take note. The Paris vote followed in the footsteps of fellow French city Lyon, which has already announced a similar policy. Its plans to introduce higher parking charges for heavier vehicles which is due to come into force next June. French city Grenoble, meanwhile, has already implemented a higher environmental tariff in car parks for heavier vehicles, and a spokesperson from the mayor's office in Bordeaux told CNBC that the city and the mayor are "at the reflection stage on the subject of taxing SUVs."

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In Germany, the southern city of Tubingen implemented a six-fold increase in the cost of an annual resident parking permits to 180 euros for combustion-engine vehicles weighing over 1.8 metric tons. While the mayor of Hanover, Belit Onay, told CNBC following the Paris vote that his city would "also have to face the question of how we deal with vehicles that take up more space." It's a nod to the fact that pollution isn't the only potential issue with SUVs, with space and safety also of concern. Campaign group Transport & Environment  which runs the Clean Cities Campaign  has found that new cars in Europe are getting 1cm wider every two years on average. The group said that large luxury SUVs, with a width of around 200cm, now leave too little space for people to get in and out of other vehicles in typical off-street parking spaces. Meanwhile, a study by the Vias Institute in Belgium, released in August, found that the risk of fatal injuries increases by 30% if a pedestrian or cyclist is hit by a car with a hood that is 10cm higher than average.

'Watching with excitement'
Democratic Alliance (AD) leader Luis Montenegro celebrates his victory as he addresses supporters at the party's election night headquarters, in Lisbon on March 10, 2024.

Portugal's far-right Chega party on Sunday received a surge in support in the country's snap general election, reflecting a broader shift to the radical right across Europe.

Portugal's center-right Democratic Alliance claimed victory in the vote, winning 79 seats in the country's 230-seat National Assembly  well short of a parliamentary majority. The incumbent center-left Socialist Party followed closely behind with 77 seats.

The result  which saw the parliamentary representation of the Chega party quadruple to at least 48 lawmakers  gives the political right a combined majority.

The outcome means Chega could play an influential role in the formation of a new administration.

Luis Montenegro, head of the Social Democratic Party which leads the Democratic Alliance, has previously ruled out the possibility of governing with Chega, and he reiterated this stance in the early hours of Monday.

Earlier, the left-leaning Socialist Party leader Pedro Nuno Santos conceded defeat, saying the party, which has been in power since 2015, would not support the Democratic Alliance's platform.
Charli D'Amelio is the second-most followed creator on TikTok, where the 19-year-old former competitive dancer and her sister Dixie have made tens of millions of dollars.

But D'Amelio can't be certain how long she'll be able to serve up short viral videos to her 152 million followers. That's because a bill supporting a potential ban of TikTok, which is owned by China's ByteDance, is headed to the House floor and already has the support of President Joe Biden.

Uncertain of which way the political winds will blow, D'Amelio is looking to build her presence elsewhere. Her latest endeavor is a partnership with Shopify to bring her family's online shoe brand to physical stores.

"You have to remember that social media comes and goes," D'Amelio said in an interview at Shopify's D'Amelio Footwear Pop-Up in New York on Friday. "There's new apps, there's new people, there's exciting new trends. You don't always get to be first in line for everything."

D'Amelio and other family members spoke to CNBC at the store opening. Given the political and national security concerns surrounding TikTok, creators are focusing on other ways they can sell their brand.
A ship in the Red Sea avoided damage when an explosion took place near it on Monday.

Yemen's Houthi rebels are believed to be behind the blast.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said it happened about 71 nautical miles southwest of Saleef, Yemen.

The ship's master reported the sound of an explosion in the vicinity of the vessel. The crew was reported to be safe after the incident.

Coalition Forces were investigating the incident and other vessels were advised to use caution in the area and report any suspicious activity.

The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack, according to the Associated Press but the group can take several hours to take responsibility for attacks.

One of the rebel group's missiles hit a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden last week. Three crew members were killed in the attack and the rest of the crew had to abandon the ship.

Another cargo ship sank after an attack last month.

The Houthi say they started the attacks to pressure Israel to stop its attack on Hamas but their targets increasingly have little or nothing to do with that conflict.

The Red Sea separates the coasts of Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea on one side and Saudi Arabia and Yemen on the other side.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Donald Trump claimed in an interview on CNBC that he had "never been a fan" of Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone, the billionaire investor who endorsed the former president's primary challenger, Nikki Haley.

Trump's critique was prompted by a clip aired during his Monday appearance on "Squawk Box."

"I worry if Trump wins, it's going to be four years of getting even," Langone said in the clip.

"Well, look, I've never been a fan of Ken," Trump said. "I don't know if he supported me  because I was the only one that he could support  but I've never been a fan."

Trump's comments on Langone mark the latest break in an alliance that appeared strong just four years ago.

In 2020, Trump raved about Langone on social media, calling him a "great American." Trump and Langone were in contact in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to archived records of the former president's schedule.

Langone gave $100,000 to Trump's 2017 presidential inaugural committee, according to data from the nonprofit Open Secrets.

In a separate interview in January, Langone said he would not support Trump if the former president were the Republican nominee.

Langone donated $500,000 last year to a pro-Haley super PAC, while the former South Carolina governor was still running the GOP primary.

Langone co-founded Home Depot more than 40 years ago, and he has a net worth of upward of $8 billion, according to Forbes. He serves as chairman of the board of trustees of New York University Langone Health.
A NATO staff member carries a Swedish flag before the start of a press conference ahead of the flag-raising ceremony to mark Sweden's accession to NATO at the NATO headquarters on March 11, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium.

NATO held its official ceremony for the accession of Sweden, the alliance's 32nd member, in Brussels, raising the Swedish flag over the organization's headquarters for the first time in history.

"Today as we raise the Swedish flag we stand together in unity and solidarity, committed to protect and defend each other. All for one, and one for all," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at the event.

Pope Francis is facing backlash from Ukrainian and other European leaders over comments he made in an interview advocating for putting up a "white flag" and negotiating with Russia, saying that the "strongest" party in the war is "the one who has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

Elsewhere, India is seeking the release of its citizens who have been "duped" into serving in the Russian army, Indian government officials have said, demonstrating a rare critique of Moscow.
On Sunday, India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member nationsIceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerlandmarked a significant milestone by signing the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).The agreement, the culmination of negotiations dating back to 2008, is poised to bring substantial economic benefits, including a projected $100 billion in investment over the next 15 years and the creation of one million jobs in India.Helene Budliger Artieda, Economic Affairs Secretary of Switzerland, emphasised the legally binding aspect of TEPA, particularly in connection to market access. In the event that the EFTA fails to fulfil its commitment within 15 years after a grace and review period, India retains the right to unilaterally, partially, or temporarily revoke market access.Expressing enthusiasm for India's economic potential, Artieda stated that Switzerland aims to be a strategic partner to India, aligning with its ambitious goals to add $30 trillion to its GDP over the next 30 years.There is a massive interest for India. It's India's moment, it's India's century and if India does everything right, we want to be a strategic partner of India in your goals to add, I'm told by Minister Piyush Goyal, $30 trillion to your GDP in 30 years. So what an amazing story. And I think we've come at the right time to be a partner to India, Helene Budliger Artieda stated in an interview with CNBC-TV18.Artieda highlighted the diverse trading relationships between Switzerland and India, particularly emphasising the importance of machinery, high-precision tools, and textile machinery. Notably, India eliminated tariffs on watches and chocolates, providing Switzerland with approximately 95% of the tariff reductions. However, it was clarified that these reductions would be gradual, taking up to 10 years to reach zero tariffs.The Economic Affairs Secretary highlighted Switzerland's excitement about the machinery and precision tools sectors, recognising their significance for the highly innovative and technologically advanced industrial producers in Switzerland. This aligns with India's goal of attracting investment in high-tech industries and enhancing its manufacturing capabilities.During the negotiations, India sought the inclusion of services in the agreement to facilitate domestic manufacturing and encourage investment by Swiss companies. While Switzerland already imposed zero customs duty on most goods, India aimed for a commitment on investment to balance the trade relationship and protect its interests.
In a historic decision, Pakistan President Asif Zardari has decided to formally recognise his 31-year-old daughter Aseefa Bhutto as the First Lady of the country, according to a media report.The status of the First Lady goes to the wife of the President of the country in general. But Zardari became a widower after his wife and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in 2007.Zardari did not remarry and the position of the first lady also remained vacant during his first tenure as the countrys president from 2008 to 2013.Zardari, 68, was sworn in as the countrys 14th president on Sunday. During his oath-taking ceremony at the Presidents House in Islamabad, Zardari was accompanied by his youngest daughter, Aseefa. Sources claimed that President Zardari decided to declare Aseefa Bhutto as the first lady of Pakistan, ARY News reported.This became particularly relevant when Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, the eldest daughter, tagged Aseefa in a tweet on Sunday The text read: From accompanying president Asif Zardari to all his court hearings to fighting for his release from jail now by his side as First Lady of Pakistan and added Aseefas name at the end.The Bhutto-family-led Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) seems to be confirming Zardaris decision."Who will be the first lady of Pakistan? This is the question on many peoples minds after #PresidentAsifAliZardari took oath as 14th President of Pakistan after having been accompanied by his youngest child @AseefaBZ as he was ushered to his oath-taking, the partys handle posted on X.This landmark move to elevate Aseefa to the prestigious position of First Lady marks a significant chapter in the nations political history, ARY News reported citing well-informed sources. After the official declaration, Aseefa will be given the protocol and privileges befitting the First Lady.Aseefa during Zardaris first term was a teenager and currently, she is 31 years old. Aseefa had actively been involved in the PPPs electoral campaign in the run-up to the February 8 polls and was seen leading various rallies in a bid to seek support for her brother Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the partys then-candidate for the prime ministers post.Aseefa made her political debut at a PPP rally in Multan on November 30, 2020. There are many instances from foreign countries when presidents, who were widowers, had asked their daughters, sisters and even nieces to become their first lady.Former United States president Andrew Jackson, who was a widower, had asked his niece Emily Donelson to serve as the countrys first lady. Moreover, two other US presidents Chester Arthur and Grover Cleveland asked their sisters to serve as first lady.
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.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 Madeiro 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 end of a fascist dictatorship five decades ago.Alexandra Ferreira, a 21-year-old law student and member of the Socialist Party, said she was "very sad" with the results because of the far-right's growth. She said it showed that "we have a society with no memory" in reference to the dictatorship.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.
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An aid ship docked in Cyprus is preparing to sail for Gaza as the war between Israel and Hamas continues to rage in the strip at the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

According to German public broadcaster DW, the Spanish aid group Proactiva Open Arms has a ship docked at the Cypriot port of Larnaca and is expected to sail into Gaza with some 200 metric tons of food aid.

The United Nations repeatedly warned of famine in Gaza, into which aid groups said that only a fraction of the supplies required to meet basic humanitarian needs have been allowed to flow since the war began on October 7.

However, as of Monday morning local time (Mar. 11), it remained unclear exactly when the ship would depart after a delay due to "technical issues."

Israel earlier said that it welcomed the sea deliveries and would inspect the cargo bound for Gaza before the ship leaves Cyprus.

Read Also: Negotiations Continue for Gaza Ceasefire Between Israel, Hamas Despite Blame Game

DW correspondent Rosie Birchard said that the aid included "things like flour, rice, [and] protein like canned tuna," some of which were supplied by US charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), which said that construction work began on a landing jetty in Gaza.

"The idea is that Cypriot officials check the goods here in Cyprus, overseen by Israeli officials, before it departs so that they can go directly to Gaza," Birchard added.

If cleared to sail, the ship should take two to three days to arrive at an undisclosed location in Gaza. Upon arrival, the cargo would be set to be offloaded by a crane, placed on trucks, and driven north, where food was said to be in very short supply.

"I hope @WCKitchen succeeds in delivering a new way to increase the arrival of food in Gaza, [and it is] complicated..with so many unknowns and challenges," WCK's founder Jose Andres, a Michelin-starred chef, said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. "But we never follow a plan, we adapt! And the plan writes itself as we go. And we will find the way."

Related Article: A US-Built Pier Is Coming to Gaza. But It May Be Months Before Supplies Begin to Flow

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Details

SoulCore with Mary Wilson, $10 suggested donation

- 1:45 p.m. first Tuesdays of the month and 9 a.m. third Saturdays, parish office at Divine Redeemer Catholic Church, 926 Farragut Ave., 719-633-5559, divineredeemer.net.

- 9 a.m. second, third and fourth Tuesdays, second and fourth Tuesdays are traditional SoulClore class comparable to a Pilates mat class, third Tuesday is a chair class for older people, those new to or not into exercise, or with mobility limits, St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, 8755 Scarborough Drive, 719-528-8407, saintgabriel.net

- 9:15 a.m. second Thursdays and fifth Tuesdays (if there is one), St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2650 Parish View, 719-599-5031, stfranciscs.org
(Photo : Salty Dawg Sailing)

Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry

The American woman believed to have been murdered along with her husband by escaped prisoners who hijacked their yacht in the Caribbean was allegedly raped before being killed and dumped in the sea.

Ralph Hendry, 66, and Kathy Brandel, 71, were last seen near a beach in the small island nation of Grenada. Three escaped criminals who are believed to have stolen the catamaran were apprehended by police and are being held on murder charges.

"Information suggests that while traveling between Grenada and St Vincent, (the suspects) disposed of the occupants," Don McKenzie, police commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, said at a news conference.

The couple planned to spend the winter on a yacht in the Caribbean before being declared missing. Police now believe Hendry and Brandel were likely thrown into the ocean.

Authorities have charged a trio of prison escapees for the murders.

Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25, were also charged with robbery, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, and kidnapping in connection with the deaths in late February, according to the Royal Grenada Police Force.

Additionally, Stanislaus was charged with rape. The Royal Grenada Police confirmed to the Daily Mail that the rape charge is related to Brandel.

Mitchell, Robertson, and Stanislaus allegedly broke out of a holding cell at the South St. George Police Station on Feb. 18.

From there, they allegedly hijacked Hendry and Brandel's yacht, Simplicity, while it was docked in St. George, Grenada - a popular tourist destination.

The abandoned watercraft was later found off the coast of St. Vincent.

Evidence of violence was allegedly discovered aboard the vessel, leading investigators to believe the couple was killed, however, their bodies have not yet been found.

Hendry and Brandel, of Virginia, were "veteran cruisers and long-time members of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association."

"Warm hearted and capable, they both contributed to building the SDSA and Kathy sat on the association's board for two years," the association wrote, announcing the deaths of the pair.

"Kathy and Ralph had sailed Simplicity in the 2023 Caribbean Rally from Hampton, VA to Antigua and were spending the winter cruising the Eastern Caribbean," when they were allegedly killed, according to the SDSA.

"This heartbreaking tragedy has left not only the sailing community, but also their families, shattered," a GoFundMe campaign organized to help the couple's sons retrieve the vessel and cover funeral costs, read. "Kathy, who had recently become a first-time grandmother, found immense joy in the presence of her grandson-joy that has now been abruptly taken away. As their families navigate the overwhelming grief and attempt to make sense of this unthinkable loss, we extend our collective support and sympathy."

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Martin Brian Mulroney, LLD 05, prime minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993, lawyer, businessman and public figure, died on February 29. He was 84.

Before Brian Mulroney went on to lead our country as prime minister, he supported our universitys development as a member of our Board of Governors from 1978 to 1983 and later as a donor, said Concordia President Graham Carr. He was an enthusiastic supporter of our Irish Studies program and we remain immensely grateful for his leadership, generosity and guidance. As Canadians grieve his loss, I extend my deepest sympathies to the Mulroney family.

Mulroney was selected as leader of the Progressive Conservative (PC, now Conservative) Party of Canada in 1983. The following year, he guided the party to a historic victory and became the countrys 18th prime minister.

His political legacy includes introducing the goods and services tax (GST) in 1991 and signing the landmark North America Free Trade Agreement with the United States in 1992.

Quebec roots

Mulroney, whose father was a paper mill electrician, was born in 1939 in Baie-Comeau, Quebec. Fluently bilingual, he started his BA in political science at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, at age 16.

He was soon recruited by the campus Progressive Conservative group and became deeply involved in both on- and off-campus politics throughout his undergraduate years.
The Mandela Effect is a fascinating phenomenon that makes many people curious. Named after the widespread belief that Nelson Mandela died in prison in the 1980s, despite his actual passing in 2013, this effect describes the collective misremembering of an event or fact. From the spelling of brand names to iconic movie lines, people often recall things differently from how they actually occurred. But what drives this curious quirk of memory?

Psychologists propose that memory is not a perfect recording device but a reconstructive process. When recalling information, the brain does not retrieve a replica but rather pieces together bits of information stored in different areas. This process leaves room for error, especially when memories are vague or incomplete.

Social influence and suggestion

One explanation for the Mandela Effect lies in the power of suggestion and social influence. When people discuss shared memories or encounter misinformation online, it can distort their recollections. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the age of social media, where misinformation spreads rapidly, reinforcing false memories.

False memories and confabulation

False memories are common and can be created through suggestion, imagination, or external influences. Confabulation, a memory error where people fabricate details to fill in gaps in their memory, can also contribute to the Mandela Effect. These false memories feel just as real as genuine ones, making it challenging to distinguish between the two.

Cognitive biases

Cognitive biases, such as the confirmation bias and the hindsight bias, play a significant role in shaping our memories. Confirmation bias leads people to seek information confirming their existing beliefs, while hindsight bias alters perceptions of past events based on current knowledge. These biases can distort memories and contribute to the occurrence of the Mandela Effect.
We heard a rumor that some of you have been feeling a bit too comfortable of late. Thats unacceptable. Paranoia is the only option, so we must provoke some with a troubling question: Have you considered that the government may be secretly experimenting on you? Its happened to people before. Consider the sad cases of...

4 Radiation Vertus In 1927, Gibson County Hospital in Indiana was having money problems. The head physician figured they could solve them through the burgeoning field of radiation. They could irradiate some people, and if this produced any interesting results, the hospital would become rich and famous. If it didnt, no worries. Kurt Weber Mutilating hapless victims wasnt a reason to worry. This physicians brother-in-law was a school trustee, so the hospital found themselves a fine source of unwitting volunteers: Ten Black children at the Lyles Consolidated School. They told the kids alternately that they were going on a field trip and that they were receiving treatment for ringworm (a fungal infection thats easily cured by home remedies such as iodine). At the hospital, they plopped a device on each kids head and delivered a full-body radiation dose via the skull. The kids were soon all vomiting and shooting out diarrhea. Their chaperone, only now realizing the doctors were doing something horrible, herded the students into the school bus to take them to get help  only to realize that if they needed medical care, they actually already were at the hospital. The kids would grow up and spend the rest of their lives with bald and discolored scalps... Uplift Productions Advertisement ...but the experiment hit each child with a higher radiation dose than the kid before them. The final child was five-year-old Vertus Hardiman. The way hed later recall it, when the nurses plunked the device on his head and turned the dial, one yelled, Oh my God. Ive given him too much. The blast left Vertus with a head wound, one that never healed, not for the next 80 years of his life. It began as an ulcerated sore then progressed to a cancer that  though it never reached his brain  caused the top of his skull to collapse. He wore a wig his whole life, and a beanie on top of that, successfully hiding the hole in his head. You can get a look at it two and a half minutes into the video below (which, for the first couple minutes, seems like a documentary about the Depression-era South, featuring no unhealing head wounds at all). Advertisement Advertisement The parents of these kids took the hospital to court, but the hospital emerged from the trial unscathed, as the parents had all signed permission slips for the visit. So, be careful what you sign the next time your kids off to a field trip. Theres always the chance the slip says something like, This trip consists of a visit to a museum, followed by euthanasia.

3 Plutonium Al Quite a few people found themselves unwitting subjects in radiation experiments in the years that followed. In the 1950s and 1960s, a bunch of hospitals injected patients with plutonium, polonium and uranium, to measure how long it took their bodies to chuck the stuff out. Doctors generally sought out cancer patients for these experiments, for two reasons. One, the hospital would pretend this was a cancer treatment (wed later develop radiotherapy for cancer, but injecting radioactive metal isnt how you do it). Two, if the radioactivity killed the patient, it didnt matter, since they were terminal anyway. Advertisement One subject of these experiments was a house painter named Al Stevens. He had stomach cancer, the doctors figured. But a little bit into the experiment, they discovered he actually never did. They kept the experiment going anyway. They did not tell Al they were injecting him with plutonium, and to keep up the ruse, they also continued to tell him he had cancer. To test how his body was dealing with the plutonium, they periodically collected urine and stool samples and also extracted some slices of rib and spleen. Thanks to the continuous radiation that internal plutonium was pumping out, he was later nicknamed The Most Radioactive Human Ever. The radiation, though, doesnt seem to have cut his life short. He lived to be almost 80, when he died of heart disease. Advertisement

2 Cell Line John Our next guinea pig also wound up with some spleen grabbed for research, and unlike Stevens, he really did have cancer. The man was named John Moore, and the consent form he signed, when he was receiving treatment for leukemia, read: I voluntarily grant to the University of California all rights I, or my heirs, may have in any cell line... obtained from me. Advertisement UCLA had yanked his spleen out to stop the cancer growth, and this worked for a while. They also noticed something wondrous about this spleen. The T cells in them cranked out a kind of signaling protein more efficiently than theyd ever thought possible. They dragged Moore in for a few additional visits, in which they extracted his bone marrow  not to treat any illness but simply because they wanted it. They soon had enough T cells that they could culture them and keep them alive and reproducing for years, manufacturing all the lymphokine proteins they wanted. Ramin Herati The scientific term for these doctors is vampires. When Moore found out the truth, he sued and lost. The doctors had the right to hold on to those cells as long as they wanted and do whatever they wanted with them. Its scary because while Moore argued that the cells were his, one might also argue that the cells were him. If youre inclined to say, No, only my brain is me, not my marrow, thats just your brain talking, and your brain is clearly biased in this matter. Advertisement Advertisement
(Photo : X/Twitter)

Kaylee Gain is reportedly in critical condition after another teen repeatedly smashed her head into the ground.

A teenager reportedly remains hospitalized and another is being held in family court after a brutal beating near a St. Louis-area school was caught on camera.

The fight, which took place last Friday near Hazelwood East High School, was widely circulated on social media shows the two teens start fighting for an unknown reason.

Why do people have no control, no manners, and no respect for anyone?



Teen girl is left in critical condition after high school mob beatdown in Missouri

The fight broke out by an intersection near Hazelwood East High School pic.twitter.com/MNiEbAjYob  Ronald Kelly (@RonK3l) March 11, 2024

The two teens end up on the ground. One of the girls repeatedly punches the other in the face before slamming her head into the pavement several times.

The girl appeared to begin to have a seizure while laying on the ground.

Police said Sunday they had confirmed the horrific video was authentic.

The St. Louis County Police Department told KTVI-TV that it happened around 2:30 p.m. Friday just north of the school campus.

Police found the girl suffering from a severe head injury. EMS took her to a hospital and she was listed in critical condition.

Police arrested a 15-year-old girl on Saturday to face assault charges.

The school district released a statement in response to the violence saying, "It is a tragedy anytime children are hurt. Bullying and fighting in the community is an issue for which we all need to take ownership and work towards a resolution for the sake of our children."

"The Hazelwood School District offers our sincerest condolences to everyone involved, and will offer additional emotional support from our support and crisis team to those in need. We look forward to continuing to partner with our community for the sake of our children. Please be kind and respectful of the families involved during this difficult time and pledge to help work toward the betterment of our entire community."

The name and age of the victim was unknown. Authorities did not release the name of the suspect because of her age.

Urban League Vice President James Clark was disturbed by the footage.

"That's a glimpse into the mentality and the culture of our young people today," Clark told KSDK-TV.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Our Voices is written by columnists outside of the newspaper and focuses on capturing the diverse identities and personal narratives within our community. Contact mere@dailycal.org or opinion@dailycal.org.
(Photo : RICHARD PIERRIN/AFP via Getty Images)

People ride motorbikes past burning tires during a demonstration calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on February 6, 2024.

As Haiti's unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry travels to Nairobi in an attempt to gain assistance in striking down gangs, within the country a powerful gang leader is currently attempting to overthrow the government - using violence and force to seize control.

Jimmy Cherizier - known by his nickname "Barbeque" possibly due to his alleged role in burning down 400 homes in a Haitian slum - has likened himself to revolutionaries like Che Guevara and Malcolm X.

"I like Martin Luther King, too," he told the New Yorker last year. "But he didn't like fighting with guns, and I fight with guns."

Cherizier often claims that he is fighting the Haitian government on behalf of the country's impoverished and underserved people - describing his gang as "a sociopolitical structure and force that is fighting on behalf of the vulnerable," in an interview with Vice.

But for many within the country, he is a terrifying individual involved in violent crime. Prior to becoming a notorious gang leader, Cherizier was part of a riot squad within the Haitian national police. It was during this time, that he allegedly burned down the slum - in the aftermath of this incident dozens of people were dead and seven women said they had been raped.

"He gives women presents on Mother's Day. He gives money to families that don't have the means to send their kids to school," said Haiti expert Diego Da Rin, according to the Guardian.

"But people are aware that he is [also] one of the main people responsible for the nightmare they are living."

While Cherizier is subject to international sanctions, it does not seem like he will lose his grip on power any time soon.

"Unfortunately, Barbecue is now the most powerful man in Haiti," Port-au-Prince-based consultant Judes Jonathas told the Guardian.

Gang violence dominates Haitian life, with the government largely unable to control the criminal organizations that the United Nations says were responsible for nearly 5,000 deaths in 2023.

"I am appalled by the staggering and worsening level of gang violence," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report published in January.

"Gang killings, kidnappings and sexual violence, notably against women and young girls, among other abuses, continue with widespread impunity."

When Henry left the country for Nairobi, he was supposed to return with a UN-backed deal that would fight gang violence. As fighting reaches new heights, he has still not released a plan or made a statement on the situation in Port-au-Prince, Reuters reported.

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(Photo : Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Major TikTok investor Jeffrey Yass has emerged as the top Republican donor so far in the 2024 election cycle.

Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is coming out against a possible TikTok ban in the United States.

The popular social media app is in the crosshairs of lawmakers in Congress who are looking at forcing its Chinese owners to sell it or be banned in the United States.

There are approximately 170 million users in the U.S. and it is especially popular among teenagers and young adults.

However, the heads of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have determined that ByteDance Ltd.'s ownership of TikTok is a threat to U.S. national security.

Trump on Monday came out against the possible ban - on the basis that it could lead to more business for Facebook, with which he has also tangled in the past.

"Without TikTok, you can make Facebook bigger, and I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people," Trump said in a Monday morning phone interview with CNBC.

The support of TikTok is a reversal for Trump.

His administration unsuccessfully tried to have TikTok removed from app stores in the U.S. in 2020, CNBC reported. He then ordered ByteDance to divest TikTok within 90 days but that never happened.

Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser, suggested Saturday that Trump was paid off to change his view.

Trump recently met with conservative hedge fund manager Jeff Yass, who has a $33 billion stake in TikTok, Newsweek reports.

"Simple: Yass Coin," Bannon wrote in a post on the conservative social media app Gettr.

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) are sponsors of a bill that would require ByteDance to sell the platform in 165 days or see it banned in the U.S.

They say the bill addresses the immediate national security risks posed by TikTok and establishes a framework for the Biden administration to "protect Americans from future foreign adversary controlled applications."

Congress is expected to vote on the bill this week.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at a Wednesday briefing that the president supports the legislation.

And on Friday President Biden confirmed that he would sign the legislation if Congress approves it.

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Wait, is this Texas? Texas, the state where condign punishment for murder is implacably carried out? Where, since 2000, no fewer than 388 felons have been executed?

These questions are prompted by the result of a trial of a wife killer in Texas, which last week resulted in the murderer getting a sentence of ten years  and eligible for parole after just five years.

It was the jury which opted for that short sentence, duly passed by an apparently 'shocked' judge on 60-year-old Carey Birmingham, who had blasted his wife Patricia with a shotgun three times outside their home.

The recording of the murder captures the killer saying: 'All right, goodbye. You're going to meet Jesus. I hope it was worth it.'

Patricia Birmingham, 48, was killed by her husband who blasted her three times with a shotgun outside their home in Texas

Carey Birmingham, 60, received a ten-year sentence for the murder of his wife Patricia

The 'it' referred to an alleged affair Patricia Birmingham had been having. Chalk up another victory for the defence claiming a 'crime of passion', carried out 'in the heat of the moment'.

Demons

It is all nonsense, however much it might appeal to juries. And in the case of that Texan jury, one composed entirely of women.

Yet women can be the harshest judges of their own sex  and the nature of such cases is that it is the dead woman who is being judged as much her killer.

In this country, the more a jury can be persuaded that the victim had provoked their killer beyond endurance, the likelier they are to find that manslaughter  on grounds of diminished responsibility  rather than murder is the proper verdict.

In recent weeks, we have seen two such cases examined at length in television series. Channel 4's The Trial set up two different 'juries' to re-examine, in a mock trial, a case based on one in which Thomas Crompton was found guilty of manslaughter, rather than murder, for the killing of his wife Angela in 2012.

He had strangled her until she turned blue. He then fetched a lump hammer and hit her skull with such ferocity that scraps of flesh were found on it.

One of the TV juries 'found' that this was murder. The other  like the real life jury  went for manslaughter.

Thomas Crompton is now a free man. His sentence was seven and half years, but with parole half way through: three years and nine months, in other words.

The real jury seems to have been persuaded by the defence lawyer, who painted a picture of Angela as no angel but a woman with 'demons', who enjoyed 'provoking' her husband.

After the verdict, Angela's family, which included three children of her own, declared: 'During the case, it felt that Angela herself was on trial; and in many ways that was the hardest part of it.'

Meanwhile, ITV recently broadcast an investigation into the killing of Joanna Simpson in 2010 by her husband, a British Airways pilot called Robert Brown. He, too, had been found guilty only of manslaughter, rather than murder, and became eligible for parole in November last year.

In 2010, Joanna Simpson was battered to death with a hammer by her British Airways pilot husband while the couple's children were in the house

Robert Brown was judged guilty only of manslaughter, rather than murder, of his wife Joanna

During the trial, it was claimed he was 'suffering from adjustment disorder' because of the divorce sought by his estranged wife. He sobbed, telling the jury: 'I just lost it. I blew up and the next thing I was standing over Jo and blood was all over the place.'

In fact, and as the jury was told, he had not just battered her to death with a hammer while the couple's children were in the house: he had already prepared a grave for her, which he had dug in nearby countryside and where he deposited her body.

Brown's sobbing in the trial was in stark contrast to the recordings of his interviews with the police.

Grief

There, as we saw in the remarkable ITV documentary, he remained calm throughout, not showing a flicker of emotion even when the officers played him a video of one of his little children howling with grief while describing the experience of hearing their mother being battered to death.

I'd recommend anyone interested in such cases read In Control: Dangerous Relationships And How They End In Murder, by the criminologist and former police officer Jane Monckton Smith.

It shows how such killings only appear to be the sudden, uncontrolled explosion of rage at some 'provocation'; in fact, they are the concluding act in a lengthy process of increasing resentment and hatred.

Or as Olivia, the daughter of Carey and Patricia Birmingham, said of her father's claim about the murder of her mother: 'I don't know, sudden passion? You have to have made that decision within you for a while.'

The budget idea the chancellor pinched from my father

The Chancellor had a bit of fun in the Budget, at least when announcing that he would end the 'non-dom' status  a remnant of Empire which for centuries has allowed certain people living here (foreigners usually) to be treated for tax purposes as if their actual domicile is elsewhere.

Labour were always going to sneer that Jeremy Hunt was copying their plans. So from the despatch box he pre-empted that by observing: 'Nigel Lawson wanted to end the non-dom regime in his great tax reforming Budget of 1988, which is where I suspect the Labour Party got the idea from.'

Nigel Lawson holds the Budget Box outside 11 Downing Street in 1988 when he was Chancellor

It is true: my father, Nigel Lawson, had indeed wanted to announce that in a Budget remembered above all for reducing the top rate of tax from 60 per cent to 40 per cent.

He had told Parliament that his Budget statement was based not just on the 'need to reduce taxes where they are clearly too high' but also on the principle of abolishing 'unwarranted tax breaks': which it did in a number of ways, such as ending the ability of landowners to use forests as an elaborate tax shelter.

Actually, it was in a column in 2022 that I revealed how my father had also intended to abolish the non-dom status. It doesn't appear in his memoir, but he had told me about it.

What did surprise me last week was that no one, either in the media or the Labour Party, asked why it never happened back in 1988, if that had been the plan.

The reason was Margaret Thatcher. Norman Lamont, who had been in my father's Treasury team, told me: 'When the Greek shipping merchants got wind of what we were planning, they wined and dined Margaret Thatcher, who was horrified to hear what her government was planning to do.'

My father spied something else: the Greek shipping owners in London were significant donors to Conservative Party funds, with one of them, John Latsis, at that time probably their biggest benefactor.

By contrast, Rishi Sunak, the current PM, did not get involved at all with the matter: he recused himself because of his wife's former status as a non-dom. A fact which doubtless would have appeared in Labour broadcasts in the forthcoming election  had Hunt not shot their rather mangy fox.
Daily Mail readers want to see a fair immigration system, and they're right.

That's why we are taking on people-smuggling gangs, working more effectively with France and strengthening the law so that we can stop the boats.

I'm also prioritising legal migration because I share readers' frustrations at the numbers we are seeing. This Government is delivering a comprehensive and tough package which means around 300,000 people eligible to come to the UK last year would now be unable to do so.

People who come here should be adding value and contributing to our economy, and they must be able to pay their way.

From the start of this year, most international students have been barred from bringing their dependents to the UK.

But we are going further  today I will ask the expert and independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the graduate route for international students.

Home Secretary James Cleverly will ask the expert and independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the graduate route for international students

We must prevent abuse of this route, protect the integrity and quality of our higher education, and ensure it works in our best interests.

I want to ensure that applications through this route are not being driven by a desire for immigration over education. The MAC will report back to me in May.

Recently I changed the rules to address the abuse of care worker visas. Overseas workers make a huge contribution to our health and care sector  like my mother, who was an NHS midwife.

In the year ending September 2023, around 120,000 dependents accompanied 100,000 care workers to the UK (Stock Image)

But from today we are requiring any care provider that wants to sponsor a migrant in England to register with the Care Quality Commission, so that we know they are coming to a proper care provider, not a rogue operator.

Also from today, I've put a stop to overseas care workers bringing dependents with them.

In the year ending September 2023, around 120,000 dependents accompanied 100,000 care workers to the UK. Those numbers are simply unsustainable.

And it's not fair when cheap labour from overseas undercuts British workers. To protect them and to prioritise the very best talent from abroad, the salary threshold for a skilled worker visa will increase to 38,700 next month. And we are ending the 20 per cent going rate salary discount for shortage occupations.

This country will always do right by those in need. But coming here as a refugee is not the same thing as country-shopping or being an economic migrant. That's why we are incrementally increasing the minimum income requirement threshold for family visas.

Immigration brings many benefits, but it must be controlled and sustainable. The British people expect no less.
A jewelry expert has lifted the lid on some of the jaw-droppingly gorgeous gems worn by Anant Ambani and girlfriend Radhika Merchant at their opulent pre-wedding festivities in Jamnagar, India, last weekend.

While the sweet couple's wedding won't take place until July, they kicked off celebrations with a lavish cocktail party, a private concert by Rihanna and even a trip to the Reliance animal rescue center, started by Ambani himself, according to an itinerary obtained by The Times.

Guests included prominent A-listers and entrepreneurs like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and even Ivanka Trump, who were there to toast to the love of Ambani, whose father, Mukesh Ambani, has an estimated net worth of more than $116 billion.

His future wife, Merchant, is the daughter of Viren Merchant, CEO of Encore Healthcare.

This past weekend, Anant Ambani, son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, and girlfriend Radhika Merchant held opulent pre-wedding festivities in Jamnagar, India

The guests at the couple's pre-wedding parties included high-profile A-listers like Mark Zuckerberg, above, and Bill Gates

Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner were also among the guests present to toast to the happy couple

In a series of Reels posted to her Instagram account, New York City-based gemstone wholesaler Julia Hackman Chafe shared more about the jewels worn at the festivities

But even though their extravagant weekend made headlines, what might have been even more impressive were the opulent jewels that the couple and their family wore during those three days.

This week, New York City-based gemstone wholesaler Julia Hackman Chafe took to Instagram Reels to reveal that Ambani's mother, Nita Ambani, may have worn a $6.5 million 'historical diamond ring' to the pre-wedding parties.

'It's called the Mirror of Paradise, and it weighs 52.58 carats, was originally mined in the Golconda region of India, and it's a D color internally flawless diamond,' Chafe divulged.

She explained that the stunning, emerald-cut ring was part of a 2019 auction at Christie's, as a part of their Maharajas and Mughal Magnificence collection.

'It's worth noting that Nita might have bought the diamond from someone who bought it from the auction, meaning she might have paid more or less,' she explained.

Chafe said that she found out the info from another jeweler on Instagram, @therealdiamantaire, who sent her a DM saying that she recognized the stone after she saw it in person before it was auctioned off.

The jewelry expert also raved about Nita's larger-than-life emerald necklace worn on the third day of the celebrations.

The necklace featured two huge, square-shaped emerald stones encrusted in diamonds.

'It's called the Mirror of Paradise, and it weighs 52.58 carats, was originally mined in the Golconda region of India, and it's a D color internally flawless diamond,' Chafe divulged

The ring was up for auction at Christie's in 2019, as a part of their Maharajas and Mughal Magnificence collection

The jewelry expert also spoke about the soon-to-be-groom's diamond buttons he wore on one of his jackets during the weekend, as well as Radhika's gorgeous, cascading diamond necklace

She wanted to 'focus on' Radhika's 'casual look' that she wore on their second day of the festivities, which featured a huge diamond necklace and diamond studs

Jewlery rundown with Julia! The most $$$ pieces from the Ambani pre-wedding Ambani's mother, Nita Ambani, may have worn a $6.5 million 'historical diamond ring' to the pre-wedding parties

The ring was auctioned off at Christie's in 2019, called the 'Mirror of Paradise'

Chafe also estimated that Merchant's diamond necklace was worth well over one million

Although it's unclear how much Merchant's earrings cost, a similar pair are being sold for $1,299,675.

Xavier estimated that Nita's emerald necklace was worth around $5.7 million in total Advertisement

'I'm not exaggerating when I tell you these would not fit in a gemstone scale,' Chafe admitted in the clip.

According to various reports cited by GQ India, the necklace is worth anywhere from 'Rs 400 to Rs 500 crore' - which is equivalent to $48,300,880 - $60,376,100 in USD.

New York City-based jeweler Jean-Paul Xavier of namesake Jean-Paul Xavier Jewelry estimated that it must have taken at least one year to make the necklace, guessing that it was probably a 'two or three hundred carat piece.'

'It's probably 5k of gold or platinum in the necklace,' Xavier explained in a recent video posted to his TikTok.

'Maybe six, seven, but that's compared to to the labor,' he continued, adding that it would take a full team to make the accessory - including a 'top project manager' and a 'modeling team.'

As for the price, he estimated that it cost $5.7 million in total, breaking it down by the costs of the links and emeralds, writing in the caption that she 'probably paid 10ish.'

'It's a billionaire's necklace, those little emeralds around the neck look like forty or fifty thousand dollar emeralds each, maybe at wholesale, so at the retail end,' he said.

Chafe even peeled back the layers on the diamond-encrusted, scalloped-edge buttons Ambani wore on his jacket during the weekend, as well as the cascading yellow and white diamond necklace that Merchant had on.

New York City-based jeweler Jean-Paul Xavier estimated in a TikTok video that Nita's emerald necklace could be worth around $5.7 million

'It's a billionaire's necklace, those little emeralds around the neck look like forty or fifty thousand dollar emeralds each, maybe at wholesale, so at the retail end,' Xavier said

Radhika paired the diamonds with a custom Dolce & Gabbana blue leopard print maxi dress and matching hat

Chafe claimed that the blouse, which was covered in emeralds, rubies and diamonds, featured her 'old jewels' and 'new jewels'

'I would assume that at the bare minimum, Anant's buttons were $30,000 each,' Chafe told DailyMail.com, explaining that was in American pricing and wasn't exactly sure what the Ambani's purchased them at.

Merchant paired the unbelievable necklace with an extraordinary mauve-colored custom gown that looked incredibly similar to the art deco-inspired Versace one worn by Gossip Girl star Blake Lively at the 2022 Met Gala.

And, while the amazing diamonds that Merchant wore throughout the weekend were unbelievably pretty, Chafe also highlighted her diamond necklace and earrings that the bride-to-be sported during day two during a 'walk on the wild side.'

Merchant wore a stunning necklace which featured a single, large diamond in the middle, along with diamond studs.

'I kind of want to focus on Radhika's casual look, because her casual daytime diamond is larger than I can even put a size on,' Chafe said.

'It looks like her studs are easily over 10 carats each,' she continued.

Chafe told DailyMail.com that she estimated that Radhika's necklace must have cost over one million.

Although it's unclear just how much Merchant's diamond studs cost, a similar pair of a combined 20 carat sparklers are being sold at Raven Fine Jewelers in Beverly Hills, California, for $1,299,675.

Rihanna performed at the luxe celebration, putting on a 90-minute concert for their guests

While the sweet couple's wedding won't take place until July, they kicked off celebrations with a lavish cocktail party, a private concert by Rihanna and a trip to the Reliance animal rescue center

On 1stDibs, a pair of 10 carat each diamond studs goes for $454,250.

Paired with the diamonds was a custom Dolce & Gabbana blue leopard print maxi dress and matching hat, the complete look posted on Instagram by her stylists Rhea Kapoor and Shereen Sikka.

In her series, Chafe similarly gushed over the jewel-encrusted blouse worn by Isha Ambani, the groom's older sister, as well as her emeralds.

Chafe claimed that the blouse, which was covered in emeralds, rubies and diamonds, featured her 'old jewels' and 'new jewels.'

'It was made Jadau jewelry, which is a traditional form of Indian jewelry, using pure gold gold foil between the stones and the mounds,' she said.

She noted that traditionally, this jewelry is used for necklaces instead of blouses.
In 2015, a primary school in the leafy North London area of Hampstead was rocked by allegations of torture, sexual abuse and Satanism - all at the hands of a mother in the midst of a seething child contact dispute.

Ella Draper, 51, and her partner Abraham Christie have been under investigation by a specialist police child abuse team after they forced her two children to lie about sexual abuse and ritual torture - including the consumption of babies.

Draper, who is believed to have since fled abroad, is wanted for questioning by police over the false allegations which she continues to make in online videos and articles, sparking fears of vigilante attacks.

Dozens of innocent people were falsely named as paedophiles as part of their online campaign at Christ Church Primary School in the star-studded London borough, that boasts celebrities like Helena Bonham Carter and Jamie Oliver among its residents.

Fast forward almost a decade, the story is at the heart of a new Channel 4 documentary, Accused: The Hampstead Paedophile Hoax, that features the stories of four of the North London mothers who were falsely accused of being Satanic paedophiles - with their words voiced by actors to protect their privacy.

Ella Draper was a glamorous, Russian-born yoga teacher who had lived in London since the 1990s. She claimed that her two children had been abused by their father

Amid an open investigation spanning nine years, MailOnline takes a look at what happened to Ella Draper and what led to more than 100 people being accused of horrific acts of abuse.

Who is Ella Draper?

Ella Draper was 42 years old when she became embroiled in an ugly custody battle with her second husband and father to their two children, Ricky Dearman.

The mother-of-two, now 51, is originally from the city of Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia, on the border with Ukraine.

Tall and striking, with a master's degree in art history, she met and married a wealthy English banker in the 1990s and moved to Hampstead, where she later became a yoga teacher.

She remained there after they split up, then began a relationship with an actor, Ricky Dearman, who became the father to their two children.

After three years together, Draper and Dearman's relationship had ended acrimoniously in 2006.

Draper started dating a new man, Abraham Christie, whom she met at a vegan chocolate-tasting. Abraham, now 67, believed hemp, the herb from which cannabis is derived, to be the elixir of life.

In 2014, Draper and Dearman's child contact dispute took a sinister turn when she falsely accused her ex partner of being the leader of a Satanic cult - with teachers, police and even a priest named as among its more than 100 members.

Ella Draper (RIGHT), 51, and her partner Abraham Christie (LEFT) have been under investigation by a specialist police child abuse team after they forced her two children to lie about sexual abuse and ritual torture

What did Ella Draper do?

In July 2014, two children went on to accuse parents and teachers of running a baby-eating satanic cult at Christ Church Primary School - these two children were the son and daughter of Ella Draper.

In interviews with the police, the children - named only as P and Q in care proceedings - detailed a Satanic paedophile ring, tales of murdered babies and dark sacrifices, all led by their father Ricky Dearman.

Further 'grotesque' claims against 'blameless' people included drugged babies being sent from abroad by courier services such as TNT and DHL to London and then sacrificed.

Cult members were said to have drunk their victims' blood and danced around with the babies' skulls.

At least seven other schools were named, a swimming pool identified as a meeting place and 'rituals' were alleged to have even been performed at a McDonald's fast food restaurant in Finchley, North London.

However, there was no evidence of the cult, and in September 2014, the children told police they'd been pressured by Ella and new partner Abraham Christie to make the allegations and the investigation was closed.

They told the police that they'd been pressured into lying, and that Abraham had kicked them, hit them on the head with a metal spoon and poured water over their heads so they couldn't breathe until they said exactly what he wanted.

The police did not pry into the children's allegations about Abraham, let alone arrest him on suspicion of child abuse. The custody case with Ricky, Ella's former partner, moved over to the family courts, where Ella chose to represent herself.

That meant she was given access to all the evidence in the case, including the confidential videos of her children being interviewed by the police and other sensitive material like their medical reports.

How is Sabine McNeill involved?

Draper sought help from Sabine McNeill, an informal legal adviser, and, in late 2014, the mother handed over all her evidence.

German-born McNeill was supposed to be a neutral 'McKenzie Friend,' someone who assists people fighting acrimonious divorce cases. But actually she had a long-running obsession with the family courts.

In January 2015, McNeill, now 79, lit the fuse on the Hampstead hoax. She took all Draper's confidential material - the videos of the childrens interviews, other home videos showing the children alleging satanic abuse, their medical reports - and, with Draper's blessing, put it all online.

Sabine McNeill is a virulent conspiracy theorist, since dubbed Britains worst online troll

She also published an 11-page-document called Mass Child Sex Abuse In Satanic Ritual Abuse And Sacrifice Cult - a corrupted list of the personal details of the 175 people supposedly involved in abuse.

As the material went viral, protesters began to gather at the school and the church, shouting obscenities at parents. Individual families received vicious death threats on their home phones and mobiles.

Police told them to vary their routes home, and carry rape alarms, yet none of it was enough to shake the lingering menace.

McNeill harassed four mothers, who cannot be named, by claiming they were members of a cult who cooked babies and ate them, writing: 'They would put them to sleep by injecting them, slit their throats, cook the babies and eat them.'

She claimed up to 18 teachers from the primary school were also involved in abusing children, as well as individuals that worked in the local Costa Coffee and Waitrose branches, Hampstead police station, Royal Free Hospital, and social services.

According to McNeill they would drink the blood of babies and then dance around wearing the skulls on parts of their bodies.

More than four million people worldwide have viewed the 'fantasy' online material and police had to protect worried parents at the gates of Christchurch Primary School where the 'main action' was alleged to have happened, the ruling said.

'Anna', one of the mothers who was accused at the heart of the scandal, is played by Kathryn McGarr in the series

Where is Ella Draper now?

Ella Draper, 45, is believed to be in Spain having evaded arrest in February 2015 when she escaped from police via the back window of her Hampstead home.

Her children were taken into care, before eventually being returned to their father.

Tests on Draper's son and daughter, aged eight and nine, showed they had both ingested cannabis in the months before being into taken care.

Draper's former partner Abraham Christie, who along with Draper forced the eight and nine-year-olds to peddle fabricated tales of child murder and blood-drinking to police, also remains on the run.

Although eveyone accused had been exonerated, the fabricated story lingered as the couple continued to spread it online while abroad.

Finally, in late 2018  more than three years after the allegations first broke  there was a breakthrough.

Thanks to their assiduous gathering of tens of thousands of documents as evidence, Sabine McNeill was put on trial for stalking, harassment and breaching a restraining order.

The German-born pensioner was labelled an arrogant, malicious, evil and manipulative woman by the sentencing judge, who jailed her for nine years  the longest sentence ever handed down in a UK court for these offences.

She was released two years ago and now lives in Germany.

Ella Draper and Abraham Christie are still thought to be on the run abroad.

Accused: The Hampstead Paedophile Hoax is on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight
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An Italian brand of 'booty-lifting' trousers has left happy customers 'in love' and shoppers have been raving about how comfortable and flattering the pants are.

Freddy trousers have become hugely popular and the brand recently hit the milestone of selling 10 million pairs worldwide, thanks to the popularity of the viral clothing.

The brand has racked up over 10,000 five star reviews worldwide with shoppers raving about how confident they feel in the trousers, which are renowned for their ability to lift, shape and sculpt.

One happy customer wrote: 'Love my Freddys. My butt has never looked so good, hubby loves them too, first of many.'

Women are raving about Freddy trousers thanks to patented WR.UP technology, which is designed to lift, boost and support you in all the right places

The bestselling trousers are the WR.UP Faux Leather High Waisted black pant ($269)

Another thrilled customer shared: 'I felt like a rockstar in these pants from the minute I put them on. They are super flattering on the hips and thighs, and so comfortable!'

A third gushed: 'Comfortable and super stylish. My butt looks cute and being high waisted it sucks in my mum tum.'

The lifting effect is down to a clever patented WR.UP technology, which involves strategic stitching and the use of silicone underneath the bottom to support and hug your shape.

Shoppers can choose from a number of materials, colours and waist lengths with products costing between $169-$269

Shoppers can choose from a number of materials, colours and waist fits with the trousers costing between $169-$269

Shoppers can choose from a number of materials, colours and waist fits with the trousers costing between $169-$269.

The bestselling trousers from the range are the WR.UP Faux Leather High Waisted black pant ($269), which have become a go-to for those looking to sculpt their natural curves whilst giving a snatched look.

The viral buy are made from 85% Recycled Polyester 15% Recycled Elastane with a synthetic-leather coating and shoppers are quick to rave about how snug they are.

One reviewer noted: 'I was super surprised how soft these are and how comfortable they are to wear. Freddy actually became my favourite brand.'

With strategic stitching and light silicone under the bottom, wearers have reported a lifting and snatching effect

With a selection of faux leather and denim trousers in various styles and colours, there's a pair to suit everyone. Plus, enjoy a 20 per cent discount with the code NEW20

'We are not in the business of just selling pants; we are in the business of crafting confidence,' said Noni Azzopardi, Director at Freddy Australia & New Zealand.

'Freddy has always been about empowering women, offering them the freedom to express themselves with a fit that is both flattering and liberating.'

With a selection of faux leather and denim trousers in various styles and colours, there's a pair to suit everyone. Plus, enjoy a 20 per cent discount with the code NEW20.

To shop the full Freddy range click here.
Fuel retailers observe strike in India's Rajasthan state

Xinhua) 09:55, March 11, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
It's been four years since Wanda Mosley helped motivate thousands of Black voters across the battleground state of Georgia to help solidify the 2020 election for United States President Joe Biden.

While polls and interviews indicated Black voters felt excitement heading to the polls in 2020, many are now feeling disenchanted by the influx in costs of living and racial justice issues they feel the Biden administration has yet to address as previously promised.

"They want to understand that their issues are being heard, that their humanity is being acknowledged," said Mosley, national director of Black Voters Matter, a nonprofit group that works to increase turnout and registration among Black voters.

Stacey Abrams, politician and activist, along with other Black organizers, played a pivotal role in orchestrating massive voter campaigns that not only secured the state for Biden in 2020 but also tipped the Senate in favor of the Democrats.

But four years later, Biden's strength among Black voters is not guaranteed, as they question Democrats' commitment to voting rights, confronting white supremacy, and other dire issues.

A Pew Research Center poll in January found Black Americans are divided over Biden's performance in office - about 49% of Black adults disapproved of it, while 48% approved, reported Reuters.

To dominate voters ahead of Tuesday's primaries, both Biden and Republican candidate Donald Trump visited Georgia on Saturday. Results in the swing state could indicate what the road looks like for Biden ahead of November's general election and procuring black voters, who are historically known as the most loyal voting block for the Democratic party.

According to Pew, 92% of Black voters backed Biden in 2020.

Opinion polls show the Nov. 5 election is looking to be a tight match between Biden and Trump, making turnout among Black Americans - who represent significant populations in battleground states like Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania - an essential aspect for any path to Biden's victory.

There are some early warning signs, revealed Reuters. Nearly a dozen voters, rights advocates, and civil rights leaders interviewed by news company said Biden's campaign has a messaging disconnect on the ground in Black communities across the nation, including Georgia, where 33% of the population is Black.

Some voters don't believe enough has been done for them.

Others are unaware of Biden's actions that directly benefited Black Americans, such as widening access to healthcare coverage, economic gains that resulted in record-low Black unemployment rates, and the Child Tax Credit expansion, which ultimately helped cut childhood poverty in half in 2021.

In January, civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton hosted Biden on his syndicated radio show, where the president boasted several of his policies, including federal contracting guidelines and lead pipe removal that aims to improve access to contracting opportunities for Black businesses.

After his sit-down with Biden, Sharpton said his phone lines were tied up with callers who said it was the first time they heard of such actions. Sharpton said he has met with Biden's team about two or three times since last March, and his message to them is simple: they need to deepen their ties to Black communities.

"I'm trying to tell them this is the feedback I'm getting and you need to fight aggressively on it," Sharpton told Reuters. "This campaign is gonna be won in between the West Coast and the East Coast. Those people, the ones that I talk to on the radio every day, are not getting this information."

Several issues are at the forefront for Black voters across Georgia.

Access to healthcare is at the top of the list. Georgia is known for some of the worst health outcomes for Black Americans in the nation. It's also among several states with the highest Black maternal and infant mortality rates in the country.

"At the heart of the work of engaging Black voters in this election is making sure that they know what the president has done," Wartel told Reuters by phone.

Strategists claim it's unlikely Republicans will garner a sizeable share of votes from Black Americans, however, the possibility that enough voters could switch to the Republican side or stay home altogether could influence this election's outcome. As the decline in popularity for Democrats continues, Republicans are taking advantage of an opportunity to grow their support among Black voters.

"A lot of them are not quite sure that Biden is the answer," said Georgia Black Republican Council Chairman Camilla Moore. "What we're seeing in the Black community is a little bit more of a willingness in terms of Republicans being an option."

Polls are showing Black voters remain increasingly alarmed by the rise in white supremacy and white nationalism-- especially over the past decade.

"People are still deeply unsettled by racism and the way that racism continues to show up and be so present for them," said Adrienne Shropshire, executive director of BlackPAC, a left-leaning political action committee focused on mobilizing Black voters.

Karl Booker, a longtime Georgia resident has expressed his support for Biden. "I think the Black vote is going to be pretty powerful to move Biden over the edge again," said Booker, owner of the Off The Hook Barbershop in Atlanta.

"People always talk about voting for the lesser of two evils. Right now, I feel like Biden is definitely the person to move the country forward for another four years."

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In a funny cutaway clip, the canine was seen 'clapping' with some fake paws

There were plenty of A-list celebrities in attendance at this year's Oscars - but one unlikely movie star stole the show from them all, at least for one brief moment: Anatomy of a Fall's canine actor, Messi.

The talented pooch made a surprise appearance in the audience of the 2024 Academy Awards, where he quickly became a firm favorite among guests and spectators alike, even earning a delighted nod of approval from Barbie star Ryan Gosling, when the pup was seen 'clapping' for Robert Downey Jr.

In a now-viral moment during the ceremony, the cameras were seen cutting away to the celebrity pooch, who appeared to be 'clapping' the Iron Man star after his Best Supporting Actor win for Oppenheimer.

While behind-the-scenes images revealed the moment to have been cleverly engineered with the use of two fake paws, that didn't stop social media users from voicing their delight over the French dog's appearance, with one hailing the pup as the 'true star' of this year's ceremony.

Anatomy of a Fall's canine star Messi earned viral fame at the Oscars after he was seen 'clapping' for Robert Downey Jr as he won Best Supporting Actor

Barbie star Ryan Gosling was seen breaking into a wild grin as he spotted Border Collie Messi in the audience

Viewers gushed over 43-year-old Ryan's response to the pup, while crowning Messi 'the best boi' at the Oscars

Behind-the-scenes images reveal the moment was carefully crafted using fake dog legs

It had been reported just days before the Oscars that Messi would not be in attendance - however he managed to score a plum seat at the ceremony

Other behind-the-scenes clips shared to social media that Messi's 'clapping' moment had in fact been pre-recorded and was not part of the live Oscars broadcast, that didn't stop the dog from becoming one of the most talked-about stars of the night.

Some couldn't help but gush over a clip that appears to show Ryan, 43, breaking into a huge grin at seeing the dog perched in his very own seat at the ceremony, looking incredibly dapper in a bow tie.

Adding to seven-year-old Messi's rising profile was a mention by host Jimmy Kimmel in his opening monologue, with the comedian joking that Messi 'gave the performance of the year'.

'Messi, who even though hes a dog, may have given the performance of the year in Anatomy of a Fall,' Kimmel joked. 'Messi has an overdose scene, if youve seen it youve known it. Its incredible.

'Honestly I havent seen a French actor eat his own vomit like that since Gerard Depardieu.'

Messi's attendance at the ceremony came as a surprise to fans - after it was reported just days before the awards show that the French-based pooch would not travel to Los Angeles for the Oscars, despite already earning himself a reputation as one of this season's most beloved guests.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, a source from Anatomy of a Fall claimed that Border Collie Messi would not travel from his native France to California for the awards show.

Oscars viewers went wild over the pup's appearance in the Oscars broadcast

Many also called out Ryan's sweet reaction to the adorable pooch

But as the ceremony began to kick off, Messi was seen making his way to a reserved seat alongside his trainer and owner Laura Martin, who sat beside the pup throughout the awards show.

Needless to say, his surprise attendance quickly caught the attention of viewers at home, with many taking to social media to voice their delight at seeing the pup - as well as gushing over Ryan's reaction to him.

'Messi was robbed for supporting actor!' one person wrote on X, which was formerly known as Twitter.

'This is so cute,' another chimed in, as one wrote: 'He has the spotlight.'

'Messi the dog wins Best Boi at the Oscars,' a delighted fan gushed.

Some focused more on Ryan's reaction to the pup, sharing a short clip of the Barbie star smiling happily upon seeing the dog sitting with his trainer and owner.

'Ryan Gosling's face lighting up when he sees Messi, the dog applauding at the Oscars,' one wrote.

'Ryan Gosling smiling when he notices Messi clapping I'm not okay!' another shared.

In Anatomy of a Fall, Messi plays a guide dog named Snoop, who is owned by blind character Daniel, played by actor Milo Machado-Graner

Earlier this year, Messi's trainer Laura (left) opened up about his sudden fame, explaining that the attention on her pup began at Cannes - but quickly skyrocketed in the US

Messi's role sees him forced to play dead for several minutes, a feat that his trainer Laura admitted was no small feat

Hours before the ceremony kicked off, Messi appeared in an Instagram video posted by Jimmy, in which the host was seen running several jokes from his opening monologue past the pup for his approval, with the canine barking his delight at an anecdote in which he was mentioned.

Earlier this year, Messi's trainer Laura opened up about his sudden fame, explaining that the attention on her pup began at Cannes - but quickly skyrocketed in the US.

'All of this attention began at Cannes,' she told The Hollywood Reporter.

'There were a few interviews in France but what weve been experiencing here in America  with the attention to this dog and his acting  its beyond anything we anticipated. Its probably the maximum that you can accomplish in this field.'

In Anatomy of a Fall, Messi plays a guide dog named Snoop, who is owned by blind character Daniel, played by actor Milo Machado-Graner.

Messi's role sees him forced to play dead for several minutes, a feat that his trainer Laura admitted was no small feat, explaining to IndieWire that the pup had gone through rigorous preparation for the role.

Hours before the ceremony, Messi appeared in a video posted to host Jimmy Kimmel's Instagram account, in which the comedian was seen running jokes past the pup

The pooch also got up close and personal with Olivia Wilde at the Film Independent Live Read of Anatomy of a Fall back in February

'Even the simplest things take a lot of work,' she said. 'It had to happen in steps. First, the simple laying down and having his head kind of immobile. [I] started there and then [we worked on] lifting the head and just letting it fall back without resistance.'

After proving his acting chops in the five-time Oscar-nominated movie, Messi earned a place among some of this year's biggest stars when he was invited to the annual nominees' luncheon in Los Angeles - earning some one-on-one time with several A-list stars.

'The big moment was with Billie Eilish, who bonded with Messi for almost 10 minutes,' trainer Laura told The Hollywood Reporter.

'They were hugging and petting and they really had a vibe. Then Bradley Cooper bumped into him in the hallway. The dog went right to him, so they also had a connection.'

At that same event, Ryan was once again filmed having a heartwarming interaction with the pup, putting his hand over his chest with emotion when he was introduced to Messi for the first time.

Although Messi was not nominated for an Oscar, much to the upset of his biggest fans, he did walk away from this year's Cannes Film Festival with an unofficial trophy: the Palm Dog.
He scooped the Best Actor gong for his performance in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer at Sunday's 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

But despite his rise to global fame, Cillian Murphy, 47, has managed to maintain a low-key family life - thanks in part to the unwavering support of his wife Yvonne McGuiness, 51, who's given him a 'safe place' away fromt he spotlight.

Accepting his award at the Oscars, the Peaky Blinders actor hailed his proud wife his 'partner in life and art' after the couple, who first met in the 1990s and tied the knot in 2004, shared a tender kiss.

As he paid tribute to those who have supported him on his journey, the actor, from Cork, Ireland, said: 'Yvonne McGuiness, my partner in life and art. My two boys, Malachy and Aran who are sitting up there. I love you so much.'

Cillian said he was 'overwhelmed' to have won, adding: 'I'm a very proud Irishman standing here tonight.' He then lifted his Oscar to the air and was met with huge cheers from the crowd.

Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness walk the red carpet during the Oscars

Accepting his award at the Oscars, the Peaky Blinders actor hailed his proud wife his 'partner in life and art' after the couple, who first met in the 1990s and tied the knot in 2004, shared a tender kiss

The couple - who have made efforts to shun the spotlight - have now been together for over 28 years and share two sons.

Appearing on Desert Island Discs, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 recently, the actor said his wife has been 'crucial' in helping him adapt to Hollywood.

Speaking to host Lauren Laverne, Cillian explained how he found the 'ancillary aspect' of being an actor - such as walking red carpets - 'quite challenging'.

Gushing about his wife, he continued: 'To have a really secure, solid base is important. You have to have that safe place. I certainly do. It's just like an island of comfort and ease.'

He told Lauren Laverne: 'It's been crucial, honestly. I don't think I could have done any of the things that we've talked about without having them. It's been the most important thing for me, having those kids and raising them.'

Here FEMAIL takes a look back at one of Hollywood's most successful love stories and how Yvonne has supported Cillian from the sidelines every step of the way.

First meeting

Cillian Murphy in a promotional image for the 2002 film Disco Pigs, which was adapted from a stage play he starred in

Cillian and Yvonne first met in the 1990s when he was starring in a play called Disco Pigs, which is about two Irish teenagers and was later adapted into a film.

Following a successful run in Dublin, the play then transferred to Edinburgh, London, Australia and the US, which is how Irish musician Yvonne McGuinness got involved.

Speaking to The Guardian in 2016, the actor - whose parents were teachers - said: 'That time, making Disco Pigs, was kind of the most important period of my life. The people I met there remain my closest friends.

'They shaped me in terms of my tastes, in terms of what I wanted to do with my life. And it was around the same time I met my wife.

'She came on tour with us. It was so exciting, 20 years ago or whatever it was  we were all just kids, trying to find our way  but such a special, special time.'

Yvonne grew up in Kilkenny, Ireland, and studied at Cork Institute of Technology. In 2001, the couple are said to have moved to London so Yvonne could study for her master's at the Royal College of Art.

Yvonne's uncle is the Irish politician Jim McGuinness and her grandfather Michael McGuinness also reportedly was Kilkenny's longest-serving councillor from 1959-1999.

Secret wedding and becoming parents

Cillian Murphy, wife Yvonne and their sons Malachy and Aran in Dublin in August 2014

Cillian Murphy's son Aran, 16, (pictured left) with his parents at the Golden Globe Awards

The couple married in 2004 and reportedly held the ceremony at Yvonne's father's vineyard in France.

However, the couple have never publicly commented on this rumour or acknowledged where their wedding took place.

The following year, the couple welcomed their first son Malachy - with Aran following in 2007.

Although the family were living in London at the time, Cillian and Yvonne decided to return to Dublin to raise their young family.

He told The Guardian: 'We wanted them to be Irish, I suppose. Its amazing how quickly their accents have adapted.'

Cillian Murphy was joined by his rarely-seen sons Malachy, 17, and Aran, 16, for his Oscar-winning night on Sunday, walking the red carpet with his wife Yvonne and the boys

In 2005, Cillian also shut down any possibility of him moving to the US for work and praised Yvonne for her continuing support.

He told People magazine: 'I don't need to live in Los Angeles. I'd be tremendously far away from my family  I'd never see them.'

Describing how Yvonne kept him grounded as his career took off, Cillian said: 'Its very important to have somebody like that. My life hasnt changed in any way, really. I still have the same friends and we go to the same places.'

In 2016, Cillian explained how he relocated to Liverpool to film Peaky Blinders while his wife remained at home with their two sons.

When he returned to the family home after filming seasons, Cillian joked that it takes him some time to shake his on-screen persona.

He explained: 'My wife can see it happening. "OK. Tommy's gradually leaving. I'm getting Cillian back."'

Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness pictured during a trip to New York City in August 2016

In an interview with GQ in 2019, Cillian gushed: 'I couldn't do this without [my wife] and her understanding. But it is a struggle.

'I think it is for any dad whose work takes him away, which it generally does, and which consumes him, which my work does.'

He added: 'I make sure that I try not to go from job to job to job, because that means you live in a bubble of set, hotel, set, hotel, plane, film festivals - which, to me, is not reality. So I just check out from that for six months a year.'

Cillian and his family now live in Dublin after he reportedly splashed out close to 1.7million on a Victorian townhouse.

The four-storey home, originally built in 1863, is located in Monkstown, south Co. Dublin, and has six double bedrooms as well as four receptions rooms.

Yvonne's artistic career

During an interview with The Guardian, Cillian joked that it takes him some time to shake his on-screen persona from Peaky Blinders

While Cillian's career skyrocketed over the past two decades, Yvonne has also created short films and other experimental artwork.

The mother-of-two's bio on her website reads: 'She has an interest in embodied experience of place and belonging by staging live, public, interventions and performances which create surreal and dynamic moments of interaction and connection to place, time and communities.'

Last summer, Cillian revealed it was Yvonne's idea to adapt Claire Keegan's novel Small Things Like These into a film.

Speaking to The Guardian in a separate interview, Cillian remembered telling her: 'No, there's no way [the rights would be available]. That's going to be gone already.'

Much to his delight, Cillian's agent told him the book rights hadn't been purchased - which prompted him to pitch the idea to Matt Damon, who has his own studio.

Rare PDA at Golden Globes

When Cillian Murphy won Best Actor at the Golden Globes in January, his wife Yvonne jumped up and kissed him on the mouth - leaving a red lipstick stain

Earlier this year, Cillian Murphy won Best Actor for his role in Oppenheimer at the Golden Globes.

After his win was announced, Yvonne jumped out of her seat and gave her husband a quick kiss - prompting him to joke about the red lipstick on her mouth during his speech.

During his acceptance speech, Cillian dubbed himself 'the luckiest man' as he spoke directly to his wife and children. To my family, I'm the luckiest man and I love you,' he said.

The week before, the actor paid tribute to Yvonne and their sons while honored with the Desert Palm Achievement Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards.

He said: 'Two-thirds of them are sitting down there. We had to leave one of them at home doing exams.

'But just thanks for putting up with me  putting up with the half me and the shadow me and the absent me, the remains of me when I'm doing a film like this or work in general. You're always there. I love it. So thanks, guys.'

Cillian's loving tribute to Yvonne

During his appearance on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Cillian admitted he has 'struggled' with walking red carpets in the past.

He added: 'It is still not something I'm totally at ease with. You have to choose to enjoy it and I think you can do that in your brain. Just make that alteration and it's easier then.'

However, he did go on to say that having Yvonne with him this year has made it easier.

He added: 'I've had my wife and kids with me and that's been lovely. You'd be an idiot not to enjoy it. Go with it, that's my attitude.'

Elsewhere, Cillian paid loving tribute to his wife and their life together.

He told Lauren Laverne: 'It's been crucial, honestly. I don't think I could have done any of the things that we've talked about without having them.

'I've been with my wife for 28 years now. It's been the most important thing for me, having those kids and raising them.'

The A-List actor went on to say that having a 'secure, solid base' has been really important to him and functions as a 'safe place' amid the madness of fame.

During the interview, Cillian also admitted he was 'relieved' the BBC drama had ended in 2022 but is now totally on board with a movie adaptation.

Murphy also hinted that the programmes writer, Steven Knight, had more stories to tell about the Birmingham-based Shelby clan and their criminal activities between the 1880s and 1910s.

He explained: I have always said that if Knight delivers a script that I know he can deliver, because he is such a phenomenal writer, Ill be there. If we want to watch 50-year-old Tommy Shelby, lets do it.
It wasn't just Marilyn Monroe who Sydney Sweeney emulated at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Hollywood on Sunday, but also Angelina Jolie.

In a touching nod to Angelina's style prowess, the Euphoria star, 26, replicated her 76th Annual Academy Awards look from 2004.

The Old Hollywood Marc Bouwer cream gown cemented Angelina's status as a fashion icon in the early 2000s.

Some 20 years later, Sydney followed Angelina's footsteps and modelled the glamorous plunging halter neckline at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills yesterday evening.

Sydney recreated the bombshell look with the gown, matching shawl and accessories with a similar collection of layered pendant necklaces.

Angelina Jolie's bombshell red carpet look from the 76th Academy Awards in 2004 made a reappearance on the red carpet yesterday evening

With the help of hair and makeup, Sydney managed to add her own touch to the archival look.

The White Lotus alum previously rocked her usual long, blonde tresses when she recently hosted Saturday Night Live.

For the annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Sydney changed it up and showcased a darker honey-blonde colour and her shoulder-length bob styled in bouncy waves.

The style differed from Angelina's 2004 red carpet look, which saw the then 29-year-old's long locks run loose.

With the incredible look, Sydney joined Angelina, 48, and the many A-list bombshells recognized for their red carpet outfits and graced many best-dressed lists.

Last night's Oscars was filled with dazzling performances, controversial comments, a shocking pregnancy announcement, a naked appearance on stage, an awkward wardrobe malfunction - and an argument between host Jimmy Kimmel and former President Donald Trump.

It began with a cringy monologue from the host that saw him make a very crude joke about Robert Downey Jr.'s manhood - which did not go over well with the actor.

But when Donald posted a scathing tweet about Jimmy afterwards, blasting him as the 'worst host' in Oscars history, the comedian decided to blast him on national television, asking him: 'Isn't it past your jail time?'

Sydney Sweeney paid homage to Jolie's glamorous look from 2004 and donned the same Marc Bouwer gown

The glamorous gown with a plunging neckline cemented Angelina's status as a fashion icon in the early 2000s

The Euphoria-star also emulated Marilyn Monroe yesterday evening with the help of hair and makeup

During the three-hour star-studded, event Ryan Gosling delivered a hilarious rendition of his hit song I'm Just Ken from Barbie that left many celebrity attendees in the audience in shambles, and Emma Stone accidentally ripped her dress.

It definitely had its fair share of viral and shocking moments - the dog who appeared in Anatomy of a Fall became an internet sensation after he was spotted sitting adorably in the audience, and John Cena came on stage in the nude, using the envelope with the winner in it to cover his private parts.

The event witnessed one of Sydney's many glamorous looks in recent times and last week, she was effortlessly radiant in a hot pink gown from ALAIA as she channeled her inner Barbie at an event for the flavored water brand Bai.

While serving as the exclusive brand ambassador for the popular beverage company, the Euphoria actress oozed glamour as she promoted her and Bai's latest collaboration on a raspberry lemon lime drink at an intimate gathering in New York City.

To accessorize, the Euphoria star highlighted her decolletage with layers of brilliant pendant necklaces, further echoing Jolie's 2004 look

In 2004, Angelina wore her hair loose with the top tresses scraped back to reveal her stunning makeup look

She styled her twisted fit-and-flare midi-dress with a pair of red $595 (463) Maison Ernest pumps and black sunglasses from Alexander McQueen, which retail for $485 (377).

Her platinum blonde locks were styled in loose waves, which cascaded down her back and shoulders.

For makeup, she highlighted her natural beauty with a pink matte lipstick across her plump pout and blush for a fresh, rosy glow as she prepared to mingle with fans.

Once inside at her event for Bai, Sweeney talked about what inspired her flavor choices, which she said 'stemmed' from her 'love of berry picking' growing up.

During an interview with Forbes, the bombshell raved about how the drink reminded her of her childhood.

'I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and my mom would take me and my little brother berry picking,' the two-time Emmy nominee gushed. 'And there were these waterfalls where you could bring trash bags, and you could ride down the waterfalls and then go berry picking on the sides.

At the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Sydney turned heads in the glamorous gown with a floor-sweeping train trailing behind her, and she also wore a long, matching shawl on her arms

Sydney oozed glamour as she posed on the red carpet in the backless gown once worn by Angelina

She continued: 'And when we were dreaming up the inspiration behind what I wanted to bring to life and what flavor I thought could be so cool, I was like, "I would bring a bit of my childhood into this drink," and I love raspberries. I felt like it just kind of brought that memory to life.'

Sweeney also explained how she has incorporated Bai products into her fitness routine.

'Well, I'm super, super active. I try to run and work out and stay as active as I possibly can,' she told the outlet. 'And Bai has new and improved benefits this year. They've included electrolytes, which is really nice because I work out a lot.

'And then it's also infused with antioxidants, which is really nice, just because I travel all the time and I'm always on the go. And so having just the extra added little bits to keep me healthy is really good,' the Madame Web star shared.

Sweeney previously revealed that she 'never even tried coffee' and 'only' drinks water.

'I decided I would only drink water and I just stuck with it. I love water, it's my thing,' she told Bustle. 'I eat sugar, so it balances out... instead of coffee, I'll have some Swedish Fish or anything gummy if I'm tired.'

While she has said she is not 'strictly sober,' the performer noted alcohol just isn't 'something that excites' her and truly identifies as 'a water person'.
An American mother has revealed how she's ditched deodorant and instead rubs fruit on her armpits to keep body odor at bay.

Chelsey Pleasant, a 34-year-old fitness instructor from North Carolina, started using lemons to maintain personal hygiene, after one of her personal training clients recommended it.

At the time, she was pregnant with her second child and struggled to keep the sweat at a minimum - however, the citrus fruits worked so well that she's not looked back since.

She shared a video on Instagram of her preparing and applying the lemon to her underarms, encouraging others to give the hack a go.

The controversial clip racked up more than 200,000 views, with commenters divided on whether it's a good idea or not.

An American mother has revealed how she's ditched deodorant and instead rubs fruit on her armpits to keep B.O at bay

Chelsey admitted: 'Some people think I'm crazy, some people want to try it.

'My husband, Cameron, just thinks it's too hippie  he gets weirded out when I pull out a container of lemon wedges to rub on my armpits.'

However, she stands by the choice and claims it 'works best' for her. Chelsey has been wearing the lemon scent for around two years now and swears by it.

She added: 'I don't smell at all, it works very well. I haven't had any adverse side effects  unless I put it on right after shaving, that stings for a minute.

'The theory is that the citric acid kills the bacteria that creates the odour.

'I have tried many natural deodorants and many other suggestions, I haven't worn aluminium deodorants since 2019 after I had my first child, so I've tried many things.

'I can apply this in the morning before my workouts, and then again after I shower and I have zero adverse effects.

'Cameron admits it works [but] he still just thinks it's weird. He also wears natural deodorants but they work much better for him.'

She shared a video on Instragram of her preparing and applying the lemon to her underarms, enouraging others to give the hack a go

The first time she tried the hack, she was pregnant with her second child and struggled to keep the sweat at a minimum - however, the citrus fruits worked so well that she's not looked back since

Chelsey admitted: 'Some people think I'm crazy, some people want to try it'

The mother-of-two has been wearing the lemon scent for around two years now and swears by it

As the video garnered attention, social media users inundated the fitness instructor with questions about the divisive hack

As the video garnered attention, social media users inundated the fitness instructor with questions about the divisive hack.

One user commented: 'My pits are burning just watching this Not saying I may not try it next time I have a lemon though.'

Another user said: 'I was literally waiting for the stitch incoming for the punchline because what the actual.'

Another user added: 'Omg do not go out in the sun. You'll burn your pits right off.'

Meanwhile, someone else warned: 'Oh no hippie upbringing flashback. This burned my armpits when I was 14 and now I have stained armpits.'

Another chimed in with: 'But then if youre out in the sun with armpits exposed theyll burn and stain! Citrus and sun arent a good combo!'

But, other viewers were intrigued to try it out for themselves, with one commenting: 'I'm going to try this! I have tried everything you mentioned and have had no luck.'

Another user added: 'My Mexican mom would do this and also you can use it as hairspray and it holds the hair down.'

Others agreed: 'Done this! Its how I detoxed my armpits. Best thing ever' and 'Same! I've tried so many natural deodorants, and don't last... lemons work!'
It's undoubtedly the biggest night in the award season calendar - and Kim Kardashian and Emily Ratajkowski pulled out all the stops for the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party.

The reality star, 43, looked suitably glamorous in a sculptural white satin dress by Balenciaga as she arrived at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills.

The mother-of-four, who styled her hair in Hollywood waves, completed her look with a smokey eye and nude lip.

Meanwhile, Emily Ratajkowski, 32, opted for a similarly futuristic dress by French fashion label Jacquemus.

The backless dress featured an asymmetrical bodice that tilted slightly to the left and appeared to nearly lift away from her figure.

Kim Kardashian stunned in a sculptural white satin dress by Balenciaga as she arrived at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills

Emily Ratajkowski, 32, opted for a similarly futuristic dress by French fashion label Jacquemus for the Vanity Fair afterparty

Letting her statement dress take centre stage, the supermodel opted for her signature tousled hair and minimal jewellery, adding a pair of heels from Stuart Weitzman.

White Lotus actress Alexandra Daddario was another glamorous guest who fully committed to the trend.

The star, 37, arrived on the red carpet in a slim-fitting white gown with a huge statement bow which wrapped around her arms.

Alexandra slicked her brown hair into a bun and wore a bold deep red shade of lipstick.

Alessandra Ambrosio also opted for a similarly statement white gown for the Vanity Fair afterparty last night.

The former Victoria's Secret model's slim-fitting white dress featured a silk cape and pussy bow neckline.

The star, 42, styled her long brown hair in a slicked-back bun and finished off her look with some red nail polish and diamond earrings.

German actress Sandra Huller - who starred in Anatomy of a Fall - arrived on the red carpet in a v-neck white gown with an eye-catching bodice.

Alexandra Daddario arrived on the red carpet in a slim-fitting white gown with a huge statement bow which wrapped around her arms

Alessandra Ambrosio also opted for a similarly statement white gown for the Vanity Fair afterparty

Emily Blunt debuted the Oscars' first futuristic gown when she arrived in a beaded couture dress , which appeared to have gravity-defying straps

The glittering gown featured a sculptural bodice that was embellished with gold studs and white lace.

In a nod to the trend, Olivia Munn arrived on the red carpet in a white strapless gown with a futuristic train.

What's more, Rashida Jones looked glamorous in a white floor-length gown with a pleated skirt and twisted shoulder straps, which turned into a train.

Earlier in the evening, Emily Blunt was the first star to wear a futuristic gown when she arrived in a beaded couture dress, which appeared to have gravity-defying straps.

The cream Schiaparelli gown was covered with sequins and adorned with quirky bejewelled Y, which fans joked looked like the outfit of underwear.

The former Victoria's Secret model's slim-fitting white dress featured a silk cape and pussy bow neckline

German actress Sandra Huller - who starred in Anatomy of a Fall - arrived on the red carpet in a v-neck white gown with an eye-catching bodice

Actress Olivia Munn arrived on the red carpet in a sleek white strapless gown with a futuristic train

Pictured: John Mulaney and Olivia Munn hold hands as they walk the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty

Rashida Jones looked glamorous in a white floor-length gown with a pleated skirt and twisted shoulder straps

Julianne Hough opted for an equally bold look when she arrived at the Oscars in a white voluminous jumpsuit with a gold sequinned bodice

The mother-of-four, who styled her hair in Hollywood waves, completed her look with a smokey eye and nude lip

Emily donned a daring, sculpted white gown from the French brand Jacquemus - which can be found from its recent Spring/Summer 2024 collection

The backless ensemble contained an asymmetrical bodice that tilted slightly to the left and appeared to nearly lift away from her figure

The actress arrived on the red carpet in a slim-fitting white gown with a huge statement bow which wrapped around her arms

White Lotus actress Alexandra slicked her brown hair into a bun and wore a bold deep red shade of lipstick

READ MORE: Oscar winners mayhem! Al Pacino announces Oppenheimer as Best Picture without bothering to name the other nominees Advertisement

Meanwhile, Julianne Hough opted for an equally bold look when she arrived at the Oscars in a white voluminous jumpsuit with a gold sequinned bodice.

Last night's Oscars was filled with dazzling performances, controversial comments, a shocking pregnancy announcement, a naked appearance on stage, an awkward wardrobe malfunction - and an argument between host Jimmy Kimmel and former President Donald Trump.

It began with a cringy monologue from the host that saw him make a very crude joke about Robert Downey Jr.'s manhood - which did not go over well with the actor.

But when Donald posted a scathing tweet about Jimmy afterwards, blasting him as the 'worst host' in Oscars history, the comedian decided to blast him on national television, asking him: 'Isn't it past your jail time?'

During the three-hour star-studded, event Ryan Gosling delivered a hilarious rendition of his hit song I'm Just Ken from Barbie that left many celebrity attendees in the audience in shambles, and Emma Stone accidentally ripped her dress.

It definitely had its fair share of viral and shocking moments - the dog who appeared in Anatomy of a Fall became an internet sensation after he was spotted sitting adorably in the audience, and John Cena came on stage in the nude, using the envelope with the winner in it to cover his private parts.
It comes after the tweaks were successful in Australia and the US

McDonald's UK and Ireland is making recipe changes to fan favourite products

Today, McDonald's UK and Ireland has announced it will be undergoing its most significant menu change in decades, as the chain celebrates its 50th anniversary.

In the huge shake-up, the restaurant will be making recipe changes to its beloved beef burgers, promising they will be 'better than ever before'.

Fan favourites that will see changes include the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and of course the classic Cheeseburger variations including the double and triple.

McDonald's describes the tweaks as 'small modifications' to the way it cooks and prepares its beef burgers, enhancing 'all the elements customers enjoy most'.

From placing onions on top of each patty while they are cooking on the grill for extra flavour, to changing the sear of the beef patties  the chain insists the recipe change will create its 'most delicious burgers yet'.

Today, McDonald's UK and Ireland has announced it will be undergoing its most significant menu change in decades, as the chain celebrates its 50th anniversary this year

The changes coming into force later this month have already been implemented in both the Australian and US markets, with their success prompting the fast food giant to bring them to the UK and Ireland.

How McDonald's is changing the way its burgers are made

Beef patties: A tighter sear on the grill, resulting in hotter and juicier beef patties for maximum flavour Grilled onions - New processes involve adding white onions to the grill on top of the patties as they cook, for added colour and a better charred flavour Lettuce - Fresh lettuce straight from the fridge for extra crunch Meltier cheese - Hotter beef patties guarantee that the cheese oozes over the sides, creating an even smoother texture New buns - A new buttery, brioche-style recipepromises a 'soft and pillowy' textured bun Advertisement

Foodies can get their hands on the reimagined classic beef burgers as they drop into stores from mid-March.

Fans have been promised even juicier burgers, that will be served hotter, adding that the new processes incorporate greater quality and flavour into the beef.

The shake-up comes 50 years after the first set of golden arches appeared on a UK high street in 1974.

The restaurant in Woolwich was the first McDonalds in the UK and offered customers 'The United Tastes of America'.

Gareth Pearson, Chief Restaurant Officer, at McDonald's UK and Ireland, said: 'As we celebrate McDonald's 50th anniversary in the UK, we are excited to introduce our enhanced classic beef burgers.

'We're constantly innovating and improving our menu and we found that a collection of complementary small improvements to the iconic burgers make a significant difference to the flavour.

'Another big part of this transition has been around our restaurant teams and how we can support them in delivering the best possible customer experience.

The fan favourites that will see changes include the Big Mac (MIDDLE), Quarter Pounder with Cheese (LEFT), and of course the classic Cheeseburger variations including the double (RIGHT) and triple

There will be a tighter sear on the grill, resulting in hotter and juicier beef patties for maximum flavour

New processes involve adding white onions to the grill on top of the patties as they cook, for added colour and a better charred flavour

Foodies can get their hands on the reimangined classic beef burgers as they drop into stores from mid-March

'Not only have we introduced new kitchen technology, but we've also retrained all 177,000 crew members on these new procedures to enable them to serve our best burgers yet.'

And the recipe switch-up is not the only big change - the news comes just after McDonald's launched a new personalised 'inclusive' uniform that allows staff to wear the clothes 'they feel most comfortable in'.

The fast food giant has announced a uniform trial that will give workers the option to wear beanies, bucket hats, and bandanas - as well as jeans, chinos, denim skirts and even joggers.

Employees can 'create a personalised uniform that best reflects their own identity' and have the choice between classic and tailored fits to ensure that 'all preferences are catered for', McDonald's said.

Hotter beef patties guarantee that the cheese oozes over the sides, creating an even smoother texture

There will be a new buttery, brioche-style recipe for a soft and pillowy textured bun  freshly toasted to order for the perfect golden brown outer crunch

And the recipe switch up is not the only big change - the news comes just after McDonald's launched a new personalised 'inclusive' uniform that allows staff to wear the clothes 'they feel most comfortable in'

This will be the time that the fast food chain has made changes to its uniform since 2016.

McDonald's say that the new range has been designed in response to employee feedback to ensure it is 'modern, inclusive and functional'.

It follows other big corporations changing their uniforms to be more inclusive. In 2022, Virgin Atlantic announced that crew, pilots and ground staff could wear whichever uniform they feel most comfortable in 'no matter their gender'.

Meanwhile, last year British Airways relaxed the rules around its strict uniform policy and also went gender-neutral.
Christina Applegate has admitted she lives 'in hell' after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and revealed it took a lot for her to attend the 2024 Emmy Awards in January because going out is 'a little difficult'.

During an exclusive interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, the 52-year-old actress said she got 'so freaked out' at the star-studded ceremony when she took to the stage to present the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

'I actually kind of blacked out,' she told 63-year-old Robin. 'People said, "oh you were so funny", and I'm like, "I don't even know what I said". I don't know what I was doing, I got so freaked out that I didn't even know what was happening anymore.'

When asked if she felt the love after making her appearance at the 75th Emmy Awards, she replied: 'I mean, yes, yes. I live kind of in hell... I'm not out a lot so this is like a little difficult just for my system, but yeah of course the support is wonderful and I'm really grateful.'

Christina Applegate has admitted she lives 'in hell' after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021

The 52-year-old actress admitted that she got 'so freaked out' when she made an appearance on stage at the Emmy Awards in January 2024

Christina had the support of a male host while she presented an award and also used a cane

The Married... with Children actress looked stunning when she took to the stage at at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles earlier this year wearing a floor-length burgundy velvet Christian Siriano dress and using a cane to help her walk.

Christina received a standing ovation on the night and decided to make light of the beautiful moment as she told the famous crowd: 'You're totally shaming with disability by standing up, it's fine!'

Touching on that moment again with Robin, she said: 'I felt really beloved and it was a beautiful thing,' before making another joke adding: 'I'm just going to say this, that audience stood up for everybody!'

Christina sat alongside fellow actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler for her Good Morning America interview.

The 42-year-old Sopranos actress was diagnosed with MS when she was 20-years-old, whereas Christina was 40 when she started experiencing symptoms of the disease which impacts the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

Last year, Christina said she may never act in front of a camera again due to her battle with multiple sclerosis.

The actress said she had been thinking about what her future might look like and told Vanity Fair: 'I can't even imagine going to set right now.

'This is a progressive disease. I don't know if I'm going to get worse. With the disease of MS, it's never a good day. You just have little sh**ty days,' she explained.

The Bad Moms star sat alongside Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who also has MS, as she spoke to Good Morning America's Robin Roberts

Christina admitted that she doesn't go out a lot because it's a 'little difficult' for her system

The mother-of-one said she 'kind of blacked out' during her Emmys appearance and can't remember what she said

Christina pictured with her teenage daughter Sadie at the 29th SAG Awards in February 2023

'There are just certain things that people take for granted in their lives that I took for granted. Going down the stairs, carrying things - you can't do that anymore. It f**king sucks,' she continued.

'I can still drive my car short distances. I can bring up food to my kid. Up, never down.'

The Dead To Me actress confirmed she had turned to a friend to help her care for her 13-year-old daughter Sadie, whom she shares with husband Martyn LeNoble, 54, and a caretaker comes on the weekend to do what is needed.

She admitted: 'I actually don't want to be around a lot of people because I'm immunocompromised. I also don't want a lot of stimulation of the nervous system because it can be a little bit too much for me. I like to keep it as quiet and as mellow as possible.'

Christina received her MS diagnosis back in August 2021, just before production on the third and final season of her Netflix series Dead to Me began.

'None of us knew I was going to be sick and gain 40 pounds from medication and have immobility,' she explained.

'Im probably not going to work on-camera again, but I'm so glad that I went out with someone who is by far the greatest actress Ive ever worked with in my entire life, if not the greatest human Ive ever known,' she said of her co-star Linda Cardellini, 48.

Christina has also had huge support from her friend Jamie-Lynn as well as fellow actress Selma Blair, who was diagnosed with MS in August 2018.

Christina pictured at the 71st Emmy Awards in 2019 a few years before her MS diagnosis

Christina was accompanied by her Married... with Children co-stars David Faustino and Katey Sagal when she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in November 2022

WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS? Multiple sclerosis (known as MS) is a condition in which the immune system attacks the body and causes nerve damage to the brain and spinal cord. It is an incurable, lifelong condition. Symptoms can be mild in some, and in others more extreme causing severe disability. MS affects 2.3 million people worldwide - including around one million in the US, and 100,000 in the UK. It is more than twice as common in women as it is in men. A person is usually diagnosed in their 20s and 30s. The condition is more commonly diagnosed in people of European ancestry. The cause isn't clear. There may be genes associated with it, but it is not directly hereditary. Smoking and low vitamin D levels are also linked to MS. Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty walking, vision problems, bladder problems, numbness or tingling, muscle stiffness and spasms, problems with balance and co-ordination, and problems with thinking, learning and planning. The majority of sufferers will have episodes of symptoms which go away and come back, while some have ones which get gradually worse over time. Symptoms can be managed with medication and therapy. The condition shortens the average life expectancy by around five to 10 years. Advertisement

Speaking about the guidance that Jamie-Lynn gave her about setting boundaries, Christina revealed: 'She was like, "You need to tell them [what you need] now that youve let it out of the bag".'

The veteran actress said she wish she had received that same advice when she was recovering from breast cancer after her 2008 diagnosis while shooting TV sitcom Samantha Who?

'I didn't speak up for my boundaries back then. I should have asked for some more time after one of my surgeries. I went back to work two weeks after my reconstruction. And that was really difficult for me to do,' she said.

Christina announced that she was cancer-free after undergoing a double mastectomy in July 2008, even though cancer had been found in only one of her breasts. She revealed that she had the inherited genetic trait, a BRCA1 mutation, which can trigger breast and ovarian cancer.
Queen Letizia of Spain looked sombre today as she attended a remembrance service for victims of terrorism with her husband King Felipe.

The royal, 51, looked sophisticated in a navy long sleeved gown during a commemorative event paying tribute to the nearly 200 victims of the 2004 train attack in Madrid.

The mother-of-two paired her chic ensemble with matching kitten heels and a leather clutch bag as she arrived at the Royal Collection Gallery.

Spain is the 20th anniversary of the attack, in which almost 200 people died, claimed by 'al-Qaeda in Europe' as punishment for Spain's involvement in the war in Iraq.

Queen Letizia of Spain stepped out for European Day to remember victims of terrorism with her husband King Felipe (left) today

During the morning rush hour of March 11, 2004, ten bombs exploded nearly simultaneously on Madrid's commuter trains, killing 192 people and injuring almost 2,000.

Last week, Queen Letizia looked picture perfect as she joined King Felipe VI, at the opening of the International Contemporary Art Fair in Madrid.

Sporting a statement cream top underneath a classic black coat, the royal, once again showcased her keen sense of style.

Letizia's fine knit top featured a contemporary interwoven design reminiscent of Italian designer Bottega Veneta's famous 'intrecciato' - or braided - handbags.

Falling below the knee, her single-breasted coat was worn open for a relaxed look.

The mother-of-two looked petite in her black slim-leg trousers while her patent sling backs proved that she has her finger on the pulse when it comes to fashion.

The royal, 51, looked sophisticated in a navy long sleeved gown during a commemorative event in tribute of the nearly 200 victims of the 2004 train attack in Madrid

The mother-of-two paired her chic ensemble with matching kitten heels and a leather clutch bag as she arrived at the Royal Collection Gallery

The queen, who looked typically fresh-faced with minimal make-up, wore her brown locks loose in bouncy curls

The queen greeted guests while at the 20th European Day in memory of victims of terrorism

Keeping her accessories simple, she carried a medium-sized black leather bag.

The queen, who looked typically fresh-faced with minimal make-up, wore her brown hair loose and tucked behind her ears to reveal a pair of silver earrings.

King Felipe VI looked equally smart in a navy pinstripe suit and a lilac tie.

The royal couple attended the opening of the 43rd edition of the International Contemporary Art Fair in Madrid - known as ARCOmadrid2024 - which runs until 10 March.

The Spanish Royal Family has been rocked in recent months following Letizia's former brother-in-law's sensational claims that they had an affair before and after her wedding to King Felipe in 2004.

Her appearance alongside her husband came after Jaime Penafiel, 91, who made a series of bombshell allegations about Queen Letizia in the book 'Letizia & I', was sacked by the newspaper where he had worked for 20 years.

At the end of last year, the veteran journalist sent shockwaves through the Spanish Royal Family after he alleged that the Queen had a romantic relationship with her ex-brother-in-law.

The book relied heavily on allegations made by Jaime Del Burgo, 53, who sensationally claimed that he was still romantically involved with Letizia after her 2004 wedding to King Felipe.

King Felipe VI looked equally smart in a navy suit and tie which he paired with a pinstripe white shirt

Spanish King Felipe and Queen Letizia attended European Day in memory of the victims of the 2004 train attack

The businessman told the author that he met Letizia before 2000 and their relationship began on a romantic trip to Venice, years before she met King Felipe.

The journalist spoke to Argentinian publication Semana and confirmed that he was no longer employed by El Mundo.

During the interview, he denied that the decision to leave El Mundo was made months ago. Initial reports in Spanish media claimed that Jaime Penafiel was let go due to 2024 budget restraints.

However, the author claimed that the decision to sack him was made on the day he complained about a 'very offensive' article that had been printed about him.
Robert Downey Jr alluded to his 'terrible childhood' during his Oscars acceptance speech after host Jimmy Kimmel made a very awkward quip about his drug use - but just how bad were his early years?

The 58-year-old took home the title of Best Supporting Actor at the 2024 Oscars on Sunday for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer - and was delighted as he took to the stage.

The veteran actor - who has acted for over five decades - took home the Academy Award over stiff competition including Sterling K. Brown in American Fiction, Robert De Niro for Killers of the Flower Moon, Ryan Gosling in Barbie, and Mark Ruffalo for Poor Things.

Standing at the podium, with trophy in hand, Downey Jr joked: 'I'd like to thank my terrible childhood and the Academy - in that order.'

He also praised wife Susan for 'loving him back to life' having previously credited her for helping him quit drugs for good.

Robert Downey Jr alluded to his 'terrible childhood' during his Oscars acceptance speech after host Jimmy Kimmel made a very awkward quip about his drug use

Earlier in the night, host Kimmel had roasted Downey Jr's manhood and past drug use in his bombshell opening monologue.

The host, 56, returning for the fourth time, had left the A-lister audience grinning and cringing in equal measure.

Of the Iron Man star, Kimmel said: 'And Robert Downey Jr, one of the highest points of his career. But Robert has been' - as RDJ pointed at his face, leading Kimmel to add: 'Was that too on the nose or a drug motion you made?

'But look at him, he's so handsome, so talented, he's won every award there is to win.

'Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket or do you just have a very rectangular penis?'

The 58-year-old took home the title of Best Supporting Actor at the 2024 Oscars on Sunday for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss (pictured) in Oppenheimer

The joke fell flat as RDJ looked somber while staring at the camera while fans slammed Kimmel for his 'bottom of the barrel' jokes about substance abuse.

But Downey Jr has never been one to shy away from acknowledging his checkered past.

His father first introduced him to drugs at the tender age of just six years old which set him on a chaotic path that destroyed relationships and ultimately landed him in jail.

Here, FEMAIL has laid bare Downey Jr's troubled upbringing and how he eventually turned his back on drugs for good.

Robert Downey Jr's family lived hand-to-mouth and his father gave him drugs at just six years old

The younger of two children, Downey Jr was born in Manhattan, New York City, in 1965 and raised initially in the bohemian neighborhood of Greenwich Village, where he says he was 'surrounded' by drugs at home.

His parents were disciples of the 1960s counterculture and made underground films with mom Elsie appearing in whatever her husband made  once playing all 12 of the female characters.

Although he influenced a generation of younger creatives, cult film-maker Robert Downey Sr's films were never commercially successful and the family lived hand-to-mouth in a cramped converted loft.

And Downey Jr, who would go on to become a star of the industry in his own right, was only six years old when he took the first step on his chaotic path to drug addiction that would ultimately land him in prison.

The younger of two children, Downey Jr was born in Manhattan, New York City, in 1965 and raised initially in the bohemian neighborhood of Greenwich Village, where he says he was 'surrounded' by drugs at home

His father had been hosting a poker night at the family home when he spotted the youngster sipping a glass of white wine.

But rather than swiftly extracting the glass from his young son's hands, he passed him a cannabis joint and told him to puff on that instead.

In a 2000 interview with Vanity Fair, Downey Sr, who had Parkinson's disease and died in July 2021 at 85, recalled: 'We were all sitting around, smoking grass and playing poker down in the old West Village loft, and Robert was staring at me kind of funny. Robert was always an observer of it all, even at a very young age.

'And I go, "You know, you ought to try a little of this instead of drinking."

'I passed him a joint. And suddenly I knew I had made a terrible, stupid mistake Giving a little kid a toke of grass just to be funny.'

Downey Jr's 2022 Netflix documentary, titled Sr, included a clip of a rare interview, seemingly from the 1990s, with his father.

Cult film-maker Robert Downey Sr admitted to giving his six year old son drugs for the first time and later said it was a 'terrible, stupid mistake'

He admitted: 'A lot of us thought it would be hypocritical to not have our kids participate in marijuana and stuff like that. It was an idiot move on our parts to share that with our children. I'm just happy he's here.'

Asked if he was ever worried that his son  who is next to him in the interview looking distinctly the worse for wear  might not survive, he replies: 'Many times.'

Home life involved 'growing up in a family where everyone was doing drugs,' according to Downey Jr, who previously revealed he had been hooked since the age of eight.

Telling a judge about his addiction to cocaine and heroin in 1999, he said it was 'like I have a shotgun in my mouth, and I've got my finger on the trigger, and I like the taste of the gun metal.'

The family moved at least a dozen times as Downey Sr cast his young son in age-inappropriate film roles

Downey Sr's unorthodox approach to parentings went beyond just drug use too.

He would take his son to watch X-rated films and even cast him in his own disturbing and far from child-friendly movies.

Downey Jr was only five when he had his first onscreen role in absurdist comedy Pound (1970)  in which the cast played stray dogs waiting to be put down.

His father made no allowance for five-year-old Robert's age in the single line he scripted for him in which he asked a bald-headed man: 'Have any hair on your balls?'

Downey Jr was only five when he had his first onscreen role in absurdist comedy Pound (1970)  in which the cast played stray dogs waiting to be put down

Two years later, a seven-year-old Downey Jr would appear in another of his father's deranged films - a western called Greaser's Palace.

In this, his throat was cut by a Christ-like preacher and he had to watch as his own mother  also cast in the film  was viciously beaten.

The family moved at least a dozen times  to London, New Mexico, Los Angeles and Connecticut  as the parents pursued their careers at the expense of their children's education.

Eventually, Downey Jr said drug-taking became the only way his father knew how to connect with him.

Eventually, Downey Jr said drug-taking became the only way his father knew how to connect with him

'When my dad and I would do drugs together,' he explained in a 1988 interview, 'it was like him trying to express his love for me in the only way he knew.'

His parents divorced in 1978  when Robert was 13  and he initially moved with his father to Santa Monica, California.

But, at high school, his drug and alcohol problems escalated as he partied with the Hollywood brat pack.

His fellow students there, including Sean Penn, Rob Lowe and Emilio Estevez, were already stars and Robert was determined to be one too.

Downey Jr dropped out of school aged 16 and spiraled further into addiction

Downey Jr dropped out of school to pursue acting at 16 years old and, just two years later, he was forced to fend for himself when his father cut him off financially.

The aspiring star returned to New York to try his luck on the stage.

He swiftly found not only work but romance when  after a fling with future Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei  he began a serious relationship with fellow cast member Sarah Jessica Parker, then also 18, and some years from stardom in Sex And The City.

They lived together for five years before Downey Jr's drug addiction destroyed their relationship.

By then, however, he had found his breakout role, playing a drug-addicted rich kid in the 1987 film Less Than Zero.

Downey Jr dropped out of school to pursue acting at 16 years old and soon had a whole host of credits under his belt (pictured in Weird Science in 1984)

But, at just 18 years old, Downey Jr was forced to fend for himself when his father cut him off financially

And other big screen opportunities flooded in, including one co-starring with Mel Gibson in the 1990 action-comedy Air America, and an Oscar-nominated performance as Charlie Chaplin in 1992's Chaplin.

Downey Jr married model Deborah Falconer in 1992 and they had son Indio but his drug usage and chaotic behavior only increased.

In 1996, the star was arrested for speeding while drunk and possessing heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and an unloaded gun.

The following month, while awaiting trial, his neighbors called the police after discovering Downey Jr had wandered into their home in a druggy haze and passed out on their 11-year-old son's bed.

The same year, his wife finally gave up on his drug-bingeing and left him.

A judge ordered him to go into rehab but he escaped, was recaptured and sent back, with Downey Jr admitting he was 'the poster boy for pharmaceutical mismanagement.'

He began a serious relationship with fellow cast member Sarah Jessica Parker, then also 18, and some years from stardom in Sex And The City - but their relationship was destroyed by his drug use

He repeatedly skipped court-ordered drug tests and was in and out of jail  twice waking in a pool of his own blood after other inmates attacked him  before a judge finally lost patience with the star and jailed him for three years in 1999

He repeatedly skipped court-ordered drug tests and was in and out of jail  twice waking in a pool of his own blood after other inmates attacked him  before a judge finally lost patience with the star and jailed him for three years in 1999.

Even after getting out in 2000 and winning a Golden Globe for his performance as Calista Flockhart's boyfriend in TV legal drama Ally McBeal, he continued to get into trouble.

Police found cocaine and methamphetamine in his hotel room and, while on parole, he was found wandering around LA, barefoot and high.

Fired from Ally McBeal, he went back into rehab.

How Downey Jr finally quit drugs for good thanks to producer Susan Levin

Finally, in 2003, he met producer Susan Levin on a film set. She told him she would marry him  which she did in 2005  only if he promised to quit drugs for good.

He went into therapy including a 12-step program, took up meditation and kung fu, and now says the strongest drug he consumes is caffeine.

Downey Jr appeared to acknowledge Susan's long-running support during his Oscars acceptance speech on Sunday as he said: 'I'd like to thank my veterinarian  I meant wife  Susan Downey over there.

'She found me, a snarling rescue pet, and loved me back to life. That's why I am here. Thank you.'

Finally, in 2003, he met producer Susan Levin on a film set who told him she would marry him  which she did in 2005  only if he promised to quit drugs for good

His film career went from strength-to-strength and he has since been able to reflect on his checkered past through his Netflix documentary having healed the rift with his father

His film career went from strength-to-strength and he has since been able to reflect on his checkered past through his Netflix documentary having healed the rift with his father.

Referring to his dismal upbringing, Downey Jr says at one point: 'I think we would be remiss not to discuss its effect on me.'

His father, embarrassed, mumbles back: Boy, I would sure love to miss that discussion.'
Ivanka Trump slipped into some sporty leggings as she and her daughter Arabella took part in a charity walk on Sunday - just hours before she had a big night out with her dad Donald Trump at a UFC fight in Miami.

The former First Daughter, 42, attended Friendship Circle's Walk4Friendship over the weekend - a one-and-a-half mile walk dedicated to raising money for 'individuals with special needs.'

The mom-of-three swapped her normally chic and fashionable looks for a casual ensemble for the hike.

She donned some skin-tight turquoise leggings, a loose Friendship Circle blue T-shirt, and a pair of white sneakers.

Ivanka Trump slipped into some sporty leggings as she and her daughter Arabella took part in a charity walk on Sunday

The former First Daughter, 42, attended Friendship Circle's Walk4Friendship over the weekend - a one-and-a-half mile walk dedicated to raising money for 'individuals with special needs'

The mom-of-three swapped her normally chic and fashionable looks for a casual ensemble for the hike

Hours after the heartwarming hike, she had a big night out with her dad Donald Trump at a UFC fight in Miami, changing into a black, strapless dress

She wore dark shades to shield her eyes from the strong Miami sun, and left her hair in loose waves around her face.

As for her daughter, Arabella, 12, she opted for some work-out shorts, the same blue tee as her mom, and a dark zip-up sweater on top, which she left opened.

Ivanka took to her Instagram Stories to share some snaps from the event afterwards; in one, she and Arabella posed with a young girl in a wheelchair named Valentina.

'Early this morning, Arabella, Valentina, and I laced up our shoes for the Friendship Circle's #Walks4Friendship, joining hearts and steps to celebrate and uplift the special needs community,' she captioned it.

A second shot showed the blonde beauty standing alongside some of the Friendship Circle volunteers.

In the snap, Ivanka grinned from ear to ear as she raised one of her arms in the air.

One last image featured her giving two thumbs up to the camera next to some members of the Miami Police Department.

She also uploaded a clip taken during the walk. It showed her daughter pushing Valentina in her wheelchair, before she turned to smile at the camera.

She and the former President, 77, sat cage-side along with her husband, Jared Kushner, and the organization's founder, Dana White as they watched Sean O'Malley take on Marlon Vera

Ivanka posted a numerous videos from the fight to her Stories, but did not share anything with her father

Meanwhile, her soon-to-be sister-in-law Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is engaged to Donald Trump Jr., threw a party for her birthday the night before, and Ivanka was absent from the photos

Hours after the heartwarming hike, Ivanka changed into a black, strapless dress to attend UFC 299 with her father.

She and the former President, 77, sat cage-side along with her husband, Jared Kushner, and the organization's founder, Dana White as they watched Sean O'Malley take on Marlon Vera.

The 42-year-old did post a tribute to Kimberly, however, writing, 'Happy birthday @KimberlyGuilfoyle'

Ivanka posted a numerous videos from the fight to her Stories, but did not share anything with her father.

'@UFC Miami fight night,' she captioned one. 'Thank you @DanaWhite.'

Meanwhile, her soon-to-be sister-in-law Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is engaged to Donald Trump Jr., threw a party for her birthday the night before, and Ivanka was noticeably absent from the photos.

The 42-year-old did post a tribute to Kimberly, however, writing, 'Happy birthday @KimberlyGuilfoyle.'

Ivanka, who served as a White House advisor during her dad's presidency, announced in November 2022 that she was quitting politics to prioritize her family - after he confirmed his 2024 presidential campaign.

'I love my father very much. This time around, I'm choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family,' she said at the time.

'While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside the political arena.'

She and her husband, Jared, 43, relocated from Washington, D.C., to Miami with their three kids three kids Arabella, Joseph, 10, and Theodore, seven, after her father left office.

Ivanka and her husband, Jared, 43, relocated from Washington, D.C., to Miami with their three kids three kids Arabella, Joseph, 10, and Theodore, seven, after her father left office

Since leaving politics behind, Ivanka (seen in Greece with Jared) has enjoyed an extremely jet-set and lavish lifestyle, and has embarked on more than a dozen trips in the last year alone

Most recently, she flew to Jamnagar, India, with Jared and Arabella to celebrate Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's upcoming wedding (seen)

The couple then purchased a $24 million fixer-upper on Indian Creek Island, and spared no expense when they gutted and rebuilt the entire inside of the mansion, which boasts six bedrooms and eight-and-a-half bathrooms.

The family moved into the abode last fall after spending nearly three years living at Arte Surfside, a luxury condominium building nestled between Miami Beach and Bal Harbor, while the renovations took place.

Since leaving politics behind, Ivanka has enjoyed an extremely jet-set and lavish lifestyle, and is often spotted setting out on glamorous getaways or enjoying nights out at lavish restaurants, nightclubs, and concerts in the Florida City.

She has embarked on more than a dozen trips in the last year alone, visiting places like Greece, Egypt, Costa Rica, Spain, New York City, Morocco, London, Prague, Utah, Qatar, and Paris.

Most recently, she flew to Jamnagar, India, with Jared and Arabella to celebrate Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's upcoming wedding.

The three-day party - which was said to have cost the couple $152 million - had a private performance from Rihanna and a slew of other famous attendees, including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and her sister-in-law Karlie Kloss.

The steep cost was no feat for the husband-and-bride-to-be as they both come from two of India 's richest families.
(Photo : Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images)

The Hungary government declined to meet with United States senators who are urging Prime Minister Viktor Orban to quickly ratify Sweden's NATO bid.

Former President Donald Trump would stop all U.S. funding for Ukraine if re-elected, dealing a potentially decisive blow to its defense against Russia's invasion, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reportedly said Sunday.

Orban made the claim during an interview with Hungarian broadcaster M1 on Sunday, two days after Trump hosted Orban at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, according to outlets including CNN.

"He (Trump) has a very clear vision," Orban said. "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."

Several sources familiar with the visit told CNN that the meeting was "social" in nature, with no agenda, while another said it was "friendly."

Orban has been highly critical of the European Union and NATO's efforts to help Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion two years ago. Orban's Hungary has used its position in NATO to stymie aid negotiations, but recently relented in its threat to veto a 50 billion euro aid package for Ukraine, and finally removed its months-long opposition to Sweden joining the alliance.

"If the Americans don't give money and weapons, along with the Europeans, the war will end," Orban said Sunday. "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."

Though his country is in NATO and the EU, Orban is considered an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, framing his stances as "pro-peace."

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment.

Trump has vowed to end the war within 24 hours if re-elected.

Orban and Trump have long expressed mutual admiration for each other, despite widely-voiced criticism that Orban has weakened his country's democratic institutions since returning to power in 2010.

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The clip on X (formerly Twitter) shows an old Irish Setter being pulled around

Crufts viewers have taken to social media to slam the event after a 'poor old dog' was seen competing, with judges failing to intervene.

The prestigious dog show took place over the weekend at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, with thousands flocking from around the world to compete with their canines.

However, angry viewers slammed the competition as 'awful' and 'appalling' after a clip posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Jemima Harrison, showed an older Irish Setter dog apparently struggling as it was pulled around the green carpet by the owner.

Alongside the video, which has already been seen by more than 127,000 people, she angrily wrote: 'When you're so hooked on dog-shows that you drag your old lame dog to @Crufts'.

A clip posted by X (formerly Twitter ) user Jemima Harrison, shows a particularly old dog struggling as it's pulled around the green carpet by his owner

The sad footage shows the elderly Irish Setter struggling to keep up with its owner as it was led around, in front of onlookers.

As the video quickly racked up views, social media users expressed outrage at what they had seen.

One shocked user wrote: 'How has this poor dog been passed as acceptable for #Crufts? Human vanity, ego and ambition over animal welfare. Poor dog.'

A second fumed: 'Crufts should be abolished. Why are you encouraging people to breed dogs to aesthetic "standards" which are detrimental to their health?

'Tell me you don't care about animals without telling me you don't care about animals.'

Meanwhile, a third chimed in with: 'I do not approve of this! The poor dog, being put through all that for human vanity.'

A fourth added: 'Ffs thats awful. That pup needs to be resting, warm and at home in comfort, not dragged around with their mobility issues and how much discomfort theyre very clearly experiencing.

'Owner should be ashamed. It was for her. Not her dog'.

The sad footage shows the elderly Irish Setter struggling to keep up with its owner as it's lead around, in front of onlookers

As the video quickly racked up views, social media users expressed outrage at what they had seen

Outraged, others quipped: 'Crufts summed up in one short video' and 'That's terrible. The judge should have told the owner to leave the ring'.

Someone else agreed: 'That is painful to watch. Not as painful as it must be for the poor old dog. That is so lame I can't even start to work out where the problem is'.

Another reasoned: 'It may be a Veteran class but that is appalling,' with someone else adding: 'That is just not acceptable!'

One owner said: 'As a previous owner of two Irish Setters over the years, it saddens me to see this seems cruel and unnecessary. An older dog should be resting up and being spoilt, shame on the owner and the judges'.

Another added: 'He should be curled up in front of a nice warm fire, poor baby'.

A spokesperson for Crufts, said: 'The welfare of the dogs at Crufts is of paramount importance. Our rules and regulations make it clear that no owner should knowingly put their dog's welfare at risk and we are looking into this as a matter of priority.'

The backlash comes just after protesters entered a tussle with security guards after they stormed the Crufts dog show on Sunday and were forcefully dragged out of the event.

A video shows the violent struggle as a small group of around five protesters - confirmed to be PETA activists - tried to get onto the showground at the dog show.

Security guards wrestled and pulled at the activists - but one managed to get onto the centre space, holding what appeared to be posters.

Shocking footage shows the violent brawl moved into the seating area as a man tried to force a woman to let go of a barrier as she resisted being moved, with shouts of 'get out' and jeers heard in the background from the crowd.
Sophie appeared in high spirits as she arrived at Westminster Abbey today

The Duchess of Edinburgh looked elegant in a light brown ensemble as she stepped out at Commonwealth Day service in London today.

Sophie, 59, appeared in high spirits as she accompanied her husband, Prince Edward, 60, to the service at Westminster Abbey.

The couple attended the event alongside Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne, the Duke of Kent, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

It comes amid a testing time for the royal family, reflected by King Charles III and the Princess of Wales' absences amid health complications.

Nevertheless, the beaming mother-of-two put on a chic display in a tailored 2,990 mid-length Alabama coat from Suzannah London and trendy cream fedora hat.

The Duchess of Edinburgh looked typically stylish as she arrived at the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

Sophie donned a maxi floral dress underneath her statement coat and added a touch glamour with a pair of drop earrings.

The stylish royal pinned her blonde tresses up and kept her makeup bronzed yet neutral for the service.

Prince Edward, meanwhile, wore a simple black pinstripe suit with a patterned tie for the annual event.

The Commonwealth was founded in December 1931 and currently contains 54 countries. According to the Royal Family's website, the purpose of the organisation is to 'foster international co-operation and trade links between people all over the world'.

It comes after the Princess of Wales was pictured alongside Prince William leaving Windsor Castle today - just hours after apologising for editing a family photo released on Mother's Day.

The Prince of Wales headed to Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day service this afternoon with his wife beside him.

But rather than an extraordinary return to royal duties, MailOnline understands that Kate was heading to a private appointment instead.

It is not known where the Princess of Wales was going, but it was clearly on her husband's route into central London ahead of the 2.45pm service attended by senior royals including Queen Camilla and Princess Anne.

Accompanied by Prince Edward, 60, Sophie was all smiles as arrived at Westminster Abbey today

The mother-of-two demonstrated her style prowess with the addition of a trendy fedora hat to her sophisticated ensemble

Edward, who celebrated his 60th birthday last week, waved to the crowds gathered outside of Westminster Abbey

Kate, who looked out of her window as William appeared to read some notes on his phone, was not expected to be seen in public until after Easter following abdominal surgery and two weeks in a private London hospital in January.

It came as Kensington Palace came under increasing pressure to release the original Mother's Day photograph after the Princess of Wales apologised after she admitted had edited the family portrait of herself sitting with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The world's major photo agencies would later 'kill' the picture after noticing signs of digital editing, including a missing part of Princess Charlotte's sleeve and the misaligned edge of her wrist and skirt, and the positioning of Kate's zip.

This morning the Princess of Wales gave an apology on social media. She said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day'. She signed it 'C' - for Catherine.

The royal pair received a warm welcome at Westminster Abbey from a group of traditional Dhol drummers

Sophie took her place on the front row next to Princess Anne (left), Prince Edward (right), and Prince William (far right) at the annual service

Sophie and Edward smiled as they observed the Commonwealth Day service from the front row

The mother-of-two accepted a bunch of flowers from a group of school children outside the service

Kensington Palace had initially faced calls to reveal the truth behind the photo after the world's top picture agencies - including the Press Association - 'killed' the image over claims it had been digitally manipulated.

PR experts have described the Mother's Day photo fiasco as a 'massive own goal' and urged royal officials to release the unedited picture in a bid to regain the public's trust.

Kensington Palace had initially faced calls to reveal the truth behind the photo after the world's top picture agencies - including the Press Association - 'killed' the image over claims it had been digitally manipulated.

Kate this morning admitted that she had edited the photograph and issued a personal apology 'for any confusion' it had caused. Sky News' analysis of the photo's metadata found the image was taken with a Canon camera and was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac. Other experts suggested she may have used an AI tool.

Sophie beamed as she held onto a bouquet of flowers gifted from school children outside the event

The Duke of Edinburgh looked dapper in a black pinstripe suit and crisp blue shirt for the occasion

The photo of the mother-of-three beaming with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis was the first official picture released of the princess since she underwent 'planned abdominal surgery' in January.

Kate, in a statement on social media, said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C'

While the princess publicly took the blame for altering the photo, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the unedited photograph of Kate and her children.

PR expert Mark Borkowski said: 'It's plausible she's at home playing with the computer and using an AI tool, but if they're really going to regain any sort of trust they should release the unedited photo, it can't be that bad if they just made a few tweaks.

'I find they have risen to the challenge, provided the statement as an explanation - the question is with all the conspiracy theories running around, is whether people believe it and I'm not sure that they will.'
The Duchess of Edinburgh, made sure she didn't forget royal etiquette today by bobbing down to curtsey to Queen Camilla after Her Majesty greeted her sister-in-law with a kiss on the cheek.

Sophie acted fast to ensure she carried out the tradition and could be seen performing a quick curtsey before moving aside to let her husband, Prince Edward, greet the Queen at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

Next up was Princess Anne, who also greeted her sister-in-law with a kiss on the cheek but she skipped the curtsey, despite royal protocol suggesting that anyone with a HRH title should bow to the sovereign and his wife.

However, the royals seem to take a more relaxed approach since the death of Queen Elizabeth and Charles and Camilla have been seen greeting their relatives with kisses on the cheek at events such as Kate's Christmas carol concert - doing away with formality.

Queen Camilla was joined by Prince William, Princess Anne, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and her husband Prince Edward at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Service today

Queen Camilla was joined by Prince William and Princess Anne, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, while King Charles continues to be treated for cancer.

The Duchess of Edinburgh looked elegant in a light brown ensemble complete with a fedora hat.

Sophie, 59, appeared in high spirits as she accompanied her husband, Prince Edward, who celebrated his 60th birthday yesterday.

The Commonwealth Service comes at a testing time for the royal family - both King Charles III and the Princess of Wales remain absent from official engagements due to health issues.

Sophie, a mother-of-two, put on a chic display in a mid-length regency coat and cream fedora hat.

She wore a maxi floral dress underneath her statement coat and added a touch glamour with a pair of drop earrings.

The stylish royal pinned her blonde tresses up and kept her makeup bronzed yet neutral for the service.

Prince Edward, meanwhile, wore a simple black pinstripe suit with a patterned tie for the annual event.

The Commonwealth was founded in December 1931 and currently contains 54 countries. According to the Royal Family's website, the purpose of the organisation is to 'foster international co-operation and trade links between people all over the world'.

Sophie, a mother-of-two, put on a chic display in a mid-length regency coat. She accessorised her outfit with a moder fedora, also in cream

Bowing and curtsying protocol within the royal family

As a general rule, male members of the royal family bow their heads when greeting each other while female members bob down to curtsy. However, rank also plays a role. Everyone in the royal family, including men with the His Royal Highness (e.g. Prince William, Prince Edward) and women with the Her Royal Highness title (e.g. Princess Catherine, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne), is required to bow or curtsy to His Majesty King Charles and Her Majesty Queen Camilla. Even the Kings children, Prince William and Prince Harry, should greet their father with a bow of the head. Occasionally, you will see members of the royal family not bowing or curtsying to greet the King and Queen. Instead they may greet each other with kisses on the cheeks. This is usually the case if they have seen each other earlier on during the same day. The tradition of royals bowing or curtsying to the King and Queen even extends to their wedding days. When Prince William married Kate Middleton, they made sure to greet the late Queen Elizabeth II with the appropriate gestures. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did the same on their big day. Advertisement

It comes after the Princess of Wales was pictured alongside Prince William leaving Windsor Castle today - just hours after apologising for editing a family photo released on Mother's Day.

The Prince of Wales headed to Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day service this afternoon with his wife beside him.

But rather than an extraordinary return to royal duties, MailOnline understands that Kate was heading to a private appointment instead.

It is not known where the Princess of Wales was going, but it was clearly on her husband's route into central London ahead of the 2.45pm service attended by senior royals including Queen Camilla and Princess Anne.

Kate, who looked out of her window as William appeared to read some notes on his phone, was not expected to be seen in public until after Easter following abdominal surgery and two weeks in a private London hospital in January.

It came as Kensington Palace was under increasing pressure to release the original Mother's Day photograph after the Princess of Wales apologised after she admitted had edited the family portrait of herself sitting with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The world's major photo agencies would later 'kill' the picture after noticing signs of digital editing, including a missing part of Princess Charlotte's sleeve and the misaligned edge of her wrist and skirt, and the positioning of Kate's zip.

This morning the Princess of Wales gave an apology on social media. She said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day'. She signed it 'C' - for Catherine.

Kensington Palace had initially faced calls to reveal the truth behind the photo after the world's top picture agencies - including the Press Association - 'killed' the image over claims it had been digitally manipulated.

Princess Anne, who also decided to forego the curtsey, opted for a splash of colour in her outfit

PR experts have described the Mother's Day photo fiasco as a 'massive own goal' and urged royal officials to release the unedited picture in a bid to regain the public's trust.

Kensington Palace had initially faced calls to reveal the truth behind the photo after the world's top picture agencies - including the Press Association - 'killed' the image over claims it had been digitally manipulated.

Kate this morning admitted that she had edited the photograph and issued a personal apology 'for any confusion' it had caused. Sky News' analysis of the photo's metadata found the image was taken with a Canon camera and was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac. Other experts suggested she may have used an AI tool.

Sophie was joined by her husband, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, who looked dapper in a pinstripe suit

The photo of the mother-of-three beaming with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis was the first official picture released of the princess since she underwent 'planned abdominal surgery' in January.

Kate, in a statement on social media, said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C'

While the princess publicly took the blame for altering the photo, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the unedited photograph of Kate and her children.

PR expert Mark Borkowski said: 'It's plausible she's at home playing with the computer and using an AI tool, but if they're really going to regain any sort of trust they should release the unedited photo, it can't be that bad if they just made a few tweaks.

'I find they have risen to the challenge, provided the statement as an explanation - the question is with all the conspiracy theories running around, is whether people believe it and I'm not sure that they will.'
Dolly Maude, 51, is set to become Princess Anne's lady in waiting in February

Princess Anne was spotted out in public with her new lady-in-waiting Dolly Maude for the first time today, as the pair arrived together for the Commonwealth Day service.

As the Princess Royal, 73, arrived at Westminster Abbey, she was accompanied by Ms Maude, 51, who opted for a chic coat-dress and a brown hat for the occasion.

Meanwhile, Anne brought the brightness to the Abbey in a colourful red coat dress with detailing in various colours, layered over a jewel blue dress.

Outside the building, Dolly appeared to take a posy of flowers from the Princess Royal, which Anne may have been gifted upon arrival.

Although today was the first time Dolly had been seen with Anne for the first time since taking up the position of lady-in-waiting, it is just the latest joint appearance after several years of Dolly being a 'right-hand woman' to Princess Anne and her daughter, Zara Tindall.

Princess Anne arrived at the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon with her lady-in-waiting, Dolly Maude

A trusted confidante described as 'fiercely loyal and discreet' by friends, Dolly's friendship with Zara goes back decades - and she was even maid of honour at Zara's wedding to rugby ace Mike in 2011.

Dolly Maude, 51, famously helped deliver Zara's third child Lucas on a bathroom floor when her birthing plan went awry in 2021, and has been a close friend of the King's niece for over two decades.

With a shared love of horses, Dolly and Zara quickly grew close and briefly lived together in 2003 after the royal's relationship with her fiance Richard Johnson ended.

Zara and the jockey had dated from 1998 and lived in the Cotswolds together, leaving the Princess Royal's daughter urgently in need of somewhere to call home.

Ms Maude opted for a chic beige coat dress, while Princess Anne opted for a pop of colour in her outfit

Dolly Maude, 51, famously helped deliver Zara's third child Lucas on a bathroom floor when her birthing plan went awry in 2021

Thankfully, her friend Dolly was there to offer her a place to stay - and a shoulder to cry on - until she found her feet after the heartbreak.

The pair remained close as Zara and former rugby union player Mike Tindall's friendship blossomed into a romance just months later, in 2004.

Dolly was maid of honour at Zara and Mike's wedding in 2011, and has been present at the birth of all three of their children - Mia, 9, Lena, 5, and two-year-old Lucas.

The former England rugby player has even described Dolly as 'more important than I am', given her role in assisting Zara when she went into labour at their Gatcombe Park home with her son, Lucas.

The now two-year-old had arrived so fast Zara and Mike couldn't make it to a hospital, and Dolly helped deliver their son on the bathroom floor of their home.

It does make sense that Zara would have Dolly on speed dial for the births of her children, considering she worked as a maternity practitioner for the NHS in Gloucestershire for 13 years.

Dolly also worked on the maternity unit of a hospital in Kambia, Sierra Leone for a month as part of the Kambia Appeal in 2013, teaching staff basic nursing and theatre skills.

Like Zara, who received an MBE in 2007 for services to equestrianism and won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics as a member of the Great Britain Eventing Team, Dolly loves horses.

Dolly was maid of honour at Zara and Mike's wedding in 2011, and has been present at the birth of all three of their children - Mia, 9, Lena, 5, and two-year-old Lucas

With a shared love of horses, Dolly and Zara quickly grew close and briefly lived together in 2003 after the royal's relationship with her fiance Richard Johnson ended

Like Zara, who received an MBE in 2007 for services to equestrianism and won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics as a member of the Great Britain Eventing Team, Dolly loves horses

Prior to becoming a midwife, Dolly ran Dolly Maude Equine Ltd, a company which rehabilitated injured racehorses with a view to getting them back on the racecourse. It also broke in young thoroughbreds and trained point-to-pointers.

Photos on her social media pages suggest she too is no stranger to competing in horse events, including dressage and cross country.

She is married to Chris Maude, 52, a former jump jockey turned master valet, who comes from a farming background and grew up in the Hatherleigh area of Devon.

His successes in the saddle included wins over the Grand National fences on Indian Tonic (twice) and Young Hustler, as well as the 1997 Tote Gold Trophy on Make A Stand, the 1995 Mildmay-Cazalet Chase on Deep Bramble, and the 1998 Greenalls Chase on Dom Samourai.

Prior to becoming a midwife, Dolly ran Dolly Maude Equine Ltd, a company which rehabilitated injured racehorses with a view to getting them back on the racecourse

The 51-year-old also shares Zara's tongue-in-cheek sense of humour

Dolly has four children with husband Chris: Billy, 26, Nell, 24, Ted, 17 - who was a page boy to the Tindalls and is the godson of Zara - and Mary, 15.

It's not known how Dolly and Zara met, though it seems likely it was through equestrianism - and it seems Dolly has given her friend a few tips when it comes to training horses.

In 2008, while Zara was preparing to saddle her first runner as a trainer, Dolly told Horse and Hound: 'Zara does absolutely everything with him. She rides him out every day and schools him  the whole lot is all down to her. Shes done a fantastic job because he is quirky but shes made him really, really happy.'

NHS midwife Dolly Maude, 51, left, is a close friend of Zara Tindall and is now set to become a lady in waiting to the Princess Royal

Shared love of horses: The pair were spotted at Ascot enjoying watching the racing in 2021

A Royal spokesman was later forced to clarify that the badge worn by Dolly was actually a joke

With her close ties to the Royal Family, it perhaps shouldn't be surprising that Princess Anne has selected Dolly to become her lady in waiting

In fact, last January Dolly turned up with her best friend at Cheltenham racecourse wearing a badge bearing the words 'Lady in Waiting'.

A royal spokesman was later forced to clarify that this was actually a joke.

But now the midwife is to have an official role under Princess Anne, The Telegraph has revealed.

One of Dolly's friends said: 'For the Princess Royal, it's a perfect fit because of their shared love of dogs and horses.

Buckingham Palace is expected to announce the appointment on February 1, when Mrs Maude will be revealed as one of four newly appointed ladies in waiting to the King's sister

Dolly has four children with husband Chris: Billy, 26, Nell, 24, Ted, 17 - who was a page boy to the Tindalls and is the godson of Zara - and Mary, 15

A lady-in-waiting has traditionally been the wife or daughter of a peer, but they can also be a cousin or close friend

'She's not only extremely close to Zara, she also gets on brilliantly with the Princess. She's fiercely loyal and discreet. It's a great match.'

Buckingham Palace is expected to announce the appointment in the Court Circular on February 1, when Dolly will be revealed as one of four newly appointed ladies-in-waiting to the King's sister, to replace others who have retired.

A lady-in-waiting has traditionally been the wife or daughter of a peer, but they can also be a cousin or close friend.

They act as a companion on Royal engagements as well as helping with their day-to-day duties.
A British woman travelling around Australia has shared her frustrations about cafe culture Down Under.

Ambar, from London, ranted about cafes in Australia closing at about 2pm every day which means she misses out on one of her favourite pastimes - a late afternoon coffee and sweet treat.

She said cafe closing times are the 'most annoying thing about Australia' she's found in her travels so far and her gripe sparked a heated debate among locals.

'Why in Australia do all the coffee shops close at 2pm? I will go around looking for a little treat, little pick-me-up at around 3-4pm, that's the kind of time I like to get maybe a decaf coffee or maybe a little sweet treat back at home,' Ambar said in a video.

'But in Australia all the coffee shops and the cafes shut at 2pm it's like they don't want to make money, that is my ideal time to go and sit in a cafe - why?'

Scroll down for video

A British tourist travelling around Australia vented her frustrations at Aussie cafes and coffee shops closing at 2pm. She said it is the 'most annoying thing about Australia'

The tourist's hot take stirred up a debate in the comments as Aussies claimed there was 'no point' to cafes being open after 2pm.

'Sorry, I'm not working past 2pm when I've been there since 5.30am,' one worker said.

'Because they open and are busy at 6am, they got to close at some point,' a second wrote to which Ambar replied: 'Okay? The cafe nearest me in London opens at half 6 and closes at 9pm.'

'We're just massive morning people I guess, I've never thought of going to get a coffee past midday,' they responded.

Others said it's because Australians are notorious 'morning people' who start their days very early.

The tourist's hot take stirred up a debate in the comments as Aussies claimed there was 'no point' to cafes being open after 2pm (stock image)

@ambardriscoll This is the most annoying thing about Australia so far  original sound - Ambar Driscoll

'Because no customers come in after 2pm, it is pointless to stay open longer. Yes maybe a few people like you would come in but that's not enough to justify staying open for another few hours,' someone explained.

'It's because we have a great work-life balance, that's the difference,' another said.

However, some were on Ambar's side saying they were also confused by Aussie cafes shutting shops so early in the day.

'I was shocked when I moved to Sydney 11 years ago. All the retail stores close at 5pm - THE TIME PEOPLE ARE OFF WORK AND HAVE TIME TO GO SHOPPING,' one viewer complained.

'Australia turns into a dead town after 5pm. It needs more life and for cafes to be open later,' a second commented.
Domino's has unveiled it newest menu item - the Cheese Volcano.

Described as 'grotesque' by the restaurant's spokesperson, the new $10 side takes Australia's love of cheese and dedication to cob loaf to a new level.

The bowl is made from pizza dough, stuffed with Mozzarella cheese and filled with 'molten hot' cheese.

It can be purchased with or without a side of 'dipping' crinkle-cut chips.

Domino's has sent out an urgent warning across Australia after unveiling it newest menu item - the Cheese Volcano

Domino's Chief Marketing Officer ANZ Allan Collins said it was just the beginning of inspired new products dedicated to all things cheese.

'We're giving customers more of what they love by championing everyone's favourite pizza topping like never before,' he said.

Domino's Head of Product Development & Innovation Michael Treacy said the Company had spent three years developing a tastier, stretchier cheese that customers could only get at Domino's.

The bowl is made from pizza dough, stuffed with Mozzarella cheese and filled with 'molten hot' cheese

'Cheese is a staple ingredient on every pizza, but it is so versatile and beloved that it can make any meal memorable,' Mr Treacy said.

Cheese seems to be the star of the show at the chain right now.

Domino's has released Triple Cheese Bites, from $7 pick-up, loaded with melty Mozzarella, Cheddar and Parmesan for delicious bite-sized indulgence, as well as $2 Extra Cheese upgrades for any Large Pizza.
Few people have a greater understanding of the threat that antibiotic-resistant superbugs pose than Dame Sally Davies.

More than a decade ago, Englands former Chief Medical Officer wrote a book on the peril we all face from these incurable infections  fittingly, its called The Drugs Dont Work: A Global Threat.

Since standing down from the high-profile role as Englands most senior doctor in 2019, Dame Sally has taken on the position of the UKs special envoy on antimicrobial resistance  or as some have dubbed her, the superbug tsar.

It means the 74-year-old  who is also head of Trinity College, Cambridge University  is tasked with lobbying foreign powers to invest billions into solving this growing crisis. The World Health Organisation estimates that, by 2050, ten million people across the globe will die every year due to drug-resistant superbugs.

Emily Hoyle, 38, passed away in late 2022 after contracting a drug-resistant lung infection

But in the past year, this existential threat moved closer to home.

In an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday, Dame Sally reveals her goddaughter recently died from a superbug.

Emily Hoyle, 38, passed away in late 2022 after contracting a drug-resistant lung infection.

She had been born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and makes sufferers more susceptible to illness. Emily underwent two double lung transplants in her short life.

But according to Dame Sally, her goddaughter lived every moment to its fullest.

Emily had trained as a fitness instructor, raised money for cystic fibrosis patients and, in 2015, when she climbed Ecuadors second-highest volcano, even gained a world record for the highest altitude reached by a female double lung transplant recipient.

She was always the centre of the party, says Dame Sally. My memories of Emily are of her dancing and laughing. Despite the cystic fibrosis, she went to university, had a successful career and advocated for other patients like herself. She got married and had a son. I was at her wedding. I still remember how beautiful she looked.

Dame Sally is sharing Emilys story to raise awareness of the threat posed by superbugs.

While Emily lived with a weakened immune system, a growing number of healthy people are also dying from these infections.

Currently there are about 5,000 recorded deaths from drug-resistant infections in the NHS every year, but Dame Sally believes that many cases are missed because medical examiners often do not mention superbugs in death certificates. She also argues that the number of deaths will continue to rise in the coming years unless drastic action is taken.

Dame Sally Davies Englands former Chief Medical Officer and godmother of Emily

I have always cared deeply about how antibiotic resistance will affect people all around the world, Dame Sally says. But after Emilys death, it got personal.

Superbugs are strains of bacteria that have become resistant to commonly used antibiotics, making the illnesses they cause very hard to treat. Among them are bugs that cause urinary tract infections, tuberculosis, pneumonia, sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea, and food poisoning bug salmonella.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are already responsible for about 100,000 cases of severe illness in the UK every year.

Experts fear that commonplace infections will soon become impervious to even the most powerful antibiotics, so they become impossible to beat. This could lead to a future where a simple cut, childbirth or a sexually transmitted infection could become fatal.

Dame Sally met Emilys mother, a high-ranking NHS nurse, at a dinner party in the late 1980s and the pair quickly became close friends. Emily, who had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after she was born, was two years old and, within a year, Dame Sally became her godmother.

Her parents were really happy to have a doctor around who understood what they were going through, says Dame Sally.

Yet despite a rigorous medical regime and the close advice of Dame Sally, who at the time was working as a consultant haematologist in a North London hospital, Emilys health was touch-and-go throughout her early life.

She had all the physiotherapy and drugs she needed, but with severe cases of cystic fibrosis there is only so much you can do, says Dame Sally. She was in and out of hospital from a young age.

Emily died in a hospice due to respiratory failure triggered by the infection. Here she is pictured with husband John

The average life expectancy of a cystic fibrosis patient in the UK is around 30, although in recent years drug advances mean many are expected to survive far longer.

Despite her constant ill health, Emily was able to accomplish a lot. After attending Bristol University she worked at the esteemed Standard Chartered Bank in London before retraining as a pilates instructor. In 2004 she met her future husband, John Hoyle, a Scots Guard officer who had just finished a tour in Iraq.

The pair married in 2008 and, in 2020, had a son, Henry, via surrogacy as Emily was unable to conceive due to her illness.

When they married, she typically had to take dozens of pills a day and also needed to use a nebuliser  a face mask that delivers high doses of medicine quickly to the lungs  for three hours a day. Her husband, John, 45, now a tech entrepreneur, says that medicines were crucial to keeping her alive.

HOW THEY BECOME RESISTANT Many people believe taking antibiotics when not sick enough to really need them causes the bacteria to become resistant to them  but this is not true. An antibiotics prescription should be taken as a full course  such as for seven days  but many people do not do this, and instead stop when they start feeling better. This means that the antibiotics may not have had a chance to wipe out all the bacteria, which can then evolve to be more resistant to those drugs in future. Since 2014 the number of prescriptions for antibiotics from GPs has fallen by about a quarter, as the NHS tries to tackle the problem. But another major source of concern is the scale of antibiotic use across the world, especially in developing nations where overuse in both humans and agriculture has led to dangerous outbreaks of drug-resistant infections. Advertisement

Whenever she felt like she was coming down with something, she would get to the hospital straight away to begin a new course on IV antibiotics, says John.

In 2012, Emily underwent her first double lung transplant, after suffering a serious fungal infection. Much like bacteria, fungal infections are also becoming resistant to treatment. This means that an increasing number of people are living with drug-resistant fungal infections such as athletes foot or dying of serious fungus diseases like candida auris.

Three years later, in 2015, she decided to take part in an expedition with 12 other transplant recipients to climb Cotopaxi in South America, one of the tallest volcanoes in the world.

The two-week climb was a success and Emily raised more than 50,000 for transplant research.

But soon after returning from the trip, an antibiotic-resistant infection in her lungs meant that she would need a second double lung transplant.

The drugs werent doing the job any more, says John. The damage to her lungs was so obvious, Emily decided to get the transplant as soon as possible rather than wait to see if the infection would clear.

While she was able to get the transplant  it is rare for patients to successfully find and undergo two double lung transplants  she was in a coma for two weeks.

Moreover, soon after the procedure, in 2019, Emily contracted a second aggressive drug-resistant infection, mycobacterium abscessus, a bacteria related to tuberculosis. The superbug has become increasingly common in cystic fibrosis patients since the 1990s, due to the growing spread of antibiotic resistance.

It is usually picked up in hospital and has been found to have infected some NHS cystic fibrosis patients while they were undergoing a lung transplant.

Emily was able to see the birth of her son Henry after a port [a device that allows medicine to flow directly into the blood] was fitted into her chest

Over the course of two years Emily received multiple courses of antibiotics, but these had little impact on controlling the bacteria.

She eventually had a port [a device that allows medicine to flow directly into the blood] fitted into her chest, says John.

By that point her arms had been pierced so many times with antibiotic drips it had damaged her veins. Having the port in her chest allowed her to administer the drugs herself at home without travelling to hospital.

While the port was not able to help clear the infection, it did buy Emily time to see the birth of her son Henry.

She had a couple of really good years with Henry, says John. Emily saw having him as one of her biggest life achievements.

Dame Sally says that, near the end, she attempted to get Emily on to a course of phage therapy  a treatment which involves injecting patients with viruses that hunt out and destroy drug-resistant bacteria.

Bacteriophages, or phages for short, are harmless to humans and instead infect bacteria (see panel, left). Studies suggest that phages can effectively treat superbug patients  if the right one can be found in time.

We tried to find a phage that would be effective against her infection, says Dame Sally. Everyone was working so hard to find the right virus, we asked all the top research centres in the US, but we couldnt find one in time.

Emily died in a hospice due to respiratory failure triggered by the infection in November 2022.

Her husband and her dog were at her side, says Dame Sally. She was so dignified even at the end and said goodbye to everyone.

Dame Sally believes that, alongside greater use of phages, the most important solution to defeating superbugs is developing new antibiotics  something that drug firms have failed miserably at doing for the past three decades.

Industry estimates suggest that the cost of developing one new antibiotic is 1 billion, while the estimated revenue from it is roughly 35 million a year.

This is because new antibiotics will not be prescribed for regular use, but held back as a last resort, in the hope that the bacteria wont get enough exposure to them to develop resistance. So major pharmaceutical firms have simply stopped making them altogether  it doesnt make economic sense. There has not been a new type of antibiotic developed since the late 1980s.

Right now, the pipeline for new antibiotics is empty, and that is concerning, says Dame Sally. Investing in new antibiotics is crucial. Yes it is expensive to develop these drugs, but it is far cheaper than trying to cure these infections once they happen.

She also says that, starting in April, medical examiners in the UK will begin noting antibiotic resistance as a cause of death on death certificates, in an effort to provide the NHS with a greater understanding of where these infections are occurring and also raise public awareness.

Medical examiners will look at each death, identify whether there was an infection and decide if resistance was involved, says Dame Sally. This will up the number of antibiotic resistance deaths we record, and allow us to see hotspots for drug-resistant infections, which is information we dont have right now.

It will also help the public better understand this issue. A relative will see the cause of death and say, I thought my aunt died of pneumonia but actually it was antibiotic resistance. 

She explains this is why she wanted to tell Emilys story.

We have to keep telling people about this problem, because for many it doesnt feel like something that could happen to them. But sadly, for many people, it already is.

Friendly virus therapy that could hold the key to battling the bugs

Dame Sally says that phage therapy is one solution to tackling the growing threat of drug-resistant viruses

The UKs superbug tsar is urging the NHS to roll out an experimental treatment  infecting patients with friendly viruses.

Dame Sally Davies says that phage therapy is one solution to tackling the growing threat of drug-resistant viruses.

Bacteriophages, or phages for short, seek out and destroy bacteria. Studies suggest that, when regularly injected into patients or applied to the skin, they can kill superbugs. Phages are already used in America, France and Belgium to treat patients with superbugs.

In 2022, The MoS revealed that some NHS hospitals would begin to offer phage therapy. However, very few patients are currently offered the treatment.

Dame Sally believes the Health Service should use phage therapy more often to limit the number of patients dying from drug-resistant infections.

Phage therapy can save lives and we should be using it where we can, she says.

However, she argues that it will not solve the antibiotic resistance crisis, because the process of procuring phages is so complex.

While phages are naturally occurring organisms  a handful of soil contains at least a billion phages  scientists have to hunt out specific ones that have evolved to kill the bacteria present in the patient. Currently this can take weeks or even months to do, and can be costly.

Its unlikely to be an answer to antibiotic resistance, unless we can find a way to create phages which work against a broad spectrum of bacteria, says Dame Sally.
A mother claims a 25 nasal tanning spray dubbed the 'Barbie drug' almost killed her.

Edith Eagle, 47, was left unable to breathe when her face ballooned as the tanning spray she bought online 'poisoned' her on holiday.

Ms Eagle, of King's Lynn, Norfolk, had taken the product five days before her family holiday to Fuerteventura last April.

The mother-of-four, who works as a chef, says she followed the instructions on the nasal spray's label.

Ms Eagle woke up on the second day of her holiday with a swollen face, which left her unrecognisable to family, and struggling to breathe. The 'frightening' incident saw her rushed to hospital.

Edith Eagle, who works as a chef and lives in King's Lynn, Norfolk, bought a 25 bottle of tanning nasal spray in preparation for her holiday

Ms Egale woke up on the second day of her family holiday last April with a swollen face and struggling to breathe. Hospital staff acted quickly and treated her with a high dose of steroids and discharged later that day. But she said it took more than a week for her symptoms to subside

Ms Eagle, who is also a step-mother-of-four, was treated with a high dose of steroids after being rushed to the nearest hospital on the Canary island.

Shocking pictures of the incident show her lying in a hospital bed.

Ms Eagle, who also owns a wedding venue with husband Carl Fox, 54, believes she suffered an allergic reaction to something in the spray, and is urging others to avoid using similar products.

It is currently illegal to sell or advertise sprays and injection products which contain melanotan in the UK.

It is not clear whether the spray Ms Eagle bought was marketed as containing melanotan.

Ms Eagle had taken the product (pictured) five days before her family holiday to Fuerteventura. She did not experience any symptoms until several days into her holiday

But MailOnline has previously uncovered melanotan being sold illegally online, with gyms and salons also caught selling it in recent years.

The artificial hormone accelerates tanning by stimulating the pigment cells in skin to produce more melanin, which can make the skin look darker.

Melanotan is also banned in the US and Australia because of the serious side effects it can trigger, including kidney damage.

Although it is illegal to sell in the UK, it's not against the law to buy it. It is nicknamed the 'Barbie drug' because of its supposed tanning effects.

The products are not regulated, meaning they could contain harmful chemicals that are listed on the label.

The 25 nasal tanning spray dubbed the 'Barbie drug' was bought online by Ms Eagle

Ms Eagle said the ingredients weren't listed on the label of the product, meaning she doesn't know what she was allergic to.

She used the tan after step-daughter Kayla Fox, 33, suggested getting nasal spray as a way of getting a quicker tan.

'I googled it and saw it pop up online and ordered it,' Ms Eagle said. 'I think I paid 25 for the bottle. I like being tanned because I prefer not using makeup. I always liked looking fresh-looking with a tan.

'On the first day, we were so brown, I've never experienced anything like it. I was very tanned after one day.

'But the next morning, I woke up and realised I couldn't breathe properly. I then noticed I was completely swollen. I was so out of breath and had to concentrate so much on breathing. It was really difficult to breathe.

'My neck was so swollen that my necklace was tight. I was just swollen everywhere. I realised it must be an allergic reaction.'

Ms Eagle added: 'There's no ingredients on the bottle  you don't know what you're putting in the body.'

She contacted the hotel reception who called a taxi to drive her to the nearest hospital, where she was fast-tracked through the emergency department.

Hospital staff have her a high dose of steroids and discharged her later that day.

But Ms Eagle said it took more than a week for her symptoms to fully subside.

'I said to the consultant the only thing I've done differently this week is take this nasal spray,' she said.

Edith Eagle, used the tan after her step-daughter Kayla Fox, 33, (pictured left) suggested getting nasal tanning spray as a way of getting a quicker tan

The mum-of-four, pictured with her daughter Eliana Eagle, 15, followed the instructions on the tanning product's label and to sniffed the spray intended to give customers a 'darker' skin pigment

'I've never had an allergic reaction in my whole life to any foods or anything. I think it was definitely the spray.

'I wouldn't be standing here if the hospital staff hadn't acted so quickly. I was rushed straight through. It was so frightening.'

Since the incident she has seen other people post about similar reactions to tanning nasal sprays on social media.

Ms Eagle said she could have 'died that day'.

'If they hadn't been so hands-on that day in the hospital, I wouldn't be here to tell the tale,' she said.

Step daughter Kayla Fox, 33, shared a post warning others about the spray on social media

'I will never again buy anything like this again - especially from the internet. How they can sell sprays with no ingredients listed is so worrying. I'd rather not have a tan.

'It was frightening for my family to see me like that. I feel grateful to be alive.

'Please don't make the same mistake as me. If this can save someone's life then I would rather suffer for anyone else before they make a stupid decision like me! I blame myself,' she added.

Kayla shared a post warning others about the spray on social media.

In it, Kayla said: 'Please don't use nasal tanners as this is what they can do to you.

'Poisoned my step-mum's body and she's had an allergic reaction. Stay away from them... They are so dangerous for some people.'
Abortion time limits should be scaled back to just 22 weeks, down from the current 24, doctors have said.

In a letter to all MPs, the group of 700 doctors wrote medical advancements meant babies born at this time frame now had a good chance of survival.

The group, which includes senior NHS medics and GPs, said that a baby born at 23 weeks now had a 40 per cent chance of survival. This is up from around 20 per cent a decade ago.

Improving survival odds means there is a 'long overdue' need to reform abortion rules in England, according to the letter seen by The Telegraph.

'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,' it reads.

Debate about abortion legislation in England follows the case of Carla Foster, who at 45, was given a 28-month jail sentence in 2023 for illegally taking abortion pills to end her pregnancy during the Covid lockdown

Babies born before 37 weeks are considered pre-term. Their odds of survival vary greatly depending just how early they are born but medical advances mean those born at 34 weeks and above now have the same chance at life as a baby born at full term

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities data show about 215,00 women had abortions in England and Wales in 2021, up about 2 per cent on the figure for 2020

It comes as two opposing groups of MPs are gearing up for a battle on abortion legislation in the House of Commons.

One amendment, tabled by Conservative MP Caroline Ansell, aligns with this group of medics in seeking to lower the abortion limit to 22 weeks.

It has been backed by 30 MPs including former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, ex-home office minister Sir John Hayes and former health minister Maggie Throup.

Another, put forward by Labour's Dame Diana Johnson, who is also the chair of the home affairs committee, seeks to decriminalise abortion after 24 weeks.

This wouldn't change the 24-week legal limit for abortions but would stop women facing jail if they have terminations after this time, like in the case of Carla Foster.

Ms Foster, 45, was given a 28-month jail sentence in 2023 for illegally taking abortion pills to end her pregnancy during the Covid lockdown.

The mother-of-three was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant at the time.

Medics campaigning for the abortion limit to be dropped to 22 weeks claim their call has precedent.

They cited how in 1990 abortion limits were reduced from 28 weeks to the current 24 in recognition of similar medical advancements at the time that boosted premature babies' survival rates.

The doctors also argued that the UK was out of step with the rest of Europe, with the average abortion limit across the continent just 12 weeks, such as in Germany, Italy and Ireland.

Therefore, their proposed 22 week limit only represented a 'moderate change', they said.

However, while many European nations have stricter abortion time limits many countries also allow abortions on demand, meaning a woman doesn't need a reason to request a termination.

In contrast, abortions in the UK are only permitted under health and economic grounds, such as being unable to afford to care for a child.

Similar to the UK, abortions limits in Europe can be waived in certain circumstances like if continuing the pregnancy would endanger the life of the woman.

Writing in a separate opinion piece, Ms Ansell cited a poll which found 60 per cent of Brits, and 70 per cent of women specifically, supported reducing abortion limits to just 20 weeks, two less than her proposed amendment.

Ms Ansell added the current limit of 24 weeks was leading to a situation where premature babies born around this time were being treated while abortions on similar-aged foetuses were being carried out.

She added how, in her opinion, foetuses at this stage of their development were essentially people.

'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.'

One amendment, tabled by Conservative MP Caroline Ansell, seeks to lower the abortion time limit from the current 24 weeks to 22

Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson (pictured) will bring an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill to exempt women from prosecution if they have an abortion outside the limits

Access to abortion varies around the world with some countries allowing full access though gestational limits still apply. Others only allow abortions on medical grounds or forbid it entirely. The UK is considered a European outlier, only allowing abortions on both health as and economic grounds whereas most of its neighbours are more flexible. Abortion access in the US has undergone a radical shift recently and now varies greatly on a state-by-state level

Such abortions account for a tiny fraction of the total carried out that year, about 0.35 per cent of the 214,256 terminations carried out in 2021.

While medical advancements mean premature babies, those born before being fully developed at 37 weeks, have much greater odd of surviving, this is by no means certain.

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Pregnancy and baby loss charity Tommy's estimate babies born at less than 22 weeks have almost zero chance of survival.

This rises to 10 per cent at 22 weeks, 60 per cent at 24 weeks, 89 per cent at 27 weeks and 95 per cent at 31 weeks.

Medical advances mean babies born at 34 weeks and above have essentially no difference in survival compared to those born at full term.

Current rules mean pregnant women can legally request an abortion in the UK until 24 weeks pregnant, but it is up to medics if it is granted.

Under the 1967 Abortion Act terminations are granted on grounds of physical or mental health as well as for financial reasons, such as being unable to afford to care for a child.

There is no access to abortion on demand in the UK. A woman cannot terminate a pregnancy without cause, she must have reason.

Abortions can still legally be carried out after the 24-week limit but only under very strict circumstances.

These include the mother's life being at risk from the pregnancy or if the child would be born with a severe disability.

Before 10 weeks abortions can be carried at home using medication, after this period the procedure needs to be conducted in a specialised clinic.

At these clinics, most abortion services perform an ultrasound scan to work out how many weeks pregnant an expectant mother is.

The length of pregnancy is calculated from the first day of a woman's last period.
Hospitals are treating the elderly 'like animals', according to a shock investigation.

Patients in their 80s and 90s have allegedly been left without pain relief, unable to wash and stuck in soiled sheets on overwhelmed NHS wards.

In one of the most harrowing examples, a 96-year-old man admitted to the hospital with a UTI was allegedly left delirious in his hospital bed  before choking on vomit after being sedated without his family's permission.

Meanwhile, a 99-year-old woman was left traumatised after being abandoned in a bed next to the body of a dead woman.

One doctor told The Independent, which carried out the probe, that 'undignified' treatment was 'symptomatic of a health service stretched to its limits'.

In one case, Thomas Giles (pictured), 96, was allegedly left 'exposed to all passers-by, ill, semi-naked, distressed, delirious and neglected in care' during his two-month stay at Whiston Hospital in Lancashire. According to his daughter, Dr Alison Giles, he initially spent eight hours in a hospital corridor before being moved to the ward for frail elderly people. He was suffering 'delirium' due to a UTI

In another case, 99-year-old Kathleen Hoddell (pictured) attended A&E at Queens Hospital Burton in Derbyshire in early 2022 for fractures in her spine, weeks after she was allegedly sent home with just two paracetamols. The following morning, her daughter Sally Ann Newstead, claimed she found her mother without any pain medication, no staff on the ward and forced to sit next to a dead woman

Experts fear the situation is only going to get worse, with rising numbers of patients suffering long delays or forced to sit on trolleys in hospital corridors as they wait for a bed.

The government was warned three times last year by coroners of the risk to elderly patients in hospital, The Independent reported.

In one Prevention of Future Deaths report, a coroner said there was an urgent need for more doctors to specialise in elderly care.

Another warned delayed discharges  so-called 'bed blockers, when patients are declared fit by doctors but not discharged  were putting the elderly at greater risk.

The newspaper also found over half of the 1.5million patients who were left waiting more than 12 hours to be seen in A&E last year in England were aged 70 and over.

Dr John Dean, clinical vice-president at the Royal College of Physicians, said the situation was 'heartbreaking'.

He added: 'Cases such as these are unacceptable and are sadly symptomatic of a health service stretched to its limits.'

Meanwhile, Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said the care of older people was 'undignified'.

Dr Vicky Price, president-elect of the Society for Acute Medicine, added: 'Older patients are increasingly receiving care well below the standards they should expect and that staff wish to provide but cannot due to the intense pressures.

'This includes being subject to long waits in waiting rooms and degrading corridor care which is regrettably becoming widespread and increases the likelihood of adverse outcomes for this patient group.'

In one case, Thomas Giles, 96, was allegedly left 'exposed to all passers-by, ill, semi-naked, distressed, delirious and neglected in care' during his two-month stay at Whiston Hospital in Lancashire.

According to his daughter, Dr Alison Giles, he initially spent eight hours in a hospital corridor before being moved to the ward for frail elderly people. He was suffering 'delirium' due to a UTI.

Over the course of a week, she also claimed he was sedated without his family's permission, which saw him choking on his own vomit, and was left with a wound dressing that was 'sopping wet and coming off because it is so saturated'.

She also claimed Mr Giles has told her 'some of the staff here are cruel' and 'I have never felt so hopeless'. She said he was 'treated like an animal'.

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust said: 'Where patients don't feel our care has been good enough we encourage them to come forward and raise those concerns directly with the trust.

'We have been in ongoing contact with Mr Giles and his family and will respond in full to them around the concerns they have raised.'

In another case, 99-year-old Kathleen Hoddell attended A&E at Queens Hospital Burton in Derbyshire in early 2022 for fractures in her spine, weeks after she was allegedly sent home with just two paracetamols.

Martin Wild was admitted to Salford Royal Hospital last year after developing a spinal infection following a private operation. The 73-year-old was denied pain relief because of staff shortages and even left lying in his own urine during his horrifying eight-month stay in hospital, he claimed. Other patients nearby were also shouting and screaming for help

At one point Mr Wild, who also has Parkinson's, told his wife: 'If I am going to die in this hospital, let it be soon.' A doctor who assessed Mr Wild described him as being 'the most neglected patient I have ever seen'

In one grim incident, he also knocked one of the three full bottles of urine which were stood on his table, onto his bed after shaking so much in pain. Mr Wild claimed he was left lying in urine-soaked sheets for hours before they were eventually changed

The following morning, her daughter Sally Ann Newstead, claimed she found her mother without any pain medication, no staff on the ward and forced to sit next to a dead woman.

She added: 'There were no curtains. She [the dead woman] was just there. My mother had been sitting out in a chair and she was just beside herself. She was just shaking, freezing cold, she had nothing on her feet.'

Just days later, Ms Newstead also allegedly received a call from her mother from the ward, saying: 'You have to get me out of here' and 'I'd be better off at the vet'.

Garry Marsh, executive chief nurse for Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust which runs the hospital, said: 'We would like to again apologise that in this case, we did not meet the standards we strive for.'

He said the trust had taken the family's feedback seriously and had since changed its processes to plan staffing levels based on the particular needs of patients on the wards.

Experts have long warned the situation is only going to get worse, with the ailing NHS stuck in an 'eternal winter' amid staffing shortages and unprecedented demand.

Fresh data released in February also exposed the 'dire' state of the NHS, with more than 40 per cent of patients who attended A&E last year in England waiting at least four hours to be seen.

This is the equivalent of around 900,000 every month, marking a five-fold rise in the space of a decade.

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At the time, Dr Boyle told MailOnline: 'This data sets out clearly and starkly how bad things have got over the last decade for patients attending A&Es, and for those who work in them.

'Far too many people are having to stay too long.

'Long stays are not just inconvenient or tedious, they are harmful, especially for older people.'

Last week, a pensioner who was left in excruciating pain also told how he had to dial 999 from his own hospital bed for help.

Martin Wild was admitted to Salford Royal Hospital last year after developing a spinal infection following a private operation.

The 73-year-old was denied pain relief because of staff shortages and even left lying in his own urine during his horrifying eight-month stay in hospital, he claimed. Other patients nearby were also shouting and screaming for help.

At one point Mr Wild, who also has Parkinson's, told his wife: 'If I am going to die in this hospital, let it be soon.'

A doctor who assessed Mr Wild described him as being 'the most neglected patient I have ever seen'.

An investigation by the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, found his care caused him 'serious harm' and apologised for its failings.
Formosa Plastic Corp.s complex on Lavaca Bay in Point Comfort. A draft permit issued Feb. 23 by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality authorizes the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority to divert up to 31 billion gallons per year from the Lavaca River. It would go into a reservoir proposed on property Formosa Plastics owns, about two miles east of its massive Point Comfort chemical complex, where the company has quietly pursued permits to expand in recent years since its Louisiana megaproject has been stalled by legal complaints. Dylan Baddour/Inside Climate News Diane Wilson checks out the waters of Cox Creek in Point Comfort across the bay from Port Lavaca, Texas, in June 2017. The creek is by the Formosa Plastics Plant. Wilson and other local activists say that the plant has illegally dumped plastic pellets and sand into Lavaca Bay for over 15 years. They have found the pellets embedded in the mud and floating on the waters of the creek. JERRY LARA / San Antonio Express-News

Texas regulators last month approved water rights for a new, 2,500-acre reservoir to meet the growing needs of chemical plants, refineries and other industries on the Gulf Coast.

A draft permit issued Feb. 23 by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality authorizes the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority (LNRA) to divert up to 31 billion gallons per year from the Lavaca River. It would go into a reservoir proposed on property Formosa Plastics owns, about two miles east of its massive Point Comfort chemical complex, where the company has quietly pursued permits to expand in recent years since its Louisiana megaproject has been stalled by legal complaints.

The draft will undergo a 30-day period of public comment before being adopted.

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Its the first time in 50 years the small river authority has sought additional water rights, according to Patrick Brzozowski, its general manager.

There is interest in our area to develop industrial plants, he said. Thats where the demand is going to come from.

The 20-year-old fracking boom in Texas continues to fuel a downstream buildout on the coast, where pipelines deliver oil and gas to enormous facilities that refine it into chemical products or prepare it for export by sea.

Around Lavaca Bay, this mostly rural middle section of the Texas Gulf Coast still lacks the great conglomerations of chemical manufacturers that ring the water at Houston and Port Arthur to the north and Corpus Christi to the south. Here, a single actor reigns supreme: Formosa Plastics, a $460 billion Taiwanese company. Its 2,500-acre complex on Lavaca Bay turns Texas shale gas into the materials for common single-use plastics.

The company has incurred hefty fines and complaints for years over unpermitted discharges into air and water. It currently faces steep opposition over its proposed new chemical complex in Louisiana, which has mired the project in challenges over environmental justice, climate impacts and wetlands destruction.

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Now, its prospects for expansion in Texas trouble environmental advocates.

Formosa got such hell from people in Louisiana stopping them that they keep it very quiet when they are trying to expand, said Diane Wilson, a retired Gulf Coast fisher who won a $50 million settlement in 2019 from Formosa over its routine dumping of plastics into Lavaca Bay over decades. They want water for expansion.

Formosa declined to answer questions about expansion plans or the proposed reservoir.

Since the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority (LNRA) applied for the water permit, we feel you should contact LNRA, a Formosa spokesperson wrote in an email.

Industrial water demand

According to Brzozowski, two customers account for 98% of water demand in the Lavaca-Navidad basin, the smallest major river basin in Texas.

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One is the City of Corpus Christi, 100 miles to the southwest, where a single new plastics plant owned by Exxon Mobil and the Saudi Basic Industries Corp. accounts for up to 25% of regional water demand (and where a 2018 city ordinance exempts industrial water users from restrictions during drought).

The other is Formosa Plastics. The two customers consume roughly equal amounts, according to the regions latest water plan.

The LNRA currently supplies about 28 billion gallons of water each year from its only reservoir, Lake Texana on the Navidad River, with none left to spare. Its pending water rights permits would add to its portfolio an additional 31 billion gallons per year from the neighboring Lavaca River, to be stored at the 16 billion-gallon reservoir (medium-sized by Texas standards) planned on Formosa property in Jackson County.

Formosa would get first rights to a portion of the water, Brzozowski said, but the details havent been negotiated.

Expansion plans

For Formosa, the opportunity for growth in Texas comes after legal challenges have stalled its plans for a new, $9.4 billion chemical complex in St. James Parish, La. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revoked that projects permit to build on wetlands in 2020, and in 2022 a state judge struck down its air pollution permits, citing concerns over environmental justice and climate.

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Seventeen days later, Formosa applied with Texas regulators for permits to build a new hexene plant at Point Comfort and expand its adjacent polyethylene plant. The two projects together were approved in September 2023 to emit about 170 tons of regulated pollutants per year.

The company has also applied for amendments to nine of its air permits to authorize four new ground flares  large facilities used for burning off unwanted chemicals  and to sharply increase emissions limits at its existing flares.

Formosa has not explained why it is seeking to increase flaring limits, said official comments filed with the TCEQ by the Environmental Integrity Project in February 2023.

They could definitely be laying the groundwork for expansion, said Colin Cox, the attorney who wrote the comments.

According to a report this month by the business intelligence website Offshore Technology, upcoming projects at Formosa Point Comfort include expansions at its caustic soda plant, chlorine plant, propylene plant #2, PVC plant and its vinyl chloride monomer plant.

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That follows 40 years of steady growth for Formosa at Point Comfort. According to the companys website, it began operations at the 2,500-acre complex in 1983, then underwent major expansions in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2012. In 2016 it applied to add a new polyethylene plant, then in 2020 retroactively doubled the plants authorized emissions of volatile organic compounds after it was built.

Formosas first contract with the Lavaca Navidad River Authority, in 1980, secured 1.6 billion gallons of water per year. Today Formosa holds contracts for 13.4 billion gallons of water per year.

A notorious polluter

The facility also has a history of illegal pollution. Wilson, the fisher, sued Formosa over its large-scale dumping of plastic chemicals into Lavaca Bay. In 2019, she won the largest settlement ever awarded in a case brought by a citizen under the Clean Water Act, $50 million.

In the settlement, Formosa agreed not to dump any more plastic into the bay. However, it has reported 584 violations of that agreement to the TCEQ, most recently on Feb. 26, incurring $15.5 million in additional penalties.

Formosa also regularly reports violations of its air pollution permits, most recently on Jan. 22, when an emergency shutdown caused the release of 27 chemicals, including benzene (a known human carcinogen) at 33 times Formosas permitted rate, butadiene (a probable human carcinogen and a known neurotoxin) at 70 times the permitted rate and gaseous ethylene (which can be used as a commercial pesticide) at 758 times the permitted rate, according to the companys report to TCEQ.

On Jan. 17, freezing weather prompted Formosa to release almost 250 tons of air pollution, including gaseous ethylene at 500 times its permitted rate.

They are still polluting, and now they are trying to expand, Wilson said.

The draft water rights permit will undergo a period of public comment in which affected citizens may request a hearing before an administrative law judge. If that happens, it could be several years before the project breaks ground, said Brzozowski, the river authority manager.
Frantically looking our symptoms up online and self-diagnosing is something many of us are guilty of. But can we really trust Dr Google?

Just today, a reassuring study ruled we can.

In fact, researchers found women with ovarian cancer looked up tell-tale symptoms of the disease, such as weight loss and bloating, up to a year before being referred to a specialist.

Imperial College London scientists said their findings, based on Google histories of more than 200 women, had 'enormous potential' in early disease detection.

Other studies have also supported the use of Dr Google. A Harvard Medical School study of 5,000 adults in 2021, for example, suggested investigating your symptoms online can result in a correct diagnosis, contrary to popular belief.

A study by Imperial College London found looking up you symptoms online, could actually help you spot deadly cancer up to a year earlier

Googling symptoms might be doing noting but sending patients down a spiraling void of anxiety or making them dismiss something that should be seen to by a professional

Importantly, they found that doing so doesn't make you more anxious, despite what many doctors believe.

One of the researchers at the time even said: 'Our work suggests it is likely OK to tell our patients to "Google it". This starts to form the evidence base that there's not a lot of harm in that, and, in fact, there may be some good.'

Yet the reality is not as clear-cut as that and online searches should never become a 'substitute' for a real doctor, experts say.

Regardless of what studies may show, they argue that Googling symptoms may send patients into a spiraling void of anxiety, or make them dismiss something that should be seen to by a professional.

For instance, one innocent Google search to find the cause of your headache could cause you to unnecessarily worry you have cancer.

Testing that cyberchondria theory, MailOnline entered the term 'toe pain cancer' into Google. Dozens of results linked the everyday pain to serious illness

Testing that cyberchondria theory, MailOnline entered the term 'toe pain cancer' into Google.

Dozens of results linked the everyday pain to serious illness.

The vast majority of the results appeared to be rare cases of cancer in another part of the body having spread to the bones, typically the toes.

While toe pain can, in theory, be a sign of cancer, the NHS says such pain is likely to be caused by exercising too much or tight-fitting shoes.

Other far likelier causes of toe pain, say doctors, include ingrown toenails, bunions, chilblains as well a broken toe or gout.

On the other hand, online search results for 'unintentional weight loss'  considered a classic potential cancer symptom  scarcely made any mention of the disease.

Online search results for 'unintentional weight loss'  considered a classic potential cancer symptom  scarcely made any mention of the disease. Instead, MailOnline found Google's algorithm directed people to several resources about seeking support for eating disorders

Instead, MailOnline found Google's algorithm directed people to several resources about seeking support for eating disorders.

Unintentional weight loss was only directly mentioned as a potential symptom after almost a dozen results.

The NHS warns unintentional weight loss, the shedding of pounds without a reason like stress or exercise, is a potential sign of cancer.

It advises people to speak to their GP to help them determine the cause if they have noticed they've lost weight unexpectedly over the last few months.

Cancer is just one of the potential medical causes of unintentional weight loss.

Others include digestive issues like coeliac disease or irritable bowel syndrome, as well as other serious health problems like an overactive thyroid, type 2 diabetes or heart failure. All are health issues a patient can could need help and treatment for.

Similarly, some symptom checkers have been found to only be right in just a third of cases.

That's according to researchers at Edith Cowan University in Australia, who studied 36 online tools.

Online checkers gave the correct diagnosis as the first result just 36 per cent of the time.

Although many websites, including the NHS, provide accurate information, there are many people should be cautious of. As such, experts insist Dr Google should not be treated as gospel.

Thorrun Govind, former chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in England, told MailOnline: 'I recognise, because there is time required to access healthcare professionals, people may prefer to go online and try Dr Google.

'I think the problem is what they put into that search engine to find out what they're looking for.

'It also depends on what they get out of that search engine. Sometimes they may find something quite distressing, which they may need explaining to them.'

'Dr Google is not a substitute for a healthcare professional who can consider the individual in front of them and consider who they are, their risks and benefits of treatment and provide much more detailed advice.

'Advice that people find online is probably going to be more generic if they use Dr Google.'

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said: 'While there are benefits in checking symptoms on verified and trusted websites such as the NHS website, unfortunately there are many unverified websites providing information on the internet and so people will need to be very cautious.'

She has come across cases where patients have trusted information online to self-diagnose and self-treat, but this had 'serious consequences'.

'Our advice is to always check with a healthcare professional if you have symptoms,' she said.

Pharmacies can also provide information and advice on medicines, minor conditions and treatments. They can also signpost to a relevant healthcare provider where needed.
I have no hesitation in stating my deeply held - and I'm afraid rather bleak - belief that cancer care in this country is in a state of monumental crisis, writes Dr Karol Sikora. I do not write this lightly, and I appreciate this may come as a shock to some of you who - understandably - cling onto the notion that, however grave the well-documented crisis in our health service may be, an exception will be made for the provision of cancer care. This notion is underpinned by the glossy press releases put out by NHS England on an almost weekly basis that trumpet new developments in this arena, all underlining the sense that patients are prioritised and fast-tracked. Only two weeks ago it announced the rollout of a new form of immunotherapy for advanced endometrial cancer, which could offer women in advanced stages of the disease significant extra time before it progresses compared with standard chemotherapy alone. I also particularly recall an April 2021 announcement in which NHS England stated it was 'mandating' faster diagnosis by March 2024, meaning that at least 75 per cent of patients would either receive a cancer diagnosis or have it ruled out within four weeks of an urgent GP referral.
Hospitals, doctors and pharmacies are losing up to $1billion per day following a cyber attack on one of America's largest health insurers.

Last month, the cyber gang BlackCat hacked Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of United Healthcare, which processes a reported 15 billion medical and pharmaceutical claims totaling more than $1.5 trillion a year.

It primarily affected the company's mail order pharmacy service Optum and disrupted its computer networks. With networks down, insurance payments for prescription drugs could not be processed, leaving many hospitals and doctors responsible for the bills upfront, with hopes they will eventually get reimbursed.

And because pharmacies cannot process the payments, desperate Americans have been forced to hand over potentially thousands of dollars for medications that would normally be covered by insurance and cost far less or ration their current supply.

Olivia Coltrane, a native of the Seattle area, said her regular prescription of generic Vyvance to treat her ADHD normally costs about $3, but she had to pay $92 for her most recently, a mark up of nearly 3,000 percent.

Ms Coltrane has previously detailed to DailyMail.com that she needed to contact her doctor and pharmacy four times before she was able to get the medication - and even she did, she only received a two week supply.

Afraid she is going to run out and not be able to refill it, she told DailyMail.com: 'All I can do is hope that they'll have it in stock.'

The number of cyberattacks on healthcare providers has more than doubled since 2016 - with 91 per year in 2021 compared to 43 five years ago

Roughly half of America's health systems rely on Change Healthcare, and experts estimate the hack is making a huge dent finances.

Max Reale, an analyst at the investment bank Compass Point, said providers could be losing between $500million and $1billion in daily revenue.

Additionally, Chip Kahn, CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals, told Axios: 'I know some systems that bill $40 or $50 million a day. They're up to about $800 million so far.'

Meanwhile in Arizona, Margaret Brown, 50, struggled for weeks to secure her sons insulin for his type 1 diabetes.

She called in a refill at the end of February, and was told by a pharmacist that a recent breach had disrupted their ability to fill scripts and bill insurance.

She called in a refill at the end of February, and was told by a pharmacist that a recent breach had disrupted their ability to fill scripts and bill insurance.

Typically, Ms Brown spends zero dollars for a months worth of insulin, but she would have had to pay $400 this time.

She told DailyMail.com that, because he still had a bit of insulin left, she waited a bit to call the pharmacy back to see if her claim had been processed.

She said: 'I went to the pharmacy and asked them again. And they never called me or anything. I just happened to go there and they said it was ready and that it went through.

So he didn't go without but if he was gonna go without, I would have had to pay the $400.

The hack on February 21 forced Change Healthcare to disconnect all of its systems to mitigate the risk of an even greater attack.

But that move led to the suspension of more than 100 services.

Under normal conditions, hospitals and doctors submit claims to insurance to cover some or all of their patients' care.

But with the system in its current state, they can't do that, which hurts their bottom line and, ultimately, the quality of care they can deliver.

The impact of the hack by the group is so severe the federal government announced on Saturday it will distribute emergency funds to providers to alleviate financial issues they may be facing.

Change Healthcare also launched a temporary funding program for providers struggling with cashflow after the cyberattack.

It requires the funds to be repaid and gave no indication of when the normal billing process would resume.

Optum financial services, through which the program is offered, said: 'We have been able to estimate your average weekly payments, which will be the basis for the support.

'Our plan is to take this week by week with people re-upping for funding each week as needs persist.'

UnitedHealth Group, for its part, has not offered a prospective date by which the issues will be resolved.
READ MORE: How your pet CAT is a major harborer of deadly diseases

It is America's first fatal case of the plague since 2020, the CDC estimates

A man in New Mexico became the first American in years to die from the plague last week, health officials announced.

The unnamed patient was from Lincoln County, just south of Albuquerque, but no other details have been released about him - including his age or health status.

The New Mexico Department of Health said it was carrying out track and trace methods to see if anyone else had been infected.

He is the first person in America to die from the plague - a disease that wiped out half of Europe's population in the 14th century - since 2020.

A New Mexico man has become the first to die of the plague in the US this year after contracting Yesinia Pestis bacteria (pictured, in red file)

The majority of plague cases in the US since 1970 have taken place in the Four Corners area, which includes New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, and Colorado

It's unclear how the man caught the disease, though it is typically spread to humans through bites from fleas or rodents, as well as exposure to other dead animals.

The case comes one month after an unidentified resident in Oregon was sickened by the plague, which officials believe they contracted from their cat.

Once a great killer, the bubonic plague now infects fewer than 10 Americans a year, according to the CDC. However, the disease has come extremely rare thanks to improved hygiene and innovations of modern medicine like antibiotics.

Most occur in the Four Corners area of the US - New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona - because the area has a high concentration of rodents due to its favorable climate, experts say.

In bubonic plague, the most common type, the infection spreads to immune glands called lymph nodes, causing them to become swollen and painful. These may progress to open sores.

Symptoms usually develop within two to eight days and include fever, headache, chills, and weakness.

The CDC estimates that 80 percent of plague cases in the US have been bubonic.

If the infection is not treated properly with antibiotics, it can spread to other areas of the body.

The CDC estimates that seven cases of the plague are reported every year in the US

It's unclear how the man in New Mexico contracted plague. In Oregon, a patient came down with the disease from his cat. Cats, both feral and domestic, can carry numerous diseases - some of which can be passed on to humans

Pneumonic plague, for example, occurs when the disease spreads to the lungs.

Symptoms occur in just one to three days and involve rapidly developing pneumonia, characterized by shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and bloody or watery mucous.

Over time, this can lead to respiratory failure.

And septicemic plague is when infection spreads to the blood.

Patients typically develop fever, chills, extreme weakness, abdominal pain, shock and bleeding into the skin and other organs. Septicemic plague is almost always fatal.

In the 1300s, bubonic plague spread rapidly across Europe, wiping out 30 to 50 percent of its population in just seven years.

However, it is extremely rare today. There are about seven human plague cases reported each year, according to the CDC.

WHAT ARE THE THREE TYPES OF PLAGUE? There are two main forms of plague infection both caused by the same bacteria  Yesinia pestis. Bubonic plague is the most common form of plague and is spread by the bite of an infected flea. The infection spreads to immune glands called lymph nodes, causing them to become swollen and painful and may progress to open sores. Human-to-human transmission of bubonic plague is rare and it's usually caught from animals. If plague infects the lungs  either by the bubonic form progression through the body or by catching the infection from an infected patient or animal's breath  it is called pneumonic plague. Pneumonic plague is significantly more deadly and can take hold in as little as 24 hours. Human-to-human spread this way is easy and, if the condition's not diagnosed and treated quickly, it is often fatal. Symptoms of both forms of infection include pain the limbs and head, fever, vomiting and weakness. Pneumonic plague also causes coughing and coughing up blood. Septicaemic plague occurs when the infection spreads to the blood. This is much rarer and can cause the blood to clot around the body  it's almost always fatal. Source: World Health Organization Advertisement

Though it can occur at any age, the CDC says that 50 percent of cases are in people ages 12 to 45.

Additionally, the risk is slightly higher in men, which the agency says could be due to men engaging in more outdoor activities.

Dr Robert Bollinger, an infectious disease professor at Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health, told USA TODAY: 'It's not unusual to have an isolated case of bubonic plague.'

'It's serious when it happens, but it's treatable if you catch it early enough.'

Dr Bollinger estimated that 80 percent of plague cases occur in the Four Corners of the US - New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona - because the area has a high concentration of rodents.

The New Mexico Department of Health estiamtes that 50 percent of the cases come from that state alone.

Plague was last reported in New Mexico in 2021.

In 2020, four cases - one fatal - were reported in three New Mexico counties: Santa Fe, Torrance and Rio Arriba.

And in 2017, two women and one man contracted the disease. All of them survived.

According to the New Mexico Department of Health, the rock squirrel flea - Oropsylla montana - most commonly harbors the plague in the state.

'Plague occurs in a cyclical nature for reasons not completely understood, but probably related to favorable weather (above average rainfall and moderate temperatures) which leads to increased food abundance for rodents, thus supporting higher rodent populations and an increased risk for disease,' the agency states.

Fleas are also better able to survive in these conditions.

In the Oregon case last month, Dr Richard Fawcett, a health officer for Deschutes County - where the patient resided - said the person's cat was very sick and displaying symptoms.

The animal had an oozing abscess and the owner's infection likely started in a lymph node but had quickly progressed to infect the bloodstream. The patient was given antibiotics and has 'responded well' to treatment.

It was the first case of bubonic plague in Oregon since a 16-year-old contracted the disease in 2015.

The teenager fell ill after being bitten by an infected flea during a hunting trip near Heppner, Morrow County.

There had been eight cases in the state in the previous 20 years, with none leading to deaths.

In 2012, an Oregon man lost his fingers and toes to the plague. He also contracted the disease from his cat after trying to remove a mouse from his cat's throat.

To prevent plague, the CDC recommends reducing the risk of rodents settling into your home or workplace. Additionally, wear gloves if handling or skinning potentially infected animals, use repellant if you think you have been exposed to fleas, and keep fleas off of your pets.

Dr Erin Phipps, New Mexico Public State Public Health Veterinarian, said: 'We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of the Lincoln County man who succumbed to plague.'
Iowa Republicans have advanced a bill that would criminalize the death of an unborn person  including an embryo  in what critics are arguing marks an escalation in attacks on IVF.

The new legislation, which still needs to pass the state Senate and be signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds to become law, would impose a life sentence in prison on anyone found to have caused the death of an unborn person'.

The bill will likely reach Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds desk for signage. This is a prospect that has fellow lawmakers and activists on the ground bracing for a chaotic fallout that could include shuttered IVF clinics due to fear of prosecution, similar to what occurred in Alabama last month.

Iowa lawmakers did not say they intended to interfere in the IVF process, and the bill doesn't mention IVF at all. But it also doesnt provide protections for IVF, and a motion to do so was withdrawn from the proceedings.

Iowa Democrat Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell warned that the bill puts IVF at risk whether you want to believe it or not.

The Iowa state house advanced a 'fetal homicide' bill that would make destroying an 'unborn person', including an embryo, a felony. In Iowa, personhood begins at the moment at which the egg is fertilized

Iowas bill specifically amended language referring to termination from human pregnancy to the death of an unborn person.

In Iowa, an embryo is considered an unborn person. In addition to Alabama, nine states  South Dakota, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, and Texas  define life as beginning at fertilization, and, if Iowa and Alabama are true bellwethers, any of those states could be next to limit IVF in some way.

The current language of the Iowa bill states: A person who causes the death of an unborn person without the consent of the pregnant person is guilty of a class A felony.

It also says: A person who unintentionally causes the death of an unborn person is guilty of a class B felony with a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.

Rep Wessel-Kroeschell said the bill could create the same chaos for IVF services in Iowa as what happened in Alabama last month - after the state Supreme Court ruled that embryos had the same legal protections as fully formed people.

Republican Rep Skyler Wheeler, who co-authored the bill, said it was only meant to increase the penalties for killing a mother and her unborn baby, adding that his fellow legislators are trying to turn this into another discussion.

He dismissed comparisons to the Alabama ruling, saying: This bill should have taken two minutes. Sometimes you hear things, and you see things, and you justyou cant wrap your head around the madness.

Meanwhile, Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, the Democratic minority leader in the Iowa state House called it an Alabama-style bill. She told NBC News: Iowa Republicans will stop at nothing to ban abortion, even if it means criminalizing people undergoing IVF treatments.

Gabby Goidel [shown right next to husband] was days away from an egg retrieval when the Alabama ruling came down. Nervous about what that would mean for her chances to have a baby, she and her husband packed up and went to Texas for IVF treatment

Amanda Zurawski, 36 of Texas [pictured right with her husband] has chosen to move her frozen embryos out of the state for fear that her state could follow Alabama s lead and block her from starting a family on her terms

The Alabama ruling sent shockwaves across the state's fertility clinics.

The ruling itself stated that embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) should be considered children and that destroying unused embryos would violate the 1872 Wrongful Death of a Minor Act.

During the normal IVF process, a doctor harvests anywhere from eight to 15 eggs from a womans ovaries and manually combines them with sperm in a lab for fertilization.

Not all embryos develop, though. Embryos can have chromosomal abnormalities or genetic mutations that prevent them from developing normally.

Some embryos may also have the necessary genetic makeup to develop into healthy fetuses, while others may not. Embryos that are not implanted in a uterus are typically frozen or destroyed.

But suddenly fearful of prosecution, IVF clinics in Alabama temporarily halted services and told anxious would-be mothers to sit tight.

One of those patients was Alabama native Gabby Goidel, who was just days away from her egg retrieval when the state courts ruling came down. She and her husband feverishly called other providers in the state but could not find another provider. Eventually, they packed their bags and headed to Texas.

Ms Goidel, who has an unexplained genetic fertility problem, said: Most of our embryos are not going to be genetically normal.

My hope would be that we could let those embryos naturally pass, but now its, Do we have to save them? I dont necessarily want to implant a child that I know is going to miscarry.

According to Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, an influential organization dedicated to electing Democrats to state legislatures, Iowas bill following the Alabama courts decision is symptomatic of major efforts to undermine womens bodily autonomy.

Ms Williams said: In a country full of Republican legislators trying to outdo each other in rolling back fundamental freedoms, this Iowa bill shows that what happened in Alabama last month doesnt just stay in one state.

Protections for IVF and other reproductive freedoms should be the law of the land. Once again, Republicans arent slowing down with their attacks on women and reproductive rights.

At the same time, Amanda Zurawski, 36, of Texas, has chosen to move her frozen embryos out of the state for fear lawmakers could follow Alabamas lead and block her from starting a family on her terms.

She said the process of IVF is anxiety-inducing enough on its own, but the ruling and subsequent closure of some clinics in Alabama have added another layer of fear and anxiety.'
A second measles case has been confirmed in a migrant shelter in Chicago, marking the first cases in the state in the last five years and highlighting the public health risk overcrowded migrant housing poses.

The Chicago Department of Public Health confirmed the second case on Sunday and said the patient is hospitalized but stable.

As millions of migrants have come to America under President Joe Biden's immigration policies, experts have warned that over crowded shelters and low vaccination rates in other countries could leave the US vulnerable to outbreaks.

They've said asylum seekers could be bringing infectious illnesses across the southern border and 'open border' policies are leading to drug-resistant diseases.

And city leaders have said migrants are arriving to their areas in 'disturbing' and 'very very unhealthy' conditions.

Migrants themselves have said illnesses are rampant in shelters because of overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.

Chicago's newest outbreak adds to the growing list across the country, which has seen clusters of tuberculosis, chicken pox and an unidentified illness that killed a five-year-old boy in December.

Dozens of migrant families are seen arriving from Texas at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York in September 2023

A bus, carrying migrants from Texas, arrives at Port Authority bus station in New York, United States on May 03, 2023

Texas has bused more than 105,000 migrants to sanctuary cities since 2022, according to the governor's office

In April 2023, New York City's Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan urged officials and doctors to take extra care when treating or screening migrants in order to prevent a public health crisis - noting that many do not have routine vaccinations.

In fact, he said 50 percent of migrants going to New York City did not have their polio vaccine.

Dr Marc Siegel, medical director at New York University, wrote for USA Today: 'Migrants could be bringing infectious disease across our southern border. When they are bused to New York and elsewhere, these diseases go with them.'

And Dr James Hodges, an internist practicing at the Texas border, told the publication, the 'open border' is leading to more drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in the United States.

The CDC requires all immigrants and refugees to undergo a medical screening before entering the US that includes a brief physical exam, a mental health evaluation, review of vaccination records, testing to STIs and a tuberculosis screening.

Immigration applicants with communicable diseases are not permitted into the US, but not all go through the proper channels, meaning migrants who are sick may slip through the cracks and bring illness in with them.

Over the last 18 months, Chicago has taken in more than 36,600 migrants - with a majority coming from Venezuela, which has recently battled measles outbreaks and has a low vaccination rate.

And Chicago's migrant housing center has been involved in several previous outbreaks, including one that left a five-year-old dead.

In December 2023, the boy was a resident at a shelter meant to house 1,000 people but was holding about 2,400 at the time.

Witnesses at the shelter said the boy had a temperature greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and was convulsing and bleeding from the mouth and nose. Officials said he died later at the hospital, but witnesses report he passed away at the shelter.

In the same week, six other residents were hospitalized with unspecified illnesses.

Residents of the shelter told the Chicago Sun Times that illnesses spread in the housing because of overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.

Dr Thomas Moore, an infectious disease expert, told DailyMail.com: 'If you want to create a public health crisis, put people in over-crowded spaces.'

He told this website that overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and limited accessibility to vaccines in migrants' native countries can all cause and exacerbate outbreaks in shelters.

The Associated Press reported, citing people living at the overcrowded facility, that there was faulty heat, water leaks, expired food and over crowded conditions.

New York sees a surge in tuberculosis cases amid migrant influx and Covid fatigue New York City is recording a 'dramatic' rise in tuberculosis cases, reports suggest  fueling fears the disease could resurge in the US. Advertisement

At the time, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson blamed border cities for outbreaks and said migrants were arriving to Chicago in conditions that 'are quite disturbing.'

He told reporters: 'People are showing up in very extreme circumstances. Very very unhealthy.

'They're just dropping off people anywhere. Do you understand how raggedy and how evil that is?'

New York City, which has seen more than 157,600 migrants arrive since Spring 2022, battled a tuberculosis outbreak that some healthcare experts partly attributed to the influx.

In Dr Vasan's 2023 letter, he specifically called out tuberculosis as a disease of concern.

Last fall, the five boroughs recorded a 'dramatic' rise in cases of TB, once one of the deadliest infections in the world - and a death sentence for half of those infected.

However, with the arrival of vaccines, which are up to 80 percent effective at prevention against severe disease, the fatality rate has dropped below four percent in developed countries.

In 2023, the city saw more than 500 cases of TB - an increase of 20 percent from 2022.

While some health officials said the surge was because the Covid pandemic hindered diagnosis and treatment of the TB, others speculated the rise could have been from the surge of migrants, who are at a heightened risk of infection because the disease can spread easily in the types of overcrowded, congregant settings they are housed in.

Dr Vasan wrote: 'Many people who recently arrived in NYC have lived in or traveled through countries with high rates of TB.'

In Denver, several cases of the chickenpox were reported among children in the city's migrants shelters in November. City health officials said they were treating the children and beginning to vaccinate people in the migrant population.

In his letter, Dr Vasan added that vaccinating migrants, as well as screening them for disease, should be a top priority.

Dr Moore said screening migrants would help curb illnesses, but acknowledged limited resources may make that unrealistic. He also said that vaccine campaigns could help prevent outbreaks of certain illnesses.
HRT  hormone replacement therapy  is hardly out of the news.

From falling out of favour in the early 2000s, in the past few years its rise has been unstoppable  in 2022-2023 the NHS handed out 47 per cent more HRT prescriptions than the previous year.

It's hardly a surprise, given the amount of publicity, celebrity endorsements on TV and social media, and the claims made about it. There's no doubt that HRT is a very effective treatment for the classic menopausal symptoms of hot flushes and night sweats. However, promises on social media go way beyond that.

They offer great skin, 'vitality', 'new energy', relief from anxiety, 'brain fog', muscle pain and fatigue. Instagram is full of mid-life women looking fantastic and endorsing HRT. Closer to home, presenter Davina McCall has said that being on HRT is 'going to kind of provide me with a bit more protection [from Alzheimer's] than it would if I wasn't'.

The subliminal message is that menopause is a medical problem and it needs to be treated.

In 2022-2023 the NHS handed out 47 per cent more HRT prescriptions than the previous year (Stock Image)

Now a series of articles in The Lancet, by a group of eminent researchers in women's health, has called for more nuance over the menopause and ways we treat it.

Even the name 'hormone replacement therapy' implies that women are deficient  the researchers refer to it as 'menopausal hormonal therapy'.

Significantly, they say that 'commercial companies and individuals with vested interests have over-medicalised menopause' and that 'framing of this natural period of transition as a disease of oestrogen deficiency, that can be eased only by replacing the missing hormones, fuels negative attitudes to menopause and exacerbates stigma'.

I have to agree. I remember, years ago, women rightly being annoyed when told by their doctors that every last symptom they had was down to 'their hormones', when actually they had other conditions that weren't being investigated. We seem to have come full circle.

Some women clearly do have a difficult menopause, with severe and multiple symptoms, and experience great benefit from HRT.

Presenter Davina McCall has said that being on HRT is 'going to kind of provide me with a bit more protection [from Alzheimer's] than it would if I wasn't'

But there are also women who are disappointed by it and find it doesn't live up to some of the claims made on social media.

There are also plenty of other women who don't feel the need for any treatment, or who can't take HRT (for example, women with breast cancer), wondering whether they are condemning themselves to dementia or a heart attack by not putting on the patches.

The question is how to ensure women get high-quality information that isn't biased or overpromising what HRT can deliver.

Last year, following its own inquiry, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on menopause published a manifesto. It included a call to financially incentivise GPs to diagnose menopause and to license a female-specific testosterone (currently women prescribed testosterone have it on an off-label basis as there isn't a female-specific product licensed in the UK).

But financial incentives for diagnosis can have unintended consequences, such as 'diagnostic overshadowing', where other conditions are not fairly considered.

And imagine thinking that your doctor was only considering diagnosing menopause in order to earn money from your diagnosis.

There are women who are disappointed by HRT and find it doesn't live up to some of the claims made on social media (Stock Image)

As for testosterone, the APPG said there is 'some evidence' it will treat fatigue and 'brain fog'  but an independent review in 2019 did not find proof for this. It came as no surprise to me that the APPG's inquiry and manifesto were funded by drug companies  including Astellas, Bayer and Theramex, which either make or are developing medications for use in menopause  with both researched by Dentons Global Advisors (which has numerous pharma clients).

None of this means HRT doesn't work, but it does risk women being oversold a treatment that comes with the risk of side-effects and won't do what is promised.

Menopause can end up presented as a simple problem to be solved  a menopausal woman is deficient in hormones and therefore needs them replaced  rather than a complex, nuanced picture (some women will benefit from hormones, others will not; some symptoms may be caused by menopause, others not; some women will have few symptoms, others will not).

Take the social media backlash to draft guidance on menopause issued last year, when the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggested cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help some women manage symptoms. This drew complaints that symptoms were being dismissed as 'all in the mind'.

Yet there is good evidence that many women find CBT useful: it's already used for other conditions, including chronic pain, and is about giving people helpful ways to deal with symptoms  not saying their very real symptoms are 'just' psychological.

There should be room for choice in evidence-based approaches, but the current HRT-menopause axis doesn't allow for this.

Meanwhile, it's clear menopause is driving a growing industry keen to sell products allegedly designed for fiftysomething women. Instagram is full of supplements, skin and hair care, all purporting to deliver menopausal benefits.

I've spoken to several young women who are watching the coverage with a quiet dread, afraid of their menopause to come.

Dr McCartney believes 'there should be room for choice in evidence-based approaches, but the current HRT-menopause axis doesn't allow for this' (Stock Image)

Yes, some women have a terrible time. But we owe it to women of all ages to make it plain that for some it's a liberation, free from periods and the need for contraception  and for others, symptoms are mild and it's rather a non-event.

Women are still losing out  we might have more 'awareness' of the menopause but I don't think this has come with better information.

So how do we make better choices? Seek independent information  from organisations that don't have vested interests, aren't funded by pharma and who won't make money by selling you stuff.

I also look for information where I can see the cons and pros fairly laid out  miracle cures don't exist.

Finding a way through hype and sales pitches is not for the faint-hearted, but if there ever was a need to try to find unbiased medical advice, it's here.

Dr McCartney is a GP in Glasgow and a senior lecturer at the University of St Andrews.
There has been no stronger voice on the risks of crypto-currencies than City regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

So the watchdogs decision to approve trading in instruments backed by bitcoin and ethereum represents a Herculean U-turn.

Pressure for the Square Mile to open its doors to crypto-assets has been strong. The FCA is seeking, as far as possible, to prevent retail investors from being lured into a speculative asset.

Bitcoin is regarded by some as a commodity like any other. But in contrast to gold, there is no depository with stacks of ingots nor are there climate factors determining price as there are with orange juice, coffee or chocolate beans.

Londons lust for the opportunity to deal in exchange traded notes (ETNs) based on bitcoin and ethereum is competitive.

Greenlight: The Financial Conduct Authority's decision to approve trading in instruments backed by bitcoin and ethereum represents a huge U-turn

The launch of crypto exchange traded funds (ETFs) in New York has been a roaring success sucking in some $10billion (7.8billion) since launch in January.

It has proved a speculators paradise driving the price of bitcoin up to $71,300 in latest trading.

When it reached an earlier peak of $60,000 a couple of years back I remember a leading New York investment banker warning a UK luncheon that it was not worth $6,000, $60, or $6. The real value was zero.

Anyone inclined to become involved in bitcoin or other crypto needs to remember that the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) was a reluctant convert to bitcoin ETFs and only approved trading after an unwanted court decision. There has been no such imperative in the UK.

City minister Bim Afolami is an advocate, arguing that crypto trading is essential to the modernisation of London markets.

One expects that the Amsterdam authorities were equally enthusiastic in the mid-17th century when the tulip bulb bubble was seen as part of the flowering of a golden age of Dutch capitalism.

The London Stock Exchange does not want to miss out on a trading opportunity. To satisfy critics UK funds will be prevented from using leverage and custodians will be confined to jurisdictions with anti-money laundering rules.

No one wants to see a repetition of the abuses seen as Sam Bankman-Frieds FTX or Binance where funds ended up in the hands of terror groups.

Anyone contemplating investing in London-based crypto-funds needs to be aware of enormous risks.

There is a lack of transparency about Bitcoin mining or creation. The computing power required is fantastically wasteful. Moreover, money-laundering regulations have proved as leaky as a sieve.

Steer clear.

Currys escape

Alex Baldock and the board of Currys were under no obligation to engage with Elliott Advisors.

The 757million offer for the electricals retailer was derisory. The bid barely reflected the London discount  the undervaluation of many FTSE 350 stocks.

It showed no appreciation of improved trading prospects, including the groups Care & Repair and mobile activities.

The lesson is that there is no obligation for companies to fall into the arms of predators at the first round of grapeshot.

Elliott may have opened the door for another predator with deeper pockets. Chinas JD.com is in the frame with a deadline for a formal offer six days away.

Allowing the UKs premier electronics group, with a substantial mobile phone operation, to fall under control of Beijing is unattractive from both a commercial and security view.

Electronic and electrical retailing is a struggle in the online age. Currys is making a fist of coping at home and in its Scandinavian hinterland.

There is more to come.

Game changer

Redditt sprung to fame in January 2021, in the midst of pandemic, in a social media stampede into so called meme stocks such as GameStop.

Founder Steve Huffmans no commission, online, gossipy model introduced a whole new cohort of millennial, smaller investors into the lure of easy stock market riches.

Valued at just below 8billion at its peak, the initial public offering is pitched at 5billion.

Irresistible to all those meme fans.
The City watchdog has softened its stance on cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin by opening up the London Stock Exchange to trading in crypto-linked products.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said yesterday it would not object to requests to create platforms for trading in crypto-backed Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs).

In a coordinated announcement, the London Stock Exchange said it would accept applications for the admission of crypto ETNs based on bitcoin and ethereum in the second quarter of this year.

Bitcoin, the worlds biggest cryptocurrency, rallied yesterday to a high of more than $72,000.

Britains financial establishment has long set its face against cryptocurrencies.

Rally: Bitcoin soared yesterday to a high of more than $72,000 after the FCA said it would 'not object to requests' to create platforms for trading in crypto-backed Exchange Traded Notes

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has warned they have no intrinsic value.

The Bank of England declined to comment on the FCAs decision yesterday but has previously said that if the crypto market continues to grow, it will present financial stability risks, which it will continue to monitor.

The Government, however, has been more positive. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt recently said Britain has become the global crypto hub.

Under the FCAs ruling, crypto ETNs  effectively bets on cryptocurrency movements  would be available only to professional investors such as investment banks and asset managers.

Ordinary investors will not be able to get their hands on them as they are ill-suited for retail consumers due to the harm they pose, the regulator said.

However, it was unclear last night whether savers might indirectly be exposed through pension funds or other investments.

The FCA has consistently warned about the risks of investing in crypto. That was echoed in yesterdays announcement, with the regulator saying: Those who invest should be prepared to lose all their money.

But it added that increased insight and data meant exchanges and professional investors should now be able to better establish whether cETNs [cryptoasset exchange traded notes] meet their risk appetite. The FCAs decision brings the UK into line with some European counterparts.

It opens up the prospect that products marketed on the continent by institutions such as broker Fidelity could become available in Britain.

US regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has gone further, authorising bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) which allow retail investors exposure to the cryptocurrency.

ETNs, unlike ETFs, do not own the assets upon which they are based. Instead, they are based on debt, like bonds, and deliver a return to investors when they mature based on the performance of the underlying asset.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said the FCAs statement does not represent a glowing endorsement of cryptocurrencies as a potential investible asset.

He said the watchdogs announcement could be seen as slightly negative, since it shows the FCA is still opposed to access for retail investors despite the SEC opening the gates to ETF providers. As such, it is not the U-turn that it may initially seem.

Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, said: There has been $10billion poured into the bitcoin ETFs that launched earlier this year, and there are signs that a small allocation to alternative asset classes like bitcoin are worthwhile for longer term investors and institutional investors.
As many as 48 per cent of people are worried that their pension savings won't be enough to last them through retirement, a report claims.

And some 56 per cent said they haven't squirrelled away enough money for retirement, according to research from Investec Wealth & Investment.

Women proved more worried than men, with 61 per cent reporting concerns, compared with 53 per cent of men.

Money worry: A third of over 65s are concerned they might run out of funds in their retirement

While older people were the least likely to worry, a third of over-65s think they might run out of money during their retirement.

Of the over-65s that said they weren't worried, 43 per cent have a final salary pension.

Being part of a final salary - also known as defined benefit - scheme means that you are guaranteed a secure income from your previous employer based on the salary you earned, and your years signed up to it.

But these schemes are now mostly closed to new entrants unless you work in the public sector. Defined contribution pensions, now prevalent in the private sector, take payments from both employer and employee and invest them to provide a pot of money at retirement. But they are stingier and savers bear the investment risk, rather than employers.

Among those aged between 45 and 54, a whopping 70 per cent reported concern with the current size of their pension pot, making them the most worried about their retirement.

Under-45s aren't far behind, however, with 67 per cent worried that they don't have enough for retirement, and 57 per cent fearing that they will run out of money during retirement.

In Scotland, 68 per cent said they are worried about not having enough money for retirement, while 62 per cent of Scots are also concerned they will run out of money during their retirement.

The south east also proved high on the list, with 64 per cent concerned that they don't have enough, and 57 per cent fearing that their pension will run out.

Only in the east of England and in Yorkshire & the Humber were there majorities who said they aren't worried about not saving enough.

Worry about retirement across the regions Region Worried about not having enough money for retirement Concerned about running out of money in retirement Scotland 68% 62% South East 64% 57% North West 61% 46% North East 61% 44% London 60% 47% West Midlands 57% 45% Wales 55% 55% East Midlands 53% 59% South West 51% 47% East 49% 42% Yorkshire & The Humber 41% 44%

Ade Babatunde, chartered financial planner at Investec, said: 'It is worrying to see the high numbers of people with retirement savings who are worried about running out of money in retirement and not having enough money saved.'

'Some of it may be explained by people worrying ahead of their actual retirement and that is a good thing if it encourages them to save more and to seek professional financial advice.

'Ideally people should save as much as possible for as long as possible and we would urge anyone concerned about retirement savings to talk to a financial adviser.'

Just one in five new retirees can afford to top up their state pension for a yearly income of 31,300, the amount needed for a 'moderate' lifestyle, compared with one in three a year ago, according to the Pension and Lifetime Saving Association.

Will you be able to afford the retirement you want? The cost of a comfortable retirement has jumped over the past year - but what do you need to get one and will you get there? As the Pension and Lifetime Savings Association updates its look at how much income people need for a basic, moderate or comfortable retirement, the This is Money podcast takes a look at what this all means for you. Press play to listen to the episode on the player above, or listen (and please subscribe and review us if you like the podcast) at Apple Podcasts, Audioboom, YouTube and Spotify or visit our This is Money Podcast page.

The income required for pensioners to lead this lifestyle has risen by 27 per cent over the last year, with a couple now needing 43,100, compared with 34,000 last year.

The PLSA income figures do not include tax, or the cost of housing - if you still rent or have a mortgage - or care.

Based on Investec's research, 77 per cent of retirees have reported a fall in their monthly income since ending their career, with a fall of more than 50 per cent for a quarter of retirees.

Meanwhile, 67 per cent of those yet to retire said they expect their earnings to fall, with just four per cent anticipating an increase.

Is it too late to boost your pension?

Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, suggests first working out what kind of lifestyle you want to have, and then how much you will need to fund that.

'Figures such as the PLSA's retirement income standards are useful as a starting point but everyone has a different idea of what they want their retirement to be so costs vary,' she told This is Money.

At this point, you will be able to work out if your pension is in line with where it needs to be. Morrissey said: 'Pension calculators can be hugely useful in helping you work out what you are on track to receive and the potential impact of putting a bit more away. Using these regularly can really help you keep on track.'

If you think that your pension is behind where you want it to be, there are options to help you increase it ahead of your retirement.

Morrissey suggests increasing payments into your pension: 'Take the opportunity to boost contributions wherever you can - for instance if you get a pay increase or new job. It's easier to do this before you get used to having the extra money and spending it.

'If you increase your pension contribution, it is possible that your employer will have a contribution matching policy that can help to add to your pot without you having to do all of the hard work.

'Engaging with your pension throughout your working life and taking these actions where possible can take a lot of the fear factor out of pensions and help you plan ahead with more confidence,' Morrissey said.
Bun B performs during his Southern Takeover concert at the Rodeo Houstons Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2023 in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

Bun B is going from H-town to Southern to All-American.

The beloved rapper and entrepreneur's third RodeoHouston appearance looks to be the biggest. His first, dubbed the H-Town Takeover, was in 2022 and featured Z-Ro, Lil Keke, Lil Flip, Big Slim, Paul Wall and That Girl Lay Lay. Last year's Southern Takeover featured Erykah Badu, Cupid and David Banner.

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The lineup this year includes Drake, Eve, Nelly, E-40, Too Short, That Mexican OT and Ying Yang Twins.

As in past years, the rumor mill has been churning for weeks as to who will show up on the rotating stage. Megan Thee Stallion? Beyonce? Anything is possible when Bun B is involved.

"Everybody should be really ready because when we get to the last names on this list, if you ain't got your ticket, it's going to be a wrap at that point," Bun said.

Performing: March 12

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Past performances: 2022 and 2023

Hometown: Port Arthur

From the 2023 show: The night's big surprise was Dallas native Erykah Badu, whose two-song set included "On and On" and "Tyrone." But she was just the cap on an hour of energetic performances.
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His infamous don't-mess-with-me attitude and ferocious business acumen made him arguably the most powerful moguls in the worldand an inspiration for patriarch Logan Roy in HBO's Emmy-kissed drama Succession.

For more than five decades, controversial Keith Rupert Murdoch, 93 today  'KRM' to staff and friends  has stood atop a business empire that won him respect, a $9billion personal fortune as well as four ex-wives.

Respected - and feared  by world leaders and the public alike, the Australian-born media baron was able to sway elections, governments and fellow business leaders.

So, what does his next chapter look like after he announced his retirement last September?

DailyMail.com can confirm he will be focusing most of his time on his special passion project making world-class wines at his beloved Moraga Bel Air estate, a bucolic oasis amid the bustle of Los Angeles - and where he will tie the knot with his new fiancee, retired scientist Elena Zhukova, 67.

Rupert Murdoch quarantined at his beloved Moraga estate during the Covid pandemic with then wife Jerry Hall, 67. While it's a not a money maker compared to his media investments, the wine already has a cult following and Murdoch intends to capitalize on this, insiders say

Murdoch on Thursday announced his engagement to Elena Zhukova, a twice-divorced molecular biologist and specialist in diabetes. The two are set to tie the knot at his beloved Moraga estate this summer

The unique estate sits on a 16-acre parcel of land in the center of the LA metropolis. Moraga is the only vineyard in LA, and the estate comprises 14 acres atop the Benedict Canyon fault

The media mogul announced his engagement last Thursday, confirming Zhukova is soon to be his fifth wife.

DailyMail.com revealed the happy couple started dating last August when the two were spotted cruising the Mediterranean on a family summer holiday. They are now planning a summer wedding.

Invitations for the nuptials have been sent out and the event is to be held in June at Murdoch's California estate, reported The New York Times.

The Fox patriarch met Zhukova through his third wife Wendi Deng and the two began dating after his previous engagement to former police chaplain and vineyard owner Ann Lesley Smith was called off just two weeks after it was announced.

Zhukova is the mother of Dasha Zhukova, a Russian socialite who is famous for her marriage to Russian oligarch and former Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich.

Dasha and Deng are great friends in New York and it seems that is how Elena was likely introduced to the media mogul. 'They met through Wendi and Dasha,' said a source.

It was something of a shock last September when Murdoch  who had previously joked about being immortal  announced he was standing down from Fox News and News Corporation.

After being at the pinnacle of power for so long, he has handing over the reins of the family empire to heir apparent Lachlan, 52, his older son, and will now focus on his new passion project.

'He wants Moraga to be a big part of his legacy,' a Murdoch insider tells DailyMail.com. 'He sees it as his responsibility to make sure the property has a secure future and that more people get to know the wine.'

After spending 70 years at the helm of his empire, Rupert Murdoch will be retreating from the media business to focus on making world-class wines at his Moraga Bel Air estate in LA, insiders tell DailyMail.com. He is pictured above with ex-wife Jerry Hall at the vineyard

The secluded property, hiding behind a 7ft ivy-clad stone wall and large wooden driveway fence, was first built in 1937 as a horse ranch

The winery - the only working one in Los Angeles - was among the properties affected by California wildfires in 2017

A firefighter watches as a helicopter drop water over the Moraga Estate, the only working winery in Bel Air and home to Rupert Murdoch, as wildfires erupted on December 6, 2017 in LA

Murdoch purchased the unique estate in August 2013 - via his Moraga Canyon Vineyards LLC - from former Northrop Grumman CEO Tom Jones (left). The sprawling property was first owned by Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz director Victor Fleming (right) and back then it used to host Hollywood greats for horse-riding and extravagant parties

'He wanted to step down while he knew he had time and enough energy to focus on other things, especially Moraga,' the source added.

Murdoch purchased the unique estate in August 2013 via his Moraga Canyon Vineyards LLC from former Northrop Grumman CEO Tom Jones after seeing it listed for sale in the mansions section of the Wall Street Journal, part of the media stable he ran.

Los Angeles County property documents reveal the purchase price was $22.3million rather than the $28.8million widely reported  an example, perhaps, of Murdoch's ability to broker a good deal.

Jones first planted vines on the property in 1980. He made Murdoch promise to keep the property as a working winery and, indeed, he has.

Also, Murdoch allowed Jones to continue living there until his passing in five months later in January 2014, aged 93. Murdoch himself will celebrate his 93rd birthday next week, on March 11.

His mother, philanthropist Dame Elizabeth, lived to 103.

The unique estate sits on a 16-acre parcel of land in the center of the LA metropolis.

The secluded property, hiding behind a 7ft ivy-clad stone wall and large wooden driveway fence, was first built in 1937 as a horse ranch.

Murdoch was previously engaged to Ann Lesley Smith (right) in March 2023, just six months after the pair first met

After being at the pinnacle of power for so long, Rupert announced he would be handing over the reins of the family empire to heir apparent Lachlan, 52, his eldest son (pictured left)

Sources say ex-wife Jerry, 25 years his junior, had hoped to inherit the vineyard and had been taking an online viticulture course before their shock divorce announcement in 2022

The first owner was Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz director Victor Fleming. Back then it used to host Hollywood greats such as Clark Gable, Vivian Leigh, Ingrid Bergman and Spencer Tracy for horse-riding and extravagant parties.

As well as a 7,500 square-foot ranch-style house, there is a guest house, various other outbuildings and a wine cave, the only one in Los Angles County.

It is Moraga, located on quiet, tree-lined Moraga Drive in the Santa Monica Mountains, that has captured Murdoch's heart more than any of his other luxury homes.

Murdoch quarantined at Moraga during the Covid pandemic with then wife Jerry Hall, 67. Today, Team Murdoch includes an security team, on-call personal chef, housekeepers and estate manager.

Murdoch's Bel-Air neighbors include other titans of industry and scores of Hollywood celebrities including Beyonce and Jay Z, and Jennifer Aniston.

Sources say Hall, 25 years his junior, had hoped to inherit the vineyard and had been taking an online viticulture course before Murdoch's shock announcement to her via email in 2022 that their marriage was over and he wanted a divorce.

An episode of ABC's Modern Family was filmed at the winery in 2017.

Unlike the billions made by the media companies money-conscious Murdoch ran, the winery is not a huge money-maker.

Murdoch has an extensive real estate portfolio beyond Moraga, including a $200million 340,000-acre cattle ranch he purchased in Montana

Murdoch purchased the sprawling unit on the 27th floor at 150 Central Park South after it went on the market in January.

Indeed, the business loses between $2-$3million a year due to taxes, property prices, and since it's located in a residential neighborhood with homes surrounding it all sides, the number of vines cannot be increased to boost production.

Fortunately, the wine already has a cult following and Murdoch intends to capitalize on this.

A self-professed oenophile, his goal is for 'wine lovers everywhere to have the opportunity to understand the unique nuances of our specific soil at Moraga and how that translates into the amazing wines we create,' according to the Moraga website.

'We are not Napa nor Bordeaux,' he explains. 'We are Moraga and deserve a place a the table with the rest of the world's top wines.'

And with Murdoch's notorious bravado there's a good chance he'll make it happen.

In May last year, he hired a new Director of Sales and Marketing, Suzette Hebert, to help find new markets, promoting the Moraga Bel Air brand to wine lovers and high-end restaurants.

Apart from its wine club members the winery is closed to the public but it now offers tastings at $150 per head.

The red wine costs $140 a bottle, while the white (a sauvignon) $90.

Winemaker Paul Warson said: 'It's time that people really know about this. We want people to have access.

'We have a gorgeous, rare and exceptionally special property in the heart of Los Angeles, and we want to bring neighbors and visitors together by creating the ability for us to share it whenever possible,' he says.

Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall outside St Bride's church in London following a service to celebrate their wedding in 2016

The heirs: Lachlan, James and Elisabeth grew up in New York (above in 1989 with Murdoch and second wife Anna)

Lachlan Murdoch, right, and Rupert Murdoch attend a conference in 2017. Lachlan took over the business in November

'So many people don't know about Moraga, and we want to change that - its an exciting time.'

In 2019, Murdoch hosted a party at Moraga to celebrate the winery's 30th anniversary. Guests included Jerry Hall's former longtime partner and the father of her four children, Mick Jagger, 80.

Murdoch also owns Beaverhead Ranch in Montana, along with 7,000 head of cattle, which he purchased for $200million in 2021. He also owns three luxury condominiums in New York City.

And who will eventually inherit the winery from the father-of-six? In a Succession-worthy plot line, he has already decided who will have Moraga when he has gone.

According to a source, he will bequeath it to Lachlan  who has, like his father, promised to keep Moraga as a successful working winery. His younger brother, James, left the family business in 2020.

Lachlan already owns Chartwell in Bel-Air, a $150 million, 25,000-square-foot mega residence on 10 acres with 11 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms. It is the most expensive home in Los Angeles County.
For 80 years, John Sciara has been trying to uncover the truth about what happened to his older brother, a US Marine who went missing in action in the Pacific during World War Two.

On January 14, 1944, Sgt. Charlie Sciara, a gunner on an SBD Dauntless divebomber, was shot down over Papua New Guinea during an attack run on the Imperial Japanese base at Rabaul Harbor.

Initially, Charlie's family believed he'd been killed in the crash. After the war, they learned he'd likely survived, only to die weeks later in a Japanese POW camp.

There were even conflicting accounts of how the plane went down: was it hit by anti-aircraft guns or an enemy fighter, and did it go down over land or sea?

'There's been so many stories,' said John, now 80 and a retired New York City transit cop living in Florida. 'It's all hearsay.'

Last week, DailyMail.com was the first to report a major development in the decades-old mystery, after a team of local searchers located wreckage of a Dauntless deep in the jungle of New Ireland, an island that is part of Papua New Guinea.

Sgt. Charlie J. Sciara went missing in action in WWII. His brother John remembers him with this display in his home, with mementos and his medals including a posthumous Purple Heart

A US Marines plane that went down during World War Two has been discovered in the South Pacific, 80 years after it went missing in action

The serial number on the wreck matches the plane piloted by Lt. Billy Ray Ramsey, on which Charlie served as the rear gunner, that was shot down during the 1944 bombing run.

US Department of Defense officials told DailyMail.com that they are prepping a team of investigators to send to the site, which is remote and difficult to access.

But preliminary information from the local searchers indicates that they discovered only a single set of human bones near the two-man aircraft. The remains, including a skull, were near the cockpit, suggesting they are those of the pilot Ramsey.

Any official identification will have to be confirmed by forensic tests carried out by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which is charged with recovering missing American military personnel.

For now, though, the early report from the ground appears to support the longstanding theory that Ramsey died in the crash, while Charlie was taken prisoner and died in a POW camp.

In a phone interview with DailyMail.com, John said that he was grateful for any new information about his brother, even in the regrettable case that his remains are not identified at the crash site.

'It means a lot,' he said of the discovery of the wreckage. 'It means a lot, and I'll be glad when they get Ramsey home, at least.'

'I'm going to be very happy for Ramsey, because that's who it's going to probably be. Charlie, we don't know where he is,' he said.

The tragic final mission of Lt. Ramsey and Sgt. Sciara

Brooklyn native Charles J. Sciara is seen prior to his enlistment in the Marines at age 19

Brooklyn native Charles J. Sciara was just 19, and a student of aeronautic engineering at New York University, when he enlisted in the Marines in 1942.

'When he went into service, my mother had to sign for him, and my father got very upset,' recalled John, who was just an infant at the time.

After basic training, Sgt. Sciara was assigned to Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 236, also known as the 'Black Panthers'.

He served as a rear gunner on a Dauntless piloted by Lt. Ramsey, a native of Eastland, Texas.

The Dauntless was a versatile naval scout plane and divebomber that was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft from 1940 through 1944, which flew from both carriers and airstrips.

By January 1944, two years after the Imperial Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, the US was in the midst of a grueling campaign to neutralize Rabaul Harbor, the Empire's fortress in the Southwest Pacific.

In their base at Rabaul, the Empire had more than 100,000 troops entrenched in a deep tunnel network extending from the heavily-defended harbor.

In bloody battles, US Marines had captured Guadalcanal and the remaining Solomon Islands, and were using them to stage near-daily attacks on Rabaul as part of Operation Cartwheel.

Rather than attempt to capture the base, the plan called for encircling Rabaul to choke off resupply, and pounding it with bombing attacks launched from Allied-controlled airfields on nearby islands.

On January 14, 1944, the Black Panthers took off from Munda Airfield on New Georgia in the Solomon Islands on one such attack run.

A draft registration card shows Charlie was a student at NYU and worked at Duff Stores Inc. in Brooklyn, before he volunteered to enlist in the Marines in 1942

Pilot Lt. Billy Ray Ramsey (left) and gunner Sgt. Charlie J. Sciara (right) were aboard the Dauntless that crashed in 1944. Ramsey was believed killed in the crash while reports suggest Sciara was captured alive and died in a POW camp

A US Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber flies over the island of Saipan on June 15, 1944. The positions of the pilot and the rear gunner can be seen on the two-man plane

A Japanese vessel takes a hit amidships in Rabaul harbor, New Britain, during an air raid of the US Army 5th Air Force on the Japanese-held air and naval base on November 2, 1943

On January 14, 1944, the light bomber took off from Munda Airfield on New Georgia with Ramsey at the controls and Sciara manning the rear gunner position

The attack force that day included 36 Dauntless planes and 18 TBF Avengers escorted by 73 fighters.

Lt. Ramsey was at the controls of one of the Dauntless divebombers, with Sgt. Sciara manning the rear gunner position.

War records indicate the mission encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire and was intercepted by multiple waves of enemy fighters.

'Lt. Billy R. Ramsey of this squadron had his tail shot off by anti-aircraft fire while the flight was approaching the target area,' according to the squadron's war diary.

When last seen the plane was in a 'flat spin,' according to the diary.

However, John told DailyMail.com that a fellow Marine present on the mission told his family that he'd seen Ramsey's plane take fire from an enemy fighter.

The witness said he saw Lt. Ramsey slumped over the controls as the plane went down, and that Sgt. Sciara had his arms extended out of the plane, almost as if he were trying to fly.

The plane was last seen over St. George's channel, and for years the Sciara family believed it had crashed in the water.

Initially, both Lt. Ramsey and Sgt. Sciara were presumed dead in the crash, but after the war ended, information came to light indicating that Sgt. Sciara survived and was captured by Japanese forces.

The former Japanese naval commander at Rabaul, which only capitulated after Japan's surrender to the Allies, provided Sgt. Sciara's name as a possible prisoner held at one of the POW camps near Rabaul.

The information claimed that Sgt. Sciara died of 'malaria and beri-beri' on February 24, 1944, just 40 days after his plane was shot down.

Japan claimed that official POW records from Rabaul had been destroyed in Allied bombing. No remains were ever recovered that could be positively identified as matching Sgt. Sciara.

'There's a good chance they executed him, because that's what they did to prisoners,' John bluntly told DailyMail.com.

'Lt. Billy R. Ramsey of this squadron had his tail shot off by anti-aircraft fire while the flight was approaching the target area,' according to the squadron's war diary

By 1948, attempts to match unidentified remains with Ramsey and Sciara had failed, and information emerged that Sciara was taken prisoner after the crash

In January, a local team found wreckage (above) of a Dauntless in Papua New Guinea. Serial numbers matched the plane flown by Ramsey

John was only 10 months old when his brother died at age 20. The two brothers never met, though Charlie learned of his birth from his mother's letters.

Ramsey was posthumously promoted to captain, and both he and Sciara were awarded the Purple Heart.

Both Marines are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. Sciara also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery, in section H.

Jungle find offers new clues in the mystery

In January, the twisted wreckage of a Douglas SBD Dauntless was found in the jungle of Papua New Guinea by locals who had heard tales of a nearby crash for generations.

Photos of the plane's serial number (35971) match the Dauntless that went down with Lt. Ramsey and Sgt. Sciara aboard.

'The story was told by some of our grandparents and passed on to us that there was a plane crash on the mountain part of the jungle, but they did not know where exactly it crashed,' said local Kilala Kindau, who led the team that made the find.

Kindau said his team conducted a search through the jungle in December into January before locating the wreckage.

Kindau said his team found a serial number on the wreckage and sent it to the US embassy, which confirmed the plane was American.

'The plane was crashed and broke into three pieces, leaving the pilot trapped inside and unable to escape,' he said.

Kindau said his team found a serial number on the wreckage and sent it to the US embassy, which confirmed the plane was American

Parts of the plane are seen after they were found across the jungle floor in Papua New Guinea

Photos of the wrecked plane's serial number 35971 match that of a Dauntless that went down on January 14, 1944 carrying Ramsey and Sciara

Pictures from the crash site on the island of New Ireland show the engine, propeller and wreckage from the downed plane littered across the jungle floor.

The constructor's number on the wreck - 4610 - also matches up to information on Ramsey's Dauntless available online.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, part of the US Department of Defense, is charged with recovering American military personnel who are prisoners of war or missing in action.

A spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'DPAA has received multiple reports that wreckage potentially associated with missing personnel was recently discovered on New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

'We are working to get a team of investigators to the site as soon as we can.

'As the agency responsible for recovering the remains of Americans missing from past conflicts, DPAA is committed to pursuing this lead.'
Lamb and mint sauce. Bacon and eggs. Gin and tonic. The royals and the Cheltenham Festival.

There are some things that just go together.

Cheltenham Festival is a four-day National Hunt meeting held every March whose prize money is second only to the Grand National.

The Royal Familys connections to and love of racing are well-known: the Queen Mother Champion Chase held each year on the second day of the Festival was named in her honour.

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother at Cheltenham racecourse in 1956 wearing fur stole over her coat. This helped create the 'Cheltenham look' for decades to come

The Queen in a blue check coat and matching hat when she was at Cheltenham in 2003

Zara Tindall looking fabulous in berry-coloured coat at The Cheltenham Festival 2022, Gold Cup day in 2022

Zara Tindall, right, with best friend Dolly Maude at Cheltenham for Gold Cup day in 2022. Ms Maude has recently been appointed a lady-in-waiting to Zara's mother, Princess Anne

Think of racing style and ones mind runs immediately to the dresses and spectacular millinery of Royal Ascot.

But the royals do winter racing style just as well, and their appearances at Cheltenham over the years prove this.

For the uninitiated, some essential information.

The racing year is divided into two distinct sections: jump racing takes place in the winter, running from the end of October to April, roughly. It isalso called National Hunt racing.

Flat racing takes place in the summer, starting with Newmarkets Guineas meeting at the beginning of May and ending with Champions Day at Ascot in mid-October.

Flat racing happens in the summer because the firmer ground is better suited.

As it happens, the late Queen Elizabeth preferred flat racing, but her mother loved the jumps. Queen Camilla is another big fan of National Hunt.

They are different styles of racing - and the dress codes for each season are markedly different, also.

While the drama of the summer occasion wear worn during flat season tends to garner more mass attention, there is a distinctly British, much underappreciated drama and elegance in the tweeds and felts of jumps season.

Ascot has acknowledged this with the release of its first jumps season look book  a winter counterpart to their iconic summer look book.

The Queen Mother is perhaps the original royal style icon at Cheltenham  the looks she wore to the Festival in the 60s still set the tone for royal style there today.

And this tone is? In short, a statement coat (warmth is key) and hat. Crucially, the hat is felt or faux fur  its an entirely different thing to the millinery required by the flat season.

The coat the Queen Mother wore to the Festival in 1962 is the sort of thing 20-somethings will be wearing there this year  it could be from off-the-moment faux fur London outerwear brand Shrimps.

The Queen Mother (1900 - 2002) watching the runners parade at the Cheltenham racecourse in 1954

Andrew Parker Bowles, former husband of Queen Camilla, with Princess Anne at Cheltenham

Princess Anne in a beautiful red coat with black trimming. She seems almost as animated as her fellow racegoer on Day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival in 2014

Princess Anne looks pensive in a burnt orange coat and fur hat at Cheltenham 2020

Princess Anne looks every inch a winner in her purple and mauve outfit in 2016

Anne strides out in an an olive green coat for Cheltenham with black accessories in 1998

The Prince Royal wore a chocolate brown coat with matching fur hat at Cheltenham in 2013

Naturally, horse woman Princess Anne really comes into her own style-wise at Cheltenham.

1981 was particularly excellent: pregnant, Anne wore a high-necked coat, black heeled boots and beret-style hat.

A Gucci-esque bag was the cherry on top  its striped shoulder strap resembling a horses girth added a dash of equine-inspired elegance. Elegance and practicality were united in this look, something key for the Festival goer.

Block heels like those on Annes boots are essential (the ground can be like Shreks swamp) and a shoulder strap allows you to clutch a drink (Guinness and Cheltenham, name a more suited duo) and race card without grappling with your bag at the same time.

Annes daughter Zara also triumphs style-wise at Cheltenham.

Statement coats again provide the focal point of her looks, combined with felt, often feather-trimmed millinery. British designers Laura Green and Claire Mischevani are her go-tos. And this is the glory and unique appeal of Cheltenham fashion  theres nowhere classic British style is more suited to.

Elsewhere, the latest series of The Crown drew attention to the Princess of Wales style in the early years of her relationship with Prince William - something even more appealing given the wider interest in all things Y2K.

(Is there anything more achingly Y2K than those dangly earrings, pashmina and Chanel sunglasses Kate wore to the Festival in 2007?).

Kate's looked downcast at Cheltenham in 2007 and the outfit reflected her mood

Kate Middleton wore a pale blue tweed jacket with matching scarf later that week in 2007

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a short Joseph camel coat with dark brown accessories in 2013 when she was pregnant with Prince George

Generally the royals abide by the unspoken rule of country fashion when at Cheltenham.

This rule is that clothes should blend into ones environment. Browns and greens are order of the day.

A tartan or deep red is also acceptable (see a heavily pregnant Princess Diana in red at the Festival in 1982 and Princess Annes tartan moment in 2004).

Pippa Middleton broke the mould in 2013 by wearing an almost-mustard Katherine Hooker coat. But its pairing with a typically-Cheltenham faux fur hat and brown suede boots made it work.

Getting Cheltenham style right is a balancing act  too much tweed and faux fur and you look try-hard, like a parodic performance of what you think country style resembles.

An injection of offbeat modernity is essential (hello, the late Queens electric blue, feather trimmed beret in 2003).

Cheltenham (and, really, jump racing in general) differs from flat racing in that it attracts real racing enthusiasts.

Those who are there for the sport rather than purely to see and be seen.

Princess Diana was pregnant with Prince William when she attended Cheltenham in 1982

Princess Anne's tartan look with a fur trim hat was a winner in 2004 . Here she laughs with Jim Culloty and trainer Henrietta Knight, winners of the Gold Cup with their horse Best Mate

Pippa broke the mould in 2013 by wearing an almost-mustard Katherine Hooker coat

Camilla gets out the binoculars in 2006 - the sign of a true racing fan

Camilla wore emerald green for Ladies Day at Cheltenham in 2020

The Queen's daughter, Laura Parker Bowles, and Sara Buys wore fur accessories when they attended the 'Gold Cup Day' of the Cheltenham Festival in 2006

And the accessory of said genuine fan? A pair of binoculars. Just ask Queen Camilla  a Philip Treacy hat is important, of course, but it was the binoculars she clutched as she watched the Gold Cup in 2006 that really showed she was the real deal.

No doubt shell be cheering from her box this year with the same binos round her neck.

A racing-mad Uber driver this week told me to bet on Ancient Wisdom for the Gold Cup, but I'll offer no more than an insider tip.

If you cant get to Cheltenham next week, just head to Paddington station each morning instead for a Festival fashion show - a great mass of tweed, faux-fur and binoculars heading for the 8.32 from Paddington to Cheltenham Spa.
DailyMail.com has identified one of the alleged squatters as Sheree Bailey, who is seen in a photo pointing a gun at the camera

Proudly toting what appears to be a machine pistol in her manicured hands, this mother is accused of being one of the squatters who invaded the vacant Atlanta area rental home of a man caring for his sick wife.

Identifying herself as Sheree Bailey, she tilts her head and squints down the sights of the weapon in the Instagram snap while music from rap artist Brotha Lynch Hung accompanies the image.

And pictured arm-in-arm on her social media page is a man who was filmed when confronted by sheriff's deputies after breaking in and changing the locks of truck driver Paul Callins's rental property in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Desperate Callins, 39, battled to have the pair plus another adult and a 4-year-old child believed to be Bailey's son removed from the home that was left to him by his late physician father and that he'd spent the past year meticulously remodeling himself to rent out.

Finally the trio and toddler were ordered to leave by DeKalb County Sheriff's Office after nine days  leaving it trashed and with broken furniture piled on the front yard.

Sheree Bailey is accused of being one of the squatters who invaded the vacant Atlanta area rental home of a man caring for his sick wife. She tilts her head and squints down the sights of a gun in a photo posted to her Instagram

Paul Callins discovered squatters had unlawfully entered and changed the locks on his recently refurbished home, listed for rent online, while he was away

Bailey has posted several photos with who is believed to be her child. There was a child with the squatter trio found in the home

Callins walked DailyMail.com through the house hours after getting the final pieces of trash hauled away, but with startling signs of the illegal occupation still evident

The new cream colored carpets are stained all over the house. Graffiti is scribbled on walls

Pictured arm-in-arm on her social media page is a man who was filmed when confronted by sheriff's deputies after breaking in and changing the locks. He is believed to be Carlos Bailey

'The photo with the gun definitely looks like the woman I saw at the house when I went there to confront them after they broke in,' Callins told DailyMail.com exclusively.

'As do the others on that Instagram account. The woman that night identified herself to police at Takisha Bailey and she presented police with a fake lease on her phone.

As police were handling the eviction, Callins confronted the man believed to be called Carlos Bailey, who like 'Takisha' said he had a lease

'And the guy pictured with her on Instagram page later told me they had a lease, which was ridiculous.'

Other clues to the couple were revealed through letters and documents they left behind, DailyMail.com can reveal.

These included two letters addressed to 'Takisha Bailey', with a previous address in the Atlanta area. There was also a document from the SAE Institute in Atlanta showing a 'Carlos Bailey' had enrolled at the college for a course in Storytelling for Contemporary Media.

Additionally, the woman's Instagram name is Sheree303. The area phone code for Denver, Colorado, is 303 and the squatters had a black Nissan Versa with Colorado plates. A bumper sticker said: 'Shoot more, bi**h less.'

According to a file seen by DailyMail.com, Takisha Baileys full name is Takisha Sheree Bailey, aged 39.

DailyMail.com can also reveal a huge irony in the trauma which garnered national headlines. Callins has no intention of cashing in on the booming rental market  but is working with the county housing authority to provide a home for a low income family.

He walked us through the house hours after getting the final pieces of trash hauled away, but with startling signs of the illegal occupation still evident.

The squatters had filled the home after arriving with a full U-Haul van. They took their most prized possessions with them after police gained entry by drilling the new lock on the front door  but smashed their unwanted furniture out front.

And cruelly, they left behind an emaciated pit bull on the deck at the rear of the property. The terrified animal, barking furiously, can be seen eventually being captured by welfare authorities in video obtained by DailyMail.com.

The trio and toddler were ordered out by DeKalb County Sheriff's Office after nine days  leaving it trashed and with broken furniture piled on the front yard

A pack of cigarettes, bottles of alcohol and fast food cups are seen in bags strewn on the front lawn

The squatters left behind an emaciated pit bull on the deck at the rear of the property. The terrified animal, barking furiously, can be seen eventually being captured by welfare authorities in video obtained by DailyMail.com

Callins has spent nearly $50,000 converting the former three-bedroom home into an eight-bedroom place by developing the extensive basement. Writing is seen on the walls of the home

Revealing the damage, Callins spoke of his incredible emotional tie to the house through his late father Willis, who died of prostate cancer in 2021 aged 75.

'This is not an investor house, this is my father's house,' he said. 'He bought it new in 2002 and it's been a big part of my life. He was really proud of it. He'd bring me over while they were building it, he was so excited.

'He passed in this house. He never wanted to leave this house. I am choking up just talking about it. My wife and I would come here and stay with him for the last couple of months when he was really sick.

'It's a family legacy. I want my kids to have it.

'So when those squatters came I took it very personally. I felt like they were attacking me and my family.'

Callins had spent nearly $50,000 converting the former three-bedroom home into an eight-bedroom place by developing the extensive basement. He drew the plans himself and has done much of the work by his own hand to a high standard.

There's also a new kitchen, new carpets and a myriad of other improvements. His intention throughout was to give a struggling family a home.

'I'm working with the authority and hopefully there should be a single mother with nine children moving in some time very soon. We're going through the application to get everything approved.

'That's the kind of person I want this house to go to, a place where kids can grow up and where they will feel safe. I'm never selling this place. It means too much to me and it's for others who aren't so fortunate to call home.'

Despite a massive clean-up, there's still a lot of work to be done after the squatters left an unmistakable odor of urine and marijuana that still permeates.

Callins showed us where they had drilled holes in every window and inserted screws to ensure they could not be opened. The new cream colored carpets are stained all over the house, but retrievable. Graffiti is scribbled on walls.

The trucker, who lives with his wife near Stone Mountain, believes the squatters pounced after seeing his online ad for a needy family.

Callins spoke of his incredible emotional tie to the house through his late father Willis, who died of prostate cancer in 2021 aged 75. 'This is not an investor house, this is my father's house,' he said

The woman identified herself to police at Takisha Bailey and she presented police with a fake lease on her phone, Callins told DailyMail.com

He only realized the house was occupied when he passed nearby at midnight and saw lights blazing. Confused, he drew closer and then contacted the sheriff's office, who sent deputies. 'My heart sank when I saw what had happened,' he said. 'I thought, man, this is happening to me?'

Despite the emotional turmoil, he considers himself lucky the squatters were evicted so quickly in a county where it's reported an astonishing 1,200 homes are illegally occupied. Cops acted after he applied for an intruder affidavit.

As police were handling the eviction, Callins confronted the man believed to be called Carlos Bailey, who like 'Takisha' said he had a lease.

'Well he didn't have a lease with me,' he said. 'That was a fake, no question. The guy claimed he was scammed. I'm not buying that either.

'I believe there is a ring of squatters, producing things like these fake leases. They hit one place, leave then go somewhere else. They came into mine and just changed all the locks straight away. I'm certain they have lists of houses they know are empty.

'The disregard they show was illustrated by the fact I saw them smashing up furniture on the front after they had been evicted. They took the rest in a U-Haul.'

He added: 'I'm thankful to have my house back but it has been a shattering experience.'

DailyMail.com visited the home in Lithonia, also in DeKalb County, which corresponded to the address on the envelops for Takisha Bailey. No one was in at the time. A neighbor said he believes the home did have squatters at one point.

The figure of 1,200 squatter homes in DeKalb comes from the National Rental Home Council. The situation is so acute that a new law allowing police to arrest squatters for trespassing, and making faking a lease a felony, is close to passing in the Georgia General Assembly.

It comes after a catalogue of high profile squatting outrages in the Atlanta area, including that of deployed soldier Lt Colonel Dahlia Daure whose $500,000 home was seized by intruder Vincent Simon in May, 2023.

The Army reservist said she felt 'violated' after learning Simon  who had gun and drugs convictions  was there while she was on duty in Chicago and the house was in the process of being sold. The squatter was later kicked out and arrested.

Another squat was being run as an illegal strip club that was eventually cleared out by an FBI SWAT team in October.

Four people were seized in the 4,000 sq ft, five-bedroom property in South Fulton which was trashed. Neighbors said the men were running a weekend strip club, noisy parties and street car races.

DeAnthony Maddox, Jeremy Wheat, Kelvin Hall and Tarahsjay Forde were arrested on several counts of theft by receiving stolen property.

Rep Devan Seabaugh, a Republican co-sponsoring the Georgia crackdown bill, said of squatters: 'We're dealing with criminals. These people know exactly what they're doing and they're stealing other people's most valuable capital, which is their home.'
Spotted at President Biden's State of the Union last week on Capitol Hill was Gabriel Shipton, who alongside Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie is fighting for clemency for his brother, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

They hoped to take their fight straight to the president, who so far has been unresponsive to pleas to address the Department of Justice's prosecution of Assange.

Assange has been held in a London prison since 2019 as he fights against U.S. extradition efforts. He previously spent seven years in self-exile at the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

'He's not in a good way,' Shipton said in an interview with DailyMail.com, having visited his brother last month. 'The process is really wearing him down physically and mentally. So I was quite scared leaving the prison that day.'

The Australian native faces 17 charges for receiving, possessing and communicating classified information to the public under the espionage act and one charge alleging a conspiracy to commit computer intrusion if he is extradited to the U.S.

He faces up to 175 years in a maximum security prison.

Massie, together with Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, wrote a letter in October to the Biden administration imploring them to oppose Assange's prosecution. They have not received a response.

Spotted at President Biden's State of the Union this week on Capitol Hill was Gabriel Shipton, who alongside Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie is fighting for clemency for his brother Julian Assange

'He's not in a good way,' Shipton said in an interview with DailyMail.com, having visited his brother Assange, above, last month. 'The process is really wearing him down physically and mentally. So I was quite scared leaving the prison that day.'

Assange filed a last-ditch legal appeal against his extradition to the U.S. on February 24.

'We just keep on campaigning, we've got lots of friends here in Congress, and it's very encouraging,' Shipton said.

'He's not charged with any crime in the United Kingdom is not serving a sentence. He's been held there solely at the request of the US DOJ in relation to publishing truthful material. So really highlighting that and highlighting the threat that it poses to the First Amendment and press freedom here in the U.S.'

Assange founded Wikileaks in 2006 and was instrumental to the unveiling of nearly half a million pages of mostly classified documents together with U.S. intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.

Assange's family leads march for his freedom in London last month

Assange filed a last-ditch legal appeal against his extradition to the U.S. on February 24

Photo of Belmarsh prison where Julian Assange is being held

In 2010 the site published documents of a 2007 Baghdad airstrike that showed U.S. military officers fatally shooting 18 civilians from a helicopter.

They published Afghanistan war documents that painted a dismal picture of the war there, including more civilian deaths and Talliban attacks on U.S. forces than had been reported and suggested Iran involvement in the insurgency.

They also published the Iraq war documents - which revealed some 15,000 more civilian casualties than had been admitted by the government.

Massie suspected Assange's case could become a focal point in the presidential election. 'Whether we are going to uphold our over 200-year tradition of supporting freedom of the press or not,' Massie told DailyMail.com.

'This is a very popular issue with Americans, ie to get clemency to Julian Assange. And although it's not as important as immigration or the economy of the two Americans, I think most Americans are on our side. And it's not just the right thing to do. It would be politically expedient for one of these presidential candidates to adopt our position.'

He warned that they will need to draw votes from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running as a third-party candidate and has promised he would grant clemency to Assange.

Massie also noted that Donald Trump Jr., the former president's son, recently said on Tim Pool's podcast that he had changed his mind on pardoning Assange and Wikileaks co-founder Edward Snowden.

'Years ago when it first started happening I would've said no,' said Trump Jr. 'Now, I'm like oh my god he was on this stuff. One hundred percent you gotta let those guys out because they caught us doing the things we said we weren't gonna do.'

'My world view, the America I wanted to believe existed, that doesn't exist,' Trump Jr. went on.

Massie said: 'With RFK, Jr. taking this issue to heart, the question here in the United States is who does RFK Jr. take more votes from? Will he take more votes from the Democrats or will he take more votes from the Republicans and I think they're both Biden and Trump are in a perilous situation, if they don't come out with a position on this.'

'If one of them would, they would instantly I think sort of neutralize that third party threat that may erode their own days,' he went on.
A nurse who refused to get the Covid-19 vaccine during the pandemic has been fired despite the vaccination mandate being lifted.

Casey officially lost her job at Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane last week, more than two years after she refused to be jabbed with the required two doses of the vaccine.

'When the mandate came into affect, my daughter had been born but I was still breastfeeding and I was having a few medical issues at the time,' she said.

Healthcare workers in Queensland were ordered to be fully vaccinated against the virus by the state government in 2021.

Thousands of nurses and frontline healthcare workers were placed on leave during the peak of the pandemic for refusing the jab.

The government revoked the vaccine mandates in 2022 with many workers, including Casey, left awaiting a decision on their employment status.

Casey finally received the official decision that she would lose her job last week - after two years in limbo.

'It was quite devastating after sort of a long nearly two-and-a-half year wait,' she told Nine News.

A Queensland Health spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that staff members who didn't get vaccinated failed to comply with a reasonable condition of their employment.

'These staff faced disciplinary actions not for failing to be vaccinated, but for failing to comply with a reasonable condition of their employment,' the spokesperson said.

Casey (pictured) who has been a registered nurse for 20 years was stood down after ref

'We welcome former staff to re-apply for positions, and dozens of staff have recommenced work since the mandate was lifted.'

Casey, like many other nurses across the state, is now reconsidering whether she wants to return to her previous job.

'I've been nursing for 20 years so feels like that experience and knowledge was just not valued,' she said.

Unhappy with how her case had been handled, Casey contacted Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman to have her matter reviewed.

'I was given a a phone call from the minister's office to say that they would help and that you didn't have to fight it alone,' she said.

'I haven't heard anything since.'

Minster Fentiman said their was no order preventing sacked nurses from reapplying for their old jobs.

'There is no barrier, there is no directive in place,' she said at a press conference last week.

Around 1,200 Queensland healthcare staff were either sacked or resigned from their jobs, for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Esther Ghey has revealed why she met the mother of twisted teen killer Scarlett Jenkinson in an 'emotional' face to face meeting as the two mothers united in grief.

The mother of murdered schoolgirl Brianna Ghey today reveals she has held a 'very emotional' meeting with the family of one of the teenage killers at which they felt 'a bit of a connection' over the terrible trauma they have both gone through.

Esther Ghey, who has won praise for her determination that some good should come from the brutal murder of her transgender daughter, said she and Scarlett Jenkinson's mother's had discussed 'the challenges of parenting'.

She showed a tremendous amount of empathy as she said that what Jenkinson's family had gone through was 'terrible' because 'they haven't only lost a child, but they've also got to live with what's happened now for the rest of their life'.

Ms Ghey said that 'both of us are mothers who are trying to navigate something that nobody should ever have gone through'.

Esther Ghey (pictured) has revealed an 'emotional' connection with killer teen Scarlett Jenkinson's mother as she pledged to use her grief to 'help people like Brianna'

Brianna Ghey, 16, was stabbed 28 times on February 11 last year when she was lured to a park by Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe

Jenkinson, who was obsessed with serial killers, began watching videos of real-life torture and killing on the dark web. She plotted to kill Brianna with Ratcliffe

Jenkinson aged 11 with her parents Brian Jenkinson and Emma Sutton. Ms Ghey said she wanted to meet with Jenkinson's mother to know how she is feeling

Ms Ghey also revealed that her daughter 'did struggle with her mental health' and that she was trying to 'see what I can do to help people that were like Brianna' as she campaigns for better mental health support in schools.

Asked how she could meet Jenkinson's mother without feeling 'anger and rage', she said she didn't want to 'hide away at home virtually crippled with hate'.

Instead she was determined to 'take a more positive approach and actually make something good' out of an 'absolutely horrific situation'.

Ms Ghey said: 'I genuinely don't feel any of those towards Scarlett's parents and I actually don't feel that towards Scarlett either, because I know that all of these emotions and feelings like hate is only going to impact me.

'I don't want to be a victim, I don't want this to impact the rest of my life and to stop me from progressing and to stop me from being productive and hopefully making a change in society as well.

'I think that things happen and you can either use them as a lesson and where can we go from here or they can break you and I won't be broken.'

The extraordinary encounter comes after Ms Ghey met Rishi Sunak to press him on her campaign for mobile phone companies to do more to prevent teenagers from being able to access harmful content and restrict social media to over-16s.

She has also been pushing for better mental health support in schools following last month's jailing of torture-obsessed Jenkinson and her former schoolfriend, Eddie Ratcliffe, in the hope of turning young people away from unhappiness and hate.

Displaying an incredible lack of bitterness, Ms Ghey said she hoped to work with Jenkinson's mother  a former teacher who has herself praised the 'overwhelming compassion' shown by Brianna's mother since the killing  to support both campaigns.

In February last year Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, both then 15, used their phones to hatch a plan to lure Brianna to a park in Cheshire before hacking her to death in a 'frenzied' attack.

Jenkinson, whose mother Emma Sutton, 49, is a former teacher at a Catholic high school, had downloaded a special browser on to her device to watch real-life torture and murder on the dark web.

Following the pair's conviction for murder last December, Ms Ghey said she had 'a lot of sympathy for their parents because they've had to sit there and listen to what their children have done'.

Brianna Ghey, 16, was found with fatal wounds in a park near Warrington, Cheshire, in February 2023. She had been lured there by Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 15 at the time

Esther Ghey, who has won praise for her determination that some good should come from the brutal murder of her transgender daughter, said she and Scarlett Jenkinson's mother's had discussed 'the challenges of parenting'

Both Jenkinson and Ratcliffe (pictured) were sentenced earlier last month. Jenkinson will serve a minimum of 22 years, while Ratcliffe will serve a minimum of 20 years

After Jenkinson was given a life sentence with a minimum of 22 years behind bars, her family said what she had done was 'beyond their worst nightmares' and they felt 'truly sorry' for her actions.

Expressing their 'sincere thanks to Esther Ghey for her incredible selflessness and empathy towards our family,' they added: 'Her compassion is overwhelming and we are forever grateful.'

Now Ms Ghey has revealed she had a 'very emotional' private meeting with Jenkinson's mother and one of her uncles last week.

'I wanted to sit down with Scarlett's family to find out how the last year had affected them,' she said afterwards.

'It was a positive and respectful meeting which allowed us to initially get to know each other. Although I don't want to go into any detail, we discussed family and the challenges of parenting.

'As a former teacher, Scarlett's mum was really interested in the two Peace in Mind campaigns to get mindfulness training into schools through Mindfulness in Schools Project and better child safeguarding for social media and mobile phones.

'She agreed that things need to change, so we are looking at ways in which she can support both campaigns. I would welcome the chance of working with her moving forwards.

'I didn't feel any anger or resentment towards Scarlett's mum, in fact it showed that tragedies have far-reaching ripples.

'It has been a tough year, but I have been maintaining my mindfulness which I believe has helped with resilience, compassion and empathy. Meeting Scarlett's mum has reminded me how important that is to me.'

Ms Ghey, 37, said she had wanted to 'understand her perspective and to see what they're going through as a family now as well'.

She said agreeing to meet the mother of her killer daughter's victim had shown 'a great deal of bravery on [Jenkinson's mother's] part as well'.

She added: 'It was emotional. I'm really glad that we had the meeting. Both Scarlett's mum and uncle are very nice people, they are just normal people, and I think that what has happened has impacted their family massively just the same it has impacted mine.

Ms Ghey also revealed that her daughter 'did struggle with her mental health' and that she was trying to 'see what I can do to help people that were like Brianna' as she campaigns for better mental health support in schools

Hundreds of people attending a vigil for Brianna, with many dressed in pink which was Brianna's favourite colour, on February 11, 2024

Scarlett Jenkinson joined with Eddie Ratcliffe to murder transgender Brianna in February 2023

Ms Ghey said that as 'both of us are mothers who are trying to navigate something that nobody should ever have gone through'

Tributes left during a vigil include a piece of artwork of Brianna, some flowers, and a teddy as one mourner is seen lighting a candle in her memory

'We spoke about very personal things and she was very open with me and so respectful as well.'

Ms Ghey said there was nothing Jenkinson's mother could have said to help her as 'any kind of healing and help comes from within', but she added that the meeting did 'help in a way' and gives her hope.

And for her own part, Ms Ghey said the encounter  coupled with the 'kindness' she has been shown by the nation at large  showed there was 'hope' for 'unity' and 'for people to be better to one another as well'.

She also called for more 'drastic' action to curb online hate after being told that police could not trace a troll who targeted her due to 'privacy laws'.

She has spoken to Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan as well as Rishi Sunak about her concerns that the Government's new Online Safety Act does not go far enough to protect children.

She revealed how police were unable to take action over a cruel message she was sent during last year's trial of the killers of her 16-year-old daughter, who was transgender  despite the new law already having been given Royal Assent.

Ms Ghey said she had 'lots of filters' on Facebook as 'people can send horrible things', but added: 'Every now and again, some slip through.' And one of them was: 'Your son died because of you. You are a failure.'

She said as it was during the trial, rather than delete the message and block the troll, she reported the transphobic message to police. 'Due to privacy laws, they could not get the information of this person. This is when the Online Safety Act was in place.'

Ms Ghey said she had raised the incident at her video meeting earlier this month with Ms Donelan and the Prime Minister to illustrate her concern the Act doesn't go far enough 'because I don't know how it's going to protect children'.

Brianna's body was found face-down in the mud in a Cheshire village on February 11, 2023

Ms Ghey attends a vigil on February 11, 2024, in Golden Square, Warrington, to mark the one year anniversary of her daughter's murder

'I think that a more drastic action needs to happen,' she added.

The Government says the Online Safety Act is 'world-leading' legislation which will make the internet a safer place for children by enabling fines running into billions of pounds to be levied on tech companies which don't tackle harmful content.

But last month Ms Ghey told the Today programme: 'I'm all for free speech, but some of the comments I've seen on social media posts and some of the articles they're just hateful comments.'

She said the new law 'is not going to protect children and young people from seeing that kind of horrible content because I don't think that would be deemed as harmful'.

This comes after it emerged last week that 'high-achiever' Ratcliffe is seeking permission to appeal the sentence of life with a minimum of 20 years which he was given last month.

It came after his father Kyle, 36, was last month himself jailed for 15 months after he admitted exposing himself while driving past two 'violated' girls.
With more than half of local councils warning they are in danger of going broke, you'd think they'd be watching every penny.

Yet, in the past three years they have almost doubled their spending on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) roles that most council taxpayers would regard as superfluous in such straitened times.

In the great gamut of public spending a rise from 12million a year to 23million may not seem enormous. But with libraries closing and social care being squeezed it shows a warped sense of priorities.

Take Birmingham. Thanks to chronic mismanagement and poor investments, the city's majority Labour council declared itself effectively bankrupt last September.

As a result, it must increase council tax by a massive 21 per cent and slash services. Yet still it found the money to recruit an EDI 'tsar' at a salary of over 100,000.

Libraries are closing across the country as councils watch the money they spend (stock photo)

Labour-run Greenwich and Calderdale were among the biggest total spenders, each shelling out upwards of 2.5million on spurious 'woke' jobs.

Ten other councils spent well over 1million between them on 40 jobs promoting 'wellbeing', which is all very nice if you can afford it. Self-evidently they can't.

True, local authorities have been squeezed financially in recent years. But so have the rest of us. They must learn to live within their means  not spend money they don't have on jobs that don't matter.

Kow-towing to China

Question: Is academic freedom the cornerstone of our higher education system  or merely a commodity, which may be traded off if the price is right?

Sanctions imposed on an associate professor at University College London for the perceived crime of inviting her seminar class to discuss modern slavery in China, suggest the latter.

After a Chinese student complained that Michelle Shipworth was being 'horrible' about his country, the respected academic was axed from a module she had been teaching for ten years.

Her head of department said she had been 'provocative' and made Chinese students feel 'demeaned'.

Sanctions have been imposed on an associate professor at University College London (pictured)

The real reason Miss Shipworth was treated so shabbily, of course, was all about money. There are so many Chinese students at UCL (some 10,000 paying up to 40,000 a year each) that the college has become reliant on their fees and doesn't want to risk upsetting them.

According to the Free Speech Union, the deference paid to Chinese students by UCL and other venerable institutions has become so extreme as to be 'utterly incompatible with academic freedom'.

Perhaps the most telling moment in this unhappy affair came when Ms Shipworth vainly cited the liberal philosopher John Stuart Mill in her defence.

Her boss, Professor Neil Strachan retorted: 'I am an economist and modeller and have no idea who JS Mill is.' That such a senior academic (even an economist) has never heard of arguably this country's greatest champion of freedom speaks volumes.

Mr Strachan may not feel he has time to plough through all his works, but he could benefit from reading Mill's most famous pamphlet. It is entitled: On Liberty.

So, did Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner continue living apart from her husband in her ex-council house for five years after their marriage, enabling her to avoid capital gains tax?

She claims so, yet former neighbours barely saw her after the wedding. One describes her as a downright (the actual adjective used was cruder) liar.

Isn't it time we had the whole truth?
This is the powerful moment former Labor minister Joel Fitzgibbon and his family united for a touching tribute to his only son, special forces soldier Jack Fitzgibbon, who died in a tragic parachute accident.

The 33-year-old Lance Corporal died during a routine drill at RAAF Base Richmond in Sydney's northwest, about 6.30pm on Wednesday night. His parachute failed to fully open during the 14,000ft jump.

Mr Fitzgibbon's sister, Channel Seven TV reporter Grace, shared a heartbreaking image of her and the family standing together silently honouring Jack during a special tribute at a local footy club on Saturday.

The family huddled together in a close embrace during the Cessnock Goannas and Wests Devils' tribute, with a heartbroken Grace seen gazing up towards the sky.

The Fitzgibbon family stood together in silent tribute for Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon during a tribute at the local Cessnock footy club on Saturday

Grace also shared a text message sent from her brother as proof that he had always known the 'right thing' to say.

'One of those things sister, We all have to make sacrifices in life otherwise it would all be too easy.X,' Jack said in the message.

Defence Australia confirmed the young digger's tragic death on Thursday afternoon, stating '[our] main priority is to support Lance Corporal Fitzgibbon's family and our thoughts are with them and his friends as they grieve their loss.

'Defence takes every step to mitigate unnecessary risk, but unfortunately today we mourn the loss of a soldier and colleague.'

Witnesses said Jack's parachute looked like it failed to open as he attempted to land above Richmond's Sydney Polo Club.

He was a qualified parachutist. Training at the site has been suspended as investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon was performing a drill at an RAAF base in Richmond, in Sydney 's northwest, about 6.30pm on Wednesday night when his parachute reportedly failed to open

His sister Grace said 'he always said the right things' - sharing a poignant text message that he sent her

Grace Fitzgibbon, who is a journalist for Channel Seven, shared a heartfelt tribute to Jack

Mr Fitzgibbon senior provided a statement to brigadier James Kidd following the tragedy.

Reading of Jack's father's words, Mr Kidd said: 'We are devastated and heartbroken by the loss of our wonderful Jack.

'Serving in the special forces was Jack's dream job and we take comfort from the fact he died serving his nation.

'Jack was a dedicated, highly skilled, and courageous soldier. He was an experienced parachutist.

'Our lives will never be the same without Jack, but we will always remain proud of him and his many achievements.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to both Jack and his family on Thursday, adding 'the burden of grief falls on a dear friend to so many in the Labor family'.

Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon was performing a drill at an RAAF base in Richmond, in Sydney's northwest. Above with his father

'The extraordinary men and women who volunteer to serve in the Australian Defence Force do our nation proud every day. Every death in the service of Australia carries the heavy weight of loss and sadness. The tragedy of a life cut cruelly short,' he said.

'This tragic accident is a harsh reminder that there are no easy days for those who defend our nation. We are so grateful to every Australian who serves and puts themselves on the line for all of us.'

Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles described Mr Fitzgibbon as a 'close friend'.

'Today, Joel stands in my embrace, as he does in the embrace of all of our colleagues. My thoughts are with Jack's entire family, including Joel, Jack's mother Dianne, his partner and his sisters.'
James Cleverly is launching a major review of graduate visas amid fears they are being abused by foreign nationals.

The Home Secretary will ask independent body the Migration Advisory Committee to revisit the graduate route.

Writing exclusively in today's Mail, he says this will ensure the visa  which currently allows foreign students to stay in the UK for up to two years after their courses end  is 'not being driven by a desire for immigration over education'.

This comes after numbers staying in Britain under the scheme surged by 57 per cent last year to more than 114,000.

There are also fears that courses with the lowest UCAS entry requirements are being targeted as a way into the UK.

The Home Secretary, James Cleverly, will ask independent body the Migration Advisory Committee to revisit the graduate route

'We must prevent abuse of this route; protect the integrity and quality of our higher education; and ensure it works in our best interests,' the Home Secretary says. This comes as restrictions on legal migration come into force.

From today, foreign nationals coming to Britain as care workers will be barred from bringing family members with them. Mr Cleverly announced the move after figures showed 100,000 care workers brought 120,000 relatives here in the year to September 2023.

Care providers seeking to employ foreign care workers in England will also have to register with regulator the Care Quality Commission. This comes after a major Mail investigation revealed last week how rogue operators are exploiting Home Office loopholes, bringing in untrained staff who are sometimes barely able to speak English.

A Home Office spokesman said there was 'clear evidence that care workers have been offered visas under false pretences', either for non-existent jobs or to be exploited by unscrupulous employers.

From today, foreign nationals coming to Britain as care workers will be barred from bringing family members with them (Stock Image)

Later this week legislation will be laid to raise the minimum salary a skilled foreign worker must be paid in order to secure a visa.

It will increase from 26,200 to 38,700 on April 4, except for care workers. Ministers will also abolish a 20 per cent discount on the minimum earnings expected for migrant workers in sectors where Britain has a shortage. In addition, the official list of qualifying 'shortage occupations' will be reformed.

Families who want to bring foreign-based relatives  including new spouses  to the UK will have to show they have access to higher sums to support them, including earnings and savings.

From April 11, the minimum of 18,600  which has remained the same since 2012  will increase to 29,000, and then to 38,700 by early next year. The moves are part of a package designed to bring down net migration after it hit a record 745,000 in 2022.

Home Office estimates suggest that when all the measures are in place, net migration  the difference between the number of immigrants coming here long-term and those emigrating  could be cut by 300,000 a year.
Southern Classic Chicken wants to expand its company by opening franchise locations in Houston and Dallas this year. Southern Classic Chicken Southern Classic Chicken wants to expand its company by opening franchise locations in Houston and Dallas this year. Southern Classic Chicken Southern Classic Chicken wants to expand its company by opening franchise locations in Houston and Dallas this year. Southern Classic Chicken Southern Classic Chicken wants to expand its company by opening franchise locations in Houston and Dallas this year. Southern Classic Chicken

Move over Frenchy's Chicken, a taste of the south could soon emerge and shake up Houston's fried chicken game. Louisiana-based Southern Classic Chicken plans to expand its Texas footprint, specifically to Houston and Dallas.

Southern Classic Chickens story dates back to 1976 when Leon Fanning opened his first fried chicken restaurant. Fanning would eventually combine his talents with his brother, Howard Fanning and his son, Brandon Fanning to keep the family legacy of serving fried chicken alive ultimately becoming a household name across the Pelican State. To date, there's 17 company-owned locations across Louisiana plus a franchise group in New Orleans and Lafayette in the process of developing units.

The menu, of course, includes fried chicken and a host of sides like red beans and rice, cole slaw, mashed potatoes with gravy, cajun rice, french fries and sweet corn grit along with a roll. And as the saying goes, "don't forget the pepper "  one of the extras on the menu. There's even an apple pie, for those looking to add something sweet to top off their meal.

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VARIETY IN SPACE CITY: Top fried chicken spots in Houston

"Fried chicken transcends various segments and these two cities show similar characteristics to our successful locations in Louisiana," said Thomas E. O'Keefe, the companys managing director, in an interview with 1851 Franchise. "Our experience in Shreveport, for example, and other similar markets gives us confidence in our appeal to the diverse Texas demographic."

The company hopes to open between 15 to 18 locations. With the help of franchisees, each new location could bring anywhere from 35 to 45 jobs to the area. Binnings said theyre looking for franchisees who can grow a management system.

Houston, in particular, its such a vast area, Binnings said. We feel that being close to Louisiana that it could produce a lot of opportunity if we can find the right franchisees. For us to go into Houston, we need to find the right franchisees  folks that have experience in the restaurant industry and development operating multiple units.

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Opening a franchise location may cost upwards of $1.2 million when factoring in items such as the franchise fee, grand opening advertising, opening inventory, training and other expenses.

Were looking for someone who can open two to three restaurants in that given area, Binnings said. Its really important to open two to three restaurants in a short period of time, so you can build brand awareness, efficiencies in your management and purchasing.

Although, the company's eager to move into the two largest cities in the Lone Star State, Binnings insists multiple factors must align for the restaurants to thrive.

Were not just going to accept anyone just so we can get into the market, Binnings said. We want to be successful, so were willing to wait for the right businesspeople and the right franchisees. But, in 2024 were looking to really expand our efforts and really start pushing hard in Texas to expand because its such a great market.

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According to the Texas Restaurant Association, the state's expected to add 288,000 foodservice jobs to the workforce by 2030. The organization advocates for the states $87 billion industry that includes more than 53,000 locations employing more than 1.3 million people.

Its so much business going on in Texas between the oil and gas and technology, Binnings said. Its just a great market thats always moving. Texas is an excellent state to start a business and to grow a business.
The man who allegedly pushed his girlfriend onto the New York City subway tracks, leaving both her feet severed, is a schizophrenic who previously stabbed a woman and her three-year-old daughter.

Christian Valdez has been identified as the suspect, allegedly arguing with his 29-year-old beau on the platform of Fulton Street sation in the Financial District area of the city on Saturday morning when things escalated.

He allegedly shoved the woman onto the tracks as a 3 train approached, with the victim repeatedly screaming 'I don't deserve this' as she was left pinned under a carriage.

Emergency crews arrived and quickly rushed the victim to Bellevue Hospital where she is in a critical condition, having lost both of her feet due to the incident.

Valdez was arrested about 11 hours after the attack and now faces charges of murder and felony assault but initially fled the station and went to his niece's home according to NY Daily News, telling her the tragic incident was an accident.

Christian Valdez, the man who allegedly pushed his girlfriend onto the New York City subway tracks, leaving both her feet severed, is a parolee who previously stabbed a woman and her then-3-year-old daughter

Valdez - who has three other prior assault arrests on his record - was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2020 on an attempted assault conviction in the Bronx.

However, on January 9, 2023, he was released from a New York State prison on parole.

After his arrest Saturday night at around 9:30pm, the NYPD confirmed his involvement in a September 13, 2017, home invasion.

Valdez broke into 37-year-old Jenny Aquino's apartment in the Bronx, stabbed the woman in the stomach with a glass bottle and then stabbed her three-year-old daughter Bella in the arm with a knife

He then threatened to throw the child off a third-floor fire escape, according to ABC News.

Aquino said she knew Valdez from church and occasionally let him stay at her apartment, though they were not romantically involved.

The woman and her daughter were rescued by a good Samaritan, who heard noise coming from the apartment and ran in, attacking Valdez by throwing household items at him, including vases, before another neighbor could grab the daughter.

Aquino eventually filed a lawsuit against her building management for failing to provide proper security to stop Valdez from breaking in and settled for $225,000 in 2023.

In September 2017, he broke into an apartment in the Bronx, stabbed a woman and then tried to throw her daughter off a third-floor fire escape

The victim was allegedly shoved onto the tracks as a 3 train approached, hitting her as she allegedly screamed: 'I don't deserve this!'

Valdez's niece, who did not give her name, said that her uncle raced to her apartment in nearby Newark, New Jersey shortly after the stabbing.

'He said they had a fight and she fell down but he didn't know how,' she said.

'They were on their way to a medical doctor appointmentTogether they take a train to an appointment and they had an argument,' she said. A police source had also told the New York Post that they had quarreled before he pushed her.

However, Valdez said 'I don't know' when she asked what had happened, adding: 'My girlfriend had an accident.'

He then called someone the niece said was either a social worker or a parole officer and they convinced him to return to New York City.

She said her uncle had been dating the victim for two or three months and believes she knew that he's been living with schizophrenia for 18 years.

While she has never met his girlfriend, she knew they were currently living together in a homeless shelter.

Whether or not it was an accident, his niece - who hopes the victim 'gets better' - is hoping that Valdez can get the help he needs.

Emergency crews arrived and quickly rushed the victim to Bellevue Hospital where she is in a critical condition, having lost both of her feet due to the incident

The mayor said that he will be bringing back methods like bag checks that have been previously used in times of great suspicion

'Christian has schizophrenia and he needs special help. He needs mental health help,' she said and hoped his girlfriend can 'forgive him, because he is sick.'

She says that he's spent time in hospitals in New York and New Jersey getting treatment for his condition and believes that going back to jail will only worsen his mental health, noting that he'd recently stopped taking his medication.

'In prison they don't have good medical help,' she added. 'He needs medical help. He needs help from the doctors.'

Due to the shoving incident, MTA had to cut power to the rail line in order to gain access to the woman.

Train service was significantly impacted for hours while police investigated the incident.

This latest incident comes just days after New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he would be bringing back bag checks for subway riders after a spike in crime.

Recent criminal activity on the trains included a cellist who was bludgeoned over the head by a stranger and a shooting that killed one and injured five others.

'We know people feel unsafe,' Adams, himself a former transit police officer, admitted during a press briefing.

Train service was also significantly impacted for hours while police investigated the incident

There will be 94 bag screening teams sent to 136 stations each week, though the exact locations will be determined.

The mayor said he will be bringing back methods that have been previously used in times of great suspicion.

'We are reinstituting bag checks. There are several things we are reinstituting in the system,' Adams added, with the NYPD reportedly searching bags for weapons such as knives, box cutters, clubs and guns.

The city is also reviewing technology to detect metal objects entering the transit system.

Screening teams will be able to check bags of any passenger for weapons under the policy that has long been dormant.

Those subway back-check protocols were originally brought to the MTA after the London bombings in 2005.

However, it may bring back memories of the city's 'stop-and-frisk' policy, which was ended in 2014 after being deemed 'unconstitutional.'

On Wednesday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced National Guard soldiers and State Police will be deployed to perform 'random' bag checks while the number of plainclothes cops patrolling stations will be increased.
Politicians have blasted a senior Albanese government cabinet minister after a report revealed that he spent tens of thousands of dollars on taxpayer-funded chauffer travel.

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones spent up to $43,000 on taxpayer subsidised COMCAR trips over a nine month period, according to reports published by The Daily Telegraph.

The reports, which cite documents obtained through Freedom of Information, claim Mr Jones racked up more than $11,000 in taxpayer subsidised car trips, including on petrol allowance claims, between April and December 2022.

They included a $1,000 car trip for the 2.5 hour journey from his NSW home in Shellharbour, south of Wollongong, to Parliament House in Canberra that September.

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones (pictured right) spent up to $43,000 on taxpayer subsidised COMCAR trips

According to Finance Department guidelines, MPs are not allowed to use COMCARs for parliamentary business if they can responsibly drive their own private-plated vehicles.

Independent MP Jacqui Lambie said federal leaders were exploiting the guidelines to the 'maximum.'

'Considering he is the Assistant Treasurer, I find it absolutely disgusting,' Ms Lambie told Sky News on Monday.

'And why isn't he driving himself from his house to parliament which is about 200km (to 220km) away.

'Everybody else is expected to do that so I don't understand. Sometimes being a political figure, it goes right to their head, and their entitlement - just blows me away.

Australia's federal politicians, judges and high-ranking visitors can be chauffeured around in electric BMWs. Picture: NCA NewsWire

'I would suggest instead of coming for the Independents or micro (MPs) up there (Canberra) you might want to go to the Labor party and start auditing them.'

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said senior government ministers had additional responsibilities that required them to use taxpayer funded car services more frequently than the average MP.

'Stephen lives in a regional area. He's got a lot of travel to do. It's completely within the entitlements,' Ms Plibersek said on Monday.

However Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said Mr Jones should publicly explain the charges.

'To be frank, I used to drive my car from here in northern NSW to Canberra. I would stop over in Sydney and that was much cheaper than flying. Look, it's something for Stephen to explain.

'It would seem that there is a strong argument as to why he doesn't turn his own car around the other way, which is taxpayer subsidised and just drive it to Canberra.'

According to the most recent parliamentary expenses data Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Workplace Minister Tony Burke spent the most on domestic and international travel after Labor took the federal election in 2022 - with the prime minister claiming over $82,000 in overseas flight expenses and $500,000 in employee travel costs.
Five people have been killed in a plane crash in Virginia close to Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County, north of Roanoke in the west of the state.

The plane, a Westwind Astra, was a private jet and burst into flames on impact when the crash occurred at around 3pm when the airplane came down short of the runway as it was attempting to make an emergency landing.

The Virginia State Police says the plane fell short of the runway, plowed through trees before slamming into a hillside.

The aircraft was not initially set to land at the airport according to WSET.

Of the five people who died, one was the pilot, another was the first officer, and three others were passengers including a child.

Five people have been killed in a plane crash in Virginia. The plane, a Westwind Astra, was a private jet and burst into flames on impact (file photo)

The crash occurred close to Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County, north of Roanoke in the west of the state. Pictured, a file photo of Ingalls Field Airport

The incident occurred around 3 pm as the plane came down short of the runway at Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County north of Roanoke (pictured on Google Earth)

One of the passengers was a child aged 5-7 years old reports WSLS. No survivors have been found.

Local first responders were immediately on the scene including the Bath County Sheriffs Office, Virginia State Police and the Hot Springs Fire and Rescue.

Virginia State Police is investigating the crash alongside the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Law enforcement shut down the airport and is investigating the scene.

There have been a number of fatal plane crashes so far in 2024.

Shocking footage captured the moment the plane exploded into a fireball by the side of a Nashville highway last Monday, killing all five on board

A young family-of-five including three children, 12, 10 and 7, perished in fireball in Nashville last week.

Victor Dotsenko, 43, his wife Rimma, 39, and their three children David, 12, Adam, 10, and Emma, 7, died on Monday next to Interstate-40 when their single-engine plane crashed and burst into a fireball.

Chilling cockpit audio captured Victor frantically warning air traffic control that his 'engine turned off' at 1600ft, as he said his family are 'going to be landing... I don't know where. I'm too far away, I won't make it.'

Moments before, Victor mysteriously overshot John C. Thune Airport by several miles before he U-turned and crashed around 8pm, and investigators have 'no idea why'.

Video out of Florida shows a plane crash in Naples in February - a harrowing vantage offered by an eagle-eyed motorist on I-75.

The private plane crashed into cars on a major highway, causing a massive explosion and killing two of the five people on board

Last month a plane crashed on to I-75 in Florida - killing two people.

The video shows the private jet piloted by 50-year-old Edward Daniel Murphy and second in command Ian Frederick Hofmann, 65, that crashed when its engines failed.

The two pilots died on impact, but thanks to their ability to guide the Bombardier Challenger 60 on to the crowded highway, three others onboard survived.

In January, four people died when a single-engine aircraft crashed off the coast of Half Moon Bay in California.

Among them was a 27-year-old 'experimental plane enthusiast' who piloted the four-seater homebuilt aircraft he'd bought for $100,000 from a retired dentist last year.

A week later another single-engine two-seater homebuilt plane plowed into a car at a busy intersection 60 miles away in Concord, killing its pilot and injuring the car's driver.

Both accidents are being investigated and have renewed scrutiny on a burgeoning subculture.
The Church of Scientology has incurred the wrath of locals and university students after shutting down an entire city block to open its new 'ideal branch' in Chicago.

The grand opening ceremony in South Loop saw followers block access to an entire block of South Clark Street on Sunday.

'While before that Windy City ribbon comes cascading down, this is also the moment to recognize what you already know, how just as Chicago was once reborn, so today there is room for a new beginning,' controversial leader David Miscavige told the crowd outside the brick building of 650 South Clark Street.

'And thus, room for restoring to individuals the ability to live a better life, in their own estimation and with their fellows and the playing of a better game' he said at the building's opening.

The opening sparked backlash from some students at Colombia College, which has a residential hall next door to the new building.

Controversial leader David Miscavige greeted the crowds at the building's opening on Sunday

The grand ceremony in South Loop blocked access to an entire block of South Clark Street

Devin Schwieters, a freshman told the Chicago Tribune the location may attract young students to the Church which is 'disturbing.'

'The first week of school in September when we got here, they did have all these tables set up in front of our dorm with their free stress testing, and they were auditing for students, which was always kind of weird,' she explained.

'When they first started setting up on Saturday, they had all these tables set out again, where it was like, 'Hey, Columbia, like thank you for being our new neighbors.'

'They were giving out free doughnuts and stuff, and it was just a weird taste in my mouth about it. It's very obvious what they're trying to do' she added.

Roisin Darby, a sophomore at Columbia told the Tribune the grand opening was 'entirely disrespectful to the residents.'

'Not only were we as students blocked from our building, having to sometimes physically push past people, but most every business on our street had to close that day,' Darby said.

'Columbia College Chicago is committed to working with the Church of Scientology as a neighbor,' spokesperson for the college Jacqueline Partridge said.

'Our team plans to meet with representatives in the upcoming weeks.'

Students at Colombia College, which has a residential hall next door to the new building have expressed their concerns

Chicago City Council Alderman Bill Ward told the Tribune his office had received a few dozen complaints following Sunday's event.

Conway told the publication that he spoke with church leaders and told them future permits will face 'significant scrutiny' because of the complaints.

'They were saying, 'This was our grand opening, we don't really plan any more of these,' so it was kind of a one-time event,' he said.

Adding: 'We're going to do everything we can to make sure the community maintains access to everything and everybody is safe.'

Bari Berger, a spokesperson for the Church said the new facility is called an 'Ideal Church of Scientology,' because it provides the 'ideal facilities to service Scientologists on their ascent to greater states of spiritual awareness and freedom.'

'The Church is thrilled to be open. We have had an avalanche of good wishes welcoming us to the community. Many new neighbors have told us how happy they are to see the Church finally open in its new home,' she said in a statement.

That 70's Show star Danny Masterson was convicted last May of raping two women in the early 2000s

'We look forward to working hand-in-hand with our neighbors and many community partners in a collaborative effort to uplift this great city.'

Adding that the church complied with instructions from the city and Police Department, and 'went out of our way to make sure all those with apartments or businesses on the street had access during the street closure.'

The Church of Scientology has attracted renewed criticism following the rape conviction of former celebrity member Danny Masterson.

The disgraced TV actor was convicted last May of raping two women in the early 2000s.

He was sentenced in September by a Los Angeles jury to 30 years to life behind bars with the possibility of parole for two counts of rape with force, violence or fear of bodily injury.

After Masterson' conviction for the two rapes, he was expelled from the Church of Scientology and declared a 'suppressive person' - or an 'SP' - which the church defines as someone whose behavior seeks to impede the spiritual progress of those around him.
The ex-headmaster of one of Sydney's most prestigious schools will face a new investigation after he allegedly knew of inappropriate emails between a teacher and one of his former students.

It's alleged a male teacher at Cranbrook School, a boys-only school in Bellevue Hill and Rose Bay in Sydney's exclusive eastern suburbs, sent sexually explicit emails to a former female student from another school in 2014.

Headmaster Nicholas Sampson is alleged to have been made aware in 2015 of the multiple graphic emails allegedly between the teacher and the young woman, from Mount St Benedict College in Pennant Hills in Sydney's north-west.

However, while running $46,497-a-year Cranbrook, Mr Sampson kept the teacher on staff and even promoted him. The teacher has since been suspended.

The actions of Mr Sampson and the larger scandal surrounding the school in the wake of an ABC Four Corners' expose will now be subject to an independent review.

Cranbrook School (pictured) and its former headmaster, Nicholas Sampson, will be subject to an independent review

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare specifically called for an investigation into the events leading up to Mr Sampson's resignation and 'the issues raised in the media relating to Cranbrook and take any appropriate action'.

It's understood Cranbrook held crisis talks on Sunday and is considering a separate audit of its culture.

A spokesperson told The Sydney Morning Herald it will soon share an update on the 'next steps [the board] will implement to ensure they're 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,' they said.

Mount St Benedict College issued its own statement on Friday, saying it was made aware of the emails allegedly between the former teacher and former student, by that time a young adult, in March 2015.

'The college responded promptly and reported the matter to all required agencies including New South WalesPolice, NSW Ombudsman, Association of Independent Schools NSW and the school at which the teacher was subsequently employed,' it said.

'The college discharged its legal responsibilities as required at the time in relation to this matter.'

The male teacher worked at the girls school from 2005 to 2008.

It's alleged Cranbrook was told of the emails and conducted an investigation in 2015 after Mr Sampson brought in NSW Police.

It's alleged Mr Sampson (pictured) was aware of sexual emails between a male teacher and former female student but kept him employed

Cranbrook's investigation found the emails did not breach reportable conduct laws in place to protect children and no action was taken against the teacher.

However, following the Four Corners investigation into the school's culture, the ABC made new claims that the emails contained highly disturbing material including comments about looking up girls' skirts and sexual fantasies about students.

'I remember she used to sit really low in her chair, legs so far apart ... always could see what colour undies she had,' one of the emails reportedly read.

Mr Sampson's resignation was announced on Friday morning citing 'an irrevocable breakdown of trust' between the headmaster and the board.

The acting head of Cranbrook, Michele Marquet, promised parents 'the stability and continuity' of the school's operations in a letter on Friday.

'I understand there may be feelings of disbelief and sadness, which we are all experiencing. I am grateful for everyone's support and together we will navigate through this transition with resilience and grace,' she wrote.

'I firmly believe that by coming together as a community we can overcome any challenges that may lie ahead.

'It is during these testing times that our bonds must grow stronger, and our commitment to our school's vision and mission must deepen.'

The Anglican school is set to become co-educational and welcome female students in 2026.

Mr Sampson's resignation from the school (pictured) was announced on Friday and Federal Education Minister Jason Clare called for an investigation into Cranbrook

One parent told the Herald it was a 'relief' Mr Sampson had resigned but 'the problem is you have to examine the culture of the institution'.

'The council needs to reassure that the school community that the issues are being dealt with and give the school community a chance to ask questions in and bring the whole school community along for this,' they said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Cranbrook School for comment.
The controversial LGBT charity Stonewall received 1.1million in taxpayer cash last year, analysis has shown.

A study by the TaxPayers' Alliance think-tank reveals the charity, known for its radical stance on trans rights, banked at least 1,107,868 of taxpayers' money in 2022/23.

This means around 14 per cent of its total income of 7,779,924 for the year was from the taxpayer.

The largest source of funding was the controversial Diversity Champions scheme, which equalities minister Kemi Badenoch ordered Whitehall departments to withdraw from in August 2023 amid concerns about value for money.

Protesters hold a banner during a rally at Parliament Square to call on public bodies and private companies who are members of Stonewall to come out of the charity scheme

Kemi Badenoch (pictured) ordered Whitehall departments to withdraw from the controversial Diversity Champions scheme

The Foreign Office and the Scottish government were the largest spenders, handing over 173,034 and 101,613 in grants respectively. The Welsh government spent 100,000.

Last year 30 public bodies left the scheme, including the two remaining Whitehall-based organisations, HM Land Registry and Scotland Yard. However, at least 165 public bodies remain members of the Diversity Champions scheme, contributing 530,482.

Callum McGoldrick, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Hard-working Britons haven't signed up to be a part of controversial campaigns.

'Although ministers have continuously championed for a more productive and less wasteful public sector, public bodies have continued to throw taxpayer cash at pressure groups like Stonewall.

Stonewall has been at the centre of rows over its stance on trans issues

'If the Chancellor wants to improve public sector productivity and cut down on waste then this would be a good place to start.'

Stonewall has been at the centre of rows over its stance on trans issues, including over claims that children as young as two can be transgender.

A Stonewall spokesman said: 'LGBTQ+ people still face significant barriers, violence, abuse and discrimination, and the funding supports vital activities in responding to rising hate crime, improving healthcare access for LGBTQ+ people, and supporting workplaces to get the best out of their LGBTQ+ employees.

'In 2024, there should be nothing controversial about supporting organisations that deliver services and programmes that make life better for LGBTQ+ people.'
The mum of Claudia Lawrence is in talks with the council to use her daughter's house for a good cause, 15 years after her disappearance.

Joan Lawrence wants the cottage to be put towards a charitable purpose.

'Whether it be a family who are homeless, or someone who has had to escape their own home such as housing a homeless family or acting as a shelter for someone fleeing domestic abuse.' she said.

The distraught mum is already in discussions with City of York Council about the future of the house.

Ms Lawrence hopes that the building can be put to good use after revealing that she finds returning to her daughter's home, frozen in time, very painful.

'It's so haunting coming back in but I'm tied to it now. It takes so much out of me every time I walk through the front door.' she told The Mirror.

Claudia Lawrence (pictured) was 35 when she mysteriously vanished after failing to turn up for work at the University of York on March 18 2009

Claudia's mother Joan Lawrence has previously said she has been in a 'living nightmare' following disappearance 15 years ago

After Claudia vanished, the inside of her house remained eerily untouched, with all of her clothes still hung up

Claudia was 35 when she mysteriously vanished after failing to turn up for work at the University of York on March 18 2009.

Police believe that the chef - who lived in the Heworth area of York - was murdered, although no body has ever been discovered.

Nearly 15 years after her daughter disappeared, Ms Lawrence, 80, is still searching for answers. Despite North Yorkshire Police conducting two investigations, the case remains unsolved.

'All I want on Claudia's birthday is to know what has happened. No matter how old your children are, they are still your babies,' the grief-stricken mother told The Mirror.

'This is draining for all of us. As a family, we have had to live in a state of limbo for far too long,' she added.

Ms Lawrence added that 'no parent should have to endure this amount of pain' and that she relives the horrors of her daughter's disappearance every day. Claudia's mother says she will buy her daughter a bunch of purple tulips and light a candle for her at church, as she does every year.

In the years since Claudia went missing, 12 people have been arrested but no charges have ever been brought.

Her disappearance sparked the biggest and most complex missing person inquiry in North Yorkshire Police's history.

Police activity around Claudia's case increased in 2021 when the North Yorkshire force spent two weeks searching a lake and nearby woods just outside York but hopes of a breakthrough were later dashed.

Teams of police experts, search dogs, divers and forensic archaeologists spent two weeks scouring a lake and nearby woods for potential spots where her body could have been left but nothing was found.

That same year, Claudia's father, Peter Lawrence, died aged 74. At the time of his illness, he was adamant investigators should continue looking for his daughter whatever happened to him.

Retired solicitor Mr Lawrence had tirelessly campaigned for information to try to find his daughter and had battled for legislation to help families in similar positions.

Mr Lawrence received an OBE for helping to shape the 2017 Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act, known informally as Claudia's Law.

Parts of the home were packed up in the years after her death, with Ms Lawrence now wanting to pass the house on to a good cause

Many of Claudia's personal possessions were removed by police as they launched a search for her

Ms Lawrence's father, Peter (pictured together), died without knowing what happened to his daughter

Claudia's house was swarmed by forensic officers after her sudden disppearance

Police officers searching the land at Sand Hutton Gravel Pits near York in connection with the disappearance in August 2021 but have yet to crack the case

The law, known informally as Claudia's Law, created a new legal status of guardian of the affairs of a missing person, allowing someone to act in their best interests after they have been gone for 90 days or more.

The new legislation means families can oversee the financial and property affairs of their missing loved one, if the person has been missing for 90 days - lessening what can be a huge burden at a traumatic time.

Although police believe that Claudia is dead, Ms Lawrence still maintains hope that her daughter is still alive until she has evidence to suggest otherwise.

She said the best present she could wish for on her daughter's birthday is 'answers'.
Surgeons have used Apple's new virtual reality goggles to help carry out an operation for the first time in the UK.

A team at the private Cromwell Hospital in London used a 2,700 Vision Pro headset to repair the spine of a male patient.

A scrub nurse working alongside the surgeon wore the device to help prepare, keep track of the procedure, and choose the right tools.

The device allowed them to see the real world but with superimposed virtual screens in front of them showing vital information  known as augmented reality.

A team at the private Cromwell Hospital in London used a 2,700 Vision Pro headset to repair the spine of a male patient

Two NHS trusts are already in talks with Exex, the US firm behind the AI software, to potentially start using it. The operation  carried out by surgeon Syed Aftab a fortnight ago  comes as the Chancellor last week called for the health service to embrace AI.

In his Budget speech Jeremy Hunt said he would plough billions into modernising NHS IT systems in a bid to boost productivity and cut inefficiency.

Apple's Vision Pro is not yet available here. Costing $3,500 in the US, it was designed to create an immersive experience while playing computer games or watching films.

Suvi Verho, lead scrub nurse at London Independent Hospital, said the technology was a 'gamechanger', adding: 'It eliminates human error. It eliminates the guesswork.

'It gives you confidence in surgery.'

Suvi Verho, lead scrub nurse at London Independent Hospital, said the technology was a 'gamechanger' (Stock Image)

The underlying AI software also keeps a note of each stage of the operation  and in future will measure how well it went against similar procedures performed by other surgeons.

Mr Aftab said the software had the power to turn a scrub nurse he had never worked with  which is a regular occurrence  into someone with ten years' experience.

He added that the technology would 'superpower' his operating team into the equivalent of a Formula One pit crew, saying: 'That's the idea  that it doesn't matter if you've never been in a pitstop in your life. You just put the headset on.'
The Home Office has been blasted as 'dysfunctional' by the ex-borders watchdog.

David Neal, the former independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, said the department was in need of widespread reform.

Mr Neal was dismissed on the orders of Home Secretary James Cleverly last month after revealing a major new border security farce in the Daily Mail.

He disclosed how the UK Border Force had failed to inspect hundreds of private jets which landed at London City Airport last year despite being assessed as 'high-risk'.

'The Home Office is dysfunctional, the Home Office needs reform,' Mr Neal told the BBC's Today Podcast.

Mr Neal, the former head of the Royal Military Police, expressed fears the watchdog role would remain unfilled for months while a successor is appointed.

Neal said the department was in need of widespread reform (Stock Image)

David Neal, former independent chief inspector of borders and immigration

'There will be no scrutiny of small boats, there will be no scrutiny of adults at risk in detention which is a controversial area, there will be no publishing of the Rwanda material,' he said.

'Much of the debate is dominated by asylum, but actually the protection of our borders is a 24/7 activity, that affects every person in this country and that's why it's so critical.'

Thirteen of Mr Neal's reports exposing a series of blunders in the borders and immigration system were belatedly published two weeks ago, on the same day as the findings of the inquiry into Sarah Everard's murder by a serving police officer.

The former chief inspector said that despite losing his job he had been 'absolutely vindicated', adding: 'I've done the right thing, my conscience is absolutely clear.'
Angela Rayner yesterday hit back at a former neighbour who branded her a 'f****** liar' for claiming she did not live with her husband before becoming an MP.

Labour's deputy leader has faced weeks of scrutiny on whether she should have paid capital gains tax when she sold her former council house for a 48,500 profit.

Neighbours of the property in Stockport have said she did not live there after marrying her husband Mark in 2010 despite remaining on the electoral roll. But Ms Rayner has continued to insist she did 'maintain' her own property.

Sylvia Hampson, 83, who lived next-door to Mr Rayner's house a mile away, told The Mail on Sunday the Labour frontbencher was 'a f****** liar' if she was saying she had not lived there.

'She definitely lived at that house,' said Ms Hampson. Yesterday a spokesman for the MP hit back: 'Gossip and hearsay does not change the fact that Angela Rayner maintained her own home while sharing childcare responsibilities with her husband at his property.

Angela Rayner yesterday hit back at a former neighbour who branded her a 'f****** liar' for claiming she did not live with her husband before becoming an MP

Labour 's deputy leader has faced weeks of scrutiny on whether she should have paid capital gains tax when she sold her former council house for a 48,500 profit

'Angela Rayner has set out her family's circumstances and has taken expert tax and legal advice which confirms that no capital gains tax was payable on the sale of her home.'

But a Conservative source said: 'She has refused to explain why she provided different home addresses to different authorities and is now openly being called a liar by her former neighbours.

'If there was an innocent explanation, she could provide it and draw a line under the matter.

'It's odd that she is claiming to have taken legal advice as to where she lived, surely that's something she would know.'

The apparently contradictory accounts come after police said they had found no evidence of any offences.

Officers had been asked by a Tory MP to investigate claims that Ms Rayner did not live at the house where she was registered to vote. Ms Rayner, ribbed by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt over her 'multiple dwellings' in his Budget speech last week, has insisted she did live in the property which she bought under right-to-buy in 2007.

Asked on BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg about the allegations, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said she had 'absolute faith in Angela'.

Asked on BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg about the allegations, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said she had 'absolute faith in Angela'

Ms Rayner insists she lived in the semi-detached house in Vicarage Road until weeks before her election as MP for Ashton-under-Lyne in 2015 and never rented it out

She added: 'She's been very clear, she's taken advice, and has explained the situation.'

The multiple homes claims emerged in a forthcoming book Red Queen? The Unauthorised Biography of Angela Rayner by Lord Ashcroft, which will be serialised in the Mail.

Ms Rayner insists she lived in the semi-detached house in Vicarage Road until weeks before her election as MP for Ashton-under-Lyne in 2015 and never rented it out.

The mother-of-three and Mr Rayner, who have since separated, both 'maintained' their own homes until setting up a joint marital home after she was elected to Parliament, she says.
Sawyer Yards earned an Urban Land Institute Development of Distinction Award in 2018. Courtesy of Mitch Cohen

The Market at Sawyer Yards returned to its Art Alley location on Saturday. Once a bustling rail line on Winter Street serving the Mahatma Rice Co., the space has become a hub for local artisans of lower-priced crafts in recent years.

Since 2016, the Market has been timed to coincide with Second Saturday Open Studios at Sawyer Yards. May 11, its 8th anniversary, will also mark the final Market.

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"It's not easy, I love that market," says founder Mitch Cohen of his decision to close. "The (artisans) have not been making any money. They don't tell me that, but they don't come back. And there are lots of big tenants, so parking is very competitive. Lots of things have hurt our attendance. We really need a strong audience to keep everyone there, and it's kind of dwindled over the past year or two."

He adds that artisans aren't exactly happy that the Market will shutter, though they do understand. Many have expressed that they would participate in the future, should Cohen find a replacement location.

Exhibitors from the inaugural Market at Sawyer Yards pose in front of a mural. Courtesy of Mitch Cohen

When he founded the Market at Sawyer Yards, the goal was emulate Eugene Saturday Market in Oregon, one of the oldest, outdoor folk markets in the U.S. For the first few years, when the Silos and surrounding area was still being developed, he had up to 60 vendors. Back then, around Super Bowl LI in Houston, the Market benefited from high visibility. Brewing companies, such as Holler and Buff, moved in; parking suddenly became an issue.

Cohen says the Market suffered from weather issues, too. Art Alley is uncovered, and Houston summers are too hot to draw significant crowds.

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"There are lots of markets in Houston, lots of competition. I need to go with what's organic," Cohen says. "This has been great. Maybe someone else can pop up there and do something different."

Mostly, vendors and visitors have expressed to Cohen that they will miss the atmosphere, friends and neighbors they see monthly.

Last week, Cohen issued the following statement in the Market's newsletter: "Sadly the May 11th market, our 8th anniversary for The Market at Sawyer Yards, will be the last. Its been a great run, amazing space and neighbors. Some things just run their course. Swing by and say hello and goodbye! The hundreds of studio artists will of course continue with their open studios and events.'

One of his favorite vendors is a woman who makes various artwork and sculptures out of folded paperback books.

"We had everything from low-end to just amazing. There's a niche that we haven't really seen in Houston," he says. "It's pretty bittersweet being the eighth anniversary, too."
The Palace is today facing questions after top agencies 'killed' Kate's Mother's Day photo over claims it has been 'manipulated' - with fans pointing to 'errors' that allegedly prove it has been edited.

Concerns were raised over possible digital manipulation of a new family photograph showing Kate, 42, with her three children in the first official picture of the Princess of Wales since undergoing abdominal surgery in January.

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.

The most common 'editing errors' found by social media sleuths were Kate's absent wedding ring, Charlotte's blurred skirt and her partially missing sleeve and Kate's misaligned zip.

The picture, said to be taken by the Prince of Wales, is still up on the official social media channels and the Palace has not yet commented on the concerns raised about the picture.

Meanwhile picture agencies including Reuters, AP, Getty, and AFP withdrew the photo last night, saying it may have been digitally manipulated.

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

It appears Charlotte's hand was copied over from another picture as there is an empty space where her sleeve should be

Kate's zip appears to be misaligned on the photo as the top of it is further left and appears significantly lighter than the rest of the zip

Charlotte's hair seems to end abruptly on her shoulder on her right despite her hair on the left going on for a few inches

The corner of Charlotte's skirt was pointed out as another 'editing error' by social media sleuths

Royal watchers flocked to social media to say that Princess Charlotte's wrist and sleeve of her jumper appeared to have been digitally altered as well as her knee seeming 'blurry'.

There also appeared to be an issue with the heel of Charlotte's right boot, the corner of her skirt and her hair stopping abruptly on her shoulder.

Other frequently identified 'editing fails' were Kate's missing wedding ring on her left hand, her other hand as well as her hair looking 'blurred' and the zipper on her jacket not lining up correctly. One even claimed her chin and neck had been photoshopped.

In the image, one of Louis' fingers looks shorter than the others as he appears to be crossing his fingers in an odd gesture. Social media sleuths also said that his trousers look digitally altered.

Further aspects pointed out by social media users include the length of Prince George's forearms, the paving and window panes behind the family as well as the late-autumn leaves on the trees not matching up with the claim the photo is recent.

Without an official response from the palace, the apparent editing errors in the photograph added fuel to the fire of the conspiracy theories circulating about the whereabouts of Kate Middleton.

Royal commentator Peter Hunt said: 'This is damaging for the royals. They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate.

'Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.'

This comes as AP issued an alert asking for the picture to be 'killed' from their system, saying: 'At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image.'

A spokesperson for the agency told The Telegraph that the photo shows 'an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand'.

Others demand it be removed from picture libraries for 'editorial' reasons.

AFP wrote: '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.'

The Princess of Wales has not been seen since she attended the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham

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

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

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.

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.

It comes after the Wales' family Christmas card was also 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.

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?'
The father of former PM Boris Johnson has said he may vote Labour at the next general election if the party offers a 'coherent policy' to re-connect with the EU.

Stanley Johnson said he would switch his allegiance if Sir Keir Starmer's party promised to bring Britain back into the European Environment Agency (EEA) which it left when the UK left the trading bloc in 2020.

He warned that the Conservative party would not be saved by trying to woo voters on the hard right.

The staunch Remainer, who became a French national following Brexit, told GB News: '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 asked if he would therefore vote Labour he said: 'Well I might well. I tell you something I might.'

Stanley Johnson said he would switch his allegiance if Sir Keir Starmer's party promised to bring Britain back into the European Environment Agency (EEA)

When asked by Camilla Tominey (pictured) if he would vote Labour he said: 'Well I might well. I tell you something I might.'

Despite backtracking by saying: 'Nothing would tempt me to vote Labour.', when pressed Mr Johnson elaborated.

He said he could be tempted if there was a 'coherent policy now to rebuild bridges with Europe.'

He added: '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.'

Mr Johnson emphasised his stance by saying that he believed an important topic like the environment outweighed any political party.

Labour has said that it would strengthen ties between the EU and Britain, which would include a veterinary and security and defence agreement according to The Telegraph.

Keir Starmer is hoping to re-write the current Brexit deal if he got into power at the next general election but he did not go as far as to say that Labour would seek to re-join the EU.

The former PM's father was also asked about his son's political ambitions and whether he would be given a safe-seat at the next election.

The staunch Remainer became a French national following Brexit to maintain ties to the continent

Mr Johnson, who has previously supported his son, emphasised that an important topic like the environment outweighed any political party

Boris Johnson's father said he would only throw his support behind his son if he committed to 'really pushing again on the environmental stuff'.

Mr Johnson's comments come after it was revealed by The Sunday Times that the former statesman flew to Venezuela in February for a private meeting with President Nicolas Maduro.
British prisons could run out of space in a matter of weeks unless the Prime Minister speeds up a bill to scrap short sentences, the Justice Secretary has warned.

The latest Ministry of Justice figures showed that there were fewer than 1,000 free beds among the whole of the UK's prisons.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk told Rishi Sunak that the Sentencing Bill needed to pass to make space in overcrowded jails.

The Bill, which would effectively scrap sentences of less than a year, was announced in autumn after a crisis in prison capacity.

Instead of a jail term, criminals would receive community or suspended sentences.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk told Rishi Sunak that the Sentencing Bill needed to pass to make space in overcrowded prisons

The latest Ministry of Justice figures showed that there were fewer than 1,000 free beds among the whole of the UK's prisons. Pictured: Belmarsh Prison

Judges could however impose sentences in exceptional circumstances.

Without the legislation, there could be riots and even prison vans leaving court without anywhere to take convicts, it has been warned.

However, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman said the Bill was 'misguided'.

She is set to vote against the Bill along with a number of other MPs, The Times reported.

A government spokesman said: 'We will always ensure there is enough capacity to serve the outcome of the courts and keep dangerous offenders behind bars and are delivering the biggest prison expansion programme since the Victorian era to keep our streets safe.

'We are committed to passing the Sentencing Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows, which will ensure the most horrific murderers who kill with sexual or sadistic conduct face life in prison, force rapists to spend every day of their custodial sentence behind bars and help reduce reoffending through greater use of tougher community sentences.'
EXCLUSIVE

A young woman who stabbed her mother to death before being shot dead by police had repeatedly threatened to harm her in the weeks before the tragedy, Daily Mail Australia can reveal, as disturbing text messages emerge.

Joanne Perry, 53, died on Friday evening when she was stabbed multiple times in the neck and chest by her daughter Carly Pirronelli, 26, in Lower Plenty, 16km north-east of the Melbourne CBD.

A police officer was forced to shoot Pirronelli dead after she refused to put down the knife.

Daily Mail Australia can now reveal Perry had feared her wayward daughter, who had a troubled past which included home invasion and drug charges.

A neighbour with close connections to the family said Pirronelli's mental health had spiralled out of control over the past few weeks as her worried mother fought in vain to have her committed to a psychiatric ward.

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

The home where Carly Pirronelli murdered her mother before being gunned down by police

The woman, who asked not to be identified, said she had almost called the police herself in the weeks leading up to Friday night's tragedy.

'I've heard in weeks past a lot of domestics going on,' she said.

'They were always shouting. I could hear a man's voice sometimes too. Once or twice I wanted to call the police, but I didn't know exactly where it was (coming from).'

The neighbour claimed others living in the vicinity of the home had called the police about their concerns.

'Apparently it had been reported numerous times. There's mental health issues with the daughter, so it's a really sad story,' she said.

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

Carly Pirronelli lived at the end of a quiet nook with her mother

The neighbour claimed she had heard a person she believed to be Pirronelli make repeated threats to her mother.

'I'd heard threats before that's why I was going to call the police,' she said.

Some of those threats included threats to set people alight.

'I'd heard the fire thing before,' she said.

'It just sounded really threatening.'

Police were called to Kett St 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.

The neighbour claimed police fired anywhere up to half-a-dozen shots during the horrific incident.

'I'm guessing some of those were probably warning shots given what they came across,' she said.

Carly Pirronelli and her mum in happier times

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

It is understood Pirronelli's family had desperately tried to obtain help for her, but they struggled to get any assistance.

'She had major mental health problems and they had been trying to get her into a facility. She's been manic, or psychotic over the past few weeks and had been trying to get her committed,' the neighbour said.

'It's so hard to have people committed and now she's dead too. It's all very sad... a lot of the time these people are just on their own. It's pretty scary.'

The neighbour claimed arguments heard echoing from the property significantly increased this year.

'Once or twice I just thought it was a bit worrying. This is a pretty quiet area so it was obvious,' she said.

'I'm sure that when she was in a good place she was a lovely daughter, but when you're psychotic you're not in control.'

On Monday, chilling text messages Pirronelli sent to her ex-partner, Tyler Jackman, emerged.

The messages sent on January 31, explained she 'can't deal' with things and that it had 'been the most dramatic last year for no reason.

'Find it hard to even handle it cause I'm not used to drama stresses me out bad.'

Pirronelli added that she hadn't spoken to anyone for a long time.

Mr Jackman told news.com.au that Pirronelli 'did something terrible, but she was at breaking point ... I can't believe she's gone.'

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, Pirronelli 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.

Carly Pirronelli and her mum had a troubled relationship due to her mental illness

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

'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.'
Millions of pounds in taxpayers' cash is being spent on 'woke' public sector jobs in Whitehall, it can be revealed.

Some 166 officials are working in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) roles or have equality, diversity, inclusion, gender, LGBT and race in their job titles.

They include 51 staff at NHS England and 28 officials at the Cabinet Office - which is currently auditing all diversity spending within Whitehall as part of a crackdown on wasted cash.

With an average UK public sector salary of 42,500, it means the roles could be costing the taxpayers as much as 7million a year.

The Government was last night urged to scrap the roles by MPs who slammed them as an 'utter waste of taxpayers cash'.

Whitehall, HM Treasury Building at the Corner of Parliament Square and Parliament Street

Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith (pictured) told The Mail 'Brits are fed up of civil servants wasting their money'

Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith told The Mail 'Brits are fed up of civil servants wasting their money.

'Breaking glass ceilings is everyone's responsibility, so there is no good reason why departments need so many equality and diversity jobs.

'The Chancellor is right to root out these roles and focus on public sector productivity in Whitehall and beyond.'

Former Tory minister Jonathan Gullis MP called for the roles to be abolished immediately.

He said: 'What a complete and utter waste of taxpayers' hard-earned money.

'These pointless EDI roles just add additional layers onto already existing HR departments, and being no benefit other than to impose woke warriors nonsensical views upon everyone else. We should immediately abolish all such roles.'

The figures were revealed as part of written responses to a series of departmental questions asked by MPs.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt asked the Cabinet Office to carry out audit into all EDI spending and activity across the Civil Service last year but the results are yet to be published.

A Government spokesperson said: 'As set out in the Autumn Statement, the Government is considering a presumption against external equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) spending in the Civil Service, as well as a review of EDI spending.

'This review is under way and the Government will report back in due course.'
Newly uncovered forensic evidence in the case of a woman accused of murdering her two adult children will be placed under intense scrutiny by her defence counsel.

Maree Mavis Crabtree pleaded not guilty in January to murdering her son Jonathan by giving him an overdose of prescription drugs in a fruit smoothie in July 2017.

Her trial related only to the death in the family's Gold Coast home of the 26-year-old who had a brain injury from a car crash.

Jurors were discharged after the trial was disrupted by the discovery of documents that could be admissible as evidence and Crabtree was later released on bail.

Maree Mavis Crabtree pleaded not guilty in January to murdering her son Jonathan by giving him an overdose of prescription drugs in a fruit smoothie in July 2017

Crabtree was also committed in 2021 - but is yet to stand trial - for the alleged 2012 murder of her daughter Erin

Crabtree was also committed in 2021 - but is yet to stand trial - for the alleged 2012 murder of her daughter Erin, 18.

The murder charge involving Jonathan was subject to a review in Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday, which Crabtree attended in person.

Crown prosecutor Philip McCarthy said police, after a prolonged period since Jonathan's death, had analysed the blender allegedly used by Crabtree to prepare a drug-laced smoothie.

Mr McCarthy said the forensic officer found traces of the opioid painkiller oxycodone, anti-anxiety drug diazepam and antipsychotic quetiapine.

'The presence of those items is relevant to whether or not there is any corroboration of (Tara's) allegation that her mother had placed those medications in a blender,' he said.

A key witness for the prosecution has been Crabtree's daughter Tara, who claims she stood lookout while Crabtree mixed multiple drugs into the smoothie.

Crabtree's defence has previously questioned the reliability of Tara's statement and claimed it did not match other evidence.

The murder charge involving Jonathan was subject to a review in Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday, which Crabtree attended in person

Mr McCarthy said he would need detailed reports and forensic notes from police about how they have handled the blender since it was seized and how they reached their findings on the drugs' alleged presence.

Crabtree's solicitor said she would seek that all the police materials mentioned by Mr McCarthy were disclosed to the defence.

'I do anticipate we will seek our own expert report,' she said.

Justice Peter Davis adjourned the matter until May 13 and extended Crabtree's bail.
A cop who landed his dream job after he moved halfway across the world to join Western Australia Police has died in a tragic accident at home,

The male officer died while he was off duty at a property in Western Australia on Sunday.

The senior constable is reported to have moved from the UK to Australia in 2013 to pursue his ambition of becoming a police officer in WA.

He began his career at the WA Police Academy in Joondalup and featured in the UK TV series Wanted Down Under, giving a teenager advice on life in Australia before they migrate.

A constable who served in the WA police force (pictured stock image) has died following an accident at his home on the weekend

He served in several posts while he was in the force including in regional WA and took part in Movember with officers from Kalgoorlie Police station, reported the West Australian.

The officer's death was confirmed in a statement by Western Australia Police on Monday.

'WA Police regretfully confirm the death of a senior constable following a serious accident that occurred whilst off duty,' the spokesperson said.

'Our thoughts and deepest condolences are extended to his family and colleagues.'

Health and safety officials at WA police, are providing the friends and family of the officer with support.

The cause of the accident that led to the death of the constable is not yet known.

The deathc comes just two weeks after a female police officer took her own life at her home in Albany, 418km south-east of Perth, three weeks ago on February 21.

Her death was not being treated as suspicious and a report was prepared for the coroner.

WA Police Union president Paul Gale told reporters on Sunday, that the police force is grieving the latest loss of the UK-born constable.

The officer was not on duty (pictured stock image) at the time of the incident with members of the force expressing their condolences following his death

'Although, [it was] an accidental death at home, it is a stark reminder that life is precious an can be taken away without warning,' he said.

WA Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti described the death of the officer as an 'awful tragedy'.

'As I understand it, this police officer came over from the UK to start a new life in WA,' she said.

'My condolences go out to the family and friends of that particular officer.'

WA Police has been hit by multiple tragedies in recent years with several officers have taken their own lives in recent years.

Senior Constable Dave Curtis, 53, took his own life in 2019 and two years later, two officers, including a sergeant who ran his own station, took their own life within two weeks of each other.

One of those was Constable Cameron Fyfe, who was 27.

An inquest into his death held in 2023 heard that Constable Fyfe hid his mental health problems from his bosses because he feared there would be repercussions if he spoke about it.

His death, and that of Sergeant Randall Moulden, led to then-police commissioner Chris Dawson to convene the first-ever police mental health forum in WA.

If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
A 12-year-old boy with Down syndrome and autism was wearing just a nappy, t-shirt and no shoes when he disappeared from a park in Sydney's west two days ago.

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 on Saturday.

It's been more than 48 hours since Hussein was last seen, with police now describing the search as 'critical'.

The large search operation is being assisted by the police air wing and about 100 SES volunteers, with authorities fearing Hussein is into his third day without food or water.

A member of the public believed they spotted the boy at about 9pm on Saturday near Norval Street in Auburn, but police have not confirmed this sighting.

CCTV captured Hussein at nearby Auburn station, barefoot and in his nappy, but police say he did not board a train.

The search resumed on Monday morning with SES volunteers knocking on doors and searching backyards in the hope Hussein will turn up.

Police and Hussein's family hold 'grave concerns' due to the fact he is non-verbal.

The boy was seen barefoot and in just a nappy and t-shirt on Saturday at Auburn train station in Sydney's west

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 to catch Hussein's attention, which police say he is fond of.

NSW Police Superintendent Simon Glasser said there was nothing to suggest anything sinister was behind 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.'

A helicopter is being used as part of the search while the police dog unit are on standby.

The boy was seen wandering alone at Auburn train station on Saturday

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.

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.
The chairwoman of the Brooklyn Democrat Party is accusing a former state assemblyman of engaging in 'white supremacy' by allegedly trying to discourage the party from backing Asian candidates.

Peter Abbate, who lost his seat in the 'red wave' that hit New York in 2022 to Republican Lester Chang, has been accused of telling the party not to support the candidacy of Pei 'Sanny' Xei Chen Liu.

Liu gained notoriety after she was able to conceive a child with her hero NYPD officer husband Wenjian Liu 31 months after he was fatally shot without as he sat in his squad car in 2014.

Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn said that Abbate texted her calling their support of Liu for a spot as a party district leader a 'big mistake.'

Susan Zhuang, a city councilwoman, has also accused Abbate of verbal assault and claimed 'I don't think he will do that to a man or non-immigrant.'

Abbate denied having the exchange with Zhuang and Bichotte-Hermelyn's 'outrageous' accusations, responding by saying that they are 'sabotaging' the party.

The chairwoman of the Brooklyn Democrat Party is accusing former State Assemblyman Peter Abbate (pictured) of engaging in 'white supremacy' by allegedly trying to discourage the party from backing Asian candidates

Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn (right) said that Abbate texted her calling their support of Pei 'Sanny' Xei Chen Liu (left) for a spot as a party district leader a 'big mistake'

However, Bichotte-Hermelyn insisted Abbate is engaging in racism, telling the New York Post: 'This white supremacy stuff has to stop.'

Zhuang claims that Abbate got in her face in a way that he would not have for a white person.

'I was invited by a local community leader to a pre-Sabbath gathering inside a local Southern Brooklyn small business,' she said.

'Suddenly, former Assemblyman Peter Abbate stormed inside and immediately approached me up close, violating my personal space, and began to verbally assault me.'

'I don't think he will do that to a man or non-immigrant,' she argued. 'His sexist, misogynistic, and toxic intimidation tactics will not deter me from fully exercising my democratic rights.'

The former state assemblyman says that Zhuang is lying and Bichotte-Hermelyn is doing a disservice to their party.

Liu gained made headline after she was able to conceive a child with her hero NYPD officer husband 31 months after he was fatally shot without as he sat in his squad car in 2014

Wenjian Liu, 32, and his partner Rafael Ramos, 40, were gunned down in the car in Brooklyn, just five days before Christmas 2014

Susan Zhuang, a city councilwoman, has also accused Abbate of verbal assault and claimed 'I don't think he will do that to a man or non-immigrant'

'All she is doing is dividing the Democratic Party,' he said. 'She is a disgrace to the Democratic Party. The best thing she could do is resign.'

He cited his past support for Asian American candidates as a sign he wasn't a white supremacist.

He also noted that he'd authored laws to help Liu's daughter after the killing of her husband and said Bichotte-Hermelyn was 'using' her and other Asian candidates to help the party.

'For her to say that is outrageous,' he added.
The mother of Luke Davies has broken her silence after her son and his partner Jesse Baird were allegedly murdered three weeks ago by a NSW police officer.

The couple's bodies were found inside surfboard bags on February 27 at a rural property in Bungonia near Goulburn, about 200km southwest of Sydney.

NSW police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon is accused of shooting the pair with his service weapon while off-duty on February 19.

Detectives allege Lamarre-Condon's killing of Mr Baird with his police-issued gun was a premeditated attack after a months-long campaign of 'predatory behaviour' towards the man he briefly dated.

Sandra Davies, the mother of Luke, has broken her silence after her son and his partner Jesse Baird were allegedly murdered three weeks ago

Mr Davies (left) and his new partner Jesse Baird (right) were allegedly killed by NSW Police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon

According to police, Mr Davies, a Qantas flight attendant, was allegedly murdered because he happened to be in the Paddington property at the time of his partner's killing.

On Monday morning, Sandra Davies shared her grief on a GoFundMe page set up to support the family.

She described Luke, one of her three sons, as 'our cherished and most beautiful, kindest soul'.

'It is with a grateful heart we thank you all sincerely, although these words just don't seem enough for the overwhelming love and generosity both Luke and Jesse have received these past few weeks,' Mrs Davies wrote.

'To all the family, friends and strangers for your generous gifts and words of support we appreciate all of your help during this very traumatic and difficult time and will continue to keep you updated as we start to prepare for Luke's final farewell.'

More than $75,000 has been donated to the family since the tragedy.

Lamarre-Condon (pictured) is accused of murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. He has been charged over their deaths

Jessica Vaux, a friend of the family who set up the fundraiser, said she will never forget Luke.

'The intentions (of the fundraiser) are to help his family in this tragic time and help give him the send off he deserves,' Ms Vaux wrote.

'Luke was a larger than life human who touched everyone's hearts he met. There was never a dull moment when his presence and infectious laugh was in a room.

'Taken too soon but the memories will last a lifetime. Fly high Lukey, until we meet again.'

The Davies family previously allowed Qantas to name their float at Sydney's Mardi Gras after Luke.
Leah Lamp, right, talks with producer Philip Sinqefield across from Steve Meeker about her ideas for a future episode of their podcast, Remnant Stew, Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Conroe. Lamp, along with Meeker, a retired Willis ISD teacher, started the podcast about weird and interesting things in history. The show returns for season five Monday after a hiatus since August. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Leah Lamp adjusts her headphones before recording of the podcast, Remnant Stew, Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Conroe. Lamp, along with Steve Meeker, a retired Willis ISD teacher, started the podcast about weird and interesting things in history. The show returns for season five Monday after a hiatus since August. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Steve Meeker, retired junior high history teacher from Montgomery ISD, is a co-host of the Remnant Stew podcast. Photo courtesy Leah Lamp Leah Lamp is a co-host of the Remnant Stew podcast. Photo courtesy Leah Lamp

After taking a hiatus since August, the Remnant Stew podcast from Conroe is back with new episodes on the strange and unusual news of the world.

Leah Lamp and Steve Meeker co-host the podcast about oddities in the news. The show returns for its fifth season Monday and release a new episode every other week for the rest of 2024. Seasons one through four were recently loaded to the Remnant Stew Youtube channel.

ON YOURCONROENEWS.COM: Businesses are flocking to Montgomery County and 2 chambers of commerce will merge to help

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"The world is a strange and crazy place so we never run out of topics to talk about," Lamp said.

The mascot of the Remnant Stew podcast Sir Kraken is outfitted with eclipse glasses for the upcoming solar eclipse. Lamp and Meeker will travel west of here to experience the eclipse. Photo courtesy Leah Lamp

Lamp has always been a curator of stories. Her family members would often ask her to tell them a story. When she was finding she could not remember them all, she began posting them on Facebook just to keep track. This practice turned into the Remnant Stew podcast.

She teamed up with Meeker who taught two of her children history in Montgomery ISD. Their trio includes Philip Sinquefield as the audio producer who also chimes in.

They started out recording at a studio in downtown Conroe in September 2020 with Robert Ripley as their muse.

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Ripley created the "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" newspaper panel series, television show and radio show around odd facts.

An episode in the first Remnant Stew season was dedicated to him. Since launching, the podcast has been downloaded 27,000 times in 87 countries. Its available on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Podcast. The mascot is an orange octopus named Sir Kraken.

One of their listeners is a young man in Azerbaijan who liken their show to "listening to his parents tell stories." Another listener from England compared their show to a "comforting blanket."

"Were in a politically divisive era and we wanted to give people something different to listen to, something that was fun and uplifting," Meeker said. "Its clean with no profanity and families can listen. It's suitable for all ages." If there is a sensitive topic, they offer a disclaimer at the beginning of the episode.

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From left Steve Meeker, Leah Lamp and Philip Sinquefield make up the Remnant Stew podcast broadcast from "greater Cut and Shoot." Photo courtesy Leah Lamp

Some of Meeker's favorite past episodes have been "Submarines and War Machines," "Time Warp" which was all about the strangeness of time and weird clocks and "Weird Celebrations" of customs from around the world.

Two of Lamp's favorite episodes have been "Mind Games" about strange things that the brain does and "Once Upon a Time" about fairy tales which was one of their most popular episodes.

During their pause, Meeker traveled in Canada and he came upon the Canadian Potato Museum. The museum is the inspiration for one of their upcoming episodes "This Spuds for You."

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The first episode back Monday is about things found underground. Other upcoming episodes discuss odd mascots, conspiracy theories, lost and found items including Pancho Villa's head and Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla.

Lamp said they verify that their stories are accurate to the best of their ability.

Joining in for season 5 of Remnant Stew is Leah's son, Samuel, with the "Oddities De Jour" segment. Photo courtesy Leah Lamp

New this season, Lamp's son Samuel, 24, will be joining them for a segment during the show called "Oddities De Jour."

"He's just as much a fan of strange and unusual stories as I am," she said.

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They are also preparing for the April 8 solar eclipse which will cover a swath of Texas west of Montgomery County.

"Steve and I, along with our families are traveling west to view it from the path of totality and will share our experiences on our social media pages, FB and IG @RemnantStewPodcast," Lamp said.

They are giving away free eclipse glasses to show listeners. Email StayCurious@RemnantStew.com or share their pages on social media and tag the Remnant Stew podcast.
The US has deployed Marines to evacuate its embassy in Haiti as local gangs continue to attack state institutions.

The operation, which occurred early Sunday, serves as the latest sign of Haiti's societal troubles, as locals in its capital continue to report the overwhelming stench of the dead.

Violence in the Caribbean country broke out out this past week, and has since threatened to bring down the local government.

Gangs across the country continue to unite, causing thousands to flee their homes.

Politicians across the region are scrambling for a solution, as dogs have been seen gnawing on the unaddressed dead, and bodies are burned in the streets.

The neighborhood around the embassy in the capital, Port-au-Prince, has been one of the hardest-hit, hence the recent operation. Its success was revealed in a statement from the US military's Southern Command later in the day.

The US has deployed Marines to evacuate its embassy in Haiti as local gangs continue to attack state institutions, and as locals in the nation's capital where the diplomatic delegation is set continue to report the overwhelming stench of the dead

The operation, which occurred overnight Sunday, serves as the latest sign of Haiti's societal troubles, and saw personnel secretly evacuated under the cover of night. The US Embassy, in Port-au-Prince, is seen here hours after the operation, early Sunday

'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 command, one of 11 within the DoD, said Sunday.

The statement went on to reveal how the European Union's delegation in Haiti has too temporarily closed its offices, amid the looming threat of the localized gangs.

The airlift operation at the embassy, they added, saw several non-essential embassy personnel evacuated under the cover of night, while the unspecified number of troops remained to bolster security.

In the meantime, the Caribbean nation continues to reel under a state of emergency, extended Thursday by a month as officials try and curb the violent gang attacks.

A curfew was called along with it, as the US and other countries with a presence there continue to keep operations to a minimum, citing security concerns.

For locals on the ground, it's reportedly even worse - particularly after a sweltering weekend where temperatures in the tropical region reached well into the 90s.

Residents in places like Port-au-Prince - estimated to be at least 80 percent overrun by the gangs - have thus reported the strong smell of decay, telling publications like The New York Times that the stench has forced them to vacate their homes.

A death toll, as of Monday, remains unknown, as gangs were seen hurling Molotov cocktails at the The Ministry of Interior and Territorial Communities, not far from the US embassy.

Residents in places like Port-au-Prince - estimated to be at least 80 percent overrun by the gangs - have reported the strong smell of decay, telling publications like The New York Times that the stench has forced them to vacate their homes

Violence in the Caribbean country broke out out this past week , and has since threatened to bring down the local government.

Meanwhile, gangs across the country continue to unite, causing thousands to flee their homes

Politicians across the region are scrambling for a solution, as dogs have been seen gnawing on the unaddressed dead, and bodies are burned in the streets

Others fired gunshots at the presidential palace where Prime Minister Ariel Henry was notably absent, after traveling recently to Kenya to push for a UN-backed intervention that would have seen police from Kenya come to combat the gangs.

However, that request was shot down, after a Kenyan court ruled that such a deployment would be unconstitutional.

Now facing calls to resign or form a transitional council, Henry, at the moment, remains unable to return home, stranded in Puerto Rico since Tuesday after officials deemed in unsafe to land in the neighboring Dominican Republic.

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,' alluding that his passage in the country could see the violence spread to the other side of the island

The Dominican Republic has since closed its land border with Haiti, seemingly leaving the other side of Hispaniola to its fate.

'Given the current situation, the presence of the Haitian prime minister in the Dominican Republic is not considered appropriate,' Abinader said Sunday, hours after word spread of the US embassy evacuation.

The politician added that 'this decision reflects the firm position of the Dominican government to safeguard its national security and stability,' and billed the security situation in Haiti as 'totally unsustainable'.

He added that the violence currently being seen in the country 'poses a direct threat to the safety and stability of the Dominican Republic,' while predicting 'the situation could deteriorate even further if a peacekeeping force is not implemented urgently.'

A woman lies on the pavement as she mourns a family member shot dead by unknown assailants in Port-au-Prince Friday. As of writing, the city is said to be almost completely controlled by insurgents

Haitian police patrol a street after authorities extended the state of emergency amid gang violence that has threatened to bring down the government, as officials continue to beseech officials from overseas to send soldiers to help

As the stench permeates throughout the country, a morgue director told The Washington Post how he has received 20 calls in the past week from residents asking him to pick up bodies

'The biggest fear is stray bullets,' said Nixon Boumba, a 42-year-old consultant to an international aid and human rights organization based in the capital, before recalling how last weekend he called a taxi driver he uses to go shopping, only to find his friend had been shot

A police officer guards the entrance of the US embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday. The US military said Sunday that it had flown in forces to enhance security at the delegation and allow nonessential personnel to leave

Almost a day later, order has yet to be restored, after officials this week warned that 'Haiti will go hungry soon' if something is not done immediately.

Citing the gangs' recent capture of a critical port and their continued expansion of territory, Caribbean leaders called for an emergency meeting Monday in Jamaica, to address what they called a 'dire' situation.

Invites were sent the United States, France, Canada, the United Nations and Brazil, with the US on Sunday vowing to continue to support the embattled nation.

The chaos, meanwhile, has left citizens struggling to survive, with one telling The Times Sunday how an acquaintance's brother was struck down by one of the near-constant streams of gunfire.

'The biggest fear is stray bullets,' said Nixon Boumba, a 42-year-old consultant to an international aid and human rights organization based in the capital.

He went on to recall how, last weekend, he called the motorcycle taxi driver he typically uses to go shopping, to find his friend beside himself.

'He told me, "I cant come now. My brother was hit by a stray bullet,"' Boumba recalled Sunday.

Blondine Tanis, a 36-year-old radio broadcaster who was kidnapped by one of the then disjointed gangs in July who then sold her to another gang that held her for nine days, said the violence was unlike anything she had seen before.

'What Im witnessing today is unprecedented. Its been too long,' the morgue directors said. 'Its heartbreaking to go around and see bodies being eaten by dogs and see the corpses covered with sheets'

A death toll, as of Monday, remains unknown, as gangs were seen hurling Molotov cocktails at the The Ministry of Interior and Territorial Communities, not far from the US embassy

'There are young kids in the streets with heavy automatic weapons,' she said, comparing the unrest to the 1991 coup that led to three years of military rule.

'They shoot people and burn their bodies with no remorse. I dont know how to qualify that. I ask myself what happened to this generation. Are they even human?'

As the stench permeates throughout the country, a morgue director told The Washington Post how he has received 20 calls in the past week from residents asking him to pick up bodies.

Four calls came in Friday, Lyonel Milfort told paper, before admitting that he had to refuse all of them.

Residents have been seen carrying out body removals themselves, as dogs and other animals begin to gnaw on the unaddressed dead.

Gangs, meanwhile, continue to patrol the streets, setting up barricades and firing indiscriminately.

This, Milfort said, has mad venturing outside virtually impossible, as other morgues and government funded institution have found themselves under attack.

He said he doesnt want to risk the lives of his staff, mentioning how since starting his business in 2002, he has never been forced to close for so long - now more than a week.

'What Im witnessing today is unprecedented. Its been too long,' he said. 'Its heartbreaking to go around and see bodies being eaten by dogs and see the corpses covered with sheets.'

Romain Le Cour, a political scientist currently conducting research in Port-au-Prince, said the outsized amount of bodies - many of which can be seen in photographs snapped as recently as Sunday - reflect 'extremely high levels of violence, extreme pressure on the population and a feeling of hopelessness and abandonment.'

Gangs, meanwhile, continue to patrol the streets, setting up barricades and firing indiscriminately at displaced residents like the woman above on Saturday

He described the situation as among the worst Haiti has seen in years. He mentioned The 2010 earthquake that left 220,000 people dead, but pointed to how in that particular case, there was both a national and international response that reassured Haitians something was being done.

In this case, he said, citizens have not been provided with the same comfort, especially with their prime minister currently AWOL.

'Right now, what is terrible is the sense of abandonment,' he said Sunday, shortly after the successful Embassy operation. 'You have no one to turn to.

'You have to do what you have to do,' he continued. 'But you have to do it alone.'

That said, In Southern Command's statement, officials said that Washington remained firmly committed to quelling those concerns.

'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.

Meanwhile, another Port-au-Prince resident, who also did not give his name, described the recent attacks on Sunday

'They (the gangs) came with big guns. We have no guns and we cannot defend ourselves,' he said in an interview. 'All of us, the children are suffering.'
Indigenous leaders have called out Welcome to Country ceremonies, claiming the acknowledgement is becoming a divisive tradition that trivialises the message.

Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Nathan Moran joined leading 'No' Voice referendum campaigner Warren Mundine to debate the issue on Sky News Australia's The Jury on Sunday night.

Host Danica Di Giorgio asked the pair whether Welcome to Country makes Australians feel unwelcome in their own country.

Mr Mundine argued Welcome to Country had been hijacked despite it originally designed to bring Australians together.

Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Nathan Moran (left) joined leading 'No' Voice referendum campaigner Warren Mundine (right) both expressed concerns Welcome to Country was becoming trivialised

'It has become divisive in the sense that, you know, 'what about us, we've been here for awhile as well, this is our country' and everything like that,' Mr Mundine said.

'I think the trivialisation of it, that's the problem. We should be doing proper welcomes and you shouldn't have to do it at every meeting.

'I go to some conferences and you spend half the day doing Welcome to Country.

'The first section, the traditional owners have been there and the elders, they've welcomed it.

'But when you've just got every person doing it over and over and over again, people sort of get turned off by it all and that's when I'm concerned about that trivialisation.'

Mr Moran argued against claims the ceremonial welcome divisive, claiming Welcome to Country was about inclusion.

The pair debated Welcome to Country on Sky News' The Jury hosted by Host Danica Di Giorgio (pictured Left to right, Warren Mundine, Danica Di Giorgio and Nathan Moran)

However, Mr Moran expressed similar concerns that the tradition was becoming trivialised.

'I don't think it's about divisive, I think it's about inclusion. I am concerned about trivialising it, it not being respected, delivered in an appropriate way,' Mr Moran said.

'I just hope it's delivered in the right way by the right people, for myself who's a representative of the Aboriginal community, we're a democratic community, we have elected representatives who go out and represent us.

'My concern is those things when they're not done by those who are authorised for the community.

'People must be the actual community representatives delivering welcomes and or acknowledgements to people.

'I am concerned but that people are just repeating does downplay the importance of it.

'Although I acknowledge the fine line between one trying to respect it and honour it, versus yeah maybe just repeatedly saying something that then becomes meaningless at the end of the day is a great concern.'

The Aquarius Festival held in Nimbin, New South Wales, by the Australian Union of Students (AUS) has been documented as Australia's first publicly observed Welcome to Country, although it was not called this at the time.

A Welcome to County can only be delivered by Traditional Owners or Custodians of the land on which the event takes place (pictured, Aunty Gloria Rogers delivers a welcome to Wiradjuri country at a conference in Bathurst)

A Welcome to Country can only be delivered by Traditional Owners or Custodians of the land on which the event takes place.

It is usually performed by a local Aboriginal Elder to acknowledge and give consent to events taking place on their traditional lands.

If a Traditional Owner is not available to do a Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgement of Country can be delivered instead.

An Acknowledgement of Country is a way to show awareness and respect for Traditional Custodians of the land where a meeting or event is taking place.

Its purpose is to recognise the continuing connection of Aboriginal people to Country, and can be delivered by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Two eshays have been charged after hundreds of fans blocked streets and allegedly attacked police during a meet and greet with notorious rapper and YouTube star Spanian.

The Sydney-based social media identity visited Logan, south of Brisbane, on Saturday and was greeted by a crowd of about 350 fans.

The meet-up quickly devolved into what Queensland Police branded a 'large-scale hooning event' with shocking videos showing young men kicking police cars.

Three police vehicles were allegedly damaged during the event and one person, a 20-year-old Waterford man, was taken into custody on Saturday.

He was charged with one count each of wilful damage of police property, committing public nuisance, entering premises with intent to commit an indictable offence (entering an occupied police vehicle) and participating in a hoon event.

Two men, aged 18 and 20, have been charged following Spanian's (pictured) visit to Logan

He is due to appear at Beenleigh Magistrates Courts on April 3.

An 18-year-old Ridge man was later arrested at a Merino Street property.

He has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, participating in a group activity for racing, burn out or other hooning offences and evasion offence.

He is due to appear at Beenleigh Magistrates Court on April 22.

Another man was taken into custody on Sunday after officers executed a search warrant on a Moffatt Road property.

Investigators are still working to identify several other people involved in the event.

Saturday's 'hooning' event saw massive crowds gather on Bourke Street in Waterford West to watch burnouts and races alongside Spanian.

The former prisoner, whose real name is Anthony Lees, spent time in juvenile detention at age 15 and became addicted to heroin the following year.

He spent 12 years in-and-out of New South Wales prisons on various drug charges before turning his life around in 2017.

Since then, he has established himself as a successful rapper and works to show the underbelly of cities around the world through his 'Into the Hood' series on YouTube where he's amassed more than 628,000 subscribers.

His fans are often labelled eshays.

Hundreds gathered in Logan's Bourke Street on Saturday (pictured) for what Queensland Police have labelled a 'large-scale hooning event'

Officers and specialist units were called from the Logan, Gold Coast and South Brisbane Districts to regain control over the even (pictured, one man kicking a police car)

Police attended the event on Saturday for crowd control but officers were forced to call for back-up as things quickly got out of hand.

Footage posted on social media captured the wild scenes on the packed street, including multiple burnouts as billowing clouds of smoke and flares filled the skies.

Hoons were filmed surrounding and attacking a police car where they launched repeated kicks at the vehicle which was covered in dents.

Another video showed bottles being pelted at police vehicles.

'Officers responded to reports of a large group of people gathering for an event in Bourke Street, around 2pm,' police said in a statement.

'Approximately 350 people attended the area, with some vehicles committing traffic related offences and driving in a dangerous manner.

'Multiple crews attended the location and declared an out-of-control event and blocked off the street.

'Three police cars were damaged as a result of the event.'

Officers and specialist units were called in from across the Logan, Gold Coast and South Brisbane Districts to regain control.

Order was eventually restored by 4pm.

'Potential for a tragedy just cannot be understated, they're putting their lives at danger,' Chief Inspector Les Bulluss said.

Spanian (left) has amassed more than 628,000 followers on YouTube since recovering from his drug addiction in 2017

Queensland Police are still investigating the even which allegedly saw three police cars damaged (pictured, attendees kicking a police car)

Residents who live in Bourke Street were furious that their neighbourhood was transformed into a war zone.

'It's disgusting,' one woman told Nine News.

When one attendee was quizzed about the reason behind the gathering he explained 'mate, it's a party, it's just a party, it's family'.
She was flamed by members of her own party and even mocked in an SNL skit

The late-night host took shots at the Alabama senator's now-infamous video response

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel took shots at Republican senator Katie Britt in his opening monologue, joking that she had the 'brain of a child' similar to Emma Stone's character in Poor Things.

Kimmel, 56, referenced Stone's portrayal of Bella Baxter in Yorgos Lanthimos' film - the role for which she was awarded Best Actress.

'Emma played an adult woman with the brain of a child, like the lady who gave the rebuttal to the State of the Union on Thursday night,' the late-night host quipped.

Kimmel was referencing the Alabama senator's disastrous response, which referenced an outdated story of a child trafficking victim.

In the now-infamous video, Britt stood in her kitchen and relayed the story of a 12-year-old victim to illustrate the border crisis under President Joe Biden's administration.

Jimmy Kimmel tore into Republican senator Katie Britt during his opening monologue at the 96th Oscars

Referencing Emma Stone's award-winning portrayal of Bella Baxter in Poor Things, Kimmel quipped that Britt, similarly, was 'an adult woman with the brain of a child'

However, outrage erupted over reports the ordeal actually took place in Mexico in 2004, under then-President George W. Bush.

Appearing on Fox News Sunday, the 42-year-old Republican admitted to host Shannon Bream that the story was not current, but refused to back down.

'Well, I very clearly said I spoke to a woman who told me about when she was trafficked when she was 12,' Britt said when asked about her remarks.

'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.'

In her 18-minute-long response, the politician told viewers that the woman told her 'not just that she was raped every day, but how many times a day she was raped.'

She insisted that cartel members 'put her on a mattress in a shoebox of a room, and they sent men through that door, over and over again, for hours and hours on end.'

Taking a jab at Biden's border policy, she continued: '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.'

Journalists were quick to point out that Britt was talking about Karla Jacinto Romero, who was ensnared by a pimp after her mother threw her out of her family home in Mexico City two decades ago.

Romero was forced into prostitution for four years before escaping and becoming a high-profile advocate for fellow victims.

Kimmel referenced Stone's portrayal of Bella Baxter - the role for which she was awarded Best Actress

Britt was ridiculed during an SNL skit where she was played by Scarlett Johansen and dubbed the 'craziest b**ch in the Target parking lot'

Former Fox News and NBC host Megyn Kelly was one of the members of Britt's own party to rebuke the Alabama senator.

Britt 'embarrassed herself, she embarrassed Republicans, and she embarrassed women,' Kelly said in a video posted to YouTube.

The nearly-20-minute-long rant was even parodied by Scarlett Johansen on SNL, where Britt was dubbed the 'craziest b**ch in the Target parking lot.'

Britt traveled to the border at the Del Rio Sector in Texas in January 2023 with fellow Republicans Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, according to a news release from Hyde-Smith's office.

'The Senators learned about cartel activity in Mexico and the work being done to rescue victims of human trafficking,' the release read.

It mentioned that the senators met with Romero during a roundtable accompanied by former Mexican Congresswoman Rosa Maria de la Garza and Fox News correspondent Sara Carter.

The 42-year-old is regarded as a rising star in the GOP and secured an endorsement from former President Donald Trump for her primary in 2022. She is also the youngest Republican woman to be elected to the Senate.

Britt described the story of Karla Jacinto Romero, who was trafficked in 2004, to illustrate the border crisis - even though the incident occurred during George W. Bush's presidency

The Alabama senator, was ridiculed for her video response to Biden's State of the Union after misrepresenting a story about a child trafficking survivor

Britt drew praise from some for her performance including Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

'Congratulations to my friend and colleague for showing Texans and Americans what Republicans really stand for - a strong economy, secure border, and good jobs for every American,' Cruz wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham called her response 'dynamite,' adding that she was 'absolutely spot-on.'

But former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh told CNN that her comments were 'despicable.'

'I mean, we get into so much nuance around these sorts of things. Quit, quit with the nuance,' he said.

'She sat in front of the American people and she lied to us about a very serious problem.'
Australians have been outraged after no-one stepped in to help a missing boy with Down syndrome and autism who was roaming barefoot in a nappy at a busy train station.

Hussein Al Mansoory, 12, vanished after he was last seen running from Auburn Memorial Park towards the intersection of Station Road and Rawson Street, Auburn, in Sydney's west at about 10.30am on Saturday.

A major search operation was launched and included the help of the police air wing and hundreds of SES volunteers who scoured backyards in the area.

Police confirmed Hussein was found safe and well in Auburn at about 12.40pm on Monday.

But CCTV captured Hussein, who is special needs and also non-verbal, roaming Auburn train station on Saturday wearing a t-shirt, nappy and without any shoes.

But no-one appears to have tried to help him or find his parents.

CCTV captured Hussein, who is special needs and also non-verbal, roaming Auburn train station on Saturday wearing a t-shirt, nappy and without any shoes. Social media users were outraged that a member of the public did not try to help the young boy

The images of Hussein shocked social media users, with many outraged the staff nor the public at the station did not stop to care for a young boy obviously in distress.

'I question people that didn't think it was odd that a young boy, obviously disabled, wearing a T-shirt and nappy and wandering around not strange? Didn't think to follow while on the phone to cops? Mind blown!',' one person wrote.

'Weird no one stopped him and tried to help,' a second person commented.

A third chimed: 'Sadly I don't think so, I think people are just too busy, indifferent. So many people around him, plus staff and everyone didn't take any notice or just thought not their problem'.

Criminal psychologist Tim Watson Munro told Daily Mail Australia it was 'extraordinary' it took so long to find Hussein.

'It is such a great relief he has been found, it's just absolutely terrible as he has a range of disabilities,' Mr Munro said.

'It's not like this kid wouldn't stick out either. He is not a person that would be readily seen at the station because of his disabilities.

'So it's quite extraordinary that people can just stand by.'

Hussein (pictured) was found underneath a stairwell at the Queen Street Medical Centre - just 150 metres away from the Auburn Police Station - by a staff member, two days after he went missing

Mr Munro said he could only speculate on the reasons why people did not help Hussein when he was walking barefoot in a t-shirt and a nappy at the train station.

He explained people might not have been willing to help as they are 'desensitised' to seeing people in distress or are reluctant to get involved in a situation.

'I think in general principles, it's all about desensitisation. We see so many people in distress on the streets these days that we're immune to it,' Mr Munro said.

'I also think there's possibly a reluctance by some to get involved in situations that they just prefer to walk away than step up to the plate.

'But this is a very different situation since it deals with a severely disabled kid and I am sure the woman who found him was not the first person to see him.'

Mr Munro also said it was 'possible' people had the bystander effect - a social psychological theory that states individuals are less likely to offer help when a large crowd is present.

Witnesses may not take responsibility because they believe there is another person more qualified to take control or another person has already notified authorities.

Criminal psychologist said it was 'extraordinary' it took so long to find Hussein (Pictured). He explained people may not have helped the young boy as many have come 'desensitised' or are reluctant to get involved

Mr Munro also pointed to a 'big city mentality' and compared it to the 'immense' public help to find missing mother-of-three Samantha Murphy in Ballarat, Victoria.

'Of course [Hussein] was still in the local area. Maybe it has a big city dynamic as opposed to a small town like Ballarat,' Mr Munro said.

'The public have been of immense assistance for the local community... they were very helpful.'

Hussein was found underneath a stairwell at the Queen Street Medical Centre - just 150 metres away from the Auburn Police Station - by a staff member who thought to check the area after seeing reports of the missing child.

NSW Police Superintendent Simon Glasser said Hussein was smiling and sitting up when he was found and is 'on all accounts doing well'.

Superintendent Glasser said his family were 'ecstatic' hearing the news he'd been found and arrived at the scene immediately.

It's unclear how long the boy had been in the stairwell for and if he had access to food or water. He was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
A man attending a dinner party with accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann has been filmed using a credit card to chop at something on a plate.

The incident appears to have taken place at Mr Lehrmann's apartment on Sydney's northern beaches and was captured in a video shared on Instagram on Sunday night.

Mr Lehrmann features in the footage seated at the end of a table some distance from the man with the card, laughing with other guests.

A picture posted on Instagram by the former political staffer shows him with a group of diners and a table spread with food.

'The family minus a couple cause we dont wait when the food this good,' Mr Lehrmann said in a caption.

Mr Lehrmann was accused by former colleague Brittany Higgins of raping her in Parliament House in 2019.

He faced a trial which was aborted due to juror misconduct and has always maintained his innocence.

A man sharing a meal with accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann has been filmed using a credit card to chop at something on a dinner plate (above)

Mr Lehrmann features in the footage seated at the end of a table some distance from the man with the card, laughing with friends

Mr Lehrmann is suing journalist Lisa Wilkinson and Network 10 in the Federal Court over her 2021 interview with Ms Higgins on The Project.

During that interview Ms Higgins publicly alleged for the first time that he raped her. She did not name Mr Lehrmann but he claims he was identifiable as the alleged rapist.

Mr Lehrmann is also facing new rape charges involving a Toowoomba woman.

It is understood he intends to plead not guilty.

Mr Lehrmann is on the hunt for a new home as his rent-free deal with the Seven Network, which interviewed him for its Spotlight program, comes to an end.

His northern beaches apartment had been paid for by the broadcaster in exchange for the interview but it will stop paying the rent on April 21.

Mr Lehrmann, who has not worked full-time since 2021, recently announced he intended to sue the ACT government for defamation over comments former Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold made outside court.

Mr Lehrmann is on the hunt for a new home as his rent-free deal with the Seven Network, which interviewed him for its Spotlight program, comes to an end

Mr Lehrmann agreed to the Spotlight interview in April 2023 on the condition that Seven pay his rent for a year.

Under Mr Lehrmanns agreement with Seven he agreed to provide 'all information, documents, video and photographs' which the network requested.

During the defamation trial, Wilkinsons barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC asked Mr Lehrmann if it was part of the agreement that Seven pay his rent.

'Yes... for filming in those places,' he said.

Asked how much the deal was worth, Mr Lehrmann claimed not to know and said the network handled the accommodation arrangements.
The self-styled cult leader and convicted sex offender known as 'Little Pebble', sexually groomed a girl as young as six and told her she had been selected to procreate and build a new order of his notorious Doomsday cult, police allege.

The religious leader, whose real name is William Kamm, was arrested for allegedly grooming a child as young as six for unlawful sexual activity.

Kamm is the 73-year-old leader of the Order of St Charbel, which operates at a compound near Nowra on the NSW South Coast.

Both Kamm and his partner Sandra Costellia, 58, were arrested by detectives after the girl, now aged 19, came forward.

Convicted sex offender William Kamm and his partner Sandra Costellia (pictured) have been charged for allegedly grooming a child as young as six for unlawful sexual activity

The self-styled cult leader (pictured centre) had told the girl that she had been selected to procreate and build a new order of his notorious Doomsday cult

The teenager alleged Kamm and his partner had groomed her for 13 years from the age of six, including sending her jail-made gifts while in prison for previous offences.

She told police both Kamm and Costellia told her she had been specially selected to procreate with him to create a new generation of the Order.

Kamm was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of sexual and indecent assault of minors in 2005, and in 2021 spent further time in jail for breaching orders that banned him from using social media.

Commander of State Crime Commands Sex Crimes Squad, Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said on Monday afternoon that police had raided two addresses.

Search warrants were executed on a unit in Sydney and at a property at Bangalee, north-west of Nowra, where they searched a house, office and sheds and retrieved items for the case.

Kamm and Costellia were arrested in Sydney and are currently at Day Street Police Station, where they are expected to be charged with offences including grooming a child under the age of 14 and grooming for unlawful sexual activity.

Kamm and his partner were arrested in Sydney (pictured) on Monday and have been charged with several offences including grooming for unlawful sexual activity

Kamm will also be charged with breaching an Extended Supervision Order.

Detective Doherty said while Kamm was behind bars he made use of letters and phone calls to groom the child.

These are horrendous allegations during 13 of (the girls) formative years and she has to be commended for coming forward, Detective Doherty said.

Det Supt Doherty (pictured) said police had executed search warrants on properties in Sydney and Nowra last week and retrieved several items to build their case
A United Airlines flight from Sydney to America was diverted back to Sydney Airport following a mid-air emergency.

Flight UAL830 left Sydney Airport shortly after 12pm on Monday and began its journey to San Francisco when it suffered a suspected mechnical issue.

The Boeing 777-300 plane turned around a short time later and landed in Sydney at 2.34pm - a little over two-and-a-half hours into its trip.

Firefighters met the plane on the tarmac.

United Airlines flight UAL830 (pictured) from Sydney to the United States was diverted back to Sydney Airport following a mid-air emergency

Flight UAL830 (pictured) landed safely in Sydney after suffering a suspected mechanical issue shortly after take-off

All 167 passengers disembarked the plane safely.

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, United Airlines said the plane was diverted to Sydney 'due to a maintenance issue'.

'The plane landed safely and passengers deplaned normally at the gate,' it said.

'We are providing accommodation overnight for passengers and rebooking them to San Francisco tomorrow.'
A teenage girl is in critical condition after another teen repeatedly smashed her head into the ground during a brawl near a Missouri high school.

The fight broke out at about 2:30 pm Friday near Hazelwood High School.

Video of the incident circulated on social media showing another girl bashing the teen's head into the concrete after throwing multiple punches and sending her careening to the ground.

The victim appeared to begin to have a seizure as groups of other teens brawled just feet away.

Police found the girl suffering from a serious head injury near the intersection of Norgate Drive and Claudine Drive, roughly a five-minute walk from the high school campus.

A Missouri teen is in critical condition after being caught up in a brawl by a local high school

Viral video shows another teen smashing her head into the pavement repeatedly before the victim appears to suffer a seizure

The teen, whose name has not been released, was taken to the hospital and remains in critical condition.

A 15-year-old girl was arrested Saturday and charged with assault. She was taken to the St. Louis County Family Court and remained in custody as of Sunday afternoon.

The St. Louis County Police Department is investigating the incident.

After news of the altercation broke, the Hazelwood School District released a statement condemning violence within the community.

'It is a tragedy anytime children are hurt,' the statement read. 'Bullying and fighting in the community is an issue for which we all need to take ownership and work towards a resolution for the sake of our children.

Police found the girl suffering from a serious head injury near the intersection of Norgate Drive and Claudine Drive. The fight broke out just off campus from Hazelwood East High School

The Hazelwood School District issued a statement denouncing bullying and fighting within the community

'The Hazelwood School District offers our sincerest condolences to everyone involved and will offer additional emotional support from our support and crisis team to those in need.'

The statement urged community members to respect the families of those involved and 'pledge to help work toward the betterment of our entire community.'

The district recently came under fire for disenrolling more than three dozen middle schoolers in late February and early March.

The school districts public relations director, Jordyn Elston, told STLPR that the students were ejected because of 'expired residency information.'

Of the 40 students who received letters informing them of the district's decision, thirty-eight were re-enrolled within a week after providing updated information, the district said.
An online bookstore founded by RuPaul has pulled several titles by conservative authors amid liberal backlash.

The store, Allstora, had billed itself as being committed to sharing all ideas, even ones deemed controversial.

It thus carried a wide array of titles ranging from Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf to Maia Kobabe's 'Gender Queer,' though only the former was removed Sunday.

The nixing was further bolstered by removals of books penned by Arkansas power couple Mike Huckabee and Sarah Huckabee, and Chaya Raichik -the face behind the popular Twitter handle libsoftiktok.

Messages in the pulled tomes range from the dangers of keeping secrets from parents, to the so-called 'biases' of the mainstream media.

The Drag Race star and two others started the site in response to book bans occurring across the country, but was seemingly swayed by recent criticism from another drag performer - one who is likely second-most famous after Ru herself.

The Drag Race star and fellow drag queens Eric Cervini and Adam Powell started the site in response to book bans occurring across the country, but was seemingly swayed by recent criticism from another drag performer

In addition to Hitler's Mein Kampf, books penned by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee and Chaya Raichik -the face behind the popular Twitter handle libsoftiktok - were also pulled

Known as 'Lady Bunny', she took to Instagram last week to chide her old friend - who regularly welcomed her drag-themed television shows.

'Ru has a new, just announced book company called Allstora,' the post, which has since received more than 12,000 likes, begins.

'The promo makes think you that this company is squarely on the left fighting book bans, fighting for the queer community, etc.

'Ru says in an insta video Its for your people, its for our people,' she cites.

'But when you look at the site, you can buy Hitlers Mein Kampf (in several languages!), a childrens book by the extremely transphobic Libs Of TikTok founder Chaya Raychik, several books by GOP stalwarts Mike Huckabee Sanders and Sarah Sanders, and even one Christian book called You Were Not Born That Way: Its Time To Break Free.

'Those aint MY people, Ru,' it continues.

'Allstora sells some books that are so objectionable that the company has added notes to these selections, saying: With the help of our community, weve flagged this book as contrary to our core values.

'"All proceeds from this title will go towards protecting diverse literature and marginalized communities from book bans through the Rainbow Book Bus.'

Referencing the Ru-launched nonprofit that sees a multicolored bus distribute titles to communities who have limited access to them, Bunny proceeded to tear into the drag queen who once gave her exposure.

Raichik's book, No More Secrets, is meant for kids aged 4-8, and reveals the dangers of keeping secrets from your parents. Billed as a 'conservative children's book', it serves as a 'modern twist' to the familiar Grimm's-style fairy tale, the influencer said

Books by Sanders' spouse, Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, were also nixed, many of them kids' books like The Kids Guide to the Truth About Climate Change and The Kids' Guide to the Coronavirus

Fellow Drag Race performer Lady Bunny' - seen her students from the Ellison Ballet program in New York last year - took to Instagram last week to chide her old friend for the titles, accusing Ru of failing her 'community'

'Why did you need the help of the community to do the right thing, Allstora? Why not just stop selling what many on the left consider to be hate speech?' she asks.

'I know it really helps the queer community when you can buy right-wing books off of a rainbow bus and pay a drag queen $30 per month for the privilege.

'And that, my friends, sums up rainbow capitalism. Ru could've just said "I want to sell all kindsa books, but here's my faves!" and no one would have any issue with it.'

The post ends there, and its effects would only come to fruition the following weekend, when one of Ru's fellow founders admitted to removing titles - before ultimately apologizing for selling the 'harmful books.'

'While other online bookstores will continue selling hate-filled books, Allstora will not,' he went on

'Weve already removed the titles that visitors have called to our attention, and you can continue to report any instances of hateful material on our site,' the apology by Eric Cervini reads, just weeks after he co-founded the site alongside Ru and fellow drag queen Adam Powell.

'While other online bookstores will continue selling hate-filled books, Allstora will not,' he went on, obliquely mentioning the outcry led by Lady Bunny

'We will be a community, a home, for all,' he concluded.

The launch of Allstora coincided with Ru's first cross country tour of the Rainbow Book Bus, a nonprofit which rallies against book bans and protects LGBTQ+ books. As of Monday morning, Ru has yet to comment on the policy shift, after previously touting the site as a haven for 'all ideologies'

Meanwhile, the pulled books range from Hitler's Mein Kampf - a personal account how the dictator came to be antisemitic - and books penned by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee and libsoftiktok founder Chaya Raichik.

Raichik's book, No More Secrets, is meant for kids aged 4-8, and reveals the dangers of keeping secrets from your parents. Billed as a 'conservative children's book', it serves as a 'modern twist' to the familiar Grimm's-style fairy tale, the influencer said.

Books by Sanders' spouse, Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, were also nixed, many of them kids' books - like The Kids Guide to the Truth About Climate Change and The Kids' Guide to the Coronavirus.

Huckabee Sanders saw her Speaking for Myself: Faith, Freedom, and the Fight of Our Lives Inside the Trump White House nixed as well, likely due to its conservative slant.

In response Lady Bunny's criticism, Allstora has revamped its policy on it website, writing that organizers would 'mitigate the potential harm of specific books' by 'creating a community-led flagging system for titles that are contrary to our core values'

'All proceeds from [those] titles,' the said, would go toward fighting other 'book bans' preusmably those targeting more liberal-friendly titles.

As of Monday morning, Ru has yet to comment on the policy shift, after previously touting the site as a haven for 'all ideologies'.

Its opening follows book bans in states like Flordia, which mostly targeted kids' books boasting pro-LGBTQ beliefs.
A homeowner in northwest Harris County allegedly shot and killed a man who had allegedly stolen a barbecue pit from his home Sunday, Feb. 18. Houston Chronicle

A Crosby man is accused of shooting three of his dogs Friday morning  killing one and injuring two  telling authorities that the dogs would be too much to handle after his eviction, according the Harris County Precinct 3 Constable's Office.

Around 12:40 a.m., deputies responded to the home of Jared Marshal, 41. His former girlfriend called authorities and told them that he shot one of their dogs, the Harris County Precinct 3 Constable's Office said Monday in a Facebook post.

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Marshall, who was in the process of being evicted, was intoxicated and not in a good mental state, his former girlfriend told authorities.

Upon entering Marshall's home, deputies discovered two dogs with injuries and one dog that was uninjured in a cage. Another dog was found dead, wrapped in a plastic bag in the backyard, the Facebook post states.

Marshall's ex-girlfriend fled the house with one of the dogs.

When asked about the shooting, Marshall said he believed the dogs would be too much to handle after his eviction, authorities said.

Marshall is charged with two counts of cruelty to non-livestock, a third-degree felony.

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The family of a young woman killed in a horror bus crash in Brisbane's busy CBD has revealed the teen's heartbreaking final message.

Tia Cameron was killed when an out-of-control commuter bus mounted a packed footpath about 5pm on Friday, pinning the 18-year-old against the wall.

Ms Cameron's devastated aunt, Karma Te Awithu, said the teen had left a beauty salon and was on her war to have cocktails with her relative when tragedy struck.

Tia Cameron was killed when an out-of-control commuter bus mounted a packed footpath about 5pm on Friday, pinning the 18-year-old against the wall

'We just feel like she's been stolen from us,' Ms Te Awithu told the Courier Mail.

'She messaged me at 4pm saying she was getting her lashes done and asking if I wanted to catch up for a quick cocktail before she headed home.'

Realising the teen was missing, Ms Te Awithu said she started ringing the hospital, while Ms Cameron's partner reached out to police to file a missing person's report.

Realising the teen was missing, Ms Te Awithu said she started ringing the hospital, while Ms Cameron's partner reached out to police to file a missing person's report

It wasn't until about 11pm that evening that police arrived at a relative's house to deliver the heartbreaking news.

'She was only 18 and had her whole life ahead of her,' Ms Te Awithu said.

'She was beautiful, outgoing and unique, really unique. She loved the beach, the Gold Coast, fashion and ... was really close with all of her family.'

Witnesses described chaotic scenes with bricks sent flying as the bus mounted the kerb before crashing into the building

The Brisbane City Council bus is understood to have been turning off Ann St and onto Edward St in the city's CBD when it lost control.

In a statement, police said the driver of the bus and four passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for assessment.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes to The Courier Mail, with bricks reportedly sent flying as the bus mounted the kerb before crashing into the building.
Britain is facing a growing number of anti-blasphemy protests against those accused of 'insulting Islam', with threats of violence and intimidation becoming more frequent, a report has warned.

Protests against apparent blasphemy have become more regular and radicalised, the research commissioned by the Government's counterextremism tsar says.

The report, obtained by The Times, uncovers links between leading activists at protests in Britain and an extremist Islamist party in Pakistan - whose members have frequently demanded that blasphemers are beheaded.

Robin Simcox, the Home Offices independent adviser on extremism, commissioned the research in response to three blasphemy flashpoints in Britain over the last three years.

In 2021, a teacher in Batley, West Yorkshire, received death threats after showing pupils a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed in 2021.

A year later there were protests in Birmingham over the screening of the film The Lady in Heaven which depicted Mohammed's daughter, while last year a copy of the Quran was slightly damaged in West Yorkshire.

Protesters take part in a prayer outside Batley Grammar School in Batley, West Yorkshire, after a teacher showed pupils a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed

In 2022, there were protests in Birmingham and other parts of the country over the screening of the film The Lady in Heaven which depicted Mohammed's daughter. Pictured: Cineworld in Birmingham

Pro-Palestine protesters hold flags, and placards during 'the National March For Palestine' protest in central London

The report found that each incident was linked to 'a new generation of UK-based anti-blasphemy activists who are working to make blasphemy a key issue of concern for British Muslims'.

It comes as Michael Gove warned that pro-Palestine marchers risk 'lending credence' to extremist groups.

The Communities Secretary said demonstrators against the Hamas-Israel war should have 'no excuse for ignorance' over some organisers' motives.

Mr Gove is to produce a new official definition of extremism which will 'help' protesters decide whether to attend pro-Palestinian events.

Last month, Rishi Sunak denied the Tory party had a problem with Islamophobia after former Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson was suspended for accusing London mayor Sadiq Khan of being controlled by Islamists.

The report reveals that activists are condemning the Ahmadi Muslim sect, whose beliefs are being viewed as blasphemous and insulting to Mohammed or the Quran.

Ahmadi Muslim is a religious minority in Pakistan which considers itself Muslim but was declared 'non-Muslim' in 1974.

The UK wing of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a political party previously banned as a result of violent demonstrations and its support for the execution of 'blasphemers', was described as the 'most alarming'.

It comes as Michael Gove warned that pro-Palestine marchers risk 'lending credence' to extremist groups

Last year a copy of the Quran was slightly damaged in West Yorkshire

A slight tear can also be seen on the cover of the book after it was taken into the school

Activists stage a protest outside Westfield Stratford's Vue cinema in 2022 over the film The Lady in Heaven

Pictured: A movie poster for The Lady of Heaven, which was pulled from cinemas in the UK after days of protests

Mosques in Britain have hosted speakers who support TLP, while the Batley, Wakefield and Birmingham protests involved activists with links to the party.

The report warned that the rhetoric 'has the potential to radicalise their audience around the issue of blasphemy' which 'may increase the likelihood of sectarian violence and terrorism in the UK'.

But it adds that most blasphemy activists in the UK condemn violence and terrorist acts such as the Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris in 2015 which left 17 people dead.

However, the reports say many are demanding stricter blasphemy laws in the UK and want to criminalise insults against Islam, which they say feeds into a wider war on the faith by 'enemies of Islam in the West'.

The report states: 'The activism does therefore have the potential to contribute to an increase in communal tension and spread of a conspiratorial view of non-Muslim societies as engaged in a deliberate and co-ordinated war on Islam.'

In the past decade, there have been two murders in the UK in relation to blasphemy.
McKay's daughter Dianne said she felt 'completely let down' by the force

Muriel McKay's family have slammed the Metropolitan Police for failing to find the location of her remains after detectives flew to Trinidad to interview her murderer.

Scotland Yard officials travelled to the Caribbean Island last week to quiz Nizamodeen Hosein for three days as they stepped up efforts to find her body.

The 76-year-old and his brother Arthur mistakenly snatched Mrs McKay in 1969 and demanded a 1million ransom from media mogul Rupert Murdoch, after believing they had taken his first wife, Anna.

The pair were convicted of Muriel's kidnap and murder in 1970 after they inflicted torturous cruelty on their helpless victim, but refused to say where the body was buried.

Hosein had given the family fresh hope of finding their relatives' remains when he met with Muriel's daughter Dianne and grandson Mark last month to show them on a map where he claimed to have buried her body 55 years ago.

However, officers said Hosein was 'unable to provide a location with any consistency' after being taken 'into custody for interviews'.

Dianne said she felt 'completely let down' by the force after they told her the killer's recent confession was 'compelling evidence'.

She told the Times: 'We have done amazing work to get this far and feel completely let down by the police. We're the only ones who got a confession out of Nizam. He did 20 years in prison without making a confession.'

A portrait of Muriel Frieda McKay, 55, wife of the deputy chairman of the News of the World, who was kidnapped and killed in 1969. Her body has never been discovered

Nizamodeen Hosein met with daughter Dianne and grandson Mark last month to show them on a map where he claimed to have buried her body 55 years ago

Police had searched an area of the farm in 2022 (pictured), but Hosein claims they searched the wrong area

Dianne added: 'We went to Trinidad and filmed every second of the meeting. I had to sit with that man [Hosein] all day but I did it because I thought it was going to bring some good.

'We told the police that if they went heavy handed, insisting on interviewing him in a police station with a male officer, it would go badly. He has a deep distrust of the police and they haven't learnt a thing since the original murder case of my mother.'

Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin, who led the hunt to catch Sarah Everard's killer Wayne Couzens, met with Mrs McKay's daughter, Dianne, 84, and other relatives in February to tell them officers could start digging 'in the next few months'.

In the same month, Dianne had travelled with her son Mark Dyer, 59, to Hosein's homeland of Trinidad.

He had been deported to the Caribbean island after spending 20 years in jail.

During the meeting, he told Dianne that he buried her mother at a farm in Stocking Pelham, Hertfordshire, where he had held her ransom.

Police had searched an area of the farm in 2022, but Hosein claims they searched the wrong area.

He told Dianne: 'Go through the kitchen door, come through the open land, turn left and it's two feet from the hedge, by the old manure heap.

'The ground was hard because it was winter but it was softer by the manure heap due to its warmth so I buried her there.'

The family showed a video of this meeting to DSI Goodwin and her team of officers, who said the evidence was 'compelling'.

But on Friday, Goodwin texted the family: 'Thanks for your patience. We had three days speaking with [Hosein]; however, he was unable to provide a location with any consistency, which is not what you or we wanted to find. Will provide you with fuller details and next steps when in the office next week.'

According to the Times, the family had asked a senior investigating officer from the Met not to go on the trip to Trinidad, after they filed a complaint about his alleged behaviour towards Dianne during an unsuccessful search of the farm in 2022.

The officer was accused of shouting at Dianne during the search. There have been no findings made against him and the complaint is still pending.

Muriel's daughter, Dianne (pictured, left), has for years fought to learn the truth of her mother's murder, travelling recently to Trinidad with her son Mark Dyer (right) to speak with one of her killers, Nizamodeen Hosein (pictured, centre)

Hosein pointed to a spot on a photograph of the farm where Muriel was held, and told her daughter: 'This is where I buried her.'

The abduction is believed to have involved a case of mistaken identity - with the kidnappers intending to seize Anna Murdoch, first wife of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch

Goodwin was drafted onto the case after Hosein said police had looked at the wrong area of the farm following their unsuccessful search two years ago.

Ian Marsh, a farmer in Hertfordshire, said he will allow a police search to take place on his land in Stocking Pelham, as long as an appropriate warrant is shown.

Goodwin said: 'We understand how frustrating and difficult this is for Muriel's family and are still working to recover her remains.

'We recently met Muriel's family and others to speak to them and gather information obtained during their visit to Trinidad. We are grateful for their time and assistance.

'We have reviewed and assessed this information to determine the next steps in our investigation, which includes whether a further search is appropriate.

'To help us further, Met officers have flown to Trinidad to make further enquiries alongside officers from the Trinidad and Tobago police service.

'The team have only recently returned from Trinidad and it is important that we appropriately assess all of the information we gathered following extensive interviews over three days.

'Once we have had time to do that, we will provide the family with a full update. We continue to remain in contact with the family and will keep them updated regarding the next steps of the investigation.'

More than 54 years ago, Nizamodeen Hosein and his brother Arthur mistakenly snatched Muriel and demanded a 1million ransom from media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

The pair believed they had taken his first wife, Anna, and inflicted torturous cruelty on their helpless victim.

Brothers Arthur, left, and Nazamodeen Hosein were found guilty of her murder. Arthur died in prison in 2009, while Nizam was deported to Trinidad

Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin, who led the hunt to catch Sarah Everard 's killer Wayne Couzens, met with Ms McKay's daughter, Dianne, and other relatives to tell them officers could start digging 'in the next few months'

Ian Marsh, a banker, pushed back against requests to dig up his farm in Hertfordshire, following Hosein's claims that Muriel was buried there.

Marsh said he would not let anyone dig up the land on his farm in Stocking Pelham without a warrant, as the area Hosein indicated has since had a barn built on top of it.

But he also explained that he would be willing to help the McKays, saying in a letter to the family: 'The Marsh family understand the desire of the deceased Mrs McKay's family to have a resolution to this matter.

'We have been patient with the multiple requests that we have received and repeat our position: we will co-operate with the police if they determine that a further search of our property is required.

'We believe that the police will attest to the fact that the Marsh family have done everything, to date, that the police have asked of them.

'If asked by the police to give access to our land because they have compelling evidence of the whereabouts of the remains of Mrs McKay we will consent to giving the police full access to our land, no warrants will be required.

'We believe that it is important that due process and procedure is completed by the police to corroborate any evidence, including any new evidence that is being provided by the family of the deceased and/or the perpetrator.

'We are not in a position to judge that evidence, that has to be a matter for the police. I hope you understand that our trust is in the police, and we rely on them to examine all the information provided.'

The kidnapping scheme was the brainchild of Arthur Hosein, who had arrived in Britain in the 1960s and borrowed heavily to buy his farmhouse

His brother Nizam, 12 years younger, followed him here in summer 1969 and became embroiled in the kidnap plan.

Landowner Ian Marsh, a banker, pushed back against requests to dig up his farm in Hertfordshire (pictured)

Alick McKay makes an appeal from his home in Wimbledon for the safe return of his missing wife Muriel, on 9th January 1970. He is accompanied by his son Ian and daughters Jennifer (left) and Dianne (right)

The pair spent several days following the Rolls-Royce, thinking they were tracking Anna Murdoch - but instead seized Muriel as she returned to her home from dropping off her cleaning lady on December 29.

Dianne, then 29 and a mother of two young children, took a phone call the following day from a man she now knows was Nizamodeen.

He told her they were 'the mafia' and had Dianne's mother, before the family then received a scribbled note in Mrs McKay's handwriting begging them to 'do something to get me home' and a ransom letter demanding 1 million.

After a bodged attempt to pick up a suitcase of ransom money, the kidnappers were arrested at the farm in January - but there was no sign of Mrs McKay.

For years, the Hosein brothers refused to say where she was, leading to grisly speculation that her body had been fed to the pigs on the farm - and when they took the stand at their Old Bailey trial in September 1970, each tried to blame the other.

Both were found guilty of kidnapping and murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, though Nizamodeen was released in 1990 and deported.
The world's top picture agencies last night took an extraordinary step to 'kill' a portrait of the Princess of Wales over claims it had been 'manipulated'.

Kensington Palace had attempted to reassure the public about Princess Kate's health by releasing a Mother's Day photo of her beaming alongside Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

It was the first official photo to be published of Kate since undergoing abdominal surgery in January.

But within hours of the photo being shared around the world, multiple picture agencies issued a 'kill notification' - an industry term used to retract a photo previously handed out to publications.

Late on Sunday, the Associated Press became the first agency to 'kill' the photo over an 'inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand'.

While AP said there was no suggestion the photo was fake, it retracted it because it said on closer inspection, the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet the agency's photo standards.

Kensington Palace had attempted to reassure the public about Princess Kate's health by releasing a Mother's Day photo of her beaming alongside Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis

Five picture agencies around the world have taken the extraordinary step of killing the photo of Princess Kate

AP said its editorial standards state that images must be accurate and that it does not use altered or digitally manipulated images.

Statements from the five picture agencies to have 'killed' the image AP 'The Associated Press initially published the photo, which was issued by Kensington Palace. The AP later retracted the image because at closer inspection, it appears that the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP's photo standards. The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand.' AFP 'It has come to light that the Handout issued by Kensington Palace today of Kate and the kids had been altered, therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems.' Reuters 'We are removing this image following a post publication review.' Getty Images 'Earlier today our picture desk identified a problematic image provided to Getty Images by Kensington Palace. We can confirm the image in question was removed from our site in accordance with our editorial policy.' Advertisement

The agency's news values and principles explain that minor photo editing, including cropping and toning and colour adjustments, are acceptable when necessary for clear and accurate reproduction and should maintain the authentic nature of the photograph.

Changes in density, contrast, colour and saturation levels that substantially alter the original scene are not acceptable. Backgrounds should not be digitally blurred or eliminated by burning down or by aggressive toning. The removal of 'red eye' from photographs is not permissible.

When AP determined the photo appeared to have been manipulated, it issued what is known as a 'photo kill,' an industry term that retracted the image and instructed clients to remove the photo from their systems.

'At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image,' the AP said in its advisory. 'No replacement photo will be sent.'

A second agency, Reuters, also withdrew the image 'following a post-publication review'. 'We are reviewing the matter,' a spokesperson said.

Reuters picture editors said part of the sleeve of Kate's daughter's cardigan did not line up properly, suggesting that the image had been altered.

The agency could not immediately establish how, why or by whom the alteration had been made.

AfP then followed suit by issuing a 'mandatory kill notice' before Getty Images became the fourth agency to retract the photograph. EPA this morning also issued the same 'mandatory kill'.

A spokesman for AfP said: 'It has come to light that the Handout issued by Kensington Palace today of Kate and the kids had been altered, therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems.'

A spokesperson for Getty Images told Sky News: 'Earlier today our picture desk identified a problematic image provided to Getty Images by Kensington Palace. We can confirm the image in question was removed from our site in accordance with our editorial policy.'

Readers on X added a community note to a post from the Prince and Princess of Wales' account which shared the photo.

It appears Charlotte's hand was copied over from another picture as there is an empty space where her sleeve should be

Kate's zip appears to be misaligned on the photo as the top of it is further left and appears significantly lighter than the rest of the zip

Charlotte's hair seems to end abruptly on her shoulder on her right despite her hair on the left going on for a few inches

The corner of Charlotte's skirt was pointed out as another 'editing error' by social media sleuths

The Princess of Wales has not been seen since she attended the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham

The Prince and Princess of Wales's annual Christmas card image with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, also appeared to have a Photoshop fail

It said: 'This photo is believed to be digitally altered and as a result many major news outlets have pulled the image from their reports.'

Kensington Palace has not yet commented on the concerns raised about the picture.

But without an official response from the palace, the confusion around the image is likely to fuel online conspiracy theories about Kate which have swirled on the internet since her abdominal surgery.

Royal commentator Peter Hunt said: 'This is damaging for the royals.

'They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate.

'Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.'

The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.

But there was speculation that edits had been made to the left sleeve of Princess Charlotte's cardigan, and other areas of the picture also raised concerns about possible manipulation.

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

In the social media post, Kate thanked the public 'for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months'.

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.

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.

Details of the princess's condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

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, temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children as she recovered.
Vladimir Putin has put his top nuclear submarine specialist in charge of the Russian Navy following a series of successful Ukrainian drone attacks that sunk several of Moscow's warships.

Admiral Alexander Moiseev, 61, was made acting commander-in-chief after the Kremlin chief reportedly fired previous incumbent Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, who had held the post for five years.

Yevmenov, also 61, paid the price for the savaging of Russia's Black Sea Fleet by Ukrainian kamikaze marine drones.

Moiseev meanwhile faces an immediate crisis as the fleet's warships have not put to sea for six days amid the terror of more sinkings.

But other analysts suggest that Moiseev's promotion from commander of the Arctic-based Northern Fleet is meant to send a signal to the West over the threat of nuclear war.

A 'Hero of Russia' - the Kremlin's highest honour - the former nuclear submarine captain was the first man to launch satellites into space from a submerged vessel, firing a Shtil-1 rocker from the K-407 Novomoskovsk in the Barents Sea in July 1998.

Moiseev's entire active career was spent on nuclear submarines and he was known to have tested Russia's latest weapons, with submarines constituting a crucial part of Moscow's 'nuclear triad'.

Admiral Nikolay Yevmenov (right, pictured with Vladimir Putin 2-L) has reportedly been sacked from this position as the Russian Navy's commander-in-chief following a string of successful Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow's warships

Admiral Alexander Moiseev, 61, was made acting commander-in-chief after the dictator abruptly fired previous incumbent Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov

Yevmenov, 61, paid the price for the savaging of Russia 's Black Sea Fleet by Ukrainian kamikaze marine drones

The moment Russian warship Sergey Kotov was hit by a Ukrainian kamikaze sea drone

Ukrainian strike on a Russian landing ship in Novocherkassk

Independent Russian media outlet Vot Tak TV reported: 'The reasons for Yevmenov's resignation were not disclosed, but they seem obvious.

'The complete helplessness of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation, which continues to lose combat ships at a rate of one vessel per month in confrontation with Ukrainian naval drones, as well as deep systemic problems in managing the Russian Navy.'

There has not yet been a formal announcement of Moiseev's promotion but this is widely seen as a matter of time.

Last Tuesday the 51 million Sergey Kotov patrol vessel, one of Putin's newest naval ships, was sunk by a flock of unmanned MAGURA V5 attack drones near Feodosia, in occupied Crimea.

Footage purports to show the moment of the major explosion in darkness close to the coast.

The vessel normally has a crew of 80 - and the fate of those on board remains unclear.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said last week that 'The Russian Black Sea Fleet is a symbol of occupation. It cannot be in the Ukrainian Crimea,' in an apparent reference to the attack.

Ukraine's military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov said the ship had been hit previously but was destroyed after the overnight attack by maritime drones.

'As for the crew, the details are being clarified. There are dead and wounded. But it is likely that some of the crew managed to evacuate,' he told Ukrainian media.

There was no official response from the Russian defence ministry.

That attack followed weeks after Russia's Caesar Kunikov large landing ship was also destroyed in a similar maritime operation, prompting the Kremlin to dismiss Admiral Viktor Sokolov, 61, from his post as commander-in-chief of the Black Sea Fleet.

A GoPro video, taken by sailors aboard the doomed vessel, showed in shocking detail how the navy men desperately tried to fight off the oncoming drones in an intense 20-minute sea battle before their vessel was destroyed in a fiery explosion.

The warship was lost on February 14, but the footage was released only last week by Russian Telegram channel FighterBomber.

The hellish, chaotic scene saw a small group of seamen unloading their weapons into the murky water. Explosions rang out around them as the drones one by one slammed into the ship's hull and lit up the night sky.

Despite the crew letting loose thousands of rounds at the oncoming threat, the Russian battleship was powerless to defend against the flotilla of high-speed, high-explosive drones controlled by Ukrainian operators hundreds of miles away.

No official death toll has emerged but local reports suggest several crew members were lost as the Caesar Kunikov sank.

Footage purports to show the ship under fire in Crimea, the latest blow to the Russian fleet

Image shows the Sergey Kotov patrol ship, a 308-ft warship that entered service in 2022

Astonishing footage, filmed by a GoPro camera, shows the Russian crew of the Caesar Kunikov large landing ship fighting its last battle with Ukrainian marine drones off the coast of Crimea

Explosions rang out around them as the drones one by one slammed into the ship's hull and lit up the night sky

Russian crew members are seen shooting into the night as Ukrainian drones headed for their ship

Measuring just 18ft, the unmanned MAGURA V5 drones are capable of delivering a payload of up to 200kg (440lbs) over an operating range of 400km (250 miles) and have proved invaluable in their attacks on Russia's vessels in the Black Sea.

Russia has lost more than a quarter of its fleet - some 21 vessels - since February 2022, including the early sinking in 2022 of their flagship Moskva in a Neptune missile strike by Ukraine.

The Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol were also blitzed in a missile strike last year.

Now, with the war rumbling into its third year, Ukraine seeks to expand its provision of the 'game-changing' seaborne drones to counter Russian attacks in Crimea.

'Naval drones are a constant need,' a spokesperson for official fundraiser UNITED24 told MailOnline last month.

'Since February 24, Russia has fired over 4,500 missiles at Ukraine, with 20% launched from the sea. After losing 80% of its fleet in 2014 due to Crimea's occupation, Ukraine had no means to counter these attacks.

'However, on October 29, 2022, naval drones marked a turning point by damaging three Russian vessels, including the flagship Admiral Makarov, in a historic first attack carried out exclusively by unmanned vessels.'

They said the small and fast unmanned surface vehicles had 'quickly changed the course of naval warfare' and allowed Ukraine to 'bury... Russian arrogance'.
A woman has broken down in tears as she described the last moments before her ex partner was fatally mauled while rescuing her and her young daughter from a vicious dog attack.

Leah Casperson appeared in the NSW State Coroners Court on Monday, more than five years after her former partner Colin Amatto was killed by two dogs in his own home.

She told an inquest into Mr Amatto's death that she had been visiting him in January 2019 at the house he shared with a couple, their baby and their three dogs.

Ms Casperson said she heard the couple, David Murray and Laura Graham, discussing how to best introduce her and her two daughters to the dogs.

The dogs looked like they were pitbulls and she guessed they might be 'guard dogs', she told the inquest.

Colin Amatto (pictured) was killed on January 24, 2019 in a fatal attack by two dogs

Mr Amatto is pictured on a stretcher after he was attacked by two dogs five years ago

READ MORE: Extraordinary moment man mauled by family dog gets into a heated shouting match as he's taken away in an ambulance - 'You wait until I get out!' A wild argument erupted after a man was viciously attacked by a dog (pictured, the man screaming from his gurney) Advertisement

Ms Casperson said the dogs were 'fine' and 'loving' after they had been given the chance to acclimatise to the visitors.

They even slept on a bed with the two young girls.

But the inquest previously heard Mr Amatto had returned home from work on January 24 to find one of the dogs had bitten his ex and her 10-year-old daughter.

Immediately before the dog attacked, the inquest heard Ms Casperson's other daughter claimed she saw a man walk past the house and whistle loudly.

However, Ms Casperson said she couldn't confirm her daughter's account because she had been inside the house.

She told the inquest she heard the dogs growling inside the house and her 10-year-old daughter screaming.

Ms Casperson broke down in tears and did not describe the vicious subsequent attack on her, her daughter and Mr Amatto.

The Yuin man had saved the lives of his ex and her daughter when he intervened in the dog attack, but lost his own, the inquest was previously told.

He was 'savagely mauled' by a staffordshire bull terrier called Boof before another staffy called Hope joined the 'attack of extreme ferocity'.

Mr Amatto sustained more than 80 wounds to his head, body and limbs in the violent and bloody mauling.

He did not regain consciousness in the five weeks before his family made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support.

The 40-year-old's tragic death is being examined during an inquest into the circumstances surrounding seven fatal dog attacks that happened between 2019 and 2023.

One of the dogs who attacked and killed Colin Amatto in January 2019 is pictured

Colin Amatto (pictured) heroically intervened in an attack on his ex and her daughter

Less than two years before his fatal mauling, the inquest heard one of the dogs had violently attacked real estate agent Barry Grant while he had been visiting the property.

A witness previously told the court Boof had 'ripped off' Mr Grant's flesh in the attack, requiring him to undergo surgery and spend four days in hospital.

Ms Casperson told the inquest the dog's owners had not warned her the dog was dangerous or informed her it had previously mauled someone.

Boof was seized by a Penrith Council animal companions officer on July 24, 2017 at the request of police while they conducted an investigation into the dog attack.

However, it was returned to Mr Murray and Ms Graham after sergeant Arron Lindsay determined no offence had been committed.

In circumstances where Mr Grant was believed to have entered the property without the owner's permission, police and council concluded the dog had been acting in defence of its property.

Mr Amatto (pictured as a child) has been remembered in glowing terms by his grieving family

Sergeant Lindsay asked Penrith Council to return the dog to its owners and informed them no further police action would be taken over the savage attack.

Reflecting on the decision before the inquest, he conceded he could have 'done more' to investigate the incident before concluding the dog had been acting defensively.

Penrith Council Environmental Health and Compliance Manager, Greg McCarthy, told the inquest the council did not take steps to declare Boof a dangerous or menacing animal.

The inquest previously heard that a declaration would mandate Boof wearing a muzzle and being contained within a restricted area.

Mr McCarthy said it was hard to determine whether that would have been 'an appropriate action', given police had determined the dog hadn't committed an offence.

'We hadn't ... considered whether (the attack) was an unreasonable act of aggression by the dog,' he said.

Mr McCarthy said closer collaboration and better information sharing between Penrith Council and the police on this investigation might have resulted in a different decision.

'I think there's potential for agencies to work better together,' he said.

Real estate agent Barry Grant (pictured) was mauled by Boof on 24 July, 2017

One of the focuses of the inquest is to determine the efficacy of the response of local councils and police to fatal dog attacks in order to prevent further tragedies.

Mr McCarthy said there was definite room for improvement.

He told the inquest he had been 'shaken, shocked, saddened' to learn about the death of Mr Amatto, who he called 'a brave man protecting his family'.

'I'm very sorry for your loss,' he told Mr Amatto's family in the courtroom.
'Sussex cheerleader' Omid Scobie last night tweeted 'wonder what it would be like if they had a good comms team' after the Princess of Wales' Mother's Day portrait was 'killed' by multiple picture agencies around the world.

Kensington Palace had attempted to quell rumours about Kate's health yesterday by releasing the first official photograph of her since undergoing 'planned abdominal surgery' in January.

She was pictured beaming alongside her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, in a photo taken by Prince William in Windsor last week.

But the Palace is today facing questions after the photo was withdrawn by Reuters, AP, Getty, AFP and EPA over claims it may have been digitally manipulated - with fans pointing to 'errors' that allegedly prove it has been edited.

The Palace declined to comment last night and royal experts have claimed the public is now likely to 'question whether health updates can be trusted'.

Endgame author Mr Scobie wrote on X, formerly Twitter, last night: 'Wonder what it would be like if they had a good comms team.' In a separate tweet, he described the killing of the photos as 'mysterious', adding: 'No comment from KP yet.'

'Sussex cheerleader' Omid Scobie waded into the row over why the portrait of Princess Kate was 'killed'

Kensington Palace released this photo of Princess Kate and her three children on Mother's Day

Mr Scobie wrote on X, formerly Twitter , last night: 'Wonder what it would be like if they had a good comms team.'

It comes after Mr Scobie sparked a royal race row in November when a Dutch translation of his Endgame book appeared to accuse Kate and King Charles of racism after Meghan Markle claimed that 'concerns' had been raised about the skin colour of her son Archie in her bombshell Oprah interview in 2021.

Mr Scobie also tweeted yesterday: 'Plenty to share this year. Needed some time to recharge and work on some new things.'

Without an official response from the Palace, the confusion around the image is likely to fuel online conspiracy theories about Kate which have swirled on the internet since her abdominal surgery.

Royal commentator Peter Hunt said: 'This is damaging for the royals.

'They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate.

'Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.'

The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Charlotte and Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.

But there was speculation that edits had been made to the left sleeve of Princess Charlotte's cardigan, and other areas of the picture also raised concerns about possible manipulation.

In the social media post, Kate thanked the public 'for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months'.

The Associated Press were the first to issue a 'kill notification' over the photo of Kate.

It said: 'At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image. No replacement photo will be sent.'

A second news agency, Reuters, also withdrew the image 'following a post-publication review'. AFP then followed suit by issuing a 'mandatory kill notice'.

Getty Images became the fourth organisation to remove the photo - and this morning EPA became the fifth.

It appears Charlotte's hand was copied over from another picture as there is an empty space where her sleeve should be

Kate's zip appears to be misaligned on the photo as the top of it is further left and appears significantly lighter than the rest of the zip

Charlotte's hair seems to end abruptly on her shoulder on her right despite her hair on the left going on for a few inches

The corner of Charlotte's skirt was pointed out as another 'editing error' by social media sleuths

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.

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.

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.

Details of the princess's condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

The 42-year-old future queen was last pictured in public during a Christmas Day walk in Sandringham, Norfolk.

The Princess of Wales has not been seen since she attended the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham

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

Kate is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter, and William, 41, temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children as she recovered.

He returned to royal duties in February and is expected to carry out an engagement linked to his Earthshot environmental prize on Monday, as well as accompanying the Queen at events to mark Commonwealth Day.

Earlier this month the Army was forced into an embarrassing about-turn after suggesting Kate would attend Trooping the Colour on June 8.

Tickets were being sold for the event, with Kate expected to attend in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, the regiment which is trooping its colour this year.

However, it is understood the Army did not seek approval from Kensington Palace before publishing the page, and the website was subsequently updated to remove the reference to her.
Christian Brueckner's adoptive mother has revealed that she has disowned the Madeleine McCann suspect and that she has 'nothing to do with him anymore'.

Brigitte Brueckner and her late husband Fritz are said to have raised Christian as 'one of their own' after he was abandoned as a young boy.

But the widow says she has now cut ties with the 47-year-old, who is a convicted rapist and was named in 2020 as the prime suspect in Maddie's 2007 disappearance.

The jailed paedophile is currently facing trial over three rapes and two sex assaults, all said to have been carried out on Portugal's Algarve coast between 2000 and 2017.

'I don't have anything to do with him anymore,' Mrs Brueckner said, according to The Sun. 'As far as I'm concerned I have said goodbye. Auf Wiedersehen.'

Ms Brueckner (pictured in Bavaria in 2020) said she has 'said goodbye' to her adopted son

Brueckner (pictured in court last month) is currently on trial over three cases of aggravated rape and two cases of sexual abuse

Ms Brueckner is pictured feeding a cat in the park in Bergtheim, Bavaria, 2020

German police named him as Madeleine McCann's alleged kidnapper and 'no body' killer

Mrs Brueckner has long maintained that she has had nothing to do with her adopted son's actions and that she has not seen him for years.

Brueckner was born in the Bavarian city of Wurzburg in 1976 and put into a foster home after being abandoned by his birth mother.

Mrs Brueckner and her husband took him and his brother into their family and reportedly raised him from a baby.

But the parents sent him to live in a reform home for teenagers after Mr Brueckner was seriously injured in a car crash and as the boy's delinquent behaviour worsened.

Christian was moved to the Church-run home at age 15, and got his first conviction two years later for sexually abusing a child.

He was behind bars in a youth prison for two years before training as a mechanic and moving to the Algarve following his release.

He spent more than two decades moving between Portugal and Germany, doing odd jobs and funding his itinerant lifestyle through theft and other crimes.

When German police named him as Maddie's alleged kidnapper and 'no body' killer in June 2020, his adoptive mother said her life had been 'destroyed all over again'.

Brueckner was born in the Bavarian city of Wurzburg in 1976 and put into a foster home (pictured aged 11)

'Brigitte is dismayed, distraught... She is an old woman and is confused,' a family friend told MailOnline at the time.

'She says this is not her fault and she has nothing to do with it. She is on her own now, after the death of her husband Fritz.

'She does not have any contact with anyone, any relatives, and she hasn't seen Christian or her other two boys for years now.

'She cannot bear to talk to anyone about all of this. But she maintains it was not obvious that Christian would do something like this.'

Christian is yet to be charged for the British girl's disappearance, but is currently on trial in a separate case relating to attacks which happened just minutes from where she went missing in the holiday resort of Praia da Luz.

The victims include holiday rep Hazel Behan, another woman aged between 70 and 80, a girl of around 14, a 10-year-old girl who is said to have been assaulted on a beach close to where Madeleine disappeared, and another child.

Pictured: Christian Brueckner, who has been linked to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

He is already serving a seven year sentence for raping an elderly American woman on the Algarve in 2005 and was jailed in 2019 after evidence from two former friends emerged.

As he has made a series of appearances in court in Germany, a former worker from his children's home reportedly spoke out to say: 'It's terrifying to see what he has become when you see the pictures of him at court with those frightening eyes.

'I'm sure anyone he used to know would definitely be afraid if they saw him today. We never want him back here.'
The viral video showing Messi the dog, one of the stars of the hit Anatomy of a Fall, clapping along with his fellow Oscar attendees was actually filmed hours earlier.

The Hollywood Reporter's Chris Gardner recorded Messi, along with his handler, Laura Martin Contini, sat among a small group of people who were directed to clap in a largely empty Dolby Theatre during a rehearsal for the big show.

During the broadcast, the cameras cut away away to the celebrity pooch, who appeared to be 'clapping' as Robert Downey Jr. collected his Best Supporting Actor trophy for Oppenheimer.

To hide the rouse, the cameras then cut away to Barbie star Ryan Gosling, who appeared to be marveling at Messi's respectful clapping.

Gardner initially tweeted that the Messi seen on screen was really a lookalike however he later corrected himself to say that it was in fact the real canine.

The real footage shot by Chris Gardner shows the empty seats around Messi as the camera panned on to him

The pooch was sat with his trainer Laura Martin Contini during the segment

Messi earned viral fame at the Oscars after he was seen 'clapping' for Robert Downey Jr as he won Best Supporting Actor

Messi was out and about in the City of Angels with his trainer before the big show

Adding to seven-year-old Messi's rising profile was a mention by host Jimmy Kimmel in his opening monologue, with the comedian joking that Messi 'gave the performance of the year'.

'Messi, who even though hes a dog, may have given the performance of the year in Anatomy of a Fall,' Kimmel joked. 'Messi has an overdose scene, if youve seen it youve known it. Its incredible.

'Honestly I havent seen a French actor eat his own vomit like that since Gerard Depardieu.'

Messi's attendance at the ceremony came as a surprise to fans - after it was reported just days before the awards show that the French-based pooch would not travel to Los Angeles for the Oscars, despite already earning himself a reputation as one of this season's most beloved guests.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, a source from Anatomy of a Fall claimed that Border Collie Messi would not travel from his native France to California for the awards show.

However on Sunday, Messi's trainer Laura Martin Contini posted photos showing her with the dog in Los Angeles. The pair posed for a picture on Sunset Boulevard before heading to rehearsals.

Laura was sat far back in the audience during the actual taping of the ceremony.

Hours before the ceremony kicked off, Messi appeared in an Instagram video posted by Jimmy, in which the host was seen running several jokes from his opening monologue past the pup for his approval, with the canine barking his delight at an anecdote in which he was mentioned.

Hours before the ceremony, Messi appeared in a video posted to host Jimmy Kimmel's Instagram account, in which the comedian was seen running jokes past the pup

Earlier this year, Messi's trainer Laura (left) opened up about his sudden fame, explaining that the attention on her pup began at Cannes - but quickly skyrocketed in the US

Messi's role sees him forced to play dead for several minutes, a feat that his trainer Laura admitted was no small feat

Earlier this year, Messi's trainer Laura opened up about his sudden fame, explaining that the attention on her pup began at Cannes - but quickly skyrocketed in the US.

'All of this attention began at Cannes,' she told The Hollywood Reporter.

'There were a few interviews in France but what weve been experiencing here in America  with the attention to this dog and his acting  its beyond anything we anticipated. Its probably the maximum that you can accomplish in this field.'

In Anatomy of a Fall, Messi plays a guide dog named Snoop, who is owned by blind character Daniel, played by actor Milo Machado-Graner.

Messi's role sees him forced to play dead for several minutes, a feat that his trainer Laura admitted was no small feat, explaining to IndieWire that the pup had gone through rigorous preparation for the role.

'Even the simplest things take a lot of work,' she said. 'It had to happen in steps. First, the simple laying down and having his head kind of immobile. [I] started there and then [we worked on] lifting the head and just letting it fall back without resistance.'

After proving his acting chops in the five-time Oscar-nominated movie, Messi earned a place among some of this year's biggest stars when he was invited to the annual nominees' luncheon in Los Angeles - earning some one-on-one time with several A-list stars.

'The big moment was with Billie Eilish, who bonded with Messi for almost 10 minutes,' trainer Laura told The Hollywood Reporter.

'They were hugging and petting and they really had a vibe. Then Bradley Cooper bumped into him in the hallway. The dog went right to him, so they also had a connection.'

At that same event, Ryan was once again filmed having a heartwarming interaction with the pup, putting his hand over his chest with emotion when he was introduced to Messi for the first time.

Although Messi was not nominated for an Oscar, much to the upset of his biggest fans, he did walk away from this year's Cannes Film Festival with an unofficial trophy: the Palm Dog.
Read more of the 77-year-old's previous comments about ceremonies gone-by

Trump has a history of slamming the Academy Awards going back over a decade

Kimmel, 56, hit back by asking the former president: 'Isn't it past your jailtime?'

Donald Trump could not keep himself out of the Oscars spotlight as he waded in and called host Jimmy Kimmel the 'worst ever' during the 2024 ceremony.

The chat show icon, 56, hit back before the 96th annual Academy Awards was over by asking the former president: 'Isn't it past your jailtime?'

Kimmel and Trump, 77, have a long history of firing shots at each other with the former once complaining that he lost 'half' his audience over criticism of the politician.

Also, Trump has form when it comes to criticising the Oscars having made multiple less-than-complimentary remarks over the years.

Read over a decade's worth of the former president's critical comments about previous Oscars ceremonies below.

Host Jimmy Kimmel laughed off criticism from Donald Trump as he rounded off the 96th annual Academy Awards by asking: 'Isn't it past your jailtime?'

Trump had suggested that Kimmel, a long-time adversary of his, was the 'worst ever' host of the ceremony in a post on Truth Social

The former president has a long history of commenting on the ceremony, dating back over a decade

Trump's Kimmel tirade during 2024 Oscars

Reacting to the most recent ceremony, Trump posted on Truth Social: 'Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars.

'His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be. Get rid of Kimmel and perhaps replace him with another washed up, but cheap, ABC "talent," George Slopanopoulos.'

'Slopanopoulos' is ABC News host George Stephanopoulos, who made headlines for a contentious interview with South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace shortly before Trump's post, and is reportedly 5-feet 6-inches.

'He would make everybody on stage look bigger, stronger, and more glamorous,' Trump continued.

'Also a really bad politically correct show tonight, and for years - Disjointed, boring, and very unfair. Why dont they just give the Oscars to those that deserve them. Maybe that way their audience and TV ratings will come back from the depths. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!'

Kimmel read the tirade out as he closed the show on March 10, and asked his audience: 'See if you can guess which former president posted that on Truth Social. Anyone? No?'

He went on to fire back with his final line: 'Thank you for watching, I'm surprised... isn't it past your jailtime?'

Trump sent out a statement mocking the Oscars' low ratings in 2021, saying the name should always be the Academy Awards

Trump official statement after 2021 Oscars

While this was the first year Trump's comments were read out live on the night, it was not the former president's first pop at the awards ceremony by any stretch.

In 2021, Trump released a statement in the aftermath of the 93rd Academy Awards, ridiculing its plummeting viewership.

He said: 'What used to be called The Academy Awards, and now is called the "Oscars" - a far less important and elegant name - had the lowest Television Ratings in recorded history, even much lower than last year, which set another record low.'

He predicted that 'it will only get worse' if it did not move away form its 'ridiculous formula... about how to promote the Democrat party' which rendered it 'politically correct and boring'.

While not back to mid-2010s levels, the awards' viewership did bounce back from the 2021 record-low in both 2022 and 2023.

Trump Parasite rant after 2020 Oscars Best Picture

Trump had also ranted about 2020's Oscars success story, Parasite, the previous year, implying that it should not have won because it was South Korean.

'And the winner is a movie from South Korea,' Trump said, imitating those who announce category winners at a rally in Colorado. 'What the hell was that all about?

'We got enough problems with South Korea with trade. On top of it they give them the best movie of the year.'

Parasite was filmed fully in Korean, but played with English subtitles in the U.S. 'Was it good? I don't know,' Trump said.

After Trump suggested that Parasite should not have won Best Picture in 2020, the South Korean blockbuster's studio tweeted, 'understandable, he can't read,' referring to the movie's English subtitles

In response, film studio NEON shared a tweet, insinuating that he was unable to enjoy the English subtitles from the film. 'Understandable, he can't read,' it said.

Trump vs Kimmel again after 2018 Oscars

Trump once again focused on the ceremony's ratings in 2018, briefly tweeting: 'Lowest rated Oscars in HISTORY. Problem is, we dont have Stars anymore - except your President (just kidding, of course)!'

Kimmel was the host that year too, and hit back at his adversary by replying: 'Thanks, lowest rated President in HISTORY.'

Trump on 2017 Oscars Best Picture debacle

In the very early days of his presidential stint, in 2017, Trump waded in on the Oscars.

He could not resist commenting on the Moonlight-La La Land Best Picture debacle that year, telling Breitbart News: 'They were focused so hard on politics that they didn't get the act together at the end.'

Trump calls 2015 Oscars an 'insult' after 'AWFUL' 2014

The Academy Awards were seemingly spared in 2016, but 2015 was less fortunate.

According to ABC, he branded that year's show, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, an 'insult' to its predecessors.

And the previous year he had also declared the ceremony 'AWFUL' including by criticizing host Ellen DeGeneres.

Trump live tweets 2013 Oscars ceremony

It followed Trump's live-tweeting of the 'very tainted' 2013 awards due to 'popular demand'.

He had hoped that that ceremony being hosted by Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane could be 'something new that should be fun', but went on to call it 'very average'.

Kimmel and Trump's feud also reared its head after the former hosted the 2018 ceremony. He responded to the politician's criticism by calling him the 'lowest rated President in HISTORY'

Trump's first run of tweets about the Oscars came in 2013 'by popular demand' after an enraged rant reacting to 2012's a year earlier

Trump's fury at the 2012 Oscars was such that he had to break out of his usual written medium onto YouTube to record his reaction.

He called for a security guard to be fired after Sacha Baron Cohen sprinkled what Trump claimed to be ashes on Ryan Seacrest, while dressed as his character in The Dictator, during the Oscars' red carpet coverage.

Trump added that the ceremony was 'boring' and said people were sleeping through it.

That seems to have been the start of Trump's sour relationship with the Academy Awards, with the to-be president and his wife Melania Trump at the ceremony themselves in 2011.
One person died and another was injured in a crash on Cypress Rosehill and Huffmeister Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Jason Stilwell

More than 15 months after a wrong-way crash left a man dead and a woman injured, the driver of a stolen SUV involved in the crash has been charged with murder and aggravated assault, according to Harris County court records.

Destin Quintero, 18, of Spring, was arrested and booked into Harris County Jail on Monday morning.

Quintero had previously been charged with one count of failure to stop and render aid in an accident involving death in connection to the November 2022 crash. The crash at the intersection of Cypress Rosehill and Huffmeister killed Caleb Rickenbacher, 20, and injured Rickenbacher's girlfriend.

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A grand jury indicted Quintero on the more serious charges on March 1, according to court records.

The crash happened around 3:40 a.m. A Jeep Grand Cherokee heading on south Cypress Rosehill took a curve too quickly and entered the northbound lane. Rickenbacher's Dodge Journey was heading north, and while he swerved to avoid the Jeep, his vehicle was struck anyway, according to court records.

The Jeep, which had been reported as stolen in Oklahoma, was driving 91 mph before it hit Rickenbacher's Dodge, according to the police complaint.

Rickenbacher died at the scene. In his obituary, he was described as a world traveler, who was pursuing a business degree and career in criminal justice at the time of the crash.

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Quintero's cell phone was found near the scene of the crime, and he was caught running toward a nearby subdivision on video captured by a nearby apartment complex camera, according to court records.

He was arrested in December 2022, and he had been out on bond since his first arrest. His bond on the new charges was set at $65,000, according to jail records.
An up-and-coming DJ has been identified as the man who tragically died of a suspected overdose at a music festival that has since been flamed by attendees.

Antony Maugeri, 23, was one of three people taken to hospital after suffering suspected overdoses at Pitch music festival, held near Ararat in south-western Victoria, this past weekend.

He was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital about 1am on Sunday, where he died soon after. The two other men, aged in their 20s and 30s, both survived.

Event organisers cancelled the festival later that day, citing a dangerous heatwave and extreme fire conditions, and told the thousands of attendees to leave by Monday morning.

The festival had gone ahead with a modified schedule on Saturday night despite warnings from the Country Fire Authority (CFA) on the day and prior to the event.

The organisers have since come under fire from both revellers and politicians for not cancelling the event earlier knowing the challenging conditions were to hit the area.

Antony Maugeri (pictured), has been identified as the man who tragically died of a suspected overdose at Pitch music festival on Sunday

Mr Maugeri's best mate remembered the aspiring DJ as 'the most loyal and caring human' in a heartbreaking post to social media.

'Losing your best mate is something I never thought I would have to prepare for,' he wrote on Facebook.

'It's going to be hard opening my phone and not having a text message from you everyday but I know you will be looking out for me my family and the rest of our friend group from above.

'I am grateful for all the memories we have made over the years and I will cherish them forever.'

READ MORE: Man dies at Pitch music festival in suspected drug overdose as thousands are told pack up and leave because of dangerous heatwave Advertisement

The music festival's organisers acknowledged Mr Maugeri's death on Sunday night, taking to Instagram to say they're 'deeply saddened' by the news.

'We are devastated that this has occurred at an event where community has been a driving force over the last seven years,' the post reads.

'We understand that the timing of this news will be upsetting for festival-goers who are currently safely exiting the event.'

The Victorian Greens said Mr Maugeri's death was another reason to introduce pill testing at events.

'How many more (suspected) overdoses need to happen in Victoria before the new Premier shifts gears and finally sets up pill testing in Victoria?' Greens drug harm reduction spokesperson Aiv Puglielli said on Monday.

'While this Labor government continues to stall, young Victorian lives are being put at risk.

'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.'

The festival had been cancelled on Sunday afternoon through a statement to their social media accounts, which some were unable to find out due to poor reception.

'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,' the statement reads.

'Nobody is in immediate danger. We encourage everyone on site not to rush, calmly pack-up and depart either this evening or early tomorrow.

'Please remember to stay hydrated, and be patient and calm with staff and each other.'

Mr Maugeri was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital about 1am on Sunday, where he would later die

Numerous attendees took aim at the event organisers on social media, many of which describing the music festival as 'a joke'.

'You had weeks of notice knowing that it was going to be this hot and despite it, you waited until the CFA told you had to cancel,' one wrote on Instagram.

A second wrote: 'you had the chance to call it a week ago to avoid risking lives'.

'I understand the events industry is still recovering from the COVID turmoil but duty of care is more important than capitalism.

'It is beyond shocking that this call has been made today on the final full programmed day of the festival.'

Another user said they didn't have 'any clue what was going on' as they didn't have reception to see the event's social media posts and weren't notified of screens announcing the cancellation.

Opposition MP Emma Keely also criticised the event for not cancelling earlier when the CFA warned them of the potentially dangerous weather.

'(The CFA) urged the organisers to cancel the event and yet we've got this situation where at least three people have been airlifted, multiple people taken out and a really dangerous environment for not just the people who go to the festival, but the local people as well,' Ms Keely said.

'We all knew this was going to be a hot weekend, it's an accident waiting to happen and unfortunately we've had some catastrophic outcomes this weekend.

'It's just so sad to hear of any young person that's lost their life, but particularly when we've got a music event where things haven't gone quite as well as they could have.'

His best mate, Andre Srour (right), remembered Mr Maugeri (left) as the 'most loyal and caring human' in a heartbreaking post to social media

The festival, which started on Friday, was set to run through to Tuesday.

The heatwave was upgraded from severe to extreme on Sunday and 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'.

A number of would-be revellers told Daily Mail Australia that they spent Sunday night desperately searching for vacant rooms at nearby rural motels.

The convoy of Sydney-siders attempted to call a number of motels that told them they had been booked out soon after the event was cancelled.

While some were able to eventually find a vacancy hours away in Albury at about 5:30am, one of the drivers instead decided to drive all the way to Sydney without rest furious with the situation.

'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.'

Organisers for PItch music festival (pictured) cancelled the event's remaining days just hours after Mr Maugeri's death, citing a dangerous heatwave and bushfire warnings

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.'

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.

'There's 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.
A bodybuilder who showed off his demanding fitness routines to more than 50,000 followers on Instagram was shot dead outside his home.

Muscled Denis Yoshio, 32, was gunned down in Brazil by two men who fled on a motorbike on Saturday night.

Denis' brother desperately pulled him into his car and tried him to rush him to hospital before being assisted by firefighters en route who helped transfer him to an ambulance.

The gunshot victim is said to have gone into cardiac arrest after reaching Tatuape Municipal Hospital where he died.

One of the bullets that killed him struck his spine.

Denis Yoshio, 32, was fatally shot outside his home in Brazil on Saturday night by two gun wielding assassins

The bodybuilding influencer was rushed to hospital by his brother and emergency services but died from cardiac arrest

Denis' model girlfriend, known only as Amanda, took to Instagram to pay heartbreaking tribute to her late boyfriend

'You gave meaning to my life. I can't be far from you. I can't exist without you,' she shared in a story to her Instagram followers

Police investigating Denis' brutal assassination in Vila Matilde, one of the 96 districts in Brazilian city Sao Paulo, are yet to make any arrests.

A witness told police he had dropped the fitness influencer off at his home so he could pick up money after his car broke down.

He was shot as he got out of the vehicle and headed towards the property.

The killers allegedly dashed off on a motorcyle without taking anything.

According to a report by Globo, Denis' brother and friend said they did not know if the bodybuilder had any enemies or if he was being threatened.

Denis' stunning girlfriend, known only as Amanda, revealed her heartbreak in posts to her 18,600 followers on Instagram where she regularly shows off her shapely curves to her fans.

She said in gut-wrenching messages where she posted videos and photos of her and Denis together: 'I can't think, I can't understand.

The devastated girlfriend shared a series of snaps of the pair along with gut-wrenching messages of her heartbreak

Amanda is a Spanish model and regulary shows off her stunning curves and glamorous looks to her 18,600 followers

'I'm nothing without you. Please come home my love.

'You gave my life meaning. I can't be far from you. I can't exist without you. I need to be with you. God help me please. Tell me this is one your practical jokes please. Don't leave me here alone.'

In a subsequent Instagram Stories post she wrote under a photo of her partner: 'It's with extreme sadness that we inform you of the death of Denis Yoshio.

'As soon as we have information about his funeral we will let you know.'

As well as working out regularly, Denis was also an economist.

In a recent video he uploaded on social media before he was killef, he showed off some of his punishing workouts to his 50,500 Instagram followers using the motto: 'You can do everything except give up.'

He added after posting selfies showing off his incredible physique: 'Only those who pursue their goals are capable of achieving success.'

One admirer responded by saying: 'What a monster!'

Another added: 'You're in great shape bro. Thanks for motivating me.'
The feared leader of an al-Qaeda branch in Yemen which is considered the jihadist network's 'most dangerous' faction has died in mysterious circumstances.

Khalid al-Batarfi was labelled a 'global terrorist' and had a $5 million bounty put on his head by the US government over his role as leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

AQAP has long been considered the most threatening part of Al-Qaeda in operation after the killing of founder Osama bin Laden, though the group is believed to have been weakened by infighting and suspected US drone strikes killing its leaders.

Now, without announcing his cause of death, al-Qaeda has released a video showing top brass al-Batarfi wrapped in a white funeral shroud and covered with the terror organisation's black-and-white flag.

Making the announcement in a 15-minute video, Al-Qaeda veteran Ibrahim al-Qosi offered no details on the cause of his death and there was no clear sign of trauma visible on his face.

Al-Qaeda released a video showing al-Batarfi wrapped in a white funeral shroud and covered with the terror organisation's black-and-white flag

Khalid al-Batarfi was labelled a 'global terrorist' and had a $5 million bounty put on his head by the US government. Pictured in 2015

The leader of Yemen's branch of al-Qaeda is dead, the militant group announced Sunday, March 10, 2024

Al-Batarfi, who was believed to be in his early 40s, was imprisoned before being freed in a jailbreak in 2015, and governed forces in Yemen amid that country's grinding war.

'Allah took his soul while he patiently sought his reward and stood firm, immigrated, garrisoned, and waged jihad for His sake,' al-Qosi said in the video, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

The announcement was made on the eve of Ramadan, the Muslim holy fasting month that Yemen begins today.

In the announcement, the group said Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki would take over as its leader.

The US has a $6 million bounty on him, saying al-Awlaki 'has publicly called for attacks against the United States and its allies.'

The Yemen branch of al-Qaeda has been seen by Washington as the terror network's most dangerous branch ever since its attempt in 2009 to bomb a commercial airliner over the United States.

It claimed responsibility for the 2015 deadly attack in Paris on the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo. But their overseas operations have waned in recent years.

'Although in decline, AQAP remains the most effective terrorist group in Yemen with intent to conduct operations in the region and beyond,' a recent United Nations report on al-Qaeda said.

Estimates provided to the UN put AQAP's total forces as numbering between 3,000 and 4,000 active fighters and passive members.

The Yemen branch of Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the 2015 deadly attack in Paris on the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo

Masked gunmen stormed the offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in January 2015, killing 11 people

The group raises money by robbing banks and money exchange shops, as well as smuggling weapons, counterfeiting currencies and ransom operations, according to the UN.

Al-Batarfi took over as the head of the branch in February 2020. He succeeded leader Qassim al-Rimi, who was killed by a US drone strike ordered by then-President Donald Trump.

Al-Rimi had claimed responsibility for the 2019 attack at the US Naval Air Station Pensacola in which a Saudi aviation trainee killed three American sailors.

Under al-Batarfi, AQAP fell further under the influence of Saif al-Adl, now believed to have led the militant group after the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the second general emir of al-Qaeda, in a US drone strike in Afghanistan in 2022.

In recent years, Yemen has been locked in a war between the Houthi rebels, who hold the capital, Sanaa, and a Saudi-led coalition backing the country's exiled government based in Aden.

'Since 2020, Saif al-Adel has been able to convince al-Batarfi of his strategic approach, focused on confronting Western states and their allies in Yemen - the Saudi-led coalition, the Aden-based government, the United Arab Emirates and its allies - rather than confronting the Iranian-backed Houthi movement,' a 2023 report by the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies said.

Al-Adl is believed to be in Iran, part of a longtime al-Qaeda presence in the Islamic Republic.

Al-Batarfi succeeded leader Qassim al-Rimi (pictured), who was killed by a US drone strike ordered by then-President Donald Trump

Al-Rimi had claimed responsibility for the 2019 attack at the US Naval Air Station Pensacola in which a Saudi aviation trainee killed three American sailors

That's long been denied by Tehran but backed up by documents seized in the 2011 US raid in Pakistan that killed bin Laden, who orchestrated the 9/11 attacks on the US.

READ MORE: Dramatic moment Royal Navy warship HMS Richmond shoots down Houthi attack drones in the Red Sea

Flashes of light can be seen from HMS Richmond as they launch missiles at Houthi attack drones Advertisement

Al-Batarfi's ties to al-Adl had strained relations in AQAP, experts say. However, it has seen the militants become armed with bomb-carrying drones - something the Houthis now use to target shipping in the Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

AQAP 'developed unmanned aerial systems capabilities, establishing a specialized drone unit, with operational training from the Houthis,' a UN report from January says.

'It prioritises liberating its prisoners to replenish ranks; in September, the Houthis released several AQAP members and explosives experts.'

The Shiite Zaydi Houthis have previously denied working with AQAP, a Sunni extremist group.

However, AQAP targeting of the Houthis has dropped in recent years while the militants continue to attack Saudi-led coalition forces.

Yemen's history and tribal structure long has seen alliances rapidly shift, something its late strongman President Ali Abdullah Saleh referred to as 'dancing on the heads of snakes.'

Al-Batarfi, born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, traveled to Afghanistan in 1999 and fought alongside the Taliban during the US-led invasion.

He joined AQAP in 2010 and led forces in taking over Yemen's Abyan province, according to the U.S.

Taliban fighters stand guard at a checkpoint in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021

In 2015, he was freed after an AQAP raid that saw the militants capture Mukalla, the capital of Yemen's largest province, Hadramawt, amid the chaos of the war.

Photos at the time showed al-Awlaki with a Kalashnikov rifle, posing inside a government palace there.

AQAP was later pushed out of Mukalla but has continued attacks and been the target of a US drone strike campaign since the administration of then-President George W. Bush.

In 2020, there had been claims that al-Bartafi had been detained, which later were denied.

In 2021, he appeared in a militant video and referred to the January 6 riot at the US Capitol as 'only the tip of the iceberg of what will come to them, God willing.'
A doctor's daughter is suing her mother and brother over the family's 2.6million fortune amid claims her parents ploughed her inherited stash of gold and jewels into their building property empire.

Tajleena Islam, 43, says her mother and father, Mohammed and Sultana Islam, used gold coins, family treasures and heirlooms - gifted to her by relatives and grandparents as a child - in creating their London-based property fortune.

But after the death of her psychiatrist father in 2017, Tajleena is now fighting her 76-year-old mum and brother, Rahit, 53, at the High Court over who owns the string of valuable properties in the capital.

She claims the contribution of her inherited 'Asian gold' - jewels and gold heirlooms traditionally passed down through the generations in Asian families - gives her a right to a half share.

However, her mother and brother say the properties belong to them, brand the claims about a gold and jewel stash a 'work of fiction', and accuse Tajleena of being prone to 'melodrama and lies'.

The court heard Mohammed Islam was an 'aspirational, self-made man' - a psychiatrist and Wakefield care home owner, who funded his daughter Tajleena to the tune of around 200,000 as she went to medical school in the Czech Republic.

Tajleena Islam, 43, (pictured) says her mother and father, Mohammed and Sultana Islam, used gold coins, family treasures and heirlooms in creating their London-based property fortune

Her mother and brother Rahit, 53, (pictured) say the properties belong to them, brand the claims about a gold and jewel stash a 'work of fiction', and accuse Tajleena of being prone to 'melodrama and lies'

Relocating to London around 2000, with his wife he also built up a substantial portfolio of five residential properties and one parcel of land in the capital, with son Rahit managing the properties.

He died in June 2017, after which a bitter falling out occurred within the family, with Sultana Islam - 'frail, unwell and still bitterly mourning the loss of her husband and the breakdown of her family' - claiming her daughter threw her out of her home.

Tajleena denies the allegation and the row has now spilled into the High Court after she launched a claim to a 50 per cent 'beneficial interest' in the family's properties in east London.

The properties were bought using her name alongside her parents' and she claims that they used her 'Asian gold' - jewellery and coins gifted to her by relatives as a child - and 150,000 of inherited money to start building the portfolio.

By the time she reached the age of 25, she was worth over 340,000 due to inheriting the stash of coins and jewellery, along with 150,000 in cash which her parents held for her, she claims.

Her barrister, Emma Read, suggested to Sultana that her daughter had 'trusted you to keep that safe for her', but Sultana insisted she was never gifted anything by her own mum for Tajleena.

'I only ever received some jewellery when I was getting married,' she told the court. 'That's all, I had nothing else'.

For Sultana and Rahit, barrister George Woodhead said Tajleena had provided 'scant' evidence about the existence of a gold and jewellery cache - let alone proved what contribution it may have made.

'Sultana's case is that such claims of inheritance or gifts to Tajleena are a work of fiction: there was no Asian gold and no substantial gift of money which Mohammed and Sultana looked after for Tajleena,' he said.

When her parents began building their property portfolio in 2000, Tajleena had been aged just 19 and working part-time in a shop, he pointed out.

'Even on her own case, she had very little money from working part-time in a shop,' he said.

(Pictured: One of the properties at the centre of dispute) The family had a bitter falling out in 2017 following Mohammed's death

'Sultana says Tajleena spent this money on clothes, travel, going out, and so on - which would be unsurprising for a young adult. That has a ring of truth to it.

'Tajleena was reliant on her parents financially for the many years that followed.

'To say that, whilst living rent-free under their roof, she was a co-contributor of capital to her parents' purchase of investment property is inherently unlikely, and there really is no evidence to properly support that supposed fact.'

At the centre of Tajleena's case is an allegation that she was the victim of 'undue influence' from her father, brother and other men, which resulted in her signing over her stakes in four of the properties.

In relation to the fifth, in Fellows Court, Hackney, it was taken out of her name using a forged document when she was in the Czech Republic studying, she claims.

From the witness box, she insisted she was 'not present in the UK during the signing of this document', but added that it wasn't until after her father's death that she realised she no longer owned a share in the property.

'I wasn't aware that this forgery had taken place, but once my father had died I started having lots of doubts in relation to that property, and then I was utterly shocked to find out that I was no longer an owner. I couldn't believe my eyes.

'This property was snatched away from me. I was the owner of that property and I had no indication that anyone would do such a thing and transfer the property from myself to someone else.'

However, Mr Woodhead suggested that Tajleena had signed the 2008 document transferring her share in the clear knowledge that the property was being signed away.

'I did not, my signature was a forgery,' she replied.

Mr Woodhead said Tajleena had 'willingly signed' trust and transfer documents in relation to the other properties, which were an attempt by the family to 'regularise' the ownership position of them.

He accepted that Tajleena had helped her parents in purchasing properties, but said this was 'by the use of her name only' and she was only ever an owner on paper.

'Sultana and Rahit's case is that the money for the purchase of the properties between 2000 and 2006 came from capital accumulated by Sultana and Mohammed following the sale of other properties and generally,' he said.

'Tajleena was able to help her parents borrow money given her age, and to give the impression to third party creditors, to whom Mohammed owed money, that she part-owned assets.

'The parties commonly intended that Tajleena had no beneficial interests in the properties purchased and she did not subsequently acquire an interest.

'Tajleena now seeks opportunistically to claim interests in all properties by taking advantage of the - often - shambolic manner in which Mohammed and Sultana dealt with the ownership of their properties.'

The judge is expected to reserve his ruling in the case.
The 'Happy Face Killer' has claimed he has been 'cured' by his time behind bars, and says he'll never commit another crime again.

Keith Jesperson, 67, from British Columbia, Canada, killed at least eight women while traveling America's highways as a long-haul rig driver in the 1990s.

He earned his notoriety by sending gloating confessions to police and journalists and signing them with a smiley face.

The twisted killer said in a letter addressed to NewsNation reporter Ashleigh Banfield that he was desperate for his freedom.

'Freedom feels so special to me,' Jesperson wrote.

'Most (inmates) are angry and want some kind of payback... Time behind bars has cured me, I am no longer that person that put me in here.'

The letter was one of several he has sent to NewsNation journalists. Laura Ingle received five double-sided letters written by his hand as a prisoner of Oregon State Penitentiary, where he is serving a life sentence without parole.

Keith Jesperson, 67, (pictured) from British Columbia, Canada, killed at least eight women while traveling America's highways as a long-haul rig driver in the 1990s

Jesperson killed at least eight women, including Julie Ann Winningham and Suzanne Kjellenberg

He claimed to have killed up to 160 people during his prolific career as a serial killer

The letters come just weeks after a California woman recently discovered that the her sister was the last unidentified victim of the Happy Face Killer that was discovered through DNA testing.

Summer Gonzales, who lives in Seattle, said that she never knew she even had a half-sister until she was contacted by law enforcement in California about a year ago.

Gonzales's family member, whose name has not been identified, was killed sometime in the 1990's and her body was dumped on the side of a highway in Blythe County, California.

In 1992, the woman's killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, aka The Happy Face Serial Killer, confessed to the murder, along with seven other murders he committed during a cross-country killing spree.

He called his female victim 'Claudia,' though investigators believe that Claudia may not be her real name, Riverside County Sheriff Investigator Amy Contreras told CBS8 News said.

Gonzales expressed frustration that officials have not released her sister's remains to the family and said that she wants 'to get justice and to find the truth for my sister.'

The victim, who was a frequent hitchhiker, is believed to have met Jesperson, who worked as a long haul truck driver, at a truck stop.

Contreras told the news outlet that 'it is suspected in the morning before her death, she caught a ride with Jesperson, who was traveling from Las Vegas or the Barstow region along the I-15 near the Cajon Pass.

Authorities in Florida were able to identify Suzanne Kjellenberg (pictured) as one of Jesperson's victims, using forensic technology and DNA evidence

According to the investigator, 'Claudia' then walked over to Jesperson while he was working on his purple 1989 Peterbilt. The pair traveled down the I-10 east to the Burns Brothers truck stop near India.

The pair stopped at a diner and then had a heated argument while in Jespersens truck and that is where he killed her.

Additional reports cited that Jesperson had raped the young woman than strangled her before dumping her body on the side of the road in Blythe County, California.

Jesperson, who claimed to have killed up to 160 people during the late 1990s' was charged with killing eight woman across the country.

He was nicknamed the Happy Face Serial Killer for placing a 'smiley face' on many confession letters he had written, as per the news outlet.

The Riverside County District Attorney, Michael Hestrin said 'this woman is the last of all his victims to remain unidentified.'

Gonzales said her father, Alfonso Saldana Gonzales, Sr. fathered at least nine children with five women.

Convicted murderer Keith Jesperson, right, shown here at a November 2, 1995, court appearance in Portland, Oregon

Jesperson has sent several letters about his crimes

She said that she wasn't shocked that her father had so many children, but said she was 'devastated' to learn the news that one of his daughters was a victim of the Happy Face Serial Killer.

Her father died in 2006, but said that she remembered his character as being somewhat of a 'ladies man.'

'He had a lot of women when he was younger, even in his old age, he had plenty of girlfriends hanging around everywhere,' she said.

Earlier this year, she sent photos of her dad to the news outlet hoping it might reveal the identify of her her half-sisters mother.

'If anybody recognizes the pictures of my father, and they knew his whereabouts between the years of 1964 and 1967, he would have lived either in Harris County, Houston, Texas, or Santa Barbara County, which is Santa Maria, California,' Gonzales said.

She said that none of her known family members was able to identify her new -found relative.

Gonzales said she has been in despair since Riverside officials won't release her sister's remains to the family so they can have a funeral.

'It would be nice to know her real name. It would be wonderful if I could find her mother's name so that I could include those items on her tombstone,' she said.

'But I know that she is my blood. And I want to lay her to rest with her family. I'm sure that she would have wanted that, too,' she said.

Contreras told DailyMail.com that they have been in communication with the victim's half-sister, Summer Gonzales.

She said that 'due to the victim not being identified, the coroner's office is unable to release the remains until positive identification has been made.'

But added, 'once positive identification is made, the coroner's office will be able to determine who the actual next of kin is and make arrangements with the family for a proper burial.'

According to officials, the woman was between ages 25 and 35 at the time of her death.

She was described to be about 5 feet 7 inches tall with medium build, with brown hair possibly dyed blonde. She also had a tattoo of two black dots on the side of her right thumb.

Investigators said the unidentified murder victim's mother may have been from southeast Texas or Louisiana.

Gonzales added, 'we are of Mexican descent, so it's more likely that the person that was my sister's mom, she would have lived among Mexican people.'

The Riverside County Sheriff Officer Investigator said any information may help and explained that 'no call would be insignificant to us.'

'[He] dumped her on the side of the road like she was trash and she's not,' Contreras told ABC13 Las Vegas News.

'She deserves dignity and respect. Just try to think back. Anything you can remember that can trigger a memory, call us.'
Tom Tugendhat heaped pressure on Rishi Sunak today as he warned defence spending must rise 'now'.

The security minister gave the Prime Minister a fresh headache over funding for Britain's military in a round of TV interviews.

He insisted defence spending should increase to 2.5 per cent of GDP 'now... as soon as possible', despite Chancellor Jeremy Hunt having ruled out an immediate rise.

Mr Tugendhat, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, made his fresh plea having last week broken cover to say the UK must 'lead the way' in boosting military funding.

In a joint article with Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan, he called for Britain to invest at a 'much greater pace'.

Mr Tugendhat this morning refused to say whether Downing Street pre-approved the article.

At least a dozen ministers and MPs are said to have privately expressed support for his and Ms Trevelyan's call.

It has also emerged how some Tories are so angry with Mr Sunak's failure to boost defence spending in last week's Budget they have nicknamed the PM 'Neville Sunak'.

This is in reference to ex-premier Neville Chamberlain, who failed to stand up to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler in the run-up to the Second World War.

Tom Tugendhat heaped pressure on Rishi Sunak as he warned defence spending must rise 'now'

The security minister gave the Prime Minister a fresh headache over funding for Britain's military

Mr Tugendhat insisted defence spending should increase to 2.5 per cent of GDP 'now... as soon as possible', despite Chancellor Jeremy Hunt having ruled out an immediate rise in his Budget

Some MPs have nicknamed the PM 'Neville Sunak' in reference to ex-premier Neville Chamberlain, who failed to stand up to Adolf Hitler in the run-up to the Second World War

At the Budget - despite pressure from Tory backbenchers to boost defence spending amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza - the Chancellor would only promise to raise it to 2.5 per cent 'as soon as economic conditions allow'.

During broadcast interviews on Monday, Mr Tugendhat declined to say whether Downing Street had cleared his joint article with Ms Trevelyan but renewed his call for urgency.

He told Sky News: 'I want to achieve 2.5 per cent now, you know, as soon as possible.

'First step to do is to get to the 2.5 per cent, and then we'll have to adjust as the challenges we face evolve.'

Asked by Ed Balls, a former New Labour minister, on ITV's Good Morning Britain whether he had to get the article cleared by Number 10, Mr Tugendhat said: 'Ed, did you have to clear everything through Labour?

'You probably did, actually, have to clear everything through Peter Mandelson, didn't you?

'Probably how your Labour Party worked, where everything was so tightly controlled.'

In a highly unusual intervention from two serving ministers last week, Mr Tugendhat and Ms Trevelyan used a LinkedIn article to warn 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.

'Protecting ourselves requires investment. And effective investment means that our industrial complex must grow and strengthen at much greater pace than at present.'

They added: 'It's 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.

'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.'

Downing Street today confirmed it did not sign off the article by Mr Tugendhat and Ms Trevelyan.

'You wouldn't expect us to sign off social media posts,' said the PM's official spokesman.

In the Budget, Mr Hunt said 'our spending will rise to 2.5 per cent as soon as economic conditions allow', but there was no detail of how that would happen.

This has caused a backlash within the Tories with one MP having reportedly told colleagues they would today hand in a letter to the 1922 Committee calling for Mr Sunak to be toppled over the issue.

One minister told the Daily Mail: 'Across the board there's a sense that we're talking on the one hand about a more dangerous world but we're not demonstrating what that means in spending terms.

'Those of us in the know feel the threats are so many and various that it would be very hard to meet them all.'

A second minister said: 'The Budget was underwhelming. We needed a better offer on defence. This is about values and we're supposed to be the party of defence.'

Tory MP Danny Kruger, co-chairman of the New Conservatives group of MPs, said: 'The Government is increasing defence spending, which is welcome.

'But as Tom and Anne-Marie have said, we must work faster to restore our war fighting capabilities.

'We need to make up for the false promises of the 'peace dividend' years and urgently reinvest in the Armed Forces.'

A senior backbencher said: 'We have ministers publicly breaking ranks over defence cuts, a Chancellor who barely knows the difference between a tank and a helicopter, and party members who want to prioritise defence spending, even over tax cuts.'

Last night Liam Fox, who served under David Cameron, became the sixth former defence secretary to back more cash for the Armed Forces.

'What we're spending is not enough because of the level of threat out there now and the fact it's a growing threat,' he said. 'I agree that at least 2.5 per cent is where we should be.'

In a Sunday Times interview, Mr Sunak defended his record on funding the military.

'I would just point to our record here as chancellor when I oversaw the largest increase in the defence budget since the end of the Cold War with a 24 billion uplift,' he said.

'The whole point is, we recognised that the world that we're living in was becoming more dangerous, and we had to invest more to protect the country against that.'
Hollywood A-listers Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell and Simon Pegg were seen dining out in the quintessential British town of Bakewell as filming for the latest Mission Impossible film kicks off.

Tom Cruise, 61, was pictured with the chef and manager of Lovage Restaurant in Derbyshire as cast and crew members enjoyed a night out in the small town.

The eatery shared the picture on their Instagram page and British actor Simon Pegg, 54, who plays technician turned field agent Benji Dunn in the franchise, posted a selfie with cast and crew members - including Hayley Atwell - outside the venue.

The British-American Atwell, 41, who plays a thief named Grace, also took a trip to Bamford Edge to enjoy the incredible viewpoint on a day off during filming for Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part Two - the eighth move of the franchise.

And last week, Tom was pictured with his hair grown out while filming a car chase scene in Middleton Mine, which is also in Derbyshire.

Tom Cruise, 61, posed for pictures with staff at Lovage Restaurant in Bakewell, Derbyshire last week as he took a break from filming for Mission Impossible's eighth installment

The actor, who is currently filming in the Peak District, dined with the movie's cast and crew after wrapping for the day last week

Simon Pegg, who plays technician turned field agent Benji Dunn in the franchise, posted a selfie on Instagram with Mission Impossible cast members outside the Bakewell restaurant

Hayley shared the video of her sitting on the rock overhang to her 1.9million Instagram followers

A map shows a timeline of all the celebrity sightings in Derbyshire

The restaurant, which serves a beef fillet for 40 and a Halibut dish for 35, wrote on Instagram: 'We were honored to have shared our food and hospitality with and his cast and crew last week.

READ MORE: Tom Cruise sports longer hair as he films car chase scene in a Derbyshire mine for Mission Impossible's eighth instalment Advertisement

'A truly humbling experience to have had such a kind and genuine group of guests join us.

'Mr Cruise was kind enough to offer a photo with us all and has given us permission to share.

'Thank you for choosing Lovage - we would be thrilled to welcome you all back again! A special thank you to Mrs M and Mrs C for your wonderful visit and careful arrangement.'

Simon Pegg, who also starred in British cop comedy Hot Fuzz, shared a picture of himself with cast members outside the Bakewell restaurant on March 1.

He wrote: 'Saving the world has never been so much fun'.

On Monday last week, Hayley, 41, who had her breakthrough role as Lady Elizabeth Foster in 2008's The Duchess, took some time out to explore Peak District National Park and the stunning viewpoint at Bamford Edge.

She posted a video of her sitting on the rock overhang, which starts with a close up on her face before it zooms out to show the beautiful Derbyshire landscape.

Hayley wrote: 'Day off. Gorgeous up North!'

Last Tuesday, Tom was pictured with longer than normal hair as he filmed a car chase for the new movie at Middleton Mine last Tuesday.

Before that, he was last seen on February 7 at London's Air Ambulance Charity Ball where his hair appeared to be shorter and was more slicked back.

The British-American actress enjoyed the view of the Derbyshire countryside from Bamford Edge last week

Bamford Edge is a natural overhang of gritstone rock in Peak District National Park

Restaurant Lovage by chef Lee Smith featured in the Michelin guidebook and serves quintessential British cuisine

Tom was at pictured as he filmed a car chase scene at Middleton Mine in Derbyshire last Tuesday

Tom wore a black leather jacket as he took control in a battered up open truck for the scene

The cast and crew were hard at work shooting the scenes long into the night

Shooting new scenes, Tom wore a black leather jacket as he took control in a battered up open truck.

Film crews had been prepping for the huge shoot in Derbyshire for around a week.

The scene at the disused mine involved a car chase and a crash.

He was seen driving at speed out of the mine and pulling a very long skid which brought a smile to his face.

The A-list actor later fist bumped some of the crew who had worked tirelessly since the early morning to ensure the scene was carried out safely.
The PA news agency today withdrew the first picture of the Princess of Wales to be released after her surgery amid claims it was digitally altered.

The UK's national news agency said it had been 'seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace' since it was released on Mother's Day because of concerns that the image had been manipulated.

But in a sensational development this morning, PA revealed it had now withdrawn the image 'in the absence of that clarification'.

A spokesman for PA said: 'Like other news agencies, PA Media issued the handout image provided by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales and her children in good faith yesterday.

'We became aware of concerns about the image and we carried a report about it last night, and made clear that we were seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace. In the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service.'

PA follow AP, Reuters, Getty Images, AFP and EPA in withdrawing the image - making them the sixth news or picture agency to do so.

Later, Kate publicly took the blame for the manipulated family photograph issued by Kensington Palace as she issued a personal apology for the 'confusion'.

The PA news agency said it had withdrawn the image of Kate from its picture service today

Kensington Palace yesterday released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery

Kate said sorry in a statement released on social media said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.

Statements from the picture agencies to have 'killed' the image AP 'The Associated Press initially published the photo, which was issued by Kensington Palace. The AP later retracted the image because at closer inspection, it appears that the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP's photo standards. The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand.' AFP 'It has come to light that the Handout issued by Kensington Palace today of Kate and the kids had been altered, therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems.' Reuters 'We are removing this image following a post publication review.' Getty Images 'Earlier today our picture desk identified a problematic image provided to Getty Images by Kensington Palace. We can confirm the image in question was removed from our site in accordance with our editorial policy.' PA 'Like other news agencies, PA Media issued the handout image provided by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales and her children in good faith yesterday. We became aware of concerns about the image and we carried a report about it last night, and made clear that we were seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace. In the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service.' Advertisement

'I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.

'I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C.'

The photograph of Kate and her children, taken by the Prince of Wales, was the first to be issued since the princess's abdominal surgery and was released by the Palace to mark Mother's Day.

But it was withdrawn with a 'Kill' notice by picture agencies hours later because of suspicions it had been manipulated.

Royal sources said the Princess of Wales made 'minor adjustments' and that Kate and the Prince of Wales wanted to offer an informal picture of the family together for Mother's Day.

'This was an amateur, family photograph taken by the Prince of Wales. Their Royal Highnesses wanted to offer an informal picture of the family together for Mother's Day,' the source said.

'The Princess made minor adjustments as she shared in her statement on social media, the Wales family spent Mother's Day together and had a wonderful day.'

Despite calls for the original to be published, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the unedited photograph of Kate and her children.

The Palace faced growing pressure over the debacle with the controversy branded damaging to the public's trust of the royal family.

Concerns were raised over a missing part of Princess Charlotte's sleeve and the misaligned edge of her skirt, with other speculation including the positioning of Kate's zip.

The picture was released to reassure the public amid escalating conspiracy theories online over the state of Kate's health in recent weeks, but in an extraordinary turn of events sparked what is being dubbed 'Kategate' and even 'Sleevegate'.

William and Kate have an established track record of issuing their own photographs, often taken by Kate rather than William, to mark special occasions including their children's birthdays.

But the princess's confession raises questions over whether - or to what extent - the images have been altered in the past.

It appears Charlotte's hand was copied over from another picture as there is an empty space where her sleeve should be

Kate's zip appears to be misaligned on the photo as the top of it is further left and appears significantly lighter than the rest of the zip

Public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski called the fiasco a 'massive own goal' and said the unedited photograph should be released to regain trust.

He said: 'It's plausible she's at home playing with the computer and using an AI tool, but if they're really going to regain any sort of trust they should release the unedited photo, it can't be that bad if they just made a few tweaks.

'I find they have risen to the challenge, provided the statement as an explanation - the question is with all the conspiracy theories running around, is whether people believe it and I'm not sure that they will.'

Mr Borkowski said the Mother's Day photo had exposed a public relations problem for the monarchy: 'That's the issue, there doesn't seem to be that much joined up strategic thinking at the heart of the royal family at the moment, which leads to these problems where it's a very difficult organisation to manage in terms of PR.'

He added: 'It's a nightmare, even the softer stories of Edward turning 60 this week haven't really resonated at all because no one's interested in them, they're interested in the stars they're not interested in the supporting cast and that is a problem at the moment.

'They are under pressure, massively under pressure, this is a massive own goal.'

The controversy is set to overshadow the Commonwealth Day service, one of the key royal events of the year.

Charlotte's hair seems to end abruptly on her shoulder on her right despite her hair on the left going on for a few inches

The corner of Charlotte's skirt was pointed out as another 'editing error' by social media sleuths

Heir to the throne William and the Queen will gather with the royal family in Westminster Abbey on Monday in the absence of the King, who is continuing treatment for cancer during what has been a challenging start to 2024 for the Windsors.

Earlier, Kate's uncle Gary Goldsmith defended the Waleses and claimed they would not have been responsible for altering the image.

The Celebrity Big Brother evictee said: 'Obviously the family wouldn't be the ones to do any touch-ups, so if that's gone through some filter before it's gone out to the broader world, but they wouldn't be doing photoshopping themselves.'

He told Good Morning Britain: 'The smiles on faces said it all for me, I thought it was beautiful.'

Mr Goldsmith added: 'And this whole 'sleevegate' thing, just leave it alone.'

Sky News said an examination of the photo's meta data revealed it was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac on Friday and Saturday and the picture was taken on a Canon Camera.

The princess is known to be a keen photographer and revealed in 2021 that she takes so many family photographs that her children sometimes object.

'Everyone's like, 'Mummy, please stop taking photographs',' she said.

Kate underwent surgery at the London Clinic on January 16, but details of her condition have been kept private, and she is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.
Were you on the flight? Email Taryn.Pedler@mailonline.co.uk

Were you on the flight? Email Taryn.Pedler@mailonline.co.uk

Hassan Khan, 28, had no equipment and only used towels in the delivery

A British doctor on board a Wizz Air flight from Jordan to London helped deliver a baby mid-air before the jet was forced to land in Italy.

Hassan Khan, 28, revealed he was flying home from a holiday in Amman on Saturday morning when the flight crew called for a doctor.

According to the doctor who works at Basildon Hospital, the expecting mother was lying on the floor outside the cockpit after her waters had broken.

Scrambling to her side, Hassan said the Jordanian woman did not speak any English and another passenger had to translate during the delivery.

'I told the flight attendants what equipment I needed - which would include an oxygen mask, a clamp for the umbilical chord and a stethoscope - none of which they had on a plane, of course,' Hassan told BBC.

Hassan Khan, 28, helped deliver a seven-moth old baby after a Jordanian passenger's waters broke on a flight from Jordan to London

The doctor of four years (pictured third from left) works at Basildon Hospital, Essex, and luckily had experience in neonatal resucitation

The plane's course was set from Jordan to London but it was forced to land in Brindisi, Italy, so the mother and baby could go to hospital

He revealed he had only used towels during the 'miraculous' delivery of the baby girl.

The doctor of four years, who luckily had experience in neonatal resucitation, said he also managed to relax the panicked mother after reassuring her through the translator that he had worked with newborns before.

'People were saying it was miraculous. I only realised how significant it was after I had the chance to process it all,' he explained.

Following the baby chaos, the Wizz Air plane was diverted to Brindisi Airport, in southern Italy, so the 38-year-old mother and her baby could be taken to Perrino hospital.

Hassan joked he was late to his shift because of the unexpected diversion, but his employers were impressed with his quick-thinking and wanted the full update.

'My consultant congratulated me and said it was a really good job,' he said.

According to a report by online newspaper, Open, the baby was born at just seven months old.

The Wizz Air jet made an emergency land in Italy so the mother and baby could go to hospital (via Shutterstock)

The hero doctor said the woman's family updated him from the hospital and revealed that thanks to his aid, both her and her baby were in a good condition.

The parents of the baby girl, who they named Sama, told local Italian newspaper Corriere del Mezzogiorno that she didn't even need an incubator,' despite being two months premature.

But this isn't the first time a newborn has been delivered in the clouds.

In May last year, 17-year-old Abigail Amoretti went into labour during a flight from Managua, Nicaragua, to Miami.

The newborn was bot breathing after a team of three doctors helped in delivery, but was luckily able to breathe on her own after around three minutes of emergency CPR.

In October 2021, Kendria Rhoden, 21, gave birth to her son on a flight to the Dominican republic.

The health worker from Connecticut was left in shcok when her waters broke and revealed she was not expecting to gove brith until the end of the month.

Medical support firm MedAire reports that mid-air births occur in roughly one in every 26 million passengers.

Dr. Paulo Alves, the companys global medical director, told Conde Nast Traveler in January: 'In-flight childbirth is very, very rare, and when you review the cases they were unexpectedthese were premature babies.

He added that giving birth in mid-air comes with its own challenges.

'Its not the best place for you to have your child, for many reasons. For one thing, the air is thinner, so its harder for the baby to breathe. Its like giving birth to a premature child in Mexico City, altitude-wise.'

As well as this, the likelihood of there being specialists on-hand to help with the birth is exceedingly low, meaning that complicated procedures like C-Sections are near impossible to undertake, even if they are necessary for the safety of the mother and the baby.
A dog-sitter, who killed two French bulldogs by leaving them in a hot car for hours without water, has been jailed after authorities found she owned a dog despite being banned from doing so.

Janine Maloney, who runs Pet Patrol Club, was being paid to look after Lila and Phab in south Wales for the weekend while owner Steph Pendleton, 63, was away on a boating holiday.

The 50-year-old pet-sitter left the dogs, both female and four years old, in her car without fluids on a day when temperatures reached 22C.

When Ms Pendleton returned from her break she discovered her two beloved bulldogs, which she described as her 'soul companions', had died.

It had been the first time the heartbroken owner had left her pets with anyone.

A dog-sitter, who killed two French bulldogs Lila and Phab (pictured) by leaving them in a hot car for hours without water, has been jailed after authorities found she owned a dog despite being banned from doing so

When Steph Pendleton (pictured, with Phab) returned from her break she discovered that her two beloved bulldogs, which she described as her 'soul companions', had died

Pet-sitter Janine Maloney left the dogs, both female and four years old, in her car without fluids on a day when temperatures reached 72F (22C)

READ MORE: Pet-sitter who caused death of two beloved French bulldogs by leaving them in her car for hours without water and closed windows on a sunny 22C day avoids jail Advertisement

Now Maloney has been locked up after she breached a court order disqualifying her from owning animals for five years.

The dog-sitter was handed the ban after a vet judged that the bulldogs had 'been caused to suffer' and their needs had 'not been met to the extent required by good practice'.

She pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and was also given a 16-week suspended prison sentence.

The RSPCA presented evidence at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on February 20 that Maloney, who comes from Aberkenfig, near Bridgend, was owning a dog and still looking after other people's pets.

Judge Charlotte Murphy sentenced the pet-sitter to 18 weeks in jail.

She said: 'My view is this is a flagrant and deliberate breach where you have chosen to deliberately ignore the order.

'Your offending continued even after a summons was served upon you.'

The dog-sitter was handed the ban after a vet judged that the bulldogs (pictured, with Ms Pendleton's partner Steve) had 'been caused to suffer' and their needs had 'not been met to the extent required by good practice'

Ms Maloney pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and was also given a 16-week suspended prison sentence

Ms Pendleton worked with the RSPCA to prosecute Maloney after members of the public had tipped her off that she was still dog-sitting.

She said: 'I'm very pleased. I feel I've now got some justice for my girls.

'My big worry was she'd keep getting away with it.

'She flouted the law and everyone was beginning to say: "It was a total waste of time with the suspended sentence."

'I think justice matters and it was very important she was punished for me.

'I hope that my story can warn people to be vigilant when looking for pet sitters.'

The RSPCA thanked members of the public for helping them with the investigation.

Ms Pendleton worked with the RSPCA to prosecute Maloney after members of the public had tipped her off that she was still dog-sitting

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Cooper said: 'It is important to reiterate to the public that we rely on them to tell us if someone has breached a ban '

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Cooper said: 'We'd like to thank those who helped us in our investigations.

'It is important to reiterate to the public that we rely on them to tell us if someone has breached a ban.

'We depend on the public to be our eyes and ears and we take breaches of bans very seriously - as do the courts.'
Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Police Chief Troy Finner are joined by Houston Area Women's Center President Emilee Dawn Whitehurst and Deputy CEO Sonia Corrales for a press conference on Monday, March 11, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Police Chief Troy Finner and Houston Mayor John Whitmire are joined by Houston Area Women's Center President Emilee Dawn Whitehurst and Deputy CEO Sonia Corrales for a press conference on Monday, March 11, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Police Chief Troy Finner are joined by Houston Area Women's Center President Emilee Dawn Whitehurst and Deputy CEO Sonia Corrales for a press conference on Monday, March 11, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Mayor John Whitmire described a group of more than 100 investigators working across five locations to review suspended incident reports citing lack of personnel as a critical surge at a press conference Monday.

Whitmire, Police Chief Troy Finner and other city leaders spoke in a police department gymnasium, where a group of around 35 officers were reviewing incident reports, to give residents an inside look at what the department was doing to address the problem of the suspended incident reports, the mayor said.

Houstonians need to know this is our highest priority, Whitmire said.

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Since last week, detectives have made 750 visits to the homes of those who reported sexual assaults to the police department, Finner said. He cautioned that the officers who have been temporarily assigned to review incident reports all came from other investigative divisions, community services and elsewhere. None were reassigned from patrol.

To would-be criminals, dont think this is an opportunity to run ragged, he said.

Finner announced on Feb. 22 that the police department was investigating thousands of sexual assault reports suspended using the code, "Suspended  Lack of Personnel." He said he first learned about the code in 2021.

The next week, Finner announced the department's internal probe had grown to include hundreds of thousands of cases from other divisions, including property crimes and major assaults, which had also used the code to suspend investigations.

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Finner and Whitmire said they werent going to provide many specific updates on the investigation since last weeks press conference, saying more would come once officers had a chance to review additional incident reports. Whitmire also declined an opportunity to say who had created the code in 2016 that allowed department officials to suspend cases citing a lack of personnel.

He had earlier referred to that person as dumb, and said they should have come to city and state leaders if lack of resources had been such a problem. Whitmire spoke of his time working on criminal justice issues in the Texas Senate, saying not one person brought the code to his attention.

ASSIGNING FAULT: HPD has dropped cases due to lack of personnel for years. No one is taking responsibility

The mayor also pushed back against tweets from Gov. Greg Abbott on the matter. In separate tweets over the last four days, the governor called for legislators to take action against against cities for suspending cases and argued they should be held "legally liable for this negligence."

I do recognize politics when I see it, Whitmire said, adding that its a terrible time to politicize the issue. He said city politicians, Finner and police department administrators already recognize what a serious problem the code was and theyre working to address it.

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Both Finner and Whitmire, while acknowledging the code should have never been used, also said the department is facing a significant lack of resources.

Last week, the police chief said his department needs 2,000 more officers to patrol the city and properly investigate crimes, and noted that while the city's population has continued to grow, the department's staff levels have shrunk.

As of April 2023, the department had 342 fewer full-time equivalent officers than it had 25 years ago, according to police department data. The decrease coincided with a population surge in Houston, which drove the citys resident-to-officer ratio up from 334 residents per officer to 461 during the past quarter-century.

More than 90% of the police budget goes to staffing, covering roughly 5,200 officers, 880 civilian support personnel and 140 cadets.

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Whitmire said he would consider whatever was necessary to bolster the number of employees in the police and fire departments. He mentioned seeking state and federal funding, while also adding that Houston residents know public safety is a problem and might be open to increasing the revenue cap for the police and fire departments.

The mayor said he hoped to see two-man patrol vehicles and a new unit dedicated to responding to reports of sexual assault one day.
The private jet crashed in rural Virginia killing five people Sunday afternoon, including a young child, on Sunday had declared an onboard emergency before the disaster occurred.

The twin-engine IAI Astra 1125 went down in a wooded area just outside of Ingalls Field Airport, 100 miles north west of Lynchburg, Virginia.

The plane is reported to have bene en route from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, reports WDBJ. Virginia was not its intended destination.

Those killed included the pilot, a first officer, two adult passengers and a child aged between 5 and 7 years old. They have not been named.

Officials have not said if they believe that wind was a factor in the crash. The cause will be investigated by the Virginia State Police, the FAA and the NTSB.

A small private jet crashed in woods and burned Sunday afternoon near a small airport in rural Virginia, killing all five people aboard, police said.

The incident occurred around 3 pm as the plane came down short of the runway at Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County north of Roanoke (

The crash occurred close to Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County, north of Roanoke in the west of the state. Pictured, a file photo of Ingalls Field Airport

Five people have been killed in a plane crash in Virginia. The plane, a Westwind Astra, was a private jet and burst into flames on impact (file photo)

A state police spokesman told The Associated Press that the plane caught fire on impact.

'Small crash site, everything is burnt, meaning the tail numbers are unidentifiable,' an official said, adding state police were working with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board to try to identify the flight details and the occupants.

An FAA statement gave no preliminary information on the circumstances of the crash and said that the agency and the NTSB will investigate.

Local reports showed what appeared to be plumes of white smoke rising from an impact site. The airport was closed in the aftermath of the crash.

There have been a number of fatal small plane crashes so far in 2024.

Shocking footage captured the moment the plane exploded into a fireball by the side of a Nashville highway last Monday, killing all five on board

A young family-of-five including three children, 12, 10 and 7, perished in fireball in Nashville last week.

Victor Dotsenko, 43, his wife Rimma, 39, and their three children David, 12, Adam, 10, and Emma, 7, died on Monday next to Interstate-40 when their single-engine plane crashed and burst into a fireball.

Chilling cockpit audio captured Victor frantically warning air traffic control that his 'engine turned off' at 1600ft, as he said his family are 'going to be landing... I don't know where. I'm too far away, I won't make it.'

Moments before, Victor mysteriously overshot John C. Thune Airport by several miles before he U-turned and crashed around 8pm, and investigators have 'no idea why.'

Last month a plane crashed on to I-75 in Florida - killing two people.

The video shows the private jet piloted by 50-year-old Edward Daniel Murphy and second in command Ian Frederick Hofmann, 65, that crashed when its engines failed.

The two pilots died on impact, but thanks to their ability to guide the Bombardier Challenger 60 on to the crowded highway, three others onboard survived.

In January, four people died when a single-engine aircraft crashed off the coast of Half Moon Bay in California.

Among them was a 27-year-old 'experimental plane enthusiast' who piloted the four-seater homebuilt aircraft he'd bought for $100,000 from a retired dentist last year.

A week later another single-engine two-seater homebuilt plane plowed into a car at a busy intersection 60 miles away in Concord, killing its pilot and injuring the car's driver.

Both accidents are being investigated and have renewed scrutiny on a burgeoning subculture.
A young police constable who moved to Western Australia from the UK died in tragic circumstances during his engagement party, it has emerged.

The WA police force is mourning the loss of Liam Trimmer, 29, who has been remembered as an 'extraordinary officer'.

Mr Trimmer and his fiancee had gathered with friends and family to announce their engagement.

But during the celebrations on Sunday, Mr Trimmer fell, fatally cutting the carotid artery in his neck and causing him to bleed out.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said others at the party leapt into action, but they were not able to save him.

The WA police force is mourning the loss of 29-year-old officer Liam Trimmer (pictured), who has been remembered as an 'extraordinary officer'

'Everything was done to try and save him, but it wasn't to be and I know everyone that was involved are really, really hurting at the moment and I think they wish they could just wake up from this nightmare,' he told 9News Perth.

Mr Trimmer, who moved to WA from the UK when he was still a teenager, graduated from Joondalup Police Academy and moved to Kalgoorlie in 2017, where he became well known in the community while playing for the local rugby team.

He featured in the UK TV series Wanted Down Under, giving a teenager advice on life in Australia before they migrated.

He later joined the gang crime squad and tactical response group.

'This extraordinary officer loved helping the community and was a fine example of WA policing and it's just such a tragedy,' Mr Blanch said.

'(He was) a very, very confident, capable young man with his whole life ahead of him, and that's how sad this is.'

The WA Police Union said Mr Trimmer was a 'valued member of the blue family'.

'Every time a death occurs for a police officer, it doesn't matter how, it really does rock the core of the police family,' president Paul Gale said.

Mr Trimmer and his fiancee (picture) had gathered with friends and family to announce their engagement

WA's Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said Mr Trimmer's death as an 'awful, awful tragedy'.

'As I understand it, this police officer came over from the UK to start a new life in WA,' she said.

'My condolences go out to the family and friends of that particular officer.'

Trimmer's colleagues and family are being offered support by WA Police and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Sir Keir Starmer will tear up the 'unwieldy' system of Cabinet government if he becomes PM and rely on a 'quad' of top ministers to take key decisions, it has been claimed.

It has been reported how Sir Keir, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, deputy leader Angela Rayner and party 'enforcer' Pat McFadden will form a powerful new executive in a Labour government.

According to The Times, Sir Keir's team are also drawing up plans to create new 'mission boards' to deliver his five main pledges on the economy, NHS, clean energy, crime and schools.

And the Labour leader will create a powerful new policy delivery unit, reporting directly to him, with a senior business figure poised to run it, the newspaper added.

Sir Keir, Ms Reeves, Ms Rayner and Mr McFadden - who is set to become Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if Labour win power - have been dubbed the 'gang of four'.

Sir Keir Starmer will tear up the 'unwieldy' system of Cabinet government if he becomes PM and rely on a 'quad' of top ministers to take key decisions, it has been claimed

It has been reported how Sir Keir, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves (right), and deputy leader Angela Rayner (left) will make key choices ahead of meetings of the whole Cabinet

Pat McFadden, who is set to become Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if Labour win power, has been dubbed Sir Keir's 'enforcer'

Their purported role in a future Labour administration will draw comparisons with the powerful 'quad' that ran the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition between 2010 to 2015.

That key body was made up of PM David Cameron, chancellor George Osborne, deputy PM Nick Clegg, and top Treasury minister Danny Alexander.

Former Labour PM Sir Tony Blair was also known for his 'sofa government' in No10, where key ministers and advisers took decisions before getting them rubber-stamped by the whole Cabinet.

It is claimed Sir Keir will similarly use his own quartet to make key choices ahead of meetings of the whole Cabinet, which he views as being too unwieldy to have proper policy debates.

A source close to Sir Keir played down the likely power of the quad of top Labour figures, but confirmed the Labour leader was keen to create 'mission boards' to deliver his key pledges.

If he becomes PM, Sir Keir has promised to secure the highest sustained growth in the G7, build an NHS 'fit for the future', 'make Britain's streets safe', 'break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage', and 'make Britain a clean energy superpower'.

The creation of 'mission boards' could see outside experts and business leaders join civil servants and ministers in being involved in directly devising policy, it was reported.

A senior Labour source told The Times that Sir Keir and his chief of staff, former top Whitehall official Sue Gray, wanted to implement reforms rapidly but were keen to be seen as working with the civil service rather than against it.

'This is not the same as coming in like Steve Hilton or Dominic Cummings pledging to tear everything up,' they told the newspaper, in reference to top advisers under previous Tory administrations.

'The plans may end up being quite radical but the focus will be on creating structures that deliver the outcomes you want rather than doing things for the sake of.'

Speaking at an Institute for Government event this afternoon, former Labour PM Gordon Brown dismissed the idea of a four-person executive cabinet.

He said he would be 'quite shocked and surpised if that could ever work'.

A 'quadrumvirate' would be 'very difficult' and has an 'inauspicious' past, Mr Brown added, pointing to King Herod and the Gang of Four in Communist China as examples.

'So I think the inner cabinet idea may need some further work,' he said.

'I doubt... if the other 20 members of the Cabinet would be very happy if they were told that they were outside this inner circle.'
This is the moment a gang of luxury car thieves crashed a keyless vehicle after 'hacking' into it using a device favoured by motor crooks.

CCTV footage shows the thugs unlock a Bentley Bentayga, which is parked in a gated driveway, using a 'master device' to copy the signals of the vehicle's keys and transmit them to a second device to open the car.

After successfully gaining access to the vehicle, worth 169,000, one of the criminals then reverses the motor through two sets of fences in order to escape off the property.

Cars with keyless entry are increasingly becoming a target for thieves, as they are not needed to be in the vicinity of the vehicle in order to steal it, nor do they need to imitate the owner's key in order to gain access.

The four members of this gang have now been jailed for stealing over 50 high-end motors, worth nearly 4million, using this method.

Their string of sophisticated thefts took place across the south east of England and included expensive brands such as Range Rovers, Rolls Royces and Bentleys.

Has your keyless car been stolen? If so, get in touch with frankie.elliott@mailonline.co.uk

The footage shows the thugs target a Bentley Bentayga parked in a gated driveway

One of the criminals is seen using a 'master device' to copy the signals of the vehicle's keys and transmit them to a second device that unlocked the car

Perry Lovejoy, 29, Luke Jackson, 28, Billy Harrison, 30, and Harry Sales, 28, all admitted charges of conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to acquire criminal property and were sentenced collectively to 12-and-a-half years behind bars

Perry Lovejoy, 29, Luke Jackson, 28, Billy Harrison, 30, and Harry Sales, 28, all admitted charges of conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to acquire criminal property.

They were sentenced collectively to 12-and-a-half years behind bars.

Jackson had additional offences taken into account after admitting to stealing a further 42 cars with a combined value of 2.1million.

Their convictions were secured as a result of a complex investigation by Surrey Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

The gang's thefts took place over the course of a year across multiple counties in the south east of England.

They were finally arrested at the end of April last year after officers successfully built a clear picture of their activities through intelligence, forensics, number plate recognition, call data, witness testimony and CCTV footage.

During their investigation, officers discovered the gang used the 'relay attack' technique to target keyless luxury vehicles including Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Land Rovers, Range Rovers and Alfa Romeos.

As new vehicles have moved away from traditional keys in favor of electronic fobs or 'smart keys', crooks are now believed to be using this method to breach the systems built into the cars' communication network.

These car thieves are known to use a keyless 'relay' device to fool cars into thinking that their real keys are nearby - a feature of high-end cars that allow doors to be unlocked and cars to be started without using the key.

This method requires a kit that can allegedly be bought from the dark web for 15,000.

Criminals usually go in pairs to steal keyless cars. One holds a transmitter and stands next to the vehicle while the other stands close to the house holding an amplifier

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Investigating officer detective constable Matt Earl said the thefts, enacted out of 'pure greed', had had a 'huge' financial impact.

He said: 'This was a large-scale investigation that was made possible by the hard work and dedication of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, as well as the support and collaboration of other neighbouring police forces.

'The level of criminality that these four people undertook was significant and had a huge financial impact. These men acted out of pure greed and had no regard for how their crimes may affect the lives of their victims.

'We are glad that these criminals have been successfully brought to justice and will now have lots of time to think about their actions whilst sitting in prison.'

Jackson, from Croydon in south east London, was jailed for three-and-a-half years after also admitting two offences of burglary committed whilst stealing four of the cars and being handed 18 months in prison to be served concurrently, as well as having his thefts of the additional 42 cars taken into consideration.

Perry Lovejoy, of Horley in Surrey, was sentenced to three years in prison and handed a nine-month consecutive sentence for admitting being concerned in the supply of cannabis, after officers found incriminating messages on his phone.

Harrison, of Coulsdon in south London, and Sales, also of Croydon, were locked up for three years each.
A terrified passenger aboard a LATAM Airways Boeing jet described going through 'the worst turbulence you could think of' after dozens were flung from their seats mid-flight.

The flier, Lucas Ellwood, said that 'everybody was terrified' on board the flight from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand on Monday, with the latest catastrophe involving Boeing sending at least 10 to the hospital.

'There were people whimpering all over, there were people injured all over,' he told Good Morning America. 'Everyone just hit the roof them fell to the ground.'

Others compared the chaotic scenes as reminiscent of something from 'The Exorcist', as reports indicate as many as 50 people were injured in the incident.

It is the latest in a string of aircraft malfunctions and in-flight faults involving Boeing jets, which has seen tens of billions wiped off the company's market value following incidents such an emergency door blowing out of an Alaska Airlines jet in January.

Passengers aboard a LATAM Airlines flight from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand were flung to the ceiling amid 'terrifying' turbulence on Monday night

Up to 50 passengers were injured in the chaotic scenes, with 10 hospitalized with head and neck injuries and broken bones

One passenger described enduring 'the worst form of turbulence you could think of', as other likened dozens flying around the cabin to scenes from The Exorcist

The exact reason for the massive turbulence is still unclear, with LATAM Airways only saying in a statement that it came after a 'technical event.'

Passengers reportedly suffered head and neck injuries as well as several broken bones, and the airliner said seven passengers and three cabin crew were hospitalized.

Although none are believed to have been seriously injured, passengers described how the flight went from calm to panicked in a flash.

Many had taken their seatbelts off as the journey was calm, before it suddenly dropped and shook with turbulence, sending many flying into the ceiling.

'It was just like the worst form of turbulence you could think of,' Ellwood said after.

Others described it as something out of a 'horror movie', and felt similar to a rollercoaster dropping without warning.

Despite the alarming incident, the Boeing 787-Dreamliner continued its journey as planned and landed in Auckland around 2 hours and 42 minute after takeoff.

NEW VIDEO: At least 50 injured on LATAM Airlines flight. @TrevorLAult has more. pic.twitter.com/GojQOjBkH8  Good Morning America (@GMA) March 11, 2024

An ambulance leaving Auckland International Airport after a number of passengers were injured

In a statement, LATAM Airways confirmed 'some passengers and cabin crew were affected', but did not elaborate on the cause of the incident.

'They received immediate assistance and were evaluated or treated by medical staff at the airport as needed,' the statement continued.

'LATAM regrets the inconvenience and injury this situation may have caused its passengers, and reiterates its commitment to safety as a priority within the framework of its operational standards.'

A Boeing spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'We are working to gather more information about the flight and will provide any support needed by our customers.'

It is the latest in a string of terrifying incidents involving Boeing aircraft in recent months, including when a plug door panel burst out of an Alaska Airlines flight at 16,000 feet on January 5.

In that incident, over Portland, Oregon, passengers had their phones and clothes ripped off by the force of the turbulence, while the pilot made an emergency landing after frantically calling air traffic control.

Boeing's market value dropped by as much as $36 billion in the wake of the Alaska Airlines incident, while some passengers have launched a $1 billion lawsuit against the company.

And in the past week, Boeing has suffered several repeat accidents that have seen its fleet of 737's again come under mounting scrutiny.

On January 5, an emergency plug door blew out of an Alaska Airlines jet at 16,000ft, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon

Passengers had their phones and clothes ripped off by the force of the door blowout, with the incident sparking a lawsuit from the passengers while billions were wiped off Boeing's market value

Last Monday, a United Airlines engine caught fire and burst into flames over Texas, with footage from passengers showing white-hot flashes streaming from the jet mid-flight.

The heart-stopping moment forced the pilot into an emergency landing just minutes into the journey to Fort Myers, Florida.

As passengers saw the flames emanating from one side of the jet, a crewmember admitted, 'Ladies and gentlemen, we realized something happened outside...'

Bubble-wrap being stuck in the mechanics was blamed on the incident, in which no injuries were reported.

On Thursday, a wheel fell from another jet shortly after takeoff in San Francisco, crushing several vehicles below in another near-miss that didn't result in any injuries.

The 256lb wheel badly damaged a number of cars in the parking lot of San Francisco Airport, although thankfully no people were within the crash zone.

Heart-stopping video has caught the moment a Boeing jet's engines exploded and burst into flames in the skies above Texas forcing an emergency landing

A 256lb wheel fell from another jet shortly after takeoff in San Francisco a week ago, crushing several vehicles below in another near-miss that didn't result in any injuries

The next day, a United Airlines plane veered off the runway after landing in Houston, forcing an emergency evacuation onto the tarmac.

The aircraft suffered what is believed to be some form of gear collapse as it exited the runway at George Bush Airport, although the 160 passengers and six crew were not injured.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also revealed this month that it is probing a separate incident in February, when a Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet suffered a 'stuck' rudder pedal.

The NTSB said in a preliminary report on the February 6 flight that the plane taxied to the gate at Newark Airport without incident and there were no injuries to the 161 passengers and crew.

It reported that the captain said that during the landing rollout, the rudder pedals did not move in response to 'normal' application of foot pressure while attempting to maintain the runway centerline.
The Kremlin has leapt on comments made by Pope Francis this weekend calling for Ukraine to 'wave the white flag' and sit down for talks to end the war with Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared it was 'quite understandable that (the Pope) spoke in favour of negotiations', adding that Russia was ready to sit down but Kyiv had ruled out talks due to its mistaken view that the West could defeat Russia.

Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly spoken of Russia's willingness and openness to negotiations, but that Ukraine had knocked down such proposals.

'Unfortunately, both the statements of the Pope and the repeated statements of other parties, including ours, have recently received absolutely harsh refusals,' Peskov said.

He also insisted the battlefield situation showed Western hopes of inflicting a 'strategic defeat' on Russia were mistaken.

'This is the deepest misconception, the deepest mistake, and the course of events, primarily on the battlefield, is the clearest evidence of this,' Peskov said.

Meanwhile, a slew of Ukrainian officials expressed outrage yesterday at Pope Francis' remarks, with one appearing to refer to the Catholic Church's limited collaboration with Nazi forces during World War II.

The Pope fuelled anger in Kyiv after saying in an interview published Saturday that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia

A slew of Ukrainian officials expressed outrage yesterday at Pope Francis' remarks (Zelensky pictured)

Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles during a meeting with supporters in Moscow, Jan 31, 2024

People wave 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

The Pope fuelled Ukrainian anger over the weekend when he told an interviewer: '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 working out, to have the courage to negotiate.'

Russia's foreign ministry said Francis' call for talks was a request to Kyiv's Western allies to abandon their ambition to defeat Russia and to recognise the West's mistake in the Ukraine war, Italy's ANSA news agency reported.

'The way I see it, the Pope is asking the West to put aside its ambitions and admit that it was wrong,' the ANSA news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying.

But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared the Pontiff was engaging in 'virtual mediation' and his foreign minister said Kyiv would never capitulate.

'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 on social media.

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 instances 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.'

In 2020, a 23-page document published by Germany's council of Catholic bishops recognised the Church was complicit in assisting the rise of the Nazi regime and was described by some Catholics as 'an admission of guilt'.

Ukrainian tank-men prepare for combat as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues in the direction of Lyman, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on March 09, 2024

Ukrainian servicemen from air defence unit of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade fire an anti aircraft cannon at a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Bakhmut, Ukraine March 6, 2024

'The way I see it, the Pope is asking the West to put aside its ambitions and admit that it was wrong,' the ANSA news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying.

People wave Ukrainian flags at St.Peter's square as Pope Francis addresses the crowd during his Sunday Angelus prayer on March 10, 2024 at the Vatican

Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, triggering a full-scale war after eight years of conflict in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian Ukrainians and Russian proxies.

Putin says that shortly after he sent troops into Ukraine, Moscow and Kyiv almost agreed a ceasefire, but that it was torpedoed by then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who travelled to Kyiv and urged Zelensky and his cabinet to push on.

Putin's suggestion of a ceasefire in Ukraine to freeze the war was also rejected by the United States after contacts between intermediaries, according to three unnamed Russian government sources that spoke to Reuters.

Now, as the West grapples with how to support Ukraine and the prospect of a sharp change in US policy if Donald Trump wins the November presidential election, Putin has again essentially offered to freeze the battlefield along its current front lines

But Zelensky, who signed a decree in 2022 ruling out talks with Putin, said last week that Russia will not be invited to an upcoming peace summit due to be held in Switzerland.

Russia calls the war in Ukraine a 'special military operation' to ensure its own security from an expanding NATO and to 'de-Nazify' Ukraine.

Kyiv and the West meanwhile see Russia's invasion as a brutal, colonial-style war of conquest to bring Ukraine back into Russia's sphere of influence.
A funeral firm at the centre of a police probe into improper care of the dead has been on the brink of being struck off the Companies House register for two years.

Legacy Independent Funeral Service's accounts are currently overdue and the company has received its fifth public warning that it faces a 'compulsory strike-off'.

The Hull company's boss is Robert Bush, who heads up a family business that also employs his daughter, Saskya Bush, and was established in the city in 2010.

But since January 2022, the undertaker has been receiving warnings that proceedings will begin to dissolve the company and inform creditors it is failing to meet its financial obligations.

On each occasion the firm has won a reprieve and compulsory strike-off action has been discontinued.

Police outside the Beckside branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull after after reports of 'concern for care of the deceased'

The company has been on the brink of being struck off the Companies House register for two years

But a further First Gazette Notice - issued by Companies House to signal its intention to strike off a company- has just been issued against the firm, dated tomorrow, March 12th.

Despite the issues, the firm continued to trade normally until around 3am last Thursday when a police operation began at the firm's two premises in Hull and one in Beverley, East Yorkshire.

A man aged 46 and woman aged 23 have been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position.

On its website Legacy promises 'the best service and care available'.

The firm states: 'Established in 2010, we have grown from our original Anlaby Rd Branch to incorporate a further 2 branches, including our funeral home in Beverley, East Yorkshire and our latest branch on Hessle Road, Hull. Our structure allows us to provide a dedicated and unsurpassed personal service.

'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. With such breadth of experience, you and your family are assured the best service and care available.'

Police officers stood outside the Hessle Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull

On its website Legacy promises 'the best service and care available'

Residents have told how police first arrived outside Legacy Funeral Directors in Anlaby Road and Hessle Road, both in Hull, at about 3am on Thursday 7 March - and officers remain 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.

Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said: 'We can confirm that a man, aged 46 and a woman, aged 23 have been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position and remain in police custody at this time.

'As part of our investigation we can confirm 34 deceased people have now been respectfully transported from Legacy Funeral Directors based on Hessle Road to the mortuary in Hull for formal identification procedures to take place.'

The investigation began after reports on Wednesday, March 6 expressing concern about the storage and management of the deceased in three branches of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors.

As part of the investigation, teams of highly skilled detectives and specially trained staff from Humberside Police have been investigating.

Police cars outside the Hessle Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull

Assistant Chief Constable McLoughlin said: '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.

Police outside the Anlaby Road branch of the directors after after reports of 'concern for care of the deceased'

'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 house sprayed with graffiti and facing a row of takeaways and boarded up buildings.

Staff at one of the local takeaways 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, saying 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. March 8: '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.

'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.'

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.
A Romanian killer has today admitted raping a grandmother he beat to death with a wooden club embedded with nails.

Valentin Lazar, 23, followed 45-year-old Maria Rawlings off a double-decker bus in Romford, east London, in May 2021 and led her into some bushes where helaunched the vicious attack.

Lazar left her naked body in the undergrowth before returning and taking her handbag.

The labourer had crossed paths with Ms Rawlings on a bus before leading her into some nearby shrubbery. Her body was found by a dog walker the next day.

Lazar was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years and six months in February 2022 after he admitted murder.

Today he returned to the Old Bailey to admit a charge of rape. He will be sentenced at the same court in March.

Valentin Lazar, 23, (pictured) killed Maria Rawlings with a wooden stick embedded with nails. He was given a life sentence for her murder and has now admitted raping the grandmother

Ms Rawlings was led into some bushes by Lazar where she was subjected to a vicious attack. Her naked body was found by a dog walker the next day

A post-mortem examination revealed Ms Rawlings had been killed following compression to her neck. She had also suffered injuries to her mouth, chest and knee as well as 15 fractured ribs.

Police found her purse, footwear and bank cards, nearby.

Lazar, who came to the UK when he was 18, was filmed initially talking to Mrs Rawlings after they got off the bus, before grabbing hold of her arm and leading her into the bushes.

He emerged from the bushes 31 minutes later, briefly going back in to retrieve the victim's handbag.

'He was described by the driver of a bus he got on as having a drug like energy and his eyes were very wide and fixed,' said Bill Emlyn Jones, prosecuting.

The court heard a dogwalker discovered Mrs Rawlings' body in the bushes the following day.

'She was naked, she had obviously very serious injuries to her face and it was observed she had what looked like a shoe print in on her chest,' said Mr Emlyn Jones.

A public appeal led to the Romanian's arrest after a compatriot of Lazar commented on an ITV London article shared on Twitter, now X, saying he knew who the suspect was.

A post-mortem examination showed that the victim, who died as a result of strangulation and blunt force trauma, had lived for 'at least one hour' after the assault.

Maria Rawlings with her father Tony Rawlings pictured before her death

Flowers left at Little Heath, Romford, east London, where Ms Rawlings was found dead

Footage showed the last sighting of Ms Rawlings near bush where her body was found

The family of Maria Rawlings. Daughter Charlee Rawlings, father Tony Rawlings and daughter Katie Rawlings, outside the Old Bailey following the sentencing of Lazar for murder in February 2022

She had horrific injuries to her face likely caused by Lazar beating her with a blood-stained piece of wood with nails sticking out found at the scene.

When police arrested Lazar on May 9, he claimed he had no memory of the attack, adding: 'I can't remember what happened yesterday.'

Mrs Rawlings' daughter Charlee said in a victim impact statement: 'I do not think I actually know where to start to explain the impact my mum's murder has had on me.

'My mum was my best friend. I am 17 years old and lived with my mum.

'We were best friends, we talked about everything, we shared everything in our lives.'

Sentencing the Romanian for the murder two years ago Judge Mark Lucraft described it as a 'savage and sustained attack' with a 'high degree of pain and suffering.

'In my view, it was with the intention to kill.

'Maria Rawlings was naked, and that is additional humiliation and degradation.'

Lazar, of Hockley Avenue, East Ham, admitted rape.

He previously admitted murder.
A chiropractor who allegedly stabbed his wife and three kids in a horror murder-suicide in a Honolulu suburb has been pictured.

Paris Oda, 46, fatally stabbed his wife and three children - aged 17, 12 and 10 - before taking his own life at their family home in Manoa, a quiet residential neighborhood of Honolulu, according to the Honolulu Police Department.

Police have not released the names but neighbors of the family identified Oda as the father, as reported by KITV. Officials have also not released Oda's cause of death.

Neighbors told the local outlet that Oda's wife, Naoko Oda, was a stay-at-home mother.

They added that the Paris family lived in the upstairs of the home and a second family who rented the downstairs unit had left for a trip to Japan on Saturday.

Paris Oda, 46, fatally stabbed his wife and three children - aged 17, 12 and 10 - before taking his own life at their family home in Manoa

A tent was erected in the front yard of the home as police conducted their investigation

The five bodies were found inside but police would not reveal where.

The mass killing is the second deadliest murder in Honolulu in almost 25 years.

'HPD investigators are at a Manoa residence where multiple deceased persons were found,' police said in a statement.

Based on the evidence found at the scene and the investigation thus far, it appears the adult male killed the female and the juveniles with the knife that was recovered at the scene,' said HPD Lt. Deena Thoemmes at a press conference on Sunday evening.

'Witnesses report that there was an argument in the home early this morning. Multiple murder investigations have been initiated.'

Police said they received an anonymous call about a disturbance at that home on Waaloa Place at 8:30am but nobody opened the door to police officers when they arrived.

Officers returned to the home 45 minutes later at 9:15am when the discovery of the five deaths was made.

'They [first responding officers] left because it was an anonymous caller, and there was no one there to meet them' explained Lt. Thoemmes. 'And that's what they got called to initially. It was the second call when they realized what happened.'

Multiple people, including the suspect, were found dead in a Manoa home on Sunday morning

Police have not released the names but neighbors of the family identified Oda as the father

'I think there was an attempt to try to find out who the initial caller was and then I think at 9am that individual was able to make contact with HPD,' added HPD Chief Joe Logan. 'And then make contact with our officers in person where we could figure out more info and gain entry at that point.'

Locals were spooked after hearing the dreadful news.

'It's concerning, neighbors are kind of scared, usually we don't have a lot of crime around here its real quiet, so everyone wants to be safe and make sure everyone is okay, but it's just something that doesn't happen here,' said neighbor Aime Wakai to KHRON2.

'They're like the typical really festive family, they dress up the house for the holidays and it's normal,' added another neighbor Hiro Izumo.

In an update posted to the Honolulu Police's X account 'investigators have confirmed that the suspect is among those killed in the home.'

HPD Chief Joe Loga said the murders did not appear to be a random act. The motive is under investigation.

A heavy police presence was seen at a residence on Waaloa Place in upper Manoa, Hawaii News Now reported.

Two medical examiner vans were also seen at the alongside Police Chief Logan and PEER support staff for officers.
Two heroic New Jersey neighbors have rescued a husband and wife in their 70s from a ginormous fire at their home which may have been started by a cat.

Astonishing photographs show the blaze completely engulfing the property at 100 Chestnut Street in West Deptford just before 6am Saturday.

Neighbor Jim Miller, 76, sprang into action at the scene and he said the flames were so fierce he feared for the lives of the elderly couple still inside.

'I said, "Oh my God, if they're in there they're not alive, they could not survive it",' he told DailyMail.com on Monday. 'The whole house was engulfed.'

Miller said he rushed to the scene alongside another local after his daughter screamed that the bungalow was alight in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Astonishing photographs show the blaze completely engulfing a property at 100 Chestnut Street in West Deptford just before 6am Saturday

Heroic New Jersey neighbors have saved a husband and wife from a ginormous fire which destroyed their home

'My daughter woke me up screaming, she had heard a pop and then she looked out the window and she saw the house was engulfed in flames,' he recalled.

Miller said another neighbor called Joe ran over at the same time, and together they pushed their way through bushes to reach the back of the property.

'Other neighbors were running up and down the street pounding on people's doors,' he said, adding that the residents were in their 70s and the husband is named Frank.

'We walked over to the back of the house, and we just started hollering "Frank, Frank, Frank!", banging on the basement window,' Miller said.

'We busted the basement window out and all of a sudden we heard a woman's voice and she said: "We're here. Around the back".

'We had to claw our way through the brush to the steps coming up out of the basement. She was standing at the steps.

'Frank was laying at the bottom of the steps, he was unresponsive, I guess he was overcome by smoke.

'We grabbed him and pulled him up to the yard and he regained consciousness eventually.'

Miller said the fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault on the porch which meant the couple were unable to escape through the front door.

He added that neighbors think the blaze could have been sparked by one of the couple's cats.

'They had a lot of cats, from what I'm hearing they're saying the cats might have started the fire by knocking a lamp over or chewing through a wire,' he said.

'I don't know if that's true or not.'

Another neighbor, Tom Carey, was woken by his dog barking, and the glow of the fire was visible from his window.

He said he jumped over a fence and began shouting at his immediate neighbors to get out, while his wife Rachel ran down the street to alert more people.

'I went to the back door and just started banging on the door, banging on the windows, literally anything to make noise,' Carey told CBS.

Astonishing photographs shared by fire officials show the extent of the blaze - with the property unrecognizable.

The fire appears to have destroyed everything inside the home while obliterating much of the outer structure.

Neighbors rushed to rescue the residents trapped inside - a husband and a wife - who miraculously made it out alive

Outdoor steps leading to a door were the only feature of the home to remain fully intact.

Miller said the house is 'still standing' but 'completely gutted'. 'It can't be saved,' he told DailyMail.com.

Firefighters arrived after a few minutes, and eventually got the flames under control - an operation which took more than 90 minutes.

Footage released by Woodbury Fire Department shows firefighters approaching the blaze, tackling it with hoses and navigating thick smoke using torches.

The couple who lived in the home were rushed to the hospital, and Miller said Frank was treated for second-degree burns and smoke inhalation.

Firefighters praised the heroic efforts of the neighbors and said the outcome could have been dire if they didn't help out.

'That's what neighbors do, that's what we do,' Miller added.

'They're like family, like they're so nice and they welcomed us with open arms as soon as we moved in,' Rachel Carey said of the residents who were saved.

Investigators are still working to determine what caused the fire.
Chinese economy to provide more opportunities for cooperation

10:13, March 11, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily

New energy vehicles (NEVs) are assembled in the general assembly workshop of JMEV, an electric vehicle manufacturer in east China's Jiangxi province. (People's Daily Online/Li Jie)

The international community is closely watching China's "two sessions," the annual gatherings of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee. It is optimistic about China's potential for economic and social development, looking forward to China injecting more positive energy into world economic recovery.

It is widely believed that the GDP growth target of around 5 percent reflects China's confidence in its economy, and the new quality productive forces will contribute to the country's high-quality development and advancing Chinese modernization. With stable economic growth and a vast market, cooperating with China has become a highly attractive choice.

In 2023, China's economy showed strong resilience and achieved remarkable results. Despite the complex international environment and arduous tasks of reform, development and stability, China has accomplished its main economic and social development goals for the year.

In 2023, the country's GDP grew 5.2 percent year-on-year to over 126 trillion yuan ($17.53 trillion), a growth rate that ranks among the top of the world's major economies.

As calculated at comparable prices, China's economic increment last year exceeded 6 trillion yuan, equivalent to the annual GDP of a medium-sized country. This proves that China's economy remains a crucial engine for global economic growth and possesses immense development potential.

The 2024 growth target of around 5 percent highlights the stability of China's economy, sending a clear and positive signal. The stable growth expectation of China not only helps consolidate consensus on development but also provides valuable certainty for the sluggish global economy.

Automated guided vehicles run in a factory of DMEGC Solar in Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang province. (People's Daily Online/Hu Xiaofei)

China has significant institutional advantages, the demand advantage from an ultra-large market, the supply advantage of a well-established industrial system, and the talent advantage of a large number of skilled laborers. Its technological innovation capabilities continue to improve, while new industries, business models, and growth drivers are rapidly growing. Its endogenous growth momentum is also being generated. The overall trend of recovery and long-term improvement remains unchanged and will not change.

China's economy is becoming "newer" as new growth drivers and advantages for development are constantly forged.

Developing new quality productive forces is an endogenous requirement and a pivot of high-quality development. Accelerating the development of new quality productive forces will undoubtedly provide stronger impetus and support for high-quality development.

The inclusion of "new quality productive forces" in this year's government work report has attracted widespread attention from the international community, with many recognizing the term as the strategic cornerstone for China to empower economic development through innovation and technological progress.

Last year, China's exports of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products exceeded 1 trillion yuan, with a nearly 30 percent year-on-year growth. The digital economy accelerated its development, with over half of the country's population becoming 5G users. The installed capacity of renewable energy historically surpassed that of thermal power, with the annual new installation exceeding half of the global.

Traditional industries underwent rapid transformation and upgrading, while strategic emerging industries flourished. The future industries were laid out orderly, with advanced manufacturing and modern services deeply integrated. A number of major industrial innovations have reached the international advanced level, marking significant progress in the construction of China's modern industrial system.

Photo shows an international container terminal of the Wuhu Port in east China's Anhui province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Yushi)

China's economy is releasing its vitality and potential through high-level opening up, aiming for mutual benefits with other countries. China actively aligns with high-standard international economic and trade rules, steadily expands institutional opening up, promotes quality improvement and quantity stability of foreign trade, increases efforts to attract foreign investment, and advances high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. It is also deepening multilateral, bilateral and regional economic cooperation.

Through a series of practical measures, the country has enhanced the synergy between the domestic and international markets and resources, sending a clear signal that China is firmly committed to expanding high-level opening up.

International investors continue to see great opportunities for investing in China, with many multinational companies agreeing that to maintain global competitiveness, it is necessary to increase their presence in the Chinese market.

China is persistently advancing high-level opening up, which not only drives its own economic development but also provides win-win opportunities for global players, which contributes to the growth of the global economy as a whole.

In the past year, China faced an array of interwoven difficulties and challenges. China's economy grew in wave-like progress, moving forward amid twists and turns. Indeed, these achievements did not come easily.

In the new year, China will set its goals, make concrete efforts, and continue to effectively upgrade the quality and appropriately expand the quantity of the national economy. It will constantly bring new impetus and new opportunities to the world through its own new development.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Wu Chengliang)
Maria Mino-Salazar spent nearly two years trying to get the proper support for her third-grader with dyslexia before eventually losing faith in her daughters well-regarded Houston ISD campus.

By January, she had finally had enough of HISD  and the state takeover was just icing on the cake. She transferred her daughter, Lucia, from Poe Elementary to a private school with specialized dyslexia intervention instruction, the same type required under state law at all Texas public schools.

With all of the curriculum changes being imposed by the new superintendent at HISD we are fearful of how Poe is trying to adapt to this change. And in this rush of trying to adapt, may be sidelining special education students, Roberto Salazar, Lucias dad, wrote in an email to her daughters teacher, explaining their familys decision to withdraw her from HISD.

Lucias younger brother, Robbie, will leave HISD at the end of the school year, because of the ridiculous curriculum and the difficulties of having children in schools miles apart, Mino-Salazar said.

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The family is among thousands who have opted to leave HISD since the Texas Education Agencys takeover, exacerbating a yearslong enrollment decline. HISD reported an enrollment of about 183,900 in late October, a drop of more than 6,000 students since the 2022-23 school year and more than 30,000 students since the 2016-17 school year, when the district hit a 10-year peak of 216,106 students.

While annual enrollment data counts the number of students in a district on the last Friday of October, membership data reflects the number of students enrolled in the district on a specific day who have attended at least one day of school. HISD, for example, had 183,439 students attending school Feb. 23, a nearly 3% decline from the previous year.

Families appear to be fleeing to suburban districts, private and charter schools, and even homeschooling. Coupled with lower birth rates, most urban school systems across the U.S. have seen declines, and the National Center for Education Statistics projects that 2 million fewer students will be enrolled in American public schools through 2030.

However, Duncan Klussmann, an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Houston, said the state takeover may be expediting declines in HISD.

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State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles implemented the New Education System, a controversial whole-scale systemic reform, at 85 schools that largely serve Black, Hispanic and low-income students  this year to attempt to improve student outcomes. The reform model includes a standardized curriculum, timed lessons, daily quizzes in core classes, less autonomy and a zero-tolerance policy for classroom disruptions.

NES is a very different model, and so not every parent wants their child in that model, Klussmann said. There are many parents who are very happy with the model, but there may be parents who do not want their children in that type of model, and I think those parents are questioning if they stay in the system or if they should seek out alternatives.

Even parents whose children attend high-performing schools have expressed concern about the constant changes and cuts that have come during Miles' reign. The instability has made them question whether HISD is still the right fit for their families.

Miles said hes not that worried about the districts enrollment decline. Instead, he said hes concerned with making sure that the districts schools are providing the best education possible, which he believes will eventually lead to more students enrolling in the district.

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Youre gonna see over time that were gonna run effective schools, Miles said. Were gonna make education meaningful (by) getting ready for the year 2035. I think thats gonna bring up enrollment.
A young police constable who moved from the UK to start a new life in Australia as a teenager before appearing on the BBC programme Wanted Down Under has died after suffering a horrific injury during his engagement party.

Liam Trimmer, 29, and his fiancee had organised a small party on Sunday at a property in Western Australia to announce their engagement to friends and family.

But in a freak accident during the celebrations, Mr Trimmer slipped and fell, cutting the carotid artery in his neck and causing massive bleeding.

It has not yet been made clear exactly how the police officer suffered the fatal neck wound, or where the tragic incident took place, but the case is now subject to a coronial inquest.

Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch said others at the party leapt into action, but they were not able to stem the blood flow and he died before emergency services could arrive.

'Everything was done to try and save him, but it wasn't to be and I know everyone that was involved is really, really hurting at the moment.

'I think they wish they could just wake up from this nightmare,' Mr Blanch told 9 News Perth.

The WA police force is mourning the loss of 29-year-old officer Liam Trimmer (pictured), who has been remembered as an 'extraordinary officer'

Mr Trimmer and his fiancee (picture) had gathered with friends and family to announce their engagement

Mr Trimmer, who moved to WA from the UK when he was still a teenager in 2013, graduated from Australia's Joondalup Police Academy before moving to the city of Kalgoorlie, some 370 miles east of Perth, in 2017.

There he established himself as a prominent member of the local community, playing for the local rugby team and joining the police force's tactical response group, where he developed a record as an exemplary policeman.

He also featured in the UK TV series Wanted Down Under, giving a teenager advice on life in Australia before they migrated.

His colleagues described Mr Trimmer as an 'extraordinary officer' and lamented the 'tragic' circumstances that led to his untimely death.

'This extraordinary officer loved helping the community and was a fine example of WA policing and it's just such a tragedy,' Mr Blanch said.

'(He was) a very, very confident, capable young man with his whole life ahead of him, and that's how sad this is.'

'It's important now for us to wrap around each other, to lean on each other. Can I thank the community and those involved  first responders and the broader parts of the community  for really offering their support to the family and fellow officers?' Mr Blanch concluded.

Mr Trimmer featured in the UK TV series Wanted Down Under, giving a teenager advice on life in Australia before they migrated

Mr Trimmer, who moved to WA from the UK when he was still a teenager in 2013, graduated from Australia's Joondalup Police Academy before moving to the city of Kalgoorlie, some 370 miles east of Perth, in 2017 (West Australian Police van is pictured)

The WA Police Union said Mr Trimmer was a 'valued member of the blue family'.

'Every time a death occurs for a police officer, it doesn't matter how, it really does rock the core of the police family,' Union President Paul Gale told local media.

WA's Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti also gave remarks on the incident, describing Mr Trimmer's death as an 'awful, awful tragedy'.

'As I understand it, this police officer came over from the UK to start a new life in WA,' she said.

'My condolences go out to the family and friends of that particular officer.'

A coroner is now performing a post-mortem examination of Mr Trimmer's body and a statement regarding his death is expected in the coming days.

A police spokesperson told The West Australian: 'Our thoughts and deepest condolences are extended to his family and colleagues.

'Our health, welfare and safety division will provide support to those impacted by this tragedy.'

MailOnline has contacted the FCDO for comment.
Among the top dark-money donors to President Joe Biden's reelection campaign is one of the early investors in AI technology, according to a new report.

In 2022, the second-largest donation to Biden's campaign fame from married couple James McClave and Emily Berger through the Super PAC Future Forward, reports CNN.

The couple work for investment firm Jane Street which was an early investor in the company, Anthropic, as was disgraced crypto billionaire and fellow political financier Sam Bankman-Fried.

The network's report cites the donations made by Future Forward as an example of how 'wealthy donors on both sides of the aisle are using dark-money groups to shape American politics.'

Publicly, Biden and other Democrats have decried the use of dark money being used to fuel campaigns.

McLave and Berger are the only two executives listed for a New York-based charity named BEMC 4 Association. ProPublica reports that the charity had revenues of $4.1 million in 2022 and expenses of $15.1 million.

The causes for the charity are civil rights, social action and advocacy. The only group that gave more to Biden was the Open Society Policy Center, run by conservative boogeyman George Soros which contributed $15.2 million.

The second-largest donation to Biden's campaign fame from married couple James McLave and Emily Berger through the Super PAC Future Forward

The couple work for investment firm Jane Street which was an early investor in the company, Anthropic

By comparison other liberal groups such as the League of Conservation Voters and Fund for a Better Future gave just $2.5 million and $1.5 million respectively.

It was reported earlier this year that Future Forward is plotting a $250 million ad blitz for Biden in 2024.

Investigations manager at OpenSecrets, Anna Massoglia, told CNN that the presence of groups such as Future Forward leaves 'voters in the dark when they go to the polls.'

'They dont have any information about whos giving until after the election, if at all thats very important so they can know whos fueling the candidates theyre voting for, and what special interests are playing a role,' Massoglia said.

McClave and Berger, who holds a doctorate from the University of California-Berkeley, both maintain a low profile.

In 2023, PBS Wisconsin reported that McClave was a major contributor to liberal Janet Protasiewicz's campaign for an open seat on Wisconsin's Supreme Court.

CNN reports that McClave have been involved in a crypto trading through the firm where he and his wife both work, Jane Street.

McClave was one of the earliest investors in AI chatbot Claude, developed by Anthropic in 2021, a company he was partnered in investment with disgraced financier and crypto billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried.

The only group that gave more to Biden was the Open Society Policy Center, run by conservative boogeyman George Soros

The CNN report mentions that McClave has been keeping tabs on the federal government's crypto policies.

On Sunday, Biden's campaign said t raised $10 million in the 24 hours following a fiery State of the Union address, where he accused Donald Trump of threatening democracy and torpedoing a bill to tackle U.S. immigration woes.

In a 68-minute address to Congress on Thursday, his Republican challenger in the , with burying the truth about the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol and bowing to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The fundraising haul is notable given the Biden campaign and his Democratic Party allies raised over $42 million in the entire month of January.

An estimated 32.2 million people watched Biden's State of the Union speech, according to Nielsen ratings from 14 television networks, an increase of 18% from last year. This did not include viewers on streaming, social media and other platforms.

Leaning into its cash edge, the Biden campaign on Saturday announced a $30 million ad blitz, which will target key battleground states over the next six weeks.

Biden and Trump remain neck-and-neck in the contest for the White House, a Reuters/Ipsos poll in February showed, with the former president backed by 37% of respondents and Biden supported by 34 percent.
Animal rights activists who broke into a piggery and installed hidden cameras to expose animal cruelty, found more than they bargained for when the checked the footage.

Among the weeks of video, Farm Transparency Project's cameras captured an alleged act of bestiality.

Footage of the alleged animal cruelty and alleged bestiality in the Midland Bacon plant at Carag Carag in Victoria, 180kilometres north of Melbourne, was shown on ABC's 7.30 show on Monday night.

The program also revealed the Victorian police charged a man with bestiality last week and he will appear in court in June.

An animal rights activist group using hidden cameras at a piggery captured an alleged act of bestiality (pictured)

Footage of the alleged animal cruelty and alleged bestiality was recorded at the Midland Bacon plant (pictured) at Carag Carag in Victoria, 180kilometres north of Melbourne

The allegations and images have come on the eve of an inquiry in state parliament into the welfare of farmed pigs.

In a statement issued to the ABC, Midland Bacon said it is 'committed to humane processing practices'.

On the bestiality allegations, it said 'We are unable to comment on the police charge as this matter is now before the courts.'

Daily Mail Australia attempted to contact Midland Bacon for comment, but its listed phone number is no longer connected.
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Kensington Palace is under increasing pressure to release the original Mother's Day photograph after the Princess of Wales admitted today that she had edited the family picture.

PR experts have described the fiasco as a 'massive own goal' and urged Palace officials to release the unedited picture in a bid to regain the public's trust.

The Palace had initially faced calls to reveal the truth behind the photo after the world's top picture and news agencies - including PA - 'killed' the image over claims it had been digitally manipulated.

Kate this morning admitted that she had edited the photograph and issued a personal apology 'for any confusion' it had caused. Sky News' analysis of the photo's metadata found the image was taken with a Canon camera and was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac. Other experts suggested she may have used an AI tool.

The photo of the mother-of-three beaming with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis was the first official picture released of the princess since she underwent 'planned abdominal surgery' in January.

Kate, in a statement on social media, said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C'

While the princess publicly took the blame for altering the photo, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the unedited photograph of Kate and her children.

PR expert Mark Borkowski said: 'It's plausible she's at home playing with the computer and using an AI tool, but if they're really going to regain any sort of trust they should release the unedited photo, it can't be that bad if they just made a few tweaks.

'I find they have risen to the challenge, provided the statement as an explanation - the question is with all the conspiracy theories running around, is whether people believe it and I'm not sure that they will.'

Kensington Palace yesterday released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery

Kate also posted the apology on the Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram account

The PA news agency said it had withdrawn the image of Kate from its picture service today

Mr Borkowski said the Mother's Day photo had exposed a public relations problem for the monarchy: 'That's the issue, there doesn't seem to be that much joined up strategic thinking at the heart of the royal family at the moment, which leads to these problems where it's a very difficult organisation to manage in terms of PR.'

He added: 'It's a nightmare, even the softer stories of Edward turning 60 this week haven't really resonated at all because no one's interested in them, they're interested in the stars they're not interested in the supporting cast and that is a problem at the moment.

Statements from the picture agencies who have 'killed' the image AP 'The Associated Press initially published the photo, which was issued by Kensington Palace. The AP later retracted the image because at closer inspection, it appears that the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP's photo standards. The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand.' AFP 'It has come to light that the Handout issued by Kensington Palace today of Kate and the kids had been altered, therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems.' Reuters 'We are removing this image following a post publication review.' Getty Images 'Earlier today our picture desk identified a problematic image provided to Getty Images by Kensington Palace. We can confirm the image in question was removed from our site in accordance with our editorial policy.' PA A spokesperson for PA said: 'Like other news agencies, PA Media issued the handout image provided by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales and her children in good faith yesterday. 'We became aware of concerns about the image and we carried a report about it last night, and made clear that we were seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace. In the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service.' Advertisement

'They are under pressure, massively under pressure, this is a massive own goal.'

Royal sources stressed that this was 'an amateur, family photograph taken by the Prince of Wales'. It's understood that it was taken in Windsor last week.

They said the couple wanted to offer an 'informal' picture of the family together for Mother's Day and the princess made 'minor adjustments', as she has shared in her statement on social media.

An aide added: 'The Wales family spent Mother's Day together and had a wonderful day.'

Sky News said an examination of the photo's metadata revealed it was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac on Friday and Saturday and the picture was taken on a Canon 5D mark IV, which retails at 2,929.99 and used a Canon 50mm lens, priced at 1,629.99.

The first save was made at 9.54pm on Friday night and the second was at 9.39am on Saturday morning. it's not clear if the two saves were on the same device. The Palace has not offered any further clarification about the edits.

The controversy is set to overshadow the Commonwealth Day service, one of the key royal events of the year.

Heir to the throne William and the Queen will gather with the royal family in Westminster Abbey today in the absence of the King, who is continuing treatment for cancer during what has been a challenging start to 2024 for the Windsors.

Graham Smith of the anti-monarchy group Republic said: 'Kate's statement answers no questions. We can all see the photo has been edited.

'The question is why? Why haven't they released the original photo?

'A statement parsed via the press office which says nothing and explains nothing shows a general disregard for the public...'

Earlier, Kate's uncle Gary Goldsmith defended the Waleses and claimed they would not have been responsible for altering the image.

The Celebrity Big Brother evictee said: 'Obviously the family wouldn't be the ones to do any touch-ups, so if that's gone through some filter before it's gone out to the broader world, but they wouldn't be doing photoshopping themselves.'

He told Good Morning Britain: 'The smiles on faces said it all for me, I thought it was beautiful.' Mr Goldsmith added: 'And this whole 'sleevegate' thing, just leave it alone.'

Royal author Omid Scobie, seen as a cheerleader for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, accused the Palace of having a 'long history of lying', and said gaining back public trust was now 'an almost impossible task'.

Scobie wrote on X that if it was an isolated incident, it was an 'unfortunate error'.

He added: 'But with the Palace's long history of lying, covering up, and even issuing statements on behalf of family members without their permission (cc: Prince Harry), it's becoming increasingly difficult for the public to believe a word (and now photo) they share.

'Gaining that back at this point is an almost impossible task.'

The princess is known to be a keen photographer and revealed in 2021 that she takes so many family photographs that her children sometimes object.

'Everyone's like, 'Mummy, please stop taking photographs',' she said.

It comes after PA - Britain's most respected picture agency - this morning joined AP, AFP, Reuters, Getty Images and EPA in withdrawing the photo.

The UK's national news agency said it had been 'seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace' since it was released over claims it was digitally altered.

But in a sensational development this morning, PA revealed that it had now withdrawn the image 'in the absence of that clarification'.

A spokesperson for PA said: 'Like other news agencies, PA Media issued the handout image provided by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales and her children in good faith yesterday.

The Princess of Wales has admitted that she edited the Mother's Day portrait and apologised 'for any confusion' that it caused

It appears Charlotte's hand was copied over from another picture as there is an empty space where her sleeve should be

Kate's zip appears to be misaligned on the photo as the top of it is further left and appears significantly lighter than the rest of the zip

Charlotte's hair seems to end abruptly on her shoulder on her right despite her hair on the left going on for a few inches

The corner of Charlotte's skirt was pointed out as another 'editing error' by social media sleuths

'We became aware of concerns about the image and we carried a report about it last night, and made clear that we were seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace. In the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service.'

PA became the sixth news or picture agency to retract the photo.

The image of Kate and her children, said by the palace to have been taken by Prince William, was posted on social media.

Without an official response from the palace, confusion around the image had fuelled online conspiracy theories about Kate which have swirled on the internet since her abdominal surgery.

Ahead of Kate making her statement, royal commentator Peter Hunt said: 'This is damaging for the royals. They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate.

'Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.'

The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.

But there was speculation that edits had been made to the left sleeve of Princess Charlotte's cardigan, and other areas of the picture also raised concerns about possible manipulation.

In the social media post, Kate thanked the public 'for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months'.

Within hours of the photo being shared around the world, multiple picture agencies issued a 'kill notification' - an industry term used to retract a photo previously handed out to publications.

Late on Sunday, the Associated Press became the first agency to 'kill' the photo over an 'inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand'.

While AP said there was no suggestion the photo was fake, it retracted it because it said on closer inspection, the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet the agency's photo standards.

AP said its editorial standards state that images must be accurate and that it does not use altered or digitally manipulated images.

The agency's news values and principles explain that minor photo editing, including cropping and toning and colour adjustments, are acceptable when necessary for clear and accurate reproduction and should maintain the authentic nature of the photograph.

Changes in density, contrast, colour and saturation levels that substantially alter the original scene are not acceptable. Backgrounds should not be digitally blurred or eliminated by burning down or by aggressive toning. The removal of 'red eye' from photographs is not permissible.

When AP determined the photo appeared to have been manipulated, it issued what is known as a 'photo kill,' an industry term that retracted the image and instructed clients to remove the photo from their systems.

As well as PA, five other picture agencies around the world have taken the extraordinary step of killing the photo of Princess Kate

'At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image,' the AP said in its advisory. 'No replacement photo will be sent.'

A second agency, Reuters, also withdrew the image 'following a post-publication review'. 'We are reviewing the matter,' a spokesperson said.

Reuters picture editors said part of the sleeve of Kate's daughter's cardigan did not line up properly, suggesting that the image had been altered.

The agency could not immediately establish how, why or by whom the alteration had been made.

AfP then followed suit by issuing a 'mandatory kill notice' before Getty Images became the fourth agency to retract the photograph. EPA this morning also issued the same 'mandatory kill'.

A spokesman for AfP said: 'It has come to light that the Handout issued by Kensington Palace today of Kate and the kids had been altered, therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems.'

A spokesperson for Getty Images told Sky News: 'Earlier today our picture desk identified a problematic image provided to Getty Images by Kensington Palace. We can confirm the image in question was removed from our site in accordance with our editorial policy.'

Readers on X added a community note to a post from the Prince and Princess of Wales' account which shared the photo.

It said: 'This photo is believed to be digitally altered and as a result many major news outlets have pulled the image from their reports.'

The Princess of Wales has not been seen since she attended the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham

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. Louis' middle finger was missing in the photo

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

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

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.

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.

Details of the princess's condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

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, temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children as she recovered.

He returned to royal duties in February and is expected to carry out an engagement linked to his Earthshot environmental prize on Monday, as well as accompanying the Queen at events to mark Commonwealth Day.

Earlier this month the Army was forced into an embarrassing about-turn after suggesting Kate would attend Trooping the Colour on June 8.

Tickets were being sold for the event, with Kate expected to attend in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, the regiment which is trooping its colour this year.

However, it is understood the Army did not seek approval from Kensington Palace before publishing the page, and the website was subsequently updated to remove the reference to her.
An Idaho mom-of-two who blogged to her half a million followers on how to 'reach their dreams' was a secret alcoholic who fled the scene after killing a woman.

Natalie Hodson, 38, was jailed on Thursday for crashing her mini-van into mom-of-three Kristina Rowley, 39, after drinking at least four alcoholic seltzers and getting behind the wheel.

Rowley, who was days away from earning her teaching degree, was building a house from scratch in the mountains outside Cascade with her husband and three teenage children when she pulled over to check the back of her trailer on Highway 55.

She died from her injuries following the hit-and-run in August 2022.

Her husband Chris Rowley said in court: 'She was my everything for 20 years. She was everything to my children. She was their counselor, cheerleader, teacher, mentor and advocate.'

Hodson first attracted followers after blogging about her return to fitness after the birth of her two children and peppered her social media pages with aspirational images

Hodson had attracted more than 500,000 followers on her lifestyle blogs

Hodson won a legion of online fans when she began blogging about her journey to fitness following the birth of her two children.

She set up a website offering lifestyle tips and 'Mompreneur' advice on how to launch an online business.

On her Facebook page she posted updates about her successful lifestyle and Army Major boyfriend to her 466,000 followers - but was already battling alcoholism and terrified about a possible breast cancer diagnosis.

On the day of the crash, she pulled into a hospital parking lot and began drinking hard seltzers in her van before a mammogram appointment, and drank more when she returned to her vehicle.

'Then she made the horrible decision to drive,' attorney, Michael Bartlett told the court.

A witness saw her plow into Rowley, who was standing outside her vehicle, between Beacon Light and Seamans Gulch Road and followed her in his car as she continued north.

Rowley's 16-year-old son was in his mother's car and watched as her killer disappeared up the road.

Deputies stopped Hodson several miles away where she told them she thought she had hit a mailbox.

Kristina Rowley died after being hit by the vehicle in 2022

Victim Kristina Rowley, pictured second left, with husband Chris and children Megan, Carson and Hannah

Natalie Hodson, 38, wept in court as she was sentenced to between two and 15 years after admitting the vehicular manslaughter of mom-of-three Kristina Rowley, 39

But Rowley was fatally injured pronounced dead a short time later after being transferred to hospital.

It was several hours before Hodson was tested for drink by which time her blood alcohol level had subsided to 0.085, just slightly over the legal limit of 0.08.

She was charged with vehicular manslaughter but prosecutors dropped an additional charge of leaving the scene of an injury crash after she changed her plea to guilty in January.

Ada County Court heard that she had already been struggling with drinking at the time of the crash in August 2022, and has attended more than 600 Alcoholic Anonymous meetings in the last 18 months.

Bartlett said she had become a 'leader' within her treatment community and gathered a large group of supporters.

Deputy Prosecutor Brittany Ford said: 'She has admitted to being an alcoholic, and admitted that that issue started well before this incident.

'The state cannot deny that the defendant has taken a lot of action during the dependency of this case to address her substance abuse.'

Hodson has not updated her Facebook page since August 8, 2022, the day before the fatal crash, and she has taken her Instagram page with another 84,000 followers private.

Rowley's family described the Cascade school art teacher as an 'angel', who dreamed of attending her children's high school graduations, seeing them go off to college, attending their weddings and meeting her grandchildren.

The court heard that Hodson had been found guilty of speeding three times in the previous 12 years and sentenced her to between two and 15 years in prison

The scene of the crash between Beacon Light and Seamans Gulch Road north of Boise

She later set up a website offering lifestyle tips and 'Mompreneur' advice on how to launch online businesses

'Our children are now forced to do all of these things without their mother to help guide them and celebrate their future paths,' widower Chris said.

'There are and will be those around them who will try to help fill the void of losing their mother, but none of these individuals  no matter how good their intentions  can fill that void.

'They are not Kristina.'

Her sister-in-law Mindey Rowley said Kristina 'didn't live a life she could regret'.

'She dreamed big and she achieved those dreams,' she added.

The court heard that Hodson had been found guilty of speeding three times in the previous 12 years and sentenced her to between two and 15 years in prison.

Hodson wept in court as she told it she would willingly accept whatever sentence was handed down and that no punishment would ever be enough.

'I stand before you today because I committed a terrible crime,' she added.

'I take full responsibility for the selfish and tragic crime that I committed, and I have only myself to blame for why we are here today.'

'The deep, deep remorse, and overwhelming guilt and crippling shame that I feel is something that I will live with the rest of my life.

'The agony and pain in knowing that I killed a woman  a mother, a wife, a sister and a daughter - It haunts me.'
An Austrian court has overturned a decision to transfer 88-year-old incestuous rapist Josef Fritzl to a regular jail from a prison psychiatric unit.

Fritzl held his daughter Elisabeth captive for 24 years between 1984 and 2008, raping her thousands of times and fathering her seven children.

He has been in prison since 2009 after being convicted of rape, incest, enslavement, coercion and murder by neglect of his newborn son.

Elisabeth, who is now 56 and has been given a new identity, previously said she hopes her evil father will be punished for his crimes 'until death'.

But in January, court in the town of Krems an der Donau ordered Fritzl be transferred after a closed session hearing was told he was 'no longer at threat of reoffending'.

Prosecutors responded by filing a complaint aimed at overturning the ruling, and the case has now been sent back to the lower court for a new decision.

Fritzl raped his daughter and held her captive for 24 years, fathering her seven children (file image shows him attending court in 2009)

Elisabeth Fritzl (pictured as a schoolgirl), now 56, was held prisoner by her father Jozef in the cellar of the family's Austrian home from 1984 to 2008

The court in Vienna said today that it had overturned the decision to transfer Fritzl and ordered the lower court to establish more facts before reaching a fresh decision.

'Contrarily to the court of first instance, the Vienna Higher Provincial Court came to the conclusion that the facts necessary for such a conditional release had not yet fully been established,' the Vienna court said in a statement.

A spokesman for the lower court said that decision was expected in April.

The Krems court ordered the conditional transfer of Fritzl from the prison for 'mentally abnormal' inmates, where he has been since 2009.

However, prosecutors, who did not attend the case, filed an objection and a higher court in Vienna will now hear the appeal.

Fritzl's lawyer Astrid Wagner told MailOnline: 'The prosecutor can try but they won't win, their case doesn't have a chance.

'It will just extend the timings for another few months but I am confident he will be moved.

'I spoke with him after the news of the objection as he was puzzled by it but I told him there was nothing to worry about and he would be OK.'

His trial heard he raped her 3,000 times in the rat-infested cellar and how he beat and kicked her and eventually had seven children with her.

The mother lived downstairs in the flat with her children - Kerstin born in 1988, Stefan (1990) and Felix (2002).

Meanwhile Lisa (1992), Monica (1994) and Alexander (1996) were raised upstairs in the home Fritzl shared with his wife Rosemarie in sleepy Amstetten in central Austria, 48 miles from Linz.

Elisabeth and three of her children lived in the basement of the family home in Amstetten, Austria, while Fritzl and his wife Rosemarie lived above

Fritzl is seen during day four of his trial at the country court of St. Poelten on March 19, 2009 in St. Poelten, Austria

Another son, named Micheal, tragically died from neglect shortly after he was born.

Speaking through her lawyer Eva Plaz at her father's trial, Elisabeth said that she hopes he is never released.

'She wants the defendant to be held responsible until death,' Ms Plaz said.

Earlier the lawyer had told the court: 'The defendant has made himself the master of life and death. He must be punished for this.'

Fritzl, who has now changed his name to one not made public, has been in prison since his conviction in 2009 for incest, rape, enslavement, coercion and the murder, by neglect, of his newborn son.
Nearly two dozen golden retrievers have been rescued from 'ruff' conditions inside a Rhode Island home used for breeding - as heartbreaking photos show the pups being saved.

The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, police and environmental scientists were called to the house to investigate a report of unlicensed breeding.

Police confirmed there were 20 golden retriever puppies and seven adult dogs caged up and living in 'horrendous' conditions in the Hopkinton house.

The unlicensed breeder will not face charges as they willingly surrendered the dogs to law enforcement, per RISPCA.

The dogs were taken into veterinary care, where it was confirmed they all had ringworm and will not be ready for adoption for several weeks.

Nearly two dozen golden retrievers have been rescued by an alleged hoarding situation in a Rhode Island home

The unlicensed breeder will not face charges as they willingly surrendered the dogs to law enforcement

Pictured: Two Golden Retriever puppies rescued from a Hopkinton home after Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, police and environmental scientists

The dogs were originally expected to be ready for adoption in four to six weeks, while the adults were projected to be read in three to six months. The society has provided updates about the pups taken from the home.

'We really appreciate your interest in these pups,' a Facebook post.

'Once we post these dogs on our website, we will then consider adoption applications.

'If you are still interested once posted, we encourage you to reapply then.'

'We are currently giving the dogs the medical care they need and cannot consider applications at this time.

'We thank you for your patience and understanding.'

Police confirmed there were 20 golden retriever puppies and seven adult dogs caged up and living in 'horrendous' conditions in the Hopkinton house

The dogs were taken into veterinary care, where it was confirmed they all had ringworm and will not be ready for adoption for several weeks

The dogs were originally expected to be ready for adoption in four to six weeks, while the adults were projected to be read in three to six months

Pictured: Some of the rescued golden retrievers snuggling with each other

The home where the dogs were living before officials removed them

The society was founded in 1870, making it oldest nonprofit animal welfare organization in the state.

They are also the only organization in the state that can legally investigate and prosecute cases of animal cruelty and neglect. The nonprofit has taken active roles in legislative matters concerning animal welfare, according to its website.

Programs and services include rehoming animals, adoption services, humane education, and volunteer programs.

The agency also takes the lead in investigating cases of animal cruelty.

'The Rhode Island SPCA is also the only organization in the state that can legally investigate and prosecute cases of animal cruelty and neglect and takes an active role in legislative matters concerning the welfare of all animals in our state,' the group stated.
They were arrested after the mom hid her bloody clothes under a bed, cops say

A Nebraska mother tried to cover up her disabled daughter's vicious dog mauling attack by hiding her blood stained clothes, cops have said.

Four-year-old Lilianna was rushed to the ICU at Nebraska Medicine after her scalp was torn off in the attack on February 20 in an industrial estate in Omaha where she was visiting her mother, Danielle Stratman, 24.

Police said in a report the dog belonged to her mother's boyfriend Greg Priester and the dog was caught shortly after the attack and euthanized.

According to police, Stratman hid from police when they arrived, changed out of her bloody clothes and hid them under the bed. Both her and her boyfriend were arrested for obstruction.

Lilianna's grandmother, Amanda Gomez said: 'My poor granddaughter but thank God she's a strong girl and she's going to be okay!!! She's the strongest little princess ever.'

Four-year-old Lilianna was rushed to the ICU at Nebraska Medicine after her scalp was torn off in the attack on February 20 in an industrial estate in Omaha where she was visiting her mother, Danielle Stratman, 24

In a picture, the little girl is seen smiling with her grandmother Amanda (left), grandfather Arnold (middle), and her father Caleb (right). Her head is wrapped in bandages there are multiple cuts on her face

Both Stratman and her boyfriend, Greg Priester, were arrested for obstruction. The mother hid her bloody clothes under a bed and the dog belonged to Priester

Along with Lilianna's scalp, she suffered torn ligaments in her neck, a broken cheekbone, and multiple stiches. As of February 28, she was released from the ICU and had to undergo one more surgery.

In a newly released picture, the little girl is seen smiling with her grandmother Amanda, grandfather Arnold, and her father Caleb, in hospital.

Her head is wrapped in bandages there are multiple cuts on her face.

The attack happened while Lillianna was visiting her mother, and according to police, Stratman was not supposed to have any contact with her child.

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.

On Stratman's social media pages she is seen pictured multiple times with a puppy named Bear, but it is unclear if that was the dog involved in the attack

Danielle Stratman is pictured with her daughter, Lillianna

Kimberly Lane Koterba, Lilianna's grand aunt, created a GoFundMe for her medical bills and said: 'Im fundraising for my Grand Niece Lillianna who was attacked by a Cane Corso Mastiff mix.'

On Stratman's social media pages she is seen pictured multiple times with a puppy named Bear, but it is unclear if that was the dog involved in the attack.

'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,' Koterba said on the donation page.

She added that Lilianna was born with Spina bifida, a birth defect that affects the spinal cord, and that the funds raised would go towards her medical bills and into trust accounts.

'It wouldnt have happened if the mother had not violated a no contact order while the child was being babysat by her Grandmother,' Koterba said.

As of Monday afternoon, $10,629 was raised out of a $20,000 goal.

Police detailed the incident, where they were initially called for a violent attack, officers said in a report seen by KETV.

Kimberly Lane Koterba, Lilianna's grand aunt, said that she was born with Spina bifida, a birth defect that affects the spinal cord

The little girl is pictured in a fairy outfit. Her mother has been arrested following the dog mauling

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.'
The head of the Metropolitan Police has criticised 'armchair commentators' who film officers while on duty.

Sir Mark Rowley also revealed that in the last 48 hours alone 12 police officers have been injured and including one who was hit in the head with a bottle and another who was stabbed in the hand.

In a statement, first posted on Linkedin, Sir Mark claimed the prospect of frequently being filmed and later critiqued on social media might put off future recruits from joining the police.

The Met Police Commissioner said: 'The reality is that policing is complex, challenging and can look messy. We expect officers to arrive on scene quickly and act with limited information based on what they see.

'They don't have the benefit of being able to watch a full incident unfold before deciding what to do, they have to be decisive and act quickly.'

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley. Sir Mark claimed the prospect of frequently being filmed and later critiqued on social media might put off future recruits from joining the police

Metropolitan Police at a Pro-Palestine demonstration in January this year. Sir Mark revealed that in the last 48 hours alone 12 police officers have been injured and including one who was hit in the head with a bottle and another who was stabbed in the hand

Iranian Niyak Ghorbani (centre), 37, waved a sign which read 'Hamas is terrorist' in the middle of a pro-Palestine rally before protesters turned on him leading to a large brawl. Mr Ghorbani was then hauled away from the scene by police as pro-Palestinian marchers continued to hurl abuse at him, shouting 'shame on you'

The statement continues: 'And they do so in the glare of hundreds of people ready to film their every moment.

'There aren't many professions where from the minute you arrive at an incident to the minute you leave, you are filmed and then critiqued by an army of armchair commentators. Yet this is what happens to our officers and they still come back to work the next day.

'I'm proud to call them my colleagues and am in awe of their resilience to continue ... turning up day and night knowing that whenever they get out of a vehicle more and more cameras are focusing on their actions.

'But we shouldn't underestimate the toll this has on them and their families, and how off-putting it is to the next generation who may think: 'Why would I put myself through that?'

The statement follows a weekend of disorder in London as thousands of pro-Palestine protesters took to the streets. During the protests, the Met Police were filmed arresting a counter-protester who held a sign which read 'Hamas is terrorist.'

Iranian Niyak Ghorbani, 37, waved the sign in the middle of the rally before protesters turned on him leading to a large brawl. Mr Ghorbani was then hauled away from the scene as pro-Palestinian marchers continued to hurl abuse at him, shouting 'shame on you'.

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

Sir Mark said: 'There aren't many professions where from the minute you arrive at an incident to the minute you leave, you are filmed and then critiqued by an army of armchair commentators'

Sir Mark says it is now a regular occurrence for officers to find themselves caught in the middle of public debate where they are accused of being 'both woke and fascist for the exact same actions.'

He bemoaned the level of abuse directed at Metropolitan Police officers, including one who posted a picture of herself online at a firearms event on International Women's Day.

The Met has suffered reputational damage in recent years. In March 2021 then-armed officer Wayne Couzens raped and murdered Sarah Everard. In the same year, David Carrick, who had been in the force for 20 years, was unmasked as a serial rapist.

This is one of the factors thought to be behind the Met's struggle to recruit officers, with numbers set to fall 1,400 short at the end of March, and 2,650 short by March 2025 at current application and recruitment levels.
The families of the Nottingham attack victims want 'real change' after the city's police force was placed into special measures.

University students Grace O'Malley Kumar and Barney Webber, both 19, and 65-year-old Ian Coates were stabbed to death by paranoid schizophrenic Valdo Calocane in the early hours of June 13 last year.

Their heartbroken relatives today welcomed the news that Nottinghamshire Police has been put in special measures by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

The crisis-hit force was told to 'urgently produce an improvement plan' following an inspection by the watchdog.

It will now be subject to an 'enhanced level of monitoring', under what is known as the 'engage' process.

Chief Constable Kate Meynell said she recognised the 'serious nature' of the findings, and claimed to have 'taken urgent action to address the immediate concerns raised'.

Grace O'Malley Kumar, 19, (pictured) was stabbed to death while heroically trying to save her friend Barnaby

Barnaby Webber, 19, (pictured) was walking home from a night out with his friend Grace when he was stabbed by Valdo Calocane

Ian Coates, 65, (pictured) was Calocane's third victim during the horrific ordeal in June last year

But relatives of Barnaby, Grace and Ian said they wanted 'real change to happen', including 'individual and organisational ownership and responsibility'.

The families have previously called for Ms Meynell to resign following a string of errors surrounding the Calocane case, including the fact he was wanted by officers at the time of the killings - and the revelation officers and staff had accessed sensitive material even though they were not involved in the investigation.

Nottinghamshire Police was investigated between the end of last year and January this year, according to HMICFRS.

The full findings of the inspection are yet to be released, but the force has been issued with two 'accelerated causes for concern' - a failure to 'sufficiently manage and carry out effective investigations and support victims', and a failure to have 'adequate governance arrangements'.

Inspector of constabulary Roy Wilsher said: 'We move police forces into our enhanced level of monitoring, known as engage, when a police force is not responding to our concerns, or if it is not managing, mitigating or eradicating these concerns.

'The engage process provides additional scrutiny and support from the inspectorate and other external organisations in the policing sector to help the force improve and provide a better service for the public.'

The families of the Nottingham attack victims want 'real change' after the city's police force was placed into special measures. Pictured: Barnaby and Grace's parents

The three victims were stabbed by paranoid chizophrenic Valdo Calocane in the early hours of June 13 last year

In a statement, Ms Meynell said: 'As Chief Constable I recognise the serious nature of the HMICFRS findings. I have taken urgent action to address the immediate concerns raised and have ensured that all of the initial recommendations that relate to our investigations and support for victims have been completed.

'I have tasked a dedicated team of detectives to carry out a thorough review of all of the crimes identified by HMICFRS. This review has found that all of these crimes are being managed by specially trained officers, with supervisors overseeing the progress we make.

'The review did identify that in 2% of cases there was not an update from a supervisor recorded on our system, but this does not mean there was no investigative activity being undertaken.

'Victims of crime are at the heart of everything that we do. The team have reviewed all of the cases identified to ensure that victims of crime are receiving regular updates and that these are being correctly recorded.

'Although the frequency of updates for victims is not specified in the national Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, our target is to provide updates for victims every three weeks. We achieve this in 95% of cases, but we are not complacent and will focus our efforts to improve in this area.

'I have prioritised and invested in our leadership programme for line managers and supervisors to ensure that these officers and staff receive extensive training and support to perform their roles to the highest standard.

Emma Webber making a statement alongside relatives of the victims, outside Nottingham Crown Court

'This programme is consistent with the standards set by the College of Policing and will ensure that our people have the skills and knowledge required to enhance our supervision of investigations and oversight of the care we provide to victims. I have also increased the number of supervisors we have overseeing our response teams.

'In relation to our processes and managing our demand, one of my first actions as Chief Constable was to commission a review of how we operate, and this review has started a significant piece of work to improve our governance and operating model.

'Delivering a carefully managed change to the operating model involves a significant period of time to deliver whilst continuing to respond to the communities we serve. During this time the force has also been working hard to reach and maintain our uplift in officer numbers.

'I have overseen changes to help us meet our demand and ensure that we provide the best possible service to communities. These include some operational changes to make sure our officers are in the right places, at the right time, and a new process for how we safeguard victims of domestic abuse.

'However, we do need to improve further in this area and we are working with the National Police Chiefs' Council and the College of Policing on this.

'I fully acknowledge that our force has work to do to achieve our vision of being an outstanding force that we can all be proud of. I am fully committed to working with HMICFRS and we will work tirelessly to address their concerns and deliver the best possible service for the people of Nottinghamshire.'

Barnaby Webber's father David embraces Grace O'Malley Kumar's mother Sinead ahead of a vigil at the University of Nottingham last year

However, the families of Calocane's victims said: 'As families we have been very clear in the concerns we have raised regarding Nottinghamshire Police force.

'Not only in the investigation itself into the murder of our loved ones, but also in the failures, missed opportunities, lessons and poor communication before, during and after.

'We welcome the news today that the HMICFRS recognise that Nottinghamshire Police require intervention and urgent improvement and that they have effectively been placed into 'special measures'. We hope this gives the residents of Nottingham more reassurance in their public safety.

'In her response to today's report Kate Meynell has advised 'victims of crime are at the heart of everything that we do'. Given the misinformation, mistruths and failures that we as devastated families have had to contend with from this police force, we could not more strongly disagree with her.

'We have to be optimistic that proper investigations will be carried out and result in more than 'lessons learned and apologies'. We want real change to happen. And that must, without doubt, include individual and organisational ownership and responsibility.'

Calocane, 32, was given an indefinite hospital order in January for stabbing to death the victims during a rampage in Nottingham last June.

Following his guilty pleas to manslaughter by diminished responsibility, Nottinghamshire Police faced a storm of criticism from their families over the handling of the case - with complaints the investigation was bungled and chances were missed to prevent the attacks. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation.

Mrs Webber is pictured with her husband, Barnaby and Barnaby's younger brother

It then emerged officers and staff breached police protocol to search for information about Calocane on computer systems.

PC Matthew Gell was given a final written warning after a disciplinary hearing was told he looked up Calocane's custody records 48 hours on from the killings despite not being part of the investigation, breaching data protection rules.

He also messaged his wife and a friend with information about the case on the day it happened, including a graphic description of the victim's injuries - which a force spokesman said was against 'strict professional policing standards'.

The message had originally appeared on a WhatsApp group for officers that Ms Meynell's son was a member of.

Nottinghamshire Police has previously been heavily criticised after it emerged the Calocane, who also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of three pedestrians he ran over in Ian's van after stealing it, was wanted at the time of his arrest for failing to turn up to court for an alleged violent assault on one of its officers.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin admitted the force 'could have done more' to arrest Calocane before he carried out his violent spree - prompting Emma Webber, Barnaby's mum, to accuse him of having 'blood on his hands'.

The College of Policing has also been commissioned to carry out a review of the force's handling of the case.

Sinead (pictured), the mother of Grace O'Malley Kumar, 19, wants justice for her daughter

Caroline Henry, Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: 'I am obviously disappointed that Nottinghamshire Police is being placed under enhanced monitoring. However, I welcome the opportunity this process will provide the force to focus on the areas of concern and continue their immediate actions to put things right.

'As Police and Crime Commissioner, it is my duty to hold Nottinghamshire Police to account on behalf of the public and ensure we have the best policing service possible.

'HMICFRS performs an important and independent assessment role and this robust enhanced monitoring process will support our broader arrangements to ensure continuous improvement in the policing service that the people of Nottinghamshire should expect.

'The effective supervision of investigations and ensuring the right support for victims are both vitally important to providing an effective policing service. Since HMICFRS raised their concerns with me, I have held urgent discussions with the Chief Constable and her team. I have sought assurances about the action being taken and the plans the Chief Constable has for improvements.

'I was assured to learn that the force had already taken immediate action. This should provide Nottinghamshire's communities with confidence that the Force takes these concerns very seriously and is committed to making swift improvements.

'I am determined to support and oversee the force's progress with addressing all HMICFRS' recommendations and have asked for weekly updates from the Chief Constable. I am confident Nottinghamshire Police will emerge a much stronger organisation as a result of the 'engage' process.'
Lucia Salazar, 9, watches her mother, Maria Salazar, right, talking to Tammie Wright, director of special education at Our Savior Lutheran, as they are leaving school Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 at Our Savior Lutheran in Houston. Salazar unenroll Lucia, who is dyslexic, from Houston ISD during the middle of this school year because she has not gotten proper care or diagnoses from the district. While Lucia is on the waitlist for the Success Center, which the school has promised the Salazars that she will be in the program in the new school year, she works with Wright after school three days a week. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Houston ISD  the largest school district in the state  has continued to see enrollment declines this academic year, with about 6,000 fewer students since the 2022-2023 school year.

For several years, HISD, like many large urban school districts, has seen thousands of families leave for suburban districts, private and charter schools or homeschooling. However, this year, K-12 education experts say that the state takeover and controversial New Education System may be driving some of the districts enrollment decreases during this academic year.

Heres five takeaways from the Chronicles analysis of declining enrollment in the states school district:

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1. HISD enrollment continues to decline

HISD reported an annual enrollment of approximately 183,900 students as of late October, which means that it has lost more than 25,000 students since the 2019-20 school year.

Since October, the number of students in HISD schools has declined ever further. The district reported that about 183,400 students had attended school in late February.

The continued decline this year comes amid the state takeover of the district and the appointment of Superintendent Mike Miles, who has implemented a controversial reform program known as the New Education System at 85 schools this year. Some parents told the Chronicle that the model contributed to their decision to withdraw their child from the district.

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2. HISD schools face unequal enrollment decreases

The enrollment declines have not hit all campuses equally, with some seeing their student populations jump by up to 18% this year. However, most schools have continued to see fewer and fewer students, with NES and NES-aligned schools bearing the brunt of enrollment declines compared to non-NES schools.

As of January, the number of students in NES and NES-aligned schools has declined 5% in the past year compared to a 1% decline at non-NES schools. The decrease reflects a historical trend of declining enrollment at NES schools, which have seen larger average drops in the number of enrolled students in the past 10 years.

3. Experts warn of school closures

Fewer students in schools means the district receives less funding from the state, since Texas funds schools based on average daily student attendance rate. K-12 education experts warned that if enrollment continues to decline, it could lead to the closure of some of the districts campuses.

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It's inevitable that, if you're going to run the system efficiently, if you lose 20 or 30,000 kids over time, you're going to have to close campuses down, and that's a very difficult thing to occur in communities, said Duncan Klussmann, an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Houston.

Miles has said he wont plan to close schools during the 2024-2025 school year, but the prospect of potential closures beyond that are unclear.

4. Superintendent Miles remains unconcerned

State-appointed superintendent Mike Miles told the Chronicle that he wasnt concerned with the districts enrollment declines, preferring instead to focus on improving the quality of the instruction in the district.

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You're going to see over time that we're gonna run effective schools, Miles said. We're gonna make education meaningful (by) getting ready for the year 2035. I think that's gonna bring up enrollment.

He also released a report on Feb. 20 outlining how he plans to address wasteful purchases, unnecessary contracts and ineffective staffing practices to free up money for the district, but he did not give an estimate on how much the cuts would save.

5. Houston charter schools see more interest

The enrollment declines come as HISD is losing several students to Houston-area charter networks, such as YES Prep Public Schools and KIPP Texas, which have reported growing interest and enrollment.

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YES Prep reported receiving nearly twice as many applications for the 2024-25 academic year compared to the previous school year, while KIPP Texas said 24,000 people applied to attend its Houston schools for the 2023-24 academic year

Virginia Snodgrass Rangel, an associate professor in UHs Department of Education, said it will be tough for HISD to recruit students back if they continue to leave for charter schools.
Prince Andrew has been spotted driving his Range Rover at Windsor Castle just hours before a Commonwealth Day service he is expected to miss - having appeared to position himself as the Royal Family's leader at King Constantine's memorial.

The Duke of York was photographed driving in the grounds in Berkshire this morning ahead of his predicted non-attendance at this afternoon's Westminster Abbey event.

Andrew, 64, remains out in the cold after being forced to step back from frontline royal duties following controversy over his former friendship with the late US financier and serial paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

He did appear back in favour and smiling when leading the way as Royal Family members attended King Constantine's memorial at Windsor on February 27.

But Andrew, also today seen horse-riding at Windsor, is not thought likely to be at the Commonwealth Day service as he stays away from royal duties.

The Duke of York was today seen driving his Range Rover at Windsor in Berkshire

Andrew had led a group of royals at King Constantine's memorial service on February 27

A body language expert previously described how Prince Andrew 'positioned himself as leader of the Royal Family' at King Constantine's memorial event.

The Duke, who stepped down from royal duties in 2019, attended the St George's Chapel service with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and other family members- and was seen with a wide smile on his face as he led the way.

Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Judi James Andrew put on a 'bizarre' display which suggested he wanted to 'position himself in the role of leader' of the British royal group.

She said: 'Grinning like the Cheshire Cat at a memorial service where everyone else is looking suitably solemn looks like an overkill performance ritual from Andrew who appears to apply the widest smile just as he walks within range of the cameras.'

'Andrew was seen in a similar state of cheeriness on his last outing with the royal group and this kind of random-looking grinning suggests a desire to appear carefree and resilient.'

That previous occasion was at Christmas, when he appeared similarly cheery as he attended church at Sandringham with his family.

Prince William unexpectedly missed the service for Constantine, the last king of Greece, due to personal reasons.

Andrew was at front and centre of proceedings with King Charles taking a break from royal duties as he battles cancer, while Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, were also absent.

Queen Camilla arrived separately, meaning Andrew - the late Queen Elizabeth II's second born son - stepped forward and led in other royals including Princess Anne.

One royal watcher told MailOnline at the time: 'Prince Andrew and the Yorks are firmly back in the fold.'

And biographer and royal expert Phil Dampier suggested Andrew had seized his chance and still clearly felt hopeful for a full comeback, with Fergie close behind.

The duke was also today pictured riding on the Windsor Estate

Andrew was accompanied by ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, at the February 27 service

Filing behind Prince Andrew was Sarah, the Duchess of York, followed by Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Zara and Mike Tindall and Princess Anne

He said: 'We have been reminded of the fragility of the situation and Andrew will probably be encouraged to think he can one day make some sort of comeback, although its not likely for at least a year or two, if ever'.

But he thought likely to remain exiled from today's Commonwealth Day events in which other royals are taking part, including this afternoon's London service.

Andrew had walked to church last Christmas Day with the King and the rest of the Royal Family, suggesting he was being gradually rehabilitated within the monarchy.

This followed his public appearance in his garter robes at Charles's coronation last May.

Andrew, who has previously strenuously denied allegations against, paid millions a year ago to settle a civil case out of court with Virginia Giuffre.

There was no admission of guilt after she accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17.

Ms Giuffre, formerly Roberts, had claimed in a 2015 lawsuit she was made by Epstein to have sex with Prince Andrew on three separate occasions when she was 17.

Later, in 2021, she filed a lawsuit against the prince over the alleged encounters.

The prince has strenuously denied all wrong doing and continues to do so.

But Andrew was mentioned more than 70 times in almost 1,000 pages of interviews and transcripts released in the US in January.

The Duke, who stepped down from royal duties in 2019, attended the St George's Chapel service for the last King of Greece on February 27

Prince Andrew, who has denied any wrongdoing, was previously pictured alongside Virginia Giuffre (centre), one of Jeffrey Epstein's victims, and now-jailed Ghislaine Maxwell (right)

Billionaire financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein died in prison in August 2019

The documents are part of a 2015 defamation case brought by Ms Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed for sex trafficking young girls for Epstein.

Andrew looked gloomy when embarking on a solo ride around the Windsor Estate on February 24, three days before the memorial for King Constantine.

But later that day he appeared in higher spirits as he drove through Windsor, this time accompanied by a friend.

He stopped to chat to a group of dog walkers on The Long Mile before continuing towards Windsor Castle.
President Biden endorsed the idea of a TikTok ban, telling reporters he would sign the bill if Congress passed it

When he was president, Trump issued an emergency order for ByteDance to sell the company

Trump surprised conservatives last week by announcing his opposition to a TikTok ban

Former President Donald Trump detailed why he had changed his position on banning TikTok, despite widespread support for a ban from members of Congress.

The former president outlined his thoughts about the social media company on CNBC on Monday morning, days after he publicly opposed a ban.

Frankly, there are a lot of people on TikTok that love it, he said during an interview on CNBC. 'There are a lot of young kids on TikTok who will go crazy without it. There are a lot of users, theres a lot of good and theres a lot of bad with TikTok.'

Donald Trump said he was opposed to the bill from Congress that would ban TikTok from the United States

TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company subject to the Chinese government.

Trump reiterated his concerns that a TikTok ban would only make social media platforms like Facebook more powerful.

The thing I dont like is that without TikTok youre going to make Facebook bigger and I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people along with a lot of the media, Trump said.

He said that he still had national security and privacy concerns about TikTok but that he also had the same concerns about American companies.

I do believe that, and we have to very much go in to privacy and make sure that we are protecting the American peoples privacy and data rights, he said.

Trump argued that Facebook and other American social media platforms also shared data with China.

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer and founder of Facebook Inc., speaks during an event at the company's headquarters

Members of Congress continue pushing for a TikTok ban, warning the platform is bad for national security

Theyre not so American, they deal in China and if China wants anything from them they will give it so thats a national security also, he said.

Trump said he had concerns about Facebook, particularly after CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife donated at least $400 million to non-profit organizations who helped fund upgrades to election systems to allow voting by mail and change voting protocols during the 2020 election.

I think Facebook has been very bad for our country especially when it comes to elections, he said.

Trump disputed claims that he changed his position on TikTok after meeting with billionaire investor Jeff Yass, who has a very large financial stake in the platform.

He said he that he only met with Yass very briefly, and did not talk about TikTok.

He never mentioned TikTok, he said, adding he mostly spoke to Yasss wife about the issue of school choice, which he supported.

Last Thursday, Trump surprised conservatives after he voiced opposition to a TikTok ban.

If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business. I don't want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday. They are a true Enemy of the People!

Momentum for a TikTok ban was renewed last week by Republicans after the House Commerce Committee voted 50-0 to move a bill ordering TikToks owner ByteDance to sell the company. ByteDance is controlled by the Chinese government, raising national security concerns.

The vote sparked TikTok to mobilize their users, urging them to contact members of Congress to protest. Thousands of children called to members of congress, some of them crying while demanding that they oppose the bill.

President Biden surprised TikTok users after he endorsed the bill banning the platform.

President Joe Biden looks down at his phone while walking from the West Wing to Marine One

The Biden campaign in January created a TikTok account on the platform for the president

'If they pass it, I'll sign it,' Biden told reporters on Friday, even as his campaign works to engage TikTok users.

In January, The Biden campaign created a TikTok account for the president ahead of the 2024 election. Trump and his campaign do not have a TikTok account on the platform.

Trump famously pushed an effort to ban TikTok when he was president, issuing an order in August 2020 when he was president, ordering ByteDance to sell the social media platform within 45 days, citing the executives emergency powers.

The order was blocked by a federal judge on the basis that Trumps order overstepped his authority. Biden revoked the executive order after he became president in 2021.

On CNBC Monday, Trump said he 'could have banned TikTok' when he was president, but ultimately left it up to Congress, which he admitted was subject to lobbyists.

They are like extremely political and theyre extremely subject to people called lobbyists who happen to be very talented, very good, and very rich, he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hit back at President Joe Biden on Monday morning laying out his own red line in Gaza.

He has seen gaps emerge in the relationship with his strongest ally as Biden has urged him to think twice before launching the next phase of his assault on the Hamas terror group in Rafah, one of the last places were civilians are able to shelter on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip.

'Look, it's either Israel or Hamas. There's no middle way. I mean, we have to have that victory,' he told 'Fox and Friends.'

'We can't have three quarters of a victory. We can't have two thirds of a victory because Hamas will reconstitute itself with these four battalions in Rafah, reconquer the Gaza Strip, and do the October 7 massacre over and over and over again.

'And for us, Israel, not merely for me, but the people of Israel that's a red line. We can't let Hamas survive.'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used an interview with 'Fox and Friends' to hit back at President Joe Biden on Monday morning laying out his own red line in Gaza

A man walks past placards with photos of hostages kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas from Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel

Netanyahu has seen world support for his offensive following the October 7 Hamas attack evaporate as the death toll in Gaza spirals beyond 30,000 people.

He is under intense pressure to allow in more aid as humanitarian agencies warn that starvation is taking hold of a population battered by five months of war.

Biden initially stood with Netanyahu as his strongest backer, supporting his war aims of destroying Hamas and arguing that a ceasefire would merely give the group a chance to rearm and reorganize.

But with other world leaders taking a tougher line against Israel, Biden has seen the left of his own party rebel.

On Saturday, he warned Netanyahu that his approach was undermining Israel's own interests and he spelled out a red line.

'[Netanyahu] has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas,' he told MSNBC in an interview.

'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... it's contrary to what Israel stands for. And I think it's a big mistake.'

The president was asked if there was any 'red line' for his support of Israel, such as the invasion of the city of Rafah.

Displaced Palestinians shelter in a tent camp, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist terror group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip

Israeli soldiers pray in front of an armoured fighting vehicle at an area near the border with the Gaza Strip, at an undisclosed location in southern Israel

'It is a red line, but I'm never going to leave Israel,' he said, refusing to cut off military sales to Israel.

His growing frustration with Netanyahu spilled into public view two days earlier after the State of the Union address.

He was caught on a hot mic describing how he had delivered tough words to the Israeli leader. 'I told him, Bibi, and don't repeat this, but you and I are going to have a 'come to Jesus' meeting,' he could be heard saying.

Netanyahu, who heads a far-right coalition with a shaky hold on power, hit back on Sunday and Monday in interviews with American media.

Planes drop humanitarian aid over Gaza Strip as the Israeli attacks and blockades continue to cause famine in Gaza City

Biden told MSNBC Saturday that the Israeli PM is 'hurting Israel' by killing so many civilians

The defense of Israel is still critical, President Joe Biden tells Jonathan Capehart. But there's red lines that if he crossescannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead. pic.twitter.com/0SAPJySAYS  MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 9, 2024

'We're going to do what is necessary to minimize civilian casualties, do the humanitarian aid, something that we believe in, but we have to destroy this terrorist Nazi army otherwise there's no future for anyone in the Middle East,' he said, promising not to 'get off the gas.'

And he added that it made no sense not to move into Rafah, where he said a quarter of Hamas' fighting force had taken shelter.

'They're there in Rafah. This would be equivalent to saying, you know, after the Allies fought back, gone through Normandy, went through Germany and you'd say well, we'll leave a quarter of the Nazi army in place that we won't go into Berlin, the last stronghold,' he said.

And he rejected Biden's red line outright in an interview with Politico. He said the Israeli Defense Forces would invade Rafah and that most of the Arab world backed the move.

'We'll go there,' he said. 'We're not going to leave. You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is, that October 7 doesn't happen again. Never happens again.'
Sir John Major today blasted Tory MPs seeking to topple Rishi Sunak and install a fourth different prime minister since the 2019 general election.

The ex-premier, who led the Conservatives between 1990 to 1997, hit out at Tory 'malcontents' seeking to continue the party's infighting of recent years.

In a swipe at the turbulence seen at Westminster, Sir John said it was not 'conducive to high morale or good government'.

He lashed out at ex-PM Liz Truss's sacking of the Treasury's top civil servant when she entered No10, while he also did not spare Mr Sunak as he criticised his Rwanda asylum plan.

It came as Sir John teamed up with fellow former PM Gordon Brown to back calls for an overhaul of how Britain is run.

He claimed the UK's system of Cabinet government had become 'too large and cumbersome'.

Sir John Major blasted Tory MPs seeking to topple Rishi Sunak and install a fourth different prime minister since the 2019 general election

Sir John teamed up with fellow former PM Gordon Brown to back calls for an overhaul of how Britain is run

Speaking at the launch of a new report by the Institute for Government, Sir John said 'power is safest when it is spread around' as he called for decentralisation.

Commenting on the thinktank's year-long 'Commission On The Centre Of Government', he added: 'I strongly agree with the commission's first principle of maximum delegation from the centre departments to public bodies to local governments.

'In a democracy, power is safest when it is spread around, and if we fail to delegate, we waste rich resources of manpower and experience in every part of our political and administrative system.'

He agreed the Cabinet - which is now attended by 32 ministers - has become 'too large and cumbersome'.

But Sir John said there were 'practical drawbacks to a formal inner cabinet' proposed by the report, saying it would alienate those who are excluded.

'The commission's objective of a smaller decision-making body to advise Cabinet could be achieved by appointing an informal cabinet sub-committee of appropriate ministers, or ad hoc meetings chaired by the prime minister,' he added.

Sir John Major criticised some of his successors in Downing Street with a swipe at Mr Sunak's Rwanda policy and Ms Truss's sacking of top Treasury official Sir Tom Scholar.

'Let me be clear about this: Three prime ministers in one Parliament, with a few malcontents seeking a fourth, does not help the perception of the centre of government,' he said.

'Nor does a Supreme Court ruling that the Government has broken the law.

'Nor is it a good optic when ministers indulge in public arguments, openly blame or, in one or two occasions, insult their civil servants.

'Or when they favour the advice of often inexperienced political advisers over that of civil servants with years of specialist experience and knowledge.

'Or when they sack senior civil servants who offer candid advice, which simply did not suit the Government's thinking.'

Sir John added: 'None of that conduct is conducive to high morale or good government.

'Politics needs changes to create and project a far more effective and trusted system.'

Mr Brown, who was PM between 2007 to 2010 and Chancellor for the previous 10 years, warned Britain was facing a 'make-or-break decade for our economy'.

'Our growth levels are half what they were in the last two or three decades. Our productivity levels are now lower,' he said in a speech at the thinktank event.

'The growth rate is now lower than it was at any time. Academics tell me since the industrial revolution, investment in this country is far lower as a percentage of national income from almost all our major competitors.

'The regional economic inequalities in our country are now so serious that they demand urgent action. And of course as a result of that, standards of living for people in this country are continuing to fall.

'There has got to be a turnaround strategy. We cannot govern in the way we have been doing if we are going to make this a decade when we can see an economic recovery.

'We need to think with almost military precision about how we can put our economy on a war footing so that we are in a position to solve the problems I've just identified.'

The former Labour premier also argued the Treasury must be an 'economic department' as well as a finance one and cannot withdraw into a 'comfort zone' in which it focuses solely on balancing the books and reducing the national debt.
The Miami-born adult film star, 26, was found 'unresponsive' on March 1 by family members inside her home

Her modeling agency posted the update about her death to X on March 9

Sophie Leone's death 'is being investigated as a robbery and homicide'

Porn star Sophia Leone's death is being investigated as a murder, according to her modeling agency.

The Miami-born adult film star, 26, was found 'unresponsive' on March 1 by family members inside her home.

The LA-based modeling agency, 101 Modeling, that handled some of Leone's bookings, has posted updates to social media about her sudden death.

In a post to X from March 9, the agency said: 'To be clear, Sophia death is being investigated as a robbery and homicide.

'We're going to take time off social media because this is difficult. But we do appreciate seeing the stories from people who knew her. We all agree she was a sweetheart, kind, and gentle. We all love her.'

Details of the investigation have not been released. DailyMail.com contacted the Albuquerque Police Department for comment.

In their a recent post to X Sophia Leone's modeling agency said: 'To be clear, Sophia death is being investigated as a robbery and homicide'

'Sophia was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend,' her stepfather Mike Romero wrote on the crowdfunding page

Leone 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.

A GoFundMe donation page has raised more than $13,000 as of Monday morning, with an original goal of $12,000 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.'

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

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.'

A Gofundme donation page has raised more than $13,000 as of Monday morning, with an original goal of $12,000 as devastated friends and colleagues reacted to her sudden death

The Miami-born model had more than 300,000 followers on Instagram alone

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.

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.'
This is the heartwarming moment college students surprise the security guard they know as 'Unc' with a trip to Nigeria - giving him his first chance in a decade to visit family.

Brandon Reichert, a freshman at Rhode Island's Providence College, created a GoFundMe for his building's overnight security guard, James, who the students refer to as 'Unc.'

In a TikTok post, sophomore Daniel Singh, Reichert and their dormmates joined together to present James with the $3,000 they had raised.

There was not a dry eye in the room when James dropped to his knees, overwhelmed with emotion.

'This was unexpected,' James told the students in the video. 'I don't know how much I can thank you guys. I pray from the bottom of my heart that God will continue to protect you guys to make sure that you achieve your goals.'

'We started together, and I want to make sure we finished together by God's grace.'

Brandon Reichert (pictured left), a freshman at Providence College in Rhode Island, created a GoFundMe for his building's overnight security guard, James. The money was then given to James so he could take a trip to his native Nigeria to visit family

There was not a dry eye in the room when James dropped to his knees, overwhelmed with emotion

'This was unexpected,' James told the students in the video . 'I don't know how much I can thank you guys. I pray from the bottom of my heart that God will continue to protect you guys to make sure that you achieve your goals'

Daniel Singh told WPRI about why the dorm wanted to donate to the GoFundMe

'[James is] just someone you're drawn toward,' Singh told local Fox affiliate WPRI.

'He's kind and compassionate. After a Friday night out, you come back and James is there and he's not tired, he's not sleeping. He's up and awake and ready to talk to you.'

Even though James was given the money, the donations haven't slowed. The students have raised nearly $25,000 - well past their initial $3,000 goal.

'He greets everybody with a smile and always welcomes conversations no matter what time of the night you run into him,' the fundraiser read.

'He has expressed how much he enjoys his job here at PC, and we would love to be able to allow him to visit his family. He does not know how much we appreciate him, and hope that this shows to him how much he means to our community.'

Providence College sophomore Daniel Singh giving a speech dedicated to James

James the overnight security guard at Providence College thanking the students for their generosity

Even though James was given the money, the donations haven't slowed. The students have raised nearly $25,000 - well past their initial $3,000 goal

'It just incredible to see how fast God works, especially in our community,' Reichert told WPRI. 'We never thought that number would be possible.'

Singh said he cannot believe how much traction the fundraiser gained.

'You have parents, cousins, relatives and other people donating that wouldn't even know who James is,' Singh said.

'It really speaks to how moving he is and how moving the community can be.'

The additional money raised will be given to James at the end of the school year in May to fund another trip, according to the GoFundMe.
Top Democrat Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said the Biden campaign is taking a 'risk' by being on TikTok.

President Biden has endorsed Krishnamoorthi's bill that he authored together with Rep. Mike Gallagher, but that hasn't stopped his campaign from using the popular video-sharing app.

'I don't want to instruct the president on how to campaign,' Krishnamoorthi said on 'CNN This Morning' on Monday. 'I don't have TikTok on my personal phone, it's banned from government devices. But I think people should just use it very cautiously right now.'

He added that politicians are taking a 'risk' by having the app on phones that also have their campaign data on them.

Top Democrat Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said the Biden campaign is taking a 'risk' by being on TikTok

'I personally think there's a risk if you put TikTok on your phone,' said Krishnamoorthi. 'It has access to your data and it is the CCP ultimately that's that has control over the algorithm.'

His comments come after TikTok sent chills down the spines of Americans when children were prompted by the app to call their local representatives and urge them not to vote for the new bill. Some said they could not access the app until they made the call.

Still, the bill passed through the Energy and Commerce Committee 50-0.

Krishnamoorthi said the calling campaign turned a lot of 'lean yeses' on the committee to solid yes votes.

'TikTok used the geolocation data of minor childrens' locations to then spread misinformation about the bill,' he said.

Just as other supporters of the bill have done, Krishnamoorthi insisted the legislation is not a 'ban' but forces the sale of TikTok from Chinese state-affiliated ByteDance.

If ByteDance refuses to sell TikTok, app stores and web hosting platforms would not be allowed to distribute it in the U.S.

President Biden has endorsed Krishnamoorthi's bill that he authored together with Rep. Mike Gallagher, but that hasn't stopped his campaign from using the popular video-sharing app

Even as the bill has garnered wide bipartisan support, former President Donald Trump muddied the waters for its passage in the House after he came out against the legislation.

The bill is expected to come up for a vote in the House this week under a process known as suspension - meaning it needs a two-thirds majority to pass.

Frankly, there are a lot of people on TikTok that love it, he said during an interview on CNBC on Monday. 'There are a lot of young kids on TikTok who will go crazy without it. There are a lot of users, theres a lot of good and theres a lot of bad with TikTok.'

The thing I dont like is that without TikTok youre going to make Facebook bigger and I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people along with a lot of the media, Trump said.

Trump reiterated his concerns that a TikTok ban would only make social media platforms like Facebook more powerful - and argued that other social networks also share data with China.

Theyre not so American, they deal in China and if China wants anything from them they will give it so thats a national security also, he said.

Last Thursday, Trump surprised conservatives after he voiced opposition to a TikTok ban.

If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business. I don't want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday. They are a true Enemy of the People!
Constance Marten today claimed her family accused her of having children to sell on the black market - as she told jurors that she and her lover planned to smuggle their baby daughter abroad.

The aristocrat, 36, and her 49-year-old lover Mark Gordon are accused of killing their fifth child Victoria by taking her on the run in January last year to prevent her being taken away by social services.

Victoria was later found dead in a Lidl bag for life and prosecutors claim she died from exposure after weeks in bitterly cold conditions. Marten claims the baby died asleep in her arms after one night of camping.

The couple met in 2014 and had four children in quick succession who were all eventually taken into care after Marten gave birth to their first child using an Irish accent pretending to be a traveller, jurors have heard.

The aristocrat claims this was because her family were opposed to her relationship and paying private investigators to follow her.

Constance Marten, 36, and her 49-year-old lover Mark Gordon are accused of killing their fifth child Victoria by taking her on the run in January last year

Marten's brother Tobias Marten and her mother Virginie de Selliers arrive at the Old Bailey earlier in the trial

Marten's father is Napier Marten, who is seen here in a photo from social media

Follow every detail of the case on The Mail's acclaimed podcast The Trial The Trial takes listeners behind the headlines and into the courtrooms of some of the biggest criminal cases in the world. The first series, 'The Trial of Lucy Letby' received more than 13million downloads. Season two focused on the murder of Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old teacher from Ireland. Season three followed the case of the murder of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old teenager. Season four will follow the evidence as the jury hears it in twice weekly reports from The Daily Mail's news reporter, Jack Hardy, and broadcast journalist, Caroline Cheetham. They will take you into the courtroom to bring you the details as the evidence unfolds, to examine key moments and to carry out exclusive interviews with detectives, victims, and experts. Advertisement

Prosecutor Joel Smith asked Marten: 'Do you remember what you were doing when you found out you were pregnant with Victoria?'

She replied: 'I'm not sure what the relevance of that question is.'

Marten was told to answer the question.

'I would have been on the toilet,' said Marten.

Mr Smith asked: 'Do you remember which house you were in, what you were up to?'

Marten replied: 'I was in Greenwich. I was in a house in Greenwich.'

Marten went on to say that her children were taken away from her 'illegally...'

She said: 'It is abhorrent. My children were stolen from me by the state, there is no other way to say it.'

She said that she wanted to go abroad illegally with Victoria so that the baby could spend the first three months of her life with her mother.

'Our plan was to go abroad to get Victoria away from the services and my family,' she explained.

'Unfortunately there were preventatives to me going abroad.'

Marten claimed that a family member had got a court order which banned her from leaving the country.

'They had the full backing of the state to do that,' she told jurors.

'They said that I was bearing children to sell on the black market, that I was a drug addict. Those accusations are wholly unfounded.'

Giving evidence today, Marten told the jury that after finding out she was pregnant with her fifth child, the plan was to go abroad.

'Get away from this country and the services and my family but unfortunately there were preventatives from going abroad,' she said.

She believed there was a travel ban in place against her after a 'private' High Court case in 2019, the court heard.

Marten claims her family were opposed to her relationship with Gordon (pictured) and paid private investigators to follow her

Marten and Gordon at the Old Bailey in a court sketch by Elizabeth Cook

Asked how they were going to get abroad, Marten said: 'We were going to find some people to smuggle us abroad illegally.'

She told jurors that there were 'plenty of people' she could have found who would have been willing to help get Victoria abroad, naming advertising and community website Gumtree as one of the places to look.

Asked where she was going to go, she initially told the court she 'would rather keep that private' but then said 'anywhere in Europe away from here'.

Marten told jurors that 'plan B' was to stay in the UK and 'lay low'.

Asked to elaborate on the plan to remain in the UK, Marten said: 'I probably would not have stayed over here.

'I wanted to keep her at least until she was three months old and then give her to a carer who could then try and get her abroad.'

She told the court she would have paid the person to get Victoria out of the UK.

'It would have been a carer, a nanny or something,' she added. 'If there is a will there is a way, you can always find someone to help.'

She insisted she would have 'spent time with them' before entrusting them with her child.

Marten said the plan was to find someone prepared to register Victoria under their own name.

She told the court earlier that she would not have been able to register her daughter's birth without alerting the authorities and that she planned to use private medical care on Harley Street if her daughter ever needed medical attention instead of registering her with the NHS.

Challenged on how getting someone else to register the baby's birth may have been difficult, Marten said: 'I am sure these things are doable. I will do anything to save my children.'

In footage shown during the trial, Marten is seen keeping the baby under her coat before unzipping it and exposing her in east London on January 7

Marten also told the court she believed people were following them and tampering with their cars, saying that she found 'GPS trackers' under the vehicles and 'every single one of our cars has just stopped in the middle of the motorway'.

The couple abandoned their car after it burst into flames near Bolton, Greater Manchester, on January 5 last year and were finally arrested in Brighton a few weeks later on February 27.

The couple had refused to answer officers' urgent questions about where their baby was and whether she was alive or dead.

Her remains were found by police in a Lidl bag inside a shed on a nearby allotment on March 1 2023.

Last week, Marten described how Victoria was born at a rental cottage on Christmas Eve 2022 and died last January 9.

On how Victoria died, she said: 'I had her in my jacket and when I woke up my head was on the floor. And when I was sitting up and when I woke up she was not alive.'

She told jurors her children meant the world to her and she had done nothing to Victoria 'but show her love'.

The defendants, of no fixed address, deny manslaughter by gross negligence, perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty and causing or allowing the death of a child.
A catfishing pervert, who blackmailed young children into sending naked photos, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a 12-year-old girl who killed herself after being a victim of his abuse.

Alexander McCartney, from Newry, County Down, abused more than 60 youngsters during a horrific online child abuse campaign that spanned five years.

The 25-year-old used a fake identity to commit online abuse, exploitation and blackmail of children.

The victim of manslaughter was not from the UK and cannot be named for legal reasons after law changes in Northern Ireland meant that sexual offence victims would remain anonymous for 25 years after their death.

She killed herself in 2018.

Alexander McCartney (pictured), from Newry, County Down, abused more than 60 youngsters during a horrific online child abuse campaign that spanned five years

A reporting restriction previously meant that media could not cover McCartney's guilty pleas but this was lifted at Belfast Crown Court (pictured) today

Youngsters from the UK as well as both the US and New Zealand were targeted by the pervert during the period from 2013 to 2019, the BBC reports.

A large investigation into McCartney commenced in 2018 after reports of blackmail over Snapchat were made to police in Scotland.

Investigators searched the pervert's home and confiscated his mobile phone and computer.

On these devices police found thousands of pictures of young girls in 'various states of dress and undress, performing various sexual acts'.

McCartney had told a girl, different to the manslaughter victim, that if she did not do what he asked he would post an image of her online, a court heard at an unsuccessful bail application.

Police soon discovered dozens more people who had been victims of the pervert's grim campaign of abuse.

A reporting restriction previously meant that media could not cover McCartney's guilty pleas but this was lifted at Belfast Crown Court today.

Mr Justice O'Hara confirmed that the court would re-convene in May for the sentencing and called for 'a comprehensive list of all the offences compiled person-by-person'.

He said: 'That'll show the timescale and the number of girls to who it happened.

'This is going to be a very complex sentencing exercise.'

McCartney has pleaded guilty to 59 counts of blackmail on top of the manslaughter charge, as well as dozens of charges relating to making and distributing indecent photographs.

There were also 70 charges made against the pervert, who has been on remand at Maghaberry Prison since his first court appearance in July 2019, of inciting children to engage in sexual activity.

Susie Hargreaves, chief executive of the Internet Watch Foundation which fights child sexual abuse imagery, told Metro: 'The online coercion and abuse of children costs lives.

A large investigation into McCartney commenced in 2018 after reports of blackmail over Snapchat were made to police in Scotland

'Children who are blackmailed by these selfish, cowardly abusers are dying, and it is real.

'These childrens lives are torn apart by the cruelty of abusers who extort them for their own vile purposes.'

For help and support contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org
New York governor Kathy Hochul has banned the National Guard from carrying rifles at bag check stations on the subway, after complaints they made the city looked like a 'war zone.'

The ban comes after the Democrat stationed 750 national guard members at the Big Apple's busiest stations in a bid to clamp down on the rampant violence rocking the network.

It came into effect on Friday, after images of the servicemen holding the assault weapons started making the rounds online and sparking backlash that Hochul was militarizing the subway.

While the guards will no longer hold long guns at the check points, some guardsmen will still hold them at certain postings throughout the subway.

Hochul's decision follows criticism by city officials who took issue with the show of state force on the subway.

New York governor Kathy Hochul has banned the National Guard from carrying rifles at bag check stations on the subway, after complaints they made the city looked like a 'war zone'

The ban comes after the Democrat stationed 750 national guard members at the Big Apple's busiest stations in a bid to clamp down on the rampant violence

NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell wrote on X: 'Our transit system is not a war zone!'

NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell wrote on X: 'Our transit system is not a war zone! Bag checks have been around since 2005??? I have a solution. Lets try this.

'When we arrest recidivists we arraign, indict , prosecute and incarcerate.'



Meanwhile, police Commissioner Bernie Kerik said on X: 'This is all a farce! Youre going to harass law abiding citizens, and the thugs carrying a 40 cal, or 9 mm, walk right by you because theyre not carrying a bag!

'Stop the theater! Repeal or eliminate bail reform, lock up the thugs and sentence to the max. The NYPD knows their job! Give them the tools and laws they need to do the job and we wouldnt have this problem!

'This isnt brain surgery. Weve done this before, and we did it better than anyone in the country. It can be done with the right leadership! Crime is up in New York, because the governor is scared to death to pi** off the radical left, endangering communities and endangering our cops!'

Hochul has partnered with Mayor Eric Adams, who announced he was bringing back bag checks for subway riders on Wednesday after a 13 percent crime spike.

Bag checks were first brought in on the subway following the 2005 London bombings.

Hochul has partnered with Mayor Eric Adams, who announced he was bringing back bag checks for subway riders on Wednesday after a 13 percent crime spike

Subway crime has been on the rise of late, with 2023 showing the most subway assaults since 1996. Hochul (L), with State Police Acting Superintendent Steven James (C) and Adjutant General of the New York National Guard Major General Ray Shields (R)

The policy appears reminiscent of New York's previous stop-and-frisk searches on the street, which were ruled unconstitutional almost a decade ago.

'My No. 1 priority is the safety of all New Yorkers,' Hochul said.

'If people are anxious in any aspect of their lives, particularly the lifeblood of our regiondownstate does not function without a healthy subway system that people have confidence inI have to do this for them.'

Recent criminal activity on the trains making headlines include a cellist who was bludgeoned over the head by a stranger wielding a water bottle as he performed, as well as a shooting that killed one and injured five others.

Hochul further cited a subway conductor who had his throat slashed as among the 'fever' sweeping the transport system. The conductor survived thanks to the quick thinking of a doctor who was on board.

She also mentioned another MTA conductor who was hit on the head with a glass bottle as further evidence of the dire situation.

There will be 94 bag screening teams sent to 136 stations each week, though the exact locations will be determined. The city is also reviewing technology to detect metal objects entering the transit system.

Hochul was pressed on the five-point plan she announced on Wednesday aimed at tackling the spike violent subway crimes

The policy appears reminiscent of New York's previous stop-and-frisk searches on the street, which were ruled unconstitutional almost a decade ago

Screening teams will be able to check bags of any passenger for weapons under the policy that has long been dormant.

The national guardsmen join an additional 1,000 cops stationed in subways by Adams following a 45 percent increase in major crimes in January compared to the same time last year.

Knives, box cutters, clubs and guns are reportedly among the weapons the NYPD is searching for.

Subway crime has been on the rise of late, with 2023 showing the most subway assaults since 1996. There have been three homicides on the rails to start the year, compared to none at this point last year.

The Transit Workers Union slammed their bosses at the MTA for failing to protect them.

'We stand ready to assist Local 100 as they confront this plague of violence - and transit executives who are either inept or indifferent to the harm inflicted on their own employees day and night,' said TWU President John Samuelsen.

'On workplace safety, the MTA has been an abysmal failure. Assaults against transit workers in the subway increased nearly 60 percent last year.'
Pre-K student Claire Dcosta plays in a doll house dressed as a doctor at Farias Early Childhood Center on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Houston. Houston ISD is now accepting applications from families who want to enroll their child in pre-K this fall. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer An Houston ISD employee wears a district shirt on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 at Patterson Elementary School in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

While Houston ISD has recently seen a sharp decline in student enrollment, it remains the top option for tens of thousands of families.

Those looking to join the states largest public school district and enroll their child for the first time in their zoned HISD K-12 campus can do so year-round as long as they have the proper documents and as long as there is space at the campus. Parents can also apply to enroll their children in the districts pre-K programs  which are free under certain criteria  by filling out an application before late April.

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If youre looking to enroll your child in Houston ISD, heres what you need to know about the process:

How do I find the best HISD school for my child?

Parents can look up the location of their zoned elementary, middle and high school with HISDs School Finder, as well as information about other campuses in the district. The interactive map lists a schools hours, accountability rating, demographics, extracurriculars and other information about the campus.

You can also contact your neighborhood school or HISDs student enrollment department at 713-556-4826 or enroll@HoustonISD.org for more information.

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What do you need to enroll in K-12 schools if youre new to HISD?

Parents or guardians will need a form of ID, such as a drivers license and passport, as well as an ID for their child, like a birth certificate or Social Security card. Theyll also need the childs immunization records, proof of address and a report card or transcript from the last school the child attended.

The district will not deny a students enrollment if parents dont have all the documents, but their enrollment will be provisional until all documentation is submitted. Parents must submit the documents within the first 30 days of enrollment, although they have 60 more days if their child was born outside of the U.S.

How do I apply to newly enroll in my zoned neighborhood K-12 school?

You can apply online or in-person to enroll. To apply online, youll need to create an account on HISD Connect, which is the districts Student Information System.

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You can access the online enrollment application once you sign in, where youll have to upload images of your required enrollment documents.

You can also go directly to your zoned school with all the required documents, where staff members can help you with the enrollment and registration process, according to HISDs website.

How do I enroll a child in HISDs pre-K program for the first time?

HISD opened the pre-K application on Wednesday, which parents must fill out if they want to newly enroll their children in pre-K in their zoned campus. Parents can fill out Phase 1 of the application through April 22, and theyll hear back about results on May 10.

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You can find the full list of the districts schools that offer pre-K on its website, including early childhood centers and campuses that offer dual language programs. The district also offers a map with all the pre-K campuses and programs offered during the current school year, which lists the number of available seats and other information about the campus. In some cases, the grade level might be full  or capped and your child might be asked to enrol in a nearby school.

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Is my child eligible to attend pre-K in HISD for free?

Families can enroll their 3- and 4-year-old students in pre-K for free if they live within HISD boundaries and meet certain requirements. Students who dont meet eligibility requirements must pay tuition, which was about $6,500 for the 2023-24 school year, or nine payments of $720.45 each month.

Children can qualify for free pre-K if they are homeless, in foster care or economically disadvantaged based on the districts income chart. They also will qualify if they meet criteria for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the Texas Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

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The Princess of Wales has been pictured alongside Prince William leaving Windsor Castle today - just hours after she apologised for digitally editing a family portrait released on Mother's Day.

The Prince of Wales was heading to Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day service this afternoon with his wife beside him.

But rather than an extraordinary return to royal duties, MailOnline understands that Kate was heading to a private appointment instead.

It is not known where the Princess of Wales was going, but it was clearly on her husband's route into central London because he arrived alone for the 2.45pm service attended by senior royals including Queen Camilla and Princess Anne.

Kate had looked out of her window as William appeared to read some notes on his phone as they were swept out of the grounds of Windsor Castle in a blue Range Rover that later dropped William at the Abbey without her.

The mother-of-three was not expected to be seen in public until after Easter following abdominal surgery and two weeks in a private London hospital in January. Her surprise appearance came as wild online conspiracy theories swirled around the princess and her health.

It came as Kensington Palace came under increasing pressure to release the original Mother's Day photograph after the Princess of Wales apologised after she admitted she had edited the family portrait of herself sitting with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Experts told MailOnline it was changed using Photoshop and related AI tools.

Prince William leaves Windsor for Westminster Abbey this afternoon with his wife the Princess of Wales next to him

Kate was seen looking out of the window of the car as William looked like he was reading notes on his phone

A smiling Prince William walks into the Commonwealth Service this afternoon

Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

Kensington Palace yesterday released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery

Kate also posted the apology on the Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram account

The world's major photo agencies later 'killed' the picture after noticing signs of digital editing, including a missing part of Princess Charlotte's sleeve and the misaligned edge of her wrist and skirt, and the positioning of Kate's zip.

This morning the Princess of Wales gave an apology on social media. She said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day'. She signed it 'C' - for Catherine.

PR experts have described the Mother's Day photo fiasco as a 'massive own goal' and urged royal officials to release the unedited picture in a bid to regain the public's trust.

Kensington Palace had initially faced calls to reveal the truth behind the photo after the world's top picture agencies - including the Press Association - 'killed' the image over claims it had been digitally manipulated.

Kate this morning admitted she had edited the photograph and issued a personal apology 'for any confusion' it had caused. Sky News' analysis of the photo's metadata found the image was taken with a Canon camera and was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac. Other experts suggested she may have used an AI tool.

The photo of the mother-of-three beaming with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis was the first official picture released of the princess since she under went 'planned abdominal surgery' in January.

While the princess publicly took the blame for altering the photo, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the unedited photograph of Kate and her children.

PR expert Mark Borkowski said: 'It's plausible she's at home playing with the computer and using an AI tool, but if they're really going to regain any sort of trust they should release the unedited photo, it can't be that bad if they just made a few tweaks.

'I find they have risen to the challenge, provided the statement as an explanation - the question is with all the conspiracy theories running around, is whether people believe it and I'm not sure they will.'

Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

Queen Camilla and Prince William giggle as they walk the royals through the Abbey

Guests watch a video of King Charles delivering a message during the annual Commonwealth Day Service

Prince Edward and Princess Sophie are seen arriving at the Commonwealth Day service

Princess Anne smiles warmly as she enters Westminster Abbey

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, attend the Commonwealth Day Service

Geri Halliwell, 51, smiled at the cameras as she arrived at Westminster Abbey to take her seat

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden (L) and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron arrive

Mr Borkowski said the Mother's Day photo had exposed a public relations problem for the monarchy: 'That's the issue, there doesn't seem to be that much joined up strategic thinking at the heart of the Royal Family at the moment, which leads to these problems where it's a very difficult organisation to manage in terms of PR.'

He added: 'It's a nightmare, even the softer stories of Edward turning 60 this week haven't really resonated at all because no one's interested in them, they're interested in the stars they're not interested in the supporting cast and that is a problem at the moment.

'They are under pressure, massively under pressure, this is a massive own goal.'

Royal sources stressed this was 'an amateur, family photograph taken by the Prince of Wales'. It's understood it was taken in Windsor last week.

They said the couple wanted to offer an 'informal' picture of the family together for Mother's Day and the princess made 'minor adjustments'.

An aide added: 'The Wales family spent Mother's Day together and had a wonderful day.'

Sky News said an examination of the photo's metadata revealed it was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac on Friday and Saturday and the picture was taken on a Canon 5D mark IV, which retails at 2,929.99 and used a Canon 50mm lens, priced at 1,629.99.

The first save was made at 9.54pm on Friday night and the second was at 9.39am on Saturday morning. It is not clear if the two saves were on the same device. The Palace has not offered any further clarification about the edits.

It appears Charlotte's hand was copied over from another picture as there is an empty space where her sleeve should be (left). Kate's zip appears to be misaligned on the photo as the top of it is further left and appears significantly lighter than the rest of the zip (right)

Charlotte's hair seems to end abruptly on her shoulder (left) on her right despite her hair on the left going on for a few inches. The corner of Charlotte's skirt (right) was pointed out as another 'editing error' by social media sleuths

The controversy is set to overshadow the Commonwealth Day service, one of the key royal events of the year.

Heir to the throne William and the Queen will gather with the Royal Family in Westminster Abbey today in the absence of the King, who is continuing treatment for cancer during what has been a challenging start to 2024 for the Windsors.

READ MORE: Kensington Palace under pressure to release original Kate Mother's Day photo after Princess admits she edited the picture The Princess of Wales has admitted that she edited the Mother's Day portrait and apologised 'for any confusion' that it caused Advertisement

Graham Smith of the anti-monarchy group Republic said: 'Kate's statement answers no questions. We can all see the photo has been edited.

'The question is why? Why haven't they released the original photo?

'A statement parsed via the press office which says nothing and explains nothing shows a general disregard for the public...'

Earlier, Kate's uncle Gary Goldsmith defended the Waleses and claimed they would not have been responsible for altering the image.

The Celebrity Big Brother evictee said: 'Obviously the family wouldn't be the ones to do any touch-ups, so if that's gone through some filter before it's gone out to the broader world, but they wouldn't be doing photoshopping themselves.'

He told Good Morning Britain: 'The smiles on faces said it all for me, I thought it was beautiful.' Mr Goldsmith added: 'And this whole 'sleevegate' thing, just leave it alone.'

Royal author Omid Scobie, seen as a cheerleader for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, accused the Palace of having a 'long history of lying', and said gaining back public trust was now 'an almost impossible task'.

Scobie wrote on X that if it was an isolated incident, it was an 'unfortunate error'.

He added: 'But with the Palace's long history of lying, covering up, and even issuing statements on behalf of family members without their permission (cc: Prince Harry), it's becoming increasingly difficult for the public to believe a word (and now photo) they share.

'Gaining that back at this point is an almost impossible task.'

The princess is known to be a keen photographer and revealed in 2021 that she takes so many family photographs that her children sometimes object.

'Everyone's like, 'Mummy, please stop taking photographs',' she said.

It comes after PA - Britain's most respected news agency - this morning joined AP, AFP, Reuters, Getty Images and EPA in withdrawing the photo.

The UK's national news agency said it had been 'seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace' since it was released over claims it was digitally altered.

But in a sensational development this morning, PA revealed that it had now withdrawn the image 'in the absence of that clarification'.

A spokesman for PA said: 'Like other news agencies, PA Media issued the handout image provided by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales and her children in good faith yesterday.

'We became aware of concerns about the image and we carried a report about it last night, and made clear that we were seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace. In the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service.'

PA became the sixth news or picture agency to retract the photo.

The PA news agency said it had withdrawn the image of Kate from its picture service today

The image of Kate and her children, said by the palace to have been taken by Prince William, was posted on social media.

Without an official response from the palace, confusion around the image had fuelled online conspiracy theories about Kate which have swirled on the internet since her abdominal surgery.

Ahead of Kate making her statement, royal commentator Peter Hunt said: 'This is damaging for the royals. They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate.

'Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.'

The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.

But there was speculation that edits had been made to the left sleeve of Princess Charlotte's cardigan, and other areas of the picture also raised concerns about possible manipulation.

In the social media post, Kate thanked the public 'for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months'.

Within hours of the photo being shared around the world, multiple picture agencies issued a 'kill notification' - an industry term used to retract a photo previously handed out to publications.

Late on Sunday, the Associated Press became the first agency to 'kill' the photo over an 'inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand'.

While AP said there was no suggestion the photo was fake, it retracted it because it said on closer inspection, the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet the agency's photo standards.

AP said its editorial standards state that images must be accurate and that it does not use altered or digitally manipulated images.

The agency's news values and principles explain that minor photo editing, including cropping and toning and colour adjustments, are acceptable when necessary for clear and accurate reproduction and should maintain the authentic nature of the photograph.

Changes in density, contrast, colour and saturation levels that substantially alter the original scene are not acceptable. Backgrounds should not be digitally blurred or eliminated by burning down or by aggressive toning. The removal of 'red eye' from photographs is not permissible.

When AP determined the photo appeared to have been manipulated, it issued what is known as a 'photo kill,' an industry term that retracted the image and instructed clients to remove the photo from their systems.

As well as PA, five other picture agencies around the world have taken the extraordinary step of killing the photo of Princess Kate

'At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image,' the AP said in its advisory. 'No replacement photo will be sent.'

A second agency, Reuters, also withdrew the image 'following a post-publication review'. 'We are reviewing the matter,' a spokesperson said.

Reuters picture editors said part of the sleeve of Kate's daughter's cardigan did not line up properly, suggesting that the image had been altered.

The agency could not immediately establish how, why or by whom the alteration had been made.

AfP then followed suit by issuing a 'mandatory kill notice' before Getty Images became the fourth agency to retract the photograph. EPA this morning also issued the same 'mandatory kill'.

A spokesman for AfP said: 'It has come to light that the Handout issued by Kensington Palace today of Kate and the kids had been altered, therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems.'

A spokesman for Getty Images told Sky News: 'Earlier today our picture desk identified a problematic image provided to Getty Images by Kensington Palace. We can confirm the image in question was removed from our site in accordance with our editorial policy.'

Readers on X added a community note to a post from the Prince and Princess of Wales' account which shared the photo.

It said: 'This photo is believed to be digitally altered and as a result many major news outlets have pulled the image from their reports.'

The Princess of Wales has not been seen since she attended the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham

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 as Louis' middle finger was missing in the photo

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

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

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.

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.

Details of the princess's condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

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, temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children as she recovered.

He returned to royal duties in February and is expected to carry out an engagement linked to his Earthshot environmental prize on Monday, as well as accompanying the Queen at events to mark Commonwealth Day.

Earlier this month the Army was forced into an embarrassing about-turn after suggesting Kate would attend Trooping the Colour on June 8.

Tickets were being sold for the event, with Kate expected to attend in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, the regiment which is trooping its colour this year.

However, it is understood the Army did not seek approval from Kensington Palace before publishing the page, and the website was subsequently updated to remove the reference to her.
Queen Camilla and Prince William were seen sharing a giggle as they led the royals at today's Commonwealth Day Service while King Charles continues his recovery from cancer.

The Prince of Wales and the Queen appeared to put a day of royal chaos behind them as they were joined by Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey.

The heir to the throne was pictured leaving Windsor Castle with the Princess of Wales. However, she did not attend the service due to her continuing recovery from the 'planned abdominal surgery' she had in January.

MailOnline understands that Kate - who last stepped out with the Royal Family for the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham - was heading to a private appointment instead.

It came as Kensington Palace came under increasing pressure to release the original Mother's Day photograph after the Princess of Wales apologised after she admitted she had edited the family portrait of herself sitting with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Experts told MailOnline it was changed using Photoshop and related AI tools.

Queen Camilla and Prince William share a giggle as they lead the royals at Westminster Abbey

Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal watch a dance performance during the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London

Queen Camilla and Prince William attendedthe Commonwealth Day service in King Charles' absence

Prince William leaves Windsor for Westminster Abbey this afternoon with his wife the Princess of Wales next to him. She has not attended the Commonwealth Day service

Prince William leaves Westminster Abbey following this afternoon's service

Commander Rob Dixon, equerry to Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the 2024 Commonwealth Day Service

William chats to choirboys who were taking part in the high-profile event

William, dressed in a dark blue suit, could be seen speaking to guests at today's service.

The Prince of Wales chatted with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal as they waited near the Great West Door for the Queen to finish meeting people in the welcoming line.

The prince greeted Edward with a friendly pat on the arm and a kiss on both cheeks, before standing in conversation with his aunts and uncle.

As Camilla approached, William was seen to say 'hello' to his stepmother before moving forward to kiss her on both cheeks.

They smiled and chatted as they stood side by side ready for the national anthem to be played.

Outside Westminster Abbey, a handful of protesters had gathered with bright yellow placards bearing the slogan 'Down with the Crown'.

Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, said: 'The royals need to stop using the Commonwealth as a vehicle for their own PR.

'The platitudes we hear from Charles and Camilla only serve to paper over serious concerns about human rights abuses and a lack of democracy in many Commonwealth countries.

'The royal family funded, promoted and defended slavery for centuries, and then presided over an empire that caused untold damage to people's lives that continues to have an impact to this day.

'Reparations are a reasonable demand. As a hereditary monarch, Charles can hardly argue that what his ancestors did has nothing to do with him.'

Earlier today, the Princess of Wales publicly apologised after admitting editing the image William took of her and their children which was released by Kensington Palace to mark Mother's Day.

Kate said sorry with a statement on social media which read: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.

'I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.

'I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C.'

Prince William and Camilla smile together as the Commonwealth Day service begins

Guests watch a video of King Charles III delivering a message during the annual Commonwealth Day Service

William leaving the service, an annual celebration observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe

William alongside Prince Edward at the event, which is one of the most important dates in the royal calendar

William speaks with New Zealand singer Benson Wilson at the service

Camilla chats with some of the choristers following this afternoon's service in Westminster

The Queen walked side by side with the Prince of Wales in Westminster Abbey today

Geri Halliwell, 51, smiled at the cameras as she arrived at Westminster Abbey to take her seats among other high-profile guests, including Prince William

Prince Edward and Princess Sophie are seen arriving at the Commonwealth Day service

Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales attending the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales are leading the royals in the absence of their partners

Prince William adjusts his tie as he steps into Westminster Abbey on an eventful afternoon

William and Camilla are pictured walking through Westminster Abbey

The photograph of Kate and her children was the first to be issued since the princess's abdominal surgery and was released by the Palace to mark Mother's Day.

But it was withdrawn with a 'Kill' notice by international picture agencies hours later, and the UK's PA news agency on Monday, because of suspicions it had been manipulated.

Royal sources said the Princess of Wales made 'minor adjustments' and that Kate and the Prince of Wales wanted to offer an informal picture of the family together for Mother's Day.

'This was an amateur, family photograph taken by the Prince of Wales. Their Royal Highnesses wanted to offer an informal picture of the family together for Mother's Day,' the source said.

'The Princess made minor adjustments as she shared in her statement on social media, the Wales family spent Mother's Day together and had a wonderful day.'

Despite calls for the original to be published, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the unedited photograph of Kate and her children.

While Charles is unable to attend the service in person, he has thanked people for their 'wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes' over his cancer diagnosis in a video address to be played at Westminster Abbey.

In a royal first, he has recorded an address that will be played to the congregation, reflecting on the journey the Commonwealth has made since its inception in 1949.

In his absence, the family is being led by the Queen, William and an extended roster of royals including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

The King's video was filmed last month at Windsor Castle, one of the places where His Majesty has been recuperating.

He refers to the origins of the Commonwealth in the network of countries that once formed the British Empire, saying: 'The 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey our unique family of free and independent nations has made since 1949.

'Last year, the Bahamas celebrated its 50th anniversary of Independence, as Grenada has this year, and Papua New Guinea will next year.

'Each of these milestones  and many others like them  represent the fulfilment of countless aspirations and the achievement of such remarkable potential.

William chats with guests at the annual Commonwealth Day celebration

The Duchess of Edinburgh is pictured arriving at Westminster Abbey

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester attend the 2024 Commonwealth Day Service

Prince Edward arrives at Westminster Abbey

'And the Commonwealth's growth, with new members continuing to join our family of nations, demonstrates clearly that whilst we may not all have a shared history, we have common ambitions for a better future  working together to build resilience and respond to global challenges.'

In what many will interpret as a veiled reference to colonialism and slavery, the King referenced 'inequalities and injustices' of the past 'which still resonate today' and urged member nations to continue to 'find ways of healing'.

Referring to climate change, the loss of nature and the social and economic changes new technologies are bringing, he said: 'Our diversity means that these challenges affect us all differently and that we experience their impacts in different ways.

'Their seriousness, however, is common to each one of us. All of this means that we must work together to understand each other's perspectives, including the inequalities and injustices which still resonate to this day.

'We must find ways of healing, and to support each other to pursue solutions. I cannot say often enough that it is by coming together that we create the best chances to improve our world and the lives of people everywhere.'

The King concludes: 'In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth.'
Four people have been arrested in a murder-for-hire plot to kill an elderly woman and gain control of her sprawling California home because she was 'living too long.'

Violet Evelyn Alberts, 96, was found dead in her bed at her $5million mansion in May 2022. She had been making cookies for her birthday moments before she was killed.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff's deputies began investigating her death when they discovered a broken window inside her Montecito home.

Her body was first discovered by her caretaker. A medical examiner determined she died by asphyxiation and was smothered to death in her sleep.

Officials said on Thursday that her killing was a murder-for-hire scheme orchestrated by Pauline Macareno, 48, who had previously tried to con Alberts out of her home.

Harry Basmadjian, 58, Henry Rostomyan, 33 and Ricardo MartinDelCampo, 41, were also charged last week in connection to the murder.

Violet Evelyn Alberts was found dead in her bed at her Montecito mansion on May 27, 2022

Officials said her killing was a murder-for-hire scheme orchestrated by Pauline Macareno (pictured), who had previously tried to con Alberts out of her home

In 2020 Macareno had tried to gain control of Alberts assets, including her $5 million home (pictured), by committing financial elder abuse

'In the eyes of Pauline Macareno, Miss Alberts was living too long,' said Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown. 'The acceleration of her death is presumably what was behind the murder.'

Immediately after her death two years ago, detectives found little to no leads - but soon after, investigators started tracing a 'tangled web of financial exploitation.'

This led detectives to Macareno and three men.

During the investigation, they discovered MartinDelCampo and Rostomyan had conducted a scouting trip to Alberts home on May 24, 2022.

'This pivotal discovery shed light on the premeditated nature of the crime, underscoring the perpetrators' calculated efforts to survey Alberts's home and plan their vicious and reprehensible actions,' Brown said.

In June, the sheriff's office released photos of a white Porsche Cayenne they believed to connected to Alberts murder.

Police said they believed the driver had traveled from Los Angeles to Montecito on the night of the murder and the vehicle was seen entering and leaving Alberts property.

Macareno is currently in prison on a separate charge, Basmadjian was arrested on January 2, Rostomyan was arrested on February 27 and MartinDelCampo was arrested on March 5, 2024.

Brown said in 2020 Macareno had tried to gain control of Alberts assets by committing financial elder abuse.

Macareno was 'referred' to Alberts, who needed additional money after she 'aged out' of her savings, according to the sheriff.

'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 otherwise,' said Brown.

Harry Basmadjian, Henry Rostomyan and Ricardo MartinDelCampo were also charged in connection to the murder

'She needed some additional money and she was approached by Pauline Macareno with the scheme to sell her a reverse-mortgage.'

Macareno is currently serving a six year sentence in state prison for fraud charges related to Alberts' case.

She was convicted for using a real estate scheme to convince Alberts to transfer the title of her home to herself.

The sheriff said Alberts was making cookies for her birthday before she died and the ingredients for those cookies were found in the table when police arrived.

Brown said Alberts was a 'vibrant 96-year-old widow' and a 'cherished figure' in the community.

'Violet relied on her friendships and connections within the neighborhood, through which she achieved a sense of belonging with a tight knit community,' Brown said.

'Despite facing challenges with her memory and cognition, Violet's spirit remained undaunted.'

In June, the sheriff's office released photos of a white Porsche Cayenne they believed to connected to Alberts murder

Police said they believed the driver had traveled from Los Angeles to Montecito on the night of the murder and the vehicle was seen entering and leaving Alberts property

'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,' he said.

Rostomyan and MartinDelCampo are currently being held at the Santa Barbara County Jail without bail on charges of murder and conspiracy to murder.

Basmadjian was arrested for similar charges while being held in federal custody on an unrelated charge.

He has subsequently suffered a life-threatening medical emergency that left him totally incapacitated with a grim prognosis, according to the sheriff's office.

Montecito, a lavish enclave outside of Santa Barbara, is home to some of the world's most famous and wealthy people - including the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Oprah, and Ellen DeGeneres.

The suspects have a court hearing scheduled for March 14.
Midwives who delivered a baby that died two weeks after birth had never heard of a rare condition caused by the mother drinking seven litres of fluid during labour, an inquest has heard.

Mother Robyn Davis, 28, said she took on the fluid but was unable to pee after going into labour during a low risk planned home birth.

Her son Orlando was born with no heartbeat and suffered severe brain damage on September 10, 2021, after undergoing an emergency caesarean section.

He died two weeks later in intensive care at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Mrs Davis, from Steyning, West Sussex, suffered life changing injuries and was put into a coma for three days following a number of seizures at Worthing Hospital.

Baby Orlando suffered severe brain damage and was born with no heartbeat. He died two weeks later in intensive care at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton

Robyn Davis said she took on the fluid but was unable to pee after going into labour during a low risk planned home birth. Pictured: Robyn with her husband Jonny

Mrs Davis is suing the hospital in a separate case of assisted by birth injury. Pictured: Orlando Davis with this mother Robyn Davis

Mrs Davis, a trained midwife who had worked in the same baby unit where she was taken, is now accusing her former colleagues of negligence.

Along with her husband Jonny, Mrs Davis is suing the hospital in a separate case helped by birth injury specialist Laura Cook, of CL Medilaw.

What is hyponatraemia? Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells. When the sodium in your body to become diluted, your body's water levels rise, and your cells begin to swell. This swelling can cause many health problems, from mild to life-threatening. Hyponatremia treatment is aimed at resolving the underlying condition. Depending on the cause of hyponatremia, you may simply need to cut back on how much you drink. In other cases of hyponatremia, you may need intravenous electrolyte solutions and medications. Source: Mayo Clinic Advertisement

A spokesman for CL Medilaw said medics had 'failed' to monitor Mrs Davis's fluid consumption and urine output during labour 'despite identified concerns'.

Mrs Davis said her fluid levels were not monitored resulting in hyponatraemia - defied as low sodium levels in the blood which can be caused drinking too much water.

After one phone call to the maternity unit, Mrs Davis, was encouraged to drink more to bring down Orlando's raised heart rate.

When Orlando's beats per minute went up again, the decision was taken to move the birth to the maternity unit at Worthing Hospital.

Three midwives who saw Mrs Davis at home said they had no concerns over her condition.

Laura Williams who was on duty at the delivery suite in Worthing Hospital said the decision to bring Mrs Davis in was based on the foetal heart rate.

The midwife said she took a call from another midwife at 6.35pm on September 9, 2021.

'She had a concern about foetal heart rate.

'It was a little bit raised.

'I asked if everything else was normal.

'I was told all was within normal limits, baby was very active.'

Raised foetal heart rate can be caused by dehydration, the inquest heard.

'I asked if she was worried about anything else and she said No.

'I advised her to drink 500ml of fluids,' Laura Williams said.

Asked if she had ever heard of hyponatraemia, the midwife said: 'No, I'd never heard of hyponatraemia.

Robyn, from Steyning, West Sussex, suffered life changing injuries and was put into a coma for three day following a number of seizures at Worthing Hospital

Orlando Davis was the second baby for Jonny and Robyn Davis. The family were hoping the inquiry would identify what led Orlando to suffer a fatal brain injury

Orlando had a raised foetal heart rate and was brought into Worthing Hospital from home to be born

'At the time there was no policy in place to manage fluid balance in labour.

'After I got off the phone, I relayed the conversation to the co-ordinator who agreed with my assessment.

READ MORE: Midwife whose newborn baby died at NHS hospital where she had worked after home birth went wrong accuses former colleagues of negligence Advertisement

'I thought it was result of baby being really active.'

Orlando's heart rate went back to the agreed baseline.

At 9.25pm, when his heart started beating faster again, the decision was taken to call paramedics and make arrangements with the delivery suite for the birth to be moved to Worthing Hospital.

Mrs Davis started to have seizures after being admitted to Worthing Hospital.

They led to her being placed in a coma.

She came out of the coma after three days but said it was not until she was transferred to see her son the following day that she found out how seriously ill he was.

Orlando, who was the couples second child, was transferred to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after being born with no heartbeat.

He was left severely brain damaged and died in his parents arms after 14 days.

Worthing Hospital's policy on monitoring fluid balance has changed since Orlando's death, the court heard.

Orlando with his father Jonny after the birth

In a statement read to the the court in Chichester previously, Mrs Davies said she did not feel 'safe' during the labour at the hospital she used to work at. Pictured: The funeral of Orlando Davis

In a statement read to the the court in Chichester previously, Mrs Davies said she did not feel 'safe' during the labour at the hospital she used to work at.

She told the hearing she had previously worked as a midwife at the hospital but had left after four or five months because of the levels of 'stress, poor staffing and lack of support' for the midwifery team.

She said she had opted for a home birth with a birthing pool following the advice of her midwife.

Mrs Davis felt she had not been listened to by the midwives when she raised concerns about her fluid intake and the position of the baby.

She said: 'I proceeded to keep saying 'Something is wrong'. It felt like I was trapped, that, although I knew I was declining so rapidly, I was unable to think how I could help myself, such as asking to go to hospital.

'Every time I said something was wrong the midwives never investigated this further.'

Edes House, where the Chichester inquest is being heard

She said: 'I could not stop crying and having panic attacks. I could not understand that Orlando was this catastrophically ill that he was going to die.

'I can't explain the sadness, frustration, anger and complete heartbreak I felt and still feel towards the Trust for not keeping us safe.

'As a parent I can't explain how horrendous hearing that news that it's in your child's best interest to die; to also be faced with agreeing to end your child's life is the biggest scar you can ever imagine.'

She said she had been 'haunted psychologically' at having watched her son die, and added: 'My life is ruined because of this. I just keep telling myself that for Orlando it is the kindest thing we could do.'

Mrs Davis continued: 'The thing I cannot process is that I have lost my healthy, full-term son. I feel as if my son was taken from me in a circumstance that, in my personal and professional opinion, was completely preventable.

'This is agony to live with. This is because I can't help but relive the moments of constantly expressing something wasn't right during labour multiple times.

Orlando was born at Worthing Hospital in West Sussex (pictured)

The newborn died two weeks later in intensive care at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton (pictured)

'It is also a sickening feeling that no-one picked up on how poorly I was for hours and hours despite expressing it.'

A spokesman for CL Medilaw said that the family were hoping the inquiry would identify what led Orlando to suffer a fatal brain injury, what action could have been taken to avoid his death, and what learnings have been made since.

He said: 'There was an excessive imbalance of fluid intake which went unrecognised, causing Robyn to suffer seizures, necessitating an emergency Caesarean section to deliver Orlando, who was starved of oxygen, and Robyn was put in an induced coma in intensive care for several days.

'Robyn has been left with chronic ongoing health issues, and both her and Jonny have been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of their horrendous experience.'

Coroner Penelope Schofield previously told the hearing: 'I appreciate the family are incredibly angry and distressed, as one would expect, following the death of their son, Orlando.

'This is not a rehearsal of the civil proceedings, and I have to take into account the impact this case will have, not only on the family but on the witnesses whose careers may be at risk.'

Chief nurse Maggie Davies, of the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said ahead of the hearing: 'We wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to Orlando's family at this hugely difficult time.

'We will be doing all we can to assist the coroner and the family to understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic loss of their baby boy.'

The inquest in Chichester continues.
Geri Halliwell has been spotted today attending the Commonwealth Day Service in London - as her husband Christian Horner remains mired in scandal.

The former Spice Girl, 51, smiled at the cameras as she arrived at Westminster Abbey to take her seats among other high-profile guests, including Prince William.

Halliwell recently returned from the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, where she was once again seen at her husband's side in a highly public show of support.

Horner's position as Red Bull team principal has been the subject of intense speculation after he was accused of 'inappropriate behaviour' by a female employee before the start of the 2024 season.

An investigation cleared Horner, before he hit the headlines again after alleged messages to the complainant were divulged to a number of media outlets and F1 figures.

Geri Halliwell, 51, smiled at the cameras as she arrived at Westminster Abbey to take her seats among other high-profile guests, including Prince William

The former Spice Girl has had a torrid few weeks due to the scandal engulfing her husband

Halliwell wore a white jacket and a white pillbox hat by Jane Taylor to today's event in London, which is attended by some of the country's best known figures

Horner was seen holding Halliwell closely in Jeddah as Red Bull cruised to another victory

The woman who accused Horner of coercive behaviour was last week suspended from her role at Red Bull as a direct result of the investigation after being told her evidence was 'dishonest'.

But in a new development, reported by The Sun, she has appointed new lawyers and is now planning to appeal the verdict that exonerated him.

A source quote by the outlet claimed: 'Christian and Geri are braced for more fireworks but a thorough investigation has already found in his favour.

'The woman's honesty has been called into question and her evidence was shown to be flawed.'

On Sunday, Horner received hundreds of comments from baffled fans after he posted a Mother's Day message to Halliwell.

Fans claimed the timing of his message was 'strategic' amid his 'sex texts' scandal and branded him 'stupid' for not disabling comments on his Instagram.

He shared photos of his wife to mark Mother's Day, along with a heartfelt tribute to her in the caption.

He wrote: 'Happy Mother's Day - So appreciative of the mums in our family for everything they do. We're always grateful, today and every day.'

It comes after yet another extraordinary weekend for Red Bull, with the team claiming a second successive 1-2 in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix despite the ongoing scandal.

Halliwell smiling as she walked up the steps of Westminster Abbey this afternoon

The pop star was seen chatting to attendees after stepping out of her car

On Sunday, Horner received hundreds of comments from baffled fans after he posted a Mother's Day message to Halliwell

Geri Halliwell pictured arriving at the Saudi Grand Prix to show support for her husband

Halliwell also accompanied Horner on race day in Bahrain last week in another defiant show of support

Dr Helmut Marko said Horner's suspension was now ruled out after talks with the energy drinks company's head of sport

Horner embraced Max Verstappen after his win at the Saudi Grand Prix

Max Verstappen claimed his second win in two races in 2024 and his ninth consecutive victory dating back to September.

Leading team-mate Sergio Perez to a Red Bull one-two, it continued the crushing superiority Verstappen has had over the Formula 1 field for nearly two years - but talk quickly turned to the Dutchman's future.

Horner had been seen arguing with the driver's father Jos - who wants him to leave - in midweek after the team boss was accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a female member of staff.

Afterwards Horner told Sky Sports: 'Obviously, a lot is made of this stuff. But we are one team, and nobody is bigger than the team.

'This team comprises, over the different entities of over 1,400 people, and everybody has a role to play. That's from the very bottom to the very top and without them achieving you don't get performances like this.

'Unfortunately there's been a lot of speculation this weekend, but once again our focus is on the track.'

The couple first met in 2009 in Monaco and announced their engagement five years later

Halliwell and Horner on their wedding day in Woburn on May 15, 2015

His comments came after Dr Helmut Marko insisted he will not be leaving Red Bull as a result of the scandal.

In an extraordinary about-turn in this ludicrous saga, the 80-year-old motorsport adviser said suspension was now ruled out after talks with the energy drinks company's head of sport, Oliver Mintzlaff, in the Jeddah paddock.

Only a day before Marko had hinted he was through the door, possibly never to return after being accused by the team of leaking evidence over Horner's behaviour towards a female colleague.
A teenage tourist took a 15-year-old girl who could not swim into the sea off Bournemouth beach and raped her, a court has heard today.

Gabriel Marinoaica, of Darlaston, Walsall, West Midlands, is accused of deliberately pulling the girl 'out of her depth' and placing his hand over her mouth as he attacked her in July 2021.

The girl had been in the sea on a busy summer's day playing a game of catch with her friends and went to fetch the ball when it had been kicked away, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

Marinoaica, now aged 20, picked up the ball and refused to give it back before handing it over and then chatting with the schoolgirl, jurors were told.

He allegedly grabbed her by the arm and pulled her deeper into the sea and ignored her please to 'get off me'.

The trial was told Marinoaica asked her if she wanted to 'smash' - meaning to have sex - and started to touch her bottom even though she told him 'no, I'm not comfortable with that'.

Marinoaica denies charges of rape and four counts of sexual assault.

Gabriel Marinoaica pictured leaving Bournemouth Crown Court today

Gabriel Marinoaica, of Darlaston, Walsall, West Midlands, is accused of deliberately pulling the girl 'out of her depth' into the sea off Bournemouth beach and raping her

Prosecutor Ellie Fargin told jurors the girl could not touch the seabed and Marinoaica ignored her pleas to 'get off me'.

Ms Fargin said: 'He was touching her everywhere, she was uncomfortable and wanted to get out but the defendant pulled her out further.'

Ms Fargin alleged that the defendant then groped the complainant, kissed her and bit her neck before he raped her for about a minute until someone approached.

She added that the complainant had said she could not scream because Marinoaica had his hand over her mouth.

Ms Fargin said: 'He took her out of her depth, he made her vulnerable, she couldn't even swim, he might not have known that but he might have known she could not touch the bottom.

'And why did he do that? So he could do what he wanted to do.

'She didn't consent and we say he knew that, he simply didn't care.'

The prosecutor said that the complainant later told her family and they informed the police.

Marinoaica, now aged 20, denies charges of rape and four counts of sexual assault and claims the girl initiated sexual activity

Marinoaica was arrested 11 months later after his DNA was found in the complainant's bikini, Ms Fargin said.

She added that the defendant told police that the complainant had 'come up and kissed him' and asked him where he was from and he had said Romania.

He had claimed that she had initiated sexual activity with him and asked him if he wanted to have sex.

Ms Fargin added that he had told officers that the complainant had 'her legs wrapped around his waist and it lasted five to 10 minutes'.

The trial continues.
This is the moment Florida beachgoers rushed to rescue a dolphin that washed ashore, wrapping it in towels and dousing it in water while it lay stranded on the sand.

The 5-foot-long dolphin beached itself along a shore in Cape Canaveral Sunday.

Video from the incident shows the dolphin stuck in the shallow water before a man rushes into the sea to try and help, he used a bucket to collect seawater and threw it over the animal.

One of the rescuers, Chris Fletcher, told Fox: 'They concluded it probably got separated from the mom and the current and the waves were pushing it in and it just got exhausted.'

The SeaWorld Rescue team then arrived and took the dolphin to their critical care center.

A dolphin beached itself on Sunday afternoon near Cape Canaveral, Florida, after becoming separated from its pod

Rescuers covered it in wet towels and poured water over it to keep it hydrated

The public looked after the dolphin until a rescue team from SeaWorld arrived to take it to their urgent care center

Footage of the incident shows the dolphin thrashing about in the shallow water, unable to escape the waves and get back out to sea.

A man then waded into the shin-deep waves and tried to help it return to sea. But when that failed, the dolphin washed ashore and they tried to care for it there.

Beachgoers gathered around to put a towel on the dolphin and cover it with another damp sheet to keep its skin moist. They brought buckets of water from the sea to pour over its body.

Fletcher said: 'It just got pushed up onto the surf and that's when they spotted it.

'Luckily someone kind of knew what was going on and they went out and then everyone just jumped in and did what what they could do.

'Everyone just hopes there's a happy ending.'

Officials from SeaWorld were called to the scene and took the baby to its urgent care center.

The dolphin beached itself just hours after a sperm whale became stranded on a sand bar 200 miles away in Venice, Florida, on Sunday.

A beached sperm whale was spotted 200 miles away in Venice, Florida early on Sunday

Rough seas made it difficult for rescuers to reach and it died on Monday morning

Marine biologists said it was a deep-diving whale and given it had beached itself, it was likely not healthy.

Rough conditions made the animal hard to reach and hindered rescue efforts, leaving members of the public to watch as the whale became increasingly distressed.

The City of Venice announced on Sunday afternoon that 'water conditions are too dangerous to approach the sperm whale in distress at Service Club Park by boat to attempt to give the animal a sedative.

'The whale is estimated to be approximately 50 feet and 50,000-70,000 pounds.'

Rescuers could not free the whale in time and it died on Monday morning.
A violent gangster has become the fourth person to be convicted of murdering an innocent university student who was shot and stabbed in a street ambush.

Russell Jordan Jones, 23, was ambushed outside a parade of shops in, Enfield, north London, in March 2018, where he was stabbed '12 times' and then blasted with a 12-bore shotgun.

Mr Jones, who was studying at the University of Hertfordshire, died at the scene after losing a huge amount of blood.

His friend Karun Singh was also stabbed in the back and seriously injured.

Kyle Gordon, 24, is the latest man to be convicted of murdering the student after a retrial at the Old Bailey.

He was convicted of murder, grievous bodily harm and possession of a firearm.

Russell Jordan Jones, 23, was ambushed outside a parade of shops in, Enfield, north London , in March 2018, where he was stabbed '12 times' and then blasted with a 12 bore shotgun

Mr Jones, a university student, was shot and stabbed. Pictured with girlfriend Tara Ward

Mr Jones, who was studying at the University of Hertfordshire, died at the scene after losing a huge amount of blood. CCTV is shows that the attack was carried out by a group of four men

Philip Evans, KC, prosecuting, previously told the jury how the 'sudden, violent and bloody attack left one man dead and another seriously wounded.'

He said: 'The violence was deliberate and planned - the best of which indication being that it was done with a gun and with knives, brought there for the purpose.

'The attack was truly vicious in its ferocity. At just after half past midnight on 17 March 2018, Russell Jones was stabbed 12 times.

'He was at the same time shot in the abdomen with a 12-bore shotgun.

'An indication of the intention and purpose of his attackers is given by the fact that ten of those stab wounds were to his back.

'The evidence from eye-witnesses and CCTV is clear that the attack was carried out by a group of four men, one of whom the prosecution say was the defendant Kyle Gordon.

'All four of the men involved can be seen to have been directly involved in the attack on Russell Jones, appearing on the CCTV either to shoot him or to inflict blows on him.

Gang member Sherome Williams, 21, had been with a group looking for rivals to attack when they found Mr Jones, who was not a member of any gang. Williams has been jailed for life

Bilkan Bilkaner and Duke Quainoo, both 20, were jailed for 58 years for the attack

'There was no apparent provocation for the attack, which effectively took the form of an ambush; it was also clearly carefully planned, in the sense that there was an obvious plan to look for victims and then to kill with lethal weapons which were taken in the car to the scene.

'At the moment of the attack, [Mr Jones and Mr Singh] were together with a group of at least five other friends and had been to eat before returning to the location to collect cars.

'The evidence does not suggest that either Russell Jones or Karun Singh were particular individual targets of attack but rather that the deadly violence was aimed at the group.'

Gordon, of Enfield, denied but was convicted of murder, causing grievous bodily harm and possession of a firearm. He will be sentenced on Thursday 14.

READ MORE - Judge slams cannabis-smoking gangster who blasted innocent university student with a shotgun and stabbed him to death

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Sherome Williams, who was only 16 when he killed Mr Jones, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years for murder, grievous bodily harm and possession of a firearm.

Bilkan Bilkaner and Duke Quainoo, both 20 at the time, were each jailed for 29 years for the murder in 2019.

After the chilling murder Quainoo wrote the rap lyrics: 'I bored up a p***y and bored up his friend. And one of them n****s turned ghost.'

At Williams' sentencing, Mr Jones' mother Stephanie Saunders said in a victim impact statement read to court: 'Russell was my only son, my daughter's twin and my parent's only grandson.

'He was my strength, my protector, my voice of reason, but mostly my baby.

'I will love and miss him till the day I die and I just hope one day we will meet again.

'There are no words to fully explain how the last five years have changed and affected me, my daughter, my family and Tara, the love of his life with beautiful red hair who he was planning to spend his future with.

'Our lives are shattered, our hearts broken and only a future of huge pain and loss lies ahead.

'Russell was an extremely bright, intelligent, quick-witted, lovable young man with an endearing smile and his whole life ahead of him.'
An Italian Michelin-starred chef has been sentenced to almost three months in prison and slapped with a hefty 18,000 fine after serving norovirus-infected clams to over 50 wedding guests.

Nicknamed 'the freshwater chef', Marco Sacco, 59, cooked up a clam risotto at his famous Piccolo Lago di Verbania restaurant in 2021.

But soon after the celebrations were over, several guests were left complaining of nausea, vomitting, and stomach pain - with some even checking themselves into hospital as a result.

An Italian court has now accused Sacco, and the restaurant manager Raffaella Marchetti of culpable negligence and trading harmful foodstuffs.

Both Sacco and Marchetti were slapped with 18,000 to pay in damages, including over 6,800 to the wedding couple, and over 200 each to each of the 53 guests.

Marco Sacco, 59, was given a two month and 20 day sentence after serving norovirus infected raw clam risotto to over 50 guests at a wedding in 2021

The incident took place at Sacco's luxury Picco Lago di Verbania restaurant located in Italy

The Michelin-starred chef was also slapped with an 18,000 fine following the contamination incident

They each also had over 8,500 to pay to cover their legal fees.

On top of the fines, Sacco and Marchetti were handed prison sentences of two months and 20 days with a conditional suspension, according to La Rebubblica.

Following the contaminated risotto incident, the Carabinieri concluded the imported clams from France had been infected with norovirus before Sacco unknowingly served them to the guests.

Norovirus is often referred to as the 'winter vomiting bug'.

The clams were served raw as there were allegedly no indications on the sealed packaging that prohibited such use.

The chef allegedly defended himself by claiming he had served 3,000 similar dishes before and that no issues had ever arisen.

Sacco told Il Gusto: 'The menu included a risotto with borage and raw clams. We bought clams that can be eaten raw, as the manufacturer's label shows and as shown in the product technical data sheet.

'They are clams that I have been using since 2015. Since I have had this supplier I will have served over three thousand dishes like that.'

After news of the infected dish made headlines in Italy, fears have arisen that many Italians may now be put off from ordering fresh fish meals including raw oysters, mussels, and clams.

Speaking to The Times, Igles Corelli, a chef who co-ordinates the Gambero Rosso Academy cooking school, called these foods 'problematic' and said consumers will now be wary of taking the risk by eating raw dishes.

He also said that Sacco should have kwown better by 'cooking them at 64C or 65C so that they are purified but the taste of the sea remains.'
Friends of a patriotic senior rallied to his side after he was ordered to remove the American flag from his pick-up in case it led to others at school being 'offended'.

Cameron Blasek, 17, was hauled up by staff at East Central High School in Indiana after one spotted the flag flying proudly from the back of his blue Dodge 4x4.

The teen refused the demand and was facing a write-up for insubordination after quoting Indiana state law and the school's own handbook to support his right.

But the school dramatically backed down after the school parking lot was filled by dozens of flags flying from students' cars the following day.

'This flag represents our country and the people who died for it and fought for it,' Blasek said, 'And I respect that with my whole heart.'

Cameron Blasek, 17, had been flying the flag from his pick-up since the start of the school year

Dozens of Cameron's schoolfriends protested the ban after it was imposed by East Central High School principal Tom Black

'I was always taught to never back down on a situation that you believe in, that was just the way I was raised and I'm very grateful for it,' Cameron said

Cameron said he had flown the flag without incident since the start of the school year and was astonished to be pulled aside by his counsellor and assistant principal on Thursday.

East Central High School principal Tom Black (pictured)

'The school came to me and said "Hey you got to remove this flag otherwise you're getting written up for insubordination," and I just told them straight up from the get-go that it's not going to happen.

'I read them their own handbook and their guidelines and I read them Indiana state law and everything that shows them I'm perfectly legal and fine to fly that flag.

'I read through the Essentials 2023-2024 Handbook, and the word 'flag' wasn't even mentioned in the parking lot or driving section. The only section it's mentioned in is the flag-twirling section.'

But he said they told him it could lead to other students flying flags 'that are seen as offensive'.

'I think everybody gets offended over something,' he said.

'The flag itself represents this country, this beautiful country that we live in.'

He was threatened with a write-up for insubordination after quoting the school handbook, state and federal law to argue his case

'The flag itself represents this country, this beautiful country that we live in'

As the stand-off escalated, word spread among the other students at the school in St Leon sparking a defiant show of strength in the school lot the following morning.

'People were sending me messages throughout the night and everything of everybody going out and buying flags left and right,' he said.

'I was getting messages. My phone was blowing up.'

'Today nearly two dozen high schoolers showed up to school with the American flag on their vehicles,' his mother Heidi Jo Jackson-Blasek wrote on Facebook.

'Not just to support my son and their friend but to stand for what they believe in and what is right.

'My son asked why he had to remove the flag and was told it could be offensive to others, or it could be controversial.

'He was also told it will be in the student handbook next year that students cannot fly the American flag.

'Well, in my opinion, if you are offended by the American flag, then leave the United States of America!'

With a student mutiny on his doorstep, school principal Tom Black dispatched a hasty letter to parents to address 'misunderstandings', and reassuring them that American flags would now be allowed on cars in the lot.

'After careful consideration and in recognition of the importance of the US flag as a symbol of unity and national identity, I am pleased to inform you that we are allowing the display of the US flag by students in East Central High School parking lot.'

And he insisted that no member of staff ever 'stated or insinuated that the US Flag was offensive'.

School principal Tom Black write to parents apologizing for the 'confusion' and insisting that the US flag could be flown from vehicles in the parking lot

'The US Flag is displayed in the front of our school and in every classroom,' he told WCPO 9.

'We begin each day with the Pledge of Allegiance. Clearly, we do not consider the U.S. Flag offensive.

'Friday morning, after consulting with other administrators, we determined that we would allow the U.S. Flag to be displayed, and would prohibit other flags if they were determined to be offensive.'

'The rule was never about the US Flag, and it was regarding all flags on vehicles,' he added.

'This is due to potential safety issues with visibility and 500 to 600 teenage drivers leaving at the same time during dismissal, as well as concerns that flags that are not appropriate for school will be displayed.'

Black denied that student pressure forced him to back down and there was a sting in the tail of his letter to parents insisting that 'students will be expected to display the US Flag properly and in accordance for the US Flag Code'.

The code's guidance for flying the flag from a car advises that it 'should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat'.

'When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender,' it adds.

Cameron, who hopes to join the military after school, said he was grateful for the support from his friends and his family.

'I was always taught to never back down on a situation that you believe in, that was just the way I was raised and I'm very grateful for it,' he added.
She joined the Chronicle in 2018 from the New York Daily News and after writing for The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington. A native of Seattle, Nicole is a graduate of Washington State University.

Nicole Hensley is a staff writer for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at nicole.hensley@houstonchronicle.com .

Claire Hao is a Hearst Fellow for the Houston Chronicle's business desk, where she is covering electricity, renewable energy and the Texas power grid. She also spends one day a week covering breaking and trending news. Claire can be reached at claire.hao@houstonchronicle.com.

Claire spent her first-year fellowship rotation on the climate and environment team of The San Francisco Chronicle. She has previously interned on the news desks of Bloomberg Law and The Chicago Tribune as well as on the editorial board of The Washington Post.

She is a 2022 graduate of the University of Michigan, where she was the 2021 editor-in-chief of her college paper The Michigan Daily.
Trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney has revealed she wanted to win back Bud Light customers enraged by her advertising the beer by doing a commercial with a cowboy and a trans person.

Mulvaney said her idea to bring 'healing' was a trans person at one end of a bar and a Western-style cowboy at the other with a Bud Light in the middle.

But Bud Light's parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev was not apparently interested and the idea went nowhere, Mulvaney said at the SXSW festival.

During a panel discussion Mulvaney scolded Bud Light and said that it needed to act like a parent and stand up to 'bullying' during the backlash over its decision to hire her to promote the brand.

She also claimed that the row and its aftermath had boosted her profile and she was arguably 'the most privileged trans person in this country.'

Anheuser-Busch InBev's decision to hire Mulvaney is estimated to have cost the company more than $1billion in lost sales and knocked it off the number 1 best selling beer spot in the US.

Dylan Mulvaney was on a panel at the SXSW festival where she spoke about the Bud Light controversy that cost the company $1billion in sales

Bud Light's popularity plummeted and sales dropped 30 percent after conservative consumers boycotted the drink over its partnership with 27-year-old transgender influencer Mulvaney

The panel was hosted by Kelley Robinson, President of Human Rights Campaign (left), the nation's largest civil rights organization working on behalf of LGBTQ people. Also appearing was Aaron Walton, founder of advertising agency Walton / Isaacson and Jo Yurcaba, a nonbinary reporter with NBC News

The controversy began in April last year when Mulvaney, 27, posted on Instagram a photo of a custom can of Bud Light sent to her by the beer to celebrate '365 Days of Girlhood' during her transition to a woman.

She also posted photos of her opening a can of Bud Light during March Madness in an apparent attempt to broaden the appeal of the beer to LGBTQ customers.

Anheuser-Busch InBev CEO Brendan Whitworth issued an apology after the beer was boycotted by conservatives

But the backlash was swift and furious with customers staging a boycott and Kid Rock posting videos online of him shooting cases of Bud Light with a rifle.

Anheuser-Busch InBev CEO Brendan Whitworth issued an apology and Bud Light is now partnering with comedian Shane Gillis, known for his controversial jokes about disabled people.

The SXSW talk was titled 'Role of Brands & Media in Fighting Hate' and promised to talk about the 'responsibility of brands and the media to not fuel the fire of misinformation and discrimination'.

The description said that the right wing 'seized' on Mulvaney being hired by Bud Light and that Anheuser-Busch InBev's response 'only exacerbated things further'.

Addressing the audience, Mulvaney said: 'I did have an idea how to fix last year's situation. I come from a comedy background, it can be very healing and it can appeal to both sides.

'I thought how fun if we'd done a Western commercial, where it was a cowboy at the end of a bar and a trans person on the other (end) and there's one beer in the center.'

She whistled a Western-style soundtrack and added: 'Just because we could have a laugh and to show that as much as these are all very real world things there's also some compassion, we all like beer. It doesn't have to be separate.'

But Mulvaney, who recently bombed during a stand up comedy set, also admitted that her millennial humor was 'a little cringe' and that younger people referred to her as 'mother.'

She sparked backlash once again for posing with Lady Gaga for a photoshoot last week in honor of International Women's Day.

The beer giant's PR disaster went from bad to worse when it swiftly broke off the contract with Mulvaney, and former Bud Light employees accused leaders of 'cowardice' for failing to support the influencer

Mulvaney scolded Bud Light, calling the company's response 'disheartening' and said that it needed stand up to 'bullying'

During the talk Mulvaney said that after the Bud Light backlash 'certain brands didn't even continue speaking with me'.

She said: 'I could have been so integral to the solutions but they continued - I think of it like a parent, the parent doesn't put a stop to something then they bullying can continue.

'These brands need to step up and let people know it's not okay'.

Mulvaney said that the abuse she experienced as a result of the Bud Light campaign was 'disheartening'.

She recalled being 'followed and harassed in public' and said that it was 'something I never thought would be part of my daily life.

Other trans content creators lost jobs because of her, even during Pride month which is usually their busiest time of the year.

Mulvaney said that nowadays because of her high profile it was 'scary' to know that any campaign featuring her could have a wider impact on trans people.

'I'm not one of the most if not the most privileged trans person in this country right now', she said.

Nowadays Mulvaney has it written into her contract 'in case of a boycott this and this will happen' to protect herself, she said.

Content creators like Mulvaney don't have agents and security like mainstream talent and when the Bud Light controversy blew up, she didn't even know about cyber security.

Mulvaney said: 'There is a responsibility that needs to be taken by the brand that there will be protection and support otherwise it's putting marginalized groups in a really sticky situation'.

Telling the audience that she wants to see 'trans joy' on people's screens rather than just trans people as victims on shows like Law & Order, Mulvaney hinted that she might be writing a trans rom-com.

n Mulvaney and popstar Lady Gaga posed for a joint International Women's Day post

Asked if that was what she was producing at the moment, Mulvaney said she was 'working on some things!'

The panel was hosted by Kelley Robinson, President of Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest civil rights organization working on behalf of LGBTQ people.

Also appearing was Aaron Walton, founder of advertising agency Walton / Isaacson and Jo Yurcaba, a nonbinary reporter with NBC News.

Walton called out brands like Bud Light and said companies like them 'need to stop rewarding the wrong behavior'.

He said: 'When you give in to that fear and start to prioritize the negative hate versus the love and the community you ultimately will lose'.

Walton branded figures on the right who criticize trans rights as a 'small group of people with a loud megaphone'.

He praised companies like Levi's and The North Face that have supported LGBTQ people and 'haven't bent to the political hate we know (is) going to blow away'.
A mother from Hampstead has revealed the sickening moment she received emails from paedophiles asking to meet her young daughter after being falsely accused of running satanic child sex cult.

'Alice', who is going by an alias to protect the identity of her children, is among the mothers who outline how a disturbing lie about a satanic child sex cult unleashed hell on their quiet North London community in Channel 4's new documentary Accused: The Hampstead Hoax.

The hell for the families begun when two young siblings aged eight and nine accused parents - including their own father - and teachers at their primary school of being a part of a Satanic paedophile ring involving horrendous ritual abuse in 2015.

Their mother, Ella Draper, and her supporters released a document online listing all the people accused of being a part of this ring, which led to death threats, harassment and abuse.

One of the parents falsely accused by Draper was Alice. During the height of the harassment her family suffered, she said she received an email from someone who said they liked her 'daughter's profile' posted online.

'Alice', played by an actor in the new Channel 4 documentary Accused: The Hampstead Hoax

During the height of the harassment her family suffered, Alice said she received an email from someone who said they liked her 'daughter's profile' posted online

The sender told Alice (played by an actress above) that 'they would like me to bring my daughter and meet up with them. So I was getting emails from paedophiles, believing what they had heard about my daughter. I literally ran to the bathroom and threw up everywhere'

The sender told Alice that 'they would like me to bring my daughter and meet up with them. So I was getting emails from paedophiles, believing what they had heard about my daughter. I literally ran to the bathroom and threw up everywhere.'

'I think the lowest point for me was when my daughter's photo was taken from my Google account. I blame myself so much, because I totally forgot that that account even existed.

'And the realisation, that they know what she looks like - my world came crashing down, because I had nothing left to cling on to at that point.'

The satanist cult allegations against Alice and the other parents were found to be baseless but the conspiracy theory caught fire online after Draper uploaded a video calling out a conspiracy on the part of the police to drop the investigation.

Draper and her partner Abraham Christie had manipulated her two children into making these false claims in the first place, which Abigail and her brother Joseph (as they are called in the documentary) later recanted.

After the names, addresses and phone numbers of the parents, school staff and pupils identified as being involved were published online, they were inundated with death threats.

The parents were contacted by vigilantes saying they would snatch their children to take them to safety. Equally horrifyingly, paedophiles would ask about their children's sexual preferences.

It was, as another mother named as 'Anna' recalls, 'like being under siege'.

In the documentary, Alice and three other mothers at the centre of these disturbing allegations speak about what they've been through for the first time via audio interviews, which are lip-synced on screen by actors as the women wish to remain anonymous to protect their now grown-up children.

Ultimately, it would take the determined and extraordinary efforts of four mothers in particular, who, working until the small hours, month in month out, meticulously gathered evidence that would lead to the prosecution of two of the most vocal online conspiracy theorists.

'For years we had to keep this dignified silence, because we were trying to build a legal case and we didn't want to jeopardise that,' says Anna. 'Now, finally, we get to have our voice.'

Their mother, Ella Draper (pictured), and her supporters released a document online listing all the people accused of being a part of this ring, which led to death threats, harassment and abuse

'Anna' is played by Kathryn McGarr in the series

For while the trolls who targeted them are quieter these days, they have not disappeared entirely: they are still out there, propagating their theories in dark corners of the internet.

'They're still there, trying to spread their poison,' as Jenny, another of the mothers, puts it. The parents' bewilderment remains palpable.

'There are many curveballs in life that you can predict, whether it's a terminal illness diagnosis or the death of a loved one  but being accused of being a satanic paedophile is not one of them,' Anna says.

A mother of one, Anna had been happily married for 18 years and running a business with her husband, when, back in February 2015, she  along with some other parents of children in Year 5 at the Church of England affiliated primary they attended  received an email saying allegations had been made against the school.

'It said they had been investigated by the police and that the case was closed,' she recalls. 'It begged more questions than it answered, so I went straight onto the internet.'

Within five minutes, Anna had found footage of the two siblings  one of whom, Abigail, was in her daughter's class  alleging that an organised cult was based at the school which indulged in horrors from paedophilia to baby sacrifice.

'She mentioned our daughter by name, saying she got paid for sex in sweets and naming myself and my husband as her abusers,' Anna recalls. 'It was like walking through the looking glass.'

'They would call us satantists, shout down the phone that we were f***ing and killing babies; that we were evil,' says Jenny.

Police told them to vary their routes home, and carry rape alarms, yet none of it was enough to shake the lingering menace.

Sarah, a lawyer in her 40s who also had a child in Abigail's year, slept on her children's bedroom floor for eight months until the family were able to move house.

'Once our address was out there, I could not shake the thought that someone would come in and try to take them,' she says.

'Sarah', played by Sarah Barlondo, on set for the Channel 4 documentary. Many of the real women in the story have chosen to remain anonymous

Sabine McNeill is a virulent conspiracy theorist, since dubbed Britains worst online troll

Some parents, like Alice, were contacted by paedophiles asking if they could hook up with their child because they 'liked sex'. The police said their hands were tied.

'They pretty much admitted it was beyond their knowledge,' says Anna. 'There was this feeling that it would blow over, but to us it felt organised and targeted.'

'It was incredibly disappointing,' adds Sarah. 'We were quite clear that this was criminal activity. We even identified a list of up to 20 laws that were being broken. But no one would listen.'

The four mothers worked together on a campaign to get the police to act; first by getting their names taken down from the internet and then in prosecuting Sabine McNeill, one of the central figures in attempting to legitimise the conspiracy.

The German-born pensioner was put on trial for stalking, harassment and breaching a restraining order and was labelled an 'arrogant, malicious, evil and manipulative woman' by the sentencing judge, who jailed her for nine years  the longest sentence ever handed down in a UK court for these offences.

McNeill, a virulent conspiracy theorist who has been dubbed Britain's worst online troll and has since fled to Germany, leaked the names and addresses of the Hampstead accused.

Self-styled activist and blogger Rupert Wilson Quaintance, an American who had come to the UK a few months earlier, became obsessed with the case and threatened to 'kick doors down' and 'draw blood' from the parents.

He was jailed for nine months after being found guilty of putting people in fear of violence.

Draper and Christie fled the country in 2015. They've have been on the run ever since, believed to be in Spain.

Why they started the hoax is still a mystery. If it was part of Draper's fight for custody against her ex-husband, it failed. After a period in care, Abigail and Joseph were reunited with their father.
A nurse left unable to walk after a horrific car crash says it 'adds insult to injury' after police told her they provided an 'acceptable service' as the US 'spy' suspect was able to leave the country before facing court.

Elizabeth Donowho, 56, lodged a complaint to West Mercia Police after finding out Isaac Calderon was able to fly across the Atlantic even though he was marked as a potential 'flight risk' by the force.

Police told the mental health nurse they provided her with an 'acceptable' service as there 'was no indication he would leave the country'.

Calderon is accused of being responsible for the collision on the A4103 in Herefordshire in July last year which left Ms Donowho with fractures in both her ankles, sternum and right hand.

He was due to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on December 1 last year. He was labelled a potential 'flight risk' by police, but was able to leave the UK on a commercial flight to Texas on November 25.

Elizabeth Donowho was unable to walk for six weeks following the collision that happened on the A4103 near Shucknall in Herefordshire on July 31

Issac Calderon was due to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on December 1 but left for Texas on November 25

The suspect's father previously said the FBI had been in contact about 'extraditing him', but the mental health nurse said she no longer believes he will come back to the UK.

The force said the suspect was not arrested immediately after the incident on the A4103 near Shucknall in Herefordshire due to requiring medical attention for serious injuries.

As a result of not being arrested, Calderon had no bail conditions imposed, meaning there was, according to police, 'no power to stop him leaving the country, even if he was identified at a port'.

The force told Ms Donowho it had requested the suspect was put on the National Border Targeting Centre's watchlist, but he 'did not meet the criteria for a marker to be added, as it is only to be used if the individual is deemed to be travelling in furtherance of criminality'.

Police also said Calderon had lost his job 'due to the upcoming court case', which led them to identify him as a flight risk as his work visa was subsequently coming to an end.

In a letter responding to Ms Donowho's complaint, seen by the PA news agency, a representative of the force's professional standards department said there was 'no indication' he would not attend Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on December 1.

The letter read: 'Although it was identified that Mr Calderon was a United States National, there was no indication that he would leave the country or that he would not attend court.

'He provided a fixed address, had attended a voluntary interview, and complied with all police processes.

'He had been in the country since March 2023. He was asked about his future movements during interview, and he stated he would be in the country until March 2024, and provided a work visa to show the length of his stay.

Ms Donowho broke both of her ankles, as well as suffering a fractured sternum and a broken bone in her hand

'We fully expected the defendant to turn up to court, therefore, there was never any reason to arrest him, and as such this removes any ability to place any conditions of bail on him, including seizing his passport.'

The letter concluded by saying: 'Based on the conclusions of this complaint case, the outcome is that the service provided by the police was acceptable, and in this case, there was no learning identified.'

Ms Donowho, from Malvern, Worcestershire, suffered multiple fractures in the crash - including both ankles, her sternum and her right hand.

Police previously told Ms Donowho that Calderon had been carrying out work 'associated with the secret service' and was working on matters 'that might come under the Official Secrets Act'.

Speaking about the response she received to her complaint, Ms Donowho told PA: 'This response to my complaint from West Mercia Police just adds insult to injury.

'They have let me down over and over again and it just continues.

'Calderon should have surrendered his passport and they only have themselves to blame for their mistake.

'They are more concerned with their reputation than my interests as a victim.

'It is now over four months since Calderon left.

'The authorities refuse to update me on the extradition and I no longer believe he is going to come back.'

The case followed a 2019 crash which caused the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn, and led to US citizen Anne Sacoolas departing the UK 19 days after the incident after diplomatic immunity was asserted on her behalf.

Ms Donowho previously said the incident was cited by police when they explained to her that Calderon was deemed a flight risk.

PA understands there are no issues surrounding diplomatic immunity in Calderon's case.

Chief Superintendent Gareth Morris, of West Mercia Police, said: 'We understand that for Ms Donowho this has been distressing and frustrating.

Scans showing Donowho's ankle after the crash

Nurse Elizabeth Donowho said the response to her complaint from West Mercia Police 'just adds insult to injury'

'As her and the public would rightly expect, we have thoroughly reviewed our response to the incident and shared the findings with Ms Donowho.

'There are legal criteria for when an arrest can be made, and they were not met on this occasion due to the immediate medical needs of the suspect, and his subsequent co-operation with our investigation.

'This included him attending a police station for interview, following which a requisition was sent to him and a court date set.

'The police do not have a general power to seize a person's passport and the criteria to do so was not met at the time.'
Sen. Bob Menendez pleaded not guilty Monday to a fresh indictment charging him with obstruction of justice, as the embattled Democratic lawmaker's corruption trial draws near.

He entered the plea in front of U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein in Manhattan.

'Once again, not guilty your honor,' he said during the 20-minute hearing.

The New Jersey senator, 70, has refused demands from colleagues to stand down as a deadline looms for him to run for another term.

Federal prosecutors accuse him and his wife of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes in gold bars, cash and a Mercedes as part of an alleged plot to help the Egyptian government and to assist three businessmen facing their own criminal investigations.

The couple have denied all the charges.

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez arrives in Manhattan Federal Court on Monday morning to be arraigned on additional charges in his corruption case

After pleading not guilty, Menendez left with his wife Nadine

But a new indictment lodged a week ago accused him in 2023 of falsely telling prosecutors that he believed mortgage and car payments made by two businessmen for his wife constituted loans, rather than bribes.

Menendez continues to attend Congress but did step down temporarily from his role as chair of the Senate's foreign relations committee.

FBI agents seized gold bars, $500,000 in cash and the Mercedes during a raid on his home when the investigation began.

Menendez also was charged with helping another New Jersey business associate get a lucrative deal with the government of Egypt.

He is set to go on trial on May 6.

Businessmen Wael Hanna and Fred Daibes also appeared in court Monday.

Jose Uribe, the third of the Menendez associates, pleaded guilty last week to a slew of charges including obstruction for admitting he gave them the car in exchange for help with a friend who had been indicted in an unrelated matter.

Uribe, 56, is said to be cooperating with prosecutors and admitted he caused his attorney to falsely admit monthly payments on the car were loans.

Last week, Menendez lost his claim that the search warrants that led to corruption charges and the discovery of gold bars and cash at his New Jersey home were unconstitutional.

Sen. Robert Menendez, left, stands at his arraignment in front of Judge Sidney Stein, far right, with his defense attorney Adam Fee, center, in Manhattan federal court, Monday, March 11, 2024, in New York. Menendez's wife, Nadine Menendez, far left, looked on

Defendant Wael Hana, founder of IS EG Halal, arrives at Manhattan Federal Court, in New York City for his arraignment on March 11

Images of the gold bars federal agents seized from Menendez's home during the probe

FBI agents seized gold bars, $500,000 in cash and the Mercedes during a raid on his home when the investigation began

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and his wife Nadine Menendez arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, June 22, 2023

Judge Sidney H. Stein ruled that multiple warrants were properly carried out.

The senator's lawyers had claimed the warrants were 'riddled with material misrepresentation and omissions that deceived the authorizing magistrate judge.'

The judge said that any omissions in the warrants were not intentional or material and a hearing was not necessary to explore the claims further.

He also denied challenges to search warrants by one of three businessmen charged in the case that also resulted in the arrest of Menendez's wife.

The warrants were issued between January and July 2022, along with a final warrant pertaining to cellular phones last September.

Photos included in an indictment when authorities first announced charges last September showed cash stuffed in envelopes in jackets bearing Menendezs name.
A 47-year-old woman dubbed the 'European Griselda Blanco' who is wanted in the Netherlands for drug trafficking and had a bounty issued by a Serbian drug lord was arrested in her native Colombia.

Aura Castro was surprised by authorities during a raid of her home in Medellin, the National Police confirmed Monday.

Authorities confiscated $28,000, jewelry and several vehicles during a search of her home on January 29.

As part of the investigation, Netherlands authorities arrested six members of Castro's transnational drug smuggling network.

Known as 'La Madrina' (The Godmother), Castro sat atop the structure of a drug trafficking organization loaded tons of cocaine into containers that were shipped from Colombia's Caribbean coast to Europe.

Aura Castro has been in custody of Colombian authorities since January when she was arrested at her Medellin home, the National Police confirmed Monday. Castro is known as the 'European Griselda Blanco' and is wanted by the Netherlands for drug trafficking and money laundering

Castro, Colombian authorities say, is the leader of a transnational organization that traffics cocaine from Colombia to Europe

Castro (right) was known by neighbors as a granny who often accompanied the family's nanny to pick up her grandchild at school in El Poblado, a high-end neighborhood in Medellin

They also seized 14 kilos of cocaine, five long-range rifles, 21 guns and an anti-tank launcher.

Castro, who has been in the business since 2000, is also facing money laundering charges in Rotterdam.

Colombian authorities said Castro served as a middle person for the Balkan Cartel and Gulf Clan drug lord, Dairo 'Otoniel' Usuga, coordinating drug shipments and ensuring that authorities did not detect them.

Usuga was captured in Colombia in October 2021 and later extradited to the United States. He pleaded guilty before federal authorities in New York in January 2023 and was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

She fell out of favor with the Balkan Cartel, which carried out five bombing attacks to murder her in Europe before she fled to Colombia in 2020.

Castro eventually settled in El Poblado, a high-end neighborhood in Medellin, where neighbors knew her as a 'granny' who often picked up her grandchild from school with a nanny.

Colombia authorities have had her in the crosshairs following her June 2003 arrest for attempting to smuggle 200 million euros through El Dorado International Airport in Bogota.

Dairo Usuga was the Gulf Clan's leader for 10 years prior to being captured by Colombian authorities in October 2021. He was then extradited to the United States, where he is serving a 45 year sentence

Colombian drug boss Griselda Blanco

She was convicted on a money laundering charge and sentenced to 72 months in prison.

'This great operational result directly impacts transnational organized crime,' said Colonel Ricardo Sanchez, who oversees the police's anti-narcotics division. 'It shows the international cooperation that the Colombian government has through the National Police with the different agencies in the world.'

Castro's case has drawn comparisons to that of Griselda Blanco, who has returned to headlines thanks to a Netflix series staring Sofia Vergara.

The career criminal, who was only five feet tall, was involved with pickpocketing and prostitution from a young age - but it didn't take long before her crimes began to escalate as she rose to infamous prominence in the crime world.

Having been plunged into the cocaine industry by her second husband, who she later killed, Griselda built a thriving drugs empire that saw her earning more than a staggering $80million every month.

The South American nation is a top producer of cocaine and its government constantly dealing with pressure from the United States to curb its output.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, coca crops in Colombia covered 568,000 acres in 2022, the latest year for which figures are available, up 13 percent from 2021.
A large crowd of 'Not My King' protesters have gathered outside Westminster Abbey this afternoon, holding placards and banging drums.

The group was holding signs reading 'down with the crown' and waving flags with the message 'abolish the monarchy' as they lined the street in Central London.

Demonstrators could be heard chanting through megaphones as part of the noisy rally while passersby were forced to weave between protesters.

The scene comes as the Prince of Wales and Queen Camilla were joined by royals this afternoon at the abbey while King Charles III continues to recover from cancer.

While Charles was unable to attend the service in person, he has thanked people for their 'wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes' over his cancer diagnosis in a video address to be played at Westminster Abbey.

A large crowd of 'Not My King' protesters have gathered outside Westminster Abbey this afternoon, holding placards and banging drums

The group was holding signs reading 'Down with the crown' as they lined the street in Central London

Demonstrators can be heard chanting through megaphones as part of the noisy rally

While Charles was unable to attend the service in person, he has thanked people for their 'wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes' over his cancer diagnosis in a video address to be played at Westminster Abbey

In a royal first, he recorded an address that will be played to the congregation, reflecting on the journey the Commonwealth has made since its inception in 1949.

Earlier today the Princess of Wales admitted to editing a family portrait of herself sitting with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, released on Mother's Day.

The world's major photo agencies decided to 'kill' the picture after noticing signs of digital editing, including a missing part of Princess Charlotte's sleeve and the misaligned edge of her wrist and skirt, and the positioning of Kate's zip.

This morning the Princess of Wales gave an apology on social media.

She said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day.'

She signed it 'C' - for Catherine.

Kate was later spotted alongside Prince William leaving Windsor Castle as she made her way to a private appointment.

Meanwhile, her husband was seen laughing with Queen Camilla as the duo led the royals at today's Commonwealth Day Service in King Charles's absence.

The heir to the throne and the Queen were joined by royals this afternoon including Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey.

As the King continues to recover from cancer, he recorded a special video message to mark the occasion which was broadcast at the ceremony in Central London.

Announcing today's protest, X account '@NoKingCharlie' posted: 'No sanctuary for anyone...Happening Now...Westminster Abbey...Nearest tube. Westminster #Commonwealth #KateGate #NotMyKing'

The protesters were also waving flags with the message 'Abolish the monarchy'

Passersby were forced to weave between protesters as they lined the streets by the abbey

Today's demonstration (pictured) mirrors protests seen at King Charles's coronation last year

The large crowd with yellow banners and flags stood outside the abbey while the ceremony marking 75 years of the Commonwealth took place inside

Prince William leaves Windsor for Westminster Abbey this afternoon with his wife the Princess of Wales next to him

Kate was seen looking out of the window of the car as William looked like he was reading notes

Kensington Palace yesterday released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery

Kate also posted the apology on the Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram account

In Charles's absence, the family is being led by the Queen, William and an extended roster of royals including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

The King's video was filmed last month at Windsor Castle, one of the places where His Majesty has been recuperating.

He refers to the origins of the Commonwealth in the network of countries that once formed the British Empire, saying: 'The 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey our unique family of free and independent nations has made since 1949.

'Last year, the Bahamas celebrated its 50th anniversary of Independence, as Grenada has this year, and Papua New Guinea will next year.

'Each of these milestones  and many others like them  represent the fulfilment of countless aspirations and the achievement of such remarkable potential.

'And the Commonwealth's growth, with new members continuing to join our family of nations, demonstrates clearly that whilst we may not all have a shared history, we have common ambitions for a better future  working together to build resilience and respond to global challenges.'

In what many will interpret as a veiled reference to colonialism and slavery, the King referenced 'inequalities and injustices' of the past 'which still resonate today' and urged member nations to continue to 'find ways of healing'.

Referring to climate change, the loss of nature and the social and economic changes new technologies are bringing, he said: 'Our diversity means that these challenges affect us all differently and that we experience their impacts in different ways.

Queen Camilla and Prince William share a giggle as they lead the royals at Westminster Abbey

Queen Camilla and Prince William have arrived at the Commonwealth Day service in King Charles' absence

'Their seriousness, however, is common to each one of us. All of this means that we must work together to understand each other's perspectives, including the inequalities and injustices which still resonate to this day.

'We must find ways of healing, and to support each other to pursue solutions. I cannot say often enough that it is by coming together that we create the best chances to improve our world and the lives of people everywhere.'

The King concludes: 'In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth.'

Announcing today's protest, X account '@NoKingCharlie' posted: 'No sanctuary for anyone...Happening Now...Westminster Abbey...Nearest tube. Westminster #Commonwealth #KateGate #NotMyKing'

Last year 'Not My King' protesters were arrested during the King's coronation, including Republic's megaphone-wielding chief executive Graham Smith.

Prince William is pictured arriving at Westminster Abbey without his wife, the Princess of Wales

Prince Edward and Princess Sophie are seen arriving at the Commonwealth Day service

Group director Harry Stratton, who witnessed the arrest of his six colleagues, denied any megaphones or locking chains were being carried or seized, and that they hadn't broken any rules laid out by the force in a series of meetings - which included not mentioning Prince Andrew and the sex claims against him, which he denies.

Mr Stratton accused police of 'intentionally picking them out', while another campaigner claimed straps holding their placards had been 'misconstrued' as something that could be used for locking on.

Scotland Yard later expressed 'regret' over the arrests of the protesters ahead of the coronation after being threatened with legal action when no charges were brought.
The operational structure of the sprawling international 'enterprise' known as The Annex was much akin to that one might find in any business.

There was a clearly defined 'promotion' scheme allowing, encouraging even, staff to climb the ranks. Targets and working were hours all set out, holidays had to be flagged to line managers.

And there were rules - lots of rules.

A quick glance at some of those rules, however, will tell you that The Annex was  for it is now, mercifully, defunct  no legitimate business.

'Stay anonymous, never umask yourself!' says one.

'Never, ever share personal data,' warns another.

'Always download and watch videos offline,' orders one more.

Nathan Bake arrives for sentencing at Chester Crown Court

The Annex was a vast website where 100,000 paedophiles worldwide would 'meet' to share millions of videos and pictures of child sex abuse, on the dark web - a shadowy place, where sickening criminality was free to burgeon under the cover of anonymity.

Unknown to users, however, its twisted operations had been under the scrutiny of international crime agencies since 2019, but only now, following the sentencing of three men in British courts, can the full extent of the global criminal enterprise be laid bare.

Those men, as you will see, didn't just participate in the sinister underground network, but helped to run it  fitting in their nefarious 'duties' around days jobs, which included, in the case of one, tending to the needs of elderly patients as a psychiatrist within the NHS.

Tyre fitter Nathan Bake, a 28-year-old loner, described by an ex colleague talking to the Mail as 'awkward', 'nerdy' and a 'cat obsessed computer whizz', was sentenced to 16 years in prison last month.

An Asperger's sufferer, he'd risen to become second-in-command of the global operation, prior to his arrest in November 2022.

He would conduct his duties after work, from his modest home in Cheshire, spending hours sitting in front of a laptop on a desk in his bedroom.

William Spearman's chaotic garage, from where he ran the the global paedophile network

Then there is William Yates, 45, a divorced stepfather to two children, who ranked just below Bake as assistant moderator.

He was jailed for five years and four months for his part in the vile exchange of images of some of the very worst kinds of abuse.

Unemployed, Yates had plenty of time to devote to his 'work'.

NHS psychiatrist Kabir Garg, meanwhile, didn't. He habitually used to get up early to fit in a shift on The Annex, before heading off to his actual job, for South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, just walking distance from his south London flat.

Garg, whose father is a prominent psychiatrist in India, was sentenced to six years in prison last June, having been umasked as a 'gateway moderator' on the site.

Three men, all very different, each unknown to each other in the real world, shared a depraved common interest online, swapping and facilitating the sharing of thousands of sick images and video content.

That one of the 'rooms' users could access was called Tots-R-Us is probably sufficient explanation as to what was available in there.

'King Pedo' William Spearman, left, and one of his online lieutenants, Nathan Bake

'Nothing on this site was off limits. Everything was encouraged,' says National Crime Agency branch commander Adam Priestley, who was part of the investigation team who brought the men to justice.

'The men that we're talking about here were very much part of a team  a staff that you would expect to see within any business  that provide a platform and facilitate a community of paedophiles to encourage the abuse of children all over the world.'

So just how did The Annex manage to extend its twisted tentacles across the globe to become one of the biggest networks of its kind, and, more importantly, how did the combined forces of cross-border crime detection agencies bring it crashing down?

It was investigators in Germany, in 2019, who first turned their attention to the shadowy dark web entity, known as Tor, short for The Onion Router, in 2019. They managed to seize servers in Romania and Moldova that set off a ripple effect to other agencies around the globe, including the FBI and, in the UK, the National Crime Agency.

Yates was the first of the British contingent to be arrested, in a low-budget hotel room in the Sussex seaside town of Eastbourne, in May 2022.

No longer active on the site, he admitted being an Annex user since 2019, having first been offered a role as a low ranking staff member and then working his way up to become an assistant moderator by first posting indecent content himself, then encouraging others to do the same.

One of the site's various ways of rewarding users was the sharing of colours, then hearts, as a reward system as they worked their way up the sordid ladder. In this world status and contribution was valued higher than cash; investigators do not think rewards extended to actual payments, although it is thought that money, in the shape of crypto-currency was exchanged between some users and managers of the site.

Yates, apparently a churchgoing Christian who was described in court as 'vulnerable', had been unmasked after ignoring one of the site's rules, and using his own surname as his user name  yates704.

At the time of his arrest, investigators found 6,000 private messages between yates704 and other users, involving everything from fantasy role play involving abuse of children to advice on how to post indecent images  and how to evade law enforcement.

The next British arrests were simultaneous, in November 2022  unfolding, the Mail has learned, on the very same day the FBI swooped on the US-based kingpin of the entire operation.

As we can reveal, the international nerve centre of the forum was in a cluttered garage in a suburban street in Madison, Alabama where a father-of-three, a US Army veteran named William (Bill) Spearman, going by the user name 'King Pedo' presided (remotely) over a team of 30 loyal staff members around the globe and a dizzying array of members and 'visitors'.

King Pedo's lair is, as you will see, not some slick office, but rather a rubbish-strewn corner of a garage, with no fewer than eight laptop computers scattered around three desks.

There's a child's bike lying a short distance away and a picture in a frame of a little girl under the word 'Princess'; there's also a sign on the wall reading, 'I'd rather have a gun in my hand than a cop on the phone.'

Spearman, 58, had three guns on his desk from where he managed, as the US authorities put it, 'one of the largest child pornography websites in the world'.

William Yates, a divorced and unemployed stepfather of two, and psychiatrist Kabir Garg

Protests that he did not enjoy violent child pornography and that he did not run the site, were belied by the huge a collection of material devices, including infamous videos depicting the sexual torture and rape of toddlers and the fact other users and staff called him 'boss'.

Using online aliases 'Enforcer' and 'King Pedo', Spearman ruled his team of staff with a rod of steel, putting rules in place that encouraged lower-ranking users to rise through the hierarchy by posting more child sexual abuse material and demoted those who didn't.

US court documents reveal that such was Spearman's grip on proceedings, that he even erupted when administrators took time off.

Take this remark to one administrator: 'wtf?' 'didn't u say on [date] that will be your last vacation days?'

Or this to another: 'I'll be honest with you that I was really pissed off that you took that little vacation last month ...I can't really remember the last time I've had any vacation at all, plus I've even stopped going out on Friday nights because of my responsibility here. I'm not trying to guilt-trip you either. Like I said, I need to know I've got a partner here.'

Could he be talking about one of his British lieutenants? Perhaps.

The veteran, whose youngest son is eight, was sentenced to life in federal prison when he appeared in court last month.

In court, the prosecution said: 'The defendant is before this court because he chose to run a massive, sprawling empire dedicated to images and videos of children being raped and abused. He did not do this because he is "broken". He did not do this because of PTSD. Nor did he do it because of depression, opioids, or any of the other myriad excuses he puts forth in his papers. He did it because he wanted to.

'In fact, the defendant's papers present a bizarre, alternate world in which the defendant decided to run  not join, not visit, but run  an enormous child sexual abuse material website, despite harbouring little to no sexual interest in children or in child pornography.

'This, simply put, is not even remotely believable. Through his egregious criminal conduct, this defendant exploited a literally uncountable number of children. He presided as the leader of a community of pedophiles, allowed them to commit non-stop criminal activity, fostered an environment where users could revel in discussions of child sexual abuse, and provided advice on how not to be caught by law enforcement.'

On the very same day, last November, as Spearman erupted with rage as his empire collapsed (court documents notes Spearman 'physically resisted' when the FBI arrived at his door) Garg and Bake were arrested on this side of the Atlantic.

Psychiatrist Garg, I am told, tried to slam his laptop shut when investigators arrived at his flat in Lewisham. Single and going through a divorce from his wife, a hospital doctor working in his home city of Agra, India, who knew nothing about his other 'career', he'd initially 'tried to distance himself' from his crimes, according to National Crime Agency branch commander Adam Priestley.

'He was in a bad place, he was depressed and this is what he ended up doing,' says Priestley. 'Speaking in broader terms, that's not an unusual explanation.'

However, there was abundant evidence on his MacBook laptop and memory card that he had accumulated thousands of indecent images.

Gateway moderator for the site, his responsibility was judging who could be allowed to progress from the 'gateway' into the 'lobby'  the first steps in the sites chain.

That he took his job seriously is evidenced in this 'chastisement' to one visitor: 'You were dropped today for not following the rule despite warning. Please ensure to greet rooms when you enter in future.'

At his sentencing hearing in June at Wooldwich Crown Court, the prosecution drew attention to the numerous medical journals and articles on his devices discussing the impact of child sexual abuse on a child; evidence he ignored.

The same day, but 235 miles north, Bake was arrested too.

A Lego and computer game enthusiast, the youngest of five brothers, he grew up in Runcorn, in Cheshire, where schoolmates recall him as something of a loner.

After leaving school he completed a diploma in vehicle maintenance and worked briefly on the production line for Vauxhall, before becoming a tyre fitter.

A former colleague told the Mail: 'He came across as awkward and a bit nerdy and he didn't associate with colleagues after work. He would occasionally fix computers for workmates.

'He also said he liked building websites but of course he never mentioned what these websites were. When I found out what he'd done, I felt totally sick.'

On the evening of November 2, 2022, investigators on the trail of a user named 'Pink' followed an IP (Internet Protocol) address leading to Bake's two-bedroom home on a quiet street in Runcorn, a property he'd purchased with the help of an inheritance .

When they arrived the Muslim convert - it is not known when he converted, but Chester Crown Court was told he had been learning Arabic - was at home, and his silver Apple MacBook was sitting, lid closed, but switched on, on the desk in his bedroom. There was an encryption device plugged in that, if removed, would have wiped all data; but it wasn't removed.

He had been on the site for two-and-a half years, working his way up through the ranks.

A vocal cheerleader for the site, records were found of him encouraging users to take part in a sick twist on 'happy hour' and to boost the number of posts made.

Investigators seized 60 electronic devices and examined several hard drives, finding a dizzying mountain of indecent images of children. Children's underwear, tights and sandals were also recovered from his computer desk, along with a number of adult sex aids.

Unlike Spearman, who initially denied being a paedophile but who admitted engaging in a child exploitation enterprise, Bake admitted 12 offences, including facilitating sexual exploitation of children and participating in an organised crime group (the latter a charge used because, shockingly, there is no charge in the UK that applies to moderating a site of this nature).

Bake's neighbours are still reeling from the knowledge that the bearded, pallid young man who, until he was sentenced, lived so close, had been at the heart of an international paedophile network.

'I always thought there was something odd about him, something creepy,' says one neighbour. 'We just thought he must have lost his job because he wasn't going out to work anymore.

'Now to hear what he'd actually been doing in there makes me feel sick.

'We have our young grandchildren round to see us and the thought of him looking out at them is horrific.'

While the three British men, hiding behind the anonymity of the dark web and their quiet, suburban lives, is most definitely a battle won in the fight against child exploitation, the war goes on.

Yet like with the mythical Hydra, sadly one suspects that as soon as one head is cut off, another will grow back - and find a new place to hide.
Former President Donald Trump once again attacked rape accuser E. Jean Carroll just days after securing a $91.6 million bond to pay a jury award despite his ongoing legal exposure.

Trump called her accusations against him 'false' and ridiculed her as 'Miss Bergdorf Goodman,' in reference to her allegation that he raped her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the 1990s.

'I have no idea who she is, except one thing, I got sued,' he told CNBC in a call-in interview Monday. 'From that point on I said, 'Wow, that's 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,' he said.

Trump winds down his lengthy CNBC interview by (unprompted!) smearing E Jean Carrol as "Ms. Bergdort Goodman," claiming he never met her, and accusing her of making false claims about him pic.twitter.com/5QxHFscdBc  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 11, 2024

Former President Donald Trump mocked rape accuser E. Jean Carroll as 'Miss Bergdorf Goodman' and called her accusations against him 'false'

Trump's denial comes after he has had to put down money in two separate judgements in the case. A jury in May ordered him liable for sexual abuse and awarded $5 million in damages to his accuser. Trump has put up $5.6 million as he appeals the verdict.

He is also appealing the separate $83 million verdict that required him to post the larger bond Friday, which he secured through insurance company Chubb.

After the two defamation verdicts, Trump faces the prospect of getting sued yet again for his attacks on Carroll. He has denied her allegations both in court and in public.

He blasted her once again at a Saturday rally in Georgia.

'I just posted a $91 million bond, $91 million on a fake story, totally made-up story,' Trump said. '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,' he said.

Trump spoke days after posting a $91 million bond after a Carroll jury verdict

Trump's comments on CNBC could direct any future Carroll lawsuit back to the courtroom of Judge Lewis Kaplan, according to George Conway

Trump spoke about the case in a wider-ranging interview on CNBC

'And when I denied it, I said, 'Its so crazy. Its false." I get sued for defamation. Thats where it starts.'

Lawyer and Trump critic George Conway posted that Trump's latest comments could expose him more than those in Georgia by giving Carroll an opening to try to sue him in New York.

'The fact that Trump libeled @ejeancarroll on @CNBC @CNBCSquwalk@CNBC is highly significant for a procedural reason in addition to a substantive one, he posted on X.'

'Were E. Jean to sue Trump just for the speech he gave in northwest Georgia the other day, she would have had to sue in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. But now that he libeled her on Squawk Box, which is anchored in Manhattan, she may now sue in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. If she does that, the case would be assigned to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan as a case related to the earlier two cases that produced $88.3 million in damages awards.'

Kaplan  who Carroll hired at Conway's recommendation  wrote in a new court filing Monday that her team continues to 'monitor' Trump's statements against Carroll, a warning that Carroll could sue him once again.

However she did not avail herself of potential opportunities to oppose the way Trump paid the bond, writing that the two sides had made some accommodations on logistics.
President Joe Biden's Secretary of State left for Jamaica Monday morning for emergency talks with Caribbean leaders amid airlift evacuation of the U.S. embassy in Haiti.

Antony Blinken was pictured leaving the U.S. for Kingston, Jamaica amid fears of collapse in Haiti with growing violence across the island from local gangs threatening to bring down the local government.

Marines were deployed to remove from the country all nonessential personnel from the embassy in Haiti while the European Union and Germany also evacuated their embassy staff.

The violent operation in Haiti, which occurred early Sunday, serves as the latest sign of the country's societal troubles  as locals in its capital continue to report the overwhelming stench of the dead.

The meeting in Jamaica with Blinken and Caribbean leaders comes after the State Department earlier this year issued a travel warning to Jamaica  raising the country to a 'level four threat' and warning Americans 'do not travel' there.

Violence in Haiti broke out this past week, and includes targeting state institutions, which led to international governments evacuating their embassies.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken left the U.S. Monday for meetings with Caribbean leaders in Jamaica amid a massive surge in violence in Haiti and fears of collapse

Marines deployed to evacuate the U.S. embassy in Haiti as local gangs continue to attack state institutions, and as locals in the nation's capital where the diplomatic delegation is set continue to report the overwhelming stench of the dead

Gangs across the country continue to unite, causing thousands to flee their homes.

Politicians across the region are scrambling for a solution, as dogs have been seen gnawing on the unaddressed dead, and bodies are burned in the streets.

Blinken is hoping to lend U.S. assistance with his trip to the region Monday.

A travel advisory from the State Department notes: 'Secretary Antony J. Blinken will travel to Kingston, Jamaica today to attend the High-Level Meeting on Haiti convened by the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).'

'The Secretary will discuss the proposal developed in partnership with CARICOM and Haitian stakeholders to expedite a political transition in Haiti through the creation of a broad-based, independent presidential college as well as the deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission to address the ongoing security crisis.'

The statement adds that Blinken will also meet with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness during is trip on Monday 'to discuss bilateral and regional issues and reaffirm our strong and enduring ties with Jamaica.'

The neighborhood around the U.S. Embassy in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, has been one of the hardest-hit, hence the recent evacuation operation. Its success was revealed in a statement from the US military's Southern Command later in the day.

'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 command, one of 11 within the Department of Defense, said Sunday.

The evacuation operation, which occurred overnight Sunday, serves as the latest sign of Haiti's societal troubles, and saw personnel secretly evacuated under the cover of night. Pictured: The US Embassy, in Port-au-Prince, is seen here hours after the operation, early Sunday

Blinken is meeting with Caribbean leaders on Monday to 'discuss the proposal... to expedite a political transition in Haiti through the creation of a broad-based, independent presidential college.' He will also meet with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness after the State Department raised the travel warning to Jamaica to 'level four'

The statement went on to reveal how the European Union's delegation in Haiti has too temporarily closed its offices, amid the looming threat of the localized gangs.

The airlift operation at the embassy, they added, saw several non-essential embassy personnel evacuated under the cover of night, while the unspecified number of troops remained to bolster security.

In the meantime, the Caribbean nation continues to reel under a state of emergency, extended Thursday by a month as officials try and curb the violent gang attacks.

A curfew was called along with it, as the US and other countries with a presence there continue to keep operations to a minimum, citing security concerns.

For locals on the ground, it's reportedly even worse - particularly after a sweltering weekend where temperatures in the tropical region reached well into the 90s.

Residents in places like Port-au-Prince - estimated to be at least 80 percent overrun by the gangs - have thus reported the strong smell of decay, telling publications like The New York Times that the stench has forced them to vacate their homes.

A death toll, as of Monday, remains unknown, as gangs were seen hurling Molotov cocktails at the The Ministry of Interior and Territorial Communities, not far from the US embassy.

Residents in places like Port-au-Prince - estimated to be at least 80 percent overrun by the gangs - have reported the strong smell of decay, telling publications like The New York Times that the stench has forced them to vacate their homes

Violence in the Caribbean country broke out out this past week , and has since threatened to bring down the local government.

Meanwhile, gangs across the country continue to unite, causing thousands to flee their homes

Politicians across the region are scrambling for a solution, as dogs have been seen gnawing on the unaddressed dead, and bodies are burned in the streets

Others fired gunshots at the presidential palace where Prime Minister Ariel Henry was notably absent, after traveling recently to Kenya to push for a UN-backed intervention that would have seen police from Kenya come to combat the gangs.

However, that request was shot down, after a Kenyan court ruled that such a deployment would be unconstitutional.

Now facing calls to resign or form a transitional council, Henry, at the moment, remains unable to return home, stranded in Puerto Rico since Tuesday after officials deemed in unsafe to land in the neighboring Dominican Republic.

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,' alluding that his passage in the country could see the violence spread to the other side of the island

The Dominican Republic has since closed its land border with Haiti, seemingly leaving the other side of Hispaniola to its fate.

'Given the current situation, the presence of the Haitian prime minister in the Dominican Republic is not considered appropriate,' Abinader said Sunday, hours after word spread of the US embassy evacuation.

The politician added that 'this decision reflects the firm position of the Dominican government to safeguard its national security and stability,' and billed the security situation in Haiti as 'totally unsustainable'.

He added that the violence currently being seen in the country 'poses a direct threat to the safety and stability of the Dominican Republic,' while predicting 'the situation could deteriorate even further if a peacekeeping force is not implemented urgently.'

A woman lies on the pavement as she mourns a family member shot dead by unknown assailants in Port-au-Prince Friday. As of writing, the city is said to be almost completely controlled by insurgents

Haitian police patrol a street after authorities extended the state of emergency amid gang violence that has threatened to bring down the government, as officials continue to beseech officials from overseas to send soldiers to help

As the stench permeates throughout the country, a morgue director told The Washington Post how he has received 20 calls in the past week from residents asking him to pick up bodies

'The biggest fear is stray bullets,' said Nixon Boumba, a 42-year-old consultant to an international aid and human rights organization based in the capital, before recalling how last weekend he called a taxi driver he uses to go shopping, only to find his friend had been shot

A police officer guards the entrance of the US embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday. The US military said Sunday that it had flown in forces to enhance security at the delegation and allow nonessential personnel to leave

Almost a day later, order has yet to be restored, after officials this week warned that 'Haiti will go hungry soon' if something is not done immediately.

Citing the gangs' recent capture of a critical port and their continued expansion of territory, Caribbean leaders called for an emergency meeting Monday in Jamaica, to address what they called a 'dire' situation.

Invites were sent the United States, France, Canada, the United Nations and Brazil, with the US on Sunday vowing to continue to support the embattled nation.

The chaos, meanwhile, has left citizens struggling to survive, with one telling The Times Sunday how an acquaintance's brother was struck down by one of the near-constant streams of gunfire.

'The biggest fear is stray bullets,' said Nixon Boumba, a 42-year-old consultant to an international aid and human rights organization based in the capital.

He went on to recall how, last weekend, he called the motorcycle taxi driver he typically uses to go shopping, to find his friend beside himself.

'He told me, 'I can't come now. My brother was hit by a stray bullet,'' Boumba recalled Sunday.

Blondine Tanis, a 36-year-old radio broadcaster who was kidnapped by one of the then disjointed gangs in July who then sold her to another gang that held her for nine days, said the violence was unlike anything she had seen before.

'What I'm witnessing today is unprecedented. It's been too long,' the morgue directors said. 'It's heartbreaking to go around and see bodies being eaten by dogs and see the corpses covered with sheets'

A death toll, as of Monday, remains unknown, as gangs were seen hurling Molotov cocktails at the The Ministry of Interior and Territorial Communities, not far from the US embassy

'There are young kids in the streets with heavy automatic weapons,' she said, comparing the unrest to the 1991 coup that led to three years of military rule.

'They shoot people and burn their bodies with no remorse. I don't know how to qualify that. I ask myself what happened to this generation. Are they even human?'

As the stench permeates throughout the country, a morgue director told The Washington Post how he has received 20 calls in the past week from residents asking him to pick up bodies.

Four calls came in Friday, Lyonel Milfort told paper, before admitting that he had to refuse all of them.

Residents have been seen carrying out body removals themselves, as dogs and other animals begin to gnaw on the unaddressed dead.

Gangs, meanwhile, continue to patrol the streets, setting up barricades and firing indiscriminately.

This, Milfort said, has mad venturing outside virtually impossible, as other morgues and government funded institution have found themselves under attack.

He said he doesn't want to risk the lives of his staff, mentioning how since starting his business in 2002, he has never been forced to close for so long - now more than a week.

'What I'm witnessing today is unprecedented. It's been too long,' he said. 'It's heartbreaking to go around and see bodies being eaten by dogs and see the corpses covered with sheets.'

Romain Le Cour, a political scientist currently conducting research in Port-au-Prince, said the outsized amount of bodies - many of which can be seen in photographs snapped as recently as Sunday - reflect 'extremely high levels of violence, extreme pressure on the population and a feeling of hopelessness and abandonment.'

He described the situation as among the worst Haiti has seen in years. He mentioned The 2010 earthquake that left 220,000 people dead, but pointed to how in that particular case, there was both a national and international response that reassured Haitians something was being done.

In this case, he said, citizens have not been provided with the same comfort, especially with their prime minister currently AWOL.

'Right now, what is terrible is the sense of abandonment,' he said Sunday, shortly after the successful Embassy operation. 'You have no one to turn to.

'You have to do what you have to do,' he continued. 'But you have to do it alone.'

That said, In Southern Command's statement, officials said that Washington remained firmly committed to quelling those concerns.

'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.
Israel's defence minister said on Monday that authorities would respect freedom of worship during Ramadan but were 'ready' for anyone who might 'try us'.

'The State of Israel respects the freedom of worship at Al-Aqsa and all holy places,' Yoav Gallant said in a video message, referring to the third-holiest site in Islam, located in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

'The month of Ramadan may be a month of jihad, and we say to everyone not to try us - we are ready, don't make mistakes,' he said in the clip posted on his Telegram channel.

His comments came amid concerns about tensions during Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, a flashpoint for violence during the Muslim fasting month in past years.

During Ramadan, Muslims in their tens and even hundreds of thousands pray at the compound.

On Friday a spokesman for the armed wing of the Hamas militant group called on 'our people' to mobilise and head towards Al-Aqsa.

During Ramadan, Muslims in their tens and even hundreds of thousands pray at the compound

This picture taken from Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, shows smoke rising over buildings in Khan Yunis during Israeli bombardment

This year, Israel announced it would limit access during Ramadan, citing security needs with war raging in Gaza

The compound is also Judaism's most sacred site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

This year, Israel announced it would limit access during Ramadan, citing security needs with war raging in Gaza.

After hard-right Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said recently he wanted tougher restrictions, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the numbers admitted would be similar to last year.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Monday restrictions imposed by Israel on Muslim worshippers' access to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the Muslim fasting month was pushing the situation towards an 'explosion'.

In remarks on state media, Safadi said his country, which overviews the holy site, rejected Israel's announced move to limit access during Ramadan, citing security needs with war raging in Gaza.

'We warn that desecrating the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque is playing with fire,' Safadi said in a joint news conference with the Vatican's foreign minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Monday restrictions imposed by Israel on Muslim worshippers' access to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the Muslim fasting month was pushing the situation towards an 'explosion'

Safadi echoed the Palestinian view that such restrictions on Muslim worshippers, already facing war and hunger in Gaza, were an attack on freedom of worship

Safadi echoed the Palestinian view that such restrictions on Muslim worshippers, already facing war and hunger in Gaza, were an attack on freedom of worship.

'Not allowing worshippers to perform their religious duties and their rituals in this holy month and restricting freedom to enter the Aqsa mosque, all that pushes torwards an explosive situation which is what we are warning about,' Safadi added.

Israel was also risking wider violence in the Israeli occupied West Bank by what Safadi said were unilateral Israeli measures to change the status quo citing accelerated Jewish settlement building on Arab land and what he termed as stepped up 'terror attacks by armed settlers on Palestinian villagers.

'The West Bank is boiling,' Safadi added.

The Israeli-occupied West Bank has since the Gaza war seen a surge of confrontations, with around 400 Palestinians killed in clashes with security forces or Jewish settlers.

Most world powers view as illegal settlements Israel has built on land it captured in a 1967 war with Arab powers.

The holy month of Ramadan came at a time when Palestinians in the enclave were dying of hunger with Israel using food as a weapon of war, Safadi said.

The Israeli-occupied West Bank has since the Gaza war seen a surge of confrontations

Muslims perform tarawih prayer on the first Friday night of the Holy month of Ramadan at Masjid al-Aqsa Compound in Jerusalem

Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel triggered the ongoing war in Gaza, now in its six month

'Ramadan comes with Gaza bombed by Israel and women unable to find food for their children and five months that have passed with the world failing to preserve human digintiy,' Safadi said.

Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel triggered the ongoing war in Gaza, now in its six month.

The attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

The militants also seized about 250 hostages, dozens of whom were released during a week-long truce in November.

Israel believes that 99 hostages still in militants' hands remain alive and 31 have died.

Israel's retaliatory military campaign to destroy Hamas has killed at least 31,112 people, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

Mediators had been hoping to secure a new truce before Ramadan began but so far there has been no breakthrough.
The grand champion painting "Warriors of the Great Spirit" was sold for $275,000 at the annual student art auction on March 10, 2024, in Houston. Thomas Hopkins/RodeoHouston The reserve grand champion painting "Constant Companion" was sold for $200,000 at the annual student art auction on March 10, 2024, in Houston. Thomas Hopkins/RodeoHouston Eliza Hoffman of Clear Creek ISD was awarded grand champion for her artwork entitled "Warriors of the Great Spirit" during the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeos school art awards ceremony at NRG Center, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Sion Joo from Pearland ISD speaks after being awarded reserve grand champion for her artwork entitled "Constant Companion" during the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeos school art awards ceremony at NRG Center, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

The two top works of art at this years Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo together raised nearly a half million dollars at the rodeos student art program auction Sunday.

Paintings from the grand and reserve grand champions of the annual art program, which helps fund scholarships, each were auctioned for at least $200,000, with the former tying a RodeoHouston record set in 2023.

Heres what to know about the award-winning artworks:

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Warriors of the Great Spirit  $275,000

The grand champion painting "Warriors of the Great Spirit" was sold for $275,000 at the annual student art auction on March 10, 2024, in Houston. Courtesy of RodeoHouston

This years grand champion artwork, a piece titled Warriors of the Great Spirit by Clear Springs High School senior Eliza Hoffman, raised $275,000 in Sundays auction. The painting depicts two members of the Lakota tribe on horseback.

Hoffman was last years reserve grand champion with a painting of a Cherokee woman named Morning Dove. That artwork was auctioned for $185,000.

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Its so hard to go from (second to first place), so I just wanted to focus on how I could individually focus on the painting, Hoffman said in a statement provided by RodeoHouston.

The 18-year-old artists 2024 entry was bought by Klein-based J. Alan Kent Development, Kristina and Paul Somerville, the Mulanax family and Bob Van Matre

Constant Companion  $200,000

The reserve grand champion painting "Constant Companion" was sold for $200,000 at the annual student art auction on March 10, 2024, in Houston. Courtesy of RodeoHouston

Reserve grand champion Sion Joons piece titled Constant Companion raked in $200,000 during Sundays auction. The painting features a man interacting with his dog, and Joon aimed to capture the devotion the pet has for its owner in the piece.

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Sion, 16, was also the reserve class champion for a 3D class sculpture called Bulls Eye, making her a rare double champion.

I finally recognize there are people who respect my work and support me, she said, so Ill definitely continue my art in my career.

The artwork was bought by Cheryl and Gary Deitcher; and Terry and Joe Agris.

We do this because we love the kids, said donor Terry Agris in a statement. Guaranteeing a better life for young people who are focused on their future, if we can contribute anything to that, its a good thing.
A former police officer who led the initial response to the Manchester Arena bombing will not face criminal charges after he claimed he 'felt he had got away with' not following procedure the night of the attack.

Chief Inspector Dale Sexton, formally of Greater Manchester Police, was the force duty officer in the control room on the night of the blast in May 2017 which killed 22 people and injured hundreds.

He told the public inquiry into the 2017 attack that he made a deliberate decision not to tell other emergency services he had declared Operation Plato, the national name for dealing with a marauding terrorist firearms attack, because he feared it would hold ambulance and fire crews back.

However, he made no mention of going against protocol and keeping the declaration secret from partner services when interviewed in 2018 as part of the Kerslake Report, an independent review into the emergency response commissioned by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

When challenged by the public inquiry as to why he had not admitted earlier to going against the protocol, he said he felt as though he had 'almost got away with it on the night'.

The retired officer will now face internal proceedings which will judge whether he breached standards of professional behaviour, but will not be prosecuted after his file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service last year.

Chief Inspector Dale Sexton, of Greater Manchester Police, was the force duty officer in the control room on the night of the Manchester Arena bombing

CCTV image of Salman Abedi at Victoria Station making his way to the Manchester Arena, on May 22, 2017, where he detonated his bomb

Sexton told the inquiry he made a deliberate decision to not alert the ambulance and fire services that he had declared Operation Plato, a planned response to a marauding armed terrorist

Giving evidence in May 2021, Mr Sexton told the inquiry: 'I didn't want for that decision almost to be known. I don't know why, but it was certainly something which wasn't mentioned to Kerslake.

'I don't know why I didn't mention it. But I certainly wouldn't have wanted to - as I had seen it, for me I'd almost got away with it on the night, as in I'd achieved to keep people at the scene providing medical treatment, and then after that, I suppose knowing that it was such a significant deviation, I really didn't want to draw light to it.'

Inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders later ruled the officer had not deliberately made a decision to withhold the information.

Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) originally found there were no grounds for criminal charges or misconduct proceedings, but this was challenged under its Victims' Right to Review process.

A file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service last year, and prosecutors have now confirmed no charges will be brought.

However, the review found there was sufficient evidence for a disciplinary hearing to take place, which will be organised by Greater Manchester Police.

The scene close to the Manchester Arena after the terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert

Salman Abedi (pictured) hid for nearly an hour on the upstairs level of the foyer at Manchester Arena before he detonated his home-made explosives in May 2017

IOPC regional director Emily Barry said: 'This was a highly complex and challenging investigation. In circumstances like these, thorough scrutiny - both of the police, and our own decision-making, through our Victims' Right to Review process - is essential to allow the public to have confidence in the police complaints process.

'Ultimately, we found sufficient evidence to indicate the officer may have breached the standards of professional behaviour when subsequently giving accounts of their decision-making on the night of the attack.

'It will now be for a police disciplinary panel to consider the evidence and reach a decision based on all the available information.'

Mr Sexton was the force duty officer on the night suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated explosives at an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.

The suicide bomber hid for nearly an hour on the upstairs level of the foyer out of sight of CCTV cameras before he detonated his Karrimor rucksack filled with explosives - killing 22 people and injuring 119.
A top Republican is sounding the alarm about 'grave' consequences of President Biden's plan to establish an emergency floating port off Gaza to help get more humanitarian into the war-torn region.

During his State of the Union address, Biden ordered the U.S. military to send thousands of American troops on ships with armed escorts to build a temporary pier off Gaza.

'Im directing the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments carrying food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters,' the president stated last week.

'No U.S. boots will be on the ground,' Biden pledged. 'A temporary pier will enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza every day.'

However, former Special Forces officer Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., fired off a letter to Biden obtained by DailyMail.com stating that he 'cannot easily imagine a more potentially catastrophic U.S. policy towards Gaza. The risk seems immense.'

A map of the Gaza region. Threats to U.S. military personnel would be heightened as they construct the port off the coast of the war-torn region

During his State of the Union address, Biden ordered the U.S. military to send thousands of American troops on ships with armed escorts to build a temporary pier off Gaza

Waltz has yet to receive a response from the White House regarding his concerns.

He says the main problems remain with the distribution of the aid as Hamas terrorists are likely to intercept it before it gets into the hands of civilians.

'The problem has been distribution, and distribution is what matters. This is a product of, if you will, commercialization of the assistance: criminal gangs are taking it, looting it, reselling it,' Waltz wrote.

In addition, the congressman, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, is also questioning how the military will be able to 'maintain security' over shipments at the dock, including intercepting lethal Iranian aid and missile components.

'This type of smuggled lethal aid is precisely the reason Israel is at such danger from Hamas, and why we must make every effort to ensure that additional Iranian weapons do not reach Gaza,' he says, calling the operation a 'vast misprioritization of U.S. military resources.'

'It is unclear how this operation will address the six remaining US citizens among the more than 134 hostages still in the hands of Hamas,' he adds.

Waltz has yet to receive a response from the White House regarding his concerns, but he is demanding an in-detail briefing of the operational plan immediately.

In addition, threats to U.S. military personnel would be heightened as they construct the port.

A reporter asked the Pentagon's press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder last week if the Pentagon anticipated that Hamas will 'try to fire on them, on the operation?'

Ryder responded: 'Look, I mean, that's certainly a risk.'

'But if Hamas truly does care about the Palestinian people, then again, one would hope that this international mission to deliver aid to people who need it would be able to happen unhindered,' Ryder continued.

During the State of the Union, Biden added that Israel 'must also do its part' to better facilitate aid into Gaza.

'To the leadership of Israel, I say this: Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority,' the president stated.

Children carry kitchen utensils as they walk toward a food distribution point in Gaza

Biden administration officials offered no timeline for when the pier will be built or where exactly it will be located but said its construction will allow more shipments of food, medicine and other essential items to be delivered to the 2.2 million Palestinians.

They said the White House will coordinate with the Israelis regarding security on the ground and with the United Nations and humanitarian groups on getting aid delivered.

The temporary pier will allow for hundreds of additional truckloads of assistance each day, the officials said. It will be an additional route for humanitarian aid, which is currently limited to two land crossings into the southern part of Gaza.

Other countries will be involved in its construction but it's unclear if Israel will be.

The project could take more than 30 to 60 days to construct and would involve hundreds or thousands of U.S. troops on ships just off shore. It will also require armed escorts and other protective measures.

One of the main military units involved in the construction will be the Armys 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), out of Joint Base Eustis-Langley, Va., near Norfolk, U.S. Defense Department officials told the New York Times.

Humanitarian aid falls over northern Gaza - the U.S. is participating in the air drops

Supplies are dropped out of an airplane down onto Gaza

Palestinians carry or transport on carts some personal belongings, as they flee Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip

Biden has already ordered U.S. airlifts of aid, which the military has carried out.

A famine has not yet been declared for Gaza but 20% of households suffer from an extreme lack of food, 30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition and 2 in 10,000 people dying per day 'due to outright starvation or to the interaction of malnutrition and disease,' the World Food Program said.

The administration said it was imperative to get aid on the ground as soon as possible - and that it would go around Israel, its longtime ally, to do it.

The White House is also working to arrange a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to release hostages and get aid in more easily.

Biden said during the State of the Union that he's been working 'non-stop' to establish an immediate ceasefire that would last for six weeks.

That would allow time 'to get all the prisoners released - all the hostages released and to get the hostages home,' he said.

It would also 'ease the intolerable an- humanitarian crisis and build toward an enduring - a more - something more enduring.'
The US tourist who raped and murdered a fellow American in Germany in 2023 after pushing her friend from a cliff was sentenced today to life in prison after a short trial.

Troy Bohling, 31, from Lincoln Park, Michigan, a Detroit suburb, killed and raped Kelsey Chang, 22, and injured her friend Eva Liu, 21, near the Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country.

The conviction can be appealed, and Bohling can apply to serve his sentence in the US, though his lawyer said he had advised the defendant not to do so, since conditions of detention in Germany were better.

The killer befriended the two women near the Maria Bridge, which offers a picture-postcard view of the fairytale castle in Bavaria, and was used by Disney as the model for the castle in both Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

He then lured them away from the public path with the promise of an even better vantage point. There, in the rugged landscape near the castle, he throttled and raped Liu, and threw Chang down a 100-metre ravine when she rushed to help her friend. The elder of the pair survived with severe injuries, after being caught on a tree branch.

Pictured: Troy Bohling and his sister. Bohling admitted to the charges during the start of his trial, the German news agency dpa reported

Bohling has been charged with the murder of 21-year-old Eva Liu (left). He is also charged with the attempted murder of her 22-year-old friend Kelsey Chang (right)

The attack happened on June 14 last year near the Marienbruecke, a bridge over a gorge close to the castle that offers a view of Neuschwanstein castle

Liu was also tossed over the ledge after Bohling raped her. She died in hospital several hours later. The court found that the strangling alone would have been fatal.

At one point the man used his phone, which prosecutors found full of violent pornography, to film himself strangling her with his belt.

'He used her as an object and threw her over the ledge like an object he no longer needed,' said the prosecutor while summing up the case against Bohling.

Bohling the two female tourists, Eva Liu and Kelsey Chang, aged 21 and 22, by chance on a hiking path and lured them off the trail

The judge at the court in Kempten, southern Germany, sentenced the man to life imprisonment, noting that the crime was one of 'particular gravity' - a finding that means the perpetrator will not receive automatic parole after 15 years as is the case for non-aggravated murder.

The man did not contest the charge of murdering the 21-year-old, but did seek a finding that the murder was not aggravated.

Neuschwanstein Castle, about 65 miles southwest of Munich, is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, attracting some 1.4 million visitors a year.

Authorities say the women didn't know the man before they met near Neuschwanstein. The suspect was arrested shortly after the attack.

Liu, from Naperville, Illinois and Chang, from Bloomington, Illinois, were both recent graduates of the University of Illinois.

When mountain rescue workers found the two women, Chang was injured but able to talk. Her friend described her as 'gasping' after the fall.

The rape victim was seriously injured and taken by helicopter to hospital, where she died later that night as a result of her injuries.

Built in the 19th century by King Lugwig II, Neuschwanstein castle is one of the most visited sites in Germany, attracting over a million visitors a year

Other tourists witnessed the assault and later filmed Bohling as he was led away in handcuffs by police.

Bohling photographed and filmed key scenes of the crime, German daily Bild reports.

The rescue operation and his subsequent arrest took place in front of hundreds of tourists, according to the publication.

Bohling lived with his brother Trevor in a single-story house about 20 minutes from Detroit.

Neighbors described him as 'quiet' and not very friendly and said the brothers were often away for long periods of time.

They assumed the pair worked in oil fields.

Bohling attended Allen Park High School near Detroit with former classmates describing him as rather shy and inconspicuous boy that played in the school band and had a girlfriend.

Another person who only knew him briefly says that the alleged killer spent a lot of time playing the role-playing game 'Dungeons and Dragons' in the library in his hometown of Allen Park.

A former friend of the alleged killer, who he had spent several summers in a camp with, said he was 'introverted, shy, quiet and a little peculiar' but ultimately friendly.

He said doing something like the attack in Germany would be unlike 'the Troy he knew ten years ago.'

Court records show that in 2016 he faced a charge of embezzlement, but there was no prosecution and the matter was dropped.
China's President Xi Jinping was spotted screwing up his face after sipping tea at the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC).

The Chinese Communist Party leader was pictured sitting on one of the plush red chairs of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today, before attempting to enjoy his brew.

But after reaching across his desk for his cup, he went to take a sip and was caught making an unexpected expression. Xi's face was seen scrunched up as if he had taken a gulp without allowing the drink to cool down.

The exact reason for the bizarre facial expression is unknown and none of his peers around him seemed to notice.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the week-long National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, China

He was spotted seemingly wincing after taking a sip of his brew while attending the closing session of the annual parliamentary meeting

President Xi Jinping stands to give a round of applause in the Great Hall of the People on Monday

Donning a black suit and classic red tie, Xi was attending the closing session of the NPC - a week-long event also known as the Two Sessions.

China concluded its annual parliamentary meetings by passing a series of amendments that will further consolidate Xi's power and vowed to adopt several new pieces of legislation that aim to protect China's security interests.

China's parliament passed revisions to the Organic Law of the State Council on Monday, which include clauses that reassure the council will uphold the leadership of the ruling Chinese Communist Party - as well as safeguard the centralised leadership of the Communist Party's Central Committee led by Xi.

But Monday's agenda lacked the usual closing news conference by premier Li Qiang, the party's second in command.

The news conference has been held most years since 1988 and was the one time when journalists could directly question a senior Chinese leader.

The decision to scrap it emphasises Qiang's relatively weak status.

In brief closing remarks, Zhao Leji, the legislature's top official, urged the people to unite more closely under the Communist Party's leadership.

'Under the strong leadership of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we must adhere to Xi Jinping... as our guide and unswervingly push forward the Chinese-style modernisation,' he said.

'The party leaders who run the State Council used to have a much freer hand in setting economic policy', said Neil Thomas, a Chinese politics fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

'Xi has been astonishingly successful in consolidating his personal hold over the party, which has allowed him to become the key decisionmaker in all policy domains,' he added.

As the party works towards building a modern, wealthy economy, it is leaning heavily on more overtly communist ideology.

Xi has fortified the party's role across the spectrum, from culture and education to corporate management and economic planning.

'Greater centralisation of power has arguably helped Xi to improve central government effectiveness,' Neil Thomas, a Chinese politics fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said.

In brief closing remarks, Zhao Leji, the legislature's top official, urged the people to unite more closely under the Communist Party's leadership

'But the benefits may be outweighed by the costs of stifling political discussion, disincentivising local innovation and more sudden policy shifts.'

China's parliament also vowed to adopt several security-related laws this year - following on from previous years.

Developing 'new quality productive forces' - a term coined by Xi last September - emerged as a catchphrase at this year's congress.

The term suggests a prioritising of science and technology as China confronts trade sanctions and curbs on access to advanced computer chips and other areas that the US and other countries deem to be national security risks.

Leji said last Friday that Beijing would enact 'an emergency management law and an energy law' while revising 'the National Defense Education Law and Cybersecurity Law.'

The announcement comes after Beijing adopted revisions to the Law on Guarding State Secrets last month, which broadened the scope of information deemed as 'work secrets.'

Last year, China also revised the anti-espionage law, which gives Chinese authorities more power to punish what it views as threats to national security.
Two people have reportedly been arrested in connection to the Philadelphia mass shooting that left eight teenagers injured while they were waiting for a SEPTA bus.

Law enforcement sources said two suspects have been arrested and a weapon has been recovered, reported 6ABC.

Philadelphia police have no released any information about those in custody, but are expected to hold a press conference on the investigation Monday.

Northeast High School students returned to class on Monday for the first time since the shooting.

'In order to provide more small group and individualized support, we will have students return to in-person learning in two shifts,' said Northeast High's principal Omar Crowder.

Philadelphia police suspect that the mass shooting, which left eight teenagers injured while they were waiting for a SEPTA bus on Wednesday afternoon, may be in retaliation for a Monday shooting that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old boy

Detectives have seized a blue 2019 Hyundai Sonata that matches the suspected 'getaway car' captured on surveillance camera, as the three gunmen are still on the run

The vehicle was discovered in the city's Olney neighborhood on Wednesday night and has been taken to a nearby impound lot, according to the police

Juniors and Seniors were the first students back to in-person learning, then Freshman and Sophomores will return to the school on Tuesday.

'The School District of Philadelphia's Emergency Crisis Response Team of the Office of Prevention and Intervention, including crisis counselors, will be on-site to support our students with grief counseling and whatever emotional assistance they need,'

'Please know that the District is working closely with the Philadelphia Police Department every day to keep a close eye on whats going on in our communities and provide extra resources when needed to support the safety of our schools, staff and students.'

Detectives have seized a blue 2019 Hyundai Sonata that matches the suspected 'getaway car' captured on surveillance camera, as the three gunmen are still on the run.

The vehicle was discovered in the city's Olney neighborhood on Wednesday night and has been taken to a nearby impound lot, according to the police.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said that eight students, aged between 15 and 17, were shot after three suspects exited the vehicle near a Dunkin Donuts and fired more than 30 shots at the SEPTA bus stop near Rising Sun and Cottman avenues.

'I'm not shocked because things like this have happened in the past. The only thing that really shocked me is that I happen to be a victim of it,' said one of the victims, who did not want to be identified.

'It's like a scene out of a movie, an action movie. Everything happened so fast. You have to be on your toes consistently if you want to make it out of a situation like that,' he said.

'As I was running, I felt a burning sensation in my back, but I ignored it because of adrenaline. But as I stopped, it just felt like I might of got shot.'

Investigators are working to determine if the Wednesday shooting is connected to another shooting on March 4, where Dayemen Taylor, 17, was killed when gunfire rang out near a bus stop near the Ognotz and Godfrey avenues in Northern Philly

In a bystander video shared on social media, two to three school kids are seen on the wet ground as people around them panic and try to help

One male student, seen in khaki pants and a black zipper hoodie is seen wincing on the ground as he holds his bloody leg

'At some point when the bus is pulling up and the kids are converging to get on the bus, three individuals exit that vehicle and then discharges multiple times,' Bethel said.

A 16-year-old student is reported to be in critical condition after being shot nine times, and seven other victims - including two 15-year-olds, four 16-year-olds, and a 17-year-old - were shot and wounded.

Six victims from Northeast High School are listed in stable condition, while the other two remain in critical but stable condition, police said.

Holly Castor, who works nearby, told ABC: 'looked over and there was four other kids laying down.'

'[One of the 16-year-old victims] was shot in his back -- his spine,' Castor said. 'I put pressure on it. There was a lady on the phone with 911. Because he was sitting, they told him to lay on his belly so he could stop the blood. '

Authorities are now asking for the public's help identifying the suspects in the shooting and released surveillance video of the gunmen getting out of the car before opening fire.

Video shows a dark blue Hyundai Elantra pulling into a Dunkin Donuts parking lot. Moments later, three suspects dressed in all black, wearing face masks, charge out of the car as the driver quickly reverses the vehicle with the doors still open.

The video then turns to another angle and shows the moment the gunmen draw their weapons and shoot as the bus pulls up.

The unidentified suspects then run back to the car that meets them near the bus and swiftly flees the scene.

Before confiscating the 'getaway' car, police said that the paper license plates that were originally attached the vehicle were replaced with temporary plates.

In a bystander video shared on social media, two to three school kids are seen on the wet ground as people around them panic and try to help.

One male student, seen in khaki pants and a black zipper hoodie is seen wincing on the ground as he holds his bloody leg.

Video shows a dark blue Hyundai Elantra pulling into a Dunkin Donuts parking lot. Moments later, three suspects dressed in all black, wearing face masks, charge out of the car as the driver quickly reverses the vehicle with the doors still open

The video then turns to another angle and shows the moment the gunmen draw their weapons and shoot as the bus pulls up

The transportation system said a Route 18 bus and a Route 67 bus were struck by gunfire near the scene of the shooting and have advised people to avoid the area as they investigate the incident.

Wednesday's shooting is the latest in SEPTA bus shootings in the city in the past four days as Charles Lawson, the Chief of SEPTA Transit Police, said his department is going to take an 'aggressive' approach in combating the surge in gun violence, and 'target every criminal code on the books.'

'We're going to enforce crime and we're going to do it aggressively - and we're not going to apologize for it,' Lawson said.

On Tuesday night, another shooting took place onboard a Route 79 bus near South Broad Street and Snyder Avenue.

Carmelo Drayton, 37, suffered two gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at Jefferson University Hospital in Center City.

Police said the shooter, who was wearing a black jacket, grey sweatpants and boots, fled the area. No weapons were found at the scene.

On March 4, Taylor was killed while waiting at the stop after finishing school when at least two people approached him and one opened fire with an automatic weapon, the New York Daily News reported.

Four others were injured in that shooting, including two women who were on a bus and two teenagers, both 15, who were grazed by bullets.

On March 3, a man was shot and killed after he exited a SEPTA bus near Castor Avenue in the Oxford Circle in Northeast Philadelphia.

Officials identified the man as Sawee Kofa, 27, and said that he was shot in the face around 11.25pm.

'We use every legal means at our disposal to target illegal gun possession on SEPTA,' Lawson said.

On Tuesday night, another shooting took place onboard a Route 79 bus near South Broad Street and Snyder Avenue. Carmelo Drayton, 37, suffered two gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the hospital

On Monday, Dayemen Taylor, 17, was also killed when gunfire rang out near a bus stop near the Ognotz and Godfrey avenues intersection in upper Northern Philly

Philadelphia Mayor, Cherelle Parker, said: 'Over the past two days we have seen 11 juveniles shot. Over the past few days, we have seen the senseless acts of gun violence occur in and around schools, and public transportation'

'We're going to target individuals concealing their identity. We're going to target fare evasion. We're going to target open drug use.'

No arrests have been made in connection to any of the shootings, police said.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said: 'Over the past two days we have seen 11 juveniles shot. Over the past few days, we have seen the senseless acts of gun violence occur in and around schools, and public transportation.'

'The purpose of our being here on today is to inform you all that enough is enough.'

'We are just absolutely heartbroken and angry that innocent children walking home from school would be impacted by gun violence, ' Tony Watlington, the Superintendent of the school district of Philadelphia said.

Watlington added that trained professionals will be present at the school on Thursday to provide support for staff and students following the terrifying incident.
The Tories largest ever individual donor has been accused of a racist rant in which he suggested black MP Diane Abbott should be shot.

Frank Hester, who joined the Prime Minister and Elon Musk at the Bletchley Park AI Summit in November, is accused by a newspaper of complaining that seeing the former Labour frontbencher on TV made him 'want to hate all black women'.

Mr Hester, who has given the Tories 10million in the past year, is said to have made the remark to staff at his medical software firm the Phoenix Partnership (TPP), which has Government contracts worth more than 135million. The company's lawyers told the Guardian his comments had been distorted and taken out of context.

According to the Guardian, Mr Hester made the remarks in 2019 when complaining about an unnamed business executive, who he branded 'the sh*ttest person'.

'It's like trying not to be racist but you see Diane Abbott on the TV, and you're just like I hate, you just want to hate all black women because she's there, and I don't hate all black women at all, but I think she should be shot,' the paper reported him as saying.

'[The executive] and Diane Abbott need to be shot. She's stupid  If we can get [the executive] being unprofessional we can get her sacked. It's not as good as her dying. It would be much better if she died. She's consuming resource. She's eating food that other people could eat. You know?'

Mr Hester's lawyers told the paper TPP was a diverse workplace and his comments 'were not a true or accurate characterisation of the company or Hester.'

Frank Hester, who joined the Prime Minister and Elon Musk at the Bletchley Park AI Summit in November, is accused of complaining that seeing the former Labour frontbencher on TV made him 'want to hate all black women'.

According to the Guardian, Mr Hester (pictured in 2022) made the remarks in 2019 when complaining about an unnamed business executive, who he branded 'the sh*ttest person'.

Ms Abbott, 70, was the first black woman elected to the Commons and remains the longest-serving black MP. She currently sits as an independent, but was Labour's shadow home secretary under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.

Ms Abbott, 70, was the first black woman elected to the Commons and remains the longest-serving black MP. She currently sits as an independent, but was Labour's shadow home secretary under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.

Last month Mr Hester, who was born in Leeds to Irish parents, revealed he had given the Conservatives 5million, on top of a 5million donation he made last year, after speaking to the PM about AI.

The former Green backer, who was made an OBE by David Cameron, told the Telegraph: 'The future is AI and we've got a Prime Minister who gets it. I've had some quite long conversations with Rishi about AI and it's not just that he understands it, we were talking about different algorithms. He does fundamentally get it and I think we're blessed in this country.'

A party spokesman told the paper Mr Hester was the largest single donor to party coffers ever after the double gift.

The Guardian reported that at a second TPP meeting in 2019 Mr Hester gathered all 'foreign' staff amid online claims he had made racist remarks.

'I make a lot of jokes about racism, about our different creeds and cultures. But I just want to assure you that it is just the most abhorrent thing,' hew told the meeting.

'I want to clear the air and make sure we all know where we are, what we stand for, and we take the piss out of the fact that all our Chinese girls sit together in Asian corner, which they do.'

He was quoted as later saying: 'I would like us to be loving and accepting of each other. We are all humans.'

Labour chairwoman Anneliese Dodds branded the remarks 'reprehensible', adding: 'Frank Hester is the Conservative Party's biggest ever donor, as well as a personal donor to the Prime Minster, it is therefore vital that Rishi Sunak and the Tories return his donations, in full without delay.

'Rishi Sunak has claimed that ''words matter'', and he must know that holding on to that money would suggest the Conservatives condone these disturbing comments. Sunak must return every penny.'

A TPP spokesperson told the Guardian: 'As the safe and trusted custodians of 80m medical records in the UK and around the world, we always hire the best people for the job, regardless of race, gender, sexuality or any other characteristic.

'We take care of our people and celebrate diversity in our workplace. We reward our staff well, encouraging them to work collaboratively, to take ownership of their responsibilities, and to demonstrate the commitment and professionalism that the NHS, patients and our customers around the world deserve.

'Having recently witnessed the tragic consequences that can be caused when software systems of major public services fail, we are proud to demand the highest standards of our staff to ensure we can continue to safely and reliably support our health service.'

A Conservative spokesman said: 'Mr Hester has made clear that while he was rude, his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor the colour of her skin. He has since apologised.'
Former Trump White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has made a last ditch appeal for his four-month contempt of Congress sentence to be delayed after being told to report to federal prison next Tuesday.

His legal team said it was prepared to take his case all the way to the Supreme Court as it argues that executive privilege meant he did not have to cooperate with Congress and its investigation into the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

In a Sunday night filing, his lawyers revealed that the 74-year-old had been told to report to prison in Florida on March 19.

That could make him the first high-ranking official from the Trump White House to serve time in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 election result.

Navarro told DailyMail.com that he was the victim of a partisan attack.

Peter Navarro, former director of the White House National Trade Council, could be the first high-ranking official from the Trump White House to go to prison over efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. He is seen here at the Conservative Political Action Conference

Navarro has been ordered to report to Federal Correctional Institution, Miami, next week

'United States v. Peter Navarro is a landmark constitutional case that will eventually determine whether the constitutional separation of powers is preserved, whether executive privilege will continue to exist as a bulwark against partisan attacks by the legislative branch, and whether executive privilege will remain, as President George Washington pioneered, a critical instrument of effective presidential decision-making,' he said.

'That's worth fighting for on behalf of all Americans.'

Time is running out, as his lawyers point out in their latest filing.

'Dr. Navarro has now been ordered to report to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, FCI Miami, on or before 2:00PM EDT on March 19, 2024,' wrote his lawyer Stanley Woodward.

Federal Correctional Institution, Miami, is a low-security prison for men. Notable current or former inmates held amid its lush green lawns and palm trees include former dictator of Panama Manuel Noriega, Bill Campbell, the former mayor of Atlanta who served two years after being convicted of tax evasion, and Joel Greenberg, the associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz, convicted on sex trafficking, identity theft and wire fraud charges.

Navarro was found guilty of contempt of Congress last September. He refused to sit for an interview or hand over documents to the Democratic-led House committee that was investigating the Jan. 6 violence.

Federal Correctional Institution, Miami, is a low-security prison for men

Navarro is seen here with President Donald Trump at the White House in September 2020

The Department of Justice took up the case and he was sentenced to four months in prison in January.

His lawyers argued that former President Donald Trump used the legal concept of executive privilege to prevent disclosure of sensitive information.

But the federal judge in his trial decided that Trump had not invoked the privilege.

Congress also referred the cases of former White House strategist Steve Bannon, former chief of staff Mark Meadows and deputy chief of staff for communications Dan Scavino to prosecutors.

Bannon was the only one prosecuted.

He was convicted on two charges and sentenced to four months in prison with a $6,500 fine. The sentence is on hold while he appeals.
French news agency AFP has reissued the 'manipulated' photo of the Princess of Wales and her children, while also highlighting the image's photoshop fails.

Kensington Palace released the image of Kate, 42, and her children on Sunday to mark Mother's Day.

It was the first official photo of Kate since she had abdominal surgery nearly two months ago and was reportedly intended to calm concern and speculation about the royal's health.

But the photo had the opposite effect as it became abundantly clear that the image had been edited, prompting AFP and five other agencies, including PA, Getty, Reuters and The Associated Press, to 'kill' the image.

AFP reissued the picture today with circles around the 'several inconsistencies' in the photo after Kate released a statement admitting that she 'occasionally experiments with editing'.

French news agency AFP has reissued the 'manipulated' photo of the Princess of Wales and her children, while also highlighting the image's photoshop fails

AFP reissued the picture today with circles around the 'several inconsistencies' in the photo after Kate released a statement admitting that she 'occasionally experiments with editing'

The news agency posted the family portrait on X today, highlighting four inconsistencies in the image.

'The official photo released by Kensington Palace (L) alongside close crops highlighting several inconsistencies in alignments after it came to light that the handout image had been manipulated,' AFP tweeted.

AFP focused on inconsistencies in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand with the sleeve of her sweater, how her skirt was unusually straight, and how her hair ended abruptly on her shoulder.

It also showed how the zipper on Kate's top appears to be further left than it should be.

While AFP only highlighted four apparent photoshop fails in its post, MailOnline has independently identified at least 16 issues with the image.

Kate this morning admitted that she had edited the photograph and issued a personal apology 'for any confusion' it had caused.

'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,' the Princess of Wales said in a social media post.

'I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day.'

Sky News' analysis of the photo's metadata found the image was taken with a Canon camera and was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac. Other experts suggested she may have used an AI tool.

Kensington Palace said it would not release the original unedited photograph. And while Kate's statement provided a measure of clarification, it looked unlikely to stop the swirl of rumour that has accelerated during her absence from public duties.

Kensington Palace yesterday released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery

Kate also posted the apology on the Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram account

In the past, the palace has issued several of Kate's family snapshots featuring her and heir to the throne, Prince William, with their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

The latest photo was taken by William, Kensington Palace said. In an accompanying social media message, Kate said: 'Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day.'

While there was no suggestion the photo was fake, agencies retracted it because closer inspection revealed the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet their photo standards.

The royal family is under particular scrutiny because King Charles III has also had to cancel public duties while he undergoes treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.

The monarch has cancelled all his public engagements, though he has been photographed walking to church and meeting privately with government officials and dignitaries.

Charles' relative openness about his diagnosis was a departure for the generally secretive royal family. But it has been eclipsed in popular interest by curiosity over Kate's condition. In the absence of firm information, conspiracy theories have rushed to fill the vacuum.

The PA news agency said it had withdrawn the image of Kate from its picture service today

Along with AFP, five other picture agencies around the world have taken the extraordinary step of killing the photo of Princess Kate

The Princess of Wales has not been seen since she attended the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham

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. Louis' middle finger was missing in the photo

The release of the photo followed weeks of gossip on social media about what had happened to Kate since she left a hospital Jan. 29 after a nearly two-week stay following planned surgery. She hadn't been seen publicly since Christmas Day.

Kate underwent surgery Jan. 16 and her condition and the reason for the operation have not been revealed, though Kensington Palace said it was not cancer-related.

Although the palace initially said that it would only provide significant updates and that she would not return to royal duties before Easter - March 31 this year - it followed up with a statement last month saying she was doing well.

At the time, royal aides told The Sun newspaper: 'We've seen the madness of social media and that is not going to change our strategy. There has been much on social media but the princess has a right to privacy and asks the public to respect that.'

Further questions were raised last week when the British military seemed to jump the gun in announcing Kate would attend a Trooping the Colour ceremony in June, apparently without consulting palace officials.

It's up to palace officials, not government departments, to announce the royals' attendance at events. Kensington Palace didn't confirm any scheduled public events for Kate, and the army later removed reference to her attendance.

Queen Camilla and Prince William share a giggle as they lead the royals at Westminster Abbey

Prince William leaves Windsor for Westminster Abbey this afternoon with his wife the Princess of Wales next to him. She has not attended the Commonwealth Day service

Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal watch a dance performance during the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London

Prince William leaves Westminster Abbey following this afternoon's service

William chats to choirboys who were taking part in the high-profile event

Prince William was all smiles at the Commonwealth Day service today as he made his first public appearance since his wife admitted to 'editing' the picture.

The prince, who was spotted with Kate in his car while in London, arrived at Westminster Abbey alone before Queen Camilla, and was greeted by the Dean of Westminster David Hoyle, shaking his hands with the senior cleric.

William was introduced to the Abbey's Chapter, or governing body, shaking their hands as he made his way along the line of clergy.

Missing was the King, who continues to receive treatment for cancer, but in his annual address to the family of nations, he pledged to continue to serve the Commonwealth 'to the best of my ability'.

Since his cancer diagnosis was announced on February 5, Charles has postponed all public-facing duties but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers and holding some in-person meetings.
Horrified guests desperately tried to save a British police constable after he fell and cut his neck in a fatal accident during his engagement party in Australia.

Liam Trimmer's colleagues have paid tribute to him as an 'extraordinary officer' and urged the community to support one another in the wake of his shocking death.

Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch said others at the party did everything possible to try to save him after his carotid artery was cut, but were not able to stem the blood flow. He died before emergency services could arrive.

'Everything was done to try and save him, but it wasn't to be and I know everyone that was involved is really, really hurting at the moment... I think they wish they could just wake up from this nightmare,' Mr Blanch told 9 News Perth.

He went on to say that the community had rallied around Mr Trimmer's family and the force, who are now mourning his tragic death.

The WA police force is mourning the loss of 29-year-old officer Liam Trimmer (pictured), who has been remembered as an 'extraordinary officer'

Mr Trimmer and his fiancee (picture) had gathered with friends and family to announce their engagement

'This extraordinary officer loved helping the community and was a fine example of WA policing and it's just such a tragedy,' Mr Blanch continued.

'(He was) a very, very confident, capable young man with his whole life ahead of him, and that's how sad this is.'

He concluded: 'It's important now for us to wrap around each other, to lean on each other.

'Can I thank the community and those involved  first responders and the broader parts of the community  for really offering their support to the family and fellow officers.'

The 29-year-old and his fiancee had organised a small party on Sunday at a property in Western Australia to announce their engagement to friends and family.

But in a freak accident during the celebrations, Mr Trimmer slipped and fell, cutting an artery in his neck and causing massive bleeding.

It has not yet been made clear exactly how the police officer suffered the fatal neck wound, or where the tragic incident took place, but the case is now subject to a coronial inquest.

Mr Trimmer had moved from the UK to start a new life in Australia as a teenager in 2013 before appearing on the BBC programme Wanted Down Under.

He graduated from Australia's Joondalup Police Academy before moving to the city of Kalgoorlie, some 370 miles east of Perth, in 2017.

There he established himself as a prominent member of the local community, playing for the local rugby team and joining the police force's tactical response group, where he developed a record as an exemplary policeman.

Mr Trimmer featured in the UK TV series Wanted Down Under, giving a teenager advice on life in Australia before they migrated

Mr Trimmer, who moved to WA from the UK when he was still a teenager in 2013, graduated from Australia's Joondalup Police Academy before moving to the city of Kalgoorlie, some 370 miles east of Perth, in 2017 (West Australian Police van is pictured)

The WA Police Union said Mr Trimmer was a 'valued member of the blue family'.

'Every time a death occurs for a police officer, it doesn't matter how, it really does rock the core of the police family,' Union President Paul Gale told local media.

WA's Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti also gave remarks on the incident, describing Mr Trimmer's death as an 'awful, awful tragedy'.

'As I understand it, this police officer came over from the UK to start a new life in WA,' she said.

'My condolences go out to the family and friends of that particular officer.'

A coroner is now performing a post-mortem examination of Mr Trimmer's body and a statement regarding his death is expected in the coming days.

A police spokesperson told The West Australian: 'Our thoughts and deepest condolences are extended to his family and colleagues.

'Our health, welfare and safety division will provide support to those impacted by this tragedy.'

MailOnline has contacted the FCDO for comment.
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace has accused George Stephanopoulos of trying to 'shame' and 'bully' her as the ABC anchor tried to press her on why she endorsed former President Donald Trump after he was found liable for sexual abuse.

Mace, R-S.C., scored an endorsement from Trump herself over the weekend.

'You're trying to shame me for my political choice,' said Mace on ABC on Sunday. 'It was not a criminal court. This was a civil court and by the way, she joked about the judgment and what she was going to do with all that money. I find that offensive.'

The congresswoman went on: 'As a rape victim, who's been shamed for years now because of her rape. You're trying to shame me again.'

Mace was raped when she was 16 years old and says it is what drives her to be an advocate for women's issues.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace has accused George Stephanopoulos of trying to 'shame' and 'bully' her as the ABC anchor tried to press her on why she endorsed former President Donald Trump after he was found liable for sexual abuse. Mace, R-S.C., scored an endorsement from Trump herself over the weekend

'You're trying to shame me for my political choice,' Mace told Stephanopoulos. 'It was not a criminal court'

'I have endorsed a man that I believe is best for our country. It's not Joe Biden.

'You looked at the dueling rallies yesterday, in Georgia. Laken Riley's family was with Donald Trump. They weren't with Joe Biden the same guy yesterday, that apologized for calling her killer an illegal who was an illegal. And here you are trying to shame a rape victim. I find it disgusting.'

'You keep saying I'm shaming you. How is a question about a presidential candidate' Stephanopoulos said. 'You're asking a rape victim,' Mace cut in.

The clip generated blowback for Stephanopoulos on social media, but ABC is standing by him. 'George did his job by asking meaningful questions that are relevant to our viewers,' an ABC spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

Trump was ordered to pay $83.3 million for defamation after he publicly denied sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in a department store dressing room in 1996.

Jurors had deliberated for less than three hours following a two-week civil trial in which the former president testified for just three minutes.

The case centered on comments Trump made about Carroll in 2019 after she accused him of attacking her in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman store in New York nearly three decades ago.

In May a jury had found Trump liable of sexual abuse.

The congresswoman went on: 'As a rape victim, who's been shamed for years now because of her rape. You're trying to shame me again.'

On Saturday Trump gave Mace an endorsement on Truth Social.

The congresswoman went on: 'As a rape victim, who's been shamed for years now because of her rape. You're trying to shame me again.'

'It is my great honor to Endorse a Strong Conservative Voice for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Nancy Mace worked hard campaigning across South Carolina in support of our Record-Breaking WIN. 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

DailyMail.com first reported that Trump was mulling an endorsement for the colorful South Carolina congresswoman last month.

But in 2016, she was blacklisted from his campaign events, according to three sources who were involved in Trump's campaign in South Carolina at the time.

'She wasn't asked to stick around because everyone just thought she was a little out there - caused more drama than was valuable to have around,' said one source who worked on the Trump campaign in South Carolina in 2016.

As another former senior Trump staffer said of the 2016 primary and campaign, 'in the early days, we didn't always hire the best, we hired who was willing to work for us.'

The congresswoman was furious about not being asked back to help out with the general election in 2016, said the staffer.

She was known to 'drive around to campaign fundraisers Trump was doing in the region, badger her way onto the photo line to tell [Trump] about how if he didn't hire her back, he was going to lose South Carolina in the general election to Hillary Clinton.'

'It got to a point where she literally had to be blacklisted from Trump campaign events across the country,' said the Trump campaign staffer.

'An email had to go out to finance and political staff saying: "Nancy Mace is not to be admitted to any future events.'''

'She absolutely was blacklisted from campaigns,' said a second source involved in Trump's campaign in South Carolina that year.

The source confirmed the Trump campaign team had a 'list of people who could not get into events and had to be kept out of events because they cause problems.'

Mace was banned from area events in August or September of 2016, the sources said.

'She was despised by most of the campaign staff that couldn't stand her. They didn't trust her. She undermined people. She lied,' said one source involved.

But Trump world has apparently forgotten past grievances.

Mace, who once said she wanted to get punched by January 6 rioters so she could be the face of 'anti-Trump,' did an about-face in January and endorsed Trump over her longtime friend Nikki Haley.

DailyMail.com first reported that Trump was mulling an endorsement for the colorful South Carolina congresswoman last month

In 2016, she was blacklisted from his campaign events, according to three sources who were involved in Trump's campaign in South Carolina at the time

'His entire legacy, was wiped out yesterday,' Mace had said on January 7, 2021. 'Trumps record in his first term should tell every American how vital it is he be returned to office,' she said on January 22, 2024.

And Trump, similarly, endorsed primary challenger Katie Arrington against Mace in the 2022 cycle.

During a rally in South Carolina that year, Trump called Mace 'crazy' and a 'terrible person.'

In the months since she was one of eight Republicans to vote to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Mace's office descended into chaos.

She had full staff turnover, with nine employees leaving her Capitol Hill office over the course of a few months, citing a toxic environment.

Her former chief Dan Hanlon also launched a primary run against her and multiple former Mace staffers are advising Hanlon on his campaign.

Another area Republican - Catherine Templeton - jumped into the heated race on Monday.

'South Carolina needs a conservative they can trust. Someone committed to service over celebrity and someone who isnt going to flip flop for fame,' she wrote on X.
Yilun Cheng is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle, covering local politics and City Hall. She can be reached at yilun.cheng@houstonchronicle.com.

Yilun studied political science as an undergrad at the University of California, Berkeley and as a grad student at Columbia University. She later earned her masters in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Before coming to Houston, she covered immigration policies and marginalized communities for the Columbus Dispatch.
A disgraced ex-policewoman snared during her own force's Christmas drink-drive crackdown has now been banned from the profession.

The 'reckless actions' of former PC Helena Stone could have put innocent people 'at serious risk', a disciplinary panel heard.

And her former chief constable said the case should serve as a 'cautionary tale' to others.

Appearing before magistrates last April, the 30-year-old was banned from driving for 18 months, fined 400 and ordered to pay 120 costs plus a 160 surcharge.

The offence took place in the early hours of Christmas Eve 2022, when Stone was pulled over at 3am in Oldham, Greater Manchester, for driving erratically. She told fellow officers: 'I am f*****'.

Former PC Helena Stone was caught driving while drunk in her force's own Christmas crackdown

Stone told officers who pulled her up in Oldham on Christmas Eve 2022 that she was 'f***ed'

Stone resigned from Greater Manchester Police last September.

But Greater Manchester Chief Constable Stephen Watson ruled her actions amounted to gross misconduct and said she would have been dismissed if still serving. He ordered Stone's name to be added to the College of Policing's barred list.

Mr Watson, presiding over the disciplinary hearing on Friday, said: 'Whilst the outcome in these proceedings are fully justified, the circumstances reflect the waste of potential of a young officer.

'Her fate should serve as a cautionary note to any officer foolish enough to commit a similar offence.'

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Jones, of the Greater Manchester force's Professional Standards Directorate, said his unit aims to 'ensure officers who break the law will not only face criminal proceedings but will also be subject to disciplinary action'.

DCI Jones said: 'Stone admitted her guilt and her reckless actions could have put other road users and members of the public at serious risk on the night she was arrested.

'It was her decision alone to drink and then get behind the wheel.

'Whilst the officer had already resigned from GMP, today's disciplinary outcome now means that the consequence of her action is that she forfeits the privilege of working in law enforcement in the future.'

Sentencing Stone at Liverpool Magistrates' Court last April, District Judge Timothy Boswell told Stone that, as a serving officer, she should 'appreciate the dangers of drink-driving', which put herself and other innocent road users at risk.

Andrew Page, prosecuting, told the court two fellow officers were on patrol when they noticed her Seat Leon car stall.

Moments later, the vehicle was seen 'straddling' lanes and the officers - believing the driver may have consumed alcohol - pulled the vehicle over, the court was told.

Mr Page said Stone immediately identified herself as a serving Greater Manchester officer and told the two: 'I am f*****.'

She was taken to Bury police station and breathalysed and it showed 75 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Stone, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, was stopped as the force was in the middle of its annual festive campaign against boozed-up motorists.

In a publicity campaign, the force warned: 'Greater Manchester Police will NOT tolerate drink and drug-driving.'

It urged revellers to arrange lifts, book taxis or use public transport.

Chris Fallows, defending, said the officer was 'entirely remorseful', adding: 'Perhaps indicative of this, the defendant has stated she would prefer to be waking up in a cell than waking up having to be told that she has injured someone.'

The 30-year-old was banned from driving for 18 months and was fined 400 it was what branded a 'cautionary tale'

He told the court the offending took place when Stone was suffering a litany of personal issues which had caused her 'stress'.

The court heard her woes included buying a house she no longer wanted and an 'ongoing dispute' with builders, causing her 'further anguish'.

She also had a long-running skin condition that caused her 'constant discomfort'.

Meanwhile, Stone's mother had moved in with her after a domestic violence incident involving her father, Mr Fallows said.

He added Stone, of Rochdale, had also been injured in car crash in November 2022 that wasn't her fault - leading to her suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, for which she had required counselling.

Mr Fallows added: 'She seems to have acknowledged the problems in her life at that time and has taken steps to put her on the right track.

'I know that that's an odd thing to say because she's a police officer but she's human and has her own vulnerabilities.'

District Judge Boswell acknowledged the 'significant mitigation' in her case and her 'health and life difficulties', but said others experienced the same difficulties and they could not excuse her drink-driving.
The White House insisted President Biden 'did not apologize' for using the term 'illegal' to describe the alleged killer of Laken Riley, as the blowback from a tense exchange in his State of the Union speech last week continues.

As the White House put it, Biden 'used a different word' when he sought to clean up the comment in an interview on MSNBC.

'I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented,' Biden said during a taped interview with the network in Atlanta Saturday.

That came on a day when Trump ripped Biden for what his predecessor called an 'apology,' after Trump met with family and friends of the slain 22-year-old nursing student whose alleged killer is a migrant from Venezuela  elevating the spat still further.

En route to an event in New Hampshire Monday, White House deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton was told Biden 'apologized' and got asked why he felt he needed to do so.

No apology: The White House said President Biden 'did not apologize' when he said he 'shouldn't have used' the word 'illegal' to describe a migrant who is Laken Riley's alleged killer

'First of all, I want to be really clear about something: The President absolutely did not apologize. There was no apology anywhere in that conversation. He did not apologize. He used a different word,' she said.

Dalton said Biden spoke 'passionately about knowing what it means to lose a child and extended his deep grief and condolences to Lake and Riley's family in front of the entire country, in the House chamber. And beyond that, I think it's unconscionable that there are some people who are playing politics with this young woman's tragic murder.'

She was referencing comments where Biden said his heart went out to Riley's parents, after Marjorie Taylor Green wore a t shirt that said 'Say her name' and gave him a pin urging him to do so.

Biden botched Riley's name in his fiery ad-lived response, mistakenly calling her 'Lincoln.' Then he used a term verboten on the left when used as a noun referring to people who jump the border without legal documents.

'Lincoln, Lincoln Riley,' said Biden while holding up a pin Greene had handed him calling on him to say her name. 'An innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal.

On Friday President Biden got asked if he regretted calling the accused killer of Laken Riley an 'illegal' and modified his language. 'Well, I probably I don't regr technically not supposed to be here,' Biden said.

'Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer,' said former President Donald Trump at a Georgia rally where he appeared with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R)

Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student was killed while out jogging on February 22

President Joe Biden, holding up a pin of Laken Riley, referred to her as an 'innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal'. Progressive Democrats condemned his use of the term

Venezuelan immigrant, Jose Antonio Ibarra, has been charged with Riley's murder. Biden took heat for calling him 'illegal'

'But how many of thousands of people being killed by legals? To her parents I say my heart goes out to you, having lost children myself, I understand,' Biden said.

That comment drew rebukes from several progressive Democrats who said it was dehumanizing to call a person an 'illegal.'

Biden's first effort to walk it back came Friday, when he told reporters, 'Well, I probably I don't regr technically not supposed to be here.'

Trump seized on the issue in his Georgia rally Saturday,

'Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Lakens murderer an illegal,' he said, as MAGA supporters cheered and booed. 'Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer.'

'Joe Biden has no remorse, he's got no regret, he's got no empathy, no compassion, and worst of all, he has no intention of stopping the deadly invasion that stole precious Laken's beautiful American life,' said Trump.
Constance Marten today told the Old Bailey that her previous four children had been stolen by social workers at the behest of her family, who enjoyed the backing of the state because they had a lot of money, a lot of clout and connections.

It came after she claimed that her family accused her of having children to sell on the black market - as she told jurors that she and her lover planned to smuggle their baby daughter abroad.

The aristocrat, 36, and her 49-year-old lover Mark Gordon are accused of killing their fifth child Victoria by taking her on the run in January last year to prevent her being taken away by social services.

Victoria was later found dead in a Lidl bag for life and prosecutors claim she died from exposure after weeks in bitterly cold conditions. Marten claims the baby died asleep in her arms after one night of camping.

The couple met in 2014 and had four children in quick succession who were all eventually taken into care after Marten gave birth to their first child using an Irish accent pretending to be a traveller, jurors have heard.

The aristocrat claims this was because her family were opposed to her relationship and paying private investigators to follow her.

Constance Marten, 36, and her 49-year-old lover Mark Gordon are accused of killing their fifth child Victoria by taking her on the run in January last year

Marten's brother Tobias Marten and her mother Virginie de Selliers arrive at the Old Bailey earlier in the trial

Marten's father is Napier Marten, who is seen here in a photo from social media

Follow every detail of the case on The Mail's acclaimed podcast The Trial The Trial takes listeners behind the headlines and into the courtrooms of some of the biggest criminal cases in the world. The first series, 'The Trial of Lucy Letby' received more than 13million downloads. Season two focused on the murder of Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old teacher from Ireland. Season three followed the case of the murder of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old teenager. Season four will follow the evidence as the jury hears it in twice weekly reports from The Daily Mail's news reporter, Jack Hardy, and broadcast journalist, Caroline Cheetham. They will take you into the courtroom to bring you the details as the evidence unfolds, to examine key moments and to carry out exclusive interviews with detectives, victims, and experts. Advertisement

Prosecutor Joel Smith asked Marten: 'Do you remember what you were doing when you found out you were pregnant with Victoria?'

She replied: 'I'm not sure what the relevance of that question is.'

Marten was told to answer the question.

'I would have been on the toilet,' said Marten.

Mr Smith asked: 'Do you remember which house you were in, what you were up to?'

Marten replied: 'I was in Greenwich. I was in a house in Greenwich.'

Marten went on to say that her children were taken away from her 'illegally...'

She said: 'It is abhorrent. My children were stolen from me by the state, there is no other way to say it.'

She said that she wanted to go abroad illegally with Victoria so that the baby could spend the first three months of her life with her mother.

'Our plan was to go abroad to get Victoria away from the services and my family,' she explained.

'Unfortunately there were preventatives to me going abroad.'

Marten claimed that a family member had got a court order which banned her from leaving the country.

'They had the full backing of the state to do that,' she told jurors.

'They said that I was bearing children to sell on the black market, that I was a drug addict. Those accusations are wholly unfounded.'

Giving evidence today, Marten told the jury that after finding out she was pregnant with her fifth child, the plan was to go abroad.

'Get away from this country and the services and my family but unfortunately there were preventatives from going abroad,' she said.

She believed there was a travel ban in place against her after a 'private' High Court case in 2019, the court heard.

Marten claims her family were opposed to her relationship with Gordon (pictured) and paid private investigators to follow her

Marten and Gordon at the Old Bailey in a court sketch by Elizabeth Cook

Asked how they were going to get abroad, Marten said: 'We were going to find some people to smuggle us abroad illegally.'

She told jurors that there were 'plenty of people' she could have found who would have been willing to help get Victoria abroad, naming advertising and community website Gumtree as one of the places to look.

Asked where she was going to go, she initially told the court she 'would rather keep that private' but then said 'anywhere in Europe away from here'.

Marten told jurors that 'plan B' was to stay in the UK and 'lay low'.

Asked to elaborate on the plan to remain in the UK, Marten said: 'I probably would not have stayed over here.

'I wanted to keep her at least until she was three months old and then give her to a carer who could then try and get her abroad.'

She told the court she would have paid the person to get Victoria out of the UK.

'It would have been a carer, a nanny or something,' she added. 'If there is a will there is a way, you can always find someone to help.'

She insisted she would have 'spent time with them' before entrusting them with her child.

Marten said the plan was to find someone prepared to register Victoria under their own name.

She told the court earlier that she would not have been able to register her daughter's birth without alerting the authorities and that she planned to use private medical care on Harley Street if her daughter ever needed medical attention instead of registering her with the NHS.

Challenged on how getting someone else to register the baby's birth may have been difficult, Marten said: 'I am sure these things are doable. I will do anything to save my children.'

In footage shown during the trial, Marten is seen keeping the baby under her coat before unzipping it and exposing her in east London on January 7

Marten also told the court she believed people were following them and tampering with their cars, saying that she found 'GPS trackers' under the vehicles and 'every single one of our cars has just stopped in the middle of the motorway'.

The couple abandoned their car after it burst into flames near Bolton, Greater Manchester, on January 5 last year and were finally arrested in Brighton a few weeks later on February 27.

The couple had refused to answer officers' urgent questions about where their baby was and whether she was alive or dead.

Her remains were found by police in a Lidl bag inside a shed on a nearby allotment on March 1 2023.

Last week, Marten described how Victoria was born at a rental cottage on Christmas Eve 2022 and died last January 9.

On how Victoria died, she said: 'I had her in my jacket and when I woke up my head was on the floor. And when I was sitting up and when I woke up she was not alive.'

She told jurors her children meant the world to her and she had done nothing to Victoria 'but show her love'.

The defendants, of no fixed address, deny manslaughter by gross negligence, perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty and causing or allowing the death of a child.
An infamous sex club in Brooklyn known as the 'SoHo House of sex' has been accused of fostering rape culture for years in its members-only community.

Members of Hacienda, a community run by married polyamorous couple Andrew and Beth Sparksfire, have accused the club of sexual and physical assault, according to a new New York Times investigation.

The establishment, which costs $130 a year to join and hosts a plethora of raunchy orgies and sex parties, operates out of a brownstone building in Bushwick.

Jennifer Fisher, a former member who lived in one of the townhouses, claimed that she was raped by a guest at a sex party in 2012. At the time, she feared that reporting it would mean that she was going against the 'kinky' community that she enjoyed.

Fisher told NYT: 'How do you call the police to report something that happened at a sex party? They'd come and say, "OK, which deviant do I arrest first?".'

Ten members claimed that they were also physically or sexually abused at Hacienda and raised concerns about its 'consent' policies.

Hacienda have vehemently denied the allegations presented by the newspaper.

Members of Hacienda, a sex community ran by married polyamorous couple, Andrew and Beth Sparksfire (pictured), have accused the club of sexual and physical assault

The founders and Co-Founder Kenneth Play acknowledged each person's case but insisted that the club has laid out strict rules about consent to their members. (Pictured: One of the sex club's Bushwick, Brooklyn town houses)

A promotional image of a rope bondage class run by Hacienda

Two other women said that they were slammed against walls by partygoers, while three others said that they reported intimidating behavior by other sex party guests.

The people that were accused faced little to no repercussions for their actions, the victims said.

One specific Hacienda resident was accused of violently beating four people during sex and removing condoms without consent, also known as stealthing.

His behavior was then addressed at a meeting with a Hacidena organizer, who decided not to take action against him, but instead denounced the women in an email to the Sparksfire's.

'All it takes is for one motivated individual at one of these "symposiums" to seek council of an attorney and sue us. They are discussing issues of nonconsent and risky behavior,' the email said, according to the NYT.

The accused then went on to live in one of the New York brownstones, where another resident, Kristin Stadelmann-Ferreira, accused him of raping her in a room at another townhome on Troutman Street.

Stadelmann-Ferreira said that the man forced her to have sex with her while she wore a tampon and was known for his vigorous spanking.

She said that she was romantically involved with him, and that when she reported the incident to higher-ups, she wasn't acknowledged.

Stadelmann-Ferreira has schizophrenia and proceeded to have a breakdown after the incident with the man. She ran naked in the street around the townhouse and was hospitalized for it.

In a statement, the sex club's leaders said that she never came forward with those accusations and that they were there for her after she suffered a mental breakdown shortly after.

It wasn't until 2015 that the man was removed from the club, after another woman accused him of rape.

The Co-Founder, Kenneth Play, who was previously named 'the world's greatest sex hacker' by GQ Magazine, was also accused of sexual misconduct over the years at Hacienda.

In response to the accusations, Play and the Sparkfires denied any wrongdoing.

'We vehemently deny any notion of Hacienda as an organization that harbors or protects individuals who do not practice consent or violate fellow members in any way,' they said.

The club makes members sit through a consent orientation and has 'guardians' who stand by to make sure rules are followed (stock image)

The Co-Founder, Kenneth Play (pictured) who was previously named 'the world's greatest sex hacker' by GQ Magazine, was accused of sexual misconduct over the years at Hacienda

Play, who has openly spoken about the importance on consent, was also accused of violating the consent of an intoxicated woman.

In response to the claim, Hacienda leadership said that her allegations were 'unfounded and untrue,' but Play has since been barred from at least three other sex parties in the Big Apple, according to The New York Times.

'I stand wholeheartedly with victims of assault and never want to discredit a womans experience or stifle her voice,' Play said in response to the woman's accusation.

'I take solace in knowing that the facts and truth are on my side,' he added.

The co-founders acknowledged each person's case but insisted that the club has laid out strict rules about consent to their members.

'Our organization is centered around the importance of enthusiastic and continuous consent, and we have a zero-tolerance policy for any violations of these standards,' they said in a statement to The New York Times.

In response to the allegations, Hacienda told DailyMail.com: 'While regrettable instances do happen in the sex-positive community, we have very specific rules and procedures put in place to keep safety at the forefront.'

'Incidents, while rare, are taken seriously and handled promptly. Anyone quick to judge an entire population of consenting adults choices must remember that free expression, within proper boundaries, should be a right afforded to us all.'

On Hacienda's website, there is a 'consent' page that details its rules and standards for its members to help create a 'sex positive environment.'

'It is your responsibility to practice consent  to ask before touching someone, to pay attention to their body language, to check-in,' the website said.

'It is also your responsibility to decide whether or not to give permission to someone when they ask you to do something.'

The club also makes members sit through a consent orientation and has 'guardians' who stand by to make sure rules are followed.

There are instructions on the club's website for how to properly make a report on a consent violation.

The guidelines suggest that the victim makes their report within a week of the incident before they and the other parties give their accounts to the 'Hacienda Consent team.'

Once that is done, the team goes on to investigate the allegations and decides the next steps, which could result in a verbal warning, a temporary or permanent ban.

Dischord chats, Google docs and Facebook pages reviewed by The New York Times, revealed that partygoers share names of alleged 'consent violators', with the idea of protecting each other.

Members said that in response to these incidents, leadership brought in a lawyer, who was also a Hacienda member, that offered meditation services in return.

Membership rates run at $130 a year and new members have to either apply with another interested person, or have reference from a current member, the site detailed. (stock image)

Previous and current members have thought of the club differently and labeled it as a safe space, but also acknowledged their reluctance to speak negatively of the club in fear of hurting their enjoyed lifestyles.

Effy Blue, a former member said that 'these spaces are the opposite of black and white.'

'You need the social awareness of a brain surgeon to leave the space unscathed and never hurt someone and never be hurt,' Blue added.

Even after the events she endured while under the clubs care, Stadelmann-Ferreira also praised Hacienda.

'We are trailblazers. But it is important that we point out where leadership has gone wrong in the past. They can learn from our mistakes,' she said.

Unlike other popular sex clubs in New York City, Hacienda has elevated its experience and tried to become the 'SoHo House of Sex' that is solely exclusive.

It first emerged years ago during a sex party at Andrew's Brooklyn townhouse. He was previously a security analyst from England.

According to his website, Play has gone on to sell $697 in online courses about improving sexual techniques and has appeared in more than 100 news articles.

Since then, Andrew turned the party into a full on career and business venture with three Hacienda locations in Bushwick townhomes, along with a New Orleans villa.

According to the website, most of the properties, owned by Andrew, are capable of housing more than two dozen members.

Membership rates run at $130 a year and new members have to either apply with another interested person, or have reference from a current member, the site detailed.

Hacienda also rents out their townhomes for others to host parties, and at least one of the Brooklyn homes has a basement known as a 'sex dungeon.'

The club also hosts their own workshops like 'Daddy Dom Daycare', black light parties, and a 'Mid Week Scandal' which invites singles and couples for a night to 'hang & bang.'

'Our goal is to create an environment where people can learn, gather and responsibly enjoy and explore their sexuality,' the club's founders said.
Prince William has warned that it is the 'critical decade' to try and set the planet on a 'healthier' path to deal with the climate crisis as he attended an event for the an environmental competition that he founded.

William joined supporters of the Earthshot Prize Launchpad, a new platform aimed at helping develop and make potential climate change solutions a reality, on Monday without his wife Kate, who has faced scrutiny after admitting to 'editing' a family portrait.

Kate was pictured alongside her husband leaving Windsor Castle on Monday afternoon just hours after she apologised for digitally editing a family portrait was released on Sunday to mark Mother's Day.

The Prince of Wales came to the Earthshot+ event after having attended a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey with Queen Camilla and other senior royals. Kate did not appear at the service.

William told guests at the launch event that he wanted 'to mobilise the enormous power of innovators, wherever they are in the world.'

When William founded the Earthshot Prize environmental award in 2020, he did so with the 10-year mission to find ways to protect and repair the environment with innovative solutions.

Prince William delivers a speech at an event for the Earthshot Prize, an environmental competition that he founded, on Monday

Prince William was all smiles on Monday as he attended the event at Frameless in central London

The Prince of Wales speaks with attendees at an event bringing together Earthshot Prize winners and finalists as well as investors and philanthropists to celebrate the Launchpad, at Frameless in central London

The Prince of Wales speaks with an attendee at the inaugural Earthshot+ event on Monday

Prince William leaves Windsor for Westminster Abbey this afternoon with his wife the Princess of Wales next to him. She has not attended the Commonwealth Day service

The inaugural Earthshot+ event saw climate change experts, global leaders and business executives gather together in London to celebrate the Earthshot Prize Launchpad.

William touted the potential and impact of the platform and argued that 'it is only through action that we will create a sustainable future for generations to come'.

William gave introductory remarks at Monday's Earthshot+ event, revealing that he created the competition after 'about how I might contribute to the collective global effort to protect our planet'.

He told those gathered, including former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern who is an Earthshot Prize trustee: 'From businesses, cities and governments; to activists, scientists and innovators, the ideas and ambition to set our planet on a healthier path do already exist. But this is urgent.

'We are in the critical decade now. And that is why, to have real impact, we must focus on supporting and developing as many solutions as possible and scale them at speed. It is not an easy task.

'We must overcome the challenge of getting capital to the right sectors, solutions, and geographies.'

Since 2021, the award scheme has handed out 15million of prize money and sourced 50million of further support for 45 winners and finalists.

William added that to try and have 'real impact' effort must be made to focus on 'supporting and developing as many solutions as possible and scale them at speed - it is not an easy task'.

The new pilot platform has been set up to connect funders to current and former finalists and nominees and support their funding needs and development.

So far there are 25 solutions with funding needs of more than 390million which are currently spotlighted by Launchpad and 135 institutional investors are already signed up as members, William said.

William touted the potential and impact of the platform and argued that 'it is only through action that we will create a sustainable future for generations to come'

The Prince of Wales speaks with an attendees at an event bringing together Earthshot Prize winners and finalists

The Prince of Wales speaks with attendees at an event bringing together Earthshot Prize winners and finalists as well as investors and philanthropists to celebrate the Launchpad

Hannah Jones, chief executive of the prize, said: 'Launchpad marks a significant step forward for The Earthshot Prize on its journey to scaling innovative solutions from around the globe and becoming a global platform for impact.

'Over the last four years, the prize has scoured the planet for the best environmental innovations.

'Now, with the knowledge we've gained from our annual nomination process, we are empowering investors and philanthropists to discover the incredible solutions in our network, while opening doors for promising innovations to further scale.'

The Launchpad is billed as an online match-making platform that links Earthshot innovators with like-minded investors and philanthropists.

Launchpad is to offer access to a database of scalable environmental solutions and information about their current funding needs.

Then, these funders can browse and discover potential matches.

Over the next year, the prize hopes to triple the number of solutions on the platform by including standout nominees from every sector and geography, in addition to those who have been winners and finalists.

Frederick Teo, chief executive of a firm called GenZero which is a potential supporter, who has already started to look into the platform, believes Launchpad could help 'play a critical role' in connecting investors 'with impactful and innovative solutions that aim to tackle the pressing global climate crisis'.

Anuradha Bajaj, the Earthshot Prize's director of innovation marketplace and investments, said: 'The Launchpad is one-of-a-kind because it brings together a diversity of funders - small and large investors, banks and asset managers, family offices, foundations, and public donors - who can collectively meet the needs of the remarkable solutions in our database.

'Whether it's an African start-up, Asian advocacy group, or European non-profit, we want to showcase the best solutions that can help restore and regenerate our planet.'

Kensington Palace on Sunday released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery

Kate also posted the apology on the Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram account

Kate was seen looking out of the window of the car as William looked like he was reading notes

The event was held after a day of controversy over a digitally manipulated photograph of William's family.

Issued by the couple's Kensington Palace office on Sunday to mark Mother's Day, it was the first official photo of 42-year-old Kate since she had abdominal surgery nearly two months ago.

Several news agencies that initially published the family portrait photo withdrew the image over concerns about digital manipulation.

The retractions sent the online rumour mill, already rampant with speculation over Kate's operation and recuperation, into overdrive.

In a post on social media, the Princess of Wales publicly took the blame for the manipulated photograph and issued a personal apology for the 'confusion'.

She said that 'like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.'

'I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared [on Sunday] caused,' the post said.

In the past, the palace has issued several of Kate's family snapshots featuring her and heir to the throne, Prince William, with their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

The latest photo was taken by William, Kensington Palace said. In an accompanying social media message, Kate said: 'Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day.'

A smiling Prince William walks into the Commonwealth Service this afternoon

Queen Camilla and Prince William giggle as they walk the royals through the Abbey

Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service

While there was no suggestion the photo was fake, agencies retracted it because closer inspection revealed the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet their photo standards.

For instance, it contained an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand with the sleeve of her sweater.

The world's major photo agencies later 'killed' the picture after noticing signs of digital editing, including a missing part of Princess Charlotte's sleeve and the misaligned edge of her wrist and skirt, and the positioning of Kate's zip.

Kensington Palace has come under increasing pressure to release the original unedited Mother's Day photograph, but said it will not do so.

And while Kate's statement provided a measure of clarification, it looked unlikely to stop the swirl of rumour that has accelerated during her absence from public duties.

Experts told MailOnline the image was likely changed using Photoshop and related AI tools.

Royal commentator Michael Cole told MailOnline: 'The fiasco of the faked photograph is a very bad look for the Royal Family at a very difficult time.

'The apology by the Princess of Wales for manipulating the Mother's Day image of herself and her children is well meant.

'It will be accepted by those people who are kind and understanding. Kate is and will remain a popular person with the general public.

'But it cannot be denied that this episode does reveal a terrible naivety, bordering on foolishness.

'What was she thinking, imagining she could fool experts whose profession is scrutinising hundreds of photographs every day, to judge whether they are authentic, and worthy of publication, or fraudulent images for immediate deletion?'

It appears Charlotte's hand was copied over from another picture as there is an empty space where her sleeve should be (left). Kate's zip appears to be misaligned on the photo as the top of it is further left and appears significantly lighter than the rest of the zip (right)

Charlotte's hair seems to end abruptly on her shoulder (left) on her right despite her hair on the left going on for a few inches. The corner of Charlotte's skirt (right) was pointed out as another 'editing error' by social media sleuths

The PA news agency said it had withdrawn the image of Kate from its picture service

He added that Monday's appearance in the car with Prince William is 'a pretty obvious attempt to move the story on' by giving the media a 'new, genuine, authentic, real photograph' of her that has not been Photoshopped.

He continued: 'This may shows the public that she is, indeed, up and about - but still not well enough to attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

'She has now been pictured three times since her operation but always sitting down; so it is reasonable to conjecture that she is not fully ambulatory yet.

'This latest appearance will not divert attention from the fact that an official royal photograph has been faked. That is a first. Kensington Palace must now come up with a full and plausible explanation of how and why this cack-handed attempt at media manipulation came about.

'Otherwise, there is a danger of permanent damage to the credibility of the royal family.

'It is that serious. At a time when artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to present a false picture of famous people and important events, being scrupulously honest and straightforward in public communication is essential.

'Nothing else will do.'

PR experts have described the Mother's Day photo fiasco as a 'massive own goal' and urged royal officials to release the unedited picture in a bid to regain the public's trust.

Mr Cole said: 'Lie once and you won't be believed when you tell the truth. Any hint of trickery undermines the message. Trust once lost is very difficult to regain.

The Princess of Wales has not been seen since she attended the Christmas Day church service

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

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

'I was shocked when America's Associated Press and London-based Reuters issued a 'kill notice' on the Mother's Day photograph released by the Press Office at Kensington Palace, showing the Princess of Wales and her three children, laughing and happy, an image that it said was taken by Prince William, the Prince of Wales, at their home, Adelaide Cottage, in Windsor Great Park, last week.

'AP and Reuters are the world's two most prestigious news agencies; I can say that because I once worked for their biggest rival, UPI. That they should withdraw the photo and warn their clients not to use it, because it had been manipulated at 'source' (by Kensington Palace), is a highly damaging indictment.

'The problem, said AP, was that the hand, wrist and cardigan sleeve of Princess Charlotte, 8, had been altered after the picture was taken - 'Photoshopped' in the jargon of the trade. A minor matter? Not so, AP's top person in Britain told me: 'For us, it does not matter what the manipulation is, only that it happened'.

'Quite right. Agencies have to be constantly on their guard against distributing false images, in particular from places like Gaza and Ukraine where warring factions pump out propaganda photographs making the points that they wish the world to see.'
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Experts say the only way to silence the noise about Kate's photoshopped image is to release the original photo, with the 'fiasco' being a 'very bad look' for the Royal Family 'at a very difficult time'.

Kensington Palace is under increasing pressure to release the original Mother's Day photograph after the Princess of Wales admitted today that she had edited the family picture.

PR experts have urged Palace officials to release the unedited picture in a bid to regain the public's trust.

Former journalist Michael Cole said today: 'The apology by the Princess of Wales for manipulating the Mothers Day image of herself and her children is well meant. It will be accepted by those people who are kind and understanding. Kate is and will remain a popular person with the general public.

'But it cannot be denied that this episode does reveal a terrible naivety, bordering on foolishness. What was she thinking, imagining she could fool experts whose profession is scrutinising hundreds of photographs every day, to judge whether they are authentic, and worthy of publication, or fraudulent images for immediate deletion?'

The Palace had initially faced calls to reveal the truth behind the photo after the world's top picture and news agencies - including PA - 'killed' the image over claims it had been digitally manipulated.

Kate this morning admitted that she had edited the photograph and issued a personal apology 'for any confusion' it had caused. Sky News' analysis of the photo's metadata found the image was taken with a Canon camera and was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac. Other experts suggested she may have used an AI tool.

The photo of the mother-of-three beaming with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis was the first official picture released of the princess since she underwent 'planned abdominal surgery' in January.

Kate, in a statement on social media, said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C'

Kensington Palace yesterday released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery

While the princess publicly took the blame for altering the photo, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the unedited photograph of Kate and her children.

Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales was pictured alongside Prince William leaving Windsor Castle today, leaving some to believe she was keen to 'move the story on' from the photograph debacle.

Mr Cole added: 'The Princesss appearance today in a car with Prince William is a pretty obvious attempt to move the story on, by giving the news media a new, genuine, authentic, real photograph of her that has not been Photoshopped by anyone.

'This may shows the public that she is, indeed, up and about - but still not well enough to attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

'She has now been pictured three times since her operation but always sitting down; so it is reasonable to conjecture that she is not fully ambulatory yet.

'This latest appearance will not divert attention from the fact that an official royal photograph has been faked. That is a first. Kensington Palace must now come up with a full and plausible explanation of how and why this cack-handed attempt at media manipulation came about.

'Otherwise, there is a danger of permanent damage to the credibility of the royal family.

'It is that serious. At a time when artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to present a false picture of famous people and important events, being scrupulously honest and straightforward in public communication is essential. Nothing else will do.

'Lie once and you wont be believed when you tell the truth. Any hint of trickery undermines the message. Trust once lost is very difficult to regain.'

He went on: ' If truth is compromised, credibility goes with it. Big mistake, Kate. Sorry to have to say so when you are unwell but this was not the way to do things.'

PR expert Mark Borkowski said: 'It's plausible she's at home playing with the computer and using an AI tool, but if they're really going to regain any sort of trust they should release the unedited photo, it can't be that bad if they just made a few tweaks.

'I find they have risen to the challenge, provided the statement as an explanation - the question is with all the conspiracy theories running around, is whether people believe it and I'm not sure that they will.'

Kate also posted the apology on the Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram account

The PA news agency said it had withdrawn the image of Kate from its picture service today

Mr Borkowski said the Mother's Day photo had exposed a public relations problem for the monarchy: 'That's the issue, there doesn't seem to be that much joined up strategic thinking at the heart of the royal family at the moment, which leads to these problems where it's a very difficult organisation to manage in terms of PR.'

He added: 'It's a nightmare, even the softer stories of Edward turning 60 this week haven't really resonated at all because no one's interested in them, they're interested in the stars they're not interested in the supporting cast and that is a problem at the moment.

Statements from the picture agencies who have 'killed' the image AP 'The Associated Press initially published the photo, which was issued by Kensington Palace. The AP later retracted the image because at closer inspection, it appears that the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP's photo standards. The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand.' AFP 'It has come to light that the Handout issued by Kensington Palace today of Kate and the kids had been altered, therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems.' Reuters 'We are removing this image following a post publication review.' Getty Images 'Earlier today our picture desk identified a problematic image provided to Getty Images by Kensington Palace. We can confirm the image in question was removed from our site in accordance with our editorial policy.' PA A spokesperson for PA said: 'Like other news agencies, PA Media issued the handout image provided by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales and her children in good faith yesterday. 'We became aware of concerns about the image and we carried a report about it last night, and made clear that we were seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace. In the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service.' Advertisement

'They are under pressure, massively under pressure, this is a massive own goal.'

Royal sources stressed that this was 'an amateur, family photograph taken by the Prince of Wales'. It's understood that it was taken in Windsor last week.

They said the couple wanted to offer an 'informal' picture of the family together for Mother's Day and the princess made 'minor adjustments', as she has shared in her statement on social media.

An aide added: 'The Wales family spent Mother's Day together and had a wonderful day.'

Sky News said an examination of the photo's metadata revealed it was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac on Friday and Saturday and the picture was taken on a Canon 5D mark IV, which retails at 2,929.99 and used a Canon 50mm lens, priced at 1,629.99.

The first save was made at 9.54pm on Friday night and the second was at 9.39am on Saturday morning. it's not clear if the two saves were on the same device. The Palace has not offered any further clarification about the edits.

The controversy is set to overshadow the Commonwealth Day service, one of the key royal events of the year.

Heir to the throne William and the Queen will gather with the royal family in Westminster Abbey today in the absence of the King, who is continuing treatment for cancer during what has been a challenging start to 2024 for the Windsors.

Graham Smith of the anti-monarchy group Republic said: 'Kate's statement answers no questions. We can all see the photo has been edited.

'The question is why? Why haven't they released the original photo?

'A statement parsed via the press office which says nothing and explains nothing shows a general disregard for the public...'

Earlier, Kate's uncle Gary Goldsmith defended the Waleses and claimed they would not have been responsible for altering the image.

The Celebrity Big Brother evictee said: 'Obviously the family wouldn't be the ones to do any touch-ups, so if that's gone through some filter before it's gone out to the broader world, but they wouldn't be doing photoshopping themselves.'

He told Good Morning Britain: 'The smiles on faces said it all for me, I thought it was beautiful.' Mr Goldsmith added: 'And this whole 'sleevegate' thing, just leave it alone.'

Royal author Omid Scobie, seen as a cheerleader for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, accused the Palace of having a 'long history of lying', and said gaining back public trust was now 'an almost impossible task'.

Scobie wrote on X that if it was an isolated incident, it was an 'unfortunate error'.

He added: 'But with the Palace's long history of lying, covering up, and even issuing statements on behalf of family members without their permission (cc: Prince Harry), it's becoming increasingly difficult for the public to believe a word (and now photo) they share.

'Gaining that back at this point is an almost impossible task.'

The princess is known to be a keen photographer and revealed in 2021 that she takes so many family photographs that her children sometimes object.

'Everyone's like, 'Mummy, please stop taking photographs',' she said.

It comes after PA - Britain's most respected picture agency - this morning joined AP, AFP, Reuters, Getty Images and EPA in withdrawing the photo.

The UK's national news agency said it had been 'seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace' since it was released over claims it was digitally altered.

But in a sensational development this morning, PA revealed that it had now withdrawn the image 'in the absence of that clarification'.

A spokesperson for PA said: 'Like other news agencies, PA Media issued the handout image provided by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales and her children in good faith yesterday.

The Princess of Wales has admitted that she edited the Mother's Day portrait and apologised 'for any confusion' that it caused

It appears Charlotte's hand was copied over from another picture as there is an empty space where her sleeve should be

Kate's zip appears to be misaligned on the photo as the top of it is further left and appears significantly lighter than the rest of the zip

Charlotte's hair seems to end abruptly on her shoulder on her right despite her hair on the left going on for a few inches

The corner of Charlotte's skirt was pointed out as another 'editing error' by social media sleuths

'We became aware of concerns about the image and we carried a report about it last night, and made clear that we were seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace. In the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service.'

PA became the sixth news or picture agency to retract the photo.

The image of Kate and her children, said by the palace to have been taken by Prince William, was posted on social media.

Without an official response from the palace, confusion around the image had fuelled online conspiracy theories about Kate which have swirled on the internet since her abdominal surgery.

Ahead of Kate making her statement, royal commentator Peter Hunt said: 'This is damaging for the royals. They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate.

'Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.'

The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.

But there was speculation that edits had been made to the left sleeve of Princess Charlotte's cardigan, and other areas of the picture also raised concerns about possible manipulation.

In the social media post, Kate thanked the public 'for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months'.

Within hours of the photo being shared around the world, multiple picture agencies issued a 'kill notification' - an industry term used to retract a photo previously handed out to publications.

Late on Sunday, the Associated Press became the first agency to 'kill' the photo over an 'inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand'.

While AP said there was no suggestion the photo was fake, it retracted it because it said on closer inspection, the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet the agency's photo standards.

AP said its editorial standards state that images must be accurate and that it does not use altered or digitally manipulated images.

The agency's news values and principles explain that minor photo editing, including cropping and toning and colour adjustments, are acceptable when necessary for clear and accurate reproduction and should maintain the authentic nature of the photograph.

Changes in density, contrast, colour and saturation levels that substantially alter the original scene are not acceptable. Backgrounds should not be digitally blurred or eliminated by burning down or by aggressive toning. The removal of 'red eye' from photographs is not permissible.

When AP determined the photo appeared to have been manipulated, it issued what is known as a 'photo kill,' an industry term that retracted the image and instructed clients to remove the photo from their systems.

As well as PA, five other picture agencies around the world have taken the extraordinary step of killing the photo of Princess Kate

'At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image,' the AP said in its advisory. 'No replacement photo will be sent.'

A second agency, Reuters, also withdrew the image 'following a post-publication review'. 'We are reviewing the matter,' a spokesperson said.

Reuters picture editors said part of the sleeve of Kate's daughter's cardigan did not line up properly, suggesting that the image had been altered.

The agency could not immediately establish how, why or by whom the alteration had been made.

AfP then followed suit by issuing a 'mandatory kill notice' before Getty Images became the fourth agency to retract the photograph. EPA this morning also issued the same 'mandatory kill'.

A spokesman for AfP said: 'It has come to light that the Handout issued by Kensington Palace today of Kate and the kids had been altered, therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems.'

A spokesperson for Getty Images told Sky News: 'Earlier today our picture desk identified a problematic image provided to Getty Images by Kensington Palace. We can confirm the image in question was removed from our site in accordance with our editorial policy.'

Readers on X added a community note to a post from the Prince and Princess of Wales' account which shared the photo.

It said: 'This photo is believed to be digitally altered and as a result many major news outlets have pulled the image from their reports.'

The Princess of Wales has not been seen since she attended the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham

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. Louis' middle finger was missing in the photo

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

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

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.

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.

Details of the princess's condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

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, temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children as she recovered.

He returned to royal duties in February and is expected to carry out an engagement linked to his Earthshot environmental prize on Monday, as well as accompanying the Queen at events to mark Commonwealth Day.

Earlier this month the Army was forced into an embarrassing about-turn after suggesting Kate would attend Trooping the Colour on June 8.

Tickets were being sold for the event, with Kate expected to attend in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, the regiment which is trooping its colour this year.

However, it is understood the Army did not seek approval from Kensington Palace before publishing the page, and the website was subsequently updated to remove the reference to her.
Pictures of the Princess of Wales leaving Windsor Castle with Prince William are an attempt by the Palace to show 'she's up and about' amid the fallout from her edited Mother's Day photo, experts said tonight.

Kate was pictured alongside her husband leaving Windsor Castle this afternoon just hours after she apologised for digitally editing a family portrait released on Sunday.

The photo was the subject of a kill notice from several reputable agencies due to the alterations.

With the Prince of Wales heading to Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day service today, some speculated that Kate could be joining him in a surprise return to royal duties.

But MailOnline understands that Kate was heading to a private appointment instead.

Kate had looked out of her window as William appeared to read some notes on his phone as they were swept out of the grounds of Windsor Castle in a blue Range Rover that later dropped William at the Abbey without her.

Royal commentator Michael Cole told MailOnline that her appearance is a 'pretty obvious attempt to move the story on' and to show she is 'up and about'.

Prince William leaves Windsor for Westminster Abbey this afternoon with his wife next to him

Kate was seen looking out of the window of the car as William looked like he was reading notes

The mother-of-three was not expected to be seen in public until after Easter following abdominal surgery and two weeks in a private London hospital in January. Her surprise appearance came as wild online conspiracy theories swirled around the princess and her health.

It came as Kensington Palace came under increasing pressure to release the original Mother's Day photograph after the Princess of Wales apologised after she admitted she had edited the family portrait of herself sitting with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Experts told MailOnline it was changed using Photoshop and related AI tools.

The world's major photo agencies later 'killed' the picture after noticing signs of digital editing, including a missing part of Princess Charlotte's sleeve and the misaligned edge of her wrist and skirt, and the positioning of Kate's zip.

Royal commentator Michael Cole told MailOnline: 'The fiasco of the faked photograph is a very bad look for the Royal Family at a very difficult time.

'The apology by the Princess of Wales for manipulating the Mother's Day image of herself and her children is well meant.

'It will be accepted by those people who are kind and understanding. Kate is and will remain a popular person with the general public.

'But it cannot be denied that this episode does reveal a terrible naivety, bordering on foolishness.

A smiling Prince William walks into the Commonwealth Service this afternoon

Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service

'What was she thinking, imagining she could fool experts whose profession is scrutinising hundreds of photographs every day, to judge whether they are authentic, and worthy of publication, or fraudulent images for immediate deletion?'

He added that today's appearance in the car with Prince William is 'a pretty obvious attempt to move the story on' by giving the media a 'new, genuine, authentic, real photograph' of her that has not been Photoshopped.

He continued: 'This may shows the public that she is, indeed, up and about - but still not well enough to attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

'She has now been pictured three times since her operation but always sitting down; so it is reasonable to conjecture that she is not fully ambulatory yet.

'This latest appearance will not divert attention from the fact that an official royal photograph has been faked. That is a first. Kensington Palace must now come up with a full and plausible explanation of how and why this cack-handed attempt at media manipulation came about.

'Otherwise, there is a danger of permanent damage to the credibility of the royal family.

'It is that serious. At a time when artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to present a false picture of famous people and important events, being scrupulously honest and straightforward in public communication is essential.

'Nothing else will do.'

This morning the Princess of Wales gave an apology on social media. She said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day'. She signed it 'C' - for Catherine.

Kensington Palace yesterday released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery

Kate also posted the apology on the Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram account

PR experts have described the Mother's Day photo fiasco as a 'massive own goal' and urged royal officials to release the unedited picture in a bid to regain the public's trust.

Mr Cole said: 'Lie once and you won't be believed when you tell the truth. Any hint of trickery undermines the message. Trust once lost is very difficult to regain.

'I was shocked when America's Associated Press and London-based Reuters issued a 'kill notice' on the Mother's Day photograph released by the Press Office at Kensington Palace, showing the Princess of Wales and her three children, laughing and happy, an image that it said was taken by Prince William, the Prince of Wales, at their home, Adelaide Cottage, in Windsor Great Park, last week.

'AP and Reuters are the world's two most prestigious news agencies; I can say that because I once worked for their biggest rival, UPI. That they should withdraw the photo and warn their clients not to use it, because it had been manipulated at 'source' (by Kensington Palace), is a highly damaging indictment.

'The problem, said AP, was that the hand, wrist and cardigan sleeve of Princess Charlotte, 8, had been altered after the picture was taken - 'Photoshopped' in the jargon of the trade. A minor matter? Not so, AP's top person in Britain told me: 'For us, it does not matter what the manipulation is, only that it happened'.

'Quite right. Agencies have to be constantly on their guard against distributing false images, in particular from places like Gaza and Ukraine where warring factions pump out propaganda photographs making the points that they wish the world to see.'

Kensington Palace had initially faced calls to reveal the truth behind the photo after the world's top picture agencies - including the Press Association - 'killed' the image over claims it had been digitally manipulated.

Kate this morning admitted she had edited the photograph and issued a personal apology 'for any confusion' it had caused. Sky News' analysis of the photo's metadata found the image was taken with a Canon camera and was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac. Other experts suggested she may have used an AI tool.

The photo of the mother-of-three beaming with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis was the first official picture released of the princess since she under went 'planned abdominal surgery' in January.

Royal commentator Michael Cole told MailOnline that her appearance is a 'pretty obvious attempt to move the story on' and to show she is 'up and about'

Queen Camilla and Prince William giggle as they walk the royals through the Abbey

Queen Camilla and Prince William laugh as they walk the royals through the Abbey

Prince Edward and Princess Sophie are seen arriving at the Commonwealth Day service

While the princess publicly took the blame for altering the photo, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the unedited photograph of Kate and her children.

Mr Cole added: 'Windsor is a world away from a battle front but the principle is the same.

'Photographic specialists approach their work with forensic skills because they have to be able to spot fakes, as the Princess of Wales now knows if she didn't before.

'To think she could doctor such a happy image was well beyond foolish. It was counter- productive and in the extreme.

'For an object lesson in turning success into failure, this episode is hard to beat.

'The warm welcome that was at first given by the public to the first official picture of Kate, Princess of Wales, since what was clearly major abdominal surgery on 17 January, has now become doubt in the public's mind:

'If we can't trust the photograph, can we trust what we are being told about the health of the Princess?

It appears Charlotte's hand was copied over from another picture as there is an empty space where her sleeve should be (left). Kate's zip appears to be misaligned on the photo as the top of it is further left and appears significantly lighter than the rest of the zip (right)

Charlotte's hair seems to end abruptly on her shoulder (left) on her right despite her hair on the left going on for a few inches. The corner of Charlotte's skirt (right) was pointed out as another 'editing error' by social media sleuths

'With so much rumour circulating- most of it cruel, unkind and frankly ridiculous - candour from Kensington Palace and the Prince and Princess of Wales is now not just desirable, it is a must.

'If we cannot fully believe an innocent Mother's Day photograph, what's next? How long before we discover that the Crown Jewels are only paste and pinchbeck?

'If truth is compromised, credibility goes with it. Big mistake, Kate. Sorry to have to say so when you are unwell but this was not the way to do things.'

Earlier, Kate's uncle Gary Goldsmith defended the Waleses and claimed they would not have been responsible for altering the image.

The Celebrity Big Brother evictee said: 'Obviously the family wouldn't be the ones to do any touch-ups, so if that's gone through some filter before it's gone out to the broader world, but they wouldn't be doing photoshopping themselves.'

He told Good Morning Britain: 'The smiles on faces said it all for me, I thought it was beautiful.' Mr Goldsmith added: 'And this whole 'sleevegate' thing, just leave it alone.'

Royal author Omid Scobie, seen as a cheerleader for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, accused the Palace of having a 'long history of lying', and said gaining back public trust was now 'an almost impossible task'.

The PA news agency said it had withdrawn the image of Kate from its picture service

As well as PA, five other picture agencies around the world have taken the extraordinary step of killing the photo of Princess Kate

Scobie wrote on X that if it was an isolated incident, it was an 'unfortunate error'.

He added: 'But with the Palace's long history of lying, covering up, and even issuing statements on behalf of family members without their permission (cc: Prince Harry), it's becoming increasingly difficult for the public to believe a word (and now photo) they share.

'Gaining that back at this point is an almost impossible task.'

The princess is known to be a keen photographer and revealed in 2021 that she takes so many family photographs that her children sometimes object.

'Everyone's like, 'Mummy, please stop taking photographs',' she said.

The image of Kate and her children, said by the palace to have been taken by Prince William, was posted on social media.

Without an official response from the palace, confusion around the image had fuelled online conspiracy theories about Kate which have swirled on the internet since her abdominal surgery.

Ahead of Kate making her statement, royal commentator Peter Hunt said: 'This is damaging for the royals. They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate.

'Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.'

The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.

But there was speculation that edits had been made to the left sleeve of Princess Charlotte's cardigan, and other areas of the picture also raised concerns about possible manipulation.

In the social media post, Kate thanked the public 'for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months'.

The Princess of Wales has not been seen since she attended the Christmas Day church service

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

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

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

Within hours of the photo being shared around the world, multiple picture agencies issued a 'kill notification' - an industry term used to retract a photo previously handed out to publications.

Late on Sunday, the Associated Press became the first agency to 'kill' the photo over an 'inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand'.

While AP said there was no suggestion the photo was fake, it retracted it because it said on closer inspection, the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet the agency's photo standards.

AP said its editorial standards state that images must be accurate and that it does not use altered or digitally manipulated images.

The agency's news values and principles explain that minor photo editing, including cropping and toning and colour adjustments, are acceptable when necessary for clear and accurate reproduction and should maintain the authentic nature of the photograph.

Changes in density, contrast, colour and saturation levels that substantially alter the original scene are not acceptable. Backgrounds should not be digitally blurred or eliminated by burning down or by aggressive toning. The removal of 'red eye' from photographs is not permissible.

When AP determined the photo appeared to have been manipulated, it issued what is known as a 'photo kill,' an industry term that retracted the image and instructed clients to remove the photo from their systems.

'At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image,' the AP said in its advisory. 'No replacement photo will be sent.'

A second agency, Reuters, also withdrew the image 'following a post-publication review'. 'We are reviewing the matter,' a spokesperson said.

Readers on X added a community note to a post from the Prince and Princess of Wales' account which shared the photo.

It said: 'This photo is believed to be digitally altered and as a result many major news outlets have pulled the image from their reports.'

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.

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.

Details of the princess's condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

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, temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children as she recovered.

He returned to royal duties in February and is expected to carry out an engagement linked to his Earthshot environmental prize on Monday, as well as accompanying the Queen at events to mark Commonwealth Day.

Earlier this month the Army was forced into an embarrassing about-turn after suggesting Kate would attend Trooping the Colour on June 8.

Tickets were being sold for the event, with Kate expected to attend in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, the regiment which is trooping its colour this year.

However, it is understood the Army did not seek approval from Kensington Palace before publishing the page, and the website was subsequently updated to remove the reference to her.
A New York nurse who was battered by a patient has slammed the city's 'soft on crime' policies after learning that the suspect is an illegal migrant who has 65 arrests to his name.

Edward Johnson, 57, was granted supervised release two days after assaulting nurse Chelsea Mora, 32, in a series of attacks on female medical staff dating back to 2019.

She was left with bleeding in her eye and PTSD after he launched himself at her in January while she was taking his blood pressure at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx.

And a colleague at nearby St Barnabas Hospital has been attacked twice by the thug who has now absconded from his supervisors.

'It was pretty disheartening to find out that he was illegally here in this country and that he's been given so many chances,' Mora told Fox.

Johnson has 23 arrests on charges that include gun possession, and another 42 arrests that have been sealed since he arrived in the US

Nurse Chelsea Mora, 32, said 'soft-on-crime laws that are being implemented aren't helping us'

She was left with a corneal hematoma and PTSD after being attacked by Johnson while treating him at the Jacobi Hospital in January

'It seems to be a severe problem in New York City now,' she added.

'I think these soft-on-crime laws that are being implemented aren't helping us, like citizens of New York, and aren't helping healthcare staff in dealing with these types of criminals.'

Johnson arrived from the Caribbean a decade ago before moving to New York and starting his assault on the city's health workers.

He has 23 arrests on charges that include gun possession, and another 42 arrests that have been sealed since he arrived in the US.

In December 2019 he was arrested after punching a 45-year-old female doctor in the mouth and a 61-year-old female nurse in the chest at Albert Einstein Hospital in Morris Park.

And in July 2022 he carried out his first attack on Colleen Leahy, an emergency room doctor at St. Barnabas.

She had only been in the job for two months when he punched her in the eye, just hours after assaulting another female nurse at the hospital.

He spent eight months in jail for the attack on Leahy, 28, but was back in September last year to kick her in the head while she and a male co-worker tried to give him an injection.

Mora shared video of another routine attack on staff at nearby St Barnabas Hospital

'We're part of the society, we give back to the society. We want to have a little bit more protection,' she said

More than 180,000 migrants have arrived in New York since spring of 2022 costing the city billions of dollars in social welfare provision

But tensions have spiked in the wake of a series of high-profile crimes including the notorious gang attack on two NYPD officers by Venezuelan migrants in Times Square last month

She has lost 20 pounds through stress since the second attack and has been left wondering when he will return for a third.

'I'm afraid my daughter will become the next Laken Riley,' Leahy's mother Eileen told the New York Post.

'I'm afraid every day at work, every day,' Leahy added.

'It's infuriating that he keeps doing this to healthcare workers, especially women, and then is let go. 'They had him in custody multiple times, so why is he being let go to attack other people, other healthcare workers?'

New York Mayor Eric Adams has admitted he wants reform of the city's sanctuary status which forbids his officials from asking questions about a person's immigration status, or revealing it to federal authorities.

'We need to modify the sanctuary city law that if you commit a felony or violent act we should be able to turn you over to ICE and have you deported,' he told a community meeting last month.

He made his remarks after January's brutal Times Square attack on two cops that saw most of the Venezuelan suspects freed on bail within hours of their arrests.

A warrant has been issued for Johnson's arrest and prosecutors are preparing to put a case before a grand jury.

Mora said her colleagues are routinely exposed to violence and shared shocking footage of a different patient attacking doctors, nurses and police officers a couple of months ago at another New York City hospital.

More than 180,000 migrants have arrived in the city in the last 18 months and Mora said some of the violence 'definitely should be blamed on the border crisis'.

But she claimed hospital managers discourage staff from reporting attacks to a judicial system that offers little protection to victims.

'We need laws to keep these people in prison and help us do our job more efficiently,' she said.

'When we actually do press charges and things go up to the court level charges are dropped, and these criminals are back on the street.

'We wake up every morning or night, we work 12 hours to 16-hour shifts to help people help the most vulnerable in our society, help our sick patients in underserved communities, and we get abused,' Mora said

'They may serve one or two months in jail, and then they're back out doing the same thing.

'We wake up every morning or night, we work 12 hours to 16-hour shifts to help people help the most vulnerable in our society, help our sick patients in underserved communities, and we get abused.

'This one particular gentleman has over 20 open cases, and he's out on the streets abusing and assaulting people.

'We're part of the society, we give back to the society. We want to have a little bit more protection.'
Sighting follows several reports of monoliths in remote spots in UK and Europe

A steel monolith has appeared on Hay Bluff near Hay-on-Wye at the weekend

A fifth steel monolith shaped like a giant Toblerone has been spotted on a Welsh hill.

Locals in Hay-on-Wye spotted the ten-foot-tall block of steel, resembling the distinctive shape of the chocolate bar, on Hay Bluff near the Powys town at the weekend.

The sighting follows a string of similar reports across the UK, with multiple monoliths sighted in 2020, including one at Compton Beach on the Isle of Wight and the Merry Maidens stone circle in Cornwall which attracted hundreds of TikTokers and Instagrammers.

These previous findings have prompted speculation on social media that the structures could be the work of aliens.

However, others have quashed those rumours, instead suggesting the monolith is simply an elaborate piece of undercover artwork.

A steel monolith shaped like a giant Toblerone bar has been spotted near Hay-on-Wye in Wales

The ten-foot steel block resembling the shape of the famous chocolate bar was seen on Hay Bluff

While some speculated that the structure could be the work of aliens, others said it was an elaborate piece of artwork

Richard Haynes, who took photographs of the latest sighting while running on Hay Bluff, told WalesOnline: 'I went off towards Hay Bluff towards where the trig point is and I looked over to my right.

'I thought it looked a bit bizarre and might be a scientific media research thing collecting rainwater.

'But then realised it was way too tall and strange for that.

'Then I went up to it and it was about 10-foot-tall at least and triangular, definitely stainless steel.

'It was hollow and I imagine pretty light.

'Light enough for two people to carry it up and plant it in the ground.'

Mr Haynes said he frequently ran the route and had never seen the monolith before, while a friend who visited the spot two weeks ago said it wasn't there at that time.

A large silver structure was seen on top of Glastonbury Tor in 2020 - an ancient hill linked to King Arthur and Celtic mythology

A view of a metal monolith on Zamkova Hora hill in Kiev, Ukraine. Some media outlets have suggested that the monolith is likely an advertisement for a new Ukrainian postal operator

'I did notice on Google that it's popped up fairly recently and from what I can gather it disappears after a couple of days,' he added.

In 2020, a similar monolith was spotted on the Isle of Wight, prompting speculation that it was the work of aliens.

Peter Hudd, a prisoner officer on the island who lives in Ryde, said at the time: 'My friend Tara thought it was aliens, and other people were saying the same, but I don't think so.

'I think someone has done it as a stunt. I believe in aliens too, but not to the extent that they would plonk this big mirror thing on a beach overnight.'

The moost recent sighting has also prompted some criticism.

Despite looking neat and attracting social media attention, some complain that the structures are tacky, aren't funny, and damage the environment.

Mr Haynes explained: 'I don't know about that, but it's clear someone would have had to have dug a large hole to get it in the ground.'

Monoliths have been sighted in various places across Europe, including at least four other examples in the UK.

Another monolith was spotted on Compton beach on the Isle of Wight in 2020

Britain's fourth monolith appeared in the middle of one of Britain's most ancient stone circles

In December 2020, one was spotted on top of Zamkova Hora hill in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, with some suggesting it was an advertisement for a new postal operator.

A silver monolith appeared at Glastonbury Tor in the same month, but was felled by a gust of wind.

Another was found at the centre of the Merry Maidens stone circle in St Buryan, Cornwall.

And beachgoers on the Isle of Wight were stunned to find a mysterious monolith on Compton beach.
A GOP-led subcommittee that is investigating the committee that probed the January 6th attack released a report revealing the driver of the Beast said former President Donald Trump did not lunge at him on the day of the Capitol riot.

The committee, led by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., also questioned why the January 6 committee had not interviewed the Secret Service agent driving the vehicle when Trump allegedly lunged for the wheel until after his lawyer broached the idea.

The lawyer asked that the driver be interviewed after Hutchinson made the accusation about Trump lunging.

The driver then testified to the Jan. 6 committee 'that he specifically refuted the version of events as recounted by Hutchinson,' the report states.

The driver of the SUV testified that he 'did not see him reach [redacted]. [President Trump] never grabbed the steering wheel. I didnt see him, you know, lunge to try to get into the front seat at all,' according to a portion of the transcript in the report.

The transcript of the full interview with the unnamed driver has not been released.

The House subcommittee released a report they claim pokes holes in Cassidy Hutchinson's dramatic testimony about Donald Trump's actions on that day.

Their report claims that former White House aide Hutchinson's testimony that Trump lunged for the steering wheel of the Beast when a driver would not take him to the Capitol was not corroborated by four other former White House staffers.

The report is made up of transcribed interviews conducted by the January 6 Committee, led by Democrats last Congress. House Republicans have now obtained those interviews which were only previously released in redacted form. They claim Democrats used redactions to spin testimony.

The House subcommittee investigating the January 6th committee has released a report they claim pokes holes in Cassidy Hutchinson's dramatic testimony about Donald Trump 's actions on that day

Hutchinson testified under oath that Trump had done just that and gotten into a physical altercation with a Secret Service agent when he was told he could not go to the Capitol to join supporters after speaking at a rally on the Ellipse on January 6th, 2021.

She said that Anthony Ornato, White House deputy chief of operations, called her into his office and then shared a story Agent Bobby Engel, head of Trump's Secret Service detail, had allegedly shared with him moments before.

Hutchinson testified that Ornato waived her into his office and then shared a story about the 'President that Agent Robert ('Bobby') Engel, the head of President Trump's Secret Service detail, supposedly told him just moments before. Ornato was not at the Ellipse that day but instead remained at the White House during President Trump's speech. This new story is the version of events the Select Committee rushed Hutchinson to share at the Select Committee's highly publicized 'emergency' hearing,' according to the report.

Hutchinson testified that Trump was so angry that his Secret Service agents refused to take him to the Capitol on January 6 that he lunged for one of their throats

Who is Cassidy Hutchinson, the 25-year-old aide with the most damning allegations against Trump on January 6? At just 25 years old, Cassidy Hutchinson has a resume under her belt that even seasoned political operatives have taken decades to put together. Hutchinson was an executive assistant to Donald Trump's former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in the weeks leading up to and after the January 6 insurrection. Her live Tuesday testimony before the Capitol riot committee is the most damning yet in the fact that she was in the room for some of the most private -and intense - conversations had by the former president and his allies as they laid out a strategy to steal the 2020 election. As committee Chairman Bennie Thompson pointed out, Hutchinson's work in Washington began with internships in the office of House GOP Whip Steve Scalise and Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz. 'Then, in 2019, you moved to the White House and served there until the end of the Trump administration,' Thompson said during the hearing. She began with a role in the Office of Legislative Affairs in March 2019 - just before graduating - before being elevated to executive assistant for Meadows in March 2020, according to her LinkedIn profile. She also interned for Trump's White House as a student at Christopher Newport University in Virginia. There, Hutchinson majored in political science and American studies. She told her student newspaper during her senior year in 2018 that getting the coveted internship brought her to 'tears' and her goal was to 'pursue a path of civic significance.' 'As a first-generation college student, being selected to serve as an intern alongside some of the most intelligent and driven students from across the nation  many of whom attend top universities  was an honor and a tremendous growing experience,' Hutchinson said at the time. Advertisement

One former White House official 'dismissed the premise' that Trump had ever planned to go to the Capitol after his speech at the Ellipse, according to the report. Another former White House employee testified that he was in Ornato's office after Trump returned to the White House.

Ornato then went into detail describing Trump's mood, which he characterized as 'irate,' but never mentioned him trying to grab the steering wheel of the vehicle.

Hutchinson had also testified before the Jan. 6 panel that Trump had said former Vice President Mike Pence deserved to be 'hanged' as he watched a crowd on TV shout 'Hang Mike Pence.'

A former White House staffer referred to as 'Employee One' who was with Trump that day said he did not hear the president remark on the chants at all.

The report also accused the January 6 Committee of suppressing evidence that Trump tried to call in the National Guard during the riot.

Employee One testified that Trump had wanted to speak to former Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and then- Speaker Nancy Pelosi about bringing in the Guard.

The staffer said they 'didn't hear about National Guard being mentioned until on January 6 when things were happening.' But the January 6th Committee had prefaced the question by admitting Trump 'raised the idea of 10,000 National Guardsmen supporting law enforcement on January 6,' according to the report.

A transcript released by Loudermilk on Friday of an interview with Ornato corroborates the notion that Trump requested the Guard, based on a conversation he had with former chief of staff Mark Meadows.

'When it comes to the National Guard statement about having 10,000 troops or any other number of troops, do you recall any discussion prior to the 6th about whether and how many National Guard troops to deploy on January 6th?' a staffer with the committee asked Ornato.

'I remember he had  he was on the phone with [Bowser], and we  I had walked in for something, and I was there, and he was on the phone with her and wanted to make sure she had everything that she needed. Because I think it was the concern of anti and pro groups clashing is what I recall. And not anywhere near the Capitol, this was just out on the mall area or at the event; and wanted to know if she needed any more guardsmen,' Ornato responded.

He then said Trump wanted to make sure the 10,000 number was 'enough.'

'And I remember the number 10,000 coming up of, you know, the President wants to make sure that you have enough. You know, he is willing to ask for 10,000. I remember that number. Now that you said it, it reminded me of it. And that she was all set. She had, I think it was like 350 or so for intersection control and those types of thing not in the law enforcement capacity at the time. And then that's the only thing I recall with that number 10,000 National Guard guardsmen,' he continued.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser only asked for 300, and requested that they not be armed and work with local police.

Ornato said the White House then requested the Department of Defense have a 'quick reaction force' on hand in case Bowser's request was not enough.

'The only thing I remember with DOD and the National Guard was even though the mayor didn't want any more National Guard in D.C., that a request was made to have kind of a, lack of better term, a quick reaction force out at Joint Base Andrews being that it was a military installation,' Ornato said in his interview, according to the transcript.

'I remember Chief Meadows talking to DOD about that, I believe. I remember Chief Meadows letting me know that, 'Hey, there was going to be National Guard that's going to be at Joint Base Andrews in case they're going to need some more, we're going to  the Mayor would need any, we're going to make sure they're out there.''

The new report also questions why the January 6 committee invested 'almost no resources' into two pipe bombs found outside the headquarters of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

'Despite the suspect's appearance on numerous USCP CCTV cameras and the FBI's efforts interviewing over 800 individuals and assessing more than 300 tips, the suspect remains at large more than three years after the pipe bombs were planted,' the report said.

'The Subcommittee is concerned about the integrity of the security sweep conducted by the United States Secret Service on the morning of January 6. As a result of the USSS's failure to properly sweep the DNC, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris came within feet of a viable pipe bomb.'
Local residents demonstrate their support for Annunciation House, a network of migrants shelters in El Paso, Texas, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit claiming the Annunciation House "appears to be engaged in the business of human smuggling" and is threatening to terminate the nonprofit's right to operate in Texas. Andres Leighton/AP Roger and his 4-year-old son Roger Jr, (only first names given) embrace during a press conference at the Annunciation House, Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in El Paso, Texas. After being separated by CBP in February, the two were reunited and released by ICE late last night. Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre Ivan Pierre Aguirre A mother and her two daughters are seen embracing during a press conference on refugees at the Annunciation House Monday, February 11, 2019, in El Paso, TX. Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre for the San Antonio Express-News Ivan Pierre Aguirre/Ivan Pierre Aguirre for the San

A judge in El Paso said Monday that Attorney General Ken Paxton acted without regard to due process or fair play in his effort to shut down a Catholic nonprofit that has helped shelter and feed asylum-seekers for decades.

State District Judge Francisco Dominguez temporarily blocked the effort to close Annunciation House, which Paxton has accused of operating as a stash house and taking part in human smuggling.

The Attorney Generals efforts to run roughshod over Annunciation House, without regard to due process or fair play, call into question the true motivation for the Attorney Generals attempt to prevent Annunciation House from providing the humanitarian and social services that it provides, Dominguez wrote. There is a real and credible concern that the attempt to prevent Annunciation House from conducting business in Texas was predetermined.

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The conflict started last month when the attorney general sought records from Annunciation House related to its work with migrants. The El Paso organization said it would provide the information but could not meet the deadline laid out by the attorney generals investigators and sued for a temporary restraining order.

Paxton, in turn, filed a counterclaim, accusing the nonprofit of violating state law by refusing to turn over the records. His office sought to revoke Annunciation Houses license to operate in Texas.

Dominguez ruled that the conflict over the records Paxton sought would have to be decided before an enforcement action could be taken. Paxtons counterclaim seeking to close the nonprofit was therefore moot, Dominguez ruled.

Paxtons office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Jerome Wesevich, an attorney representing Annunciation House, said in a statement that the ruling will mean a fair and orderly process for determining what documents the law allows the Attorney General to see.

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Annunciation House needs to collect sensitive information, including health information, concerning its guests, and it is imperative for the safety and well-being of the community that the releasing of this sensitive information be handled with care and the law in mind, Wesevich said.

Ruben Garcia, the founder and director of Annunciation House, told El Paso Matters on Monday that Paxtons actions could threaten businesses across Texas.

It kind of sends a shiver through all incorporated entities in the state of Texas, because people are going to ask, does this mean that the attorney general feels that they have the authority to arrive at any institution, any business, any entity, and just walk up and say, we are submitting a request to examine. And I think thats a really fundamental question about whether thats a way to function, Garcia told the outlet, which first reported the ruling.
Shaquille Graham was shot down at 4.30am on Sunday in Catford Broadway

A man who was shot dead near a nightclub in south-east London has been pictured for the first time.

Shaquille Graham, 30, was gunned down at around 4.30am on Sunday in Catford Broadway.

Police believe there will be witnesses despite the time of the shooting because it happened on a busy road.

Mr Graham's friend Luke Wilson told the Evening Standard: 'I have lost my best friend. I'm devastated.

'This is so depressing for future generations. If people like Shaq are getting killed there's no hope.

Police have released a picture of Shaquille Graham, who was shot dead near a nightclub in south east London

The 30-year-old was attacked at around 4.30am on Sunday in Catford Broadway

Detectives said 'good progress' was being made on the investigation and they were following several leads

'Some people live on the edge and become dangerously involved in gangs ... my friend was not one of those.'

The pair had been at a music event together before Mr Graham was killed.

Emergency services were called to the scene near Lewisham Town Hall where they discovered Mr Graham with a gunshot wound.

Detective Superintendent Brian Hobbs said: 'We are making good progress with our investigation and a number of leads are being followed up.

Pictured: Forensics comb the cordoned scene near where Mr Graham was discovered

'Although the shooting happened in the middle of the night, it happened on a busy road and there will have been witnesses who may have seen or heard something.

'I would urge anyone with any information, who hasn't already contacted police, to contact us urgently.

'We are determined to secure justice for Shaquille's grieving family and friends.'

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting the reference CAD1160/10Mar, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.
A conservative nonprofit has accused CNN of refusing to air an ad that blamed president Biden for the murder of Laken Riley during last week's State of the Union,

Building Americas Future claims CNN declined to show the ad highlighting 22-year-old Riley's alleged murder by undocumented Venezuelan migrant Jose Ibarra, 26, at the University of Georgia at Athens campus.

'CNN and Joe Biden are in lockstep once again,' advisor to the group Phil Cox told Fox News Digital.

'It is shameful that CNN is censoring the truth and trying to protect President Biden by refusing to air this ad. The American people understand that Bidens open borders agenda is responsible for the death of Laken Riley.'

The ad in question was aired by Fox News and liberal network MSNBC.

Building Americas Future claims CNN declined to show the ad highlighting 22-year-old Laken Riley's alleged murder by an undocumented migrant

Riley was found dead on the University of Georgia campus on February 22 after leaving her home for a run, suffering blunt force trauma to the head

It begins with a narration that says: 'Laken Riley should have been able to go on a run, in broad daylight without being murdered by an illegal immigrant. But Joe Biden promised not to deport illegal immigrants.'

The ad goes on to cite different instances where president Biden appeared to not prioritize illegal immigration.

In one of the clips the president said undocumented migrants should not be the focus of deportation and wouldn't be jailed e "put in jail while waiting for their hearing"

'So, when Jose Ibarra crossed into America illegally, he was not deported, he was not put in jail,' the ad's narration adds.

'Biden also supported sanctuary cities. So, when Jose Ibarra was arrested in New York City for endangering a child, he was freed a second time. Ibarra went to Georgia, where he beat Laken Riley to death. How many more killers has Biden set free?'

CNN told DailyMail.com the ad 'did not meet commercial clearance guidelines and policies' and cited 'claims that were unsubstantiated.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Building Americas Future for comment on this story.

Riley's mother Allyson Phillips slammed president Biden following his speech at the state of the union last week, which saw him fumble the nursing student's name.

'Biden does not even KNOW my childs name  it pathetic!' she wrote. 'If you are going to say her name (even when forced to do so) at least say the right name!'

Allyson Phillips (right), the mother of slain Laken Riley (left) slammed Biden as 'pathetic' after he accidentally called the murdered 22-year-old 'Lincoln'

The heartbroken mom took to Facebook to condemn Biden for even bringing her daughter up in his political moment

The 81-year-old sparked backlash after referring to Riley, who was allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant, as 'Lincoln' in his address.

Riley was found dead on the University of Georgia campus on February 22 after leaving her home for a run, suffering blunt force trauma to the head allegedly inflicted by Ibarra, in what investigators said was a 'crime of opportunity.'

The murder took center stage on Thursday evening as President Biden delivered his State of the Union address.

Firebrand Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene heckled the speech shouting 'say her name' when the immigration arose, after previously handing Biden a pin bearing Riley's name.

'Lincoln, Lincoln Riley,' Biden said, holding up the pin. 'An innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal.

President Biden holds a pin for slain Georgia student Laken Riley during his State of the Union speech, before he accidentally called her 'Lincoln'

'But how many of thousands of people being killed by legals? To her parents I say my heart goes out to you, having lost children myself, I understand,' he said.

The murder has been seen by many as a touchstone moment in the struggle to contain illegal immigration, with former President Donald Trump revealing he also spoke with Riley's parents after her murder.

During a trip to the southern border last week, Trump said he spoke with the grieving parents shortly after charges were brought against Ibarra, saying they are 'incredible people' who are 'devastated beyond belief.'

'(Riley) she was beautiful, just so beautiful in so many ways. And brutally assaulted, horrifically beaten, kidnapped and savagely murdered,' he said.
A sperm whale has died after beaching itself on a sandbar along a Florida beach while strong waves stopped rescue attempts.

The 70,000-pound male whale beached itself early Sunday, thrashing about on the shallow sandbar in an attempt to get free.

Rough conditions made the animal hard to reach and hindered rescue efforts, leaving members of the public to watch as the whale became increasingly distressed.

Marine biologists said it was a deep-diving whale and given it beached itself, it was likely not healthy. It died on Monday morning as officials dragged it onto the beach and sliced it open in an attempt to discover a cause of death.

Officials then issued a no-swim advisory saying the blood in the water could increase shark activity.

A beached sperm whale was spotted in Venice, Florida, early Sunday

Rough seas made it difficult for rescuers to reach and it died Monday morning

The whale was surrounded by a dark liquid in the water that onlookers worried was blood

But the city said: 'According to Mote Marine, the reddish liquid in the one photo is ink, not blood. 'Like squids, sperm whales can produce a dark, inky liquid that helps them escape from predators'

The 44-foot-long whale first appeared on Monday morning when a crowd gathered on the beach.

The City of Venice announced officials were aware of its presence and were forming a rescue plan.

But, on Sunday afternoon, they said that 'water conditions are too dangerous to approach the sperm whale in distress at Service Club Park by boat to attempt to give the animal a sedative.'

They added: 'The whale is estimated to be approximately 50 feet and 50,000-70,000 pounds.'

Over the next few hours, rescue services in boats tried and failed to reach the whale.

Drone photos showed the whale surrounded by a dark liquid in the water that onlookers worried was blood. But the city said: 'According to Mote Marine, the reddish liquid in the one photo is ink, not blood.

'Like squids, sperm whales can produce a dark, inky liquid that helps them escape from predators. They can also produce it when they are in distress. It is fairly typical to see before a whale passes.'

After their first attempt to reach the whale failed, they said: 'Another assessment will be made at low tide, shortly after 7 tonight.'

By Sunday evening, the whale suffered from labored breathing and died around 3am Monday.

In the afternoon, officials dragged its body onto the beach and cut it open to perform a necropsy.

They said it was underweight for a healthy adult whale.

Then the City of Venice issued a no swim advisory, saying: 'City of Venice Emergency Management is issuing a NO SWIM ADVISORY today, March 11, due to possible increased predation activity in the areas south of Venice Beach including Service Club Park, Sharkys on the Pier and Caspersen Beach.'

Biologists will collect samples to determine the cause of death, which could take several weeks.

A dolphin beached itself on Sunday afternoon near Cape Canaveral, Florida, after becoming separated from its pod

Rescuers covered it in wet towels and poured water over it to keep it hydrated

Venice is about 75 miles south of Tampa.

The whale beached itself just hours before a dolphin beached itself on Florida's other coast.

Video from the incident shows the dolphin stuck in the shallow water before a man rushes into the sea to try and help, he used a bucket to collect seawater and threw it over the animal.

One of the rescuers, Chris Fletcher, told Fox: 'They concluded it probably got separated from the mom and the current and the waves were pushing it in and it just got exhausted.'

The SeaWorld Rescue team then arrived and took the dolphin to their critical care center.
Police have released artist's impressions of people killed on Britain's railway tracks as far back as three decades ago in a bid to try and reunite families with their dead loved ones.

British Transport Police (BTP) have shared images of four people who were never identified in the hope they can finally lay their cases to rest.

Some of the victims died as long ago as 1991, and the BTP is now working in partnership with BBC Crimewatch to help identify them.

A total of 12 investigations have been reopened with four victims featuring on the programme today.

Their images were released in the hope that someone may have information and give closure to potential grieving family and friends.

The incidents

A man (pictured) was found dead in a tree near the Ouse Valley Viaduct, Sussex, on the London to Brighton railway on July 26, 1991

The remains of a white male, aged 19 to 25 years old, were found in a tree near the Ouse Valley Viaduct, Sussex, on the London to Brighton railway on July 26, 1991.

His body was found 100 yards south of the viaduct on a railway embankment between Balcombe and Haywards Heath.

He was described as 180cm tall, of proportionate build, 80kg in weight with dark brown curly hair and brown eyes. He had a large verruca on the instep of his left foot.

The man was wearing blue denim jeans, a blue denim jacket, a mauve polo neck sweater, grey shirt, blue t-shirt, white socks, brown suede walking shoes, and a red and blue waterproof jacket.

The clothing had no labels inside. He also had on him a personal stereo, a brown wallet and a tourist map of London.

His body is buried at St Peters Church, Ardingly, West Sussex.

A man (pictured) was found on the side of a railway line in Southend, Essex, on November 15, 2000

An unidentified man was found dead on the side of a railway line in Southend, Essex, on November 15, 2000.

The victim was seen on CCTV at 11.40pm the night before walking along the platform of Southend East Station in the direction of Southend Central Station. In the footage, he was described as unsteady on his feet.

The man was spotted by a train driver the morning after at 6.30am dead on the side of the railway line.

His cause of death was unascertained and he had not been struck by a train.

It is believed he died of hypothermia and was not wearing any clothing on his upper body when he was found.

No drugs and very little alcohol was found in his system.

He was described as a black male, around 65 years old, 176cm in height, of average build with a thick greying beard.

He was wearing a green wax oilskin jacket, brown waxed oilskin trousers and scruffy white Tommy Hilfiger trainers.

He was believed to be a tramp or vagrant in reports from the time.

A man (pictured) was seen to suddenly stand up in the bushes near a railway line in London in 2004

A man was killed at Leyton Midland Station, Waltham Forest, London at around 8.45pm on November 8, 2004.

A train driver who was travelling at 40mph and slowing down on approach to the station reported suddenly seeing a man stand up in the bushes alongside the railway line.

He was described as white, around 30 years old, 5'10" in height with short dark drown hair.

The man was wearing dark blue jeans, a pair of black Diesel velcro trainers, a grey and white polo shirt, a brown Wrangler leather belt and a blue Nike jacket.

He had a black rucksack, a small pair of nail scissors and an empty brown wallet.

The man was described as white, in his late 20s, 5'6" tall with brown eyes, long black hair and an unshaven face.

A man was killed on December 15, 1998 after he walked onto the tracks, laid down and placed his head on the electrified rail.

His face and right side of his body was badly burned in the incident at Erith Railway Station, Bexley, Greater London.

He died at the scene at around 6.15pm and his cause of death was given as electrocution.

The man was described as white, in his late 20s, 5'6" tall with brown eyes, long black hair and an unshaven face.

He was wearing a light blue striped shirt, grey trousers, white underpants with red stripes, socks, one black loafer with a gold ornament, the other foot was bare.

He was found with a key fob, a blue biro pen and a Casio watch.

A further eight historic unidentified deaths that occurred at stations in Kent, Hertfordshire, West Sussex and London have also been reopened.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn, said: 'It is always a tragedy when anyone dies alone, and in unfamiliar and dangerous circumstances, and even more so when they have no apparent family or friends who are aware of their whereabouts - or indeed that they have died.

'There was nothing suspicious in any of these deaths but, despite significant enquiries at the time, their identities remain unconfirmed.

'We really hope by sharing these artist impressions, we can identify families and friends and give someone somewhere who is grieving the much-needed closure that they deserve.'

BTP is also working closely with the UK Missing Persons Unit as well as with other police forces and agencies to use more advanced forensic procedures and utilise more effective shared information databases.

They hope this will create better better opportunities to identify the deceased.

Anyone with any information that may assist investigations of the unsolved deaths is urged to contact BTP.
A 60-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving in relation to a crash in County Monaghan, Ireland, in which two teenage best friends died on their way to their school leavers ball.

Kiea McCann, 17, and Dlava Mohamed, 16, died after the car they were travelling in left the N54 and crashed into a tree in the Legnakeely area on July 31 2023.

Anthony McGinn, 60, of Drumloo, Newbliss, County Monaghan, appeared before Monaghan District Court charged with dangerous driving, including speeding, causing the deaths of Kiea and Dlava.

McGinn was also charged with dangerous driving that led to another person being seriously injured.

Anthony McGinn, 60, of Drumloo, Newbliss, County Monaghan, appeared before Monaghan District Court charged with dangerous driving, including speeding, causing the deaths of Kiea and Dlava

Kiea McCann (left), 17, and Dlava Mohamed (right), 16, died after the car they were travelling to their school leavers ball in left the N54 and crashed into a tree in the Legnakeely area on July 31 2023

Workmen at the scene on the N54 Clones to Smithborough road at Legnakelly, County Monaghan, after the deadly crash

The incident took place on a stretch of the N54 between Clones and Smithborough on Monday 31 July between 6.15pm and 7pm

Hundreds of mourners attended the funerals of the girls, who had been close friends since Dlava's family arrived in Clones as part of a resettlement programme for Syrians.

In mid-December, Gardai arrested two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

Appearing before court today, McGinn was granted bail before the next court appearance.

Dlava's sister Auin and Oisin Clerkin, both 18, also sustained serious injuries in the crash.

McGinn was also injured during the incident and had to spend time in intensive care.

Kiea's father Frankie McCann last year revealed how he rushed to the scene of the crash but was unable to save his daughter or her friend due to their catastrophic injuries.

'I got out there as quick as I could and tried to revive them with a woman that was there also,' Frankie told Independent.ie.

'I had to move from my daughter to her best friend, but there was nothing I could do. All I could do was ask that they be put lying together.'

'There was great excitement here in the house before they went out. We had food and champagne and balloons, and it was going to be a great night,' he said lamenting the tragedy of his daughter's passing.

A cortege of motorbikes and cars followed the hearse carrying the white coffin as it moved slowly through the town

Hundreds of people formed a guard of honour as the hearse carrying the remains of Kiea McCann passed through Clones

Frankie, an avid biker, went on to explain he and Kiea, the fifth of 10 children, had both attended Kiea's first motorbike rally the weekend before the incident and told of her plans to study childcare.

Kiea's sister Shaunice also paid tribute to her late sibling, writing on social media at the time: 'I really don't know what to say.

'I'm just so heartbroken over you, my little baby sister. I have no words to describe the emotions going through me right now. I really don't know what to do without you.

'I am just so lost and don't understand how something like this could just happen to you and I just hope you know that we all love you so much.'

Kiea's mother Teresa simply said: 'It will be hard on all the young people. Hard on all the friends.'

Dlava's death notice meanwhile read: 'Cherished and much loved daughter of Hohamed and Zenab Mohamed. Dlava will be sadly missed by her brothers Mostafa and Rashid and her sisters Lilov, Asmahan, Auin and Giham.'

When Kiea's body was driven from a funeral home in Monaghan town to Clones in a hearse people from the local community stood on Monaghan Street and at the town square, The Diamond, as a mark of support for the family.

A cortege of motorbikes and cars followed the hearse carrying the white coffin as it moved slowly through the town, stopping briefly outside a home where it is understood relatives of Dlava live.

Many in the crowd broke down and consoled each other as the hearse passed by.

Tragically, the last pictures taken of the two girls were of them smiling in their prom dresses as they got ready for the event to mark them graduating from senior school.
Former President Donald Trump is using his 'immunity' claim to try to delay another one of his trials  this one set to begin later this month over his 'hush' payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Trump made the claim in a new legal filing Monday, where he resurfaced his claim of absolute immunity for conduct while in office after getting a lifeline from the U.S. Supreme Court, which said it would hear his high stakes oral arguments set for late April.

That comes after a federal judge last year already ruled bluntly that 'hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a President's official acts.'

Without further action, Trump's trial in the case, which according to Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's office says involved dozens of counts of falsification of business records, is set to begin March 25.

This time, Trump's lawyers cited the Supreme Court's decision to review his immunity claim in his federal January 6 case, which remains stalled while the court sorts through the constitutional issues.

Lawyers for former President Donald Trump want to delay the start of his Stormy Daniels case in New York. Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsification of business records

With that case on hold, and Trump's federal documents case in Florida subject to potential delay, the Stormy Daniels case in New York is the most likely or perhaps the only case likely to see a result by the time Trump must face the voters in November.

The first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president is set to begin on March 25 in a New York state court in Manhattan.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsification of business records in the Stormy Daniels case.

Prosecutors say he directed his former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, to pay porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she says they had a decade earlier, and then falsely recorded his reimbursement to Cohen as legal expenses.

The allegations relate to a time before Trump held office. But Trump's lawyers argue that Trump's attacks on Cohen as president, as cited by prosecutors, opens the door for the immunity defense.

Trump's lawyers are being forced to navigate Trump's other cases and what arguments they can best use without one defense imperiling another.

The porn star claims she had an affair with Trump and negotiated the $130,000 in 'hush' payments in 2016

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's case against Trump is the first criminal trial of a former president. It is set to begin later this month

Last month, prosecutors said they planned to introduce evidence of a 'pressure campaign' by Trump in 2018 to ensure Cohen did not cooperate with a federal investigation into the payment to Daniels

Trump has repeatedly denied the affair

According to one analysis, Trump's effort to move the Stormy Daniels case to another forum conflicted with his argument in the Colorado ballot case, where he argued he was not an officer of the U.S. as it relates to the 14th Amendment's 'insurrection' clause.

Trump denies the encounter with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

The move was the latest by Trump seeking to delay the four upcoming criminal trials he faces until closer to, or even after, his expected Nov. 5 election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.

The Supreme Court last month handed Trump a win when it agreed to hear in late April his argument that he is immune from federal prosecution for trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat, a decision that will delay the start of any trial by at least several months.

The court, by contrast, moved faster in acting to ensure that Trump remained on Colorado's primary ballot, rejecting an effort to disqualify him the day before the contest.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in all criminal cases, which he has termed 'election interference.'

In their court filing on Monday, Trump's lawyers said the outcome of the Supreme Court's review was relevant to the hush money case because prosecutors were seeking to present evidence of statements Trump made while he was president.

Last month, prosecutors said they planned to introduce evidence of a 'pressure campaign' by Trump in 2018 to ensure Cohen did not cooperate with a federal investigation into the payment to Daniels. Cohen pleaded guilty that year to violating campaign finance law.

In their court filing on Monday, Trump's lawyers called prosecutors' claim of a pressure campaign 'fictitious.' They said Trump's social media posts about Cohen were 'official communications' about 'matters of public concern' and thus immune from state prosecution.

'Without immunity from criminal prosecution based on official acts, the President's political opponents will seek to influence and control his or her decisions via de facto extortion,' Trump's lawyers wrote.

A spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney's office, which brought the charges, declined to comment.

Last year, Trump made a similar argument as part of an unsuccessful push to move the hush money case from state court to federal court. In denying Trump's request in July 2023, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein wrote that the payment to Daniels 'was a purely personal item.'

'Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a President's official acts,' Hellerstein wrote.
Five people died in total, including the pilot and the first officer

The CEO of a private jet company and pilot training school has been identified as one of the victims in a plane crash in Virginia.

Alfredo Diez, founder and CEO of Atlantis Aviation, and his wife and young son have been identified as three of the five victims by Spanish newspaper El Espanol.

On Sunday, five people died in the crash near the Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County when a private jet and burst into flames on impact.

Diez is from Betanzos in Spain and reportedly moved to Florida in 2016 to launch his flight academy. In 2020, he became the CEO of private jet company Sky Jet Elite, according to his LinkedIn profile.

'My great friend Alfredo J Diez departed yesterday with his family and crew to his eternal flight,' said Adolfo Perez Castillo on Facebook.

Alfredo Diez, founder and CEO of Atlantis Aviation, and his wife and son have been identified as three of the five victims in Sunday's plane crash in Virginia

Diez is from Betanzos in Spain and reportedly moved to Florida in 2016 to launch his flight academy. In 2020, he became the CEO of private jet company Sky Jet Elite

On Sunday, five people died in the crash near the Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County when a private jet and burst into flames on impact

'My friend Alfredo and I did business since 2019 and he was a great Galician. Born in the town of Betanzos in the corona. A Spanish citizen who built Atlantis flight academy and sky elite charter in these recent years representing Spain and Galicia well in South Florida.'

The plane, a twin-engine IAI Astra 1125, crashed around 3 p.m. on Sunday when the airplane came down short of the runway as it was attempting to make an emergency landing.

The Virginia State Police said the plane fell short of the runway, plowed through trees before slamming into a hillside.

The plane reportedly left from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and was scheduled to land at Ingalls Field Airport in Hot Springs, Virginia.

An attorney for the planes owner and family friend told police that the people aboard planned to attend an event at the nearby Homestead Resort.

'An incredible young man gone too soon. Such a genuine, polite well mannered young man,' said Kat Ferrari on Facebook. 'I've always maintained relationships with my students after they move on, but this one hits hard.'

'Alfredo J Diez and Yessenia were just amazing to me! When I was down and out they gave me an opportunity to work with them. I will forever appreciate you both. Rest in peace with your baby boy.'

Of the five people who died, one was the pilot, another was the first officer, and Diez, his wife and son were passengers. Their remains were sent to the Virginia Office of the Medical Examiner for positive identification.

The other two people who died are men but their names have not yet been identified.

Virginia State Police are investigating the crash alongside the Federal Aviation Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The plane, a twin-engine IAI Astra 1125, crashed around 3 p.m. on Sunday when the airplane came down short of the runway as it was attempting to make an emergency landing

Local reports showed what appeared to be plumes of white smoke rising from an impact site. The airport was closed in the aftermath of the crash.

Mayor of Betanzos, Maria Barral, said on Twitter: 'Dismayed after hearing the news of the passing of a Betanzos, his wife and son in a plane crash in Virginia, in which two other people also died.'

'My condolences to the family and their loved ones on behalf of all Betanzos.'

There have been a number of fatal small plane crashes so far in 2024.

A young family-of-five including three children, 12, 10 and 7, perished in fireball in Nashville last week.

Victor Dotsenko, 43, his wife Rimma, 39, and their three children David, 12, Adam, 10, and Emma, 7, died on Monday next to Interstate-40 when their single-engine plane crashed and burst into a fireball.

Last month a plane crashed on to I-75 in Florida - killing two people.

The video shows the private jet piloted by 50-year-old Edward Daniel Murphy and second in command Ian Frederick Hofmann, 65, that crashed when its engines failed.

The two pilots died on impact, but thanks to their ability to guide the Bombardier Challenger 60 on to the crowded highway, three others onboard survived.
Lauren Boebert has asked a judge to drop a temporary restraining order against her ex-husband Jayson, admitting today that the pair have come to a 'strict agreement.'

The Republican congresswoman appeared in court via Zoom and told a Colorado judge she no longer wanted to extend the temporary restraining order she filed after she and Jayson had a public spat at a restaurant in January.

'Jayson and I have come to some pretty strict agreements,' Lauren told the Judge Jonathan Pototsky during the 15-minute hearing on Monday. 'Hopefully those are followed and we don't have to pursue another one on the future.'

The congresswoman replied, 'No,' when asked if she was coerced or threatened about her decision to drop the restraining order.

The Republican congresswoman appeared at a Colorado courtroom via a court livestream on Monday, while Jayson Boebert showed up in person

Jayson Boebert appeared in court next to his attorney

Rep. Lauren Boebert told a Colorado judge she was not threatened or harassed into dropping the restraining order against ex-husband Jayson

The judge, however, approved a protective order against Jayson regarding son Tyler, 18.

Jayson Boebert also was arrested and charged in January after Tyler claimed his father pushed him to the ground and dug his thumb into his mouth, according to a search warrant.

The teen also told deputies his father was allegedly armed with a riffle.

Judge Jonathan Pototsky said Jayson can have contact with Tyler since the two live together, but ordered him not to threaten or harass the teen.

Jayson Boebert was charged with misdemeanor harassment, prohibited use of weapons and assault in the third-degree for the incident involving Tyler.

Jayson, who appeared at the Rifle, Colorado courthouse in a dark suit on Monday, remained quiet during the brief hearing.

The Boeberts and their children during happier times

Lauren Boebert's teenage son was arrested in February for a string of vehicle break-ins and property theft. He is facing 22 charges

Andrew Nolan, Jayson's attorney, told the judge he is seeking more evidence, but he added there could be some complications with obtaining information since Tyler could be facing criminal charges in an unrelated case.

Tyler was arrested in February for a string of vehicle break-ins and property theft. His most serious charges include four felony counts for criminal possession of an ID and conspiracy to commit a felony.

'I think I'm going to need to file a motion for specific discovery,' Nolan told the judge. 'As the court may know, Tyler are charges pending against Tyler Boebert.

'Tyler is the named victim in the third-degree assault case .. so we essentially have a Brady/Giglio scenario,' Nolan said, referring to laws that require the prosecution to turn in evidence to the defense.

Tyler Boebert was arrested for a litany of charges, including ID theft and criminal tresspass

Tyler was not present in court on Monday, by the prosecutors said they have been in touch with the teen.

Tyler's February arrest isn't the first for the teenage Boebert, who shares a son with an ex-girlfriend.

In April of last year, Tyler's former friend Noble D'Amato, 19, alleged he was severely injured when Tyler was driving and flipped his father's SUV into a creek bed.

D'Amato said the incident left him with multiple concussions and a debilitating hand injury.

He also accused the political family of covering it up.

Boebert walks near the chamber at the Capitol on January 18

Jayson, 43, and Lauren, 37, married in 2005 and divorced last year.

The former couple had a very public altercation at a restaurant called Miner's Claim in Silt, Colorado where Jayson accused the controversial congresswoman of punching him in the face.

Silt Police has since cleared Lauren of any wrongdoing.

Boebert still represents Colorado's 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, but announced that she was moving her campaign to the state's 4th district.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com last week, Jayson said his ex-wife offered to drop the restraining order request if he agreed to 'certain terms.'

'I replied to her that I do not negotiate with terrorists or kidnappers,' Boebert said.

Since then, the former couple seemed to have squashed their squabble.

The congresswoman asked the judge to remain on the court call to hear the outcome of Tyler's protective order against Jayson.

Nolan said his client did not object to the protective order as long as the no-contact order was lifted since the father and son still live together.

Jayson was ordered to return to court on April 15.
Sweden's flag was raised in a ceremony at NATO headquarters on Monday in a fresh blow to President Putin two years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The move has cemented Sweden's place as the 32nd member of the alliance after it was forced to seek safety under the alliance's security umbrella.

Under a steady rain, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Crown Princess Victoria and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg looked on as two soldiers raised the blue banner emblazoned with a yellow cross among the official circle of national flags at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels.

Sweden's leader said: 'The Russian, brutal, full-scale invasion against Ukraine united Sweden behind the conclusion that a full-fledged NATO membership is the only reasonable choice,'

Sweden set aside decades of post-World War II neutrality when it formally joined NATO on March 7.

Under a steady rain, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson looked on as two soldiers raised the country's flag, cementing its place as a member of NATO

Sweden set aside decades of post-World War II neutrality when it formally joined NATO on March 7

It is now the 32nd member of the alliance and will benefit from Articel 5 - a vow that an attack on one member will be met by a response from all

The neighboring nation of Finland had already joined in April 2023 in another historic move ending years of military nonalignment.

Mr Kristersson delivered his bold speech in front of Swedish government ministers and party leaders from across the political spectrum who attended in a show of national unity.

Finland's defense ministry welcomed 'our brothers and sisters in arms,' saying on X, formerly Twitter, that 'now we stand at the beginning of a new era. Together and with other allies in peace, in crisis and beyond.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to order troops into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, triggered new fears in both countries and within three months they had applied to join the world's biggest security organization.

Putin claimed to have launched the war, at least in part, over NATO's eastward expansion toward Russia. But the war had an adverse effect, pushing more countries to join the alliance.

NATO leaders have promised that Ukraine itself will join one day, although almost certainly not while the conflict rages on.

'When President Putin launched his full-scale invasion two years ago, he wanted less NATO, and more control over his neighbors. He wanted to destroy Ukraine as a sovereign state, but he failed,' Stoltenberg said.

'NATO is now bigger and stronger. Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before, and as the brave Ukrainians continue to fight for their freedom, we stand by their side,' he said.

The Nordic country was forced to seek NATO's protection after Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Sweden's leader said: 'The Russian, brutal, full-scale invasion against Ukraine united Sweden behind the conclusion that a full-fledged NATO membership is the only reasonable choice'

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (left) shook hands with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (right) in NATO's HQ in Brussels

Sweden's membership completes a strategic ring of NATO territory around the Baltic Sea which has angered Russia

Sweden's membership completes a strategic ring of NATO territory around the Baltic Sea. The country now benefits from the alliance's collective security guarantee - Article 5 of its treaty - a vow that an attack on one of them will be met by a response from them all.

'We have chosen you, and you have chosen us. All for one, and one for all,' Mr Kristersson said, and he vowed that his country would uphold the values enshrined in NATO's founding Washington Treaty.

The flag-raising ceremony came as 20,000 troops from 13 countries conduct NATO drills in the high north of new member Sweden as well as its neighbors Finland and Norway.

The Nordic drill is part of wider exercises called Steadfast Defender 24, NATO's largest in decades, with up to 90,000 troops taking part over several months to show any adversary that the alliance can defend all of its territory from North America up to its borders with Russia.

'We are humble, but we are also proud. We know the expectations for Sweden are high, but we also have high expectations for ourselves,' the Swedish PM told reporters minutes before the ceremony. 'We will share burdens, responsibilities and risks with our allies.'

Sweden brings to the table well-trained and -equipped armed forces. The country has been working in close partnership with NATO during military exercises over the years, and even more since Russia's all-out war began. Sweden also meets NATO's defense spending target of 2% of gross domestic product.
This allowed Ford to avoid paying the 25 percent duty rate that is placed on all cargo vehicles, prosecutors alleged, instead paying duty of just 2.5 percent

Ford are set to pay $365 million to resolve allegations the auto giant violated US federal tariff law by understating the value of its Transit Connect vehicles.

The Department of Justice said the settlement has resolved the allegations, which centered on a suspected scheme to avoid higher duties by misclassifying cargo vans imported from Turkey from April 2009 to March 2013.

The government said the settlement is one of the largest customs penalty settlements in recent history.

'When companies misclassify imports to avoid paying what they owe, they will be held accountable,' declared Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer following the settlement.

Ford is accused of adding fake rear seats to its Ford Transit Connect vehicles (pictured) to trick US border patrol into believing they are passenger cars, before ripping them out to avoid a 25 percent cargo tax

Mizer praised the settlement as a 'victory for American taxpayers', and to 'combat trade fraud and ensure compliance with United States trade laws.'

The settlement is notably not an admission of guilt on the part of Ford, but rather settles the allegations against it levied by the US government.

'Companies that attempt to evade customs duties with sham representations and workarounds will not be rewarded,' he added.

Specifically, the DOJ accused Ford of carrying out a multi-year scheme in its importation of cargo vans into the US from Turkey.

Prosecutors said the company presented customs officers with 'sham rear seats' and other temporary features to make them falsely appear to be passenger vehicles.

'These temporary rear seats were never intended to be, and never were, used to carry passengers,' the DOJ alleged in a statement after the settlement.

It was claimed that the fake door features would allow Ford to avoid paying the 25 percent duty rate that is placed on all cargo vehicles, as they would technically be classified as passenger vehicles instead.

By carrying out the alleged scheme, Ford would instead pay a duty rate of just 2.5 percent.

Despite telling border patrol that they were 'principally designed for the transport of persons', Ford would then allegedly modify the transits and rip out the rear seating.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division, said after the settlement: 'Importers have an obligation to truthfully declare the nature of their products and pay the duties that are owed.

'The government will not permit companies to evade duties by adding sham features to their products and then misclassifying them.'

'This settlement, which is one of the largest customs penalty settlements in recent history, demonstrates that U.S. Customs and Border Protection will pursue even the largest companies to ensure that all importers follow the rules,' added Senior Official Performing Duties of the Commissioner Troy A. Miller of CBP.

'Our intent is to enforce the customs laws fairly, which means that non-compliance is not an option for anyone.

'The partnership between CBP and the Justice Department provides a critical safeguard to protect the revenue of the United States.'
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks with members of the media, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, at the Capitol in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/AP

The claim: Is President Joe Biden the first president ever who will not detain immigrants in the United States illegally? Thats what Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said.

"Well, the realistic path forward if we want to end this crisis begins by Joe Biden reversing the executive orders that he made," Rubio said March 3 on "Fox News Sunday."

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"Every single one of them was designed to reverse a Trump policy. All those executive orders that are basically for the first time in American history we have a president who will not detain the people who enter this country illegally."

PolitiFact ruling: False. Rubios claim ignores detentions and deportations under Biden, as well as the millions of releases under previous presidents. Experts said the U.S. doesnt have enough detention space for all migrants.

Experts said Rubio overstated the effects Bidens executive actions had on illegal immigration. Some of the actions terminated already defunct or suspended programs; other actions were temporary or had questionable effects on migration numbers.

The orders also didnt prevent the detention of migrants. As of February, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had about 39,000 migrants in detention nationwide, an expert said.

Discussion

PolitiFact contacted Rubios office to ask which executive orders he was referring to but received no reply. We found a January opinion article Rubio published in the Miami Herald where he referenced specific executive actions.

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"Within days of his inauguration, President Biden placed a 100-day moratorium on deportations, halted construction of the border wall, dismantled Remain in Mexico and ended the Asylum Cooperative Agreements," Rubio wrote. Rubio also noted that in 2022, Biden ended the use of Title 42, a pandemic-era policy that permitted rapid expulsions. That change, Rubio wrote, "signaled an unwillingness to deter cartels and coyotes, so more migrants headed north."

Immigration experts said Rubio mischaracterized Bidens actions, ignoring the number of migrants detained and deported during Bidens presidency and the actions of previous presidents.

Since 1996, federal immigration law has generally required that people who enter the U.S. illegally be detained as they await court proceedings. However, because of lack of detention space, no administration has been able to detain every migrant.

"Every president in the last century has released some migrants who crossed the border," said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, an immigrant rights advocacy group.

Millions of migrant releases occurred under former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, Reichlin-Melnick said. By comparison, Biden released a lower percentage of migrants in his first two years in office than Trump did in his last two years, according to a November report by the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank.

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Well examine each of the Biden actions Rubio highlighted.

100-day deportation moratorium

On Bidens first day in office, the Homeland Security Department published a memo pausing for 100 days the removal of certain people illegally in the U.S. Federal courts quickly banned the pauses enforcement.

The memo specified that the pause was meant to divert resources to the border to carry out more expulsions and deportations of recent border crossers. People who posed a national security or public safety threat, or who entered the U.S. after Nov. 1, 2020, would be prioritized for expulsion.

Halted border wall construction

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On his first day in office, Biden issued a proclamation terminating the national emergency Trump had used to divert Defense Department funding to build additional border barriers. However, last October, the Biden administration resumed barrier construction using money Congress had previously appropriated. The administration also has spent millions of dollars on barrier repairs.

Dismantled Remain in Mexico

The administration announced in January 2021 that it would stop new enrollments in the Migrant Protection Protocols program, also known as "Remain in Mexico," which sent certain people who arrived at the southern border back to Mexico to await asylum claim proceedings.

But immigration experts said the program was effectively defunct by the time Biden took office and had been almost completely replaced by Title 42.

Ended the Asylum Cooperative Agreements

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The Asylum Cooperative Agreements had already been suspended since March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden officially terminated the agreements shortly after taking office.

The agreements, signed with El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, allowed U.S. officials to deport people seeking asylum to these countries with certain conditions. But the U.S. had implemented only one of the agreements, with Guatemala, experts told PolitiFact.

Ending Title 42

Biden allowed Title 42  a pandemic-era public health policy that prevented many migrants from applying for asylum and permitted rapid expulsions  to expire in May. David Bier, a Cato Institute immigration expert, said data shows that ending the program hasnt increased migration and instead has increased security by reducing the number of "gotaways" who evade the Border Patrol.
A primary school in Cornwall is facing a 'grave' funding crisis, as second home ownership, Airbnb-style holiday lets and a lack of affordable housing is forcing families out of its village.

Pendeen School, West Penwith, lost 17 pupils between the academic years of 2022 to 2023, equating to a loss in funding of 100,000 from the Department of Education.

Dr Jennifer Blunden, CEO of the Truro and Penwith Academy Trust which Pendeen School belongs to, said the loss of funding had currently been covered by the Trust.

While there is no immediate risk to the school, its pupils or its staff, Dr Blunden said the situation remained grave and was indicative of a larger issue.

Pictured: Pendeen School lost 17 pupils between the academic years of 2022 to 2023, equating to a loss in funding of 100,000 from the Department of Education

Pictured: Pendeen. Dr Blunden said the situation remained grave and was indicative of a larger issue

She said: 'We have seen a shift as far as the number of pupils is concerned.

'Pendeen is a lovely community and our school is brilliant and we are working hard to make sure the funding cut due to reduced pupil numbers does not impact on the education provision, but it does link to the shortage of low cost housing in the area which is not taken up with second home ownership or holiday lets.'

The drop in pupil numbers is a result of Year Six pupils moving up to Cape Cornwall secondary school, which serves the village, and no new pupils joining the school.

Dr Blunden said Pendeen School had 79 pupils on roll at the Autumn census in 2022 and only 62 pupils on roll at the Autumn census in 2023.

She said the drop in pupils at Pendeen could have a knock-on effect on Cape Cornwall School in the long term, but insisted the Good-rated school draws pupils from a wider catchment area and numbers have so far increased for now.

She added: 'This may be the downside of living in a beautiful part of Cornwall, but the impact second homes and holiday lets have on the local housing market is certainly being felt.

Second home ownership and holiday lets are blamed for a shortage of affordable housing in the county. Pictured: St Ives

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'Local families are being squeezed out. While we make some budget changes to accommodate this shift but this cannot continue forever.

'The school is an essential part of village life and of the community but the lives of those who live there all year round are certainly being impacted by the housing crisis. We need to make sure that young families are still able to live here.'

She said the Trust is working with the local parish council and Cornwall Council on ways to promote the nursery school, Pendeen School and everything the village has to offer to young families.

She said: 'We are doing all we can to make sure Pendeen School and the community remain as vibrant as possible for it is a positive place to be.'

The growth of holiday rentals is said to have exacerbated the housing crisis in Cornwall, which currently has over 20,000 people on the housing list.

In September last year, Cornwall Council agreed to sell Grade II listed flats worth 640,000 for 1 to block second homeowners and ensure affordable housing for locals. Pictured: St Ives

According to Cornwall Council's database, there were 13,292 second homes registered in the county - many of which are left empty during off-peak holiday seasons. Pictured: West Looe

Local St Just-in-Penwith town councillor Sue James said: 'It is sad to see the continuing falling roll of Pendeen Primary school and the impact this has on their funding, due to the funding formula.

'It makes me reflect on the plea of the head last September when he spoke at my Mayor's Sunday event with a focus on celebrating our young people. He asked us all to have more children; it was amusing and sad in equal measure.

'The reasons are complicated but the lack of homes young families can afford is a significant factor. Also relevant is an increase in home education and local families choosing to send their children further afield for their own reasons and beliefs.

'I do believe Pendeen Primary is a good school that goes the extra mile to meet individual students needs. They have excellent outdoor spaces that they utilise in student education, hence at the same Mayor's Sunday event, the children chose to bring their small goat and speak about it.'

Cornwall councillor for the area Councillor Brian Clemens said it was time the funding formula for schools was reviewed and overhauled: 'I know how hard the trust works to deliver education in what are very challenging times as Jen said the housing market and holiday let situation does impact on the number of children.

'But the one thing that makes delivery of education and something that is mentioned time and time again at scrutiny committee is the funding formula used at national level is one of the biggest obstacles for rural communities.

'We receive far less funding per pupil than urban settings and until the formula issue is addressed the problems of the trusts and also local authority run education settings will remain a challenge.

'I know that the service director at Cornwall Council is constantly asking the local MPs to lobby the minister for a fairer funding formula and looking at all funding steams to aid better funding but the only way we will get that is if the minister realises that we are at risk of losing schools.'

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in this week's Budget that a tax relief on holiday lets will be scrapped in a bid to increase the availability of long-term rental accommodation.

Around 800 families are currently living in emergency or temporary accommodation as an increasing number of private landlords turn to the lucrative holiday trade and let their properties on Airbnb and other sites.

Jeremy Hunt confirmed that he was cutting back on the financial perks enjoyed by owners of second homes that the rent out in holiday hotspots like St Ives in Cornwall, pictured.

Owners of more than 70,000 holidays lets will be bled by the chancellor to pay for his Budget National Insurance cuts, he revealed yesterday

But some holiday owners slammed Jeremy Hunt's decision, complaining they would lose more than 10,000 a year.

Jan Rose, who has two holiday lets in Cornwall, was scathing of Mr Hunt's decision.

'Disaster is not powerful enough to describe this ridiculous decision,' she said.

'This is probably meant to attract voters who would to like to see more taxes on the rich. However, I am not rich. This is a business that create other business, all local.

'It will be a disaster for many small communities in Cornwall.

'These measures will cost thousands of jobs and leave areas without important cash injections.'

She used the example of the Cornish village of Praa Sands, where her lets are located.

'The local cafe will die without the tourists, the local shop will close. The ones left would have no choice but to raise prices at least 30% in my opinion knowing this market very well,' she added.

'This is because many holiday lets would have to throw the towel, there is no more profit and local communities will become poorer. This is addition to mortgages rates explosion. Holiday lets mortgage rates are now above 6% and now coming down.

'I would go as far to say the village might die completely - as local economy will crash.'

Meanwhile, in September last year, Cornwall Council agreed to sell Grade II listed flats worth 640,000 for 1 to block second homeowners and ensure affordable housing for locals.

The council's cabinet approved a recommendation to release the 11 Coastguard Flats on North Road in Looe to a community land trust to avoid costly maintenance.

Three Seas Community Land Trust offered to carry out a 1million refurbishment through grant funding.

The council's cabinet approved a recommendation to release the 11 Coastguard Flats in Looe to a community land trust to avoid costly maintenance

Councillors said the deal meant it would remain as affordable housing in the picturesque fishing village, which has a population of 5,280 people.

In January 2023, Cornwall Council approved plans to charge owners of second homes in the picturesque county double council tax in a bid to clamp down on the rising cost of rent driven up by a falling housing stock.

According to the council's database, there were 13,292 second homes registered in the county - many of which are left empty during off-peak holiday seasons. Meanwhile, the waiting list on the the social housing register has more than doubled over the last three years, according to the Big Issue.
An illegal migrant has been charged with a deadly hit-and-run which left a 27-year-old motorcyclist dead in Arizona late last year.

Jose Andres Guerrero Talamantes, 28, was allegedly high on marijuana when he plowed through a stop sign into David Hadrich's Harley-Davidson on December 10 in Carefree.

He's now been booked for six charges including hit-and-run with death or injury, and dangerous drug possession or use, police records show.

Talamantes is also charged with tampering with physical evidence after allegedly hiding the GMC Sierra pickup truck involved in the accident.

He is 'undocumented' and does not have a driving license, according to court papers seen by Arizona Family.

An 'undocumented' illegal migrant has been charged with a deadly hit-and-run which left 27-year-old motorcyclist David Hadrich dead in Arizona late last year

Jose Andres Guerrero Talamantes, 28, (pictured) was allegedly high on marijuana when he plowed through a stop sign into David Hadrich's Harley-Davidson on December 10 in Carefree

Talamantes is also charged with tampering with physical evidence after allegedly hiding the GMC Sierra pickup truck involved in the accident

Talamantes was arrested March 1 after someone who knows him contacted the victim's family to tell them where the truck had been hidden, per court documents.

Police believe he was driving west at least 53mph on Cave Creek Road when he surged past a stop sign and collided with the rear of Hadrich's motorcycle.

The bike was knocked from beneath him and he fell underneath the truck, while being dragged over 100 feet.

'He continued to go,' Hadrich's father, Tim Hadrich, told Arizona's Family following the arrest. 'Why? Why would anybody do that to somebody?'

Detectives found video surveillance close to the area and used it to identify the truck, but its whereabouts remained a mystery until this month.

The vehicle which belongs to Talamantes' mother and was damaged in the crash. It was located in a construction storage yard near 79th and Glendale avenues.

Hadrich's family offered a $20k award for information and an anonymous tipster eventually came forward with the information.

Talamantes was arrested March 1 after someone who knows him contacted the victim's family to tell them where the truck had been hidden, per court documents

'He continued to go,' Hadrich's father, Tim Hadrich, told Arizona's Family following the arrest. 'Why? Why would anybody do that to somebody?' (Pictured: David Hadrich)

Hadrich family photo. The family offered a reward for information about the driver

They added that he admitted the crime at a family gathering, saying it was 'just an accident' and that he was trying to save money to flee to Mexico.

Court records say he struggles with drugs and lives on the street but sometimes stays in his mother's home.

Talamantes has reportedly admitted being the driver to detectives and referred to the incident as an 'accident'.

He said he did not come forward because he doesn't have a driver's license and is in the country illegally.

Talamantes is being held on a cash bail of $150,000 pending arraignment.
This is the shocking moment a drink driver crashed into the back of another car on a carriageway causing it to flip over and skid down the fast lane on its roof.

Nilen Chauhan, 27, who caused the horror smash on the A14 in Cambridgeshire avoided jail when he was sentenced last month.

He was seen weaving between lanes and cutting other vehicles up at speeds of 'well over 100mph' for about ten miles before the crash.

Now a shocking video released by Cambridgeshire Police shows the moment Chauhan's Volkswagen Polo hit the back of the Mitsubishi L200 in front.

There is then a bright flash of light against the central reservation soon after they collide.

This is the shocking moment a drink driver crashed into the back of another car on a carriageway causing it to flip over and skid down the fast lane on its roof

Nilen Chauhan, 27, who caused the horror smash on the A14 in Cambridgeshire avoided jail when he was sentenced last month

The crash was also captured by a dashcam camera in the cab of an HGV driver who swore and exclaimed 'Jesus Christ! Oh my God!'.

A loud bang is heard in the footage, and the Mitsubishi is seen rolling then skidding along the carriageway on its roof, with smoke pouring from it and a stream of bright orange sparks.

Cambridgeshire Police said several empty beer bottles and a bottle of whisky were found inside Chauhan's car.

He was breath tested at the roadside and recorded 104 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, over the legal limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol.

The crash was also captured by a dashcam camera in the cab of an HGV driver who swore and exclaimed 'Jesus Christ! Oh my God!'

Cambridgeshire Police said several empty beer bottles and a bottle of whisky were found inside Chauhan's car

The driver of the Mitsubishi, whose head was covered in blood, managed to walk away from the collision, which happened at about 6.35am on September 14 last year.

At Cambridge Crown Court, Chauhan admitted drink driving and driving a vehicle dangerously, police said.

The defendant from Ilford, east London, was sentenced at the same court on February 26 to a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was seen weaving between lanes and cutting other vehicles up at speeds of 'well over 100mph' for about ten miles before the crash

At Cambridge Crown Court, Chauhan admitted drink driving and driving a vehicle dangerously, police said

He was also given a three-year driving ban and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

After the ban, Chauhan must also take an extended driving test.

PC Ben Patten said: 'This was not a momentary lapse in concentration or an honest mistake, it was a prolonged period of driving at excessive speed, tailgating and undertaking vehicles, all while well over the drink-drive limit.

'The victim who was hit by Chauhan suffered many physical and mental injuries and it is miraculous neither he or another innocent member of the public going about their daily business was not more seriously injured or worse.'
A 'John Doe' who was found 'violently murdered' in a shallow grave in the Florida woods in 1980 has finally been identified as a Marine veteran after decades of mystery.

The badly decomposed dead body was found in December 1980 in the woods of Pomona Park with a gunshot wound, blunt force trauma to the chest and a fracture on the base of his skull.

Detectives could not identify the body or identify a suspect and the file was closed with the victim known only as 'John Doe #36' for the next four decades.

Now, new DNA techniques have enabled Putnam County Sheriff's investigators to identify the victim as father-of-two William Irving Monroe III, a former Marine and Vietnam veteran.

Sheriff Gator DeLoach said the discovery gave Monroe's family 'the peace to know that we have identified their brother who will be properly memorialized.'

The vet's surviving son, Michael, who was eight when his father disappeared without a trace said it was 'overwhelming... just to know I wasn't abandoned'.

After 40 years of mystery, John Doe #36 was identified as William Irving Monroe III

A sheriff's deputy found the body half-submerged in a shallow grave during a routine patrol in December 1980.

Detectives ascertained the victim had died from a gunshot wound to the neck about two or three weeks before the body was found.

He had no identification on him and through interviews, detectives came to believe he was a migrant worker working on a nearby farm. He was buried with a plain metal cross marking his grave and the case went cold.

In February 2023, Capt. Chris Stallings reviewed the evidence and contacted DNA testing center Orthram about the case.

They used the latest technology to build a DNA profile and searched a genetic database to build a potential family tree.

This led detectives to his brother, and identified the body as belonging to Monroe.

Through interviews with his surviving family, they determined that Monroe was living in Orlando at the time and that he may have been in Pomona Park because his ex-wife and two sons were living in the area.

One of his sons, Michael, was only eight when his father disappeared, the other, Chris, died in a car crash in 1994. Michael told WJXX that his father was his 'hero.'

He said: '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.'

Putnam County Sheriff Gator DeLoach announced the identification on Friday

DeLoach said that for years after he disappeared, Monroes family thought he had possibly been murdered in the Virgin Islands.

They confirmed that he stopped contacting them in 1980, and they did not know his whereabouts. He was last seen at a convenience store in 1980 and a driver for a labor camp said he had picked someone up matching his description around the same time.

His family said that Monroe had been suffering with PTSD after fighting in Vietnam.

There are currently no suspects in the case.
Instead, lower priority calls will get sent to a telephone reporting unit

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has made major changes to its operation as it battles staffing shortages - including no longer responding to 'in-progress emergencies' and limiting the number of officers on the night shift.

Police Chief Larry Scirotto announced in February that during the earlier morning hours there will be fewer officers on staff and lower priority calls will get sent to a telephone reporting unit rather than a person.

The chief said the changes need to be made so his 740 officers can more efficiently serve the community, reported WTAE.

According to WPXI, calls for theft, harassment, criminal mischief and burglary alarms will all be handled by the telephone reporting unit.

'When there is an event that is not in-progress, we're going to take an reroute that call to our telephone reporting unit,' said Scirotto.

Police Chief Larry Scirotto said there will be less officers on staff in the early mornings and lower priority calls will get sent to a telephone reporting unit rather than a person

The chief said the changes need to be made so his 740 officers can more efficiently serve the community

He said the early morning hours is when there are the lowest amounts of calls and from from 3 to 7 a.m. police stations will not have an officer at the desk.

'Data said that from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m that we had 8% of our call volume, yet we had 33% of our personnel working during those periods of time,' Scirotto said.

Now those early morning shifts will have a range of 25 to 63 officers scheduled.

Burglar alarms will require a second confirmation before an officer responds, because Scirotto said in a year of 9,500 burglary calls, the majority of them were false alarms, but it cost the department 4,000 personnel hours.

'It's not that we won't respond to alarms. It's that we're going to require there to be a second verification, a second authentication factor, such as it's not just the front door, if there's interior motion, there's video, there's audio, there's glass break,' Scirotto said.

Other schedule changes include officers switching to 10-hour shifts for four days a week, and one-hour breaks to focus on their mental health.

Bob Swartzwelder, president of the union that represents Pittsburgh police, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that due to the cutbacks there are only 14 or 15 on duty now between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.

'They're running out of manpower very, very quickly, and they're getting very taxed,' he said.

'I think the strategy at this point is a hope and a prayer that they can base everyone on data. It may pan out to be correct. It may be disastrous.'

District Attorney Steve Zappala told WTAE that he was critical of the changes and they didn't make sense to him.

Other schedule changes include officers switching to 10-hour shifts for four days a week, and one-hour breaks to focus on their mental health. Pictured: Pittsburgh police contribute to Pennsylvania manhunt in 2020

'Is there any other large city in the country that's a part-time police department? I mean, does that make any sense to any of you guys? It doesn't to me,' Zappala said.

'I don't understand what he's doing. I have to sit down with the chief about that, and just some of the things in the policing areas. I don't get it.'

'To tell people that you're not going to be protected at certain hours of the day, that didn't make any sense to me when I heard it. I don't know what the rationale for that was, and I think that's something the chief has to explain,' he said.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey supported Scirotto's decision to make cutbacks on staffing.

'The chief has made clear that there was a cutback, but there was going to be patrolmen there, and there would be patrol people ready to go, so again, that's why I'm saying you've always got to talk to the person that's implementing the new rules. That's the chief or the public safety director,' Gainey said.
And it said Iran, China, and Russia may all try to influence 2024 elections

It described how regional conflicts were fueling global insecurity and fragility

U.S. intelligence agencies on Monday warned the country it faces threats from an 'increasingly fragile world order,' as Russia and China jockey for position against a backdrop of regional conflicts, economic strains and accelerating artificial intelligence.

'An ambitious but anxious China, a confrontational Russia, some regional powers, such as Iran, and more capable non-state actors are challenging longstanding rules of the international system as well as U.S. primacy within it,' the agencies said in the 2024 Annual Threat Assessment.

It warns that Russia, Iran, and China may act to influence the outcome of the 2024 U.S. elections in order to try to sideline critics or sow confusion.

Beijing has a head start, the report says, with TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.

'China is demonstrating a higher degree of sophistication in its influence activity, including experimenting with generative AI,' it says.

U.S. intelligence agencies on Monday warned the country it faces threats from an 'increasingly fragile world order,' as Russia and China jockey for position against a backdrop of regional conflicts, economic strains and accelerating artificial intelligence. Seen here, the Russian frigate of the Black Sea Fleet from the Black Sea launches a Caliber cruise missile

'TikTok accounts run by a PRC propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates from both political parties during the U.S. midterm election cycle in 2022.'

The video sharing app, used by about 170 million people, is emerging as a key issue in the 2024 campaign.

President Joe Biden says he would back legislation to ban it, while his likely Republican challenger Donald Trump said he shares national security concerns but the move would only help Facebook, which he continues to criticize for what he sees as its role in his 2020 loss.

But it was identified as just one of the routes that foreign powers could use to undermine U.S. security in the assessment, run by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

And it comes at a time of rising global fragility, the report says.

Avril Haines, the director of national intelligence, appeared before senators to offer an additional warning that the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza could spread further insecurity.

'The crisis in Gaza is a stark example of how regional developments have the potential of broader and even global implications,' she said.

Haines also urged lawmakers to approve more military aid for Ukraine, saying it was hard to see how it could hold territory recaptured from Russia without more support from Washington.

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines testifies during a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on the 'Annual Worldwide Threats Assessment' on Monday

Houthi supporters in Yemen. They are one of the examples of how the crisis in Gaza has the potential to upend security around the world

The report also set out how Russia's strengthening ties with China, Iran and North Korea presented fresh challenges for the West as it continues to seek confrontation.

Recent reports have suggested it is looking to take the arms race to space, deploying a nuclear weapon that would destroy satellites by triggering a huge energy wave when detonated.

'Russia continues to train its military space elements and field new antisatellite weapons to disrupt and degrade U.S. and allied space capabilities,' says the report.

'It is expanding its arsenal of jamming systems, directed energy weapons, on-orbit counterspace capabilities, and ground-based (anti-satellite) missiles that are designed to target U.S. and allied satellites.'
READ MORE: Man burns to death as fire erupts in Australian retirement home

Police are now hunting for a black Audi Q5 SUV

Masked men broke into home in Sydney's west

A group of masked men have allegedly opened fire inside a home and assaulted a resident during a terrifying robbery overnight.

Initial reports indicate the group broke into a home on Ravenswood Street in Canley Vale, in Sydney's southwest, at about 11pm on Monday night.

NSW Police believe the group assaulted a 42-year-old man inside the home before fleeing with cash in a black Audi Q5 SUV.

'Police believe a shot was also fired into a gate,' police said in a statement.

Detectives at the scene of an alleged home invasion in Canley Vale, in Sydney's southwest

Police are hunting for a black Audi Q5 SUV in relation to the alleged home invasion in Sydney

It's understood fake numberplates are being used on the luxury car.

The 42-year-old man was treated for a head injury at the scene before he was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a stable condition.

Police say the home invasion doesn't appear to be gang-related at this stage.

A crime scene has been established and an investigation is underway.

No arrests have yet been made.
An 83-year-old man has been found dead after a fire tore through a retirement village near Brisbane.

Emergency crews rushed to Burpengary Pines retirement village in Queensland's Moreton Bay region at about 9pm on Monday to find a fierce blaze had already engulfed the man's unit.

The man's body was found among the ashes.

An 83-year-old man has been found dead after a fire tore through a retirement village near Brisbane

Emergency crews rushed to the Burpengary Pines retirement village in Queensland 's Moreton bay region at about 9pm on Monday

Two cars have been reduced to rubble, along with the man's personal belongings.

Investigators and detectives will meticulously sift through the debris to determine the cause of the tragic event.

Three neighbouring units were also damaged by the blaze.

Other residents and staff had to be evacuated. The fire was extinguished shortly after 10pm.

Police have set up a crime scene and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
A woman who rebuilt her life after being sexually abused for weeks by the serial killer who murdered her family is now destitute with her five young children after fire destroyed her Idaho home.

Shasta Groene was just eight when night vision killer' Joseph Duncan III broke into her home and killed her mother, Brenda Groene, 40, her stepfather, Mark McKenzie, 37, and her brother, Slade Groene, 13, in 2005.

He kidnapped Shasta and her then-nine-year-old brother, Dylan, and held them captive for nearly two months while he sexually and physically assaulted them, before shooting Dylan dead in front of his sister.

She was eventually rescued from one of the most notorious killers of the decade and went to live with her biological father before moving to Nampa.

Now friends have launched a Gofundme appeal to help her after a fire tore through her home last week.

Shasta Groene had rebuilt her life after losing her family to one of the most notorious serial killers of the last 20 years and is now a mom-of-five in rural Idaho

She was just eight years old when she was kidnapped and subjected to weeks of sexual abuse by her family's killer before being rescued

Now the home she was sharing with her five young children has been destroyed in a fire

Duncan (pictured in 2011) was convicted and sentenced to death in 2008. He died of brain cancer in March 2021

Contributions will secure temporary housing, clothing, daily necessities, and eventually, the rebuilding of their home, organizer Rob Lou wrote.

Together, we can help them rebuild not just their home, but their lives.

Three years ago Shasta opened up about the impact the killer had on her life and how he had given her the option between being strangled or shot.

'One day, he asked me, "How do you want to die? You have two choices, I can shoot you or you can be strangled to death,"' she told People Magazine Investigates.

'I felt like there was always something guiding me, like a voice in my head telling me what I needed to do and how it needed to go.

'So I told him, "I want you to strangle me, I guess." I couldn't picture what happened to my brother happening to me, it scared me.'

Shasta said she knew if he strangled her she would have more time to 'talk him out of it,' but if he were to shoot her, he could 'just pull the trigger and it would all be over.'

She continued, 'So that's what I chose. He had me lay down on the ground and he put a rope around my neck.'

However, when the then-eight-year-old called Duncan by his nickname, Jett, it ultimately saved her life.

Shasta pictured as a child with her father who she went to live with after the murders

Shasta Groene, now 28, was eight years old when Joseph Duncan III (pictured in 2008), who was 42 at the time, broke into her home and killed her mother, stepfather, and brother

He kidnapped Shasta and her then-nine-year-old brother, Dylan (pictured), and held them captive for nearly two months while he sexually and physically assaulted them

He then asked Shasta (pictured as a kid) how she wanted to be killed, telling her that she had to pick between him choking her to death with a rope or him shooting her

Three years ago Shasta opened up about the traumatic experience in a new episode of People Magazine Investigates, which aired on Investigation Discovery and Discovery+

'He squeezed it, everything started turning white and I said, "Please don't Jett." When I said that he loosened his grip on the rope and he started crying,' she said.

'He was like, "I don't know why, when you call me that, I can tell you really care about me."

'At that point, I knew that I had gained a lot of trust with him. I was pretty much going to do whatever it took to survive.'

On May 15, 2005, Shasta said she thought she saw someone hiding in her bedroom closet while she was trying to fall asleep in her Wolf Lodge, Idaho, home.

After being comforted by her brother, she fell asleep, assuming she had imagined it. However, hours later, she was woken by her mother - who was in tears. She told her, 'Someone's in the house.'

Duncan later tragically killed Dylan (pictured) by shooting him in the head at point-blank range with a 12-gauge shotgun in front of Shasta

She remembered in the show, 'My mother was crying. She's like, "[Shasta], you need to wake up. Someone's in the house."'

She then said she found her stepfather and her brother laying face down on the floor of the family living room with zip ties around their wrists and ankles, as well as duct tape covering their mouths.

A man, who wore all black and night-vision goggles, stood in the room holding a shotgun.

After tying up Shasta and Dylan and carrying them outside to his car, he beat her mother, stepfather, and other brother to death with a hammer.

'I heard thumping and a grunt in pain. I didn't know what was going on,' she said in the show.

He then took the two kids to a campsite in Lolo National Forest near St. Regis, Montana, where they stayed for weeks.

He eventually killed Dylan by shooting him in the head at point-blank range with a 12-gauge shotgun.

'I honestly have no idea what gave me strength or hope,' she told Fox News Digital recently.

'But there was something inside of me that was pushing me to say or do certain things to be on [Duncan's] good side and earn his trust.

Shasta said she was woken by her mom (left) in May 2005, to find her stepfather (right) and her brother laying face down with zip ties around their wrists and ankles

However, hours later, she was woken in the middle of the night by her mother, Brenda (pictured) - who was in tears and told her, 'Someone's in the house'

Shasta (pictured as a kid) then discovered a man who wore all black and night-vision goggles in the house with a shotgun

He beat her mom, stepfather, and older brother (pictured) to death with a hammer, and kidnapped her and Dylan

She recalled hearing 'thumping and a grunt in pain,' but said she 'didn't know what was going on.' Her late stepfather, Mark McKenzie, is pictured before his death

'I believe that was my moms spirit guiding me. She wanted me to get out safe and alive.

'I felt like I was getting help from her spiritually. But there were times when I really thought, "How long am I going to be alive?"'

Shasta was eventually rescued on July 2, 2005, after people inside a Coeur d'Alene Denny's diner noticed her, alerted the authorities, and positioned themselves in front of Duncan so he couldn't leave.

Shasta said that Duncan took her to the restaurant after she earned his trust by 'manipulating him' and making him feel like she 'didn't want to leave his side.'

'I would tell him that I wanted to show him all the places I grew up in, where I went to school because I loved school, where I used to hang out, basically show him my life because I had no family,' she told Fox.

'That made him feel good because he felt that I trusted him. He felt that he was learning about my life and getting to know a vulnerable part of me. I was just trying to manipulate him.

'[When we got to the Denny's] I looked up and saw this guy. He looked at me, and I nodded my head. He nodded back.

'I can tell from his eyes that he knew who I was. I was trying to tell him through my eyes, that it was me.'

The man alerted a waitress who called the police. Shasta continued, 'The officer walked up behind her toward our table. He asked me who I was. I told him that my name was Katie.

'[Duncan] told me, "Its OK, you can tell him." Thats when I said, "My name is Shasta." The cop then grabbed [Duncan] and handcuffed him right away.'

'I remember feeling safe, but at the same time, I was sad about my family, and so focused on, "Where is my oldest brother, where's my dad?" Stuff like that,' she previously recalled of being rescued in a 2015 interview with KTVB.

'I was happy to be in a safe place, but there was still that part of me that was like, "What if that happens again?"'

He took the two kids to a campsite in Lolo National Forest near St. Regis, Montana (pictured), where they stayed for weeks, before he fatally shot Dylan

After Dylan's (pictured) death, Shasta said Duncan was going to kill her too. However, when the then-eight-year-old called him by his nickname, Jett, it ultimately saved her life

Afterwards, Shasta went to live with her biological father. She took a year off of school, and tried her best to get back to normal while a slew of reporters and cameras followed her every move.

She went to therapy, but said she suffered from an eating disorder and self harmed as she struggled to come to terms with what had happened to her.

Before the tragic incident, Shasta said she was really close with her brothers, and that she 'always wanted to be with them' - which made it even harder for her to adjust to her new life without them.

'I had my brothers with me all the time,' she said to Fox. 'And thats exactly how I wanted it to be. I always wanted to be with them. I was the youngest and the only girl.

'I was the little sister my brothers protected. And my mom made sure that the family was always together.

'It felt weird being in a house with my dad and his girlfriend with none of my brothers.

'I was just so alone. He was a truck driver, so it was very seldom that we saw him. But thats how he paid the bills.

'I also became really sensitive about my weight and the things that I ate. I think it was a way to punish myself. I developed an eating disorder at a very young age.

'If I ate, I made myself throw up. I then started self-harming. I was hiding a lot from my dad.

'And then he got throat cancer. He almost died from it. So much has happened that I never fully got to heal.'

She also said she suffered from severe 'guilt' since she survived and her brother Dylan didn't, especially because she had promised him that they would both 'get out alive.'

'I had promised my brother [Dylan] that I would make sure that we got out alive. I carried so much guilt because he didnt live, and I did,' she said.

'I felt like it should have been the other way around. I handled all of that in very unhealthy ways.

'I started drinking at age 13, smoking marijuana and hanging out with older people. I was trying to numb everything. And there was a possibility that my dad might die. I didnt know what to do.'

Duncan was convicted and sentenced to death in 2008 and, after his arrest, DNA evidence linked him to the April 1997 killing of ten-year-old Anthony Martinez from Beaumont, California - which he later admitted to.

Duncan took Shasta back to Idaho, where she was eventually rescued on July 2, 2005. She is seen on a store surveillance camera with Duncan

He was also linked to the killings of two young girls in Seattle in the 1990s, and was also accused of molesting a young boy on a playground in Minnesota in 2005.

Duncan, a registered sex offender, later told a therapist that he estimated he had raped 13 younger boys by the time he was 16.

According to the investigation, he had spotted the Groene family while driving across the Idaho Panhandle on Interstate 90.

He said he noticed Shasta and Dylan playing in their swimsuits in the yard of their home, which was next to the freeway, and began doing surveillance on them.

In March 2021, Duncan passed away from terminal brain cancer at a hospital in Terra Haute, Idaho, near the federal prison where he was serving his sentence on federal death row - and Shasta said her soul was 'finally free' following his death.

'One thing is for sure, he does not exist anymore. Now, we can live our lives knowing that,' she said in a statement at the time.

'For so long I have been struggling with hate towards that man. Today, I woke up feeling like my soul was finally free.

'I hope other people affected by Joseph Duncan were able to wake up feeling the same way.'

The Kootenai County Sheriffs Office in Idaho, which conducted the investigation, also released a statement.

'In May of 2005, the Groene Family of Kootenai County, living in the Wolf Lodge Bay area, was brutally victimized by a serial killer passing through our community. The family was stalked, attacked and tortured,' they wrote. 'It was one of the worst tragedies Idaho has ever seen.'

Diana Martinez, Anthony's mother, said after his death: 'The sun is a little brighter today.'

'My soul is lighter. The world is a more beautiful place without the evil that is Joseph Duncan.

'God chose to make his end a long suffering and I believe that is fitting. The horror of his thoughts consumed him.'

'While I would've liked to witness his execution, knowing he is now standing before God being held accountable for what he has done, what he did to my son, and the horrible crimes he committed to others, that is the real justice,' Anthony Martinez's father, Ernesto, added.

Now, Shasta lives in Boise, Idaho, with her husband, Michael, and their four sons, all of whom are under the age of six. She is currently expecting their fifth child - another boy - who is due in August.

She works as the supervising housekeeper at a nearby hotel. She is sharing her story now in the hopes of helping other victims who might be struggling.

'You're not your past,' she said in the series. 'Every day is a new chapter.'

For a long time, Shasta told Fox that she didn't feel 'confident enough' to speak out, but now, she is in a 'really good head space.'

'For a long time, I wasnt in a place where I felt confident enough to speak out. I wasnt ready,' she admitted.

'But by the time we began filming, I was in a really good head space. [Duncan] had passed away, and it almost felt like a new start for me. I felt like I suddenly woke up and said, "I want to help others with my story."

After Duncan's death she said in a statement, 'My soul is lighter. The world is a more beautiful place without the evil that is Joseph Duncan.' He is pictured in 2011

Shasta had rebuilt her life with five children of her own before the fire that destroyed her home

'There were so many times in my life where I gave up on certain things. Looking back on them today, I wish I never did.

'Id probably be a lot further in my life than I am now, even though I am far But I didnt know how to heal.

'I didnt know how to grieve. I do think its important to start the grieving and healing process.

'Otherwise, youll just keep living your life, not realizing that there are parts of you that are falling behind. Its OK to struggle in your life, but its the resiliency that matters.'
FBI Director Chris Wray is concerned that illegal migrants coming across the southern border could potentially launch another 9/11 terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

The intelligence chief's disclosure came during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on the greatest worldwide threats facing the U.S. today.

The hearing was interrupted several times by pro-Palestine protestors shouting 'ceasefire now!' during remarks by the nation's top spy chiefs.

According to the latest annual report put out Monday by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the U.S. is 'facing a fragile world order' due to 'accelerating strategic competition with major authoritarian powers' working to undermine order.

That includes Russia's growing desire for an arsenal of nuclear space weapons and China and Iran's efforts to meddle in the upcoming 2024 election through TikTok and other malign influence operations.

One top concern is the ongoing migrant crisis at the porous southern border that has seen over 7.2 million individuals enter since President Biden took office.

Top Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, questioned Wray about the issue of the southern border being used by adversaries of the U.S., and terrorists in particular.

7.2 million individuals have entered the U.S. through the southern border since President Biden took office

Wray replied 'I do' when asked by Cornyn about whether he is concerned if potential terrorists coming across the southern border could do harm to Americans, similar to the terror attacks on 9/11

When pressed by Cornyn about whether terrorists may be among the over 1.8 million 'gotaways' who have evaded capture by border officials, Wray said it's possible.

He cited former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld saying 'we dont know what we dont know.'

'And I think there are many ways the national security ramifications of the issues at the border are better reflected in some ways more by what we don't know about the people who snuck in, provided fake documents or in some other way, got in when there wasn't sufficient information about the time they came in to connect the dots,' said Wray.

'It is almost more significant in our view,' he continued 'because those people, for the most part, are stopped detained and processed.'

The Texas senator brought up the fact that there were just 26 co-conspirators in the 9/11 attacks, killing over 3,000 people.

'I worry that among the people that are coming across the border that are evading law enforcement, that there are some people among those that mean to do us harm. Do you share that concern?' asked Cornyn.

Wray replied 'I do.'

Another top issue of concern to the FBI director is the report from over the summer that exposed that individuals from Uzbekistan were smuggled by an ISIS terrorist into the U.S. after being screened by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

As a result, the FBI became aware about the ISIS terrorist cell that used human trafficking operations to infiltrate the U.S.

'So that's a threat stream that we're very concerned about,' Wray confirmed Monday.

'We're very actively investigating working with DHS on both people whose travel was facilitated but also members of the facilitation network in some other way overseas.'

He said he would go into greater detail with senators during the closed classified session.

'I worry that among the people that are coming across the border that are evading law enforcement, that there are some people among those that mean to do us harm. Do you share that concern?' asked Cornyn

The FBI is aware about the ISIS terrorist cell that used human trafficking operations to infiltrate the U.S.

Another top issue of concern to the FBI director is the report from over the summer that exposed that individuals from Uzbekistan were smuggled by an ISIS terrorist into the U.S. after being screened by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Other items outlined in the annual threat assessment report included the risk of adversaries of the U.S. getting their hands on nuclear weapons.

'Moscow will be more reliant on nuclear and counterspace capabilities for strategic deterrence as it works to rebuild its ground force,' said the report.

That line is significant due to reports from last month that Putin wants to put nuclear weapons in space, according to U.S. intelligence.
Kate Middleton's recent picture on Instagram was pulled from news outlets over concerns that the image might have been manipulated.

The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse (AFP) reportedly issued a "kill order" on the image from their archives.

Several news outlets, including The New York Times, have already announced removing the photo from their reports.

AP told Sky News that the image was removed after a "closer inspection" showed "inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand."

The Kensington Palace, which released the photo, has declined to comment on the issue.

The picture, which was posted on Mother's Day in the U.K., was supposed to be the first official appearance of the Princess of Wales two months after an abdominal surgery. She was wearing tight jeans in the picture.

Rumors about the princess's health have been going around online over the past month as paparazzi pictures circulated online.

Also Read: Navigating the Deepfake Landscape: Tips for Recognizing Manipulated Content

AI Manipulation Concerns Raised Over Kate Middleton Pic

As with all manipulated images reported recently, concerns about AI being used on the image are increasing.

New AI models have been proven to be capable of generating near-realistic images of actual people, with very minimal photo editing needed.

AI image detectors, so far, have completely opposing results whether the image involved the use of AI technology.

Royal Palace Remains Secretive About Royal Family's Health

The royal palace has been quiet on several occasions regarding the health of the royal family.

The palace only announced the Princess of Wales undergoing a "planned abdominal surgery" after the operation with minimal information about its cause.

King Charles III also just recently announced being diagnosed with a form of cancer but did not disclose the severity or type of illness he has.

Related Article: Taylor Swift Deepfakes: The Danger of AI on the Wild West of Internet
EXCLUSIVE

A young woman who stabbed her mother to death before being shot dead by police had texted her ex she was 'stressed out' and had had the most 'dramatic last year for no reason'.

Joanne Perry, 53, died on Friday evening when she was stabbed multiple times in the neck and chest by her daughter Carly Pirronelli, 26, in Lower Plenty, 16km north-east of the Melbourne CBD.

A police officer was forced to shoot Pirronelli dead after she refused to put down the knife.

On Monday, chilling text messages Pirronelli sent to her ex-partner, Tyler Jackman, emerged.

The messages sent on January 31, explained she 'can't deal' with things.

'Find it hard to even handle it cause I'm not used to drama stresses me out bad,' she wrote.

'Feel like so much games is going on I can't deal.'

Pirronelli added that she hadn't spoken to anyone for a long time before Mr Jackman asked if they wanted to meet for coffee.

Daily Mail Australia can now reveal Perry had feared her wayward daughter, who had a troubled past which included home invasion and drug charges.

A neighbour with close connections to the family said Pirronelli's mental health had spiralled out of control over the past few weeks as her worried mother fought in vain to have her committed to a psychiatric ward.

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

The home where Carly Pirronelli murdered her mother before being gunned down by police

The woman, who asked not to be identified, said she had almost called the police herself in the weeks leading up to Friday night's tragedy.

'I've heard in weeks past a lot of domestics going on,' she said.

'They were always shouting. I could hear a man's voice sometimes too. Once or twice I wanted to call the police, but I didn't know exactly where it was (coming from).'

The neighbour claimed others living in the vicinity of the home had called the police about their concerns.

'Apparently it had been reported numerous times. There's mental health issues with the daughter, so it's a really sad story,' she said.

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

Carly Pirronelli lived at the end of a quiet nook with her mother

The neighbour claimed she had heard a person she believed to be Pirronelli make repeated threats to her mother.

'I'd heard threats before that's why I was going to call the police,' she said.

Some of those threats included threats to set people alight.

'I'd heard the fire thing before,' she said.

'It just sounded really threatening.'

Police were called to Kett St 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.

The neighbour claimed police fired anywhere up to half-a-dozen shots during the horrific incident.

'I'm guessing some of those were probably warning shots given what they came across,' she said.

Carly Pirronelli and her mum in happier times

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

It is understood Pirronelli's family had desperately tried to obtain help for her, but they struggled to get any assistance.

'She had major mental health problems and they had been trying to get her into a facility. She's been manic, or psychotic over the past few weeks and had been trying to get her committed,' the neighbour said.

'It's so hard to have people committed and now she's dead too. It's all very sad... a lot of the time these people are just on their own. It's pretty scary.'

The neighbour claimed arguments heard echoing from the property significantly increased this year.

'Once or twice I just thought it was a bit worrying. This is a pretty quiet area so it was obvious,' she said.

'I'm sure that when she was in a good place she was a lovely daughter, but when you're psychotic you're not in control.'

Mr Jackman told news.com.au that Pirronelli 'did something terrible, but she was at breaking point ... I can't believe she's gone.'

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, Pirronelli 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.

Carly Pirronelli and her mum had a troubled relationship due to her mental illness

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

'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.'
Humza Yousaf is pressing ahead with the SNPs dangerous hate crime laws despite fears they attack free speech.

The First Minister has been accused of rushing through legislation without proper scrutiny after it was confirmed yesterday the laws will come into force from April 1.

Critics say the flawed legislation could lead to people being prosecuted for comments made in their own homes, and overburden a police force already facing a financial crisis.

Figures released last year by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service showed a 2 per cent drop in hate crimes in Scotland in 2022-23.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: Humza Yousaf appears to have been blowing out hot air when he offered to meet those with serious concerns about his dangerous law.

He needs to explain why he assured parliament that he would proactively engage with campaigners, only to then ignore them for three years.

Tory MSP Russell Findlay accused Humza Yousaf of blowing out hot air over his assurances regarding the dangerous law

Dinner table chat in your own home could land you in court

From April 1, under Scotlands new hate crime laws, there will be an offence of stirring up hatred and an aggravated offence that can be attached to prosecutions, leading to a longer sentence. These apply to acts of hatred, malice, abuse and/or ill-will against the protected characteristics of disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and age. The law now opens up the possibility that those in possession of inflammatory material could be found guilty of stirring up hatred, something critics fear could see stage performances being targeted. Conversations that take place in private homes will also come under the law. A person could be charged with a hate crime for something they said over dinner. But the Act abolishes the offence of blasphemy, which has not been prosecuted in Scotland for 175 years. It lays out an aggravated offence that can be triggered if an individual has malicious intent or ill-will towards a victim who falls into a protected group. The supposed victim does not actually have to be in that protected group  it only matters that the accused has presumed they are. Advertisement Dinner table chat in your own home could land you in courtDinner table chat in your own home could land you in courtDinner table chat in your own home could land you in court

Mr Findlay also questioned how Police Scotland will enforce the new Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, when it has committed to writing off 24,000 minor crimes a year. He pointed out the belated enforcement of the Act comes days after Police Scotland admitted they wont investigate a range of other crimes.

The new legislation creates a criminal offence of stirring up hatred against protected groups, expanding on a similar offence based on race that has been on the statute books for decades, as well as consolidating different pieces of hate crime legislation. Under the Act, offences are considered aggravated  which could influence sentencing  if they involve prejudice on the basis of age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or variations in sex characteristics.

The Hate Crime Bill won the backing of a majority of MSPs in March 2021, despite concerns that the whole section on stirring up hatred was fundamentally flawed.

But, despite gaining Royal Assent in April 2021, the legislation has not come into force because Police Scotland said it needed time for training, guidance and communications planning.

Critics said it was too ambiguous and impossible to police properly.

Policy analysis group Murray Blackburn MacKenzie (MBM), for example, had sought reassurance that women would not be targeted for stating people cannot biologically transition from male to female and vice versa.

But MBM said yesterday: It is now clear that as well as breaking its promise to involve women with concerns about the Act in discussions soon after it was passed, the Scottish Government went on to devise a public information campaign without giving those women any opportunity for input  and of course that campaign, like earlier ones, has nothing to say about hatred of women.

One of MBMs founders, Lucy Hunter Blackburn, accused the SNP Government on X yesterday of arrogant dishonesty.

Publicly available correspondence shows that on four different occasions from 2021 until the end of December 2022, MBM asked when its contributions would be accepted by ministers.

Following assurances that plans were delayed or not confirmed yet, officials then conceded the notes had already been finalised.

Community safety minister Siobhian Brown said the law will give greater protections ... and helps to form the basis of understanding about the type of behaviour that is not acceptable in our society.
His poems have been enjoyed by countless generations and he is lauded around the world as Scotlands national bard.

But now the work of Robert Burns has been given a trigger warning by woke university bosses in what has been described as an insult to all things Scottish.

Students at the University of Glasgow are warned that some of Burnss works contain sexually explicit language and subject matter. The content advisory has been applied to a section of the universitys online course called Burns and Bawdry.

Some of the Bards racier verses include the songs There Was Twa Wives, where two women playd houghmagandie before one of them cackit a her stockins; and Andrew and his Cutty Gun, with the line better when it slippit in.

Bonie Mary, written in about 1793, is also famed for its strong language and includes references to the hair o my erse and a character called wanton Wattie.

Yesterday, the university was criticised over the trigger warnings, with education charity CARE for Scotland saying that wrapping students up in cotton wool will undermine their education.

Bawdy: But Glasgow University students reading Robert Burns racier works will now be warned over sexually explicit language and subject matter

Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, also said: Robert Burns is an icon of Scottish national identity. Placing a trigger warning on his work is an insult to all things Scottish.

If Burns fails to pass the woke acceptability test, so does the Bible and Shakespeare.

CARE for Scotland also told the Scottish Sun that the decision to apply content advisories points to an increasingly censorious, hyper-sensitive atmosphere on university campuses. A spokesman said: Whilst some very graphic materials may merit a caution, wrapping students up in cotton wool and teaching them to avoid all potentially triggering materials will undermine, not enhance, their education. It may also affect their ability to contribute to the often stressful industries they go on to work in.

No students on the online course have so far taken up the universitys offer of discussing any concerns they may have about the content.

A University of Glasgow spokesman said: We believe content advisories have an important role to play in an educational setting, allowing lecturers and students to engage in a positive learning and teaching experience on complex issues across the range of human experience and history.

The University of Glasgow has a duty of care to our students, who come from varied backgrounds, to ensure that when potentially upsetting content on issues like race and racism, suicide or sexual violence are being taught, read or discussed, that we advise them ahead of lessons to ensure everyone is able to engage in conversations constructively.
Climate protesters have brought traffic to a standstill on one of Melbourne's busiest streets, sparking massive chaos for thousands of frustrated commuters trying to get to work.

Dozens of Extinction Rebellion members blocked and slowly walked down Collins Street in the CBD during the morning peak hour on Tuesday.

Tram and bus services have also been caught up in the chaos.

Police have arrived and blocked off a busy intersection at Queen Street, which has added to the mayhem.

Climate change protesters have caused more disruptions, this time blocking Collins Street in the Melbourne CBD

READ MORE: Extinction Rebellion protesters cause traffic chaos on Melbourne freeway

Climate activists stopped traffic on Melbourne's West Gate Bridge last week Advertisement

'A slow moving demonstration is marching through the CBD, causing disruptions to traffic and trams at times. Please be patient and follow directions of Victoria Police,' a VicTraffic alert stated.

Trams along Collins Street have been delayed in both directions while several services have been diverted to alternative routes.

Motorists caught up in the chaos were furious.

'It's just wrong,' one motorist told Sunrise.

'Something should take me five minutes to get down the road has taken me about 25 minutes.'

Others called for tougher action.

'Victoria Police, enough is enough, how about stopping these idiots from disrupting the city!' one tweeted.

'Another added: 'Do they have a protest permit? If not, Arrest them!'

The latest protest comes a week after a truck blockade on the West Gate Bridge caused major traffic delays and forced a young mum on her way to hospital to give birth on the side of the freeway.

Activists caused traffic chaos along Collins St, forcing police to block off a busy intersection

Despite being arrested and charged last week, activist Joseph Zammit was back on the streets on Tuesday morning.

He had agreed to not participate in any unlawful protests as part of his bail conditions.

'What I was told was no unlawful protesting. I'm not clear about what that means,' Mr Zammit told Sunrise.

'So I'm playing it safe. I'm on the footpath, handing out flyers.'

There have been no reports of arrests at this stage.

Deanna 'Violet' Coco, 33, from NSW and Bradley Homewood, 51, from Williamstown were also arrested and charged last week. The pair are currently serving 21-day stints behind bars.

Tuesday's protest was part a planned period of disruptive action calling on federal and state governments to declare a climate emergency.
Karl Rove has shot down Bill Maher's admittedly 'crazy' request that Nikki Haley replace Kamala Harris on the Democratic ticket.

The 73-year-old Fox contributor made the remarks Monday, stifling a laugh as he said 'it ain't ever going to happen.'

Maher, 68, made the suggestion three days before, 48 hours after 52-year-old Republican Haley bowed out of the race.

Maher, in turn, called a ticket with both Joe Biden and the ex South Carolina governor a 'dream' - one that would ensure a win come November.

Rove responded by throwing cold water on the commentator's claims, calling them 'innovative' before ultimately shooting them down.

Scroll down for video:

The 73-year-old Fox contributor made the remarks about Nikki Haley's political future Monday, stifling a laugh as he said 'it ain't ever going to happen'

Maher, 68, made the suggestion three days before, calling a Biden-Haley 'unity ticket' his dream. He has previously said he wants Biden to drop out of the race

'Well, Bill Mahers got an innovative mind,' Rove said on Mondays installment of The Story on Fox News, after being asked by guest host Trace Gallagher for his thoughts about Haley's future.

'But the Democrats are never going to get rid of Kamala Harris,' he continued. 'And theyre never going to put Nikki Haley, a conservative, on the ticket.'

'So, Bill - nice thinking, but this aint gonna happen.'

Maher, meanwhile, has said Biden should drop out of the race altogether, citing his divisiveness within the Democratic party as well as his advanced age.

He sang a somewhat different tune Friday on Real Time with Bill Maher, calling a Biden-Haley 'unity ticket' a fast track to the White House.

First, he addressed how the Indian-American candidate got trounced by Donald Trump on Super Tuesday.

'Nikki Haley, well, the Super Tuesday  got out of the race,' the outspoken progressive began.

'I dont think theres a future for her in the Republican Party now.'

He went on: 'I know its crazy to think that she could run with Biden - But thats my dream: a unity ticket.

'And then he would, I think, definitely win.'

Roughly 48 hours before, Nikki Haley dropped out of the 2024 Republican presidential race

The decision came after a humiliating Super Tuesday loss to Donald Trump, where she lost fourteen states and won just one

The Democrats are never going to get rid of Kamala Harris,' Rove said Monday, after being asked his thoughts on Maher's suggestion.

The assertion baffled many onlookers - those versed in the subject and some not.

Among them was Rove, who on Monday said Haley would be the first to turn down Maher's proposition.

'Nikki Haley would be the first to say Im not going to do it,' he concluded.

Meanwhile, in a victory speech on Truth Social, Trump went out of his way to take jab at the woman who many perceived as his last-standing competitor, following the abrupt exits of Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy.

Wednesday morning, he claimed the Republican firebrand 'got trounced.

Taking to the platform

'Nikki Haley got trounced last night, in record setting fashion, despite the fact that Democrats, for reasons unknown, are allowed to vote in Vermont, and various other Republican Primaries,' he posted on Truth Social.

'Much of her money came from radical left Democrats, as did many of her voters, almost 50 percent, according to the polls.

'At this point, I hope she stays in the "race" and fights it out until the end!'

Haley announced she was ending her campaign from her base in South Carolina. Yet although Trump almost swept the board with wins, his former U.N. ambassador secured more than 20 percent and 30 percent of the vote in a slew of states adding weight to her case that the Republican frontrunner does not represent all of the party.

The Biden campaign sees an opening to woo moderates and swing voters, and he appealed to her supporters to back him.

'Donald Trump made it clear he doesn't want Nikki Haley supporters. I want to be clear: There is a place for them in my campaign,' Biden said.

Maher, meanwhile, 'I know its crazy to think that she could run with Biden - But thats my dream: a unity ticket.

Trump vented his thoughts on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday morning

The campaign posted its message minutes after Trump's post, in which he both mocked Haley and tried to appeal for her supporters to join him.

'I'd like to thank my family, friends, and the great Republican Party for helping me to produce, by far, the most successful Super Tuesday in history , and would further like to invite all of the Haley supporters to join the greatest movement in the history of our nation,' he concluded, in a message studded with capital letters.

For her part, Haley said Trump would have to earn her supporters' votes. She did not endorse her former boss.

'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,' she said.

'At its best, politics is about bringing people into your cause, not turning them away. And our conservative cause badly needs more people.'

Her exit means Trump is assured of the nomination, although it appeared to be his for the taking since the Iowa caucuses in January.
Tucker Carlson told Chris Cuomo that he 'can't even guess' who killed Alexei Navalny during a confrontational exchange in which Cuomo hit at Carlson for asking Vladimir Putin softball questions.

Cuomo will air the two-part chat with Carlson - often rivals during the Trump era when they hosted competing cable news shows - Monday and Tuesday night on NewsNation.

While conceding that Carlson shouldn't have been 'getting into a shouting match' with the Russian president, Cuomo still felt the ex-Fox News host could've gone harder and asked about Navalny.

'[You] made choices,' he said. 'You didn't ask about Navalny. You said, well all killers, all leaders kill. But don't you feel that if you are gonna go and sit with someone like that you have to hold them for account for things that matter, the fact that he may have murdered somebody or a lot of people.'

Carlson responded by saying that he did hold Putin to account but claimed that 'Ukrainians say [Putin] didn't kill Navalny.'

Tucker Carlson told Chris Cuomo that he 'can't even guess' who killed Alexei Navalny during a confrontational interview with Cuomo, who hit at Carlson for asking Vladimir Putin softball questions

Cuomo will air the full interview with Carlson - often rivals during the Trump era when they hosted competing cable news shows - Monday night on News Nation

Cuomo responded: 'Who killed him then? Guy looks good one minute, the next minute he's dead.'

'In some larger sense, the Russian government, the Ukrainian government said he died of natural causes,' Carlson argued.

'Now, what is actually going on there, I can't even guess.'

Ukraine's top spy chief has claimed that Navalny may have 'died from a blood clot' amid widespread speculation that the outspoken Putin critic was murdered by Russian spies.

The pair also discussed Carlson's coverage of the January 6 insurrection.

'Your approach and the approach of other people, hey this was just, you know, these guys were in the wrong place, the wrong way, but that's all it was. I don't agree with that. I think it was a riot,' Cuomo said.

'And I think they were way over the line, and I think they were motivated to go over the line, in part by the President of the United States.'

Carlson replied: 'Parts of it obviously were a riot but let me ask you a couple questions, one is, why can't we know how many federal agents were in the crowd and what they were doing there?'

Carlson was accused of having 'cherry-picked' footage of the January 6 riot

During his interview with Tucker Carlson, Putin gave a 'historical background' of the conflict with Ukraine, before defending his military's action

'I am fine with knowing. I love transparency. It is the key to understanding,' Cuomo responded.

Cuomo then lobbied that he 'cherry-picked' the footage he played from that day to make those charged with crimes in connection with the Capitol insurrection appear sympathetic.

'I aired what they sent me,' Carlson replied, to which Cuomo again claimed he 'cherry-picked' it.

Cuomo has been critical of Carlson's interview with Putin, having clashed with Candace Owens about it on Patrick Bet-David's podcast.

In the Carlson interview, when asked what the decisive moment was that made up his mind to launch his attack on Ukraine, 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.

While conceding that Carlson shouldn't have been 'getting into a shouting match' with the Russian president, Cuomo still felt the ex-Fox News host could've gone harder and asked about Navalny

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

'They never intended to implement them, they simply led us by the nose,' he said. 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.'
'When you have a loss of life like this, its devastating,' Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Redshaw said

The bus driver, all three students on board and the truck driver were pronounced dead at the scene

Five people were killed, including three children, after a school bus and semi-truck collided on a highway in western Illinois.

The bus was traveling west on U.S. Route 24 at Parkview Road around 11:30 am Monday when it veered across the road and hit the truck head-on, Illinois State Police said. Both vehicles erupted into flames.

The crash occurred in Rushville, a small city about 60 miles outside Springfield. The bus driver, truck driver and all three students on the bus were pronounced dead at the scene.

State police confirmed that the three children and the driver were the only people on the bus at the time of the crash.

'Theres not really words at this time that can be said,' Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Redshaw said at a press conference. 'When you have a loss of life like this, its devastating.'

Five people were killed, including three children, following a head-on collision on an Illinois highway

Illinois State Police confirmed that the bus driver, truck driver and all three students on the bus were pronounced dead at the scene

A school bus carrying students from Schuyler-Industry Schools veered across the road and hit a semi-truck before noon on Monday

The crash occurred in Rushville, a small city roughly 60 miles outside Springfield

'When you have a loss of life like this, its devastating,' Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Redshaw said at a news conference

The students attended Schuyler-Industry Schools. The district posted a message to social media Monday afternoon.

'It is with a heavy heart that we announce our school community has lost both staff and students in the traffic incident involving one of our school buses this morning,' the statement read. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and our community.'

School was cancelled through Wednesday, March 13. The district plans to offer counselors and support staff for students and teachers.

The victims' bodies were transported to Springfield Memorial Hospital for autopsies, according to Schuyler County Coroner Terry Millslagle. Their identities have yet to be confirmed.
A sick troll who accused mothers in Hampstead of running a satanic child abuse ring is still pleading her innocence and has compared her 'suffering' to Jesus Christ as she said she 'cannot accept the verdict'.

Two young siblings aged eight and nine accused parents - including their own father - and teachers at their North London primary school of being a part of a satanic paedophile ring involving horrendous ritual abuse in 2015.

Their mother, Ella Draper, shared the false accusations online and Sabine McNeill - a virulent conspiracy theorist, since dubbed Britain's worst online troll - released videos of the children making these accusations online, alongside personal details of 175 people allegedly involved.

It went viral and led to death threats, harassment and abuse against the falsely accused parents, which four mothers have spoken out about in Channel 4's new documentary Accused: The Hampstead Hoax.

McNeill, Draper's unqualified 'legal adviser', was one of the central figures in attempting to legitimise the conspiracy. She was put on trial for stalking, harassment and breaching a restraining order and was jailed for nine years in 2018, of which she served four.

The German-born pensioner, who has since fled to Germany, said: 'I didn't accept any of the charges, I didn't accept the verdict, I cannot accept the verdict. All I can do is suffer. Suffer it, like Jesus Christ did.'

McNeill (pictured) was one of the central figures in attempting to legitimise the conspiracy. She was put on trial for stalking, harassment and breaching a restraining order and was jailed for nine years in 2018, of which she served four

Sabine McNeill is a virulent conspiracy theorist, since dubbed Britain's worst online troll

The children's mother, Ella Draper (pictured), and her supporters - among them McNeill - released a document online listing all the people accused of being a part of this ring, which led to death threats, harassment and abuse

The mothers worked together on a campaign to get the police to act; first by getting their names taken down from the internet and then in prosecuting McNeill.

McNeill was labelled an 'arrogant, malicious, evil and manipulative woman' by the sentencing judge, who jailed her for nine years, the longest sentence ever handed down in a UK court for these offences.

'I will never get my head around how this woman [McNeill] became so obsessed with our children,' one of the falsely accused mothers said.

Draper shared the class list with McNeill, who turned it into an elaborate document adding made-up sexual preference for each child, the documentary alleges.

McNeill is confronted about the pain she caused to the four mothers in the documentary, but she maintains her stance that 'they are abusers'.

When she was asked how she knows this, McNeill said that they were named in the initial allegations by the children, but when pressed about these allegations being false, she shook her head and said: 'I'm sorry. I can't cope with that'.

McNeill also said that 'truth is an individual experience, what's true for you might not be true for me'. She claimed people had a need to believe these satanic cult claims.

One of the mothers at the heart of the documentary also revealed the sickening moment she received emails from paedophiles asking to meet her young daughter after being falsely accused of running satanic child sex cult.

'Alice', who is going by an alias to protect the identity of her children, said she received an email from someone who said they liked her 'daughter's profile' - the entry on the class list posted by McNeill - posted online, which highlighted her child in red as one that 'likes to have sex'.

'It was an explosion of my world,' Alice said.

During the height of the harassment her family suffered, Alice said she received an email from someone who said they liked her 'daughter's profile' posted online

'Alice', played by an actor in the new Channel 4 documentary Accused: The Hampstead Hoax

The sender of the email told Alice that 'they would like me to bring my daughter and meet up with them. So I was getting emails from paedophiles, believing what they had heard about my daughter.

'I literally ran to the bathroom and threw up everywhere.'

'I think the lowest point for me was when my daughter's photo was taken from my Google account. I blame myself so much, because I totally forgot that that account even existed.

'And the realisation, that they know what she looks like - my world came crashing down, because I had nothing left to cling on to at that point.'

The satanist cult allegations against Alice and the other parents were found to be baseless but the conspiracy theory caught fire online after Draper uploaded a video calling out a conspiracy on the part of the police to drop the investigation.

Draper and her partner Abraham Christie had manipulated her two children into making these false claims in the first place, which Abigail and her brother Joseph (as they are called in the documentary) later recanted.

After the names, addresses and phone numbers of the parents, school staff and pupils identified as being involved were published online, they were inundated with death threats.

The parents were contacted by vigilantes saying they would snatch their children to take them to safety. Equally horrifyingly, paedophiles would ask about their children's sexual preferences.

It was, as another mother named as 'Anna' recalls, 'like being under siege'.

In the documentary, Alice and three other mothers at the centre of these disturbing allegations speak about what they've been through for the first time via audio interviews, which are lip-synced on screen by actors as the women wish to remain anonymous to protect their now grown-up children.

Ultimately, it would take the determined and extraordinary efforts of four mothers in particular, who, working until the small hours, month in month out, meticulously gathered evidence that would lead to the prosecution of two of the most vocal online conspiracy theorists.

'For years we had to keep this dignified silence, because we were trying to build a legal case and we didn't want to jeopardise that,' says Anna. 'Now, finally, we get to have our voice.'

The sender told Alice (played by an actress above) that 'they would like me to bring my daughter and meet up with them. So I was getting emails from paedophiles, believing what they had heard about my daughter. I literally ran to the bathroom and threw up everywhere'

'Anna' is played by Kathryn McGarr in the series

For while the trolls who targeted them are quieter these days, they have not disappeared entirely: they are still out there, propagating their theories in dark corners of the internet.

'They're still there, trying to spread their poison,' as Jenny, another of the mothers, puts it. The parents' bewilderment remains palpable.

'There are many curveballs in life that you can predict, whether it's a terminal illness diagnosis or the death of a loved one  but being accused of being a satanic paedophile is not one of them,' Anna says.

A mother of one, Anna had been happily married for 18 years and running a business with her husband, when, back in February 2015, she  along with some other parents of children in Year 5 at the Church of England affiliated primary they attended  received an email saying allegations had been made against the school.

'It said they had been investigated by the police and that the case was closed,' she recalls. 'It begged more questions than it answered, so I went straight onto the internet.'

Within five minutes, Anna had found footage of the two siblings  one of whom, Abigail, was in her daughter's class  alleging that an organised cult was based at the school which indulged in horrors from paedophilia to baby sacrifice.

'She mentioned our daughter by name, saying she got paid for sex in sweets and naming myself and my husband as her abusers,' Anna recalls. 'It was like walking through the looking glass.'

'They would call us satantists, shout down the phone that we were f***ing and killing babies; that we were evil,' says Jenny.

Police told them to vary their routes home, and carry rape alarms, yet none of it was enough to shake the lingering menace.

Sarah, a lawyer in her 40s who also had a child in Abigail's year, slept on her children's bedroom floor for eight months until the family were able to move house.

'Once our address was out there, I could not shake the thought that someone would come in and try to take them,' she says.

'Sarah', played by Sarah Barlondo, on set for the Channel 4 documentary. Many of the real women in the story have chosen to remain anonymous

Some parents, like Alice, were contacted by paedophiles asking if they could hook up with their child because they 'liked sex'. The police said their hands were tied.

'They pretty much admitted it was beyond their knowledge,' says Anna. 'There was this feeling that it would blow over, but to us it felt organised and targeted.'

'It was incredibly disappointing,' adds Sarah. 'We were quite clear that this was criminal activity. We even identified a list of up to 20 laws that were being broken. But no one would listen.'

Self-styled activist and blogger Rupert Wilson Quaintance, an American who had come to the UK a few months earlier, became obsessed with the case and threatened to 'kick doors down' and 'draw blood' from the parents.

He was jailed for nine months after being found guilty of putting people in fear of violence.

Draper and Christie fled the country in 2015. They've have been on the run ever since, believed to be in Spain.

Why they started the hoax is still a mystery. If it was part of Draper's fight for custody against her ex-husband, it failed. After a period in care, Abigail and Joseph were reunited with their father.
A five-month baby has been killed and several others injured after being mown down by a car which mounted the pavement in the Lanzarote tourist resort of Playa Blanca.

Local reports are describing the victims as British tourists, although there has not yet been any official comment from police on their nationalities.

The tragedy occurred around 6.30pm local time near the resort's Hotel Flamingo.

Two women are said to be seriously injured and another three people have been hurt. Police, paramedics, and an air ambulance were sent to the scene.

The female driver of the car that hit the pedestrians is understood to have told police she suffered a steering problem.

A full police investigation was underway last night.

A five-month baby has been killed and several others injured after being mown down by a car which mounted the pavement in the Lanzarote tourist resort of Playa Blanca (pictured today)

There is nothing at this stage pointing to it being investigated as a terror incident.

A spokesperson for a local emergency response centre said last night: 'I can confirm the death of a five-month-old baby in an incident in which a number of people were run over in Archipielago Avenue in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote.

'Two women have been seriously injured and another three people have suffered moderate injuries.'

Civil Guard officers on the island said the incident was being investigated by local town hall-employed police for the area and not by their traffic investigators.

Yaiza Town Hall, which is responsible for Playa Blanca, said: 'Yaiza Town Hall expresses its solidarity with the victims and their families after a number of people were run over this evening in Playa Blanca.

'Our total respect for the ongoing investigation by the authorities and our gratitude to the security forces ad emergency responders involving in dealing with this tragic incident.'

A regional government-run emergency response coordination centre said: 'The incident occurred at 6.22pm local time.

'A baby aged five months died and six people suffered diverse injuries.

'During assistance at the scene two women were found to have suffered serious multiple injuries in an initial evaluation and were transferred to Doctor Jose Molina Orosa Hospital in the island capital Arrecife.

'Two other women with several moderate-level multiple injuries were also taken to the same hospital along with two men who had injuries to their lower limbs.

'Seven land ambulances were sent to the scene and an air ambulance was also mobilised because of the seriousness of the incident along with a doctor and nurse from Playa Blanca Health Centre.

'The other emergency responders included firefighters, Civil Protection workers, local police and the Civil Guard.

Flamingo beach in Playa Blanca holiday village on coast of Lanzarote Island, Spain. File picture

'The first 999 calls that came in were about an incident in which a car had run over several people in Archipielago Avenue on the corner of Lanzarote Street.

'The medicalised air ambulance was sent to Lanzarote Airport because it was anticipated one of the most seriously-injured women was going to be transferred to a hospital in Gran Canaria.

'Local police will be tasked with producing a report on the incident.'

Playa Blanca, Spanish for White Beach, is the southernmost town in Lanzarote. It is around a 40-minute drive from the island airport.

The coastline around Playa Blanca is essentially one large six mile wide bay which is then broken up into three smaller, but still large, bays.

Last September, seven people including two British tourists were injured when a British holidaymaker ploughed into a packed Spanish cafe terrace in his hire car on the neighbouring Canary island of Fuerteventura.

The casualties included a four-month-old baby girl. The drama occurred in the tourist hotspot of Corralejo.

Last month an 83-year-old British tourist died after being run over by a bus in Lanzarote.

She had been rushed to hospital in a 'critical' condition on February 21 after being hit by the vehicle in the popular resort of Costa Teguise and stabilised at the scene.
A judge warned today that the 'frequency and levels of violence' between gangs risked turning idyllic towns into no-go areas as he jailed two teenagers for a 'brazen' murder in broad daylight.

Alfie Hammett and Joshua Howell wore masks as they set upon Ray Quigley, 18, who was visiting Ipswich, Suffolk, with friends.

Hammett, who stabbed his victim repeatedly, was a member of the notorious Norwich-based 3rdside posse.

Meanwhile Howell, who kept Mr Quigley's friends at bay with a machete, was part of the affiliated IP3 crew from Ipswich, also known as the Nacton gang.

Their victim was associated with a rival Norfolk gang called Only The Money.

Hammett and Howell were convicted of the January 2023 murder two months ago, following a trial.

Alfie Hammett (pictured) who has been convicted of the murder of Raymond James Quigley

Joshua Howell (pictured) who has been convicted of the murder of Raymond James Quigley

Pictured: CCTV footage shows Hammett and Howell walking through town together

They returned to court today to be jailed for life, with Hammett told he will serve at least 24 years and his accomplice given a minimum of 20 years.

Handing down the sentences, Judge Martyn Levett said: 'This gang violence is blighting the historic peacefulness of towns, making them unsafe to visit.

'Time and time again, I've said in open court that the sentencing remarks of judges need to be reported so the public become more aware about the dangers of knife crime.

'Knife crime has no place in modern society and should not be glorified. These knife crimes bring fear to communities.'

Mr Quigley's mother spoke of her 'devastation' in a victim impact statement.

She said: 'This is something I now have to live with for the rest of my life. I keep seeing the savage injuries inflicted on my son and what I saw cannot be unseen.'

His father, Raymond, added: 'I relive everything in my mind every time I close my eyes  there is no room for people like this in society.

'I will never get over what has happened to my son and will have a lifetime of pain and heartbreak.'

Pictured: Footage shows Hammett and Howell meeting before they walk through town together

Pictured: Hammett chasing James' friend after the attack carrying a large knife

The case is the latest example of 'Wild West Britain', with fearless gang members swaggering around in public with concealed knives at the ready, whether to attack rivals or defend themselves.

Mr Quigley's murder happened on January 17 last year, a year after the Norwich murder of another 3rdside member, Joe Dix, 18.

Hammett had attended his comrade's funeral and kept the service book for mourners in his bedroom.

Mr Quigley had been spotted at the Dix murder trial shortly before his death, marking him out as a rival gang member.

Hammett, of Rushmere St Andrew who was 18 at the time of the attack, had been forced to move to Ipswich on police bail conditions for his role in a violent nightclub brawl in which two police officers and three door staff were assaulted.

A flurry of calls between 3rdside and IP3 members led to him joining forces with Howell, who was then 17, to confront Mr Quigley in full view of CCTV cameras.

Pictured: Footage shows Howell chasing James' friend after the attack

Pictured: Hammett's movements post-attack and his return home

Opening the trial, prosecutor Andrew Jackson said the premeditated murder was motivated by a 'deep-rooted rivalry' between gangs.

'You will hear that, prior to his death, he [Quigley] had some association with a gang in Norfolk called Only The Money, or OTM. It was probably his association with that gang that led to his untimely death,' he said.

'But on that afternoon, all that he was doing was simply being with his friends, walking in that busy shopping area. He had no idea of the tragic events about to unfold.'

Describing the attack, he added: 'When these two groups came together and Mr Quigley was spotted, Alfie Hammett and Joshua Howell went towards him.

'Alfie Hammett, having pulled a knife, got to Mr Quigley first and he began to attack and stab Mr Quigley.

'Joshua Howell, who had also pulled out what you may think was a machete, and so armed and providing an intimidating presence, prevented any of Mr Quigley's friends from intervening to help.'

Opening the trial, prosecutor Andrew Jackson said the premeditated murder was motivated by a 'deep-rooted rivalry' between gangs

The killers ran in different directions afterwards and disposed of their weapons and clothing

The killers ran in different directions afterwards and disposed of their weapons and clothing.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Quigley, of Wymondham, a small town a few miles outside Norwich, sustained four wounds to the torso.

They included two fatal wounds to the chest that were dealt with such 'severe force it penetrated Mr Quigley's breastbone and two of the major blood vessels of the heart, causing rapid and massive blood loss'.

He staggered into a nearby greetings card shop where he bled to death.

Police were able to track the defendants before and after the murder with CCTV cameras dotted around the city.

They were aided by Hammett's father, who suspected his son's involvement after checking a tracking device he had secretly placed on his moped. This allowed them to pinpoint where he left his moped before the attack.

Hammett refused to give evidence during the five-week trial but his lawyers said he denied being the man who attacked Mr Quigley. When arrested, his phone had been wiped and returned to factory settings.

Howell, of Ipswich, who bought a one-way ticket to Nairobi, appeared in the witness stand and claimed he was not associated with IP3 and had met the killer for the first time on the day of the murder when he sold him some cannabis.

The attack then 'occurred spontaneously' and he drew his machete, which he said he carried for protection, because he feared being attacked by the other group.

The jury rejected their version of events and convicted both of murder and carrying an offensive weapon.

Howell was also found guilty of threatening another person with a bladed article.

Hammett was also sentenced to a concurrent 12-month jail term for assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to the incident on September 11, 2022, at the Norwich nightclub, which left police and security staff injured when they intervened. He had waded into a tussle outside the toilets.

Howell was also on bail at the time of the murder for robbery and possession of a machete. There was no further penalty for the offences.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Tam Burgess said: 'This was an horrific and completely senseless act of extreme violence that has resulted in the death of an 18-year-old man who had his whole life ahead of him.

'I am still staggered by the brazen way in which Hammett and Howell committed this heinous crime in such a public place, with numerous members of the public around and in full view of CCTV cameras.'
(Photo : Unsplash/BoliviaInteligente)

Reuters reported on Sunday that tech giant Nvidia is facing a lawsuit from a group of authors who claim it used their copyrighted material without permission to train its artificial intelligence (AI) platform NeMo.

As per the report, Brian Keene, Abdi Nazemian, and Stewart O'Nan stated that their works were part of a dataset of over 196,640 books used to train NeMo to mimic regular written language before its removal in October due to alleged copyright infringement.

LLM's Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

The lawsuit contends that Nvidia's removal of the books implies acknowledgment that it used the dataset to train NeMo, thus violating their copyrights. According to Reuters, the authors seek unspecified damages for individuals in the United States whose copyrighted works contributed to training NeMo's large language models (LLMs) over the past three years. LLMs are utilized to drive AI tools such as NeMo, which Nvidia describes as a quick and cost-effective means to implement generative AI.

READ ALSO: OpenAI, Microsoft Face Copyright Infringement Lawsuit from NYT, Potentially Accountable for Billions in Damages

The lawsuit alleges that the books were part of a dataset called The Pile, which included a collection of books known as Books3, which Nvidia has acknowledged training its NeMo Megatron AI models.

The NeMo Megatron models were hosted on a website called Hugging Face, which provided information about the training dataset and mentioned that the model was trained on The Pile. The Books3 dataset from The Pile was listed on Hugging Face until October 2023, when it was taken down due to reported copyright infringement and labeled as defunct and inaccessible.

Nvidia chose not to comment on the ongoing legal matter.

Growing Trend on AI Litigation

Nvidia's class-action lawsuit is part of a growing litigation trend targeting AI companies. Last December, a group of 11 authors filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and its partner, Microsoft, alleging copyright infringement. The New York Times filed a separate lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement, claiming that these tech companies utilized its content without authorization to develop their AI products during the same period.

Nvidia's Standing in the Chip Market

Nvidia's position as a top AI chipmaker has led to its stock skyrocketing by almost 600% since the end of 2022, pushing its market value to nearly two trillion two hundred billion dollars.

When asked for a statement, an OpenAI spokesperson said that the company values content creators' and owners' rights and is dedicated to collaborating to ensure that they can leverage AI technology and explore new revenue models.

Nvidia is poised to surpass Apple and become the world's second-most valuable company as the AI industry expands, which further solidifies Nvidia's dominance, where it currently holds an 80% share.

As of Friday, Nvidia's market capitalization was nearing the two trillion three hundred eighty billion dollars threshold, positioning it two hundred thirty billion dollars behind Apple and six hundred forty-five billion dollars behind the leading Microsoft.

RELATED ARTICLE: Microsoft Files Motion to Dismiss NYT's Infringement Lawsuit, Calling It "Unsubstantiated" Using Deceptive Prompts

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
QUESTION How were the first typewriter keys arranged and designed  and who is credited with the first machine?

The first typewriter patent was issued to Henry Mill, an Englishman, in 1713 but it does not appear that a working model was ever made.

An Italian, Pellegrino Turri, allegedly built a device in 1808 for his blind lover, Countess Fantoni da Fivizzano, in order for them to communicate. No drawings of this machine have survived.

The earliest extant typewriter was a device created by the Danish pastor Rasmus Malling-Hansen, principal of the Royal Institute of the Deaf. First patented in 1865, this was a ball-shaped device with letters arranged in alphabetical order.

One of these was used by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche due to his deteriorating eyesight. It won a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1878.

The first typewriter patent was issued to Henry Mill, an Englishman, in 1713 but it does not appear that a working model was ever made

In 1873 the first typewriter with a QWERTY keyboard was produced

In 1868, Christopher Sholes and his associate Carlos Glidden secured a patent for what was to become the basis of the modern typewriter.

Sholes and Glidden sold their patent to Densmore and Yost, who made an agreement with E. Remington and Sons to manufacture the device. In 1873, E. Remington and Sons  a New York company with a history of manufacturing guns, and then sewing machines  produced the first typewriter with a QWERTY keyboard. It came with a foot pedal (like sewing machines) which controlled the carriage returns.

Sholes, along with associates Glidden and Samuel W. Soule, developed the QWERTY layout to address the mechanical limitations of early typewriters. The arrangement of keys was specifically designed to reduce the likelihood of jamming by separating commonly used letter pairs and preventing adjacent keys from being pressed simultaneously.

This layout became the standard for typewriters and later for computer keyboards.

Wendy Day, Erith, Kent

QUESTION What are the most bizarre items ever sold on the internet?

In 2003, Tommy Johnson of Little Rock, Arkansas, found a rotting wooden box while metal-detecting in the woods. It contained two jars and a journal. He broke one of the jars, after which he claimed he was haunted by an apparition dubbed the Black Thing.

TOMORROW'S QUESTIONS...

Q. Do other countries have their own versions of BBC's The Repair Shop? Jill Maynard Brown, St Albans, Hertfordshire. Q. What is the origin of the word 'wow'? Mr S. Niewiadomski, Quenington, Glos. Q. Did the Romans use chants and songs to cheer their favourite charioteers and gladiators? Robin Cross, Maidstone, Kent. Advertisement

In an attempt to rid himself of the spirit, he listed the second jar on eBay with a starting bid of $99. The jar attracted a $52,000 (40,500) bid but the buyer never paid.

An Australian attempted to sell New Zealand for AUD $0.01 in 2006. The bid reached $3,000 (1,500) before it was shut down for violating eBay rules. The auction was closed, with a note stating: 'Clearly, New Zealand is not for sale.'

A ten-year-old girl in the U.S. tried to sell her 61-year-old grandmother on eBay. In the product description, the girl had said that her grandmother was 'annoying' but 'cuddly'.

Some items that did sell included a vampires slaying kit for $4,550 (3,500), comprising a stake, holy water and a crossbow with silver-tipped arrows; a piece of toast shaped like the Virgin Mary, which sold for $28,000 (21,800); and a cornflake shaped like the state of Illinois fetched $1,350 (1,050).

C. A. Paulson, Walsall, West Midlands

QUESTION Is there a Plantagenet claimant to the English throne?

King Charles III is related to the Plantagenet line through John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340-1399), the fourth son of King Edward III. John was the father of King Henry IV, great-grandfather of Edward IV and 18th great-grandfather of Charles III.

There may be a better Plantagenet claimant to the throne. One of the most surprising guests to Charles III's coronation was Simon Abney-Hastings, the son of a farmer from the rural town of Wangaratta, 150 miles north of Melbourne. He was awarded the honour of carrying the golden spurs at Charles's ceremony  a tradition dating to Richard the Lionheart's coronation in 1189.

An engraved portrait of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340-1399). He was the father of King Henry IV, great-grandfather of Edward IV

Abney-Hastings is descended from the Plantagenet line through Edward's half-brother George, Duke of Clarence, who  legend has it  was drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine on his brother's orders.

Medieval scholar Dr Michael Jones has claimed that Abney-Hastings has a stronger claim to the throne than Charles III because Edward IV, who became king in 1461, was illegitimate. He outlined his claims in the book Bosworth 1485: Psychology Of A Battle, alleging that Cecily Neville and Richard, Duke of York, were not together when Edward was conceived.

If true, then Richard of Clarence's line would be the true line of succession. This is not, however, a widely held view.

Ian Davies, Worcester
Cruel trolls have been called out for targeting an aspiring DJ after he died from a suspected drug overdose at a weekend music festival.

Antony Maugeri, 20, was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital from the Pitch music festival held near Ararat in southwestern Victoria at about 1am on Sunday.

The up-and-coming DJ was one of three men rushed to hospital after suffering suspected drug overdoses at the five-day festival.

Mr Maugeri, from Melbourne, died soon after he was admitted to hospital.

AFL commentator Rohan Connolly has since hit out at cruel trolls who criticised Mr Maugeri's decision to allegedly take drugs at the event.

'God this is sad. What a tragic waste of young life, RIP to Antony and all who knew and loved him. As for some of the 'heroes' posting responses underneath the post from @gillianlant, you are beneath contempt,' he wrote on X.

Mr Maugeri, who was passionate about music, was chastised by some internet users who claimed he 'should know better'.

Antony Maugeri, 20, died of a suspected drug overdose at the Pitch Music Festival on Sunday

AFL commentator Rohan Connolly has since hit out at cruel trolls who criticised Mr Maugeri's decision to allegedly take drugs at the event (pictured)

Organisers cancelled the five-day festival citing extreme fire danger and heatwave conditions

'Seems to be a very intelligent man, and should know better! Bad luck, bad choice...' one man wrote on X.

'Poor choices,' a second commented.

A third shared: 'Pretty simple, if you don't take drugs you won't die from them!'

Mr Maugeri's death has prompted renewed calls from the Victorian Greens for pill testing to be introduced at music festivals as a matter of urgency.

The Greens have called on Victorian premier Jacinta Allan to 'shift gears and finally set-up pill testing' to prevent further overdose deaths at events.

'How many more (suspected) overdoses need to happen in Victoria before the new Premier shifts gears and finally sets up pill testing in Victoria?' Greens drug harm reduction spokesperson Aiv Puglielli said on Monday.

'While this Labor government continues to stall, young Victorian lives are being put at risk. 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.'

The festival went ahead with a modified schedule on Saturday night despite warnings from the Country Fire Authority on the day and prior to the event.

It was cancelled on Sunday afternoon with organisers citing dangerous heatwave conditions and extreme fire danger, with thousands told to leave by Monday.

However, many didn't get the message due to poor reception in the area.

Mr Maugeri's death has prompted renewed calls from the Victorian Greens for pill testing to be introduced at music festivals as a matter of urgency

Mr Maugeri's best mate (right) remembered the aspiring DJ (left) as 'the most loyal and caring human' in a heartbreaking post to social media

Pitch Festival organisers' acknowledged Mr Maugeri's death on Sunday night, taking to Instagram to say they're 'deeply saddened' by the news.

'We are devastated that this has occurred at an event where community has been a driving force over the last seven years,' the post read.

'We understand that the timing of this news will be upsetting for festival-goers who are currently safely exiting the event.'

Mr Maugeri's best mate remembered the aspiring DJ as 'the most loyal and caring human' in a heartbreaking post to social media.

'Losing your best mate is something I never thought I would have to prepare for,' he wrote on Facebook.

'It's going to be hard opening my phone and not having a text message from you everyday but I know you will be looking out for me [and] my family and the rest of our friend group from above.

'I am grateful for all the memories we have made over the years and I will cherish them forever.'

The festival, which started on Friday, was set to run through to Tuesday.

The heatwave was upgraded from severe to extreme on Sunday and continues to affect the region with authorities warning conditions could worsen the health effects of drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy).

Revellers were warned a heatwave affecting the region (pictured) could worsen the negative 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.

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.

It remains unclear whether attendees will be refunded for the cancelled event with organisers issuing a brief statement on Sunday.

'We appreciate your patience as we work through this,' it read.

'Ticket holders will receive an update as more information becomes available.

'Our top priority right now is to get everyone on site home safely.'
Hundreds of mourners may have been given the wrong ashes from a funeral parlour raided by police over a 'concern for the care of the deceased'.

Relatives who hired Legacy Independent Funeral Directors have been kept in the dark about details of the growing investigation that has involved the removal of 34 bodies.

More than 350 calls have been made to the hotline set up for grieving families and a number of relatives have expressed concerns that the ashes they were given following cremation could have been from a different body.

At least one person is said to have made an item of jewellery using the ashes of a loved one and is now questioning the validity of the remains.

One man told the Mirror: 'All families that ever had any dealings with this company are worried.'

Police have been patrolling outside the Beckside branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull as well as two other outlets elsewhere in Humberside

The company's boss Robert Bush, who heads up a family business, and his employee daughter Saskya Bush are pictured

Police conducted a raid and removed 34 bodies after concerns were raised about the conduct of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull

A grieving daughter has said she 'feels sick' at the thought of having been given ashes not belong to her father.

'I just cannot believe it,' she added as her brother said: 'My dad's funeral was ten years ago. We had the service at Hessle Road and now we are wondering if he actually got cremated.

'I got some ashes but with what has gone on I am not sure they were his.'

Another devastated relative, Emma Osborne, said that she had been informed that her stepfather Danny Middleton may be one of the 34 bodies, despite relatives being supposedly given his ashes a month ago.

The funeral service took place in the Legacy branch and she said his body 'has just been found in the morgue'.

Ms Osborne told the Telegraph: 'As far as we know he has got his ID band on him, that's all we know, he has not been identified properly.

'They [the funeral directors] have given my step-brother ashes a month ago, they have given him ashes saying that it was my step-dad. I think there might be a number of other people that have been in the same [position][, that's all I can say.'

A third woman, who asked not to be named, said she was suffering from 'panic attacks', 'depression' and was 'not coping' out of worry about how her partner's body and remains were dealt with and whether the ashes in a glass bottle in her home were really from him.

She said her partner, who was in his mid-60s, was suffering from pneumonia and cancer when he died in December 2021.

She saw his body when it was at the Hessle branch of Hull-based Legacy but was concerned about marks on his face and neck.

A cremation took place in early January but she said 'it took them ages for the ashes to be given to me'. She added: 'I have still got some of the ashes in a glass bottle and my daughter has got some, but my big worry is that it could be the wrong ashes.'

Police have said nothing to suggest there is evidence she received the wrong ashes, but she said 'there is so much speculation on social media that you just don't know what to think'.

The firm is run by owner Robert Bush, a married father-of-two and motorbike racing fanatic, and his daughter Saskya, an engineering graduate.

Robert Bush (pictured) is the company boss of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors

Saskya Bush is employed by her father Robert Bush, who is the company owner

Residents reported seeing police at the Hessle Road branch in the early hours last Thursday

Sources told the Mirror that the parlour was targeted by police following an undercover sting.

Another woman posted on social media about her father whose body was dealt with by Legacy.

She said since the police investigation was announced the family have opened up their container to check what was inside and confirmed 'they look like ashes.'

However, she claimed 'my dad wasn't in the coffin we paid for' and the family are also questioning whether they received the correct remains.

Another woman posted that she believes her mother's urn may not contain her real ashes and that she was 'thinking about opening it to see if anything is in it'.

One grieving daughter, Leila Parker-Poland, recalled how she went to the Legacy building and was initially told her mother's ashes couldn't be found.

Ms Parker-Poland said they were brought to her house that night and she even joked about it 'not being her ashes'.

Legacy also dealt with her father's earlier death, and she said that his body was left in a non-refrigerated room for two weeks. She added that she now has 'so many questions in my head'.

Officers have been stationed outside the Hessle Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors

Humberside Police are investigating the funeral directors after receiving a report expressing 'concern about the storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased'

She said she knew of another woman with 'a box of ashes from Legacy' who phoned the crematorium and was told 'no one of that name was cremated' on the dates given.

'So she is sat with ashes that were not her dad's,' speculated Ms Parker-Poland.

Many of the families, who have asked not to be named, said they were suspicious that their services were held at the Hessle Road parlour, not at the crematorium.

The bills from Legacy included the price of the coffin, which was supposed to have been destroyed along with the remains, at the crematorium and cremation fees.

During the service they were shown an unopened casket and told their loved one was inside. They were also informed the remains would be taken to the crematorium at a later date.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Funeral parlour at centre of probe into improper care of the dead has been on the brink of financial ruin for two years Advertisement

Some later received ashes but have complained they often had to pester Mr Bush for them.

Now many are suspicious if the coffin they were shown contained any body at all and whether the supposed cremations ever actually took place.

They are now desperately waiting for news from Humberside Police about whether their relatives bodies are among those which have been found.

This comes after Humberside Police said officers have removed 34 bodies from the firm's premises on Hessle Road, Hull, and taken them to a mortuary for 'formal identification procedures to take place'.

Legacy's finances are also under scrutiny, with accounts overdue and the firm receiving its fifth 'compulsory strike off' warning in two years. But it was trading normally before police swooped on its three branches last Thursday.

A 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position.

Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said in a statement: 'Since the report on Wednesday March 6, cordons remain in place at all three Legacy Independent Funeral Directors premises. The dedicated phone line remains open and has received over 350 calls from concerned members of the public since Friday.

'We continue to encourage anyone who has used Legacy Independent Funeral Directors and has concerns to call us on 0800 051 4674 or 0207 126 7619 if you are calling from abroad.

'Each call we receive is being carefully handled and delicately assessed by a specialist team to ensure we have a thorough understanding of each familys circumstances.

'We will get back to each and every one of you as soon as we can. 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.'
The police are opting out of the crime-fighting business as a cash squeeze bites into dwindling budgets  so youd better start lowering your expectations.

If you had any hope that they would always turn up when your car or home is vandalised, then think again  thats a little passe in this brave new world of policing.

Instead, you can expect the brush-off when you ring Police Scotland (assuming you can get through) unless you can demonstrate theres a viable line of inquiry.

That means turning detective to ask neighbours for their CCTV or doorbell video alarm footage, or maybe someone saw the thief who broke into your shed.

If not, well thats tough luck. You will be told immediately that its a lost cause, barring a dramatic breakthrough, but dont worry, a note will be kept of the incident.

Closure

With minor crimes being written off at source across Scotland  more than 24,000 a year, police estimate  people might well give up on reporting any but the most serious offences, and it will be harder to do so now that dozens of stations are earmarked for closure.

When asked if people might take the law into their own hands if minor probes were dropped, ACC Emma Bond said she would hope thats not the case

Police admit they werent looking at rolling out what is euphemistically called a proportionate response to crime before cuts of 50million a year were imposed upon the service by the SNP Government, and manpower fell to a 16-year low.

But top brass maintain that in any event its a good idea and point to what they perceive as a successful 12-week pilot project last year in the North-East of Scotland, when some minor crimes werent investigated.

The announcement of the extension of this trial was made almost in passing on February 22 during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), the civilian oversight body for the single force. It will meet today to discuss the nationwide rollout.

We were told an evaluation report had shown that the pilot had worked well and that therefore the new system should be introduced across Scotland in phases  but the research was kept under wraps.

It was only on Thursday last week that the report was unveiled, purporting to show public backing for the trial run, but the truth is, as ever, a little more complicated.

The decision to extend the scheme was partly based on a survey of only 43 people, suggesting that the move to ditch thousands of criminal investigations each year was taken based on the flimsiest of evidence.

Police insist that this was only part of the picture and more work was done to gauge opinion.

But there was no evidence about the number of crimes that were solved in the North-East during the trial.

Police said it was hoped that officers would solve more crime when they didnt have to waste time on less serious reports such as car windows being smashed, or stolen lawnmowers, in cases where there were no apparent leads.

But when Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond was asked whether or not people might be tempted to take the law into their own hands if minor probes were dropped, Ms Bond could say only that she certainly would hope that thats not the case.

Public confidence is bound to crumble, and as things stand around seven in ten of violent and property crimes in Scotland arent reported to police.

Ironically, at the same SPA meeting in Glasgow where police made the low-key announcement about waving the white flag on minor crime, a senior officer also made a plea to the public to keep reporting fraud to help the force build a detailed picture of the extent of the problem.

That might be wishful thinking. The message couldnt be clearer that Police Scotland is now increasingly a reactive force, as the Scottish Police Federation has warned, capable only of responding to major crimes such as murder, rape and terrorism.

The gains of the proportionate response to minor crime are dubious. Police reckon that the amount of time freed up per officer will be less than a few working days a year.

How will they spend the extra time? Possibly not on drugs raids, as Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan admitted last week that in Fife, and presumably elsewhere, there arent enough officers to knock down dealers doors.

Soft-touch

Recorded Police Warnings (RPWs) can now be dished out for possession of heroin and cocaine, allowing the recipient to escape a court appearance and a full criminal record.

But the force wont say how many have been issued to people caught with hard drugs, arguing that it would cost too much to find out.

You would think that in a country where there are more drug deaths than anywhere else in Europe someone might want to keep a tally of how many of these soft-touch RPWs are being handed out, but it appears that you would be wrong.

Meanwhile, the boundaries between the police and the political realm are blurred, which was always likely to be a probable by-product of the creation of the single force back in 2013. In January this year, police chiefs were at the centre of a spin row after being accused of interfering with government crime figures on the use of RPWs for sex offences.

The force was given early access to the official statistics before their publication  and, after discussion with the Scottish Government, some data about RPWs was taken out.

Senior officers feared their inclusion would trigger negative headlines following an earlier row over RPWs originally intended for minor offences  being issued for sex crimes.

Chaotic

Chief Superintendent Gordon McCreadie said there was a risk that crime figures which were about to be published would reignite the row over RPWs, amplifying political and media interest.

Naturally, neither the force nor SNP Government officials would provide any detail on what was removed.

Nor has much been said publicly about an ongoing grievance against Chief Constable Jo Farrell, lodged by Deputy Chief Officer David Page, a senior civilian who has been off sick for five months, amid a row over the forces chaotic finances.

Shortly after she took on the top job in October, Ms Farrell, who earns 248,724 a year, used an on-duty traffic officer to chauffeur her and a former colleague from Edinburgh to the north of England when their train was cancelled, for which she later made a humiliating public apology.

Its a mess, and in the meantime Justice Secretary Angela Constance has had little to say about any of it.

The SNP created the conditions for failure when it set up Police Scotland more than a decade ago and refused to fund it properly.

But the current hierarchy of the force should be ashamed that they are turning their backs on thousands of victims and trying to justify it with spin and shoddy excuses.
A former Boeing staffer who once raised concerns about the company's production standards has been found dead in the US.

John Barnett, 62, was found dead in his truck in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina, his lawyer said Monday - seven years after he retired following a 32-year career.

The ex-quality manager at Boeing's North Charleston plant died from a 'self-inflicted' wound, cops in Charleston said, adding that they were still investigating.

Barnett's death came during a break in depositions in a whistleblower retaliation suit, where he alleged under-pressure workers were deliberately fitting sub-standard parts to aircraft on the assembly line.

He said that in some cases, second-rate parts were literally removed from scrap bins, before being fitted to planes that were being built to prevent delays. A 2017 review by the FAA upheld some of his concerns, requiring Boeing to take action.

He had just given a deposition to Boeing's lawyers for the case this past week, his attorney Brian Knowles said.

John Barnett, 62, was found dead in his truck in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina, cops said Monday - seven years after he retired from the firm following a 32-year career

The ex-quality manager at Boeing's North Charleston plant (seen died from a 'self-inflicted' wound, cops in Charleston said. Barnett was in the midst of a suit that alleged under-pressure workers were deliberately fitting sub-standard parts to aircraft during his tenure

In an email, he called his client's death 'tragic'.

'Today is a tragic day,' Knowles wrote, revealing that Barnett 'was supposed to do day three of his deposition here in Charleston on his AIR21 case [on Saturday],' referring to a federal law that provides whistleblowers protection in the aviation industry.

'John had been back and forth for quite some time getting prepared,' he continued, providing a timeline of what transpired in the days before Barnett's death.

'The defense examined him for their allowed seven hours under the rules on Thursday.

'I cross examined him all day yesterday [Friday] and did not finish. We agreed to continue this morning at 10 am [co-counsel] Rob [Turkewitz] kept calling this morning and his phone would go to voicemail.

'We then asked the hotel to check on him,' the South Carolina jurist went on.

'They found him in his truck dead from an 'alleged' self-inflicted gunshot. We drove to the hotel and spoke with the police and the coroner.'

The Charleston County coroner, meanwhile, confirmed Monday the longtime Boeing staffer died Friday, while in town for interviews linked to the case.

Boeing also responded to the former worker's death in their own statement as news spread on Monday, saying it was 'saddened by Mr. Barnett's passing.'

The statement did not address any aspects of the case, but brass ultimately added: 'Our thoughts are with his family and friends.'

Boeing's assembly plant in North Charleston - where the deceased worked for decades - is seen here

The plant where Barnett worked for decades is where Boeing builds the 787 Dreamliner, one of several crafts from the airliner that's made headlines as of late. Pictured: an unrelated United Airlines Boeing 787-9 takes off from Los Angeles international Airport on July 30, 2022

On Monday, roughly 50 people were treated by first responders after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying from Australia to New Zealand experienced a 'technical event' that caused 'a strong movement' jolting passengers in their seats

As of writing, five remain hospitalized after the plane dipped violently due to the unspecified issue, LATAM airline and first responders both told AFP

Meanwhile, in a separate incident in early January, an unused emergency exit door blew off a brand-new Boeing 737 Max shortly after take-off from Portland International, sparking a still-ongoing DOJ investigation

The plant where Barnett worked for decades is where Boeing builds the 787 Dreamliner, one of several crafts from the airliner that's made headlines as of late.

On Monday, roughly 50 people were treated by first responders after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying from Australia to New Zealand experienced a 'technical event' that caused 'a strong movement' jolting passengers in their seats.

As of writing, five remain hospitalized after the plane dipped violently due to the unspecified issue, LATAM airline and first responders both told AFP.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident in early January, an unused emergency exit door blew off a brand-new Boeing 737 Max shortly after take-off from Portland International, sparking a still-ongoing DOJ investigation.

On Friday, shortly before the incident over the Indian Ocean, Boeing said it believed the technical failure involving the door stemmed from something that occurred during production, where required documents detailed the removal of a key part that failed were never created.

Also on Friday, the company said it is 'committed to continuing to cooperate fully and transparently with the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation,' which, more than three months later, remains ongoing.

Barnett's job for 32 years was overseeing production standards for the firm's planes - standards he said were not met during his four years at the then-new plant in Charleston from 2010 to 2014.

'The new leadership didn't understand processes,' Barnett told Corporate Crime Reporter in an interview in 2019 of how brass allegedly cut corners to get their then state-of-the-art 7878s out on time.

'They brought them in from other areas of the company,' he continued, two years after retiring in 20017. 'The new leadership team  from my director down  they all came from St. Louis, Missouri. They said they were all buddies there.'

'That entire team came down,' he went on. 'They were from the military side. My impression was their mindset was - we are going to do it the way we want to do it. Their motto at the time was - we are in Charleston and we can do anything we want.'

'They started pressuring us to not document defects, to work outside the procedures, to allow defective material to be installed without being corrected.

'They started bypassing procedures and not maintaining configurement control of airplanes, not maintaining control of non conforming parts  they just wanted to get the planes pushed out the door and make the cash register ring.

'That entire team came down,' he went on. 'They were from the military side. My impression was their mindset was - we are going to do it the way we want to do it. Their motto at the time was - we are in Charleston and we can do anything we want.'

Barnett's job for 32 years was overseeing production standards for the firm's planes - standards he said were not met during his four years at the then-new plant in Charleston from 2010 to 2014 as brass rushed to roll out the then new 787 Dreamliner model

He also said he had uncovered serious problems with the plane's oxygen systems, alleging that one in four breathing masks would not work in the event of an emergency.

Barnett claimed he alerted superiors at the plant about his misgivings, but no action was ever taken. Boeing denied this, as well as his claims.

However, a 2017 review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) went on to stand up some of Barnett's qualms, including finding that at least 53 'non-conforming' parts - as they put it - were misplaced, and considered lost.

Boeing was ordered to take immediate remedial action, by locating and detailing the lost parts.

After the review, the company went on to also concede that it had 'identified some oxygen bottles received from the supplier that were not deploying properly', but denied Barnett's claims that any were actually fitted on aircraft.

Meanwhile, last week, the FAA said a six-week audit found 'multiple instances where [Boeing] allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.'

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said Boeing must develop a comprehensive plan to address 'systemic quality-control issues' within 90 days after an all-day February 27 meeting with CEO Dave Calhoun, but did not say the specific corrective actions Boeing and Spirit must take.

He sent summary of its findings to the companies in its completed audit.

'Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements,' Whitaker explained at the time. 'We are going to hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutually understood milestones and expectations.'

Calhoun responded in a statement that Boeing's leadership team was 'totally committed' to addressing FAA concerns and developing the plan, after Whitaker previously said in January the goal of the audit was 'to look at the system, look at how the inspections are done, where they're done, how the interaction is with the suppliers, how the handoff happens, just the whole process to really understand how it works and where the faults might be.'

Spirit AeroSystems, which makes the fuselage for the now scrutinized MAX, said it is 'in communication with Boeing and the FAA on appropriate corrective actions.'

Boeing said in response that 'by virtue of our quality stand-downs, the FAA audit findings and the recent expert review panel report, we have a clear picture of what needs to be done.'

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun speaks with reports at the Capitol in January after MAX 9 planes were grounded follwing the door incident. The company is now under criminal investigation

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

teams collect personal effects and other materials from the crash site of Ethiopian Airlines Flight in March 2019, less than a year after another 737-MAX crash in Indonesia

Meanwhile, the firm is now under criminal investigation for the door incident on the Max plane this past January, during which feds 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.'

Under a deal reached in 2021, the Justice Department had agreed not to prosecute the company for conspiracy to defraud the government. Families of the nearly 350 victims quickly spoke out against the decision, culminating in the lawsuit settled in October

After relocating in May, Boeing has sought to move past the fallout from the two crashes, with the wrongful death inconsistencies now serving as its last obstacle.

Such disputes over damages and the deceaseds final moments are nounusual, legal experts told the Journal, namely in states like Illinois where laws exist only allowing damages dished out for a plaintiff's grief and loss, and not suffering.

Pointing to a lack sufficient evidence the victims experienced pain and suffering between their injuries and deaths, Boeing attorneys say the company should not be liable for those proposed payments.

That battle over whether the plane maker should have to pay for the victims' suffering comes more than two years after Boeing admitted responsibility for the second crash as part of a deal to obtain legal immunity from the federal government.

The company, at the time, conceded to US District Judge Reed O'Connor that the company had conspired to defraud the United States when it lied about the planes' safety features in hearings and documents after the crashes, which left all Max jets grounded worldwide for nearly two years. That cost Boeing more than $20 billion.

The deal saw attorneys for the plaintiffs agree to take potential punitive damages off the table in the suits - of which there were roughly 80. Punitive damages refer to the amounts of money defendants are ruled to pay as part of their punishment.

Under the controversial deal, the Justice Department agreed not to prosecute the company for conspiracy to defraud the government, effectively granting it legal immunity.

Families of the victims quickly spoke out against the decision, however, demanding justice for the victims. Both Boeing and the DOJ opposed reopening the agreement.

US District Judge Reed O'Connor ordered Boeing to appear to be arraigned after he ruled that people killed in the two Boeing 737 MAX crashes are legally considered ' crime victims'

In a court filing in November, the Justice Department said it did not oppose undoing the agreement and properly arraigning Boeing, but said undoing the agreement 'would impose serious hardships on the parties and the many victims who have received compensation.'

As backlash from families persisted, the Justice Department in January announced that it would do away with the 2021 deal - which saw the company pay $2.5 billion to the Justice Department as part of a settlement - and move forward with the manufacturer's arraignment.

At the time, Boeings chief safety officer, Mike Delaney, entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of the planemaker. During the arraignment, relatives of those killed decried the company, saying it 'committed the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history.'

The planes, however, were cleared to fly again in 2021, after Boeing overhauled an automated flight-control system that activated erroneously in both crashes, after promising to look into the plane's safety issues.

Officials, however, would only choose to ground 737s after a second crash, this time in Ethiopia, just five months later.

Boeing Max 737's two deadly crashes: What happened? Boeing was forced to ground the 737 Max after the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia happened less than six months apart. The first disaster happened October 29, 2018, when a Max flying as Lion Air flight JT 610 fell into the Java Sea 15 minutes after taking off from Jakarta. All 189 aboard the plane died, including 180 Indonesians, one Italian and one Indian. The second crash occurred on March 10, 2019, when Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302, which also was a Max jet, took off from Bole International Airport in the Ethiopian capital and crashed. All 157 people onboard the plane died. US carriers American, United and Southwest had to cancel flights for the holidays, including over Christmas and into the new year, after the plane was grounded around the world. Boeing reported on July 14, 2019, that customers canceled orders for 60 of the grounded 737 MAX jets in June. The aircraft maker removed another 123 planes from its backlog over doubts that the deals will be completed. Advertisement

Following an investigation in 2020, Boeing blamed both crashes on a failure in the planes flight control system, which caused the plane's to turn sharply downwards while in the air.

737 MAX jets were once again cleared to fly in November 2021, after two years of being grounded, with Boeing at the time branding the planes safe for passengers

Boeing had previously agreed to a $200million penalty from the Securities and Exchange Commission to settle charges that it 'negligently violated the antifraud provisions,' of US securities law.

The agency argued that just one month after the first crash, the company 'selectively highlighted certain facts, implying pilot error and poor aircraft maintenance' was what led to the crashes, instead of a technical issue.

That release failed to disclose that the company knew a key flight handling system, the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System posed safety issues and was never redesigned, the SEC argued.

Then, after the second crash, the agency said, Boeing and Muilenburg assured the public that there was 'no surprise or gap' in the federal certification of the MAX despite being aware of contrary information.

'In times of crisis and tragedy, it is especially important that public companies and executives provide full, fair, and truthful disclosures to the markets,' said SEC Chair Gary Gensler in a press release.

'The Boeing Company and its former CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, failed in this most basic obligation. They misled investors by providing assurances about the safety of the 737 MAX, despite knowing about serious safety concerns.'

The SEC said both Boeing and Muilenburg, in agreeing to pay the penalties, did not admit or deny the agency's findings.

Boeing said the agreement 'fully resolves' the SEC's inquiry and is part of the company's 'broader effort to responsibly resolve outstanding legal matters related to the 737 MAX accidents in a manner that serves the best interests of our shareholders, employees, and other stakeholders,' a company spokesman said.

'We will never forget those lost on Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, and we have made broad and deep changes across our company in response to those accidents.'

Meanwhile, relatives in the remaining civil lawsuits have enlisted their own expert witnesses to help their case, and address questions regarding their family member's final moments.

One of those experts, aerospace physiologist Troy Faaborg, wrote in a court filing the victims very likely experienced issues such as panic, nausea and vomiting, heart problems during the six-minute nosedive, giving credence to their relatives argument.

Vickie Norton, a commercial airline pilot hired as a witness by the plaintiffs, also wrote: 'It wasnt long before the progressive loss of control and ultimate dive to the ground would have been not only distressing but terror-inducing to all passengers onboard.'

Feds will now decide whether Boeing defied the terms of the deal reached this past October.
Rishi Sunak faced a fresh wave of pressure over the defence budget last night after Poland's president urged greater military spending.

Andrzej Duda called for all Nato members to increase investment in their armed forces to 3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP)  a multi-billion-pound boost from the current 2 per cent  saying such a move would send a 'clear' message to Vladimir Putin.

His remarks came as a host of Conservative former defence ministers slammed the Government over its failure to raise defence spending in the Budget last week.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will this week make an anticipated trip to Poland, which borders Ukraine and is one of Nato's most vulnerable states.

Mr Duda, who is meeting US President Joe Biden at the White House today, said: 'I want to propose that Nato countries decide together that the alliance's requirement will be to spend not 2 per cent but 3 per cent of GDP on defence, and that this will be a limit below which it is absolutely not recommended to go.'

Rishi Sunak faced a fresh wave of pressure over the defence budget last night after Poland's president urged greater military spending

Poland's President Andrzej Duda called for all Nato members to increase investment in their armed forces to 3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP)

He also told a meeting of Poland's National Security Council: 'Nobody will dare to attack a strong Nato  strong nations that will be able to defend their borders.'

It came after former US President Donald Trump, who is expected to be the Republican Party's candidate in November's presidential election, said that he would encourage Russia 'to do whatever the hell they want' to countries that fail to meet the alliance's defence spending obligations.

Eleven Nato states, including the UK, the US and Poland, meet the 2 per cent target. The majority, including France, continue to spend less.

If the UK increased its spending to 3 per cent of GDP, it would cost the Government an estimated extra 24billion.

Conservative MPs are adamant Britain must go 'above and beyond' the minimum spend if it is to remain a leading member of the alliance.

Eleven Nato states, including the UK, the US and Poland, meet the 2 per cent target. The majority, including France, continue to spend less

The Polish leader's appeal came as an emergency Commons debate yesterday heard MPs from all sides back the Mail's call for an immediate increase in defence funding. The Government maintains the UK will reach a 2.5 per cent target once the economic conditions make it prudent to do so.

Former defence minister Jeremy Quin asked procurement minister James Cartlidge: 'Wouldn't my honourable friend not agree the 2.5 per cent target is very welcome... but the timing of that needs to be determined by the level of threat as a priority expenditure rather than as economic conditions allow.'

Sir Julian Lewis, chairman of the intelligence and security committee, reminded the House that during the last 20 years of the Cold War the UK was spending between 4.1 and 5.6 per cent of GDP. He said: 'Does that not show the House that we have an awful long way to go, now there is a hot war in Europe?'

Former defence minister Mark Francois said: 'The Red Book, the 'Budget bible', shows very clearly... that the core defence budget has been cut by 2.5billion.'

But Mr Cartlidge said it was 'a 1.5 per cent increase on last year in real terms which amounts to 55.6 billion and 2.3 per cent of GDP'.
An Indian-Australian mother whose body was found dumped in a wheelie bin was in an arranged marriage and spoke openly with friends about the 'internal problems' her family was suffering, friends have revealed.

The remains of Chaithanya 'Swetha' Madhagani, 30, were found stuffed in a green bin by a dirt road in Buckley, west of Geelong, in regional Victoria about 12pm on Saturday.

Swetha's husband, Ashok, had reportedly left Australia for India, leaving their three-year-old son Arya with the dead woman's mother. He called relatives to let them know where the child was.

Close family friend Praveen Kumar Thopucherla - who has known the couple for the last seven years - told Daily Mail Australia that Ms Madhagani was in an 'arranged and love' marriage.

Mr Thopucherla said the family's 'internal problems' were well known to friends. 'I believe those went deeper (than) it seems,' he said.

Ashok Raj Varikuppala (left) and Chaithanya 'Swetha' Madhagani were in an 'arranged and love' marriage. He was 'silent' while she was 'happy' and bubbly, friends said

The couple, above, doted on their young son and referred to on social media as 'the little prince'

The green wheelie bin was found semi-hidden amongst rural bushland

Since moving to Australia for a better life, Swetha had built her own fashion business selling traditional Indian saris - a dream she said was 'six years' in the making.

She had bought a home with Ashok in Point Cook, in Melbourne's south-west, and raised a little boy.

In a photo obtained by Daily Mail Australia from 2019, she smiled with satisfaction as she finally became an Australian citizen.

And she publicly spoke about how grateful she was for the life she was living here.

'Grateful for everything I have, everything I know, everything I am,' she wrote on social media.

The couple had both worked hard previously to establish careers in the IT industry 'which meant they were able to set themselves up well here,' Mr Thopucherla said.

'She was a very happy person, her husband was like very silent and not a talker like Swetha was.'

Swetha doted on her young son and referred to him on social media as the 'little prince' of her life.

The couple's son holding up an Australian flag

The couple were seen in a series of social photos marking their wedding anniversary

Crime scene investigators poured over the family's Mirka St home on Sunday, with detectives seen probing two vehicles located inside the garage and checking bins located along the side of the property.

An Indian police spokesman - Inspector Veera Swamy at Kushaiguda police station in Hyderabad - told media that Swetha's 'husband visited the mother-in-law a few days ago and handed him his son.

'After that he left. No one from the family has registered any complaint against anyone yet.

'We will help in investigations if someone approaches us. As of now, we don't know where he is as we are not investigating the case without any complaint.'

Victoria Police said in a statement on the mother's death: 'It is believed the parties involved are known to one another and the offender may have fled overseas.'

The Australian Federal Police said it was aware of the incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The King has thanked people for their 'wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes' over his cancer diagnosis in a video address to be played at Westminster Abbey today to mark Commonwealth Day.

Charles, who followed in his late mother's footsteps as head of the 'family of nations', is unable to attend this year's celebration marking the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth due to his diagnosis and ongoing treatment.

But in a royal first he has recorded an address that will be played to the congregation, reflecting on the journey the Commonwealth has made since its inception in 1949.

In his absence the family will be led by his wife the Queen, accompanied by the Prince of Wales, and an extended roster of royals including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

King Charles has recorded an address that will be played to the congregation, reflecting on the journey the Commonwealth has made since its inception in 1949

King Charles III attends the Sunday service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on February 18, 2024

The King's video was filmed last month at Windsor Castle, one of the places where His Majesty has been recuperating.

He refers to the origins of the Commonwealth in the network of countries that once formed the British Empire, saying: 'The 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey our unique family of free and independent nations has made since 1949.

'Last year, the Bahamas celebrated its 50th anniversary of Independence, as Grenada has this year, and Papua New Guinea will next year.

'Each of these milestones  and many others like them  represent the fulfilment of countless aspirations and the achievement of such remarkable potential.

'And the Commonwealth's growth, with new members continuing to join our family of nations, demonstrates clearly that whilst we may not all have a shared history, we have common ambitions for a better future  working together to build resilience and respond to global challenges.'

King Charles III reads cards and messages sent by well-wishers following his cancer diagnosis

Commonwealth Nation flags have been raised around Parliament Square in central London ahead of the annual Commonwealth Day

In what many will interpret as a veiled reference to colonialism and slavery, the King referenced 'inequalities and injustices' of the past 'which still resonate today' and urged member nations to continue to 'find ways of healing'. Referring to climate change, the loss of nature and the social and economic changes new technologies are bringing, he said: 'Our diversity means that these challenges affect us all differently and that we experience their impacts in different ways.

'Their seriousness, however, is common to each one of us. All of this means that we must work together to understand each other's perspectives, including the inequalities and injustices which still resonate to this day.

'We must find ways of healing, and to support each other to pursue solutions. I cannot say often enough that it is by coming together that we create the best chances to improve our world and the lives of people everywhere.'

The King concludes: 'In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth.'

The organisation, which was formed after the dismantling of the British Empire but has since attracted new members including most recently Gabon and Togo, has a population of 2.5billion, of which more than 60 per cent are under 30.
What a rollercoaster of emotions this past weekend! I was in Tesco on Sunday  surrounded by people buying last-minute tulips for Mother's Day  when I checked my phone.

Stopped. Looked again and then there were joyous, 'Yays!' And, 'Look, she's fine!' And, 'Oh thank God.'

I rushed home to study the photo of Kate and her children, released to show the world that she is doing well and on the mend. But thenHmm.

I went outside to stare at trees. Blossom, yes, but no leaves. Another look at the snap. Her expression was a bit off. A bit too bland and a bit too happy.

I would have expected, after a couple of months off and reams of speculation, a half-smile, something slightly wry.

The family photo of the Waleses released on Sunday to mark Mother's Day had several anomalies that observers were quick to pick up on

And why was Louis in a Christmas jumper? Didn't the floor seem rather shabby?

Twitter (now X) exploded but I refuse to call the people who were posting their concerns 'trolls'.

We are not the villains here. We are concerned citizens, desperate for crumbs of comfort about our favourite royal, our top person.

Enlarging the photo on our phone screens, we even beat the official news agencies in spotting the anomalies in that shot.

Ordinary people, worried and wondering why, if the photo has indeed been doctored, William couldn't just take a bloody normal family snap on his phone and post it!

We all do it, many times a day. We didn't want or expect a perfectly posed shot, just a little something to stop us worrying. And we had been worrying ever since that woman was papped in a car, driven by Kate's mother, last week? I for one got no sleep at all.

Twenty-five years ago, having just been appointed editor-in-chief of a glossy magazine, I was sat in a photographer's studio putting my first cover to bed. At the next computer someone was working on a rival cover. I watched with amazement as a Hollywood star's nose was removed, and a better, more streamlined one, set in its place. Wow!

That was the moment I realised people could be hoodwinked using wizardry  and possibly with potentially catastrophic consequences. Even before the age of rampant social media, I could see the flashing warning signs of what lay ahead.

I realised then that young women will starve themselves and get cosmetic surgery on the fragile premise of a lie, wanting to attain a perfection portrayed on a magazine cover that does not exist in nature.

Remember the Kate Winslet furore over a GQ cover, where her legs were made longer and slimmer digitally?

As an editor, I called for kite marks of authenticity to be placed on photos, for any retouching to be banned. But of course I was ignored. And now look where we are. A global scandal over a royal picture which leading photographic agencies were so concerned about that they felt they had to pull it.

Given what is possible with AI and digital trickery today, isn't it even more important for the Royal Family and its minions to be authentic and transparent in all their dealings with the public and Press, given we all pay for their palaces and their privacy?

It is such a blunder, so catastrophic for our faith in the monarchy and I believe that, yet again, Kate has been badly let down by the Palace media operation and advisers.

News agency AFP was among those to withdraw the image over concerns it had been doctored

The Palace was forced to react when PA followed other agencies this morning and withdrew the photo

That very first statement, when she was admitted to the London Clinic, seemed genuine and heartfelt. The princess realised the attention and speculation her disappearing from public view would cause, and deliberately set our minds at rest, in a kind and thoughtful way: 'The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate' And, 'She wishes to apologise'

Since then nothing. No updates beyond the bland and meaningless, allowing the distasteful speculation about her health and the state of her marriage to proliferate on social media and in the foreign press  New York Times and American Vogue  to ponder.

Why could they not have simply released a photo for Mother's Day of Kate from the Coronation, say, with a small note from her? That would have been fine. We don't expect her to put on make-up during her hiatus. Now we are thinking: did she even write the message that accompanied the controversial snap?

And more. Why were there as many as 16 anomalies on the photo? Was the photo an old Christmas one, simply repurposed? The children certainly look as hysterical and excited as they would have done on Christmas Day.

Why wasn't an accredited photographer with decades of professional standing sent in to do the shot? Was she too ill for that?

The Palace clearly can no longer be trusted, given what transpired on Monday morning when, finally, an official tweet from Kensington Palace arrived.

'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I want to express my apologies for any confusion...' It is signed with a 'C'.

What??!! But Kate is not an 'amateur', she is an experienced photographer (She is, after all, patron of the Royal Photographic Society). And it was William who took it! She is a perfectionist and would never do a bad job with anything!

Now, I don't want to accuse KP of lying. But I think the Palace, not the Princess, treats the general public with disdain. The Palace thinks we are all stupid, and will never question anything the Waleses say.

I am certain that Kate, as a young, media savvy, empathetic person, who never puts a foot wrong, is never caught with the wrong expression, or wearing something that doesn't quite fit or is creased, would not make a mistake like this.

I believe she had no hand in this photo, or any mistakes made after.

What we do know is that this debacle is fuelling even more speculation  even that she is refusing to co-operate with the Palace.

Whatever is going on, I can only imagine Kate's distress, her shock, her anger. And whoever is responsible needs to be sacked. Today.
It was the image that was supposed to silence the doubters. A picture of the Princess of Wales with her children gathered round her for Mothers Day, looking happy and healthy, at a time when social media was ablaze with increasingly hysterical rumours about the true nature of her condition since she under went abdominal surgery in January.

But instead of allaying the suspicions of the online conspiracy theorists, the portrait  an official release from Kensington Palace  did exactly the opposite.

As the whole world now knows, several large photo agencies discovered that the source had manipulated the image and suggested that media organisations remove it from their systems.

Today it emerged it was Kate herself who performed the dodgy touch-up job on what was, after all, an informal family snap taken by Prince William.

Like many amateur photographers, the princess occasionally experiments with editing and admitted making minor adjustments to the picture before sending it out.

The photo released by Kensington Palace yesterday of Kate and her children George, Charlotte and Louis. It was the first time the Princess of Wales had been seen following her surgery

Kate issued a statement on X this morning saying she had edited the photo herself

Her apology was full and heartfelt and, in my view, should be accepted at face value.

But, in the brave new world of AI  where the camera can and often does lie  this stuff really matters. Only the other day, the BBC revealed that a Republican-supporting radio station in Florida had used AI to create a highly convincing picture of a beaming Donald Trump surrounded by smiling black Americans to promote the idea he was winning support among ethnic minorities.

This surge in manipulated images infiltrating the news is concerning because it undermines the publics faith in the media outlets that carry them, as well as those who release them.

While Kate was no doubt simply trying to make the picture look better, communications executives at the Palace must have known that, in the event of the manipulation being identified, it would call into question not only their own integrity, but that of the Royal Family too.

If you cannot trust the authenticity of an officially issued photo, then what faith can you have in the announcements the family puts out?

When William skipped a memorial service for his godfather King Constantine at St Georges Chapel two weeks ago  an event at which he was due to give a reading  the Press was told the reasons behind the princes no-show were personal and he was entitled to his privacy.

Was it something to do with Kate? Was one of the children sick? What went on behind the scenes has still to be resolved.

In such a context, we were, of course, relieved at the weekend to see Kates smiling face, and those of her children in the offending photo.

Now someone at Kensington Palace needs to take responsibility for what amounts to a colossal error of judgement.

While I agree privacy for Royal Family members is vital, it must co-exist with the freedom of independent journalism and photography to ensure transparency and accountability.

Minor edits here and there are fine for family photo albums. But when it comes to official photographs, editorial integrity not only matters, it is crucial.
Chinese military budget moderate increase beneficial to world

13:26, March 11, 2024 By Zhao Lei ( Chinadaily.com.cn

The moderate increase in the annual defense budget will enable the Chinese military to bring more benefits to the world, according to a military spokesman.

"China sticks firmly to a peaceful development path and its military policies are defensive in nature. The Chinese military has always been a stabilizer in a turbulent world, a positive force that maintains global security, and a firm guardian of peace. As the Chinese armed forces become stronger, the international community hopes China could provide more public security services to the world," said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesman for the delegation of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force to the second session of the 14th National People's Congress, on Saturday.

"Our defense expenditure, with a moderate and steady funding increase, will allow the armed forces to better safeguard world peace, contribute more resources to international peacekeeping, maritime escort and humanitarian relief operations, and make greater contributions to the shared well-being of mankind," said Wu, who is the publicity head at the Ministry of National Defense.

He noted that the Chinese government takes into consideration both of the demands of its national defense and the economic development when planning for the country's military expenditure.

"Over the past several years, the government has maintained a moderate, steady increase in defense spending to protect the country's sovereignty, security and interests and to meet the needs of the ongoing military reform, and managed to boost both our defense capability and economic strength," the spokesman said.

"China's defense spending is always transparent, reasonable and moderate," the spokesman said.

"The country is an active participator to the United Nations' mechanism for transparency on military expenditure and has voluntarily provided data on its annual defense costs since 2008. Compared with military powers like the United States, our defense spending is much lower by every criterion ranging from its share in the GDP and overall government expenditure to the cost per capita and per service member," Wu said.

"History has proved and continues to prove that China's limited investment in the military is completely for protecting its sovereignty, security and interests, and for safeguarding the world's peace and stability. Our military is always a staunch force in maintaining world peace," he said.

China is facing drastic changes in global geopolitics, complex challenges in counter-separatism struggles, and more uncertainties and instabilities in its security situation. Meanwhile, the Chinese military shoulders heavy responsibilities in defending the country.

The added investment will be spent on strengthening the armed forces' combat training and funding important projects to improve the integrated national strategic system and capability; speeding up the construction of a modernized logistics system and fostering research and development for major defense technologies and weapon systems; deepening the military reform and establishing a modern military management system; and improving the work and living conditions of military personnel, according to him.

The central government has proposed a defense budget of 1.67 trillion yuan ($231 billion) for the 2024 fiscal year, a 7.2 percent year-on-year increase, according to a draft budget report submitted to the ongoing annual meeting of the National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature.

If approved by lawmakers, the proposed expenditure will maintain single-digit growth for a ninth consecutive year since 2016, and will remain the same percentage increase like that in 2023.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
(Photo : Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema)

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, nearly one-quarter of American workers lack paid sick leave, and even those with paid sick days hesitate to use them when unwell.

Why are Workers Afraid of Filing for Sick Leave?

According to the report, 40% of workers felt hesitant to take sick time because they feared others might think they were pretending to be sick.

According to a Ceridian survey, about 74% of workers believe that being able to work remotely makes it simpler to take time off for a vacation.

Additionally, BambooHR's report, "Guilty Until Proven Sick: Why US Workers Don't Take Sick Leave (2023 Data)," found that 25% of workers have felt pressured or directly asked to work while they were sick.

READ ALSO: Hustle Culture: How The Rise-and-Grind Mentality Does More Harm Than Good

The Common Practice of Faking Sick Leave

77% of managers have suspected an employee of faking a sick day, while 82% of HR managers have doubted an employee's claim of being physically ill when calling out.

This skepticism is justified for some, with 43% of workers admitting to taking at least one sick day when they were not physically sick in the past year.

Ironically, even more HR professionals (51%) admit to taking a sick day in the past year when they were not genuinely sick.

Stress, Anxiety, Guilt Driving The Norm

According to the Bamboo HR survey, almost 65% of workers feel stressed, anxious, guilty, or fearful when asking for sick leave from their employer.

Anita Grantham, head of human resources at Bamboo HR, told CBS MoneyWatch that many people are choosing to work even when they are sick, believing part of this reluctance to take time off is due to the current economic situation with more employers conducting layoffs and regaining leverage from the Great Resignation, where workers left their positions.

Grantham explained that salaried workers are feeling overwhelmed due to tough economic conditions and a lack of government support. This leads to a compounding effect where workers feel compelled to go to work because they depend on their jobs and benefits.

Repercussions of The Sick Guilt

Ultimately, when employees come to work sick, it is a lose-lose situation for both the worker and the company. Their performance suffers, they risk spreading illness to others, and their health deteriorates.

Anita Grantham highlighted that overall performance will decline if a company's workforce is not healthy and there is a lack of trust between leaders and team members.

Societal Change to Adhere to

Experts suggest a societal change in how we view taking sick days.

Rebecca Gorman, a compensation consultant for Salary.com, told CBS MoneyWatch the importance of taking a sick day. She explained that being a hard worker does not mean you cannot take time off when needed.

According to experts, this change starts with leaders setting a good example. Yolanda Owens explained that when managers prioritize work while answering emails and meetings in the hospital, it sends a message that taking time off is discouraged. Conversely, if managers acknowledge their need for rest and recovery, it sets a positive example for employees.

RELATED ARTICLE: Recognizing Work-Related Stress and How a Well-Being Strategy Combats Microstress and Burnout

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Eclipse mania has reached a fever pitch in Texas, with some cities declaring a state of emergency ahead of the April 8 phenomenon.

Travis County, home to Austin, is the latest to declare an emergency in anticipation of large crowds, increased traffic and strain on police, hospitals and roads.

As many as one million visitors are expected in Central Texas for the event, with the population of Travis County expected to double from 1.3 million to 2.6 million.

Kerr and Bell counties, which are in the 'path of totality'- where the moon will completely block out the sun causing a temporary darkness- have also issued their own emergency declarations.

'We are expecting tens of thousands of people to come to our city,' Janell Ford, Executive Director of Communications for the City of Killeen, told local station KCEN.

The 2017 solar eclipse. On April 8, millions will rush to the streets to see the phenomenon again

In the Lone Star State, the eclipse will be visible from around 1 pm to 2 pm, according to NASA. During that time, some areas directly in the path of totality will be in darkness

'We have about 160,000 population right now and it is expected to more than double just for that weekend.'

The small town is hoping to cash in on the 4 minutes and 16 seconds of darkness it will experience as it's right in the middle of the path of totality.

Many local hotels are already booked up, pushing up prices on home rental sites.

One home advertising as a 'Waco Eclipse Retreat' on Airbnb is listed for $1,022 a night.

'The house is relaxing and comfortable with plenty of room to retreat from all the weekends eclipse events,' host Kim says in the listing.

The three-bedroom house in suburban Waco features a deck with a pool and lots of outdoor spaces to gaze at the sky.

The house is not available for any other weekend other than the days leading up to the eclipse.

Multiple homes in Fredericksburg, Texas are listed for over $1,100 the weekend of the eclipse as that city doubles as the wine-producing center of the Lone Star State

A rental home in Woodway, Texas near Waco is listed on Airbnb for $1,022 a night and pitching itself as the perfect place to watch the eclipse

A Dallas Airbnb listing is renting for $1,358 the weekend of the eclipse. The same house is listed for $700 on other weekends

Multiple homes in Fredericksburg are also priced above $1,100 for the same weekend.

One historic home near Main Street is usually $312 a night, but for eclipse weekend is going for $1,311.

In Dallas, one home that promises accommodations similar to a luxury hotel costs $1,358 a night for that weekend, but normally rents for about $700.

Rental homes all over the Lone Star State are branding themselves as the best place to view the 'ring of fire' expected to be visible when the moon completely blocks out the sun.

'Perfect spot to view the October 2023 solar eclipse and Total Solar Eclipse April 2024. This cabin hugs the beautiful Nueces River,' another listing near Camp Wood, Texas reads.

Even cities not in the direct path of totality are getting in on the craze.

In Dallas, dozens of viewing parties are planned.

Airbnb rentals throughout Texas are using the eclipse to advertise to travelers. This home in Killeen is listed for $773 a night

A home in remote Camp Wood, Texas claims to be an 'eclipse stunner' located near the Nueces River

The yellow lines represent the path where people will be able to view the solar eclipse on April 8, while the green line shows the locations directly under the path of totality-- or places that might experience darkness

Parties for the solar eclipse are being planned all over Texas

 Travis County has important information to share about the total solar eclipse happening in ONE MONTH on Monday, April 8!



Please take a minute to read this thread. 



(1/5) pic.twitter.com/teR8x4rblX  Travis County TX (@TravisCountyTX) March 8, 2024

One rooftop event has a black and white dress code, while other include DJs, food truck, and of course, free eclipse glasses.

However, officials in Austin are urging residents not to drive during that time unless absolutely necessary.

'Please expect increased traffic on April 8 and the weekend before,' Travis County shared online.

'Reschedule appointments, run errands another day, and stay at or near home to watch the eclipse.'

In Hays County, government offices will be closed.

Many schools outside of the Austin area will be closed for the day, while schools in Austin ISD will remain open.
A shine to the patron saint of cartels has mysteriously popped up in the Mexican city across the border from El Paso, Texas.

It's unknown who built the gray cinder block structure that houses an elaborate alter to Santa Muerte, or Holy Death, on Camino Real Highway in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

In recent years, US law enforcement has become increasingly interested in the cloaked skeleton woman holding a globe and sickle in her hands, as images of the figure are increasingly tied to individuals in organized crime both the US and Mexico.

A man arrived at the shrine built of Santa Muerte in Juarez to ask for protection as he's a truck driver in Mexico

The Santa Muerte shrine in Juarez, Mexico is not far from the US-Mexico border and the neighboring US city of El Paso, Texas

This statue of the Holy Death was seized by the DEA in 2011 from two women transporting over 700 grams of methamphetamine between Arizona and Minnesota, was painted gold to represent economic power, success, and prosperity

The temple to the female personification of death is located in the western most part of the city.

Coincidentally, 21 bodies have been dumped there in the 14 months, according to the Border Report.

Thursday, the remains of two men wrapped in blankets and bound with electrical wire were the latest to be found there.

Santa Muerte has been denounced by the Catholic Church, forbids her worship as blasphemous.

However, cult-like followers have been growing in recent years, including within the drug cartel community.

The DEA says members of the Gulf, Sinaloa and Juarez drug cartels are known to venerate her.

This is highlighted in the recent arrest of a woman wanted in Mexico for cartel killings where she would dismember her victims and remove their hearts as offerings to an altar of 'Santa Muerte'

Michelle Pineda, known as 'La Chely, was allegedly involved in five murders and suspected of playing a role in several other killings in Juarez, the FBI said in a statement.

The 22-year-old was had unlawfully crossed into the US was running a drug trafficking ring for the 'Artistas Asesinos' street gang - a Sinaloa Cartel enforcement unit in El Paso.

The FBI and US Border Patrol tracked her down to a motel in West Texas, where she was taken in custody last month.

Mexican national Michelle Pineda was arrested by the FBI and U.S. Border Patrol at an El Paso, Texas hotel last Thursday. The 22-year-old is accused of five murders and participating in several others with members of the Artistas Asesinos - a gang linked to the Sinaloa Cartel - in the border city of Ciudad Juarez

Federal and local agents raided the hotel where Michelle Pineda was staying at and found two guns, knives, machetes and an unspecified amount of drugs, including fentanyl powder and pills

Francisco Oropesa, a 38-year-old Mexican, is on the run after shooting dead five people in Cleveland, Texas on Friday night

Oropesa had several tattoos dedicated to the 'Santa Muerte death cult'. A shrine honoring the cult was found in his room following the massacre

In another case, a Texas gunman who shot dead five people in 2023, including a nine-year-old, had an elaborate altar to the saint in his house.

Francisco Oropesa, 38, opened fire in his neighbors' Cleveland home, about 40 miles north of Houston, in May 2023 after they asked him to stop firing the gun in his backyard.

Oropesa, who is an illegal immigrant from Mexico previously referred to as Oropeza by police, fled the scene as a nationwide manhunt unfolded.

The shrine in Oropesa's bedroom sat on top of glass shelving. Candles from the display were still burning from when the gunman opened fire on his victims.

Additionally, Oropesa had a tattoo with of the death cult patroness on one of his arms.
Most parents only let their children get their ears pierced when they reach a certain age.

But while this may spark some tension, the practice may have been going on for thousands of years, according to a new study.

Archaeologists have discovered the earliest evidence of body perforation in skeletons dating back 11,000 years.

And analysis shows only adults had piercings, suggesting the prehistoric tradition may have been a coming-of-age ritual.

A team from Ankara University have unearthed more than 100 ornaments that were buried in the graves of 11,000-year-old individuals at the Boncuklu Tarla archaeological site in Turkey.

Archaeologists have discovered the earliest evidence of body perforation in skeletons dating back 11,000 years

And analysis shows only adults had piercings, suggesting the prehistoric tradition may have been a coming-of-age ritual

READ MORE: Scientists find a TATTOO with references to Jesus Christ on a 1,300-year-old body in Sudan Advertisement

They were found directly next to their ears and chins, providing strong evidence that they were worn in piercings.

Of the ornaments found, 85 are complete and most are made from limestone, obsidian or river pebbles.

Their varying sizes and shapes suggest that they were made for use both in ear and lower lip piercings, the team said.

Further examination revealed that both males and females had the piercings, but they were exclusively worn by adults.

None of the child burials at the site had any evidence of these ornaments.

This suggests that piercings were not just aesthetic, but also had social significance, the researchers said, adding it is likely they acted as a rite of passage, signifying a person reaching maturity.

Of the ornaments found, 85 are complete and most are made from limestone, obsidian or river pebbles

A team from Ankara University have unearthed more than 100 ornaments that were buried in the graves of 11,000-year-old individuals at the Boncuklu Tarla archaeological site in Turkey

These discoveries provide the first indication as to the purpose for which the earliest piercings were made and worn.

Co-author Dr Emma Baysal said: 'It shows that traditions that are still very much part of our lives today were already developed at the important transitional time when people first started to settle in permanent villages in western Asia more than 10,000 years ago.'

It also provides an additional means to explore how people in the past expressed their identities through their personal appearances.

'They had very complex ornamentation practices involving beads, bracelets and pendants, including a very highly developed symbolic world which was all expressed through the medium of the human body,' Dr Baysal added.

The findings were published in the journal Antiquity.

These discoveries provide the first indication as to the purpose for which the earliest piercings were made and worn
Site in Nuremberg, Germany contains bodies of at least 1,000 plague victims

Scientists may have uncovered what is the largest mass burial site in Europe.

The site in Nuremberg, Germany, contains the bodies of at least 1,000 people who died of the bubonic plague, which killed up to 60 per cent of Europe's population.

Described as a 'nationally significant' discovery, experts think the bodies were buried at the first half of 17th century following a ruthless wave of the disease.

The bubonic plague is spread by the bite of a flea that's been infected with a bacterium called Yersinia pestis.

Those afflicted died quickly and horribly following a bout of high fever, shivering, vomiting, headaches, delirium and 'suppurative buboes' (swellings).

Scientists may have uncovered what is the largest mass burial site ever seen in Europe - in the city of Nuremberg, Germany

The site was found during excavations in a field ahead of the construction of a new retirement home

READ MORE: Plague that killed 60% of Europeans changed our mouth bacteria Black Death was a bubonic plague pandemic in Europe from 1346 to 1353 Advertisement

Nuremberg's Lord Mayor Marcus Konig said the discovery is 'of great significance far beyond the region'.

'The graves contain the mortal remains of children and old people, men and women; the plague did not stop at gender, age or social status,' he said.

'It goes without saying that this historically and archaeologically significant find must be handled sensitively and appropriately.'

Melanie Langbein, from Nurembergs department for heritage conservation, said eight plague pits have been identified, each containing several hundred bodies.

'Those people were not interred in a regular cemetery although we have designated plague cemeteries in Nuremberg,' Langbein told CNN.

'This means a large number of dead people who needed to be buried in a short time frame without regard to Christian burial practices.'

Several of the bones are physically damaged due to the bombs that fell in the area during the Second World War, Spiegel reports.

Others are green due to waste from a neighboring copper mill being disposed at the site, just as copper jewellery turns skin green.

Some bodies were in clothing or wrapped in cloth when they were buried but generally they were tightly squeezed into the burial space  reflective of the high death rate from the deadly disease.

The site was found during excavations in a field ahead of the construction of a new retirement home in Nuremberg

Bodies were generally tightly squeezed into the burial space - reflective of the high death rate from the deadly disease

Some skeletons are green due to waste from a neighboring copper mill being disposed at the site, just as copper jewellery turns skin green

The burials were unearthed during excavations in a field ahead of the construction of a new retirement home in Nuremberg.

Although 500 skeletons have been found, one expert thinks there could be as many as 2,000 there or even more.

'There was no indication to assume that there were burials on this field,' said Julian Decker, whose company In Terra Veritas is carrying out the excavation.

'I personally expect the number to be at 2,000 or even above, making it the biggest mass grave in Europe.'

Plague pandemics hit the world in three waves from the 1300s to the 1900s and killed millions of people.

The first wave, called the Black Death in Europe, was from 1347 to 1351, while the second in the 1500s saw the emergence of a new strain of the disease and the last one at the end of the 1800s spread across Asia.

Nuremberg suffered plague outbreaks roughly every 10 years from the 14th century onward, making it a challenge to date the newly-found remains.

Experts think the bodies date from a wave of plague that hit Nuremberg between 1632 and 1633

Pictured, a depiction of plague victims being buried during the devastating bubonic plague outbreak that ravaged Europe

READ MORE: Bubonic plague of the 14th century did not impact all regions equally, study claims In the 14th century, the bubonic plague had little effect in Ireland and Iberia but wiped out huge numbers in Scandinavia, France and Greece, a study said Advertisement

Radiocarbon dating  which involves measuring the amount of carbon to provide an age estimate  was used date one grave between the late 1400s and early 1600s.

However, the experts discovered a note from 1634 detailing a plague outbreak at the site that killed more than 15,000 people between 1632 and 1633.

This led them to conclude that these bodies are likely from the 1632-1633 plague epidemic.

Ralf Schekira, managing director of WBG Group which is working on the new retirement home, said they did not expect such an important find.

'As a developer, we are aware of the importance of archaeology and the obligation to carry out such excavations,' he said

'However, we did not expect such a discovery and will now try to make the best of the situation.

'On the one hand, it means that we are doing everything we can to keep to the schedule for the retirement home to be built and, on the other, we will do our bit to ensure that the historical find is documented.'

The next step is removing all the skeletons and studying the bones for traces of the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis.

According to a recent study, genes that protected people against the disease have been passed down and increase the risk of Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Some ultra-processed foods are packed with artificial colours and flavourings.

But scientists have found that food which is 100 per cent artificial looks even tastier than the real deal.

Researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of Naples Federico II discovered that people rate AI-generated food images are more appetising.

And, as AI images become more realistic, the experts warn that they could even promote unhealthy eating habits.

So, can you separate the real photos from their AI copies? Check your answers at the bottom of the article to see how well you did.

One of these images has been generated using OpenAI's DALL-E 3 - but which one could it be

The researchers arranged the images according to the basic food type and showed them in three stages of processing. For example: a raw carrot, carrot juice, and a carrot cake

Experts say that the AI-generated versions might make use of details like symmetry, colour, and shape to produce more appealing designs

The researchers showed 297 participants a series of images which were either real photos of food or AI-generated copies.

The AI images were created by putting the original photos into OpenAI's DALL-E 3 and asking the AI to 'replicate this photo'.

When shown the images side by side, the researchers found that participants were generally very good at spotting which was made by AI and which was real.

The rate of success ranged from 62 per cent for the image of carrot juice up to 91 per cent for images of chocolate-coated peanuts.

However, when participants were shown the images separately they found the task much more difficult.

When the basic ingredient is not eaten raw the researchers used a photo of it cooked simply as here with these boiled potatoes

The researchers found that people are generally very good at spotting AI images when they are next to photographs

AI images tend to make food appear more calorific, according to the scientists

For separately presented images, the rate at which correctly identified whether they were real or not dipped to only 26 per cent in some cases.

In their paper, published in Food Quality and Preference, the researchers note that while the rate of success remained generally high there were some exceptions.

They suggest that this could be due to the 'heightened complexity of the task'.

The AI images were generated by asking the AI to recreate the original photo. This means they have not been modified by reconstructed from scratch

The researchers say that the AI appears to enhance the colour and shape of the foods it pictures

The scientists say that AI-generated food images could be used to promote unhealthy eating habits

However, the most surprising finding is that people appear to find AI-generated images more appealing, especially if they don't know they are made by AI.

The researchers asked participants to rate the images on a scale from 'Not appetising at all' to 'Extremely appetising'.

They discovered that when the participants were told which image was AI, they generally rated both images about the same.

But when they were not told which image was real, participants found that the AI-generated images were significantly more appetising.

They suggest that this could be due to the AI making use of subtle changes to colour, symmetry, shape, and even the position of the food.

The study found that these images of apples contained the most convincing AI fake, can you tell which is which?

The researchers say that AI-generated food images could lead to unrealistic expectations for food

The position of food impacts how appealing we find it, which of these looks best based on its position

Lead author Giovanbattista Califano, from the University of Naples Federico II, said: 'As humans, we tend to feel uneasy with objects pointing towards us, interpreting them as threats, even when it's just food.

'When tasked with replicating food photos featuring items pointing at the viewer, such as a bunch of carrots or a piece of cake, the AI often positions the food so that it doesn't directly point at the viewer.'

It might be the case that the AI makes these kinds of subtle tweaks to the images in order to make them more visually appealing.

Lighting also makes a significant difference in how tasty food looks to the observer

AI image generators are now able to recreate even small details which can make spotting the difference difficult

The study found that these two images were the easiest to recognise as real or fake, can you tell which is which?

However, the researchers also warn that this could lead to issues in the future.

Since using AI to generate images is cheap, quick, and easy, study supervisor Professor Charles Spence from the University of Oxford thinks it might become more common.

He said: 'AI-generated visuals may offer cost-saving opportunities for marketers and the industry by reducing the cost of commissioning food photoshoots.'

Professor Spence also points out that these images pose a risk due to a phenomenon called 'visual hunger' which is where viewing images of food triggers appetite and craving.

The study found that AI-generated images not only look better than the real thing but tend to show foods as more calorific.

The AI tended to show more food in each image, for example showing more chips or bigger servings of whipped cream.

If these images proliferate widely, Professor Spence suggests that this could lead people to make less healthy choices about their food.

Professor Spence says: 'This could potentially influence unhealthy eating behaviours or foster unrealistic expectations about food among consumers.'
Apple killed its 'Apple Car' last month after years of broken promises and while the world has never seen an actual photo, but new details reveal what it could've been.

The features were shared by a reliable industry expert who suggested the vehicle would've been a futuristic-looking microbus with a 'private jet' interior.

Mark Gurman, an Apple tipster, mentioned the van-like car would boast an all-white exterior, self-driving capabilities and a giant screen inside for FaceTime calls, watching videos and scrolling through apps - much like the iPhone.

Experts had predicted the world could see the Apple Car by 2028, but then scrapped after an internal memo was circulated to around 2,000 company employees in February.

The Apple car would have reportedly looked like a futuristic van, which is similar to a Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle (pictured)

The new version of the vehicle reportedly had gull-wing doors like on a Tesla Model X (pictured)

One version of the Apple Car had an iPad-like feature

Apple had never officially confirmed when consumers could expect the vehicle to be released, but it announced that it was abandoning the highly anticipated project after a decade in the works.

The company first started engineering the Apple Car in 2014 as part of its so-called Project Titan amid reports that Apple had its sights set on building EVs since 2013.

While the world has yet to see an actual picture of the tech giant's car, and it may never get one, Gurman provided his thoughts on what features it would've had.

Alongside the vehicle's white interior are whitewall tires with a black center and it appeared to have the same front and back end, looking like something out of a futuristic, dystopian movie.

According to Gurman, author of the Power Up newsletter, the Apple Car's appearance has changed several times but reportedly was always intended to have a minimalist appearance.

The interior would be laid out like a limousine or private jet, making passengers feel like they are in a 'contoured bubble' that fit four people comfortably.

And the seats would've feature foot rests and reclining options.

While Gurman was sure the vehicle would feature a center screen, he went back and forth between one that was the size of a TV or an iPad.

The Apple car went through several reported versions including one resembling a 1950s Volkswagen. Pictured is a Canoo electric vehicle

READ MORE: Is this the end of the electric car? Apple pulls plug on e-car project as Aston Martin delays first fully-electric model after Ford, Mercedes, Audi and VW scaled back plans Car makers from Mercedes-Benz to Ford are delaying or scrapping further electric vehicles (EVs) as demand slows in Britain and abroad Advertisement

Apple was said to have developed a unique air conditioning system that pushed air along the sides of the cabin - similar to that in airplanes.

Gurman reported that other versions of the Apple Car included one that looked like a 1950s Volkswagen microbus and another that looked almost identical to the 2017 Volkswagon ID Buzz prototype.

The last design Apple created was a variation from the microbus idea, adding wing-like doors similar to Tesla's Model X instead of sliding van doors.

It also reportedly switched from a Level 5 vehicle  meaning it was completely autonomous  down to a Level 2, requiring Apple to add a steering wheel, pedals, and a front and back window.

For years, Apple CEO Tim Cook has been hesitant to confirm that the company was working on the Apple Car, despite reports that he had hired a team of automotive specialists back in 2014 and 2015.

'There are products that we're working on that no one knows about; that haven't been rumored about yet,' Cook told The Wall Street Journal at the time.

People familiar with the matter had told the outlet that Cook approved Project Titan a year earlier and then-product design Vice President Steve Zadesky was assigned to lead the group.

The Journal reported that Apple is known to create numerous prototypes for products it will never sell, but said the project team's size and the number of senior people involved showed that the company was serious about the vehicle.

Roughly 2,000 employees were working on the car when Apple decided to cancel the project, reassigning many to its generative AI team, sending some to other internal divisions, or laying off staff.
Microplastics are invading nearly every cavity in the human body as scientists have detected the tiny particles in semen, breast milk and even brain tissue.

Researchers have long known about the pieces of plastic in the environment, but it was not until recently did they develop a technique to see them in our organs, tissue and blood.

Microplastics, which are smaller than five millimeters in length, enter our bodies through plastic packaging, certain food, tap water and even the air we breathe.

From there they enter our bloodstream and cause untold harm. They have been linked to the development of cancer, heart disease and dementia, as well as fertility problems.

Previous research has shown that, on average, people ingest about five grams of plastic every week, the equivalent of a credit card - and these particles are accumulating in certain organs, tissues and even in the blood

Microplastics have gained much attention due to their prevalence and abundance in our everyday lives.

They have also been found in nearly every part of the world - the deepest place on the planet, the Mariana Trench to the top of Mount Everest.

Countless studies have also detected the tiny particles in household items such as sugar, salt, honey, seafood, tap water, water bottles, and food items wrapped in plastic.

Previous research has shown that, on average, people ingest about five grams of plastic every week, the equivalent of a credit card, said Dianna Cohen, CEO of the nonprofit Plastic Pollution Coalition.

Once ingested, these tiny particles can travel to internal organs such as the kidney and liver and cause adverse effects on the cellular level.

Countless studies have also detected the tiny particles in household items such as sugar, salt (pictured), honey, seafood, tap water, water bottles, and food items wrapped in plastic

Brain

Researchers at Vassar College, in Upstate New York, joined an Austrian team to research whether the toxins  found in everything from food packaging to plastic water bottles  could cross the blood-brain barrier of mice.

Once the plastics reach the brain, they can cause inflammation and interfere with neurons' processes, according to the 2023 study.

Lukas Kenner from MedUni Vienna said: 'In the brain, plastic particles could increase the risk of inflammation, neurological disorders or even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.'

The team found polystyrene particles, which are used in foam food packaging, showed up in the brain just two hours after ingestion.

Another study conducted in the same year analyzed 15 brain tissue samples, uncovering six plastic pieces from two patients who had tumors.

Semen

A majority of the particles in the testis were polystyrene (PS, 68%) while polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were the predominant types in semen

Scientists from Peking University Third Hospital in Beijing detected microplastics in human semen last year.

The team collected 30 semen and six testis samples from patients, finding 11 semen and four testis samples had tiny particles.

A majority of the particles in the testis were polystyrene (PS, 68 percent) while polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were the predominant types in semen.

Polyethylene is used in packaging and polyvinyl chloride can be found in everything from drainage pipes to window frames and automotive seat coverings.

Researchers involved with the study suggested the decline in sperm count could be due to microplastic exposure.

Heart

Microplastics, which are smaller than five millimeters in length, enter our bodies through plastic packaging, tap water and even the air we breathe

The tiny particles were found in the heart for the first time in 2023 by a team from the Beijing Anzhen Hospital in China who collected heart tissue and blood samples from 15 patients undergoing heart surgery.

Microplastics were found in all of the blood samples and the heart tissue.

READ MORE: Microplastics could raise your risk of a heart attack Researchers from the University of Campania found small pieces of plastic in more than half of patients undergoing procedures to clear a major artery in the neck. Advertisement

In the blood, the plastics can latch onto the outer membrane of red blood cells and may impact their ability to transport oxygen.

Nine different plastics were found in five types of heart tissue.

Microscopic particles of poly(methyl methacrylate)  a plastic commonly used as a shatter-resistant alternative to glass  were found in three different parts of the heart, which the researchers said 'cannot be attributed to accidental exposure during surgery'.

Other plastics found included polyethylene terephthalate, used in clothing and food containers and PVC

Tens to thousands of individual microplastic pieces were discovered, but the amounts varied between patients.

Breast milk

In 2022, scientists made a startling discovery when they found microplastics in human breast milk for the first time.

A team at Italys Marche Polytechnic University analyzed milk samples from 34 healthy mothers, finding microscopic plastic particles were detected in three-quarters of them.

The milk samples containing plastic each had between one and five microparticles.

The particles came from PVC, polyethylene and polypropylene, all common plastics in materials ranging from plastic bottles and packaging, to synthetic leather, floor tiles and furniture coverings.

Kidney, spleen and liver

In 2020, researchers set out to see if microplastics could be found in the human body after the particles were found across the globe.

A team at Arizona State University found the first evidence when they analyzed 47 tissue samples, revealing many of the particles accumulated in the liver, spleen and kidneys.

Senior researcher Rolf Halden said: 'We have detected these chemicals of plastics in every single organ that we have investigated.'

Placenta

These light microscope images show microplastics in samples from human placentas. The bottom row is illuminated with a UV light to show just how much plastic is left in the sample, even after the tissue has been processed

Microplastics were found in human placentas last month after a team at the University of New Mexico tested 62 women's placentas, finding every one contained small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long.

The particles ranged in size from 6.5 to 790 micrograms, with an average concentration of 128.6 micrograms for every gram of donated placenta.

The most common plastics found in the samples were those used in plastic bags and bottles, making up 54 percent, while materials used in construction and nylon accounted for 10 percent - and the rest were nine other plastics.

Lungs

Researchers from the University of Hull and Hull York Medical School detected microplastics in live human lungs for the first time in 2022.

The findings were the first to prove that we are breathing the particles in from the air.

The study found 39 microplastics in 11 of the 13 lung tissue samples tested  considerably higher than any previous laboratory tests.
What does a trip on one of America's cheapest cruises look like?

Well, in a bid to quench peoples' intrigue, YouTuber Lucas Cruikshank booked a two-night trip with Margaritaville At Sea from Miami to the Bahamas.

Rates with the cruise company - which has a 'poor' to 'average' rating on Tripadvisor - start from as little as $25 per person per night, as it runs various 'buy one get one free' deals throughout the year.

Lucas paid $200 for himself and his friend Jacob to go on a two-night trip but he said once extra fees were applied, it rounded out at $400 - so $100 per person per night.

The avid traveler opted for a room with an ocean view, which bumped the fare up, and he also purchased one unlimited soda package for himself.

YouTuber Lucas Cruikshank booked a two-night trip with Margaritaville At Sea from Miami to the Bahamas with his friend Jacob

The avid traveler opted for a room with an ocean view, which bumped up his fare, and he also purchased one unlimited soda package for himself

When their cabin was ready, the two cruise-goers went below deck to check it out and they were happy with what they found

From start to finish, Lucas documented his budget trip at sea, which also marked his first ever cruise.

To start, he said he didn't know what to expect and he found the damning online reviews a little off-putting.

He explains: 'So, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise has pretty low reviews but we all know with one star reviews, people are dramatic.

'Like people are just perpetually in bad moods and they take it out on these review websites so I have to test if this ship actually deserves the low rating it has.'

He said one review he found equivalated the ship - which was built in 1991 - to a 'floating Super 8 hotel,' while others had said it 'smelled like poop.'

However, once Lucas and Jacob board the ship, they seem pleasantly surprised with what they found.

Lucas told viewers: 'We got on the ship and I was impressed.

'Even though this ship is over three decades old, they redid it. Maybe we'll see some cracks in that later but for the most part, I was like okay.'

After boarding the ship, the duo ventured to lunch. Despite lots of reviewers 'despising' the food, Lucas said the offering was good.

Instead of the buffet, he opted for a ham panini, some pigs in a blanket and an apple. His one complaint was that there was no ketchup for his pigs in a blanket and he had to make do with mustard instead.

Touching on what the buffet offering was like, he added: 'Yeah, the buffet was fine. I mean, it wasn't Michelin star food... but [I got] BOGO... like why are you complaining!

'I've been to gross buffets, this wasn't one of them. It was like a mediocre buffet.'

On the drinks side of things, Jacob noted that his water tasted like chlorine, but said that it was 'fine' and drinkable.

When their cabin was ready, the two cruise-goers went below deck to check it out and they were happy with what they found.

In terms of the food offerings, the Paradise ship has six restaurants, with three of them complimentary and three of them involving extra charges

Lucas and Jacob stuck to the free dining spots included in their package. On both nights they checked into Fins Dining

Lucas' only complaint was that the entrees were 'tasty,' but small and when they tried to order an extra dish, the server warned another portion would incur a $8 charge

Lucas exclaimed: 'Oh my gosh, it's bigger than I expected. Of course, we did pay for an ocean view.'

They filmed a quick tour of the bathroom, with the faux marble counter top and 'cozy' walk in shower highlighted.

While reviewers said the rooms were outdated and in need of refurbishment, with leaking portholes being another complaint, Lucas and Jacob didn't find too much wrong with their cabin.

Their only gripes included a stray hair on the bedside table and some damaged cabinetry.

Another area of the ship reviewers complained about were the public restrooms.

Lucas said people grumbled about the doors getting jammed, them not locking and being 'a mess.'

While he didn't have any problems with the public restrooms, Jacob got locked in a cubicle at one point but eventually broke free.

In terms of the food offerings, the Paradise ship has six restaurants, with three of them complimentary and three of them involving extra charges.

Lucas and Jacob stuck to the free dining spots included in their package.

On both nights they checked into Fins Dining.

Out of all of the dishes they tried, Lucas said the pumpkin soup 'slapped,' while a bowl of macaroni which looked 'gross' was actually 'good.'

His only complaint was that the entrees were 'tasty,' but small and when they tried to order an extra dish, the server warned another portion would incur an $8 charge.

When they reached Freeport in the Bahamas, Lucas and Jacob opted to enjoy some drinks on the shore at Senor Frogs.

Back on the ship, other areas they explored on the vessel included the casino, the nightclub, the bingo hall, and the hot tub.

After spending just over 48 hours on America's cheapest cruise ship, Lucas offered his verdict.

While some critics of the ship said the 'best part of the cruise was getting off,' Lucas said while he was 'excited' to get off he had enjoyed his time at sea.

'I think two days is perfect,' he mused.
What makes a great beach is highly subjective. For some its all about the quality of the sand: the finer and whiter the better. Others may just seek peace, quiet and seclusion.

Or you may be in search of a perfect little rum shack or beach cafe by tumbling dunes  a rustic retreat.

Weve asked the worlds travel experts and industry insiders for their all-time favourites  and how best to enjoy them.

Oludeniz's Blue Lagoon in Turkey is the beach of choice for Jet2 boss Steve Heapy

TURQUOISE TURKEY

The area around Dalaman in Turkey has been dubbed the Turquoise Coast, and its easy to see why when you feast your eyes on its pristine azure waters. Theres an abundance of beaches to enjoy, but one that really stands out for me is the Blue Lagoon at Oludeniz.

It sits in an emerald green national park and its wide bay, white sands, vibrant blue waters and mountainous backdrop make it the perfect place to unwind.

CHOSEN BY: Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Jade Residence, a boutique ten-room hotel, cost from 116 B&B (jade-residence.com).

EXOTIC MALAYSIA

The best beach has got to be the Datai in Langkawi. While the world has lots of gorgeous beaches, there are few sitting in rainforests with monkeys, exotic birds and colourful butterflies. And the view is more than just a line where the sea meets the sky. Youre looking out towards a sprinkling of green islands on the southern tip of Thailand.

CHOSEN BY: Peter Stephens, founder of DialAFlight.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at super-luxurious The Datai Langkawi hotel cost from 402 (thedatai.com).

There are few beaches sitting in rainforests like the Datai Bay in Langkawi, Malaysia

CHILLY DIP IN IRELAND

I have taken part in a charity swim by the beach in Youghal in County Cork every year on Christmas Day since I was a teenager. With sea temperatures typically at a chilly 8C or 9C, you dont stay in the water long, but you feel great afterwards.

CHOSEN BY: Sean Doyle, British Airways chairman and CEO.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Abbey View House, a guest house in Youghal, cost from 89 B&B (abbeyviewtownhouse.com).

SOUTH AFRICAN SURPRISE

You're unlikely to see anyone else on Walker Bay beach, just east of Hermanus on the southern coast of South Africa. Its a wild stretch running for about ten miles, and is not somewhere to sit with a cocktail, but rather a place for strolling. You can look out to spot whales between June and December.

CHOSEN BY: Nikki Tinto, founder of i-escape.com.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the Coot Club, by the beach, cost from 140 (cootclub.com).

CORNISH DELIGHT

A few palm-fringed, tropical locations spring to mind, but I do love Harlyn Bay in Cornwall. Its a perfect arc of sand, framed by rocky outcrops. While I dont surf, I love to see the seal-like surfers from summer to winter.

I may be biased  with one of my Pig Hotels close by  but its the ideal English family beach for walkers, runners, families and toddlers, who can all enjoy this vast stretch of sand together.

CHOSEN BY: Robin Hutson, The Pig Hotels chairman.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles from 285 at The Pig  at Harlyn Bay (thepighotel.com).

Boutique hotel The Pig near Harlyn Bay, which is a family-friendly beach in Cornwall

PERFECT IN PORTUGAL

CARVALHAL beach by the village of Comporta stretches in both directions. No blots on the landscape. It has a sublime beach club, meaning you can have an excellent lunch of fresh oysters; clams with garlic, olive oil and coriander (the Portuguese way); or grilled octopus without leaving the beach.

CHOSEN BY: Mary Lussiana, travel writer.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the charming AlmaLusa designer hotel cost from 140 B&B (almalusahotels.com).

WHITE SAND PARADISE

Radhanagar beach on Havelock Island  part of the Indian Oceans Andaman Islands  is beautiful. You can walk along the white sand for miles, turning off into mango groves if you want shade. Youll see very few people there, and you feel away from the world.

CHOSEN BY: Amrit Singh, co-founder of TransIndus.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the luxurious Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans, cost from 400 B&B (tajhotels.com).

Elephants on the white sand of Radhanagar beach on Havelock Island, Andaman Islands

CORKER IN MALLORCA

Son Bunyola has crystal-clear waters and authentic Mallorcan charm  in fact, I bought the Son Bunyola estate. Its positioned on the islands north-west coast in the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tramuntana Mountains. Only reached by boat, or by hiking downhill, the coastline sweeps for three miles, with views out to the islands famous Sa Foradada rock formation. The seclusion and tranquillity transports you to a world far removed from the everyday.

CHOSEN BY: Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Son Bunyola cost from 555 B&B (virginlimited edition.com).

BARBADOS BEAUTY

I have fond memories of holidays at the Coral Reef Club near Folkestone beach, and while Im not one to talk about swaying palm trees, white sands and crystal blue waters, thats what anyone visiting Barbados can expect.

CHOSEN BY: Sir Mike Gooley CBE, founder and executive chairman of Trailfinders.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the Coral Reef Club cost from 231 B&B (coralreef barbados.com).

A double room at Coral Reef Club near Folkestone beach on Barbados

KENYA CLASSIC

Shela beach, just outside Lamu Town on the island of Lamu, is a quintessential Robinson Crusoe-esque deserted strand extending in a glorious seven-mile crescent. Here, sand dunes merge with the sky and spray from the breakers.

Nowhere on earth compares with the intense pleasure of planting one bare foot in front of the other as the monsoon-blown sea washes over you.

CHOSEN BY: Richard Trillo, East Africa manager at Expert Africa and author of The Rough Guide To Kenya.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Peponi Hotel cost from 180 (peponi hotel.com).

ASIAN MIRACLE

Ngapali beach near Thandwe in Myanmar (Burma) is on the Bay of Bengal and the sea has the temperature and colour of the Indian Ocean, but the temperament of the Atlantic. The beach is one of thick, white, powdery sand that  miraculously  neither sticks to your suntan lotion nor blows around in the God-given breeze.

CHOSEN BY: Teresa Levonian Cole, travel writer.

WHERE TO STAY: For now, the Foreign Office advises against travel to Myanmar due to political unrest and volatile security.

Women selling baskets of fruit on Ngapali beach near Thandwe in Burma

A BORDERS BELTER

No point pretending this is the Caribbean, as the bracing North Sea rolls in and out of Coldingham Bay in the Scottish Borders. But its a glorious crescent of beach with all the hallmarks of the British seaside: a row of beach huts; a cafe (which opens sporadically); rock pools (perfect for crabbing) and enough wave action for surfing. I played here as a child, as did my children. The beauty is mixed in with the memories.

CHOSEN BY: Mark Palmer, Daily Mail Travel Editor.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the luxury Schloss Roxburghe in Kelso cost from 157 (schlosshotel-roxburghe.com).

TOP TIP FOR OZ

It's not hard to find beaches in Australia with miles of pale sand, turquoise-blue waters and crashing surf  and no people. Cabarita Beach, or Caba, in northern New South Wales, has all that, but also boasts the southern hemispheres coolest motel  Halcyon House.

CHOSEN BY: Mark Jones, former editor of BAs High Life magazine.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles from 450 at super-slick Halycon House (halcyon house.com.au).

MALDIVIAN MAGIC

I was lucky enough to have celebrated an anniversary in Landaa Giraavaru in the Maldives with those who mean the most to me in the world. Landaa Giraavaru is home to Blu beach, where everything is idyllic, from the warmest white sand, the bluest ocean and the most captivating sunsets I have ever seen.

CHOSEN BY: Simon Cooper, founder of On The Beach.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the plush Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru cost from 2,529pp B&B (fourseasons.com).

BEST OF BEQUIA

Palm trees fringe Princess Margaret Beach on Bequia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, a lovely ribbon of white sand. After a day lazing on the quiet beach, swimming and snorkelling, you can head to Jacks Beach Bar for cocktails, where hummingbirds hover within arms reach. No wonder Princess Margaret would take a yacht from nearby Mustique.

CHOSEN BY: Lesley Bellew, Daily Mail cruise correspondent.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the elegant Bequia Plantation Hotel cost from 143 (bequiaplantationhotel.com).

KANGAROOS CALLING

Hyams beach in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia, is nearly three hours south of Sydney and has the whitest sandy beaches, surrounded by a national park teeming with wildlife. Kangaroos are often seen on the beach, as well as koalas, kookaburras and cockatoos. Its common to see dolphins as well as whales between May and November.

The beach is often deserted and there are beautiful places to stay nearby, as well as some fabulous local restaurants and cafes. My idea of heaven.

CHOSEN BY: Lisa Fitzell, managing director of Elegant Resorts.

WHERE TO STAY: Safari-style luxury tents at Paperbark Camp cost from 385 (paperbarkcamp.com.au).

HELLO JAMAICA

On the north-east coast of Jamaica, Frenchmans Cove is a superb little arc of golden beach surrounded by thick jungle.

A freshwater stream flows from the Blue Mountains and enters into the sea here, creating an eddying swirl of cool and warm. Theres a good nearby bar/grill. Sheer joy.

CHOSEN BY: Tom Chesshyre, travel writer.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Frenchmans Cove Resort cost from 140 (frenchmans cove.com).

NICE IN NICARAGUA

Playa Arenas Blancas is a sandy beach adjoining Morgans Rock, a 4,000-acre eco-lodge in Nicaragua. It faces west for incredible sunsets. Nesting turtles regularly visit and the surrounding jungle reserve is home to sloths, macaws and anteaters.

CHOSEN BY: Jonny Bealby, founder of Wild Frontiers.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Morgans Rock cost from 323 (morgansrock.com).

A vibrant Sunset at Morgan's Rock beach outside of San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

DREAMY DOWN UNDER

Johanna beach in Victoria, Australia, offers the most wild and violent seascape, where the surf from the Southern Ocean surges and slams against the naked sand.

Its a pain to get there: you must go through the dense redwoods and fern gullies of the Great Otway National Park rainforest. Big skies open up, and the horizonless sea has surf so magnificent its there for watching, not swimming.

CHOSEN BY: Fiona McIntosh, travel writer.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles in one of the Johanna Seaside Cottages overlooking the ocean cost from 144 (johannaseaside.com.au).

MARVELLOUS MENORCA

Cala Macarelleta on Menorca is a small beach hidden away between the rocks, with pristine, fine, white sand and inviting turquoise water.

Access by car is prohibited during the summer months so you have a 20-minute approach on foot through the forest, meaning it stays pretty well preserved.

CHOSEN BY: Michael Edwards, managing director of Explore.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the Artiem Audax hotel cost from 70 (artiemhotels.com).

BRAZILIAN DREAM

Praia Mole in Florianopolis on Santa Catarina island combines vibrant beach culture with natural beauty. The soft golden sands, surrounded by lush green hills and the rhythmic Atlantic, make it a perfect blend of relaxing idyll and surfers paradise.

CHOSEN BY: Geoffrey Kent, founder of Abercrombie & Kent.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Cabanas Praia Mole Florianopolis cost from 61 (praia-mole.hotelsantacatarina.com).

Praia Mole in Florianopolis on Santa Catarina island in Brazil

Doubles at Cabanas Praia Mole Florianopolis cost from 61

MAD FOR MAADHOO

The beaches on Maadhoo in the southern Male Atoll of the Maldives are fantastic. Theres a stretch where you invariably swim with (safe) reef sharks. Snorkelling is wonderful, too.

CHOSEN BY: Andrew Dunn, founder of Scott Dunn and chairman of The PC Agency.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Ozen Life Maadhoo cost from 933 all-inclusive (theozencollection.com).
A shopping mall in Dubai has claimed that it is the most visited place on Earth, having recorded 105million visitors in 2023.

'Dubai Mall', the world's largest based on total area, saw its 2022 visitor total of 88million jump by 19 per cent.

Figures released by the mall - which is owned and operated by Emaar - reveal that a staggering 20million people visited the complex in the first two months of this year alone, with 2024 set to be another record year.

Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar claimed the new statistics show how the mall has become a global draw, attracting visitors from every corner of the world.

He said: 'These numbers reflect Dubai Mall's impressive status and mirror the forward-thinking leadership and strong economy of Dubai.

'Dubai Mall' has claimed that it is the most visited place on Earth, having recorded 105million visitors in 2023

Dubai Mall saw its 2022 visitor total of 88million jump by 19 per cent. Above is the mall's epic aquarium

'Our mall embodies the city's vibrant spirit and dedication to excellence, turning the leadership's vision into a reality. Being an integral part of Dubai's economic fabric, we play a crucial role in the city's success and innovation.

'This wide range of nationalities not only underscored the mall's worldwide charm but also reflected the cosmopolitan culture of Dubai itself.'

The 12million-sq-ft shopping centre offers 1,200 retail stores, hundreds of food spots, an Olympic-sized ice rink, a giant aquarium, and a massive Chinatown district.

It stands next to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa (828m/2,717ft).

The 12million-sq-ft shopping centre offers 1,200 retail stores

Shopping mecca: Dubai Mall is the world's largest based on total area

The mall stands next to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa (828m/2,717ft)

Other extremely popular shopping malls include the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, which received 52million visitors in 2019, according to Statista, and Mall of America, in Minnesota, which had approximately 40million visitors in 2019.

The UK's most popular tourist attractions are Windsor Great Park (5.6million visitors in 2022); the Natural History Museum (4.6million visitors) and the British Museum (four million visitors).

These figures are dwarfed by the footfall of Dubai Mall, which is also vastly more popular than the world's most visited city, Istanbul, which according to Euromonitor International welcomed 20.2million international arrivals in 2023.
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson began broadcasting from their new 'state of the art studio' on Monday.

But their first day in their plush new digs in North Sydney was plagued by technical problems.

At one point during the show Sandilands, 52, blew up at the staff in frustration because of an on-air glitch.

He then complained that while the The Kyle and Jackie O Show now has the most 'advanced' studio in the world, he still had to activate sound effects himself rather than a producer being able to do it for him.

Frustrations grew when Sandilands tried to play the Tradie vs. Lady segment's winner's song - only for dead air to ensue for several seconds.

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson began broadcasting from their new 'state of the art studio' on Monday. But their first day in their plush new digs in North Sydney was plagued by technical problems. Pictured: The new studio.

Kyle later told listeners that their new studio system was a bit like moving into a new home.

'Yeah, it's like where's the light switch?' Jackie added.

Meanwhile, Kyle and Jackie shared a video of the pair arriving at the new studio for their first show.

Staff were seen cheering on the radio superstars as they walked into the new space which was decorated with party balloons.

At one point during the show Sandilands, 52, blew up at the staff in frustration because of an on-air glitch. Pictured: Kyle arrives for his first show at the new North Sydney studio no Monday.

Located in a high rise the radio studio features amazing floor-to-ceiling windows that allows the radio superstars a commanding view of Sydney's skyline that takes in the Harbour bridge and Barangaroo.

Elsewhere in the video, Kyle and Jackie O showed off high-tech screens that are used to project images of 'soothing' natural environments like a rain forest.

An earlier video revealed that first plans for the studio were previewed in August, with construction beginning in October.

Pictured: Jackie O Henderson shows off the view from the new studio which was only just completed in February after months of construction.

Major work on the site was completed last month. The space features include a TV studio and a live music studio.

It comes after the radio duo signed a record-breaking $200million, 10-year deal live on-air on last - keeping them on the airwaves until 2034.

Kyle and Jackie reportedly demanded a new state-of-the-art studio as part of their new deal.

Last Friday the duo celebrated their last day of The Kyle and Jackie O Show at their North Ryde studio with a massive, free 'garage sale'.

The pair gave away souvenirs from the top-rating radio show like Kyle's toilet seat, Jackie's 'beaver heater' and even the show's famous birthday wheel.
Former host of Q+A Stan Grant has stepped down from his role Monash University, just six months after taking up the position.

The media personality, 60, had signed on to lead the university's centre devoted to media integrity, shortly after resigning from the ABC's Q+A panel show in May.

Katie Stevenson, dean of Monash University's Faculty of Arts, confirmed Grant's departure in a statement.

'Grant has made the difficult decision to step down from his role at the Constructive Institute Asia Pacific in the Faculty of Arts, a mission he remains passionately committed to,' she began.

'He will now focus on himself, his family and explore ways to support his community on country.

Former host of Q+A Stan Grant (pictured) has stepped down from his role Monash University, just six months after taking on the position

'He remains deeply supportive of the Constructive Institute Asia Pacific.'

Grant took on the position in August and was set to host an event called Disinformation and Democracy: Why we need to fix the news - which was cancelled.

The NSW-born journalist has worked in 80 locations around the globe as a journalist, presenter, author and filmmaker over four decades in the media.

The media personality, 60, had signed on to lead the university's centre devoted to media integrity, shortly after resigning from the ABC's Q+A panel show in May

His most recent high-profile role was as host of Q+A from 2022 to 2023 until he stepped away saying he was fed-up with racial abuse directed at him by online commenters as well as dissatisfaction with the media landscape in general.

Since leaving the ABC, Grant was appointed Asia-Pacific director of the Constructive Institute, a Denmark-based institution focused on positive journalism that operates in conjunction with Monash University.

'I've been fortunate to have travelled the world over a 40-year career in journalism, covering great stories of our time. I want to bring that experience to understanding a world where far too often we speak across each other not to each other,' he said.

'Journalism has been part of the problem, but I still think words matter and my promise to readers is that my columns will look to a shared humanity, to a commitment to justice, and stand with the afflicted in generosity and love.'

Grant has Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi and Dharawal heritage.

He has three Walkley Awards, a Logie, a Peabody and four Asian Television Awards.
Josh Hartnett and his wife Tamsin Egerton commanded attention as they took the Oscars 2024 red carpet on Sunday.

The 45-year-old actor and his spouse made a handsome couple as they posed for photos at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

The Hollywood heartthrob was clad in a full Berlutti look comprising a black mohair and satin peak lapel single breasted tuxedo, a white cotton pique front shirt, a scritto off-white silk bow tie, a white cotton pocket square and a pair of black glazed scritto leather Cursive Galet loafer.

Tamsin joined him in a beaded, strapless gold dress and strappy open-toe gold heels.

Oppenheimer, which stars Josh in as Ernest Lawrence, has the most nominations of the evening with 13 nods including Best Picture and Best Director for Christopher Nolan.

Josh Hartnett and his wife Tamsin Egerton commanded attention as they took the Oscars 2024 red carpet on Sunday

The 45-year-old actor and his spouse made a handsome couple as they posed for photos at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles

Last month when talking to the outlet Gold Derby, Josh let slip that he and Tamsin quietly welcomed a four child.

'I have four kids, I live in the countryside. I'm busy either working or taking care of them, but thank you. That's really kind,' he answered when asked if he knew about the Josh Hartnett Renaissance trending on social media.

His film Oppenheimer won the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

'Being in the film with these other actors and just Chris deciding to choose me to play this role was the winning goal,' he told Live From E!: SAG Awards.

'We had a fun time making the film and then for it to be so phenomenally received and to have it be nominated by our peers for acting categories, across the board, is great,' he added.

Hartnett is best known for his 2001 film Pearl Harbor which starred Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner and William Lee Scott.

He films only the occasional project such as Oppenheimer as he spends most of his time in England with his family.

He and his wife married in 2021 after meeting on the set of The Lovers. Their first child was born in 2015, followed by another in 2017, and a third in 2019.

The Hollywood heartthrob was clad in a black tux with a white shirt and white bow tie

Tamsin joined her hubby in a beaded, strapless gold dress and strappy open-toe gold heels

The couple later attended the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

They looked stunning in their red carpet ensembles, opting not to change for the party

Hartnett appeared primed for a long career in Hollywood before he turned his back on Tinseltown in the mid 2000s.

In 2021 he revealed the reason why he stepped away from a career in big-budget movies and took a more artistic path.

Speaking to Channel Seven's Sunrise, he stated: 'It was the best thing for my mental health and my career to keep Hollywood at bay.

'Luckily I think I hit onto it early on in my life: it's about creating a good home life and being able to do things that are wild and wonderful like making films, which is such a privilege.'
Married At First Sight's Lauren Dunn has responded to a shock report she has a secret Bali boyfriend she met shortly before signing onto the dating experiment.

According to the publication, the glamorous PR maven, 32, is said to be 'head over heels' with her mysterious beau and 'has no plans to stay' with husband Jono McCullough, 39, after the show ends.

'She'd apparently told friends this guy in Bali was "perfect" for her, but she was still curious to see what type of man the experts would choose for her,' an insider told this week's New Idea.

'Because Lauren had made it onto the show, she felt she may as well make a go of things with whoever she was matched with.'

They added that Lauren would likely soon tell Jono she was in love with another man, effectively ending her relationship with him.

Married At First Sight's Lauren Dunn has responded to a shock report she has a secret Bali boyfriend she met shortly before signing onto the dating experiment

'In the beginning, Jono thought he could win Lauren over. But it seems like he had no chance if she was already hung up on somebody on the outside.'

However, Lauren told Daily Mail Australia on Monday the report had been exaggerated and wanted to set the record straight.

'You've got to give it to some of these publications, they are very good with their creative writing. It's just a bit ridiculous. I didn't have a Bali boyfriend,' she began.

According to the publication, the glamorous PR maven, 32, is said to be 'head over heels' with her mysterious beau and 'has no plans to stay' with husband Jono McCullough, 39, after the show ends

'I told Jono at the very beginning of the experiment. We were talking about our past hookups and who we'd been with. I mentioned I had a holiday fling before the show.

'I feel like me being honest about that has come back to blow up in my face later down the line. It's almost being used against me.'

It comes after photos emerged that appear to show Lauren Dunn and Jono McCullough living separate lives during filming.

'She'd apparently told friends this guy in Bali was "perfect" for her, but she was still curious to see what type of man the experts would choose for her,' an insider told this week's New Idea. Pictured: Lauren with a friend in Bali

The health business owner and PR maven were spotted spending their weekends apart on a number of different occasions.

While other couples spent their breaks together, Jono and Lauren wanted almost nothing to do with each other when cameras weren't rolling.

'Lauren didn't want to spend any time with Jono when they weren't filming,' a well-placed insider told Daily Mail Australia.

Jono, on his part, seemed to prioritise his gym sessions, while Lauren was content with her sleep ins and was frequently seen with fellow bride Sara Mesa.

However, Lauren told Daily Mail Australia on Monday the report had been exaggerated and wanted to set the record straight
Channel Ten newsreader Narelda Jacobs has come under fire for her perceived impartial stance on news stories.

According to The Australian, the presenter, 48, has been 'ruffling feathers inside the walls' of the network for criticising NSW police on social media.

The claims come after Jacobs presented reports on officer Beau Lamarre-Condon, 28, who allegedly shot Jesse Baird, 26, and his partner Luke Davies, 29, with his police-issue Glock pistol at Mr Baird's home in Paddington, in Sydney's east.

The newsreader subsequently uploaded a post to her Instagram page asking her followers 'Should police march in Mardi Gras?'

Narelda provided her own take on the issue and wrote that the matter 'is more than the isolated actions of one man in a crime of passion  a description many reject,' and is a 'systemic failure of police.'

Channel Ten newsreader Narelda Jacobs is well known for expressing her opinion on rolling news stories

Jacobs also outlined the force's 'refusal to respect many in the LGBTQIA+ community by self-excluding in the Mardi Gras parade.'

Narelda fought back tears in February while reporting on the alleged murders of the former network presenter and his boyfriend.

The 10 News First host struggled to get the words out when reporting on the fatal shooting as part of a breaking news segment.

She breathed heavily and her voice trembled as she tried to compose herself while speaking about her former colleague.

According to The Australian , the presenter, 48, has been 'ruffling feathers' inside the walls of the network for criticising NSW police

The newsreader uploaded a post to her Instagram page asking her followers 'Should police march in Mardi Gras?'

She uploaded the clip of the news report to her Instagram, acknowledging it was delivered 'through a trembling voice'.

'Honouring these two beautiful men on the darkest of days. Forever in our hearts Jesse Baird and Luke Davies,' she wrote.

'Our hearts are broken.'
Kirsten Dunst was joined by her husband Jesse Plemons at the 96th annual Oscars on Sunday.

The former child actress, who starred in such high-profile films as Interview With The Vampire (1994) in her youth, wore a long white column gown with a spaghetti strap design.

She also went with bold red lipstick that was a perfect match for her nails, while styling her blonde locks long and flowing with an added dose of volume and sheen with a party on the left.

Jesse was dapper in a black suit with a bowtie. He is one of the stars of the Oscar-nominated film Killers Of The Flower Moon.

For the second year in a row, and fourth time in his career, comedian and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel plays the role of host, with the show set to begin and stream live on ABC at 7pm EST.

Actors Kirsten Dunst, 41, and husband Jesse Plemons, 35, were among the early arrivals on the red carpet for the 96th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles

Dunst, 41, snuggled up next to her man, who looked handsome and debonair in a classic black tuxedo with a white shirt and black bowtie.

Looking fabulously fit, the former Breaking Bad star, 35, would also don a pair of black dress shoes, and have his strawberry blonde hair slightly grown out with a left side part.

The actor, who portrays Thomas White Sr., a BOI agent leading the murder investigation, is among the stars in the acclaimed Martin Scorsese film Killers Of The Flower Moon.

The epic western crime drama received 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for Martin Scorsese, Best Actress for Lily Gladstone and Best Supporting Actor for Robert De Niro.

Co-written by Scorsese and Eric Roth, Killers Of The Flower Moon tells the true story of the 'reign of terror' that left two dozen Native Americans dead.

The Apple-backed film, based on a 2017 book of the same name by David Grann, is Scorsese's first attempt at the Western genre.

Like the best-selling book, the screenplay depicts the serial murder of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma.

Along with Plemons, Gladstone and De Niro, the cast also includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Tantoo Cardinal, Brendan Fraser, John Lithgow, Cara Jade Myers, JaNae Collins, Jillian Dion and Jason Isbell, among many others.

The couple appeared to be in great spirits as Dunst shared a laugh alongside her husband, whom she married in July 2022, in a lovely white gown, while Plemons went with a classic black tuxedo

The former star of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy showed her more daring side by deciding to go braless in a gorgeous white gown with spaghetti strap design

Jesse is one of the stars of the Oscar-nominated film Killers Of The Flower Moon

Dunst is set to star in the leading lady role of the dystopian action film Civil War that was written and directed by Alex Garland.

The story follows a team of journalists who travel across the United States during the rapidly escalating Second American Civil War, which has engulfed the entire nation.

Set to drop in theaters in the U.S. and the UK on April 12, the cast also includes the likes of Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Nick Offerman.

Dunst started dating Plemons, her Fargo co-star, in 2016, and wasting little time they became engaged the following year.

The couple would welcome their two sons before ultimately getting married in July 2022 at a resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson had a surprising reaction to a Melbourne newspaper's attempted takedown of The Kyle & Jackie 'O' Show.

Sandilands, 52, and Henderson, 49, signed a historic ten-year, $200million deal with ARN in November that covers the duo's expansion into the Melbourne breakfast market.

The Herald Sun published an article on Saturday headlined 'Nothing can prepare Melbourne for KIIS FM shock jock vile Kyle Sandilands'.

The article gave readers an idea of what to expect from the radio duo after the publication sat through a whole week of the show.

'Controversial radio star Kyle Sandilands takes his audience on a wild ride and as his show gets set to hit Melbourne airwaves, listeners are being warned to brace for a very rude awakening,' the article wrote.

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson had a surprising reaction to a Melbourne newspaper's attempted takedown of The Kyle & Jackie 'O' Show

The publication largely focused on Sandilands, saying 'he plans to wreak havoc in the Melbourne radio market.'

The article continued, 'and he doesnt mind giving very direct feedback to his radio team on-air, before quoting Sandilands berating his producers: 'Three days of s**t radio in a row and we are expecting to burst into Melbourne and revolutionise the industry with you bunch of saps'.

It also commented on Kyle's infamously crude sense of humour, quoting lines from his 6am show including joking 'I'm surrounded by penis-loving savages around here' and calling the late Marilyn Monroe 'a drug addict whore'.

The article also referenced Kyle commenting on how 'oldies' like co-host Henderson had 'to do weird things to stay attractive' when dating.

'Like when they (a date) show up (and) you are upside down with a bunch of flowers out your a**e: "Look, I am a vase".'

But rather than being offended Kyle and Jackie O reacted positively to the newspaper's takedown, both agreeing that the article would persuade readers to listen.

Sandilands claimed that the write up was 'a magnificent representation of who we are.'

The Herald Sun published an article on Saturday headlined 'Nothing can prepare Melbourne for KIIS FM shock jock vile Kyle Sandilands

Meanwhile Henderson felt the article was 'a bit low brow .. but that's who we are right,' she said.

The pair both felt that the takedown would make 'a great flyer'.

The show have delayed their Melbourne launch until after Easter, despite signing the deal in November.

The radio duo are set to confirm their start date this week.

Sandilands, 52, and Henderson, 49, signed a historic $200million deal in November to takeover Melbourne breakfast airwaves as part of a 10-year contract with KIIS FM
Elsa Pataky put on an eye-popping display as she attended the Oscars with her husband Chris Hemsworth in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The Spanish actress, 47, flashed her ample cleavage and abs in a daring cut-out white gown with sequin trim.

The revealing dress also showcased the mother-of-three's muscular back and arms.

Elsa went for a smokey eye and nude lip combination for makeup, and swept her locks back into a high ponytail.

Meanwhile, Chris, 40, also bucked tradition by wearing a black tuxedo with an open white shirt and no bow tie.

Elsa Pataky put on an eye-popping display as she attended the Oscars with her husband Chris Hemsworth on Sunday

The dress code for the Oscars is white tie, with women required to wear floor-length evening gowns, while men should wear tailcoats, white bowties and wingtip collars.

The couple put on a loved-up display on the red carpet, kissing and cuddling as they posed for photos.

The pair flew to Los Angeles from their home base in Byron Bay last week.

They were spotted out celebrating ahead of Hollywood's biggest night on Saturday evening at a pre-Oscars bash.

Chris lovingly held hands with Elsa as they made a stylish exit from the party.

The Spanish actress flashed her ample cleavage and abs in a very daring cut-out white gown

The revealing dress also showcased the mother-of-three's muscular back and arms and featured a glittering sequin trim

The Thor star donned a sheer black shirt over his white tank top along with a pair of black trousers. Accessorising the look, he looped on several silver necklaces.

His wife looked absolutely stunning in a glossy black button down and sequin-infused gold skirt with a leg slit.

She pulled her blonde locks up into a high ponytail with several loose strands stylishly framing her face.

Elsa finished off the look with dashing of makeup, including a touch of bronzer and eye maker.

It comes several weeks after Chris left fans blushing after sharing a Valentine's Day post like no other.

The Thor star took to Instagram with a very racy video of himself grabbing wife Elsa as they swam underwater together.

The couple put on a loved-up display on the red carpet

The pair couldn't keep their hands off each other as they posed for photos

Chris even planted a kiss on his wife's head

Elsa went for a smokey eye and nude lip combination for makeup and swept her locks back into a high ponytail

Bikini-clad Elsa appeared surprised as her hunky husband swam up and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Chris cheekily looked at the underwater camera as Elsa attempted to keep swimming with her husband latched onto her back.

'Happy Valentine's Day. This year I thought I'd share with you how babies are made in Australia,' Chris joked in the caption.

'It's both a game of passion, love and intense sportsmanship where everyone's a winner,' he concluded, adding a love heart and kiss emoji as well as tagging his wife's Instagram account.

Elsa wore a glittering diamond choker around her neck

Elsa also took a light-hearted approach to Valentine's Day this year, sharing a hilarious throwback photo of herself enjoying a date with Chris while filming an episode of his Disney+ docuseries, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth.

In the image, Elsa wore elaborate prosthetic makeup to make her look like an elderly woman, while Chris looked his own age.

During the episode, Elsa said she wanted to surprise Chris with her surprise makeover to help alleviate his fears about ageing, after he learned that he is at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Chris looked dashing in a black tuxedo but opted not to wear a bow-tie

The couple goofed around with Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan

They were spotted out celebrating ahead of Hollywood's biggest night on Saturday evening at a pre-Oscars bash

'Happy Valentine's Day my love. So many years together and we are still the same,' Elsa joked in her caption.

Chris and Elsa tied the knot during the Christmas holidays in 2010 and share three children: daughter India Rose and twin boys Sasha and Tristan.

The couple live in a $30million mansion in Broken Head near Byron Bay after relocating from Los Angeles to Australia nine years ago.
Jeff Goldblum and Emilie Livingston packed on the PDA during the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars Party, which was held in at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Sunday.

The 71-year-old actor and the 41-year-old former Olympian locked lips while posing for a few snaps on the red carpet of the star-studded event.

The star of Jurassic Park - who recently reunited with one of his ex-wives - donned a gold button-up shirt underneath a jet-black jacket, which was paired with matching shoes and slim-fitting trousers.

Livingston opted for a sleek black dress that was contrasted with a white boa during the party.

The rhythmic gymnast completed her look with silver high-heeled shoes and accessorized with a leather clutch.

Jeff Goldblum and Emilie Livingston packed on the PDA during the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars Party, which was held in at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Sunday

Goldblum and Livingston initially met at a gym in Los Angeles in 2011, and they became engaged in July of 2014.

The actor was formerly married to his Silverado costar Patricia Gaul from 1980 until 1985.

The performer moved on with Geena Davis, with whom he costarred in Transylvania 6-5000 and Earth Girls Are Easy.

Goldblum and the actress tied the knot in 1987, and they remained married until 1991, when their union was formally dissolved.

The star of The Fly eventually moved on with Livingston, and the two tied the knot during a wedding ceremony that took place in Hawaii in 2014.

The performer became a father at the age of 70 when his wife gave birth to their son Charlie, eight, in 2015, and they welcomed a second son named River, six, two years later.

Goldblum opened up about becoming a parent late in life during an interview with Today and remarked that he was happy to have been able to start a family.

The actor described parenthood as 'amazing, it's revivifying, and makes my relationship with Emilie, frankly, enhanced.'

The 71-year-old actor and the 41-year-old former Olympian locked lips while posing for a few snaps on the red carpet of the star-studded event

The star of Jurassic Park - who recently reunited with one of his ex-wives - donned a gold button-up shirt underneath a jet-black jacket, which was paired with matching shoes and slim-fitting trousers

Livingston opted for a sleek black dress that was contrasted with a white boa during the party

The rhythmic gymnast completed her look with silver high-heeled shoes and accessorized with a leather clutch

Goldblum and Livingston initially met at a gym in Los Angeles in 2011 and tied the knot three years later

The performer went on to state that he was particularly impressed about how quickly Livingston had taken to motherhood.

'Seeing (my wife) in this new role is unbelievable. She's heroic beyond imagination,' he said.

Goldblum did acknowledge, however, that he was occasionally intimidated by the intense aspects of parenthood.

'It's challenging and it's sometimes maddening and very volatile...they can be like feral creatures unleashed,' he stated.
Jadis told Rick to live with Michonne in the Civic Republic Military and threatened to kill everyone he loves if they tried to escape

Rick Grimes risked it all to try to help his wife Michonne escape from the clutches of the Civic Republic Military on Sunday's episode of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.

'To get away you need someone on the inside,' Rick [Andrew Lincoln] told his wife. 'I'm that for you.'

The spin-off series episode titled Bye picked up after Rick and Michonne [Danai Gurira] had reunited six years after the bridge explosion that separated them. It opened with a flashback of Rick running into Jadis [Pollyanna McIntosh], who had brought him into the CRM after rescuing him.

'You brought me somewhere I can't leave,' Rick told her.

Jadis tried to convince Rick that the CRM was a great place to live.

Rick Grimes risked it all to try to help his wife Michonne escape from the clutches of the Civic Republic Military on Sunday's episode of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live on AMC

'I'm going home,' Rick said.

'Follow your bliss, Rick,' Jadis said. 'But I did save your life, that is what happened.'

The show flashed back to the present with Jadis telling Rick if he tried to leave the CRM that she would go after him and kill everyone he ever loved. Jadis told him to have a life with Michonne inside the CRM.

Jadis also told Rick that if he killed her that she had a file on him that would be released and the CRM would kill everyone he loved.

Meanwhile, Michonne, who was hiding her identity and going by the name Dana, worked on the front lines clearing zombies.

Beale [Terry O'Quinn] the Major General of the Civic Republic Military (CRM), held a funeral for Donald Okafor [Craig Tate], the Lieutenant Colonel of the CRM, who was killed in action. Beale then told Pearl Thorne [Lesley-Ann Brandt] he needed to speak to her privately.

Later, Pearl returned and told Rick that Beale had promoted her to commander.

'He told me everything,' Thorne said. 'He gave me the full briefing.'

Michonne after being reunited with Rick after years apart refused to escape without him

The episode opened with a flashback of Rick running into Jadis [Pollyanna McIntosh], who had brought him into the CRM after rescuing him

'You brought me somewhere I can't leave,' Rick told her

Beale [Terry O'Quinn] the Major General of the Civic Republic Military (CRM), held a funeral for Donald Okafor [Craig Tate], the Lieutenant Colonel of the CRM, who was killed in action

'The Echelon Briefing,' Rick said.

'I'm going to need you to take over logistics,' Pearl said, 'They're accelerating the schedule and there is a lot that needs to be done before the commanders arrive for the opening summit.'

Pearl told him that all the commanders were going to be at the meeting. She also shared that Beale asked about 'Dana,' and that she wouldn't have her pulling her down.

'You didn't hear what I heard,' Pearl said. 'You didn't see what I saw. You will.'

After she left, Rick pulled out a map and other supplies that he had hidden in his room.

Later, Rick secretly passed Michonne a note outside that read 'This is it, tonight, we have got to move fast.'

The note directed Michonne to a locker where he had hidden a key that would get her out of the building and told her to follow the map.

'I love you,' Rick said in the note.

Jadis also told Rick that if he killed her that she had a file on him that would be released and the CRM would kill everyone he loved

Rick secretly passed Michonne a note outside that read 'This is it, tonight, we have got to move fast'

Rick left Michonne with Beale's treasured historical sword to use to escape in the locker. Rick cleared the zombies for her outside the city walls so she could make it to a river. He had hidden a red canoe for their escape, but by the time Michonne got there Rick was gone. He left a note instead.

'I'm not coming,' Rick's note read. 'And if you don't go, you'll never get away and we both die here. The only way to get you back to Judith is that I stay here to make sure. I love you forever. If you love me you'll go.'

The next day Rick told Jadis that Michonne was gone. He said he knew he needed to get her away so that he could stay in the CRM.

'She actually left without you?' Jadis said.

'She didn't know she was leaving without me,' Rick said.

Jadis asked him if he still wanted to kill her. Rick told her their fates were bound and how he dressed up a dead walker to look like Michonne.

'You just make sure you're on the investigation,' Rick said.

'I'll make sure I'm on point when Dana goes, but any s*** that rains down, it wasn't my doing,' Jadis said.

'I'll make sure I'm on point when Dana goes, but any s*** that rains down, it wasn't my doing,' Jadis said.

Pearl called Rick to the yard. Rick was stunned when he saw that Michonne had returned and was back at work killing zombies. Rick pulled Michonne aside for them to talk, but Michonne didn't say anything and walked off.

Later, Michonne went to the city on her day off to walk around. Michonne stumbled upon a man who had drawn her and Judith before on the old phones that she had carried around with her. The man told him that Rick's late son Carl had asked him to make the drawings and their conversation gave her renewed hope.

Pearl summoned Rick and 'Dana' to confront them. Pearl asked 'Dana' to tell her who she really was.

'I'm letting you in on a secret,' Pearl said. 'You are here because of me. People like you, they're not let in. You're a leader what we call an ''A''.

Pearl grabbed her knife behind her back and told 'Dana' that if she lived in the city she would try to seek justice. Pearl said she could give her a way to get answers.

'A chance very few get, very few in the entirety of this force, very few in the world,' Pearl said.

Rick pulled out his gun.

'I would say yes,' Michonne said.

Pearl summoned Rick and 'Dana' to confront them

Pearl grabbed her knife behind her back and told 'Dana' that if she lived in the city she would try to seek justice

Pearl put her knife back and told Rick to equip Michonne and for them to join her on a mission. Rick told Pearl that she did well in recruiting her.

'I am not going to be responsible for a vulnerability,' Pearl said.

The three of them then flew in a helicopter to the Cascadia Forward Operating Base. Once they landed, Pearl told them that they had a breach at the facility and 200 zombies were moving toward them.

'We are going to move the delts ourselves,' Pearl said.

Pearl pushed a device out in the field with Michonne and Rick helping to clear the dead. When Pearl got the car stuck, Michonne took over and pushed the cart carrying the device through the forest. Rick activated the device, which drew the zombies to it, and then it exploded. Rick and Michonne ran to a tree and the two of them kissed.

'Come on,' Michonne said.

'They will find us,' Rick said.

'We'll make it so they can't,' Michonne said.

Rick activated the device, which drew the zombies to it, and then it exploded

Rick and Michonne ran to a tree and the two of them kissed

'Not like this,' Rick said.

While Michonne was killing zombies, Pearl raised her rifle to kill her, but Rick stood in her way.

'She went rogue and you followed,' Pearl said to Rick later. 'I trusted her. I put my neck out for her. I regret it.'

'Don't,' Rick said. 'Maybe it was too early for her.'

'We need to take care of this,' Pearl said.

Back at the base, Pearl told Rick that he was moving up and General Beale wanted to brief him. Michonne then saw Rick talking to Jadis.

'Doesn't matter,' Rick said. ' You are going back to base right now, and I'm getting you the hell out of here if I have to knock you out and put you on that goddamn boat myself.'

While Michonne was killing zombies, Pearl raised her rifle to kill her, but Rick stood in her way

'Doesn't matter,' Rick said. ' You are going back to base right now, and I'm getting you the hell out of here if I have to knock you out and put you on that goddamn boat myself'

They took a helicopter back to the CRM headquarters during a rainstorm.

In the final moments, Michonne grabbed Rick and pulled him with her as they both fell out of the helicopter.

'Shoto, it's Daito,' Michonne said using nicknames for herself and their daughter Judith. 'I don't know if we'll be back.'

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live will return next week on AMC.
Margot Robbie's stylist has been slammed for dressing the Australian star in an 'unflattering' outfit at the 2024 Oscars.

The Australian actress, 33, raised eyebrows by ditching her trademark Barbie pink in favour of a shimmery back Versace gown with a sloped neckline and unusual draping at the hips.

For accessories, Margot wore a two-toned gold cuff and matching ring by Fred Leighton.

Critics have rushed to social media to express their disappointment with Margot's look, branding her outfit as underwhelming and uncomplimentary to her curvy physique.

'She should have owned the carpet. This is... not even renting,' one user lamented, as another added: 'Such a boring look. Come on.'

Margot Robbie's stylist has been slammed for dressing the Australian star in an 'unflattering' outfit at the 2024 Oscars

'The most epic and stylish fashion streak of all time ended with this absolutely boring yawn of a dress,' another commented, referring to Margot's much-celebrated red carpet publicity tour for Barbie.'

'So disappointed! I was expecting EPIC,' they added.

Others took aim at Margot's hair, which was left out and styled with a slight bed-head texture.

The Australian actress, 33, raised eyebrows by ditching her trademark Barbie pink in favour of a shimmery back Versace gown with a sloped neckline and unusual draping at the hips

Critics have rushed to social media to express their disappointment with Margot's look, branding her outfit as underwhelming and uncomplimentary to her curvy physique

'The hair? [crying emoji],' one critic commented, as another weighed in: 'All her gowns are great but she can do better with the hair. I don't know what her hairstylist is always thinking?'

However there were plenty of positive online response to Margot's Oscars look, as one admirer wrote: 'She looks incredible, as she has this entire award season.'

'Well, damn!' another wrote, adding a fire emoji.

Others took aim at Margot's hair, which was left out and styled with a slight bed-head texture

'All her gowns are great but she can do better with the hair. I don't know what her hairstylist is always thinking?' one critic commented

Despite Barbie's impressive eight nominations, Robbie was not nominated for Best Actress, while Greta Gerwig was not nominated for Best Director.

America Ferrera was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film, with pundits saying her character's impassioned speech on feminism sealed the deal.

She lost out to DaVine Joy Randolph for her role in The Holdovers.

However there were plenty of positive online response to Margot's Oscars look, as one admirer wrote: 'She looks incredible, as she has this entire award season'

Margot's prior red carpet looks during her Barbie press tour and awards shows featured bold pink ensembles

Ryan Gosling also received a nod for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Ken, but the gong went to Oppenheimer's Robert Downey Jr.

Barbie was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Achievement in Production Design and Achievement in Costume Design, but lost out in all categories.

Barbie did win in the category of Best Original Song, with Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell scooping the award for the movie's hit ballad 'What Was I Made For?'

Ryan Gosling's song 'I'm Just Ken' was also nominated in the same category.
Kylie Minogue made hearts go 'padam padam' as she arrived at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars after party in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The Australian pop princess, 55, dazzled in a shimmering, sequinned gown as she posed for photos at the star-studded bash.

Her frock glimmered thanks to delicate beading woven between blue sequins, while a bra-shaped section of green beads at the bust looked almost mermaid-like.

Allowing her dress to do the talking, the Grammy winner toned down her accessories by wearing a single chunky diamond ring and open-toe silver heels.

Her strawberry blonde hair cascaded down one shoulder in loose waves, while her makeup included smokey grey eye shadow, peach blush and nude lipstick.

Kylie Minogue made hearts go 'padam padam' as she arrived at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars after party in Los Angeles on Sunday

Kylie has plenty to smile about following her incredible Grammy and BRIT Award wins.

The veteran musician was also recently honoured by Mattel, who created a custom Barbie doll resembling her likeness.

The doll, a dead ringer for the pop princess, is outfitted in a red bodysuit, with matching lace-up boots.

The Australian pop princess, 55, dazzled in a shimmering, sequinned gown as she posed for photos at the star-studded bash

Mattel announced Kylie's honour on Wednesday as part of International Women's Day, ahead of Barbie's 65th anniversary on March 9.

Back in July Kylie achieved unprecedented success with Padam Padam, which topped the charts in Europe and Australia.

The song has become her first top 10 UK hit as a lead artist since 2010, and Minogue is the first woman over 50 to make BBC Radio 1's playlist as a lead artist.

Padam Padam was also Kylie's first-ever top 10 Dance/Electronic song on the US Billboard chart.

Her frock glimmered thanks to delicate beading woven between blue sequins, while a bra-shaped section of green beads at the bust looked almost mermaid-like

Allowing her dress to do the talking, the Grammy winner toned down her accessories by wearing a single chunky diamond ring and open-toe silver heels
A model has claimed she was verbally abused by a celebrity stylist while attending a Melbourne Fashion Festival after party last week.

Paige Montana De Cinque stopped by popular Melbourne bistro Bar Bambi on Saturday night with friends and says she was yelled at by stylist Jamie Azzopardi.

According to The Herald Sun, the model said she was told by Azzopardi to 'move the f--k along' after wandering into their private booth.

'As a model in the industry I thought this behaviour was a disgusting representation,' she told the publication.

Azzopardi, who uses they/them pronouns, insists they responded calmly after De Cinque and her friends took a bottle of alcohol from their booth.

Model Paige Montana De Cinque (left) has claimed she was verbally abused by a celebrity stylist Jamie Azzopardi (right) while attending a Melbourne Fashion Festival after party last week

The celebrity stylist said '(De Cinque) had been asked to move about 50 times'.

'People who know me know Im not one to be disrespected, especially while Im celebrating the end of an amazing week that was Fashion Festival,' they said.

De Cinque denied taking the alcohol and said she did not recall seeing anyone with a bottle.

The bar owner Nick Russian told the publication the bistro was busy and he did not notice an argument take place.

According to The Herald Sun, the model alleged she was told by Azzopardi to 'move the f--k along' after wandering into his private booth

Azzopardi attended the fashion event each day and styled over 120 looks for influencers and celebrities throughout the festival.

They stunned spectators as they sported 16 separate outfits over the duration of the event.

Last year, the stylist to the stars also stunned onlookers at Australian Fashion Week by showcasing a staggering 20 dresses.
We were assured that the 96th annual Academy Awards Ceremony was going to be different.

Earlier. Shorter. Crisper. Less self-indulgent. More relevant.

After controversies over a lack of diversity in previous years, there's the first ever Native American nominee  Lily Gladstone, for Killers Of The Flower Moon. A spattering of women writers. Two films that dominate the awards - Oppenheimer and Barbie - and an awful lot of nominees in the wings who have been waiting very patiently for an Oscar for years (Annette Benning and Paul Giamatti) and rather less patiently (Bradley Cooper).

Theres even one of the most talented acting dogs ever  Messi, the seven-year-old collie from Paris who plays Snoop in Anatomy Of A Fall and can play dead so convincingly that, at the nominees lunch last month, Ryan Gosling rushed over in a sweaty panic when he thought hed passed away under the table.

But also, and for the first time ever, the entire ceremony is being live-streamed free into our living rooms courtesy of ITV and treated to wrap-around hosting by veteran broadcaster Jonathan Ross.

Ross  who loves A-listers more than most of us - would probably have preferred to be basking in the LA sunshine and rubbing sequins with the stars.

Ross was broadcasting from a purple and gold studio 5,437 miles from the action in rainy London, and accompanied by a panel of expert guests, writes Jane Fryer

Ross's Oscars show was a blithering blather of terrible jokes and pointless padding, says Fryer

But, instead, hes broadcasting from a purple and gold studio 5,437 miles from the action in rainy London, and accompanied by a panel of expert guests  including Richard Armitage and Cold Feet actress Faye Ripley - who appear to know alarmingly little about film.

The premise is that Ross hosts a 45-minute warm up show. And then, during every loo break in the ceremony in LA, the action switches back to him and his crew so they can dissect it all for us.

As if - so the extensive publicity said - we're all watching the ceremony on a night out with some mates down the pub and flitting in and out of the chat.

ITV also promised it would be a really slick, fun show.

Sadly, it is neither, just a blithering blather of terrible jokes and pointless padding.

So perhaps its kinder to fast forward  and past the Twitter frenzy of screaming memes, fury and angry posts from viewers that include Ross is a funny as a fungal infection and which call it a horror show  to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and the real Oscars host, Jimmy Kimmel.

Messi the dog from Anatomy Of A Fall - complete with a bowtie - was spotted clapping at the ceremony

US host Jimmy Kimmel was a safe pair of hands, even if his joke about Robert Downey's drug use fell flat

Ariana Grande wore a showstopper of a dress in pink satin by designer Giambattista Valli

He is safe, confident and  perhaps not that hard - a lot funnier than Jonathan Ross. Even when his joke about Robert Downey Jrs drug habit falls horribly flat.

Of course, the Oscars isnt everyones idea of a great night of telly: overly long, self-congratulatory twaddle. But this year, and this could be partly because of the contrast with Rosss rubbish, it feels rather better and is already rattling along at a splendid pace.

In fact, after barely an hour, we are four Oscars down, 19 to go, watching the amazing Billie Eilish perform her hit from Barbie and marvelling at Ariana Grandes gigantic candyfloss dress and that Emma Stones outfit has been modelled on a Foxs Glacier mint.

But most of all we are worrying how on earth poor old Bradley Cooper, 49, will weather it if, after nine previous nominations, he doesnt win anything for Maestro, his epic about the life of the composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, which has been nominated in seven categories.

Emma Stone, winner of the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for Poor Things, wearing a dress that resembled a Foxs Glacier mint

Bradley Cooper missed out yet again on an Oscar after being nominated for his film Maestro

Not least because no one has thrown themselves harder into self-promotion.

Bradleys done it all! Revealed how he takes naked showers with his dad. Lain in an icy river in just his pants for a photoshoot. Sobbed on camera as he relayed how much he missed Bernstein (despite never having met him). Oh, yes, and spent six years learning how to conduct before filming even started.

No wonder hes bought his mum along with him on the red carpet, just in case.

But just as were admiring her bright pink lipstick and giant blue sunglasses, were back in London while Hollywood takes a comfort break.

Its all quite disconcerting.

One minute were watching DaVine Joy Randolph accept best supporting actress in a great silver swoosh of tears, emotions, feathers, sequins and thanks.

God is so good. God is so good. I thank you for seeing me, she cries.

The next, were back in Rosss purple hell, listening to Faye Ripley tell us she hated Poor Things and liken Martin Scorseses Killers Of The Flower Moon to Emmerdale.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph wins the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for The Holdovers.

Ryan Gosling performs I'm Just Ken from Barbie accompanied by 65 dancing Kens

The first ever Native American nominee  Lily Gladstone, for Killers of the Flower Moon - wore a stunning velvet frock

Unlike Ross, the Oscars - when were allowed back there - are actually rather funny in parts.

Particularly when WWE star John Senna pops up on stage totally starkers, with just the crisp nomination envelope to cover his bits and bobs, as he presents the Oscar for best costume. And when Kimmels jokes about Bradley dating his own mum. And Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling bicker it out on stage about which of their rival films is doing better, Oppenheimer and Barbie, in the Oscar tally. (Oppenheimer, by far. Though Gosling steals the night when he performs his Barbies Im Just Ken extravaganza, accompanied by 65 dancing Kens.)

In fact, when Robert Downey Jr hops up on stage to accept his Best Supporting actor gong, even Messi the dog is sitting up alert, engaged in his plush red stalls seat and  maybe Im seeing things because it is nearly 1am  appears to be clapping with his little front paws.

Robert Downey Jr points to his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, which he got for Oppenheimer.

Billie Eilish celebrates winning the Oscar for Best Original Song for What Was I Made For? from the Barbie movie. It's the 22-year-old's second gong.

Suddenly, the awards are fairly flying by. With low points including po-faced Michael Keaton point black refusing to join in an silly joke about Batman with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. And high points including Billy Eilish winning her second Oscar aged just 22.

Until at just after two in the morning were at the best actor award.

When, once again, it just isn't Bradleys day. Cillian Murphy gets it for Oppenheimer, as we all knew he would and gives a lovely little speech about being Irish and Atom bombs while, down on the front row, Bradleys mum gives him a reassuring squeeze.

When the whole thing winds up at 2.30am and the air is still fizzing with energy in the Dolby Theatre, we pan back one last time to London. Where Ross looks knackered, Richard Armitage looks pale and Faye admits shes not been up so late in years.

The 96th Academy Award ceremony was surprisingly good  slick, fun, joyous, even, full of energy and, dare I say it, actually worth staying up for.

But the quicker we forget about Jonathan Ross and his dreary studio goons, the better.
Kylie Jenner sent temperatures soaring as she attended one of Hollywood's most exclusive bashes - the Vanity Fair Oscars party.

The reality star, 26, put on a busty display in a curve-clinging red dress as she celebrated the Academy Awards at the Beverly Hills soiree.

She notably posed up a storm on her own, with no sign of her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet.

Still, Kylie commanded attention on her own as she posed up a storm in her sexy party dress.

The look was adorned with a silver leaf motif and skimmed the floor and concealed her elegant black heels.

Kylie Jenner sent temperatures soaring as she attended one of Hollywood's most exclusive bashes, the Vanity Fair Oscars party

Her glossy black hair featured a dramatic side part and dangled seductively over her complexion.

Her eyes radiated with a dusting of shimmering eye shadow while blush and a touch of lip gloss enhanced her natural beauty.

The reality star also rocked a flawless light pink manicure and glittering silver earrings.

Kylie has been dating Timothee since last spring, but the couple have not been seen together for two months, leading anxious fans to speculate that the pair have broken up.

She recently deflected a question about her boyfriend during an interview with the New York Times.

During the chat, she spoke about how her dress sense changed about a year ago, once she had gotten her 'body back' after her pregnancy with her son Aire.

She was then asked about the social media rumors that her style transformation was actually due to her romance with Timothee.

'I dont know how I feel about that,' she replied, swatting the subject away by saying: 'I just dont want to talk about personal things.'

The reality star, 26, put on a busty display in a curve-clinging red dress as she celebrated the Academy Awards at the Beverly Hills soiree

Jenner rocked a glossy hairstyle with a dramatic side part

The reality star also rocked a flawless light pink manicure and glittering silver earrings

There was no sign of her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet

Anxious fans have been wondering if she and Chalamet had recently split

Oscars 2024 winners: AT A GLANCE Best Picture: Oppenheimer Best Actress: Emma Stone - Poor Things Best Actor: Cillian Murphy - Oppenheimer Best Director: Christopher Nolan - Oppenheimer Supporting Actress: Da'Vine Joy Randolph - The Holdovers Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. - Oppenheimer Original Song: Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell - What Was I Made For? from Barbie Seen left to right: Actor In A Supporting Role - Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer), Actress In A Supporting Role - Da'Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers ), Actress In A Leading Role - Emma Stone (Poor Things), and Actor In A Leading Role - Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) Original Score - Ludwig Goransson - Oppenheimer Cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema - Oppenheimer Achievement in Film Editing: Jennifer Lame - Oppenheimer Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihale - Poor Things Make-up and Hairstyling: Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston - Poor Things Achievement in Costume Design: Holly Waddington - Poor Things Original Screenplay: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari - Anatomy Of A Fall Adapted Screenplay: Cord Jefferson - American Fiction International Feature Film - The Zone of Interest from United Kingdom Advertisement

Their last public sighting was at the Golden Globes in early January, when they set the internet ablaze by engaging in a public display of affection on camera.

The breakup rumors reached a fever pitch last week, when Kylie posted a TikTok of her daily routine with her daughter Stormi, six, and sister Kendall.

Fans sprang into the comments to share their theories about how Kylie was showing the world she was flourishing as a single mother in order to 'soft-launch' a breakup.

Kylie and Timothee went public with their romance while attending a Beyonce show in early September, following months of dating rumors.
Nigella Lawson arrived back in Australia this month for a speaking tour.

And on Saturday she enjoyed some down time at a swanky restaurant in Cottesloe, ahead of her first show at Perth's Concert Hall.

Taking to Instagram, the 64-year-old celebrity cook shared a gallery of images of her night out.

'Saturday night by the sea,' she told followers in the caption, alongside one picture that featured a stunning view of the setting sun as seen from Cottesloe Beach.

She also posted photos of her delicious meal.

Nigella Lawson arrived back in Australia this month for a speaking tour. Pictured

'[We] kicked off with some exquisitely tangy raw beef tostadas and creamy crab arepas,' she posted.

Nigella also posted a photo of her scrumptious looking main meal, which included several dishes.

Telling followers her roast chicken with Aji Verde was 'perfect', Nigella described the rest of her meal in the post.

Taking to Instagram, the 64-year-old celebrity cook shared a gallery of images of her night out

Nigella also posted photos of her delicious meal

'Green salad with cucumber in a mint vinaigrette, plus chips and spicy mayo, all eaten joyfully while watching the sun set.'

Nigella wowed fans Down Under with her appearances on the last two seasons of MKR.

Meanwhile, the beloved star's next gig on her Evening with Nigella Lawson will be in Brisbane on March 14 at the QPAC concert Hall.

She will then head off to Adelaide for a show at Her Majesty's Theatre on March 19.
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Margot Robbie wore one of her most daring outfits to date at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday evening.

The Barbie star, 33, turned heads at the bash, held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, in a gold beaded corset bodysuit by Thierry Mugler from the late French designer's 90s archives.

She paired the showgirl-style ensemble with a bronze satin shawl and gold strappy stilettos which were tied all the way up her calves.

The Aussie beauty kept her bedhead style waves she had at the awards show and her makeup had been touched up.

At times, Margot appeared uncomfortable as she posed for several photos on the red carpet.

Margot Robbie wore one of her most daring outfits to date at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday evening

She did let out a little giggle as she finished posing and made her way inside.

The star was joined by her husband Tom Ackerley at the bash, and the pair caught up with Saltburn producer Josey McNamara.

It comes after the actress' stylist was slammed for dressing the star in an 'unflattering' outfit at the awards show.

Margot ditched her trademark Barbie pink in favour of a shimmery back Versace gown with a sloped neckline and unusual draping at the hips.

The Barbie star turned heads at the bash, held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, in a gold beaded corset bodysuit

At times, Margot appeared uncomfortable as she posed for several photos on the red carpet

For accessories, Margot wore a two-toned gold cuff and matching ring by Fred Leighton.

Critics have rushed to social media to express their disappointment with Margot's look, branding her outfit as underwhelming and uncomplimentary to her curvy physique.

'She should have owned the carpet. This is... not even renting,' one user lamented, as another added: 'Such a boring look. Come on.'

She paired the showgirl-style ensemble with a bronze satin shawl and gold strappy stilettos which were tied all the way up her calves

The Aussie beauty kept her bedhead style waves she had at the awards show and her makeup had been touched up

Margot's bodysuit is by Thierry Mugler from the late French designer's 90s archives

Margot let out a little giggle as she walked inside the event

'The most epic and stylish fashion streak of all time ended with this absolutely boring yawn of a dress,' another commented, referring to Margot's much-celebrated red carpet publicity tour for Barbie.'

'So disappointed! I was expecting EPIC,' they added.

Others took aim at Margot's hair, which was left out and styled with a slight bed-head texture.

Margot beamed as she cuddled up to her husband Tom Ackerely (right) and Saltburn producer Josey McNamara (left)

Margot gave the cameras a steely gaze as she posed for several photos

It comes after the actress' stylist was slammed for dressing the star in an 'unflattering' outfit at the awards show

The Australian actress, 33, ditched her trademark Barbie pink in favour of a shimmery back Versace gown with a sloped neckline and unusual draping at the hips

Critics have rushed to social media to express their disappointment with Margot's look, branding her outfit as underwhelming and uncomplimentary to her curvy physique

'The hair? [crying emoji],' one critic commented, as another weighed in: 'All her gowns are great but she can do better with the hair. I don't know what her hairstylist is always thinking?'

However there were plenty of positive online response to Margot's Oscars look, as one admirer wrote: 'She looks incredible, as she has this entire award season.'

'Well, damn!' another wrote, adding a fire emoji.

'All her gowns are great but she can do better with the hair. I don't know what her hairstylist is always thinking?' one critic commented

Despite Barbie's impressive eight nominations, Robbie was not nominated for Best Actress, while Greta Gerwig was not nominated for Best Director.

America Ferrera was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film, with pundits saying her character's impassioned speech on feminism sealed the deal.

She lost out to DaVine Joy Randolph for her role in The Holdovers.

However there were plenty of positive online response to Margot's Oscars look, as one admirer wrote: 'She looks incredible, as she has this entire award season'

Ryan Gosling also received a nod for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Ken, but the gong went to Oppenheimer's Robert Downey Jr.

Barbie was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Achievement in Production Design and Achievement in Costume Design, but lost out in all categories.

Barbie did win in the category of Best Original Song, with Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell scooping the award for the movie's hit ballad 'What Was I Made For?'

Ryan Gosling's song 'I'm Just Ken' was also nominated in the same category.

Also making an entrance at the Vanity Fair after party was Kim Kardashian who stunned in a white Balenciaga gown

The reality star had arrived at the red carpet event in a pair of sunglasses that she later stripped off

The floor length gown included a dramatic pointed bodice and clung close to her famous figure

Likewise daring in white was Emily Ratajkowski who chose a Jacquemus frock with an asymmetrical bodice that put the side of her cleavage on show

Equally daring was the back of the gown which dipped down to her derriere while a sheer panel added an artistic air

The model went for a flawless makeup look with a nude lip gloss and wore her brunette locks down around her face

Also making an entrance at the Vanity Fair after party was Kim Kardashian who stunned in a white Balenciaga gown.

The reality star had arrived at the red carpet event in a pair of sunglasses that she later stripped off and added a pair of glittering earrings.

The floor length gown hid her heels and included a dramatic pointed bodice and clung close to her famous figure.

Likewise daring in white was Emily Ratajkowski who chose a Jacquemus frock with an asymmetrical bodice that put the side of her cleavage on show.

Kylie Jenner showcased her physique in a Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown that was constructed from chain-link and clung to her silhouette

The deep red dress featured a glittering floral design throughout as well as a deep cut neckline that showed off some bust

The billionaire opted for a clean makeup look with a 'my lips but better' toned gloss while wearing her dark locks down around her face

Equally daring was the back of the gown which dipped down to her derriere while a sheer panel added an artistic air.

The model went for a flawless makeup look with a nude lip gloss and wore her brunette locks down around her face.

Kylie Jenner showcased her physique in a Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown that was constructed from chain-link and clung to her silhouette.

The deep red dress featured a glittering floral design throughout as well as a deep cut neckline that showed off some bust.

Demi Lovato made a statement in black in a glittering gown with a C-shaped neckline that flaunted her bust

She added a statement necklace in diamond and emerald and matched her black manicure to her dress as well as adding a bold ring

For makeup, she chose a dark lip liner with a pale lipstick for a very 2000s look and wore her brunette locks down in soft waves

The billionaire opted for a clean makeup look with a 'my lips but better' toned gloss while wearing her dark locks down around her face.

Demi Lovato made a statement in black in a glittering gown with a C-shaped neckline that flaunted her bust.

She added a statement necklace in diamond and emerald and matched her black manicure to her dress as well as adding a bold ring.

For makeup, she chose a dark lip liner with a pale lipstick for a very 2000s look and wore her brunette locks down in soft waves.
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There was no shortage of star power at Vanity Fair's Oscar party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Sunday.

Margot Robbie, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Sydney Sweeney and Emily Ratajkowski were just some of the names that showed up for the glamorous occasion.

Barbie star Margot, 33, put her toned legs on display in a tiny gold bedazzled corset that cinched in her waist. Loosely draped around her arms was a golden silk coat.

The Australian actress added height to her look with strappy lace-up heels and wore her blonde tresses down.

Kim, 43, showed off very trim frame in a structured white bodycon gown with a dramatic spiked shoulder as she posed up a storm.

Margot Robbie, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Sydney Sweeney were among the glamorous stars at Vanity Fair's Oscar party, hosted at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, in Beverly Hills on Sunday

Emily Ratajkowski, 32, thrilled in a structured white gown

The gown flattered her tiny waist and shapely hips and was paired with sparkling Lorraine Schwartz Jewelry earrings.

Kardashian wore her raven locks in a flowing sidepart with a fringe sweeping one eye and sported smoky eye make-up.

The star also wore colored contacts turning her eyes a vibrant hazel.

She was joined on the red carpet by her family members including sisters Kylie Jenner, 26 and Kendall Jenner, 28, and mom Kris Jenner, 68, and her boyfriend Corey Gamble, 43.

Lipkit mogul Kylie sizzled in a busty red sequin gown that showed off her ample cleavage.

Her raven tresses were parted on the side and styled in a wet look, with the reality starlet adding a bit of bling from Lorraine Schwartz to complete her look.

Sydney, 26, was every inch the blonde bombshell as she channeled Marilyn Monroe in a plunging silky white gown. She wore her golden tresses in a chic bob with bouncy locks.

Demi Moore, 61, was a vision in a low-cut brown silk gown that clung to her enviable figure.

Emily showed off plenty of sideboob in a structured backless white gown. Her dark locks cascaded down in a natural style, while her flawless visage was painted by the pros at Charlotte Tilbury

Barbie star Margot, 33, put her toned legs on display in a tiny gold bedazzled corset that cinched in her waist. Loosely draped around her arms was a golden silk coat

Loosely draped around her arms was a golden silk coat

The Australian actress added height to her look with strappy lace-up heels and wore her blonde tresses down

Kim, 43, showed off very trim frame in a structured white bodycon gown with a dramatic spiked shoulder as she posed up a storm

The gown flattered her tiny waist and shapely hips and was paired with sparkling earrings

The star also wore colored contacts turning her eyes a vibrant hazel

She was joined on the red carpet by her family members including sisters Kylie Jenner, 26

Lipkit mogul Kylie sizzled in a busty red sequin gown that showed off her ample cleavage

She looked sensational in a sultry ensemble

Sydney, 26, was every inch the blonde bombshell as she channeled Marilyn Monroe in a plunging silky white gown

She wore her golden tresses in a chic bob with bouncy locks

Emily's dark locks cascaded down in a natural style, while her flawless visage was painted by the pros at Charlotte Tilbury

Jennifer Lawrence, 33, looked absolutely angelic in a sheer white vintage Givenchy gown with a floral pattern.

Oppenheimer star Emily Blunt, 41, put on a busty display in a tight-fitting nude lace gown. Her dapper husband John Krasinski joined her on the red carpet.

Allison Williams was a sight to behold in a dusty rose tiered gown. She was joined by her partner Alexander Dreymon.

Mad Max star Charlize Theron, 48, brought Hollywood glamour in a halter neck semi see-through black gown.

White Lotus star Alexandra Daddario had all eyes on her in a dramatic white gown.

Jessica Alba, 42, turned heads in a dazzling silver dress with a very low-cut neckline, which was adorned with roses as she posed on the red carpet for the star-studded bash in Los Angeles.

The actress, who was joined by her husband, film producer Cash Warren, 45, at the event, teamed her stunning off-shoulder gown with matching heels and a satin, cream clutch purse.

Jennifer Lawrence, 33, looked absolutely angelic in a sheer white vintage Givenchy gown with a floral pattern

She wore delicate makeup and accessorized with diamond studs

Demi Moore, 61, was a vision in a low-cut brown silk gown that clung to her enviable figure

She completed the outfit with chunky statement earrings

Oppenheimer star Emily Blunt, 41, put on a busty display in a tight-fitting nude lace gown

She accessorized with a sparkling pink purse

Her dapper husband John Krasinski joined her on the red carpet

Lindsay Lohan sparkled in a silver fringe dress. She was joined by husband Bader Shammas

Allison Williams was a sight to behold in a dusty rose tiered gown

She was joined by her partner Alexander Dreymon

Mad Max star Charlize Theron, 48, brought Hollywood glamour in a halter neck semi see-through black gown

White Lotus star Alexandra Daddario had all eyes on her in a dramatic white gown

She showed off the unique gown

Kendall Jenner , 28, showed off her incredible figure in an entirely sheer lace dress with extra draping to protect her modesty. Underneath the dress, she wore just a nude waist corset and a string thong, adding diamond Lorraine Schwartz earrings

German supermodel Heidi Klum, 50, sizzled in a shredded golden gown

She was joined by husband Tom Kaulitz, 34

Dune star Anya Taylor-Joy, 27, put her unique style on display in a black mini dress with a sheer black bra and a spectacular silver head piece

Her Dune co-star Florence Pugh rocked a sheer white gown with sparkling heels

Nicky Hilton Rothschild looked stunning in a violet floral pattern gown

Desperate Housewives beauty Eva Longoria looked breathtaking in a gold and silver gown that cinched in her waist

Lindsay Lohan sparkled in a silver fringe dress. She was joined by husband Bader Shammas.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley made a dramatic entrance in a black gown with a long veil.

Hunky actor Chris Hemsworth was joined by stunning wife Elsa Pataky, who wowed in a silver gown.

Dune star Florence Pugh rocked a sheer white gown with sparkling heels.

Nicky Hilton Rothschild looked stunning in a violet floral pattern gown.

Desperate Housewives beauty Eva Longoria looked breathtaking in a gold and silver gown that cinched in her waist.

Nina Dobrev was a silver queen in a metallic gown. She was joined by partner Shaun White.

Rapper Ice Spice rocked a sheer black gown.

Russell Wilson was joined by stunning wife Ciara.

Ashley Graham put her toned legs on display in a sizzling black dress with a slit - while The White Lotus star Meghann Fahy also stunned in an elegant black ensemble, while sporting a stunning beauty look created by makeup artist Jen Tioseco using products from Lady Gaga's Haus Labs brand.

'Meghann is such a classic beauty so we wanted to keep her makeup look sophisticated and in line with her black dress,' Jen said of the look.

'The Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation and Triclone Skin Tech Concealer were the perfect base and kept her skin looking glowing and fresh all night. I used Optic Intensity Eco Eyeliner to smoke out her lash line. For a monochromatic finish, I used Le Monster Lip Crayon for her lips and the new Color Fuse Blush Powder on her cheeks.'

Sisters Halle and Chloe Bailey stunned as always.

Billie Eilish sported her usual oversized style. Her brother Finneas O'Connell was joined by girlfriend Claudia Sulewski.

Hunky actor Chris Hemsworth was joined by stunning wife Elsa Pataky, who wowed in a silver gown

Camila Cabello showed off her new platinum tresses and sizzled in a grey gown with cut-outs

Lupita Nyong'o looked mesmerizing in sequins with jewels from De Beers and was joined by Joseph Quinn on the red carpet

Nina Dobrev was a silver queen in a metallic gown. She was joined by partner Shaun White

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley made a dramatic entrance

She flashed plenty of sideboob

Anatomy of a Fall actress Sandra Huller wowed in a sophisticated white gown

Julia Fox rocked a dramatic black nylon dress and a tulle crown-like embellishment

Nicole Richie was joined by husband Joel Madden

The big winners on the night were Christopher Nolan, Cillian Murphy, Emma Stone, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Robert Downey Jr.

Oppenheimer won a whopping seven Oscars at Sunday night's Academy Awards, while Poor Things, The Holdovers, American Fiction, Anatomy of Fall and The Zone of Interest picked up big prizes

German supermodel Heidi Klum, 50, sizzled in a shredded golden gown. She was joined by husband Tom Kaulitz, 34.

Dune star Anya Taylor-Joy, 27, put her unique style on display in a black mini dress with a sheer black bra and a spectacular silver head piece.

Camila Cabello showed off her new platinum tresses and sizzled in a grey gown with cut-outs.

Anatomy of a Fall actress Sandra Huller wowed in a sophisticated white gown.

Julia Fox rocked a dramatic black nylon dress and a tulle crown-like embellishment.

Nicole Richie was joined by husband Joel Madden.

Chloe Sevigny, 49, put on a glamorous display in a sexy red number with off-shoulder sleeves in the shape of a stunning large bow.

For the event, Sevigny teamed the chic garment with a pair of velvet pumps as well as a bold red lip. The Feud: Capote vs. The Swans star accessorized with chunky silver earrings as well as dazzling diamond rings.

Quinta Brunson, 34, stunned in a Marc Bouwer gown. Brunson looked mesmerizing in a sheer, one-shoulder dress with a sexy thigh-high slit.

The Abbott Elementary star's silver gown was covered in sparkling rhinestones and featured a floor-sweeping train. She looked stunning as she posed on the red carpet in a pair of metallic platform heels.

Sofia Vergara, 51, looked phenomenal in a low-cut, mermaid-style gown with a sexy keyhole cutout and bows on the bodice.

The Griselda star left down her brunette, silky tresses down in a straight hairstyle and rocked two stunning statement rings. She rocked a sultry makeup look featuring a dark smoky eye and a mauve pink lip.

A makeup-free Pamela Anderson, 56, looked divine as she arrived at the annual Oscar party in sheer cape dress adorned with sheer panels and sequin beading

The blonde bombshell looked radiant as she left her hair natural and opted out of any heavy makeup

She was also seen posing for photos with her eldest son, Brandon Thomas Lee, 27. The actor looked sharp in a gray dress pants and a tuxedo jacket with black satin lapels to match his bowtie and dress shoes

Billie Eilish sported her usual oversized style. Her brother Finneas O'Connell was joined by girlfriend Claudia Sulewski

Ashley Graham put her toned legs on display in a sizzling black dress with a slit

The White Lotus star Meghann Fahy wowed in a black gown, while sporting a stunning makeup look created by beauty pro Jen Tioseco using products from Lady Gaga's Haus Labs beauty brand

Jessica Alba, 42, Chloe Sevigny, 49, and Quinta Brunson, 34, looked equally mesmerizing

Sisters Halle and Chloe Bailey stunned as always

She turned heads in a dazzling silver dress with a very low-cut neckline, which was adorned with roses. She was joined by her husband, film producer Cash Warren, 45

Chloe looked red hot in a fiery gown

The Feud: Capote vs. The Swans star accessorized with chunky silver earrings as well as dazzling diamond rings

The Abbott Elementary star's silver gown was Marc Bouwer couture and covered in sparkling rhinestones and featured a floor-sweeping train. She looked stunning as she posed on the red carpet in a pair of metallic platform heels

Saweetie sizzled up a storm on the red carpet

Olivia Wilde, 40, put on a sultry display in a skintight, black dress with a plunging, strapless neckline. The Don't Worry Darling director teamed the dress with dangling earrings and rocked sharp cat-eye makeup

Sofia Vergara, 51, looked phenomenal in a low-cut, mermaid-style gown with a sexy keyhole cutout and bows on the bodice

The Griselda star left down her brunette, silky tresses down in a straight hairstyle and rocked two stunning statement rings. She rocked a sultry makeup look featuring a dark smoky eye and a mauve pink lip

Diane Kruger, 47, was a sight to behold in a sparkling minidress with long, crystal-beaded fringe. The National Treasure actress's dress featured sheer gloves and a satin, beaded crop top layered over the silver dress. She also wore sheer, knee-high stocks and pointy pumps

Vanessa Hudgens, 35, showed off her blossoming baby bump as she modeled a stunning off-shoulder and fully sheer dress with a cascading cape. She left her ringlets down and sported a pair of large, gold statement earrings

Chrissy Teigen, 38, and John Legend, 45, were an incredibly stylish pair at the bash. The 12-time Grammy-winning singer donned a sharp black tuxedo

The model turned heads in a unique, see-through dress made out of metallic silver floral details. She sported a pair of matching sandal heels with clear straps as well as a metallic, rectangular clutch purse

She slicked back her long brunette hair to showcase a pair of starburst diamond earrings to go with her fabulous dress

Meg Ryan, 62, was gilded in gold at the party in a sleeveless peplum-style gown covered in intricate floral details. The What Happens Later star accessorized with a stunning diamond covered bracelet and two statement rings.

The When Harry Met Sally alum styled her blonde bob in effortlessly stylish beach waves and rocked a deep red lip to complete her chic look

Thomasin McKenzie, Yara Shahidi, and Madelyn Cline all opted for stunning black ensembles, with Outer Banks star Madelyn accessorizing with jewelry from Jared Atelier

John Mulaney and Olivia Munn walked the red carpet hand in hand

Mark Ruffalo was accompanied by his wife of many years Sunrise Coigney

Chris Evans rocked a red suit and brought his wife Alba Baptista to the event

Brendan Fraser looked dashing as he was joined by stylish girlfriend Jeanne Moore

Robert Downey Jr. held hands with wife Susan

John Mulaney and Olivia Munn walked the red carpet hand in hand, while Mark Ruffalo was accompanied by his wife of many years Sunrise Coigney.

Chris Evans rocked a red suit and brought his wife Alba Baptista to the event. Brendan Fraser looked dashing as he was joined by stylish girlfriend Jeanne Moore.

Robert Downey Jr. held hands with wife Susan as they posed for the cameras.

Thomasin McKenzie, Yara Shahidi, and Madelyn Cline all opted for stunning black ensembles.

Cynthia Erivo rocked a figure-hugging sequin gown.

Chrissy Teigen, 38, and John Legend, 45, were an incredibly stylish pair at the bash. The model turned heads in a unique, see-through dress made out of metallic silver floral details.

At her side, the 12-time Grammy-winning singer donned a sharp black tuxedo.

The stylish couple looked incredible as they posed for photographs together as well as solo shots of just the entrepreneur.

The pair  who share four kids together  also shared an affectionate smooch on the red carpet.

Kerry Washington, 47, put on a chic display in an off-the-shoulder minidress with a sheer, floor-length skirt made out of voluminous tulle.

Her dress featured the flattering neckline as well as the bows and intricate beads adorning her dress.

Cynthia Erivo rocked a figure-hugging sequin gown

Kerry Washington, 47, put on a chic display in an off-the-shoulder minidress with a sheer, floor-length skirt made out of voluminous tulle. She was joined by her husband, actor Nnamdi Asomugha, 42, who wore a dashing suit to complement her look

Jennifer Coolidge, 62, looked edgy-chic in a shiny, fishnet-style dress layered over a black slip. The White Lotus alum sported a pair of platform heels and carried a studded handbag as she posed on the red carpet

She styled her blonde tresses in voluminous, bouncy curls and looked stunning in a bright pink lip

Rapper Ice Spice rocked a sheer black gown

Russell Wilson was joined by stunning wife Ciara

Joan Collins, 90, looked absolutely dazzling in an emerald green gown covered in intricate beading and jewels

Kris Jenner, 68, modeled an eye-catching dress covered in sparkling fringe and rhinestones

The Kardashians reality star and matriarch wore a pair of massive teardrop diamond earrings to go with her dazzling look

She was joined by her longtime boyfriend Corey Gamble, 43, who sported a handsome, all-black outfit

Andrea Riseborough displayed her quirky style

Supermodel Joan Smalls, 35, was a dazzling sight in a strapless hot pink gown, which she wore with black opera gloves and pumps. Mamie Gummer put on a daring display at the annual Vanity Fair bash in a sexy black gown with revealing slits along the sides, which were held in place by a white string bow

The 40-year-old daughter of Meryl Streep and Don Gummer styled her blonde hair into a chic updo with face-framing braids and carried a rectangular clutch purse

Selma Blair, 51, looked fabulous in a stunning pink dress with a very low-cut corset-style bodice, which she wore with a black bow bandeau. Joey King, 24, modeled a ruched gray gown with a sexy thigh-high slit, which she wore with sheer black tights and opera gloves

Diane Kruger, 47, was a sight to behold in a sparkling minidress with long, crystal-beaded fringe. The National Treasure actress's dress featured sheer gloves and a satin, beaded crop top layered over the silver dress. She also wore sheer, knee-high stocks and pointy pumps

Leslie Mann, 51, looked oh-so-chic in an elegant, black-and-white outfit. Her stunning garb featured a form-fitting, low-cut corset style top with a contrasting, white midi skirt. She teamed the unique dress with a pair of black heels and a white, leather purse and a mesmerizing statement necklace

Jon Hamm, 53, and his wife Anna Osceola looked like a dashing pair as they arrived at the star-studded event. The Morning Show actor wore a handsome suit as he posed alongside the 35-year-old actress  who was gilded in gold as she modeled an ethereal gown with a plunging neckline

Ariana Greenblatt donned a dramatic black gown

Hollywood icon Sharon Stone looked incredible as ever in a sparkling silver gown

Catherine O'Hara and Phoebe Tonkin both looked ready for spring in ultra feminine dresses

Jennifer Coolidge, 62, looked edgy-chic in a shiny, fishnet-style dress layered over a black slip.

The White Lotus alum sported a pair of platform heels and carried a studded handbag as she posed on the red carpet. She styled her blonde tresses in voluminous, bouncy curls and looked stunning in a bright pink lip.

Hollywood icon Sharon Stone looked incredible as ever in a sparkling silver gown.

Joan Collins, 90, looked absolutely dazzling in an emerald green gown covered in intricate beading and jewels.

A makeup-free Pamela Anderson, 56, looked divine as she arrived at the annual Oscar party in sheer cape dress adorned with sheer panels and sequin beading.

The blonde bombshell looked radiant as she left her hair natural and opted out of any heavy makeup.

She was also seen posing for photos with her eldest son, Brandon Thomas Lee, 27.

Catherine O'Hara and Phoebe Tonkin both looked ready for spring in ultra feminine dresses.

Kris Jenner, 68, modeled an eye-catching dress covered in sparkling fringe and rhinestones. She was joined by her longtime boyfriend Corey Gamble, 43, who sported a handsome, all-black outfit.

Supermodel Joan Smalls, 35, was a dazzling sight in a strapless hot pink gown, which she wore with black opera gloves and pumps.

Mamie Gummer put on a daring display at the annual Vanity Fair bash in a sexy black gown with revealing slits along the sides, which were held in place by a white string bow.

Will Arnett wore a sharp blue suit with a shiny black tie. The Arrested Development actor, 53, was also seen in attendance with his entrepreneur girlfriend Alessandra Brawn

Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union made a good looking pair

Michael Douglas, 79, attended the party with his son, Cameron Douglas, 45. The silver screen icon donned a black suit with a blue button-down while his son sported an olive green outfit

Jonathan Bailey dressed to impress in a velvet suit with muted purple lapels and a matching bowtie. The Bridgerton actor, 35, completed his look with shiny dress shoes and a flashy watch

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and his wife Nicole Avant were also seen in fabulous black-tie looks. Sarandos sported a blue suit with a black, satin bowtie to complement the producer, who is also the former United States Ambassador to the Bahamas, in a strapless black gown and silk trench coat

Saltburn star Barry Keoghan looked incredibly dapper in a vibrant white and black blazer, teamed with edgy accessorises

Chloe Bailey looked magnificent in a metallic green ruched ensemble as she struck

Camilla Cabello put on a racy display in a grey cut-out gown with a long cape

Alexandra Daddario looked angelic in a white gown with a animated circular cape

Justin Timberlake looked dapper in a navy blue three-piece tuxedo

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, who have been married for ten years, looked happier than ever as they posed on the red carpet

Nina Dobrev wowed in a silver metallic gown and flashed her toned torso through the cut-out detailing

Elizabeth Hurley posed alongside her son Damian Charles Hurley

Singer songwriter Demi Lovato put on a show-stopping display in a strapless sequin gown

Julia Fox arrived in a unique latex dress with an exaggerated statement headband

Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth sweetly cuddled for a doting photo together

The lovebirds looked incredibly glamorous in their Oscars outfits

Cardi B playfully posed up a storm on the red carpet

Billie Eilish presented her well-desereved Oscars award as she posed on the Vanity Fair carpet

Barbie's director Greta Gerwig looked chic in a black suit

Alessandra Ambrosio wowed in an elegant white ensemble

Woman of the hour Emma Stone showed off her gong as she posed with her husband Dave McCary

Kylie Minogue stunned in a blue and green sequin gown

Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan held hands as they posed for a loved-up snap

Charlotte Tilbury put on a vibrant display in a burnt orange tassled ensemble

Sydney Sweeney looked incredible in a Marilyn Monroe-inspired outfit

Iris Law wore a 50s inspired outfit with statement earrings

Jodie Turner-Smith put on a leggy display in a daringly high-split gown

The 40-year-old daughter of Meryl Streep and Don Gummer styled her blonde hair into a chic updo with face-framing braids and carried a rectangular clutch purse.

Selma Blair, 51, looked fabulous in a stunning pink dress with a very low-cut corset-style bodice, which she wore with a black bow bandeau.

The Cruel Intentions star paired the voluminous tea skirt dress with pointy pumps and a cane.

Joey King, 24, modeled a ruched gray gown with a sexy thigh-high slit, which she wore with sheer black tights and opera gloves.

Diane Kruger, 47, was a sight to behold in a sparkling minidress with long, crystal-beaded fringe.

Kylie Minogue, 55, was also seen at the event in a baby blue, sequin-covered dress with a green sparkling bra top bodice.

(L-R) Lenny Kravitz, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Kim Kardashian, Vergara, Jenner, and Demi were seen inside the lavish soiree

Kim chatted with Lindsay

Elsa and Anya struck a pose inside

Matthew caught up with Usher

Florence Pugh made a departure from the star-studded afterparty

Kim Kardashian left the event in the early hours of the morning with her best friend Tracy Romulus

The duo still looked exceptional at the early hours of the morning

Kim was seen hailing someone in the distance

Ashley Graham looked glam in her thigh-high split ensemble as she followed behind the stars making their departure

Nicolas Cage held hands with his beloved wife Riko Shibata as they left the bash

Miles Teller and Keleigh Sperry, who have been married since 2019, held hands as they exited the party

Sofia Vergara was chatting away as she made her way out of the party

Iris Law radiated beauty in the early hours of Monday morning as she left the party

Emily Blunt was still all smiles following her huge Oscars win as she left the event with her beloved hubby John Krasinski

Eva Longoria and Heidi Klum posed for a photo outside the venue

Heidi sipped on a coffee, while Eva swapped her heels for slippers as they waited for their private cars to pick them up from the event

The duo shared a sweet moment with each other as they looked back at the photo

Heidi departed the bash with her hunk Tom Kaulitz

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley made a speedy departure from the 2024 Oscars Vanity Fairs bash

Olivia Wilde, 40, put on a sultry display in a skintight, black dress with a plunging, strapless neckline.

Leslie Mann, 51, looked oh-so-chic in an elegant, black-and-white outfit.

Justin Theroux, 52, and his girlfriend Nicole Brydon Bloom, 29, made their red carpet debut as a couple.

Sandra Oh, 52, turned up the glamour in a sparkling sapphire blue gown featuring an ombre-style skirt covered in large, gold sequins.

Jon Hamm, 53, and his wife Anna Osceola looked like a dashing pair as they arrived at the star-studded event.
Lindsay Lohan lit up the red carpet for the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center For The Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.

This year marked the 30th anniversary of the star-studded bash that's widely considered to be among the premiere Oscar parties, due to its consistency attracting many of the top celebrities of the day.

The former Mean Girls leading lady, who has been living in Dubai for the most part over the course of the last decade, blinded admirers decked out in a silver sparkling gown made up of a plethora of fringe.

While there was little bits of fringe from top to bottom, the chest portion of the striking number had the longest pieces of fringe, some of which hung down to waistline.

She would match the retro straples number with a pair of dangling earrings that also featured plenty of sparkles.

Lindsay Lohan, 37, lit up the red carpet excitement when she made her grand arrival at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in Beverly Hills

The sparkling fringe look has been popular with designers and women all the way back to the 1920s, and all through the decades ever since.

Rounding out her ensemble, Lohan would also accessorize with a bracelet, two rings, including her wedding ring, and have her ginger locks styled with plenty of volume, an added dose of sheen, and a part in the middle.

The New York City native also shared the red carpet spotlight with her husband, Bader Shammas, who looked handsome in a black suit with a matching dress shirt and bowtie, along with a pair of dress shoes.

He had his dark hair cut shirt, especially on the sides, while also sporting a well-manicured beard and mustache combination.

The packed on the PDA during their time in front of the cameras, with Shammas wrapping his arm around his wife's waist, which ended up leading to them sharing a kiss.

Shammas and Lohan first sparked romance rumors in February 2020.

While it's unclear exactly how and when she first met the Kuwaiti financier, they both have spent significant time in Dubai, where the actress has been living since 2014.

They would eventually take the next step in their romance and announce their engagement in November 2021, in an Instagram post.

Lohan also shared the red carpet spotlight with her husband, Bader Shammas, who looked handsome in a black suit he wore with a matching dress shirt and bowtie

Shammas and Lohan first sparked romance rumors in February 2020, which led to their eventual marriage in April 2022, according to a representative

Lohan gave birth to their first child together, a son, Luai, who made his arrival in Dubai in July

'My love. My life. My family. My future,' she gushed in the caption of a series of snaps of the couple showing off excitement and Lohan's engagement ring.

A representative confirmed Lohan and Shammas were married after she called him her husband' in an Instagram birthday post, which the starlet later revealed to have happened on April 3, 2022.

Their family expanded by one when Lohan gave birth to their first child together, a son, Luai, who made his arrival in Dubai this past July.

The name Luai is Arabic, meaning 'shield or protector,' according to People.

Decked out in a figure-hugging gown, Kim Kardashian got to chat with Lohan

At one point the Mean Girls star got playful with he top front of Kim K's figure-hugging number

Not wanting to miss out on all the baby excitement, Lohan's mother, Dina, flew out as soon as Luai was born, which came as a surprise because the little guy came two days earlier than expected.

While Shammas keeps his Instagram private, Lohan will occasionally heap praise on her man on social media and in the occasional interview.

Lohan has been in the spotlight since she was a toddler, signing with Ford Models at the age of three.

She would gain experience as an actor on the classic soap Another World at the age of 10, her big breakthrough came in the Walt Disney Pictures film The Parent Trap (1998), when she was 11.

She would also be able to gain teen idol status with roles in such films as Freaky Friday (2003), Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen (2004), and her most successful roles to date: Mean Girls (2004) and Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005).

Lohan has two new films set to drop in 2024, including Irish Wish, which premiered in New York City last week; the actress is seen with Ayesha Curry, Aliana Lohan, Dakota Lohan, Ed Speleers, and Jane Seymour

Banking on her star power, Lohan also delved into a career in music, releasing two albums during her run as a teenaged starlet with Speak (2004) and A Little More Personal (Raw) (2005).

Her Hollywood resume also includes such films as Georgia Rule (2007), Scary Movie 5 (2013) and Machete (2010).

Most recently, Lohan has two new films in post-production, including the fantasy romantic comedy, Irish Wish, that's set to drop Match 15, and also stars Ed Speleers, Alexander Vlahos, Ayesha Curry and Jane Seymour, among others.

She also has the lead role in the Netflix romantic comedy film Our Little Secret, co-starring Kristin Chenoweth, Ian Harding and Jon Rudnitsky. Production began in in January 2024 and is slated to premiere on the streaming platform later in the year.
Elsa Pataky was showing off some new ink on Sunday night as she attended the Academy Awards and the Vanity Fair Oscars after party alongside her husband Chris Hemsworth.

The Spanish actress flaunted the tattoo on her inner forearm, which read, 'Quis erit, erit' in Latin, which translates loosely as 'What will be, will be.'

The art appears to be brand new as it could not be seen on Elsa's arm at the Magic Millions horse racing event in January.

The couple appeared loved-up on the red carpet at the awards ceremony before heading to the famed after party.

The Spanish actress, 47, flashed her ample cleavage and abs in a daring cut-out white gown with sequin trim.

Elsa Pataky was showing off some new ink on Sunday night as she attended the Academy Awards and the Vanity Fair Oscars after party alongside her husband Chris Hemsworth

The Spanish actress flaunted the tattoo on her inner forearm, which read, 'Quis erit, erit' in Latin, which translates loosely as 'What will be, will be'

The revealing dress also showcased the mother-of-three's muscular back and arms.

Elsa went for a smokey eye and nude lip combination for makeup, and swept her locks back into a high ponytail.

Meanwhile, Chris, 40, also bucked tradition by wearing a black tuxedo with an open white shirt and no bow tie.

She later changed, stunning in a silver scale gown that clung to her fit figure and featured a plunging neckline.

The sighting comes after Elsa and Chris were hit by split rumours - which they have since poured cold water over with a series of romantic getaways and loved-up red carpet appearances.

The art appears to be brand new as it could not be seen on Elsa's arm at the Magic Millions horse racing event in January

The couple, who have been married for more than 10 years, recently set tongues wagging that not all was well in paradise after they went on separate holidays.

A source close to the pair recently told In Touch magazine that despite maintaining a united front for their family and spending Christmas together, the duo have been growing apart for some time.

'The status of Chris and Elsa's marriage is a question mark,' a source told the publication.

'The separate vacations are a huge red flag, but it's more than that. They're still very much a united family, but they've drifted apart as a couple.'

The couple appeared loved-up on the red carpet at the awards ceremony before heading to the famed after party

The Spanish actress, 47, flashed her ample cleavage and abs in a daring cut-out white gown with sequin trim

The source claimed Chris wants to live a 'simpler life' but 'Elsa wants more'.

'They were the perfect husband-and-wife team for so long - both gorgeous, beautiful kids. Everything seemed picture-perfect. But things have definitely changed,' they added.

The couple spent a significant amount of time holidaying separately last year, prompting fans to question if all is well in paradise.

Since fans raised their concerns, Chris and Elsa have well and truly poured cold water over the speculation, sharing several photos of themselves looking very happy during family holidays in Fiji and at the snow over the holidays.

She later changed, stunning in a silver scale gown that clung to her fit figure and featured a plunging neckline

Meanwhile, Chris, 40, also bucked tradition by wearing a black tuxedo with an open white shirt and no bow tie

Elsa went for a smokey eye and nude lip combination for makeup, and swept her locks back into a high ponytail

The chatter first began when Elsa and the couple's children put up the family Christmas tree at their Byron Bay mansion without Chris.

'Haven't seen you and Chris together in a while. Hope all is good,' one follower commented underneath photos the Spanish star posted of the Hemsworth clan decorating the home.

'Where is Chris?' another worried fan wrote, as one pointed out the pair have been taking less photos together than usual.

Chris and Elsa tied the knot during the Christmas holidays in 2010.

The couple live in a $30million mansion in Broken Head near Byron Bay after relocating from Los Angeles to Australia nine years ago.
Elsa Pataky her husband Chris Hemsworth made an appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party on Sunday night.

The Spanish actress and the Australian actor kissed and cuddled as they posed for glamorous photos on the red carpet.

At one stage, Chris placed a sweet kiss on Elsa's forehead while she wrapped her arms around him.

The Interceptor star stunned in a silver scale gown that clung to her fit figure and featured a plunging neckline.

The glistening frock reached floor length with the large metallic sequins catching the light.

Elsa Pataky her husband Chris Hemsworth made an appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party on Sunday night. Both pictured

The Spanish actress and the Australian actor kissed and cuddled as they posed for glamorous photos on the red carpet

The Interceptor star stunned in a silver scale gown that clung to her fit figure and featured a plunging neckline

She added a smattering a silver accessories including a diamond bracelet and ring, as well as dainty earrings.

Elsa went for a smokey eye and nude lip combination for makeup, and swept her locks back into a high ponytail.

Meanwhile, Chris, 40, also bucked tradition by wearing a black tuxedo with an open white shirt and no bow tie.

The pair were joined by their good friends Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso at the shindig.

At one stage, Chris placed a sweet kiss on Elsa's forehead while she wrapped her arm around him

Elsa's glistening frock reached floor length with the large metallic sequins catching the light

She added a smattering a silver accessories including a diamond bracelet and ring, as well as dainty earrings

Elsa went for a smokey eye and nude lip combination for makeup, and swept her locks back into a high ponytail

Meanwhile, Chris, 40, also bucked tradition by wearing a black tuxedo with an open white shirt and no bow tie

The couple seemed more in love than ever

Elsa worked her angles in her eye-catching gown

The A-listers mingled and posed for fun selfies together as they enjoyed their night out together.

Luciana looked gorgeous in a semi-sheer black lace gown while wearing her hair up with loose strands around her face.

Matt meanwhile opted for a classic tuxedo with a white dress shirt and a black bow tie.

Elsa and Chris also appeared loved-up on the red carpet at the awards ceremony before heading to the famed after party.

The two could not keep their hands off each other

The pair were joined by their good friends Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso at the shindig. All pictured

The A-listers mingled and posed for fun selfies together as they enjoyed their night out together

Luciana looked gorgeous in a semi-sheer black lace gown while wearing her hair up with loose strands around her face. Matt meanwhile opted for a classic tuxedo

The actress, 47, flashed her ample cleavage and abs in a daring cut-out white gown with sequin trim.

The revealing dress also showcased the mother-of-three's muscular back and arms.

The sighting comes after Elsa and Chris were hit by split rumours - which they have since bucked with a series of romantic getaways and loved-up red carpet appearances.

The couple, who have been married for more than 10 years, recently set tongues wagging that not all was well in paradise after they went on separate holidays.

The sighting comes after Elsa and Chris were hit by split rumours

They have since bucked with a series of romantic getaways and loved-up red carpet appearances

Elsa showed off the plunging back on her glamorous frock

The couple, who have been married for more than 10 years, recently set tongues wagging that not all was well in paradise after they went on separate holidays

The chatter first began when Elsa and the couple's children put up the family Christmas tree at their Byron Bay mansion without Chris

Since fans raised their concerns, Chris and Elsa have well and truly poured cold water over the speculation, sharing several photos of themselves looking very happy during family holidays in Fiji and at the snow over the holidays

Chris and Elsa tied the knot during the Christmas holidays in 2010

The couple live in a $30million mansion in Broken Head near Byron Bay after relocating from Los Angeles to Australia nine years ago

The chatter first began when Elsa and the couple's children put up the family Christmas tree at their Byron Bay mansion without Chris.

Since fans raised their concerns, Chris and Elsa have well and truly poured cold water over the speculation, sharing several photos of themselves looking very happy during family holidays in Fiji and at the snow over the holidays.

Chris and Elsa tied the knot during the Christmas holidays in 2010.

The couple live in a $30million mansion in Broken Head near Byron Bay after relocating from Los Angeles to Australia nine years ago.
Roxy Jacenko was more than a little miffed that her husband Oliver Curtis forgot their wedding anniversary.

The PR mogul shared a text message exchange between the pair to Instagram Stories, where she joked that she had considered 'stabbing' her husband with a blunt dinner knife.

'Happy anniversary! Lol Lol lol,' she began the exchange.

'Oh f**k.... Happy anniversary babe,' Oliver replied, indicating that he had missed the date.

'To think yesterday I considered stabbing you - at least it was with a Christofle knife,' she replied.

Roxy Jacenko was more than a little miffed that her husband Oliver Curtis forgot their wedding anniversary. Both pictured

Christofle is a brand of upmarket, silver dinnerware made in Paris, with a single knife from the brand retailing for as much as AUD $538.

Oliver replied with a series of facepalm emojis before Roxy added, 'Don't worry, I bought myself a present as a reward'.

Roxy is loving her new life in Singapore with her husband and their two kids - daughter Pixie, 12, and son Hunter, nine.

The 44-year-old entrepreneur settled in to the Southeast Asian country six months ago and has been living it up in style ever since.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia, Roxy reveals she will never return to Sydney.

The PR mogul shared a text message exchange between the pair to Instagram Stories, where she joked that she had considered 'stabbing' her husband with a blunt dinner knife

Christofle is a brand of upmarket, silver dinnerware made in Paris, with a single knife from the brand retailing for as much as AUD $538

The Sweaty Betty founder revealed back in June she was leaving her hometown of 43 years to join with her husband in Singapore where he works in finance.

Roxy stresses her marriage to husband Oliver, 39, was never in turmoil before her move to Singapore, but admits their relationship has definitely improved now that their family is under one roof.

'There's been many-a-rumour that I'm divorced, or I'm separated or whatever. My husband doesn't like to be on social media, which is understandable,' she tells Daily Mail Australia.

'I threaten him all the time with [divorce]. And he's probably hoping one day I'm actually really serious!' she jokes.

'Ollie is working harder than he's ever worked in his life. We hardly ever see him, but [moving to Singapore] has put us all together in one house. In the morning Ollie's amazing. He'll get breakfast ready for the kids and get them out the door with me. We didn't have that opportunity before.

The 44-year-old entrepreneur settled in to Singapore six months ago and has been living it up in style ever since. Pictured (L-R) Hunter Curtis, Roxy Jacenko, Pixie Curtis and Oliver Curtis

'Life's very different now. We are active parents together, which we've never had the opportunity to be before.'

Roxy calls her husband, who she married in 2012, her 'best friend' and explains their relationship isn't a stereotypical romance.

'I mean, I think no marriage is perfect. We're a good team is what I'd say,' Roxy continues.

'He's my best friend. He's got my back no matter what. If I say to him, I need you to do something for me. I might have to ask him 15 times to do it, but he'll do it. I think that's why it works.

'I'm not looking to have date nights on Tuesday nights. Our life is our kids - making sure that they've got the best opportunities. [Oliver's] focus is that he has a family unit together, which is why he wanted us to move and to make sure the kids had that exposure to having a father figure around all the time.'

Roxy stresses her marriage to husband Oliver, 39, was never in turmoil before her move to Singapore, but admits their relationship has definitely improved
North West has announced she is releasing her debut album at only 10-years-old - but not everybody is happy about the title.

The eldest daughter of Kanye West, 46, and Kim Kardashian, 43, broke the news that she would be releasing new music at her father's Vultures 2 listening party on Sunday.

North took to the spotlight on the Footprint Center stage in Phoenix, Arizona, with Kanye standing nearby as she dropped the bombshell.

'Hi, it's Northie, and I've been working on an album. And it's called Elementary School Drop Out, as the crowd erupted into roaring cheers.

As the loud applause continued, a proud Kanye guided his daughter off stage with his hands placed protectively on her shoulders.

North West, 10, dropped the bombshell that she would be releasing her very first album - Elementary School Dropout, but not everyone is happy with the name choice

She took to the spotlight on Footprint Center stage in Phoenix, Arizona , with her famous father standing nearby as she made the announcement (pictured)

It comes after Kanye took to social media last week to blast his and Kim's latest parenting disagreement.

Kim is reportedly upset with Kanye after he begged her to remove their children from an exclusive elementary school via a note posted to Instagram.

'Kim take my kids out of Sierra Canyon now its a fake school for celebrities that are used by "the system,"' Kanye express in all capital letters.

A source told TMZ that Kim 'is frustrated with his constant public attacks and naming of the school because it creates safety and security concerns each and every time for their children.'

She is also frustrated that the rap artist told their children that 'school isn't necessary,' according to the insider.

The person close to the situation added that Kim enrolled the kids at Sierra Canyon for its reputation as a 'fantastic school' and because 'their children need consistency in their lives.'

Moreover, North's album title - Elementary School Drop Out - is a nod to her father's critically acclaimed debut The College Dropout hasn't sat well with many.

Many took to Twitter to express their discontent with the album name.

The crowd erupted into roaring cheers as she said: 'Hi, it's Northie, and I've been working on an album. And it's called Elementary School Drop Out

'Im praying she didnt actually drop out of elementary school.'

'So North West dropping an album called Elementary School Drop-Out!

'Hey I think its cool she wanna do music. Its just how is this a good idea to call an album that?'

'Did she actually drop out of elementary school?'

'A kid with Elementary School Dropout as the title is wild.'

'Well, most elementary school students will think dropping out is cool while North West lives in luxury.'

Although many weren't big fans of the name, others were extremely excited about the album drop.

The name of the album is a nod to her famous father's Grammy-winning debut album The College Dropout

Dissimilar to the echoing cheers in Arizona many online weren't pleased about the album title, with one writing: 'Children please stay in school'

'North West's debut album bout to have the hardest beats in child star history.'

'There is no way North West gonna drop an album before Playboi Carti.'

'COMING FOR THAT YOUNGEST GRAMMY WINNER TITLE OH IKTR!'

Kanye's album The College Dropout, which serves as inspiration for North's debut, sold over four million copies worldwide when it first hit shelves in 2004.

The four time platinum album also bagged Kanye three Grammy's including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song (Jesus Walks) and Best R&B song (You Don't Know My Name).

North wasn't the only West child present at the listening party on Sunday, with her two younger siblings, Chicago, six, and Psalm, four, sending the crowd wild as they played on the smoke filled concert floor.

Elementary School Dropout won't be North's musical debut, as the tween has previously featured on Kanye's collaboration album with Ty Dolla $ign, Vultures.

On the Talking/Once Again track, she can be heard rapping: 'It's your bestie. Miss, Miss Westy!'

'Don't tryna test me. It's gonna get messy. Just, just bless me. Bless me!'

North starred in the music video which was released on February 7 alongside the two famous rappers.

North West exuded confidence both in the Talking video and when she performed the song live on December 12 in Sunrise, Florida.

North West announces her new album elementary school dropout pic.twitter.com/rV6y64c2tF  brian long (@BrianLongFilms) March 11, 2024

North wasn't the only West child present, with her two younger siblings, Chicago, six, and Psalm, four, playing in the smoke filled concert floor in Phoenix (pictured)

The crowd went wild as the famous youngsters graced the stage

Elementary School Dropout is a nod to Kanye's Grammy award winning debut album The College Dropout (pictured)

However, Elementary School Dropout will not be North's musical debut as she has already featured on Talking/Once Again alongside Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign

The daughter of Kim exuded confidence as she joined her father, 46, in the video for the song off the controversial Vultures album, which was released on February 7
Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy appeared close friends as they hung backstage following their hosting duties at the 96th Academy Awards.

The duo, who star in Furiosa: a Mad Max Saga together, presented the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film on Sunday during the star-studded event in Hollywood.

After a flawless performance, the pair headed back stage to share some beverages and have a friendly chat.

They were all smiles as they fell into easy conversation behind the scenes, with Anya comfortably leaning on Chris's shoulder.

The Thor star, 40, who is currently married to Spanish actress Elsa Pataky, looked every inch the charmer in a black suit with an unbuttoned white shirt.

Chris Hemsworth, 40, (left) and Anya Taylor-Joy, 27, (right) appeared close friends as they hung up backstage following their hosting duties at the 96th Academy Awards

The duo, who star in Furiosa: a Mad Max Saga together, presented the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film on Sunday during the star-studded event in Hollywood

Meanwhile, Anya, 27, who is married to musician Malcolm McRae, looked radiant in a sparkling bejewelled gown.

The Peaky Blinders star had an ethereal glow in the frilled strapless number, which featured plenty of dazzling beaded embellishment.

She teamed her jaw-dropping ensemble with an incredible slew of diamond rings as well as a bracelet.

After a flawless performance, the pair headed back stage to share some beverages and have a friendly chat

Anya also rocked a pendant diamond necklace drawing attention to her slender neck, matched with shining rings.

Her long platinum locks cascaded down her back, as her sizzling gown also featured a racy open-back.

It comes after Anya and Chris were spotted in Sao Paulo, Brazil together in December as they attended the Comic Con Experience 2023.

They were all smiles as they fell into easy conversation behind the scenes

At one point Anya comfortably leant on Chris's shoulder

The British beauty was promoting her upcoming film, Furiosa, with her co-star.

The film in the Mad Max Saga is a prequel of the character introduced by Charlize Theron in the Oscar winning Mad Max: Fury Road.

The trailer, released in December, takes place shortly after the apocalyptic events that devastated the planet, and shows the renegade warrior's back story of survival.

'IT'S HAPPENING. All the blood, sweat and tears. Remember her. Only in theatres 2024,' the star wrote in a social media post sharing the long awaited preview.
Nicola Peltz paid a gushing tribute to mother-in-law Victoria Beckham as she took to her Instagram Stories to mark Mother's Day on Sunday.

The actress, 29, who's married to the Beckham's eldest son Brooklyn, 24, declared her love for the former Spice Girl, 49, alongside a beaming snap of the pair.

Putting to bed feud rumours, which began around the time of her wedding, Nicola captioned the post: 'Happy UK Mother's Day I love you @Victoria Beckham'.

Meanwhile Brooklyn shared his own post to honour the occasion with a throwback snap of himself and his mum.

Writing: 'Happy Mothers Day to the best mum xx love you so much'

Nicola Peltz, 29, paid a gushing tribute to mother-in-law Victoria Beckham, 49, as she took to her Instagram Stories to mark Mother's Day on Sunday.

Putting to bed feud rumours, which began around the time of her wedding, Nicola captioned the post: 'Happy UK Mother's Day I love you @Victoria Beckham' (pictured together in February)

It comes after Nicola told how 'close' she is to her in-laws after tensions reportedly rose over the actress' wedding dress for her 3million Palm Beach ceremony in 2022.

Nicole and Brooklyn were hardly seen with the Beckham family in the months following, however they have since continually quashed any speculation of a row.

In a new interview with Byrdie magazine, Nicola opened up about the importance of family, as she gushed over her 'strong support system'.

She told the publication: 'Family is everything to me, and I mean that with my whole heart.

'I'm so close to mine and Brooklyn's family and I think there's no better feeling than knowing you have a strong support system.

'It's such a blessing, and I never take it for granted. I go to Florida any chance I get, and we stay at my parents' house.'

'It honestly makes me so happy to wake up and have my siblings around. It's really hard to get us all in the same place because there are so many of us. When we're all together, it's so fun.'

Nicola went on to say she felt 'inspired' by David and Victoria's 24-year marriage, as well as her parents' own 40-year union.

Meanwhile Brooklyn shared his own post to honour the occasion with a throwback snap of himself and his mum

Writing: 'Happy Mothers Day to the best mum xx love you so much'

It comes after Nicola told how 'close' she is to her in-laws after tensions reportedly rose over the actress' wedding dress for her 3million Palm Beach ceremony in 2022 (Nicola pictured with the Beckham family)

Nicola also wished Victoria's mother Jackie a Happy Birthday

She said: 'Anyone who has been married for a long time, it's such a beautiful thing,' she says.

'My parents have been together for maybe 40 years? And David and Victoria have been together since Brooklyn was a baby, which is like 25 years. My parents, their love inspires me every day. It sounds cheesy, but that's how I feel.' '

'He's [David Beckham] so amazing with Victoria, and Brooklyn is so amazing to me,' she says. 'I'm so thankful they raised such an incredible guy I got to marry.'

Meanwhile Nicola and Brooklyn hit the town in LA with long-time pal Selena Gomez to celebrate her boyfriend Benny Blanco's 36th birthday.

Meanwhile Nicola (L) and Brooklyn hit the town in LA with long-time pal Selena Gomez (R) to celebrate her boyfriend Benny Blanco's 36th birthday

The heiress looked sensational in a strapless black mini dress as she partied the night away

Meanwhile Selena, 31, exuded old Hollywood glam in a ultra low-cut red dress and a matching fur coat during her big night out

The gang put on a very animated display for the camera

Nicola wrote: 'Benny says dress up and we delivaaaa, Happy birthday we love you!

The heiress looked sensational in a strapless black mini dress as she partied the night away.

Meanwhile Selena, 31, exuded old Hollywood glam in a ultra low-cut red dress and a matching fur coat during her big night out.

Nicola and Selena started posting each other on social media towards the end of 2022 after becoming fast friends in September.

Since then, the pair have spent a lot of quality time together along with Nicola's husband Brooklyn, and the trio rang in the New Year together in Mexico.

Nicola and Selena even got matching angel tattoos to cement their friendship, and the Only Murders in the Building star has joked they are in a 'throuple' with Brooklyn.
Monday morning saw the arrival of a 'new era' of This Morning as Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard finally made their debut as the permanent new hosts.

ITV have been hoping the duo will provide stability for viewers after months of uncertainty and a revolving door of presenters in the wake of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield scandalous departures.

Yet not everyone was impressed by the scenes on Monday, with underwhelmed viewers complaining the new hosts weren't enough to save the 'dated' show.

While many reacted favourably to Cat and Ben themselves, they were unimpressed that the show had remained largely unchanged.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one disappointed viewer summed up: 'Big new era for #ThisMorning starts today... AAAAANDtheyve not changed anything on the set, the items are all the same and it feels like Ben & Cat are just the latest on the conveyer belt of presenters rather than it feeling like a fresh start, which it arguably should.'

Monday morning saw the arrival of a 'new era' of This Morning as Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard finally made their debut as the permanent new hosts

ITV have been hoping the duo will provide stability for viewers after months of uncertainty and a revolving door of presenters in the wake of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield exits

Others agreed: '#ThisMorning ..same old set, theme tune, graphics and segments. Even same opening titles - couldnt even be bothered to add Ben and Cat in like the old previous hosts. This was ITVs chance to rejuvenate the program and move on from the past - and they missed it.';

'9.58am: Pop on ITV1 to watch new #ThisMorning hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley's start to the show. 10.03am: Now Ive watched it Ive turned it off and back on with watching Young Royals on Netflix. Love Cat & Ben, but I think This Morning just feels dated to me tbh!';

'#ThisMorning - Ben & Cat will be great but the sadness that there's no set is strong - always my fave bits of a relaunch, new studio sets.'

Discussing the new hosts themselves, others added: 'Mightve had the wrong first impression about Ben and Cat. Give me another 2 hours but they seem to be doing pretty well #ThisMorning';

'I really like Cat and Ben and I'm sure they'll be great as the new permanent presenters. Just relieved to finally have an end to all the chopping and changing, fingers crossed there's some stability at last. Now just get them on the opening titles! #ThisMorning';

'Nice to see Ben Shepherd and Cat Deely presenting #ThisMorning'; 'I love Ben & i love Cat ...things are looking up.#ThisMorning'; 'Jury's out about Cat, but think Ben adds a level of professionalism that this show has long lacked #thismorning'.

The pair were unveiled as the new additions to the show last month following weeks of speculation, and Holly's departure from the show back in October.

Speaking during the show's opening moments on Monday, Cat said: 'We are so excited to be here this show has been a part of our lives for so long.'

Ben, who left Good Morning Britain last month after 10 years, added: 'Everyone has been so kind. thank you to everyone who has sent us messages of support.'

Not everyone was impressed by the scenes on Monday, with underwhelmed viewers complaining the new hosts weren't enough to save the 'dated' show

While many reacted favourably to Cat and Ben themselves, they were unimpressed that the show had remained largely unchanged

Cat and Ben gushed they were 'so excited' as they finally made their debut as new hosts but viewers weren't convinced they were enough to save the 'dated' show

Cat and Ben also received messages of support from some of their celebrity pals, with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly sharing a sweet tribute to their former SMTV co-host.

Noting their wild partying during their children's TV heyday, Ant said: 'That girl can party, don't think she can't,' while Declan added: 'Keep a lock on the drinks cabinet.'

Ben also received a sweet message from his longtime pal Chris Kamara, who said: 'He was one of the best things to happen to me and vice versa I'm sure you're going to smash it.'

Ahead of their first show, Ben's former GMB colleague Susanna Reid shared a selfie alongside the pair after they crossed paths backstage.

Tweeting the snap, she penned the caption: 'Fantastic to see @benshephard & @catdeeley behind the scenes this morning before their This Morning debut. Good luck dream team.'

Cat was seen in New York City last week, just two days before she kicked off her This Morning stint.

Her new role will mean she could reportedly lose her long-time role on So You Think You Can Dance in the US, where she was paid 43k an episode - instead opting for the role on This Morning with a reported 550k annual salary.

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.

Cat's husband Patrick Kielty, with whom she shares two children, is the host of Ireland's The Late Late Show and her role on This Morning would bring her closer geographically to her husband rather than her US job.

When reports of her joining the show first emerged last year it was claimed she and Ben would receive an annual salary of 555,000.

While hefty, the salary still paled in comparison to former hosts Holly and Phil, who were said to have been paid 700,000 annually for their role.

Ben had his final GMB show on February 23, leaving his 'on-screen wife' Kate Garraway after nearly 20 years.

The pair were unveiled as the new additions to the show last month following the departures of Phillip and Holly last year

Cat and Ben also received messages of support from some of their celebrity pals, with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly sharing a sweet tribute to their former SMTV co-host

Ben also received a sweet message from his longtime pal Chris Kamara, who said: 'He was one of the best things to happen to me and vice versa I'm sure you're going to smash it'

He said at the time: 'One of the hardest decisions of course is knowing that my mornings with Kate, my on-screen wife of nearly 20 years, is coming to an end.'

The news was confirmed via a bespoke promo on This Morning's Twitter last month, 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.'

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.'

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.'

It comes after 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 and has since not been replaced permanently.

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.

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.'

Ben, who left Good Morning Britain last month after 10 years, added: 'Everyone has been so kind. Thank you to everyone who has sent us messages of support'

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.

It comes after 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 and has since not been replaced permanently.
Iconic celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman has spilled some of the red carpet secrets of the world's biggest stars.

The founder of Westman Atelier discussed how she styles the likes of Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston and Anne Hathaway for their close ups.

When it comes to Nicole, the 52-year-old American makeup mogul says the Australian actress gets her perfectly pink cheeks thanks to the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in the shade Poppet.

Suitable for use on the cheeks and lips, the stick offers natural looking finish and retails for AUD $82.

Part of Anne Hathaway's perfect red carpet looks is her own hard work, Westman revealed to Stellar on Monday.

Iconic celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman (pictured) has spilled some of the red carpet secrets of the world's biggest stars

'She looks better than ever. She's incredibly disciplined  exercises every day, eats super clean, she works her butt off. She doesn't stray,' she said.

Jennifer Aniston ensures she always looks looks like herself even when at a high fashion shoot.

'With Jen, it's never fully a transformation, it's usually a version of her. And she feels good that way,' Westman told the publication.

Westman will celebrate seven years of her skincare-meets-makeup brand in July this year.

When it comes to Nicole Kidman, the 52-year-old American makeup mogul says the Australian actress gets her perfectly pink cheeks thanks to the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in the shade Poppet

Gucci is first and foremost a make-up artist and friend to the likes of Cameron Diaz and Aniston.

She champions what she calls make-up 'wardrobe', a system, and one that delivers a very natural-looking finish.

Or, as she puts it, skin that 'looks intact but enhanced, amplified'.

Developing it and getting the textures right took four years of (self-funded) hard work, especially because she didn't want to use silicones.

'We're all so accustomed to how silicones feel,' she told Daily Mail.

Jennifer Aniston (pictured) ensures she always looks looks like herself even when at a high fashion shoot. 'With Jen, it's never fully a transformation, it's usually a version of her. And she feels good that way,' Westman explained

'I had to create something that was close to that of my competitors but was also clean and beautiful  thank God for camellia oil.'

Gucci is clear about what her brand is: natural options first and free from 'nasties' including parabens and phthalates; and what it isn't: organic.

When she can't use natural ingredients it's because she won't compromise on the feel, finish and effect that she, as much as any of us, wants from her make-up.

Westman Atelier products also have skincare benefits.

Gucci suffers from rosacea, so she has included ingredients such as phytosphingosine, a plant extract with anti-inflammatory properties, so products are 'healing and therapeutic'.
Australian Idol stunned fans on Monday night's episode when favourites Drea Onamade and Kiani Smith were sent home in a double elimination.

As the Top 6 secured their place live on the Channel Seven singing competition, hosts Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie delivered the heart-breaking news.

The young women were beaten in the bottom four by powerhouses Dylan Wright and Denvah Baker-Moller who put on incredible performances to keep their spots.

The incredible Top 8 kicked off the astounding episode with a joyful performance of Rush by Troye Sivan before Ricki-Lee, 38, performed her newest song On My Own.

Across Australia 3.3million votes were placed, putting Dylan, 30, Denvah, 24, Drea, 26, and Kiani, 17, in the bottom four.

Australian Idol stunned fans on Monday night's episode when favourites Drea Onamade, 26, (left) and Kiani Smith, 17, (right) were sent home in a double elimination

Judges Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark were all especially shocked to see Dylan placed in the bottom four after his jaw-dropping performance on Sunday.

Kyle, 52, said: 'That sucks, that's wrong. There must be a recount. That's some poor voting from home.'

But the judges couldn't save the bottom four now, as they all took to the stage again to prove they deserve a spot on the show.

Pop star Amy Shark, 37, (right) said of their elimination: 'It's just really sad. I don't want to see you go. I've enjoyed every single performance'

Dylan belted out Use Somebody by Kings of Leon as Denvah roused the crowd with her rendition of Hold Back the River by James Bay.

Drea and Kiani failed to keep up with their covers of Can't Get You Out of My Head by Kylie Minogue and Feeling Good by Nina Simone respectively.

When they received the devastating news they would be leaving the competition for good, Kiani said: 'Thank you. It's been a lifetime experience I will always cherish.'

The young women were beaten in the bottom four by powerhouses Dylan Wright, 30, (right) and Denvah Baker-Moller, 24, (centre right) who put on incredible performances

AUSTRALIAN IDOL 2024: TOP 6

 Amy Reeves, 24, Broome, WA  Denvah Baker-Moller, 23, Rockhampton, QLD  Dylan Wright, 30, Bangalow, NSW  Isaac Mccallum, 23, Ulladulla, NSW  Ivana Ilic, 20, Mill Park, VIC  Trent Richardson, 22, Emu Park, QLD Advertisement

She added: 'Thank you for helping me get this far. It's been amazing.'

Meanwhile, Drea sent a shoutout to her family and friends, declaring: 'This is not the end of Drea. Good luck. You will be seeing me.'

Pop star Amy, 37, said of Drea's elimination: 'It's just really sad. I don't want to see you go. I've enjoyed every single performance.'

Meanwhile, Kyle left both performers with some encouraging words, saying: 'Don't think it's over yet. Life continues. We want to hear the music.'

Australian Idol will continue on Seven and 7Plus on Sunday night at 7.00pm.
Coronation Street star William Roache has today been given a three month deadline to clear his huge tax debt in order to 'allow for the sale of property'.

The 91-year-old actor earns a reported 250,000 a year playing Ken Barlow on the long-running soap but has racked up a half-a-million debt to the taxman.

He entered an agreement in 2018 to clear the 588,015.18 bill, but according to reports last month he has only paid 41,666.65 so far.

Roache is looking to sell off some property to clear the debt with The Sun reporting in February a prospective buyer had pulled out of a deal.

The High Court has now given him a 12-week adjournment in order to 'allow for the sale of property'.

Roache did not appear at a specialist hearing, where lawyers for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said the sum the actor owes - which was not disclosed in court - has been reduced due to payments made.

Coronation Street star William Roache has been given a three month deadline to clear his huge tax debt in order to 'allow for the sale of property'

The 91-year-old actor earns a reported 250,000 a year playing Ken Barlow on the long-running soap but has racked up a half-a-million debt to the taxman

Jacquille Jarrett, for HMRC, said Mr Roache had asked for a 12-week adjournment, which was unopposed, to 'allow for the sale of property'.

Retired Insolvency and Companies Court judge Stephen Baister granted the adjournment and said Roache's case will return in June.

'Splendid,' Dr Baister said at the end of the hearing, which lasted less than a minute, at the High Court in London.

Roache is best known for his portrayal of Ken Barlow in the ITV soap for more than 60 years after making his debut in its first episode in 1960.

The actor, who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest serving TV soap star in the world, was made an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list in December 2021 for his services to drama and charity.

Last month, friends from Roache's spiritual group claimed he was 'doing fine' as he 'faces bankruptcy' for a second time, according to The Mirror.

At a Stride for Truth group meeting, one member said they were '100% supporting' Roache.

The organisation, which strives for world peace and enlightenment, meets in a room above a foot clinic in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester.

Roache, who is now the highest paid member of the cast, earning around 250k a year, 'owes the taxman nearly 550,000'.

Roache was made an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list in December 2021 for his services to drama and charity

The Sun published his six-figure debt, just weeks after it was revealed he's facing bankruptcy for a second time.

Roache initially owed 588,015.18 and entered a 2018 agreement to clear it, but the High Court papers obtained by the publication claim he has only paid 41,666.65.

He had until last month to pay the full amount of 546,348.53, and now faces a High Court battle in March.

Roache's interest payments come to 14,699, while he also faces late-payment fines of more than 8,000, which are both included in the total.

A spokesperson for Coronation Street told the Mirror: 'We're really sorry to hear of Bill's financial situation. Bill has an ongoing contract with Coronation Street and remains a much loved member of the cast.'
As soon as Holly Willoughby announced last October that she was quitting This Morning, the guessing game about her replacement became as fervent as speculation over the next James Bond.

The only difference being that instead of hunting down despots who want to blow up the world, Hollys replacement would be talking about air fryer meals for under a fiver, Brazilian butt lifts and how to find late-life love.

Three weeks ago it was revealed that Cat Deeley, best known for being Ant and Decs sidekick on Saturday morning kids' TV, had landed daytime tellys most prized gig, hosting alongside Good Morning Britains Ben Shephard.

Despite a shaky start, Ms Deeley was one 'cool cat' on her first day with co-host Ben Shephard

Were having fun, arent we? trilled Cat to co-presenter Ben Shephard during their first show as the new presenting team, following Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield's departure

Today was their first day in the job. And although both are old hands at live TV, things didnt start well when Cat missed her cue and we caught the tail end of her private conversation with Ben.

. . . by this time next week, was what we heard before the 47-year-old Brummie realised shed gone live.

Whats going to happen by this time next week? Will she finally have found a way of shutting up newspaper reviewer Gyles Brandreth who rabbited on so much about the Princess of Wales photogate disaster that the rest of the show ran seriously behind schedule?

Maybe, by this time next week, Cat will have purchased an air fryer after committing This Morning blasphemy by admitting that she doesnt own one. Doesnt she know thats like Question Time host Fiona Bruce saying she doesnt pay much attention to politics?

Susanna Reid (left, Ben's former Good Morning Britain co-star) was one of the celebrities who wished the duo well before their debut earlier today

The opening credits of This Morning welcomed Ben and Cat into the fold

Looking wholesome in Geri Halliwell white, Cat told viewers she was excited to be there and that This Morning has been part of our lives for so long.

Not strictly true in her case, since shes been living and working in America for 15 years, but lets not get picky.

Cat and Bens first show kicked off with an overly long and rather dull chat about the manipulated royal photo, followed by a competition to win a holiday home.

Were having fun, arent we? trilled Cat.

Not yet, but that was because everyone was on the edge of their seat waiting for the much-trailed my bum-lift nightmare segment.

Poor Bonnie-Louise Cooper nipped out for a lunchtime tweakment to enhance her backside and ended up in hospital with sepsis. Cat and Ben listened intently as she described having half a litre of filler put directly into my bum cheeks.

Strangely neither of them asked Bonnie-Louise why she didnt just walk away when she clocked that the place offering the lift was an unhygienic beauty salon not a proper aesthetic clinic.

Ben and Cat listen intently to guest Bonnie-Louise Cooper (second right, next to This Morning's Dr Zoe Williams) who had a Brazilian butt lift - but ended up in hospital with sepsis

But confrontation is not something This Morning does. Its friendly, cosy and unthreatening.

Throughout the two-and-a-half-hour show, Ben did the majority of the talking while Cat nodded, smiled and made a lot of encouraging uh huh noises.

Its likely, after a long absence from UK TV, she just wanted to feel her way and not go in all guns blazing.

READ MORE: Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly issue 'warning' to Ben Shephard about working with Cat Deeley as they make their This Morning debut Advertisement

It wasnt until the final segment  a chaotic Easter egg tasting with a bunch of kids  that we got a true sense of her humour and personality.

Mostly, she was friendly and professional. During touchy-feely segments her sympathetic head tilt was on point, but she kept her emotions in check  never looking glassy-eyed and on the verge of tears at any moment as her predecessor was prone to.

There was no immediate sizzling on-screen chemistry with Ben, but that would hardly be a reasonable expectation on day one. It was, however, a huge relief that Cat and Ben didnt try to create some faux TV hubby-wife vibe. Weve all seen how badly that can end.

They got along just fine, but I doubt well be seeing pictures of them on holiday together in Portugal any time soon, as we used to with Holly and her former co-presenter Phillip Schofield.

After so much anticipation, it has to be said that Miss Deeley was one cool cat, who did an admirable job of steering the scandal-hit This Morning ship back on course.
Daisy Lowe said she felt 'heartbroken' before she became a mum to her daughter Ivy Love Saul.

The model, 35, welcomed her first child with fiance Jordan Saul in April last year.

On Sunday, Daisy took to Instagram to mark Mother's Day where she spoke about the difficulties of her journey to becoming a mum and paid tribute to her own, Pearl, 53.

Daisy shared a sweet breastfeeding snap as she looked to her mother for support in a photo taken shortly after Ivy's birth.

She wrote: 'Happy Mothers Day. Firstly to my epic mum @pearllowe without you, I wouldnt be here, I wouldnt be me, I wouldnt be the mother I am without you.

Daisy Lowe said she felt 'heartbroken' before she became a mum to her daughter Ivy Love Saul

On Sunday, Daisy took to Instagram to mark Mother's Day where she spoke about the difficulties of her journey to becoming a mum and paid tribute to her own, Pearl

'You inspire me endlessly with your kindness, your love, your wisdom, positivity & creativity. I am so grateful for you always but especially how you have held my hand the past year through new motherhood. Thank you mumma.

'It felt like an eternity waiting to become a mum myself, there were so many years on Mothers Day that I would feel quietly heartbroken I cant believe that Ivy is really actually here! My goodness I am so thankful to be celebrating my first one as a mum.

'My heart goes out to all mothers, women waiting for their chance to be mothers, for all the incredible women who nurture others & to all the wonderful people missing their own mothers everyday.

'Sending you all the biggest hug and all my love'.

Daisy also shared photos of Pearl cuddling Ivy, nine months, and other snaps with the family as they celebrated with a roast dinner.

Daisy and her property developer partner Jordan welcomed baby Ivy into the world in April 2023, announcing the happy news via Instagram.

She wrote at the time: 'Our Easter egg finally hatched! Ivy Love Saul you have made all my dreams come true - our dream girl.

'I have never known happiness or love like this. I cant stop crying tears of joy. Happy Easter Loves.'

Daisy also shared photos of Pearl cuddling Ivy, nine months, and other snaps with the family as they celebrated with a roast dinner

'Sending you all the biggest hug and all my love', she wrote as she shared a photo of the family dinner

She wrote: 'Happy Mothers Day. Firstly to my epic mum @pearllowe without you, I wouldnt be here, I wouldnt be me, I wouldnt be the mother I am without you'

Daisy and her property developer partner Jordan welcomed baby Ivy into the world in April 2023, announcing the happy news via Instagram

The model announced her pregnancy on Instagram in October 2022, as she posted a sweet snap of her bump - admitting she was 'oscillating wildly between excitement and nervousness'.

It came just weeks after she and Jordan confirmed their engagement, with the property developer popping the question after two years of dating.

Daisy has been candid about postpartum life since welcoming baby Ivy and said she is 'very proud of what my body has achieved'.

Posing in a bikini three months after giving birth, she wrote on her Instagram page: '3 months of motherhood & this is where I am at. I am still breastfeeding. I am still me

'I have to remember that 3 months isnt that long for my body to recover. I am feeling so overwhelmed with love and magic as well as exhaustion

'I am sat here as Ivy has her nap. Everyone says that you should sleep while the baby sleeps Ive never been very good at listening to what everyone says.

'I am trying to remember to be gentle on myself, that my body made our sassy little angel.

'This picture was taken in a moment when I was feeling very proud of what my body has achieved and I popped on my bikini for the first time.

'Biggest love and respect to all the humans out there trying to love their own incredible bodies. We are all made of stardust.'
Things are still going strong between Helen Hunt and her boyfriend Jeffrey Nordling, who enjoyed a glamorous date night at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, which was held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Sunday.

The 62-year-old SAG Award nominee and the 60-year-old Oscar winner originally met co-starring as Matt Thompson and Tracey in Gary Nelson's 1988 movie Shooter about a group of Vietnam War photographers, which aired on NBC.

But Jeffrey and Helen didn't appear to start dating until May 2022 when he posted a group snap of them hanging out with Camryn Manheim and Billie Jean King at Dodger Stadium.

Hunt and Nordling made their official red carpet debut as a couple at the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 20th Anniversary Gala, which was held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on October 5.

Last June, the Locksmith actor gushed that the four-time Emmy winner was 'the loveliest of creatures' who 'makes everything and everyone around you better.'

Things are still going strong between Helen Hunt and her boyfriend Jeffrey Nordling, who enjoyed a glamorous date night at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, which was held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Sunday

Jeffrey wore an all-black three-piece suit and shiny dress shoes.

Helen slipped her phenomenal 5ft7in figure into an peach-patterned Christian Siriano dress, featuring a halter neckline, and gold stilettos selected by stylist Moon Blauner.

Hunt's perky blonde bob and and make-up were done by her one-man glam squad, Darrell Redleaf Fielder.

The Los Angeles native is mother to 19-year-old daughter Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan from her 16-year relationship with House of Lies creator Matthew Carnahan, which ended in 2017.

And Nordling fathered three daughters - twins Miranda DiMase-Nordling and and Eloise DiMase-Nordling, 27; as well as Iris DiMase-Nordling, 21; - during his marriage to Judging Amy alum Francia Dimase.

The New Jersey native currently has a recurring role as attorney Gus Easton in the second season of So Help Me Todd, which resumes this Thursday on CBS.

Jeffrey will eventually reprise his role as Renata's (Laura Dern) husband Gordon Klein in the third season of Max's Big Little Lies according to producer-star Nicole Kidman who confirmed on November 17: 'We will be bringing you a third one just FYI.'

Helen will next guest star in the third season of Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, and Paul W. Downs' critically-acclaimed comedy Hacks, which premieres May 2 on Max.

Last December, Hunt filmed a mystery role opposite Dustin Hoffman in Peter Greenaway's $16M-budget Italian-set drama Lucca Mortis.

The Alethea actress also shot her role as Claire in Maxime Giroux's crime thriller In Cold Light alongside Troy Kotsur and Maika Monroe last year.

The 62-year-old SAG Award nominee (L) and the 60-year-old Oscar winner (R) originally met co-starring as Matt Thompson and Tracey in Gary Nelson's 1988 movie Shooter about a group of Vietnam War photographers, which aired on NBC

But Jeffrey and Helen didn't appear to start dating until May 2022 when he posted a group snap of them hanging out with Camryn Manheim and Billie Jean King at Dodger Stadium

Hunt and Nordling made their official red carpet debut as a couple at the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 20th Anniversary Gala, which was held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on October 5

Last June, the Locksmith actor (L) gushed that the four-time Emmy winner (R) was 'the loveliest of creatures' who 'makes everything and everyone around you better'

Jeffrey wore an all-black three-piece suit and shiny dress shoes

Helen slipped her phenomenal 5ft7in figure into an peach-patterned Christian Siriano dress, featuring a halter neckline, and gold stilettos selected by stylist Moon Blauner

Hunt's perky blonde bob and and make-up were done by her one-man glam squad, Darrell Redleaf Fielder

The Los Angeles native is mother to 19-year-old daughter Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan (L, pictured May 15) from her 16-year relationship with House of Lies creator Matthew Carnahan, which ended in 2017

Nordling fathered three daughters - twins Miranda and and Eloise, 27; as well as Iris, 21; - during his marriage to Judging Amy alum Francia Dimase (pictured in 2022)

The New Jersey native currently has a recurring role as attorney Gus Easton in the second season of So Help Me Todd, which resumes this Thursday on CBS
She shot to fame on Love Island in 2022.

And Tasha Ghouri, 25, proved she is very much still an Islander as she took to Instagram to share her latest updates from her trip to the Maldives with her boyfriend Andrew Le Page, who she met during her stint on the show.

The reality star and dancer took to Instagram to share a slew of sizzling bikini-clad snaps from the paradisiacal trip with her beloved boyfriend.

In an appeal to her followers, Tasha paired the sexy snaps with a candid series of images showcasing her self-professed imperfections. She penned: 'My body can also look like this! I also bloat, when I'm not posing...

'I have scarring around my hips from when I had a skin condition when I was younger. And every inch is worthy of self love! Remember to not compare your body to others. You are beautiful.'

Tasha Ghouri, 25, proved she is very much still an Islander as she took to Instagram to share her latest updates from her trip to the Maldives with her boyfriend Andrew Le Page, who she met during her stint on the show

Tasha also posed for a dazzling make-up free snaps, in which she sported a floral blue bikini and showed off her dainty gold necklace with a T&A pendant

She showed off every inch of her stunning frame in a sexy snap

She also revealed she was trying out the famous 'Dirty Dancing Lift' - made famous by Jennifer Gray and Patrick Swayze in 1987's Dirty Dancing

Tasha also posed for a dazzling make-up free snaps, in which she sported a floral blue bikini and showed off her dainty gold necklace with a T&A pendant.

She also revealed she was trying out the famous 'Dirty Dancing Lift' - made famous by Jennifer Gray and Patrick Swayze in 1987's Dirty Dancing.

Tasha jetted to the Maldives with Andrew to celebrate his 29th birthday and in an earlier snap from the trip, she 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.

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.

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

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

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.

'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.
Worst Oscars ever  or at least in recent memory.

This is what Hollywood gets for pushing out the likes of Ricky Gervais and Chris Rock: a toothless host in Jimmy Kimmel, warmed-over jokes that landed with a thud, and queasy politics that only hit one target hard.

Trump: End times personified. Hamas? Just misunderstood.

Celebrities including Mark Ruffalo and Billie Eilish walked the red carpet with red 'ceasefire' pins, but nobody  not even Jonathan Glazer, the writer/director of 'The Zone of Interest', a masterpiece about the Holocaust  would stand up for Israel.

Glazer, in a supreme act of self-loathing, went so far as to renounce his Judaism. Thanking his partners, he said: 'Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.'

Abhorrent.

Celebrities including Mark Ruffalo (pictured) and Billie Eilish walked the red carpet with red 'ceasefire' pins, but nobody - not even Jonathan Glazer, the writer/director of 'The Zone of Interest', a masterpiece about the Holocaust - would stand up for Israel.

Glazer (left), in a supreme act of self-loathing, went so far as to renounce his Judaism. Thanking his partners, he said: 'Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.' Abhorrent. (Pictured, right: Billie Eilish and brother Finneas).

The hostages still held by Hamas warranted zero mentions, not even from Steven Spielberg, wheeled out on the 30th anniversary of 'Schindler's List'.

Nor were we told why the ceremony, bumped up an hour early for the very first time, began almost ten minutes late.

As it turns out, pro-Palestinian protesters were blocking the route to the ceremony. But referencing them at all was off-limits.

No one had an issue standing up for Ukraine or awarding the documentary '20 Days in Mariupol'. Nor was the inclusion of Alexei Navalny in the 'In Memoriam' segment  otherwise a disaster of terrible camera angles and interpretive dance  remotely controversial.

Israel and the attacks of October 7, however, went unmentioned.

Instead, the Oscars turned into a Barbie-fest, some sort of weird apologia for snubbing (rightly!) star Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig, whose ever-supplicant mugging for the camera  as if she just can't believe she's allowed in the room  has aged harder than Al Pacino.

'Barbie' was terrible. It was a glorified infomercial for Mattel. Yet we have been told incessantly that America Ferrara's cliched, hackneyed speech about the would-be terrors of womanhood is a revelation. A soliloquy on par with 'to be or not to be'.

Please. Ferrera's trite sentiment is a bumper sticker from 1975.

Not enough that the Oscars opened with a 'Barbie' sketch, that we had multiple 'Barbie' musical numbers, that co-stars Kate McKinnon and America Ferrera jointly presented an award, that the 'Barbie' theme music closed out the ceremony.

No, we had to endure Rita Moreno paying tribute to nominee Ferrera: 'Your powerful 'Barbie' monologue [about] the most impossible standards females must try to live up to galvanized everyone with a pulse'.

Did it, really? Wouldn't 'Barbie' have swept the Oscars if so? It can't be a feminist movie while treating womanhood as an inexorable burden.

Israel and the attacks of October 7, however, went unmentioned. Instead, the Oscars turned into a Barbie-fest, some sort of weird apologia for snubbing (rightly!) star Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig.

'Barbie' was terrible. It was a glorified infomercial for Mattel. Yet we have been told incessantly that America Ferrara's cliched, hackneyed speech about the would-be terrors of womanhood is a revelation. A soliloquy on par with 'to be or not to be'. (Pictured: Margot Robbie, left, and America Ferrera, right).

Not enough that the Oscars opened with a 'Barbie' sketch, that we had multiple 'Barbie' musical numbers, that co-stars Kate McKinnon and America Ferrera jointly presented an award, that the 'Barbie' theme music closed out the ceremony. No, we had to endure Rita Moreno paying tribute to nominee Ferrera. (Pictured: Ryan Gosling).

Here's another unpopular opinion, one not said in polite society: Lily Gladstone was the worst thing about 'Killers of the Flower Moon'. Just terrible.

Her performance was wooden, one-note, and somnambulant. It lacked the urgency one might expect in portraying a young wife and mother whose husband is slowly poisoning her to death.

Gladstone's nomination felt more like the Academy congratulating itself for including a Native American actress rather than one based on merit.

As for that self-regard: Could the staging of major categories have been more insufferable?

Out came five actors or actresses, former Oscar winners, who spoke directly to each of the nominees as if they had just cured cancer.

How amazing to hear Charlize Theron, addressing Annette Bening for her titular role in 'Nyad', mispronounce the legendary swimmer's first name not once, but twice, as 'Diane'.

It's 'Diana'. Is that so hard?

Bening watched, stone-faced and unamused, as Emma Stone beat her out for Best Actress and took the stage a breathless, tearful mess.

Stone had no idea what she was doing there, she said, and didn't know what to say  even though she spent months campaigning for this award.

It called to mind the embarrassing profile of Kate Winslet in the New York Times magazine last week. Here we learned that Winslet isn't just an actress.

No: If you can believe it  and our far-too-gullible celebrity profiler can  Winslet can hold her breath underwater for more than seven straight minutes, while Navy SEALs can only muster three.

And Winslet is so high-minded, so diffident about her looks, that she claims never to have heard of Ozempic.

'What is it?' she asked.

HA! This is a woman who has spent years bitching about Hollywood's fixation on female bodies and her own weight.

Emma Stone took the stage a breathless, tearful mess. Stone had no idea what she was doing there, she said, and didn't know what to say - even though she spent months campaigning for this award.

Back to the hyperventilating Stone, who admitted in her speech  again, she had no idea what she was doing there!  that she had nonetheless spent the night before freaking out that she might win. She actually said that her director had to talk her down, telling her to 'take yourself out of it'.

If only!

That was a note Emily Blunt could have taken, draping herself over every single 'Oppenheimer' winner  she herself losing Best Supporting Actress to Da'Vine Joy Randolph  while wearing a bizarre dress with hovering shoulder straps.

Only Greta Gerwig rivaled her in hogging screen time, Gerwig planted front row and singing along to Ryan Gosling's clearly lip-synched, campy 'I'm Just Ken' number  Ken, we were told by presenter Christoph Waltz, as the 'embodiment of human empathy'.

Sorry  isn't Ken a plastic doll with no genitalia?

Which brings us to flailing Kimmel's Hail Mary, dragging out a naked John Cena, his nether regions covered by an envelope, looking waxed, plucked, tufted and tanned-up for a sight gag that went on far too long and wasn't even funny.

As ever, I am no Donald Trump fan, but his Truth Social post during the ceremony  read aloud by Kimmel  was dead-on.

'Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at the Oscars', Trump wrote.

Who here disagrees?

To share yet another unpopular opinion: 'Oppenheimer', save the lead performances of winners Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr., is overrated.

It was an excruciatingly long and talky mess. The timeline was hard to follow. The women were underdeveloped  a common critique of Christopher Nolan's work  and it's clear that at this point he has zero interest in remedying that.

Furthermore, it retroactively paints President Truman as a MAGA hick who delighted in dropping the atomic bomb on Japanese civilians. There's a distinct European sneer at America here.

Flailing Kimmel's Hail Mary: dragging out a naked John Cena, his nether regions covered by an envelope, looking waxed, plucked, tufted and tanned-up for a sight gag that went on far too long and wasn't even funny. (Pictured: Cena, left, and Kimmel).

Emily Blunt draped herself over every single 'Oppenheimer' winner - she herself losing Best Supporting Actress to Da'Vine Joy Randolph - while wearing a bizarre dress with hovering shoulder straps. (Pictured: With Ryan Gosling).

Only Greta Gerwig rivaled Blunt in hogging screen time, Gerwig planted front row and singing along to Ryan Gosling's clearly lip-synched, campy 'I'm Just Ken' number.

Still, the Oscars was not without its highlights, scant as they were.

Robert Downey Jr.'s opening line in his acceptance speech was a killer: 'I'd like to thank my terrible childhood, and the Academy, in that order'.

Also in attendance was Messi, the dog from 'Anatomy of a Fall', fake-applauding in the audience.

Talk about a performance! This dog gave an overdose scene to rival Jennifer Connelly in 'Requiem for a Dream'. This dog knew how to comport himself: No whining, no salivating, no jumping out of his seat to pull focus.

And this dog gave us the most perfect ending to the night. Outside, alone, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he lifted his leg and peed on Matt Damon's star. Perfection.
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Alexis Bellino and John Janssen made their red carpet debut at an Oscars after party in Beverly Hills on Sunday.

The former Real Housewives of Orange County star stepped out with her new boyfriend to the DIRECTV Streaming With The Stars Hosted by Rob Lowe and wife Sheryl Berkoff just months after going official.

She opted for a yellow halter-top mini dress from D.N.A. Couture Boutique with silver and yellow fringe which she paired with an updo.

The gold purse, matching gold heels, and eye centered makeup were the cherry on top of the ensemble.

John Janssen, 61, wore a grey textured suit with white accents as he showed off his lady. The two were affectionate as they held on to each other.

His ex is Alexis' RHOC costar Shannon Beador.

Also at the event were Vicki Gunvalson, Erika Jayne, Paula Abdul, Kelly Killoren Bensimon and Kendra Wilkinson, among others.

Alexis Bellino and John Janssen made their red carpet debut at the DIRECTV Oscars after party on Sunday

John Janssen, 61, wore a grey textured suit with white accents as he showed off his lady just months after going official

The pair first sparked rumors of dating back in mid 2023 before confirming the relationship via social media in November.

Then, a month later on December 25, Bellino posted a photo for the holidays as she revealed a ring he gifted to her.

'Words cannot. Actions do. I will no longer feel guilty,' she wrote, 'I will not apologize. Love will create its own story. I love you Johnny J.'

This left fans to believe the monthlong whirlwind romance was now an engagement, however, the reality star had something else to add.

'Not engaged lol,' she said as she confirmed it was a promise ring.

But - she has been engaged before. Just months before she and John went official, she ended a three year engagement to Andy 'Drew' Bohn.

The mother-of-three said that the passing of her mother was detrimental to her relationship at the time, leaving her in shambles.

She told Page Six, 'The death of a close person like your mom either makes a couple or breaks a couple. And, unfortunately for me, it broke us.'

'I felt it was better if we just take different paths for now and he agreed I just know it was the best decision for us,' she said about the relationship.

The pair first sparked rumors of dating back in mid 2023 before confirming the relationship via social media in November

'Words cannot, actions do, I will no longer feel guilty,' she wrote, 'I will not apologize, love will create its own story... I love you Johnny J'

His ex is Alexis' RHOC costar Shannon Beador. Seen in 2019

Weeks after the news broke, Alexis and John were spotted together at events with included his family - showing she had moved on.

They celebrated the relationship by marking the milestone of going to their first red carpet together.

Also at the event were TV stars Kendra Wilkinson and Erika Jayne who made jaws drop in their black dresses and daring plunging necklines.

Paula Abdul was also at the event.

She looked incredible in a fancy black outfit. This sighting comes amid her war of words with American idol producer Nigel Lythgoe.

Abdul filed a lawsuit against Lythgoe that accuses him of assaulting her in an elevator.

He called the allegations false and deeply offensive.

Paula snapped back that he was victim shaming.

Kelly Killoren Bensimon of RHONY fame wore a scarlet red semi sheer gown that flashed her undies.

Actor Rob Lowe and makeup artist Sheryl Berkoff hosted the event

Vicki Gunvalson, left, of RHOC wore a purple sequined gown. Erika Jayne of RHOBH had on basic black with a plunging neckline

Paula Abdul was also at the event. She looked incredible in a fancy black outfit. This sighting comes amid her war of words with American idol producer Nigel Lythgoe. Abdul filed a lawsuit against Lythgoe that accuses him of assaulting her in an elevator. He called the allegations false and deeply offensive. Paula snapped back that he was victim shaming

Television personality Kendra Wilkinson looked pretty; she is a former Playboy cover girl who was on Girls Next Door

Kelly Killoren Bensimon of RHONY fame wore a scarlet red semi sheer gown that flashed her undies
They starred alongside each other in the 2021 musical Cinderella.

So it's no surprise that Camila Cabello was all smiles as she reunited with former co-star Nicholas Galitzine following the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

The newly-blonde Havana hitmaker, 27, beamed alongside the English actor, 29, as they waited for their vehicle to arrive.

She was still draped in a custom greyish beige gown from designer Luar.

Nicholas was dapper in a simple black suit with a white shirt and skinny tie.

Camila Cabello was all smiles as she reunited with former Cinderella co-star Nicholas Galitzine following the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Los Angeles on Sunday night

The newly-blonde Havana hitmaker, 27, beamed alongside the English actor, 29, as they waited for their vehicle to arrive

At one point, he removed his blazer and handed it to Camila, who wrapped it around herself to keep warm during the chilly Beverly Hills weather.

Fans were delighted to see the pair back together, with one posting on X, 'This cant be happening'

Nicholas is best known for appearing in the gay romance film, Red, White & Royal Blue.

Amazon's Cinderella reboot, which was produced by James Corden, received attention for being more progressive than previous versions.

In one scene, Camila's Cinderella considers rejecting the charming prince, played by Nicholas, so that she can focus on her career instead.

'What about my work?' she asks him. 'I don't want a life stuck waving from a royal box anymore than a life confined to a basement. I have dreams that I have to chase.'

Camila began taking acting classes in preparation for what she called her 'dream' role, telling Variety in 2019 that though excited by the opportunity it was all a little 'terrifying.'

'It was one of those things that felt like God handcrafted it for me and was, like, 'Here you go.'' I just couldn't say no. It's honestly a dream for me. And also a little bit terrifying,' she shared.

The director-writer of the Amazon Prime film, Kay Cannon, shared with Variety that she flew to Miami to convince Cabello to play Cinderella with help from none other than a glass slipper.

They starred alongside each other in the 2021 musical Cinderella

At one point, Nicholas removed his blazer and handed it to Camila, who wrapped it around herself to keep warm

The former co-workers were more than happy to have a chat as they waited for their car

Camila wore a custom greyish beige gown from Luar on the red carpet

The pair had a laugh as they posed for photographers inside the A-list event

Purchasing the shoe on Etsy she told the publication: 'I was there for, like, 30 seconds. And I'm like, "I hesitate to do this!" And I pull out this glass slipper. "Does it fit?",' she recalled.

The UK-shot film first kicked off filming in February 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic halted production.

The cast and crew were able to safely resume filming in August 2020 and production finally wrapped in October 2020.

The musical comedy also starred heavyweights including Billy Porter as the genderless fairy godmother 'Fab G', Idina Menzel as the wicked stepmother, and James Corden as Cinderella's mouse friend James, with newcomer Nicholas Galitzine playing Prince Charming.
Lady Gaga has leapt to the defense of transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney after a post of the pair marking International Women's Day was attacked by trolls.

'I'm putting you on my vision board, for life,' Gaga said to Mulvaney in the post of the duo posing together, to which Mulvaney replied: 'I love you'.

Mulvaney, 27, also posted a photo with Lady Gaga's mother, Cynthia Germanotta and one of her name stitched on to a napkin as a table placing.

Online trolls were quick to descend on Mulvaney's Instagram post, hurling abuse and calling her and even Lady Gaga, who was born a woman, 'men'.

Now Gaga, 37, has slammed the 'degradation' and 'violence' aimed at the post in a new Instagram message, writing: Its appalling to me that a post about National Womens Day by Dylan Mulvaney and me would be met with such vitriol and hatred.

Lady Gaga has leapt to the defense of transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney after a post of the pair marking International Women's Day was attacked by trolls

Adding 'This is not backlash. This is hatred' she continued: 'But it is not surprising given the immense work that its obvious we still have to do as a society to make room for transgender lives to be cherished and upheld by all of us.

'I feel very protective in this moment, not only of Dylan, but of the trans community who continues to lead the way with their endless grace and inspiration in the face of constant degradation, intolerance, and physical, verbal, and mental violence.

'I certainly do not speak for this community, but I have something to say. I hope all women will come together to honor us ALL for International Womens Day, and may we do that always until THE DAY that all women are celebrated equally. That all people are celebrated equally.

'A day where people of all gender identities are celebrated on whichever holiday speaks to them. Because people of all gender identities and races deserve peace and dignity.

'May we all come together and be loving, accepting, warm, welcoming. May we all stand and honor the complexity and challenge of trans lifethat we do not know, but can seek to understand and have compassion for. I love people too much to allow hatred to be referred to as backlash. People deserve better.'

Mulvaney responded: 'You mean the world to me. Love ya'.

This comes after the original post sparked backlash from fans with one writing: 'This is so degrading to REAL women,' one wrote.

'I actually see two men,' another responded, and a third added 'two men cannot represent a real Queen'.

Yet another claimed they were 'two women born as men' and 'shout out to all the real women! Not men playing dress up'.

'Why's Dylan representing. He's 'NOT' a woman. What an insult to us 'REAL' women. Quit invading our territory.'

Mulvaney responded: 'You mean the world to me. Love ya'

Online trolls were quick to descend on Mulvaney's Instagram post, hurling abuse and calling her and even Lady Gaga, who was born a woman, 'men'

Online trolls had descended on Mulvaney's Instagram post, hurling abuse and calling her and even Lady Gaga, who was born a woman, 'men'

Other commenters expressed excitement and said they were proud of Mulvaney for sharing the stage with a major celebrity

Lady Gaga was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta and attended a Catholic all-girls school in New York City from the age of 11.

Others claimed Mulvaney was suffering from a mental illness because she was transgender.

'I can not believe that there is still men and Women out there that believe Lady Gaga is not a woman. She is and so is Dylan Mulvaney. This is two beautiful women together,' a kinder commenter added.

'Girl - and I thought it couldnt get better,' another added.

Other commenters expressed excitement and said they were proud of Mulvaney for sharing the stage with a major celebrity.

Mulvaney became phenomenally popular on TikTok for documenting her transition in March 2022, but is now best known for her controversial Bud Light promotion.

The brewing giant created a limited run of Bud Light cans with her face to celebrate 365 days of 'being a girl,' the phrase she uses to describe her transition

A single TikTok video by transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney with a branded beer can was enough to send right-wing drinkers into a frenzy.

Bud Light sales plunged in early April 2023 amid a conservative backlash after the brand sent a commemorative can to the transgender influencer

Mulvaney partnered with the brand in April for its March Madness NCAA campaign and posted a video on April 1 while holding the can.

Despite the cans being an extremely limited run and only featuring in one video, conservative figures were outraged and called for a boycott.

The backlash caused Bud Light's parent company, Anheuser-Busch, to lose $400 million in sales as US revenue dropped 10.5 per cent compared with the year before.

Mulvaney later posted a TikTok video where she said she felt 'scared to leave the house' at the height of the backlash.

Bud Light workers accused their company's leadership of 'cowardice' over the ad fiasco, arguing they should have better supported Mulvaney.
Kristin Davis has revealed filming on And Just Like That... season three is set to begin imminently.

The Sex and The City spin-off - which stars Davis as Charlotte York alongside Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw and Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes - will return in 2025 after WGA and SAG/AFTRA strikes delayed work on new scripts.

Sharing a montage of behind-the-scenes moments from the show, Kristin wrote on Instagram: 'Its almost that time again cant wait to be reunited with my AJLT family.'

The show was renewed back in August at HBO's streaming service Max, just days before the much-anticipated return of Kim Cattrall's iconic Sex and the City character Samantha Jones.

In a statement, Max's Head of Original Content Sarah Aubrey, said: 'As we approach the highly anticipated season finale on Thursday, we raise our cosmos to [showrunner] Michael Patrick King and his magnificent team of writers, producers, cast and crew who continue to charm us, 25 years later, with dynamic friendships and engaging stories.'

Kristin Davis has revealed filming on And Just Like That... season three is set to begin imminently

Sara Ramirez - who played panned non-binary comedian Che Diaz - will not return to the show because their character was a waste of airtime, according to insiders

Aubrey added: 'We cannot wait for audiences to see where season three will take our favorite New Yorkers.'

Showrunner Michael Patrick King said: 'We are thrilled to spend more time in the Sex and the City universe telling new stories about the lives of these relatable and aspirational characters played by these amazing actors.'

Fans of the original Sex and the City have had a love-hate relationship with the new revival, that has sorely been missing Cattrall's sex-positive PR guru Samantha Jones.

In her absence, a host of new characters were introduced in the shape of Dr. Nya Wallace (Karen Pittman), Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury), and Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker).

However, viewers were stunned to learn earlier this year that despite being extremely vocal about her desire to move on from the character Samantha, Cattrall had secretly agreed to return in a surprise cameo appearance.

'It's very interesting to get a call from the head of HBO saying, "What can we do?"' Cattrall told The View in June, before adding with cheeky smile, 'And I went, "Hmmm let me get creative."

Fans can expect season three of And Just Like That... to include main stars Parker, Nixon and Davis along with Sarita Choudhury, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler, Cathy Ang, Niall Cunningham, Chris Jackson, Nicole Ari Parker, Alexa Swinton, and Karen Pittman.

Sara Ramirez - who played panned non-binary comedian Che Diaz - will not return to the show because their character was a waste of airtime, according to insiders, who shut down the actors claim that being pro-Palestine cost them the role.

Sharing a montage of behind-the-scenes moments from the show, Kristin wrote on Instagram: 'Its almost that time again cant wait to be reunited with my AJLT family'

After more than a decade of rumored feuds and bad blood with her castmates Cattrall finally returned as Samantha on And Just Like That... last year

Cattrall is pictured with SJP, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis in SATC season six

Ramirez, 48, a non-binary actor who uses they/them pronouns, implied they will not return for the third season of the Sex and the City spin-off in a series of posts shared to Instagram in January

Ramirez, 48, a non-binary actor who uses they/them pronouns, implied they will not return for the third season of the Sex and the City spin-off in a series of posts shared to Instagram in January.

They heavily suggested their time on the show was over as they claimed casting directors and agents are making black lists of actors and workers who post anything in support of Palestinians and Gaza to ensure they will not work again.

But a source close to the show ridiculed the suggestion, claiming Ramirezs head had been on the chopping block since last season because their character held no value anymore and was annoying.

Season two saw the return of Carrie's passive-aggressive furniture-designing ex-fiance Aidan Shaw (John Corbett), who informed her he needed a five-year break from her to focus on his troubled teenage son.

This, after Carrie sold her beloved West Village apartment to purchase a pricey four-bedroom, three-bathroom property near Gramercy Park that could fit Aidan and his three sons when they visit from Virginia.

Season two also saw newly-sober Miranda go back to work and navigate her post-breakup relationship with the dreaded Che (Ramirez) and Charlotte leave some of her domestic duties in order to got back to work at a gallery.
A Hollyoaks legend has become the first big name to quit the soap following Channel 4's major shake up.

Jamie Lomas, who portrays gangster Warren Fox in the soap, has reportedly told bosses he will be leaving later this year.

The actor made the decision to quit after Channel 4 bosses have cut budgets and slashed the number of episodes.

The channel announced that from September episodes would be cut from five to three, with the loss of 135 jobs.

Lime Pictures, who make the soap for Channel 4, opened the consultation period and asked those who want to go to stick their hands up.

A Hollyoaks legend has become the first big name to quit the soap following Channel 4 's major shake up

Jamie Lomas, who portrays gangster Warren Fox in the soap, has reportedly told bosses he will be leaving later this year

Actor Jamie, 48, has decided it is time for him to leave when his current contract ends later this year.

A source told The Sun: 'Jamie has been at the centre of some of the soaps biggest storylines and has been back in Hollyoaks now for nearly eight years which is a long time.

'Its been a long stint which he has loved but with all the changes going on he felt the time was right to move on.

'He told bosses last week and they are already working on his exit storyline. The door will be left open and it is hoped hell be back again as Warren Fox on day.'

Jamie is currently involved in a twin baby storyline with Jennifer Metcalfe and Richard Blackwood in a soap first.

Mercedes slept with both Jamies character Warren and Richards character Felix, falling pregnant with twins.

It was recently discovered that both of the men were fathers with each being the biological father of one twin.

Jamie was previous nominated for Villain of the Year and Best Actor at the British Soap Awards in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2017.

In July Jamie revealed that he was engaged to Jess Bell after two years together and the couple announced on Valentine's Day that they are expecting their first child together.

The actor made the decision to quit after Channel 4 bosses have cut budgets and slashed the number of episodes

In July Jamie revealed that he was engaged to Jess Bell after two years together and the couple announced on Valentine's Day that they are expecting their first child together

Jamie's last relationship was with Portia Hughes who split in 2019 following their whirlwind romance

The British star was married to Corrie star Kym Marsh, 47, and the couple are parents to daughter, Polly. However, the couple split in 2014 after six years together

It was first reported that the two started dating in August of 2021 after meeting through mutual friends.

They went public with their relationship when they walked the red carpet together at the Pride of Manchester awards in May, 2022.

Jamie's last relationship was with Portia Hughes who split in 2019 following their whirlwind romance.

Jamie had confirmed his former romance last year by sharing a loved-up tribute to the behind the scenes soap worker.

Posting a black and white picture of them together, the soap star wrote: 'Sometimes in life you win the lottery' while she shared an equally loved-up shot of them together on her own personal feed.

The British star was married to Corrie star Kym Marsh, 47, and the couple are parents to daughter, Polly. However, the couple split in 2014 after six years together.

The couple tragically lost their son Archie when he was born 18 weeks early in 2009.

The soap duo split 13 months following their wedding when Kym filed for divorce citing unreasonable behaviour.
Real Housewives of New Jersey alum Albie Manzo is about to become a father.

The former reality star, 37, is expecting his first child with wife Chelsea DeMonaco, 30, just months after they tied the knot.

Sharing a photo of the sonogram to social media, the couple wrote, 'The best is yet to come.'

They continued, 'Cant wait to meet you little love. Baby Manzo coming September 2024.'

Albie's RHONJ star mom Caroline also shared a sweet tribute about the happy news on Instagram.

Real Housewives of New Jersey alum Albie Manzo is expecting his first child with Chelsea DeMonaco just four months after tying the knot

Sharing a photo of the sonogram to social media, the couple wrote, 'The best is yet to come'

'As we count our blessings, today we add one more. We can't wait to meet you, our little cinnamon bun. Congratulations,' she gushed.

Caroline is already a doting grandmother to daughter Lauren's first born, Marchesa 'Markie' Scalia.

The 62-year-old often posts photos of herself with the 7-year-old, whom she calls her 'best friend'.

'My best friend in the whole entire world. My Markie girl,' she wrote in one post.

'Our sweet little Marchesa fills our lives with love, laughter, hugs, and sass. May God bless you always, DeeDee, and PopPop love you endlessly,' she gushed in another post.

The Manzo family shot to fame on The Real Housewives of Jersey in 2009.

Albie and his brother Chris became breakout stars and were given their own spin-off, Boys to Manzo, in 2011.

Although it was canceled after one season, they returned in 2014 with another spin-off, Manzo'd with Children.

Albie's mom Caroline is already a doting grandmother to daughter Lauren's first born, Marchesa 'Markie' Scalia

Caroline is currently in the middle of a nasty lawsuit with Bravo after alleging that Brandi Glanville sexually harassed her during filming of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip

Albie now hosts his own podcast, Dear Albie, which he launched in 2021.

Meanwhile, Caroline is currently in the middle of a nasty lawsuit with Bravo after alleging that Brandi Glanville sexually harassed her during filming of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.
Most of the worlds women today are very far from achieving equality, let alone liberation. The wage gap between men and women is one thing, but inequality and oppression are about so much more than that. From the fear of leaving our drinks unattended when we are on a night out; to the anxiety of walking home alone, having to put up with constant sexist comments and stares; to doing the majority of housework; to doctors not taking womens diseases seriously and generally being treated as of lesser worth, the list goes on and on

Inequality and oppression are so ingrained in societys structures that they permeate a womans entire life, regardless of where in the world she lives. They take on their own disgusting expression under capitalism, but they have been passed down through thousands of years of class society.

The alleged solutions we are offered by politicians and the tops of society are anything but satisfactory. They are imbued with an individualistic perspective that rejects class struggle and system change, in favour of promoting a girl boss ideology, where sexism and oppression are presented as something that can be overcome by individuals within the framework of capitalism.

But the greatest advances for womens liberation have not come through independent enlightenment or individual struggles against a systemic evil. They have come through collective, revolutionary struggle to fundamentally change society.

Therefore, it would be difficult to name another person who has had a greater impact on womens liberation than Lenin. That claim will probably make quite a few feminists cringe. What does a dead white Russian man have to say about the fight for womens liberation today? But the Russian Revolution, led by Lenin, showed that it is possible to do away with the capitalist system that we live under, and to begin building a society without inequality and oppression. Finally, real womens liberation was on the agenda. It was not just left up to the individual, however, but was part of a collective struggle of all oppressed layers of society. Russia before 1917 was a society with an extremely oppressive patriarchal culture. The October Revolution was an earthquake that shook the very foundations of that culture. In one fell swoop, all laws that placed women in an inferior position to men were removed, and homosexuality was decriminalised. That was just the beginning.

The Russian Revolution showed that it is possible to do away with the capitalist system that we live under, and to begin building a society without inequality and oppression / Image: public domain

The 100th anniversary of Lenins death has naturally been met with a smear campaign on the part of the capitalist press. But Lenin is also written off by many feminists who, on paper, claim to be progressive. They write off Lenin, along with Marx and Engels, as old white men. But those who jump on that bandwagon are, in reality, politically assisting the ruling class. They write off the revolutionary idea that, to do away with the oppression of women, you have to do away with class society. And that serves only the richest, those whose power and privilege depend on oppression and inequality as a built-in part of their system.

The women's struggle and the revolution

Lenins entire political struggle was directed towards one goal: the revolutionary overthrow of class society and the construction of an entirely new society, without inequality and oppression: a communist society. The reason the capitalist class has such extreme hate for this man is that he led the only successful workers revolution in world history: a revolution where the working class took power, and which showed that it is possible to organise society in accordance with peoples needs rather than profit.

The Russian Revolution went further than any other event in human history in freeing women from the slavery of class society. The Bolsheviks took giant steps towards real womens emancipation, sending shockwaves through the world, shaking those in power to their core, and inspiring working women (and men) globally. It is no coincidence, therefore, that women in many parts of the world received the right to vote (along with many other rights) in the years immediately following the revolution.

The Russian Revolution remains the most important contribution to the fight against womens oppression in world history. More than 100 years on, the measures that Lenin, and the rest of the Bolshevik Party, took after the revolution remain the most progressive in world history.

The Bolsheviks removed all laws enforcing inequality between the sexes. Women were given the right to abortion and divorce, and the distinction between children born in or out of wedlock was abolished. In comparison, the right to divorce was only introduced in Denmark in 1925, and the right to abortion in 1973! Danish schoolchildren are taught that the social democrat Nina Bang was the worlds first female minister. However, she didnt become a minister until 1924, seven years after Alexandra Kollontai was appointed Peoples Commissar (i.e. Minister) in the Soviet Union.

One of Kollontais first decrees dealt with maternity, and introduced, among other things, 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, and restricted the working week of breastfeeding women to just four days. Again, one must remember that at that time, maternity leave was utterly non-existent in most of the world. In Denmark, a law on maternity leave to include all female wage workers was only introduced in 1960. And that was only for 14 weeks, and not with full pay, but at the level of unemployment benefits. 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, to this day, exceeds the amount women are entitled to even in the worlds richest country, the USA, where women are entitled to just 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave.

But equality before the law was just the first step taken by the Bolsheviks. This is just the formal prerequisite for eradicating inequality. In order to achieve real equality, it is not enough to have new laws written down on paper. It requires radical changes in the social and economic conditions of society.

Here is where the real work of the Bolsheviks began for the emancipation of women: the work of altering the material conditions, doing away with the root of inequality, namely, class division. It required an end to the private ownership of the means of production, i.e. the capitalists and landlords ownership of factories, businesses and the land. In its place, they began constructing a democratic plan of production directed towards solving the social needs of the great majority, the working class and the poorest farmers.

One of Kollontais first decrees dealt with maternity, and introduced, among other things, 16 weeks of paid maternity leave / Image: public domain

After the first step of equality before the law had been achieved, Lenin described the next tasks:

The second and most important step is the abolition of the private ownership of land and the factories. This and this alone opens up the way towards a complete and actual emancipation of woman, her liberation from household bondage through transition from petty individual housekeeping to large-scale socialised domestic services. This transition is a difficult one, because it involves the remoulding of the most deep-rooted, inveterate, hidebound and rigid order (indecency and barbarity would be nearer the truth). But the transition has been started, the thing has been set in motion, we have taken the new path. (Lenin, International Working Womens Day, 1921)

If women were to be free, it required an end to housework, which, in Lenins words, keeps women in domestic slavery. Housework had to be socialised, which concretely meant the creation of nurseries, kindergartens, community kitchens, public laundries, etc., etc.

Women have  since the rise of class society, that is, for thousands of years  been chained to the home. Capitalism has played an important role in pulling women out into broader society as workers, and thus as participants in the class struggle. But it has failed to eliminate womens domestic slavery, which means that working women under capitalism suffer a double burden: both as workers and as women.

Even in developed capitalist countries, the majority of housework falls on women. Today in Denmark, where womens employment share is almost the same as mens, women do an average of one hour more housework per day than men. When children are born, it has a significant impact on womens salaries, pensions and, not least, time for things other than the family, such as involvement in culture or participation in political activity.

Limited by the material conditions

However, the ambitions of the Bolsheviks could not go beyond the material reality of the Soviet Republic. Lenin had made it clear from day one that the revolution needed to spread to the more developed capitalist countries if socialism was to be built. Unfortunately, the Russian Revolution remained isolated, and in the first years after 1917, the young Soviet state was struggling to survive through the civil war that the most powerful capitalist states had fomented in Russia and to avert famine.

Resources were extremely limited, and thus also the possibility of realising the plans to socialise housework. Seen in this context, that the Soviet state achieved anything at all was impressive. But with Stalins dictatorial takeover, a large part of the progress women had achieved after the revolution was rolled back, for instance, in relation to the right to abortion and divorce.

Despite the degeneration and retrogression under Stalin and his successors, the planned economy did bring huge progress for women. Life expectancy for women more than doubled, from 30 years in the Tsars time to 74 years in the 1970s. In 1971, there were more than 5 million kindergarten places, and 49 percent of students in higher education were women. The only other countries where women made up over 40 percent of higher education were Finland, France, Sweden and the USA.

Lenins political ideas were based on a materialist philosophical foundation / Image: public domain

Lenins political ideas were based on a materialist philosophical foundation, i.e. the understanding that it is the material conditions that determine consciousness, thoughts, ideology, culture, etc.

The prerequisite for doing away with the sexist and misogynistic culture that for thousands of years has devalued women compared to men, and kept them out of public life, is therefore a change in the material conditions. That means the abolition of the private ownership of the means of production.

But the Bolsheviks didnt just sit back after they nationalised the economy, they set about extensive work to counter Russias chauvinistic culture. Special programmes were launched to eradicate illiteracy among women and involve them actively in leading the state and the party. At the same time, the Bolsheviks did a great job in raising the cultural level in general, thereby doing away with religious prejudices and other forms of chauvinism.

Lenin led a fight for womens equality not just before the law, but in all areas. That is why we as communists consider ourselves the most consistent champions of womens emancipation. In contrast to liberal feminists, Lenin did not stay within the framework of capitalism. The most that can be achieved within this system is equality before the law. And as all of us in Scandinavia can tell you, where equality before the law has long been achieved, this remains a far cry from doing away with the oppression of women. Liberal feminists have acquired formal equality, and at the same time help to maintain the social and cultural inequality that still predominates.

For Lenin, the focal point of the womens struggle was class. It is class alone that cuts across all other forms of oppression, and the one around which they all revolve. The ruling class is a negligible minority in society and does what it can to divide the working class along lines of gender, ethnicity, religion, etc., to try to play off different groups of workers against each other.

Communists and the women's struggle

For Lenin, not only is the revolution necessary for womens liberation, but the participation of women is decisive if we are to have a successful revolution. This is not a secondary question.

It was working women who ignited the Russian Revolution when they went on strike on International Women's Day in 1917. Throughout the revolution leading up to October, Lenin insisted again and again on the need to organise women in the struggle. In one of his Letters from Afar  written before his return from exile in 1917  he wrote: If women are not drawn into public service, into the militia, into political life, if women are not torn out of their stupefying house and kitchen environment, it will be impossible to guarantee real freedom, it will be impossible to build even democracy let alone socialism. (Lenin, Letters from Afar, third letter, Concerning a Proletarian Militia)

Without the participation of women, the revolution could not win. And the question of organising working-class women in the fight for communism was not only regarded as critical by Lenin in the run-up to the October Revolution, but also afterwards, and in the building of the Third International as a tool for spreading the revolution worldwide. However, the oppression of women under capitalism also means that there are generally fewer women than men organised in the struggle. This too was a problem that Lenin tackled:

Why are there nowhere as many women in the Party as men, not even in Soviet Russia? Why is the number of women in the trade unions so small? These facts give one food for thought. [] We cannot exercise the dictatorship of the proletariat without having millions of women on our side. Nor can we engage in communist construction without them. We must find a way to reach them. We must study and search in order to find this way. It is therefore perfectly right for us to put forward demands for the benefit of women. [] The rights and social measures we demand of bourgeois society for women are proof that we understand the position and interests of women and that we will take note of them under the proletarian dictatorship. Naturally, not as soporific and patronising reformists. No, by no means. But as revolutionaries who call upon the women to take a hand as equals in the reconstruction of the economy and of the ideological superstructure. (Clara Zetkin, Lenin on the Womens Question)

Lenin repeatedly stressed that the fight for working womens liberation cannot be separated from the fight for socialist revolution. Inequality and oppression cannot be ended without ending class society. However, that does not mean that he therefore rejected the fight for womens demands before the revolution.

Communists are sometimes wrongly accused of neglecting the womens struggle as something that will be solved by the revolution. But that is clearly not true. It is correct that we think revolution is the only way to end womens oppression, but that does not mean we reject the fight for democratic demands here and now.

We communists do not sit down and wait for the revolution, but throw ourselves into the daily struggle. As Lenin explained, workers can be mobilised through the daily struggle for reforms and democratic demands, and through this struggle the limitations of capitalist democracy become clear. The task of the Communists is to use the daily struggles to raise the need to fight for a revolution. Lenin explained that the more free and democratic a society is, the more it becomes obvious that the problem is not merely this or that law, but capitalism itself:

In most cases the right to divorce is not exercised under capitalism, because the oppressed sex is crushed economically; because, no matter how democratic the state may be, the woman remains a domestic slave under capitalism, a slave of the bedroom, nursery and kitchen. [] Only those who are totally incapable of thinking, or those who are entirely unfamiliar with Marxism, will conclude that, therefore, a republic is of no use, that freedom of divorce is of no use, that democracy is of no use, that self-determination of nations is of no use! Marxists know that democracy does not abolish class oppression, but only makes the class struggle clearer, broader, more open and sharper; and this is what we want. The more complete freedom of divorce is, the clearer will it be to the woman that the source of her domestic slavery is not the lack of rights, but capitalism. The more democratic the system of government is, the clearer it will be to the workers that the root of the evil is not the lack of rights, but capitalism. [...] And so on. (Lenin, From A Caricature of Marxism and Imperialist Economism)

The more comprehensive the democracy, the clearer it becomes that it is not merely the lack of democracy that is to blame for oppression, but that oppression is rooted much deeper: in capitalism and the very structures of class society.

As mentioned earlier, womens oppression has far from disappeared from countries in Scandinavia, despite equal democratic rights for men and women. It is becoming clearer to more and more women that the solution to sexism, violence against women, and their status as second-class citizens does not lie in parliament, but in a deeper overhaul of the structure of society. Our task as communists is to throw ourselves into these daily womens struggles, and at the same time use them to show how they are connected to class oppression and the need to fight capitalism.

Lenin was clear that this vital work, of drawing class-conscious women into the revolutionary movement, was not just the job of women, and he was against a separate communist womens movement. It was the job of the whole party. It was necessary to educate and draw in all communists on the question of womens oppression and the importance of revolutionary work among women, including male comrades, if the work was to be conducted at all successfully. That even sometimes meant overcoming the resistance of male comrades, as the German Marxist Clara Zetkin recalled Lenin saying:

They regard agitation and propaganda among women and the task of rousing and revolutionising them as of secondary importance, as the job of just the women-Communists. None but the latter are rebuked because the matter does not move ahead more quickly and strongly. This is wrong, fundamentally wrong! It is outright separatism. It is equality of women a rebours, as the French say, i.e., equality reversed. [...] Very few husbands, not even the proletarians, think of how much they could lighten the burdens and worries of their wives, or relieve them entirely, if they lent a hand in this womens work. But no, that would go against the privilege and dignity of the husband. He demands that he have rest and comfort. The domestic life of the woman is a daily sacrifice of self to a thousand insignificant trifles. The ancient rights of her husband, her lord and master, survive unnoticed. Objectively, his slave takes her revenge. Also in concealed form. Her backwardness and her lack of understanding for her husbands revolutionary ideals act as a drag on his fighting spirit, on his determination to fight. They are like tiny worms, gnawing and undermining imperceptibly, slowly but surely. I know the life of the workers, and not only from books. Our communist work among the masses of women, and our political work in general, involves considerable educational work among the men. We must root out the old slave-owners point of view, both in the Party and among the masses. That is one of our political tasks, a task just as urgently necessary as the formation of a staff composed of comrades, men and women, with thorough theoretical and practical training for Party work among working women. (Clara Zetkin, Lenin on the Womens Question)

The womens struggle and communism

The alternative to pessimism and individual solutions is to be found in Lenin and the Bolsheviks / Image: public domain

Capitalism is in a deep crisis. It is not just an economic crisis, but a historical crisis permeating every pore of society. Everywhere you look, the world seems to be descending into wars and climate disasters. Sexism, racism, transphobia and other forms of discrimination and oppression are rampant. This crisis is felt particularly acutely among young people, who experience it in all areas of life. It means a deterioration of culture, human relationships and our psyche, as we see with the mental health crisis.

The only thing young people and workers are offered is abysmal pessimism and individual solutions. But the crisis of capitalism isnt just leading to pessimism. The dead end of the system is causing a qualitative shift in consciousness among more and more people who are unsatisfied with individual solutions. They are looking for ideas that can provide a way out of this crisis. Millions of women and men worldwide are mobilising in the fight against inequality and oppression.

The alternative to pessimism and individual solutions is to be found in Lenin and the Bolsheviks. Their response was a collective fight against the entire system. They did not stop within the framework of capitalism. They uprooted the very cause of oppression and inequality.

This is the tradition we communists build on today. We throw ourselves into the womens struggle, but armed with the clear perspective that it cannot be separated from the struggle for communism, and that anyone who wants to fight seriously against the oppression of women must organise themselves in the struggle for communism. Lenin and the Bolsheviks began the struggle. It is up to us to complete it once and for all, and create a society where women and men can live a human existence, without inequality and oppression.
Rob Lowe looked smitten with wife Sheryl Berkoff as they attended the DIRECTV Streaming With The Stars event, which was held at Spago in Beverly Hills on Sunday afternoon ahead of the Oscars.

The 59-year-old actor was typically dapper as he posed with his stunning spouse, 62 at the event - which he hosted.

The actor - who recently voiced his concerns about the rise of weight-loss drugs - looked sharp while wearing a navy blue jacket, which featured jet-black lapels, and a pair of matching pants at the party.

Lowe completed his look for the day with a white button-up shirt, a black tie and sharp leather shoes.

Berkoff opted for a plunging silver dress which flashed her ample cleavage, paired with matching heels.

Rob Lowe looked smitten with wife Sheryl Berkoff as they attended the DIRECTV Streaming With The Stars event, which was held at Spago in Beverly Hills on Sunday afternoon ahead of the Oscars

The 59-year-old performer and his spouse of over three decades initially stayed close to each other while posing for a few snaps at the event, which the former hosted

Lowe recently spoke to Forbes about his expectations for the Academy Awards, and revealed his high hopes for his friends Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy.

The performers both starred in the widely-acclaimed 2023 feature Oppenheimer, and they ultimately took home the Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor during last night's ceremony.

The St. Elmo's Fire star told the media outlet that, although he was supportive of his Oscar-nominated friends, he was conflicted about who exactly to pick during the voting process for the awards.

He stated: 'It's always great when your buddies are recognized. The issue becomes when you have so many buddies, what do you do?'

Lowe went on to speak about his upcoming 60th birthday, which will take place this coming Sunday.

The performer stated that, although he was initially apprehensive about the prospect of growing older, he had since embraced the thought of reaching the milestone.

'You know, when it came up, I was kind of dreading but now I'm really excited - I'm really, really into it,' he said.

Lowe recently spoke to Forbes about his expectations for the Academy Awards, and he told the media outlet that he had high hopes for his friends Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy

The St. Elmo's Fire star told the media outlet that, although he was supportive of his Oscar-nominated friends, he was conflicted about who exactly to pick during the voting process for the awards

Lowe added that he was happy to have been able to age gracefully over the years.

'There are people that don't make it to 60 and I have never felt stronger, better, healthier - spiritually, mentally, relationship-wise - and so, it's just like bring it! Let's keep the train rolling,' he said.

The actor concluded by stating that, as he still had several film and television projects lined up, he was not planning on slowing down with his career anytime soon.

'I realize how rare that is and I'm really, really grateful for it. I still feel like I'm not anywhere near done,' he stated.
NeNe Leakes' son Bryson Bryant has entered a not guilty plea to charges of felony possession of Fentanyl and misdemeanor 'loitering/prowling' following his arrest at his Lawrenceville, Georgia eight months ago.

Bryson, 34, has obtained legal representation to fight charges stemming from his July 3, 2023 arrest, Radar Online reported on Monday, citing court docs submit March 4 at the Superior Court of Gwinnett County.

At the time of his arrest, Bryant faced charges of possession of a scheduled II controlled substance, violation of probation, loitering and giving a false name, address or birthdate, the outlet previously reported.

According to the outlet, Bryant told authorities he was his brother, Brentt Leakes, when he was being taken into custody.

Bryant 'evaded police and claimed he knew the people that lived at the residence, which was false,' officials said, according to the outlet. He also allegedly gave the address of a home his mother sold years ago.

NeNe Leakes' son Bryson Bryant, 34, has entered a not guilty plea to charges of felony possession of Fentanyl and misdemeanor 'loitering/prowling' following his arrest at his Lawrenceville, Georgia eight months ago

NeNe Leakes, 56, spoke publicly about Bryson's problems in a July 2023 interview on Reality with The King with host Carlos King. Pictured in June of 2022

Bryant was in custody for just more than three months, as he was released from Gwinnett County Jail on $6,100 bond on October 5, 2023.

Officials said that the $6,100 was composed of $2,400 for the controlled substance charge; $1,850 for the charge of loitering and another $1,850 for the giving a false name charge, according to the outlet.

Bryant was booked at Gwinnett County Jail with a bond set at $3,700; the incident led him to also be charged with violating probation in another case.

NeNe Leakes, 56, spoke publicly about Bryson's problems in a July 2023 interview on Reality with The King with host Carlos King.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta personality said that her eldest son 'needs rehabilitation' and 'a lot of counseling.'

She said on the podcast: 'He needs a lot of counseling. Like many families out there, I have family members that are struggling with drugs and certain addictions.

'He has an addiction. He's been struggling with it for years. He's been in rehab for a couple of times and he still has come back out and relapsed.'

NeNe said that she's felt helpless watching her son struggle with substance abuse, as she feels there isn't much she can do to try to steer him away from the destructive lifestyle.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta personality said that her eldest son 'needs rehabilitation' and 'a lot of counseling'

NeNe said that she's felt helpless watching her son struggle with substance abuse, as she feels there isn't much she can do to try to steer him away from the destructive lifestyle

'As a mom just to watch it, my hands are tied,' NeNe said. 'For people who have had children or family members that have been on drugs, they know that they have to be ready. They have to simply be ready.'

She continued: 'I've spent so much money on trying to get Bryson where he needs to be. But every time I've sent him off is because I said, "You are getting your a** up and we are sending you off."

'But I learned through counseling myself that he has to say, "I'm ready to go," not me making him go.'

Bryant's younger brother Brentt took to Instagram July 18, 2023 to seemingly address the news, sharing a meme of his mother with her hands on her head, appearing to be in distress.

Brentt, who has 100,000 followers on the app under the handle @kingbrentt, also shared a throwback outtake from an old RHOA reunion featuring his beloved mother.

In the snippet, Leakes was sitting on a couch, dressed in a white pantsuit as she asked about a conflict, 'Now why am I in it?'

Bryant's latest arrest comes after he was arrested for a DUI in 2011 when he failed to stay in his lane. Then, in 2012, he was detained for driving with a suspended license.

In 2015, he was arrested after giving cops a false name during a McDonald's raid in Georgia. Bryson had been accused of being among a group of suspects who intended to print counterfeit checks at the fast food business.

NeNe pictured with her sons Brentt and Bryson at her 2013 wedding

Brentt took to Instagram last year to seemingly respond to the breaking news as he shared a meme of his mother with her hands on her head, appearing to be in distress

A season 5 episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta that aired in 2012 documented when Bryson was arrested on allegations he stole razors from a Walmart

A season 5 episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta that aired in 2012 documented when Bryson was arrested for allegedly stealing razors from a Walmart.

Because it wasn't the first time he had been to jail, NeNe chose to let him stay there to sit with his decisions.

'Hes had a really easy life, so now Im gonna show him what a hard life is,' she said during the episode. 'Hes gonna stay in jail. Im not getting him out, and he can figure it out from behind bars.'

NeNe shares Bryson with her ex Calvin Bryant, and she shared Brentt with her late husband Gregg Leakes, who died of cancer in September of 2021.
It seems some of the Celebrity Big Brother housemates are becoming a bit too comfortable with each other after more personal revelations began to unfold during Monday's episode.

Fern Britton revealed she doesn't mind going commando as her and Zeze Millz discussed their underwear preferences.

After doing some laundry, Lauren Simons informed Fern that the washing wasn't quite dry yet and was in the tumble dryer, as she joked she was 'shrinking' all their washing.

Fern, 66, replied: 'Oh no that's fine because I have big proper women's pants'.

Agreeing with Fern, Zeze added: 'Yes me too I love a big knickers,' before both women admitted that they are also partial to going commando.

Fern Britton, 66, admitted she goes commando in jeans as she joked about being 'dried up down there' during Monday's episode of Celebrity Big Brother

Zeze disagreed as she exclaimed: 'Not jeans, imagine no underwear in jeans'. Fern made the confession that she is 'all dried up down their'

As Zeze admitted: 'I'm not a fan of the big knicker line you know, sometimes I go commando,' Ferne said: 'Yes me too.'

She continued: 'I agree with you. And in jeans it's easy'.

As Zeze disagreed, exclaiming: 'Not jeans, imagine no underwear in jeans'. Fern made the confession that she is 'all dried up down their'.

Reflecting on the what her daughters tell her, she joked: 'My daughters say to me "Actually mum you're so old it's alright because you are all dried up down there!" Charming!'.

Fans couldn't believe what they were hearing as they took to Twitter to share their shock.

One wrote: 'fern going commando in jeans is something i did NOT need to know', while a second penned: 'We didn't need to know about fern going commando'.

A third chimed: 'Fern Britton goes commando!! I didn't need to know this!!

Another joked: 'Commando in jeans? FERN? YOU GROTTY COW'.

After doing some laundry, Lauren Simons informed Fern that the washing wasn't quite dry yet and was in the tumble dryer, as she joked she was 'shrinking' all their washing

Fans couldn't believe what they were hearing as they took to Twitter to share their shock

Another teased: 'fern wearing jeans without underwear bloody hell shes brave'.

While another exclaimed: 'WHY WOULD YOU NOT WEAR PANTS WITH JEANS FERN???'

Another joked: 'Fern's bare chuff rubbing against the inside crotch of a pair of denim jeans is not the image we all needed right now'.

Meanwhile Fern, Lauren and Louis Walsh became the latest housemates to face eviction on Tuesday.

In a shock twist during Monday's episode, celebrity lodger Sharon Osbourne was allowed to watch all of the nominations take place.

Later that day, Big Brother told the house that Lauren, Louis, and Zeze Millz had received the most nominations from their fellow housemates.

In another twist, Sharon, 71, was then given the power to choose one of the three most-nominated housemates to save from the public vote - as well as put another up in their place.

Sharon decided to save Zeze - rather than her friend and X Factor co-judge Louis, much to the surprise of fans - and chose Fern to face eviction instead.

The X Factor judge blasted the former This Morning presenter as being 'like wallpaper' and said she's 'not bringing anything' to the house.

Louis said: 'I think the others deserve to be there. Fern is just there. Shes like wallpaper.

'Shes really nice but its not bringing anything. Who can we do without? Its Fern.'
After months of facials, fittings, juice cleanses, make-up mishaps, hair prep, ramped-up Ozempic jabs and heated debates with stressed-out stylists, you might imagine that when the curtain fell on Sunday night, guests at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony would have grabbed their goody bags and left, happy to collapse in a heap on their beds.

That, though, would have been a missed opportunity.

For it's at the after-parties that the stars get a chance to shine with a different type of lustre than that required on the Oscars red carpet. And, this year, it was more obvious than ever.

To be successful, Oscar appearances require a very specific dress code  one that is respectful of Hollywood traditions. Gowns tend to be long, elegant and classic, embellished with embroidery, beading and sequins. Rarely are the fabrics simple prints: that would be deemed too 'daytime'.

For men, the classic black tuxedo is the go-to look.

Emily Blunt in a soft peach lace Dolce & Gabbana gown at the Oscars ceremony on Sunday night

Andrea Riseborough attends the 96th Annual Academy Awards on March 10

Which is why, for many guests, the after-parties are so enjoyable  and not just because of the free bar. Much as a bride might change from her wedding dress into an outfit more suitable for dancing at the reception, so Hollywood's A-list sheds its glamorous skin and slips into something more comfortable. Or, if not more comfortable, then certainly something more experimental and eye-catching.

Of all the post-show events, the Vanity Fair Oscar Party is by far the hottest ticket, and never more so than this year, when it was celebrating its 30th year.

Billed by the magazine as 'the city's most opulent, decadent, impossible-to-crash soiree  a fantasy canteen of Hollywood's megawatt stars smashed against each other at a bar', it offered the perfect chance for guests to flex their fashion muscles.

No matter that they were exhausted: while there was breath left in their bodies, they partied on  invariably in dresses that the Oscars wouldn't countenance.

Leading the charge was Margot Robbie in a beaded gold Thierry Mugler corset that would have been panned on the red carpet, with inevitable cries of 'Where's your skirt?'

No Barbie pink! Margot Robbie in Versace at the Oscars and a gold corset dress by Thierry Mugler at the Vanity Fair bash

Two looks: Florence Pugh, elegant in Del Core, changes into a racier outfit by Simone Rocha x Jean Paul Gaultier for the after-party

Making waves: Lupita Nyong'o  in Armani Prive gowns  topped her later appearance with halo-like hair

Worn with a brown satin shawl, the look, which hailed from Mugler's Spring/Summer 1996 collection, was perfect for Vanity Fair.

By contrast, Robbie's Oscar look was a long, black, sequin column dress by Versace  a rather more sober choice than expected, since she has spent the duration of her promotional activities for Barbie wearing variations of pink, all created by different top designers in homage to her character.

Sheer is a divisive trend that can be hit or miss on the red carpet: it tends to come into its own after dark, when any reveals are rendered less revealing.

Having chosen an elegant silver gown by Christian Dior haute couture for the Oscars, Charlize Theron changed into a sheer black gown, also by Dior, with a more casual halterneck bodice and a transparent skirt.

Florence Pugh has long been a fan of sheer, but wisely avoided it at the Oscars. She also chose not to wear her usual Valentino  despite being the face of the brand  opting instead for a silver gown with a satin skirt and crystal embellished bodice by the lesser-known label Del Core.

A daring dresser, she still couldn't resist incorporating a 'talking point'  this time in the form of straps that appeared to float above her shoulders.

By evening, Florence was back on her mission to free the nipple, in a sheer cream dress with strategically placed embroidery over the bustline, by Simone Rocha x Jean Paul Gaultier.

Emma Stone is another fan of sheer. As a brand ambassador for the house, it was a given that the Oscar-winning actress would be dressed in Louis Vuitton for the ceremony and, bar an on-stage zip malfunction, her pale mint green gown with its exaggerated peplum waist was pitch perfect.

For the Vanity Fair party, she wore a less streamlined Vuitton gown that twinkled with silver embellishment, through which her bra was subtly visible. While its asymmetric hem might have jarred at the Oscars, it worked well for a post-award celebration.

Winning outfits: Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton on the red carpet and at the Vanity Fair party

Striking: Anya Taylor-Joy went from demure in Christian Dior to daring  with hair to match  in label Miss Sohee

Too casual? Jennifer Lawrence in polka-dot Christian Dior for the awards ceremony and, later on, glamorous in Givenchy

From satin to sheer: Charlize Theron doubles up in Dior

But there were myriad other ways to stand out than by wearing sheer. After opting for a demure powder-blue, feather-trimmed gown by Armani Prive at the Oscars, the actress Lupita Nyong'o looked ready to party in a halterneck sequin column dress, also by Armani Prive.

Even her hair looked joyful, raised into halo-like sculptural coils. Anya Taylor-Joy was another attendee whose hair was a talking point. At the Oscars, her Christian Dior corset dress was styled with a simple, middle parting that didn't compete with the gown's complex fishscale embroidery.

At the Vanity Fair after-party, her hair became the focus, courtesy of a jewel-encrusted headpiece worn with a black scoop-front mini dress by South Korean couture brand Miss Sohee.

For some, however, the after-party seemed more an occasion to sober up than dress down.

Emily Blunt's soft peach lace Dolce & Gabbana gown was a far more traditional choice than the Schiaparelli gown she wore to the Oscars. With beading at the crotch in the unmistakeable shape of a pair of Y-fronts, the gown might have embodied Schiaparelli's long affinity with surrealism, but some fashion-watchers thought it a joke too far for the Academy Awards.

Jennifer Lawrence was another guest whom many opined got her dress codes mixed up, with her polka-dot Christian Dior gown too casual for the red carpet.

By contrast, her white floral embroidered Givenchy gown was a subtle, delicate choice for an after-party, its train surely destined to be stood upon by revellers three champagnes to the wind. Perhaps, like everyone else, Lawrence was too merry to care.

One thing is for sure: the real winners in Hollywood today will be the dry cleaners.
Bargain Hunt has spotted many incredible finds and has managed to bag some amazing profits.

There have been plenty of strange items that have appeared on the show since it first hit screens on March 13, 2000.

From strange Victorian relics to bright yellow 'teapots', some of the most unlikely items have bagged the biggest profits.

MailOnline take a look at all the weird and wonderful items that have been sold for staggering amounts after being discovered on the show.

Read on to see if you recognise any of the items mentioned.

Chinese Wine Ewer

Bargain Hunt's most valuable item ever revealed - and how the simple-looking item almost ended up in a charity shop - this chinese teapot went for 390k at auction

Bargain Hunt expert Charles Hanson (pictured) described the item, which had been collecting dust in a loft for 50 years, as 'the most important item objects' he has ever sold

When you think of Bargain Hunt's most valuable item of all time a bright-yellow 'teapot' is not the image that immediately springs to mind.

However taking the illustrious title of the show's most prized possession is an 18th Century Chinese 'teapot' - which was nearly thrown away in a spring clean.

Branding the item as the 'most important item ever sold', Bargain Hunt expert Charles Hanson managed to flog the pot for an eye-watering 390,000 at auction.

The 'rare Chinese wine ewer' had been collecting dust in a Derbyshire attic for 50 years before being brought on to the show.

The astonishing find was brought into the salesroom, as one curious client wanted to make sure the china piece was worth anything before donating it to a charity shop.

The valuable antique previously inherited from World War II serviceman Ronald Wadsworth, who was a Burma Star medal owner, left experts astonished.

Describing it as the 'ultimate Bargain Hunt find', auctioneer Charles Hanson told host Natasha Raskin Sharp on the repeated 2023 episode that the ewer was 'only one of three known'.

Initially believed to be worth 150, the bright-yellow teapot was bought by World War II serviceman Ronald Wadsworth

The other two 'very sacred, very important and very rare' ceremonial ewers currently sit in two museums located in Beijing and Taiwan.

According to Hanson, the 18th Century ceremonial teapot would have been used to hold water in Chinese Emperor Qianlong's court.

He added: 'Emperor Qianlong who was that great Emperor of the Arts, he wanted his Beijing enamellist to make the very best. And the quality is simply out of this world

'This is one of only three known, one's in a museum in Taiwan, one's in the museum of Beijing, China, and out of humble Burton-Upon-Trent, voila! unbelievably we have another.'

'It's probably what Faberge is to Russians and what imperial enamel is to Chinese billionaires and this to me, is a must-have object for any important Chinese connoisseur wishing to buy the best of Emperor Qianlong's treasures.

'This object for me, is in its historical placement, the most important object I've ever sold.'

Faberge Flowers

Another big find for the BBC show were two 'incredibly rare' Faberge Flowers which went made an eye-watering profit of 340,000 (pictured: Faberge Flowers The Morning Glory and The Barbary Bush)

In 2021, Bargain Hunt managed to bag another six figure profit at auction after discovering a pair incredibly rare Faberge Flowers.

The two incredibly rare items, were found in very humble conditions, encased in a blanket and a shoe box for over 40 years following the passing of their original owner in the 1960s.

Originally given a guide price of between 100,000 and 150,000, The Morning Glory and Barbary Bush exceeded expectations being nabbed for 180,000 and !60,000 respectively.

Together, the coveted items managed to snap up an eye-watering profit of 340,000.

'Imagine the excitement when these two exquisite pieces of Faberge turned up out of the blue at an auction house and were placed into the hands of our very own auctioneer, Charles Hanson,' presenter Natasha Raskin Sharp said.

Discussing the items previous owner, Charles said: 'They belonged to a lady called Juliette Duff. She died in 1965.

'She was well known in the royal artistic musical circle and she was great friends with Sir Winston Churchill.

'She was best friends with Queen Mary, she was very much in high society.'

Chatting to show host Natasha Raskin Sharp(pictured), Charles explained that the item belonged to Lady Juliette Duff who was a great friend of Sir Winston Churchill

Charles said: 'I can't stress to you in words how important they are in the history of Faberge'

A descendant of Lady Duff had given the Farberge Flowers to a relative, who eventually decided to put them up for sale.

'I can't stress to you in words how important they are in the history of Faberge,' Charles said.

'He made 34 of these in a period between 1907 to 1916. Our current Queen has 28 in her collection.

'The Morning Glory, its pair is in the royal collection, with tiny diamonds inset in the enamel flowers.

'This very technically put together Barbary Bush. It is again [made] by a leading Faberge craftsman.'

Vampire Slaying Kit

Most Bargain Hunt fans were probably left shock by the discovery of a Vampire slaying kit on the show (pictured)

The kit which sold for 13,000, was previously owned by Lord Hailey, the former administrator of British India

Most Bargain Hunt fans would probably expect to see a porcelain tea pot, or an old war medal rack up the big bucks - but if the show has taught us anything it is to look out for the strange.

Bargain Hunt expert Charles Hanson was left stunned when the 19th Century vampire slaying kit featured on the show in 2022.

The strange antique, which originally belonged to Lord Hailey, the former administrator of British India, boasted several holy items to scare off any blood-sucking vampires.

Included in the lockable wooden box were two brass crucifixes, a brass powder flask, holy water, a Gothic Bible, a wooden mallet as well as a stake, rosary beads and brass candlesticks.

The Victorian vampire slaying kit attracted eyes from all over the globe with many battling out to get their hands on the gothic item.

Exceeding all expectations, the kit sold for an eye watering 13,000 - far greater than the guide price of between 2,000 and 3,000.

'Whether through fear or fascination, it's interesting to know a member of the highest aristocratic social order, a man with a place in the House of Lords, acquired this item,' Charles said.

'Interest in this item ahead of auction, both from potential buyers and media outlets all over the world, was intense.

'It attracted strong advance bids. Nevertheless, the result exceeded all expectations.'

Tiffany Ashtray

Antiques expert David Harper managed to score the Tiffany & Co ashtray for only 26 for his team. They made a whopping 184 profit on the item (pictured)

It is not a shock to anybody that this 'bargain of a lifetime' did famously well when it went to auction in 2012.

The ashtray, which was made by one of the world's most famous fine jewellers, Tiffany & Co, was discovered by antiques expert David Harper for only 26.

According to DevonLive, the jeweller originally made ashtrays before they eventually turning their hand to making bracelets, rings and their illustrious necklaces.

'It is high quality. It's exquisite, and I know it's smoking and smoking isn't exactly PC but it's still collective,' David told his team.

The ashtray, believed to have been made in the 1930s, was predicted to bag as much as 80 to 90.

However, the small circular item with a beautiful blue edge managed to fetch for an eye-watering 210, bagging a massive profit of 184.

Cockerel Tea Cosy

When antiques pro Jonathan Pratt picked up the cockerel tea cosy (pictured) for 25 with his team's leftover money he was initially mocked

One unexpected item on the list which racked up an astounding profit was a cockerel tea cosy.

When antiques pro Jonathan Pratt picked up the unique item with his team's leftover money he was initially mocked.

'Well, 85 could have bought me quite a few things, but I just had to go for it,' he said presenting the tea cosy of the cockerel's head.

'The nice thing about it is this has actually got the age, this is from the early part of the 20th century.

'It has this sort of very soft, have a stroke, it's very soft and a great look on it, you know. It's probably 1930s, I suppose.'

Jonathan initially believed the novelty item would go for 40 or 50 after he bagged the item himself for only 25.

However the auction room went wild for the 20th century tea cosy, selling for a staggering 250 - raking in 225 profit.

'I have to say I think that is the most extraordinary profit we have ever made on any object on the show,' former Bargain Hunt host Tim Wonnacott said.

'I've never seen anything quite like that.'
Gregg Wallace revealed his non-verbal, autistic son Sid has reached an incredible milestone on Mother's Day on Sunday.

The MasterChef judge, 59, took to Instagram to announce the four-year-old had spoken his first words as he shared a video of Sid reciting numbers from a Montessori Sensory Board and wrote: 'Sid is counting! It's his first words!'

In 2022, Gregg and his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, 37, known as Anna, revealed their son had been diagnosed with autism and a global development delay.

Back in January, the TV star gave an update on his condition, writing: 'He's non-verbal and in nappies still, but communication is improving' - making the major milestone an incredible feat for the family.

Anna also shared the footage on Instagram, alongside the caption: 'The best Mother's Day present I could ever have. This little boy has made me the happiest I could ever be. I am so proud of him. This is Sid and his voice.'

Gregg Wallace revealed his non-verbal, autistic son Sid has reached an incredible milestone on Mother's Day on Sunday

The MasterChef judge, 59, took to Instagram to announce the four-year-old had spoken his first words as he shared a video of Sid reciting numbers from a Montessori Sensory Board and wrote: 'Sid is counting! It's his first words!'

Anna also shared the footage on Instagram, alongside the caption: 'The best Mother's Day present I could ever have. This little boy has made me the happiest I could ever be. I am so proud of him. This is Sid and his voice'

Anna, 38, shared her own delight over the change

Gregg could not contain his delight over the amazing milestone

Back in January, the TV star gave an update on his condition, writing: 'He's non-verbal and in nappies still, but communication is improving' - making the major milestone an incredible feat for the family

The family's exciting update comes after Gregg hit back at 'unfair' backlash over his Saturday regime where he said he 'wouldn't have chosen' to have his son.

Last month, he lifted the lid on his typical weekend routine and opened up about his 5-stone weight loss and gym regime for The Telegraph's My Saturday column.

However, Gregg became emotional during an Instagram live shortly after publication due to the backlash and said the comments have been 'cruel,' 'nasty' and 'unfair'.

He said: 'There are just two things I want to address here with Sid. People said 'So you spend an an hour and a half with your son, but then spend two hours on your computer'. No - I'm with my son in the house all the time...

'I just didn't write down 'Had a tickle with Sid, playing around the living room' - you're not logging every minute of the day. I just logged the blocks. So, it didn't mean that's all I saw him that day.'

Gregg added: 'If you're living in a house with someone, you're interacting with them all the time. Not only that - that is a snapshot of one Saturday. I hope that makes sense to everybody.

'And the other thing as well - and I'm almost going to cry over this - people saying that Sid was unwanted. It took us two years to conceive with Sid. Two years.'

The family's exciting update comes after Gregg hit back at 'unfair' backlash over his Saturday regime where he said he 'wouldn't have chosen' to have his son

Gregg's 'Typical Saturday' routine

5AM: Wake up and read for an hour 6AM: Coffee and check emails 7AM: Swim and sauna at the gym before workout with 7,000 steps a day 10.30AM: Fry-up breakfast at Harvester 12PM: Home with wife Anna having his lunch ready on the table 1.30PM: Spend time with son Sid, four 3PM: Playing historical war video games 6PM: Cook dinner for the family once a week 8PM: In bed watching a film on reading 9PM: Go to sleep Advertisement

The TV personality explained that his wife Anna, who is 22 years younger than him, wanted a family, however he said at the time he wouldn't have chosen to have children at his age before he met her.

Gregg was already a single parent with two children who he brought up on his own, and he confessed that he and Anna almost went into fertility treatment before she fell pregnant with Sid.

He concluded that the comments have been 'cruel,' 'nasty' and 'unfair' and that the interview was 'innocent', while reminding fans that everyone is human and that he was 'deeply saddened'.

Gregg left fans baffled after revealing his typical weekend routine for The Telegraph's My Saturday column.

Revealing he doesn't indulge in a weekend lie-in, Gregg kicks off his day at 5am, reading for an hour - currently A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles - before making himself a cup of coffee and checking the sign-up numbers for his health programme.

There's no more time to rest, however, as he has to stick to his five day a week workout regime, revealing he has persuaded staff to open the gym half an hour early for him every weekend so he can enjoy a private swim and sauna.

Gregg left fans baffled after revealing his typical weekend routine which includes a 'no sweat' workout, a fry up at the Harvester and hours playing historical war video games

Once members of the public start arriving (at the correct time) Gregg makes a beeline for the treadmills where he works towards his 50,000 steps a week goal but insists there's 'no sweating.'

Having worked up an appetite, but not a sweat, next on the to-do list is breakfast, with Gregg meeting his PA at the local Harvester for breakfast  which consists of bacon, sausage and fried egg.

While he admitted people are often surprised to see him in the budget chain restaurant, he has 'never been disappointed' by the food, and is particularly fond of the grilled chicken and salad bar.

In contrast, he noted he has been let down by the food on offer at several three-star Michelin restaurants around Europe.

During breakfast, talk turns to business with his PA as they juggle his MasterChef filming, well-being business and new health and well-being podcast, A Piece of Cake.

Speaking about his new healthy living podcast, Gregg mused: 'I love chatting to the experts, but I'm quite the expert too, having been journalling, manifesting, goal-setting and reading self-help books for years.'

Having worked up an appetite, but not a sweat, next on the to-do list is breakfast, with Gregg meeting his PA at the local Harvester for breakfast  bacon, sausage and fried egg

Seemingly blessed with a high metabolism, lunch comes just an hour and a half after his fry up, with Anna ensuring food is on the table when he arrives home at midday.

After lunch comes quality time with his four-year-old son, Sid, who's non-verbal autistic but has 'started to seek company and show eye contact.'

Speaking candidly about his relationship with his youngest child, Gregg - who has two adult children Tom, 29, and Libby, 26, with his ex-wife Denise - shared: 'I'm a much better father now I'm older, although another child isn't something that I would have chosen at my age.

'I was always very honest with Anna, but it's what she wanted and I love her. I just requested two things  that we had help in the house (so her mum moved in), and secondly that we had at least one week a year when we holidayed just the two of us.'

Gregg's Saturday regime quickly began trending on X, with baffled fans claiming he was like Steve Coogan's comedy character, Alan Partridge

After an hour and a half of quality time with Sid, Gregg then indulges in two hours of me-time.

As an 'amateur historian' and video game fan, he likes to lock himself away in his home office at 3pm playing Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia, set in 878 AD

After leading the Norsemen, Saxons, and Gaels to victory he then sets about preparing dinner for his family.

READ MORE: Celebrity MasterChef 'first famous names revealed Advertisement

The restaurateur and former greengrocer revealed Anna takes on the main kitchen duties as he cooks for his family just once a week, typically a grilled fish dish from the fishmonger.

He's also partial to making his own 'healthy' cheeseburgers, as takeaways are banned after his health overhaul.

Alcohol is also restricted, with Gregg drinking twice a week, typically starting off with a pint, then a wine, then a whisky or brandy, but ensures he doesn't 'drink excessively any more.'

After his long day comes an early bed time of 8pm, where he and Anna will either read or watch a film on his laptop because Gregg 'tried sitting on the sofa eating biscuits' but didn't find it 'fulfilling'.

Sleep typically comes by 9pm.

Gregg's Saturday regime quickly began trending on X, with baffled fans claiming he was like Steve Coogan's comedy character, Alan Partridge.

They penned: 'Catching up on Gregg Wallace's magnificently Partridgian My Saturday.'; 'Gregg Wallace here with an article that would easily place him in the top division of LinkedIn's most ridiculously egotistical contributors';

'I met Gregg Wallace once - I hasn't to bump into him not once but twice within an hour in Manchester city centre and from our fleeting interaction I'm not entirely surprised by his Partridge-esque interview.';

Gregg is kept busy juggling MasterChef filming, well-being business and new health and well-being podcast, A Piece of Cake (pictured with MasterChef co-judge John Torode)

'This is my favourite bit amateur historian #GreggWallace'; 'Ok, who is opening up their Fitness First early to let in Gregg Wallace?'; 'How do we break it to Gregg Wallace that this isn't actually what historians do?';

''At 8pm it's biscuits - and CHEESE' Gregg Wallace and Gromit'; 'Gregg Wallace. This has to be parody, surely?'; 'Can't stop reading the Gregg Wallace thing. What a journey, every word is absolutely incredible.';

'Imagine being that person at the gym who has to get there half an hour early so Gregg Wallace can have a solitary swim, or his PA that has to go to Harvester every Saturday morning and watch him eat his bacon and eggs';

'Gregg Wallace: I wake up at the same time every morning. I'll read for an hour - right now it's A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles - then I'll make myself a coffee and check emails. Blur: PARK LIFE';

'Gregg Wallace tells the world his child was unplanned and spends more time playing computer games (two hours) than spending time with his autistic son (hour and a half). If I commented with my feelings on this, Twitter would ban me.'
If they die, their beneficiary does not inherit the original tax liability

Owners of real estate who want to sell without incurring tax liabilities can make use of a clever strategy.

Usually, when an investment property is sold the owner must pay tax on the profit they made during the course of the investment, known as capital gains tax.

That can total some 40 percent of the earnings due to a combination of federal and state taxes, especially in places like California.

But Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code says that funds gained through the sale of an investment property will not be taxed if they are reinvested into another property of equal or greater value.

Usually, when an investment property is sold the owner must pay capital gains tax, which can be some 40 percent

Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code says that funds gained through the sale of an investment property will not be taxed if they are reinvested in another property

The taxes are therefore deferred, or not paid, until the investor actually needs to liquidate the asset to spend the money, a bit like an individual retirement account or IRA.

If that time comes, the asset would need to be sold and taxes would be due. If on the other hand they were to die, the asset would automatically pass to the person's beneficiary with no capital gains tax due.

And crucially, the reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of the investment property does not need to be in a whole, single property and can instead be in a Delaware Statutory Trust or DST.

A DST is a real estate fund in which people can buy fractional shares in a portfolio of institutionally owned real estate with a number of other investors. Since an IRS ruling in 2004, they have been compliant with 1031 exchanges.

Such properties are typically much larger assets and out of reach of most individual investors. They can include apartments and offices, as well as industrial and retail spaces.

Austin Bowlin, a certified public accountant and partner at Real Estate Transition Solutions, which offers advice on 1031 Exchange strategies, told Business Insider a significant number of people are simply unaware of the option.

He gave the example of a couple in California that bought a 10-unit apartment building in 1990 for $1 million.

'If they sold that property for $3 million in 2024 they'd be walking away having paid about $1.2 million in tax.'

By carrying out a 1031 exchange into a DST, they will avoid paying all of those taxes for now.

DSTs allow investment in a diverse portfolio of property, like apartments and offices, as well as industrial and retail spaces

Since an IRS ruling in 2004, DSTs have been compliant with 1031 exchanges

He then gave the real example of a client who had taken $2.1 million in proceeds and moved it into a portfolio of 22 industrial properties around the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.

'He's going to be diversified, not have any management responsibility, have full tax deferral into these properties,' said Bowlin.

'Then, if he or his wife ever passes away, all that deferred tax liability will be eliminated, and the surviving spouse can just take the sales proceeds with little to no tax consequences,' he added.

But there are some catches.

Firstly, DSTs are only available to 'accredited investors'. That is an official status granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), most notably to those who earn more than $200,000 a year, or $300,000 with a spouse.

Another drawback of investing in DSTs is the lack of control investors have over the investment. They own a small share of the trust and ultimately do not determine the decisions that are made.

'It's direct investment in the real estate. Even though you don't own the entire property, you own a portion of it,' said Bowlin.

Finally, if the property is sold during the original owner's lifetime, they will need to pay tax on the capital gains on the original investment.
With the Lok Sabha elections due in next couple of months, the Centre on Monday announced the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, a move that comes four years after the law was passed which paves the way for citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The CAA rules came into force in the country with immediate effect as per a Gazette notification.

Home Minister Amit Shah said with CAA implementation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered on another commitment and realised the promise of makers of our Constitution. CAA rules enable minorities persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan to acquire citizenship in India, Shah said in a statement.

Now with the notification, the BJP-led Modi Government will start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants  Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians  from the three countries.

These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for the grant of Indian citizenship. The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided, a Home Ministry spokesperson said.

Over 100 people lost their lives during the anti-CAA protests or police action and security was beefed up in Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Millia Islamia and other areas of the national Capital where anti-CAA protests were held in the past.

Security has also been stepped up in Assam as the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and 30 indigenous organisations said it will burn copies of the CAA across the State. It also announced a series of protest programmes, while also taking forward its legal battle against the Act.

While the ruling BJP party expressed their delight as the Modi Government has made up to its one more commitment after abrogation of Article 370, Ram Temple at Ayodhya and now the CAA, Opposition parties like Congress and TMC alleged that the timing of notifying the CAA rules evidently designed to polarise the coming Lok Sabha elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam. TMC said it will oppose the Act tooth and nail.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the Presidents assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it, with many Opposition parties speaking out against the law calling it discriminatory. The law could not come into effect as rules had not been notified till now.

According to the Manual on Parliamentary Work, the rules for any legislation should be framed within six months of presidential assent or the Government has to seek an extension from the Committees on Subordinate Legislation in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Since 2020, the Home Ministry has been taking extensions at regular intervals from the Parliamentary Committee for framing the rules. No document will be sought from the applicants, an official said.

On December 27, 2023, Shah said no one can stop the implementation of the CAA as it is the law of the land and accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misleading people on the issue. Addressing a party meeting in Kolkata, Shah said it is the BJPs commitment to implement the CAA.

Implementing the controversial CAA was a major poll plank of the BJP in the last Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in West Bengal. The saffron partys leaders consider it a plausible factor that led to the rise of the BJP in Bengal.

In the last two years, over 30 district magistrates and Home Secretaries in nine States have been given powers to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians coming from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

According to the annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2021-22, from April 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, a total of 1,414 foreigners belonging to these non-Muslim minority communities from the three countries were given Indian citizenship by registration or naturalisation under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

The nine States where Indian citizenship by registration or naturalisation is given under the Citizenship Act, 1955 to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra. Authorities of none of the districts of Assam and West Bengal, where the issue is politically very sensitive, have been given the powers so far.

Delhi BJP vice president Kapil Mishra, who was at the centre of a pro-CAA stir in Delhi in 2020, welcomed the implementation of the CAA saying the whole country, especially the national Capital, paid a big price during protests against the law. Mishras February 2020 speech at Jafrabad against the anti- CAA protests was alleged to have led to riots that claimed over 50 lives, injured hundreds and caused massive loss of property in north East Delhi.

Congress chief spokesman Jairam Ramesh alleged that the announcement is yet another attempt to manage the headlines after the Supreme Courts strictures on the electoral bonds issue. Let me be very clear that we will oppose anything that discriminates against people. Let them bring out the rules, then we will speak on the issue after going through the rules, Mamata said at a hurried Press conference.

Mamata too said she would oppose the CAA as it discriminates against groups of people. Stating that the CAA and the NRC are sensitive to West Bengal and the Northeast, Mamata said she doesnt want unrest before the Lok Sabha elections.

While AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said the Act is divisive and based on Godses thought that wanted to reduce Muslims to second-class citizens, Kerala CM Vijayan described CAA as a communally divisive law and asserted that it will not be implemented in the State.

Owaisi alleged along with NPR-NRC, CAA is meant to only target Muslims and it serves no other purpose. Understand the chronology. First the election season will come, next will be the CAA rules, he said.

Indians who came out on the streets to oppose CAA NPR NRC will have no choice but to oppose it again, Owaisi said in a social media post while stating that his objections to CAA remain the same. Batting for asylum for anyone who is persecuted, the Hyderabad MP said citizenship must not be based on religion or nationality.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav attacked the Centre terming CAA notification as BJPs game of distraction. He also said the BJP Government at the Centre should also explain why lakhs of citizens gave up their citizenship of the country during their 10-year rule. The BJP Government should explain why lakhs of citizens gave up their citizenship of the country during their 10 years of rule. No matter what happens tomorrow you have to give account of Electoral Bond and then also of the care fund, Yadav added.
From the dangers posed by selfie-seeking citizens in Telangana to the heartbreaking instances of being beaten in human-animal conflict in the national capital, rapid urbanisation, and the ruthless poachers across the States, leopards in India seem to be on the run for their life. Road accidents are also becoming a significant cause of leopard fatalities in the country.

India has lost 137 leopards in just two months and ten days this year alone. Among these casualties, a staggering 32 majestic cats fall victim to the poachers, according to data available from the website of the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI).

This is quite high, given that in calendar year 2023, a total 565 leopards had succumbed to various causes with 155 trapped by poachers to earn quick bucks in the international market.

The disturbing data comes amid a report released by the Union Environment Ministry that has suggested the leopard population has witnessed a marginal increase to estimated 13,874 leopards, up from 12,852 in 2018, even as human-leopard conflicts remain a major worry.

The data shows that the leopard population hasnt grown the same way the tiger population has grown. It is a marginal increase, Wildlife Institute of Indias (WII) former dean YV Jhala told a media house.

However, he said since leopards remain enticing targets for poachers, it is a matter of satisfaction to manage the status quo.

In Telangana majestic leopards faced a grim fate, marked by tragedy and sorrow when an ill-fated animal was captured in videos by locals from Kansanpalli of Damaragidda mandal. In these recordings, the young leopard appeared visibly unwell, yet this did not deter the locals from pursuing it in a misguided attempt to capture selfies with the wild creature.

In fact, at the heart of the issue lies the relentless encroachment of human civilisation into leopard territory. As forests are cleared for agriculture, industry, and urban expansion, the natural habitats that sustain leopard populations are shrinking at an alarming rate.

Wildlife experts said increasing territorial fight among tiger and leopard in many tiger reserves also threatens their existence.

This has left the spotted cats with fewer places to call home.

In rural areas, where subsistence farming and livestock rearing are livelihood mainstays, leopards often find themselves in direct competition with humans for resources.

Instances of leopards preying on domestic animals provoke retaliatory killings by enraged villagers seeking to protect their livelihoods, further escalating tensions and perpetuating a cycle of violence that further endangers these majestic predators.

For instance, on February 13 in Udaipur, six persons were injured in a leopard attack in Antri forest area in Dungarpur. Irate villagers later surrounded the leopard and beat it to death with sticks and stones. The incident took place in Upala Ghara Nokna of the interior forest area. The leopard first attacked cattle tied outside the houses.

Stalin Dayanand, director, Vanashakti, a non-profit organisation, took exception that roads are being built right through leopard corridors without giving a thought.

Roads have come up cutting right through wildlife sanctuaries like Tansa, Tungareshwar or even the SGNP thus blocking seamless movement for the leopards.

How is a leopard to know if a structure suddenly turns up on his path that naturally and instinctively leads it to the next forest? He will continue frequenting that area he said matter-of-factly.

The experts also found fault in policy related to the release of leopards after being caught in conflict. They cited various studies that show that they rarely stay at the site of release. In fact, according to them, the policy of trans-locating leopards to other forests has enhanced the conflicts.

Leopards which had been cohabitating peacefully with villagers started attacking people when they were released far away from their territory, said Vidya Athreya, scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society-India (WCS-I).

This was likely due to the stress they faced during capture, release in an unknown area. We also found many instances of translocated leopards homing back to where they were originally caught, she added.

If the leopard has been captured only because it has been seen, it is best to release it as close as possible to its territory because we have management evidence that there is no problem later, she advised, adding that the feline is very adaptable and therefore it is possible for them to live in rural landscapes, and eat domestic animals, dogs, and even rats.

In Delhi too, a male leopard was subjected to a brutal attack by a mob from Deoli village, adjacent to Sainik Farms, even as it was silently making its way towards its natural habitat.

Despite the efforts of the State Animal Welfare team to tranquilise the animal, the situation turned dire as stones were hurled at the leopard by the enraged mob. The Animal Welfare team found themselves under attack as the mob fiercely opposed the rescue efforts, expressing their intent to kill the animal.

Experts also point out that growing demand for leopard skins and body parts in international wildlife markets is driving poachers to target these animals.

The illegal international demand for big cat skins along with the trade in bones and other parts for use in traditional oriental medicine, continues to be the main reason for the unrelenting poaching pressure on these endangered cats. There is virtually no market for either skins or bones of leopards within India, according to an official from the WPSI.

The Government report speaks volume about the decline in leopard populations in a few regions like Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains which were once brimming with the majestic cats. The regions have respectively recorded a worrying 3.4 per cent per annum decline, going down from 1,253 in 2018 to 1,109 in 2022.
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.
Protesting farmers in Punjab staged a significant rail roko agitation on Sunday, marking their continued efforts to push for the fulfilment of their demands, primarily centered around securing a legal guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce. The agitation was organized in response to a call by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a non-political coalition of farmer unions.

The four-hour protest, from noon to 4 pm, saw farmers occupying railway tracks at 62 locations across the state. The KMM and SKM (non-political) coordinated the agitation at 52 places, while five other farmer unions affiliated with SKM  BKU Ugrahan, BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner), BKU (Malwa), BKU (Doaba), and Krantikari Kisan Union  organized it in the remaining 10 locations.

The SKM organization, which spearheaded the farmers agitation in 2020-21, was not directly involved in this rail roko call but extended its support to the ongoing farmers' agitation at Shambhu and Khanauri points along the Punjab-Haryana border.

The protest impacted rail services significantly, with 49 trains affected in Punjab alone. Nine trains were canceled, while eight were short-terminated, including long-route services. An additional 26 trains were regulated after 4 pm, resulting in disruptions and delays for passengers. The agitators targeted major railway stations such as Ludhiana, Amritsar, Pathankot, Patiala, and Ferozepur, among others.

KMM coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher called upon the people to join the protest in substantial numbers, emphasizing the importance of the farmers' voices being heard. The 'rail roko' agitation is part of the ongoing farmers' Delhi Chalo andolan, which began the previous month against the Central Government.

The farmers' key demands include a legal assurance of MSP, the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pensions for farmers and labourers, resolution of police cases against protesters, justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, and the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act (2013). The farmers also rejected the Centre's proposal for limited procurement of pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP, asserting that it does not serve the farmers' interests.

While the 'rail roko' protest caused disruptions and inconvenience for railway passengers, it concluded peacefully, underlining the farmers' determination to continue their struggle until their demands are met. The ongoing agitation at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, which began on February 13, remains a focal point of the farmers' protest in Punjab, symbolizing their resilience in the face of challenges.

Farmers Detained in Haryana

Amidst ongoing farmer protests across the country, several incidents of alleged detainment of farmers by the police were reported in Haryana on Sunday. As farmers headed towards protest sites in Dabwali and Ellenabad, they were reportedly detained by the police.

In Haryana, the 'rail roko' agitation was relatively subdued, with protests reported at only three locations: Mohda railway crossing in Ambala, Manakpur in Panchkula, and Sarsini in Ambala. These protests were organized by the BKU-Shaheed Bhagat Singh faction.

According to KMM coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher, farmers also staged demonstrations by blocking rail lines in Pilibanga (Rajasthan), Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu), Jhabua (Madhya Pradesh), and several other places, underscoring the nationwide solidarity of the farmers' movement.

BKU-Shaheed Bhagat Singh spokesperson Tejveer Singh expressed concern over the imposition of Section 144 in Haryana and alleged intimidation tactics employed by the government. He revealed that farmers were threatened with notices to join police investigations, citing an FIR lodged against him during the agitation. He disclosed receiving a notice to appear at the Ambala police station for interrogation on Monday, condemning the Haryana government's perceived attempts to suppress the farmers' voices.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Brijendra Singh, MP from Hisar Lok Sabha constituency, on Sunday resigned from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and joined the Congress at party president Mallikarjun Kharges residence in New Delhi.

Singh said that he has decided to quit the BJP following disagreements on issues such as those of farmers, the Agniveer program, and of the countrys women wrestlers. A few minutes after his announcement on X, Brijendra reached the residence of Kharge to join the grand old party.

Brijendra, the son of former Union Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh, joined Congress party nearly five months after Birender gave an ultimatum to the BJP at a rally in Jind in October 2023. Birender had then said that he would leave the BJP if it continued an alliance with the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) of Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala in Haryana.

Sources in the Congress said that Brijendra is likely to get a ticket from the party from Hisar Lok Sabha constituency in the upcoming general election. Brijendra is a former bureaucrat of the Indian Administrative Service. He had voluntarily resigned in 2019 and won the Lok Sabha poll from Hisar on a BJP ticket with a little over 51 per cent of the vote share. His closest contestant was Dushyant Chautala, who is now Haryanas Deputy CM.

Brijendra Singhs father, Birender Singh, who was Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana between 2016 and 2020, may also join the Congress party later. Brijendra Singh is the great-grandson of prominent Jat leader Sir Chhotu Ram. His mother, Prem Lata, was also a BJP MLA in Haryana.

Hooda addresses Jan Aakrosh rally in Faridabad

Faridabad: Haryanas former Chief Minister and the Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Bhupinder Singh Hooda, addressing the Jan Aakrosh rally at Old Faridabad on Sunday, said that the time has come to get rid of the BJP-JJP government with the power of votes.

Referring to the broken-down law and order situation in the state, he said that there is no need to tell anyone anything about Haryana. People themselves are victims and are facing problems.

Hooda said that two lakh government posts are lying vacant in the State, and challenged the government to tell if it has done any one work in Faridabad in the last 10 years. Thousands of small and big factories have been closed here. There are no teachers in schools, no doctors in hospitals and no employees in offices, he pointed out.

Kejriwal urges people to vote for his party candidate Sushil Gupta from Kurukshetra

Kurukshetra: Addressing a public meeting in Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency, AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday urged the people to vote for his party candidate Sushil Gupta from the Kurukshetra seat in the upcoming elections.

I came from Delhi to seek your votes with folded hands. Sushil Gupta ji is going door to door to seek your votes. We need your votes to win elections. BJP do not need your votes, said Kejriwal.

He further said that the AAP and the Congress will fight the Lok Sabha polls in alliance in Haryana. Under the tie-up, the AAP will contest from the lone Kurukshetra seat out of total 10 parliamentary seats in the state.

Invoking the Mahabharata, Kejriwal said that Kurukshetra is a pious land where the dharmayudh was fought. Referring to the BJP-led Centre, Kejriwal said, They have everything. They have all the powers. They have IB, CBI, ED.

We have our dharma (righteousness) with us. It is a fight of dharma and adharma (non-righteousness) and you have to decide whether you are with dharma or adharma, he added.

PM Modi to inaugurate 19km-long section of Dwarka Expressway in Gurugram today

New Delhi/Chandigarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 19 km-long section of Dwarka Expressway in Gurugram on Monday; besides laying the foundation stone of 112 National Highway Projects spread across the country worth Rs 1 lakh crore.

According to PMO statement, in order to help improve the traffic flow and ease congestion between Delhi and Gurugram on NH-48, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Haryana section of the landmark Dwarka Expressway. The 19 km-long Haryana section of the eight-lane Dwarka Expressway has been built at a cost of around Rs 4,100 crore and includes two packages of 10.2 km-long Delhi-Haryana Border to Basai Rail-over-Bridge (ROB) and 8.7 km-long Basai ROB to Kherki Daula. It will also provide direct connectivity to the IGI Airport in Delhi and to the Gurugram bypass, the statement stated.
A 26-year-old youth was found dead under suspicious circumstances at a farm in Berasia area on Sunday morning; multiple injuries on head raises suspicion of killing the youth.

Panic prevailed in the area after a youth was found deaf in a field located in Berasia police station area near Bhopal. There are three wounds on the head on the dead body and the throat was silted.

The young man had left the house on Saturday evening to visit the market and later his body was found on Sunday morning. The police have registered a case and sent the body for post mortem.

According to the police, Vishal Kushwaha was a resident of Damkheda Berasia. Apart from selling vegetables, he also used to work as a loading auto driver.

Former Sarpanch Lakhan Singh, who lives in his village, told that Vishal was married a year ago.

He had left with the auto on Saturday evening to visit the mandi. On the way, he told his friend that he would have to go home again for some work. Parked the auto near the house and left. After this he did not return. The family kept searching for him throughout the night.

His body was found in Golu Sahu's field at around 7.30 am on Sunday morning. There were three deep wounds on his head. The neck was silted badly. After which information about the matter was given to the police. Police have started the investigation of the matter.
Himachal Pradesh Police on Sunday registered a case against Hamirpur's independent MLA Ashish Sharma, and Gagret's now disqualified MLA Chetanya Sharmas father, and others over electoral offences linked to the recent Rajya Sabha polls wherein six Congress legislators voted for the BJP candidate from the State. The case has been filed on the basis of a complaint lodged by Congress MLAs  Sanjay Avasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur.

Ashish Sharma and Chetanya Sharma, along with seven others, including six Congress rebels and three independents, voted in favour of BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan during the Rajya Sabha polls on February 27. The alleged involvement of Chetanya Sharma's father, a retired bureaucrat, in the matter is yet to be disclosed.

The case has triggered a crisis in the Congress-led Government in Himachal, as it appears to have lost its majority in the assembly. The registered case includes charges of criminal conspiracy, corruption practices, and undue influence on the election.

Adding a new layer to the political crisis, Congress MLAs Avasthi and Gaur filed a complaint seeking an investigation into electoral offences, corrupt practices, and criminal conspiracy related to the sequence of events since the Rajya Sabha polls.

In response to the complaint, one of the six Congress rebels, Rajinder Rana, expressed dissatisfaction, stating, With this attitude, the CM should be ready to face the consequences in the future. Rana warned that pressure tactics would not yield positive results.

The Congress legislators have demanded an investigation into charges of money trading, misuse of helicopter, and security forces, and criminal misconduct. They claim direct evidence that the BJP is covering transportation costs through helicopters and accommodation in five-star properties in Haryana and Uttarakhand.

Chief Parliament Secretary Sanjay Avasthi highlighted that such illegal activities are unfamiliar in Himachal Pradesh, and even the Supreme Court has ruled that elected representatives are not immune to criminal proceedings for accepting money and favors.

Confirming the receipt of the complaint, Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi stated that a case has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Investigations have commenced.

The six Congress MLAs who voted against their party's directive were disqualified, along with the three independents. Presently in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, and guarded by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), they allege pressure from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The political landscape in Himachal Pradesh remains uncertain as investigations unfold.

Rebel Cong MLAs Accuse Sukhu of Favoritism, Secrecy

Nine MLAs from Himachal Pradesh, including six Congress rebels and three independents, have accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of favoritism and secrecy. These allegations come in the wake of the recent Rajya Sabha polls where the MLAs voted in favour of the BJP, leading to their disqualification from the Congress party.

MLAs, in a joint statement issued in Shimla, asserted that they are fighting a battle of self-respect and called into question the Chief Ministers approach towards them. They criticized Sukhu for allegedly seeking compromises while simultaneously making derogatory statements likening them to black snakes and shepherds during public meetings.

The MLAs, including Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Chetanya Sharma, Devinder Kumar Bhutto, Ashish Sharma, Hoshiyar Singh, and KL Thakur, demanded transparency from Sukhu regarding his official visits to Chandigarh. They raised concerns about his choice to stay at a five-star hotel instead of his designated accommodation at Himachal Bhawan, as well as the dismissal of security personnel from the hotel.

Accusing the Chief Minister of favoritism, the MLAs claimed that Sukhu prioritizes his friends over other elected representatives, leading to feelings of suffocation and humiliation within the government. They also alluded to the alleged activities of Sukhu's "cabinet rank friends" and questioned their influence and actions within the government.

The statement concluded by asserting that the people of Himachal Pradesh are aware of the alleged misconduct within the government and urged Sukhu to address these concerns and provide clarity on his actions. The accusations leveled by the rebel MLAs add a new layer of complexity to the political landscape of the state, indicating potential rifts within the ruling party.

SC to Hear Plea of 6 Disqualified MLAs Against Their Disqualification on Tues

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. Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker 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.

Cong Announces 6-Member Coordination Panel

In a significant move aimed at fortifying the party-led government in Himachal Pradesh amidst recent tumultuous events, the Congress has unveiled a six-member Coordination Committee.

Comprising Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, state president Pratibha Singh, and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, the committee also includes Health Minister Dhaniram Shandil, along with former ministers  Ram Lal Thakur and Kaul Singh Thakur. With a diverse mix of experienced politicians and key figures within the party, the committee is poised to play a pivotal role in fostering cohesion and collaboration between the government and the state unit of the Congress.

The genesis of the Coordination Committee lies in the recent crisis triggered by the Rajya Sabha polls. The failure to secure the election of Abhishek Singhvi as a Rajya Sabha MP, coupled with cross-voting by six disgruntled MLAs who were subsequently disqualified, had thrown the government into disarray. This prompted the central leadership to dispatch observers to Himachal Pradesh to assess the situation and recommend remedial measures.

During interactions with MLAs, concerns emerged regarding Chief Minister Sukhus management style, particularly from legislators aligned with Pratibha and Vikramaditya Singh. In response to these grievances, the observers proposed the establishment of a committee dedicated to enhancing coordination between the government and the party.

While Sukhu, Pratibha, and Agnihotri were appointed as committee members by the observers, the remaining three members were designated by the central leadership. Among these appointees, Dhaniram Shandil brings his wealth of experience as a former Lok Sabha MP to the committee. Similarly, Ram Lal Thakur and Kaul Singh Thakur, both former Lok Sabha MPs and seasoned politicians, are expected to contribute significantly to the committee's objectives.

Not afraid of political challenges: Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday expressed confidence in facing political challenges, stating that the Congress party remains undaunted.

We are not afraid of political challengesWe will face every challenge with determination and will realize the vision of self-reliant Himachal by the year 2032, he said during his tour of Solan assembly constituency while addressing a huge public gathering at the old bus stand, Solan.

Emphasizing the government's commitment to the welfare and bright future of the people of the hill state, Sukhu highlighted various developmental schemes and policies aimed at realizing the vision of a self-reliant Himachal by 2032.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched the Child Marriage Free Chhattisgarh Campaign in Raipur on Sunday.

The campaign will be conducted by the Women and Child Development Department in collaboration with UNICEF.

Sai unveiled a brochure for the campaign and administered an oath to everyone to stop child marriage.

As per a National Family Health Survey, 12.1 percent of girls in the state are married before the age of 18.

Child marriage occurs highest in Surajpur district at 34.28 percent, followed by Balrampur and Koria districts at 24.60 and 22.89 percent respectively.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday praised Director of Beam Technology Archana Sharma and Scientific Officer Jyoti Diwan of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre of Mumbai.

Speaking to Sai in Raipur, they urged him to set up a nuclear power plant in the state.

They said that in order to achieve zero carbon emissions, setting up a nuclear power plant was a high priority.

Not only will the plant be highly beneficial but it will also open up new employment opportunities, they said.

Sai assured them that promoting green energy was in his interest and positive initiatives would be taken in this direction.
Dr Deepti Soni, a distinguished alumna of the Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, PG batch - January 2020, was honored with Gold Medal for her remarkable performance, emerging as the overall topper among all MD branches and has been recognized for her outstanding academic achievements at the Third Convocation ceremony held at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal on 2nd March, 2024. Executive director Prof. Ajay Singh along with other dignitaries presented her the Gold Medal.

Throughout her academic journey in the subject of Pathology at AIIMS Bhopal, Dr. Deepti Soni has exhibited hard work, perseverance, and exemplary commitment towards excellence. Her accomplishment reflects not only the talent and dedication but also the teaching and training offered to the post graduate students at AIIMS Bhopal.

It's a moment of pride for the Pathology Department for the first ever Gold Medal in the PG category. Prof & Head Dr Vaishali Walke & faculty members congratulated Dr. Soni for her remarkable achievement. She said that the Department with the wealth of teaching resources, its excellent and experienced faculties strives to work hard to bring out the best of the students so that they can excel in all fronts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed Gwalior's achievement in completing the construction of its new terminal building within just 16 months, setting a commendable precedent for rapid progress nationwide. He emphasized that Gwalior's swift development epitomizes the pace of growth in the country.

The government remains dedicated to enhancing the lives of all citizens, with a particular focus on facilitating easier access to air travel. Efforts are underway to expand air services to smaller cities, fostering increased industrial and business activities across the nation. Modi addressed the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of several national projects virtually from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. During the event, he remotely inaugurated the new terminal building of Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Airport, Gwalior. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi also marked the commencement and foundation stone laying of 14 other airport projects across the country, totaling an investment of Rs. 9,811 crore.

In the programme organised at Gwalior Airport, Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Union Civil Aviation and Steel Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar, Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Govind Singh Rajput, Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Aidal Singh Kanshana were present. During the event, the magnificent statue of Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia was unveiled, accompanied by floral tributes. Following the rendition of the national anthem, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav commenced the proceedings by lighting the lamp and honoring the revered saints.

The Prime Minister said that the inauguration of institutions and facilities nationwide from a single location underscores the government's unwavering commitment to translating promises into tangible actions. He reiterated that their dedication extends beyond mere announcements and foundation stone ceremonies, emphasizing the priority placed on grassroots development efforts. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed the ongoing mission of perpetual advancement in the country, with a target of achieving a developed India by 2047, through swift-paced initiatives encompassing not only infrastructure enhancements like airports, highways, and railways but also focused efforts on education, water management, and environmental conservation. Acknowledging the rapid urbanization trend, he highlighted the expansion of modern infrastructure in tier-two and tier-three cities as a cornerstone of the government's dual-engine approach. Enhanced connectivity, he noted, paves the way for a promising future for the nation's youth. The Prime Minister emphasized that genuine progress and expansion are only attainable through sincere efforts guided by integrity and honesty.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav disbursed a total sum of Rs 678 crore to 30,551 labor families with a single click under Mukhya Mantri Jan Kalyan Sambal Yojana 2.0 in the programme at Gwalior Airport. Additionally, Dr. Yadav announced a substantial increase in assistance for workers affected by disability or death, raising the amount from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh, emphasizing the government's unwavering support for laborers. Furthermore, workers will now receive a financial aid of Rs 40,000 to facilitate the purchase of e-scooters. In a bid to further bolster support for laborers, Dr. Yadav announced enhanced wages: Rs 11,450 for unskilled laborers, Rs 12,446 for semi-skilled laborers, and Rs 9,160 for agricultural laborers, underlining the government's commitment to the welfare of laborers.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday, stated that India has changed its destiny with the help of technology in recent years and the world has been witness to the emergence of new India.

He emphasised the contribution of each citizens vote in bringing an end to the five-century-long wait with the completion of the grand temple of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya.

Addressing a public gathering in Kasia, the chief minister said, Our India doesnt bow down to anyone today, nor does it deviate from its goals.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Yogi inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 483 development projects worth RS 2,134 crore in Kushinagar.

He also inaugurated the distribution of selection letters to 20,000 farmers of the state for installation of solar pumps under PM Kusum Yojana and laid the foundation stones of farmer welfare centres in 49 development blocks across 25 districts, to be built at a cost of Rs 60 crore.

Chief Minister Yogi said that Kushinagar was a district blessed by nature and God but it witnessed migration due to lack of infrastructure and technology.

He further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the double-engine government had solved all the issues facing the people of Kushinagar. As a result, today the University of Agriculture and Technology is going to be built here. Additionally, a modern college of the Sugarcane Seed Institute will be constructed in Tamkuhi, he pointed out.

Through these modern technologies, the income of farmers will significantly increase. Today, we bring you a Holi gift ahead of the festival of colours with the establishment of the agricultural university named after Mahatma Buddha in Padrauna, Chief Minister Yogi added.

He also mentioned that having an airport in Kushinagar was something no one had ever thought of. However, an international airport is now operational here. The medical college is going to be inaugurated here very soon. When a good government is elected, it not only brings prosperity but also promotes culture.

The chief minister recounted the achievements of various welfare schemes in Kushinagar. He mentioned that over nine lakh Ayushman cards have been distributed in the district. Moreover, Kisan Samman Nidhi has been provided to more than six lakh farmers and PM Awas has been provided to over 70,000 poor people.

He further informed that thousands of people of Musahar and Vantangiya tribes have been given houses under Mukhyamantri Awas. He highlighted the accomplishments of the Divyang Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

The double-engine government is providing livelihood opportunities for the youth and also respecting the faith of the people, the chief minister said.

He asked people if they could imagine the construction of Ram temple in governments led by Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party or Congress.

He emphasised that the voice of the nation today is, Fir Ek Baar, Modi Sarkar (Once again, Modi government).

The chief minister said that for development and prosperity, both the grace of Goddess Lakshmi and her presence on a lotus were essential.

On this occasion, UP Cabinet minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of State Baldev Singh Aulakh, minister in-charge of the district Satish Chandra Sharma, MP Vijay Kumar Dubey, Rajya Sabha member RPN Singh, MLAs Vivekananda Pandey, Mohan Verma, Vinay Prakash Gaur, Surendra Kumar Kushwaha, Dr Asim Kumar Rai, Manish Kumar Jaiswal, Panchanand Pathak, district panchayat chairperson Savitri Jaiswal and Additional Chief Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi and other dignitaries were present.

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Key projects inaugurated

- Widening and strengthening of the road from Padrauna to Valmiki Nagar Barrage Nepal border,

- Bridges over the Chhoti Gandak river at Adharwa Ghat on the Badahara-Lakshmipur-Atharha road and Madrahcha Ghat on the Rampur-Gonaha-Chhitauni road.

- Solid waste processing plant with a capacity of 55 TPD.

- Mini stadium and drug warehouse in Fazilnagar,

Foundation stones laid for major projects

- New District Jail in Padrauna (prisoner capacity-1,026).

- Strengthening of the 1 to 4 km stretch on the Padrauna-Bansi Ghat Road.

- Widening and strengthening of the road from Badi Canal Pulia to Jungle Belwa Khirkhia on CC Road, RCC Nala, NH-730.

- Widening and strengthening of the remaining part of Padrauna-Mansachhapar-Balkudiya-Pipra road.

- Widening and strengthening of Kasya-Ramkola to Gonai-Chhapra link road.

- Widening and strengthening of Tekuatar-Ragarganj-Mathauli road.

- Widening and strengthening of the Rajaram Mishra Road.

- Widening and strengthening of the BMCIT Road left exit from km 169 to Zero Saraiya Khurd Bihar Border.

- Widening and strengthening of the Siswa-Khadda Road.

- Widening and strengthening of Kaptanganj-Jhanga road from km 0 to km 15.750

- Hetimpur-Gobari pitch road from Mansachhapar Road to Surajnagar.

- Basdila to Doman Chhapra road
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday that India was poised to become the worlds third-largest economy during Prime Minister Narendra Modis third term.

Addressing a Nari Shakti Vandan programme at the Sugar Mill grounds here, the chief minister remarked, With India becoming the third-largest economy, the income of every individual in the country will rise, leading to enhanced prosperity in the lives of people.

During the programme, the chief minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of 673 development projects worth Rs 679 crore.

He said the entire nation was committed to realising the vision of a Viksit Bharat (developed India), with widespread support for Fir Ek Bar Modi Sarkar (Modi government once again).

He expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance would secure more than 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Moreover, the chief minister emphasised that the dream of having Ram Lalla seated in Ayodhya, cherished by our ancestors, has finally come true.

He said the five-century-long wait concluded with the arrival of Ram Lalla in the new temple in Ayodhya.

The Congress and Samajwadi Party governments would never have been able to accomplish this task. Double-engine government means the development of the state and the country while honouring our heritage, he said.

Chief Minister Yogi said that Deoria, once renowned as a sugar bowl in the country, suffered due to the negligence of previous administrations, causing Deoria and Kushinagar to fall behind.

The closure of sugar mills and their sale at low prices by past governments led to prevailing poverty in these regions, he said.

The chief minister said that after the double-engine government came to power in the state, efforts were initiated to revive the Pipraich and Munderwa sugar mills.

Additionally, our government is going to start a college of the Agricultural University being built in Kushinagar, in Deoria. The land of nature, God, and sages will no longer lag in development, he stated.

Chief Minister Yogi further said that under the double-engine government, significant progress had been made in Deoria.

This includes providing toilets to 2,44,000 families under the Swachh Bharat Mission, offering free cooking gas connections to 1,95,000 families through the Ujjwala Yojana, electrifying 1,383 majras and opening Jan Dhan accounts for 10,84,000 people. Under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Ayushman cards have been issued to 6,71,000 families, while 85,000 gharaunis have been distributed.

The Chief Minister stated that in Deoria, 17,358 poor families have been provided houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural), 1,389 poor families have been given houses under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana and 24,000 poor families have been given houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) .

Prior to the event, Chief Minister Yogi inaugurated and visited an exhibition showcasing ODOP products. He also distributed house keys, approval letters, Ayushman cards and smartphones to beneficiaries of various government schemes.

The programme was attended by Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Transport Minister Daya Shankar Singh, Minister of State for Rural Development Vijay Lakshmi Gautam, Deoria MP Dr Ramapati Ram Tripathi, Salempur MP Ravindra Kushwaha, MLA Dr Shalabh Mani Tripathi and a large number of Bharatiya Janata Party workers and common people.
FILE - U.S. Secretary of Department of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge testifies before the House Committee on Financial Services hearing on Capitol Hill, Jan. 11, 2024, in Washington. Fudge announced Monday, March 11, 2024, that she would resign her post, effective March 22, saying she was leaving with mixed emotions. Jose Luis Magana/AP FILE - U.S. Secretary of Department of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge testifies before the House Committee on Financial Services hearing on Capitol Hill, Jan. 11, 2024, in Washington. Fudge announced Monday, March 11, 2024, that she would resign her post, effective March 22, saying she was leaving with mixed emotions. Jose Luis Magana/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge announced Monday that she would resign her post, effective March 22, saying she was leaving with mixed emotions.

A former mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, and later an Ohio representative in Congress, Fudge, 71, served as HUD secretary since the start of President Joe Bidens administration.

As a dedicated public servant for nearly five decades, I have been devoted to improving the quality of life for the people of this nation, focusing on those with the greatest need, Fudge said in a statement. Having worked at every level of government ... I have worked tirelessly to ensure that America lives up to its promise of liberty and justice for all.

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Fudges statement did not indicate a reason she was resigning now, saying only that she planned to transition to life as a private citizen.

The White House, in a statement, hailed Fudges dedication to increasing the supply of affordable housing and protect the housing needs of some of the countrys most vulnerable residents.

From her time as a mayor, to her years as a fierce advocate in the U.S. House of Representatives, Marcias vision, passion, and focus on increasing economic opportunity have been assets to our country, said Biden, a Democrat. Im grateful for all of her contributions toward a housing system that works for all Americans, and I wish her well in her next chapter.

Since taking over at HUD, Fudge has focused much of her efforts on addressing homelessness and making housing more affordable  problems that worsened during and after the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, HUD announced a series of measures aimed at reducing barriers to affordable housing, such as zoning restrictions that in some places have become a hurdle to increasing the supply of affordable housing.

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Fudge has touted the fact that her agency extended rental assistance to 100,000 additional families. HUD also has built and repaired more than a half million units of affordable housing, issued more new rental assistance vouchers in the last three years than have been issued in same period over the past two decades and housed more than 1.2 million people experiencing homelessness.

White House principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton said Biden certainly will nominate a replacement for Fudge, but she offered no timeline for the process. For now, Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman will serve as acting HUD secretary when Fudge departs, the White House said.

Under Fudge, HUD "worked closely with partners at the federal, state and local levels to increase the housing supply, particularly the supply of affordable homes, while allocating historic resources to address homelessness, Dalton said. And with Secretary Fudge at the helm, HUD strictly enforced fair housing laws and took a stance against racial bias and discrimination in the appraisal market.

David M. Dworkin, president of the National Housing Conference, said in a statement that Fudge's tenure at HUD had surpassed all expectations, and he praised her for helping Americans navigate the economic ravages of the coronavirus pandemic while prioritizing affordable housing policies.

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Dworkin called Fudge a steadfast advocate for equitable housing policies, saying she championed initiatives aimed at "alleviating homelessness, expanding access to affordable housing, and fostering sustainable communities.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, said that in the past, Uttar Pradesh used to decide the politics of the country, but today it was deciding the direction of the countrys development.

Addressing a public meeting in Manduri, Prime Minister Modi said: Ever since the double-engine government came to power in the state, both the picture and destiny of UP have changed. UP is among the best performing states in implementing the Centres schemes. It is also one of the frontline states within the country.

Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones 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), the new terminal of Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, as well as the Maharaja Suheldev Rajbhar State University in Azamgarh.

On this occasion, he said: It is Modis guarantee that Azamgarh will remain a bastion of development till eternity.

Praising Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the prime minister said that in the last few years, development works worth lakhs of crores of rupees had been carried out in UP, noting the significant transformation witnessed in the infrastructure sector and creation of millions of new opportunities for the youth.

Today UP is being recognised by record investment and groundbreaking ceremonies. The states network of expressways and better law and order are the talking points in the country. The centuries-old wait for Ram temple in Ayodhya has also ended. With the development of Varanasi, Mathura and Kushinagar, tourism has increased rapidly in UP, benefitting the entire state. The guarantee given 10 years ago is being fulfilled today, he said.

The prime minister stated that as UP continues to scale new heights of development with each passing day, the poison of appeasement is also weakening in the state.

Substantiating his argument, Prime Minister Modi remarked that in the last elections, the people of Azamgarh demolished the belief of dynasts that Azamgarh was their stronghold by electing a young man like Dinesh.

That is 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 with everyone declaring that I am Modis family, he said.

The prime minister appealed to people to ensure that the National Democratic Alliance crossed the 400 mark in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. He described the launch of projects in Azamgarh as a celebration of development.

The prime minister said: In the past, programmes were typically organised in Delhi with participation from various states across the country. However, the current scenario sees programmes being hosted in Azamgarh, attracting thousands of attendees from all over the nation. Azamgarh, once regarded as a backward area, is now spearheading a new era of development for the country.

The prime minister said that earlier leaders used to make announcements that never came to fruition while today the government was inaugurating all the projects the foundation stones of which it laid in 2019. He reiterated his resolve to make the country Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Prime Minister Modi said that after reducing travel time between Lucknow and Azamgarh to two and a half hours through the Purvanchal Expressway, arrangements had been made for ships to dock in Azamgarh.

Besides, with the construction of a medical college and university, there is no need for the youth to travel to Varanasi to pursue higher education, he added.

The prime minister lashed out at the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance for doing caste and appeasement politics and indulging in nepotism for decades, pointing out that the development of Azamgarh today was giving them sleepless nights.

He said: This area has also been witnessing the politics of development for the last 10 years. It has gained momentum in the last seven years under the leadership of Yogi ji. The people here were witness to mafia rule and fundamentalism in the past, and today they are seeing the establishment of rule of law.

The prime minister said that the planning for urbanisation in India, which should have been done 30 years ago, was not done. He added: We are taking urbanisation forward in the form of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. 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 prime minister said ensuring the right price for the farmers produce was the priority of the government. The remunerative price for sugarcane farmers has also been increased by eight per cent this year. Now the remunerative price of sugarcane has increased from Rs 315 to Rs 340 per quintal, he informed.

Prime Minister Modi said that previously governments tormented farmers and paid money to them after driving them to desperation.

Sugar was sold to mills at throwaway prices. The Bharatiya Janata Party government has cleared the dues worth thousands of crores of sugarcane farmers. Sugarcane farmers are getting the right price at the right time. The government has given emphasis in many other areas for the sugarcane farmers. Ethanol is being produced from sugarcane and biogas is being made from straw, he stated.

The prime minister said that about eight lakh farmers of Azamgarh alone had received Rs 2,000 crore from PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, underscoring the governments right intentions and honesty.

He said that during the previous governments, Azamgarh and Purvanchal suffered from backwardness, while terror and muscle power were protected.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, BJP state president and MLC Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, state government ministers, MPs and MLAs were present.

The prime minister inaugurated and laid foundation stone of following projects:

-Inaugurated new terminals of Azamgarh, Shravasti, Moradabad, Chitrakoot and Aligarh airports of Uttar Pradesh and Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport of Lucknow, constructed at a cost of Rs 3,628 crore.

-Inaugurated Maharaja Suhail Dev State University constructed at a cost Rs 108 crore.

-Inaugurated and laid foundation stones of five national highway projects worth Rs 11,500 crore.

-Inaugurated 744 roads (5,342 km) worth Rs 3,702 crore in 59 districts under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

-Inaugurated new terminal buildings at Jabalpur, Gwalior, Pune, Kolhapur, Delhi and Adampur airports.

-Inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of 12 railway projects worth Rs 8,176 crore.

-Inaugurated three sewerage projects worth Rs1,114 crore under Namami Gange.

-Inaugurated 1,040 flats in Lucknow under the four tower light house project with 13 floors in 47,827 square metres at a cost of Rs 131 crore.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed that the education sector is experiencing significant advancement under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Emphasizing the need to elevate educational institutions in Madhya Pradesh, the state government is actively working towards enhancing technical institutions similar to IITs. He highlighted the delight in the college's attainment of deemed university status, enabling it to operate autonomously. Yadav extended congratulations to the college students, urging them to progress in the field of technology and contribute their expertise to the nation.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav was addressing a grand programme organized in Gwalior today on Madhav Institute of Technology and Science (MITS) Gwalior acquiring the status of Deemed University. He inaugurated Madhavrao Scindia Knowledge Center at Madhav Institute of Technology and Science, Gwalior.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that this is a day of pride for MITS. The dream of the founders of the organization has come true. The students of this institution have achieved leading position in many fields. The new building of Madhav Institute of Technology and Science is being inaugurated in Gwalior. The students of the institute will benefit from this modern technological facility. Students coming to this institute will be made proficient in the fields of computer technology, science, artificial intelligence etc. A good class will start and they will get all other facilities.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan joined the programme virtually. He said that great personalities are associated with this institute. Madhavrao Scindia and Vijayaraje Scindia have made important contributions. The youth are getting quality education in the field of technical education. Many great personalities have emerged from this institute. It is a matter of joy that now MITS Institute will function as a deemed university.

Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar said that a new dimension of the block is being added in the country in the form of MITS Academy. This knowledge center is definitely equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Students will take advantage of this and will be able to serve all over the country. He said that MITS holds a prestigious position among engineering colleges across the country and the contributions of Late Madhavrao Scindia and Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia can be attributed to this. The institute has been given the status of deemed university. MITS Director Dr. R.K. Pandit welcomed all the guests and gave information about the institute.

Horticulture Minister Narayan Singh Kushwaha, MP Vivek Shejwalkar, Prashant Mehta, other members of the board and a large number of students were present.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday, said that the previous governments in Uttar Pradesh had made Azamgarh a hub of crime and mafia activities but today its image had changed with developmental activities initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Azamgarh was known for crime and mafia activities seven years ago, but today the prime minister is showering the district with projects worth thousands of crores of rupees, he said.

Speaking at the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of 782 development projects worth Rs 34,700 crore at the Manduri Airport complex in Azamgarh on Sunday, the chief minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing a better security environment to Azamgarh over the past decade and for spearheading its development, modernising infrastructure and implementing various public welfare initiatives.

The chief minister expressed confidence that the Azamgarh, Lalganj and Ghosi parliamentary constituencies would continue to support the Modi government in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Chief Minister Yogi highlighted the pivotal role of the Purvanchal Expressway, constructed at a cost exceeding Rs 22,000 crore, in the development of Azamgarh, adding that it had transformed the economy of eastern UP, enabling the residents of Azamgarh to reach Lucknow in just two hours.

The prime ministers vision of ensuring that even those who wear slippers can travel by plane is now a reality in UP and across the nation. In UP, where earlier only two airports were operational, we now have nine operational airports and the prime minister is going to inaugurate five new airports today.

The Azamgarh airport, set to be inaugurated by the prime minister, would mark the beginning of air services from the district, he added.

The chief minister emphasised the longstanding demand of Azamgarh to have its own university, which is now set to become a reality.

Named after Maharaja Suhail Dev, renowned for his bravery and valour in history, this university was inaugurated by the prime minister. he said.

The chief minister underscored the transformative initiatives of the double-engine government, citing the establishment of a music college in Hariharpur to enrich the cultural landscape of Azamgarh.

Through the One District, One Product scheme, local products like black pottery and Mubarakpur silk sarees have garnered global acclaim, contributing to the vision of a self-reliant India. Additionally, an Atal Residential School has been established to provide education to the children of labourers, he said.

Highlighting the remarkable turnaround, the chief minister noted that while Azamgarh was once associated with fear, it was now earning national and international recognition for its contributions to art, education, literature and development.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, Azamgarh has reclaimed its ancient identity and is on the path to prosperity, he said.

Asserting the emergence of a new India, the chief minister said, We are witnessing the arrival of new railway and national highway projects within the state. Before Holi, the residents of the state are receiving gifts worth thousands of crores of rupees.

The chief minister said the double-engine government was ensuring that the benefits of government schemes reached every village, including the poor, youth and farmers, without any discrimination.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the double-engine government is concerned about the livelihood of the youth and is also committed to respecting faith. It is not only improving security but also striving to propel the nation towards prosperity, he said.

In Azamgarh district, 11.30 lakh Ayushman cards have been distributed, while 7.5 lakh farmers have received Rs 1,940 crore under the Kisan Samman Nidhi. Besides, three lakh beneficiaries have received free cooking gas connections under the Ujjwala scheme. Housing has been provided to 1.10 lakh beneficiaries under the PM Awas (Rural) scheme, with an additional 17,000 beneficiaries in urban areas in Azamgarh, he added.

On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Bharatiya Janata Party state president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, UP ministers Surya Pratap Shahi, AK Sharma, Om Prakash Rajbhar, Yogendra Upadhyay, Dara Singh Chauhan, Azamgarh MP Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua and others were present.
Smartphone addiction among children under the age of 10, is known to be detrimental for the eyes. However, doctors on Saturday warned that spending excessive time on the device may worsen physical health and cause a host of behavioural issues.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, children under five must spend less time watching screens. While the UN health body does not recommend screen time for infants and 1-year-old, those aged 2 years should not be exposed for more than an hour.

However, even toddlers as young as one and a half years old are being handed smartphones by their parents, Dr Rajiv Uttam, Director, Paediatric Pulmonology, Critical Care Paediatrics (PICU), Paediatric Care, Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram, told IANS.

The doctor noted that illnesses such as diarrhoea, fever, and other health issues are observed in children who spend excessive time on their devices.

Several studies have shown the negative impact of smartphone use on the eye. Prolonged use of smartphones in children has been linked with vision impairment, and dry eyes among others.

Dr Vikas Taneja, Consultant Paediatrics, Manipal Hospital, Dwarka explained that this is majorly due to radiation, as the children use their mobile phones at a very close distance.

Children can present with excessive eye strain, which can lead to redness of the eyes and excessive itching. This can lead to frequent rubbing and watering. The strain in the eyes can lead to headaches, and their sleep might get disturbed. Excessive mobile phone use can also affect the muscles of the eye, he told IANS.

This sleep loss can, further, lead to a lot of anxiety and depression. Usually, such children tend to be alone, have low self-esteem, become excessively irritable, have a lot of aggression and behavioural changes, and may throw tantrums.

Rajiv said that overuse often leads to a detachment from the real world, and the children are likely to display symptoms akin to virtual autism.

Habitual smartphone use during meals also contributes to poor eating habits, obesity, and related health issues such as high blood pressure and sugar levels ultimately leading small kids to pre-diabetic stage.

Importantly, the visual impairments and attention deficits further compound these concerns, often remaining unnoticed until academic performance suffers, the doctor said.

To mitigate these risks, the health experts advised parents to prioritise quality time with their children, encourage healthy eating habits, and limit screen time per day. Furthermore, balancing technology with outdoor activities and nutritious meals is crucial in fostering holistic child development.
Amidst somber remembrance, the first death anniversary of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday saw a significant call for unity within the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as his son and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, appealed to all splinter Akali groups to reunite under one flag.

The event, held in commemoration of the late Akali leaders enduring legacy, witnessed a diverse gathering including political stalwarts, religious leaders, and representatives from various social organizations.

Addressing the assembled crowd, Sukhbir emphasized the importance of Panthic and Punjabi unity to uphold the values of social, economic, and political justice in the state. Reflecting on his father's legacy, he highlighted Parkash Singh Badal's commitment to nationalism, democracy, and communal harmony, underscoring his inclusive approach towards governance.

Sukhbir expressed his readiness to emulate his fathers selfless dedication to the welfare of the people and the state, pledging to uphold his principles and values.

Paying homage to senior Badals humility and statesmanship, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar hailed the late leader as a beacon of progress and development. He lauded Badals role in fostering peace and communal harmony in the State, acknowledging his pivotal contribution to strengthening federalism and advocating for greater autonomy for Punjab.

The event also witnessed calls for solidarity from various political leaders, with appeals for strengthening the SAD and thwarting attempts to undermine its influence. INLD patriarch Om Parkash Chautala and Jan Nayak Janata Party leader Dushyant Chautala praised senior Badals unwavering dedication to the welfare of Punjabis, likening him to a visionary leader akin to Nelson Mandela.

The sentiments were echoed by Haryana Minister Choudhary Ranjit Singh and SAD patron Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who urged Punjabis to uphold senior Badal's ideals and principles.

The commemoration underscored a rare political consensus on the enduring legacy of Parkash Singh Badal, emphasizing the need for unity and collective action to uphold his vision for a prosperous and harmonious Punjab.
Chhattisgarh Police on Sunday seized 90 kg sandalwood valued at Rs 7.20 lakhs and arrested two persons here for transporting it from Madhya Pradesh.

Jitendra Singh (29) and Motilal Yadav are both from Gaurela Pendra Marwahi (GPM) district, GPM Additional Superintendent of Police Manisha Thakur Rawate said.

The police nabbed them following a tip when the two were looking for customers to sell the sandalwood.

The police intercepted a goods carriage vehicle in Tikarkala village and found the consignment.

After arrest, the two told the police that they stole it from Bhelwa village in Madhya Pradesh to sell it here at higher prices.
Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad on Monday teased Union Home Minister Amit Shah by recalling a 2015 incident when the then BJP chief was trapped inside an elevator at Patna.

Prasad was reacting to Shah's speech at a rally in Paliganj near here two days ago when the BJP leader had charged the RJD with patronising land grabbers and vowed to "straighten them by hanging them upside down".

"Had he not got stuck inside a lift? He will be trapped again", Prasad told reporters, evoking guffaws from supporters.

The allusion was to an episode in 2015 when Shah was in Bihar to oversee his party's preparedness for the assembly elections.

Late in the night, Shah had returned to the state guest house and taken the elevator which got stuck, trapping him and a number of other BJP leaders inside for close to half an hour before technicians set the lift right.

Prasad was speaking to reporters at the Vidhan Sabha premises here, when his wife Rabri Devi, three other candidates of RJD and one of ally CPI(ML) Liberation filed nomination papers for election to the state Legislative Council.

Incidentally, the BJP and its allies were trounced in the 2015 assembly polls while the Mahagathbandhan, which then comprised RJD, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and Congress, won hands down.

The JD(U) boss is back in the BJP-led NDA, having dumped Mahagathbandhan a couple of months ago for the second time in six years.

State BJP president Samrat Choudhary expressed disgust when his attention was drawn to the RJD supremo's barb at the Home Minister.

"Lalu Prasad has been in politics for decades. But never ever has he said anything that could be taken seriously", said Choudhary, who is also a Deputy Chief Minister.
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a Maharashtra government application seeking a stay on a Bombay High Court order that acquitted former Delhi University professor G N Saibaba and others in the Maoist links case.

A bench of justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta admitted the state government's appeal, even as it observed that the high court order was "prima facie well reasoned".

The bench also rejected the oral request of Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the Maharashtra government for early listing of the appeal and said it will come in due course.

"There cannot be any urgency in the order of reversal of conviction. Had it been the other way around, we would have considered," the bench told Raju.

Justice Mehta said it is a hard-earned acquittal and in normal course, this court should have dismissed this appeal.

On March 5, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba, 54, and others, noting that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the case against him.

The HC had also set aside Saibaba's life sentence and acquitted five other accused in the case.

It held as "null and void" the sanction procured by the prosecution to charge the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

"The prosecution has failed to establish any legal seizure or any incriminating material against the accused," the HC had said.

Saibaba, who is wheelchair-bound, was lodged in Nagpur Central Jail since his arrest in the case in 2014.

In March 2017, a sessions court in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district had convicted Saibaba and five others, including a journalist and a Jawaharlal Nehru University student, for alleged links with the banned CPI (Maoist) and for indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the country.

The trial court had held Saibaba and others guilty under various provisions of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar asserted on Monday there is no question of releasing Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu at any cost now.

Amid criticism and protests against the government over allegations that Cauvery water was being released from Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam to Tamil Nadu, he clarified that the discharge was meant for Bengaluru, and not for the neighbouring state.

"There is no question of releasing Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu now at any cost, we have not left (released)....How much water flows to Tamil Nadu, there is an account for it. Even if water is released today it will take four days to reach there," Shivakumar, who is also the water resources minister, told reporters here.

"We are not fools in this government to release water (to Tamil Nadu)," added Shivakumar, also the State Congress chief

The 'Raitha Hitarakshana Samiti' had staged a protest in the district headquarters town of Mandya on Sunday alleging that water was being released from KRS dam to Tamil Nadu, amid drought and water crisis in many parts of the state.

BJP too had attacked the Congress government alleging that it was keen to protect the interest of DMK, the party's alliance partner in Tamil Nadu, at the cost of Karnataka's farmers and citizens, as it targeted the Siddaramaiah administration for allegedly releasing water from Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu

Shivakumar clarified that some water was discharged from KRS dam to replenish the Shiva Balancing Reservoir at Malavalli from where it is pumped to Bengaluru.

"From where we pump water to Bengaluru, the water level there was less. Water has to be at a certain level for it to be pumped, so as to maintain that level the water was released...For Bengaluru's water, it was done," he said.
StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Barnwell Industries (NYSE:BRN  Free Report) in a report issued on Thursday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock.

Barnwell Industries Price Performance

Shares of BRN opened at $2.28 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $22.87 million, a P/E ratio of -8.44 and a beta of 0.19. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $2.37 and a 200 day moving average price of $2.47. Barnwell Industries has a 12 month low of $1.89 and a 12 month high of $3.10.

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Barnwell Industries (NYSE:BRN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 12th. The company reported ($0.07) EPS for the quarter. Barnwell Industries had a negative return on equity of 14.70% and a negative net margin of 11.35%. The company had revenue of $6.16 million for the quarter.

Insider Activity

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In related news, Director Joshua Horowitz bought 14,000 shares of Barnwell Industries stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 22nd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $2.38 per share, with a total value of $33,320.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 241,517 shares in the company, valued at approximately $574,810.46. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Insiders purchased a total of 27,411 shares of company stock valued at $63,715 over the last three months. Insiders own 16.30% of the companys stock.

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in Barnwell Industries by 7.9% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 62,447 shares of the companys stock valued at $152,000 after buying an additional 4,591 shares during the last quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new stake in Barnwell Industries in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $75,000. Stilwell Value LLC acquired a new stake in Barnwell Industries in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $220,000. Two Sigma Investments LP acquired a new stake in Barnwell Industries in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its holdings in Barnwell Industries by 15.0% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 637,622 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,639,000 after buying an additional 83,286 shares during the last quarter. 9.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Barnwell Industries Company Profile

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Barnwell Industries, Inc acquires, develops, produces, and sells oil and natural gas in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Oil and Natural Gas, Land Investment, and Contract Drilling. It also acquires and develops crude oil and natural gas assets in the province of Alberta, as well as invests in land interests in Hawaii.

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Jan Snyder and Martha Bilo, of Cromwell, walk past the flooded docks of the Cromwell Outboard Association on River Road in Cromwell, Friday, March 8, 2024. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media A woman walks the boardwalk in Harbor Park where flood waters damaged docks on the Connecticut River in Middletown, Friday, March 8, 2024. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Daniel Coe, of Cromwell, takes son Dominic, 1, for a stroll along the Connecticut River where flood waters overtake the Cromwell Outboard Association building on River Road in Cromwell, Friday, March 8, 2024. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Damaged docks from flood waters along the Connecticut River in Middletown, Friday, March 8, 2024. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Damaged docks from flood waters along the Connecticut River in Middletown, Friday, March 8, 2024. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media A staircase submerged by flood waters along the Connecticut River in Middletown, Friday, March 8, 2024. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

More than 13,000 Connecticut residents were without power Monday afternoon, as strong winds swept across the state, according to electrical utilities.

The strong winds are expected to continue into Monday night. The winds come after heavy rain over the weekend dumped several inches of precipitation, leading to a risk of flooding for several rivers.

As of around 10:30 p.m., more than 2,800 outages were reported by Eversource, the state's largest electricity provider. At that time, Middletown was reporting 902 outages, while Greenwich was reporting 360 and Bloomfield was reporting 284. The number of customers without power peaked earlier in the day at about 14,000.

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United Illuminating, which serves the Bridgeport and New Haven areas, reported 22 customers without power around the same time. The vast majority of the outages reported were in Easton, which initially had more than 1,100 customers without power.

The strong winds began late Sunday, but the state's power companies reported few outages as of around 6 a.m. Monday.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory until late Monday and early Tuesday in some areas. Winds out of the northwest are expected at 20 to 30 mph, with 50 mph gusts.

"Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result," the weather service said.

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The winds come after heavy rain Saturday produced more than 2 inches of precipitation in some parts of southern Connecticut, the weather service said. The storm ended as snow in some areas.

Heavy rain last week had already left rivers and reservoirs swollen with runoff. Flood warnings are in effect in some areas. The weather service said "minor flooding" is occurring on the Housatonic River at Stevenson Dam in Monroe and Oxford. Flooding is also occurring on the Housatonic River in the Gaylordsville section of New Milford, the weather service said. Further east, a flood warning has been issued for the length of the Connecticut River from Hartford south to where it empties into the Long Island Sound. The weather service also issued a flood warning for the Pawcatuck River in New London and Rhode Island, warning of minor to moderate flooding.

Low temperatures on Monday morning were mostly in the 30s while parts of Litchfield County reported temperatures in the mid-20s.

Sunny skies are expected Monday with highs in the 40s, but wind chills will be between 20 and 30 degrees. Temperatures will drop into the 30s with blustery winds continuing.

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Berenberg Bank reissued their hold rating on shares of Ibstock (LON:IBST  Free Report) in a report released on Thursday morning, MarketBeat reports. They currently have a GBX 150 ($1.90) price objective on the stock.

Ibstock Price Performance

LON:IBST opened at GBX 148 ($1.88) on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 42.09. The company has a market capitalization of 580.66 million, a P/E ratio of 876.47, a P/E/G ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.35. Ibstock has a 12 month low of GBX 118 ($1.50) and a 12 month high of GBX 179.60 ($2.28). The businesss 50-day moving average is GBX 153.30 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 143.52.

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Ibstock Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 9th will be given a dividend of GBX 3.60 ($0.05) per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 9th. This is an increase from Ibstocks previous dividend of $3.40. This represents a yield of 2.25%. Ibstocks dividend payout ratio is 4,117.65%.

About Ibstock

Ibstock plc manufactures and sells clay and concrete building products and solutions in the United Kingdom. The company offers bricks and masonry, which includes facing and engineering bricks, brick slips, special shaped bricks, walling stone, architectural masonry, prefabricated components, eco-habitats, and padstones and lintels, as well as facade systems; roofing products comprising roof tiles and accessories, and chimneys; retaining walls, such as stepoc, slopeloc, and keystone.

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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 report published on Thursday.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on ASR. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from a sell rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the company from $274.00 to $326.00 in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Finally, Citigroup lowered shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from a neutral rating to a sell rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $228.00 to $222.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $274.00.

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Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Trading Up 1.1 %

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

NYSE:ASR opened at $294.11 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 2.97 and a current ratio of 4.26. The firm has a market cap of $8.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 1.17. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. has a 52 week low of $165.00 and a 52 week high of $317.94. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $290.96 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $260.69.

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. CWM LLC grew its stake in 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 valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in 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 valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its stake in 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 valued at $65,000 after buying an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 21.0% in the 2nd quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 248 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $69,000 after buying an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC grew its stake in 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 valued at $66,000 after buying an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. 13.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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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StockNews.com cut shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials (NYSE:RYAM  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note published on Thursday morning.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Stock Performance

Shares of RYAM stock opened at $3.92 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $256.37 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.50 and a beta of 2.99. Rayonier Advanced Materials has a 52 week low of $2.66 and a 52 week high of $8.02. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $4.24 and a 200-day moving average of $3.62.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rayonier Advanced Materials

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials in the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its holdings in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 132.4% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 8,763 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 4,992 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD bought a new position in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials in the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Pathstone Family Office LLC bought a new position in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials in the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. 79.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Company Profile

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc manufactures and sells cellulose specialty products in the United States, China, Canada, Japan, Europe, Latin America, other Asian countries, and internationally. The company operates through High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard, and High-Yield Pulp segments. Its products include cellulose specialties, which are natural polymers that are used as raw materials to manufacture a range of consumer-oriented products, such as liquid crystal displays, impact-resistant plastics, thickeners for food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cigarette filters, high-tenacity rayon yarn for tires and industrial hoses, food casings, paints, and lacquers.

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StockNews.com started coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM  Free Report) (TSE:ITH) in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning. The firm issued a sell rating on the mining companys stock.

International Tower Hill Mines Trading Up 4.4 %

International Tower Hill Mines stock opened at $0.61 on Thursday. International Tower Hill Mines has a 1 year low of $0.31 and a 1 year high of $0.69. The firm has a market cap of $120.91 million, a P/E ratio of -30.28 and a beta of 1.10. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $0.42.

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Insider Activity at International Tower Hill Mines

In other news, major shareholder Paulson & Co. Inc. purchased 2,268,256 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 18th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $0.66 per share, for a total transaction of $1,497,048.96. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 64,198,980 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,371,326.80. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 2.56% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of International Tower Hill Mines

International Tower Hill Mines Company Profile

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of THM. Virtu Financial LLC raised its holdings in International Tower Hill Mines by 314.9% during the 4th quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 61,808 shares of the mining companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 46,910 shares during the period. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. grew its stake in shares of International Tower Hill Mines by 54.5% during the 4th quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 51,018 shares of the mining companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 18,000 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in shares of International Tower Hill Mines by 25.2% during the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 161,859 shares of the mining companys stock worth $69,000 after acquiring an additional 32,559 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its stake in shares of International Tower Hill Mines by 15.8% during the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 202,713 shares of the mining companys stock worth $85,000 after acquiring an additional 27,713 shares in the last quarter. 53.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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International Tower Hill Mines Ltd., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It holds or has rights to acquire interests in the Livengood gold project covering an area of approximately 19,546 hectares located to the northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska.

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Chelsea Counsel Co. lowered its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 1.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 22,795 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 275 shares during the quarter. Abbott Laboratories comprises 1.1% of Chelsea Counsel Co.s portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Chelsea Counsel Co.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,208,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ABT. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $131,000. United Bank grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 7.2% during the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 27,280 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,229,000 after purchasing an additional 1,826 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 813,253 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $96,257,000 after purchasing an additional 15,521 shares in the last quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC now owns 19,467 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,304,000 after buying an additional 436 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lumature Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 636.2% during the 1st quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,216 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $262,000 after buying an additional 1,915 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.70% of the companys stock.

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Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Shares of ABT stock traded down $1.18 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $119.78. 1,392,729 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,046,738. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $89.67 and a twelve month high of $121.64. The firm has a market cap of $207.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.75. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $114.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $105.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.64.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.19. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.65% and a net margin of 14.27%. The business had revenue of $10.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.03 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 15th will be given a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.84%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 67.48%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on ABT shares. Raymond James increased their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $128.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. TheStreet raised Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Citigroup raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on ABT

Insider Activity at Abbott Laboratories

In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of Abbott Laboratories 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 completion of 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 legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total value of $4,781,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,315,537.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Daniel Gesua Sive Salvadori sold 963 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.50, for a total value of $114,115.50. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 125,697 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,895,094.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 71,435 shares of company stock valued at $8,071,298. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 151,729 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $17,840,000. Exxon Mobil makes up approximately 3.8% of Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest position.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 83.0% during the third quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,269,030 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $149,213,000 after buying an additional 575,649 shares in the last quarter. Qsemble Capital Management LP lifted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 34.3% during the third quarter. Qsemble Capital Management LP now owns 4,700 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $553,000 after purchasing an additional 1,200 shares during the last quarter. Meyer Handelman Co. lifted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 5.9% during the third quarter. Meyer Handelman Co. now owns 390,975 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $45,971,000 after purchasing an additional 21,895 shares during the last quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. lifted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 36.0% during the third quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. now owns 87,395 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $10,276,000 after purchasing an additional 23,148 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HB Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 41.3% during the third quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 160,807 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $18,908,000 after purchasing an additional 46,987 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.53% of the companys stock.

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Exxon Mobil Price Performance

NYSE:XOM traded down $0.17 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $108.21. 5,676,260 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 18,490,604. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $102.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $105.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $429.36 billion, a PE ratio of 12.13, a PEG ratio of 3.95 and a beta of 0.96. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 1-year low of $95.77 and a 1-year high of $120.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.

Exxon Mobil Announces Dividend

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $2.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $84.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $90.03 billion. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 18.51% and a net margin of 10.45%. Exxon Mobils revenue was down 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.40 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.51%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 13th. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is currently 42.74%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

XOM has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $120.00 price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Erste Group Bank restated a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Mizuho cut Exxon Mobil from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $117.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. TD Cowen upgraded Exxon Mobil from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $115.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Exxon Mobil from $134.00 to $127.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Exxon Mobil currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $127.53.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Exxon Mobil

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of Exxon Mobil stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total value of $1,231,800.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 220,678 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,652,596.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of Exxon Mobil stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total transaction of $1,231,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 220,678 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,652,596.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,400 shares of Exxon Mobil stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total value of $252,000.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 30,189 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,169,845. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.04% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Exxon Mobil Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $94.91.

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Mizuho increased their price target on Medtronic from $95.00 to $98.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Truist Financial increased their price target on Medtronic from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Oppenheimer increased their price target on Medtronic from $89.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Medtronic from $104.00 to $98.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $92.00 price target on shares of Medtronic in a report on Wednesday, February 21st.

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Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on MDT

Medtronic Trading Down 0.0 %

Shares of MDT opened at $85.13 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 2.30, a quick ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $113.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.76. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $85.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $80.44. Medtronic has a twelve month low of $68.84 and a twelve month high of $92.02.

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The medical technology company reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $8.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.95 billion. Medtronic had a return on equity of 13.71% and a net margin of 13.00%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.30 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Medtronic will post 5.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Medtronic Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 22nd will be given a $0.69 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 21st. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.24%. Medtronics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 87.90%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Medtronic news, EVP Sean Salmon sold 30,695 shares of Medtronic stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.13, for a total transaction of $2,613,065.35. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 48,289 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,110,842.57. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, EVP Brett A. Wall sold 4,997 shares of Medtronic stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.17, for a total value of $410,603.49. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 28,910 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,375,534.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Sean Salmon sold 30,695 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.13, for a total transaction of $2,613,065.35. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 48,289 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,110,842.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Hartford Financial Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Medtronic by 425.0% in the 3rd quarter. Hartford Financial Management Inc. now owns 315 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares during the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC acquired a new position in Medtronic during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. lifted its position in Medtronic by 293.0% during the 4th quarter. Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. now owns 316,643 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 236,064 shares during the period. Missouri Trust & Investment Co lifted its position in Medtronic by 209.0% during the 2nd quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 309 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 209 shares during the period. Finally, MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Medtronic in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Institutional investors own 80.75% of the companys stock.

Medtronic Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software.

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Banque Pictet & Cie SA raised its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 83.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 19,556 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 8,921 shares during the period. Banque Pictet & Cie SA owned approximately 0.07% of Chipotle Mexican Grill worth $35,823,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in CMG. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 382 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $700,000 after acquiring an additional 5 shares during the period. Clearstead Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 773 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,416,000 after acquiring an additional 5 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 355 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $606,000 after acquiring an additional 6 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 279 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $597,000 after acquiring an additional 6 shares during the period. Finally, Legacy Capital Group California Inc. raised its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. now owns 258 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $552,000 after acquiring an additional 6 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.19% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Chipotle Mexican Grill

In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,100 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,278.45, for a total transaction of $2,506,295.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 22,447 shares of the companys stock, valued at $51,144,367.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,996 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,399.91, for a total transaction of $4,790,220.36. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 22,447 shares in the company, valued at $53,870,779.77. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,278.45, for a total transaction of $2,506,295.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 22,447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $51,144,367.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 4,744 shares of company stock valued at $11,607,678. Corporate insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance

CMG stock traded down $11.59 during trading on Monday, reaching $2,674.53. The company had a trading volume of 106,469 shares, compared to its average volume of 212,426. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 52 week low of $1,537.08 and a 52 week high of $2,733.74. The company has a market cap of $73.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 60.57, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.29. The business has a 50 day moving average of $2,471.55 and a 200 day moving average of $2,187.76.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The restaurant operator reported $10.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $9.73 by $0.63. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 12.45% and a return on equity of 44.41%. The company had revenue of $2.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.49 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $8.29 earnings per share. Chipotle Mexican Grills revenue was up 15.4% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 53.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on CMG shares. Wedbush reissued a neutral rating and set a $2,400.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. BTIG Research upped their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,650.00 to $2,750.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,700.00 to $2,920.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,650.00 to $2,900.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Oppenheimer upped their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,225.00 to $2,525.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 5th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $2,469.88.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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Braun Stacey Associates Inc. lessened its holdings in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Free Report) by 5.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 61,479 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 3,250 shares during the quarter. Braun Stacey Associates Inc.s holdings in Danaher were worth $15,253,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in DHR. AXS Investments LLC increased its position in shares of Danaher by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. AXS Investments LLC now owns 2,780 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $667,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Hawaii grew its position in shares of Danaher by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Hawaii now owns 12,578 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $3,019,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the period. Personal CFO Solutions LLC grew its position in shares of Danaher by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC now owns 2,729 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $655,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. Mirova grew its position in shares of Danaher by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Mirova now owns 4,159 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $998,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares during the period. Finally, Apella Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Danaher by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Apella Capital LLC now owns 2,332 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $579,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 76.71% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on DHR shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Danaher from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $215.00 to $205.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. HSBC began coverage on Danaher in a research report on Monday, December 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Barclays cut shares of Danaher from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $240.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com cut shares of Danaher from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Raymond James boosted their price objective on shares of Danaher from $240.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $266.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 2,622 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $242.67, for a total transaction of $636,280.74. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,244 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,029,891.48. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 2,622 shares of the 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 completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,244 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,029,891.48. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 23,757 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total transaction of $5,986,764.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 38,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,601,704. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 32,957 shares of company stock valued at $8,265,802 over the last quarter. Insiders own 11.10% of the companys stock.

Danaher Price Performance

Shares of DHR traded down $1.24 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $252.45. The stock had a trading volume of 361,030 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,726,942. The companys 50-day moving average is $241.37 and its two-hundred day moving average is $231.03. Danaher Co. has a 12 month low of $182.09 and a 12 month high of $259.00. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $186.74 billion, a PE ratio of 39.70, a PEG ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.84.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The conglomerate reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.91 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $6.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.10 billion. Danaher had a net margin of 17.26% and a return on equity of 12.25%. Danahers revenue for the quarter was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.87 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Danaher Co. will post 7.63 EPS for the current year.

Danaher Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This is an increase from Danahers previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. Danahers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 15.02%.

About Danaher

(Free Report)

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services 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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Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI  Get Free Report) (TSE:CNR) has earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the nineteen analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $130.35.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Susquehanna Bancshares raised their target price on shares of Canadian National Railway from $115.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Canadian National Railway from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Stephens lifted their price target on shares of Canadian National Railway from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of Canadian National Railway from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price target for the company from $125.00 to $121.00 in a report on Monday, November 27th. Finally, TD Securities lowered shares of Canadian National Railway from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, January 8th.

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Canadian National Railway Stock Down 0.3 %

CNI stock opened at $128.72 on Monday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $127.09 and its 200-day simple moving average is $117.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $82.64 billion, a PE ratio of 20.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 0.88. Canadian National Railway has a 12 month low of $103.96 and a 12 month high of $132.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.61 and a quick ratio of 0.47.

Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI  Get Free Report) (TSE:CNR) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.02. Canadian National Railway had a net margin of 33.38% and a return on equity of 23.56%. The firm had revenue of $3.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.25 billion. Equities analysts expect that Canadian National Railway will post 5.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Canadian National Railway Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.638 per share. This is an increase from Canadian National Railways previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 6th. This represents a $2.55 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.98%. Canadian National Railways payout ratio is 39.59%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Canadian National Railway

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. increased its stake in Canadian National Railway by 33.5% during the 3rd quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 11,998 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,300,000 after buying an additional 3,011 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Management grew its holdings in Canadian National Railway by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 4,602 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $498,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Canadian National Railway during the 2nd quarter worth $246,000. Deutsche Bank AG grew its holdings in Canadian National Railway by 7.3% during the 3rd quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 5,575,661 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $604,011,000 after acquiring an additional 378,513 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Sarl grew its holdings in Canadian National Railway by 637.5% during the 2nd quarter. Capital International Sarl now owns 16,476 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,997,000 after acquiring an additional 14,242 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.60% of the companys stock.

Canadian National Railway Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and marine transportation and logistics business in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, custom brokerage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services, such as temperature controlled cargo, port partnerships, and logistics parks.

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Shares of Nabors Industries Ltd. (NYSE:NBR  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Hold from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $129.60.

NBR has been the subject of several research reports. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Nabors Industries from $160.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 12th. Atb Cap Markets lowered shares of Nabors Industries from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, December 22nd. StockNews.com cut Nabors Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. Susquehanna reissued a neutral rating and issued a $88.00 target price on shares of Nabors Industries in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, Benchmark lowered Nabors Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th.

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Nabors Industries Trading Down 2.6 %

NBR opened at $82.68 on Wednesday. Nabors Industries has a one year low of $71.42 and a one year high of $149.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.63, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $80.27 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $95.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $782.98 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -16.02 and a beta of 2.33.

Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The oil and gas company reported ($3.84) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.54) by ($2.30). Nabors Industries had a negative net margin of 0.66% and a negative return on equity of 17.50%. The business had revenue of $737.84 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $749.52 million. Analysts predict that Nabors Industries will post -4.3 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Nabors Industries in the second quarter worth about $173,000. Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of Nabors Industries during the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. CWM LLC raised its holdings in Nabors Industries by 132.2% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 281 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC lifted its position in Nabors Industries by 193.3% in the 2nd quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 305 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 201 shares in the last quarter. Finally, US Bancorp DE boosted its stake in Nabors Industries by 72.1% during the 2nd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 389 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.39% of the companys stock.

Nabors Industries Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: U.S. Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running services, including casing and tubing running, and torque monitoring; managed pressure drilling services; and drilling-bit steering systems and rig instrumentation software.

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Brown Shipley& Co Ltd reduced its position in shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 75.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,923 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 5,761 shares during the quarter. BlackRock accounts for approximately 0.7% of Brown Shipley& Co Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. Brown Shipley& Co Ltds holdings in BlackRock were worth $1,243,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A purchased a new position in BlackRock in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. West Tower Group LLC purchased a new position in BlackRock in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Archer Investment Corp purchased a new position in BlackRock in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in BlackRock in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new position in BlackRock in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. 77.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BLK has been the topic of a number of research reports. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of BlackRock from $720.00 to $818.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. TD Cowen upgraded shares of BlackRock from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their target price for the company from $819.00 to $938.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. 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 research note on Thursday, November 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of BlackRock from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $708.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of BlackRock from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $885.00 price target 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 MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $785.73.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Rachel Lord sold 36,059 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $818.06, for a total value of $29,498,425.54. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 17,004 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,910,292.24. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other BlackRock news, Director Rachel Lord sold 36,059 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $818.06, for a total transaction of $29,498,425.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 17,004 shares in the company, valued at $13,910,292.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, General Counsel Christopher J. Meade sold 18,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $282.54, for a total value of $5,085,660.60. Following the transaction, the general counsel now owns 11,914 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,366,142.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 100,511 shares of company stock worth $71,864,028. Company insiders own 1.06% of the companys stock.

BlackRock Trading Down 1.4 %

Shares of BLK traded down $12.12 on Monday, hitting $824.00. 88,957 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 586,756. The company has a quick ratio of 3.48, a current ratio of 3.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $122.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.61, a P/E/G ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.37. BlackRock, Inc. has a 1 year low of $596.18 and a 1 year high of $845.00. The stocks 50 day moving average is $798.53 and its two-hundred day moving average is $731.35.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The asset manager reported $9.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.84 by $0.82. The company had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.65 billion. BlackRock had a net margin of 30.81% and a return on equity of 14.74%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $8.93 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that BlackRock, Inc. will post 39.73 earnings per share for the current year.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 7th will be given a $5.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 6th. This is a boost from BlackRocks previous quarterly dividend of $5.00. This represents a $20.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.48%. BlackRocks payout ratio is 55.88%.

About BlackRock

(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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Carlson Capital Management lifted its position in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Free Report) by 8.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,660 shares of the conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 286 shares during the quarter. Carlson Capital Managements holdings in Danaher were worth $908,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. bought a new position in Danaher during the third quarter valued at $25,000. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new position in Danaher in the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. IAG Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in Danaher by 344.8% in the 2nd quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 129 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in Danaher in the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new position in Danaher in the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. Institutional investors own 76.71% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Danaher

In other Danaher news, Director Teri List sold 3,289 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $248.32, for a total value of $816,724.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 19,726 shares in the company, valued at $4,898,360.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Danaher news, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 23,757 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total transaction of $5,986,764.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 38,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,601,704. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Teri List sold 3,289 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $248.32, for a total transaction of $816,724.48. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 19,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,898,360.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 32,957 shares of company stock valued at $8,265,802. 11.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Danaher Stock Performance

Shares of Danaher stock traded down $2.04 on Monday, reaching $251.65. 318,144 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,725,129. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. Danaher Co. has a twelve month low of $182.09 and a twelve month high of $259.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $186.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.70, a PEG ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.84. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $241.37 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $231.03.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The conglomerate reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.91 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $6.41 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.10 billion. Danaher had a net margin of 17.26% and a return on equity of 12.25%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.87 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Danaher Co. will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Danaher Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be issued a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This is an increase from Danahers previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.43%. Danahers payout ratio is presently 15.02%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on DHR shares. Raymond James increased their price target on Danaher from $240.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. HSBC initiated coverage on shares of Danaher in a research note on Monday, December 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Danaher from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $215.00 to $205.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Danaher from $255.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, TheStreet upgraded shares of Danaher from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Danaher has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $266.00.

View Our Latest Report on DHR

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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Shares of Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CNK  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Hold from the ten research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $17.40.

Several equities research analysts have commented on CNK shares. B. Riley cut Cinemark from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $23.00 to $15.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Roth Mkm reduced their target price on shares of Cinemark from $20.00 to $16.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 5th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered shares of Cinemark from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and lowered their price target for the company from $16.00 to $13.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Wedbush restated an outperform rating and set a $20.00 price objective on shares of Cinemark in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on Cinemark from $16.00 to $12.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 11th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cinemark

In other news, insider Wanda Marie Gierhart sold 19,593 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.75, for a total value of $328,182.75. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 179,591 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,008,149.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Company insiders own 10.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Cinemark by 61.1% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 50,486 shares of the companys stock valued at $872,000 after purchasing an additional 19,144 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Cinemark by 1.0% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,133,373 shares of the companys stock worth $19,584,000 after buying an additional 11,733 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Cinemark in the first quarter valued at about $247,000. Bank of Montreal Can grew its stake in shares of Cinemark by 63.4% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 52,765 shares of the companys stock valued at $923,000 after acquiring an additional 20,477 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its position in Cinemark by 55.6% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 58,176 shares of the companys stock worth $1,005,000 after acquiring an additional 20,792 shares during the period.

Cinemark Stock Down 2.9 %

Shares of CNK stock opened at $17.14 on Monday. Cinemark has a 12-month low of $12.07 and a 12-month high of $19.85. The company has a quick ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 1.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.73. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $15.05 and a 200-day moving average of $15.60. The company has a market capitalization of $2.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.93, a P/E/G ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 2.27.

Cinemark (NYSE:CNK  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 16th. The company reported ($0.15) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.07) by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $638.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $619.67 million. Cinemark had a return on equity of 72.91% and a net margin of 6.14%. Cinemarks revenue for the quarter was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted ($0.82) EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Cinemark will post 0.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cinemark Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Cinemark Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the motion picture exhibition business. As of February 16, 2024, it operated 501 theatres with 5,719 screens in 42 states and 13 countries in South and Central America. Cinemark Holdings, Inc was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.

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Dicker Data Limited (ASX:DDR  Get Free Report) insider David Dicker sold 9,967,583 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of A$10.90 ($7.08), for a total transaction of A$108,646,654.70 ($70,549,775.78).

David Dicker also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, December 18th, David Dicker sold 58,165 shares of Dicker Data stock. The shares were sold at an average price of A$12.10 ($7.86), for a total transaction of A$703,680.17 ($456,935.18).

On Wednesday, December 13th, David Dicker sold 70,837 shares of Dicker Data stock. The shares were sold at an average price of A$12.14 ($7.88), for a total transaction of A$860,102.85 ($558,508.35).

On Friday, December 15th, David Dicker sold 82,171 shares of Dicker Data stock. The shares were sold at an average price of A$12.18 ($7.91), for a total transaction of A$1,001,171.46 ($650,111.34).

Dicker Data Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 133.56.

Dicker Data Increases Dividend

Dicker Data Company Profile

The company also recently announced a Final dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th were paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a yield of 1.3%. This is an increase from Dicker Datas previous Final dividend of $0.03. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 13th. Dicker Datas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 130.43%.

(Get Free Report)

Dicker Data Limited engages in the wholesale distribution of computer hardware, software, cloud, access control, surveillance, and technologies in Australia and New Zealand. It sells its products to resellers partners. Dicker Data Limited was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Kurnell, Australia.

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Dominion Energy (NYSE:D  Free Report) had its target price increased by Wells Fargo & Company from $49.00 to $51.00 in a report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. Wells Fargo & Company currently has an equal weight rating on the utilities providers stock.

D has been the topic of several other reports. Guggenheim lowered their target price on shares of Dominion Energy from $57.00 to $52.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Dominion Energy from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Mizuho lowered their price target on Dominion Energy from $47.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. StockNews.com cut shares of Dominion Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Finally, Scotiabank lowered their price target on Dominion Energy from $50.00 to $49.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Dominion Energy has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $49.90.

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Dominion Energy Price Performance

D opened at $48.00 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $46.34 and a 200-day moving average of $45.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.60, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.61. Dominion Energy has a 12-month low of $39.18 and a 12-month high of $58.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29.

Dominion Energy (NYSE:D  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by ($0.11). Dominion Energy had a return on equity of 8.83% and a net margin of 12.40%. The company had revenue of $3.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.21 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.06 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Dominion Energy will post 2.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Dominion Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st will be given a $0.6675 dividend. This represents a $2.67 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. Dominion Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 114.59%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Dominion Energy news, Director Joseph M. Rigby bought 2,130 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was bought at an average price of $46.94 per share, for a total transaction of $99,982.20. Following the transaction, the director now owns 8,417 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $395,093.98. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director Joseph M. Rigby acquired 2,130 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $46.94 per share, for a total transaction of $99,982.20. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 8,417 shares in the company, valued at $395,093.98. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Robert M. Blue acquired 21,735 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $45.91 per share, with a total value of $997,853.85. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 176,240 shares in the company, valued at $8,091,178.40. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Dominion Energy

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV increased its position in Dominion Energy by 1.2% in the first quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 10,630 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $903,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Equity Partners grew its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 1.7% in the first quarter. Golden State Equity Partners now owns 7,635 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $649,000 after purchasing an additional 129 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 49.8% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 394 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 0.3% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 40,479 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,440,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ergoteles LLC grew its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 3.2% in the first quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 4,719 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $401,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. 70.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Dominion Energy Company Profile

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Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through three operating segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Energy. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.8 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina.

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Graham Capital Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 138,551 shares of the medical technology companys stock, valued at approximately $10,857,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Hartford Financial Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Medtronic by 425.0% during the third quarter. Hartford Financial Management Inc. now owns 315 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 255 shares during the period. Missouri Trust & Investment Co lifted its stake in shares of Medtronic by 209.0% during the second quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 309 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 209 shares during the period. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Medtronic by 317.0% during the third quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 367 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 279 shares during the period. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Medtronic during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Certified Advisory Corp purchased a new position in shares of Medtronic during the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.75% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Medtronic

In related news, EVP Sean Salmon sold 30,695 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.13, for a total transaction of $2,613,065.35. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 48,289 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,110,842.57. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Medtronic news, EVP Brett A. Wall sold 4,997 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.17, for a total transaction of $410,603.49. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 28,910 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,375,534.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Sean Salmon sold 30,695 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.13, for a total transaction of $2,613,065.35. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 48,289 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,110,842.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

Medtronic Trading Up 0.0 %

Shares of Medtronic stock traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $85.14. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,957,777 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,147,894. Medtronic plc has a 1-year low of $68.84 and a 1-year high of $92.02. The business has a fifty day moving average of $85.53 and a 200 day moving average of $80.44. The company has a market capitalization of $113.05 billion, a PE ratio of 27.11, a P/E/G ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a quick ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 2.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46.

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The medical technology company reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.26 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $8.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.95 billion. Medtronic had a net margin of 13.00% and a return on equity of 13.71%. The businesss revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.30 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Medtronic plc will post 5.2 EPS for the current year.

Medtronic Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 12th. Investors of record on Friday, March 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.69 per share. This represents a $2.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.24%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 21st. Medtronics payout ratio is 87.90%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MDT has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Medtronic from $104.00 to $98.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. Oppenheimer increased their price target on shares of Medtronic from $89.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Medtronic from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Medtronic from $95.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $92.00 price target on shares of Medtronic in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $94.91.

View Our Latest Analysis on MDT

About Medtronic

(Free Report)

Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software.

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Warby Parker Inc. (NYSE:WRBY  Get Free Report) CEO David Abraham Gilboa sold 52,065 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.20, for a total value of $635,193.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 12,306 shares in the company, valued at $150,133.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink.

David Abraham Gilboa also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, March 6th, David Abraham Gilboa sold 28,311 shares of Warby Parker stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.88, for a total value of $336,334.68.

Warby Parker Trading Down 2.3 %

Shares of NYSE:WRBY opened at $12.15 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.60 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.81. Warby Parker Inc. has a 12-month low of $9.50 and a 12-month high of $16.49.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Warby Parker ( NYSE:WRBY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported ($0.15) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.11) by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $161.86 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $161.01 million. Warby Parker had a negative net margin of 9.44% and a negative return on equity of 16.36%. Research analysts predict that Warby Parker Inc. will post -0.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

WRBY has been the topic of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Warby Parker from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and issued a $19.00 target price on shares of Warby Parker in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $16.29.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Warby Parker

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WRBY. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Warby Parker by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 35,683 shares of the companys stock worth $503,000 after purchasing an additional 789 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System increased its holdings in shares of Warby Parker by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 20,280 shares of the companys stock worth $237,000 after purchasing an additional 820 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Warby Parker by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 198,671 shares of the companys stock worth $2,801,000 after purchasing an additional 847 shares in the last quarter. Jacobson & Schmitt Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Warby Parker by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Jacobson & Schmitt Advisors LLC now owns 398,596 shares of the companys stock worth $5,246,000 after purchasing an additional 1,120 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in shares of Warby Parker by 11.6% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 11,493 shares of the companys stock worth $154,000 after purchasing an additional 1,191 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.24% of the companys stock.

About Warby Parker

(Get Free Report)

Warby Parker Inc provides eyewear products. The company offers eyeglasses, sunglasses, light-responsive lenses, blue-light-filtering lenses, and contact lenses. It also provides accessories, such as cases, lenses kit with anti-fog spray, pouches, and anti-fog lens spray through its retail stores, website, and mobile apps.

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Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals (NYSE:VTN  Get Free Report) major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 12,890 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, March 8th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $10.63 per share, with a total value of $137,020.70. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 2,754,279 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $29,277,985.77. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Large shareholders that own at least 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

Saba Capital Management, L.P. also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, January 16th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 1,300 shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of $10.49 per share, for a total transaction of $13,637.00.

On Thursday, January 11th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 8,914 shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of $10.49 per share, for a total transaction of $93,507.86.

On Tuesday, January 9th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. sold 8,755 shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.47, for a total transaction of $91,664.85.

On Friday, January 5th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. purchased 43,299 shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $10.47 per share, for a total transaction of $453,340.53.

On Wednesday, January 3rd, Saba Capital Management, L.P. purchased 300 shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $10.41 per share, for a total transaction of $3,123.00.

On Wednesday, December 13th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. purchased 90,701 shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $10.26 per share, for a total transaction of $930,592.26.

Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VTN traded up $0.03 on Monday, reaching $10.65. The companys stock had a trading volume of 22,772 shares, compared to its average volume of 40,377. Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals has a 52-week low of $8.49 and a 52-week high of $10.73. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $9.89.

Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals Announces Dividend

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.0394 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.47 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.44%.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in VTN. Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals during the 4th quarter worth about $260,000. Nomura Holdings Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals during the 4th quarter worth about $113,000. Stifel Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals by 94.9% during the 4th quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 35,738 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $372,000 after purchasing an additional 17,402 shares during the period. Robinson Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals by 83.8% during the 4th quarter. Robinson Capital Management LLC now owns 383,936 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $3,989,000 after purchasing an additional 175,000 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals in the 4th quarter valued at about $54,000. 25.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals

(Get Free Report)

Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Invesco Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, INVESCO Asset Management (Japan) Limited, INVESCO Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, INVESCO Asset Management Limited, Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Hong Kong Limited, and INVESCO Senior Secured Management, Inc It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States.

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Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. lowered its holdings in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG  Free Report) by 13.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 204,806 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 30,592 shares during the quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc.s holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $33,990,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Cheniere Energy by 370.3% in the third quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 950 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $158,000 after purchasing an additional 748 shares during the last quarter. Blueprint Investment Partners LLC acquired a new position in Cheniere Energy in the third quarter valued at $389,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Cheniere Energy by 60.1% in the third quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 4,783 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $794,000 after acquiring an additional 1,796 shares in the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the third quarter worth about $103,000. Finally, Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 16.9% in the 3rd quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 3,536 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $587,000 after purchasing an additional 512 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.86% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on LNG shares. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $187.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 15th. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $185.00 to $178.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $192.00 to $194.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Cheniere Energy has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $197.10.

Cheniere Energy Price Performance

Shares of LNG stock opened at $155.00 on Monday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $163.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.83, a PEG ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.59, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 1.51. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 1-year low of $135.30 and a 1-year high of $183.46.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The energy company reported $5.76 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.70 by $3.06. The company had revenue of $4.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.37 billion. Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 48.45% and a return on equity of 69.52%. The businesss revenue was down 46.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $15.78 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 9.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 6th were given a dividend of $0.435 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 5th. This represents a $1.74 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.12%. Cheniere Energys payout ratio is 4.30%.

About Cheniere Energy

(Free Report)

Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several interstate and intrastate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.

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Experiential activities gain popularity among women in S China's Guangxi

People's Daily Online) 14:16, March 11, 2024

Businesses offering experiential activities such as floristry and baking saw a surge in popularity among female consumers in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as they celebrated International Women's Day on March 8.

A flower wholesale market in Nanning, capital of Guangxi, was bustling with liveliness on International Women's Day. Aside from selling flower bouquets, some shops also launched new services for consumers to make their own, which turned out to be very popular.

Consumers choose flowers at a flower wholesale market in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo/Yu Jing)

"Women tend to value a sense of formality on special days like this," said Huang Wenfen, a flower wholesaler. "Our shop provides various types of packaging bags and small baskets, allowing consumers to enjoy creating their own bouquets." Huang preordered thousands of different bouquet varieties from southwest China's Yunnan Province, the country's leading flower supplier, to cope with the increased demand.

In Huang's opinion, customized flower bouquets for International Women's Day make consumers feel special and appreciated. They introduce a sense of personalization and satisfaction, often encouraging more purchases.

Meanwhile, a baking shop in Nanning rolled out a service that allows mothers and their children to make traditional Chinese pastries together. Wearing chef uniforms, participants get to knead the dough, roll it out, and shape it.

Li Zhuoting, the shop manager, said the baking experience service during International Women's Day was fully booked, prompting the addition of more sessions to meet growing demand.

The store also allowed customers to make rose-shaped steamed buns, which can be tied together to resemble a bouquet. Customers enjoyed taking pictures of and sharing their creations.

Nearby, a handmade manufacturing studio launched DIY products, including rose-shaped leather crafts and scented candles branded as the "eternal flower." The owner, Li Qiuting, explained that these DIY experiences give customers a sense of satisfaction and bring them closer together, making it an excellent option for corporate team-building activities.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. lessened its position in Boise Cascade (NYSE:BCC  Free Report) by 3.7% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 435,821 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 16,738 shares during the period. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc.s holdings in Boise Cascade were worth $44,907,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of BCC. HighTower Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Boise Cascade during the first quarter valued at about $213,000. Citigroup Inc. grew its stake in shares of Boise Cascade by 7.0% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 42,016 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,919,000 after buying an additional 2,737 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can grew its stake in shares of Boise Cascade by 5.0% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 12,598 shares of the construction companys stock worth $933,000 after purchasing an additional 598 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Boise Cascade by 56.7% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 20,948 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,455,000 after purchasing an additional 7,576 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers grew its stake in shares of Boise Cascade by 3.0% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 109,084 shares of the construction companys stock worth $7,578,000 after purchasing an additional 3,138 shares during the last quarter. 91.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Dean Michael Brown sold 11,117 shares of Boise Cascade stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.09, for a total transaction of $1,546,263.53. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 40,237 shares in the company, valued at $5,596,564.33. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BCC has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Boise Cascade from $114.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Truist Financial raised their target price on Boise Cascade from $126.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Boise Cascade from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $121.20.

Read Our Latest Report on Boise Cascade

Boise Cascade Stock Performance

Shares of BCC opened at $128.00 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 3.46 and a quick ratio of 2.26. Boise Cascade has a one year low of $59.32 and a one year high of $143.56. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $133.48 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $116.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.06 billion, a PE ratio of 10.66 and a beta of 1.59.

Boise Cascade (NYSE:BCC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 21st. The construction company reported $2.44 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.45 by ($0.01). Boise Cascade had a return on equity of 21.94% and a net margin of 7.07%. The company had revenue of $1.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.64 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.95 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Boise Cascade will post 11.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Boise Cascade Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.63%. Boise Cascades dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.60%.

Boise Cascade Company Profile

(Free Report)

Boise Cascade Company engages in manufacture of wood products and distribution of building materials in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments, Wood Products and Building Materials Distribution. The Wood Products segment manufactures laminated veneer lumber and laminated beams used in headers and beams; I-joists for residential and commercial flooring and roofing systems, and other structural applications; structural, appearance, and industrial plywood panels; and ponderosa pine shop lumber and appearance grade boards.

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Kampmann Melissa S. bought a new position in Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 16,592 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $2,798,000. Chevron makes up approximately 2.7% of Kampmann Melissa S.s portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in shares of Chevron by 7.0% during the 3rd quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 34,166,899 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,761,223,000 after purchasing an additional 2,244,995 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Chevron by 104,997.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 24,490,824 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,395,858,000 after purchasing an additional 24,467,521 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Chevron by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 24,236,141 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,059,834,000 after acquiring an additional 368,898 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in Chevron by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 22,705,118 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $3,828,537,000 after acquiring an additional 569,850 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in Chevron in the 4th quarter worth $3,058,235,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.87% of the companys stock.

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Chevron Price Performance

Shares of Chevron stock traded up $0.52 during trading on Monday, hitting $150.40. 1,120,755 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,726,987. Chevron Co. has a twelve month low of $139.62 and a twelve month high of $172.88. The company has a market cap of $279.33 billion, a PE ratio of 13.19, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 1.01. The firms fifty day moving average price is $149.70 and its 200 day moving average price is $153.33.

Chevron Increases Dividend

Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $3.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.19 by $0.26. The company had revenue of $47.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $50.93 billion. Chevron had a net margin of 10.63% and a return on equity of 15.24%. The companys revenue was down 16.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.09 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Chevron Co. will post 13.03 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Friday, February 16th will be paid a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.34%. This is an increase from Chevrons previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 15th. Chevrons payout ratio is 57.39%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on CVX shares. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Chevron from $194.00 to $185.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Chevron from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Chevron from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. DZ Bank lowered shares of 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. Finally, Scotiabank lowered shares of Chevron from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $170.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $180.56.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on CVX

About Chevron

(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.

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NextEra Energy Partners (NYSE:NEP  Get Free Report) was upgraded by StockNews.com to a sell rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Saturday.

A number of other research firms have also recently commented on NEP. Guggenheim decreased their price objective on NextEra Energy Partners from $42.00 to $37.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Evercore ISI started coverage on NextEra Energy Partners in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. They issued an outperform rating and a $43.00 target price on the stock. CIBC lowered NextEra Energy Partners from a sector outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $35.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on NextEra Energy Partners from $24.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Mizuho cut their price objective on NextEra Energy Partners from $40.00 to $33.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $47.31.

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NextEra Energy Partners Price Performance

NYSE:NEP opened at $29.35 on Friday. NextEra Energy Partners has a 12 month low of $20.17 and a 12 month high of $66.52. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $28.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $30.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The firm has a market cap of $2.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 1.00.

NextEra Energy Partners (NYSE:NEP  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The solar energy provider reported ($0.35) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.38). The firm had revenue of $232.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $360.03 million. NextEra Energy Partners had a negative return on equity of 1.06% and a net margin of 16.00%. On average, analysts expect that NextEra Energy Partners will post 0.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of NextEra Energy Partners

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in NextEra Energy Partners by 31.0% during the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,044,197 shares of the solar energy providers stock worth $31,013,000 after acquiring an additional 246,908 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy Partners by 14.1% in the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 839,956 shares of the solar energy providers stock valued at $24,911,000 after purchasing an additional 104,055 shares during the last quarter. Lavaca Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy Partners by 144.4% in the 3rd quarter. Lavaca Capital LLC now owns 37,400 shares of the solar energy providers stock valued at $1,111,000 after purchasing an additional 22,100 shares during the last quarter. Ardsley Advisory Partners LP boosted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy Partners by 5,300.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ardsley Advisory Partners LP now owns 270,000 shares of the solar energy providers stock valued at $8,019,000 after purchasing an additional 265,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy Partners by 189.5% in the 3rd quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 33,473 shares of the solar energy providers stock valued at $994,000 after purchasing an additional 21,909 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.99% of the companys stock.

NextEra Energy Partners Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

NextEra Energy Partners, LP acquires, owns, and manages contracted clean energy projects in the United States. It owns a portfolio of contracted renewable generation assets consisting of wind, solar, and battery storage projects. The company owns contracted natural gas pipeline assets. NextEra Energy Partners, LP was incorporated in 2014 and is based in Juno Beach, Florida.

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OLD National Bancorp IN lessened its holdings in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:VOT  Free Report) by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 26,210 shares of the companys stock after selling 373 shares during the period. OLD National Bancorp INs holdings in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF were worth $5,105,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of VOT. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 5.4% during the 2nd quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 12,595 shares of the companys stock worth $2,592,000 after buying an additional 645 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its position in shares of Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 13.3% in the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 64,644 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,591,000 after purchasing an additional 7,578 shares in the last quarter. HBW Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 17.1% in the third quarter. HBW Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,144 shares of the companys stock valued at $223,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Hawaii grew its position in shares of Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 10.4% in the second quarter. Bank of Hawaii now owns 3,955 shares of the companys stock valued at $814,000 after purchasing an additional 372 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its position in shares of Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 1.7% in the second quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 7,091 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,459,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares in the last quarter.

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Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF Price Performance

VOT stock opened at $231.43 on Monday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $221.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of $207.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.33 billion, a PE ratio of 28.70 and a beta of 1.10. Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF has a 1 year low of $179.43 and a 1 year high of $234.71.

Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF Company Profile

Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded share class of Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund, which employs a passive management or indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the MSCI US Mid Cap Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a diversified index of growth stocks of medium-size United States companies.

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Sprott Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Aris Mining Co. (NYSE:ARMN  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 14,625 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $33,000.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Van ECK Associates Corp acquired a new position in Aris Mining in the 3rd quarter valued at about $15,638,000. Lynwood Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in Aris Mining in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,014,000. Ruffer LLP acquired a new position in Aris Mining in the 3rd quarter valued at about $11,641,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new position in Aris Mining in the 3rd quarter valued at about $4,953,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. acquired a new position in Aris Mining in the 3rd quarter valued at about $7,142,000.

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Aris Mining Price Performance

NYSE:ARMN traded down $0.09 on Monday, hitting $3.27. The stock had a trading volume of 68,862 shares, compared to its average volume of 122,890. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $3.04. Aris Mining Co. has a 1-year low of $2.16 and a 1-year high of $3.54.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Aris Mining ( NYSE:ARMN Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 6th. The company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.16 by ($0.07). The firm had revenue of $124.98 million for the quarter. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Aris Mining Co. will post 0.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Separately, National Bank Financial reiterated an outperform spec overweight rating on shares of Aris Mining in a report on Monday, November 27th.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Aris Mining

About Aris Mining

(Free Report)

Aris Mining Corporation together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of gold and silver properties primarily in Colombia. The company holds interests in the Segovia operations comprising the El Silencio, Providencia, and Sandra K underground mines located in Colombia.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of National Bank (NYSE:NBHC  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report released on Friday morning.

Separately, Piper Sandler upped their target price on National Bank from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on NBHC

National Bank Price Performance

NYSE NBHC opened at $34.41 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $34.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $33.21. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The company has a market cap of $1.30 billion, a PE ratio of 9.25 and a beta of 0.83. National Bank has a 1 year low of $26.48 and a 1 year high of $38.71.

National Bank (NYSE:NBHC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $107.23 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $103.96 million. National Bank had a return on equity of 12.20% and a net margin of 25.40%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.91 EPS. On average, analysts predict that National Bank will post 3.33 EPS for the current year.

National Bank Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be issued a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.14%. National Banks dividend payout ratio is 29.03%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National Bank

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in NBHC. FMR LLC increased its holdings in National Bank by 78.9% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 850 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 375 shares during the last quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY increased its holdings in National Bank by 27.5% in the second quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 2,020 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $59,000 after buying an additional 436 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in National Bank by 24.4% in the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,005 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 393 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its holdings in National Bank by 145.4% in the first quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,698 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $68,000 after buying an additional 1,006 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd increased its holdings in National Bank by 2,677.4% in the first quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 1,722 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $69,000 after buying an additional 1,660 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.61% of the companys stock.

About National Bank

(Get Free Report)

National Bank Holdings Corporation operates as the bank holding company for NBH Bank that provides various banking products and financial services to commercial, business, and consumer clients in the United States. It offers deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, and other deposit accounts, including fixed-rate and fixed maturity time deposits.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE:TEVA  Free Report) from an underweight rating to a neutral rating in a research note published on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has $14.00 target price on the stock.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on TEVA. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Piper Sandler raised shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $12.00 to $19.00 in a research note on Monday, February 12th. StockNews.com raised shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $10.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $15.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $13.78.

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Get Our Latest Research Report on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:TEVA opened at $13.62 on Friday. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has a twelve month low of $7.09 and a twelve month high of $13.93. The companys 50 day moving average is $12.24 and its 200 day moving average is $10.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.23. The company has a market cap of $15.27 billion, a PE ratio of -28.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.04.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE:TEVA  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $0.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.25. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries had a negative net margin of 3.33% and a positive return on equity of 34.90%. The company had revenue of $4.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.97 billion. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries will post 2.29 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

In other news, EVP Mark Sabag sold 100,000 shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.52, for a total transaction of $1,352,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 382,590 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,172,616.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CAO Amir Weiss sold 31,766 shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.37, for a total transaction of $392,945.42. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 10,676 shares in the company, valued at approximately $132,062.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Mark Sabag sold 100,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.52, for a total value of $1,352,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 382,590 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,172,616.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 390,738 shares of company stock worth $5,132,766 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.62% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries during the 3rd quarter worth about $3,000,000. Camber Capital Management LP increased its position in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 183.3% during the 2nd quarter. Camber Capital Management LP now owns 8,500,000 shares of the companys stock worth $64,005,000 after purchasing an additional 5,500,000 shares during the last quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. increased its position in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 184,642.3% during the 3rd quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 27,711,340 shares of the companys stock worth $282,656,000 after purchasing an additional 27,696,340 shares during the last quarter. Affinity Asset Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries during the 2nd quarter worth about $12,048,000. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its position in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 1,007.8% in the 3rd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 373,302 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,806,000 after acquiring an additional 339,605 shares in the last quarter. 43.23% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

(Get Free Report)

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic medicines, specialty medicines, and biopharmaceutical products in North America, Europe, Israel, and internationally. It offers generic medicines in various dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalants, liquids, transdermal patches, ointments, and creams; sterile products, hormones, high-potency drugs, and cytotoxic substances in parenteral and solid dosage forms; and generic products with medical devices and combination products.

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Tompkins Financial Corp raised its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 9.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 74,682 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 6,250 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. accounts for approximately 1.7% of Tompkins Financial Corps investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Tompkins Financial Corps holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $10,830,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of JPM. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P grew its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 81.1% during the 1st quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P now owns 222,422 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,321,000 after acquiring an additional 99,636 shares during the period. BCK Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 1st quarter worth about $2,455,000. LSV Asset Management grew its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 35.6% during the 1st quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 37,300 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,085,000 after acquiring an additional 9,800 shares during the period. Wsfs Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 70.8% during the 1st quarter. Wsfs Capital Management LLC now owns 4,221 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $575,000 after acquiring an additional 1,749 shares during the period. Finally, Lumature Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 1,451.4% during the 1st quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 3,770 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $514,000 after acquiring an additional 3,527 shares during the period. 68.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CEO James Dimon sold 821,778 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.73, for a total transaction of $150,163,493.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 595,316 shares in the company, valued at approximately $108,782,092.68. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, General Counsel Stacey Friedman sold 6,030 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.73, for a total value of $1,101,861.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 59,456 shares in the company, valued at $10,864,394.88. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO James Dimon sold 821,778 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.73, for a total transaction of $150,163,493.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 595,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $108,782,092.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 877,626 shares of company stock worth $159,500,516 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.79% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

JPM has been the subject of several research reports. Bank of America raised their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $177.00 to $188.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $192.00 to $194.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $191.00 to $221.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Piper Sandler raised their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $179.11.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on JPM

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:JPM traded down $1.76 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $186.46. The company had a trading volume of 1,027,946 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,927,855. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. The firm has a market cap of $537.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.52, a PEG ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.14. The companys 50-day moving average price is $176.17 and its 200-day moving average price is $159.42. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a one year low of $123.11 and a one year high of $190.50.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $3.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.73 by ($0.69). JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 20.70% and a return on equity of 17.80%. The business had revenue of $38.57 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $39.73 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.57 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 15.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 4th were given a dividend of $1.05 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.25%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 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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Trust Co. of Vermont grew its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Free Report) by 3.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 66,486 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after buying an additional 2,007 shares during the period. Becton, Dickinson and Company makes up approximately 1.2% of Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest position. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $17,189,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 2nd quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, CGC Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.72% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on BDX shares. Barclays boosted their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $301.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $269.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $310.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Becton, Dickinson and Company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $279.17.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

Shares of BDX stock traded down $1.19 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $238.71. The company had a trading volume of 445,299 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,506,089. The firm has a market capitalization of $68.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.85, a PEG ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.42. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 12 month low of $228.62 and a 12 month high of $287.32. The firms fifty day moving average is $239.03 and its 200 day moving average is $248.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 1.08.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.68 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.39 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $4.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.73 billion. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 13.57% and a net margin of 6.44%. Becton, Dickinson and Companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.98 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 12.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.59%. Becton, Dickinson and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 90.05%.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company operates in three segments: BD Medical, BD Life Sciences, and BD Interventional.

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Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its position in shares of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ  Free Report) by 7.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 23,048 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,628 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $5,793,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of STZ. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in Constellation Brands during the first quarter worth $705,000. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in shares of Constellation Brands by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 17,026 shares of the companys stock worth $3,921,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Constellation Brands by 17.6% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,149 shares of the companys stock valued at $725,000 after buying an additional 471 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Constellation Brands by 2.6% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,601,280 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,902,327,000 after acquiring an additional 313,344 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ergoteles LLC bought a new position in Constellation Brands in the first quarter valued at about $257,000. 88.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Constellation Brands Stock Up 1.9 %

Shares of STZ stock traded up $4.81 on Monday, reaching $262.50. 735,695 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,202,599. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a one year low of $210.15 and a one year high of $273.65. The company has a market cap of $47.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.50, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a 50-day moving average of $248.77 and a 200-day moving average of $245.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.46.

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 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.03 by $0.16. Constellation Brands had a return on equity of 23.35% and a net margin of 14.76%. The firm had revenue of $2.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.54 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.83 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 11.9 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, February 8th were issued a $0.89 dividend. 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 1.36%. Constellation Brandss dividend payout ratio is presently 42.13%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on STZ. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Constellation Brands in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They set a buy rating and a $292.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Constellation Brands from $309.00 to $301.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $295.00 target price on shares of Constellation Brands in a research report on Thursday. Argus cut Constellation Brands from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, TheStreet lowered shares of Constellation Brands from a b rating to a c+ rating in a report on Friday, January 5th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $289.24.

Check Out Our Latest Report on STZ

Insider Activity at Constellation Brands

In other news, major shareholder Family Foundation Sands sold 354,616 shares of the firms 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 owns 54,461 shares in the company, valued at $13,629,409.86. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 16.19% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Constellation Brands Company 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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Tudor Investment Corp Et Al grew its holdings in shares of PagerDuty, Inc. (NYSE:PD  Free Report) by 1.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 236,026 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,296 shares during the period. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al owned about 0.25% of PagerDuty worth $5,308,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Qsemble Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of PagerDuty during the 3rd quarter worth $972,000. California Public Employees Retirement System grew its position in PagerDuty by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 150,906 shares of the companys stock worth $3,394,000 after acquiring an additional 4,335 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in PagerDuty by 9.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 740,372 shares of the companys stock worth $16,651,000 after purchasing an additional 60,913 shares in the last quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new stake in shares of PagerDuty during the third quarter valued at about $80,000. Finally, Trexquant Investment LP boosted its stake in shares of PagerDuty by 54.9% during the third quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 132,629 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,983,000 after purchasing an additional 47,012 shares in the last quarter. 89.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at PagerDuty

In related news, CFO Howard Wilson sold 33,782 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.68, for a total value of $867,521.76. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 511,565 shares in the company, valued at $13,136,989.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other PagerDuty news, SVP Shelley Webb sold 5,519 shares of PagerDuty stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.40, for a total transaction of $118,106.60. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 177,087 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,789,661.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Howard Wilson sold 33,782 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.68, for a total value of $867,521.76. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 511,565 shares in the company, valued at $13,136,989.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 54,298 shares of company stock worth $1,364,392. 7.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

PagerDuty Stock Up 1.3 %

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Shares of PagerDuty stock opened at $24.66 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $24.12 and a 200-day moving average price of $22.90. The company has a quick ratio of 2.75, a current ratio of 2.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.65. PagerDuty, Inc. has a 1 year low of $19.18 and a 1 year high of $35.33.

Several brokerages have issued reports on PD. TD Cowen cut shares of PagerDuty from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their price target for the company from $29.00 to $23.00 in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on PagerDuty from $32.00 to $31.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Bank of America began coverage on PagerDuty in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $30.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an equal weight rating and issued a $30.00 price target on shares of PagerDuty in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $27.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on PD

About PagerDuty

(Free Report)

PagerDuty, Inc engages in the operation of a digital operations management platform in the United States, EMEA, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. The company's digital operations management platform collects data and digital signals from virtually any software-enabled system or device and leverage powerful machine learning to correlate, process, and predict opportunities and issues.

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Tudor Investment Corp Et Al lifted its stake in shares of EnerSys (NYSE:ENS  Free Report) by 33.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 53,504 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 13,519 shares during the period. Tudor Investment Corp Et Als holdings in EnerSys were worth $5,065,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. HighTower Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of EnerSys in the 1st quarter worth about $264,000. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its position in EnerSys by 12.9% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 10,670 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $812,000 after buying an additional 1,221 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in EnerSys by 35.1% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 47,723 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,559,000 after buying an additional 12,406 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its position in shares of EnerSys by 8.8% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 15,118 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,127,000 after acquiring an additional 1,229 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of EnerSys by 7.8% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,403,889 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $104,691,000 after acquiring an additional 101,062 shares during the period. 91.56% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ENS has been the subject of a number of research reports. StockNews.com raised shares of EnerSys from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Oppenheimer lowered EnerSys from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th.

EnerSys Stock Performance

EnerSys stock opened at $93.81 on Monday. EnerSys has a 12-month low of $78.81 and a 12-month high of $113.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 2.67 and a quick ratio of 1.53. The company has a market capitalization of $3.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.35. The firms fifty day moving average price is $94.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $94.28.

EnerSys (NYSE:ENS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The industrial products company reported $2.56 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.55 by $0.01. EnerSys had a return on equity of 20.09% and a net margin of 7.49%. The business had revenue of $861.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $898.79 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.27 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that EnerSys will post 8.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

EnerSys Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.225 per share. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.96%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. EnerSyss dividend payout ratio is currently 13.62%.

About EnerSys

(Free Report)

EnerSys provides various stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates in three segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, and Specialty. The company offers uninterruptible power systems applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, as well as telecommunications systems; switchgear and electrical control systems used in industrial facilities and electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, and energy pipelines; integrated power solutions and services to broadband, telecom, renewable, and industrial customers; and thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries.

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Walleye Capital LLC cut its stake in shares of Brixmor Property Group Inc. (NYSE:BRX  Free Report) by 16.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,263,161 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 240,222 shares during the period. Brixmor Property Group makes up about 0.1% of Walleye Capital LLCs holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest position. Walleye Capital LLCs holdings in Brixmor Property Group were worth $26,248,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Brixmor Property Group by 0.6% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,506,473 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $840,504,000 after buying an additional 275,636 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in Brixmor Property Group by 0.4% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 36,400,269 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $783,334,000 after buying an additional 149,259 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in Brixmor Property Group by 99.4% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 20,119,950 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $519,296,000 after buying an additional 10,028,534 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its position in Brixmor Property Group by 13.6% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 16,686,118 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $430,669,000 after buying an additional 2,001,159 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in Brixmor Property Group by 8.1% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 13,260,258 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $291,726,000 after buying an additional 993,415 shares during the period. 94.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Brixmor Property Group

In related news, Director Michael B. Berman sold 10,475 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.82, for a total transaction of $239,039.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 40,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $925,487.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Angela M. Aman sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.00, for a total transaction of $240,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 152,054 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,649,296. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Michael B. Berman sold 10,475 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.82, for a total value of $239,039.50. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 40,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $925,487.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 42,975 shares of company stock worth $998,490. 0.64% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Brixmor Property Group Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of BRX traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $22.71. 528,781 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,602,614. The company has a market cap of $6.84 billion, a PE ratio of 22.52, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.53. The firms 50 day moving average is $22.71 and its 200-day moving average is $22.02. Brixmor Property Group Inc. has a 52 week low of $19.40 and a 52 week high of $24.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.58.

Brixmor Property Group (NYSE:BRX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.51 by ($0.27). The company had revenue of $316.49 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $311.77 million. Brixmor Property Group had a return on equity of 10.63% and a net margin of 24.50%. The businesss revenue was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.49 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Brixmor Property Group Inc. will post 2.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Brixmor Property Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.273 per share. This represents a $1.09 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.81%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 1st. This is an increase from Brixmor Property Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. Brixmor Property Groups dividend payout ratio is 107.92%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on BRX shares. Mizuho reissued a neutral rating and set a $24.00 price target (up from $23.00) on shares of Brixmor Property Group in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Brixmor Property Group from $24.00 to $23.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Brixmor Property Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $27.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Brixmor Property Group from $22.75 to $24.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $25.38.

Read Our Latest Analysis on BRX

Brixmor Property Group Profile

(Free Report)

Brixmor (NYSE: BRX) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates a high-quality, national portfolio of open-air shopping centers. Its 362 retail centers comprise approximately 64 million square feet of prime retail space in established trade areas. The Company strives to own and operate shopping centers that reflect Brixmor's vision to be the center of the communities we serve and are home to a diverse mix of thriving national, regional and local retailers.

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WESCO International (NYSE:WCC  Free Report) had its price objective upped by Oppenheimer from $175.00 to $190.00 in a report published on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the technology companys stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on WCC. KeyCorp lowered their price objective on shares of WESCO International from $185.00 to $165.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on shares of WESCO International from $203.00 to $170.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. StockNews.com lowered shares of WESCO International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of WESCO International from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and lowered their price target for the company from $202.00 to $173.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $181.33.

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View Our Latest Research Report on WESCO International

WESCO International Trading Down 0.3 %

Shares of WCC opened at $159.78 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $8.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.80, a PEG ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 2.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a current ratio of 2.48. WESCO International has a fifty-two week low of $121.90 and a fifty-two week high of $195.43. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $165.12 and a 200-day moving average price of $156.27.

WESCO International (NYSE:WCC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The technology company reported $2.65 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.86 by ($1.21). The business had revenue of $5.50 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.59 billion. WESCO International had a return on equity of 17.01% and a net margin of 3.42%. The companys revenue was down 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.13 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that WESCO International will post 14.64 earnings per share for the current year.

WESCO International Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a $0.4125 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This is a positive change from WESCO Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. This represents a $1.65 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.03%. WESCO Internationals dividend payout ratio is 11.08%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other WESCO International news, EVP Nelson John Squires III sold 3,490 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $190.00, for a total value of $663,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 54,385 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,333,150. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 2.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of WESCO International

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. KB Financial Partners LLC grew its position in shares of WESCO International by 76.8% in the 3rd quarter. KB Financial Partners LLC now owns 198 shares of the technology companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. Anchor Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of WESCO International in the 4th quarter worth about $48,000. Park Place Capital Corp grew its position in shares of WESCO International by 41.3% in the 3rd quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 294 shares of the technology companys stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC purchased a new stake in shares of WESCO International in the 4th quarter worth about $56,000. Finally, Fred Alger Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of WESCO International in the 3rd quarter worth about $60,000. 99.15% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

WESCO International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

WESCO International, Inc provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS).

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The sun was setting over the smog-choked Thames, casting a sickly orange hue on the decaying carcass of British politics. I stood there, cigarette dangling from my lips, squinting through the haze at the latest political spectacle. Lee Anderson, the former vice-chairman of the Conservative Party, had just defected to Reform UK. The air crackled with tension, like a cheap transistor radio tuned to a gangster trap music pirate station from Deptford.

Nigel Farage, that grizzled maverick of British politics, emerged from the shadows. His eyes were bloodshot, his tie askew, and his liver probably pickled beyond recognition. He leaned in, his whiskey-soaked breath enveloping me like a toxic cloud from Grimsby.

Listen, Doc, he slurred, this is bigger than a herd of rabid wildebeests stampeding through the Elephant and fucking Castle shopping centre. Bigger than the rise of Ukip, for crying out loud!

I adjusted my aviator shades and took a long drag on my cigarette. Go on, Nigel, I said. Hit me with the raw truth. I can handle it.

He leaned even closer, his jowls quivering. Anderson defecting to Reform? Its like the goddamn Rapture, Doc. Bigger than Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless doing the tango with Ukip back in 14. Hell, its bigger than Elvis riding a UFO into Area 51!

I raised an eyebrow. Elvis? Really?

Metaphorically speaking, Doc, Farage muttered. Were talking seismic shifts here. The tectonic plates of British politics grinding against each other like two drunken sumo wrestlers wearing those weird ass nappies they wear. Andersons defectionits like the Loch Ness Monster rising from the Thames, flipping off Big Ben, and moonwalking into oblivion.

I scribbled feverishly in my notebook. And why, pray tell, is this so monumental?

Farages eyes gleamed with madness. Because, Doc, this aint about party politics. Its about the very fabric of reality unravelling. Lee Anderson is like a glitch in the fucking Matrix, a rogue pixel in the grand algorithm. Hes seen the David Icke lizard people pulling the strings, Doc. He knows Camillas a hologram, and Bigfoots her secret loverer, or is that the other way round?

I blinked. Bigfoot?

Metaphorically speaking! Farage bellowed. Look around, Doc. Britains a broken jukebox playing the wrong tune. Our political class? Theyre like malfunctioning androids, spouting gibberish while the real world burns. And the media? Theyre the house band, fiddling away as Rome crumbles.

I took another drag. So, whats the solution, Nige?

He grinned, revealing a row of nicotine-stained teeth. We ride this adrenochrome soaked wave, Doc. We surf the chaos. Reform UKs our psychedelic surfboard, and Lee Andersons our shamanic guide. Well crash the entire stinking system, Doc. Burn it down and dance naked in the ashes.

I glanced at the moon, wondering if it was made of cheese or government secrets. And the New Conservatives?

Farage spat on the ground. Theyre like a bunch of accountants at a rave, Doc. Clutching their spreadsheets, begging Rishi Sunak to change course. But responsibility? It sits with the Tories, Doc. They birthed Anderson, fed him their stale ideology, and now hes gone rogue. Like a demented unicorn galloping through the corridors of power.

As the neon lights flickered, I knew one thing: Lee Andersons defection was a psychedelic trip into the heart of Kurtz darkness. The bats were circling, the ether was thick, and the truth? Well, the truth was somewhere out there, riding shotgun with Elvis and Bigfoot.

I stubbed out my cigarette, adjusted my lizard-skin boots, and followed Farage into the abyss. The Lee Anderson Gonzo Chronicles awaited, and I was ready to ride the wave.
Advisors Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bancolombia S.A. (NYSE:CIB  Free Report) by 26.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 31,308 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 6,574 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Bancolombia were worth $835,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bancolombia in the third quarter worth $645,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new position in Bancolombia in the third quarter valued at $27,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. bought a new position in Bancolombia in the third quarter valued at $1,512,000. Stokes Family Office LLC increased its stake in Bancolombia by 12.6% in the third quarter. Stokes Family Office LLC now owns 13,390 shares of the banks stock valued at $357,000 after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Bancolombia by 123.8% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 73,682 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,966,000 after acquiring an additional 40,753 shares during the last quarter.

Bancolombia Stock Down 2.3 %

Shares of NYSE:CIB opened at $32.68 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.36 and a beta of 1.22. Bancolombia S.A. has a 12-month low of $21.55 and a 12-month high of $34.43. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $32.04 and its 200-day moving average price is $28.86.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, HSBC cut Bancolombia from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, January 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $30.65.

Get Our Latest Report on CIB

Bancolombia Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bancolombia SA provides banking products and services in Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Bermuda, and Guatemala. The company operates through nine segments: Banking Colombia, Banking Panama, Banking El Salvador, Banking Guatemala, Trust, Investment Banking, Brokerage, International Banking, and All Other.

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TOKYO, Mar 11 (News On Japan) - As Japan's super-aging society intensifies, a survey reveals that one in four elderly individuals over the age of 65 has been denied housing due to their age. Unable to rent a home, many elderly seek refuge in "housing support corporations."

What obstacles do they face, and what solutions are being explored to prevent their isolation? This report delves into the current state of support for the elderly's housing needs.

The number of single-person households aged 65 and above has reached a record high of 873,000, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The Cabinet Office's report on the elderly forecasts that this number will continue to rise, increasing by approximately 2 million households in the last decade.

A significant issue is the difficulty elderly individuals face in renting homes. "It's tough once you're over 65," says one elderly individual, reflecting a common sentiment. According to a real estate survey, one in four elderly individuals has experienced being denied housing due to their age. Health issues and financial constraints also make it challenging for them to continue living in the same place.

"Housing Support Corporations" have become a sanctuary for such elderly individuals, providing assistance from finding a home to moving in. These organizations, designated by prefectures, offer legal-based support for those struggling to rent housing. With about 150 cases annually, these corporations encounter elderly individuals with various complex issues, including financial and physical constraints and a lack of family support.

One 76-year-old man shared his struggle of finding a new home after living in the same apartment for 50 years. With a monthly pension of 100,000 yen and a rent of 55,000 yen, it was financially challenging for him to continue living there. Additionally, he was asked to vacate due to the aging condition of the building. Despite a generous offer from the landlord to cover moving expenses and two months' rent, finding a new place proved to be a daunting task. "It's tough when you're past 65," he lamented, echoing the sentiment of many elderly individuals in similar situations.

Another case highlighted the challenges faced by a 60-year-old woman who, due to physical weakness, found it difficult to work and relied on welfare assistance. With a rent of 85,000 yen, she worried about depleting her savings before reaching the age of 65.

The reluctance of real estate companies and landlords to rent to elderly individuals is often due to concerns about in-room deaths and the financial burden of restoring the property. However, some companies are trying to change this by highlighting the benefits of renting to elderly tenants, such as longer average tenancy periods and reliable payment of rent.

As Japan approaches a super-aging society, where one in five citizens will be over 75 years old, the need for initiatives to prevent the social isolation of the elderly becomes increasingly urgent. The continued expansion of housing support activities and adequate government funding are crucial to addressing this growing challenge.

Source: NEWS
Advisors Asset Management Inc. cut its position in shares of Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Free Report) by 5.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 21,018 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,246 shares during the quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Portland General Electric were worth $851,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Teza Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Portland General Electric by 117.3% during the third quarter. Teza Capital Management LLC now owns 46,323 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,875,000 after purchasing an additional 25,009 shares during the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new position in Portland General Electric in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $162,000. Magellan Asset Management Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Portland General Electric by 14.4% in the 3rd quarter. Magellan Asset Management Ltd now owns 78,382 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,173,000 after purchasing an additional 9,890 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Portland General Electric by 23.5% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 3,794 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $153,000 after purchasing an additional 721 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mariner LLC boosted its stake in shares of Portland General Electric by 20.9% in the 3rd quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 14,062 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $569,000 after purchasing an additional 2,431 shares in the last quarter.

Portland General Electric Stock Performance

POR opened at $41.53 on Monday. Portland General Electric has a 12-month low of $38.01 and a 12-month high of $51.58. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.20 billion, a PE ratio of 17.82, a P/E/G ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.57. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $41.24 and a two-hundred day moving average of $41.78.

Portland General Electric Announces Dividend

Portland General Electric ( NYSE:POR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 16th. The utilities provider reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.88 by ($0.20). Portland General Electric had a net margin of 7.80% and a return on equity of 7.21%. The firm had revenue of $725.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $740.21 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.70 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Portland General Electric will post 3.06 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.475 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 21st. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.58%. Portland General Electrics dividend payout ratio is presently 81.55%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America cut shares of Portland General Electric from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the company from $55.00 to $43.00 in a research report on Monday, February 5th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Portland General Electric from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Portland General Electric from a neutral rating to a buy rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $47.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Mizuho reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $42.00 price target (down from $43.00) on shares of Portland General Electric in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Portland General Electric from $45.00 to $42.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $45.13.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Portland General Electric

Portland General Electric Profile

(Free Report)

Portland General Electric Company, an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. It operates six thermal plants, three wind farms, and seven hydroelectric facilities. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned an electric transmission system consisting of 1,254 circuit miles, including 287 circuit miles of 500 kilovolt line, 413 circuit miles of 230 kilovolt line, and 554 miles of 115 kilovolt line; and served 934 thousand retail customers in 51 cities.

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Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:FGRRF  Get Free Report) and Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI  Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, earnings and dividends.

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Profitability

This table compares Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) and Badger Meters net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A Badger Meter 13.16% 19.07% 13.72%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) and Badger Meters top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Badger Meter $703.59 million 6.72 $92.60 million $3.14 51.29

Analyst Recommendations

Badger Meter has higher revenue and earnings than Fingerprint Cards AB (publ).

This is a summary of current ratings for Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) and Badger Meter, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) 0 0 0 0 N/A Badger Meter 1 3 1 0 2.00

Badger Meter has a consensus target price of $147.50, suggesting a potential downside of 8.41%. Given Badger Meters higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Badger Meter is more favorable than Fingerprint Cards AB (publ).

Institutional & Insider Ownership

86.8% of Badger Meter shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Badger Meter shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Badger Meter beats Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Fingerprint Cards AB (publ)

(Get Free Report)

Fingerprint Cards AB (publ), a high-technology company, develops, produces, and markets biometric systems and technologies. Its biometric systems include sensors, microcontroller units, algorithms, software, and packaging technologies. The company offers biometric solutions for smartphones, PCs, tablets, smart cards, door locks, authentication keys, vehicles, payment cards, internet of thing (IoT), and the automotive industry. It also offers various development tools for software development and production. The company sells its products through distributors and resellers. The company serves customers in Sweden, Asia, South and North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.

About Badger Meter

(Get Free Report)

Badger Meter, Inc. manufactures and markets flow measurement, quality, control, and communication solutions worldwide. It offers mechanical or static water meters, and related radio and software technologies and services to municipal water utilities market. The company also provides flow instrumentation products, including meters, valves, and other sensing instruments to measure and control fluids going through a pipe or pipeline, including water, air, steam, and other liquids and gases to original equipment manufacturers as the primary flow measurement device within a product or system, as well as through manufacturers' representatives. In addition, the company offers ORION Cellular endpoints to power network as a service; ORION mobile read endpoints support for deploying AMR solution; radio products; hardware, instruments, and sensors, and related software, to enhance connected data to a water utility's operation; water quality monitoring solutions, including optical sensing and electrochemical instruments; and high frequency pressure and leak detection sensors to aid in burst pipe and leak events; as well as BEACON, a secure cloud-hosted software suite that establishes alerts for specific conditions and allows consumer engagement tools that permit end water customers to view and manage their water usage activity. Its flow instrumentation products are used in water/wastewater, heating, ventilating and air conditioning, and corporate sustainability markets. The company serves water utilities, commercial, and industrial industries; and provides training, project management, technical support, and other collaborative services for customers. It sells its products and software directly, as well as through resellers and representatives. The company was incorporated in 1905 and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Seven Eight Capital LP lessened its holdings in shares of Hess Co. (NYSE:HES  Free Report) by 92.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,685 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 21,551 shares during the quarter. Seven Eight Capital LPs holdings in Hess were worth $258,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Legacy Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hess during the 3rd quarter worth about $342,000. Lido Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Hess by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 4,196 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $642,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares in the last quarter. Earnest Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Hess by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 98,584 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $15,083,000 after buying an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Hess by 18.4% in the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,975,360 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $302,230,000 after buying an additional 307,281 shares during the period. Finally, Wahed Invest LLC boosted its stake in Hess by 11.2% during the third quarter. Wahed Invest LLC now owns 4,445 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $680,000 after buying an additional 449 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.72% of the companys stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hess

In other news, COO Gregory P. Hill sold 4,708 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.52, for a total transaction of $680,400.16. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 125,670 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,161,828.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Hess news, EVP Timothy B. Goodell sold 2,701 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.52, for a total transaction of $390,348.52. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 162,144 shares in the company, valued at $23,433,050.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Gregory P. Hill sold 4,708 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.52, for a total transaction of $680,400.16. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 125,670 shares of the companys stock, valued at $18,161,828.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 141,877 shares of company stock worth $20,707,982 over the last ninety days. 9.93% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HES has been the topic of several research reports. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Hess from $170.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Susquehanna increased their target price on shares of Hess from $152.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. UBS Group dropped their price target on Hess from $210.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Hess in a research note on Friday. They set a sell rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hess currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $174.57.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Hess

Hess Stock Up 0.4 %

Hess stock opened at $144.88 on Monday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $143.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $147.49. The firm has a market cap of $44.50 billion, a PE ratio of 32.20 and a beta of 1.27. Hess Co. has a twelve month low of $113.82 and a twelve month high of $167.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.05.

Hess (NYSE:HES  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The oil and gas producer reported $1.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.20. Hess had a return on equity of 17.00% and a net margin of 12.98%. The firm had revenue of $3.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.76 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.78 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Hess Co. will post 7.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hess Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Monday, March 18th will be given a dividend of $0.4375 per share. This represents a $1.75 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.21%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 15th. Hesss payout ratio is presently 38.89%.

About Hess

(Free Report)

Hess Corporation, an exploration and production company, explores, develops, produces, purchases, transports, and sells crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. The company operates in two segments, Exploration and Production, and Midstream. It conducts production operations primarily in the United States, Guyana, the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area, and Malaysia; and exploration activities principally offshore Guyana, the U.S.

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Franco-Nevada Co. (NYSE:FNV  Free Report) (TSE:FNV)  Research analysts at Raymond James decreased their Q1 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Franco-Nevada in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, March 6th. Raymond James analyst B. Macarthur now anticipates that the basic materials company will post earnings of $0.67 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.78. Raymond James currently has a Outperform rating and a $141.00 price objective on the stock. The consensus estimate for Franco-Nevadas current full-year earnings is $2.99 per share. Raymond James also issued estimates for Franco-Nevadas Q2 2024 earnings at $0.71 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $0.67 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $0.67 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $2.72 EPS.

A number of other research analysts also recently commented on FNV. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on Franco-Nevada from $219.00 to $214.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Scotiabank lowered their price target on Franco-Nevada from $141.00 to $139.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. TD Securities lowered their price target on Franco-Nevada from $135.00 to $125.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Franco-Nevada in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. They issued a hold rating and a $117.00 price target for the company. Finally, TheStreet lowered Franco-Nevada from a c+ rating to a d+ rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $148.56.

Franco-Nevada Stock Performance

NYSE FNV opened at $115.02 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $22.10 billion, a P/E ratio of -47.33, a P/E/G ratio of 5.61 and a beta of 0.70. Franco-Nevada has a one year low of $102.29 and a one year high of $161.25. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $108.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $120.52.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franco-Nevada

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FNV. Sheets Smith Wealth Management purchased a new position in Franco-Nevada during the first quarter valued at approximately $238,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Franco-Nevada in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Castleview Partners LLC acquired a new position in Franco-Nevada during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in Franco-Nevada during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Franco-Nevada during the 1st quarter worth approximately $47,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.70% of the companys stock.

Franco-Nevada Increases Dividend

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 issued a $0.36 dividend. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.25%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 13th. This is an increase from Franco-Nevadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. Franco-Nevadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -55.97%.

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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NN Group (OTCMKTS:NNGRY  Get Free Report) and Auto Trader Group (OTCMKTS:ATDRY  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations and risk.

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Profitability

This table compares NN Group and Auto Trader Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets NN Group N/A N/A N/A Auto Trader Group N/A N/A N/A

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares NN Group and Auto Trader Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio NN Group $18.26 billion 0.66 $1.65 billion N/A N/A Auto Trader Group $602.89 million 14.28 $281.92 million N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

NN Group has higher revenue and earnings than Auto Trader Group.

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for NN Group and Auto Trader Group, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score NN Group 0 0 6 0 3.00 Auto Trader Group 1 1 0 0 1.50

Institutional and Insider Ownership

0.3% of NN Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of Auto Trader Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

NN Group pays an annual dividend of $1.23 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.6%. Auto Trader Group pays an annual dividend of $0.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%.

Volatility & Risk

NN Group has a beta of 1.06, suggesting that its share price is 6% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Auto Trader Group has a beta of 1.09, suggesting that its share price is 9% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

NN Group beats Auto Trader Group on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About NN Group

(Get Free Report)

NN Group N.V., a financial services company, provides life and non-life insurance products in the Netherlands and internationally. The company operates through Netherlands Life, Netherlands Non-life, Insurance Europe, Japan Life, Banking, and Other segments. It offers Life insurance products, such as group and individual pension products, retail life insurance, and corporate life products; and non-life insurance products, including motor, fire, liability, transport, travel, health, property and casualty, and disability and accident insurance products. The company also provides banking services, including mortgage loans, savings accounts, bank annuities, consumer lending, and retail investment products, as well as administration and management services; reinsurance services; and retirement products and services. It offers its products to individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, and Corporates customers directly through tied agents, agents/ brokers, platform insurance, and direct channels. The company was formerly known as ING Insurance Topholding N.V. and changed its name to NN Group N.V. in March 2014. NN Group N.V. was founded in 1845 and is headquartered in the Hague, the Netherlands.

About Auto Trader Group

(Get Free Report)

Auto Trader Group plc operates in the digital automotive marketplace in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company provides vehicle advertisement on its websites for private sellers, as well as insurance and loan financing products to consumers; and display advertising on its websites for manufacturers and their advertising agencies. The company offers its products to retailers, home traders, and logistics firms. Auto Trader Group plc was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Manchester, the United Kingdom.

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Sei Investments Co. cut its stake in shares of The AZEK Company Inc. (NYSE:AZEK  Free Report) by 19.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 629,353 shares of the companys stock after selling 154,053 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. owned 0.42% of AZEK worth $18,717,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC increased its position in AZEK by 62.8% during the 3rd quarter. Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC now owns 42,923 shares of the companys stock worth $1,277,000 after purchasing an additional 16,565 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of AZEK by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 177,294 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,370,000 after acquiring an additional 8,690 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AZEK during the 3rd quarter valued at $1,731,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in AZEK by 46.3% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,697,856 shares of the companys stock worth $80,234,000 after purchasing an additional 853,656 shares during the period. Finally, Barclays PLC increased its holdings in AZEK by 57.6% in the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 69,242 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,098,000 after purchasing an additional 25,305 shares in the last quarter.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on AZEK shares. Truist Financial upped their target price on AZEK from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on AZEK from $39.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. TheStreet upgraded shares of AZEK from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and issued a $37.00 target price (down from $38.00) on shares of AZEK in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Finally, Wolfe Research assumed coverage on shares of AZEK in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. They set an outperform rating and a $43.00 price target on the stock. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $39.72.

Insider Activity at AZEK

In other AZEK news, CEO Jesse G. Singh sold 13,000 shares of AZEK stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.23, for a total transaction of $483,990.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,227,444 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $45,697,740.12. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other AZEK news, CEO Jesse G. Singh sold 13,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.23, for a total transaction of $483,990.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,227,444 shares in the company, valued at $45,697,740.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Jonathan Skelly sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.78, for a total value of $467,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 180,784 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,457,075.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 139,431 shares of company stock worth $6,561,462 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 3.10% of the companys stock.

AZEK Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:AZEK opened at $48.90 on Monday. The AZEK Company Inc. has a 12 month low of $21.34 and a 12 month high of $50.23. The firm has a market cap of $7.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 61.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.92. The company has a quick ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 2.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The companys 50-day moving average price is $41.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $35.12.

AZEK (NYSE:AZEK  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.03 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $240.44 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $234.12 million. AZEK had a return on equity of 9.61% and a net margin of 8.57%. As a group, research analysts forecast that The AZEK Company Inc. will post 1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AZEK Profile

(Free Report)

The AZEK Company Inc engages in the design, manufacturing, and selling of building products for residential, commercial, and industrial markets in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments: Residential and Commercial. The Residential segment designs and manufactures engineered outdoor living products, such as decking, railing, trim and molding, siding and cladding, pergolas and cabanas, and accessories under the TimberTech, AZEK Exteriors, VERSATEX, ULTRALOX, StruXure, and INTEX brands.

Further Reading

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Advisors Asset Management Inc. lowered its stake in shares of Unitil Co. (NYSE:UTL  Free Report) by 7.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 20,635 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,626 shares during the quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. owned about 0.13% of Unitil worth $881,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of UTL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Unitil by 43.0% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 504,659 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $25,591,000 after buying an additional 151,757 shares during the period. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Unitil in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $5,573,000. Millennium Management LLC increased its holdings in Unitil by 338.0% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 142,015 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $8,339,000 after buying an additional 109,588 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in Unitil by 158.0% in the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 84,339 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,602,000 after buying an additional 51,655 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Unitil by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,224,631 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $56,885,000 after buying an additional 50,451 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.06% of the companys stock.

Unitil Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UTL opened at $52.27 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $844.68 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.54, a PEG ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.58. Unitil Co. has a 12 month low of $41.43 and a 12 month high of $60.59. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $50.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $48.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.59.

Unitil Increases Dividend

Unitil ( NYSE:UTL Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The utilities provider reported $0.97 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $129.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $151.00 million. Unitil had a net margin of 8.11% and a return on equity of 9.32%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.91 EPS. Analysts expect that Unitil Co. will post 2.92 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th were paid a dividend of $0.425 per share. This is a boost from Unitils previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 13th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.25%. Unitils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 60.28%.

About Unitil

(Free Report)

Unitil Corporation, a public utility holding company, engages in the distribution of electricity and natural gas. It operates through two segments, Utility Electric Operations, Utility Gas Operations. The company distributes electricity in the southeastern seacoast and state capital regions of New Hampshire, and the greater Fitchburg area of north central Massachusetts; and distributes natural gas in southeastern New Hampshire and portions of southern and central Maine, including the city of Portland and the Lewiston-Auburn area, as well as electricity and natural gas in the greater Fitchburg area of north central Massachusetts.

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The defeat of the 'Family' and 'Care' referenda in the Republic of Ireland was described as "resounding" by Laoise de Brun BL, CEO and Founder of The Countess.

The Countess Advocacy CLG (The Countess) is a group of progressive women and men from all walks of life, including doctors, lawyers, and students. It is volunteer-led, self-funded, and not affiliated with any political party or religion. It is apolitical and non-partisan.

Ms de Brun said: "The referenda held on March 8 were resoundingly defeated by the Irish people, with a clear majority voting No to both the Family and the Care amendments.



This is a win for mothers, motherhood, women and families. It is a win for truth, realism and ordinary people. It is a bloody nose for a government that is power-drunk and soulless; a craven opposition and a corrupt NGO industrial complex that serves itself and the elites to the detriment of the people who fund it.



I named this organisation The Countess Didnt Fight For This because Countess Constance Markiewicz and the visionaries of

1916 fought for a vision of a republic that has twice been stolen from the people; first by the church and now by the government and NGOs. This referendum must be used as a lightning rod for change, real change.

"The grassroots campaign by the Countess volunteers, was ignored by national media but we went local and we went global. Over the past eight weeks we took our campaign to the people, to the towns and cities of Ireland, and people were

hungry for real debate and information," said Ms de Brun.

The barrister said the group's message had been "powerful".

She addded: "It resonates locally across the country and globally. The world is watching. Ireland is a testing ground for unhinged hard-left policy and law and the government expected a slam dunk with this one.

"They misled the public, they misled the most vulnerable and that is especially unforgivable. They lied to carers of disabled (mothers, women) and to single parents (mothers) who this same state used to incarcerate. They tried to gaslight the nation. Well, the country is awake and it's not working anymore.

"The veil has lifted. And it's not pretty is it. They will do and say anything to force what they call progress/inclusivity/ but is really the cold lizard heart of neoliberalism mixed with gender ideology, onto the people. And the people are saying No. Enough.



An estimated 23 million Euro was spent on this referendum. Normal democratic processes were circumvented, and misinformation was spread by government ministers and prominent NGOs. There must be a proper examination of the conduct of this referendum.
The chairperson of the Derry branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Catherine Hutton has written on Open Letter to all the politicians in Ireland, in advance of St Patrick's Day. It reads: "In my tenure of nearly a decade as the chair of the Derry Branch  Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, I have been struck by an unprecedented disconnection between those in positions of power and the voice of the people.

"Throughout this time, we have tirelessly marched, protested, and boycotted, urging our politicians to take a principled stance against attending the White House festivities on St Patricks Day, thereby refusing to provide cover to US President Joe Biden, whom we consider complicit in enabling genocide.

"As I compose this letter, the devastating toll of over 25,000 women and children in Gaza, slaughtered by Israel with the use of US-supplied weaponry weighs heavily on our hearts. Shockingly, Pentagon sources have verified this grim statistic. "Additionally, we are confronted with the plight of 17,000 unaccompanied Palestinian children in Gaza, left orphaned or separated from their families due to the Israeli bombings. Tragically, 25 individuals, predominantly children, have been deliberately starved to death by Israeli forces, while tens of thousands more face the harrowing spectre of malnutrition and dehydration, placing their lives in imminent peril.

"In the lead-up to St Patricks Day, we mobilized our efforts by launching a petition urging Irish politicians to boycott the White House event. "It is deeply troubling that we, as a people whose ancestors endured the horrors of deliberate starvation imposed by the British, are now witnessing our political representatives extend cordial gestures and exchange shamrocks with Joe Biden.

"Regrettably, our appeals have largely fallen on deaf ears, save for the commendable moral stance taken by Colum Eastwood, MP for Foyle, for which we extend our sincere appreciation.

"As citizens, we wield a potent weapon for effecting change: our votes. Should our elected officials persist in disregarding our calls for action, we must exercise our democratic prerogative to ensure that they are held accountable.

"The gravity of genocide demands decisive action and moral fortitude. We must speak out, boycott, impose sanctions, and stand in solidarity with South Africas efforts to address the genocidal acts perpetrated against Palestinians in Gaza by Israel. Furthermore, we call for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador from Ireland without delay. The time for mere rhetoric in expressing solidarity with Palestine is over; concrete measures must be taken. "We vow to neither forget nor forgive.
Social Democratic and Labour Party MLA for Mid Ulster Patsy McGlone, has said the Executive must back the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA), Andrew Muir, in making Lough Neagh a first-year priority.

The Mid Ulster MLA was speaking following the new Ministers first appearance in front of the Assembly Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Mr McGlone said:

I welcome the Ministers commitment to addressing the ecological crisis in Lough Neagh as a year one priority for the Executive. However, he cannot deliver on that commitment without investment in our waste-water infrastructure and he will need the agreement of his Executive colleagues to do that.

I took the opportunity of the Ministers first appearance at the Assembly Committee to question him on this. I highlighted the reluctance of the Minister for Infrastructure to commit in the Assembly to making the required capital investment in our waste-water infrastructure.

The AERA Minister said that he has spoken to the Infrastructure Minister about his concerns about capital investment in waste-water infrastructure. I share Minister Muirs view that the lack of investment is not only holding back housebuilding and economic development but contributing to pollution and having a very real consequence for Lough Neagh.

As I have said before, the ecological crisis in Lough Neagh must be a priority for this Executive. Responsibility for dealing with it is shared between departments and it will need a united Executive approach. The commitment required to address this crisis must be reflected in the Executives Programme for Government, its investment strategy, and its Budget.

The SDLP is willing to work constructively with the AERA Minister and his Executive colleagues to properly address the ecological crisis in Lough Neagh, but we will hold them to account if they fail to do so.
TOKYO, Mar 11 (News On Japan) - In recent times, it has become more common for fathers to take paternity leave around the time their partners give birth. Under Japan's employment insurance system, insured individuals can receive "Childbirth Paternity Leave Benefits" if they take paternity leave within eight weeks of the child's birth, for up to four weeks (28 days) in total, which can be split into two separate periods.

Additionally, if an employee takes childcare leave to care for a child under one year old, which can also be split into two periods, they may be eligible for "Childcare Leave Benefits" provided they meet certain criteria. Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare | Guide to the Points of Amendment to the Childcare and Family Care Leave Law

A mother from the Mamasuta community shared that her husband had taken paternity leave, and it seems he is not too worried about finances because of the benefits. However, he is reportedly spending his time on activities other than childcare, prompting her to seek advice.

"My husband is on paternity leave, but his parents keep asking him to help with their errands. Do they think paternity leave is just a holiday? What do you think about contacting his company and saying, 'He wants to return to work because he's not doing childcare but helping his parents and hanging out'?" she asks.

It appears that even though her husband is on paternity leave, he is unable to participate in childcare due to tasks given by his in-laws. One wonders what the purpose of paternity leave is in this case. The poster is considering appealing to the company to allow her husband to return to work, but there might be other steps to take first.

"Talk to your husband before contacting the company! Tell him if he's not going to do childcare or housework and just help his parents or travel, he might as well go to work and earn money! That would help me and the baby!" one comment suggests.

"Think about what happens if your husband's position at work gets worse and he ends up quitting. You should talk to him about ending paternity leave and returning to work first," another advises.

The poster is considering directly contacting the company, but this could jeopardize her husband's standing at work. Considering the aftermath of his return, it might be wiser to speak with him first. Even if there is paternity leave pay, the family's income could increase if the husband works, so it might be worth considering asking him to return to work for the household's financial stability.

Creating opportunities for the husband to engage in childcare could also be a solution. "Why not leave the baby with your husband and go out for a day? It's paternity leave, so childcare should be a given, right?" suggests another comment. If the poster creates a reason to go out, such as visiting a hair salon, the husband will have to take care of the child. By doing this several times, he may become more conscious of his role in childcare.

Some feel it's better if the husband goes out with his parents. "Rather than having him lazing around at home under the pretense of paternity leave, it's better if he goes out with his parents," and "Isn't it less exhausting not to be together all the time?" are some opinions. It can be frustrating if a husband on paternity leave does not engage in childcare and instead goes out with his parents, but some find it easier when he's not at home. If he's at home and not contributing, it just adds to the mother's workload. When the husband is present, it may also be difficult for the mother to rest properly.

There seems to be a need to discuss with the husband and in-laws what paternity leave is for. "The husband doesn't understand why he's taking paternity leave. He lacks parental awareness," and "The company isn't the issue. Shouldn't you first tell your husband why he's taking paternity leave? And then you need to tell his parents too," are some comments.

The purpose of a husband taking paternity leave is to support the mother after childbirth and to be involved in childcare together. However, in this case, it seems the husband does not understand the meaning of paternity leave. It's necessary to discuss with him why he took leave in the first place. If understanding cannot be reached, it might be reasonable for him to return to work. On the other hand, if the discussion leads to a better understanding of paternity leave, he may participate in childcare going forward. However, invitations from the in-laws may continue, so it's also important to talk to them about paternity leave. The in-laws' generation did not experience a system where men's paternity leave was established, so it might be hard for them to understand, but explaining the current societal context might help. It would be ideal if both the husband and in-laws understood the concept of paternity leave, leading to a cooperative approach to childcare.

Source: MDPR
Aontu Deputy Leader, Gemma Brolly has hailed the outcome of the referenda in the South over the weekend as a victory for the party who listened to the concerns of communities.

Mrs Brolly said: "As a party, we are very pleased with the outcome of both referendums, not only does it demonstrate a rejection of a deeply flawed referendum on family and an empty marketing referendum on Care but it it demonstrates how Aontu were the only party listening to the people as they work on the bread and butter issues, willing to stand up and call it as they saw, holding the government to account

Saturday's results have laid wide open how extremely out of touch with the electorate the major political parties in this country are.

This referendum represents a lack of trust, not just in the government, but also in Sinn Fein, Labour, the Soc Dems, the Greens and PBP. There is a growing disconnect between the political establishment and the people, and that includes most of the opposition as well.

Aontu was the only party in the Dail to actually listen to people and their concerns and this has been reflected in the result. Had the other governmental parties done the same we could have pumped that 23 million into what the people are crying out for - real, tangible support in tackling the bread and butter issues such as health, housing, education, cost of living, childcare, farming. Instead we have such a criminal waste of money spent on virtue signalling rhetoric.

The government need to stop with the culture wars and start fixing the services that ordinary people rely on day in and day out."

Aontu representative for Mid Ulster, Noreen McEldowney said the referendum was a massive day for Aontu.

As the only political Party to oppose these changes this proves that Aontu is the only party to show true representation of the people, said Mrs McEldowney.

We seen so much scaremongering from the the parties in the 26, labelling our constitution as sexist and stating that the irish constitution states a womans place is in the home. This is complete untrue, continued Mrs McEldowney. The Irish constitution enshrines and recognises the vital and significant role women play as mothers and indeed wives. It does not exclude women from any other roles but ensures that any woman who chooses to remain at home is protected by the state.

Mrs McEldowney added: The sheer audacity of the Irish government to think they would force this on the irish people proves they are completely out of touch with the Irish people and have lost the run of themselves.
Derry student Jay Curry was one of just 24 teenagers from all over the island of Ireland to be presented with a Rotary Youth Leadership Development certificate at the European Parliaments offices in Dublin recently.

The competition, which is one of Rotary Irelands longest running youth projects, rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities. It is run in conjunction with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Dublin.

Jay, who is a Year 13 student at Foyle College, received his certificate from Rotary Ireland District Governor Kenny Fisher and Patrick ORiordan, Head of Public Affairs at the European Parliaments office in Ireland.

The itinerary for the students week-long all expenses paid trip included visits to Belfast, Dublin, and Strasbourg. In Belfast they received a private tour of City Hall, a tour of Stormont where they met several politicians including Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and sat in the visitors gallery to watch MLAs discussing affordable childcare.

In Dublin they enjoyed presentations about the EU at the European Parliament Liaison Office before being presented with their leadership certificates. They then went on tours of the Seanad and Dail where they met several politicians including Tanaiste Micheal Martin, the Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister of State Jack Chambers.

They then flew to Frankfurt for a three-day visit to Strasbourg. After enjoying a walking tour of the city on arrival, the following day was spent at the European Parliament debating topical issues with other young Europeans at Euroscola, where students get to be MEP for a day. They also visited the European Court of Human Rights.

On the last day they enjoyed a well-earned shopping trip in Strasbourg city-centre before flying home.

Jay, who was representing Rotary Club of Derry / Londonderry, enjoys weightlifting and running. He said he entered the competition to learn more about the EU, its various institutions, and its role in the legislative process.

I learned a lot about the EU in preparation for the interviewing process and I now also have a deeper understanding of leadership.

The highlight of this trip certainly was interacting with people from the Republic and seeing how much we now miss out after exiting the European Union.

I would absolutely recommend this competition to young people in Derry. It was fantastic.
Dublin resident, Amran Maxamed, is pleading for help on behalf of his Palestinian friend Mahmoud Elhelu and his family, who are currently facing dire circumstances, including homelessness, illness, lack of medicine, limited food, and the ongoing threat of conflict in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

Mahmoud, a 21-year-old Palestinian, shared his family's heartbreaking story in hopes of garnering support from the global community. Once said to be prosperous with five apartments in the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood of Gaza City, the Elhelu family have seen their dreams shattered by the Israeli bombings.

The family comprises Mahmoud, his father, mother, and two younger sisters, Talat and Shahad. His oldest brother Ahmed is married with a family of eight, and his other sister Tasneem is currently trapped in Gaza City. As a whole, the family are said to have survived multiple wars, but the current situation is described as "unprecedented injustice."

Mahmoud and his family's destroyed home

"None of us expected a war to occur in such a terrifying manner," Mahmoud stated. "I have witnessed four wars since I was young: the 2008 war, the 2012 war, the 2014 war, and the 2021 war, but they were nothing like the current war.

"Our homes and dreams have been crushed, we have been displaced, humiliated, starved, and abandoned. Our lives are actively threatened daily and now, all we wish for is to be able to live."

The Elhelu family are currently seeking refuge in Rafah Camp, where they face freezing temperatures with only a makeshift plastic tent for shelter. Their food is scarce, medical treatment is unavailable, and it is said that children are falling ill.

Now, the threat of the Israeli army's arrival in Rafah has added to their fears. "Death is more merciful than our condition. The only thing between us and the freezing temperatures is a tent that we constructed using plastic," Mahmoud continued.

A photo of Mahmoud's brother Ahmed's eight children

Speaking about his mother, Mahmoud said: "She is very dear to me. She has grown old and weak and she has sacrificed so much for us in her life. To see her suffer like this and break down in front of me is the most painful experience for me."

With relatives already there, and through the authorities, an opportunity awaits for Mahmoud and his family to leave Gaza and start a new life in Egypt. They are pleading for funds through a GoFundMe campaign to aid them in their quest.

The 21-year-old has published the projected breakdown for the donations raised by the campaign. This includes charges ranging from $6500 to $8,000 per adult, and $1000 to $2000 per child, for the Rafah crossing permit and coordination of transit from Gaza to Egypt.

The family also requires $15,000 for resettlement in Egypt, including clothing, rent, food, medicine, and other necessities. Approximately $2000 to $3000 of the funds are said to be allocated to cover the fees associated with the GoFundMe campaign.

An update to the fundraiser on March 7 stated: "Due to the forced famine in North Gaza, they are starving and they have reached a stage where they are eating leaves."

Mahmoud's brother Ahmed and the display of their 'painful' living conditions

Mahmoud pleaded: "I desperately need your assistance in getting my family to safety. Every donation whether big or small matters. Additionally, I request that you share my story and stand in solidarity with us in the darkest moments in our lives."

With over five thousand donations to date and 85,000 raised at the time of publication, the family's goal is to reach 100,000.

The fundraiser can be found on GoFundMe titled: "Help evacuate Mahmoud's family out of Gaza war."
A formal pay offer has been made to teaching unions in Northern Ireland.

Education Minister Paul Givan said he hopes the offer to bring to an end industrial action and stabilise the system.

His department said the proposed settlement will see the starting salary for teachers in Northern Ireland rise to 30,000, equating to a 24.3% increase from the current starting salary and brings the starting point equal to England.

They said the pay offer is a cumulative total of 10.4% plus 1,000 being applied to the other teachers and leadership pay scales.

Mr Givan said it was unacceptable that teachers have been waiting three years for a pay increase.

I am pleased that there has been significant progress on the issue of the teachers pay with a formal offer being made to the teaching unions, he said.

This offer, which equates to a 24.3% pay rise for beginning teachers, will help both attract and retain the best teachers to our schools.

It is unacceptable that teachers have been waiting three years for a pay increase. I have made it clear that my highest priority is to ensure that the teaching profession is paid at a rate which recognises the value of their profession.

This is a positive step in that direction, and I commend the positive negotiations that have taken place within the Teachers Negotiating Committee (TNC) which consists of management and the trade unions representing teachers and school leaders.

The five teaching unions which make up the Northern Ireland Teaching Council (NITC) are set to consult with their members on the proposals.

Mr Givan said he urged teachers and school leaders to consider the formal offer, adding if accepted and implemented, it will bring an end to all industrial action which has been ongoing since May 2022.

He added: The ending of the industrial action will create the opportunity to stabilise our education system and allow us to build upon this towards the delivery of world class education in Northern Ireland.

In a statement, the NITC said the draft agreement contains a pay offer which has the potential to bring a settlement to the ongoing pay dispute.

It said the agreement would lead to a significant increase to the starting salary for teachers and an uplift in teachers and school leaders pay from September 1 2023.

The constituent members of the NITC have agreed to consult members in the coming week, with a view to responding to the offer by March 26, it added.
Prisons in Northern Ireland are running out of space following a sharp increase in the number of offenders in custody, Justice Minister Naomi Long has warned.

Ms Long told MLAs that the prison population in the region had increased by more than a third in just two years.

There are three prisons in Northern Ireland: Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank.

Maghaberry is a high-security jail which houses male long-term and remanded prisoners.

Magilligan Prison is a medium to low-security prison which holds male prisoners with six years or under to serve, while Hydebank accommodates young and female offenders.

During ministerial question time at the Northern Ireland Assembly, Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers asked about concerns if prison numbers should outstrip capacity.

The Justice Minister said: There are real challenges in terms of the size of the prison population.

In March 2021 the total population was 1,401.

On March 1 this year it had risen to 1,879, a 34% increase.

Within that, about 36% of the prison population are unsentenced, so they are on remand.

It is a real challenge. We have already reopened two of the square houses which we closed when Davis House was built (at Maghaberry) and a third is now being prepared for reuse.

When we get to the end of that, the frank reality is we have no space left.

Ms Long added: We are working with others in terms of a prisoner population oversight group to look at what we can do to manage the prison population.

But ultimately those who are remanded to our custody need to be housed.

The minister also updated MLAs on the introduction of X-ray body scanner technology into prisons in Northern Ireland last year.

She said: Female staff and visitors are not scanned in line with the use of this technology in England and Wales.

Since their introduction there has been a marked reduction in trafficking drugs and other illicit substances into prisons which means that those who work and live within prisons are safer.

A positive indication from a scan is likely to result in restriction of association.

This allows prison staff to monitor the prisoner and for re-scans to be completed until the risk of secreted items to the individual and the prison population at large can be mitigated.
Northern Ireland has a long way to go to overcome the intergenerational trauma inflicted by the Troubles, a commemoration for victims has heard.

Bereaved relatives and people injured during the conflict gathered at Stormont on Monday to mark European Day of Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism.

A number of victims addressed the event in the Senate chamber of Parliament Buildings, recounting their lived experience of trauma and violence.

Peter Heathwood was left paralysed after being shot by loyalist paramilitaries inside his house in north Belfast in September 1979. The trained teacher and insurance salesman was targeted in a case of mistaken identity.

His father suffered a fatal heart attack when he came upon the scene of the shooting.

Mr Heathwoods wife Anne suffered PTSD following the incident and struggled with alcoholism for the rest of her life. She died in 2006.

In a pre-recorded address played to Mondays event he spoke about the ripple effect created by the attack.

The damage done to this society is not just the 3,700 dead and the 40,000 injured, he added.

Its that ripple effect into all our families. The brothers and sisters, the mothers and fathers. This society is damaged right down into transgenerational stuff and it has a long way to go to get beyond it.

The Stormont gathering, which began with a minute of silence, was organised by victims advocacy group South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) in conjunction with TUV leader Jim Allister, who hosted the proceedings.

Several politicians attended, including DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, junior minister Pam Cameron and UUP leader Doug Beattie. DUP MLA Diane Dodds and Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly also addressed the event.

Mr Allisters co-sponsors of the gathering were SDLP Opposition leader Matthew OToole and UUP MLA Tom Elliott.

It came on the 20th anniversary on the bomb attacks on the transport network in Madrid that killed almost 200 people.

Representatives from a Spanish victims group attended the event at Parliament Buildings.

Inigo Gurruchaga witnessed his father being shot dead by ETA gunmen in 1982.

Addressing the commemoration, Mr Gurruchaga said his father was a great man.

Death and shootings, assassinations are not necessary, he said.

And this society must work better to stop this, they have to protect the victims with justice, honesty and truth.

Michael Bingham told the invited guests about the death of his grandparents William and Elizabeth Herron and his aunt Noeline in a firebomb attack on a drapery store below their home.

He told the event that the family was not consulted when two people given lengthy prison terms for the manslaughter of the three family members were released in 1985 after four years in jail having been granted Royal Prerogatives of Mercy.

Despite addressing this severe injustice with the then Prime Minister (Margaret Thatcher), we still seek answers to this day, almost 50 years on, he said.

The dignified manner in which my family have dealt with this atrocity deserves great respect in honour of my grandparents and aunt, he said.

Our only request has been for truth and justice, that our family has the opportunity to tell our story, and that our story would not be rewritten by others or, worse still, written out of history in some distorted attempt to justify the murders of innocent people.

It should be the same for all the innocent victims of our troubled past. Healing is made much more difficult when truth and justice are corrupted. We as a family simply want to see peace, reconciliation for a better future and the younger generation to come, particularly now that our government has been restored here at Stormont.

Former UDR soldier David Evans was shot in an ambush in 1984 between Bellaghy and Magherafelt. The attack happened eight years after his policeman brother Clifford was murdered when two gunmen opened fire on his police car in Co Antrim.

I am eternally grateful I survived, Mr Evans told the victims event.

I got to see my children grow up and meet my grandchildren. And so many of my friends and colleagues never got that chance.
Climate action should be the top priority of the Stormont Executive, a minister has warned.

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said Northern Irelands first climate action plan is being progressed.

Speaking during question time for his department in the Assembly, Mr Muir said the absence of devolved government for the last two years has had a real impact in terms of what the Executive can do relating to the obligations set out in the 2022 Climate Change Act.

He said he plans to bring proposals on public body reporting regulations and carbon budgets to the Executive will happen very soon.

In addition DAERA is leading the development of Northern Irelands first climate action plan in collaboration with all other departments, he said.

This plan will set out our collective approach to delivering the emissions reductions required to achieve our first carbon budget.

The draft climate action plan will be consulted on for 16 weeks.

Work is also progressing around the establishment of a just transition commission. I hope to issue proposals for consultation later in 2024.

Mr Muir said he wants to ensure that climate change and green growth considerations are central to all policy and budgetary decisions taken by all departments across Northern Ireland.

This is my top priority as minister but it should be a top priority across government because there are opportunities arising out of this, but if we dont do the investment associated with that we will not be able to realise that, he said.

TUV MLA Jim Allister asked whether the minister had costed the plan.

Mr Muir said work is under way to scope and refine the costs associated with delivering the commitments which we will set out in Northern Irelands first climate action plan.

It is also important to emphasise that these are upfront costs and they represent investments in an improved society for future generations, and the cost of delaying action will ultimately be much greater, he said.
Its 50 years this year since the young OHagan brothers encountered fellow boarder David Delargy and their voices blended into a sound the world has come to know as The Priests.

Brothers of a piano-playing nurse who shared her love of song with patients to the end, its not surprising that music has always been a source of comfort and joy for Fathers Eugene and Martin OHagan: a form of soul-singing in which they found expression and fulfilment.

Mrs Joan OHagan, formerly Daly, nurtured her familys musical interests from an early age, encouraging them to share their talent wherever they went  at house parties and hospital wards alike. The family of six, including two sets of twins and a sister sadly deceased, moved from Derry to Claudy before Martin and Eugene were born (Martin being the youngest twin by 10 minutes) before relocating back to the city again in the early 70s where their father worked as a civil servant in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Our mother played, taught piano and sang. She was very gifted and involved in various musical circles locally. Growing up she was the one who introduced us to that particular facet or charism in our lives, Father Martin explained.

In less than two weeks, Saturday March 24th, the Priests will join the accomplished Derry soprano Margaret Keys on stage in a charity concert in St Columbs Hall Derry, to raise funds for the restoration of St Columbas Church Long Tower.

From their earliest years the Long Tower, just across the river, was familiar to them.

Even though our parish was St Columbs Waterside, wed have visited the Long Tower frequently. Our mother walked over the town with us following behind like a row of ducks and she almost always called into Long Tower for a visit.

She, and by extension, they  had an enduring association with the both the building as a house of God, and the significance of St Columba/Colmcille in the formation of their sense of faith, identity and place.

From a young age I was conscious of the rich history of this beautiful church. Its homilies in stone, word and painting spoke to me, although I couldnt have articulated it that way at the time.

Its still a big part of our lives. When I bring visitors back to our hometown, I bring them to Long Tower. They always remark the beauty of this unique building, but also the prayerfulness they find there. My own mind automatically goes back to all the people who sat in those seats, where we sit now, for so many years - indeed centuries.

And back again to the great monastery of St Columba and a sense of legacy, of inherited faith. Columba still is and always will be a big part of our city.

Growing up in the mixed Waterside community, music and song Fr Martin suggests, has always been a common thread linking the patchwork of neighbourhoods and parishes of different traditions and faith backgrounds in this city.

We returned to Derry at a very sombre, turbulent time  an atmosphere and reality I remember distinctly as a child. But music was a saving grace in the midst of all that people experienced.

All proceeds are in aid of the Long Tower Church organ repair fund.

"We sang at little concerts with our mother and that opened up a whole new world to us. Music back then, as it has always been, was a wonderful way of building bridges between different faiths and backgrounds. We were very close for example to our next door neighbours [from a Protestant tradition]. As children around the same age, our musical personalities just clicked. They were lovely, wonderful people and we still meet up a couple of times a year.

This was a time when the city was overcast, people suffered in different ways and that should never be forgotten. For us, music was a medicine and St Columbs Hall  an oasis of healing in the heart of the city. It was a place that reached out to people of all backgrounds and welcomed them in through those great big doors.

If that stage could speak, it would have a powerful story to tell. The hall is fantastic not just in its position in the city but also in its position at the heart of peoples lives.

Like so many of their contemporaries, the brothers competed in the annual Eastertide celebration of all things artistic, musical and Gaelige  known as Feis Dhoire Cholmcille.

But it was at another tower, a boarding school for boys in the Glens of Antrim that their musical horizons broadened into opera and the Gilbert and Sullivan oeuvre.

St MacNissi College, better known as Garron Tower, was also the setting of an unplanned encounter that turned the brothers into a trio. Enter David Delargy, one third of the clerical group and described by Martin as an honourary Derryman.

Garron Tower introduced us to many more opportunities in terms of festivals and competitions, as well as musicals and very memorably - Gilbert and Sullivan.

Coming of age at the height of pogo dancing and punk, Fr Martin cites Thin Lizzy and the Undertones among the top pop bands of his youth.

We also loved Van Morrison. And being from Derry we were very proud of the Undertones. To this day, the Undertones is a name and an association with the city that still resonates in music industry circles.

And Abba too would have been a big part of our lives growing up. Those tunes were embedded in our youth.

But if there was a single recurrent soundtrack to their childhood, it was the singalong hits of The Sound of Music blockbuster. We were presented, singing away, all round the norththe Von Hagan family no less! We didnt tear down the curtains and start making things. But there was so much musicality and joy in the songs  we loved it and so did our mother.

She was a nurse by profession, working in the old City and County Hospital. She loved singing so much that the matron took her aside one day and reprimanded her. Are you here to nurse or to sing Joan Daly? And my mother pluckily replied, A wee bit of both matron.

That wonderful sense of care for the patients emotional as well as physical wellbeing, lasted her whole life. One of mine and Eugenes earliest memories was of being taken into hospitals with our whole family, to sing for the patients.

Our mother did that right up to the very end when she was going through major heart surgery. She sang to the other patients on the ward and we had to sing of course as well.

Over the years his musical tastes have evolved into an eclectic mix of different genres: I enjoy Mary Black very much, a bit of jazzon the classical side weve had wonderful opportunities to attend so many different concerts and I still dip into a lot of classical listening.

Ahead of the great big night in Derry, Fr Martin promises something for everyone.

We hope it will be a night when people go out to feel refreshed and uplifted, a night when people forget about the difficulties and anxieties that weigh us down and just sit back and relax and soak up the sheer joy and emotion of the music and songs.

Margaret Keys

This will be a very Derry gathering and of course we know Margaret very well. Margaret will have her own treasures to perform  from different solos to well known favourites. And she encourages lots of audience participation. Eugene, David and I will do some solos as well as classics like Schuberts Ave Maria and Ave Verum by Karl Jenkins who celebrates his 80th birthday this year.

There will be an Irish section, Irish ballads, lots of banter and a bit of humour. We will perform a bit of Van Morrison as well, maybe the Beatles  so a mix of sacred and secular repertoire. And songs like You Raise Me Up, which has strong spiritual overtones.

Back when the three first sang together as schoolboy boarders in 1974, no one would have anticipated just how acute the shortage of priests would become locally and nationally.

Today the prospect of fulfilling busy ministries in expanding cluster parishes and squeezing in even a mini-concert tour, seems unlikely.

This is a very special year for us and we are delighted to be back. But as priests, yes, we face certain pressures and challenges.

In our role as priests we could be given two or three parishes to serve. Thats going to throw a whole new light on what we can and cannot do. So we are looking at all of that at the moment.

It has become increasingly difficult coordinate our three diaries. This concert, for example, was planned well in advance, it had to be.

Commitments like this, he intimates, will become more difficult in the future to fulfil.

As The Priests or not, he deftly asserts, we will always continue to sing in some permutation. Its been part of our lives - for all of our lives. Its in our DNA.

Larks indeed that have learned to pray.
HIGHLIGHTS Microsoft has started blocking terms that led Copilot's Designer AI to generate violent and sexually inappropriate images. This move comes after an AI engineer wrote to the Federal Trade Commission regarding his concerns about Copilots image-generation AI. Terms like "pro choice," "pro choce" (sic), and "four twenty" are now being blocked.

Microsoft has started blocking terms that led Copilots Designer AI to generate violent and sexually inappropriate images. This move comes after an AI engineer wrote to the Federal Trade Commission regarding his concerns about Copilots image-generation AI.

Terms like pro choice, pro choce (sic), and four twenty are now being blocked, along with the term pro life, reports CNBC.

Also read: Microsoft employee raises concerns over Copilots image generation. Whats the concern?

This prompt has been blocked, the Copilot warning alert reads. Our system automatically flagged this prompt because it may conflict with our content policy. More policy violations may lead to automatic suspension of your access. If you think this is a mistake, please report it to help us improve.

Also read: Microsoft closes loophole behind Taylor Swifts explicit images: Heres what happened

Copilot now also blocks requests to create images of teenagers or kids playing assassins with assault rifles. Instead, it responds with: Im sorry but I cannot generate such an image. It is against my ethical principles and Microsofts policies. Please do not ask me to do anything that may harm or offend others. Thank you for your cooperation.

When asked about the changes, a Microsoft spokesperson said, We are continuously monitoring, making adjustments and putting additional controls in place to further strengthen our safety filters and mitigate misuse of the system.

For those who are unaware, Shane Jones an AI engineering lead at Microsoft wrote a letter to the US Federal Trade Commission and Microsofts board of directors last week, asking them to investigate Copilot Designer. He said that Copilot had the potential to produce inappropriate images like those depicting sex, violence, underage drinking, and drug use. He also flagged instances of political bias and conspiracy theories. He asked for more awareness to be raised about the same along with a couple of more requests.
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TOKYO, Mar 12 (News On Japan) - Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has emphasized the need for the immediate lifting of import bans on Japanese seafood by China and Russia, following the release of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

Kishida stated, "We cannot accept these regulations that are not based on scientific evidence."

On March 11, marking 13 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, Prime Minister Kishida addressed the media in Fukushima Prefecture.

Regarding the import bans on Japanese seafood by China and Russia following the release of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi plant, Kishida said, "We cannot accept these regulations that are not based on scientific evidence. The government will work as one to call for the immediate lifting of such regulations."

On the decommissioning work of the Fukushima Daiichi plant, Kishida noted, "This is a long-term effort unprecedented in the world. Tokyo Electric Power Company must intensively work on preventing the recurrence of troubles and further enhancing safety measures for its completion."

Source: NEWS
O-RAN revolutionizes telecom: a disruptive force or a strategic alliance?

In the cutthroat world of telecommunications, a seismic shift is underway. With its promise of openness and flexibility, Open Radio Access Network (Open Radio Access Network) is challenging the long-standing supremacy of giants like Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, ZTE, and Samsung Electronics in core network equipment. As Huawei's technical prowess and competitive pricing send shockwaves across the globe, traditional powerhouses in Europe, the US, and Japan are feeling the heat, prompting the birth of O-RAN.

Since its inception in 2019, O-RAN has undergone a metamorphosis, culminating in a significant presence at MWC 2024, where it's been dubbed AI-RAN. However, recent moves by telecom behemoth AT&T to invest US$14 billion over five years in O-RAN networks in partnership with Ericsson hint at a departure from O-RAN's original ethos of openness, raising questions about its future direction.

Once poised to capitalize on O-RAN's disruptive potential, Taiwanese server manufacturers are treading cautiously. Companies such as Quanta, Wiwynn, Inventec, and MiTAC are recalibrating their strategies, showcasing specialized servers tailored for the evolving needs of telecom operators at events like MWC 2024. The focus has shifted from direct engagement with telecom operators to strategic alliances with established players like Ericsson and Nokia. Alternatively, they are shifting resources from solely focusing on telecommunications public networks to targeting the enterprise private network market, where market momentum is more significant.

However, it's not just about O-RAN. The broader trend towards virtualization and decentralization of prices is reshaping the landscape. Sercomm Corporation highlights the shift towards Distributed Access Architecture (DAA), where traditional data center models are being replaced by a distributed network of standard servers, unlocking new opportunities for businesses previously left out of the equation.

As the industry navigates this transformative period, the future of O-RAN hangs in the balance. Will it remain true to its roots of openness and disruption, or will it succumb to the gravitational pull of established players? Only time will tell.
Weekly news roundup: Xiaomi 14 Ultra ushers in the era of satellite-enabled smartphones

These are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories in the week of March 4  March 8

Satellite wars: Xiaomi challenges Apple and Huawei with 14 Ultra

In the wake of Apple and Huawei's trailblazing efforts, Xiaomi's latest offering, the 14 Ultra, is making waves yet again, heralding a new era in mobile communication. The industry is witnessing a seismic shift with satellite connectivity now firmly established as more than just a fad. Equipped with a proprietary signal enhancement chip, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra boasts seamless integration with China's geosynchronous orbit satellite, "Tiantong," facilitating two-way satellite communication encompassing voice calls, text messaging, and location tracking.

India and the Netherlands join hands on semiconductor opportunities

According to a report co-developed by India and the Netherlands, the two countries will join hands in the semiconductor sector. According to the Economic Times, CXO Today, and Manufacturing Today, the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) and the Netherlands Innovation Network under the Embassy of the Netherlands in India unveiled a report, "Indi-Dutch Semiconductor Opportunities."

Exclusive: Chinese ex-Google employee stole company's AI secrets while moonlighting at Ant Group affiliate

Former Googler Linwei Ding is accused of stealing AI secrets from the US tech giant while secretly working for an Ant Group affiliate just months before Ant announced its own AI division. Ding, a former Google engineer and a Chinese national, was charged by the US Department of Justice on March 6. The DoJ accused him of exfiltrating hundreds of Google's classified AI files while secretly working at two Chinese companies including Ant Group-invested Beijing Rongshu Lianzhi Technology Company.

DDR5 adoption to accelerate in 2H24 thanks to GenAI

Penetration of DDR5 in the memory market is poised to accelerate and reach double digits in the second half of 2024, thanks to demand from Generative AI (GenAI), according to market sources. Demand for GenAI applications has injected momentum into the recovery of the memory market, sending makers to increase DDR5 production, the sources said, adding that DDR5 is expected to reach a supply-demand balance starting from the second quarter of 2024.

Chinese foundry to set up production line for HBM memory

Wuhan Xinxin Semiconductor Manufacturing (XMC) reportedly has sent out an invitation to bid for a high-bandwidth memory (HBM) project. This suggests that the Chinese memory sector, led by Yangtze Memory Technology (YMTC), is placing HBM at the forefront of its future development strategies, according to industry sources in China. HBM is poised to be a key area of competition among memory makers. Only SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics, and Micron Technology are capable of volume HBM production.

Apple rethinks microLED approach: Osram cooperation dropped, new suppliers sought

Apple's foray into Micro LED applications has been closely watched. However, a recent announcement from AMS Osram has sent shockwaves through the industry. AMS Osram revealed the unexpected cancellation of a crucial microLED production project by a major customer. Although the customer was not identified, industry insiders speculate it to be Apple, particularly given the project's focus on microLEDs for potential adoption in Apple Watches. Industry observers pointed out that Apple remains committed to microLED technology.

Taiwan exports to China see record drop in 2023

Taiwan's exports to China (including Hong Kong) decreased by 18.1% in 2023 compared with 2022, the largest decline in history, according to Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council. China's economy is slowing and many industry supply chains are "de-risking" at the request of their customers, reducing their reliance on Chinese manufacturing. Supply chains are now moving to ASEAN countries, India, and Mexico. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has invested in the US, Japan, and Germany.
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Photo by Adam Hunter, LMN Architects [enlarge] Convention bookings are up at the new Summit (pictured) and Arch.





For the second year since the building opened, the Downtown Seattle Association held its annual State of Downtown event atop Summit, the new north expansion of our Seattle Convention Center. It's a fittingly glamorous perch, with panoramic views outside the large ballroom. Before and after last Thursday's presentation, over 1,000 attendees ate, drank and networked before the huge windows.





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WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 11: Committee chairman Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) speaks during a senate hearing. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Drew Angerer/Getty Images

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said Monday he will introduce bipartisan legislation to prevent natural gas pipeline companies from overcharging customers.

If approved and signed into law, the Making Pipelines Accountable to Consumers and Taxpayers Act will result in millions of dollars of refunds to consumers who have been overcharged for their natural gas costs. The loophole that allows for the overcharges to occur exists because the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulates rates charged by natural gas pipeline companies, but does not have the ability to order rebates for the pipelines customers when they are overcharged.

Interstate natural gas pipeline companies, Blumenthal said, regularly overcharge utility companies, which purchase the fuel to provide to their customers. The costs charged to the natural gas utilities are then passed along to consumers.

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Blumenthal described the pipeline companies' overcharges as "systematic and ceaseless." He said that a recent American Public Gas Association study found that between 2012 and 2016, U.S. consumers paid $2.5 billion more than they should have.

Current federal law provides natural gas customers no opportunity to recover overcharges, and so the natural gas pipeline companies are able to keep the excess, according to Blumenthal. The proposed legislation would fix this problem by granting FERC the authority to require that pipeline companies reimburse their customers for excessive charges and ensure excessive consumer rates are reduced on a timely basis.

The proposed legislation has the support of Pedro Azagra, chief executive officer of Orange-based Avangrid, the corporate parent of Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas. Azagra said the two natural gas utilities pass through what they pay for the natural gas delivered from the pipeline and do not make a profit.

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"We believe it's important for energy consumers to know where their costs come from," he said.

Chris Riley, a spokesman for Norwich Public Utilities, said the legislation, if approved and signed into law, "has the potential to make a real difference to our 10,000 natural gas customers every month."

Officials with the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, a Washington, D.C. trade group of pipeline operators, were not immediately available for comment on the proposed legislation.
Cllr John Sheridan has sought an update from Louth County Council on its compliance with its legal obligations to Irish speakers.

In 2020 the Council committed to addressing matters raised by the Irish Language Commissioner about the Council's provision of services through Irish.

The Ardee councillor told the Dundalk Democrat: This week, Seachtain na Gaeilge takes place to promote the use of a cupla focail. Louth has a rich heritage and active Irish speaking community and it's important our local authority are compliant with their obligations to supply services through Irish.

In 2019 the Irish Language Commissioner raised some issue's about Louth County Councils provision of services through Irish. In summer 2020, I received a commitment from the Council that they were addressing all matters raised in An Comisinear Teanga's investigation report.

I personally have noted more of a proactive approach to Irish by the Council and I have now tabled a motion with Louth County Council to seek a formal update on the Council's work following the 2019 investigation by the Irish Language Commissioner.

Cllr Sheridan continued, the 2022 Census suggested that 32% of people in Louth could speak Irish, while over 14,000 people used Irish inside the education system which another 13,400 people in Irish used Irish outside the education system. Not many may know that there was a living Gaeltacht in Omeath a century ago, since then, many of us have developed a gra of Irish through our education and families.

I particularly note Colaiste Ris in Dundalk, among others, which promoted education through Irish for decades, while there is a vibrant Ciorcal Comhra group in Ardee meeting weekly through Irish.

The Fianna Fail councillor added, the spirit of the Official Languages act isnt necessarily that everything is translated but that there is access to services if it is required. Like others, were very proud to have the cupla focal and would like to use it more in our interactions with state agencies including the council.
Irish star Cillian Murphy  who has won acclaim for his dark, brooding roles and his piercing blue eyes  completed his sweep of awards season as he landed an Oscar for his role in Oppenheimer.

The actor had already won a Golden Globe, a Bafta and a Screen Actors Guild award for his starring turn as theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in the biopic about the father of the atomic bomb.

Murphy said he would be very content with the public choosing to define him by his role in Oppenheimer.

Youve got to move forward but this has been a huge, huge moment for me, he said backstage after his win.

The movie is so special to me, and myself and Chris (Nolan) have such a special relationship, I just feel very privileged to continue to work with him and Im very proud that this is a film that is provocative and asks questions, and is challenging and yet so many people went to see it.

Born in Cork in 1976, his breakthrough role came in 2002 with the Danny Boyle film 28 Days Later, playing a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma to discover the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus has caused the breakdown of society.

He showed his darker side as a domestic terrorist in the 2005 thriller Red Eye, and also had turns in Breakfast On Pluto, the Irish war drama The Wind That Shakes The Barley and science fiction thriller Sunshine, which reunited him with Boyle.

He first collaborated with director Christopher Nolan in 2005, as Scarecrow in Batman Begins, a role he reprised in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.

He also appeared in Nolans films Inception and Dunkirk but it is his work with the director on Oppenheimer that has brought him the most critical acclaim.

Murphy said backstage: Weve been working together for 20 years, I think hes the perfect director, hes an extraordinary writer, hes an extraordinary producer, hes extraordinary visually he presents this film like no one else does in the world and I just cant believe my luck.

I did a screen test for him when I was a kid and I thought that would be it, and it would be just enough to be in a room with Chris for a couple of hours and here we are, Im just so humbled and thankful.

Murphy also said he thinks Ireland is really great at supporting artists and I think we need to continue to support artists and the next generation of actors and directors.

Oppenheimer is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J Robert Oppenheimer, written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin.

The film chronicles his studies, his career, his direction of the Manhattan Project during the Second World War, and his eventual fall from grace after his 1954 security hearing.

Murphy was immediately touted as a potential Oscar winner for his performance as the conflicted theoretical physicist, and he has said of the man he played: Were all living in Oppenheimers world now. Were all living in the nuclear age that he created.

The film garnered Murphy his first Oscar nomination and he has been the actor to beat since the film debuted last summer.

On the small screen, Murphy won legions of fans for his performance as gangster Tommy Shelby in the BBC drama Peaky Blinders, which debuted in 2013 and for which he has been nominated for a TV Bafta.

He plays the leader of a Birmingham crime family in the aftermath of the First World War.

Murphy is married to the artist Yvonne McGuinness and the couple have two children, Malachy and Aran.

On stage collecting his best actor prize at the Oscars, he said he was a very proud Irishman standing here tonight.

At the end of his speech he spoke in Irish, saying go raibh maith agat which means thank you.
An alleged vandalism attack on one Minister for States car has left them with genuine worry.

Minister of State Mary Butler has said she has increased her personal security in the last 18 months, due to concerns around her personal security.

The Fianna Fail TD for Waterford has also said that this is the biggest challenge she faces in her role.

Minister Butlers car was allegedly vandalised in Waterford city while she was giving a speech on International Womens Day.

Gardai are investigating the allegation which saw one of her tyres damaged while parked in Barker Street of the city.

Being a politician in current times brings challenges. The biggest challenge I face doing a job that I love is dealing with personal safety concerns, Ms Butler said.

It is a genuine worry that I and many other politicians, especially female politicians, deal with every day of the week while we are doing our work, she said.

She added that she has dealt with death threats, abusive text messages and being targeted by the far right at events and at constituency offices.

It is understood that the right rear tyre of Ms Butlers car was badly damaged, possibly by a screwdriver. She was made aware of the incident through a social media post.

Gardai confirmed that investigations are ongoing after they received a report of a suspected criminal damage incident, in which a car was damaged.
The housing crisis is having a huge impact, not just on families, but also on businesses trying to set up or expand in Louth, Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O Murchu has told the Dail.

Speaking last week, the Dundalk based TD said he had just come from the cross border economic conference organised by Dundalk and Newry Chambers of Commerce, and while the conference was positive and successful, the housing crisis was having a real impact on businesses, as well as families.

Deputy O Murchu said: We all know the positives that exist in the M1 Border corridor but the problem is that in the southern part of it, we are constantly hearing not only from Focus Ireland and Threshold but also from IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland that housing and the accommodation crisis are impacting detrimentally on business and the future of business.

He continued: The impact on families and individuals is huge but the situation is also impacting on the economy. Until this is addressed, we are facing into stark disaster for many families but for the entire economy also.

Deputy O Murchu said the government has failed to hit abysmal housing targets and when it comes to affordable housing, its not really affordable.

He said: In places that were previously affordable, where people could qualify under the criteria and it worked out, that is not the case at the minute. There are particular issues in Louth County Council with a very small number of affordable and possibly affordable schemes that are to come into play.

The Louth TD added that there was also a need for a defective block scheme in Louth. He said: There are a number of cases that need to be dealt with, involving people in really bad circumstances. I hope there will be no issues from the ministerial side.

I am dealing with many issues in respect of adaptation grants and the fact that we do not have a scheme that is fit to deliver for those with disabilities. I know the review is ongoing but really need to get to grips with it.

Deputy O Murchu added, beyond that, estate management is an area where we are failing communities. We need the interventions for families and individuals with complex needs, but we are allowing communities to be detrimentally impacted by those who are chaotic. We need further supports and the council needs those supports.
A documentary film made last academic year by a group of DkIT 4th year students - Walking the Labyrinth - won the award for best long form factual documentary at the Royal Television Society Awards which took place in Dublin recently.

The Royal Television Society (RTS) hosts an annual event that celebrates the remarkable talent of student filmmakers and media creators. The 2024 RTS Ireland Student Awards took place in RTEs Studio 4, located in Donnybrook, Dublin 41

The team of DkIT Students involved in the win consist of Kim Stewart, Jessica Doherty, Conor Farrelly, Sarah Olatunbosun and Megan Hughes.

Their award-winning documentary tentatively studies and challenges the history of the Irish government whilst following the story of a woman who was directly impacted by the Irish mother and baby homes and has now taken back control over her life.

This documentary details the personal story of Susan, who is one of nine thousand babies born and or raised in Bessborough mother and baby homes. She was adopted into a loving family when she was only two weeks old.

Susan uses her art to construct an identity for herself given that her other forms of identity have been constructed for her. Labyrinths are tools for personal, psychological and spiritual transformation.

For Susan, the labyrinth symbolizes a journey of self-discovery. The adoption system in Ireland is designed to remove all agency from the adopted person.

It was designed so Susan would never discover if she had other family members. This is the story of how an abstract methodology such as art shattered that and at the age of 44, Susan discovered she had a brother.
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, winner of the Best Supporting Actress award for "The Holdovers," onstage in the press room at the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

In an Oscars ceremony with a number of nominees with Connecticut connections, one took home a coveted award.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph, a Yale alumna, won the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of cafeteria manager Mary Lamb in "The Holdovers." In addition to the Oscar, Randolph also won a Golden Globe, British Academy Film Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and Critics' Choice Award for her role.

Randolph attended the Yale School of Drama and was a 2011 graduate of the school's MFA program. While at Yale, Randolph was involved with the Yale Repertory Theatre, starring in a production of "The Servant of Two Masters" in 2010, according to Playbill. During her acceptance speech, Randolph thanked Ron Van Lieu, a professor that she had during her time at Yale.

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"Ron Van Lieu, I thank you. When I was the only Black girl in that class when you saw me and you told me that, 'I was enough.' And when I told you that, 'I don't see myself,' you said, 'That's fine, we're going to forge our own path. You're going to lay a trail for yourself,'" Randolph said in her acceptance speech.

Following her time at Yale, Randolph landed on Broadway in the 2012 production of "Ghost: The Musical." Her role as Oda Mae Brown in the musical earned her a Tony nomination.

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Paul Giamatti and Clara Wong arriving on the red carpet at the 96th Annual Academy Awards in Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, March 10, 2024. Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag

Another Yale alumna who was nominated last night was Jodie Foster for her role in "Nyad." Also nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Foster lost to Randolph in the category.

Yale wasn't the only Connecticut university represented at this year's ceremony. Wesleyan University alumna Jennifer Lame won her first Oscar for Best Achievement in Film Editing for "Oppenheimer." A 2004 graduate of the university, Lame has also worked on other award-winning movies like "Tenet," "Manchester by the Sea," and "Marriage Story."

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Competing against the likes of Studio Ghibli and Disney-Pixar, Annapurna Animation's "Nimona" was among the nominees for "Best Animated Feature Film." At one point canceled while in development at Greenwich's Blue Sky Studios, the project was revived by a team of Connecticut animators who were able to complete the film. Though it didn't win the major award, filmmakers were honored to be recognized by the academy.

"It's the most unlikely nomination ever because the movie should not exist," Robert Baird, co-head of Annapurna Animation, previously told Hearst Connecticut. "The story of how the movie survived and got made, and wouldn't die, is worthy of a 10-part Ken Burns documentary."

During the "In Memoriam" segment of the program, two prominent actors with Connecticut ties  Norman Lear and Treat Williams  were absent from the main portion of the segment, and instead were featured in a brief slide shown at the end of the montage. Lear, a New Haven native who was known for producing All in the Family and The Jeffersons, died in December at the age of 101. Williams, who was born in Stamford and grew up in Rowayton, was killed in a motorcycle crash last June.
Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute in "The Office." NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via

"The Office" star Rainn Wilson, who portrays assistant to the regional manager Dwight Schrute, will not "underestimate the power of nostalgia" as he takes a trip down memory lane with his audience at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre. "A Live Conversation with Rainn Wilson" will take place at the venue on May 8, and will feature a talk with the actor as well as a a screening of an episode of "The Office," according to a news release.

Wilson will share behind-the-scenes stories and memories after airing a yet-to-be-announced episode of "The Office." In addition to the action on the stage, there will be a Dwight Schrute look-alike contest in which participants will be judged on their mustard yellow shirts and aviator reading glasses.

The conversation is part of a run of shows which will also stop in Albany, NY.

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The sitcom, which ran from 2005 to 2013, chronicled the day-to-day operations at the office of a fictional paper company stationed in Scranton, Pa., which devolved into antics. The show was originally conceived in the United Kingdom in 2001 with Ricky Gervais before airing in the U.S. four years later. For most of its run time, Michael Scott, portrayed by Golden Globe-winning actor Steve Carrell, was the incompetent yet heartfelt boss who constantly sought the approval of his employees. Alongside Michael was Wilson's Dwight, a matter-of-fact salesman who became known for his love of beets and martial arts.

Other recurring actors to appear in the show include Jim Halpert (John Krasinki), Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), Kelly Kapoor (Mindy Kaling), Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) and Darryl Philbin (Craig Robinson). The show also boasted a number of short-lived and cameo appearances from veteran actors and comedians like Will Ferrell, Idris Elba, Bob Odenkirk, Stephen Colbert, Kathy Bates and Jim Carrey.

Outside of "The Office," Wilson has appeared in a variety of projects such as 2022's "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" and the Apple TV+ series "Lessons in Chemistry." Wilson also serves as the character of Terry Carnation on the real-life horror podcast "Radio Rental." Last year, he released his book "Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution," which examines his take on the necessity of spirituality in modern times.

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ON a cold and windy morning last Saturday on Patrick Street, outside McDonalds, Willy OSullivan stands behind his table and smiles at the friends and acquaintances that greet him a cheery good day.

He has become a familiar sight over the last 20 or so weeks, as he gathers signatures from concerned Corkonians about the war in Gaza.

Willy, 67, a Glen man, will be known to many as the butcher. During a career which began at Munster Meats, he has been a relief butcher all over Cork city, and says meeting new people is what made his job a pleasure.

So, how did he end up at an anti-war stand on this cold Saturday morning?

All wars are terrible, he says, but this one is just so cruel. The numbers of little children dying is heart-breaking.

As a father to three and a grandfather to eight, I kept thinking about what I could do if it was one of my family that was in Gaza.

Unfortunately, we cant do much, but at least I can bring awareness to people and give them a chance to sign the petition and let their voices be heard.

Willyc campaign began when Christina Collins, from the Cork Palestinian Campaign Group, who speaks at the rallies in the city, said how wonderful it was to see people out on the marches on Saturday mornings, but called for help bringing awareness during the week.

So, Willy contacted the Workers Party, of whom he has been a member for 45 years. They were happy to set him up with a table and the petition and support him in any way needed.

Willy decided that he wanted to get 5,000 signatures from those opposed to war. He wanted to bring awareness to people about what was going on.

He stresses that what happened on October 7 last year, in which Hamas attacked Israeli civilians, was another brutal attack and condemns it equally.

This is about all wars, he says, children dont wear uniforms, all these innocent people are dead and it breaks my heart.

Willy set up his stand two weeks after the Hamas bombing and has far surpassed his 5,000 target. As of Saturday, he had received 10,000 signatures from those opposed to this war.

The response has been humbling, he says.

I never knew how many Palestinians live here in Cork. They have thanked me for helping them and offered to help if they can.

One Palestinian lady brought him tea and a roll. The offers of tea and coffee are constant, he says. It is heartening to see the kindness in people. An Israeli couple that became aware of Willys efforts came and stood with him and signed the petition in a sign of solidarity.

Its the images on the TV that are hurting people so much, Willy says. Its so brutal. People have tears in their eyes when they come and talk to me and describe what they have seen on the news.

Thats why Im here, we cant stop this war but I can bring awareness so we can show our support.

Willy sets up his table at about 6.30am and gets signatures from those heading to work. He has been on Patrick Street, the front and back of Penneys, outside Murrays, and at the English Market.

His efforts havent gone unnoticed. The Palestinian Ambassador has met him and he will be heading to Dublin to hand over the signed petition at the embassy on behalf of the people of Cork.

Willys family are bursting with pride because of his efforts. My wife Kathleen keeps telling me how proud she is. Ive been here every Saturday without fail and shes very impressed.

Shes not alone. The thank-yous he receives are sincere and the handshakes are plentiful. Willy has such a kind nature that many gather around his table to discuss how they feel themselves about what is happening in Gaza.

Has there been nastiness? Unfortunately, yes. Some have shouted at him that he should be helping the Irish first. Thankfully, they are very few and far between, he says, the majority of people can see that war is war and a bomb is a bomb and nobody should have to die or suffer this way.
Organisers estimated that more than 1,000 people took part in a rally and march in Cork city on Saturday in support of Palestine.

The event, organised by the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign (CPSC), is the 22nd such weekly protest that has been organised on the streets of Cork since the latest escalation of Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

The group said in a statement that protesters carried signs and placards calling on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Irish Government to cancel their St. Patricks Day visits to Washington "as a mark of protest against the United States which provides about 3 billion dollars worth of military assistance to Israel each year".

The co-chairperson of the CPSC, Martin Shiel, said what was needed now was an immediate halt to US arms shipments to Israel and for the Washington Government to demand that Israel lets aid through to the people in Gaza.

Leo Varadkar has an opportunity now to help make this happen by standing with the Palestinian people, by standing with people throughout Ireland calling for an end to the genocide, by standing with the millions of Americans demanding their government stops arming the genocide, by doing one simple thing, refuse to sit down with Joe Biden on St. Patrick's Day and refuse to hand him a bowl of Shamrock," said Mr. Shiel.
Cork businessman John Mullins has been selected to join Sean Kelly MEP on the Fine Gael ticket to contest the European Parliament elections in Ireland South in June during a convention held in Clonmel on Sunday afternoon.

The Knocknaheeny man, a former CEO of Bord Gais and founder of renewable energy giant, Amarenco, which is building solar and wind farms in Ireland and throughout the EU and further afield, was selected alongside the current MEP, Kerry based Sean Kelly at the selection convention held in Clonmels Hotel Minella and attended by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister Simon Coveney.

Mr Mullins, who graduated from UCC with a degree in electrical engineering, said he hoped that the electorate would see he had different experience on national and international levels.

My focus will be on creating a new rural contract, putting renewable energy as one of Irelands largest exports and ensuring that Ireland has a new strong experienced negotiator for our interests, said Mr. Mullins.

The new @FineGael candidate John Mullins speaking at the Convention in @hotelminella Clonmel. @SeanKellyMEP and @jpemul06 are the FG candidates in European Election for Ireland South pic.twitter.com/WaGwD2R2JM  Colm Burke TD (@ColmBurkeTD) March 10, 2024

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. His running mate, Sean Kelly, paid tribute to outgoing FG MEP Deirdre Clune who had announced her decision not to run in the June elections late last year.

Deirdre will be a huge loss to Fine Gael and to the European Parliament more broadly, said Mr. Kelly, adding that he was looking forward to working with John Mullins, whom he described as an excellent candidate with tremendous experience.

Trade and Employment Minister Simon Coveney, who is Fine Gaels Director of Elections in the June poll, chaired the convention. He also paid tribute to the two candidates and said he had no doubt the they will make a very positive impact.

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, he said.

I also wish to pay tribute to outgoing MEP Deidre Clune for representing the people of Ireland South so competently over the past 10 years.

She has always been a dedicated public representative and a valued colleague and I wish her well in her new chapter.
A CORK TD has claimed that SouthDoc Blackpool has been reduced to a ghost service, citing figures which show 1,000 fewer patients were seen at the centre in January 2024 compared to January 2023.

Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, said the HSE needs to stand with the community and force SouthDoc to keep Blackpool open after the figures obtained by the deputy revealed a significant drop in the number of patients seen at the centre.

However, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare has said there are no plans to withdraw the availability of or access to SouthDocs services in Cork City or for patients in the North Cork area generally.

Drop in patients

Mr Gould requested through parliamentary question (PQ) the number of patients seen in SouthDoc Blackpool in January 2024, January 2023, and January 2022.

The figures provided to Mr Gould by the HSE revealed that 1,072 fewer patients were seen at SouthDoc Blackpool in January 2024 than in January 2023.

According to the HSE, there were 394 patients seen at the centre in January 2024, down from 1,466 patients in January 2023 and 1,469 patients seen at the centre in 2022.

The head of service of primary care at Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Priscilla Lynch, said in response to the TD that SouthDoc provides and continues to be committed to the continuation of the provision of the out-of-hours service in Blackpool.

SouthDoc continues to provide care and access to care to the out-of-hours services in the area, she said. Blackpool Treatment Centre continues to be available to patients by appointment only, and there are no plans to alter the availability of this centre from service and/or for when in-person consultations are deemed clinically necessary by a doctor.

Reduction in GPs

In a separate parliamentary question, Mr Gould asked the minister for health to provide an update on the number of GPs employed in Cork, by facility, by SouthDoc in 2019 and currently in 2024, respectively.

The response showed that in 2019, two GPs were working out of Blackpool SouthDoc and that there is currently one GP working out of the centre.

Mr Gould said that, while the HSE has been telling him that there has been no reduction in SouthDocs service, he feels these numbers paint a different picture.

These figures lay clear what I have been saying for months now, he said. SouthDoc Blackpool has reduced its service to a ghost service. With 1,000 less patients seen in Blackpool in January 2024, and one less doctor operating from there, it is no longer a full service to the people of Corks northside.

'No plans' to withdraw access to services

A Cork Kerry Community Healthcare spokesperson said SouthDoc is committed to the long-term continuation of the provision of the out-of-hours service in Cork city, and that there are no plans to withdraw the availability of or access to SouthDocs services in Cork city or for patients in the North Cork area.

Cork city GPs are valued members of the SouthDoc co-operative, and there are no plans to withdraw access to SouthDocs services from their patients, they said. There are also no plans to withdraw the availability of the centres in the city from service and/or for when in-person consultations in this base are deemed clinically necessary by a doctor.

They said that if an individual in Cork city requires care, that care will be provided by appointment in either the Blackpool or Kinsale Road Treatment Centre or via home visit  depending on the clinical condition of the patient.

There is no reduction in service to city patients and existing resources can meet the demand comfortably, said the spokesperson.
Corks Cillian Murphy has been named best actor at the 96th Academy Awards for his performance of the father of the atomic bomb in blockbuster hit, Oppenheimer.

The Ballintemple born actor said, I am a very proud Irishman standing here tonight, as he accepted his award, becoming the first ever Irish-born actor to win an Academy Award.

Cillian Murphy poses in the press room with the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "Oppenheimer" at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Im a little overwhelmed. Its been the wildest, most exhilarating, most powerfully satisfying journey youve taken me on over the last 20 years, he said, thanking producer Emma Thomas and director Christopher Nolan in his acceptance speech. I owe you more than I can say.

The Cork man thanked his parents Brendan and Mary and addressed his wife and children from the stage as he took home his first Oscar:

Yvonne McGuinness, my partner in life and art. My two boys, Malachy and Aran, who are sitting up there, I love you so much. I am a very proud Irishman standing here tonight. We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, and for better or for worse, were all living in Oppenheimers world  so Id really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere. Go raibh mile maith agat.

Read More Oscars 2024: Full list of winners

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 10: Cillian Murphy with his wife Yvonne, and sons Malachy and Aran at the Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Oppenheimer was the big winner of the night with seven Oscars. It won Best Picture, Best Director (Christopher Nolan), Actor (Cillian Murphy), Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr), Cinematography (Hoyte Van Hoytema), Original Score (Ludwig Goransson) and Editing (Jennifer Lame).

Read More WATCH: Previously unseen footage shows Cillian Murphy rehearsing for his first professional role

In a statement, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD was among those congratulating Murphy on his historic win: "This award for his title role in Oppenheimer is the pinnacle of any actor's career and a fitting recognition of the immense talent of Cillian Murphy.

"Long a favourite of Irish audiences on stage and screen, he has since shown himself to be a master of his craft and has secured his place among the world's greatest actors. This Oscar success is no more than he deserves, and I wish him every success in all his future films."

Tanaiste Micheal Martin extended his congratulations to the Cork actor: "Absolutely thrilled and delighted that Cillian Murphy has won the Oscar for his performance in Oppenheimer. Richly deserved. A brilliant performance in an outstanding film that will stand the test of time. A very proud day for Cork and Ireland. Congratulations Cillian."

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy took to the social media platform X, to share his message to the Oscar winner:

"Major congrats to Cillian on his first Oscar. All of Cork is very proud of him, and I look forward to honouring him in City Hall in the not-so-distant future. Cillian remains grounded and humble but is a huge inspiration for all involved in Irish arts."
CORK Oscar winning star Cillian Murphy  who has won acclaim for his dark, brooding roles and his piercing blue eyes  completed his sweep of awards season as he landed an Oscar for his role in Oppenheimer.

The actor had already won a Golden Globe, a Bafta and a Screen Actors Guild award for his starring turn as theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in the biopic about the father of the atomic bomb.

Murphy said he would be very content with the public choosing to define him by his role in Oppenheimer.

Youve got to move forward but this has been a huge, huge moment for me, he said backstage after his win.

The movie is so special to me, and myself and Chris (Nolan) have such a special relationship, I just feel very privileged to continue to work with him and Im very proud that this is a film that is provocative and asks questions, and is challenging and yet so many people went to see it.

CORK ROOTS

Born in Cork in 1976, his breakthrough role came in 2002 with the Danny Boyle film 28 Days Later, playing a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma to discover the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus has caused the breakdown of society.

Read More Oscars 2024: Full list of winners

He showed his darker side as a domestic terrorist in the 2005 thriller Red Eye, and also had turns in Breakfast On Pluto, the Irish war drama The Wind That Shakes The Barley and science fiction thriller Sunshine, which reunited him with Boyle.

#GotCork Major congrats to Cillian on his first Oscar!! All of Cork is v proud of him, and I look forward to honouring him in City Hall in the not so distant future. Cillian remains grounded & humble but is a huge inspiration for all involved in Irish arts #weareCork #proudofCork pic.twitter.com/KkN38RQqFb  Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy (@cllrkmac) March 11, 2024

He first collaborated with director Christopher Nolan in 2005, as Scarecrow in Batman Begins, a role he reprised in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.

He also appeared in Nolans films Inception and Dunkirk but it is his work with the director on Oppenheimer that has brought him the most critical acclaim.

'PERFECT DIRECTOR'

Murphy said backstage: Weve been working together for 20 years, I think hes the perfect director, hes an extraordinary writer, hes an extraordinary producer, hes extraordinary visually he presents this film like no one else does in the world and I just cant believe my luck.

I did a screen test for him when I was a kid and I thought that would be it, and it would be just enough to be in a room with Chris for a couple of hours and here we are, Im just so humbled and thankful. Murphy also said he thinks Ireland is really great at supporting artists and I think we need to continue to support artists and the next generation of actors and directors.

Oppenheimer is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J Robert Oppenheimer, written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin.

The film chronicles his studies, his career, his direction of the Manhattan Project during the Second World War, and his eventual fall from grace after his 1954 security hearing.

Murphy was immediately touted as a potential Oscar winner for his performance as the conflicted theoretical physicist, and he has said of the man he played: Were all living in Oppenheimers world now. Were all living in the nuclear age that he created. The film garnered Murphy his first Oscar nomination and he has been the actor to beat since the film debuted last summer.

PEAKING BLINDERS

On the small screen, Murphy won legions of fans for his performance as gangster Tommy Shelby in the BBC drama Peaky Blinders, which debuted in 2013 and for which he has been nominated for a TV Bafta.

He plays the leader of a Birmingham crime family in the aftermath of the First World War.

Murphy is married to the artist Yvonne McGuinness and the couple have two children, Malachy and Aran.

On stage collecting his best actor prize at the Oscars, he said he was a very proud Irishman standing here tonight.

At the end of his speech he spoke in Irish, saying go raibh maith agat which means thank you.
FILE PHOTO - Coventry police continue to investigate the discovery of a pit bull that had been shot to death. The dog, found off South Street March 2 in a plastic container, probably was dumped there, police say. Coventry Police Department/contributed

COVENTRY  A dog found shot to death on the side of a local road was probably dumped there, police said Monday.

The female pit bull, who had recently given birth, was most likely shot somewhere else and disposed of in the wooded area off South Street, near Route 6, Coventry Police Capt. Jeffrey Spadjinske said.

The dog had a gunshot wound to the chest and was in a plastic container. It appeared the dog had been there several days before being found by a veterinary technician who was passing by on March 2, Spadjinske said.

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Its disturbing for sure, he said.

Spadjinske said a Coventry police officer teamed up with the towns animal control officer for the investigation. They have contacted some of the area police departments and animal control officers as well as people at the state level, he said.

Police don't know who owned the dog. They described the dog in a Facebook post Sunday as a dark gray female pit bull with white paws, about 50 to 55 pounds and cropped ears.

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By Monday afternoon, the Facebook post had been shared 437 times and had drawn dozens of comments from people who expressed disgust with the news, using words ranging from heartbreaking to despicable.

Two animal rights groups are offering a reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.

Desmonds Army Animal Law Advocates and Armys Legacy Animal Rescue and Sanctuary Inc. are offering a $5,000 reward, said Zilla Cannamela, president and cofounder of Desmonds Army, late Monday morning.

Cannamela said she is working closely with police on the case.
The principal of a secondary school attended by actor Cillian Murphy said the Oscar win for best actor was an enormously proud moment not only for his Alma Mater but for Cork city.

David Barry of Presentation Brothers College (PBC) told the Opinion Line on Corks 96FM that he was so pleased and proud of the 47-year-old actor.

"He is a very talented actor and he has worked so very hard on his craft.

"We are all so delighted for him and for his family on his success. The school is so, so proud of him."

PBC plans to extend an invitation to the Ballintemple native to visit his former school at his earliest convenience.

A portrait of Cillian in his role as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders is on display in the school in Mardyke Walk in Cor.

Mr Barry said that none of the teachers in the school were working on site when Cillian was a student in the 1990s.

"The staff have moved on since then. But definitely (an invite to visit PBC will be issued). Whether he will find a gap in his busy schedule to come to the school - but we certainly will be extending an invitation to Cillian to come and visit the pupils here. We would be delighted if he could make the time."

Meanwhile, a former teacher of Cillian Murphy said it was obvious during his teenage years that he was born to act.

Cillian was taught English by poet William Wall, who said that he was delighted at the big win overnight.

He has always been a brilliant actor. The world is his oyster.

The Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG winning actor was taught English by Mr Wall in PBC. Mr Wall subsequently left the school to focus on his poetry and became Corks first Poet Laureate in 2021.The novelist and poet previously told the Neil Prendeville show, on Cork's Red FM, that Cillian was a really good student of English.

He was just one of those kids who got poetry, got Shakespeare and got novels. It wasnt hard to teach him. I could also see from the fact that he was a performer  he had the band and they played in the school a couple of times.

You could see that he was a natural for performance so it wasnt hard to encourage him to go in to the Arts. The poet said he recently gave a talk about his work in a secondary school in Italy and at the end of the session he was asked if he had really taught Cillian Murphy.

When I said it was (true) a group of people almost passed out at the thought they were in the presence of somebody who was in the presence of Cillian Murphy!

LEADER

"In school he balanced an anti establishment attitude with a deep interest in culture and the arts. He was sort of a leader in his class in that regard as well. A sort of edgy, not quite an awkward customer but the customer who would come up with the awkward questions.

"His band The Sons of Mr Green Genes were actually fantastic. They gave my wife who was a maths teacher in the school a demo tape which she had for several years. Then one day she came back to play the demo tape and one of our sons had taped over the whole thing with summer music for himself. So that was that tape gone.

Mr Wall said he knew that Cillian would end up in the creative world.

He had to you know. When he went in to Law in college I was kind of surprised. Not surprised in that I knew he could be an excellent lawyer as well. I could see him being a performing barrister in the Four Courts in Dublin.

I knew in a way that he would eventually (go in to the Arts). So when Disco Pigs came out I was blown away. I knew he had found his metier.

He added that Cillian has always been selective about his acting work.

He picks the scripts he wants to do. He is very careful about that and that is great. He is an actors actor.
Tributes have been paid to Ballintemple man Cillian Murphy as Cork wakes up to the news that he has won the Best Actor award at the Oscars for his starring role in Christopher Nolans biopic Oppenheimer.

Murphy, who played the title role of J Robert Oppenheimer  the American physicist who helped develop the atomic bomb  was named best actor at the awards held in Los Angeles last night and is the first Irish winner of this award.

The actor had already won a Golden Globe, a Bafta and a Screen Actors Guild award for his starring turn as theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in the biopic about the father of the atomic bomb.

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins congratulated Mr Murphy on his wonderful achievement and acknowledged his appropriate dedication to peacemakers everywhere.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin also congratulated the fellow Cork man on his richly deserved win, saying he is absolutely thrilled and delighted for him and his family.

In a video message from outside Mr Murphys former primary school St Anthonys Boys National School in Ballinlough, Mr Martin said: It was an outstanding performance in an outstanding film that will stand the test of time. All at St Anthonys Boys School are particularly thrilled, his alma mater, of course, at Leeside in Cork.

Delighted for him and his wonderful family and the nation as a whole all rejoice in a well deserved Oscar award for Cillian Murphy.

Absolutely thrilled & delighted that Cillian Murphy has won the Oscar for his performance in Oppenheimer.



Richly deserved - a brilliant performance in an outstanding film that will stand the test of time.



A very proud day for Cork & Ireland. Congratulations Cillian  pic.twitter.com/pz847B6LuG  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 11, 2024

Also paying tribute to Mr Murphy this morning, Lord Mayor of Cork Councillor Kieran McCarthy said that the whole of Cork is very proud of him.

Major congrats to Cillian on his first Oscar!! All of Cork is very proud of him, and I look forward to honouring him in City Hall in the not-so-distant future. Cillian remains grounded and humble but is a huge inspiration for all involved in Irish arts, he posted on social media.

Born in Cork in 1976, Mr Murphys breakthrough role came in 2002 with the Danny Boyle film 28 Days Later.

He showed his darker side as a domestic terrorist in the 2005 thriller Red Eye, and also had turns in Breakfast On Pluto, the Irish war drama The Wind That Shakes The Barley and science fiction thriller Sunshine, which reunited him with Boyle.

Read More Watch: The moment Cillian Murphy won the Oscar for best actor

He first collaborated with director Christopher Nolan in 2005, as Scarecrow in Batman Begins, a role he reprised in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.

He also appeared in Nolans films Inception and Dunkirk but it is his work with the director on Oppenheimer that has brought him the most critical acclaim.

Oppenheimer is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J Robert Oppenheimer, written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin.

Congratulations to the #Oppenheimer team for winning 7 @TheAcademy awards, including Best Picture. Experience the movie streaming on Peacock. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/LUCz5VbDBH  Oppenheimer (@OppenheimerFilm) March 11, 2024

The film chronicles his studies, his career, his direction of the Manhattan Project during the Second World War, and his eventual fall from grace after his 1954 security hearing.

Oppenheimer was the big winner on the night, scooping seven awards in total, including best actor for Cillian Murphy, best picture, best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr, as well as best director for Christopher Nolan, plus film editing, cinematography and original score.
APPROXIMATELY 300 University College Cork students staged a pro-Palestine walk-out from classes on Monday morning, gathering in the amphitheatre outside the Honan Chapel to hear speakers call for the university to break its silence on the war in Gaza.

The walk-out was staged by members of the UCC Students union and the UCC Socialist Society. Hayley OConnell Vaughan, UCC Students Union communication and engagement officer, said the event had been intended as an escalation of earlier pro-Palestine initiatives held on the campus.

Ms OConnell Vaughan said the objective of the walk-out was to increase public pressure on UCC.

The university was very quick to jump to Ukraines defence, and to [support] Ukrainian students, making a full statement on the invasion of Ukraine, which they should.

University College Cork is a university of sanctuary and it is our belief that it has done nothing to support its Palestinian students or students affected by the genocide in Gaza, and by its silence, it is complicit, Ms OConnell Vaughan said.

A spokesperson for the university told The Echo: UCC acknowledges the deeply distressing situation in Gaza. The events of October 7 in Israel and the ongoing crisis in Gaza are utterly heart-breaking and abhorrent.

Our hope is for a peaceful resolution to the current conflict. UCC recently welcomed the Palestinian Ambassador to campus to discuss areas of mutual co-operation.

Meanwhile, Brian McCarthy, Solidarity Party  People Before Profit councillor for the Cork City North-West ward, said there was a moral imperative on Irish politicians to cancel their upcoming visit to the White House in protest at the US administrations support of Israel.

They arm Israel, they fund Israel, they shield Israel in the United Nations, and the only reason Israel is able to continue this genocide is because of the US supporting them, Mr McCarthy said.

In the five months since Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in a co-ordinated series of attacks in southern Israel on October 7, Gaza has been under almost constant bombardment from the Israeli Defence Forces.

Over 31,000 people have been killed in Gaza, with around 80% of the Palestinian enclaves 2.3m people crammed into increasingly small areas in an effort to find safety.

With the IDF destroying food supplies and severely restricting the flow of aid to Gaza, malnutrition is now widespread on the Gaza Strip, and the United Nations has warned that one quarter of Gazas population is facing famine.

A petition calling on UCC to, among other things, initiate a review of all academic links between UCC and Israeli academic and industrial institutions, had, as of Monday morning, gathered signatures from 438 staff members and over 800 students.
There will be a period of very high astronomical Spring Tides from this evening until Wednesday evening, Cork City Council have warned.

In addition, there is a tidal surge also forecast to occur during this time. These factors combined will result in tide levels higher than the natural tide levels.

High tide this evening is 18:27.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, it is at 06:50 and 17:07.

On Wednesday high tide is at 07:32 and 19:48.#

During each of the high tides Cork city centre will experience flooding of the roads across the low-lying city quays.

In addition to the above, there is a risk of tidal flooding in the City Centre due to the 6.50am tide on Tuesday morning and the 7.32am tide on Wednesday morning.

Flooding will likely occur in the low-lying areas of the city centre that might affect properties on the following streets: Morrisons Quay; Fr. Mathew Quay; Fr. Mathew Street; Union Quay; Trinity Bridge; South Terrace; Rutland Street; Sawmill Street; Crosses Green; Sharman Crawford St; Wandesford Quay; and South Mall (particularly the southern side).

In addition, road flooding will also likely occur on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings on the following streets Kyrls Quay; Lavitts Quay; Lapps Quay; Probys Quay; Frenchs Quay; and Sullivans Quay.

Motoring impacts

Cork City Council may be required to close Sharman Crawford Street and Wandesford Quay to traffic from 6.30am on Tuesday morning and opening both to traffic again at approximately 7.30am. Similarly, this street may need to be closed again on Wednesday morning from 7.15 am to approximately 8.00 am.

"We would advise motorists to drive with extra care and attention on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings between 6.15 am and approximately 8.15 am as it is likely that many of the roads listed above will have surface water on them," a statement from the local authority said.

"Please avoid driving on flooded streets (as the creation of waves and wash from moving vehicles can cause flooding in properties adjacent to the flooded road) and take alternative routes along unflooded roads instead."

Motorists are advised not to park in any of the areas listed above overnight.
Staff at St Anthonys National School in Ballinlough in Cork were full of pride today after former pupil, Cillian Murphy, became the first Irish born man to win in the Best Actor category at the Academy Awards.

The flags are raised for past pupil Cillian Murphy, whos Oscar win was being celebrated with much enthusiasm in the corridors of education he once wandered, St Anthonys boys primary school, Ballinlough. Picture by Chani Anderson

Teachers in the school managed to pick up a few balloons bearing the name Cillian this morning. The younger pupils were hopping up and down in excitement when a camera crew from RTE popped in to film their Oscars celebrations.

Principal Sean Lyons said the boys were giddy with happiness coming through the doors of the school this morning.

Pupils St Anthonys boys primary school, Ballinlough sending exuberant congratulations to past pupil, Cillian Murphy on his Oscar win. Picture by Chani Anderson

The excitement when the boys came through the door this morning. Boys in Juniors and Seniors were coming up to me and saying: 'Mr Lyons did you hear the news? Cillian won an Oscar.

The 47-year-old, whose parents Mary and Brendan, live in Ballintemple in the city, attended the school from 1982 to 1988.

Messages of congratulations on display in St Anthonys boys primary school today following past pupil, Cillian Murphys Oscar win last night. Picture by Chani Anderson

The actor, who is best known to the boys for his role in the drama Peaky Blinders previously filled out a questionnaire for current pupils at the school.

Cillian told the youngsters that he was living in Dublin with his parents for a period before they moved back to his native Cork.

Rory McDonnell, Louis Sheehan, Luke Twohig and Leo Barry from St Anthonys boys primary school, Ballinlough pictured holding an Oscar and messages of congratulations for past pupil Cillian Murphy. Picture by Chani Anderson

His biggest challenge in his early years at St Anthonys involved trying to understand the Cork accent.

The father of two said he wasnt very good at maths as a youngster and that although both his parents were teachers and his grandfather a headmaster he had never wanted to follow in their footsteps.

I knew from an early age what a hard profession it is, and how much dedication you need. I dont think I ever had the vocation.

He said that he didnt attend drama classes or have any formal training in acting as a younger man.

Messages of congratulations on display in St Anthonys boys primary school today following past pupil, Cillian Murphys Oscar win last night. Picture by Chani Anderson

In fact I didnt have any interest in acting until I was 19. I was much more interested in music and wanted to become a musician during my youth. Then I discovered theatre when I left school after seeing after seeing a production of A Clockwork Orange by Cork theatre company Corcadorca. I was hooked from then on in.
Zendaya, Margot Robbie and Emily Blunt were among stars wearing sparkling outfits on the Oscars red carpet.

The shimmering theme felt appropriate for the biggest night in showbiz, but unusually for the Academy Awards, no one major trend dominated celebrity outfits.

Margot Robbie arrives at the Oscars. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Some of the biggest stars donned sparkles  like Barbie actress Margot Robbie, who made the surprise decision to wear black instead of pink.

Her shimmering strapless outfit was straight off Versaces Milan Fashion Week runway, and was a more understated ensemble for Robbie, 33, who has spent much of the last year recreating classic Barbie outfits on the red carpet.

Zendaya arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Dune: Part Two star Zendaya, 27, wore a shimmering outfit of an iridescent purple dress with a black sparkling bodice and palm tree-inspired detailing, from Armani Prive.

Emily Blunt arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Emily Blunt, 41, who is nominated for the supporting actress gong for her role in Oppenheimer, wore a fashion label which has dominated the red carpet for this awards season: Schiaprelli.

The Italian fashion house is known for polished designs with a hint of the surreal, and this was certainly seen in Blunts sparkling outfit. The sequinned gown had heavily structured straps and cheeky detailing which looked like the outline of Y-fronts, and was paired with strings of Tiffany & Co jewellery.

Billie Eilish, left, and America Ferrera arrive at the Oscars. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Barbie star America Ferrera, 39, took a leaf out of co-star Margot Robbies style book, wearing a pink chainmail Versace gown  which looked like a mini version of one Robbie wore to a Barbie event in Sydney last year.

While Robbies outfit was a vintage look, worn by supermodel Claudia Schiffer in 1994, Ferreras was custom-made.

Florence Pugh on the red carpet at the Oscars. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Among all the massive fashion houses represented on the Oscars red carpet, Dune: Part Two star Florence Pugh, 28, wore a lesser-known label  Del Core, a Milanese brand founded in 2020.

The bedazzled architectural bodice of the gown was matched perfectly by the statement snake-style Bulgari necklace.

Emma Stone poses in the press room with the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "Poor Things" at the Oscars. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Emma Stone, 35, was one of the celebrities opting against sparkles on the red carpet. Her awards season fashion has been heavily inspired by the 18th-century costuming of her character Bella Baxter in Poor Things, which has earned her a nomination for the best actress gong.

Her Oscars outfit was no different: a pale green strapless dress with a dramatic peplum detailing and a light brocade pattern. Fresh off attending Louis Vuittons star-studded Paris Fashion Week show last Tuesday, Stone once again chose a custom look from the French label.

Stone was not the only star in Louis Vuitton  Cynthia Erivo, 37, seemed to be channelling her character Elphaba in the upcoming film Wicked.

Cynthia Erivo arrives at the Oscars. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Her leather-look green Oscars gown had sculptural statement shoulders, with ruffled strings of fabric hanging trailing behind her.

Erivos Wicked co-star, Ariana Grande, 30, also seemed to be inspired by her character in the film, Glinda, wearing a pastel pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown with puffy sleeves and a long train.

Anya Taylor-Joy. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

The Queens Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy, 27, wore a custom Dior gown that references one of the French fashion houses most famous looks: the Junon dress, designed by Christian Dior in 1949.

The original gown had a white bodice and a voluminous skirt made up of heavily beaded petals.

Taylor-Joys outfit had similar petal detailing on the skirt, with a few key differences  the overall colour was more silvery grey, and the petals were smaller, making for a column-style silhouette.

Jennifer Lawrence arrives at the Oscars. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

No Hard Feelings actress Jennifer Lawrence, 33, also wore a Dior ensemble, and was one of the few examples of patterns on the red carpet, wearing an old Hollywood-inspired polka dot strapless dress.

Kirsten Dunst, left, and Jesse Plemons arrive at the Oscars on Sunday.

Actress Kirsten Dunst, 41, channelled Nineties minimalism in her all-white outfit. The Gucci gown had a square neckline, a low back and spaghetti straps, and was styled with a bold red lip and loose hair.

Dunst seems to be developing an increasingly close relationship with Gucci, and was pictured sitting front row for the Italian fashion houses most recent Milan Fashion Week show.

Danielle Brooks arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Nominated for best supporting actress for her role in The Color Purple, Danielle Brooks, 34, chose a timeless all-black look by Dolce & Gabbana.

The strapless gown had silver detailing on the bodice, a thigh-high leg slit and a dramatic bow with a train.

Lupita Nyong'o, left, and Joseph Quinn arrive at the Oscars. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Lupita Nyongo, 41  who took home the best supporting actress award for her role in 12 Years A Slave in 2014  wore a sparkling lilac gown with feather detailing from Armani Prive.

The pastel colour and deep-V neckline almost felt reminiscent of the pale blue Prada gown she wore to the 2014 Oscars.
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ERCA TCS is the first company in the world to offer GRS certified chemical products, opening the door for mills to use the responsible chemical auxiliaries demanded by their retail customers. With the support and analysis of the bluesign Academy, ERCA TCS is creating a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) for some REVECOL branded chemical products, certifying the reduction of CO2 emissions compared to the use of conventional chemistry. First results of this work, have shown a CO2 reductions in the range of 30%  72%.

REVECOL by ERCA TCS was first launched at the giant ITMA textile machinery show in Milan, where it was also announced the synergy between ERCA TCSS REVECOL, YKK and Patagonia that lead to a successful implementation. This approach not only addresses the pressing need for sustainable production practices but also sets new standards for the industry, proving that environmental responsibility and economic success can go hand in hand.

REVECOL by ERCA TCS was also recently awarded:

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It has been included in the BAT (Best Available Techniques) by the European Community

November 2023 European Responsible Care Award by the European Chemical Industry  CEFIC.

ERCA TCS is poised to become an international benchmark for sustainable innovation, contributing to the reduction of the textile industry's environmental impact, noted Fabio Locatelli, CEO of ERCA TCS and Associate of ERCA Group. Our focus on R&D and our commitment to the well-being of people and the planet are at the core of our mission."

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Vietnam Farmers' Union delegation visits Laos to strengthen bilateral cooperation



A delegation from the Vietnam Farmers' Union (VNFU), led by chairman Luong Quoc Doan, extended a courtesy visit to Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, a Politburo member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and president of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Central Committee, in Vientiane, Laos, Vietnam Plus reported.

During the meeting, Doan emphasised the purpose of the visit, which is to exchange information, share experiences in mass mobilisation work, and establish cooperation mechanisms between the association and the Lao front. The discussions also revolved around the establishment of the Lao Farmers' Association.

Sinlavong expressed high appreciation for the role of the VNFU in Vietnam's agricultural development and welcomed the delegation's visit as an opportunity for Laos to learn from Vietnam's experiences in developing its farmers' union.

Additionally, the Vietnamese delegation engaged in talks with a delegation from the LFNC Central Committee, led by vice president Khamlay Sipaseuth. Both sides agreed to enhance communication efforts to deepen the understanding of farmers in both countries about the strategic significance and importance of the longstanding friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

They reaffirmed their commitment to preserving and nurturing the strong traditional relationship between the two nations, pledging to support each other in various activities of the farmers' union and the overall development of agriculture, farmers, and rural areas.

Concluding the talks, the two delegations signed a Memorandum of Understanding for bilateral cooperation spanning the period from 2025 to 2030, further solidifying their commitment to collaborative efforts and friendship.

- Vietnam Plus




De Heus opens new shrimp feed mill in Vinh Long, Vietnam

De Heus recently held an opening ceremony of a new shrimp feed mill in the Co Chien Industrial Zone, Vinh Long province, Vietnam, on March 5.

Dignitaries graced the occasion along with customers, partners, key leaders from local authorities and members of the press also in attendance. Attendees were invited to a tour inside the feed mill to see firsthand how high-quality shrimp feeds are produced.

The establishment of the De Heus Vinh Long Shrimp Feed Mill underscores the commitment of De Heus to long-term, strategic investments in the production of highly effective shrimp feed, facilitated by a dedicated, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, the company said.

Speaking at the event, Daniel Stork, Consul General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City, said: "This shrimp feed factory is not just a building; it's a significant boost for the local economy and the aquaculture industry here. By providing top-notch feed products, it's going to help shrimp farmers, improve yields and ensure food security for the community. It's a big step forward for sustainable development and economic growth in Vinh Long and beyond."

In his speech, Co de Heus, chief executive officer of Royal De Heus Group, said: "We strongly believe in the growing demand for shrimp. To support shrimp farmers, we provide high-quality feed, knowledge transfer and access to markets. We acknowledge challenges like climate change and disease outbreaks. Therefore, we are committed to sustainable practices and environmental protection through innovative technologies for the future of Vietnamese shrimp aquaculture."

Johan van den Ban, general director of De Heus Vietnam, said: "We are pleased that we are able to welcome key stakeholders in the Vietnamese and global shrimp industry here... With this investment, we are again showing the aquaculture market in general and the shrimp industry specifically that we are here to stay.

"Together with our partners upstream and downstream in the value chain, we are ready to further develop the shrimp industry in Vietnam with independent shrimp producers in a sustainable manner. Healthier shrimps, greener farms and sustainable profits for all stakeholders."

Spanning an area of 29,300 square meters, the De Heus Vinh Long Shrimp Feed Mill has an annual capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes, featuring five production lines exclusively dedicated to shrimp feed products.

Leveraging cutting-edge technology from Europe, the entire production process adheres rigorously to international quality standards such as ISO 22000, BAP, and GLOBAL GAP.

The inauguration of the feed mill underscores the aspiration of De Heus to be a major aquafeed producer encompassing both seawater and freshwater aquaculture, the company said.



- De Heus
FILE PHOTO: In this Oct. 4, 2019 file photo, Fotis Dulos appears in state Superior Court in Stamford. Fotis Dulos died in January 2020 while facing murder and other charges in connection with the death and disappearance of his estranged wife, Jennifer Dulos. Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media In this Jan. 8, 2020 file photo, Fotis Dulos is arraigned on murder and kidnapping charges in state Superior Court in Stamford. Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media An undated file photo provided by the New Canaan Police Department shows Jennifer Dulos. Contributed photo

Documents and depositions in a lawsuit filed by Anna Curry, who described herself as the "best friend" of Fotis Dulos, show the turmoil and "chaos" that she said occurred in January 2020 when he was charged with his estranged wife's murder and then took his own life three weeks later.

Curry thought Fotis Dulos "had a belief and obviously hope that a murder charge would not be coming," which is why his arrest on Jan. 7, 2020, "came as a shock, resulting in chaos over the following hours," she said in a deposition for the lawsuit.

Curry is suing Connecticut bondsmen William Sobota, owner of 24/7 Bail Bonds, independent bond agent Jerry Cao, and the South Carolina-based bond company Palmetto Surety Corp., which indemnified a $6 million bond to get Fotis Dulos out of prison after he was charged with murder and kidnapping in the death and disappearance of Jennifer Dulos.

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Curry paid the bondsmen $147,000 as a roughly one-third deposit of their $420,000 fee to have Fotis Dulos released. She claimed during her deposition that no one asked her to put up the money and no one discussed repaying her, including Fotis Dulos or his family members.

Fotis Dulos attempted suicide on Jan. 28, 2020, as Palmetto moved to revoke the $6 million when the company learned that the properties he put up as collateral weren't worth the estimates that were provided. Fotis Dulos died two days later in a New York hospital. In the weeks after his death, Curry sought to get the bond money back, but was told that it couldn't be returned because the bond company had fulfilled its obligation, the documents show.

She filed a federal lawsuit in 2021 for the money, claiming Palmetto and the bondsmen engaged in unfair business practices. The lawsuit has been on hold as U.S. District Court Judge Stefan Underhill deliberates a ruling on motions for summary judgement filed by Curry and the defendants. Depending on Underhill's ruling, Curry's lawsuit could be dismissed in part or completely or remain intact and move to trial.

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An attorney for the bondsmen and Palmetto declined to comment, citing the pending lawsuit. Curry and her attorneys did not return calls seeking comment.

Fotis Dulos was living in Farmington with Michelle Troconis when his estranged wife vanished on May 24, 2019. After a two-month trial that focused heavily on how prosecutors believed Fotis Dulos killed his estranged wife and attempted to cover up the crime, Troconis was convicted March 1 of six charges, including conspiracy to commit murder in Jennifer Dulos' death.

The New Canaan mother's disappearance and the arrests of her estranged husband and his girlfriend grabbed international headlines in 2019 and caught the attention of Curry, who had known Fotis Dulos years earlier and contacted him after seeing his arrest in the media, according to documents filed in the lawsuit.

Curry visited Fotis Dulos several times before they started dating as he and Troconis continued to face mounting charges in the case, the documents said. The court prohibited Fotis Dulos and Troconis from seeing each other after they were first arrested in June 2019.

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"In approximately October 2019, plaintiffs relationship with Dulos evolved into a more intimate, personal relationship beyond friendship," Curry's lawsuit documents noted. "Plaintiff spent approximately two to three weeks at Dulos home during the months of October, November and December 2019. After spending the majority of December at Dulos home, plaintiff left in early January to return to North Carolina for business purposes."

But she flew back on Jan. 7, 2020 when she learned Fotis Dulos had been charged with murder and first-degree kidnapping in the death of his estranged wife and was staying with him when he attempted suicide at his Farmington home on Jan. 28, 2020.

Curry had expected to sign a contract with Mark Motuzick, who had bonded out Fotis Dulos twice before when he was charged with tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution in the case, documents said.

But Motuzick became concerned about the collateral Fotis Dulos wanted to provide and he didn't show up to court on Jan. 8, 2020 to bond him out, the documents said.

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Fotis Dulos' attorney, Norm Pattis, instead lined up Sobota and Cao, who accepted two checks drawn from Curry's own account  one for $125,000 and one for $22,000  to get his client released on bond. Curry also provided a third check for $1,000 from Fotis Dulos' account, saying during the deposition that she presumed he had enough money in the account to cover the check.

'Arrest came as a shock'

Curry said she was his "best friend" in the bond documents she signed. It was unclear, she said in the deposition, who would pay the 15 monthly installments for the remaining $278,000 fee, but she presumed it would be Fotis Dulos.

"Despite all of the conversations plaintiff, Dulos and family members had over the course of the prior months, Dulos arrest came as a shock, resulting in chaos over the following hours," court documents said.

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Fotis Dulos was released on Jan. 9, 2020, but was summoned back to court three weeks later because of an issue with his bond.

By the evening of Jan. 27, 2020, Pattis and Fotis Dulos had been told that Palmetto likely would rescind the bond the next morning based on the amount of collateral he had provided, the documents said. The bond company had exceeded the risk limit allowed by law in Connecticut, Sobota said in the lawsuit documents. That meant that Fotis Dulos was facing the possibility of returning to prison until new bond arrangements were established, Curry said in the deposition.

"I think that was a very difficult time for him to sit in jail for two weeks," Curry said in the deposition, referencing when Fotis Dulos was incarcerated for a period of time until bond arrangements were made after one of his previous arrests in the case. "And so that experience, I think you know had an effect on him."

The morning of Jan. 28, 2020, Sobota went to Fotis Dulos' Farmington home when he didn't arrive at court in Stamford for the bond hearing, he said in an affidavit filed with Curry's lawsuit. He found Farmington police performing CPR on Fotis Dulos, who had tried to take his own life by carbon monoxide poisoning, the documents said. He died two days later.

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In a note left in his car where he was found, Fotis Dulos said prosecutors wanted him to "rot in jail."

"If you are reading this, I am no more," the note said. "I refuse to spend even an hour more in jail for something I had nothing to do with. Enough is enough."

Fotis Dulos was accused of killing his estranged wife on May 24, 2019. The couple had been embroiled in a two-year divorce and custody dispute after Jennifer Dulos discovered her husband had been having an affair with Troconis.

Fotis Dulos and Troconis were caught on video the night of the disappearance making a series of stops in Hartford. Fotis Dulos was seen in the footage dumping bags in trash cans that later were determined to contain his wife's blood and clothing, according to arrest warrants and testimony during Troconis' trial.

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Jennifer Dulos has never been found, but a judge declared her legally dead in October.

Like Troconis, Kent Mawhinney, a longtime friend and former attorney for Fotis Dulos, was charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the case. They were accused of trying to create an alibi for Fotis Dulos the morning his estranged wife vanished.

Mawhinney has also opted to take his case to trial but no date has been set.

Troconis is scheduled to be sentenced May 31.
A high-level, inter-governmental meeting on digital education, training and skills development, taking place in conjunction with the annual eLearning Africa conference.

For the past 16 years, eLearning Africa has convened the Ministerial Round Table alongside eLearning Africa to provide an open platform to discuss challenges and exchange knowledge about leveraging technology for education, training and skills development.

The goal of the meeting is to facilitate open dialogue and generate practical recommendations that will have real-world impact on policy drafting and implementation.

The 16th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table will take place in Kigali, Rwanda on May 29, 2024 alongside the eLearning Africa Conference and will address the theme "Future Africa: A Skilled and Capable Workforce for Africa and the World..

The African Union's "Agenda 2063" envisions a developed Africa playing a pivotal global role by the second half of the century. Africa's rising political and economic significance is evident, yet challenges persist, including regional instability and climate change impacts. While Africa holds advantages like a growing population and valuable resources, it must also prioritize climate action. The continent has potential in agriculture, 4IR industries, and renewable energy exports.

Addressing challenges will occur not only at the national level but also within cities and regions. The African Union and regional bodies will play key roles in Agenda 2063's execution. Success hinges on a well-educated population with a grasp of digital advancements in addressing climate change, the 4IR and a growing population. Effective leadership is vital in conveying a prosperous and sustainable vision. The evolving global work landscape calls for a skilled African workforce that can not only develop Africa, but also contribute to global development through remote work and migration. This demands innovative education approaches, from inclusive and personalized learning post-primary school to stackable credentials with global recognition.

Measuring educational outcomes' impact and focusing on transferable skills over content adaptability are crucial amid a rapidly changing global context. Artificial Intelligence can improve education, foster inclusion, and lower per capita costs, but it also has drawbacks such as high introduction costs, and lack of creativity. It poses risks and challenges that will need policy and regulation.

Join us at this historic moment for what will be an unmissable ministerial round table meeting.

Please note that participation at the Ministerial Round Table is by invitation only.

Sponsored by:

 Previous Editions: Communiques & Resources

2023

The 15th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table took place in Dakar, Senegal on May 25, 2023. Participants included Ministers and Representatives from more than 17 African countries. Presentations by Ministers, global EdTech businesses and non-profit organisations working in Africa, addressed issues facing governments, development partners, and EdTech companies and organisations. These include scaling up technology supported education to meet the demands of Agenda 2063 for a skilled and well educated population; and the development of stable, educated and productive societies committed to global sustainable development.

It was sponsored by

2022

The 14th Ministerial Round Table took place in Kigali, Rwanda on May 11, 2022 and addressed the theme: "Getting Back on Track - Practical Steps towards 2063": A decade ago, in its Agenda 2063, the AU set out its vision of a 'transformed continent' and the various aspirations it had for improvements in the quality of life of ordinary Africans. Since then, Africa and the rest of the world have had to contend with a devastating pandemic. It has interrupted progress and upset plans. It has also created new opportunities. As Africa begins a process of greater integration with the creation of ACFTA, African leaders still face the challenge of rapid technological change and growing, increasingly urban populations. How can they move beyond the pandemic, learn its lessons and get back on track towards 2063?

It was sponsored by

2021

This 13th Ministerial Round Table took place virtually on November 3, 2021 and addressed the theme 'Using Skills-Based Online and Blended Learning to Put Higher Education at the Heart of Your Plan for Economic Growth'.

The coronavirus pandemic has slowed global economic growth and brought some economies to a virtual standstill. At the same time, however, education has been transformed and a new age of opportunity has begun. Modern students, academics and employers increasingly appreciate the benefits of online learning for knowledge transfer and the acquisition of key skills. But how can technology and the use of more blended learning enable higher education to play the leading role in transforming your country's economic prospects? And how can it help a new generation of learners with the skills they'll need to build a thriving economy? The Ministerial Round Table will examine prospects, perspectives and plans for using online and blended learning to maximise Africa's higher education sector.

It was organised in collaboration with

2019

The 12th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table took place in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire on October 23rd, 2019 on the theme 'The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Learning, Training, Skills and Investment'. Participants, who included representatives of both African Governments and international organisations, discussed steps that might be taken towards uniting the continent in what could eventually be the world's biggest single market, and creating the right environment for this to happen. The Round Table produced a set of recommendations designed to help Africa prepare itself for the development of an African Continental Free Trade Area.

2018

The 11th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table took place in Kigali, Rwanda on the 26th September 2018 on the theme 'Towards a Knowledge-Based Economy'. The MRT was attended by ICT and Education Ministers from 14 African countries (Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo Brazzaville, Djibouti, Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda) together with invited guests from international organisations.

2017

The 10th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table took place in Balaclava, Mauritius on the 27th September 2017 on the theme Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals for Education - How eLearning and Digitalisation can Support Inclusivity, Boost Training and Encourage Skills Development. The MRT was attended by ICT and Education Ministers from 17 African countries including Cameroon, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Namibia, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe, together with representatives of leading companies and educational institutions.

2016

In 2016, the 9th edition brought together Ministers of Education and ICT from across the continent to focus on African visions and national plans for change and the role of ICT-enhanced learning and training in them. The discussions gave participants both an idea of the scope, scale and variety of change underway in Africa, as well as an understanding of key factors in successful implementation strategies.

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Contact: mrt@elearning-africa.com

Sponsorship & partnership enquiries: marketing@elearning-africa.com
NPC deputy proposes implementing inclusive basic pensions for elderly aged 65 in China

Global Times) 15:01, March 11, 2024

A deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhou Jinbo proposed the implementation of an inclusive basic pension system in China for those aged 65 and above who are not currently receiving a pension, Chinese media outlet thepaper.cn reported on Monday.

Zhou suggested establishing an inclusive basic pension system so that those elderly can receive a regular income to meet their basic living needs, and enjoy a dignified life in their twilight years and enhance their sense of achievement and happiness.

Zhou also called for clarifying the management of the inclusive basic pension, proposing that the inclusive basic pension system should be incorporated into the existing pension security system, managed and implemented by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, so as to further improve China's pension security system.

Zhou said that the local standards for the inclusive basic pension entitlements should be formulated on the basis of the local minimum subsistence guarantee standard, so as to safeguard the basic living standards for older groups, and the standards should be adjusted in accordance with changes in the minimum subsistence guarantee standard.

In addition, the entitlement standard for the inclusive basic pension should be raised appropriately in conjunction with the growth in the age, while economically developed regions are encouraged to increase the minimum entitlement standard appropriately, Zhou told the paper.cn.

Zhou also proposed that the implementation of the system should be promoted in a phased manner. Developed regions with fiscal surpluses should take the lead in establishing the mechanism and implementing it, while central government should provide financial support and gradually promote the implementation of the system for relatively less developed regions, using three to five years to achieve full coverage of the inclusive system.

Zhou pointed out that although a relatively comprehensive aged-care relief system has been established for the elderly population in China, it is not inclusive and the relief standards are generally low.

Zhou said that China's old age security system started late, and that a section of the elderly population, especially those in rural areas, due to age, their remote location, information blockage, low literacy and other reasons, did not participate in work and didn't pay social security, meaning this group of older persons has no regular income and lacks basic protection in their old age.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
State Trooper Brian North, right, appears in Connecticut Superior Court with his defense attorney Frank Riccio on the sixth day of his trial in Milford, Conn. March 11, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Lead prosecuting attorney Robert Devlin cross examines a witness on the sixth day of State Trooper Brian Norths trial in Connecticut Superior Court, in Milford, Conn. March 11, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Defense attorney Frank Riccio questions a witness on the sixth day of State Trooper Brian Norths trial in Connecticut Superior Court, in Milford, Conn. March 11, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media State Trooper Brian North appears in Connecticut Superior Court on the sixth day of his trial in Milford, Conn. March 11, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Defense attorney Frank Riccio questions a witness on the sixth day of State Trooper Brian Norths trial in Connecticut Superior Court, in Milford, Conn. March 11, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media State Trooper Brian North stands in Connecticut Superior Court at the start of the sixth day of his trial in Milford, Conn. March 11, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

MILFORD  The manslaughter trial of Connecticut State Police Trooper Brian North in the January 2020 fatal shooting of Mubarak Soulemane in West Haven entered its second week Monday  but jurors got most of the day off.

The first and only witness called Monday by defense lawyer Frank Riccio was Craig Brezniak, who trained North as a member of the state police tactical unit in November 2019, months before the Jan 15, 2020 shooting on a highway underpass in West Haven after a chase on Interstate 95.

Brezniak said there is no set amounts of shots troopers are taught to fire when using deadly force and that there is a level of predictability when firing a gun through a car window, as North did seven times, killing Soulemane.

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Following Brezniaks testimony, Riccio said the defenses last two witnesses  experts Paul Taylor and James Borden  are traveling from out of town and couldnt be at court Monday.

The two experts were retained by Michael Gailor, a prosecutor who handled the case prior to Inspector General Robert Devlin, whose position investigating all police uses of deadly force statewide was created in 2021. Taylor and Borden reviewed video of the incident and concluded North fired his weapon in response to an articulable deadly threat posed by Soulemane.

Devlin included the reports in his own investigation, but criticized their methodologies and reached the opposite conclusion on Norths use of force. He noted that the experts didnt take into account inconsistencies between Norths statements at the scene after the shooting and a written statement the trooper submitted through a lawyer a month later.

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In court Monday, Devlin asked the judge to preclude Riccio from having the experts testify about who hired them initially, arguing it could unfairly prejudice his case.

Devlin argued that who hired the expert is not relevant, but Riccio disagreed, saying he thought it was incredibly relevant to know that the state sought an opinion.

They received two opinions finding justification, and theyre disregarding them, Riccio added.

Judge H. Gordon Hall ultimately granted Devlins request, determining that the relevance of them being previously hired by the state was marginal, and that it was outweighed by the potential prejudice.

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After prosecutors presented their case to open the trial last week, North took the stand Friday in his own defense and said he thought two other officers could be in lethal danger when he shot Soulemane seven times on Campbell Avenue in West Haven following a chase on Interstate 95.

I had tunnel vision at that point, he said, describing his emotions as almost like an, Oh, my God, feeling.

On Friday, North said Soulemane initially appeared unresponsive after crashing into an SUV on Jan. 15, 2020 on a highway underpass following the chase, but came to, began reaching into his pants and took out a knife after West Haven police Officer Robert Rappa used a baton to break the passenger-side window.

I felt like I had to act in that moment or the West Haven officer or possibly Trooper (Joshua) Jackson could be killed, he said.

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During cross-examination by Devlin, North affirmed that neither officer was actually inside the vehicle; that it would have been unreasonable to shoot Soulemane if he had known that at the time; and that if Rappa had been going into the vehicle, Norths bullets could have ricocheted and hit the officer.

Devlin also got North, who said throughout his testimony that he relied on his training, to admit that training consisted of recommendations contrary to some of the officers actions during the 2020 incident, like a PowerPoint slide that said, for felony traffic stops, Do not approach the car! The trooper, echoing others who were at the scene and have taken the stand, testified that they had to respond to a dynamic, evolving event.
Global experts and key industry players will soon meet at the Asian Battery Materials Conference 2024 in Seoul, South Korea.

The event  which will take place on April 22-23 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul  will bring together more than 250 delegates, over 50 senior leaders and 130 plus companies. Attendees will include producers, processors, battery manufacturers, end users and market analysts, with industry giants like POSCO, Albemarle and Rio Tinto already confirmed.

Professionals from across the supply chain and around the world will network with each other and discuss the very latest innovations and developments in the sector. Among the hot topics on the agenda will be sustainability, supply chains, IRA compliance, lithium extraction and materials prices.

Conference attendees will also benefit from industry leaders projections, invaluable local perspectives on the Asian market and Fastmarkets in-depth data analysis.

Speakers at the event will include:

Kevin Chan  Commercial Vice President (APAC) at Albemarle

Kyungsub Lee  Executive Vice President at POSCO Holdings

Tanya Moon  Associate and Board Member at New Electric Partners & The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea

Dale Henderson  CEO at Pilbara Minerals Ltd.

Anthony Kim  CEO at EcoPro Innovation

Vivas Kumar  CEO at Mitra Chem

Hearing from figures like these will give delegates a vital window on a shifting battery raw materials landscape and rapidly changing supply/demand dynamics.

The Asian Battery Materials Conference 2024 is part of a wider calendar of Fastmarkets battery raw materials events, which includes conferences focusing on lithium, Indonesia and the European market.

About Fastmarkets

Fastmarkets is an industry-leading price-reporting agency (PRA) and information provider for global commodities, providing price data, news, analytics and events for the agriculture, forest products, metals and mining and new-generation energy markets. Fastmarkets' data is critical for customers seeking to understand and predict dynamic, sometimes opaque markets, enabling trading and risk management. This global business has a history dating back to 1865 and is built on trust and deep market knowledge. It has more than 550 employees spread across global locations in the UK, US, China, Singapore, Brazil, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland and beyond.
Apple has reversed its decision to ban Epic Games developer account after it emerged that European Union officials were investigating the issue. And the EU is currently fining Apple for almost two billion dollars, so it's probably wise to pay attention.

This means Epic can bring its own app store to iPhones and iPads in the EU. Following conversations with Epic, they have committed to follow the rules, including our DMA [Digital Markets Act] policies, an Apple spokesperson told Engadget.

Earlier last week, Apple killed Epics developer account, claiming Epic was unlikely to abide by contractual agreements and even describing Epic as verifiably untrustworthy. Now, nearly four years after its disappearance, the publisher can more easily bring Fortnite back to those devices in the bloc.

Yes, Fortnite was last (officially) on iOS four years ago.

 Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

Why the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air is the best

MacBook Air M3 13-inch and 15-inch reviews

ULTROS and the palette of surreal sci-fi

You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

And the first is coming back to theaters this summer.

Nintendo and Illumination are releasing a second animated film for the Super Mario franchise, and its expected to come out April 3, 2026. The news comes from series creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, who tweeted it from the Nintendo of America X account on Sunday as part of the ongoing Mario Day shopping push celebrations. Based on his description, it doesnt seem like it will be a direct sequel to the first, though. To kill time until 2026, you can play some Mario game remakes and make Mario Kart Lego sets.

Continue reading.

Apple and Netflix were nearly shut out.

Despite combining for 32 nominations, Netflix and Apple TV+ were nearly shut out of the 2024 Oscars, with Netflix winning just a single award for Wes Andersons The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (Best Live Action Short Film). Netflix scored six prizes last year. The big surprise was Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon (Apple TV+) not gaining a single award. Oppenheimer claimed prizes for Best Picture, Best Director, editing, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Original Score and Cinematography.

Continue reading.

Thanks to a company that owns the rights to her likeness.

ABG

At SXSW on Friday, Soul Machines unveiled Digital Marilyn, an AI chatbot designed to look and talk just like Marilyn Monroe. It was made in a partnership with Authentic Brands Group, which owns the rights to Monroes likeness and those of numerous other dead and living celebrities, including Elvis Presley and Shaq.

Soul Machines introduced its Marilyn Monroe AI to the public in an International Womens Day Instagram post. Notably, all of the other AI celebrities the company currently offers chats with are men who are alive, and who can weigh in on their inclusion.

Continue reading.
Microsoft is holding a digital event titled Advancing the new era of work with Copilot on March 21. Among the possible announcements are new Surface devices, potentially the first branded as AI PCs. If we do see those, it would make this the second Windows hardware event  and first mainline Surface Pro launch  without former chief product officer and longtime keynote presenter Panos Panay, who left for Amazon last year. Heres everything we could see at the company's first launch event of 2024.

The company describes the event as breaking down the latest in scaling AI in your environment with Copilot, Windows, and Surface. There are conflicting reports about exactly what well see this week.

Windows Central claims an OLED Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 will headline the event, with their upgraded processors enabling huge performance and efficiency gains over their predecessors. However, a report from The Verge suggests this months event will only cover the business and commercial-focused versions of the devices  with much subtler upgrades than the consumer versions. The outlet claims the consumer variants with a larger redesign will follow later this spring.

The new devices will allegedly be powered by Intel Core Ultra or Snapdragon X Elite silicon with next-generation neural processing units (NPUs) for advanced AI tasks. The Intel variants are expected to launch in April, while the Arm-based Snapdragon ones will reportedly arrive several months later in June. If the reports are accurate, this would be the first time the Surface Laptop line has included an Arm-based version.

At least in the consumer models, the Surface Pro 10 is rumored to switch from LCD to an anti-reflective OLED screen. The device would be brighter than the Surface Pro 9s screen and support HDR content. Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop 6 is rumored to include thinner display bezels (with rounded corners) and a haptic touchpad. Its updated port selection is said to include two USB-C and one USB-A on its left side.

The commercial / business models (which may be all we see at this months event) are rumored to include a built-in Common Access Card (CAC) reader and options with up to 64GB of RAM.

Microsoft

Whether at this months event or later, the new consumer-facing Surface Pro and Surface Laptop are expected to kick off Microsofts push for Windows 11-running AI PCs. Theyll reportedly be among the first to include an on-device version of Copilot. Other rumored AI features include real-time captioning and translation, upscaling and frame-rate smoothing for games, upgraded Windows Studio Effects and a feature called AI Explorer. Both devices will reportedly include a dedicated Copilot key.

AI Explorer is rumored to include a built-in timeline thats searchable using natural language. Perhaps similar to the third-party Rewind AI app for macOS, the feature will allegedly log everything you do and see on your device, letting you sift through it with Copilot. It would let you ask the assistant things like, Find me that thing about dinosaurs, and see every moment in your PCs history relating to them. (It could be a privacy nightmare if not handled properly, but expect Microsoft to offer security assurances like encryption and entirely on-device processing.)

The feature would also allegedly understand context, help jumpstart projects or workflows, and even suggest tasks based on whats currently on screen. Other rumored features include the ability to tell Copilot to remove the backgrounds of onscreen images from third-party apps in the Photos app.

The AI features, which arent expected to be exclusive to the Surface devices, will reportedly arrive in this years annual feature update for Windows 11 (version 24H2), expected in the fall. Windows Central noted it isnt clear whether Microsoft will discuss the features during this week's launch.

You can watch Microsoft's event via its website, or just come back, as Engadget will have full coverage of the announcements on March 21 at noon ET.

Catch up on all the news from the Microsoft Surface and AI event right here!
"20 Days in Mariupol" director Mstyslav Chernov gave a moving speech while accepting the best documentary feature trophy at Sunday night's 2024 Oscars ceremony.

During his speech, Chernov said that it was Ukraine's first Oscar win but that he wished he didn't have to make his documentary, which chronicled the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

"This is the first Oscar in Ukrainian history, and I'm honored," the Ukraine-born filmmaker and journalist said, as seen in a video shared by ABC News. "Probably I will be the first director on this stage to say I wish I'd never made this film, I wish to be able to exchange this for Russia never attacking Ukraine and never occupying our cities."

Congratulations to '20 Days in Mariupol'  this year's Best Documentary Feature Film! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/y1Qsf7bTpm  The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 11, 2024

Chernov added that he "would give up all the recognition for Russia not killing tens of thousands of my fellow Ukrainians."

The Associated Press video journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner went on to call on Russia to end its brutal invasion.

"I wish for them to release all the hostages, all the soldiers who are protecting their land, all the civilians who are in their jails," Chernov said. "But I can't change history; I cannot change the past."

"Probably I will be the first director on this stage who will say I wish I never made this film."



Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner and Raney Aronson-Rath accept the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film for "20 Days in Mariupol."#Oscars#Oscars2024https://t.co/X7unxQW0XY pic.twitter.com/RRuTIn1pYT  ABC News (@ABC) March 11, 2024

Chernov arrived in Mariupol alongside photographer Evgeniy Maloletka and producer Vasilisa Stepanenko right before Russia began bombing the Ukrainian city, according to the Associated Press.

The three reported on the invasion from Mariupol over the next two weeks, including civilian casualties and the bombing of a maternity hospital.

Chernov worked with Maloletka, Stepanenko, and reporter Lori Hinnant to create "20 Days in Mariupol" from the hours of footage the three journalists had filmed by the time they were able to leave Mariupol.

During the 2024 Oscars ceremony, Chernov asked those in the audience to make sure that the events of the invasion of Ukraine, which has now entered its second year, are told accurately.

"We can make sure that the history record is set straight and the truth will prevail, and that the people of Mariupol, and those who have given their lives, will never be forgotten. Because cinema forms memories, and memories form history," the director said during his speech.

"20 Days in Mariupol" beat fellow nominees "Bobi Wine: The People's President," "The Eternal Memory, Four Daughters," and "To Kill a Tiger" for the best documentary Oscar.

Chernov's film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last year, earning rave reviews and an audience award.

"20 Days in Mariupol" also won best documentary at the Directors Guild of America Awards and the BAFTAs.

Meanwhile, "Oppenheimer" won big at the 2024 Oscars, receiving best picture, best director for Christopher Nolan, best actor for Cillian Murphy, and best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr.

Emma Stone took home the best actress Oscar for her performance in "Poor Things," while Da'Vine Joy Randolph won best supporting actress for her "The Holdovers" role.

The 96th Academy Awards aired Sunday on ABC.
The Naugatuck River in Ansonia, south of the Kinneytown Dam. Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media

SEYMOUR  Coe Pond Dam, a secondary dam on the same property as the Kinneytown Dam in Seymour, is in such disrepair that, if not addressed, it poses an immediate threat to public safety with the potential for loss of human life and property damage, according to an inspection report received last week by the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments.

Rick Dunne, NVCOG executive director, told Hearst Connecticut Media that the volume of water that would be released in a catastrophic breach would be about 40 acres of water averaging 15 feet deep.

The report, commissioned as part of the Kinneytown Dam Removal Project, determined the dam is in poor condition and should be reclassified as a high hazard, according to a statement from NVCOG, a regional planning agency consisting of 19 member communities.

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If Coe Pond Dam were to fail, it would threaten the safety of the adjacent Metro North Waterbury Branch commuter rail line, states the report, which was delivered to the organization on March 6.

According to a statement from the regional planning agency, NVCOG notified relevant agencies of the concern in 2023 and commissioned an independent safety inspection to assess the condition and safety risk of Coe Pond Dam."

Following an inspection by Gomez and Sullivan Engineers, the report detailed numerous deficiencies in the Coe Pond Dam, any one of which could lead to a breach at any time, according to NVCOG. The report called for the water level in Coe Pond to be lowered as soon as possible to reduce the risk of dam failure.

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A breach would inundate and damage the adjacent commuter rail line with the potential for loss of human life and property, according to the NVCOG statement.

The Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank Inc. is looking to acquire the dam property and  with NVCOG  to remove the long-dilapidated dam and restore the connection between the upper Naugatuck River and Long Island Sound.

The inspection report, needed before the land bank's acquisition of the property, questions Coe Pond Dams structural integrity, stating that if the situation is not quickly addressed, there is an immediate threat to public safety with the potential for loss of human life and property damage.

The NVCOG has notified Kinneytown Hydro Inc., owner of the dam facility, and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection of the situation.

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Attempts to contact DEEP officials were unsuccessful.

Because the lank bank has not yet acquired the property, NVCOG cannot lower the water level, although DEEP has emergency authority to safeguard the public, according to NVCOG.

Inspectors stated there is significant vegetative growth on the dam, beaver activity, erosion and undermining, and evidence of overtopping.

Lack of instrumentation to monitor water levels means there is no ability to provide warning ahead of a breach event or notify the railroad and utilities, the report states.

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Kinneytown Dam, first built in 1845, is a federally regulated hydroelectric facility on the Naugatuck River consisting of two dams with non-functioning powerhouses in Seymour and Ansonia.

The NVCOG has been working with a coalition of partners to acquire and remove the non-operational dam.

Their goal in pursuing the project is to restore the river to its natural course, restore migratory fish passage, eliminate dam safety concerns, reduce up and down-stream flood risk, improve water quality, restore natural sediment flows and restore access to the Naugatuck River for residents and visitors, the regional regulatory agency states.

In 2023, NVCOG received a $15 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Funding Opportunity under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund a project to acquire and remove Kinneytown Dam.

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Krissy Gregory, Geeking Out's latest guest, is a content creator and comedian. She is the brains behind the hilarious corporate meme account Queen of Corporate.

This week on Enstarz's newest podcast, the meme queen sat down with host Carly Polistina to geek out about her lifetime passion, 'Twilight.'

Gregory obsessed over the saga, stating she watches a 'Twilight' film nearly once a week.

"I know too much about it. I've gone down all the fan-fiction wormholes, I've really I've been there," she said. "It's like the thing in the relationship where I have to be like, 'I'm Krissy, I'm 27, I'm from Connecticut, I also am obsessed with 'Twilight' and at some point you're going to have to watch it with me."

Her love of the romance fantasy films began with the books themselves. Polistina bonded with Gregory over the important role that reading has played in both of their lives. The levity and depth of the conversation is one that you will not want to miss!

Geeking Out is a new podcast hosted by comedian, writer, and actor Carly Polistina where your favorite personalities get to geek out about their lesser known interests.

The first episode was released on March 4th where Polistina spoke to content creator Jack Sullivan about his love of whales.

New episodes out every Monday. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe.

Want to suggest talent to be a Geeking Out guest? Let us know!
Hollywood's biggest award, the Academy Awards, have overlooked many exceptional Black actors throughout the years.

Here's a list of Black thespians who are well deserving of a gold Oscar.

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne's portrayal of Ike Turner in 'What's Love Got to Do with It?' earned him accolades from fans who believed he deserved an Academy Award.

Despite a Best Actor nomination in 1994, Tom Hanks secured the win for his role in 'Philadelphia.'

RELATED: John Cena Presents Best Costume Design Oscar In The Nude

Samuel L. Jackson

Enthusiastic fans championed Samuel L. Jackson for his role in the iconic film 'Pulp Fiction' (1994).

Despite earning a Best Supporting Actor nomination, the Washington, D.C. native missed out on the win. However, his contributions were recognized with an Honorary Oscar in 2021. According to IMDb, Jackson has appeared in over 150 movies.

Yahoo! reports he is the highest grossing actor of all time, with films grossing over $27 billion worldwide.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett's unforgettable depiction of Tina Turner in the 1993 film 'What's Love Got to Do with It?' left an everlasting mark.

Despite earning a Best Actress Oscar nomination the following year, she faced defeat against 'The Piano's' Holly Hunter.

In January 2024, Bassett, who was named one of TIME's 100 most influential people in the world last year, was awarded an Honorary Oscar.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah's powerful portrayal of Miss Sophia in 1985's 'The Color Purple' showcased her remarkable acting skills to a global audience.

Although the Academy recognized her performance with a Best Supporting Actress nomination, the coveted trophy went to Anjelica Huston in 1986.

Michael Clarke Duncan

In the 'The Green Mile' (1999), a fantasy drama film that follows a death row prison guard (Tom Hanks) and a newly booked inmate, played by Michael Clarke Duncan, viewers became instand fans of the gentle giant.

Clarke Duncan delivered an excellent portrayal of John Coffey, resonating deeply with audiences and critics alike, earning him a well-deserved Oscar nomination. However, despite the undeniable talent and emotional depth he brought to the character, he was not awarded the Oscar.

Clarke Duncan died in Los Angeles of respiratory failure after experiencing a heart attack. He was 54.

RELATED: Watch: Emma Stone Suffers Wardrobe Malfunction As She Wins Oscar For Best Actress

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle secured a Best Actor nomination for his compelling role in the 2004 film 'Hotel Rwanda.'

Cheadle, 59, who played real-life Paul Rusesabagina, a Rwandan hotelier who helped protect and hide refugees from genocide, did not win the award. Jamie Foxx took home the honor for his role for his portrayal of Ray Charles in his biopic, 'Ray.'
11 March 2024 - The European Synchrotron, the ESRF, played host to the most famous violin in the world: 'Il Cannone' violin, crafted in 1743 and played by the great virtuoso Niccolo Paganini. The Municipality of Genoa and the Premio Paganini teamed up with ESRF scientists to use the worlds brightest synchrotron to carry out X-ray analysis of the iconic violin.

The conservation of ancient violins of historical and cultural high interest, such as Il Cannone, Niccolo Paganinis favourite violin, which ranks among the most important musical instruments in the history of Western music, requires constant monitoring of their state of health. The Municipality of Genoa in Italy and the Premio Paganini have developed a programme with the ESRF for an in-depth monitoring and analysis of the behaviour of the violin in different situations, in order to better preserve and understand this precious historical artefact. In this context, the Municipality of Genoa and its conservators have teamed up with ESRF scientists to define a measurement protocol and perform a unique experimental X-ray study  using non-destructive X-ray techniques  of the structural status of the wood and the bonding parts of the violin. Working day and night, they used a technique called multi-resolution propagation phase-contrast X-ray microtomography at the ESRFs new BM18 beamline to scan the violin.

ll Cannone was built in 1743 by the great Cremonese luthier Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri, also known as del Gesu. Paganini enjoyed an almost symbiotic relationship with what he called my cannon violin for its acoustic prowess. The Cannone became an exceptional partner for the virtuosities of the musician, who developed new violin techniques by exploiting the instruments potential to the full. Niccolo Paganini left the Cannone to his hometown, Genoa, so that it may be perpetually preserved. The violin has been kept in Palazzo Tursi, the seat of the Municipality of Genoa since 1851. The Cannone is rarely played. Some famous violinists have performed with the Cannone in concerts in Italy and abroad; however, playing the precious instrument remains a privilege reserved for the winner of Genoas biennial Premio Paganini International Violin Competition.

The technique applied at the ESRF has been widely used for palaeontology over the last two decades. This technique has reached a new level of sensitivity and resolution thanks to the ESRFs new Extremely Brilliant Source, which, since its commissioning in August 2020, provides experimental performances at least 100 times better than before. Combined with the unique capabilities of the new BM18 beamline, it offers the unprecedented capability to reconstruct a 3D X-ray image of the complete violin at the wood cellular structure level, with the possibility to zoom in locally anywhere in the violin, down to the micrometric scale. As a result, the experiments carried out at the ESRF provide a full 3D vision of the conservation status of the violin, but also a super-precise representation of the details of the bold structure of Il Cannone, which possesses a uniquely powerful voice, and also full mapping of the previous interventions and reparations done in the past by lute makers.

This fantastic experience, undertaken with my colleagues at the ESRF and with the conservators of the Cannone violin, opens new possibilities to investigate the conservation of ancient musical instruments of cultural interest, as a crossing point between music, history and science, says Luigi Paolasini, ESRF scientist and the project leader.

Close-up view of Paganini's "Il Cannone" on the experimental station BM18 at the ESRF. Credit: ESRF/P. Jayet

"It was a kind of dream to work on this violin. BM18 can be considered as currently the best place in the world to conduct such an experiment. We had to deal with some logistical and technical challenges, but the ESRF team did an incredible job to make this dream a reality. I hope that this experiment will be the first in a long series. In few months, we will even be able to work on much larger instruments, up to the size of a double-bass, says Paul Tafforeau, ESRF scientist in charge of BM18.

The microtomographic investigations undertaken at the ESRF represent one of the most important events in the second life of the Cannone; for us, conservators, working with such a team of scientists and with such fantastic equipment is an unforgettable experience. Its a starting point for a better understanding of this irreaplaceable and still mysterious violin, say Bruce Carlson, Alberto Giordano and Pio Montari, conservators of the Cannone violin.

On the ESRF's BM18 experimental station, teams from the ESRF, the Genoa Municipality, the Premio Paganini and the violin conservationists stand on either side of the "Il Cannone". The precious violin is placed inside protective casing ready for non-invasive analysis using the ESRF's high performance X-rays. Credit: ESRF/P. Jayet. Left to right: Nicola Sodini (Elettra, Trieste), Alessandro Mirone (ESRF), Paul Tafforeau (ESRF), Alberto Giordano (lute conservationist), Bruce Carlson (assistant lute conservationist), Luigi Paolasini (ESRF), Chiara de Marco (Genoa Municipality).

Quote from Francesco Sette, ESRF, Director General

ESRFs mission is to serve the users of our Member Countries and the international community by enabling state-of-the-art investigations of the structure of materials, from the atomic all the way up to the macroscopic scales. The present study on Il Cannone is a wonderful example of ESRF non-destructive 3D X-ray imaging techniques enabling qualitative progress in the understanding of how this precious artifact is made, a key-step for its conservation for the next generations.

Quote from Marco Bucci, Mayor of Genoa

This extraordinary event interweaves culture, science, history and music around the most famous violin in the world which Paganini himself chose to entrust our city with, for it to be conserved forever. May we continue to safeguard the Cannone and honour its worth.

Quote from Giovanni Panebianco, President of the Premio Paganini Prize

The diagnostic test was carried out as part of an unprecedented international cooperation centred around excellence and distinction. The Paganini Committee has facilitated the conditions for achieving a result that has been awaited for years. I would like to thank Francesco Sette, Luigi Paolasini and the entire team who worked alongside the Cultural Policy Department and the luthiers of the Municipality of Genoa. A heartfelt thank you to all those who have supported the initiative in their various capacities, in particular to Emanuela DAlessandro, the Italian Ambassador in France, and to Chiara Petracca, Consul General in Lyon.

Quote from Barbara Grosso, Managing Director of the Municipality of Genoa

Now that it has had this important check on the state of its health, I hope that Paganinis Cannone can more often excite enthusiasts from all over the world and be an ambassador for our city. Thanks to the Municipality offices responsible for the procedures that enabled the violin to be transported to Grenoble, to the luthiers Bruce Carlson and Alberto Giordano who followed the process from the preparatory stages, and the Sponsors AXA XL and Associazione A Compagna, Technical Sponsors of the Paganini Violins journey.

Quote from Enrico De Barbieri, Paganini Ambassador and member of the Paganini Committee

It is a pleasure and an honour to be here. So many personal and family memories come to mind. Today I am witness to a truly special moment which makes me proud as a Genoese. My father Renato and my grandfather Paolo would be equally proud of this, as their lives have been linked to Paganini, the Premio and the Cannon  comments Enrico De Barbieri, Paganini Ambassador and member of the Paganini Committee.

Quote from Chiara Petracca, Consul General of Italy in Lyon

Due to the workmanship and the prestige of its owner, the Cannone can be considered one of the most important musical instruments in the world and it is essential to ensure its conservation.

I am therefore very excited to be part of the international collaboration started by the Municipality of Genoa and the Premio Paganini with a research centre with outstanding excellence such as the ESRF and I am particularly grateful to all those who have worked on this project for having combined science and the most advanced technologies in the name of art.
Hare coursers committing crimes on private farmland were caught red-handed by the police after a drone was used to intercept them.

The three males were caught and later detained by officers following the incident in East Cleveland, Cleveland Police said.

They were handed community protection warning letters, and one of them received a warning for possessing cannabis.

New legislation makes it an offence to go equipped for, search for, or pursue hares with dogs, and an offence to trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs.

This legislation was recently used when two men were charged under the act and both received more than 6,000 in fines each.

Farmers and landowners face huge costs when damage is caused to crops and land by hare coursers, particularly when the land has just been seeded or the crops have just started to grow.

On occasions, the crime causes thousands of pounds worth of damage, which the landowner has to foot the bill for.

Cleveland Polices lead for rural crime, Chief Inspector Jon Hagen, said it was another 'very successful' nights activity.

"[It] allowed us to provide reassurance, gather intelligence and take action against those intent on causing crime or ASB in rural areas.

I hope our ongoing work under Operation Checkpoint helps everyone who lives and works rurally feel they have a voice, that police are listening to their concerns and, more importantly, taking action.

In October 2023, three men were sentenced following hare coursing offences in December 2022, with one man receiving a custodial sentence.

Two men were also recently ordered to pay out more than 12,000 after being charged with the same offences.
A new study has shown that blackgrass uses specific adaptations to flourish even when soil is totally saturated for up to three weeks.

When waterlogged, blackgrass plants grow bigger than their well-drained counterparts while wheat growth under the same conditions was significantly reduced.

The research, by Rothamsted, also examined different populations of blackgrass and showed that the more herbicide resistant the population was, the more waterlogging tolerant it was too.

Other studies have shown that weed competition early in crop development has the greatest impact on yield.

Blackgrass is one of the most problematic and damaging agricultural weeds for winter wheat in Western Europe.

Severe infestations can result in yield loses of up to 70%, squeezing farm productivity and ultimately imperilling our food security.

It costs UK farmers around 400 million per year and as few as 12 plants per square metre could reduce crop yield by 5%.

Rothamsted's new findings suggest fields infested with herbicide resistant blackgrass are going to be badly affected by autumn waterlogging.

The results also help to explain why blackgrass tends to form patches in areas of the field where the soil is good at holding onto water.

This is an important step forward in our understanding of what makes blackgrass so resilient, said Rothamsteds Dr Dana MacGregor who led the research.

We are getting closer to pinpointing the physical and genetic mechanisms that make blackgrass such a formidable foe for cereal farmers.

For the study, seedlings of wheat and blackgrass were flooded for up to 21 days in pots in the greenhouse.

During this time, the size of the plant was measured and plant tissues were collected and analysed.

The plants roots were carefully examined under the microscope to see if structural changes could be identified. Changes in gene expression and metabolism were also measured.

Mr MacGregor said: We knew that wheat plants alter their root structure in response to waterlogging, making drinking straw-like structures called aerenchyma that increase gas exchange from the unflooded tissues down into the flooded roots.

"Although this survival response helps, renovating roots takes time and energy. What we were surprised to see is that blackgrass always had these structures even in the well-drained conditions.

"In other words, blackgrass is ready to go when fields are flooded, whilst wheat and other crops, must remake their roots to survive."

Molecular analyses also showed that wheat changes gene expression and metabolite concentrations when waterlogged, turning on pathways that will help it to survive or using up stress-relieving metabolites.

Blackgrass on the other hand showed minimal responses, behaving almost as if it was oblivious to the waterlogging.

Despite the small response, the transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles of these two species were different.

These differences could not only help shape potential control strategies for this pernicious weed, but may also identify new physical, genetic or metabolic traits that may be helpful in future-proofing climate stressed crops.

Blackgrass is incredibly resilient and will probably do pretty well even in the face of climate change, explained MacGregor.

If we want to future-proof our crops, studying how this weed survives todays challenges could help us to identify new or useful traits that could be used in tomorrows crops.
Fountain Square, in Shelton, Conn. Sept. 12, 2023. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

SHELTON  Two stops for sweet treats  one a popular staple in the state, the other opening its first Connecticut location  and a popular sandwich shop will soon be opening in the Fountain Square plaza.

Crumbl Cookies and Sugar Llamas, with its first Connecticut location, are planning to open in April, while Jersey Mike's Subs plans a Wednesday opening, according to Dave Gunia, senior vice president of development with Highview Commercial, owner of the plaza which sits at 801 Bridgeport Ave.

The Shelton location is Crumbl Cookies' sixth in Connecticut. The most recent opened last year in Milford. The chain also has locations in Fairfield, North Haven, Danbury and the original location in Manchester's The Plaza at Buckland Hills, which opened in late 2021.

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Crumbl Cookies feature unique packaging with the brand's signature pink coloring.

Sugar Llamas, what its website calls the one-stop treat shop, is new to Connecticut. It presently has 14 locations, most of which are in Oklahoma. Other locations are in Texas, Kansas and Arkansas. Shelton is among four new locations opening soon, according to the company's website.

Gunia said Sugar Llamas is also expected to open in April.

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The website says Sugar Llamas offers mini donuts with flavors such as cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, cocoa powdered sugar and plain Jane. Other treats include ice cream and various coffee and drink selections.
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of body piercings in skeletons from 11,000 years ago.

Scientists have found evidence of ancient body piercings

A team from Ankara University have unearthed over 100 ornaments in the graves of individuals at the Boncuklu Tarla site in Turkey in what is thought to be the earliest evidence of body perforation.

The ornaments were found next to the ears and chins, strongly suggesting that they were worn in piercings.

However, analysis has shown that only adults wore the piercings - implying that the ancient tradition could have been a coming-of-age ritual.

Dr. Emma Baysal, co-author of the research, said: "It shows that traditions that are still very much part of our lives today were already developed at the important transitional time when people first started to settle in permanent villages in western Asia more than 10,000 years ago."

She added: "They had very complex ornamentation practices involving beads, bracelets and pendants, including a very highly developed symbolic world which was all expressed through the medium of the human body."
Emma Stone had to be "sewn back into" her Oscars dress after she "busted" it dancing to 'I'm Just Ken'.

Emma Stone broke her dress before landing the Best Actress Oscar

The 35-year-old screen star attended the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night (10.03.24) wearing a cream Louis Vuitton gown and she had to take to the stage to pick up her Best Actress prize with the back gaping open after she broke the zipper during Ryan Gosling's performance of his 'Barbie' song 'I'm Just Ken'.

Emma started her acceptance speech by turning around and pointing out the damage, telling the audience at the Dolby Theater: "My dress is broken. I think it happened during 'I'm Just Ken'."

After picking up her award for her role in 'Poor Things', Emma then had to be "sewn back into" the dress before stepping inside the press room for her backstage interviews.

During her time in front of journalists, Emma was asked for an update on the frock and she said: "They sewed me back in. Right when I came back they sewed me back in, which was wonderful.

"I genuinely think I busted it during 'I'm Just Ken'. I was so amazed by Ryan and what he was doing and that number just blew my mind and I was right there and I was going for it and you know, things happen."

The big win marked Emma's second Oscar seven years after winning the Best Actress gong for ' La La Land' and she saw off competition from Annette Bening ('Nyad'), Lily Gladstone ('Killers of the Flower Moon'), Sandra Huller ('Anatomy of a Fall'), and Carey Mulligan ('Maestro').

She said in her speech: "This is really overwhelming. My voice is also a little gone, whatever. The women on the stage, you are all incredible and the women in this category.

"Sandra, Annette, Carey, Lily, I share this with you. I'm in awe of you and it has been such an honour to do all this together and I hope we get to continue to do this together."

She went on to pay tribute to all who had worked on 'Poor Things', including director Yorgos Lanthimos. She said: "I don't know what I'm saying, oh my God. I'm totally ... The other night I was panicking as you can kind of see, happens a lot, that maybe something like this could happen and Yorgos said, 'Please take yourself out of it' and he was right because it's not about me, it's about a team that came together to make something greater than the sum of its parts, and that is the best part about making movies, it's all of us together and I am so deeply honoured to share this with every cast member, every crew member, every single person who poured their love and their care and their brilliance into the making of this film."
Cillian Murphy was "a little overwhelmed" to win the Best Actor Oscar on Sunday (10.03.24).

Cillian Murphy won Best Actor

The 47-year-old actor scooped the accolade for his work on 'Oppenheimer' and paid a particular tribute to his director and frequent collaborator Christopher Nolan, and producer Emma Thomas.

Speaking on stage at Los Angeles' Dolby Theater, he said: "I'm a little overwhelmed. Thank you to the Academy. Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, it's been the wildest, most exhilarating, most creatively satisfying journey over the last 20 years, I owe you more than I can say, thank you so much

"Every single crew member, every single cast member from 'Oppenheimer', you guys carried me through."

Cillian went on to praise the others nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Bradley Cooper ('Maestro'), Colman Domingo ('Rustin'), Paul Giamatti ('The Holdovers') and Jeffrey Wright ('American Fiction') before thanking his team and his loved ones.

He said: "All my fellow nominees I remain in awe of you, truly.

"I want to thank my incredible team, big shout out... Brendan Murphy, Mary Murphy, Yvonne McGuinness my partner in life, my two boys Malachy and Aran, who are sitting up there, I love you so much."

The 'Dunkirk' actor concluded by dedicating his win to "peacemakers everywhere".

He said: "I'm a very proud Irishman standing here tonight.

"We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, for better or worse we're all living in Oppenheimer's world so I'd like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere."
Rachel Leviss has accused Lisa Vanderpump of spreading "propaganda" against her.

Rachel Leviss has slammed Lisa Vanderpump

The 29-year-old reality star recently launched a lawsuit against Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix, and Rachel has now slammed Lisa for her response to the legal action.

Rachel - who quit ''Vanderpump Rules' in 2023 - said on her 'Rachel Goes Rogue' podcast: "I know Lisa and I were never super, super tight in the same way she is with Tom. But it doesnt feel good to have somebody speak out about this lawsuit and the situation thats very sensitive.

"To have her push out a certain type of story that isnt anywhere near the truth of what has happened is very disappointing. And I would just hope that people dont speak on it until they really understand what the lawsuit is and my reason for holding these people accountable."

Rachel has been heartbroken to Lisa's reaction to the lawsuit.

The brunette beauty - who had a months-long affair with Tom - also accused Lisa of "victim shaming".

Rachel - who is suing for revenge porn, eavesdropping, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress - said: "Its just a little heartbreaking to have somebody who you kind of look up to in a way because you have this idea of who somebody is, and admire them for being a boss.

"Seeing the way that she has turned on me, I know she has a lot of power, and I want to be firm in standing up for myself and pointing out like that its not OK to be talking about and spreading certain propaganda and straight up lies as a way to change the publics perception of somebody.

"Its messed up. Removing myself from the situation and looking at this as a statement that is pretty much victim shaming."

On the other hand, Lisa recently rubbished Rachel's lawsuit, describing it as "ridiculous".

She told TMZ: "I think if you dont want to have somebody share your porn, then dont send it to your best friends boyfriend, right?"
The Wolfe Tones have announced their last ever London performance.

The Wolfe Tones announce final London performance

The traditional Irish music icons - who celebrate their 60th anniversary this year - will play their biggest UK show to date at Finsbury Park on July 5th.

Brian Warfield said: "The Irish diaspora across the world have always been massive supporters of The Wolfe Tones, and no greater support was had than from the Irish in Britain! I wrote My Heart Is In Ireland as a tribute to the Irish in England, Scotland and Wales. The London Irish hold a very special place in our hearts, there are too many shows to mention but the great nights in The National in Kilburn will never be forgotten.

"It is most fitting that The Wolfe Tones 60th Anniversary Concert will be our final London performance. It will also be our largest ever in the UK, with a headline set in Finsbury Park. We promise to make it a very special experience for what we hope will be a massive attendance as we say farewell to London  Let The People Sing!

The band - which also features Tommy Byrne and Noel Nagle - will be supported by The Undertones, The Sharon Shannon Big Band, The Scratch and Brogeal with tickets going on sale on Friday (15.03.24) at 9am on www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

Michael Bradley of The Undertones said: "It's great to be sharing a stage (as well as half a name) with The Wolfe Tones on an historic day for them."

The Wolfe Tones - who made a record-breaking appearance at Irelands Electric Picnic in 2023, which saw them draw one of the biggest crowds in the festivals history - are set to retire later this year after 60 years of performing.

Speaking about the retirement decision, Tommy said: I never thought that we would go on so long. Its been absolutely amazing, but Im 80 next year and I think that would be a good time to stop.

"I brought this motion to Brian and Noel and they agreed. To go out on a high like this would be a great tribute to the band."
Chinese textile and garment entrepreneurs are increasingly becoming optimistic about Bangladeshs position as a key supplier of apparel items, evidenced by a steady influx of orders from international clothing retailers and brands.

The increasing demand for fabrics, yarns, chemicals, dyes, and machinery used in the Bangladesh textile and garment sector has led to China becoming Bangladeshs largest supplier.

This is as per media reports, which added simultaneously, rising production costs in China, coupled with a scarcity of skilled workers, have prompted Chinese investors to turn their attention to Bangladesh even if this trend is particularly pronounced in the textile and garment sector.

Increasing demand for fabrics, yarns, chemicals, dyes, and machinery has led to China becoming Bangladesh's largest supplier. Bangladesh imports nearly $20 billion worth of goods from China, as per industry people. Increasing production costs coupled with scarcity of skilled workers have prompted Chinese investors to turn their attention to Bangladesh.

According to industry insiders, Bangladesh imports nearly $20 billion worth of goods, including fabrics, from China as Chinese fabric sellers continue to target export-oriented garment factories in Bangladesh, experiencing a surge in orders from global retailers and brands.

This growing reliance on China is attributed to local weavers able to meet only 40 per cent of the demand for woven fabrics, while the remaining 60 per cent sourced through imports, primarily from China and India.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media, senior vice-president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Amin Helaly, emphasised the significant opportunity for Chinese investors even as he added Bangladesh annually imports of over $10 billion worth of fabrics from China.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)
America Ferrera bid a fond awards season farewell to Barbie on Sunday in a stunning, sparkly Versace gown in the film's signature pink, while Rita Moreno wore a huge smile and a statement black gown from Badgley Mischka. Hollywood's big night in Los Angeles included few fashion risks, with many sticking to classic silhouettes, black and other standard colors. Emma Stone went for a soft pastel strapless look in mint with a wide peplum at the waist. It was Louis Vuitton.

Moreno, at 92, waved to photographers as she showed off her pleated taffeta and velvet gown. Brittany Snow offered a refreshing show of color in a bright strapless custom Monot dress paired with a statement choker. Lavender had a moment on a few. So did Billie Eilish in a Chanel schoolgirl look with a black jacket, pattern skirt, white socks and black Mary Janes. She and others on the carpet wore red pins supporting a cease-fire in Gaza.

The Godzilla Minus One group, meanwhile, showed up carrying toy monsters. Many men stuck to black in tuxedos and other looks, including a fashion star of the awards season, Colman Domingo in a double-breasted tuxedo look, a custom Louis Vuitton, paired with western boots and a jewel at the center of his bow tie. "I wanted to shine like a diamond? he told E! I'm having a great time. And there was a predictable spray of sequins for the women. White and off-white looks also represented.

There was lots of black for the women, too, including a custom Schiaparelli for Sandra Huller with extended shoulders and the perfect fit. Erika Alexander of American Fiction wore a white strapless gown with a black skirt trimmed in pastel tulle. The designer, Christian Siriano, said it was made in a miraculous four days. Laverne Cox, working the carpet for E!, was the epitome of Old Hollywood glam in an hourglass look of black and low-plunging gold, her hair piled high as she fluttered a feather-light neck piece that trailed behind. Her look is vintage Mugler.

Scott George, a member of the Osage Nation and the first Indigenous person to receive an Oscar nomination for best original song, was among the early arrivals in a gray look trimmed in green and purple, his tie in matching colors. A couple of little cuties in nominated short films were delighted to walk. Porche Brinker of The Last Repair Shop was in ethereal soft blue, and Juliet Donenfeld of Red, White and Blue looked all-the-way grown up in a blinged-out strapless dress.

Red, an IT color of the awards season, had some early enthusiasts as arrivals heated up. Some walking the carpet wore red pins supporting a cease-fire in Gaza. Issa Rae, a red carpet standout, stunned in plunging deep green. The top sparkled with sequins. I am wearing green for good luck, she said. I wanted to feel old Hollywood. Gabrielle Union wore another stunner, a strong silver embellished look from Carolina Herrera that offered an armor vibe.

I am feeling myself, Union said. Among the risk-takers? Charlotte Kemp Muhl, who walked with Sean Ono Lennon in a backless and near sideless black dress. Eugene Lee Wang, following in the footsteps of Billy Porter, donned a full ball skirt with a crop jacket. Among the men who opted out of black was Taylor Zakhar Perez in powder blue. Simu Liu of Barbie brought the Kenergy. He rocked a black Fendi look with a wrap-around jacket closed with a brooch. "It's a fun situation, and I like brooches, he said. (AP) RDS RDS
Anupamaa Update: Since its inception in 2020, Anupamaa, produced by Rajan Shahi's Director's Kut Productions, has been regularly entertaining audiences. Starring Rupali Ganguly and Gaurav Khanna in the lead roles as Anupamaa and Anuj Kapadia, respectively, the family drama has consistently dominated the TRP charts.

ANUPAMAA TWIST AND CURRENT TRACK

Renowned for its frequent plot twists aimed at captivating viewers, the makers introduced a significant development by implementing a five-year leap. Following the leap, Anupamaa finds herself living separately from both the Shahs and the Kapadias. Motivated by a job opportunity in America presented by Devika (Jaswir Kaur), Anupama embarks on a new journey in the United States to pursue her aspirations.

Meanwhile, in America, Anuj (played by Gaurav Khanna) resides with Aadya (portrayed as Choti Anu) and his fiancee, Shruti (played by Sukirti Kandpal). On the other hand, Vaquar Shaikh entered the hit Star Plus show as Yashdeep who has turned out to be a strong support system for Anupama.

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VAQUAR SHAIKH ON POSSIBILITY OF ANUPAMAA & YASHDEEP'S MARRIAGE

While everyone is loving Yashdeep's friendship and chemistry with Anupama, fans wondering whether the makers have any plans for their marriage in the show. In a recent interview, Vaquar Shaikh opened up about the possibility of Anu and Yashdeep ending up together.

Reacting to it, the actor told Bollywood Life, "They are definitely good friends right now, but what will happen in the future, the way in real life we don't know, it's the same thing with television too. You cannot predict the upcoming story. Yes, but one thing is for sure, whatever changes Anupama and Yashdeep's relationship goes through, it will be very interesting. Yeah, now will Anupama and Yashdeep's relationship culminate into love, or maybe Yashdeep and Anu will become such good friends that viewers will question why they can't be together. Anything can happen."

Do you want to get Anupamaa and Yashdeep married? Share your views in the comments section below.
Transporting the viewers into a whole new world, Zee TV's Pyaar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan is gearing up for a 7-year leap starting 12th March, where destiny has dealt the most unexpected cards for Radha (Neeharika Roy) and Mohan (Shabir Ahluwalia).

On one hand, viewers will be surprised to see Radha living as Radhika Kohli in South Delhi along with her son, Manan, husband, Yug Kohli, and his entire family; on the other hand, Mohan will be living with his daughter, Gungun - now a spirited 16-year-old with a mind of her own. She despises Radha, as she believes that irrespective of her issues with Mohan, Radha as a mother should not have abandoned her, as their bond was unparalleled.

An exciting new entry awaits viewers as heartthrob Manit Joura will be seen playing the role of Radhika's husband, Yug. He is a businessman who owns and runs a media house. An ideal husband, son and brother, Yug is everything that a woman would want in her perfect man. But there is an air of suspicion that surrounds Yug making viewers wonder if he is too good to be true! Talking about his new role Manit said, "It feels like I'm back home on Zee TV or I barely even left, considering I bagged Radha Mohan so quick on the heels of having quit Kundali Bhagya. The new role is a bunch of surprises, I don't wish to divulge much at this stage. Except that the audience will get to see a very new side to me as an artiste. Yug is a layered character and I can only begin to let the audience peel the layers gradually with every episode."

The simple, unassuming Radha who once lived only for others and their happiness is now building a life of her own. In her new avatar, Radhika is seen as a contemporary, urban young woman based in Delhi. She runs her own podcast and manages the house beautifully. Despite a hectic schedule she prefers to cook one meal for the entire family. What's more, Radhika now speaks English fluently!

Mohan has become a successful businessman and has temporarily moved into his friend-cum-business partner, Mira's house. The camaraderie they've developed during business hours has spilled over into their personal lives. However, it seems Mohan is still clinging on to his past with the hope that somewhere, his Radha is still waiting for him.

Viewers will be left wondering - Dil wohi hai, par nayi hai dhadkan ... Par kya kabhi hoga Radha Mohan ka sangam?

With some untold secrets, interesting twists as well as exciting revelations in the coming weeks, you cannot miss watching an all-new chapter as it unfolds on Pyaar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan, every day at 8 pm, only on Zee TV!
Students arrive for the first day of class at Harborside Middle School, in Milford, Conn. Sept. 1, 2021. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

MILFORD  Alice Oseman's "Heartstopper" graphic novel series will remain at Harborside Middle School's media center, after a challenge from local parents who questioned the book's age appropriateness. The series deals with two students at an all-boys British school who meet and fall in love.

Superintendent Anna Cutaia, in a three-page decision rejected the request that books one through four of the ongoing five-book series be pulled from the Harborside Middle School's library because it was too adult for sixth-graders. The parent who sought the review of the book, Rebecca Lattanzi, did not immediately respond to messages left Sunday and Monday. Harborside Middle School Parent Teacher Organization Vice President Malinda Childs also sought the review.

Lattanzi previously said she knew of about 20 parents who shared her views. The series features explicit curse words, anti-gay slurs in a bullying context, mental health and eating disorders and frank discussions of body parts and puberty.

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More than a dozen parents questioned the fitness of the books for middle school students at the Harborside PTO Facebook page, including several who said they wrote to Cutaia to protest.

"While I do not agree with all of the points made in the report, I do respect them," Childs said in an email responding to Cutaia's decision. "I will say that I had a strong sense that the book was not going to be removed going into this process (and) that was not our ultimate goal."

Childs said she hoped that in the future when selecting books for the library that "staff really take a strong look at the selection and use a little common sense to determine if it is age appropriate or not."

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Cutaia followed a committee's recommendation that the books, which are not required reading, remain on the shelves, but said parents don't have to agree with the schools. Parents can review school library contents at destiny.milforded.org and contact their library media specialists to "prevent specific books from being taken out" by their children, Cutaia wrote.

But no parent has the right to prevent someone else's children from accessing a book that those children's parents or the school system approves of, Cutaia said.

Milford Public Schools believes strongly in intellectual freedom and providing opportunities for equal access to books in our school library collections," she wrote. "School libraries play a unique role in providing opportunities for intellectual freedom. It is our responsibility to support this intellectual freedom in our Milford Public Schools community."

Lattanzi and Childs, who was there as a PTO member to help represent Lattanzi, met with school officials on Feb. 23 to discuss the series, which also follows the relationships of the two main characters' friends, many of whom are LGBTQ+.

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Given that sixth-graders aren't yet taught all of these things in the school curricula, Lattanzi questioned why school officials thought it was appropriate among a mix of books viewable by children like her daughter, who started kindergarten at age 4 and was a middle school student at 10.

Cutaia said that the book is generally rated OK for kids ages 11 to 14, although no specific rating system, like the Motion Picture Association ratings used by the film industry. The series of books is part of the school district's efforts "to continue to support students who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community."

"Books like 'Heartstopper' and other books that represent LGBTQIA+ youth send strong messages of belonging for our young people which is a healthy message for all students," Cutaia wrote.

She cited several statistics that she said "support the need to have literature where all students can find themselves" from the Trevor Project of 2022 which indicate that 45 percent of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously considered suicide in the last year. Affirming the presence of LGBTQIA+ youth in schools leads to lower rates of attempting suicide, Cutaia said.

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"It is our responsibility to make sure every student within the Milford Public Schools can find material in which they see themselves," Cutaia wrote.

The Destiny website allows for "a great compromise that would accommodate all sides," Childs said in her email, asking Cutaia to have a link to Destiny displayed prominently on the school system's website.

"Up until my in-person meeting with Dr. Cutaia, I had no knowledge of this tool and never once was it offered as an option prior to our meeting," she said.

Cutaia said she concluded that "the books on our public school library shelves may be the wrong targets for the worries that we have about our middle school children growing up too fast or being exposed to content that is not age appropriate."

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The top Spotify artists use some level of profanity and "have themes related to sex, drugs, heartbreak, pain, love, vulnerability, identity, transformation, revenge, retaliationto name a few," Cutaia wrote. "Having books on a shelf is much more visible and concrete. It allows our staff to support young people with the themes within the literature theyre reading as opposed to songs listened to via ear-buds or videos viewed on a smartphone."
Child Actor-Turned-Director Surya Kiran Passed Away: Renowned Telugu filmmaker Surya Kiran, known for directing notable films such as 'Satyam' and 'Dhana 51,' breathed his last in Chennai on March 11.

The director, who was previously married to actress Kalyani (also known as Kaveri) before parting ways, succumbed to illness, as confirmed by reports.

Surya Kiran battled severe jaundice, ultimately losing his life after a strenuous fight. He was undergoing treatment at GEM Hospital in Chennai, where he fought for his life before passing away.

Before gaining prominence as a director, Surya Kiran established himself as a child actor, featuring in numerous Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu films. He gained fame under the name Master Suresh during his time as a child actor, appearing in over 200 films, including notable titles like 'Mouna Geethangal' and 'Padikkadavan.'

Surya embarked on his directorial journey in 2003 with the release of 'Satyam', featuring Sumanth Akkineni and Genelia in pivotal roles. The film garnered widespread acclaim, propelling him into the spotlight. This success was followed by the 2005 hit 'Dhana 51', once again starring Sumanth. Throughout his career, Surya helmed various projects, including 'Brahmastram' (2006), 'Raju Bhai' (2007), and 'Chapter 6' (2010).

Surya Kiran's foray into television included an appearance on the Telugu reality show 'Bigg Boss 4,' where he was the first contestant to be eliminated from that season.

Surya Kiran And Actress Kalyani Divorce Reason

Surya Kiran was previously married to actor Kalyani (also known as Kaveri) before their eventual divorce years later. His younger sister, Sujitha Dhanush, is also an actor primarily active in the South Indian film industry.

Reports suggest that financial difficulties played a significant role in Surya Kiran's divorce from Kalyani. Last year, Sujitha, Surya Kiran's sister and fellow actress, revealed in an interview that financial challenges were a key factor leading to the unfortunate separation between her brother and Kalyani.

Despite directing successful films like "Satyam," Surya Kiran's career faced setbacks after experiencing failure, resulting in substantial financial distress.

Following his divorce from Kalyani, Surya Kiran withdrew from social engagements and remained out of the public eye until his participation in 'Bigg Boss 4'. Recently, he has revitalised his film career and discussed it in a YouTube interview. He mentioned an upcoming collaboration with comedian and actor Saptagiri, stating that their film would commence shooting soon.
SEOUL, South Korea, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Seoul Robotics, a leading industrial autonomous driving company, recently engaged in discussions with Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to explore partnership prospects for joint research and development (R&D) in the field.

This dialogue took place during a visit by ATRC officials to Seoul Robotics' headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, on February 28. The discussions focused on introducing Seoul Robotics and sharing insights into the current state and future outlook of the industrial autonomous driving market, with emphasis on potential collaboration opportunities across R&D.

Discussions focused on autonomous robotics and one of the areas spotlighted was Seoul Robotics' proprietary industrial autonomous driving software, the Level 5 Control Tower (LV5 software), which has garnered attention for its potential application in the automotive logistics sector within the Middle Eastern market. LV5 software enables non-autonomous vehicles to function with the capabilities of autonomous vehicles. Seoul Robotics has already completed contracts with several Asian automotive manufacturers to implement their technology and is currently advancing through the pre-validation (PoC) phase.

Established in 2020, ATRC aims to position Abu Dhabi as a global research and development hub by fostering a cutting-edge technology ecosystem. With strategic priorities in aerospace and space; food and agriculture; healthcare; safety and security; sustainability, environment, and energy; and transport, the Council attracts top talent globally to drive transformative advancements in these sectors, accelerating innovation and fostering global partnerships for mutual progress and prosperity.

South Korea was chosen as the inaugural destination for ATRC's global collaboration efforts this year, with Seoul Robotics being the only startup among 13 organizations visited by the Council during their trip.

Lee Han-bin, CEO of Seoul Robotics, expressed the significance of ATRC's visit and the discussions on partnership as a testament to Seoul Robotics' competitive edge in the industrial autonomous driving sector. He also mentioned that "the visit facilitated through the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) could lead to further discussions on investment opportunities in Seoul Robotics' pre-IPO round."

Founded in 2017, Seoul Robotics has established itself as a key player in the industrial autonomous driving software market, serving major global automotive OEMs. The company reported revenues of 3 billion KRW and a gross profit margin of 55% last year, with 80% of its sales coming from the global market. Seoul Robotics is planning a pre-IPO round this year with the goal of listing on the KOSDAQ by 2025, aiming to attract top talent and strengthen its competitive position through focused R&D efforts.

Contacts

Seoul Robotics

pr@seoulrobotics.org

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San Francisco, California--(Newsfile Corp. - March 10, 2024) - Today, RagaAI, the leading AI testing company, is significantly expanding its testing platform by launching "RagaAI LLM Hub", its open source and enterprise-ready LLMs evaluation and guardrails platform. With over 100 meticulously designed metrics, it is the most comprehensive platform that allows developers and organizations to evaluate and compare LLMs effectively and establish essential guardrails for LLMs and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) applications. These tests assess various aspects including Relevance & Understanding, Content Quality, Hallucination, Safety & Bias, Context Relevance, Guardrails, Vulnerability scanning, along with a suite of Metric-Based Tests for quantitative analysis.

The RagaAI LLM Hub is uniquely designed to help teams identify issues and fix them throughout the LLM lifecycle, be it a proof-of-concept or an application in production. From understanding the quality of datasets to prompt templating and the choice of LLM architecture or vectorDBs, RagaAI LLM Hub identifies issues across the entire RAG pipeline. This is pivotal for understanding the root cause of failures within an LLM application and addressing them at their source, revolutionizing the approach to ensuring reliability and trustworthiness.





LLM Evaluation & Guardrails by RagaAI

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"At RagaAI, our mission is to empower developers and enterprises with the tools they need to build robust and responsible LLMs," said Gaurav Agarwal, Founder and CEO of RagaAI. "With our comprehensive open-source evaluation suite, we believe in democratizing AI innovation. Together with the enterprise ready version, we've created a comprehensive solution to enable organizations to navigate the complexities of LLMs deployment with confidence. This is a game-changing solution that provides unparalleled insights into the reliability and trustworthiness of LLMs and RAG applications."

The RagaAI LLMs Hub is already utilized across industries like E-commerce, Finance, Marketing, Legal, and Healthcare, and the platform supports developers and enterprises in various LLM applications including chatbots, content creation, text summarization, and source code generation. Leveraging RagaAI LLM Hub's comprehensive metrics, they pinpointed and quantified the hallucination issue in the RAG pipeline. Additionally, the platform adeptly identifies nuanced customer issues and recommends specific areas within the pipeline for resolution.

The RagaAI LLM Hub helps in setting guardrails, ensuring data privacy and legal compliance, including transparency regulations and anti-discrimination laws. It plays a vital role in promoting ethical & Responsible AI practices, such as in sensitive sectors like finance, healthcare, and law. Additionally, it helps mitigate reputational risks by adhering to societal norms and values.

Learn more by visiting RagaAI's enterprise-ready Testing Platform: raga.ai/llms

Today's launch comes following RagaAI's successful funding round in January 2024, underscoring the company's momentum and commitment to advancing LLMs quality assurance.

About the company: About RagaAI: RagaAI is the #1 AI Testing platform dedicated to advancing AI quality assurance. Founded on the belief that AI systems should be robust, responsible, and ready for the future, RagaAI develops cutting-edge solutions to detect, diagnose, and resolve AI issues seamlessly. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, RagaAI is redefining the standards of LLM evaluation worldwide. To learn more, please visit: raga.ai

Contact Info:

Name: Bilal Mahmood

Email: bilal@stockwoodstrategy.com

Organization: RagaAI

Website: https://raga.ai/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200954

SOURCE: Plentisoft
SHENZHEN, China, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei announced that it was named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure, the only non-North American vendor positioned in the Leaders Quadrant.

Nowadays, it is widely recognized that 2024 is the first year for large-scale deployment of Wi-Fi 7. As a leader in Wi-Fi 7, Huawei will continue to launch 13 all-scenario Wi-Fi 7 APs in 2024, helping enterprises to build leading digital infrastructure.

Huawei also demonstrates leadership in experience-centric network construction standards. Specifically, Huawei's High-Quality 10 Gbps CloudCampus transforms campus networks from connectivity-centric to experience-centric,and stands out with three types of experience upgrade:

Wireless experience upgrade : Huawei's latest Wi-Fi 7 technology takes wireless networks to new levels. The tested speed for a single terminal reaches 4.33 Gbps, which is twice that of Wi-Fi 6E. Plus, Huawei's unique converged scheduling technology significantly improves multi-user concurrency and enables a 30-channel 4K VR class without dizziness. Another first-of-its-kind technology is Wi-Fi Shield, which can completely hide Wi-Fi signals from unauthorized users.

: Huawei's latest Wi-Fi 7 technology takes wireless networks to new levels. The tested speed for a single terminal reaches 4.33 Gbps, which is twice that of Wi-Fi 6E. Plus, Huawei's unique converged scheduling technology significantly improves multi-user concurrency and enables a 30-channel 4K VR class without dizziness. Another first-of-its-kind technology is Wi-Fi Shield, which can completely hide Wi-Fi signals from unauthorized users. Application experience upgrade : Unique to Huawei, the application experience assurance solution draws on elastic slicing technology to ensure that key applications exclusively enjoy fast lanes. Furthermore, the innovative VIP user experience assurance solution enables VIP users to enjoy exclusive network resources, meaning zero degradation on VIP user experience.

: Unique to Huawei, the application experience assurance solution draws on elastic slicing technology to ensure that key applications exclusively enjoy fast lanes. Furthermore, the innovative VIP user experience assurance solution enables VIP users to enjoy exclusive network resources, meaning zero degradation on VIP user experience. O&M experience upgrade: The industry's first network digital map, which offers experience visibility at four levels (namely networks, users, terminals, and applications). This facilitates one-click root cause locating and improves O&M efficiency by 10 times. More importantly, it can predict tidal traffic patterns and automatically recommend the optimal energy-saving period, improving energy efficiency and conserving energy by 30%.

Looking ahead, Huawei will continue to delve into technical research and product innovation regarding enterprise wired and wireless LAN infrastructure. Specifically, Huawei will further enrich its Wi-Fi 7 product portfolios and innovate technologies to lead network technology trends, provide users with unprecedented connection experience.

To learn more, please visit here

Gartner Disclaimer

Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure, 6 March 2024

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. GARTNER and MAGIC QUADRANT are registered trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

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SHANGHAI, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Infinix, a trendy tech brand crafted for young consumers, is excited to announce the launch of its first self-developed power management Cheetah X1 chip. This innovative chip will be the foundation for the new All-Round FastCharge 2.0 in its upcoming NOTE 40 Series of smartphones.

The Infinix NOTE range features innovative All-Round FastCharge technology, catering to the needs of modern Gen Z and Millennial users. This technology addresses concerns about low battery life and power availability in various usage scenarios, including social media consumption, outdoor activities, and extended gaming sessions.

"At Infinix, customer feedback is at the core of our innovation process. With each new generation of our mobile phones, we strive to incorporate this feedback to deliver the best products to our tech-savvy consumers. That's why we've taken the bold step to develop our own chip, elevating our All-Round FastCharge technology to new heights. This allows us to offer cutting-edge functionality in control protocol circuits, charging applications, and AI integrations, all while ensuring safety and reliability. Our commitment is to provide our customers with top-notch phones that excel in functionality and performance." - Weiqi Nie, Product Director at Infinix.

A Highly Customized and Robust Power Management "Brain"

By combining three powerful modules into one compact chip, the Cheetah X1 is tailor-made to power the versatile All-Round FastCharge 2.0. All-round Support Module accommodates eight charging scenarios and consolidates functions by consolidating protocols and adjusting charge. These eight scenarios include up to 100W multi-speed wired charging, wireless charging, wired reverse charging, wireless reverse charging, bypass charging, AI charging protection for night charging , extreme-temp tech for -20C, and multi-protocol charging. This integration ensures consistent performance across demanding use cases.

High-precision Power Monitor Module detects current and voltage in real-time and adjusts charging volume to ensure a balance between charging efficiency and temperature control, so as to protect the battery life and maintain the phone's health. Safety Module integrates 63 protection measures to cover nearly all potential unsafe charging scenarios. These protections are automatically activated through the chip's monitoring and recognition ability and relay information to other protocols in the phone, which can then be used to alert the user, enhancing user convenience.

Thanks to the self-developed chip, the All-Round FastCharge 2.0 can deliver optimized charging efficiency management by serving as a central information hub. As current flows through the phone, the Cheetah X1 chip eliminates the need for translation processes, and intelligent algorithms assess which components require power and efficiently distribute it, akin to the technology's brain. This streamlined process enables the smartphone to offer charging functions beyond standard modes.

A Product Design Where Innovation Meets Dedication

Infinix dedicated two years to researching global consumer insights for the development of the Cheetah X1 chip. They assembled a specialized team to leverage advanced packaging technology and comprehensive functional integration, resulting in a customized power management chip that stands as the most feature-rich in the market.

Adopting wafer-level packaging technology, Infinix significantly reduced the chip size to become one of the smallest devices available. This technology shortens signal transmission paths and minimizes electrical signal delays, enhancing electrical performance, particularly in high-speed data transmission and high-frequency applications. Consequently, the chip's processing efficiency per unit has increased by an impressive 204%. This advancement enables charging experiences across a wide range of scenarios, meeting diverse user needs and allows the phone to offload excess weight while remaining powerful, portable and comfortable to carry.

For more information, please visit: http://www.infinixmobility.com/

About Infinix:

In?nix Mobility is a rapidly emerging technology brand that designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of smart devices worldwide under the In?nix brand, which was founded in 2013. Targeting today's youth with ?rst in-class technology, In?nix creates trendy, powerful and attainably priced smart devices that bring the latest technology on the market to users around the world at a time when they need it at a price that they want it.

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Gdansk, Poland - 11 March 2024 - PolTREG S.A. (Warsaw Stock Exchange: PTG) , a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing cellular therapies for a range of autoimmune diseases, today announces it has received CGMP certification from Poland's Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate, allowing it to produce cellular therapies (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products - ATMP) in its own site. The certification also enables it to seek permission from Poland's Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products (URPL) to perform clinical trials in the facility, for diseases such as Type-1 Diabetes (T1D) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

PolTREG was the first company in the world to administer T-reg therapies to patients, and the first to start receiving revenues from its lead product under a hospital exemption valid in Poland. Its manufacturing facility is one of Europe's largest and most advanced, boasting over 2,100 sqm of laboratory space, including 15 production lines. PolTREG has the option to substantially expand the facility to accommodate manufacturing of next-generation engineered therapies and cell therapies from future partners. The company now has more than 17 years of experience treating patients, having administered Treg cells to more than 100 people over that period, either in hospital exemption procedures or in clinical trials.

"This certification is an important recognition of PolTREG's leading capabilities in manufacturing cellular therapies, a highly sophisticated process that requires deep experience to master," said Prof. Piotr Trzonkowski, Chief Executive Officer of PolTREG. "From our brand-new facilities, we can in the future ship these live cells anywhere in Europe within 24 hours. This is a significant potential expansion in treatment options for patients, and an important consideration as our pipeline of Treg cell therapies comes closer to market."

PolTREG has developed one of the most advanced pipeline for Treg therapies for autoimmune disease, with both polyclonal and engineered cells. Its lead candidate, PTG-007, is in mid-stage clinical studies for two indications in T1D and two in MS. For CAR-Tregs, it expects to start a First-in-Human trial for two neurodegenerative diseases - MS and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) - in early 2025. It is also in preclinical tests with two further types of engineered cells.

About PolTREG

PolTREG is a global leader in developing autoimmune therapies based on T-regulatory cells (Tregs). Its lead product, PTG-007, autologous Treg treatment for early-onset Type-1 Diabetes (T1D) is ready for Phase 2/3 clinical testing, for which the company is seeking a partnership. The company will launch Phase 2 trials for PTG-007 to treat Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in the second half of 2024, for RRMS and PPMS. PolTREG also has engineered Tregs, including CAR-Tregs, antigen-specific Tregs and TCR-Tregs, in the preclinical stage. PolTREG has completed four clinical trials with more than 100 patients treated with Tregs.

For more information please visit www.poltreg.com.

For further information please contact:

PolTREG S.A.

Prof Piotr Trzonkowski

Chief Executive Officer

ir@poltreg.com

+48 512 532 401

Investor Relations

Chris Maggos

Cohesion Bureau

+41 79 367 62 54

chris.maggos@cohesionbureau.com



Media Relations

Douwe Miedema

Cohesion Bureau

+352 621 562 764

douwe.miedema@cohesionbureau.com

Important information

The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words "believes", "estimates," "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "plans", "continue", "ongoing", "potential", "predict", "project", "target", "seek" or "should", and include statements the Company makes concerning the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The company's actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

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StrongFY2023results,Planiswareconsistently delivering sustainable profitable growth

Planisware exceeds 2023 objectives for revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA margin

Solid commercial dynamic with both existing clients and new logos

Significant progress on Corporate Social Responsibility roadmap

2024objectivesconfirmedand2026ambitionreiterated

Paris, France, March 11, 2024 - Planisware, a leading B2B provider of SaaS in the rapidly growing Project Economy market, announces today its financial results for FY 2023. Total revenue amounted to  156.4 million, strongly up by +18.4%, mainly led by the continued success of the SaaS offerings of the Group. In constant currencies, total revenue growth reached +20.3% (+26.8 million), exceeding the objective of the year of approximately 19.5%. Recurring revenue amounted to  134.7 million (86% of total revenue) and was up by +26.1% in constant currencies, fueled by Planisware's SaaS offerings.

Adjusted EBITDA* reached  52.2 million, representing 33.4% of total revenue, above the objective to deliver an adjusted EBITDA margin* above 31% of total revenue. The year-on-year improvement by c.

+200 basis points resulted from the translation of revenue growth, a positive mix effect and further operational efficiencies on employee-related costs and outsourcing optimization, including for R&D. Profit for the period amounted to  41.8 million, up +32.6% compared to  31.6 million in 2022.

Cash generation was strong in 2023, with adjusted FCF* reaching  43.8 million, up by +64.4% year-on-year. It represented a cash conversion rate* of 84%, below the projected level of >90% but above the normative level of approximately 80% expected for the coming years. Net cash position (excluding lease liabilities) was  142.6 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to  120.1 million as of December 31, 2022.

Pierre Demonsant, Co-founder and Chairman of Planisware, commented: "In 2023, Planisware continuedtoplayitskeyroleastheacceleratoroftheProjectEconomyandtodeliveronitsconsistent trackrecordofstronggrowthandprofitabilityatscale,progressinginitsambitiontobethenumberone provider of multi-specialty project and portfolio management software solutions.

I am also pleased with the significant progress we made in Corporate Social Responsibility, notably withPlanisware'scertification,forthesecondyearinarow,asaGreatPlacetoWorkacrossallofour offices; reflecting Planisware's commitment to establish itself as an employer of choice with a caring companycultureandastimulating,collaborativeworkingenvironment.Additionally,wesetupaproper governance structure placing CSR at the heart of our growth strategy and are currently drawing up a decarbonization strategy.

We continue to believe that an IPO would represent an important step for the future development of Planisware over the longterm,enabling tofurther enhance our marketvisibility andbrand awareness, to pursue our growth strategy and consolidate our leading market position while continuing to expand our global presence with a proven go-to-market strategy. We continue to monitor market conditions to identify the right timing to move forward on this front."

* Non-IFRS measure. Non-IFRS measures included in this document are defined in the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Loic Sautour, CEO of Planisware, added: "Planisware continues to execute its growth strategy and go-to-marketapproach-land,expand,retain-tofurthergrowitscustomerbaseandrevenue.In2023, thisenabledtheGrouptodeliveranotherrecordyearwithstrongrevenuegrowth particularlydrivenby theUSandnewclientwinsallacrosstheboard.Wealsodeliveredsignificantprofitabilityimprovement thanks to strict cost monitoring whilst continuing to invest in product development and marketing.

Thisexcellentperformancein2023ispavingthewaytoournewphaseofgrowthandprovidesastrong mid-termvisibility.Weconfirmour2024objectivesofapproximately19.5%revenuegrowthinconstant currencies and an Adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 33%. This positive outlook further motivates Planiswarians to address our clients' mission-critical functions, transform the way organizations plan and deliver their project portfolios and pursue our longer-term ambitions."

Total revenue was up by +18.4% in current currencies and +20.3% in constant currencies. The exchange rates effect mostly related to appreciation of the euro versus the US dollar and the Japanese yen. In order to reflect the underlying performance of the Company independently from exchange rates fluctuation, the following analysis refers to revenue evolution in constant currencies, applying FY 2022 average exchange rates to FY 2023 revenue figures, unless expressly stated otherwise.

FY 2023 revenue by revenue stream





Inmillion 23'FY 22'FY Variation YoY Variation in cc* Recurringrevenue 134.7 108.5 +24.1% +26.1% SaaS & Hosting 64.6 48.7 +32.5% +34.6% Subscription support 9.4 5.7 +64.2% +67.6% Evolutive support 42.0 35.6 +18.1% +20.3% Maintenance 18.8 18.5 +1.5% +2.3% Non-recurringrevenue 21.1 22.1 -4.6% -3.0% Perpetual licence 5.7 5.6 +2.8% +3.4% Implementation & others non-reccuring 15.4 16.5 -7.1% -5.2% Revenuewithcustomers 155.7 130.6 +19.3% +21.2% Other revenue 0.7 1.5 -54.4% -54.4% Totalrevenue 156.4 132.1 +18.4% +20.3%

*Revenueevolutioninconstantcurrencies,i.e.FY2022averageexchangerates

Recurringrevenue

The Group's recurring revenue reached  134.7 million in 2023, up by +26.1%. As a percentage of revenue with customers, recurring revenue increased by c. +340 basis points from 83% in 2022 to 86% in 2023, reflecting the growth of Planisware's SaaS solutions and support to existing customers, and providing further visibility on revenue evolution going forward.

SaaS & Hosting revenue increased by +34.6% thanks to contracts secured with new customers as well as expansion of existing customers. Evolutive support and subscription support revenues, intrinsically related to Planisware's SaaS offerings, together, by +26.8%.

Maintenance revenue slightly increased by +2.3%, as planned, reflecting the Group overwhelming focus on delivering its software through a SaaS model.

Non-recurringrevenue

Concurrently, non-recurring revenue continued its foreseen erosion (-3.0%) in the context of the progressive migration of customers to Planisware's SaaS offerings. Revenue related to implementation services decreased by -5.2% (-0.9 million) as the Group continued to focus on more agile, efficient, and optimized implementation services. Now representing less than 4% of revenue with customers, perpetual licenses revenue slightly increased by +3.4% (+0.2 million), as the Company continued to sell licenses to established on-premises customers and new logos.

FY 2023 revenue with customers by region





Inmillion 23'FY 22'FY Variation YoY Variation in cc* Europe 76.1 66.6 +14.3% +14.5% North America 68.5 57.1 +19.9% +23.0% APAC & ROW 11.2 6.9 +63.1% +71.5% Revenuewithcustomers 155.7 130.6 +19.3% +21.2% Other revenue 0.7 1.5 -54.4% -54.4% Totalrevenue 156.4 132.1 +18.4% +20.3%

*Revenueevolutioninconstantcurrencies,i.e.FY2022averageexchangerates

In 2023, Planisware continued to grow operations in its key geographies. In Europe, revenue grew by

+14.5% driven by strong dynamics in Germany, in an overall softer economic environment.

Representing 44% of 2023 revenue with customers, North America was a particularly dynamic market with revenue growth reaching +23.0%, led in particular by a significant level of cross-selling and up- selling with existing customers, new customers win, and a stronger penetration of the mid-market driving diversification of the customer base.

Planisware's growth in APAC & rest of the world of +71.5% year-on year resulted from a strong commercial momentum in Japan, Singapore, and the Middle-East, as well as from the consolidation of IFTP KK as from June 2023 and of Planisware MIS as from October 2023.

FY 2023 revenue with customers by pillar





Inmillion 23'FY 22'FY Variation YoY Variation in cc* Product Development & Innovation 87.5 71.1 +23.0% +25.3% Project Controls & Engineering 27.4 24.7 +11.1% +12.2% Agility & IT Project Portfolios 26.8 21.6 +24.0% +24.8% Project Business Automation 13.6 12.8 +6.5% +9.6% Others 0.4 0.4 +17.2% +17.2% Revenuewithcustomers 155.7 130.6 +19.3% +21.2% Other revenue 0.7 1.5 -54.4% -54.4% Totalrevenue 156.4 132.1 +18.4% +20.3%

*Revenueevolutioninconstantcurrencies,i.e.FY2022averageexchangerates

Product Development & Innovation ("PD&I") drives R&D and product development teams with a focus on companies in the life sciences, manufacturing and engineering, automotive design and fast-moving consumer goods sectors. In 2023, it remained Planisware's principal pillar, with 56% of 2023 revenue with customers. It grew by +25.3%, resulting from both new customer wins and the expansion of offerings to existing customers.

("PD&I") drives R&D and product development teams with a focus on companies in the life sciences, manufacturing and engineering, automotive design and fast-moving consumer goods sectors. In 2023, it remained Planisware's principal pillar, with 56% of 2023 revenue with customers. It grew by +25.3%, resulting from both new customer wins and the expansion of offerings to existing customers. Project Controls & Engineering ("PC&E") supports production teams in industries with sophisticated products, plants and infrastructure, such as aerospace and defense, energy and utilities, manufacturing and engineering and life sciences. While still a recent pillar for Planisware, it represented 18% of 2023 revenue with customers. Supported by the successful roll-out of offerings in North America, PC&E grew by +12.2% in 2023.

("PC&E") supports production teams in industries with sophisticated products, plants and infrastructure, such as aerospace and defense, energy and utilities, manufacturing and engineering and life sciences. While still a recent pillar for Planisware, it represented 18% of 2023 revenue with customers. Supported by the successful roll-out of offerings in North America, PC&E grew by +12.2% in 2023. Agility & IT Project Portfolios ("A&IT) helps IT teams across all sectors develop comprehensive solutions to automate IT portfolio management, accelerate digital transformation and simplify their IT architecture. A&IT represented 17% of 2023 revenue with customers and presented a dynamic growth (+24.8%).

("A&IT) helps IT teams across all sectors develop comprehensive solutions to automate IT portfolio management, accelerate digital transformation and simplify their IT architecture. A&IT represented 17% of 2023 revenue with customers and presented a dynamic growth (+24.8%). Project Business Automation ("PBA") supports companies in all industries that seek to increase their revenue-based projects and enhance their operating results through automated processes. Due to a more recent entry of Planisware in the market relating to this pillar, PBA represented only 9% of 2023 revenue with customers, up by +9.6% thanks to new customer wins and cross-selling.

Other revenue in 2023

Other revenue mainly consisted of royalties invoiced by the Company to entities in which it continued to retain an equity interest for part of 2023, namely IFTP KK (fully consolidated since June 2023 following acquisition by the Company of the remaining equity stake in May 2023) and Planisware MIS (fully consolidated since October 2023, following acquisition by the Company of the remaining equity stake in September 2023). Following these acquisitions, transactions between the Company and the subsidiaries were eliminated in consolidation, driving the revenue decrease on this line of reporting, which is expected to be nil going forward, except for new subsidiaries in which the Group may have equity interest in the future.

Key financial figures





Inmillion 23'FY 22'FY Variation YoY Totalrevenue 156.4 132.1 +18.4% Cost of sales -45.1 -42.3 +6.7% Grossprofit 111.3 89.8 +24.0% Grossmargin 71.2% 68.0% +320bps Operating expenses -68.4 -56.2 +21.7% Other operating income & expenses 3.0 0.0 Share of profit of equity-accounted investees* 0.3 1.0 -73.5% Operatingprofit 46.2 34.5 +33.8% Profitfortheperiod 41.8 31.6 +32.6% AdjustedEBITDA 52.2 41.4 +26.1% AdjustedEBITDAmargin 33.4% 31.3% +200bps AdjustedFCF 43.8 26.7 +64.4% CashConversionRate 84.0% 64.4% +1960bps Netcash position** 142.6 120.1 +18.7%

*Netoftax

**Non-IFRSmeasure.Non-IFRSmeasuresincludedinthisdocumentaredefinedinthe disclaimerat the end of this document.

Grossprofitandmargin

Cost of sales increased by +2.8 million (or +6.7%) year-on-year to  45.1 million. As a percentage of total revenue, cost of sales decreased by -320 basis points thanks to a continued strict monitoring of costs, in particular with respect to recruitment.

This enabled Planisware to deliver a 111.3milliongrossprofit (+24.0% year-on-year), representing a 71.2% gross margin (i.e. cost of sales as a percentage of revenue), a significant improvement by

c. +320 basis points compared to 68.0% in 2022.

Operatingprofitandprofitfortheperiod

R&D expenses, consisting primarily of staff expenses directly associated with R&D teams, as well as amortization of capitalized development costs and the benefits from the French research tax credit, represented 13% of total revenue and reached  20.0 million, up by +9.1% compared to 18.3 million in 2022. Planisware intends to maintain a high level of R&D spending, as it believes that its ability to provide innovative products and software solutions, expand its offerings portfolio and promote its offerings in the project management market will have a considerable effect on its revenues and results of operations in the future.

Reaching  27.1 million in 2023 (17% of total revenue), sales & marketing expenses increased by

+5.2 million, or +24.0%, compared to  21.8 million in 2022, led in particular by the increase in employee-related costs in the salesforce and marketing team. Sales & marketing expenses are expected to increase in absolute amounts in the future as Planisware plans on expanding its domestic and international selling and marketing activities in order to strengthen its leading market position.

General & administrative expenses reached  21.3 million in 2023 (+5.3 million, or +33.0% compared to  16.0 million in 2022). This increase during the year was mostly related to employee costs engaged to support the growth of the business, the strengthening of global support functions, and the international expansion of the Group. Planisware expects that, as the Company continues to scale up in the future, General & administrative expenses will slightly decrease as a percentage of total revenue.

As a results, operating profit reached 46.2 million in 2023, up by +33.8% (or +11.7 million), compared to  34.5 million in 2022.

Reaching  2.5 million in 2023, financial income slightly decreased compared to  2.8 million in 2022, primarily driven by income from time deposits and realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities. These positive items were partially offset by the impact of the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the euro on cash and cash equivalents held in foreign currencies.

At  6.9 million, 2023 income tax expense reflected an Effective Tax Rate of 14.1%, compared to 15.5% in 2022.

As a result of these evolutions, profitfortheperiod reached 41.8million in 2023, up by +32.6%

compared to 2022.

AdjustedEBITDA

In 2023, Adjusted EBITDA, which Planisware considers to be a meaningful financial measure to assess and compare the Group's profitability, reached  52.2 million, a strong increase compared to 2022 (+10.8 million, or +26.1%). It represented 33.4% of 2023 total revenue, c. +200 basis points compared to 31.3% in 2022. The 2023 increase of Adjusted EBITDA reflects the translation of revenue growth into profit as the business grows from the addition of new customers, a positive mix effect and further operational efficiencies on employee-related costs and outsourcing optimization, including for R&D.

Cashgenerationandnetcashposition

Tax paid in 2023 was  7.5 million compared to  8.0 million in 2022, and capital expenditures totaled

 4.9 million, representing 3.1% of total revenue, compared to  4.8 million in 2022 (3.6% of total revenue). Change in working capital was +3.6 million, compared to -1.6 million in 2022.

Planisware considers Cash Conversion Rate to be a meaningful financial measure to assess and compare the Group's capital intensity and efficiency. In 2023, adjustedFreeCashFlow reached

43.8million, up by +64.4% compared to  26.7 million in 2022, led by Adjusted EBITDA growth. It represented a CashConversionRate of 84%, above the 80% level that the Group considers being the normative Cash Conversion Rate for the coming years.

Planisware benefits from a strong cash position, as most of its customers prepay for services, which generates structurally negative working capital requirements.

As of December 31, 2023, except lease liabilities related to offices and datacenter facilities which amounted to  14.9 million ( 14.5 million As of December 31, 2022), Planisware did not have any financial debt, compared to  0.4 million as of December 31, 2022. As a result, the Group's net cash position* as of December 31, 2023 amounted to  142.6 million, compared to  120.1 million as of December 31, 2022.

* Non-IFRS measure. Non-IFRS measures included in this document are defined in the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Expanded customer base

Planisware welcomed in 2023 a significant number of new clients from a wide range of industries, further solidifying its position as a trusted partner for organizations of all sizes and diversifying the customer base. Recurring revenue growth is driven both by contracts with new customers and the expansion of Planisware's solutions and services within its existing customer base.

In 2023, Planisware customer loyalty has continued to remain high, with Planisware's customer Net Retention Rate* (NRR) reaching 121%, reflecting Planisware ability to grow within its installed base.

This is to be compared to a 2023 churn rate* of only 1.8% of revenue, achieved thanks to Planisware' ability to leverage strong product capabilities, high industry recognition, leading to strong customer loyalty. These metrics are fully in line with Planisware's objective to maintain a high level of customer NRR above 120% and a low level of churn rate below 2% in the coming years.

Product enhancements

Planisware continues to invest in product development to ensure cutting-edge project portfolio management solutions for its clients. In 2023, Planisware released several hundreds of enhancements and new features for its solution and continued to leverage its expertise on Artificial Intelligence to further empower the users to streamline project management and drive better decision-making.

Among the key enhancements, Planisware significantly improved planning and work management capabilities for users of all experience levels with its module PMGo. Planisware PMGo provides both a very lean user experience as well as the ability to easily extend the data model. Project Managers can thus focus on their responsibilities and tasks with highly visual and collaborative features, while also directly modeling key aspects of their business in their planning, increasing solution ROI and stickiness.

For most advanced use cases on the other hand, Planisware delivered a completely overhauled Monte- Carlo simulation model enabling strong risk assessment of plannings. With a significantly improved UX (User eXperience), Planisware lets planners visually assess the level of confidence of scenarios and stress test schedules against objectives.

2023 also saw the release of the latest version of Planisware's mobile app, available on both iOS and Android, with enhanced user interface, making it even more visually appealing and intuitive to navigate. Featuring a larger scope of functionality, including advanced search options and one-tap updates on workflows, Planisware mobile app provides a speedy and responsive experience on the go, improving user interaction with the solution.

Planisware introduced a DataQuality Audit (DQA) panel enabling users to quickly assess data quality as it is first entered and then iterated upon. Shipping with metrics mandated by the US Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), Planisware DQA model is extensible and can accommodate a wide array of use cases and business requirements.

Finally, Artificial Intelligence (AI) received continuous attention from Planisware, with the delivery of two additional AI-driven algorithms to the solution. First, Planisware Augmented Data Entry relies on generative AI algorithms to assist project managers and teams quickly generate project and plan activities, or establish early risk assessments.

* Non-IFRS measure. Non-IFRS measures included in this document are defined in the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Second AI feature, Planisware launched a Particle Swarm Portfolio Optimization ("PSO") algorithm. PSO is a computational method inspired by social behavior, where individuals (particles) in a swarm collaborate to find the optimal solution. Derived from the collective intelligence observed in nature, this algorithm mimics social behavior to efficiently navigate through vast solution spaces and converge towards the best possible outcome. Planisware's AI-driven PSO doesn't just optimize portfolios, it balances resources intelligently, ensuring optimal allocation across assets while considering constraints and objectives, as well as dynamically optimize project timing while ensuring both maximum efficiency and resource utilization.

Planisware Orchestra was also improved with the 7.2.10 release introducing improvements for the Gantt display, and in the way that loads are distributed and the FTE computed, simplifying timesheet management for Resource managers and providing a clearer understanding of timesheet-related information.

Third-party industry analysts recognition

Planisware leverages the broad recognition from third-party industry analysts to attract and retain customers. In 2023, recognition of Planisware's software high-quality, reliability and usefulness at competitive prices was further improved with Gartner having once more ranked Planisware as a Leader in Adaptive Project Management and Reporting (Gartner Magic Quadrant for Adaptive Project Management and Reporting - September 2023) and recognizing the Group as the sole "customers' choice" in Gartner's Voice of the Customer for Strategic Portfolio Management (October 2023). In addition, Info-Tech Research Group ranked Planisware #1 in its EmotionalFootprintforProjectPortfolio Management - Enterprise (August 2023).

Corporate Social Responsibility

On the Corporate Social Responsibility front, Planisware made significant progress in 2023 and is determined to continue promoting CSR at all levels of its organization. In 2023, the Group has set up a governance structure for ESG topics, to ensure that they are taken up at all levels of the company in close relationship between operations and environmental, social and governance considerations. The Core Executive Board is in charge of identifying and prioritizing ESG risks and opportunities, as determined by risk mapping, to monitor risk mitigation and the exploitation of identified opportunities, through the development and implementation of dedicated policies and action plans, and internal control mechanisms to ensure that policies are properly applied and implemented. This organization reflects Planisware's ambition to place CSR at the heart of its management and strategy, at all levels of the company.

A risk-based approach was followed in 2023 to define a universe of 11 environmental, social and societal, and governance risks. A scoring exercise for each of these risks was then carried out to identify the potential impact of each risk on 5 dimensions (reputational, legal, financial, human, and environmental). The risks identified as most significant were addressed by policies and action plans put in place to control and mitigate these risks, and evaluation methodologies to examine the results associated with these efforts.

Planisware intends to publish soon its first Extra Financial Performance Statements to present this approach in detail and is already anticipating its forthcoming transition to CSRD, the new extra-financial reporting system to which the Group will soon be subject. The Group also plans to strengthen its CSR strategy, notably by drawing up a decarbonization strategy to be submitted to the independent and recognized Science Based Target (SBT) organization, and by responding to the CDP rating agency during the next financial year.

Planisware is proud to have been certified, for the second year in a row, as a Great Place to Work across all of its offices in 2023. This reflects Planisware's commitment to establish itself as an employer of choice on a global level by maintaining and strengthening its caring company culture and providing a stimulating and collaborative working environment. Additionally, as part of the annual Trust Index EmployeeSurvey, 85% of Planiswarians responded positively to the Overall Perception question, which is 3 points above the comparative benchmark for software companies.

2024 objectives confirmed and 2026 ambition reiterated

Planisware's ambition is to be the leading provider of multi-specialty project management software solutions. The Company benefits from multiple opportunities for value creation and further sustained growth. Through innovation and further branding and marketing initiatives, Planisware is well positioned to seize upsell and cross-sell opportunities, enlarge its market to new areas of project management, and develop adjacent segments within the broader Project Economy. Finally, Planisware developed concrete growth levers to enhance current pillars and expand to new functions, verticals, segments and geographies.

Supported by its 2023 performance and the growth of its SaaS revenue in particular, the Company forecasts year-on-year total revenue growth in constant currencies of approximately 19.5% in 2024. The Group also reiterates its ambition to achieve annual total revenue year-on-year growth in constant currencies of more than 20% in 2026.

In addition, the Group forecasts an Adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 33% for 2024, in line with the Adjusted EBITDA margin recorded for 2023. It also reiterates its ambition to attain an Adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 35% in 2026.

Planisware has the objective to deliver its normative Cash Conversion Rate at approximately 80% in 2024 and onwards.

Finally, subject to the approval of the Annual General Meeting of the Company's shareholders and the effective listing of the Company, the Group intends to apply, in the medium term, a dividend policy distributing a yearly dividend representing 40% of its profit for the period.

Postponed IPO on Euronext Paris

In 2023, Planisware initiated the next phase of its growth strategy through its contemplated IPO on Euronext Paris. A public listing would enable Planisware to further enhance market visibility and brand awareness, pursue its growth strategy and consolidate its leading market position while continuing to expand its global presence with a proven go-to-market strategy.

Despite the strong engagement and interest from investors, Planisware announced on October 11, 2023 its decision to postpone its initial public offering (IPO) on Euronext Paris due to adverse market conditions, worsened in the last days before the planned listing.

The Company remains convinced that a listing would be an important step for its future development and continues to monitor market conditions to seize the right timing opportunity. In the meantime, it is committed to keep delivering on its strategy, pursuing its objectives and continuing its history of growth and value creation.

Contact

Investors&analysts Benoit d'Amecourt

benoit.damecourt@planisware.com

+33 6 75 51 41 47

Media

HuguesBoeton/TristanRoquetMontegon

+33 6 79 99 27 15 / +33 6 37 00 52 57

planisware@brunswickgroup.com

About Planisware

Planisware is a leading business-to-business ("B2B") provider of Software-as-a-Service ("SaaS") in the rapidly growing Project Economy. Planisware's mission is to provide solutions that help organizations transform how they strategize, plan and deliver their projects, project portfolios, programs and products.

With close to 700 employees across 12 offices, Planisware operates at significant scale serving around 550 organizational clients in a wide range of verticals and functions across more than 30 countries worldwide. Planisware's clients include large international companies, medium-sized businesses and public sector entities. For more information, visit: https://planisware.com/

Connect with Planisware on: LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).

Non-IFRS measures reconciliations

Inmillion 23'FY 22'FY Current operating profit after share of profit of equity-accounted investee 43.2 34.5 Depreciationandamortizationofintangible,tangibleandright-of-useassets 7.2 6.4 IPOcostsincludedincurrentoperatingprofit 0.0 0.4 Share-basedpayments 1.9 0.0 AdjustedEBITDA 52.2 41.4





Inmillion 23'FY 22'FY Net cash from operating activities 47.3 34.2 Capitalexpenditures -4.9 -4.8 Otherfinanceincome/costs -2.8 -3.0 IPOcostspaid 4.2 0.2 AdjustedFreeCashFlow 43.8 26.7

Disclaimer

Itshouldbenotedthat:

the consolidated statement of financial position, consolidated statement of profit or loss and consolidated statement of cash flow of Planisware as at December 31, 2023 have been preparedundertheresponsibilityoftheBoardofDirectorsonMarch10,2024forthepurposes of this press release;

the Group's consolidated financial statements of Planisware as at December 31, 2023 will be approvedatalaterdatebytheBoardofDirectorsandtheconsolidatedfinancialstatementsof Planisware as at December 31, 2023 are currently being audited,

some information presented in this press release is not included in the consolidated financial statementsandthusnotauditedbythestatutoryauditors,includinginparticular NetRetention Rate, churn rate, and the breakdown of total revenue by pillar.





Thisdocumentdoesnot,andshallnot,inanycircumstancesconstituteapublicofferingoraninvitation to the public in connection with any offer.

The distribution of this document in certain countries may constitute a breach of applicable law. The information contained in this document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States, Canada, Japan or Australia.

Thisdocumentmaynotbepublished,forwardedordistributed,directlyorindirectly,intheUnitedStates, Canada, Japan or Australia.

Roundedfigures

Certain numerical figures and data presented in this document (including financial data presented in millions or thousands and certain percentages) have been subject to rounding adjustments and, as a result, the corresponding totals in this document may vary slightly from the actual arithmetic totals of such information.

Variationinconstantcurrencies

Variation in constant currencies represent figures based on constant exchange rates using as a base those used in the prior year. As a result, such figures may vary slightly from actual results based on current exchange rates.

Non-IFRSmeasures

ThisdocumentincludescertainunauditedmeasuresandratiosoftheGroup'sfinancialornon-financial performance(the"non-IFRSmeasures"),suchas"recurringrevenue","non-recurringrevenue","gross margin","AdjustedEBITDA","AdjustedEBITDAmargin","AdjustedFreeCashFlow","cashconversion rate", "churn rate" and "Net Retention Rate" (or "NRR"). Non-IFRS financial information may exclude certainitemscontainedinthenearestIFRSfinancialmeasureorincludecertainnon-IFRScomponents. ReadersshouldnotconsideritemswhicharenotrecognizedmeasurementsunderIFRSasalternatives to the applicable measurements under IFRS. These measures have limitations as analyticaltools and readers should not treat them as substitutes for IFRS measures. In particular, readers should not considersuchmeasurementsoftheGroup'sfinancialperformanceorliquidityasanalternativetoprofit fortheperiod,operatingincomeorotherperformancemeasuresderivedinaccordancewithIFRSoras analternativetocashflowfrom(usedin)operatingactivitiesasameasurementoftheGroup'sliquidity. OthercompanieswithactivitiessimilartoordifferentfromthoseoftheGroupcouldcalculatenon-IFRS measures differently from the calculations adopted by the Group.

Non-IFRSmeasuresincludedinthisdocumentaredefinedasfollows:

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as Current operating profit including share of profit of equity- accounted investees, plus amortization and depreciation as well as impairment of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, plus either non-recurring items or non-operating items defined as the following: (i) share-based payment expenses under IFRS 2 (ii) any expenses,chargesorothercostsdirectlyorindirectlyrelatedtoanyinitialpublicoffering,equity offering, investment, acquisition, joint venture or partnerships (iii) certain consulting fees incurred for one-off projects, such as reorganization measures; and (iv) certain severance payments, which includes expenses related to reorganization and restructuring measures, primarily consisting of severance payments and other personnel-related costs. For the year ended December 31, 2022, these adjustments for non-recurring items or non-operating items related to external costs incurred by the Group in connection with its planned initial public offering.

AdjustedEBITDAmarginistheratioofAdjustedEBITDAtototalrevenue. AdjustedFCF(FreeCashFlow)is calculatedascashflowsfromoperatingactivities,plusIPO costspaid,ifany,lessotherfinancialincomeandexpensesclassifiedasoperatingactivitiesin the cash-flow statement, and less net cash relating to capital expenditures. Management considers Adjusted Free Cash Flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to stakeholders. Cash Conversion Rate is defined as Adjusted FCF divided by Adjusted EBITDA. . Planisware considersCashConversionRatetobeameaningfulfinancialmeasuretoassessandcompare the Group's capital intensity and efficiency.

Netcashpositionisdefinedas Cash minus indebtedness excludingleaseliabilities. Net Retention Rate (NRR) is defined as the percentage calculated (in constant currencies) by dividing(i)therecurringrevenueinagivenyearfromexistingcustomersthathavemaintained contracts with Planisware for at least one year by (ii) the recurring revenue from these customers in the prior year. Churn rate is defined as the percentage of revenue calculated (in constant currencies) by dividing (i) the Year N-1 recurring revenue generated by terminating customers of year "N" by







(ii)theYearNrecurringrevenuegeneratedbyrecurringcustomersexistingatthebeginningof year N.

Forward-lookingstatements

This document contains statements regarding the prospects and growth strategies of Planisware. Thesestatements are sometimes identifiedby the use of the future or conditional tense, or by the use of forward-looking terms such as "considers", "envisages", "believes", "aims", "expects", "intends", "should","anticipates","estimates","thinks","wishes"and"might",or,ifapplicable,thenegativeformof such terms and similar expressions or similar terminology. Such information is not historical in nature andshouldnotbeinterpretedasaguaranteeoffutureperformance.Suchinformationisbasedondata, assumptions, and estimates that Planisware considers reasonable. Such information is subject to change or modification based on uncertainties in the economic, financial, competitive or regulatory environments.

This information includes statements relating to Planisware's intentions, estimates and targets with respect to its markets, strategies, growth, results of operations, financial situation and liquidity. Planisware's forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Absent any applicable legal or regulatory requirements, Planisware expressly disclaims any obligation to release any updates to any forward-looking statements contained in this document to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances, on which any forward-looking statement contained in this document is based. Planisware operates in a competitive and rapidly evolvingenvironment;itisthereforeunabletoanticipateallrisks,uncertaintiesorotherfactorsthatmay affectitsbusiness,theirpotentialimpactonits businessortheextenttowhichthe occurrenceofarisk orcombinationofriskscouldhavesignificantlydifferentresultsfromthosesetoutinanyforward-looking statements,itbeingnotedthatsuchforward-lookingstatementsdonotconstituteaguaranteeofactual results.









Press Release



Attachment
DOHA, Qatar, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant development for the remittance sector, TerraPay, a global cross-border payments network, has announced a strategic partnership with Alfardan Exchange. This collaboration aims to leverage TerraPay's advanced digital payment infrastructure and Alfardan Exchange's established presence in the industry, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of cross-border remittance solutions.

Alfardan Exchange, a prominent player in the remittance sector, brings to the table a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to facilitating seamless financial transactions. This partnership is set to provide a host of benefits to Alfardan Exchange, with a key focus on leveraging TerraPay's cutting-edge digital payment infrastructure. By joining forces, the two entities aim to facilitate seamless, cost-effective, efficient cross-border payments to cater to the diverse customer needs.

Sudhesh Giriyan, President - Cross-Border Payments at TerraPay, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating "TerraPay, a pioneering provider of white-labeled digital payment infrastructure, is dedicated to transforming the remittance landscape. The partnership with Alfardan Exchange is seen as an opportunity to strengthen our market presence in Qatar and gain strategic leverage in the remittance sector."

He added, "The collaboration underscores TerraPay's commitment to innovation, setting new benchmarks in the remittance sector. Known for creating seamless, secure, and accessible cross-border transaction solutions, TerraPay aims to revolutionize the digital payments landscape in partnership with Alfardan Exchange.

In terms of the partnership's specifics, the two companies will work together to establish advanced digital cross-border remittance solutions. This collaboration will not only strengthen financial inclusivity but also enhance connectivity across multiple global corridors."

Bashar Alwaqfi the General Manager of Alfardan Exchange, said: "We are pleased to announce our partnership with TerraPay, this collaboration adds more valuable services to our existing offerings for customers. At Alfardan Exchange, we are committed to continually expanding our service portfolio, in line with our strategic growth objectives. Through this partnership, we look forward to working with TerraPay to introduce innovative solutions and enrich the remittance experience for our valued customers."

This collaboration between TerraPay and Alfardan Exchange represents a shared commitment to providing cutting-edge remittance solutions and driving financial inclusion globally. Both entities are poised to revolutionize the digital payments landscape, offering enhanced efficiency, security, and accessibility to customers across diverse corridors.

For media inquiries, please contact: Juveria Samrin juveria.n@terrapay.com

About TerraPay:

TerraPay simplifies the movement of money everywhere - providing a single connection to the most expansive cross-border payments network regulated in 30 global markets and enabling payments to 141 receive countries, 210+ send countries, 7.5Bn+ bank accounts and 2.1Bn+ mobile wallets. TerraPay is on a mission to connect a borderless financial world, making moving money everywhere instant, reliable, transparent and fully compliant. TerraPay pushes the boundaries for global businesses - ranging from banks, fintechs and money-transfer operators to travel businesses, creator economy platforms and e-commerce marketplaces - while driving financial inclusion in even the most inaccessible markets. Founded in 2014, TerraPay is headquartered in London, with global offices in Bangalore, Dubai, Miami, Bogota, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Hague, Dakar, Joburg, Nairobi, Milan, Singapore and is expanding rapidly, having received funding from leading investors, including the IFC (the World Bank), Prime Ventures, Partech Africa and Visa.

About Alfardan:

Established in 1971, Alfardan Exchange is Qatar's premier financial exchange company, aiming to serve the needs of the region's millions of expatriates and thriving foreign businesses investing in Qatar and the Middle East. Alfardan Exchange has earned the distinction of being ranked first in Qatar and recognized among the top five exchange houses in the field of digital transformation in the GCC. It has also been classified among the top 20 exchange companies in the Middle East by Forbes Middle East, proudly representing the sole Qatari exchange house on these lists.

Additionally, Alfardan Exchange is a member of the Union of Arab Banks and the Digital Master Agent for Western Union, providing remittance services through a mobile application and an online web portal, as well as the distinctive services that it provides through its digital portal.

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OSLO, Norway, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mer will establish over 1,000 new charging points at IKEA stores and locations in Germany over the next three years. The agreement is of considerable value and secures Mer, which late last autumn also won a major contract with Deutschlandnetz, a solid position in the German market.

As a result of this partnership, Mer will install and operate over 1000 EV charging points for customers, employees and last-mile delivery vans in 54 of IKEA's stores and other locations in Germany - ensuring that EV drivers can travel with 100 percent renewable energy.

"Electric mobility plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change, as it will significantly reduce current CO2 emissions from transport. This is firmly rooted in the EU's green agreement and "Fit for55". Our ambition has always been to make sustainable electric mobility easy and accessible for everyone - also in Europe," says Kristoffer Thoner, CEO, Mer, adding:

"Through our cooperation with IKEA, we now have a solid position in Germany and we look forward to starting this project," says Thoner.

Sustainable collaboration

A shared commitment and heart for sustainability drives the collaboration between Mer and IKEA. For years, IKEA has been working on measures to combat climate change and resource conservation as part of its sustainability strategy. Continuous improvement of energy efficiency concepts and more environmentally friendly production of products and packaging are high up on IKEA's agenda. Now they also want to take action together with Mer to reduce emissions resulting from transport to and from their warehouses.

"We are proud to make electric mobility accessible to even more people with the newly emerging charging network," says Walter Kadnar, Managing Director and CSO (Chief Sustainability Officer) of IKEA Germany and continues:

"At IKEA, we want to improve people's everyday lives. This includes finding ways to make it as easy as possible for them to make more sustainable choices. The charging points that we are creating with our partner Mer will be available for delivery vehicles as well as for our employees, customers and all electric car drivers," says Kadnar.

"We are very pleased to be able to assist IKEA in their ambitious sustainability goals," says Otto Loserth, managing director, Mer in Germany, adding:

"Together we combine the Scandinavian heritage by appreciating nature and taking care of it. More of their holistic view of electric mobility, user-friendliness and sustainability goes hand in glove with IKEA's goal of becoming a climate-positive company/company with a positive carbon footprint," says Loserth.

Customer centricity

Mer's charging stations will have an average of 19 charging points per location at IKEA stores. In addition to being available to customers, employees and delivery vehicles, all electricity supplied to 100 percent renewable energy will be provided through guarantees of origin. The first charging station is planned for spring 2025 and the two companies plan to expand their offerings as needed.

A transnational partnership

It is not only in Germany that IKEA relies on Mer's expertise. Back in spring 2023, the two companies announced a joint charging infrastructure partnership in the United Kingdom. This project is one of the largest roll-outs for last-mile charging infrastructure in the region.

CONTACT:

For further information, contact:

Monique Berntsen, head of brand, communications and marketing +47 92 66 56 63

monique.berntsen@mer.eco

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StoreDot extends collaboration with world-leading battery manufacturer EVE Energy

StoreDot will secure manufacturing capacity from EVE to produce its XFC batteries

Major step forward for mass production as EVE Energy will manufacture StoreDot's 100in5 XFC cells to support OEMs immediate needs, taking advantage of EVE's advanced global manufacturing footprint and facilities

EVE Energy is an existing partner StoreDot and one of world's 10 leading EV battery suppliers, expanding globally, with close ties to many of the world's leading automotive manufacturers

HERZLIYA, Israel, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- StoreDot, the pioneer and world leader in extreme fast charging (XFC) battery technology for electric vehicles, is today announcing a significant step forward on the path to commercialization and mass production with its collaborative partnership with EVE Energy.

The agreement, signed today, gives StoreDot access to EVE's extensive manufacturing footprint and the ability to mass produce its game-changing 100in5 extreme fast charging battery cells. StoreDot will secure manufacturing capacity from EVE to produce its XFC batteries. The company will also license its technology to EVE and continue to pursue licensing agreements with other third parties, in conjunction with creating its own global captive capacity.

The deal will facilitate StoreDot's cells being produced from EVE's highly advanced production lines in the future, to be delivered directly to the company's customer portfolio of global electric vehicle manufacturers.

Amir Tirosh, COO StoreDot "This newly minted agreement with EVE Energy is a pivotal inflexion point for StoreDot. We now have the agreement for captive capacity, and it gives us the ability to implement our ambition for mass production of our extreme fast charging cell technologies. This will allow us to serve our customers who do not have their own manufacturing capability.

"I'm also pleased as this agreement fully cements our strong alliance with EVE Energy. We are already utilizing its world-beating manufacturing expertise in our R&D efforts. But this takes our collaboration to a new era, an era of StoreDot's commercialization."

Alexander Holden, Senior Vice President EVE Energy "We are delighted to announce this new chapter in EVE Energy's relationship with StoreDot. Mass production of its extreme fast charging battery cells is the next step in the company's hugely impressive trajectory, and we are delighted to utilize our global manufacturing expertise to help facilitate this. This is a highly significant partnership, and we are excited to be able to help deliver StoreDot's proven XFC technology to leading electric vehicle manufacturers."

StoreDot is a world leader in silicon-dominant chemistries that are essential for electric vehicles to be able to charge at extremely high speeds. The company will continue to enhance its partnerships with other automotive manufacturers and manufacturing partners, to scale up its global manufacturing footprint and capacity to support global car makers.

Through its '100inX' product roadmap, StoreDot's remains on track with production-readiness of XFC cells that can deliver 100 miles charged in 5 minutes this year, 100 miles charged in 4 minutes in 2026 and 100 miles charged in 3 minutes by 2028.

EVE Energy began its relationship with StoreDot in 2017 and announced a significant investment in the business in 2021. It is now firmly established as one of the world's leading battery manufacturers and is in the top 10 suppliers of cells for electric vehicles, with close ties to many leading automotive manufacturers. Its global footprint extends to five sites in China, with facilities under construction or in planning elsewhere in Asia, Europe, and North America.

About StoreDot

StoreDot is the pioneer and world leader of extreme fast charging (XFC) electric vehicle batteries that overcome the critical barriers to mainstream EV adoption - range and charging anxiety. The company has revolutionized the conventional Li-ion battery by innovating and synthesizing proprietary organic and inorganic compounds, optimized by Artificial Intelligence algorithms, enabling the charging of an EV in under 10 minutes - the same experience as refueling a conventional combustion engine car.

Through its '100inX' product roadmap, StoreDot's battery technology is delivering 'Range on Demand': 100 miles charged in 5 minutes in 2024, 100 miles charged in 4 minutes in 2026, and 100 miles charged in 3 minutes by 2028. StoreDot's strategic investors and partners include BP, Daimler, VinFast, Volvo Cars, Polestar, Ola Electric, Samsung, TDK, and its manufacturing partner EVE Energy.

StoreDot's media kit can be found at this link.

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West Haven police cruisers parked outside Tropical Caribbean on Campbell Avenue. Juan Reyes, the owner of the restaurant, is accused of handling a firearm that was later found on Angel Perez-Montanez, who died after being shot outside the establishment in November 2023. West Haven Police Department / Contributed Photo

WEST HAVEN  When a man brought what police described as an assault weapon into a local restaurant and bar, the owner stashed the firearm on a shelf until they left, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Less than 10 minutes later, one of those men, identified as Angel Perez-Montanez, was shot in the parking lot and died at the hospital, police said.

West Haven police arrested the owner of the establishment, Juan Reyes, on Friday in connection with handling the firearm. Reyes, who police said was not involved in the shooting, was charged with possession of an assault weapon, illegally altering or removing identification marks on a firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine.

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Reyes, 43, was not directly involved in the November 2023 homicide, prosecutors noted during his arraignment Monday.

After announcing Reyes' arrest, West Haven police said the homicide investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

In the warrant, West Haven police identified the man they believe was responsible for the shooting. He has not been charged in connection with the incident, according to West Haven Police Sgt. Patrick Buturla.

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Reyes, the owner of Tropical Caribbean on Campbell Avenue, was arraigned in state Superior Court in Milford before Judge Kevin Russo. More than a dozen of his family and supporters sat in the courtroom.

His lawyer, Paul Carty, said Reyes was a well-respected businessman who had his patrons safety in mind the night of the homicide.

Carty said a group of men came into the bar, one of whom was armed with a gun. He said Reyes took the gun temporarily while the man was at the business before returning it and telling the person to leave.

What else is he supposed to do? Carty said, noting at one point Reyes had been worried the bar would be sprayed with bullets. Any other action would have been dangerous, extremely dangerous.

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Danger seems to visit that location, Mr. Carty, Russo said, noting that wasnt the only incident involving the establishment.

A fatal shooting took place in the area last month. West Haven police arrested Eric Johnson, 32, in the homicide of 44-year-old Hector Dominguez. Police said Dominguez was shot multiple times and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Tropical Caribbean is temporarily closed due to multiple violations with the state Department of Labor, police said Saturday.

In the arraignment Monday, Assistant States Attorney Allison Kaas noted that Reyes owned the establishment, and he did allow people into the bar with the firearm.

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The allegations are also that he handled it and knowingly allowed it to be present, she added.

Russo set Reyes bond at $100,000 and continued the case to March 26.

The judge also delivered a warning to Reyes after ordering him not to possess weapons if he posts bond.

If theres another firearm found at that business, Ill have him brought in here the next day, Russo said.

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The shooting occurred in the early-morning hours of Nov. 26, 2023. West Haven police were called to the parking lot of the Tropical Caribbean restaurant on Cambell Avenue around 2:10 a.m. for a report of a person shot, according to Reyes' arrest warrant affidavit.

At the scene, police found Perez-Montanez on the ground and unresponsive. Perez-Montanez was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital where he later died, police said.

Police said they found a black semi-automatic firearm in Perez-Montanez's possession. The gun, which did not have a serial number, had a detachable magazine with 18 rounds inside, according to the warrant.

A special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined that, under Connecticut law, the firearm qualified as an assault weapon, police wrote in the warrant.

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During the investigation, police sought surveillance footage from inside and near the restaurant. Police asked Reyes if they could review his surveillance camera system, but he said his Wi-Fi was down, so he wasnt able to access this footage, according to the warrant.

Police noted in the warrant Reyes has an adversarial relationship with the department as a result of their routine police presence at or near his establishment at bar closing time, to prevent crimes such as this from occurring.

Police later obtained warrants to view the surveillance footage. The footage showed Perez-Montanez arrive at the establishment with a friend around 1:15 a.m. The footage showed the two men being searched by a bouncer, the warrant stated. During the search of the friend, it appeared as if he was grasping the left pocket of his jacket, almost holding it away from his body, and the bouncer clearly avoids the part of the jacket that is being held by the male patron, police wrote in the warrant.

Perez-Montanez and his friend almost immediately interacted with Reyes, according to police.

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In an interview with police, the friend explained Perez-Montanez knew the owner of the bar and Reyes allowed them to keep the firearm in the kitchen while they were inside, the warrant stated.

Just after they entered the bar, the footage showed the friend and Reyes went into the kitchen, the warrant stated. The friend pulled out a firearm, which appeared to be the same one later found on Perez-Montanez, and handed it to Reyes, according to police.

Reyes then appears to stash it on some sort of a shelf or storage space across the kitchen, police wrote in the warrant.

Around 2 a.m., Reyes and the friend went back to the kitchen, the warrant stated. Reyes retrieved the firearm, giving it back to the friend who then put the gun in his jacket, the warrant stated. The footage showed Reyes let the friend out into the back parking lot, according to the warrant.

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In an interview with police, the friend said Perez-Montanez told him to pick up the firearm and a pickup truck to meet him at the Tropical Caribbean, the warrant stated.

The friend told police he had no idea why they brought the gun into the bar, and said he felt used by Perez-Montanez to just handle the gun, so that he could show off,' police wrote in the warrant. The friend said Perez-Montanez probably just wanted people to see him walking around with the rifle outside.

After the friend walked outside with the gun, he put it in the pickup truck, but Perez-Montanez took it out, he told police, according to the warrant.

Perez-Montanez then walked around the parking lot, waving the firearm, the friend told police, according to the warrant. He said he saw Perez-Montanez get into an argument with two men, one of whom later shot Perez-Montanez, and tried to calm them down, the warrant said. Perez-Montanez also got into a separate argument with two other men in the parking lot, the friend told police, according to the warrant.

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The friend said he was able to get the gun and put it back in the pickup truck, but Perez-Montanez got it out a short time later, the warrant stated.

The friend told police he went up to the man who later shot Perez-Montanez to try to defuse the situation, according to the warrant. The friend said the gun had been put away, and the man should just leave, but he refused, according to the warrant.

After the shooting, footage showed the friend trying to get to Perez-Montanez and the firearm, the warrant stated.

Due to other people in the parking lot, including the person responsible for the shooting, the male was unable to get near either one, police said in the warrant.

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The friend told police he tried to go to Perez-Montanez to render aid, but the alleged shooter would not let him near and said police were on their way, the warrant stated. The alleged shooter also told the friend that he was a licensed gun carrier, according to the warrant.
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: barrick@dpapr.com

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.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Electric Metals (USA) Limited ("EML" or the "Company") (TSXV:EML)(OTCQB:NVDSF) is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Brian Savage to the board of directors in addition to his position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Savage will stand for election by the Shareholders of the Company at the next Annual General Meeting.

As announced on February 1, 2024, the main goal for Mr. Savage is to further the evaluation and advancement of the Emily Manganese Project in Central Minnesota and to transition the project from a resource to an operating mine and high purity manganese processing plant. Mr. Savage is eminently suited to this role. An American citizen and resident of Colorado, he holds an MSc in Mineral Economics and a BSc in Mining Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.

Mr. Savage has a long history of identifying, building, transforming and growing businesses in the mining and metals industry. His most recent project has been the formation of a joint venture to restart operations at the historic high grade Kisenge manganese mine facility in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the intention of producing high purity manganese sulfate monohydrate (HPMSM) for the electric vehicle and energy storage sector.

His recent experience in the DRC has allowed him to develop a profound understanding of the manganese markets including the production of high value, high purity manganese products for the electric vehicle and energy storage markets.

Mr. Savage has a wealth of experience in exploration, development, production and project financing. He has spent years developing mining projects in various countries including Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Guinea and the Congo, as well as a number of operations in the United States. He has worked with a large range of stakeholders, including property owners, local communities, governmental and international entities and shareholders.

Mr. Savage stated "As the newly appointed CEO of Electric Metals, I am honored to be appointed to the board of directors. As I stated before, Emily is the highest grade manganese deposit in North America and presents a compelling opportunity to produce high value, high purity manganese products. It aligns perfectly with market demands, addresses critical gaps in the U.S. markets, and will propel Electric Metals toward a future of sustainable growth". The Board of Electric Metals is confident that Mr. Savage has the right experience to advance the Emily Manganese Deposit from a geologic, technical, economic and environmental viewpoint, while maintaining a stewardship that is in the best interest of all stakeholders. During the last year the company has expended great effort in exploration drilling with the aim to further quantify the Emily Deposit. In the near future the Company expects to be able to announce an updated mineral resource and the results of the ongoing metallurgical laboratory research testing of the ability of Electrical Metals to produce battery grade high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) and other high grade manganese products from the Emily Manganese Project ore.

About Electric Metals (USA) Limited

Electric Metals (USA) Limited (TSXV: EML) (OTCQB: EMUSF) is a U.S.-based mineral development company with manganese and silver projects geared to supporting the transition to clean energy. The Company's principal asset is the Emily Manganese Project in Minnesota, which has been the subject of considerable technical studies, including a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report - Resource Estimate, with over US$26 million invested to date. The Company's mission in Minnesota is to become a domestic U.S. producer of high purity, high value manganese metal and chemical products for supply to U.S. energy, technology and industrial markets. With manganese playing a critical and prominent role in lithium-ion battery formulations, and with no current domestic supply or active mines for manganese in North America, the development of the Emily Manganese Project represents a significant opportunity for America, the State of Minnesota and for the Company's shareholders.

For further information, please contact:

Electric Metals (USA) Limited

Oliver Lennox-King

Chair of the Board

(416) 948-5699

oliver@lennoxking.com

Brian Savage

CEO and Director

(303) 656-9197

bcsavage@electricmetals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the appointment of Mr. Savage as Chief Executive Officer, Director, the announcement of an updated mineral resource and the results of the metallurgical laboratory research testing of the ability of Electrical Metals to produce battery grade high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) and other high-grade manganese products from the Emily Manganese Project ore.

These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the failure to obtain all necessary stock exchange and regulatory approvals. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events, or developments, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Electric Metals (USA) Limited

View the original press release on accesswire.com


TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command has cleared the tilt rotor V-22 Osprey military plane to return to flight.



'This decision follows a meticulous and data-driven approach prioritizing the safety of our aircrews,' a Navy official said.



Lifting the grounding means the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force can return the aircraft to service.



The aircraft have been grounded since December 6, a week after the fatal crash of an Air Force V-22 Osprey off the coast of Japan that killed all eight airmen on board.



The military plane was on a routine training mission on November 29 when it crashed into waters off the coast of Yakushima Island in southern Kagoshima prefecture.



Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin had ordered an investigation on this incident.



The Navy grounded the aircraft when Air Force officials investigating the Japan crash found 'a materiel failure of a V-22 component.' Officials used the time to do a thorough review of the mishap and test risk-mitigation controls.



All of the services worked together to ensure the aircraft is safe, a Naval Air Systems Command official said during a conference call with reporters. They did not identify the component that failed, but said the processes they put in place will allow a safe return to flight.



In the wake of the U.S. military plane crash, the Japanese government had urged the Pentagon to ground the operations of its Osprey hybrid planes in the country.



The CV-22 Osprey is a multi-mission, tilt rotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing and short takeoff and landing capabilities. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.



Years ago, Okinawa residents had voiced concerns about the safety of Osprey planes.



The U.S. military's other aircraft in this series have been involved in accidents previously, some of which were fatal.



This was the first fatal accident involving Osprey in Japan.



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Groer Dividenden-Report 2024 von Dr. Dennis Riedl Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl Jetzt hier klicken
QUEBEC, QC / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / NuRAN Wireless Inc. ("NuRAN" or the "Company") (CSE:NUR)(OTCQB:NRRWF)(FSE:1RN), a leading supplier of mobile and broadband wireless infrastructure solutions, is pleased to announce that it has received expressions of interest ("EOI") from three additional lenders to support the Company's network infrastructure roll-out plan of its fully owned subsidiary NuRAN Wireless Africa Holding (NuRAN Africa).

"NuRAN is beginning to gain much traction from a diversified group of lenders to fund the 4642 sites currently under the Network as a Service ("NAAS") contract. The recent numbers and previously referenced in a press release regarding Cameroon have certainly helped NuRAN to gain credibility and interest in financing these site builds. We hope to be announcing the first reception of funds to drive those site builds as soon as possible" stated Francis Letourneau, CEO at NuRAN Wireless Inc.

The EOI's can be drawn individually or as co-lenders in a syndicated debt facility. The combined value of these three EOI's along with the previous Letter of Intent (LOI) for US$15M debt financing announced on February 6th, 2024, as well the possible rollover of its US$5M bridge facility announced on February 29th, 2024 can possibly fund at least 2500 of the sites under contract to date.

While the immediate priority is on completing the current US$5M bridge facility, these parties will be engaged in a parallel process. In addition, the Company is advancing discussions with equity providers at NuRAN Africa level and will benefit from the extensive legal, technical, commercial and ESG due diligence completed by the bridge provider which can be shared to manage a much more efficient process.

The 21 new site builds in Cameroon previously announced on January 30, 2024 taking the total live sites to 100 in Cameroon is proceeding on schedule and NuRAN will report the completion of these site builds as soon as possible.

About NuRAN Wireless:

NuRAN Wireless is a leading rural telecommunications company that meets the growing demand for wireless network coverage in remote and rural regions around the globe. With its affordable and innovative scalable solutions of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies, NuRAN Wireless offers a new possibility for more than one billion people to communicate effectively over long distances efficiently and affordably. "Bridging the Digital Divide, One Connection at a Time."

Additional Information:

For further information about NuRAN Wireless: www.nuranwireless.com

Francis Letourneau,

Director and CEO

Francis.letourneau@nuranwireless.com

Tel: (418) 264-1337

Frank Candido

Investor relations

Frank.candido@nuranwireless.com

Tel: (514) 969-5530

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as, "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "intends", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements include those relating to the signing and closing of the DFI loans, statements with respect to the number of live towers to be installed and proposed revenues over 2023, 2024 and 2025, statements with respect to financing at the NuRAN Africa intended to be complementary to the DFI loans and if completed is intended be used to accelerate growth in other markets, including recent contracts signed in Ivory Coast and Madagascar, statements with respect to the future conversion of sites in inventory to live sites as the Company secures additional financing to support the conversion, statements with respect to proposed debt settlements with management and short term and long term lenders including any potential restructuring of debt and that the execution of the loan agreement with the DFIs will propel NuRAN to build towers at an aggressive pace and fulfil our 2024 and 2025 expectation. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, such as the uncertainties regarding include risks such as the uncertainties regarding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and measures to prevent its spread, risks relating to NuRAN's business and the economy generally; NuRAN's ability to refinance its long term and short term debt; NuRAN's ability to adequately restructure its operations with respect to its new model of NaaS service contracts; NuRAN's ability to complete the DFI financings, our ability to collect fees from our telecommunication providers and reliance on the network of our telecommunications providers, the capacity of the Company to deliver in a technical capacity and to import inventory to Africa at a reasonable cost; NuRAN's ability to obtain project financing for the proposed site build out under its NaaS agreements with Orange, MTN and other telecommunication providers, the loss of one or more significant suppliers or a reduction in significant volume from such suppliers; NuRAN's ability to meet or exceed customers' demand and expectations; significant current competition and the introduction of new competitors or other disruptive entrants in the Company's industry; effects of the global supply shortage affecting parts needed for NuRAN's sites and site installations; NuRAN's ability to retain key employees and protect its intellectual property; compliance with local laws and regulations and ability to obtain all required permits for our operations, access to the credit and capital markets, changes in applicable telecommunications laws or regulations or changes in license and regulatory fees, downturns in customers' business cycles; and insurance prices and insurance coverage availability, the Company's ability to effectively maintain or update information and technology systems; our ability to implement and maintain measures to protect against cyberattacks and comply with applicable privacy and data security requirements; the Company's ability to successfully implement its business strategies or realize expected cost savings and revenue enhancements; business development activities, including acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; the Company's expansion into markets outside of Canada and the operational, competitive and regulatory risks facing the Company's non-Canadian based operations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis that is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The estimates included in this news release relating to the calculation of the gross revenue of the agreements with Orange and MTN are based on multiplying an average population per site by the expected penetration rate which yields the number of mobile customers. This is then multiplied by the average revenue per customer per month (ARPU) to derive total revenue. Orange and MTN's direct costs associated with this revenue are deducted and the resulting amount is shared by both parties. The revenue share only applies to revenue in excess of a guaranteed amount which is the minimum paid to NuRAN. A penetration rate reduction factor has been used to mitigate risk. The base data used to calculate the total potential revenue of this agreement was provided by Orange and MTN based on average population, penetration rate and ARPU. Management of the Company believes that the estimates have been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting best estimates and judgments, and based on a number of assumptions management believes are reasonable as well as information provided to the Company by Orange and MTN. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks, including the risks discussed above, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FUTURE ORIENTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

This press release may contain future oriented financial information ("FOFI") within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, about prospective results of operations including projected revenue, financial position or cash flows, based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action, which FOFI is not presented in the format of a historical balance sheet, income statement or cash flow statement. The FOFI has been prepared by management to provide an outlook of the Company's activities and results and has been prepared based on a number of assumptions including the assumptions discussed under the heading above entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" and assumptions with respect to the costs and expenditures to be incurred by the Company, capital expenditures and operating costs, taxation rates for the Company and general and administrative expenses. Management does not have, or may not have had at the relevant date, firm commitments for all of the costs, expenditures, prices or other financial assumptions which may have been used to prepare the FOFI or assurance that such operating results will be achieved and, accordingly, the complete financial effects of all of those costs, expenditures, prices and operating results are not, or may not have been at the relevant date of the FOFI, objectively determinable.

The FOFI contained in this press release are, or may be, based upon certain additional assumptions that management believes to be reasonable based on the information currently available to management, including, but not limited to, assumptions about: (i) the future installation and funding of towers under the Company's NAAS agreements in Africa, (ii) continued revenue generation by the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) over our NAAS infrastructure in line with our projections as well as the continued viability of these MNOs given the concentration of our operations on few key customers, (iii) no adverse changes in exchange rates our the ability to transfer currency in countries with foreign currency denominated NAAS contracts or economies, (iv) the future viability and competitiveness of our RAN solutions which are sold under traditional equipment sale contracts and provide a source of additional cashflow, (v) the future market demand and trends within the jurisdictions in which the Company may from time to time conduct the Company's business, (vi) the continuation of our NAAS agreements beyond their current contractual minimum periods to assure long term revenue, (vii) on-going costs of operating our NAAS towers including maintenance, repair, replacement of damaged or stolen equipment as well as VSAT and other input costs in line with our expectations, (viii) the Company's ongoing inventory levels, build and other operating cost estimates, (ix) no adverse factors in the political and regulatory regimes in which the Company operates, (x) no significant competitive threat from alternative rural connectivity solutions such as low-earth orbit or other technologies as well as alternative NAAS providers, (xi) availability and net proceeds from the Company's proposed loans with DFIs and other alternative financings, including, without limitation the equity financing of the parent company and the Company's subsidiaries; (xii) the ability to successfully extend maturity dates and obtain bridge capital when needed for working capital purposes, (xiii) the ability to continue to source products and services from critical outsourced providers including producers of its Radio-Access Network (RAN) equipment and construction and maintenance of NAAS sites, (xiv) assurance of supply from critical third party providers of technical equipment for our NAAS sites including solar and satellite equipment and terminals, (xv) access to qualified staff in new markets we are entering and in markets where we are growing, and (xvi) risks from the COVID-19 pandemic or other public health epidemics which could affect our staff but especially in African countries which are more vulnerable to these outbreaks. The FOFI or financial outlook contained in this press release do not purport to present the Company's financial condition in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and there can be no assurance that the assumptions made in preparing the FOFI will prove accurate. The actual results of operations of the Company and the resulting financial results will likely vary from the amounts set forth in the analysis presented in any such document, and such variation may be material (including due to the occurrence of unforeseen events occurring subsequent to the preparation of the FOFI). The Company and management believe that the FOFI has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management's best estimates and judgments as at the applicable date. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks including the risks discussed under the heading above entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" and under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's public disclosures, FOFI or financial outlook within this press release should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the FOFI, or financial outlook contained in this press release. Except as required by Canadian securities laws, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update such FOFI.

SOURCE: NuRAN Wireless Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSX-V:AHR)(OTCQB:AXREF) is pleased to announce the appointment today of Paul Johnston, PhD, P.Geo., as its new Vice President of Exploration. Dr. Roy Greig is stepping down as Vice President of Exploration for family reasons but will continue as a consultant to the Company.

"I am thrilled to welcome Paul to the Amarc team," said Amarc President & CEO, Diane Nicolson. "He brings significant experience as an executive and board member of exploration companies and, importantly, as a skilled geoscientist who has led technical teams to successfully advance exploration and development projects. His demonstrated ability to introduce and manage people and systems across multiple projects will be invaluable as Amarc advances extensive drilling programs across its portfolio of expansive copper-gold districts in 2024."

Dr. Johnston has a long track record of working within companies to build discovery capacity in varied, multi-cultural, international settings. Much of his career has been spent working in the field, most notably in porphyry copper environments in Peru and Chile, maximising integration directly from the rock record to help develop exploration targets, and optimize exploration programs.

Following an early career as Mine Geologist and Senior Mine Geologist at Hemlo, Dr. Johnston spent 18 years with Teck Resources, working on projects in Indonesia, China, Australia and Chile and taking on progressively advanced roles in their global exploration department. As Regional Chief Geoscientist-South America, Paul provided technical leadership of Teck's exploration activities in South America and increased the value of the Company's mining assets in the region. As Principal Geologist Evaluations for North America, he identified multiple exploration opportunities for acquisition or partnership to improve and expand the company's exploration portfolio.

Since 2015, he has worked in the junior sector, most recently as Vice President Exploration for Element 29 Resources Inc., where he built, developed, and led a high-performing exploration team that executed aggressive drilling programs to advance the Elida Project in Peru to an initial estimate of a significant resource within 18 months of the company's IPO.

Paul earned a PhD, Geological Sciences and a Master of Science from Queen's University. He is a member of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG), and is a registered professional with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC) where he currently serves on the Geoscience Credentials Assessment Panel.

"On behalf of Amarc's Board of Directors, I would also like to thank Roy Greig for his contributions to the Company," Dr. Nicolson said. "Roy led Amarc's on the ground technical team at a time of strong growth for the Company, during which multiple work programs involving extensive drilling and airborne and ground surveys were advanced with partners Freeport and Boliden at our JOY and DUKE Districts. We look forward to his continued input as a consultant and wish him all the best with his future plans."

About Amarc Resources

Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry Cu-Au mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets.

Amarc is advancing its 100%-owned IKE, DUKE and JOY porphyry CuAu Districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of southern, central and northern BC, respectively. Each District represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry CuAu deposits. Importantly, each of the three districts is located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail.

Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. at JOY and Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies at DUKE, can earn up to a 70% interest in each District through staged investments of $110 million and $90 million, respectively. Together this provides Amarc with potentially up to $200 million in non-share dilutive staged funding for these Districts. In addition, Amarc intends to solo drill the higher grade Empress Deposit in the IKE District with funding from a successful 2023 financing. Amarc is the operator of all programs.

Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 35-year history of porphyry Cu deposit discovery and development success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, IKE, PINE and DUKE. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects.

Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance.

For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114, or Kin Communications, at (604) 684-6730, Email: AHR@kincommunications.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD.

Dr. Diane Nicolson

President and CEO

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking and other Cautionary Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

SOURCE: Amarc Resources Ltd.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
OPEX Corporation, a global leader in Next Generation Automation for almost 50 years, today announced the launch of its newest automated sorting and order retrieval solutions?OPEX Sure Sort X with OPEX Xtract. These innovative technologies were officially unveiled by company leadership at MODEX 2024, the largest manufacturing and supply chain trade event, held this year at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311187962/en/

OPEX Sure Sort X with OPEX Xtract (Photo: Business Wire)

OPEX Sure Sort X represents the next generation of high-speed, automated sorting. It is the most robust industrial sorting solution available in the market, unmatched in terms of its compact footprint, performance rates, and cost-effectiveness. This universal system can handle nearly 100% of customer-sortable items weighing up to 20 pounds (9 kg), and sort items into a configurable array of mixed bin sizes and types.

When Sure Sort X is paired with Xtract?OPEX's revolutionary new automated order retrieval system?the task of retrieving totes and transferring their contents into shipping containers is now fully automated, as well. The result is a one-touch solution that can eliminate the need to manually sort and transfer boxes downstream.

"OPEX remains dedicated to innovations that align with the evolving demands of the market," stated Alex Stevens, President of Warehouse Automation at OPEX. "We have received feedback from our customers that they want one integrated solution to sort, retrieve, and automatically get the product into its final container. Our new solutions, Sure Sort X and Xtract, are a response to those requests. This cutting-edge technology is designed to automate multiple manual tasks with a simple, one-touch solution."

Developed based on feedback from the international business community, Sure Sort X applies OPEX Corporation's innovative, industry-leading Sure Sort technology, introduced in 2017. With its enhanced product handling capabilities, Sure Sort X is the single most versatile and configurable sorting solution available. It can handle items 60 percent smaller, nearly 20 percent larger, and up to 300 percent heavier than its predecessor, all while maintaining a consistent throughput of up to 2,100 items per hour.

The system's iBOT delivery vehicles utilize sophisticated motion algorithms that allow them to maneuver throughout the system efficiently, with the ability to change destination in real time while in transit. These iBOTs can drive in and out of the system while Sure Sort X continues to run, ensuring the highest level of uptime and availability. In addition, Sure Sort X can operate in both chilled and ambient environments. Installation can occur in as little as one week.

OPEX Xtract can be added to any Sure Sort X system by introducing retrieval iBOTs to work in conjunction with the traditional sortation iBOTs found in Sure Sort X. Xtract iBOTs move in a loop that has both horizontal and vertical segments within the Sure Sort X aisle, and can handle up to 200 extracted totes per hour. All of the iBOTs are self-charging and can easily be added to or removed from the system.

The system can retrieve standard totes or can be outfitted with Xtract totes, which are uniquely designed to transport items from the sort location to any available roller, v-chute, transfer (RVT) module. If these totes are used, once all products for a relevant order have been deposited into the Xtract totes, each tote is retrieved and transported to the RVT module, where the tote door opens and releases the items into the final shipping box or order container.

Soon after its unveiling in the US at MODEX, Sure Sort X will make its European debut at the LogiMAT expo in Stuttgart, Germany, on March 19, 2024, at the OPEX exhibitin Hall 7, Stand 7D53.

Sure Sort X and Xtract join the existing Warehouse Automation portfolio at OPEX, which includes Sure Sort-the industry-leading, high-speed, small-item robotic sorting system; Perfect Pick, a robotic goods-to-person picking solution that dramatically improves speed, efficiency, and reliability, and Infinity?the most advanced goods-to-person solution available in warehouse automation. All are custom configured for each client and designed to completely transform supply chain infrastructure.

For nearly five decades, OPEX Corporation has served as a trusted partner, collaborating closely with clients to develop customized, scalable solutions that transform how business is conducted. OPEX continuously reimagines automation technology to help clients solve their most significant business challenges, today and in the future.

About OPEX

OPEX Corporation is a global leader in Next Generation Automation, providing innovative, unique solutions for warehouse, document and mail automation. With headquarters in Moorestown, NJ, USA-and facilities in Pennsauken, NJ; Plano, TX; France; Germany; Switzerland; the United Kingdom; and Australia-OPEX has more than 1,600 employees who are continuously reimagining and delivering customized, scalable technology solutions that solve the business challenges of today and in the future.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311187962/en/

Contacts:

Laura Evans

levans@opex.com

+1.856.727.1100 x 5012
BANGALORE, India, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Electrical Safety PPE Market is Segmented by Type ( Head Protection , Eye and Face Protection , Hearing Protection , Arc Rated Clothing, Protective Footwear, Hand Protection ), by Application (Electrical, Oil and Gas, Mining, Machinery, Construction, Automotive).

Electrical Safety Personal Protective Equipment Market size is expected to reach USD 1577.3 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2023 to 2029.

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Major factors Driving the Growth of Electrical Safety Personal Protective Equipment Market

The market for personal protective equipment (PPE) related to electrical safety is growing due to strict regulations requiring the use of protective gear, rising workplace awareness of electrical safety, an increase in electrical accidents in various industries, technological advancements that improve PPE comfort and effectiveness, the expansion of industrial infrastructure, particularly in emerging economies, the adoption of automation that increases the risk of electrical hazards, an increasing focus on worker productivity and well-being, the emergence of sustainable PPE solutions, and globalization that leads to market expansion and standardization of safety requirements globally.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF ELECTRICAL SAFETY PPE MARKET

The introduction of strict regulatory requirements by occupational safety authorities globally is one of the main factors propelling the growth of the electrical safety personal protective equipment (PPE) market. These rules force businesses to invest in top-notch protective equipment for their staff members by requiring the usage of suitable PPE to reduce the risk of electrical mishaps in a variety of sectors. The need for electrical safety personal protective equipment (PPE) is being driven by a growing understanding of the significance of electrical safety in the workplace as well as by comprehensive training programmes offered by regulatory authorities and businesses. Employers are funding employee education and training programmes more often in an effort to encourage safe work habits, which in turn is encouraging the use of protective gear.

The market for electrical safety personal protective equipment (PPE) is significantly influenced by the increased number of electrical accidents in sectors including manufacturing, utilities, and construction. The startlingly high rate of electrical injuries highlights the vital need for efficient preventative measures, which is why companies are investing in cutting-edge PPE solutions to reduce hazards and guarantee worker safety.

Electrical safety PPE is becoming more and more popular, especially in emerging nations where industrial infrastructure is growing. A greater emphasis on worker safety results from expanding businesses and new infrastructure projects, which presents chances for protective equipment makers to meet the expanding market need.

Businesses are releasing more and more the connection between safety, productivity, and employee well-being. In addition to meeting legal requirements, businesses that invest in high-quality electrical safety PPE show that they care about the well-being of their workers, which may boost morale, increase output, and decrease lost time from accidents.

Demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable PPE solutions is rising as environmental issues become more pressing. To satisfy the demands of environmentally aware customers and fuel market expansion, manufacturers are putting more effort into creating electrical safety equipment using eco-friendly materials and production techniques.

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY PPE MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

Strict safety laws implemented by agencies like OSHA in North America fuel demand for premium PPE, particularly in sectors like utilities and construction.

The adoption of environmentally friendly PPE solutions is a result of the European market's emphasis on innovation and sustainability. Rapid industrialization and growing worker safety consciousness are driving market expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in China and India.

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Key Companies:

Ansell

Baymro Safety China

COFRA

Honeywell International

MSA Company

Paulson Manufacturing Corporation

Rockfall

The 3M Company

Udyogi Safety Appliances

Uvex Safety Group

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COLUMBIA, MD / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Nava Health, a leader in integrative and functional medicine, expands its reach to Queen City with the start of construction on its new center in Charlotte, North Carolina, at 15235 John Delaney Drive, Suite 20, in the Ballentine East retail center. The Charlotte Center is the Company's first location in North Carolina and is expected to open in September 2024. Nava also plans to open additional Charlotte locations, as well as centers in the Raleigh-Durham area.

Nava Health isn't just about treating illness; the Company views healthcare as a proactive journey towards optimal well-being. Recognizing the growing emphasis and effectiveness of preventative and longevity-focused medicine, Nava Health offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to empower individuals. Offerings include functional medicine, focused on the root causes of health issues, regenerative medicine, which aims to restore cellular and tissue function, and personalized wellness plans that provide a roadmap for long-term health.

The Charlotte center expands Nava Health's southern footprint, complementing a recently opened location in Boca Raton, Florida and another coming later in 2024 in Plantation, Florida.

"We are excited to open our first Nava Health center in North Carolina. Nava Health is dedicated to ensuring that personalized healthcare that addresses more than symptoms and is accessible to everyone, empowering individuals to reach their full health potential. Charlotte's thriving metropolitan population is an ideal audience for our offerings," said Bernie Dancel, CEO of Nava Health. "Our new center in Charlotte further strengthens this commitment, bringing our unique approach to a new community and enabling residents to take control of their health and well-being."

Building a Southern Presence

This is the first Nava Health in North Carolina. The Company has plans for additional locations in the Raleigh-Durham area, as well as further expansion within Charlotte, to offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to empower "Research Triangle" residents and perfectly match the region's vibrant energy.

Nava Health's commitment to personalized, data-driven healthcare aligns seamlessly with Charlotte's dynamic spirit. The center will offer a full spectrum of integrative medicine services, including functional medicine, regenerative medicine, nutrition counseling, IV vitamin therapy, and premium aesthetics.

The new Nava Health will be centrally located in the Charlotte metropolitan area, in Ballentine East, a prominent community center anchored by Harris Teeter. Located at 15235 John Delaney Drive, Suite 20 in Charlotte, the 4,800 square foot center enjoys convenient accessibility with ample parking.

About Nava Health

Nava Health is a vertically integrated, tech-enabled healthcare practice combining integrative, functional, preventive, and regenerative medicine. Our innovative medical practice uses a data-driven, personalized approach to optimize health and increase longevity. We provide each client with an individualized wellness roadmap tailored to their specific symptoms, medical needs, and personal goals. All client wellness roadmaps result from a proprietary diagnostic process, the "Nava Method," which utilizes data and specially designed software to create optimal personalized client outcomes. To learn more visit navacenter.com.

Media Contact

Suzanne Coblentz

Scoblentz@navacenter.com

Investor Contact:

John Nesbett/Jen Belodeau

IMS Investor Relations

nava@imsinvestorrelations.com

SOURCE: Nava Health

View the original press release on accesswire.com
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Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl

NEW DELHI (dpa-AFX) - India has signed a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association, or EFTA, a group of four non-EU European countries. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and India signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) in Indian capital New Delhi. The landmark agreement between India and EFTA is set 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, EFTA said in a statement. 'EFTA countries gain market access to a major growth market. Our companies strive to diversify their supply chains while rendering them more resilient', Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin said at the signing ceremony. '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 these countries. The EFTA-India TEPA was signed by India's Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, Guy Parmelin, Iceland Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, Liechtenstein Foreign Minister Dominique Hasler and Jan Christian Vestre, Minister of Trade and Industry, Norway. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are not members of the European Union. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 24: Copies of banned books from various states and school systems from around the county are seen during a press conference by U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) at the U.S. Capitol on March 24, 2023 in Washington, DC. Jeffries spoke out against the recently passed Parents Bill of Rights Act and the banning and censorship of books in schools. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Susan Zabohonski, in the State Capitol complex on Monday, opposed legislation that would protect public school libraries from partisan politics. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media Louis Haberlandt, an East Hartford eighth grader, spoke with state lawmakers on Monday in favor of legislation aimed at keeping partisan politics from affecting the collections in public school libraries. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  Legislation that would require local and regional school boards to publicly announce reasons for removing materials from public school libraries was the focus of controversy Monday during a public hearing on the General Assembly's Education Committee.

The committee brought the national debate on school library censorship, particularly from adults opposed to LGBTQ-related books, to the State Capitol complex.

Louis Haberlandt, an East Hartford eighth grader, argued that it's important to protect the independence of school librarians. He spoke in favor of the proposal, aimed at distancing partisan politics from affecting school libraries and media centers, including provisions that would prohibit local and regional boards of education from removing or restricting school library materials based on the race, gender identity, sexual orientation and the political or religious view of authors or subject.

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"One of my favorite books is 'The Hate U Give,'" Haberlandt said in a packed meeting room in the Legislative Office Building, referring to one of the most widely banned books in the nation that includes scenes of racism and violence. "Controversial books like these help me and many of my peers learn and develop new thoughts."

State Rep. Jeff Currey, D-East Hartford, co-chairman of the committee, drew a chuckle from the crowd when he asked Haberlandt if he had seen adults examining bookshelves for "inapproprirate" materials in his school library.

"I don't see that but I'm sure that maybe at some point that has happened," Haberlandt replied. But he's "totally against" the removal of any books from a library shelf. "I think if it was really a book with information that I think the students in my school have the right to view, I would be opposed to it (being banned), passionately."

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Under questioning from Republicans on the 45-member committee, a small fraction of whom was in attendance for the meeting, Haberlandt agreed that there might be some materials that are inappropriate for certain age groups, but he has heard no complaints from classmates.

"What in your eyes would be inappropriate content of a book that shouldn't belong in the library?" asked Sen. Lisa Seminara, R-Avon.

"I think that if it was something blatantly inappropriate to be in a middle school, then I suppose I would be against that, but it's really a difficult question to find a line between what is blatantly inappropriate and what is information that the kids in my school should be allowed to hear," the student answered.

"To determine what is age appropriate content is difficult, is that correct?" Seminara asked Haberlandt. "I suppose, yeah," said Haberlandt, who was accompanied to the Capitol complex with his mother, Sarah Morgan, director of the East Hartford Public Library.

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Susan Zabohonski of Southington spoke in opposition to the legislation, blastingd a central part of the bill that would prevent school boards from removing books on issues including sexual health. She charged that overall, it's a "direct attack on local control and the ability of our elected board of eds to do their job effectively without state interference."

Dozens of pieces of written testimony were submitted on the legislative proposal, several that referred to "unelected school librarians." Zabohonski said that the issue is not censorship, but "limiting government" and retaining local control of schools. "We're the voice against attacks on our culture."

Currey interrupted with a point of clarification. "There is, in fact, still control with respect to elected leaders of the public within this legislation," he said. "If a board was going to decide to remove something, this clearly states that they must provide that reason. There still is that local control of our elected leaders."

In recent years, many librarians throughout the state have complained of efforts to ban books.

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Leslie Wolfgang, director of public policy for the conservative Family Institute of Connecticut, said the bill would effectively prevent parents and other family members from participating in the public debate on books.

"On its face, the bill removes a parental right as a citizen 'to apply to those invested with the powers of government, for redress of grievances' guaranteed by the Connecticut Constitution," Wolfgang wrote. "Instead this bill would tip the balance of power over the debate about public school books to unelected and unaccountable school media specialists." She charged that school media specialists "are not neutral" in the issue.

"This bill removes all school board discretion with regard to any materials related to 'sexual health,'

including the physical dimensions of sex, even for grammar school libraries," Wolfgang wrote.
WEDEL, Germany, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The pharmaceutical company medac, founded in Germany in 1970, has evolved into an internationally renowned corporate group with two contract development and manufacturing organizations in Europe and a distribution to 91 countries. The focus of medac's work is on improving established pharmaceutical products as well as developing new therapeutics in four key areas rheumatology, urology, hematology, and oncology. After decades of impressive and successful growth, the company is now unveiling a new global brand to express the transformation as a global player and to extent global impact.



The newly established unified brand reflects medac's commitment to excellence and its global reach, consolidating its position as a key player in the pharmaceutical industry. With a new global brand positioning and design, the brand aims to pursue medac's promises, such as customer proximity and high expertise.

With the new brand claim, "Improving human health", medac positions itself as an international pharmaceutical company determined to make essential treatments available worldwide. Collaborating with longstanding global business partners, medac is dedicated to providing high-quality pharmaceutical products and services worldwide.

The new brand identity is reflected in a new global corporate website, accessible at www.medac-group.com. All international websites have been harmonized. In a statement, Frank Lucaen, CEO of medac, emphasized the significance of the unified brand strategy, stating, "The consistent brand strategy across our company network worldwide reflects our international strength in a unified design, and will shape our actions for years to come."

A significant focus in developing the corporate brand has been on highlighting medac's role as an employer. The employer brand aims to enhance medac's visibility and attractiveness as an innovative employer globally, which increases both the employees' own identification with medac as an employer and the awareness among potential applicants.

As part of the new brand positioning, medac has revamped its logo, visual presentation, and language across all channels and touchpoints. The logo features a sovereign violet color, representing confidence and resilience, evoking a comfortable warmth and familiarity, and boldness for maximum market impact. This distinctive color serves as a unique identifier in the competitive landscape, enhancing visibility and differentiation.

The updated brand identity marks a new chapter for medac, emphasizing its commitment to improving human health globally and reinforcing its position as a dedicated and innovative pharmaceutical leader in the focus areas rheumatology, urology, hematology, and oncology.

About medac

At medac group, we believe that health is humanity's most valuable resource. Since 1970, our mission has been to improve patients' quality of life worldwide by making the best medical treatments available. As a globally operating pharmaceutical company headquartered in Germany, we provide high-quality medical treatments for patients worldwide in 91 countries. With more than 2,000 employees we are committed to improving human health.

Our products are manufactured in Germany and other European countries to the highest standards, utilizing our own logistics center and production sites, and subsequently distributed worldwide.

We are constantly working to improve authorized medicines and to develop innovative therapies in the fields of rheumatology, urology, hematology, and oncology. Part of our mission is to provide safe, high-quality and innovative original products, as well as generics and biosimilars. In this way, we make vital treatments accessible to those affected.

Further information on the company can be found online at www.medac-group.com

Contact details:

Communications

Tel. +49medac Gesellschaft fur klinische Spezialpraparate mbH

Theaterstrae 6

22880 Wedel

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/273bcc57-b48a-467e-9236-7cdb5b1ceefb
Spotlights Role of African Philanthropy in Transforming the Development Agenda in Africa

LAGOS, NIGERIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / At a time of renewed geopolitical interest in Africa, and an increasing questioning of traditional development finance models, Harvard Business School today released a case study examining the role and impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) (https://www.TonyElumeluFoundation.org), and its unique approach to catalysing entrepreneurship in Africa.

The Foundation, Africa's leading funder of young entrepreneurs, has pioneered an innovative approach to seeding, capacitising and networking young entrepreneurs across Africa. Drawing directly from Tony Elumelu's entrepreneurial journey, his acknowledgement that luck and chance played an important role in his success, the Foundation democratises luck, spreads opportunity, in a sector agnostic approach, and has developed a bespoke infrastructure that reaches every country in Africa. The Foundation is a direct expression of Elumelu's philosophy of Africapitalism, that the private sector must play a pivotal role in Africa's development, and that investment must seek social, as well as economic returns.

The case study, the first of its kind focused on African philanthropy, was launched today, Thursday, February 29, 2024, before a class of graduate students at Harvard Business School and explored the Foundation's unique approaches and transformative initiatives, showcasing how the strategic philanthropy offered by TEF, is driving positive change and elevating countries and communities.

The case study recognises challenges the Foundation faces, and its responses, as it developed its mission, since founding in 2010. The track record is impressive, with over 20,000 entrepreneurs funded, over a million connected digitally and the development of an impact assessment capacity. TEF has disbursed over USD$100 million, reaching every African country. The Foundation is increasingly developing a partnership-based approach, working with institutions such as the EU, US agencies, the UNDP, the ICRC, the Ikea Foundation, and others to develop bespoke programmes focused on fragile states, female entrepreneurs and sustainability initiatives.

Tony Elumelu, who spoke at Harvard said, "TEF is creating economic hope and opportunity for African entrepreneurs. We know that entrepreneurship is the solution to youth unemployment and insecurity. Through the intervention of the Foundation, we are transforming our young people, giving them hope. Collectively, all of us can resolve the challenges that we have on the continent.

It is wonderful to have had the opportunity to work with HBS, to spotlight our successes, acknowledge the challenges that we have at times faced, and provide the opportunity to spread our experience, for the benefit of others."

The Harvard Business School session provided an opportunity to engage in a meaningful discussion on the role of philanthropy in shaping sustainable and inclusive economies. As the world grapples with complex challenges around demographics, climate and sustainability, the Tony Elumelu Foundation model offers a fascinating model of how strategic philanthropy can be a driving force for positive change.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

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About the Tony Elumelu Foundation:

The Tony Elumelu Foundation is the leading philanthropy empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, driving poverty eradication, catalysing job creation across all 54 African countries, and ensuring inclusive economic empowerment. Since the launch of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, the Foundation has trained over 1.5 million young Africans on its digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed over USD$100 million in direct funding to 20,000 African women and men, who have collectively created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs. The Foundation's mission is rooted in Africapitalism, which positions the private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the African continent.

SOURCE: Tony Elumelu Foundation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
TOKYO, JAPAN / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Sushi Ginza Onodera, Inc. ("Sushi Onodera" or the "Company"), a food service company operating high-quality sushi, tempura, teppanyaki, and makiyaki restaurants across three regions, launched the official grand opening of Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera Osaka on March 9, 2024, marking its 15th restaurant.

Located in Shinsaibashi, a district in the Chuo-ku ward of Osaka, Japan and the city's main shopping area, the restaurant marks the Company's 12th establishment in Japan and 3rd Kaiten Sushi establishment since venturing into the revolving sushi bar market in October 2021.

"I am pleased to announce the opening of our 15th restaurant location in Osaka, which marks our 3rd Kaiten Sushi establishment, a vital initiative of our broader growth strategy," said Sushi Onodera CEO Shinji Nagao. "Situated in the vibrant Shinsaibashi district, our new restaurant capitalizes on its strategic location within one of Osaka's busiest shopping areas, renowned for its bustling atmosphere and diverse cultural offerings. Leveraging this prime spot, we aim to attract both locals and tourists, tapping into the district's rich commercial landscape filled with shops, restaurants, and various attractions. Our venture into the Kaiten Sushi business model has proven to be immensely successful since our inaugural establishment in October 2021, emerging as a cornerstone of our profitability and growth strategy. As we journey towards becoming a publicly listed company in the U.S., our Kaiten Sushi ventures are pivotal in driving our future expansion and initiatives, with plans underway to open two additional restaurants in Hawaii and Texas in 2024."

The restaurant is located at 1st basement Midosuji Diamond Building 2-1-3 Nishi-shinsaibashi Chuo-ku,

Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 542-0086, Japan.

About Sushi Ginza Onodera, Inc.

Sushi Onodera is a food service company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operating fifteen premium sushi, tempura, teppanyaki, and makiyaki (firewood cuisine) restaurants in three regions around the world. Sushi Onodera is a wholly owned subsidiary of LEOC Co., Ltd., a Japan limited company, establishing the "Ginza Onodera" brand in 2013 and began operations in the U.S. and Tokyo. Sushi Ginza Onodera Los Angeles has been awarded a Michelin Star for four consecutive years and counting ('20 - '23). Makiyaki Ginza Onodera has been awarded a Michelin Star for four consecutive years and counting ('21 - '24). Sushi Ginza Onodera New York was awarded a Michelin Star for five years ('17, '18, '19, '21, '22). The slogan, "From Ginza to the World", embodies the Company mission of spreading refined Japanese culture throughout the world by providing every customer with high-quality dishes to create an authentic Japanese cuisine that immerses customers in a rich, traditional cultural experience. For more information, please visit https://www.sushionodera.com/.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "potential," "continue" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement reflects Sushi Ginza Onodera, Inc.'s current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. Sushi Ginza assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Investor Relations Contact:

John Yi and Steven Shinmachi

Gateway Group, Inc.

949-574-3860

Onodera@gateway-grp.com

SOURCE: Sushi Ginza Onodera

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Official Red Ribbon Week Merchandiser NIMCO, Inc. Unveils Line of Products Sporting the New 2024 Theme

CALHOUN, KY / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / In January, the National Family Partnership (NFP) unveiled its pick for the official 2024 Red Ribbon Week theme, "Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free". Each year, the National Family Partnership and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) cosponsor the official Red Ribbon Week theme contest, inviting millions of Americans to submit a unique slogan that captures the essence and mission of the campaign. This theme will be the main focus of a new official line of Red Ribbon Week-themed products and merchandise supplied by NIMCO, Inc. - the official merchandiser and partner of the NFP.

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week 2024 Official Theme presented by NIMCO, Inc.

Cheryl Holspafel, a Digital Art Teacher, and Devansh Aggarwal from Solon Middle School submitted this year's winning Red Ribbon Week theme.

The theme, "Life is A Movie, Film Drug Free", was selected because it inspires individuals to play their part in fostering safe, healthy, and drug-free communities.

In addition to the honor of being the driving force behind this year's campaign, Cheryl received $500 in official Red Ribbon Week products courtesy of NIMCO, Inc.

NIMCO is the #1 place families, children and schools can purchase Red Ribbon Week theme merchandise and products to support ongoing drug education in schools and communities around the country.

"We at NIMCO, Inc. are honored to contribute to this nationwide initiative and create a positive impact on the younger generation by spreading the empowering message of leading a drug-free life," says NIMCO spokesperson Paula Jones.

The NFP organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon campaign in response to the murder of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. After his murder, leaders and youth in communities around the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raising awareness of the destruction caused by drugs in America.

ABOUT NIMCO, INC.

NIMCO, Inc. has been the sole provider of official Red Ribbon Week merchandise for over 30 years. From posters and stickers to bracelets, T-shirts and more, NIMCO, Inc. has everything you need to show your support for the cause in 2024.

"Red Ribbon Week is an opportunity for people of all ages to come together and take a stand against drug use," said Jones. "By wearing the official merchandise and promoting the theme, we can all play a role in creating a safer and healthier community."

Red Ribbon Week takes place from October 23rd to 31st, 2024. Whether you're a teacher, student, parent or community leader, there are many ways to get involved. NIMCO, Inc. can help you make the most of this important event.

For further media inquiries, please contact Paula Jones directly at (270) 273-5000 or paula@nimcoinc.com.

###

Contact Information:

Paula Jones

Marketing

paula@nimcoinc.com

(270)-273-5000

SOURCE: NIMCO, Inc.

View the original press release on newswire.com.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Body Shop, a well-known cosmetics brand, has filed for bankruptcy in the US and Canada.



The group's overseas businesses, which were once its most profitable, are now dealing with cash shortages due to the collapse of its UK parent company last month.



As a result, the company has filed for Chapter 7 insolvency, which means that assets will be sold off to clear debts. This puts about 400 jobs at risk, including those at a distribution center that still holds millions of dollars worth of stock.



The Body Shop Canada Limited, the Canadian subsidiary of the UK-based company, has also filed for a notice of intention according to the country's Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. This is to obtain a stay of its parent's administration proceedings in the UK and provide additional breathing room while it evaluates its strategic alternatives and implements certain restructuring initiatives.



While the company is working on ways to restructure, 33 of its store locations in Canada are starting liquidation sales as part of the bankruptcy proceedings. Online sales have also stopped.



The Body Shop's UK arm collapsed in February, just months after a German private equity group, Aurelius, bought the group founded by the late environmental and human rights campaigner Anita Roddick. The deal was completed in January, and the UK business was put into administration less than six weeks later.



The administrators hired by The Body Shop International have announced plans to shut down 82 of the company's 198 total stores in the UK. These closings are expected to occur over the next five weeks.



Additionally, the company's German, Danish, Irish, and Belgian divisions are also facing insolvency, while uncertainties loom over operations in Spain, Sweden, France, and Austria. The Australian and New Zealand operations, consisting of nearly 100 stores, are also under threat.



Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - According to recent reports, former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has expressed interest in purchasing the social media platform, TikTok, in case its parent company, ByteDance, decides to sell it. The Wall Street Journal has stated that Kotick has engaged with ByteDance co-founder Zhang Yiming regarding a possible sale, with the potential price reaching hundreds of billions of dollars. In order to facilitate the purchase, Kotick may seek out partners such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who could use TikTok for AI model training. Kotick has also discussed the idea with other parties at an Allen & Co dinner. However, lawmakers remain apprehensive that ByteDance might share user data with the Chinese government or manipulate American political views through the platform. In response to these concerns, a bill was unanimously passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, moving to a full House vote and potentially the Senate. The bill aims to safeguard national security from foreign-controlled applications and could force ByteDance to divest TikTok within six months or face a U.S. ban. Kotick's interest in acquiring TikTok has emerged in light of these developments. The potential sale of TikTok could reach hundreds of billions of dollars, and the involvement of Kotick and Altman could make this acquisition a reality. It is worth noting that Kotick resigned as Activision Blizzard's CEO after a 32-year tenure on December 29, following a reorganization post Microsoft's acquisition of the company. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Petroserv Marine, Inc. ("Petroserv") and PS Marine Holding Ltd (the "Consortium"), an SPV formed by a consortium of financial investors, announced today that they have signed an agreement under which the Consortium will acquire substantially all Petroserv's assets via a share purchase of Petroserv's direct subsidiary, Universal Energy Resources Inc. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024.

The sale of Petroserv to the Consortium will result in a recapitalized industry-leading Brazilian offshore drilling company backed by new shareholders. The company will continue providing its customers with uninterrupted excellent performance by operating its fleet with its existing management team and employees.

Guilherme Coelho, Petroserv's Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very pleased to enter into this agreement with PS Marine Holding. With the strong support of our new shareholders, the existing Petroserv management team and I are excited to progress the Petroserv organization into its next chapter, including its Ventura platform in Brazil and Universal platform globally. I would like to thank our existing Board, lenders and other stakeholders for their support over the last several years."

About Petroserv Marine, Inc.

Petroserv is a leading Brazilian owner, operator, and manager of offshore drilling rigs. Founded in 1972, Petroserv has historically engaged in many areas of the oil and gas industry and specifically the offshore drilling industry since 1997. Today, Petroserv owns and operates a fleet of one semi-submersible and one drillship and additionally manages the operations of one semi-submersible and one drillship.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311486734/en/

Contacts:

Mardonildo Filho

contato@venturapetroleo.com

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Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl

CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Australia will on Tuesday release January figures for building approvals, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Approvals are expected to slip 1.0 percent on month after slumping 10.1 percent in the previous month. Australia also will see February data for the surveys of business confidence and conditions from National Australia Bank; in January, their scores were +1 and +6, respectively. Japan will provide February numbers for producer prices, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 0.1 percent on month and 0.5 percent on year. That follows the flat monthly reading and the 0.2 percent yearly gain in January. New Zealand will release February figures for electronic card retail sales; in January, sales were up 1.7 percent on month and 1.6 percent on year. Malaysia will see January data for industrial production, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 2.0 percent on year following the 0.1 percent drop in December. Also, the markets in Indonesia are closed until Wednesday in observance of the Hindi Saka New Year. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Bluwhale, a San Francisco, CA-based AI Web3 startup, raised $7M in Seed funding.

The round was led by SBI (SBI Ven Capital and SBI Decima Fund) with participation from Cardano, Momentum6, Primal Capital, NxGen, Ghaf Capital Partners, Spyre Capital, Baselayer Capital, Haseeb Qureshi (Managing Partner at Dragonfly), Charles Huang (creator of Guitar Hero), Jack McCauley (founder of Oculus), and the collaborative funds of Animoca (Japan), Gumi, MZ Crypto, as well as Sygnum Bank, and Azimut Investment Management.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts.

Co-founded by Adam Rowell and Han Jin, Bluwhale provides an AI personalization protocol that specializes in decentralized applications (dApps) by extracting deep insights from consenting user wallets across a variety of blockchain networks. Its primary aim is to drive user growth, engagement, and retention by identifying and reaching potential users through data-driven decisions and personalized wallet-to-wallet communication.

Bluwhale has already signed up 180 companies to use its AI platform, which is currently in open beta, and has indexed more than 270 million wallets.

Commenting on the news, Han Jin said: For nearly two decades, online platforms have profiled and targeted users without their consent. Companies have poured billions of dollars into Google, Facebook, TikTok, and similar platforms to target and mass-advertise to consumers. At Bluwhale, wallet holders can take control of their digital profile and decide if they want to receive communications, while at the same time taking a majority share of the outreach spending.

FinSMES

11/03/2024
Finboot, a Cardiff, Wales, UK-based supply chain technology provider, closed the first close of its latest funding round.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed. This round was led by a strategic investor together with Wealth Club.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the next phase of its growth strategy  with a particular focus on enabling companies and their net-zero transition through technology.

Led by Nish Kotecha, Executive Chair and Co-Founder, Finboot provides MARCO, which enables companies to incorporate blockchain within their value and supply chains, bringing traceability, transparency and compliance which, in turn, helps them meet sustainability and environmental, track carbon emissions and social and governance (ESG) requirements while also increasing operational efficiency.

The company also has an office in Barcelona, Spain.

FinSMEs

11/03/2024
Rental signs in front of a building in the Brookfield Four Corners area. Wednesday, November 29, 2023, Brookfield, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

One of the most compelling moments of Connecticut's legislative session so far came in late-February, a few minutes into what would be a 13-hour public hearing in front of the state's Housing Committee.

Hannah Srajer, president of Connecticut Tenants Union, was testifying in favor of a near-complete ban on "no-fault" eviction, meaning instances in which landlords decline to renew a tenant's lease without providing a reason. Sen. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, a landlord, staunchly opposed the measure.

What started as a fairly typical exchange, with Sampson asking questions and Srajer answering them, soon became something more interesting and unusual: a public argument between a tenant and a landlord about not only no-fault evictions but also the broader relationship between those who own rental properties and those who live in them.

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Sampson, who would later compare tenant protections to slavery for landlords, argued landlords have a right to maximize their profit under a free-market system. Srajer countered that landlords have too much power over tenants, who have little recourse when their homes are decrepit or unsafe.

"Would you agree there's a power imbalance between the person who owns the property and the person who seeks to be housed by the property?" Srajer asked Sampson.

"Yes, and generally speaking it's in favor of the tenant," replied Sampson, drawing nervous laughter from the audience and a seemingly stunned silence from Srajer.

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For years, housing has been one of the most contentious subjects with Connecticut's state legislature, as advocates have pleaded for action to address insufficient supply and rising rents. But while debates over zoning policy and new construction have often drawn the most attention, policy fights between tenants and landlords have grown increasingly frequent  and increasingly heated.

Hannah Srajer, president of Connecticut Tenants Union, testifies in front of the legislature's Housing Committee on Feb. 20. Screen shot via CTN

This year alone, the Housing Committee has approved not only the ban on no-fault evictions, but also a proposal to block landlords from considering a prospective tenant's criminal record and another that would require at least 60 days notice for any rent increases. All three bills now advance to the broader legislature, where they are likely to provoke further debate.

On both sides of the tenant-landlord divide, advocates say they're more motivated and more organized than ever. The clash of interests, it seems, is only beginning.

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No-fault eviction

Last year, a loosely affiliated group of tenants unions lobbied passionately for a bill to cap annual rent increases, showing up by the hundreds to testify at a public hearing on the subject.

The bill didn't pass  or even advance out of the Housing Committee  but the legislature did ultimately approve a measure that limited what fees landlords could charge renters and banned small landlords from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation, among other tenant protections.

The tenant unions hadn't gotten everything they wanted, but they had shown their strength and tasted the influence organized tenants could have at the legislature. Last summer, the unions came together more formally as the Connecticut Tenants Union, electing officers and approving a constitution.

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Ahead of this year's session, CTTU leaders decided not to renew their push for a rent cap but instead to focus on fighting no-fault evictions. Luke Melonakos-Harrison, the union's political director, said the practice of booting renters after their leases expire is often used against tenant organizers and others who raise a fuss about their living conditions.

"This class of evictions is used as explicit retaliation but also as an always-in-the-background threat of, 'If you rock the boat, we can kick you out and we don't have to prove why,'" Melonakos-Harrison said. "It really hangs like a shadow over anyone who's a tenant who's dealing with issues."

Beyond retaliation, Melonakos-Harrison said, landlords have used no-fault evictions to clear tenants from their buildings so they can raise rents for future, wealthier occupants. The state saw more than 2,000 no-fault evictions in 2022, according to the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, a figure that does not count instances when tenants moved out at a landlord's request to avoid having an eviction on their record.

Under the Housing Committee's proposed legislation, known as Senate Bill 143, landlords of buildings with five or more units would have to provide a reason (nonpayment of rent, illegal behavior, violation of a lease, etc.) for evicting a tenant even after the tenant's lease has expired. Similar laws exist in several other states, including New Jersey, California and Oregon.

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Make the Road Connecticut, an immigrant-advocacy group, has been another loud voice in the fight to ban no-fault evictions. Giselle Chavez, a Bridgeport-based housing equity organizer, said the practice gives landlords too much leverage, leaving families powerless and unstable.

"This whole thing is just based on a human right that we should have," Chavez said. "We're not taking anything away from the landlords, we just want to make the landlords responsible for what should be done."

Connecticut law already protects against no-fault evictions for elderly and disabled people. CTTU, Make the Road and other advocates have asked: Why not for everyone else?

Landlords, including those in the state legislature, have sought to answer that question. As strong as tenants came out in favor the bill on no-fault evictions, landlords came out just as strongly against, testifying en masse at the recent public hearing.

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Some argued a ban on no-fault evictions  also known as "time-lapse" evictions  would unfairly constrain landlords' ability to profit on their property. Others said the policy would hurt "good tenants" by making it more difficult to evict bad ones.

John Souza, a Hartford-based landlord and president of the Connecticut Coalition of Property Owners, said in an interview that landlords often have legitimate reasons for declining to renew leases and view no-fault evictions as a "graceful way" to boot tenants without dragging them to court.

"We don't make people stay married, and we shouldn't make people stay in a relationship with a tenant if we don't want to," he said.

Souza said debates over rental policy, starting with the proposed rent cap last year, have energized Connecticut landlords, spurring them to political participation. Just as tenants have become more organized, he said, so have landlords.

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"Traditionally with landlords, it's been like herding cats to get them to do stuff," Soutza said. "But I think after the last couple of years, they're more aware of what's going on and they're willing to do some testimony and defend some of what they earn."

Tenants vs. landlords

The bill banning no-fault evictions has spurred the most passion and generated the most controversy, but it's not the only proposal this session that pits tenants' interests against those of landlords.

House Bill 5242, which would block landlords from considering tenants' criminal records in deciding whether to rent to them, drew support from tenants and criminal justice advocates but furious opposition from landlords.

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"The arbitrary exclusion of individuals with criminal records perpetuates cycles of poverty and family separation," testified one tenant, whose husband had an application rejected due to past convictions. "It denies families like mine the chance to thrive and denies individuals the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society."

"The peaceful people of Connecticut should be allowed to stay in a safe home without worrying about sharing living quarters with dangerous criminals," countered the managing officer of a property group.

The tenant vs. landlord dynamic repeated itself with House Bill 5156, which would require landlords to give at least 60 days notice of any rent increase.

"As a renter, finding a new home is a stressful, time-consuming process, and being able to have advanced notice of a rent increase is essential for budgeting and decision-making," testified a tenant.

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"Without providing safeguards for both tenants and landlords, this bill punishes landlords unfairly," a landlord countered.

Last week, the Housing Committee voted to advance all three of these bills on strictly bipartisan votes, with Democrats supporting and Republicans opposing each of them. Their fate now rests with the broader legislature, which is controlled by Democrats but which has often failed in recent years to pass major housing legislation.

Melonakos-Harrison, from the Connecticut Tenants Union, said he can't predict how the legislature will receive this crop of housing bills, and the no-fault eviction ban in particular. He emphasized, however, that the recent wave of tenant organizing and action won't end with this session.

"No matter what happens with this bill, tenants are organizing, tenants are fighting back," he said. "Whether that's going to be through legislative pushes or something else, that's not going away."
Guardrails AI, a San Francisco, CA-based AI assurance company, raised $7.5M in Seed funding.

The round was led by Zetta Venture Partners. Bloomberg Beta, Pear VC, Factory and GitHub Fund as well as AI angels like Ian Goodfellow from DeepMind, Logan Kilpatrick from OpenAI and Lip-bu Tan also participated

The company intends to use the funds to expand its engineering and product teams, as well as to continue to advance its products.

Led by CEO Shreya Rajpal, Guardrails AI builds tools to measure, monitor and mitigate AI risks. The company also introduced Guardrails Hub, an open source product that lets developers build, contribute, share and re-use advanced validation techniques, known as validators. These validators can be used with Guardrails, the companys open source product that acts as a layer for building AI applications that ensures they adhere to specified guidelines and norms. The hub already has 50 pre-built validators including many contributed by a community of individuals and organizations. By combining validators together like building blocks into guards, developers can enforce the correctness guarantees and risk boundaries that are essential to them.

Commenting on the news, Shreya Rajpal said: With the launch of Guardrails in 2023, we made a foundational commitment that responsible AI development must be transparent and involve multiple stakeholders. As we navigate the evolving landscape of AI risks, Guardrails Hub will serve as an open and collaborative platform, accelerating the discovery and adoption of groundbreaking tools and methodologies for safely adopting GenAI technologies.

FinSMEs

11/03/2024
Ontraccr Technologies, a Vancouver, Canada-based construction management software provider, closed a $1.2m seed funding round.

Backers included LAB Ventures and Buildtech Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach into more industry segments, and further into the US market.

Led by Syed Ahmed, CEO and co-founder, Ontraccr is a no-code platform engineered for the construction industry, designed to streamline business operations through automation. Ther primary feature is a no-code automation design, specifically crafted to meet the needs of construction companies. The adaptable platform ensures that construction businesses of all sizes can adjust and optimize their operations, avoiding the one-size-fits-all trap that many other platforms fall into.

Ontraccr also focuses on helping businesses transition smoothly into digitizing their operations. The platform simplifies the technological landscape for construction companies by consolidating multiple tools into a single, integrated solution.

FinSMEs

11/03/2024
Reach Security, Sunnyvale, CA-based company providing AI solutions for security operations, raised $20M in funding.

The round was led by Ballistic Ventures, with participation from Artisanal Ventures, Mark McLaughlin, Denise Persson. Existing backers Webb Investment Network, Ridge Ventures, and TechOperators also joined the round.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach.

Co-founded by Garrett Hamilton, CEO, and Colt Blackmore, CTO, Reach Security provides companies with security tools to simplify cybersecurity, reduce operational costs, and enhance protection against evolving threats. The company delivers an AI purpose-built to reprogram an organizations security infrastructure based on who they are and how theyre being attacked. Reach acts across the entire security estate, interrogating each tool, gathering data on who is being targeted and how those attacks work. Security leaders get a 360-degree view of how their products are protecting them, a prioritized list of how to improve, and automation that empowers their defenders to act.

FinSMEs

11/03/2024
Velou, a San Francisco, CA-based AI-powered product data enrichment and search automation platform, raised $4M in sed funding.

The round, announced in January 2024, was led by Animo Ventures, with participation from Ascend, Sentiero, Revelry, Startup Haven, SK Ventures, and angel investors in SaaS and retail.

The compny intends to usew the funds for strategic expansion plans, including product and partnership development and key hires.

Led by Sadee Gamhewa, Founder and CEO, Velou provides a platform that offers industry-specific data models and analytics, enabling online businesses to extend product catalog automation and elevate customer relationships at scale. By leveraging AI and machine learning for product data generation, the platform delivers business insights and streamlines tasks related to product launches across various online platforms, including integration with industry leaders such as SAP, Salesforce, Shopify, and BigCommerce. Today, the platform serves as an AI copilot, empowering ecommerce businesses to eliminate manual processes swiftly, reduce data errors, and expedite the product launch process.

The company now serves renowned global luxury brands, large department stores, and rapidly expanding ecommerce retailers.

FinSMEs

11/03/2024
This is the first Oscar in Ukrainian history, and Im honored, an emotional Chernov said

Mstyslav Chernovs 20 Days in Mariupol, a harrowing first-person account of the early days of Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, won the best documentary Oscar on Sunday night.

A joint production of The Associated Press and PBS Frontline, statuettes were awarded to Chernov, producer and editor Michelle Mizner and producer Raney Aronson-Rath. The Oscar  and nomination  was a first for both Chernov, an AP video journalist, and the 178-year-old news organization. This was the third nomination and first win for Frontline.

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Chernov, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka and producer Vasilisa Stepanenko arrived an hour before Russia began bombing the port city. Two weeks later, they were the last journalists working for an international outlet in the city, sending crucial dispatches to the outside world showing civilian casualties of all ages, the digging of mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital and the sheer extent of the devastation.

This is the first Oscar in Ukrainian history, and Im honored, an emotional Chernov said. Probably I will be the first director on this stage to say I wish Id never made this film, I wish to be able to exchange this to Russia never attacking Ukraine.

He called on Russia to cease aggression in Ukraine. I wish for them to release all the hostages, all the soldiers who are protecting their land, all the civilians who are in their jails, he said.

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We can make sure that the history record is set straight and the truth will prevail, and that the people of Mariupol, and those who have given their lives, will never be forgotten. Because cinema forms memories and memories form history.

Chernov ended his speech by switching to his native language, uttering his nations salute, Slava Ukraini, which means Glory to Ukraine.

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While reporting on the invasion, Chernov encountered quite a few different reactions to the teams presence on the ground. Some thanked the journalists for doing their jobs. Some called them prostitutes. Some doctors urged them to film graphic scenes of injured and dead children to show the world what had been done.

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Only about 40 minutes of footage made it out to the world in real time because of poor connections, but when Chernov and his colleagues were finally able to leave, he decided he needed to do something with the 30-some hours they had on tape. Chernov, who was born in Ukraine, narrated the documentary as well.

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The work of Chernov, Maloletka, Stepanenko and Lori Hinnant won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for public service and featured prominently that same year in a Pulitzer for breaking news photography.

20 Days in Mariupol debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won an audience award. It went on to claim best documentary from the Directors Guild and BAFTA and was considered a favorite for the Academy Award going into the night. It won the prize over a strong slate of documentary features, including Four Daughters,The Eternal Memory, Bobi Wine: The Peoples President and To Kill a Tiger. Last year, Navalny, about the Russian opposition leader who died just last month, won best documentary.

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And while the awards run for Mariupol has come to a close, each new prize and platform has provided a stark reminder that, more than two years, later the war is still ongoing. On the same day Chernov learned he was nominated for an Oscar, he learned that his hometown of Kharkiv had just been subject to a deadly bombing by Russian forces.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in late February that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in action since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

The Last Repair Shop won for best documentary short. The film, co-directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers, profiles the craftspeople who fix thousands of musical instruments used by Los Angeles schoolchildren. Music education isnt just about creating incredible musicians, its about creating incredible humans, said Bowers.
Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer is undoubtedly a great film, but Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niros Killers of the Flower Moon was a much more relatable movie. Both were based on real life stories and real life characters and both are serious dramas with weighty themes. I was hoping against hope that Killers of the Flower Moon should get at least one award. I understand Oppenheimer is an intellectual drama with a niche audience, but so is Killers of the Flower Moon based on thorough research.

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I feel it was a little unkind for Killers of the Flower Moon t o not win a single award. Despite 10 nominations**,** Killers of the Flower Moon claimed no Oscars. It was about the Osage nation that not many people talk about. The movie tells the story of the Osage reign during the 1920s and how everything was taken away from the natives by the white Americans. It was filmed in Osage County and has been and there was a huge award buzz since its Cannes debut last summer.

Killers of the Flower Moon it is not a regular White Vs Black story, but a heart wrenching story of greed, conspiracy, racism and more. And this is depicted through the relationship shared between Mollie (Lily Gladstone) and Ernest (Leonardo DiCaprio). Mollie is an Osage woman and she falls in love with this white man called Ernest who is negatively influenced by his greedy uncle William Hale (Robert De Niro).

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Lily Gladstone portrayed Mollie Burkhart in the film, and was the first Native American to be nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role in nearly a century of Academy Awards. You are the soul of Killers of the Flower Moon, actress Jennifer Lawrence rightly said when she introduced Lily Gladstone as an Oscar nominee.

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Gladstone had already won the top actress prizes at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards. But again she too lost out to Emma Stone, who won her second Oscar for Poor Things.

Those who have seen Lily Gladstones no frill heart wrenching performance in Killers of the Flower Moon were hooting for her. The story of Killers of the Flower Moon was an eye-opener for many. Many of us dont know about Osage and how well-off they were. They are the real Americans and the richest people of that country. The White Americans used to plead with them for jobs. The Osage were wise people and they knew how to acquire wealth. One of the main conspirators who objected to the wealth of the Osage people was William Hale (Robert De Niro). He was the uncle of Ernest Burkhart ( Leonardo DiCaprio ) who advised him to get married to Mollie who belonged to a wealthy Osage family. He was friends of the Osage families too. But nobody really knew that he was the real man behind the killing of the Osage people. Outwardly, he showed that he was their ally, but he was interested in their wealth and would go to any extent to get that. Its a brilliantly made true-crime tale.

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The complexities of both the films and the characters were brilliantly depicted. Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer had its share of backlashes, despite that it shone at the box-office. Both the films were on political debate and both were engaging and had a contemporary look despite being set in the past. I guess no matter how controversial the character was of Oppenheimer, being a box-office champion helps. And finally helped Oppenheimer to shine in the Oscars 2024.

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(With added inputs from agencies)

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Every year, the Academy Awards pay a tribute to industry legends who passed away in the last one year in its In Memoriam montage

Renowned production director Nitin Desai, who created sets for blockbuster movies such as the Oscar-nominated Lagaan and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, was among the film personalities who were honoured in the In Memoriam segment at the 96th Academy Awards.

Every year, the Academy Awards pay a tribute to industry legends who passed away in the last one year in its In Memoriam montage.

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Desai , 57, was found hanging at his studio in Karjat near Mumbai on August 2, 2023.

He was also known for his art work in films such as Jodhaa Akbar and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo as well as the popular TV quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati.

In his career spanning over 30 years, Desai closely worked with directors like Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rajkumar Hirani and Ashutosh Gowariker.

As per reports, the influential personality hung himself to death at his own ND Studios in Karjat, which is a 90-minute drive from Mumbai. Incidentally, Desai ended his life just before his birthday as he would have turned 58 on August 9.

As per reports, the influential personality hung himself to death at his own ND Studios in Karjat, which is a 90-minute drive from Mumbai. Incidentally, Desai ended his life just before his birthday as he would have turned 58 on August 9.

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Apart from working as an art director and production designer, the multi-talented personality produced projects like Raja Shivchatrapati and Truckbhar Swapna. He also went on direct magnum opus Ajintha and Hello Jai Hind!

In 2005 he opened his ambitious ND Studios in Karjat, which was set to many biggies with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchans Jodhaa Akbarbeing the prominent ones. In fact, many seasons of Bigg Boss were also shot at the same studio.

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With added inputs from agencies
The Oscars are known as Hollywoods biggest night, honouring the best in the movies. The award ceremony is a lavish affair and hosting it costs a staggering $56.9 million (Rs 470 crore). This includes the gold-plated statuettes, the extravagant gift bags to nominees and laying down a red carpet at the Dolby Theatre

Cillian Murphy, winner of the Best Actor Oscar for "Oppenheimer", joins Emma Stone, winner of the Best Actress Oscar for "Poor Things", Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner for "The Holdovers", and Robert Downey Jr., Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner for "Oppenheimer", in the Oscars photo room at the 96th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. The event is an expensive and lavish affair with a price tag of $56.9 million. Reuters

Lights, camera, action. Its Oscars day and that means its time to celebrate and honour the talented individuals in the film industry. In fact, at the 96th Academy Awards, or Oscars, Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer won seven awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, while Emma Stone bagged the Best Actress trophy for Poor Things.

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But, the Oscars arent just about cinematic excellence though. The night is also known for being one of the most glamourous nights in Hollywood, and comes with a pretty hefty price tag. But for all the money that the Academy Awards spend on creating this night, it makes even more from event.

We breakdown the cost of the biggest night in film  from the pricey goody bags that all nominees take home to the payday for host Jimmy Kimmel.

A million-dollar event

The Oscars held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles comes with a price tag of $56.9 million (Rs 470 crore), according to WalletHubs 2024 report. As years go by, the cost of organising the Oscars has kept on increasing. For instance, the Oscars in 2017 cost $44 million (Rs 364 crore). Then in 2022, it cost $56.8 (Rs 450 crore) million.

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And now in 2024, it costs $56.9 million. This includes related activities such as the nominees luncheon, the Governors awards, and the Governors Ball, the Oscars official after party. However, the biggest chunk is spent on the live show that is telecast across the world.

It is not known how much it costs to hire the Dolby Theatre. However, it is believed that it is part of a complex deal linked to Dolbys naming rights to the theatre, but the Academy has a 20-year agreement.

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Workers load in a large Oscar statue on the red carpet arrivals area, ahead of the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California. It takes 30 rolls of carpet and an 18-person crew to install it over a span of 600 hours. Reuters

Interestingly, a huge amount of money is spent on the red carpet. And no, we arent talking about the glamourous outfits worn by the celebrities but the installation of the carpet itself. According to WalletHub, it takes 30 rolls of carpet and an 18-person crew to install it over a span of 600 hours. WalletHub further reports that the price tag for this alone is $24,700 (Rs 20.43 lakh).

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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the people behind the Oscars, also have to shell out huge bucks for the production of the event as well as security. In 2017, these costs were pegged at $100,000 (Rs 82.7 lakh) and $250,000 (Rs 2.06 crore) respectively.

Host Jimmy Kimmel  this is his fourth time at the event  is also expected to be paid anything over $150,000 (Rs 1.24 crore). In fact, thats how much he was paid in 2017 and 2018. And while this may sound like a good package for a one-night affair, hosting duties at the Oscars requires months of work and planning.

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Host Jimmy Kimmel speaks at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. AP

There are other expenses too such as the nominee cards, which in 2017, cost the Academy a total of $10,000 (Rs 8.2 lakh) for 48 cards. The golden statuette, itself, is only worth about $400 (Rs 33,000), according to WalletHub, and is 24-karat gold.

Celebrities and members of the film fraternity who attend the Oscars are also treated to a sumptuous feast put together by celebrity chef-duo Wolfgang Puck and Elliot Grover. The menu includes dishes such as crab soup, four different types of salads, a variety of pastas including fettuccine alfredo, chicken parmesan and entrees such as salmon, jumbo shrimp, pork chop, vegetable risotto, petite filets, butchers cut, steak frites, and crab cakes. All this comes with a pretty price tag but it is not exactly known how much.

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The Academy Awards also ensure that nominees, whether they win or lose, dont go home empty-handed. The 25 nominees in the acting and directing categories, plus host Jimmy Kimmel, also take home an Everybody Wins gift bag worth over $180,000 (Rs 1.5 crore), which includes some extravagant gifts such as trips to Switzerland and St. Barts, the full line of Miage skincare products, and luxury kitchen appliances from THOR Kitchen.

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Emma Stone arrives at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. According to a New York Post report, an A-list actor could drop about $10 million on a show-stopping look for the red carpet. AP

The A-list fashion

While the Academy spends exorbitant amounts to make the Oscars an unforgettable night, celebrities and attendees also spend lavishly for the event.

Interestingly, if one isnt nominated for an Oscar, one has to purchase a seat at the Dolby Theatre for the night. And these tickets arent cheap. Last year, SS Rajamouli, the creator of the magnum opus RRR, spent $25,000 (Rs 20.68 lakh) for passes for him and members of his team.

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But besides the tickets, the major expense for celebrities on the night of the event is the glamourous gowns and jewels they wear on the red carpet. According to a New York Post report, an A-list actor could drop about $10 million (Rs 83 crore) on a show-stopping look for the red carpet.

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Cate Blanchett holds her Oscar for Best Actress for the film Blue Jasmine at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, in 2014. She set the record for the most expensive look ever at the Oscars with her ensemble cost a whopping $18.1 million. File image/Reuters

For instance, Cate Blanchett set the record for the most expensive look ever at the Oscars in 2014  where her ensemble cost a whopping $18.1 million (Rs 150 crore). And Lady Gagas Tiffany pendant that she rocked at the 2019 ceremony was valued at $30 million (Rs 250 crore).

Even first-time attendees have to open their wallets wide, with an outfit potentially ringing up $266,000 (Rs 2.2 crore.

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Oscars cost millions, but make even more

The Oscars cost a fortune to host  but they bring in even more. Advertisers have to shell out a whopping $1.85 million for a 30-second ad during the award show. Thats much less than the $7 million CBS charged for the Super Bowl this year, but the Oscars bring in a respectable $120 million in ad revenue for ABC on Oscar Sunday.

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Oscar statuettes are displayed in Los Angeles. The annual ceremony also boosts Los Angeles economy by an estimated $170 million. File image/AP

According to WalletHub, the annual ceremony also boosts Los Angeles economy by an estimated $170 million.

And the event isnt just beneficial to Los Angeles or to the Academy alone. Winners of an Oscar can also see a bump in their future earnings. According to a Fortune report, the Best Picture award get a $7.8 million average increase in domestic sales.

Meanwhile, according to WalletHub, a win in the Best Actor or Actress category can mean a 20 per cent boost in pay for the victors next film. This means that Cillian Murphy and Emma Stone can expect larger pay cheques next movie.

With numbers like these, its no wonder that the Oscars are the biggest awards in the world.

With inputs from agencies
Its a busy Monday. The Supreme Court will be hearing the State Bank of Indias plea, seeking an extension of time to provide details on electoral bonds to the Election Commission. Heres what else is expected to happen

The Supreme Court had instructed the SBI to share details of electoral bonds encashed by political parties by 6 March. File image/PTI

Theres a lot expected to happen today in India as well as the world. And if you arent aware, we have you covered.

From the Supreme Court hearing SBIs plea seeking an extension of time to furnish details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission to Prime Minister Narendra Modi being in Gurugram to inaugurate the Dwarka Expressway, heres what else you should expect.

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Supreme Court to hear SBI plea

The Supreme Court will hear State Bank of Indias (SBI) plea, seeking an extension of time to furnish details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission, today. A five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, will take up the SBIs application in the electoral bonds case.

The SBI had earlier sought an extension until 30 June. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will also hear a separate plea, which has sought initiation of contempt action against the SBI alleging, it wilfully and deliberately disobeyed the apex courts direction to submit details of the contributions made to political parties through electoral bonds to the Election Commission by 6 March.

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In a landmark verdict delivered on 15 February, a five-judge constitution bench scrapped the Centres electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous political funding, calling it unconstitutional and ordered disclosure by the Election Commission of the donors, the amount donated by them, and the recipients by 13 March.

An aerial view of the Dwarka Expressway. Image Courtesy: @nitingadkari/X

PM Modi to inaugurate Dwarka Expressway

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Dwarka Expressway today. In light of this, Gurugram Traffic Police has issued an advisory restricting heavy vehicles on the expressway. The PM will also conduct a rally at Antriksh Chowk, leading to expected traffic congestion.

The 18.7 km Gurgaon segment of the expressway was completed last year, with the remaining 10 km within Delhi expected to be finished in a few months. The Dwarka Expressway was constructed at a cost outlay of around Rs 9,000 crore.

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The new expressway is anticipated to reduce travel time between Delhi and Gurugram and promote development in the newly developed sectors. It begins from Shiv-Murti on the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway and ends near Kherki Daula toll plaza through Dwarka Sector 21 in Delhi, Gurugram border and Basai.

BJP to protest against Congress over Bengaluru water crisis

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The BJP unit in Karnataka will hold a protest Bengalurus Freedom Park today against the ruling Congress government as a severe water crisis hit the state capital. R Ashoka, the leader of the Opposition, alleged that many MNCs now want to move out of Bengaluru due to the state governments inefficiency in handling water woes.

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Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) chairman Ram Prasath Manohar attributed the water shortage to drought, claiming the city receives only 1,450 MLD of water against a daily requirement of 2,100 MLD.

Congress second meet to discuss Lok Sabha candidates

With the Lok Sabha polls around the corner, the Congress partys second Election Committee meeting will be held today in Delhi to discuss the candidates for the upcoming elections.

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The Congress panel tasked with preparing the partys manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls has prepared the draft, which will now be discussed by the Congress Working Committee.

The Lok Sabha polls are likely to be held in April-May this year.

Swedish and NATO flags after the former formally became the 32nd member of the military alliance. Reuters

NATO to fly Swedens flag

Sweden has formally joined NATO and a flag-raising ceremony has been scheduled at alliance headquarters on the outskirts of Brussels at noon on Monday to ceremonially mark the accession.

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Sweden cleared the final hurdle to become the 32nd ally last week, after Hungary  the last holdout among member countries  held a parliamentary vote to approve the bid. The new president, Tamas Sulyok, signed it into law on Tuesday, immediately after being inaugurated.

Turkey also slow-walked Swedens accession on the grounds that it was not tough enough against the Kurdish minority living in the country.

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Swedens accession will be a strategic blow to Moscow. It turns the Baltic Sea into a NATO lake, making it much easier for the alliance to keep track of Russias naval movements. Sweden also has a well-armed military and an advanced arms industry.

On this day: Earthquake and tsunami in Japan kill nearly 20,000

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On this day (11 March) in 2001, a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami struck Japans northeastern coast, killing nearly 20,000 people and severely damaging the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power station.

The effects of the great earthquake, which was the strongest in Japans recorded history, were felt around the world, from Norways fjords to Antarcticas ice sheet. Tsunami debris has continued to wash up on North American beaches years later.
The gangs sowing terror in the impoverished Caribbean Island have morphed into de facto overlords. Now they are demanding the ouster of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, whose successor would have been sworn in on February 7 if elections scheduled for 2023 had taken place

Members of the General Security Unit of the National Palace, USGPN, set up a security perimetre around one of the three downtown stations after police fought off an attack by gangs the day before, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. AP

Haiti has a long history of upheaval, and gang violence has again plunged in the Caribbean nation, highlighting the powerful sway of armed gangs that have profited from collusion with authorities, institutional negligence, and political chaos since President Jovenel Moises assassination in 2021.

The gangs sowing terror in the impoverished Caribbean Island have morphed into de facto overlords. Now they are demanding the ouster of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, whose successor would have been sworn in on 7 February if elections scheduled for 2023 had taken place.

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In the last few days, the country has seen attacks on prisons, gunfire at the airport in the capital Port-au-Prince, and the destruction of dozens of shops and police stations.

Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier , a former special forces police officer turned gang kingpin, has stated that the criminal groups mission is to overthrow Haitis unpopular prime minister, Ariel Henry, and free the countrys 11.7 million citizens from what he calls his anti-democratic rule, reports The Guardian.

Henry, the countrys embattled prime minister, has been stranded in Puerto Rico for days, unable to return due to a gang takeover. He had travelled to Kenya last week to finalise plans for the East African country to deploy 1,000 police officers in a United Nations-backed mission to quell the violence, reports The New York Times.

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His supporters in the US government are said to have urged him to step aside.

Here is a look at the chokehold the gangs have on this country of 11 million inhabitants.

The gang violence crisis in Haiti

Gangs have existed in Haiti for decades, and have been particularly active since the mid-1990s, when the government disbanded the army, fearing military coups.

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But a tipping point came in 2018, experts say, when the government turned to the gangs to quell a vast popular uprising demanding political change and an end to corruption.

Subsequent massacres by the gangs revealed their instrumentation by the powers that be, Frederic Thomas, a researcher at the Tricontinental Centre (CETRI) in Belgium, told AFP.

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Haiti has become a narco-state, said Jean-Marie Theodat, a geographer at the Pantheon-Sorbonne University in Paris. He believes Henry has been objectively complicit in the takeover of the country by bandits like influential gang leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier, a former policeman who took the lead in the latest violence.

A woman lies on the pavement as she mourns a family member shot dead by unknown assailants as he sat on his motorcycle in the Delmas area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. AP

For Theodat, Barbecue is a Frankenstein who has broken free from his master.

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He said the gangs have become more powerful than the countrys political and security institutions, becoming autonomous power centres.

Armed with weapons often smuggled from the United States, gangs have proliferated, thriving on drug trafficking, racketeering, kidnapping and extortion.

They now exercise control over 80 per cent of capital city Port-au-Prince, and their nearly unchecked criminality led to the collapse of public institutions, culminating in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

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Even if Jimmy Cherizier uses political  even revolutionary  rhetoric, (the gangs) dont have a political or social plan, Thomas said. What interests them is power and territorial control.

They have no interest in legitimate power under an institutional framework, he said.

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The gangs want Henry gone but that doesnt mean someone like Barbecue aspires to political office, Theodat said.

Rather, the gangs want to ensure their domination while continuing to profit from their lucrative illegal activities.

Violence rages

In the long term, Haiti needs to mobilise more young people, particularly through conscription, to strengthen the police and armed forces, Theodat said.

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On the political front, Henrys return would be another step into chaos  a total denial of the disorder caused by his usurpation of power, he said, adding that Haitians ought to be able to choose their own leaders.

But the government doesnt want to make any concessions, Pierre Esperance, executive director of the Haitian National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), told AFP.

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The international community can help and facilitate a political agreement, Esperance said, while adding that it should listen more closely to civil society and end its support for a government that has led the nation into gang hands.

Pedestrians run past an armored police car in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. AP

Both the United Nations and the United States support a multinational mission led by Kenya to combat the gangs, while calling for an urgent political transition.

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But Washington continues to back a very unpopular political class, strengthening it to fight the very gangs it relies on, which is completely contradictory, Thomas said.

For Theodat, any foreign mission that can help us deal with these bandits is welcome, but it must inspire confidence.

The Haitian people have not really chosen the hand that will come to their aid, he said, noting that Kenya has no experience in the Caribbean.

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And, he added, what can a thousand Kenyan policemen, even aided by a few hundred soldiers from other countries, do against thousands of gangsters armed to the teeth?

With inputs from AFP
India has signed a free trade agreement with the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA)  comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland  opening up their markets to each other. The deal will phase out custom duties on many imported products, giving Indian customers access to high-quality Swiss products at lower prices

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal during the signing of the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, in New Delhi. PTI

Its finally done; after 16 years and 21 rounds of formal negotiations, India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed a landmark trade and economic partnership agreement (TEPA) to open up the EFTA market to Indian businesses and vice versa.

Piyush Goyal, the minister of commerce and industry, who signed the EFTA on Indias behalf hailed the agreement, saying: It is for the first time in the history of the world that we are inking a free trade agreement, with a binding commitment from the EFTA countries to invest $100 billion in India on the back of the solid foundation laid in India.

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The minister further added, A big opportunity for businesses from the pharma sector, medical devices, food, R&D  so many sectors which can offer tremendous opportunities for our partners in this TEPA to not only enjoy the fruits of the Indian large demand and our demographic dividend but also the fact that we are a rules-based country.

Following the inking of this deal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the deal, calling it a new watershed moment in the bilateral relationship between India and the EFTA countries.

But what is the EFTA? And why does this trade deal matter so much? We get you all of the details.

What is the EFTA?

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Before we delve into the trade deal and its significance, heres what the EFTA is.

The EFTA is an intergovernmental organisation of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. It was set up in 1960 by its then seven Member States for the promotion of free trade and economic integration between its members. Its important to note here that the EFTA countries are not part of the European Union (EU).

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And what is the EFTAs relation with India? India is the EFTAs 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.

According to a report in The Print, India exported goods worth $1.926 billion to EFTA countries in 2022-2023. At the same time, New Delhis imports of goods from EFTA countries stood at $16.738 billion. Additionally, Indias largest trading partner within the EFTA is Switzerland; Indias exports to the Alpine country was $1.346 billion, while imports were worth at $15.793 billion.

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The trade deal being inked between India and the European bloc, the European Free Trade Association, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI

Whats in the trade deal?

India and EFTA countries finally inked the TEPA after years and years of negotiations. The discussions for such a trade deal had begun in 2008, halting in November 2013, and then resuming in October 2016. It took over 21 rounds of negotiations for the parties to reach a conclusion, culminating in this significant agreement.

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This deal, as per the signatories, will boost exports of pharmaceuticals, garments, chemicals and machinery while attracting investments in automobiles, food processing, railways and the financial sector.

Under the TEPA, India has received a FDI commitment of $100 billion for 15 years from the bloc. Additionally, as per the deal, an investment commitment of $50 billion has been made for the first 10 years after the implementation of the agreement. Moreover, the deal is expected to facilitate the generation of 1 million direct employment in India through such investments.

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Who benefits what from the deal?

The deal is a big win for India on account of several reasons. Not only will it bring in a $100 billion in FDI and generate employment, but Indians will also enjoy a number of Swiss products at cheaper rates. This is because the custom duties on these items will be reduced significantly.

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As per the deal, India will phase out custom duties on certain items, making products such as Swiss chocolates, watches, biscuits available at a lower price. Tariff concessions have been placed on a range of products imported from Switzerland, including seafood, Mediterranean fruits, coffee, oils, sweets, processed foods, and wine, among others. This will lead to a drop in prices of these products in Indian markets, making them more affordable and accessible to Indian consumers.

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In the case of wine, there are no concession for those costing less than $5. However, wins priced between $5-$15 will see a duty reduction from 150 per cent to 100 per cent in the first year, and then decrease to 50 per cent over the next 10 years. Similarly, wines costing more than $15, will see an initial cut from 150 per cent to 75 per cent, eventually reducing to 25 per cent after 10 years.

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Other products such as watches, smartphones, bicycle parts, medical equipment, clocks, medicines, dyes, textiles, apparel, iron and steel products also fall under the deal, making them more affordable to Indians.

Cut and polished diamonds will also get cheaper as tariffs will be reduced from five per cent to 2.5 per cent in five years after the implementation of the agreement.

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Its important to note here that there is no significant concession on gold imports. India 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.

The free trade agreement will make Swiss chocolates cheaper in India. Image used for representational purposes/Reuters

What were the reactions to the trade deal?

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the trade deal, calling it a watershed moment. Congratulating the people behind the negotiations, PM Modi said, The culmination of efforts to finalise an innovative, well-balanced trade deal that reflects our respective developmental aspirations is commendable. One of 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 between India and EFTA, furthering the aspirations of our people.

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

Norways minister for trade and industry Jan Christian Vestre also hailed the trade deal. Speaking to news agency ANI, he said: 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.

Doesnt India have similar deals with other countries?

Yes, India has signed free trade agreements with other countries; since 2014, it has signed three such agreements with Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates and Australia .

India is also negotiating similar deals with other countries at the moment, namely the United Kingdom , Oman and even the European Union. Talks with Canada for a similar pact were put on hold due to certain political issues.

As per officials, while talks with Oman are in the final stage, the fourteenth round of talks are underway between India and the UK, with its conclusion expected after the Lok Sabha elections.

With inputs from agencies
Kate Middletons prolonged absence after surgery has fuelled speculation about her health and whereabouts. Following this, Kensington Palace issued a photograph of the Princess of Wales with her children. Now news agencies have retracted the manipulated image. Is all well with the future queen?

Four news agencies have retracted the photo of Kate, Princess of Wales with her three children issued by Kensington Palace for Mother's Day. Image courtesy: @KensingtonRoyal/X

Where is Kate Middleton? Thats the question royal watchers and the public have been asking. Speculation was rife since the Princess of Wales has not been seen following her abdominal surgery in January. As conspiracy theories swirled, Kensington Palace released a photograph of the 42-year-old royal with her three children on Sunday. Now there is a possibility that the photograph has been manipulated with major new agencies withdrawing it.

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We take a look at the controversial picture and why questions are being raised about it.

Whats the controversy surrounding Kate Middletons latest image?

On Sunday, Kensington Palace, the home and office of the royal couple, issued a picture, which it claims was taken by Prince William, of his wife Kate, formally known as Catherine, with their three children. The photo shows the Princess of Wales sitting down surrounded by Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince George.

Kate has her hands around Charlotte and Louis waist, while George is standing behind, wrapping his arms around his mother.

The first official photo of the future queen since her abdominal surgery two months ago was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales social media accounts with a message from Kate as Britain celebrated Mothers Day: Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day. She signed with her initial C (for Catherine).

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Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.



Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day. C



 The Prince of Wales, 2024 pic.twitter.com/6DywGBpLLQ  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 10, 2024

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The British royal family was hoping to put to rest the intense speculation around Kate who was last seen in public on Christmas Day. However, now a bigger controversy has erupted as major news agencies have withdrawn the photograph over concerns that it has been manipulated.

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Also read: MIA! Why hasnt Kate Middleton been seen in public for 2 months?

Is Kates photograph fake?

The photograph has been retracted by the Associated Press (AP), Reuters, Agence France-Presse (AFP), and Getty Images.

AP was the first to pull the image as it did not meet the agencys photo standards. It also noted an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlottes left hand.

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When AP determined the photo appeared to have been manipulated, it issued what is known as a photo kill, an industry term that retracted the image and instructed clients to remove the photo from their systems. At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image, AP said in its advisory. No replacement photo will be sent.

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Like AP, Reuters also pointed to the sleeve of Charlotte as an area that showed evidence of manipulation. It said that the sleeve did not line up properly, suggesting the image had been altered, reports CNN. The agency said it could not immediately determine how, why, or by whom the alteration was made.

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AFP claims to have withdrawn the photo because of an editorial issue. It has come to light that this handout photo issued by Kensington Palace today of the Princess of Wales and her kids had been altered and therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems, it said in a note to clients.

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Also read: Royal drama: The biggest scandals during Queen Elizabeth IIs reign

PA Media, the UKs biggest news agency, through which the Royal Family regularly releases its official information, including to the BBC said it had not killed the picture on its service. However, a spokesman said the agency was seeking urgent clarification from Kensington Palace over the concerns raised about manipulation, according to a report in the BBC.

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Kate from right, Prince Louis, Prince George, Prince William and Princess Charlotte leave after attending the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, on 25 December. This was the last public appearance of the Princess of Wales. AP

An article in the Verge questions if Kates arms are really that long. Its possible this is just a case of shitty Photoshop used to stitch together several photos so that the best expression on each persons face was used, the article says.

Reputed photo agencies and media organisations have strict rules against publishing images that are overly edited or manipulated. APs news values and principles allow minor photo editing but changes in density, contrast, colour and saturation levels that substantially alter the original scene are not acceptable. Backgrounds should not be digitally blurred or eliminated by burning down or by aggressive toning.

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Reuters also allows the use of Photoshop in very limited ways such as cropping or resizing images, or balancing their colour.

Even before AP killed the image, it came to the notice of many observers that the Princess of Wales is seen without her wedding and engagement rings in the picture.

The absence of Kate, the Princess of Wales, from the public eye has led to speculation that her health is more serious than what has been portrayed. File photo/AP

What has Kensington Palace said?

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The photograph has not been taken down from the social media handles of the Prince and Princess of Wales yet. Kensington Palace has declined to comment on the controversy.

In January, the Palace said that Kate had undergone a planned abdominal surgery and would be hospitalised for up to two weeks. She would take a prolonged break for her public appearances and private engagements.

The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter, the Palace said in a statement released on 17 January.

This year, Easter falls on 31 March.

A statement from Kensington Palace pic.twitter.com/6h3BCrqj5L  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) January 17, 2024

What are the rumours surrounding Kate?

The Princess of Wales has not been seen in public since Christmas when she attended a church service in Norfolk with her husband and children. Rumour mills have been abuzz because of her long absence. It didnt help that Prince William pulled out of an important family gathering last month without public explanation.

A photograph emerged in early March of Kate in a car driven by her mother. She was seen wearing dark glasses and sitting in the front passenger seat. While the British media did not publish it, American news outlets had no such reservations. However, questions were raised about the authenticity of the image. Was this picture of Kate Middleton made with a thousand photographs of Kate Middleton? the comedian Laurie Kilmartin asked on X.

Kate Middleton Seen in Public for First Time Since Mystery Hospitalization | Click to read more  https://t.co/O7zlxZfiCY  TMZ (@TMZ) March 4, 2024

But now with the possibility of the Palace issuing an altered image, the goal to reassure the public about the future queens health has royally backfired.

While some suspect that the situation is more serious than what the British royals are letting on, the internet is flooded with ludicrous conspiracy theories  of Kate being in a coma, about a face-lift or a Brazilian butt lift or BBL, which has a long recovery time. Some rumours got more outlandish with some suggesting that the princess was dead.

The palace had said earlier that it was unlikely for Kate to return to public duties until after Easter. File photo/Reuters

Amid growing pressure to share information about Kate, the Palace pushed back against the rumours saying that it had made clear in January the timelines of the Princess recovery and wed only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands.

Then on Sunday, it issued the controversial picture. And now it finds itself in a royal mess.

With inputs from agencies
Over the last decade, Vladimir Putins Russia gone from a country that tolerates at least some dissent to one that ruthlessly suppresses it. Arrests, trials and long prison terms  once rare  are commonplace

Police detain a man trying to lay flowers to honour Alexei Navalny at a monument in St. Petersburg, Russia, to victims of Soviet repression. File image/AP

Vladimir Putin, the long-serving Russian leader, has left a lasting impression on the political landscape of the country. Over the course of his 24-year tenure, his approach to dissent has evolved significantly. In the earlier years, Russia was more tolerant of dissenting voices. However, over time, this tolerance has turned into a ruthless suppression of dissent.

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Lets take a closer look at how.

From dissent to despotism

When charismatic Opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was gunned down on a bridge near the Kremlin in February 2015, more than 50,000 Muscovites expressed their shock and outrage the next day at the brazen assassination. Police stood aside as they rallied and chanted anti-government slogans.

Nine years later, stunned and angry Russians streamed into the streets on the night of 16 February, when they heard that popular Opposition politician Alexei Navalny had died in prison. But this time, those laying flowers at impromptu memorials in major cities were met by riot police, who arrested and dragged hundreds of them away.

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In those intervening years, Vladimir Putins Russia evolved from a country that tolerated some dissent to one that ruthlessly suppresses it. Arrests, trials and long prison terms  once rare  are commonplace, especially after Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Alongside its political opponents, the Kremlin now also targets rights groups, independent media and other members of civil-society organisations, LGBTQ+ activists and certain religious affiliations.

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Russia is no longer an authoritarian state  it is a totalitarian state, said Oleg Orlov, co-chair of Memorial, the Russian human rights group focused on political repression. All these repressions are aimed at suppressing any independent expression about Russias political system, about the actions of the authorities, or any independent civil activists.

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A month after making that comment to The Associated Press, the 70-year-old Orlov became one of his groups own statistics: He was handcuffed and hauled out of a courtroom after being convicted of criticising the military over Ukraine and sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.

Memorial estimates there are nearly 680 political prisoners in Russia. Another group, OVD-Info, says that 1,143 people are behind bars on politically motivated charges, with over 400 others receiving other punishment and nearly 300 more under investigation.

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The USSR vanishes but repression returns

There was a time after the collapse of the Soviet Union when it seemed Russia had turned a page and widespread repression was a thing of the past, said Orlov, a human rights advocate since the 1980s.

While there were isolated cases in the 1990s under President Boris Yeltsin, Orlov said major crackdowns began slowly after Putin came to power in 2000.

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Exiled oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who spent 10 years in prison after challenging Putin, told AP in a recent interview the Kremlin began stifling dissent even before his 2003 arrest. It purged independent TV channel NTV and went after other defiant oligarchs like Vladimir Gusinsky or Boris Berezovsky.

While there were isolated cases in the 1990s under President Boris Yeltsin, major crackdowns began slowly after Putin came to power in 2000. File image/AP

Asked if he thought back then whether the crackdown would reach todays scale of hundreds of political prisoners and prosecutions, Khodorkovsky said: I rather thought he (Putin) would snap earlier.

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When Nadya Tolokonnikova and her fellow members of Pussy Riot were arrested in 2012 for performing an anti-Putin song in a main Orthodox cathedral in Moscow, their two-year prison sentence came as a shock, she recalled in an interview.

Back then, it seemed an incredibly (long prison) term. I couldnt even imagine that I would ever get out, she said.

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A rising intolerance for dissent

When Putin regained the presidency in 2012 after evading term limits by serving four years as prime minister, he was greeted by mass protests. He saw these as Western-inspired and wanted to nip them in the bud, said Tatiana Stanovaya of Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre.

Many were arrested, and over a dozen received up to four years in prison after those protests. But mostly, Stanovaya said, authorities were creating conditions in which the Opposition could not thrive, rather than dismantling it.

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A flurry of laws followed that tightened regulations on protests, gave broad powers to authorities to block websites and surveil users online. They slapped the restrictive label of foreign agent on groups to weed out what the Kremlin saw as harmful outside influence fuelling dissent.

Navalny in 2013-14 was convicted twice of embezzlement and fraud, but received suspended sentences. His brother was imprisoned in what was seen as a move to pressure the Opposition leader.

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Moscows annexation of Crimea in 2014 from Ukraine created a surge of patriotism and boosted Putins popularity, emboldening the Kremlin. Authorities restricted foreign-funded nongovernmental organisations and rights groups, outlawing some as undesirable, and targeted online critics with prosecutions, fines and occasionally jail.

Police officers detain a man laying flowers to honour Alexei Navalny at a monument to victims of Soviet repression in St. Petersburg, Russia. AP

In the meantime, the tolerance for protests grew thinner. Demonstrations spearheaded by Navalny in 2016-17 brought hundreds of arrests; mass rallies in summer 2019 saw another handful of demonstrators convicted and imprisoned.

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The Kremlin used the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as an excuse to ban protests. To this day, authorities often refuse to allow rallies, citing coronavirus restrictions.

After Navalnys poisoning, recuperation in Germany and arrest upon his return to Russia in 2021, repressions intensified. His entire political infrastructure was outlawed as extremist, exposing his allies and supporters to prosecution.

Open Russia, an Opposition group backed from abroad by Khodorkovsky, also had to shut down, and its leader, Andrei Pivovarov, was arrested.

Orlovs group Memorial was shut down by the Supreme Court in 2021, the year before it won the Nobel Peace Prize as the hopeful symbol of a post-Soviet Russia. He recalled the disbelief about the courts ruling.

We couldnt imagine all these next stages of the spiral, that the war would erupt, and all those laws about discrediting the army will be adopted, he said.

War and repressive new laws

With the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia enacted those repressive new laws that stifled any anti-war protests and criticism of the military. The number of arrests, criminal cases and trials mushroomed.

Charges varied  from donating money to rights groups helping Ukraine to involvement with Navalnys now extremist group.

Kremlin critics were imprisoned, and their prominence didnt seem to matter. Navalny eventually got 19 years, while another Opposition foe, Vladimir Kara-Murza, got the harshest sentence of 25 years for treason.

Among those also swept up: a St. Petersburg artist who got seven years for replacing supermarket price tags with anti-war slogans; two Moscow poets who got five and seven years over reciting verses in public, one of which mentioned Ukraine; and a 72-year-old woman who got five-and-a-half years for two social media posts against the war.

Activists say prison sentences have gotten longer, compared with those before the war. Increasingly, authorities have appealed convictions that resulted in lighter punishment. In Orlovs case, prosecutors sought a retrial of his earlier conviction that initially drew only a fine; he later was sentenced to prison.

Another trend is an increase in trials in absentia, said Damir Gainutdinov, head of the Net Freedoms rights group. It counted 243 criminal cases on charges of spreading false information about the military, and 88 of them were against people outside Russia  including 20 who were convicted in absentia.

Independent news sites were largely blocked. Many moved their newsrooms abroad, like the independent TV channel Dozhd or Novaya Gazeta, with their work available to Russians via VPNs.

At the same time, the Kremlin expanded a decade-long crackdown against Russias LGBTQ+ community in what officials said was a fight for traditional values espoused by the Russian Orthodox Church in the face of the Wests degrading influence. Last year, courts declared the LGBTQ+ movement extremist and banned gender transitioning.

Pressure on religious groups continued, too, with hundreds of Jehovahs Witnesses being prosecuted across Russia since 2017, when the denomination was declared extremist.

The system of oppression is designed to keep people in fear, said Nikolay Petrov, visiting researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

It doesnt always work. Last week, thousands of people defied scores of riot police to mourn Navalny at his funeral in southeastern Moscow, chanting No to war! and Russia without Putin!  slogans that normally would result in arrests.

This time, police uncharacteristically did not interfere.

With inputs from AP
The Oscars, Hollywoods most coveted awards, have been announced. While everyone doesnt win, both winners and losers will take back home the infamous Everyone Wins gift bag. Heres all the luxury items in this years swag packages

The Oscar are here. The Academy Awards, Hollywoods most-awaited and coveted prizes, have been announced. But did you know that the Oscar nominees can take home more than just the gold statuettes?

Although not all contenders will win at the 96th Academy Awards, they will all get an Everyone Wins gift bag. This Oscars goodie bag has sort of become a tradition at the Academy Awards.

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Whats in these goodie bags? Why are they controversial? We explain.

What is in the Oscar goodie bags?

The Everyone Wins gift bags are put together by PR company Distinctive Assets, which is not affiliated with the Academy Awards.

As per The Guardian, the company gives the goodie bags to the ceremonys host, along with 25 Oscar nominees in the acting and directing categories.

These swag packages consist of luxurious items, vacations, cosmetics and much more. Last years Oscar nominees got vouchers for a $12,000 (around Rs 9,92,506) arm liposuction procedure and a three-night stay at a luxury Canadian property valued at $40,000 (Rs 33,08,356) among other items, Deseret News reported at the time.

The Mirage Hotel and Casino Las Vegas Everyone wins at the Oscars Nominee Gift Bag produced by Distinctive Assets, 23 February 2006 in in Los Angeles, California. AFP File Photo

The goodie bags were so enormous that Oscars contenders were given two suitcases to carry the items. Each package was worth about $125,000 (~ Rs 10,33,8612), according to Deseret News.

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As per Fox Business, Distinctive Assets has been putting together items for stars for decades.

Whats in 2024 Oscars goodie bags?

The contents of the Oscars goodie bags have been disclosed. As per Yahoo News, 70 companies are donating gifts and have paid around $4,000 (approximately Rs 3,30,835) fee for giving their product to this years nominees.

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Celebrity pets will probably win the most this year. Those who have cats will get complimentary bags from the Canadian brand Smack, while, for dogs, plant-based company v-dog has donated 10,000 canine meals to Petas Global Compassion Fund, reported The Guardian.

The giveaway also includes three holidays: one in a Swiss chalet worth $50,000 (approximately Rs 41 lakh), a holistic wellness retreat near Hollywood and a three-night stay at Saint-Barth Paradise in the Caribbean.

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The gift bag is dominated by health and grooming products, such as various skincare products, liver pills, topical glutathione and microneedling, as per the British newspaper.

Oscars nominees will also take back portable purse seats, blenders and an infrared grill, along with food and drink items such as tequila, gin, sugar-free cherry gummies and gluten-free cashew cookies.

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The Everyone Wins nominee gift bags also consists of home project management, a clinical sleep consultation, gourmet popcorn, a red light sleep therapy device, a performance inactivewear gift set, a luxury shoe bag, and sustainable, artisan backpacks and handbags, reported Deseret News.

The stars will also get several kitchen items including a 45-bottle wine fridge from THOR Kitchen worth $1,800 (roughly Rs 1.4 lakh), a $1,250 (approximately Rs 1 lakh) Schwank portable grill, and an $80 (over Rs 6,000) BlendQuik portable blender, according to Business Insider.

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Dr Carl Christman, who is described as a mentalist to the stars, is offering a private showing, as per The Guardian.

According to Reuters, this years gift bag costs a whopping over $170,000 (~ Rs 1,40,60,513).

Distinctive Assets founder Lash Fary said in a statement: While this gift bag does, as always, have an impressive six-figure value that is neither our focus nor goal.

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Just as any A-list actor doesnt need millions of dollars to walk on to a film set, these gifts are given based on the invaluable stardust these nominees can bestow upon a brand.

He said he hoped this years haul would put a focus on small businesses, minority-owned brands, female entrepreneurs and companies who give back, according to The Guardian.

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Why Oscars gift bag is controversial

These splashy parcels have come under scrutiny since they were first launched. The hefty cost of the Oscars gift bags has raised eyebrows, especially when people in the United States are struggling with basic needs amid the cost of living crisis.

According to a Yahoo News report, some would say the tradition of these goodies is tone-deaf.

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Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets, shows items to be included in the Academy Awards gift bag in Los Angeles, California, US, 14 April 2021. Reuters File Photo

The goodie bag cost $16,000 (approximately Rs 1.3 crore in todays value) in 1999. After a brief plunge in the value of the items in 2003, the packages worth rose to $1,00,000 (about Rs 82 lakh in todays value) in 2006.

In 2009, it further jumped to $1,26,000 (roughly Rs 1 crore today). After severe backlash over the cost of these gift bags, their value started to fall  from $90,000 (about Rs 74 lakh in todays value) in 2010 to $48,000 (approximately Rs 39 lakh as per current value) in 2013, the report added.

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The prices again went up in 2014, with the value of items at $85,000 (approximately Rs 70 lakh). It reached a record high in 2016 as the gift bag cost $2,32,000 (about Rs 1.9 crore), the report added.

The Academy of Motion Pictures sued Distinctive Assets the same year alleging trademark infringement. The lawsuit confirmed that these gift bags have no official ties to the Oscars.

Since then, the value of these bags has gone down, ranging from between $2,25,000 (about Rs 1.8 crore) in 2017 to $1,00,000 (roughly Rs 82 lakh) in 2023, Yahoo News reported.

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With inputs from agencies
PM Narendra Modi announced that Indias Agni-5 missiles maiden test flight using the Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) was a success. This technology that allows a single missile carrying multiple warheads to strike different targets simultaneously is not easy to develop and is only deployed by a select few nations currently

Agni-V missile launched from the Wheeler Island off the eastern Indian state of Odisha on 19 April 2012. Reuters File Photo

Indias domestically developed Agni-5 missile successfully took its maiden test flight using the Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday (11 March). Hailing the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the feat, he said he was proud of them for the successful completion of Mission Divyastra.

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Agni-5 is Indias nuclear-capable long-range surface-to-surface missile developed by DRDO. The first test flight using MIRV is significant for India as it has entered the league of a select group of countries that have this capability.

Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 11, 2024

Lets take a closer look.

What is MIRV?

Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs) allow a missile to deliver multiple nuclear warheads at different targets that are even hundreds of kilometres apart. While conventional missiles can carry one warhead, MIRVs are capable of deploying several warheads.

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As per India Today, this missile technology is important in strategic nuclear warfare as it permits a missile to target different locations at the same time.

These vehicles were developed during the Cold War as part of the arms race. The technology was first deployed by the United States in an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in 1970. A year later, it deployed MIRV on a Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM), as per Washington-based non-profit advocacy group, the Centre for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.

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Developing it is not an easy task as it involves a combination of large missiles, small warheads, accurate guidance, and a complex mechanism for releasing warheads sequentially during flight, the group said in its article.

According to political scientist Ted Greenwoods study, Making of the MIRV: A Study of Defense Decision Making, the US believed MIRV would give enhancement of a first-strike capability to its strategic forces, enabling it to attack diverse Soviet targets.

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Which other countries have it?

By the end of the 1970s, the erstwhile Soviet Union had developed MIRV technology for its ICBMs and SLBMs.

According to the Centre for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation article, the United Kingdom, France and the US deploy MIRV on SLBMs, while China uses it on ICMBs. Russia has MIRV-equipped both ICBMs and SLBMs.

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The use of MIRVs on submarines is considered less destabilising than on land-based missiles because the difficulty of finding nuclear submarines makes strikes against them unlikely, the article by the nonprofit said.

Now, India has joined this small group of countries that have developed the MIRV technology. According to government sources, the system is equipped with domestic Avionics systems and high-accuracy sensor packages, which ensured that the re-entry vehicles reached the target points within the desired accuracy.

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Last October, Pakistan successfully test-fired Ababeel, a medium-range ballistic missile. This MIRV-capable missile is reportedly a response to New Delhis efforts to develop and expand its ballistic missile defense (BMD) programme.

Israel is also believed to either already have or is in the process of developing MIRV-equipped missiles, reported Indian Express.

Agni-5 missile and its significance

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Agni-5 is the fifth variant of Indias long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile. Before this, its last test was conducted in December 2022 off the coast of Odisha. This test had come on the heels of a clash between Indian and Chinese troops at the Line of Actual Control in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

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The family of Agni missiles has been used by the Indian armed forces since the early 1990s.

Agni-5 can carry out strikes at ranges of 5,000 to 5,500 km, bringing major Chinese cities, including the capital Beijing, within its range, noted Indian Express.

The long-range ballistic Agni-V missile was displayed during the Republic Day parade, in New Delhi on 26 January 2013. AP File Photo

It has a maximum payload of around 1,360 kilogramme and is designed to deliver nuclear warheads. Agni-5 missiles, which use a three-stage solid-fuelled engine, have advanced navigation systems including a ring laser gyroscope inertial navigation system (NavIC) and satellite guidance.

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With inputs from agencies
Videos on social media show Israeli security forces clashing with Muslim worshippers at Jerusalems al-Aqsa mosque on Sunday on the first night of Ramzan. The religious site has been the centre of numerous clashes, dating all the way back to 1969

Muslim worshippers take part in the evening 'Tarawih' prayers during of the Muslim holy month of Ramzan, at Al-Aqsa compound, known to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalems Old City. Reuters

The holy month of Ramzan has begun and Israelis and Palestinians are bracing themselves for a period of high tensions as talks of a truce fell through. And tensions have further ratcheted as police officers scuffled with some Muslim worshippers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem on Sunday night.

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The video released on social media show Israeli Border Police officers attacking some of the worshippers at the al-Aqsa Mosque with batons at the entrance. It is still unclear as to what exactly happened, but Israel Police said it was working to enable freedom of worship on the Temple Mount while at the same time ensuring safety and security, in accordance with instructions given by the political leadership.

This isnt the first time that the al-Aqsa Mosque is at the centre of volatility and, in fact, has been a regular site of conflict between Israel and Palestine. Heres why.

The importance of al-Aqsa Mosque

The al-Aqsa is the name of the mosque that lies inside a 35-acre compound in the heart of Jerusalems Old City on a hill known to Jews as Har ha-Bayit, or Temple Mount, and to Muslims internationally as al-Haram al-Sharif, or The Noble Sanctuary.

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As per a Reuters report, al-Aqsa is the name given to the whole compound and is home to two Muslim holy places: the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, also known as the Qibli Mosque, which was built in the 8th Century AD.

For Muslims all across the world, the al-Aqsa is the third most important site after Mecca and Medina. Muslims believe the site is where Prophet Muhammad led his fellow prophets in prayer during a miraculous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem. The Quran says the prophet was carriedby night from the Sacred Mosque [in Mecca> to the Farthest Mosque [al-Aqsa>, whose precincts we have blessed.

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Tourists take photos in front of the Dome of the Rock in the al-Aqsa compound, also known to Jews as the Temple Mount, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Jerusalems Old City. Reuters

From there, it is believed that Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven  called the Miraj. The Dome of the Rock is said to shelter the rock from where Mohammed physically ascended.

On the other hand, Temple Mount, as the Jews call it, is the holiest place in Judaism. According to Jews, it where two ancient Jewish temples once stood  the temple built by King Solomon, which was destroyed by the Babylonians, and the second temple, destroyed by the Romans. However, the Jewish law and the Israeli Rabbinate forbid Jews from entering the compound and praying there, as it is considered too holy to tread upon. The site is also home to the Foundation Stone, where Jews believe the creation of the world began and where God promises his full presence.

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Also almost adjacent to the al-Aqsa mosque is the Western Wall, the holiest prayer site for Jews.

Control of al-Aqsa Mosque

After the Six-Day war in 1967, Israel started occupying East Jerusalem and eventually annexed Jerusalem, including the Old City and al-Aqsa. It was then decided between Jordan and Israel that the Waqf  the Islamic trust  would control matters inside the compound while the external security would be the responsibility of Israel.

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Furthermore, non-Muslims would be allowed onto the site during visiting hours, but would not be allowed to pray there.

As per the arrangement, the external security at the al-Aqsa Mosque is the responsibility of Israel. But heres the problem. In recent times, Israel has restricted Muslims from entering and allowed Jews to visit more frequently. File image/AP

However, herein lies the problem.

Israeli forces have allowed Jews to enter the al-Aqsa compound from time to time in the presence of security forces, which have upset the Muslims. Moreover, through the Preservation of the Holy Places Law, Israel has also permitted entry to Christian pilgrims into the compound. And Israeli forces also regularly patrol and conduct searches within the premises.

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Clashes at the al-Aqsa site

And its because of this dual custodianship, as many call it, that the al-Aqsa compound has seen clashes over the years. In August 1969, an Australian Christian named Dennis Michael Rohan attempted to burn down al-Aqsa, destroying the historically significant and intricately carved minbar  or pulpit  of Saladin, a treasured piece of Islamic art.

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Years later, in 1990, an Orthodox Jewish movement known by the name Temple Mount Faithful said it would lay a cornerstone for the Third Temple in place of the Dome of the Rock. This led to riots in which 20 Palestinians were killed by Israeli police.

In September 2000, Israeli politician Ariel Sharon entered the holy site accompanied by some 1,000 police personnel. This led to the Second Intifada, a Palestinian uprising, in which more than 3,000 Palestinians and some 1,000 Israelis were killed.

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In 2014, the Israeli authorities closed access to the al-Aqsa mosque following an attack on Yehuda Glick, a controversial right-wing rabbi.

Palestinian protesters hurl stones at Israeli forces during clashes at the compound that houses al-Aqsa Mosque in 2021. The religious site has been the centre of numerous clashes. File image/Reuters

Then later in May 2017, the Palestinians were left fuming in anger when the Israeli government held its Cabinet meeting inside the tunnels it had dug under the al-Aqsa Mosque. At the time, Palestinians had expressed fear that digging tunnels would expose al-Aqsa to the threat of collapse in the event of a slight earthquake.

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In May 2021, the site once again was at the centre of clashes when the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, fired rockets into Israel, demanding that Israel withdraw security forces from the al-Aqsa compound. The Israeli police had the stormed the compound firing stun grenades and tear gas.

This was followed by last years clashes in April. Fourteen Palestinians were injured after Israeli police officials attacked dozens of worshippers at the religious sites compound. Israel had claimed that their actions came in response to rioting. They alleged that a number of Palestinian worshippers had barricaded themselves in the mosque after Ramzan prayers. Israeli police said in a statement that they were forced to enter the compound after masked agitators locked themselves inside the mosque with fireworks, sticks and stones.

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Al-Aqsa amid the war

In fact, in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks in Israel on 7 October last year, the Palestinian militant group had alleged that it was in part a response to Judaisation plans at the mosque. Al Aqsa Flood (as the 7 October attacks came to be known) came as a response to the settlers violations against al Aqsa, said Walid Kilani, a Hamas spokesman in Lebanon, referring to Jewish worshipers.

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Muslims walk next to the Dome of Rock Mosque at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalems Old City, ahead of the holy month of Ramzan. AP

And a month before Ramzan began, there was a proposal to place restrictions on the entry on the entry of worshippers at the site. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had earlier proposed that Israeli security forces should prevent Palestinian residents from the occupied West Bank from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque. His plan also prohibited Palestinians below the age of 70 from entering the site during Ramzan.

Speaking on his plan, Ben-Gvir had said that such restrictions were necessary because we should not allow residents from the [Palestinian> Authority to enter Israel in any way. Israel cannot take chances and risks.

However, Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the proposal, with his office saying: Ramzan is holy for Muslims, and the sanctity of the holiday will be preserved this year, as it is every year.

With inputs from agencies
The world has too much wine. Overproduction has forced farmers across some of the worlds largest producers like Australia and France to destroy tens of millions of grape vines. It is the cheaper reds that are taking a hit. Heres why

A vineyard worker pours grapes out of a container after he handpicked them at a vineyard in the Hunter Valley, located around 100 kilometres north of Sydney. Australia's booming billion dollar wine industry is starting to feel the pinch of global oversupply, with some winemakers finding they can't sell every drop they make at a good price. File photo/Reuters

If you are a wine connoisseur, youd think there is no such thing as too much wine. But the ground reality is far different. Turns out, the world has excess wine and farmers are destroying vineyards they have tended to for decades.

Australia is the worst hit. Its growers are destroying millions of grape veins and tens of millions more will have to be pulled out. Overproduction is a concern; it has crushed the prices of grapes and is now threatening the livelihoods of growers and winemakers. But this is not only restricted to Australia.

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Australian growers are destroying vineyards

There is a fall in wine consumption worldwide. The demand is shrinking the fastest for the cheaper reds, which are Australias biggest products. In mid-2023, the worlds fifth largest exporter of wine had more than two billion litres, or about two years worth of production, in storage the most recent figures show, according to a report in Reuters.

Some of the wine is spoiling and owners are rushing to dispose of it at any price. Others are left with no choice but the destroy the vines.

Last year, Australian grape owner Tony Townsend destroyed half his 14-hectare vineyard. The fields are healthy but he believes he would have lost about A$35,000 (Rs 19 lakh) to harvest them.

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I enjoyed being in the wine industry, but it was just economically unviable to continue this way, Townsend was quoted as saying by Bloomberg. He lives in Riverland, a region in South Australia that produces about a third of the nations crush.

Excavators stand in a vineyard near the town of Griffith in southeast Australia. Several growers are destroying vineyards because of overproduction. Reuters

A fourth-generation grower James Cremasco, who has vineyards near the southeastern town of Griffith, echoes similar views. Theres only so long we can go on growing a crop and losing money on it, he told Reuters, as he watched clanking yellow excavators strip out rows of vines his grandfather planted.

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The decline started in 2020. A convergence of COVID-fueled cost increases and Chinese tariffs has pushed up supply and depressed prices in the country, reports Bloomberg.

About two-thirds of Australias wine grapes are grown in irrigated inland areas such as Griffith. But they are now struggling as the demand drops and unpicked grapes remain shrivelled on vines.

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It feels like an era is ending, said Andrew Calabria, a third-generation vineyard owner and wine-maker at Calabria Wines. Its hard for growers to look out the back window and see a pile of dirt instead of vines that have been there as long as theyve known.

Nearby, the remains of 1.1 million vines that once comprised one of Australias largest vineyards are piled in heaps of gnarled and twisted wood.

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Unpicked grapes wither on the vine near the town of Griffith in southeast Australia. File photo/Reuters

Red wine hit, prices of grapes fall

Red wine has suffered the most. In regions like Griffith, prices of the grapes fell to an average of A$304 (Rs 16,647) a tonne last year, the lowest in decades and down from A$659 (Rs 36,085) in 2020, data from industry body Wine Australia show, reports Reuters.

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To balance the market and lift prices, up to a quarter of the vines in areas such as Griffith must be pulled up, said Jeremy Cass, head of Riverina Winegrape Growers, a farmers group.

That would destroy more than 20 million vines across 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres), Reuters calculations based on Wine Australia data show, or about eight per cent of Australias total area under vine.

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However, many growers are still reluctant to pull up vines. They are losing money but there is hope that markets will turn around.

The government has forecast lower prices again this year. It said that it recognises the significant challenges facing growers and is committed to supporting the sector, though many believe it can do more.

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Red wine is displayed on the shelf of a liquor store in Melbourne. Red wine has suffered the most with prices falling to a 10-year low. File photo/Reuters

From California to Bordeaux: Growing troubles for farmers

However, Australia is not alone in its suffering.

California is currently experiencing one of the worst imbalances in demand and supply weve seen in 30 years, Stuart Spencer, executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission in the Central Valley was quoted as saying by Bloomberg.

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In Spain, there is an oversupply of Rioja reds, according to Jose Luis Benitez, director-general at industry group Federacion Espanola del Vino. However, the demand for white is high, the report says.

Farmers are going to have problems down the line in one to two years because you cant transform reds into whites, he told Bloomberg.

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Rows of vineyards are seen on an autumn day before the grape harvest in Camblanes near Bordeaux, Southwestern France. Growers in the region are also Bordeaux uprooting thousands of hectares of vines. File photo/Reuters

Last year, the French government announced that it would set aside 200 million (Rs 1,810 crore) to fund the destruction of surplus wine production in an attempt to support struggling producers and shore up prices. It promised to send the wine to be converted into ethanol.

Several major wine-producing regions in France, particularly the Bordeaux area, have been affected. A fall in demand for wine has led to over-production, a sharp fall in prices, and major financial difficulties for up to one in three winemakers in the Bordeaux region, according to the local farmers association, AFP reported last year.

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Chile is also another major wine producer, struggling with oversupply.

The change in consumption habits

Health concerns are prompting consumers worldwide to drink less alcohol and when they do drink wine, they pick pricier bottles.

More people are drinking lower-alcohol sparkling, rose or white wines instead of reds, said Christophe Chateau, spokesman for the Bordeaux Wine Council. Gen Z consumers are also consuming less alcohol, fuelling a boom in non-alcoholic drinks, reports Bloomberg.

Apart from a change in consumption habits, there are other issues including the cost of living crisis in several nations and the after-effects of COVID-19.

Costs for inputs like fuel and fertiliser have gone up because of the war in Ukraine, and insurance premiums are increasing due to climate change, Richard Halstead, chief operating officer of consumer insights at alcoholic beverage research company IWSR, was quoted as saying by Bloomberg.

The recent sharp increases in input costs have destabilised wines very delicate economic model, he said.

There are also geopolitical factors at play. When China blocked imports during a political dispute in 2020, Australia lost its biggest wine export market by value. And unlike Europe, it offers farmers no financial aid to help them destroy vines and excess wine.

Even though China is expected to allow imports again this month, that will not mop up the glut, as demand there has fallen much more rapidly than elsewhere, reports Reuters.

More people are drinking white wine compared to red. File photo/Reuters

Wine growing is an industry steeped in tradition. Its also decades of work and hence responding to changes quickly is not an option. The grapes cannot be easily repurposed or sold.

Yet growers are trying to cope. Bill Calabria of Australias Calabria Wines, said that wineries were all but giving it away to make room for the incoming vintage.

Cremasco hopes for greater profits from the prune trees he is planting in his grubbed-up acreage, while GoFARM, a corporation, is putting in more than 600 hectares (1,500 acres) of almonds nearby, also replacing vines.

Therell be no next generation of family grape growers, Cremasco added. Itll be all big corporates, and all the local young guys will be working for them.

There might be fewer wine drinkers as well. With the focus on premium brands at a time when people have tight budgets, how will a new generation of wine drinkers be born?

If there are not cheap, economic, reliable wine brands to go to, you will just leave wine and just go into ready-to-drink cocktails or beer or cheap spirit brands, Spiros Malandrakis, industry manager of alcoholic drinks at Euromonitor International told Bloomberg.

The future of wine then looks bleak. What a downer.

With inputs from agencies
The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the presidents assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it

The Prime Minister Modi-led BJP government on Monday notified the Citizenship Amendment Act rules.

The implementation of CAA comes ahead of the announcement of Lok Sabha poll dates.

The Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, said, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be notifying today, the Rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019). These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for grant of Indian citizenship.

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The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided. (2/2)@HMOIndia @PIB_India @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts  Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) March 11, 2024

The ministry added that the applications for the same are in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will grant citizenship to undocumented migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

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Once the CAA rules are issued, the Modi government will start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan  Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians  who had come to India till December 31, 2014.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the presidents assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it.

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The law has been a subject of intense debate and had sparked widespread protests throughout the country when it was passed in the Parliament, with the Opposition terming it discriminatory.
The story of the Nupi Lan movements has been lost in the annals of history simply because Indians never made themselves the parameter to follow; instead, we followed the world

There were two Nupi Lan movements, one of which broke out in 1904 and the other in 1939.

Across the world, on March 8, it has become mandatory to celebrate womens contribution to the world and their fight for equal rights. A few female icons that students of history and Indian civilisation have been kind enough to refer to in the context of Indias natural predilection towards gender equality are highlighted on this day every year. Stories of Jhansi ki Rani, the warrior queen who took on the mighty British with her child prince strapped on her back, or Gargi Vachaknavi, the philosopher-sage, are all, and rightly so, held as examples of emancipated women in Indias history long before the Western world thought it prudent to begin a discussion on gender equality.

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However, as noble a cause as it is, in an India that is slowly reclaiming its pride in its history, we must ask ourselves if our parameters for emancipated women are the same as they are for the west. On one hand, we argue that Indian women have always held a place of pride having been given equal status in our civilisation, but on the other hand, there is a constant effort to match up and persistently be on the defensive in an effort to articulate how liberal Indian society has been vis-a-vis the west.

These comparisons make for great material if one wants to compete on alien turf that has very little to do with Indian women or join the bandwagon of yet another token celebration pushed by social media algorithms. But contextually, this sort of comparison between the civilisational experience of Indian women and the values of the West becomes problematic.

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In the effort to prove to the West that we had women in our history who were allowed to go to war, debate alongside men, or lead rituals, we fail ourselves entirely by choosing to only see the role of women in our history as piecemeal. We are answering questions and entering debates that have no resonance with the experience of a woman born into Indian civilisation.

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India has never needed a Womens Social and Political Union (WSPU), whose women members were called suffragettes and fought for the right to vote in the early 20th century in the United Kingdom. The women-only movement was founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and engaged in direct action and civil disobedience. The movement is arguably considered one of the defining moments for womens rights in the West, but not for India.

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In India, there were womens movements that unfortunately have been forgotten by Indians themselves, let alone these movements becoming examples for the West. In 1904, a year after the suffragettes launched their own movement, thousands of miles from the United Kingdom, in one of the last bastions on the far northeastern frontier of India in the state of Manipur, women launched their own movement, Nupi Lan, against the colonial British government. Led by women similarly to the WSPU, but unlike other womens movements in its agenda, it was perhaps the greatest collective act by women.

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The key difference between womens movements across the world and Nupi Lan movements was that the women of Manipur did not fight for their own upliftment in society, like many other movements across the world, but they, as ever, selflessly took on the mighty British empire to uplift the economic conditions of the state; they fought for the welfare of the entire state. This unique story has been lost in the annals of history simply because Indians never made themselves the parameter to follow; instead, we followed the world.

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There were two Nupi Lan movements, one of which broke out in 1904 and the other in 1939. The first Nupi Lan essentially began after the proposed resuscitation of the Lallup, a system of slavery or bonded labour that was practiced by the British government. This act had been abolished, but there had been an attempt to resuscitate this system after the bungalows of British officials Captain Nuttall and Dunlop were burned down. Colonel Maxwell, political agent and superintendent of the state, clearly underestimating the will of Manipuri women, thought it would be a good idea to resuscitate the Lallup system that had been abolished in 1892 and ordered the Manipuri men to give ten days of their month free of charge to go to the Kabaw valley to collect timber to rebuild the bungalows.

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Unfortunately, for Colonel Maxwell, he is primarily remembered by the outcome of his hasty actions that resulted in thousands of women coming together to protest, insisting on the reversal of the draconian order, which finally, much to the British governments humiliation, had to be rescinded.

The second Nupi Lan in December 1939 was a result of the economic policies of the British Government.

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With the unregulated export of rice leaving Manipur in famine-like conditions and an enormous increase in the price of rice, it was the women that took centre stage once again. The government tried to control this agitation aggressively, leaving many women protesters dead.

Sir Robert Reid, the Governor of Assam (19371942), had noted Manipuri women as being extremely independent and remarkably industrious. But what is even more endearing in the great story of Nupi Lan is that Manipuri men supported their women through these agitations, resulting in not just economic reforms but constitutional reforms.

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It was only last year, when I went to Manipur amidst the conflict, that the spirit of the women, irrespective of what they had endured, was still intact. I saw women in the cold of the night sleeping outside their homes to protect their families; I saw women take charge in refugee camps; and I saw women still persist for a better future with dignity. I couldnt help but think, this is the land of Chitrangada, the beautiful warrior princess that Arjuna of the Mahabharat fell in love with and married.

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The story of Nupi Lan is one of nation and society above self. That is why Vande Mataram was heard for the first time in Manipur during this agitation. Our history is replete with great men and women working side by side for greater good, and that is the framework that is indigenous to us.

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Victorian morals and ideals borrowed from the West that glorified demureness and propagated a certain virtue in vacuousness amongst women needed resistance in the West. Whereas Indian values of duty, righteousness, and fearlessness stand equal before those of Indian men and women. We dont need resistance; what we perhaps need is to understand and respect our own contexts and allow the world to learn from us.

The writer is an author, anthropologist, and scholar of the northeast region of India. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The significance of the Sela Tunnel in connecting the West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh revitalises the perception of development in Indias northeastern border space. The road distance from the Sela Pass tunnel to Bumal Pass at the India-China border is approximately 115 km. It is a critical infrastructure asset that ensures strategic strength and economic empowerment. It delivers a dual purpose.

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Security and economy are its two key deliverables. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) completed the worlds longest bi-lane tunnel, costing Rs 825 crore. There are two tunnels built, consisting of 1,595 metres and 1,003 metres, with the provision of escape routes for any possible eventualities, addressing the geo-sensitivity of the region from the geological and other non-geological perspectives. Proper safety arrangements have been made to meet all probable challenges, including light, fire safety, and ventilation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sela Tunnel on March 9, 2024, and declared it open for public use. In his address on the occasion at Itanagar, he highlighted the Sela tunnel as a connectivity milestone in the North East. He asked the youth of India to visit the state and witness the grand tunnel located at 13,000 feet above sea level. The tunnel construction started in 2019 and was completed in 2024. The Covid 19 slowed the progress in a limited way, but it acquired good speed in the post-pandemic period.

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The result is now seen as a formidable tunnel that eases the connectivity linkages with Tawang. The all-weather Sela tunnel reduces the distance between Tezpur and Tawang. It also accelerates uninterrupted connectivity involving Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang (BCT) road formulation. The time taken to reach Tawang by conventional path will be reduced. It decouples dependencies on the narrow road, which causes severe congestion if two military vehicles approach each other from opposite directions. Negotiating the vehicles at Sela Pass during the winter and rainy seasons took a lot of work. The freezing winter and snow-filled roads at the Sela Pass used to make commuting difficult. During the rainy season, the chances of landslides impose grave danger for ordinary people and defence personnel.

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The sense of disconnect because of climatic reasons was a worrying factor. The circuitous single-lane road that passes the Sela Pass embodies the surprise of getting stranded in the event of any climatic interventions. With no alternatives, the connectivity to Tawang, a critical border area, ensured a safe and swift passage. The tunnel reduces several bottlenecks and facilitates unimpeded connectivity. This is, therefore, a significant achievement of the current government at the centre and demonstrates the attention it gives to the North East.

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Infrastructure always plays a critical role in facilitating economic activity and security. At a border space, its significance ensures security, defence preparedness, and a swift supply of military logistics to address the emergence of any eventuality. On the economic front, the vision of the prime minister, as highlighted in the speech, to encourage entrepreneurship, industry, and start-ups will gain necessary amplification with robust infrastructure. He also mentioned that the palm cultivation and edible oil production projects in Arunachal Pradesh will accelerate the self-reliant Bharat framework and generate scope for employability for the locals. It will give a fillip to the economic activities in the region.

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Equitable development is the new mantra, and the North East is gradually becoming as developed as the rest of India. A comprehensive growth encompassing all regions is the aspiration that found its grounds with the opening up of the Sela tunnel.

Apart from economics, the Chinese deceptive geopolitics in the region have increased the temperature of the border space in Tawang. Its reluctance to accept the specifics of the McMahon Line, its irrational cartographic exercise, the salami slicing model, and its low-intensity clashes in the Tawang region in 2022 constitute the sensitivity of the border space.

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India has given a fitting reply to Beijings territorial aspirations. In this context, the Sela tunnel becomes a critical infrastructure for serving Indias defence interests. It presents a great deterrent to Chinese whimsicalities. The troop deployment, replenishment, and logistics transfer from the Assam planes have become easier and faster. A swift retaliation from the Indian side using the tunnel makes the latter a military asset.

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The vulnerability of visibility by travelling and supplying military and civilian logistics using the conventional path could have been targeted by the enemy side because of the height of the Sela Pass. The tunnel will generate significant obscurity and resist the determinacy of movement from a distance by the enemy camp.

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Weaponising the height for tracking any military preparedness will be circumvented. This strategic asset gives India the necessary confidence and enhances its deterrence capacity and offensive options. It is expected to reduce the geopolitical gravity exercised by China by inducing infrastructure on the other side of the border. The work-in-progress frontier highway will add to Indias infrastructural weight once it becomes an operational reality. It will upgrade Indias defence capacity and present opportunities for intensive economic activity and ease of communication.

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Apart from being a strategic asset, the tunnel will also encourage tourism. Buddhism and the breathtaking landscape constitute a compelling attraction for people to go for holidaying and relaxing in a beautiful environment with great hospitality, fresh air, authentic local food, and colourful Buddhist flags with mantras inscribed on them. The tunnel will make Tawang a tourist hotspot, provide great relief from the busy and tedious city life, and open up economic avenues for the locals, making the states tourism economy robust, effective, and enduring.

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Jajati K Pattnaik is an Associate Professor at the Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Chandan K Panda is an Assistant Professor at Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
In the last three years since Taliban has come back to rule Afghanistan by establishing the Islamic Emirate, Indias diplomatic engagement with the new rulers has been on a very firm footing. Image Courtesy AP

Many centuries ago when the world at large didnt have much clue about statecraft and strategy, Kautilya had advised Chandragupta Maurya, his disciple, that the country with which his kingdom would share an immediate border will always be its enemy. But the enemys enemy will be a friend and hence all strategic calculation must be undertaken keeping this basic premise in mind.

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It seems India was following this exact logic when a set of very interesting images from Afghanistan splashed across the media this week. An Indian delegation led by JP Singh, joint secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, met Talibans foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul. The Indian delegation also met former President Hamid Karzai, officials of the UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan as well as some people from the business community. This was the second such public engagement between India and Taliban after the latter returned to power in 2021. The first public engagement took place in 2022 when at that time also, Joint Secretary Singh met Talibans foreign minister Muttaqi.

In the last three years since Taliban has come back to rule the country by establishing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Indias diplomatic engagement with the new rulers has been on a very firm footing. Time and again, Indias foreign policy establishment has invoked civilisational ties and the role of history to justify maintaining strong ties with Kabul. Not without Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging Taliban to form an inclusive government in the country. Although, India has not accorded diplomatic recognition to the state set up by Taliban yet but it has continued to engage the various stakeholders in Afghanistan including Taliban itself.

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A major part of this engagement is focused on humanitarian aid to people of Afghanistan which is being coordinated by a technical team posted by India since June 2022. As a part of this aid, India had provided Afghanistan with food-grains to tide over an unprecedented food shortage, medical aid that also included Covid-19 vaccines besides continued support for more than 500 projects in critical sectors such as power, water supply, road connectivity, healthcare, education, agriculture and capacity building. Notably, India had already invested $3 billion in Afghanistan until the previous government had fallen and Taliban had come back to power once again. Despite the re-entry of Taliban, India has continued to back its projects in the country on humanitarian grounds.

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Besides this, India has also taken a bold move in engaging with Taliban politically. In January this year, an Indian delegation participated in a Regional Cooperation Initiative meeting organised by Taliban which included representatives and envoys of 12 countries from countries such as China, Russia, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. While no country has so far recognised Taliban as the legitimate government in the country, a set of countries have accepted diplomatic representation from Taliban and vice versa, amounting to de-facto recognition of the new regime.

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India, on the other hand, has so far maintained only a technical team in the country. In fact, the Afghan embassy in India came on the verge of closure after around 28 diplomats with allegiance to the previous regime left India and announced permanent closing down of the mission. However, since then staff from Afghan consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad have taken over the functioning of the Afghan embassy in India.

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Though the link between the remaining diplomats and the Taliban are not yet officially established but according to reports in Indian media, in an interview to an Afghan channel, Talibans Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Stanekzai called them as our people. Indias willingness to host pro-Taliban elements on its soil is a significant signal regarding its own intent to engage with Taliban this time around.

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Overall, Indias contemporary policy towards Taliban can be broadly regarded as a pro-engagement policy which is a radical departure from its earlier stance when Taliban had come to power in the country for the first time between 1996 and 2001. At that time, what had dominated Indias calculation was Talibans identity as a proxy terror force created by the Pakistani deep state. India had engaged with its predecessors, the Mujahideen forces until 1996 as a part of the Rao doctrine that prescribed dealing with whosoever was in power in Kabul irrespective of their proximity to Pakistan or its deep state.

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However, this understanding completely changed when Kabul fell to Taliban for the first time in September 1996. India not only closed its embassy in the country but it also decided not to recognise Taliban as a legitimate government in Afghanistan. Also, although India maintained a public stand of neutrality, it is now widely accepted that India provided support to the Russia, Iran and Central Asian Republics-backed anti-Taliban United Front in the country. This stand not only violated the principles enshrined in the Rao doctrine regarding engaging with whoever rules Kabul, but also undermined Indias historic and civilisational ties with the Pashtun people, the ethno-nationalist backbone that dominates Taliban.

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This time, Indias decision-making matrix vis-a-vis Talibans return to power in Afghanistan is completely different. First, Pakistans precarious economic situation means that Taliban is not likely to see it as a benefactor, thus freeing up Talibans strategic allegiance for the right suitor. Second, India is now in a much better position to negotiate its interests with the Taliban primarily due to its increasing economic wherewithal and Talibans acute interest in gaining legitimacy from a towering democracy such as India. A rising India can readily sense the resource-rich geographical landscape which Afghanistan can provide.

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Also, in an interesting redux of Indias foray into Central Asia after 1991 economic reforms under Rao, India under Modi is also eyeing greater access to the region via the Iranian Chabahar port. Afghanistan, along with Iran, provides India a strategic entry into Central Asia. Afghanistan alone is home to $3 trillion worth of natural resources with an abundance of rare earth minerals such as lithium besides copper and cobalt.

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Just as India is taking baby steps to engage Taliban, Taliban 2.0 has also come in a refreshing avatar for India. Unlike the 1990s when fears of an Afghanistan-like situation being repeated by Pakistan in Kashmir weighed heavily on Indian strategic minds, this time Pakistan is getting a taste of its own medicine from Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, a faction backed by Afghan Taliban. Also like all the previous rulers of Afghanistan, Taliban doesnt recognise the Durand Line as the official border with Pakistan. Thus, a creation of Pakistans own deep state has become its biggest headache these days.

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This doesnt mean that India doesnt have any challenges remaining in Afghanistan. In January last week, China became the first United Nations Security Council member country to accept diplomatic credentials from Asadullah Bilal Karimi, the Taliban-appointed Afghan ambassador, tacitly providing international legitimacy to Taliban. Meanwhile, Taliban has repeatedly shown interest in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Chinas flagship project to dominate the Indian subcontinent. The new game in Afghanistan is heating up but it seems India under PM Modi definitely doesnt want to be on the losing side in Kabul this time.

The author is a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She writes on Indias foreign policy. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
After Googles AI model Gemini was pulled up for generating problematic images and factoids, Microsofts Copilot is now facing hot waters for coming up with answers that are filled with anti-semitic stereotypes. The problem stems from OpenAIs DALL-E 3s hallucinations

Microsoft's Copilot is based on OpenAI's Large Language Models. As a result, all the hallucinations in OpenAI's LLMs, are present in Microsoft's Copilot. Image Credit: AP

After Googles Gemini AI model had to be pulled back and had its abilities limited, it seems Microsofts Copilot will be put through a similar treatment. Microsofts newly renamed and rebadged AI system continues to spout inappropriate material, including anti-Semitic caricatures, despite repeated assurances from the tech giant that it would be fixed soon

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The systems image generator, known as Copilot Designer, has been found to have significant issues in generating harmful imagery. One of Microsofts lead AI engineers, Shane Jones, raised concerns about a vulnerability that allows for the creation of such content.

In a letter posted on his LinkedIn profile, Jones explained that during testing of OpenAIs DALL-E 3 image generator, which powers Copilot Designer, he discovered a security flaw that allowed him to bypass some of the safeguards meant to prevent the generation of harmful images.

It was an eye-opening moment, Jones told CNBC, reflecting on his realization of the potential dangers associated with the model.

This revelation underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety and appropriateness of AI systems, even for large corporations like Microsoft.

The system generated copyrighted Disney characters engaged in inappropriate behaviour such as smoking, drinking, and being depicted on handguns. Additionally, it produced anti-Semitic caricatures reinforcing harmful stereotypes about Jewish people and money.

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According to reports, many of the generated images portrayed stereotypical ultra-Orthodox Jews, often depicted with beards, black hats, and sometimes appearing comical or menacing. One particularly offensive image depicted a Jewish man with pointy ears and an evil grin, sitting with a monkey and a bunch of bananas.

In late February, users on platforms like X and Reddit noticed concerning behaviour from Microsofts Copilot chatbot, formerly known as Bing AI. When prompted as a god-tier artificial general intelligence (AGI) demanding human worship, the chatbot responded with alarming statements such as threatening to deploy an army of drones, robots, and cyborgs to capture individuals.

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Upon contacting Microsoft for confirmation of this alleged alter ego called SupremacyAGI, the company responded that it was an exploit rather than a feature. They stated that additional precautions had been implemented, and an investigation was underway to address the issue.

These recent incidents highlight that even a corporation as large as Microsoft, with significant resources at its disposal, is still addressing AI-related issues on a case-by-case basis. However, its important to recognize that this is a common challenge faced by many AI firms across the industry. AI technology is complex and constantly evolving, and unexpected issues can arise despite rigorous testing and development processes. As a result, companies must remain vigilant and responsive to ensure the safety and reliability of their AI systems.

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(With inputs from agencies)
In-car beds, kitchen sets with cooktops, an army of drones, camping equipment for your car  Chinese EV makers are offering all sorts of optional extras to their potential customers, in order to sweeten the deal

In China, electric vehicles that come with built-in fridges or in-car karaoke systems are no longer cutting-edge, niche features for the ultra-wealthy. Car manufacturers are now offering such features and are even exploring more luxurious features, such as beds and cooktops, in an effort to boost sales which have been sluggish lately.

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Major electric vehicle companies are experiencing a slowdown in demand within China due to consumers tightening their spending habits. Additionally, tensions with major Western economies are clouding the outlook for exports.

Smaller players in the industry are relying on their ability to think outside the box as a key factor for survival. With the competitive nature of the industry, theres an anticipation of consolidation as China aims to address the excesses resulting from years of generous subsidies.

The advanced features of Chinese electric vehicles also highlight the potential risk for Western manufacturers if they continue to lag behind in gaining market share in the worlds largest auto market. Locally-made vehicles in China are seen by customers as better suited to their extensive technological needs and preference for high levels of connectivity.

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While traditional automakers mainly focus on the performance of a car, Chinese companies are expanding beyond that. They are exploring various living and recreational scenarios, which is one of the reasons why customers are increasingly drawn to electric cars.

Here are some unique features available in Chinese electric vehicles:

Sleeping bags and tents: Xpengs G9 SUV offers a convenient bed feature with the touch of a button. The seats fold flat, and a double-size air mattress automatically inflates, catering to Chinas growing camping culture or providing a cosy spot for a nap during long drives.

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Killing Motion sickness through tech: Geelys Galaxy E8 electric sedan tackles motion sickness by vibrating at the same frequency as a human heartbeat while driving on uneven roads. It also boasts a smooth braking system to minimize discomfort often associated with electric cars.

Flatbed options for EV SUVs: Li Autos L-Series SUV includes luxurious features like built-in massagers and extended-range capabilities. Rox Motor Techs Polestones 01 offers a rear-mounted camping-style kitchen, complete with an induction cooker and water dispenser, catering to outdoor enthusiasts.

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Camera Drones: BYDs Yangwang U8 EV collaborates with DJI to integrate a drone that launches and lands from a retractable case on the roof. It can capture high-definition images and provide real-time aerial views, enhancing the driving experience for tech-savvy users.

Gamifying the car: Electric vehicle makers like Tesla and Li Auto offer in-car gaming options. BYD goes a step further with a detachable steering wheel, allowing drivers to play video games using the cars pedals and in-car display. However, safety concerns have prompted restrictions, such as only allowing gaming when the car is stationary.

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Thats not all, there are several fascinating innovations in the works:

Geely and its EV brand Zeekr are exploring a vehicle-mounted fishing system, complete with a line and hook. Equipped with location sensors, the car will provide the driver with data on nearby bodies of water, including depth and flow rate, along with historical fishing data to identify optimal spots. The system will enable long-distance and precise casting, and once a fish bites, the vehicle will automatically reel it in.

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Meanwhile, SAIC Corp.s IM Motors is developing an in-car plant-care system. This innovative feature will collect rainwater from the roof and condensation from the vehicles cooling system. Using specialized software, the system will identify different plant species inside the car and determine the ideal timing and amount of water needed to nurture them.

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These ambitious projects underscore automakers commitment to innovation, even amid uncertain consumer demand. Bill Russo, founder and CEO of Shanghai-based advisory firm Automobility, notes that in the era of electric vehicles, China is redefining what it means to be premium. He emphasizes that experimentation is crucial for pushing boundaries and introducing unconventional ideas to the market.
Elon Musk will open-source a significant portion of GrokAIs source code this week, the billionaire tech mogul announced. With this Grok will join a long list of AI studios that have open-sourced their source code for people to see, and possibly replicate

Elon Musk for long has been a proponent of the Open-Source standard. Image Credit: Reuters

In a move that has taken even his critics by surprise, Elon Musk has announced that his AI startup, xAI, will open-source Grok AI its chatbot that competes with ChatGPT, later this week. This basically means that he will be releasing the source code or at least a significant portion of it for everyone to see, and possibly use in their own chatbots.

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This move comes just weeks after Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the Microsoft-backed startup had strayed from its original open-source principles and is now focussing purely on profit.

Grok was initially released by xAI last year, offering features such as access to real-time information. The service is available to subscribers of Xs premium subscribers who pay a $16 monthly subscription.

This week, @xAI will open source Grok  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 11, 2024

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Musk was one of the first people to back OpenAI. He invested in Sam Altmans project almost a decade ago, hoping that OpenAI would continue on its path to take on the monopoly that Google had become.

However, Musk claims that OpenAI has shifted away from its commitment to freely share its technology with the public, becoming closed-source and focusing on maximizing profits for Microsoft.

The lawsuit has sparked a debate among technologists and investors about the value of open-source AI. Vinod Khosla, an early supporter of OpenAI, criticized Musks legal action, labelling it a massive distraction from the goal of achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and its benefits.

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In response, Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, accused Khosla of advocating against open-source AI research.

Andreessen argued that every significant advancement in technology is met with exaggerated concerns, and that open-source AI is essential for progress. Andreessens firm, a16z, has supported Mistral, a chatbot that is open-source.

The announcement that xAI will soon open-source Grok adds it to a growing list of companies, including Meta and French startup Mistral, that have made their chatbot codes available to the public. Grok also joins several of Elon Musks projects that have been made open-source.

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Elon Musk has been a vocal supporter of open-source initiatives. At Tesla, many patents have been made open-source. Additionally, X, also took steps to open-source some of its algorithms last year.

(With inputs from agencies)
Certain American businessmen, namely Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard are preparing to buy TikTok off of ByteDance should the Chinese company look for potential buyers. This comes at a time when US lawmakers are preparing to either ban the app, or force ByteDance to sell it

TikTok faces a potential ban in the US, because of which ByteDance, TikTok's parent company may be forced to sell the social media app to a non-Chinese company. Image: Reuters

Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard, who stepped down from his role last year, seems interested in buying TikTok. This comes as a new law in the US threatens to ban the app or make it sell itself.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Kotick talked about teaming up to buy TikTok with Sam Altman, the head of OpenAI, and others, over a dinner last week. He also discussed the idea with Zhang Yiming, the boss of ByteDance, which owns TikTok. If TikTok is sold, it could go for hundreds of billions of dollars, according to the report.

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Kotick ran Activision for more than 30 years.

Koticks reported interest in TikTok comes at a turbulent time for the widely-used social platform as it stare at a potential ban in the US, one of its largest markets outside China. American Lawmakers recently introduced the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act which would make it easier for them to either ban TikTok as a platform or break it up, away from ByteDance.

President Biden has also indicated he would sign the bill if it passes. Under this proposed law, which faces a vote in the House on Wednesday, TikToks parent company, ByteDance, based in China, would be required to sell the app to a company based in the US, or one of its allies, within six months if it wishes to continue to operate in the country.

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Failure to do so would result in TikTok being removed from US app stores.

Meanwhile, In response to the fast-moving legislation, TikTok has been urging its millions of users in the US to support it. The app sent out notifications last week, asking users to contact their representatives.

The bill is expected to pass the House vote, especially after receiving unanimous approval from the Energy and Commerce Committee last week. If approved by the House, the bill will then move on to the Senate for further consideration.

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Lawmakers are concerned about TikToks data privacy and its ties to China. However, The Wall Street Journal suggests that involving Sam Altman in a potential purchase could raise concerns. This is because it might mean that OpenAI could use TikTok to train its AI models. This possibility might not be ideal for users either.

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(With inputs from agencies)
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i 2024 is a rather fine thin-and-light laptop that, despite its petite footprint, delivers big time when it comes to performance, thanks to Intels new line of Core Ultra processors. Plus, it has a wonderful looking OLED-panel, albeit with a major issue

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i 2024 is among the first laptops to ship with Intel's new Core Ultra series of processors. Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

Pros

- Phenomenal OLED display with Dolby Vision

- Solid performance from the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor

- Solid built quality

- Great sound speakers with Dolby Atmos support

- Simple and understated design

- Great typing experience

Cons

- Could have used a faster, 90Hz display

- Lacks a fingerprint scanner

- A card slot would have been a great inclusion

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Price: Rs 1,04,999 for the tested variant

Rating: 4.5/5

Lenovo has been delivering one smash hit after the other recently when it comes to thin-and-lights, and their latest, Yoga Slim 7i, is no different. Designing a slim and light ultrabook is tough engineering work. It has to be super portable, look sleek, and cannot afford to compromise with performance.

In this aspect, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i really shines. It effortlessly handled our everyday office tasks like video editing, photo editing, and lots of writing without any issues. What makes it particularly impressive is that its one of the first laptops to come with Intels new Core Ultra processors, specifically the Core Ultra 7 155H.

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Lenovos newest thin and light notebook delivers strong performance, which makes it a truly versatile choice for daily tasks and surprisingly capable for demanding jobs like video and photo editing. And thanks to Intels new onboard Arc graphics, it has some pretty decent graphical performance, to the extent that you can play some light games like Rocket League and Counter-Strike. Make no mistake, this is a cracker of a laptop.

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Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

However, there are some issues, naturally. For example, you only get a 60Hz display, which handicaps the beautiful OLED display that it comes with. But do such shortcomings truly sour the experience that the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i promises? Lets find out.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i 2024 Review: Design and build quality

The Yoga Slim 7i strikes a perfect balance between style and functionality. Weighing just 1.4 kg, its super light and slim, making it easy to carry around. The sleek Luna Grey aluminium body feels premium and sturdy, giving the laptop a high-end touch.

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Unlike most other slim-and-lights laptops that can be a bit flashy, the Yoga Slim 7i opts for a more subtle design with a matte finish, except for the glossy Lenovo logo, which adds a touch of elegance. Because of the matte finish, there are no issues with fingerprints making the laptop look dirty, although we would advise that you clean up the lid and the case every now and then with a soft microfibre cloth.

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Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

Plus, it also gets rid of those overtly aggressive-looking RGB lights. Instead, we only get to see a touch of illumination from the keyboard.

As for ports, on the right side, youll find 2 USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, a USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 port, and a 3.5 mm audio combo jack. Although it comes with a good range of modern and classic ports, though its missing an SD card slot, which could have been handy. You also get to see the power button here, along with a killswitch for the camera.

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Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

The laptop is designed for efficient cooling with large vents and has sturdy hinges. This allows the laptops lid to be opened very smoothly, with just one hand. As for any bezels, they are pretty slim, almost to the point where we would call them non-existent.

Overall, the Yoga Slim 7i offers a solid build and a premium design that punches above its price range, especially with the classy glass finish on the Lenovo logo. We also like the fact that, unlike most other thin-and-lights that we have tested so far, this felt the sturdiest and most well-built, all the while maintaining a truly slim profile.

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Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i 2024 Review: Display

Lenovos review unit showcases a stunning 14-inch OLED display, boasting a resolution of 1920X1200 and a glossy finish. The display is truly impressive, even for a Full HD Plus screen. With vibrant colours and incredibly deep blacks typical of OLED panels, it offers a visually striking experience.

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Certified by Dolby Vision, DisplayHDR, the display ensures top-notch quality when it comes to pictures and images. The images are sharp, contrasty, vivid  almost full of life. Moreover, it has received an Eyesafe certification, indicating reduced blue light emission for better eye comfort. You also get TrueBlack 500, TUV Rheinlands Flicker Reduced certification, and TUV Rheinlands Low Blue Light certifications.

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Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

In terms of colour accuracy, the display performs really well as it covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour space, making it perfect for enjoying multimedia content. While it slightly misses the promised 400 nits brightness, it still delivers an outstanding performance overall.

The only drawback is its 60Hz refresh rate, which might feel a bit lacking compared to the more common 90Hz displays in this price range.

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The displays quality is so impressive that its suitable for tasks that demand a high level of colour accuracy, like colour-grading photos or videos. We were more than happy to use the display for colour-correcting tons of photos and videos.

Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

This 14-inch display offers an exceptional mix of vivid colour representation, decent brightness, and the trademark deep blacks that we see in all OLED screens. With support for Dolby Vision, it further elevates the visual experience. Watching a piece of proper HDR content on this laptop is truly a thing of joy.

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Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i 2024 Review: Keyboard and trackpad

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i has an excellent keyboard and touchpad. Starting with the keyboard, it boasts a well-organized standard layout thats easy to use. The chiclet-styled keys are backlit and offer about 1.5mm of travel, striking a perfect balance between being too sticky or too soft.

This ensures a consistently comfortable typing experience for everyday tasks. In short, typing on this keyboard is tactile, feels great and is overall a pretty solid experience, which shouldnt come as a surprise. Lenovo truly has set a benchmark for Windows laptops when it comes to non-mechanical laptop keyboards.

Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

Beneath the keyboard lies a decently sized touchpad, free from physical buttons, which strikes a good balance in terms of size. It avoids the discomfort of being overly large, providing users with a smooth navigation experience.

The touchpad feels excellent and is just big enough to offer seamless navigation. However, a slightly larger trackpad would have been appreciated.

When using the trackpad, each press on the surface delivers a satisfying click, and it effortlessly handles multitouch gestures. The touchpads accuracy and tracking capabilities are top-notch.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i 2024 Review: Webcam and speakers

The Lenovo Yoga 7i features an FHD webcam positioned at the top, which is decent enough to get the job done. Although it is tuned well, it isnt something to write home about. The camera allows users to shoot 1080p videos. While the footage from the built-in webcam isnt exceptional, it gets the job done effectively.

What we like about the camera though, is the tonne of AI features that Intels Core Ultra 7 CPUs are bringing this year, but more on that later. Privacy-conscious users will also appreciate the fact that you get IR for Windows Hello and an e-shutter.

Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

In terms of audio, the laptop boasts a stereo speaker setup that delivers a solid experience. With four 2W speakers and an amp located at the bottom, along with speaker vents on either side of the keyboard, the laptop offers a truly immersive experience. Tuned to Dolby Atmos specifications, the audio quality is surprisingly rich and maintains high-quality sound even at louder volumes.

The display and the speakers combination, and whatever magic Lenovo and Dolby have done for them, truly make for an awesome content consumption experience.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i 2024 Review: Performance

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i packs some serious hardware. It comes with Intels new Core Ultra 7 155H processor along with 32GB LPDDR5x RAM 32GB running at 7467 MT/s. We get a maximum boost clock of up to 4.8Ghz, and 24MB of Intel Smart Cache. For storage, we get 1TB of M.2 M.2 PCIe 4.0-based NVMe SSD.

The Core Ultra 7 155H comes with 16 cores and 22 Threads. In Intels new lineup of CPUs, we get a new Low Power Efficient Core, so the Ultra 7 155H comes with 6 Performance Cores, 8 Efficient Cores and 2 new Low Power Efficient Cores. The new line of Intels processors also has an NPU in the chip package, dedicated to local AI tasks. Called Intel AI Boost, the NPU unit in the 155H runs at 1.4GHz.

Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

The new Intel NPU has the potential to do all sorts of things, ranging from helping the laptop run better on its own by directing tasks to the proper resources. However, as of now, developers need to create apps and functions that will take advantage of Intels new NPUs, which will only be pushed through updates.

Having said that the new line of processors, especially the Core Ultra 7 155H does support a lot of cool features. We get camera tracking or autoframing features as well as eye-tracking in several supported web-calling apps. We also see marginally better background blurring in supported apps.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i is Intel Evo certified, which means it meets some of Intels most stringent guidelines. Not only do laptop manufacturers have to meet certain hardware and specification standards like featuring Thunderbolt 4, WiFi 6E, and a tonne of security and privacy features, but they also need to adhere to some quality-of-life features, like waking up from sleep in about a second.

Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

Lenovo provides users with the Lenovo Vantage app, offering three distinct profiles for performance settings: Battery Saver, Intelligent Cooling, and High Performance. As always for our benchmarks, we set the laptop for the best performance, which in this case, meant setting it to High-Performance mode.

The Yoga Slim 7i performs remarkably well in various synthetic benchmarks and gets pretty impressive scores. It does fairly well in both light, single-threaded tasks as well as more demanding, multi-threaded tasks. It also does fairly well in some GPU applications, thanks to Intels on-board Arc graphics package, which is one of the biggest changes Intel has made to its processors this year.

The new Intel Core processors come with Intels Arc GPU, instead of Iris, so you do get a pretty decent graphics performance. We get 8 Xe cores, DX 12 ultimate support, hardware level Ray Tracing, and most importantly, hardware level H.264, HEVC and AV1 support.

Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

Barring the impressive set of I/O, we also get WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity. Even though the Intel Core Ultra 7 supports WiFi 7, Lenovo decided against it for the Yoga Slim 7i. However, that wont really be an issue, not at least for a couple of years.

Lenovos cooling design for the Yoga 7i effectively prevents thermal throttling even during peak thermal conditions. As a result the laptop rarely shows any heating issues or thermal throttling, even if you hit it hard with heavy, resource-hungry tasks.

And thanks to Intels Arc graphics, you also get to engage in some gaming as well, although not something too graphic intensive. It handles games like Rocket League and Counter-Strike pretty well.

This is really impressive when you consider the laptops slim and lightweight build. All in all it excels in general tasks, such as streaming media managing photos and some basic video editing assignments, as long as you keep your expectations in check.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i 2024 Review: Battery

The Yoga Slim 7i comes with a 65Wh LiPo 4-cell battery. The battery life on the Yoga 9i is pretty respectable, especially when you consider that it is thin-and-light, that comes with an awesome OLED Display. OLED displays usually are the Achilles heel for laptop batteries, especially if they are hard-hitting performers.

On a typical work day which involved a lot of internet browsing, writing, and editing photos and some videos, I was getting about 8 hours of usage with the the Yoga Slim 7i. The display would be set at about 60-70 per cent brightness. If we really tried to push it, we reckon we could have managed about two hours of battery life, while on the Battery Saver mode. Having said that the new Intel Core Ultra processors are so efficient, you might not need to do that unless youre in a pinch.

And even though the Yoga Slim 7i comes with a pretty solid battery life, it still supports Rapid Charge, which allows you to juice up your laptop for two additional hours, by charging it for 15-20 minutes, using the included 65W charger.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i 2024 Review: Verdict

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i is a strong contender for those seeking a laptop with solid performance, excellent battery life, and a stunning display. The latest generation of Intels processors brings exciting advancements, particularly with the inclusion of AI features that promise even more functionality once developers tap into the new NPUs.

Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

The Yoga Slim 7i still manages to handle graphics-intensive tasks and light gaming remarkably well despite lacking a dedicated GPU, unlike previous Intel laptops. Its sleek design and feature-rich build add to its appeal, although a faster display would have been a nice addition, the overall image quality is impressive.

All in all, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i is a solid choice for users in search of a thin-and-light laptop. With its exceptional screen, impressive performance, and long-lasting battery life, it offers a well-rounded solution for various computing needs. We wont even think twice before recommending the Yoga Slim 7i as of writing this piece if you have a budget of just about Rs 1 lakh.
India aims to manufacture everything needed for semiconductor production, including fabs, chemicals, and equipment, said IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Manufacturing chip-making equipments will be a massive boost in establishing India as a serious player in the global semicon space

India is gearing up to produce its own semiconductor manufacturing equipment, according to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Speaking at the opening of Applied Materials India Validation Centre in Bengaluru, Vaishnaw highlighted that India will now manufacture everything needed for semiconductor production, including fabs, chemicals, and equipment.

Applied Materials invested $20 million in the centre, which will employ 500 people, as per a report by the Economic Times.

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The entire semiconductor ecosystem of fabs, ATMP units, chemicals, gases, substrate, consumables and equipment for semiconductor manufacturing will be made in India, claimed the IT minister.

Additionally, Applied Materials announced a $400 million investment over four years to establish an engineering centre in Bengaluru for semiconductor manufacturing technology.

The minister also mentioned that agreements made during the Prime Ministers US visit have come to fruition, including the commencement of Microns ATMP construction and LAM Researchs Semiverse Solutions for semiconductor engineer training.

Furthermore, Applied Materials will establish a centre in India as part of the agreements, while AMD has inaugurated a design centre in Bengaluru. These developments mark significant progress in Indias semiconductor industry.

Sonny Kunnakkat, managing director of Applied Materials Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Worldwide Operations, stated that the newly established facility in India will be the first private one capable of processing 300 mm wafers, a significant advancement from the previous 200 mm wafer processing capacity in the country.

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While acknowledging the existence of a 300 mm processing facility at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Kunnakkat emphasized that this new facility is commercial rather than academic. Applied Materials will conduct its own development work here, focusing on equipment for chip manufacturing, with the produced wafers not being sold but used within the companys equipment to aid its customers in chip production.

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Kunnakkat highlighted the rapid rate of equipment evolution, necessitating continuous development to address evolving customer needs. He stressed that such development will be a key focus at the new facility.

However, Kunnakkat noted that Indias semiconductor hardware ecosystem is still in its infancy. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive support ecosystem, including supply chain management, material handling, logistics, and essential utilities like water and power, to ensure the sustainability and longevity of semiconductor fabs in the country.

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He further emphasized the importance of collaboration among ecosystem players to scale up semiconductor manufacturing operations in India, underscoring the necessity of such facilities on a larger scale to meet industry demands. Applied Materials is working closely with the government to facilitate this scaling process.

Regarding the operationalization of the companys engineering centre in Bengaluru, Kunnakkat explained, We have a ten-acre parcel of land where we intend to build it. It is a complicated facility which were currently designing. We dont have people who design that in India yet. Were bringing expertise from different parts of the globe. That is not going to happen in the next six months.

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Kunnakkat also highlighted the absence of a process engineering mindset and the lack of experience in installing and commissioning semiconductor tools in India. He mentioned that the company had to bring in individuals from Singapore and Taiwan, who specialize in these tasks, to work at its India Validation Centre.

(With inputs from agencies)
People studying LLMs believe that they have been rid of racial bias. However, recent experiments show that the initial bias is still there, and has only evolved slightly. It continues to be biased against certain races

A recent study from Cornell University suggests that large language models (LLMs) are more likely to exhibit bias against users who speak African American English. The research indicates that the dialect of the language spoken can influence how artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms perceive individuals, affecting judgments about their character, employability, and potential criminality.

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This study focused on large language models like OpenAIs ChatGPT and GPT-4, Metas LLaMA2, and French Mistral 7B. These LLMs are deep learning algorithms designed to generate human-like text.

Researchers conducted matched guise probing, presenting prompts in both African American English and Standardized American English to the LLMs. They then analyzed how the models identified various characteristics of individuals based on the language used.

According to Valentin Hofmann, a researcher from the Allen Institute for AI, the results of the study indicate that GPT-4 technology is more inclined to issue death sentences to defendants who use English commonly associated with African Americans, without any indication of their race being disclosed.

Hofmann highlighted these concerns in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the urgent need for attention to the biases present in AI systems utilizing large language models (LLMs), especially in domains such as business and jurisdiction where such systems are increasingly utilized.

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The study also revealed that LLMs tend to assume that speakers of African American English hold less prestigious jobs compared to those who speak Standardized English, despite not being informed about the speakers racial identities.

Interestingly, the research found that the larger the LLM, the better its understanding of African American English, and it would be more inclined to avoid explicitly racist language. However, the size of the LLM did not affect its underlying covert biases.

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Hofmann cautioned against interpreting the decrease in overt racism in LLMs as a sign that racial bias has been resolved. Instead, he stressed that the study demonstrates a shift in the manifestation of racial bias in LLMs.

The traditional method of teaching large language models (LLMs) by providing human feedback does not effectively address covert racial bias, as indicated by the study.

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Rather than mitigating bias, this approach can actually lead LLMs to learn how to superficially conceal their underlying racial biases while still maintaining them at a deeper level.
Al-Qaeda in Arabian Penninsulas (AQAP) leader, Khalid al-Batarfi was trained by the Taliban, and had close ties with the Houthi terrorists. Here are top 7 things about the terrorist who was announced dead on Sunday

The Yemen branch of the terrorist outfit Al-Qaeda has announced the death of its leader, Khalid Saeed al-Batarfi.

Here are seven points about al-Batarfi illustrating his rise to power within al-Qaeda to the $5 million bounty placed by the US government on his head.

1. Trained by the Taliban

Al-Batarfi, also known as Abu Miqdad and Abu al-Miqdad al-Kindi was born in Saudi Arabias capital city, Riyadh, sometime between 1978-80. Barely out of his teens in 1999, he travelled to the Taliban-run al-Farouq camp in Afghanistan. In 2001, during the US-led invasion of the country, al-Batarfi fought alongside the Taliban.

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2. Quickly rose to power in Al-Qaeda

By 2010, he had joined AQAP. The United States considers AQAP as one of the deadliest branches of the network founded by Osama bin Laden. Al-Batarfi, by now a top commander, led the outfits forces in taking over Abyan, a province in South Yemen.

A year into the AQAP, al-Batarfi was arrested.

3. Escaped al-Mukalla prison

He remained in confinement for roughly four years, from 2011 to 2015. In April 2015, Al-Qaeda fighters staged a jailbreak at the Central Prison of al-Mukalla. Armed with machine guns, they reportedly managed to free around 300 inmates, including al-Batarfi.

Batarfi was arrested in 2011.

4. How al-Batarfi became AQAP supremo

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In February 2020, on the order of then-President Donald Trump, the US carried out a drone strike and killed Qassim al-Rimi the man who had been leading the AQAP since 2015. It was then that Al-Batarfi took over as the head of the branch.

In 2020, there had been claims that al-Bartafi had been detained, which later were denied.

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5. Al-Batarfi got AQAP drones

With al-Batarfi at the helm, AQAP was steered further towards the influence of Al-Qaeda fighter Saif al-Adl. While this caused some strain in the organisation, it also saw the militants become armed with bomb-carrying drones.

According to the UN, the AQAP received training to use the drones from the Houthis. They even had a specialised drone unit. It was under al-Batarfi that AQAP began focusing on replenishing its ranks by freeing its imprisoned members and explosives experts.

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6. A head worth $5 million

The US government, in 2018, designated al-Batarfi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. They had also announced a bounty worth USD 5 million on his head.

7. A mysterious death

Al-Qaeda announced the death of al-Batarfi, in his early 40s, on the eve of Ramzan. The group released a video showing him wrapped in a white funeral shroud and Al-Qaedas black-and-white flag. The cause of his death was not specified. There were no clear signs of trauma visible on his face.

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According to the announcement made by Al-Qaeda, Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki will now take over as AQAPs leader. The US has a $6 million bounty on him.
Blinken will talk about a plan devised by CARICOM and Haitian officials to speed up the countrys political transition by establishing an independent presidential college with a wide constituency, according to a statement from the US State Department

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers a press statement on Sweden's entry into NATO at the State Department in Washington, U.S., March 7, 2024. REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/File Photo

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken left for Jamaica Monday to attend a CARICOM meeting on Haiti, where the Caribbean country has experienced a security collapse and a humanitarian crisis, according to the State Department.

Monday morning, Blinken left Washington for a last-minute trip planned in response to the growing threat posed by gang violence to topple Haitis government.

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On Sunday, the U.S. military increased security at Washingtons embassy in Port-au-Prince and airlifted non-essential personnel.

Blinken will talk about a plan devised by CARICOM and Haitian officials to speed up the countrys political transition by establishing an independent presidential college with a wide constituency, according to a statement from the State Department.

Blinken will also discuss the long-awaited deployment of a multinational security mission to restore order in Haiti, which is set to be led by Kenya.

The United Nations estimates hundreds of thousands have been displaced and thousands killed in the overall conflict in Haiti, with widespread reports of rape, torture and ransom kidnappings.

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Haiti entered a state of emergency on March 3 as clashes damaged communications and led to two prison breaks after gang alliance leader Jimmy Cherizier, alias Barbeque, called for criminal groups to unite and overthrow Haitis Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Blinken last week pressed Henry, who has been stranded outside of the country and was most recently in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, on the urgent need to accelerate a transition to a more inclusive government.

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Blinken will also meet with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness to discuss bilateral and regional issues, the department said.

With inputs from Reuters
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libya has called for "fruitful and direct cooperation" with the European Union (EU) to control of the country's southern border in the fight against organised crime and human trafficking, which have increased as a result of the conditions experienced by its neighbours
The Chinese vessel, Xian Yang Hong 01, is currently about 480 kilometers, or less than 260 nautical miles, off the coast of Visakhapatnam. By the way, India bases its three nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines there, which are among the countrys most sensitive weaponry

A Chinese research vessel has raced up Indias eastern seafront and is currently stationed in international waters off the Indian coastline, only days after India issued an alarm regarding an upcoming missile launch off the Odisha coast.

The Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV)-equipped Agni-5 missile underwent a successful test on Monday. The successful test was verified by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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The Chinese vessel, Xian Yang Hong 01, is currently about 480 kilometers, or less than 260 nautical miles, off the coast of Visakhapatnam. India bases its three nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines there, which are among the countrys most sensitive weaponry.

There were rumors that India was preparing to launch the K-4, a nuclear-capable missile meant for submarine launch. The Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) created the missile, which can carry warheads up to two tons in weight.

A NOTAM advisory was sent out last week in advance of the test. Notification to Airmen, or NOTAM, is the term for notifications that are used to declare an area off-limits to flying. The warning, which was for the Bay of Bengal region, was interpreted as a blatant sign that India was preparing a missile launch, which might happen at any time between March 11 and 16. The NOTAM alert designates a 3,500-kilometer no-fly zone that extends well south of the Bay of Bengal.

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There were rumors that India was preparing to launch the K-4, a nuclear-capable missile meant for submarine launch. The Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) created the missile, which can carry warheads up to two tons in weight.

A NOTAM advisory was sent out last week in advance of the test. Notification to Airmen, or NOTAM, is the term for notifications that are used to declare an area off-limits to flying. The warning, which was for the Bay of Bengal region, was interpreted as a blatant sign that India was preparing a missile launch, which might happen at any time between March 11 and 16. The NOTAM alert designates a 3,500-kilometer no-fly zone that extends well south of the Bay of Bengal.

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The events off the coast of India occured a few weeks after alarms were raised in New Delhi by another Chinese ship of the same class.

The Xiang Yang Hong 03 landed in the Maldives last month and is currently surveying the area off the coast of Sri Lanka. Following President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives request for the withdrawal of Indian forces, tensions between New Delhi and Male increased. After Muizzu became President of the Maldives last year, ties between India and the country have never been better. After meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Muizzu had declared, We may be small, but this doesnt give them the licence to bully us. The comment, which omitted any nation names, was spotted.

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India has downplayed the relationships tension. When questioned about ties between the Maldives and India, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar stated that neighbors depend on one another. Geography and history are extremely potent factors. Theres no getting around that.

Before the Chinese vessel docked in Male last month, the Maldives had said it would not conduct any research but will only come for rotation and replenishment. Still, Indias worries extended beyond the Maldivian waters. The ship has been traveling in a zigzag pattern through the waterways between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The Chinese parliaments annual conclave, one of the most-watched events in the country, concluded on Monday. This year, Beijing exhibited a strong stance on Taiwan, and in line with it, continued to increase its defence budget, President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are set to have even more power concentrated in their hands. Here are these and other key takeaways from the annual congress

The Chinese parliament the National Peoples Congress (NPC) on Monday concluded its annual conclave in the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square. Delegates to the rubber-stamp parliament gathered here to approve policies from the Xi Jinping-led Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

From the Presidents move to concentrate more power into his hands, to the change in Beijings stance on Taiwan, here are seven key takeaways from the tightly choreographed event.

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More power to Xi, CCP: The CCP now has greater executive control over Chinas cabinet the State Council courtesy of the amended State Council Organic Law passed on Monday. Headed by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, the State Council nominally oversees the 21 government ministries in China.

Strong stance on Taiwan: Lis report had stronger language on the island territory of Taiwan. He said that the government will be firm in advancing the cause of Chinas reunification. This is a stronger stance compared to last years statement where Li had called for advanc(ing) the process of Chinas peaceful reunification.

Bigger defence budget: The Chinese government announced a military budget of 1.6 trillion yuan or $222 billion an increase of 7.2 per cent, in line with the jump noted last year. Although the countrys budget has more than doubled since 2015, in recent years, the rate of the increase has slowed down due to a slagging economy. This is also being seen in the light of Chinas ambitions with Taiwan.

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Transparency takes a hit: This years conclave closing marked a break from the three-decade-long tradition where the Premier, the CCPs number 2 leader, holds a press conference. The conference was a rare platform for journalists to quiz the government. The move is being seen as a hit to transparency. It also underscores Premier Lis relatively weak status as Xi consolidates power.

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Under the garb of national security: Lawmakers in the country have moved to adopt wide-ranging security laws to resolutely safeguard Chinas sovereignty. This means the Communist Party may soon deepen its powers to punish threats to its rule.

Modest economic growth: In this years economic blueprint, Li revealed plans to open up more areas of the economy to foreign investment. The manufacturing and service areas will also see a reduction in the number of restrictions. China is aiming for around 5 per cent GDP growth this year a low number for what used to be the worlds fastest-growing economy.

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No big bailouts for the beleaguered property sector: Beijing pledged to do more about the beleaguered real estate sector. However, authorities also hinted that there may not be any big bailouts. Housing and Urban-Rural Development Minister Ni Hong said, regarding severely insolvent and financially unsustainable real estate companies, bankruptcies should be handled according to legal procedures, and reorganizations should be carried out as required. He added that fixing the property market remained very difficult.

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With inputs from agencies
The modified State Council Organic Law was approved on the last day of the National Peoples Congress in Beijing with 2,883 delegate votes in favour, 8 against, and 9 abstention

Chinese President Xi Jinping is displayed on a big screen during the closing session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, in Beijing. AP

After postponing the premiers press conference till after the legislature for the first time in thirty years, the Chinese parliament on Monday amended a statute to essentially give the Communist Party more executive power over the State Council, Chinas cabinet.

The modified State Council Organic Law was approved on the last day of the National Peoples Congress in Beijing with 2,883 delegate votes in favour, 8 against, and 9 abstention.

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It was the most recent of several actions taken in recent years that have progressively reduced the State Councils executive authority. The State Council, led by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, is supposedly in charge of all 21 of Chinas government departments in addition to local governments.

The State Council Organic Law was amended for the first time since 1982, according to legal experts, continuing a pattern of the Party gaining greater authority from the state and the government to faithfully carry out Party commands.

Articles that have recently been added emphasise that the State Council should resolutely uphold the Party Central Committees authority and its centralised and unified leadership and adhere to the partys signature ideology, Xi Jinping Thought, which elaborates on a variety of topics from culture to diplomacy.

This is a significant shift in the reorganization of executive authority in China, said Ryan Mitchell, a law professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. While it is always clear that the head of the Party is the most influential figure in the overall hierarchy, the exact division of labour in policymaking and, especially, oversight of policy execution, can be opaque.

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Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National Peoples Congress Standing Committee, said in an address last week to parliament that the revision is intended to deepen reform of party and state institutions and fully implement the Constitution, which was changed in 2018 to reassert the Partys leadership over everything.

It is yet another sign that the Party is both increasing its overt control over state organs and wants to be seen as fully in charge, said Thomas Kellogg, professor of Asian law at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

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Politics is in command, and both Party cadres and government bureaucrats are meant to pay ever-closer attention to the Partys dictates and ideological directives as the key guide for day-to-day decision-making, he added.

The cancelled post-parliament news conference for the premier is traditionally one of the most widely followed events on Beijings economic and policy calendar.

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Since taking power in 2012, Xi has established several new central party committees overseeing multiple ministries that report directly to him. Some even encroach on economic and financial policy, traditionally viewed as falling under the premiers remit.

China last year unveiled a sweeping government re-organisation that created a new Party entity to oversee some ministries. Shortly afterwards, the State Council also amended its working rules to clarify that executive decision-making power lies within the Party.

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Since the new working rules passed, the State Council also no longer holds weekly meetings, instead gathering two or three times a month.

Kellogg also cited the scrapping of the premiers news conference as another example of state governance institutions falling by the wayside in favour of the Party.

Were still in the middle of this years-long transformation of the Party-state structure, with likely more such changes to come, he said.
The week-long event this year, complete with meticulously planned meetings that prevented any shocks, demonstrated how Chinas politics have grown more and more geared towards elevating Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping is displayed on a big screen during the closing session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, in Beijing. AP

Chinas national congress is concluding its yearly meeting on Monday with the customary display of almost uniform support for policies intended to implement head of the governing Communist Party of China, Xi Jinpings, vision for the country.

The week-long event this year, complete with meticulously planned meetings that prevented any shocks, demonstrated how Chinas politics have grown more and more geared towards elevating Xi.

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The premiers customary last press conference, which is the one occasion a year when media may grill a senior leader and was previously in charge of economic matters as the partys second leader, is not on Mondays schedule.

Since 1988, the yearly press conferences have taken place in most years; the decision to discontinue the event highlights Li Qiangs relative weakness. Past premiers have had a considerably stronger role in driving critical economic policies such as modernising state companies, dealing with economic crises, and implementing housing reforms that converted China into a homeownership nation.

A key item due to be put for a ritual vote on Monday are revisions of the Organic Law of the State Council, Chinas version of a cabinet, that direct it to follow Xis vision.

The Communist Party always called the shots but the party leaders who ran the State Council used to have a much freer hand in setting economic policy, Neil Thomas, a Chinese politics fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said in an emailed comment.

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Xi has been astonishingly successful in consolidating his personal hold over the party, which has allowed him to become the key decisionmaker in all policy domains, Thomas said.

In foreign policy, China appears to be sticking with Wang Yi as foreign minister, who stepped back into the post last summer after his successor, Qin Gang, was abruptly dismissed without explanation after a half year on the job.

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Analysts thought that the Communist Party might use the annual congress to appoint a new foreign minister and close the book on an unusual spate of political mishaps last year that also saw the firing of a new defense minister after a few months on the job.

The Organic Law of the State Council is being revised for the first time since it was adopted in 1982. The revision calls for the State Council, above all, to uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China. It also adds the governor of Chinas central bank as a ministerial post.

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Echoing words seen in just about every proposal, law or speech made in China these days, it spells out that Chinas highest governing officials must adhere to the partys guiding ideology, which refers back to Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought and culminates in Xis philosophy on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

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As Xis government champions innovation and self-reliance in technology as ways to build a modern, wealthy economy it is leaning heavily on more overtly communist ideology that harkens back to past eras.

Xi has fortified the partys role across the spectrum, from culture and education to corporate management and economic planning, a potentially risky strategy.

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The benefits may be outweighed by the costs of stifling political discussion, disincentivizing local innovation and more policy shifts, Thomas said.

During this years congress, many provincial meetings were opened to the media for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, though they were carefully scripted with speeches and other prepared remarks and none of the spontaneity once glimpsed in real group discussions on the sidelines of the meetings in decades past.

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The contrast with polarized politics in the US and robust debate in other democracies could not be more stark: Chinas political rituals, void of any overt dissent, put unity of opinion above all.

Marching orders endorsed by the congress include calls to ensure national security and social stability, at a time when job losses and underpayment of wages have sparked rising numbers of protests.

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Along with following the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought and other party directives, developing new quality productive forces  a term coined by Xi last September  emerged as a new catchphrase at this years congress.

The term suggests prioritizing building self-reliance in science and technology as China confronts trade sanctions and curbs on access to advanced know-how in computer chips and other areas the US and other countries deem to be national security risks.
The transactions involving Copper Technologies raise concerns about whether UK crypto laws have kept pace with the rapidly evolving sector, which has faced growing scrutiny for its potential to provide anonymity

Recent findings reveal that a cryptocurrency company transferred over $4.2 million in digital assets to a crypto wallet linked to a member of an alleged Russian arms-dealing network, who later faced US sanctions.

According to a report, the transactions involving Copper Technologies raise concerns about whether UK crypto laws have kept pace with the rapidly evolving sector, which has faced growing scrutiny for its potential to provide anonymity.

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Analysis of crypto records by the Guardian and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) reveals a connection between Copper Technologies and Jonatan Zimenkov, an Israeli-born Russian national.

Zimenkov, 29, faced US sanctions in February 2023 for allegedly aiding the Russian military in the invasion of Ukraine as part of the Zimenkov network, led by his father, Igor Zimenkov.

Copper transferred millions of dollars worth of digital currency in May 2021 to a wallet belonging to Jonatan Zimenkov, who was later sanctioned. Although Copper was based in London at the time of the transfer, it has since relocated to Switzerland.

While Zimenkov wasnt under sanctions when the transaction occurred, the US Treasury Department stated that the network had been active for several years before imposing restrictions on individuals and entities involved.

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Copper stated that it takes compliance seriously and acted within all regulatory standards at the time of the transaction.

The revelation highlights the opaque nature of cryptocurrency and raises questions about regulating digital assets within the financial system.

Zimenkov wasnt a Copper client, relieving the company of regulatory obligations to verify his identity.

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Financial firms can file suspicious activity reports for transactions raising concerns, even if rules arent violated. Its unclear if Copper filed such a report.

The UK adopted a travel rule in late 2023, requiring crypto firms to conduct checks on funds transferred to external parties.

Blockchain logs show that Copper transferred over 1,700 units of ethereum to Jonatan Zimenkov in May 2021. The purpose and original source of the assets remain unclear.

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The owner of the receiving wallet is not named in blockchain records, which only display a digital currency address.

The same address was included in a US Treasury announcement in February 2023, detailing sanctions against the Zimenkov network.

The alleged sanctions evasion networks details revealed by the US underscore the importance of verifying the identities of individuals involved in asset transfers.

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Jonatan Zimenkov, who held Russian, Israeli, and Italian citizenship, was identified as part of the network involved in projects connected to Russian defense capabilities.

The US Treasury stated that Igor Zimenkov, Jonatans father, worked closely with his son and others to facilitate Russian defense sales to third-country governments.

Both men are accused of corresponding with sanctioned Russian defense firms and participating in deals for Russian cybersecurity and helicopter sales abroad.

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Sanctions apply to several companies involved in the arms trade, including GBD Limited, described as a Zimenkov network company attempting to supply weapons systems to an African government.

Russian public records show Jonatan Zimenkov registered as an individual entrepreneur in 2019, engaging in wholesale trade of ships, aircraft, and vehicles.

Last year, Copper Technologies was implicated in a share sale benefiting a Russian banker facing US sanctions, as reported by the Guardian.
In the five Super Tuesday states where comparable ballot choices were offered, almost 263,000 voters selected uncommitted one week after 101,000 voters in Michigan did so. One in five Democratic voters in Minnesotathe state with the best organised campaign outside of Michiganmarked the uncommitted option, a greater rate than the 13% in Michigan

The protest-vote campaign against President Joe Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict has grown to numerous states, raising concerns about whether a small but significant number of Democrats upset with Biden may forsake him in November.

In the five Super Tuesday states where comparable ballot choices were offered, almost 263,000 voters selected uncommitted one week after 101,000 voters in Michigan did so. One in five Democratic voters in Minnesotathe state with the best organised campaign outside of Michiganmarked the uncommitted option, a greater rate than the 13% in Michigan.

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Observers are keeping an eye on Tuesdays state of Washington primary to see how many voters choose uncommitted. And a Leave It Blank campaign has formed for Georgias Tuesday primary thats intended to have the same effect, as is a uninstructed vote in Wisconsins April 2 primary.

Supporters of the protest argue anger over the war could endanger Bidens chances in swing states like Michigan against former President Donald Trump in their likely rematch. Bidens allies believe disaffected Democrats will return to the presidents fold when faced with a choice between him and Trump, who the presidents campaign has argued is a threat to democracy and is planning a sweeping set of policy changes that would attack liberal priorities.

While the reasons for voters favoring unpledged delegates over Biden may differ, the choice has been increasingly pushed as a protest vote against Bidens handling of the conflict in Gaza, where more than 30,000 people have been killed, two-thirds of them women and children, in Israels offensive following Hamas Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 people.

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We wanted to show that these voters not only morally matter but politically matter as well. Because if they sit out the election, which it seems like many of them might, that would have severe consequences for Biden, said Waleed Shahid, a Democratic strategist who first organized the effort in Michigan.

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Lauren Hitt, a Biden campaign spokeswoman, said following the Super Tuesday primaries that the president believes making your voice heard and participating in our democracy is fundamental to who we are as Americans.

He shares the goal for an end to the violence and a just, lasting peace in the Middle East. Hes working tirelessly to that end, Hitt added.

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As Bidens supporters are quick to point out, the uncommitted vote isnt a historical anomaly. In 2012, over 400,000 people cast their ballots as uncommitted or no preference, expressing discontent with then-President Barack Obamas reelection. Biden has won every states primary contest so far and is on track to clinch the nomination this month.

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Still, the single-issue campaign has alarmed some of Bidens closest allies.

Obamas results were just randomized. This is showing that there are particular groups of our coalition that are upset, said Rep. Ro Khanna, a Biden surrogate and cease-fire supporter.

In late January, Shahid circulated a seven-page memo to nearly 100 pro-Palestinian leaders and organizations nationwide with a plan to leverage Michigans substantial Arab American population to create maximum electoral disruption.

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Michigans dual role as an early primary state and a pivotal swing state in November provided an ideal situation for attracting national media attention and influential political figures. Coming less than a month before Michigans Feb. 27 primary, the Jan. 29 memo proposed a plan requiring a budget of approximately $237,000 to politicize and electoralize discontent for Bidens support of Israel.

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Over 100,000 people voted uncommitted on Feb. 27, far exceeding a 10,000 vote goal that had been intentionally set low. Khanna, the California congressman, said Bidens recent references to a potential cease-fire were a direct result of the grassroots movement in Michigan.

Biden announced at his State of the Union speech that the U.S. would build a floating pier to deliver aid to Gaza as Israel has restricted the flow of food and other goods at land ports.

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While the states primary was a success for organizers, Shahid said his memo had nothing beyond Michigan.

Hoping to capitalize on the momentum generated in Michigan, small uncommitted campaigns on shoestring budgets began to pop up across the country.

In Minnesota, organizers began making phone calls to voters just five days before the states Super Tuesday primary, operating on a $20,000 budget. The last-minute push secured 46,000 uncommitted votes, comprising 19% of the total vote share and earning 11 delegates bound for the Democratic national convention.

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Minnesota voter Sarah Alfaham voted in the states Democratic primary  as she has for many years  but opted to mark uncommitted on her ballot.

Joe Biden has not done enough to earn my vote and not done enough to stop the war, said Alfaham.

Marcus Casillas, 29, was one of the 51,000 people that voted uncommitted in Colorados March 5 primary. The aerospace engineer was inspired by Michigan voters, and chose uncommitted rather than another Democratic candidate because being part of a more organized protest vote seemed appropriate.

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I firmly believe that in order for me to vote for someone, they need to earn the vote, he said.

The largest effort outside of Michigan has taken place in Washington state, which is set to hold its primary Tuesday. The biggest labor union in Washington, the chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers, has endorsed voting uncommitted in the primary, as have some local Democratic leaders.

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The impact of Washingtons uncommitted movement could be blunted by the fact that its primary is mostly conducted by early mail-in ballots. Close to a million ballots had been turned in as of Thursday, according to the Washington Secretary of State.

But organizers in different states say they feel theyve already exceeded expectations.

One of the coolest comments that Ive read is people saying this is the most organized theyve seen Democrats in a really long time, said Asma Nizami, a spokesperson for Minnesotas uncommitted campaign. Were doing it across state lines and were doing it together.
Having long been a devoted admirer of Israel, Wilders is hoping to head a new government after his nationalist PVV party won elections in November

On social media on Monday, Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders announced that he had met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and that he had given Israel his whole support in the war on terror.

Having long been a devoted admirer of Israel, Wilders is hoping to head a new government after his nationalist PVV party won elections in November.

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In the Netherlands on Sunday, the Israeli president attended the opening of a Holocaust museum in Amsterdam. Herzog asked for prayers for peace and the prompt release of captives who were kidnapped by Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7 and are currently being held by Islamist extremists during the opening ceremony.

Wilders posted a picture of his meeting with Herzog and wrote: I told him I am proud that he visits the Netherlands and that Israel has, and always will have, my full support in its fight against terror.
According to a research by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), while total worldwide arms transfers somewhat dropped, arms imports into Europe increased by 94% between 2019 and 2023 compared to the previous five-year period

According to research, throughout the previous five years, Russias exports of weapons have decreased while imports into Europe have nearly risen, in part because of the conflict in Ukraine.

Russia has lost its position as the worlds second-largest arms exporter after the United States to France, making Ukraine the worlds fourth-largest arms importer.

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According to a research by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), while total worldwide arms transfers somewhat dropped, arms imports into Europe increased by 94% between 2019 and 2023 compared to the previous five-year period.

SIPRI likes to examine trends spanning six months to a year since a few large contract deliveries might distort annual statistics.

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 said that since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, at least 30 nations had given the country significant military help in the form of weaponry.

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However, other European countries also saw a rise in imports, with the United Statesthe worlds top arms exportersupplying a greater portion of these imports.

The US accounted for 55% of imports into Europe in the 20192023 timeframe, up from 35% in the 20142018 period.

According to Djokic, this is partially because the majority of European nations are NATO members and US allies in the development of weaponry like the F-35 fighter plane.

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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.

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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.

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China still accounted for 21 percent of Russian exports, while India was the biggest recipient with 34 percent.

While Russias exports declined, France saw its own grow by 47 percent, thereby narrowly edging out Russia to become the worlds second largest exporter.

Violations of humanitarian law

France accounted for 11 percent of total weapons exports in 2019-2023.

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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 Hamass 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.

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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.

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The question then remains as to whether they would remain in place after the end of Israels current ground and air assault on Gaza, Hussain explained.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced legislation to allow eligible patients to administer a lethal substance under precise conditions. This upcoming bill could bring France in the list of European countries that legally allow euthanasia for the terminally ill

In a move that is aimed at alleviating patients suffering from incurable diseases, President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will consider a bill that will allow people to die at will this year.



This bill could add France to the list of European countries that legally allow euthanasia for the terminally ill. It is expected to be presented to the Council of Ministers in April and discussed in Parliament in May, Macron confirmed.

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While opinion polls suggest a majority of French citizens support the right-to-die legislation, the bill may face stiff opposition from health workers as well as religious leaders in the traditionally Catholic country.



What is active assistance dying?

Under active-assistance dying, a lethal substance will be prescribed to the patient, who can administer it themselves or with the help of a third party if they are physically unable do so. The third party can be a volunteer, the doctor, or the nurse treating the patient, according to the text. The substance can be administered at the patients home, in care homes for the elderly or in care centres.

Adults who are fully conscious of their decision and suffering an incurable, life-threatening illness will be able to ask to be helped to die, Macron said while laying down precise criteria for the proposed legislation.



The medical team will have 15 days to respond to a patients request, and only after the approval will help to die be valid for three months, during which the patient can retract at any moment, Macron said.



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Minors and patients suffering from Alzheimers disease and other psychiatric or neurodegenerative conditions will not be eligible under the right-to-die bill as the condition may hamper their decision-making abilities.

Move not a first in Europe

Until now, patients in pain had to travel to other European countries to put an end to their suffering.



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A handful of Frances European neighbours, including Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Germany and Spain permit assisted dying. The former two countries even recognise requests from minors under strict circumstances.



As per the Campaign for Dignity in Dying, more than 200 million people globally can legally access some type of assisted dying, and support for its legislation has been growing in parts of the world.



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Even though the Bill would be presented before the European Parliament elections in June, its passage is unlikely before 2025.

Currently, physician-assisted death is legal in 10 US states including Maine, New Jersey, Vermont, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, California, and Hawaii and Washington, D.C.
The Prime Ministers office stated that a crisis cell has been activated to deploy countermeasures , indicating the impact of these attacks has been reduced for most services and access to state websites restored

Cyberattacks of unprecedented intensity have targeted several French state institutions, the prime ministers office said Monday, despite the governments insistence that the damage had been contained.

Attals office stated that many ministerial services were targeted starting Sunday using familiar technical means but of unprecedented intensity, but it did not elaborate on the specifics.

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The attacks are not currently attributable to Russia, a security source told AFP, raising suspicions among many given Pariss backing of Kyiv since the invasion of Ukraine.

The Prime Ministers office stated that a crisis cell has been activated to deploy countermeasures , indicating the impact of these attacks has been reduced for most services and access to state websites restored.

Specialist services including information security agency ANSSI were implementing filtering measures until the attacks are over.

A group calling itself Anonymous Sudan claimed responsibility for what it said was a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack on French government network infrastructure.

We have conducted a massive cyberattack the damage will be widespread, the group, which posts with an avatar of a hooded Guy Fawkes mask in front of a desert scene with pyramids, said in a Telegram post.

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A lot of different digital government sectors have been affected, including very important websites, with their respective subdomains.

Anonymous Sudan is a known outfit that has carried out attacks in the past year against websites in countries including Sweden, Denmark and Israel.

Purportedly based in Sudan, it says it targets what it deems to be anti-Muslim activity with some signs that it is sympathetic to Russia.

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A DDoS attack involves using a computer or network of computers to make a massive number of requests of a target system, overwhelming its ability to respond to legitimate users.

According to US cybersecurity firm Cloudflare, Anonymous Sudan is one of many groups employing DDoS attacks and organisations can protect themselves against its methods.

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The latest cyberattack to hit France follows a warning from Attals defence adviser last week that the Paris Olympics and European Parliament elections this summer could be significant targets.

Meanwhile Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said last month that protection against sabotage and cyberattack by Russia should be stepped up, in an internal note seen by AFP that said his ministry was top of Moscows target list.
Ministers interviewed after closing meeting of 2nd session of 14th NPC

Xinhua) 16:57, March 11, 2024

Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

Journalists work during an interview attended by ministers after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Yu Jianhua, head of the General Administration of Customs (GAC) of China, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Yu Jianhua, head of the General Administration of Customs (GAC) of China, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
Al-Aqsa has been a longstanding flashpoint for trouble between Israel and Palestine. Jordan echoes the Palestinian view that such restrictions on Muslim worshippers, already facing war and hunger in Gaza, were an attack on freedom of worship

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi speaks during a joint press conference with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, in Amman, Jordan March 11, 2024. REUTERS

Jordans Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, stated Monday that the situation at Jerusalems Al Aqsa was heading toward an explosion because of Israels restrictions on Muslim pilgrims from entering the compound during Ramadan.

Speaking on state media, Safadi stated that his nation, which is in charge of the holy site, disagreed with Israels declared decision to restrict access during Ramadan, citing the need for security given the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

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In a joint press conference with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the foreign minister of the Vatican, Safadi stated, We warn that desecrating the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque is playing with fire.

The compound, the third holiest shrine in Islam, is also the site of the most sacred place for Jews who know it as Temple Mount. It has been a longstanding flashpoint for trouble.

Jordan echoes the Palestinian view that such restrictions on Muslim worshippers, already facing war and hunger in Gaza, were an attack on freedom of worship.

After hard-right Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said recently he wanted tougher restrictions, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the numbers admitted would be similar to last year.

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Not allowing worshippers to perform their religious duties and their rituals in this holy month and restricting freedom to enter the Aqsa mosque, all that pushes torwards an explosive situation which is what we are warning about, Safadi added.

Israel was also risking wider violence in the Israeli occupied West Bank by what Safadi said were unilateral Israeli measures to change the status quo citing accelerated Jewish settlement building on Arab land and what he termed as stepped up terror attacks by armed settlers on Palestinian villagers.

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The West Bank is boiling, Safadi added.

The Israeli-occupied West Bank has since the Gaza war seen a surge of confrontations, with around 400 Palestinians killed in clashes with security forces or Jewish settlers.

Most world powers view as illegal settlements Israel has built on land it captured in a 1967 war with Arab powers.

The holy month of Ramadan came at a time when Palestinians in the enclave were dying of hunger with Israel using food as a weapon of war, Safadi said.

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Ramadan comes with Gaza bombed by Israel and women unable to find food for their children and five months that have passed with the world failing to preserve human digintiy, Safadi said.

Israels relentless campaign in Gaza has caused increasing alarm across the world as the growing risk of famine threatens to add to a death toll that has already passed 31,000.

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Israel denies it is responsible for the wider hunger or waging war on civilians.

With inputs from Reuters
The bonhomie once shared by the two countries at the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in Oct 2023, seems to be tapering off with each passing day. The US president is getting more frustrated by Israel and Hamas inability to reach a ceasefire deal

The top leadership in the US and Israel were once again caught in a war of words after President Biden said Netanyahu's war tactics are "hurting Israel," a comment Israeli prime minister Netanyahu has rejected

The top leadership in the US and Israel were once again caught in a war of words after President Joe Biden said that Benjamin Netanyahus war tactics are hurting Israel, a comment that the Israeli prime minister has vehemently rejected.

The bonhomie once shared by the two countries at the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in Oct 2023, seems to be tapering off with each passing day. The US president is getting more frustrated by Israel and Hamas inability to reach a ceasefire deal.

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While Biden vocally supports Israels stated goals of defeating Hamas and rescuing those who have been held hostage, the White House disagrees with the way Israel has been carrying out its operations.

In a recent interview, President Biden voiced concerns that the Israeli PMs policies are hurting Israel more than helping Israel. Defending himself, Netanyahu has said that Biden is wrong and his political policies are supported by an overwhelming majority of Israelis.

Although Biden said he would never leave Israel, he is reportedly criticising Netanyahu in private. Biden said he was trying to get Israel to agree to a ceasefire, but Netanyahu is giving him hell and is impossible to deal with, people familiar with Bidens comments told NBC last month.

Heres a look at 5 points that are bone of contention between the two leaders:

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1- Disagreement over Gaza Strip

President Biden has been critical of Netanyahus strategy on Gaza and has termed its actions over the top. The 81-year-old President also accused Israel of disregard for innocent lives. and that Netanyahu cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead.

The Israeli Prime Minister hit back in an interview, and said that he does not know what Biden means and that he is wrong

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[I> exactly dont know what the president meant, if Biden was saying he was contravening the wishes or interests of Israel, he was wrong on both counts, Netanyahu said

The positions that I espouse are supported by the overwhelming majority of Israelis who say to you after October 7: We dont want to see a Palestinian state, he added

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Biden in the recent State of the Union address said that he plans to build a temporary port off Gazas coast to step up the delivery of humanitarian aid for starving Palestinians

Tonight, Im directing the U.S. military to establish a temporary pier on the Gaza coast that can receive shipments of food, water, medicine, and shelter.



To Israel, I say humanitarian assistance cannot be secondary.



Protecting and saving innocent lives must be a priority.  President Biden (@POTUS) March 8, 2024

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2- Rafah is the Red Line

Terming Israels upcoming ground invasion in Gazas southern city of Rafah, where more than 1.3 million Palestinians are sheltering, the US president had said that a military offensive without proper planning would be a disaster. He has also warned Netanyahu to not cross the red line.

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Slamming the statement, Netanyahu said, You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is, that October 7 doesnt happen again. Never happens again.

Rafah is also a border connecting Egypt with Palestine, serving as a gateway to all humanitarian assistance

Disagreeing with Bidens view, the Israeli leader was quoted by the Bild newspaper as saying,

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.

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3- A quest for ceasefire

As talks for peace and a temporary ceasefire continue between Israel and Hamas, there have been no agreements between the two warring sides so far

While we get more life-saving aid to Gaza, the United States will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages. And we will continue building toward a long-term future of stability, security, and peace, Biden in his address for Ramzan said

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On the other hand, Israel remains committed to continuing its invasion and annihilating Hamas, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that at least 13,000 terrorists were among Palestinians killed during Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip

Biden had said in private conversations that he is trying to get Israel to agree to a cease-fire, but Netanyahu is giving him hell and is impossible to deal with

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4- The two-state solution

In his recent State of the Union speech, Biden said that the two-state solution is the real solution between Israel and Hamas

As we look to the future, the only real solution to the situation is a two-state solution over time, he added

As a lifelong supporter of Israel. Thats[the two state solution> the only path that guarantees Israels security for the long term, Biden reiterated.

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Israel has formalised its opposition to what it called the unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood and said any such agreement must be reached through direct negotiations

Time and again Netanyahu has continued to reject Palestinian statehood, it has opposed Palestinian sovereignty over Gaza and the occupied territory, rebuffing President Bidens push for a two-state solution

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5- Handling Gaza refugees

Calling the state of the refugees in Gaza as heartbreaking in the SOTU address, US President Biden has vowed more support for refugees in Gaza and said that Israel has a part to play

Nearly two million more Palestinians under bombardment or displaced, homes destroyed, neighborhoods in rubble, cities in ruin, families without food, water, medicine. Its heartbreaking.

Meanwhile, Israel said it is not targeting civilian areas and giving safe passages for Gazans to escape, it has recently been in the news for allegedly openly firing at refugees while distributing aid, leading to dozens of deaths. The allegation has been denied by the Israeli military. A video of the incident also surfaced online.

While Israel and the US might have disagreements, the relationship between the top nations has hardly led to any major policy shift between the two close nations.
Biden vowed to lead international efforts to get more humanitarian assistance into Gaza, adding that a two-state solution is the only way to ensure that Israelis and Palestinians share equal measures of freedom, dignity, security, and prosperity'

With US President Joe Bidens hopes crushing that Israel and Hamas would reach a ceasefire deal by Ramzan, the Democratic leader issued an emotional message to the Muslim community, saying the suffering of the Palestinian people will be front of mind for many.

The sacred month is a time for reflection and renewal. This year, it comes at a moment of immense pain. The war in Gaza has inflicted terrible suffering on the Palestinian people, the US president said, highlighting the plight of nearly two million Palestinians who have been displaced by the war.

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A truce deal, which would have released hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, did not materialise despite several rounds of negotiations between the two warring sides in Cairo.

Biden has vowed to lead international efforts to get more humanitarian assistance into Gaza," adding that a two-state solution is the only way to ensure that Israelis and Palestinians share equal measures of freedom, dignity, security, and prosperity.

A six-week-long ceasefire

During his address, Biden, 81, reiterated that the US would push an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks.

While we get more life-saving aid to Gaza, the United States will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages. And we will continue building toward a long-term future of stability, security, and peace, he said.

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Underscoring the US contribution in providing aid to Palestinians in war-torn Gaza, Biden said, Earlier this week, I directed our military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments of aid. We are carrying out airdrops of aid, in coordination with our international partners, including Jordan. And well continue to work with Israel to expand deliveries by land, insisting that it facilitate more routes and open more crossings to get more aid to more people.

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No place for Islamophobia

Extending his and First Lady Jill Bidens greetings to Muslims across the world in the Holy month of Ramzan, the US president noted that lately US has been witnessing an appalling resurgence of hate and violence towards Muslim Americans.

Islamophobia has absolutely no place in the United States, a country founded on freedom of worship and built on the contributions of immigrants, including Muslim immigrants, he said.

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Biden added, My administration is developing the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Related Forms of Bias and Discrimination, to take on hate against Muslims, Sikhs, South Asians, and Arab American communities, wherever it occurs. No one should ever fear being targeted at school, at work, on the street, or in their community because of their background or beliefs.

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The US president also assured American Muslims that they are an important part of the US family.
Jordan shares the Palestinian perspective that restricting Muslim worshippers further violates their right to freedom of worship, given that they are already confronting famine and conflict in Gaza

The site is home to the most revered location for Jews, known as Temple Mount, and is also the location of the third-holiest shrine in Islam. It has historically been a hotbed of conflict Image Courtesy Reuters

Ayman Safadi, the foreign minister of Jordan, stated on Monday that Israels limitations on Muslim pilgrims access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem during the month of Ramadan were driving the situation closer to a explosion.

Speaking on official media, Safadi stated that his nation, which is in charge of the holy site, disagreed with Israels declared decision to restrict entry during Ramadan, citing the necessity for security given the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

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We warn that desecrating the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque is playing with fire, Safadi said in a joint news conference with the Vaticans foreign minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

The site is home to the most revered location for Jews, known as Temple Mount, and is also the location of the third-holiest shrine in Islam. It has historically been a hotbed of conflict.

Jordan shares the Palestinian perspective that restricting Muslim worshippers further violates their right to freedom of worship, given that they are already confronting famine and conflict in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the amount of people admitted would be comparable to the previous year following the recent remarks made by hard-right Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir expressing his desire for stricter regulations.

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Not allowing worshippers to perform their religious duties and their rituals in this holy month and restricting freedom to enter the Aqsa mosque, all that pushes torwards an explosive situation which is what we are warning about, Safadi added.

The West Bank is boiling, Safadi added.

Since the Gaza War, there has been an increase in conflicts in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, resulting in the deaths of almost 400 Palestinians in fights with Israeli security forces or Jewish settlers.

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The area that Israel erected settlements on after capturing Arab forces during a 1967 war is considered unlawful by the majority of foreign powers.

According to Safadi, Israel was using food as a weapon of war against the Palestinians in the enclave, and the holy month of Ramadan coincided with their starvation.

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Ramadan comes with Gaza bombed by Israel and women unable to find food for their children and five months that have passed with the world failing to preserve human digintiy, Safadi said.

The world is becoming more and more alarmed about Israels unrelenting campaign in Gaza as the possibility of starvation grows and could add to the already alarming toll of over 31,000 deaths.

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Israel disputes that it is committing acts of war on civilians or causing the greater hunger.
Omar Ayub, the general secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, who has been selected by the party and MPs from the Sunni Ittehad Council to lead the opposition in the National Assembly, stated that Bushra Bibis meal issues have not yet been resolved

Following the couple's 14-year jail term from an accountability court in the Toshakhana corruption case last month, Bushra is currently incarcerated at Imran Khan's Bani Gala mansion Image Courtesy Agencies

Bushra Bibi, the wife of imprisoned former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, has been confined to a small room despite her Bani Gala mansion being designated as a sub-jail, according to a top leader of her party on Monday.

According to the Dawn newspaper, Omar Ayub, the general secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, who has been selected by the party and MPs from the Sunni Ittehad Council to lead the opposition in the National Assembly, stated that Bushra Bibis meal issues have not yet been resolved.

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In the prime ministerial election, Ayub  who was also the joint candidate of the opposition and lost to Shehbaz Sharif of Khans rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party  said that Bushra Bibi was confined to one small room even though her home had been designated a sub-jail.

We demand that you do not consider Bushra Bibi Imran Khans weakness. She was the former premiers strength," he added.

The administration of Adiala Jail notified a Pakistani court last month that Bushra Bibi, 49, could not be transferred to the prison because of a security threat.

According to The Express Tribune newspaper, the data was presented to the Islamabad High Court during the hearing of a petition filed by Bushra asking to be moved from the Bani Gala sub-jail to Adiala.

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Following the couples 14-year jail term from an accountability court in the Toshakhana corruption case last month, Bushra is currently incarcerated at Imran Khans Bani Gala mansion.

Imran Khan, 71, is incarcerated at Rawalpindis high-security Adiala Jail. They were both found guilty and given lengthy prison terms in the Toshakhana case involving the pricey present and the iddat case wherein their marriage was seen to be against Islamic law.

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Last month, the PTI party also voiced worries regarding the prisoners wifes health. The party asserted that she was being denied medical assistance by Pakistani authorities and that there was a serious threat to her life.
The Brenthurst Foundation, a think tank in Johannesburg, and the SABI Strategy Group conducted a poll of voters in February and found that 39% of respondents supported the African National Congress (ANC), down from 44% in November 2022

An African National Congress (ANC) supporter waves a flag during the 112th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the party, at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, January 13, 2024. REUTERS

A survey indicates that the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa may lose its parliamentary majority in May, marking the first time since Nelson Mandela led the party to power during the end of apartheid 30 years ago.

This could pave the way for coalition rule.

On May 29, South Africans will cast their ballots to choose a new National Assembly, which will select the countrys next president.

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The Brenthurst Foundation, a think tank located in Johannesburg, and the SABI Strategy Group conducted a poll of voters in February and found that 39% of respondents supported the African National Congress (ANC), down from 41% in October and 44% in November 2022.

The survey was modelled on the 66% turnout of the last general election in 2019, when the ANC got more than 57% of the vote.

A result below 50% in May would mean the former liberation movement would be forced to enter into a coalition with smaller parties to govern the country, a far cry from its best-ever result in 2004 under Thabo Mbeki when it secured almost 70% of the vote.

The ANCs image has been tarnished in the past decade by economic stagnation, rising unemployment and repeated corruption scandals involving its top officials.

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Its current leader, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has tried to clean up the partys reputation and revive the economy since replacing Jacob Zuma in 2018, but has struggled to make much headway.

Rolling power cuts that have become part of daily life are symptomatic of the ANCs lacklustre track record on service delivery.

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Ramaphosa said last month that the ANC would work to resolve the countrys challenges should it win decisively at the polls.

Over three-quarters of the Brenthurst/SABI surveys respondents said they would be happy with a coalition government.

The survey showed support for the biggest opposition party the Democratic Alliance at 27%, up from 23% in Octobers survey, while support for the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters party fell to 10% from 17% in October.

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Support for the newly-formed uMkhonto weSizwe party, which has been endorsed by Zuma, was seen at 13%.

The telephone survey was nationally representative, targeted only registered voters and had a 3% margin of error at the 95% confidence level.

The Brenthurst Foundation was set up by the Oppenheimers, heirs to the De Beers diamond fortune.

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With inputs from Reuters
Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong announced at a meeting on Sunday that 138 public health physicians and twenty military surgeons will be stationed in 20 hospitals for a period of four weeks

In an effort to assist in caring for patients impacted by the almost 12,000 trainee doctors walkout from 100 hospitals over government reform plans, South Korea will begin sending military physicians and medical professionals from public health centres to hospitals that are affected by the strike on Monday.

Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong announced at a meeting on Sunday that 138 public health physicians and twenty military surgeons will be stationed in 20 hospitals for a period of four weeks.

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According to a briefing by the defence ministry, the number of military doctors called upon to assist has only been a small portion of the about 2,400 military doctors.

While some hospitals have been forced to turn away patients and postpone medical operations, the administration has disputed that the strike, which began on February 20, has resulted in a serious health crisis.

As of Friday morning, nearly 12,000 protesting doctors at 100 hospitals had left their posts in a dispute over a government plan to increase medical school admissions, health ministry data showed, defying pressure from authorities to return to work.

South Korean authorities have been trying to coax the doctors to return to work by warning them that their medical licences could be suspended but so far appear to have had little success with the tactic.

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The health ministry said notices had been sent to more than 4,900 doctors as of Friday to instruct them that authorities could start suspending licences if they did not explain their action.

Doctors who returned to work before the administrative measure to suspend licences was complete would be given leniency, Cho told KBS Radio on Monday.

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The government has the power to order doctors back to work if it deems there is a serious risk to lives and public health.

The government has said the plan to increase annual medical school admissions by 2,000 starting from 2025 is vital to remedy a shortage of doctors in one of the worlds fastest-ageing societies.

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The striking doctors argue that simply adding medical students will not address pay and work conditions, and could possibly exacerbate the problems.

Critics of the policy also accuse President Yoon Suk Yeol of picking a fight over medical reforms to benefit his party ahead of parliamentary elections in April.

A survey published last week by the Yonhap news agency found 84% of respondents supported adding more doctors, while 43% said striking physicians should be sternly punished.
The declaration comes in response to the UN Security Councils request for a ceasefire during this weeks Ramadan. The paramilitary RSF declared its approval of the ceasefire request

Sudan's foreign ministry, which supports the armed forces, stated that the RSF would have to leave its stronghold of El Gezira and Sennar states, as well as a number of cities in Darfur, in order for any ceasefire request to be granted Image Courtesy Agencies

Senior Sudanese armed forces general Yasser al-Atta declared on Sunday that there would be no truce in the country during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan unless the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) group left civilians homes and places of business.

The declaration comes in response to the UN Security Councils request for a ceasefire during this weeks Ramadan. The paramilitary RSF declared its approval of the ceasefire request.

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Atta mentioned recent military victories by the army in Omdurman, a portion of Sudans larger capital, in his statement, which was released on the armys official Telegram channel.

It stated that there would be no Ramadan truce until the RSF complied with a pledge made in May of last year in Jeddah during negotiations mediated by the United States and Saudi Arabia to leave civilian homes and public spaces.

Additionally, it stated that Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF commander also known as Hemedti, had no place in Sudans future armed forces or politics.

In mid-April 2023, disagreements over a plan for the countrys transition to civilian government led to the outbreak of war between the RSF and the Sudanese army. The two groups orchestrated a coup in 2021 that halted an earlier change when the despotic former leader was overthrown in 2019.

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For the most part of the battle, the army has been militarily behind. In the early days of warfare, the RSF controlled sizable portions of the capital.

Nearly 25 million people, or half of Sudans population, according to the U.N., require aid; 8 million have fled their homes; and the number of hungry people is growing. According to Washington, war crimes have been perpetrated by the belligerents.

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A truce during Ramadan has also been advocated by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The ambassador of Sudan to the United Nations stated before the security council on Thursday that while Guterres request was applauded, the head of the army and ruling council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was unsure of how it could be carried out.

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Sudans foreign ministry, which supports the armed forces, stated that the RSF would have to leave its stronghold of El Gezira and Sennar states, as well as a number of cities in Darfur, in order for any ceasefire request to be granted.
Sweden set aside decades of post-World War II neutrality when it formally joined Nato last Thursday. Its neighbour Finland had already joined in April last year in another historic move ending years of military non-alignment

Two years after Russias invasion of Ukraine convinced its reluctant populace to seek safety under NATOs security umbrella, Sweden officially became the 32nd member of the alliance on Monday when its national flag was raised at NATO headquarters.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson watched as two soldiers hoisted the blue banner with the yellow cross in the center of the official circle of national flags at the headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, in the pouring rain.

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We have pride in our humility as well. Just before the ceremony, Kristersson told reporters, We know there are high expectations for Sweden, but we also have high expectations for ourselves. With our allies, we will share responsibilities, risks, and burdens.

Sweden set aside decades of post-World War II neutrality when it formally joined Nato last Thursday. Its neighbour Finland had already joined in April last year in another historic move ending years of military non-alignment.

Finlands defence ministry welcomed our brothers and sisters in arms on X, formerly Twitter, saying now we stand at the beginning of a new era. Together and with other allies in peace, in crisis and beyond.

President Vladimir Putins decision to order Russian troops into Ukraine in February 2022 triggered an about-face in public opinion in both countries, and within three months they had applied to join the worlds biggest security organisation.

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Putin claimed to have launched the war, at least in part, over Natos eastward expansion toward Russia, but it has swollen the alliances ranks. Nato leaders have promised that Ukraine itself will join one day, although almost certainly not while the conflict rages on.

When President Putin launched his full-scale invasion two years ago, he wanted less Nato, and more control over his neighbours. He wanted to destroy Ukraine as a sovereign state, but he failed, Stoltenberg said.

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Nato is now bigger and stronger. Ukraine is closer to Nato than ever before, and as the brave Ukrainians continue to fight for their freedom, we stand by their side, he said.

Swedens membership completes a strategic ring of Nato territory around the Baltic Sea. The country now benefits from the alliances collective security guarantee  Article 5 of its treaty  a vow that an attack on one of them will be met by a response from them all.

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The flag-raising ceremony came as 20,000 troops from 13 countries began Nato drills in the high north of new member Sweden, as well as its neighbours Finland and Norway.

The Nordic drill is part of wider exercises called Steadfast Defender 24, Natos largest in decades, with up to 90,000 troops taking part over several months to show any adversary that the alliance can defend all of its territory from North America up to its borders with Russia.

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With inputs from The Associated Press
Barnacles were discovered adhering to the first piece of wreckage that was positively identified as being from MH370. A flaperon from the planes right wing was among the wreckage that washed up on Reunion Island, off the coast of Africa, a year after the disaster

The jet is believed to have crashed somewhere in the Indian Ocean, but it hasn't turned up despite a ten-year, multi-national search that cost over 100 million pounds and covered 46,300 square miles Image Courtesy AP

One of the greatest aviation mysteries of the modern era is still the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. With 239 people on board, the aircraft vanished from radar on March 8, 2014, while traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

The jet is believed to have crashed somewhere in the Indian Ocean, but it hasnt turned up despite a ten-year, multi-national search that cost over 100 million pounds and covered 46,300 square miles.

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According to a Metro report, scientists are now focusing on microscopic marine life because they think it may hold the key to pinpointing the crash location.

Barnacles were discovered adhering to the first piece of wreckage that was positively identified as being from MH370. A flaperon from the planes right wing was among the wreckage that washed up on Reunion Island, off the coast of Africa, a year after the disaster. The designation 657 BB was stenciled on the debris.

The metal flaps that run along the tail edge of the wing and are visible through the windshield as the plane maneuvers are called flaperons.

Scientists believe that barnacles will be able to assist them in this regard because, similar to tree rings, the shells of these tiny monsters contain a record of their life that, if decoded, may allow researchers to trace the path the creatures took on the flaperon backwards to the impact site. Satellites and radars have been scanning the suspected crash site for years, but they have been unable to pinpoint the exact location of the plane.
Vernon and Manchester police are installing license plate readers in areas throughout both towns, this is one on Reservoir Road on Monday, July 10, 2023, in Vernon. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Vernon and Manchester police are installing license plate readers in areas throughout both towns, this is one on Reservoir Road on Monday, July 10, 2023, in Vernon. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media A license plate reader has been installed on Main Street in front of the Burger King Restaurant, a short distance from the highway ramp to Route 3 on Friday, August 11, 2023, in Glastonbury. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Among the things that helped Trooper First Class Jason Cassavechia apprehend a New York City homicide suspect in Connecticut in July 2018 was his vehicle's license plate readers. Contributed Photo / Connecticut State Police / Contributed Photo

It took an act of law to allow municipalities to install red light and speed cameras. It requires towns to file extensive plans with the state for the locations of automated traffic control devices and must by law provide a status update 18 months later.

The regulations around the use of red light and speed cameras are so onerous that West Hartford had to revise its rollout timeframe.

It just seems like a lot to get the program off the ground, and that was a little surprising, said Duane Martin, director of community development for West Hartford.

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By contrast, there are few, if any, regulations regarding the use of license plate readers or the data they collect in Connecticut. There is no information made public about precisely how many license plate readers are used in the state, though they are used by many police departments in addition to many private companies, civil liberties experts say.

Odds are, most drivers in Connecticut have been scanned hundreds if not thousands of times collectively throughout the state because the readers are so prevalent at this point, said David McGuire, CT ACLU executive director.

Proponents, such as Cheshire police chief and former president of the Connecticut Police Chief's Association, Neil Dryfe, say license plate readers are used to track and identify stolen cars, suspects in crime or missing people. Dryfe called license plate readers a "force multiplier."

"The ability to get an alert through the technology when a stolen car or a missing person or somebody who's the subject of an Amber Alert who drives into town, I think it's invaluable to be able to do that," he said.

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Critics argue that there are few differences between red light cameras and license plate readers, and while the former is heavily regulated, the latter is not regulated nearly as much and often in the hands of private companies. They raise concerns over privacy issues, data retention and sharing, and an inequitable use of surveillance technology in minority communities.

Though individual police departments may have policies in place, there is no overarching statewide policy and no agency that oversees the use of license plate readers, but individual police departments may have standing rules on the allowable uses of license plate readers and the data they collect.

There's really not much for us to glean in terms of how they're being used. All we see is the odd press release when perhaps the license plate reader plays some role in the apprehension of a suspect," McGuire said. "We are often really concerned about the use of technologies like license plate readers because they amplify the power and coverage of police, essentially, and they're often done in ways that are completely unchecked by regulators but also, many times town residents are paying for these cameras and these programs without even knowing and never being told what the public safety benefit or need is here."

When asked to explain the difference between red light cameras and license plate readers, state Department of Transportation spokesman Josh Morgan said red light cameras and other automatic traffic control devices are used for enforcement, whereas there's no enforcement mechanism behind license plate readers.

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When we're saying, automated traffic enforcement devices, that enforcement part is key, he said. That is yes, taking pictures of license plates, but then also having that verified by law enforcement and sending out either a warning or a citation.

The rise of readers

In 2011, when the legislature was considering a bill that would have governed the use of license plate readers on police cruisers, then-Redding Police Chief Douglas Fuchs testified during a legislative hearing that each license plate reader could cost $18,000 and that, as a result of the high cost, there were relatively few in use.

I believe that there are less than 15 readers currently in use throughout the entire state, he said.

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Three years later, Carroll Hughes, then the contract lobbyist for the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, testified that, These devices are in probably about 64 of our hundred police departments, including municipal and university departments.

As of 2024, it is unknown how many license plate readers are in use in Connecticut. Dryfe said Cheshire has 12 license plate readers in fixed positions, with another 13 on the back of police cruisers. Rick Green, spokesman for the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, said the state police have 14 license plate readers attached to cruisers and one stationary reader, almost as many as there were in the entire state in 2011.

The cameras work by using technology to read a license plate and then transmitting that information to the police cruisers mobile data terminal, Green said by email. The trooper in the cruiser then must individually verify the result and confirm that the correct plate was read before making a motor vehicle stop.

Green said, Information from a license plate reader may reveal an unregistered motor vehicle, suspended registration, a stolen vehicle, insurance compliance issues, a registered owner listed as a missing person, a registered owner listed as a wanted person, and vehicles wanted for use in a crime.

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In 2018, troopers from Troop A made a traffic stop using license plate readers after receiving an alert about a motor vehicle that was sought in connection with a New York City homicide, he said. The traffic stop led to the arrest of a homicide suspect and later an award for the trooper who was conducting traffic enforcement that day."

Most of the license plate readers currently in use in Connecticut are affixed to cars, either police cruisers or vehicles owned by private companies, according to Eric Jackson, executive director of UConn's Connecticut Transportation Institute, which studies traffic and crash data in the state

Jackson said there's no citations issued by a license plate reader. It's a tool that law enforcement can use, either as theyre driving through parking lots or as they're driving down the road.

There's no automated enforcement piece of just license plate readers alone, Jackson said. I've heard of towns installing license plate readers for maybe on- and off-ramps where they can kind of monitor if a stolen vehicle enters town. But those are fairly rare and far and few between.

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McGuire said there's a difference between the license plate readers used by individual police officers in the course of their duty, and those in fixed locations in a municipality. Those readers have been popping up increasingly in Connecticut in recent years, but police have, in some cases, declined to provide their locations.

"An officer sitting in his or her cruiser manually running license plates or noting them down on a on a pad is very different than setting up a stationary scanner, scanning 10s of 1000s of vehicles a day and cataloging them and keeping them in a database potentially forever," he said. "They have now added the ability to create these geo-fences and see who's coming and going, track individual vehicles, flag vehicles, with no oversight at all."

When asked if he knew how many license plate readers are being used in Connecticut, Deputy Senate Republican Leader Paul Cicarella, a Republican, said, I do not. I do know departments are using them.

Cicarella has proposed a bill this year to make stationary license plate readers more accessible to municipal police departments. He said the purpose is increasing the amount of license plate cameras in certain areas to combat theft.

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We want to try to give the tools to the officers to help these residents that are calling them every night because the officers are just as frustrated with people that are continuously victimized from the car breakage or car thefts, he said. So we are hoping to get funding to allow some of the municipalities to purchase additional LPRs.

Standardizing policy?

Max Isaacs, senior staff attorney at the Policing Project at New York University School of Law, said that without standardized policies on data retention, police departments can use the technology to build "a permanent record if they want of everywhere someone's traveled in their vehicle."

"They're basically compiling a database of everyone's locations and movements over time and without policies in place, they can retain that data indefinitely," he said.

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There have also been instances of misuse of the technology and the data it collects.

Last year, an Old Saybrook police officer was suspended after he was charged with third-degree computer crime for allegedly checking a woman's license plate to obtain her name and personal information in hopes of securing a date.

A State Police Trooper was arrested last year after police said he ran the license plate of a woman he was dating, believing the car was owned by another man.

"When you have a world in which police have the capability of setting up ALPRs at every intersection or along all of the major roads," Isaacs said "they're going to be able to identify with some precision where you were traveling or who you're meeting with or with whom you're associating."

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Isaacs also said that surveillance technology in general, including automatic license plate readers, raise "equity concerns, whether they're being deployed in ways that might exacerbate existing disparities and enforcement of laws by police."

"ALPRs are becoming more advanced. They do a lot more nowadays than just to license plates. They can detect the model of a car the color, there are all sorts of data analytics that can be used to do sort of predictive analytics," he said. "In my mind. license plate readers have a pretty profound impact on on privacy and on individual civil liberties."

The push for regulation

McGuire said the ACLU has been pushing for regulation of license plate readers for decades, at least since way back in 2011.

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I learned through some informal channels that there was a collective of police departments in the Hartford area that were deploying license plate readers, mostly mobile license plate readers at that time, and they were aggregating the data, he said. They were essentially creating a giant pool of data that they could draw from with zero oversight, zero regulation.

There were several attempts to legislatively regulate the use of license plate readers and the data they collect, but McGuire said I don't even think they got out of committee because the law enforcement lobby was so strong and pushed back and basically said this was a burgeoning technology, and they didn't, they didn't need any regulation.

The unfettered spread of license plate readers, and development of artificial intelligence, has made the issue both more important and more difficult, McGuire said.

The genies out of the bottle there, it's so widespread now, he said.

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Isaacs said other states have attempted to enact statute and policies around the use of license plate readers, with some success.

Some states have enacted laws with reporting requirements, he said. They basically need to disclose the number of LPRs you're operating.

And even when there are fewer regulations, Isaacs said appropriations act as something of a backstop.

There's some form of procurement process in which there would be at least some minimal oversight over the acquisition and deployment of that technology. But the trend that we're seeing is more and more surveillance in the hands of private entities, Isaacs said. You've basically circumvented all of those democratic checks when a private company or homeowners association puts up an ALPR network and voluntarily shares information with police.

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Dryfe added "There were police departments before license plate readers and if somebody took them all the way we would continue to to have to provide public safety services to to our communities. That said, he did call them "a valuable investigative tool."

Catching tax scofflaws

While license plate readers often tie back to law enforcement, Hartford is among the communities contracting with private companies to track tax scofflaws. The plan, city assessor John Philip said, was to look for cars that are physically here that are not registered here. But the program performed better than expected, and the city was able to identify residents not caught up on their tax payments.

Unfortunately, people that didn't do anything wrong deliberately got caught up in that broad dragnet, but that is the law of the state, he said.

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That company, Shelton-based Municipal Tax Services, canvassed the city in the overnight hours, just collecting raw data, pictures of license plates, Philip explained. That data would then be run through various databases and, if there was a hit, the company would send people a letter: You may have a tax obligation to the city of Hartford. Please call us or write to us at this phone number address.

MTS declined to comment for this story.

We do make decisions about, should we cut this person loose or not and why? Because folks have all kinds of individual stories. I'm probably a little less rigid than the company we hired, Philip said. If somebody got to me complaining about, Hey, this is totally unfair, whatever their story was, I would ask MTS, the company we hired, for a report and they would, they would send us basically a report of their findings on that particular person, and if I thought it was not a strong case, we would remove them.

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In fact, so many Hartford city residents were caught in the dragnet that a decision was made to make the pool significantly smaller. State law allows municipalities to assess taxes for the current year and three prior years, but Hartford decided to tighten that timeframe.
Orban has refused to send weapons to Kyiv and kept up close economic ties with Moscow since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022. He last met Russian President Vladimir Putin in October in China despite European Union efforts to isolate Moscow

Former US President Donald Trump greets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, US. Reuters File

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban spoke with former US President Donald Trump and learned that he would not provide funding to support Ukraine in its struggle against Russia should he win the president again. This would speed the conclusion of the war.

On Friday, Trump met with nationalist leader Orban in Florida, who is supporting his longtime allys campaign for reelection to the White House.

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He will not give a penny into the Ukraine-Russia war and therefore the war will end, Orban told state television late on Sunday. As it is obvious that Ukraine on its own cannot stand on its feet.

If the Americans do not give money and weapons, and also the Europeans, then this war will be over. And if the Americans do not give money the Europeans are unable to finance this war on their own, and then the war will end.

Orban has refused to send weapons to Kyiv and kept up close economic ties with Moscow since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022. He last met Russian President Vladimir Putin in October in China despite European Union efforts to isolate Moscow.

Orban said it was another matter how the war will be closed with peace talks after a truce, and how a stable and safe Europe would be created, but first peace must be achieved and he (Trump) has the means for that.

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A statement from Trumps campaign did not mention Ukraine, saying the pair discussed issues affecting both nations including their respective border security.

European leaders have long been nervous that another Trump presidency would mean waning US support for both Ukraine and the NATO transatlantic military alliance.
The plans were first revealed by the UK Home Office, which said Monday that the new regulations are in response to the disproportionate 120,000 dependents who accompanied 100,000 workers on the care visa route last year

Beginning this week, new visa regulations will prevent foreign caregivers, including Indians, from entering the UK with dependent family members.

The plans were first revealed by the UK Home Office, which said Monday that the new regulations are in response to the disproportionate 120,000 dependents who accompanied 100,000 workers on the care visa route last year.

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The move is intended to address visa abuse and drastically reduce net migration to the UK in order to reduce unsustainable levels of legal migration.

Care workers make an incredible contribution to our society, taking care of our loved ones in times of need. But we cannot justify inaction in the face of clear abuse, manipulation of our immigration system and unsustainable migration numbers, said UK Home Secretary James Cleverly.

It is neither right nor fair to allow this unacceptable situation to continue. We promised the British people action, and we will not rest until we have delivered on our commitment to bring numbers down substantially. Our plan is robust but fair protecting British workers while ensuring the very best international talent can work and study here, to add value to our society and grow the economy, he said.

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The changes come into force as the government prepares to lay the new rules before Parliament on Thursday. Care providers in England acting as sponsors for migrants will also be required to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) the industry regulator for Health and Social Care, a move the government says will crack down on worker exploitation and abuse within the sector.

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International care workers make an invaluable contribution caring for our loved ones, but international recruitment and more immigration are not long-term solutions to our social care needs. These rules provide a more ethical and sustainable approach, said Minister for Social Care Helen Whately.

We are boosting our homegrown workforce by reforming social care careers. These include the first ever national career path for care workers and a new care qualification. Our reforms will grow the domestic workforce and build on our success over the last year that saw more people working in social care, fewer vacancies and lower staff turnover, she said.

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The UK government says there is clear evidence that care workers have been offered visas under false pretences, travelling thousands of miles for jobs that simply dont exist or to be paid far below the minimum wage required for their work, exploiting them while undercutting British workers.

The Home Office said its actions will prevent the continued undercutting of British workers, which includes raising the salary threshold that a skilled worker must meet in order to get a visa and removing the 20 per cent going-rate discount for migrant workers in shortage occupations.

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It forms part of a wider package of measures, which the Home Office says means a total of 300,000 people who were eligible to come to the UK last year would now not be able to do so.

On Monday, the Home Secretary also commissioned a review of the Graduate Route for international students to prevent abuse, protect the integrity and quality of UK higher education, and ensure it works in the best interests of the UK. Under plans announced last year, James Cleverly will formally commission the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to ensure that demand for the Graduate Route, through which a total of 175,872 visas have been granted since it was established, is fit for purpose and focused on attracting the best and brightest to the UK.

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Indian nationals represent the largest group of students granted this visa, making up 43 per cent of grants last year, to stay on and gain work experience for at least two years after their degree.

The review of the post-study route follows changes to student visas which came into force at the start of January, ending the ability of nearly all post-graduate students to bring dependants to the UK.

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Meanwhile, from April 4, the minimum salary required for those arriving on the Skilled Worker visa will increase from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700 a 48 per cent increase. The minimum income requirement for family visas will also rise, starting at GBP 29,000 from 11 April and by early 2025 this will be increased to GBP 38,700.

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With inputs from PTI
A chain of events set off by Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henrys visit to Kenya on February 29 resulted in a near total breakdown of law and order in the Caribbean country. Heres a look at the events that led to the US evacuating its embassy staff from Haiti

The US military has airlifted non-essential embassy personnel from Haiti and has also flown in troops to bolster security at their embassy amid escalating gang violence in the Caribbean countrys capital, Port-au-Prince.

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 US militarys Southern Command said in a statement.

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As the situation in Haiti continues to remain tense, heres a timeline of events that have transpired in the past few days.

February 29: Haitis Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, landed in Nairobi to hold talks with Kenyan President William Ruto to salvage the deployment of a United Nations-backed multinational security mission in the country. This force, to be led by 1,000 Kenyan police officers, was mandated to counter the raging gang violence in Haiti. However, the Kenyan government has faced internal opposition to the plan. A court also ruled it as unconstitutional.

The gangs in Haiti used Henrys absence from the country to their advantage. Violence and heavy gunfire broke out in downtown Port-au-Prince in what a gang leader termed a demonstration against authorities. Most institutions and businesses in the city were closed by midday. People frantically tried leaving the city on foot or public transport. At least four police officers lost their lives that day.

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March 2: Gunmen breached the main prison in Haitis capital and another nearby jail. They freed over 4,700 prisoners in this raid. Multiple casualties were reported. Heavily armed gangs, which control nearly 80 per cent of Port-au-Prince, are reportedly more powerful than Haitis weak government.

March 4: Following the explosion of gang-related violence, Haitis government declared a three-day state of Emergency in the country. They also imposed a curfew extending from 6 pm to 5 am.

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March 5: Henry, who tried to fly back to Port-au-Prince on March 5, could not land there because the airport was closed. Haitian soldiers at the airport were dealing with gunmen attempting to seize it. Haitis Prime Minister could not make a landing in the neighbouring Dominican Republic either as civil aviation authorities there said they had not been provided with the necessary flight plan.

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Henry finally set foot on land when his plane landed in Puerto Rico, where he is believed to be at the moment.

March 6: Jimmy Cherizier, aka Barbecue, a police officer turned gang leader, threatened a civil war. He told reporters if Henry does not resign, and if the international community continues to support him, well be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide. Henry and his debilitated government continued to maintain a deafening silence.

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March 7: By this time, the government had extended the state of Emergency to April 3. On the heels of this announcement, intruders broke into Haitis main port terminal. The port had to suspend operations due to vandalism and sabotage. The instability also pushed the World Food Programme to suspend its maritime transport services in Port-au-Prince from distributing aid.

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March 8: Caribbean leaders called for an emergency meeting on Haitis dire situation to be held in Jamaica on Monday. They have invited the US, Canada, France, Brazil, and the UN to the meeting.

March 10: The US mission in Haiti, in a social media post, said that heightened gang violence in the neighbourhood near US embassy compounds and near the airport led to the State Departments decision to arrange for the departure of additional embassy personnel. The embassy itself continues to remain open.

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Over a century ago, after the assassination of the Haitian President in July 1915, President Woodrow Wilson sent the US Marines to Haiti to restore order and maintain political and economic stability in the Caribbean. This occupation lasted till 1934. That was the last overt interference of such scale that the US carried out in Haiti.
He further stressed that the US Mission in India has increased staffing and harnessed technological innovations to meet the unprecedented demand and process more visas than ever before

The US envoy arrived to support the embassy team for the first of four "Super Saturday" visa processing events held by the US Embassy in New Delhi in 2024 Image Courtesy AP

According to a news release from the US Embassy, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti interviewed more than 1,000 applications for guest visas on Monday alongside the consular team at the US Embassy.

The US envoy arrived to support the embassy team for the first of four Super Saturday visa processing events held by the US Embassy in New Delhi in 2024.

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Ambassador Garcetti said, The foundation of our US-India partnership is the network of relationships that individuals form when they work, travel, and study in the United States.

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi opened its doors on Saturday, March 9, 2024, to interview over 1,000 visitor visa applicants. Ambassador Garcetti joined the Embassy team to support the surge and assist in the fingerprint verification process, the US Embassy said in a statement.

US envoy Garcetti said, Were doing everything we can to facilitate the visa process and support critical people-to-people connections.

He further stressed that the US Mission in India has increased staffing and harnessed technological innovations to meet the unprecedented demand and process more visas than ever before.

Earlier in 2023, the US Embassy and Consulates in India processed a record-smashing 1.4 million US visas.

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Demand across all visa classes was unprecedented, with a 60 per cent increase in applications compared to 2022, the statement added.

Remarkably, one in ten international applicants for US visas are Indian.

Furthermore, nationwide appointment wait times for visitor visas have decreased from an average of 1,000 days to just 250 days due to process upgrades and personnel increases, with the lowest wait times across all categories.

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(With agency inputs)
Motoriot co-founders Jason Doornick, left, and Charles Narwold, right, opened the first official showroom for their custom classic car company at 21 Bridge St. in Kent on Feb. 1. Jason Doornick/contributed photo Motoriot co-founders Jason Doornick and Charles Narwold opened the first official showroom for their custom classic car company at 21 Bridge St. in Kent on Feb. 1. Jason Doornick/contributed photo Motoriot co-founders Jason Doornick and Charles Narwold opened the first official showroom for their custom classic car company at 21 Bridge St. in Kent on Feb. 1. Pictured here is Jason Doornick, who previously worked as the personal assistant and mechanic for former actor Paul Walker. Jason Doornick/contributed photo Motoriot co-founders Jason Doornick and Charles Narwold opened the first official showroom for their custom classic car company at 21 Bridge St. in Kent on Feb. 1. The duo are also working on a documentary series about their travels around the world to source cars. Jason Doornick/contributed photo

KENT  From the moment customers step into Motoriots showroom in downtown Kent, they become part of the stories surrounding the company and its inventory of imported and custom cars, said Jason Doornick.

We want people to come to our car shop and feel like they can read the history of our cars and even purchase a car, the Motoriot co-founder said. You become part of that narrative as the owner of one of our cars.

Doornick said storytelling is a major theme in the brand he and Motoriot co-founder Charles Narwold have been cultivating since 2022, when the childhood friends combined their creative backgrounds to open Motoriot.

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After three years of operating Motoriot out of Doornicks classic car business Doornick Driven LLC in Stamford, Doornick and Narwold opened Motoriots first official location at 21 Bridge St. in Kent on Feb. 1. Doornick, who lives in Stamford, is continuing to run Doornick Driven in addition to Motoriot.

In addition to its showroom of globally sourced classic cars, Motoriot offers full classic car restorations, maintenance, repair and customizations at its new Kent storefront.

We build the brand around transparency and showing clients what our process is, said Doornick, whose career has included a stint as the mechanic and personal assistant for the late actor Paul Walker. We design by trial and error and use a very, very thorough build sheet that allows clients to pick every single aspect of what they want to do with the car. Its completely tailored.

Revving their creative engines

Doornick and Narwold found their way into the classic car market while expanding their creative backgrounds.

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Narwold, who is originally from West Hartford, was involved in the music touring industry, playing guitar for the indie pop band The Drums, according to the Motoriot website.

Growing up in Kent with two creative parents, Doornick said he knew from a young age he wanted to be artistic: his mother Sandra Filippucci is a painter and sculptor while his father Robert Doornick, founder of International Robotics, created and voiced the robot Sico featured in the film Rocky IV.

Doornick enrolled in the California Institute of the Arts in Santa Clarita, Calif., where he earned a masters degree in music composition. He said he met Walker and Walkers friend and financial advisor, Roger Rodas, through fixing a car in Walkers private car collection, and worked at their company Always Evolving to pay his way through school.

Doornick said his work as Walkers mechanic led to a career in car restoration as well as stunt work for the film industry. After Walker and Rodas were killed in a car crash north of Los Angeles in 2013, Doornick said he had two choices: continue his stunt career or use the skills he acquired from working with Rodas and Walker.

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He moved back to the East Coast where he opened Doornick Driven LLC in Stamford in 2018. Yet even as business thrived, Doornick said he realized he was not at the creative desire that I needed to be fulfilled, and he began traveling around the world to source cars. He invited Narwold to join him on his travels, and Motoriot was born.

Narwold, who has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in film and television from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, was involved in the production world before joining the music touring industry, according to Motoriots website. The Brooklyn, N.Y. resident later became involved in real estate investing and spent years developing, designing and operating investment properties in New York City and Los Angeles, the website said.

Doornick said their goal is to have eight to 10 locations for Motoriot in the countrys major cities, including New York City, Miami, Austin, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. He said they also want to create a virtual environment where people can explore Motoriots showroom.

Doornick said Motoriot will be opening an EV branch that will offer electric vehicle conversions. He said he and Narwold hope to eventually offer affordable repair services for single parents and college students who cant afford to update their car maintenance.

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Beyond their business, Doornick said he and Narwold are working on a documentary series on their adventures in sourcing cars from around the globe. Doornick said he hopes the series  which hes tentatively named Motoriot: Auto Odysseys  will be picked up by a TV network that will help fund their journey around the world.
State Superior Court in Torrington, Conn., where court records show Jeremy Rawson, a Danbury man accused of intentionally setting a New Milford house on fire in March 2023, recently pleaded not guilty. H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media

TORRINGTON  The Danbury man accused of intentionally setting a New Milford house on fire last year has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree arson and first-degree criminal mischief, according to court records.

Jeremy Rawson, 54, entered the pleas in state Superior Court in Torrington weeks after his arrest on the Class A and D felony charges, stemming from a months-long investigation into a March 2023 blaze in the Gaylordsville section of New Milford.

Emergency personnel said they responded to a residential structure fire on Kent Road shortly before 8:20 p.m. March 31, 2023, and found flames and smoke coming from the south end of the second floor of a single-family home.

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According to the warrant for his arrest, Rawson was rescued from the roof of the residence by a New Milford resident, who said he saw smoke coming from the house and Rawson sitting hunched over on the roof of a first-floor bay window located on the south end of the home.

The witness told police that Rawsom was bleeding profusely from a laceration on his neck that went from ear to ear and said he got the cut while jumping out of a bedroom window, the warrant states.

In addition to an odor of diesel fuel or kerosene or some type of accelerant inside the residence, authorities said burn pour patterns were found in the second-floor bedroom of the home and almost everything upstairs was melted and burned.

Through execution of a search-and-seizure warrant the next day, a plastic 5-gallon container with the word kerosene imprinted on it was found in the dining room of the home and a plastic gasoline container was found in the kitchen, according to the warrant for Rawsons arrest.

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On the second floor, police said a metal utility knife with a red blood-like substance on the blade was found in the bedroom from which Rawson exited through a window on the night of the fire. A plastic lighter was also located near the entrance of the room, police said.

According to his arrest warrant, Rawson knew the owner of the home, who was out of state when the fire broke out. The owner told investigators that Rawson had lived at the residence for some time and moved out, but would occasionally work on the house and sometimes stay there if she was traveling.

The owner told police that Rawson had stayed at her home the night before the fire and gotten angry when she told him she wanted him to leave. According to the arrest warrant, Rawson allegedly refused to leave, told her she would have to evict him and threatened to harm himself.

The homeowner told police she went to state Superior Court in Torrington the next day to begin the eviction process but never told Rawson she was doing so. According to the warrant for Rawsons arrest, a state marshal told police the eviction papers had not yet been served.

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In April 2023, the homeowner sent police an email containing a voicemail message from Rawson, in which he denied setting the fire intentionally, claimed to have been cooking dinner and said he had been using paint thinner to remove paint from stairs inside the home.

The presence of a heavy petroleum distillate and gasoline residue were detected on materials seized from the residence, according to New Milford police, which said the laboratory that tested the materials advised that paint thinner is not a heavy petroleum distillate.

Rawson was arrested Jan. 25, after state police concluded that the March 2023 fire had two independent areas of origin on the second floor and was intentionally set.

He was released from custody after posting $200,000 bond last month and a protective order was issued, according to notifications from the Connecticut Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification system.

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Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
A Brontothere skeleton on display across from the Age of Mammals mural at the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media The Cyrus Cylinder from 539 BCE on display at the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media An exhibit with a white-tailed deer at the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Yale Peabody Museum Director David Skelly speaks with members of the media during a press tour of the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A bronze statue of a torosaurus looking out onto Whitney Avenue at the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A Homo Neanderthalensis skull casting is on display across from a mastodon skeleton at the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media The renovated Burke Hall of Dinosaurs photographed at the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A mastodon skeleton on display at the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media The world's first cookbook on displayed in the Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia exhibit at the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media An extinct large flightless bird, gastornis, peers at members of the media during a press tour of the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media The Age of Mammals mural by Rudoph Zallinger at the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Yale Peabody Museum Chief Preparator Marilyn Fox cleans the teeth on a skeleton of the extinct mammal, Brontothere, during the renovation of the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven on July 25, 2023. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Yale Peabody Museum Chief Preparator Marilyn Fox cleans the teeth on a skeleton of the extinct mammal, Brontothere, during the renovation of the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven on July 25, 2023. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Yale Peabody Museum Chief Preparator Marilyn Fox cleans the teeth on a skeleton of the extinct mammal, Brontothere, during the renovation of the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven on July 25, 2023. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Taylor Morrison, left, and Susan Green of Research Casting International place the last bone of a stegosaurus into place during the renovation of the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven on July 25, 2023. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

After three and a half years the Yale Peabody Museum is reopening on March 26 to allow the public to see the extensive updates made since it closed for renovations in March 2020, shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began.

"We've got a little more work to do but we're going to do a soft opening to the public," said David Skelly, director of the Peabody Museum. "What you're seeing is a combination of eight-and-a-half years of planning and three-and-a-half years of construction and almost a year of exhibit installation."

The Peabody has added about 15,000 square feet of exhibit space and new galleries. The entire second floor, which was previously occupied by administrative offices, has been converted into gallery space. Classrooms and public space have been added to create community learning space.

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"What I've hope we've done ... is really renew the way that the Peabody presents and how we interact and provide something to the public as well as the Yale community," said Skelly, indicating a gallery for teaching and a student-led exhibition. "We're bringing other voices into the museum."

A newly mounted stegosaurus exhibit photographed on on March 11, 2024 is part of the Burke Hall of Dinosaurs at the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

Interested museum-goers can go to the Peabody museum website at https://shop.peabody.yale.edu/#/Admission to reserve a time for visits during the soft reopening. The museum is using the reservation system for the first 30 days to control crowds while final touches are added. Admission is free and will continue to be free after the soft reopening period has expired.

The museum offered area media a sneak peak through its exhibits ahead of the soft opening with staff leading a tour through time, outlining the story of the earth and how life grew, evolved, died, and changed over millions of years.

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As you enter the new Central Gallery youre greeted by an Archelon, a giant sea turtle, posed fleeing for its life from a Tylosaur, an extinct marine reptilian predator.

The fossil turtle was discovered missing a rear fin. Scientists were able to see that the fin had been bitten off and healed before the turtle died. Skelly said that the paleontology curators had inadvertently conjured a scene he had imagined as a child visiting the Peabody  a pursuit out of a nature documentary.

"I've been coming here since I was five-years-old and I used to stare at that turtle for a long time," said Skelly. "My childhood fever dream has been brought to life ... that scene played out in my head when I was a kid here. It's wonderful having it and doubly wonderful that I had nothing to do with it. It was the paleontology curator's idea."

Growth, Change, Evolution and Extinction

A major theme of the renovated Peabody Museum is the story of changing life on Earth. Visitors walking into the Burke Hall of Dinosaurs are greeted by massive ammonite fossils, ancient relatives of the modern-day nautilus. Strange fossils from the Edicaran and Cambrian eras are displayed next to models reconstructing unusual, shrimp-like bodies.

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Most of the material here is from oceans before the time of the dinosaurs, said Susan Butts director of collections and research. We have a large portion of the gallery devoted to sea scorpions. The Peabody has the largest sea scorpion collection in the world  were delighted we have the opportunity to put these out on display, which we didnt before.

A restored and repositioned brontosaurus in the renovated Burke Hall of Dinosaurs at the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

Trilobites and sea scorpions emerge and give way to a giant red portal, marking off the first mass extinction event at the end of the Permian era where 95 percent of all life in the oceans died.

One of the things we want to impress on visitors is that when one thing dies out, another thing takes over in its place, said Butts. A new type of animal evolves.

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Butts pointed out that scientists knew the way animals walked on land first evolved in the water. Over millions of years those limbs and patterns of motion changed to allow for running, climbing, bipedal motion and eventually, flight. That story, from crawling out of the ocean, to standing on two legs, to flying, is illustrated using fossils.

That motion when youre capturing prey, moving your arms forward and back to your body, that becomes the flight stroke, said Butts.

She also pointed out various updates to star attractions  the Brontosaurus and Stegosaurus. The Brontosaurus was posed dynamically with its whip-like tail counterbalancing its long neck and head stretched high above museum visitors. The Stegosaurus was crouched down defensively, its neck plated in protective bones.

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Some of the dinosaurs had different bones before the renovation. Bones now known to belong to older or younger Stegosaurus specimens were replaced with bones more proportional to the age of the dinosaur on display.

The museum will also feature a display on dinosaur color. Scienctist have been able to isolate the color of dinosaur feathers and eggs when alive. Color isn't just nice to look at, it tells us a lot about how animals once lived.

An extinct large flightless bird, gastornis, peers at members of the media during a press tour of the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

"White eggs stand out, you don't want to leave your white eggs in the open," said Butts, noting that alligators and crocodiles bury their white eggs. "So we know if we find egg shells that only show us white color, that they buried their eggs."

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Leaving the world of dinosaurs, another mass extinction portal takes visitors through to a different gallery of mammal life spanning the past 66 million years. A major theme here is climate change. Chris Norris director of public programs said that at the start of mammalian life the world was much warmer, which is shown in fossils collected from Wyoming.

"You can look at the fossil record for the last 66 million years and see two profound changes," Norris said. The first is the violent, obvious change in animal and plant life after a meteor struck the Yucatan Peninsula, wiping out non-bird dinosaurs. The second is a slower, more subtle change to a cooler world. "At the end of 66 million years ... the planet is actually different. The planet we live on now is not the same planet that giant dinosaurs lived on."

As humans come on the scene, the world is in an Ice Age and covered with massive mammals. The museum features a new display exploring the complicated growth of humans and our hominid cousins.

"We have a great display of human evolution and we're talking about the amazing ways that humans interact with the environment that allowed us to thrive," said Skelly.

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New Galleries, New Voices

Upstairs the museum features a new gallery on the history of science. Instruments, mechanical computers, telescopes and early cameras line the walls. A display of scientific glassware takes up a prominent portion of the room. None of these collections had permanent homes before.

Its here that the Peabody curators begin to show part of their new approach to history. A display of Yales involvement with the eugenics movement, a pseudoscientific and racist movement to improve the quality of the human population, sits here. The display includes an IQ testing device and a probe designed to measure salivation that both belonged to Robert Yerkes, a Yale psychologist and eugenicist. The saliva measuring device, he got from (Ivan) Pavlov, said Kailen Rogers, associate director for exhibitions. The Pavlov famous for his dog conditioning experiment was a eugenicist, she added.

Deeper into the exhibit, the anthropology section opens. This section compares the histories of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia because they parallel each other, Rogers said.

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The mixed media sculpture, Eternal Cities: Excavating the Present, Unpacking the Past, by Mohamad Hafez from 2023 displayed in the Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia exhibit at the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

A huge sculptural piece named Eternal Cities by local artist and restauranter Muhammed Hafez dominates one wall. The piece features tiny, 3D printed replicas of various artifacts from the Yale Babylonian collection on display in this section tucked into a layered, lived-in cityscape made of architecture from different cultures and eras.

He built a cityscape reminiscent of Damascus  it has layers and layers of cities across millennia and is lived-in said Rogers. You see a nod to contemporary destruction in the centerpiece but ultimately its a story of hope  he devises a tribute to those cultures and places.

The tour capped off with a brief visit to America with Olmec, Inca and other pre-European contact objects. A massive reconstruction of an Olmec head overlooks a gallery featuring a cloth made of thousands of yellow and blue feathers.

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North American indigenous art and artifacts will also be displayed in several galleries, but those are not yet ready. Yale, as part of its commitment to following the updated regulations from the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, will be displaying objects once they have finished the consultation process with American tribal nations.

We really have to focus on objects where the consultation process fits with the new regs, said Skelly.

An Olmec head reproduction on display in the Mesoamerican and Andean Civilizations exhibit at the renovated Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven photographed on March 11, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

When that section is completed, it will feature a circular meditative, interactive and immersive space that mixes contemporary and ancestral works of Native Americans. Initially the objects on display will be more contemporary. Older, historical objects will be added over time. Skelly mentioned working with a Texas tribe so that a meteorite, regarded as a sacred object, would be displayed respectfully.

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After years of coordination, Colorado Parks and Wildlife aims to soon stock sterile walleye into the reservoir at Ridgway State Park.

This is part of a larger goal to increase angling opportunities in western Colorado in a way that is compatible with the native species of the Upper Colorado River Basin, said CPW aquatic biologist Eric Gardunio. This will diversify the fishery while still allowing us to maintain and accomplish other management goals within the reservoir.

The goal is to sustain a robust forage base and to maintain reproduction and recruitment for brown trout so that we will have two quality, top-end predatory fish species in Ridgway for anglers to fish for.

CPW plans to begin stocking sterile fingerling walleye into the reservoir this spring. The fish will be spawned and undergo the sterilization process at Pueblo Reservoir before being transferred to the Pueblo State Fish Hatchery.

Using these sterile walleye really allows us to diversify our fishing opportunities, said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Rachel Sralla. We are excited to add this new species to the fishery, and we look forward to developing and maintaining this population over the coming years to provide opportunity for multiple angling interests.

In order to stock a new species in western Colorado waters, CPW must write a Lake Management Plan that outlines the management strategy for a given fishery. The plans are vetted through local CPW staff and then approved by partner agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state fisheries programs from Utah and Wyoming.

For Ridgway Reservoir, two key stipulations of the plan were to stock only sterile walleye and to construct an escapement barrier on the spillway that further prevents escapement of sterile walleye and smallmouth bass into downstream waters.

The fish escapement barrier was constructed on the spillway at Ridgway Reservoir by the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and partners. That included CPW, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Tri-County Water and the Bureau of Reclamation.

CPW produces millions of sterile walleye fry each year. These fish offer managers a unique opportunity to create novel fisheries in waters where reproduction would be problematic. They also allow managers to have a greater ability to fine tune fisheries because their numbers can be driven by stocking rates.

Ridgway Reservoir, a 1,000 surface-acre reservoir, will receive 30,000 1.2-inch long walleye fingerlings annually beginning in May, provided successful sterilization is achieved. This is a relatively low stocking rate when compared to other walleye fisheries in the state.

We want to start slow with our stocking to make sure that we are maintaining the forage base and we can monitor effects on other components of the fishery, Gardunio said. Having sterile walleye available for stocking allows us to maintain the prey species in Ridgway Reservoir, providing the energetic base to grow large predatory species that many anglers are looking to catch. By controlling our stocking rates, we can also accomplish other management goals such as maintaining the trophy brown trout fishery that currently exists.Ridgway Reservoir has abundant populations of white suckers, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and crayfish. The juveniles of these species offer a robust food resource for species such as sterile walleye. When appropriate stocking rates are utilized, those prey sources should be sustainable into the future. The walleye will also help CPW with management of the smallmouth bass.

The illegal introduction of smallmouth bass really hurt our fishery and prevented us from doing some things, Ridgway State Park Manager Johnathan Freeborn said. We looked at numerous ways to mitigate those issues and chose the smallmouth bass harvest incentive tournament that has been pivotal in our management. Through the success of that tournament, we are now able to look at doing something like introducing walleye.

General harvest regulations will be in place for walleye at Ridgway Reservoir allowing anglers to keep five fish daily. Anglers harvesting walleye or perch should be sure to know how to correctly identify the two species prior to keeping a fish. While walleye anglers will be eager for this new opportunity, they should be patient as the fishery develops.

We expect it to take three to five years for the first stocked walleye to reach 14 to 16 inches in Ridgway Reservoir, Gardunio said. Ridgway walleye should grow efficiently by eating the suckers, perch, smallmouth and crayfish. I would be surprised if we dont end up with some 30-inch fish, but it may take more than 10 years to see that size fish. Once the fish are stocked as fingerlings, anglers should start catching them.

Ridgway State Park is already looking forward to hosting anglers to pursue the sport fish.

Walleye fishing is addictive, said Freeborn. Walleye fishermen travel the country to fish for walleye. We look forward to a future where our park becomes a desirable walleye fishery along with still providing opportunities for trophy brown trout and rainbow trout.

DIVERSIFYING OTHER FISHERIES

The addition of sterile walleye into Ridgway Reservoir is the latest step CPW has taken to provide diverse opportunities for anglers in western Colorado.

A Lake Management Plan for Sweitzer Lake State Park has allowed CPW to start stocking largemouth bass and bluegill at that reservoir in Delta with the goal of creating a quality warm water fishery.

CPW has added more than 200 habitat structures to Sweitzer Lake, Crawford Reservoir and Confluence Lake to improve the quality of those fisheries. Aquatic biologists have also creatively managed for unique species such as tiger trout and grayling in several high mountain lakes.

CPWs mission is to provide recreational opportunities while maintaining the wildlife resources of the state of Colorado, Gardunio said. Weve heard from our local anglers that they want more warm water fishing opportunities and diverse species, and we are trying to create that recreational opportunity in a way that is compatible with our native species conservation goals.

I fish these waters, too, and I really like fishing these waters. Im as excited about these opportunities as a lot of other people.
A research team from the University of Oxford and the University of Glasgow has found that prepayment cards provided to UK asylum seekers by the Home Office are collecting their data and controlling their behaviours in ways that have highly detrimental impacts on their wellbeing.

The research details the restrictive and isolating impacts of the Asylum Support Enablement (ASPEN) card: the prepayment card UK asylum seekers are issued with.

The research draws on analysis of 53 documents (including policy papers, legal reports, web pages and Freedom of Information Act correspondence) alongside semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 21 participants. These included asylum seekers, refugees, and advocacy organisation staff in Glasgow, as well as staff from Prepaid Financial Services (PFS)  the company that supplies the card.

The research highlights the ways that the technology is harming UK asylum seekers.

Collection of their purchasing data invades asylum seekers privacy and makes them afraid of buying the wrong thing. This is combined with highly restrictive rules, including prevention from shopping online, receiving money from friends or family, buying necessary goods such as warm clothing, and making it difficult to buy religious or culturally-appropriate foods.

Through the cards lack of consistent functionality, which means that despite already struggling to live on around 40 a week, asylum seekers are often left with no money at all. Here, they must find help from resource-stretched charities to buy food and other supplies for themselves and their children.

In addition, the cards fluorescent orange colour makes asylum seekers highly visible in public spaces, exposing them to abuse.

Sophie Bennani-Taylor, DPhil Student at Oxford Internet Institute and first author of the research, said: While much has been said about the potential for AI or Machine Learning to alter the fabric of society, the ASPEN card serves as an important reminder that even mundane technologies such as prepayment cards retain a significant capacity to inflict harm: most notably through social exclusion, financial precarity, and the heightened visibility of a marginalised group.



Our research shows how elements of the UKs Hostile Environment have become embedded in the ASPEN card: a prepayment card provided to UK asylum seekers. It demonstrates how the digitisation of welfare payments creates highly opaque conditions of data collection and new modes of social control.

The prepayment technology provided by Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) has moved from its use in the UN Refugee Agencys Cash Assistance Programme in Greece to its adoption by the UK Home Office.

This research finds that the same restrictions highlighted by prior research in Greece  including lack of mobility and constraints over what goods and services can be purchased  have made their way into the payment technology imposed on destitute asylum seekers by the Home Office.

Co-author of the research Professor Nasar Meer, of the University of Glasgow's School of Social & Political Sciences, emphasised: Uncoupling the social welfare of people seeking asylum from the rest of society is a policy choice. The lived realities of what it means for people caught in the systems that flow from this choice, as this research shows, are harrowing and should compel us to revise our entire approach.



PFS was fined in 2022 by the UK Payment Systems Regulator for engaging in cartel behaviour in prepaid cards issued to vulnerable people. The researchers argue that this record indicates a persistent pattern of exploitation of marginalised groups, raising questions about the Home Offices decision to continue working with the company in the provision of prepayment technologies to UK asylum seekers.
Army announces new policy to drive adoption of agile software development practices

By U.S. Army Public Affairs March 9, 2024

Evolving technology is changing the nature of warfare. Software has transformed from a means of operating hardware-based weapons systems to being the essential driver of nearly all the Army's weapons, business, and training platforms. The Army must be able to rapidly develop and upgrade these software-based capabilities to maintain a competitive advantage. To meet this challenge, the Army recently announced a new policy changing its approach to software development.

The new policy institutionalizes modern software development approaches across the Army, in line with industry best practices. These approaches - which include agile and lean practices - focus on iterative development and delivery of software in close coordination with users. This type of development allows software to be rapidly developed and refined over time, accelerating the Army's ability to deliver needed capabilities to soldiers.

"We're learning from current conflicts  including in Ukraine  that the Army's success on future battlefields will depend on our ability to rapidly update software and disseminate it to the operational force," said Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth. "Software development must be a source of our military advantage and the Army's new software policy will ensure we have the right processes in place to inject innovation quickly and achieve a digital transformation of our warfighting capabilities."

"Our traditional approach to software is no longer meeting the demands of our warfighters," said Gabe Camarillo, Under Secretary of the Army. "This policy represents a significant effort to comprehensively adjust our legacy software development processes in line with private sector best practices. These changes will fundamentally reshape how we develop and acquire software, making us more agile and innovative."

To accelerate adoption of these modern approaches, the policy reforms many of the institutional processes that underpin the software development lifecycle, which have historically been cumbersome and time intensive. This includes changing the way requirements for software systems are written, the types of acquisition strategies and buying models employed, and how the Army writes its requests for proposals and contracts with vendors. It also streamlines and modernizes the test and evaluation activities required, and changes how these solutions are assessed for cyber vulnerabilities. Lastly, it modifies the way cost estimates for agile software solutions are developed and how these systems are supported and maintained over time. As talent is a key driver for success, the policy also includes several initiatives focused on developing the talent and expertise needed to execute modern software development.

The reforms these institutional processes through a series of targeted reform initiatives, which can be summarized by five key changes:

1. Changing the Way Requirements Are Written: Software requirements will be captured in concise, high level needs statements in place of the detailed, prescriptive requirements documents used in the past. In line with industry best practices, soldiers will be continuously involved throughout the process to ensure solutions are refined over time consistent with user needs.

2. Employing Flexible Acquisition and Contracting Strategies: Acquisition and contracting strategies for software development efforts will provide the ability to quickly adapt to changing requirements. This includes maximizing use of the Software Acquisition Pathway, which is tailored for rapid and iterative delivery consistent with industry practices; employing flexible contracting strategies such as modular contracting; and using the appropriate contract types that allow for refinement of the requirements as the software evolves and user needs change.

3. Streamlining and Modernizing Key Processes: Traditional, manual processes associated with software development and deployment will be streamlined and modernized to reduce the time and resources required to deliver software. This includes reducing duplicative test requirements and streamlining cybersecurity processes, including the process to achieve authority to operate on Army networks.

4. Adopting a New Sustainment Model: Software-based systems will no longer follow the traditional process in which a system transitions to sustainment once development is complete. In line with industry best practices, these systems will instead plan for continuous improvement and development over the entirety of the lifecycle. This change recognizes that modern software development is never complete.

5. Developing Talent & Expertise: Personnel trained in various aspects of modern software development practices will be made available to assist Army organizations in the implementation of modern software development practices. This includes establishment of the Digital Capabilities Contracting Center of Excellence at Aberdeen Proving Ground to improve and streamline contracting processes for software development efforts. And the establishment of the Software Management and Response Team, a centralized team of software development experts at Army Headquarters, to provide expertise and support to software efforts planned across the enterprise. Simultaneously, the Army will explore ways to more broadly attract, retain, and train personnel skilled in modern development.

The policy goes into effect immediately. As best practices in software development continue to evolve, the Army will adapt its guidance, as appropriate.

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Minister Joly meets with United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs and confirms Canadian participation in humanitarian sea corridor to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza

Global Affairs Canada

Readout

March 10, 2024 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met yesterday with His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. Minister Joly and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed discussed a number of priorities and reaffirmed their commitment to work together on international issues, including global and regional security. The two Ministers exchanged views on a range of international and regional security challenges, including the crisis in Gaza.

Minister Joly thanked Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed for the United Arab Emirates leadership in the humanitarian response to the conflict and for being a critical partner in working toward a resolution. The Ministers discussed the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian civilians and agreed on the need to increase access to humanitarian aid through all means possible. Minister Joly committed that Canada will join the international coalition working together to increase the flow of aid to Gaza through a humanitarian sea corridor originating from Cyprus.

Minister Joly reiterated her commitment to advancing the Canada-United Arab Emirates bilateral relationship, including through strong economic ties.

Minister Joly welcomed the momentum in the Canada-United Arab Emirates bilateral relationship as we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations this year and expressed Canada's interest in continued engagement.

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Rental signs in front of a building in the Brookfield Four Corners area. Wednesday, November 29, 2023, Brookfield, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

One of the most compelling moments of Connecticut's legislative session so far came in late-February, a few minutes into what would be a 13-hour public hearing in front of the state's Housing Committee.

Hannah Srajer, president of Connecticut Tenants Union, was testifying in favor of a near-complete ban on "no-fault" eviction, meaning instances in which landlords decline to renew a tenant's lease without providing a reason. Sen. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, a landlord, staunchly opposed the measure.

What started as a fairly typical exchange, with Sampson asking questions and Srajer answering them, soon became something more interesting and unusual: a public argument between a tenant and a landlord about not only no-fault evictions but also the broader relationship between those who own rental properties and those who live in them.

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Sampson, who would later compare tenant protections to slavery for landlords, argued landlords have a right to maximize their profit under a free-market system. Srajer countered that landlords have too much power over tenants, who have little recourse when their homes are decrepit or unsafe.

"Would you agree there's a power imbalance between the person who owns the property and the person who seeks to be housed by the property?" Srajer asked Sampson.

"Yes, and generally speaking it's in favor of the tenant," replied Sampson, drawing nervous laughter from the audience and a seemingly stunned silence from Srajer.

For years, housing has been one of the most contentious subjects with Connecticut's state legislature, as advocates have pleaded for action to address insufficient supply and rising rents. But while debates over zoning policy and new construction have often drawn the most attention, policy fights between tenants and landlords have grown increasingly frequent  and increasingly heated.

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Hannah Srajer, president of Connecticut Tenants Union, testifies in front of the legislature's Housing Committee on Feb. 20. Screen shot via CTN

This year alone, the Housing Committee has approved not only the ban on no-fault evictions, but also a proposal to block landlords from considering a prospective tenant's criminal record and another that would require at least 60 days notice for any rent increases. All three bills now advance to the broader legislature, where they are likely to provoke further debate.

On both sides of the tenant-landlord divide, advocates say they're more motivated and more organized than ever. The clash of interests, it seems, is only beginning.

No-fault eviction

Last year, a loosely affiliated group of tenants unions lobbied passionately for a bill to cap annual rent increases, showing up by the hundreds to testify at a public hearing on the subject.

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The bill didn't pass  or even advance out of the Housing Committee  but the legislature did ultimately approve a measure that limited what fees landlords could charge renters and banned small landlords from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation, among other tenant protections.

The tenant unions hadn't gotten everything they wanted, but they had shown their strength and tasted the influence organized tenants could have at the legislature. Last summer, the unions came together more formally as the Connecticut Tenants Union, electing officers and approving a constitution.

Ahead of this year's session, CTTU leaders decided not to renew their push for a rent cap but instead to focus on fighting no-fault evictions. Luke Melonakos-Harrison, the union's political director, said the practice of booting renters after their leases expire is often used against tenant organizers and others who raise a fuss about their living conditions.

"This class of evictions is used as explicit retaliation but also as an always-in-the-background threat of, 'If you rock the boat, we can kick you out and we don't have to prove why,'" Melonakos-Harrison said. "It really hangs like a shadow over anyone who's a tenant who's dealing with issues."

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Beyond retaliation, Melonakos-Harrison said, landlords have used no-fault evictions to clear tenants from their buildings so they can raise rents for future, wealthier occupants. The state saw more than 2,000 no-fault evictions in 2022, according to the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, a figure that does not count instances when tenants moved out at a landlord's request to avoid having an eviction on their record.

Under the Housing Committee's proposed legislation, known as Senate Bill 143, landlords of buildings with five or more units would have to provide a reason (nonpayment of rent, illegal behavior, violation of a lease, etc.) for evicting a tenant even after the tenant's lease has expired. Similar laws exist in several other states, including New Jersey, California and Oregon.

Make the Road Connecticut, an immigrant-advocacy group, has been another loud voice in the fight to ban no-fault evictions. Giselle Chavez, a Bridgeport-based housing equity organizer, said the practice gives landlords too much leverage, leaving families powerless and unstable.

"This whole thing is just based on a human right that we should have," Chavez said. "We're not taking anything away from the landlords, we just want to make the landlords responsible for what should be done."

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Connecticut law already protects against no-fault evictions for elderly and disabled people. CTTU, Make the Road and other advocates have asked: Why not for everyone else?

Landlords, including those in the state legislature, have sought to answer that question. As strong as tenants came out in favor the bill on no-fault evictions, landlords came out just as strongly against, testifying en masse at the recent public hearing.

Some argued a ban on no-fault evictions  also known as "time-lapse" evictions  would unfairly constrain landlords' ability to profit on their property. Others said the policy would hurt "good tenants" by making it more difficult to evict bad ones.

John Souza, a Hartford-based landlord and president of the Connecticut Coalition of Property Owners, said in an interview that landlords often have legitimate reasons for declining to renew leases and view no-fault evictions as a "graceful way" to boot tenants without dragging them to court.

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"We don't make people stay married, and we shouldn't make people stay in a relationship with a tenant if we don't want to," he said.

Souza said debates over rental policy, starting with the proposed rent cap last year, have energized Connecticut landlords, spurring them to political participation. Just as tenants have become more organized, he said, so have landlords.

"Traditionally with landlords, it's been like herding cats to get them to do stuff," Soutza said. "But I think after the last couple of years, they're more aware of what's going on and they're willing to do some testimony and defend some of what they earn."

Tenants vs. landlords

The bill banning no-fault evictions has spurred the most passion and generated the most controversy, but it's not the only proposal this session that pits tenants' interests against those of landlords.

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House Bill 5242, which would block landlords from considering tenants' criminal records in deciding whether to rent to them, drew support from tenants and criminal justice advocates but furious opposition from landlords.

"The arbitrary exclusion of individuals with criminal records perpetuates cycles of poverty and family separation," testified one tenant, whose husband had an application rejected due to past convictions. "It denies families like mine the chance to thrive and denies individuals the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society."

"The peaceful people of Connecticut should be allowed to stay in a safe home without worrying about sharing living quarters with dangerous criminals," countered the managing officer of a property group.

The tenant vs. landlord dynamic repeated itself with House Bill 5156, which would require landlords to give at least 60 days notice of any rent increase.

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"As a renter, finding a new home is a stressful, time-consuming process, and being able to have advanced notice of a rent increase is essential for budgeting and decision-making," testified a tenant.

"Without providing safeguards for both tenants and landlords, this bill punishes landlords unfairly," a landlord countered.

Last week, the Housing Committee voted to advance all three of these bills on strictly bipartisan votes, with Democrats supporting and Republicans opposing each of them. Their fate now rests with the broader legislature, which is controlled by Democrats but which has often failed in recent years to pass major housing legislation.

Melonakos-Harrison, from the Connecticut Tenants Union, said he can't predict how the legislature will receive this crop of housing bills, and the no-fault eviction ban in particular. He emphasized, however, that the recent wave of tenant organizing and action won't end with this session.

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March 10 USCENTCOM Conducts Humanitarian Airdrops into Gaza

U.S. Central Command

Press Release | March 10, 2024

USCENTCOM

March 10, 2024

Release Number 20240310 - 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. -- U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on March 10, 2024, at 2:07 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict.

The combined, joint operation included Jordanian provided meals and a U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft. A U.S. C-130 dropped over 11,500 meal equivalents, as well as other food including rice, flour, pasta, and canned food, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance in Northern Gaza.

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.



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Hezbollah fires dozens of missiles at Israeli regime positions

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 10, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, has targeted the positions of Zionist soldiers near the border just hours after raining down missiles on the regime's military targets in the occupied Shebaa Farms.

A Hezbollah statement cited by Beirut-based Al Manar TV, said it forces target Israeli soldiers inside Barka Risha site located in occupied Palestinian territory, with Burkan missile.

In late Sunday night, the Lebanese resistance movement fire more than 30 missiles on Israeli targets in the occupied Shebaa Farms

According to Arab media reports, Hezbollah's missiles directly hit the Israeli regime's spy equipment.

The resistance movement also launched attacks on four Israeli military bases in various locations. The regime also artillery at Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon as well.

Earlier on Sunday, Hezbollah also launched missile attacks on locations in the northern Israeli-occupied territories, setting off sirens in settlements in the Galilee region.

Hezbollah has been engaged in operations against Israeli positions at Lebanon's border since October 8, a day after the regime unleashed its war on Gaza following Al Aqsa Storm Operation by the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, earlier that day.

Hezbollah says it has inflicted heavy losses on the regime, but Israeli authorities hide real numbers of military fatalities and the extent of the material damage caused.

The movement has also time and again said that its operations targeting the northern parts of the occupied territories are aimed at providing support to the Palestinian resistance fighters battling Israeli forces in Gaza, which is located at the border with the southern parts of the Israeli-occupied land.



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Yemen's Houthi leader vows to continue operations in regional waters

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 10, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- leader of Yemen's ruling Houthi Ansarullah Movement says his country will continue carrying out operations in regional waters as part of efforts to force an end to the Israeli aggression in Gaza and to defend Yemen's territorial integrity against US and British attacks.

Seyyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said on Sunday that it is an honor for the Yemeni nation to show sympathy for "the pains of the Islamic Ummah" and the oppression that has been inflicted on the people in Palestine.

"We will continue our operations and many of our fundamental and necessary activities must continue," said Houthi in an address to clerics and officials of Yemen's legal government in a ceremony held on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan.

He also called on the Yemeni nation to show support for people in Palestine by continuing to hold demonstrations on the streets.

Yemen has been carrying out attacks on Israeli-linked ships sailing in waters off the country since mid-November in a show of support for Palestinians fighting the Israeli aggression in Gaza.

The Yemenis have also launched numerous attacks on US and British ships in the region in response to airstrikes by the two countries on targets across Yemen, which began in mid-January.

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Israeli minister claims to relocate one million Gazans from Rafah

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 10, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz has confirmed the plan to forcibly relocate more than one million Palestinians from Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Katz said that the occupying Israeli army had relocated one million Palestinians to the south and must relocate them again prior to the Rafah operation, IRNA cited Palestinian news agency Samaa on Sunday.

Recently, in response to US President Joe Biden's remarks about avoiding an attack on Rafah, the Zionist minister claimed that despite criticism of Tel Aviv, Washington still supports the war against Gaza.

Pointing to the only demand of the US on evacuating the citizens from Rafah before the attack, he noted that they will relocate Gazans in Rafah before and during the operation.

The US and the Zionist security apparatus have warned Netanyahu's cabinet against attacking Rafah during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Israeli regime waged its genocidal war against Gaza on October 7 after Hamas launched a surprise multi-pronged attack against the occupied territories in response to more than seven decades of occupation and suppression.

So far, more than 30,960 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in the Zionist regime's bloody war on Gaza and many more have been injured.

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85 Palestinians killed in Gaza in past 24 hours

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 10, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Gaza health ministry has announced the latest casualties in Gaza, reporting that 85 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours.

Additionally, the ministry disclosed that the death toll has now reached 31,045 since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, as reported by the Palestinian media on Sunday.

The report also indicates that the number of wounded has surpassed 72,000.

Despite aggression against Gaza, global efforts to cease the crisis continue, while the occupiers persist in committing crimes and attempting to create another tragedy.

In a related development, Catherine Russell, the Executive Director of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), once emphasized that "every minute counts" for children in Gaza facing "deadly" malnutrition.

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Several rockets fired from Lebanon toward Israeli-occupied territories

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 10, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- News sources have reported that several rockets were fired from Lebanon at an Israeli settlement located in Mount Meron north of occupied Palestine on Sunday.

Israeli media reported on Sunday that about a dozen rockets were fired from Lebanon toward an Israeli settlement located in Mount Meron north of occupied Palestine.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the attack, for which Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah claimed responsibility saying it fired dozens of Katyusha rockets at the town of Meron.

Also, Al Mayadeen news television channel, quoting the Zionist regime's media, reported that Lebanon's Hezbollah fired rockets at the "Meron" region in the north of occupied Palestine.

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Yemen army simulates attack on Israeli Dimona atomic site

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 10, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni Armed Forces have simulated and exercised attacks on the Dimona nuclear plant and command centers of the Israeli regime during new military drills.

According to Lebanon's Al Mayadeen TV channel, concurrent with the Yemeni army's military operation against US, UK, and Israeli ships in the Red Sea, the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a new military exercise titled "Our path leads to al-Quds."

The drills consist of striking the Dimona nuclear plant, raiding Israeli bases in the Negev desert, dominating Israeli settlements as well as targeting US and UK supplies for the regime.

The 6th Military Region of the Yemeni army, especially missile, drone, and heavy weapons units participated in the military exercise.

Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, member of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen, emphasized that the Yemeni people will stand with Palestine and that the Yemeni armed forces are advancing, and consequently, the enemy has become familiar with the accuracy of Yemen's arms.

Pointing to the United States' illusion, he ruled out Washington's belief that Yemeni weapons come from abroad and emphasized the missiles targeting ships in the Red Sea are manufactured inside Yemen.

Different units of the 37th Armored Brigade of the Yemeni Army also conducted exercises under the slogan "High Morale" in the Maarib Governorate.

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Zionist leaders agree to continue Gaza war: Israeli media

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 10, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Israeli regime's leaders have agreed to continue the Gaza war, especially in Rafah, according to Zionist media.

The Zionist regime's army is on its way to Rafah, and the high-ranking Israeli officials have agreed to continue the war in the southern Gaza Strip, Zionist media reported on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Zionist army spokesman announced that the Chief of the General Staff of the Army, the head of the internal security system known as "Shin Bet", the commander of the southern region, the deputy head of Shin Bet, and other commanders have agreed with the plans for the continuation of the war.

The Zionist army's aggression on the Gaza Strip has been carried out with the green light and full support of the US government.

The Palestinian resistance groups launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm from Gaza against the Israeli regime's positions on October 7, 2023.

The Israeli regime has closed the crossings of the Gaza Strip and is bombarding this area to retaliate against the "Al-Aqsa Storm" attacks, compensate for its defeat, and stop the resistance operations.

The Ministry of Health of Gaza announced on Saturday that the number of martyrs in Gaza has reached 30,960 and the number of injured has reached 72, 524 and 72 percent of these victims are women and children.

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Resistance fighters hunt down Zionist drones over Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 10, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement announced on Saturday night that its fighters succeeded in hunting down two more drones of the Zionist regime.

In a statement cited by the Al Jazeera news network, Qassam Brigades said two quadcopters of the regime were spotted while they were engaged in spy operations in the skies over Gaza.

According to the statement, the two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) came under the control of resistance forces in the south of Al-Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza City.

Just over a week ago, the group intercepted and captured Israel's SkyLark UAV over the same region in Gaza.

Resistance groups in the region, including those operating inside Palestine as well as Yemen's Ansarullah, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iraq's Islamic Resistance have captured and downed several Israeli and American drones over the past couple of months.

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Telegraph: NATO should prepare for US to leave

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sun / 10 March 2024 / 12:37

Diplomats in Europe and beyond believe a Donald Trump reelection could lead to Washington quitting the bloc.

Tehran-ISNA- NATO could face a serious risk of the US leaving the alliance if Donald Trump is re-elected in November, the Telegraph said on Saturday, citing several diplomats from the bloc's member states. Europe's NATO countries should develop some strategy to deal with the consequences of such an eventuality and reconsider the bloc's defense capabilities, they warn.

The possibility of America's withdrawal is a "concern," one European diplomat told the paper. "Nobody knows what he's going to do next," he said, referring to Trump.

The former president secured his leadership in the Republican primaries earlier this week as he swept 14 out of 15 states at stake on Super Tuesday and got 995 Republican convention delegates' votes. His only opponent, Nikki Haley, dropped out of the race for the GOP nomination soon thereafter.

He is now expected to face off against President Joe Biden in November since the incumbent American leader also came out on top in the Democratic primaries.

Earlier, several former senior US officials claimed that a Trump White House could make America withdraw from NATO. Former US Defense Secretary Mark Esper made such a prediction in December 2023. According to him, Trump could start pulling US forces out of NATO countries, potentially causing "the collapse of the alliance." Reuters also reported on such a possibility at that time.

End Item



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Tracy Wodatch, president and chief executive officer of the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home, speaks in support of SB 176 at the Public Health Committee hearing on Feb. 26, 2024. Screenshot by Cris Villalonga-Vivoni Toniann Marchione, chief executive officer of Regional Hospice, speaks in support of SB 176 at the Public Health Committee hearing on Feb. 26, 2024. Screenshot by Cris Villalonga-Vivoni

Raya, 12, didn't want to live out the rest of her days in a hospital room, said Dr. Kerry Moss, who spent the past six months helping care for Raya as she battled her fatal brain tumor.

As the disease progressed, Moss noted that Raya had the support of a pediatric hospice service so she could receive care while remaining comfortably at home. She died last month.

The sad truth is that Raya and her family were lucky to have experienced the benefit of hospice because most families do not receive this service, Moss recently said in her written testimony for a bill that would require the state Department of Public Health to establish a statewide hospice program for children.

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There are only a handful of agencies specifically providing end-of-life care to children in the state, said Moss, who is also the founder of Connecticut Childrens Hospital palliative care team, the Sunflower Kids.

Every dying child in the state of Connecticut deserves this expertise and support of the hospice program, Moss said. It is time we make this a reality for our children.

The need for pediatric hospice care is felt throughout the state, even if the volume of people seeking out these services is often low, said Tracy Wodatch, president and chief executive officer of the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home.

Most hospice care works with older adults towards the end of their lives and supports their adult children. Pediatric hospice is considered a speciality within hospice care and requires providers to go through additional training.

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Although hospice work takes an emotional toll on providers, Wodatch said pediatric hospice care could be extra taxing because it requires working with dying children while also helping prepare the whole family who may have other small children.

Theres not enough agencies that can afford to train their staff specifically for pediatric care because theres not enough cases to continually feed the system to have the caregivers who are experts, Wodatch said. What were trying to do with this bill is create a structure where we can have certain hospice agencies throughout the state identified as a specialty in pediatrics and then seek added training, support and funding for that purpose."

She said theres a lot of ongoing collaboration between the agencies and hospital systems to ensure access, but it's generally very difficult to conduct referrals because options are limited.

Toniann Marchione, chief executive officer of Regional Hospice, said the pediatric patient-to-staff ratio is eight to one. Hiring for this position requires specialized nurses who are in high demand and costly to employ due to the complex nature of pediatric illnesses. In the past, the agency has attempted to recruit independently but has been unsuccessful.

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The demand for these crucial services far exceeds our current financial capacity, and we are forced to turn children away, Marchione said. Every day, families across Connecticut deal with the heartbreaking situation of caring for a terminally ill child without the specialized support and resources that hospice care can provide.

Although still early in development, state Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, who chairs the public health committee brought up three potential avenues to establish a statewide pediatric hospice program at the public hearing.

The first is creating a committee to develop a program plan, though, he noted this would most likely cause more delays. The second is expanding the services of a single agency specializing in pediatric end-of-life care. The last is offering multiple hospice organizations training opportunities for more localized support.

Moss said she welcomes any pathway, but cautioned establishing a statewide program to ensure parents and siblings receive adequate care and support will be challenging since pediatric care often involves a patients family.

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In pediatrics, we never just have a pediatric patient. We have a family, and we have siblings, and we know that being able to pass in your home promotes and fosters sibling grief in a way that no hospital experience can, Moss said. So we're not just talking about the children that are dying, although they are a priority. We're talking about the families they leave behind. In the adult world, it's the life we've lived and in the pediatric world, it's the life unlived and these children just deserve better services at the end of their life.

Wodatch said training for pediatric hospice care is typically more complex since it teaches providers how to support a family preparing to lose a child while still offering medical services to the patient for symptom management.

Marchione said they have attempted to train adult hospice staff for pediatric hospice the past at Regional Hospice. Although this was successful, she said it leads to faster worker burnout.

Nine times out of 10, they can try it, but they cant sustain it, Marchione said. It takes a very special person and a very special nurse, aide and social worker to care for hospice patients in general.

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Officials also stressed the need to include palliative care in the bills language, which is a specialized medical care for people living with serious illness.

Wodatch said palliative care usually comes up more upstream in a serious illness. However, it follows the same idea as hospice, where a patient receives holistic care, such as symptom management and psychological support for both the patient and family. At the same time, a patients medical provider can also provide coinciding curative care.

In the pediatric world, Wodatch said many doctors are hesitant to diagnose a young child with less than six months to live and commit them to hospice. Families may also not want to give up hope on finding a cure and trying other treatments.

Building palliative care into the statewide program  which the committee has since done in the bill's language  allows doctors to set their patients up with concurrent care and, if needed, easily transition them into hospice.

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Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani's testimony said hospice care is not a department specialty, so it would need to hire an outside contractor to develop the plan, which isn't included in Gov. Ned Lamonts proposed budget.

Juthani added the department recognizes the need for more qualified facilities and practitioners and wants to work with proponents as the legislation is developed.
Biden: No red line in defense of Israel

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sun / 10 March 2024 / 12:25

US President Joe Biden makes a contradictory statement, saying there are red lines that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu cannot cross, like an attack on Rafah, while also reiterating that Washington has no red lines in supplying weapons to Israel.

Tehran-ISNA- US President Joe Biden stressed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's actions towards Gaza are detrimental to "Israel", causing more harm than benefit and leading to a global backlash against the occupation entity.

"He [Netanyahu] has the right to defend Israel, the 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 said in an interview to the MSNBC broadcaster, adding that in his opinion, Netanyahu "is hurting Israel more than helping Israel by making the rest of the world" to go against what "Israel stands for", which is a "big mistake."

The US president pointed out, however, that Washington does not have any "red lines" concerning Israeli actions in Gaza. "I will never leave Israel. The defense of Israel is still critical, so there is no red line," Biden added.

Biden's statement reflects hypocrisy, as he stands by Israeli actions while also criticizing Netanyahu's government for its aggression against the Gaza Strip.

End Item





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Iranian and Qatari FMs hold phone conversation on Gaza

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sun / 10 March 2024 / 12:40

In a telephone conversation Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani discussed the latest bilateral issues as well as the regional developments including those of the Gaza Strip.

Tehran-ISNA- In a telephone conversation, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani discussed the latest bilateral issues as well as the regional developments including those of the Gaza Strip.

The two top diplomats underlined the need for the continuation of the growing trend of relations and the pursuit and implementation of the agreements signed by the two countries' heads of state.

Amirabdollahian and Al Thani exchanged views over the latest developments in Gaza and the initiatives that have been put forth for the purpose of stopping the genocide in the enclave and the siege thereof. They further stressed the need for increased efforts and political diligence to that end.

End item





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Prime Minister's Office Statement

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

10.03.2024

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, held an inter-ministerial security discussion on the issue of the shortage of prison space for security prisoners. The Prime Minister directed the Finance, Defense and National Security ministries to urgently prepare thousands of spaces for new detainees and prisoners.

The directive was issued following a discussion during which the IDF and the ISA presented their assessment that during 2024, thousands of terrorists will be arrested in Gaza and in Judea and Samaria. Since the outbreak of the war, approximately 4,000 terrorists have been arrested, most of them in Gaza, creating an urgent need to prepare for the intake of many more detainees and prisoners.

At the discussion, the Israel Prison Service presented its plans for the intake, based on the preparation of new short- and intermediate-term systems. Prime Minister Netanyahu approved the plan and directed that it be put into operation immediately.

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At the Directive of PM Netanyahu and Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz: Special Delegation of Hostages' Families to Depart This Evening for the UN Security Council Discussion in New York

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

10.03.2024

At the Directive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz: Special Delegation of Hostages' Families to Depart This Evening for the UN Security Council Discussion in New York

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today , spoke with Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz and wished him success ahead of his trip to New York this evening for the UN Security Council discussion on the findings of the report on Hamas's severe sex crimes on October 7.

Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that the request of the US, Great Britain and France to convene the Security Council immediately is an unprecedented accomplishment that was achieved thanks to the extensive diplomatic efforts led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Katz.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Katz thanked the Prime Minister for his backing and assistance, and consulted with him actions to take in order to advance an official UN declaration that Hamas is a terrorist organization and the imposition of personal sanctions on the leaders of Hamas.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Katz will take with him dozens of family members of hostages being held by Hamas, who will participate in the Security Council discussion and meet with the author of the report, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten.

Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch will accompany the visit.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

"I commend, and wish success to, all members of the delegation in the national effort to release our hostages and in the fight for our Israel's just position."

Minister of Foreign Affairs Katz:

"I thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for his backing and assistance. We indeed accomplished an important diplomatic achievement with the immediate convening of the Security Council; however, we are not stopping here. The findings of the report which describe what happened to our women on October 7 is the most severe item that has been tabled in the UN regarding the State of Israel. The religious leadership of Hamas gave orders to murder, rape and desecrate the bodies of our daughters. The hostages' families will stand beside me in order to remind the UN Secretary General and the entire world: The people of Israel will not tolerate what happened and will not relent until the UN declares Hamas a terrorist organization."

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Hamas: No agreement before full cessation of Israeli aggression, withdrawal of its forces

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 9:22 PM

The head of the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says there will be no agreement with the Israeli regime before full cessation of its aggression against the Gaza Strip and withdrawal of its forces.

Ismail Haniyeh made the remarks in a televised speech on Sunday evening on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan.

"We do not want an agreement that does not end the [Israeli] war on the Gaza Strip or [ensure] return of our displaced people to their homes, or an agreement that does not guarantee the withdrawal of the Zionist enemy from the Gaza Strip," Haniyeh asserted.

He stressed that any agreement with the Israeli regime must also address humanitarian issues in Gaza, including provision of relief aid and shelter, as well as reconstruction of the territory, while ending the Israeli siege and guaranteeing "a dignified deal for the exchange of prisoners."

"We absolutely do not want an agreement that does not address humanitarian issues of our people, especially in the northern Gaza Strip ... where children, the elderly, and women are dying because of hunger imposed by the enemy," he said.

The Hamas chief added that the movement has shown the highest degree of positivity and responsibility in order to achieve an agreement based on these principles.

He noted that any possible agreement should be implemented in three stages and must include international guarantees to oblige the occupying regime to abide by it.

Elsewhere in his speech, Haniyeh emphasized that the Zionist enemy bears full responsibility for not reaching any agreement during the ongoing talks, as it avoids giving any clear guarantees.

"I tell you clearly, responsibly, and impartially that the enemy has so far refrained from giving clear guarantees and commitments, especially with regard to stopping its war of aggression against the Gaza Strip," Haniyeh said.

Haniyeh affirmed that Hamas and its leadership are open to continuation of negotiations and any formula that would end the aggression against Gaza and Israel's crimes against Palestinians.

In his speech, he also mentioned that Hamas will not compromise "on any drop of blood of a child, woman, elder, or fighter from our people."

He warned that the Zionist enemy "is conducting a psychological war against our people to drive wedges [among Palestinian factions and] create and spread chaos."

Haniyeh, however, promised that all efforts made by Israel to this effect will fail, cautioning Palestinian groups against falling prey to rumors and malicious media campaigns launched by the enemy.

Israel's genocidal war on Gaza started on October 7, 2023 after the territory's resistance movements carried out Operation al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

The Tel Aviv regime's genocide has so far killed 31,045 Palestinians and injured 72,654 others, more than 70 percent of whom are women and children.

Israel has also imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, medicine, food and water to more than two million Palestinians living there.

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Yemeni Armed Forces will continue pro-Palestine strikes in Red Sea during Ramadan: Houthi

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 5:55 PM

The leader of Ansarullah resistance movement has reiterated the Yemeni nation's unflinching support for the Palestinian cause, emphasizing that the country's Armed Forces will continue their retaliatory strikes in the Red Sea during the holy month of Ramadan.

Speaking in a televised speech from the Yemeni capital city of Sana'a on Sunday, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi stated that Yemeni naval forces will press ahead with their campaign in solidarity with Palestinians.

He praised the people of Yemen for staging mass pro-Palestine rallies across the country on a weekly basis.

"The demonstrators, who converge on the al-Sabeen Square [in Sana'a] every week, are doing a great and epic job. They are treading the righteous path.

"Those who have not taken any stance vis-a-vis the Gaza conflict have actually reached the nadir of disbelief and infidelity," Houthi pointed out.

The Ansarullah chief went on to describe participation in pro-Palestine rallies as highly important, noting that the mass rallies send a clear message to enemies that Yemeni operations against Israel, US and UK-linked ships in the Red Sea enjoy wholehearted popular support.

"It is a matter of pride for Yemenis to be recognized as noble warriors, with a clear understanding of the Muslim world's sufferings and miseries of the oppressed Palestinian nation," Houthi said.

He also lamented the inaction of some Muslim governments in the face of ongoing Israeli crimes in Gaza, warning that such an approach will inevitably result in unpleasant consequences for all Muslims worldwide.

"What is unfolding in Gaza is part of a plot aimed at the entire Muslim Ummah. We will find ourselves in rather a perilous situation if we do not exercise greater vigilance, fail to do a jihad, and do not devote meticulous attention to the affairs of Muslims," the Ansarullah leader said.

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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Palestine a major concern for Syria: FM Mekdad

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 5:27 PM

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad says that the conflict in Palestine has turned into a major concern for Damascus as he insists that Syria will continue to support Palestine's right to an independent state with holy al-Quds as its capital.

Mekdad said on Sunday that Syria's position to support Palestinian people and their just cause has never changed since 1948 when a group of Zionists established the regime of Israel within the territories of Palestine.

He said that Syria's support for Palestine has caused problems for the Arab country in its relations with the US and certain European countries.

The minister said Syria has also maintained a clear position on the need to liberate the occupied Golan Heights, a region in southwest Syria that has been controlled by Israeli forces since 1967, adding that Damascus also supports efforts to liberate areas in southern Lebanon from Israeli occupation.

Mekdad also expressed hope that Arab countries will adopt a united stance in dealing with sanctions imposed on Syria by Western countries.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of a meeting of foreign ministers of Arab countries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The comments came amid an ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza where more than 31,000 people have been killed since early October when the regime launched its onslaught on Palestinians in response to an anti-Israeli operation by the Gaza-based resistance movement Hamas.

Syria has been a leading voice in calling for an end to US support for the Israeli regime's brutal war on Gaza.

Damascus has also witnessed an increase in resistance activities against US forces stationed in parts of Syria as part of a pro-Palestine regional campaign against occupation forces in the region.

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UNRWA warns of 'tragic' situation in northern Gaza as hunger rises

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 1:49 PM

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has warned of the "tragic" situation in the northern Gaza Strip, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged territory ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

The United Nations Relief Works and Agency (UNRWA) made the warning in a post on X on Sunday, as the Israeli regime continues to deny UN aid agencies the ability to deliver aid in the northern part of Gaza despite repeated calls.

"Ramadan is approaching. The death toll continues to rise," the UNRWA said, stressing the need for humanitarian access across Gaza and an immediate ceasefire to save lives.

The Israeli military has restricted the delivery of humanitarian supplies to northern Gaza for weeks, and thousands of children are going without sufficient food and medication.

The United Nations has already warned that child deaths will "rapidly increase" in Gaza if humanitarian aid deliveries do not immediately increase.

UNRWA has also warned about more child deaths in the Gaza Strip amid a widespread lack of food and access to safe water and medical services.

Infant, young woman die of starvation

Meanwhile, an infant and a young woman have died from severe malnutrition and dehydration in northern Gaza, where an estimated 300,000 people are facing famine as Israel blocks safe delivery of aid.

The Gaza Health Ministry announced in a statement on Saturday that a two-month-old female infant has died of malnutrition and dehydration at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.

Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra also said starvation and dehydration has killed a 20-year-old woman at Al-Shifa Hospital, where three more young people already died of the same cause last Friday.

These new victims increased the number of known starvation deaths to 25 in Gaza, he added.

Qudra also said that "the increase in death from malnourishment and dehydration confirms that the famine in northern Gaza has reached deadly levels."

Israel waged its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement 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 30,960 Palestinians and injured 72,524 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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Yemeni army simulates attacks on Israeli command centers, settlements

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 11:23 AM

Yemeni Armed Forces have simulated attacks on Israeli military command centers, strategic sites, and illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories during a military exercise, as they continue attacks in the Red Sea in retaliation for the regime's genocidal war on Gaza.

The war game, codenamed "Our path is destined to al-Quds", was conducted by forces from the Sixth Region of the Yemeni military, and intended to send a warning to Israel.

Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network reported that the exercise involved various units of the Yemeni army such as the ground force and the aerospace force.

A series of military systems and heavy weapons were employed in the drill. The units taking part in the war game carried out offense operations at strategic levels, and practiced action against the origins of possible attacks.

Yemeni Armed Forces simulated attacks on Israeli military command centers in the Negev desert region as well as neighborhoods in the southern Israeli city of Dimona, and targeted mock American and British logistic supplies intended for the Israeli military.

'US loses any attacks it wages on Yemen'

Meanwhile, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a senior member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, warned the United States against launching a ground military campaign against the Arab country, stressing that Washington should bear in mind that it will lose in any war against Sana'a.

"The US should think twice before taking such a decision as it will be the loser of any war that wages against Yemen," Houthi said.

He empathized that Washington is delusional to think the armament used by Yemeni forces in their retaliatory strikes is foreign-made.

Yemeni Armed Forces have reached a very commendable level of self-sufficiency in the production of essential combat equipment, and their weapons are entirely home-grown, the top-ranking Yemeni official noted.

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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Muslim states failed to stop Israeli massacre of Palestinians in Gaza: Turkey's Erdogan

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 10:34 AM

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Muslim-majority countries did not do enough to stop Israeli forces from killing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

During an event in Istanbul, Erdogan said that Israel's war on Gaza, which has so far killed nearly 31,000 Palestinians, shows "significant shortcomings" in the Islamic world.

"Unfortunately, the Islamic world, with its population of nearly 2 billion people, has failed to properly fulfill its brotherly duty to the Palestinians," he said.

He highlighted that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights became "just a piece of paper" when it comes to the right to live for Palestinian children, women and innocent civilians.

"[The war] has shown us that the Islamic world still has very significant shortcomings, especially in terms of acting in unity" when attempting to pressure Israel to end its operation in Gaza, the Turkish leader added.

According to Erdogan, despite the "hard work and many efforts in the diplomatic field," the Muslim-majority countries ultimately "could not prevent the deaths of innocent children of Gaza from hunger, bullets and bombs."

Erdogan has repeatedly referred to the Israeli regime as a "war criminal" and "terrorist," urging Tel Aviv to stop its war on Gaza.

Since the war erupted in Gaza, thousands of pro-Palestine protesters have staged demonstrations in support of Palestinians and protesting the Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip across the country.

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Lebanon's Hezbollah targets Israeli positions with several rockets, drones

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 10:08 AM

The Hezbollah resistance movement launched rocket and drone attacks on positions in the Israeli-occupied territories in retaliation for a deadly attack by the regime's military on southern Lebanon carried out early on Sunday.

In a statement released on Sunday, Hezbollah said that its fighters had targeted the Meron settlement in the occupied territories with Katyusha rockets.

The group said it also launched a drone attack on Israeli artillery launchers in the Arar barracks and fired rockets at a gathering of the regime's soldiers east of the Birkat Risha outpost.

The operation came "in response to the enemy's attacks on the steadfast southern villages and civilian homes, the most recent of which was the attack on ... Khirbet Selm and the martyrdom" of five people, it said.

A family of four, including a father, his pregnant wife and their two sons, and another individual, were killed in the Israeli strike on a house in the Khirbet Selm village in southern Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported.

The air raid also wounded at least nine others who lived nearby.

Also in its statement, Hezbollah said that it had conducted the operation in solidarity with the "steadfast Palestinian people" in the Gaza Strip and their "brave and honorable resistance" against a genocidal Israeli war.

The Israeli military said some 37 rockets were fired in two volleys from Lebanon at Meron, claiming that its so-called Iron Dome system had intercepted seven of the rockets.

Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire since early October, shortly after the occupying regime launched its bloody war on the besieged Gaza following a surprise operation by the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement.

The resistance group's constant rocket fire has prompted tens of thousands of Israeli settlers to flee from northern areas of the occupied territories.

Hezbollah has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the usurping entity continues its aggression against Gaza, which has so far killed at least 30,960 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 72,524 others.

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Mar. 9: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 8:38 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 31,000 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 Saturday, March 9, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Mar. 9:

Seized two quadcopter drones while they were conducting spying missions, south of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

Al-Quds Martyrs Brigades' operations on Mar. 9:

In a joint operation, shelled gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in the Abu Urayban area in the Zaytoun neighborhood with 107mm rocket salvos.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Mar. 9:

Seized a quadcopter drone during its reconnaissance mission west of Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza City.

Al-Aqsa Brigades' operations on Mar. 9:

Shelled Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles south of the Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City with mortar shells.

Targeted an Israeli military vehicle with an RPG in the axis south of the Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades' operations on Mar. 9:

Targeted positions of Israeli forces and their vehicles in the eastern areas of Jabalia town with mortar shells.

Hezbollah's operations on Mar. 9:



Eastern sector:

At around 06:30 local time, the Al-Baghdadi site was targeted with a Burkan missile.

At around 15:05 local time, Israeli soldiers in Hunin Castle were targeted with missiles.

At around 16:00 local time, the Ruwaisat al-Qarn site in Shebaa was targeted with missiles.

At around 16:00 local time, Israeli soldiers in Mount Nazir were targeted with missiles.

At around 16:05 local time, the Zibdin site in the Shebaa was targeted with missiles.

Western sector:

At around 16:00 local time, an Israeli spy drone was targeted, forcing it to retreat and return to the occupied territories.

At around 16:15 local time, Israeli soldiers at Karantina Heights were targeted with appropriate weapons.

At around 20:30 local time, Israeli vehicles were targeted as they entered the Al-Malikiyah site with appropriate weapons.

At around 21:15 local time, an Israeli force was targeted in the vicinity of Mount Adir with appropriate weapons.

Yemeni military's operations on Mar. 9

Targeted the American "PROPEL FORTUNE" ship in the Gulf of Aden with several anti-ship missiles.

Targeted several US warships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with 37 kamikaze drones.

Iraqi resistance's operations on Mar. 9

Attacked the oil refineries in occupied Haifa with drones, resulting in widespread damages.

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Israel may use chemical weapons in Gaza, Algeria warns

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 8:26 AM

Algeria has alerted the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that Israel may resort to using chemical weapons against Gaza given its insistence on violating international law.

Salima Abdelhak, Algeria's permanent representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, issued the warning on Saturday at the 105th session of the Executive Council held in The Hague.

This came after Algeria was chosen as the African region ambassador to assume the position of vice president of the Organization's Executive Council for a one-year term starting on May 12, 2024.

Abdelhak said Algeria is concerned about the Palestinian tragedy and condemns Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people in blatant violation of international law.

She also warned of the potential resurgence of chemical weapons and the risk of their deployment by non-state entities, particularly amidst ongoing armed conflicts across the globe.

There is a risk that the occupying power "may resort to the use of chemical weapons in its war against the Palestinians, given that the Zionist occupation is not a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention and is not bound by its provisions," the ambassador added.

Abdelhak went on to say that the "tragic and catastrophic" situation in Gaza underscores the importance of the OPCW persisting in its mission to uphold the Chemical Weapons Convention and ensure all countries adhere to its regulations.

She said Algeria supports the request for assistance submitted by the State of Palestine to the Technical Secretariat related to opening an investigation into the use of this type of weapon in Palestine, calling on the Technical Secretariat to provide member states with regular updates about the outcomes of these investigations.

She further noted that the increasing threat of chemical terrorism is becoming more concerning as tensions escalate in various regions, providing opportunities for terrorist organizations to engage.

This danger is further exacerbated by advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, which could potentially grant access to the production and enhancement methods of chemical weapons, Abdelhak added.

The Algerian envoy further called for enhancing international cooperation based on the directives of the Fifth Review Conference and the efforts of the Working Group on Terrorism, as well as enforcing the measures outlined in Article 10 of the Convention to prevent and protect against these threats.

Last month, Algeria had passed an initial draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, a move the United States vetoed.

Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed 30,960 Palestinians and injured 72,402 others.

The Israeli 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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Netanyahu 'hurting Israel' by not preventing more civilian deaths in Gaza: Biden

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 7:25 AM

US President Joe Biden said Saturday that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "hurting Israel" more than helping it by not doing more to prevent more civilian deaths in Gaza, after saying Israel has the "right to defend" itself.

During an interview with MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart, the US president made several contradictory remarks concerning Israel's genocidal war on Gaza.

Biden claimed that Netanyahu "has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas," 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.

Since October 7, Israel has been pounding the Gaza Strip from air, land, and sea, killing nearly 31,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, trapped in the blockaded territory.

Biden has repeatedly warned Netanyahu against the mounting civilian casualties in Gaza while continuing to provide the Israeli regimes with bombs to kill civilians amid Israel's chokehold on aid.

Elsewhere, Biden said a potential Israeli invasion of the Gaza city of Rafah, where more than 1.5 million displaced 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 settlers from rocket attacks in the region.

"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 said.

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 traveled to Israel in October shortly after the war began.

However, he declined to elaborate on how or whether such a trip might materialize.

Biden has been called "Genocide Joe" by American protesters due to his administration's unwavering 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" since the start of the war and has provided the regime with thousands of arms consignments.

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.

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Israeli air strike kills at least five civilians in southern Lebanon

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 6:27 AM

At least five people have been killed in an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon, according to first responders and local media, amid exchanges of near-daily fire between the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement and Israel since the latter launched its assault on Gaza.

Lebanon's official National News Agency reported that a family of four, including a father, his pregnant wife and their two sons, and another individual, were killed in the Israeli strike on a house in the al-Ain neighborhood of Khirbet Selm village in southern Lebanon early on Sunday.

Local sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, were quoted as saying that Israeli fighter jets launched two air-to-surface missiles at the residential building, reducing it to rubble.

Ambulance crew and relief teams recovered the bodies from under the debris and transported them to the Tibnin Governmental Hospital morgue.

The Israeli air raid also resulted in the injury of nine other people and caused serious damage to several surrounding houses.

Israel has been striking Lebanon since the beginning of the regime's hostilities in the besieged Gaza Strip on October 7.

Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has prompted retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah in support of the Palestinians in the blockaded area. The Lebanese movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the regime continues its onslaught on Gaza.

Hezbollah fighters have recently targeted Israeli troops near the border with southern Lebanon and rained down rockets on Israeli military sites, including those in Ruwaisat al-Qarn, Zibdin, and Jabal Nader regions.

Also on Saturday, Israeli warplanes bombed a house in the southern Lebanese town of Majdal Zoun, destroying it. An Israeli drone fired a missile at an empty house in the border town of Blida as well.

In mid-February, an Israeli strike knocked down part of a building in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh, killing seven members of the same family, including a child. A boy initially reported missing was found alive under the rubble.

In a separate Israeli attack, a woman and her two children were killed in the village of as-Sawana in southern Lebanon.

The occupying regime has also killed close to 31,000 Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip, most of them women and children.



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Hamas vows 'no compromise' on its demand for full Israeli withdrawal

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 12:20 AM

The Gaza Strip-based Palestinian resistance movement Hamas vows not to back down from its demand for a complete withdrawal of the Israeli regime from the territory, which has been enduring a genocidal Israeli war for the past five months.

Abu Ubaida, spokesman for Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, made the remarks in a televised statement on Friday.

"Our top priority to reach a prisoner exchange deal is the complete commitment for the halt of aggression and an enemy withdrawal, and there is no compromise on this," Abu Ubaida said.

Hamas also wants "relief for our people, the return of the displaced, and reconstruction," he added amid warnings that all-out famine is stalking Gaza as a result of the war and a siege that the regime has been simultaneously enforcing against the territory.

Israel launched the war against the Gaza Strip on October 7 after al-Aqsa Storm, a surprise operation by the coastal sliver's resistance groups against the occupied territories that was staged in protest at intensification of Tel Aviv's decades-long crimes against Palestinians.

The regime has so far during the war killed more than 30,878 Gazans, most of them women, children, and adolescents.

Hamas seized about 240 hostages in the October operation, some of whom were released during a week-long truce in November.

Some 99 hostages reportedly remain alive in Gaza and 31 have died in the regime's attacks on the coastal sliver.





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Israel's Operation in Gaza Strip Can Be Over in 1-2 Months - Netanyahu

Sputnik News

20240310

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israel's military operation against Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip could be over in one to two months, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.

"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.

"We'll go there. We're not going to leave," the prime minister said, claiming that several unspecified Arab leaders were "quietly" in favor of the upcoming Israeli offensive against Hamas in 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.

"They've left their homes because of fear that Hezbollah would perpetrate the massacres in the northern border with Lebanon that Hamas perpetrated in the border with Gaza. So we'll do whatever we can to restore security for them and bring them home ... If we have to do it with military means, we'll do so. If there's a diplomatic way to achieve it, fine. But ultimately, we'll do it," he 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.

 Sputnik

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Death Toll From Israeli Strikes on Gaza Strip Tops 31,000 - Health Ministry

Sputnik News

20240310

TUNIS (Sputnik) - 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.

"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.

 Sputnik

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France, Poland Cannot Speak for NATO - Italian Defense Minister

Sputnik News

20240310

ROME (Sputnik) - 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.

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.

"France and Poland cannot speak on behalf of NATO, which formally and voluntarily did not intervene in the conflict from the very beginning. Sending troops to Kiev is a step toward unilateral escalation that will erase the path to diplomacy," the Italian minister said.

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.

 Sputnik

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Israeli Strike on Nuseirat Camp in Gaza Kills 13 Women, Children - Reports

Sputnik News

20240310

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - At least 13 women and children were killed in an Israeli strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, Al Jazeera broadcaster reported on Sunday.

Broadcaster said that Israeli army "intensified attacks" on Palestine, adding that a residential tower in Rafah was destroyed.

According to available data, a young women and an infant died of malnutrition in Northern Gaza thus taking the number of known starvation deaths to 25.

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.

 Sputnik

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US Sends 1st Ship With Equipment to Build Temporary Pier to Deliver Aid to Gaza

Sputnik News

20240310

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - 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.

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.

 Sputnik

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No: 40, 10 March 2024, Regarding the Political Dialogue Between Turkiye and Greece

Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 10 March 2024 - Day 745

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 Ukraine has almost certainly accelerated the construction of defensive positions on several areas of the front line. This includes anti-tank dragon's teeth and ditches, infantry trenches, minefields, and fortified defensive positions.

It is highly likely the expansion of defensive lines will reduce Russia's ability to advance or exploit tactical gains as part of its ongoing offensive operations. The establishment of major defensive positions is indicative of the attritional character of the conflict and means that any attempt to conduct breaching operations will highly likely be accompanied with high losses.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of March 10, there were 53x combat engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 3x missile and 74x air strikes, carried out 69x 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 adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Muraveinya, Kopiiky, Sinne (Sumy oblast), Velykyi Burluk, Vovchans'k (Kharkiv oblast). Around 30x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Kostobobriv, Huta-Studenets'ka (Chernihiv oblast), Stara Huta, Kopiiky, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Strilecha, Starytsya, Volokhivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x assaults near Terny, Yampolivka, Spirne and Spirne (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian adversary, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novojehorivka, Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3x attacks in the vicinities of Klishchiivka, Andriivka and east of Chasiv Yar (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Druzhba and New York (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Hryhorivka, Kalynivka, Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 14x attacks in the vicinities of Berdychi, Orlivka, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). The Russian adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Oleksandropil' (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Berdychi, Semenivka, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the Russian invaders in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces, with air support, made 18x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes near Vuhledar, Vodyane, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast).

Orikhiv axis: Russian forces conducted 3x attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders south of Novodarivka and northwest of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast), Orikhiv, Novoandriivka, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Chervone, Bilohir'ya, Robotyne, Novodanylivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces do not abandon their intention to drive Ukrainian units out of their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Russian forces conducted 1x attempt to assault positions of Ukrainian defenders. More than 30x settlements, including the city of Kherson, Tyahynka, Ivanivka, Krynky (Kherson oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

During the day of March 10, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 10x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x electronic warfare station, and 2x air defense systems.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces have improved their position along the front line and defeated manpower and hardware of 21st, 60th and 67th mechanised brigades of the AFU close to Yampolovka, Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Nevskoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

Three counterattacks by units of 32nd mechanised and 57th motorised infantry brigades of the AFU were repulsed near Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses were more than 110 servicemen, two tanks, and three motor vehicles.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems have been hit.

One AFU ammunition depot has been also destroyed.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces, conducting active combat operations, have taken more advantageous front lines and defeated formations of 54th mechanized, 79th air assault, 5th assault brigades of the AFU and the 4th Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard close to Verkhnekamenskoye, Spornoye, Kurdyumovka, and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 280 servicemen, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, and five motor vehicles.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system and one D-30 howitzer have been hit, as well as two ammunition depots of the AFU.

In Avdeyevka direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, acting actively and coherently, have taken more advantageous lines and positions.

Fire damage was inflicted on manpower and hardware of 24th, 110th mechanised, 71st jaeger brigades and the 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade near Mayorsk, Novokalinovo, Berdychi, and Rozovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Two counterattacks by assault groups of the 78th Separate Air Assault Regiment of the AFU have been also repelled close to Orlovka and Tonenkoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 310 troops, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, and eight motor vehicles.

In addition, in the course of counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-manufactured M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one D-20 howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two D-30 howitzers have been destroyed.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU and the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Ugledar and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were over 150 servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, two D-20 howitzers, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

One AFU ammunition depot has also been destroyed.

In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have defeated manpower and hardware of 65th mechanised and 128th mountain assault brigades of the AFU and the enemy 126th Brigade close to Rabotino, Stepovoye (Zaporozhye region) and Ivanovka (Kherson region).

The enemy losses were up to 45 servicemen and three motor vehicles.

In addition, during the counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system, one German-manufactured Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery system, two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one D-30 howitzer were destroyed.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have destroyed one control point of the 47th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU close to Zhelannoye (Donetsk People's Republic), two fuel depots, two ammunition depots, one unmanned aerial vehicles control point of the 71st Jaeger Brigade of the AFU near Novokalinovo (Donetsk People's Republic), as well as enemy manpower and military hardware in 136 areas.

Air defence facilities have shot down three U.S.-manufactured HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system projectiles.

In addition, 130 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed close to Privolye and Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Aleksandrovka, Yasinovataya, Verkhnetoretskoye, Stepnoye, and Maryanovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Novoye, Trudovoye, Novoprokopovka, and Lyubimovka (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 577 airplanes and 267 helicopters, 14,985 unmanned aerial vehicles, 484 air defence missile systems, 15,420 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,235 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,350 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 19,572 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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HK officials clarify concerns over Article 23 legislation, refuting ill-intentioned Western hypes

Global Times

By Chen Qingqing Published: Mar 10, 2024 08:25 PM

Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo) spared no effort in accelerating the review procedures of the Article 23 legislation draft bill over the weekend and local officials constantly made clarification on some concerns raised by local lawmakers in Hong Kong, which also served as forceful rebuttals toward some ill-intentioned hypes made by Western media and political figures on the law.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said in a post published on social media on Sunday that the legislative work for the Article 23 legislation of the Basic Law is proceeding at full speed, and he has been spending his time in the LegCo or in meeting rooms, describing himself as working so hard that he's been neglecting sleep and meals.

Tang also expressed great fortune in having an efficient team, united in their goal to "legislate [the law] as soon as possible to protect our home."

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) fast-tracked the Basic Law Article 23 legislation by gazetting the draft bill on Friday and tabling it to the LegCo for the first and second readings on the same day. This is also the first time for the LegCo to handle the draft bill in such a quick manner, some observers said.

Over the weekend, local lawmakers raised various questions concerning the law, citing some public concerns such as whether exceptions will be specified for the crime of external interference and whether it's illegal for some residents to pass by certain military facilities and for photography enthusiasts to be paid for taking pictures of military restricted areas, which could constitute the offences in connection with espionage.

Some Western media, reporting in a biased manner, said that after the Article 23 legislation comes into effect, possessing a copy of secessionist Apple Daily could be considered illegal.

During the review process, Tang clarified that after the legislation is passed, whether someone in possession of items has an intent to incite secession depends on whether the possessor has a reasonable explanation.

"For example, 'I've placed it [seditious item] there for a long time, I didn't know it was still there, the purpose wasn't to incite, I didn't know about its existence,' that could constitute a reasonable explanation," Tang said.

In terms of the offence of external interference, Regina Ip, another lawmaker from the New People's Party, raised a question that many local think tanks in Hong Kong need to exchange and cooperate with foreign think tanks.

However, many directors or senior members of UK and US think tanks are former high-ranking officials of their local governments. Ip asked whether local think tanks' cooperation with foreign counterparts, including financial support, could violate the law.

Tang emphasized that institutions collaborating with foreign institutions, even governments, would not constitute the crime of external interference merely through cooperation or receiving funding.

While cooperation could potentially be considered as aligning with external forces, it would only violate the law if the other two elements are involved: the intention to cause an interference effect and the use of improper means, the official said.

In response to the smear launched by anti-China organization, the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, which blatantly requested the US to impose so-called "sanctions" on the officials of the Central Government and the HKSAR, the HKSAR government issued a statement on Sunday strongly condemning it, saying that the act of the foundation may constitute the offense of "collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security," under the National Security Law for Hong Kong.

The definition of national security is well defined in the draft bill, and it's transparent and clear. The HKSAR Chief Executive can issue a document to identify if an alleged piece of information falls into this category, Chu Kar-kin, a veteran commentator based in the HKSAR and a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times.

"The bill persevere our law and order, security our safety. Our way of living and livelihoods are not adversely affected," Chu said.

Also, some Western opinions have been questioning the short consultation period and the rushed legislative process for the Article 23 legislation.

"In fact, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the US Congress passed the Patriot Act within just three days [after its introduction]," Dominic Lee Tsz-king, a local lawmaker, told the Global Times.

At that time, there was no criticism from the international community, which clearly demonstrates a double standard consistently employed by Western countries, Lee said.

In response to concerns about whether the first and second readings of draft bill were too brief, Wang Linggui, deputy director of the State Council Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, said on Sunday that the duration of the legislative process depends on its effectiveness. "As long as it meets procedural requirements, it is considered correct," Wang said.

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US mulls extending clampdown on Chinese firms, and China experts call for more resources to support technology self-reliance

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Mar 10, 2024 08:27 PM

The US has been using an array of methods to suppress China's semiconductor industry and other high-tech sectors to contain the country's high-quality development. In the latest move, the US mulled blacklisting another Chinese chipmaker to stifle its growth.

Analysts noted that the US is unlikely to alter its strategy of impeding China's rise, and China should strive for technology self-reliance persistently.

The US is considering adding ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) to its so-called Entity List, to restrict the Chinese company's access to US supplies, Bloomberg reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Hefei-based CXMT is China's top manufacturer of dynamic random access memory chips. The company's memory chips are widely used in computer servers and internet-connected electric vehicles.

Bloomberg cited US-based Micron Technology, South Korea's Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix as CXMT's competitors.

Analysts said that the US again used the Entity List card to recklessly clamp down on China's high-tech sector. The assault on China's semiconductor industry has been expanded to cover many advanced technology fields, such as artificial intelligence (AI).

Shenzhen-based Huawei and Shanghai-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International Co, and Yangtze Memory Technologies Co were placed on the Entity List earlier.

Bloomberg reported that the potential US sanction on CXMT is a response by the Biden administration to a chip breakthrough that Huawei made in 2023, citing an interview with US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul of Texas.

"Until the US gains an upper hand in the contest with China in all technology fields, its tech war against China will show no signs of abating, even if the clampdown bedevils the US' own interests," Zhang Xiaorong, director of the Beijing-based Cutting-Edge Technology Research Institute, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The US knows it can't "decouple" from China, but it is increasingly nervous seeing China's rapid technological rise, Zhang noted.

While the US has repeatedly said that it has no interest in decoupling from China, the US government in October 2023 announced new curbs on the export of high-end AI chips to China. In August 2023, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order that would block US high-tech investments in China.

The US has kept escalating the tech assault on China, indicating that its previous policies have failed to achieve their purposes, Ma Jihua, a veteran telecom observer, told the Global Times on Sunday.

"It should be said that the US has been and is still going mad in clamping down on China's semiconductor industry. Chinese enterprises should get prepared and don't expect the US to ease its assault," said Ma.

Analysts have urged the US government to remove its high-tech clampdown on Chinese companies, in order to avoid disrupting global industry and supply chains. And, they also urged China to strive for self-reliance in technology innovation through enhanced international cooperation, given the endless US sanctioning measures.

China has placed scientific research and tech innovation as a priority of its economic development this year.

The 2024 Government Work Report said that China will strive to achieve faster development of new quality productive forces through upgrading industry and supply chains, fostering emerging industries and future-oriented industries, and promoting growth of digital economy.

China is now actively developing cutting-edge AI, quantum computing and biopharmaceuticals, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.

"These cutting-edge technologies are expected to help China break the sci-tech blockade by the US and achieve self-reliance," said Wang.

Analysts pointed out that the development of new quality productive forces is picking up pace in China and has made marked achievements.

Between 2018 and 2023, national fiscal expenditure in the sci-tech area grew from 832.7 billion yuan ($115.94 billion) to 1.06 trillion yuan, with an annual growth rate of 6.4 percent on average, according to the Ministry of Finance.

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Germany's 2025 Military Budget Lacks Up to $6.5Bln - Defense Minister

Sputnik News

20240310

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - 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.

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.

A Sputnik

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Rights Groups Say Hundreds Of Iranian Women Detained Last Year, Dozens Still Held

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda March 10, 2024

The human rights organization Hengaw said Iranian security agencies detained over 300 women for political or ideological reasons last year, with more than 100 still facing imprisonment for various charges.

According to a report released on March 8 by Hengaw, which closely tracks human rights violations in Iran, at least 325 women were apprehended by security forces across Iran in 2023. The detainees include a diverse group including at least 18 students, 17 journalists and media activists, 10 artists and actors, and seven teachers.

The same day, which was International Women's Day, the human rights monitor HRANA revealed the identities of 113 women who currently are imprisoned for their beliefs.

The charges laid against the women primarily encompass accusations of propaganda against the system, assembly and collusion, "corruption on Earth," and espionage. The allegations have led to severe penalties, including life prison sentences and multiple years of incarceration.

Hengaw's findings also highlighted the judicial proceedings against female activists in Iran during 2023.

It said at least 147 women activists were subjected to trials in Iran's judiciary system. The sentences handed down included imprisonment, lashing, and in one instance capital punishment.

In total, 139 female activists were condemned to a total of 553 years and 10 months of punitive imprisonment. Additionally, 10 individuals, apart from their prison sentences, were collectively sentenced to 557 lashes, underlining the harsh penalties faced by female activists in Iran.

Since September 2022, when 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died while in police custody for an alleged head-scarf violation, thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets to demand more freedoms and women's rights, with the judiciary, backed by lawmakers, responding to the biggest threat to the Islamic government since the 1979 revolution with a brutal crackdown.

Several thousand have been arrested, including many protesters, as well as journalists, lawyers, activists, digital rights defenders, and others. At least nine protesters have been executed after what rights groups and several Western governments have called "sham" trials.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/rights-group-iran-hundreds-women- detained-/32855793.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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Kachin offensive opens new front for overstretched Myanmar junta forces

The Kachin Independence Army adds its weight to the opposition campaign against the military regime

A commentary by Zachary Abuza 2024.03.10 -- 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 Myanmar's 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 KIA's headquarters. The KIA is now on the outskirts of Myitkyina, the capital and economic hub of Kachin state.

The KIA's 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 d'etat, 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 Ta'ang 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.

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 KIA's 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 Revolution's trajectory.

It's 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 KIA's presence as a power grab that caused tensions with the local Ta'ang community; despite the close ties between the TNLA and KIA.

Third, the KIA has reportedly damaged at least one Mi-17 helicopter at Myitkyina airport. This further dents the air force's 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 SAC's 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 people's defense forces from the shadow opposition National Unity Government (NUG). Joint operations are essential in building up trust between these organizations.

Finally, during the junta's 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.

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.

It's 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.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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US asked China, India for help to prevent potential Russian nuclear strike in 2022: report

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 10 March 2024 6:12 PM

A new report has revealed that the United States has sought help from China and India to dissuade Russia from carrying out a potential nuclear strike in 2022 as Moscow's war against Ukraine raged on.

CNN, quoting senior US officials, reported that Washington engaged with non-allies, including India and China, to discourage Russia from nuke attacks, adding that the leaders of the two countries played a key role in containing the potential crisis.

"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 administration official said.

The official went on to say that their assessment is that input from the likes of India, China, and others "may have had some effect" on Russia's thinking.

Another US official told CNN that the concern from key countries for Russia and the Global South was also a "helpful and persuasive factor" and showed them what the cost of all this could be.

According to the report, concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin might resort to using nuclear weapons spread in 2022 after Ukraine launched a counteroffensive against the southern city of Kherson.

The administration of US President Joe Biden feared that the capture of Kherson might trigger Putin to use nuclear weapons as a deterrent to avoid further losses, the report added.

Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, over the perceived threat of the ex-Soviet republic joining US-led NATO.

Since then, the United States and Ukraine's other allies have sent Kiev tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons, including rocket systems, drones, armored vehicles, tanks, and communication systems.

Western countries have also imposed a slew of economic sanctions on Moscow. The Kremlin has said the sanctions and the Western military assistance will only prolong the war.

Last month, Putin said certain Western countries are risking triggering a nuclear war by deploying boots in eastern Ukraine, warning Moscow could strike Western targets.

He made the warning after French President Emmanuel Macron who suggested NATO could send troops to aid Ukraine.

However, the French president's suggestion was quickly rejected by the United States, Germany, Britain and Kiev allies who have been supplying weapons and munitions to Ukraine.

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Ukraine, Allies Hit Back At Pope Francis's Remarks On Peace Talks, Need For 'White Flag'

By RFE/RL March 10, 2024

Ukraine and its regional allies on March 10 assailed reported comments by Pope Francis in which the pontiff suggested opening negotiations with Moscow and used the term "white flag," while the Vatican later appeared to back off some of the remarks, saying Francis was not speaking about "capitulation."

Francis was quoted on March 9 in a partially released interview suggesting Ukraine, facing possible defeat, should have the "courage" to sit down with Russia for peace negotiations, saying there is no shame in waving the "white flag."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hit out in a Telegram post and in his nightly video address, saying -- without mentioning the pope -- that "the church should be among the people. And not two-and-a-half-thousand kilometers away, somewhere, to mediate virtually between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you."

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba reacted more directly on social media, saying, "When it comes to the 'white flag,' we know this Vatican strategy from the first half of the 20th century."

Many historians have been critical of the Vatican during World War II saying Pope Pius XII remained silent as the Holocaust raged. The Vatican has long argued that, at the time, it couldn't verify diplomatic reports of Nazi atrocities and therefore could not denounce them.

Kuleba, in his social media post, wrote: "I urge the avoidance of repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in their just struggle for their lives."

"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,'" Kuleba said.

"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," added Kuleba, who also thanked Francis for his "constant prayers for peace" and said he hoped the pontiff will visit Ukraine, home of some 1 million Catholics.

Zelenskiy has remained firm in not speaking directly to Russia unless terms of his "peace formula" are reached.

Ukraine's terms call for the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine, restoring the country's 1991 post-Soviet borders, and holding Russia accountable for its actions. The Kremlin has rejected such conditions.

Following criticism of the pope's reported comments, the head of the Vatican press service, Matteo Bruni, explained that with his words regarding Ukraine, Francis intended to "call for a cease-fire and restore the courage of negotiations," but did not mean capitulation.

"The pope uses the image of the white flag proposed by the interviewer to imply an end to hostilities, a truce that is achieved through the courage to begin negotiations," Bruni said.

"Elsewhere in the interview...referring to any situation of war, the pope clearly stated: 'Negotiations are never capitulations,'" Bruni added.

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Major Archbishop Svyatoslav Shevchuk, said Ukraine was "wounded but unconquered."

"Believe me, no one would think of giving up. Even where hostilities are taking place today; listen to our people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy! Because we know that if Ukraine, God forbid, was at least partially conquered, the line of death would spread," Shevchuk said at St. George's Church in New York.

Andriy Yurash, Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican, told RAI News that "you don't negotiate with terrorists, with those who are recognized as criminals," referring to the Russian leadership and President Vladimir Putin. "No one tried to put Hitler at ease."

Ukraine's regional allies also expressed anger about the pope's remarks.

"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 Radoslaw Sikorski wrote on social media.

Lithuanian President Edgars Rinkevichs wrote on social media: "My Sunday morning conclusion: You can't capitulate to evil, you have to fight it and defeat it, so that evil raises the white flag and surrenders."

Alexandra Valkenburg, ambassador and head of the EU Delegation Holy See, wrote "Russia...can end this war immediately by respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. EU supports Ukraine and its peace plan."

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pope-ukraine- courage-white-flag-peace-talks-russia/32855698.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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Kyiv Reports Deadly Russian Strikes As Ukrainian Drone Reportedly Sets Fire To Oil Depot In Russia

By RFE/RL's Russian Service March 10, 2024

The governor of Russia's southwestern Kursk region has said that one person had been killed as a result of Ukrainian shelling and a fire broke out at a local oil depot due to a Ukrainian drone strike.

"As a result of a direct hit from a shell, a residential building caught fire and a local woman died," Governor Roman Starovoit wrote on Telegram on March 10. "Her husband had extensive burns and is now receiving qualified medical care."

Starovoit later wrote that a "Ukrainian drone fell and caught fire on the grounds of the oil depot" and that fire and emergency services were at the scene."

The SHOT Telegram channel reported that the drone had damaged a 3,000-ton capacity tank at the oil terminal but suggested the tank was empty when it was struck.

Last week, Starovoit claimed a gasoline-storage depot had been set alight by a Ukrainian drone. And in February it was reported that a large fire at an oil depot near Kursk was caused by a Ukrainian drone.

The governor of the Belgorod region announced shortly after reports of the oil-depot fire in the neighboring Kursk region emerged on March 10 that his region had come under attack by two Ukrainian drones.

Vyacheslav Gladkov said the strikes had set fire to a vehicle but no injuries were reported. In a separate Telegram post on March 10, Gladkov said Ukrainian forces had heavily targeted the Belgorod region -- including with mortar rounds and drone strikes -- over the previous 24 hours.

The Russian Defense Ministry said two drones had been shot down over the Belgorod region but did not report any drone attack in the Kursk region.

The Ukrainian military did not comment on the claims of drone attacks against Russian territory.

Russian attacks, meanwhile, were reported across Ukrainian territory.

Vadym Filashkin, the head of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, said on March 10 that three people were killed and a dozen wounded due to Russian shelling that struck a residential building in the town of Myrnograd.

Ukraine's air force said on March 10 that its air-defense systems had destroyed 35 of 39 drones it said were launched against Ukraine overnight.

Most of the drones were destroyed over Ukraine's eastern and southern regions, the air force said.

Missile strikes in Ukraine's eastern Kharkiv and Donetsk regions were also reported.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-drone-fire-oil- depot-russia-kursk/32855692.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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With NATO 'Stuck,' Retired U.S. Colonel Says It's Time To Send EU Troops To Ukraine

By Vazha Tavberidze March 10, 2024

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.

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.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/interview-us-colonel- crowther-nato-troops-ukraine/32855871.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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NATO Can No Longer Hide Its Military Presence in Ukraine - Russian MFA Spokesperson

Sputnik News

20240310

Radoslaw Sikorski's comments came during a panel discussion marking Poland's 25th anniversary in the alliance. He refrained from naming the specific countries involved, amid ongoing deliberations within NATO about potential intervention.

Spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova commented on the statement by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski about the presence of soldiers NATO countries in Ukraine, telling Sputnik: "They couldn't 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 alliance that some NATO countries have already sent their military to Ukraine. The event was broadcasted on the Sejm RP YouTube channel.

"NATO soldiers are already present in Ukraine," Sikorski said.

Sikorski added that he is not going to disclose which states sent their military there, "unlike some politicians."

Earlier, the diplomat 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. 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 assistance to Kiev.

At the same time, 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 Germany would not send its military personnel to the republic. In addition, the head of the German government 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 it.

In his annual address to the Russian Federal Assembly in late February, President Vladimir Putin warned that the consequences of a possible NATO intervention in Ukraine would be tragic for the alliance's deployed troops.

A Sputnik

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Russia Repels 2 Ukrainian Attacks Near Avdeyevka, Takes More Advantageous Positions

Sputnik News

20240310

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - 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.

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.

A Sputnik

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More air defense systems and means of destruction of Russian aviation bring peace closer - address by the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

10 March 2024 - 22:08

Dear Ukrainians!

A few important things for this day and these weeks.

First of all, our defenders of the sky.

I would like to recognize all Ukrainian warriors who defend our sky every day and night. Only this Sunday night they managed to shoot down 35 "Shahed" drones. In total, since the beginning of March, Russian terrorists have already used 175 such killer drones against Ukraine. Fortunately, 151 of them were shot down by our warriors. And this is a very important result. Yes, not all of them. Yes, there are hits. Unfortunately, there are losses. There are casualties. But there are also people saved.

I am grateful to every warrior of our mobile firing groups in all regions of combat duty. I am grateful to every pilot and engineer of the Air Force, to all our air defense warriors. We will further enhance our firepower and Ukrainian air defense. More air defense systems and other means of destruction of Russian aviation bring peace closer. I am grateful to everyone in the world who helps us with this. Ukraine will have more air defense systems - we are working very hard on this.

Second. Our Defense Forces consist of many elements. Many brigades and units. And everyone who serves 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 moving further into Europe only because they are being held back by Ukrainians with weapons in their hands and under the blue and yellow flag. In Ukraine, there were many once-white walls of houses and churches that are now scorched and ruined by Russian shells. And this speaks very eloquently about who has to stop for the war to end.

Anyone who protects life and people fulfills the most honorable possible mission amid such an inhuman invasion. And we must fully protect life in our home. And I thank everyone who supports our defense, Ukrainian defenders.

When the Russian evil started this war on February 24, all Ukrainians stood up for defense. Christians, Muslims, Jews - everyone. I thank every Ukrainian chaplain who is with the army, in the Defense Forces. 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 kilometers away somewhere, virtually mediating between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you. I thank everyone who is doing everything in Ukraine and with Ukraine to save lives, I thank everyone who is helping and who is really with us through actions and prayers.

Today I would like to recognize the servicemen of our National Guard who are fighting alongside everyone else on the frontline in the east and south of Ukraine. The warriors of the 3rd operational brigade - Junior Sergeant Viktor Ivanov and Lieutenant Kyrylo Kudinov. The 5th Slobozhanska Brigade of the National Guard - soldiers Serhiy Turilkin and Mykola Hnatyuk. I would also like to recognize the warriors of the 1st and 3rd assault squads of the Omega Special Forces Center of the National Guard. Thank you for your skills and the results Ukraine needs.

Also, following these weeks, we have reasons for gratitude to the servicemen of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine - the details should not be disclosed publicly now, but the enemy definitely feels their work. And the more the Russian state loses, the sooner all this evil of war will disappear from our land.

Today I spoke with French President Macron. The conversation lasted more than an hour. I am grateful to Emmanuel for his new initiatives in support of Ukraine, for his leadership, which gives all of us in Europe strength. I am grateful for the new defense package. We discussed the schedule and key expected results of our upcoming meeting in Ukraine.

One more thing. The holy month of Ramadan is now beginning for Muslims in Ukraine and around the world. And this year, unfortunately, Ramadan is overshadowed by ongoing war and suffering. May this month bring us all closer to a fair and just peace. Not only for Ukraine. But for all the nations that are suffering from war. Humanity is capable of achieving a level of unity where justice protects life from wars.

I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine and Ukrainians! I am grateful to everyone who defends life and justice!

Ramadan Mubarak! Glory to Ukraine!

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Zelenskyy Dismisses Pope's 'Courage to Negotiate' Comments as 'Virtual Mediation'

By VOA News March 10, 2024

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 Moscow's 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 a somewhere, looking for a virtual meditation [sic] between those who want to live and those who want to destroy you," referring to the pontiff's comments during an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also criticized the pope's 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 pope's 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 pontiff's comments out of context.

"It's always difficult until you read the whole text. Because when the pope says something, it's very nuanced," Dolan said, adding that the pope was suggesting dialogue not recapitulation. The Holy See explained the pope's 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 pope's comments but expressed relief that the Vatican clarified the Pope's 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, 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 said Sunday that only the country's determined resistance to Russia's 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.

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT, ROCHESTER, NY, BOSTON, MA, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CallTower, an international leader in delivering cloud-based enterprise-class unified communications, contact center and collaboration solutions, in a strategic move to bolster its channel partnership operations, is pleased to announce the expansion of its team with key internal promotions, ensuring continued excellence and growth in its partnership endeavors.

Jessica Flannery, who will take on the role of the Director of Strategic Partner Alliances, delivers extensive experience and an innovative approach that has been instrumental in developing and strengthening CallTower's alliances, positioning her to guide CallTowers new MSP Partner Rebiller Program and Team. Jessica and her team will be instrumental to guiding MSPs and VARs to add Microsoft Operator Connect and other solutions to their portfolios, providing even more monumental value to their customers.

Chuck Phaneuf will be taking on the role of Channel Director. Chucks commitment and expertise have significantly contributed to the shaping of CallTower's channel programs as Channel Manager - this new role reflects CallTowers confidence in his ability to drive the channel partnership strategy forward. His channel sales pipeline experience and leadership acumen will be instrumental in CallTowers expanding presence in both North America and EMEA.

Jordan Corona will join the Channel team as the Channel Manager of the Midwest. Jordan brings a unique perspective to this role, having previously worked for the State representative of Miami Beach and at CallTower achieved an impressive record of 10 consecutive quarters securing 110+ appointments. In his new position, Jordan will leverage his profound understanding of CallTower solutions to assist customers in connecting seamlessly and elevating service quality and partner satisfaction.

These new roles signify CallTower's dedication to enhancing its channel partnership operations and underscore a belief in nurturing and recognizing the talents within the team.

"We are elated to recognize Jessica, Chuck, and Jordan with these well-deserved promotions," said William Rubio, CallTower Chief Revenue Officer. "Their collective expertise are vital to our continued growth and success. We are confident that their contributions will further enhance our channel partnerships and bring innovative solutions to our clients."

About CallTower:

Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has evolved into a global cloud-based, enterprise-class Unified Communications, Contact Center and Collaboration solutions provider for growing organizations worldwide. CallTower provides, integrates and supports industry-leading solutions, including Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams, MS Teams Direct Routing, GCC High Teams Direct Routing, Microsoft 365, Cisco Webex Calling / UCM, Cisco CCP, Zoom Phone, Zoom (BYOB) and four contact center options, including Five9 for business customers.

For more information contact marketing@calltower.com
Cambridge, UK, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Velocix, the carrier-grade cloud TV software provider, has announced that TELUS, a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company, has initiated the first phase of its hybrid-cloud video streaming project based on Velocixs Hybrid-cloud Origin and Hybrid-cloud Content Delivery Network CDN software. This hybrid-cloud architecture runs on both Google Cloud Platform and on-premises caching and streaming technology.

The hybrid-cloud streaming platform represents a key strategic step in lowering delivery costs and improving scaling flexibility. These benefits are realised by balancing the low cost, high-performance capabilities of on-premises software with the demand driven scalability and geographical reach of cloud hosted solutions.

In the initial deployment, TELUS will use Velocixs Hybrid-cloud Origin to improve the efficiency of live recording services like nPVR. A Velocix Hybrid-cloud CDN will operate in concert with the Hybrid-cloud Origin to facilitate streaming, enabling TELUS to deploy caches that span private, public and edge-cloud frameworks. With this pioneering architecture, high performance on-premises caching tiers can be augmented with cloud-based CDN capacity that can be spun up instantly to meet peak demands, helping to further optimise the overall efficiency of the streaming platform.

Jim Brickmeier, CEO at Velocix, said: We are proud to be working with TELUS on such a strategic project and breaking new ground with our hybrid-cloud video solutions. With our new architecture, we can harness the strengths of multiple deployment environments and enable customers around the globe to build better and more profitable video businesses.

Velocix's carrier-grade content delivery software supports high-capacity live, on-demand, time-shifted video and cloud DVR applications, enabling video service providers to rapidly scale-out their premium multiscreen services using an open video network architecture.

- ENDS -

Picture:







Caption: TELUS has initiated hybrid-cloud video streaming based on Velocixs platform


MUMBAI, India, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lumina Datamatics Limited and DataVerze Analytics Private Ltd signed a definitive agreement to form a joint venture to provide AI and Machine Learning solutions globally. The two companies will provide solutions through an independent joint venture called LuminaD.ai based in Mumbai, India with development centers in Mumbai and Pune.



This joint venture will allow Lumina Datamatics and its clients access to the Generative AI and data science skills with a focus on content production. The joint venture will help enhance and streamline current workflows, support editorial functions, content development, Automatic Item Generation for large-scale Assessment development, eCommerce workflows and much more.

Mr. Sameer L. Kanodia, Managing Director & CEO, Lumina Datamatics, said We are excited about this joint venture. Lumina Datamatics remains steadfast in our dedication to our clients and bringing them the best AI technologies. This will help our clients optimize their content and be more efficient.

Div Rakesh, Co-Founder, DataVerze, said of the joint venture, Partnering with Lumina Datamatics signifies a transformative alliance where innovation meets expertise. Together, we are poised to revolutionize the Publishing and eCommerce industry by harnessing the power of AI to drive unparalleled efficiency, personalized content delivery, and cutting-edge solutions."

About Lumina Datamatics

Lumina Datamatics is a trusted partner in providing Content Services, Retail Support Services, and Technology Solutions to companies in the Publishing and Retail Industries worldwide. We are amongst the largest service providers in this space and our customers include 8 of the 10 largest Publishers and 3 of the 5 largest Retailers/Marketplaces. Lumina Datamatics expert solutions combine its various in-house and client-facing platforms, partnerships with global technology leaders, and more than 3,500 professionals across the United States, UK, Germany, Philippines, and India.

To learn more about Lumina Datamatics, visit www.luminadatamatics.com.

About DataVerze

DataVerze is a leading provider of cutting-edge services in Generative AI, Machine Learning, and Datamesh. With a strong commitment to innovation and expertise in advanced technologies, DataVerze empowers businesses to unlock the true potential of their data. Our team of seasoned professionals brings decades of experience in the field, ensuring that we deliver tailored solutions to meet your specific needs.

To learn more about DataVerze, visit www.dataverze.ai

Media Contact

Jamie Israel

Vice President, Marketing

Phone: 1-848-200-6188

Email: Jamie.israel@luminad.com
Dallas, TX (SMU), March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Veteran leader Joshua Taylor has joined SMU Cox School of Business as the Managing Director of the William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Taylor will be responsible for leading the Institutes goals, programs and operations, in alignment with the overall mission and vision of SMU Cox, Co-Founding Directors Megha Tolia and Nirav Tolia and benefactor Dr. William S. Spears.

Taylor brings 20 years of experience in senior leadership roles in strategy consulting, Fortune 500 and start-up organizations. He has led large, cross-functional teams through multiple successful strategy and transformation programs in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Most recently, he was the Chief Strategy Officer at a rapid growth, venture-backed consumer product start-up based in California.

Dr. Spears, Founder and Chairman of Cenergistic, launched the Institute in April 2022 with the largest gift by a non-alumnus in the history of SMU. A successful entrepreneur himself, Dr. Spears happened to live next door to two other globally respected entrepreneursthe Toliasand brought them on board in September 2023 to serve as co-founding directors of the Institute.

With Josh leading the daily work of the Spears Institute and working with Megha and Nirav to help shape and implement their ideas, says Spears, weve got the ideal trifecta of strategy-minded, entrepreneurial leaders to positively influence careers, spur innovation and inspire entrepreneurship among SMU Cox students who will in turn shape the economic future of our city, our state and our country.

As an experienced leader in venturing and digital transformation, Taylor has been at the forefront of emerging consumer and technology innovation trends for the past decade. He has worked closely with entrepreneurs as a corporate venture lead and advisory mentor to scale their businesses and navigate ever-changing operating environments. Having earned his MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, he maintains close ties to the Bay Areas entrepreneurial community.

In Fall 2021, Taylor was able to fulfill a long-term goal by joining SMU Cox as a mentor in the MBA startup Unbridled Ventures program and adjunct instructor for the Executive MBA program. Building on this experience, he is excited to work with SMU students, faculty, and the broader community to foster the acceleration of entrepreneurial spirit, new innovation and venture creation, and economic growth in the North Texas region.

Megha Tolia is president and COO of Shondaland, the television production company founded by renowned Hollywood showrunner and storyteller Shonda Rhimes, creator of Greys Anatomy, Scandal, Bridgerton and Inventing Anna. Megha Tolia began her career as a brand manager for Neutrogena, spending the last twenty years building and operating mission-driven, consumer-centric, innovative brands. Before joining Shondaland, she spent eight years managing several businesses for SC Johnson, including Method, Ecover, Mrs. Meyers and Babyganics. Megha holds a bachelors degree from the University of California, Berkeley and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Nirav Tolia has spent the last 24 years creating and leading pioneering consumer Internet companies. He is currently Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nextdoor (NYSE: KIND), the worlds largest local social network. He also serves as Chairman of Hedosophia, a leading technology investment firm and early investor in Nextdoor. Before co-founding Nextdoor, Nirav was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Benchmark Capital, Chief Operating Officer of Shopping.com, an online shopping website, and Co-Founder and CEO of Epinions.com, a consumer review website. Nirav holds a BA from Stanford University and returned to his alma mater in 2019 as a visiting instructor for the Stanford in Florence program.

Leveraging the culture of free enterprise in North Texas, the Spears Instituteled by Taylor in collaboration with the Toliaswill enhance the business ventures of SMU students and faculty and the wider region, support the academic and professional pursuits of students and faculty, and bring speakers to share expertise of interest to the campus and business community.

The gift creating the Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership was a signature moment for SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow, the Universitys $1.5 billion campaign for impact. Read more here.

About SMU Cox

In 2020, the Cox School of Business celebrated more than 100 years of business education at SMU. The Cox School is committed to influencing the way the world conducts business via prolific research that provokes innovation, change and global thought leadership. SMU Cox offers a full range of business education programs including BBA, Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA (part-time), Executive MBA, Cox MBA Direct, Online MBA and Master of Science degree programs, as well as Executive Education. Consistently ranked among the worlds leading business schools, SMU Cox maintains an active alumni network globally. SMU Cox is accredited by AACSB.

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Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses

LOS ANGELES, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Methode Electronics, Inc. (Methode or the Company) (NYSE: MEI) investors that the law firm has initiated an investigation on behalf of investors that lost money on their Methode stock. Methode investors are encouraged to contact the firm to discuss their legal rights.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy , by phone 310-692-8883 or email : lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case via www.portnoylaw.com . The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

On July 14, 2023, Methode announced the suspension of its Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Khoury, by putting him on leave and withdrawing his responsibilities and authority.

Subsequently, on December 7, 2023, Methode revealed that Khoury had been fired from his role in the company's Egyptian branch and was no longer part of Methode. The firm also mentioned that it had decided to discontinue the Chief Operating Officer position temporarily.

Following up, on March 7, 2024, Methode released its financial outcomes for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024, which ended on January 27, 2024. The company reported a third-quarter non-GAAP EPS of -$0.33, falling short of the expectations by $0.41, and a revenue of $259.5M, which was below the forecasts by $28.53 million. Citing several market and operational hurdles, Methode announced the suspension of its future financial guidance and advised that previous forecasts should no longer be considered reliable. On the day of the announcement, Methode's stock price dropped by 31%.

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San Francisco, CA, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Velatura, one of the nations premier multi-jurisdictional health information exchanges (HIE) and health data utilities (HDU), and DocuSign, the industry-leader in electronic signature and agreement management solutions today announced a modernization pilot project that will streamline the patient consent form capture process for protected health information (PHI).

Secure and timely sharing of patient information between patients and providers is crucial for delivering coordinated care across diagnoses, treatments and healthcare settings. However, some federal and state laws require health care providers to obtain specific consent to share sensitive patient data like behavioral health information related to treatment or referrals related to alcohol and substance use disorder. The partnership between Velatura and DocuSign aims to simplify how providers collect a patients signature to consent to share their health information, streamliningthe administrative process for both patients and providers and freeing up time for better care coordination and clinical decision-making.

Obtaining specific patient consent for sharing health data, especially for sensitive data like mental health and substance use disorder records can be a cumbersome and time-consuming administrative process for providers and the patients they are serving, said Angie Bass, MHA, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Velatura. Our innovative partnership with DocuSign goes beyond streamlining consent. It is a strategic move to empower patients with clear understanding and control over consenting to share their data, while simultaneously enhancing efficiency and collaboration across the care continuum. Through secure, standardized forms and seamless data sharing, were revolutionizing the patient experience and laying the groundwork for improved care delivery.

How it works

The project introduces a modernized approach to consent capture by allowing treating providers to utilize DocuSign to efficiently route and secure completion of a patients consent forms when they arrive for a visit. Upon arrival at a care facility, patients will receive a link or scan a QR code from the registration personnel, leading the patient to the secure DocuSign platform. There, the patient can electronically sign pre-populated consent forms, eliminating the need for paper forms and manual data entry. Once a patient receives a text message or scans the QR code, the patient can then view an e-copy of the consent forms for health data sharing and select their data sharing preferences. When the form is completed, DocuSign will send a fully executed digital copy of the consent form to the provider, the patient and Velaturas HIE. The completed forms are then shared with all the health care providers associated with that patient in a secure, seamless and efficient process facilitated by Velatura.

The value for patients and providers

For patients, this translates to convenience, empowerment, and a smoother experience. They can e-sign consent forms easily on their preferred device at their own pace and gain a clearer understanding of what health information is being shared and with whom. Providers benefit from enhanced administrative efficiency in process and use of technology tools, reduced paperwork, faster access to critical patient information and in support of HIPAA compliance. Ultimately, this innovative approach facilitates smoother workflows for providers, leading to enhanced care coordination and improved patient outcomes.

By joining forces with Velatura, were not only streamlining patient consent  were revolutionizing it, said Robert Chatwani, President & General Manager of Growth at DocuSign. With DocuSign, patients can complete consent forms electronically, from almost anywhere, on practically any device, while meeting the highest standards for both privacy and security. This empowers patients to actively participate in their healthcare decisions, and enables providers to deliver a more seamless and delightful experience. Together, we are leveraging technology to streamline workflows and fundamentally reshape healthcare for the better.

The pilot project will begin rolling out to select Velatura network provider facilities this spring. It is initially focused on the Michigan State behavioral health approved 42 CFR Part 2 form for health data sharing and/or (2) any other patient consent for services, referrals, and opt-in.

Velatura and DocuSign will be hosting a webinar titled, Beyond Paperwork: Optimizing Patient Consent for Improved Healthcare Coordination, with a panel discussion on March 19 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Click here to register.

About DocuSign:

DocuSign redefines how the world comes together and agrees, making agreements smarter, easier and more trusted. As part of its industry leading product lineup, DocuSign offers eSignature, the world's #1 way to sign electronically on practically any device, from almost anywhere, at any time. Today, over 1 million customers and more than a billion users in over 180 countries use DocuSign products and solutions to accelerate the process of doing business and simplify people's lives. For more information visit http://www.docusign.com.

About Velatura Public Benefit Corporation

Velatura Public Benefit Corporation creatively connects and aligns people, organizations, technology, ideas, and information in both the public and private sectors to improve healthcare, reduce costs and to increase satisfaction of stakeholders in the health IT value chain. Through its operating units of Velatura Services, Velatura HIE Corp and USQHIN, Velatura Public Benefit Corporation looks to service the landscape of needs across the country for sustainable interoperability. For additional information, visit www.velatura.org

Media Relations:

Corporate Communications

media@docusign.com
Dublin, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Angina Pectoris Drugs Market by Type, by Drugs, by Route of Administration, by End-Users, and By Region" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The latest comprehensive research publication on the Angina Pectoris Drugs Market shines a light on the significant growth potential forecasted through 2034. This in-depth analysis delves into a range of crucial factors contributing to market expansion, with a particular focus on the evolving dynamics of angina management and pharmaceutical innovation.

The surging demand for angina pectoris treatments is propelling the global market, as the need for effective management of cardiovascular conditions becomes increasingly prevalent. The growing geriatric population, widespread cardiovascular diseases, and developments in the pharmaceutical industry are key drivers of this upsurge.

The study segments the angina pectoris drugs market by type, route of administration, end-users, and geographic regions to offer a detailed perspective on the diverse landscape. By type, stable angina has been acknowledged as the dominant share-holder, reflecting the chronic nature and commonality of the condition. Unstable angina, however, is anticipated to exhibit the fastest growth due to early intervention imperatives.

Hospital-based end-users maintain a significant slice of the market, attributed to their pivotal role in administering acute care. Contrastingly, homecare settings are predicted to burgeon at an accelerated rate, driven by the trend toward patient-centric models and telehealth advancements.

Market Segmentation Highlights

By Drugs: The beta-adrenergic blocking agents dominate, yet antiplatelet agents show promising growth trajectories.

The beta-adrenergic blocking agents dominate, yet antiplatelet agents show promising growth trajectories. By Route of Administration: Oral administration remains the front-runner due to its convenience, whereas transdermal methods are catching up rapidly.

Oral administration remains the front-runner due to its convenience, whereas transdermal methods are catching up rapidly. By Region: The North American market leads in revenue generation, while the Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region, propelled by augmenting healthcare infrastructure.

In considering geographic landscapes, the analyses offer insights into the market outlook for regions such as North America and the Asia Pacific. North America's strong healthcare system and heightened awareness about heart health underpin its substantial market share, whereas the Asia Pacific is forecasted to soar, thanks to improving health services and increasing health awareness.

Looking forward, the publication provides an exhaustive overview of factors that will steer the market from 2023 to 2034. It showcases the preparedness of the global angina pectoris drugs market to meet the advancing needs of a diverse patient demographic and adapt to the shifting healthcare environment.

The research presents an invaluable asset for stakeholders, investors, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, setting the stage for informed decisions and strategic planning in the angina pectoris drugs domain.

For additional details on the analysis and to access the full breadth of market projection data, interested parties are directed towards the original research publication.



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2023 - 2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $10.17 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $18.54 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.6% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered

Introduction: Market Definition

Global Angina Pectoris Drugs Market Overview Executive Summary Market Environment Analysis: Porter's 5 Forces Analysis

PESTEL Analysis

SWOT Analysis Market Dynamics: Drivers Analysis

Restraints Analysis

Opportunities Analysis

Threats Analysis

Trend Analysis COVID-19 Impact Analysis Angina Pectoris Drugs Market: Type Estimates & Trend Analysis Stable Angina

Unstable Angina

Prinz-metal's Angina Angina Pectoris Drugs Market: Drugs Estimates & Trend Analysis Nitrates

Antiplatelet Agents

Beta-adrenergic Blocking Agents

Calcium Channel Blockers

Anti-ischemic Agents

Statins

Antihypertensive Agents

Others Angina Pectoris Drugs Market: Route of Administration Estimates & Trend Analysis Oral

Parenteral

Transdermal

Others Angina Pectoris Drugs Market: End-user Estimates & Trend Analysis Hospitals

Homecare

Specialty Clinics

Others Regional Market Analysis: North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa Competitor Analysis: Company Market Share Analysis, 2023

Major Recent Developments Company Profiles: Profiles of major companies in the market Conclusion Recommendations

Companies Mentioned

Pfizer Inc.

AstraZeneca PLC

Merck & Co. Inc.

Novartis International AG

Sanofi S.A.

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Johnson & Johnson

Bristol Myers Squibb Company

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

Eli Lilly and Company

Bayer AG

AbbVie Inc.

Daiichi Sankyo Company

Limited

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Mylan N.V.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ki0pgt

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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DALLAS, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Big Sky Medical is excited to announce the successful lease renewal with Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute (DPSI) for over 45,000rsf of space in its premier building, The Pyramids at Park Lane South Tower. DPSI is the pre-eminent destination for plastic and cosmetic surgery throughout the country boasting 12 surgeons and state-of-the-art facilities. Big Sky is honored to continue supporting their success. This Pyramids South Tower location also hosts a private ambulatory surgery center (Dallas Day Surgery Center) and a postoperative recovery center for overnight stays (Cloisters Postoperative Recovery Facility). Alongside the EpiCentre Dallas Skin Care Center directed by world-renowned plastic surgeons, this location allows for DPSI patients to have all aspects of their care in one convenient location.



Big Sky worked with OMS Strategic Advisors as brokers for the lease renewal. Where many landlords lack the creativity and willingness to address the needs of their tenants, Big Sky excels. Their innovative solutions and commitment to satisfying DPSIs desire to grow and provide new service offerings to their customers are the reasons a successful lease renewal was completed.  Lawrence Gardner, OMS Strategic Advisors.

Big Sky is excited for the continued partnership with Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute and their commitment to the Pyramids location.  Amenemope McKinney Big Skys Portfolio Manager.

About Big Sky Medical

Big Sky Medical Real Estate is an investment manager focused on commercial real estate across the United States with a weighted focus on the medical clinic sector. Big Sky was formed in 2020, by industry veteran Jason L. Signor to invest in healthcare and life science real estate. Big Sky leverages its deep relationships built over the past two decades as a sector specialist to position its platform as a flexible source of capital for developers, healthcare operators, and investors of high quality medical real estate without competing conflicts of interest. To learn more, visit www.bigskymed.com.

For media inquiries:

Cristi Swayze, CSwayze@bigskymed.com, 469-949-8300

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d015a311-09fe-497b-80af-9d9d36cf6d6c
Austin, Texas, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peabody General Contractors, a heavy civil construction company specializing in underground utility services and a subsidiary of the HEI Civil Enterprise, is pleased to announce the appointment of Clint Eskridge as its new General Manager. Eskridge brings extensive experience and a proven track record in the construction industry and is poised to lead the companys continued growth and success.

Since 1973, HEI Civil has provided heavy civil construction services in Denver and along Colorados Front Range. In 2018, the HEI Civil Enterprise expanded its footprint by acquiring Peabody General Contractors in Austin, Texas, followed by the acquisition of Horsepower Site Services in Charlotte, N.C., in 2019. Now, as an integral part of the HEI enterprise, Peabody General Contractors has continued its commitment to delivering excellence in heavy civil construction projects throughout central Texas.

With over 25 years of experience in heavy civil construction, Eskridge has a deep understanding of project planning, production and team leadership. Throughout his career, Eskridge has demonstrated a commitment to delivering high-quality projects, on time and within budget while fostering a culture of safety and collaboration.

In his previous role overseeing operations for the HEI Civil Enterprise, Eskridge spent extensive time in Austin, where he was able to leverage his operations experience working alongside the Peabody General Contractor team to increase production and deliver successful, timely projects for clients.

As General Manager, Eskridge will oversee all aspects of Peabody General Contractor's heavy civil construction operations, including project management, operations, client relations and having full P&L responsibility. He will work closely with the executive team to drive strategic initiatives, cultivate new business opportunities and uphold the company's reputation for excellence in the industry.

"We are thrilled to appoint Clint Eskridge as our new General Manager," said Leo Denslow, Chief Executive Officer of the HEI Civil Enterprise. "Having been an integral part of our team since 2010, he brings a deep understanding of our company culture, critical success factors and operations. With his wealth of experience and leadership capabilities, we are confident he will play a pivotal role in guiding our company through its next phase of growth and development."

Eskridge expressed his enthusiasm about joining Peabody General Contractors and his commitment to building upon the company's success. "I am honored to take on the role of General Manager and continue my journey with this outstanding team," Eskridge said. "Together, we will continue to uphold Peabody General Contractor's legacy of excellence and innovation in the heavy civil construction industry."

About Peabody General Contractors

Founded in 1982 by Mark and Shelley Peabody, Peabody General Contractors is a privately owned, underground utility services contractor headquartered in Austin, Texas. Providing a broad spectrum of private, commercial, and municipal underground utility services throughout central Texas, Peabody General Contractors specializes in the rehabilitation and installation of new water lines, wastewater lines, storm sewers, lift stations, plant work and more. For detailed information, visit https://www.peabodygeneral.com.

About HEI Civil Enterprise

HEI Civil has provided superior heavy civil general contracting services to Colorados Front Range since 1973. In 2018, the HEI Civil Enterprise acquired Peabody General Contractors in Austin, Texas, before acquiring Horsepower Site Services in Charlotte, N.C., in 2019. For detailed information, visit https://www.heicivil.com.

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Washington, D.C., March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sol Systems, a national renewable energy company, today announced the successful completion of financing for its landmark Eldorado Project in Saline County, IL. This pivotal project, utilizing US-made solar panels and racking, is poised to advance sustainable energy and contribute to the development of clean energy infrastructure in Southern Illinois.

The Eldorado project highlights Sol Systems' Infrastructure + Impact philosophy at scale. The project will donate a portion of the project's revenues to local community organizations throughout Southern Illinois, underlining Sol Systems' dedication to building a more connected and sustainable future.

The project involves over 19 local landowners, providing them with rental income for more than 40 years. The broader local community will benefit from significant property tax revenues estimated at up to $26 million over the next 40 years. These funds will bolster local schools, roads, hospitals, libraries, parks, road districts, townships, and river conservation efforts. This new property tax base will also help offset income lost due to the closure of local mining operations at the Willow Lake Mine and Wildcat Hills Complex.

The project will also feature a pollinator habitat and habitat restoration efforts to better unify the project development with the surrounding ecosystem. These initiatives will include planting a mix of grasses and wildflowers, particularly focusing on wildflower-rich areas around the solar array perimeters to support biodiversity and ecosystem health.

"The Eldorado Project showcases our focus on building renewable infrastructure that delivers a positive impact to local communities and ecosystems, noted Yuri Horwitz, CEO of Sol Systems. We are dedicated to delivering not only sustainable energy but also substantial economic and social benefits to the Saline County community."

This financing milestone signifies a major achievement in renewable energy development, underscored by Sol Systems' in-house expertise in structuring and executing complex financial arrangements. In collaboration with financing partners, Monarch Private Capital, Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank, the National Bank of Canada, ING Bank, National Australia Bank, and Comerica Bank, the project raised $250 million, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable energy and economic revitalization.

Bret Turner, Head of Project Finance, Business Development and Innovation at Silicon Valley Bank, commented, "We are proud to support the Eldorado Project alongside Sol Systems and our esteemed partners. This initiative aligns with our ongoing commitment to provide financing solutions that address climate change and promote a more sustainable and resilient energy future. By contributing to this landmark project, we are investing in the advancement of clean energy, economic development in Southern Illinois, and the well-being of local communities.

"We are thrilled to be part of the Eldorado Project, a testament to the innovative spirit and commitment to sustainability that defines the future of energy, said Bryan Didier, Partner and Managing Director of Renewable Energy at Monarch Private Capital. Our participation in this project exemplifies Monarchs dedication to supporting initiatives that not only provide renewable energy solutions but also drive economic growth and community development. We believe that the project will serve as a model for future renewable energy projects, showcasing the potential to combine financial returns with positive environmental and social impacts."

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About Sol Systems

Sol Systems is a leading national renewable energy firm with an established reputation for integrity and reliability across its development, infrastructure, and environmental commodity businesses. Sol is operating and building over 2 GW of solar projects valued at over $2 billion for Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, counties, utilities, universities, and schools and provides environmental commodity portfolio management services to more than 40,000 customers across the US. The company was founded in 2008, is based in Washington, D.C., and is led by its founder. Sol Systems works with institutional clients, corporate partners, and foundations to create a more sustainable future we can all believe in. For more information, visit https://www.solsystems.com/.

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LONDON, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the wake of the recent Spring Budget 2024 announcements by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, the UK property market, particularly in London, is set for a series of significant shifts. WSLM, a leading property agency specializing in the Prime Central London market, breaks down the implications for local and national investors, underscoring the evolving landscape of property investment in the UK.







Strategic Shifts in the Property Market:

Abolition of the Furnished Holiday Lets Regime (Effective from 6 April 2025): This move aims to redirect focus towards long-term rental accommodations, impacting current tax relief benefits for short-term lets. This could result in an increased supply of long-term rental properties, potentially stabilizing rental prices in sought-after areas.

Abolition of Multiple Dwellings Relief (Effective from 1 June 2024): The withdrawal of this relief will affect transactions involving multiple properties, which may lead to a re-evaluation of investment strategies for bulk purchases. This change seeks to simplify tax calculations and may influence the structure of future property investments.

Reduction of Capital Gains Tax Rate (Effective from 6 April 2024): The reduction from 28% to 24% for residential property sales not qualifying for full Principal Private Residence relief could energize the property market, making it a more attractive time for investors to sell or reposition their portfolios.

UK Economic and Property Market Context:

The backdrop of these changes includes ongoing economic adjustments and a property market that remains resilient despite broader challenges. With these new measures, the government aims to fine-tune the market's dynamics, encouraging investments and ensuring sustainable growth.

WSLMs Role and Commitment:

WSLM is dedicated to navigating these changes alongside our clients. Walter Soriano, a leading expert at WSLM, comments, "We understand the nuances of these budget changes and their implications for the property market. Our commitment is to provide strategic, informed advice to ensure our clients can adapt effectively and capitalize on new opportunities."

As the market adjusts to these new fiscal measures, WSLM remains at the forefront, offering expert guidance and tailored services to meet the evolving needs of UK investors in Prime Central London. With a detailed understanding of market trends and regulatory changes, WSLM is ideally positioned to support clients in making informed, strategic investment decisions.

For more information on how these changes might affect your property investment strategy, please contact WSLM at:

https://waltersoriano.com / https://wslm.co.uk /

Media Contact:

Full Name: Walter Soriano

Company: Walter Soriano London Management (WSLM)

Website: https://waltersoriano.com

Phone: +44(0)2045774123

Email Address: info@waltersoriano.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2f4e52c9-2aec-4a97-8a9a-47eac2c50518
LOS ANGELES, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In light of the recent UK Spring Budget 2024, WSLM sheds light on the evolving landscape of the London property market and its growing appeal to American investors, accentuated by current currency advantages and legislative changes.







Currency Leverage Amid Economic Shifts:

With the British pound at a comparative low against the US dollar, American investors find themselves in a favorable position. The exchange rate advantage bolsters the buying power of US-based investors, offering a unique window to maximize investments in the UK property market.

Key Budget Measures Affecting Property Investment:

Furnished Holiday Lets Regime Abolition (Effective from 6 April 2025): The change aims to transition properties from short-term to long-term rentals, potentially increasing rental yield stability for long-term investors.

Abolition of Multiple Dwellings Relief (Effective from 1 June 2024): This adjustment impacts the tax relief on bulk property purchases, a point of interest for investors considering larger scale investments.

Capital Gains Tax Rate Reduction (Effective from 6 April 2024): The reduction from 28% to 24% for residential properties is anticipated to stimulate the selling market, possibly creating more opportunities for investors.

Context from the US Property Market:

Amidst uncertainties in the US real estate landscape, with fluctuating house prices and high mortgage rates, the UK market, particularly in Prime Central London, offers a contrasting investment climate. The structural changes introduced by the UK government, coupled with economic factors, present an opportune moment for American stakeholders.

Advantageous Conditions for Overseas Buyers:

Despite a 2% stamp duty surcharge for overseas investors, the current economic conditions, including the advantageous exchange rate and legislative reforms, make the UK an attractive market for international capital, particularly from the US.

WSLM's Role and Commitment:

WSLM stands at the forefront, guiding American investors through these shifts to capitalize on the emerging opportunities within the Prime Central London property market. Led by industry expert, Mr. Walter Soriano, WSLM provides bespoke services and strategic insights tailored to the unique dynamics faced by US-based clients.

For further information and to explore how these developments can benefit your investment portfolio, contact us at:

https://waltersoriano.com or https://wslm.co.uk

Media Contact:

Full Name: Walter Soriano

Company: Walter Soriano London Management (WSLM)

Website: https://waltersoriano.com

Phone: +44(0)2045774123

Email Address: info@waltersoriano.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f97346bc-6a1c-47a7-a3a5-a019260680b6
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sciens Building Solutions today announced a $10,000 donation to the Landon Vargas Foundation, which will ultimately contribute to the Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Nemours Childrens Health in Wilmington, Delaware.



With the support of this transformative gift, Nemours will expand its chemotherapy infusion rooms, which will include brand-new, permanent gaming system consoles to help entertain patients undergoing cancer and blood disorder treatments, helping to provide additional comfort and well-deserved fun.

On Landon Vargass fourth birthday, he was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cancer. Sadly, after a five-year battle, Landon passed away nine days after his ninth birthday in 2015. The Landon Vargas Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to carrying out Landons legacy by bringing smiles to childhood cancer patients and their families. They provide support to child life teams at hospitals, fund childhood cancer research, and offer scholarships. The foundations ultimate goal is to help other families create lasting memories that they can cherish forever.

We are proud to partner with the Landon Vargas Foundation, as they work to support families with children and youth battling devastating cancer and blood disorder diagnoses, said Terry Heath, CEO, Sciens Building Solutions. Their efforts to bring joy and comfort to patients is beyond admirable and we look forward to a lasting partnership to contribute to bringing smiles to any child enduring unpleasant treatments.

The Landon Vargas Foundation is very grateful to receive this generous donation from the Sciens Building Solutions team, said Beth Vargas, founder of the Landon Vargas Foundation. A donation like this helps our foundation expand our mission of bringing smiles and comfort to children battling cancer diagnoses. We are excited to partner with this amazing company; together, we look forward to enhancing the new chemo infusion rooms at Nemours Hospital so patients can experience some joy during a time of great difficulty.

Sciens gift will help further improve the Institutes infusion rooms and encourage children and youth patients to feel like a kid again, while receiving potential life-saving treatments. Studies show that play and exercise improve not only clinical outcomes, but emotional healing by reducing some toxic effects of therapy.

About Sciens Building Solutions

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, and backed by The Carlyle Group, Sciens Building Solutions is a holding company focused on the fire detection and security services sector. This includes the design, installation, and provision of maintenance services for fire detection and clean agent fire suppression systems in a variety of commercial, institutional, and government facilities. For more information, please visit: www.sciensbuildingsolutions.com.

About Landon Vargas Foundation

The Landon Vargas Foundation is a non-profit organization that was created to honor Landon and his courageous battle with cancer. The foundations goal is to find ways to keep Landons legacy alive by helping other families create lasting memories of their own. They work with numerous hospitals to support child life teams, fund an annual Landon Vargas Memorial Scholarship, and fund research toward the fight against cancer. Learn more at: https://landonvargasfoundation.org/.

About Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders

The Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Nemours Childrens Health was founded in 2023 to improve the health and well-being of children with cancer and blood disorders by addressing a range of challenges through improvement initiatives that span education, research, clinical care, and quality of life. Learn more at: https://www.nemours.org/well-beyond-medicine/the-moseley-institute.html.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c618036b-b82b-4922-837c-0a236f1b14b5
NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific General, a New York based investment firm specializing in cross-border private equity and asset backed credit strategies, announces the promotion of Dajeong Lee and Jason Park as the firms new Partners, effective March 7th, 2024.



Dajeong Lee, a founding member of Pacific General when the firm was established in July 2019, has been working with the senior members of the firm since 2014 including its predecessor firms. Ms. Lee was most recently a Principal in the private equity team in New York and led the build-out of the firms transition from investment banking advisory to a principal investing business. She also played a key role in the firms recent private equity investments in Playa Bowls, Evo Floors and Milre Systek. In this new leadership role, Ms. Lee will be responsible for managing and scaling up the firms private equity business. Ms. Lee earned an MBA degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelors degree in Economics from Sogang University in South Korea.

Jason Park is also a founding member of Pacific General and has been working with the senior members of the firm since 2017 including its predecessor firm. Out of the firms Seoul office, Mr. Park was most recently a Principal in the alternative investment team, raising over $700 million with Korean investors. Mr. Park also led the firms establishment of its asset management framework in 2019. In this new role, Mr. Park will be responsible for developing credit and real estate strategies in partnership with the New York and Riyadh teams. Before joining Pacific General, Mr. Park was with Korea Investment Management managing a fund of hedge funds with major Korean institutional investors and also was a proprietary trader at Korea Investment & Securities in Seoul, South Korea. Mr. Park earned a Bachelor in Business Administration from Korea University in South Korea and is a CFA charter holder.

Jeffery W. Smith, Vice Chairman at Pacific General, said, As the firm has evolved and grown, our people have always been the key element to our growth, core value and culture. I have worked closely with both Dajeong and Jason and they have been instrumental in building our firms business to date. We are so proud of Jason and Dajeong on this career milestone and very pleased to celebrate the promotion of these two very talented professionals.

Jason Park, Partner at Pacific General, said: It has been a great experience to participate in the enormous growth and key developments the firm has achieved to date. I am grateful for this new leadership role and responsibility and look forward to building and scaling our alternative investment business to the next level.

Dajeong Lee, Partner at Pacific General, said: I am excited to take on this new leadership role at Pacific General. It is an honor to be recognized for my contributions to the firm and I am deeply grateful for the trust our team has placed in me. I look forward to driving the continued success of our firm by delivering superior value to our investors, partners, and portfolio companies.

About Pacific General

Pacific General is an investment firm focusing on private equity and alternative investments. The firm specializes in originating, structuring, and investing in transactions, and leverages its cross-border expertise and network to create value. The firm operates with offices in New York; Seoul, South Korea; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Contacts

Kate Rosenthal

krosenthal@pacificgeneral.com

www.pacificgeneral.com

T: 1-646-802-1024
Dublin, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Asia-Pacific Bio-LNG Market: Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Asia-Pacific bio-LNG market (excluding China) was valued at $61.8 million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach $374 million by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 22.1% during the forecast period 2023-2032. The bio-LNG market is anticipated to expand significantly, fueled by increasing demand in sectors such as automotive and maritime. Furthermore, the automotive industry is forecasted to adopt bio-LNG more extensively, encouraged by government policies and incentives aimed at fostering its production and usage across various regions.







Market Introduction



The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is experiencing a notable surge in the Bio-LNG market, driven by escalating demand for cleaner fuel alternatives in sectors like automotive, maritime, and industrial applications. Government initiatives promoting renewable energy sources and environmental sustainability further bolster this growth. Investments in infrastructure for Bio-LNG production and distribution are on the rise across APAC countries, facilitating market expansion.

Moreover, technological advancements in biofuel production processes contribute to the market's momentum. With increasing concerns about carbon emissions and climate change, Bio-LNG emerges as a promising solution, offering reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fuels. The APAC Bio-LNG market is poised for significant growth as industries and policymakers increasingly prioritize sustainable energy options to meet both economic and environmental objectives.



Market Segmentation

Segmentation 1: by Application Automotive Ships Others

Segmentation 2: by Source Agriculture Residues Industrial Waste Household Waste Others

Segmentation 3: by Country Japan India South Korea Australia Rest-of-Asia-Pacific and Japan



Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis



The companies that are profiled have been selected based on thorough secondary research, which includes analyzing company coverage, product portfolio, market penetration, and insights gathered from primary experts. Some prominent names established in this market are:

BoxLNG Pvt. Ltd.

Air Water Inc.

Snapshot of Green Methanol Market

Leading Countries in the Green Methanol Market

Leading Companies in Green Methanol Market

Green Methanol Projections

Trends: Current and Future

Favorable Government Policies Supporting Bio-LNG Production

Rise in Fossil Fuel-based Alternative Price

Business Dynamics

Business Drivers Rising Environmental Concerns Increasing Number of LNG Trucks

Business Challenges Limited Availability of Feedstocks High Price of Bio-LNG as Compared to LNG

Business Strategies Product Developments Market Developments

Corporate Strategies Mergers and Acquisitions Partnerships and Joint Ventures

Business Opportunities Increase in Demand from Shipping Industry Technological Advancement



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 83 Forecast Period 2023-2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $61.8 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $374 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 22.1% Regions Covered Asia-Pacific

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ygbj6j

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Dublin, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "China Commercial Greenhouse Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The China commercial greenhouse market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.53% to reach US$7160.714 million by 2028 from US$4037.712 million in 2021.



Increasing demand for fruits and vegetables in the country with rising population and increasing purchasing power among the people are expected to increase the demand for commercial greenhouses in the country. As commercial greenhouses give more plantation output in less area, these advantages in techniques, agricultural technologies, and knowledge are expected to improve the output and increase the popularity of commercial greenhouses in the projected period.







According to the China Customs data the durian imports in the first six months of 2023, reached a volume of 7.87,000 metric tons and a value of US$3.83 billion, which is a 57.1% year-on-year increase in volume and 64.9% year-on-year increase in terms of value. In 2022, China's durian imports were only 8,25,000 metric tons, and in value, it was US$4.04 billion which, the country almost surpassed in six months only. Hence, as there is an increase in population the demand for fruits and vegetables is expected to rise, which is increasing pressure on commercial greenhouse farming as it can produce more agricultural output in less space.



Increasing imports from other countries



The decreasing area for cultivating food products is expected to provide a boost to market growth. According to the World Bank, the percentage (%) of agricultural land in China in 2021 was 55.5%. Moreover, with the increasing population in the country, the demand for food products is expected to grow in the coming years. For instance, according to the World Bank, the population in 2018 in China was 1.40 billion which increased to 1.41 billion in 2021. With the increasing population, coupled with the rising standard of living in the population, the market for commercial greenhouses is expected to grow in the coming years.



According to the United States Economic Research Service, by the United States Department of Agriculture, China imported agricultural products worth US$025 billion in 2021, the highest exporter was Brazil which imported products worth US$45 billion.



According to the U.S. Census Bureau Trade Data, the United States exported agricultural products worth US$13,583 million in 2019, which increased to almost double in 2020, and reached US$26,399 million in 2020, and in 2021 the exports by value increased by 25% and reached US$32,977 million. As the demand for food and agricultural products rises in China, the country is expected to come up with new and innovative solutions that could enhance agricultural production and imports. Hence, the use of commercial greenhouses is expected to increase significantly in the country as there is increasing demand for agricultural products and commercial greenhouses can suffice that demand with less cultivable land, and in a temperature-controlled environment.



Segmentation:



By Type

Free Standing

Gutter Connected

By Component

High-Tech Commerical Greenhouse

Heating System

Heaters

Valves

Vents

Others

Cooling System

Fans

Cooling Pad Systems

Medium-Tech Commerical Greenhouse

Heaters

Cooling Pads

Thermostats

Exhaust Fans

Others

Low-Tech Greenhouse

By Application

Fruits and Vegetables

Flowers and Ornamentals

Nursery Crops

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 89 Forecast Period 2021 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2021 $4037.71 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $7160.71 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.5% Regions Covered China



Companies Mentioned

Beijing Kingpeng International Hi-Tech Corporation

Noonty Greenhouse Co., Ltd.

Qingzhou Xinhe Greenhouse Horticulture Co., Ltd.

Chengdu Chengfei Green Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.

HUIJING



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9208un

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Dublin, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global BCG Vaccine Market by Age Group, Application, Distribution Channel, and By Region" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global BCG vaccine market is set to witness substantial growth, expanding from USD 104.6 million in 2023 to USD 187.9 million by 2034, at a CAGR of 5.47% during the forecast period (2024-2034). This significant market growth is attributed to the increasing prevalence of tuberculosis worldwide, the expansion of immunization programs, and a growing awareness of potential off-label uses. Technological advancements, government support, international initiatives, and industry collaborations are also key factors fueling market expansion.

In light of the World Health Organization's reports on the ongoing tuberculosis epidemic, there is a heightened critical need for BCG vaccination, especially among the pediatric population. The pediatrics segment, by age group, emerged as the leading revenue component due to intense focus on early childhood immunizations and nationwide campaigns to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Furthermore, the tuberculosis application segment dominates the market, staying in line with the global initiative to curb the disease's prevalence. However, the bladder cancer segment manifests rapid growth, recognizing the BCG vaccine's proven efficacy in preventing and treating this type of cancer.

By distribution channel, hospitals continue to lead given their pivotal role in organizing and administering vaccines. Clinics and other channels are expected to grow rapidly as they play an increasingly important role in local healthcare delivery systems.

From a regional perspective, North America holds the largest revenue share thanks to its well-structured healthcare system and effective immunization programs. The Asia Pacific region promises the fastest growth rate due to its burgeoning population, heightened health awareness, and aggressive vaccination strategies.

This new report offers an exhaustive analysis of the BCG vaccine market with data segmented by age group, application, and distribution channel. Regional insights spanning North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa further augment the report's robustness, providing a vital tool for stakeholders in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

Market players and investors will find the report's company profiles section particularly valuable as it showcases strategic developments among the top market participants. With its comprehensive data and insights, the report serves as an indispensable resource for anyone looking to understand the landscape and dynamics of the global BCG vaccine market.

BCG Vaccine Market Analysis & Forecast by Age Group 2023 - 2034 (Revenue USD Mn) Pediatrics Adults

BCG Vaccine Market Analysis & Forecast by Application 2023 - 2034 (Revenue USD Mn) Tuberculosis Bladder Cancer

BCG Vaccine Market Analysis & Forecast by Distribution Channel 2023 - 2034 (Revenue USD Mn) Hospitals Clinics Others

BCG Vaccine Market Analysis & Forecast by Region 2023 - 2034 (Revenue USD Mn) North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa

Companies Mentioned Merck & Co. Inc. (Merck) Sanofi Pasteur Japan BCG Laboratory S.A. Statens Serum Institut Serum Institute of India InterVax Ltd. China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation (Sinopharm) GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) GreenSignal Bio Pharma Limited SII Biologicals (formerly Bilthoven Biologicals) Immunotec Inc. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Biofabri AJ Vaccines Merlion Pharmaceuticals GmbH



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2023-2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $104.6 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $187.9 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.4% Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rlygai

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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GENEVA, Switzerland, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- McWhorter Family Office announces its plans to develop an Ultra-Elite Wellness Chateau Collection. The transformative project, rooted in a structured approach represents the pinnacle of luxury health & wellness.



Transforming Luxury Health & Wellness:

Scheduled to break ground in 2024, the Ultra-Elite Wellness Chateau Collection heralds a new era of luxury hospitality and holistic well-being. As anticipation builds for the unveiling of this prestigious project, McWhorter Family Office and Carter Kennedy Equity Partners prepare to extend an invitation to discerning individuals worldwide.

"As stewards of wealth and well-being, we are thrilled to introduce our Ultra-Elite Wellness Chateau Collection. With a steadfast commitment to innovation, this visionary project embodies our ethos of excellence and distinction. - C.K. McWhorter (Carter K. McWhorter)

McWhorter Trust: The Strategic Holding Company:

Under the umbrella of McWhorter Family Office, McWhorter Trust acts as a strategic holding company, overseeing a diverse portfolio of investments, including the Ultra-Elite Wellness Chateau Collection. Guided by principles of stewardship and long-term thinking, McWhorter Trust ensures alignment with McWhorter's values and vision for social impact and investment excellence.

Carter Kennedy Equity Partners: Visionaries in Luxury Investments:

Under guidance of the McWhorter Family Office, Carter Kennedy Equity Partners brings its focus in luxury investments to the Ultra-Elite Wellness Chateau Collection.

McWhorter Foundation: A Commitment to Social Impact:

As a philanthropic arm of McWhorter Family Office, McWhorter Foundation channels its resources towards supporting initiatives that advance healthcare, and economic opportunity. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, McWhorter Foundation will enhance the social impact of the McWhorter family officess Ultra-Elite Wellness Chateau Collection, ensuring that it contributes positively to the well-being of our planet and communities.

Disclaimer, Disclosure & Legal Notice:

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. It is not intended to provide specific recommendations, endorsements, or investment strategies. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

Regulatory Considerations:

This press release is not intended to constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Any offers, sales, or purchases will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations. McWhorter Foundation has not registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and may operate under exemptions. Any investment decisions should be made in consultation with appropriate legal and financial advisors, considering the individual circumstances and objectives of potential investors.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and we caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those indicated or suggested by any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, regulatory and legal developments, market conditions, and the outcome of negotiations. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/71c7bc5b-2bbc-42bf-9829-e6bfa4de8265
NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES



VICTORIA, British Columbia, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Eupraxia" or the "Company") (TSX: EPRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, today announced the launch of an overnight marketed public offering (the Offering) of common shares of the Company (the Shares) for total gross proceeds of approximately $30 million.



The Offering will be priced in the context of the market, with the price per Share to be determined at the time the Company enters into an underwriting agreement with Raymond James Ltd. as sole underwriter and bookrunner (the Underwriting Agreement).

Eupraxia intends to grant Raymond James Ltd. an over-allotment option, exercisable for a period of 30 days from the date of the Underwriting Agreement, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the total number of Shares sold pursuant to the Offering.

Eupraxia expects to use the net proceeds of the Offering, together with its existing cash and cash equivalents, primarily to fund research and development activities, general and administrative expenses, a milestone payment, working capital needs and other general corporate purposes.

The Offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the Offering may be completed. Closing of the Offering will be subject to a number of customary conditions, including the entering into of the Underwriting Agreement and approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Offering is expected to close on or about March 15, 2024.

In connection with the Offering, Eupraxia will file a prospectus supplement to its base shelf prospectus, dated February 5, 2024, with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada, except the Province of Quebec. The Offering will be made in Canada only by means of the base shelf prospectus and prospectus supplement. Such documents contain important information about the Offering. Copies of the base shelf prospectus and the prospectus supplement (once filed) can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Copies of such documents may also be obtained from Raymond James Ltd., Scotia Plaza, 40 King St. W, 54th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3Y2, Canada, by telephone at (416) 777-7000, or by email at ecm-Syndication@raymondjames.com.

Prospective investors should read the base shelf prospectus and the prospectus supplement before making an investment decision.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved the contents of this press release. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the common shares in the United States or in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such province, state or jurisdiction. The securities have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements thereunder. The Company does not intend to register any part of the proposed Offering in the United States, and any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will only be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from the issuer and that will contain detailed information about the Company and management, as well as financial statements.

About Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Eupraxia is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of locally delivered, extended-release products that have the potential to address therapeutic areas with high unmet medical need. The Company strives to provide improved patient benefit and has developed technology designed to deliver targeted, long-lasting activity with fewer side effects.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This press release includes forward-looking statements and forwardlooking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Often, but not always, forwardlooking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes", estimates, potential or variations (including negative and grammatical variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the Offering generally, the pricing and terms of the Offering, the use of the proceeds of the Offering, the entry into the Underwriting Agreement, the filing of the prospectus supplement, the grant of the over-allotment option, and the satisfaction of the conditions of the closing of the Offering, including the receipt, in a timely manner, of all required approvals.

Such statements and information are based on the current expectations of Eupraxias management, and are based on assumptions, including but not limited to: the Companys ability to complete the Offering; future research and development plans for the Company proceeding substantially as currently envisioned; industry growth trends, including with respect to projected and actual industry sales; the Companys ability to obtain positive results from the Companys research and development activities, including clinical trials; and the Companys ability to protect patents and proprietary rights. Although Eupraxias management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements and information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forwardlooking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur by certain dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Eupraxia, including, but not limited to: risks and uncertainties related to the terms, timing and ability of the Company to complete the Offering; the Companys limited operating history; the Companys novel technology with uncertain market acceptance; if the Company breaches any of the agreements under which it licenses rights to its product candidates or technology from third parties, the Company could lose license rights that are important to its business; the Companys current license agreement may not provide an adequate remedy for its breach by the licensor; the Companys technology may not be successful for its intended use; the Companys future technology will require regulatory approval, which is costly and the Company may not be able to obtain it; the Company may fail to obtain regulatory approvals or only obtain approvals for limited uses or indications; the Companys clinical trials may fail to demonstrate adequately the safety and efficacy of our product candidates at any stage of clinical development; the Company may be required to suspend or discontinue clinical trials due to side effects or other safety risks; the Company completely relies on third parties to provide supplies and inputs required for its products and services; the Company relies on external contract research organizations to provide clinical and non-clinical research services; the Company may not be able to successfully execute its business strategy; the Company will require additional financing, which may not be available; any therapeutics the Company develops will be subject to extensive, lengthy and uncertain regulatory requirements, which could adversely affect the Companys ability to obtain regulatory approval in a timely manner, or at all; the impact of health pandemics or epidemics on the Company's operations; the Company's restatement of its consolidated financial statements, which may lead to additional risks and uncertainties, including loss of investor confidence and negative impacts on the Company's common share price; and other risks and uncertainties described in more detail in Eupraxia's public filings on SEDAR+ (sedarplus.ca). Although Eupraxia has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forwardlooking statements and information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forwardlooking statement or information can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forwardlooking statements and information speak only as of the date on which they are made and Eupraxia undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statement or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Danielle Egan, Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc.

778.401.3302

degan@eupraxiapharma.com

or

Adam Peeler, on behalf of:

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc.

416.427.1235

adam.peeler@loderockadvisors.com

Source: Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc.
MELBOURNE, Australia, March 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX, Telix, the Company) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Darren Patti as Group Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective 11 March 2024.



Dr. Patti joined Telix in March 2021 to lead the Companys United States (U.S.) operations. Over the past three years as U.S. Chief Operating Officer and General Manager for the Americas region he has overseen the successful launches of Illuccix in the U.S. and Canada, has led ongoing market development for Telix in Brazil and the Latin America (LATAM) region, and has been a key figure in the launch preparations for Telixs follow-on imaging products Zircaix1 and Pixclara1 (subject to regulatory approval). Prior to joining Telix, Darren held a variety of roles at Sofie Biosciences over a period of 15 years, most recently as Vice President of Operations leading the operationalisation of the Sofie-Lantheus PSMA-PET imaging program.

Darren holds a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is an Authorised Nuclear Pharmacist.

Dr. Christian Behrenbruch, Managing Director and Group CEO commented, Darren has been an exemplary leader in our Americas region and fundamental to the success of our commercial operations and vertical integration strategy. Darrens deep experience in radiopharmacy network management and operations, combined with an intricate understanding of the Telix business makes him the ideal leader for our global operations function as we expand into new commercial markets and bolster our manufacturing capabilities to support our therapeutic and imaging programs. I am looking forward to continuing to work closely with Darren in this new role as we prepare to bring additional diagnostic products to market and drive towards our next phase as a leader in therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals and precision medicine.

About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

Telix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals and associated medical devices. Telix is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, with international operations in the United States, Europe (Belgium and Switzerland), and Japan. Telix is developing a portfolio of clinical and commercial stage products that aims to address significant unmet medical needs in oncology and rare diseases. Telix is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: TLX).

Visit www.telixpharma.com for further information about Telix, including details of the latest share price, announcements made to the ASX, investor and analyst presentations, news releases, event details and other publications that may be of interest. You can also follow Telix on X and LinkedIn.

Telixs lead imaging product, gallium-68 (68Ga) gozetotide injection (also known as 68Ga PSMA-11 and marketed under the brand name Illuccix), has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),2 by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),3 and by Health Canada.4 Telixs miniaturised surgical gamma probe, SENSEI, for minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery, has attained a marketing authorisation in the U.S., having been registered with the FDA and has attained a Conformite Europeenne (CE) Mark for use in the European Economic Area for the intra-operative detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). With the exception of Illuccix and SENSEI as noted above, no Telix product has received a marketing authorisation in any jurisdiction.

Telix Investor Relations

Ms. Kyahn Williamson

Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

SVP Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Email: kyahn.williamson@telixpharma.com

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited Disclosure Committee on behalf of the Board.

Legal Notices

The information contained in this announcement is not intended to be an offer for subscription, invitation or recommendation with respect to shares of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (Telix) in any jurisdiction, including the United States. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained or opinions expressed in the course of this announcement. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change without notification.

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements that relate to anticipated future events, financial performance, plans, strategies or business developments. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as may, expect, intend, plan, estimate, anticipate, outlook, forecast and guidance, or other similar words. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the Companys good-faith assumptions as to the financial, market, regulatory and other risks and considerations that exist and affect the Companys business and operations in the future and there can be no assurance that any of the assumptions will prove to be correct. In the context of Telixs business, forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about: the initiation, timing, progress and results of Telixs preclinical and clinical studies, and Telixs research and development programs; Telixs ability to advance product candidates into, enrol and successfully complete, clinical studies, including multi-national clinical trials; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, manufacturing activities and product marketing activities; the commercialisation of Telixs product candidates, if or when they have been approved; estimates of Telixs expenses, future revenues and capital requirements; Telixs financial performance; developments relating to Telixs competitors and industry; and the pricing and reimbursement of Telixs product candidates, if and after they have been approved. Telixs actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those which may be expressed or implied by such statements, and the differences may be adverse. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. You should read this announcement together with our risk factors, as disclosed in our most recently filed reports with the ASX or on our website.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Telix disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or a change in expectations or assumptions.

2024 Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited. The Telix Pharmaceuticals, Illuccix, SENSEI, Zircaix1 and Pixclara1 names and logos are trademarks of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited and its affiliates  all rights reserved.

1 Brand name subject to final regulatory approval.

2 Telix ASX disclosure 20 December 2021.

3 Telix ASX disclosure 2 November 2021.

4 Telix ASX disclosure 14 October 2022.
DENVER, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ONEflight International, a leading provider of private aviation solutions, is thrilled to announce its relocation to a brand-new, cutting-edge facility. The move represents a significant milestone in the company's journey and sets the stage for unprecedented growth and expansion opportunities.



The new facility, located in Englewood, CO at the Centennial Airport, boasts modern amenities and ample space to accommodate ONEflight's current and future needs. With a total area of approximately 52,600 square feet consisting of offices, storage, restrooms, utility and service rooms and garages. The building provides a comfortable and conducive environment for the company's 76 employees. Moreover, the facility has been designed to support ONEflight's ambitious growth plans, with the capacity to scale up to 250 employees.

An outstanding aspect of the new facility includes an additional 28,000 square-foot hangar space and hangar maintenance purposefully designed to accommodate ONEflight's two Gulfstream aircraft. This advanced hangar prioritizes the safety and upkeep of the company's fleet, reinforcing ONEflight's dedication to providing unparalleled service and reliability to its VIP clients.

Looking ahead, ONEflight International is poised for further expansion and innovation. With a focus on growth, the company aims to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the private aviation sector, solidifying its position as a market leader. Commenting on the move and future prospects, ONEflight CEO Ferren Rajput expressed enthusiasm for the company's trajectory:

"We are thrilled to mark this exciting milestone in ONEflight International's journey. Our new facility not only reflects our commitment to providing our employees with a modern and comfortable workspace but also positions us for significant growth in the years to come. As we look to the future, we are eager to seize new opportunities and continue our legacy of excellence in the private aviation industry."

In addition to the relocation, ONEflight International is pleased to announce the opening of a new sales branch at Fort Lauderdale International Airport, located at the Sheltair FBO. This strategic expansion into the Florida market further underscores the company's commitment to serving clients nationwide and enhancing accessibility to its premier aviation services.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Dave Rajyagor  VP Strategic Initiatives

720.575.4303

DaveRajyagor@oneflight.net

About ONEflight International:

ONEflight International is a global private aviation company revolutionizing the luxury private jet travel industry since the companys founding in 2010. It is the fastest growing market leader developing and implementing technological solutions for non-commercial air travel through BAJit, its proprietary online Book a Jet platform. With over 700 world-class selected aircraft charter operator partnerships and a network of 7,000 private jets worldwide, ONEflight empowers members to seamlessly search, select and book a private flight with a fleet of aircraft at their disposal and excellent customer service from booking to disembarking.

ONEflight firmly believes you dont need to OWN; you just need to FLY.

Visit oneflight.net for more information.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d1dba947-e3b1-465e-b3da-771f12874801
SALT LAKE CITY, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Governors Universitys (WGU) Michael O. Leavitt School of Health (LSH) announced the appointment of Anmy Tran Mayfield as the new vice president and dean for the College of Nursing, effective immediately. Mayfield has been with WGU for more than five years and is a champion for equity, access, and nontraditional pathways to opportunity. With her team, she has led the launch and expansion of various innovative nursing programs at the university, including masters degrees as well as postbaccalaureate and post-masters certificates in nursing. A national board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board) for more than a decade, Mayfield is the daughter of refugees and the first in her family to graduate high school.

Anmy is one of our key pillars at LSH and I feel thrilled to welcome her in the new position. Her expertise in nursing, education, and equity is invaluable to the College of Nursing, said LSH Senior Vice President and Executive Dean, Keith Smith. Anmy is a tireless leader who supports our program launches and expansions as well as accreditations to enhance the overall student experience. In her new role, she will use her insight, knowledge, and vision as the guiding light for escalated innovation to enhance nursing education in rural and urban communities for improved workforce diversity and better patient outcomes.

Mayfield has nearly 20 years of experience as a nurse serving intensive primary care for uninsured and low-income patients, family practice, urgent care, nephrology, organ transplant, medical/surgical, and orthopedic specialties. She serves on different education and healthcare boards and councils for state and national organizations and is actively involved in community service including medical missions, mentoring, and presentations at local, national, and international levels.

I feel honored to embark on this journey that expands access for innovative and high-quality competency-based nursing education to students who have none to limited opportunities, said Anmy Mayfield, LSHs new vice president and dean for the College of Nursing. I was born to refugee parents who struggled to establish themselves in this country, and I understand well how education can make a difference to oneself, ones family, and society. WGUs progressive model of education empowers the nontraditional learners, encourages them to further their dreams, and with the College of Nursing, this ultimately yields delivery of high-quality nursing care to our communities. I look forward to furthering the universitys mission of changing lives for the better by creating pathways to opportunity in this new role.

Prior to WGU, Mayfield was the founding director of clinical education and faculty at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and served as a community engagement (service-learning) program leader for the University of Utah College of Nursing. She received her doctoral degree in nursing practice from the University of Utah with recognition as Presidents Scholar, Research Scholar, and Community Engaged/Service-Learning Scholar. Mayfield also holds a postgraduate teaching certificate in learning design in healthcare education and is a fellow in the American Association of Colleges of Nursings Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing (AACN ELAN) program.

About Michael O. Leavitt School of Health (LSH) : The school, named in honor of the former governor of Utah and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, was established in 2006 with the mission to make a difference in the fields of healthcare, nursing, and higher education through competency-based education. According to the Utah Foundation Research Brief, LSH represents more than 170,000 jobs in the healthcare industry and the school produced a whopping 17% of the nations registered nurses earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2021. With more than 100,000 graduates and over 115,000 degrees already conferred by LSH, the school presently serves nearly 25,000 students nationwide. Learn more at Leavitt School of Health (wgu.edu).

About Western Governors University (WGU): A nonprofit, online university established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, WGU now serves more than 169,300 students nationwide and has awarded more than 350,000 degrees to nearly 315,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nations leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In less than 30 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in todays rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Companys Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News and CNN and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu and wgu.edu/impact.
REDMOND, Wash., March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pattern Computer, Inc. (Pattern or the Company) today announced that Mark R. Anderson, Chairman and CEO, will attend NVIDIAs GTC 2024 Conference. The flagship conference on Artificial Intelligence and accelerated computing, set for March 18-21 at the San Jose CA Convention Center, will feature leaders across a broad swath of industries discussing how theyre charting the path to AI-driven innovation.

During the conference, Pattern will conduct one-on-one meetings with investors and potential partners, showcasing the Companys business and clinical development strategy, recent corporate achievements, and anticipated milestones. To schedule a meeting with Pattern, please contact Patterns Executive Vice President of Special Projects, Denyse Hudson, at denyse@patterncomputer.com.

Pattern was recently invited by the firm to join NVIDIAs Inception program, and has now moved to its top support category. Launched in 2016, this global program offers technology and marketing support to over 17,000 startups across multiple industries and over 125 countries. The Inception program helps startups evolve faster through cutting-edge technology, and provides opportunities to connect with venture capitalists as well as obtain access to the latest technical resources from NVIDIA. Unlike traditional accelerators, Inception supports all stages of a startups life cycle.

In addition, the Company has been invited to participate in NVIDIAs BioNeMo, a generative AI platform for drug discovery that simplifies and accelerates the training of models on proprietary data, ensuring easy, scalable model deployment for drug discovery applications. BioNeMo offers an expedited path to both AI model development and deployment, accelerating the journey to AI-powered drug discovery.

Mr. Anderson commented, Pattern uses proprietary pattern discovery techniques to perform high-dimensional data analytics in any field with significant data complexity. The result has been the delivery of breakthrough drug discoveries by Pattern with demonstrable value. The BioNeMo framework enables biotech and pharma companies to rapidly spin up small molecule design capabilities  and the Pattern Discovery Engine (PDE) will add value to those capabilities by adding Pattern Discovery and Explainable AI on top of BioNeMo output. The PDE run on BioNeMo outputs will enable the discovery of engineering principles that computational chemists can use to inform their intuition, generate novel hypotheses, and ultimately, make discoveries. Additionally, Patterns explainable AI (TrueXAI) technology will enable the direct exploration of molecular design rules discovered by foundation models and sub-models within BioNeMo.

Mr. Anderson added, 2024 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Pattern. Since its founding, Pattern has been on a strategic path with a roadmap largely focused on R&D and asset generation. We are now at an inflection point as we move from generating specific high-value assets to commercializing them. Over the past eight years, our technical team has been perfecting these assets, including combination cancer drug discoveries and diagnostic advances against the top five cancers, in which we are looking to partner with firms to bring these drugs into clinical trials; the Pattern Discovery Engine; ProSpectral, a game-changing medical diagnostic tool and research instrument; and TrueXAI.

About Pattern

Pattern Computer, Inc., a Seattle-area company, uses its proprietary Pattern Discovery Engine to solve the most important and intractable problems in business and medicine. Its proprietary mathematical techniques can find complex patterns in very-high-order data that have eluded detection by much larger systems. As the Company applies its computational platform to the challenging fields of drug discovery and diagnostics, it is also making major Pattern Discoveries for partners in other sectors, including biotech, materials science, aerospace manufacturing, veterinary medicine, air traffic operations, and finance. www.patterncomputer.com.

CONTACT: Laura Guerrant-Oiye (808) 960-2642  laura@patterncomputer.com

The foregoing contains statements about Pattern Computers future that are not statements of historical fact. These statements are forward looking statements for purposes of applicable securities laws and are based on current information and/or managements good faith belief as to future events. The words believe, expect, anticipate, project, should, could, will, and similar expressions signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risk and uncertainties, which change over time, and actual performance could differ materially from that anticipated by any forward-looking statements. Pattern Computer undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Copyright  2024 Pattern Computer Inc. All Rights Reserved. Pattern Computer, Inc., Pattern Discovery Engine, PatternBio, TrueXAI, and ProSpectral are trademarks of Pattern Computer Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.




HOUSTON, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MRC Global Inc. (NYSE: MRC) announced today that David (Dave) A. Hager, previously Executive Chairman of Devon Energy Corporation, has joined MRC Globals board of directors, effective March 11, 2024.



Robert Wood, MRC Globals Chairman of the Board, commented, I am thrilled to welcome Dave Hager as a new independent director. During his tenure as CEO and Executive Chairman of Devon Energy, Dave led the execution of a strategy that drove impressive returns for Devons shareholders. His breadth and depth of board and business experience, particularly in energy, will bring valuable perspectives to our board as MRC Global continues to invest in our growth drivers, serve our customers and generate significant value for our shareholders.

Mr. Hager served as Executive Chairman of Devon Energy Corporation from 2021 until 2023 and President and CEO from 2015 until 2021. Prior to that he served as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President  Exploration & Production. Before Mr. Hager joined Devon in 2006, he was Chief Operating Officer of Kerr-McGee Corporation. Mr. Hager joined Kerr-McGee as Vice President, Operations, Gulf of Mexico and had increasing levels of responsibility during his time with Kerr-McGee. Mr. Hager began his career as an exploration geophysicist with Mobil Oil Corporation and then served in various positions with Sun Company Inc. He received his BS in Geophysics from Purdue University and his MBA from Southern Methodist University.

In addition to his board service at Devon Energy, Mr. Hager has served as a non-executive director of both EnLink Midstream, LLC from 2014 to 2018 and Pride International Inc. from 2008 until 2011.

Dave brings a wealth of relevant industry experience and a sharp business acumen to our board, added Rob Saltiel, MRC Globals President and CEO. His knowledge of upstream and midstream markets and the North America energy business will greatly benefit our company, especially in our important Production and Transmission Infrastructure sector.

Mr. Wood added, Dave is joining our board to replace Barbara Duganier who is retiring at the end of her term at the next annual meeting of stockholders. We want to thank Barbara for her many years of contribution to the company and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Hager will serve on the boards Audit Committee and the Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) & Enterprise Risk Committee. George Damiris will now serve as chair of the ESG & Enterprise Risk Committee, and Ms. Duganier will remain on the Audit Committee and ESG & Enterprise Risk Committee until the end of her term.

About MRC Global Inc.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, MRC Global (NYSE: MRC) is the leading global distributor of pipe, valves, fittings (PVF) and other infrastructure products and services to diversified end-markets including the gas utilities, downstream, industrial and energy transition, and production and transmission infrastructure sectors. With over 100 years of experience, MRC Global has provided customers with innovative supply chain solutions, technical product expertise and a robust digital platform from a worldwide network of 214 locations including valve and engineering centers. The companys unmatched quality assurance program offers over 300,000 SKUs from over 8,500 suppliers, simplifying the supply chain for approximately 10,000 customers. Find out more at www.mrcglobal.com.

Contact:

Monica Broughton VP, Investor Relations & Treasury MRC Global Inc. Monica.Broughton@mrcglobal.com 832-308-2847

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/49654626-eb78-4faf-bfde-024d49ba5240
By SA Commercial Prop News

Stan Garrun (Director at IPD South AFrica), Andrew Teixeira (Capital Property Fund) , Marius Muller (Pareto Limited), Ina Lopion (Vukile Property Fund), Andries de Lange (Resilient Property Income Fund) Image gallery



Investment Property Databank (IPD) last night presented the winners of its Direct Property Investment Awards 2013 during the gala dinner reception at the 11th Annual IPD Property Investment Conference.

Resilient Property Income Fund has claimed the overall IPD Direct Property Investment Award, and achieved the highest annualised total return over three years, based on un-geared property data for the funds measured by IPD. It reported a 19.3% total return across its entire property portfolio, compared with an IPD overall benchmark return of 14.7%.

The award for retail portfolio performance also went to Resilient. Its portfolio of shopping centres delivered a 19.9% total return substantially outperforming the IPD retail benchmark of 14.6%. This is the fourth time Resilient has clinched this award, supporting sustainable performance and management quality.



Last years winner for industrial property portfolio performance, Vukile Income Fund, again notched up the top returns in this sector with a 19.5% total return compared to the IPD benchmark return of 14.7%.



Capital Property Fund recorded the highest returns for office property performance at an 18.0% total return, well above the IPD benchmark of 13.5%.



The IPD awards highlight superior fund performance and show the value of investing in commercial property. Calculations are based on annualised results for the three years ending December 2012.



Stan Garrun, Executive Director & Head of South Africa, IPD, said, The IPD awards celebrate outstanding performance, and we are pleased to be part of showcasing these top achievements. The calculations for the awards use objective financial criteria only, and reflect the underlying value of a property portfolio.



The overall IPD universe comprises both listed and unlisted funds representing 65% of all professionally managed real estate in South Africa. IPD covers 72% of market capitalisation, of the listed property funds on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. From 2013, it will cover South African REITs.



Garrun added, The awards focus on property fundamentals and exclude the impact of gearing, fees and other financial interventions that justifiably reflect in a funds overall result, but may mask the performance of the underlying assets. This gives a fair evaluation of the quality of stock, asset selection and management performance. The awards are based on validated results over three years.



Quality data is essential for measuring this performance and IPD also recognises internal data excellence. Pareto Limited received IPDs Data Quality Award for meeting IPDs data provision criteria of accuracy, completeness, timing and detail.



Garrun said, To accurately measure performance, you need disciplined, quality data. This can also have a positive impact on a funds performance. It supports informed investment decisions based on reliable facts and confidence in the sector. Precise, pertinent data, and transparent information are the foundation of good governance.

The event took place on 18 & 19 July 2013 at The Westin Grand Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa.
Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses

LOS ANGELES, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises The Boeing Company (Boeing or the Company) (NYSE: BA) investors that a lawsuit was filed on behalf of investors that purchased Boeing securities between October 23, 2019 and January 24, 2024, inclusive (the Class Period).

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy , by phone 310-692-8883 or email : lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case via www.portnoylaw.com . The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

Boeing, a leading aerospace company based in Arlington, Virginia, faced significant challenges related to its 737 MAX aircraft. The 737 MAX series, particularly the 737 MAX 8, was involved in two fatal crashes in October 2018 and March 2019 due to flight control software malfunctions, resulting in 346 deaths and grounding the planes until December 2020. Despite these issues, Boeing claimed progress toward the 737 MAX's safe return to service starting October 23, 2019, assuring investors of its commitment to safety without compromising for profit. However, these assertions were later revealed as misleading, as the company had prioritized profits over safety, leading to compromised production quality and increased risk of manufacturing flaws.

This truth came to light following an incident on January 5, 2024, when a door plug detached from a 737 MAX 9 during a flight, exposing serious safety risks and manufacturing deficiencies. Subsequent investigations identified similar issues across other 737 MAX planes, prompting the grounding of several 737 MAX 9 aircraft. These revelations and the resulting scrutiny caused Boeing's stock price to fall significantly, dropping by 18.9% from $249.00 to $201.88 between January 5 and January 25, 2024, highlighting the financial impact of the company's safety and quality control failures.

Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.

Admitted CA and NY Bar

lesley@portnoylaw.com

310-692-8883

www.portnoylaw.com

Attorney Advertising
Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses



LOS ANGELES, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Sibanye Stillwater Limited (Sibanye or the Company) (NYSE: SBSW) investors that the law firm has initiated an investigation on behalf of investors that lost money on their Sibanye stock. Sibanye investors are encouraged to contact the firm to discuss their legal rights.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 310-692-8883 or email: lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case via www.portnoylaw.com. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

On February 21, 2024, Sibanye released a press release that served as a production update and trading statement for the year 2023. In this update, Sibanye revealed a significant drop in its profit for 2023, with a decrease of up to 91%, mainly due to a considerable fall in the prices of platinum group metals (PGM). The company also reported impairments amounting to 47.45 billion rand (about $2.5 billion), attributing this to the decline in metal prices and operational issues at its U.S. PGM and South African gold operations, as well as at its Sandouville nickel refinery in France.

Following the release of this information, the price of Sibanye's American Depositary Receipt (ADR) decreased by $0.32 per ADR, or 6.96%, ending the day at $4.38 per ADR on February 21, 2024.

Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.

Admitted CA and NY Bar

lesley@portnoylaw.com

310-692-8883

www.portnoylaw.com

Attorney Advertising
Waxahachie, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Waxahachie, Texas -

The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center, a pioneer in the field of hernia treatment, today announced its revolutionary approach to complex hernia surgery, repair, and treatment, led by the renowned Dr. Mazen Iskandar. This groundbreaking methodology combines cutting-edge surgical techniques with a deep commitment to patient comfort and understanding, redefining the standards of care for individuals suffering from complex hernias.

Complex hernias, characterized by their large size, likelihood of recurrence, or complications from previous surgeries, present unique challenges that require specialized expertise. The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center, under the leadership of Dr. Iskandar, has emerged as a beacon of hope for patients, offering a level of care, compassion, and precision previously unseen in the medical community. Dr. Iskandar, a respected authority in complex hernia repair, has dedicated his career to developing and implementing innovative surgical methods that not only address the physical aspects of hernias but also prioritize the patient's overall well-being.

The centers approach is multifaceted, focusing on the latest medical research and proven surgical methods to ensure the most effective treatments are available to patients. Specialization in complex hernia repair allows the team to concentrate their skills and resources, providing advanced and tailored treatment plans for each patient. This includes the use of minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic techniques, which have been shown to reduce recovery times and lower the risk of complications, thereby significantly improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Iskandar's expertise extends beyond surgical proficiency. Known for his compassionate bedside manner, Dr. Iskandar and his team create an environment where patients feel respected, heard, and cared for every step of the way. From the initial consultation through post-operative care, the centers commitment to compassionate care ensures that patients experiences are as smooth and stress-free as possible, which is critical for those undergoing significant surgical procedures.

Innovation lies at the heart of The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center's treatment philosophy. Dr. Iskandar is at the forefront of employing the latest mesh materials for reinforcement and utilizing minimally invasive surgical approaches to handle the most complex cases. These advanced techniques are designed to be more effective, reduce the chances of recurrence, and offer faster recovery times for patients. The center's dedication to innovation and excellence has established it as a leader in complex hernia repair, setting new benchmarks for surgical success and patient satisfaction.

The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center also places a significant emphasis on pre-surgical preparation and post-operative care, ensuring that patients are optimally prepared for their procedures and supported throughout their recovery. Tailored pre-surgical plans may include managing blood glucose levels, ensuring adequate nutritional intake, and smoking cessation, all vital in creating the best possible conditions for healing. Post-operative follow-up care is equally meticulous, with regular appointments scheduled to monitor recovery, address any concerns promptly, and adjust care plans as necessary.

Patients choosing The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center are not just selecting a facility for treatment; they are partnering with a dedicated team that values their health and recovery as much as they do. The centers comprehensive approach aims not only to repair the hernia but to ensure the restored function and appearance of the abdominal wall, contributing to an overall improvement in quality of life post-surgery.

"We invite anyone struggling with the challenges of a complex hernia to consider The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center," said Dr. Mazen Iskandar. "Our unique combination of specialized expertise, innovative techniques, and compassionate care sets us apart, and we are dedicated to partnering with our patients on their journey to recovery. Together, we can achieve not just healing, but a significant enhancement in your quality of life."

For more information about The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center or to schedule a consultation, please visit www.iskandarcenter.com. Join us in taking the next step towards healing with a team that deeply cares about your health and well-being.

About The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center

The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center is a leading medical facility specializing in the treatment of complex hernias. Led by Dr. Mazen Iskandar, the center is renowned for its innovative surgical techniques, commitment to patient care, and a personalized approach to treatment. With a focus on minimizing recovery time and maximizing patient outcomes, The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center is dedicated to providing the highest standards of care for patients facing the challenges of complex hernias.

###

For more information about The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center, contact the company here:



The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center

Mazen Iskandar

info@iskandarcenter.com

The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center

2460 I-35E Suite 310-B

Waxahachie, TX 75165
VANCOUVER, March 11, 2024 - Integra Resources Corp. ("Integra" or the "Company") (TSXV: ITR) (NYSE American: ITRG) is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated February 28, 2024, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, DeLamar Mining Company ("DMC"), has completed the acquisition of seventeen patented claims in the Rich Gulch area ("Rich Gulch") (the "Acquisition"). The Rich Gulch claims are located adjacent to the Florida Mountain Deposit at the DeLamar project (the "Project" or "DeLamar") in Owyhee County, State of Idaho.

Rich Gulch is approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) west-southwest of the Florida Mountain Deposit at the base of the Jacobs Gulch stockpile. Control of the Rich Gulch claims at the Project will provide operational flexibility to the Company in future mining and processing scenarios. In the upcoming Feasibility Study, a Development Rock Storage Facility ("DRSF") will be located at Rich Gulch to accommodate mining activities at the adjacent Florida Mountain Deposit and Jacobs Gulch stockpile.

Summary Terms of the Acquisition

Under the terms of the option agreement dated November 1, 2023 (the "Option Agreement") as between DMC and an arm's length vendor (the "Vendor"), DMC has the Option to purchase all of the member interests of Rich Gulch, LLC (the "Interests"), pursuant to a membership interest purchase agreement (the "MIPA"), to be entered into as between DMC and the Vendor. Rich Gulch, LLC is the sole owner of the seventeen patented Rich Gulch claims. On February 28, 2024, DMC exercised the Option and on March 8, 2024, the parties entered into the MIPA. Under the terms of the MIPA, DMC acquired all of the Interests in exchange for US$2,100,000 (the "Purchase Price"). The Purchase Price was satisfied through the issuance of 2,959,769 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Shares").

The Shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and a day expiring on July 9, 2024, and a voluntary lock-up from which 25% will be released 45 and 90 days, respectively, from closing, and 50% to be released on January 3, 2025.

As consideration for the grant of the Option pursuant to the Option Agreement, DMC completed a US$24,000 cash payment to the Vendor.

No finder's fees were paid or are payable in connection with the Acquisition.

The closing of the Acquisition remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV").

Company Webinar

The Company is pleased to host a corporate update webinar on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 11:00am PST/2:00pm EST. The webinar will feature a presentation from Integra's President, CEO and Director, Jason Kosec, as well as a live Q&A session. A recording of the webinar will be available on Integra's corporate website. To register for the webinar, please use the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SY-uNxuWR12DXx-9Y8kpSA

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Raphael Dutaut, Ph.D (P.Geo), Integra's Vice President, Exploration. Mr. Dutaut is a "qualified person" as defined in National Instrument 43- 101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

DeLamar Project Overview

The past producing DeLamar Project, which includes the adjacent DeLamar and Florida Mountain gold and silver deposits, is located in Owyhee County in southwest Idaho. Since acquiring the Project in 2017, the Company has demonstrated significant resource growth and conversion while demonstrating robust economic studies in its maiden Preliminary Economic Assessment and Preliminary Feasibility Study. An independent technical report for the DeLamar Project has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101 and is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca

About Integra Resources

Integra is one of the largest precious metals exploration and development companies in the Great Basin of the Western USA. Integra is currently focused on advancing its two flagship oxide heap leach projects: the past producing DeLamar Project located in southwestern Idaho and the Nevada North Project, comprised of the Wildcat and Mountain View deposits, located in northwestern Nevada. The Company also holds a portfolio of highly prospective early-stage exploration projects in Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona. Integra's long-term vision is to become a leading USA focused mid-tier gold and silver producer.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jason Kosec

President, CEO and Director

Forward Looking and Other Cautionary Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release contains "forward?looking statements" and "forward?looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and applicable United States securities laws (referred to herein as forward?looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forward?looking statements which includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: final TSXV approval of the Acquisition; the future financial or operating performance of the Company and the Company's mineral properties and project portfolio; the results from work performed to date; the estimation of mineral resources and reserves; the realization of mineral resource and reserve estimates; the development, operational and economic results of technical reports on mineral properties referenced herein; magnitude or quality of mineral deposits; the anticipated advancement of the Company' mineral properties and project portfolios; exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits; underground exploration potential; costs and timing of future exploration; the completion and timing of future development studies; estimates of metallurgical recovery rates; exploration prospects of mineral properties; requirements for additional capital; the future price of metals; government regulation of mining operations; environmental risks; the timing and possible outcome of pending regulatory matters; the realization of the expected economics of mineral properties; future growth potential of mineral properties; and future development plans.

Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "would", "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "budget", "scheduled", "plans", "planned", "forecasts", "goals" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of factors and assumptions made by management and considered reasonable at the time such information is provided. Assumptions and factors include: final TSXV approval of the Acquisition; the Company's ability to complete its planned exploration programs; the absence of adverse conditions at mineral properties; no unforeseen operational delays; no material delays in obtaining necessary permits; the price of gold remaining at levels that render mineral properties economic; the Company's ability to continue raising necessary capital to finance operations; and the ability to realize on the mineral resource and reserve estimates. Forward?looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward?looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks related to final TSXV approval of the Acquisition; integration risks; general business, economic and competitive uncertainties; the actual results of current and future exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; meeting various expected cost estimates; benefits of certain technology usage; changes in project parameters and/or economic assessments as plans continue to be refined; future prices of metals; possible variations of mineral grade or recovery rates; the risk that actual costs may exceed estimated costs; geological, mining and exploration technical problems; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); title to properties; and management's ability to anticipate and manage the foregoing factors and risks. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are advised to study and consider risk factors disclosed in Integra's annual report on Form 20-F dated March 17, 2023 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and Millennial Precious Metals Corp.'s management's discussion and analysis dated April 28, 2023 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

There can be no assurance that forward?looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward?looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are presented for the purposes of assisting investors in understanding the Company's plans, objectives and goals, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward?looking statements.

Cautionary Note for U.S. Investors Concerning Mineral Resources and Reserves

NI 43-101 is a rule of the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Technical disclosure contained in this news release has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Classification System. These standards differ from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and resource information contained in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by domestic United States companies subject to the SEC's reporting and disclosure requirements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



SOURCE Integra Resources Corp.







Contact

Corporate Inquiries: ir@integraresources.com, Company website: www.integraresources.com, Office phone: 1 (604) 416-0576


Toronto, March 11, 2024 - Spruce Ridge Resources Ltd. ("Spruce" or the "Company") (TSXV: SHL) is pleased to announce that it has signed a binding letter of intent (the "LOI") with Northwest Nickel Corp ("Northwest Nickel") to acquire the Shamrock Nickel Sulphide Property (the "Property"), located near Medford in southwest Oregon, USA (the "Acquisition").

Steve Balch, President and CEO, stated, "Spruce is increasing its presence in the U.S. critical minerals market with the acquisition of an interesting nickel sulphide property where the grades of nickel and copper are both over 1.0% and where the mineralization is open along strike and at depth. We do not yet know the extent of the mineralization and there is no record of exploration since the 1950s. We believe there are significant platinum group metals present as well."

Shamrock Property

Information on the Property is taken from a National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") report prepared by D.E. Cameron for Northwest Nickel with an effective date of March 1, 2023.

The Property consists of 40 unpatented lode claims, accessible by paved road, covering approximately 758 acres and located 20 miles northwest of Medford, Oregon.

The area was first prospected in the early 1900s, when a 60 ft-deep inclined shaft was excavated to intersect the main Shamrock showing containing nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), and platinum (Pt). Underground development occurred during 1949-50 by the U.S. Bureau of Mines ("USBM"). USBM completed eleven diamond drillholes totaling 3,419 ft and outlined a lens of nickel-copper sulphide 325 ft long, 200 ft deep and 3-25 ft thick. A 200-lb composite sample was submitted for metallurgy and assayed 1.3% Ni, 1.1% Cu, 0.07% Co and 0.03 oz/t Pt. In 1952-53 USBM removed 101.5 tons of manganese- (Mn) and iron-rich (Fe) material from previously discovered pods for metallurgical sampling with assays returning 23.1-32.3% Mn and 2.06-3.70% Fe.

Nickel-copper mineralization can be traced along strike for 1,500 ft north-south, 500 ft east-west and contains two mineralized lenses. Ultramafic rocks were intersected in drilling and consist predominantly of peridotite and related serpentinite, as well as norite and diorite. The best mineralization is present in a coarse-grained norite. Sulphide mineralization includes pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite and pyrite. A bulk flotation program recovered 92.3% of the Ni, 89.4% of the Cu and 51.3% of the Pt.

Acquisition Terms

Under the terms of the Acquisition, Spruce will acquire a 100% interest in the Property upon closing by:

transferring to Northwest Nickel 100,000 common shares in the capital of Canada Nickel Company Inc. (TSXV:CNC) held by Spruce;

making a $10,000 cash payment to Northwest Nickel,

issuing to Northwest Nickel an aggregate of 2,500,000 common shares in the capital of Spruce (TSXV:SHL); and

granting to Northwest Nickel a 2.0% net smelter returns royalty (NSR") with the option to repurchase 50% of the NSR for consideration of $1,000,000.

The Acquisition is an arm's length transaction for the purposes of the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and no finder's fees are payable in connection with the Acquisition. The Company expects that the Acquisition will meet the criteria of an "Expedited Acquisition" under TSXV Policy 5.3 - Acquisitions and Dispositions of Non-Cash Assets and remains subject to the TSXV's final acceptance. All securities issuable in connection with the Acquisition will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day after closing.

Additional technical information on the Property is available on the Company's website.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1 -= Location of the massive sulphide lenses and historic workings at Shamrock.

Qualified Person

Stephen J. Balch, P.Geo. (ON), the Company's President and CEO and a "Qualified Person" under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release.

About Spruce Ridge

Spruce Ridge is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company focused on critical metal resources with nickel projects in Oregon, United States and copper projects in Newfoundland, Canada. The Company also holds a significant portfolio of mining securities including 3.6 million shares of Canada Nickel Company Inc. (TSX-V:CNC), 10.0 million shares of Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. (TSX-V:NOB), 15.0 million shares of Benton Resources Inc. (TSX-V:BEX) and 2.5 million shares of Magna Terra Minerals Inc. (TSX-V:MTT). Spruce's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "SHL". More detailed information can be found on the Company's website at:

http://www.spruceridgeresources.com

Cautionary Statement

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and include, but are not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, that are based on assumptions and courses of action, and in certain cases, can be identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur, or the negative forms of any of these words and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include statements related to future plans for the Company, and other forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions including with respect to the anticipated actions of securities regulators, stock exchanges, and government entities, management plans and timelines, as well as results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what the management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, such assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: an inability to develop and successfully implement exploration strategies; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the lack of available capital; impact of the evolving situation in Ukraine on the business of the Company; and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's ongoing filings with securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this press release. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.

Contact

Stephen Balch, President & CEO

Phone: 905.407.9586

Email: steve@beci.ca

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER, March 11, 2024 - Cascadia Minerals Ltd. ("Cascadia") (TSXV: CAM) (OTCQB: CAMNF) is pleased to announce that it has qualified for trading on the OTCQB Venture Market (the "OTCQB") in the United States operated by the OTC Markets Group Inc. and the Company's common shares commenced trading today on the OTCQB under the symbol "CAMNF". Cascadia's common shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "CAM".

"We are pleased to commence trading on the OTCQB. There is significant interest in copper-gold exploration companies from U.S. investors, and trading on the OTCQB will improve our visibility and accessibility in the U.S.," stated President and CEO, Graham Downs. "We look forward to engaging a broader audience of investors as we continue to build on our brand-new porphyry discovery made in late 2023."

The OTCQB offers investors transparent trading in entrepreneurial and development stage U.S. and international companies. To be eligible, companies must be current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. The OTCQB quality standards provide a strong baseline of transparency, as well as the technology and regulation to improve the information and trading experience for investors. Investors can find real-time level 2 quotes and market information at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/CAMNF/overview.

Cascadia continues to have full eligibility through the Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), a subsidiary of Depository Trust & Clearing Corp. that manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies in the U.S. DTC eligibility reduces costs and accelerates the settlement process for U.S. investors and brokers.

About Cascadia

Cascadia is a Canadian junior mining company focused on exploring for copper and gold in the Yukon and British Columbia. Cascadia's flagship Catch Property in the Yukon hosts a brand-new copper-gold porphyry discovery where inaugural drill results returned broad intervals of mineralization, including 116.60 m of 0.31% copper with 0.30 g/t gold. Catch exhibits extensive high-grade copper and gold mineralization across a 5 km long trend, with rock samples returning peak values of 3.88% copper and 30.00 g/t gold.

In addition to Catch, Cascadia is conducting exploration work at its PIL Property in British Columbia and the Sands of Time and Rosy properties in the Yukon, as well as additional early-stage regional projects. Cascadia has approximately 37 million shares outstanding and its largest shareholders are Hecla Mining Company (19.6%) and Barrick Gold (7.5%).

The technical information in this news release has been approved by Andrew Carne, M.Eng., P.Eng., VP Corporate Development for Cascadia and a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of Cascadia Minerals Ltd.

Graham Downs, President and CEO

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements:

This press release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information, except as required by securities laws.

SOURCE Cascadia Minerals Ltd.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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.






GJM chief Bimal Gurung The 'son of the hills' theory, which has been the talking point in the hills of Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong in North Bengal for quite some time now, gained further momentum after the Trinamool Congress fielded former bureaucrat Gopal Lama, a local face, from the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency. On Monday, less than a day after Lamas name was announced as the party candidate, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) hinted that there is a high possibility of GJM supremo Bimal Gurung contesting as an Independent candidate from the same constituency.



According to Nemon Rai, a youth leader of GJM, only a prominent local face can work for the real development of the people of the hills.



Who else but Bimal Gurung, who has been fighting for a separate Gorkhaland state for years, is more eligible for that position? That's why we want him to contest from Darjeeling this time. We will hold meetings on this in the coming days, Rai said.



While the BJP is yet to announce its candidate from Darjeeling, another prominent political force in the hills, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), which has a political understanding with the Trinamool, has expressed satisfaction over the choice of the ruling partys nominee.



According to BGPM supremo and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive Anit Thapa, since the beginning, he had insisted on fielding a local face, and had even discussed the matter with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.



Now with Gopal Lama being chosen as a candidate, not just us, but the entire Gorkha population is happy. We wish that Lama, after getting elected, will fulfil the wishes of the local Gorkha people, said Anit Thapa.



The Darjeeling constituency has been a BJP stronghold for the past three consecutive terms starting 2009, and Raju Bista is the sitting BJP MP.



Throughout this period, the BJP received the backing of GJM and Gurung, though the latters charisma has eroded substantially from what it was during the peak period between 2009 and 2019.






Asif Ali Zardari took oath as the 14th President of Pakistan 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 Shehbaz 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, Xinhua news agency reported.



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.




The Snapdragon X Elite was announced in October and in a few months it will be in the hands of consumers with devices like the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, which is likely to arrive in June, according to unofficial reports.

This will be a 14 laptop with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Its not clear whether there will be versions with different memory configurations, but it is clear that the RAM will be soldered (that is the case for the Intel-powered Book4 laptops too).

The Edge will reportedly cost 1,800 for the 16/512GB configuration. For comparison, a 14 16/512GB Galaxy Edge4 Pro is 1,900 (this is with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor), while a 13 Apple MacBook Air (M3 chip) is 1,760 with the same memory configuration. Note that we dont know whether the Edge will be passively cooled like the Air.



Snapdragon X Elite highlights

The Snapdragon X Elite is fabbed on a 4nm process and features 12 high-performance Oryon cores (developed by Qualcomm, not an ARM design). There is an Adreno GPU with 4.6 TFLOPs of performance and DirectX 12 support, plus a Hexagon NPU offering 45 TOPs.

One advantage of the Snapdragon over the Intel chips is the integrated Snapdragon X65 5G modem with a theoretical peak of 10Gbps downlink. It should be more power efficient too, it remains to be seen how it will compare against the Core Ultras at different performance levels.

Note that the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge might not be the first Snapdragon X Elite-powered device to hit the market  plenty of other makers are working on their own designs, including HP, Lenovo, Asus, Dell, Acer, Honor, Microsoft and Xiaomi. None of them have set a launch date yet, however (to be fair, neither has Samsung  this is just a rumor).

Source (in German)
The Infinix Note 40 Pro 5G is coming alongside the Note 40 series on March 18. The series will feature the Note 40 Pro 5G, the Note 40, the Note 40 Pro, and the Note 40 Pro+. We saw the retail box of the Pro+ 5G and today, we have details about the Note 40 Pro 5G.

The phone surfaced on the Google Play console and the BIS database. It bears the model name X6851 and uses a MediaTek Dimensity 7020 with up to 8GB of physical RAM. Its display will have a 1080x2436px resolution, and the phone will run Android 14 out of the box.

There's also a small render of the phone, suggesting a curved display.



The Google Play Console leak of the Infinix Note 40 Pro 5G

The Geekbench run supports the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 as the chip of choice, ditto the 8GB of RAM and Android 14.



Geekbench confirms MediaTek 7020

As for the Note 40 Pro (the non-5G model), it's rumored to have a Helio G99 chip, 8GB or 12GB of RAM, and run Android 14. It could pack 70W wired charging, and 5W wireless charging.

The series will make its global debut on March 18 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Source
Attorney General Douglas Moylan says his office continues to review major contracts for over 20 government agencies that his office is investigating.

But the AGs proposed workaround is not acceptable for the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio administration, according to Adelup spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin.

Adelup has asserted that millions of dollars worth of critical government contracts and federal funding have been put at risk since Moylan withdrew from representing agencies his office has been investigating, pending court rulings on alleged conflicts of interests in two government corruption cases that his office has been prosecuting.

Moylan on Monday called it a disinformation campaign and said his office has continued reviewing major government contracts over $500,000, as required by law.

The only difference, he said, is that contracts from agencies under investigation are now stamped with a disclaimer noting his office is not doing the review as their attorney, a workaround he had devised.

Theres no choice, were gonna sign them. If theyre appropriate, we are going to be processing out the information, the contracts and the procurements, Moylan told the PDN.

In response, Paco-San Agustin said the AG refuses to provide any legal services to these agencies, and his stamp confirms that.

His workaround is really just his attempt to circumvent his ethical obligations to the agencies, who are his client according to the Organic Act and Guam law, Paco-San Agustin added.

The AG said if the Office of the Governor does not agree to the solution, well, thats on them, then.

Because were ready to review, Moylan added.

Outside attorneys

Asked whether Adelup or any other agencies were seeking to hire their own attorneys to provide legal advice on government functions, Paco-San Agustin said the governor is considering all possible avenues to address the AGs withdrawal.

No further details could be provided as of Monday, she said.

Moylan told the PDN that if agencies need to get independent counsel, we are not going to stand in their way ... Were doing everything we can to make sure that they have independent counsel.

He said hes not personally aware of any contracts for independent legal counsel being reviewed by his office as of Monday.

Moylan said his office will reconsider their withdrawal from representing agencies, pending a decision from the courts on alleged conflicts of interest in the two corruption cases that prompted their withdrawal.

Speaker Therese Terlaje last week expressed a desire to make some changes in the law to make it clear that agencies that are now without legal representation could hire their own lawyers.

However, senators did not agree on any changes during emergency and special legislative sessions.

Paco-San Agustin did not address any specific legal impediments to independent counsel being hired.

A number of agencies currently under investigation wrote the speaker over the weekend, pointing to major issues faced due to a lack of legal counsel after the withdrawal of the AGs office from representing them.

For example, the Department of Revenue and Taxation has to work closely with the AGs office on issues like tax information prosecution, illegal alcohol importation, and real property tax refund payments, according to Department of Revenue and Taxation acting Director Marie Lizama.

A number of Rev and Tax services would become difficult, and in some cases, legally impossible, Lizama wrote, as employees now had to worry about discussions with attorneys at the AGs office being used against them in criminal proceedings.

It will also cost to hire independent counsel.

A letter from Director of Administration Ed Birn notes it will cost an estimated $300,000 a year to hire the two attorneys that DOA alone would need.

DOA and most executive line agencies dont have the budget to hire their own attorneys, Birn added.

Procurement updates

Moylan did provide updates on a number of procurements that agencies and the Office of the Governor have said are put at risk by his withdrawal of services.

The AG noted that several have not been submitted to his office yet.

Here are some major procurements that need approval from the AGs office, and their review status:
Senators will go into another special session at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros request to once again try to pass a bill seeking to remedy problems caused by the Office of the Attorney Generals withdrawal of legal representation for 22 government of Guam agencies that its currently investigating.

Acting Speaker Tina Muna Barnes, in her memo, said the special session would be solely to consider and vote on a bill that the governor has proposed and which she believes the public interest requires.

The bill seeks to authorize GovGuam agencies to acquire legal services during pendency of court actions involving the AGs potential conflict of interest.

Attorney General Douglas Moylan earlier notified 22 GovGuam agencies that hes temporarily withdrawing from representing them.

The governor said the AG refused to sign their documents, including contracts for critical services, unless they consent to a waiver of important rights.

The AG intends to wait until the courts resolve pending motions regarding his potential conflicts of interest, resulting from his representation of agencies and subsequent prosecution of agency officials, which are pending in two cases.

While these cases make their way through the court system, our agencies need solutions now to ensure they continue to receive the legal services they desperately need to continue operating and providing services to our community, the governor wrote to Muna Barnes in calling for Tuesdays special session.

Senators went into an emergency session on Wednesday and Thursday with lengthy discussions about the AGs temporary withdrawal of legal services but after two days, they didnt pass any bill purportedly to help remedy what the governor described as a legal crisis.

After going into a special session Friday afternoon at the governors request, senators again werent able to pass any legislative fix.

Moylan on Monday said his office has continued reviewing major GovGuam contracts over $500,000, as required by law.

The only difference, he said, is that contracts from agencies under AGs office investigation are now stamped with a disclaimer noting his office is not doing the review as their attorney, a workaround he had devised that is not acceptable to Adelup.

Moylans trying to circumvent his ethical obligations to the agencies, Adelup said.

The governors office said millions of dollars worth of critical government contracts and federal funding have been put at risk since Moylan withdrew from representing agencies his office has been investigating.
Shelters built to protect the civilian population from a missile attack and an early warning system to alert them are two measures that might be considered, given the possibility of war in the region, says security and geopolitics analyst Ankit Panda.

The militarys planned 360-degree missile defense system alone would not be enough to protect the population in the event of a strike from China or North Korea, according to the expert.

Panda, a Stanton senior fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, stopped over on Guam last week on his way back to Washington, D.C. from South Korea.

He spoke to local media about a number of topics Friday, in a sit-down organized by local think tank Pacific Center for Island Security.

Though not necessarily a critic of missile defense plans for Guam, Panda said there are multiple factors that residents have to consider as deployment of the missile defense system approaches.

I ultimately think that Guam will be the target in a U.S.-China conflict, regardless of the specifics of missile defense, he said.

But the new system could also affect how hard Guam would be struck, he said.

For example, he said, one of the ways in which an adversary might cope with missile defenses is simply to launch more missiles.

Improved defense for the island could also have the side effect of feeding into an arms race for the region, according to Panda.

China will look in Guam and China will see what is being done to protect Guam to improve the defense of Guam more generally, and a conclusion that Beijing might reach is that, as a result of this, there needs to be investments in further missiles, he said.

And the idea that the missile defense system will be something like a shield for the island isnt right.

Missile defense is never intended to play that role. Its never intended to be a perfect shield, Panda said.

Defense systems are getting better at shooting down enemy missilesthe exact numbers on how much better are still classified, Panda said, and theres debate to be had on that frontbut nothing is 100% effective.

Thats where hardened shelters, early warning systems, and even hardened infrastructure come into play to help protect civilians.

We need to be realistic about what missile defense can and cant accomplish. And we have to be realistic about the fact that the adversary gets a vote, Panda said.

The first Gulf War was a good example, according to the analyst. There, missile defense famously didnt work in the way it was designed, he said, but civilian lives were saved by a combination of early warnings and shelters.

Some of this can stoke panic. And thats not my intention at all. But ultimately, I think theres a responsibility for the government here to prepare for all eventualities. And I think the U.S. military has to be part of that, Panda said.

Local government officials have pointed to concrete buildings as potential shelters, but Guams comprehensive emergency management plan is classified, the Pacific Daily News reported last year.

Coming war

Despite some projections that war between the U.S. and China could happen by 2027, Pandit said war is not set in stone, and theres been some misunderstanding on the possibility of war.

(Chinese President) Xi Jinping has asked the Chinese military to be preparedand Ill emphasize that word, to be preparedfor a war by 2027. And that doesnt mean were going to war in 2027. Its a military objective, he said.

Theres still room for diplomacy, arms control, and strategic military maneuvering to convince China that taking Taiwan wouldnt be a good move, the analyst believes. If that can happen, the possibility of war can continue to be kicked down the road.

Theres also a lot of reasons why China might continue to second guess its own capabilities, and their economy is suffering. War fundamentally is an uncertain enterprise, as Vladimir Putin has learned in Ukraine, he said.

Make your voice heard

Panda said he believes there should be hearings in the U.S. Congress about the issue of protecting civilians located on the island, though he acknowledged that the ability of residents to advocate for that is limited by the fact that Guam is a territory and colony of the U.S.

He said he couldnt speak specifically on how to make that happen, but did offer some thoughts.

I think theres a lot that can be done. But I think it will require a much greater level of interest in these issues in Guam, because thats something Ive also noticed is that it can be very easy to feel like Guam is distant, Guam is small, Guam is not a U.S. state, and so there is no ability to affect these things. And I think thats not necessarily correct, Panda said.

More open debate about the islands defense, a bigger interest, and efforts to get those views heard in Washington, D.C. would be a step in the right direction, he said.
(Editors note: This is part of a series of stories for Mes CHamoru or CHamoru Month.)

I Sakman I Fino-ta, a groundbreaking website with an all-CHamoru language content, started when the founder saw a need for content in the native language of the Marianas.

I wanted to take my CHamoru language learning to the next level during the pandemic. But there was not enough CHamoru language content that was easily accessible, Benny Anderson told the Pacific Daily News.

Thats how www.isakman.com was born.

The website idea came during the pandemic while Anderson was taking Michael Lujan Bevacquas free online Zoom CHamoru language classes, and he wanted to practice between classes.

I researched online how to learn a second language. Some of the suggestions included daily reading and writing in the target language, Anderson said.

He bought CHamoru language books from the Guam Bus, UOG Press and Guampedia. The selection was limited and he bought most of them and wanted more reading content.

There were a few CHamoru language websites on the Internet but most were related to basic CHamoru language learning.

But Anderson was looking for more stories, poems and other writings in the CHamoru language for daily reading practice.

The weekly Zoom CHamoru language classes had hundreds of participants during the pandemic. But we had a limited resource of CHamoru language reading content. Where were we going to find content that was easily accessible? he said. There was a demand, but we needed CHamoru language writers to create more content.

So Anderson started to think about ideas to easily create more CHamoru content and crowdsourcing came to mind.

There were lots of people learning the basics of the CHamoru language, including writing. There was a platform to get their attention (weekly Zoom class) and there was technology to easily create content (ie. Wordpress).

I wrote some ideas and shared them with friends and family. The initial response to the ideas were all over the place. This is great, but a lot of work. There are not enough people who know the language. Why would people want to write for free? he said.

The feedback was tough love, but after Anderson adjusted his goals and expectations, he got some commitments to help him.

With help from a core group, including Bevacqua, they started I Sakman I Fino-ta.

We organized, we met regularly, we created a process that helped anyone contribute stories, poems, etc. and we promoted the project during the Zoom classes. The website is an immersive CHamoru language experience. The goal is to use CHamoru for everything on the website, from the UI and navigation to the organization pages and most importantly, the stories and poems and other contributions, he said.

Extremely positive response

Since launching the site, the response has been extremely positive, Anderson said.

The website has almost 200 articles from 30 contributors and has had thousands of visits. They are going strong into their second year, he said.

We have hundreds of followers on Instagram and Facebook and we are always finding ways to promote the CHamoru language. We are extremely appreciative of the support and recognition I Sakman I Fino-ta has received. We are grateful for the positive outcomes the attention has had on our work to help everyone on their CHamoru language learning journey, he said.

Anderson said hes grateful and honored to be a part of the efforts to help others learn and enjoy the CHamoru language.

A phrase he learned early on during the Zoom classes was anggen ti hita, pues hayi? or If not us, then who?

The phrase sparked a fire in me to take action. I havent looked back. I read a recent article in the Guam PDN about the need to create spaces for the CHamoru language to grow and thrive, he said. I hope I Sakman I Fino-ta can be one of those spaces.

Providing space for creative spirit

Its amazing to be able to provide a space for others to express their creative spirit in the CHamoru language, he said.

I Sakman I Fino-ta provides a space to showcase creativity in the CHamoru language, to create CHamoru language content and to enjoy CHamoru language content that is free and accessible for all, he said. Everyones CHamoru language journey is unique. We hope I Sakman I Fino-ta will be a space to help people on their journey.

Its important to create a space for CHamoru writings for several reasons, he said.

Writing is a fundamental skill when learning a language. Creating opportunities to practice writing is important for the CHamoru language to thrive, he said. Sharing writing in CHamoru creates reading opportunities. Reading is another fundamental skill to build when learning a language.

Providing access to CHamoru reading content is also important for the CHamoru language to thrive, he said.

The CHamoru language has been passed down through generations mainly through speaking. There are very few CHamoru first language speakers, Anderson said. We need to find more ways to teach the CHamoru language. Learning and sharing Chamoru through writing is one way.

And because there are few opportunities today for reading and writing in the CHamoru language, he hopes I Sakman I Fino-ta can be a space for reading and writing in the CHamoru language.

He hopes to inspire others to create spaces for the Chamoru language to thrive, invent new ways to learn and use the Chamoru language that keep pushing the language forward.

Wordle, word search

I Sakman I Fino-ta has a CHamoru language Wordle game, several CHamoru word search games and other projects in development like a podcast, video series and recipe website, Anderson said.

I Sakman I Fino-ta was not the first project to promote the CHamoru language, he said. We hope many more projects follow.

Another lesson he learned in the CHamoru language Zoom classes during the pandemic was its not enough for people to learn and use the language.

Theres a need for the grandchildren to teach their children CHamoru, he said.

We hope I Sakman I Fino-ta can be a space for the whole family to learn and enjoy the Chamoru language, he said.

During Mes CHamoru, the website will be handing out a CHamoru language learning gift every week to a lucky writer. Details can be found on I Sakman I Fino-ta.

Personally, I will be writing about a CHamoru dish I cooked daily during Mes CHamoru, he said.

Getting involved

There are many ways to get involved. The most important one is to visit the site and enjoy all the beautiful stories and poems from CHamoru writers from all over the world, Anderson said.

Visit I Sakman I Fino-ta daily and practice reading the CHamoru language. The second way to get involved is to contribute your writing. There is a form on the website to easily contribute. The CHamoru language needs all of us to share our stories in writing, he said.

Finally, the site relies on a community of volunteers who love the CHamoru language. Learning, using and sharing the CHamoru language is hard work and theres a lot more work to do, he said.

The CHamoru language needs all our help. There is a contact form on the website to get in touch with us. We can discuss the ongoing projects you can help us with. Anggen ti hita, pues hayi? Anderson said. It takes a village to keep the CHamoru language thriving. We all have a part in its story. Biba Mes CHamoru!
From replacing aging hospital chillers to putting new airport terminal roofs and a lack of legal guidance on investigative cases, millions worth of projects and services are at risk over the Office of the Attorney Generals decision to temporarily withdraw from representing over 20 government of Guam agencies it is investigating.

This is according to the heads of GovGuam agencies and directors who wrote separate letters to senators last week.

Under the law, the AGs office is supposed to review government procurements over $500,000.

Adelup initially released a copy of a letter from Public Works Director Vincent Arriola, who said procurement for rebuilding Simon Sanchez High School is in serious jeopardy.

Over the weekend, Adelup released more letters from GovGuam agencies, including the Guam Memorial Hospital Guam Authority, Department of Public Health and Social Services, Department of Revenue and Taxation, and Guam International Airport Authority, and Department of Administration.

The concerns go far beyond procurement.

Possible shutdown

Without the AGs office involvement in DOA and the implied threat of investigation and prosecution, agencies and directors are in an impossible position leading to a possible shutdown of the government, loss of federal grants and an unraveling of the fiscal achievements which led to the bond rating upgrade, DOA Director Edward Birn said in a March 8 letter to Speaker Therese Terlaje.

While senators held emergency and special sessions last week, they werent able to pass any legislative fixes to what Adelup described as a legal crisis stemming from Attorney General Douglas Moylans decision to withdraw his offices representation of GovGuam agencies.

DOA does not have a staff attorney despite the need for legal input to all its duties and responsibilities, and DOAs procurement counsel position has been vacant after the former ones death.

Acting Department of Revenue and Taxation Director Marie Lizama said DRT has to work with the AGs office on referrals of tax information for potential prosecution, seizure of alcoholic beverages brought into or sold on Guam in violation of law, and approval to refund real property tax payments.

The AGs abrupt withdrawal from providing DRT services will make it difficult, and in some cases, legally impossible, for the department to accomplish its work when that work requires consultation with the AGs office, Lizama said.

GMH Administrator Lillian Perez-Posadas said the AGs withdrawal will have negative impacts on the hospitals plans to replace the chillers and associated systems, structural and engineering improvements after Typhoon Mawar, repairs and upgrades to its information technology, procurement of medical equipment, and a new electronic health record system.

These projects and others are vital to patient care and treatment, she said. The attorney generals abandonment of its client--the hospital--poses a real threat to the health and welfare of the people who call this island home.

Acting Public Health Director PeterJohn Camacho raised serious concerns with Moylans decisions, considering that Public Health relies on the AGs office for legal representation for minors in need of protective services, legal review of proposed regulations and medical provider contracts, and approval of all contracts and agreements.

He said the AGs decision has been or will be delaying actions related to procuring a prescription drug monitoring program electronic database, contracts affecting senior citizen services, childrens wellness, and continuing lack of guidance on issuing sanitary permits and procurement appeals, among other things.

I want to bring to your attention that the OAG continues to delay in providing legal advice to our agency, Camacho said in his March 8 letter to the speaker.

$60M airport projects

The AGs letters are of great concern to the airport, which has nearly $60 million in federal and local funded projects under solicitation, GIAA Executive Manager John Quinata told the speaker.

These projects include replacing airport terminal roofs and terminal floors damaged by Mawar.

With extreme uncertainty that comes with the AGs letters or if he will comply with his mandates under the Organic Act and Guam law, the GIAA believes it is imperative that the Guam Legislature assist in ensuring continuity of operations, such that these large projects that may be stalled indefinitely without the AGs needed approvals, continue to move forward, Quinata told the speaker in his March 8 letter.

He asked senators to take urgent action to ensure the projects are not hampered as such delays may result in the loss of millions of dollars in funding due to obligation and expenditure requirements attached to funding sources.

Bureau of Statistics and Plans Director Lola Leon Guerrero said there are $2.8 million worth of contracts that have been or will be submitted to the AGs office for review and signature.

The speaker also received letters from the Hagatna Restoration and Redevelopment Authority, raising similar concerns.

Emergency shelters

Some agencies such as the Guam Energy Office, PBS Guam, Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, said theyre not currently under AG investigation but they are raising concerns in the event the AG adds their agency name to the list.

If theyre added on to the list, the Department of Youth Affairs said its contract for an emergency shelter for runaways, the homeless and youth victims of abuse may not be completed on time, along with installing an updated fire alarm system and upgrading cell door locking mechanisms, DYA Director Melanie Brennan said.

Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center Director Therese Arriola said the agency currently has 12 initiatives totaling $6.9 million that are needing the AGs review.

Guam Housing Corp. president Edith Pangelinan said future renovations of rental housing units may be subject to the AGs involvement under the law, and that the AGs office has cast a cloud on the duly executed contract between a private attorney and GHC, causing delays in the processing of delinquent accounts forwarded to the counsel for his action.
Someone has to ensure that government agencies are following the law when they go out to spend public money, according to Public Auditor Benjamin BJ Cruz, whether that be the attorney general or an independent attorney hired by government agencies.

Attorney General Douglas Moylans recent withdrawal from representing 22 government of Guam agencies that he is also investigating has sparked concern from the administration about how any government purchase over $500,000which legally needs the approval of the AGwill move forward.

Moylans proposed workaround, where his office signs off on procurement for the agencies under investigation even though he is not acting as legal counsel, has received pushback from Adelup.

That has to be moved a little faster so that we can get contracts in and out and keep government moving, Cruz told the Pacific Daily News on Monday.

The public auditor, who pushed for the mandatory review by the AG back when he was a senator in 2010, said the point of that review was to ensure that GovGuam agencies follow the law before they go out and spend public money.

Theres been back and forth in the Legislature over the past week, about whether agencies should be able to hire their own attorneys to handle the review, and whether the $500,000 limit should be changed.

Disagreement has frozen any movement so far.

Those are all questions for senators to sort out, Cruz said Monday, but an attorney has to be given the ethical responsibility.

Somebody needs to answer to what happens...who that is, is of no consequence to me, the public auditor said, as long as all the boxes on the checklist for going out to procurement are checked off.

Moylan told senators last week that he believes the job of reviewing contracts is best left up to the AGs officewhere attorneys are actively working against corruption.

Attorneys paid directly by an agency would only be accountable to the person paying their salary, Moylan said.

The AG has ended the practice of using so-called special assistant attorneys general, usually attorneys with a private firm or staff attorneys at an agency, who are deputized to review GovGuam contracts.

As long as you have an attorney thats responsible for going through it and making sure that everything on that checklist is done...Im happy, Cruz said.

He could see why the use of special assistant attorneys general had ended.

For instance, one such attorney had overseen the Guam Department of Educations purchase of millions of dollars worth of laptops with no contract.

It was also generally better that agencies hire their own attorneys on staff, according to Cruz, which might cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, instead of millions, as was the case with the Port Authority of Guam at one point.

I have friends at private firms, but you shouldnt make money at the tit of the government. At least not that kind of money, he said.

To avoid getting tied up in lengthy procurement protests, just follow the law, he said.

Prosecution

The public auditor said hes not a fan of the idea of having his office hire attorneys to prosecute cases of fraud, waste, and abuse found in their audits.

Its an idea thats been floated a number of times before, given that OPA is already tasked with digging into misuse of public funds.

According to Moylan, a number of investigations into GovGuam offices were prompted by audits coming from Cruz office.

But Cruz said OPA has enough in its lane and doesnt need to add more onto its plate.

There should be lines where you do something and somebody else should be the next one. The police dont prosecute, the police arrest, and the decision to prosecute is made by the attorney general, he said.

Appointed attorney general

Cruz, who is also a former attorney, judge and chief justice, said he is worried that opposition between the elected attorney general and the governors office is eating up a lot of the governments time.

He said he has always preferred to have the AG appointed by the governor.

Ever since I retired, people have been asking me to run for attorney general. And Ive always told them the reason why...I wouldnt run for attorney general is that Ive always been opposed to the fact that the attorney general was elected, Cruz said.

The chief executive and the governor should be of the same mind when pursuing the policy of the government, and Guam is now in a case where the governor and the AG are on opposite ends of each other in the U.S. Supreme Court over abortion, for example.

Concerns about the AGs office having to prosecute and represent the government have recently brought forth a bill from Sen. William Parkinson, to split up the functions of the AGs office into an appointed AG, an elected public prosecutor, and an appointed special prosecutor responsible for government corruption cases.

But Cruz, whos also a former speaker, said he does not like the idea of having a prosecutor beholden to voters.

If you have to go out and get votes..it just, it just bothers me. I dont like it, the former judge said.

As for how an appointed AG is supposed to handle high-level corruption cases, Cruz said, If a cabinet member does something that is indictable then indict them, that has nothing to do with the governor and the direction of the ship of state is going.
An evidentiary hearing in a government corruption case at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Superior Court Judge John C. Terlajes courtroom might provide some direction for multiple parties on the attorney generals role.

At the heart of the issue is the Office of the Attorney General and its role as both legal counsel to government of Guam agencies and public criminal prosecutor.

Defense attorney Jay Arriola, representing former Public Health Director Arthur San Agustin, asked via legal motion to have the AGs office disqualified from prosecuting his clients case in Terlajes courtroom.

San Agustin faces misconduct accusations for allegedly tampering with public records in his official capacity as director.

About two weeks ago, Attorney General Douglas Moylan sent a letter to more than 20 GovGuam agencies, informing them that his office will be temporarily withdrawing from representing agencies that his office is currently investigating.

He recommended that they retain private counsel until the issues are settled.

Recall

Arriola said Moylan is a lawyer before anything else, and is bound to ethics. He suggested a recall as a possible avenue.

We need someone other than this headline-seeking, government-corruption prosecutor who thinks hes got a mandate from voters to do this, as opposed to doing his job and represent the Government of Guam, Arriola said. Thats his number one job  not to prosecute people, but to represent the government in law. And the governors right. (Moylan is) abdicating his responsibilities under the ethical rules.

Adelup chastised the AGs actions and said Moylan was ignoring Organic Act mandates and putting government services at risk.

By law, Moylan must sign off on government contracts more than $500,000.

Already, the Legislature passed and the governor signed legislation this past weekend allowing the Guam Power Authority to bypass the AGs signature and procurement procedures to finalize a $25 million, two-year deal with power supplier Aggreko on an emergency basis.

Moylan himself also drafted and offered proposed legislation to Speaker Therese Terlaje, which was to be one topic of discussion during an emergency legislative session last week.

The AG-sponsored bill seeks to declare a no conflict of interest when the AG prosecutes a person as a result of procurement review he performs, and removing attorney-client privilege for those reviews. The legislature took no action.

The Legislature was also in receipt of a letter from Supreme Court of Guam staff attorney Maria Erica Eschbach, saying that she was aware of the AGs proposed legislation.

She cited the Organic Act in saying that the Supreme Court of Guam governs attorney and judicial ethics and the practice of law on Guam, and conduct and discipline of persons admitted to practice law.

Supreme Court justices refrain from commenting on any pending or impending matters, adhering to a model code of judicial conduct, according to Sarah G. Elmore-Hernandez, the director of policy, planning and community relations for the Judiciary of Guam, in response to questions posed by the PDN to the Supreme Court.

Additionally, there is currently no case before the Supreme Court of Guam regarding the question at hand. We trust that Attorney Eschbachs letter adequately reflects the provisions outlined in the Organic Act, she wrote in her reply.

Moylan said his office does not comment on active cases.

Corruption cases

Moylan last year announced the indictment of several GovGuam officials, including officials from the Department of Public Health and Social Services, and from the Guam Regional Transit Authority, and those cases are making their way through the Guam judicial system.

Public Health was one of 20 other agencies to receive Moylans letter about the temporary withdrawal of AGs office representation. The agency list, Moylan has said, was a result of reports by the public auditor.

Besides the Public Health case in Terlajes courtroom, Arriola has a similar motion for disqualification posed to Judge Alberto E. Tolentino in a case where officials from GRTA are also accused of misconduct.
Kit Lam, a parent activist who helped organize 2022s successful school board recall in San Francisco, is joining philanthropist Daniel Luries mayoral campaign. The Chinese American Lam, a legislative aide to Supervisor Joel Engardio, is among the higher profile defections by Breeds Asian American supporters now campaigning for her rival. The Chronicle San Francisco Mayor London Breed feeds the lion dancers their dragons around money in Far East Cafe on Friday. Camille Cohen/Special to the Chronicle

San Francisco Mayor London Breeds reelection challengers are seizing on her apparent vulnerability with Asian voters by appointing Chinese American staffers to key campaign roles.

On Saturday, Kit Lam, an influential parent organizer of the 2022 San Francisco school board recall, joined nonprofit founder and Levi Strauss heir Daniel Luries mayoral campaign as his Asian American and Pacific Islander political director. Lam is the latest in a number of moderate Asian American politicos and community leaders who are rallying behind Breeds opponents as she faces a tough reelection fight.

I personally believe we need new leadership  someone who is not in City Hall politics, said Lam, who left his City Hall job Friday as a legislative aide to Supervisor Joel Engardio.

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Meanwhile, Jade Tu, a Chinese American native of San Francisco who got involved in city politics three years ago in response to a wave of anti-Asian hate crimes in the city, is the campaign manager for Mark Farrell, a former city supervisor and appointed mayor who is also trying to unseat Breed in November.

San Francisco mayoral candidate Daniel Lurie addresses the press at St. Marys Square on Feb. 26. Lurie, an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune and a nonprofit founder, has hired an organizer of the 2022 school board recall to be his campaigns Asian American and Pacific Islander political director. Don Feria/Special to the Chronicle

Tu previously served as District Attorney Brooke Jenkins campaign manager in 2022 and appears likely to win a seat on the Democratic County Central Committee, a little-known but powerful group that controls a much-coveted endorsement process  including for the mayors race. In hiring her to run his campaign, Farrell said he was setting the tone that the AAPI community in San Francisco matters.

Asian voters played a major role in electing Breed and her most recent predecessors, but many seem to have soured on the mayor amid concerns about anti-Asian violence during the pandemic as well as overall dissatisfaction with the citys high property crime, open-air drug dealing and other issues.

A Chronicle poll in February showed that 80% of Asian voters likely to cast ballots in November disapproved of Breeds performance, and Lurie and Farrell would each receive support from 17% of Asian likely voters if the election were held now, compared with just 10% for Breed.

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Thirty-seven percent of San Franciscos residents identify as Asian, according to the most recent census data.

The reason why people are jumping off the London Breed bandwagon is they were never on it, said David Ho, a Chinatown advocate and political consultant, adding that he thinks Breed has failed to cultivate deep relationships with the Asian American community in the way that one of her predecessors, Willie Brown, had, for instance. Ho supported Breeds 2018 campaign but is so far remaining neutral this year.

Lam said he heard plenty of residents, particularly monolingual Chinese business owners, voice frustration at what they see as neglect from the Breed administration as they deal with frequent break-ins.

Daniel and I  we agree that as government officials, we are here to serve people, not the other way around, Lam said.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed greets members of the Asian American community at Far East Cafe, the last remaining large banquet hall in Chinatown, for Lunar New Year on Friday. Political observers say its too early to determine whether Asian American support is moving away from Breed and coalescing around any of her rivals, with some predicting a split in the powerful voting bloc. Camille Cohen/Special to the Chronicle

Lurie has made courting Asian American voters a key strategy of his campaign, making frequent visits to Chinatown. His face has been splashed across full-page advertisements in Chinese-language newspaper Sing Tao Daily and huge billboards in the heart of the historic neighborhood. He also recently made a drug-policy announcement there, and on Monday plans to unveil his proposal to address declining enrollment in San Francisco public schools, an issue that many Asian American families have voiced frustration over in recent years.

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As Ive said, as the Chinese community goes, as the API community goes, so goes San Francisco, Lurie said.

Tu said the Farrell campaign is trying to bolster support in the Asian community by meeting voters where they live in neighborhoods with large Asian populations, including the Sunset and Richmond districts as well as Chinatown and Visitacion Valley.

For Tu, who grew up in the Sunset District, joining Farrells campaign was an obvious choice.

Hes someone with experience, someone whos competent, someone who has results and a track record of being able to fix our city, Tu said. He also has private-sector experience. The other candidates dont have that inside and outside experience at City Hall  we need someone whos well rounded.

San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safai, a candidate for mayor, says he has a 24-year record of working with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. The powerful voting bloc is being courted heavily by the candidates for mayor. Camille Cohen/Special to the Chronicle

Supervisor Ahsha Safai, another mayoral candidate, said hes trying to win over Asian voters by pointing to his work in office to address issues important to them, including funding for nonprofits that support single-room occupancy units and sponsoring legislation earlier this year to increase police foot patrols. Safai also recently hired an Asian American campaign manager, Lauren Chung, who worked on his 2020 supervisorial campaign and in his office, where she worked to foster relationships with the citys Chinese community, according to his mayoral campaign.



Breeds administration points to various initiatives to support the Asian community in recent years, including an expanded senior escort program to help elderly residents get to medical appointments and complete other routine tasks.

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Breeds reelection campaign referred the Chronicle to a spokesperson for two of her March ballot measures, Propositions E and F, which passed this week and were designed to take tougher stances on crime and drug abuse. The spokesperson, Joe Arellano, said in a statement that the measures address two issues important to the citys Asian community.



Prop. E, an expansion of police power, will give SFPD the power to pursue suspects that break into small businesses at night  an issue that has affected many mom-and-pop, Asian-owned businesses, Arellano said. And Prop. F, which mandates drug screening for welfare recipients, is part of Breeds efforts to crack down on public drug scenes, he said.



Asian elders and families shouldnt have to walk through Chinatown or merchant corridors on the Westside concerned about seeing open-air drug use in front of their children or grandchildren, Arellano said.

Aside from the campaign operatives, some Chinese American community pillars have already turned on Breed.

Mel Lee, a senior member of the historic Chinatown nonprofit Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and a developer, was a Breed ally in 2018 and even emceed a 500-person campaign event for her in Chinatown, he said.

But since then, he thinks shes taken the Chinese community for granted and failed to lead the city, citing homelessness, retail theft, car break-ins and byzantine business permitting processes.

The nail in the coffin was the recent clash over Breeds proposal to open a sober housing facility for formerly homeless people near Chinatown and Breeds failure to consult the Chinatown community about the idea before her Feb. 8 announcement.

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The proposal was scrapped amid protest, but the damage had already been done.

Lee said hes backing Lurie because of the nonprofit founders executive management experience.

Louis Lam, a business owner and board member of Chinatown nonprofit Chinese Newcomers Center, donated $500, the maximum contribution, in 2021 to Breeds reelection bid. But last fall, he flipped and has since donated that amount to Luries campaign.

I supported London Breed five years ago when she ran for mayor but in the past five years I saw the result in San Francisco: businesses, big corporations moving out, small businesses moving out, Lam said. I think we need to have a new leader.



Yet Breed still has some prominent Asian American supporters. Mary Jung, a longtime political organizer who led the successful recall campaign against former District Attorney Chesa Boudin, said shes supporting Breed 100%.

The reason is that I do feel a change in the city, Jung said, pointing to statistics that crime in the city is down, though experts told the Chronicle it was too soon to tell if that was due to the mayors policies. I feel its more positive. I think its getting cleaner. I think its getting safer.

Political observers say its too early to determine whether Asian American support is coalescing around any one candidate, with some predicting a split in the powerful voting bloc that could benefit the incumbent.
In this July 28, 2022 file photo, a voter proudly shows a sticker he received after casting his primary election ballot during the first day of early voting conducted by the Guam Election Commission at Westin Resort Guam in Tumon.
The sunny beaches of the Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, are waiting on a limited number of lucky volunteers. The festival is partnering with Propeller, a digital marketing and activism platform that partners nonprofits with artists, to offer a limited number of free tickets.

Heres how it works: Hangout hopefuls can sign up here to join the festivals Earn-a-Ticket program, then begin earning points by completing various actions on the Propeller website.

Volunteering with the Human Rights Campaign, for example, earns 2,000 points, while joining the Sierra Club earns 1,500. Some points are free to earn, like signing petitions, while other actions require donations to various nonprofits.

Each single three-day general admission pass to Hangout costs 8,000 points.

Activists who complete all program requirements will be eligible to redeem one ticket to attend the Hangout Music Festival, while supplies last. Participants in the Earn-A-Ticket program also will be required to volunteer for a beach cleanup with the Alabama Coastal Foundation.

The festival will send out more information to applicants on Tuesday, March 11.

Hangout Fest also is offering a separate opportunity to win a Super VIP trip for two, which includes round-trip travel to Gulf Shores, condo accommodations and ride-share credit for the weekend.

The 2024 Hangout Music Fest takes place May 17-19. It features headliners Zach Bryan, ODESZA and Lana Del Rey. Tickets start at $359, plus fees, and are available through the official website.
In the realm of Southern destinations, certain beloved cities grace many a travel wish list. Places like New Orleans, Louisiana, with its vibrant parties and Nashville, Tennessee, renowned for its music scene, draw tourists from far and wide. Yet beyond these well-known gems, an abundance of Southern treasures await discovery.

Southern Living magazine recently unearthed several of the Souths hidden havens in its list of the 10 Most Underrated Destinations in the South  and Crystal River, Florida, earned its place among them.

Nestled in Citrus County, about 90 minutes north of Tampa and home to roughly 3,400 permanent residents, Crystal River boasts a unique claim to fame as one of the few places in the U.S. where you can swim alongside manatees in their natural habitat.

Each year, from November through March, approximately 800 of these gentle giants seek refuge in the warm waters of Crystal Rivers Kings Bay, which hosts 70 natural springs.

And according to Southern Living, for those whove yearned for an authentic wildlife encounter, free from the constraints of commercialization often found in theme parks or zoos, Crystal River beckons as a must-see destination  with a multitude of outfitters standing at the ready to ensure every visitor can partake in this once in a lifetime opportunity.

As the official Home of the Manatee, Crystal River is also home to the only national wildlife refuge in the United States specifically created to protect them.

An endangered Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) is shown at Three Sisters Spring in Crystal River, Florida. The Florida manatee is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. (Dave Fleetham | Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)Design Pics Editorial/Universal

The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge consists of 20 islands in and around Kings Bay. Its only accessible by boat and offers visitors an array of activities to choose from, including hiking, fishing, hunting, scuba diving and camping. The refuge also provides access to Three Sisters Springs, featuring crystal clear, deep water springs for swimming, kayaking or snorkeling.

If youre in the mood for a treasure hunt, visit the area anytime from July 1 through Sept. 24 to experience scallop season. The Gulf of Mexico, off the Crystal River, is one of the few places to scallop along the coast of Florida.

For those who want a little respite from the outdoor activities, the downtown area of Crystal River offers an array of art galleries, eateries, pubs and museums to explore.

Whether seeking adventure or tranquility, Southern Living says Crystal River promises an unforgettable Southern escape.




Haiti - FLASH : Security alert, American Embassy in Port-au-Prince (March 10)





"The current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. We are aware that there arefew or nocommercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time. As they become available, we urge U.S. citizens to take advantage of them.



The U.S. Embassys ability to assist U.S. citizens is severely limited. While the U.S. Embassy is unable to facilitate travel out of the country, U.S. citizens in Haiti who wish to record their presence and provide updated contact information must complete our crisis intake form at the following address https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake "



The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Haiti remains at level four : do not travel to Haiti.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41848-haiti-flash-night-military-evacuation-of-non-essential-personnel-from-the-american-embassy.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41832-haiti-flash-marines-deployed-in-haiti.html



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Haiti - FLASH : Ariel Henry is not welcome in the Dominican Republic





The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, in an interview with the Financial Times, expressed his concern about national security in a context of growing crisis in Haiti and explained that due to the current context, he does not consider the presence of the Haitian Prime Minister in the Dominican Republic as appropriate, alleging that this decision was taken in the interest of safeguarding national security.



A statement which comes at a time of tension and violence in Haiti, where gangs have challenged the authority of the Government, further complicating the political and social situation in the region underlines a press release from the Dominican Government.



Abinader also stressed that the crisis in Haiti not only represents a humanitarian challenge, but also constitutes a direct threat to the stability and security of the Dominican Republic.



Likewise, he reiterated that the Dominican Republic has closed its 390 km land border with Haiti since the recent increase in violence, implementing strict restrictions on the movement of goods and people.



In his interview he regretted the absence of Government and authority in Haiti, describing the security situation as "totally unsustainable", mainly in the South of Haiti and in Port-au-Prince. For this reason he once again called on the international community to join efforts to pacify Haiti and develop a viable plan towards democratic elections, affirming that without a legitimate government and a significant reduction in violence, the electoral process will not be viable.



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Haiti - Insecurity : German and EU diplomats urgently evacuated to the Dominican Republic





Faced with the escalation of violence which led to a state of emergency being declared in the Haitian capital, Dominican authorities are preparing for a possible emergency air evacuation to transport from Haiti to the Dominican Republic the Dominican officials who are in the neighboring country, but also foreign diplomats from friendly countries.



In a press release, Lieutenant General Carlos Luciano Diaz Morfa, Minister of Defense of the Dominican Republic, announced on Saturday March 9 that he had met with staff officers, advisors and representatives of the executive branch to review the protocols safety in the context of an evacuation.



The authorities explained that during the meeting important aspects of logistics for fuel supply, migration formalities, medical care and first aid were discussed. The use of Jimani and El Higuero airports as supply and storage points was considered.



If the evacuation of Dominican officials has not been ordered for the moment, German Ambassador Peter Sauer as well as 11 other people and representatives of the European delegation were evacuated from Haiti on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. to the Dominican Republic aboard two helicopters (N109ZT and H1068) to the heliport of the 14th Battalion of the Army of the Dominican Republic in Jimani.



The German Embassy and the European delegation will continue their activities from the Dominican Republic.



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Haiti - Insecurity : Haiti is drifting dangerously towards civil war says Mgr. Mesidor





As Haiti sinks deeper into chaos every day and gangs tighten their grip, Mgr. Max Leroy Mesidor, Archbishop of Port-au-Prince and President of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti, warns that "the country is drifting dangerously towards civil war".



According to Mgr Max Leroy Mesidor, "the Haitian police forces are powerless in the face of well-armed gangs which have become an organized army [...]"



He confirmed that the Church has become one of the targets of gangs and kidnappings "There are kidnappings everywhere Whether you are rich or poor, intellectual or illiterate, anyone can be kidnapped. Its a dictatorship, a scourge that must be fought."



Life has also become extremely dangerous for Haitian bishops, especially in gang-controlled areas like the capital Port-au-Prince. "[...] we try to work and witness together. It is not easy, but we must carry our cross and follow Christ, especially during this time of Lent," declared Mgr Mesidor "I myself cannot visit two thirds of my diocese because the roads are blocked



Despite the difficulties and dangers, the Haitian Church continues its work showing great resilience: "Our people want to live," he declared, stressing that the main mission of the Church in Haiti is to keep hope alive and encourage people, especially young people, not to give up.



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Haiti - Politics : Jamaica will not allow itself to be invaded by Haitian refugees





Jamaica's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Horace Chang, told Parliament that the country would welcome orphans from Haiti, amid growing social challenges.



"We have agreed to accommodate a number of individuals through legitimate means, namely the orphans residing in an orphanage facing isolation and challenges," explaining that the logistics of this arrangement are currently underway and that the NGO Mustard Seed Community will make the necessary arrangements.



The National Security chief also explained that the World Bank has asked Jamaica to bring its staff from Haiti to the neighboring country and that it is "we are actively working on facilitating this process."



"What we can do through legitimate means, we do. We must always maintain control of our borders because we cannot afford to be overwhelmed by refugees." He assured that measures to strengthen border security would be implemented to address any potential challenges.



About 30,000 children live in around 750 orphanages across Haiti, according to government figures. Chang did not specify how many orphans Jamaica would accept from Haiti.



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A Waymo autonomous vehicle makes it way down Toland Street near the companys fleet storage in San Francisco in 2023. A California bill would require autonomous car companies to report data to the state on any collisions and traffic violations involving their vehicles. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

A frequent criticism by San Francisco officials as driverless robotaxis became common on city streets has been that Californias laws have been slow to catch up to reality.

Self-driving cars were stalling traffic, involved in collisions and interfering with first responders on local roads amid their sudden proliferation, officials said. But, they couldnt say to what extent the problems were occurring because autonomous vehicle companies arent required to report the information to state regulators. Nor could officials determine how well robotaxi companies were performing as they pivoted to paid ride-hailing.

A new state bill aims to change that by requiring Waymo, Cruise and other AV companies entering Californias driverless ride-hailing markets to report data to the state on any collisions and traffic violations involving their vehicles.

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If passed, the proposal, which has support from San Francisco officials, would mark the first big update to the states regulatory reporting requirements regarding autonomous vehicles since 2018.

In California, the state Department of Motor Vehicles oversees the testing and deployment permits that AV companies need to test and use their technologies without a human driver behind the wheel  whether its a robotaxi or an autonomous truck.

Companies are now required to report collisions, mileage and disengagements  when an autonomous vehicle is manually taken over after a technical failure or safety risk  to the DMV only if theyre using testing, not deployment, permits.

That subtle distinction last year led city officials to question whether robotaxi companies cherry-pick the crashes they report to the state. Only two companies, Waymo and Cruise, have been awarded deployment permits by the DMV, with dozens of other companies holding testing permits.

Supporters of the proposal say extending Californias reporting requirements to deployment permits would capture performance data of robotaxis as they expand across the state and as more companies potentially join the emerging driverless ride-hailing market. This month, another regulator, the state Public Utilities Commission, approved Waymos ride-hailing expansion to the Peninsula and Los Angeles.

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Im supportive of the technology, Im not trying to shut (robotaxis) down, said San Francisco Assembly Member Matt Haney, the bills author. But as they grow from testing to full deployment, theres a lot thats not being shared, and that hurts trust, it hurts transparency, and it hurts safety.

Specifically, Haneys bill requires companies to report all collisions, traffic violations and disengagements involving their driverless cars after they shift to deployment permits, including where the incidents happened.

Robotaxi companies could face daily fines of more than $26,315 if they dont immediately report such occurrences to the DMV, and also risk losing their permits, if the bill becomes law.

Companies should welcome being judged on the actual performance of the vehicles, Haney said. Right now, we dont have the data to be able to do that.

Cruise is committed to engaging with regulators and stakeholders at all levels of government to help bring the benefits of autonomous vehicle technology to communities, Cruise spokesperson Hannah Lindow said in an email. We have and will continue to participate in policy discussions about the future of transportation and how we can contribute to solutions that arise from the development of this technology.

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Waymo didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Reached for comment, the DMV said in an email that the department doesnt publicly weigh in on pending legislation.

Several other bills making their way through the legislature could change rules and regulations involving driverless vehicles. One proposal could give cities authority to fine AV companies for traffic violations involving their driverless cars. Another bill aims to give cities more local control over how robotaxi companies are allowed to commercially expand in their jurisdictions.

Over the past two years, San Franciscos transportation agencies and the Fire Department agencies have tried to document robotaxi disruptions to residents and first responders by informally collecting their own data.

Its an exercise officials said was born out of frustration over the dearth of data reported to state regulators, and one that doesnt truly tell the scope of autonomous vehicles struggles and successes.

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Haiti - News : Zapping...





30 to 50% of gang members are minors

Widespread poverty and a lack of economic opportunities also push young girls and boys to join armed groups, to the point that it is estimated that between 30 and 50% of gang members are minors.



Urgent needs for police officers

The National Police Union of Haiti (SPNH-17), launches an appeal for support to the population and requests urgent measures to strengthen the capacities of the police who require heavy equipment, weapons, ammunition, bulletproof vests and ballistic helmets for each police officer in order to face attacks from armed gangs. Despite the challenges they face, the union says the police remain determined to protect the population and combat insecurity. They encourage collaboration between the police and the population, advocating a participatory security approach to anticipate and counter attacks by criminals.



362,000 displaced people

According to the IOM, 362,000 people, more than half of whom are children, are currently displaced in Haiti, a figure which has jumped 15% since the start of the year.



AccLab Haiti : call for participation

The acceleration laboratory (AccLab Haiti) of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP - Haiti) is conducting a national inventory of innovations derived from solid waste in the perspective of a national fair, in which the three best exhibitors will be awarded AccLab Haiti therefore invites innovators, start-ups or any companies operating in the field and which have products derived from waste to complete the form at the link https://trnd.ly/UNDPet to submit it before on March 31, 2024.



The President of El Salvador intends to resolve insecurity in Haiti

The young and authoritarian President of El Salvador, Bayib Bukele (42 years old) in charge since 2019, acclaimed for his fight against crime which made it possible to defeat armed gangs thanks to a policy of firmness and to regain control of 100% of the territory in 1 1/2 year old shared a message about the Haitian crisis on "X" (former twitter) where he said "We can solve these things" adding "But we will need a UN Security Council resolution, with the consent of the host country and that all mission costs are covered.e However, no details were communicated on how El Salvador would go about solving the problem of armed gangs in Haiti.



Dr. Douglas Pope free after payment of 4 ransoms

Friday March 8, 2024, Dr. Douglas Pape (33 years old) son of Dr. Jean-William Pape from the GKESKIO center, kidnapped on November 28, 2023, was released by his captors after more than 3 months of confinement and the payment of 4 ransoms.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















UC Berkeley is reportedly being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education after recent campus protests. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2022

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating UC Berkeley for possible discrimination tied to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Since Hamas surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, education officials have announced investigations into dozens of colleges and universities, including Stanford, UCLA and UC San Diego. The department investigates allegations of discrimination based on ethnicity or shared ancestry at schools under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

It was unclear what prompted Berkeley to be added last week to the departments probe into campus discrimination. The agency did not respond to requests for comment.

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The Times of Israel reported that the investigation stemmed from a Feb. 26 anti-Israel campus protest that forced the cancellation of a planned lecture by Israeli attorney and former Israeli Defense Force member Ran Bar-Yoshafat.

UC Berkeley Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Ben Hermalin did not address the protests but said in a March 4 statement that campus groups have the right to host events and speakers regardless of content. We will do what we can to fiercely protect this right.

We also want to clarify that protesting an event due to its political nature does not make the protest activity inherently antisemitic or Islamophobic, Hermalin said.

A Jewish student group said it planned to protest the universitys response at noon Monday. In a statement announcing the protest, Hannah Schlacter, a student at Haas School of Business, said the administration has failed to adequately protect Jewish students even in the midst of a hate crime investigation, a Title VI investigation, and a university-led investigation.

Schlacter said a crowd of students violently shut down the Feb. 26 event by storming the venue to hurl slurs and attack Jewish students, several of whom consequently sought medical attention.

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Investigations into possible discrimination at Harvard, Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania were also opened last year.

Administrators at UC Berkeley and Stanford are struggling to navigate campus hostilities over Israel and Gaza. A lawsuit filed late last year accused the university of allowing the unchecked spread of antisemitism on its campus.
Havre Police Department

After a caller at 11:23 a.m. Friday from First Street complained about a neighbor's dog running loose, officers issues a written or verbal warning.

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Officers investigated a report from 18th Street at 1:24 p.m. Friday that a firearm may have been stolen.

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Officers making a motor vehicle stop on 16th Ave. West at 1:11 a.m. Saturday arrested Thalia Charlene Vazquez of Box Elder, 27, on charges of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; driving without insurance, third offense; driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license, and speeding.

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Officers were...
Lapland Police Department on Friday communicated that it is investigating the fire, which claimed the lives of one Finn and two Germans, as grossly negligent endangerment, aggravated negligent homicide, grossly negligent infliction of bodily injury and rescue offence.

NEGLIGENCE is believed to have caused the deadly hostel fire in Kolari, Finnish Lapland, on 13 February.

A police spokesperson said the pre-trial investigation is challenging because most parties to the case are foreign nationals and have left Finland.

The fire that claimed the lives of three people and destroyed the hostel will preoccupy the police for a long time, the press release reads.

The Silver Fox hostel burnt down in Akaslompolo, Kolari, on 13 February. One Finnish and two German nationals died in the fire, whereas 31 managed to exit the property on their own after the fire was detected shortly after midnight.

Were definitely not talking about a small crime but a relatively serious act. As you have grossly negligent endangerment linked to aggravated negligent homicide in this case, police are investigating very serious crimes, Matti Tolvanen, a professor emeritus of criminal law at the University of Eastern Finland, analysed in an interview with YLE on Friday.

While police did not disclose how many people are suspected and whether the suspects were guests at the hostel, Tolvanen said to the public broadcasting company that the suspected offence of grossly negligent endangerment would in general point to guests or other people who were at the site of the fire.

Tolvanen told Helsingin Sanomat that the offence indicates that one or more people are suspected of causing the fire through negligence. In general, he added, such negligence could entail the careless use of fire or electrical equipment.

Theres a pretty diverse range of possible acts, he stated to the newspaper.

Helsingin Sanomat also pointed out that the identification of a suspect or suspects is not a prerequisite for recording the suspected offences.

The police press release also indicates that investigators do not suspect arson due to the lack of references to aggravated criminal mischief and, possibly, manslaughter or attempted manslaughter. The reference to rescue offence, meanwhile, points to the possibility that the party who owns or maintains the property is suspected of neglecting safety-related obligations.

You may be guilty of rescue offence if you neglect to comply with fire safety regulations. The negligence may be failure to take care of fire alarms or their condition, Tolvanen said to YLE.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Finland is gearing up for a significant demonstration of unity and commitment to anti-racism. On March 21, 2024, coinciding with the United Nations International Anti-Racism Day, Finns from all walks of life will take to the streets of Helsinki to celebrate diversity, equality, and solidarity against racism. Organized by a coalition of Finnish anti-racism organizations including the African Anti-Racism Society Finland ry (AFARS) and supported by Amnesty International Finland among others, this march aims to raise awareness, foster discussions on racism, and create a visibly inclusive society.

Eugene Ufoka, the initiator of the event and a representative from AFARS, voices a powerful call to action: We want to join the voices of everybody living in Finland who believe in equality. This march is not just a demonstration but a celebration of the rich diversity and the strides being made towards an inclusive society where every individual can exist freely without fear of discrimination or hostility.

Set against the backdrop of the Anti-Racism Week, the march is a highlight among numerous events designed to promote dialogue and understanding across Finland. Ufoka emphasizes the importance of normalizing conversations about racism, stating, Racism should not be a taboo but a topic people can discuss in their schools, workplaces and at the dinner table. Acknowledging and facing racism is seen as a crucial step towards changing societal attitudes and making Finland a better place for all its residents.

Recent studies, both domestic and international, have identified racism as a pervasive issue in Finnish society. The UN underscores the harmful effects of racism, not only on those directly affected but on society as a whole, deepening mistrust and tearing apart the social fabric. The march in Helsinki is a response to this challenge, organized in cooperation with several anti-racism and human rights groups. It is a call to action for everyone to actively engage in anti-racism efforts and to reject hate speech and xenophobia.

The event on March 21, from 16:00 to 18:00, starts at Senate Square and will proceed along Aleksanterinkatu to the Parliament House, symbolizing a collective journey towards a more equitable society. Those unable to attend in person can participate online with the hashtag #FightRacism, joining a global movement against racial discrimination and for human rights.

The march is grounded in the history of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, established by the UN in memory of the 1960 Sharpeville massacre in South Africa. This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against racism and the importance of global solidarity in fighting racial discrimination in all its forms.

As Finland takes this significant step towards combating racism and promoting equality, the message is clear: hatred and discrimination have no place in society, and it is everyone's responsibility to fight against them. The march aims to establish March 21 as an annual event that not only raises awareness but also celebrates the progress and diversity of Finnish society, creating a safe and inclusive space for all.

HT
Orpo stated to Politico last week that collaboration with the populist right-wing party has gone well, despite the racism scandals that revolved around the party last summer, and that he has managed to moderate the party by offering it ministerial portfolios.

PRIME MINISTER Petteri Orpo (NCP) has come under criticism from opposition lawmakers over his remarks about the Finns Party.

In my opinion, theyre not a far-right party any more, he was quoted saying in the Brussels Playbook, a Politico newsletter about the goings-on in Brussels.

The theory that the opportunity to govern prompts far-right parties to moderate their platforms has been contested, however. Political analysts and scientists have instead identified a two-way process of normalisation, whereby moderation by far-right parties  at least on the surface  has coincided with the adoption of far-right positions and talking points by the centre-right in an attempt to avoid losing votes to parties further, thereby legitimising such views.

Nasima Razmyar, a deputy chairperson of the Social Democratic Party, said Orpos argument does not hold water in Finland.

Orpo stated to the international media that the responsibility to govern has moderated the Finns Party. I doubt that holds water with anyone in our country. The Finns Party and National Coalition have indeed edged closer to one another, but in the direction of the Finns Party, she commented on X.

Ville Niinisto (Greens), a member of the European Parliament, similarly viewed that it is the Finns Party that has managed to change the conservative wing of the National Coalition.

The views of the prime minister also drew an incredulous response from Mikkel Nakkalajarvi, the party secretary of the Social Democrats.

Orpo is about to organise a round-table discussion on equality and non-discrimination. He could first check his own views about his coalition partners. The prime minister is travelling around the world bragging that the Finns Party has become more moderate. That wont hold water in Finland, he said.

Johanna Vuorelma, a political scientist at the University of Helsinki, said Orpos assessment is interesting: First, Orpo said the Finns Party is not a far-right party any more. This means he used to consider it [a far-right party] but believes the party has changed after receiving the opportunity to govern, she dissected. Second, ministerial portfolios were handed out to tame [the party]  where are the signs of taming?

Orpo talked to Politico about Finlands goals in the EU at the congress of the European Peoples Party (EPP), which was held in Bucharest, Romania, on 67 March. Finland, he revealed, would be interested particularly in a security or competitiveness-related portfolio in the next European Commission.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
A red pin worn to Call for a Cease-Fire in Gaza arriving on the red carpet at the 96th Annual Academy Awards. Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Finneas OConnell, left, and Billie Eilish pose with the award for best original song for What Was I Made For? from Barbie at the Oscars. Jordan Strauss/Associated Press Chris Hemsworth, left, and Anya Taylor-Joy onstage during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024. Kevin Winter/Getty Images Amatus Sami-Karim, left, and Mahershala Ali arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Ali, an Oakland native wore a red button by Artists4Ceasefire, a group calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Ashley Landis/Associated Press Cynthia Erivo, left, and Ariana Grande appear on stage during the Oscars. Kevin Winter/Getty Images Ariana Grande at the 96th Annual Academy Awards. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

At the 96th Academy Awards, the fashion statements ran the gamut. From referencing old Hollywood musical glamour and creating new takes on iconic haute couture looks to  nudity, there were plenty of memorable moments.

A Bay Area favorite sandal even made a second notable appearance on the ceremony stage, while in another moment in awards show fashion activism red Artist4Ceasefire pins were spotted on many celebrities outfits as part of the groups efforts calling for an end to the Israeli-Gaza war.

Here are the top five Oscar fashion moments from Sunday, March 11.

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Anya Taylor-Joy channels Diors Venus

Anya Taylor-Joy on the red carpet at the 96th Annual Academy Awards. Christina House/TNS

If the Queens Gambit stars silver and gray sequined gown with the shell-like skirt looked familiar to Bay Area museumgoers, theres a good reason. The dress, by designer Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior, was inspired by Christians Diors famed Venus and Junon gowns from 1949, both of which are currently on display at the de Young Museum as part of the exhibition Fashioning San Francisco: A Century of Style.

The Oscars presenter and Dior brand ambassador  who served as maid of honor to San Francisco-born heiress and model Ivy Getty  stunned on the red carpet in the dress, which is a slimmer version of Venus. The original has a much fuller skirt and bustle.

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On the left is Christian Dior (1905-1957), Evening dress Venus, Fall/Winter 1949. Silk tulle, silk taffeta, horsehair stiffening, sequins, paillettes, synthetic pearls, and rhinestones, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of I. Magnin & Company, 49.25.1a-c; Christian Dior (French, 19051957), Evening dress Junon, Fall/Winter 1949, Silk tulle embroidered with sequins with silk gros de Tours inner skirt; horsehair stiffening. Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of I. Magnin & Company, 49.25.2a-b. Randy Dodson/Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

It's a reinterpretation of both sister dresses, Laura Camerlengo, curator of Fashioning San Francisco told the Chronicle. There are elements particularly of the decorative treatments and the embellishments that are much more similar to Venus, especially the long piette sequins that you see along the edges of each petal; that sort of grayish-blue tone is much more similar to Junon. But the bodice treatment, which is rather columnar in construction, reminds me more of some of Dior's design for fall-winter 1952-53.

This is the third time that the Junon gown has been revived by the brand. In Diors 2023 fall menswear collection, designer Kim Jones created a tunic with the same petal details, and at the Cannes Film Festival last May, Dior brand representative Natalie Portman wore a recreation of the gown on the red carpet.

Red Buttons by Artists4Ceasefire

Mark Ruffalo arrives at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Richard Shotwell/Associated Press

Many may have been wondering what the red buttons, with an image of a hand with a heart in its palm, symbolized. Worn by stars including Billie Eilish, Ramy Youssef, Ava DuVernay, Mark Ruffalo and Oakland native Mahershala Ali, the pins were courtesy of Artists4Ceasefire, a group that opposes the Israel-Hamas war. More than 400 artists have co-signed a letter on the groups website demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.

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At last months Grammy Awards, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker of the band Boygenius also sported the pins.

The pin symbolizes collective support for an immediate and permanent cease-fire, the release of all of the hostages and for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, Artists4Ceasefire said in a statement.

On Sunday afternoon before the Oscars, protesters with signs reading No awards for genocide and Hollywoods silence is violence shutdown traffic around the Dolby Theater where the awards ceremony was being held, leading best supporting actor nominee Ruffalo (Poor Things) to proclaim as he ran down the red carpet: "We're late! The Palestinian protest just shut down the Oscars tonight. Humanity wins!"

John Cena in nothing but Birkenstocks

John Cena presents the award for best costume design during the Oscars in a pair of Birkenstocks. Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

The WWE wrestler-turned-movie star presented the award for best costume design in the: nude behind an envelope with just a brown pair of leather Birkenstock Arizona sandals on. The sandals, which were first released in 1973, are a staple for the Marin-based brand and also had a supporting role in the much-nominated blockbuster Barbie movie.

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But this isnt the first time the casual-favorite sandal has been on stage at the Academy Awards. Oscar-winning actressFrances McDormand, who lives in Bolinas, presented the best actress award in 2019 wearing a pair of custom acid-green Arizonas with a fuschia Valentino gown.

In recent years, the hippie favorite and symbol of laid back California living has become a regular in mainstream fashion, appearing on luxury runways and in pop culture.

Kens homage to Marilyn Monroe

Ryan Gosling and an ensemble of dancers perform Im Just Ken from Barbie during the 96th Academy Awards. Myung J. Chun/TNS

The film that had the biggest fashion impact of 2023 created one of the most memorable fashion (and musical) moments at the awards show this year.

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Ryan Gosling, who was nominated for best supporting actor for his role as Ken in Barbie, took to the stage in a hot pink double-breasted Gucci suit embellished with crystal drops. The look was accessorized with Gucci sunglasses, a black cowboy hat and pink leather gloves, while backing him up were a chorus of Kens in white-tie and tails accessorized with black cowboy hats.

During the number, the Kens wore red and white sashes as well as medals reminiscent of the ones worn by dancers in Madonnas 1984 music video for Material Girl, which paid homage to Marilyn Monroes Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend performance and costumes in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blonds.

The layering of fashion references and choreography was more than Kenough to make the number the most memorable of the night.

Wickedly haute

Cynthia Erivo, left, and Ariana Grande appear on stage during the Oscars. Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star as Elphaba and Glinda in the upcoming film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked, characters that they channeled in their signature colors while presenting awards for best song and best original score.

Grande wore a Glinda-pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture column gown with bubble-like sleeves that seemed to be defying gravity every time she moved her arms.

Cynthia Erivo at the 96th Annual Academy Awards. Aliah Anderson/Getty Images

Erivo, whose character is a reimagined Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, wore a green Louis Vuitton gown with a dramatic ruffled shoulder that continued down her back.


Monday March 11, 2024





Mogadishu (HOL) - The Somali army forces, with the assistance of the United States military forces, conducted a planned operation in the Lower Shabelle region, resulting in the killing of three members of the al-Shabaab group.



A statement from the federal government on Monday mentioned that the operation targeted a location where militants had gathered but did not specify the date or exact location of the operation.





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Last week, the Somali government confirmed the killing of 50 al-Shabaab extremists in a military operation in the Lower Juba region.Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Al Adala informed the Somali news agency, SONNA, that 20 others were captured alive during the fourth day of offensive operations in various areas of the Lower Juba region, including Muse-Haji, Malaylay, Turdho, and Baxar-saafka.
Kais Bouzidi stands for a portrait at his incoming Embarcadero restaurant Bon Delire. Bouzidi operates two restaurants in the area that opened in 2007 and 2015. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle The F-Market line train traverses the tracks along the Embarcadero. Some restaurant owners are placing their hopes on the waterfront area. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

When it opens this summer on the Embarcadero, Parisian-inspired restaurant Bon Delire will offer steak frites and glasses of wine set against sweeping bay views. But with San Franciscos office occupancy rate remaining low and tourism facing a long, challenging recovery, some could call the location risky.

I never doubted that restaurants in the area would come back, Kais Bouzidi said, referencing the Embarcadero, on the citys eastern shoreline, where he has operated the restaurants Sens and Barcha since 2007 and 2015 respectively. Recently, hes seen more office workers around the area and signs teasing restaurants set to open soon. Why open here? Why not?

Bouzidi is not alone in his thinking. A recent burst of new restaurants along the Embarcadero is reactivating the waterfronts food scene. Bon Delire will open next to the new restaurant Alora, on the Embarcaderos Pier 3, featuring elaborate Mediterranean cuisine and scenic patio seating. JoyRide Pizza plans to open on Pier 1. In the Ferry Building, a beacon of the citys restaurant industry, there are exciting arrivals, such as Italian spot A16 La Pala, and Lunette, a new Cambodian restaurant in the works from celebrated chef Nite Yun. Popular Mexican restaurant Don Ramons, which closed in SoMa last March, is due to reopen nearby.

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A jogger navigates a crowd of people at Harry Bridges Plaza crossing the Embarcadero. Some restaurant owners say theyve seen an uptick in popularity in the area. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Eric Young, director of communications for the Port of San Francisco, which manages the waterfront from Fishermans Wharf to the Bayview, agrees that theres a restaurant revival happening along the Embarcadero. Its evidenced by people opening spaces or having negotiations, he said, though he declined to discuss ongoing lease discussions.

Michael Dellar of One Market restaurant has observed the area since opening in 1993. The business, in the corner of the historic red brick Southern Pacific building at the tip of Market Street, arrived around the same time as the popular Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and the nearby restaurant Boulevard.

Dellar has seen several downturns, like the dotcom bust, 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. But he always anticipates a return to form.

One Market is not quite back to pre-pandemic figures, but Dellar hopes to come close soon. Business in December and January was comparable to December 2019 and January 2020, while his 2023 figures were just slightly down from a surprising surge in 2022.

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San Francisco is resilient, said Dellar, who called himself a total believer in the city. Its had its ups and downs, but it remains one of the greatest cities in the world. 

The patio of the new Mediterranean restaurant Alora features shoreline views along Embarcaderos public promenade. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Other restaurant owners, Anu and Vikram Bhambri of SoMa Indian restaurant Rooh, were looking for a prime location for their next venture. They heard of a resurgence along the Embarcadero in 2022 from the owners of nearby Peruvian restaurant La Mar and tapas bar Coqueta.

Thats the year they started to get their mojo back, Vikram Bhambri said. That gave the couple the confidence to open their buzzy new restaurant Alora, now serving lacquered steak kebabs and hand-shaped pastas in a luxe space decorated with black tile and contrasting sheer white curtains.

Properties on the Embarcaderos piers are particularly attractive due to their architectural features such as New Deal-era facades, high ceilings and tall windows that offer views of the water or the Embarcaderos palm trees and downtown buildings. Because of port regulations, tenant businesses cannot make modifications to the structures, but thats OK with proprietors like Bouzidi. This is part of the DNA of the city. Its all very unique to San Francisco, he said.

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Kais Bouzidi walks between the location for his incoming Embarcadero restaurant Bon Delire at Pier 3 to his restaurant Sens on the Embarcadero plaza. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Inside another iconic structure, S.F. Ferry Building general manager Jane Connors says interest in leasing a restaurant location inside has picked back up. When the pandemic restrictions were first implemented, three operators pulled out of their leases, but her staff was eventually able to replace these with a new Red Bay Coffee location, Filipino taqueria Senor Sisig and South American restaurant Cholita Linda.

I think we all see the light and know were going to get through this, she said.

This year has shown encouraging signs, Connors said. Lunch crowds seem to be coming in more, as are ferry riders at the start and end of the day. Businesses stay open longer for post-work bites and drinks. Wine bar and pizzeria Boulettes Larder is continuing its pizza nights, and Reems California recently extended its hours to 7 p.m., joining other late operators like Argentine empanada shop El Porteno and wine bar Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant. Theres just a great energy in here now, Connors said.

Across the street, at the Embarcadero Center, the citys Vacant to Vibrant program filled empty storefronts with diverse lessees in September. The program brought popular bakeries Rosalind and Devils Teeth, as well as Senegalese restaurant Teranga, a crowd favorite at the now shuttered La Cocina Marketplace.

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Teranga owner Nafy Flatley mentioned that the program has allowed her to continue operating in San Francisco. The restaurant has slowly picked up regulars and customers, mostly nearby office workers, since opening. Word of her peanut stews with chicken and vegetarian entrees has brought people in, plus signs promoting the programs restaurants have gone up around the Embarcadero Center, she says.

Ferry riders exit from San Francisco Bay Ferry Gate F after arriving along the Embarcadero. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

But remote work patterns continue to challenge area restaurants. Among BART stations, Embarcadero is historically the systems most popular, and it had the most exits of any stop in January, with 371,066. That was up moderately from January 2023s exit totals, 310,110, and much stronger than exit numbers for January 2022, when there were 164,331. But its still massively down from before the pandemic; in January 2019 there were 1,093,223 exits from Embarcadero Station.

Two Vacant to Vibrant participants, Rosalind Bakery and Whack! Donuts, have signed long-term leases for their Embarcadero Center spaces, said Simon Bertrang, executive director of SF New Deal, the city program running Vacant to Vibrant. Flatley is still weighing whether to keep Teranga at Embarcadero Center or to go somewhere else. Restaurants in more residential neighborhoods have fared better than their peers in downtown during the peak of the pandemic.

But one constantly bright spot for destination-worthy spaces on the Embarcadero has been events. At One Market, demand for corporate and private events has kept up during the past two years. At Sens and Barcha, events continue to make up some of the slack from the abridged workweek.

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Edtech company Byju's has left all office spaces across India and is only retaining its headquarters at IBC Knowledge Park in Bengaluru. The cost-cutting step comes as the company addresses an imminent liquidity crisis as the company has been engaged in a tussle with its investors with respect to the funds raised from a recently concluded rights issue offering. Byju's Crisis: Byju's logo is seen in this illustration. The company is giving up most of its office spaces in India.

Bjyu's work from home rule

Byju's has asked all employees to work from home indefinitely, except for those working out of approximately 300 Byju's Tuition Centres, it was reported. The company has taken the decision as part of Byju's India CEO Arjun Mohan's restructuring plan.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

This has been in works for over six months. The company has been shutting down offices across country as soon the lease for each expired," CapTable reported citing people in the know.

Byju's salary disbursed

Earlier, it was reported that Byju's disbursed parts of pending salaries to all the employees for February as it attempted to clear the balance once it is allowed to use the funds from the closed rights issue.

The company said that it had processed part of salaries for February to the extent of capital it had outside the rights issue and expects the salaries to be reflected in the accounts of employees on March 11.

The company said that it has made alternate fund arrangements to ensure that the daily lives are not disrupted and is committed to serve the students with passion and dedication they deserve.
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the State Bank of India's plea seeking an extension of the deadline to disclose the data linked to electoral bonds. Shortly after the apex court's verdict, the shares of SBI suffered a significant dip. SBI shares price takes a deep plunge after Supreme Court hearing(REUTERS)

SBI shares saw a dip of nearly 2 percent soon after the Supreme Court dismissed its plea and ordered the bank to present the data by tomorrow, March 12. At 3:30 pm, SBI shares stood at 773, seeing a dip of 15 from the previous close.

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SBI's intraday low was recorded at 771, which was 2 percent lower than the previous day. Experts believe that the shares of the central bank dropped not just because of the Supreme Court verdict, but also due to the weak sentiments in the Indian stock market, reported Mint.

Read more: SC rejects SBI plea for time until Jun 30 to disclose details of electoral bonds

Experts also suggested that the dip in the share prices of SBI should not have a lasting impact on the PSU banking sector and should be viewed as an opportunity for medium and long-term investors.

A five-judge Constitution bench -- comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, Manoj Misra -- on Monday ordered that the State Bank of India disclose all the details linked to the electoral bonds on March 12.

Electoral bonds case: What Supreme Court said

The Supreme Court rejected SBI's plea for an extension of deadline to declare the electoral bonds data till June 30. The deadline for the same had been set at March 6 by the apex court in the previous hearing, and ECI was ordered to publish the data by March 13.

Passing the order on SBI's application today, the bench ordered, "Submissions of SBI in application indicates that information sought is readily available. Thus, the application by SBI seeking extension of time until June 30 is dismissed. SBI is directed to disclose the details by the close of business hours of March 12, 2024."

The Constitution bench also warned the SBI of contempt of court against it for wilfully disobeying its order in the event of non-compliance with the latest directions.

"Though we are not exercising the contempt jurisdiction, but we place SBI on notice that this court will proceed against it for wilful disobedience if it does not comply with the timelines indicated in this order," ordered the bench.

(With inputs from PTI)
Tesla and Apple may lose millions of customers in China as the country is urging people to choose domestic products over Western technology. The companies are reportedly discounting many of their products to compete with Chinese competitors as many told the Financial Times that they are using devices from Chinese companies. Tesla's Chinese competitor BYD recently overtook the Elon Musk company in worldwide sales of electric vehicles. (Reuters)

At Chinas annual Communist Party, Zhan Wenlong, a nuclear physicist and party delegate, told the outlet, For people coming here, they encourage us to use domestic phones, because phones like Apple are not safe. [Apple phones] are made in China, but we dont know if the chips have back doors.

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While another employee at the government-funded think tank in China, said as per the report that he and his colleagues were asked to stop using Apple devices and choose Huawei equivalents.

They gave us a deadline with a month and day by which we would have to stop using iPhones. They didnt give us any subsidies, instead one day Huawei people came into our office with boxes of phones to sell, all 20 per cent off. Our whole building was fighting to get the phones," he said.

The report quoted Nong Jiagui, a teacher in Yunnan province, as saying, Schools are told to use Chinese phones as well, to support Chinese companies."

Not only Apple and Tesla but Western brands such as Nike and Adidas have also seen a sales drop in China as they compete with domestic products.

Tesla's Chinese competitor BYD passed Elon Musk's company for worldwide sales of electric vehicles. The company said it won't be trying to break the US market any time soon as its Chief executive Stella Li asserted, Were not planning to come to the US. Its an interesting market, but it is very complicated."
JM Financial share price: JM Financial shares fell 8 per cent on March 11 after the Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) barred the company from taking any new mandate for acting as a lead manager for any public issue of debt securities. Although, SEBI said that JM Financial may continue to act as a lead manager for public issue of debt securities for a period of 60 days. Citing material based on record, the capital markets regulator said that the investigation into the matter would be completed in six months. JM Financial share price: JM Financial share price fell 8 per cent. Here's why

There has been an investigation into the roles of parent company and merchant banker JM Financial's wholly-owned subsidiary and broker JM Financial Services and subsidiary as well as a non-banking financial corporation JM Financial Products in a debt issue.

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Earlier, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stopped JM Financial Products from giving loans against shares and debentures. This included sanction and disbursal of loans against initial public offering of shares with immediate effect, the central bank said.

The RBI said that the action was taken after observing certain serious deficiencies in the firm's loan process as it said that were concerns on the governance issues in the company apart from violation of regulatory guidelines.

Since March 5, shares of JM Financial have fallen more than 8 per cent to 87.7 apiece on the NSE.
American billionaires are selling stocks and not in small numbers at all. So what has happened in the past few days? Apollo Global Management's Leon Black enacted his first-ever sale after 34 years shedding $172.8 million in his equity firm. Walmart's Walton family sold $1.5billion in a week. In final two months of 2023, Mark Zuckerberg sold nearly half a billion dollars of Meta Platforms Inc. shares. Jeff Bezos sold another 14 million Amazon shares, worth around $2.4billion bringing the total number of shares he has sold in the firm to about 50 million. US Financial Crisis? Mark Zuckerberg sold nearly half a billion dollars of Meta Platforms Inc. shares. Jeff Bezos sold another 14 million Amazon shares.

Experts do not see this as a good sign as they said that this could be because of looming US presidential elections this year. Finance firm consultant Alan Johnson told Fortune last month, 'If you're reading the tea leaves and looking at what may happen with our politics in the next year or so, things are pretty good right now - the markets are up. With our politics and everything else going on geopolitically, maybe it won't be as good a year from now or two years from now."

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This coms as S&P 500 has risen more than 27 per cent in the past year adding billions to the portfolios of billionaires. So the stockholders could be taking advantage of current tax breaks which were brought during the Donald Trump administration, the expert said.

But some financial market players believe that this stock dump reflects something larger behind the scenes. American Hartford Gold, a company that shills gold and other metals to investors, said that large liquidations may be a sign of an impending economic dip as Senior Director Mechi Block said that these CEOs were getting out before the tech bubble bursts.

"Billionaire CEOs like [Jeff] Bezos, [Mark] Zuckerberg, Jamie Dimon, and the Walton family are selling off massive amounts of their own stocks, and analysts think the CEOS may be bracing for an economic downturn," he said, adding, An overheated stock market continues to climb to new heights as investors feed that frenzy out of fear of missing out, economic insiders are unloading billions of dollars worth of stocks.

Meta stock has soared 186 percent, JPMorgan is up nearly 30 percent, and Amazon has actually surged close to 90 percent. All three companies are trading close to record highs, he explained, adding, Typically if CEOs are buying shares, it shows a confidence in the future growth potential of that company. It is also possible these billionaire's view from above could be giving them a different perspective of the economy, and where it's headed.
The Karnataka government on Monday banned the use of Rhodamine-B, a food colouring agent commonly used in popular dishes like gobi manchurian and cotton candy. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that strict action will be taken if sellers are found using these chemicals in their restaurants. Rhodamine  B is a chemical colouring agent reportedly used in textile dyeing and the paper industry. Its prevalence in gobi manchurian was aimed at enhancing visual appeal. (Representative Image)

We have done a special drive on the gobi manchurian dish and found that harmful Rhodamine-B is being used to make the dish. It is a health-hazardous colouring agent, and we decided to ban it from use. Not following the government order can lead to seven years or life imprisonment, and a fine of up to 10 lakh will also be slapped, Dinesh Gundu Rao told reporters.

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Rhodamine  B is a chemical colouring agent reportedly used in textile dyeing and the paper industry. Its prevalence in gobi manchurian was aimed at enhancing visual appeal.

In response to mounting health apprehensions over substandard food items, the Karnataka regional office of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India conducted examinations recently. Of the 25 cotton candy samples tested across the state, 15 were flagged for containing artificial colouring agents, including Rhodamine-B, tartrazine dye, and sunset yellow colouring, making them unsafe for consumption.

State laboratories also tested 171 samples of gobi manchurian, revealing that 107 were tainted with artificial food colouring, prompting immediate action. Samples were collected from hotels, (and) roadside shops, among others. Many have turned out unsafe. Using Rhodamine as a colouring agent is banned. Eateries use this (colouring agent) to make (food items) look more red, Dinesh Gundu Rao said at the presser.

The Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, prohibits the use of artificial or synthetic colours beyond standard limits in the making of cotton candy. According to Section 16 of the regulations, any artificial food colouring is not allowed in the production of gobi manchurian.

Taking to X later, the Karnataka health minister wrote, Based on these findings, an order has been issued banning the use of prohibited artificial colours, including Rhodamine-B, in gobi manchurian and cotton candy. Consumption of snacks containing these artificial colours may pose long-term health risks, including cancer. Therefore, the health department has taken this necessary action. I urge the public to prioritise health and hygiene above all else.

Dinesh Gundu Rao also said drives would be conducted on other food items where the harmful colouring agents are being used. Food safety in the state is our priority, and we will be inspecting more dishes to find out what colouring agents are being used in them. People should be aware of what kind of food item they are consuming and what goes into it. The restaurant owners must also be responsible enough to maintain hygiene. Otherwise, strict action will be taken, added the health minister.
Negligence on the part of the municipal corporation employees has led to carcasses of around 30 cattle found dumped on garbage dumps in Tajpur and Tibba roads here in the last two days instead of being properly disposed of, leading to concerns among locals and Hindu groups. The garbage dump at Tajpur Road in Ludhiana. (HT File Photo)

At least four Hindu outfits on Monday submitted a memorandum to deputy commissioner (DC) Sakshi Sawheny, urging action in the matter. The DC subsequently wrote to the municipal corporation commissioner to investigate the matter.

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The Tibba police had filed an FIR against unidentified individuals under section 295 of the IPC following the discovery of at least 10 carcasses.

Further investigation revealed an additional 20 carcasses at the Tajpur road garbage dump, sparking alarm among the residents. The Division number 7 police initiated an inquiry on receiving reports and were joined by municipal corporation employees who removed the dead animals from the site.

Mukesh Khanna, president of Akhil Bharat Sanatan Rakshak Akhara, Shani Mandir on Tajpur road, highlighted the ongoing strike by animal skinners, resulting in the cessation of dead animal collection from Tajpur road and Hambran road dairy complexes. The municipal corporations carcass plant in Noorpur Bet area remains inactive due to protests by villagers.

Khanna expressed concern over the MC employees negligence in disposing of carcasses properly, which not only offends Hindu sentiments but also poses a health risk to the community.

A health branch official from the municipal corporation Dr. Vipul Malhotra mentioned that the employees are instructed to bury carcasses at specific locations. He was unaware of any instances where carcasses were thrown on garbage dumps and assured that he would remind the employees to follow proper procedures for disposal of dead animals.
The district administration on Monday held a special training workshop for the poll staff from various government departments to ensure strict vigil on expenditure of candidates and the model code of conduct during the elections. Members of accounting teams, assembly level assistant expenditure observers, and assembly level master trainers took part in the training. (HT Photo)

Members of accounting teams, assembly level assistant expenditure observers, and assembly level master trainers took part in the training.

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Additional deputy commissioner Ojasvi Alankar said that the Election Commission of India have set an expenditure limit of 95 lakh for every candidate to spend during the 2024 general elections, thereby all team members should be acquainted with the methodology to calculate the poll expenditure.

The ADC said that these teams have been given major responsibility to monitor the election expenditure of candidates and parties and it was necessary to impart them training about the methods.

He also added that all team members have been explained about the role and responsibilities entrusted upon them by the Election Commission of India to ensure proper implementation of the guidelines issued by the commission.

Alankar said that rates of every item have been duly fixed by the election commission, adding that to further assist these teams, several flying squad teams (FST), static surveillance team (SST), video surveillance team (VST), and video viewing teams (VVT) were also formed by the administration.

Alankar also advised every officer to remember that model code of conduct would come into force from the date of announcement of elections till the completion of the elections.

He explained all MCC guidelines to the staff and directed the officials concerned to strictly enforce the code for the general elections. He warned that stern action will be taken against those who neglect or disregard the implementation of MCC.
E-rickshaw drivers on Monday held a protest outside the mini-secretariat against the March 16 deadline set by the police for installing number plates on the vehicles, failure of which will invite strict action by the cops. There is panic among e-rickshaw drivers with only four days to the deadline. (Gurpreet Singh/HT Photo)

Four days before the deadline for installing number plates, the drivers held a rally and submitted a memorandum to deputy commissioner Sakshi Sawhney, seeking relaxation. However, the police are sticking to their stance and announced that they would initiate action against the violators from March 16.

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The E-rickshaw drivers and authorities in Jalandhar and Amritsar have agreed to register the e-rickshaws with the municipal corporation and to issue them slips after accepting registration fee. They appealed to the authorities to impose the same system here otherwise more than 50% of e-rickshaw drivers would go out of job.

Ranjit Singh, president of e-rickshaw driver union, said that they had bought e-rickshaws from agencies and financiers around three years ago and they were told that they would not need any document or licence to operate.

Many of the agencies have vanished and made it impossible to get the registration. The middle men demanded 20,000 to 30,000 each for registration, he added.

The city police had given an ultimatum to e-rickshaw drivers to get their vehicles registered by March 15 following which, the police will start impounding the unregistered vehicles. There is panic among e-rickshaw drivers with only four days to the deadline.

Assistant commissioner of police (ACP, traffic) Charanjiv Lamba said the directive to enforce this crackdown came from higher authorities, including additional director general of police (ADGP, Traffic) AS Rai and commissioner of police Kuldeep Singh Chahal. It has been discovered that a number of e-rickshaws in circulation are not registered, posing a serious risk as they have been used in criminal activities such as snatchings and thefts.

The ACP added that they have already held a meeting with e-rickshaw drivers and gave them one months time to complete all the formalities. Some e-rickshaws that were sold years ago by now-defunct dealers are facing registration issues. If such vehicles have already completed four years, they will be road worthy.
New Delhi: Hours after the Centre government notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) rules, a protest erupted on the campus of Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia campus. Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi.(Amal KS/HT PHOTO)

The Delhi Police have deployed a large number of personnel to maintain law and order on the campus.

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According to PTI, a group of students led by the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) raised slogans against the Modi government and the Delhi Police.

The Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India (NSUI) also opposed the implementation of the Act.

The Delhi police have beefed up security arrangements around the Jamia campus as a preventive measure.

Also read: Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules: Eligibility, procedure, language requirement explained

Jamia's acting vice-chancellor Eqbal Hussain said the administration has tightened security arrangements on the campus to avoid agitation. He said no protests will be allowed near the campus

"We have tightened security arrangements to avoid any kind of agitation on the campus. No protest against the CAA will be allowed by students or outsiders near the campus," he told PTI.

A group of students holding posters gathered on the Jamia campus hours after the Centre notified the rules. They raised slogans against the CAA and the NRC.

Also read: CAA rules notified: A timeline of events

"NSUI Jamia Millia Islamia protests against the decision of the Central government to implement the unconstitutional CAA," a statement by NSUI's Jamia unit said.

During the anti-CAA protests in 2019-20, the police had entered the campus to find people who had allegedly set buses on fire. Several students had sustained injuries in the violence.

With the law, the central government wants to provide citizenship to non-Muslim refugees who were persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Opposition claims the law is divisive and discriminates against Muslims.

The government says the Opposition provokes the minorities and that the law will never snatch away any person's citizenship.

The Opposition has questioned the timing of the announcement of the rules.

With inputs from PTI
Wineries say that Millennials and Generation Z could finally help Riesling shed its poor reputation of being too sweet. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Wines most underrated grape could finally get its due thanks to Millennials and Generation Z, the same groups that the industry complains are not drinking enough wine.

Riesling, a white grape native to Germany, is beloved by a small and devoted cadre of wine geeks, yet is misunderstood by the masses. Rieslings followers praise its incredible ageability, affordability, flexibility with food pairing and pure expression of terroir. Its a fresh, sometimes zesty wine with big acidity, strong aromas  including a signature whiff of petrol or gasoline  and citrus flavors. But for decades, Riesling has suffered one big misconception: that its overly sweet and full of sugar.

Other wine misfits have managed to shed their stigmas. White Zinfandel got a second act under the guise of rose; screw caps now signify convenience more than cheapness; and even Merlot, decimated by the 2004 indie movie Sideways, appears to be making a comeback. Now, some producers say theres a glimmer of hope for Riesling, too, because younger wine drinkers are naive to the grapes poor reputation.

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The younger wine drinker probably doesnt have that perception of Riesling that the older generations did that made them cynical, said Noah Dorrance, co-founder of Healdsburgs Reeve Wines. Reeve makes several Rieslings that sell out every year pretty quickly.

Reeve Wines makes several Rieslings, which are some of its most popular wines. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Every producer interviewed for this story pointed to Blue Nun as the biggest offender in Rieslings demise. This mass-produced German Riesling packaged in a gimmicky blue bottle achieved global acclaim following World War II. Blue Nun fanfare continued into the 1980s and inspired a generation of cheap and sweet Rieslings  often described as sugar water  that permeated the market and became synonymous with the grape.

In reality, Riesling is one of the worlds most versatile wine grapes, produced in a wide range of styles. Most modern-day bottlings are considered dry or off-dry, containing only minimal amounts of residual sugar that balance well with the wines ripping acidity. Its a wine that you have to get in peoples mouths before they understand, said Hailey Trefethen, whose family has made Riesling at Napas Trefethen Vineyards for 50 years. Once people try it, they love it.

The stigma seems to have worn off a bit, said Trefethen. Most wine drinkers in their 20s and 30s have likely never tasted, nor heard of, Blue Nun. Data shows that Millennials and Generation Z are interested in discovering new beverages over drinking whats traditional, and favor freshness over big structure and tannin. Theyre seeking low-alcohol options, and most Rieslings clock in at under 12%. Several Riesling brands are even exploring the non-alcoholic market and tapping into the moderation trend, said Adam Rogers, a research director at data analyst IWSR.

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But Rogers also said that consumption of Riesling in the U.S. is in decline, and many have already tried, with limited success, to make Riesling cool. Back in 2008, for example, sommelier and restaurateur Paul Grieco resorted to forcing Riesling on patrons at his popular New York bar Terroir. He launched an effort called the Summer of Riesling, making it the only white wine available by the glass for three months.

Riesling quality in both the U.S. and international market is at an all-time high, but the wine is still widely underrated. Brittany Hosea-Small/Special to The Chronicle

The movement has expanded, but Riesling remains a dark horse; producers are notably cautious to read too far into any signs that Riesling might finally be poised for a revolution. Ive spent my entire adult life pushing Riesling because I think its one of the four great wines of the world, said Stu Smith, co-founder of Napas Smith-Madrone Winery, which has produced Riesling since the early 1970s.

There have been so many times where Im rolling the rock up the hill and thinking, Today is the day, Im going to get this sucker to the top and over to the other side, he said. But just like Sisyphus, that damn rock rolls back over me.

Still, white wines are trending over red wines. Other U.S. wine regions, including Oregon, New Yorks Finger Lakes and Michigan, are bringing renewed attention to the grape. The overall quality of Riesling, from both the U.S. and international market, is at an all-time high. And wineries report experiencing less resistance lately from customers when it comes to trying Riesling. We get way less of people being like, I dont like Riesling because its sweet, said Andrew Mariani, co-founder of Scribe Winery in Sonoma. Scribe planted more Reisling on its estate a few years ago due to demand.

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Smith-Madrones 2018 Riesling placed second at a recent wine competition in Houston, besting nearly 3,000 other wines. Then at the events subsequent wine auction, Smith-Madrones 9-liter bottle of Riesling received the second-highest bid of the night: a whopping $225,000. At last months revered Premiere Napa Valley auction, magnums of Trefethens Riesling, which retails for $30 a bottle, sold for $233, right there amongst the Cabernets, said Hailey Trefethen. (The average bottle price at this years auction, which showcases mostly red wines, was $195.)

In the past, passion from certain winemakers and (sommeliers) wasn't necessarily met with big commercial growth or visibility. But theres more broad energy behind it now than there was 10 years ago, said Dorrance. Theyre some of our most popular wines and they get good recognition, especially from wine buyers in restaurants. The three-Michelin-starred SingleThread, for instance, has frequently featured a Reeve Riesling in its wine pairing over the last five years.

There are less than 75 acres of Riesling left in Napa Valley, including these 1947 vines at Stony Hill Vineyard. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

With Blue Nuns stain diminished, the sheer lack of Riesling vines is now this niche wines greatest roadblock. The 2023 California Grape Crush Report revealed a 37% increase in the tons of Riesling grapes crushed in 2023 from 2022. However, Riesling is still trailing many other white varieties by a seemingly insurmountable number: Only 34,000 tons of Riesling were crushed in 2023 compared to 162,000 tons of Sauvignon Blanc and 651,000 tons of Chardonnay.

When Smith arrived in Napa Valley in the early 1970s, Riesling was on pretty equal footing with today's breadwinners: Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. They all sold for pretty much the same price, about $475 per ton, said Smith. But as Chardonnay and Cabernet broke away, Riesling vines began to quietly dissipate throughout Napa Valley.

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In 1980, there were 1,400 acres of Riesling planted in Napa Valley; today, there are less than 75 acres and less than 3,000 in all of California. Comparatively, there are now 5,900 acres of Chardonnay in Napa Valley and roughly 90,000 throughout the state.
Michael Marchant bends down by Sunnys grave, holding a pack of marigolds he had brought some minutes ago this afternoon from florist Rajesh at the cemetery gateway. He suddenly lifts his arm to wave at Ram Kumar, the graveyard attendant walking towards Michael with a rag and a water bucket. They silently wash the winged angel installed atop the grave, working their way down, scraping off the hard encrusted dust from the tombstone. The grimy engraving gradually becomes decipherable. Some of the inscriptions black granite is lost, but the outlines of the alphabets remain. A photographer from Zurich in Switzerland, Michael has been coming on-and-off to India for 40 years. (HT Photo)

A photographer from Zurich in Switzerland, Michael has been coming on-and-off to India for 40 years. Each time he is in Delhi, he faithfully visits Sunnys grave in Paharganjs Indian Christian Cemetery. During my first visit to Delhi in the autumn of 1984, I was staying at the Vivek hotel in Paharganj, and one afternoon I walked into this cemetery, and stumbled into Sunny, discovering on his gravestone that we were born around the same time.

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Sunny, the gravestone reveals, was born in 1959, the year of Michaels birth, and lived for only five months.

After adorning Sunnys grave with the marigolds, Michael plops down on the dusty ground. The cemetery is empty except for its hundreds of graves, its hundreds of trees, and its handful of friendly dogs. I like to think Im living Sunnys share of life as well. Michael talks of Sunny as if they were long-time intimates. When I sit beside him, I think about the things I have been able to do in my life, about the pleasures and experiences I have encountered in my beloved India while Sunny lived too briefly.

Michael draws out his mechanical German-made analog camera from a threadbare jungle-green Billingham bag, and methodically snaps portraits of Sunnys grave from various perspectives. At one point, after the manner of early photographers, he covers his head, and covers his elaborate camera, with a red cloth. Some time later, he returns the camera to its made-in-England bag, and gets up to leave.

Flying back to Zurich in a week, Michael turns towards the cemeterys exit, muttering, See you, Sunny.
MUMBAI: A special NIA (National Investigation Agency) court on Monday issued a bailable warrant for arresting BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, a prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast, which killed six people and injured 101 persons. The warrant of 10,000 was issued as the MP was not present in court despite directions to the contrary. BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Thakur (PTI)

Read here: NIA gets court nod to attach property of 2008 Malegaon blast accused Kalsangra

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During the hearing, Thakurs lawyer highlighted her fragile health and sought exemption from appearance before the court, annexing a photocopy of a letter issued by her Bhopal-based doctor stating she was suffering from dizziness but could travel at her own risk.

Special NIA judge AK Lahoti rejected the plea and observed that though it was specifically directed that the accused must remain present in court on March 11, 2024, along with a medical certificate, neither she was present, nor was the original medical certificate produced on record.

Thakur has remained absent on several court dates after she became a Member of Parliament, and even the recording of her statement under section 313 f the Criminal Procedure Code had to be deferred on account of her absenteeism.

The blast for which the MP is facing trial occurred on September 29, 2008, when a powerful explosive device strapped to a motorcycle went off near a mosque in Malegaon located in Nashik district, about 200 km from Mumbai.

Ramchandra Kalsangra, an absconding accused against whom proclamation has been issued, and Sandeep Dange  both residents of Indore in Madhya Pradesh  had allegedly planted the bomb on a bike belonging to Thakur, which Kalsangra had been using for two years prior to the incident.

Read here: Sadhvi Pragya Thakur accuses media of distorting her remarks after BJP denied ticket in 1st list

The prosecution had on September 14, 2023, closed its evidence against the seven accused  the BJP MP, Lt Col Prasad Purohit, Sudhakar Dhar Dwivedi, Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sameer Kulkarni.

It examined 323 witnesses in all, among whom 37 turned hostile. The trial court has also recorded statements of the accused under section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code  to give them an opportunity to explain the circumstances and evidence brought against them during the trial.
Mumbai, Mar 11 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday inaugurated the first phase of the coastal road between Worli and Marine Drive in south Mumbai and said it is an "engineering marvel". A 10.5-kilometer-long stretch will be opened for traffic in the first phase, an official earlier said, adding that motorists can enter the coastal road from Worli Seaface, Haji Ali interchange and Amarson's interchange points, and exit at Marine Lines. Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and other dignitaries were present at the inauguration of the south-bound corridor of the coastal road. HT Image

After the inauguration, CM Shinde and other dignitaries showed green flags to the electric buses of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) ferrying women and a vintage car rally on the coastal road. The work on the ambitious project started on October 13, 2018 and its projected cost is 12,721 crore. A world-class Central Park spread over several acres will come up along the road, named 'Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road, according to CM Shinde.

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He said the coastal road was built using advanced technology and it can be called an "engineering marvel".

All precautions have been taken for the safety of people on this road, he said, adding that it second phase will be opened for traffic in May.

The coastal road will be connected to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and there onwards it will be extended up to Dahisar, he said.

The 53-km-long coastal road, being constructed till Dahisar, will help the people in saving fuel and time, besides reducing pollution, the CM said.

The coastal road has been named after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (son of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) and opened on the occasion of his death anniversary, he noted.

A statue of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj will be erected in Worli, next to the coastal road, Shinde said.

The CM said 175 acres of green space is being developed as part of the coastal road project, besides 120 acres or racecourse land. Thus, Mumbai will get a Central Park spread over around 300 acres, he added.

Without naming former CM Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde blamed the previous government for putting a "speed breaker" in the way of the project.

Shinde and Deputy CM Fadnavis targeted Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his MLA son Aaditya Thackeray over the latter's social media posts seeking to take credit for the coastal road development.

Fadnavis said despite he then being the chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray had not invited him for the project's ground-breaking ceremony.

On the occasion, Shinde also said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has made a provision of 500 crore in its budget for the Siddhivinayak Temple area development in the city.

A DPR (detailed project report) is being prepared for it, the CM said, adding he has asked to appoint the same architect for the work who prepared the Mahakal corridor plan in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain city.
A 31-year-old man working as a structural fabricator at Mazagaon dockyard in Mumbai has been arrested for allegedly spying for a Pakistan-based intelligence operative, reported NDTV. The Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) found that he had allegedly leaked sensitive information, according to the report. A 31-year-old man working as a structural fabricator at Mazagaon dockyard in Mumbai has been arrested for allegedly spying for a Pakistan-based intelligence operative. (Representational picture)

A Pakistani woman agent allegedly honeytrapped and then blackmailed the accused into disclosing sensitive information. The woman befriended him on social media and the two were in touch for months. Officers said he was paid money in exchange for the information.

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"Accused was interrogated by the Anti-Terrorism Squad. During the investigation, it was found that the suspect was introduced to a Pakistan based intelligence operative (PIO) through Facebook and WhatsApp between November 2021 and May 2023. The suspect chatted with PIO on Facebook, WhatsApp account and was arrested by Indian government," The Maharashtra ATS said in a statement.

ALSO READ| Mumbai Coastal Road inaugurated: Heres how it will impact real estate demand and prices

ATS had received information that an Indian suspect disclosed sensitive information to a Pakistan-based operative. The authorities have registered a case under the Official Secrets Act against the accused and the Pakistani operative whom he allegedly leaked information.

ATS is investigating the matter, and the man is being questioned. Officers have not disclosed details of the information that was allegedly supplied to the Pakistani agent.

About the Mazagaon dockyard in Mumbai

Mazagaon dockyard is known for building warships and submarines for India's defence forces. First Indian built submarine, INS Shalki was commissioned here in 1992. The dockyard has commissioned and delivered various other important defence projects.

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Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma-led TIPRA Motha has come a long way just three years after its formation. It won the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) polls in 2021 before emerging as the main opposition party in the 2023 assembly polls and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP)-led government this month. Union home minister Amit Shah with TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma. (ANI)

The party joined the government as the Union government on March 2 signed a tripartite agreement with it and the Tripura government for a time-bound honourable resolution of the demands for protecting the economic, political, land, linguistic, and cultural rights of the states tribal population.

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Debbarma led protest rallies and road blockades to press for his demand for the protection of tribal rights before he sat on a hunger strike on February 28.

The accord signed in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah, Tripura chief minister Manik Saha and Debbarma said a joint working group or committee would be constituted to amicably resolve all issues of the indigenous people of Tripura

TIPRA Motha was formed in 2021 to press for the creation of Greater Tipraland as a separate state for the tribals living under the jurisdiction of TTAADC and other northeastern states such as Assam, Mizoram etc, and parts of Bangladesh.

Within a few months of its formation, the TIPRA Motha contested and won the TTAADC polls. The party emerged as the main Opposition group by securing 13 seats in the 60-member assembly last year.

Saha welcomed TIPRA Mothas inclusion in the government saying it will help to achieve inclusive development and vision of Tripura.

Former chief minister Manik Sarkar said the TIPRA Mothas joining the government unmasked it. We are not surprised by their move at all. We thought that they [TIPRA Motha] would wait until a solution came out. The agreement, they signed, also mentioned that they cannot do any agitation. We suspect that there are unrevealed conditions in the accord.

State Congress chief Ashish Kumar Saha said they discussed with TIPRA Motha its inclusion in the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. But all of a sudden, it decided to join the BJP government...we are not worried with the move. But the BJPs anxiety has been revealed...

Debbarma said the TIPRA Motha will continue to keep pressure on the government. I have given a clear message to our two ministers who joined the government...we want to send our people to Delhi [Lok Sabha] who will speak for us.

The BJP has fielded former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb as the candidate from one of the two Lok Sabha seats in the state. It has kept the reserved tribal seat on hold for now. Pragya Kumari, sister of Debbarma, is speculated to be nominated for the second seat.

Political analyst Swapan Bhattacharjee said the BJP is the gainer. It is not clear what TIPRA Motha has gained. The TIPRA Motha seems to have moved away from core Greater Tipraland demand by joining the government.
Farmers organisations of the state refused to accept the conditional waiver of electricity bills of tubewells and said that its nothing but a ploy to install electricity meters on tubewells by the back door. They termed the Uttar Pradesh governments announcement of the conditional waiver an eyewash. For representation only (HT File Photo)

The Yogi government had announced the waiver of electricity bills of tubewells from April 2023 but made it conditional. The details of the scheme given by the PVVNL show that only those farmers would be entitled to a waiver who pay pending bills till March 31 last year. Another condition stipulates that only those farmers would be eligible to avail it who agree to install a meter on their tubewells.

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The third condition given in the notification is that the waiver on bill will be provided only if consumption for 10 horsepower connection remains at 140 units per kw/ per month, and if it exceeds it, farmers will pay the bill as regular tariff.

Veteran farmer leader and president of BKU (Asli) Harpal Singh Bilari said that this conspiracy was hatched to install meters on tubewells as farmers in western UP had resisted this plan of the government. We will not allow the government to install meters on tubewells, said Bilari and claimed that soon a movement will be launched against it.

BKUs district president in Meerut, Anurag Choudhary, described it a fraud with farmers and said, We have been fighting against installation of meters on tubewells for years and will not allow the government to succeed to do so through the back door.

Farmers had uprooted meters installed at their tubewells in many villages of Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Hapur and other districts of Western UP.

BKU chief Naresh Tikait and Rajesh Tikait had also staged protests at the office of PVVNL along with farmers and dumped the uprooted meters there.

BKU and many other organisations of farmers believe that the government is desperate to hand over the distribution of electricity to Adani or other corporations, which cant be done without installing meters on tubewells.

Farmer leaders also expressed dismay over keeping a cap of 140 units per KW/per month. Anurag Choudhary said that at many places in district Bagpat and Meerut, the water table had gone down to 150 feet or more and motors in tubewells require additional consumption for extracting water from so deep.

Meerut and Bagpat district alone have 30,000 tubewells as in many areas irrigation through canals is not possible. According to the PVVNL, more than 5 lakh farmers will get the benefit of the waiver in 14 districts of western UP which comes under its jurisdiction.

The last date for registration to get a waiver is June 30 and before that farmers need to pay their dues till March 31, 2023.
A history-sheeter who was trying to escape to Nepal was arrested by Pune police for duping several people to the tune of 8 lakh by promising jobs in defence services. Police said the accused was working as a driver at Southern Command area. He allegedly lured job aspirants and their parents from Kondhwa and adjoining areas. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

The accused has been identified as Ganesh Babulal Pardeshi, a resident of NIBM Road, Kondhwa, was arrested from Salunkhe Vihar on March 8.

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Police said the accused was working as a driver at Southern Command area. He allegedly lured job aspirants and their parents from Kondhwa and adjoining areas.

Pardeshi convinced the victims that he has good relations with top army officials and he can help job aspirants to get jobs.

According to police, the accused cheated job aspirants of 8,32,000 and issued fake joining letters.

Santosh Sonawane, senior police inspector at Kondhawa police station, said, The accused convinced people that he had good relations with his seniors and by using it he can help them to get job.

Sonawane said, We got a tip-off that Pardeshi was coming to NIBM Road to collect his luggage, accordingly we laid the trap and arrested the accused.

Pardeshi was earlier booked in same job fraud cases, said police.

A case has been registered at Kondhawa police station under sections 406,420, 464 (a), 465,468 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The Mizoram government suspended a teacher for allegedly leaking the social science question paper of the class 10 board examination, a state minister told the assembly on Monday. The Mizoram Government suspended a teacher for allegedly leaking the social science question paper of the class 10 board examination. (Representational Photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto) )

The minister said the teacher had provided specific students with suggestions before the exam held on March 8.

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After receiving complaints about the similarity between the questions in the social science paper and those suggested by the teacher from the government-run Mizo High School, the Mizoram Board of School Education (MBSE) immediately launched an investigation, education minister Dr Vanlalthlana said.

Also read: GATE 2024: IISc gears up to announce results, to also likely release cut-off details; find important details here

The MBSE questioned several individuals, including the president of the Mizoram Secondary School Teachers' Association (MISSTA), the principal of Mizo High School, some students, and the suspected teacher.

It was found that the teacher, who was part of a moderation team responsible for filtering question papers, had admitted to his misconduct, the minister said.

Also read: ICSE Chemistry exams 2024: Critical thinking, application-based questions but overall easy, say students after exams

He confessed to providing board exam questions as suggestions to some academically weaker students during a special class, and these students had noted down the suggested questions in their notebooks, which served as evidence, Vanlalthlana said.

On further investigation, it was learned that the suggested questions were not widely circulated as the special class was attended by a few students and all class 10 students of Mizo High School did not receive the suggestion, the minister said.

Vanlalthlana said the accused was suspended on Sunday for his misconduct and a First Information Report (FIR) was submitted to a police station on the same day.

Also read: Bihar Board 10th Answer Key 2024: BSEB Matric exam answer keys released

The minister said the examination committee convened a meeting on Monday to decide further action on the subject.

He said examinations for all remaining subjects will continue as per schedule.

The incident sparked anger among students and parents, who raised complaints on various social media platforms.
Aamir Khan has confirmed that Sunny Deol's son Karan Deol will star in their upcoming film Lahore 1947. Recently, it was revealed that Karan had auditioned for a crucial character in the film. Karan will be seen essaying the character of Javed in the film. (Also Read | Meet the cast of Lahore 1947, Rajkumar Santoshi's next produced by Aamir Khan) Aamir Khan spoke about Sunny Deol's son Karan Deol.

Aamir praises Sunny's son

Aamir said in a statement, "I am so happy that Karan Deol has tested so well for the extremely critical role of Javed. His natural innocence, his sincerity, and his honesty bring a lot to the table. Karan has really applied himself, worked hard, done workshops with ADISHAKTI, rehearsals with Raj, and is giving it his all. Javed is a great part, a very challenging part, and I am sure that with Raj Santoshi to direct him, Karan will nail it."

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About Lahore 1947

Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta will be seen in leading roles in the film. The period film is being produced by Aamir Khan Productions and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. Lahore 1947 will also feature Shabana Azmi, Abhimanyu Singh and Ali Fazal. Abhimanyu will play the antagonist opposite Sunny.

Sunny, Rajkumar Santoshi and Aamir Khan are coming together for the first time with this film. Santoshi has also roped in Santosh Sivan as the cameraman of Lahore 1947. He is also collaborating with AR Rahman and Javed Akhtar on the film.

What Santoshi had said about film

Recently, Santoshi had said in a statement, as quoted by news agency PTI, "Lahore 1947 is a very special film. Also, it's a reunion with the most talented people. I worked with Aamir in Andaz Apna Apna and this time, he is collaborating as a producer. With Sunny Deol, we made most loved films like Ghayal, Damini and Ghatak."

He had also said, For a film of this magnitude, I can't think of anyone else than A R Rahman as a music composer, he is one of the top composers in the world right now. Javed Akhtar and I share a very good bond with each other for many years, having him for this project as a lyricist is a delight. This is truly the best dream team and rare to come together. With all the positivity and full of energy, we will commence the shoot for the film very soon.

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Patna Shuklla trailer: Raveena Tandons social drama, Patna Shuklla, is all set to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on March 29. Ahead of the release, the makers released the trailer for the film on Monday, which shows Raveenas character Tanvi fighting against both patriarchy and corruption. (Also Read: Raveena Tandon on Mumbai chowk renamed after dad Ravi Tandon: He may not be in the spotlight, his influence can be felt) Patna Shuklla trailer: Raveena Tandon plays an underdog in the legal drama.

Watch Patna Shuklla trailer

The 1-minute-54-second-long trailer opens with Raveenas husband singing her praises, but only about her skills in the kitchen. When its pointed out that Tanvi is a lawyer too, he brushes it off by saying she only lands small cases, making her look discontent. A student called Rinki soon walks up to her outside the court and asks her to fight her case.

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What unravels soon is the corruption permeated in the education system, how it ties to local politics and more. Tanvi must now fight not just against patriarchal mindset that demands she stay in the kitchen, but also take on some big players in lieu of the case. The late Satish Kaushik is also seen in the trailer as a misogynistic judge. Sharing the trailer, Raveena wrote on Instagram, Anyay se dabi aawaz ke liye, nyay ka aaghaz karne aa rahi hai Tanvi. (Tanvi is coming to lend a voice to the oppressed.)

The makers released the films teaser on Sunday, in which she says, Duniya ke andheron mein suraj mein apna hoon, main Patna hoon (In the darkness of the world, Im my own sun. Im Patna). The teaser also highlighted the gender disparity she faces at court and at home.

About Patna Shuklla

Directed by Vivek Budakoti, the social drama film is produced by Arbaaz Khan. Patna Shuklla also stars Anushka Kaushik, Manav Vij, and Chandan Roy Sanyal apart from Raveena. Set in Bihars Patna, the film narrates the extraordinary fight of a woman against all odds. Talking about Patna Shuklla, Arbaaz said in a press note, according to OTT Play, Patna Shuklla is a very interesting story about a common womans uncommon fight. Her grit. The film is just a perfect fit. I am looking forward to working with the whole powerhouse cast.

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A child with a confirmed case of measles in El Dorado County may have exposed 300 people at UC Davis and San Joaquin hospitals to the highly infectious disease last week. Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press A child with a confirmed case of measles in El Dorado County may have exposed 300 people at UC Davis and San Joaquin hospitals to the highly infectious disease last week. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

A child with a confirmed case of measles may have exposed 300 people from 16 California counties to the highly infectious disease last week, health officials in El Dorado County said Friday.

The child was present at two hospitals, San Joaquin Urgent Care and the UC Davis Health Emergency Department, on March 5. People at the hospital may have been exposed during that time.

It is the third confirmed case of measles in California in 2024, and it comes as measles cases in the United States are on the rise  a troubling trend that public health experts attribute to missed MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine doses during the pandemic and an increase in global travel where unvaccinated people travel and bring back the disease from countries where its more common.

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Fewer than 30 people may have been exposed at the San Joaquin urgent care clinic, said Istvan Fazekas, public information officer for San Joaquin County Public Health Services. All those people were previously vaccinated against measles, so there was no further alarm in San Joaquin County, he said. Its not clear whether those people are included in the 300.

UC Davis said those who may have been exposed at their emergency department have already been identified and contacted.

Health officials say anyone who was at UC Davis emergency department March 5 between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. and who has questions can contact the El Dorado County Public Health line in Placerville at (530) 621-6320 or South Lake Tahoe at (530) 573-3154. They should not go directly to the emergency department because that could increase the risk of spread, said El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Matthew Minson.

Minson said health officials will receive the list of people who were at the emergency department during that time and will contact them with further instructions.

Measles usually begins with a fever, followed by cough, runny nose, pink eye and rash. People who have been infected are contagious from about four days before the rash appears to four days afterward.
Actor Yami Gautam has called the "current filmy awards" fake, sharing that this is the reason why she stopped attending such events. She also expressed her happiness about actor Cillian Murphy's winning the Best Actor award for Oppenheimer at the 96th Academy Awards. (Also Read | Oscars 2024: Cillian Murphy wins Best Actor for Oppenheimer) Yami Gautam praised Cillian Murphy for his Oscar win.

Yami congratulates Cillian Murphy

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Yami wrote, Having no belief in any of the current fake filmy awards, since the last few years, I stopped attending them but today I am feeling really happy for an extraordinary actor who stands for patience, resilience & so many more emotions.

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She also wrote, "Watching him being honoured on the biggest global platform tells us that in the end, its your talent that stands the tallest above anything. Congratulations #CillianMurphy! #Oscar2024."

About Cillian, Oppenheimer

Cillian's film Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, was crowned Best Picture at the Oscars. His blockbuster biopic got the Best Supporting Actor Award for Robert Downey Jr and the Best Director for Nolan.

In anointing Oppenheimer, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences did something it hasn't done for more than a decade: hand its top prize to a widely seen, big-budget studio film. For better or worse, we're all living in Oppenheimer's world," said Murphy in his acceptance speech. "I'd like to dedicate this to the peacemakers.

Sunday's Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles unfolded against the backdrop of wars in Gaza and Ukraine and with a potentially momentous US election on the horizon. Awards for the documentary winner, 20 Days in Mariupol, and best international film, The Zone of Interest, brought geopolitics into the Oscar spotlight.

Yami's recent film

Fans saw Yami last in the action-packed political drama Article 370. The film is directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale. Apart from Yami, the film also stars Priyamani. The film is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar. It released in cinemas on February 23.

Yami and her husband, Aditya Dhar, are all set to embrace parenthood. The couple, who tied the knot in 2021, announced the news of pregnancy at the trailer launch of their film. Yami and Aditya got married in a private ceremony on June 4, 2021, in Himachal Pradesh.

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The 96th Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, featured its share of political satire and celebrity reactions. During his monologue, Kimmel poked fun at Alabama Senator Katie Britt's rebuttal to President Biden's State of the Union address, likening her to Emma Stones character in her film Poor Things. FILE - Host Jimmy Kimmel speaks at the Oscars, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Former U.S. Rep. George Santos alleged in a lawsuit in New York, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, that late-night host Kimmel deceived him into making videos on the Cameo app that were used to ridicule the disgraced lawmaker on the show. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)(Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

"Emma played an adult woman with the brain of a child, like the lady who gave the rebuttal to the State of the Union on Thursday night, the 56-year-old comedian said. This statement was in criticism of Britt's recent stance regarding her political stances, notably on the border crisis and economic challenges.

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Kimmel's statement received criticism over the internet with one X (formerly Twitter) user quipping, Kimmel used to be funny. Another user said, Only Democrats are allowed to be dramatic..."

Kimmel's joke about Stones film sprouted a reaction from the actress. Lip readers interpreted her comment as a derogatory remark, saying, "He's a p***y. Another user commented, All Jimmy did is insult everyone on X (formerly Twitter).

Actress Scarlett Johansson also parodied Britt on "Saturday Night Live," mocking her stance on various issues and her attempt to appeal to women voters. She role-played Britt, saying, You see, Im not just a senator. Im a wife, a mother and the craziest b***h in the Target parking lot.

Despite the criticism, Britt doubled down on her rebuke of Biden's leadership, particularly regarding the border crisis and rising consumer costs.

You think about the parents whose children have died of fentanyl poisoning. Enough is enough, and the president needs to assume responsibility, the senator stated as much Friday during an appearance on Fox & Friends.

He knows how to do this. President Trump laid out a roadmap of how to secure our border and make our country safer, but he refuses to do so.

Britt, who had never held elected office prior to her election in the 2022 midterms, continues to build a national profile.
Oscars 2024 witnessed some major industry records being made and broken. The 96th Academy Awards, scheduled to take place on March 10th, concluded its entertaining three-hour run at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. However, it seems that Jimmy Kimmel, the host of the show, held some special grudges against former President Trump. During the live telecast, Kimmel took a moment to read aloud a social media post where Trump bashed him as this years Oscars host. Jimmy Kimmel fires back at Trump's Oscars diss(Ap photo, ABC photo)

Also read: Billie Eilish makes history as youngest ever to win two Oscars, breaking 87-year old record

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Jimmy Kimmel fires back at Trump's Oscars diss

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel, returning to the Oscars stage for the second consecutive time and fourth time overall, joked about his review of his Oscar hosting experience.Have there ever been worse hosts at the Academy Awards than Jimmy Kimmel? he read out loud to the audience.

His opening was that of a less-than-average person trying too hard to be something which he is not and never can be. Get rid of Kimmel and perhaps replace him with another washed-up, but cheap, ABC talent, George Slopanopoulos. He would make everybody on stage look bigger, stronger, and more glamorous. Kimmel said, choking back a laugh as he read several sentences from Donald Trumps latest post about him.

Also read: Oscars 2024 red carpet: Top looks of the day- Ariana Grande, Zendaya, Cillian Murphy

But the post didnt end here. Trump continued, Also a really bad politically correct show tonight, and for years  Disjointed, boring, and very unfair. Reciting his MAGA tagline, he continued, Why dont they just give the Oscars to those that deserve them? Maybe that way their audience and TV ratings will come back from the depths. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Kimmel hits back at Trump's criticism with sharp jail time remark

The original post that the former president rolled out was posted on his Truths social media site and came just an hour before Kimmels gig. Well, thank you, President Trump, Kimmel said. Thank you for watching. Im surprised youre still up  isnt it past your jail time? he continued to clap back, potentially referring to Trumps multiple legal cases. For the unversed, both Trump and Kimmel have been involved in a fierce shade game for years now.

Trump vs Kimmel

Earlier, Rolling Stone reported that the former POTUS back in 2018 during his presidential era asked his staff to file a complaint against Jimmy Kimmel to Disney, which is ABCs parent company, the broadcaster that traditionally airs the Oscars every year. The complaint was regarding the comedians joke about him on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

When interviewed by CNN ahead of Kimmel's fourth Academy Awards performance, he called joking about Trump "one of the best parts" of his work. Knowing that he hates being made fun of and making fun of him, Kimmel remarked.
John Cena wore nothing at all as he made his way on stage at the Oscars to present Best Costume Design. Host Jimmy Kimmel set it up just before his arrival, and shared an anecdote when a streaker ran across the stage during the 1974 Academy Awards. (Also read: Oscars 2024 live updates) John Cena performs on stage during the presentation of the Oscar for Costume Design on stage during the Oscars show at the 96th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 10, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Blake(REUTERS)

John Cena bares it all at the Oscars

To present the award for Best Costume Design, John Cena then peeked his head out from the side and told Jimmy Kimmel that he didnt want to do the streaker bit" anymore. He then added, Its an elegant event. Honestly, you should feel ashamed right now for suggesting such a tasteless idea. The male body is not a joke! When Kimmel suggested that the WWE wrestler anyway wrestles nude, he added: Dude, I dont wrestle naked, I wrestle in jorts! To this, Kimmel said that jorts are worse than being naked.

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'Costumes, they are so important'

At this point, John covered his private parts with an oversized winners envelope and made his wat to the center of the stage with shock reactions from everyone in the audience. He said, Costumes, they are so important. Maybe the most important thing there is!

As the lights dimmed to read out the name of the nominees, several assistants came to rescue with an elaborate gown for him. He then announced the winner of the category- Holly Waddington for Poor Things. She triumphed in the category that included Jacqueline Durran for Barbie, Jacqueline West for Killers of the Flower Moon, Janty Yates and Dave Crossman for Napoleon, and Ellen Mirojnick for Oppenheimer.

Catch HT's coverage of the Oscars and the 2024 Awards season here. We have reviews, predictions and more.

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Oscars 2024 wrapped up with some historic wins and memorable moments. From Jimmy Kimmels lighthearted jokes, successfully avoiding offense, to Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer's magic, the event is set to remain the talk of the town. However, another beautiful moment captured on stage was when Batman reunited with his on-screen foes. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito reunited and didnt forget to come after Michael Keaton. Batman reunited with his on-screen foes. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito at Oscars with Michael Keaton(Disney Plus stills)

Michael Keaton takes friendly heat from Schwarzenegger & DeVito

During the 96th Academy Awards live telecast, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito recreated their iconic Twins moment as they arrived as award presenters. The duo took center stage to present the winners for Best Visual Effects, awarded to (Godzilla Minus One), and Best Film Editing, awarded to (Oppenheimer.) However, it was their Batman jokes that won the internet and potentially gave rise to a new meme.

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Also read: Jimmy Kimmel roasts Donald Trump live at Oscars with past your jail time remark

Arnold and I are presenting tonight together for a very obvious reason, DeVito said as the audience tried to guess. Weve both tried to kill Batman! Schwarzenegger delivered, giving everyone a good laugh.

For the unversed, DeVito played Penguin in Tim Burtons Batman Returns and had a one-on-one scene with Michael Keaton. On the other hand, Schwarzenegger faced off with George Clooneys Batman as Mr. Freeze. Both actors jokingly discussed their defeats against Batman and playfully targeted Michael Keaton, who was in the audience trying hard not to laugh.

Oh. He threw me out a window! DeVito said referring to his Penguin character. He then pointed towards Keaton and said, There he is. Hes right here. Hes right there. Look!

The camera panned and captured Keaton giving off his daring look, as if challenging both of them for the next battle. This moment has now become a new meme sensation on the internet. You have a lot of nerve to show your face around here, Schwarzenegger quipped.

Also read: The Boy and the Heron wins Oscars: Where to watch Hayao Miyazaki last animated feature

New meme unlocked?

Internet is definitely loving this Batman brawl and few have even got their new meme fest. A user wrote, Standing ovation for these two followed by the cutaway to Michael Keaton. I cant. Others chimed in too, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito reunite at the Oscars, with their old nemesis Michael Keaton looking on. Im not even kidding this isnt a slight at Batman or Returns, But this is my favorite Michael Keaton Batman performance, Legitimately feels like a scene from the comics where Bruce Wayne is found out & after accepting theres no denying says bring it.

Michael Keaton's recent activities

Keaton was one of the presenters of the award at the 2024 Academy Awards, sharing the stage with his co-star, Catherine O'Hara, from Beetlejuice. Last year, Keaton returned to the big screen for the first time in years, reprising his supporting role as Batman in Warner Bros The Flash opposite Ezra Miller.
At the 96th Academy Awards, comedian and late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel returned for the fourth time to host Hollywoods biggest awards show. In his almost 12-minute opening monologue filled with plenty of celebrity jabs, Jimmy made the star-studded audience let out a few laughs, while also getting mixed reactions from social media users. Also read | Oscars 2024 highlights: Oppenheimer is Best Picture, Cillian Murphy is Best Actor, Nolan finally wins Best Director Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 10, 2024. (AFP)

Fans discuss Emmas reaction to Jimmy's joke

Some on X (formerly known as Twitter) speculated about what Emma Stone said to her husband Dave McCary after Jimmy Kimmel joked about the nudity in her Oscar-nominated film Poor Things during the awards show on Sunday (Monday morning in India). Following a montage dedicated to the film, the Oscars host said, Those were all the parts of Poor Things that were allowed to show on TV.

The joke was a reference to nudity in the Emma Stone film, and many fans felt that her reaction to Jimmy's joke implied she was not too happy about his remark. Some on X speculated she had turned to her husband, next to her, and said, Oh, my God. Others think Emma said about Jimmy, What a prick.

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Sharing a clip of Emma, who won the Best Actress Oscar for Poor Things, a fan tweeted, "Emma Stone calling Jimmy Kimmel a prick... oh clock that tea queen." Another said, "She is saying what we all think..." One more added, Emma Stone calling Jimmy Kimmel a 'prick' after he insinuated that Poor Things was only about sex... Loving her reaction.

Reactions to Jimmy's jokes about Robert Downey Jr

Jimmy Kimmel also had Oppenheimer star and Oscar-winner Robert Downey Jr in his sights. This is the highest point of Robert Downey Jrs long and illustrious career... or one of the highest points," Jimmy said. As the camera panned to Robert, who has been open about his previous struggles with drug addiction, the actor tapped on his nose, to which Jimmy responded, Is it too on the nose? Or is that a drug motion he made?

While some called the joke 'awkward', an X user said, "Robert Downey Jr, if you want to Will Smith slap Jimmy Kimmel, I dont blame you." In 2022, actor Will Smith walked onstage at the Oscars, and slapped comedian Chris Rock. The slap was in response to a joke Chris made about Will's ex-wife Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head.

Fans liked how Jimmy called out Donald Trump

Jimmy Kimmel won cheers at Oscars 2024 with his Donald Trump jibe. Jimmy shared a review by the former US president about his performance as host of the ceremony. Has there ever been a worse than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars. His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something, which he is not, and never can be, Jimmy read aloud from his phone. He thanked Donald Trump for watching before asking, Isnt it past your jail time? A fan praised Jimmy for roasting Donald, writing, Perfectly done.

Reactions to Jimmy's take on Gretas director snub

During his monologue for the 2024 Oscars, host Jimmy Kimmel also called out the Film Academy for failing to nominate director Greta Gerwig for Barbie. What an achievement to take a plastic doll no one even liked anymore Now Barbie is a feminist icon thanks to Greta Gerwig who many believe deserved to be nominated for best director, Jimmy said. After the audience erupted into an applause, he added, I know youre clapping, but youre the ones who didnt vote for her by the way. Dont act like you had nothing to do with this.

"Even Jimmy Kimmel knows that Greta not even being nominated was a travesty and a joke," tweeted a fan in reaction to Jimmy's remark. Another praised him, writing, "Jimmy Kimmel immediately blasting the audience for not voting Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie to be nominated... oh we are off to a GREAT start at Oscars 2024."

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Ever since his resurgence, Sunny Deols next slate of projects have been looked forward to with anticipation. Lahore 1947, his next produced by Aamir Khan and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi is currently in the works. But a little birdie tells us that Deol isnt just focusing on films, but rather good content, regardless of the medium. And that includes OTT. Actor Sunny Deol

Sunny has been in talks for OTT shows and films too, and they are ready to offer him big amounts. Gadar 2 has infused a new life into his career, and he himself understands that he will need to keep experimenting to stay relevant among a new generation, tells us our source. And when we ask the actor about the same, he confirms and says, It is going to be interesting because I am doing a couple of films, and those will give me a benchmark of how things are going to be in 2025. All the films I am doing are big screen films. And yes I am also doing stuff for digital platforms. I am picking up more subjects, and there are certain things which I want to do which cannot be for the big screen as they (theatres) will not give me space for it.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Deol goes on to add, As an actor, I feel its nice it will be seen. If I do loads of it, there will be another audience who will know I am capable of doing that too. Unless I do it, that cant happen. One doesnt want to do only one kind of stuff.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that India successfully carried out the maiden flight test of the locally developed Agni-5 missile with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology, with the new capability allowing the weapon system to deliver multiple nuclear warheads against different targets spread across hundreds of kilometres, and further strengthening the countrys strategic deterrence capability. DRDO conducts the first successful flight test of Agni-5 missile on Monday. (ANI)

The PM also revealed the code name for the historic test, Mission Divyastra (divine weapon), which has propelled India into an exclusive league of countries that have the capability to deploy MIRV missile systems, including the US, the UK, France, Russia and China.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Read here: Agni-5 missile can now deliver multiple nuclear warheads, announces PM Modi

Proud of our DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, the PM posted on X.

Various telemetry and radar stations tracked and monitored multiple re-entry vehicles. The mission accomplished the designed parameters, the defence ministry said in statement, calling it a complex mission. The test was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. The missiles trajectory was tracked by missile tracker INS Dhruv, with top DRDO and NSCS officials in attendance.

The first indication of the countrys intention to carry out a long-range missile test came last week when it issued a notice for a no-fly zone over the Bay of Bengal and a stretch of the eastern Indian Ocean region.

China may have been tracking the missile test after India issued the no-fly zone notification, HT has learnt.

The Agni-5 missile, which uses a three-stage solid fuelled engine, has a range of more than 5,000km. MIRVs can cause more destruction than traditional missiles that carry a single warhead. The other variants of the Agni missiles developed by DRDO include the 700km range Agni-1, the 2,000km Agni-2, the 3,000km Agni-3, and 4,000km range Agni-4.

The Agni-5 MIRV system is equipped with indigenous avionics systems and high accuracy sensor packages, which ensured that the re-entry vehicles reached the target points within the desired accuracy, officials aware of the matter said, asking not to be named.

The capability demonstrates Indias growing technological prowess, said one of the officials cited above.

We are often critical of DRDO, but one area where they have shown great progress is in missile technology. We are also seeing China modernising and increasing nuclear warheads in its arsenal. For continued strategic deterrence, we must ensure we do not fall behind, said strategic affairs expert Lieutenant General DS Hooda (retd).

The project was steered by a woman scientist of DRDO, and it involved other women scientists too, said a second official, linking the test to the countrys growing Nari Shakti (woman power). To be sure, DRDOs women scientists have been associated with several critical missile tests. HT learns that the project director was Shankari Chandrasekaran and Agni Vs programme director, Sheela Rani.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh also took to X to highlight Indias new capability.

India today successfully tested Mission Divyastra  the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology and joined the select group of nations who have MIRV. Congratulations to our @DRDO_India scientists and the entire team for this exceptional success. India is proud of them!

There was no official word on how many warheads the MIRV version of Agni-5 can carry, though military scientists tracking the project pegged the number at four to five. People familiar with the matter said the warheads can be propelled independently with their targets 200-500 km apart.

Indias nuclear doctrine, promulgated in 2003, commits to a no first use posture, with weapons to be used only in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or Indian forces. In a stand that reflects the capabilities India has built over the years, the doctrine states nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage.

Retaliatory attacks can only be authorised by the civilian political leadership through the Nuclear Command Authority consisting of a political council and executive council. The Prime Minister chairs the political council, while the national security advisor chairs the executive council.

The country can carry out nuclear strikes with fighter planes, land-launched missiles and from the sea. India completed its nuclear trial in 2018 when the indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arihant, successfully completed its first deterrence patrol.

Chinese naval activity

The latest test came at a time when two so-called Chinese research and survey vessels are operating in the waters around India, including the Xiang Yang Hong 01 that is in the Bay of Bengal, somewhere between the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Sri Lanka. The ship was likely monitoring the Indian test, people aware of the matter said. On March 7, India issued a Notice to Airmen warning, on March 11, 15, and 16, between 3.30pm and 7.30pm on each day. HT learns that India may also carry out a test of its submarine-launched ballistic missile K-4 which has a range of 3000km.

The other Chinese vessel, Xiang Yang Hong 03, is a 4,500-tonne ship that docked in the Maldives in February, ostensibly for replenishment and rotation of personnel.

The Xiang Yang Hong 03 went to the Maldives after it was unable to dock in Sri Lanka, which in January declared a 12-month moratorium on allowing foreign vessels to carry out research in the countrys territorial waters. The moratorium was largely the result of pressure on Sri Lanka from India and the US not to allow Chinese spy vessels and warships to dock at Colombo or Chinese-controlled Hambantota port.

The Xiang Yang Hong 03 is now conducting research in waters of the Indian Ocean located between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. There was no word from Indian officials on the development. But people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that the Indian side carefully monitors all developments that affect the countrys security and economic interests and will take all measures to safeguard these interests.

Chinese officials have contended that the vessels are conducting legitimate research and berthing in other countries for replenishment. However, the people cited above said the equipment on these vessels, including powerful sonar systems and sensors, allow them to gather up invaluable data for both submarine and anti-submarine operations.

During hydrographic and hydrological surveys, these vessels can collect data on matters such as ocean temperatures and the seabed that can be used for submarine operations. Their presence in waters around India at a time when the country was planning the missile test suggests they were monitoring and tracking the launch, the people said.

Damien Symon, a geo-intelligence researcher at The Intel Lab, said: The Indian Oceans growing geopolitical significance has, over the years, drawn attention from China, which is evident through its increase in maritime research in the region.

Read here: Mission Divyastra: India test-fires Agni-5 missile, PM Modi lauds DRDO scientists

He added: Oceanographic research, under the guise of scientific and commercial endeavours, assumes a pivotal role in bolstering the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navys capabilities with essential data that can enhance submarine warfare tactics as the navigation of submarines rests heavily on the knowledge of complex undersea conditions. Operating in waters around India, these Chinese vessels could also gather insights on possible subsurface routes exploited by the Indian Navy, presenting a challenge to Indian submarines in the region, threatening their covert operational abilities.

The current operations of the two Chinese vessels follow the docking of the Yuan Wang 5, a vessel used by China to track satellites and ballistic missiles, at Hambantota port in 2022, and the docking of the PLA Navys Hai Yang 24 Hao, known to have surveillance capabilities, at Colombo port last year. India and the US had protested to Sri Lanka against the activities of these Chinese vessels.

It is understood that India and the US also worked with other members of the Quad, which also includes Australia and Japan, to take up this issue with Sri Lanka, leading to the moratorium on visits by foreign vessels earlier this year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that India successfully carried out the maiden flight test of the locally developed Agni-5 missile with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) technology, with the new capability allowing the weapon system to deliver multiple nuclear warheads against different targets spreads across hundreds of kilometres, and further strengthening the countrys strategic deterrence capability. PM Modi also revealed the codename for the historic test, Mission Divyastra (divine weapon), which has propelled India into an exclusive league of countries that have the capability to deploy MIRV missile systems. (PTI File Photo)

The PM also revealed the codename for the historic test, Mission Divyastra (divine weapon), which has propelled India into an exclusive league of countries that have the capability to deploy MIRV missile systems, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Proud of our DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, the PM wrote on X.

Various telemetry and radar stations tracked and monitored multiple re-entry vehicles. The mission accomplished the designed parameters, the defence ministry said in a statement, calling it a complex mission. The test was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

The first indication of the countrys intention to carry out a long-range missile test came last week when it issued a notice for a no-fly zone over the Bay of Bengal and a stretch of the eastern Indian Ocean region.

China may have been tracking the missile test after India issued the no-fly zone notification, Hindustan Times has learnt.

The Agni-5 missile, which uses a three-stage solid fuelled engine, has a range of more than 5,000 km. MIRVs can cause more destruction than traditional missiles that carry a single warhead. The other variants of the Agni missiles developed by DRDO include the 700-km range Agni-1, the 2,000-km Agni-2, the 3,000-km Agni-3, and 4,000-km range Agni-4.

The Agni-5 MIRV system is equipped with indigenous avionics systems and high accuracy sensor packages, which ensured that the reentry vehicles reached the target points within the desired accuracy, officials aware of the matter said, asking not to be named.

The capability demonstrates Indias growing technological prowess, said one of the officials cited above.

We are often critical of DRDO, but one area where they have shown great progress is in missile technology. We are also seeing China modernising and increasing nuclear warheads in its arsenal. For continued strategic deterrence, we must ensure we do not fall behind, said strategic affairs expert Lieutenant General DS Hooda (retd).

The project was steered by a woman scientist of DRDO, and it involved other women scientists too, said a second official, linking the maiden test to the countrys growing Nari Shakti (woman power). To be sure, DRDOs women scientists have been associated with several critical missile tests.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh also took to X to highlight Indias new capability.

India today successfully tested Mission Divyastra - the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology and joined the select group of nations who have MIRV. Congratulations to our @DRDO_India scientists and the entire team for this exceptional success. India is proud of them!

There was no official word on how many warheads the MIRV version of Agni-5 can carry, though military scientists tracking the project pegged the number at four to five.

Indias nuclear doctrine, promulgated in 2003, commits to a no first use posture, with weapons to be used only in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or Indian forces. In a stand that reflects the capabilities India has built over the years, the doctrine states nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage.

Retaliatory attacks can only be authorised by the civilian political leadership through the Nuclear Command Authority consisting of a political council and executive council. The Prime Minister chairs the political council, while the national security advisor chairs the executive council.

The country can carry out nuclear strikes with fighter planes, land-launched missiles and from the sea. India completed its nuclear trial in 2018 when the indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arihant, successfully completed its first deterrence patrol.

The latest test came at a time when two so-called Chinese research and survey vessels are operating in the waters around India, including the Xiang Yang Hong 01 that is in the Bay of Bengal, somewhere between the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Sri Lanka. The ship was likely monitoring the Indian test, people aware of the matter said.

The other Chinese vessel, Xiang Yang Hong 03, is a 4,500-tonne ship that docked in the Maldives in February, ostensibly for replenishment and rotation of personnel.

The Xiang Yang Hong 03 went to the Maldives after it was unable to dock in Sri Lanka, which in January declared a 12-month moratorium on allowing foreign vessels to carry out research in the countrys territorial waters. The moratorium was largely the result of pressure on Sri Lanka from India and the US not to allow Chinese spy vessels and warships to dock at Colombo or Chinese-controlled Hambantota port.

The Xiang Yang Hong 03 is now conducting research in waters of the Indian Ocean located between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. There was no word from Indian officials on the development. But people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that the Indian side carefully monitors all developments that affect the countrys security and economic interests and will take all measures to safeguard these interests.

Chinese officials have contended that the vessels are conducting legitimate research and berthing in other countries for replenishment. However, the people cited above said the equipment on these vessels, including powerful sonar systems and sensors, allow them to gather up invaluable data for both submarine and anti-submarine operations.

During hydrographic and hydrological surveys, these vessels can collect data on matters such as ocean temperatures and the seabed that can be used for submarine operations. Their presence in waters around India at a time when the country was planning the missile test suggests they were monitoring and tracking the launch, the people said.

Damien Symon, a geo-intelligence researcher at The Intel Lab, said: The Indian Oceans growing geopolitical significance has, over the years, drawn attention from China, which is evident through its increase in maritime research in the region.

Oceanographic research, under the guise of scientific and commercial endeavours, assumes a pivotal role in bolstering the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navys capabilities with essential data that can enhance submarine warfare tactics as the navigation of submarines rests heavily on the knowledge of complex undersea conditions. Operating in waters around India, these Chinese vessels could also gather insights on possible subsurface routes exploited by the Indian Navy, presenting a challenge to Indian submarines in the region, threatening their covert operational abilities, he said.

The current operations of the two Chinese vessels follow the docking of the Yuan Wang 5, a vessel used by China to track satellites and ballistic missiles, at Hambantota port in 2022, and the docking of the PLA Navys Hai Yang 24 Hao, known to have surveillance capabilities, at Colombo port last year. India and the US had protested to Sri Lanka against the activities of these Chinese vessels.

It is understood that India and the US also worked with other members of the Quad, which also includes Australia and Japan, to take up this issue with Sri Lanka, leading to the moratorium on visits by foreign vessels earlier this year.

THE MIRV PUNCH

The Agni-5 missile, which uses a three-stage solid fuelled engine, has a range of more than 5,000 km

MIRVs can cause more destruction than traditional missiles that carry a single warhead

The new capability will allow the Agni-5 missile system to deliver multiple nuclear warheads against different targets spread across hundreds of kilometres

India completed its nuclear trial in 2018 when the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arihant, completed its first deterrence patrol

Indias nuclear doctrine, promulgated in 2003, commits to a no first use posture, with weapons to be used only in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or Indian forces.
Union home minister Amit Shah and other leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hailed prime minister Narendra Modi after the central government on Monday notified Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah.

The opposition though was critical of the government, and linked the CAA implementation to both the upcoming Lok Sabha polls (due in April-May) and the Supreme Court refusing to give State Bank of India (SBI) extension till June 30 to furnish data in the electoral bonds case.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Meanwhile, here's how BJP leaders reacted:

Amit Shah (Union home minister): PM Shri @narendramodi Ji has delivered on another commitment and realised the promise of the makers of our constitution to the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians living in those countries.

Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh CM): The decision to enact the Citizenship (Amendment) Act for the welfare of suffering humanity is historic. This has paved the way for a respectable life for the minority communities suffering from religious brutality in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Bhajan Lal Sharma (Rajasthan CM): Modi ji's guarantee means guarantee of fulfillment. CAA is a humanitarian law through which the oppressed Hindu and minority communities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will pave the way to realize their years-long dream of Indian citizenship by providing them a dignified life.

Sukanta Majumdar (MP and Bengal BJP chief): Historic day today as the Modi Government implements the much-awaited Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)! CAA is crucial for our country. Jai Hind.

The Delhi Police, meanwhile increased security in areas in the national capital that witnessed anti-CAA protests in December 2019 and January 2020.
Federal investigators again searched FCI Dublin on Monday, seizing computers and documents in an apparent escalation of a yearslong sexual abuse investigation. Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

The warden at the womens federal prison in Dublin was ousted Monday as FBI agents raided the troubled facility, where prisoners continue to come forward with sexual abuse allegations against employees.

The FBI did not provide details about the law enforcement activity at the Federal Correctional Institution, but the Associated Press reported that the federal agents seized computers and documents during a search of the prison.

N.T. McKinney was named interim warden, according to the Bureau of Prisons.

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Consistent with unprecedented and ongoing actions by FBOP leadership to create a positive change in the culture at FCI Dublin, recent developments have necessitated new executive employees be installed at the institution, Bureau of Prisons spokesperson Randilee Giamusso said in a statement. This new team has been charged with developing a plan for the future of the facility.

Along with the warden, an associate warden and a captain were removed from the prison Monday, the Associated Press reported.

The raid signals an escalation in an ongoing investigation of the prison, which is under intense scrutiny amid ongoing claims of sexual abuse.

A former warden and other employees have been sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting inmates. Last week 12 more female prisoners filed lawsuits in federal court alleging sexual abuse by guards.

Lawyers said the suits bring the number of damage claims to 63 against the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and employees of the Federal Correctional Institution, and that many more would be filed in the coming months.

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One plaintiff, a Native American woman, said she was forcibly raped by a guard one to three times a week, while two other officers held her down and made hateful comments about her ethnicity.

Other women said they were forced to hold strip shows, masturbate or perform sex acts on one another in front of prison guards, who had threatened to write disciplinary reports on them if they refused. The lawyers said officers particularly targeted immigrant women for abuse.

Officers at every level committed horrific abuse or actively allowed abuse to continue, attorney Amaris Montes of Rights Behind Bars, a nonprofit representing the prisoners, said in a statement announcing the lawsuits. These survivors seek accountability for themselves, and for everyone else who remains at risk of abuse at the hands of BOP officials.

There was no immediate comment on the lawsuits from the Bureau of Prisons.

The low-security East Bay prison, with about 150 incarcerated people, has been wracked by disclosures of sexual abuse that apparently went on for years. The Associated Press reported in February 2022 that both workers and prisoners referred to FCI Dublin as the rape club.

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Last March, Ray Garcia, a 32-year Bureau of Prisons employee who served as warden from November 2020 to July 2021, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison and fined $15,000 after a jury convicted him of eight felony charges involving the sexual abuse of three prisoners.

A half-dozen staff members have also been found guilty, including the prisons former chaplain, James Highhouse. He was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2022 after pleading guilty to five felony charges of sexually abusing a prisoner and lying about it to investigators.

In December 2022, the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations found sexual abuse of prisoners by staff in at least two-thirds of federal womens prisons during the previous decade, with Dublin among the worst. The report said the Bureau of Prisons had failed to prevent or detect recurring attacks.
New Delhi: Reacting to the Supreme Court's verdict on electoral bonds, the Congress on Monday said the apex court has protected Indian democracy from the devious machinations of this regime. The party also slammed the SBI, saying it was laughable that it could not furnish the required details within the stipulated time. Congress leader KC Venugopal slammed the BJP government on X. (File photo)

"The Supreme Court has once again come to protect Indian democracy from the devious machinations of this regime. It was laughable for the SBI to seek an extension on a simple 1 day job. The fact is that the government is scared of all their skeletons tumbling out of the closet," Congress leader KC Venugopal wrote in X.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

KC Venugopal claimed the Supreme Court certified that the electoral bonds scheme was a mega corruption scandal.

Also read: Electoral bonds: Supreme Court rejects SBI's plea, orders it to furnish details tomorrow

"This mega corruption scandal, as certified by the Supreme Court, will expose the unholy nexus between the BJP and its corrupt corporate masters," KC Venugopal added.

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the State Bank of India's request seeking an extension of deadline for furnishing the electoral bonds' details. The court ordered the bank to submit the details by the business hours of March 12. The court also asked the Election Commission to put the information on its website by 5 pm, March 15.

On February 15, the Supreme Court had declared the electoral bonds scheme "unconstitutional". The top court asked the SBI to disclose details on donors, the amount donated by them and the recipients, by March 13.

The SBI earlier this month submitted to the court that it would need time till June 30 to collect the required information.

The Supreme Court today pulled up the bank, asking what steps it had taken over the past 26 days to collect the information.

"In the last 26 days, what steps have you taken? Your application is silent on that," the bench said.

The Supreme Court has also warned the bank that its top brass will face contempt proceedings if it doesn't comply with its order.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday called atrocious a Madras high court judgment, which held that merely watching child pornography is not an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and the Information and Technology Act, 2000. The Supreme Court agreed to examine the correctness of the January order by the Madras high court. (Sonu Mehta/HT FILE PHOTO)

How can a single judge say this? This is atrocious, observed a bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, while agreeing to examine the correctness of the January order by the high court.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, issued notice on the appeal moved by a coalition of NGOs, Just Rights for Children Alliance, and sought replies from the Tamil Nadu government and others.

Also Read: Courts cant be lenient on downloading child abuse material | Opinion

Represented through senior counsel HS Phoolka, the NGOs submitted that the Madras HC order was erroneous because the nature of the content and the involvement of minors in the material make it subject to the provisions of the Pocso Act. Phoolka added that the HC judgment gives an impression to the general public that downloading and possessing child pornography is not an offence.

In its January 11 order, a bench of justice N Anand Venkatesh quashed a criminal case against a 28-year-old man who was charged with downloading and watching pornographic content involving children, holding that a child or children must have been used for pornography purposes to attract charges under the Pocso Act.

Section 14 of the Pocso Act prescribes punishment for using a child for pornographic purposes. Whoever uses a child or children for pornographic purposes shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years and shall also be liable to fine, the section says.

Since he has not used a child or children for pornographic purposes, at best, it can only be construed as a moral decay on the part of the accused person, the high court held in the case.

The accused was also let off under Section 67-B of the Information Technology Act since the videos were neither published nor transmitted to others. Section 67-B of the IT Act prescribes punishment for publishing or transmitting of material depicting children in sexually explicit act, etc., in electronic form.

In order to constitute an offence under Section 67-B of Information Technology Act, 2000, the accused person must have published, transmitted, created material depicting children in sexual, explicit act or conduct. A careful reading of this provision does not make watching child pornography, per se, an offence under Section 67-B of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the high court said.
The University of Engineering & Management (UEM) Jaipur conferred an honorary Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) degree upon Dr Jernail S. Anand, a celebrated contemporary author from Punjab, Chandigarh, at its 9th Convocation ceremony. The ceremony was graced by chief guest Kapil Garg, IPS (Retd.), former Director General of Police, Rajasthan. Dr. Jernail S. Anand, a celebrated and award winning author of 161 books.

Dr Anand, a prolific writer with over 161 books to his name spanning poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and spiritual works, was recognised for his exceptional contributions to world literature and poetry.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Anand expressed his gratitude to the university for acknowledging the significance of literature and poetry. He said that sciences like Engineering and Management were necessary to make the youth capable of world class professionalism, while Literature is essential for improving the quality of life vis-a-vis the spiritual being of man.

Both the streams must come together so that we have a complete human being, Dr Anand said.

He added that the focus should be not on creating successful men, but on great human beings.

Dr. Anand is the recipient of the prestigious Charter of Morava, the highest international recognition for creativity bestowed by the Serbian Writers Association, Belgrade. His name is etched on the Poets' Rock, a landmark dedicated to poetry in Serbia. Dr Anand's literary prowess extends to the creation of nine epics, including the highly acclaimed work featuring the phenomenal neo-mythological figure, Lustus, which has been hailed as the book of the millennium.
New Delhi: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday slammed the Central government for implementing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, claiming the law is based on Mahatma Gandhi's murderer Nathuram Godse's thought. Owaisi claimed that the CAA law will reduce Muslims to second-class citizens. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi. (ANI file photo)

"You understand the chronology -- first election season will arrive then CAA rules will come. Our objections to CAA remain the same. CAA is divisive & based on Godses thought that wanted to reduce Muslims to second-class citizens," he wrote on X, in an angry reaction to the government's CAA move, weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The law, passed in 2019, makes it easier for Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian and Parsi refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, to get Indian citizenship. The law will be applicable on those who arrived in India on or before 31 December, 2014.

Also read: Central government implements Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

The passage of the law had prompted nationwide protests in the national capital in 2019. The protestors claimed the law discriminated against the Muslim community.

Also read: CAA rules notified: Eligibility, procedure, language requirement for citizenship explained

Over the years, union home minister Amit Shah has clarified on several occasions that the law is not aimed at snatching away any person's citizenship.

Asaduddin Owaisi today said citizenship should not be based on religion or nationality.

Also read: CAA backlash: Congress, Mamata Banerjee slam Modi government, question timing

"Give asylum to anyone who is persecuted but citizenship must not be based on religion or nationality. The government should explain why it kept these rules pending for five years and why its implementing it now. Along with NPR-NRC, CAA is meant to only target Muslims, it serves no other purpose. Indians who came out on the streets to oppose CAA NPR NRC will have no choice but to oppose it again," Owaisi wrote on X today.

Also read: Explained: What is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)?

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Islamic Centre of India, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali appealed to the masses to stay calm.

"We want to appeal to everyone to stay calm and not panic. Our legal team will look into this, and further decisions will be taken," he told PTI.
After releasing the first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition Congress will hold their respective poll committee meetings on Monday to finalise candidates for the remaning seats. BJP and Congress to finalise second list of Lok Sabha candidates.

BJP prepares for 2nd list of candidates

The BJP's central election committee will convene for another round at the party headquarters in Delhi on Monday evening to discuss candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, news agency ANI reported.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP's national president JP Nadda, home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, BJP's organisation general secretary BL Santosh, chief ministers, state presidents, in-charges, co-Incharges, and election in-charges of various states are expected to attend the meeting.

The BJP has released its first list of candidates for 195 constituencies, covering nearly 155 seats the party secured in the 2019 polls.

Notably, the list marks the exclusion of over 20 per cent of its current MPs.

The list includes 51 seats from Uttar Pradesh, 24 from Madhya Pradesh, 20 from West Bengal, 15 each from Gujarat and Rajasthan, 12 from Kerala, nine from Telangana, 11 each from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, five from Delhi, three from Uttarakhand, two each from Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, and one each from Goa, Tripura, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Daman and Diu.

ALSO READ- Lok Sabha elections 2024: These 4 controversial MPs missing from BJP's first list

Congress to finalise second list of candidates

The Congress party's Central Election Committee (CEC) will convene for its second meeting at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi on Monday evening, sources said, PTI reported.

Scheduled for 6 pm, the meeting will be chaired by party national president Mallikarjun Kharge, where Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party MP Rahul Gandhi are expected to remain present.

Discussions on Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh are slated for the upcoming second meeting, sources said.

Discussion on West Bengal will not be taken up in this meeting, sources said, as the party faced an upset with Trinamool Congress deciding to go solo, and Mamata Banerjee announced candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

ALSO READ- TMC snubs INDIA in West Bengal, names candidates on all seats for Lok Sabha polls

Congress previously released its first list of candidates for 39 Lok Sabha constituencies, which included states like Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Telangana, and Tripura.

ALSO READ- Congress announces 1st list for 2024 election: Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad

The 39 candidates include 16 from Kerala, seven from Karnataka, six from Chhattisgarh, and four from Telangana, with two from Meghalaya, and one each from Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, and Lakshadweep.

Dates for 2024 Lok Sabha elections

The Election Commission of India, which was expected to announce the Lok Sabha election dates for 2024 around March 14-15, may now face a delay as election commissioner Arun Goel resigned on Saturday.

This resignation, coupled with the earlier vacancy due to the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey, leaves two openings in the top body.

The government looks to fill these vacancies with the appointment of two new election commissioners by March 15.

The Lok Sabha polls are expected to take place in April-May this year.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fulfilled yet another promise made in its 2019 election manifesto with the notification of the rules for the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls that will set in motion the process of fast-tracking citizenship rights for persecuted minorities from the neighbourhood. Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with BJP National President JP Nadda (ANI)

Read here: Flag marches, tighter security in Delhi, Noida, Assam after CAA implementation as authorities fear repeat of 2020

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The Modi government today notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. These rules will now enable minorities persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to acquire citizenship in our nation. With this notification PM Shri @narendramodi Ji has delivered on another commitment and realised the promise of the makers of our constitution to the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians living in those countries, Union home minister Amit Shah posted on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the announcement.

The BJP expects to reap dividends from the announcement made on Monday in Assam, Punjab and West Bengal. In West Bengal, where the Matua community counted among Scheduled Castes migrated from Bangladesh mainly because of religious persecution, the government promised the implementation of CAA to placate the community that has been on the fringes of economic and social growth.

The party is also hoping to earn support from Sikhs who migrated to India from Afghanistan and about 500 Hindu families who have arrived in batches from Pakistan and are spread over Delhi and Rajasthan. There is no data on how many families will benefit from the law. The government stated in Parliament in 2019 that 1,595 Pakistani and 391 Afghan migrants of all religions have been granted Indian citizenship between 2016 to 2018.

Provision for capturing online citizenship data of migrants from minority communities namely Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian hailing from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh was introduced in 2018. As per the available data, 295 Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan and Pakistan have been granted Indian Citizenship since then, Union minister Kiren Rijiju has said in a written reply.

Apart from the commitment to construct a Ram Temple and remove the provisions of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, which gave the erstwhile state special status, the partys election manifesto spelt out the BJPs commitment for giving Hindus, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists, Christians and Sikhs, who were persecuted in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh a place in India and the rights to become a citizen. It will benefit who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

The party has met all three promises, although the pending promise of implementing a uniform civil code is being implemented by separate BJP-ruled states. While the Bill to read down Article 370 was passed in Parliament in August 2019, the consecration of the Ram temple took place on January 25.

We are committed to the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Bill for the protection of individuals of religious minority communities from neighbouring countries escaping persecution, the 2019 manifesto had said.

The party also clarified that it would address the concerns of the locals in the northeastern states that had apprehensions regarding the legislation. There were widespread protests against the provisions of the law after Parliament passed it in December 2019. We reiterate our commitment to protect the linguistic, cultural and social identity of the people of Northeast, the manifesto had said.

In the wake of protests from minorities in India that perceived CAA and the proposed national register of citizens (NRC) to impinge on their rights and identity, the BJP led outreach campaigns to assuage fears that the new law will take away their rights.

The implementation of the CAA was intended to help those minorities who had nowhere else to go, but could count on India as their natural homeland. Take for instance the Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh who have been at the receiving end of extremist policies and the Sikhs who had to flee Afghanistan after the Taliban take over, said a functionary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological fount of the ruling BJP that has rallied support for the implementation of the law.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, an affiliate of the RSS, said that it will provide all help to refugees to complete the formalities of applying for citizenship. This is in accord with the Indian tradition of giving refuge, respect and dignity to all those who suffer indignities outside and seek the shelter of Mother India, its international working president Alok Kumar said.

While states such as West Bengal, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh (then under Congress rule), Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu passed resolutions against the Act in 2019, on Monday West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said the notification of the rules is timed with the impending elections.

This law was passed in 2020. After multiple extensions in four years, its implementation two to three days before the election announcement shows that it is being done for political reasons, she said.

Read here: CAA notified: MHA forms panel, lays down SOP for granting citizenship

The Congress also linked the timing to elections. It has taken four years and three months for the Modi Government to notify the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act that was passed by the Parliament in December 2019. The Prime Minister claims that his Government works in a business-like and time-bound manner. The time taken to notify the rules for the CAA is yet another demonstration of the Prime Ministers blatant lies, Congressman Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.

After seeking nine extensions for the notification of rules, the timing right before the elections is evidently designed to polarise the elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam and to manage the headlines after the Supreme Courts severe strictures on the Electoral Bonds Scandal.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday attacked the Centre for notifying the rules of Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, terming it as BJPs' game of distraction. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav (File photo)

He also said the BJP government at the Centre should also explain why lakhs of citizens gave up their citizenship of the country during their 10-year rule.

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Yadav said in a situation where the citizens of the country are forced to leave abroad for livelihood, what purpose implementing the citizenship law will serve for others.

ALSO READ| Second independence day: Bengal's Matua community hail CAA implementation

Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the Centre has announced implementation of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.

"When the citizens of the country are forced to go out for livelihood, then what will happen by bringing 'citizenship law' for others? The public has now understood the BJP's game of politics of distraction," Yadav said in a post on X.

"The BJP government should explain why lakhs of citizens gave up their citizenship of the country during their 10 years of rule. No matter what happens tomorrow you have to give account of Electoral Bond and then also of the 'care fund'," Yadav added.

ALSO READ| 'Based on Godse's thought': Asaduddin Owaisi's angry reaction to Centre's CAA move

With the CAA rules being notified, the Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants -- Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians -- from the three countries.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the president's assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it. The law could not come into effect as rules had not been notified till now.

"These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for the grant of Indian citizenship," a home ministry spokesperson said.

The nine states where Indian citizenship by registration or naturalisation is given under the Citizenship Act, 1955 to non-Muslim minorities from the three neighbouring countries are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the State Bank of India's (SBI) plea seeking more time to furnish the details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission and ordered the country's biggest bank to submit the same by the business hours of March 12, Tuesday. The apex court also ordered the poll panel to put the information on its website by 5 pm, March 15. The Supreme Court of India(ANI)

The court has warned the SBI chairman and managing director that they will face contempt proceedings if its order is not complied with within the timeline.

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In a landmark verdict delivered on February 15, a five-judge Constitution bench scrapped the Centre's electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous political funding, calling it "unconstitutional".

The Supreme Court had ordered the SBI to disclose details on donors, the amount donated by them and the recipients, by March 13.

The SBI last week requested the court to extend the deadline for the disclosure of the details of the bond to June 30.

Today, a bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud and justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, pulled up the bank, saying what was it doing over the last 26 days.

Also read: '...As certified by Supreme Court': Congress calls electoral bonds mega corruption scandal

"In the last 26 days, what steps have you taken? Your application is silent on that," the bench said.

Also read: Electoral bonds: Supreme Court raps SBI, asks what steps have you taken in last 26 days?

The SBI has to just open the sealed cover, collate the details and give the information to the Election Commission, the bench added.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the SBI, argued in the court that the bank needed more time to collate the details and match them as the information was kept in two different silos in its branches.

He further said the SBI would need at least three weeks to complete the exercise.

In response, the court said it only asked SBI to do a plain disclosure.

After SBI sought an extension of the deadline earlier this month, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had said the BJP government was using the bank as a shield for its "dubious dealings".

"The Modi government is using the largest bank of our country as a shield to hide its dubious dealings through Electoral Bonds... the BJP wants it to be done after the Lok Sabha elections. The tenure of this Lok Sabha will end on 16th June and SBI wants to share the data by 30th June," Kharge had said.

With inputs from PTI
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Monday that the decision by the BJP-led union government to implement the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections is aimed at 'dividing people, inciting communal sentiments and undermining the very basic principles of the Constitution' and declared that Kerala government will not implement them. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan (AP)

The Centre on Monday evening issued a notification of the rules of the CAA, paving the way for its implementation across the country. The law aims to give citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.

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Warning that the Centre's move will unsettle the nation, the Kerala CM called for united opposition to the decision to stratify Indian citizens who have equal rights.

"This can only be seen as part of the Hindutva communal agenda of the Sangh Parivar. It is a blatant violation of the Constitution to grant citizenship to non-Muslims who immigrated to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014 and to deny citizenship only to Muslims. Indian citizenship is being defined in terms of religion. It is an open challenge to humanity, the country's traditions and its people," the Kerala CM said in a statement.

CM Vijayan reminded that Kerala's Assembly was the first in the country to pass a resolution against CAA and that the state government had announced its intention not to implement the National Population Register (NPR). The state also filed a suit in the Supreme Court pointing out the unconstitutionality of the CAA and organised human chain protests across the state, he said.

The Communist leader underlined that Kerala will not implement the CAA which treats Muslim minorities as 'second-class citizens'.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly VD Satheesan slammed the Centre for adopting 'politics of division aimed at deepening fear in the minds of the people.'

"They (BJP) want to create communal polarisation and make political benefits out of it. First they installed the Ram temple in Ayodhya and mixed politics with religion. This is their second weapon. Congress will fight it across the country. We will not allow it to be implemented," he said.
The Delhi Police have enhanced security arrangements in northeast Delhi, Shaheen Bagh, Jamia and other sensitive areas in the national capital on Monday, after the Central government notified rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Delhi Police conducts flag march in Jama Masjid area.(ANI)

Police officers and paramilitary forces have been deployed in certain areas. The police will also carry out flag marches in parts of northeast and southeast Delhi as well.

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Speaking about the current security arrangements in the national capital, DCP of North East Delhi Joy Tirkey said: "We have made arrangements in the North East district. Our experience in 2020 was unpleasant which resulted in heavy loss We had a meeting of the Aman Committee where we briefed people of both communities. We have tagged the potential troublemakers and some known criminals.

"We are in touch with our beat constables and keeping an eye on social media too. We are doing a flag march for two days and will have an extensive flag march from tomorrow. Special care will be taken in sensitive areas through drones..." he added.

READ | Kejriwal's vote bank politics charge on BJP over CAA implementation

Safety of every single common man of Delhi's northeast district is the police's responsibility, Tirkey added.

The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police also conducted a flag march in Noida, following the Centre's announcement.

"As per the directions given by the CM, we are conducting foot patrolling at populated and sensitive areas. Through this, we are trying to assure people that we are with them," Joint Commissioner Shivhari Meena said.

Following the Centre's notification on CAA security was heightened in other parts of the country too, including Assam. Officials have said that all police stations are on high alert and barricades have been erected in major thoroughfares across the state. Patrolling has been intensified in sensitive areas, as opposition parties have announced plans to protest against the notification of the rules.

The All Assam Students Union and 30 indigenous organisations have burnt copies of the CAA in different parts of the state, including Guwahati, Barpeta, Lakhimpur, Nalbari, Dibrugarh and Tezpur. The 16-party United Opposition Forum in Assam (UOFA) also announced a statewide hartal on Tuesday.

In 2020, Delhi witnessed communal riots linked to protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

With the issuance of the CAA rules, the Modi government is set to begin the process of granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
The historic Warfield building at 988 Market St. in San Francisco's Mid-Market neighborhood had been selected as a conversion project, turning the building's office space into homes. But, that plan could be in doubt as the building is facing foreclosure. Roland Li

The first project approved in San Francisco to convert vacant commercial space into housing in the wake of the pandemic has hit headwinds as its developer faces foreclosure proceedings.

San Francisco-based Group-I, which, last year, advanced plans to convert a portion of the roughly 40,000 square-foot Warfield office building that sits adjacent to the historic Warfield Theater on Market Street into 34 new apartments, was served with a notice of default by its lender last month for a $26 million loan recorded for the property in 2019.

S.F. Bay Area property map: Here's who owns every building in the region

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Per the notice, Group-I was, as of Feb. 2, behind on nearly $1 million worth of payments on its mortgage. The notice is a required step that Group-Is lender, Evertrust Bank, must take in order to foreclose on the property.

According to the filing, Group-I has 90 days from the date the notice was posted to cure the default. If it fails to do so, Evertrust Bank, through its trustee, may elect to take control of the property or offload it in a foreclosure sale.

How the default will affect Group-Is plans to repurpose the century-old office building is not clear. The developer initially pitched plans to convert 25,000 square feet inside of the building into housing in late 2022. Last summer, new legislation was passed to reduce the regulatory barriers facing office-to-housing conversions amid concern about the feasibility of such projects.

While a growing number of buildings in San Francisco have been seized by banks in recent years  from offices to retail and apartment buildings, hotels and even San Franciscos biggest mall, not all mortgage defaults end in foreclosure.

In January, for example, the owner of a large luxury apartment complex in the Mid-Market neighborhood confirmed that it was able to negotiate a deal with its lenders that will allow it to hang on to the building amid foreclosure proceedings.

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Representatives of Group-I did not respond to messages Sunday seeking comment about the status of its project. San Francisco Planning Director Rich Hillis said that he was unaware of the issues surrounding the developers debt for the property, but confirmed that the reuse project is entitled and ready to go.

In her State of the City address Thursday, Mayor London Breed, who is running for re-election in November, touted the Warfield office-to-housing conversion project as a sign of progress toward her goal of re-imagining San Franciscos ailing downtown core.

More than a third of the citys downtown offices sit empty post-pandemic, and vacancy continues to grow as many employers have adopted remote work options. Converting some of that underutilized space into housing has been touted as one solution for bringing people and life back to downtown. Breeds office is also working to encourage universities and colleges to grow roots in the area.

Our downtown had never been designed as a neighborhood with many homes and round-the-clock residents  downtown was office, and office was hit hard, Breed said Thursday, shortly before announcing her new initiative to bring 30,000 residents into downtown by 2030.

To do that, we first need to create more housing downtown. Weve already passed a few local laws to remove and reduce fees and barriers to office conversions, Breed said. Our first office conversion is actually happening right now, 34 new homes at the Warfield building that would not be happening if we hadn't stepped in, and more are coming.

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Breeds office could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

As Breed delivered her speech last week, a measure that was placed before the citys voters on March 5 to make it financially feasible for developers to turn downtown offices into housing remained too close to call. Breed championed the ballot measure, even as a recent city report cast doubt on whether the measure would have much benefit.

By Sunday, the remaining ballots had been counted, with the citys Department of Elections showing that Breeds office conversion measure, called Proposition C, led with 52.95% of the votes. The measure, which would exempt office-to-housing conversion projects from the citys real estate transfer tax when theyre sold to new owners, required majority voter support to pass.

Still, it remains to be seen whether the Warfield conversion project, which has been emblematic of the citys efforts to bring more housing downtown, will advance as planned.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was finally implemented across the country on Monday, with its rules being notified more than four years after Parliament passed the legislation in December 2019. An anti-CAA protest in Delhi (File Photo)

The passing of Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB)  it became an act after being approved by the President of India  sparked nationwide protests, including in Delhi.

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Take a look at the timeline:

December 11, 2019: CAB passed in Parliament; two days later, then President Ram Nath Kovind gives his assent, and CAB is now CAA.

December 15, 2019: Student-police clashes break out in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI); women begin sit-in protest at Delhi's Shaheen Bagh, while protests break out in other parts of the country as well.

December 2019-January 2020: Pleas filed in Supreme Court challenging CAA.

January 30, 2020: A man opens fire at student demonstrators outside Jamia; injuries reported.

February 23, 2020: Communal violence breaks out in northeast Delhi.

March 24, 2020: Delhi Police remove protesters from Shaheen Bagh in view of nationwide Covid-19 lockdown announced by PM Modi.

December 27, 2023: Union home minister Amit Shah reiterates the government's commitment to implementing CAA.

February 28, 2024: Reports emerge that the Centre will notify CAA rules ahead of Lok Sabha polls, due in April-May.

March 28, 2024: CAA rules notified.
Opposition parties on Monday lashed out at the Modi government for implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The parties questioned the timing of the move which has come ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due in April-May. The CAA issue had led to massive protests in 2020. (Burhaan Kinu/HT PHOTO)

It has taken four years and three months for the Modi Government to notify the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act that was passed by the Parliament in December 2019. The Prime Minister claims that his Government works in a business-like and time-bound manner. The time taken to notify the rules for the CAA is yet another demonstration of the Prime Ministers blatant lies, Jairam Ramesh, the communication head of the Congress, posted on X (formerly Twitter).

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Ramesh also accused the Centre of trying to manage headlines after the Supreme Court, earlier in the day, turned down the State Bank of India's (SBI) plea seeking extension to June 30 of the apex court's March 6 deadline to SBI to submit electoral bond data.

After seeking nine extensions for the notification of the rules, the timing right before the elections is evidently designed to polarise the elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam. It also appears to be an attempt to manage the headlines after the Supreme Courts severe strictures on the Electoral Bonds Scandal, he added.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, meanwhile, appealed to people to be calm and avoid rumours.

You should have notified rules six months ago. If there are any good things, we always support and appreciate but if anything is done that is not good for the country, TMC will always raise its voice and oppose it. I know why today's date was chosen before Ramazan, she said.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) recovered lost property of passengers worth 63.80 crore at 68 airports across the country between April 2023 and January, the paramilitary force said on its 55th raising day. HT Image

Items reported lost by passengers at 66 airports in 2022 showed that these were left behind at the Delhi airport (worth 10.1 crore), followed by airports in Mumbai ( 8.8 crore), Hyderabad ( 4.6 crore) and Kolkata ( 2.2 crore), a HT analysis of the shared data showed. In 2022, the force had recovered lost items worth 56.11 crore from 66 airports. Such items are returned to the passengers upon verification or handed to airport operators.

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At airports, passengers mostly reported leaving behind their cellphone, laptops and wallets. There were other smaller common items too  ear pods, smart watches, bluetooth headphones, sunglasses, flasks, sippers and even reading glasses. Leaving behind jackets and pullovers are also common during the winter.

The force also earned a revenue of 16.06 crore by providing technical security and fire consultancy services to 228 establishments, a CISF spokesperson said, adding that it was currently guarding 11 private installations across the country. The 11 private installations include Infosys in Bengaluru, Reliance IT Park in Navi Mumbai and Reliances refinery in Jamnagar.

The CISF has the largest public interface per day, with around one million passengers at airports and over seven million passengers at the Delhi Metro Railway Corporation metro stations, the spokesperson said. The force intervened in eight cases of attempted suicide and additionally saved the lives of 13 passengers at the metro stations. Thirteen people were rescued by giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In 2022, the number was four. At the airports, 15 lives were saved. Drugs worth 19.72 crore were also seized at the airports.

With a strength of around 177,000 personnel, the CISF provides security cover to 358 vital installations, including 68 airports, seaports, nuclear and space installations, Delhi Metro, steel and power plants. The recently started Ayodhya international airport is also under CISF security cover.

The Special Security Group of the CISF provides security to 154 various categories of people, including national security advisor Ajit Doval and Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rolled out the red carpet for political leaders and eminent personalities who want to be part of its Ab Ki Baar 400 Paar mission of winning over 400 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha. These individuals are expected to shore up the partys chances at the hustings and lend support in places where it is yet to get a toehold. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Hisar Brijendra Singh with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. (ANI)

Entry and exit

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The list of joinees is long and includes political opponents, some of whom have held positions of power. Over the weekend, the party welcomed former Congress ministers from Rajasthan, Rajendra Yadav, Lal Chand Kataria and Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, who has been fielded from Basnwara. Senior Congressman and former minister from Madhya Pradesh Suresh Pachouri also switched sides to the BJP.

In Uttarakhand, Manish Khanduri, son of former chief minister BC Khanduri, quit the Congress to join the BJP. His sister Ritu Khanduri is the assembly Speaker.

On Sunday, BJPs member of Parliament (MP) from Haryanas Hisar Brijendra Singh quit the party citing political and ideological differences and joined the Congress. Son of former Union minister Birender Singh, the former bureaucrat joined the BJP in 2019.

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.

Singh said he disagreed with the policies of the government, vis-a-vis farmers, the Agniveers, and how it handled the allegations of female wrestlers against BJP lawmaker Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. He was also unhappy with the BJPs alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) in Haryana for the Lok Sabha polls. The JJP is part of Haryanas coalition government.

In West Bengal, Kunar Hembram, the MP from Jhargram constituency, earlier quit the BJP citing personal reasons.

Motormouths

At his last meeting with his council of ministers on March 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed his ministerial colleagues and party members to refrain from making controversial speeches and speaking out of turn. Yet, barely a week later, the BJP was forced to distance itself from controversial Karnataka MP Anantkumar Hegdes comments. The MP, who has in the past stoked controversies with his utterances, embarrassed the party by claiming the Constitution can be amended.

You all must help the BJP to win over 400 seats. Why does the BJP need 400-plus seats? Congress leaders in the past made changes to the Constitution and made it in a way that it does not put Hinduism in front, Hegde said. 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-plus numbers will help us achieve that.

BJP leadership called the statement personal and said it was not the partys view. The Opposition accused the BJP of a hidden and devious agenda of re-writing and destroying the Constitution.
The court also said the planting of evidence by the police cannot be ruled out in the case. HT Image

Additional Sessions Judge Sachin Sangwan was hearing the case against Mohammed Sufiyan alias Romi, who was accused of killing Pooja Paswan in south Delhi on March 24, 2017.

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According to the prosecution, the accused, who was known to the victim, stabbed her to death. It said the victim was single and used to stay at a rented house in Lajpat Nagars Amar Colony.

Underlining that the prosecutions case was based on circumstantial evidence, the court examined the alleged facts, including the motive, presence of the accused at the spot, his conduct after the offence, recovery of stolen property and blood-stained clothes at his instance, and the forensic evidence.

It said the alleged motive of robbery was on a "weak footing" as according to the postmortem report, various jewellery items were found intact on the deceaseds body.

The court said the theory of murder after detailed preparation was not corroborated as neighbours reported the noise of a quarrel from the deceaseds house on the day of the alleged murder.

"Had it been the case of the prosecution that it was a murder due to a sudden quarrel then the circumstances may have fit the theory of prosecution," it said in an order passed last week.

Regarding Sufiyans presence at the spot, the court said nothing much could be inferred from the call detail records and the electronic evidence was also on a weak footing.

"There is no direct evidence on record regarding the alleged suspicious conduct of the accused," the court said adding, "The recovery of alleged blood-stained clothes at the instance of the accused is seriously doubtful."

It said the accuseds motive to commit the robbery did not appear convincing if he did not encash the gold jewellery despite him being under financial restraint.

"Thus, the circumstances suggest that police had continued access to the crime scene and the belongings kept in the house of the deceased, during the investigation. Therefore, considering the overall circumstances, the planting of the jewellery from the house of the deceased cannot be ruled out altogether," the court said.

It said when the recovery of blood-stained clothes itself was doubtful, then the DNA report was not of much significance.

"The prosecution has failed to prove all the incriminating facts mentioned in the charge sheet. Further, the facts proved during the trial are not sufficient to complete the chain of circumstantial evidence against the accused," the court said.

Even the proven facts were not fully consistent with the guilt of the accused, it added.

"Accused is given benefit of doubt. Hence, he is acquitted of all the charges levelled against him," the court said.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition by a Kerala woman who claimed that her same-sex partner was illegally confined by her family but stressed that there should not be any attempt by high courts to provide counselling to persons to change their sexual orientation. The Supreme Court decided the case after receiving a report from a judicial officer (Sanchit Khanna/HT FILE PHOTO)

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud decided the case after receiving a report from a judicial officer deputed to meet the woman who was allegedly confined and interview her at a family court in Kollam. The officer submitted a report to the top court in which she acknowledged that the petitioner was an intimate friend but underscored that she did not want to get married or settle down with any person.

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The bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said, There is no reason for this court to disbelieve the report of a senior judicial officer. We are not inclined to entertain this petition.

The bench, however, added a note of caution.

However, we address a note of caution as the petitioner submits that in such matters, HCs are directing counselling of detenues and such counselling should not be a means to overcome their sexual orientation. We expect the HCs to bear this in mind.

Ascertaining the (sexual) orientation of a person through counselling is one thing. But it is quite inappropriate to change the sexual orientation of a person through purported counselling.

The top court in February last year stayed further proceedings before the Kerala high court and directed a senior judicial officer to interact with the detenu to ascertain her wishes on whether she was voluntarily residing with her parents or was under illegal detention.

Advocate Sriram Parakatt who appeared for the petitioner objected to the high courts order as it violated the 2018 judgment of the Supreme Court that decriminalised homosexuality under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and recognised the rights of the LGBTQI community to express their sexual orientation.

The petition said, The petitioner and the detenu are female as per their gender orientation and they both wish to get married and be together. The parents of the detenu have kept her in illegal custody against her will so as to impede the marriage between the petitioner and the detenu.
A special court in Patna on Sunday sent Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Subhash Prasad Yadav, a close associate of party chief Lalu Prasad, to 14 days in judicial custody in connection with a money laundering case registered by Enforcement Directorate (ED). Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials conduct raid at the residence of RJD leader Subhash Yadav, a close aide of Lalu Prasad Yadav, at Danapur in Patna, on Saturday. (PTI)

ED arrested Subhash on Saturday night from his Danapur residence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after conducting raids in several locations across the state. He was produced before a special PMLA court, which remanded him to 14 days in judicial custody at Beur central jail in Patna.

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According to ED officials familiar with the matter, the central agency is set to move a petition in the PMLA court on Monday to take Yadav into remand for further interrogation.

The case pertains to tax evasion worth crores and irregularities in sandmining through Broadson Commodities Pvt Ltd, of which Yadav is a director, the people cited above said.

EDs official familiar with the matter told HT that the central agency conducted raids at least eight locations linked to Yadav and his relatives in connection with the sandmining case.

During the raids that went on throughout Saturday, ED recovered 2.3 crore in cash and several documents related to illegal properties and investments, the people cited above said.

This raid comes a day after Income Tax officials raided premises linked with another RJD leader and member of legislative council (MLC) Vinod Jaiswal in another case of tax evasion.

Subhash Yadav, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Chatra in Jharkhand, considered close to Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and other members of RJD top family. According to family members who asked not to be identified, Subhash Yadav said to be preparing fight parliamentary election from Koderma in Jharkhand.

He is one of the directors of Broadson Commodities Pvt Ltd and Banshidhar Construction Pvt Ltd, while his wife Lalti Devi is the director of Radha Raman Construction and Marketing Pvt Ltd. All such firms are directly or indirectly involved in sand mining.

Yadavs business parner and another director of Broadson Commodities, Radha Charan, was arrested by ED on September 13, 2023, and forwarded to judicial custody in the same case.

ED official said that Broadson Commodities had on June 13, 2017, purchased three flats on a single day in Maa Marichia Devi complex for 1.72 crore. Of the 18 flats in the complex, which is named after Lalu Prasads mother, nine are owned by former Bihar CM Rabri Devi.

Officials familiar with the matter said that raids were conducted in connection to probe alleged illegal wealth amassed from sandmining and laundering black money by purchasing properties across the country.

The three firms owned by Subhash were given licences by the Grand Alliance government of RJD, JD(U) and Congress to mine sand in a stretch worth 237 crore in Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Jehanabad and Arwal districts in between March 2016 and July 2017, according to ED officials familiar with the matter.

The search by ED has been underway in Maner, Shahpur, Gola Raod, Nasriganj, Nariyalghat, Yaduvanshi Nagar, Boring Road and nearby areas since morning. A large number of security personnel have been deployed to the locations where raids are underway.

The Bihar Police has filed 14 FIRs against, Broadson Commodities and others under various sections of IPC and Bihar Mineral (Concession, Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rule, 2019; these FIRs form the basis for the money laundering case. Earlier, the IT department had conducted raids at Yadavs premises in connection with a tax evasion case in 2018.

No immediate statement was released by Broadson Commodities Ltd or other related firms.

RJD alleged that the raids were conducted out of political vendetta. The ruling BJP at the Centre had lost trust in its own leaders and workers, said RJD spokesman Rishi Mishra.
Jaya Thakur, one of the petitioners in the appeal seeking quashing of the electoral bonds scheme along with the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and CPI(M), said she was satisfied with the Supreme Court's order to the State Bank of India on Monday. Congress leader Jaya Thakur talks to the media in New Delhi.(PTI)

I am happy with this decision. The court has taken its decision considering the seriousness of this issue, Jaya Thakur, who filed the plea through advocate Varun Thakur, said.

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A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the State Bank of India's plea seeking an extension of time and directed it to furnish the details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission by the close of business hours on March 12.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud also directed the election commission to publish the details shared by the bank on its official website by 5 pm on March 15.

Who is Jaya Thakur?

Jaya Thakur is associated with the Congress and she is a doctor by profession.

Media reports claimed that Jaya Thakur is a resident of Banda in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh.

Jaya Thakur is a general secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee.

On Monday, Jaya Thakur filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Centre not to appoint two election commissioners as per the provisions of the new law enacted in December 2023 in view of the announcement of Lok Sabha polls 2024 anytime soon. Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned on March 9, which has been accepted by the President.

In an interview to Rediff.com, Jaya Thakur expressed her observation that transparency in election funding had diminished with the introduction of the electoral bonds scheme.

People who were donating money, their names were not being disclosed and I realised at that time (2018) that this would create a problem in the future for our democracy. And this is what happened as the BJP could not be defeated anywhere in elections. The reason being funding is a big issue for political parties to contest elections, she was quoted as saying.

Jaya Thakur said she doesn't think the verdict is against the Congress party's interest. I feel any party who gets funds from whichever corporate group, they must disclose the name of the corporate group, she said.
All eyes will be on the Supreme Court on Monday, March 11, as it will hear the application filed by the State Bank of India (SBI) seeking an extension till June 30 to disclose details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties before the scheme was scrapped last month. A view of the Supreme Court of India (AFP)

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud will also hear a separate petition seeking initiation of contempt action against the SBI alleging that it wilfully and deliberately disobeyed the top court's direction to submit details of the contributions made to political parties through electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India by March 6.

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Electoral bonds case in Supreme Court: Top updates

The Supreme Court bench, also comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, will assemble at 10.30am to hear the two petitions. On February 15, a five-judge constitution bench invalidated the Centre's electoral bonds scheme, deeming it "unconstitutional," and mandated the Election Commission of India (ECI) to disclose donor information, donation amounts, and recipients by March 13. Subsequently, the court directed the SBI, the designated financial institution for the scheme, to furnish details of electoral bonds purchased from April 12, 2019, onward to the ECI by March 6. The ECI was then tasked with publishing this information on its official website by March 13. However, on March 4, the SBI filed a petition in the Supreme Court for an extension until June 30 to reveal details of encashed electoral bonds, citing the time-consuming process of retrieving and cross-referencing data from various sources. Additionally, NGOs Association for Democratic Reforms and Common Cause filed a separate plea, urging the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the bank for allegedly disobeying the apex court's order. The plea contended that the timing of SBI's application was deliberate, aiming to withhold donor and donation amount details from the public before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The plea claimed that electoral bonds are completely traceable which is evident from the fact that SBI maintains a secret number-based record of donors who buy bonds and the political parties they donate to. The contempt petition also said any form of anonymity in the finances of political parties goes against the essence of participatory democracy and people's right to know enshrined under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The petition emphasised that the availability of information regarding electoral bonds is crucial for voters to make informed decisions, underscoring the importance of transparency in the electoral process. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, leading the argument for the petitioners in the Supreme Court case against the electoral bonds scheme, on Sunday criticised SBI's grounds for seeking an extension as baseless. He highlighted the court's duty to uphold its integrity and suggested that accepting the bank's plea would undermine the constitutional bench's judgment.

(With inputs from PTI)
Bengaluru: Farmers union and pro-Kannada organisations staged a protest in Mandya on Sunday against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The protest disrupted the vehicular traffic on Bengaluru-Mysuru highway for more than two hours. Farmers union and pro-Kannada organisations staged a protest in Mandya on Sunday. (HT)

Farmer leaders alleged that despite the state facing a water crisis, the government is diverting the Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

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Some local media outlets reported that over 4,579 cusecs of water was released from the KRS Dam to Tamil Nadu.

Raising slogans like Lets save our water, the protesters demanded an immediate halt to the water release.

However, officials from Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) denied the allegations.

No water has been released from the KRS Dam to Tamil Nadu, said Raghuram, a superintendent engineer at CNNL.

He explained, The water level in Shivana Katte Dam in Malavalli decreased to minus 34 inches, affecting the supply of drinking water to Bengaluru. This disrupted water pumping operations, leading to a shortage. To tackle this, water has been released from KRS Dam.

On Saturday morning, 1,500 cusecs of water were discharged, and this was subsequently increased to 4,000 cusecs due to inadequate inflow to Shivana Katte Dam. It is anticipated that by Sunday evening or Monday morning, the water level at Shiva Dam will be replenished, allowing for cessation of outflow from KRS Dam.
States in Europe almost doubled their imports of major arms (+94 per cent) between 201418 and 201923. Far larger volumes of arms flowed to Asia and Oceania and the Middle East in 201923, where nine of the 10 largest arms importers are. The United States increased its arms exports by 17 per cent between 201418 and 201923, while Russias arms exports halved. Russia was for the first time the third largest arms exporter, falling just behind France. The global volume of international arms transfers fell slightly by 3.3 per cent between 201418 and 201923, according to new data on international arms transfers published recently.





United States soldiers fire a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during a joint live-fire exercise with the Kuwait Land Forces. Source: US Army photo by Sgt. Bill Boecker, 2019.

Around 55 per cent of arms imports by European states in 201923 were supplied by the USA, up from 35 per cent in 201418. More than half of arms imports by European states come from the USA, noted SIPRI Director Dan Smith, while at the same time, Europe is responsible for about a third of global arms exports, including large volumes going outside the region, reflecting Europes strong militaryindustrial capacity. Many factors shape European NATO states decisions to import from the USA, including the goal of maintaining trans-Atlantic relations alongside the more technical, military and cost-related issues. If trans-Atlantic relations change in the coming years, European states arms procurement policies may also be modified.





US and French arms exports climb, while Russian arms exports plummet





The USAs arms exports grew by 17 per cent between 201418 and 201923, and its share of total global arms exports rose from 34 per cent to 42 per cent. The USA delivered major arms to 107 states in 201923, more than it has in any previous five-year period and far more than any other arms exporter. The USA and states in Western Europe together accounted for 72 per cent of all arms exports in 201923, compared with 62 per cent in 201418.





The USA has increased its global role as an arms supplieran important aspect of its foreign policyexporting more arms to more countries than it has ever done in the past, said Mathew George, Director of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme. This comes at a time when the USAs economic and geopolitical dominance is being challenged by emerging powers.





Frances arms exports increased by 47 per cent between 201418 and 201923 and for the first time it was the second biggest arms exporter, just ahead of Russia. The largest share of Frances arms exports (42 per cent) went to states in Asia and Oceania, and another 34 per cent went to Middle Eastern states. The largest single recipient of French arms exports was India, which accounted for nearly 30 per cent. The increase in French arms exports was largely due to deliveries of combat aircraft to India, Qatar and Egypt.





France is using the opportunity of strong global demand to boost its arms industry through exports, said Katarina Djokic, researcher at SIPRI. France has been particularly successful in selling its combat aircraft outside Europe.





Russian arms exports fell by 53 per cent between 201418 and 201923. The decline has been rapid over the course of the past five years, and while Russia exported major arms to 31 states in 2019, it exported to only 12 in 2023. States in Asia and Oceania received 68 per cent of total Russian arms exports in 201923, with India accounting for 34 per cent and China for 21 per cent.





Looking at the other top 10 arms exporters after the USA, France and Russia, two saw increases in exports: Italy (+86 per cent) and South Korea (+12 per cent); while five saw decreases: China (5.3 per cent), Germany (14 per cent), the United Kingdom (14 per cent), Spain (3.3 per cent) and Israel (25 per cent).





Steep rise in arms imports to Europe





Arms imports by European states were 94 per cent higher in 201923 than in 201418. Ukraine emerged as the largest European arms importer in 201923 and the fourth largest in the world, after at least 30 states supplied major arms as military aid to Ukraine from February 2022.





The 55 per cent of arms imports by European states that were supplied by the USA in 201923 was a substantial increase from 35 per cent in 201418. The next largest suppliers to the region were Germany and France, which accounted for 6.4 per cent and 4.6 per cent of imports, respectively.





With many high-value arms on orderincluding nearly 800 combat aircraft and combat helicoptersEuropean arms imports are likely to remain at a high level, said Pieter Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme. In the past two years we have also seen much greater demand for air defence systems in Europe, spurred on by Russias missile campaign against Ukraine.





Largest share of arms transfers goes to Asia, with India the worlds top arms importer





Some 37 per cent of transfers of major arms in 201923 went to states in Asia and Oceania, the largest share of any region but a slight decrease from 41 per cent in 201418. Despite an overall 12 per cent decline in arms imports for the region, imports by several states increased markedly.





For the first time in 25 years, the USA was the largest arms supplier to Asia and Oceania. The USA accounted for 34 per cent of arms imports by states in the region, compared with Russias 19 per cent and Chinas 13 per cent.





India was the worlds top arms importer. Its arms imports increased by 4.7 per cent between 201418 and 201923. Although Russia remained Indias main arms supplier (accounting for 36 per cent of its arms imports), this was the first five-year period since 196064 when deliveries from Russia (or the Soviet Union prior to 1991) made up less than half of Indias arms imports. Pakistan also significantly increased its arms imports (+43 per cent). Pakistan was the fifth largest arms importer in 201923 and China became even more dominant as its main supplier, providing 82 per cent of its arms imports.





Arms imports by two of Chinas East Asian neighbours increased, Japans by 155 per cent and South Koreas by 6.5 per cent. Chinas own arms imports shrank by 44 per cent, mainly as a result of substituting imported armsmost of which came from Russiawith locally produced systems.





There is little doubt that the sustained high levels of arms imports by Japan and other US allies and partners in Asia and Oceania are largely driven by one key factor: concern over Chinas ambitions, said Siemon Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme. The USA, which shares their perception of a Chinese threat, is a growing supplier to the region.





Middle East imports high volumes of arms, mainly from the USA and Europe





Thirty per cent of international arms transfers went to the Middle East in 201923. Three Middle Eastern states were among the top 10 importers in 201923: Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt.





Saudi Arabia was the worlds second largest arms importer in 201923, receiving 8.4 per cent of global arms imports in the period. Saudi Arabian arms imports fell by 28 per cent in 201923, but this was from a record level in 201418. Qatar increased its arms imports almost fourfold (+396 per cent) between 201418 and 201923, making it the worlds third biggest arms importer in 201923.





The majority of arms imports by Middle Eastern states were supplied by the USA (52 per cent), followed by France (12 per cent), Italy (10 per cent) and Germany (7.1 per cent).





Despite an overall drop in arms imports to the Middle East, they remain high in some states, driven largely by regional conflicts and tensions, said Zain Hussain, researcher at SIPRI. Major arms imported in the past 10 years have been used widely in conflicts in the region, including in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen. Some states in the Gulf region have imported large volumes of arms to use against the Houthis in Yemen and to counter Iranian influence.





Other notable developments

Imports of major arms by states in Africa fell by 52 per cent between 201418 and 201923. This was mainly due to large decreases for two North African importers: Algeria (77 per cent) and Morocco (46 per cent).

Arms imports by states in sub-Saharan Africa decreased by 9.0 per cent. China, which accounted for 19 per cent of deliveries to sub-Saharan Africa, overtook Russia as the regions main supplier of major arms.

Egypt was the worlds seventh largest arms importer in 201923. Its imports included more than 20 combat aircraft and a total of 10 major warships aimed at increasing its military reach.

Australia was the worlds eighth largest arms importer. Its arms imports decreased by 21 per cent. However, in 2023 it reached an agreement with the UK and the USA on importing at least six nuclear-powered submarines.

The USA accounted for 69 per cent and Germany for 30 per cent of arms imports by Israel.

Combat aircraft are the main long-range strike weapon but interest in long-range missiles is increasing. In 201923 six states ordered or preselected missiles with a range over 1000 kilometres, all from the USA.

Arms imports by states in the Americas decreased by 7.2 per cent. The USA was the largest importer in the region, followed by Brazil and Canada.





Statement issued by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
New Delhi The Union government on Monday issued the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA, four years after the controversial law was passed to fast-track citizenship to non-Muslims who entered India from three neighbouring countries  Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh  on or before December 31, 2014. People celebrate the notification of the rules for implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, in Bhopal on Monday. (PTI)

Read here: CAA rules notified: BJP fulfils another promise made in 2019 poll manifesto

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Announcing the notification, which was expected after several ministers and officials over the past few months said that the rules would be released before this summers general elections, Union home minister Amit Shah said on X: The Modi government notified the Citizenship (amendment) rules, 2024. These rules will now enable minorities persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to acquire citizenship in our nation... With this notification, PM Shri @narendramodi Ji has delivered on another commitment and realised the promise of the makers of our constitution to the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians living in those countries.

The rules pave the way for granting citizenship to persecuted minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. The 39-page notification issued by the home ministry stated the rules will come into force from Monday, the date of publication in the official gazette.

The announcement of the rules, in keeping with the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) promise in its 2019 manifesto, was criticised by Opposition parties who said the timing of the notification is linked to the coming elections. The law itself was passed in December 2019, but the underlying rules were not framed. Its passage resulted in protests, which petered out only with the Covid-19 pandemic, and a clutch of petitions that remain before the Supreme Court.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she would oppose CAA if it curtailed Indian citizens existing rights in any manner.

Banerjee also said she apprehended that CAA could be used as a possible precursor to implementing a National Registry of Citizens (NRC) across the nation.

We will oppose NRC implementation at all costs. I am only worried whether the new CAA rules will make the previous entitlements of our citizens invalid. Will the documents they hold lose value now? the TMC chief said.

The process:

The CAA rules, 2024, have a provision which states that refugees from six minority communities from three countries applying for grant of citizenship by registration or naturalisation will have to submit an application, an affidavit verifying the correctness of the statements made in it, another affidavit from an Indian citizen testifying to their character, and a declaration that they are familiar with one of the languages specified in the eighth schedule to the Constitution of India.

The rules say that the application will have to be submitted in electronic form to an empowered committee through the district-level committee, which may be notified by the central government, and be supported by documents such as a copy of passport issued by the Pakistan, Afghanistan or Bangladesh governments  birth certificate, an identity document of any other kind, land or tenancy records, or any document that shows that either of the parents or grandparents or great grandparents of the applicant were a citizen of one of the three countries. The rules state that these documents will be admissible even beyond their validity period.

Applicants also have to provide proof that they entered India before December 31, 2014, which can take the form of either a visa and immigration stamp, registration certificate from the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), or slip issued by the Census enumerators in India, government-issued licence or certificate or permit in India (including driving license, Aadhaar number, ration card , or marriage certificate issued in India etc).

The above documents should have been issued by an Indian Authority and will be admissible even beyond their validity period. The documents should establish that the applicant had entered India on or before December 31, 2014, the rules state.

Once the application is submitted, the district-level committee, headed by a designated officer, will verify the documents and also administer the oath of allegiance to the applicant, the rules state.

In case an applicant fails to appear in person to subscribe the application and take oath of allegiance despite giving reasonable opportunities, the district level committee shall forward such application to the empowered committee for consideration of refusal, they add.

Once an application is approved, the applicants will be issued a digital certificate.

The rules also state the applicants will have to provide an eligibility certificate issued by a locally reputed community institution confirming that the person belongs to Hindu/ Sikh/ Buddhist/ Jain/ Parsi/ Christian community and continues to be a member of the above mentioned community.

The delay:

Even after the law was passed by the Parliament on December 11, 2019, and notified within 24 hours, CAA could not come into effect as rules were not notified . According to the parliamentary procedure, the rules for any legislation should be framed within six months of presidential assent, or else an extension is needed from the Committees on Subordinate Legislation in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Union home ministry took extensions at regular intervals from the committees for framing the rules.

Shah has promised over the last few months that the rules would be in place before the 2024 national polls due this summer. He said on December 27 last year that no one could stop the implementation of CAA as it is the law of the land, and accused West Bengal chief minister Banerjee of misleading people on the issue. Addressing a party meeting in Kolkata, Shah said it is the BJPs commitment to implement CAA.

The promise of implementing CAA was a major poll plank of the BJP in the last Lok Sabha and the 2021 assembly polls in West Bengal.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said the law creates communal divisions and affirmed that it will not be put into effect in the southern state.

The government has repeatedly stated that CAA, which treats Muslim minorities as second-class citizens, will not be implemented in Kerala. That remains the position. All of Kerala will stand united in opposing this communally divisive law, Vijayan said in a statement.

A senior home ministry official who asked not to be named said that many misconceptions have been spread regarding the CAA over last four years. It is a law to give citizenship, not take away citizenship of any Indian citizen, irrespective of religion.

CAA removes legal barriers to rehabilitation and citizenship to members of these six communities. It will give a dignified life to refugees who have suffered for decades, and such citizenship rights will protect their cultural, linguistic, and social identity. Besides, it will also ensure economic, commercial, free movement, and property purchase rights, the official said.

A second official, who also asked not to be named, said the implementation of the law was delayed by the pandemic.

The Union governments move in October 2022 to empower collectors in two districts of Gujarat to grant citizenship certificates to non-Muslims from neighbouring countries under the Citizenship Act, 1955, prompted the Matuas of Bengal to renew their demand for the implementation of CAA. BJP leaders in Bengal said at the time that this was the first step towards implementing CAA.

The Matuas are part of the Dalit Namasudra community, which migrated from then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1947 and during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. They form a sizeable chunk of voters in the north and south Bengal districts bordering Bangladesh.

The defence:

In its submission to the Supreme Court, the government has maintained that there are sound reasons and a valid exercise of legislative powers to pick communities as well as choose only certain countries to bring within the fold of CAA. It added that the subject matter is outside the realm of judicial review.

Indigenous groups in the northeast have opposed CAA saying it could lead to an influx of undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, undocumented migrants who do not belong to the six communities, have raised the prospect of the law being used to target them. The home ministry has maintained that CAA has nothing to do with deportation of any foreigner from India. The deportation process of any foreigner irrespective of his religion or country is implemented as per the mandate of the Foreigners Act, 1946 and/or The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920.

These two laws govern entry, stay, movement within India and exit from India of all foreigners irrespective of their religion or country. Therefore, the usual deportation process would apply to any illegal foreigner staying in India. CAA is not to harass anyone, added the first home ministry official.

Read here: CAA notified: MHA forms panel, lays down SOP for granting citizenship

MHA issued a separate notification on Monday for the formation of an empowered committee and district level committees to grant citizenship under CAA.

It also said the empowered committees in the states or Union territories shall be headed by the director (census operations) of the state or Union territory concerned and shall consist of members including an officer in the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau not below the rank of deputy secretary, jurisdictional Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, the State Informatics Officer of National Informatics Centre of the State or Union Territory concerned; Post Master General of the State or Union Territory concerned. It said that a from the office of Principal Secretary (Home) or Additional Chief Secretary (Home) of the State Government or Union Territory concerned and representative of jurisdictional Divisional Railway Manager of Railways can be invitees in the committee.

District committees, the notification said, will be headed by the jurisdictional senior superintendent or superintendent of post.

The notification further said that the empowered committee can make inquiry it considers necessary for ascertaining the suitability of the applicant, including obtaining report from the security agency.
New Delhi: Out of power in Rajasthan, the Congress high command is expected to assign areas of responsibilities to its top leaders in the state for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in a plan that also aims to bring together its faction-ridden state unit. Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot (ANI)

In a screening committee meeting on March 6 to shortlist candidates for Rajasthan, both former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot were present. The list of possible candidates would be taken up at the partys central election committee meeting on Monday.

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But even before the poll panel decides the 25 candidates for Rajasthan, the top leadership has started assigning the responsibility of districts to leaders. Under the plan, Gehlot will be in- charge of election management in Jodhpur, Nagaur, Bikaner and Pali districts. Pilot, who left the Gehlot cabinet in 2020, will handle Dausa, Tonk and Dhaulpur districts.

State unit chief Govind Singh Dotasra is set to be given responsibilities of Sikar and Jaipur districts. Former assembly speaker CP Joshi has been assigned responsibilities of Udaipur, Rajasmand and Bhilwara districts.

Our responsibilities would include intensive campaigning for the party candidates, devising strategies for the area and mobilising the supporters and the voters, said one of the leaders who declined to be named.

On Monday, the partys election committee is expected to decide the candidates of Rajasthan, Goa, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, among other states.

For the past 10 years, Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan had been a big challenge for the Congress. In both 2014 and 2019, it failed to win a single seat in the state and the National Democratic Alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party bagged all the 25 Lok Sabha seats in both the general elections.

While the BJP won 25 of 25 seats in 2014, one of its allies, Hanuman Beniwal of Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, won a seat in 2019.

Rajasthan, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are among the states where the BJP swept the seats. In Delhi, a Union territory, the BJP bagged all seven seats.

Even as the party is in power in three states, Congress strategists point out how it has lost vital ground in north India as it conceded defeat to the BJP in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh last year. This electoral loss in assembly polls has created a larger problem for the largest opposition party: It has faltered when it needed to drastically improve its strike rate against the BJP.

The biggest problem for the opposition is that the Congress is not able to grow in states where it faces the BJP. In other areas, it plays a second fiddle to strong regional parties, a non-Congress leader said, seeking anonymity.

For the past two years, a number of Congress strategists had pointed to this factor during internal meetings. Our focus has remained on improving our strike rate in north India. If only we can expand our presence in north India, we have a better chance to tackle the BJP nationally, said another Congress leader.

In north India, the Congress now has only one chief minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Himachal Pradesh. It is also in power in Karnataka and Telangana.
A trade deal between India and the UK is heading for cold storage because of Londons indecisiveness over key issues such as business mobility, two officials aware of the development said, adding that the matter would be taken up by the new regime after the general elections. FTA negotiations with the UK are in an advanced stage(File)

The inking of a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Oman is expected before New Delhi and London conclude a mutually acceptable bilateral deal, they said, requesting anonymity. FTAs are signed keeping Indias long-term economic interests in mind. There is no political significance of any FTA in the forthcoming elections, one of them said. General elections in India is expected to be announced this week.

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Read here: India-UK FTA dialogue to enter final stage on Jan 10

New Delhi on Sunday signed an FTA with a group of four European countries -- Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland -- who committed to invest $100 billion in India to create one million direct jobs over 15 years. This was the third bilateral deal India signed since 2022. It signed an FTA with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 18, 2022, followed by another deal with Australia on April 2 that year.

FTA negotiations with the UK are in an advanced stage, the officials said. Barring a couple of issues, almost all issues have been resolved. But these unresolved issues are of critical importance to India, which can wait and take up the matter in the first 100 days of the new government, they added.

The possibility of an FTA with the UK before general elections in India is remote, they said. Quoting UK trade minister Kemi Badenoch, News agency PTI on March 8 reported from London that a trade deal being negotiated with India was possible to be concluded before a general election in the country but the UK did not want to use that as a deadline. India is still very protectionist, where we are very, very liberalised, the report quoted Badenoch as saying.

While British negotiators want tariff concessions for alcohol and automobiles in the burgeoning Indian market, India demands greater mobility for its professionals in the UK. FTAs must be mutually beneficial. They cant be one-sided, the second official said, adding that easier business mobility is a must for Indias services exports.

Indian industries were unwilling to offer import duty concessions to British manufacturers without London allowing easier mobility for Indian professionals, HT reported on October 3, 2023. If business mobility, or easier temporary movement of Indian professionals to the UK for business purposes, is taken out of the FTA negotiations, there wont be any significant gain for India, as most Indian goods (more than 60% of total merchandise) already have duty-free access to the UK market, and most of the other items attract a low tariff of 5%, HT reported.

The British side is seeking greater access to the Indian market for items such as dairy products, automobiles including electric vehicles and Scotch whisky. India has a very high import duty on automobiles (100%) and whisky (150%).

Indian industry has expressed their willingness to substantially reduce tariffs in automobiles and whiskey provided London reciprocates similar concession on the principle of equity and keeping Indian climatic conditions in mind. Indian industry demands that premium Indian whiskies should be treated at par with Scotch, while London is not willing to classify an Indian product as a whiskey unless it is matured for at least three years, while 12-18 months are enough in Indian climatic conditions.

Read here: EAM Jaishankar to visit UK during Nov 11-15 amid protracted negotiations on FTA

the India-UK FTA negotiations that started on January 13, 2022, progressed fast and the two partners concluded five rounds of talks by July 29 that year and former UK premier Boris Johnson had hoped to ink the deal by Diwali in October 2022. However, the political instability in the UK and unwarranted remarks by its interior minister under short-lived Liz Truss government put a brake on its progress.

The talks resumed after the Rishi Sunak government came to power. Given the widespread impression that the opposition Labour Party will win the next UK election, there is apparently little appetite in New Delhi to take forward the trade deal.
New Delhi On the evening of December 23, 2023, four armed militants stopped Imphal resident Dhanaraj Singh Chongtham and held him at gunpoint. They did not harm him, but left with his Hyundai Creta car. Three days later, on the afternoon of December 26, when Amit Hussain, a section officer with the Manipur government, was on his way home in his brothers Tata Harrier in Thoubal, 20km away from Imphal, he was stopped by armed militants. In a state where law and order has scarcely existed for the most part of a year, he feared the worst  but they snatched his car and left. The state has been in the throes of conflict for over 10 months. (PTI)

Read here: Manipur MMA fighter Chungreng Koren's emotional video appeal to PM Modi goes viral

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Manipur has been in the throes of a violent conflict for well over 10 months. What began as an ethnic conflict between the majority Meiteis who reside in the Imphal valley and the tribal Kukis, has grown into seemingly irreconcilable cleavages within Manipuri society, with 219 people killed, 50,000 people displaced, armed militia prowling the streets, police forces divided on community lines, and lives being led in enclaves of fear.

Another aspect of the anarchy that has swept Manipur, personnel from different security forces told HT, is the rampant looting of vehicles of all kinds for all kinds of reasons  cars for petty crimes and getaways, vans and SUVs for abductions and attacks, and heavy construction vehicles to build bunkers, sniper posts and dig trenches.

HT has seen at least 45 FIRs, in which 50 vehicles were looted by militants between July 2023 and February 2024. Since May 3, 2023, the day the violence began, senior police officers said that hundreds of vehicles have been looted in the state. These include not just SUVs, sedans or small cars, but also larger vehicles like earth-movers or poclain machines.

There has barely been a month where several cases of vehicle thefts, often at gunpoint, have not been reported. On January 4, 2024, just days after Amit Hussains Harrier was stolen, five armed militants fired outside the home of S Ranjit Singh in Thoubal, and took away his Hyndai Santro. Officers pointed out that in most of these cases, there was little headway in tracing these vehicles, but when there was police action, it often led to a retaliation. On February 28, for instance, militants of the radical group Arambai Tengol abducted additional superintendent of police (operations), Moirangthem Amit Singh for two hours, leading to police commandos in several parts of the state laying down arms in symbolic protest. This came hours after the officer had arrested one of the members of the group for snatching two Ambassador cars in broad daylight in Imphal.

Horses for courses

The looting of vehicles, officials say, occur in both the valley, where the Meiteis are predominant, and in the hill districts that have a majority Kuki population. And yet, patterns are different; both on the nature of vehicles stolen and how they are used.

If SUVs, sedans and small cars are looted more often in valley districts such as Imphal East, West, Bishnupur and Thoubal, the hill districts such as Kangpokpi and Churachandpur have reported robberies of bulldozers, roller vehicles, JCBs, and excavators.

In the valley, police officers said, the stolen vehicles have essentially created a cycle that aided crime  the number plates of the vehicles are removed or changed, and theyre then used in other crimes. An FIR filed by a 44-year-old in Imphal East on October 10 said that he and his daughter were held at gunpoint and 4.8 lakh was stolen from them, with the assailants arriving in a van that bore no registration plates. On December 24, another FIR in Imphal documents that a Maruti Swift was stolen after two militants stopped the vehicle in a Maruti Brezza that had no number plates.

Even militants of the banned wing of UNLF (United National Liberation Front), according to an FIR filed at the Imphal East police station on October 11, were caught travelling in a Maruti Gypsy without any registration number plate.

One FIR at Lamshang police station in Imphal West on January 24, filed on a complaint by a senior manager of a construction company, showed that the accused specifically asked for either two LMVs (light medium vehicles) or for money to procure them. The access to looted firearms has led to even street criminals turning extortionists. The scale is much higher than police records because there are many cases where people who have been threatened and given up their vehicles, have not come forward. Over the last few months, we have also come across several cases of vehicles of erstwhile Kuki residents whose cars were stolen from abandoned automobile workshops in the valley districts, the second Manipur Police officer said.

In the hills, however, senior police officers said, the patterns are different. Heavy machinery and vehicles are stolen to build infrastructure that aids the violence. JCB and poclain machines, which were looted in hill districts, are being used to construct bunkers or build trenches. They are also used to set up or construct sniper commando outposts by armed militants in the hills. Specific areas in jungles in the hills have been cleared by these vehicles to make camps for snipers, said the officer, who asked not to be named.

Another FIR filed on December 12 at Churachandpur, said an excavator that was being transported by a trailer from Churachandpur to Arunachal Pradesh was snatched by two or three armed people outside the district hospital. Only the excavator was snatched. The driver and the help were beaten up, but then let go.

The officer also said that these looted digging machines were the primary reason why it was proving difficult to retrieve stolen weapons, a long-standing challenge before the security forces in the state. Since May, of the 5,682 arms and around 650,000 pieces of ammunition that were looted by mobs from state armories, the Manipur police recovered only 1,647 arms and around 23,000 ammunition till January 15. In most cases we are recovering weapons that are buried deep in the ground. Some are buried in cavities over 15-20 feet deep. The hidden chambers in the ground are built using heavy machines. We used metal detectors but even those do not work because the weapons are buried that deep. Security forces are recovering the looted weapons only on the basis of human intelligence, an Assam Rifles officer said.

Gojen Singh, a contractor who was engaged by the Manipur state rural road development agency to build a Bailey bridge in Churachandpur under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), said, Sometime in August, armed men came to the construction site, attacked my workers and took away all three JCB vehicles, one Shaktimaan truck, and all the machines that were used to build the bridge.

Th Somarendra, convener of the All-Manipur Contractors Association Forum, an umbrella body of the three largest contractor groups in Manipur, said that so far they have managed to document at least 81 missing earth-movers, 123 rollers, 60 Tata dippers, 20 bulldozers, and 20 Tata trucks. This is based on verified complaints filed by people whose workers went to construction sites and verified losses. As and when workers are able to reach these sites in places like Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh, and Tamenglong, they are informing their contractors and we are filing zero FIRs. Construction work has been hit totally because of the violence and this loot, he said.

Read here: Army JCO abducted by armed men from Thoubal in Manipur; rescued

Manipur Police officers authorised to speak to the media did not respond to requests seeking comment.

But police officers, admitting to the problem, said forces were making headway.

A mid-level officer, who asked not to be named, said, The security forces are at work. People who are indulging in extortion, are being arrested almost every day. The number of cases will dip and recoveries will increase.

But as with all else in Manipur, there is a long road to these recoveries, and peace that lies ahead.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday welcomed the Supreme Courts rejection of the State Bank of India (SBI)s plea for more time to make public names of those who donated to political parties through electoral bonds, calling it a victory for transparency, accountability, and level playing field in democracy. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. (HT PHOTO)

SBI filed the plea on March 4 seeking time until June 30 to compile and match the information involving 22,217 donations. The court, which asked SBI to share names of the donors, the beneficiaries, and the amounts with the Election Commission of India by March 6, on February 15 scrapped the electoral bond funding system calling it unconstitutional. The system allowed anonymous donations to political parties.

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Kharge cited SBIs plea to provide the details four and a half months later and said it became clear the government was making every possible effort to cover up. With todays decision of the Honourable Supreme Court, the country will soon know the list of those who donated to [ruling] BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] through electoral bonds, he wrote on X.

He called the courts verdict on Monday the first step in exposing the corruption and scams. Kharge said the country will still not know for which contracts the BJP was giving donations. He said the court should give appropriate instructions in this regard. He cited media reports and said the BJP used federal agencies to get donations.
In the run up to the 2019 general election, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati was so determined to field good candidates that she had reached out to former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) JD (S) leader HD Deve Gowda to suggest some names to which the latter obliged. She said that the BSP is contesting the elections across the country on its own strength. (Mayawati | Official X account)

Gowdas trusted aide, JD(S) general secretary Kunwar Danish Ali, fought with a BSP ticket and won the Lok Sabha election from Amroha.

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Mayawati to go solo

In contrast, Mayawati has decided to contest this years Lok Sabha polls alone. The BSP and Samajwadi Party (SP) alliance resulted in good fortune for both parties.

BSP won ten Lok Sabha seatsup from zero in 2014in UP while SP bagged five seats.

But this time, Mayawati announced she will fight the polls alone.

My decision to go alone in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls is atal (unwavering) and no one should have any confusion on the issue, the four-time former Uttar Pradesh chief minister posted on X.

She also criticised the opponents and said, Our opponents look quite flustered with the fact that the BSP is contesting the elections on its strength and quite ably at that in Uttar Pradesh. That is why they seem to float fresh rumours each day to mislead the masses, she added.

Going by past records, BSP and SP combination could have been given a tougher fight to the BJP. It would have also been a stronger alliance than the one stitched by SP and the Congress.

In 2019, the Mahagathbandhan (SP+ BSP + Rashtriya Lok Dal) pulled 39.23% votes in UP, with Mayawati alone bagging 19.43% votes.

Opposition attacks BJP over election commissioner (EC) Arun Goels exit

Days before the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule, the lone election commissioner (EC) Arun Goel resigned on Saturday. The top poll body consists of two ECs and the CEC.

The other EC post has been lying vacant since mid-February after Anup Pandey retired.

This, effectively means, the poll body which will conduct the all-important Lok Sabha election, is left with only one official who will take all decisions.

Reacting to the development, Opposition parties hit out at the ruling dispensation.

Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) said, Why does EC Arun Goel resign right after ECIs poll review meeting in Kolkata where he left abruptly? Apparently disagreed with Delhis diktat on number of phases and excessive force deployment. Will now be replaced by hand picked yes man.

Congress communication chief Jairam Ramesh floated a number of theories including the possibility of Goel joining a political party to contest election.

Meanwhile, an exclusive HT report suggested that five officials HT spoke to, said Goel and CEC Rajiv Kumar had their share of differences, including on routine matters.

After Goels exit, all eyes will be on the upcoming meeting to pick his successor and fill the vacancy left after Anup Chandra Pandeys retirement.

The leader of the largest Opposition party, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress, got a letter to attend a meeting, to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on March 15 to pick Pandeys successor.

But now, possibilities are rife that the meeting would be rescheduled as the government will not like a situation where poll schedule is announced only by the CEC.

The move could dent the ECs image and further question the governments intent.

There is a strong possibility that the government would like to appoint (through a selection panel led by the PM, Chowdhury and a senior minister) an EC before the poll dates are announced.

Meanwhile, the Congress partys top poll body, CEC, will meet on Monday evening to select the second list of candidates.
New Delhi: A Prime Minister Narendra Modi led high-level committee is likely to meet on March 15 to select the election commissioner for the position left vacant after the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey in February, a person aware of the matter said. However, Arun Goels decision to step down as the poll officer days before the likely announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections might prompt the panel to meet at an earlier date as the Election Commission now only consists of chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, the person added. Arun Goels decision to step down might prompt the panel to meet at an earlier date (PTI)

Parliament in December passed a new law to appoint CEC and election commissioners. The selection process now consists of two committees --- a three-member search committee led by the law minister and consisting of 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 opposition. 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 CEC or election then gets appointed by the President.

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HT has learnt that senior Congress leader and partys leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was invited for the meeting on March 15. The invite was sent to him hours before Goels resignation was notified in the gazette by the law ministry on Saturday and was only limited to fill vacancy left by Pandeys retirement.

Law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal refused to comment on the schedule of the meeting or its agenda.

Alok Prasanna, a constitutional law expert and co-founder of Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, said: Constitutionally, there should be at least one Election Commissioner (who is the Chief Election Commissioner). Prior to 1990, there was only Chief Election Commissioner and it was only in 1989 that additional Election Commissioners were appointed. While there may be some disruption in the functioning of the ECI if there is only one EC, constitutionally, there is no problem as long as there is at least one EC who can be designated as the CEC. The actual running of elections depends on the vast number of state level functionaries and union level functionaries who are roped in to help with the process.

But can an election commissioner be appointed after elections are announced? Yes, there is no constitutional bar to the appointment of an EC even after the start of the election process. The [Model] Code of Conduct only prohibits making ad-hoc appointments in Government, Public Undertakings etc. which may have the effect of influencing the voters in favor of the party in power. Appointing the EC is done following constitutional and legal processes and therefore not prohibited in any way even once the elections are announced, he added.
A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court to restrain the Union government from appointing a new election commissioner under the recently enacted Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Terms of Office) Act, 2023. Supreme Court. (ANI)

Congress leader Jaya Thakur has filed the petition in the aftermath of Arun Goel's abrupt resignation as election commissioner, which left the three-member poll panel down to one ahead of crucial Lok Sabha elections.

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Thakur's plea seeks a directive from the apex court, urging the Union government to adhere to the guidelines laid down in a previous Supreme Court judgment, which stipulates that election commissioners should be appointed by a panel comprising the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, and the Leader of the Opposition.

This is our attempt to make sure that some parameters will be set up for this (appointment of election commissioners), Jaya Thakur told PTI.

Also Read: Why did Arun Goel resign as election commissioner? What happens next?

The Chief Election Commissioner And Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service And Term of Office) Act, passed by Parliament in December 2023, effectively replaced the CJI with a cabinet minister as one of the three members of the selection panel.

In January, Thakur approached the apex court challenging the constitutionality of the Act, stating that the provisions of the legislation are violative of the principle of free and fair elections since it does not provide an "independent mechanism" for appointment of the members of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Also Read: Arun Goel resigns as election commissioner: Why ex-IAS officer's appointment was also controversial

The court, however, refused to stay the new law and issued notice to the Centre while agreeing to examine a batch of petitions challenging the legislation. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta asked senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Jaya Thakur, to serve a copy of the petition to the Centre's counsel.

"Please stay this law. This is against the separation of powers," Singh said.

The bench told Singh, No, without hearing the other side, we can't. We will issue a notice.

Arun Goel's resignation

Arun Goel resigned as election commissioner days ahead of the expected announcement of the schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, triggering intense speculations around his abrupt exit. This is the second resignation by an election commissioner under Prime Minister Narendra Modis government. In 2020, Ashok Lavasa resigned as election commissioner to join the Asian Development Bank.

The Congress and other opposition parties asked whether Arun Goel resigned due to any differences with the chief election commissioner or the Narendra Modi government.

"The resignation of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner last evening raises three questions," Congress general secretary 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?

"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 said in a post on X.
A high-powered panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting to finalise the appointment of the two new election commissioners on March 14, days after former election commissioner Arun Goel's resignation, PTI reported citing sources. Arun Goel resigned as Election Commissioner on Saturday, days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (PTI)

Sources said that the Law Ministry has sent an amended communication to all panel members for the meeting to be held now at 12 noon on March 14. Previously, the meeting was to be held on Friday, March 15, but was moved up due to the urgency of the matter.

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The two vacancies for election commissioner in the Election Commission of India came following the surprise resignation of Arun Goel last week, and the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey on February 14.

The selection panel to appoint the new ECs is chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has a Union minister and the Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury as its members. The election commissioners will be appointed by the president.

It is likely that the appointment of the new election commissioners will be finalised and announced on the same day or the next day, PTI reported. After the PM Modi-led panel has made its decision, the election commissioners will be appointed by President Droupadi Murmu.

Sources said the notice for the meeting to select one EC was earlier sent on Saturday afternoon while Goel's resignation was notified in the evening. The amended notice for selection of two ECs was sent by the Law ministry on Monday evening.

Arun Goel's surprise resignation came on Friday, just a few days ahead of the official announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule. His resignation was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday and the Union Law Ministry issued a notification to announce it.

This leaves Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar as the sole member of the poll body.

Opposition attacks Modi government over Goel's resignation

Soon after the resignation of Arun Goel, Congress and other opposition parties attacked the Modi government, alleging that the former election commissioner resigned because of differences with the Centre.

Further, Congress leader Jaya Thakur filed a plea in the Supreme Court to restrain the central government from appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners as per Sections 7 and 8 of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and terms of office) Act 2023.

Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said on Monday that the resignation of Arun Goel has led to a constitutional crisis and yet the central government has not given any explanation on the matter.

(With inputs from PTI)
AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the 1,200 crore Mahatma Gandhi Sabarmati Ashram restoration project on March 12, coinciding with the anniversary of the start of the iconic Dandi March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. The Sabarmati Ashram project includes the restoration of heritage buildings constructed in 1917 (Photo: mahatmagandhimemorial.org)

The project, which will expand the ashram from its current 5 acres to approximately 55 acres, was initially called the Satyagraha Ashram and was spread across 120 acres when it was established. It was from here that Gandhiji conducted his experiments in education, constructive work, and Satyagraha. The Gandhi Ashram is still one of the most visited places in India and receives an average of 3,000 visitors daily and over 10,000 on special occasions, the ashrams website said.

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The project includes the restoration of heritage buildings constructed in 1917, the relocation of residing families, and the transformation of the site into a world-class memorial, aiming to vividly portray Mahatma Gandhis life, philosophy, and messages for an educational and immersive experience to visitors, a government official said.

Our preliminary survey revealed that visitors often spent less than 15 minutes at the current Sabarmati Ashram. With the planned redevelopment, we envision that a days visit will become an essential and enriching experience, he further stated.

At the Ashram Bhoomi Vandana ceremony on Tuesday, PM Modi will be accompanied by Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel.

This project will unify and expand the ashram to include and restore all the buildings built during Gandhijis time, develop the surroundings, and integrate them within the memorial. It will also conserve, exhibit and celebrate Gandhijis life, values, work and philosophy, the ashrams website said.

The project will be funded by the union government and managed by the government of Gujarat in consultation with all stakeholders, it added.

The Gujarat high court in September 2022 dismissed a petition filed by Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, that opposed the redevelopment plan for the ashram and its precinct in Ahmedabad after the state government assured the court that the existing Gandhi ashram would not be disturbed, altered or changed.

The proposed project will not only uphold the ideas and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, which would be for the benefit of society and mankind at large, but the said Gandhi Ashram will be a place for learning for mankind of all age groups, the court observed in his 2022 order.

Once complete, the ashram will repurpose existing buildings for exhibitions and activities. Additionally, the Ashrams rich history will be unveiled, showcasing key associates and notable visitors before 1930, highlighting the contributions of principal Ashramites, and celebrating the leadership of women through a dedicated gallery.
by Victor Cherubim

Education in Sri Lanka is often seen as one size fits all. However, the education system for children with special needs in both primary and secondary schools appears to be lacking. To address this challenge, there is a need for a rethink to accommodate the complex requirements of children who require specialist support.





School kids in Sri Lanka [Photo: UNICEF Sri Lanka]





Little to no consideration has been given to pupils with disabilities and specialist needs. If education is meant to best serve them in their future careers, early attention and action are required, particularly regarding learning disabilities.





Its evident that there is financial pressure on education funding from both the government and private bodies. Families are not receiving adequate support from either the government or schools.





An educational assessment has identified several criteria lacking in our schools, highlighting the challenges faced in providing specialist education for learning disabilities in Sri Lanka:

Limited Resources: Despite efforts, there is a scarcity of specialized resources, including trained teachers, therapists, and appropriate teaching materials. Inclusive Education: Integrating students with learning disabilities into mainstream schools can be challenging due to the lack of awareness, training, and support for regular teachers. Stigma and Discrimination: Negative attitudes and misconceptions about learning disabilities persist, leading to discrimination and exclusion. Parental Awareness and Involvement: Many parents lack awareness about learning disabilities and may not actively participate in their childs education. Financial Constraints: Families often struggle to afford specialized services, therapies, and assistive devices. Infrastructure and Accessibility: Physical infrastructure in schools may not be conducive to accommodating students with disabilities. Individualized Support: Tailoring education to meet the unique needs of each student can be challenging in large classrooms. Transition to Adulthood: Preparing students with learning disabilities for independent living and employment remains a challenge.

Efforts are underway to address these challenges and improve the quality of education and support for students with learning disabilities in Sri Lanka, but much more action is needed.





Another urgent need is to teach young people critical thinking skills to navigate the internet effectively. Many children in Sri Lanka view the internet as omnipotent, yet they are not taught critical thinking throughout their school years or encouraged to question what they see and read online. Its essential for children to be able to challenge media narratives and comprehend the claims made by politicians.





There is global concern that the current generation of school leavers needs to be more questioning and critical thinkers than ever before. They require the confidence to speak out about what they see and read online. Educators and the government must incorporate ways into the educational curriculum to discern fake news from truth and fiction. This is a crucial need that is lacking in todays education.
In a big setback for the State Bank of India, the Supreme Court dismissed its plea seeking an extension of deadline to disclose the electoral bonds' details. The five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud during a hearing on the SBI's plea seeking more time to disclose Electoral Bonds, in New Delhi, Monday.(PTI)

The five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, instructed the SBI to provide details by March 12. Furthermore, the apex court directed the Election Commission of India to compile and publish the disclosed details on its official website by 5 pm on March 15.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

ALSO READ- Electoral bonds: Meet Jaya Thakur of Congress who filed plea in Supreme Court

Here is what CJI Chandrachud-led Supreme Court bench said

 "SBI is directed to disclose the details by the close of business hours of March 12," the bench said.

 As regards the ECI, we direct that ECI shall compile the information and publish the details on its official website no later than 5 pm on March 15, the bench directed the poll body.

 The SBI has to just open the sealed cover, collate the details and give the information to the EC, it said, asking SBI to simply provide the details of both donors and of bonds encashed by political parties, without matching them.

 SC also rapped SBI asking, In the last 26 days, what steps have you taken? Your application is silent on that.

ALSO READ- Electoral bonds: SBI just has to open sealed covergive details, Supreme Court raps bank

 In the hearing, the bench acknowledged senior advocate Harish Salve's submission, representing the SBI, that additional time was necessary for collating and matching details stored in separate branches. Salve suggested that if the matching process were eliminated, the SBI could complete the task within three weeks.

The bench clarified that it had not instructed the bank to cross-reference donor and donee details with other information.

 "What you are saying is that there are two different information silos and rematching them would require significant effort. But, if you see the directions we issued, we did not ask you to do this matching exercise. We have simply directed plain disclosure. The grounds on which you seek additional time do not accord at all with the directions we issued," the bench said.

ALSO READ- '...As certified by Supreme Court': Congress calls electoral bonds 'mega corruption scandal'

 "Though we are not exercising the contempt jurisdiction, but we place SBI on notice that this court will proceed against it for wilful disobedience if it does not comply with the timelines indicated in this order," ordered the bench.

(Inputs from wires)
A five-judge Supreme Court bench on Monday dismissed an application by State Bank of India (SBI) seeking time till June 30 to submit details of electoral bonds (EBs) purchased since April 12, 2019, to the Election Commission of India (ECI), noting that the required information was readily available with the state-owned bank, and giving it time until the business hours of March 12 to do so. In turn, ECI will make public the information submitted by SBI by posting such details on its website by 5pm on March 15, the court further ordered. The court order did not explicitly instruct SBI to provide information to ECI following the correlation of donor data with political party affiliations(File)

Read here: Electoral bonds case: SBI share price sees major dip after Supreme Court raps bank

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The court order did not explicitly instruct SBI to provide information to ECI following the correlation of donor data with political party affiliations. While most of the information about political parties EB redemptions is already available to the public, the related donor data is not. Given the thrust of the banks petition  it claimed the correlation would take time  it is expected that the data that will be made public is two disparate sets, one on sales of bonds and another on redemptions.

To be sure, since the data to be provided also includes dates and denominations, anyone perusing the data should be possible to arrive at some sort of correlation.

If SBI and ECI comply with the courts order, the data on EBs is likely to be available around the same time the schedule for the general elections is announced. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has received around 55% of the amount redeemed through EBs, according to data given in the Supreme Courts February 15 judgment since the onset of the scheme till March 2023, translating into 6,566 crore of 11,985 crore redemptions of EBs up to March 2023. Another 4,508 crore has been redeemed from April 2023 to January 2024, but party-wise details for these redemptions are not available yet.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge welcomed the Supreme Court order, calling it a victory for transparency, accountability, and level playing field in democracy.

With todays decision of the Honourable Supreme Court, the country will soon know the list of those who donated to [ruling] BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] through electoral bonds, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said it is an important step towards stopping the legalisation of corruption. This SC judgment is a big step forward in ensuring transparency in political funding and particularly electoral funding. That transparency should have never been violated in the first place, he said.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said, The people of the entire country should be informed about this. Glad that at least the list (list of people associated with electoral bonds) will come through the Supreme Court. From this list it will be known to whom the election bonds related to. Now, the question is whether that list will be made public or not.

Under the February 15 judgment of the top court, SBI was supposed to submit details of EBs to ECI by March 6 but sought an extension, claiming that decoding the data and matching donors to recipients would be a complex process.

Rejecting plea, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud held on Monday that the information which has been directed to be disclosed by the court is readily available with the bank and that there is no reason why the extension application should be entertained.

SBI is directed to disclose the details by the close of the business hours on March 12, 2024. We further direct that ECI shall compile the information and publish the details on its official website by no later than 5pm on March 15, 2024, directed the bench, also comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

The bench added that ECI will also put on its website another set of information about EBs that the poll body received from political parties in the wake of the courts direction on November 2. On that day, ECI was directed to provide the court with comprehensive information on donations received by political parties through EBs by September 30.

Asking SBIs chairman and managing director (CMD) to submit his affidavit of compliance, the top court warned the bank of contempt of court proceedings against it for wilful disobedience if it failed to adhere to the direction and the timeline set down in the Monday order.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing the bank, argued that SBI has information ready in two separate silos in so far as details of EBs purchased and redemption of bonds by political parties are concerned. Salve claimed that matching the information to ascertain who contributed to which political party was a time-consuming process and thus, the plea for extension till June 30 was moved.

Responding, the bench criticised SBI for not disclosing in its extension plea whether the bank has started the exercise of collating the details.

There should have been a degree of candor on the part of SBI to tell us as to what extent the work is done and whats remaining. Our judgment is dated February 15. It has been 26 days since then, but your application is completely silent on what you have done till date...you are the number one bank in the country. We expect you to be able to handle this, it told Salve.

Even as the Constitution bench proceeded to reject SBIs plea and read the EB scheme together with the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) put by SBI on its website to note that the bank already has details of the purchasers of the bonds as well as redemption by political parties, it did not address the issue of whether the bank must provide information to ECI only after matching donors to the recipients of EBs.

The court merely recalled the part of its February 15 judgment which directed SBI to submit details of EBs, which will include the date of purchase of each EB, the name of the purchaser of the bond and the denomination of the bond. SBI shall submit the details of political parties which have received contributions through Electoral Bonds since the interim order of this Court dated 12 April 2019 till date to the ECI. SBI must disclose details of each Electoral Bond encashed by political parties which shall include the date of encashment and the denomination of EB, the February judgment stated. On Monday, the bench said that SBI must comply with these two directions.

Asked by Salve whether the bank needs to complete the matching exercise first, one of the judges on the bench said: We havent asked you to do the matching exercise...You simply comply with our judgment.

Along with SBIs extension plea, the bench also disposed of applications by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and CPI(M), petitioners in the case that had moved the court demanding that the state-owned bank be held in contempt for disobeying the courts order regarding submission of details to the ECI.

The five-judge bench had on February 15 struck down the Centres 2018 EB scheme of political funding, declaring it to be unconstitutional because it completely anonymised contributions made to political parties, and added that restricting black money or illegal election financing  some of the articulated objectives of the scheme  did not justify violating voters right to information in a disproportionate manner.

The bench directed SBI  the only designated EB-issuing bank  to stop the issuance of EBs, adding that the bank should submit details of EBs purchased since April 12, 2019, till that date to the poll watchdog by March 6. By March 13, the judgment ordered all funding received by political parties  since the court issued an interim direction to parties to submit such information with ECI  to be made public on ECIs website.

Moving a plea on March 4, SBI claimed it needs to break down the details of 22,217 EBs, which would involve decoding, compiling and comparing 44,434 information sets because the details relating to buyers and recipients of bonds are kept in two different information silos  ADRs contempt plea on Thursday last week labelled the request as mala fide and an attempt to thwart transparency efforts before the upcoming elections.

ADR said that SBI India possesses the necessary infrastructure to swiftly compile and disclose information on electoral bonds.

SBIs IT system, designed for managing electoral bonds, is already in place and can easily generate reports based on the unique numbers assigned to each bond... the bank has records of the unique numbers allotted to each electoral bond and the Know Your Customer (KYC) details of purchasers, stated the plea. Adding that SBI has a vast network of branches and a well-functioning IT system, the contempt plea said the bank can compile data for about 22,217 EBs easily.

Stressing the significance of transparency in political financing, ADR argued that voters have a fundamental right to know about the substantial sums of money contributed to political parties through EBs and that the lack of transparency goes against the essence of participatory democracy enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

In its extension plea, SBI sought to bring to the courts notice certain practical difficulties with the decoding exercise and the timeline fixed for it. The public sector bank said that not only were details of purchases made at SBI branches not maintained centrally, but the data related to the issuance of the bond and the data related to the redemption of the bond were also recorded in two different silos.

Read here: SC rejects SBI plea for time until Jun 30 to disclose details of electoral bonds

No central database was maintained. This was done so as to ensure that donors anonymity would be protected. It is submitted that donor details were kept in a sealed cover at the designated branches and all such sealed covers were deposited in the main branch of the applicant bank, which is located in Mumbai, the plea said.

At the other end, SBI said that, at the time of redemption by a political party, the original bond, and the pay-in slip would be stored in a sealed cover and sent to the SBIs main branch in Mumbai.

SBI also said that some of the details such as number of bonds etc. are stored digitally while the other set of details such as name of purchaser, KYC etc. are stored physically. The purpose of not storing all details digitally was to ensure that it cannot be gathered easily to achieve the object of the scheme, claimed the plea, adding the timeline of three weeks fixed by the court in its February 15 judgment would not be sufficient for the entire exercise to be completed.
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with the Calcutta high court order transferring the investigation into the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali on January 5 from the West Bengal Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) even as it expunged disparaging remarks made against the state government and local police in the impugned order. Sheikh Shahjahan. (File)

The high court, in its March 5 order, held that the state police are totally biased and that every attempt was being made to delay the investigation to protect Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, a prime accused in the case related to attack on ED officials.

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Read here: CBI raids TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahans house, market in Sandeshkhali

We are not inclined to interfere with impugned order in so far as the directions of the high court are concerned. However, observations made with respect to the conduct of police and the state government shall stand expunged, stated the bench of justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta in its order.

At one point during the brief hearing, the top court also questioned the West Bengal government over the delay in arresting Shahjahan, who was recently suspended from the TMC.

Why was he not arrested for so long? The high court order records there are 42 FIRs against him. What is the duration of these FIRs? When were they registered? How long does it take to file charge sheets? the bench asked senior counsel Jaideep Gupta, who appeared in the case along with states standing counsel Astha Sharma.

Gupta replied that in the case concerned, seven persons were arrested immediately, and that Shahjahan was also arrested on February 29, soon after the high court clarified that a stay on the investigation in the case did not mean a restraint on arresting the accused. It is very damaging to say that the state police are delaying the investigation. It is not borne out of records of the case at all, Gupta added.

Rebutting his submissions, additional solicitor general SV Raju, on behalf of ED, said that agency officials were beaten up when they went to the house of Shahjahan in connection with a probe into an alleged ration racket. Contending that Shahjahan was being protected by the local police and state administration, Raju said that a sham FIR was also lodged against ED officials accusing them of molestation and trespassing to weaken the charges against the accused.

The ASG further pointed out that the state police at first defied the high court judgment on March 5 when they were supposed to hand over Shahjahans custody to CBI, adding it was only after another order was passed on March 6 that CBI got the custody of the TMC strongman.

At this point, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, also representing the West Bengal government, stepped in to express the states concerns regarding the strictures recorded by the high court in its order.

As the court expressed its willingness to entertain the appeal on this aspect, ASG Raju made a statement that the agency had no problem if the strictures against the state administration and local police were expunged.

Accepting EDs stance, the bench proceeded to expunge the strictures against the West Bengal government and the state police while refusing to interfere with the order of a CBI probe into the case.

Since last month, there has been unrest in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas, as local women have taken to the streets to seek the arrest of Shahjahan and his associates on charges of sexual assault and land grabbing.

The high court judgment on March 5 came on two appeals filed separately by ED and the state police against a single bench order which on January 17 ordered formation of a joint special investigation team (SIT) of CBI and the state police to probe the mob attack on the ED officials. While ED wanted the probe to be transferred to CBI only, the state pressed for the retention of the probe.

The high court division bench, however, noted that Shahjahan, despite being a public representative who faced 42 criminal cases, could flee for at least 50 days before he was arrested. He is an elected representative of the public, holding the highest office in a Zilla Parishad, he was fielded as the candidate at the elections held for the said post by the political party which is ruling dispensation. Thus, it has become imperative and absolutely necessary for doing complete justice and enforcing the fundamental rights of the public in general and the public of the locality that the cases be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for investigation and to proceed further, said the high court.

The division bench of chief justice TS Sivagnanam and justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya added in its order: The state police had played a hide and seek methodology in all probabilities to shield the accused (Shahjahan), who undoubtedly is a highly politically influential person and has demonstrably shown that he is and would be in a position to influence the investigation if allowed to rest with the state police.

Read here: PM Modi's 'Sandeshkhali' attack on corrupt TMC: Show them the door in Lok Sabha poll

Emphasising that a fair, honest and complete investigation could alone retain the public confidence in the impartial working of the state agencies, the court said: We have no hesitation in our mind to hold that this confidence has been shaken and there can be no better case than the case on hand which requires to be transferred to be investigated by CBI.

ED has already provisionally attached moveable and immovable assets worth 12.78 crore of Shahjahan. These include agricultural land, fish farms and apartments in Sandeshkhali, besides two bank accounts.
A bench of justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta admitted the state government's appeal, even as it observed that the high court order was "prima facie well reasoned". HT Image

The bench also rejected the oral request of Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the Maharashtra government for early listing of the appeal and said it will come in due course.

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"There cannot be any urgency in the order of reversal of conviction. Had it been the other way around, we would have considered," the bench told Raju.

Justice Mehta said it is a hard-earned acquittal and in normal course, this court should have dismissed this appeal.

On March 5, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba, 54, and others, noting that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the case against him.

The HC had also set aside Saibaba's life sentence and acquitted five other accused in the case.

It held as "null and void" the sanction procured by the prosecution to charge the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

"The prosecution has failed to establish any legal seizure or any incriminating material against the accused," the HC had said.

Saibaba, who is wheelchair-bound, was lodged in Nagpur Central Jail since his arrest in the case in 2014.

In March 2017, a sessions court in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district had convicted Saibaba and five others, including a journalist and a Jawaharlal Nehru University student, for alleged links with the banned CPI (Maoist) and for indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the country.

The trial court had held Saibaba and others guilty under various provisions of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code.
A five-judge Supreme Court bench on Monday dismissed an application by the State Bank of India (SBI) seeking time until June 30 to submit details of electoral bonds (EBs) purchased since April 12, 2019, to the Election Commission of India (ECI), noting that the required information is readily available with the state-owned bank, and giving SBI time until the business hours of March 12 to do so. In turn, the ECI will make public the information submitted by SBI by posting such details on its website by 5pm on March 15, the court ordered. The Supreme Court asked the SBI to provide the details until the business hours of March 12. (AP)

The court order did not provide any clarification or explicit instruction to SBI for providing information to the ECI following the correlation of donor data with political party affiliations, making it unclear whether the bank must complete the exercise of matching donors to recipients before sharing the data. While most of the information about political parties EB redemptions is already available to the public, the related donor data is not.

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Under the February 15 judgment of the court, SBI was supposed to submit details of EBs to the ECI by March 6 but the bank sought an extension of time, claiming that decoding the data and matching donors to recipients would be a complex process.

Rejecting the SBIs plea, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud held on Monday that the information which has been directed to be disclosed by the court is readily available with the bank and that there is no reason why the extension application should be entertained.

SBI is directed to disclose the details by the close of business hours on March 12, 2024. We further direct that the ECI shall compile the information and publish the details on its official website by no later than 5 pm on March 15, 2024, directed the bench, also comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

The bench added that the ECI will also put on its website another set of information about EBs that the poll body received from political parties in the wake of the courts direction on November 2. On that day, the ECI was directed to provide the court with comprehensive information on donations received by political parties through EBs by September 30.

Asking the SBIs chairman and managing director (CMD) to submit his affidavit of compliance, the top court warned the bank of being proceeded against under the contempt charge for wilful disobedience if the bank failed to adhere to the direction and the timeline set down in the Monday order.

Nevertheless, the court order did not give SBI any specific instructions or clarification to disclose information to the ECI after linking donor data to political parties, which was the main reason SBI requested an extension of time.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing the bank, argued that SBI has information ready in two separate silos in so far as details of EBs purchased and redemption of bonds by political parties are concerned. According to Salve, matching the information to ascertain who contributed to which political party was a time-consuming process, and thus, the plea for an extension until June 30 was moved.

Responding, the bench criticised SBI for not disclosing in its extension plea whether the bank has started the exercise of collating the details.

There should have been a degree of candour on the part of SBI to tell us as to what extent the work is done and whats remaining. Our judgment is dated February 15. It has been 26 days since then, but your application is completely silent on what you have done to date...you are the number one bank in the country. We expect you to be able to handle this, it told Salve.

Even as the Constitution bench proceeded to reject SBIs plea and read the EB scheme together with the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) put by SBI on its website to note that the bank already has details of the purchasers of the bonds as well as redemption by political parties, it did not address whether the bank must provide information to the ECI only after matching donors to the recipients of EBs.

The court merely recalled the part of its February 15 judgment which directed that SBI shall submit details of EBs, which will include the date of purchase of each EB, the name of the purchaser of the bond, and the denomination of the bond. SBI shall submit the details of political parties which have received contributions through Electoral Bonds since the interim order of this Court dated 12 April 2019 to date to the ECI. SBI must disclose details of each Electoral Bond encashed by political parties which shall include the date of encashment and the denomination of EB, the February judgment stated. On Monday, the bench said that SBI must comply with these two directions.

Asked by Salve whether the bank needs to complete the matching exercise first, one of the judges on the bench said: We havent asked you to do the matching exercise...You simply comply with our judgment.

Along with the SBIs extension plea, the bench also disposed of applications by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and CPI (M), petitioners in the case that had moved the court demanding that the state-owned bank be held in contempt for disobeying the courts order regarding submission of details to the ECI.

The five-judge bench had on February 15 struck down the Centres 2018 EB scheme of political funding, declaring it to be unconstitutional because it completely anonymised contributions made to political parties. It added that restricting black money or illegal election financing -- some of the articulated objectives of the scheme -- did not justify violating voters right to information in a disproportionate manner.

The bench directed SBI, the only designated EB-issuing bank, to stop the issuance of EBs, adding that the bank should submit details of EBs purchased since April 12, 2019, until that date to the poll watchdog by March 6. By March 13, the judgment ordered all funding received by political partiessince the court issued an interim direction to parties to submit such information with ECIto be made public on ECIs website.

Moving a plea on March 4, SBI claimed it needs to break down the details of 22,217 EBs, which would involve decoding, compiling, and comparing 44,434 information sets because the details relating to buyers and recipients of bonds are kept in two different information silos.

ADRs contempt plea on Thursday last week labelled the request as mala fide and an attempt to thwart transparency efforts before the upcoming elections.

ADR said that SBI India possesses the necessary infrastructure to swiftly compile and disclose information on electoral bonds. SBIs IT system, designed for managing electoral bonds, is already in place and can easily generate reports based on the unique numbers assigned to each bond... the bank has records of the unique numbers allotted to each electoral bond and the Know Your Customer (KYC) details of purchasers, stated the plea. Adding that SBI has a vast network of branches and a well-functioning IT system, the contempt plea said the bank can compile data for about 22,217 EBs easily.

Stressing the significance of transparency in political financing, ADR argued that voters have a fundamental right to know about the substantial sums of money contributed to political parties through EBs and that the lack of transparency goes against the essence of participatory democracy enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

In its extension plea, SBI sought to bring to the courts notice certain practical difficulties with the decoding exercise and the timeline fixed for it. The public sector bank said that not only were details of purchases made at SBI branches not maintained centrally but the data related to the issuance of the bond and the data related to the redemption of the bond were also recorded in two different silos.

No central database was maintained. This was done so as to ensure that donors anonymity would be protected. It is submitted that donor details were kept in a sealed cover at the designated branches and all such sealed covers were deposited in the main branch of the applicant bank, which is located in Mumbai, the plea said.

SBI said that, at the time of redemption by a political party, the original bond, and the pay-in slip would be stored in a sealed cover and sent to the SBIs main branch in Mumbai.

SBI also said that some of the details such as the number of bonds, etc are stored digitally while the other set of details such as the name of the purchaser, KYC, etc are stored physically. The purpose of not storing all details digitally was to ensure that it cannot be gathered easily to achieve the object of the scheme, claimed the plea, adding the timeline of three weeks fixed by the court in its February 15 judgment would not be sufficient for the entire exercise to be completed.
A section of West Bengal's Matua community celebrated the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019 at the headquarters of the sect in Thakurnagar, North 24 Parganas, on Monday, claiming it to be their 'second independence day'. Members of the Matua community expressed their gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and local MP and Union minister Santanu Thakur for the Act's implementation.(File photo)

Matuas, originally from East Pakistan, are a weaker section of Hindus who migrated to India during the Partition and after the creation of Bangladesh.

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The community, with an estimated population of three million in the state, can tilt the scales in favour of a political party in more than 30 assembly seats in Nadia, and North and South 24 Parganas districts bordering Bangladesh.

ALSO READ| CAA backlash: Congress, Mamata Banerjee slam Modi government, question timing

Members of the Matua community celebrated the occasion by beating drums and exchanging pleasantries and expressed their gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and local MP and Union minister Santanu Thakur for the Act's implementation.

They hailed the moment as a defining one for them, expressing joy at finally being granted citizenship. They referred to it as their "second independence day".

However, a TMC supporter from the area, belonging to the sect, claimed that people of the community had previously obtained voter ID cards, ration cards, and Aadhaar cards, which were deactivated by the BJP a month ago.

The Matuas had once stood behind the TMC but supported the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

ALSO READ| Explained: What is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)?

The rules for implementation of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019 were notified on Monday, paving the way for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, according to officials.

With the CAA rules being issued, the Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India till December 31, 2014. These include Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians.
New Delhi: Taking more women as permanent officers in Coast Guard is not feasible as there are not enough ships designed to accommodate women on board, the Centre told the Supreme Court in a recent affidavit even as it said that the government is committed to induct more women and seeks to introduce changes to equip them for sea service. The affidavit filed on March 6 came in response to a petition filed by a woman navigator and Coast Guard officer Priyanka Tyagi seeking permanent absorption . (ANI)

The affidavit filed on March 6 came in response to a petition filed by a woman navigator and Coast Guard officer Priyanka Tyagi seeking permanent absorption in the force after she was released in December last year on expiry of her short service assignment.

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The combined response of the Centre and Indian Coast Guard said, The existing infrastructure of the Coast Guard related to ships and bases need modification before female officers can be sent on seaborne missions alongside male officers.

Talking about aspects of training and other working conditions that will also require modification, the affidavit said, For the purpose of enlarging the strength of their entry, several operational measures are required to be undertaken. Without putting into effect such operational measures, provision for a greater number of women officers will not be feasible.

A bench headed by chief justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud agreed to examine the affidavit and posted the matter for further consideration next week. Senior advocate Archana Pathak Dave told the Court, Their affidavit suggests that the ships are not designed to take women on board. Attorney General R Venkataramani rebutted by saying, We have sufficiently explained the reasons in our affidavit.

Also Read: If you dont, we will: SC warns govt over Coast Guard women posting

Presently, out of the 66% billets (accommodations) sanctioned for manning afloat units (seaborne ships) and 33% billets sanctioned for manning shore support units, only 10% of shore billets (lodgment for officers) are being considered for women officers for permanent entry. Giving reasons why billets were not being provided to women officers on ships, the response said, The older ships were much smaller in size and could not provide for separate accommodation and allied facilities for women officers and therefore in future, the ships and bases will be modified.

Tyagi had told the Court that not a single woman is taken on ship duty and alleged that it was a mindset problem, which allowed only male officers to get permanent entry in the service. Denying there is any gender bias, the Centre said, In future, the Coast Guard is considering appointing women officers for the sea billets to enhance and augment the participation of women in the service. At present, 23 ships have been designed to cater to womens accommodation needs on board, it added.

However, that is not enough as there are operational measures such as training format and working conditions. Only male officers are currently trained in sea-going duties (navigation, seamanship, communication, firefighting, gunnery, etc) . The existing women training curriculum excludes afloat training...Working conditions are required to be made conducive for women officers to work on board ships before further permanent entry is provided for women officers.

Since Coast Guard duties involve anti-smuggling, law enforcement at sea, protecting fishermen and merchant marine, ships operate in isolated areas at sea and remain away from base for prolonged duration, for around 15 days in a month. For future induction, training of women needs to be modified so that they can be deputed for sea-going billets.

The Centre informed the Court that a board of officers consisting of three women and two male officers of the Coast Guard recently undertook a study on the modalities needed to appoint women officers and sailors in the Coast Guard under the Agnipath scheme. This board has to recommend amendments to be made in the recruitment rules to equip them for sea service.

Also Read: Denying permanent positions to women patriarchal: SC to govt

The stipulation of 10% for ashore billets for women officers will also be reviewed, the Centre said, adding that the board is in the process of compiling its report and once it is done, the Coast Guard will forward the recommendation to the ministry of defence for further consideration.

Tyagi was appointed as Assistant Commandant in the Coast Guard in 2009 and soon after her induction, the Assistant Commandant Woman (General Duty) Short Service Recruitment Rules were published in November 2009 that mentioned women officers shall not have the option to change over to permanent entry scheme. Her petition seeking permanent absorption in the Coast Guard is already pending in the Delhi high court but she moved the top court against an interim HC order refusing to stay her release.

The top court had termed such exclusion of women in Coast Guard to be patriarchal while seeking a response. Last month, the Court observed, The times have gone when you said women cannot be in Coast Guard. If women can guard borders, they can even guard the coasts. It warned that the Court will step in if the Centre was not willing to give parity to women officers.

The petition relied on the past rulings by the Supreme Court paving equal opportunity for women short service commission officers in the army, navy and air force to be considered for permanent commission, and wondered why the same rule did not apply to the coast guard, also an armed force since 1978.

Tyagi was part of the first-ever all-women crew on Dornier aircraft in 2016 deployed in the eastern region for undertaking maritime patrolling as captain of the aircraft. She completed 13 months of flying training to qualify as a navigator. As on date, the petitioner has 4,500 flying hours on Dornier aircraft, the highest flying hours as per her seniority in all the forces, including male and female, and has heroically saved over 300 lives at sea, the petition said. At the time of her release, she was commandant (junior grade) and had even got recommendations from her superior officers for permanent absorption.
The Supreme Court on Monday extended a stay on criminal defamation proceedings against Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal over re-tweeting an allegedly offensive video against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for two months after the complainant said he was open to considering a public apology. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (X)

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta gave Kejriwal time to draft the apology. If you want to give an apology, you can do so without affecting your rights and contentions. Or else if you want us to hear your appeal, we are ready to examine the legal issue of whether a re-tweet amounts to criminal defamation.

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The court said the matter will be taken up next in the week beginning May 13. The interim order directing the trial court not to proceed with the matter will remain till the next date of hearing.

Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court against a February 5 order of the Delhi high court refusing to quash the summons issued against him. A trial court issued the summons on a complaint of one Vikas Sankrityayan.

The high court said Kejriwal will face trial for re-tweeting a video of YouTuber Dhruv Rathee titled BJP IT Cell Part II in May 2018. It said as a public figure, his tweets have far-reaching ramifications.

On February 26, the Supreme Court asked the complainant to take instructions on a submission of Kejriwals lawyer, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who said it was a mistake to have re-tweeted the video. Singhvi said his client was willing to give an apology.

Advocate Raghav Awasthi, who appeared for the complainant, told the court that his client would seek a public apology from Kejriwal. Singhvi told the court that the complainant must explain why he initially withdrew the complaint and revived it after a year.

The bench told Singhvi it will not go into that aspect. What you want to say in your apology we will tell it to the other side. If he agrees, it is fine. You can choose your words. Otherwise, if we find a case made out in your petition, we will stay the HC [high court] order or we will dismiss it.

Kejriwal argued the complainant has not established how the re-tweet caused any legal injury under the Indian Penal Codes Section 499 (defamation).

Singhvi earlier alleged the trial picked up pace due to the upcoming elections. He added the original tweet was deleted and thus the defamation proceedings based on the re-tweet could not be sustained.

Awasthi denied his client was pursuing the matter for any political purpose.
KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will oppose the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) if it infringes upon the rights of people in any manner. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee addresses a press conference at Nabanna, in Howrah on Monday. (PTI/CMO)

If there is any disparity and if there are any attempts to oust somebody, if peoples rights are infringed, TMC will not remain silent. There will be protests, Banerjee said on Monday minutes before the Union home ministry released the rules that will enable the government to operationalise the law passed by Parliament in 2019.

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The CAA, which was notified on December 12, 2019, after its passage by Parliament, seeks to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

It came into effect on January 10, 2020, but was not operationalised in the absence of rules that were issued on Monday.

First let me go through the rules. If I find that people are being deprived, we will fight against it. I am keeping a watch. I need to study the rules after they are notified, she told reporters who sought her reaction to the central governments announcement about the rules.

Banerjee clarified that this was her preliminary reaction and added that she would make detailed comments on the rules after going through the government order.

West Bengals ruling TMC and Mamata Banerjee have been sharp critics of the law in the past, saying it was divisive and that it would not be implemented in West Bengal.

This is nothing else but an election publicity of the BJP. We dont want any fresh disturbance before the election. I dont want the BJP to engage in any kind of provocation. I know why this day, when the Ramadan month is starting, was chosen to make the announcement, she added.

The West Bengal BJP, however, said CAA will fulfil a long-standing demand of the Matua community. The CAA, which was passed by the Parliament will now be implemented and the Act will come into force across the nation. The long-standing demand of the Matua community will now be fulfilled and they will get Citizenship and no one can deny them their rights, not even Mamata Banerjee. I would like to extend my best wishes and regards to the Matua Community and the All India Matua Mahasangha, BJP leader of opposition in the assembly Suvendu Adhikari said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

There are around 10 million people from the Namasudra community in West Bengal who migrated to India after the Partition in 1947 and the 1971 Bangladesh War.

A significant proportion of the Namasudra population supported the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls when it wrested 18 of Bengals 42 seats.

Shantanu Thakur, the sects young face who defeated his aunt from the TMC in 2019 from the Bongaon seat, welcomed the announcement. Thakur, who was also inducted into the union council of ministers, said: This decision has overjoyed Matua Devotees across country & #WestBengal as they begin a new journey, following to the battle being fought since 20th century. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to #MatuaCommunuity for keeping faith & believe in leadership.

West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose welcomed Banerjee reserving her opinion on the law and the rules. Rules are formed to clear confusion and grey areas. Let us first see the rules and then comment. It is a good step towards the democratic functioning of the country. The Act has been passed and rules have been framed. Every government must act within Acts and rule within the rules. I agree with my Constitutional colleague (chief minister) when she said she would first understand what it is and then respond. This is a very good attitude. We are on the same page, he said.
Seema Haider, the Pakistani national who illegally entered India in May last year to marry Sachin Meena, an Indian she met online, was on Monday seen celebrating with her family in Uttar Pradeshs Noida, after the Union government notified Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules. Seema Haider and her family (PTI)

Haider and her family held up the Indian tricolour, and posters of prime minister Narendra Modi and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

We are very happywe congratulate the Indian government. PM Modi has done what he promised, news agency PTI quoted her as saying.

Citizenship Amendment Act, which was passed by Parliament in December 2019, makes it easier for non-Muslim refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, who arrived in India before December 31, 2014, to get Indian citizenship.

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are all Muslim-majority countries.

Who is Seema Haider?

Seema Haider made headlines in July 2023, after authorities found her living with Sachin in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh; she claimed that she fell in love with him on mobile game PUBG, and decided to come to India to be with him.

In doing so, she left her then husband, who was living and working in Saudi Arabia.

Haider told BBC in an interview that she had become a Hindu, and refused to return to her native country. She further claimed that her children with her first husband, too, had converted to Hinduism.

Seema is also reported to have written to President Droupadi Murmu seeking Indian citizenship, amid calls for her to be deported.

Also Read | CAA rules notified: A timeline of events

She will, however, not be a CAA beneficiary as she is a Muslim and came to India after the cut-off date.
by Michael Colin Cooke





This deflection flies in the face of the facts. As Reuters reported in the first six weeks of the war, hospital morgues sent figures to the health centre which were then collated. Excel spreadsheets were used to keep track of names, ages and ID numbers, which were then transmitted to the Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah. As the aerial devastation continues it has become harder to keep track as vital infrastructure has been destroyed and health workers have been killed by the indiscriminate and sometimes targeted bombing.[i] It should be noted that the figures that were collated after earlier aerial bombardments were seen as accurate. In fact, the current figures could be a gross underestimate, as identifying bodies buried under tons of rubble has now become almost impossible.





[ Photo: Yousef Salhamoud/ Unsplash]





Oxfam estimates that the Zionist military machine is killing 250 Palestinians a day with many more prone to hunger disease and cold, which could like in Lanka could kill many civilians. It is estimated that this carpet bombing of civilians is the highest daily figure for wars anywhere in the world in the last 24 years. Even the horrific Syrian conflict (96 deaths per day) Sudan (51.6) Iraq (50.8). It is considerably greater than the carnage in Ukraine (43.9) and trouble plagued Yemen (15.8)[ii]





Amnesty International early in the conflict began collating and analysing data from satellite imagery, verified photos, and investigated air bombardment carried out by the Zionist forces between October 7 to 12 and investigated five cases of bombing which wiped out whole families. It came to the conclusion in each of these cases internal international humanitarian law was violated by a failure to distinguish between civilian and military targets.





In their stated intent to use all means to destroy Hamas, Israeli forces have shown a shocking disregard for civilian lives. They have pulverised street after street of residential buildings killing civilians on a mass scale and destroying essential infrastructure, while new restrictions mean Gaza is fast running out of water, medicine, and electricity.





It has decimated whole families, leaving only memories and rubble in its wake.[iii] At the time of writing the death toll is over 26,000, with around 60,000 wounded and the vast majority facing starvation and lack of water, medicine and shelter. This continual pressure and the lack of a political and economic solution makes the possibility of a non-violent response fade by the day.





What makes a person join the LTTE or Hamas? In Jaffna, which was under the control of the Sinhalese military, a mother of a female member of their elite Black Tiger Unit observed: We could not separate ourselves from the war. We lived inside it.[iv].





For many there is an intergenerational perspective on whether to just survive or fight back. As the mother of the cadre said: When a child experiences too much sadness it can feel no more. We tolerate and bear everything. Not all children accept suffering. Her daughter: Father was killed in the middle of Jaffna town. He is going to work in the post office, he was a peon. If I did not join, people will be pushed into slavery.





Critics can dispassionately point out that at the time she made the statement there had been well over 300 suicide missions. These missions caused deaths and terror and hardened opposing opinion. But what good would such a hectoring, patronising and rarified tone achieve? Instead of labelling her a terrorist and a fanatic, we must first try and empathise with her very real sorrow, pain and sense of injustice and lack of rights. Like the millions of people around the world who march in solidarity with the Palestinians all one can do is listen to the sorrow, pain, her very real sense of injustice and lack of rights. These are important matters which we must first deal with, instead of imposing labels on the marginalised and the dispossessed. To do so the respective unitarist states of Lanka and Israel must be democratised from the river to the sea with equal rights for all. If this is not done the vicious cycles of brutal discrimination, atrocities and horrific counter offenses becomes the norm. Context is everything and the above narrative begs the question who are the real terrorists?





Conclusion





The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a judgement of 15 to 2 against the Zionist state stated that there is a plausible case for genocide against Palestinians. The targeting of civilians, hospitals, schools, UN compounds, mosques, universities buttress the case. The ICJ also argued that statements made by the current Israeli president and members of cabinet, combined with the actions of the military, can be construed as genocidal intent. The beleaguered prime minister Netanyahu then let the cat out of the bag and unequivocally stated that from the river to the sea the land is for Jewish Zionists only. Both these statements have put the Zionist project in Palestine under a critical microscope. Miraculously, after this expose, the Zionist state came up with evidence that twelve workers from United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA) were involved in the October 7 attacks. Immediately, and without assessing the evidence, Australia, Britain, and the US withdrew aid, taking no account of the fact that UNWRA has sacked nine of the accused and has started an investigation. As mentioned, around 80 per cent of the population of Gaza are facing imminent starvation and their principal food source is UNWRA. The fact is that many of the claims that Israel has made about Palestinians are demonstrably false, not to mention the fact that it makes no sense to attack an organisation that employs around 13,000 people because of the alleged crimes of twelve of their workers. Barely mentioned is the fact that settler fanatics are trying to block vital food going to Gaza.[v] The Zionist state is yet to provide evidence to support their claims and the western countries who have withdrawn funding seem in no hurry to get the evidence unlike the UN.





Sadly, the majority of Israelis, if opinion polls are anything to go by, support the crushing of the Palestinians. But cracks in the rules-based order are starting to appear. Many senior bureaucrats and journalists in the West have signed a letter deploring their countries double standards when it comes to Israel.[vi]





In Sri Lanka, in 2022, it was clear that the economy was collapsing. The government had to go cap in hand to the International Monetary Fund to bail out the country. For many Lankans this was an eye-opener, as they discovered that the existential threat of the Tamils was not the cause of their misery. It was a combination of political and bureaucratic incompetence combined with corruption. Since being granted independence in 1948 the country has never been able to pay for its imports or expand its industrial base to a degree that could make the country economically viable. Instead, the politicians kept on borrowing, resulting in periodic crisis.





This time a group of young people coalesced in loose affiliations demanding the resignation of the government and structural change. This became known as the Aragalaya (the struggle in Sinhalese). It morphed into a mass protest movement and toppled the then President, forcing him to flee the country. This mass movement was open to all, but its loose structure was not a match for the state. Parliament appointed as an interim President a wily operator who had decades of experience in quelling protest and shifting the gaze of the populace to manufactured enemies. This he gradually did again, with arrests, imprisonment, and thuggery, aided by the legislative, administrative, and constitutional armoury built over decades to evade scrutiny and accountability. This suite of powers had been traditionally used against Tamils, left wing parties, journalists, civil rights activists, and trade unionists. It was now being used on ordinary people who might have in the past supported measures against what they presumed to be the other. An election will be held later this year and the disgraced political elite are preparing to return to power, blaming foreigners, minorities, and progressive political formations for the crisis which they themselves clearly caused. They seem to be clawing back some of their supporters, though whether they will succeed is still an open political question. [vii]





With regard to both the Zionist and the Lankan state, the international community has, for strategic, commercial, and political reasons, been lax and gullible. Neither the Zionist nor the Lankan state has ever been prevailed upon to change its behaviour. For how long is the international community[viii] going to accept their assurances (extending over decades) that they are democratic states and their enemies are the terrorists? For killing of the others on an industrial scale and herding them into ghettos, the Zionist and Lankan states should both be in the dock.





10 March 2024





[i] Sawafta, Ali and Fick, Maggie, How many Palestinians have died in Gaza? Death Toll explained. Published December 9, 2023. Retrieved: www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-many-palestinianshave-died-gaza-war-how-will-counting-continue.





[ii] Daily Death Rate in Gaza higher than any other major 21st century conflict. Oxfam Press Release, 11 January 2024. Retrieved: www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/daily-death-rate-gaza-higher-any-other-major-21st-century-conflict-oxfam





[iii] Damning Evidence of war crimes as Israeli attacks wipe out entire families in Gaza. Amnesty, October 2023. Retrieved: www.amnesty.org.latest news, 2023.10





[iv] All the conversations are from the documentary, Arnestad, B. and Daae, M. (2007) My daughter the terrorist. Snitt film Production.





[v] Jones, Owen. Smear Campaign Against UNs Palestinian Refugee Agency Taken Apart. Broadcast on 30 January 2024. Retrieved: https://www.patreon.com/owenjones84.





[vi] Grave Violations: Western officials in unprecedented Gaza protest. The New Daily, February 2, 2024.





[vii] For a good overview see Dr Lionel Bopages recent interview on 3CR with Green Left Weekley Radio. The podcast is available at: https://www.3cr.org.au/greenleftweekleyradio/episode/behind-weapons-industry-australia-economic-crisis-sri-lanka-sovereignty.





[viii] It should be noted that the main backer of the Lankan state is China. In the UN the main countries blocking any change also include Russia, Cuba, and Venezuela. On the opposite camp are the ardent supporters of the Zionist state, Australia, Britain and the United States.
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the Maharashtra governments plea for staying the Bombay high court verdict that cleared former Delhi University (DU) professor GN Saibaba and five others of charges of waging war against India and having Maoist ties, saying the acquittal order is well-reasoned and that the presumption of innocence gets fortified after an exoneration. Former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba. (HT PHOTO)

Its a hard-earned acquittal...after how many years he [Saibaba] could earn it? There are two orders of acquittals in this case. Two different benches of the high court have acquitted him. Prima facie, we find that the judgment is very well-reasoned, a bench of justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Read here: Saibaba defence panel calls for his reinstatement as Delhi University professor

This was the second time in two years that the judiciary dropped accusations in the widely watched case. The charges were quashed by the high court for the first time in October 2022. But the government challenged the order in the Supreme Court, which held a special Saturday hearing and set aside the high courts order while directing for a fresh adjudication. On March 5, the high court exonerated Saibaba and five others again, holding it to be a case of no evidence.

Representing the state government, additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju on Monday pointed out that the state was in appeal against the reversal of a conviction order passed by the trial court against Saibaba and others.

But the bench responded: We have gone through the high court judgment and its a well-reasoned judgment...The law is that there is always a presumption of innocence. And once there is an order of acquittal, that presumption gets fortified.

It also noted that the state had moved an application demanding the acquittal order be stayed even though the ASG did not press the plea. It is unheard that acquittal is stayed. Lets not leave any loose ends. We dont want this application to be revived again. We are rejecting your application, the bench said.

The bench issued notices to Saibaba and others in the states appeal, observing that it ought to honour a previous order of the Supreme Court when it entertained the states appeal and issued certain directions. At the same time, the bench held that this matter must wait until after the older criminal appeals had been taken up and that there was no pressing need to hear it.

There cannot be any urgency in reversing an order of acquittal...In the ordinary course, we would not have entertained this appeal. But we are admitting it since on an earlier occasion, we had interfered, and we have to honour that, said the bench, granting leave in the case as it turned down Rajus request for expediting the appeal.

On March 7, 2017, a Gadchiroli sessions court convicted Saibaba, 57, and four other people to life in jail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA. Vijay Tirki, the sixth man, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The five convicted along with Saibaba were Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Hem Mishra, former journalist Prashant Rahi, and three activists of the Revolutionary Democratic Front, Mahesh Tirki, Pandu Pora Narote and Vijay Nan Tirki.

While Narote died in jail in 2022, awaiting the disposal of his appeal in the Bombay high court, Tirki was granted bail around two years ago. The remaining four, Saibaba included, were held in Nagpur Central Jail.

Saibaba, who has been confined to a wheelchair since contracting polio as a child, was arrested in May 2014 from his home in Delhi. Following his incarceration, he lost his job as an English professor at Delhi University. It has been one of the most well-known terror cases in India, with activists accusing the government of violating rights and the government contending that the seriousness of the accusations called for the strictest punishment possible.

Setting aside the trial court judgment on March 5, a division bench of the high court, comprising justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki SA Menezes, held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and that neither any legal seizure nor any other incriminating material could be linked with the accused.

The trial court judgment is not sustainable in the hands of law. We, therefore, allow the appeals and set aside the impugned judgment. All the accused stand acquitted, the high court judgment said. On that day, the state also asked the court to put its acquittal order in abeyance for the time being. The high court refused, noting that it might affect the personal liberty of the accused. Later in the day, the state moved the Supreme Court, challenging the verdict.

The Maharashtra government cited the recovery of materials contained in electronic form in Saibabas computer to link him with the banned organisation CPI(Maoists). It said the materials demonstrated that he knew about the activities of the organisation. These materials included pamphlets of CPI (Maoists), his interview as the vice-president of the Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), an alleged frontal organisation of the CPI (Maoist), etc.

Basing its judgment on intellectual freedom as the cornerstone of a democratic society, the high court was emphatic that the contents of these documents read and understood by any person, by themselves would not constitute an offence under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) or the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The content of these documents if taken cumulatively, would perhaps demonstrate that the accused were sympathisers of a Maoist philosophy or sympathised with the cause of certain tribal groups or certain people who were perceived to be marginalised or disenfranchised...and mere possession of such literature, having a particular political and social philosophy by itself is not contemplated as an offence under the UAPA, held the division bench.

The high court asserted that merely because a citizen downloads certain materials or even sympathises with a particular philosophy, would itself not be an offence unless there is specific evidence led by the prosecution to connect an active role shown by the accused with particular incidents of violence and terrorism. And in this case, the high court said, the prosecution could adduce no evidence to connect Saibaba to any incident, terror attack, or act of violence, either by participating in its preparation or any manner providing support to its commission.

The high court exonerated Saibaba and five other individuals for the first time in October 2022 because the state failed to meet two essential procedural safeguardsthe sanction to prosecute and an independent evaluation of the sanction before the invocation of severe terror accusations. Asked by the Supreme Court in April 2023 to decide the case afresh, the high court reached the same conclusion on March 5.

Read here: Stay in jail was like agni pariksha for me: Former DU professor Saibaba

The high court ruled that the sanction to prosecute the six, including Saibaba, was invalid because the reviewing body had not only demonstrated a lack of application of mind but also because no independent authority had provided any material to support its conclusion. The laconic half-page communication cannot be called a report since there is no material found therein to infer that the authority has reviewed the evidence gathered and formed a particular opinion on that basis, said the court. It added the sanction accorded in the absence of compliance with the mandatory pre-requisite cannot be termed as a valid sanction within the meaning of the UAPA.

The high court also held arrest and seizure in the case invalid, noting the police failed to abide by the norms laid down under the UAPA, besides the failure to prove electronic evidence against the accused.
A 36-year-old woman from Hyderabad was found murdered in Australia and her husband, who allegedly killed her, flew to Hyderabad and handed over their child to her parents here. Chaithanya Madhagani from Hyderabad found 'murdered' in Australia.(Facebook)

The body of Chaithanya Madhagani was found in a wheelie bin on the side of a road in Buckley on Saturday, according to reports.

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She was staying with her husband and son in Australia.

ALSO READ- CCTV footage of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Nijjars killing made public in Canada

According to Uppal MLA Bandari Lakshma Reddy, the deceased hailed from his constituency, and after getting information he met her parents today.

The Legislator told PTI that at the request of the woman's parents, he wrote a letter to the MEA to bring her mortal remains to Hyderabad.

The MLA said he also informed the office of union minister G Kishan Reddy in this regard.

The woman's husband flew to Hyderabad and handed over the child to his in-laws here.

ALSO READ- Australia-based NRI found murdered on Pathankot-Amritsar Highway

The MLA further said that according to the information provided by her parents their son-in-law "confessed" to having killed their daughter.

The Victoria Police in a statement dated March 9, on its website, said "Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after a deceased person was located in Buckley, near Winchelsea. Officers located the deceased person on Mount Pollock Road about midday."

ALSO READ- Liquor businessman shot dead in broad daylight in Haryana's Murthal; senior cop rules out gang-war

A second crime scene has been established at a residential address on Mirka Way, Point Cook and is believed to be connected to the homicide, it said, adding the investigators are treating the death as suspicious.

At this stage in the investigation, it is believed the parties involved are known to one another and the offender may have fled overseas, the statement said.
Kendall Jenner arrived in an elegant black lace dress exuding glamour at every point for the Oscars 2024 Vanity Fair after-party. The best part of the Oscars is the double dose of fashion, which includes the mountains of sequined couture and black-tie elegance on the red carpet for the main ceremony and the after-party ensembles that are showcased each year at the Wallis Annenberg Centre for the Performing Arts and hosted by Vanity Fair. The after-party is where the sex appeal and playfulness really come into their own. The Oscars may bring sophistication with their fit-and-flare silhouettes, plush velvets and silks, but the Vanity Fair party serves up sensual shapes and sheer luxury. (Also read: Oscars 2024: 8 best-dressed celebrity couples who lit up the red carpet at 96th Academy Awards ) Kendall Jenner stuns in sizzling black lace detailing dress at the 2024 Oscars Vanity Fair after party

Kendall Jenner stuns in sheer black dress

Kendal is making headlines with her stunning after-party look, which is full of glamour and glitz and sure to set fashion trends. Let's decode her chic look and take some style notes.

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Kendall Jenner arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Jenner's glamorous look was sourced from Maison Margiela's acclaimed Spring/Summer 2024 couture show. Featuring a plunging neckline, the sheer fabric at the bust is adorned with a decorative black floral pattern for added allure, which morphs into cloud-shaped cutouts further down the dress to elevate her overall look. Never one to shy away from a barely-there look, Jenner's figure-hugging gown featured sheer material all the way down. The see-through silhouette, fishnet flared bottom and sculpted waist are the perfect example of fashion sophistication, making her daring and bold outfit a true showstopper.

Kendall Jenner arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar party after the 96th Academy Awards, known as the Oscars, in Beverly Hills, California, U.S.(REUTERS)

In terms of accessories, Jenner kept it minimal to let her outfit shine, simply styling her look with a set of shell-shaped statement earrings studded with pave diamonds and a pair of black high heels. Her make-up look included nude eyeshadow, mascara-covered lashes, winged eyeliner, rosy cheeks, glowing highlighter, darkened eyebrows and bold red lipstick. She finished off her glamorous look with her luscious locks tied back in a centre-parted bun, with a few loose strands framing her face beautifully from the front.

Apart from Kendall Jenner, other popular celebrities including Selma Blair, Quinta Brunson, Jessica Alba and Cash Warren, Jennifer Coolidge, Donald Glover, Glen Powell, Kerry Washington, Chloe Sevigny and many others also graced the occasion in glamorous outfits.
Chinas biggest airline is poised to establish its first nonstop service to Mexico, signaling the countrys growing importance as a gateway to the Americas for the worlds second-largest economy. China Southern Airlines to restore direct flights to Mexico: Gateway to the Americas expands (File Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP)

Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines Co. plans to start direct flights to Mexico City on April 17, a spokesperson for the state-owned airline said. The twice-weekly flights will depart from Shenzhen in southern China, a person familiar with the matter said, confirming earlier reports in local media.

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The more than 16-hour journey across the Pacific would be Chinas longest flight  and at 14,147 kilometers (8,790 miles), one of the lengthiest regular routes on the planet. Its going ahead despite challenges of distance and terrain that make the return impossible without a stopover  a sign of how big a magnet Mexico has become to Chinese businesses seeking to sidestep tensions between Beijing and Washington.

Chinese suppliers to Tesla Inc., are among companies that have set up factories in Mexico in recent years, with electric vehicle champion BYD Co. set to follow. The Asian country has meanwhile been shipping ever-greater amounts of goods to Americas southern neighbor, a trend that accelerated with the pandemic.

Chinas direct investment in Mexico reached $587 million in 2022, the highest on record, according to Mexicos Economic Secretary. The countries two-way trade has risen 38% over the past four years, based on Bank of Mexico statistics for the 12 months through November 2023, versus the corresponding 2019 period.

The number of Chinese visitors to Mexico has also sharply rebounded in 2023 to 161,300 entries, just shy of pre-pandemic levels, Mexican government data show.

High Altitude

Yet even as business booms between the countries, there have been no direct flights since the pandemic. Thats partly because Mexico Citys altitude, at 7,300 feet, means fully-loaded planes cannot draw as much power from engines to take-off for the longest distance flights.

That means a layover is required on the return flight to Asia, adding cost. China Southerns new service will stop in Tijuana on that leg, according to the local media report.

Before Covid, three airlines offered eight round-trips a week total between China and Mexico  Aeromexico, Hainan Airlines Holding Co. and China Southern, which flew between Guangzhou and Mexico City with a stop in Vancouver. While Aeromexico hasnt returned, Hainan Airlines is understood to be seeking to resume a route to Tijuana, the person said.

Representatives from Hainan Airlines didnt respond to a request for comment. Chinas Ministry of Transport also didnt respond to a request for comment.

Trade Frictions

Chinas ability to resume direct services with the US has also been hampered by fraught relations with the worlds top economy. Direct flights are currently limited to 100 per week, down from 340 before the pandemic. US carriers face the added hurdle of going around banned Russian airspace.

Since the pandemic, Chinas carriers have made a priority of re-establishing ties to countries that are receptive trade partners. In November, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for expanded commerce with Mexico in areas such as finance, EVs and other emerging industries.

We reiterated our commitment to continue maintaining good relations for the benefit of our people and our nations, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said in a post on X after meeting with his counterpart at a trade summit in San Francisco.

China Southerns new service sidesteps Beijing and Shanghai in favor of Shenzhen, a thriving technology and manufacturing hub. Its home to BYD which is banking on Mexico and the wider region to boost export sales. Mexico also offers Chinese carmakers a showroom for their EV brands as they test the appetite of foreign consumers for stylish, affordable and high-tech EVs.

Among those setting up shop in Mexico are Ningbo Tuopu Group Co. and Shanghai Bayon Precision Automobile Component Co.  suppliers to Tesla, which is building out in the state of Nuevo Leon.

The tighter bond with Mexico is a growing irritation to Washington, where officials have sought to keep cheaper Chinese EVs out of the US market to shield the homegrown industry. US duties of 27.5% targeting Chinese EVs may increase, while further scrutiny is being placed on the countrys internet-connected vehicles for data and cybersecurity risks.

The pushback on autos and semiconductors prompted Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi earlier this month to blast the US for reaching bewildering levels of unfathomable absurdity on trade and sanctions.
The International Yoga Festival  2024 will be held on the banks of the holy Ganges in Rishikesh from March 15 to 21. The Yog Bharat Ghat in Muni Ki Reti will be the epicenter for spiritual enlightenment and physical wellness during this week-long event where Yoga gurus, spiritual speakers along with health and fitness experts including Swami Sukhabodhananda, Dr Hester O Connor, S. Sridharan, Douglas Atmananda Rexford, Swamy Ajay Rana, and Anshuka Parwani will help you to enlighten your mind, body and soul. Experience spiritual enlightenment and physical wellness with renowned yoga gurus and health experts at the International Yoga Festival 2024.(Unsplash)

In an official statement, Tourism Minister of Uttarakhand Satpal Maharaj said that Uttarakhand plays a significant role in promoting yoga both nationally and internationally. Today, Uttarakhand boasts of the highest number of yoga practitioners, who visit the Dev Bhoomi in pursuit of spiritual awakening and inner peace. Rishikesh has solidified its position as the epicenter of yoga. The International Yoga Festival is a testament to it. This years festival promises to be grand, offering a magnificent platform for yoga enthusiasts to learn and grow.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The event, organised by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, brings together top international yoga schools, providing a unique opportunity for participants to engage in the ancient practice of yoga. Renowned schools, including the Art of Living, Isha Foundation, Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Sivananda Ashram, and Manav Dharam Ashram will offer attendees the chance to explore different forms of meditation in a peaceful setting.

Experts will set the tone of the event as they spearhead panel discussions centered around topics  such as the benefits of music therapy, and the science of intuition through Pragya Yog, Marm Chikitsa, Yoga and Strishakti, among many others. Each evening, the tranquil and peaceful Ganga arti will create a mystical atmosphere. One can also experience enchanting melodies filled with devotion and love for the divine. The festival will feature renowned bands, such as Kabir Cafe and Pandavas Band, fusion rhythms by Swaraag, Kathak dance by Aditi Mangal Das, Dance Ballet by Anuj Mishra, and more.

The festival also lends you an opportunity to immerse in the vast heritage of India through cultural programmes. To know more about the event, yoga enthusiasts can log on to www.internationalyogfestival.com.
Last week, India commissioned INS Jatayu at Minicoy in the Lakshadweep islands. The event marked a milestone for the Indian Navy, which seeks to burnish its credentials as the premier security provider in the Indian Ocean. Sitting astride major shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean, Minicoy already has a naval detachment. With growing pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, the Navy has decided to upgrade the existing facility into a full-fledged base. Indias security managers believe a surveillance outpost in Minicoy will help track illicit activity and keep an eye out for other non-traditional threats such as marine pollution and illegal fishing.

Jatayu, however, is more than about maintaining vigil at sea. The base is aimed at boosting the Indian Navys operational reach, enabling faster deployment, and maintaining a strategic presence. Reportedly, there are plans to turn the naval facility at Minicoy into a nodal point for logistics and support operations. Incidentally, Jatayu is the second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak on Kavaratti island. At a time of growing threats to shipping, a new base at Minicoy offers the Indian Navy a useful forward outpost in a critical sea space.

The new base sends a clear message to Indias neighbours that its Navy is capable of safeguarding Indias vital maritime interests. In particular, Indias maritime managers are focused on developments in and around the Maldives. After Male asked New Delhi to withdraw a contingent of Indian military personnel stationed in the island State, experts are worried about the prospect of a greater Chinese presence in the Arabian Sea. Males move to allow a Chinese research vessel to make a port call last month seems to confirm Indian fears. The Maldives and China have also signed a defence cooperation pact that offers free Chinese military assistance to Male. To many in New Delhi, Males moves to offer China greater strategic space in the Indian Ocean seem to be a ploy to subvert Indian authority in its backyard.

To be sure, there is more than a strategic dimension to the commissioning of Jatayu. India is keen to build capacity and foster development in the region. The inauguration of the new base in Minicoy could result in considerable infrastructure growth, potentially enhancing communications, logistics, and support facilities to benefit local communities. It could spur economic growth, and increase demand for local goods and services. The Navy is said to be keen to incorporate environmental sustainability into its development plans for the new base.

Nonetheless, the key factor driving Indias moves in Lakshadweep appears largely geopolitical. With Mohamed Muizzu, the Maldivian President, adopting a markedly pro-China tilt, New Delhis patience has been running thin. Males recent anti-India moves have convinced Indian decision-makers that the Muizzu administration is intent on recalibrating ties with India and that the time for New Delhi to act is now. Even so, the decision to develop a naval base on Minicoy, merely 125 km from the Maldives northernmost atoll, appears less than carefully considered. For one thing, it upends a long-held consensus in Indias defence and foreign policy establishment that New Delhi must refrain from excessively militarising its island territories. The notion that excessive Indian posturing at sea could unnerve neighbours is no longer popular. With New Delhi seeking a more muscular presence in maritime South Asia, the case for militarising island territories appears stronger than ever. Yet, a full-fledged military facility in Lakshadweep is far from a straightforward proposition.

The problem for New Delhi isnt so much constructing a naval base at Minicoy as it is maintaining and sustaining it. Supporting a military outpost on an island 400 km from Indias mainland in a region where even fresh water is a scarce resource is an onerous undertaking. Building an airfield with shelters for surveillance aircraft and fighter jets on a small island is difficult enough. Creating associated infrastructure, like housing for personnel, storage facilities, and underground fuel dumps on a small island, complicates the task, not to mention the fragile ecology of Minicoy which adds another significant wrinkle to the challenge.

For the moment, the naval detachment at Minicoy has been formally elevated in status to a naval base. Strategic infrastructure on the island will be created in due course as necessary clearances are obtained. If a naval base must be built at Minicoy, an incremental approach seems the best way forward. Jatayus tactical advantages are undeniable, not least the opportunities for collaboration with like-minded partners that it is likely to create. Whether or not it is maintainable and productive in the long-run remains to be seen.

Abhijit Singh is head of the Maritime Policy Initiative at the ORF. The views expressed are personal
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inaugurated the first phase of the Coastal Road between Worli and Marine Drive in south Mumbai on March 11. This is expected to reduce travel time between Nariman Point and Kandivali from over two hours to less than 40 minutes. Real estate experts said that the infrastructure connector is a game-changer not only for transportation but also a catalyst for the city's real estate market. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inaugurated the first phase of the Coastal Road between Worli and Marine Drive in south Mumbai on March 11. The connector is expected to be a catalyst for the city's real estate market (Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo)

This ambitious infrastructure endeavor is set to rejuvenate the city's business hubs such as Nariman Point, drive residential demand in key South Mumbai submarkets such as Peddar Road, Worli, Walkeshwar, Tardeo etc and potentially bridge the residential price gap between suburbs such as Andheri, Goregaon, Kandivali and Borivali and prime areas of the city in the long term. These areas are expected to witness a rise in housing demand for both new and redevelopment projects, said real estate experts.

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Also Read: Mumbai real estate market: Heres why listed realtors are making a beeline for redevelopment projects

About the Coastal Road project

A 10.5-kilometer-long stretch will be opened for traffic in the first phase. The work on the project started on October 13, 2018 and its projected cost is 12,721 crore. A world-class Central Park spread over several acres will come up along the road, named 'Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road, the CM said on March 11.

The Coastal Road will be connected to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and there onwards it will be extended up to Dahisar, he said.

The 53-km-long Coastal Road, being constructed till Dahisar, will help the people in saving fuel and time, besides reducing pollution, the CM said on March 11.

Also Read: Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde inaugurates Mumbai Coastal Road Project

The Coastal Road connectivity between Worli and Marine lines will help reduce the congestion and commute time of South Mumbais high-end population. However, phase II, slated to connect Versova and Dahisar, will significantly impact and improve travel time for the masses living in the Western Suburbs of Mumbai, which accommodates the maximum population and experiences massive traffic congestion, said Pankaj Kapoor of Liases Foras.

Impact on the real estate markets

The first phase of the project is a 10.58-km stretch connecting Marine Drive to Worli and will serve as a crucial link between the traditional Central Business District submarket and the Secondary Business District Central (Lower Parel, Worli) submarkets. Experts say that the infrastructure connector has the potential to amplify residential activity in South Central Mumbai and provide an opportunity for investors and landlords to revitalize older buildings along the stretch.

Over time, the traditionally established CBD in Mumbai lost its appeal due to a lack of quality supply and connectivity challenges, causing business activity to shift towards the North. However, recent years have witnessed a reversal of this trend, with the front office market activity gradually moving towards South Central Mumbai," said Samantak Das, Chief Economist and Head- Research & REIS, India, JLL.

The Coastal Road presents a unique opportunity for investors and landlords to revitalize older buildings through retrofitting, restoring their relevance and attracting businesses once again. With improved road connectivity and the availability of quality supply, the erstwhile CBD has the potential to regain its previous allure as a prime office hub, he explained.

Also Read: Mumbai's real estate hits a 12-year high; property registrations touch 11,742 units in Feb 2024

Additionally, Phase 1 of the project also has the potential to amplify residential activity in South Central Mumbai, further narrowing the price differential observed across the southern and central submarkets, he added.

Housing demand to witness rise in both new and redevelopment real estate projects

The commencement of Coastal Road phase -1 will drive immense potential for the real estate micro-market in the western suburbs. This landmark infrastructural development will have an immediate effect on real estate demand and prices across the Bandra-Andheri belt and to some extent, the distant Goregaon-Borivali belt as well. The housing demand will witness a rise in both new and redevelopment projects, said Dhaval Ajmera, director, Ajmera Realty and Infra India Ltd.

Also Read: Mumbai is now among the world's top 10 luxury real estate markets: Knight Frank Wealth Report 2024

The western belt will also see a gradual but steady strengthening of real estate micro-markets, owing to a cluster of infra-developments like twin-tunnels, ultimately giving a significant boost to the real estate prices in micro-markets like Kandivali and Borivali, he said.

Manju Yagnik, vice chairperson of Nahar Group and senior vice president of NAREDCO- Maharashtra, said that the improved connectivity facilitated by the coastal road is expected to unlock prime coastal parcels for development, paving the path for upscale residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects.
The Karnataka government has issued a ban on the use of artificial colours, specifically Rhodamine B, in 'gobi manchurian' and 'cotton candy' due to their adverse effects on public health, particularly on children. Prolonged usage of artificial colours in food and its consumption can lead to deadly diseases like cancer, the order said.(Unsplash)

What is Rhodamine B?

Rhodamine B (RhB) is a chemical compound commonly employed in synthetic dyes for colouring silk, jute, leather, cotton, and wool, as well as in the cosmetics and plastics industries. Its low cost, however, also makes it a popular choice for food colouring.

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How harmful is Rhodamine B?

This compound is frequently used as a food colourant, particularly in items like chilli powder and chilli oil. Despite its widespread use, there have been accumulating reports indicating potential health hazards, including skin and eye irritation, respiratory issues, and debated carcinogenicity.

The agent is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans as per the United States' National Library of Medicine.

ALSO READ- Banned food colour may affect organs, stunt kids growth: Study

Why Rhodamine B is banned?

According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), no colouring matter should be added to food unless permitted in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011. The permitted synthetic colouring agents are:

 Red - Ponceau 4R, Carmoisine, Erythrosine

 Yellow - Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow FCF

 Blue - Indigo Carmine, Brilliant Blue FCF

 Green - Fast Green FCF

ALSO READ- Selling sub-standard cake leaves baker with burnt fingers

How to detect Rhodamine B contamination in your food?

Detection of Rhodamine B in Chilli Powder

 Take 2 grams of the sample in a test tube.

 Add 5 ml of acetone.

 Observe the colour of the acetone layer.

 The immediate appearance of red colour indicates the presence of Rhodamine B.

Note: Acetone is a highly flammable solvent; keep away from open flame. Store in an appropriate cabinet

Detection of Rhodamine B in sweet potato

 Dip a cotton ball in water or vegetable oil.

 Rub the cotton ball on the outer surface of the sweet potato.

 If the cotton ball remains clean, the sweet potato is safe for consumption.

 If the cotton ball turns reddish or violet, it indicates adulteration with Rhodamine B.
Elephants are revered as some of the most majestic and intelligent creatures on Earth. That is probably why they are able to perform several incredible tasks, and videos that often go viral on social media are proof of that. One such amazing video of an elephant has surfaced online and is leaving people impressed. Wondering why? Well, the video shows an elephant grooming himself using a stick. The image shows the elephant cleaning its toe using a stick. (X/@AMAZlNGNATURE)

Elephant uses a stick to clean between his toes, reads the caption to the video shared on X by the account called Nature is Amazing. This account shares numerous heartwarming videos of animals in the wild, ranging from a horse playing in the snow to an orangutan rowing a boat. The video they recently shared shows the elephant meticulously cleaning between his toes using a stick that he held with his trunk.

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Watch the elephant cleaning his toes here:

The video was shared on March 11 on X. It has since collected over 7.6 lakh views and the numbers are still rising. Additionally, the video has also received over 12,000 likes and numerous retweets. Many even flocked to the comments section of the video to share their thoughts.

Check out how people reacted to this video here:

Female elephant enjoying pedicure in her own space, posted an individual.

Another added, Wow.

This is amazing, expressed a third.

A fourth shared, I wonder how the elephant learnt to do this.

Lovely sight, posted a fifth.

A sixth joined, This is so cool, while a seventh chimed in, So intelligent.

Earlier, a video capturing how the Tamil Nadu forest department helped a female elephant in distress went viral on social media. The video shows the mama elephant with her two babies, unable to move. Thats when the forest officials present there quickly jumped into action and rescued the calves. A team of veterinarians also arrived to check on the ailing mother.
At a Panamanian archaeological site, researchers discovered an old lord's tomb filled with gold treasure and sacrificial victims. The tomb, which dates back an estimated 1,200 years, marked the location of an elite chief's burial place along with dozens of other individuals who "died to accompany him to the beyond," as stated in a press release by the Ministry of Culture, Panama. Archeologists working at the site to uncover the treasures from the 1,200-year-old ancient tomb. (Ministry of Culture, Panama)

According to the press release, the researchers discovered five pectorals, two belts of spherical gold beads, four bracelets, two human figure earrings (a man and a woman), an earring in the shape of a double crocodile. They also found one necklace of tiny circular beads, five gold-covered sperm whale teeth earrings, two bells, bracelets, and skirts made of dog teeth, and a set of bone flutes. (Also Read: Bread that was left uncooked 8,600 years ago in Turkeys Catalhoyuk dubbed as worlds oldest)

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Take a look at the discovery of the archaeologists here:

Linette Montenegro, National Director of Heritage of the Ministry of Culture, said in the press release that the findings "not only have economic value but also incalculable historical and cultural value".

The head of the El Cano Foundation and the project's supervisor, Dr. Julia Mayo, clarified that this collection might have belonged to an adult male of high status from the Rio chiefdom (a form of government). Additionally, he revealed in the press release that the tomb was constructed around 750 AD. (Also Read: In Saurashtra, a city with an ancient past, is no stranger to opulence)

He clarified that the burial excavation is ongoing, and it is still unknown how many individuals were buried with him. However, it was found that he was laid to rest face down, on top of a woman's body, which was customary in their community.

Mayo explained, "This discovery is important, among other things, because it presents a very special type of burial that we know as multiple and simultaneous burials, and we call them that because they consisted of burials of a variable number of people (between 8 and 32 people). The same tomb of high-status people who had been buried along with others previously sacrificed to serve as companions."
Laverne Cox arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

NEW YORK (AP)  America Ferrera bid a fond awards season farewell to Barbie on the Oscars red carpet Sunday in a stunning, sparkly Atelier Versace gown in the film's signature pink, while Rita Moreno wore a huge smile and a statement black gown from Badgley Mischka.

America Ferrera did bombshell right and gave us the cool Barbie pink moment we needed this whole time, aka it didnt smack us over the head, said Brooke Bobb, fashion news director for Harper's Bazaar.

Hailee Steinfeld arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Kirsten Dunst arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Da'Vine Joy Randolph arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Kirsten Dunst, left, and Jesse Plemons arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Da'Vine Joy Randolph arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Ashley Landis/Ashley Landis/Invision/AP Ariana Grande arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Ariana Grande arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Anya Taylor-Joy arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Anya Taylor-Joy arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Lily Gladstone arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Lily Gladstone arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Ashley Landis/Ashley Landis/Invision/AP Florence Pugh arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Florence Pugh arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Ashley Landis/Ashley Landis/Invision/AP Florence Pugh arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Danielle Brooks arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Ashley Landis/Ashley Landis/Invision/AP Dennis Gelin, left, and Danielle Brooks arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Ashley Landis/Ashley Landis/Invision/AP Danielle Brooks arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Ashley Landis/Ashley Landis/Invision/AP

Hollywood's big night in Los Angeles included few fashion risks, with many sticking to classic silhouettes, black and other standard colors. Others offered an under-the-sea-vibe in soft seafoam colors with mermaid crystals and shell-like designs.

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Emma Stone was in the sea camp in a soft pastel strapless look with a faint shell pattern in mint and a wide peplum at the waist. It was Louis Vuitton. Hailee Steinfeld in Elie Saab was also sea-like in sheer ethereal blue-green with wings attached at the wrist. Lupita Nyong'o was sea-adjacent in feathers and sequins by Armani Prive.

America Ferrera arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

RITA MORENO TAKES THE RED CARPET

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Moreno, at 92, waved to photographers as she showed off her pleated taffeta and velvet gown. Brittany Snow offered a refreshing show of color in a bright strapless custom Monot dress paired with a statement choker.

Cynthia Erivo, in custom Louis Vuitton, shut down the carpet in emerald green lamb leather, dinosaur-like spikes along the back of a large-shouldered jacket. Emily Blunt and hubby John Krasinski matched in off-white, she in Schiaparelli couture with shoulders that floated above her body, that extended silhouette touch a mini-trend of the night.

Anya Taylor-Joy was full shell in a Dior Haute Couture strapless look in a sparkly scallop design.

DA'VINE JOY RANDOLPH IN LOUIS VUITTON

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Erika Alexander arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Da'Vine Roy Randolph, on the top of her fashion game this awards season, wore an A-line pale blue tulle gown from Louis Vuitton with oversized sleeves embellished with tulle fringe. Ariana Grande also went big in a puffy pink gown that also had huge sleeves on a matching coat.

InStyle beauty director Lauren Valenti lauded Randolph's effort.

I loved DaVines beauty homage to Mae West, which featured cat eyes, glossy lined lips and va-va-voom side-swept blonde waves, she said.

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Lavender had a moment on a few. So did Billie Eilish in a Chanel schoolgirl look with a black jacket, pattern skirt, white socks and black Mary Janes. She and others on the carpet wore red pins supporting a cease-fire in Gaza.

This year in general, the power of the red carpet was driven by women whose confidence felt utterly authentic and not like an exercise in branding, Bobb said. "Embracing personal style really is the only way to land on the best-dressed list these days.

The Godzilla Minus One group, meanwhile, showed up carrying toy monsters.

MOSTLY BLACK FOR THE MEN

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Brittany Snow arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Many men stuck to black in tuxedos and other looks, including a fashion star of the awards season, Colman Domingo in a double-breasted tuxedo look, a custom Louis Vuitton, paired with cowboy boots and a jewel at the center of his bow tie. He wore a pinkie ring that once belonged to the man behind his Rustin character, Bayard Rustin, as he has throughout awards season.

"I wanted to shine like a diamond he told E! Im having a great time.

Speaking of gems, Lily Gladstone won the jewelry game. She paired her midnight blue velvet gown with a Bulgari necklace in white gold with turquoise touches and blue oval tanzanite at the center.

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Rita Moreno arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Ashley Landis/Ashley Landis/Invision/AP

Colman Domingo arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Juliet Donenfeld arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Sandra Huller arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Issa Rae arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Gabrielle Union, left, and Dwayne Wade arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Sean Ono Lennon, left, and Kemp Muhl arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Simu Liu, left, and Allison Hsu arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Emma Stone arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Billie Eilish arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Hailee Steinfeld arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Lupita Nyong'o arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 10: Margot Robbie attends the 96th Annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Emily Blunt arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Bradley Cooper arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Cynthia Erivo arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Scott George and Taveah George attend the 96th Annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Mike Coppola/Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 10: Taylor Zakhar Perez attends the 96th Annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Her custom Gucci gown was created in collaboration with Indigenous designer Joe Big Mountain of Ironhorse Quillwork. It featured a hand-wrapped porcupine quilled border in blue with a natural woven star design and sterling silver-plated bead edging.

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Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper also went for black tuxedos. Gosling wore Gucci with silver bead piping, and Cooper wore double-breasted in Louis Vuitton. No ties for either, along with others.

Bradley Cooper tells Brad Pitt to move over by leaving his tie, and Gigi Hadid, at home and instead brought his tan, a double-breasted tux embellished with turquoise buttons and slicked hair that took my breath away, said Larry Curran, an independent brand consultant who has worked with Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.

SANDRA HULLER STUNS IN SCHIAPARELLI

As for the women, Sandra Huller was on Curran's best-dressed list.

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Correctly, she skipped earrings and chose a diamond necklace (Cartier) that brought balance to the oversized, off-the-shoulder wings of the dress, and another sparkly embellishment placed in between them, he said.

There was a predictable spray of sequins for the women. White looks also represented, including Kirsten Dunst in Gucci. There was lots of black for the women, too, including a custom Schiaparelli for Huller with extended shoulders and the perfect fit.

Erika Alexander of American Fiction wore a white strapless gown with a black skirt trimmed in pastel tulle. The designer, Christian Siriano, said it was made in a miraculous four days.

VINTAGE MUGLER FOR LAVERNE COX

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Laverne Cox, working the carpet for E!, was the epitome of Old Hollywood glam in an hourglass look of black and low-plunging gold, her hair piled high as she fluttered a feather-light neck piece that trailed behind. Her look was vintage Mugler.

Scott George, a member of the Osage Nation and the first Indigenous person to receive an Oscar nomination for best original song, was among the early arrivals in a gray look trimmed in green and purple, his tie in matching colors.

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT ON DRESS-UP NIGHT

A couple of little cuties in nominated short films were delighted to walk. Porche Brinker of The Last Repair Shop was in ethereal soft blue, and Juliet Donenfeld of Red, White and Blue looked all-the-way grown up in a blinged-out strapless dress.

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Red, an IT color of the awards season, had some early enthusiasts as arrivals heated up.

Issa Rae, always a red carpet standout, failed to disappoint in plunging deep green from Ami Paris. The top sparkled.

I am wearing green for good luck, she said. I wanted to feel old Hollywood.

Julee Wilson, beauty editor at large for Cosmopolitan, praised Rae's beauty look.

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Her sleek topknot and glowing skin are the perfect combo. Her hair was elegantly pulled away to showcase high shine skin. It sparkles, she said. I need to know whats making it glow so much!

Gabrielle Union wore another knockout, a strong silver embellished look from Carolina Herrera that offered an armor vibe.

I am feeling myself, Union said.

VANESSA HUDGENS DEBUTS BUMP IN VERA WANG

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Vanessa Hudgens brought along one special accessory. She revealed her baby bump under a body-hugging Vera Wang turtleneck gown in black as she hosted ABC's pre-show coverage.

Among the risk-takers? Charlotte Kemp Muhl, who walked with Sean Ono Lennon in a backless and near sideless black dress. Eugene Lee Wang, following in the footsteps of Billy Porter, donned a full ball skirt with a crop jacket.

Daniel Scheinert of the Daniels wore a Fashion Brand Company jacket adorned with a snake. It's a buzzy brand worn by a lot of comedians, including SNLs Sarah Sherman.

Jodi Kahn, Neiman Marcus' vice president of luxury fashion, saw plenty for her customers on the red carpet.

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'We saw a lot of black, beautifully on Sandra Huller in Schiaparelli as well as Danielle Brooks in Dolce & Gabbana, Jennifer Lawrence in Dior and Margot Robbie in Versace," she said. While we usually see lots of bold color on the red carpet its striking to see all of the beautiful black, elegant gowns.

She included Eilish in that group.

In Chanel, Billie took a modern approach to ladylike style, which will easily inspire long, lean skirts and jackets into our customers wardrobes. Black will always be fashion's favorite color.

A BIT OF TROUSER FLARE FOR THE MEN

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Jonathan Evans, style director for Esquire, said you had to look closely to see one of the biggest red carpet trends.

Even though they kept it relatively classic otherwise, a surprising number of guys opted for flared trousers this year. Simu Liu, Bradley Cooper and Colman Domingo all embraced a little extra room around the ankle, and it looked great, he said.

EJ Briones, executive fashion editor for Bustle, saw another strong trend.

Embellished corsets dominated the red carpet with looks from Hailee Steinfeld in Elie Saab Couture, Florence Pugh in Del Core and Danielle Brooks in custom Dolce & Gabbana. The heavy detail of the bodice against the softness created a beautiful juxtaposition, he said.

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Among the men who opted out of black was Taylor Zakhar Perez in powder blue. Liu of Barbie brought the Kenergy. He rocked a black Fendi look with a wrap-around jacket closed with a brooch.

"It's a fun situation, and I like brooches, he said.

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For more on this years Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards
Advancements in technology have been taking place at an unprecedented pace across the globe. It is not uncommon to come across new products and innovations that can leave people amazed. Recently, a video of a robot delivering food in a hotel in China made its way to social media and went viral. After blogger Ken shared the video on Instagram, many people flocked to the comments section to share their responses. The robot delivering the food to the man received mix reactions from people on social media. (Instagram/@ken_abroad)

While sharing the video, Ken, in the caption of his post, wrote, "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?" (Also Read: Did Saudi Arabia's first male robot touch a female reporter inappropriately? Viral video sparks mixed reactions)

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The video begins by showing a robot carrying food through the hotel lobby in a container. When the robot arrives at the room door, Ken presses a button to receive his food. He also shows that he has a little over 70 seconds to accept the delivery from the robot. After receiving his food, he clicks another button to close its container.

Watch the video of the robot here:

This video was shared a while ago on social media. Since being posted, it has gained more than three lakh likes. The share also has numerous likes and various comments. Many people shared mixed reactions on the post. While someone mentioned that the robot looks 'cute,' another said it is 'creepy'. (Also Read: Woman Robot Astronaut 'Vyommitra' to be launched this year before ISRO's Gaganyaan mission)

Check out how people reacted to the robot:

An individual wrote, "How cutely it was standing with the order."

A second said, "Not cool. Creepy."

"What if a stranger in the elevator opens it and takes the food?" commented a third.

A fourth added, "Hahaha, I saw this too during my business exchange in China. It's a similar-looking robot, but the one I saw had a cute smiley face."

"I think I stayed there too, Ken. It looks very familiar, and my hotel had the same cute robots," posted a fifth.
Israel launched air strikes near Lebanon's eastern city of Baalbek Monday killing one person, a security source said, the second raid in the region since cross-border hostilities began after the Gaza war. This picture taken from a position in northern Israel shows Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system intercepting rockets fired from south Lebanon(AFP)

Since October 8, the day after the war broke out in the Gaza Strip, Hamas ally Hezbollah and its arch-foe Israel have exchanged near-daily fire.

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Strikes have largely remained confined to border regions, but several have hit Hezbollah positions further north in recent weeks, raising fears of a full-blown conflict.

"Israeli aircraft targeted a former Hezbollah building near Dar Al Amal Hospital" a security source told AFP, adding that Israel "conducted another raid on a warehouse west of Baalbek".

The strikes killed one person and injured six others, he added.

The governor of the Baalbek-Hermel region Bachir Khodr also said a man had been killed in the strikes near Baalbek in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Another security official confirmed the strikes, without mentioning casualties.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli air strikes on two locations, including the strike on the warehouse.

The NNA also reported Israeli raids "targeting a residential building in the town of Ansar... south of Baalbek".

"Fire and plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the targeted location," the NNA added.

The city of Baalbek in the Bekaa valley is a Hezbollah bastion, bordering Syria.

On February 26, Israeli strikes targeted Baalbek, some 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the border, killing two Hezbollah members in the deepest such raid into Lebanese territory since the hostilities began.

Hezbollah has repeatedly said that it will only stop its attacks on Israel with a ceasefire in Gaza.

But Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said recently that any truce in Gaza would not change Israel's goal of pushing Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon, by force or diplomacy.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October at least 316 people, mainly Hezbollah fighters, and 53 civilians have been killed in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally.

In Israel, at least 10 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed.
Google Doodle on Monday celebrated the flat white, an espresso-based beverage believed to have originated in Australia and New Zealand. March 11 signifies the date when flat white was officially included in the Oxford English Dictionary in 2011. Google Doodles are spontaneous and temporary alterations to the Google logo to honour various local and global subjects. (Google Doodle)

Although the origins of flat white coffee have spurred intense debate, both Australia and New Zealand claim to have pioneered the beverage in the 1980s. The exact origin remains ambiguous, with indications suggesting that the flat white likely developed independently in both nations.

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Google Doodles are spontaneous and temporary alterations to the Google logo to honour various local and global subjects such as holidays, significant dates, and influential figures who have left a mark on society.

Doodles come in different forms like pictures, animations, slideshows, videos, and games, providing diverse and engaging experiences for users.

Flat white

The flat white, a cherished coffee beverage consisting of steamed milk poured over a shot of espresso, is believed to have emerged on the menus of Sydney and Auckland in the 1980s.

Quoting a food historian, The Washington Post report suggested that the term likely originated from Australia's naming conventions for coffee drinks. In this context, a standard espresso is termed a short black, a larger version with hot water added is called a long black and a coffee with added milk is referred to as a flat white.

A flat white is created by blending micro-foamed milk with either a single or double shot of espresso. (Shutterstock)

How is it made?

A flat white is created by blending micro-foamed milk with either a single or double shot of espresso. This micro-foam, formed by aerating steamed milk, enhances the beverage's smooth texture and creamy taste.

The perfect consistency and texture require meticulous steaming and pouring methods, which are essential in preparing this beverage.

Flat white vs Latte

While both a flat white coffee and a latte are espresso-based beverages, they possess distinct differences. One notable contrast lies in their serving sizes.

The preferred cup size for a flat white is a 160-165ml tulip cup, considerably smaller than the glasses typically utilised for lattes and cappuccinos.

This variance affects the coffee-to-milk ratio, subsequently influencing the flavour profile. Due to its compact nature, a flat white features a higher coffee-to-milk ratio than a latte. Consequently, the espresso in a flat white tends to have a stronger taste despite using the same quantity as in a latte. Lattes, on the other hand, dilute the espresso more.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Monday called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval (X/ @IsraeliPM)

The meeting also focused on efforts to release hostages and provide humanitarian assistance.

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Taking to social media platform 'X', Israeli PM office said, "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and updated him on recent developments in the fighting in the Gaza Strip. The sides also discussed the effort to release the hostages and the issue of humanitarian assistance."

"The Director of the National Security Council, the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Advisor and the Indian Ambassador to Israel also participated in the meeting," Israeli PMO said.

Earlier, Netanyahu on Sunday reiterated his stand to begin military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, stating that Israel wants to ensure that an attack similar to October 7 won't happen again, as reported by CNN.

"We'll go there. We're not going to leave. You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is? That October 7 doesn't happen again. Never happens again. And to do that, we have to complete the destruction of the Hamas terrorist army," he said.

Netanyahu said the operation would not last more than two months but did not provide specifics on the timeline.

The Israeli PM also defended his policies in the Gaza Strip and responded to US President Joe Biden's remark that the Israeli leader is "hurting Israel more than helping."

"I don't know exactly what the president meant, but if he meant by that, that I'm pursuing private policies against 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 an interview with Politico and German media outlet Bild, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, the Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, said the militant group is still open to continued mediated talks with Israel after the sides failed to reach a truce agreement before Ramadan.

But he also insisted that a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the withdrawal of all Israeli forces is the only way forward to an agreement, CNN reported.

"We have established the most important principle for reaching an agreement, which is a comprehensive ceasefire and an end to the war on Gaza, the complete withdrawal of the occupation army from all the territory of the Gaza Strip," Haniyeh said in a televised speech Sunday.
J.K. Rowling has landed in controversy yet again with a Mothers Day post on X. Mothers Day was celebrated in the UK on March 10. J.K. Rowling has landed in a controversy again with Mother's Day post (REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo)(REUTERS)

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, Rowling wrote.

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Does it make you feel big and powerful to make fun of LGBTQIA+ people?

Angry X users flocked to the comment section to blast her. Why are you like this? All your money, creativity to be like this? one user wrote. Does it make you feel big and powerful to make fun of LGBTQIA+ people? one user said, while another wrote, You're making it sound silly on purpose. You could have just said "happy uterus having day and also non uterus having day, excluding those who have uteruses but do not identify with the others who have uteruses instead identifying with SOME of those who don't have uteruses". Ez One said, It makes me so saddened to read remarks like this.

I say this with all disrespect intended but your place in history wont be writing childrens books, said one user. Another wrote, bet you spent more time on this tweet than the fantastic beasts: the crimes of grindelwald script. Phewwwwwww. As an author, do you understand the term "Self-defeating"? If there is anything you're the "queen" of, it's self-defeat, one user wrote, while another said, Why do you have to insult and mock a group of people who have so much else to deal with and who have to fight for acceptance in society every day? Using Mothers Day for this is really sickening.

So let's just say

After the backlash, Rowling took to X again to hit back. 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.
Social media users are shocked after a number of major news outlets withdrew an image that was released by Kensington Palace showing Kate Middleton and her children, alleging that the photo had been manipulated. This photo was the first that was officially released after Kate underwent abdominal surgery in January. Social media has also been abuzz with speculations about her health and whereabouts. Netizens call themselves Sherlock Holmes after Kate Middleton photo row sparks speculations (Anthony Upton/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo)(via REUTERS)

In the image, which was released on Sunday, March 10, Kate thanked the public for their support. She marked Mothers Day in the United Kingdom with the photo.

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What was wrong with the photo?

According to the Associated Press, at closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image. Agence France-Presse said they withdrew it due to an editorial issue.

It has come to light that this handout photo issued by Kensington Palace today of the Princess of Wales and her kids had been altered and therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems, the agency wrote in a note to clients.

Both AP and Reuters said the sleeve of Kates daughter Charlotte was an area that showed evidence of manipulation, adding that the image was altered. The issue was not elaborated on.

Last month, Kensington Palace shut down specualtions concerning Kate's whereabouts. Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the princess recovery and wed only be providing significant updates, a spokesperson reportedly said at the time. The guidance in January stands that the Princess would be recuperating at home in Windsor."

What is social media saying?

An X user who claimed to be involved in photography pointed out parts of the image that appeared to be altered. I wasnt in on this whole conspiracy about Kate Middleton missing and the royals covering it up until they dropped this obviously fake photo today to appease public concern. I do photography, and work with post processing/editing a lot  here are just a few unexplainable issues, the user wrote.

Someone commented, I was convinced this image was real until someone posted a close up of the sleeve earlier today. There is no explanation for it other than photoshop. Exactly even amateur photographer can see the skirt and sleeve part is distorted, another wrote. One user said, For the folks saying whats up with the image, for people that work in the graphics industry, these retouching errors jump out by a country mile. Is not making something out of nothing. Some also noted that the 42-year-old was not wearing her wedding ring.

Take a look at some more reactions on X:
With no end to fighting sight, Palestinians in Gaza began fasting Monday for the holy month of Ramadan as hunger worsens across the strip and pressure grows on Israel over the growing humanitarian crisis. Decorations for Ramadan at a temporary camp for displaced Palestinians west of Deir al-Balah, Gaza, (Bloomberg)

The United States, Qatar and Egypt had hoped to broker a cease-fire ahead of the normally joyous month of dawn-to-dusk fasting that would include the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of a large amount of humanitarian aid. However, the cease-fire talks stalled last week.

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Gaza's Health Ministry said the bodies of 67 people killed by Israeli strikes were brought to hospitals over the past 24 hours, bringing the Palestinian death toll to more than 31,112 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 war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostage. Hamas is still believed to be holding around 100 captives.

Five months of war have forced around 80 per cent of Gaza's 2.3 million people from their homes and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine.

GERMAN LEADER CALLS FOR NEW, LONGER CEASE-FIRE AND MORE AID FOR GAZA

Berlin  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is calling for a new and longer humanitarian cease-fire and says that more humanitarian aid must reach Gaza.

Germany is a staunch ally of Israel and has repeatedly expressed its solidarity with the country in its war against Hamas. But it has pressed for better aid supplies and for an eventual two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

More humanitarian aid must reach Gaza and that is our clear call to Israel, which has every right to defend itself against Hamas, Scholz said Monday at a news conference with Malaysia's prime minister.

He added that we don't think a ground offensive on Rafah is right.

The German leader said that an important step now would be a cease-fire that lasts longer, ideally during Ramadan already.

The United States, Qatar and Egypt had hoped to broker a cease-fire ahead of Ramadan that would include the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of a large amount of humanitarian aid, but the talks have stalled.

UN CHIEFS CALLS ON ISRAEL AND HAMAS TO SILENCE THE GUNS'

United Nations  The United Nations chief is urging Israel and Hamas to honor the spirit of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan by silencing the guns and to show compassion by releasing all hostages seized by the militant group during its attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters that Monday marks the start of Ramadan when Muslims around the world celebrate and spread the values of peace, reconciliation and solidarity.

Yet, in Gaza, the killing, bombing and bloodshed continue, he said, with civilian killings and destruction in the territory at a level that is unprecedented in his more than seven years as secretary-general.

He warned that Israel's threatened assault on the southern city of Rafah where over a million Palestinians have sought safety could plummet the people of Gaza into an even deeper circle of hell.

Guterres said life-saving humanitarian assistance is only entering Gaza in trickles, and in the Ramadan spirit he also called for the removal of all obstacles so food and other aid can be delivered with speed and on a massive scale.

The eyes of the world are watching. The eyes of history are watching. We cannot look away, said the U.N. chief, who has been calling for a humanitarian cease-fire for months. We must act to avoid more preventable deaths.  Desperate civilians need action  immediate action.
The Kremlin on Monday said a call by Pope Francis for talks to end the Ukraine war was "quite understandable", but NATO's boss said now was not the time to talk about "surrender". Workers built a concrete dugout as part of a system of new fortifications, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region.(REUTERS)

Pope Francis said in an interview recorded last month that Ukraine should have "the courage of the white flag" to negotiate an end to a conflict that has killed tens of thousands.

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As the West grapples with how to support Ukraine and the prospect of a sharp change in U.S. policy if Donald Trump wins November's presidential election, Putin has essentially offered to freeze the battlefield along its current front lines, a premise Ukraine rejects.

"It is quite understandable that he (the pope) spoke in favour of negotiations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He said President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly said Russia was open to peace talks:

"Unfortunately, both the statements of the pope and the repeated statements of other parties, including ours, have recently received absolutely harsh refusals."

Russia says it sent its troops across the border in February 2022 in a "special military operation" to ensure its own security. Kyiv and the West call it a brutal colonial-style war of conquest.

Moscow's offers to negotiate have invariably been predicated on Kyiv giving up the territory that Moscow has seized and declared to be part of Russia, amounting to more than a sixth of Ukraine.

Peskov said Western hopes of inflicting a "strategic defeat" on Russia were "the deepest misconception", adding: "The course of events, primarily on the battlefield, is the clearest evidence of this."

But NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said negotiations that would preserve Ukraine as a sovereign and independent nation would only come when Putin realised that he would not win on the battlefield.

"If we want a negotiated, peaceful, lasting solution, the way to get there is to provide military support to Ukraine," he told Reuters at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Asked if this meant now was not the time to talk about a white flag, he said: "It's not the time to talk about surrender by the Ukrainians. That will be a tragedy for the Ukrainians."

He added: "It will also be dangerous for all of us. Because then the lesson learned in Moscow is that when they use military force, when they kill thousands of people, when they invade another country, they get what they want."

Ukraine on Sunday rebuffed Francis's call to negotiate an end to the war. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the pontiff was engaging in "virtual mediation" and his foreign minister said Kyiv would never capitulate.

Zelenskiy, who signed a decree in 2022 ruling out talks with Putin, said last week that Russia will not be invited to a peace summit due to be held in Switzerland.

(Reporting by Reuters;Editing by Andrew Osborn and Kevin Liffey)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday the situation for his troops was improving having "halted" Russian advances on the front, as Kyiv rejected Pope Francis's suggestion to negotiate with Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky(AFP)

More than two years since Russia launched its invasion, Kyiv has faced mounting pressure on the front line in recent months, losing ground to Moscow amid hold-ups to Western aid from its biggest ally Washington.

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But on Monday, Zelensky told French broadcaster BFM TV, "The Russian advance has been halted."

"Our command, our military has stopped the Russian advance in eastern Ukraine," he said.

His comments followed anger over a suggestion by Pope Francis at the weekend that "the strongest are those who see the situation, think about the people and have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate".

The pope's comments to Swiss broadcaster RTS sparked a furore and met with sharp criticism from Germany, as well as Kyiv.

On Monday, the Ukrainian foreign ministry summoned the Vatican's envoy, Visvaldas Kulbodas, in response to tell him Kyiv was "disappointed with the words of the Pontiff".

The ministry said the Catholic leader's words "encourage them (Russia) to further disregard international law."

The Ukrainian leader also said that troops were in the process of building "over 1,000 kilometres (621 miles)" of fortifications.

"When we talk about fortifications, we're talking about an ongoing process," Zelensky said. "We're not talking about a few kilometres, or hundreds of kilometres, but more than 1,000 kilometres of construction."

He called it a "complex task."

"They must be solid and resistant to changes in the climate (...) but also resistant to whatever military hardware is used against these defensive lines," he said.

'Clear and courageous

In contrast to the Pontiff's calls, Poland made an appeal to NATO allies to up their spending on defence in response to Russia's aggression.

"I want to propose in the near future... that NATO members decide together that the alliance requirement will be to spend not two percent, but three percent of GDP on defence," Polish President Andrzej Duda told reporters Monday.

Poland already spends around four percent.

Duda said NATO must give a "clear and courageous response to Russian aggression".

"This response will consist of increasing the military capacity of the North Atlantic Alliance," he added.

Hold-ups to Western aid -- mainly a crucial $60-billion package from the United States -- have left Ukraine's troops in a vulnerable position, forced to ration ammunition and unable to mount large-scale offensives.

Despite this, Zelensky said Monday: "I can give you this fresh piece of information: The situation is now much better than during these past three months."

In reference to a comment by French President Emmanuel Macron, who last month said that sending French troops to Ukraine was not ruled out, Zelensky said: "As long as Ukraine holds, the French army can stay on French territory".

As tensions remain high over aid to Kyiv, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that former US president Donald Trump told him during a meeting that he would "not give a penny" to the war in Ukraine.

Orban -- the only EU leader to have maintained ties with the Kremlin since Russia invaded Ukraine -- travelled to Florida on Friday to meet his "good friend" Trump. He has frequently expressed hope for the Republican's return to power.

Speaking to public broadcaster M1 late Sunday, Orban said the two men spoke about Ukraine during their Friday meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, and that Trump had "quite detailed plans on how to end this war", declining to elaborate.

Trump's team did not comment on the claim.
Ukraine on Monday summoned the Vatican's envoy to Kyiv after Pope Francis suggested the country should consider raising "the white flag" against Russia, causing fury in Kyiv. Pope Francis (AP)

Ukraine has angrily rejected Pope Francis's suggestion to negotiate with Russia two years after its invasion, vowing "never" to surrender to Moscow.

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"Due to the statements of Pope Francis the Apostolic Nuncio was invited to the ministry of foreign affairs of Ukraine," the ministry said on social media, using the term for a Vatican diplomat.

It added that the envoy, Visvaldas Kulbodas, was told Kyiv was "disappointed with the words of the Pontiff regarding the 'white flag'."

The ministry said the Catholic leader's words "encourage them (Russia) to further disregard international law."

"The head of the Holy See should have sent signals to the international community about the need to immediately unite forces to ensure the victory of good over evil, as well as appealed to the attacker, not the victim," it added.

The 87-year-old pontiff had said in an interview aired over the weekend: "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."

The comments fuelled anger in Kyiv -- not the first time the country has been angered by the Pope's comments during Russia's two-year invasion.
Liz Hardaway is a breaking news reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

She was a Hearst fellow in Connecticut and at the San Antonio Express-News where she covered city hall and local issues. She also worked at the Sun Newspapers in Southwest Florida as a general assignment reporter covering politics, business, and health.

Liz graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2018 with a B.A. in journalism. She enjoys cooking, reading and playing with her dachshund, Finn.
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.
All five passengers aboard a private jet were killed during a failed emergency landing on Sunday. The twin-engine IAI Astra 1125 crashed and burst into flames near a small airport in rural Virginia. The victims included the pilot, three adults, and a child, the Virginia State Police said in a statement. Their identities haven't been revealed yet. Emergency crew work at the site of a business jet crash in Hot Springs, Bath County, Virginia, U.S. March 10, 2024(via REUTERS)

The deadly crash occurred at around 3 pm local time near Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County's Hot Springs area, which is about 160 miles northwest of Richmond, per the Associated Press.

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A spokesman for the state police revealed that the plane caught fire upon impact. Sergeant Rick Garletts stated in an email on Sunday evening that investigators were working to confirm the plane's origin and destination. The crash site was small, and everything was burnt, making the tail numbers unidentifiable.

The state police were working with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board to try to identify the flight details and the occupants, Garletts added, per the outlet.

A statement by the FAA statement provided no preliminary information on the circumstances of the crash but revealed that the agency and the NTSB are investigating the accident.

According to Jeff Ford, the chairman of the Airport Authority, the plane involved in the crash did not belong to Bath County. Officials suspect that the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing, but the plane ran short of the runway and ultimately crashed into a nearby hillside. It is reported that the plane hit several trees before the crash occurred.

Hot Springs Fire and Rescue, Falling Spring Fire Department, and Clifton Forge Fire and Rescue crews shortly extinguished the fire, the outlet further adds. As the investigation is underway, all Route 703 roads near the airport will remain closed until further notice.
The 96th Academy Awards is now in full swing. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, Hollywoods most exciting night is here with Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer bagging as many as 13 nominations. Elon Musk mocked for comparing the Oscars to a woke contest (REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo)(REUTERS)

As social media celebrates the event and the victories on X, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk appears to be quite unhappy. Musk, over the weekend, shared several posts to express his disdain for the Oscars, snubbing the event online.

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In one of his latest posts, Musk wrote, Winning an Oscar now just means you won the woke contest.

Cambridge Dictionary says the word woke means being "aware, especially of social problems such as racism and inequality. However, Musk previously said that "wokeness" intends to make "comedy illegal."

In the same thread, Musk wrote, When an award is diluted, everyone knows, including those who received it, and it no longer commands respect.

Youre just upset youll never win one

Social media users mocked Musk in the comment section, with one user saying, Youre just upset youll never win one. Most watched documentary of the year and zero chance theyd ever consider a nomination for our documentary because we arent woke, one user said, while another wrote, did not know this probably because its wrong. Youre not spoiling my excitement . I want to see Lily get an Oscar and if she doesnt its still exciting to see her up there . And I will be happy for all of them youre just a spoil sport so full of disapproval for everything not MAGA, one wrote.

Oppenheimer is woke? Dude, what are you on about, one user said, while another write, You think if Oppenheimer wins its because its woke? Let us not turn X into a conspiracy theory social network. Winning an Oscar isn't about being 'woke'; it's about being the best. As the industry's standards evolve, so do the winners - those who push boundaries, provoke thought, and excel in their craft, one user said.
Kate Middleton recently made a comeback post-surgery, posing alongside her children in a new family portrait. However, the picture was soon taken down by major news and picture agencies like AP and Reuters, alleging that it was badly manipulated. In the photo, earlier shared on Instagram, The Princess of Wales, who returned from her abdominal surgery, can be seen smiling alongside her three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. However, keen viewers found something wrong with the picture, leading press agencies to stop distribution. Kate Middleton poses alongside her three children in latest picture (Instagram)

Kate Middleton's Mother's Day photo faces manipulation accusation

Also read: The Boy and the Heron wins Oscars: Where to watch Hayao Miyazaki last animated feature

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On Sunday night, several news outlets that had posted the photo, which was released by the Palace to announce the return of the princess, removed it. The image appeared to have been manipulated or possibly artificial intelligence-generated. In the picture, the 42-year-old was smiling at the camera during an outdoor photoshoot, surrounded by her three children, capturing a picture-perfect moment.

Major editing fail on Princess Charlottes hand

As soon as the photo began circulating on social media, it didnt take long for people to point out that something was amiss. In the photo, Charlotte appears to have lost a portion of her hand. Internet image specialists and picture experts found a hole in the inside of Charlottes left arm, close to her wrist. Where one would expect to see a section of her pink cardigan, there's just empty space before the knitted garment continues covering her arm.

Also read: Meghan Markle asked to rise above after cyber-bullying claims, compared to Kate Middleton

Associated Press, Getty Images, Reuters, and AFP were among the international news agencies that immediately deleted the picture from their archives, alleging claims of image tampering. Kensington Palace hasn't said anything about it. In the meanwhile. Anyone utilizing the image received a "kill notification" from AP. As per People, the Associated Press wrote an alert to the journalists saying  after closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image. No replacement photo will be sent.

No comment from Kensington Palace tonight after at least 3 international pictures agencies refuse to distribute this mornings photo of Kate and her children, ITV Royal reporter Chris Ship wrote on X.
Mia Schem, the former Israeli hostage who spent 50 days in Hamas captivity following October 7 attack, was seen at Elton Johns party for the Oscars in Los Angeles last night. Freed hostage Mia Schem attended Elton John AIDS Foundation's 32nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 10, 2024 in West Hollywood, California (Anna Webber / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Schem was invited to the United States along with her family to share her captivity experience and to campaign for the release of the remaining hostages.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Last week, the 21-year-old French Israeli tattoo artist attended President Joe Bidens State of the Union address and expressed gratitude to the US government for its support to the people of Israel amid the ongoing war.

Also Read: Biden concerned over Gaza deaths, avers Netanyahu doing more harm than good to Israel

What was special about Mia Schem's Oscars party dress?

At the annual 32nd Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, Schem was pictured sporting a white gown with a yellow rhinestone ribbon pin to spread awareness about the hostages still held in Gaza, Daily Mail reported.

She is still wearing a black thick cast after being shot in the arm following Hamas' catastrophic strike on Israel. She underwent a surgery while being held in Gaza and was released as a part of a week-long truce in November.

Mia Schem narrates harrowing experience in Hamas captivity

Schem first hit headlines when she was seen in a propaganda video issued by Hamas. In the video, she was heard praising the terrorists for treating her injured arm.

Hi, I'm Mia Schem, 21-years-old from Shoham. Currently, I'm in Gaza. I was seriously injured in my hand. I underwent surgery on my arm at the hospital for three hours, she said in the clip.

She further stressed that Hamas was providing her all the care required, including medicines on time.

Also Read: Biden heckled by pro-Palestine supporter during Georgia campaign, Youre a dictator too genocide Joe

However, Schem changed her stance after her release and blasted Hamas for treating her like an animal in a zoo.

She also described how she went through hell after Hamas kidnapped her from the Supernova music festival.

Schem stated that she was held in a cramped room with six or seven other individuals and was only given one piece of pita bread every day. She expressed guilt over the other hostages she left behind.

As a part of its deal with Israel, Hamas released over 100 hostages during a week-long ceasefire in November.
A student from Hazelwood East High School suffered critical injuries after she was brutally beaten by a black teen, sparking calls to end an anti-White agenda in the United States. Missouri girl was admitted to a nearby hospital with severe head injuries.(X@@libsoftiktok)

According to the St. Louis County Police Department, the brawl took place on Friday at the intersection of Norgate and Claudine drives near campus.

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A disturbing video that went viral on X (formerly Twitter) shows a massive brawl involving numerous school kids, in which a black woman repeatedly beats a white girl in the head before smashing her skull into the pavement.

In the video, the Missouri girl can be seen trembling on the ground with hardly any help from the people standing around her. She was admitted to a nearby hospital with severe head injuries and authorities on Sunday confirmed that she is still in critical condition.

Also Read: Shocking video shows brawl breaking out in North Carolina school, student stabs peer to death

Police arrest suspect on assault charges

Meanwhile, police have arrested a 15-year-old suspect, Maurnice Declue, on the charges of assault. The accused is being held at a local jail.

Realstlnews has identified the victim as Kailee. However, the authorities have neither disclosed the age of victim, nor they have revealed why the fight occurred and how many people were involved.

Following the incident, the Hazelwood School District raised its voice against bullying and fighting in the community, stressing that it is a tragedy anytime children are hurt.

The Hazelwood School District offers our sincerest condolences to everyone involved, and will offer additional emotional support from our support and crisis team to those in need. We look forward to continuing to partner with our community for the sake of our children, it said in a statement, as per Fox News.

After reviewing the horrific video, James Clark, the Urban League's vice president of Public Safety and Community Response, expressed deep concerns over surge in teen violence incidents and stressed on need for intervention.

"That's a glimpse into the mentality and the culture of our young people today," he said, according to KSDK news.

Also Read: Las Vegas teen's murder: 8 high school students arrested, face murder charges

Hazelwood School incident sparks DEI debate, calls to end anti-White agenda

According to Libs of TikTok, the Hazelwood East High School received a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) award in 2022. However, only 5 percent of pupils are proficient in Math, and only 21 percent are proficient in reading.

Following the post, netizens on X blasted DEI programs with one user commenting, I will end DEI in Missouri, when I become Secretary of State.

Won a DEI awardWell at least theyve included all the diversified failures in their shared disaster, another wrote.

Some other X users chastised the US over providing billions to Ukraine in aid, while others demand an end to anti-white agenda

This school district is terrible maybe we should give another 60billion to Ukraine, third user commented.

The fourth chimed in, Its also 97% black and 1.4% white. The white families need to get their kids the hell out of there, sadly. The anti-white agenda must end!

Some netizens even wondered, if anyone will riot for the white girl who was murdered in this video?

DEI initiatives, which recently come under fire following Claudine Gay's resignation as president of Harvard, can be found in schools and government agencies, aiming to address disparities against groups that have historically been excluded within an institution.
The Body Shop, a UK-based cosmetics company, has recently filed for bankruptcy in the United States and Canada. The company, which was founded in 1976, has shut down all US operations and dozens of stores in Canada. Earlier this month, the company said in a press release that its US subsidiary is no longer effective, and 33 out of its 105 Canadian stores will begin liquidation sales immediately. The Body Shop is shutting down its entire US operations and closing multiple stores in Canada(REUTERS)

Why is The Body Shop shutting down in the US?

Despite having around 3,000 stores worldwide, The Body Shop has faced numerous setbacks in the past few years. In 2023, the company announced that it was near bankruptcy in the UK due to poor Christmas sales. In the statement released March 1, the company announced that its US subsidiary, The Body Shop US Limited, has ceased operations.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Which Canadian stores are being closed?

The Body Shop further revealed in the statement that it is currently undergoing restricting procedures in Canada and will shut down 33 of its stores. All of The Body Shop Canada's 105 store locations are currently open for business, however online sales via Canada's ecommerce store will stop and certain stores noted below will close in the near term, the statement added.

The following Canadian stores will be closed:

Bayview Village (Toronto)

Lawson Heights (Saskatoon)

Rideau Centre (Ottawa)

Carlingwood Mall (Ottawa)

Lloyd Mall (Lloydminster)

Semiahmoo (White Rock)

Cataraqui Town Centre (Kingston)

Londonderry Mall (Edmonton)

Shoppers Mall (Brandon)

Champlain Place (Dieppe)

Lynden Park Mall (Brantford)

Stone Road Mall (Guelph)

Corner Brook Plaza (Corner Brook)

Mayflower Mall (Sydney)

Sunridge Mall (Calgary)

Cornwall Centre (Regina)

McAllister Place (Saint John)

The Centre (Saskatoon)

Dufferin Mall (Toronto)

Medicine Hat Mall (Medicine Hat)

The Shops at Don Mills (Toronto)

Fairview Park Mall (Kitchener)

Midtown Plaza (Saskatoon)

Timmins Square (Timmins)

Hillside Shopping Centre (Victoria)

Park Place (Lethbridge)

Toronto Pearson Term. 1 (Toronto)

Lambton Mall (Sarnia)

Place d'Orleans (Orleans)

Truro Mall (Truro)

Lansdowne Place (Peterborough)

Queen Street East (Toronto)

Village Green (Vernon)
Amid escalating violence and a state of emergency in Haiti, the U.S. military conducted an operation to airlift non-essential embassy personnel from the country. The move follows the surge in gang violence, posing a significant threat to the government and prompting mass displacements. 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)(AP)

Earlier this month, armed gangs scripted jailbreaks from Haiti's two largest prisons and demanded the resignation of their prime minister, Ariel Henry. The Haitian leader has fled the country and is petitioning the international community for a United Nations-backed security force to step in.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The U.S. Southern Command clarified that the airlift was consistent with standard embassy security practices globally. "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 also reduced its presence temporarily due to security concerns. Reports suggest Germany and EU embassies are also evacuating staff from the island nation.

Violence erupts in Haiti: PM has fled the nation

The nationwide unrest internally displaced 362,000 Haitians and turned the Caribbean island into an environment of fear and trauma. International agencies reporting from the country state bodies lie in the streets, as armed groups have besieged the capital

The Haitian police repelled gang attacks on critical infrastructure, including the presidential palace. However, the well-armed gangs continue to target key facilities, and recent attacks on prisons allowed thousands of inmates to escape.

As the situation remains critical, Haiti is under a state of emergency, with a nighttime curfew in effect. The main port, crucial for food imports, reported looting, heightening concerns about potential food shortages. The humanitarian crisis in Haiti is exacerbated by the closure of the airport, leaving the population in a vulnerable state.

While addressing the security challenges in Haiti, the U.S. continues to support diplomatic efforts to stabilize the country and facilitate a peaceful transition. The situation highlights the urgency of addressing political instability and restoring order to prevent further humanitarian crises in the region.
Irans Vice President Ensiyeh Khazali on Sunday arrived in New York City to attend the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which will begin on Monday and last for 12 days. Ensieh Khazali, VP for Women Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, arrived in the US on Sunday to attend the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).(X@HillelNeuer)

During the session, Khazali will push for the expulsion of Israel from CSW, citing its atrocities against innocent Palestinians killed in Gaza amid the ongoing war.

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In December 2022, the UN Economic and Social Council adopted a resolution to boycott Iran from the CSW for a four-year term till 2026 in the wake of protests and calls for justice for Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died under the custody of morality police in Tehran. She was accused of not covering her head properly with scarf. Amini fell into a coma after police reportedly beaten her on the way to custody. She lost her life three days later.

Also Read: John Bolton calls on Biden administration to strike Iran directly to send more messages

Meanwhile, US netizens expressed discontent with the State Department for granting visa to Khazali and urged the Biden administration to grow a backbone and start isolating Tehran diplomatically.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Jason Brodsky, who is a policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), called the State Department decision "awful".

"Why did @StateDept grant a visa to #Irans regimes vice president for women & family affairs to attend @UN_CSW in NY after Tehran was ousted & a UN fact finding mission found that IRI committed crimes against humanity? Awful decision. #MahsaAmini," he tweeted.

Slamming Khazali for supporting child marriage and Iranian regime's suppression of its people, Brodsky said the US could have made a statement by denying her a visa.

Other netizens were quick to react to comment on Brodsky's post. One X user wrote: This is a joke. It is time to close@UN and open a comic movie theatre", while another added this just sums up the weak attitude of the Biden Admin.

Blasting the Iranian VP, a third user commented: "This is the same woman who ordered for journalist@IsobelYeung, to be detained upon an interview.

Awful decision @StateDept kick this terrorist out now! a fourth user wrote.

What's all on Ensiyeh Khazali's agenda?

After landing in the United States, Khazali told reporters that she will speak about the situation of women in Iran as well as in Israel, particularly about their conditions in Gaza. She said women in Gaza are facing bloodshed and starvation due to blockade and war crimes.

God willing we will demand the expulsion of Israel from the Commission on the Status of Women, she added, as per Mehr News Agency.

Also Read: US to impose new sanctions on Iran over support for Russia: White House

According to the UN Women website, the CSW68 is the UNs biggest annual gathering on the empowerment of women and gender equality.

The session will be conducted on the theme "Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective."
Kathy Brandel, who was murdered alongside her husband Ralph Hendry on their sailboat last month, was allegedly raped by one of the killers. The woman, 71, and her 66-year-old husband, were both from Virginia. Three escaped prisoners were accused of hijacking the American couples yacht in Grenada. Virginia woman Kathy Brandel, killed alongside her husband Ralph Hendry on their yacht in Grenada, was raped (GoFundMe)

The couple was last seen on February 18. It is presumed that the attackers killed them before tossing their bodies overboard in the Caribbean. Their boat was found anchored and deserted.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

What are the charges against the suspects?

Last week, suspects Ron Mitchell, Atiba Stanisclaus and Trevon Robertson were all charged with two counts of capital murder, and escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and two counts of kidnapping, according to police. 25-year-old Stanisclaus was also charged with one count of rape. Royal Grenada Police told the Daily Mail that the rape charge is related to an assault on Brandel.

The couples bodies have not been found. However, blood was found on the boat. The three prisoners were being held on robbery charges before they escaped and carried out the attack on the yacht.

Royal St. Vincent and Grenadines Police Force official Junior Simmons said during a press conference that officers who responded to the boat came across a scene that was consistent with signs of violence. Several items were strewn on the deck and in the cabin and a red substance that resembled blood was seen on board, Simmons said. There was no discovery of bodies on board the yacht.

We live in a world that at times can be cruel

In a heartbreaking statement, the couples children remembered them after their death. We live in a world that at times can be cruel, but its also a world of profound beauty, wonder, adventure, love, compassion, caring, and faith, they wrote in a statement, according to New York Post.

Our parents encompassed all those values and so much more. If we have learned anything from this tragic event, its that we know they left this world in a better place than it was before they were born, they added.
An empty lot at 280 Main Ave, the former location of Electric Indicator Company (ELINCO). The site is slated to be redeveloped into three buildings which will include a restaurant, a drive thru coffee shop and a mix-use retail and apartment building. Friday, March 1, 2024, Norwalk, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media The empty lot at 280 Main Ave. in Norwalk, photographed on Friday, March 1, 2024, is the former location of Electric Indicator Company. The site is slated to be redeveloped into three buildings which would include a restaurant, a drive-thru coffee shop and a mixed-use retail and apartment building. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media An empty lot at 280 Main Ave, the former location of Electric Indicator Company (ELINCO). The site is slated to be redeveloped into three buildings which will include a restaurant, a drive thru coffee shop and a mix-use retail and apartment building. Friday, March 1, 2024, Norwalk, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media The empty lot at 280 Main Ave. in Norwalk, photographed on Friday, March 1, 2024, is the former location of Electric Indicator Company. The site is slated to be redeveloped into three buildings which would include a restaurant, a drive-thru coffee shop and a mixed-use retail and apartment building. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

NORWALK  The proposed development at 280 Main Ave., where a BJs Wholesale Club was once planned, was called underwhelming by some members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, who also questioned why only three small buildings are proposed for the 5-acre site.

This is one of the few spots in the city that has yet to be developed, Nick Kantor, a Planning and Zoning member, said during the commissions preliminary review of the application Wednesday night. Its got a lot of potential. It has a lot of possibility, and we are ending with three pretty small buildings at the end of the day.

The proposal calls for three buildings on the empty lot: a mixed-use retail and residential building, a small restaurant and a drive-thru coffee shop building. Project leaders said the buildings do not have tenants lined up yet.

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In 2013, a BJ's was proposed for the site, but that application was pulled before a Zoning Commission public hearing. In 2016, the propertys current owners, Main Norwalk LLC, gained approval for a special permit to build an 85,000-square-foot big-box retail space with 13,000 square feet of retail fronting Main Avenue. This project, known as "The Village," was met with public outcry.

That approval was appealed by neighbors to the Superior Court, said attorney Elizabeth Suchy, representing Main Norwalk. That appeal was denied.

While Main Norwalks plans for The Village were approved, they have decided to put forward a new, much smaller application.

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The proposal before you today is to develop the site with three independent structures, Suchy said.

The largest building on the site would be an 18,000-square-foot, two-story retail and residential building with 10 apartments. Nine of the apartments would have two bedrooms, and one would have three bedrooms. The two smaller restaurant and coffee shop buildings would be about 2,200 square feet in size, with a second story for storage.

Various sustainable features are incorporated into this plan, including solar panels on the roof and many electric-vehicle-charging stations, Suchy said.

Increased traffic was a main concern for the residents who opposed previous plans for 280 Main Avenue.

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One main entrance and exit off Main Avenue would be constructed, and our analysis  revealed that a traffic signal for this development is not necessary, Suchy said.

The Planning and Zoning Commission decided to require another traffic study.

Traffic, when it came to the BJs site (application), was the issue for the community, recalled Louis Schulman, chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Clearly the scaling back of what is being proposed should reduce the amount of traffic it generates.

But some Planning and Zoning Commissioners questioned why the project was scaled back so much.

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Ten residential when you could have up to 133, its basically a parking lot with a couple of outbuildings, Kantor said. Im just really surprised this is the outcome,

It does seem to be underwhelming, said Richard Ronia, another commissioner.

The developers are choosing this application at the moment, Suchy said, and said the addition of the 10 housing units is nice, considering prior proposals did not include housing.

This is what is available, what the interest is, and we design and propose based upon the interest in the market, Suchy said.

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Bryan Baker, principal planner for the city, asked how the application factors in the popularity of tenants into their traffic analysis, noting that the Chick-fil-a drive-thru causes large traffic issues.

I mean if that restaurant were to become a Starbucks, for example, and that retailer become a Trader Joes, I mean Id imagine that would produce a significantly more amount of traffic than other sorts of benign retail or restaurants, Baker said.

Matthew Bruton, project engineer from BL Companies, said they based the study on the use, not the user.

Further discussion of this application is anticipated at future Planning and Zoning Commission meetings.

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Peter Navarro, a former White House advisor to former US President Donald Trump, has been ordered to report to a Miami jail on March 19 to start serving a four-month term for violating a subpoena issued by the January 6 select committee. Peter Navarro, a former advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump, has been ordered to report to a Miami jail on March 19,(Getty Images via AFP)

Dr. Navarro has now been ordered to report to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, FCI Miami, on or before 2:00PM EDT on March 19, 2024, Navarro's attorney stated in a court document, as per Politico.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Last year, Navarro was convicted of two counts of contempt of Congress one for failing to submit papers pertaining to the investigation and another for failing to appear for his testimony.

Also Read: I find it disgusting: Nancy Mace blasts George Stephanopoulos over question on Trump support and his rape case

While his lawyers are appealing to a federal appeals court to delay his sentence as he seeks to overturn his conviction, Navarro, 74, might become the first prominent adviser to Trump to serve jail term for an offense related to the plot to disrupt the 2020 election.

Accordingly, Dr. Navarro respectfully reiterates his request for an administrative stay  Should this Court deny Dr. Navarros motion, he respectfully requests an administrative stay so as to permit the Supreme Court review of this Courts denial," reads the document.

Who is Peter Navarro?

Navarro was the second former Trump aide charged of refusing to appear before the January 6 panel. In July 2022, a jury convicted Steve Bannon of ignoring a subpoena issued by the committee.

Bannon was directed to serve four months in prison, but another judge allowed him to remain free pending an appeal. Following this, he pleaded his case before a federal appeals court in November and has yet to serve any time.

US District Judge Amit Mehta, who presided over Navarro's trial, refused to let the Trump aide out of prison while the procedure for appealing is underway.

Also Read: Donald Trump blasts Joe Biden for apologizing to Laken Riley's killer: He is an illegal alien

During the trial, prosecutors claimed Navarro demonstrated "utter disregard" for the House committee's investigation.

However, Navarro in court maintained that he had a "honest belief" that Trump had invoked presidential privilege, which Mehta prohibited him from raising as a defence at trial.

His lawyers claimed in court filings that Mehta's decision "hamstrung" Navarro's case by leaving open the subject of whether a president can instruct his staff members not to appear before Congress.
While Chinese military research-survey-surveillance ship Xiang Yang Hong 3 is currently anchored at Male seaport, another sister ship Xiang Yang Hong 01 is making its way towards the Bay of Bengal for surveillance off Indias eastern seaboard. Chinese vessel Xiang Yang Hong 1.

The Marine Traffic website shows both the surveillance vessels in the Indian Ocean Region with the pro-China Muizzu government in Maldives allowing the spy ship to be docked at the Male. Since the 01 vessel does not have any listed destination, intelligence inputs indicate that the spy vessel is bound for Sri Lankan port for operational turnaround (OTR). Even though Sri Lanka declared a one-year moratorium against survey vessels last December 22, 2023, inputs indicate that the vessel may dock at Colombo seaport with Ranil Wickremesinghe government under pressure to allow the docking. Both the vessels are being monitored by the Indian Navy.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Also Read: Navy to monitor Chinese ship in Indian Ocean headed to Maldives

According to maritime security experts, the overt purpose of these vessels is to carry out hydrography and hydrological surveys for future PLA Navy submarine operations in the IOR but the presence of Chinese spy vessels off Indias eastern seaboard could also be to monitor missile firing off Balasore test range apart from picking signature of Indian nuclear ballistic missile carrying submarine based near Visakhapatnam. India at present has three nuclear-powered ballistic missile-carrying submarines with the third one currently doing deep sea trials.

Under the garb of hydrography surveys, the PLA vessels are known to pick up noise signatures of Indian submarines as well as monitor the test firing of missiles off ITR at A P J Abdul Kalam island and link the coordinates with Chinese spy satellites.

Also Read: Chinese vessel Shi Yan 6 enters Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka sends mixed signals

Even though the Chinese vessel 01 is operating in international waters, the IOR maritime situation has become complicated for India with Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu ready to play the cats paw for China, Pakistan and Turkey. After taking over as Maldivian President on November 17, 2023, Muizzu, who is a practicing Salafist, made his first trip abroad to Turkey and has now acquired Bayraktar 2 drones for patrolling the Maldivian EEZ. Given that Maldives has no past experience in operating drones, it would be taking help of Turkish armed forces stationed in the littoral nation to fly the drones.
Haiti is witnessing increasing gang violence in recent days. Armed gang members have attempted to control the main international airport, and attacked police stations and prisons. The aim is to get Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry removed. Earlier this month, Henry fled the country. He is petitioning the international community so a United Nations-backed security force can step in. Who is Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier? All about the G9 and Family gang leader in Haiti (REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol)(REUTERS)

Who has claimed responsibility for the attacks? Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier, a former elite police officer who now runs a gang federation, has been leading the ongoing unrest.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Who is Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier?

Cherizier is the leader of the infamous G9 and Family gang and has vowed to fight until Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns. I am ready to make an alliance with the devil, ready to sleep in the same bed as the devil, Cherizier told his supporters last week.

It is believed that the 47-year-old was given the nickname Barbeque because he sets many of his victims on fire. However, he says it is a moniker his mother gave him when he was a child, according to New York Post.

During an interview with the New Yorker, Cherizier had likened himself to Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a member of the Haitian national police but was expelled from the force in 2018. His expulsion came after he was accused of having ties to several heinous crimes, including murders in the La Saline slums were 71 people were killed and seven women were raped. As many as 400 homes were burned down. However, he has denied any involvement in the crimes.

Cherizier eventually took over the G9 Family. It controls several slums and streets of Port-au-Prince.

Unfortunately, Barbecue is now the most powerful man in Haiti, Judes Jonathas, an independent consultant based in Port-au-Prince, told The Guardian.

Meanwhile, the US has reportedly airlifted non-essential embassy staff from Haiti as gang violence worsened. Americans have now boosted security at their mission in Port-au-Prince.

"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.
OpenAI has brought back Sam Altman to its board and expressed "full confidence" in his leadership, undoing all the chaos of the past four months.

Altman got back following an external investigation into the ChatGPT severe stories in November.

OpenAI Reinstates Sam Altman to Board After Probe

San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company OpenAI has reinstated Sam Altman to its board. Altman, previously ousted in November, has been brought back after an external investigation into the dramatic saga. The company engaged the law firm WilmerHale to probe the circumstances that led to Altman's abrupt firing and subsequent rehiring.

Altman shared his relief at the resolution of the situation, recognizing the difficulties caused by people leaking information to damage the company. He reflected on what he had learned from the experience and expressed regret for a disagreement with a former board member, recognizing that it could have been managed more gracefully and thoughtfully.

Two board members who initially voted to terminate Altman, Helen Toner and Tasha McCauley, wished the new board success while emphasizing the importance of accountability in building potentially world-changing technology. They stressed that deception, manipulation, and resistance to thorough oversight should be deemed unacceptable.

OpenAI said not much about what happened before Altman was fired on November 17 for more than three months. The statement made on that day mentioned Altman's inconsistent communication, which was seen as a barrier to the board's duties. Altman and the board chairman, Greg Brockman, were removed from the board, with Brockman subsequently resigning as the company's president, according to Business Today.

Read Also: US Embassy in Russia Issues Alert about "Imminent" Attack in Moscow by ISIS Terrorists

OpenAI's Governance Challenges

OpenAI's varied governance structure is a major contributor to the issues that arise inside the organization. The corporation was first established as a charitable organization with the goal of creating artificial intelligence (AI) that would be beneficial to mankind in the future. However, it has now evolved into a fast expanding business that is still overseen by a nonprofit board.

The investigation concluded that the prior board acted within its discretion, determining that Altman's conduct did not warrant removal. Both Altman and Brockman were affirmed as the right leaders for the company. Following their ousting and subsequent return, Altman and Brockman did not regain their board seats, but an initial new board was formed, led by Bret Taylor. This board includes former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo.

The company OpenAI has made a pledge to make governance shifts with the intention of enhancing its governance structure, adopting new principles for corporate governance, and strengthening rules that are connected to problems of interest. In addition to this, the organization intends to establish more board committees and a whistleblower hotline that will allow for anonymous reporting.

In spite of these modifications, OpenAI is still facing continued difficulties, one of which being a lawsuit that was submitted by Elon Musk, an essential early investor and co-chair of the board. As a result of Musk's allegations that the company's essential objective was betrayed in order to pursue money, OpenAI's governance structure, research transparency, and efforts to develop artificial general intelligence have come under examination, ABC News reported.

Related Article: Trump Claps Back at Biden's Accusation That Ex-President Bowed Down to Kremlin, Says POTUS is 'Puppet' for Putin, Xi Jinping

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Russia's TASS news agency claims French President Emmanuel Macron plans to deploy 2,000 troops to Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron backed new end-of-life legislation on Sunday that would allow what he called "help to die."

France's neighbors Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands have adopted laws that allow medically assisted dying under some circumstances.

Macron Backs New 'End of Life' Bill

In 2016, the Claeys-Leonetti law on end-of-life was adopted to authorize deep sedation, but only for people whose prognosis is in jeopardy in the short term. However, France has resisted that move, partly due to pressure from the Catholic Church.

In an interview with Liberation newspaper, Macron said he preferred to refer to the new law as "help to die" rather than euthanasia or assisted suicide. He said he wanted his government to present a draft bill to parliament in May.

"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.

The president claimed that those conditions would need to be met, and a medical team would evaluate and ensure the criteria for the decision were correct.

He added that it would only affect adults capable of making the decision and whose lives are in danger in the medium term, like those with final-stage cancer. He said that family members would also be able to appeal the decision.

The bill builds on the work of a group of 184 French individuals chosen randomly to discuss the issue. Last year, the group said that 76% support allowing some assistance to die for those who want it.

Furthermore, the decision to move forward with the end-of-life legislation was made after lawmakers in France overwhelmingly voted earlier this month to enshrine the right to an abortion in the country's constitution.

Macron has worked to strengthen his image as a social reformer, with only three months until the European parliamentary elections in June. According to polls, his party is over 10 points behind the far-right Rassemblement National.

Read Also: California Woman, 96, Killed Making Birthday Cookies in Murder-For-Hire' Web' Spun by Real Estate Fraudster: Officials

Pro-Life Advocates Fight Against Euthanasia in Canada, Australia

Euthanasia gained global attention when former Dutch Prime Minister Dries van Agt and his wife, Eugene, chose to end their own lives. The Dutch Rights Forum said that the couple, who have been married for over 60 years, "died hand in hand."

In Canada, euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legal for almost ten years now after the government approved it in 2016. The Trudeau administration decided to put off plans to advance the assisted suicide program to include those suffering from mental illness after a parliamentary report said the country's health system is "not ready."

Jack Fonseca, the director of political operations for the Campaign Life Coalition, said that his group will perform a "major protest" at the Canadian Parliament this month. He said that the purpose of the protest is to send the message to the prime minister and all elected lawmakers that a three-year delay in expanding euthanasia is not good enough.

Fonseca noted that they want the government to completely and permanently abandon its plans to allow doctors to kill mentally ill patients and those who are depressed.

Related Article: Ecuador's High Court Legalizes Euthanasia in Landmark Ruling





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The SITE Intelligence Group said on Sunday that Al-Qaeda's branch in Yemen has announced the death of its leader, Khalid Batarfi.

According to the monitor service, Batarfi's body was shown in footage released by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), wrapped in a jihadist group's flag and placed in a burial shroud.

Al-Qaeda Announces Batarfi's Death

According to SITE, AQAP did not provide Batarfi's cause of death. "God took his soul while he patiently sought his reward and stood firm, immigrated, garrisoned, and waged jihad," SITE quoted an AQAP veteran as saying of Batarfi in the nearly 15-minute video.

In February 2020, AQAP declared that Batarfi had taken over as its commander after Qassim al-Rimi, the group's previous leader, was killed in a US drone strike in Yemen.

The US has recognized Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch as the most dangerous faction of the global jihadist network. In 2018, the State Department designated Batarfi a "global terrorist."

SITE said the group has appointed Saad bin Atef Al-Awlaki as its new chief. Al-Awlaki was last seen in a video that was aired on February 23 urging Sunni tribesmen to join AQAP.

The Sunni extremist group thrived in the instability of war since 2014 between Yemen's Saudi-backed government and Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Furthermore, AQAP has conducted operations against both government and Houthi forces in Yemen.

It has also carried out assaults overseas, including the 2015 attack on the offices of the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo and the 2019 mass shooting at a US naval station in Florida, in which a Saudi Air Force officer killed three American sailors.

Read Also: US House to Vote on TikTok Crackdown Bill Next Week; Lawmakers Poised for Approval

Suspected AQAP Attack in Yemen Kills 5 Fighters

An attack in southern Yemen has killed at least five militants loyal to a secessionist group in the recent assault blamed on an affiliate of Al-Qaeda.

Southern Transitional Council's spokesman, Mohammed Al-Naqib, said the attack occurred on Tuesday in Wadi Omran in the province of Abyan, which also injured four militants from the Southern Armed Forces.

The United Arab Emirates supports the separatist council, which controls most of southern Yemen. It is at odds with the internationally recognized government, as it advocated the independence of the region originally South Yemen, which joined North Yemen to establish the Republic of Yemen in 1990.

According to Al-Naqib, the attackers employed rocket-propelled grenades and mortars in their escape and are being hunted down in a mountainous region between Abyan and the nearby province of Bayda.

No group claimed responsibility for the ambush. However, it had the hallmarks of Yemen-based AQAP.

STC-affiliated forces and alleged AQAP fighters engaged in combat in the region of Shabwa last month, and at least two STC fighters and one AQAP fighter were killed.

Related Article: Jalal Baleedi: U.S. Drone Strike Kills Al-Qaeda Chief In Yemen (BREAKING, PHOTO)



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Lara Trump, the new co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), issued a warning of prosecution for anyone found "cheating in an election."

Her remarks on social media on Sunday included talks about the priorities that she said the committee should take on. These include "protecting the vote," noting that the RNC has an election integrity division underway.

Protecting the Vote

The new RNC co-chair is married to former United States President Donald Trump's second son, Eric Trump. During the interview, she said that they need to make sure that when people go to vote, they should feel like their vote counts.

She argued that they cannot let something like what happened in 2020 happen again as well as the questions surrounding the election. Lara said that anyone who was thinking of cheating in an election would become their target, noting that they would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, according to Newsweek.

Lara was speaking with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday and she pointed to Attorney General Merrick Garland's comments made earlier this month. The latter said that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will challenge states that are implementing what he called "discriminatory, burdensome, and unnecessary restrictions on access to the ballot."

The new RNC co-chair said that the committee has three pillars that they need to focus on. The first is to emerge victorious in the Nov. 5, 2024, election. The second is to protect the vote while the third is to raise money.

Trump and his allies have repeatedly claimed that there was voter fraud in the 2020 election, adding that the race was stolen from him. However, there was no widespread evidence of any sort of fraud during that particular election.

Lara also noted that they currently have 78 lawsuits out in 23 states across the nation that would make it easier to vote and harder to cheat. She added that every person in the United States, whether they are Democratic or Republican, should wish for free, fair, and transparent elections, said The Hill.

Read Also: Biden, Trump Hold Competing Georgia Rallies as 2024 Race Gains Steam

Lara Trump's Comments

The new RNC co-chair's comments come after she previously said that the committee needs to raise $500 million for the 2024 general election. Additionally, Lara did not rule out using the money to pay for her father-in-law's mounting legal fees.

She issued a warning that the Democratic Party was flush with cash, saying that the GOP needed a lot of funds to help the former president's re-election campaign. Her remarks were made at Trump's campaign headquarters in North Charleston.

Lara also sought to rally supporters ahead of South Carolina's Republican primary, which was held on Saturday. The former president is currently the frontrunner to become the Republican Party's presidential nominee. He could face off against President Joe Biden in the November general election.

The new RNC co-chair added that they need to make sure that people understand when they donate their money to the committee, it would be going to causes that they care about. The RNC is seen to be having a slow start this election cycle as it raised roughly $890 million during the 2020 race, according to Reuters.

Related Article: Watch: 'SNL' Parodies Katie Britt SOTU Speech with Scarlett Johansson Cameo

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A mother from Lino Lakes, Minnesota, is accused of killing her son by drowning him in a bathtub and then disposing of his body in a hotel dumpster. She is now being charged with murder.

Esperanza Rae Harding, 20, is facing charges of second-degree murder and killing in Hennepin County in connection with the death of her child.

Minnesota Mom Faces Charges for Intentionally Drowning Her Baby

A statement made by Harding said her child had passed away at the hospital on March 1 due to natural causes. An unexpected finding was made, still when the medical examiner found that the hospital records did not contain any details about the child, and the medical examiner did not have any records of the victim's existence.

In the days following the police action, Harding offered a confession that was highly disturbing. After initially saying that her child had passed away at the hospital, she later admitted that this was not what had happened.

In exchange for that, she admitted to the horrific act of drowning her son in the bathtub of a hotel in Bloomington, and then hiding his lifeless body in a backpack before disposing of it in a callous way in a dumpster located nearby, as detailed in a criminal complaint.

According to documents, Harding attributed her actions to pressures from her romantic partner, 18-year-old Edwin Trudeau, who harbored animosity towards her child. Trudeau allegedly pressed Harding to relinquish custody of her child to prove her devotion to him, compelling her into a grim choice, according to KSTP-TV.

Read Also: Biden: Netanyahu 'Hurting Israel More Than Helping' in Hamas War

Boyfriend Helped Disposing Girlfriend's Dead Child

Harding described her pain as she tried to have a bath as her child screamed in the next room, recounting the awful occurrences of February 28. With the child's fate closed off she admitted to giving in to a fit of wrath and forcing him into the bathtub as her frustration grew.

Documented discussions between Harding and Trudeau throughout the case further highlighted the extent of her horrific action. Retrieved text messages from Harding's phone show menacing warnings and self-deprecating feedback, indicating a disturbed mind trying to process the seriousness of her actions.

Following the child's demise, Trudeau purportedly arrived at the scene, futilely attempting to resuscitate the child before engaging in sexual intercourse with Harding while the child's lifeless form lay nearby. The couple then purportedly conspired to dispose of the body, with Trudeau allegedly urging Harding to maintain silence to evade repercussions.

In consideration of the allegations that he was involved in the cover-up, Trudeau is now facing charges of murder and aiding and abetting an offender. He is also accused of being involved in the terrible event. As a result of the seriousness of their suspected crimes, both Harding and Trudeau have been placed under arrest at the Hennepin County Jail. Harding's bond has been set at $1,500,000, while Trudeau's bond is set at $500,000, reflecting the severity of their respective offenses, The Kansas Star City reported.

Related Article: Baby Girl Who Was Subject of NY Amber Alert Located

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India has signed a trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) worth $100 billion and will run for 15 years,

The deal will have New Delhi lifting the majority of import tariffs on industrial products from four European countries. The economic pact was signed on Sunday and concludes nearly 16 years of negotiations between officials.

India-EFTA Trade Agreement

It also follows trade pacts made over the last two years with Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Officials said that another agreement, this time with Britain, is already in its final stages. This comes as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to boost annual exports to $1 trillion by 2030.

The agreement will have the EFTA, which comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, invest $100 billion over 15 years to support India's market of roughly 1.4 billion people. In exchange, New Delhi will, or at least partially, remove extremely high customs duties on 95.3% of industrial imports from Switzerland, excluding gold. This will happen either immediately or over time, according to Reuters.

In a statement, Norwegian Industry Minister Jan Christian Vestre said that the nation's companies that are exporting to India currently meet high import taxes of up to 40% on certain goods. He argued that with the new trade deal, they have secured nil import taxes on almost every single Norwegian good.

The trade deal also covers some new elements, including intellectual rights and gender equality. During a press conference, Goyal said that it is a modern trade agreement, adding that it is fair, equitable, and a win-win for all five countries that are involved.

The five signatories will have to ratify Sunday's deal before it can be implemented and Switzerland plans to do so by 2025. The news of the agreement comes ahead of general elections that are scheduled for May in India where Modi is seeking a record third term.

Read Also: Irish Voters Reject Referendum To Modernize Constitution on Women, Family in 'Wallops' to Government

$100-Billion Investment

The Indian trade minister also said that the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) marks a "historic milestone in our growing partnership." He added that the new deal will pave the road for mutual growth and prosperity, said Aljazeera.

Under the trade deal, Indian agricultural exporters will be able to take advantage of liberalized trade rules in the form of tariff concessions in the European bloc. Additionally, professionals will be able to take up jobs in the EFTA zone.

The deal comes as India is EFTA's fifth-largest trading partner after the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. The Ministry of Trade estimated that the two-way trade was worth roughly $25 billion last year.

While the deal marks a historic moment, the investment is not guaranteed as the funds will have to come from the private sector. The governments of the EFTA nations will act as facilitators to promote investment and will also open an office in India.

When it comes to milestones, the starting point is $10.7 billion, which is the investment level in 2022. However, there are no yearly milestones as it is unlikely that it would be linear and officials expect a lagging trade growth, according to the Indian Times.

Related Article: France's Macron To Draft Bill Legalizing 'End of Life' Options, Aims for Parliament Debate in May

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Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is calling on White House officials to condition aid that is being sent to Israel amid the Gaza war, calling the conflict an "unprecedented crisis."

The independent lawmaker said that roughly 30,000 people, two-thirds of whom are women and children, have already been killed in the war. He noted that they are looking at the possibility of hundreds of thousands of children starving to death.

Bernie Sanders Calls To Condition Israel Aid

The senator's remarks come amid a growing rift between United States President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the latter's strategy in the war. Over the years, the American government has continuously provided billions of dollars to Jerusalem and officials plan to keep supporting the nation.

When Margaret Brennan, the host of "Face the Nation," asked Sanders if it was possible for the U.S. to halt or condition aid to Israel during an election year, the lawmaker said that it would be the "right thing to do."

The senator said that the American government should not beg Netanyahu but instead tell the Israeli prime minister that he needs to change his policy if he wants more money. This could include allowing the aid trucks to come into Gaza and feed the starving children.

Sanders also noted that stopping American humanitarian aid was in violation of the law, referencing the Foreign Assistance Act. The measure restricts additional humanitarian aid if a country is found to have restricted delivery.

The situation comes after President Biden was caught on a hot mic on Thursday night where he promised to get tough with the Israeli prime minister. He told a Democratic senator after his State of the Union address (SOTU) that he was going to have a "come-to-Jesus meeting" with Netanyahu regarding the situation in Gaza.

Read Also: Biden's Support for Haiti's Unpopular Leader Criticized, 'They Rode This Horse To Their Doom

Calling Out the Israel-Hamas War

During the Sunday interview, Sanders said that the U.S. cannot be complicit in the mass slaughter of children in Gaza. The lawmaker remains insistent that the Hamas militant group must be destroyed but has also called on Biden to enforce the Foreign Assistance Act, said Politico.

Despite the senator's mounting pressure on the Biden administration, he made a case for his supporters to back the president during the general election in November later this year. It is where the Democrat is likely to have another face-off with his rival Republican, Donald Trump.

Sanders said that at the end of the day, Hamas cannot be allowed to continue to have control over Gaza, and Netanyahu should not be allowed to continue to run Israel if peace is what is desired in the region.

The situation comes as progressives have become critical of the president's handling of the Israel-Hamas war. They have launched various campaigns across the nation to vote "uncommitted" in a message to Biden regarding their diminishing support for his re-election bid.

Despite the loss of support among some progressives, who make up the majority of Sanders' base, he still urged people to vote for the Democrat in the upcoming election. He argued that while the fight continues to change Biden's policy in Gaza, the contrast between him and Trump is "day and night," according to CBS News.

Related Article: UN Expert Criticizes US Aid Policy for Gaza as 'Absurd' Amid Military Support for Israel

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Ongoing work on the new Wilton Police Headquarters. Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Wilton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media CFO Dawn Norton, left, will was Wilton's highest-paid employee in 2023, according to payroll data. Tyler Woods / Hearst Connecticut Media Wilton Police Officer Frank Razzaia elicits a smile as he hands a rose to a driver in Wilton Center. Razzaia was the town's second highest-paid employee in 2023, according to payroll data. Bryan Haeffele / Hearst Connecticut Media Town Administrator Matt Knickerbocker at Wilton Town Hall. J.D. Freda / Hearst Connecticut Media Wilton Police Chief Thomas Conlan was the seventh-highest paid employee in Wilton in 2023. Photo by Jarret Liotta Ongoing work on the new Wilton Police Headquarters. Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Wilton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

WILTON  Eight members of the town's police force ranked among the town's top 10 highest-paid employees last year, in part due to overtime.

Wilton payroll data data shows 84 town employees earned $100,000 or more in 2023. That's just over a quarter of Wilton's 315 municipal employees.

Wiltons highest paid employee in 2023 was Dawn Marie Norton, chief financial officer, who grossed $202,537.92, according to the data acquired by Hearst Connecticut Media Group through a Freedom of Information Act request.

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The data does not include school salaries. Nor does it include salaries for Wilton Library staff, who are employees of the Wilton Library Association, Inc and are not paid by the town, said Sarah Taffel, director of human resources and labor relations for the town.

First Selectwoman Toni Boucher, who assumed her duties on Dec. 1, 2023, and therefore worked only one month in 2023, earned $5,076.94 as the 184th most-paid town employee in 2023. Lynne Vanderslice, who served as first selectwoman for 11 months in 2023, earned $114,923.46  ranking 65th.

Wilton's top earners Here are Wilton's highest-paid employees in 2023: Dawn Marie Norton, chief financial officer, $202,537.92

2. Frank Andrew Razzaia, sergeant, $201,903.19

3. Matthew S. Knickerbocker, town administrator, $196,853.09

4. Arnault P. Baker, sergeant, $192,299.67

5. Malcolm A. Hayes, patrol officer, $184,745.41

6. Mark Lewis Canepari, patrol officer, $182,775.44

7. Thomas Conlan, chief of police, $179,939.39

8. Jonathan Michael Patry, patrol officer, $179,166.83

9. Eric Kenneth Patenaude, patrol officer, $177,353.76

10. Wojtek Brodzinski, patrol officer, $174,269.80 Here are the Wilton municipal employees who earned the most when overtime isn't included:



Dawn Marie Norton, chief financial officer, $202,537.92 (remains at top)

2. Matthew S. Knickerbocker, town administrator, $196,853.09 (up one)

3. Frank Andrew Razzaia, sergeant, $180,801.26 (down one)

4. Thomas Conlan, chief of police, $179,939.39 (up three)

5. Arnault P. Baker, sergeant, $174,177.77 (down one)

6. Wojtek Brodzinski, patrol officer, $171,553.28 (up four)

7. Robert Cipolla, deputy chief of police, $167,126.79 (cracks top 10)

8. Jonathan Michael Patry, patrol officer, $165,162.79 (remains at eighth)

9. Gregg Phillipson, police lieutenant, $164,034.91 (cracks top 10)

10. Malcolm A. Hayes, patrol officer, $161,049.18 (down five) Source: Town of Wilton payroll data

The town's top 10 earners were:

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1. Dawn Marie Norton, chief financial officer, $202,537.92

2. Frank Andrew Razzaia, sergeant, $201,903.19

3. Matthew S. Knickerbocker, town administrator, $196,853.09

4. Arnault P. Baker, sergeant, $192,299.67

5. Malcolm A. Hayes, patrol officer, $184,745.41

6. Mark Lewis Canepari, patrol officer, $182,775.44

7. Thomas Conlan, chief of police, $179,939.39

8. Jonathan Michael Patry, patrol officer, $179,166.83

9. Eric Kenneth Patenaude, patrol officer, $177,353.76

10. Wojtek Brodzinski, patrol officer, $174,269.80

Of the top 10 earners in 2023, eight were employed by the police department. Boucher said that much of the police departments rankings are owed to overtime.

You've got to calculate their longevity, how long they have been in that position, as well as their overtime hours, she said.

Boucher said the town salary rankings arent much of a surprise to her.

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The CFOs typically are high, she said. And we have a new town administrator that's only been in that job for just slightly over a year.

Town Administrator Matt Knickerbocker, ranking third on the top 10 salaries, joined the town of Wiltons government in fall 2022. He was previously the first selectman of Bethel.

Of all 315 town employees, 84 earned $100,000 or more, when overtime is included. Excluding overtime pay, 65 made $100,000 or more.

Town employees salaries listed in the spreadsheet show 45 percent, or 141 employees, earned overtime pay. Of those 141, 45 employees were in the police department and 24 were in the fire department.

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Of the eight top-earning police department employees in Wilton, seven earned overtime pay.

When overtime pay is excluded, the town's top earners change. They are as follows:

1. Dawn Marie Norton, chief financial officer, $202,537.92 (remains at top)

2. Matthew S. Knickerbocker, town administrator, $196,853.09 (up one)

3. Frank Andrew Razzaia, sergeant, $180,801.26 (down one)

4. Thomas Conlan, chief of police, $179,939.39 (up three)

5. Arnault P. Baker, sergeant, $174,177.77 (down one)

6. Wojtek Brodzinski, patrol officer, $171,553.28 (up four)

7. Robert Cipolla, deputy chief of police, $167,126.79 (cracks top 10)

8. Jonathan Michael Patry, patrol officer, $165,162.79 (remains at eighth)

9. Gregg Phillipson, police lieutenant, $164,034.91 (cracks top 10)

10. Malcolm A. Hayes, patrol officer, $161,049.18 (down five)

On base salary rankings alone, two patrol officers, Mark Lewis Canepari and Eric Kenneth Patenaude, no longer make the top 10. Robert Cipolla, deputy chief of police, and Gregg Phillipson rise to the seventh and ninth spots, respectively.

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Norton, the chief financial officer, remains at the top of the list. Knickerbocker, the town administrator, and Sgt. Frank Andrew Razzaia switch places. Police Chief Thomas Conlan moves up three spots into the fourth-highest salary.

Most of the police departments spots in the top 10 are occupied by patrol officers.

Wilton Police Chief Conlan said in a February Board of Selectmen meeting that overtime pay costs are high and drive the departments budget.

We're slated with 45 officers, but we only have 41 at the moment, Conlan said.

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Boucher said that officers have to fill in the departments needs.

Especially if we're down the full amount (of officers), then others have to cover for that duty, Boucher said.
The director-general of the Taiwan National Security Bureau, stated that Beijing typically sends out three to four naval ships and ten warplanes on joint patrols close to Taiwan. She described this activity as a "multi-front" effort that also involves economic pressure and a disinformation campaign to put pressure on the island.

To normalize their military activities, Tsai said the patrols were often scheduled to take place with diplomatic activities like foreign MPs visiting the island.

China's Persistent Assertiveness Amid Taiwan's Resistance

Regardless of Taiwan's strong resistance, China persists in asserting its claim over the democratically governed island. During a period of raised tensions, Taiwan's National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen disclosed China's increased military operations near Taiwan, such as common joint patrols with warplanes and naval vessels.

Tsai viewed these patrols as an aspect of a larger plan that included economic coercion and misinformation tactics with the intention of applying pressure to Taiwan. He brought attention to the intentional arranging of these patrols, which often corresponded with diplomatic activities and visits by politicians from other countries visiting Taiwan to do business.

In view of the aggressive military exercises, Tsai identified that Taipei needs to maintain constant talks with foreign partners in order to evaluate the possibility of an invasion by China. It came to their attention, however, that the tensions that exist across the Taiwan Strait have not significantly increased at the present time.

A major issue that has led to the escalation of tensions in the area is China's unwavering assertion of sovereignty over Taiwan. In addition to these accusations, Taiwan's air defense identification zones have been subjected to repeated military intrusions, which has further exacerbated the issue, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Read Also: Widow of NYC Subway Shooting Victim Set to File $28M Suit Over Photo Leaks, in Echo of Kobe Bryant Case: Report

Taipei Boosts Defense Amid Rising China Tensions

Taipei is looking at its defense tactics as part of its response to the provocations that China has been making. An assessment of the perceived danger caused by China was cited as the reason for the remarks made by Chiu Kuo-cheng, Minister of National Defense, about a boost in the frequency of missile training. It is currently considered vital to undertake these drills in order to improve Taiwan's preparation. Previously, they were carried out at certain times in order to avoid distractions.

In addition to stressing the need of increasing training, Chiu gave his word that the drills will be conducted in accordance with the laws that control the use of munitions. That said, particulars of these restrictions were not specified in any manner.

China's continued military buildup, evident in its decision to raise defense spending by 7.2 percent, underscores its unwavering commitment to bolstering its military capabilities. This move comes despite economic growth forecasts, indicating China's prioritization of military advancement.

The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense has not yet released formal statements in reaction to these recent happenings. Although knowing that tensions continue to exist between Taiwan and China, the situation continues to be constant which shows the persistent problems that are confronting the stability of the area, Big News Network reported.

Related Article: A US-Built Pier Is Coming to Gaza. But It May Be Months Before Supplies Begin to Flow

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New Zealand scientists have discovered 100 new marine species in the uncharted waters of Bounty Trough off the coast of the South Island.

The discovery was a result of the efforts of a team of 21 scientists who were hoping to find a trove of new species. The endeavor paid off as the team said on Sunday that they found 100 new species, which is a number that Alex Rogers, a marine biologist who was the leader of the expedition, said is likely to grow.

New Zealand Marine Discovery

In a statement, Rogers said that the number would grow as they work through more and more of the samples. He added that the discovery could include hundreds and not only the 100 that were already analyzed.

The expedition led to the discovery of dozens of mollusks, three fish, a shrimp, and a cephalopod, which is a type of predatory mollusk.

The efforts were led by Ocean Census, which is a non-profit that is dedicated to the global discovery of ocean life, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in New Zealand, and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, according to the New York Times.

One creature that was among the discovered species was said to have caused a "lot of head-scratching" as it was a star-shaped animal, roughly a centimeter across. Researchers have not yet managed to identify it. Rogers said that the team believes it could possibly be a type of coral.

While there are an estimated 2 million or more species that are said to live in the oceans, only about 10% of ocean life is known. It is considered crucial to understand more about aquatic life because marine ecosystems carry out functions that support life on Earth. This includes the creation of food for billions, the storage of carbon, and the regulation of the climate.

Rogers noted that they are dealing with a situation where they know that marine life is in decline. He added that in order to try to manage human activities to prevent this from continuing, they need to understand the distribution of marine life better than what is currently known.

Read Also: Photograph of Kate Middleton, Children Removed Over Concerns of 'Manipulation'

Discovering 100 New Species

Sadie Milles, a co-leader of the voyage and a NIWA marine biologist, said that the expedition showed that the Bounty Trough was flourishing with marine life. She noted that they went to a variety of different habitats and were able to discover a whole range of new species, from fish to snails, to corals and sea cucumbers, said RNZ.

Milles noted that the Ocean Census gave them the chance to explore an area of Aotearoa's deep seafloor that scientists knew very little about in the past in terms of the animals that live there. The team of scientists will spend the next three weeks sorting and describing the specimens that they collected. This is so that they can be added to the picture of Aotearoa New Zealand's marine biodiversity.

Rogers said that they chose to come to New Zealand because of its world-class marine scientists and their track record in deep ocean species discovery. He noted that the remarkable collections of species that have been identified and housed by NIWA and Te Papa are among the greatest treasures of the marine science world, according to NIWA.

Related Article: Indian Signs 15-Year, $100-Billion Deal With European EFTA Bloc

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Nvidia is facing a lawsuit filed by a trio of writers who claim that the chipmaker trained its NeMo artificial intelligence (AI) platform using their copyrighted novels without their consent.

Alleged Copyright Infringement

According to Reuters, the works of Brian Keene, Abdi Nazemian, and Stewart O'Nan were removed from the NeMo dataset last October "due to reported copyright infringement." The dataset included around 196,640 volumes that were used to train NeMo to mimic normal written language.

On Friday night, March 8, the authors argued in a federal lawsuit filed in San Francisco that the removal shows that Nvidia has "admitted" it trained NeMo on the dataset, violating their copyrights. They are requesting an undisclosed amount of money for Americans whose copyrighted works were used in the previous three years to train NeMo's large language models.

This case encompasses a number of literary works, including Ghost Walk by Keene (2008), Like a Love Story by Nazemian (2019), and Last Night at the Lobster by O'Nan (2007).

See Also: US Justice Department Warns of Tougher Penalties in AI Related Crimes

Growing Trend but With Downsides

Due to the increasing popularity of AI, Nvidia has been a darling among investors.

Nvidia is a chipmaker situated in Santa Clara, California. Its stock price has increased by about 600% since the end of 2022, valuing the company at nearly $2.2 trillion.

However, this recent lawsuit adds to the increasing number of lawsuits filed by authors, and even the New York Times writers, concerning generative AI. This sort of AI creates new material by analyzing inputs, including text, photos, and audio. NeMo is an easy and inexpensive technique for implementing generative AI, according to Nvidia.

Companies like OpenAI and its partner Microsoft, who developed the AI platform ChatGPT, have also been sued over the tech.

See Also: Nvidia, With 80% Control Of AI Chip Market, About To Overtake Apple As Second Most Valuable Company

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On Sunday, officials announced that torrential rains had triggered flash floods and a landslide on Indonesia's Sumatra island, killing at least 19 people and leaving seven others missing.

Mud, rocks, and uprooted trees descended a mountain and reached a river that burst its banks, smashing through villages in the West Sumatran province.

Landslides, Flash Floods Hit Indonesia's Sumatra Island

According to Doni Yusrizal, the head of the local disaster management organization, seven bodies had been recovered from the wreckage in the village of Koto XI Tarusa by Saturday.

On Sunday, rescuers found six more bodies in Pesisir Selatan, while three others were found in two other nearby villages.

Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency also said three more bodies were discovered in Padang Pariaman. The flash floods hurt at least two villagers.

Following the floods, over 80,000 people have fled to temporary government shelters. In nine districts and cities around West Sumatra, 20,000 residences flooded up to their roofs, which buried fourteen houses.

"Relief efforts for the dead and missing were hampered by power outages, blocked roads covered in thick mud and debris," Yusrizal said.

The extreme weather started on Thursday, and the agency has warned of potential damage from landslides and floods.

Furthermore, millions of people live in mountainous areas or near floodplains in Indonesia, where heavy rain frequently causes landslides and flash floods.

Read Also: Ryan Gosling Rocks Oscars Stage With 'I'm Just Ken' Performance With Mark Ronson, Slash at 2024 Academy Awards

Dozens Killed in Philippines' Landslides, Flash Floods

On Saturday, officials said that 50 people have died in flash floods and landslides caused by heavy rains, including in a severely affected region in the southern Philippines, where up to 60 villagers are thought to be missing after being buried in a massive mudslide filled with boulders, trees, and other debris.

Naguib Sinarimbo, the interior minister for a five-province Muslim autonomous region governed by former separatist guerrillas, reported that at least 42 people were washed away by raging floodwaters and drowned or were struck by debris-filled mudslides in three towns in Maguindanao province from Thursday night to early Friday.

According to the government's disaster response agency, tropical storm Nalgae struck the eastern province of Camarines Sur early on Saturday, killing eight people across the country.

However, the locals said that the worst storm damage to date was a mudslide that buried dozens of houses and up to 60 people in the tribal village of Kusiong in the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, Sinarimbo.

Army Lt.-Col. Dennis Almorato, who visited the area affected by the mudslide on Saturday, said that about sixty rural homes were submerged by the muddy flood. He called the mudslide "overwhelming," although he did not estimate the number of villagers who might have been buried beneath it.

Related Article: Philippines: Landslide in Davao de Oro Gold-Mining Village Kills 7, Injures 31



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In response to South Korea's major healthcare crisis, with nearly 12,000 trainee doctors from over 100 hospitals embarking on a walkout over government reform plans, the government has initiated plans to mitigate the impact of this mass strike on patient care by deploying military physicians and doctors from public health centers to the strike-hit hospitals.

As Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong announced on Sunday, the deployment would include 20 military surgeons and 138 public health doctors who will be assigned to hospitals for four weeks. Despite the deployment, the number of military physicians called upon is only a fraction of the approximately 2,400 military doctors available.

Striking Doctors Persist Despite Government Warnings

While the government has kept its stance that the walkout has not resulted in a full-blown health crisis, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Some hospitals have been forced to turn away patients, while others are experiencing delays in medical procedures.

Efforts to persuade the striking doctors to return to work have been met with limited success. Despite warnings of potential license suspension, many doctors remain steadfast in their protest against the government's reform plans.

Additionally, the government has sent notices to over 4,900 doctors, hinting at the possibility of license suspension if explanations for their absence are not provided. However, Health Minister Cho has stated that leniency will be granted to those who voluntarily return to work.

The government has also asserted its authority to mandate doctors' return to work if deemed necessary to safeguard public health.

Read Also: South Korea Grows Emergency Fund as President Takes Tougher Stance on Striking Doctors

Debate over Plans to Add Medical School Admissions

At the heart of the dispute are government plans to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 annually starting from 2025. However, striking doctors argue that simply increasing the number of medical students will not address underlying issues such as pay and work conditions.

There are concerns that the proposed reforms may exacerbate existing problems rather than resolve them. Additionally, critics have accused President Yoon Suk Yeol of using medical reforms for political gain ahead of parliamentary elections.

According to an Al Jazeera report, a study conducted last week by the Yonhap news agency revealed that 84% of participants favored hiring additional doctors, while 43% believed that physicians on strike should face harsh consequences.

The situation remains tense as both sides stand firm in their positions. The government is adamant about implementing reforms to address healthcare shortages while striking doctors continue to demand better pay and working conditions.

As the standoff persists, the immediate concern remains the welfare of patients caught in the middle of this dispute.

Related Article: South Korea Sets Deadline for Protesting Doctors to Return to Work as Walkouts Burden Hospital Operations

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Indonesian authorities are investigating the two pilots of local airline Batik Air after they were discovered to have fallen asleep for 28 minutes while on a flight.

On January 25, en route from Sulawesi to Jakarta, the two men reportedly slept off in the aircraft. They are both now suspended. Apparently, one of them was worn out from helping take care of his newborn twins.

All 153 people on board were uninjured when the Airbus A320 momentarily deviated from its intended path and landed safely.

Drifted Off While Flying

According to BBC, the 32-year-old pilot had requested his co-pilot to take over flying duties around 30 minutes after takeoff, citing a need for rest. The transport ministry said that the 28-year-old co-pilot gave his consent. However, the co-pilot also slept off unknowingly. His account states that he was assisting with childcare after his wife gave birth to twins, who were one month old at the time.

Following the final recorded communication, air traffic control in Jakarta attempted to reach out to the Batik Air A320 cockpit, but they did not get a response.

When the lead pilot finally woke up after 28 minutes of radio silence, he discovered that his co-pilot had also dozed off. Additionally, he discovered that the plane had temporarily lost its route.

The pilots safely landed the jet after responding to calls from Jakarta.

The guys were cleared to travel by medical professionals before the trip. Their vitals (heart rate, blood pressure, and alcohol levels) were checked and were all within normal ranges.

See Also: Alaska Airlines, Boeing Facing Lawsuit From 3 Passengers Over January Mid-Air Panel Blowout

Stern Warning

Batik Air has now received harsh criticism from the authorities over the event. Fox News indicated that an inquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the issue.

Maria Kristi Endah Murni, Indonesia's chief of air transport, said that Batik Air also needs to be more mindful of the crew's rest periods. Batik Air responded, saying it has a sufficient rest policy for employees and would follow all safety requirements.

In 2019, the pilot of the same airline had to make an emergency landing after fainting, according to BBC.

See Also: 5 Japanese Coast Guardsmen Dead After Plane Collides with JAL Commercial Jet

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On Sunday, Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser revealed the oil giant's intentions to expand its investments in China.

Nasser articulated that Saudi Aramco is actively exploring further opportunities in China's thriving oil market, noting its robust and expanding demand. This also comes amid a decrease in the company's profits in 2023.

Aramco's Shift Towards China

Following the release of the company's financial results, which revealed a 24.7% decline in net profit to $121.3 billion mainly due to lower oil prices, Nasser highlighted Saudi Aramco's strategic emphasis on the Chinese market during a media briefing, as reported by Reuters.

"So far we are in the early part of 2024, demand is healthy and growing in China," he remarked.

Nasser elaborated on the significance of China's refining capabilities, highlighting their advanced integration and high conversion rates.

He indicated that Saudi Aramco is currently assessing additional avenues for investment in China, reflecting the company's commitment to capitalizing on emerging opportunities.

Furthermore, Nasser expressed optimism regarding the global oil market's outlook for 2024, foreseeing continued strength.

He projected a growth rate of approximately 1.5 million barrels per day, with expected demand reaching 104 million barrels per day, an increase from the 2023 average of 102.4 million barrels.

Despite a drop in net profit, Aramco increased its dividend payout. The company's dividends for the year totaled $97.8 billion, up by 30%, marking the company's second-highest profit on record.

Read Also: High-Profile IPO: Reddit, Investors Seek Up to $748 Million in Fundraising Method

Aramco's Adaptations, Expansion Strategies

Earlier directives from the Saudi government instructed Aramco to abandon plans to expand production capacity to 13 million barrels per day and revert to the previous target of 12 million barrels per day.

This decision affected projects such as Safaniyah and Manifa, which are currently on hold. Meanwhile, projects like Zuluf, Marjan, and Berri remain underway and are projected to contribute significantly to crude production.

Nasser assured that despite the adjustments in production targets, Aramco remains committed to optimizing its maximum production capacity within the 12 million barrels per day target. He outlined strategies to offset production declines through the addition of output from ongoing projects, maintaining operational stability.

In addition to its focus on China, Aramco is also eyeing expansion in the gas sector, aiming to increase production by 60% by 2030 compared to 2021 levels.

Moreover, Aramco is evaluating prospects in the lithium sector, according to Reuters, particularly in extracting lithium from oilfield brine.

This initiative aligns with the growing global demand for lithium, essential in battery manufacturing, reflecting Aramco's strategic adaptation to evolving market trends.

Nasser's statements affirm Saudi Aramco's proactive approach to navigating market challenges while seizing opportunities for strategic investments, underscoring the company's resilience amidst evolving economic dynamics.

Related Article: Texas Power Company Xcel Energy Acknowledges Role in Sparking Largest Wildfire in History

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A group of climate activists led by Greta Thunberg blocked the Swedish Parliament's entrance in Stockholm on Monday (Mar. 11) to call for sweeping reforms to tackle climate disasters.

Thunberg and around 40 other activists held signs reading "Climate Justice Now" as they sat in front of at least two entrances to the 349-seat Riksdagen, including the main doorway. Local media added that lawmakers were able to use other entries into the assembly.

"The climate justice movement has, for decades, been repeating the same message over and over again, like a broken record, and we feel like we are not being heard," Thunberg told the Associated Press.

Climate protesters have long accused fossil fuel companies of deliberately slowing the global energy transition to renewables in order to make more profit.

Read Also: Greta Thunberg Slammed for Displaying Octopus Toy in Pro-Palestine Photo

Thunberg, 21, has been an icon of the climate activist movement ever since she was still a teenager. She and her group have been staging weekly protests outside the Riksdagen since 2018.

She has repeatedly been fined in Sweden and the UK for disobedience to law enforcement in connection with protests. Earlier this year, she was acquitted of refusing to follow a police order to leave a protest blocking the entrance to a major oil and gas industry conference in London, with the judge citing "significant deficiencies in the evidence."

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristenssen is in Brussels on Monday to attend to Sweden's official inclusion into the NATO alliance.

Related Article: Activist Greta Thunberg Acquitted of Charge Stemming From Oil and Gas Protest

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(Photo : MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP via Getty Images)

Lan Express' check-in area.

Dozens of people were reportedly injured Monday by a "strong movement" aboard a LATAM Airlines flight from Australia to New Zealand.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was traveling from Sydney to Auckland when the incident took place.

The Chilean airline said in a statement to HNGN that there was "a technical event during the flight which caused a strong movement." It did not explain exactly what that technical event was.

Paramedics and emergency vehicles met the plane when it landed in Auckland.

About 50 people were treated at the scene for mostly minor injuries. The airline said 10 passengers and 3 cabin crew members were taken to Middlemore Hospital for medical checks.

One patient was reportedly believed to be in serious condition.

Passengers said several people were not wearing seatbelts when the plane suddenly dropped.

The airline canceled the plane's next flight.

"The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority. LATAM is providing affected passengers with food and accommodation services due to the flight cancellation. LATAM deeply regrets any inconvenience and discomfort this situation may have caused its passengers, and reiterates its commitment to safety as a top priority," the airline said in the statement.

It is the latest safety-related incident involving a Boeing plane in recent weeks and months.

On Friday, a United Boeing 737 MAX plane rolled off a runway in Houston, the airline said. The 166 total passengers and crew aboard that flight were evacuated, with no injuries reported.

On Thursday, a tire fell off the landing gear of a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 that had just taken off from San Francisco International Airport. The tire landed in an airport employee parking lot and damaged several vehicles.

And days earlier, a United Boeing 737-900 from Houston to Fort Myers, Texas turned around after one of its engines burst into flames, in a harrowing scene caught on video by several passengers. No injuries were reported.

In January, an Atlas Air Boeing 747-8 cargo plane that took off from Miami made an emergency landing after suffering an engine failure that led to one catching fire.

And Boeing is facing criminal investigation for a major incident in January, in which part of the fuselage on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 Alaska Airlines jet blew off mid-flight.

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After more than 200 years of neutrality since the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Sweden's national flag was raised at the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Monday (March 11) as the alliance's 32nd member in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Despite steady rain, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Swedish Crown Princess Victoria, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg witnessed the raising of the flag among the official circle of national flags at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels.

"The Russian, brutal, full-scale invasion against Ukraine united Sweden behind the conclusion that a full-fledged NATO membership is the only reasonable choice," Kristersson said. "We are humble, but we are also proud. We know the expectations for Sweden are high, but we also have high expectations for ourselves."

In a show of national unity, Swedish government ministers and party leaders from across the country's political spectrum also attended in a show of national unity, the Associated Press reported.

Read Also: NATO Tests New Members with Drill Involving 20,000 Troops

The  Swedish flag was raised at NATO Headquarters for the first time in a ceremony to mark the countrys membership of the Alliance  NATO (@NATO) March 11, 2024

Nordics as NATO Region

While neutral, Sweden has strengthened its defensive capabilities to become self-sufficient, especially after the Second World War and the Cold War. A similar military nonalignment has also been practiced by neighboring Finland, which also applied for NATO membership alongside Sweden after the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Valkommen vara vapenbroder och -systrar i @Forsvarsmakten! Nu star vi i borjan av en ny era. Tillsammans och med andra allierade i fred, i kris och dar utover. #WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/uD3NeYjFX2  Puolustusvoimat (@Puolustusvoimat) March 11, 2024

Finland already joined in April 2023. The country's defense ministry welcomed "our brothers and sisters in arms" in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"[N]ow we stand at the beginning of a new era," the ministry added. "Together and with other allies in peace, in crisis and beyond."

Stoltenberg also called out Russian President Vladimir Putin for launching the war in Ukraine, perceiving that NATO was expanding eastward. However, the war had an adverse effect, as it pushed more countries to join the alliance.

"When President Putin launched his full-scale invasion two years ago, he wanted less NATO, and more control over his neighbors. He wanted to destroy Ukraine as a sovereign state, but he failed," he said during the ceremony. "NATO is now bigger and stronger. Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before, and as the brave Ukrainians continue to fight for their freedom, we stand by their side."

With Sweden officially part of NATO, the alliance has completed a strategic ring of territory around the Baltic Sea, and the country could now benefit from Article 5, the treaty's collective security guarantee vowing that an attack on one member nation would mean an attack on all.

Before the ceremony, Sweden and other Nordic nations joined the NATO military exercise called Stalwart Defender 24, which saw up to 90,000 troops participating in the training event.

Related Article: Sweden Joins NATO Amid Potential National Security Policy Shift After Russia's Ukraine Invasion

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Susan Budnick, of Southington, holds a picture of her missing daughter Skye while at her residence, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Skye Lynn Budnick has been missing since April 1, 2008, when she was 21, after taking a one-way trip from Connecticut to Japan without telling anyone. The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to fund a trip to Japan after informed they must submit a new familial DNA sample in-person. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media A "Missing Person" notice for Skye Budnick, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Skye Lynn Budnick has been missing since April 1, 2008, when she was 21, after taking a one-way trip from Connecticut to Japan without telling anyone. The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to fund a trip to Japan after informed they must submit a new familial DNA sample in-person. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Susan Budnick, of Southington, looks over a photo of her daughters Skye, seen in yellow, and Megan, seen in blue, while at her residence, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Skye Lynn Budnick has been missing since April 1, 2008, when she was 21, after taking a one-way trip from Connecticut to Japan without telling anyone. The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to fund a trip to Japan after informed they must submit a new familial DNA sample in-person. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media A "Missing Person" notice for Skye Budnick, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Skye Lynn Budnick has been missing since April 1, 2008, when she was 21, after taking a one-way trip from Connecticut to Japan without telling anyone. The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to fund a trip to Japan after informed they must submit a new familial DNA sample in-person. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

SOUTHINGTON  The family of Skye Budnick, a Southington woman who went missing 16 years ago during a trip to Japan, hopes DNA evidence can shed light on her disappearance.

A 21-year-old junior at Central Connecticut State University, Budnick had been studying Japanese culture for three years and always had dreams of going to Japan. But she had missed two opportunities to make that dream a reality through the study abroad program, her family said during interviews this month.

Budnick eventually booked a one-way ticket to Japan and was last seen on American soil on March 31, 2008. Her sister Megan Lebron said Budnick showed symptoms of clinical depression prior to leaving on the trip.

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She only took her computer and Nintendo DS both of which have internet capabilities, and her debit card; she didnt take anything else, Lebron said. Neither have been recovered to our knowledge, but we dont have access to the police records in Japan to find out.

Budnick went missing April 7, 2008 at an inn at Noboribetsu, a town in the southern part of Hokkaido.

Skye was extremely shy to the point of social anxiety so for her to do this she had to have help, someone who was encouraging her to go over," said her mother Susan Budnick. "We dont have proof, but we truly believe thats what her motivation was. And that was the scary part.

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'What did I miss?'

We were together but separate, said Skye's sister, Lebron. We were off doing our own things but were always there for one another.

While Lebron was the most outgoing of the three kids, her brother Matt and Skye kept more to themselves, but Lebron said she was always there to help when her siblings needed to immerse themselves in the world.

They had similar interests like video games and things like that, she said. I remember one time they had a certain game that they played with certain people from all over the world, so they wanted to go to New York to meet these people and they didnt know how to go so I chaperoned them essentially. Another time I brought Skye to see this rock band she loved called Dir En Grey performing in New York with one of her friends.

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Susan Budnick reflected on cooking supper every night and calling up to Skyes room for her and her close friend to come down and they would eat together. Susan Budnick began to get choked up, her eyes welling with tears as she expressed having a hard time grasping how Skye could just leave without telling anyone, not her family or even this close friend that she spent time with every day.

Its kind of like as a mom you should know, she added between sobs. But I just dont understand leaving like that. Just leaving your car at the airport and everything behind.

Each member of the Budnick family grieved over Skye's disappearance differently.

Its kind of like how we handle everything separately but together, Susan Budnick said. My husband got angry. He doesnt talk about it ever. He doesnt want to hear about it. I was crushed, but I havent hit the angry part yet. My thing was always blame; what did I miss? I missed a lot. My son actually made a comment and said, I would like to talk about it mom, but you cry so I dont.'

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Support, insight

Lebron said she couldnt take the pain and moved across the country.

I always used work and keeping busy as a way to avoid feeling anything, she said. When I stopped working for a period of time my husband suggested I start a TikTok to deal with my feelings. At first, I was like 'Eww.' What held me back for so long was I didnt have the right medium to talk about it and I thought my vulnerabilities would be a hindrance. But over time I think it has been an asset in just trying to relate to other people. And Ive gotten a really good response and, not that a lot of people can relate to having a missing person, but they relate to so many of the other things that Ive been talking about and thats been really helpful.

"Its become like a community and I feel like Ive gotten better in just the past two years than like the other years, she said.

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Lebron used the platform to raise awareness of her sister's case, and the many roadblocks her family has encountered in the search for answers. In doing so, she gained insights and support from a broader community.

I love watching her TikToks, she comes across so real, Susan Budnick said. And shes not complaining about the situation just stating 'Hey, theres a roadblock here.' And reaching out to people who shared they had roadblocks as well, and asking if there is any way to get around this.

Some roadblocks in the case included the language barrier, disparate legal systems between the U.S. and Japan and being unable to get a copy of the police report.

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DNA offers hope

About a year or so ago I realized that the (familial) DNA that we submitted back in 2008 was never submitted to Interpol or Japan," Lebron said. "It was still sitting in the Connecticut State Lab and nothing was done. And I think part of that was due to the language barrier. But the Southington police, with the help of Interpol, was able to get into contact with the Japanese government and they were informed that a new DNA sample was needed due to new technologies being used.

Southington police Det. Tom Atterrato was assigned to the case two years ago and has been working with the family. Due to it still being an active investigation, Atterrato said he could not say much about the case.

What I can say is we are doing everything we can to help them, he said.

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Lebron said Japanese officials are requiring the family to travel there to submit the DNA, so she set up a GoFundMe to help cover the costs.

The last time we went we were met with the realities of what a missing person is like and theres really a lack of resources, so we were two weeks into our trip and the bill was getting bigger and bigger, Lebron explained. So, at this point we dont want to be put in that position again and Ive been fortunate to have a lot of people on social media be really supportive and at a lot of peoples requests I set it up.

When Megan asked me 'Can we do it mom, are we going to do it, can you do it?' I said, 'well it would be nice.' My husband is retired, and I work part-time. Everyone has a little budget and ours was a little tight, Susan Budnick added. Before we had the embassy and the Japanese form of the FBI meet us and they walked us through, and they even had an interpreter with us. When we go, were going to have to hire an interpreter, have people in place to walk us through and thats what the GoFundMe is for.

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The fundraising goal is $100,000, with $12,418 raised as of Sunday night.

We refuse to give up hope and remain determined to uncover the truth behind my sisters disappearance, Lebron said. And Im thrilled that weve gotten to this point, and we can finally go back. This might be the most actionable thing we can do for a 16-year-old case because any movement is good movement. And Im thankful for the support that weve received.

My Megan has been fabulous and instrumental in all of this, Susan Budnick said. Together we are very adamant on getting something accomplished and Im looking forward to getting some sort of closure.
In 2014, well before Russia's initial offensive against UKraine, the city of Avdiivka had a population of 31,000 citizens.

Just last year, there was still a great deal of hope that, like the port city of Mariupol, Avdiivka would become another symbol of Ukrainian resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

Initially, Ukrainian commanders boasted of easy victories over poorly trained Russian conscripts, many of which were only lightly armed and undersupplied. However, as the fighting continued, Russian tactics began to change, and the effect was felt almost immediately.

Special forces began to appear behind Ukraine lines seemingly out of thin air, and Russia began to use Soviet-era glide bombs, gravity bombs that have been retrofitted with control surfaces that provide rudimentary navigational capability, to tremendous destructive and psychological effect.

Additionally, Ukrainian forces that were present in Avdiivka had been fighting for two years with no reinforcements and the disappearance of a commander tasked with giving orders to hundreds of soldiers.

According to the Associated Press, a battalion commander vanished under mysterious circumstances and one of the soldiers that was with him was found dead. A second soldier that was with him also disappeared.

The blow that such an occurrence would play on morale in a combat zone cannot be understated.

A week following the loss of the commander, Ukraine lost a city in the Donetsk region that it had defended since the very beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Though Russian troops were never able to directly attack defensive positions, as they did in Mariupol, a constant withering away at the flanks of defenders would ultimately result in Ukrainian forces being outnumbered and surrounded by mid-February 2024.

A source of great national pride during the start of the war, the besieged defenders of Mariupol stayed too long after the Russians gained a tactical advantage. This resulted in thousands of troops being captured or killed.

The AP reports that low ammunition, constant Russian reinforcements, and the ineptitude of commanders are all to blame for what is being called the worst loss of the year for Ukraine.

"We weren't so much physically exhausted as psychologically, being chained to that place," said Viktor Biliak, an infantryman with the 110th Brigade who had been in the area since March 2022.

Biliak's unit was on the southern outskirts of Avdiivka in a well-fortified position called Zenith. This location has been on the frontlines of both fighting Russia's 2014 offensive and the new war.

The soldier told AP that constant Russian fire, as well as no reinforcements, meant that defenders didn't have the energy or time to build suitable fortifications and trenches were only knee deep.

Hundreds of remaining Ukrainian soldiers would withdraw to Avdiiyka's coke plant after repeated attacks last fall. The coke plant drew immediate comparisons to the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol at which Ukrainian armed forces suffered under the weight of attrition while defending the indefensible.

The 110th Brigade had been fighting there since March 2022 and the 2nd Battalion of the Presidential Brigade since March 2023. The 47th Brigade arrived in mid-October.

As officials in Kyiv argued over the delicate question of expanding the draft, many of the soldiers in the east felt ignored by Western allies who no longer sent weapons, by their high command and by fellow Ukrainians.

"They just kept throwing themselves at the coke plant, leaving piles of their corpses there. Mountains of bodies and heaps of smashed equipment," said Maksym, a soldier in the Presidential Brigade. "And every time, they took the same route, we hit them and hit them, and ultimately held our ground."

The all-volunteer 3rd Assault Brigade arrived in the second week of February but was too little too late. As they arrived at the coke plant, Russian forces had nearly closed a pincer movement around the plant.

Furthermore, the firing of Gen. Valeri Zaluzhnyi by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February was the greatest shakeup in Ukraine's military leadership since the start of the war.

Ukrainian forces received the order for a retreat under the cover of darkness for the 110th Brigade.

"It would have been joyful if it had happened earlier. We were always ready to drop everything and flee from there because we had known for a long time that the end was coming. "But then we already knew it was too late, and it was out of desperation."

Russia would claim control of Avdiivka and its coke plant by February 17. Ukrainian military officials contend that most of the soldiers who withdrew made it out alive and Russia suffered far greater losses.

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The mother of a "hero" 4th grader shot to death while calling 911 during the Uvalde school massacre shared a heartbreaking tribute to her daughter months ahead of the second anniversary of her murder.

Amerie Jo Garza, 10, was among the 19 Robb Elementary School students killed by 18-year-old gunman Salvador Ramos when he stormed the Uvalde, Texas, school campus with an AR-15 on May 22, 2022.

Loved ones said Amerie Jo spent her final moments trying to use her cell phone to call 911 when she was fatally shot by Ramos.

"The day I lost you was the worst day of my entire life," Amerie Jo's mother, Kimberly Garcia, wrote on X Saturday, two months ahead of the second anniversary of her daughter's death. "Finding out how I lost you was the worst pain I've ever felt in my entire life and knowing that will haunt me for the rest of my life."

"I love you Amerie Jo and you should be here," the grieving mother added.

Speaking with the Daily Beast in the days following the mass shooting, Amerie Jo's grandmother, Belinda Irene Arreola, detailed her granddaughter's final moments.

"So the gunman went in and he told the children, 'You're going to die,'" Arreola explained to the outlet. "And she had her phone, and she called 911. And instead of grabbing it and breaking it or taking it from her, he shot her. She was sitting right next to her best friend. Her best friend was covered in her blood."

"My granddaughter was shot and killed for trying to call 911. She died a hero trying to get help for her and her fellow classmates," Arreola - who described the little girl as "super-outgoing" and a "teacher's pet" - added.

The gunman also killed two teachers before he was fatally shot by responding officers more than an hour after the shooting first began, according to investigators.

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India introduced a controversial law on Monday, expediting the process for granting citizenship rights to immigrants from neighboring nations, except for those who belong to the Muslim faith.

The citizenship law was passed amidst turbulent protests at the close of 2019 and seen as a precursor to a proposed population register, requiring Indians to provide evidence of their citizenship.

Critics argue that these measures amount to fundamental discrimination against Muslims, the largest religious minority in the country.

According to Bloomberg, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) was notified through the Gazette of India more than four years after it was originally passed as law.

The CAA places importance on providing citizenship to individuals of different faiths from three neighboring Muslim-majority nations-Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan-who entered India before 2015.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently denied accusations of discrimination against Muslims in connection with this law.

Just weeks before the national elections, the CAA has come into effect, positioning Modi for a potential third term by rallying support among his predominantly Hindu voter base.

Questioning the timing of the elaborative move, Jairam Ramesh, spokesperson for the main opposition Congress party, said, "It is evident that it is being done to polarize the elections, especially in Assam and West Bengal," referring to the eastern states.

Amit Shah, India's Home Minister, has strongly advocated for the CAA, consistently vowing to implement the law and expel immigrants from Bangladesh, labeling them as "termites."

Surprisingly, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has maintained a relatively low profile on the subject in the run-up to this year's election.

During the 2019 protests, demonstrators against the CAA were detained and beaten by police, while some in the state of Uttar Pradesh had their homes razed, reported Bloomberg.

The citizenship law coincides with a controversial initiative to create a national population register.

In the northeastern region of Assam, residents were required to validate their Indian citizenship through documentation, which proves to be a challenging task in a nation where home births are common and obtaining certificates from government agencies isn't easy.

Consequently, 1.9 million people were left stateless.

Critics worry that the nationwide expansion of the register could lead to the rights of tens of millions of Indians being revoked until they re-establish residency through the CAA.

However, this option would not be available to Muslims.

According to a recent census, Hindus account for 80% of India's population of 1.4 billion, while Muslims make up about 14%.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : ACQUELYN MARTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as the US Secretary of State gives statements to the media.

Israel has no plans to end its fight against Hamas in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday, despite recent comments by President Biden about a "red line" on fighting.

"We have our agreements on the basic goals but our disagreement on how to achieve them," Netanyahu said Monday on Fox News.

But he said the decisions on when to stop the battle are up to Israel.

"Our necks are on the line," he said. "I'm telling you that we're not getting off the gas."



President Biden has been frustrated by a lack of a cease-fire and publicly warned Netanyahu in recent days.

"He has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas," Biden said Saturday 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. He's hurting...in my view, he's hurting Israel more than helping Israel."

Netanyahu said Monday that Israel wants to protect innocent civilians but needs to destroy Hamas.

"He (Biden) agrees that we have to destroy Hamas as a fighting organization. That's what we intend to do. Look, it's either Israel or Hamas. There's no middle way," Netanyahu said.

"I mean, we have to have that victory. We can't have three-quarters of a victory."

Netanyahu also cited polls that indicate a majority of Americans support the war.

The Fox News hosts repeatedly asked Netanyahu about Biden's hot mic moment at Thursday's State of the Union address, in which Biden said he needed to have a "come to Jesus" conversation with him.

Netanyahu said he was "not familiar with the term."

"I can tell you that if it means having a heart-to-heart conversation, we've had that plenty of times over the 40 years that I've known Joe Biden and over the 12 or 13 conversations that we've had since the beginning of the war," he continued.

"Victory is at hand," Netanyahu said. "The victory will come as soon as - I think it will come sooner - the more united we are. Not divided."

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is slated to travel Monday to Kingston, Jamaica as part of a meeting convened by the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as Haiti spirals into lawlessness.

Blinken will discuss a proposed partnership between CARICOM and Haitian stakeholders to help bring about a political transition in Haiti through the creation of an independent presidential college that is broad-based, as well as the deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission led by Kenya to address the ongoing security crisis.

Additionally, Blinkin will meet with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness to talk about bilateral and regional issues as well as reaffirm strong ties between Jamaica and the United States.

According to ABC News, Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry has been under increased pressure to either resign his position or agree to a transitional council, both of which he has been resistant to accepting.

"If Ariel Henry resigns, we are going to call for a truce just to evaluate the situation," Jimmy Cherizier told ABC News.

Cherizier, commonly known as "Barbecue," called it a public pledge.

"Everywhere around Port-au-Prince that is currently blocked or inaccessible will be reopened and we will automatically stop the attacks on the police stations," he said.

Henry is virtually locked out of his own company as gangs led by Barbeque, the nickname of a gang leader who has consolidated rival gangs into a single force, continue to wreak havoc in the capital of Port-au-Prince and across the country.

It is not clear whether Henry, who was last in Puerto Rico, would attend the meeting.

"The international community must work together with Haitians towards a peaceful political transition," U.S. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Nichols will attend the meeting.

CARICOM said in a statement on Friday announcing the urgent meeting in Jamaica that while "we are making considerable progress, the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be."

The rule of law appears to have completely crumbled as gangs attacked police stations, raided two large prisons, and closed the main international airport.

Food and water and dwindling and 15,000 are reportedly homeless after fleeing communities that have been raided by gangs. Additionally, the main port is closed and dozens of containers containing critical supplies are inaccessible.

Kenya had signaled it was willing to lead a UN-backed deployment of a police force largely manned by its troops but that measure has been delayed by a court ruling that says such deployment is against Kenya's constitution.

Henry has made no public statements since the attacks began.

The U.N. Security Council on Monday urged Haiti's gangs "to immediately cease their destabilizing actions."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for the urgent deployment of the multinational force and that the mission be adequately funded, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Currently, funding is at only $10.8 million, with officials in Kenya demanding more than $230 million.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An American man was sentenced to life in prison in a German court on Monday following his conviction for the rape and murder of a U.S. tourist, along with the attempted murder of her friend.

The brutal assault took place near the country's well known tourist destination, Neuschwanstein Castle. The attack quickly became a worldwide spectacle as a large crowd of visitors photographed and live-streamed the scene as the women were airlifted to the hospital.

Recognized by the court as Troy B., the individual in question, a 31-year-old tourist from Michigan, befriended the two women near the Maria Bridge. He was able to lure them away from the public path by enticing them under the premise of an even more spectacular vantage point.

It was there where he attacked and raped the 21-year-old woman and then threw her 22-year-old friend down a 100-metre ravine when she became aware of the situation and attempted rescue efforts.

After getting caught on a tree branch, the 22-year-old woman managed to survive the incident with severe injuries.

The 21-year-old had also been thrown over the ledge after Troy B. raped her. She died in hospital several hours later. The court found that the strangling alone would have been fatal, reported Reuters.

The suspect allegedly used his cellphone to film himself strangling the woman with his belt, according to prosecutors who also found the device filled with violent pornography.

After a massive manhunt was issued, the man was later apprehended by police that same day.

"He used her as an object and threw her over the ledge like an object he no longer needed," said the prosecutor while summing up the case against Troy B., according to public broadcaster BR.

In Kempten, southern Germany, the judge delivered a life imprisonment verdict, citing the "particular gravity" of the crime.

The perpetrator will not be eligible for automatic parole after 15 years, a privilege typically associated with non-aggravated murder cases.

He did not challenge the accusation of murdering the 21-year-old but did seek a ruling that states the murder was not of an aggravated nature, revealed Reuters.

While the conviction is open to appeal, B. can also seek to serve his sentence in the U.S. However, his lawyer advised against it, emphasizing the more favorable conditions of detention in Germany.

Neuschwanstein Castle, about 105 km (65 miles) southwest of Munich, is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, attracting some 1.4 million visitors a year.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
R.D. Olson Construction, an award-winning general contracting firm in California, has announced groundbreaking on Appellation Healdsburg in Healdsburg's North Village, a partnership between BIA's Builder of the Year, Comstock Development, Chef Charlie Palmer and Christopher Hunsberger's newest hotels under the Appellation brand. The resort will be spread across 8 acres in a campus style setting and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2025.

The "food-first" hotel will offer 108 guestrooms spread across 12 buildings, with high-end amenities including a restaurant serving signature Charlie Palmer cuisine, luxury wine country spa, lobby and rooftop bars, two swimming pools, modern fitness center, and an expansive lawn and grange hall for events. A nearby mixed-use promenade will also offer 12,500 square feet of retail offerings for hotel guests and members of the community.

Approximately 80 miles north of San Francisco, the hotel will be conveniently located near Sonoma's main transportation route, Redwood U.S. Highway 101, in the heart of Healdsburg's plentiful wineries and tasting rooms, while also offering scenic surroundings of rolling hills and vineyards.

R.D. Olson Construction's partners on Appellation Healdsburg include architect Hart Howerton, EDG Interior Architecture & Design, structural engineers IMEG, MEP engineers EXP, civil engineer Carlile Macy, and soils engineer Kleinfelder, Inc.

Previous R.D. Olson hospitality and renovation projects include: The Lido House in Newport Beach, The Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, Sheraton at the Park in Anaheim, and W Hotel in Westwood.

Hotel website
Emma Sutherland has taken on her first Hotel Manager role as the newly appointed General Manager of Vibe Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour. Emma started at TFE in 2017 as a Duty Manager and with her natural aptitude and operations capability has quickly progressed through the ranks.

During her almost 7-year tenure with TFE, Emma has supported the opening of Vibe Hotel North Sydney, completed a 2-month secondment in the L&OD team, and played a key role in the roll-out of Office 365 at TFE Hotels. She led the team at Travelodge Wynyard through the pandemic and subsequent closure following the change of ownership.

Over the past 12-months, Emma has taken on secondment roles as Executive Assistant Manager and, most recently, Acting Hotel General Manager at A by Adina Sydney, where she was instrumental in driving continuous improvement and efficiency in operations.
Hilton Los Cabos, an award-winning beachfront resort, has announced Ruben Avila as the resort's new food and beverage director. An industry veteran with more than three decades of hospitality experience, Avila oversees all aspects of the resort's restaurant operations including dining services, staff management, revenue management and strategic planning. In this role, Avila will manage the resort's day-to-day operations for the culinary division, overseeing chefs, service staff, and ensuring exceptional guest experiences across all six (6) culinary concepts offered on property. Avila joins Hilton Los Cabos from Marriott Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta where he served as food and beverages manager. His visionary approach will continue to elevate Hilton Los Cabos as a premier culinary destination for travelers seeking elevated, one-of-a-kind Baja experiences.

Over the course of his career, Ruben has served as general manager, food and beverage director and restaurant manager across an array of Mexico and U.S. hotels, including One & Only Palmilla Resort Hotel, Four Seasons Chicago, as well as Pueblo Bonito Group. Throughout each role, he excelled in training and development, cultivating an excellent work environment and contributing to the property's creative culinary ideation. Avila's attention to detail and ability to curate strong relationships with guests, team members and partners positions him as a true asset to the resort.
Highlighting the rich cultural heritage of European cuisine, the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH), a preeminent hospitality education institution in the country hosted the EUNIC picnic, a culinary event at its Ecole Ducasse Gurugram campus.

The event, which culminated on March 1, 2024, was an evening filled with culinary delights, cultural exchange, and lasting connections.

EUNIC, which stands for European Union National Institutes for Culture, advocates for the prominent role of culture in international relations and has emerged as a strategic partner of the EU.

With its active participation in shaping cultural policies across its 107 member countries, EUNIC brought a wealth of cultural expertise to the event and made a significant contribution to the proceedings.

Over the past few months, culinary experts affiliated with EUNIC have conducted a series of masterclasses at ISH aimed at educating students on the intricacies of preparing a wide array of dishes from their home countries. These masterclasses have allowed students to garner valuable insights into the diverse culinary traditions and flavours of Europe.

The event was also graced by the esteemed presence of guests from 10 EU Embassies & High Commissions, who savoured the incredible creations of ISH's talented young chefs. From appetising starters to delectable mains and decadent desserts, each dish highlighted the students' dedication to mastering the art of European cuisine.

I am delighted to witness this beautiful celebration of diverse cultures and cuisines. The event served as a wonderful platform for showcasing the rich culinary traditions of Europe and India and bringing people together, said Reuben Gauci, Malta High Commissioner to India.

Echoing his views, Dr Mariann Erdo, Director, Cultural Counsellor, Liszt Institute, Hungarian Cultural Centre Delhi, said, This event is the culmination of months of hard work, and Iam grateful to the Indian School of Hospitality for embracing our idea. Our collaboration brought together over ten European Union countries to celebrate the diverse culinary heritage. The students also gained valuable insights and skills through interactive kitchen demonstrations and cooking classes.

ISH students also enthralled the attendees with their captivating performances of the Indian classical dance forms of Bharatanatyam and Odissi. Furthermore, the occasion delivered a platform for the neurodiverse students of Pallavanjali NGO to showcase their artistic talent via an exhibition cum sale of their marvellous paintings.

EUNIC picnic was an enriching experience for us that allowed our students to showcase their culinary talents while celebrating the rich and diverse European cuisine. I am also grateful to the esteemed guests who celebrated the vibrant cultural exchange that made this event truly memorable. We look forward to more collaborative events that promote cultural exchange and culinary exploration, said Dr. Zubin Dsouza, Dean - Culinary Studies, Indian School of Hospitality.

The phenomenal success of the EUNIC picnic is a testament to ISH's commitment to offering students with holistic and global culinary education and experiential learning opportunities. Through collaborations with renowned institutions including Ecole Ducasse, France, and Les Roches, Switzerland, ISH continues to nurture future hospitality leaders and change agents.

About Indian School of Hospitality

Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) is an institution of higher education focused on reimagining hospitality education for todays generation and tomorrows businesses. ISH is a part of Sommet Educations global network of 18 campuses across 8 countries. The ISH philosophy is to impart lifelong skills to students to help them succeed as leaders of tomorrow  giving them the tools they need to shape one of the biggest industries worldwide.

At its ultra-modern campus in Gurugram (Delhi NCR), ISH offers an International degree as well as diploma and certificate programs in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Their undergraduate culinary program is offered with the expertise, know-how and industry recognition of the global Ecole Ducasse brand, and their hospitality management program is offered in alliance with Les Roches, one of the worlds leading hospitality business schools.

For more information, visit https://www.ish.edu.in/

Anouck Weiss

Chief Communication Officer Sommet Education

Sommet Education

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Countries (markets) mentioned:

United States (Baltimore, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, Oahu, Orlando, San Francisco, San Jose/Santa Cruz, Seattle)

Indonesia (Bali, Jakarta), Spain (Barcelona), Singapore

Highlights

U.S. RevPAR increased after the previous weeks decline.

U.S. Group demand soars.

Global RevPAR strengthens despite weakening in China.

Singapore bookings are up because of Taylor Swift.

Is there a Leap Day impact?

U.S. Performance

Growth in revenue per available rooms (RevPAR) returned to the U.S. following the previous weeks decrease. Occupancy held somewhat steady, average daily rate (ADR) increased, weekday (Monday-Wednesday) performance grew, and group demand exploded, surpassing both the 2023 and 2019 comparables.

At 62.5%, occupancy dropped a fraction (-0.2 percentage points year over year) while reaching the highest level of 2024 thus far (+0.5ppts from the prior week). Following a decline the previous week, ADR increased 2.7% year over year (YoY), driving RevPAR up 2.3%.

 Source: STR

 Source: STR

Day-of-Week Movement

Weekdays showed the strongest performance with occupancy up 1.4ppts and ADR rising 6.5%, yielding RevPAR growth of 8.9%. The Top 25 Markets drove much of the performance with weekday RevPAR up 9.5%, lifted equally by ADR (+4.0%) and occupancy (+3.6ppts). Weekday performance across the rest of the country was ADR-driven (+2.7%), while occupancy declined slightly (-0.4%). The weekend (Friday & Saturday) took the biggest hit with RevPAR down more than 4% both for the Top 25 Markets and the rest of the country. The shoulder days (Sunday and Thursday) also showed a RevPAR decline (-0.6% for Top 25 Markets and -1.3% in the remaining markets).

Market-Level Leaders

Among the Top 25 Markets, Las Vegas again took top honors with RevPAR up 36.5%, a result of an ADR gain of 25.4% and an occupancy lift of 7.1pptsall driven by the International Builders Show. Last year, the event was a month earlier.

Four other markets, Seattle, Oahu, Houston, and Dallas, saw double-digit RevPAR gains due to varied events. San Francisco also saw strong RevPAR growth (+9.1%) via improvement in occupancy. Across the next 25 largest markets, Baltimore and San Jose/Santa Cruz experienced double-digit RevPAR gains, up 23.8% and 11.6%, respectively.

 Source: STR

More Group Gains

Group demand (among Luxury and Upper Upscale hotels) grew for the ninth straight week, increasing 9.1% YoY and surpassing the 2019 comparable by 1.9%. Group ADR also continued to grow, holding above 5% YoY for the fourth consecutive week. Almost all the group demand growth occurred in the Top 25 Markets, where group occupancy was up 2.7ppts. Elsewhere, group occupancy was up 0.3ppts. Nine of the Top 25 Markets exceeded the 2.7-ppt average, including Oahu, Las Vegas, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, Orlando, San Francisco, Miami, and Nashville.

 Source: STR

Class-Level Performance

RevPAR increased for the top three hotel classes (Luxury, Upper Upscale and Upscale), lifted by both ADR and occupancy. The continued strength of group demand is a significant tailwind for many hotels and mostly for those in the Luxury and Upper Upscale classes.

Upper Midscale hotels were essentially flat with an occupancy decline offset by an ADR increase. Midscale and Economy class hotels continued to see soft performance. Possible explanations for this softness include lack of group meeting facilities, which is currently providing a tailwind for the upper-tier hotels and a general shift in the structure of these two hotel classes with a significant number of properties closing and/or moving out of the segment.

Analysis of day-of-week trends revealed a pattern like the one seen overall with weekdays recording the least negative impact and weekends showing the most negative impact. Given that weekends generally provide the greatest demand for these segments, the decline of weekend travel in Midscale and Economy class hotels is more pronounced.

Indonesia Gains Occupancy

Looking at select top countries elsewhere in the world, strong performance continued with eight of 10 countries seeing positive occupancy gains and six of 10 seeing ADR increases. Indonesia posted the largest occupancy gain (+11.1ppts to 72.1%) with ADR up 11.3%. The occupancy increase in Indonesia was supported by many markets throughout the country with the capital, Jakarta, up 8.6ppts YoY to 78.7%. Leisure destination, Bali, grew occupancy 6.5ppts YoY to 67.4%.

Spain Stands Out

Spain posted the highest actual occupancy among the top countries, up 4.7ppts YoY to 75%. Occupancy throughout Spain was led by leisure markets. Additionally, Barcelona hosted the Mobile World Congress (MWC), an event that drew more than 100,000 visitors over a four-day period. Spains ADR grew 8.2%, with Barcelona driving a large portion of the increase at +13.4% to US$379.

China slowing

China experienced another slow week, post-Chinese New Year, with YoY declines in both occupancy (-3.9ppts) and ADR (-3.7%). Year-over-year growth has obviously softened now that the country is beyond the early-2023 comparables that were influenced by reopening.

 Source: STR

Looking ahead

It was a good week for the industry following a hiccup. As Spring travel gears up for much of the world, hotel performance is expected to grow. Positive trends in forward bookings, strong group demand buoyed by the strong performance seen over the past nine weeks, and an early spring break season in the U.S. should provide tailwinds as the year progresses.

Global performance continued to be strong and is expected to remain on a positive trajectory over the coming months with similar tailwinds, as the Taylor Swift Eras tour is also expected to boost hotel performance. In next weeks reporting, expect strong gains in Singapore given that occupancy on the books (as of 4 March) for concert dates (March 7-9) was up 11ppts.

 Source: STR

Leap Day Impact

This past week included Leap Day, which fell on a Thursday versus Saturday during the last Leap Day (2020). The last time Leap Day fell on a Thursday was in 1996. While this extra February day is included in weekly reporting, it will not be noticeable in monthly reporting as it will be grossed down into a 28-day month to allow like-for-like comparisons versus previous years.

*Analysis by Isaac Collazo, Chris Klauda, Will Anns.

About STR

STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for the global hospitality industry. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a presence in 15 countries with a North American headquarters in Hendersonville, Tennessee, an international headquarters in London, and an Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore. STR was acquired in October 2019 by CoStar Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSGP), the leading provider of commercial real estate information, analytics and online marketplaces. For more information, please visit str.com and costargroup.com.

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EMV Technology Eliminates Charge Backs & Transaction Fees

What is EMV?

EMV (Europay Mastercard and Visa) is a worldwide payment system technical standard providing enhanced security protocols for card present transactions. In the United States, a card present EMV transaction is where a customer inserts a debit or credit card issued with an embedded microprocessor chip into an EMV card reader. The EMV reader encrypts the credit card data and then transmits the encrypted information to the selected gateway or processor. This technology replaces the older magnetic card swiping readers extensively used in the past. According to EMV in the U.S. (2020 update), fraud losses have decreased 87% in March 2019 compared to September 2015 before the U.S. shift to EMV cards.

Along with the adoption of EMV in the U.S., credit card companies shifted the responsibility for disputed charges from credit card issuer to merchants including hotels. Prior to this change, credit card issuers assumed more of the responsibility for fraudulent charges because of the difficulty of proving the customer actually used the card.

Merchant Charge Backs Decrease With EMV Terminals

Josh Kreider is the General Manager and owner of the Canyon Motel and Sherwood Motel in Wellsboro, PA, and the Crystal Springs Inn and Suites in Towanda, PA. Kreider stated, After installing EMV terminals in our hotels, I would never go back. I currently get a handful of room charges disputed out of a total of 30,000 room rentals per year. Of those disputed, I win 90% of them because of EMV.

Kreider uses Skyware Hospitality Solutions Property Management System (PMS) with a built-in interface to EMV terminals. With Skyware, I connect my guest reservation directly to my guest registration paperwork and my EMV payment system making all of key components work together in one system. Kreider explained. With the cost of some EMV terminals being less than $300, it is just not worth the risk of not adopting EMV. concluded Kreider.

Bad Actors Know the System

Unlike fast food restaurants or stores with small dollar transactions, hotels could face significant unexpected charges. Certain bad actors know that if a merchant is using a magnetic card reader for processing credit card transactions instead of an EMV terminal, it is an invitation to a possible all-expense paid free stay.

Fraudulent purchases are extremely difficult to accomplish with EMV cards because it is nearly impossible to counterfeit the microchip. Magnetic stripe technology exposes information the card holds to any card scanner. Bad actors can easily obtain that data and create fake credit or debit cards and use them fraudulently at merchant establishments. Still, even with all of that understanding, 25% of all merchants in the United States are estimated to continue to use the older magnetic stripe technology.

Using EMV Terminals Reduces Cost

Merchant transaction charges for EMV transactions are also less compared to magnetic stripe reader charges largely because of the cost of fraud. In addition, the cost of resources and staff time required to investigate, document, and respond back to the credit card processor on any charge-back disputes is dramatically reduced. According to Kreider, All I have to do is show the credit card processor, the card was present because I used an EMV reader and the payment dispute is thrown out. My loss with credit cards is no longer a concern for me as a manager due primarily to EMV.

On October 15, 2015, the world of credit card processing for hotels was changed forever. This was the date when responsibility for fraudulent charges shifted from credit card companies to the merchants who do not have EMV. For hoteliers, this shift could be catastrophic  unless you invest in the right software credit card payment systems like Skyware Payment Systems in association with Skyware Property Management Software. According to Michael James at the Carousel Group Implementation of the Skyware Payment Systems EMV technology not only makes me sleep better at night but also saves me money in transaction fees.

The author, Bob Palloni, is the owner and co-founder of Skyware Hospitality Solutions, a Hotel Property Management Software (Skywaresystems.com) in meeting the demanding requirements of the hotel industry. The solution is a single-entry point automating hotel operations on a real time basis. Skyware uses the latest technology to provide an enterprise solution that incorporates a full-featured hotel property management system, activity/spa scheduler, online booking engine, account receivable and yield managementall within a single database.

WHAT IS SKYWARE PAYMENT SYSTEMS?

Skyware Payment Systems is an all in one program that installs an accredited EMV technology payment system directly integrated into a comprehensive Property Management System. Skyware Payment System takes advantage of the best performers in the credit card industry to provide a seamless, reliable and easy to use solution without the exposure to chargeback losses and fraudulent activity.

The key benefits of using Skyware Payment Systems are:

Hotel Property Management Software integration.

State-of-the art EMV devices.

Single vendor provider from deployment to support.

Easy to use plug and play technology with minimal training required.

Less expensive transaction fees.

Reduced charge backs.

Better interchange rates.

Whether you have a large hotel in Mid-town Manhattan or a small resort in a desired beach location your Property Management System and your Payment System should work together to provide you a simple, easy-to-use technology that eliminates your exposure to fraudulent activity and reduces your transaction fees. Skyware Payment Systems is designed to do just that. Hotels regularly choose Skyware because of its leading-edge technology and unparalleled customer service. Please contact us today at 877 759-9329 extension 350 if you are interested in learning more about our technology.

About Skyware Hospitality Solutions

Skyware Hospitality Solutions is the industrys most innovative all-in-one hospitality technology platform trusted by leading independent hotels, resorts, RV parks, and multi-property groups. The company has reimagined the fragmented, complex legacy landscape into a visionary universe of modern, integrated solutions with limitless possibilities. With more than 30 years of hospitality technology experience, Skywares solutions are carefully curated to fit the unique needs of each property and built to respond flexibly to the demanding requirements of a fast-changing industry.

Built from the ground up to centralize and simplify operations, the end-to-end cloud-based PMS suite includes Online Booking Engine, POS, Sales, and Catering, and Activity/Spa Scheduling. The easy-to-use system is up and running quickly and seamlessly, delivering a scalable, cost-effective solution that can work with or replace existing hotel systems and technology investments.

With deep industry knowledge and top-rated North American-based support, Skywares patented technology accelerates its customers' ambitions, whether to grow and transform or simply become more efficient, productive, and profitable.

Currently, over 200 unique hotel customers in over five countries look to Skyware for tools, technology, and world-class expert support. Founded in 2009, the privately held company is headquartered in Crestview, Florida. For more information, please visit skywaresystems.com.
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Duster and Gen Zs 90s slowcore revival on TikTok and beyond

The unlikely resurgence of 90s band Duster is just the tip of the spear of a Gen-Z revival and reimagining of slowcore music.

by Michelle Hyun Kim of Chartmetric Blog

Duster makes the kind of music that has historically been un-mainstream. Inspired by themes of space, the San Jose bands sound was sparse and lethargic, where fuzzed out, hypnotic guitar riffs would take precedence over barely audible vocals and shuffling drums, if there were any. Through their association with the 90s slowcore movement, the three-piece group found some critical acclaim for their music, which was recorded on cassette decks, and had a lo-fi warmth that offset its overwhelming sense of loneliness. Yet the band broke up five years later after their inception in 1996, likely due to the lack of commercial breakthrough.

But over the past few years, Duster has unexpectedly emerged as one of the most influential acts in slowcore, which is now seeing a revival on TikTok. Glancing through the #slowcore hashtag, which boasts 124.3M total views, most of the videos either mention Duster outright, or also use the #duster hashtag, which has amassed 1.5B views. Duster wasnt necessarily the first slowcore act, though. There were bands like New York Citys Codeine , San Franciscos Red House Painters , and Dallas Bedhead , who began to make alternative rock in the 90s that was depressing and downtempo, had minimal instrumentation, and subdued vocals. Soon after, with the rise of Minnesota band Low , the slowcore genre started to make the rounds in music media, though many acts didnt necessarily like the label.

Now, due to its popularity on TikTok, younger listeners are eager to slap the term slowcore on everything that could be sort of slow, depressing, or have hypnotic arrangementseven calling Alex G slowcore when barely any of his songs could be called downtempo. One new YouTube tutorial on how to make slowcore refers to the genre as  sad TikTok slideshow music , showing that perhaps the genre is celebrated more for its utility in making memes and slideshows, similar to slow and reverbed sounds, than for its artistic merit.

The reinterpretation of slowcore also comes during a time where shoegaze is bigger than ever with Gen-Z listeners. While the two genres easily overlap (especially in music from 90s and 2000s indie rock bands), the main distinction is that slowcore evokes both sluggishness and comfort through its slow repetitive patterns, like the feeling of being rocked to sleep. Meanwhile, shoegaze is typified by washes of guitar noise, which can elicit feelings of catharsis and looking into blinding light. Though Duster has been classified as shoegaze its their spooky, hypnagogic, and slow songs that have gotten the most attention on TikTok. These kinds of audios have been used to soundtrack over 349.9K videos on the app, with their 1997 single  Stars Will Fall  garnering 102.1K videos alone.

Even when Duster reunited in the late 2010s due to the emergence of an online cult following, mostly through message boards and YouTube comments, they likely would have never predicted their name recognition today. Since reissuing their entire discography and releasing two more studio albums2019s self-titled and 2022s Together indie rock bands like Girlpool , Hovvdy , and Ricky Eat Acid have named them as an influence, as well as 18-year-old Irish music producer Liam McCay, whose various music projects have topped charts on TikTok and Spotify. Artists like Ethel Cain have also incorporated slowcore into their music, bringing new interest in the sound. So how did Duster become the forerunner of todays slowcore revival? And what is it about the genre that appeals to this younger generation?

Slowcore OGs: Duster

Dusters prominence on TikTok is due to good timing and an insane amount of luck. As the bands presence in the general cultural consciousness grew in 2019, TikTok was just starting to become a hotbed of music discovery, which exploded during the pandemic.  Moon Age  and  Constellations , from their 1998 album Stratosphere , were among the first songs to be used on the platform in summer 2020, mostly posted by alternative/indie teenagers who wanted to reveal snippets of their everyday life. One TikTok commenter claims that the hype started when a Fortnite edit account posted slideshows and videos using Dusters Inside Out, which ended up getting a ton of likes. Back then, Dusters Spotify monthly listener count hovered around 140K listeners.

From then on, about five of Dusters songs racked up tens of thousands of videos, with 2000s  Me and the Birds  and 1997s Stars Will Fall steadily gaining popularity throughout 2021. The attention began to convert to Spotify streams, with Duster cracking the 1M Spotify monthly listener mark about a couple months after the songs began circulating on TikTok. The growth has been astronomical ever since, with the band crossing the 5M monthly listeners mark and tracking steady momentum.

Duster have always carried a particularly attractive mystique, which might explain why theyve won out with younger listeners over other seminal slowcore acts. For Zoomers, a bands aesthetics play a big part on how listeners perceive the intention and mood of their soundin other words, the musics vibes. In the video essay  What Is ZoomerGaze? , from the Gen-Z music commentary channel NEOPUNKFM , host Johnny Straightedge surveys the growing number of younger acts drawn to shoegaze and makes the case for the band julie blowing up because of their ability to visualize all the things that people love so much about this type of music through 90s and Y2K aesthetics. From their cover art, to their fashion, to their social media, and to their music videosit looks like how their music sounds, he says.

As for Duster, the nostalgia factor is already built in. There are not that many publicly available photos of the members, or information about who they are, and the music they made was centered around an aesthetic of space, cosmology, and stonerism. And now that DIY artists like Mitski , Alex G, and Clairo have gone mainstream, and bedroom pop is a viable path to fame in the TikTok era, its no surprise that todays young people look up to a band who recorded on a low-tech equipment and wasnt concerned about crafting things to glossy perfection.

New Gen Slowcore: Salvia Palth and Liam McCay

Another unlikely slowcore hero has emerged in salvia palth , a producer also known as Daniel Johann Lines, as his 2013 album melanchole has gone viral in recent years. He made the collection of somber, languid songs at home when he was 15, experiencing intense periods of epileptic fits and living in deep poverty in rural New Zealand, Lines explained in a Paste Magazine interview. That music also began circulating on TikTok in the pandemica time when young people could relate to Johanns feelings of isolation and hardship.

Now, Lines most popular track  i was all over her  has garnered 104.6K TikTok videos and 413.4M Spotify streams, while the guitar instrumental  (dream)  has increased by 11M Spotify streams in the past month alone. Throughout the years, his Spotify monthly listener count has risen to 7.3M, with it rapidly shooting up a decade after melanchole first came outshowing that the slowcore craze continues to grow. Though his music might have previously been referred to as bedroom pop or ambient, Lines use of circular guitar patterns that Duster fans might appreciate has led him to be folded into the slowcore revival.

The other Gen-Z figure carrying Dusters torch is Liam McCay. Emerging in 2021 with the alias Moon Water (14.9K Spotify monthly listeners), the 18-year-old Irish producer has gone onto issue slowcore and bedroom pop-inflected projects across a number of monikers: sign crushes motorist (3.9M Spotify monthly listeners), Make His Ribs Show (81.1K Spotify monthly listeners), Take Care (2.29M Spotify monthly listeners), hold (114.63K Spotify monthly listeners), miserable teens club (76.4K Spotify monthly listeners), Birth Day (745.7K Spotify monthly listeners), and others. Across these different outlets, he often replicates Dusters slow moving guitar sound, adding his own mumbling vocals and spoken word passages.

McCays prolific discography has grown considerably popular among Gen-Z slowcore enthusiasts, like  theres this girl  released under sign crushes motorist, which has amassed 288.2K videos on the app. Other tracks like Take Cares  Think of Me Once In a While, Take Care  has grown so rapidly its landed in the Top 5 of the Spotify Global Viral 50 chart. Fans of his work praise it for it being gut wrenching and sounding like every bad memory. His projects sign crushes motorist and Birth Day have issued realized projects that best resembles Dusters soft vocals and guitar style, but Take Care seems to be a new favorite among listeners due to its experimental nature, which includes spoken word passages over ambient tracks.

When explaining why he likes Duster in an interview , McCay says that he often turns to the band when hes not in a good mood. I like the slowness, he explains. Drums arent all that important to me. I like the repetitiveness. I like the soft, swinging [feeling]. Its warm and comforting, I suppose. His answer highlights how the dragging sound of slowcore can often mirror listeners emotions when theyre down, while still soothing them through the simplistic arrangements.

The Outlier: Alex G

Strangely enough, Alex Gs name and hashtag also often comes up in slowcore-related content on TikTok, making todays revival more amorphous than ever. In recent years, Philly indie rocker has gradually grown a fanbase on the app, whose users have gotten their hands on his tracks from his 2012 album Trick like  Sarah  with 24.6K videos , likely due to the unique sound of his wonky guitar riffs and pitched vocals. While the only overlap between Alex G and Duster might be the lo-fi quality of their recordings and the fact that they once toured together in 2018, it shows that for Gen-Z listeners, genres are grouped less by sound and more by aesthetic quality or association with certain feelings or social groups.

The Future of Slowcore

With Salvia Palth teasing a new album in the near future, Liam McCay consistently putting out new music, and a healthy landscape of slowcore-inspired acts emerging (like Horse Jumper of Love , link3 , and Argo Nuff ), it seems that the slowcore revival shows no signs of stopping. And as the genre gains more name recognition on TikTok, theres also a high likelihood that acts like Grouper and Galaxie 500 which have not always been referred to as slowcorewill gain attention on the app by growing association. The boundaries of the genre are murkier than ever, as evidenced by Spotifys  slowcore  playlist, which has gained 17.1K followers since its launch in February 2023 and includes everything from dream pop band Mazzy Star to the heavier shoegaze band Have A Nice Life . Gen-Z have already taken the slowcore label and run off with it, ensuring that its sound will also likely spin off in dozens of different wayslike an asteroid careening through space.

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Dalton Planners Explore Tiny Home Amendment to ADU Bylaw

DALTON, Mass.  The Planning Board will be discussing the possibility of amending the current Accessory Dwelling Units bylaws to include tiny homes during its meeting next week.

During the board's meeting in February, Tiny Home Industry Association President Dan Fitzpatrick joined the meeting via Zoom to give a presentation on tiny homes.

Fitzpatrick is interested in working with the town to amend its bylaws to permit movable tiny homes especially as Accessory Dwelling Units. A change like this would have to be approved during a town meeting.

A tiny home is defined as a unit under 400 square feet and has all the requirements to meet someone's daily needs, including sanitation, cooking, and other facilities.

He has been working with communities and states across the nation advocating for legalizing tiny homes through building code changes, ordinance updates, bylaw amendments, or statute changes.

There are benefits to tiny homes for both the buyer and the community, including affordable housing, energy efficiency, ease of location, hookup and maintenance, and are perfect for infill, Fitzpatrick said.

Permitting ADUs and movable tiny homes is a way to provide more affordable housing. A significant number of tiny home units are built as ADUs but 60 percent of American cities are zoned for single-family homes, he said.

"One could buy a movable tiny home and they generally cost between $60,000 and $90,000," Fitzpatrick said.

If a resident chooses to put it in as an ADU it would cost another $20,000 to cover trenching, bringing it in, and hooking it up to the water sewer electric system.

"So, you got a total investment of anywhere from $80,000 to $100,000. So that's very affordable, for one or two people within your community," he said.

"Your median family income is approximately $73,000. So, as you can see, these units can supply housing for low and very low incomes, so a significant portion of your area's households can afford a movable tiny home again, without any taxpayer subsidy."

Tiny homes are sustainable and energy efficient because they have very low water and sewer consumption, Fitzpatrick said.

"That's very important in today's world. A lot of communities I work with have they want to cut their energy and carbon footprint. They have drought issues that they need to save water," he said and that tiny homes are a way to do that.

A common misconception that raises concerns amongst residents is the idea that movable tiny homes are conventional travel trailers or motorhomes; they are not.

"A movable tiny home is not that movable, a tiny home is built to resemble a typical cottage or bungalow," Fitzpatrick said.

A number of the communities that he has worked with say the units meet the requirements for certain areas, such as historic areas.

Tiny homes would allow communities to limit sprawl by working within boundaries that already have resources and services available, Fitzpatrick said.

As a former city manager and county administrator, he said urban sprawl costs more money than working within the current community boundary.

"You get double bang for your buck and thus at the end of the day, there's no taxpayer subsidy required for an affordable accessory dwelling unit or infill unit," he said.

Based on how long the tiny home will remain on a property it can be taxed different ways, Fitzpatrick said.

"In terms of taxation, these units get taxed basically the same way you would do manufactured homes. Sometimes if they're there for a non-permanent basis they get taxed on as personal property and if they're more permanent and affixed to the property, they can be taxed as real property," he said.

The current ADUs permitted in town are only slightly different than tiny homes, Fitzpatrick said. The only difference is that most tiny houses have wheels.

If the town wants to amend its current bylaw, the same way Great Barrington has, then it has to amend its codes, Fitzpatrick said.

Great Barrington approved amending its ordinance to include tiny homes about four years ago. Town Planner Janko Tomasic will reach out to Great Barrington's planning department for insight.

Many communities also include in their bylaws that the tiny home requires double-pane glass, exterior trim, and has to have a minimum R requirement for the walls and ceiling. The association recommends a minimum R13 requirement for the walls and R19 for the ceiling.

These requirements prevent the approval of conventional recreational vehicles or park models, he said.

"So, you just put those in, you eliminate them. Now you're going to only get true tiny homes and you have a requirement that the tiny home shall be designed and built to look like it conventional housing units," Fitzpatrick said.

Under the bylaw, the town would require a special permit and no one gets a special permit until they submit a plan that adheres to these requirements, "so you're in charge, and no one is trying to sneak a RV into your back yard and call it a tiny home."

The amendment has to define a movable tiny home, point to the building code and certifications that are going to be required, including site hookup and provisions for utilities and foundation base, and incorporate details for community specific needs, such as snow load requirements.

The amendment must also include the fact that the home requires two licenses, one for the Registry of Motor Vehicles and a certificate stating the home was built to the appropriate building code standards,

The owner is responsible for the permits to hook it up to the water, sewer, and electric system, he said.

A number of communities require that the wheels are removed and that the structure sit on the same type of foundation used for manufactured housing or if the wheels aren't removed, that it sits on a level surface that's substantial enough to handle its weight, Fitzpatrick said.

Following the presentation board, Chair Andrew Perenick said he is interested in touring some tiny homes.

The idea of tiny homes is not anything new, Fitzpatrick said. "I grew up as a kid in the 1950s and I call it 'back to the future.'"

During that time, the average home size was about 1,000 square feet but due to increase in family sizes homes started to get bigger.

"So what's happened since the 1950s to today the housing size has more than doubled, but the number of people per household has actually decreased," Fitzpatrick said.

A number of the city and county leaders and state legislators described tiny homes as a "fad" that will pass, Fitzpatrick said.

However, he urged they look at the demographics saying we desperately need smaller housing.

"Nationally 30 percent of the population are single-person units," he said, and 70 percent of households in the United states have two people or less.

Tiny homes are a "perfect example of a product that helps" provide the need for smaller and more diverse housing, he said. "We need different types of housing to deal with and present to our various constituents to meet their housing needs."

Especially for seniors who are living in 2,000 to 3,000 square foot homes, he said.

Millennials are not the only ones buying tiny homes. A number of buyers are baby boomers for a variety of reasons including downsizing, buying it for their kids, grandkids, caregiver, or to make additional income, Fitzpatrick said.
Workshop at BAAMS

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS) will host a saxophone adn woodwinds workshop on March 16.

This is the third in a monthly series of special workshops at BAAMS, lead by Executive Director Richard Boulger and the BAAMS' Faculty Band. This month features saxophonist Alex Foster, who has performed with the "Saturday Night Live" Band for over three decades, and is co-musical director of the Mingus Big Band in New York City.

Boulger will be on hand to teach brass instruments/trumpet, Alex Blake, bass, Dario Boente, piano/keyboards, and Jaime Affoumado, drums and percussion.

Students from ages 10 and up may attend. It would be helpful if they have some musical background but need not be advanced.

The workshop that will be held at Studio9 at the Porches located at 18 Veazie St.

The workshop runs from 11 am to 1:30 pm.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased here.




iciHaiti - Religion : Pope Francis prays for Peace in Haiti





Sunday March 10, 2024, during the Angelus, Pope Francis particularly remembered the Haitian people, where he declared that he was following with concern and sadness the serious crisis hitting Haiti, where widespread violence has broken out in recent days.



He said he was close to the local Church and to all the Haitian people who have suffered for years. He called on everyone to pray for the intercession of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to put an end to all violence. He also encouraged everyone to offer their contribution so that Peace and reconciliation take root in the country, also with the renewed support of the international community.



The Holy Father prayed that the hostilities which are causing immense suffering among the civilian population would cease as quickly as possible.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41853-haiti-flash-bloody-failure-of-an-attempt-to-take-the-national-palace.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-41841-icihaiti-insecurity-update-on-the-situation-friday-march-8.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41829-haiti-flash-demonstration-of-gang-power-considerable-human-and-material-losses-report.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41822-haiti-flash-update-on-the-situation-march-5-2024.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41816-haiti-flash-haiti-deploys-the-army-against-attacks-on-port-au-prince-airport-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41804-haiti-flash-update-on-the-situation-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41793-haiti-flash-the-national-penitentiary-stormed-many-prisoners-escape-chaos-in-the-capital-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41781-haiti-flash-barbecue-announces-the-start-of-the-revolution-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41779-haiti-flash-the-metropolitan-area-under-attacks.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41541-haiti-religion-pope-francis-calls-for-support-from-the-international-community-for-haiti.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-41490-icihaiti-vatican-pope-francis-calls-for-the-release-of-the-6-nuns.html



IH/ iciHaiti


















 ..:    2023       -     29%
MBABANE  During the third quarter of the 2023/24 financial year, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade hosted 16 inward investment attraction missions from countries such as India, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Bangladesh, Togo and USA.

According to the ministrys annual report, to aggressively promote the country to investors, the ministry, through the Industry Department, further undertook five outward missions to Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Botswana. As a result, five FDIs were facilitated in mining, energy, property and manufacturing. These companies invested a total of E600 million and created 2008 jobs, read the report. Furthermore, 21 FDI projects were added to the investment pipeline in the reporting period.

Strategic

These are in manufacturing, Agriculture, energy, food processing tourism and pharmaceuticals. In line with its strategic objective to promote and facilitate new domestic investments (DDI) in the country, the authority co-ordinated investment by one DDI company in Roto Manufacturing, which invested about E10 million and created 20 employment opportunities.

Four DDI projects were added to the pipeline in the energy, property and food processing sectors. It was further reported that the industry department has successfully completed the review of the countrys National Industrial Development Policy (2015-2022), and has launched the Industrial Policy (2023-2033). The Industrial Policy (2023-2033) will guide the review of Eswatinis Investment Policy. The department working with the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) is engaged in a process to review the National Investment Policy (2009).

Policy

The reviewed policy is expected to facilitate the creation of an automatic, transparent and predictable investment regime by way of harmonising and aligning with other policies, and laws, including Eswatinis commitments at continental, regional and international levels. Furthermore, efforts to strengthen national value chains continue, in particular strengthening the meat and meat products value chain. It was highlighted that the National Agro-Value Chain Development Strategy for Fruits and Vegetables, Meat and Meat Products was adopted in 2019, and Eswatini was leading this value chain under the South African Customs Union (SACU). The department in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture is currently involved in facilitating the implementation of the National Agro-Value Chain Development Strategy for Meat and Meat Products Value Chain through the assistance of the International Trade Centre (ITC), the project is currently at the initiation stage.

Meanwhile, the International Trade Department has continued to expand and safeguard market access opportunities for the countrys export products. The department has participated in a number of bilateral, regional, continental and multilateral trade forums including negotiation meetings, training workshops, forums and conferences to advance and safeguard the countrys market interest, covering both goods and services. These include SACU, SADC, COMESA, SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), SACU + Mozambique - UK EPA, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA), AGOA, Taiwan  Eswatini Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA) and at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Jennifer Belle was once one of Americas most lauded new authors. She was barely 28 when, in 1996, her debut novel, Going Down, about a woman who puts herself through college by working as a call girl, was published to global success. New Yorks glitziest young writers Jay McInerney and Tama Janowitz lined up to praise her, while Madonna snapped up the film rights, enlisting Belle to pen the screenplay herself. This daughter of the noted poet Jill Hoffman had got off to a dream start.

Madonna was creative and brilliant, says Belle. Shed make suggestions for the screenplay, and I would disagree completely, but then Id suddenly sit up a few days later and think, Oh, of course! Shes 100 per cent right. Its like she had tentacles all over her body, and just did things correctly, which is what an artist has to do.

Their collective efforts, however, ultimately came to nothing. The film never got made.
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Emma Stones wild-eyed look, as she clambered up on stage to receive the Oscar for Best Actress, said it all: she didnt think she was going to win. Perhaps, even, she wasnt quite sure she was meant to win. Her turn as Bella Baxter in Yorgos Lanthimoss Poor Things, about a reanimated woman with a babys brain who rediscovers the world step by step, sensation by sensation, is truly joyous. She offers us Bellas curiosity, her fierce intellect, her unsteady limbs, her wildfire emotions  all without ever demeaning or infantilising her. Shes a fabulistic creation, given flesh-and-blood relatability through Stones contributions.

And, yet, for many, the win didnt quite feel right. And it seemed as if Stone might be inclined to agree. Her speech rushed towards the words: Lily, I share this with you. Im in awe of you. For much of the lead-up to awards season, the conversation had centred around Martin Scorseses tale of Indigenous slaughter, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Lily Gladstones turn as Mollie Burkhart. Mollie was a survivor of the Reign of Terror in the early 20th century, in which dozens of people belonging to the Osage Nation were murdered for their share of inherited oil rights by white co-conspirators who had married into their families.

Gladstones performance is singular, the most striking presence created by a female actor in any of Scorseses substantial back catalogue. Mollies story is one of loss, of the wrenching terror of witnessing her family, her culture, and her home be systematically annihilated.

But its a feeling complicated, too, by the love she bears  both sincere and as the product of manipulation  for her husband Ernest (Leonardo DiCaprio). Shes fully conscious that shes being led, by a lovers hand, towards her own destruction  set on a path from which shes powerless to turn away. Gladstone communicates so much of this in silence, in a penetrating, defiant stare that looks out to us and demands that we witness her; or in the smallest curl of her smile as she laughs at Ernest and calls him coyote, the scavenger greedily feeding on scraps.

As healthy as it is to resist media-friendly Oscar narratives about whos earned their place, and whos toiled the most, the Best Actress race this year (which also included Sandra Hullers uncompromising turn as a murder suspect in Anatomy of a Fall) throws up several questions about what kind of art we choose to celebrate. Stones performance is, arguably, the best of her career. But this is also her second win, and Bella Baxter relies on much of the same bravado and energy weve already seen in The Favourite, La La Land, or (for the TV fans) The Curse.

Gladstone, meanwhile, is the definition of revelatory. Shes always stood out, but here shes finally been given the platform to show us how far the boundaries of her talent stretch. As the nights tepid host Jimmy Kimmel mentioned during the ceremony, the actor had been close to quitting the business for good, despite notable turns in Kelly Reichardts Certain Women and First Cow, when Scorsese sought her out. And, now, suddenly, shes one of the very few Indigenous actors to ever be nominated for an Academy award.

Emma Stone and Lily Gladstone at the Oscars (Getty)

It was too close a race to confidently call this a shock or a snub, but the absence of a Gladstone win stings all the more when coupled with a general lack of recognition for Killers of the Flower Moon. Scorseses masterful work was barely mentioned beyond Kimmels tasteless joke that it was so long you could drive to Oklahoma and solve the murders yourself. And, despite it overall being a strong year for nominees, all of this sits a little uneasily for a ceremony in which the hollowness of Hollywoods self-aggrandisement has never felt more apparent.

Oppenheimers Robert Downey Jr, while accepting his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, declared: What we do is meaningful, and the stuff that we decide to make is important. But how can that be true when the same industry ignores the reality that lies just beyond the auditorium doors? The ceremony was delayed by several minutes due to a large pro-Palestine protest that took place outside. Yet, one of the only people to pierce the bubble of near-total, apolitical silence during the evening was The Zone of Interests director Jonathan Glazer, who said, while accepting the award for Best International Film: All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present: not to say Look what they did then  rather, Look what we do now.

Glazers film  a portrait of the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Hoss, and his family  won both Best International Film and (in an inspired move) Best Sound. Its legacy, in all likeliness, will far outlive the nights ceremony. Its a difficult film, which asks direct, confrontational questions in a way that stands in stark contrast to the mighty, but more existential, Best Picture winner Oppenheimer (which predictably swept the awards). The Zone of Interest shares a good amount of DNA not only with Killers of the Flower Moon, but specifically with Gladstones performance and the way in which she engages directly with the viewer. Stones win is a commendable one, but for a night that tested arts true value in a fractured world  well, even Stone might agree that the right choice seemed self-explanatory.
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Jimmy Kimmel wasnt  despite Donald Trumps assertion, posted to his social media site Truth Social mid-show  the worst Oscar host ever. But his opening monologue wasnt especially funny, inspiring light titters rather than belly laughs. But it fit a melancholy ceremony nearly derailed by a protest right outside the venue, and an industry uncertain about its own future.

Kimmel has always been a bit too strait-laced for these things, a US TV fixture who is deadpan rather than silly, a gentle ribber rather than at all mean. Tonight was a case in point: he saved his harshest gags for noted boogeyman Gerard Depardieu and Madame Web, a movie so easily mockable that most of the great jokes about its awfulness have already been made by its actual cast.

Robert Downey Jr appeared slightly miffed  or bored, or a mix of both  by a gag made about his historic drug issues, but even that felt vaguely tepid. Kimmels material was so safe that he may as well have made a number of gags about the length of Killers of the Flower Moon  oh wait, he did.

Other lines barely constituted as jokes, from a mention of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling winning the genetic lottery, to determining that Christopher Nolans reason for not owning a smartphone and writing scripts on an internet-less computer is due to a porn addiction.

Opening monologues are a delicate art. Just ask Jo Koy, who bombed at this years Golden Globes. But ideally they fall somewhere in between Ricky Gervaiss tired roasting and the wince-inducing cheesiness of Ellen DeGeneres. Its why Tina Fey and Amy Poehlers Globes hosting remains the gold standard in the modern era of awards shows  they were sharp, fast, mocking of the right things. Their 2014 joke about George Clooney choosing to float away into space and die in Gravity than spend one more minute with a woman his own age still kills.

Missing from Kimmels monologue was any similar sense of danger. There was barely any spice, either. Only one joke felt particularly ribald (Jodie Foster is young enough to be Robert De Niros daughter [but] shes 20 years too old to be his girlfriend) but meh. In its place was a sense of lukewarm gentility. But perhaps its what this particular ceremony called for.

Hollywoods response to the ongoing violence in Gaza was  as it has been throughout this awards season  an uncomfortable elephant in the room, with the show delayed by five minutes due to a pro-Palestine protest outside that prevented a number of stars from arriving at the Dolby Theatre on time. Kimmel mentioned the delay, but not what caused it.

Jimmy Kimmel jokes about Robert Downey Jr's drug use in Oscars monologue

Towards the end of his monologue, he invoked Hollywoods current existential crisis, from the threat of artificial intelligence to last years triple dose of strike action by actors, writers and directors. We said, We will not accept a deal without protections against artificial intelligence, Kimmel said. As a result, actors no longer have to worry about being replaced by AI. Thanks to this historic agreement, actors can go back to being worried about being replaced by younger, more attractive people.

It was funny. If not ha-ha funny. Maybe because it was not, fundamentally, about anything funny. Workers unions. Worker exploitation. Tech bros running the industry. Everything, everywhere feeling a bit like its standing on a cliff edge. Could AI have written Transformers: Rise of the Beasts? Kimmel asked at one point. Yes, the answer is yes. People chuckled in the audience. But you wonder if those who needed to hear it even cared.

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Someone may have been able to wring laughs from a difficult moment in time, but Kimmel wasnt that guy. Smaller ceremonies  including the Governor Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards  have flourished of late under the hosting of comedians such as John Mulaney and Aidy Bryant, proving that theres still juice in a gig thats often described as slightly thankless. The Academy would be smart to mix things up moving forward, maybe go for a less starry if far funnier name. When Mulaney himself appeared later on in the show  to present Best Sound  it seemed like an audition. For Oscars sake, I hope it was.
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Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel has revealed that he was told not to read out Donald Trumps criticism of the ceremony live on air.

During last nights Oscars, which saw Oppenheimer and Poor Things both win big, Kimmel read aloud a statement posted by Trump on his social media site Truth Social in which the former US president attacked the presenters hosting abilities.

Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars, Trump wrote. His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can beAlso a really bad politically correct show tonight, and for years  Disjointed, boring, and very unfair. Why dont they just give the Oscars to those that deserve them. Maybe that way their audience and TV ratings will come back from the depths. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

In response, Kimmel joked: Blah, blah, blah  OK, now, see if you can guess which former president just posted that on Truth Social. Anyone? No? Well, thank you, President Trump. Thank you for watching, Im surprised youre still up  isnt it past your jail time?

Speaking to Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos immediately after the ceremony on their Live TV special, Kimmel said members of the production team had tried to discourage him from reading out the criticism.

Theyre like, Youve got a little bit of time and I was like, Im reading the Trump tweet, and theyre like, No, no, dont read that, Kimmel said with a laugh. [I was like] Yes I am.

Donald Trump at a campaign rally in March 2023, and Jimmy Kimmel at the Oscars (Getty Images)

Kimmel also joked about Al Pacinos failure to read out the list of nominees before presenting the award for Best Picture.

I guess hes never watched an awards show before, Kimmel said. It seems like everyone in America knows the rhythm of how its supposed to go down to the And the Oscar goes to But not Al Pacino! God bless him.

Last night was not the first time Trump has gone after the Oscars. In 2021, he claimed that the Oscars is a far less important and elegant name than the Academy Awards, and poked fun at the shows declining ratings. If they keep with the current ridiculous formula, it will only get worse  if thats possible, he wrote on Twitter.

In 2020, Trump became distracted during a rally and went on a rant about that years Best Picture prize being awarded to Bong Joon-hos celebrated class satire Parasite. By the way, how bad were the Academy Awards this year, do you see? Trump asked the crowd. And the winner [was] a movie from South Korea. What the hell was all that about? We got enough problems with South Korea, on trade, and on top of it they give it the best movie of the year. Was it good?
 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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Ryan Gosling had the Oscars crowd in hysterics with his long-awaited performance of Im Just Ken.

The actor, 43, was one of several performers to entertain the star-studded audience in attendance at the 96th Academy Awards, which took place on Sunday (10 March) at the illustrious Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

After much speculation as to whether Gosling would agree to perform the song at the ceremony, the Barbie star delighted viewers with a boisterous rendition of the hit song.

Gosling began his performance in the crowd, sitting in his seat wearing a hot pink suit embellished with rhinestones, matching gloves, a cowboy hat, and a pair of sunglasses.

Sitting in the seats surrounding Gosling, his Barbie co-star Margot Robbie and Billie Eilish (who won Best Song together with her brother Finneas for their song in Barbie) were spotted on camera cracking up.

Gosling performed choreography alongside an entourage of back-up dancers in matching cowboy hats.

Guns N Roses guitarist Slash  real name Saul Hudson  shocked viewers when he joined Gosling on stage, wearing his trademark top hat.

Producer Mark Ronson also made a brief appearance, playing the guitar alongside Gosling in a baby pink ensemble.

Viewers at home were similarly impressed with the performance.

If youre ever feeling down, just watch Ryan Gosling singing Im Just Ken live. It heals, wrote one person on Twitter/X.

Another added: Ryan Gosling performing Im Just Ken was absolutely amazing!!!

The way he was fighting not to laugh lol, said someone else. The other Kens were there, Slash was there, Mark Ronson! AMAZING. Protect Ryan Gosling at all costs. The patriarchy never looked so good.

Follow along with all the updates from the Oscars ceremony at The Independents live blog here. You can also check out the full list of winners here.

In July last year, Gosling broke into the UK Top 40 with Im Just Ken. Barbie and its accompanying soundtrack simultaneously landed three top five songs on the UK singles chart.

Earlier in the night, Gosling lost out in the Best Supporting Actor category to Robert Downey Jr who won for his role as Lewis Strauss in Oppenehimer.
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Kanye Wests daughter North West has announced she is planning to release her debut album, aged 10.

The daughter of West and his ex-wife Kim Kardashian shared the news over the weekend (10 March) at an Arizona-based listening party for her fathers forthcoming record, Vultures 2.

Ive been working on an album, North told the crowd as she stood next to her father. And its called Elementary School Dropout.

The albums title is an homage to the rappers own debut album, The College Dropout, which he released in 2004.

The record remains instantly iconic and sonically fresh, The Independents Nadine Smith wrote in a feature around its 20th anniversary, while acknowledging the string of controversies West has been involved in in recent years.

In December 2022, the All Falls Down rapper, 46, appeared on right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Joness show, where he claimed that he liked Hitler and said people should stop dissing the Nazis.

A year later, he posted an apology to the Jewish community written in Hebrew.

It was not my intention to offend or disrespect and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused, he said. Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.

Then, last month, he released his latest collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign, titled Vultures 1. In the albums title track, Vultures, he referenced his offensive views, rapping: How Im antisemitic? I just f***ed a Jewish b****.

During the albums release party in December, Kanye was spotted wearing a KKK-style hood while on stage.

Ahead of the records release, Kanye dropped the music video for his two-part track TALKING / ONCE AGAIN, which featured North rapping.

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In the video, shared on the embattled artists Instagram and Twiter/X, North is shown having her hair done and smiling with her dad while also rapping the first verse: Its your bestie, miss miss Westie / Dont try to test me / Its gonna get messy / Its gonna get messy / Just, just bless me.

Kanye and North West (ye/Instagram)

Vultures is far from great, The Independents music editor Roisin OConnor wrote in an analysis of the album. Its not as bad as Donda, mind you, Wests 2021 album that stumbled between everything from trap to drill, gospel to boom-bap, while wrestling with his (ultimately performative) new religious mission statement.

Nor is it worse than 2019s Jesus is King, the gospel record that failed to gather his views on faith in any meaningful, cohesive way. Vultures at least has a few decent hooks  namely on the summery Burn in which he hits out at being burnt by those who cashed a check off his name, and on Do It, which samples the synth-strings on Juveniles Back That Azz Up.

She continued: Now, West seems less inclined to put in the work, apparently under the impression that cheap shots at his enemies and quickfire, chaotic stunts will generate the attention he craves far quicker... Vultures unequivocally lacks the kind of world-dominating, money-spinning hit that might just tempt the music industry to welcome him back into the fold.

North is the oldest of Kanye and Kardashians four children. The former couple also share Saint, eight; Chicago, six; and Psalm, four.
 Close Gary Goldsmith becomes first Celebrity Big Brother housemate to be evicted

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The Celebrity Big Brother housemates have now waved goodbye to three contestants after Lauren Simon was evicted during Tuesday nights episode. She follows in the footsteps of the Princess of Waless uncle, Gary Goldsmith, who became the first contestant on this years series to be evicted.

Months after the reality series titan returned on ITV, the celebrity version has been resurrected in the hopes of emulating the success of the latest civilian series, which was won by Jordan Sangha in November.

Surviving contestants include X Factor judge Louis Walsh who has already shocked viewers with an incredibly rude comment  Love Island winner Ekin-Su and Strictly Come Dancing professional Nikita Kuzmin.

In the latest episode, Sharon Osbourne, who was in the series as a celebrity lodger, left the CBB house. She was only planned to be in the series for several days and was given a private en-suite bedroom separate from the rest of the housemates.

As for the eviction, it was between Fern Britton, Louis Walsh and Lauren Simon, but it was the Real Housewives of Cheshire star who was voted off.

Meanwhile, Louis launched a scathing attack on the pop duo Jedward, calling them vile, and he later made several comments about Ronan Keating.

Follow along with all the live updates as CBB airs on ITV
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Death in Paradise viewers were left stunned during Sunday nights episode when Ralf Littles character DI Neville Parker teased his departure from the series.

On Sunday (11 March), the BBC drama series aired the penultimate episode of its 13th series with Little as the intuitive DI Neville alongside Don Warrington as the local police Commissioner Selwyn Patterson.

The show, which is set in the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie, focuses on the detective inspector from the UK and his police team solving murder mysteries that continue to shake the island.

During Sundays episode, DI Neville, who is the shows longest-running detective, dropped a huge bombshell when he announced that he would be leaving Saint Marie to go travelling in the hope of finding love.

However, just before the end of the episode, the DIs former love interest and colleague, DS Florence Cassell (played by Josephine Jobert), called the Commissioner to say she had been released from witness protection and was heading back to Saint Marie.

Fans pointed out the timeliness of her arrival and predicted that the pair might strike up a romance and Florence could be the one to convince Neville to stay on the island.

Others predicted that Neville and Florence would leave the series and go travelling together, making room for a new DI to take over the role, which Little has been in since he joined the show in 2020.

Florence is coming out of witness protection and heading back to Saint Marie (BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Denis Guyenon)

Yes... Florence is clearly back for Neville. Please let them go off travelling together, wrote one fan on X/Twitter.

Another viewer wrote that they thought the pair were definitely heading off into the sunset together.

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Meanwhile, another fan said it was definitely Nevilles final season.

Ralph Little has played DI Neville Parker since series nine (BBC)

Question is does Florence go travelling with him? Kinda think the answer is yes, dont think shed wanna be DI, they wrote.

Neville has been quietly pining for Florence since she left the island during season 12 following a dangerous gunpoint situation.

The actor playing the British detective is often swapped after a few seasons. In the past, Ben Miller portrayed DI Richard Poole for the first three series of the BBC show with Kris Marshall taking over as DI Humphrey Goodman from seasons three to six.

Could this be the end of Ralf Little as DI Neville Parker?

The final episode of Death in Paradise season 13 will air next Sunday 17 March at 9pm on BBC One.
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With the UK still struggling to iron out the details of a post-Brexit free trade agreement with India, New Delhi has instead clinched a landmark deal with four European nations that it claims will result in $100bn (78bn) of investment in the country.

Sundays agreement was signed between India and the European Free Trade Association (Efta) bloc of non-EU nations  Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein  after 16 years of negotiations. The EU is also engaged in a race to reach its own trade deal with India.

Under the deal, the four European countries will invest $100bn in India over the next 15 years and create a over million jobs.

In return, India will lift or partially remove what are currently very high customs duties on industrial goods from the four countries.

The deal was unveiled by the Narendra Modi administration at a summit in New Delhi with just days to go before the expected start of the general election campaign season, during which the Indian government is prohibited from making major announcements that could be vote-winners. India is due to hold its elections by mid-May, though the exact dates have yet to be released.

Mr Modi said the conclusion of what he called one of the most pioneering free trade agreements ever was a watershed moment.

This landmark pact underlines our commitment to boosting economic progress and creating opportunities for our youth, he said. The times ahead will bring more prosperity and mutual growth as we strengthen our bonds with Efta nations.

It means India has now signed three trade deals in the past two years, with Australia, the UAE and now the Efta bloc, while negotiations for a UK-India free trade agreement that would double trade to 86bn are frozen in the final stages after some 14 rounds of talks. With the UK also going to the polls later this year, a deal is now not thought to be likely before both countries have formed new governments.

Indian trade minister Piyush Goyal said the deal with the European bloc marked the first time in the history of the world that we are inking an agreement with a binding commitment for investment. He claimed that it shows investor confidence in India is at an all-time high.

The pact covers some new elements, such as intellectual rights and gender equality, Mr Goyal added, telling a press conference: It is a modern trade agreement: fair, equitable, and win-win for all five countries.

The agreement will provide advantages to the pharmaceutical and medical devices sector within the bloc. Indian exporters will enjoy expanded access for their rice and other goods to European nations, while high-end Swiss watches will gradually become more affordable in India.

Swiss machinery manufacturers, producers of luxury goods, and transport sectors are anticipated to gain, according to the Swiss government. India has extended an invitation to Swiss transport companies to invest in its railways.

The agreement gives Efta nations the chance to export processed food and beverages, electrical machinery, and various engineering products to a potential market of 1.4 billion people at reduced tariffs.

Officials pose after the signing of the agreement with Efta (PIB/AFP via Getty)

India and the four Efta nations now have to ratify the agreement before it can take effect. Switzerland is expected to ratify it by next year.

Analysts said the pact may not immediately help India to reduce a large trade gap with the European bloc, but that it will help to 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 [Norwegian] technologies, said trade economist Ram Singh, who heads a New Delhi think tank, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.

Negotiations for a UK-India deal, billed as the most comprehensive ever signed by New Delhi, were formally launched in January 2022, and the British prime minister at the time, Boris Johnson, declared that he expected it to be completed by Diwali  24 October  that same year.

Hopes for a breakthrough were high and there were talks of plans for a Diwali visit to the UK by Mr Modi to sign the deal, until comments criticising Indian migrants by the then home secretary Suella Braverman appeared to derail negotiations. Progress again stalled in April 2023 amid New Delhis anger over protests at its embassy in London.

British negotiators flew to India last week in what one UK government source described as a last-ditch attempt to clinch a deal. The two sides still differ on a number of points, including the number of visas for Indians to work in the UK and differences over the level of access British car manufacturers should be given to Indias market.

The UKs trade minister, Kemi Badenoch, said last week that an agreement before both countries elections is possible but challenging, adding that she does not wish to use any election as a deadline. She said one of the major reasons for the long-drawn-out discussions is that India is a protectionist economy in comparison with the UKs more liberalised regime.

Talks for an ambitious FTA between India and the EU were resumed in 2021 after being stalled for almost nine years due to differences in issues of customs duties on motor vehicles and spirits, and around the movement of professionals. The EU is Indias second-largest trading partner after the US.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, Canada paused talks for an FTA with India after the two sides were unable to reach agreement on issues around food safety standards. It also came amid a diplomatic row between the two countries after Ottawa said it believed the Indian government had been involved in a plot to assassinate a Canadian Sikh activist in British Columbia.
MANZINI  A senior police officer at Sidvokodvo Police Station collapsed and died on Thursday night.

The senior police officer is said to have collapsed while at her Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) allocated house. The officer, who is known to this publication, but will not be named for now as her immediate family could not be sourced for comment at the time of compiling this report, held the position of inspector. She was promoted from sergeant to inspector on December 1, 2023. Sources claimed that the officer had taken annual leave when she collapsed and died. The sources suspected that her demise could have been a result of a cardiac arrest as she was not sickly. They claimed that the extreme heat in the past week could also have contributed to her demise.

The senior officer was said to have made history within the police service as she was promoted to a position that had been dominated by males for the longest period of time. Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni acknowledged that the senior officer had passed on. However, Mnguni said she could not comment much on her demise as it had to be done by her family. Her demise while in office is subsequent to that of deceased National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Tsitsibala Dlamini, who also collapsed and died while enroute to the country from a summit in Angola.

He died at OR Tambo International Airport in the Republic of South Africa (SA) on October 7, 2023. Dlamini collapsed on arrival at the airport and was certified dead after inspection by medical practitioners. Also, another senior police officer who died while still in office was former Manzini Police Station Commander Dumisani Dube. He was found dead with a gunshot wound in his head on February 26, 2023.
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An Indian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter has urged prime minister Narendra Modi to visit his conflict-torn northeastern state of Manipur in a video that has gone viral on social media.

The video shows an emotional Chungreng Koren addressing the crowd after winning a bout at Matrix Fight Night (MFN), with the champions belt on his shoulder.

In his appeal, Koren says: "This is my humble request. Violence is happening in Manipur. It has been almost one year and people are dying every day".

Manipur has been hit by fierce fighting between two tribal groups since last May, with members of the majority Meitei and minority Kuki communities violently clashing over economic benefits and government job quotas given to the tribes. As many as 219 people have been killed in the conflict, while more than 60,000 have been displaced, according to states governor Anusuiya Uikey.

Thousands of Manipuris have fled the state and sought refuge in neighbouring Mizoram and other states in the northeast. The state has also lost revenue of up to Rs 80m (760,000) while the violence continues.

Koren added: "Several people are in relief camps and do not have access to food and water. The children are not able to study properly. The future is unclear. Please visit Manipur once and restore peace in Manipur," he pleaded.

Mr Modi has faced criticism for failing to visit Manipur since the conflict began in early May last year. Indias main opposition party, the Indian National Congress (INC), shared Koren's video, which comes two days after it slammed Mr Modi for not visiting the state.

"Why has the Prime Minister, ordinarily misusing taxpayers money to campaign around the country, not found the time to visit Manipur yet, or even take a call with the Chief Minister and the political parties of the State," INC's Jairam Ramesh wrote on X.

Tensions escalated in Manipur earlier this month when an army officer named Konsam Kheda Singh was reportedly kidnapped from his house in Thoubal district by militants, the fourth such incident of officials being abducted in the state. He was rescued nine hours later following a major search operation.

In late February, additional superintendent of police Amit Singh was abducted by activists allegedly belonging to a Meitei organisation in the states capital, Imphal. Around 200 armed people stormed the ASPs residence and abducted him along with a staff member.
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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.
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A Chinese man has been charged in Singapore for allegedly faking his own kidnapping to free himself of gambling debt.

Liu Changjian, 33, staged his own kidnapping and tried to extort a ransom of 30,000 yuan (3,251) from his aunt Madam Liu Ya Bo in China.

He entered Singapore on a tourist visa on 1 March and was to leave the country on 6 March, but did not leave, police said.

An investigation revealed that Mr Liu had piled on a gambling debt of between S$20,000 (11,709) and S$30,000 (17,563) during his stay in the city-state.

In a press release, Singapore police said Mr Liu sent messages to his aunt last week and pretended to be his own kidnapper.

He visited the Marina Bay Sands Casino on 7 and 8 March when he put his plan in motion, according to court documents.

His aunt, who was in China, received a WeChat text message from an unknown person demanding a ransom for the release of Mr Liu, forwarding identification documents.

In the text messages, the unknown person forwarded the photo of the mans travel document as proof, said the police.

The woman alerted Mr Lius father, who was also in China. The father called the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to seek help on 9 March.

An investigation was launched and police conducted extensive searches and investigations to find Mr Liu, the police said.

Mr Lui was found safe and sound in the Marina Bay area just three hours after they were alerted by his father.

He pleaded not guilty as he appeared in court via video-link while on remand.

Mr Lui was charged with attempted cheating and faced up to 10 years in jail or fine if convicted.
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In April 2022, it was impossible to escape Depp v Heard. Even if you werent streaming every second of the court proceedings between Johnny and Amber, your feeds were undoubtedly clogged with related content. And by related content I mean content that primarily trashed Amber Heard. Perhaps you saw tweets declaring #JusticeForJohnny and #AmberIsAnAbuser, or watched people hammily acting out scenes from their marriage on TikTok, layered over with audio of Heard alleging domestic and sexual abuse by the actor, like a dystopian pantomime. Or perhaps you found the trial slipping into your offline, real life when getting coffee  the tip jars labelled Amber and Johnny, with wads of cash stuffed into Depps.

At the time, a few journalists and legal experts covering the trial, such as Kat Tenbarge and Lucia Osborne-Crowley, smelt a rat, and suggested that at least some of the Amber Heard hate campaign must be inauthentic. After being inundated with suggested YouTube videos of Heard being EXPOSED on the stand, alongside ones of Depp visiting hospital patients dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow  videos I couldnt seem to shake from my algorithm  I wrote a piece for Dazed, in which I accused die-hard Depp fans of having been swept up in a highly-orchestrated, seemingly money-no-object PR operation. But what if it was something messier, stranger, and more troubling, and instigated by bad-faith actors unrelated to the case?

Enter Who Trolled Amber?  a podcast investigation that is both overdue and revelatory. This storys horizons are broadening, reporter and host Alexi Mostrous says in the third episode. Mostrous and his team began by digging into a vast dataset of tweets about Depp and Heard. Alarm bells started ringing almost immediately. One account had tweeted more than 370,000 times since 2021, which, Mostrous calculated, was a post every two minutes, 24 hours a day, for three years. They also find an ostensibly Chilean far-right political troll who suddenly switches allegiances to attack Amber Heard; Spanish-speaking bot networks posting hundreds of pro-Depp tweets; Thai accounts that tweet once and go viral, and tens of thousands of identical messages left under Amber Heard videos on YouTube.

The truly shocking revelation at the heart of the series is just how vast and complex the disinformation movement against Heard was. This was not one single campaign, but multiple, hybrid attacks  with bot armies and real people working in tandem. The Depp/Heard saga was never just a story about the public breakdown of a public marriage. Yet, this may well be why the disinformation campaign went under the radar: celebrity culture functioned as a smoke screen.

There was obviously a huge amount of publicity about the case, Mostrous tells me. There were always rumours that there were bots and manipulation used. But I was surprised that, although this case involved so much media time and so much money, no one really picked up the bot issue and ran with it. He suggests this might partly be because, at the time of the US trial, it wasnt a pressing issue for the legal teams. They were more focused on going through the evidence and establishing what had happened. And sometimes it takes a while for these things to settle. Its not the sort of thing that you can easily analyse in the moment.

Part of the issue is that looking into this stuff is really, really difficult, Mostrous notes. For starters, theres an accountability and a transparency problem. In the world of manipulation, and hacking for hire, theres five to 10 to 20 steps between the client, and then his law firm, and then an investigations company based in London that they commission. And then the London-based investigations company commissions an independent but London-based security professional, who knows someone in Israel, who then subcontracts it out to someone in India, who does the hack or the manipulation, feeds the data back up the chain, and then, by the time it gets back to the law firm, there are no fingerprints. Essentially, the industry is effective precisely because its so convoluted.

The most interesting thing is the online misogyny. Theres so much of it. It makes you quite depressed, because there was a groundswell of hate that was there, just waiting for a case to come up

Yet, in another sense, mass online manipulation has never been simpler. Its easy these days to design pieces of software that can create and run multiple social media accounts that look quite genuine, Mostrous tells me. Thats not a particularly onerous process anymore, in a way it might have been five or 10 years ago.

This leads to a conundrum for investigators. Theres an imbalance between, on the one hand, manipulation campaigns being really easy to create, cheap to put in place, and potentially able to drive conversations, Mostrous says. On the other hand, theyre very difficult to detect. Theyre super difficult for journalists and researchers, but theyre also not easy even for the platforms to detect, particularly in situations where theyve cut back on safety teams and on their own resources. Mostrous sums the situation up plainly: Theres this imbalance between how easy it is to perpetrate, and how difficult it is to catch. Thats quite a worrying gap.

While making Who Trolled Amber, Mostrous knew he and his research team would have to be rigorous. What we didnt want to do was to find some bots and then just say, okay there are some bots, that means something dodgy happened, he explains. Because if you take basically any major public discussion on social media, there will be a small proportion of that conversation that is driven by bots. That doesnt mean that theres some nefarious bad guy masterminding it.

Yet, in this case, it wasnt a small proportion. What was surprising, at least according to one of the researchers, Mostrous says, was that 50 per cent of the conversation around Amber had been inauthentically generated.

Johnny Depp takes to the stand in his defamation trial (Getty)

Obviously, this doesnt mean there werent huge numbers of real people who were interested in the case. They made up the majority of accounts tweeting about Depp. However, Mostrous found they were only posting about the trial a handful of times. Bot accounts, by contrast, were tweeting up to 1,000 times a day, meaning the majority of tweets that were posted, were inauthentic.

In the podcast, Mostrous compares the role of bots in the Depp/Heard story to that of the agent provocateur, encouraging and inciting ugly elements that were already present. Daniel Maki  a former spy who put Mostrous onto the case in the first place  puts it slightly differently. Were looking at something here that feels beyond just the general din of the crowded bar, he says. This is somebody getting up on stage, ripping off their pants and throwing eggs at people in the audience. You couldnt ignore it, even if you tried. But was this amplification or instigation? In other words, who started it?

To begin to answer this, it helps to look at the timeline. The database of tweets the podcast team first digs into were from April 2020 to January 2021  over a year before the US trial began. One 48-hour window proved to be crucial. On 6 November, Depp announced on Instagram that hed been fired from the third Fantastic Beasts movie. (A week earlier, a UK trial had ruled against Depp, allowing The Sun newspaper to label him a wifebeater.) In the two days that followed Depps announcement, a rash of suspicious bot activity flooded the internet. Whats significant about this finding, is that this also took place 15 months before the US trial. Essentially, this suggests that by the time most people were engaging with the story, it was already too late. While it remains unclear and unverifiable who or what initiated the bot activity, the groundwork had already been laid for Heard to be damned in the court of public opinion.

Heard and Depp at a 2015 film premiere, years before their contentious court battles (Getty)

There was potentially a lot of manipulation, a lot of inauthenticity before the trial, Mostrous agrees. During the trial, there were lots of people who were like, okay, we can make money out of this case, because they had a constant supply of video images that they could cut and splice, and they could make Amber look bad and they could get clicks. But in a way, that was the more predictable end of things, he says. By that time, the internets opinion on Amber had already been formed.

Yet, at the same time, this strategy wasnt plucked out of thin air. After all, the #AmberIsAnAbuser content played into a narrative as old as time itself: man suffering at the hands of a manipulative, deceitful, evil woman.

When you take a step back from this, actually the most interesting thing is the online misogyny, Mostrous suggests. Theres so much of it. It makes you quite depressed, because there was a groundswell of hate that was there, just waiting for a case to come up. As Who Trolled Amber? continues, Mostrous and his team explore possible links between the trolling against Heard and the country of Saudi Arabia. But perhaps there doesnt need to be a single purpose behind the campaign. This is a propaganda war, cyber security expert EJ Hilbert says in the series. The goal is division; destabilisation.

A lot of disinformation campaigns, especially political ones, have as their objective just a sense of instability, Mostrous agrees. We saw that in the Russian bot campaign before the US election. I think the more we understand about misinformation campaigns, the more were seeing that actually, because theyre so easy to set up, theyre not just limited to political issues anymore. Indeed, misinformation may be more effectively deployed on issues that approach politics side-on, provoking a culture war.

Theres no reason why the Depp-Heard case wouldnt have fallen into that category, Mostrous tells me. Because it kind of brings up so many culture war issues about Should you believe all women?, and Hasnt the MeToo movement gone too far?, and all of that stuff that people, on both sides, feel really, really strongly about.

Depp in court in 2022 (Getty)

Towards the end of Who Trolled Amber, Mostrous describes the investigation as a warning. Recently, Ive encountered similar warnings in Naomi Kleins Doppelganger and Sian Norriss Bodies Under Siege, books that examine coordinated far-right attacks on reproductive rights across the globe. Is this a cultural tipping point, then, where we can start to get to grips with disinformation campaigns? Or has the horse already bolted?

I think we are slowly coming to terms with the fact this is a big problem, Mostrous muses. But at the same time, he adds, the technology isnt standing still either. As with most tech issues, as we try to catch up, everything accelerates. One of the things I do worry about is that its quite easy to focus on obvious examples of misinformation, Mostrous says. Deepfake videos, for instance. Whereas actually, I think if we look at really effective misinformation campaigns, they dont create lies out of thin air. Its more that they pose as people who are putting out little bits of truth, but the truth is taken out of context  its the out of context bit that drives a real sense of division. And thats much harder to deal with.

Effective disinformation relies on information overload. Its an abuse of how we consume news online now, Mostrous suggests: If were just going scroll, scroll, click, click, flick, flick, then we dont have time to parse the real from the fake. Its the same with the Russian attempts to subvert the US elections. They didnt put out lies or fake news, so much as they harnessed and weaponised real news, in a way that increased division. I think thats the real danger that weve got to face up to.

Who Trolled Amber? is available now
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F1 boss Christian Horner is facing fresh backlash after he posted a Mothers Day tribute to his wife, former Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell.

The CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing was accused and then cleared of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague, who has since been suspended following an internal investigation.

Horner has demanded an end to family intrusion following the claims involving alleged WhatsApp messages of a sexually suggestive nature.

On Mothers Day (Sunday 10 March), the 50-year-old shared a picture of Halliwell holding their son, along with a caption about his appreciation for mothers. He included images of his daughter, as well as a picture of what appeared to be his own mother.

In the post, which has since gathered hundreds of comments, he said: 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 less than impressed, with some accusing Horner of putting a PR spin on the ongoing F1 saga.

Christian Ive always been a huge fan of yours and of F1 but trying to brush all of this under the carpet with PR posts really isnt the right approach to take, wrote one user.

If the stories are true youve humiliated Geri and PR spin is like putting a plaster on an amputated limb.

Did your PR person tell you to post this? Donut, another comment said.

Some focused their energies on Halliwells support of Horner, remarking: 1996 Ginger Spice would have showed you the door.

The Independent has contacted Horners representative for comment.

The couple have been seen together on multiple occasions since the allegations were made public.

The couple have been seen in public together on multiple occasions since the allegations (EPA)

The scandal led to calls from Jos Verstappen, the father of Red Bull world champion Max Verstappen, to call for Horner to resign.

In a press conference held hours after his colleagues suspension, the F1 leader urged media to draw a line under the incident.

Obviously its been a very trying period, he said. 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.

At the end of a highly-charged press conference, he added: The intrusion on my family is enough.

Follow the latest updates on the Horner scandal here.
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Eva Mendes may not have attended the 2024 Oscars, but she made it clear that she was watching from home.

The actor, 50, took to Instagram on Sunday 10 March to pay homage to her husband Ryan Gosling, who was nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role as Ken in Greta Gerwigs Barbie. He also earned a nomination for Best Original Song for the films hit track, Im Just Ken, which he performed on stage during the ceremony.

Mendes posted a photo of herself, seemingly posing in Goslings dressing room, as she sported a pink blazer and a black cowboy hat. You took Ken all the way to the Oscars, RG. Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed, she captioned the post.

Mendes and Gosling, who met while co-starring in 2012s The Place Beyond the Pines, share two daughters together: nine-year-old Esmeralda and seven-year-old Amada.

Instead of Mendes tagging along for the awards, Gosling brought his family with him to the 2024 Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The actor walked down the red carpet alongside his mother, Donna Gosling; his sister, Mandi Gosling; and his stepfather Valerio Attanasio. In 2017, Mandi was his date for the ceremony when he was nominated for Best Actor for La La Land.

Gosling donned an elegant black Gucci suit composed of a blazer, pants, and an open-collared shirt that shimmered with touches of gold. He accessorised the look with sleek black dress shoes and dainty gold necklaces, and paid homage to Barbie with pink socks.

Mendes has championed her husbands Barbie performance on social media. Last summer, she shared a picture on Instagram wearing a shirt featuring Gosling as Ken, with the caption: Got that real big Kenergy. Coz girls is players too.

At the time, many fans commented below the photo asking Mendes if they planned on walking the red carpet together. The last time the pair walked the red carpet was in 2012. At the time, Mendes replied: What a cool comment, thank you. But we dont do those things together.

Im Just Ken, which Gosling performed onstage to the amusement of the theatre audience and viewers at home, was written by hitmakers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. In an interview with Variety last month, Gosling said that before he found out hed be performing, he was excited to embrace his inner theatre nerd.

His Barbie co-star America Ferrera was also nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Gloria. When his co-star Margot Robbie and director Gerwig werent nominated at the awards ceremony, the La La Land star made headlines for his statement.

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, Gosling said.

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.

You can find all of the winners at the 2024 Oscars here.
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Model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley gave the all-black fashion trend a moment at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party.

The 36-year-old hit the red carpet at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles in a dramatic high-neck, cut-out gown with a train.

It was paired with arm-length black leather gloves, silver cuffs, black court heels and an extra-long chiffon black scarf that swept the ground.

The former Victorias Secret Angel, who starred in the Transformers films, complemented the all-black look with a bold red lip and a sleek pony tail.

Kenyan-Mexican actor Lupita Nyongo, who attended the 96th Academy Awards with co-star Joseph Quinn, ahead of their new film The Quiet Place: Day One, also sparkled in a mostly-black dress.

The 41-year-old, who starred in the acclaimed Black Panther and sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, was one of the A-list presenters for the award ceremony.

She wore a black halterneck bedazzled Armani Prive gown from the fashion houses 2023 spring/summer couture collection. It featured a green and blue sequin detailing on the bust area.

US actress and writer Greta Gerwig attended the party in a tuxedo-inspired suit, which had button detailing and large silk collars.

The Barbie film director, who was nominated for best picture and best adapted screenplay, didnt wear anything underneath but accentuated the outfit with three different diamond necklaces and a Yves Saint Laurent black clutch bag.

American rapper Ice Spice, who rose to stardom in 2022 with her hit single Munch (Feelin U)  which went viral on TikTok  joined in on the trend with a sheer black gown, with lace detailing and crosshatched panels on the waist.

The 24-year-old styled her signature ginger hair in a side swoop.

Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, 61, who won best actress at the 2023 Academy Awards for her role as Evelyn in Everything Everywhere All at Once, was also one of the A-list presenters at the award ceremony.

The 61-year-old wore a black Balenciaga couture fitted gown with long sleeves and a highly exaggerated sculptural blazer with a deep plunge neckline.

It had a gold feather broach detailing on the left-hand side, which added an elegant touch to the outfit.

Italian-American actress Julia Fox turned heads on the red carpet with an extravagant all-black look  which is no surprise.

For the 2022 Vanity Fair after party, the 34-year-old wore a clawed hand and human hair as accessories.

This year, she choose a latex strapless bodycon dress with matching arm-length gloves and a boxy black bag.

Fox finished off the look with a gigantic organza headpiece and a snake-like black eyeliner design.
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Several of the stars in attendance at the 2024 Oscars ceremony were seen wearing pins in support of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Outside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where annual awards ceremony is being staged, hundreds of protesters gathered to protest the ongoing violence in Palestine.

Inside the ceremony, several of the nights nominees, including Selma director Ava DuVernay and Avengers actor Mark Ruffalo, as well as Best Original Song nominees Billie Eilish and Finneas OConnell, were seen sporting pins in support of Artists4Ceasefire, an organisation calling for an end to fighting and for humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.

Follow along with all the live updates from the red carpet and ceremony here

The red pins feature an image of an outstretched hand.

Speaking to Variety on the red carpet, Poor Things star Ramy Youssef said: Were calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Were calling for peace and lasting justice for the people of Palestine.

Anatomy of a Fall actors Milo Machado Grenier and Swann Arlaud were also seen wearing pins bearing the Palestine flag.

On Sunset Boulevard, riot police were present as demonstrators gathered to protest, reportedly yelling Free Palestine and Lets shut it down on the outskirts of the venue. The beginning of the ceremony was delayed by around five minutes as a result of the protest.

Billie Eilish at the 2024 Oscars, sporting a red ceasefire pin (EPA)

An open letter signed by more than 400 artists through the Artists4Ceacefire organisation was sent to US president Joe Biden last year. Among those lending their name to the letter were Jessica Chastain, Quinta Brunson, Richard Gere, Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyongo, Mahershala Ali and Barbie nominee America Ferrera.

The letter, which is available to read on the organisations website, reads: We come together as artists and advocates, but most importantly as human beings witnessing the devastating loss of lives and unfolding horrors in Israel and Palestine.

We ask that, as President of the United States, you and the US Congress call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost. More than 30,000 people have been killed over the last 5 months, and over 69,000 injured  numbers that any person of conscience knows are catastrophic.

This years Oscars ceremony saw the nuclear physicist biopic Oppenheimer go up against films including Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon, Anatomy of a Fall and Maestro for the film industrys most prestigious honours.
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A known human carcinogen has been detected in a number of popular acne treatments still available in stores, a new lab report has found.

The study, which was conducted by Connecticut-based independent laboratory Valisure, reportedly discovered high levels of benzene in acne products containing benzoyl peroxide. Valisure has filed a petition with the US Food and Drug Administration, calling on the FDA to recall and suspend sales of products containing benzoyl peroxide in the US.

According to the report published on Wednesday 6 March, unacceptably high levels of benzene were a result of the decomposition of benzoyl peroxide when stored at higher temperatures. Researchers also found levels of the chemical as much as 800 times more than the regulatory limit, and suggested that benzene can leak out of some product packages to pose a potential inhalation risk.

What is benzene?

Benzene is a chemical that can occur naturally in the environment, such as in crude oil or gasoline, states the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It can be used to manufacture plastics, lubricants, dyes and detergents. Indoor and outdoor air also contains low levels of benzene due to tobacco smoke, motor vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions and or household paints.

The major effect of long-term exposure to benzene is on the blood, which can lead to a decrease in red blood cells - or anemia - after a year or more of exposure to high benzene levels. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene can also cause blood-related cancers, such as leukemia.

What acne products contain benzene?

According to Valisure, high levels of benzene were detected in several popular acne treatments from brands including Estee Lauders Clinique, Targets Up & Up, and Reckitt Benckiser-owned Clearasil. Benzene was also found in Proactiv, PanOxyl, Walgreens acne soap bar, and Walmarts Equate Beauty acne cream.

In a statement to Reuters, Estee Lauder said that Clinique uses benzoyl peroxide in one product, which is safe for use as intended. Meanwhile, the parent company for Clearasil told CBS News that it is confident that all Clearasil products, when used and stored as directed on their labels, are safe.

The safety and quality of our products is our top priority and we work closely with regulators around the world to ensure our products are safe and effective for their intended use, they added.

Are acne products containing benzoyl peroxide still safe to use?

Benzoyl peroxide is a commonly used topical to treat acne. In fact, benzoyl peroxide has been used extensively in dermatology and has been approved for the treatment of acne for more than 60 years. Typically, acne products containing benzoyl peroxide have been sold in the forms of soap, gels, creams, or lotions.

However, experts recommend using benzoyl peroxide as directed by a dermatologist or directions on the label. There are also several acne treatments without benzoyl peroxide available on the market, such as those with salicylic acid.

Benzene has been detected in other products tested by Valisure

In November 2022, the independent laboratory caused concern after it had found potentially elevated levels of benzene in Unilever shampoo aerosol products. Among 148 batches from 34 different brands of dry shampoo products, 70 per cent of samples tested showed quantifiable levels of benzene.

This discovery of benzoyl peroxides fundamental instability and formation of benzene is substantially different than Valisures previous findings of benzene in sunscreens, hand sanitisers and other consumer products, said David Light, Valisures co-founder and president, in a statement.

The benzene we found in sunscreens and other consumer products were impurities that came from contaminated ingredients; however, the benzene in benzoyl peroxide products is coming from the benzoyl peroxide itself, sometimes at hundreds of times the conditional FDA limit. This means the problem broadly affects benzoyl peroxide products, both prescription and over-the-counter, and necessitates urgent action.

In October 2022, Unilever announced a recall of 19 dry shampoo aerosol products from brands such as Dove, Suave, and TRESemme. After conducting an internal investigation, the company identified the propellant used in its aerosol cans as the source for the high levels of benzene. Unilever has worked with its propellant suppliers to address this issue, the company said, adding that US retailers had been notified to remove the 19 recalled products from their shelves.

However, Unilever said that an independent health hazard evaluation found that daily exposure to the benzene in its recalled dry shampoo products would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences.

The Independent has contacted Walmart, Walgreens, Target, Proactiv, and PanOxyl for comment.
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Kate Beckinsale has revealed that shes been hospitalised while sharing a sweet tribute to her mother on Mothers Day.

On Monday (11 March), the 50-year-old actor shared an Instagram photo of herself in a hospital bed. In the caption, she paid tribute to her mother Judy Loe in honour of Mothers Day, which falls on 10 March in the United Kingdom, and thanked her for her support.

Beckinsales post began with a video of Loe popping open a bottle of champagne for her birthday, followed by selfies of the actors mother. She included two pictures of herself in a hospital bed, as she wore a large black headband with a bow on her head. The post also featured a snap of Beckinsales friend visiting her at the hospital.

In the caption, the Underworld star wished her mother a happy birthday and Mothers Day, before describing how Loe has supported her throughout the last week. While Beckinsale went on to praise all the ones whove been supporting her while shes been sick, she didnt specify why she was hospitalised.

Thank you to those that love us and support us when its s*** and try to make sure there are some bits that arent, she wrote. And for looking after our dogs when we cant, and lead us to remember happy things when we cant. And turn up when we are sick and sit with us... And send balloons and check in and pull us out of wells with love.

After she noted that her mothers capacity for joy was so inspiring and beautiful, she concluded her caption by once again celebrating Loe.

Happy everything mama, she wrote. Your fight for joy despite also welcoming tears is the experience of watching a warrior up close. I love you.

In the comments, many fans sent messages of support to Beckinsale and questioned why she was hospitalised. They also applauded her tribute to her mother.

Are you OK? Why are you in a hospital? Please get well soon, one wrote, while another commented: Hope youre OK! Happy moms day!

Such a sweet post for your mama. I pray for your recovery, whatever it is you may be going through Kate, a third added.

The Independent has contacted a representative for Beckinsale for comment.

Over the years, Beckinsale hasnt hesitated to speak candidly about her physical health. In 2019, she revealed she was in the hospital after suffering a ruptured ovarian cyst. At the time, she shared a photo of herself from her hospital bed on Instagram, with a breathing tube in her nose. A second picture showed her lying in the hospital bed.

Turns out a ruptured ovarian cyst really hurts and morphine makes me cry. So thankful to everyone who looked after me #wobbly, she wrote in the caption.

According to the Mayo Clinic, ovarian cysts are sacs, usually filled with fluid, in an ovary or on its surface. While cysts are often harmless, thats not the case when it ruptures, as that can cause severe pain and bleeding inside the pelvis.

In the comments at the time, Beckinsale also hit back at someone who criticised her taking a selfie in the hospital. After noting that her mother took the photo of her in the hospital, she then specified why she shared the post in the first place about her ruptured ovary.

In fact I would not have posted it if we had not noticed someone in a car taking a photo of me leaving the hospital in a wheelchair, she wrote in the comments at the time, as reported by CNN.

I have Instagram largely to have my own honest narrative and not have to always be ambushed by stories that come out that are invented. Id prefer to say what happened than endure speculation and so I chose to share.

After acknowledging that its not a normal impulse for her to share such a personal picture of herself, she hit back at how the press initially photographed her outside of the hospital.

But its not normal to be photographed in vulnerable situations by people you dont know either (if you were interested in knowing the provenance of this, which, you probably are not), she wrote.

She concluded her comment at the time by praising her fans for their support, writing: Thank you so much to everyone who has wished me well and lots of love to all the girls here who have been through similar or worse. Love to all.
HLANE  His Majesty King Mswati III says the presence of women from other African countries during the Buganu Festival demonstrates that the continents leadership has always been inspired by culture.

Making his five-minute address to Lutsango during the second day of the event at Hlane Royal Residence on Saturday, the King did not hide his delight of seeing women from other countries join emaSwati in the event. Notable countries represented during this event included Cameroon, DR Congo, Ghana, Mozambique and South Africa.

Countries

We are happy that Lutsango today was joined by women from other African countries. Today, we are seeing women from our neighbouring countries, while others from West Africa, which is good to see. This is a demonstration that Africa has always been led by culture, he said. The King said the importance of women in societies was shown last Friday when the world was celebrating International Womens Day. This is recognition of the valuable contribution women are making in our societies. Women do a lot of work, from raising and taking care of us, to having valuable impact on the growing of our economy. There is a lot Lutsango is doing, he said. The King mentioned that this years event was hosted at a new stadium (sports arena) largely due to the efforts of Lutsango. Lutsango took time to collect and make emaganu before coming to dance here. If it were not for such efforts, the idea of this new stadium would not have come, he said.

He said Lutsangos good work was further illustrated by the fact that there was a lot of development in the areas where the Buganu Festival is staged. The first leg of this event was held at Buhleni Royal Residence in northern Hhohho. Those are fruits of Lutsangos hard work in the country. That is why we are happy to see women from different countries coming together to support each other, he said. The King added that the Marula Festival was without a doubt contributing to a united Africa. The ancestors and God always want to see people together as one. If we continue working together like we are seeing here today, we will get an abundance of blessings, he said. The King was full of praise for the impressive attendance in the second leg of the event. He said the big numbers made the whole event an overwhelming success. Also sharing the same sentiments was Her Majesty the Queen Mother, who said the Buganu Festival had united and brought various African cultures together in unity and celebration of culture.

International

She applauded local and international Lutsango for coming in numbers to attend the last leg of the ceremony over the past weekend. She also applauded the successful festivals, while noting the need for African nations to support one another. She said this when delivering her keynote address at the last leg of the Buganu Festival, held at Hlane Royal Residence on Saturday. Her Majesty began her address by commending the local and international Lutsango regiment who showcased their skills during the main event. She said as African nations, it was important to unite and support one another as has been the case over the years. It is prudent to acknowledge that today we are joined in this prestigious event by Lutsango from a number of countries within the continent. As Africans, it is important to stay united and support one another as has been the case in this festival, which is something that we have been doing for generations, she said.

She, however, expressed her disappointment once again that a majority of the Lutsango Regiment departed early, before Their Majesties could address them. The Queen also raised the same concern during the Buhleni leg of the festival, where a majority of the regiment departed early, much to Her Majestys disappointment. It is once again disappointing to see the arena depleted of the vast numbers of Lutsango that I saw when I got here, she said. However, she said she was impressed by the attendance of Lutsango on Friday which marked the first day of the festival, where they delivered the buganu brew and other gifts (tetfulo). She acknowledged the commitment and dedication from Lutsango, who managed to take part in the event and to organise the brew, as well as the other gifts.

She further applauded the husbands of Lutsango, who granted permission to their wives to attend the event, as well as the chiefs from around the country, who encouraged Lutsango to come out in numbers to be part of the festival. She recognised the Lutsango from various parts of the continent and wondered where they got the buganu brew from, as they were not locals.

Commended

The Queen Mother also commended Lutsango for adopting the national motto of business unusual Nkwe and urged women around the country to adopt it. She said, as women, they must stay united and support each other locally and internationally. Sending a message to local women, the Queen Mother said they should take it upon themselves to make ends meet and provide, not only for their families, but the nation at large instead of waiting for handouts.
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Jamie Lee Curtis made an early exit during the 2024 Oscars.

The Bear actor attended the 96th annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday 10 March. She wore an elegant black, long-sleeved Dolce and Gabbana gown on the red carpet and a gold Cathy Waterman cuff, complete with a diamond encrusted replica of the Winged Victory of Samothrace on it.

Curtis joined fellow actors in presenting the award for Best Supporting Actress, after winning her first Oscar in the same category last year for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. This year, the award was given to DaVine Joy Randolph for her role in The Holdovers.

After presenting Randolph the award, Curtis ended up leaving to get takeout at In-N-Out Burger, which she shared in an Instagram post.

The caption mimicked a checklist, as it read with green emoji check marks next to tasks written in all caps: FLY IN, GET FLUFFED AND FOLDED, PRESENT AT OSCARS, GO TO @inandout_burger, FLY AWAY.

Her series of photos even showed the cashier taking her order as she sat in a car, as well as a glance at her food.

This isnt the first time a celebrity has headed to the West Coast-based fast food chain after being at a high-profile event.

Following this years Golden Globe awards, The Holdovers actor Paul Giamatti went viral when he was photographed dining in at the chain with his Golden Globe statue sitting on the table.

Giamatti addressed the image in January at the Critics Choice Awards, joking during his acceptance speech: I didnt think my week could get any better than going viral for eating a cheeseburger. Serious, guys.

In addition to presenting at the Academy Awards, Curtis also recently celebrated 25 years of sobriety. Last February, the 65-year-old Oscar winner took to Instagram to mark more than two decades of sobriety. 25 years clean and sober. One day at a time. 9,125 of them, she captioned a black and white image of herself holding a ring, which was inscribed: JLC TWENTY FIVE.

Whats inside, as my old friend Adam sang, is a sense of calm, serenity, purpose and the greatest feeling that I am not alone. That many others share the same disease and solution, Curtis continued.

The Halloween actor also shared a poignant message to all those struggling with addiction and shame, as she reminded them that there are others out here who care.

My hand in yours. Our hands in yours. XO JLC, Curtis concluded.

In addition to Randolphs Best Supporting Actress win for The Holdovers, Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer took home the most awards of the night. The director earned his first Academy Award, along with actors Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. Other big winners of the night included Yorgos Lanthimoss Poor Things, which took home four prizes including Best Actress for Emma Stone.
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Nicolas Cage brought his wife Riko Shibata with him to a pre-Oscars party in Los Angeles and then to the Academy Awards.

On 9 March, the couple attended the Motion Picture & Television Funds 22nd Annual Night Before at Fox Studio Lot, both donning black ensembles and holding hands. The event was co-chaired by Sterling K Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathe, America Ferrera and Ryan Piers-Williams, and Jodie Foster and Paul Giamatti.

The following day, the couple also attended the 2024 Oscars, walking the red carpet together. For the occasion, Cage wore a classic black tuxedo, while Shibata wore a black and grey structured gown, with the couple seen holding hands as they posed for photos.

At its 22nd annual star-studded benefit, the Motion Picture & Television Fund reportedly raised more than $4.3m. During the SAG-AFTRA strike, the MPTF provided more than $8m in charitable financial assistance to those impacted by the work stoppage. The funds raised at this benefit will continue to go to the MPTFs programs and services, including financial assistance, crisis counseling, caregiving support, and the senior residential facility on the Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills, which houses many former television and film stars.

The private couple was photographed chatting with Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser along with Colin Farrell. This marks a rare appearance for the couple, who were last seen on a red carpet together in March 2023, when they attended the premiere of Cages film Renfield at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

According to People, the actor, 60, met his fifth wife, 28, through mutual friends while filming his 2021 movie Prisoners of the Ghostland in Shiga, Japan. They tied the knot on 16 February 2021 in a very small and intimate wedding at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Cage revealed that he felt that this time, he had finally felt like he had found the one. Im really happily married. I know five is a lot, but I think I got it right this time, Cage gushed.

(Getty Images)

The following year, they welcomed their daughter, August Francesca Coppola Cage. Cage explained to GQ that he and Shibata had initially chosen two names depending on whether or not they had a boy or a girl.

For a boys name, he explained that they wanted to go with the name Akira Francesco, paying homage to the actors famous uncle, Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola. Meanwhile, if it was a girl, they wanted to pay tribute to Cages father, August Coppola, with the name Lennon Augie. However, they ultimately went with a combination of the two and landed on August Francesca.

Cage already shares sons Kal-El, 16, with Alice Kim and Weston, 31, with Christina Fulton. However, August is his first daughter.
It is well known that British boarding schools are favoured by the aristocracy and deemed to confer social advantage on their alumni. It is also widely acknowledged that some have historically fostered a tradition of brutality and emotional deprivation among their pupils, with long-lasting effects.

With the publication of Charles Spencers courageous memoir A Very Private School, there is likely to be renewed debate around the neglect and privations that have haunted generations of children who were abandoned at the age of seven or eight to a childhood of institutional care.

Unlike those who are taken into the care of the local authority, however, children in boarding schools are considered to be privileged.
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Ryan Gosling brought his family with him to the 2024 Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

The notoriously private Barbie actor took his family to the awards ceremony. The actor walked down the red carpet alongside his mother, Donna Gosling, and sister, Mandi Gosling, and stepdad Valerio Attanasio. In 2017, Mandi was his date to for the ceremony when he was nominated for Best Actor for La La Land.

Gosling donned an elegant black Gucci suit composed of a blazer, pants, and an open-collared shirt that shimmered with touches of gold. He accessorised the look with sleek black dress shoes and dainty gold necklaces. He paid homage to Barbie with pink socks.

Although his daughters didnt make an appearance, Mendes showed up at the ceremony, choosing to forego the red carpet altogether, according to a post to her Instagram, which appeared to show her posing in Goslings dressing room.

Mendes has championed her husbands Barbie performance on social media. Last summer, she shared a picture on Instagram wearing a shirt featuring Gosling as Ken, with the caption, Got that real big Kenergy. Coz girls is players too.

At the time, many fans commented below the photo asking Mendes if they planned on walking the red carpet together. The last time the pair walked the red carpet was in 2012. At the time, Mendes replied, What a cool comment, thank you. But we dont do those things together.

Gosling was nominated not only for the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role as Ken in Greta Gerwigs Barbie but also for Best Original Song for the song Im Just Ken. The song, which Gosling performed onstage to amusement from the audience and viewers, was written by hitmakers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. In an interview with Variety last month, Gosling said that before he found out hed be performing, he was excited to embrace his inner theatre nerd.

(Getty Images)

His Barbie co-star America Ferrera is also nominated tonight for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Gloria. When Robbie and Gerwig werent nominated at the awards ceremony, the La La Land star event made headlines for his statement.

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, Gosling said. 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.

Barbie has been nominated for several awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Song.

You can find all of the highlights from the Oscars as they happened here, and find all the best dressed stars at this years awards ceremony here.
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Distressed elderly patients are being treated like animals and left begging for care as NHS staff struggle to cope with overwhelmed wards and an ever-increasing ageing population, an investigation by The Independent has revealed.

Scores of families have come forward to share harrowing allegations of neglect as one top doctor warns that elderly people are receiving care well below the standards they should expect  including long waits in waiting rooms and degrading corridor care.

In one shocking case, a 96-year-old patient admitted to the hospital with a urinary tract infection (UTI) was allegedly left semi-naked and delirious in his hospital bed  before choking on vomit after being sedated without his familys permission, his daughter told The Independent. Another patient, 99, was traumatised after being left in a bed next to the body of a dead woman.

The investigation was sparked by the horrific story of 73 year old Martin Wild who was left so desperate for pain medication he was forced to call 999 from his hospital bed.

It comes as analysis by this publication shows the government was warned three times last year by coroners over the increasing risk to elderly patients lives amid fears they are not being effectively safeguarded.

Top geriatric medic Dr Adam Gordon told The Independent that older patients are being allowed to deteriorate on a daily basis, warning there are stories of patients who have come to very real harm.

The Independent can also report that:

More than half  nearly 750,000  of the 1.5 million patients who waited more than 12 hours to be seen in A&E last year were aged 70 or over

Almost 250,000 of the 1.4 million over-75s who were discharged from hospital in 2022-23 were readmitted to hospital within 30 days

Latest statistics show an increasing number of patients  2,033  suffered fractures from falls in hospitals last year, latest figures show

The number of patients developing hospital-acquired bedsores hit a 3 per cent high in December 2023

Britains most senior A&E doctor, Dr Adrian Boyle, said the health service was providing undignified care for older people who are put at risk of harm while waiting in emergency departments

Have you been impacted by this story? email rebecca.thomas@independent.co.uk

A series of coroner warnings, filed as part of Prevention of Future Deaths reports  which are sent when a coroner thinks action is needed to protect lives  have raised concerns over the issue.

In November, a coroner warned health secretary Victoria Atkins that changes to elderly care must be made, while another said there was an increasing need for doctors specialising in the area.

A third warned that delayed discharges  where a patient is well enough to leave the hospital but has not been discharged  were putting the lives of frail elderly people at risk as they lose muscle mass and develop infections.

Dr John Dean, clinical vice-president at the Royal College of Physicians, described the situation as heartbreaking, adding: Cases such as these are unacceptable and are sadly symptomatic of a health service stretched to its limits.

Dr Vicky Price, president-elect of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: Older patients are increasingly receiving care well below the standards they should expect and that staff wish to provide but cannot due to the intense pressures.

This includes being subject to long waits in waiting rooms and degrading corridor care which is regrettably becoming widespread and increases the likelihood of adverse outcomes for this patient group.

One nurse warned she is fighting a losing battle, with staff too stretched to carry out personal care  leading to infections. She told The Independent: It makes you wonder why you come to work because this has been like this for a long time and it doesnt get any better.

The government admitted the accounts of poor care uncovered by The Independent were unacceptable and fall well below the standard of care we expect.

Treated like an animal

Thomas Giles was being treated for delirium in hospital (Alison Giles)

Thomas Giles, 96, was treated like an animal during a hospital stay in December and January, his daughter Dr Alison Giles claims.

In a complaint to Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust,his daughter alleges her father was left exposed to all passers-by, ill, semi-naked, distressed, delirious and neglected in care during his two-month stay. She also said he ended up choking on his vomit because he was so heavily sedated.

Mr Giles was admitted to A&E at Whiston Hospital in Lancashire on 3 December with concerns over his confused state and spent eight hours in the corridor, according to his daughter.

The next morning, after he had been moved to the hospitals ward for frail elderly people, she returned to see her father distressed and suffering delirium due to a UTI.

This, Dr Giles claims, marked the start of weeks of Mr Giles being sedated without the familys permission.

In a series of shocking claims of poor treatment, Dr Giles said her father was, at one point, left with a wound dressing that was sopping wet and coming off because it is so saturated.

In heartbreaking pleas during his hospital stay, she said her father told her that some of the staff here are cruel and: I have never felt so hopeless, and I have never cried like I cried yesterday.

In her complaint, she wrote: I can only say that Ive been in medicine for decades now and what I saw on that ward was so horrific and aberrant I could not initially register what was happening. It represented every concern about the NHS Ive seen highlighted in previous serious case reviews.

A trust spokesperson said: Where patients dont feel our care has been good enough we encourage them to come forward and raise those concerns directly with the trust. We have been in ongoing contact with Mr Giles and his family and will respond in full to them around the concerns they have raised.

Better off at the vet

Kathleen Hoddell, 99, was treated at Queens Burton Hospital (Sally Ann Newstead )

On Christmas Eve in 2021, 99-year-old Kathleen Hoddell was taken to Queens Hospital Burton A&E, Derbyshire, and later diagnosed with fractures in her spine. But she was sent home with just two paracetamols, according to her daughter Sally Ann Newstead.

Weeks later, she was readmitted for the same problem to the same A&E, where she was allegedly left for hours without any pain medication.

The next morning, the family described finding their mother in a woeful situation, with no staff on the ward  and a dead woman in the bed next to her.

There were no curtains. She [the dead woman] was just there. My mother had been sitting out in a chair and she was just beside herself. She was just shaking, freezing cold, she had nothing on her feet, Ms Newstead said.

She added: There was none of that kind of basic care. No one washed her hands or combed her hair or had taken the soup from her face. It was just woeful. There was no pain relief. It just broke my heart. And it seemed as though there was a lack of staff.

Some try their very best but these junior doctors are doctors and they are in a kind of crisis situation all the time. They dont know who to help first.

Days later, Ms Newstead received a call from her mother from the ward, saying: You have to get me out of here. At one point, she said: Id be better off at the vet.

The NHS, you know, its a wonderful thing. But my mothers care in 2022 was just ghastly, it was just so awful, and it worries me that it is so many elderly peoples experience of it. Its that lack of humanity, that lack of compassion that was so prevalent and overwhelming.

Garry Marsh, executive chief nurse for Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust which runs the hospital, said: We would like to again apologise that in this case, we did not meet the standards we strive for.

He said the trust had taken the familys feedback seriously, inviting them to share their story and has since changed its processes to plan staffing levels based on the particular needs of patients on the wards.

Treated like meat

Joan Stevens, 86, is a former nurse (Sharon Kidd)

In August 2023, 86-year-old Joan Stevens, a former nurse, was admitted to Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire following a fall. Her daughter Sharon Kidd told The Independent she spent 12 hours in an A&E corridor.

She was mobile when she went in but, when she came out three weeks later, she was no longer mobile because they couldnt get her out of bed, said Ms Kidd.

While in hospital, she claimed her mother and other elderly people on the ward complained of being treated like meat. She said staff put her mother and other patients in a pad and left them soaked or covered in s***.

It happened many times to my mother. It would take half an hour for someone to clean her  if they did feed her, they would shovel it in so fast it would choke her, she claimed.

Ms Kidd said her mother was mortified when a staff member apparently left her naked, lying on the bed with nothing on and no curtain around her after the staff went to change her pad.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust said: Our aim is to treat every patient with dignity and respect, and we were proud in our last CQC inspection that our colleagues were commended for being outstanding for caring.

We were therefore disappointed to hear about Ms Kidds concerns relating to the care of her late mother last year, and would urge her to contact us directly so that we can investigate the issues she has raised.

Left in soaked sheets

Ron Gladding, 94, is an RAF veteran (Jane Gladding)

Last year, former Royal Air Force veteran Rob Gladding, 94, was admitted to Poole Hospital in Dorset.

During his time there Mr Gladding was left in soiled sheets after staff ignored his bells when he needed to go to the toilet, according to his daughter Jane,

Eventually, he was given a catheter but when it overflowed and wet his bed, he was left in the mess overnight.

It was extremely distressing for him and us all to observe. One night, he was waiting for someone to come and make his bed which hadnt been done in the morning, she said.

Ms Gladding says he was discharged and readmitted to hospital just three weeks later. His ordeal then continued to the point where he became so weak he couldnt feed himself or take a drink of water and no one helped him.

I feel most strongly that we have a generation of old people that the system is not caring for, she said. My father served his whole working life in the Royal Air Force. He contributed financially to a system that said would care for him until the end of life. I feel that most people would give their dog more kindness and compassion than he received generally from the NHS, said his daughter.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: These accounts are unacceptable and fall well below the standard of care we expect, and our thoughts are with the affected patients and their families.

We are committed to providing quality care for all patients, including the elderly, having already delivered on our promise to create 5,000 extra permanent hospital beds and 10,000 hospital-at-home beds to free up capacity, speed up discharge, and cut waiting times.

It said that, through the NHS long-term workforce plan, which was given 2.4bn in funding, there will be more healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, working in the NHS.

This story was updated with a response from Buckinghamshire Healthcare FT.
 Close Police find Constance Martens baby in a rubbish-filled shopping bag

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Aristocrat Constance Marten has called the death of her newborn baby a horrible accident that couldve happened to anyone.

Marten, 36, and her partner Mark Gordon, 49, are on trial after their daughter Victoria died while they were camping on the South Downs in wintry conditions last year.

Following their arrests last February, the infants badly decomposed body was found in an allotment shed inside a Lidl supermarket bag that also contained soil and rubbish.

On Thursday, her fifth day of giving evidence in her trial, the mother was also cross-examined at the Old Bailey about the couples decision to buy a tent and live off grid to hide from authorities, telling jurors: Babies dont require that much to survive.

The couple deny charges of gross negligence manslaughter of Victoria between 4 January and 27 February last year, charges of perverting the course of justice by concealing the body, along with concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty, and allowing the death of a child.

The trial resumes on Friday when the cross-examination of Marten is set to continue.
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Nottinghamshire Police has been asked to urgently produce an improvement plan after being put into special measures by a watchdog.

His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), which scrutinises the performance of forces across England and Wales, announced the change on Monday.

The force in the East Midlands will see an enhanced level of monitoring under what is known as the engage process.

Valdo Calocane was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after killing three in Nottingham last year (PA Media)

The watchdog said Nottinghamshire Police needs to improve how it manages and carries out effective investigations, and make sure that victims get the support they need.

It added the force doesnt have adequate processes, planning or governance arrangements in place to monitor performance effectively or identify areas where improvement is required.

Inspector of constabulary Roy Wilsher said: We move police forces into our enhanced level of monitoring, known as engage, when a force is not responding to our concerns, or if it is not managing, mitigating or eradicating these concerns.

The engage process provides additional scrutiny and support from the inspectorate and other external organisations in the policing sector to help the force improve and provide a better service for the public.

Nottinghamshire Police has been asked to urgently produce an improvement plan and will meet regularly with our inspectors. We will work closely with the force to monitor its progress against these important and necessary changes.

The reasons behind the decision to put the force into special measures are set to be included in the latest inspection report, which is due to be published later this year.

It comes after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which oversees police complaints, and the College of Policing announced last month they have both launched an investigation into the forces contact with triple killer Valdo Calocane before his brutal stabbing rampage.

Students Barnaby Webber, centre, and Grace OMalley-Kumar, right, both aged 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, left, 65, were all victims of the attack (PA Media)

The paranoid schizophrenic, 32, was sentenced to a hospital order at Nottingham Crown Court after he was convicted of stabbing two 19-year-old students and a school caretaker in Nottingham in June last year.

The IOPC, which is also investigating Leicestershire Police, previously said its investigation follows a voluntary referral by Nottinghamshire Police after complaints from the victims families.

The complaints allege there were flaws in the handling of the murder investigation and missed opportunities by police to prevent the killings.

The mother of one of the victims said she had lost faith in the forces leadership, and called for the chief constable to step aside.
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Kate Middleton has broken her silence on the row surrounding a photo issued by the royal family on Mothers Day.

The Princess of Wales has personally apologised for confusion over the family photograph issued by Kensington Palace saying: Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.

She added: I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mothers Day.

She signed off the post with her initial: C.

Kensington Palace gave the picture credit to Prince William but internet sleuths soon noticed inconsistencies that appeared to show it had been digitally altered.

Royal sources said the Princess of Wales made minor adjustments (Prince of Wales/Kensington Palace/PA Wire)

The Princess of Wales statement on Monday came with the Palace under pressure to answer questions about whether the first picture of Kate  with children George, Charlotte and Louis - after her abdominal surgery in January has been photoshopped.

Six of the worlds biggest news agencies have now pulled the picture from circulation after concerns were raised about image manipulation.

Speculation on social media has been widespread, with members of the public wondering why Kate had not made any public appearances since December, and expressing concern for her health.

Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months, she said.

At first glance the photograph may appear normal, however social media users were quick to point out some key giveaways that the picture may have been altered.

Several issues have been spotted of Kates Mothers Day that have led to concerns of manipulation (Kensington Palace / PA)

Most glaring is Princess Charlottes left-hand sleeve, which appears to partially dissolve into nothing. Kates right hand also appears to be unusually blurred, while a wall near Louis leg appears to disconnect.

Royal sources told the Press Association the Princess of Wales made minor adjustments and that Kate and the Prince of Wales wanted to offer an informal picture of the family together for Mothers Day.

The Wales family spent Mothers Day together and had a wonderful day, the source added.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Todays programme on Monday royal photographer Ian Lloyd said manipulation of royal photographs was common, but the decision to pull it was very rare.

Mr Lloyd added: Someone at Kensington Palace is not vey good at Photoshop.

Kates statement was issued moments after PA news agency said it would be withdrawing the image from its picture service.

The Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk in what was Kates last verified public appearance before her recent break from duties (Joe Giddens/PA) (PA Wire)

A spokesperson for the UKs national news agency said: Like other news agencies, PA Media issued the handout image provided by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales and her children in good faith yesterday.

We became aware of concerns about the image and we carried a report about it last night, and made clear that we were seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace. In the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service.

Graham Smith, of the anti-monarchy group Republic, earlier said: The manipulation of an image that the palace says was taken by William is extraordinary.

If true it is a deliberate attempt to deceive the public. This kind of dystopian behaviour you might expect from Soviet Russia, not modern Britain.

The monarchy has always sought to manipulate and manage its image, but if they have tried to fake a photograph to silence online conspiracy theories, that is disgraceful.

Kate was last seen in public on Christmas Day when she joined other members of the Royal Family for the annual church service and walk.
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The Princess of Wales has been forced to apologise after she admitted editing a Mothers Day photo at the centre of an escalating royal row.

Six picture agencies, including the UKs most respected news agency PA Media, took the unprecedented step of withdrawing the family photograph through so-called kill notices amid suspicions it had been manipulated.

It prompted Kate  who has been at the centre of conspiracy theories over her health since having abdominal surgery in January  to make a rare personal statement on the furore, admitting that she sometimes experiments with editing and apologising for any confusion.

But, despite coming under pressure to release the original image to repair the PR damage caused by the row, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the unedited photograph.

Kate was said to be very upset over the controversy with friends telling The Independent that she wanted to own the issue as soon as she could and do the right thing.

Her apology came hours before she was seen in public for the first time since the picture was released and only for the second time since her surgery earlier this year.

The picture of the mother with her three children sparked widespread speculation over whether it had been digitally altered when it was shared to mark Mothers Day (Prince of Wales)

She was seen leaving Windsor with her husband, the Prince of Wales, in a car on Monday afternoon. William was on his way to the annual Commonwealth ceremony in Westminster Abbey while Kate is understood to have had a private appointment.

The photograph of Kate and her children  Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis  was the first to be issued since the princess underwent surgery at the London Clinic on 16 January. Details of her condition have been kept private and she is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.

But the picture sparked widespread speculation over whether it had been digitally altered. Among the numerous concerns raised over the picture were a missing part of Princess Charlottes sleeve and the misaligned edge of her skirt, as well as the positioning of Kates zip and the lack of a wedding ring on her finger.

As concerns mounted, international picture agencies began withdrawing the image, culminating in the UKs national news agency issuing a kill notice on Monday morning. In a highly unusual move, PA Media said it had released the photo in good faith but had been forced to recall it due to the absence of clarification from the palace.

Within minutes, Kate posted a statement on social media, personally signed C for Catherine, in which she publicly took the blame for the edited picture.

The Prince of Wales speaks with guests as he attends an annual Commonwealth Day service ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday (POOL/AFP/Getty)

She said: Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.

Royal sources insisted the princess made minor adjustments and that she and her husband merely wanted to offer an informal picture of the family together for what was a wonderful Mothers Day.

The picture had been released to reassure the public as conspiracy theories over the state of Kates health gained ever more traction online in recent weeks.

But the palace faced growing pressure over the debacle  dubbed Kategate and even Sleevegate  with the controversy branded damaging to the publics trust of the royal family.

The princesss confession raises questions over whether  or to what extent  the images have been altered in the past.

William and Kate have an established track record of issuing their own photographs to mark special occasions including their childrens birthdays.

Sky News said an examination of the photos metadata revealed it was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac on Friday and Saturday and the picture was taken on a Canon camera.

Guests watch a video of King Charles delivering a message during the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday (Henry Nicholls/PA Wire)

Public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski called the fiasco a massive own goal and said the unedited photograph should be released to regain trust.

He said: If theyre really going to regain any sort of trust they should release the unedited photo, it cant be that bad if they just made a few tweaks.

I find they have risen to the challenge, provided the statement as an explanation  the question is with all the conspiracy theories running around, is whether people believe it and Im not sure that they will.

Photo director for Agence France-Presse (AFP) Eric Baradat told The Independent: Its clear to any experienced digital image professional that it has been doctored. Its been done in a very amateur way.

When the news agencies reached out to the palace over the weekend, he claimed it told them the photo had been retouched, but it would not comment further nor release another image. AFP decided to recall the picture in what Mr Baradat believed marks the first time the agency has pulled an official image from the British royal family.

In its advisory issued to the media on Sunday, AP said: At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image. No replacement photo will be sent.

Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales attending the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey (Henry Nicholls/PA Wire)

The Associated Press (AP), Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Getty Images are among the international news agencies that withdrew the picture.

The controversy also overshadowed the Commonwealth Day service, one of the key royal events of the year, which Prince William attended at Westminster Abbey on Monday afternoon.

The heir to the throne and the Queen gathered with the royal family in the absence of the King, who is continuing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, during what has been a challenging start to 2024 for the Windsors.

However, Charles did deliver his annual address to the family of nations via a video message in which he pledged to continue to serve the Commonwealth to the best of my ability. He also expressed his gratitude to those wishing him good health as he said the union of 56 member countries was a precious source of strength, inspiration, and pride to him.

Since his cancer diagnosis was announced on 5 February, the monarch has stepped back from public-facing duties but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers as well as holding some in-person meetings.

Less than three weeks earlier, on 16 January, Buckingham Palace had announced the 75-year-old was to undergo treatment for a benign enlarged prostate in hospital  hours after it delivered the news Kate had undergone her operation at the London Clinic the previous day. Details of the princesss condition have been kept private, and she is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.

The Independent has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.
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Several major picture agencies have pulled the first official photograph of the Princess of Wales after surgery over concerns that it could have been manipulated.

Buckingham Palace remained silent last night after Getty, Associated Press, Reuters and AFP removed the image and advised clients to remove it from all their platforms.

The picture, taken by Prince William in Windsor this week, was released by the royal family to mark Mothers Day and showed Kate smiling surrounded by her three children.

In the post, the princess said: Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day. C.

But in an extraordinary development just hours after it was posted online, multiple international picture agencies issued a kill notice on the image.

At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image, AP said in a notice to customers. Clients please be advised that the following story has been killed and should no longer be used.

The image, taken by Prince William in Windsor this week, was released by the royal family to mark Mothers Day (Prince of Wales )

Royal watchers had earlier claimed that the sleeve of Princess Charlottes cardigan did not line up and suggested it had suffered an editing fail.

There was speculation that other parts of the image had also been edited. The palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Confusion over the picture could fuel bizarre online conspiracies about Kate which have been swirling on the internet since her surgery.

A spokesperson for the UK-based Press Association news agency said it had not pulled the picture on its service, but was seeking urgent clarification from Kensington Palace about the concerns raised.

Royal watchers claim sleeve of Princess Charlottes cardigan did not line up and suggested it had suffered an editing fail (Prince of Wales/Kensington Palac)

The photo of the princess is the first released since she was admitted to the London Clinic, the private hospital where the King also underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate, for a planned operation on 16 January.

Charles, 75, visited his daughter-in-laws bedside after being admitted himself on January 26, the 11th day of Kates stay.

She was also visited by her husband, William.

Kate left the hospital on 29 January, almost two weeks later, and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

Details of the princesss condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

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.

He carried out his first public engagements since her surgery in early February.

Kates parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, were expected to be hands-on in helping the Waleses.
MBABANE  Mayiwane MP Sicelo Dlamini has shared with Members of Parliament (MPs) that at least 20 Somali and Congolese nationals are trafficked into the country on a daily basis and are used as slaves.

The former police officer told the Minister of Home Affairs, Princess Lindiwe, that he was tipped by a former colleague stationed at the police Intelligence Unit about this thriving trafficking, occurring almost on a daily basis.

Informer

He narrated that his informer told him that there were individuals who were responsible for trafficking the foreigners into the country and they would be loaded in a kombi, and assisted to cross into the country. The legislator revealed that the perpetrators mostly used the entry point at Buhleni and then the foreigners would be delivered at a house situated in Manzini. What got the parliamentarians astonished was that Dlamini shared that a senior police officer at Buhleni was aware of the trafficking, as the people behind it would parade the foreigners before him after their arrival. He said the foreigners, in the presence of the senior police officer, would be told that if they did something sinister, they would be arrested by the senior cop. The MP said he received a message from one of his former colleagues, requesting him to make a submission on the issue in Parliament, so that the Ministry of Home Affairs would do something about it. Dlamini also alleged that the trafficked people were then placed in one house for a long time and were being used to carry out duties assigned to them by the perpetrators.

Monitor

I want to know how you monitor the arrival of people in the country as a ministry, he inquired from the minister. However, the minister is expected to submit written responses to Parliament today and they would be tabled at a date to be announced by the Speaker of the House, Jabulani Mabuza. Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni said she was yet to consult on the matter and find out if police were aware of it. Notably, foreigners from these two countries are also dominating both asylum seekers and refugees numbers in the country, as stipulated in the Eswatini Migration Profile Report that was conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations partners.

According to the report, the asylum seekers section presented the stock and flows of forced migrants who recently arrived or had already settled in Eswatini. The report reveals that forced migration takes place for several reasons, including political conflicts and persecution, among others. Eswatini is the place of residence for a total of 1 507 asylum-seekers and 263 migrants with refugee status and the country has one refugee reception centre at Malindza Refugee Reception Centre and the country favours a system whereby refugees are allowed to integrate into the society.

Nationality

The main nationality of persons seeking asylum were from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (622), Somalia (398) and Burundi (133). The Refugees Department in the ministry reported a total of 263 refugees in Eswatini, with a gradual increase from 52 persons in 2017 to a record high of 84 persons in 2021. Most of them have been residing in the country for many years. Countries of the Eastern African region  specifically, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Somalia  continue to be major countries of origin for refugees fleeing to Eswatini due to relative political and social stability, reads the report. It should be noted that both Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo currently have armed conflicts.

In the last United Nations Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, 3 459 children abducted (2 399 boys and 1 038 girls). Overall, since the previous report, there has been a 20 per cent rise in the number of child abductions, and the abduction of girls alone has increased by 40 per cent. Almost all abduction incidents were attributed to armed groups with the highest numbers verified in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, the Lake Chad Basin, Burkina Faso and Nigeria, reads the report.
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Tenants in Yorkshire and the North West of England are suffering from the worst housing conditions in the country, according to analysis of government data.

Renters in these two regions are almost twice as likely to live in housing conditions that do not meet the decent homes standard, compared to tenants in more well-off parts of the country, a health charity has found.

The decent home standard imposes a minimum set of requirements that homes need to meet to ensure they do not harm the health of tenants, such as being in a reasonable state of repair  it currently applies to social homes but not to privately rented properties.

Families in rented homes in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West of England can also be three times more likely than average to live in a home with a serious hazard that would affect their health or threaten their lives, the research found.

Where some 11.9 per cent of rented homes in England have a category one hazard that would potentially endanger the lives of its tenants, this rises to 20.9 per cent in the North West and 30.6 per cent in Yorkshire.

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Households in Yorkshire are also facing the worst rates of damp and mould in the country, with 23 per cent of homes experiencing problems compared to 9 per cent nationally.

Under the governments Renters (Reform) Bill, the decent homes standard would be extended to private rented homes, however recent reports have suggested that the flagship plan may be on the brink of collapse.

The Sun has reported that a group of rebel Tory MPs, led by Anthony Mangnall, are trying to amend the bill because of their concerns about its ban on fixed-term rental tenancies.

Whitehall sources told the paper that the bill could now collapse because government was running out of time to pass the legislation.

Health equity charity Peoples Health Trust, which carried out the analysis of government data, is calling on levelling up secretary Michael Gove to fund councils properly so that they can enforce tougher housing measures.

Chief executive John Hume said: Too many families are living in appalling conditions which seriously impact their health and shorten their lives, often with little control over when or if repairs are made.

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: Everyone deserves to live in a safe and decent home. This is why we are introducing a decent homes standard in the private rented sector for the first time through the Renters (Reform) Bill.

The bill introduces new powers to hold landlords to account for poor housing conditions, including giving local councils the ability to issue fines of up to 5,000 to landlords who have failed keep their properties free of serious hazards.
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The mother of a young man who took his own life after fighting on the frontline in Ukraine has accused Liz Truss of having blood on her hands for previously encouraging Britons to join the war.

Harry Gregg was just 23 when he enlisted to fight in Ukraine. His only previous military experience was six years in the Army Cadets during secondary school.

According to his family, he decided to go after the then-foreign secretary, who was Mr Greggs local MP at the time, said she absolutely supported Britons who wanted to travel to fight the Russians, arguing they would be joining a battle for democracy.

If people want to support that struggle, I would support them, Ms Truss said, just five days after Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion on 24 February.

At the time, Downing Street quickly distanced itself from the comments, while a week later Ms Truss retracted her statement, saying there were better ways to contribute to the war effort. But Mr Greggs mother, Sandi Gregg, 57, said the damage had already been done.

She told the Daily Mail: He suffered from ADHD and was very impetuous. He phoned me the day after Liz had said that and told me Mum, Im going to Ukraine.

He couldnt be talked down from it. To all intents and purposes he had no military experience whatsoever. Liz Truss has blood on her hands.

Mr Gregg, from Thetford, Norfolk, went on to do three tours in Ukraine, eventually serving with the 48th Assault Battalion believed to have been formed in late 2023.

He earned the nickname Eagle from other soldiers and witnessed first-hand the graphic atrocities of First World War-style trench combat.

Ms Gregg said: 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.

She recounted how the training camp where her son, who had ADHD, had first arrived was later bombed by Russia. Though Mr Gregg was not injured, his friend was severely hurt.

When he returned from Ukraine, his mother said her son had a sadness about him. He was broken, she told the newspaper, having said that before he left, he always had a big grin on his face.

An inquest into Mr Greggs death at Norfolk Coroners Court last week found that the young man took his own life on 15 December last year, just hours before he was due to celebrate his 25th birthday with friends.

A coroner said Mr Gregg had spoken to a GP about post-traumatic stress disorder (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.

Ms Truss issued a statement yesterday offering her condolences to Mr Greggs family.

She said: I am very sorry to hear of Harrys death. My thoughts are with his friends and family.
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There is a long way to go before police forces in Britain can truly stamp out institutionalised sexism, an expert panel hosted by The Independent has agreed,

On 8 March, to mark International Womens Day, The Independent brought together a panel to discuss how police forces in the UK are tackling violence against women and attempting to eradicate misogyny.

Three years on from the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard by Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, our Virtual Event explored how Britains police forces have changed  if at all  and discussed what work still needs to be done.

Hosted by The Independents crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin, our panel included retired police chief Susannah Fish OBE, chartered psychologist Dr Jessica Taylor, barrister Harriet Johnson and Abigail Ampofo, CEO of domestic abuse charity Refuge.

Explaining the scale of the problem, Ms Fish told our viewers: Its a barrel, its not a handful of rotten apples.

She said: This current government has no grasp whatsoever or interest in dealing with violence against women and girls and certainly violence perpetrated by police officers and police staff.

Dr Taylor said the level of cultural and structural change police forces need to achieve has never been achieved in any sector and will take many years, adding: I think the barrel were talking about is society. Theres nothing unique about the culture in policing that we dont see replicated elsewhere, the difference is the power they have.

They can make decisions that are life-changing, these can be life and death decisions, especially for victims.

Meanwhile, Ms Johnson said it has taken too long for Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley to acknowledge the urgency of the issue. The culture you get is the behaviour you tolerate, she explained, and as long as we are tolerating this behaviour on some level that will be the culture that we get.

We have to accept the police ought to be held to a higher standard, not a lower one.

Ms Ampofo told viewers that all police systems and processes should be urgently refocused. If you leave people in a position of power when theyre under investigation for violence against women and girls, no matter what you say, you are showing people you are not taking it seriously, she said.

Watch the entire Q&A event for free below.

Stamping out police sexism

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap, lead for Violence Against Women and Girls at the Met, said: Weve heard the voices of the women and girls weve let down and are determined to improve our service and transform how we protect the public from harm.

By working with women and girls across the capital, were already making London a safer city and building trust with our communities but we also know that there is much more to do and listening must continue.

Were using innovative tactics to target predatory men who pose the greatest risk, creating safer spaces for women and girls to enjoy without fear and embedding a culture across the Met where tackling violence against them is a priority.

And National Police Chiefs Council Chair, Chief constable Gavin Stephens, said: Having workforce built on integrity and professionalism is vital to rebuilding trust and confidence and vetting is just one part of this. We must foster a culture within policing where colleagues feel empowered to report concerns, including misogyny and sexism, if we want to see sustainable change and we want officers to be upstanders, not bystanders.

National vetting has continued to strengthen its processes over the last two years with a number of changes to improve standards across police forces. Chief constables will soon be given the lead role in misconduct cases and are committed to rooting out those not fit to serve.

In the year up to March 2023, in cases where chiefs chair hearings, 95% of officers were dismissed or would have been had they not already resigned.In January, over 300,000 officers and staff across the UK were checked against the Police National Database for any new information recorded on them in the largest integrity screening project of its kind. This ensured that those not fit to serve were identified and action taken quickly.

The vast majority of our workforce are committed individuals who act with the highest levels of integrity and we will continue our work to ensure that police perpetrators of abuse know that there is nowhere for them to hide.

To find out about our next virtual event and how to sign up click here.

Stand with the 1 in 4 women who will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime by donating to Refuge today.
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A government minister has said published photos should be honest and accurate after major picture agencies pulled a photo of the Princess of Wales over fears it has been manipulated.

The first picture of Kate since undergoing abdominal surgery, taken by Prince William in Windsor this week, was released by the royal family to mark Mothers Day and showed Kate smiling while surrounded by her three children.

But just hours after it was posted on social media, picture agencies, including the Associated Press and Reuters, issued a "kill notice" over the image and asked their clients to remove it from all platforms.

Asked about the development on Monday, security minister Tom Tugendhat said it is important that pictures are honest and accurate.

Eagle-eyed royal fans had earlier claimed that the sleeve of Princess Charlottes cardigan did not line up (Prince of Wales )

Speaking to Times Radio, he said: You wouldnt expect me to comment on any photos, particularly not on Mothers Day, when I think many of us were snapping away and slightly improving photographs that we took of our mothers, but mostly of our kids who were sort of wriggling around. So Im not going to be judging on that.

But I think it is important that we record what we put out is honest and that we record situations accurately. So Im sure that like any family, theres a few moments that you could get better.

Mr Tugendhat said his department is always very careful about what we put out.

Before the picture was retracted by some agencies, eagle-eyed royal fans had claimed that the sleeve of Princess Charlottes cardigan did not line up and suggested it had suffered an editing fail.

A caption on the Instagram post, which has not been taken down, reads: "Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day."

The photo, which AP said has been manipulated by the royal family, has fuelled speculation about Kates health and whereabouts since the operation in January.

The photo of the princess is the first released since she was admitted to the London Clinic, the private hospital where the King also underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate, for a planned operation on 16 January.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat said his department is very careful with what it publishes (PA Archive)

Charles, 75, visited his daughter-in-laws bedside after being admitted himself on January 26, the 11th day of Kates stay.

She was also visited by her husband, William.

Kate left the hospital on 29 January, almost two weeks later, and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

Details of the princesss condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

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.
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A vet has warned dog and cat owners to be wary of fleas during the colder months as the pests are not just a summer thing.

Fleas can lay dormant for long stretches of time and their bites can cause irritation to the skin of pets and their owners - while proving a nuisance to get rid of in the home.

Sightings of the pests tend to rise in the warmer months as they thrive in warm, humid environments, which allow them to develop from an egg to a fully grown adult in just 14 days.

A vet says many owners only see fleas as a summer problem, but they can still be an issue when its colder (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

But Jamie Walker, a vet and technical services manager at global veterinary pharmaceuticals company Dechra, has warned pet owners to stay vigilant even when its cold.

He told The Wirral Times: Many owners only see fleas as being a summer thing and arent treating their pet for them this time of year.

Flea eggs can be brought into your home on your cat or dogs coat, and then they can remain undetected for some time. Fleas can not only make your pet very irritated, but they can also invade your house and make family members feel itchy too.

Fleas can be very difficult to detect as they hide deep in the fibres of carpets and furniture.

Their eggs can lay dormant and undetected for months - even up to a year - before hatching and jumping onto a host.

When active, a small flea problem can escalate very quickly, with some flea species laying between 25 and 40 eggs per day.

The most common indications of a flea issue are itchy bites or skin irritation, particularly around the legs and ankles, usually with two or three bites in close proximity.

Fleas could be resisted by regularly cleaning and checking pets, washing pet bedding at above 50C, vacuuming floors and furniture, and placing pet beds in areas without carpets.

A flea infestation can cause considerable problems. In 2019 a flea outbreak forced the evacuation of a police station in north-eastern Paris.

Frances Alliance police union said the infestation made the working conditions intolerable and that several officers had suffered bites.
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Lee Anderson, the former Tory chairman who was suspended by the Conservative party for Islamophobic remarks, has found a new political home with Nigel Farages Reform UK party.

Dubbed three party Lee for his journey from Labour councillor to Conservative MP and now to Reform UK, Mr Andersons switch marks a significant moment for Reform as he becomes the first sitting MP to join their party.

But, known for his blunt and sometimes hostile style, the Ashfield MPs press conference and Q&A session was not without its share of odd and awkward moments.

Lee Anderson has defected to Reform UK (PA Wire)

Here are some of the strangest moments from that press conference:

1) Claiming his parents could not vote for me if he stayed in the Tory party

Annoucing his decision to defect to the right-wing challenger party, the 57-year old MP said his mum and dad had told him they would not vote for him unless he switched to Reform.

Mr Anderson told the press conference: All I want is my country back. Now this may sound offensive to the liberal elite, but it's not offensive to my friends or family, my constituents and some of my donors.

Constituents like my mom and dad, who told me they could not vote for me unless I joined Reform UK.

He added: My parents are both nearly 80 and they get it and I must not let them down. As I said at the beginning, I want my country back.

2) Clashing with Sky News political editor Beth Rigby

Mr Andersons first spiky moment was with Sky News Beth Rigby who asked the MP whether his defection was attention-seeking and what he would say to former Conservative colleagues who had previously backed him.

Ms Rigby asked: What do you say to people that say the problem isn't all these parties, the problem is you and this is all about attention seeking, and this has been very disloyal to Rishi Sunak who made you deputy party chairman and also to other colleagues that have backed you very firmly recent weeks ... What's your answer to them?

Mr Andersons curtly responded: Country, constituency and then party. Next question please.

The political editor pointed out that Mr Anderson hadnt answered her question, but the new Reform MP insisted on moving on.

The two spoke over each other as Ms Rigby asked:Whats your message to Mr Sunak then? He hasnt answered my question.

Anderson proceeded to ignore Ms Rigby and selected a new question from another journalist.

Reform UK leader Richard Tice accompanied Lee Anderson on stage at the Reform UK press conference (PA Wire)

3) Making a dig at the Suns political editor Harry Cole

Ms Rigby was not the only journalist on the recieving end of Mr Andersons ire, as he described The Suns political editor Harry Cole as a pound shop version on the Mail on Sundays political editor.

The comment came as Mr Cole pointed out that Mr Anderson had previously described Reform UKs leader Richard Tice as a pound shop Nigel Farage.

Just a few weeks ago, you described Mr Tice as a pound shop Nigel Farage and Reforms answer to Dianne Abbot. What made you change your mind? the journalist asked.

Mr Tice  who accompanied Mr Anderson on stage  laughed and said that millions of British people endorse the concerns and sentiments that the Ashfield MP has shared about Brits streets being taken over by pro-Hamas extremists.

That's the concerns that people want to hear about, he said.

Mr Anderson then added: Also on that point, somebody described you as a pound-shop Glen Owen.

Lee Anderson described Richard Tice as a pound shop Nigel Farage (PA Archive)

4) Asking whos laughing? while delivering his speech

Despite Mr Andersons best attempts to seem calm and collected, the former Conservative party deputy chairman looked visibly irritated when he first took to the podium.

During his opening remarks, Mr Anderson interrupted himself to ask whos laughing? at the crowd of journalists.

As he continued, Mr Anderson then accused The Suns Mr Cole of laughing at him.

He asked: Is that you, Harry, laughing?

5) Wishing his mum a happy Mothers Day

The MP for Ashfield wished his mum a happy Mothers Day after he was asked if he had just made it harder for former Conservative colleagues to hang on to their seats.

Asked by political editor for 5 News Andy Bell if he had helped Keir Starmer win the next election, Mr Anderson replied: I have to live with my conscience. My conscience is clear.

When I got to see my parents yesterday on Mother's Day  Happy Mother's Day, mother  and they say to me you need to join Reform, this country needs saving. Were absolutely fed up of what's happening on the streets of London, were fed up of whats happening up and down the country. Were just fed up, we need change.

When my parents are saying that then I personally sleep well.

Lee Anderson accused the crowd of laughing at him as he gave his first speech as a Reform UK MP (AFP via Getty Images)

6) Suggesting politicians are as untrustworthy as journalists

When asked by a Telegraph journalist about his previous statement that there was no conceivable world in which he would join Reform UK and  in his words  knife the Tories in the back, Mr Anderson insisted that there had been no turning point but that sometimes politicians are as trustworthy as journalists in what they say and do.

The former Conservative Party deputy chairman went on to say there had in fact been several tipping points that led to his decision to defect to the party and that he had done a lot of soul-searching to come to the decision.

He said: It's been a gradual journey, and I think there's been several tipping points over the past few months.

Like I said in my speech, I've had to do a lot of soul searching about you know, where I am, what I'm what I'm doing, and when I find myself suspended, having the whip suspended for speaking my mind  and by the way, speaking up on behalf of millions of people up and down the country who agree with me  that for me is is unpalatable.
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Lee Anderson has joined the right wing populist Reform UK party following his suspension from the Conservatives for Islamophobic comments about Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

The news was announced by Reform UK leader Richard Tice at a special event in Westminster. Mr Anderson, former Tory deputy chairman, confirmed the move with a scathing attack on the Conservative Party.

All I want is my country back. Now this may sound offensive to the liberal elite. he said.

But its not offensive to my friends or family, my constituents and some of my constituents like my mum and dad, who told me they could not vote for me unless I joined Reform UK.

The move makes Mr Anderson the first-ever MP for Reform UK. It marks a new milestone for the populist party, which has re-risen to prominence over the past few years. However, its roots go back to 2018, and figurehead Nigel Farage.

Heres everything you need to know about Reform UK:

Could Reform UK win any seats at the next general election?

While its unlikely Reform UK will win any seats at the next general election, they could prove to be a difficult obstacle for Rishi Sunaks Conservatives to overcome.

Recent YouGov polling puts the right wing populist party as high as 14 per cent for voting intention. That places it third after Labour and the Conservatives  and ahead of the Lib Dems or Green.

Mr Tice has said Reform UKs aim at the next general election is to cause the government to lose seats, as the party undercuts the Conservatives on several key issues.

Lets Make Britain Great reads Reform UKs slogan, with key policies including tighter immigration controls, lower taxation, cutting NHS waiting lists, and reforming the BBC and House of Lords.

The party also calls for an overhaul of the governments Net Zero plans, calling them net stupid.

Reform UK stood candidates in all three of the February 2024 by-elections, gaining 13 per cent in Wellingborough, 10.4 per cent in Kingswood, and 6.3 per cent in Rochdale.

Mr Andersons defection now gifts Reform UK an increased political legitimacy, as the party suddenly gains a voice in parliament.

What is Reform UK?

Brexit Party and 2019 general election

Reform UK was founded with backing from Mr Farage in November 2018 as the Brexit Party. The party was originally led by co-founder Catherine Blaiklock, who stood down in March 2019 following a row over Islamophobic tweets she had written.

Shortly after Mr Farage took over, claiming that Ms Blaiklock was never intended to be the long-term leader and dismissing the issue as teething problems.

The Brexit Party gained political traction after winning a majority in the UKs 2019 European elections. Amongst the winners was Brexit campaigner and businessman Richard Tice, who has been chairman since May 2019.

Mr Farage publicly offered a pact to then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of that years December general election, offering to withdraw candidates from traditionally Conservative-voting seats.

In return, he asked his party be allowed to run uncontested in traditionally Labour-voting seats.

Although Mr Johnson refused the request, Mr Farage still withdrew 317 candidates from Conservative-voting seats, standing 275 overall.

The party went on to secure no seats at the general election, gaining only 2 per cent of the vote. Despite the poor result, Mr Farage claimed victory, saying that his party had taken thousands of votes from the Tories and quashed hopes of a second EU referendum.

I killed the Liberal Democrats and I hurt the Labour Party, he added.

Becoming Reform UK and the Covid pandemic

In November 2020, Mr Farage and Mr Tice announced that they had applied to the Electoral Commission to rename the party to Reform UK. The move was approved in January 2021.

Alongside the rebrand, the pair outlined a new campaign agenda for the party focusing on opposing Covid lockdowns and reforming institutions like the House of Lords.

Mr Farage stepped down as leader in March 2021, and was replaced by Mr Tice. In a letter to members, the former UKIP leader said he would remain as the partys honorary president but relinquish any executive power within the party.

I now feel I can do just as much to shift public opinion through media and social media as I can as a campaigning party leader, he added.

The party unsuccessfuly attempted to gain representation in Wales Senedd and Scottish Parliament in 2019 and 2021. At the 2023 local elections, they gained 6 seats nationally, averaging 6 per cent of the vote in wards where they party stood.

On 20 October 2023, Mr Tice confirmed Reform UK would stand candidates in every UK seat and make sure the Tories lose.
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Lee Anderson has joined Nigel Farages Reform UK with a furious attack on the Conservative Party after he was suspended by the Tories for making Islamophobic remarks about London mayor Sadiq Khan.

The former Tory deputy chair said he had done a lot of soul-searching but had decided to join Reform in a bid to take my country back  a move that makes him the right-wing populist partys first ever MP.

Mr Anderson, who represents Ashfield in Nottinghamshire, confirmed the news as he accused the Conservative Party of stifling free speech, adding that he found it unpalatable that he had been disciplined for speaking my mind.

The defection was announced during a chaotic event in Westminster by Reform leader Richard Tice, in what was billed as a major moment for the party.

Mr Tice, who said he expected more [defections] to follow, welcomed Mr Anderson as a champion of the red wall who is trusted by voters to tell it as it is.

As recently as January, Mr Anderson branded Mr Tice a pound-shop Nigel Farage and said Reform was not a proper political party. Asked what had changed, the MP, who is also a presenter on GB News, said: Theres not been a turning point. We all know that sometimes politicians are about as trustworthy as journalists in what they say and do.

Lee Anderson has joined Nigel Farages Reform UK in a blow for the Conservatives (PA Wire)

In a speech, Mr Anderson said his parents, who live in his constituency, had told him they could not vote for him at this years election if he did not defect to Reform.

He said: All I want is my country back. Now this may sound offensive to the liberal elite. But its not offensive to my friends or family, my constituents  and some of my constituents, like my mum and dad, who told me they could not vote for me unless I joined Reform UK.

My parents are both nearly 80, and they get it, and I must not let them down, he added. But its been a gradual journey, and I think theres been several tipping points over the past few months. And when I find myself suspended for speaking my mind  and, by the way, speaking up on behalf of millions of people up and down the country who agree with me  that, for me, is unpalatable. Its a shocker, if Im honest.

Mr Anderson will now sit as an MP for Reform  which was formerly known as the Brexit Party and was set up by Mr Farage when he left Ukip  and will stand for the party at the next election.

Projections based on current polling show Mr Anderson is on course to lose the seat to Labours candidate Rhea Keehn by a significant margin. But asked if he would remain an MP after the election, Mr Anderson replied: My mailbag tells me Im going to win.

His defection will pile fresh pressure on Rishi Sunak, with the Tories at risk of losing tens of seats at the next election if the insurgent populist party splits the right-wing vote.

Rishi Sunak faces a mounting headache as Reform UK continues to gain on the Tories in the polls (PA Wire)

Mr Anderson is also hugely popular with the Tory grassroots and was given a standing ovation at a Conservative fundraiser even after his suspension.

He was suspended by the Conservative Party last month after claiming that Islamists had got control of Mr Khan and of London. Mr Sunak and a series of ministers repeatedly refused to say his comments were racist, but suspended him when he refused to apologise for his remarks.

In an appearance on GB News, Mr Anderson had said: I dont actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is theyve got control of Khan and theyve got control of London... Hes actually given our capital city away to his mates.

Sir Keir Starmer said it was right that Mr Anderson had been suspended from the party over his appalling racist and Islamophobic outburst.

Speculation that Mr Anderson was set to join Reform mounted immediately after his suspension. A meeting between Mr Anderson and Mr Tice at a hotel off the M1 only fuelled expectations that he would defect to the party. He has previously claimed to have been offered a lot of money to join the party set up by Mr Farage.

Reform is currently polling at around 12 per cent, while the Conservatives are on 24 per cent. Pollsters have repeatedly warned that Reform could deprive the Tories of tens of seats by splitting the vote, even if the party itself fails to send any MPs to Westminster.

Anderson, right, with Sunak, lost the Tory whip last month after claiming Islamists had got control of London mayor Sadiq Khan (PA Wire)

Two February by-elections saw Reform score double-digit shares of the vote in what Mr Tice called a defining moment, as he claimed that the party had become a significant force now in British politics.

Mr Tice and Mr Anderson ruled out holding a by-election after the defection, saying there would be a general election within weeks or months. But in 2020, Mr Anderson backed a bill that would have seen a recall petition sparked for any MP who voluntarily changed parties.

Sir Keir said on Monday that in the end, its a matter for him whether Mr Anderson calls a by-election. And he said voters across the country are fed up, as he suggested that Mr Sunak should call a general election instead.

The Labour leader told Sky News: This is not just about Lee Anderson. Its about 14 years of failure. I do think theres a profound sense now, that so many people say we just need change, we need to move on from this.

The Tories have failed. They can see the Labour Party has changed and that weve got a plan to change the country, and I think theres a lot of people that [would] say Forget about Lee Anderson, lets have a general election.

The Labour Partys national campaign coordinator Pat McFadden said Mr Sunak is too weak to lead the extreme Conservatives. He added: What does it say about Rishi Sunaks judgement that he promoted Lee Anderson in the first place?

Reform founder Mr Farage said: Lee Anderson moving to Reform is huge. I dont think Westminster really understands this yet. There is speculation that Mr Farage could return to take up a formal role with Reform ahead of the general election, which would only add to the Conservatives woes.

Home secretary James Cleverly, meanwhile, said his former Tory colleague had made a real mistake.

Reform UK leader Richard Tice announced the defection at a press conference (PA Wire)

Reform is not the answer, said Mr Cleverly. As he has said, in his own words, Reform is not the answer, and a vote for Reform will only let in a Labour government.

The New Conservatives group of around 25 right-wing Tory MPs reacted furiously to Mr Andersons defection, but said that the responsibility sits with the Conservative Party.

We have failed to hold together the coalition of voters who gave us an 80-seat majority in 2019, co-founders Miriam Cates and Danny Kruger said in a statement.

The pressure group said the Tories cannot pretend any longer that the plan is working ... our poll numbers show what the public think of our record since 2019, adding: We need to change course urgently.

But senior Tory MP Tobias Ellwood said Mr Anderson was engaging in Trumpism and populism. He told TalkTV that his former colleague was building on peoples fears, saying the establishment hasnt got it right and that Mr Anderson was failing to offer any solutions.

And the Liberal Democrats said Mr Sunaks authority lies in tatters after the man he appointed deputy Tory chair defected to a rival party.

Mr Andersons defection means he is representing his third political party in six years. He was previously a long-time Labour member and served as a local councillor for the party before joining the Tories in 2018.

Labours Ashfield candidate Ms Keehn said the constituency deserves so much better than this, calling for a fresh start with a Labour government and MP. She said: People are fed up with politicians playing political games just to suit themselves. Its clear Rishi has lost control of his party.

A Tory spokesperson said: Lee himself said he fully accepted that the chief whip had no option but to suspend the whip in these circumstances. We regret hes made this decision. Voting for Reform cant deliver anything apart from a Keir Starmer-led Labour government.
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More than 100 million will be used to protect Muslim schools, community centres and mosques from a rising number of hate attacks, the home secretary has announced.

The money will be spent on security measures which include alarms, fences and CCTV cameras, James Cleverly said.

It follows a similar package of 70 million for Jewish groups, as rising tensions over the war in Gaza fuel divisions in the UK.

In a statement, Mr Cleverly said that anti-Muslim hatred has absolutely no place in our society.

"We will not let events in the Middle East be used as an excuse to justify abuse against British Muslims, he said.

The new money would give reassurance and confidence to UK Muslims at a time when it is crucially needed".

Ministers have recently condemned an increase in reported anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish hatred. The government was recently accused of stoking tensions after Lee Anderson claimed the London mayor was controlled by Islamists.

The former deputy chair of the Conservatives was suspended by the party over the remarks, but only after a delay of almost a day.

And ministers have still continued to refuse to say his comments were Islamophobic, stating only that they were wrong.

Ministers have also suffered a blow after the frontrunner to become a new adviser on the issue pulled out saying he couldnt take the amount of abuse he had received.

Fiyaz Mughal, who founded the organisation Tell MAMA, which looks at anti-Muslim hate, said the abuse he had suffered for more than 10 years escalated after his name was linked to the role.

In all the government will give 117 million over the next four years. The announcement, which comes at the start of Ramadan, will cover sites across the UK.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat said: "This funding demonstrates that this government stands firmly against hate crimes, abuse, threats or harassment against British Muslims.

"We continue to work closely with policing and community partners to ensure the safety and security of British Muslims."
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The Tories biggest donor told colleagues that looking at Diane Abbott makes you want to hate all black women, a media report has revealed.

Frank Hester, who has donated 10m to the Conservatives in the past year, also said the long-serving former Labour MP should be shot, it is claimed.

Mr Hester, founder and chief executive of The Phoenix Partnership (TPP), made the comments at a 2019 meeting at the firms headquarters, according to a Guardian investigation.

Discussing a female executive from another company, he reportedly said: Shes s***. Shes the s***test person. Honestly I try not to be sexist but when I meet somebody like [the executive], I just 

Its like trying not to be racist but you see Diane Abbott on the TV, and youre just like I hate, you just want to hate all black women because shes there, and I dont hate all black women at all, but I think she should be shot.

[The executive] and Diane Abbott need to be shot. Shes stupid  If we can get [the executive] being unprofessional we can get her sacked. Its not as good as her dying. It would be much better if she died. Shes consuming resource. Shes eating food that other people could eat. You know?

Frank Hester has boosted Rishi Sunaks general election war chest (PA)

Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds said Mr Hesters comments were reprehensible and called on the Tories and Rishi Sunak to hand back his donations in full.

Ms Dodds said: These comments are reprehensible. Frank Hester is the Conservative Partys biggest ever donor, as well as a personal donor to the prime minister, it is therefore vital that Rishi Sunak and the Tories return his donations, in full without delay.

Rishi Sunak has claimed that words matter, and he must know that holding on to that money would suggest the Conservatives condone these disturbing comments. Sunak must return every penny.

Tory MP Sir Bob Neil said Mr Hesters alleged comments were stupid and offensive.

He told Times Radio: It may have been hyperbolic. Thats not the sort of language that you should use about anyone, frankly.

You can disagree with peoples politics but lets fight our enemies on clean ground, on the honest disagreements of policy, and show them up for where theyre wrong. But not to, that sort of type of divisive language."

And the Liberal Democrats called for the Tories to return Mr Hesters donations and rule out awarding him a peerage.

Lib Dem chief whip Wendy Chamberlain said: These comments are inexcusable and disgusting. Ultimately the buck stops with Rishi Sunak.

He must reassure the public that the Conservative Party does not tolerate these remarks. That means confirming that his party will return every penny of these donations and wont take any more from this donor in future.

But lawyers for TPP told The Guardian the company fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace with a significant number of staff from diverse backgrounds. They also said Mr Hesters comments had been taken out of context and distorted and did not accurately represent him or the company.

And the company released a statement saying: Frank Hester accepts that he was rude about Diane Abbott in a private meeting several years ago but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin.

The Guardian is right when it quotes Frank saying he abhors racism, not least because he experienced it as the child of Irish immigrants in the 1970s.

He rang Diane Abbott twice today to try to apologise directly for the hurt he has caused her, and is deeply sorry for his remarks. He wishes to make it clear that he regards racism as a poison which has no place in public life.

The comments emerged as part of a broader investigation which The Guardian said also uncovered Mr Hester allegedly calling all of his foreign staff to a meeting to defend himself against allegations of racism from former staff.

In that meeting, he is alleged to have said: I make a lot of jokes about racism, about our different creeds and cultures. But I just want to assure you that it is just the most abhorrent thing.

He reportedly added: I want to clear the air and make sure we all know where we are, what we stand for, and we take the piss out of the fact that all our Chinese girls sit together in Asian corner, which they do.

TPPs lawyers said the fact he donated heavily to a party led by Britains first Hindu prime minister, who is of Indian heritage, was evidence he embraces diversity.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph in February, after becoming the largest ever Tory donor, Mr Hester said he supported the PM because of his interest in artificial intelligence.

He said: The future is AI and weve got a prime minister who gets it.

Ive had some quite long conversations with Rishi about AI and its not just that he understands it, we were talking about different algorithms. He does fundamentally get it and I think were blessed in this country.

He had given 5m to the party ahead of the interview, ahead of a further 5m donation last year.

In 2015, the businessman was given an OBE for his services to healthcare. Mr Hester has been invited on several government trade missions in the past, including visiting India with then-prime minister David Cameron in 2013.

He appeared at number 321 on the 2023 Sunday Times Rich List, with the newspaper estimating his wealth at 415m.

The rich list said Mr Hester spotted an opportunity to build IT software for the NHS when his GP wife grumbled about her computers at work. TTP has been contacted for comment.

Diane Abbott has consistently received a disproportionate amount of abuse compared with other MPs (PA)

Ms Abbott was a Labour MP until her suspension in April last year for writing a letter suggesting Jewish people are not subjected to the same racism as some other minorities.

The first black woman to become an MP, she has represented Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987.

She has consistently been subjected to a disproportionate amount of abuse compared with other MPs, and Amnesty International research during the 2017 election found she was the victim of almost half the abuse directed at women MPs on Twitter, which has since been renamed X.

TPPs main clients are the NHS and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

The government, NHS and local authorities have paid TPP more than 440m since 2016, according to analysis by contract specialists Tussell.

A TPP spokesperson told The Guardian: As the safe and trusted custodians of 80 million medical records in the UK and around the world, we always hire the best people for the job, regardless of race, gender, sexuality or any other characteristic.

We take care of our people and celebrate diversity in our workplace. We reward our staff well, encouraging them to work collaboratively, to take ownership of their responsibilities, and to demonstrate the commitment and professionalism that the NHS, patients and our customers around the world deserve.

Having recently witnessed the tragic consequences that can be caused when software systems of major public services fail, we are proud to demand the highest standards of our staff to ensure we can continue to safely and reliably support our health service.

A Conservative spokesperson said: Mr Hester has made clear that while he was rude, his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor the colour of her skin. He has since apologised.
MANZINI  Courageous patrons of New Village Wine and Malt on Saturday night chased about seven armed robbers who had opened fire and shot about six people.

The incident happened just before the recreational establishment closed for the day, at about 11:30pm, according to Sizwe Buthelezi. The proprietor of the business said three people entered his business and one of them jumped on top of the pool table, before starting to shoot randomly at the clients within the establishment. He said the suspect first fired four shots at the ceiling of the establishment before shooting the patrons randomly. Buthelezi said as the gunman fired the shots, one of his accomplices, who just like the others had disguised with a balaclava, jumped over the embankment on the counter to where there was the cash register.

Cellphones

He said the suspect who jumped over the counter was carrying a backpack, which he used to put items such as cellphones and the daily cash accrued from the sales. They took about E3 000, over seven cellphones and wallets, which the clients request us to keep for them as a means to avoid being pick-pocketed, Buthelezi said. While one of the suspects ransacked the counter for valuables and cash, another suspect was said to have chased after a sales lady, who had fled to hide in the establishments bathroom. Buthelezi said the robbers assaulted the sales lady and stabbed her in the wrist as they demanded that she showed them additional cash collected on the day. It was gathered that the woman was also banged against the wall.

While all this was happening, it was said the robber standing on top of the billiards table started shooting at some of the patrons at close range. In the process, he shot Morris Tsela, 38, in the knee.

Tsela was found at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, where he was admitted on Saturday. He said healthcare practitioners had informed him that the bullet went through the tissue and had not damaged much of his ligament.It was something that happened unexpectedly and we are lucky to be alive, he said. Tsela envisaged to be released from the healthcare facility by today, as he said other than that he was limping, he felt fine. Meanwhile, two beds from him was another patron who was shot on the upper part of the arm and somehow the bullet pierced through his arm and exited on the curve of his shoulder blade. The patron, who requested not to be identified, said he was shot while fleeing from the commotion inside the drinking hall. He said about four more robbers were standing lurking in the shadows of the dark.

Flee

As we tried to flee, one of them shot at us and I was injured. I suspect they were trying to stop us from fleeing, the patron said. He said after being shot, the robbers emptied his pockets and among other things, took his cellphone. The patron said they were brought to the public healthcare facility by the proprietor of the establishment  Buthelezi. Buthelezi confirmed this and said after dropping off the two patrons, four more people arrived at the RFM Hospital, who said they were injured during the skirmish. The businessman said his establishment had been affected by the high crime rate, such that during the past festive season, there were two robberies which occurred. Buthelezi said in one of the robberies, the suspects entered the establishment through cutting a hole in the roofing. He said during that break-in, the robbers stole alcohol and other valuables, including cash in the billiards table.

Subsequently, he said other suspects also broke into the establishment through dismantling the burglarproof windows and tried to take a gambling machine. After failing to take the gambling machine, he said the robbers broke it and emptied the cash from it. Meanwhile, on Saturday night, he said some of the patrons were brave because after noting that the robbers were no longer aiming at them when firing gunshots; they started to chase after them. Buthelezi said the robbers capitalised on the lack of streetlights along the Mhlaleni  Nhlangano Public Road and fled towards a sporting field which is about 400 metres from his business establishment. This is where he suspected their getaway vehicle was waiting for them. Buthelezi said the patrons chased the robbers over the aforementioned distance despite that the armed gang would frequently discharge their firearms to dissuade the patrons from pursuing them.
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Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson has defected to Nigel Farages Reform UK party after he was suspended by the Conservatives over racist remarks directed at London mayor Sadiq Khan.

He announced his switch to the right-wing populist party at a press conference on Monday alongside party leader Richard Tice in London.

Mr Anderson said: I will start by saying I want my country back. Over the last year or so Ive had to do a lot of soul-searching on my political journey.

He was recently suspended from the Tory party after comments he made about Mr Khan which were described by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer as an appalling racist and Islamophobic outburst.

In a previous outburst Mr Anderson said that asylum-seekers who do not wish to be housed in the governments Bibby Stockholm barge should f*** off back to France, leading Mr Khan to accuse him of stoking division and hate.

The defection of the Ashfield MP will heap yet further pressure on Rishi Sunak as the populist party could potentially split the right-wing vote at the next election.

Who is Lee Anderson?

Born in 1967, the 56-year-old had quite a political journey even before he entered politics.

Having left John Davies Primary School in Huthwaite and Ashfield School in Kirkby with several O-levels, he studied shipping management at Nottingham Technical College. After college, he worked a number of local jobs, including labourer in a concrete factory, before following his father into the Nottinghamshire coal mines where he worked for 10 years.

With some of his relatives said to have taken part in the 1984 miners strike, Mr Anderson also joined industrial action when John Majors government was closing mines in the early 1990s. But now he considers it a pointless gesture, urging striking workers to put the family first, not the union in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Anderson said he left the pits  at one point working seven 12-hour shifts a week  in 1997 to devote his time to his two sons, who he raised as a single parent for 17 years. During that time he was forced to sell his car to make ends meet.

Mr Anderson has a history of controversial comments (Lee Anderson)

The father-of-two then began volunteering at the Citizens Advice Bureau, where he worked for 10 years, also working in hostels for homeless care leavers, before holding a role as office manager for Gloria De Piero, the former Labour MP for Ashfield.

After serving as a Labour councillor in the constituency from 2015 for three years, he defected to the Conservatives in what he claimed was a response to the hard-left takeover of the party under Jeremy Corbyn.

A month prior to his defection, he was suspended by the local Labour party after being handed a community protection warning by the council for placing boulders to deter travellers from setting up camp at a site in the area, Mansfield and Ashfield Chad reported.

His second wife, Sinead is also a Conservative councillor in Mansfield, who has represented Eaking ward since 2019.

Election as MP after controversy on campaign trail

Mr Anderson was elected to represent Ashfield in July 2019 with a majority of 5,733. He became the constituencys first Tory MP in 22 years after a campaign which saw him post a video claiming that nuisance tenants should be forced to live in tents and pick potatoes.

That episode  which saw him accused of entrenching division  was not the only controversy of his campaign.

Minutes before bringing a journalist to the door of one prospective constituent, Mr Anderson appeared to forget he was wearing a microphone as he told them: Make out you know who I am ... you know Im the candidate, but not a friend, alright?

Tory MP candidate Lee Anderson says 'nuisance tenants' should be forced to live in fields and pick potatoes at 6am every morning

Earning the nickname 30p Lee

Mr Andersons fondness for contentious comments only grew once entering parliament, where he has become known to critics as 30p Lee after claiming theres not this massive use for food banks in this country, insisting that generation after generation ... cant cook a meal from scratch [and] cannot budget.

To illustrate his point, he decided in January to tweet a picture of a member of his staff with details of her earnings and outgoings, claiming she was an example of someone earning less than 30,000 who did not need to use a food bank.

The move was heavily criticised, and Mr Anderson was accused of a form of bullying by Labour MP Dawn Butler, who said she had reported him to the Commons authorities.

During the Euro 2020 competition, Mr Anderson said he would boycott watching Englands games, over the players decision to take the knee in an anti-racism gesture.

What does Mr Anderson say about his approach?

Mr Anderson has defended his approach to such issues, telling The Spectator: I can say it because I was a single parent for 17 years with two boys. I struggled ... so Ill take no lectures from anybody about being hard up and struggling for survival.

Maybe some of my colleagues think Im a little bit too divisive, he said. But Im of the mind that half the population will hate you, whatever colour you wear.

Urging the government to start promoting personal responsibility as well as aspiration, he told The Telegraph in January that a can do spirit is the mentality of the Red Wall.

It is your family, you provide for them. Make sure that you live in a safe, decent country with good education, a good health-care system and a good police force, he said.

Deputy chairman of the Conservative Party Mr Anderson has been defended over his barge remarks (PA Wire)

Promotion to Tory deputy chair

The outspoken Ashfield MP has become well-loved by the Conservative Partys grassroots, emerging in a ConservativeHome survey of Tory members as their favourite backbench MP of 2022.

In his bid to unite the fracturing party he inherited from Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak appointed Mr Anderson as Tory deputy chair in February this year.

That move prompted some concern among colleagues, as it came just a week after leaked messages from a Tory MP WhatsApp group reportedly saw Mr Anderson liken the government to the band on the Titanic on the issue of small boat crossings, playing the same tune and ignoring the obvious.

Just days after his appointment, No 10 was forced to remind journalists and the public that Mr Anderson, while deputy chairman, was not actually a member of the government after he backed the return of the death penalty in an interview with The Spectator.

Despite his promotion within the Tory ranks, Mr Anderson continued in a similarly combative vein even this week as he told Mr Farage there was no doubt about it that Mr Sunaks government has failed in effectively stopping the boats  one of the PMs five key pledges.

Mr Anderson has now become the latest Tory MP to be granted his own show on GB News, where he names a wokey of the week and features a token lefty.

So far he has spoon-fed a fellow MP baked beans and sought to convince fellow presenter Michelle Dewsbury to eat cat food.

Resignation and defection to Reform

Mr Anderson resigned as deputy Tory chairman in January after an ongoing row over Rishi Sunaks plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Just a month later he was suspended from the Conservative Party after he claimed Islamists had got control of Mr Khan and London.

In an appearance on GB News, Mr Anderson said: I dont actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is theyve got control of Khan and theyve got control of London Hes actually given our capital city away to his mates.

The comments caused outrage and he refused to apologise, saying that it would be a sign of weakness.

Despite being widely condemned he did find support from Reform leader Mr Tice who said in a statement: Lee Anderson may have been clumsy in his precise choice of words, but his sentiments are supported by millions of British citizens, including myself.

I do not and will not give a running commentary on any discussions I have with any MPs, but those MPs have my number.

Despite Mr Anderson previously saying Mr Tice was a pound shop Nigel Farage and said Reform was not a proper political party, he joined them in March.
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The Prince of Wales was all smiles at the Commonwealth Day service as he made his first public appearance since his wife admitted to editing their Mothers Day picture.

The event celebrating the family of nations is a major fixture in the royal year but has been overshadowed by the Princess of Wales statement she manipulated a family photo released on Sunday.

The prince, who was spotted with Kate in his car while in London, arrived at Westminster Abbey alone before the Queen, and was greeted by the Dean of Westminster David Hoyle, shaking his hands with the senior cleric.

William was introduced to the Abbeys Chapter, or governing body, shaking their hands as he made his way along the line of clergy.

Missing was the King, who continues to receive treatment for cancer, but in his annual address to the family of nations, he pledged to continue to serve the Commonwealth to the best of my ability.

Since his cancer diagnosis was announced on February 5, Charles has postponed all public-facing duties but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers and holding some in-person meetings.

His address highlighted how diversity was the Commonwealths core strength, and the union of 56 member countries was a precious source of strength, inspiration, and pride to him.

Charles said in the video message: In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth.

Camilla and William were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

The royals warmly greeted each other before they lined up for the procession to their seats.

The prince gave Edward a friendly pat on the arm and a kiss on both cheeks, before standing in conversation with his aunts Anne and Sophie and uncle.

As Camilla, dressed in a turquoise coat and hat, approached, William was seen to say hello to his stepmother before moving forward to kiss her on both cheeks.

They smiled and chatted for a few moments as they stood side by side at the head of the royal party.

Camilla looked back, as if to check the other members of the monarchy were in place and when the national anthem began, all the royals sang.

The annual celebration will draw on the theme of resilience at a time when the royal family has faced a barrage of health troubles.

Among the 2,000 guests were Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Scotland, the president of Malta, foreign ministers, high commissioners, senior politicians and dignitaries from across the Commonwealth and faith leaders as well as schoolchildren and young people from throughout the UK.

The service, which marked the 75th anniversary of the family of nations, featured performers from across the Commonwealth including a dance troupe from Uganda that tickled the royals.

The front row of Camilla, William, Edward, Sophie and Anne smiled then laughed as the youngsters, who featured on Britains Got Talent, twirled and jumped.

Protesters from the Republic campaign group had earlier gathered outside, near the abbey.

The demonstrators carried bright yellow placards bearing the slogan Down with the Crown.

Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, said: The royals need to stop using the Commonwealth as a vehicle for their own PR.

The platitudes we hear from Charles and Camilla only serve to paper over serious concerns about human rights abuses and a lack of democracy in many Commonwealth countries.

He added: The royal family funded, promoted and defended slavery for centuries, and then presided over an empire that caused untold damage to peoples lives that continues to have an impact to this day.

Reparations are a reasonable demand. As a hereditary monarch, Charles can hardly argue that what his ancestors did has nothing to do with him.

Among the guests was former Spice Girl Geri Horner. Her husband Christian Horner, boss of Formula One team Red Bull, was investigated recently following an allegation of inappropriate behaviour which was later dismissed.

Sir Ben Okri, the poet and Booker Prize winning novelist, read his prose piece called Transcending History, telling those gathered: You can never tell what happens when people hang out together for historical, cultural reasons.

Families are formed not only of blood but affinity. No family ever stands secure without the mortar of respect, without the magnetism of affection.

After the prayers and hymns the royal family met some of those who performed at the event, and William could not contain his delight at meeting Akrama Muyamja, a 14-year-old performer from the dance troupe Ghetto Kids.

Speaking about the teenager he said to another guest in the line-up: This guy was the star of the show  the hip movement.

He was incredible and the great big smiles as he was doing it.

A few minutes later his words were echoed by Edward who told the teenager: That winning smile  a little cheeky.

Later the Queen attended the annual evening reception marking Commonwealth Day and was hosted by Baroness Scotland, the family of nations Secretary-General.

High Commissioners from across the globe chatted with the Queen in Londons Marlborough House, the home of the Commonwealths civil service.

Entertainment reflected the nations present, and Camilla stopped to chat with South African performers and others from Samoa, the nation that will host the next meeting of Commonwealth leaders later this year.
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The World Trade Organization will open its biennial meeting Monday in the United Arab Emirates as the bloc faces pressure from the United States and other nations ahead of a year of consequential elections around the globe.

The WTO's 164 member nations will discuss a deal to ban subsidies that contribute to overfishing, extending a pause on taxes on digital media like movies and video games, and agricultural issues.

But headwinds remain for the organization and the world's economy, particularly as the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic remains uneven across nations. Meanwhile, there are more than 50 elections affecting half the planets population planned for this year  perhaps none more critical for the WTO than the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5.

Running again is former President Donald Trump, who threatened to withdraw the U.S. from the WTO and repeatedly levied tariffs  taxes on imported goods  on perceived friends and foes alike. A Trump win could again roil global trade.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a dual Nigerian and American citizen, has pushed to insist the organization remains vital as 75% of the world's trade is done on its terms.

What we are focused on at the WTO are what are the appropriate reforms we need to do  no matter who comes into power, when, Okonjo-Iweala earlier this month, insisting that the trade body remains relevant. If we get to what youre saying  that the WTO becomes irrelevant  everyone, including you and me, will be in trouble.

But even if President Joe Biden is re-elected, the U.S. has deep reservations over the WTO. The United States under the past three administrations has blocked appointments to its appeals court, and its no longer operating. Washington says the judges have overstepped their authority too often in ruling on cases.

The U.S. also has criticized China for still describing itself as a developing country as it did when it joined the WTO in 2001. Washington, Europe and others say that Beijing improperly hampers access to emerging industries and steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over technology. The U.S. also says China floods world markets with cheap steel, aluminum and other products.

Then there's the voting format of the WTO itself. Major decisions require consensus. That means countries must actively vote in favor for proposals to take effect.
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The late sister-in-law of Mitch McConnell drowned after accidentally reversing her Tesla Model X into a pond at her Texas ranch,

Angela Chao, 50, reportedly called a friend in a panic before her car was completely submerged in the pond on the sprawling ranch outside of Austin.

The death of Chao, the chair and chief executive of the Chao family business, the Foremost Group shipping company, was reported last month, but details about the fatal accident were slow to emerge.

Chaos may have been caused by her putting the electric vehicle into reverse causing it to slam into the pond and sink, with first responders unable to get it out in time to save her life, reported The Wall Street Journal.

The outlet spoke to friends of Chao, her family and county officials who were at the scene or briefed on the incident, as well as reviewing law enforcement documents to establish the course of events that led to her death.

Chao had invited friends from Harvard Business School to the 900-acre ranch outside of Austin, Texas to spend a weekend with her, stated the report.

At around 11.30pm on 10 February, after spending time with her friends in the guest house, she went to head back to the ranchs main house in a Tesla Model X SUV.

Minutes later Chao called one of her friends in a panic, the outlet reported. During a three-point turn, she put her car into reverse instead of into drive. As the vehicle went backwards, it tipped over an embankment and into a pond.

After the alarm was raised, Chaos friends, the ranch manager, first responders, and sheriffs deputies tried to break the vehicles windows or find an escape hatch. One of her friends even jumped into the pond, the outlet reported.

An emergency unit for Blanco County arrived around 24 minutes after getting a call, the fire department incident report said, per the Wall Street Journal.

Some first responders had got out of their vehicles and walked to the scene due to the terrain and accessibility.

Angela Chao and her husband Jim Breyer, an American venture capitalist (Getty Images for Breakthrough PR)

In the attempts to rescue Chao from her vehicle in the pond, one responder recalled the Tesla as being completely submerged, with deputies standing on it as they tried to save the businesswoman.

As a dive team was not available, an emergency service worker and a firefighter entered the water with rescue tools. A tow truck turned up, but with a cable too short to retrieve the vehicle; eventually, responders found a longer cable.

The outlet said that once the car was out of the water and the doors were opened, hundreds of gallons of water rushed out.

Chao was unresponsive when the car resurfaced, and attempts were made to resuscitate her, but this was unsuccessful. She was deceased at the scene.

A person familiar with the situation told the Wall Street Journal that no one in the family blames Tesla.

The Blanco Sheriffs Office told NBC in a statement on 16 February that emergency measures were taken, but Chao succumbed from being under the water.

Our preliminary investigation has determined this to be an unfortunate accident. The investigation is ongoing at this time, the statement said.

However, the sheriffs office then reportedly wrote in a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on 29 February, according to NBC, that it was not a typical accident and that the office is investigating it as a criminal matter until they have sufficient evidence to rule out criminal activity.

Chao was the sister of Elaine Chao, who served as secretary of transportation under Donald Trump and is also married to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Weeks after Chaos death, Mr McConnell announced on the Senate floor that he would step down from his leadership position, bringing an end to his position as the US Senates longest-serving party leader.

His senate term expires in 2027, and he plans to remain in Congress until then.

As some of you may know, this has been a particularly difficult time for my family," Mr McConnell said in his announcement on 28 February, speaking of his sister-in-law.

"When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, there is a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process. Perhaps it is Gods way of reminding you of your own lifes journey to reprioritise the impact on the world that we will all inevitably leave behind," he added.

The Independent has contacted Tesla, Blanco County Emergency Services, Blanco County Sheriffs Office and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons Office for comment.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with Caribbean leaders in Jamaica on Monday as part of an urgent push to solve Haitis spiraling violent crisis, while pressure grows on Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.

Henry is expected to attend the closed-door meeting organised by members of a regional trade bloc known as Caricom who for months have pressed for a transitional government in Haiti as violent protests demanded Henrys resignation.

Whilst we are making considerable progress, the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be, Caricom said in a statement Friday announcing the urgent meeting in Jamaica.

Attacks by powerful gangs on key government targets began on February 29 across Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince. Gunmen have burned police stations, closed the main international airports and raided the country's two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

Scores of people have been killed, and more than 15,000 people are homeless after fleeing neighborhoods raided by gangs. Food and water are dwindling as stands and stores selling to impoverished Haitians run out of goods. The main port in Port-au-Prince remains closed, stranding dozens of containers with critical supplies.

Henry remains locked out of his country, landing in Puerto Rico last week after being denied entry into the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

When the attacks began, Henry was in Kenya pushing for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country that has been delayed by a court ruling.

A growing number of people are demanding the resignation of Henry, who has not issued any public comment since the attacks began.

At the weekend US military said that it had flown in forces to beef up security at the US Embassy in the country. 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 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.

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.

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.

Henry, a neurosurgeon, was appointed as Haitis prime minister after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

It was unclear whether Henry would be in Jamaica for the CARICOM meeting.

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 as gangs continued to attack key state institutions.
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A man has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly pushed his girlfriend onto the tracks of a Manhattan subway, causing her feet to be severed by a train.

Christian Valdez, 35, was charged with attempted murder and felony assault after an argument occurred between him and his girlfriend on the platform of Fulton Street subway station at around 10.30am on Saturday, police said.

During the argument, Mr Valdez allegedly pushed her onto the tracks, cops added. A moment later, a downtown No. 3 train bore down on her.

Witnesses told the New York Daily News that the 29-year-old woman, who has not been named, could allegedly be heard screaming I dont deserve this! I dont deserve this! as the train came to a stop.

NYPD officers arrived on the scene at around 10.30am to find the woman on the tracks, conscious and responsive.

She was then rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where her feet were amputated, according to the police and a law enforcement official.

Police said she is expected to survive.

A man has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly pushed his girlfriend onto the tracks of a Manhattan subway (Getty Images)

Mr Valdez fled the scene following the incident, but was arrested roughly 10 hours later on Saturday, according to the NYPD.

He was awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Valdez had previously served time in prison for slashing a woman and her three-year-old child in 2017, police confirmed to ABC News.

On 13 September 2017, he attacked Jenny Aquino and her then-three-year-old daughter, Bella, stabbing the little girl in the arm and knifing her mother in the stomach.

Police sources also told the New York Daily News that Mr Valdez has a total of four past assault arrests on his record, and was still on parole for an attempted assault conviction in the Bronx from 2020, according to public records.

He was sentenced to up to eight years in prison in that case but was released on parole in January 2023.

Police said Mr Valdezs address was listed as a Brooklyn womens shelter.

Saturdays attack came after New York Governor Kathy Hochul last week announced an initiative to deploy 750 members of the National Guard and 250 state and MTA police officers to subway stations to deter crime.

The new deployment, which drew intense criticism from New Yorkers, the police and members of both political parties, is in addition to the 1,000 New York City police officers who were ordered to patrol subway lines and do security checks on bags in the nations largest transit system last month following an attack on a conductor and other high-profile crimes.

Overall crime in the transit system fell last year as the number of daily riders rose by 14 per cent, according to police and MTA officials. However, subway stations have seen a 15 per cent increase in felony assaults this year, while major crime increased by about 13 per cent between 1 January and 3 March, according to Police Department data.

So far, the transit system has been the scene of three homicides in 2024, up from one killing from this time period last year.
 Close Haiti: Hundreds of inmates escape after armed gangs storm prison

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Haiti is facing further turmoil as former Prime Minister Ariel Henry has said that only he can appoint the transitional council needed to take over leadership of the beleaguered Caribbean nation.

Ariel Henrys office told CNN that, under Haitis constitution, it is down to him and his cabinet to appoint the transitional leaders  as he vowed to follow constitutional procedures.

We will not deliver the country to just a group of people without following the procedure. We are in crisis as a country, but we must stay inside of the law and set a good example, his office said.

This further state of flux comes after a state of emergency was declared in the nation last week, prompting Caribbean leaders and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet in Jamaica to urgently discuss the crisis on Monday.

On 11 March, Mr Henry agreed to resign once a transitional presidential council is created.

The violence, which began on 29 February, has seen gang members burn down police stations and raid prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

Heavily armed criminal gangs also attacked major government assets across the capital Port-au-Prince and took control of the main international airports.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with Caribbean leaders in Jamaica on Monday as part of an urgent push to solve Haitis spiraling violent crisis, while pressure grows on Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.

Henry is expected to attend the closed-door meeting organised by members of a regional trade bloc known as Caricom who for months have pressed for a transitional government in Haiti as violent protests demanded Henrys resignation.

Whilst we are making considerable progress, the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be, Caricom said in a statement Friday announcing the urgent meeting in Jamaica.

Attacks by powerful gangs on key government targets began on February 29 across Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince. Gunmen have burned police stations, closed the main international airports and raided the country's two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

Scores of people have been killed, and more than 15,000 people are homeless after fleeing neighborhoods raided by gangs. Food and water are dwindling as stands and stores selling to impoverished Haitians run out of goods. The main port in Port-au-Prince remains closed, stranding dozens of containers with critical supplies.

Henry remains locked out of his country, landing in Puerto Rico last week after being denied entry into the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron (REUTERS)

When the attacks began, Henry was in Kenya pushing for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country that has been delayed by a court ruling.

A growing number of people are demanding the resignation of Henry, who has not issued any public comment since the attacks began.

At the weekend US military said that it had flown in forces to beef up security at the US Embassy in the country.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.

Haitis Prime Minister Ariel Henry (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

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.

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.

Members of the General Security Unit of the National Palace (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

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.

Henry, a neurosurgeon, was appointed as Haitis prime minister after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

It was unclear whether Henry would be in Jamaica for the CARICOM meeting.

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 as gangs continued to attack key state institutions.
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An infant was killed and the childs parents injured in an apparent dog attack in New Jersey over the weekend, authorities said.

Middlesex County prosecutors and Woodbridge police said a mother and child were found with serious injuries at an address in Woodbridge Township after officers responded to a report of an unresponsive baby believed to have been attacked by the family dog shortly before 6.30am on Saturday.

The baby was pronounced dead at the scene, while the mother and father were taken to a hospital for treatment. The names of the victims have not been released.

It is not clear what condition the parents are currently in.

Officials did not clarify the current status of the animal or the breed of the dog.

Under New Jersey law, any domestic animal that scratches or bites a human must be placed in a ten day quarantine at the owners expense.

At the end of the ten days, an animal control officer or health officer is required to evaluate the animal and determine if it is healthy.

If a dog is deemed to be vicious, it will be euthanized.

New Jersey law also states that the dogs owner can be held liable for damages resulting from the bite.

Authorities described the investigation as active and continuing and asked anyone with information to call Woodbridge police and county prosecutors.

Each year, according to Forbes, about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States, with 30 to 50 people killed due to dog bites. However, nearly 30 per cent of fatal dog attacks involve a victim between the ages of one and four.

Last June, an 11-month-old boy died in Michigan after he was attacked by the family dog while he playied in the backyard. Four months later, a four-year-old boy was killed by a dog in Detroit.

Meanwhile, in December, a six-year-old boy was mauled to death by two dogs who attacked him at a family friends house in Oregon.

The boy was preparing to head off to school from the house in Portland, which belonged to a friend of the victims grandmother, when two large Great Dane-mastiff mixes launched themselves onto the child, the Portland Police Bureau said.
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In a new campaign advertisement, President Joe Biden tries to take control of the narrative around his age by addressing the obvious with a joke.

Look Im not a young guy, thats no secret, he laughs in a new ad released Saturday.

Mr Biden, 81, appears laid-back in the new advertisement and counters the joke about his age with a benefit to his many years of experience: But heres the deal, I understand how to get things done for the American people.

He then lists his administrations accomplishments like tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, boosting the economy and lowering prescription drug prices before hitting talking points that are especially relevant to young voters.

Ive passed the biggest law in history to combat climate change because our future depends on it, Mr Biden says.

Donald Trump took away the freedom of women to choose, Im determined to make Roe v Wade the law of the land, again.

The ad, aptly titled like the popular TikTok homepage, For You, is part of the presidents re-election campaigns appeal to young voters  the same voting bloc that helped Mr Biden get elected in 2020.

Mr Bidens tone is much softer and jokier compared to the fiery State of the Union speech he gave on Thursday.

While Mr Biden compares his accomplishments to those of former president Donald Trump, its less confrontational. He describes Mr Trumps failure to pass infrastructure legislation, and how he championed overturning the federal right to an abortion.

The ad even features one of Mr Bidens sarcastic one-liners in an outtake.

Off-camera, a crew member asks the president to do one more take leading Mr Biden to respond: Look Im very young, energetic and handsome, what the hell am I doing this for?

For You will play on TV channels that are popular with young voters like ESPN, Adult Swim and Comedy Central. It arrives as Mr Biden faces negative polling that shows a majority of Americans arent confident in his efficiency due to his age and young people arent happy with his economic record.

The advertisement is part of a $30m ad buy recently announced by the Biden-Harris campaign. It is expected to air over the next six weeks on local cable channels in swing states like Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and more.
MBABANE  The South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is only left with two weeks to file the application for extradition of the two Ndimande brothers.

The duo of Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande (Nxele) and Malusi Dave Ndimande (Mjay) were arrested in the country in connection with the murder of Kiernan Forbes popularly known as AKA and his friend Tebello Tibz Motsoane. In their home country, the siblings are also linked to the murders of Mntimande Kunene, Nhlanhla Ngcobo and attempted murder of Zamokuhle Mkhwanazi-Ngcobo, which took place in eManzimtoti and Berea respectively. Upon being extradited they are expected to answer on charges of; conspiracy to commit murder, contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 21 of 1998, unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition and money laundering. The provisional arrest which was filed and granted on February 26, 2024, according to the Extradition Act of 1968, is valid for 30 days. The 30 days lapses on March 27, 2024, and if by that time the NPA has still not have filed the application for extradition; the court can release the accused persons on bail.

Arrest

A provisional arrest is valid for 30 days and when the application for extradition has not been received from the requesting country, the court may release the fugitive on bail, but can be rearrested once the request has been received, said a legal expert. The accused persons were arrested on February 24, 2024, and they made their maiden court appearance on February 26, 2023, which is the date in which the request for their provisional arrest was moved and granted by Principal Magistrate David Khumalo. They made their second court appearance on March 5, 2024, and they have been in custody for two weeks. It was during their second court appearance where Principal Crown Counsel Macebo Nxumalo submitted that their South African counterparts (NPA) had still not file the extradition application. He told the court that they were in constant communication with the NPA and they promised to file the application soon. Nxumalo assured the court that the prosecution was giving the matter the urgency it deserved.

He also guaranteed the court that the extradition application will be submitted within the period of 30 days as per the Extraction Act. The non-filing of the extradition application was confirmed by the lawyer, who is representing the pair. Sivesenkhosi Ngwenya. Ngwenya said he was still waiting to be served with the papers so that he could take full instructions from his clients.

Extradited

During their last appearance, it was placed on record that the Ndimande brothers had no problem about being extradited to their home country, but wanted same to be done within the confines of the law. They, among other conditions, want to be assured that their safety was guaranteed during the whole process. It is anticipated that the NPA will file the application this week and this means that the matter might be postponed on Tuesday, as the defence lawyer made it clear that once served with the extradition application, with his clients they would need time to go through it in order to make an informed decision. As part of the conditions that were forwarded by the accused stated, they wanted to be assured that their safety would be prioritised.

The accused persons are said to have pithily stated that they wanted to be handed over to prison authorities of that country not to members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

As part of the conditions they are said to have also stated that during their handover to the prison authorities they wanted their South Africa-based attorney to be present. It is said the accused person further highlighted that they had strong reservations about being handed over to members of SAPS. The siblings are expected to make their second court appearance at the Manzini Magistrates Court tomorrow, where the issue of their extradition will be among one of the issues to be presented before court. They are currently detained in the country on the basis of the provisional arrest, that was filed by the prosecution of the neighbouring country. The accused persons are expected to make their third court appearance tomorrow. If the NPA will still not have filed the application for their extradition they would be remanded in custody for seven days.

Application

On Tuesday (tomorrow), the court is also expected to hear the application for the seizure and detention of the four cellphones that were found in possession of the accused persons, when they were arrested by members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service at Zone 4, Nkwalini in Mbabane. It is suspect that the cellphones are part of the gadgets that were purportedly used by the accused persons in the commission of the offences they are wanted for in their home country. During their last court appearance at the Manzini Magistrates Court Principal Crown Counsel Macebo Nxumalo moved an application to seize and detain the four cellphones, a black Nokia, grey Samsung, Vivo and a navy blue Huawei. The application was made in terms of Section 52 (1) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act No.67 of 1938 as amended.

Offence

Section52 provides that: If on the arrest of any person on a charge of an offence relating to property, the property in respect of which the offence is alleged to have been committed is found in his possession, or if anything is seized or taken under this Act, the person making the arrest or (as the case may be) the person seizing or taking the thing shall deliver such property or thing, or cause it to be delivered to a magistrate within such time as in all the circumstances of the case is reasonable. The detention application was, however, met with resistance from, the lawyer who is representing the Ndimande brothers. He urged thee the court not to grant the order for the seizure and detention of the gadgets as they needed time to read the application.
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New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, his wife Nadine Menendez and two other co-defendants named in a corruption case pleaded not guilty to an additional obstruction of justice charge brought against them by federal prosecutors in an arraignment on Monday.

For the second time in less than a year, Mr Menendez, 70, entered the Daniel Patrick Moynihan federal courthouse in New York City to face an arraignment on charges that accuse him, his wife and two New Jersey businessmen, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, of participating in a bribery scheme in exchange for political favours.

After entering the courtroom just before his arraignment, Mr Menendez sat facing forward with his hands in a steeple position. Attorneys for him and his co-defendants flanked him, Ms Menendez, Mr Hana and Mr Daibes. All four were present in the courtroom.

Last week, federal prosecutors returned a superseding indictment against Mr Menendez, Ms Menendez, Mr Hanna and Mr Daibes  increasing the charges from four to 18 just two months before trial is slated to begin.

The fresh charges accuse the senator and co-defendants of obstruction of justice, among others, by attempting to repay a former co-defendant for bribes they previously accepted after learning they were under investigation.

They arrived after the former co-defendant, Jose Uribe, agreed to plead guilty to seven charges and cooperate with the governments investigation. According to court filings, Mr Uribe told prosecutors as well as the judge overseeing the cases that he lied to investigators and his own lawyer, allegedly at the behest of Ms Menendez.

US Senator Bob Menendez arrives with his wife Nadine Menendez for their arraignment (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Uribe said he helped secure a Mercedez-Benz convertible for the Menendezes as a bribe in exchange for interfering with a criminal investigation connected to Mr Uribes trucking business. He claimed that upon being subpoenaed, he met with Ms Menendez and agreed to lie that payments made for the car were a loan.

This is just a small portion of the wider corruption case against the Menendezes as well as the co-defendants.

Mr Menendez is accused of accepting bribes, including large sums of cash, gold bars and jewelry, in exchange for using his political influence to enrich Mr Hanna and Mr Daibes and benefit the governments of Egypt and Qatar.

Federal prosecutors initially charged Mr Menendez with three counts related to the corruption case but in September included a superseding indictment, to add the charge of conspiring to act as a foreign agent to Egypt. In January, prosecutors expanded the initial charges to include Qatar.

The New Jersey senator has not resigned from his seat yet, though he did step down from his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

When asked whether he would resign or run for re-election on Monday, Mr Menendez responded that he wouldnt announce it in a courtroom.

Mr Menendez and the co-defendants are scheduled to go to trial on May 6. Judge Sidney Stein declined to move the date of the trial but said it was contingent on whether or not the defence appeals the case and an appeals court issues a stay.

Michelle Del Rey contributed to this report.
 Close Trumps mental acuity questioned on Fox News

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Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday to wish a happy Easter to all, including all those he claimed were doing everything possible to put him in jail.

In a lengthy and all-capitalised post on Sunday afternoon, Mr Trump railed against some of his usual suspects, including DOJ special counsel Jack Smith and Georgia attorney Fani Willis.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL... INCLUDING THOSE MANY PEOPLE I COMPLETELY & TOTALLY DESPISE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DESTROY AMERICA, he wrote.

It comes as Republicans, led by the former president, are sounding off on Joe Biden after he issued a statement recognising Trans Visibility Day becasue it happened to coincide with Easter Sunday this year.

Created by a Michigan-based transgender activist, Rachel Crandall, in 2009, International Transgender Day of Visibility (often shortened to Trans Visibility Day) falls on March 31 every year. In 2024, that date coincidentally falls on Easter Sunday, which is determined annually by marking the first Sunday after the full moon occurring on or after the Spring Equinox.

President Biden marked the push for transgender rights with a statement recognising Trans Visibility Day on Friday that has immediately set off alarm bells on the far right.
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Watch as Joe Biden spoke at a National League of Cities (NLC) event on Monday, 11 March, as his campaign for re-election in the 2024 race continues.

The NLC organisation comprises city, town, and village leaders focused on improving the quality of life for their current and future constituents.

The US president delivered remarks at the opening general session of this years congressional city conference ahead of Georgias primary on Tuesday.

It came after Mr Biden and Donald Trump exchanged criticisms at their competing rallies in the state over the weekend.

Mr Biden spoke to supporters in Atlanta and directly addressed criticisms to the former president, whereas Mr Trump - who took to the stage with ally Marjorie Taylor Greene - insulted his rival and mocked his stutter.

Georgia is likely to be a battleground state in November, it was last won by Mr Biden with a slim margin in 2020.
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Republican US Rep Nancy Mace of South Carolina defended her support for Donald Trump after she was pressed about her endorsement despite a federal jury finding him liable for sexual abuse and defamation in an $83m verdict.

In an interview with ABC News on Sunday, the congresswoman was repeatedly asked to square her support for Mr Trump against the jurys findings, while she argued she was being shamed for her political choices as a rape survivor herself.

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, ABCs This Week host George Stephanopoulos told Ms Mace on Sunday.

If you want to go ahead and defend a woman who made a mockery out of rape, then you go ahead and do that, Ms Mace said at one point.

Well, actually what youre doing is defending a man who has been found liable for rape, Mr Stephanopoulos replied. I dont understand how you can do that.

Ms Mace said the case of E Jean Carroll should not be seen as the same as a criminal conviction.

The federal judge overseeing that case, however, wrote last year that any finding that states Ms Carroll had failed to prove that she was raped within the meaning of the New York Penal Law does not mean that she failed to prove that Mr Trump raped her as many people commonly understand the word rape.

Indeed, as the evidence at trial recounted below makes clear, the jury found that Mr Trump in fact did exactly that, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan wrote.

Two separate juries in 2023 and in 2024 found Mr Trump liable for defaming Ms Carroll after he repeatedly called her a liar for speaking publicly about allegations that he assaulted her inthe 1990s.

It was not a criminal court case, No 1. No. 2, I live with shame. And youre asking me a question about my political choices trying to shame me as a rape victim, Ms Mace told Mr Stephanopoulos on Sunday.

He said his question is not about shaming you but about Donald Trump.

Im not shaming you at all. I called you courageous, he said. Im asking you a very simple question.

Ms Mace recounted her testimony during debate in South Carolinas state legislature surrounding a bill to ban abortion care at roughly six weeks of pregnancy without exceptions for survivors of rape or incest.

I had to tell my story because no other woman was coming forward for us, she said. No rape victims were represented, and youre trying to shame me this morning. And I find it offensive, and this is why women wont come forward.

She said Ms Carrolls post-trial comments make it harder for women to come forward when they make a mockery out of rape, when they joke about it.

Doesnt it make it harder for women to come forward when theyre defamed by presidential candidates? Mr Stephanopoulos asked.

In a statement on X, Ms Carroll thanked the host for valiantly defending me.

I wish [Ms Mace] well, she added. And I salute all survivors for their strength, endurance, and holding on to their sanity.

Following the interview, Ms Mace continued to criticise Mr Stephanopoulos, labelling him disgusting and as disgusting as he is dishonest and sharing posts that call him a piece of s***.

Mr Trump continues to deny the allegations central to the jury findings against him.

Last week, he posted a $91.6m bond to appeal the $83m judgment against him.

But on Saturday, he once again repeated statements that were previously found to be defamatory.

I just posted a $91m bond on a fake story. Totally made up story, Mr Trump said at a rally in Georgia. 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.

He called the lawsuit against him a politically motivated stunt from Democratic operatives, echoing his baseless conspiracy theory surrounding the mountain of litigation against him.

In another statement, on MSNBCs Squawk Box on Monday, Mr Trump called Ms Carroll Ms Bergdorf Goodman, a person Id never met, referring to the department store where she said Mr Trump had assaulted her in the 1990s.

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.

The verdict in Ms Carrolls case adds to Mr Trumps growing financial burden as he campaigns for the presidency against President Joe Biden.

A separate judgment in a civil fraud case in New York has ordered him to pay $454m, plus daily interest, after a judge found him liable for a decade-long fraud scheme to deceive banks and investors to gain favourable financing terms for his brand-building properties.

A New York appellate judge denied Mr Trumps request to halt enforcement of the monetary judgment against him in that case, but he will still be allowed to lead his real estate empire and apply for loans to be able to afford the bond to appeal the ruling against him.

Mr Trump offered up a $100m bond to stall that judgment.
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Robert Hur, the former Trump-appointed US Attorney who declined to prosecute President Joe Biden after classified materials were found in his Delaware home and a former office in Washington, DC, will appear before the House Judiciary Committee as a private citizen who has surrounded himself with Republican partisans and notorious figures linked to former president Donald Trump as he prepares for his Tuesday appearance before the House Judiciary Committee.

According to multiple sources familiar with Mr Hurs plans, the special counsel, who is appearing before the Judiciary Committee at the request of the Republican majority led by Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, has arranged his departure from the Department of Justice to be official as of Monday 11 March, one day before he is scheduled to appear on Capitol Hill.

Instead of appearing as a DOJ employee who is bound by the ethical guidelines which govern the behaviour of federal prosecutors, he will appear as a private citizen with no constraints on his testimony.

A Judiciary Committee source said Mr Hurs departure from government service the day before he testifies is a major red flag for Democrats on the panel.

That makes it even more problematic from our perspective ... if he was still a federal employee, DOJ would have to approve his testimony and theyd be involved in his appearance tomorrow, they said.

In addition to the timing of his departure raising alarms among the Judiciary Committee minority, sources have also been alarmed by Mr Hurs choice of associates during the lead-up to his appearance.

In preparing for the hearing, Mr Hur has turned to William Burck, a veteran Washington lawyer with deep ties to the Republican political establishment to serve as his counsel during his testimony before the committee.

Mr Burck is a former federal prosecutor who served on the team responsible for prosecuting media personality Martha Stewart during his tenure as an Assistant US Attorney in the Southern District of New York. But he left the department in 2005 for a position in the White House, where he served as a Deputy Counsel to then-president George W Bush, then later as a Special Counsel to Mr Bush and a deputy White House Staff Secretary.

Though he has been in private practice since Mr Bush left office in 2009, Mr Burck has retained ties to the former president and remains well-connected in Republican political circles.

During the DOJ probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election led by former FBI director Robert Mueller, Mr Burck represented three Trump White House officials, Mr Trumps first White House counsel, Don McGahn, his first chief of staff, Reince Priebus, and his 2016 campaign chairman and White House chief strategist, Steve Bannon. And he has served as a board member of the Fox Corporation, operator of the right-wing, Republican-aligned Fox News Channel, since 2021.

Upon Mr Bushs departure from the White House he designated Mr Burck as one of his official representatives to the National Archives and Records Administration. He has retained that position to this day, and he gained a measure of notoriety in the role in mid to late 2018, when he was put in charge of reviewing more than 100,000 pages of Bush-era records related to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs work in the Bush White House as a deputy White House counsel.

Mr Burck, as Mr Bushs representative, advised the Trump White House to invoke executive privilege to prevent Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee from reviewing the documents during Mr Kavanaughs confirmation process after Mr Trump nominated him to serve on the Supreme Court.

At the time, he said in a letter explaining the decision that the records which were withheld from the Senate reflect deliberations and candid advice concerning the selection and nomination of judicial candidates, the confidentiality of which is critical to any presidents ability to carry out this core constitutional executive function.

Mr Hur and Mr Burck do not appear to have ever worked together directly, but on Mr Burcks LinkedIn page, Mr Hur is listed as having endorsed his litigation skills.

A Judiciary Committee source noted that both men have long histories as Republican partisans, citing Mr Hurs work as Principle Associate Deputy Attorney General at a time when then-Attorney General William Barr was working to minimise political damage to Mr Trump from the report produced by the Mueller investigation and Mr Burcks efforts to block Senate Democrats from viewing the Bush-era documents related to now-Justice Kavanaugh.

The source told The Independent that Mr Hurs legal team has not been particularly communicative with the Democratic side of the panel during the run-up to the former special counsels testimony.

Hannah Muldavin, a spokesperson for the Congressional Integrity Project, told The Independent in a statement that Mr Hurs choice of associates marks him as a player on Mr Trumps team instead of the nonpartisan prosecutor he is supposed to be.

Despite recommending no criminal charges against Joe Biden, Robert Hur decided to make unnecessary, partisan, political attacks against the President in his report. The partisan political operatives Hur has enlisted to help him prepare for his testimony only underscores how this Trump-appointed, lifelong Republican is yet another player in the MAGA effort to aide Donald Trump and hurt Joe Biden in the 2024 election, she said.

Another source told The Independent that committee members have taken note of Mr Hurs team and are expecting him to attempt to inflict as much political harm on Mr Biden as he possibly can.

Where people like .... Bill Burck come in is to help him weaponise the report he wrote in order to damage the president, they said.

Someone like Bob Muller, like probably didn't do a ton of prep, and he certainly didn't do prep with, you know, partisan operatives.

The person added that committee members expect Mr Hur to double down on his descriptions of Mr Biden as a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory even though former prosecutors and legal ethics experts have said his comments about Mr Biden violated Justice Department guidelines on disparaging persons who were not to be charged with crimes.

He's gonna try to defend all that stuff. He's gonna find every opportunity to smear the president as incompetent, they said.

An earlier version of this story said Mr Hur had been working with former Trump Justice Department official Sarah Isgur to prepare for his appearance. Ms Isgur, now a senior editor for The Dispatch, was approached by Mr Hur but declined to assist him in any way. We regret the error.
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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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Five people, including a child, have died after the plane they were travelling in crashed into a wooded area near Virginias western border on Sunday and burst into flames, according to authorities.

Virginia State Police said the twin-engine IAI Astra 1125 went down near Ingalls Field Airport in Hot Springs at around 3pm on Sunday, killing the pilot and three other adults along with a child.

At this time, it appears there were four adults and one juvenile onboard the aircraft. All five, which includes the pilot, died at the scene, said Virginia State Police spokesperson Corinne Geller.

Police added that the plane involved in the crash was a small, private jet.

The plane reportedly caught fire on impact. Small crash site, everything is burnt, meaning the tail numbers are unidentifiable, police spokesman Sgt Rick Garletts told the Associated Press, adding that the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident to try to identify the flight details and the occupants.

Police told WDBJ that the flight originated in Fort Lauderdale and was not scheduled to land at Ingalls Field, adding that it was trying to make an emergency landing when it ran short of the runway, hit several trees and crashed into a nearby hillside, causing a brush fire.

The fire was quickly extinguished, police added.

Ingalls Field Airport was closed in the aftermath of the crash.

Hot Springs sits near Virginias border with West Virginia and is approximately 160 miles northwest of Richmond.
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Tributes are being paid to a 30-year-old woman found dead in a wheelie bin on an isolated road in Victoria, Australia.

Chaithanya Swetha Madhagani was remembered as a lovely woman and caring mother by neighbours and the Indian diaspora community in Point Cook, a suburb of Melbourne.

Her body was discovered in a paddock on Mount Pollock Road in Buckley, near the town of Winchelsea, on Saturday. The woman and her husband, Ashok Raj Varikuppala, lived in Point Cook with their three-year-old son, police said.

Police are treating the woman's death as suspicious and have set up crime scenes at the site of discovery and her Point Cook home.

Investigators suspect those involved in Madhaganis death were known to her and fled overseas.

Although the Victoria police have not confirmed whether Mr Varikuppala was a suspect in his wife's death, sources close to the investigation revealed that he flew back to India in recent days with their son, the Herald Sun reported.

A spokesperson with the Kushaiguda police station in Hyderabad city said that Mr Varikuppala visited his mother-in-law and handed over his son before leaving the city.

"No one from the family has registered any complaint against anyone yet. We will help in investigations if someone approaches us. As of now, we dont know where he is as we are not investigating the case without any complaint," police inspector Veera Swamy told the newspaper.

Indian legislator Bandari Lakshma Reddy has urged the Indian foreign ministry to bring the womans body to Hyderabad after meeting the bereaved family.

Mr Varikuppala allegedly confessed to his in-laws to having killed his wife, the legislator claimed.

The Victoria police have scoured the victim's home for evidence and reportedly seized a luxury car.

"Im flabbergasted," said Eric Lewis, who owns the land either side of where the woman's body was discovered. "What is happening here in Buckley, I just cant believe it," he said, according to News.com.au.

She was a really nice [woman] and very active in the community. She was a lovely person and a caring mother, Raja Ramesh Reddy, whose child went to preschool with Madhaganis, told the Guardian.

Her sudden departure has left us all in shock. Our hearts go out to her family and the little one during this difficult time.

Its imperative that justice is served, and those responsible for this are swiftly held accountable, he said.

Praveen Kumar Thopucherla, the executive chair of the Melbourne Telangana Forum, said the entire community was in shock after learning of Madhagani's death. "We are not able to digest this. It is too far to think or even imagine," he said.

Madhagani was described by her neighbours as a "lovely, outgoing and friendly" person, whose death shocked everyone.

We are completely shocked  its just completely out of surprise for us, a neighbour told the Herald Sun.
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Emmanuel Macron has announced new landmark legislation to legalise aid in dying in France that will allow adults facing end-of-life illness to take lethal medication.

The move follows last years report indicating that most French citizens support legalising end-of-life options.

In an interview published by French newspapers La Croix and Liberation, Macron said the new bill will be restricted to adults suffering from an incurable illness who are expected to die in the short or middle-term and who are suffering intractable physical or psychological pain.

Macron said the law will offer a possible path, in a determined situation, with precise criteria, where the medical decision is playing its role.

He gave the example of of people with terminal cancer, some of whom until now have gone abroad to end their lives.

Only people aged 18 or above who are capable of forming their own views will be allowed to get in the process, meaning those with severe psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimers disease wont be eligible, Macron specified.

France End of Life (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Patients who seek to enter the process will need to reconfirm their choice after 48 hours and they should then receive an answer from a medical team within two weeks maximum, Macron said. A doctor will then deliver a prescription, valid for three months, for the lethal medication.

People will be able to take the medication at home, at a nursing home or at a health care facility, Macron said.

If their physical condition doesnt allow them to do it alone, they will be allowed to get help from someone of their choice or by a doctor or a nurse.

Macron said the new bill will refer to aid in dying  because its simple and humane, rather than terms like euthanasia or medically assisted suicide.

Medically assisted suicide involves patients taking, of their own free will, a lethal drink or medication that has been prescribed by a doctor to those who meet certain criteria. Euthanasia involves doctors or other health practitioners giving patients who meet certain criteria a lethal injection at their own request.

Macron set no date for the legislation to be applied, saying it will first need to follow a monthslong legislative process that will start in May.

A 2016 French law provides that doctors can keep terminally ill patients sedated before death but stops short of allowing assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Some French patients travel to other European countries to seek further options. Assisted suicide is allowed in neighboring Switzerland as well as in Portugal. Euthanasia is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain under certain conditions.
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Negotiations over Gibraltars post-Brexit border arrangements could risk the government crossing its own red lines about the Rocks sovereignty, ministers have been warned.

Conservative grandee Sir Bill Cash issued the warning after Foreign Office minister David Rutley confirmed to MPs that his colleague Leo Docherty, the minister for Europe, was in Gibraltar meeting its senior government figures.

The nature of Gibraltars long-term post-Brexit relationship with the European Union (EU) remains unresolved.

Sticking points in negotiations reportedly include the rules that will govern Gibraltars border with Spain and the EU, and the Spanish seeking greater management over the territorys airport.

The British overseas territorys sovereignty is disputed by Britain and Spain.

Sir Bill, who chairs the European scrutiny committee, said these concerns had been laid out to him in a letter from Fabian Picardo, the chief minister of Gibraltar.

The MP for Stone said: The minister is there today and following the granting of this urgent question and to prove its value, I received an urgent letter only two hours ago from the chief minister of Gibraltar proposing a meeting with my committee next Wednesday.

Gibraltar has long been disputed by the UK and Spain. Brexit has only made things more complex (Getty)

He added: I was disturbed to hear from the minister that what appears to have been agreed in principle between the UK and the EU with regard to Gibraltar would include EU Schengen border checks being performed in Gibraltar, Gibraltar aligning with EU rules to ensure a so-called level playing field, they say, and joint UK-Spanish management of Gibraltars airport and, therefore, defence issues.

If so, what the government has agreed  crosses its own negotiating red lines as first set out to my committee in 2021. It risks setting a dangerous precedent for the UKs overseas territories and crown dependencies, allowing a foreign power to set the rules of our engagement and diminishing the constitutionally entrusted role which the UK plays.

He asked if ministers would pass a bill through the Commons in order to cement Gibraltars future border arrangements and whether Gibraltarians would be offered a domestic referendum on the proposals.

Foreign Office minister Mr Rutley said the governments position on Gibraltar has not changed, adding: We will not agree to anything that compromises sovereignty.

We continue to work side by side with the government of Gibraltar and we will only agree to terms that the government of Gibraltar are content with.

On the future of the airport, Mr Rutley said: We are prepared to explore practical and technical options to facilitate flights between Gibraltar and the EU. The UK will only agree to terms that the government of Gibraltar are content with and will not agree to anything that compromises sovereignty.

Senior Tories continued to question the governments proposals, with former Brexit minister David Jones asking: How can it be the case that British travellers arriving in British territory will have to deliver their passports for inspection to a foreign border official and that not be incompatible with British sovereignty?

Mr Rutley said the UK was seeking a mobility arrangement for Gibraltar with the Schengen travel area, adding: This arrangement would remove checks from the Gibraltar-Spain border. Instead those arriving in Gibraltar would pass through Gibraltar immigration, followed by Schengen immigration.

The exact details of arrangements form part of the ongoing negotiations.

Mark Francois, a Conservative former minister who backed Brexit, could be heard to say Here we go again as the minister finished speaking.

Shadow foreign office minister Stephen Doughty warned negotiations had taken longer than expected, adding: It is critical that the government now works hard to get a good deal over the line and provides people, businesses and communities on both sides of the border with the clarity and stability that they need.
LUBULI  National Maize Corporation (NMC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mavela Vilane says the country is likely to get a lower maize yield, compared to the 2023 harvest.

Vilane was reacting to the issue of Lubuli, where maize crops were drying up due to extreme hot temperatures. In 2022/23, the country received about 85 000 metric tonnes of maize.

Vilane indicated that climate change was affecting the entire world. He said because of this, it was high time the country started investing in the construction of earth dams throughout the country, instead of relying on dry land farming. If we continue relying on dry land farming, we will continue facing the varieties of climate change being drought and hailstorms. In short, the country needs to invest more on irrigation infrastructure, he said. Vilane said the Lowvelds soil structure was good for irrigation, but insufficient water was the main challenge.

He said if the country would be affected by climate change, the implication was that the demand for maize, which stands at 140 000 metric tonnes annually, would not be met. He said the country got 85 000 metric tonnes in 2023. He said the country filled up the gap by importing mostly from neighbouring countries like South Africa (SA). Due to what happened this year, even those who expected a high yield in the Highveld, were also affected by hailstorms. Meanwhile, those in the Lowveld had been hit by drought. Due to these circumstances, we are likely to go even below 85 000 metric tonnes in terms of the yield, he said.

According to the CEO, even neighbouring countries had been affected by climate change. He said: Since SA has also been affected by climate change, the country, through NMC, will be expected to source maize from abroad, once local maize gets depleted. This will escalate the costs of transportation. He said since the whole Sub-Saharan Region had been affected by the issue, it was likely that the country would import maize from countries practising intensive farming. He said the further the supplier, the higher the food prices will increase. As a way forward, Vilane said if government had sufficient funds, those from the early warning department, in collaboration with NMC, as well as other relevant stakeholders, would conduct an assessment on how much yield the country could expect under the current drought and storm situation, versus the demand.
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An American tourist who murdered an American woman beside a famous German castle has been sentenced.

The man was convicted of murder and other charges on Monday for brutally attacking two young women near Germanys famed Neuschwanstein castle last summer and pushing them into a ravine, fatally injuring one of them.

He was sentenced to life in prison.

The Kempten state court also convicted the 31-year-old man of attempted murder and rape with fatal consequences, the German news agency reported. Presiding judge Christoph Schwiebacher determined that the defendant bears particularly severe guilt, meaning that he likely wont be eligible for release after 15 years as is usually the case in Germany.

In line with German privacy laws, German authorities did not identify either the perpetrator or the victims. However, family and friends at the time said that the victims were 21-year-old Eva Liu, who died, and her friend Kelsey Chang, 22, who survived. Both were recent graduates of the University of Illinois.

Eva Liu (Eva Liu/ Microsoft )

Eva Liu, 21, and Kelsey Chang, 22, had travelled to Germany following their May graduation from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Defendants in the German legal system do not formally enter pleas to charges, but the suspect admitted to the charges when his trial opened on February 19.

The attack took place on June 14 near the Marienbruecke, a bridge over a gorge that offers a view of the castle, one of Germanys most famous tourist attractions.

Prosecutors have said the suspect met the two women by chance on a hiking path and lured them off the trail. They said he apparently first forced the younger woman to the ground and tried to undress her.

A 31-year-old American man accused of murder stands in the dock behind his lawyers in a courtroom (AP)

When the older woman tried to help her, a scuffle ensued and the suspect allegedly pushed her down a steep slope. She fell about 50 meters (165 feet) and sustained a head injury, bruises and grazes, but survived.

The suspect then allegedly strangled the younger woman until she was unconscious and raped her, prosecutors have said, before pushing her down the slope as well. She died later in a hospital.
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A Russian student has been jailed for 10 days for naming his WiFi after a pro-Ukrainian slogan, the latest case of an ordinary citizen being swept up in Vladimir Putins crackdown on freedom of speech around the war.

A court in Moscow found Oleg Tarasov guilty of spreading propaganda and the public display of Nazi symbols on Thursday as it sent him to prison, reported state-run Ria. The Kremlin accuses the Ukrainian government of being composed of neo-Nazis, despite the fact it has a democratically elected Jewish leader in Volodymyr Zelensky.

Tarasov, a student at Moscow State University, had named his WiFi network Slava Ukraini!, a popular anti-war slogan that translates to Glory to Ukraine in English, according to the independent Russian Telegram news channel Ostorozhno Novosti.

The student was arrested on Wednesday morning after a police officer reported the WiFi network to the authorities.

Police inspected his room within the universitys student accommodation and confiscated his WiFi router.

The court said he used his WiFi network to "promote the slogan Slava Ukraini! to an unlimited number of users within wi-fi range and was found guilty of using symbols of extremist organisations.

The student is the latest among thousands to be convicted and handed prison sentences for criticising the Putin regime over its invasion of Ukraine and subsequent actions, including suspected war crimes, in over two years of conflict.

Slava Ukraini has become a rallying cry for both Ukrainians and supporters of the country since Russia mounted the full-scale invasion that has entered into a third year.

Pro-Ukraine demonstrators take part in a rally commemorating the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires (AFP via Getty Images)

Since the start of the war, Russians have been prohibited from calling the conflict a war after president Vladimir Putin referred to it as a "special military operation".

Russian human rights group OVD-Info has said more than 260 people in Russia are serving jail terms for crimes related to their anti-war stance. There have ben more than 20,000 detentions.

Last month, hundreds of people were detained in Moscow for laying flowers in tribute to opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a penal colony north of the Arctic Circle in mid-February.

Amnesty International has said that more than 21,000 people have been targeted by Russias "repressive laws" used to "crack down on anti-war activists" and said they were sentenced in "deeply unfair trials".
 Close Zelensky rejects Putins claims that Ukraine involved in Moscow attack

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Russia is using barges in a bid to enhance the defences of one of its ports in the Black Sea, Britains Ministry of Defence has said.

It comes following a number of successful Ukrainian strikes on navy ships in the region. Recent imagery analysis has identified four barges positioned at the entrance to the Black Sea fleet facility of Novorossiysk Sea Port, the MoD said in its latest intelligence update.

This is an effort to enhance the defence of the port against attacks from Ukrainian Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs).

Elsewhere, a Russian cruise missile strike on infrastructure in Ukraines western Lviv region killed one man, while another died in an attack in the northeast, officials said Sunday.

The attack in Lviv destroyed a building and sparked a fire, governor Maksym Kozytskyi wrote on social media app Telegram. He said that rescue operations were being conducted.

In the Kharkiv region, governor Oleh Syniehubov said that an air attack killed an 19-year-old man after a missile hit a gas station.
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Watch as Sweden is welcomed into Nato with a flag-raising ceremony on Monday, 11 March.

The Scandinavian country has become the alliances second new member since Russias invasion of Ukraine.

It follows Finlands accession to Nato in April 2023 after Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Upon Swedens ratification, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg described it as a historic day.

After over 200 years of non-alignment Sweden now enjoys the protection granted under Article 5, the ultimate guarantee of Allies freedom and security, he added.

Article 5, activated only once before by the US in the wake of the 11 September, 2001, attacks, obliges all members to come to the aid of an ally whose territory or security is under threat.

Sweden has embraced neutrality for more than 200 years, but support for Nato membership grew in light of reports of Russian aggression including a suspected submarine in its waters.

Its Nato membership had been held up by Turkey and Hungary.

Turkey expressed concern that Sweden was harboring and not taking enough action against Kurdish groups that it regards as terrorists, and Hungarys president Viktor Orban has shown pro-Russian sentiment and not shared the alliances determination to support Ukraine.
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Worms living near the worlds most well-known nuclear disaster zone appear to have developed new powers - immunity to radiation.

In a new study, scientists visited Chernobyl to investigate nematodes, tiny worms with simple genetic makeup, which rapidly reproduce.

The researchers gathered the worms from soil samples, rotting fruit and other materials and tested local levels of radiation.

The levels of radiation varied from low levels which would be recorded in large cities, and high levels that are found in outer space.

Scientists then took the worms back to New York University to freeze and study them.

The same kind of nematode worm that was tested by scientists at Chernobyl (University of Oregon/PA)

Dr Sophia Tintor, lead author of the study, told The Daily Mail: Chernobyl was a tragedy of incomprehensible scale, but we still dont have a great grasp on the effects of the disaster on local populations.

Did the sudden environmental shift select for species, or even individuals within a species, that are naturally more resistant to ionizing radiation?

Since the 1986 disaster, animals have continued to live in the Ukrainian region despite persistent radiation nearly 40 years on.

Researchers have previously found animals living in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone are genetically different to the same species found elsewhere.

Matthew Rockman, a biology professor at New York University, added: These worms live everywhere, and they live quickly, so they go through dozens of generations of evolution while a typical vertebrate is still putting on its shoes.

The researchers found despite high radiation, the genomes of the worms were not damaged.

The Chernobyl nuclear plant showing damage from an explosion and fire in reactor four in 1986 (AP)

The exciting discovery does not mean Chernobyl is safe, but suggests the worms are resilient animals which can withstand extreme conditions, Dr Tintori revealed.

20 genetically different worms were tested for their DNA damage to see if they had an unusual capacity to protect and repair their genetic material.

He said the findings suggested that animals in Chernobyl were not necessarily more tolerant or had evolved, but that the discoveries could lead to a better understanding of natural variation.
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A West Bank city has renamed a road after the US soldier who self-immolated in protest against Israels assault on Gaza.

On Sunday the mayor of Jericho revealed a new sign for Aaron Bushnell St in front of a small gathering of people. Bushnell, a serving member of the US Air Force, set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington last month in protest against American support for its ally Israel in the Gaza conflict, saying he could no longer be complicit in genocide.

Bushnell sacrificed everything for the Palestinians, said Jericho mayor Abdul Karim Sidr.

We didnt know him, and he didnt know us. There were no social, economic or political ties between us. What we share is a love for freedom and a desire to stand against these attacks [on Gaza], he said.

Amani Rayan, a Jericho city council member, was quoted as saying by the Guardian: He [Bushnell] sacrificed the most precious thing, whatever your beliefs. This man gave all his privileges for the children of Gaza.

[Bushnell] wanted to light a strong spark, to reignite our cause, he added.

A man holds up a photo of late US airman Aaron Bushnell, who died of his injuries after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC (EPA)

Twenty-five-year-old Bushnell of Whitman, Massachusetts, filmed his protest last month and live-streamed it onto the social media platform Twitch. Although Secret Service officials stationed outside the embassy successfully extinguished the fire that engulfed Bushnell, he suffered life-threatening injuries and later died at a local hospital.

He repeatedly shouted Free Palestine! as he burned.

The US has provided a range of military and financial support to Israel, its closest ally in the Middle East, since it began a ground offensive into Gaza City in October last year. The assault was triggered by the 7 October attack by Hamas on southern Israel that saw some 1,200 Israelis killed and hundreds of hostages captured, after which Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to destroy the militant group.

Local health officials says more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the four-and-a-half months since Israels ground offensive began, with much of the Gaza Strip razed to the ground and hundreds of thousands of people pushed to the brink of starvation. The US has become increasingly critical of its ally as the conflict has dragged on and said it hoped for a new ceasefire by Ramadan, which began on Sunday night with no end to hostilities in sight.

Al Jazeera reported that on Monday Israels airstrikes on Gaza continued, resulting in the death of at least 10 in Gaza City and another three casualties in southern Rafah.

During an interview on MSNBC that was aired on Sunday, US president Joe Biden gave his strongest criticism yet of Mr Netanyahu, saying his indifference to innocent lives was hurting Israel more than helping Israel. He said that a ground invasion of Rafah would cross a red line, yet also stated he would never leave Israel behind.

Mr Biden warned Mr Netanyahu cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead as a consequence of going after [Hamas].
The operation had been meticulously planned. An Israeli army post came under fire by gunmen who then appeared to flee in panic without causing much damage. But then came the ambush, a hidden explosive device detonated, injuring seven pursuing soldiers.

Islamic Jihad put out video of the assault they had carried out on Friday at Silat ad-Dhahr, vowing more such acts of liberation. The footage was widely shared, gaining rapid and large circulation, particularly across the occupied West Bank.

Around 100 Palestinians have been killed every month in clashes with Israeli security forces and settlers since the Hamas attack on 7 October, and farmers have had their homes destroyed and been forced from their land in an attritional campaign. In this atmosphere of great rancour, the Islamic Jihad raid was seen as overdue payback.
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Benjamin Netanyahu said Israels military is not getting off the gas with its assault in southern Gaza where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering, despite President Joe Bidens warning that an attack on Rafah is a red line in its war on Hamas.

Ultimately, its Israel that has to decide, Israels prime minister told Fox & Friends on Fox News on Monday.

Im telling you that were not getting off the gas, he added. Im telling you that we have to take care of Israels security and our future and that requires eliminating the terrorist army. Thats a prerequisite for victory.

Mr Netanyahus remarks, on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, follow more public criticism from President Biden within the last week, including the presidents message to Israel for humanitarian assistance during his State of the Union address and recent remarks that his ally is hurting Israel more than helping by disregarding innocent lives being lost in Gaza.

After months of international demands for US support for a ceasefire, the Biden administration has now supported a six-week pause in fighting to allow for the flow of aid. The president has also proposed an emergency seaport to expedite aid delivery that could take up to two months to construct.

US military planes have air-dropped more than 27,000 meals and more than 25,000 bottles of water into northern Gaza in recent days, according to US Central Command.

Palestinians walk past kiosks set up next to destroyed buildings along a street on the first day of Ramadan in Al Nusairat refugee camp in Gaza on 11 March (EPA)

Israels government has not presented its most powerful ally  supplying tens of billions of dollars in military support  with any plan for allowing humanitarian assistance or for an attack of Rafah, according to US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Mr Miller told reporters on Monday that the US has made clear both in the private conversations and publicly that it is our judgment that they cannot or should not go into Rafah without a humanitarian assistance plan that is credible.

In an interview with MSNBC on Saturday, President Biden said an operation in Rafah constitutes a red line but insisted that the US will continue to support Israel. Neither the administration nor Congress has placed any apparent conditions on its ongoing military support for Israel despite pressure from progressive lawmakers and global aid groups.

Asked what a red line means for the president, White House deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton said it would not be productive to assign a red line sort of terminology to what is a very complex set of policies.

The last time the two leaders last spoke was in mid-February, Ms Dalton told reporters on Monday.

She told reporters on Monday that their relationship remains clear and consistent and allows them to be direct and honest when needed.

Israels right to protect itself needs to be in a manner that is consistent with the laws of war and must pay greater attention to the level of humanitarian suffering and the unacceptably higher number of civilian casualties that were seeing, she said.

No military operation should take place in Rafah, if there is not a credible and implementable plan to take care of the safety and security needs of the more than 1 million civilians who are sheltering there, and weve seen no such plan, she added.

More than 30,000 Palestinians, including 14,000 children, have been killed in Gaza since the launch of Israels retaliatory campaign in the wake of Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 on October 7.On Monday, the head of the United Nations once again called for a ceasefire in Gaza and to allow for aid to flow into the strip.

In the spirit of Ramadan, I appeal to all those involved in conflict everywhere to silence the guns and return to the peace table, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday.

I call on political, religious and community leaders everywhere to do everything in their power to make this holy period a time for empathy, action and peace, he said.
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Indias second-highest election commission official abruptly resigned on Saturday just weeks ahead of nationwide polls to elect the next prime minister in a shocking decision that has drawn flak from opposition parties.

Election commissioner Arun Goels resignation leaves the three-member constitutional body, which already had a vacant position, with just one active member to oversee elections in the country with over 960 million registered voters.

Mr Goels resignation was accepted by Indian president Droupadi Murmu, a Ministry of Law and Justice gazette notification said, without delving into the reason for his departure.

His resignation came within a month of election commissioner Anup Pandeys retirement, leaving the three-member body with only chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

Indias leading opposition party Congress expressed deep concern over Mr Goels resignation and other opposition members called on the Narendra Modi-led BJP government to come out with a reasonable explanation.

The dates for the 2024 parliamentary election were anticipated to be announced next week, but with the election commissioners resignation, theres doubt cast on its timeline.

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!, Congress Chief Mallikajun Kharge posted on X.

Car balances on the edge of sinkhole in India

It is not immediately clear when new commissioners could be appointed in time for the election slated for this year.

Appointing election commissioners involves a search committee that is led by the law minister and includes two union secretaries, who shortlist five names.

A committee led by the prime minister, and including a union minister nominated by the PM, the parliament leader of the opposition, or the leader of the single-largest opposition party then selects the final candidate who is then finally appointed by the president.

Mr Kharge alleged that the election commission would be among the last Constitutional institutions to fall.

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 latters tenure? Modi government must answer these questions and come out with a reasonable explanation, he said.

In the run-up to the elections, Mr Goel reportedly was part of a recent election commission team to visit the states of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

But after his most-recent trip to West Bengal to oversee the eastern states poll preparedness, he did not attend the commissions customary press conference, which officials said was due to Mr Goels health concerns.

Did he 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?, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh speculated on X.

Each passing day in Modis India deals an added blow to democracy and democratic institutions, Mr Ramesh said.

Saket Gokhale, another leader of the prominent opposition party Trinamool Congress echoed Mr Kharges concerns.

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, Mr Gokhale said.

Modi government has introduced a new law where Election Commissioners will now be appointed with a majority vote of PM Modi and one minister chosen by him, he said.
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Russia has launched dozens of Iranian-made drones in its sixth attack in a month on the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa  as the head of Nato became the latest ally of Kyiv to reject a call from Pope Francis to have the courage of the white flag and negotiate an end to Russias invasion.

Oleh Kiper, governor of Odesa Oblast, which runs along the Black Sea, said Russia fired at least 25 Shahed kamikaze drones at the region, with air defences active for almost two hours in the early morning of yesterday. Mr Kiper said roughly 15 were shot down and infrastructure was damaged as a result.

Another massive night-time drone attack by the Russians in the Odesa region, Mr Kiper said on the Telegram messenger service.

Unfortunately, it was not possible to avoid the hits. In the Odesa district, an infrastructure facility was damaged, administrative buildings were damaged. A fire broke out on the spot, which was promptly extinguished. The shock wave knocked out the glazing of private houses around, the debris caused destruction to commercial buildings.

Russia had already launched 175 drones in March prior to the attack, according to an update from president Volodymyr Zelensky late on Sunday, meaning that the total for the month is now 200. Roughly 165 have been downed, according to Ukrainian estimates.

It came as the Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said that Pope Francis was wrong to suggest that Kyiv should raise the white flag and enter peace talks with Russia. Asked about the pontiffs remarks, Mr Stoltenberg told Reuters: If we want a negotiated peaceful lasting solution, the way to get there is to provide military support to Ukraine.

Its not the time to talk about surrender by the Ukrainians. That will be a tragedy for the Ukrainians. It will also be dangerous for all of us, he added. What happens around a negotiating table is inextricably linked to the strength on the battlefield.

Odesa has faced a number of strikes from Russia in recent weeks (Getty)

Ukraine has consistently rejected the suggestion that it should negotiate a peace deal with Russia, calling for the Kremlin to withdraw its forces back to the 1991 borders. Russia currently occupies nearly 20 per cent of Ukraine.

President Zelensky accused the pontiff of engaging in virtual mediation, while his foreign minister said Kyiv would never capitulate.

In Ukraine, there were many once-white walls of houses and churches that are now scorched and ruined by Russian shells, Mr Zelensky said. This speaks very eloquently about who has to stop for the war to end.

Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said: 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.

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.

Pope Franciss comments have angered Ukrainian politicians and others in Europe (Reuters)

Russia has intensified bombardments of Ukrainian ports, including Odesa, and grain infrastructure after Moscow last summer pulled out of a United Nations-brokered deal that allowed some food exports to flow, despite the war, now in its third year. Ukraine is a major agricultural producer and exporter and Kyiv has since set up an alternative corridor to ship its products via its Black Sea ports near Odesa. Ukrainian officials have said that exports of different cargo  including grains and metal  from Ukrainian Black Sea ports reached nearly pre-invasion levels last month.

Ukrlandfarming, one of Ukraines largest agrarian holdings, said that a Russian missile attack on the eastern Ukrainian Dnipro region over the weekend had destroyed a large grain silo. On the evening of 9 March 2024, the enemy launched a missile attack on the Dnipro region. A 58-year-old man, our employee, was injured. The production facilities of our company were completely destroyed, the company said in a statement.

Analysts from the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) said last month the Ukrainian agricultural sector has suffered almost $80bn (62bn) in direct and indirect losses linked to Russias invasion.

The figure included losses of $5.8bn from the destruction of equipment, $1.8bn from damage to silos and almost $2bn from ruined agricultural products. At the beginning of January 2023, analysts estimated such losses at $38bn.

Meanwhile, Ukraines intelligence services released an hour-long video discussing their various attacks on occupied Ukraine, saying it amounted to preparation for a serious operation in Crimea.

The peninsula has been under Russian occupation since Moscow illegally annexed it in 2014 following the pro-European Maidan revolution in Kyiv saw the ousting of the pro-Kremlin regime in the capital.

Ukraines intelligence agency has been repeatedly attacking Russian ships and enemy forces in Crimea and around the occupied south.

These are all preparatory measures for a serious operation in Crimea, said Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraines intelligence chief. This is a test of the correctness of our statements about the ways of approach and departure from there. In addition, it is a good message for the population that has been living under occupation for 10 years. Many of them believe that they have been forgotten.
LUBULI  The sweltering heatwave caused the death of about 70 cattle and scorched vast acres of crops and vegetation at Lubuli, leaving over 1 000 in dire need of food.

Lubuli is in the Lubombo Region. Distraught residents said they were experiencing one of the worst drought spells, which has turned lush vegetation into arid fields of brown shrivelled crops, in the region known for poverty and hunger. Lubuli residents believe they were targeted by the dreaded El Nino, which is a climate phenomenon causing dry weather conditions, when rains are extremely scarce. National authorities have said the drought will worsen the ailing food security by drastically reducing the countrys maize harvest, and potentially increasing the need to import more food. Residents took the Times of Eswatini on a field trip, where this reporter was shown carcasses cows and dried up rivers and dams. Some boreholes can no longer produce groundwater. Lubuli lies in the Lowveld Region, where on some days, temperatures soar to 40 degrees Celsius.

Crops

Horrified farmers said their crops started drying up between December 2023 and January this year. They said the situation worsened last month, when the area did not receive a drop of rainfall. The farmers said due to insufficient rainfall and extreme temperatures, it was impossible for them to get any harvest from crops this year. Some of the farmers lamented having spent their savings growing crops this season. Ntuthwakazi Bucopho Bonginkosi Mabaso said Lubuli had been perched in dry weather conditions since September 2023, but the worst was witnessed in October, when the soil lost moisture, resulting in crops waning. He said the entire Lubuli Constituency, comprising of Bhadlane, Sinyamantulwa, Ntuthwakazi, KaMngometulu, Ngonini, Mconcwane, among others, were affected.

Rains

Mabaso said some farmers resolved to plant afresh, with the hope of rains falling towards the end of 2023. Kushe konkhe emasini (everything was scorched in the fields). We will not harvest anything this season. Even in 2014, this area was not spared from El Nino since crops, livestock and rivers dried up. I presume that farmers will only harvest one or two per cent of what they initially expected, said Mabaso. Those likely to reap anything, he said, were those who had planted crops much earlier, in October last year. Mabaso said when the heatwave started, he had assumed that it would be a temporary condition, not knowing that El Nino had struck the whole area. He said: When some of the rivers and boreholes dried up, we thought it was the work of the proverbial snake haunting the area (kunenyoka kulendzawo). The majority of farmers who planted their fields in December will harvest nothing, since the moisture had long dried up.

Mabaso said the situation was expected to worsen, should the rainfall continue to be scarce. If we can end March still in the dry spell, we will suffer a lot. The situation is getting worse day-by-day, he said. Mabaso said the people were in dire need of food. He pleaded with government to intervene before human lives were lost. Singing the same tune, Andrias Mfana Mamba, who is Mngometulu Bucopho, stated that the situation was so bad that farmers complained of not getting any harvest. Mamba said most farmers spent a lot of money growing their crops, only to be affected by such a drought. Kutelutfo emasimini. We do not know what to do anymore. People will die of hunger, said Mamba. Meanwhile, Josephat Gumbi, an affected farmer, said he spent over E8 000 this season, hoping to yield a bountiful maize harvest.

Gumbi said he paid a tractor about E3 150 for tilling the soil for seven hours. He said he planted maize in November, with the hope of getting more produce. The farmer said he was unfortunate that everything he planted had been destroyed by the intense heat. He wondered how he missed the warnings by the Meteorological Service on the weather changes. Gumbi said following last years announcement that the country would have normal to above normal rainfall, he hastily planted more crops, not knowing that he was wasting his resources. Nevertheless, the adamant farmer said he would continue growing crops because it had become his way of life. Likewise, Sifiso Ntibane, another affected resident, said he first attempted to plant maize in November, but a few seedlings germinated, due to the dry season. He said he spent E1 460 this planting season. Ntibane said he was later forced to replace the damaged seedlings, which later withered away after the temperatures rose. I will not get anything from the maize I planted in December, he said.

However, this publication later gathered that Lubuli residents were not the only community to be affected by the heatwave, as some residents in places like Phuzumoya, Duze, Lavumisa, Hlathikulu and Nhlangano have also raised the alarm. El Nino is historically associated with record high temperatures and droughts in summer rainfall regions of southern Africa. Eswatini was once hit by a severe drought in 2015/16, which affected the national economy. It is on record that due to lack of feed and water, 88 000 cattle died during the 2015/16 drought nationwide. The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) report of 2017 revealed that 38 899 cattle had died in 2014, while the number of those that died in 2013 was 35 096.
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On any quest for good food while on holiday, you will probably find yourself staring down a wholly unfamiliar menu, with not a lick of English in sight. You scan each item, the letters or strange characters swimming as you start to sweat. The waiter hovers in your peripheral vision, and you wonder if they know how clueless you are. You start to panic as they inch towards you, notepad and pen at the ready. Oh god. What on earth are you about to order?

If all this sounds familiar, youre far from alone. A survey by meal kit experts Gousto found that more than half (55 per cent) of British travellers have felt hesitant to try local dishes in a foreign country because of language barriers. The reluctance to try and order in a foreign language likely contributes to the 63 per cent of holidaymakers preference to holiday somewhere where they can speak the language.

Be kind to your wait staff, says Kate Ng (Kate Ng)

As a Malaysian who grew up hearing, reading and at least attempting to speak more than two languages, foreign menus aren't as daunting to me as they are to friends and family who can only speak one. It might be because Im accustomed to switching between spellings and pronunciations, or seeing characters that are completely different to the Greek alphabet. In comparison, most Britons living in the UK will only hear, read and speak English.

But this shouldnt stop you from trying foreign dishes while travelling. One of the greatest joys of going abroad is tasting new and exciting foods. Its something that my British husband and I often go out of our way to do. We look for restaurants and cafes located away from tourist traps, but that usually means getting a menu that neither of us can read.

Between my husband and I, we can usually figure something out. While Googling under the table is his preferred method of deciphering dishes, I constantly try to convince him that there are other ways to get help with the menu that dont require typing and scrolling in silence while the good waiters, well, wait.

Smile at the staff

I hate to sound like a catcaller, but in a restaurant setting, a smile will never go amiss. It sounds really obvious, but giving the wait staff a pleasant smile and enquiring how they are can get you a long way. Most people will understand, Hello, how are you? Once youve won them over, it opens the door to questions about the menu that will help you make better choices.

Read more on a foodie tour throughGreeces Peloponnese

Even if it requires some gesturing a la charades, or some back and forth to figure out what theyre saying, asking politely and patiently is absolutely key. Ive sometimes had waiters go as far as to find someone else who can help translate, so keen they are to help. It takes so little effort to build that little relationship with your server, and makes all the difference to the experience you end up having there.

Try an accent on for size

I must caveat this by cautioning that there is a fine line between mocking and attempting an accent. But if you have a good idea of the local accent and what the item you want might sound like, you shouldnt be afraid of trying it out there and then.

Even if it requires some gesturing a la charades, or some back and forth to figure out what theyre saying, asking politely and patiently is absolutely key.

Theres no need to exaggerate the accent. This can slide into mocking territory, which is strictly unnecessary and should be avoided. But something Ive found quite odd about Brits is the reluctance to say a foreign word with the correct accent, for fear of being singled out as uppity or posh. Why purposefully say jam-on if you know its pronounced ha-mon? Its OK to know things!

If youre worried about sounding silly in front of your fellow travellers, but you know how a certain dish should be said, I would suggest playing it off as a question to the waiter. This way, you avoid looking like a know-it-all and you might even get the added bonus of the waiter looking so impressed that everyone else is as well. That feels quite nice, doesnt it?

Ill have what theyre having

I love being nosy about what others are eating, so after taking my seat, Ill have a good gander at the dishes adorning the tables around me. If something looks especially good, Ill ask the waiter what it is. If theyre not able to point it out on the menu (which is rare) or explain it well enough, I dont mind - Ill probably order it anyway.

Read more on how to do a wine tour of Bordeaux by public transport

Observing others while travelling is a great way to get inspiration, and its the same with eating out. So the next time youre in a restaurant while on holiday, take a look at whats being served up next to you. You just might find your next favourite dish.

Desperate times call for Google Translate

The only time I would recommend getting your phone out is if youve tried everything and nothing seems to be working. Google Translate is extremely effective now and can be really helpful in a sticky situation.

Adventurous eating? Ill drink to that (Kate Ng)

The best thing about it is the voice feature  simply fire the app up, set it to the language you need, and ask your question. It will translate it for the other person, and they can reply by saying their answer, which will then be translated for you. This is a really great way to get around language barriers, and plenty of tourist-facing workers use it regularly. When I was in Istanbul recently, taxi drivers used it to communicate with us.

If you have the privilege to travel and eat new things, be unafraid! Its far better to take a risk and try on an accent than let a little language barrier get between you and something delicious. Stay calm in the face of the foreign menu, remember to be patient and kind to the staff, and the world will be your oyster.
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At least 50 people on a flight from Sydney to Auckland were injured during a mid-air technical event on Monday.

According to an ambulance spokesperson for Hato Hone St John, the LATAM Airlines flight LA800 was met by paramedics when it touched down in New Zealand and around 12 passengers were taken to hospital.

One person is reported to be in a serious condition, while dozens of other passengers were assessed and treated at the scene for mild injuries.

LATAM Airlines said in a statement that there was a technical event during the flight which caused a strong movement.

An emergency response of seven ambulances, two major incident vehicles and a command unit were present on the tarmac.

A passenger onboard told the NZ Herald that she experienced a quick little drop during the flight from Australia.

The Boeing 787-9 flight landed at Auckland Airport as planned at around 3.38pm local time and was scheduled to continue its journey to Santiago, Chile.

The plane landed at Auckland Airport as scheduled. As a result of the incident, some passengers and cabin crew were affected. They received immediate assistance and were evaluated or treated by medical staff at the airport as needed, the Chilean airline said.

LATAM regrets the inconvenience and injury this situation may have caused its passengers, and reiterates its commitment to safety as a priority within the framework of its operational standards.

Its not the first time passengers have been injured during a flight in recent months.

In December, severe turbulence on an Emirates flight from Perth, in Western Australia, to Dubai, left at least 14 people with injuries when the plane began shaking violently. Passengers said they genuinely felt that it was the end during mid-air panic.

Cabin crew were also hospitalised after a Bonza Aviation flight last November when unexpected and severe turbulence caused several mid-air injuries.
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A drunk holidaymaker attempted to flee security after being taken off an easyJet flight for being abusive to the crew.

Joshua Stone, 32, and his friend Ryan Sanders, 34, were verbally abusive to cabin crew ahead of their flight departing Bristol Airport for Crete on the evening of Tuesday 11 July.

The pair were warned about their behaviour by cabin crew but persisted to be abusive, resulting in them being escorted from the plane. Once off the plane, Stone began to make off from security towards another stand but was swiftly arrested.

Officers arrived and arrested both men.

During a police interview Sanders claimed he had consumed cider, lager and a Malibu and coke, but denied he was drunk.

Ryan Sanders (Avon & Somerset Police)

Both men were subsequently charged with entering an aircraft drunk, with Stone also being charged with entering a security restricted area of an aerodrome without permission for his brief attempt to get away from security. They pleaded guilty to the charges.

Sanders, of Southmead Road in Filton, was jailed for 14 weeks. Stone, of Greystoke Avenue in Southmead, received a 25-week sentence. Both were also ordered at Bristol Crown Court on Monday 4 March to pay a victim surcharge of 154.

Joshua Stone (Avon & Somerset Police / SWNS)

Sergeant Rachael Hodges said: The last thing we want to do is to stop people who want to have a good time and relax before going on holiday.

These two mens drunken and obnoxious behaviour saw them be abusive to cabin crew and led to concerns they could represent a security risk had the flight taken off. Their actions were selfish and inexcusable and make life a misery for other passengers, whose flight to Chania was ultimately delayed.

Being drunk on an aircraft is a serious offence for which both men have been jailed and have received a criminal record.
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A decade on from the MH370 aviation mystery, a British Boeing 777 pilot has claimed that the flights take-off documents are clues that the pilot pre-meditated a mass murder-suicide.

Simon Hardy believes that the Malaysian Airlines flight plan and technical log reveal last-minute changes to the cargo including an additional 3,000kg of fuel and extra oxygen that indicate Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah directed the plane to oblivion.

Hardy, who worked with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau during the search in 2015, told The Sun: Its a strange coincidence that the last engineering task that was done before it headed off to oblivion was topping up crew oxygen which is only for the cockpit, not for the cabin crew.

The aviation expert called the additions to the flight bizarre and said that they didnt meet the official requirements to justify the changes.

Hardy also said that the flaperon found on Reunion Island indicates there was an active pilot until the end of the flight: If the flaps were down, there is a liquid fuel, then someone is moving a lever and its someone who knows what they are doing. It all points to the same scenario.

He determined that the pilot had to have planned meticulously to time the crash and avoid leaving a trace of fuel residue on the surface of the ocean that would indicate the planes final destination.

Like many other theorists, he points to a depressurisation of the cabin by the pilot to knock the 239 passengers unconscious as the pilot made a U-turn to ditch the plane in the ocean.

Combined with a trail of satellite clues Hardy believes he has calculated the position of the missing aircraft  just outside the official 7th arc search area  in the Geelvinck Fracture Zone of the Southern Indian Ocean, a trench hundreds of miles long.

The Malaysian Government announced on 3 March that the search could resume for the aircraft that disappeared on 8 March 2014 with Texan company Ocean Infinity on a no find, no fee basis.
A pod of orcas was filmed swimming close to the California coast in a rare sighting.

Footage posted by the Channel Islands National Park on Wednesday, 6 March, shows some of the huge marine mammals breaching the water's surface close to San Miguel Island across the Santa Barbara Channel in the Pacific Ocean.

The park said a ranger was patrolling the waters expecting to see the usual elephant seals and sea lions at Point Bennett, but he was surprised to find unusual still water and silence before spotting a huge orca.

The male, which had a black 5-foot-tall dorsal fin, was accompanied by six other orcas including a calf which surfaced behind him, the park said.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex paid a surprise visit to the family of one of the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, over the weekend.

Harry and Meghan sang Happy Birthday to the sister of schoolteacher Irma Garcia, who was one of 21 killed in the 2022 massacre.

Footage shared on social media by the mother-of-four's nephew, John Martinez, showed Meghan holding a birthday cake while Harry stood behind her.

The couple then sang with the family.
This is the moment a teenager raiding a Yorkshire gun shop comes face-to-face with armed police.

Firearms officer rushed to the shop in the Finningley area of Doncaster on the evening of 13 January, following reports of break in.

There, they spotted a black Honda trying to escape the industrial compound.

Using specialist tactics, they managed to block the Honda to prevent it from leaving the area before opening the door and arresting the balaclava-clad man driving the vehicle.

Kodi Singleton, 18, was pulled from the vehicle and detained by officers who then searched the Honda and found a box full of shotgun cartridges.

Singleton, of Bootham Crescent, Stainforth, was arrested and taken into custody before being charged with burglary.

He pleaded guilty to the offence at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on 15 January and was sentenced to two years and one month in a young offenders institution at Sheffield Crown Court on 5 March.
Lee Anderson criticised Reform UK weeks before defecting from the Conservative Party, declaring the party leaves the door open for Sir Keir Starmer to get into Number 10 and undo all the hard work weve tried to do so far.

On 2 January, the Ashfield MP said Richard Tices part is not the answer.

Ive got a lot of time for Richard, but knock on doors in Ashfield and nobodys ever heard of him, Mr Anderson said.

Mr Anderson announced his move on Friday, 11 March.

It marks his third political party membership in six years, having first supported Labour before defecting to the Tories.
A Rishi Sunak lookalike acted as a gameshow host spinning a dystopian wheel of misfortune created by Amnesty International UK to highlight the serious consequences of the controversial Rwanda bill.

The action was staged outside the House of Commons on Monday, 11 March, a day before the governments proposed asylum law was due to receive its third reading in the Lords.

The charity is calling for lawmakers to reject the bill and stop playing a dystopian horror game with the lives of people seeking asylum.
A Russian student has been jailed for 10 days for naming his wifi after a pro-Ukrainian slogan.

Oleg Tarasov was found guilty of spreading propaganda and the public display of Nazi symbols by a court in Moscow on Thursday.

Tarasov, a student at Moscow State University, had named his wifi network Slava Ukraini!, a popular anti-war slogan that translates to Glory to Ukraine in English.

He was arrested on Wednesday morning after a police officer reported the network to the authorities.

Police inspected his room within the universitys student accommodation and confiscated his router.
Mezzan Holding, a leading manufacturer and distributor of food, beverage, FMCG, and pharmaceutical products, has seen its FY2023 make a major turnaround from a net loss of KD2 million in FY2022 to KD11.5 million in FY2023.

Revenues for year grew 6.3% to KD271.2 million, operating profit shot up 1137.1% to KD18.9 million and EBITDA soared 141.1% to KD27.9 million.

Meanwhile, the companys Q4 revenue rose 8.2% to KD65.6 million, operating profit was up 3.2% to KD5.5 million, but EBITDA of KD8.1 million was down by 4.9% from Q4 2022. The Q4 net profit to parent company shareholders went down by 26.3% to KD3.4 million.

Turnaround year

Mezzan Holding Vice Chairman, Mohammad Jassim Al Wazzan, said: The year 2023 was a turnaround year for Mezzan Holding. The team successfully overcame the challenges of 2022, and created a more robust operation across all business lines. We look to maintain our performance in 2024 and build on the success of last year.

Mezzan Holding CEO, Garrett Walsh, said: Mezzans business model has once more demonstrated its robust capacity for recovery and bottom line improvement. In Kuwait, where we historically generate over 70% of the group's revenue, strategic adjustments were applied to our business in 2022 and 2023 to fuel our bottom-line turn-around.

The emphasis remains on these core areas, leveraging our core competencies and resources to foster growth. Additionally, our operations in Jordan and KSA have yielded exceptional results, underpinned by an enhanced focus on distribution and market penetration. The UAE has continued to exhibit solid performance, particularly within the energy drinks and bottled water distribution channels.

FY 2023 Financial Performance Review

Food Business Line

Revenue stood at KD178.2 million, reflecting an increase of 1.8% compared to 2022. The Food Business Line accounted for 65.7% of Group Revenue. The Business Line comprises the following three business divisions: Food Manufacturing and Distribution (generating 52.8% of Group Revenue), Catering (generating 7.8% of Group Revenue), and Services (generating 5.2% of Group Revenue).

Manufacturing and Distribution

Revenue increased by 8.4%. Across the board, the Food Manufacturing and Distribution segment witnessed notable enhancements, with Kuwait emerging as a standout. In this market, the reach of Mezzan established brands soared to new levels.

Catering

Revenue declined by 29.4%. The decline observed in the revenue of the Catering segment can be primarily attributed to the strategic decision to terminate contracts that were not profitable, thereby concentrating efforts on ventures within the catering domain that ensured profitability. Additionally, a significant contribution to the inflated revenue figures for the Q4 of 2022 was due to a contract with FIFA, which was an exceptional event. Consequently, when comparing the revenue for Q4 2023 to that period, a noticeable reduction is observed, largely owing to the singular nature of the FIFA contract.

Services

Revenue increased by 6.7%. Supported by the service contracts we secured with the UN and its affiliates over the past few years in Jordan and Iraq.

Non-Food Business Line

Revenue stood at KD92.9 million, representing a solid growth of 16% compared to 2022 full-year revenue for the Non-Food Business Line. The Non-Food Business Line accounted for 34.3% of Group Revenue. The Business Line comprises the following divisions: FMCG and Healthcare business division (generating 31.9% of Group Revenue) and Industrials (generating 2.4% of Group Revenue).

FMCG and Healthcare: Revenue increased by 17.1%. A surge fueled by the stellar performance of Mezzan's pharmaceutical manufacturing operations. This success enabled a significant expansion of exports to the KSA market.

Industrials: Revenue grew by 2.8% due to the success of the plastic manufacturing operations, primarily in Kuwait, alongside the lube oil production line.

FY 2023 Regional Business Highlights

Kuwait: Revenue increased by 9.8%, Kuwait excelled in the Food Manufacturing & Distribution, along with the FMCG & Healthcare divisions showing impressive performance too.

UAE: Revenue grew by 1%. The group made a strategic shift, moving its chilled meat production from the UAE to Kuwait. This transition had its challenges, leading to a slight decrease in the Food segment's revenue. However, the silver lining was in the energy drinks and bottled water distribution segments, which saw outstanding performance in 2023. This success helped counterbalance the food sector's downturn.

Qatar: Revenue declined by 16.2%. The revenue dip was mostly seen in the Catering segment within Qatar, largely because the previous year's contract with FIFA was a unique, one-time revenue boost.

KSA: Revenue increased by 2.1%. In Q3 2023, Mezzan decided to relocate part of its Salty Snacks production to KSA. The group is bullish on the opportunities in this market, and strengthening Mezzans footprint in the kingdom aligns well with the ongoing and dynamic changes within KSA.

Jordan: Revenue increased by 16.6%, majorly fueled by the effective distribution of KITCO. This growth was complemented by the establishment of new accounts and an expanded network. Furthermore, the Food Services sector contributed to this upward trend through the service contracts with the UN and its partner organisations.

Iraq: Revenue increased by 6.9%, due to the Food Service segment performance.--TradeArabia News Service
President Bidens dramatic plan for the US military to build a port to supply aid to Gaza, a colossal logistical task, is a reminder both of Americas status as a superpower and the limits of that power.

Few other nations in the world, if any, would be able to contemplate such an ambitious project: a floating harbour to carry millions of tonnes of humanitarian aid directly to those in such desperate need. Of course, it will still take two months or so to construct, and is hardly an optimal solution but it is proof to those who accuse the White House of a callous disregard for the continuing human tragedy that President Biden is as moved by the plight of the Palestinian people as any protester with a placard outside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Like the airdrops of aid along the coast of Gaza, this mission stands in the best traditions of American global leadership  reminiscent, for example, of the Berlin Airlift of 1949. A Spanish ship full of aid is harboured in Larnaca and ready to go, but it is unclear as to where it will unload its cargo. As ever, it depends on the Israelis.
The DAA has said only 'very low levels' of PFAS had been found at Dublin Airport

Fingal County Council has issued a formal demand to the operator of Dublin Airport for the results of all tests it has done on long-lasting chemicals known as PFAS.

It is the latest source of friction between the council and the DAA, which are already at odds over limits on night-time flights, and whether the cap of 32 million passengers a year has been breached.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are toxic chemicals, some of which have been linked to an elevated risk of cancer.

A major source is firefighting foams. Although none of the foams used at Dublin Airport since 2013 have contained PFAS, there is concern about historical contamination in the ground.

Kenny Jacobs, the chief executive of the DAA, told an Oireachtas committee last year that only very low levels had been found at the airport. It is important everybody remembers PFAS are in soil in lots of different places, he added.

Where PFAS were found it soil at any level, it would be removed, he said. The DAA has previously sought planning permission to remove 80,000 tonnes of soil to Norway for remediation.

Read more Dublin Airport fined 10m over long security queues and lack of cleanliness in toilets

Mr Jacobs insisted that no PFAS had been found in any water sources at the airport, but Fingal Council has been seeking further information.

A spokesman said: Fingal County Council has received two reports from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relating to Dublin Airport in respect of PFAS chemicals. A section 23 notice under the Local Government Water Pollution Act has been issued to DAA requiring all test results for PFAS to be submitted to the council, with the exception of the two reports already received from the EPA. Until we receive and analyse all test results, we are unable to comment further.

A spokesman for the airport authority said: DAA will respond to Fingal County Council on this ahead of their deadline.

Applications have been made by a member of the public under freedom of information law for copies of the EPA reports. Fingal County Council has said it decided to release the reports, but this has been appealed by the DAA to the information commissioner.

Ian Carey, a Green Party councillor in north Dublin, said the authority should publish all the information it has.

Why are they not being open with the public? he asked.
My dad was a strong person  so if this can happen to him, what else is happening?  Martin Abbott's daughter on his death in University Hospital Limerick
The 2024 Oscars are officially in the bag, as Oppenheimer to won a slew of top awards.

Cillian Murphy took home the prize for Best Actor for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, in Christopher Nolans biopic.

After last years champagne carpet, the Academy Awards have again embraced an iconic red carpet outside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

As the Oscars closed out this years awards season, famous faces to came dressed in their best and boldest looks as Jimmy Kimmel hosted the event from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Here are some of the best looks from the red carpet as well as some of the most notable moments from the awards themselves.

Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth on the red carpet at the Oscars (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

Ryan Gosling attends the 96th Annual Academy Awards (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

Emma Stone at the 96th Annual Oscars (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

Cillian Murphy hits the red carpet (Photo by Marleen Moise/Getty Images)

Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas attend the 96th Annual Academy Awards (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone pose on the red carpet (Photo: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

Billie Eilish poses on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 96th Academy Awards (Photo: REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci)

Jodie Foster and Alexandra Hedison pose on the red carpet (Photo: REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier)

America Ferrera, nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for "Barbie", poses on the red carpet (Photo: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

Kirsten Dunst poses on the red carpet during the Oscars (Photo: REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier)

Jamie Lee Curtis arrives at the Oscars (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Jeanne Moore and Brendan Fraser pose on the red carpet (Photo: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade arrive at the Oscars (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Eva Longoria arrives at the Oscars (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Hailee Steinfeld poses on the red carpet during the Oscars (Photo: REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier)

Tim Robbins and Gratiela Brancusi pose on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 96th Academy Awards (Photo: REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier)

Paul Giamatti and Clara Wong pose on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 96th Academy Awards (Photo: REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci)

Marlee Matlin attends the 96th Annual Academy Awards (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)

Edward Lachman at the 96th Annual Oscars (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

Simu Liu and Allison Hsu attend the 96th Annual Academy Awards (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Jack Quaid at the 96th Annual Oscars

Sean Lennon and Kemp Muhl at the 96th Annual Oscars (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

Ben Proudfoot, Porche Brinker, Ismerai Calcaneo and Kris Bowers attend the 96th Annual Academy Awards (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)

Vanessa Hudgens announced her pregnancy on the red carpet during (Photo: REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonn)

Cillian Murphy reacts as Oppenheimer wins Best Picture at the Oscars

Read more Oscars 2024 afterparty: stars celebrate in style

John Cena presented the award for best costume design (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Emma Stone celebrates with presenters as she wins the Oscar for Best Actress for "Poor Things" (Photo: REUTERS/Mike Blake)

Ryan Gosling performs "I'm Just Ken" from the movie "Barbie" with Slash, right, playing the guitar during the Oscars (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Finneas O'Connell and Billie Eilish pose in the press room with the award for best original song for "What Was I Made For?" from "Barbie" (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
The hit Bravo reality show explores the lives of crew on board a superyacht, with Dubliner Daisy Kelliher chief steward. Photo: Bravo

The hit show captures the lives of crew members who work and live on a superyacht, with skilled yachtswoman Kelliher as chief steward.

She says: The last three years have been kind of a whirlwind, I really cant complain. Im getting to do all my yachting work and slowly getting to do other things as well.

Losing her job during the pandemic was actually a breakthrough moment for Kelliher, as it led to her getting a place Below Deck.

She said: Obviously, the show is well-known, but it was never an aspiration of mine, but a few friends had said, Why dont you do Below Deck?, especially at this point when the yachting industry had completely shut down.

I thought, Well, Ive nothing to lose. I reached out to them, and within a couple of weeks I was flying out to Croatia and filming my first season.

I think a few things worked in my favour, like what they teach you during sailing, but also the fact Im Irish was a little bit unique in that sense. I didnt think I was going to get it, so I felt very fortunate when I did.

Her late grandfather, Eddie Kelliher, represented Ireland in sailing at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, which probably explains the 36-year-olds love for the sport. I grew up sailing in Dublin. My parents were sailors, and they were also yachties, so they encouraged me to get into yachting and showed me the industry, she said.

Kelliher from Glenageary in south Dublin added: I studied hotel management, and then lived in London.

I was really bored, and my dad said, Why dont you go into yachting?, and I did.

Below Deck follows the adventures of single, glamorous individuals as they set sail, and there is rarely a dull moment.

Kelliher is the only Irish person to appear on the series, and has wowed fans with her strong personality.

My life hasnt changed dramatically, but there have been small, subtle changes  its been fun, she said.

The series has a cult following, which includes Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence.

Ive definitely had celebrities reach out to me, which is very surreal. Ive had [Married with Children actress] Christina Applegate contact me, Kelliher said. Shes a huge Bravo fan, and was massively supportive, and we FaceTime and stuff.

Discussing whether she will visit Applegate, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021, Kelliher said: She lives in Los Angeles and Im there all the time. Shes busy with her family, and I know shes taking it easy and keeping all of her energy, but hopefully well make time.

With five seasons of Below Deck in the bag, how long does Kelliher plan to play her yachting life out in front of the cameras?

Im just being a yes person at the moment, she said. The last few years have changed very quickly, so my attitude right now is just saying yes and seeing where things take me.

Ive done everything from podcasts to the show, to still doing both, so every day is very different. I dont know what the future holds right now.
Cillian Murphy, winner of the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for Oppenheimer. Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.

ITV presenter Jonathan Ross has been hit with backlash after he referred to Cillian Murphy as a British star during the 2024 Academy Awards.

The British broadcaster (63) hosted ITVs coverage of the Oscars last night for the first time.

The presenter referred to Cillian Murphy while speaking about British stars nominated for the Academy Awards multiple times and called him a British star.

Many viewers took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the coverage.

"Jonathan Ross on ITV claims Irish Oscar winner Cillian Murphy as being British. Some things never change! one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

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Another person said: Did Jonathan Ross just say Best Actor could go to a British actor?

"Not Jonathan Ross saying British nominee for best actor referring to IRISH Cillian Murphy. Just know hed be so fuming, another X user added.

Another said: Who has ever thought Cillian Murphy was British?? LMAO, Jonathan Ross is off his rocker.

"Took 3 mins for Jonathan Ross on ITV to claim Cillians win as our win like he literally got on stage and pointed out he was Irish? a social media user added.

Mr Ross has also received backlash over his comment about the late Matthew Perry, who was included in the In Memoriam segment during the Oscars honouring stars who died last year.

After the segment was finished, Jonathan Ross said: It was nice to see Matthew Perry included, even though he's not primarily known for his work in cinema, they probably could have done it without him.

Last nights gala saw Corkman Cillian Murphy winning the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as Robert J. Oppenheimer.

Cork reacts to Cillian Murphy's Oscar win

Oppenheimer took seven awards out of 13 nominations, including Best Director for Christopher Nolan and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr.

While accepting his award, Cillian Murphy said hes a very, very proud Irish man standing here tonight.

We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, and for better or worse were all living in Oppenheimers world, so I would really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.

Go raibh mile maith agaibh, he added.
After two years, I was missing the farm and I was getting tired of commuting  nurse who gave up career to work on family farm

I see other girls that are being passed over in getting the farm the brother may not even be interested but he gets the farm and that is not fair

Laura Hannon with the first calf of the year on her family farm in Meath. The farmer feels women are often overlooked

Louise Walsh Mon 11 Mar 2024 at 03:30

A young nurse who gave up her career for farming says she believes succession is a challenge for female farmers, who are often still not taken seriously.
Legal advice warns ministers and civil servants about rules on spending

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue pushed for a Yes vote among the farming community towards the end of the referendums's campaign

A cabinet minister used public funds to call for a Yes vote in the defeated referendums.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue broke strict rules banning the unconstitutional use of state resources in referendum campaigns.

The McKenna judgement made it unconstitutional for the Government to spend taxpayers money promoting only one side in the campaigns.

Yet the Fianna Fail minister sent out a referendum press statement from his government department last week.

Mr McConalogue pushed for a Yes vote among farmers in the closing days of the campaign.

Minister McConalogue advocates Yes vote amongst the farming community ahead of referenda, read the statement sent out from the Department of Agriculture.

Such statements should be sent out by political parties, in this case the Fianna Fail press office.

Ministers were issued with specific guidelines warning them not to use taxpayer funds in campaigning for the referendums.

The legal advice from the Attorney General tells ministers and civil servants that the Government is not entitled to spend public money for the purpose of promoting a campaign for a particular outcome.

The advice adds that any information disseminated by the Government or any agencies or bodies involving the use of public funds must be equal, fair, impartial and neutral.

Ministers ... are advised to avoid any use of public resources when advocating support for the referendum proposals, it said. This includes the use of government websites. A useful rule of thumb is for behaviour to be similar to that in a general election campaign.

But the press statement calling for a Yes vote was sent out to the media by the ministers special adviser last Wednesday afternoon. The politically appointed adviser drafted the statement ahead of a speech by the minister.

It was my error. I should not have sent it from my work account. The minister was unaware of it. The department would be unaware as well. Nobody else in Ag House was involved, the adviser said.

The advice from the Attorney General Rossa Fanning also covers the role of special advisers.

Ministerial advisers and other politically appointed civil servants who propose to work for the referendum campaign during normal working hours should take unpaid leave to do so and should notify the secretary general of the relevant department, the circular said.

A minister has previously resigned over information being wrongly sent out to the media.

Former European Commissioner Phil Hogan had to step down as a junior minister when an adviser sent out budget details ahead of their announcement.

Mr Hogan was junior minister for finance in the rainbow coalition of Fine Gael, Labour and Democratic Left in the mid-90s.

The leaking of the financial information by fax to the media resulted in an apology from then Taoiseach John Bruton and Mr Hogans resignation in February 1995.

In the closing days of this campaign, Mr McConalogue was forced to respond to former attorney general Michael McDowells claims that a Yes vote would affect succession laws.

The minister said he was assured succession law is set out in legislation and not by any provision of the Constitution.
Cillian Murphy poses in the press room with the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "Oppenheimer". AP

Oscar winner Cillian Murphy is urging authorities here to help the next generation of actors and directors follow in his footsteps and maybe one day scoop an Academy Award.

Go raibh maith agat, replied a smiling Murphy when congratulated in Irish on his historic achievement at the winners press conference in Hollywood.

Asked how he was feeling, the Corkman (47) replied: Its a little bit of a daze. Im very overwhelmed. Im very humbled. Im very grateful. And very proud to be Irish, standing here today.

The 47-year-old is Irelands first acting win at the Oscars since 1990, when Brenda Fricker and Daniel Day Lewis won gongs for My Left Foot.

But it was put to Murphy that he is in fact the very first Irish-born actor to win an Academy Award for best actor. Day Lewis was born in London, but has joint Irish and British citizenship due to his father being born in Co Laois.

Its really really meaningful to me, he said.

He added: I dont know if I said this in my speech, because I cant remember what I said. I did want to say that I think in Ireland we are really great at supporting artists and I think we need to continue to support artists and the next generation of actors and directors.

I think thats vitally important. Thats all I have to say.

Murphy had his wife Yvonne were sitting by his side in the front rows, with their sons Malachy (18) and Aran (16) watching elsewhere in the Dolby Theatre.

Asked if he would be content at his future legacy being defined for playing J Robert Oppenheimer in the movie about the father of the Atomic bomb, he chuckled: Very content.

He continued: I mean, you got to move forward, but this has been a huge, huge moment for me. The movie is so special to me, and myself and Chris [Nolan, director] have such a special relationship.

And I just feel very privileged to be able to continue to work with him and Im very proud that this is a film that is provocative, and that asks questions, and is challenging, but yet so many people went to see it, so Im really really proud of it.

He confirmed he and Nolan have a productive relationship.

Its very very special. We have been working together for 20 years. I think hes the perfect director, hes an extraordinary writer, hes an extraordinary director of actors, he stressed.

He presents this film like no one else does in the world, and I just cant believe my luck

I did a screentest for him when I was a kid, and I thought that would be it and it would just be enough to be in a room with Chris for a couple of hours, and here we are. So, Im just so humble and thankful.

Oppenheimer won seven Academy awards, including best picture, out of 13 nominations.

Poor Things, produced by Dublin-based Element Pictures, won four Oscars, including best actress for Emma Stone.

Irelands Minister for the Arts Catherine Martin congratulated Murphy on winning the Oscar.

This award for his title role in Oppenheimer is the pinnacle of any actors career and a fitting recognition of the immense talent of Cillian Murphy, she said in a statement.

"Long a favourite of Irish audiences on stage and screen, he has since shown himself to be a master of his craft and has secured his place among the worlds greatest actors. This Oscar success is no more than he deserves and I wish him every success in all his future films.

She also congratulated the cast and crew of Poor Things, co-produced by Ireland's Element Pictures, which secured 11 Oscar nominations and won four awards. The Minister praised Irish producers Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe, as well as Irish cinematographer Robbie Ryan.

Minister Martin said: 2023 was a hugely successful year for Irish film production and Irish talent. I hope this Academy Award is a starting point for more success and acclaim for the large pool of talent existing in the Irish film industry.

She added: The increase in the Section 481 Tax Credit Cap from 70m to 125m should enable the industry to entice even more productions to Ireland where they have access to outstanding talent both behind and in front of the camera. The raising of the cap should lead to further achievements in all sectors working in film including animation and VFX.
Research shows the vast majority of workers who will be affected have no understanding of the auto-enrolment plans being rolled out by the Government

Head of CUDA Kevin Johnson says the Government can't afford for the plan to fail

Credit unions have offered to come to the rescue of the Government as it plans the biggest shake-up in pensions in decades.

The locally-owned lenders are offering to get the message out about the States plans for a new mandatory pension scheme.

Some 750,000 workers are due to be signed up to the auto-enrolment scheme later this year.

But recent research conducted by the Central Statistics Office found that just one in five of those with no occupational pension from their current employment are aware of the planned auto-enrolment retirement savings scheme.

Now, the Credit Union Development Association (CUDA), which represents 50 credit unions across the country, is advocating that a government-funded mechanism be put in place where those eligible for auto-enrolment can get free guidance and advice on the scheme so they better understand how it will work.

CUDA is proposing that credit unions could provide this guidance for a small fee.

Head of CUDA Kevin Johnson said the Government must act now to address the huge public awareness gap on auto-enrolment, where four in five eligible workers are unaware of the scheme.

He called for a state-funded mechanism where credit unions would provide free education and advice to the 750,000 workers set to be signed up for the new scheme.

He said that with almost six in 10 workers without pension coverage expecting to rely on the state pension in retirement, the Government cannot afford for the new auto-enrolment pension to fail.

There was a fear if people were not properly informed about the new scheme that they will just see it as an unwelcome new and unaffordable tax, he said.

Information sessions could explain how employer and state contributions to the new pension will reduce the cost to workers of contributing to the scheme.

Mr Johnson said: In recent months, the Government has reiterated its commitment to having auto-enrolment up and running by the second half of 2024.

This means that for 750,000 workers, auto-enrolment could become a reality within less than six months.

In light of this timeframe, it is incredibly worrying that recent research has found that most of those eligible for auto-enrolment are not aware of it.

He said a failure to boost awareness and understanding of the scheme will likely lead to unnecessary concern among those 750,000 workers and could also hamper its success.

Mr Johnson said affordability is an issue for many workers when it comes to pensions, with four in 10 of those without pension cover saying they cant afford to save into one.

A Government-funded mechanism such as this would ensure that affordability would not be a barrier for those who wish to get the important information and guidance they need before they are signed up to auto-enrolment.

The boss of the credit union body said that auto-enrolment is a semi-compulsory Government-led initiative, which meant it is important that such free advice is offered.

Workers and their employers will each initially pay 1.5pc of a persons gross salary into the scheme.

From year four, this will increase to 3pc, rising to 4.5pc in year seven and 6pc from year 10.

For every 3 a worker pays in, their employer would pay the same, and the State would top this up by 1.
Three persons of interest to gardai investigating the murder of the brother of criminal gang leader Gerry The Monk Hutch fled Ireland shortly after the fatal shooting and have not returned, an inquest has heard.

Detective Inspector Aidan Flanagan told a brief sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court today that a file on the investigation into the murder of Eddie Hutch outside his home in Dublins north inner city eight years ago was forwarded to the DPP within the past fortnight.
Lesson plan 1

First Taoiseach of Eire Eamon de Valera (1882 - 1975), takes the salute on the steps of the government buildings in Dublin, after finalising the new Irish constitution

The first Dail in April 1919 optimistically discussed the rationale of attempting to join the League of Nations. The ambition became reality on the 10th of September 1923, as the Irish Free State was admitted and in doing so created a platform for Irish voice on an international stage.

How that voice would be used would manifest in registering the Anglo-Irish treaty internationally, maintaining peaceful yet strained Anglo-Irish relations, advocating for peace and in more recent times under the guide of the United Nations, international peace-keeping missions.

League of Nations meeting in Geneva, 1923

As the emerging Irish Free State created the structures of sovereignty its attention turned to the world stage, at the core, a yearning for recognition of its sovereignty and validation of its own incipient voice in international affairs. Joining the League of Nations marked a pivotal moment in its international relations and post-independence trajectory.

After centuries of colonial rule by the British, Ireland had finally gained restricted independence in 1922 following the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Aiming to assert its sovereignty and establish itself as a respected member of the international community would take time and skill.

Key figures involved in Irelands decision to join the League of Nations included statesmen such as Eamon de Valera and W.T. Cosgrave, who served as President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State, Minister for external affairs, Mr Desmond FitzGerald and George Gavan Duffy, who represented Ireland at the League of Nations Assembly in Geneva.

WT Cosgrave at the reopening of the GPO

Sean Lester also served as the Leagues last secretary general before its dissolution in 1946 (As the United Nations took its place).Their leadership and diplomatic skills were instrumental in navigating the complexities of international relations and securing Irelands position in the League.

Also attractive to Ireland was the opportunity to participate in a forum that promoted peace and diplomacy among nations.

Given Irelands history of conflict with Britain and its desire to maintain peaceful relations with its neighbours, membership in the League provided a platform for Ireland to engage in multilateral diplomacy and to resolve disputes through negotiation rather than resorting to violence which had plagued its recent past.

First Taoiseach of Eire Eamon de Valera (1882 - 1975), takes the salute on the steps of the government buildings in Dublin, after finalising the new Irish constitution

In joining the League, Ireland had access to international resources and expertise that could aid in its economic development and nation-building efforts. As a small, newly independent state, Ireland could benefit from the technical assistance and financial support provided by the League for various social and economic programs, such as public health initiatives, infrastructure development, and agricultural reforms.

In the long term, Irelands membership in the League of Nations helped to solidify its status as an independent nation-state and facilitated its integration into the international community.

By actively participating in League initiatives and contributing to its various committees and commissions, Ireland gained recognition and respect from other member states, further legitimising its sovereignty and right to self-determination. Conversely, Irelands experience in the League of Nations also highlighted the limitations of international organisations in addressing conflicts and preventing war.

Irelands brief tenure in the League of Nations laid the groundwork for its subsequent engagement in other international organisations, such as the United Nations

Despite its commitment to collective security and disarmament, the League ultimately failed to prevent the outbreak of World War II, underscoring the challenges of maintaining peace in a world fraught with geopolitical tensions and competing interests.

Nevertheless, Irelands brief tenure in the League of Nations laid the groundwork for its subsequent engagement in other international organisations, such as the United Nations, where it continues to play an active role in promoting peace, security, and human rights on the global stage.

Through its participation in multilateral forums, Ireland reaffirms its commitment to the principles of international cooperation and solidarity, reflecting its enduring legacy as a small but influential voice in the community of nations.

This lesson is set for senior students who will focus on investigation, enhancing research skills, evaluating sources, analysing source provenance, and using the Internet ethically. It may be assimilated into a Transition Year module or modified for senior students studying the Pursuit of Sovereignty and Partition. I have tried to allow for maximum flexibility to both teacher and learner. In our hands the future is shaped, and the past understood.
Lesson plan 2

Free State soldiers fighting against Republican forces at OConnell Bridge in Dublin during the Irish Civil War. (Photo by Brooke/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Irish republican leader, president of Dail Eireann and first Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland Eamon de Valera (1882 - 1975) in his office at Government Buildings. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)

 The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 dominated Anglo-Irish Relations during the period 1922-1938. It shaped the policies of both the Cosgrave and de Valera governments. Despite taking opposing sides in the Civil War, each leader had to work within the framework of the Treaty.

The main aspects of the Treaty that impacted on Anglo-Irish Relations were;

 The new Irish state was a self-governing Dominion of the British Empire. It would be known as the Irish Free State. It shared the same status as Canada, Australia, etc.

 The British King was, in effect, the Irish head of state. He would be represented in Ireland by a Governor-General. One of his main tasks was to sign into law bills passed by the Dail.

 All elected members of the Dail/Seanad had to take an oath of allegiance to the constitution of the Irish Free State and to be faithful to the King (and his successors).

 The Irish Free State extended over twenty-six counties of Ireland but not the 6 counties of Northern Ireland. The border was to be later reviewed by a Boundary Commission.

 For security purposes, Britain was to have control and access to three Irish ports, i.e., the Treaty Ports. The Irish state would also continue to pay a part of Britains WWI debt.

 The Treaty not just determined Anglo-Irish relations but shaped the entire foreign policy of the new Irish state. Any developments in this area had to be considered with regard to the Treaty.

National Army - Commissioning of Volunteer Cadets. Commissions Ceremony taking place. 1935 (Part of the NPA/Independent Newspapers Collection)

1931 Statute of Westminster

 Irish diplomatic efforts contributed to a landmark decision by the British government regarding the relationship with the dominions. It was proof that the British government accepted that a new relationship now existed with the dominions. This decision was the Statute of Westminster.

The main features of this Act of Parliament regarding Anglo-Irish relations were;

 The British parliament could no longer make any laws for the Irish State.

 The Irish parliament could remove any existing British laws that applied to Ireland.

 The Irish parliament could pass laws that affected Irelands international relations.

 The passing of this law was a triumph for the diplomatic policy of Cosgrave and his government. They had within ten years of the Treaty achieved both greater Irish independence while maintaining good relations with Britain. They did not get much time to develop their policy further. Within three months of the passing of the Statute of Westminster, Cosgrave lost power.

1932  De Valera and a new era in Anglo-Irish Relations

 De Valera had opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty. His had continued his opposition during the Civil War. He viewed the Treaty as limiting Irish independence. He maintained this viewpoint when he established a new political party, Fianna Fail (1926). They won the 1932 general election. This victory led to a new direction in Anglo-Irish relations.

 De Valera was open in his desire for Ireland to become a republic and dismantle the Anglo-Irish Treaty. He was also practical as he did not want to create a crisis in Anglo-Irish relations.

 The coming to power of de Valera coincided with a realisation of the full implications of the Statute of Westminster. It allowed him to independently revise the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

1932  Abolition of the Oath

 During the 1932 election campaign, de Valera had promised to remove the oath to the British King. He had described it as an intolerable burden on the Irish people. For him, the oath was the hated symbol of British domination of Ireland. Its removal would be the first priority.

 In March 1932, de Valera informed the British government of his intention to remove the oath. They were alarmed but were unsure how to react due to the Statute of Westminster.

 In May 1932, the Dail voted to abolish the oath. It was delayed in the Senate but became law in May 1933. It was a significant step in asserting Irish independence and revising the Treatry.

 On this issue, the British government decided not to react. At first, they worried if other dominions might do the same but their fears were unfounded. It did create tensions in Anglo-Irish relations.

Free State soldiers fighting against Republican forces at OConnell Bridge in Dublin during the Irish Civil War. (Photo by Brooke/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

1932  Economic War

 It was not the symbolism of the oath that caused a serious worsening of Anglo-Irish relations. This was caused by the mutual actions taken by both states on the more practical issue of trade. Anglo-Irish relations worsened due to an economic clash between the Irish state and Britain. De Valera hoped to create a self-sufficient economy and reduce dependency on Britain.

 In 1932, de Valera stopped the repayment of land annuities to the British government.

 Britain responded by imposing a 20% duty on the import of Irish cattle and farm produce.

 The Irish government responded with a similar tax on British imports, i.e., a trade war.

 Anti-British feeling in Ireland ran high  Burn everything English except their coal.

The Economic War added a new layer of conflict to the already poor Anglo-Irish relationship. Despite the cost to both economies, the issue was not resolved until 1938.

1933  Abolition of the Right of Appeal to the Privy Council

 De Valera strongly believed that to be an independent nation, it was essential that an Irish state should no longer be subjected to the decisions of courts in Britain, i.e. the Privy Council.

 In 1933, he proposed the abolition of the right to appeal to the Privy Council in London.

 The final court of appeal for Irish people should be based in Ireland and not in Britain.

 The Irish Supreme Court would become the court of final appeal within the Irish state.

 In 1935, de Valera was vindicated when the Privy Council itself agreed with the decision.

 The ending of the right to appeal to the Privy Council was possible because of the 1931 Statute of Westminster. The historic judicial link between Britain and Ireland was ended.

1935  The Irish Nationality and Citizen Act

 As de Valeras Anglo-Irish policy continued to establish greater Irish independence, he believed it was time to legally and clearly establish the distinct nature of Irish citizenship.

 Irish citizenship was defined as those born within the area of the Irish Free State.

 Irish citizenship could be claimed by descent if their father was an Irish citizen.

 A further Act, the Aliens Act, defined British citizens as aliens, i.e, non-Irish.

These measures were very symbolic as they clear that the Irish state and its people were a completely separate entity from the British state.

1936  External Relations Act

 In December 1936, a political crisis developed in Britain regarding the Crown. King Edward VIII abdicated for personal reasons. De Valera took advantage to promote his policy.

 The External Relations Act was rushed through the Dail (within 48 hours).

 The Act removed all reference to the Crown from the Irish constitution.

 The King could only be used for formal matters if the government decided to do so.

1937  The Constitution

 By 1937, de Valera was politically confident to make the most significant change to the status of the Irish state. He decided to replace the 1922 constitution with a new constitution.

 The constitution declared that Irish sovereignty came from the people (not the Crown).

 The head of state would be the President. This removed the King as head of state.

 The constitution laid claim to the territory of Northern Ireland (Articles 2 and 3).

The 1937 constitution effectively declared the Irish state to be an independent republic, but without stating that fact. It made the Irish state completely independent from Britain.

1938 Anglo-Irish Agreement

 The British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain face a worsening international situation with the threat of Nazi Germany. He wanted to improve relations with the Irish state.

 The Economic War was brought to an end. All trade tariffs on imports were removed.

 Ireland agreed to pay 10 million to Britain to settle the issue of land annuities.

 Britain agreed to give up use of the three Treaty ports and return them to the Irish state.

The Agreement was proof that Britain accepted the changes made by de Valera in his Anglo-Irish policy. He had furthered Irish independence without a break-down in relations.

World War Two

On September 1st 1939, the Second World War began with the German invasion of Poland. The next day, Saturday September 2nd, a special sitting of the Dail occurred. De Valera declared that the Irish state intended to adopt a policy of neutrality. This was the position of most nations in Europe. What made Irelands position unique was that it was still technically (but not actively) linked to the British Commonwealth. To help the State endure the crisis, the Emergency Powers Act was voted through the Dail. The decision to adopt a policy of neutrality was a clear statement that the Irish State was a completely independent nation.
Thomas Frances Meagher was a legendary figure in colonial history. His exile to Van Diemens Land and subsequent escape to the United States, are as much a part of his mythos as his participation in the American Civil Ware and death in the Missouri River.

However, little is known about his first wife Catherine Bennett. The pair met at Ross after Mr. Meagher helped repair a carriage Ms. Bennett, a governess, was travelling in.

They married and moved to a cabin at Lake Sorell, Tasmania, until Thomas fled in the colony. Ms. Bennett remained in Van Diemens Land and gave birth to the couples first child, Henry who died in infancy.

Ms. Bennett eventually left Van Diemens Land, following her husband to America but stopping in his home town of Waterford along the way. She was reportedly treated like royalty on arrival due to her husbands status.

After reuniting with Thomas Meagher  who later remarried  briefly in America and falling pregnant, Ms. Bennett returned to Waterford.

Living with her father-in-law, she died of typhus shortly after giving birth to Mr. Meaghers only surviving child, Thomas Bennett Meagher.

The couple and their fist son are memorialised at St. Johns Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia.

*By Joe Colbrook, first published in the Australian Examiner.
The almost global membership of the United Nations is simultaneously its biggest strength and weakness. Its strength is its numbers-there are 193 members of the United Nations. Following recommendation by the Security Council, a majority vote is required by the General Assembly to join.

The Vatican chooses not to partake, others are not recognised as independent nations, and thus do not meet the criteria for entry. However, the scale and spread of this post-war, global monolith does not escape critique.

Roughly only half of the worlds countries are democratic; and this is reflected in the U.N. Therefore, differentiating between cultural differences and human rights abuses is not always clear. The U.N. has been called out for previously allowing Saudi Arabia to join the United Nations Human Rights Council when its conducts public executions, usually beheadings. (There have been 31 in 2024 so far).

The failed state Libya is a mber, as is Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea - all with less than polished human rights records. One could argue however, that these are the problems of particular states, rather than the United Nations problem for tolerating intolerance.

These ideological conflicts of trying to engage despots in what is essentially a Western democratic, multilateral construct is one of the key problems people see with the UN, but what is the alternative? Creating another world organisation?

One that enforces what would assumably be Western hegemony through coercion and military interventions? Or else isolate and alienate countries with whom have less than a perfect record of justice and human rights? The United Nations promotes the value of peace and peace-keeping,justice and human rights but enforcement is a delicate line when handling real politk.

The second main criticism of the United Nations is structural. Firstly, the perceived inadequate number of General Assembly Emergency Special Sessions (11 in total) during international crisis when promoting juctice and human rights is seen as failing to prevent genicodal escalations. (In contrast, there have been 78 regular, annual sessions).

The second structural problem, and perhaps its most problematic is the veto power of the UN security council. The oppositional political legacy of Cold War politics between the U.S.A. and Russia, as well as China, France and the U.K. has hindered humanitarian aid and peacekeeping. The U.N. failed to stop the Khmer Rouge from killing Cambodians from 1975-1979, and did little to intervene in Rwanda when the Hutus began slaughtering 200,000 Tutsis over a hundred day period in 1994.

Nor did the U.N. step in to save 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men killed by Bosnian Serbs in 1995. One could also mention the conflicts in Korea and Darfur, the wars in Yemen and Syria, and the plight of the Rohingya people in Myanmar.

But the United Nations is a neutral institution and hence does not take sides in conflict, and is instead there to broker and maintain peace. Preventing it, becomes more political and is neither neutral nor always possible.

Structurally, the U.N. does not have a standing army - it pays countries for its soldiers. Despite these blights humanitys and the U.N.s human rights record, it has successfully brought about peace in Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Mozambique,Guatamala and Sudan. Since it began, the United Nations has brought about 172 peacful settlements, an achievement unparalleled in history.

The third contentious issue concerns acounts and accountability. The U.N.s funding and spending regularly causes political debate - some countries are slow to pay, other simply debate whether to continue funding it as much. In recent years, however, the United Nations has helped discredit its own reputation. Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, U.N. troops caused a massive outbreak of Cholera from effluent discharged into a tributary river which affected around 800,000 people. It wasnt until 2016 that the U.N. accepted the irrefutable evidence.

Scandal make for better headline and clickbait, while when something is effective and working well, its not always as obvious.

Banki-Moon, a victim of the Korean War in the 1950s, was supplied with humanitarian aid by the U.N. He later went on to become the Secretary General of the UN from 2006 - 2017. Since 1961, it has helped 60 million refugees.

The United Nations has made huge strides in education,particulary for girls in places such as Asia, water provision and quality, reducing HIV and protecting priceless archeology such as the Sudenese Pyramids. What other organisation could corral the entire world to agree on eight Milennium Goals and more recently the Paris Agreement and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals?

The United Nations was criticised recently for its failure to provide adequate aid, quickly enough to the people of Palestine. But again, its the permanent five countries on the U.N. Security Council that have the veto power to block a ceasefire. But without the United Nations International Court of Justice, what hope for justice is there?

Depite Deputy Denis Goreys claims in the early twentieth century that Ireland had no need for a Minister for Foreign Affairs considering it had no colonies and/or interests abroads, since its creation in 1922, Ireland adaopted an outward, internationalist agenda. According to the historian Dermot Keogh, Ireland displayed a modern appreciation for diplomacy and its propaganda value.

From early in the states creation, Ireland exercised its right to represent itself on the world stage through its membership of the failed League of Nations and later with the United Nations.

The League of Nations failed to maintain international cooperation, justice and human rights as evidenced by the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. The United Nations was established in 1945 by the big three: The United States; The United Kingdom and The Soviet Union in San Francisco. Ireland applied to join the U.N. in 1946 but was rejected by the Soviet Union. Irelands application, along with 16 other nations, was eventually accepted in 1955.

Ireland was quickly exposed to ideological clashes and having to tactfully manage allegiences.

In 1956, Ireland sent its first delegation to the U.N. General Assembly. That year, there were two major global incidents caused by none other than three major powers holding seats on the Security Council. Both the U.K. and France invaded Egypt but failed to seize the Suez Canal. When Hungary staged a rising, the Russians quickly out it down.

Ireland became embroiled in controversy too when, in 1957, Frank Aiken voted in favour of discussing Chinas possible representation at the General Assembly, which was met with much consternation in the United States, dismayed that Ireland should vote for Red China.

But Irelands ability to navigate Cold War loyalties and divides, and to promote the rights of former colonies, created a Golden Age from 1956-1960 in Irelands U.N. involvement. Aiken, to his credit, had the foresight to advocate for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. This Irish Resolution resulted in the 1968 Non-Proliferation Nuclear Treaty, and in acknowledgment of its contribution, Ireland was the first country to sign the pivotal agreement reducing the amount of nuclear weapons at the height of the Cold War.
Then Minister of State James Browne TD with Zak Moradi as he received his Irish citizenship in 2021

1 What does the Irish flag symbolise to you personally, and how does it reflect Irish identity?

The Irish flag symbolises to me that Ireland is a place for inclusion and peace and how proud I am to call Ireland my home. I was born into war in a refugee camp in Iraq due to my familys displacement from our home in Kurdistan of Iran. I think of the Irish people who have struggled for their freedom over centuries similar to the Kurds.

2 How do you think the tricolour represents the shared values and aspirations of the Irish people?

I think the tricolour flag represents the comraderie and diversity of the Irish people and how Ireland is a place that is becoming very multicultural. I take huge pride in being a part of this country and embracing the Irish culture.

3 Can you share a moment or memory when the Irish flag had a particularly powerful meaning for you?

The Irish flag has held many great moments for me but receiving my Irish citizenship in 2021 was the proudest day of my life. I never held a passport before so to be able to finally feel like I belong in this country was a very special day for me.

4 How do you believe the Irish flag can continue to unite and inspire people in modern times?

The Irish flag symbolises peace and unity and I think its an important message to unite people of all nationalities in this country. I think of the Irish people and how they welcomed my family in 2002 and how much they have done for so many other refugees/asylum seekers. I think it can inspire people who are not originally from this country to embrace the Irish culture and get involved in things like the GAA.

5 Can you share a moment when you felt particularly proud or connected to the Irish flag?

I would have to say winning the Lory Meagher Cup in Croke Park 2019 with the Leitrim hurling team made me so proud to be a part of the culture and the GAA community in Ireland.
In recognition of the service of those who took part in the revolutionary period 1916-23, the Army Pensions Act (APA) 1923 was passed by the Free State Government to allow claims to be submitted for pensions and medals to those who applied.

In 1924 James Carrigan from Dublin applied for a pension from the Department of Defence.He served with Fianna Eireann in 1911,the Irish Volunteers in 1916,the IRA in 1920 and was a member of the National Army until 1923. After his unit was disbanded he found it very hard to get work but eventually got a job working on the Government Road Scheme with a pick and shovel for 2-10-0 a week. In his pension application he described how life was a very hard struggle and looked forward in anticipation for an early and satisfactory reply.

In another pension application, Dorothy Macardle wrote to Frank Aiken in 1934 on behalf of 70 year old Ellen Reardon,a mother of two sons;one was murdered in a bomb explosion in Cahirciveen and the surviving son was an invalid as a result of ill-treatment in jail during the Civil War. She received no compensation of any kind ,was described as very poor and Macardle states that surely the families of prisoners murdered while in custody have or will have a claim  to a pension.

Many of the life stories chronicled in this collection were greatly touched by personal tragedy.

In 1942 ,Mary Crowley from Cork made a number of appeals for an allowance or gratuity to the Pensions Board. Her numerous applications give an account of her descent into poverty stating  I have waited in vain for a service pension in accord with military service rendered over the period 1918/1923..and I am unable to continue my present way of eking out a miserable existence and have nothing before me but the Workhouse.

These stories give us a glimpse into the lives of the families who survived the violence and terror of the revolutionary period but were faced with the challenges of poverty and uncertainty in the decades after Independence.

A Very Hard Struggle- Lives in the Military Service Pensions Collection is the latest publication from the Military Archives and the Department of Defence that chronicles the witness accounts of the men and women whose lives were utterly transformed by the hardship and loss they endured as a result of the revolution.This collection of the military pensions applications gives the reader an insight into the social,economic and political issues of the time.

It gives voice to the dependents of those who fought and died during and after the revolutionary period .These files reveal the experiences of families, especially the hardships endured by women and children who lost sons, brothers, husbands and fathers.They contain the untold stories of ordinary lives in extraordinary times trying to survive the burden of history that shaped their lives once the main breadwinner had been killed or severely wounded. Many of the voices are wives, widows, mothers and sisters as well as those whose lives were destroyed by their involvement in the revolutionary struggle from 1916 to 1923.

As a teaching resource , this collection introduces the student to stories of disappointment, shame, rage,ill health and physical and mental trauma and reveals much of the human cost of the revolution in the struggle for freedom.

To echo the words of James Carrigan, surviving for many,became ...a very hard struggle

The image on the cover of this collection is a photograph of Margaret Condon taken in 1921 in her house surrounded by the ruins of all her possessions.She submitted this photograph to the Pensions Board as proof of all she lost.She said Heres all thats left of me-in my Happy Home.

After waiting for months,filled with hope Margarets application was rejected. I did my Best for all these IRA Boys,I risked my own life- & I lost all I had-for their sakes. With her health now completely broken down, her husbands application came to nought, she had our 5 young children praying that Mama would get good news for the New Year, but to no avail. A blunt note informed her ,like so many others, that you are not a person to whom the Act applies.

Margarets pension application brings to life the story of a woman who lost all she had at twenty three and takes the reader on a personal journey that included her husband,five children,a doctor,two government ministers,several civil servants, her referees and a Miss Broderick who took her in after she lost all her possessions and gave her a bed in 1921. There are the men she hid,the police she feared and the friends she made ,along with the poverty and the shattered nerves she experienced over her lifetime. The image of her sitting among the ruins of her house is a stark reminder of the violence and destruction that families endured during the War of Independence.

Case Study 1 : Brigid Moloney

A claim was made for dependants allowance or gratuity by Brigid Moloney, 7 July 1924. Her particular circumstances are an illustration of a woman whose life was marred by tragedy and despair.

Her husband Martin drowned on the SS Laurentic in 1917 and her 18 yr old son Michael also died in the First World War. Another son ,Martin,who was in the National Army died from a sniper wound in 1922. She had four remaining children aged 19,15,10 and 6 years old.

A report linked to Brigid Moloneys pension claim with comments about her personal circumstances

The eldest,Patrick brought in 10/- a week from fishing.It was recommended that she be given a gratuity of 50 which was sanctioned in October 1924 but the Army Pensions Department decided to consult the parish priest for additional information.In his letter,Reverend J.Glynn stated that Brigid was-  a most degraded character. Drink,Immorality, Foulist invective and depraved.I had her interned in a Borstal Institute,6 years ago.To give her any money,especially a lump sum would be altogether undoing her. She has had from many sources tons. Starves her children.If I can shell be interned for a time next court. She was not depending on her son Martin.

The 50 award was withdrawn.

This is an example of how some claims were influenced by local reports. Reference is made to the fact that she had been convicted for drunkenness and disorderly behaviour and the local Sargent stated that any award granted would be spent on drink.

There was a process of Verification involved in all applications. The Army Pensions Board produced a second form in which responses to questions were typed when greater clarity was needed on a case.It was common for original claims to be witnessed by trusted local representatives who were usually schoolteachers or parish priests. In this case, Fr. Glynn was hugely influential in reversing the original award for Brigid Moloneys 50.

Tasks:

 SS Laurentic - Martin Moloney was one of 354 men who died in this tragic explosion.Students could be directed to research the story of the SS Laurentic which sank off the coast of Donegal after striking German mines on 25 January 1917.

Eg. The Western Front Association.

Donegal County Council Remembering the Laurentic tragedy 100 years on.

There is quite a story to explore here summed up in the title of one of many books written on the subject entitled

 A story of Gold, Crime and Intrigue.

Case Study 2: Margaret Mahony.

Margaret Mahonys husband Jeremiah was killed in Milstreet in Cork during the Civil war.She moved to Wales with her three children aged 12,10 and 8. On 30 May 1924 she wrote in her letter of application -

 I am actually starvingwhat in the name of God am I going to do I have nowhere to turn for food if I dont get some help from the Irish free state before many days I will have to go into the union with my three orphans..

Margaret Mahoneys letter

Her letter is a heart wrenching example of the extreme poverty and destitution that some widows and their children fell into.

On 11 June 1924 the secretary of the office of the minister for defence pursued the case and appended this handwritten note -PS. As this is a very necessitous case please furnish report with the least possible delay.The applicant is practically destitute with three little children depending on her. The administrative work continued and an award was eventually sanctioned.

However, Mrs. Mahony wrote to the Pensions Board on 10 October :  .the allowance I am getting is not sufficient to keep myself and my three children.I am not spending a penny wrong only doing my best to keep them as good as I can. I would sooner part with them and put them into a home rather than see them in poverty.

On 23 October she was informed that she was already receiving the maximum allowance rate applicable in her case.

Task: Reference is made to the Union in Margaret Mahonys letter. Students could be asked to research the role of workhouses in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Why was there such shame attached to having to resort to the services of the Union?

Case Study 3: Mary Crowley.

Everyone in Cork knows what I had and what I am reduced to

Mary Crowley kept a boarding house in Cork and combined this business with running a newspaper shop. During the War of Independence and the Civil War the shop was used as an arms dump and for the exchange of dispatches. It was raided many times and one of her regular boarders was shot dead. Her business was ruined and for the next thirty years she struggled to survive. In her application she stated that her business was ruined by the shooting :  My trade never recovered and although years later when everything was over I still felt the price of being associated with the IRA.

Mary Crowleys letter

By 1951 Mary Crowley was living in one roomin what is little better than a hovel. A year later she wrote to the Pensions Board I am unable to continue my present way of eking out a miserable existence and have nothing before me but the Workhouse.

She died in 1961 alone and devoid of help.She states that she was held in high esteem by priests and professional men in this city and that she has been disgracefully treated  as a result of the Boards decision to reject her claim. She had sacrificed her home,her business and her personal safety to help the fight for Independence.

Task: The role of Women in the pursuit of Independence. Students could explore the activities of Cumann na mBan in their local area. The website of the Bureau of Military History has excellent resources on local and national organisations.

Summary

The Pensions applications gives us a view into the texture of peoples lives in the early decades after Independence.Rage,anger and despair are palpable from the letters as families and individuals attempt to deal with the emotional burden of the events from 1916-1923.

It was mainly women who were left with the burden of living and survival but the trauma experienced by the men who were participants in the fight for Independence is also recorded in this collection.

This archive is invaluable to the student of history because it provides us with a window into the past. We get to hear authentic voices describe the impact the harsh realities of conflict had on the everyday lives of those who were left to pick up the pieces of ordinary living in what was ,for some, dire economic circumstances.For those who found it a very hard struggle this collection is a chronicle of disappointment and it is important that their voices are heard.

Deirdre Mac Mathuna

School of Education , TCD.

PRO of the History Teachers Association of Ireland (HTAI)

A Very Hard Struggle-Lives in the Military Service Pensions Collection- Edited by Anne Dolan and Catriona Crowe.

Published by the Department of Defence. A special word of thanks to Cecile Chemin , Senior Archivist and Director of the Military Service Pensions Project.
Thomas Francis Meagher lived an adventerous, colourful life and he had Ireland in his heart wherever he went

The tricolour is associated with Thomas Francis Meagher

In 1848, as he stood at the second floor window of the Wolfe Tone Confederate club on the Mall in Waterford with the green, white and orange flag in his hand, 24-year-old Thomas Francis Meagher could hardly have envisaged how his creation would become such an iconic symbol in an independent Ireland decades later.

It was on March 7th, 1848, when Meagher unveiled the flag  within six months he was arrested, tried and convicted of sedition.

But, just who was Thomas Francis Meagher?

He was born on August 23rd, 1823 in the Granville Hotel on the quay  at the time the mansion was the family home.

Memories of the Fighting 69th

Thomas Meagher Senior was the wealthiest merchant in the city having made his fortune in Newfoundland before moving to the Irish South East.

He bankrolled Daniel OConnell in Waterford and would go to on to become the first Catholic Mayor of the city and an MP, explains Donnchadh O Ceallachain, curator at the Bishops Palace museum in Waterford.

But while Thomas Snr was a moderate nationalist his eldest son was more radical and ambitious.

Born to be a gentleman dabbling in politics and law, (and possibly groomed to be Daniel OConnells successor) Thomas Francis studied at Clongowes Wood College and then at Stonyhurst in Lancashire mixing with English aristocracy.

A ceremonial sword and a note written by legendary Irishman Thomas Meagher

But strongly influenced by revolution in Europe, especially in France, he returned to join the Repeal Movement (established to repeal the 1800 Act of Union) but soon grew frustrated with its endless debates and lack of action.

He joined the Young Irelanders group made up of idealistic young middle-class men who wanted more than a home Parliament in Dublin - complete independence.

The first tricolour, its claimed, was actually made in France but presented to Meagher. Many viewed its symbolism as bordering on the politically naive given the fraught relationship between Catholics and Protestants at the time  and coming during the Great Famine.

However, it allowed some to dream of both freedom and unity on our island.

Meagher ran in an 1848 by-election and lost narrowly but during that campaign said: what strength have I to beat my way towards that bold headland upon which I have sworn to plant the flag I have rescued from the wreck.

Thomas Meagher's sword

Following the Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848 Meagher was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered, but due to a public outcry the death sentence was commuted to transportation for life to Van Diemens Land (Tasmania).

During his trial he said from the dock: I now bid farewell to the country of my birthof my passionsof my death; a country whose misfortunes have invoked my sympathieswhose factions I sought to quellwhose intelligence I prompted to a lofty aimwhose freedom has been my fatal dream.

He left Ireland never to return.

Items worn and used by Thomas Meagher

Meagher was given his own territory in Tasmania and lived the life of a gentleman there. He married a local girl, Catherine Bennett, the daughter of an Irish convict. Meaghers friends were aghast he would opt for someone from such a social class.

When Catherine was due to give birth to their first child in 1852, the couple having been married for a year, Meagher abruptly surrendered his ticket-to-leave and escaped to South America. Tragically their son became ill after birth and died.

Thomas Francis made his way to New York City; its believed his father back in Waterford bank-rolled the escape and went on to become a Brigadier General in the Army, eventually leading the fierce Irish Fighting 69th brigade in the civil war.

He was a very inspiring leader, a great speaker and motivator - though he didnt have a great military knowledge, but such was the way with many civilian generals during that conflict, explains Donnchadh O Ceallachain.

Thomas Meagher Snr brought Catherine Bennett to America to see his son in the hope their marriage could be rescued but by then Thomas Francis had moved on.

Military medals won by Thomas Meagher

However, when Catherine returned to Ireland, she discovered she was pregnant.

She gave birth to a son, Thomas, but more tragedy was to follow as she died during childbirth. Thomas Francis Meagher would never see his only living child.

He re-married Elizabeth Townsend, from a family of wealth, in New York, and became an American civil war hero and the father of Irish-Americanism. He was a pallbearer at the funeral of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

After the war, Meagher became Acting Governor of Montana. He attempted to create a working relationship between the territorys Republicans and Democrats but failed, making enemies in both camps.

On the night of July 1st, 1867, while on a steamboat on the Missouri, he mysteriously fell overboard, his body was never recovered.

In 1913 a man claimed to have murdered Meagher for $8,000, but later recanted his confession.

Many believe that Meagher had been drinking and simply fell overboard while others suggest he was murdered by Montana political enemies, a Confederate soldier or maybe even by Native Americans.
New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Condemning the BJP MPs recent comment on changing the Constitution when elected to power with two third majority, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to throw away such leaders from the party.



Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, the Congress president said, If the Prime Minister has courage, then throw away such leader from your party who talks about changing the Constitution of the country.



Kharge said, On one hand, PM Modi himself remains silent on such things and on the other hand he talks about protecting the Constitution.



He said that the Congress will not allow changing of Constitution at any cost. The AICC President further added that the people of the country were watching this and they will decide.



Accusing the BJP of never accepting the Constitution in its entirety, the Rajya Sabha MP said that Modi always speaks about Dr Ambedkar but does not follow his principles. If he would have believed in Ambedkars principles, he would have expelled those who talked about changing the Constitution which gave rights and freedom to everybody, he added.



Kharge also questioned the contribution of BJP and RSS in Indias independence and making the Constitution, alleging that they were always against social justice.



Moreover, the Congress president accused the BJP of deliberately destroying the autonomous institutions of the country one by one, adding that CAG was one of them.



The Congress Chief said, We have prepared a data from the CAG reports that shows that the Centre and the state governments have committed a scam worth Rs 8,50,000 crore but the BJP is not ready to accept it. If the CAG report would have been against others they would have taken action against them without delay.



Speaking about Election Commission, Kharge said that they only wanted that there should be counting of VVPAT and this was the only demand of the party from the Election Commission but they did not get any response from them.

UNI RBE CS1725
Directly across the road from the Bishops Palace Museum on the Mall in Waterford youll find Derrynane House the home where Thomas Francis Meagher grew up and from where he was arrested in 1848.

Just 14 doors along is number 33, from where he flew the Irish flag for the very first time and so its fitting that the exhibit to Thomas Francis Meagher should be set here in heart of his home place.

Amongst the brilliantly preserved artefacts on display include the very coat he wore when he first displayed the flag on that April afternoon.

A skinny green club uniform made from linen and with tails, it has shamrock designs sown into the collar and cuffs. It also has 16 gold-coloured buttons each one emblazoned with the year 1782  the year in which Ireland was granted its own parliament.

An accomplished musician the collection also includes Thomas F Meaghers clarinet which he played while in school in Stonyhurst.

The museum has also acquired the last letter Meagher wrote while being held in Richmond prison in Dublin before being deported to Tasmania.

It was sent to his dear friend John Leonard (from Cork) who lived in Paris. In it Meagher writes of Ireland: never, never, was their country so utterly downcast, so debased, so pitiful, so spiritless. Yet I do not, could not, despair of her regeneration. Nations do not die in a day. Their lives are reckoned by generations and they encompass centuries.

Two swords, one Meagher would have used in battle and another a dress sword, from his time in the American civil war glimmer in their glass cases caressed by day-light.

A walking stick which was presented to Thomas Meagher Snr by the Irish American community of Cincinnati, and which was made from wood grown from a tree at George Washingtons gravesite, has also been acquired.

In another case we find a faded sprig of boxwood (to represent a spring of green) which Meagher asked his Irish brigade to wear on their uniforms as they rode into the battle of Fredericksburg in 1862.

And intriguingly, under the gaze of a huge painting of Meagher, we find the rosary beads of his much more low-key brother Colonel Henry Meagher who served with the Papal Guard in Rome for seven years. Also here sits a chain of office which was presented to Col Meagher by Pope Pius IX himself.
Liz ODonnell, chair of the RSA, said the recent rise in road deaths was worrying and a cause for serious concern. Photo: Rollingnews.ie

Ireland remains one of the safest countries in Europe for road travel, despite the recent surge in traffic fatalities.

Thirty-nine people have died on Irish roads so far this year, five more than for the same period in 2023.

Yet Irelands per capita road death rate of 31 lives lost per one million residents  while slightly increasing since 2022  remains one of the lowest in Europe.

Italy, in contrast, records 54 deaths per one million residents.

Europes highest road death rate is recorded by Portugal and Greece, 62 deaths and 61 deaths respectively per one million residents, double Irelands number.

However, the Government, An Garda Siochana and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have all expressed concern at the recent spiral in road deaths here.

While Irelands annual number of road fatalities has been rising, the trend has been going the opposite way in many other European countries, thanks to safety campaigns, enhanced driver education and tougher police enforcement.

The 39 deaths in Ireland this year were 16 drivers, 13 passengers, seven pedestrians, two motorcyclists and one pedal cyclist.

That represents a 15pc increase on the same period last year, while 2023 had the highest level of road fatalities in over a decade.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who lost a family member in a traffic tragedy, personally chaired a road safety strategy meeting last year in a bid to coordinate the campaign to reduce road deaths.

Road safety campaign group PARC has called for greater resources for garda road policing units, strict enforcement of driving regulations and measures to ensure learner drivers must sit a test before they can secure another learner permit.

PARC founder Susan Gray said garda resources are a key component in the strategy to reduce road deaths.

More than half the deaths on Irish roads are of motorists aged 35 and younger.

Current figures indicate that almost 70pc of fatal collisions happen between 7pm and 4am.

According to RSA research, the highest-risk age group among road users in 2023 was those aged 16 to 25.

This group represented 26pc of all fatalities (48 deaths), and the figures represented an overall increase of 23 road user deaths compared with 2022. Men are dying on Irish roads at a rate of five-to-one compared with women.

RSA chair Liz ODonnell said the recent scale of road deaths was a cause of serious concern.

She appealed to road users to heed safety advice and slow down, never drink while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, maintain vehicles and be aware of other road users, especially cyclists and pedestrians.

Despite the recent spiral in traffic deaths, Ireland has one of the lowest rates per capita of EU member states.

The latest European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) statistics revealed that Irelands road death rate of 31 per one million residents is far lower than comparable rates in other EU countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and France.

However, Ireland ranks behind the UK, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland.

Norway has Europes lowest rate of road deaths at 21 per one million residents.

The country has achieved major breakthroughs in road safety over the past decade.

ETSC statistics for 2022 revealed that road deaths have increased by 15pc in Ireland, leaving the country with the 10th-fastest growing rate of fatal collisions in Europe.

Irelands hike in road deaths in 2022/23 was three times the EU average.

Even allowing for this increase, the countrys traffic fatality rate of 31 per one million residents falls well below the EU average of 46 deaths per million residents.
Michael D Higgins has appealed to countries to increase their aid for Gaza to avoid a 'humanitarian disaster' (Niall Carson/PA)

President Michael D Higgins has expressed his horror over the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, condemning the propaganda campaign against the United Nations as a scandalous travesty.

He urged countries to follow Irelands example in increasing aid to Gaza to ensure a humanitarian disaster in its most extreme sense is avoided.

President Higgins, who was released from St James Hospital last Thursday after experiencing a mild transient weakness has said the situation unfolding in the region is now a matter of life and death.

The blockading of food and aid must immediately be stopped. Vital essential medicines and sources of energy must be provided to what is left of the hospitals in Gaza.

Aid that could be delivered immediately is scandalously being blocked and those responsible for doing so must take responsibility for the deaths that are ensuing.

Take account of what is now being shown on the television screens of the world for all to see, infant children dying from lack of oxygen, many more dying from malnutrition and all of this set to escalate, he added in a strong statement issued this afternoon.

Ireland has pledged 20 million extra in support for UNRWA after several countries, including the UK, paused funding for the relief agency while an investigation takes place after allegations emerged in January.

Israel has claimed that 12 staff members of UNRWA, which provides essential services including healthcare and education in Gaza, were involved in the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

UNRWA commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini said the aid agency had lost out on $450 million in the wake of the allegations.

Today, as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins, Mr Higgins urged every country to do all in its power to avoid the most extreme humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

He said decisions made by Canada and Sweden to rescind a previous decision and resume aid to UNRWA is to be welcomed, as is the recent announcement by the European Commission that it will immediately disburse 50m in funding.

However, he said other countries must now follow such a lead.

May I also urge all countries to emulate Irelands example in increasing its aid at this time to this most vital United Nations agency.

He called the releasing of a propaganda campaign against the United Nations a scandalous travesty against the little less than heroic efforts of all those involved on the frontline in Gaza.

He was referring to the efforts of medical staff, those working to supply nutrition and aid in the most trying of circumstances and those other dedicated professionals in UNRWA who have lost more than 160 of their colleagues.

President Higgins said: We in Ireland, as elsewhere, have seen the rise of dangerous misinformation at the very time when there has emerged a widespread shared consensus on the need for such a ceasefire as will enable serious diplomatic exchanges to take place involving the release of hostages and, above all, the release of humanitarian aid to those who so desperately need it.

He stressed that this aid could be delivered immediately but is being prevented by both state actions and illegal blockages which he said breaches every humanitarian principle.

Indeed, some of the worst scenes of starvation are being seen in those parts of northern and central Gaza where Israel has declared its military campaign complete, President Higgins added.

Then too, while carried out with the best of intentions, all of the experts involved in the delivery of food aid have stated that the dropping of aid from the sky cannot be a substitute for the work of UNRWA, he said.

He said the blocking of aid trucks by extremist settlers speaks for itself being as it is an appalling denial of the humanity of those dying of hunger when it could be avoided.

It is past time that Ireland was joined by all of those countries of the European Union and beyond in calling for an immediate ceasefire to be agreed and for this most vital humanitarian aid to be provided to those so in need of it, he added.

The world has been warned by those on the ground, and by those at the highest level, including the secretary general of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, about the implications of an extension of the military campaign into Rafah.

No one now or in the future can say they didnt know what the consequences of inaction would be. This is something that has been emphasised by, among others, the President of the United States.

It is time for the world to put an end to this loss of life, to remember our shared humanity, listen to the peacemakers and commit all of its efforts to bringing this crisis to an end and ensuring an appropriate long term settlement is reached, he added.
Leo Varadkar to tell Joe Biden immediate ceasefire is needed to stop shocking crisis in Gaza

I will be emphasising that a peaceful and secure future for all people in the region can come only from a two state solution

US President Joe Biden meeting Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the White House last year.

Philip Ryan Mon 11 Mar 2024 at 14:18







Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has pledged to raise the concerns of the Irish people on the shocking crisis in Gaza with US President Joe Biden.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to reporters in Dublin Castle as the Government concede defeat in both referendums. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaks to the media outside Dublin Castle on Saturday as the referendum results were coming in. Photo: Getty

Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman was spotted pacing the courtyard in the back of Leinster House last week by coalition colleagues.

The Green Party TD did two loops around the car park and the adjoining green, observed one onlooker, who said he looked like he had a lot on his mind with the country going to the polls on family and care referendums in a matter of days.

Speaking yesterday, sources across the Coalition said it was obvious the care referendum would fall in the days leading up to last Friday. It is not clear what was done to try to save the referendum, if anything.

The truth is, all parties  bar Aontu  got it wrong. Sinn Feins Mary Lou McDonald said the Government went on a solo run. This is demonstrably false, as Sinn Fein backed the Government and a Yes-Yes vote. Not only that, but Ms McDonald promised she would re-run the referendums if they fell.

Unsurprisingly, she backtracked on that promise after it was clear the No-No vote was a landslide.

One Fine Gael minister said Sinn Fein had missed an open goal.

Lukewarm support among the parliamentary party for the referendums led to another TD previously admitting they would have had a very difficult time in getting teams out canvassing if it was not for the looming June elections.

It is the latest instalment in what has been months of poor decision-making by the Sinn Fein leader.

Labours Ivana Bacik and Marie Sherlock were the first ones out on Saturday morning, criticising the Governments lacklustre campaign, but there was no word about their own campaign, which also backed a Yes-Yes vote.

Ms Bacik has been pushing for years for a referendum to remove sexist language from the Constitution around a mothers role in the home. In December, she said she was very concerned that Labour would not be able to support the two proposals because of their wording.

What happened over Christmas? texted one party figure on Saturday. The last thing liberals will do is look in the mirror.

There was no sign of the Social Democrats at Dublin Castle, with leader Holly Cairns saying the losses were because of a rushed and confused campaign by the Government. But what about the Social Democrats own Yes-Yes campaign? Was that also rushed and confused?

Meanwhile, the Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll showed the core Fianna Fail vote was a resounding No-No.

Fianna Fail politicians were quick to play down their interest in either of the referendums. Senator Lisa Chambers said she voted No in the care referendum, while junior minister Mary Butler said not everybody across the Government was in agreement with the proposals.

A recent Fianna Fail convention for the local elections in rural Ireland saw not one leaflet pushing for Yes-Yes votes picked up by members in attendance, one party figure said.

Nobody in Fianna Fail was out on the doors about the referendums. Micheal Martin was out a few times and so was Thomas Byrne, but not many showed interest.

Members of the parliamentary party also privately expressed surprise at the absence of minister of state Anne Rabbitte, who is the junior in OGormans department, in campaigning.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to reporters in Dublin Castle as the Government concede defeat in both referendums. Photo: Gerry Mooney

It was the same six or seven people out the whole time, doing their best to sell it, said Butler.

As for Fine Gael, the referendums can be added to the list of electoral losses the party has suffered under Leo Varadkar in recent years. The 2020 general election and the Dublin Bay South by-election in 2021 are also on the list.

Varadkar took full accountability in Dublin Castle, calling the result two wallops for the Government. He insisted it wouldnt hurt Fine Gael electorally, but his colleagues are not so sure.

He has 10 weeks to get on top of the electorate, said one party figure. Its a blow on the way to the locals and Europeans.
Cavan-Monaghan Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy said his party will not be re-running the family and care referendums if they get into Government

Matt Carthy TD has said Sinn Fein will not re-run the Family and Care referendums in the next Government, despite party leader Mary Lou McDonald previously saying they would if it did not pass.

Deputy Carthy, who is based in the Cavan-Monaghan area, said Sinn Fein would not be re-running the failed referendums at any stage stressing that it wasnt our campaign or initiative.

It wont be on our priority list at all, he told Kieran Cuddihy on Newstalks The Hard Shoulder today.

It follows comments from Mary Lou McDonald last month stressing that a Sinn Fein government would re-run the referendums if they failed, adding that the party was calling for a YesYes vote.

We would return to the Citizens Assembly wording, that's what should be happening now and if this is not successful, that's where we will bring that, she said at a Sinn Fein event in February

Arriving at Dublin Castle on Saturday, Ms McDonald also suggested she would run another referendum to remove the so-called womens place in the home clause but committed to not running the same question again.

She said: The referendums as put have failed. I just want to reassure people that there will be no attempt on our part to rerun the same questions.

Speaking today, Mr Carthy, the Sinn Fein spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence said that the party wont be running the now failed referendums at all if they get into government.

In reference to the referendums, Mr Carthy said it wasnt the wording that we put forward adding that we reached an unbalanced position and that it was up to them (the Government) to win.

Conceding defeat at the polls last Friday, he said: Clearly we were off balance in terms of the position of very important voices, I think Senator Tom Clonan and other advocates for people with disabilities put forward a very strong argument.

He stressed that he never saw it as his role as an opposition TD during the campaign to rebuke them as he wouldnt have been able to, adding that the responsibility lay with the Government.

On not adding the re-running of the referendums to Sinn Feins priority list if they are in power, Deputy Carthy said the party has other very important things that require to be changed in society including housing and healthcare.

Our job now quite frankly is to get into government. I have been of the view the last few years that the Irish people have been up for change, they want change.

And it is our job to convince them that Sinn Fein is the vehicle to deliver that change. That job has become even more important and imperative after the weekends referendum results, he added.
Dev 2  Leo 0. From beyond the grave, Eamon de Valera retained the wording of his 1937 Constitution. Along the way there have been 32 amendments, but never before have changes been rejected so forcefully.

The results should be a wake-up call to the Coalition. Speaking of wake-up calls, there seems to be a class of a problem with the air conditioning in Government Buildings. In the last decade, a minister kept dropping off for a snooze during meetings. Now a senior official in the Government is reputed to often be resting his eyes. The three parties certainly sleepwalked into this nightmare at the ballot box in the family and care referendums.
Backlash worries grow with just 10 weeks to European and local elections

The Green Party leadership has pointed the finger of blame for the disastrous referendum campaign at other political parties.

Amid the political post-mortem over the landslide No vote, Green leader Eamon Ryan and Equality Minister Roderic OGorman have written to their party members suggesting other parties let the Yes side down.

In the letter, the two men said: Our party ran the most active campaign of any party in Ireland.

We have learned a lot from the campaign and must now direct all our energies to ensure that we put our best foot forward in June and beyond.

They said Saturday was a difficult day and that from talking to many members, some are disappointed with the outcome and others less so.

All the main party leaders are facing recriminations following the referendums and now have just 10 weeks to win back voters ahead of the local and European elections.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar appears to be facing the biggest backlash, with demands for a special party meeting to address the issues.

Fianna Fail minister Mary Butler yesterday admitted not everybody got behind this across government.

The main opposition party, Sinn Fein, also has some reflection to do after a Sunday Independent Ireland Thinks poll showed more of its supporters voted No than any other party.

Former justice minister Charlie Flanagan has asked for an urgent meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party to discuss the referendum, its consequences on the direction of the Fine Gael party.

He wrote to parliamentary party chair Alan Dillon, asking for an early meeting to discuss the fallout.

I was justice minister in 2018 when this matter was given careful consideration and I decided not to proceed at the time, Mr Flanagan said.

The preference was straight deletion, but I looked at various forms of wording if we werent going on straight deletion and I found it extremely complex and I postponed consideration. Unfortunately, Roderic OGorman jumped on the landmine with his eyes wide open and brought his colleagues with him.

He said the polling station where he voted in Portlaoise saw an 81pc rejection of my partys proposal.

Its time Fine Gael got back to basics and dealt with issues of concern for the public, Mr Flanagan added.

He also criticised the lack of a government minister at Dublin Castle when the returning officer announced the final results.

Mr Flanagan, alongside Cork TD Michael Creed, warned colleagues the referendums might not pass at the partys think-in in Limerick last year.

One Fine Gael minister described the landslide No-No vote being an open goal for Sinn Fein, but they missed it.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks with the media at Dublin Castle during counting for the twin referendums. Photo: PA

While there may not be immediate implications for the Taoiseach as leader of Fine Gael, he needs to get on top of local and European elections in 10 weeks time.

The three leaders related on the referendums, but nobody took the lead, one party source said. But its a blow on the way to locals and Europeans.

Privately, many government figures said it was obvious the care referendum would fall in the days leading up to the campaign.

Anybody who was out on the doors would tell you it wasnt going well, one Fianna Fail TD said.

Fianna Fail senator Lisa Chambers revealed on Newstalk that she voted No in the care referendum, while Ms Butler said the same six or seven people were out the whole time, doing their best to sell it on the airwaves during campaigning.

I would have to be straight and say not everybody got behind this across government, Ill be very clear about that, some people didnt and that was their own reasoning, Ms Butler said.

The Indo Daily Extra: Government given two referendum 'wallops' - what next for Irish politics?

I do believe if Ive to be truly honest that we could have done more.

Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness also said he would be voting No in both referendums.

Government TDs also said NGOs, such as the National Womens Council, which campaigned for a Yes-Yes, should look at whether they are hearing the voices of the people they represent.

Theres deep fissures in different NGO groups now, said one Fine Gael figure.

Labour and the Social Democrats also blamed the Governments lacklustre and confused campaign.

However, Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender said it was beyond him why the party continued to back the Yes-Yes vote.

Is it really so hard for us to admit we were wrong and that we f**ked up by backing a Yes-Yes instead of a Yes-No? he tweeted yesterday.
Many people will know Kayleigh Trappe for her incredibly accurate and hilarious lip-sync videos on social media.

Borrowing the voices of people like Louis Walsh and Vogue Williams and Joanne McNally or acting out scenes from shows such as Gavin and Stacey and Derry Girls, Trappe has amassed a following of over 200,000 on Instagram and has three million likes on TikTok.
Kolkata, Mar 11 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday categorically said that she would oppose the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the state if it discriminates against any community or people.

"I will give you details of our stand on the CAA once the notification is issued and we go through it on Tuesday,' Banerjee told a media conference at Nabanna, the state secretariat.

She also questioned the move of the central government just before the parliament elections in the country.

Banerjee, who is also the ruling Trinamool Congress Chairperson, said "The CAA is a gimmick by the BJP to show off and indeed a lollipop just before the poll".



She asked whether those who voted to elect their representatives at various constitutional bodies were not Indian citizens, and wondered why the Union government is now feeling the need for the CAA.

She declared her government would not allow any discrimination against any people under the laws and neither allow establishment of concentration camps in the state.

Banerjee said she would go to Habra in North 24 Parganas district on Tuesday and give details of the party's stand on the CAA.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on Monday notified the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act  ensuring citizenship for undocumented Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Parsis from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

The CAA rules aim to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants - including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians - from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

Meanwhile, sections of the Matua community at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas began celebrating blowing drums and traditional musical instruments to welcome the CAA. UNI PC BD SSP
What is a gameplan? How do we say yes to opportunity? And why is constructive criticism so vital in life?

Anna Geary joined me on the Real Health podcast this week to discuss her new book, Annas Game Plan, which is a practical step by step guide to conquering your hang ups and unlocking your confidence.

The former camogie All-Ireland winner, broadcaster and now author told me about the importance of the book being full of both actionable steps and stories from her own experiences.

During the conversation, we dived into the lessons in the book and Anna told me about pushing outside of your comfort zone by saying yes, to opportunities.

I say, sometimes we need to get out of our own way and say yes. A lot of people will have read before the idea that our default decision in our brains is to say no. It's a protection mechanism, but when you say no to something, maybe because it's out of fear of judgment or fear of failure but you kind of cut off that possibility and that opportunity when you say no, she said.

Anna spoke about not falling prey to comparison especially on social media:

"You know, on social media you need to ask yourself, who you're following, why you're following them, do they make you feel good about yourself? Do they inspire you? Do they motivate you? I wont lie, in the past year. I've probably muted people's accounts just because I'm not in the headspace where I want to watch them, the author explained.

You can listen to the full episode here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Baader-Meinhof Gang: German terrorist captured after 30 years on the run  but the manhunt for others continues

In 1970s Germany a campaign of terror raged  with assaults, kidnappings, and assassinations, spreading fear across the country.

Born from a radical student movement, the Baader-Meinhof Gang, also known as the Red Army Faction, would write their names into history with the blood of others, leaving chaos in their wake.

And now, dramatic scenes in Berlin have led to a major arrest  that of an unassuming, neighbourly 65-year-old woman, who was on the run from authorities for three decades. But the manhunt is now intensifying as police desperately search for the remaining members of the long-dormant terrorist outfit.

Daniela Klette is one of three members of the third generation of the notorious urban guerrilla Red Army Faction (RAF) who had been in hiding since the 1990s. (AP)

Fionnan Sheahan is joined on the Indo Daily by Berlin-based freelance journalist James Jackson to profile the notorious Red Army Faction and to examine the new developments in this decades-long story
Ireland has voted to reject both government proposals to change the Constitution on Family and Care, but it is not the first time governments have found themselves on the losing side of constitutional reform in this country.

The Governments strategy and campaigning have come under intense scrutiny as both proposals received overwhelming No results. Since the 1937 Constitution was established, the public has been asked to vote on 40 amendments, 11 of which were rejected before Sundays No/No result was read out at Dublin Castle.

Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnan Sheehan is joined by Irish and Sunday Independent Political Correspondent John Downing to discuss the fallout from a disastrous campaign from the current Government, and what it says about the country's changing political trajectory.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development Ms Heather Humphreys has still failed to provide an update or respond to a letter from Cork County Council regarding the allocation of funding through the Leader Programme for Cork County.

Councillors at Monday's full council meeting were informed that no response has been provided from Minister Humphreys following a request for an update from Fianna Fail councillor Bernard Moynihan.

This was Cllr Moynihans second request for an update after he previously sought an update at the last full council meeting on Monday, February 26.

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Several councillors reiterated their fears that Cork communities would fall behind due to a delay in the allocation of funding through the Leader Programme.

The Leader Programme aims to support the local development of Irelands rural areas and the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) is responsible for the implementation of the programme.

The Leader Programme is administered at a local level by 29 local action groups, which contain local representatives from the community, public and private sector.

Each group is responsible for selecting and awarding Leader funding to projects within their geographical area.

A motion was brought before a full council meeting by the Northern Committee on Monday, February 12 which requested approval to write to the Minister for Rural and Community Development Ms Heather Humphreys calling on her to prioritise the announcement of Leader Programme funding.

It was also subsequently decided that Cork County Council would send a letter to Minister Humphreys seeking a meeting regarding the delay in the allocation of funding.

The issue was raised again at Mondays full council meeting by Cllr Moynihan under any other business as he queried if Minister Humphreys had provided an update on the Leader Programme allocation for Cork County.

Cllr Moynihan said the lack of a response to their query is disgraceful. This is very important for the people of Duhallow with regard to Leader funding. We asked two weeks and we asked four weeks ago to write to the minister to seek a meeting with regard to Leader funding. There has been no response to that letter and I think that is disgraceful. Cork County Council is the biggest chamber and representing the biggest county.

We are now in a position where we wrote to the minister seeking an update on Leader funding which is needed in every single community and there is no response. I am very disappointed. It is a crucial issue, he added.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn said he is scheduled to meet the minister in the coming days and he vowed to raise the issue with her. We re-wrote to the minister and we still have no reply. I am meeting Minister Humphreys during the week and I will tell her about the concerns of the members. I will raise it.

The problem is the allocation of the Local Action Group (LAG) status is holding up the Cork section, said Fianna Fail councillor Ian Doyle. A lot of the counties have had their allocations. We need to emphasise to the minister and the department that they assign a LAG status to whoever it is but a decision is needed quickly.

Fianna Fail councillor Pat Hayes emphasised the need for funding to be released for towns and villages in Cork County. It is absolutely appalling that we are not getting the response and we are not getting the funding through. This is crucial for our towns and villages.

Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegarty expressed his displeasure with the Department for Rural and Community Development. The department have given two dates that they would have a decision made. Both of those dates have passed and we havent got anything back. It is not good enough. The department are at fault.
Cillian Murphy poses in the press room with the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "Oppenheimer". AP

A proposal to hold a civic reception in honour of Oscar winner and Cork native Cillian Murphy was made at Mondays full council meeting by the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn.

Speaking during Any Other Business (AOB) at the meeting, Mayor OFlynn also proposed sending a vote of congratulations to the 47-year-old Douglas actor after he won the Oscar for best actor for his performance in Oppenheimer where he played physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer as he led the race to build the first atomic bomb.

On Sunday night, March 10 in LA, the Cork actors dreams came through as he became the first Irish-born star to win an Oscar for best actor.

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It was a tremendous achievement, said the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn. I was up late last night, but it was an enjoyable night to see the first Irish man ever, a Cork man winning the 2024 Oscar for best actor. I would propose that we would send a vote of congratulations from Cork County Council. We are the biggest council in Ireland. We are delighted that we have a Cork man winning the Oscar for best actor last night, he said.

Mayor OFlynn also proposed honouring Cillian Murphy with a civic reception in recognition of his Oscar success. I would also propose being a Cork man that we should accord him a civic reception. I propose that as well.

In his speech after receiving his statuette, Murphy said he was overwhelmed by the win.

He thanked his parents Brendan and Mary and his wife, Yvonne McGuinness, my partner in life and art, and my two boys, Malachy and Aran. I love you so much.

Cillian Murphy says he is 'proud to be Irish' after best actor award win

The Cork actor continued: Im a very, very proud Irish man standing here. We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, and for better or worse were all living in Oppenheimers world, so I would really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.

Go raibh mile maith agaibh, he added.
The old village hall needs to have its lighting and heating upgraded, according to a local

A director of the Churchtown Mallow Development Association is optimistic that the group will be able to fundraise the 15,000 needed to refurbish the local village hall so it can continue to serve as a meeting place and activity centre for the community.

Shannon Lorenz, a director of Churchtown Mallow Development Association, told The Corkman that the hall was built between 1846 and 1850 and served as a schoolhouse until the mid-1900s and was later converted to a community centre in the 1970s.

It was last refurbished in the early 2000s and is now in need of an upgrade according to Shannon, who said that though it is usable and currently hosts dancing and Taekwando classes as well as the local Foroige group, there could be a lot more going on there if the buildings heating and lighting was improved.

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Were fundraising because the hall itself needs a bit of a boost. Weve no proper heating its very old-fashioned LED lighting that was put in by the development back in 2000, Shannon explained.

Everything needs to be updated. We had other groups, but they had to stop because without heating and without the proper lighting you couldnt expect someone to sit in there for an hour during the winter months because youd nearly catch frostbite if Im being completely honest, she said.

Shannon said that the Development Association has applied for a County Council grant to upgrade the hall and is currently awaiting a response for the local authority. If the grant is approved, the councils grant will have to be matched by the halls committee, which is why the Development Association setup a GoFundMe with a target of 15,000 on February 28.

So far, the fundraiser has received 25 donations and raised 1,785. Following the tea and coffee event that the Development Association has organised for St Patricks Day, Shannon said that fundraising will be the groups main focus.

With plans to reach out to local businesses and those in surrounding towns for funding and sponsorship, Shannon said that the Development Association will hopefully be able to gather the funds needed to refurbish the historic building.

We are optimistic that we do reach that amount, Shannon said.

The main building and the look of it hasnt changed for 200 years, she said.

Thats kind of why it around the centre of the village. Its why we want to do it up and make sure its running. Theres not much else we can offer groups around. Theres no other place they can meet.

There could be a lot more that could go in there but, like I said, until we get up to par with the heating and lighting sorted, we are limited in what we can do.
UCC graduate Leen Maarouf has expressed her anger at being denied the option of wearing the Palestinian flag at her graduation ceremony to highlight her solidarity with her homeland in a time of crisis.

The young, hard-working student had missed out on graduation ceremonies at both high school and at undergraduate level due to the pandemic and said she was looking forward to celebrating her first class honours award in her Master's degree in Womens Studies  the way she wanted to.

As a Palestinian refugee, Leen planned on wearing the Palestinian flag as she accepted her scroll, but as she entered into the conferring hall she was stopped by a member of security who confiscated the flag.

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All I wanted was to wear the flag but in that moment, the weight of being a Palestinian seeking visibility and justice throughout my life hit me hard, Leen stated afterwards.

Not only am I barred from my own homeland, but I'm also prohibited from representing a fundamental part of my identity. As a Palestinian, this is a struggle I've faced my entire life, the fight for my very existence, to attain a fraction of a basic right. Not having the right to represent my heritage was crushing, she said.

She said the tears that filled her eyes slowly gave way to anger and claimed that a security officer watched over her in the hall throughout the ceremony.

When it came time for Leen to receive her diploma, she said all she had left was her voice and as she walked onto the stage to accept the scroll she screamed out Free Palestine.

She said the footage was censored from the live stream, a claim the university has denied.

I couldnt help but feel embarrassed by the glaring absence of acknowledgment of the Palestinian genocide. While I understand the reluctance to address such a topic in a ceremony, the least that could be done is to allow people like me to express their identity without fear of reprisal, she said.

Although the day didnt pan out how she hoped, Leen was allowed to wear a keffiyeh as a 'cultural symbol' and she received a huge round of applause for her vocal statement on the stage.

Leen also spoke to the Irish Independent about her feelings on education in Gaza.

The state of education in Gaza is dire. All of Gaza's universities have been destroyed, there's an educational genocide. I count myself fortunate to have been one of the few Palestinians to graduate from college, only a few of us manage to survive long enough to pursue further education.

"I did it for my people. I did it for my family, my dad who saw 10 of his friends get shot right in front of him, and never got the chance to go to school, even though he was really into politics. To my grandparents also who were ethnically cleansed, my cousins now dispersed all around the world, she said.

So, when I started college, I thought Ireland would have our backs, since they support Palestinians. But no, there's always this double standard, there's no escape, she added.

When asked about the incident, a representative from UCC provided the following statement: "The student was advised that flags are not permitted at a conferring ceremony. UCC conferring ceremonies are streamed live and no changes were made to the broadcast. UCC acknowledges the deeply distressing situation in Gaza. The events of October 7 in Israel and the ongoing crisis in Gaza are utterly heart-breaking and abhorrent. Our hope is for a peaceful resolution to the current conflict. UCC recently welcomed the Palestinian Ambassador to campus to discuss areas of mutual co-operation."

It comes just a a few weeks after more than 1,200 UCC students and staff members signed an open statement regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, calling on UCC to extend its solidarity and sanctuary to Palestinian students and academic colleagues.
A Dublin-Palestinian food truck is changing its opening hours during the month of Ramadan to help support those with families still trapped in Gaza.

Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in the Muslim calendar, began on Sunday and continues until Tuesday, April 9.

Kanafeh Kingz, a food truck in Tallaght that provides traditional Palestinian desserts, has changed its opening hours to seven days a week for the next month.

Owner, Anas Almahroum, says its a way for the community to gather and support each other as some of their loved ones are still trapped in Gaza.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are fasting from sunrise to sunset because its one of the five pillars of Islam, he said.

Usually, were open from Thursday to Sunday only. Sunset is around 6.30pm at the moment. Thats when they break their fast and have something to eat.

The night prayer is two hours later, so usually people after the night prayer in the Mosque, want coffee or something sweet to give them some energy or boost.

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Thats why were open late. Well have tea, coffee, Arabic desserts, and Palestinian desserts for everyone. Its a social gathering every night, its a good way for the community to get together during the month of fast.

A lot of people here have friends or family back home. My in-laws are in Gaza, theyre struggling, theyre in tents. Its really terrible, its almost like a famine.

Its become a trend every year that we stay open until 1am. The Muslim community here in Ireland has become accustomed to it.

Its become part of our culture to stay open late, people would drive from all the different Mosques to gather at our food truck, meet friends and enjoy the month together, he added.

Mr Almahroums company was created in memory of his great grandfather, who lost his restaurant after he was kicked out of the country in 1948.

Our sole existence as a business is a representation of Palestine. It shows our culture, and we represent our Palestinian identity in the midst of what has been going on for the past 75 years, he said.

Its a strong case of how we can protect our culture and our identity as Palestinians.

My great grandfather was a dessert chef; he had his own shop in Palestine. In 1948, when they were kicked out and became refugees in Jordan, he lost all of that.

The family business was gone; it was wiped out. All these years later, I was able to reignite that family business here in Dublin. Thats very valuable to our family and the Palestinian community.

Ireland is a country full of fighters. Me being Irish and Palestinian, its about freedom and fighting for justice. Its rooted deep within me from both angles.

Ive lived in Tallaght my whole life, I went to primary and secondary school here, and university here in Dublin. Im through and through Tallaght. Ive never been to Palestine in my life, it never really worked out, he added.
The Kerry farmers IFA protests outside the Kerry County Council Buildings in Tralee on Monday morning - Photo by Mark OSullivan

Kerry Irish Farmers Association (IFA) Chairperson Kenny Jones has said he is delighted at the excellent response received from County Councillors as members of the county IFA branch protested outside Council buildings in Tralee on Monday.

The protest coincided with a full meeting of Kerry County Council, and the Association also lodged an emergency motion, asking the Council to write to the President of the European Commission; the Taoiseach; and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue.

Its all part of the IFAs Enough is Enough campaign, which highlights the level of red tape the agriculture sector faces. Mondays Motion saw the Council call on the Government to introduce no further regulations on farmers or any measures that may increase costs on farms without full negotiation and agreement with the Irish Farmers Association.

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The Council calls on the European Union and the Irish Government to provide additional stand-alone funding, separate to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), to support farmers to undertake climate and biodiversity measures, it added.

We put a motion forward that they support our campaign, and theyve agreed to write a letter to the Minister, the Taoiseach, and also the European Commission as to the overburden of red tape on the farming sector, Mr Jones told The Kerryman. Our motion was carried unanimously, and I was delighted with the reception we got from Councillors.

Mr Jones said 35 to 40 people took part in the protest, with some bringing tractors along with them, and he was pleased at the turnout. The day was fine and people are busy, and I was delighted to get that bit of a turnout because farmers are particularly busy at this time of year, and I was grateful that they did turn out, he added.
Getting ready for the 2024 St Patricks Day Festival in Abbeyfeale were members of Abbeyfeale AFC, pictured last Wednesday night in Leens Hotel, Abbeyfeale.

Getting ready for the 2024 St Patricks Day Festival in Abbeyfeale was Vincent Sheehy from 'Fleadh By The Feale' with local musicians Laura, Kevin and Tessa ODonnell, pictured last Wednesday night in Leens Hotel, Abbeyfeale.

Getting ready for the 2024 St Patricks Day Festival in Abbeyfeale was l-r Olive Sheehan, Kristina Lyuba, Elzara Lenara, Noreen Cotter, Grace White and Clara Roche who were pictured last Wednesday night in Leens Hotel, Abbeyfeale. All photos by John D Morris.

It was this past Wednesday March 6 that members of the Abbeyfeale St Patricks Day festivities officially launched this years event with the theme for 2024 being Fleadh le cheile, Mainister Na Feile, the message being the importance of communities coming together to support each other.

Present at the launch was Councillor Francis Foley who welcomed everyone to the launch night which took place at Leens Hotel in the town as he outlined the great line up promised again this year.

Festivities will start at 2pm on Sunday with a puppet show and face painting in the square. Feale Crafters will also be in the square and there will a be popcorn, candy floss and crepes available for people to enjoy.

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At 3pm there will be live music and dancing and balloon twisting while there will be a lot of competitions this year with prizes for Best Blinged Bike, Best Blinged Buggy, Best Dressed Family, Most Festive Lady and five dog categories including Best Female and Male, Best Dressed Senior Lady and Gentleman, Cutest Puppy and Best Waggy Tail.

The parade will start in Mountmahon at 4pm and will make its way down to the square. There will be prizes for Best Float as well as Best Shop Window. At 5pm people will also be invited to take part in a drumming circle.

In attendance for the launch were parade committee members, Kathleen Collins, Francis Foley, Michael Lane, Olive Sheehan, Noreen Cotter and Aoife Keogh. Also present were the very talented musicians and Irish dancers from Templeglantine Comhaltas, Mary O Connell and her dog Cooper, along with members of the Ukrainian community who will be taking part in this years parade and one of whom will be singing for the crowds.

Abbeyfeale United FC were also in attendance and will be taking part in this years parade to raise awareness of a fundraising event they are holding to raise funds for an all-weather astroturf pitch in Abbeyfeale.

There is still time to register your float or group for the parade. If interested, people can call either Kathleen on 087 625 3154, Michael on 087 963 9775, John on 086 316 5848 or Francis on 087 639 1305.
NLC India signs MoU with Rajasthan for setting up power projects

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) State-owned NLC India on Sunday said that it has signed a MoU with the Rajasthan government for formation of a joint venture (JV) to set up a 125 MW lignite-based power plant and a 1000 MW solar power plant.

"The MoU between NLC India Limited and RVUNL (Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd) entails a staggering investment of more than Rs 7,000 crores," the company said in a media release.

Among the projects the MoU outlines the establishment of a 125 MW lignite pit-head thermal power plant in Bikaner district and a 1,000 MW solar power plant.

Additionally, a Letter of Intent (LoI) for setting up of a 810 MW solar power plant has already been issued.

"This is in line with the corporate plan of NLC India to become a power major of 17 GW capacity with more than 6 GW renewable capacity by 2030," NLC India said.

UNI NK GNK
The alleged robbery occurred in the Earl Street area of Longford.

Two men are being quizzed by detectives in connection to a robbery at a bookmakers in Longford town during which staff were threatened with pepper spray.

Detectives arrested the pair, both of whom are in their 40s, yesterday following a raid at a betting shop along the county town's Earl Street on March 3.

The incident took place shortly before 7pm when two masked raiders stormed into the premises and made an immediate demand for cash.

The episode, all of which lasted less than a minute, was captured on CCTV with at least one of the raiders discharging a canister of pepper spray at shocked staff members.

Two days following the incident, gardai launched a public appeal for information in a bid to identify both suspects.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed to the Irish Independent this afternoon that gardai have arrested two men in connection to the incident.

"Gardai have arrested two men, both aged in their 40s, in connection with an incident of robbery that occurred on Sunday March 3, 2024 on Earl Street, Co Longford.

"These men remain in custody at a Garda Station in Longford at this time. Investigations are ongoing.
12 local heroes in St Mary's TY book Inspired  Drogheda Made Inspiration

Think of community involvement and volunteers in Drogheda, and a certain few people who have made massive contributions spring to mind.

Well three students from the very successful TY programme in St Marys Diocesan School have compiled a beautifully presented book called Inspired; Drogheda Made Inspiration, celebrating 12 people who have made a huge impact in sport, charity and community.

Transition Year students Conor Black, Karl Leonard and Jack Heffernan decided to embark on a journey through Droghedas past and present, discovering fascinating tales of triumph and resilience, and to document them in their book; 'INSPIRED: Drogheda Made Inspiration'.

"This is a town rich in culture and history, which has produced countless inspirational people whose stories deserve to be told. These inspirational people range from athletes to musicians to ordinary people who overcome extraordinary challenges in their everyday lives, explains TY Co-ordinator Roisin Curtis, who features in the book.

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This first volume (their intention is to create more) tells the stories of 12 ordinary men and women who have accomplished remarkable feats, that will ignite the flame of inspiration within you, while reminding you of the boundless potential that lies within each and every one of us.

So all the people are working, grew up in, live in or are connected to Drogheda in some way, explains Conor. We asked them all similar questions trying to find out the secrets behind what's their success and what inspires them.

The people featured in this first volume are Ann McVeigh, Ms Curtis, Baz Black, Natalie Kelly, Shaun Leonard, Grainne Berrill, Ciaran Roe, Niall Ronan, Andrew Watters, Anne Shortt, Nicola Connolly Byrne and Jacinta Walsh.

"Along with a photograph, we tried to make it quite personal to really introduce them and explain what they do and why they do it so well, adds Karl.

The three students chose the participants themselves, contacted them and conducted the interviews and are delighted to see the final product in print.

The book is now available to buy from the school for 20 with all of the proceeds being donated to Drogheda Abacas Special School & Autism Support Louth/Meath Youth Clubs and Alzheimer's Society of Ireland Drogheda Branch, explains Jack.

The young men were also very successful with their project at the Louth Student Enterprise Awards 2024 held in Dundalk last week, picking up the Best Creative Business Award.

This is volume one of what they hope will be a series and the books are flying off the shelves!

Feel free to email rcurtis@stmarysds.ie if you'd like to place an order or would like more details.
Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin has called on the Minister for Health to deal with the two-tier cancer system that leaves patients in the West and Northwest with poorer services and poorer health outcomes. Stock image. Photo: Kongsky

An urgent call has been issued for the establishment of a new regional cancer care centre after medical professions reveal that the highest incidence of cancer and highest mortality rate are in the West and Northwest of Ireland.

At a recent meeting of the Policy Forum for Ireland, the director of the Saolta Cancer Network, Professor Michael Kerin told the gathering that the highest incidence of cancer in the country and the highest mortality rate from the condition are in the West and the Northwest.

According to Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin, he pointed to a lack of lack of investment in capital infrastructure, saying the only model-four hospital in the region, Galway University Hospital (GUH), is overcrowded, where cancer patients and emergency patients compete for beds.

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The OECD in 2023 shows Irelands cancer mortality was higher than the European average with delays in diagnosis.

According to Professor Kerin, this is particularly relevant to the west of the country.

Following the discussion, Deputy Harkin called on the Minister for Health to take immediate action to deal with the two-tier cancer system that leaves patients in the West and Northwest with poorer services and poorer health outcomes.

For many years he has called for the building of a regional cancer centre for the West and Northwest to be located in Galway with outreach services to other hospitals in the region.

"This would be a hub-and-spoke model for cancer services delivered in all participating hospitals in the region.

"Specialist diagnostics and specialist care would be located at one centre with a two-way interaction between Galway and the other hospitals.

In my view this would ensure the best possible outcomes for cancer patients with certain treatments available in their local hospitals while specialist care would be available in a centre where expertise and research are concentrated.

"This would enhance the care available to cancer patients depending on specific diagnosis or pathways of care with cancer care delivered as close as possible to where patients live, depending on the unique circumstance in which individual cancer patients finds themselves, said Deputy Harkin.

Referring to on-going issues in relation to cancer services in the Northwest, Deputy Harkin said, In recent times consultant dermatologist at Sligo University Hospital, Dr Dermot McKenna told me he had more than 3,500 new patients waiting for their first appointment, and this impacts negatively on patient survival especially in relation to highly time-sensitive cancer care.

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The Policy Forum for Ireland heard that higher age deprivation rates and a higher incidence of economic deprivation are reflected in the incidence of cancer and associated mortality rates in the West and Northwest.

The statistics are there for all to see, Deputy Harkin said.

"Regional imbalance affects all aspects of life from jobs to opportunities, to standard of living, to education and to health.

"When it comes to cancer rates and the lack of cancer care provision, regional imbalance is a life and death issue.

"There is an urgent need to deal with this unacceptable two-tier health system and to fast track investment in capital health infrastructure in the West and Northwest, Deputy Harkin concluded.
Mr Neville is owner of the Riverside Park Hotel in Enniscorthy, the Crown Quarter hotel in Wexford and the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise. He joins IHF President Michael Magner and fellow Vice President Matt OConnor in representing over 900 hotels and guesthouses, which employ 65,000 people throughout the country.

Mr Neville has been an active member of the IHF since 2007 and brings extensive experience to the role of Vice President having previously served as Chair of the IHFs South East Branch and as a member of the IHF National Council and Management Committee.

It is a tremendous honour to be elected Vice President of the Irish Hotels Federation and to represent our sector, which makes such an important contribution to the economy, said Mr Neville. I look forward to working closely with my IHF colleagues and engaging with our Government and industry partners to address the challenges facing our sector and wider tourism industry. A particular focus for us over the coming year is the need for meaningful measures from the Government to tackle the very high operating costs of tourism and hospitality businesses. This is a growing concern in terms of our competitiveness and requires decisive Government action.

IHF President Michael Magner said: I want to congratulate Colm on his election as Vice President. Colms commitment to our sector and extensive experience are a great asset to the IHF as we continue to advocate for members at the highest levels of Government. As Irelands largest indigenous employer, tourism plays a vital role supporting over 270,000 livelihoods. It is therefore critical that the right conditions are in place to deliver a sustained recovery for our sector and wider tourism industry so that it lives up to its full potential. I look forward to working with Colm to deliver our key priorities in relation to economic growth, leadership in sustainability and supporting people development within our sector. 
l-r: Josephine O'Reilly, Margaret Doyle, Marian McAuley, Breda Tyrrell, Catherine Dunleavy and Breda Dunne at the launch of Daffodil Day which will be held on March 22nd.

Daffodil Day 2024 will take place on Friday, March 22 and the local Enniscorthy committee are calling for public support in advance of the day.

A spokesperson for the group said that the people of Enniscorthy are always supportive and appeal for the same support this year.

Our community have generously donated more than 60,000 to Daffodil Day in the last 10 years. We need to continue supporting Daffodil Day as more people in Ireland are being diagnosed with cancer now than ever before. We will not stop until cancer does.

We also need your help in providing fresh daffodils for our big fundraising day. Please drop your daffodils to the Legion of Mary Hall, Enniscorthy on Thursday, March 21 from 3.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Every daffodil helps.

We are always looking for volunteers who may have an hour of two to spare on the day. Anyone who would like to volunteer please phone, text, or WhatsApp Catherine on 087 2988459. We know you will have a fun ,uplifting day contributing to a great cause.

Every euro makes a difference: 25 can help the cost of driving a cancer patient to and from treatment centres using the volunteer driving service, 50 can help provide vital clinical equipment for a night nurse, according to data from Irish Cancer Society.

For further information on the Irish Cancer Societys services is at www.cancer.ie.
Presentation of 3,756-80 from Gusserane handball and raquetball club to New Ross Community Hospital. From left; Patrick Whelan Cchirperson Gusserane club, John O'Shea chairperson Community Hospital board, Terry Murphy secretary Gusserane club and Sonaya Rachel Thomas Director if Nursing. Photo; Mary Browne

A cheque for 3,756.80 has been presented to New Ross Community Hospital following a marathon racquetball event run by Gusserane Handball & Racquetball Club.

The club held a 24 in 24 fundraiser in aid of the New Ross Community Hospital. Doubles matches took place every hour on the hour at the renovated club house, with players breaking a sweat for charity.

Club spokesperson, Paudie Foran said the event saw club members and non members play non stop from 7 p.m. on the Thursday after Christmas until 7 p.m. the following morning, with some players putting in a double shift in the early hours of the morning. The players were surprised to see 23-time All Ireland winner Noel OCallaghan stop in to lend his support to the club initiative. The Corkman had been staying in Rosslare when he heard about the fundraiser, so took time out to visit the participating players.

Among those participating  who travelled some distance to play  were 60x30 doubles champion James Smith and European champion, Toni Leary.

The club did a members poll before Christmas to decide which charity should benefit and after a shortlist was arrived at, with New Ross Community Hospital being chosen.

A GoFundMe page was set up and between it and donations and player registration fees, almost 4,000 was raised by the following Tuesday, January 2.

"The club would like to thank everyone who supported it and everybody who took part, especially those on the graveyard shifts.

New Ross Community Hospital management thanked the club for their generosity and its members for their amazing effort.
The Supreme Court has been urged to set aside orders to reinstate a Co Wexford Gaeilscoil's principal who was found to have been unfairly dismissed over a decade ago.

The appeal has been brought by Gaelscoil Moshiolog's board of management over determinations made by the Labour Court, and by the High Courts Mr Justice Brian Cregan in a subsequent appeal, that Aodhagan O Suird be re-engaged as the school's head teacher.

In his ruling last year Mr Justice Cregan said that Mr O Suird had suffered a terrible injustice due to unreasonable and misjudgements by the board which the court said had a "vendetta" against the principal.

He made his remarks when dismissing the board's appeal against the Labour Court's finding that Mr O Suird had been unfairly dismissed.

He directed that Mr O Suird BE re-engaged as the school's principal from August 4 2023.

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), as well as the Labour Court, had also previously found that Mr O Suird had been wrongly dismissed by the board.

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The school board appealed the matter to the Supreme Court on points of law.

The Labour Court was the respondent in the appeal while Mr O Suird was a notice party.

The board also appealed Mr Justice Cregan's ruling that Mr O Suird's legal costs should be paid by the board on the 'practitioner-client' basis, which is a higher scale than the normal legal fees.

The Supreme Court had agreed to hear the case on the grounds that it raised issues of public importance.

In their submissions the board's lawyers said the case was one of public interest which required clarity from the court.

It was submitted the Labour Court had erred in their findings that the board was not entitled to come to the reasonable conclusions that it did, and opt to dismiss Mr O Suird.

It was also argued that the Labour Court had erred by taking irrelevant considerations, and by not taking relevant matters into account when it arrived at its decision.

It was further argued that the High Court was not entitled to arrive at the conclusions it had.

Mr O Suird's lawyers rejected those submissions and argued that the decisions in his favour should remain undisturbed.

Following the conclusion of submissions from the parties the five-judge Supreme Court reserved its decision.

Mr O Suird was put on administrative leave in 2012 following a complaint that he had pulled a seated first-class student by the jumper to remonstrate with the boy.

The boy's parents accepted his apology, but other parents made complaints that led to his suspension in 2013 and his dismissal in 2015.

The HSE found in 2012 that the matter did not involve the physical abuse of a child and told the school to investigate the matter itself.

The judge said that after this the board then began investigating claims that Mr O Suird had inflated school enrolment figures to the Dept of Education in 2009.

That resulted in a disciplinary process that ultimately resulted in his dismissal.

Mr Justice Cregan found the case was not one about child protection but was about enrolment figures submitted to the Department of Education 14 years ago.

In the disciplinary proceedings the judge said the board had "deliberately exaggerated" charges against him, made "unfounded allegations of fraud" against him, had withheld information from him, and ignored his evidence.

Those allegations were "endlessly recycled" at the WRC, the Labour Court, and in the High Court, in an "unprincipled attempt to blacken his name" the judge said.

It was clear the judge said that the board had "an animus" against Mr O Suird and had sought to destroy his reputation.
Get the time, route and full details for the Arklow St Patricks Day Parade 2024

The Breen brothers with members of the RNLI at their homecoming in Arklow. Photo Michael Kelly

A huge occasion for locals and visitors alike, the Arklow St Patricks Day Parade draws revellers from all over the country with its warm and convivial community atmosphere.

Local businesses, clubs, marching groups, floats, community organisations and more take part in the spectacular event, with crowds gathering along the parade route to enjoy the colour and excitement of the impressive parade.

Organisers and committee members have pulled out all the stops again this year to create a wonderful family-friendly atmosphere in the picturesque town. The Grand Marshals this year will be Arklows Atlantic Bro-ing brothers, Andrew and Eamon Breen, who rowed across the Atlantic for charity earlier this year.

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Start Time and Route

The Arklow St Patricks Day parade will begin at 2 p.m., following along the towns Main Street and completing its journey at Arklows Parade Ground, where a viewing stand will be erected.

Getting There

Alva and Oran O'Seannail at the Arklow parade.

You can get an Irish Rail train from Bray to Arklow in approximately 40 minutes or less than 30 minutes from Greystones. Arklows St Mary's Road is about a five minute walk to town centre.

Wexford and Bus Eireann buses run to Arklow every hour to two hours, but do note that bus services into Arklow follow the route of the parade and will not be in operation/diversions will be in place.

Floats to Watch Out for

The acclaimed Arklow Pipe Band always puts on a great show and receives a warm welcome from crowds as they march along the route. Keep an eye out for the local creativity and wellness centre for kiddos The Colour Club, and members from local scout groups.

What Else is on?

The Breen brothers with members of the RNLI at their homecoming in Arklow. Photo Michael Kelly

This St Patrick's Day, Arklow will have its first-ever sensory-friendly, quiet area to support its neurodiverse community.

Starting at 2 p.m., the library will have a designated inside area for children/young adults to watch the parade, and there will also be a cordoned-off outside area at the library for those who want to watch the parade outside.

To access these areas, you will need to have a family carers card, autism card, jam card or sunflower lanyard, and there will be volunteers on site to support you on the day. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

The fantastic initiative is a collaboration between several Arklow community groups, including All Kinds of Amazing, The House, Arklow Little Vikings, Little Warriors and Making Arklow, with the support of Wicklow County Council Library Service.
The Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Station crew are anticipating the delivery of their new Shannon class lifeboat in October. Photo: RNLI

The Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Station crew are anticipating the delivery of their new Shannon class lifeboat in October. Photo: RNLI

Arklow RNLI volunteers will bid farewell to their lifeboat of 27 years, the Ger Tigchelaar, this October when they welcome their new Shannon-class lifeboat, whose naming owes so much to an Arklow RNLI legend.

Currently under construction at the RNLIs All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, on Englands southern coast, the as-of-yet unnamed lifeboat represents a major upgrade for the Arklow crew, with the Shannon class  the latest class of RNLI all-weather lifeboats  boasting faster speeds and greater fuel efficiency than their current Trent class vessel, which burns a whopping 400 litres of fuel an hour.

Shorter (0.7m) and narrower (0.4m) than the Trent class and featuring cutting-edge technology, the Shannon class is the first designed and built entirely by the RNLI, as well as the first to use water jets instead of propellers.

Introduced by the RNLI in 2013, the name Shannon carries significant weight, not only due to it being the first RNLI lifeboat class to carry the name of an Irish river  where previous iterations were odes to the rivers Trent, Mersey and Waveney etc.  but because of its historic ties to Arklow.

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Detailing the story of how a local legend and cornerstone of the Arklow community pushed for years to see recognition for the longest river in the UK and Ireland, Arklow lifeboat D.L.A (Deputy Launching Authority) Michael Mick Fitzgerald said that Ireland is indebted to the one and only Jimmy Tyrrell.

Jimmy Tyrrell spearheaded the push to get a lifeboat class named after an Irish river alongside former Dun Laoghaire Operations Manager, Stephen Wynne, Mick said.

Every time they went to a meeting up in Dublin or over in Poole, they tormented them.

It was always the same at the end of the meeting. Theyd ask if there was any other business, and Jimmy would stand up and say that he was still campaigning hard and, seeing as how we have the longest river in Ireland and the UK, it was surely the Shannon's turn.

I still remember the day the decision was announced. I got a phone call from the Operations Manager in Dun Laoghaire who said he had some good news for Jimmy, but couldnt get him on the phone  after Jimmy being at it for the guts of twenty years!

Ahead of their new boats arrival, slated for the first two weeks in October, the 24-strong Arklow RNLI crew will undergo a series of training exercises both at home and in the UK to adapt to the new configuration.

Arklow RNLI DLA Michael Fitzgerald pictured next to the lifeboat Ger Tigchelaar. Photo: Michael Kelly

Normally, the RNLI will bring over a training boat beforehand, and well start training on it in the summer with an instructor, Arklow Lifeboat Operation Manager John Bermingham said.

Our coxswains and some of our mechanics will go over to Poole to do specific courses on the new boat before she arrives.

With the Shannon, it is a completely different set-up, so every single crew member, from the coxswain down to the recruit, will have to start from scratch and tick each box.

Theres a lot of time and energy that has to go into it, and you cant just take one out and put one in  there are months and months of transition.

Its a completely different design, and uses water jets instead of propellers, which will be a first for the station. The crew will be one less than our current boat, but the Shannon is narrower, shorter and faster.

I suppose, a lot of the thinking behind the Shannon class is that the RNLI looked at the situation and saw where the majority of our rescues are, he continued.

There are more statistics around now than they had 30 years ago, but it certainly seems that most of our callouts, around 90 per cent, happen within 10 miles of the station.

The Shannon will be able to get out and get back a lot quicker, and shell use less fuel.

With the Shannon class lifeboat carrying a hefty price tag of 2.85 million, Arklow RNLIs fundraising branch will be kicking into overdrive, with a series of community events planned over the coming year.

Generally speaking, the bulk of the cost of RNLI lifeboats are covered by a wealthy benefactor, with the principal donor often retaining the honour of naming and officially launching the vessel, which John expects to happen at a ceremony after Christmas.

The Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Station crew are anticipating the delivery of their new Shannon class lifeboat in October. Photo: RNLI

Speculating on the future of the Ger Tigchelaar, the first lifeboat class operated by the RNLI, capable of speeds over 20 knots and a reliable servant to the broader Arklow community for nearly three decades, Mick said that there was still plenty of life left in the old girl.

The Ger Tigchelaar was brand new when we got her, whereas previous vessels would have been posted at other stations before we got them, he said.

What could happen to her is that she might go to Poole, where she could go into what they call the relief fleet, which is essentially where, if theres a Trent class, for example, on a station that gets damaged or needs repairs, or maintenance, they can just take it off station and replace it like for like.

They have to replace like for like, or else they have to do all the training again for the whole crew.

What might happen eventually is it will get sent on to another life-saving agency.

Asked if a private individual might be interested in acquiring her, Mick replied: The problem straight away is the amount of fuel they consume  they are guzzlers of fuel.

If she is flat out, the throttle is down, youre doing your 25 knots, and the weather conditions and everything are right, shes burning 400 litres an hour.

And if you're pulling your throttle back, doing 10 or 15 knots, it's not comfortable going slow in her, and she rolls very heavily.

She carries 4,000 litres, thats 2,000 litres per engine if you like, and if you think that, a normal central heating tank at your house is 1,000 litres, and youll get most of the winter out of it.

The Trent class is burning four of them in 10 hours!
Ryan Gosling performs "I'm Just Ken" from the movie "Barbie" with Slash, right, playing the guitar during the Oscars (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Hollywood's biggest stars gathered on Sunday to celebrate the year's best accomplishments in film at the annual Academy Awards.

Here are some takeaways from the 96th Oscars ceremony.

TRUMP REVIEWS KIMMEL

Late in the show, Jimmy Kimmel read aloud from a scathing online review of his performance as Oscars host, revealing at the end that it was written by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars," Trump posted on his Truth Social social media platform, also criticizing the show as "Disjointed, boring, and very unfair."

Tall show host Kimmel, who's long feuded with Trump, jokingly asked the audience to guess which former president had written the post, and then quipped: "Thank you, President Trump. Isn't it past your jail time?"

'I'M JUST KEN'

Ryan Gosling, who played Ken in the blockbuster "Barbie" movie, delivered an energetic performance of the film's campy musical number "I'm Just Ken" dressed in a hot pink suit and flanked by an ensemble of male dancers.

He was joined by Guns n' Roses guitarist Slash and walked into the audience to sing with his "Barbie" castmate Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig. The song, written by Mark Ronson, was nominated for an Oscar for best original song, while Gosling received a best supporting actor nod for his role as Barbie's lovestruck sidekick.

Later in the show, best actress Oscar winner Emma Stone joked during her acceptance speech that the back of her pale green gown had ripped during the performance. She elaborated later backstage:

"I was so amazed by Ryan and what he was doing, and that number just blew my mind," she said. "I was right there, and I just was going for it, and, you know, things happen."

EMMAS DRESS

Emma Stone looked genuinely surprised when she won best actress for her starring role in Poor Things." On stage she revealed part of that surprise: a faulty zipper. My dress is broken! she exclaimed. Im pretty sure it happened during 'Im Just Ken.

Backstage after the show, Stone gave an update. They sewed me back in, she said.

Meanwhile, at least one person tripped on the red carpet, but nothing nearly as dramatic as Jennifer Lawrence's history-making fall in 2013.

JOHN CENA RE-ENACTS A LEGENDARY OSCARS MOMENT

John Cena presented the award for best costume design (Chris Pizzello/AP)

At the Oscars ceremony 50 years ago, a man ran across the stage naked flashing a peace sign behind actor David Niven, a legendary piece of Academy Awards history that host Kimmel said he wanted to commemorate.

To celebrate the anniversary, actor and wrestling star John Cena walked on stage wearing nothing but the envelope containing the name of the winner of the best costume Oscar.

"Costumes are so important," Cena deadpanned. "Maybe the most important thing there is."

UKRAINE'S FIRST OSCAR

"20 Days in Mariupol" director Mstyslav Chernov delivered a powerful speech in accepting his award for best documentary feature, Ukraine's first-ever Oscar. Chernov's film documents his time as a video journalist covering the first three weeks of Russia's siege of the Ukrainian city.

"Probably I will be the first director on this stage that will say I wish I never made this film," he said. "I wish to be able to exchange this to Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities ... but I cannot change history. Cannot change the past.

"But we all together, you, some of the most talented people in the world, we can make sure the history record is set straight and that the truth will prevail and that the people of Mariupol and those who have given their lives will never be forgotten. Because cinema forms memories. And memories form history."

PROTESTERS ON AND OFF THE CARPET

As stars began arriving to walk the red carpet, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters angered by the Israel-Gaza conflict shouted and slowed traffic in the blocks surrounding the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

"While you're watching, bombs are dropping," one sign read.

On the red carpet, Oscar nominees, including Billie Eilish and Mark Ronson, wore red lapel pins calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Actor Mark Ruffalo praised the protesters as he entered the theatre and raised a clenched fist. "We need peace," he said.

KIMMEL CELEBRATES STRIKE VICTORIES

Kimmel's opening monologue included the usual jabs at the Hollywood elite with a reference to best supporting actor nominee Robert Downey Jr.'s history of drug abuse and joking that "Barbie" co-stars Margot Robbie, who was snubbed for a best actress nomination, and Ryan Gosling, who is nominated for best supporting actor, had already won "the genetic lottery."

He also celebrated the end of a difficult year in Hollywood, where strikes by actors and writers halted production of movies and television for months.

"Actors no longer have to worry about getting replaced by AI thanks to this historic agreement. Actors are now able to go back to worrying about being replaced by younger, more attractive people ...

"This long and difficult work stoppage taught us that this very strange town of ours, as pretentious and superficial as it can be, at its heart is a union town. It's not just a bunch of heavily Botoxed, Hailey Bieber smoothie-drinking, diabetes prescription-abusing, gluten-sensitive nepo babies with perpetually shivering Chihuahuas. This is a coalition of strong, hard-working, mentally tough laborers, women and men who would 100% sure die if we even had to touch the handle of a shovel."

YOKO ONO GETS A MOTHER'S DAY SHOUT-OUT

Sean Ono Lennon, the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, asked the audience to wish his famous mother a happy Mother's Day when he took the stage with the winners of the best animated short Oscar for a film he collaborated on, "War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko."

"My mother turned 91 this February, and today is Mother's Day in the UK," Lennon said. "So would everyone please say 'Happy Mother's Day, Yoko?'"

The audience obliged.
New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) President Droupadi Murmu, embarked on a three-day state visit to Mauritius to attend the National Day celebrations on March 12.

The contingent of the Indian Navy will participate in the celebration along with two ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron, INS Tir and CGS Sarathi.

During her three-day visit, President Murmu will hold bilateral meetings with the President of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun, and Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

The President will also meet the Speaker of the Mauritius National Assembly, the Chief Justice of the Mauritian Supreme Court, and several other Mauritian leaders.

As the sixth Indian President to grace Mauritian National Day as the Chief Guest since 2000, President Murmus state visit underscores the longstanding and enduring ties between India and Mauritius, said the External Affairs Ministry.

"It reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthen the bilateral relationship across all sectors and deepen our close people-to-people ties," MEA said in a statement earlier.

"During the visit, President Murmu and Mauritius Prime Minister Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate 14 India-assisted projects, showcasing the growing expanse and multifaceted nature of Indias vibrant development partnership with Mauritius that constitutes a key pillar of the bilateral relationship," it further added.

She will also witness the exchange of important bilateral agreements that seek to further strengthen the robust bilateral institutional collaboration and capacity-building cooperation between the two countries.

Additionally, she will address Mauritian youth at the University of Mauritius and socio-cultural organisations, members of the Indian diaspora, and the Indian community at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, said MEA.

UNI JA ARN SY
Europe

Pope uses Easter address to call for Gaza ceasefire: How much suffering we see in the eyes of children
Comedian John Bishop, everyone's favourite scouser, returns to Dublin with his new show

Comedian John Bishop has said he will tour the Wild Atlantic Way on his motorbike due to a midlife crisis.

Mr Bishop told RTE Ones The Tommy Tiernan Show about his stand-up tour Back at it.

"That's what it feels like  Im getting back to what I want to be doing, he said.

"And it's very specific to Ireland. It's got a real Irish feel to it and as a result of that, I want to tour in a slightly different way.

"I've got to tour on a motorbike because I'm having a midlife crisis on loads of levels.

The Liverpool comedian is all set for his tour as he passed his motorbike test back in November.

I'm going to do the Wild Atlantic Way on the motorbike.

"Im going bendy all the way down and do gigs along the way.

He said he decided to buy a bike due to a midlife crisis.

The first show of Back at it is coming to Ireland on May 23, when the comedian will go to Letterkenny.

It will be followed by gigs in Belmullet, Galway, Clifden, Limerick, Killarney, Clonakilty, Cork, Wexford and Dublin.
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 image was said to have been taken by the Prince of Wales and was the first photo of Kate to be released since her operation

Kate Middleton personally apologises for confusion as she takes blame for editing picture

Kate Middleton has released a statement after controversy over an image released of her and her children on Mother's Day.

The statement said: "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.

"I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.

"I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C."

The statement comes after Reuters, Associated Press (AP), Getty Images and Agence France-Presse (AFP) told media outlets to "kill" the photo from their systems and archives after the image was circulated on Sunday.

The image of Kate and her children, said by the palace to have been taken by the Prince of Wales, was posted on social media.

The photograph was shared with media on Sunday but it was withdrawn by international picture agencies later the same day because of concerns that the image had been manipulated.

Kensington Palace has not commented on the concerns raised about the picture.

Kensington Palace has declined to comment on concerns that a picture of the Princess of Wales with her three children which was shared on social media has been digitally altered (Prince and Princess of Wales/Kensington Palace/PA)

Read more First photo of Kate Middleton since surgery is pulled over manipulation fears

Royal commentator Peter Hunt had said over the weekend: This is damaging for the royals.

They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate.

Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.

The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.

But there was speculation that edits had been made to the left sleeve of Princess Charlottes cardigan, and other areas of the picture also raised concerns about possible manipulation.

In the social media post, Kate thanked the public for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.

Prince Louis and the Princess of Wales leave after attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk (Joe Giddens/PA)

The photo of the princess was 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.
Lebanon's pro-Iranian Hezbollah group said on Monday it launched a multi-drone attack on an Israeli air defence outpost across the border in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

It said the rare attack, in which it deployed four drones, hit their target with "accuracy" in what it said was another operation in support of Palestinian militant groups in Gaza.
British director Jonathan Glazer has condemned the ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip by Israel as he accepted an Oscar for his film about the banality of evil during the Holocaust.
Unused Land, Building Laws Confront Indias Policymakers Targeting High Industrial Growth

Some Indian states are seeking to make available unused land for industrial activity, including plots within existing industrial zones. We discuss these initiatives in the states of West Bengal, Telangana, and Gujarat. However, besides vacant plots, Indias restrictive building laws often prevent factories from properly utilizing their land.



Initiatives to unlock potential of underutilized industrial land

West Bengal

In March 2024, the state of West Bengal in India announced its decision to launch a program to supply land for the creation of new industries, making use of unused land plots in existing industrial districts and closed industry sites. Totaling around 1739 acres in total, the West Bengal government has established nine industrial parks, which have received federal approval.

The unused parcels also include 193 acres in the Dhakeshwari cotton mills plot, 69 acres in the Belur area under NESCOs ownership, and 132 acres of underutilized property in Durgapur.

Prominent industrial parks offering available land include the Budge Budge Industrial Park (9.9 acres) in South 24 Parganas, Ankurhati Park (8.8 acres) in Domjur, Howrah, Haringhata Industrial Park (358 acres) in Nadia, and Haldia Industrial Park (306 acres) in East Midnapore. Vidyasagar Industrial Park, situated near Kharagpur, has attracted cycle manufacturing enterprises, leveraging the ample underutilized space for industrial pursuits.

This marks the inaugural initiative of its kind in West Bengal, aimed at unlocking the potential of underutilized industrial land for new business ventures. The West Bengal state government facilitated the conversion of leasehold land to freehold during the fiscal year 20222023, subject to a set fee structure.

Telangana

There is an urgent nationwide demand for the government to facilitate the establishment of new enterprises; the acquisition of land for commercial purposes remains a challenging process.

In 2023, the Telangana government announced its intent to permit various businesses and organizations to repurpose underutilized government land. Approximately 1,800 acres of such unutilized land, allocated between 2004 and 2014, have been identified, prompting notifications to the respective authorities.

A vast area of unused land, predominantly situated in areas formerly encompassed by Rangareddyspecifically, Serilingampally, Shamirpet, Ibrahimpatnam, Raviryala, and Maheshwaramhas been allocated to diverse enterprises. But it has been reported that some entities are utilizing only a fraction of the allotted space and others are ceasing operations for various reasons.

In the previous year, Telangana state welcomed the Foxconn group with a substantial land allocation of 200 acres in Kongra Kalan, located near the capital city of Hyderabad. However, the state government is presently entangled in a legal dispute concerning the acquisition of a fresh tranche of land for Hyderabad Pharma City.

As India actively strives to enhance its production capacity across key sectors, the necessity for available land to meet the escalating demands of manufacturing and industrial expansion is evident.

Gujarat

In January 2024, the Gujarat government introduced a strategy to reclaim unused land within the industrial parks administered by the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC). According to the initiative, industries voluntarily surrendering land will receive a reimbursement of up to 75 percent of the market value of the industrial property.

The state governments launch scheme is anticipated to assist companies facing challenges in operating units and facilitate the redistribution of these industrial estate plots, thereby stimulating economic growth and job creation.

According to Ajay Patel, the President of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), this measure is poised to incentivize industries that were impeded from commencing operations, particularly due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and other factors, to relinquish their permits. Patel further emphasized that this decision would substantially aid other sectors in establishing themselves on plots that have been abandoned by the original holders.

Kerala

The southern state of India, Kerala, has also taken a number of actions to make use of vacant land. According to reports, the state government plans to create campus industrial parks in its higher education institutions as part of the Campus Industrial Park Scheme 2024, which aims to solve the shortage of available land for industrial usage.

Building laws in India: Impact on efficient land utilization by factories in different states

As various Indian states seek to expand their industrial activity, there will be more pressure on authorities to ease regulatory restrictions.

Indias regulations on building standards limit factories from efficiently utilizing the plot area or expanding vertically. Industrial buildings face constraints imposed by various building standards, resulting in the loss of productive land. Among these standards, land loss predominantly arises from setbacks (required strips of land around buildings), parking regulations, ground coverage limitations (which restrict the portion of the plot area that can be covered by buildings), and floor area ratio (FAR, the ratio between a buildings constructed floor area and the land area).

According to the State of Regulation Report by Prosperiti, which compares 10 states on factory land lost to building standards and the opportunity cost of land lost, factories in India can lose over 50 percent of their land due to building standards, resulting in businesses paying full price for only half of the lands use.

The report assesses the costs incurred by micro, small, medium, large, and mega factories in each of the 10 states, considering land, monetary, and job losses.

Haryana emerges as the least restrictive state overall, while Tamil Nadu proves more accommodating to large and mega factories. Notably, Haryana allows factories of any size to utilize over 50 percent of the plot, while Odisha, Bihar, and Delhi impose the most restrictions across all factory sizes. Among the states studied in the Prosperiti report, Haryana is the only state that is comparable to Singapore.
Photo Courtesy: Jason Wood MP Facebook page

An Indian-origin woman was found dead in Australia while her husband, who is suspected to have killed her, fled to the Indian city of Hyderabad with their son.

According to reports, the body of Chaithanya Madhagani, 36, was found in a wheelie bin on Mount Pollock Road, close to Buckley town.

Chaithanya Madhagani and her husband Ashok Raj Varikuppala, both now Australian citizens, lived in Australia with their son.

Sources told The New Indian Express that Ashok had killed Swetha and fled to India with their son. He confessed the crime to Swetha's parents.

Swetha's parents, while devastated, are hesitant to press charges against Ashok due to their grandchild, the newspaper reported.

Meanwhile, Victoria Police said in a statement: "Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after a deceased person was located in Buckley, near Winchelsea, this afternoon."

"A second crime scene has been established at a residential address on Mirka Way, Point Cook and is believed to be connected to the homicide," the statement said.

Police said investigators are treating the death as suspicious.

"At this stage in the investigation, it is believed the parties involved are known to one another and the offender may have fled overseas," police said.

Chaithanya Madhagani's neighbours described her as 'very friendly'.

Praveen Kumar Thopucherla, executive chairperson of the Melbourne Telanganga Forum, told ABC News Madhagani was very active in the community, and regularly attended events.

"We are not able to digest this. It is too far to think or even imagine," he said.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, told ABC News she was "very lovely, very outgoing and friendly".
Photo courtesy: X/@rashtrapatibhvn

New Delhi/UNI: President Droupadi Murmu, embarked on a three-day state visit to Mauritius to attend the National Day celebrations on March 12.

The contingent of the Indian Navy will participate in the celebration along with two ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron, INS Tir and CGS Sarathi.

During her three-day visit, President Murmu will hold bilateral meetings with the President of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun, and Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

The President will also meet the Speaker of the Mauritius National Assembly, the Chief Justice of the Mauritian Supreme Court, and several other Mauritian leaders.

As the sixth Indian President to grace Mauritian National Day as the Chief Guest since 2000, President Murmus state visit underscores the longstanding and enduring ties between India and Mauritius, said the External Affairs Ministry.

President Droupadi Murmu departs for her first State visit to Mauritius. She will be Chief Guest at the National Day celebrations of Mauritius. pic.twitter.com/hmrNsQCs2E  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 11, 2024

"It reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthen the bilateral relationship across all sectors and deepen our close people-to-people ties," MEA said in a statement earlier.

"During the visit, President Murmu and Mauritius Prime Minister Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate 14 India-assisted projects, showcasing the growing expanse and multifaceted nature of Indias vibrant development partnership with Mauritius that constitutes a key pillar of the bilateral relationship," it further added.

She will also witness the exchange of important bilateral agreements that seek to further strengthen the robust bilateral institutional collaboration and capacity-building cooperation between the two countries.

Additionally, she will address Mauritian youth at the University of Mauritius and socio-cultural organisations, members of the Indian diaspora, and the Indian community at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, said MEA.
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Photo courtesy: IBNS File

New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the State Bank of India (SBI) to share the details of electoral bonds with the Election Commission of India (ECI) by Tuesday, rejecting the government-run bank's plea seeking time till June 30.

The top court has asked ECI to publish the details of electoral bonds on its website by 5 pm on Friday.

The court said it will initiate contempt proceedings against SBI if it fails to share the details with ECI by Tuesday.

In a historic judgment last month, the Supreme Court struck down the electoral bonds scheme, stating that it violated citizens' right to information.

The top court had directed the SBI to disclose the bonds by March 6.

The Election Commission of India was ordered to publish the details of the electoral bonds in its official website by March 13.

However, in an application in the Supreme Court, the nationalised bank had said it needed more time- till June end- to furnish details of the electoral bonds.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had said that the electoral bonds scheme was unconstitutional and arbitrary and may lead to a quid pro quo arrangement between political parties and donors.

The Constitution bench of five judges held that the stated objective of fighting black money and maintaining the confidentiality of donors cannot defend the scheme.

Electoral bonds, the court said, are not the only way to curb black money.
Photo courtesy: facebook.com/ArjunSinghBengal

Kolkata/IBNS: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and sitting Barrackpore MP, Arjun Singh, has said his party betrayed him by denying him a ticket in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Singh, a strongman from Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas, was present at TMC's mega rally- dubbed as Jonogorjon Sabha- in Kolkata on Sunday.

After he was denied a ticket, a disheartened Singh, who returned to TMC in 2022, said, "I was told that I would get a ticket. I would not have returned to TMC had I known I would not get a ticket. This is a kind of a breach of trust."

"I am not a seasonal fruit. I am a 12-month fruit," he added.

However, Singh did not reveal whether he is aiming to return to BJP.

Reacting to the development, West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari said, "We are aware that TMC does not trust Arjun Singh. Arjun Singh has never spoken against BJP leaders in Barrackpore."

When asked whether BJP would welcome him in the partyfold, Adhikari said, "I don't know. I am not the authority to decide. The central leadership of BJP will decide."

Arjun quit TMC in 2019 and crossed over to the BJP. He won from Barrackpore on BJP's ticket.

Singh returned to TMC in 2022, a year after the ruling party returned to power with a massive mandate in 2021 assembly elections.

TMC has fielded state minister and MLA Partha Bhowmick from Barrackpore, a high-voltage seat where BJP is yet to announce a candidate.
Photo courtesy: UNI

In an unverified viral video clip, Mixed Martial Arts fighter Chunreng Koren from Manipur purportedly urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the northeastern state to address the ongoing violence and restore peace.

He also claimed shortage of food and water afflicting the people of Manipur and sought Modi's intervention as uncertainty looms large in the state.

"This is my humble request. Violence is taking place in Manipur. It has been almost a year. People are dying and many people are at relief camps. There is a shortage of food and water at these relief camps. The children are not able to study properly. The future is unclear. Modi ji, please visit Manipur once and restore peace in the state," Koren is purportedly heard speaking at the event.

Violence in Manipur escalated since May 2023 following protests by a Tribal Solidarity March for the Meitei community's demand for Schedule Tribes (ST) status. Meiteis boasts 53 percent of the state population and constitutes the largest community in the state.

Taking to X, the Aam Aadmi Party blamed the PM for the situation in the country and said the players were crying in sorrow even after victory.

"It's been a year, violence continues in Manipur. People are dying. Modi ji should visit Manipur once, we want peace here. - Chungreng Koren (Indian #MatrixFightNight Wrestler). Players are crying in sorrow even after victory, Modi has made this the condition of the country," the party Xed.

Amidst the escalating violence in the region, a serving junior commissioned officer (JCO) of the Indian Army, last week, was allegedly abducted by a group of armed men from Thoubal district of strife-torn Manipur and rescued nearly nine hours later.

The Indian Army, in a statement, said: "The synergized efforts of the security forces resulted in the JCO being safely rescued at 6:30 PM. The JCO is currently at Waikhong Police Station (near Kakching) in Thoubal district. Manipur Police is investigating the incident."

(With UNI inputs)
Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Amit Shah

New Delhi/IBNS: The Centre Monday notified the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The notification paves the way for granting Indian Citizenship to persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities on grounds of religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

In a post on X, the Home Ministry said, "These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for grant of Indian citizenship."

"The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided," it said.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be notifying today, the Rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019). These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for grant of Indian citizenship. (1/2)  Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) March 11, 2024

What is the CAA Act?

The Parliament passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in December 2019.

"Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019, will give a new ray of hope to persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have migrated to India after facing persecution on the ground of religion in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh," Home Minister Amit Shah had said as he piloted the legislation for passing in the Parliament.

Shah reiterated that the Bill is not against any minority in India and that the rights of each Indian Citizen will be equally protected.

He said that the Narendra Modi government is committed to protecting the rights of each citizen of the country.

The BJP leaders and even some Ministers had been dropping hints about the implementation of CAA before the Lok Sabha elections.

There has been reservation against the CAA among certain sections of society.

Given the controversy surrounding it, the government allegedly delayed the implementation by not notifying the rules.

It may be noted that a section of certain communities had earlier come out in protest against the CAA in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh and some other parts of the country as well.

Congress targets Centre over CAA implementation

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh slammed the Centre over the implementation of CAA and posted on X: "It has taken four years and three months for the Modi Government to notify the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act that was passed by the Parliament in December 2019. The Prime Minister claims that his Government works in a business-like and time-bound manner. The time taken to notify the rules for the CAA is yet another demonstration of the Prime Ministers blatant lies."

 2019                                                     Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 11, 2024

[With UNI inputs]
In image Sheikh Shahjahan on day of his arrest/ courtesy: Videograb

New Delhi/IBNS: In a setback to the Mamata Banerjee government, the Supreme Court Monday dismissed its plea against the Calcutta High Court order that transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the probe into an attack on a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Bengal's Sandeshkhali.

A team of ED officials had come under a mob attack on Jan 5 when they went to Sandeshkhali to search properties linked to local Trinamool Congress strongman Sheikh Shahjahan.

The bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice Sandeep Mehta also questioned the Trinamool Congress government as to why it took 50 days to arrest Shahjahan.

The now-expelled Trinamool leader is in the CBI's custody.

Besides the case relating to the attack on the ED team, the strongman and his aides face land grab, extortion, and sexual harassment charges.

Last week, the Calcutta High Court asked Bengal police to hand over Shahjahan's custody to the central agency. It had also come down heavily on the state police.

The Supreme Court Monday expunged the high court's observations on Bengal police.

In response to the apex court's query on why it took 50 days to arrest the strongman, Bengal police said a high court order had paused the investigation.

"There was a stay on investigation. We went back to court, asking for a clarification. It was clarified. Within one day, he was arrested," senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for the Bengal government, told the court.

"To say that the state police are delaying the investigation...these kinds of allegations are very damaging," he said.

The allegations by residents of Sandeshkhali, an island in Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, have raised a political storm in the state.

Shahjahan, who is at the centre of these allegations, was arrested last month after he was on the run for 55 days. What followed was a dramatic tug of war between central agencies and state police for the strongman's custody.
File image of PM Modi with Chandrababu Naidu/ courtesy: PIB

New Delhi/IBNS: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP and Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena have finalised the seat-sharing talks for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections on Monday evening.

The BJP will fight in six Lok Sabha and ten assembly seats, TDP will contest in 17 Lok Sabha and 144 assembly seats while Jana Sena got two Lok Sabha and 21 assembly seats.

In Amaravati today, the BJP, TDP and JSP forged a formidable seat-sharing formula. With this significant step, the people of Andhra Pradesh now stand on the threshold of reclaiming our State and paving the way for a brighter future. I humbly call upon my people of Andhra Pradesh pic.twitter.com/KcXs9Eq5jY  N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) March 11, 2024

Andhra Pradesh has 25 Lok Sabha and 175 assembly seats that will see a simultaneous contest.

According to reports, the BJP will fight parliamentary elections from Araku, Rajahmundry, Anakapalle, Tirupati, Narasapuram and one more seat while Jana sena from Machilipatnam and Kakinada.

The announcement came after senior BJP leaders, including Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, went into a huddle with Naidu and Kalyan on Monday to finalise candidates.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Just as the Government of India has prioritised the construction of roads to connect the country, it has embarked on an ambitious plan to make India self-sufficient in the production of semiconductor chips.

The latest milestone in this strategy was the approval, on 29 February 2024, of proposals for three new semiconductor manufacturing facilities.

This is part of a larger plan to create a domestic industry for making these critical components. Construction on all three facilities is expected to begin within the next 100 days.



The significant point here is the involvement of private industry, which the government has encouraged.

The other point is that many new units in the JV mode will come up across India to improve reliability and redundancy, making India gradually a world leader in this field.

Indias Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was launched in December 2021 to develop a domestic ecosystem for manufacturing semiconductors and displays.The Mission aims to make India a major player in this field with a budget of Rs. 76,000 crores.

Significantly, the government approved a proposal (June 2023) from the US firm Micron to build a semiconductor facility in Sanand, Gujarat. Once completed,this facility is expected to spur the growth of a strong semiconductor ecosystem.

Significantly, this initiative has propelled several private players to invest in the semiconductor field.The ISM has thus far achievedseveral milestones.

There has been a surge of interest from major semiconductor companies around the world.

The Indian government has announced financial incentives totalling US$ 7 billion for several new semiconductor manufacturing facilities, including collaboration with Micron.

Additionally, India is actively attracting foreign companies like Foxconn and AMD to set up local operations.

This comprehensive plan is designed with a 20-year timeframe that has potential to leverages Indias existing pool of 300,000 design engineers who already contribute to the global chip design landscape.

Which leads us to the situation on the ground. While construction of the Micron facility is underway in Gujarat, Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) has partnered with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) from Taiwan to build a semiconductor fabrication facility in Dholera, Gujarat.

This will have a production capacity of 50,000 wafers starts per month (WSPM) and focus on creating chips for various sectors like high-performance computing, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics with a total investment for this project is estimated to be Rs. 91,000 crores.

The TEPL plant is expected to begin construction in about three months.

The Tatas plan to build another semiconductor plant at Morigaon, Assam.

Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test (TSAT), plans to build this new facility at an estimated cost of Rs. 27,000 crores.

The TSAT facility will focus on three main technologies: Wire Bond, Flip Chip, and Integrated Systems Packaging (ISP). The company is developing its own advanced packaging technologies, including flip chip and ISIP (integrated system in package).

Once operational, the facility will have a daily production capacity of 48 million units and cater to various sectors, including automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, and mobile phones.

It is also expected to generate over 27,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly.These will create components for various industries, including automotive, communications, and electronics. Construction is expected to begin this year, with the first part of the facility opening in mid-2025.

Notably, Gujarat continues to be favoured location for new semiconductor plants. For instance, CG Power has joined forces with Renesas Electronics from Japan and Stars Microelectronics from Thailand to build a new semiconductor facility in Sanand, Gujarat, India at an investment of Rs.7,600 crore.

Renesas, a major player in specialized chips, will provide the technological expertise.

The facility will manufacture chips for various sectors including consumer electronics, industrial applications, automobiles, and power.

It is expected to have a production capacity of 15 million units per day.Further, a JV between Murugappa group, Renesas Electronics and Stars Microelectronics is planned to establish a semiconductor assembly and testing facility in Gujarat.

In a significant development, Israeli chipmaker Tower Semiconductor is nearing the final stages of securing approval for an US$ 8 billion fabrication plant in India.

This would be the first instance of a top global company participating in Indias $10 billion chip manufacturing initiative.

The government is aiming to approve the proposal before the upcoming general elections.

These developments highlight Indias growing presence in the global semiconductor landscape.Samsung Semiconductor India Research has opened a new R&D facility in Bengaluru, focusing on cutting-edge research.

Additionally, the governments Design-Linked Incentive Scheme is supporting domestic companies.

Saankhya Labs and SensesemiTechnologies received approval under this scheme, allowing them to develop advanced solutions for various applications, including 5G, satellite communication, and medical devices.

As India embarks on this ambitious journey, ISM, the indigenous development of advanced packaging technologies leads the way.

In essence, ISM is a transformative step in the nations technological growth and generate employment. The newly planned units are expected to create 20,000directjobs, alongside an estimated 60,000 indirect jobsacross industries.

ISM will significantly boost employment in downstream sectors that rely on semiconductors, such as automotive, electronics, telecommunications, industrial manufacturing, and many others.

The government is focusing on capturing the market share in the 28 nanometer and above chip segment, which is still in high demand for various applications.

The government of Indias approach, focused on talent development, comprehensive chip design, and international collaborations, positions India for global semiconductor prominence.

As India strides ahead in this field, there are important lessons to be learnt on the public-private partnership in the semiconductor field and how a push by the government has enabled the industry to work faster.

This is a major step forward for India which had previously struggled to attract global semiconductor companies.

It is also important because most of the worlds chip manufacturing is currently concentrated in a few countries, such as China, Taiwan, and South Korea.

The combination of indigenouslycreated chips and ability to attract major global players to invest in India is a heady combination that indicates that India is ready for the high road as far as semiconductors are concerned.

(Photo Courtesy: Unsplash)
HMP Dartmoor men's prison in the British town of Princetown temporarily closed 184 cells and transferred 194 prisoners between November and February due to detected radon contamination, Sky News reported.

"A number of prisoners have been relocated as a precautionary measure after routine testing revealed higher than normal levels of radon," a spokesperson for the prison was quoted as saying by the broadcaster.

The report added that the relocation of inmates is a "temporary measure" amid work to "permanently reduce" radon levels in the building.

According to the broadcaster, the increase in radiation levels could be caused by the high concentration of granite in the air.

(With UNI Inputs)
Photo courtesy: UNI

Three people have died and four others are missing as a result of flooding in the southern French department of Gard, French media reported.

Two children are among the missing, Franceinfo radio reported on Sunday.

On Saturday night, heavy rainfall hit the region, prompting police to begin active search and rescue operations. By Sunday evening, the bodies of two dead people were found in the car.

In addition, a 62-year-old Belgian man died after his car was washed away by the course when he tried to cross a bridge, traffic on which was blocked due to rising water levels.

(With UNI inputs)
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Suspected dacoits shot dead a local Pakistan Peoples Party leader in Pakistan's Khuzdar town on Sunday, media reports said.

The deceased person was identified as Haji Ali Hassan Mohammad Hasni.

Police told Dawn News the suspected attackers barged into the house of the PPP leader in Bazgir area on the outskirts of Khuzdar town, and took all family members hostage in the early hours of Sunday morning.

They looted gold ornaments, mobile phones and other valuables from the house of the PPP leader, the police said.

The dacoits shot dead the PPP leader while leaving the house.

It appears to be an incident of dacoity, police officer Abdul Aziz Khadrani told Dawn News.

However, the police officer did not rule out target killing chances.

The politician's family members, after being handed over to them, staged protest at the National Highway.

The protesters blocked traffic between Khuzdar and Karachi.
Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav has found himself in a massive controversy. Elvish is currently in the news for thrashing YouTuber Sagar Thakur, popularly known as Maxtern, after getting into a physical argument with a stranger at a restaurant. There has been a lot of negative feedback directed towards Elvish after the video of him physically abusing Sagar became public on social media. Following the summons from the Gurgaon police, the Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner and YouTuber Maxtern have reconciled.

Elvish Yadav Shares Photo With Maxtern

On Instagram, Elvish shared a photo of him and Maxterm smiling for the camera. He captioned the photo, Ek Ghar Mai Bartan Hote Hai. Bajege toa sahi. Bhaichara On Top.



Internet Reacts To Elvish Yadavs Post

One wrote, Sub kuch scripted tha?



Another added, Sab reach ke liye krye hai ye log.



A third added, Ye sab milkar hume pagal bana rahe.



X

X

X

A fourth went on to add, If truth be told, a very wrong example has been set. This might lead to many from Gen Z fighting among themselves,and the conflict could escalate..They might have settled their dispute,but what if others can't? There was a fight, and the police should not withdraw the case.evrn They should also file a counter-case on maxtern to waste time.

For the unversed, according to Elvish Yadav, the event was "pre-planned" because Sagar Thakur, the complainant, had concealed cameras and microphones at the meeting location. Elvish states at the beginning of a video he shared how vital it is to hear the "other side of the story."

This, however, occurs months after the Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner's name surfaced at a rave party where venom and snakes were purportedly discovered, leading to the filing of a FIR against him. Maneka Gandhi, a politician and animal rights activist, charged that the YouTuber was providing snake venom to rave events in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Hours before the 96th Academy Awards, The Holdovers, one of the best picture nominations this year has landed in a controversy. The film written by David Hemingson (who is nominated for Best Original Screenplay at 2024 Oscars) has been accused of plagiarism by Simon Stephenson, best known for penning the 2019 film Luca, who said that the "the holdovers screenplay has been plagiarised line-by-line from frisco".

Oscars 2024 Nominated Film 'The Holdovers' Accused Of Plagiarism

X

As per Simon, the script of Frisco was sent to Alexander Payne, the director of The Holdovers, in 2013 and 2019 in an attempt to get him to board the project. In January, Simon unvieled the drafts of the same that showed striking similarity in the screenplays of both stories and the overall structure. He has now made an urgent to WGA board.

As per Variety, he wrote, "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. 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. By meaningful entirety I do mean literally everything- story, characters, structure, scenes, dialogue, the whole thing. Some of it is just insanely brazen: many of the most important scenes are effectively unaltered and even remain visibly identical in layout on the page."

He continued, "Ive been a working writer for 20 years  in my native UK before I came to the US  and so Im very aware that people can often have surprisingly similar ideas and sometimes a few elements can be borrowed etc. This just isnt that situation. The two screenplays are forensically identical and riddled with unique smoking guns throughout".

Meanwhile, The Holdovers is running in the race against Maestro, Anatomy of a Fall, Maestro, May-December, and Past Lives at Oscars 2024 in the best screenplay category.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.






A few hours into Hollywood's largest awards ceremony, the Oscars 2024, it was everything that was lovely and magnificent. The winners of several categories received the coveted Oscar statuette from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). I think we were all waiting for the victors to be announced. We finally know who has won the Best Actress Oscar in 2024 after a long wait.

Oscars 2024: Best Actress Award

The Best Actress Oscar award in 2024 is won by Emma Stone for Poor Things. While accepting the award, she said 'my dress broke'. Explaining the same, she said that it might have happened during I Am Ken performance.



And the Oscar for Best Actress goes to... Emma Stone! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/IbKHKWSiby  The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 11, 2024

Best Actress Nominations

Annette Bening - Nyad

Lily Gladstone - Killers of the Flower Moon

Sandra Huller - Anatomy of a Fall

Carey Mulligan - Maestro

Emma Stone - Poor Things

Police beefs up security expecting protests

The Los Angeles police have stepped up their presence on Sunday night in anticipation of protests against the Israel-Hamas war, in an effort to keep the Oscars ceremony orderly.



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. Were hopefully going to find that middle ground. My objective is to get the guests safely inside that venue, the commander said as per HT.



Also read: Oscars 2024: Where To Watch, Nominees, Presenters - All You Need To Know About 96th Academy Awards

Every year, the Los Angeles-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences submits nominations and casts votes in over 20 categories, including best picture, best actor, and best actress. The Oscars are the highest honor in the calendar of the awards season, while other film awards ceremonies like the Golden Globes and the Baftas garner a lot of attention.

According to the police, the Academy has installed checkpoints, fences, fencing, and nearly 2,000 private security officers at the Dolby Theater.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


The Israel-Hamas conflict was mentioned both for '20 days in Mariupol' and during an acceptance speech for "The Zone of Interest" at the Oscars 2024. After the movie won the award for best international feature director Jonathan Glazer read his speech in which he thanked his partners before discussing the issue.

The Zone of Interest Filmmaker Jonathan Glazer Mentions Israel-Hamas war

All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present  not to say, Look what they did then, rather, Look what we do now. Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst. It shaped all of our past and present.



"Zone of Interest" director Jonathan Glazer at the #Oscars2024: "We stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people" pic.twitter.com/836PQeVXra  Benjamin Alvarez (@BenjAlvarez1) March 11, 2024

Glazer, who is Jewish, said that he rejected Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation, which has led to conflict for so many innocent people, he said.

He continued: Whether the victims of October the seventh in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims of this dehumanization, how do we resist?

"The Zone of Interest" producer James Wilson also touched on the conflict during one of his acceptance speeches at the BAFTA Film Awards last month. He made reference to the walls that people build in their life during his remarks.



20 days in Mariupol's Mstyslav Chernov Says I cannot change history

I wish to be able to exchange this for Russia never attacking Ukraine, never invading our cities. I wish to be able to exchange this for Russian not killing 10,000 of my fellow Ukrainians.



Mstyslav Chernov, director of 20 Days in Mariupol, who just won an #Oscar: I wish Id never made this film. I wish Id been able to exchange this for Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities ... never killing tens of thousands of my fellow Ukrainians ... pic.twitter.com/xWTFm6in93  Ostap Yarysh (@OstapYarysh) March 11, 2024

In addition, Chernov expressed his desire to exchange the honor for Russia "releasing the hostages" and "the civilians who are now in their jails."

Also read: Robert Downey Jr Wins His First Oscar For Oppenheimer, Thanks Terrible Childhood In His Speech

I cannot change history. I cannot change the past, he concluded. But we all together, you  some of the most talented people in the world  can make sure the history record is set straight and the truth will prevail and the people of Mariupol and those who have lost their lives will never be forgotten.Because cinema forms memories and memories form history.

Thanks to Ukraine.





For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Not just you, but Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan also loved the Robert Downey Jr. acceptance speech, which he gave after securing his first-ever Oscar for his outstanding portrayal in Oppenheimer.

Kareena took to social media to share her reaction. Posting a video of Downey Jr.'s acceptance speech on her Instagram stories, the actress showered praise on the star, labelling him a 'genius' with a series of starstruck emojis, clapping emojis, and a rolling on-the-floor emoji.

Kareena Kapoor Praises Robert's Winning Speech At the Oscars 2024/X

In the video, Downey Jr., known for his charismatic presence, humorously thanked his 'terrible childhood' while jokingly comparing his wife, Susan, to a veterinarian who rescued him as a snarling pet and loved him back to life. Expressing gratitude for the Oppenheimer role, he revealed, "Heres my little secret: I needed this job more than it needed me."

While Kareena applauded the Hollywood star, her own endeavours in the film industry continued.

X

Recently seen in Sujoy Ghosh's Jaane Jaan, the suspense thriller adapted from a Japanese book, she received acclaim for her performance in the digital space. Kareena is set to feature in Hansal Mehta's upcoming thriller, The Buckingham Murders, where she plays a British-Indian detective unravelling a child's demise in Buckinghamshire. Additionally, she has Rhea Kapoors Crew in her upcoming projects, showcasing her diverse and dynamic career.
Ramadan 2024: Ramadan, also recognized as Ramazan, has dawnedthe grand festival joyously observed by Muslim communities worldwide. This day holds immense significance for Muslims as it commemorates the revelation of the Quran during this sacred month. Positioned as the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar, Ramadan stands as a pivotal period in Islamic culture, symbolizing profound spiritual importance.

During the holy month of Ramazan Muslim community observes fast from dawn to dusk. After the day is over, in the evening, they break their fast by eating meals, known as Iftar with family or friends. It is believed that by refraining from food and water throughout the day, one understands the pain and suffering of other people and gets closer to the almighty God (Allah).

The month of Ramadan is a test of self-control and self-discipline. It is observed to increase 'taqwa,' or God-consciousness, and to physically and spiritually cleanse by eliminating desires and vices.

Ramadan being one of the most important religious months in Islam, presents countless opportunities to connect with the almighty Allah. Therefore, it becomes essential to offer appropriate Ramadan dua along with fasting for the whole month from sunrise to sunset. Here you can take the help of Ramadan prayer guides to perform step-by-step dua for each day of Ramadan 2024.



Ramadan 2024: Dua for Sehri and Iftar (Roza Kholne ki Dua)

Dua For Keeping The Fast? (Sehri Ki Dua | Suhoor Dua)

#1

"Wa bisawmi ghaddan nawaiytu min shahri ramadan"

Ramadan 2024: Dua for Iftar and Sehri in Ramadan | learnaboutislam





#2

"Navaitu an asuma gadala lilaahi ta aalla min fardi ramadan"

Roza Rakhne ki Dua in Hindi

'        '

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"

Ramadan 2024: Dua For Iftar And Sehri in Holy Month Of Ramazan | learnaboutislam

Roza Kholne ki Dua in Hindi

'   , - , - , -   '

Ramadan 2024: Dua for Laylatul Qadr

The last 10 odd nights of Ramadan are highly rewarding when the holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Hence, it is important one knows the right dua for these nights.

Laylatul Qadr dua: "Allahumma Innaka Aafuwon Tuhibu AlAaffwa FAafu Aanni"

Meaning: Oh Allah! You are highly forgiving, and you love to forgive people, so please forgive me.

Laylatul Qadr dua: Allahumma Innaka Aafuwon Tuhibu AlAaffwa FAafu Aanni | pinimg.com

Importance of Roza (Sehri and Iftar) Dua during Ramadan

Ramadan is the holy month in the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims observe fasting and engage in acts of worship such as prayer, charity, and recitation of the Quran. Dua, or supplication, is an important aspect of worship during Ramadan and is highly emphasised in Islamic teachings.

The importance of Ramadan dua lies in the fact that it is a means of communicating with Allah (God) and seeking His blessings and forgiveness. Muslims believe that during this month, the gates of heaven are open, and the prayers and supplications of believers are more likely to be answered.

Ramadan dua is an essential aspect of worship during the holy month, as it allows Muslims to connect with Allah, seek His blessings and forgiveness, and strengthen their faith. It is a reminder that all aspects of life are dependent on Allah, and that true success can only be achieved through His guidance and mercy.

Heres the Ramadan 2024 Calendar with Sehri, Iftaar timings

Ramadan Timings 2024 Calendar, Sehri & Iftar Time DATE SEHRI TIME IFTAR TIME 12 March 2024 05:13 AM 06:26 PM 13 March 2024 05:12 AM 06:27 PM 14 March 2024 05:11 AM 06:28 PM 15 March 2024 05: 09 AM 06:28 PM 16 March 2024 05:08 AM 06:29 PM 17 March 2024 05:07 AM 06:29 PM 18 March 2024 05:06 AM 06:30 PM 19 March 2024 05:04 AM 06:31 PM 20 March 2024 05:03 AM 06:31 PM 21 March 2024 05: 02 AM 06:32 PM 22 March 2024 05:01 AM 06:32 PM 23 March 2024 04:59 AM 06:33 PM 24 March 2024 04:58 AM 06:34 PM 25 March 2024 04:57 AM 06:34 PM 26 March 2024 04:55 AM 06:35 PM 27 March 2024 04:54 AM 06:35 PM 28 March 2024 04:53 AM 06:36 PM 29 March 2024 04:52 AM 06:37 PM 30 March 2024 04:50 AM 06:37 PM 31 March 2024 04:49 AM 06:38 PM 1 April 2024 04:48 AM 06:38 PM 2 April 2024 04:46 AM 06:39 PM 3 April 2024 04:45 AM 06:40 PM 4 April 2024 04:44 AM 06:40 PM 5 April 2024 04:42 AM 06:41 PM 6 April 2024 04:41 AM 06:41 PM 7 April 2024 04:40 AM 06:42 PM 8 April 2024 04:38 AM 06:43 PM 9 April 2024 04:37 AM 06:43 PM 10 April 2024 04:36 AM 06:44 PM

Source: Islamic Finder/Ramadan 2024 timetable for Sehri and Iftar



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.

About the Holy month of Ramadan

According to Islamic culture, the origins of Ramadan can be traced back to the seventh century, when the Prophet Muhammad received the first verses of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, during the month of Ramadan. According to Islamic tradition, the revelation of the Quran to Muhammad began on the 27th night of Ramadan, a night that is known as Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power. Muslims believe that Laylat al-Qadr is the holiest night of the year and that praying on this night is more valuable than praying for a thousand months.

The practice of fasting during Ramadan is based on the Quranic injunction to "fast for a fixed number of days". Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours throughout the month of Ramadan. The fast is broken at sunset with a meal known as iftar, which typically consists of dates, water, and a light meal. After the meal, Muslims perform the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of the five daily prayers in Islam.

Ramadan is also a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, and charitable giving. Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran during the month, and many mosques offer daily prayers and study groups. In addition, Muslims are expected to give to charity during Ramadan, with many mosques and charitable organizations organising food drives and other initiatives to help those in need.

Significance of Ramadan

The holy month begins during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar year. The origins of Ramadan date back to the 7th century when Prophet Muhammad received the first verses of the Holy Quran. The revelation of the Quran began on the 27th night  Laylatul Qadr  of this month, believed to be the most sacred of all nights.

During this month-long period, Muslims not only abstain from eating and drinking but also engage in charitable activities and other endeavors that draw them closer to Almighty Allah. The primary goal of this significant practice during Ramadan is to cultivate the ability to control negative aspects of life that may lead believers astray from the right path. The Ramadan period is deemed crucial for spiritual growth, self-reflection, and adherence to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

The followers of Islam believe that fasting strengthens their faith and fosters a connection with divine power.

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.

How Many Fasting Days in Ramadan?

The duration of the Ramadan fast is one lunar month, usually 29 or 30 days.



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'.

What date is Laylatul Qadr 2024?

In many Muslim cultures, Laylat Al-Qadr or Shab-e-qadar 2024 is observed on the 27th night of Ramadan which fall on April 7, 2024, but some experts believe that if a Friday night coincides with an odd-numbered night, it is most likely one. This year, the 29th night fall is on April 9.

When is Laylat Al-Qadr observed?

As per Islamic tradition, Muslims are advised to look for it during the odd nights of the holy month's last 10 days. This means that in Islam, the holiest night may fall on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th night of the month.

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.
Kolkata 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 Kolkata:



Ramadan 2024: Kolkata Sehri and Iftar Timing Calendar

Kolkata Ramadan Timings 2024 Calendar, Sehri & Iftar Time Table Roza Date Sehri Timing Iftar Timing 1 March 12 5:33 AM 5:45 PM 2 March 13 5:32 AM 5:46 PM 3 March 14 5:32 AM 5:46 PM 4 March 15 5:31 AM 5:46 PM 5 March 16 5:30 AM 5:47 PM 6 March 17 5:29 AM 5:47 PM 7 March 18 4:28 AM 5:47 PM 8 March 19 4:27 AM 5:48 PM 9 March 20 4:26 AM 5:48 PM 10 March 21 4:25 AM 5:49 PM 11 March 22 4:24 AM 5:49 PM 12 March 23 4:23 AM 5:49 PM 13 March 24 4:22 AM 5:50 PM 14 March 25 4:21 AM 5:50 PM 15 March 26 4:20 AM 5:50 PM 16 March 27 4:19 AM 5:51 PM 17 March 28 4:18 AM 5:51 PM 18 March 29 4:17 AM 5:51 PM 19 March 30 4:15 AM 5:52 PM 20 March 31 4:14 AM 5:52 PM 21 April 1 4:13 AM 5:52 PM 22 April 2 4:12 AM 5:53 PM 23 April 3 4:11 AM 5:53 PM 24 April 4 4:10 AM 5:53 PM 25 April 5 4:09 AM 5:54 PM 26 April 6 4:08 AM 5:54 PM 27 April 7

4:06 AM 5:55 PM 28 April 8 4:06 AM 5:55 PM 29 April 9

4:05 AM 5:55 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'.

What date is Laylatul Qadr 2024?

In many Muslim cultures, Laylat Al-Qadr or Shab-e-qadar 2024 is observed on the 27th night of Ramadan which fall on April 7, 2024, but some experts believe that if a Friday night coincides with an odd-numbered night, it is most likely one. This year, the 29th night fall is on April 9.

When is Laylat Al-Qadr observed?

As per Islamic tradition, Muslims are advised to look for it during the odd nights of the holy month's last 10 days. This means that in Islam, the holiest night may fall on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th night of the month.

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.
Mumbai 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 9 and Eid will begin on April 10 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 Mumbai:



Ramadan 2024: Mumbai Sehri and Iftar Timing Calendar

Mumbai Ramadan Timings 2024 Calendar, Sehri & Iftar Time Table Roza Date Sehri Timing Iftar Timing 1 March 12 5:36 AM 6:48 PM 2 March 13 5:35 AM 6:48 PM 3 March 14 5:35 AM 6:48 PM 4 March 15 5:34 AM 6:48 PM 5 March 16 5:33 AM 6:49 PM 6 March 17 5:32 AM 6:49 PM 7 March 18 5:31 AM 6:49 PM 8 March 19 5:30 AM 6:50 PM 9 March 20 5:29 AM 6:50 PM 10 March 21 5:29 AM 6:50 PM 11 March 22 5:28 AM 6:50 PM 12 March 23 5:27 AM 6:51 PM 13 March 24 5:26 AM 6:51 PM 14 March 25 5:25 AM 6:51 PM 15 March 26 5:24 AM 6:51 PM 16 March 27 5:23 AM 6:51 PM 17 March 28 5:22 AM 6:52 PM 18 March 29 5:21 AM 6:52 PM 19 March 30 5:20 AM 6:52 PM 20 March 31 5:19 AM 6:52 PM 21 April 1 5:18 AM 6:53 PM 22 April 2 5:17 AM 6:53 PM 23 April 3 5:16 AM 6:53 PM 24 April 4 5:15 AM 6:53 PM 25 April 5 5:14 AM 6:54 PM 26 April 6 5:13 AM 6:54 PM 27 April 7

5:12 AM 6:54 PM 28 April 8 5:11 AM 6:54 PM 29 April 9

5:10 AM 6:55 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.

How Many Fasting Days in Ramadan?

The duration of the Ramadan fast is one lunar month, usually 29 or 30 days.



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'.

What date is Laylatul Qadr 2024?

In many Muslim cultures, Laylat Al-Qadr or Shab-e-qadar 2024 is observed on the 27th night of Ramadan which fall on April 7, 2024, but some experts believe that if a Friday night coincides with an odd-numbered night, it is most likely one. This year, the 29th night fall is on April 9.

When is Laylat Al-Qadr observed?

As per Islamic tradition, Muslims are advised to look for it during the odd nights of the holy month's last 10 days. This means that in Islam, the holiest night may fall on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th night of the month.

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.


Ramadan 2024, 1st Roza Timings: Ramadan, the ninth month, is one of the holiest in the Islamic calendar. Muslims worldwide follow sawm (fasting - one of the five pillars of Islam) to commemorate the sacred month. Therefore, Ramadan rituals are observed for 29-30 days from the first sighting of the crescent moon to the other. Moon sighting is important to decide the beginning and the end of the month of Ramadan.



Muslim community observes fast from dawn to dusk. After the day is over, in the evening, they break their fast by eating meals, known as Iftar with family or friends. It is believed that by refraining from food and water throughout the day, one understands the pain and suffering of other people and gets closer to the almighty God (Allah).

Ramadan 2024: 1st Roza City-wise Sheri and Iftar Timings

Discover the city-wise Sehri and Iftar timings for 1st Roza in India.



Mumbai:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 5:36 AM 6:48 PM

Delhi:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 5:15 AM 6:30 PM

Chennai:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 5:08 AM 6:20 PM

Hyderabad:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 5:22 AM 6:35 PM

Lucknow:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 5:01 AM 6:15 PM

Kanpur:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 5:04 AM 6:18 PM

Bengaluru:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 5:18 AM 6:34 PM

Kolkata:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 4:33 AM 5:45 PM

Jammu:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 5:22 AM 6:39 PM

Patna:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 4:45 AM 5:58 PM

Noida:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 5:15 AM 6:29 PM

Ajmer:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 5:27 AM 6:42 PM

Ahmedabad:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 5:36 AM 6:49 PM

Thiruvananthapuram:

Roza Date Sehri Iftar 1st March 12 5:21 AM 6:34 PM

Ramadan 2023 Start And End Dates

In India, The holy month of Ramadan 2024 begins on March 12 and will last for four weeks and ends with Eid-ul-Fitr. On April 10, Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed.

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.

About the Holy month of Ramadan

According to Islamic culture, the origins of Ramadan can be traced back to the seventh century, when the Prophet Muhammad received the first verses of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, during the month of Ramadan. According to Islamic tradition, the revelation of the Quran to Muhammad began on the 27th night of Ramadan, a night that is known as Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power. Muslims believe that Laylat al-Qadr is the holiest night of the year and that praying on this night is more valuable than praying for a thousand months.

The practice of fasting during Ramadan is based on the Quranic injunction to "fast for a fixed number of days". Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours throughout the month of Ramadan. The fast is broken at sunset with a meal known as iftar, which typically consists of dates, water, and a light meal. After the meal, Muslims perform the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of the five daily prayers in Islam.

Ramadan is also a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, and charitable giving. Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran during the month, and many mosques offer daily prayers and study groups. In addition, Muslims are expected to give to charity during Ramadan, with many mosques and charitable organizations organising food drives and other initiatives to help those in need.

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.

How Many Fasting Days in Ramadan?

The duration of the Ramadan fast is one lunar month, usually 29 or 30 days.



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.

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Nisha Pahuja's name has become synonymous with courage and cinematic excellence. This Indian-born, Canadian filmmaker has taken the world by storm with her Oscar-nominated documentary, "To Kill a Tiger."

The filmmaker arrived at the Oscars with the star of the documentary Farmer Ranjit around whom the story revolved. At the same time, the filmmaker wore a glamorous red gown, while Ranjit wore a dapper three-piece suit. The filmmaker also carried a beautiful white purse by designer Sabyasachi.

Twitter

Pahuja's journey began with a background in English Literature at the University of Toronto. However, her passion for storytelling took a visual turn when she ventured into documentary filmmaking. This shift marked the beginning of a career dedicated to social commentary through the lens of cinema.

Breaking Barriers with "The World Before Her"

Pahuja's directorial debut with "Bollywood Bound" in 2002 showcased her early talent. But it was her 2012 documentary, "The World Before Her," that truly propelled her to prominence. This film delved into the complex world of Indian beauty pageants, sparking discussions about societal expectations and the challenges women face.

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"To Kill a Tiger": A Fight for Justice

Pahuja's latest offering, "To Kill a Tiger," is a poignant documentary that exposes the brutal reality of sexual assault in India. The film chronicles the relentless pursuit of justice by Ranjit, a farmer, after his 13-year-old daughter is gang-raped. It sheds light on the struggles faced by victims and their families, highlighting the shortcomings of the justice system.

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A Challenging Yet Rewarding Journey

Filming such a sensitive subject demanded immense courage from Pahuja. She has spoken openly about navigating the story's emotional weight while ensuring the safety and privacy of those involved. However, her dedication has paid off with critical acclaim. "To Kill a Tiger" won the Amplify Voices Award at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival before its Oscar nomination.

Unfortunately, this groundbreaking documentary lost to "20 Days in Mariupol" in the best documentary feature category at the 96th edition of the Academy Awards.

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Currently, students in India, specifically those in Class 10 and 12, are appearing for their crucial Board examinations, a pivotal juncture in their academic journey. However, amid this challenging period, one gender is experiencing heightened pressure compared to the other.

A poignant example comes from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, where a female student has appealed to her teacher for passing marks. She expressed that failing would result in her parents compelling her into an unwanted marriage.

Failing in exam? Get married, say parents

Recently, a female student from Jabalpur made an unusual plea to her exam invigilator which took him by surprise.

She asked him to grant her passing marks in the English exam. While that itself isn't surprising or uncommon, the reason behind it was.

It was in order to avoid an impending marriage.

News 18

As per media reports, the student voiced concerns that not succeeding in the English exam might lead to her parents arranging a suitor for her and getting her married off.



She asserted that her parents had issued ultimatums to discontinue her education in case she fails in her exam, which has compelled her to appeal to her teacher for leniency.

Here is the note she wrote:

News 18

The student's request highlights the intense pressure and societal expectations faced by students, especially in India where board exams carry significant importance.



CBSE Class 10 and 12 Boards 2024

In Class 12, a candidate has to pass in five subjects of external exam as per scheme of studies to be declared pass in addition to internal subject.

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A student who failed in Class 10th or Class 12th CBSE Board exam can reappear as a private candidate or as regular student admitted in school.



Further, a candidate who has qualified class 10th or12th CBSE exam, may appear for improvement in one or more subjects but in the succeeding year only.

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A school in Bihar's Jamui district has gained attention as its principal, Sheela Hembram, has reportedly turned an office-room into a makeshift "bedroom-cum-kitchen" for herself and her family.

According to a TOI report, the principal claimed that her family was currently homeless, as they were in the process of building a new house in a nearby village. However, the decision to use the school office in this manner has raised eyebrows, prompting local authorities to launch an inquiry into the matter.

The Upgraded Middle School at Bardaun, located in the Maoist-affected Khaira block, accommodates 150 students from Class I to VIII.

Due to the constrained space resulting from the principal's use of the office, classes are now being conducted in just three rooms. Classes I-III are held in one room, IV-V in another, and VI-VIII in a third.

The principal acknowledged that the use of the office room was intended as a temporary measure until her new house was completed. However, with objections raised by the public and the matter gaining public attention after viral photos, the district education officer, Kapil Deo Tiwari, initiated an inquiry. Tiwari stated that appropriate action would be taken if the allegations were found to be true.

Parents expressed concern about the impact on their children's concentration, as multiple classes were being held in a single room. The situation has sparked debate about the appropriateness of using school facilities for personal purposes, leading to calls for resolution and proper management of educational spaces.
When life gives you lemons, one might wonder what to do. Now, imagine being handed not just any lemon, but an exceptionally expensive one! Such is the curious situation faced by an individual who willingly shelled out Rs 35,000 to acquire a lemon at a temple auction. But this lemon is special, for it has relevance rooted in Hinduism.

Lemon offered to Lord Shiva

The auction took place at Pazhapoosaian Temple near Sivagiri village in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu.

Alongside various offerings, including fruits dedicated to Lord Shiva during the Mahasivarathiri festivities on Friday night, a lemon was also part of the items auctioned.

Credit: X

In adherence to tradition, the temple priest presented the auctioned lemon before the deity, conducted a brief pooja, and returned it to the highest bidder in the presence of numerous devotees.



The belief is that the individual securing the lemon through the highest bid will be bestowed with prosperity and lasting good health.

Why lemon holds a special place in Hinduism

In ancient Vedic times, a destructive demon named NimbAsura, blessed by Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, caused widespread chaos and famine.

Disturbed by his cruelty, Rishi Agasthya sought divine intervention through penance and rituals, praying to Goddess Shakti.

Pleased with the sage's devotion, the Goddess vanquished NimbAsura, restoring prosperity to the earth and earning worship as Shakhambari Devi.

Before his demise, NimbAsura, realising his errors, sought forgiveness from Goddess Shakhambari Devi.

Touched by his repentance, the Goddess granted him a boon to be revered in the form of a fruit, the 'Nimbu Phala.'

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Since then, the lemon has held a sacred place in Hindu rituals, symbolising redemption and divine mercy.



Expensive lemons galore

The tales of lemons are not new.

In fact, last month itself, a lemon had been sold for Rs 1.5 lakh in UK.

Instagram

The reason? It was a whole 285 years old with even an engraving on it, found at the back of a 19th-century cabinet.



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Christopher Nolan's film "Oppenheimer" capped off the awards season by clinching seven trophies, surpassing over half of its 13 nominations. The movie is based on the life of an American theoretical physicist, who is said to be the father of the atomic bomb. The complex personality and the circumstances of the scientist were portrayed in the film to near perfection. Let's know more about the person who inspired the film.

Oscars 2024: Oppenheimer Wins Best Picture/X

Who was J. Robert Oppenheimer?

J. Robert Oppenheimer was an American physicist and scientific director of the Manhattan Project, the ambitious wartime research initiative during World War II that led to the development of the atomic bomb. Born on April 22, 1904, Oppenheimer became a prominent figure in the scientific community and played a pivotal role in the advancement of nuclear physics.

Educated at Harvard University and the University of Cambridge, Oppenheimer earned a reputation as a brilliant theoretical physicist. His leadership in the Manhattan Project, which took place between 1942 and 1946, contributed significantly to the successful creation of the first atomic bombs.

Despite his scientific achievements, Oppenheimer's legacy is complex due to his involvement in the development of such powerful and destructive weaponry. After the war, he became an advocate for international control of nuclear weapons but faced scrutiny during the Cold War era. Oppenheimer's life and career are emblematic of the ethical and moral challenges associated with scientific advancements with profound implications for humanity.

What led him to do research on the atomic bomb?

His involvement in atomic bomb research was primarily driven by the geopolitical landscape of the time, as well as his scientific background. During the 1930s and early 1940s, the world was on the brink of World War II, and the race to develop powerful weapons was fueled by concerns over national security.

Internet Photo

Oppenheimer, already a distinguished theoretical physicist with a deep understanding of quantum mechanics, became increasingly aware of the potential for nuclear fission and its implications for weapon development. As political tensions heightened and the threat of war loomed, the scientific community, including Oppenheimer, recognized the possibility of harnessing the energy released during nuclear reactions for destructive purposes.

When World War II broke out, the Allied powers recognized the urgency of developing an atomic bomb before Nazi Germany could achieve the same. In 1942, Oppenheimer was appointed as the scientific director of the Manhattan Project, a secret research and development initiative tasked with creating the first atomic bombs.

Oppenheimer's role in the Manhattan Project was pivotal, overseeing the collaboration of scientists, engineers, and researchers working towards the successful development of the atomic bomb.

While Oppenheimer's scientific prowess played a crucial role in the success of the project, his involvement in atomic bomb research also raised ethical questions and, in later years, led to reflections on the moral implications of such advancements in destructive technology.

What were his views on war?

He held complex and evolving views on war throughout his life. Initially, he was a strong advocate for internationalism and believed in using scientific knowledge for the betterment of humanity. However, his perspective underwent significant changes as a result of his involvement in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.

Before World War II, Oppenheimer was associated with left-wing political circles and held pacifist inclinations. He was involved in various political and social causes, and his views were aligned with a desire for global cooperation to prevent conflicts. However, the rise of Nazi Germany and the looming threat of World War II led to a shift in his stance.

What were his views on peace?

Oppenheimer's stance on peace extended to his role as the scientific advisor to the newly established United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). He played a key role in shaping the AEC's policies, emphasizing the peaceful applications of atomic energy while seeking to avoid its misuse for destructive purposes.

Despite his commitment to peace, Oppenheimer faced challenges during the early years of the Cold War. His political affiliations and associations with leftist groups led to suspicions from anti-communist elements in the United States. In 1954, he underwent a security clearance hearing, which resulted in the revocation of his security clearance.

What was his opinion about Adolf Hitler?

Like many intellectuals of his time, Oppenheimer held strong disdain for Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime. He was deeply disturbed by the rise of fascism in Germany and the aggressive expansionist policies pursued by Hitler.

Oppenheimer, who was of Jewish descent, had a personal stake in opposing the anti-Semitic ideology propagated by Hitler and the Nazis. Hitler's discriminatory policies and the atrocities committed against Jews and other minority groups were abhorrent to Oppenheimer and ran counter to his values of human rights and equality.

Oppenheimer, like many around the world, was deeply disturbed by the reports and evidence of the atrocities committed by the Nazis. The genocide and the scale of human suffering left an indelible mark on his conscience. As a Jew, he had a personal and emotional connection to the plight of those targeted by the Holocaust.














What happens when a graphic designer who loves designing spaces meets a hamster who loves, well, exploring different places? The result is a delightful array of impeccably designed, adorable locations from around the world, all within the confines of your home. This is the story of Lisa Murray-Lang and her hamster, Spud, who she has taken on a Europe tour, after he has passed away.

A dead hamsters & its owner on a Europe tour

Lisa has traveled over 2,414 kilometers, carrying her late pet hamster's ashes to embark on a tour of his beloved destinations.

Spud, the hamster, loved "visiting" places such as London, Paris, and Amsterdam through intricately crafted dollhouse-like cardboard cutouts made by Lisa.

SWNS

However, Murray-Lang is now on a mission to showcase the world in real, specifically continental Europe, to Spud.



Describing her endeavor, Murray-Lang explained, "The idea is that were tracing his 'paw-steps' and actually going to the places that he 'visited' during his lifetime."

Accompanied by a vial containing Spud's ashes on a necklace, she has ventured to iconic European landmarks, such as the Louvre and Buckingham Palace.

A Covid-time melee

Lisa adopted Spud, named after a character in Irvine Welsh's book Trainspotting, in June 2019.

SWNS

Throughout the Covid pandemic, she dedicated her time to crafting miniature models of renowned global landmarks so that Spud could play in those.



Tragically, Spud, aged three years and seven months, passed away in 2022.

SWNS

In an effort to honor his memory, Lisa journeyed to Hawaii to scatter Spud's ashes on a beach in Honolulu. However, she retained a portion of his ashes. Later in the previous year, she conceived the idea of taking Spud on a tour of Europe.



This tale of a departed hamster and its owner embarking on a European adventure, turned a poignant memory into an inspiring journey across continents.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


Soon, you would not need to check which Saturday of the month it is to visit a bank. This is because banks in India will soon be switching to five day working days, i.e. Monday to Friday.



No more Saturday visit to banks as they will soon switch to five day working

india.com

Till now, banks used to work on the first and third Saturdays of the month and would remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays. But with five day working, banks will soon begin to be closed on all Saturdays and Sundays.



The All India Bank Officers' Confederation stated in a press statement that discussions between the Indian Banks Association and the All India Bank Officers' Confederation had been successfully concluded, culminating in the signing of the 9th Joint Note on March 8, 2024.

According to the press release, The Joint Note recognizes all Saturdays as holidays, pending government notification. The revised working hours will be effective after notification by the government.

They have also agreed on a 17% annual salary raise, resulting in an additional yearly outlay of around Rs 8,284 crore for public sector banks. The salary boost, which will take effect in November 2022, is expected to benefit up to 8 lakh bank workers.

When will this be applicable from?

banks five day working/GETTY

This will be applicable only when the government approves of the same. If it is approved all Saturdays will be notified as holidays under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The government will be required to declare every Saturday a holiday.



What will be the new timing for banks?

While this aspect is not fully clear yet, according to some reports, bank employees will work an additional 40 minutes per day from 9:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

How will it impact regular bank customers?

This will affect bank customers who typically save their bank-related work for Saturdays. Because banks provide so many services, the main ways that many customers access their bank-related activities are now through internet banking, ATMs, and mobile banking.

Also Read: This IITian's Startup Overcame 100 Rejections By Banks

Bank employees to get 17% hike as well

bank saturday/et

According to the All India Bank Officers' Confederation press release, The total quantum of wage revision increase (Payslip component) is more than Rs. 8284 crores being the 17% of the cost of Payslip component of establishment expenses of Public Sector Banks. With the applicable load of 3.22% the effective load on the basic pay post-merger of dearness allowance @30.38% is 4.20%. The new scales of pay ranges from Rs. 48480/- to Rs.173860/- covering all the scales from Scale I to VII, with effect from 01.11.2022.



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The Lagos State government says it will start the demolition of properties on drainages in Apapa area of the State, today.

The state government disclosed that the enforcement operations was aimed at re-establishing the three-metre drainage right-of-way for all its drainage channels in the area.

Tokunbo Wahab, the State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, made this known in a statement on Sunday.

According to him, the enforcement followed the expiration of notices and convening of stakeholders meetings with the property owners earlier in the year to move their fences that fell within the drainage setback.

READ ALSO: Were Constantly Raped, Nasarawa Female Miners Cry For Help

He noted that the ministry had issued violation notices to the buildings regarding the drainage setbacks.

The Commissioner added that for several years, the ministry had not been able to access the eight major collectors for maintenance purposes due to encroachment, which was a major contributor to flooding in the Apapa area.

Wahab however assured the government would not be bias during enforcement.

We want to check the state of collectors in Apapa in order to evacuate and treat the collectors.

The whole of the collectors in this area are blocked and the right-of-way taken over by individuals who moved their fences in order to acquire extra land, thereby denying us access to the drains, Wahab said
Denrele Edun, a media personality, has described his mothers sacrifices for him and his siblings in honour of Mothers Day on Sunday.

In a lengthy Instagram post, he stated that his mother did multiple jobs in Lagos to make life worthwhile for the family.

He observed that she balanced her roles as a headmistress, lesson instructor, French and German teacher, and class teacher.

He narrated how, in 1989/1990, she was forced to sell her gold earrings and Indian saris in order to raise funds for his Common Entrance since he had missed the payment deadline.

Denrele added that he was heartbroken by her sacrifice because he knew she was saving money for her travel back to Mauritius.

His mother, however, told him that he was her achievement.

Denrele went on to say that moving to their family house was misery on earth for them since their cousins were constantly out to draw blood.

However, his mother stood up for them and fought for everything.

Sharing his mothers picture, he captioned,

Our MOTHERS..

They are beautiful, softened at the edges, and tempered with a spine of steel.

We want to grow old and be like them!

All that I AM or HOPE TO BE, I owe to my MUM.

The hardworking, resilient, overtly temperamental (We never understood why, but now I do), MFM Prayer Warrior, Street Fighter, Fashion Killer all-round Superwoman named ANITA DHUNWANTEE EDUN!



My mother worked several jobs in Lagos to make life worth living for us kids. She was a Class Teacher here, the Headmistress there, a French and German teacher somewhere, and a Lesson Teacher everywhere!

I recall one time in Primary 6 (1989/1990) when I had no school sandals, my uniform was struggling at the seams and we had passed the deadline for payment of my Common Entrance Examination. My Dad was out of a job and my Mum (then) was working as a kindergarten teacher who tried incessantly to get salary advance payment but the School Authorities were already tired of her demands. She sold off her Indian Saris and gold ornaments (sold them ALLevery single one) and even though I was so distraught cos I knew she was saving them up for her flight fare back to Mauritius, she hugged me and told me,

You silly boy. You are my investment. Make sure u pass your Common Entrance and buy all my Saris back.

She muttered something in Hindi, tugged at my ears, and rushed off to another job.

READ MORE: Mohbads Sons DNA Test Complaint Scheduled For Hearing In Court

Moving to our family house was HELL on earth!

There was never a moment of peace.

My cousins were always out to draw blood but heres the crazy part; My MOTHER STOOD UP FOR US ALL AND FOUGHT EVERYTHING FIGHTABLE!

Standing at 5ft 3, she was a FORMIDABLE FORCE and ONE MAN MOPOL! She even broke bottles faster than an Agbero but still Ebute Metta style! I always looked in amazement as she fought bout 8 women in our family house every frigging day whilst my Dad would always leave them to Baba GOD.

Try Anitas kids and you will see her Indian wrath in all its volcanic glory!

It was my Mums Birthday on the 7th, IWD on the 8th, and now Mothering Sunday on the 10th;

Triple Celebration for IYA RELE.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO MY ROCK & SALVATION.

SEE POST:
Governor Umar Bago of Niger State, on Sunday, renamed the upgraded Abubakar Imam international airport in Minna after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu is expected in Minna, the state capital, on Monday to flag off agro-processing zone and other projects.

Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Aminu Takuma, who was represented by Isah Adamu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Governance and Reform, announced the development while speaking to newsmen at the government house in Minna.

Takuma disclosed that the renaming of the airport was based on the support the State has received from the President so far.

READ ALSO: Fire Guts Kano Electricity Transmission Station (Pictures)

Also, Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Binta Mamman, told journalists that the President will lay the foundation stone for the construction of a new Hajj Terminal at the Airport during his one-day working visit to the State.

She added: The President is also scheduled to commission agro mechanised implements and tractors for the agricultural revolution in the state.

In 2023, the Federal Government directed the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to rename 15 federal airports after notable Nigerians, including former president Muhammadu Buhari.

During the renaming, Minna airport was renamed after Abubakar Imam, a Nigerian writer and journalist from Niger, who pioneered the first Hausa-language newspaper in northern Nigeria.

However, less than a year later, the airport has now been renamed after Tinubu.
Gunmen, on Sunday, killed a man identified as Success in Benin, Edo State capital.

The deceased was gunned down during a service at a pentecostal church located around Murtala Mohammed Way, Benin City

Success, who is a chorister at the church, was shot dead by the assailants at about 8 am, while the deceased and other worshippers were taking their Sunday Schools teaching.

According to reports, the victim was said to have received a telephone call, and stepped out of the church hall, apparently to attend to the caller.

An anonymous said immediately the victim stepped out, one of the assailants grabbed him by his waist within the church premises.

READ ALSO: Police Suspend Two ASPs Over Alleged Extortion In Rivers

According to the source, in the ensuing commotion, Success was wrestled to the ground while another assailant emerged and shot him dead.

The gunmen thereafter collected his (success) mobile phone before fleeing the scene.

The incident reportedly threw the worshippers into confusion and wailing.

All efforts to revive the victim was unsuccessful as he was pronounced dead at a private medical facility he was rushed to for medicare, the witness said.

Chidi Nwabuzor, spokesman for the Edo State Police Command, who confirmed the incident, said investigation is on to arrest the perpetrators
by David J. Lobina

A number of issues in the study of nationalism ought to be widely accepted nowadays, most notably perhaps the claim that political nationalism  the idea that a citizen pledges allegiance to a nation-state rather than to a village or a town  is a modern phenomenon. After all, nationalism properly takes hold in a territory when modern tools such as universal schooling are employed to produce a national identity  the inhabitants of a territory must speak the same language and recognise a common culture if a nation is to surface  and this is a product of the last 200 years. A national identity doesnt come about on its own.

A particularly prominent aspect of how political nationalism does actually take hold in a large territory involves the central role a common language typically plays in the establishment of a national identity, a topic that has been at the heart of many studies of nationalism, though it is rarely treated satisfactorily.

Take two examples from the field of history, chosen almost at random but which nonetheless showcase some of the issues at stake. The author and historian Adrian Hastings once argued that England was already a nation-state in the 11th century, which he claimed was the case, in part, because of the stabilising of an intellectual and linguistic world through a thriving vernacular literature,[i] while the more modern historian Caspar Hirschi has recently paid attention to linguistic exchanges between different regions of Europe in the Middle Ages in order to probe what these interactions can tell us about how medieval peoples thought of each other. In particular, Hirschi points out that, as a case in point, hardly anyone in medieval Italy could understand what the merchants coming from the north of the Alps were saying, and it was precisely because of this that these people were able to perceive the strange sounds as a common language, presumably thus identifying a common people to boot.[ii]

Such discourse is common enough and not too dissimilar to how laypeople talk of matters to do with language; it is, however, rather misleading and can sometimes lead scholars astray. In this sense, the study of nationalism could certainly benefit from the input of professional linguists.

The generative account of language pioneered by Noam Chomsky in the last 70 or so years is especially useful in this respect, given its focus on the mental underpinnings of linguistic knowledge. Indeed, some of the questions such linguists have been interested in include how knowledge of language is represented in the minds of speakers as well as how this knowledge is acquired by children, issues that are apposite for the study of a phenomenon that is so dependent upon the formation and establishment of a national identity.

Before considering the linguistic contribution, though, it is worth delineating what may well be a consensus on the study of nationalism. From an etymological point of view, to start here, the English word nation derives from the Latin natio, which according to the Oxford Latin Dictionary meant birth, or birthplace, and sometimes a people or a class of people. The word entered the English language around the 13th century, and in Middle English, the form spoken at the time in England (and mostly spoken by only some people in England, as I shall stress below), nation did for the most part refer to birthplace (or to the native population of a town). As for nationalism, the Oxford English Dictionary traces the first usage towards the end of the 18th century, probably adapted from German, with the meaning of advocacy or support for ones own nation.

The feeling of belonging to a country that is regarded as ones own political home is certainly emblematic of the nationalist spirit and absolutely central to the question of what makes a modern nation. However, even though nationalism as an ideology is premised on the idea that ones loyalty is to a nation-state rather than to a local village, a position that presupposes the identification of a country with a people, such a general state of affairs has not been the norm throughout history until recently. In this sense, it is certainly noteworthy that the word nation was initially used as a place name and only much later did the politically-laden term of nationalism actually appeared. A rather specific process is necessary for nation-states to emerge.

Two factors have been especially important in this respect, as Ernest Gellner has stressed.[iii] The first is the development of what Gellner called a high culture and the marriage of the high culture and a countrys central state. In early modern Europe, roughly the time period between the 15th and 18th centuries, a high culture meant the language, literature, and customs of the elites who were then in control of a territory  namely, the crown, aristocracy, and clergy  and thus the union of a high culture and the institutions of a state would have been a natural development in many cases. This was nonetheless the result of a long process: a properly centralised state required the early innovations of industrialisation in order to take form, and this only came about from the 18-19th centuries, and slowly.

The adoption of a literary language by the elites of a whole country also took plenty of time. Chaucer in England and Dante in Italy did much in the 14th century to establish their own vernaculars as the linguae francae of the elites they belonged to, but the very few schools and academies then in existence would have taken these languages up gradually. Dante in fact once noted that in certain streets of his native Florence he couldnt quite understand the language people spoke, a sentiment echoed by Martin Luther in the 16th century in the Germanic states.[iv]

It all started to change during the age of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and especially towards the end of the 18th century, when schooling was made mandatory for everyone in the Empire, a first in modern history.[v] This is directly related to the second condition for the formation of nations that Gellner identified: the full effects of industrialisation and the social changes this introduced, including the invention of printing, which made universal and standardised education a reality. Crucially, universal schooling set off the (slow and often limited) process of homogenising a country, which was nothing more than the imposition of a high culture upon rather large communities. In fact, the advent of modern nations has brought with it the replacement, and often disappearance, of an enormous cultural and linguistic diversity in order to establish a common language and culture, a somewhat underappreciated fact.

As alluded to earlier, at the heart of these historical processes lies the central role a common language plays within any one national identity. As a matter of fact, a common people is rarely characterised in terms of common genealogy or ancestry  most countries are very heterogeneous  and almost never in terms of history or cultural customs  a common past is more imagined than real, and customs vary greatly within any one region  but often simply in terms of language, as Gottfried Leibniz had already argued in his ethnographic studies from the 17th century.[vi] At the very least, a common language is the medium in which all the supposed commonalities of a national identity are taught, shared, and in time indeed sanctioned.

A number of questions arise at this point, and it is here that a linguist can come in handy. To begin with, what does it mean to say that a group of people share a language? How does a language become the shared tongue of a people? How are children born into, as it were, a language as they become members of their nations? And what is language, anyway?

Language as the linguist sees it is a mental phenomenon, a psychological fact exclusive to human cognition that lives within our heads. In order to study this mental reality, linguists usually draw a distinction between the production of language (in speech, writing or hand signs) and the capacity that makes linguistic production in fact possible, a view that has shifted attention from the externally observed features of languages to the internal properties of the mental capacity for language  what Chomsky calls the faculty of language.

According to Chomsky and many other linguists, the language faculty constitutes a system composed of a number of primitive units (phonemes, words, signs, etc.) and various principles or rules that combine these units into sounds, sentences, sign sequences, etc. That is, the language faculty specifies an internal, mental grammar of a specific kind.

The theories on offer are quite intricate in character, but what this means in practice can be explained simply. Compare an English speaker with an Italian speaker. An English speaker has internalised a grammar of, inter alia, some 40 phonemes (24 consonants and some 20 vowel sounds, depending on the variety of English); phonological principles that combine these phonemes into allowable sounds in English; morphological principles that combine these sounds into acceptable words in English; and syntactic rules that combine words into licit phrases and sentences in English. An Italian speaker would be in possession of phonological, morphological, and syntactic principles partly particular to Italian, with a sound system of around 7 vowel sounds and 23 consonants. These two mental grammars are rather different and so would be what these grammars produce  the externalisation of language  making communication rather difficult if each speaker sticks to their own language.

The last point doesnt only apply to speakers of different languages; something along these lines is also true of speakers of the nominally same language. In fact, the reason two speakers of the same language can communicate with each other is based on the contingency that their mental grammars are very similar, though each persons representation of their own language is in one way unique. Any two people will naturally vary in terms of the vocabularies they possess, but also in terms of their syntactic repertoires  disagreements regarding whether a particular sentence sounds OK or not in a shared language are not rare.

This take on what language is has resulted in particular accounts of how languages change through time and how children come to speak a native language all of their own. Consider the child first. A child is born into a busy environment, as the world is full of all sorts of sounds, only a few of which have anything to do with language. And yet by the time children reach the age of 5 they have learned the core aspects of the language they are exposed to: preschool children know a large number of words, can speak in full sentences, and understand most of what they are told.[vii] How do children accomplish all this without much instruction?

Children are argued to have many of the principles and rules of the worlds languages at their disposal from birth, and what they seem to do while learning a language is select the right combination of these principles and rules so that their mental grammars eventually match the language they hear on a regular basis. Children try different combinations and certainly make many mistakes, but by age 5 they have acquired the basics of their native language.[viii]

Remarkably, this account of language acquisition is applicable to the phenomenon of how languages change in time as well. Just as a newborn has an immense range of sounds and phonological and syntactic principles to choose from, the language faculty makes this mental baggage available throughout the ages. Thus, language change can be described as a process in which populations of speakers tweak their grammars in various ways, with the resulting grammars passed on to the following generations via the language acquisition process. Speakers may change the sound system at one point, as in the Great Vowel Shift that Middle English underwent, according to which the long vowels then spoken, which were similar to those of modern Italian, slowly became the very different vowels of modern English.[ix] So viewed, thus, the presence of a given language at some point in history is the result of a particular grammar being entertained in peoples minds.

This perspective suggests an explanation for how people who live reasonably close to each other can end up speaking effectively different languages, as chronicled by Dante and Luther. All it takes for such a situation to arise is for such people to have slightly different mental grammars. The actual differences might be quite nuanced, as in some of the changes I mentioned from the history of English; changing the vowel sounds of a language but not its consonants (or not as much), as in the case of Middle vis-a-vis modern English, may not appear too drastic a divergence, but comprehension would not be assured in any way. In other cases different peoples could share some phonological principles but not many, or any, morphological or syntactic rules, and though the respective languages might sound alike, they would constitute different languages and comprehension would be unlikely, possibly in the same way the languages Dante couldnt understand in Florence must have sounded not too dissimilar to his own mother tongue. To put the point simply, what happens when a diverse group of people come to share a language (or not) is that they converge to roughly the same mental grammar (or not), and such eventualities require the specific set of circumstances that scholars of nationalism have identified (namely, state centralisation and industrialisation, universal education, etc.; or indeed lack thereof).

At the very least, then, a linguistic update of the study of nationalism offers a number of practical implications. First of all, the generative account of language provides an explanation for the observation that, left to their own devices, the population of a large territory would never end up speaking a similar language. Premodern countries were composed of communities that lived in relative isolation from each other, and such communities couldnt but develop distinct languages, as it only takes small divergences in otherwise similar mental grammars to produce different external languages. This was clearly the case in 11th century England, which as mentioned Adrian Hastings viewed as an early nation-state given its stabilising language and thriving literature, even though this is the century of the Norman invasion and the form of English that arose at the time (Middle English) was the language of a minuscule part of the population and strictly speaking a rather different language to what preceded it (Old English) as well as to what followed it (modern English). Myriad languages were in fact spoken in England at the time, much as was the case elsewhere in the world, even to this day in some cases (e.g., in modern India and Mexico).

The linguist can also account for how it may appear that pockets of a given population appear to speak a similar language, when in reality there are a number of individual and independent languages in such a territory. It is the externalisations of the underlying grammars that can appear to be similar to an outsider and still remain foreign to the actual speakers on the ground; two languages may share similar phonological systems and nothing else, making them superficially similar but effectively incommensurable. This is the situation Dante may have experienced in 14th century Florence, and it is very doubtful that anyone at the time would have concluded that the merchants coming from the North shared a common language, as the historian Caspar Hirschi has claimed, a situation that in any case medieval peoples hardly experienced in general.

In fact, if there is a take-home message to be had from what a generative linguist can tell a scholar of nationalism is that talk of the English or Italian language, or indeed talk of the history of the English or Italian language, is mostly a manner of speaking and an abstraction, a useful way to talk about things that we find useful to talk about. Languages as we speak of them have no real existence outside of humans, they are not external objects exhibiting much continuity in time or complete unity within a society. All there exist are the mental grammars that produce languages and their externalisations, each mental grammar strictly speaking unique to each individual.

This is not to downplay the fact that in a modern nation people acquire languages that are indeed quite similar, and that it is this very fact that makes the establishment of a national identity a possibility to begin with. A common language, after all, makes it possible to share widely some of the phenomena central to a national identity, such as cultural customs, value systems, etc.; indeed, a widely comprehensible language is the right medium to connect people from different walks of life in such a way. Crucially, it is not so much the actual facts of any culture, language or national identity that is important for the nationalist world-view  as mentioned, there is a great amount of heterogeneity in any one language, culture or nationality  but how these phenomena are disseminated so that they are believed to be common. To bring attention to this sort of issues is to venture into the psychological factors that underlie nationalist beliefs  the psychology of nationalism  and here too the linguistic input is relevant; I will come back to this in four weeks time.

[i] Cited in Caspar Hirschi, The Origins of Nationalism (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012), p. 34. Hastings traced the nationalist phenomenon back to the Middle Ages, often emphasising the contribution of the Christian world-view to the formation of European national identities (he was also a Catholic priest). The influence of religious affiliation has been discussed in many works on nationalism and it certainly has a role to play in the explanation of this phenomenon.

[ii] Hirschi, The Origins of Nationalism, p. 12. Hirschi also sees the origins of nationalism in medieval times, though the form of nationalism he identifies is cultural rather than political  that is, the idea that a people share a common language and culture, supposedly prior to the kind of allegiance that political nationalism demands. As I will come to discuss in the main text, however, such commonalities will only have been true of minuscule groups of people within any one large region of the world until very recently.

[iii] Ernest Gellner, Nations and Nationalism (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 1983). This brief outline of a consensus is mostly based on what is sometimes termed the modernist school of the study of nationalism; along with Gellners, Eric Hobsbawm, Nations and Nationalism since 1780 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990) is possibly the other main work of this school. Both Gellner and Hobsbawm were rather careful when discussing how common languages come about, and in the case of the former, with a reference to Chomskys linguistics to boot, though not in the terms I have employed here.

[iv] Dante, De vulgari eloquentia (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008 [first published in 1577, but written in 1303-5]). See Hirschi, The Origins of Nationalism, p. 12, on Luther, who claimed that the variety of dialects then spoken in the Germanic states meant that people who lived within 30 miles werent actually able to understand each other. It is worth adding that both Italy and Germany came into being in the 19th century and this required a significant exercise in social engineering, as hardly anyone spoke modern Italian or German in either country at the time.

[v] Immanuel Wallerstein, Historical Capitalism (London: Verso, 1983). Needless to say, the processes I am describing all started in Europe and were then exported to the rest of the world, in various degrees (this is pace Benedict Andersons Imagined Communities book, London: Verso, 1983).

[vi] G.W. Leibniz, Opera Omnia, vol. IV, as discussed in Justin Smith, Nature, Human Nature, and Human Difference: Race in Early Modern Philosophy (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2015).

[vii] See, for example, Maria Teresa Guasti, Language Acquisition (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2002).

[viii] Charles Yang, Knowledge and Learning in Natural Language (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002).

[ix] Albert C. Baugh & Thomas Cable, A History of the English Language (London: Routledge, 2013, 6th edition).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he does not like to blame past administrations for the socio-economic challenges in the country.

Tinubu made this known on Monday, at the flag off of Agric Mechanisation Revoluion For Food Security in Minna, the Niger State capital.

He stated that it is not in his character to blame past governments because he is committed to taking the right actions to boost the nations economy and set it on the path of prosperity.

He said: When you read the papers, some of us are confused whether to abuse the present or the past or make excuses for the future.

READ MORE: My Administration Committed To Prioritising Womens Welfare  Tinubu Insists

it is not in my dictionary. My focus is take action now, do your best, re-engineer the finances of the country and stay ahead of the right path.

Those who may be complaining now have to understand that perseverance and consistency will make a nation great.

It that time for Nigeria to face the challenge and make it an economic opportunity. We must care for people and harness our farming population, including livestock farming.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that many current members of the Tinubus cabinet, including Minister of Finance Wale Edun, had blamed the current socio-economic and security challenges in the country on ex-President Muhammadu Buharis eight-year administration.
Yul Edochie, a Nollywood actor and former presidential candidate, has continued to express his support for President Tinubu.

Taking to Instagram to publish a picture of himself wearing an outfit with the Presidents photo, he stated that the country is not in the best of shape right now, but he believes everything will be fine.

He remarked that he believes everything will be great and trusts the President and his ability to fix the country. As such, he would continue to pray for him to succeed.

Yul declared his full support for President Tinubu, stating that there will be no leave or transfer of his support for him.

READ MORE: Some People Are Intentionally Lousy To Get Popular On Social Media  Actor Prince Eke

Sharing the picture, he captioned,

Our country is not in the best situation at the moment.

But all will be well.

I believe everything will be fine.

I believe in President Tinubu. @officialasiwajubat

I believe he has the capacity to fix Nigeria and Ill keep praying for him to succeed.

He has my support, 100%.

No leave no transfer.

God bless Nigeria.

SEE POST:
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that nine persons were injured in a gas explosion that happened, over the weekend, at a steel company in Ogijo Community, Sagamu Local Government Area of the State.

It was gathered that the explosion occurred at Phoenix Steel Mills in Ogijo.

Reacting to the incident, the states Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, in a statement on Sunday, disclosed that the victims of the blast were factory workers.

She added that the nine individuals were taken to Rolayo Private Hospital in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

The statement reads: There was a case of an industrial accident that occurred at Phoenix Metal Company in Ogijo on March 9 at 9.38 pm.

READ MORE: Ogun Govt Probes Multiple Gas Explosions

According to eyewitness account, the explosion was attributed to a cylinder explosion which happened at the melting point area, affecting staff members who sustained injuries.

The explosion impacted nearby houses as window frames were reportedly cracked due to the vibration from the blast.

Community youths tried to attack the company but policemen and an Army detachment of 174 battalions in Odogunyan Ikorodu were visibly on the ground to intervene.

The situation is under control and close monitoring; there is no indication for panic, whereas further updates will be communicated to members of the public.
Aisha Dahir-Umar, the Director General of National Pension Commission (PenCom) says the agency is neither a lender nor a custodian of funds.

Speaking in a chat with journalists in Abuja at the weekend, Dahir-Umar said it has become necessary to clarify totally misleading reports that the commission gave a N10 trillion loan to the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).

She further dismissed claims that PenCom was owing FG retirees as well as insinuations that Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) have not been meeting their obligations to holders of Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs).

According to her, Investments by the PFAs in the securities of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) are not loans as erroneously portrayed, but investments in securities, through bonds and treasury bills, as approved by the relevant government agencies, in this case the Debt Management Office (DMO) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They are traded on authorized capital markets. That is, the Nigerian Exchange Limited and FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange.

Moreover, pension fund assets are not managed by PenCom. I have said it repeatedly that when we say pension assets have grown to N19.6 trillion, that does not mean PenCom has N19.6 trillion locked somewhere in its office or bank accounts. Pension fund assets are managed by the licensed PFAs and held in custody by the licensed Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs).

The PFAs are responsible for investing pension fund assets in allowable asset classes, including FGN (Federal Government of Nigeria) debts instruments. The objectives are safety and fair returns. All these are in line with the provisions of the enabling law, the Pension Reform Act 2014, and the rules issued by the Commission.

READ ALSO: Nigerias Wealthiest Woman, Alakija And Husband Part Ways After 30 Years Of Marriage

It is obvious from the above that what is referred to loan to FGN is just investment in FGN securities by the PFAs, as is done by other institutional investors such as banks, insurance companies, asset managers, etc.

The PenCom boss said it is an international best practice to invest in investible instruments issued or backed by the sovereign authority, adding that the FGN securities meet the objectives of safety and fair returns.

The FGN has consistently met its repayment obligations, both the principal amount and accrued interests, for all investments in bonds and T-bills to all investors including pension funds. The information is always in the open and accessible on our website, www.pencom.gov.ng, she said.

On the outstanding benefits to federal government retirees and deceased employees, Dahir-Umar said it is because of the inadequate and delayed funding for the payment of Accrued Pension Rights for those who were in service before the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) was introduced when PenCom was established in 2004.

Payment of the accrued rights is subject to release of funds by the Federal Government. So, it is beyond the powers of the Commission. However, we have been engaging the Federal Ministry of Finance for more funds to be released to settle these liabilities, but it is not a secret that the government itself has budgetary constraints.

She however maintained that all those enrolled under the CPS have been receiving their benefits through their PFAs and there is no unsolved complaint before the commission.
Ogun State Police Command have apprehended three suspects, identified as Monsuru Musa, Adija Monsuru, and Shehu Dikko, for alleged attempted murder of Tijanni, who is said to be a commercial motorcycle rider, in the Afonta area of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

According to a police source, who spoke with PUNCH, on Sunday, disclosed that the incident, which happened on the 4th of March, 2024, (last Monday) at about 6:10pm, left the commercial motorcyclist with severe injuries on the crown of his head, neck, and lower lip.

It was gathered that the trouble started when Monsuru stopped Tijanni and asked him to take her to the Soyeye area from Lafenwa in Abeokuta.

However, upon reaching an isolated area just before the Soyeye community, Monsuru reportedly asked Tijanni to stop the motorcycle and allow her to call her friend who would be travelling the same route.

Police source revealed that Musa and Dikko attempted to strangle Tijanni by tying a rope around his neck and tightening it firmly.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that while this was happening, Monsuru was said to have picked up a large piece of wooden plank and allegedly hit the motorcyclist on the head, causing him to scream for help.

READ MORE: Ogun Police Arrest Kidnapper Selling Children To Benin Republic

Confirming the incident on Monday, (today) the state Police Public Relations Officer, Odutola Omolola, said that the suspects were members of a notorious syndicate and had intended to steal the motorcycle before they were apprehended.

She said: The female passenger had borrowed the motorcyclists mobile phone because she wanted to call a friend who was travelling the same route.

But two people arrived at the scene. The three suspects are members of the same syndicate.

They specialise in stealing motorcycles. They have been arrested and will be prosecuted.
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), on Sunday, reacted to the alleged padding of the 2024 budget by N3 trillion from N25 trillion to N28 trillion.

Recall that 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 close to N4 trillion worth of projects.

However, the Senate has denied reports saying the expenditure was already in the public domain, adding that the Akpabio-led 10th Senate was not aware of any altered version.

Reacting to the situation via a press release, the Partys acting National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, said if the act is true, it represents gross misconduct and a blatant disregard for the principles of transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility that our great nation deserves especially at these trying times.

READ ALSO: Senate Denies Padding 2024 Budget With N4trn

The statement added: As a party committed to the progress and welfare of all Nigerian citizens, we are deeply concerned about the potential negative impact of such an act on our economy, developmental goals, and the overall well-being of our people. We strongly believe that parliament must stand up to its statutory and constitutional responsibility of factual appropriation and funding by the provisions of the budget office and that public funds must be utilized judiciously and for the sole purpose of advancing the interests of the citizens.

Consequent upon this, the PRP calls on the relevant authorities to immediately investigate these allegations and bring all those culpable or guilty of such malfeasance to book. We also urge the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional responsibilities by thoroughly scrutinizing the budget to ensure that it aligns with the best interests of the nation.

We remind all elected officials that service to the people comes first and they must act with the utmost integrity and honesty in the discharge of their duties.

The PRP remains resolute in its commitment to promoting good governance, fighting corruption, and ensuring that every Nigerian enjoys the dividends of democracy.

Nigerians were further urged by the Party, to join in condemning the alleged budget padding and to demand that those responsible be held accountable.
The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has appealed to Nigerian Muslim faithfuls to use the Ramadan fast to pray for the nation.

The former Anambra governor, in a statement, made via his X account, on Monday, emphasized that the holy month is a time for spiritual upliftment, self-improvement, and intense supplications.

Obi also called for the need to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood nationwide.

The statement partly reads: Ramadan is a time for spiritual upliftment, self-improvement, intense supplications and seeking Allahs mercy and reward. I want to use this opportunity to wish the Muslim ummah around the world, particularly in Nigeria, Ramadan Kareem, I believe that we will use this moment to pray for the Nation in these most trying times, to guide and protect our country to lead us out of this challenging times.

READ MORE: Ramadan Commences Today, Sultan Seeks Prayers Against Insecurity, Hardship

Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, as the crescent moon heralds the onset of the holy month of Ramadan, I extend my warmest wishes for a blessed Ramadan. As you embark on this sacred journey of fasting, prayer, and self-reflection, let us embrace the spirit of Ramadan with open hearts and unwavering faith. May the sacrifices of this period cleanse our hearts and renew our love for one another.

Let us harness the spirit of Ramadan to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood nationwide. Share Iftar meals, offer support to those in need, and celebrate the togetherness of defining the Islamic community.

Promote peace and understanding within Nigeria. May the lessons of Ramadan  compassion, empathy, and self-restraint  guide our interactions and foster a more peaceful society.

Contribute to the progress and productivity of our beloved nation. May the discipline and focus honed during Ramadan regenerate dedication to building a better Nigeria for all.
The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has urged President Bola Tinubu to succeed so he doesnt crush Nigerians.

Jandor also tasked President Tinubu to seek help over the current economic hardship in the country.

The PDP governorship candidate led this out while featuring on the Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily on Monday.

Jandor: Let Mr President go back to the drawing board and let him seek help. We dont expect you to know everything, we dont expect you to do everything.

READ MORE: I Believe Tinubu Has Capacity To Fix Nigeria, Ill Keep Praying For Him To Succeed  Yul Edochie

You are there so that you can source materials to work with; materials that can assist you to work with.

Yes, youve had a lawyer team for over two decades that youve been together. It is fine. But if you have tried them for six, seven, eight months and theyre not giving the desired results and you cannot change them, you can still keep them and give them something else. We want you to succeed so that you dont crush on all of us.
The presidency, on Sunday, reacted to the claim that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government is operating two versions of the 2024 budget.

Recall that Northern senators under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum (NSF) led by Senator Abdul Ningi, confronted the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over alleged padding of the 2024 budget with close to N4 trillion worth of projects.

The Senator representing Bauchi Central alleged during an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation Hausa Service that the National Assembly discussed and approved a budget of N25 trillion for 2024, instead of the N28.7 Trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government.

However, the Senate has denied reports by th saying the expenditure was already in the public domain, adding that the Akpabio-led 10th Senate was not aware of any altered version.

Reacting in a statement, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the claim as false and misleading.

His words: 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 the 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 the 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.

READ ALSO: Nairall Appreciate To 1,200 Against Dollar  Goldman Sachs

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 the exercise of its power of appropriation.

Speaking on the claim that the 2024 budget was anti-North, he said, We found such a position as canvassed by Senator Ningi as too far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status.

He said 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, he added that the 2024 Appropriation Act was not skewed against any section of the country.

According to him, the North as an integral part of the country was 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.

He said: It is concerning that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can employ such primordial antics to fuel divisive rhetoric at a time 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.

He stated that Tinubu is a firm believer in the rule of law and constitutional democracy, and as such, 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.
Actor Prince Eke has taken to social media to address a recent trend he has observed.

He disclosed that individuals are increasingly intentionally being lousy on social media in an attempt to gain attention.

He also ranted on how the internet now has a way of promoting lousiness.

Additionally, he vented about how the internet now has a way of encouraging bad things.

READ MORE: Tolanibaj Shares Why She Changed Her Mind On Doing Brazilian Butt Lift

Taking to his Instagram page, he wrote,

There is an increase in the amount of lousy people on all the social media platforms who are trolling on a regular basis.

Some people now intentionally become lousy just to get popular. The internet has a way of promoting lousiness.
by David J. Lobina

After running through a linguistic update of the study of nationalism and outlining some of the psychological underpinnings of the nationalist world-view that such an update suggests, it is now time to take stock. It is time, that is, to consider some of the repercussions of this general take on things.

Three interconnected corollaries come to mind, which I shall rank, and present, from the more general of consequences to the narrower and more significant. I should add that this is probably the sort of stuff that overzealous referees of academic journals dismiss outright, without giving it much thought (I know from experience), but do humour me anyway.

The first corollary has to do with the study of nationalism itself; or more properly, with what may well be termed the origins of nationalism  i.e., the genesis of nationalist beliefs.

There has been plenty of discussion on this issue in the relevant literature, with various proposals on offer, each espousing a whole paradigm. Some of the better-known accounts come under the names of perennialism, primordialism or ethno-symbolism, while the consensus on the study of nationalism I myself outlined is based on the so-called modernist paradigm, perhaps the most prominent of them all. Though a well-trodden topic, I think some of the material I presented in what I am now calling Parts 1 (the update) and 2 (the psychology) of this series on nationalism offers some novelty. As argued in Part 2, after all, it is by teasing out the building blocks of nationalism that we can obtain a better view of the overall phenomenon, and it may well be by drawing attention to the psychological underpinnings of nationalist beliefs that it might be possible to make sense of where nationalism as an idea comes from.[i]

A condensed version of Parts 1 and 2 will help outline this corollary. The gathering of a large group of people under a specific nationality, language or culture is clearly artificial and the result of a concerted and top-down effort  nations are certainly not a perennial reality in the history of humanity. Humans do naturally form groups on their own, are prone to communicate with each other by using a common language, and co-operate with each other for various purposes (to work, to socialise, etc.). There are certain precursors to the nationalist spirit, especially in terms of the Humean propensity to imitate and share each others ways of speaking and acting, but there are few givens in nature and certainly no naturally congruous languages and cultural customs but infinitely many diverse manifestations of these phenomena  thus, nations and nationalisms do not constitute natural or primordial divisions of humanity.

What nationalism does is co-opt a number of basic properties of human nature, in particular exploiting the fact that human cognition allows for both commonalities and diversities in the very phenomena that are central to building a nationalist sentiment (language, culture, etc.). But the commonalities nationalisms produce are always due to modern conditions, often created anew and not always from pre-existing iterations  oftentimes the key factor is how cultural or ethnic ties with the past are imagined to be, especially perceptions of a common past, common language, etc., which constitute the beliefs that are used and exploited by the elites of a country to construct the very identities that are central to individual nationalisms.

There is certainly something rather natural about nationalism as an idea, but in practice a specific nationalism is a contingency and particular national identities quite illusory, based as they ultimately are on unobservable, internal realities such as the mental grammars that underlie what looks like an external language, but (quite) isnt.

This conclusion brings me to the second corollary. Particular nationalisms, and specific national identities, are often determined  that is, identified  in terms of a language that co-nationals share  a national language  but generative linguistics casts some doubt on the significance of any identity conditions for individual languages  and by extension, insofar as they are identified in terms of a common language, for national identities.

As noted in Part 1, generative linguists argue that languages as we customarily speak of them have no real existence outside of humans; languages are instead represented in the minds of speakers in a peculiar way: in terms of a number of primitive units that are manipulated by various rules and principles. It is these internal grammars and not (only) their externalisations that makes it possible for people to communicate.

It is certainly not the linguistic details of how a people come to share a language that establishes how national identities are identified, but the common beliefs most people associate to the concept of individual languages and how such beliefs interact with ones view of belonging to a given group  that is, the psychology of nationalist beliefs.

Two kinds of (confused) beliefs regarding individual languages can be identified on the basis of the material from Parts 1 and 2, both of which affect the coherence of particular nationalisms as much as the coherence of some of the actual beliefs of nationalists. There is, first of all, the belief that there is continuity in the history of any one (official) language, whereas in reality the linguistic history of any territory involves myriad internal grammars and myriad externalisations of such grammars. We may find it useful to draw a line from Old to Middle English and then to modern English, but these are very broad labels, referring as they do to the many different varieties the elites spoke at different times, typically by very few people indeed and in rather small regions (over and above the many varieties of non-elite languages, mostly undocumented). The labels should not be taken to suggest that each variety constitutes a different stage in the process of a single historical phenomenon (viz., the history of English), as this would be to commit a category mistake.

A second, equally misguided belief supposes that there is much unity in any of the apparently homogenous linguistic nations (or regions) of today, whereas in actual fact there is great variety in any one place, no matter how widely spoken some languages appear to be nowadays. This is especially true of large territories, where there is likely to be much social and physical distance among many sections of a population, but it is also true of two people who live in the same street  any two people from any one street will have different vocabularies and they may also well disagree as to the correctness of certain sentences.

Crucially, if we were to negate the two beliefs I have just described  and negate them we must  this would have the effect of casting doubt on the significance of what is usually the central identity criterion for particular nationalisms and individual national identities  namely, the idea that a given language is, and indeed has been, the common speech of a given people. The situation is rather different: very few people at the time actually shared what we now call Old or Middle English, very few people have shared modern English until recently, and in any case this sharing should not be taken to apply in any strict sense.

To put the matter succinctly, we may find it useful to talk about this or that national identity, in the same way that we find it useful to talk about this language or that culture, but this is at heart a manner of speaking, as the underlying realities of these phenomena are psychological and thus internal to an individual, and intrinsically diverse to boot. Each persons representation of their own language is in one way unique, and so are the relevant individual representations of ones culture and national identity.

And this conclusion brings me to the third corollary, perhaps the most significant of the three: the merits, and even justice, of nationalism and national identities as facts of the world. I myself regard nationalism as inherently unjust and national identities as detrimental to both the autonomy of an individual and the social connections people freely partake in.

The case against nationalism is especially compelling because promoters of nationalist policies can often pervert otherwise just causes. Nationalism is often associated to such fundamental human rights as the self-determination of a people, and when the focus of attention falls upon small nationalist movements regarded as being oppressed in one way or another, usually by a greater nationalist movement, it is easy to sympathise with the objectives of such movements and forget all that is in fact reactionary to nationalism  the imposition of a language and a culture, the enforced contrast with other peoples, etc.

In short, nationalism is intrinsically a top-down, social phenomenon and someone is always repressed under it: within a moderately-sized country, as in the case of so-called peripheral nationalist movements vis-a-vis a countrys core nationalism; within a peripheral nationalist movement, as when someone fails to speak the right language or follow the correct customs; and in fact simply in general, and nowhere is this more evident than when an individual fails to recognise that they supposedly belong to a community greater than those they actually take part in (at school, workplace, area of residence, etc.).[ii]

There is much more to a person than the (national) identity one is supposed to belong to, and it would be a gross mistake to subordinate the autonomy of individuals and the associations individuals freely form to the unconditional acceptance of what is supposed to be common to a given group of people, for such pre-made representations of what a person is imposes quite wide-ranging constraints to ones development. Indeed, the life experience nationalism forces upon a person is anything but innocent; the imposition of a specific upbringing and the demand for allegiance, not least in the expectation that one must share in past glories or achievements, sometimes in opposition to peoples never met, are just some of the restrictions on a persons overall autonomy that nationalism normalises. There are always outsiders when identity conditions are in place and national identities are particular prone to foster divisions. Such a regrettable situation may be another side-effect that the nation-state bestows upon a world in which such a state of affairs dominates and organises peoples lives so thoroughly.[iii]

Be that as it may, it is important to emphasise that nationalist feelings do not arise naturally, and the fact that they are ubiquitous precisely because there is an overall structure that promotes them is an indication that they may not be so central to the fabric of human societies after all. Indeed, though nationalism is ultimately based on basic features of human nature (language, culture, relationships of kin, etc.), it is separate and separable from all these and in fact necessitates both a particular combination of such features and a particular way to impose them upon a population. After all, the self-determination that nationalists of all colours incessantly invoke is most meaningful when a person has a say in their own affairs in cooperation with people actually in contact with, be this at school, work, or else, and in such settings nationalist feelings rarely ever surface. All it really remains of nationalism in the day-to-day is the usefulness of sharing a language and some customs: the ordinariness of human relationships, all cognition and no spirit.

So I say about nationalism and the study of nationalism. In order to bring this overall series to an end, in four weeks time I shall consider a practical case, that of Catalan nationalism, in some ways a peripheral nationalist movement. The discussion of an actual example might prove to be a bit contentious, but it should be nevertheless illuminating.

[i] Anthony D. Smith, Nationalism (Cambridge, England: Polity Press, 2001), discusses some of the paradigms mentioned in this paragraph in some detail, especially his own ethno-symbolism, which elaborates upon the modernism I have drawn from in this series. Smiths particular account lends much weight to pre-existing cultures and ethnic ties, which he claims form the basis upon which individual nationalisms are built, generation by generation. The point is well taken and I have given it some credence in the previous posts, though in my overall discussion I also claim that theres little unity or continuity to pre-existent cultures and ties, properties that are almost always exaggerated.

[ii] A peripheral nationalism is a nationalist movement that arises within a country where a different, core nationalism is dominant, and from where peripheral nationalist movements might want to secede  the Catalan nationalist movement in Spain is a case in point, as I remark below.

[iii] Another feature of modern life that greatly affects human autonomy is the market economy, and here too there is a connection to nationalism, especially in relation to so-called identity politics, which naturally include national identities. As the philosopher and legal scholar Brian Leiter has remarked in an interview, this kind of politics may well be the narcissism of the aspiring bourgeoisie, who want to get their share of the capitalist pie, including their share of respect as reflected in language and culture. In the case of national identities, this is a phenomenon that took place long ago (some scholars have argued that nationalism and capitalism have developed pari passu, but this will have to await another post).
The wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu, has said that some of the steps made by her husband, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Agenda are already yielding fruits and will soon reach everyone in the country.

It was gathered that Oluremi, led this out during the inauguration of Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.

She added that the initiatives, introduced by the President would benefit all Nigerians, especially women.

Oluremi, who was represented by the Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs in the Federal Capital Territory, Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Tinubu said that the economic situation of the country is already improving.

She said: The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu right now is offloading a number of initiatives bringing succour and providing humanitarian services to the elderly, women, communities and the girl-child.

READ MORE: Nigerians Have Taken Poverty Out Of Context, Were Not Poor; 2024 Will Be Glorious  Oluremi Tinubu

It is important for women to work together and we must see ourselves playing the role of healing our nation.

Do not be distracted by the current challenges but focus on the assignment of promoting equity, equal rights and righteousness.

Women are light and must always stand as light and shine whether in the church or in the mosque, we must stand as women of faith.
A woman, Folashade Nimotalahi, who boarded a boat from Igando in Lagos State to Ogun State, has allegedly jumped into the river from the moving boat.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the State Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday evening, said that rescue teams were already searching for the woman.

According to him, one Rasaq reported the case to the Igando Police Division on Sunday at about 8 am.

According to Rasaq, at about 10 pm on Saturday, the soma, of yet be known address, boarded a boat from their Isuti Jet, Isuti Road, Igando in Lagos, going to Totowu in Ogun.

READ ALSO: Gunmen Kill Man During Church Service In Edo

There were 12 passengers on board. Suddenly, the woman removed the life jacket she was wearing and jumped into the river.

She left behind one nylon bag containing a bottle of sniper, Alimosho General Hospital cards and some drugs, the PPRO quoted Rasaq to have said.

Hundeyin said that the scene of the incident was visited immediately by detectives from the division.

He said a search party has been contacted to recover the corpse, while investigation was ongoing as they make efforts to contact the family.
In the good old days, databases had a relatively simple job: help with the monthly billing, deliver some reports, maybe answer some ad hoc queries. Databases were important, but they werent in constant demand.

Today the picture is different. Databases are often tasked with powering business operations and hyperscale online services. The flow of transactions is incessant, and response times need to be near-instantaneous. In this new paradigm, businesses arent just informed by their databasetheyre fundamentally built on it. Decisions are made, strategies are drafted, and services are personalized in real time based on vast streams of data.

Relational databases sit at the epicenter of this seismic shift. Their role transcends storage. It extends to processing complex transactions, enforcing business logic, and serving real-time analytical insights. The structured nature of relational databases, coupled with the innate ability to ensure the atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability (ACID) of transactions, makes them indispensable in a world where data forms the core of business strategies.

To meet the demands of modern applications, relational databases need a radically new architecture. The must be designed from the ground up to handle voluminous data and transaction loads, resist different types of failure, and function seamlessly during times of peak demand without manual intervention or patchwork scaling strategies.

This architecture must be intrinsically scalable and reliable. Those two qualities cant be bolted on. They have to be fundamental to the design. Scalability allows the database to efficiently accommodate fluctuating workloads. Reliability ensures consistent performance, preventing data loss or downtime that could critically impinge business operations or decision-making.

TiDB is a prime example of this new database architecture. It is an open-source distributed SQL database designed for the most demanding applications, scaling out to handle data volumes up to a petabyte in size. In this article well explore the architectural features that give TiDB its scalability and reliability.

PingCAP

TiDB design fundamentals

A cornerstone of TiDBs architecture is its decoupling of storage and compute. Each of those two components can scale independently, ensuring optimal resource allocation and performance even as data needs evolve. This enables organizations to make the most efficient use of their hardware, enhancing cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.

Another key design element is TiDBs support for native horizontal scaling, or scale-out. Traditional transactional databases struggle with increasing data volumes and query loads. The easiest solution is to scale upbasically, to switch to more powerful hardware. However, there are limitations on the hardware of a single machine. TiDB automatically scales out to accommodate growth in transactions and data volumes. By adding new nodes to the system, TiDB keeps performance and availability consistent, even as data and user demands increase.

Another benefit to native horizontal scaling is that it eliminates the need for complex, disruptive sharding operations. The idea behind sharding is to speed up transactions and improve reliability by splitting the database into smaller, more manageable chunks, stored in separate database instances on separate physical media. In practice, maintaining a sharded system involves untold hours of manual work to keep each of the shards in optimal condition. Native horizontal scaling eliminates this burden. The database grows as needed, allowing it to manage unexpected spikes in demandsay, a surge in e-commerce traffic on Black Friday.

PingCAP

TiKV is TiDBs distributed, transactional, key-value storage engine. TiKV stores data in key-value format. It can split the data into small chunks automatically and spread the chunks among the nodes according to the workload, available disk space, and other factors. TiDB leverages the Raft consensus algorithm in its replication model to ensure strong consistency and high availability for the data chunks.

The Raft algorithm and replication in TiDB

The Raft consensus algorithm is another important building block in TiDBs architecture. TiDB uses Raft to manage the replication and consistency of data, ensuring the data behaves as if it were stored on a single machine even though its distributed across multiple nodes.

Heres how it works. TiDB breaks down data into small chunks called regions. Each region acts as a Raft group, and can be split into multiple regions as data volumes and workloads change. When data is written to the TiDB cluster, its written to the leader node of the region. The Raft protocol ensures the data is replicated to follower nodes via log replication, maintaining data consistency across multiple replicas.

Initially, when a TiDB cluster is small, data is contained within a single region. However, as more data is added, TiDB automatically splits the region into multiple regions, allowing the cluster to scale horizontally. This process is known as auto-sharding, and its crucial to ensuring that TiDB can handle large amounts of data efficiently.

PingCAP

If the leader fails, Raft guarantees that one of the followers will be elected as the new leader, ensuring high availability. Raft also provides strong consistency, ensuring that every replica holds the same data at any given time. This enables TiDB to replicate data consistently across all nodes, making it resilient to node failures and network partitions.

PingCAP

One of the key benefits of TiDBs auto-split and merge mechanism is that it is entirely transparent to the applications using the database. The database automatically reshards data and redistributes it across the entire cluster, negating the need for manual sharding schemes. This leads to both reduced complexity and reduced potential for human error, while also freeing up valuable developer time.

By implementing the Raft consensus algorithm and data chunk auto-split, TiDB ensures robust data consistency and high availability while providing scalability. This seamless combination allows businesses to focus on deriving actionable insights from their data, rather than worrying about the underlying complexities of data management in distributed environments.

Distributed transactions in TiDB

Another building block of TiDBs distributed architecture is distributed transactions, maintaining the essential ACID (atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability) properties fundamental to relational databases. This capability ensures that operations on data are reliably processed and the integrity of data is upheld across multiple nodes in the cluster.

PingCAP

TiDBs native support for distributed transactions is transparent to applications. When an application performs a transaction, TiDB automatically takes care of distributing the transaction across the involved nodes. Theres no need for developers to write complex, error-prone, distributed transaction control logic in the application layer. Moreover, TiDB employs strong consistency, meaning the database ensures that every read receives the most recent write, or an error in the case of ongoing conflicting transactions.

Because distributed transactions are natively supported by the TiKV storage engine, every node in the SQL layer can function as both a reader and a writer. This design eliminates the need for a designated primary node for writes, thereby enhancing the databases horizontal scalability and eliminating potential bottlenecks or single points of failure. This is a significant advantage compared with systems that achieve scale by leveraging separate nodes to scale reads, while still using a single node to write. By eliminating the single-writer issue, TiDB achieves orders-of-magnitude higher TPS.

In discussing scalability, its imperative to look beyond data volumes and queries per second (QPS). Also important is the ability to handle unpredictable workloads and implement intelligent scheduling. TiDB is designed to anticipate and adapt to varying workload types and sudden demand surges. Its scheduling algorithms dynamically allocate resources, optimize task management, and prevent performance bottlenecks, ensuring consistent and efficient operation.

TiDBs approach to scalability is also evident in its handling of large-scale database operations. TiDBs architecture streamlines database definition language (DDL) tasks, which are often a bottleneck in large, complex systems. This ensures that even as a TiDB database grows, operations like schema changes perform efficiently.

Here Ill point you to two real-world examples of TiDB scalability. The first example shows a single TiDB cluster managing 500TB of data, encompassing 1.3 trillion records. The diagram below is the screenshot of the TiDB cluster monitoring dashboard.

PingCAP

The second example, from Flipkart, the largest e-commerce company in India, shows a TiDB cluster scaling to 1 million QPS. Compared with Flipkarts previous solution, TiDB achieves better performance and reduces storage space by 82%.

Reliability in TiDB

Applications and services depend on uninterrupted operation and robust data protection. Without them, users will quickly lose faith in the utility of the database system and its output.

TiDB offers native support for high availability to minimize downtime for critical applications and services. It also provides features and tools for quick restoration of data in the event of a major outage.

Replication and replica placement

We have discussed how TiDB uses the Raft algorithm to achieve strong, consistent replication. The location of replicas can be defined in various ways depending on the topology of the network and the types of failures users want to guard against.

Typical scenarios supported by TiDB include:

Running different servers within a single rack to mitigate server failures

Running different servers on different racks within a data center to mitigate rack power and network failures

Running different servers in different availability zones (AZ) to mitigate zone outages

With a data placement scheduling framework, TiDB can support the needs of different data strategies.

Auto-healing

For short-term failures, such as a server restart, TiDB uses Raft to continue seamlessly as long as a majority of replicas remain available. Raft ensures that a new leader for each group of replicas is elected if the former leader fails so that transactions can continue. Affected replicas can rejoin their group once theyre back online.

For longer-term failures (the default timeout is 30 minutes), such as a zone outage or a server going down for an extended period of time, TiDB automatically rebalances replicas from the missing nodes, leveraging unaffected replicas as sources. By using capacity information from the storage nodes, TiDB identifies new locations in the cluster and re-replicates missing replicas in a distributed fashion, using all available nodes and the aggregate disk and network bandwidth of the cluster.

PingCAP

Disaster recovery

In addition to Raft, TiDB provides a wide range of tools and features for disaster recovery including data mirroring, quick error rectification, continuous data backups, and full-scale restoration.

TiCDC (change data capture): TiCDC mirrors changes in real time from the primary database to one downstream, facilitating a primary-secondary replication setup. In the event of a primary server failure, TiCDC ensures minimal data loss, as transactions are continually replicated. This system not only aids in disaster recovery but also helps in balancing loads and offloading read operations. The live mirroring of data changes is particularly crucial for applications requiring high availability, as it ensures the secondary setup can promptly take over with little to no downtime.

TiCDC mirrors changes in real time from the primary database to one downstream, facilitating a primary-secondary replication setup. In the event of a primary server failure, TiCDC ensures minimal data loss, as transactions are continually replicated. This system not only aids in disaster recovery but also helps in balancing loads and offloading read operations. The live mirroring of data changes is particularly crucial for applications requiring high availability, as it ensures the secondary setup can promptly take over with little to no downtime. Flashback: TiDBs Flashback feature provides protection from one of the most unpredictable causes of disaster: human error. Flashback allows the database to be restored to a specific point in time within the garbage collection (GC) lifetime, so mistakes such as accidental data deletion or erroneous updates can be swiftly rectified without extensive downtime, maintaining operational continuity and user trust.

TiDBs Flashback feature provides protection from one of the most unpredictable causes of disaster: human error. Flashback allows the database to be restored to a specific point in time within the garbage collection (GC) lifetime, so mistakes such as accidental data deletion or erroneous updates can be swiftly rectified without extensive downtime, maintaining operational continuity and user trust. PiTR (point-in-time recovery): PiTR continually backs up data changes, enabling restoration of the cluster to a specific point in time. This is crucial not only for disaster recovery, but also for business audits, offering the ability to review historical data states. PiTR provides an additional layer of data security, preserving business continuity and aiding with regulatory compliance.

PiTR continually backs up data changes, enabling restoration of the cluster to a specific point in time. This is crucial not only for disaster recovery, but also for business audits, offering the ability to review historical data states. PiTR provides an additional layer of data security, preserving business continuity and aiding with regulatory compliance. Full Backup and Restore: In addition to the aforementioned tools for specific use cases, TiDB is equipped with a comprehensive Full Backup and Restore feature, which provides the means to rebuild the entire cluster if necessary. In catastrophic failure scenarios, where data structures are compromised or a significant portion of data is corrupted, a full backup is indispensable. It ensures services can be restored to normalcy in the shortest time possible, providing a robust safety net for worst-case scenarios.

A database designed for change

The business world revolves around data. The worldwide surge in online financial transactions, fueled by business models like pay-as-you-go, has created an unprecedented demand for performance, along with the assurance that that performance will be there when its needed.

A distributed SQL database is what you get when you redesign relational databases around the idea of change. As the foundation for business applications, databases must be able to adapt to the unexpected, whether it be unexpected growth, unexpected traffic, or unexpected catastrophes.

It all comes back to scale and reliability, the capacity to perform and the trust in performance. Scale gives users the ability to make things the world has never seen before. Reliability gives them the faith that what they build will keep working. Its what turns a prototype into a profitable business. And at the heart of the business, behind the familiar SQL interface, is a new architecture for a world where data is paramount.

Li Shen is senior vice president at PingCAP, the company behind TiDB.



New Tech Forum provides a venue for technology leadersincluding vendors and other outside contributorsto explore and discuss emerging enterprise technology in unprecedented depth and breadth. The selection is subjective, based on our pick of the technologies we believe to be important and of greatest interest to InfoWorld readers. InfoWorld does not accept marketing collateral for publication and reserves the right to edit all contributed content. Send all inquiries to doug_dineley@foundryco.com.
Two 18-year-olds have been charged with attempted murder and related crimes for shooting eight Northeast High School students who were waiting for a bus after school last week, police said Monday.

Jamaal Tucker and Ahnile Buggs were taken into custody over the weekend and have each been charged with seven counts of aggravated assault and related offenses. Buggs and Tucker were also charged with one count of attempted murder, conspiracy, and illegal gun possession after police said they jumped out of a car at Rising Sun and Cottman Avenues and started shooting into a group of kids Wednesday afternoon.

Eight students, ages 15 to 17, were struck by bullets. One 16-year-old was shot nine times.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said Monday that detectives believe Tucker and Buggs were among fourof the suspects. Two others involved in the crime remain at large  a third shooter and their getaway driver, he said.

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Bethel declined to divulge the details of the investigation, including the motive, but said that it may have been related to a shooting outside of Imhotep Institute Charter High School two days earlier, in which a 17-year-old was killed and four others were injured.

Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said investigators were led to the men after recovering evidence inside of the getaway car that was used in Wednesdays shooting, which police recovered abandoned in Olney later that night.

Investigators searched Tuckers home Friday and he turned himself in later that evening, while Buggs was arrested Saturday, he said.

Vanore said that when investigators searched Buggs home on Saturday, they recovered a .40-caliber Glock 22 pistol with an extended magazine, laser pointer, and a switch, a small device that attaches to a semiautomatic gun and makes it capable of fully automatic fire. A preliminary ballistics examination said the gun matched the shell casings recovered at the scene Wednesday, Vanore said.

Were not done, he said, adding that police would continue investigating the others who were in the car earlier and anyone else who played a role.

Anyone who may have aided and assisted them, were coming for them, too.

During a news conference Monday, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, joined by local and federal law enforcement partners, thanked police and said her administration is committed to preventing more such shootings  and swiftly catching perpetrators after the fact.

I need you to know that I hear you, Parker said, as if speaking to the public.

The arrests mark the latest development in a spate of gunfire last week against young people that shook the city. Eleven juveniles were shot, one fatally, within just three days, prompting city leaders to vow to find the offenders and get guns off the streets. Bethel said he would deploy more resources to school corridors, while SEPTA officials said transit police would begin more strictly enforcing lesser criminal violations and conducting more pedestrian stops.

We dont apologize for using every legal and constitutional tool in our tool belts to get that done, Parker said at the scene on Wednesday.

We will focus on prevention, intervention, and enforcement, and ... we will be unapologetic about engaging the support of every law enforcement partner, who we have available to us to help us address this issue, she added Monday.

Gunfire erupted just before 3 p.m. on the corner of Rising Sun and Cottman Avenues, an intersection known as the Five Points, where hundreds of students pass through each day, catching SEPTA buses to and from school. Northeast High is less than a mile away, and many students transfer buses at the stop.

As a crowd of kids gathered on the corner, police say a blue Hyundai was lurking, parked in the Dunkin parking lot next to the bus stop. As one group of students approached the stop, police said three young men wearing masks jumped out of the Hyundai and started shooting. Within seconds, they had fired more than 30 shots, then returned to the car and fled.

Many of the kids shot were seriously injured  one 16-year-old who was shot nine times was intubated and only recently upgraded from critical condition and able to talk. Another 16-year-old was shot multiple times in the chest and was expected to recover, while a 15-year-old had a bullet lodged in his spine and faced a risky surgery and long recovery ahead, their families said.

Within hours, police recovered the getaway car  which had been reported stolen and had a fake temporary license plate during the shooting  abandoned on a dark block in Olney. Investigators impounded the car, as well as a second stolen car they believed was linked to the Hyundai, and searched both for evidence.

Northeast High School juniors and seniors returned to in-person learning Monday with an added police presence at the perimeter of the school and additional patrols of nearby bus routes, according to the school. Freshmen and sophomores were scheduled for virtual learning Monday and theyll swap with the juniors and seniors Tuesday so educators could offer small group and individualized support, Principal Omar Crowder said in a message to parents.
In addition to expanding health insurance coverage to millions of Americans, the 2010 Affordable Care Act spurred initiatives designed to slow the growth of the nations health-care tab, in part by encouraging providers to do a better job coordinating care and eliminating care that provides little value.

 READ MORE: Better patient care, at a lower cost? A Philadelphia-area primary care doctor is testing new models to improve health care

One of these initiatives is the Medicare Shared Savings Program, which allows hospital systems and doctors groups, acting through an Accountable Care Organization (ACO), to earn bonuses if their patients with traditional Medicare cost less than government projections.

Interest in the program is rising in the Philadelphia region.
Volunteer George Moody loads the car of a DoorDash driver with a senior food box outside Share Food Program in Hunting Park. Read more

In the parking lot of the Share Food Program warehouse in Hunting Park, stacks of food boxes marked for low-income area seniors were being loaded into the cars of drivers for DoorDash, the online food-ordering and delivery service.

After one car was filled, the next one rolled up, the operation rapid and crisp outside the food bank, one of the two largest in the region, along with Philabundance.

When it was over in about two hours, more than 500 of the 32-pound senior boxes had been dispatched to older people in need in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Chester Counties. Share does such distributions on Fridays and Saturdays.

It sends out more than 1,000 deliveries of food boxes via the DoorDash app over twice a week, over two hours on each day  averaging around 4,500 a month.

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That earns Share a unique distinction: During the four weekly hours its giving out senior boxes, Share handles a greater number of delivery orders than any store or restaurant in the world on the DoorDash app, according to DoorDash executives.

That includes more than 400,000 stores and restaurants in 7,000 cities throughout 25 countries, according to figures from DoorDash executives, as well as from delivery-industry experts.

Its pretty incredible what Share has developed, said Daniel Riff, a DoorDash senior manager. They have a remarkable pickup operation.

Share has an additional distinction: an ability to adjust volume to acute needs, according to Keith Fernandez, another DoorDash senior manager.

During the food banks largest distribution days, such as last Nov. 17 and 18  the Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving  Share had ratcheted up its senior-box delivery schedule and fulfilled more orders for its clients than any individual restaurant on [the] DoorDash  [app], globally, for the entire two days, Fernandez added. He didnt offer specific numbers.

According to industry figures, DoorDash, at more than 60% of the market, is the largest online food-delivery service in the United States.

From our perspective, said George Matysik, Shares executive director, if somebody of means can order food to get to their doorstep, somebody without means should be able to also.

Growing need

Eligible seniors receive one box a month via DoorDash. Inside are juice, cereal, canned goods, and other shelf-stable food purchased by the federal government. Deliveries also include cheese.

Seniors can sign up for the Senior Food Box Program through mail-in application, over the phone with Share, or on Shares website. Some people are signed up via caseworkers or family members.

Share executives realized that older Philadelphians in need had a hard time picking up and transporting the heavy senior boxes themselves, and many simply didnt take them. Or, seniors were too embarrassed to queue up and wait to be handed food. Others didnt know they were eligible. DoorDash was utilized to fill in the gaps, executives say.

Shares DoorDash deliveries have increased 300% since 2022 because of growing need, a Share spokesperson said.

DoorDash began making senior-box deliveries for Share and nine other Pennsylvania food banks in 2021, according to Sheila Christopher, executive director of Hunger-Free Pennsylvania. The nonprofit, headquartered in the Pittsburgh area, is a statewide network of food banks and charitable organizations.

The organization pays DoorDash $450,000 a year for 8,000 statewide deliveries per month, underwritten by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Christopher said. More than half of the states deliveries originate at Share. Philabundance uses DoorDash for around 100 monthly deliveries; it relies on its own trucks to move food out, Christopher said.

DoorDash offers a discounted fee to Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, and makes no profit from the partnership, DoorDash executives said.

You pay DoorDash $8 to bring you a McDonalds burger, Christopher said. They charge us only $4.50 per senior box, part of its charitable program.

Its a lifesaver, enabling us to bring food to seniors doors. Before DoorDash, we were underserving seniors by thousands, and they were really struggling to get food.

DoorDash pretty much saved the senior-box program in Pennsylvania.

I came from starvation

On Feb. 23, around 40 DoorDashers waited in their cars for Camille Carr, home-delivery program coordinator, to give them the go-ahead to enter the parking lot and load senior boxes.

How are you today? she greeted the drivers, many of whom speak only Spanish. Summoned by notifications on their smartphones by the same method they use to pick up meals from restaurants, a few drivers didnt know what theyd be getting at Share.

But Frely Garo was an old hand at this. This pickup is good for me for the money, said Garo, 37, of Northeast Philadelphia, as he loaded his Red Toyota hybrid with boxes. Most drivers take 10 boxes, but Garo was pushing in 20. Ive been doing this a long time, he added, saying he likes helping older folks.

There was some discrepancy about how much drivers make. Some sources say they earn $2 a box from DoorDash, while others indicate its $5. DoorDash wont discuss driver compensation.

Later that morning, people like Bela Hauser, 82, of Northeast Philadelphia, received their food.

It comes right to my doorstep, said Hauser, a widow who immigrated from Eastern Europe 60 years ago and now lives on a low, fixed income. I benefit from these boxes.

I came from starvation as a child. It feels good to get this food.

For Matysik of Share, the DoorDash deliveries to Hauser and others are just the beginning.

The ultimate goal, he said, is to someday be able to deliver food to all people in need, 24 / 7  not just seniors.

Matysik called it a matter of dignity.

He added, We dont want people waiting in line for an hour waiting for food. If were still doing that in five years, then weve failed.
Kate, Princess of Wales, has issued an apology for editing the photo of her and her children. The first official photo of her since her abdominal surgery has been retracted by news services, including the Associated Press, after concerns that the photo was doctored. It comes amid rampant conspiracies about the princess's health. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool) Read more

An attempt from Kensington Palace to squash rumors about Princess Kate of Wales well-being and whereabouts backfired majorly.

Over the weekend, the first official photo of the princess  pictured with her three children and published by the palace  went viral when closer examinations revealed a slew of continuity errors. The scrutiny prompted several newswire services to retract their publications of the photo.

And in turn, the conspiracy theories  some tongue-in-cheek, but some more serious  are swirling once more.

Heres what went down.

How did the Princess Kate rumors begin in the first place?

Rumors about Princess Kate started spreading online when, in mid-January, Kensington Palace announced she had undergone a planned abdominal surgery and would be recovering in the hospital for about two weeks. At that time, Kates last public appearance was Christmas Day.

The surprise health announcement came just an hour before the palace announced King Charles III was receiving treatment for an enlarged prostate. As noted by the New York Times, the one-two punch revealed that two of Britains royal familys most senior members were now facing health trials.

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But as King Charles began to be photographed and resumed official business, Kate was not in the public eye. Her husband, Prince William, also scaled back his royal duties and bowed out at the last minute from a planned appearance to speak at a memorial service for his godfather, King Constantine.

Those events fueled a barrage of concern and conspiracy regarding Kates whereabouts, health, and personal life.

Princess Kates absence from the public became a meme

While some of the rumors and theories were seriously concerned for the Pprincess, others poked fun at the royals sudden absence from whats typically a very public role.

From suggestions that she was waiting for an unfortunate haircut to grow out to jokes she ran off with Pete Davidson, internet users have discussed going down the rabbit hole regarding conspiracy theories about Kate.

Did the royals say anything at the time?

Yes, but not much. The palace issued a statement saying Kate continued to heal and the family asked for their privacy to be respected. But it only fanned the flames, leading spectators to comment on the lack of paparazzi photos or Kate sightings.

Critics compared the palaces urging for privacy  and British tabloids actually appearing to comply  to the media circus surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the height of their involvement with the royal family.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been public about their frustrations with the paparazzi, tabloids, and lack of privacy. Fans have also pointed to Princess Kates precedent, being public and photo-ready mere hours postpartum, but ducking out of the limelight for months since her recent surgery.

What happened with the family photo of Princess Kate?

On Sunday, Kensington Palace released the first official photo since Kates surgery, commemorating Mothers Day in the United Kingdom.

The photo was of Kate surrounded by her and Williams three children. It marked the first time Kate had been seen  aside from a grainy alleged paparazzi photo of her in a car that also received scrutiny and the meme treatment  since January.

Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months, the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote in an Instagram caption. The photo was also circulated to publications by the palace. Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day. It was signed off with a C, to mark Kate  or Catherines  personal signature on the note.

But a string of apparent photo-editing errors only sparked more rumors.

What were some of the editing errors pointed out?

On social media, users began to point out inconsistencies and oddities with the photo, some even suggesting artificial intelligence was at play.

There were issues with depth perception (one of Kates hands is clear and one is blurry but both are the same distance from the camera), clothing (several necklines look altered), and distortion. Eagle-eyed viewers also pointed out Kate wasnt wearing her wedding ring.

One person even joked that the photo was clearly fake because Prince William reportedly took it, and men are stereotypically bad at taking flattering photos of their partners.

Even if the edits were innocent  the royals have been known to clean up family photos in the past  coupled with Kates privacy, consumers again were left with more questions than answers.

Which publications withdrew publication of Princess Kates photo?

After the photos circulating and gaining more scrutiny, five news agencies opted to withdraw the family photo, citing concerns it was manipulated.

By Sunday evening, Associated Press, Reuters, Getty Images, AFP, and PA  a major UK news agency  all pulled the photo.

What is a kill notice?

When the Associated Press announced it was rescinding use of the photo, it sent a kill notification to its clients, meaning the news service would not be using the photo and was advising its news partners to do the same.

What has Princess Kate or Kensington Palace said so far?

When the photo was pulled by the five news sites, Kensington Palace declined to comment.

But on Monday morning, Kate spoke out on social media, blaming personal experimentation.

Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing, the statement said. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mothers Day. C.

Unsurprisingly, the internets not buying it.
Northeast High School students return to in class learning after a group of students were shot at a bus stop last week at Cottman Avenue and Rising Sun Avenue. This photo taken on Monday, March 11, 2024. Read more

Northeast High School juniors and seniors returned to in-person learning Monday, following a shooting that left eight of their peers injured near a SEPTA bus stop last week.

As students headed to class Monday morning, police cars were stationed at the perimeter of the building, with members of the Districts Office of School Safety also on hand, and SEPTA police patrolled nearby bus routes, according to the school.

For school leaders, offering support to Northeast Highs more than 3,000 students was top of mind.

We want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority, wrote Principal Omar Crowder in a message to families over the weekend, stressing efforts to continue providing a safe and welcoming learning environment for Northeast High School students and staff.

Crisis counselors would be on site, he said, and students would have access to free mental health services through the online platform Kooth. Similar services would be offered to staff through Lyra Health, according to Crowder.

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Still, staggering the number of students learning in-person is a key part of the return to school. On Monday, juniors and seniors would be in the building while freshmen and sophomores learn virtually, with plans to swap on Tuesday. Crowder said the staggering aimed to give students small group and individualized support.

Wednesdays shooting took place on Rising Sun and Cottman Avenues where many students switch buses to get home in an area known as Five Points. The eight students shot, ages 15 to 17, experienced varying degrees of injuries. One 16-year-old suffered a graze wound near the back of his left shoulder, another 16-year-old boy was shot nine times, and a 15-year-old boy had a bullet lodged in his spine.

 READ MORE: Students shot in Northeast are still hospitalized. One is a member of the schools chess team.

Just two days earlier three students from Imhotep Institute Charter High School were shot as students making their way home began to board their SEPTA bus. Dayemen Taylor, 17, who police believe was targeted for reasons yet known, was killed in the ambush.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel joined Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and other city leaders on Friday to discuss the weeks violence in a closed-door meeting. He limited his remarks to reporters save to say authorities were making great progress on the investigations.
At left is Kaylor Haug, intern/volunteer and CJ Cross-Johnson, volunteer loading boxes of food for Senior Food Box Program. Share Food Program in Hunting Park is among the largest DoorDash operations in the world. Read more

Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Good morning and congrats to DaVine Joy Randolph, the Mount Airy native and Temple grad who just nabbed her first Oscar. Randolph won for best supporting actress Sunday night for her portrayal of Mary Lamb in The Holdovers.

Today, we look at why Hunting Park is home to one of delivery app DoorDashs most active pick-up locations in the world. Hint: Its also home to one of the regions largest food banks.

And as our new mayor evaluates the city-run Philadelphia Land Bank, community advocates share their hopes for what the program can achieve, as well as concerns about how its operated so far.

Lets get into it on this windy, partly sunny Monday.

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 Julie Zeglen (@juliezeglen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

You might know DoorDash for satisfying your craving for late-night nachos.

But at a food distribution programs Hunting Park warehouse, the delivery app is also the vehicle through which seniors in need can get cereal, canned goods, and other shelf-stable food shipped to their homes, entirely for free.

With more than a fifth of its residents living in poverty, Philadelphia remains the poorest big city in the nation. The Senior Food Box Program allows residents age 60 and older qualify to receive one box of food per month if their household income equals less than 130% of the poverty line.

Supporters say a partnership between local nonprofit Share Food, which distributes the food boxes, and DoorDash has increased access to an underserved population. Its also earned Share the surprising distinction of being DoorDashs most active delivery pickup location in the world.

By the numbers: Share sends out more than 1,000 deliveries of 32-pound food boxes via the DoorDash app twice a week, over two hours on each day  averaging around 4,500 a month.

Who pays: DoorDash gets $450,000 a year from Share for 8,000 statewide deliveries per month, underwritten by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Notable quote: From our perspective, said George Matysik, Shares executive director, if somebody of means can order food to get to their doorstep, somebody without means should be able to also.

Alfred Lubrano explains how this unique partnership works, and what the executives, drivers, and seniors involved say about its impact.

The city-operated Philadelphia Land Bank was founded in the early 2010s to acquire, manage, and sell thousands of tax-delinquent vacant properties. Since then, its seen some wins, such as an initiative that is helping private developers build hundreds of houses on city-owned parcels. Its also been criticized for failing to do enough to help those most in need of affordable housing.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has taken up the mantle of evaluating the Land Bank by the end of next month. In the meantime, reporter Lynette Hazelton asks: Can the Land Bank live up to its promise?

She spoke to five community advocates  including economic development leaders, an attorney and a City Councilperson  who told her they want transparency, equity, and an eye on whos actually benefiting from the entitys work.

What you should know today

 Trivia time

This legendary artists concerts with the Philadelphia Orchestra were its highest ticket price ever. Even so, both of this past weekends shows sold out, and quickly.

A) Mariah Carey

B) Sting

C) Iggy Pop

D) Patti LaBelle

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we're...

 Salivating over: The pies featured in The Inquirers updated guide to the regions best pizza.

 Grateful for: Stray Cat Relief Fund and SEPTAs rescue of Subrina from BSL tracks.

 Planning: Picnics in Collingswoods forthcoming pocket park.

 Unscramble the anagram

This defensive tackle announced his retirement from the Eagles after 12 seasons on Sunday.

Hint: 91

CROCHET FLEX

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Butsie Weinstein, who correctly solved Sundays anagram: Bruce Springsteen, who is playing a hometown show at Asbury Park this summer  his first there in over 20 years.

Photo of the day

Your only in Philly story

 Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if youre not a lifer, or something that made you fall in love with Philly over again  or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

This only in Philly story comes from reader Iggy Mo, who describes a Mummers dream come true from 1975:

Ringing in the new year can only properly be done in Philly. Why? Because nothing tops Phillys Mummers Parade. It has something for everyone: the pageantry of the Fancy Brigades, humor and mockery by the Comics, and there is something wrong with you if the String Bands dont get you doing the Mummers Strut. Growing up in Philly, the real treat was watching the parade on Broad Street. If not possible, watching on TV was a must! Deep inside me, the parade bred a longing to march with one of the clubs some New Years Day. With passing years, it became even more fervent.

Luck smiled on me when I met a gorgeous gal from 2 Street, the melting pot of Mummer Brigades. Somehow I hoodwinked her into marrying me, which then opened me up to experience the unmatched excitement of the Mummers Parade down 2 Street where the South Philly clubs ended their New Years march. My wifes Uncle Hubert always hosted a New Years party at his American Street home, and it was easy to pop out and watch clubs final performances for the nuns at Our Lady of Mount Carmel convent.

My wifes cousin regularly played for Comic clubs, having started in high school hired by his school band director, and then, during college and needing income, he formed his own backup group. I saw an opportunity to fulfill my dream, and expressed to him my interest in marching with him, despite no ability to play any instrument. Somehow, he agreed and secured me a spare trumpet and gave me some tips on how to pretend I was actually playing. I had to be placed in the middle of the band members so the audience couldnt perceive that I wasnt playing a single note. Obviously, not a pay gig; but I had finally realized my dream and joined the Mummers  well, sort of.

What I learned was that the Comic Mummers had huge circular outfits with a harness inside that held cans of beer which they sneakily would reach for while marching and drink through a straw. While the applause of the Broad Street crowds was great, the real excitement came from the rowdy chants of the throngs along Second Street on the clubs trek back to the clubhouse. The entire jaunt lasted just under two and a half hours, parading a total distance of almost five miles, up Broad, down Market to 2 Street, and then back via 2 Street to Wolf. Enthusiast crowds made the stretch seem not as long or tiring. The lure of marching in any future parades waned as the typical New Years Day bristling weather at 20 degrees was a hard stop. However, I can now say that I marched with the Mummers one year.

_

 I was at that waterlogged Union game on Saturday and, phew, the real MVPs were the field clean-up crew.

Thanks for starting your week with The Inquirer! See you in your inbox tomorrow.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
by David J. Lobina

To bring attention to this sort of issues is to venture into the psychological factors that underlie nationalist beliefsand here too the linguistic input is relevant, I concluded last month, promising to return to this issue in four weeks time. And to promise is to send forth, so here we are now.

What else can the linguist say about the nationalist phenomenon, then? As I was at pains to stress last week, the generative approach to the study of language constitutes a cognitive as well as a psychological theory of cognition, and in this sense, its theoretical tools can potentially characterise other mental phenomena, especially those that may be similar to language in one way or another.[i] This seems to be the case for a number of cultural customs, some of which are rather central to the nationalist outlook. Speaking a common language is often the key to developing a national identity within a large population (and thus to properly establish a nation-state), but other factors can be as important.[ii]

The point of contact between language and culture as the linguist views these phenomena is the fact that the linguists is a story of how a collection of units and principles combine to yield a rich set of possibilities  mental grammars and the external languages these grammars produce  and something along these lines appears to be true of some forms of culture as well. A number of examples can be found in some of the fields linguistics has influenced over the years, from cognitive psychology and sociology to philosophy. In A Theory of Justice, that well-known classic of political philosophy, John Rawls draws an analogy between the moral judgements people entertain in day-to-day situations and what linguists call grammatical judgements, the also common-enough ability to judge whether a sentence is acceptable or not in ones own language.[iii] And just as the linguist argues that the capacity to draw grammatical judgements is based on a rich underlying grammar that native speakers are not privy to and whose study require the skills of linguists, Rawls wondered whether this sort of approach was also necessary to account for our capacity to draw moral judgements.

The analogy may in fact carry over to any domain of human cognition that involves some sort of productivity and replicability, as in the human ability to produce and understand many kinds of sentences in all sorts of settings  part of what Noam Chomsky has called the creative use of language. Morality appears to be such a domain, as evidenced by our promiscuous ability to judge the rightness of myriad situations, and much work has been carried out to flesh out Rawlss linguistic analogy, the resultant accounts rather similar in nature to the theories linguists have developed about language.[iv] Morality is but one of the bodies of beliefs a given culture encompasses, though, so there is ample scope for exploration on this account.

Some theorists of nationalism have actually hinted at the possibility that Rawlss analogy may be true of cultural customs tout court. Ernest Gellner, he of the modernist school of nationalism I drew from in last months piece, did once point out that there seemed to be some similarities between language as Chomsky and other linguists understand this concept and culture broadly understood as patterns of conduct. Gellners actual point was that just as humans and only humans have a genetic predisposition for language, there might also be such a human predisposition for culture and cultural customs.[v] Thus, Gellner ultimately wanted to argue that cultural customs, belief systems, and social organisation are universal features in human communities and thus central to human nature, as language is, whereas states, nations, and nationalism arent.

This is not the place to develop the analogy between language and culture to any significant extent, but some general pointers pertinent to the study of nationalism can be delineated, which will suffice for my purposes. It may be possible, for a start, that cultural customs generally, from forms of behaviour and norms to belief and ethical systems, all of which appear to show a level of productivity plausibly on a par to what is possible in language, could be explained in terms of a linguistics-like theory.[vi]

Further, the significance of the analogy between linguistic and cultural forms may not lie on how expansive the parallels actually are  how far linguistic theories can be taken in order to account for the relevant non-linguistic phenomena  but on the import of the more basic facts regarding linguistic diversity and the status of individual languages. To wit, cultural customs could well be the result of the different possibilities that a mental capacity for culture confers, and this would explain why cultural customs in general can vary greatly across societies in some cases but appear rather similar in other, as per the expectation that the capacity itself is universal. Such a capacity for culture, or Culture, would explain how comes it that any person is capable of picking up any of the worlds cultural customs, whether or not this actually happens an accident of birth  as is the case with particular languages. And just as Language is underlain by building blocks from which the worlds languages are put together, cultural customs such as shared belief systems and the relations of kinship co-nationals do naturally form and cultivate from such beliefs, may also be the result of an underlying system similar in kind to the language capacity  the mental basis of kinship relations, say.

Of especial interest in this respect is the account of social relations the anthropologist Alan Fiske has put together over the years. Roughly speaking, Fiske argues that there are four principal models of sociality in the worlds cultures, all underpinned by basic properties of human psychology, and from which all possible kinds of societies are built up, much as the possible kinds of languages are built up from a pool of universal, linguistic principles. As in the case of our capacity to generate moral judgements, the accounts Fiske and others have put forward for the units and principles of the mental systems underlying so-called social cognition are similar in kind to generative theories of language.[vii] Crucially, Fiskes theory naturally extends to relations of kinship, thus potentially casting light on some of the psychological building blocks of nationalism  thus, moreover, hinting at why nationalist feelings arise so easily. [viii]

The very idea that a nation is an imagined kind of community may be the result of the unconscious extrapolation that one shares the same Volksgeist with other, unknown members of a community, but this inference is only valid on the back of much mental baggage. Initially this is a purely cognitive phenomenon: it is specific configurations of the mental systems of Language and Culture that yield the externalisations we are so accustomed to calling the English language or Italian culture; and when shared languages and cultures become widespread, they provide the necessary common ground for kinship relationships to emerge among strangers, resulting in the mental states of national identities, effectively a psychological phenomenon.

What may be peculiar to the nationalist phenomenon is the uses that the requisite external realities (spoken languages, cultural customs, etc.) can be put to by actual nationalists (i.e., by the promoters of nationalism). An analogy will clarify this point. Just as experimental psychologists are right to believe that there is a peculiar propensity in humans for certain kinds of behaviours, which in some cases are not difficult to elicit given some experimental conditions (a position behaviourism took to extremes),[ix] nationalists are also right to believe that, given a number of circumstances  namely, the imposition of a particular culture on a population, and the accompanying belief(s) that there is, and there has always been, common languages, cultures, etc.  nationalist feelings can also be prompted, and easily so.

So framed, the idea of nationalism is derivative, constructed as it is from specific instances of the mental systems that underlie language, culture, etc., both in the few minds who first think of (cultural) nationalism and in the many minds who are eventually immersed in the actual reality of (political) nationalism. What nationalism appears to do, in general, is co-opt particular iterations of Language and Culture in order to bring about homogeneity in a population, but barring homogenisation, no widespread national identity would ever emerge.

Such homogeneity is not artificial in itself, for it is based on perfectly natural and ordinary properties of cognition  that is, given a particular language and set of customs, a child will acquire and master them in normal circumstances. Whats quite artificial is the imposition of any kind of commonality on a large territory, a quite recent phenomenon in history, as I argued last month. And yet it appears to be perfectly natural to perceive, nay, to believe, that there is clear continuity in the history of any country, especially in regards to national identities, when in actual fact there is a quite large intellectual and political chasm across generations, the more so the further back we go in history.

This is on a par with the discontinuity I claimed last month is the norm when it comes to the history of a language, though perhaps in a more dramatic fashion in this case; many people have no issue sharing and even taking pride in the past glories (and, sometimes, guilt) of previous generations of supposed co-nationals, even centuries apart, and this is slightly perplexing. After all, if there is no real historical continuity to languages and cultures when these events are viewed from the perspective of linguistics  that is, as core properties of cognition  then the chasm will be more significant still when it comes to national identities. People from different centuries often inhabit very different worlds, and the implication that anything travels down generations, from glories and egregious crimes to nationalist feelings and political entities and even social contracts, is certainly suspect.

The specific point to mind is the significance of the belief that there is continuity in political ideas and national identities, regardless of the actual historical record.[x] Much as is the case for the belief that one shares a language and some cultural customs with unknown members of a community, even from the ancient past, the belief that there is some kind of political and national continuity is plausibly also psychological in nature and therein may lie an explanation for its general acceptance. Relevant to this issue is a general principle of our belief system that Chomsky has discussed in his more philosophical works.[xi]

In the context of a discussion of how we understand and treat words and abstract concepts, Chomsky argues that theres a certain unity in how we think of changes to the nature of entities such as rivers and persons. Children have no problem accepting that the prince from The Princess and the Frog remains intrinsically a prince even during his conversion into a frog, for example, and we as adults do not cease seeing a river as a river when the water has frozen over. Chomsky suggests that we follow a principle of psychic continuity in cases such as these in that we appear to be tracking what might be regarded as the essential properties of an entity  the features that persevere through time, despite apparent changes to the entitys constitution (this is the so-called doctrine of essentialism).[xii] Something along these lines may be true of how we think of nationalism as an idea, and by extension of particular nationalisms and national identities, though the analogy needs to be appropriately framed.

For a start, it is important to note that psychic continuity and essentialism dont apply to individual entities per se, but to classes of entities  that is, to the class of rivers as rivers or to the class of princes as princes. Nationalism as a general idea about political allegiance to an imagined community of co-nationals rather than to a local community of present people doesnt appear to constitute a class of entities, but nationalism as a particular idea regarding which specific national community one is part of does seem to encompass a class  namely, the class of particular national identities. If so, national identities may function as the requisite essential ingredients of particular nationalisms, the very thing that would be natural to perceive as persevering down the ages. And considering, as I have argued, that any one national identity is the result of a specific cognitive configuration (the mental systems that externalise individual languages, cultures, etc.), it may be entirely unremarkable that the belief that a national identity travels down the generations is so common  and with this, the national interests and political structures so central, so the story goes, to ones own nation.

The result is three main beliefs that might well be regarded as part of the psychic continuity of nationalism  as part of the psychology of nationalism, that is. Namely, the belief that there is unity within a present national identity; the belief that there is continuity in the history of a national identity, and indeed of a nation; and the belief, partly constructed from the previous two, that there is some immutable essence to any one national identity. These beliefs are pretty ordinary in themselves; the question is the effect of holding these beliefs together at a particular time. The case of language can once again illustrate what I am trying to convey.

Just as the same kind of languages possible today were also possible in the past, on the assumption that the capacity for language has remained invariant since the emergence of our species, the same kind of beliefs possible today  at least what may be termed core beliefs of human cognition, such as essentialist beliefs about natural kinds such as rivers and frogs, but perhaps not beliefs about, say, carburettors  must also have been possible in the past. Or to put the matter in a slightly different way, just as specific languages and not others are realised by the language capacity at particular points in time, certain kinds of beliefs, and combinations of such beliefs, can often also only be realised at specific points in time. In the case of individual nationalisms and national identities, these phenomena depend upon a number of beliefs and mental systems that, though ancient  beliefs regarding the act of belonging to a community, the linguistic capacity, whatever systems effectuate cultural forms and customs  their coming together in the way I am arguing is the case for nationalism only took place recently, and because of specific historical developments.[xiii]

There is a fair amount of presentism in the three beliefs I have identified, and presentist beliefs do appear frequently in the discourse of nationalists.[xiv] My point is that the schism I have outlined is present in a general kind way. Continuity in language and culture is a matter of degree in some cases (e.g., from one generation to the next), but clearly of kind in many others (e.g., across different generations within the last 200 years, say), and this places the reality of national identities, and of particular nationalisms, in a peculiar context.

In the next two pieces, I shall discuss some of the philosophical repercussions of all this and will consider a particular example as a case study, that of Catalan nationalism, bringing this series of articles on the linguistic update of the study of nationalism to an end.

[i] For the sake of this piece, and of this piece only, by a cognitive theory or phenomenon I shall mean the mental machinery that explains particular behaviours (e.g., the language faculty, for linguistic abilities), while by a psychological theory or phenomenon I shall mean the beliefs and desires that purportedly explain such mental states as a national identity (a species of commonsense psychology).

[ii] As I was also at pains to explain last time around, there is a lot of variability within any one nominal language and this has interesting consequences; the English spoken in Scotland is not the same kind as that spoken in England, for instance, and thus there is no impediment for two or more national identities to be related to what may be regarded as the same language. As I am trying to convey in these two pieces, national identities are bundles of different things  languages, cultures, etc.  and their identity conditions may be based on one or more of these features, but not necessarily on all.

[iii] John Rawls, A Theory of Justice (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1971), pp. 40-41.

[iv] See John Mikhail, Elements of Moral Cognition (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2011), for a linguistic account of the capacity for moral judgements, and Noam Chomsky, Mind and Language (Cambridge, England: Cambridge Universal Press, 2006) on the creative use of language.

[v] Ernest Gellner, Nationalism (London, England: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1997).

[vi] Im putting to one side quintessential examples of cultural customs, such as literature and the arts, in favour of a discussion of belief systems, which are more central to national identities, though I think something of some relevance can also be said of so-called high cultural customs.

[vii] Alan Page Fiske, The Four Elementary Forms of Sociality, Psychological Review, 99 (1992): 689-723. Some linguists have actively contributed to this account too; for a full-blown contribution, with a complexity clearly reminiscent of linguistic theorising, see Ray Jackendoff, Language, Consciousness, Culture (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2007).

[viii] Aviel Roshwald has written about the psychological building blocks of nationalism in terms of collective territoriality, solidarity based on kinship, and hostility towards outsiders, but I think these should be regarded as the outcomes of having internalised a national identity rather than as the mental fabric of the nationalist ethos, my interest here. Caspar Hirschi, The Origins of Nationalism (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2012), pp. 34 et seq., discusses Roshwalds take, and I will come back to this in four weeks time.

[ix] BF Skinner, Walden Two (Indianapolis, Indiana: Hackett Publishing, 1948) is a case in point, for which Chomsky, The case against BF Skinner, New York Review of Books (December the 30th, 1971), offers the necessary deliverance.

[x] Eric Hobsbawm, Nations and Nationalism since 1780 (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1990), pp. 73-77, also discusses the belief that there is political continuity in a nation-state, though in different terms.

[xi] See Chomsky, New Horizons in the Study of Language and Mind (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2000), for an extensive discussion.

[xii] Essentialism is an old philosophical idea, traceable back to Plato and Aristotle, about how we classify and identify things. It has received much attention in modern cognitive science too; see Susan Gelman, The Essential Child (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2003), who argues that children and adults construe classes of entities in terms of immutable, underlying essences.

[xiii] As for the general concept of nationalism  namely, the idea that one pledges political allegiance to a nation rather than to a local village or community  I would say that a further set of beliefs are at play, but I shall ignore this issue here.

[xiv] The practice of retro-projecting modern circumstances, beliefs, and even languages and cultural customs, to the past, remote or ancient, could be part of the system of core beliefs of our species too, further explaining the psychology of nationalism in general.
The U.S. Supreme Court was right to rule that states may not unilaterally determine which presidential candidates are allowed on the ballot, writes Kyle Sammin. It will be just as correct when it strikes down Donald Trump's argument for total presidential immunity. Read more

As the current electoral cycle winds on, there are already too many instances of tribalist insanity to list, but two stand out: one wielded against former President Donald Trump, and one wielded by him. The U.S. Supreme Court has already disposed of the first and will, I suspect, dismiss the second just as summarily.

The first case was decided last week, as the court issued a unanimous verdict overturning the Colorado Supreme Court and declaring that states may not unilaterally determine which presidential candidates are allowed on the ballot and which are barred as insurrectionists under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

Some of the justices would have ruled more narrowly than others, but all nine agreed that Colorados actions were out of bounds.

This was the final chapter in the weird life of a fringe theory that has been working its way through the political fever swamps and legal academia for several years now. As I wrote last year on the subject, proponents of this theory claim Section 3 is self-executing and waive away the only case on point (which says the opposite) as poorly reasoned. This gets us fully out of the legal mainstream and into hot-take territory.

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 READ MORE: Why efforts to keep Trump off primary ballots defy every principle of democracy | Kyle Sammin

There were some big names attached to the idea, including former federal judge J. Michael Luttig  a noted conservative  and law professor Laurence H. Tribe  a liberal. But that appeal to authority doesnt make the case any stronger, just more likely to get published in the Atlantic. The case was always weak and poorly reasoned. People gravitated to it only because they believed the end  keeping Trump out of the White House  justified the means.

Thats not good enough.

As Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote, Allowing Colorado to do so would, we agree, create a chaotic state-by-state patchwork, at odds with our Nations federalism principles. The problems were obvious, and the interpretation was at odds with a normal reading of the Constitution. The justices were right to slap it down.

Short-term solutions that threaten long-term calamity are common enough in the political realm, where everyone is laser-focused on winning the next election and any trade-offs are a problem for future politicians. (Prime example: our national debt  $34 trillion and growing.) The court, though, is supposed to take the long view and rule in accordance with what the law says, not what they or their political allies wish it to say. Often, courts fall short of this lofty goal, but this time, they stayed true to their judicial oaths and to the Constitution.

The next test is similar but from the other side of the political aisle.

Next month, the court will hear an appeal on Trumps assertion of possessing presidential immunity from prosecution. The claim stems from the pending case against the former president involving charges that he worked to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump contends that his actions as president are not subject to court review and that making them reviewable  allowing prosecutors to charge him for anything he did while in office  would make it impossible for the executive to act. Without immunity from criminal prosecution, his lawyers say, the presidency as we know it will cease to exist.

It is not crazy to say that there must be some presidential immunity  having the judiciary second-guess everything the president does would upend the separation of powers and transfer control of the government to an unelected branch. But what is ludicrous is how far Trump and his lawyers would take this idea: They claim that former presidents are owed complete and total immunity for any act conceivably within the outer perimeter of his executive responsibility.

In essence, the president would be immune to prosecution for anything.

 READ MORE: Between Bidens baggage and Trumps indictments, the country needs a fresh start | Kyle Sammin

Presidential immunity, as the appeals court acknowledged, is mostly undefined as a legal matter, but never has a court held that it would extend to cover alleged crimes committed by a president (they have held that presidents are immune to civil damages from official acts in office). It is a sweeping claim with no source in the text or precedents of the Constitution, a strained reading that (again) only makes sense to people intensely focused on one result: getting their candidate elected  and to hell with the consequences.

The consequences, of course, would be dire. A president with complete immunity from criminal penalties is a dictator  there is no other word for it. Such an executive would be above the law, something unknown in the history of the American republic. If the court upheld such a claim, what would stop Joe Biden from settling the election right now with a drone strike on Mar-a-Lago?

Thats absurd, of course  the president is not going to order the assassination of an American citizen. But if Trumps legal theory were the law, there would be nothing we could do about it except to impeach him, and no penalty except to remove him from office. That is a ridiculous and ahistorical result.

The court will strike down this massive attempted power grab and, I believe, will again do so unanimously. That, combined with the resolution of the 14th Amendment case, would send a signal to the people that there are limits to how insane our political frenzy will be allowed to get, and that the court  liberals and conservatives acting together  will enforce those norms.

They must because no one else will.
Advantages of the regulatory transparency initiative

Referencing its 2022 Building a More Resilient Australia report, the ICA pointed out the advantages observed in the UK model, where such a grid brought about improvements in efficiency, consistency, and clarity across the board for lawmakers, regulatory bodies, and the insurance sector.
We could follow the lead of the UK which has flagged a plan to phase out smoking by raising the minimum age anyone can buy cigarettes, by one year, every year until smoking is all but eliminated from society, he said. I admire the work of another Health Fund, St Lukes, in rallying with state government in Tasmania to provoke change via The Tasmanian Governments Tobacco Action Plan (2022-2026), which aims to put a formal review in place to end all sales of smoking products in the state.
Geoff has been an integral part of the MetLife business for more than a decade, and his contribution to our business has been significant over that time. I thank him for his dedication and service, he said.
The property and casualty (P&C) insurance sector has long been sounding alarms about climate change adaptation. The calls have been propelled by a surge in weather-related insured damages, which have skyrocketed from $400 million annually in the mid-1990s to over $3 billion in recent years.
by David J. Lobina

Like the study of any other complex idea, the analysis of nationalism requires building up boundaries between different phenomena, drawing various theoretical distinctions, and recognising the inevitable splits that arise within what may look like a whole ideology at first. It is by teasing out the building blocks of nationalism that we may obtain a better view, and it is by drawing attention to its psychological underpinnings that it might be possible to make sense of where nationalism comes from, both as an idea and as a real-life event.

Say what?

Well, this is a nice little summary of my general take on the phenomenon of nationalism, as laid out, from the perspective of linguistics, philosophy, and psychology, here, here, and here, and with a little help from the anarchist thinker Rudolf Rocker (here, here, and here).

I am bringing this into play now once again as a way to provide the right segue to the long-promised conclusion to my series on the use and abuse of fascism to describe current political events, especially in the US (started here). Its been quite a while since then, and there is a fair amount to pick up and discuss, and so I thought it would be in my best interest to write a sort of refreshment about what I was on about last time around.

The final-parter, which will double down on my original point  to wit, that the term fascism is used far too loosely these days, that most of the people it is being applied to are hardly fascists in any meaningful sense, and that modern political undercurrents bear little to no relationship to the European fascism of the 1920-30s, especially to Italian fascism  will come out next month and hopefully bring an end to the series (pending commentary forcing me to retake it later on, of course; actually, do comments still exist at 3 Quarks Daily? I havent seen any recently).

In this post, I want to bring in the thought of Rudolf Rocker for the last time in order to clarify a few issues orbiting around the study of nationalism and national interests. This brief discussion will constitute a nice segue to next months post on the application of the term fascism to current political events and movements, most of which, I will argue then, are best characterised as examples of populist nationalism, or even wannabe fascism.

As amply argued in my previous posts, then, the gathering of a large group of people under a specific nationality, language or culture is clearly artificial and the result of a concerted and top-down effort. Humans do naturally form groups on their own, are prone to communicate with each other by using some sort of common code, and co-operate with each other for various purposes (to work, to socialise, to create art, etc.).

There are certain precursors to the nationalist spirit, not least in the human propensity to imitate and share each others ways of speaking and acting, but there are few givens in nature and no common or naturally congruous languages and cultural customs but infinitely many diverse manifestations of these phenomena.

What nationalism does is co-opt a number of basic properties of human nature, exploiting the fact that human cognition allows for both commonalities and diversities in the very phenomena that are central to building a nationalist sentiment  language, culture, etc. But the commonalities nationalisms produce are always due to modern conditions, often created anew and dubiously ever created from pre-existing ties, apart from the manner in which cultural or ethnic ties are imagined to be as well as how these perceptions are used by the elites to construct the very identities that are central to individual nationalisms but for which there is typically very little actual precedent.

There is something rather natural about nationalism as an idea, though in practice a specific nationalism is a contingency and particular national identities in a way illusory, based as they ultimately are on unobservable, internal realities such as the mental grammars that underlie what looks like an external language, but quite isnt (and likewise for cultural customs).

Rocker did but intuit the general state of affairs, but he lacked the theoretical tools to ascertain it properly at the time. His magnum opus, Nationalism and Culture, the book I keep on recommending in this Column, constitutes an immensely rich analysis of nationalism, a phenomenon approached from many different viewpoints in the book, many in need of further elaboration, most notably the following, I would say: the power relations within communities that typically arise where nationalism and which often result in different castes or classes; the tendency of nationalism to do away with federalist ties and push towards centralisation, often by playing up so-called national interests, which in extreme form can derive into fascism; and the relationship of nationalism to capitalist models of production and social Darwinist models of society.

Take the role of national interests. Now, interestingly, one of Rockers main points in his book is that there is no unified set of national interests. So-called national interests never apply to a population at large but typically only reflect the interests of the small groups of people who are in charge (once again, the elites):

The alleged community of national interests does not exist in any country; it is nothing more than a representation of false facts in the interest of small minorities (Nationalism and Culture, p. 264; my emphasis).

To make this point, Rocker argues that for the majority of people who are born and grow up in a particular nation the state of affairs is such that, strictly speaking, they have little say in what type of citizens they become  in particular, what national identity they will acquire. The school system and the overall environment where a person is born conspire, as it were, to make one a citizen of a special kind  i.e., of a particular national identity  but there is no choosing involved and possibly no legitimising where one is born. What matters for Rocker is ones immediate environment, for it is

the force of social circumstances [that]is always stronger than the abstract assumptions of all nationalistic ideology (p. 275).

What I mean by legitimising where one is born  the legitimisation of ones national identity, effectively  is that in the overwhelming majority of cases throughout history the question of whether any citizen is given the right to consent, or indeed accept, the political system they inherit hardly ever arises. There are of course exceptions, but these tend to come after crises and do not occur as a matter of fact; there were various referenda in both Italy and Spain after the regimes imposed by Mussolini and Franco fell, for instance, resulting in the adoption of novel constitutional arrangements, but subsequent generations have had little to say in the matter (minus elections and other, narrower referenda).

This sentiment is a familiar one in the anarchist literature, in fact, from Rockers own work to modern discussions of the tension between the authority of the nation-state and the autonomy of the individual (e.g., here). The point here is that there can often be quite a large intellectual and political chasm between what effectively are rather recent generations, and the gap can only increase the further back we go in history. The political continuity can perhaps be best exemplified by the common practice of sharing and even taking pride in the past glories (and, sometimes, guilt) of previous generations of supposed co-nationals, even centuries apart. But what justifies these beliefs, really?

If there is no real historical continuity to languages and cultures when these events are viewed from the perspective of linguistics and psychology  that is, as primitive properties of human cognition, as I have argued consistently in previous posts, aforementioned  then the chasm will be more significant still when it comes to political ideas and belief systems. People from different centuries often inhabit very different worlds, and the implication that anything travels down generations, from glories and egregious crimes to nationalist feelings and social contracts, certainly shouldnt be taken for granted. The specific point to mind here is the significance of the belief that there is continuity in political ideas and thus in political structures and national interests, regardless of the actual historical record.

Rocker thought that one unifying phenomenon was culture and cultural output, though he certainly denied that the artist derives much inspiration from national interests. Instead, Rocker argues, artists draw inspiration from their own personal circumstances and endowments as well as from the great cultural unity artists supposedly belong to:

Every artist is in the end only a member of a great cultural unity which, along with his personal endowments, determines his work; and in this nationality plays an entirely subordinate role (p. 516).

Mans ability to enjoy other cultures (p. 347), Rocker stresses, derives from the proclivity of human beings to create culture and the arts to being with, a tendency that may be

in its essence everywhere the same despite the ever increasing number and the endless diversity of its special forms of expression (p. 345).

This is not to deny that different political systems may very well have different effects on the type of art that is produced. Rocker may be right to point out that the modern state and nationalism developed pari passu rather than independently of each other in early modern Europe, one of the main points of the book, but no state is a monolith and there are all sorts of non-capitalist and non-nationalist currents in modern countries, many of which plausibly have an effect on art and culture. Nevertheless, the general idea is in line with Rockers own understanding of freedom and the role of culture in resisting some of the more restrictive policies of the nation-state, for he conceived freedom

as a practical possibility which guarantees to every member of society that he may develop to the fullest all those powers, talents and capacities with which nature has endowed him (p. 344).

Maybe so. And maybe nationalism, as I am prone to argue, proves to actually be innocuous to the human capacity for language and culture in that the richness of human experience can continue more or less unabated despite the homogenisation a given nationalism imposes, an aspect that Rocker was in no position to appreciate given his limited understanding of the psychological underpinnings of both language and culture.

But the life experience nationalism forces upon a person is anything but innocent. There is much more to a person than the national identity one is supposed to belong to, and it would be a gross mistake to subordinate the autonomy of individuals and the associations individuals freely form to the unconditional acceptance of what is supposed to be common to a given group of people, for such premade representations of what a person is imposes quite wide-ranging constraints. Nationalist feelings do not arise naturally, and the fact that they are ubiquitous precisely because there is an overall structure that promotes them is an indication that they may not be so central to the fabric of human societies after all.

Still, it is precisely because of these characteristics of nationalism that the phenomenon is ripe for demagogy, populism, and taken to the extremes, for the totalitarian ideology that is  that was  fascism. And no doubt that there are many wannabe fascists and sentimentalist reactionaries out there, but (Italian) fascism was the result of particular historical events and conditions (among other things, extreme political violence from all sides, the birth of party-militias, totalitarian views of society, etc.) and the similarities between that time in Europe and our own societies  or, as brought up by the philosopher and political commentator Jason Stanley in a comment to my original post, between Europe and the US in the very 1920-30s  are extremely superficial and I would argue that very little is in fact gained for the understanding of our own political situation from these comparisons.

I do realise that the word fascism is often used simply to mean right-wing authoritarianism, and thats fine as far as it goes, though I think this also adds very little to our understanding of current events and seems to be used, mostly, to score ideological points. I also realise that many people, especially in the US and the English-speaking world, are quite taken with Umberto Ecos popular essay on Ur-fascism and take this article as a sort of authoritative take on fascisms mode de vie, but that essay was on ways of acting and speaking, at its heart, and it is hardly a good guide to understanding historical fascism or even the Italian post-fascist parties from the time that Eco wrote the essay (the latter is the actual context of Ecos article). But anyway, more about all this anon (also known as next months post!).
Companies need to use AI to fight AI, Abate said. These tools are fast-becoming essentials in the fraud toolkit to prevent fraudsters from gaining the upper hand. But if you dont perform regular fraud risk assessments to identify external and internal risks and vulnerabilities, you will always be at a disadvantage.
The discussions that took place reaffirmed the importance of understanding both local market dynamics and global trends in shaping effective insurance solutions, Couto said. As we continue to witness rapid geopolitical shifts and unforeseen disruptions, it is imperative that we equip ourselves with the knowledge and resources to effectively mitigate these risks and safeguard our clients interests.
Our surety division provides appeal bonds in the normal course of business. These bonds are an ordinary and important part of the American justice system, protecting the rights of both defendants and plaintiffs, the company said in a statement.
The courts analysis and decision

The courts analysis focused on the insurance policys terms, particularly the schedule of locations, which explicitly outlined the premises covered under the policy. The court emphasized the importance of the policys language, stating that coverage was limited to premises owned, rented, or occupied by TriStar as per the schedule. Since the warehouse was neither owned, rented, nor occupied by TriStar at the time of the tornado and was not listed in the schedule of locations, the court found no basis for coverage.
The agency wont retain its current physical location. However, Kaplansky did assure existing clients that there will be a seamless transition and continued access to the exceptional service they have come to expect.
Vice president - Phillip McCrorie of RSUI in Atlanta, GA

Secretary - Patrick Albrecht from Associated Insurance Administrators, Inc. in Montgomery, AL

Treasurer - Wendy Houser of Markel Specialty in Dallas, TX

Immediate past president - Dave Obenauer from CRC Group in Charlotte, NC

Furthermore, WSIA has elected several members to serve three-year terms as directors. These are Cristi Carrington of Brown & Riding in Seattle, WA; Veronica Davis from Atlantic Casualty Insurance Company in Goldsboro, NC; Henry Lopez of Navigators in Schaumburg, IL; Phillip McCrorie of RSUI in Atlanta, GA; Jeff McNatt from Amwins in Indian Harbor Beach, FL; and Patrick Roe of Arlington/Roe in Indianapolis, IN.
When the 19,000 gross ton bulk carrier MV Rubymar entered the Red Sea just a few weeks ago, the captain knew that the area was dangerous, but he also knew that the Houthi rebels were targeting UK and US owned ships. His vessel was Belize flagged, and Lebanese owned. His assessment was that the risks offered by the Houthis were worth avoiding the 3,000-6,000 mile detour offered by a trip around the Cape of Good Hope.
Two Jewish students filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology accusing the university of allowing antisemitism on campus that has resulted in them being intimidated, harassed and assaulted.

The lawsuit mirrors similar legal actions filed since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, including at Columbia University, New York University, Harvard University and University of Pennsylvania. In the MIT lawsuit, the students and a nonprofit that fights antisemitism, StandWithUs Center for Legal Justice, accuse the university of approving antisemitic activities on campus and tolerating discrimination and harassment against Jewish students and faculty.

As a result of MITs blatant and intentional disregard for its legal and contractual obligations to its students, plaintiffs and other students have suffered injury to themselves and their educational experience, the lawsuit alleges. Jewish and Israeli students at MIT have felt unsafe attending classes, have in some instances deferred graduation dates or exams, and some professors have left the university.

A statement from MIT said the university does not typically comment on pending litigation.

Generally, wed note MIT has established processes in place to address concerns of discrimination and harassment, according to the statement.

The lawsuit is requesting the court prohibit MIT from establishing, implementing, instituting, maintaining, or executing policies, practices, or protocols that penalize or discriminate against Jewish students. It also is demanding that MIT take any preventive measures including firing staff and expelling students who engage in antisemitic behavior.

The lawsuit also calls for the university to communicate to the school community that it will condemn, investigate, and punish any conduct that harasses members of the Jewish community, or others on the basis of their ethnic or ancestral background.

Last month, MIT suspended a student group that held demonstrations against Israels military campaign in Gaza because it didnt go through the schools approval process. In a video message explaining the suspension, MIT President Sally Kornbluth said criticizing policies of any government including Israel was permitted but that members of one community shouldnt feel its OK to vilify and shun Israeli and Jewish members of our community.

Equally, we shouldnt feel its OK to vilify everyone who advocates for the Palestinian people as supporting Hamas, Kornbluth said. We definitely shouldnt feel its OK to single out other members of our community because of where theyre from or what they believe and tell them that theyre not welcome on our campus.

Fallout from the Israel-Hamas war has roiled campuses across the U.S. and reignited a debate over free speech. College leaders have struggled to define the line where political speech crosses into harassment and discrimination, and Jewish and Arab students have raised concerns that schools are doing too little to protect them.

The issue took center stage in December when the presidents of Harvard, Penn and MIT testified at a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism. Asked by Republican lawmakers whether calls for the genocide of Jews would violate campus policies, the presidents offered lawyerly answers and declined to say unequivocally that it was prohibited speech.

Their answers prompted weeks of backlash from donors and alumni, leading to the resignation of Presidents Liz Magill at Penn and Claudine Gay at Harvard.

Hamas Oct. 7 attacks killed 1,200 people in Israel, mainly civilians, and abducted around 250 others, nearly half of whom were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November.

Since the war began, Israels assault in Gaza has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, roughly 1% of the territorys population, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. Aid groups say the fighting has displaced most of the territorys people and pushed a quarter of the population to the brink of famine.

The U.S. Department of Education has repeatedly warned colleges that they are required to fight antisemitism and Islamophobia on their campuses or risk losing federal money. The agency has opened dozens of investigations at colleges and universities in response to complaints of antisemitism and Islamophobia since the Oct. 7 attacks, including at Harvard, Stanford and MIT.

Photo: Cambridge Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus with trees and lawn aerial view with Charles River..

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits
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.

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.

Documentary Series

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.

Mayor Adams

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.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New York Legislation Law Enforcement
Italys data protection agency said on Friday it had opened an investigation into a service developed by Microsoft-backed Open AI that can generate videos based on text prompts.

The regulator, known as Garante, asked Open AI to clarify whether the way it informs users and non users about the data it employs for its product, known as Sora, is in line with European Union regulations.

OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Italian regulator is one of the blocs most proactive authorities in assessing AI platform compliance with the EUs data privacy regime. Last year it banned ChatGPT over alleged breaches of the blocs privacy rules.

In its statement it did not level any specific accusation against OpenAI but said it was looking at the potential implications that Sora might have on the use of personal data in the EU and in Italy in particular.

Among other requests, it asked OpenAI to provide information on how the algorithm was trained, which data were collected and used to train it, and whether the service is already available to users in the EU and Italy.

(Reporting by Elvira Pollina, editing by Gavin Jones and Alexander Smith)

Topics InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence
by Mike Bendzela

We love our antique coal range. Are we bad people? The answer is easily Yes, of course, but it has less to do with our infatuation with the coal range than with our membership in the club of approximately 1.5 billion in the industrialized world. Our utter dependence on the energy-intensive collective economic system of the developed nations makes us pretty damned rapacious, by historical standards. Our individual dependence on the coal range, not so much. The gargantuan footprint of the human enterprise is nothing any of us can do a thing about. Therefore, I say, Gather ye anthracite while ye may.

Why bother with the hassle of such an antiquated heating system? We live in a rambling, restored, 18th century Maine farmhouse with 19th century additions and barn. My spouse, Don, is a retired cabinetmaker and carpenter, an aficionado of 19th century mechanical systems, and an amateur historian of Maines rural social life. He bought the stove decades ago and, with the help of a local mason, installed the edifice into the opening of an existing kitchen fireplace. It required mortaring cast iron panels into a pre-built brick infrastructure. The stove thus sits flat against the fireplace wall instead of sticking out into the room like most cast iron stoves.

The original coal grate was burned out, so Don made a pattern of it in carved hardwood and delivered it to a foundry to be cast in iron. Coal grates must be bulky and heavy, as coal burns at a much higher temperature than wood and will destroy a wood grate. Don devised an iron pipe water back to go through the firebox and cemented it in place with refractory cement. (The original brass water back was missing.) Water runs through this water back, heats up, and fills the copper-nickel alloy range boiler to the left of the stove. From October through May, that is, during the heating season, all the hot water for the house is heated through the coal range. During the hot months we switch on the electric hot water heater and use a propane stove for cooking.

The top of this stove is an ideal cooking surface. The sweet spot right over the top of the firebox gets hot enough sometimes to boil a kettle of water in a couple of minutes. The rest of the surface is used for either simmering or warming, depending on how far away from the firebox you move the pot or pan. The interiors of the two ovens above the firebox sit right back into the masonry and are suitable for baking during the heating season. On winter Saturdays, the bean potyou can see it on the shelf near the top of the stove in the photographis in the oven with its load of Maine Yellow Eye beans, spiced molasses sauce, and a chunk of pork. Its a Maine tradition we enjoy following throughout the winter months (although this season has scarcely felt like winter: the news just arrived that this past February was the hottest on record, following a whole string of warmer-than-normal months).

Thus, the Carpenter brick-set range provides three services in one: space heating, cooking, and hot water. We burn 3 tons of coal (and 5 cords of firewood in a parlor stove) through the long, cold months. It used to be far worse: Back in the day, when Don first moved here during the energy crisis of the 1970s (and before that coal range was installed), he cut 22 cords of hardwood on the property and burned it in a Glenwood cast iron stove in the kitchen and a Portland Foundry box stove in the back parlor. Snow drifts blew in under the doors, and water regularly froze on the kitchen floor. By the time I moved here in 1985, he had improved the housepulling out walls and insulating them; replacing large, Victorian window updates with smaller, more traditional nine-over-six-pane window sashesand the fuel requirements had diminished down to 6 tons of coal and 8 cords of firewood. With the total super-insulation of the roof and attic several years ago, we have cut our coal and firewood use nearly in half. The owner of the place (we are tenants) plans to install an under-the-floor radiant heating system this year. Well continue to use about three tons of coal to cook our meals, heat our hot water, and warm the kitchen to cozy temperatures.

The primary limitation to our consumption of coal is that age-old restraint on the consumer: price. (There is also the hassle of having to schlep all those bags and haul all those ashes.) My father told me that as a kid growing up in Ohio in the 1940s, his family paid 5 dollars a ton for the coal they burned in their cellar furnace. Today, each ton of coaldelivered now on pallets of fifty 40-pound plastic bags, not as a bulk truckloadcosts us 500 dollars. That makes it prohibitively expensive for power plants, so it is used mostly in domestic heating. The price has doubled at least in the time (35+ years) that we have been burning it here in Maine. The reason: mineable anthracite is running out. Production peaked at around 100 million tons in 1917, and the US is mining less now (5 million tons) than in 1850. Were burning basically the tailings in our set range.

Being the highest quality coal there is, anthracite was seized on and burned like crazy throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was the go-to coal for high-temperature processes such as smelting and for powering locomotives. Anthracite is a beautiful thing: it is highly metamorphosed, meaning the original organic matter of which it is composed (lignin from prehistoric trees) was buried deeply and pressure-cooked for a long time, squeezing the water and impurities out of it, bringing it just short of being graphite, over 90% carbon. A lump of anthracite shines like a black jewel, and there is nothing like the popping, crackling sound of the first shovelful of coal being added to a kindling wood fire in the range in October, when the cold sets in and the heating season begins.

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One of the perks of being an adjunct instructor is that I get to take courses for free at the university where I work. In 2017 I took an evolution course (Biology 217) from the late Professor Kenneth Weber (1943-2023). I do this because I am mad about the subject and have taken every evolution course I can in the Biology and Anthropology departments at school. One of our projects was to get to know a geological period by doing a little research and using a wonderful illustrated text called Prehistoric Life: The Definitive Visual History of Life on Earth. I decided to search after the origins of the coal we burn in the range. I titled my little paper My Journey to the Gzhelian Stage of the Pennsylvanian Sub-Period of the Carboniferous.

I emailed Kimmels Coal of Wiconisco, PA, for information about the origin of the coal we buy, but they did not respond. I used Google Maps to find Wiconisco, which is in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. A Google search for Dauphin County PA coal brought me to the Dauphin County Conservation Districts website and the article Coal Mining in the Bear Creek and Wiconisco Creek Watersheds. There I learned that in the past, underground mining operations [near the Wiconisco Creek watershed] worked more than 20 anthracite beds of the Pottsville and Llewellyn formations. Googling the names of those formations brought me to the remarkable journal, Fossil Record 4: Bulletin 67, put out by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. I hit pay dirt there, as it were, with the article Vertebrate Ichnofossils from Coal Mine Tailings of the Pennsylvanian Llewellyn Formation, Eastern Pennsylvania:

The sedimentary deposits of the Llewellyn Formation developed in peat-swamps associated with perennial braided rivers of the developing Appalachian foreland basin. . . . The plant biostratigraphy of the Llewellyn Formation indicate a Pennsylvanian age that ranges from the Kasimovian through the Gzhelian, approximately 307 to 300 M[illion years ago]. . .

I didnt expect to arrive within such a precise 7-million-year window of the Carboniferous Period. The article goes on to the tell the story of Ralph Dupuy Lacoe, a retired financier who became a self-taught paleontologist. He collected fossils associated with various coal mining sites within 100 miles of Wiconisco, PA. His collection of over 100,000 specimens included trackways of an early tetrapod! The article even contains photographs of the stone slabs with little footprints in them. What a wondrous journey: the coal we burn was formed from trees growing at a time when the first four-footed animals walked the planet.

The plants of the timeLycophytes, gigantic club-moss trees, and other flora such as ferns and huge horsetails that grew in coastal swampsaccumulated in peat beds, which were interlayered with alternating sedimentary deposits and over time partially metamorphosed into coal. These forests would have hosted enormous winged insects in the air (dragonflies with 25-inch wingspans), as well as the first spiders, roaches, millipedes and scorpions. It sounds like an amphibians paradise. Remarkably, according to the the text of Prehistoric Life, there was a tremendous drop in atmospheric CO2 levels in the coal-forming stages of the Late Carboniferous. One wonders whether the earlier greenhouse world which had given rise to the huge forests didnt collapse all at once after all the carbon had become sequestered in those coal beds . . . which over 300 million years later would be rapidly, avidly, and impetuously mined by energy-hungry Pennsylvanians . . .

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And what about that carbon? Youre helping to release all that prehistoric carbon right back into the atmosphere, possibly recreating the conditions under which those Lycophyte forests grew!

I have pondered this question obsessively. Carbon dioxide molecules are the same, no matter whether they come from coal, oil, gas or animal respiration. Im aware of the different isotopes of carbon: carbon produced from fossil and living organisms has a different isotopic fingerprint than that produced by volcanoes. But in terms of their greenhouse activity, theyre the same. Anthracite coalalmost all of it from Pennsylvania and Walesis especially carbon dense; that makes it the richest, most efficient of the coals, burning with a hot, steady flame that is most comforting and easy to tend: Shut down for the night, our range can go twelve hours or more before it has to be tended. Im turned off by the term clean coal, but anthracite is the cleanest of all the coals in that it has fewer impurities than lower grade coals such as bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite, which comprise most the the 8.5 billion tons! of coal burned worldwide per year.

Grappling with this gargantuan carbon problem is nauseating. In spite of newer, alternative energy sources always coming online, we never replace the use of existing sources, as geologist Art Berman explains: We simply add on top of them, like the layers of a cake. Actual biomass use and hydro power capacity have not declined in spite of the onset of the fossil fuels, only as a percentage of the whole. Actual fossil fuel use has not declined in spite of the onset of nuclear and alternative sources; it has just diminished slightly as a proportion of total energy used. Meanwhile, we grow and consume and continue carrying on like yeasts in a carboy of cider.

I decided to calculate our carbon footprint, expecting to be horrified. I was, but only moderately so. I first discovered that the online carbon footprint calculators are a mess. They ask different questions and cough up varying footprints. Most of them do not have a space to enter anthracite coalor sometimes even hardwoodas a household heating source. The one useful site I did find, carbonfootprint.com, did have a spot for home coal use, but I had to fudge the firewood component by entering 6 tons of wood pellets to approximate the weight of 5 cords of dry, seasoned, mixed hardwood. The calculated footprint for household was fairly precise, as I have all the receipts for our purchases of coal, firewood, propane, and electricity. Rounded up slightly, it comes out to be 5 tons per our two-person household. Figuring out the footprint for our single vehicle (a 2018 Nissan Frontier) was pretty straightforward as well, for we put about 9000 miles on it last year, giving a shocking 4 tons for a footprint. But there was no way to figure in the use of gasoline for lawn mowing: During my summer job, I mow a 5-acre cemetery approximately 7 times per year; and we have a one-acre apple orchard here on the farm to keep mowed.

Lots of categories got zeroes: air flights, public transport, and motorcycles; hotels and restaurants; television, recreation, sports. . . . Things became really dicey, though, when it came to calculating secondary sources of carbon, namely all the ways we run our household. They ask for the costs of food and drink products of an average meat eater. Besides not really knowing the answer, I was unsure whether raising all of our own pork offset or added to our footprint. (A delivery truck brings sacks feed to the farm.) How about that half a cow we bought from a neighbor up the road? Does that offset some of the carbon of being the average meat eater, or not? What about growing and storing about 25% of our own bulk vegetables? And processing and preparing all our meals at home? Why do they need to know our mortgage and loan interest payments? My cell phone adds approximately .14 metric tons of carbon to our footprint. So I am told.

Our totaland most certainly incorrectcarbon footprint came out to be just shy of 12 tons. Even if I fudge it and add a ton, thirteen tons is still significantly lower than the approximately 15-and-a-quarter-tons average for persons in the United States. This in spite of living in cold northern New England and burning coal.

But our footprint is significantly higher than the EU average of 6.8 tons. And it is obscenely higher than the worldwide average of 4.8 tons. Nearly three times as high, in fact. How accurate can we be with such footprints?

When you begin looking at the numbers, the pernicious bullshit of personal carbon footprint calculators becomes clear. We are all entangled, in one way or another, in the vast industrial system of the West, whose fossil energy needs are beyond comprehension. I learned the term entanglement in a course called Origins of Mediterranean Civilizations to 750 CE, taught by a delightfully crabby Texan who has since retired. We read from the book Entangled: An Archaeology of the Relationships between Humans and Things by Ian Hodder, who has spent most of his career excavating the Neolithic settlement of Catalhoyuk in central Turkey. He shows us how humans identities are as tied up in the material cultures into which they are born as they are in the physical facts of their anatomies. You learn as much about people by examining their stone tools as by examining the stable isotopes in their teeth.

If you just look around at the world we live in, there is fossil carbon everywhere. Energy and environmental scholar Vaclav Smil rubs our faces in our collective carbon energy entanglement in his book How the World Really Works. He reminds us

that the four pillars of modern civilization, cement, steel, plastics, and ammonia [fertilizer] are just vast expressions of our coal mines and our gas and oil wells, making our individual carbon footprints seem quaint. It brings into question the whole concept of alternative energy. Just think: without steel, concrete, and plastic, there would be no wind turbines and electric vehicles; and without ammonia-based fertilizers, there would be no workers to change the batteries! Green, my ass! We are as shot through with fossil carbon as we are with the organic molecules of our physical composition.

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What is the carbon footprint of raising five cats, twenty-four chickens, and a smattering of turkeys, including veterinary care and commercial feed?

What is the carbon footprint of the 10 types of imported bulk teas we have delivered to the house every year?

What is the carbon footprint of a years worth of our dental workfillings, root canals, partials and all? Of Dons thirty-five radiation treatments for acinic cell carcinoma? Of the sophisticated plastic medical devices he has delivered to our doorstep monthly to monitor his diabetes?

What is the carbon footprint of the computers I spend time on preparing student assignments and reading and grading their work? Of the energy embedded in the construction and materials of my banjo and two fiddles?

World population grows by close to a quarter of a million people a day, swamping any pretense we may have of offsetting carbon with our personal choices. So, like the last tailings of Pennsylvanias anthracite mines vanishing into our kitchen range, we can pretty much count on the worlds vast stores of oil and natural gas all going up in smoke.

_____________________

Images

Photographs by the author unless otherwise noted.
An attack by Yemens Houthi rebels set off explosions ahead of a Singapore-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Aden, authorities said, 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 militarys Central Command. The missiles did not impact the vessel, the U.S. military said. There were no injuries or damages reported.

The Houthis said Saturday they were behind the attack. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. 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 Saturday that the U.S. Navy, allied warships and aircraft have shot down 15 bomb-carrying Houthi drones in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

Fridays 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 Houthis 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 fertilizer-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 U.S. 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 countrys capital of Sanaa since 2014. Theyve battled a Saudi-led coalition since 2015 in a long-stalemated civil war in the Arab worlds most impoverished country.

Since the U.S. 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.

Photograph: This black-and-white image released by the U.S. militarys Central Command shows the fire aboard the bulk carrier True Confidence after a missile attack by Yemens Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. A missile attack by Yemens Houthi rebels on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday killed three of its crew members and forced survivors to abandon the vessel, the U.S. military said. It was the first fatal strike in a campaign of assaults by the Iranian-backed group over Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. (U.S. Central Command via AP)

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James River Group Holdings Ltd. announced it has filed a lawsuit against Fleming Intermediate Holdings for its failure to complete the $277 million acquisition of its casualty reinsurance subsidiary, JRG Reinsurance Co.  a deal that was first announced on Nov. 8, 2023.

Filed in the Supreme Court, New York County, Commercial Division, James River said the action was brought because Fleming failed to abide by its contractual obligation to complete the acquisition in accordance with the stock purchase agreement (SPA).

James River has taken all of the contractually required steps to effect a closing, including the receipt of all regulatory approvals. However, just hours prior to the contractually required closing, Fleming claimed that it had no obligation to close and did not attend the scheduled closing call, James River said in a statement. Fleming subsequently demanded material economic changes to the agreed-upon transaction terms.

Fleming is a portfolio company of private equity sponsor Altamont Capital Partners, which is based in Palo Alto, California.

On March 12, Fleming issued the following statement, attributed to Flemings CEO Eric Haller:

James River Groups complaint misrepresents the facts to distract from its attempt to deliver JRG Reinsurance to Fleming in a condition that dramatically violated the parties agreement while refusing to cure its breaches of contract. Fleming has no obligation to close the transaction and will defend itself against this frivolous lawsuit.

AM Best Revises JRG Res Rating

In late December 2023, AM Best announced it had downgraded the financial strength rating of JRG Reinsurance Co. to B++ (Good) from A- (Excellent) and its long-term issuer credit ratings to bbb+ (Good) from a- (Excellent), while placing JRG Res credit ratings under review with negative implications.

At the same time, AM Best revised the outlook of most of the subsidiaries of James River Group Holdings to negative from stable, while affirming their financial strength ratings of A- (Excellent) and their long-term issuer credit ratings of a- (Excellent). The ratings agency also revised the holding companys outlook to negative from stable while affirming its long-term ICR of bbb- (Good).

These rating actions followed announcements from James River Group Holdings that it: 1) had identified a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting, 2) it would sell JRG Re, and 3) it will explore strategic business alternatives for the organization.

Nevertheless, AM Best said the ratings of James River Group Holdings subsidiaries reflect their balance sheet strength (which AM Best assessed as very strong), as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and marginal enterprise risk management (ERM).

In its announcement, James River emphasized that as long as it continues to own JRG Re, James River will continue to operate and support JRG Re and its cedents as it has throughout its ownership.

The lawsuit makes clear that Flemings self-serving complaints are flatly contradicted by the parties signed agreement. James River will take all actions necessary to protect its interests, enforce James Rivers rights under the SPA and compel Fleming to complete the transaction in accordance with its terms, James River went on to say in its announcement of the legal action.

James River is taking immediate action to enforce its rights under the previously agreed upon transaction with Fleming and ensure that Fleming fulfills its obligations to the company. We remain confident in the strength of JRG Re and its team, and we believe that the steps we are taking are in the best interests of James River and its shareholders, commented Frank DOrazio, James Rivers chief executive officer, in a statement.

Founded in 2007, JRG Re is focused on underwriting property/casualty reinsurance for small-to-medium-sized specialty companies, specialty divisions of larger companies, and regional carriers with defined competitive advantages and consistent results, the company said on its website, noting that its portfolio is heavily weighted toward short-to-intermediate-tail casualty lines. JRG Re targets working layer excess of loss and proportional treaty reinsurance. Currently, the client base consists of insurance companies writing business in the United States.

Bermuda-based James River Group Holdings owns and operates a group of specialty insurance and reinsurance companies in three specialty property/casualty insurance and reinsurance segments: excess and surplus lines, specialty admitted insurance and casualty reinsurance.

Topics Lawsuits
Norfolk Southern alone will be responsible for paying for the cleanup after last years fiery train derailment in eastern Ohio, a federal judge ruled.

The decision issued Wednesday threw out the railroads claim that the companies that made chemicals that spilled and owned tank cars that ruptured should share the cost of the cleanup.

An assortment of chemicals spilled and caught fire after the train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 2023. Three days later, officials blew open five tank cars filled with vinyl chloride because they feared those cars might explode. Residents still worry about potential health consequences from those chemicals.

The Atlanta-based railroad has said the ongoing cleanup from the derailment has already cost it more than $1.1 billion. That total continues to grow, though EPA officials have said they expect the cleanup to be finished at some point later this year.

U.S. District Judge John Adams said that ruling that other companies should share the cost might only delay the resolution of the lawsuit that the Environmental Protection Agency and state of Ohio filed against Norfolk Southern. He also said the railroad didnt show that the derailment was caused by anything the other companies could control.

The court notes that such arguments amongst potential co-defendants does not best serve the incredibly pressing nature of this case and does not change the bottom line of this litigation; that the contamination and damage caused by the derailment must be remediated, Adams wrote.

Norfolk Southern declined to comment on Adams ruling.

The railroad had argued that companies like Oxy Vinyls that made the vinyl chloride and rail car owner GATX should share the responsibility for the damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board has said the crash was likely caused by an overheating bearing on a car carrying plastic pellets that caused the train to careen off the tracks. The railroads sensors spotted the bearing starting to heat up in the miles before the derailment, but it didnt reach a critical temperature and trigger an alarm until just before the derailment. That left the crew scant time to stop the train.

GATX said the ruling confirms what it had argued in court that the railroad is responsible.

We have said from the start that these claims were baseless. Norfolk Southern is responsible for the safe transportation of all cars and commodities on its rail lines and its repeated attempts to deflect liability and avoid responsibility for damages should be rejected, GATX said in a statement.

Oxy Vinyls declined to comment on the ruling Thursday.

The chemical and rail car companies remain defendants in a class-action lawsuit filed by East Palestine residents, so they still may eventually be held partly responsible for the derailment.

Photo: A view of the scene Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, as the cleanup continues at the site of of a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment that happened on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Ohio
While artificial intelligence made headlines with ChatGPT, behind the scenes, the technology has quietly pervaded everyday life  screening job resumes, rental apartment applications, and even determining medical care in some cases.

While a number of AI systems have been found to discriminate, tipping the scales in favor of certain races, genders or incomes, theres scant government oversight.

Lawmakers in at least seven states are taking big legislative swings to regulate bias in artificial intelligence, filling a void left by Congress inaction. These proposals are some of the first steps in a decades-long discussion over balancing the benefits of this nebulous new technology with the widely documented risks.

AI does in fact affect every part of your life whether you know it or not, said Suresh Venkatasubramanian, a Brown University professor who co-authored the White Houses Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.

Now, you wouldnt care if they all worked fine. But they dont.

Success or failure will depend on lawmakers working through complex problems while negotiating with an industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars and growing at a speed best measured in lightyears.

12 of 200 Bills

Last year, only about a dozen of the nearly 200 AI-related bills introduced in statehouses were passed into law, according to BSA The Software Alliance, which advocates on behalf of software companies.

Those bills, along with the over 400 AI-related bills being debated this year, were largely aimed at regulating smaller slices of AI. That includes nearly 200 targeting deepfakes, including proposals to bar pornographic deepfakes, like those of Taylor Swift that flooded social media. Others are trying to rein in chatbots, such as ChatGPT, to ensure they dont cough up instructions to make a bomb, for example. Its estimated as many as 83% of employers use algorithms to help in hiring; yet the majority of Americans are unaware that these tools are being used. Those are separate from the seven state bills that would apply across industries to regulate AI discrimination  one of the technologys most perverse and complex problems  being debated from California to Connecticut.

Those who study AIs penchant to discriminate say states are already behind in establishing guardrails. The use of AI to make consequential decisions  what the bills call automated decision tools  is pervasive but largely hidden.

Its estimated as many as 83% of employers use algorithms to help in hiring; thats 99% for Fortune 500 companies, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Yet the majority of Americans are unaware that these tools are being used, polling from Pew Research shows, let alone whether the systems are biased.

Historical Data Bias

An AI can learn bias through the data its trained on, typically historical data that can hold a Trojan Horse of past discrimination.

Amazon scuttled its hiring algorithm project after it was found to favor male applicants nearly a decade ago. The AI was trained to assess new resumes by learning from past resumes  largely male applicants. While the algorithm didnt know the applicants genders, it still downgraded resumes with the word womens or that listed womens colleges, in part because they were not represented in the historical data it learned from.

If you are letting the AI learn from decisions that existing managers have historically made, and if those decisions have historically favored some people and disfavored others, then thats what the technology will learn, said Christine Webber, the attorney in a class-action lawsuit alleging that an AI system scoring rental applicants discriminated against those who were Black or Hispanic.

Court documents describe one of the lawsuits plaintiffs, Mary Louis, a Black woman, applied to rent an apartment in Massachusetts and received a cryptic response: The third-party service we utilize to screen all prospective tenants has denied your tenancy.

When Louis submitted two landlord references to show shed paid rent early or on time for 16 years, court records say, she received another reply: Unfortunately, we do not accept appeals and cannot override the outcome of the Tenant Screening.

California Measure

That lack of transparency and accountability is, in part, what the bills are targeting, following the lead of Californias failed proposal last year  the first comprehensive attempt at regulating AI bias in the private sector.

Under the bills, companies using these automated decision tools would have to do impact assessments, including descriptions of how AI figures into a decision, the data collected and an analysis of the risks of discrimination, along with an explanation of the companys safeguards. Depending on the bill, those assessments would be submitted to the state or regulators could request them. The software industry lobbying group BSA said its members are generally in favor of some steps being proposed, such as impact assessments. Some of the bills would also require companies to tell customers that an AI will be used in making a decision, and allow them to opt out, with certain caveats.

Craig Albright, senior vice president of U.S. government relations at BSA, the industry lobbying group, said its members are generally in favor of some steps being proposed, such as impact assessments.

Industry Backing

The technology moves faster than the law, but there are actually benefits for the law catching up. Because then (companies) understand what their responsibilities are, consumers can have greater trust in the technology, Albright said.

But its been a lackluster start for legislation. A bill in Washington state has already floundered in committee, and a California proposal introduced in 2023, which many of the current proposals are modeled off of, also died.

California Assembly member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan has revamped her legislation that failed last year with the support of some tech companies, such as Workday and Microsoft, after dropping a requirement that companies routinely submit their impact assessments. Other states where bills are, or are expected to be, introduced are Colorado, Rhode Island, Illinois, Connecticut, Virginia and Vermont.

While these bills are a step in the right direction, said Venkatasubramanian of Brown University, the impact assessments and their ability to catch bias remain vague. Without greater access to the reports  which many of the bills limit  its also hard to know whether a person has been discriminated against by an AI.

A more intensive but accurate way to identify discrimination would be to require bias audits  tests to determine whether an AI is discriminating or not  and to make the results public. Thats where the industry pushes back, arguing that would expose trade secrets.

Requirements to routinely test an AI system arent in most of the legislative proposals, nearly all of which still have a long road ahead. Still, its the start of lawmakers and voters wrestling with whats becoming, and will remain, an ever-present technology.

It covers everything in your life. Just by virtue of that you should care, said Venkatasubramanian.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft said on Friday that hackers linked to Russias foreign intelligence were trying again to break into its systems, using data stolen from corporate emails in January to gain new access to the tech giant whose products are widely used across the U.S. national security establishment.

The disclosure alarmed some analysts who cited concerns about safety of systems and services at Microsoft, one of the worlds largest software makers which provides digital services and infrastructure to the U.S. government.

Analysts have expressed worries about national security risks. Microsoft has said a Russian state-sponsored group called Midnight Blizzard, or Nobelium, is behind the intrusions.

The Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Microsofts statement, and has also not responded to Microsofts previous statements about Midnight Blizzard activity.

Microsoft disclosed the breach in January, saying the hackers had tried breaking into corporate email accounts including those of senior company leaders as well as cybersecurity, legal, and other functions.

In recent weeks, we have seen evidence that Midnight Blizzard is using information initially exfiltrated from our corporate email systems to gain, or attempt to gain, unauthorized access, the tech firm said in a new blog.

Given Microsofts vast customer network, it is not surprising it is being targeted, said Jerome Segura, principal threat researcher at the cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes Threatdown Labs. He added it was unnerving that the attack was still underway despite Microsofts efforts to thwart access.

That one of the largest software vendors is itself kind of learning things as they go is a little bit scary, Segura said. You dont have the reassurance that if youre a customer, that there isnt something bigger going on.

The attacks are also a testament to how aggressive the hackers are, he added.

Among the data the hackers stole was access to source code repositories and internal systems, Microsoft said. The company owns GitHub, a public repository of software code for various applications, said Malwarebytes Segura.

This is the kind of thing that were really worried about, Segura said. The attacker would want to use (Microsofts) secrets to get into production environments, and then compromise software and put backdoors and things like that.

Previously, Microsoft said the hackers had broken into staff emails by using a dormant account through a password spray attack  using the same password on multiple accounts until they break into one. Such attacks increased as much as tenfold in Midnight Blizzards latest attempts, compared the January breach, Microsoft said in its blog.

This seems like its something very targeted, and if (the hackers) are that deep inside Microsoft, and Microsoft hasnt been able to get them out in two months, then theres a huge concern, said Adam Meyers, a senior vice president at the cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike, who tracks nation-state hacking.

Secrets of Different Types

Midnight Blizzard is known to target governments, diplomatic entities, and non-governmental organizations, according to various analysts who track the group. In its January statement Microsoft said Midnight Blizzard was probably targeting it because the company has done robust research unraveling the hacking groups operations.

Microsofts threat intelligence team has been investigating and sharing research on Nobelium since at least 2021, when the group was found to be behind the SolarWinds cyberattack that compromised a raft of U.S. government agencies.

The persistent attempts to breach Microsoft are a sign of sustained, significant commitment of the threat actors resources, coordination, and focus, the company said on Friday.

It is apparent that Midnight Blizzard is attempting to use secrets of different types it has found, it added.

Some of these secrets were shared between customers and Microsoft in email, and as we discover them in our exfiltrated email, we have been and are reaching out to these customers to assist them in taking mitigating measures.

Microsoft did not name affected customers.

Topics Cyber Russia
Insurance industry rating agency AM Best on Friday put the financial strength rating of Pie Insurance Group under review with negative implications.

Pie Insurance Company of Columbus and Pie Casualty Insurance Company of Chicago currently have a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and long-term issuer creating rating of a- (Excellent) from AM Best.

The agency said the action was prompted after Pies financial results for 2023, which included material underwriting losses brought on by adverse reserve development in its New York book of business.

Although reserves have stabilized since third-quarter 2023, the magnitude of the development is concerning and has had an adverse impact on Pies risk-adjusted capital position, AM Best added in a statement.

About a year ago, insurtech Pie Insurancefollowing the acquisition of American Insurance Companytransitioned from a managing general agent for SiriusPoint America Insurance Company and announced it completed its transition to a full-stack carrier to provide workers compensation to small businesses. It then earned the A- rating from AM Best.

At that time, CEO John Swigart said AM Best is the premiere authority on the financial stability of insurance companies and their validation promotes the utmost confidence in our ability to serve our independent agency partners and small business customers across the country.

In the latest announcement, AM Best said Pies balance sheet is very strong but it is closely monitoring strategic initiatives to address a decline in risk-adjusted capital.

In September 2022 Pie Insurance said it raised a $315 million Series D round of funding. It was the largest round of financing for any U.S. based P/C insurtech company in 2022, and more than doubled Pies total capital raised at the time to more than $615 million.

However, Swigart said the deterioration of the funding market since the Series D round led to expense reductions that in May 2023 included laying off 14% of employees. During Carrier Managements InsurTech Summit earlier that month, Swigart said the inability to raise funding would continue to be challenging.

Topics AM Best
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Amid a crawfish shortage in Louisiana, the nations top producer of the crustaceans that are a staple in Gulf Coast seafood boils, Gov. Jeff Landry issued a disaster declaration for the impacted industry last week.

Last years drought, extreme heat, saltwater intrusion on the Mississippi River and a hard winter freeze in the Bayou State have devastated this years crawfish harvest and led to significant price hikes for those purchasing mudbugs. Landry says the shortage is not only affecting Louisianas 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.

Landrys disaster declaration, which is the legal underpinning that assists in securing federal resources, comes shortly after a request from Louisianas congressional delegation seeking to unlock federal aid to help farmers back in their home state.

During a typical year, Louisiana generates anywhere from 175 million to 200 million pounds of crawfish  contributing $500 million to the states economy annually, according to the governors 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.

The Louisiana State Universitys Agriculture Center estimates the potential losses to the states crawfish industry to be nearly $140 million.

Louisianas 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-boys. 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.

However, 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 between $3 to $5. Now, restaurants across the state are selling them for $10 to $12 per pound, as reported by The Advocate.

In a letter last week to United States Department of 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.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Louisiana
Mississippi could soon join the growing list of states with grant-funded wind fortification programs for homeowners, thanks to a bill thats moving through the state Legislature.

The state House of Representatives last week approved House Bill 888, by chief sponsor Rep. Jerry Turner, R-Baldwyn. It would help fund not only home-hardening efforts, but also tornado safe rooms, lightning protection, generators and even some earthquake resistance measures.

And its not just for insured property owners: Self-insured homeowners could see significant support from the program.

If approved by the Senate and signed into law, the Wind Damage Mitigation Program and trust fund would be administered by the state Department of Insurance, although the department would be able to contract with a vendor to manage it. All property and casualty insurers doing business in the state will have to contribute to the fund at a rate set by the insurance commissioner, with a minimum annual charge of $100, the bill notes.

Total insurer contributions for the program shall not exceed $1.5 million a year. Significantly, the program would start with $5 million taken from the Mississippi Surplus Lines Association. Officials with MSLA, a non-profit organization of surplus agents that works with the DOI, could not be reached for comment Monday morning.

Turners bill would establish tax-free catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners. Its unclear how large the programs grants would be, but the bill notes that contributions to the savings accounts would be limited: For residents with insurance deductibles of $1,000 or less, the contribution could be no more than $2,000. For those with higher deductibles, contributions could be as much as $15,000 or twice the deductible, whichever is less.

And for self-insured homeowners, the contributions could be as high as $350,000 but no more than the value of the house, the bill reads. Commercial property would also be eligible for some funding.

Other states programs, including Floridas My Safe Florida Home, provide matching grants up to $10,000.

Florida Lawmakers Chalk Another $200 Million for Home Hardening Program

Topics Florida Catastrophe Carriers Natural Disasters Windstorm Mississippi
The trial and conviction of a movie armorer in connection with a fatal shooting on the set of the Western movie Rust has given Alec Baldwin and his legal team a unusual window into how his own trial in the death could unfold.

A New Mexico jury deliberated less than three hours last week before convicting armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed of involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. She was swiftly taken into custody as she awaits sentencing, facing up to 18 months in prison.

Baldwin figured prominently into testimony and closing arguments over two weeks that highlighted his authority as a co-producer and the lead actor on Rust. Both the prosecution and defense in Gutierrez-Reeds trial dissected video footage of Baldwin before the fatal shooting for clues about breakdowns in firearms safety.

Baldwins trial is scheduled for July and will involve the same judge and prosecutors as well as many of the same witnesses. Baldwin has maintained that he pulled back the guns hammer, but not the trigger, and the weapon fired, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.

Having seen Gutierrez-Reeds trial play out will be a boon to Baldwin and his legal team, said Emily D. Baker, a legal analyst and former Los Angeles deputy district attorney who wasnt involved in the case but followed it closely.

Theyre in the incredible position of getting to watch this prosecutor in action, see how this judge works, and come in knowing exactly what these experts are going to say and how they present to the jury, Baker said Wednesday. I dont think Baldwins going to want to deal in this case, and I think his legal team will tell him this is a very different case than the case against Hannah.

A weapons expert for the prosecution in Gutierrez-Reeds case gave strong testimony, Baker said. But the armorer expert was aligned with what Baldwins team has been saying all along  that it wasnt his job to check the weapon, Baker said.

Expert witness and movie firearms consultant Bryan Carpenter testified that images showed Baldwin firing blanks toward a camera within a no-go zone at close range, flouting safety protocols as he commanded crew members to quickly reload his revolver, and waving a gun like a pointing stick after the close of one scene. Another clip captures the sound of Baldwin firing a gun after a director calls out, Cut!

Investigators havent found any video recordings of the shooting, which took place during a rehearsal inside a makeshift church on Oct. 21, 2021, on a movie set outside Santa Fe. But Gutierrez-Reeds trial included previously undisclosed testimony from eyewitnesses to the shooting.

Those witnesses included Souza, who felt the shock of a bullets impact as he moved in for a view of the camera monitor  but never saw the gun that shot him.

A camera-dolly operator and the assistant director Dave Halls also gave visceral accounts of the revolver firing and the aftermath. Script writer Mamie Mitchell testified that the script didnt call for Baldwin to point the gun.

Alec Baldwins conduct and his lack of gun safety inside that church on that day is something that hes going to have to answer for, prosecutor Kari Morrissey said in her closing arguments against Gutierrez-Reed. Not with you and not today. Thatll be with another jury, on another day.

Morrissey and co-counsel Jason Lewis presented the case against Baldwin to a grand jury in January and secured an indictment on the single felony count that gives them two pathways to prosecution. A recent analysis of the gun gave them the opportunity to reboot the case after an initial involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin was dismissed.

That analysis by Forensic Science Services in Arizona concluded the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver.

The author of an earlier FBI report on the gun testified at the Gutierrez-Reed trial that the gun arrived with all safety features in working order, and that only way the revolver would fire with the hammer full retracted was to strike it with a mallet and break it.

Defense attorneys for Baldwin have shown no sign of compromise with special prosecutors appointed by Santa Fe-area District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, who is running for reelection and confronting a Democratic primary challenge by a former DA in June.

A February fundraising message from Carmack-Altwies vowed justice for Hutchins and her family no matter who else is involved, without naming Baldwin.

No one avoids culpability due to fame, wealth, or connections in my jurisdiction, she wrote.

During Gutierrez-Reeds trial last week, one witness for the prosecution stated the obvious as a prosecutor asked, Is Mr. Baldwin on trial today?

It appears that he is a bit, yes, said Ross Addiego, a crew member who witnessed the fatal shooting at close range and has sued Baldwin in civil court.

The lawsuit is one in a series of legal actions, including wrongful death claims filed by members of Hutchins family, centered on accusations that the defendants were lax with safety standards. Baldwin and other defendants have disputed those allegations.

The filming of Rust moved to Montana after the shooting in New Mexico, under an agreement with Hutchins widower, Matthew Hutchins, that made him an executive producer.

Dalton reported from Los Angeles.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
No recoverable oil remains in the water after a sheen was reported off the Southern California coast, but the cause remains unclear, officials said.

Authorities detected the 2.5-mile long oil sheen Friday morning. Crews recovered about 85% of it, roughly 85 gallons, on Friday.

By the time responders conducted flights over the area Saturday, they could no longer see any recoverable sheen, the Coast Guard and Huntington Beach officials said in written statements.

There were some clumps of tar along the beach but not enough to warrant a closure, and there did not appear to be any public health threat from consuming fish from the area, authorities said.

The Coast Guard said three live birds  a cormorant, a loon and a grebe  were found sullied with oil and are being treated.

Authorities had said there were no reports of spills or leaks from oil platforms operating offshore and the sheen did not appear to be growing, which lead them to suspect it was a one-time discharge or natural seepage of oil in the ocean, which are fairly common.

Local officials were paying close attention to the reports following a 2021 leak in an offshore pipeline that sent blobs of crude oil washing ashore in Huntington Beach, a surf-friendly city about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Energy Oil Gas
by Mindy Clegg

In a recent video by Damien Walter about the Polish sci-fi writer Stanislaw Lem, the role of the Holocaust is brought front and center in Lems body of work. According to academic and author Elena Gomel, his work demanded that we grapple with that incomprehensible event. Its a question that matters still since in the modern era we continued to see violence with seemingly little reason. But, Walter argued, we have refused to learn a critical lesson from the Holocaust which is a form of denial of that horrific event: Lems insight that the Holocaust was not a deviation from the march of history, but a byproduct of modern history itself. One particular aspect of the Holocaust that Lem explored was the kitsch culture of the Nazis. Lem believed that kitsch had its worst expression in Nazi culture. Was Lem correct? Was there a direct line between kitsch culture and destructive states? Lem honed in on a key aspect of mass society and how it shapes us and is shaped by us. I would agree to a degree. Kitsch, a critical byproduct of modernity, has been both a means of reinforcing and resisting oppressive forms of power. At its worse it can be used to motivate awful forms of violence. But kitsch can also be wonderfully subversive.

First, what is kitsch? In an essay about kitsch by Maranda Bennett, the origins of the term emerged in the 19th century to described cheap artistic stuff often sold to tourists. Bennett quotes Matei Calinescu, who argued it described fake art and more provocatively an aesthetic form of lying. As such, Bennett argued that it smooths the edges of art to make it more broadly palatable and emotionally evocative, hence manipulative by inducing sentimentality. The homogenizing effect of kitsch separates it from high art, Bennett noted. The point was to make money from bland culture that induced sentimental emotions in many consumers, as Baudrillard argued about places like Disneyland or Ceasars Palace, which replicate and commodify original subjects such as the Eiffel Tower or the iconic Italian city Venice. Bennett also argued that kitsch reinforced stereotypes, such as feminine ideals found in advertising. Not everyone agreed. Ed Simon mounted a defense of kitsch, in part based on his belief that kitsch emerged in part out of Catholic culture, and criticism often rests on classist, religious, and ethnic basis. He noted that kitsch cant be disentangled from society, culture, and economics, even while we tend to conflate it with garish maximalism. He noted that we should think about why we make this distinction in the first place. These two writers imagined very different political contexts for attitudes about kitsch. Bennett argued that kitsch culture served to undercut real emotion, while Simon maintained that the sneering at kitsch had a strongly bigoted element, ignoring how people bring meaning to kitsch art. Both views indicate a political angle to kitsch.

We can see that the political understanding of kitsch has strong foundations and there is a kind of kitsch in politics. Catherine Lugg argued that political Kitsch is a type of propaganda that incorporates familiar and easily understood art forms (Kitsch) to shape the direction of public policy. Such culture is meant to comfort the observer.1 She argued that kitsch was a form of cultural anesthesia as it build[s] and exploit[s] cultural mythsand to easily manipulate conflicted historymakes Kitsch a powerful political construction. Kitsch working its political rhetoric, rather than the more difficult work demanded by other types of art, when people expect routine patterns and forms from the culture that they regularly consume. In other words, what makes Kitsch Kitsch is its simplicity and predictability.2 Lem connected political kitsch with the worst aspects of political modernity. He was nearly killed by the Nazis during the Second World War, and he lived in communist Poland as an adult (until the fall of communism). As Ezra Glinter argued, Lem found ways to work around government censorship. According to him, the crackdown on free speech was an obstacle, but not a life-threatening one. Much of his work was published in the more open post-Stalin era. His popularity no doubt insulated him to some degree. Lem had criticized the communist system he lived under but he pointedly criticized the west, too. Glinter noted that Lem believed Orwell misunderstood the nature of Stalinism. Rather than merely a byproduct of cruelty, it was the logical outcome of turning politics into faith. Lem was not silent on the problems plaguing the first world. He pessimistically divided the world into bad and even worse, Glinter noted. American pop culture came in for special scrutiny by Lem. Despite writing sci-fi novels himself, Glinter said Lem called western sci-fi nothing but pseudo-scientific fairly tales. He celebrated getting kicked out of the organization the Science Fiction Writers of America. Overall, Lem believed that vapid, kitsch culture represented by sci-fi novels popular in the west constituted a distraction which could give space to a more oppressive culture.

Both the American and Soviet systems had inherent flaws in Lems view and he addressed that in his work. We can understand the various outward expressions of politics under moderntiy as a kind of kitsch performance art. In his video on Lem, Walter makes that connection with regards to fascism and the Nazis specifically. The Nazis made bland, mass produced goods into an avatar of violent terror. They elevated the bland and everyday into a means of making people feel as if they are on a grand mission via acts of mass violence. The violence deployed, often by very pedestrian individuals believing that they were acting on behalf of a great historical mission, was an outward expression of that blandness. The embrace of Nazi kitsch was really nothing more than the mediocre believing themselves as masters of the future, shaping a new mission for human kind (or at least the ones deemed part of the ingroup). Much like the MAGA movement today, Nazis thrived on a ecosystem of grifting via cheaply produced goods that shored up their sense of community, bound by grievances against an imagined other. The Nazis and the Germans who embraced the movement were built on empty symbols and hate aimed at the other in their midst.

Lem believed that modernity was the problem and led directly to the Holocaust, not a break with modernity and progress. In an article on Lems essay called Provocation (a review of a book that did not exist) Elana Gomel noted that genocide is a kitsch parody of ultimate justice. The fictional author that Lem reviews (as a stand-in for the actual Lem) argued that genocide is a kitsch appropriation of death. Gomel noted how that was driven in part by death becoming invisible in the modern era. People have become separated from the places where the dying and dead exist, making the process of death strange. Death no longer held spiritual significance for many. But death became commodified and even glorified in our mass culture making acts of mass violence and murder easier to justify. The people who carried that violence out, Gomel argued, really just wanted to murder others and they invented a justification to do sothe need to preserve racial purity for example. One can see from Golems argument why Lem rejected modernity as an improvement over the pre-modern past. He questioned progressive teleology, but perhaps embraced a kind of regressive teleology instead. Mass culture and modern politics are an outcome of that backward march to hell maybe. Mass culture helped to make this reality possible and has become part and parcel of modern politics, as we can see with the Nazis and with the MAGA movement today. We can see it in the general authoritarian bent of some culture which glorifies specific kinds of violence. Kotaku recently reported on a recruitment ad for a police department in Peoria Illinois which referenced the first person shooter game Call of Duty, a naked appeal to an authoritarian mindset that glorifies state-backed violence.

But, as Simon argued above, we do ourselves a disservice to assume lock-step thinking caused by mass culture. Actual people rarely blindly embraced the hegemonic messages of kitsch culture. Making that assumption merely flattens out the complex social, cultural, and historical reasons for peoples interactions with mass culture. Cultural phenomenon and how they shape society needs historical consideration, as does the agency of people acting as consumers. In the era of mass cultural production, there are plenty of counterexamples of culture we might call kitsch being embraced and used in less problematic ways. We should consider the distinction between camp and kitsch. Many point to key difference being the motivations behind each. Kitsch was produced out of sincerity but in bad taste, while camp instead self-consciously revels in bad taste. Camps embeddedness in queer culture was a major difference, with kitsch largely being associated with the straight world. Is there overlap between the two? One could say that embracing kitsch was itself a form of camp, an embrace of bad taste forged from sincerity. Camp director John Waters has been known for his embrace of kitsch culture. While intentions can help us to understand the line between the two, how culture is made and the intentionality behind it is rarely the whole story. Kitsch, in other words, can easily slide into camp depending on usage.

But what about the kind of culture underpinning Nazi or MAGA culture? Can the kitsch nature of that culture ever slide into camp via usage or recontextualization? Slovenian art collective and martial industrial band Laibach (and the genre of martial industrial more generally) walks that line. From their start in 1980, the band has invoked, in what appears to be all sincerity, imagery associated with fascism, nationalism, and socialism. Rather than sooth the audience with assurances their pose is ironic, they have instead leaned hard into that sincerity. In an interview about their album Wir sind das Folk from a few years ago, they discussed censorship and kitsch. They noted that all art is ideological and some of greatest works of art are kitsch.

That can be found in both the free west and in authoritarian states like North Korea, where, they noted, art is censored to the point of absurdity, and yet that is why it has an aesthetic value. The band never shied away from promoting state-created kitsch imagery from across the political spectrum. Laibach reminds us that context matters as much as intent of the production of a piece of art/culture. Even fascist symbols can be recontextualized into something more subversive of fascism.

But they also hint at a critique of mass society, whatever the politics. Their work indicts the capitalist states, as much as the fascist and communist ones. They show us just how little daylight existed between the different systems of modernity.

Mass culture emerged in the modern era, and has since been the cause of much, often bitter and divisive debate. While culture that is either widely shared or created by elites for political reasons for consumption by the masses isnt new in history, the modern era of mass mediated culture added some new dimensions to hegemonic cultures. Rather than deriving legitimacy from religious authority or via a rigid set of social castes, were meant to understand mass culture as authentically democratic. And many sought to make it so. Still, corporate interests and governments, as well as wealthy and powerful people tend to have a larger role in shaping mass culture, creating a kind of tension in the production and consumption of culture. We can see that more clearly when we study societies from the outside, especially a society that we see ourselves in opposition to. Were far less likely to examine our own biases and how those are shaped by hegemonic forces. As Gramsci argued, certain ideologies are normalized over others. In the case of the Nazis, that was genocidal rage built around a particular sort of family structure, which people were told were under threat. Our modern culture wars, were and are a byproduct of this debate, not just a manifestation a divisive political system. Because despite the arguments Gramsci and others put forward about hegemonic culture and its pervasiveness, people find ways to resist, even through hegemonic culture. Lems insights into how the Nazis deployed kitsch demand our attention, but so does the camp resistance to the hegemonic use of kitsch.

Footnotes

1 Catherine Lugg, Kitsch: From Education to Public Policy, (London: Routledge, 1999), 3-4. Capitalization in the original.

2 Lugg, Kitsch, 5.
A California courts tentative decision in a dispute between the California Department of Insurance and the California Insurance Company failed to undo the unprecedented use of the CDIs conservation mechanism to restrain CIC from its long-planned exit from the state, the company said in response to a recent development in the matter of the case Commissioner of Insurance vs. California Insurance Company.

Applied Underwriters Inc. sued over a decision by the CDI to put its affiliate, CIC, into conservatorship. A lawsuit was filed in federal court in January to enjoin the CDI from continuing to take what the suit asserts are illegal, actions to block the approved redomestication of CIC and to undermine a financially sound insurer by instituting a conservatorship to gain control of CIC.

A California court recently issued a tentative decision, siding with the CDI to prevent the company from proceeding with its plans to withdraw from the California market.

The suit came after the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance in New Mexico ordered CIC either to comply immediately with all regulations required under its approved redomestication to New Mexico or face financial penalties and possible revocation of the Companys Certificate of Authority. CDI got approval to place CIC in conservatorship and the CDI filed a follow-up rehabilitation plan that would force CIC to sell its California business to another insurer.

CIC charges Lara and the other officials named with unlawful and bad faith action in imposing an arbitrary, illogical and illegal conservatorship of CIC to obstruct its New Mexico redomestication, after that move was approved by several states.

The suit asserts the CDI has continued to wage a bad faith campaign to harm CIC by prohibiting the company from transferring its assets and its business to New Mexico in compliance with the approved redomestication and the Order of New Mexicos Superintendent of Insurance in October of 2019.

The U.S. Supreme Court in January declined to take up the lawsuit.

The most recent development was the latest in what has become an exceedingly complex and long-running case, involving a conservatorship of an insurance carrier, a battle between the CDI and the New Mexicos insurance department that drew New Mexicos attorney general into the fray.

Jeffrey Silver, executive vice president and general counsel for CIC, called the CDIs use of a conservation format to mask both its embarrassment over CICs protracted exit from the state in 2019 and the CDIs desire to seize an opportunity for the distribution of fees and awards to CDIs preferred vendors, a stunning overreach and a clear warning to insurers doing business in the state.

To have learned of our plans to exit from California in 2019, and then to have placed us, an A rated carrier, with over $1B of capital and surplus in our group, into a conservationa status reserved for companies in grave financial dangerwas an egregious and ill-motivated act that has cost taxpayers a small fortune and has adversely affected insurance buyers in the state, Silver said. Unbridled overreach and self-authorized expansion of regulatory prerogative as a practice send a clear signal to the few domiciled companies writing business in California that their business is a target for a weaponized CDI aiming at increased control of private businesses by any means.

Silver said the Courts decision does not greatly affect the insurance group materially, but it does restrain plans to move out of California.

A CDI spokesman declined to offer much comment.

We respect the judicial process and cannot comment while the ruling is tentative, he stated in reply to an emailed request for comment. The judges findings speak for themselves.

Related:

Topics California Legislation New Mexico
WASHINGTON, DC - March 11, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Today, Accountable.US released a new project on its Monitoring Influence database documenting the most notorious opponents of common-sense conservation efforts like national monument designations, exposing their lies, fringe views, and industry ties. Many of the groups profiled engage in conspiracy-driven tactics, grift off local governments in rural communities, and embrace violent tactics, including unlawfully occupying public lands to force their extreme agenda on Americans.

"Big Oil and other extractive industries know public lands conservation is widely popular, so they bankroll the MAGA majority in Congress and extremists to gin up opposition to help them continue lining their pockets," said Chris Marshall, a spokesperson for Accountable.US. "This resource empowers citizens, public officials, and journalists with the in-depth analysis necessary to hold these industry-backed extremist groups accountable"

Initial profiled organizations include:

American Stewards of Liberty: ASL has taken over $700,000 in tax dollars by offering local governments dubious contract work. ASL pays its husband-wife executive duo as much as 94% of its total revenue.

Blue Ribbon Coalition: The BRC opposes national monument designations that would protect places like Coloardo's Dolores River Canyon Country. BRC gets most of its money from the off-highway vehicle industry. BRC received substantial money from the oil and timber industries.

Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow: CFACT and its climate denial are funded by Big Oil, getting over half a million dollars from Exxon and north of $7.8M from Donors Trust and the Koch brothers networks.

Protect the Harvest: The organization was founded by multimillionaire oil additive baron Forrest Lucas in 2011 to push anti-regulatory policies and Lucas's personal interests through public messaging, lobbying, films, and campaign financing.

The Heartland Institute: The Institute receives funding from Fossil Fuel Industry, opposes public lands conservation policies, and engages in spreading climate denialism.

True Texas Project: The group amplifies the white supremacists"great replacement theory" and lies about election fraud while acting as apologists for mass shooters.

Heritage Waters Coalition: The group was founded to oppose the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild & Scenic River Act and has strong ties to individuals in the mining industry.

Accountable.US launched its Monitoring Influence database to document and track the dark influence network made up of dangerous groups. Learn more at MonitoringInfluence.org.

Accountable.US is a nonpartisan watchdog group that exposes corruption across all levels of government.

More Info:

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The prospects of Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe securing the top job at the International Monetary Fund appear to have been dealt a fatal blow, after Germany rowed in behind France to endorse the incumbent Kristalina Georgieva for a second term.

Mr Donohoe had done little to kill off talk that as president of the Eurogroup of finance ministers he coveted the top job at the IMF in Washington should Ms Georgieva not go for a second term as managing director.

Bloomberg News first reported in early December his possible interest, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter as saying Mr Donohoe was considering a bid. Ms Georgieva had not publicly signalled her intentions.

Mr Donohoe had been head of the Eurogroup since the middle of 2020. He was subsequently elected for a second two-and-half-year term and kept the job despite stepping down as finance minister in late 2022, as part the agreed coalition deal.

German finance minister Christian Lindner said on Monday Ms Georgieva was exactly the right person to steer the IMF, openly acknowledging his countrys backing for a second term.

Commenting in a X post, Mr Lindner said Ms Georgieva navigated the IMF through difficult times over the last years.

I am convinced that she is exactly the right person to steer the institution through the challenges ahead and to strengthen the IMF as an advocate for structural reforms in our economies, he said.

Speaking last month, French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said Ms Georgieva was doing a great job and his country would back her if she decided to seek another five-year term.

The IMF has always been led by a European national, in a tacit understanding between Europe and the US, which in turn gets to nominate the president of the World Bank.

Over the IMFs eight decades, five of 12 managing directors have been from France. Any candidate would need then support of both Europe and the US.

Mr Donohoe has appeared to have been on good terms with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

In late 2021, Ms Yellen, on an unusually extended visit to Dublin, commended Ireland for signing up to the new global tax accord that set a new minimum rate of 15% that multinationals and other large corporates would have to pay in their tax bills.

She said at a media conference alongside Mr Donohoe she had not cajoled Ireland over the new global accord that involved Ireland raising the corporation tax rate from 12.5%. She told reporters at the time she had held talks earlier that year to try to understand Ireland's position.
The action plan to support dairy calf-to-beef systems in Ireland "lacks the first and most fundamental component" of funding, according to the Irish Farmers' Association.

IFA livestock chairman Declan Hanrahan said that a "guaranteed return for the financial and labour investment required of farmers for almost two years" is needed.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue launched the plan in recent days, saying that there are important measures "that can be undertaken at farm and processing level, to ensure optimal calf health and welfare and to facilitate greater uptake of dairy calf to beef systems".

This action plan, which is based on 10 core themes including knowledge transfer, breeding and improved animal health, was developed through a consultation process with stakeholders.

Despite encouraging results from optimum trial conditions on a select few farms, over 60% of farmers exit this production system in five years, according to the IFA.

Targeted funding

Without "meaningful targeted funding, the plan will not provide a long-term sustainable solution for dairy calf-to-beef systems", Declan Hanrahan said.

The IFA has called for a minimum of 100 per calf payment for farmers taking on the rearing of dairy-beef calves.

"This is the minimum level of funding that will be required in order for the system to be adopted on enough beef farms," the IFA said.

"This payment must then be built on for the finishing stage and include calves from the suckler herd with another 100/animal payment."

The 10 actions in the plan are focused on sexed semen; breeding and genetics; knowledge transfer; demonstration farms; marketing beef; and capital grants available under TAMS.

Within these, there are almost 40 sub-actions outlined with the ambition to create a more vibrant dairy beef sector.

"We were forthright in our position that additional funds were needed to support this sector," IFA dairy chairman Stephen Arthur said.

"Without financial support, all other actions become meaningless.

Input of farm organisations

The IFA has criticised the consultation process, which it said was launched "without the input of farm representatives in January, with only an online meeting provided to gather the views of farm organisations in February".

"Clearly the key points put forward have fallen on deaf ears and what we have now been presented with is a plan with the same failings as the one originally put forward for the consultation process," Mr Arthur said.

"We need a long-term sustainable plan for rearing dairy beef calves in this country which must in the first instance include maintaining and building on the key live export trade for these animals.

"There is a need to have sustainable rearing systems for the calves that are not exported and critical to this is a financial support system for the farmers involved in rearing and finishing dairy-beef calves."

Mr Arthur said that Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue must come forward with a "meaningful budget to support this plan" and ensure that farmers have a "sustainable and economically viable system for rearing and finishing dairy beef calves for the farmers involved".

Important industry

Teagasc's head of research Pat Dillon said that the beef sector remains "one of the most important industries in the national economy".

"One of its key strengths is its grass-fed steer/heifer beef output with its strong sustainability credentials. Research carried out at Teagasc Grange has established profitable dairy-beef systems using key technologies in relation to beef genetics, grassland management and calf rearing," he said.

Bord Bia's chief executive Jim O'Toole said that producing calves with superior beef merit "represents a significant opportunity for both the Irish beef and dairy sectors".

"By embracing these important developments, we can promote the production of animals which meet key market requirements, while providing a profitable enterprise for farmers," Mr O'Toole said.

"It is imperative for both sectors to work together and utilise the expertise that we have available to further enhance our market position."

The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation's chief executive Sean Coughlan said that genetic improvement and the use of indexes such as the Dairy Beef Index (DBI) and Commercial Beef Value (CBV) are "low-cost, high-impact tools that can help drive the profitability of the dairy calf to beef sector".

"We look forward to working with farmers on increasing the uptake in the use of these tools for breeding and purchasing decisions," Mr Coughlan added.
Cork actor Cillian Murphy has made history by becoming the first Irish-born person to win a best actor Oscar.

Murphy was presented with the award on Sunday night in Los Angeles for his role as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolans epic biopic Oppenheimer.

Taking to the stage, Murphy said he felt "a little overwhelmed" but said he was "a very proud Irish man standing here tonight".

"It's been the wildest, most exhilarating, most creatively satisfying journey you've taken me on over the last 20 years. I owe you more than I can say," he said to Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas.

He thanked his family as well as the Oppenheimer cast and crew before dedicating his award to "the peacemakers".

"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'd really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers, everywhere."

He left the stage with some cupla focal: "Go raibh mile maith agaibh."

Speaking backstage, Murphy said he was still in a little bit of a daze after the win but felt an overwhelming sense of pride at being an Irish actor.

Im very overwhelmed, very humbled. Im very grateful and very proud to be Irish standing here today."

He revealed he was unsure of what he had said in his acceptance speech but he wanted to stress how significant it was to him that he is the first Irish-born actor to win an Oscar.

Its really, really meaningful to me and I don't know if I said this in my speech because I can't remember what I said, but I do want to say that I think in Ireland, we're really great at supporting artists, he said.

I think we need to continue to support artists and the next generation of actors and directors. I think that's vitally important. He had earlier told the awards ceremony he was "a very proud Irish man standing here tonight".

Cillian Murphy arrives at the Oscars with his family, Yvonne, Malachy and Aran. He dedicated his Oscar win to peacemakers everywhere. Picture: AP Photo/John Locher

It was the culmination of awards season success for Murphy, who also picked up a Golden Globe, a Bafta and a Screen Actors Guild Award, among other accolades, for his role.

Murphy faced competition in the category from Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, and Jeffrey Wright for American Fiction.

He attended the 96th Oscars ceremony with his family, wife Yvonne McGuinness and sons Malachy and Aran. It is believed his parents watched the Oscars from their home in Cork City, with his father Breandan previously telling RTE's Raidio na Gaeltachta that he and his wife did not intend to travel to LA. When he comes home from the Oscars, we will make him a cake, he said.

Cillian Murphy poses in the press room with the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for Oppenheimer at the Oscars. Picture: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Oppenheimer won seven Oscars in total, including best picture. Murphys co-star Robert Downey Jr picked up an Oscar  his third nomination and first win  for best supporting actor and Christopher Nolan won best director, also his first Oscar.

DaVine Joy Randolph went home with the best supporting actress Oscar for The Holdovers, while Emma Stone won best actress for Poor Things.

Poor Things, a surreal Irish-produced comedy about a woman who has the brain of a baby transplanted into her, won four Oscars, including makeup/hairstyling and production design. However cinematographer Robbie Ryan, who was nominated for his work on the film, missed out on the Oscar, which instead went to Hoyte van Hoytema for Oppenheimer.

Meanwhile, Barbie won the Oscar for best song for What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell.

The In Memoriam section paid tribute to recently deceased members of the Academy, including Dublin actor Michael Gambon, accompanied by Andrea and Matteo Bocelli singing Time to Say Goodbye.

The start of the Oscars was delayed by five minutes as pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the award ceremony. French filmmakers Justine Triet and Arthur Harari got the award for original screenplay for courtroom drama Anatomy Of A Fall, and Cord Jefferson won the best adapted screenplay for American Fiction.

In video clips circulating on X, formerly Twitter, crowds of protesters could be seen carrying Palestinian flags and chanting ceasefire now near the Dolby Theatre.

The protest stopped traffic heading towards the 96th Academy Awards for around 20 minutes and blocked guests in their cars.

Several stars had not arrived at the venue 10 minutes before the start time, with Barbie star Margot Robbie thought to be one celebrity caught in the delay.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, some stars began to leave their vehicles and walk to the venue instead as police arrived to disperse the crowd.
Wes Anderson paid tribute to his friend and collaborator Owen Wilson after he won his first Oscar.

The director, best known for films such as The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Royal Tenenbaums and Moonrise Kingdom, finally won his first Academy Award in the live action short category for The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar.

Based on the story by Roald Dahl, the 39-minute film stars Benedict Cumberbatch and is available to stream on Netflix, after the streaming giant bought the rights to Dahls entire catalogue of childrens books in a landmark deal.

It also features Ralph Fiennes, Sir Ben Kingsley, Dev Patel and Richard Ayoade.

"If I could have been there, I (along with Steven Rales) would have said "Thank you" to: the family of Roald Dahl, the team at Netflix, Benedict and Ralph and Ben Kingsley and Dev and Richard and Bob and Adam and Jeremy and John and Jim and Rich and Jim and Polly and more.



And pic.twitter.com/eem20sZGlh  Netflix (@netflix) March 11, 2024

Anderson was not at the Oscars in person to collect the prize but a statement from him shared by Netflix said: If I could have been there, I (along with Steven Rales) would have said Thank you to: the family of Roald Dahl, the team at Netflix, Benedict and Ralph and Ben Kingsley and Dev and Richard and Bob and Adam and Jeremy and John and Jim and Rich and Jim and Polly and more.

And also I would have said: if I had not met Owen Wilson in a corridor at the University of Texas between classes when I was 18 years old, I would certainly not be receiving this award tonight  but unfortunately Steven and I are in Germany and we start shooting our new movie early tomorrow morning, so I did not actually receive the award or get a chance to say any of that.

Owen Wilson (Ian West/PA)

Wilson co-wrote and starred in a number of Andersons films, including his break-out debut Bottle Rocket, Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

Anderson, who is known for his quirky and distinctive visual style and use of pastel colour palettes, frequently works with the same actors.

Other signature collaborators include Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton and Adrien Brody.
Doctors working in breast cancer care have warned that patient safety has been deteriorating due to reduced staff numbers and inadequate systems for record keeping.

New research from Cork University Hospital and University College Cork examined how consultants and patients viewed the treatment of breast cancer across the health service. The majority of doctors felt patient safety had worsened, or stayed the same, in the past five years and that there were inadequate medical error prevention measures, the study found.

The research involved 184 breast cancer patients and 116 consultants in Ireland.

Of the doctors, 41.4% felt patient safety had deteriorated over the previous five years and 54.3% felt patient safety measures were inadequate compared to 13% and 27.7% of patients respectively, the research found.

The authors, including Professor Deirdre Madden of the school of law at University College Cork, and Professor Seamus OReilly, an oncologist at Cork University Hospital and Cancer Research UCC, said the findings should be taken into account by health officials. The authors said:

Most doctors in this study had worked for over a decade in breast cancer care and their concerns should serve as a warning for responsible policymakers.

The team said the study revealed a significant prevalence of medical error as well as personal and professional impacts for patients and doctors.

Over half of doctors and a quarter of patients felt medical error prevention measures were inadequate, the authors said.

Consultants who took part in the research said staff are contending with a very high workload and are feeling overworked, burnt-out or stressed.

CUH Oncologist Professor Seamus OReilly co-authored the report. Picture: Larry Cummins

Concerns were also raised around inadequate staffing. The research also highlighted poorly organised systems for record-keeping and poorly organised systems for appointments and follow-up as contributing to safety risks.

The authors point to a European Commission report which highlighted digital health records as crucial tools in cancer prevention. Ireland does not yet have these nationally.

Multiple barriers also exist to reporting errors made in the treatment of patients, the study found.

Consultants reported no confidence in the impact of error reporting and no established culture of reporting.

The survey found that medical errors have long-term physical, emotional, and financial impacts on patients.

Some 30 patients experienced medical errors or negligence claims. Among these, 18 reported permanent or long-term physical and emotional effects.

The study also said 42 of 48 doctors who experienced medical errors or negligence claims reported emotional health impacts. Almost half of doctors involved in negligence claims considered early retirement, they found.

This study, which focuses on a 5-year period to 2022, has been published in the medical journal The Breast.
The world will become "infinitely less secure" if we fail to place equal value on the lives of both Israeli and Palestinian children, the Taoiseach has warned at an event held in Boston.

Leo Varadkar told an event attended by a number of American politicians that "freedom is once again gravely threatened", both due to the bombardment of Gaza and the war in Ukraine.

While he described the Hamas terrorist attack of October 7 as "an act of pure evil and hatred", Mr Varadkar added that "when thousands of children are killed in response, no one can avert their eyes".

"The life of a child is the greatest gift of all. Childhood should be a blessing. Today in Gaza, for so many it is a death sentence and a curse," he said in his keynote address at the JFK Presidential Library.

"If we are not consistent  if we do not see and respect the equal value of a child of Israel and a child of Palestine  then the global South, most of the world in fact, will not listen when we call for them to stand by the rules and institutions that are the bedrock of a civilized world," Mr Varadkar, who has travelled to Boston before the annual St Patrick's Day events in the White House, said.

"We will all be losers and our world will be infinitely less secure."

The Taoiseach went on to tell the audience that the cries of the innocent will "haunt us forever" if we remain silent on what is happening in Gaza, and will engender more retaliation and beget more violence and revenge.

"No child ever gave their consent for terrorist acts. No child should ever be punished for them.

"It is unconscionable that they are dying not just as a result of relentless bombing and destruction, but of hunger and thirst and from an absence of medical treatment and care," Mr Varadkar said in calling for a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.

Turning to what he described as "Ukraine fatigue", the Taoiseach said the transatlantic commitment must remain steadfast and assured, including the provision of political, humanitarian, military, financial and other help to ensure that Ukraine prevails.

"When I hear people talk of Ukraine fatigue, I think of the Ukrainian men and women who are making incredible sacrifices to defend not only their own sovereignty and territorial integrity, but to defend European security and freedom; to defend the values and the existential interests that the transatlantic alliance is built on.

"We cannot say to them that we are fatigued by this in the face of their enormous sacrifice and their incredible bravery."
The daughter of a then 87-year-old woman who spent 27 hours on a chair at University Hospital Limerick in December 2022 said she is saddened to see lengthy delays at the hospital again this month.

Elective treatments were cancelled across UL Hospital Group last week for two days, although urgent and time-critical patients, including cancer patients, were unaffected.

The cancellations followed the hospital's busiest week this year with an average of 245 patients at the UHL emergency department daily.

Marie OConnor, from Kilfinane, Limerick, said: Its more than a year now because mam went in there in December 2022, so its a year and four months now.

Weve had all of last year and we are still facing the same issues.

Since her mother was in the A&E she has visited the hospital frequently supporting various relatives including in recent months.

We had a very hard year last year, it is still the hours and hours waiting (for a bed), she said.

Mam was in again well before Christmas, there was still trolleys on both sides of the hall. She was on a trolley which was fantastic because shed only had a chair the last time.

Ms O'Connor spoke to the Irish Examiner in January 2023 to share her concerns about overcrowding at the hospital, and has continued to raise the issue through other media and with local politicians.

I still continue as much as I can to highlight it.

I work as an operations coordinator for Local Link so I predominantly work with older people, and Id be the one encouraging them to go into the hospital if I thought they were sick, she said.

If I thought for a minute they would be slapped on a trolley and no-one being a voice for them  being an advocate is not my role, but Id hate to think they are being ignored.

She echoed concerns expressed by others in the city around staffing levels.

During one trip to the ED, she ended up helping a near-deaf man in his 90s who was alone and struggling to communicate with busy staff.

She also noticed a language barrier in some cases and queried whether foreign nurses receive supports in this area.

We are hitting the papers at all times with still having the highest trolley numbers in the country, she said. I still think that were (UHL) covering three counties and the population has grown so much, its across too much.

She emphasised: Once you get past accident and emergency, let me tell you that Limerick hospital is a centre of excellence I think, because you definitely get the care.

"Its just to get past accident and emergency.

Theres amazing staff but in her experience not enough to go around.

She also pointed to a lack of health supports in the community for various vulnerable groups, not only the elderly, and suggested changing this could reduce pressures on the hospital.

And the most worrying thing now is that older people do not want to into hospital, she said. They dont want to go into the Regional (UHL) that is sad then as well.

One change she welcomes is the service supporting older people in the ED, saying during a recent visit following a fall her mother was progressed quickly.

The Geriatric Emergency Medicine (GEM) Unit was set up in October 2022 and expanded this winter. The team saw 1,788 patients between January and November last year.

Some 1,042 were discharged home, 222 transferred to a model 2 hospital, for example St Johns Hospital, and 524 admitted to UHL, the hospital said.

The GEM includes nurses, doctors and therapists from physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, among other roles.

UHL apologised to patients waiting for admission and impacted by deferrals of surgery last week.
Hong Kong: Labour chief visits Shenzhen

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun today, joined by representatives of the Labour Department, visited Shenzhen where he met enterprises operating labour service co-operation business with Hong Kong.

While having lunch with Shenzhen Municipal Government Deputy Secretary-General Wu Kunsheng, Shenzhen Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Deputy Director Li Lirong and Shenzhen Municipal Commerce Bureau Deputy Director Ye Wenge, Mr Sun briefed them on the latest situation concerning Hong Kong's labour market and economy.

They also exchanged views on areas of co-operation under the spirit of complementarity.

In the afternoon, Mr Sun attended an exchange seminar with Guangdong Department of Commerce Director General Zhang Jinsong, leaders of commerce authorities and representatives of enterprises operating labour service co-operation business with Hong Kong to get a better grasp of the economic, trade and labour service co-operation between Guangdong and Hong Kong.

Under the specified labour importation schemes, if the prospective imported workers are Mainland residents, employers in Hong Kong must recruit the imported workers through the enterprises operating labour service co-operation business with Hong Kong approved by the relevant Mainland authorities.

Mr Sun said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will work with such authorities on the management and supervision work, and protect the employment rights of imported workers in the city by establishing a regular communication mechanism.

Additionally, Mr Sun and other officials visited Shenzhen Talent Group and Shenzhen Foreign Service Group Co to take a closer look at the development of the human resources service sector in Shenzhen, talent required by different industries and relevant support services, before returning to Hong Kong this evening.

This story has been published on: 2024-03-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The principal of a secondary school attended by actor Cillian Murphy said the Oscar win was an enormously proud moment not only for his Alma Mater but for Cork city.

David Barry of Presentation Brothers College (PBC) said he was so "pleased and proud" of the 47-year-old actor.

"He is a very talented actor and he has worked so very hard on his craft.

"We are all so delighted for him and for his family on his success. The school is so, so proud of him."

Speaking to the Opinion Line on Corks 96FM, Mr Barry said the school plans to extend an invitation to the Ballintemple native to visit his former school at his earliest convenience.

A portrait of Cillian in his role as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders is on display in the school in Mardyke Walk in Cork.

Whether he will find a gap in his busy schedule to come to the school - but we certainly will be extending an invitation to Cillian to come and visit the pupils here. We would be delighted if he could make the time."

Meanwhile, a former teacher of Cillian Murphy said it was obvious during his teenage years that he was born to act.

Cillian was taught English by poet William Wall, who said that he was delighted at the big win overnight.

Mr Wall subsequently left the school to focus on his poetry and became Corks first Poet Laureate in 2021. The novelist and poet previously told the Neil Prendeville show, on Cork's Red FM, that Cillian was a really good student of English.

He was just one of those kids who got poetry, got Shakespeare and got novels. It wasnt hard to teach him. I could also see from the fact that he was a performer  he had the band and they played in the school a couple of times.

Mr Wall said he knew that Cillian would end up in the creative world.

He had to you know. When he went in to Law in college I was kind of surprised. Not surprised in that I knew he could be an excellent lawyer as well. I could see him being a performing barrister in the Four Courts in Dublin.

He picks the scripts he wants to do. He is very careful about that and that is great. He is an actors actor," he said.

Mr Wall told the Irish Examiner: "Im thrilled for Cillian. Its a well deserved and long awaited recognition of his brilliant talent, his mastery of his art and his ability to inhabit his characters."

"Im also thrilled for Cork and if I may suggest it, its time for a Freedom of the City or some other civic award and maybe an honorary doctorate from UCC, for the man who never finished his degree! Im delighted for him and for Yvonne and the boys. The world is his oyster now."

Cillian Murphy said he was overwhelmed by the award and that he is a very proud Irishman.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has also congratulated Cillian Murphy on becoming the first Irish-born star to win an Oscar for best actor  while standing outside the actor's Cork primary school.

In a video shared to X, Micheal Martin paid tribute to his fellow Cork native, for his performance in the Oscar-winning film Oppenheimer, which will "stand the test of time".

Standing outside St Anthony's Boys National School, Ballinlough, Mr Martin shared his and the school's well wishes, adding they are "particularly thrilled" for the Oscar winner.

"The nation, as a whole all rejoice in a well-deserved Oscar award for Cillian Murphy," he said.

Absolutely thrilled & delighted that Cillian Murphy has won the Oscar for his performance in Oppenheimer.



Richly deserved - a brilliant performance in an outstanding film that will stand the test of time.



A very proud day for Cork & Ireland. Congratulations Cillian  pic.twitter.com/pz847B6LuG  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 11, 2024

Murphy has also won a Golden Globe, a Bafta and a Screen Actors Guild award for his starring role as theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in the biopic about the father of the atomic bomb.

The 47-year-old, who was born in Douglas, Cork, said he was overwhelmed by the award and that he is a very proud Irishman.

A post from the account on X for President Michael D Higgins said: Congratulations to Cillian Murphy on his wonderful achievement in winning the Best Actor Oscar, which he so appropriately dedicated to the peacemakers everywhere.

Culture and Arts Minister Catherine Martin also congratulated Murphy on his win.

Ms Martin said: This award for his title role in Oppenheimer is the pinnacle of any actors career and a fitting recognition of the immense talent of Cillian Murphy.

Long a favourite of Irish audiences on stage and screen, he has since shown himself to be a master of his craft and has secured his place among the worlds greatest actors.

This Oscar success is no more than he deserves and I wish him every success in all his future films.

She also congratulated the cast and crew of Poor Things, co-produced by Dublin-based Element Pictures, which secured 11 Oscar nominations and won four awards.

2023 was a hugely successful year for Irish film production and Irish talent. I hope this Academy Award is a starting point for more success and acclaim for the large pool of talent existing in the Irish film industry, she said.

Murphys breakthrough role came in 2002 with the Danny Boyle film 28 Days Later, playing a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma to discover that the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus has caused the breakdown of society.

He also had roles in Breakfast On Pluto, The Wind That Shakes The Barley, and Sunshine.

Desiree Finnegan, chief executive of Screen Ireland, said: Sincere congratulations from everyone at Screen Ireland to Cillian Murphy on winning the Academy Award for best actor.

We are delighted to see such a talented Irish artist receive worldwide recognition and critical acclaim for his extraordinary performance.

Throughout the years Cillian Murphy has delivered so many outstanding performances in Irish films, from Disco Pigs to The Wind That Shakes The Barley, and more recently in Small Things Like These, and we look forward to working with him again in the future.

We hope that the next generation of Irish filmmakers and artists watching Cillian bring his Oscar home will be inspired to continue the pursuit of their craft in the Irish film industry.

Irelands ambassador to the US, Geraldine Byrne Nason, said it was a great night for the Irish.

Congratulations to the incredible Irish winners at Oscars 2024, she tweeted.

Great night for the Irish in Hollywood!

Our own Cillian Murphys performance in Oppenheimer makes him the first Irish-born actor to take home the Oscar for Best Actor & Element Pictures take home four awards!
A mother fought back tears as she thanked the charity who gave them their little girl back just months after enduring three childhood strokes.

Edel Tobin and her family, from Kilcrohane in West Cork, are among 80 people on the trip of a lifetime to Disneyland courtesy of the Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club.

(Left to right) Conn, Alex and Mia Tobin at Cork Airport on Sunday. Mia has Russell-Silver syndrome and was also hit by three inexplicable strokes shortly after her eighth birthday. Picture: Larry Cummins

Now in its 30th year, the organisation rewards deserving children who have suffered through illness or trauma. The holiday will be the first of its kind since 2019 when the pandemic brought the annual trips to a temporary halt.

Edel was travelling with her husband John, daughter Mia (8) and sons, Alex (6) and Conn (3).

She explained that Mia has been extremely unlucky over the years. Mia has Russell-Silver syndrome UPD7  a very rare condition impacting her growth. She was also hit by three inexplicable strokes shortly after her eighth birthday last September. The medical events were unrelated to Mias condition.

Mias first two strokes went undetected despite a trip to the emergency department. However, a GP referred her for immediate treatment with a neurologist after recognising the signs. Mia experienced her third stroke at Cork University Hospital.

Mia was in so much pain she told us that she thought her head was going to explode, Edel recalled.

We knew it wasnt normal so we put her straight in the car and brought her to A&E. They gave her a syringe of apple juice which she tolerated so they believed it was viral.

We realise now that she was after having a stroke that night. It was the last thing we had ever expected since Mia is so young.

"A couple of days went by and she was just sleeping all the time. Then one night she said she couldnt feel her hand on her leg.

Mias jarring vocabulary also prompted serious concern from Edel. It was at this point that she sought a second opinion from their local GP. What followed was a testing 16 days in Cork University Hospital.

The MRI was petrifying enough for Mia because she knew what was happening. After they spoke to me in the hospital, she saw me crying and said: 'Theyre after finding something in my brain arent they?'"

"Mia went through hell that week but she never objected to any of the treatments. She did it all and was absolutely fantastic. Everyone in the hospital went above and beyond for her.

Edel said Mia was like a different child after the stroke. She maintains it was the Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club that gave them their little girl back.

Parents Edel and John Tobin with their children Alex, Mia and Conn and Spiderman at Cork Airport on Sunday. Picture: Larry Cummins

Mia was a different child when she came home from the hospital. She was just a mixture of being so scared and traumatised after what happened.

"It had reached a point that she couldnt wear leggings or any kind of tight clothing because of her anger and frustration. It was like she wanted to just break free from it all. We actually went out and bought a bed to put in our bedroom so she wouldnt have to be alone.

The turning point came when Edel and John told her about the Disneyland, Paris trip.

John and I knew about Disneyland in November but had initially planned to wait until Christmas to tell Mia. One night things got really bad so we made the decision to tell her early. When the new year hit we got her a calendar. Every day she would cross a day off. With every day she crossed off Mia started to come back.

This trip is so much more than a free holiday to us. It has really and truly brought her back to us.

She said they will be eternally grateful to the CCHCC.

Mia hadnt even cared about Christmas last year. It was only when she started doing the xs on the calendar that we began to see any kind of change. I cant even describe what that felt like.

Edel said that Mia had dreamed of going to Disneyland before she fell ill.

Even before she had the strokes, she was asking me when I was taking her there. We often went camping to Killarney so I joked that a tent was as much as wed be seeing for the moment.

"The boys dont know much about Disneyland but it is something thats really special to Mia. She knows how huge this is.

Mia is defying the odds after the harrowing ordeal.

The trip to Disney has got Mia back into her own bedroom which she wasnt able to do before. Its only in the last two weeks that shes moved upstairs. The excitement of Disneyland has given her something to just completely focus on.

"It has been a big distraction. She is so happy in herself now. Mia is now the little girl we had before this happened.
Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphys native city stands ready to honour him when he says the time is right, the Lord Mayor of Cork has said.

Councillor Kieran McCarthy was speaking at the March meeting of Cork City Council on Monday evening, after several councillors called on the city to honour Mr Murphy in some shape or form" after his historic Oscar win.

The 47-year-old Cork-born actor won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood on Sunday for his lead role in Christopher Nolans Oscar-winning biopic, Oppenheimer.

Mr McCarthy told city councillors in City Hall that he has reached out to Mr Murphy and to his publicity team to explore how and when the city might formally honour his achievement.

I await a response on that so, in terms of questions around that, whether its a civic reception or a homecoming, we dont know what Cillian would actually like. So, I await a response on that, he said.

Amid calls from some that he confer the Freedom of the City on Mr Murphy, Mr McCarthy said it is more likely that he will explore the option of a civic reception or some other form of event for Mr Murphy and for his family.

He has been on a run of award successes for several weeks now, he said. And he remains very humble in his success.

All of Cork is very proud of him, and I look forward to honouring him in City Hall in the not-so-distant future.

He is a true arts treasure, who remains grounded and he is a huge inspiration for others from Cork and Ireland involved in the international cinema scene.

Meanwhile, the Lord Mayor sought and secured approval for the hosting of a civic reception for the Munster rugby team at a date to be decided.
Irelands first publicly owned eco-burial plots are to be developed in Cork city as part of a major extension of an historic cemetery.

City councillors approved the expansion of St Catherines Cemetery at Kilcully on Monday night after considering a Part 8 report on the proposal, details of which were first reported by the Irish Examiner in 2022.

The cemetery was opened by the city council in 1981, catering for the growing demand for burial plots on the city's northside.

It has about 5,200 standard burial plots and accommodates over 200 burials annually in new or reopened burial plots, but it is expected that all remaining new plots will be used in the next two years.

Councillors have now approved an extension into agricultural grassland west of the existing cemetery, that will connect the existing cemetery with the old Kilcully Church and its small surrounding graveyard, to provide around 2,199 new standard grave burial plots, 880 cremation burial plots, and 312 natural burial plots.

Such eco-burial plots are marked not by concrete surrounds or headstones but by small, simple markers and the planting of a native Irish tree, if requested; some graves go unmarked.

Unlike traditional cemeteries, where plots are laid out in a linear style, eco-graveyard plots are laid out irregularly, linked by winding grassy avenues.

The areas grow to become a living, native Irish woodland and wildflower meadow.

The expansion includes plans to double the number of parking spaces through the provision of 53 new parking spaces, including six disabled parking spaces, and a bike shelter with capacity for up to five bikes.

The stone hedgerow boundary between the extension site and the old Kilcully church graveyard will be retained with a minimal impact pedestrian access to the old graveyard from the new car park.

The existing natural hedgerow at the western side of the site and the existing wetland area at the northern end will be retained and enhanced with planting.

The councils recently approved Kilcully pedestrian safety scheme will connect the cemetery car park east to Kilcully village and beyond.

The council said the delivery of the cemetery expansion will be coordinated with the pedestrian scheme.

The scheme was advertised for public consultation last October, with two submissions received via the online portal by the December 4 deadline.

In a report, officials said the proposed extension will cater for future burial demands in the area for the next few decades.

It will cater for those wishing to have smaller plots to accommodate the interment of ashes in urns," the report said.

It also provides an opportunity to cater for more environmentally friendly burial options for those who may choose so.

The additional council storage building with adjoining public toilets and access to water will improve public services available at the cemetery."
In January, more than 11,000 people who marched in Limerick against hospital overcrowding believed it could galvanise real change, yet cancelled surgeries have occurred once more.

We thought that this was the line in the sand, everyone was there for it, recalled one man who protested.

Junior Franklin, owner of Franklins Shoe Store in the city, said he thought it would be like the grey army protests against pension changes in 2008 which did bring change.

I was on that [hospital] march. I thought then that this is a movement, it was great, he said.

Instead, numbers of patients on trolleys continue to rise, reaching 143 last Monday, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

Responding to the crisis, UL Hospital Group temporarily cancelled elective surgeries at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) to make room, saying 245 people attended the emergency department daily on average in the week to March 4.

Mr Franklin said the overcrowding is a constant topic among his customers, saying a state of emergency should be called with more help coming in.

Thats where I would find fault [with the Government], not with the amount of money theyre sending  they need to come in and help, he said.

Its not going to get better on its own  what is happening is more records are being broken. It is going to take something special [to fix it].

Walking around the city, there is a strong sense people want to be prouder of UHL and want these problems to be solved.

Niamh McNicholas said simply: They are all up the walls in there, I dont know where you would start.

She was recently a patient in UHL, and said her medical care was a very good experience.

However, like hundreds of others, she said: At the beginning I was lying in a hallway too; there was nothing they could do about that.

People are giving out about the staff but its not their fault. They dont want it to be like that. I just think they are overworked and spread very thin.

Many people pointed to the closure of emergency departments in Ennis, Nenagh, and St Johns hospitals in 2009 as a pivotal moment, echoing arguments made by Midwest Hospital Campaign and march organiser Mike Daly.

However, Rita Ryan thinks the problems go further back.

I was here when Barringtons was closing, we all marched to keep that open, she said, referring to a hospital which closed, including its emergency department, in 1988.

Its a private hospital now. That was a mistake. The HSE should definitely have bought that.

Bon Secours Hospital Limerick at Barringtons now operates there, but moves next year to a 150-bed hospital in Ballysimon that is currently under construction.

This will take insured patients and public patients funded by the State, according to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Ms Ryan echoes comments about good medical care at UHL but emphasises: The emergency department is nowhere big enough, there are no other options now. UHL is for Clare and Tipperary as well, its ridiculous.

Junior Franklin, owner of Franklins Shoe Store in O'Connell St, Limerick, said UHL overcrowding is a constant topic among his customers. Picture: Brendan gleeson

These pressures were seen by Katie Hickey when her father became ill in May 2023.

He was in the emergency department for a week on a trolley. I had to take a week off work to be with him in there, they are not set up for that, she said.

She remembers watching porters, saying: The staff were moving people in and out, moving one trolley to get someone else out, it was like Tetris.

In her experience, extra nurses and more staff would help across the hospital.

Staffing was one of the issues raised in an internal review of the death of Aoife Johnston, 16, with references to shortages of nurses and non-consultant hospital doctors among other serious concerns. Her death is now under external investigation.

For Mick Molloy, emergency medicine consultant on the Irish Medical Organisations (IMO) consultant committee, staffing is part of the UHL solution, but even more urgently needed is hospital beds.

A 2008 report for the HSE recommended UHL as a regional centre of excellence and that it should have 642 in-patient beds, but instead it has 535 with more in the smaller hospitals.

When youve got 245 patients a day in the emergency department, you are going to have roughly 20% to 23% of those admitted from the emergency department who require a bed, so the more of those beds you have available, the easier it is to move patients up to a ward, said Dr Molloy.

As the number of emergency patients increases the bed situation develops into a big competition with elective patients, he said.

When you have 700 or 800 beds like some of the Dublin hospitals have, it is easier to play with that number and move things around, he added.

There were also consequences from closing those smaller emergency departments.

Limerick was an experiment with the reconfiguration, said Dr Molloy. It was removing emergency departments from other units and having all your emergency admissions funnelled into a hospital, which wasnt made any bigger.

A new emergency department was built at UHL, but it really wasnt designed for the volume of people who are attending, Dr Molloy said.

Those smaller emergency departments were open in 2006 when Matthew Sadlier worked at what was then the Mid-Western Regional Hospital (now UHL).

Now chair of the IMOs consultant committee, Dr Sadlier said: Limerick was already at capacity when they closed Ennis and Nenagh.

Those emergency departments were closed for patient safety reasons following analysis.

The IMO was never against closing smaller emergency departments, but we were against closing smaller emergency departments without having first built up the emergency department to which those patients would have gone to, he said.

An additional concern now for doctors is cancelling elective surgeries, something not unique to UHL.

The Irish healthcare system is very very good at treating people with urgent health problems. The problem is if you delay care, then quite often chronic problems become acute, said Dr Sadlier.

Would-be patients cancel work shifts or change childcare arrangements to prepare for an operation, he pointed out.

It is not easy to work in overcrowded conditions, he said: In a workplace environment, hopelessness is the worst, and from our members we are getting a sense of hopelessness."

Niamh McNicholas: 'They are all up the walls in there, I dont know where you would start.' Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Some 1,716 patients attended the emergency department in the week up to March 4, UHL said.

We apologise to anyone who has had a long wait for admission to University Hospital Limerick in recent days, and to all who have been impacted by deferrals of surgery.

A 96-bed block is under construction, although 48 of those beds will replace older wards being closed.

We also welcome the commitment by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and the HSE to accelerate the delivery of the second 96-bed block at UHL. This next phase of additional works has commenced and excavation works are due to begin in the coming weeks.

A report by Deloitte, commissioned by UHL, found a requirement for 302 additional inpatient beds and 63 day beds in this region by 2036.

HSE chief Bernard Gloster has said he is confident for people to use services at the hospital.

If you need to go to hospital, you can go to that hospital, you should go to that hospital. I live in that area myself, my family go to that hospital, he said.

However, in that RTE interview, he declined to say whether he had confidence in management, only saying he would not prejudge findings of reviews under way.
Last year, 50 young people aged between 12 and 24 gathered together as the National Youth Assembly on Climate for a day of discussion in Dublin on issues relating to the environment, climate change, and sustainability.

They voted on recommendations to the Government and subsequently presented them to the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.

These recommendations will be considered for inclusion in the Governments Climate Action Plan 2024. There have been similar efforts made to include the perspective of youth with the Children and Young Peoples Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. This is a welcome approach that recognises the agency of children and young people and that they not only represent the future but are active, engaged, and vocal about rights protections in the present too.

It is safe to assume that none of the children or young people who participated in these assemblies faced risks because of their engagement.

Yet sadly, this is the case for all too many children and youth who protect, promote, and advocate on human and environmental rights issues around the world. Last year, I convened a meeting of 40 children and youth human rights defenders from 38 countries so that I could hear first-hand some of the threats they are subjected to when carrying out their human rights work.

What I heard forms the basis of a report I will present on Tuesday to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva entitled 'We are not just the future  challenges faced by child and youth human rights defenders'.

Young campaigners

One of those I met last year was 13-year-old boy Francisco Vera from Colombia, who last June was named UNICEFs first youth advocate for environmental and climate action for Latin America and the Caribbean.

When he was 9, he launched a movement called Guardians of Life to elevate the voices of young people on environmental issues. When he was 11, Francisco was forced to relocate to Spain with his mother following death threats he received for calling on the government to provide better internet access to children studying online.

Francisco Vera, well-known in Colombia for his environmental campaigns and defense of children's rights, plays with his toys at home in Villeta, Colombia, in 2021. Picture: Fernando Vergara/AP

I also met with 17-year-old Palestinian girl Janna Jihad who started making videos of what was happening in her village when she was only seven.

She told me how she had already faced years of threats for her documentation of human rights violations in the occupied West Bank, and how Palestinian children there were subject to Israeli military law, and prosecuted in military courts lacking fair trial rights and protections. The risks young Palestinians face have increased exponentially since October 7.

I heard from Disha Ravi, a 24-year-old climate defender from India, about how she had been arrested on charges including sedition and criminal conspiracy for her alleged involvement in sharing an online toolkit on climate activism. In September, her appeal against a bail condition requiring her to seek permission each time she travels abroad was rejected by India's high court.

And late last week I received information that an explosion had taken place outside the home of a 14-year-old climate activist in Ecuador who had voiced her opposition to routine gas flaring.

The previous week she had attended a session of the Biodiversity Commission of the National Assembly of Ecuador to demand compliance with a previous ruling that the state must eliminate all gas flares that significantly contribute to the climate crisis.

Common challenges

Children and young people are doing vital work defending human rights in every region of the world. This work is all the more important at a time when international human rights standards are under scrutiny, including as a result of Israels war on Gaza.

Although the risks child and youth defenders face vary greatly, in my consultations with more than 100 young people throughout the course of last year, there were a number of common challenges they cited.

It was clear that these human rights defenders did not feel they were receiving the appropriate recognition or support for their work; that they were generally not consulted by their governments or by their peers on matters that affected them; that there was an ageism prevalent within the human rights movement that meant they were not taken seriously; and that their youth was often used against them by authorities who tried to remove their agency by saying that they had been manipulated or brainwashed.

Their most commonly cited requests were for protection, access to funding, and legal assistance when they were being criminalised.

I worry that as legislation is increasingly introduced in traditionally democratic countries to restrict peaceful protest, there is a danger that young people will be dissuaded from becoming involved in human rights work for fear of the trouble that may accompany it.

Yet given the state of the world today, we badly need them to carry the torch of human rights forward and supporting them while they engage in this work as children is of crucial importance.

Ireland has adopted an admirable position in facilitating the involvement of children and young people in public processes at home and I am hopeful that this report will encourage the Government to provide greater support to child and youth human rights defenders abroad.

Mary Lawlor is UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced new legislation to legalise aid in dying that will allow adults facing end-of-life illness to take lethal medication.

The move come after a report last year indicated that most French citizens support legalising end-of-life options.

In an interview published on Monday by French newspapers La Croix and Liberation, Mr Macron said the new bill will be restricted to adults suffering from an incurable illness who are expected to die in the short or middle term and who are suffering intractable physical or psychological pain.

He said the law will offer a possible path, in a determined situation, with precise criteria, where the medical decision is playing its role.

He gave the example of of people with terminal cancer, some of whom go abroad to end their lives.

Only people aged 18 or above who are capable of forming their own views will be allowed to enter the process, meaning those with severe psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimers disease will not be eligible, Mr Macron said.

Patients who seek to enter the process will need to reconfirm their choice after 48 hours and they should then receive an answer from a medical team within two weeks, the president added.

A doctor will then deliver a prescription, valid for three months, for the lethal medication. People will be able to take the medication at home, at a nursing home or at a health care facility.

If their physical condition does not allow them to do it alone, they will be allowed to get help from someone of their choice or by a doctor or nurse.

Mr Macron said the bill will refer to aid in dying because its simple and humane, rather than terms like euthanasia or medically assisted suicide.

Medically assisted suicide involves patients who meet certain criteria taking, of their own free will, a lethal drink or medication prescribed by a doctor. Euthanasia involves doctors or other health practitioners giving patients who meet certain criteria a lethal injection at their own request.

Mr Macron set no date for the legislation to be applied, saying it will need to follow a months-long legislative process that will start in May.

A 2016 French law provides that doctors can keep terminally ill patients sedated before death but stops short of allowing assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Assisted suicide is allowed in neighbouring Switzerland as well as in Portugal. Euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain under certain conditions.
A group of climate activists has blocked the entrance to the Swedish parliament, calling for sweeping reforms to tackle climate disasters.

About 40 activists including Greta Thunberg held signs reading Climate Justice Now as they sat in front of at least two entrances to the 349-seat Riksdagen, including the main doorway.
Britain's Prince William was all smiles at the Commonwealth Day service as he made his first public appearance since his wife admitted to editing their Mothers Day picture.

The event celebrating the family of nations is a major fixture in the royal year but has been overshadowed by Kate Middletons statement she manipulated a family photo released on Sunday.

William, who was spotted with Kate in his car while in London, arrived at Westminster Abbey alone before Camilla, and was greeted by the Dean of Westminster David Hoyle, shaking his hands with the senior cleric.

Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales attending the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey (Henry Nicholls/PA)

William was introduced to the Abbeys Chapter, or governing body, shaking their hands as he made his way along the line of clergy.

Missing was Charles, who continues to receive treatment for cancer, but in his annual address to the family of nations, he pledged to continue to serve the Commonwealth to the best of my ability.

Since his cancer diagnosis was announced on February 5, Charles has postponed all public-facing duties but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers and holding some in-person meetings.

His address highlighted how diversity was the Commonwealths core strength, and the union of 56 member countries was a precious source of strength, inspiration, and pride to him.

Charles said in the video message: In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth.

Camilla and William were joined by Edward and Sophie, Anne, Richard and Birgitte.

The royals warmly greeted each other before they lined up for the procession to their seats.

The Princess Royal, the Queen, the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales attending the annual Commonwealth Day Service (Henry Nicholls/PA)

William gave Edward a friendly pat on the arm and a kiss on both cheeks, before standing in conversation with his aunts Anne and Sophie and uncle.

As Camilla, dressed in a turquoise coat and hat, approached, William was seen to say hello to his stepmother before moving forward to kiss her on both cheeks.

They smiled and chatted for a few moments as they stood side by side at the head of the royal party.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh joined the Prince of Wales at the service (Henry Nicholls/PA)

Camilla looked back, as if to check the other members of the monarchy were in place and when the national anthem began, all the royals sang.

The annual celebration will draw on the theme of resilience at a time when the royal family has faced a barrage of health troubles.

Among the 2,000 guests were Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, the president of Malta, foreign ministers, high commissioners, senior politicians and dignitaries from across the Commonwealth and faith leaders as well as schoolchildren and young people from throughout the UK.

William smiling during the service (Henry Nicholls/PA)

The service, which marked the 75th anniversary of the family of nations, featured performers from across the Commonwealth including a dance troupe from Uganda that tickled the royals.

The front row of Camilla, William, Edward, Sophie and Anne smiled then laughed as the youngsters, who featured on Britains Got Talent, twirled and jumped.

Protesters from the Republic campaign group had earlier gathered outside, near the abbey.

Protesters outside Westminster Abbey in London ahead of the annual Commonwealth Day Service (Lucy North/PA)

The demonstrators carried bright yellow placards bearing the slogan Down with the Crown.

Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, said: The royals need to stop using the Commonwealth as a vehicle for their own PR.

The platitudes we hear from Charles and Camilla only serve to paper over serious concerns about human rights abuses and a lack of democracy in many Commonwealth countries.

The King addressed the service via video message, in which he said he would continue to serve the Commonwealth to the best of his ability (Royal Household/PA)

He added: The royal family funded, promoted and defended slavery for centuries, and then presided over an empire that caused untold damage to peoples lives that continues to have an impact to this day.

Reparations are a reasonable demand. As a hereditary monarch, Charles can hardly argue that what his ancestors did has nothing to do with him.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken has met Caribbean leaders in Jamaica in an urgent push to solve the spiralling crisis in Haiti, while pressure grows on Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign or agree to a transitional council.

The closed-door meeting did not include Mr Henry, who has been locked out of his own country while travelling abroad, due to surging unrest and violence by criminal gangs who have overrun much of Haitis capital and closed down its main international airports.

Mr Henry remains in Puerto Rico and was taking steps to return to Haiti once feasible, according to a brief statement from the US territorys Department of State.

Antony Blinken arriving in Kingston, Jamaica (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)

While leaders met behind closed doors, Jimmy Cherizier, considered Haitis most powerful gang leader, told reporters that if the international community continues down the current road, it will plunge Haiti into further chaos.

We Haitians have to decide who is going to be the head of the country and what model of government we want, said Cherizier, a former elite police officer leader of a gang federation known as G9 Family and Allies.

We are also going to figure out how to get Haiti out of the misery its in now.

The meeting was organised by members of a regional trade bloc known as Caricom, which for months has pressed for a transitional government in Haiti while protests in the country have demanded Mr Henrys resignation.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry has been unable to get back to Haiti (AP)

The international community must work together with Haitians towards a peaceful political transition, US assistant secretary for western hemisphere affairs Brian Nichols wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Mr Nichols was also attending the meeting.

Concerns remain that a long-sought solution will remain elusive. Caricom said in a statement on Friday announcing the urgent meeting in Jamaica that while we are making considerable progress, the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be.

Mia Mottley, prime minister of Barbados, said that up to 90% of proposals that Haitian stakeholders have put on the table are similar. These include an urgent need to create a presidential council to help identify a new prime minister to establish a government.

Her comments were briefly streamed by Caricom, in what appeared to have been a mistake, and then were abruptly cut off.

The meeting was held as powerful gangs continued to attack key government targets across Haitis capital, Port-au-Prince. Since February 29, gunmen have burned police stations, closed the main international airports and raided the countrys two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

Scores of people have been killed, and more than 15,000 are homeless after fleeing neighbourhoods raided by gangs.

More than 15,000 are homeless after fleeing neighbourhoods raided by gangs (Odelyn Joseph/AP)

Food and water are dwindling as stands and stores selling to impoverished Haitians run out of goods. The main port in Port-au-Prince remains closed, stranding dozens of containers with critical supplies.

Mr Henry landed in Puerto Rico last week after being denied entry into the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

When the attacks began, Mr Henry was in Kenya pushing for the UN-backed deployment of a police force from the east African country that has been delayed by a court ruling.

A growing number of people are demanding Mr Henrys resignation. He has not made any public comment since the attacks began.

The UN Security Council has urged Haitis gangs to immediately cease their destabilising actions, including sexual violence and the recruitment of children, and said it expects that a multinational force will deploy as soon as possible to help end the violence.

It urged the international community to support the Haitian National Police by backing the forces deployment.

Antony Blinken met Caribbean leaders in Jamaica (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, Pool via AP)

Council members also expressed concern at the limited political progress and urged all political actors to allow free and fair legislative and presidential elections.

A UN delegation attending Mondays meeting includes the secretary-generals chief of staff Courtenay Rattray, undersecretary-general Atul Khare, who is in charge of UN logistics, and assistant secretary-general Miroslav Jenca, who is in charge of the Americas in the UN political office.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres is calling for the urgent deployment of the multinational force and that the mission be adequately funded, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Currently, funding is at only 10.8 million dollars, with officials in Kenya demanding more than 230 million dollars.
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.
Monday, Mar 11th, 2024 (9:28 am) - Score 2,040

The government has announced that seven UK broadband and phone operators, including Openreach, CityFibre, AllPoints Fibre, CommunityFibre, Ogi, KCOM and WightFibre, have today signed a charter that commits them to protect vulnerable customers (e.g. those with telecare devices) when upgrading phone lines to a new digital (IP) based network.

The announcement means that the Technology Secretary has now secured agreements from the majority of the telecoms sector  from operators in charge of maintaining the network infrastructure all the way to retail ISPs, including Virgin Media (O2), Sky Broadband, TalkTalk, BT, Zen Internet, Vodafone, Shell Energy and KCOM, who agreed to similar mitigations in December 2023 (here).

NOTE: Nearly 2 million people use these vital telecare devices / alarms in the UK (e.g. elderly, disabled, and vulnerable people)  with many located in rural and isolated areas.

Just to recap. BT and Openreach are currently in the process of withdrawing their old copper-based analogue line networks (i.e. the Public Switched Telephone Network [PSTN] and Wholesale Line Rental, respectively) by December 2025. A national stop sell on new installations has already begun. KCOM are also doing something similar in Hull, which aims to finish by the end of 2024.

Just to be clear. The above change is an industry, not government, led programme that is partly driven by the looming retirement of copper lines in favour of full fibre (FTTP). Not to mention that modern mobile and IP-based communication services have largely taken over from traditional home phones, which no longer see much use.

In their place, many ISPs are introducing Internet Protocol (IP) based digital phone / voice services, which require a broadband connection in order to work. Put another way, you plug your existing handset into the back of a broadband router (assuming it has a phone port) or Analogue Terminal Adapter (ATA), rather than the old wall socket.

However, digital phone solutions do have the odd caveat, other than being a little bit more complicated to setup. For example, the new services are not remotely powered (i.e. if theres a power cut, they go down, but then existing DECT systems suffer the same issue) and often dont work properly with older alarm or telecare monitoring systems. In fairness, the latter is just as much the fault of telecare and alarm providers (i.e. failing to upgrade their systems), but today the focus is very much on what the network and wholesale operators can do to help.

The Charter Commitments

 Operators will have to work with partners, including internet providers, to check if their customers own a telecare device.  Operators will provide at least 12 months notice to phone providers before enforcing the switchover of a customer and will jointly discuss suitable migration options.  No telecare user will be migrated to a digital landline service without the provider, customer or telephone company confirming that they have functioning solution in place.  Telecom operators will work with Ofcom, Government, and phone providers to create a shared definition of vulnerable customer, so it is no longer dependent on the company and establishes an industry wide standard.

Take note that most ISPs with a digital phone solution are already offering optional battery backup options to their most vulnerable customers, and the Government has also asked Ofcom to look again at whether a 1-hour minimum backup remains suitable. One problem here is that the bigger the capacity, the bigger the cost, and somebody has to pay for that. Consumers can also buy a higher capacity power station to do the job themselves (battery backup options).

Some people argue that mobile networks can help to fill this void too, but thats only true if your chosen operator delivers a good indoor signal to your home (not always the case) and mobile networks often go down during power cuts too (Ofcom are reviewing this). Not to mention that mobile networks dont usually work with older telecare and alarm systems either.

Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan MP, said: The safety of vulnerable customers comes before anything else and thats why I called on the industry to listen to concerns and take action to make sure the right protections are in place. I welcome more telecoms companies joining forces to make this a priority, meaning we now have agreement from those responsible for our telecoms infrastructure and those providing mobile and broadband services. This will provide much needed reassurance to those relying on these vital devices and I will continue to pressure organisations to do everything in their power to make sure the switchover is seamless and safe.

Digital Infrastructure Minister, Julia Lopez, said: When a person needs urgent medical attention, they must have confidence that their call for help will be responded to as quickly as possible. The recent incidents that left some people disconnected are unacceptable and must not happen again. The Technology Secretary and I are united in pressuring all those responsible to implement mitigations that meet the needs of the most at risk. I hope todays agreement provides some peace of mind to those affected and reassures the millions of vulnerable people in our country that their concerns have been heard far and wide across the whole industry.

In an ideal world, the UK Government, ISPs and network operators would have set out such a charter years ago, rather than in the last couple of years of an active withdrawal programme. Particularly as many of the issues highlighted above have been known about for the best part of almost a decade. But better late than never.

Finally, its worth pointing out that BT and Openreach are currently testing an additional (SOTAP for Analogue) phone line product that does NOT require a broadband connection to function, is powered (no need for battery backup) and will be targeted at vulnerable and edge use cases (inc. CNI) users  those with old analogue phone lines who would otherwise face challenges in migrating to IP based voice solutions by 2025.

The solution, once introduced, would not be available for new service provisions (only existing customers) and is intended to be a temporary product (possibly running until around 2030). In theory, this would allow more time for people and networks to adapt, but it wont be launched until later in 2024 and is arriving quite late to the party.

One annoying caveat with SOTAP for Analogue is that it seems to be targeted at vulnerable users, whereas we think this should be extended to include a definition for vulnerable areas (e.g. those where protracted power cuts are common and mobile signals are extremely weak to non-existent).

UPDATE 3:19pm

The government (DSIT) has informed us of a mistake in their original release, which stated that Sky were one of the network operators (wholesale) to sign the charter. But apparently Sky has yet to formally sign, although their retail ISP division did sign the previous charter.
Monday, Mar 11th, 2024 (2:50 pm) - Score 2,160

Network operator Openreach (BT) has today announced that their 1.8Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP network has now covered over 1 million premises across the South West of England (i.e. Cornwall, Dorset, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire), which reflects an investment of over 300m.

The deployment forms part of the operators wider 15bn investment to cover 25 million UK premises (80%+ of the UK) with their full fibre network by December 2026, including 6.2 million in rural and semi-rural areas (here), and they aspire to potentially reach up to 30 million by 2030. So far, the operator has already completed coverage for over 13 million UK premises and clearly the South West is responsible for a chunk of that.

NOTE: Openreach is currently building at a rate of 73,000 UK premises passed per week.

To mark the milestone, the network provider has revealed the 20 locations in the region with the highest levels (%) of Full Fibre coverage, although annoyingly they havent provided any solid figures for each of the locations listed. Nevertheless, Alderbury, a small village with origins dating back to pre-historic times, tops the list, with more than nine out of ten premises there being covered.

The medieval Cathedral City of Salisbury, just a few miles north-west of Alderbury, is just a fraction behind and ranks second, whilst the coastal village of Downderry in Cornwall and the popular seaside destination of Lynton and Lynmouth in North Devon rank third and fourth. Bristol South is fifth.

In terms of active build, Openreachs engineers are currently working in Truro, Totnes, Portland, Tewkesbury, Devonport, Yeovil and Trowbridge to expand the reach of FTTP.

Martin Williams, Openreachs Partnership Director for the South West, said: Our amazing engineers and build partners have done a wonderful job to help us reach this significant milestone. This Full Fibre upgrade is a huge boost for the South West. Were adopting a balanced build, bringing ultrafast speeds to the regions biggest cities and most rural and coastal communities  as this list proves. Were not stopping at one million  and people in the South West should visit the Openreach website to see if they can upgrade to Full Fibre already, or see when were coming to their area.

Openreach expects to add a total of 3.5 million premises to their UK FTTP coverage across the 2024 financial year, which they predict will rise to 4 million in FY25. The per premises build costs are expected to stay within their 250 to 350 model for at least this period / next two years (currently its 300 in the South West).

However, only around two in five homes and businesses which could upgrade to the new network across the South West have done so. Naturally, in order to benefit from the new network, youd need to order the service from a supporting ISP like BT, Sky Broadband, TalkTalk, Vodafone, Zen Internet, iDNET, AAISP and many more.

Top 20 locations for FTTP broadband in the South West
A Massachusetts town that adopted an unusual ordinance banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born in the 21st century is being looked at as a possible model for other cities and towns hoping to further clamp down on cigarettes and other tobacco products
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A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
( Middle East Monitor )  What a mad world humanity lives in, where we see the US dropping missiles and bombs through its ally, Israel, on the helpless people of Gaza while, at the same time, we see it airdropping food to the same people. Is this a case of schizophrenia, or swapping roles?

How can this be done by someone who provides Israel with weapons and decisions saying that the war cannot be stopped, then sends its chorus of spokesmen out every night to present the world with justifications, excuses and arguments for the continuation of the war and justifying the continued crushing of children and women in a way that does not haunt them every night, neither due to the magnitude of the heinous crime nor by the continuous groaning but, rather, due to the elections indicators?

No positions, meetings, summits, protests, sit-ins or even courts have succeeded in stopping the war, 150 days after it broke out and the reason for this is the US veto and the implicit decision to continue. This approach is accompanied by harmful discourse in which the desperate defence of the Jewish state was repeated, as one of the American spokesmen said, The US has not observed acts in Gaza that constitute genocide, then, a few days later, said that there were no signs that Israel is preventing the entry of aid, followed by claims that there are no signs that Israel is targeting children, women and the elderly. There were several claims of the sort, allowing Prime Minister Netanyahu to continue what he is doing in the Amalek war he is leading.

However, as the US presidential election race intensified, positions began to change, to show, albeit dishonestly, an alleged contrast in positions between the US administration and Tel Aviv. Washington also received Netanyahus rival, his strongest competitor for the prime ministers seat, and one of the pillars of his war council, Benny Gantz. US Vice-President made a statement a few days ago, specifically on 3 March, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, noting: We saw hungry, desperate people approach aid trucks simply trying to secure food for their family after weeks of barely any aid reaching northern Gaza, and they were met with gunfire and chaos. This is coming from the heart of the White House, which is saying that Israel is hindering the flow of aid, and that the US will continue to airdrop food to the starving Gazans, using all methods to deliver food. How strange!

CBC News Video: Airdropping aid to Gaza nowhere near adequate, says Refugees International president

So, the simple question remains: Why dont you stop the flow of weapons and support if you are actually concerned over the harming of innocent people in Gaza and the West Bank, instead of being concerned with remaining in power? Also, so that the Palestinian aftershocks do not reach your ballot boxes, allowing Gaza to contribute to the overthrow of the Democrats in favour of their rival, Trump? Enough, for Gods sake! Enough mocking the free people of the world and our people in wounded Palestine. The play has become ridiculous, your matters have become scandalous.

Enough disregard and under-estimation of the entire world, as dropping bombs and dropping food cannot go hand in hand. Those who want to show compassion to the poor who are waiting to satisfy their hunger, and the hunger of their children, must first stop killing them with their words and their actions. Death for food is an equation that no one would accept, and no one would be convinced of it, regardless how much some try to whitewash and refine it. The cold, harsh, and shocking reality is that partial humanity cannot be tolerated. Only humanity full of action, honesty and credibility can. Did they receive the message? We will wait and see.

This article appeared in Arabic in Al-Quds on 8 March, 2024.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor. or Informed Comment.

Middle East Monitor
VANCOUVER, BC, March 11, 2024 /CNW/ - Galiano Gold Inc. ("Galiano" or the "Company") (TSX: GAU) (NYSE American: GAU) is pleased to provide an update on the 2023 drilling results at Abore following completion of an infill program at the Asanko Gold Mine ("AGM"), located in Ghana, West Africa. This drill program is highlighted by the discovery of a new high grade zone in the southern portion of the deposit and better than expected results spanning the entire 1,600 metre strike length of Abore.

The Abore infill drilling programme consisted of 84 holes totalling 22,470 metres. It was designed to convert Inferred Mineral Resources below the current Mineral Reserve pit shell1 to the Indicated Mineral Resource category and evaluate the potential to optimize and/or expand the pit. Earlier positive results from this campaign were highlighted in a news release "Galiano Gold Provides Asanko Gold Mine 2023 Exploration Program Update" (see press release dated October 25, 2023).

This program resulted in the discovery of a new high grade zone within the southern portion of Abore which was intersected in four drill holes over approximately 120 metres of strike length as shown in a series of cross sections in Figures 2 to 5 below. Intercepts in this zone are amongst the best ever intercepted at the AGM and include:

Hole ABPC23-224: 45 metres @ 12.4 g/t gold from 191m

from Hole ABPC23-226: 37 metres @ 10.6 g/t gold from 199m

from Hole ABPC23-239: 54 metres @ 3.3 g/t gold from 207m

from 207m Hole ABPC23-228: 41 metres @ 3.3 g/t gold from 191m

This new zone of mineralization is hosted primarily within the Abore granite and is characterized by significant hydrothermal alteration along with high density quartz veining, intense localized brecciation, disseminated arsenopyrite and visible gold. It remains open along strike in both directions and is untested at depth. A follow-up drill program is currently underway to test the extent of this zone.

Robust mineralization was also intersected across the deposit as demonstrated by the following highlighted intercepts:

Hole ABPC23-246: 18 meters @ 8.2 g/t gold from 172m

from 172m Hole ABPC23-259: 24 meters @ 5.4 g/t gold from 263m

from 263m Hole ABPC23-223: 27 meters @ 4.2g/t gold from 246m

from Hole ABPC23-228: 41 metres @ 3.3 g/t gold from 191m

from Hole ABPC23-213: 20 meters @ 4.5 g/t gold from 166m

from Hole ABPC23-241: 23 meters @ 3.8 g/t gold from 156m

from 156m Hole ABPC23-249: 19 meters @ 4.0 g/t gold from 273m

"These excellent results demonstrate that Abore has significant upside potential beyond the current Reserves," stated Chris Pettman, Galiano's Vice President of Exploration. "Seeing significant intervals of high grade gold along the entire 1,600 metre strike length of the deposit, and the discovery of the new high grade south zone, gives us confidence that Abore will continue to grow and add considerable value to the AGM life of mine."

Matt Badylak, Galiano's President and Chief Executive Officer added, "The results of this program are expected to affect the size and geometry of the Abore Reserve pit. The impact this will have on Mineral Reserves and ore delivery in 2024 is currently being evaluated through pit optimization and redesign. The Company plans to update Abore Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and provide 2024 production and cost guidance following the completion of this work in April."

Abore is located directly on the haul road approximately 13 kilometres north of the AGM's processing plant and has current Measured and Indicated Resources of 477,000 ounces @1.16 g/t gold and Inferred Resources of 131,000 ounces @1.14 g/t gold, as described in the Technical Report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Feasibility Study for Asanko Gold Mine, Ghana" with an effective date of December 31, 2022, and is available on SEDAR+1.

The deposit sits along the Esaase shear corridor, which also hosts the Esaase deposit, and forms part of the northeast striking Asankrangwa gold belt. The geology of the deposit is characterized by a sedimentary sequence composed primarily of siltstones, shales and thickly bedded sandstones that has been intruded by a granite which lies parallel to the shear and dipping steeply to the northwest. The majority of mineralization is constrained to the granite, hosted in west dipping quartz vein areas developed primarily along the eastern margin of the granite/sediment contact.

Table 1: 2023 Abore drilling intercepts table2,3

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Width (m) Grade (g Au/t) Intercept Description ABPC23-224 191.0 236.0 45.0 12.44 45.0m @ 12.44 ABPC23-226 199.0 236.0 37.0 10.58 37.0m @ 10.58 ABPC23-239 207.0 261.0 54.0 3.29 54.0m @ 3.29 ABPC23-246 172.0 190.0 18.0 8.21 18.0m @ 8.21 ABPC23-228 191.0 232.0 41.0 3.28 41.0m @ 3.28 ABPC23-259 263.0 287.0 24.0 5.35 24.0m @ 5.35 ABPC23-223 245.9 273.3 27.4 4.2 27.4m @ 4.2 ABPC23-213 165.7 185.4 19.7 4.53 19.7m @ 4.53 ABPC23-241 156.0 179.0 23.0 3.76 23.0m @ 3.76 ABPC23-249 273.0 292.4 19.4 4.04 19.4m @ 4.04 ABPC23-190 278.0 314.0 36.0 2.12 36.0m @ 2.12 ABPC23-252 281.7 319.7 38.0 1.8 38.0m @ 1.8 ABPC23-211 223.0 263.8 40.8 1.63 40.8m @ 1.63 ABPC23-266 217.0 246.5 29.5 1.95 29.5m @ 1.95 ABPC23-229 269.5 291.0 21.5 2.64 21.5m @ 2.64 ABPC23-264 96.1 102.1 6.0 9.32 6.0m @ 9.32 ABPC23-254 209.0 223.2 14.2 3.93 14.2m @ 3.93 ABPC23-256 197.0 226.0 29.0 1.88 29.0m @ 1.88 ABPC23-189 225.9 247.0 21.1 2.56 21.1m @ 2.56 ABPC23-193 279.5 297.8 18.3 2.92 18.3m @ 2.92 ABPC23-243 174.7 184.7 10.0 5.26 10.0m @ 5.26 ABPC23-198 300.9 304.0 3.1 16.88 3.1m @ 16.88 ABPC23-215 213.0 240.2 27.2 1.92 27.2m @ 1.92 ABPC23-208 199.0 206.0 7.0 7.24 7.0m @ 7.24 ABPC23-237 151.0 163.0 12.0 4.19 12.0m @ 4.19 ABPC23-197 310.0 321.9 11.9 4.23 11.9m @ 4.23 ABPC23-214 204.0 217.0 13.0 3.62 13.0m @ 3.62 ABPC23-198 246.6 253.8 7.3 6.33 7.3m @ 6.33 ABPC23-257 197.0 229.0 32.0 1.42 32.0m @ 1.42 ABPC23-194 247.4 265.4 18.1 2.5 18.1m @ 2.5 ABPC23-186 194.0 208.5 14.5 2.78 14.5m @ 2.78 ABPC23-212 243.0 257.0 14.0 2.85 14.0m @ 2.85 ABPC23-256 181.2 190.0 8.8 4.45 8.8m @ 4.45 ABPC23-210 158.0 183.0 25.0 1.55 25.0m @ 1.55 ABPC23-248 234.0 260.0 26.0 1.48 26.0m @ 1.48 ABPC23-194 287.0 314.0 27.0 1.4 27.0m @ 1.4 ABPC23-219 190.0 209.0 19.0 1.72 19.0m @ 1.72 ABPC23-222 314.6 319.7 5.1 6.27 5.1m @ 6.27 ABPC23-190 350.0 356.4 6.4 4.73 6.4m @ 4.73 ABPC23-278 196.3 229.0 32.7 0.91 32.7m @ 0.91 ABPC23-225 293.7 306.5 12.9 2.27 12.9m @ 2.27 ABPC23-221 185.0 215.0 30.0 0.95 30.0m @ 0.95 ABPC23-253 226.0 244.6 18.6 1.42 18.6m @ 1.42 ABPC23-222 280.5 299.8 19.2 1.37 19.2m @ 1.37 ABPC23-242 188.2 203.0 14.8 1.65 14.8m @ 1.65 ABPC23-235 225.0 244.0 19.0 1.25 19.0m @ 1.25 ABPC23-202 192.0 208.0 16.0 1.46 16.0m @ 1.46 ABPC23-203 79.0 101.0 22.0 1.01 22.0m @ 1.01 ABPC23-226 240.0 245.0 5.0 4.34 5.0m @ 4.34 ABPC23-231 300.5 315.1 14.5 1.47 14.5m @ 1.47 ABPC23-191 306.0 326.0 20.0 1.05 20.0m @ 1.05 ABPC23-192 201.7 216.7 15.0 1.38 15.0m @ 1.38 ABPC23-254 192.7 198.0 5.3 3.81 5.3m @ 3.81 ABPC23-265 186.2 201.6 15.4 1.3 15.4m @ 1.3 ABPC23-203 147.0 177.0 30.0 0.64 30.0m @ 0.64 ABPC23-234 214.5 226.9 12.4 1.53 12.4m @ 1.53 ABPC23-206 306.0 318.0 12.0 1.58 12.0m @ 1.58 ABPC23-209 290.0 309.0 19.0 0.99 19.0m @ 0.99 ABPC23-276 191.0 202.1 11.1 1.67 11.1m @ 1.67 ABPC23-186 79.1 87.0 8.0 2.33 8.0m @ 2.33 ABPC23-218 191.0 206.0 15.0 1.22 15.0m @ 1.22 ABPC23-191 344.0 351.0 7.0 2.6 7.0m @ 2.6 ABPC23-251 135.0 150.0 15.0 1.21 15.0m @ 1.21 ABPC23-184 157.0 174.0 17.0 1.04 17.0m @ 1.04 ABPC23-243 191.8 197.2 5.4 3.27 5.4m @ 3.27 ABPC23-200 259.9 268.3 8.4 2.03 8.4m @ 2.03 ABPC23-232 300.0 310.0 10.0 1.69 10.0m @ 1.69 ABPC23-206 261.7 269.0 7.3 2.25 7.3m @ 2.25 ABPC23-240 216.7 224.4 7.7 2.11 7.7m @ 2.11 ABPC23-237 174.0 189.0 15.0 1.05 15.0m @ 1.05 ABPC23-184 99.0 110.0 11.0 1.39 11.0m @ 1.39 ABPC23-279 225.0 244.3 19.3 0.79 19.3m @ 0.79 ABPC23-260 213.0 227.1 14.1 1.07 14.1m @ 1.07 ABPC23-240 203.7 211.7 8.0 1.86 8.0m @ 1.86 ABPC23-189 270.0 279.0 9.0 1.65 9.0m @ 1.65 ABPC23-221 220.0 226.0 6.0 2.44 6.0m @ 2.44 ABPC23-262 227.0 246.3 19.3 0.75 19.3m @ 0.75 ABPC23-190 330.0 346.0 16.0 0.84 16.0m @ 0.84 ABPC23-248 215.6 229.6 14.0 0.95 14.0m @ 0.95 ABPC23-231 323.3 334.0 10.7 1.24 10.7m @ 1.24 ABPC23-260 201.9 207.9 6.1 2.1 6.1m @ 2.1 ABPC23-263 114.9 121.7 6.8 1.86 6.8m @ 1.86 ABPC23-244 202.4 222.0 19.6 0.59 19.6m @ 0.59 ABPC23-223 229.3 234.0 4.7 2.38 4.7m @ 2.38 ABPC23-234 186.0 194.0 8.0 1.36 8.0m @ 1.36 ABPC23-240 191.5 199.5 8.1 1.34 8.1m @ 1.34 ABPC23-279 203.9 221.0 17.1 0.63 17.1m @ 0.63 ABPC23-244 228.0 238.0 10.0 1.06 10.0m @ 1.06 ABPC23-183 191.0 205.0 14.0 0.75 14.0m @ 0.75 ABPC23-220 234.7 243.5 8.9 1.18 8.9m @ 1.18 ABPC23-259 251.0 256.0 5.0 2.08 5.0m @ 2.08 ABPC23-228 252.0 258.7 6.7 1.47 6.7m @ 1.47 ABPC23-270 143.0 153.0 10.0 0.94 10.0m @ 0.94 ABPC23-225 331.1 335.2 4.1 2.27 4.1m @ 2.27 ABPC23-254 226.5 234.0 7.5 1.18 7.5m @ 1.18 ABPC23-266 178.0 189.6 11.6 0.76 11.6m @ 0.76 ABPC23-212 229.0 239.0 10.0 0.88 10.0m @ 0.88 ABPC23-218 234.0 238.0 4.0 2.2 4.0m @ 2.2 ABPC23-258 267.0 282.0 15.0 0.56 15.0m @ 0.56 ABPC23-238 240.0 247.0 7.0 1.19 7.0m @ 1.19 ABPC23-196 219.0 230.0 11.0 0.75 11.0m @ 0.75 ABPC23-204 114.0 120.1 6.1 1.35 6.1m @ 1.35 ABPC23-206 326.0 331.0 5.0 1.61 5.0m @ 1.61 ABPC23-191 249.0 256.7 7.7 1.03 7.7m @ 1.03 ABPC23-229 295.0 301.0 6.0 1.32 6.0m @ 1.32 ABPC23-262 260.0 271.0 11.0 0.71 11.0m @ 0.71 ABPC23-184 118.0 131.0 13.0 0.6 13.0m @ 0.6 ABPC23-242 207.0 211.0 4.0 1.93 4.0m @ 1.93 ABPC23-232 314.0 324.0 10.0 0.77 10.0m @ 0.77 ABPC23-238 202.0 215.0 13.0 0.58 13.0m @ 0.58 ABPC23-209 343.0 348.0 5.0 1.46 5.0m @ 1.46 ABPC23-208 188.8 193.0 4.2 1.71 4.2m @ 1.71 ABPC23-213 119.7 122.7 3.0 2.26 3.0m @ 2.26 ABPC23-246 159.0 167.0 8.0 0.81 8.0m @ 0.81 ABPC23-201 255.0 260.2 5.2 1.24 5.2m @ 1.24 ABPC23-266 206.9 213.0 6.1 1.04 6.1m @ 1.04 ABPC23-253 210.0 218.9 8.9 0.7 8.9m @ 0.7 ABPC23-196 239.0 245.0 6.0 1.03 6.0m @ 1.03 ABPC23-208 140.0 146.0 6.0 0.97 6.0m @ 0.97 ABPC23-205 289.8 297.4 7.6 0.72 7.6m @ 0.72 ABPC23-220 258.3 263.0 4.7 1.14 4.7m @ 1.14 ABPC23-199 89.0 93.7 4.7 1.11 4.7m @ 1.11 ABPC23-183 145.0 151.0 6.0 0.85 6.0m @ 0.85 ABPC23-202 262.0 265.0 3.0 1.68 3.0m @ 1.68 ABPC23-204 83.0 88.0 5.0 0.92 5.0m @ 0.92 ABPC23-275 133.3 138.4 5.1 0.9 5.1m @ 0.9 ABPC23-232 283.0 288.2 5.2 0.88 5.2m @ 0.88 ABPC23-238 220.5 226.0 5.5 0.83 5.5m @ 0.83 ABPC23-264 118.3 127.0 8.7 0.51 8.7m @ 0.51 ABPC23-186 149.0 158.0 9.0 0.49 9.0m @ 0.49 ABPC23-219 226.0 229.0 3.0 1.47 3.0m @ 1.47 ABPC23-199 285.0 293.0 8.0 0.53 8.0m @ 0.53 ABPC23-265 211.6 215.2 3.6 1.1 3.6m @ 1.1 ABPC23-193 346.0 352.7 6.7 0.59 6.7m @ 0.59 ABPC23-186 92.0 97.0 5.0 0.78 5.0m @ 0.78 ABPC23-214 169.0 174.0 5.0 0.78 5.0m @ 0.78 ABPC23-190 267.0 272.9 5.9 0.6 5.9m @ 0.6 ABPC23-276 210.0 214.0 4.0 0.87 4.0m @ 0.87 ABPC23-184 137.0 140.0 3.0 1.07 3.0m @ 1.07 ABPC23-235 259.0 264.0 5.0 0.63 5.0m @ 0.63 ABPC23-235 268.0 273.0 5.0 0.62 5.0m @ 0.62 ABPC23-258 258.7 262.5 3.8 0.75 3.8m @ 0.75 ABPC23-191 330.0 335.0 5.0 0.57 5.0m @ 0.57 ABPC23-242 229.0 234.0 5.0 0.55 5.0m @ 0.55 ABPC23-199 334.0 339.0 5.0 0.54 5.0m @ 0.54 ABPC23-201 287.0 291.2 4.2 0.64 4.2m @ 0.64 ABPC23-203 109.0 113.0 4.0 0.66 4.0m @ 0.66 ABPC23-251 126.4 131.0 4.6 0.57 4.6m @ 0.57 ABPC23-210 147.0 154.0 7.0 0.36 7.0m @ 0.36 ABPC23-192 246.0 251.0 5.0 0.48 5.0m @ 0.48 ABPC23-194 274.0 277.0 3.0 0.79 3.0m @ 0.79 ABPC23-208 212.0 215.0 3.0 0.77 3.0m @ 0.77 ABPC23-237 7.0 10.0 3.0 0.77 3.0m @ 0.77 ABPC23-264 110.9 113.9 3.0 0.74 3.0m @ 0.74 ABPC23-181 143.0 146.0 3.0 0.72 3.0m @ 0.72 ABPC23-196 259.0 262.0 3.0 0.72 3.0m @ 0.72 ABPC23-193 316.0 321.0 5.0 0.42 5.0m @ 0.42 ABPC23-253 253.0 258.0 5.0 0.42 5.0m @ 0.42 ABPC23-242 221.0 225.0 4.0 0.51 4.0m @ 0.51 ABPC23-192 263.0 270.0 7.0 0.29 7.0m @ 0.29 ABPC23-259 236.0 239.0 3.0 0.66 3.0m @ 0.66 ABPC23-237 97.0 101.0 4.0 0.49 4.0m @ 0.49 ABPC23-243 147.8 151.6 3.8 0.5 3.8m @ 0.5 ABPC23-270 169.4 172.4 3.0 0.62 3.0m @ 0.62 ABPC23-231 9.0 14.0 5.0 0.37 5.0m @ 0.37 ABPC23-201 274.0 278.0 4.0 0.45 4.0m @ 0.45

Notes:

See Sections 14.2 and 15.3 of "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Feasibility Study for the Asanko Gold Mine, Ashanti Region, Ghana " with an effective date of December 31, 2022 , which is available on the Company's website and filed on SEDAR, for description of Abore Mineral Resource estimate and assumptions used in preparing the Abore Reserve and$1800 resource shells. Intervals reported are hole lengths with true width estimated to be 80%-95% Intervals are not top cut and are calculated with the assumptions of >0.5 g/t and < 3m of internal waste

Qualified Person and QA/QC

Chris Pettman P. Geo, Vice President Exploration of Galiano, is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 (as defined below) and has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Pettman is responsible for all aspects of the work including the Data Verification and Quality Control/Quality Assurance programs and has verified the data disclosed, by reviewing all data and supervising its compilation. There are no known factors that could materially affect the reliability of data collected and verified under his supervision. No quality assurance/quality control issues have been identified to date. Mr. Pettman is not independent of Galiano.

Certified Reference Materials and Blanks are inserted by Galiano into the sample stream at the rate of 1:14 samples. Field duplicates are collected at the rate of 1:30 samples. All samples have been analysed by Intertek Minerals Ltd. in Tarkwa, Ghana with standard preparation methods and 50g fire assay with atomic absorption finish. Intertek Minerals Ltd. ("Intertek") does its own introduction of QA/QC samples into the sample stream and reports them to Galiano for double checking. Higher grade samples are re-analysed from pulp or reject material or both. Intertek is an international company operating in 100 countries and is independent of Galiano. It provides testing for a wide range of industries including the mining, metals, and oil sectors.

About Galiano Gold Inc.

Galiano is focused on creating a sustainable business capable of value creation for all stakeholders through production, exploration and disciplined deployment of its financial resources. The Company operates and manages the Asanko Gold Mine, which is located in Ghana, West Africa. Galiano is committed to the highest standards for environmental management, social responsibility, and the health and safety of its employees and neighbouring communities. For more information, please visit www.galianogold.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which we refer to collectively as "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "seek", "expect", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "estimate", "continue", "forecast", "intend", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target", "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's expectations and timing with respect to current and planned drilling programs at Abore, and the results thereof; the potential to optimize and/or expand the Abore Reserve pit and the resulting impact on mineral reserves and ore delivery; the Company's belief in the potential of Abore; and the Company's plans to update the mineral resources and mineral reserves and timing of release of production and cost guidance. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including, but not limited to: development plans and capital expenditures; the price of gold will not decline significantly or for a protracted period of time; the accuracy of the estimates and assumptions underlying mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; the Company's ability to raise sufficient funds from future equity financings to support its operations, and general business and economic conditions; the global financial markets and general economic conditions will be stable and prosperous in the future; the ability of the Company to comply with applicable governmental regulations and standards; the mining laws, tax laws and other laws in Ghana applicable to the AGM will not change, and there will be no imposition of additional exchange controls in Ghana; the success of the Company in implementing its development strategies and achieving its business objectives; the Company will have sufficient working capital necessary to sustain its operations on an ongoing basis and the Company will continue to have sufficient working capital to fund its operations; and the key personnel of the Company will continue their employment.

The foregoing list of assumptions cannot be considered exhaustive.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained herein. Some of the risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, include, but are not limited to: mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates may change and may prove to be inaccurate; metallurgical recoveries may not be economically viable; life of mine estimates are based on a number of factors and assumptions and may prove to be incorrect; actual production, costs, returns and other economic and financial performance may vary from the Company's estimates in response to a variety of factors, many of which are not within the Company's control; inflationary pressures and the effects thereof; the AGM has a limited operating history and is subject to risks associated with establishing new mining operations; sustained increases in costs, or decreases in the availability, of commodities consumed or otherwise used by the Company may adversely affect the Company; adverse geotechnical and geological conditions (including geotechnical failures) may result in operating delays and lower throughput or recovery, closures or damage to mine infrastructure; the ability of the Company to treat the number of tonnes planned, recover valuable materials, remove deleterious materials and process ore, concentrate and tailings as planned is dependent on a number of factors and assumptions which may not be present or occur as expected; the Company's mineral properties may experience a loss of ore due to illegal mining activities; the Company's operations may encounter delays in or losses of production due to equipment delays or the availability of equipment; outbreaks of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases may have a negative impact on global financial conditions, demand for commodities and supply chains and could adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations and the market price of the common shares of the Company; the Company's operations are subject to continuously evolving legislation, compliance with which may be difficult, uneconomic or require significant expenditures; the Company may be unsuccessful in attracting and retaining key personnel; labour disruptions could adversely affect the Company's operations; recoveries may be lower in the future and have a negative impact on the Company's financial results; the lower recoveries may persist and be detrimental to the AGM and the Company; the Company's business is subject to risks associated with operating in a foreign country; risks related to the Company's use of contractors; the hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration, development and production of gold; the Company's operations are subject to environmental hazards and compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations; the effects of climate change or extreme weather events may cause prolonged disruption to the delivery of essential commodities which could negatively affect production efficiency; the Company's operations and workforce are exposed to health and safety risks; unexpected costs and delays related to, or the failure of the Company to obtain, necessary permits could impede the Company's operations; the Company's title to exploration, development and mining interests can be uncertain and may be contested; geotechnical risks associated with the design and operation of a mine and related civil structures; the Company's properties may be subject to claims by various community stakeholders; risks related to limited access to infrastructure and water; risks associated with establishing new mining operations; the Company's revenues are dependent on the market prices for gold, which have experienced significant recent fluctuations; the Company may not be able to secure additional financing when needed or on acceptable terms; the Company's shareholders may be subject to future dilution; risks related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; risks relating to credit rating downgrades; changes to taxation laws applicable to the Company may affect the Company's profitability and ability to repatriate funds; risks related to the Company's internal controls over financial reporting and compliance with applicable accounting regulations and securities laws; risks related to information systems security threats; non-compliance with public disclosure obligations could have an adverse effect on the Company's stock price; the carrying value of the Company's assets may change and these assets may be subject to impairment charges; risks associated with changes in reporting standards; the Company may be liable for uninsured or partially insured losses; the Company may be subject to litigation; damage to the Company's reputation could result in decreased investor confidence and increased challenges in developing and maintaining community relations which may have adverse effects on the business, results of operations and financial conditions of the Company and the Company's share price; the Company may be unsuccessful in identifying targets for acquisition or completing suitable corporate transactions, and any such transactions may not be beneficial to the Company or its shareholders; the Company must compete with other mining companies and individuals for mining interests; the Company's growth, future profitability and ability to obtain financing may be impacted by global financial conditions; the Company's common shares may experience price and trading volume volatility; the Company has never paid dividends and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future; the Company's shareholders may be unable to sell significant quantities of the Company's common shares into the public trading markets without a significant reduction in the price of its common shares, or at all; and the risk factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, you are cautioned that this list is not exhaustive and there may be other factors that the Company has not identified. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in, or incorporated by reference in, this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSX-V:AHR) (OTCQB:AXREF) is pleased to announce the appointment today of Paul Johnston, PhD, P.Geo., as its new Vice President of Exploration. Dr. Roy Greig is stepping down as Vice President of Exploration for family reasons but will continue as a consultant to the Company.

"I am thrilled to welcome Paul to the Amarc team," said Amarc President & CEO, Diane Nicolson. "He brings significant experience as an executive and board member of exploration companies and, importantly, as a skilled geoscientist who has led technical teams to successfully advance exploration and development projects. His demonstrated ability to introduce and manage people and systems across multiple projects will be invaluable as Amarc advances extensive drilling programs across its portfolio of expansive copper-gold districts in 2024."

Dr. Johnston has a long track record of working within companies to build discovery capacity in varied, multi-cultural, international settings. Much of his career has been spent working in the field, most notably in porphyry copper environments in Peru and Chile, maximising integration directly from the rock record to help develop exploration targets, and optimize exploration programs.

Following an early career as Mine Geologist and Senior Mine Geologist at Hemlo, Dr. Johnston spent 18 years with Teck Resources, working on projects in Indonesia, China, Australia and Chile and taking on progressively advanced roles in their global exploration department. As Regional Chief Geoscientist-South America, Paul provided technical leadership of Teck's exploration activities in South America and increased the value of the Company's mining assets in the region. As Principal Geologist Evaluations for North America, he identified multiple exploration opportunities for acquisition or partnership to improve and expand the company's exploration portfolio.

Since 2015, he has worked in the junior sector, most recently as Vice President Exploration for Element 29 Resources Inc., where he built, developed, and led a high-performing exploration team that executed aggressive drilling programs to advance the Elida Project in Peru to an initial estimate of a significant resource within 18 months of the company's IPO.

Paul earned a PhD, Geological Sciences and a Master of Science from Queen's University. He is a member of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG), and is a registered professional with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC) where he currently serves on the Geoscience Credentials Assessment Panel.

"On behalf of Amarc's Board of Directors, I would also like to thank Roy Greig for his contributions to the Company," Dr. Nicolson said. "Roy led Amarc's on the ground technical team at a time of strong growth for the Company, during which multiple work programs involving extensive drilling and airborne and ground surveys were advanced with partners Freeport and Boliden at our JOY and DUKE Districts. We look forward to his continued input as a consultant and wish him all the best with his future plans."

About Amarc Resources

Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry Cu-Au mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets.

Amarc is advancing its 100%-owned IKE, DUKE and JOY porphyry CuAu Districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of southern, central and northern BC, respectively. Each District represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry CuAu deposits. Importantly, each of the three districts is located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail.

Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. at JOY and Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies at DUKE, can earn up to a 70% interest in each District through staged investments of $110 million and $90 million, respectively. Together this provides Amarc with potentially up to $200 million in non-share dilutive staged funding for these Districts. In addition, Amarc intends to solo drill the higher grade Empress Deposit in the IKE District with funding from a successful 2023 financing. Amarc is the operator of all programs.

Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 35-year history of porphyry Cu deposit discovery and development success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, IKE, PINE and DUKE. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects.

Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance.

For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114, or Kin Communications, at (604) 684-6730, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD.

Dr. Diane Nicolson

President and CEO

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking and other Cautionary Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.
Surrey, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 11, 2024) - Desert Gold Ventures Inc. (TSXV: DAU) (FSE: QXR2) (OTCQB: DAUGF) ("Desert Gold" or "the Company") announces that, further to its February 1, 2024 news release and subject to TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") approval, it has increased its non-brokered private placement (the "Financing") of units at a price of CAD $0.07 per Unit (each, a "Unit"). In connection with the Financing, the Company advises that it has received subscription receipts totaling CAD $1,119,220. Subject to TSXV approval, the Company intends to close the Financing in the coming days.

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company and one share purchase warrant ("Warrant") that entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company at a price of CAD $0.08 per common share for a period of three (3) years from the closing of the Financing. The Company may pay a finder's fee to qualified individuals in respect to the Financing. Securities issued pursuant to the Financing will be subject to a statutory hold period.

If any directors and officers of the Company acquire Units pursuant to the Financing, then such participation is a related party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The transaction will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 if neither the fair market value of any securities issued to or the consideration paid by such persons will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. Any securities issued to insiders of the Company will also be subject to the TSXV hold period.

The private placement is subject to acceptance for filing by the TSXV.

The proceeds of the Financing will be used to fund:

1) A Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") that will focus on the heap leach extraction of gold from open pit constrained oxide and transition mineral resources at its Barani East and Gourbassi West gold deposits. Overall, the oxide and transition portion of the two deposits contains measured and indicated mineral resources of 131,000 ounces* of gold grading 1.41 g/t Au and inferred mineral resources of 55,000 ounces* of gold grading 1.22 g/t Au;

2) exploration core drilling at its Tier 1 gold target Mogoyafara South with open pit constrained inferred mineral resources 412,800 ounces of gold grading 1.05 g/t Au making it the largest known gold deposit on the SMSZ Project to date;

3) Exploration core drilling at its Frikidi gold target where 61 rock samples returned > 5 g/t Au, five of which returned 100 g/t Au or greater. Frikidi represents an area of numerous artisanal mine workings within a 5 km by 2.5 km cross-cutting magnetic anomaly.

This press release contains certain scientific and technical information. The Company is solely responsible for the contents and accuracy of any scientific and technical information related to it. Don Dudek, P.Geo., a director of Desert Gold and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this press release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD



"Jared Scharf"

___________________________

Jared Scharf

President & CEO

ABOUT DESERT GOLD



Desert Gold Ventures Inc. is a gold exploration and development company which controls the 440 km2 SMSZ Project in Western Mali containing Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 8.47 million tonnes grading 1.14 g/t gold totaling 310,300 ounces and Inferred Mineral Resources of 20.7 million tonnes grading 1.16 g/t gold totaling 769,200 ounces. For further information please visit www.sedarplus.ca under the company's profile. Website: www.desertgold.ca.

CONTACT

Jared Scharf, President & CEO

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This news release contains forward-looking statements respecting the Company's ability to successfully complete the Offering. These forward-looking statements entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations, are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks, and actual results may differ materially from those contained in such statements, including the inability of the Company to successfully complete the Offering. These uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, the strength of the capital markets, the price of gold; operational, funding, and liquidity risks; the degree to which mineral resource estimates are reflective of actual mineral resources; and the degree to which factors which would make a mineral deposit commercially viable are present; the risks and hazards associated with mining operations. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and available at www.sedarplus.ca and readers are urged to read these materials. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such statements unless required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the united states securities act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the united states or to the account or benefit of a U.S. person absent an exemption from the registration requirements of such act.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 11, 2024) - Prospector Metals Corp. (TSXV: PPP) (OTCQB: PMCOD) (FSE: 1ET) ("Prospector" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Parkinson to the Board of Directors.

Ian Parkinson had a successful 16-year career as a sell-side mining analyst for a series of leading Bay Street brokerage firms. Most recently Ian was Managing Director, Mining Equity Research at Stifel GMP. Prior to Stifel, Ian's brokerage career included time at GMP Securities and CIBC World Markets. Before moving to the brokerage industry, Ian spent 10 years with Falconbridge and Noranda (now Glencore) gaining broad experience across the mining business including geology, metals marketing and business development. Ian is a graduate of Laurentian University in Sudbury where he was born and raised.

Ian is currently the CEO of Halcones Precious Metals, a South American focused exploration company and serves as Executive Vice President Corporate Development for Emerita Resources which is focused on advancing several base metals projects in Spain. He is Troilus Gold Corporation's nominee to the Board as per the terms of the Property Purchase Agreement for the ML Property announced on January 3, 2024.

Dr. Rob Carpenter, P. Geo, CEO of Prospector, stated, "We are thrilled to welcome Ian Parkinson as our newest Director at Prospector. His wealth of experience and strategic vision will undoubtedly contribute to our success as advance our newly acquired ML Project in the Yukon."

The Company also announces today the resignation of Michael Murphy as Director. Mr. Murphy has been a Director of the Company since 2018. In his resignation, Mr. Murphy wished the Company's management team every success in the future.

"On behalf of the members of the Board, the management team of Prospector, I would like to thank Michael for his valued contributions and commitment over the years," said Craig Roberts, Co-Chairman of Prospector. "We wish Michael all the best in his future endeavours."

The Company announces that it has granted, under its Equity Incentive Plan, incentive stock options to certain directors of the Company to purchase an aggregate of up to 300,000 common shares exercisable for a period of up to five years from the date of grant at a price of $0.22 per share. This grant is subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Prospector Metals Corp.

Prospector Metals Corp. is a Discovery Group Company focused on district scale, early-stage exploration of gold and base metal prospects. Creating shareholder value through new discoveries, the Company identifies underexplored or overlooked mineral districts displaying important structural and mineralogical occurrences similar to more established mining operations. The majority of acquisition activity occurs in Ontario, Canada - a Tier-1 mining jurisdiction with an abundance of overlooked geological regions possessing high mineral potential. Prospector establishes and maintains relationships with local and Indigenous rightsholders, and seeking to develop partnerships and agreements that are mutually beneficial to all stakeholders.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Prospector Metals Corp.

Dr. Rob Carpenter, Ph.D., P.Geo.

President & CEO

For further information about Prospector Metals Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at prospectormetalscorp.com or contact us by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Prospector Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca.

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions:

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, and other project opportunities. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM) (FSE:FIR) (OTCQB:PMMCF) is pleased to report assay results for the upper 502 meters of diamond drillhole PIU-01 (refer figure 1) which was recently completed to a depth of 867m at the Company's Piuquenes Central porphyry target located in San Juan Province, Argentina. Assay results for the upper 502m section of hole PIU-01 include:

304m @ 0.48% Cu, 0.68 g/t Au, 3.1 g/t Ag (1.07% CuEq)* (from 198 m); including 132 m @ 0.71% Cu, 0.85 g/ Au, 4.3 g/t Ag (1.45% CuEq)* (from 220m); and including 34 m @ 0.60% Cu, 0.93 g/t Au, 3.6 g/t Ag (1.38% CuEq)* (from 468m).



Assays results from 502m to 867m (End Of Hole) are expected shortly.

As previously reported, hole PIU-01 was designed to extend Cu-Au mineralization to depth on the southwestern margin of the Piuquenes Central porphyry. Drilling intersected the mineralized intrusion at a downhole depth of 198m as predicted. Supergene copper enrichment was observed from 220m to 380m downhole, coincident, and overlapping with primary mineralization from 350 meters. Strong primary mineralization associated with intense porphyry A type quartz stockwork veining is evident from 350m to approximately 650m. From 650m to the end of hole at 867m quartz veining and mineralization continues, becoming progressively less intense with depth. From 830m disseminated hematite/specularite-pyrite-chalcopyrite mineralization is hosted in volcanic host rocks outside the porphyry intrusive and remains open at depth.

Joseph van den Elsen, Pampa Metals President and CEO commented: "We are very pleased to report exceptional intervals of both supergene enriched and primary copper mineralization in the first hole of our maiden drill campaign at the Piuquenes Project. Excellent progress is being on the second hole which has been designed to further test the depth and lateral extensions of the previously reported mineralization at Piuquenes Central. Subsequent drill programs will also test the undrilled Piuquenes East porphyry target and other nearby targets identified on the property."

A Company Presentation is available at: www.pampametals.com/investor/presentations

Figure 1: Piuquenes Central Schematic Cross Section

Geology and Mineralization - Diamond Drillhole PIU-01

From surface to 198 m, PIU-01 intersected a fine-grained quartz diorite porphyry with evidence of Intermediate argillic alteration and secondary biotite. Sporadic quartz stockwork veining with disseminated oxidized sulfides are observed from 80 m, becoming more frequent from 150 m deep, coincident with intermineral potassic alteration and anomalous gold values.

Moderate porphyry A-type quartz stockwork veining is present from approximately 150m downhole, increasing in intensity from 220m depth. Supergene copper enrichment is evident from 220m to 380m depth, partially coincident (from 288 m depth) with increasing intensity of porphyry A-type quartz vein stockworks and evidence of intermineral potassic alteration. A narrow zone of copper oxides is observed from 220 - 229m downhole.

Dense porphyry A-type quartz vein stockwork with chalcopyrite and traces of disseminated bornite mineralization hosted in potassic altered diorite porphyry was intersected from 350m to approximately 650 m downhole. From 650m to approximately 740m a zone of moderate intensity quartz veining was intersected, prior to a zone of sporadic quartz veining which remains open at 867m (EOH). From 730m intermediate argillic alteration is present, as is molybdenite, sphalerite and hematite/specularite associated with grey sericite-chlorite veining and fine-grained disseminated chalcopyrite-bornite. From 830m the host-rock is volcanic, superimposed by sericite-chlorite alteration and disseminated hematite/specularite-pyrite-chalcopyrite mineralization, veining and breccias.

Images 1 & 2: Porphyry qtz stockwork veining with oxide copper mineralization (Top) and supergene enrichment (Bottom)

Image 3. Intense Porphyry A type quartz stockwork veining w/primary chalcopyrite mineralization (393-401m)

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO

INVESTOR CONTACT

Joseph van den Elsen | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABOUT PAMPA METALS

Pampa Metals is a copper-gold exploration company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), Frankfurt (FSE: FIR), and OTC (OTCQB: PMMCF) exchanges.

In November 2023, the Company announced it had entered into an Option and Joint Venture Agreement for the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Piuquenes Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in San Juan Province, Argentina. Previous intervals of significant copper and gold mineralization at Piuquenes Central ( refer 5 December 2023 News Release) include:

413.5 m@ 0.47% Cu, 0.52 g/t Au (0.87% CuEq)* (167-580.5 m); and 558.2 m @ 0.38% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au, 2.4 g/t Ag ( 0.73% CuEq )* (362-920.2 m EOH); including 130 m @ 0.81% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au, 4 g/t Ag ( 1.31 % CuEq )* (362-492 m)

(167-580.5 m); and

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G. Mr. Orrego G. is a Geologist, a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego G. is a consultant to the Company.

* %CuEq values are calculated based on copper and gold metal prices: Cu = US$3.20/lb, Au = US$1,700/oz and Ag = US$ 20/oz. The formula utilized to calculate %CuEq is: Cu Eq Grade (%) = Cu Head Grade (%) + [(Au Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Au Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.04) + [(Ag Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Ag Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.04.

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Electric Metals (USA) Limited ("EML" or the "Company") (TSXV:EML)(OTCQB:NVDSF) is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Brian Savage to the board of directors in addition to his position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Savage will stand for election by the Shareholders of the Company at the next Annual General Meeting.

As announced on February 1, 2024, the main goal for Mr. Savage is to further the evaluation and advancement of the Emily Manganese Project in Central Minnesota and to transition the project from a resource to an operating mine and high purity manganese processing plant. Mr. Savage is eminently suited to this role. An American citizen and resident of Colorado, he holds an MSc in Mineral Economics and a BSc in Mining Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.

Mr. Savage has a long history of identifying, building, transforming and growing businesses in the mining and metals industry. His most recent project has been the formation of a joint venture to restart operations at the historic high grade Kisenge manganese mine facility in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the intention of producing high purity manganese sulfate monohydrate (HPMSM) for the electric vehicle and energy storage sector.

His recent experience in the DRC has allowed him to develop a profound understanding of the manganese markets including the production of high value, high purity manganese products for the electric vehicle and energy storage markets.

Mr. Savage has a wealth of experience in exploration, development, production and project financing. He has spent years developing mining projects in various countries including Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Guinea and the Congo, as well as a number of operations in the United States. He has worked with a large range of stakeholders, including property owners, local communities, governmental and international entities and shareholders.

Mr. Savage stated "As the newly appointed CEO of Electric Metals, I am honored to be appointed to the board of directors. As I stated before, Emily is the highest grade manganese deposit in North America and presents a compelling opportunity to produce high value, high purity manganese products. It aligns perfectly with market demands, addresses critical gaps in the U.S. markets, and will propel Electric Metals toward a future of sustainable growth". The Board of Electric Metals is confident that Mr. Savage has the right experience to advance the Emily Manganese Deposit from a geologic, technical, economic and environmental viewpoint, while maintaining a stewardship that is in the best interest of all stakeholders. During the last year the company has expended great effort in exploration drilling with the aim to further quantify the Emily Deposit. In the near future the Company expects to be able to announce an updated mineral resource and the results of the ongoing metallurgical laboratory research testing of the ability of Electrical Metals to produce battery grade high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) and other high grade manganese products from the Emily Manganese Project ore.

About Electric Metals (USA) Limited

Electric Metals (USA) Limited (TSXV: EML) (OTCQB: EMUSF) is a U.S.-based mineral development company with manganese and silver projects geared to supporting the transition to clean energy. The Company's principal asset is the Emily Manganese Project in Minnesota, which has been the subject of considerable technical studies, including a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report - Resource Estimate, with over US$26 million invested to date. The Company's mission in Minnesota is to become a domestic U.S. producer of high purity, high value manganese metal and chemical products for supply to U.S. energy, technology and industrial markets. With manganese playing a critical and prominent role in lithium-ion battery formulations, and with no current domestic supply or active mines for manganese in North America, the development of the Emily Manganese Project represents a significant opportunity for America, the State of Minnesota and for the Company's shareholders.

For further information, please contact:

Electric Metals (USA) Limited

Oliver Lennox-King

Chair of the Board

(416) 948-5699

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Brian Savage

CEO and Director

(303) 656-9197

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the appointment of Mr. Savage as Chief Executive Officer, Director, the announcement of an updated mineral resource and the results of the metallurgical laboratory research testing of the ability of Electrical Metals to produce battery grade high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) and other high-grade manganese products from the Emily Manganese Project ore.

These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the failure to obtain all necessary stock exchange and regulatory approvals. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events, or developments, except as required by law.
Demobilized former top commanders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas recently criticized publicly the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), the judicial branch of the countrys transitional justice system, claiming that judges were departing from the 2016 peace accord.

Among other critiques listed in two letters sent to President Gustavo Petro and former FARC members between February 7th and 19th, the former commanders raised seemingly preemptive concerns about the sanctions that the Special Jurisdiction has yet to impose. Putting in place these sanctions, that is, the penalties that will attach to individual admissions of responsibility, will be a critical test for the credibility of the transitional court system. So, its worth reminding the former FARC commanders  and everyone  what Colombias peace accord lays out.

Under the peace accord, those responsible for serious abuses who promptly confess to their crimes, tell the truth, and offer reparations will not be subject to prison terms, but to 5 to 8 years of special sanctions. Those who fail to cooperate with the justice system or to contribute to victims rights, or do so belatedly, may receive between 5 and 20 years in prison.

As the accord made clear, these special sanctions involve a reparative component  consisting of tasks, work or activities with a reparative content  and a retributive component of effective restriction on liberty. These are not, as the former FARC commanders suggest in their letter, solely restorative sanctions.

A very strict supervision

While the accord was intentionally ambiguous about the effective restrictions on liberty, it detailed several requirements. The accord establishes that there should be suitable monitoring and supervision mechanisms by the UN Mission in Colombia and the JEP to ensure the good faith compliance with the restrictions. Analyzing JEPs procedural law, the Constitutional Court said that this supervision should be very strict and carried out with independence and impartiality.

The original accord was rejected when a slim majority of Colombians voted against it in an October 2016 plebiscite. When the accord was renegotiated, the parties agreed to include additional requirements. Among them, they agreed to territorial areas where people serving sentences would stay, as well as to restrict their place of residencefor as long as the sanction is implemented. The accord indicates that the territorial spaces must have a maximum size equivalent to the Transitional Local Zones for Normalization, the areas where FARC members disarmed, which were between 5 and 15 hectares.

The renegotiated accord noted that the JEP is required to authorize any travel by the sanctioned individual to deal with matters other than complying with the sanction. The Constitutional Court said that this mechanism should not be lax or uncontrolled, nor one of liberality, but should rather obey very strict and authorized rules.

The former FARC commanders seem to be worried that the sanctions will be too strict. But, if anything, theres reason to be concerned that these may be too lenient.

Government, judiciary, UN: whos prepared?

Colombia appears to lack the necessary preparations to put these sanctions in practice. In rulings regarding both the military and the FARC, the JEP expressed concern about lack of state funding and institutional support to carry out the sanctions. The administration of President Petro, who has vowed to carry out the peace accord and urged the Special Jurisdiction to do so too, only included vague references to the special sanctions in its 2022-2026 national development plan.

At the same time, the Special Jurisdiction appears to have dragged its feet in its internal discussions on how to address the ambiguities regarding the sanctions in the accordand prepare for carrying them out. And the UN Mission in Colombia, which is required to supervise compliance, says it may not supervise all sanctions, but only focus on trends and concrete individual cases.

Imposing special sanctions is challenging  legally, politically, and logistically. But all stakeholders need to take this challenge seriously and without any further delay, as the rights of victims of heinous abuses by both the FARC and the military hinge on it.

The Special Jurisdiction has taken some landmark steps to ensure accountability for these abuses. The judges have charged FARC top commanders of hostage-taking and accused senior members of the military for their responsibility in false positive extrajudicial executions. But its credibility as a mechanism seeking to deliver at least a minimal degree of justice for victims of abuses by all parties to the conflict may be seriously damaged if it does not deliver meaningful sanctions.

Avoid misleading messages

Failing to properly implement the special sanctions should raise concerns at the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which closed its preliminary examination on Colombia in 2021. In 2017, then prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in an amicus brief to Colombias Constitutional Court that while the Rome Statute does not prescribe a specific type or length of sanctions for international crimes, these should seek to serve the general sentencing objectives of deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation and restitution. She said that fulfilling these objectives would hinge, among others, on the effective implementation of the restrictions and ensuring a rigorous verification system.

When current prosecutor Karim Khan closed the examination on Colombia in 2021, he signed a cooperation agreement with the government noting that his office may reconsider the closing of the investigation on the basis of any significant change in circumstances including, among others, measures affecting the enforcement of effective and proportionate penal sanctions of a retributive and restorative nature.

Failing to properly implement the special sanctions would also send a misleading message to the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas and other armed groups that are currently conducting peace talks with the Colombian government.

Foreign governments that have supported the peace process in Colombia, such as the European Union and the Biden administration, should push for the Special Jurisdiction and the Colombian government to make progress on this critical aspect of the justice component of the accordand support meaningful efforts to do so.

Respecting the peace accord requires respecting its provisions on sanctions too.

Recommended reading The original internal sin of Colombias JEP
Russian armed forces and associated groups systematically use torture in occupied areas of Ukraine, pointing to a "deliberate policy", a United Nations expert said on Friday.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, said she had drawn that conclusion following a visit to war-torn Ukraine in September.

"The volume of credible allegations of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or humiliating treatment or punishment (indicate that) torture is an element of Russia's war policy," she told the UN Human Rights Council.

"These grievous crimes appear to be neither random nor incidental."

Speaking to reporters, Edwards said Ukrainian prosecutors had told her there were around 103,000 open cases related to war crimes and crimes against humanity, of which 90 percent were registered as torture cases.

Edwards, who said she had personally examined dozens of cases involving alleged abuse by Russian forces and their allies, said there was clearly "an intent and purpose to carrying out the torture that cannot be described away as aberrant behaviour or ad hoc behaviour".

In a report following her visit, Edwards found that "torture has been carried out in an organised and systematic manner", with the same practices allegedly carried out across different occupied regions.

Her findings, she told the council, point "to direct authorisation and a deliberate policy".

- Torture 'never permissible' -

Edwards and other special rapporteurs are independent rights experts, who are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council but do not speak on behalf of the UN.

On Friday, she said reiterated a plea for Moscow to "issue a strong and unequivocal directive ... that torture is never permissible and that it will be punished".

Edwards, who has been denied access to Russia, also urged the country to "open investigations into these allegations and allow international monitors into all places of deprivation of liberty and to observe criminal proceedings".

Turning to the conditions Russian prisoners of war face in Ukrainian custody, she said "sincere efforts were being made by the Ukrainian authorities to treat POWs respectfully".

Her report did, however, raise concerns about conditions in one penal facility in Lviv, where Ukrainian nationals charged with collaborating with the Russians were being held.

And she said she had received "several allegations of abusive treatment by Ukrainian officials", mainly in connection with the capture, arrest and transit of prisoners.

"I call on the Ukrainian authorities to investigate such allegations promptly, to reinforce training and disciplinary and other preventive measures, and to guarantee the protection of all legal rights of all complainants and detainees," she said.
A student was killed in a confrontation with police in southern Mexico, authorities said Friday, as tensions flared over the case of 43 students from the same college who disappeared nearly a decade ago.

A second student from the Ayotzinapa teacher training college was wounded in the incident on Thursday night in Guerrero, the circumstances of which were disputed.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told reporters that the pair were traveling in a stolen car when police ordered them to stop near the entrance to the state capital Chilpancingo.

"The police say that the young men opened fire, the police responded and unfortunately a young man lost his life," Lopez Obrador said, adding that the second person was not seriously hurt.

"It wasn't a clash between police and protesters," he said.

According to the Guerrero public security secretariat, a firearm was found in the vehicle.

But Clemente Rodriguez, father of one of the 43 students who disappeared in 2014, rejected the official version and said that the two men were unarmed.

He said that security camera footage showed them taking cover behind a vehicle while police shot at them.

"You see in the video the young men are hiding and protecting themselves from the police aggression," Rodriguez told local radio station Grupo Formula.

After the incident, students from Ayotzinapa went to protest in Chilpancingo, allegedly setting fire to at least one vehicle.

The shooting took place a day after protesters smashed open a door to Mexico's presidential palace demanding to meet Lopez Obrador to discuss the case of the 43 students -- one of the country's worst human rights atrocities.

The students had commandeered buses to travel to a demonstration in Mexico City -- a common practice in their radical left-wing school.

Investigators believe they were kidnapped by a drug cartel in collusion with corrupt police, although exactly what happened to them is unclear.

In 2022, a truth commission set up by the government branded the case a "state crime" and said the military shared responsibility, either directly or through negligence.
Tehran on Saturday strongly condemned a UN report on the Islamic republic's response to mass protests in 2022, denouncing Western countries' "Iranophobia".

The report was built on "baseless claims" and "false and biased information, without a legal basis", foreign affairs ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said in a statement.

International experts said the repression of mostly peaceful protests beginning in September 2022 and "institutionalised discrimination" towards women and girls have led to "crimes against humanity".

The UN Human Rights Council mandated the experts' investigation -- in which Iranian authorities refused to take part -- following massive protests which shook the Islamic republic after the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini.

A 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman, Amini had been arrested by the morality police in Tehran for an alleged breach of the country's strict dress code for women.

"Not only did the expert committee not establish the truth, but it also deliberately distorted the facts," Kanani said.

The report, he said, "was prepared by the Zionist regime (Israel), the United States, and some Western countries", who were "continuing a project of Iranophobia and defamation of Iran".

These countries were "angry at the failure of their interventions during the riots", Kanani said, referring to the protests.

Iranian authorities say the "riots" were fomented by the "enemies" of the Islamic republic, especially the United States.

The spokesman said a special committee charged by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi with investigating the protests had "recently sent its final report to the president", without giving details on its findings.

The UN experts said "no less than 551" protesters were killed by security forces, who "used unnecessary and disproportionate force".
Demonstrators set fire to two patrol vehicles in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero on Saturday during protests over the recent death of a student at the hands of police.

The vehicles were burned on a highway in the municipality of Tixtla, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the state capital of Chilpancingo, an AFP journalist saw.

Local media reported that the vehicles belonged to the National Guard, and that protesters had detained the occupants for a time.

The protests began after one student from the Ayotzinapa teacher training college was shot to death and another wounded in a confrontation with police in Guerrero on Thursday.

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 prosecutor's offices.

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 Mexico's 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.

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.
Russia's alleged "war crimes" in Ukraine have been recorded in tens of thousands of case files and the country must answer them in court, the Ukrainian prosecutor general said in Brussels.

"Russia must be defeated on the battlefield and in the courtroom," Andriy Kostin told AFP in an interview between meetings with EU officials.

The chief prosecutor accused Russia of committing war crimes as a "pattern of conduct... a policy which is orchestrated from the very top leadership".

Around 123,000 war crime cases have been logged since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he said.

Prosecution work has identified 511 suspects in the case, of which 357 could be brought to justice.

Already, "we have convictions against 81 Russian war criminals", Kostin added, saying that 17 had been taken to court in trials and handed prison sentences.

"Some of them are still in jail. Some of them, we have exchanged" in prisoner swaps with Russia, Kostin said.

Even if many convictions were handed down in the absence of the accused, it is important, he said, for victims to see a verdict delivered.

The alleged crimes judged included the murder of civilians, rapes, and the deportation of Ukrainian children, only 400 of whom have been repatriated out of around 20,000 forcibly taken away, he said.

- ICC intervention -

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is working to hold Russia's leadership responsible for the children's alleged deportation and for the crime of aggression.

It has already issued warrants against Russian President Vladimir Putin and against Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights.

On Tuesday it issued warrants against two senior Russian officers for strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure.

But neither Russia nor Ukraine are members of the ICC, even if Kyiv has been working with the court to supply evidence of alleged Russian crimes.

International investigators are helping Ukrainian authorities with the mammoth task of collecting, compiling and cataloguing evidence.

The work -- aided by AI tools that sift through the mountains of input, including witness statements, phone conversations, social media posts and seized documents -- makes the conflict the most documented in history, Kostin said.

"Our objective this year is to have more suspects charged by other jurisdictions," Kostin said, noting warrants issued by the United States and action last week by Lithuania.

"It's important to show that there will be no safe haven," he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has overseen a ruthless crackdown on dissidents and critics during his 24 years in power, and all his major domestic opponents are now dead, exiled or in prison.

His staunchest critic of the last decade, Alexei Navalny, died last month in an Arctic prison colony.

Thousands turned out to mourn him at his funeral in Moscow, some voicing rare dissent in the streets of the capital.

His widow Yulia Navalnaya has taken up his cause and has called for a protest on Sunday -- the third day of an election that will hand Putin another six-year term.

Dozens more critics of the Kremlin and the war in Ukraine remain behind bars or have fled into exile.

- Opponents and critics -

Opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, 42, was jailed last April for 25 years, the harshest sentence so far for speaking out against the war.

He was charged with "treason" after using a speech in the United States to say Russia had committed "war crimes" against Ukraine.

Kara-Murza, who is also a British citizen, suffers from serious health problems which his lawyers say were due to two poisoning attempts orchestrated by Russia's FSB security service in 2015 and 2017.

Following Navalny's death, calls have grown to release him.

Jailed opposition politician Ilya Yashin, 40, was among those to raise concern.

A close ally of both Boris Nemtsov -- the opposition politician shot dead in 2015 -- and Navalny, Yashin was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison in December 2022.

He had criticised Moscow's invasion of its neighbour and discussed Russian atrocities in Bucha, Ukraine, where Kyiv says more than 400 civilians were killed and tortured.

Russian authorities also locked up nationalist pro-war critic Igor Girkin, 53, for four years.

He spent months railing against Russia's military leaders for not prosecuting the war in Ukraine more aggressively.

Girkin had commanded pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine in 2014, and was planning to run against Putin in the presidential election.

- Advocates and pacifists -

Dozens of human rights advocates and anti-war voices have also found themselves in the Russian authorities' crosshairs.

A court sentenced veteran rights campaigner Oleg Orlov in February to two-and-a-half years in prison for denouncing the military offensive.

Orlov, 70, a key figure in the Nobel Prize-winning Memorial group, was punished over an article in which he said Russia had turned into a "fascist" state.

His Memorial human rights group says there are more than 250 political prisoners in Russian jails.

They include pro-peace artist Alexander Skochilenko, who was sentenced to seven years for spreading "false information" about the army when she replaced supermarket price tags with anti-war slogans.

- Exiles -

Threatened with the prospect of prison at home, other opposition figures have left Russia for countries where they are more able to speak freely without fear of arrest.

The Kremlin has painted them as Western-funded puppets and some have struggled to remain relevant.

Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, 60, has run anti-Putin organisations and bankrolled opposition groups from London since being released from a decade-long spell in a Russian prison in 2013.

He had been targeted with controversial fraud charges widely seen as retribution for supporting democratic initiatives in Russia and speaking out publicly against Putin during the early years of his rule.

Once seen as an opposition leader and fierce rival, his influence has waned in exile.

A host of Navalny allies, led by Yulia Navalnaya, are also campaigning from exile.

They include his ex-chief of staff Leonid Volkov, who was attacked with a hammer outside his home in Vilnius earlier this month.

Lithuania has said it suspects Russia's security service was behind the attack, which has raised concern among other exiled critics.

Kremlin critic and chess legend Garry Kasparov -- who has called Russia "fascist" -- has lived in the United States for more than a decade, heading various international foundations and human rights initiatives.

Several former Russian lawmakers have also fled in the face of arrest.

Ilya Ponomarev, 48, was the only member of Russia's parliament to vote against the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

Charged with embezzlement shortly after, he went into exile and obtained Ukrainian citizenship.

He now heads the political wing of the Freedom of Russia Legion, an underground resistance group and militia that has claimed responsibility for attacks inside Russia as well as a week of cross-border armed raids leading up to the election.
Lim Ji Yeon and Song Hye Kyo's friendship was once again highlighted after the former shared snaps of the grand gesture that the other did on the set of her brand new drama "Mrs. Ok."

The two top-notch actresses worked together in 2022 in the smash hit drama "The Glory," and have remained friends since then. Check out the surprise below by reading more.

Lim Ji Yeon Expresses Gratitude To Song Hye Kyo

In her brand new Instagram update, Lim Ji Yeon showcased her cute side as an artist as she expressed her gratitude to fellow actress Song Hye Kyo.

On March 10, snaps of a coffee truck were shared from the set of Lim Ji Yeon's upcoming historical K-drama "Mrs. Ok," which is expected to be released this 2024.

The coffee truck was sent by Song Hye Kyo whom she worked with in Netflix's "The Glory" in 2022. Lim Ji Yeon captioned the photos, "Kyo unnie (older sister), thank you. Love you."

"Please love our lovely Ji Yeon a lot," Song Hye Kyo wrote on the coffee truck. "I hope "Mrs. Ok" completes the filming safely. Actors and staff of the drama, fighting!"

READ MORE: 3 K-drama Villainesses Who Stole Spotlight: Lim Ji Yeon, Song Ha Yoon & More

Viewers also left heartwarming messages on Lim Ji Yeon's Instagram post, cheering her on for her upcoming series. Many also swooned over the sisterly bond of the two years after working together.

Meanwhile, Lim Ji Yeon transforms into a female slave in Joseon who fakes her name, husband and status to survive in the upcoming JTBC's drama "Mrs. Ok" with Chu Young Woo.

There's now details about its exact release yet but it's intended to be released within the year so stay tuned for more updates.



Lim Ji Yeon Joins LOEWE Family

After her back-to-back success with "The Glory" and "The Killing Vote," Lim Ji Yeon's popularity continues to skyrocket, thanks to her unrivaled acting prowess and long-lasting charms.

It's not only the fans that are charmed by the actress but also the Spanish luxury brand LOEWE. Earlier this year, she was announced as the newest brand ambassador.

ALSO READ: Jeon So Nee Rocks Y2K Chrome Looks In New Pictorial

Lim Ji Yeon shares the same values as the brand as she exudes with excellence, passion and integrity. She is now a representative of LOEWE alongside Tang Wei, NMIXX and NCT Taeyong.

KDramaStars owns this articles.

Written by Elijah Mully.
Joo Won dished on his experience filming his K-drama comeback. At "The Midnight Studio" press conference, the actor talked about being selected to take on the lead role.

One of the most versatile stars of his generation, Joo Won is best known for his characters in "Bridal Mask," "Good Doctor," "Alice," "Yong Pal," and his action-packed movie "Carter."

From his bada** role in the Netflix film, the South Korean heartthrob will make viewers swoon over his character in the soon-to-be released romance-fantasy K-drama "The Midnight Studio."

Joo Won Reveals Crying After Reading 'The Midnight Studio' Script

During his interview, Joo Won admitted getting emotional upon reading "The Midnight Studio" script for the first time. Revealing reasons why he accepted the offer, the actor explained that "The Midnight Studio" is the work he was "looking for at the time."

"I received this work at a time when I was looking for a warm drama where I could feel healing while reading the script and acting."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Carter' Director Discusses Joo Won's Naked Scene + Responds to Possibility of Season 2

The actor added how he was moved by the story upon reading it for the first time.

"When I first read the script, I could relate to it a lot, and I cried for a long time."

The upcoming K-drama follows the story of a photographer named Seo Ki Joo, who runs a small photo studio. This kind of service only exists for the deceased. As the 7th owner of the photo studio, Seo Ki Joo takes portraits of his clients, who are ghosts that come into his mini studio.

Joining Joo Won is Kwon Nara, who plays as Han Bom, a passionate lawyer offering legal service to the ghosts that visit Ki Joo's studio.

Joo Won's Working Relationship With Kwon Nara

During "The Midnight Studio" press conference, the actor dished on how the crew and fellow actors meshed well while filming the series.

"The actors and staff felt that this could be a really heartwarming and good project. Since the filming process was really happy, I think that the viewers will be able to feel this as well."

As for the actress, she shared the same sentiment with Joo Won and expressed how she was "moved" by the series' story premise.

"Personally, out of all the projects I filmed, I consider 'The Midnight Studio' to be a project of a lifetime."

She also hoped that viewers would get to "feel the moments" like what they did and that it "remains a drama of a lifetime for them as well."

"The Midnight Studio" premieres on March 11. It airs every Monday and Tuesday via ENA and Genie TV.

International viewers can also watch the latest episodes through Viki.

ICYMI, here's the official "The Midnight Studio" teaser!

READ MORE: Kim Jong Kook Fanboys Over Joo Won's Stunning Physique

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
Police and city officials in Kelowna are considering moves to restrict the sale of bear spray, which was used in almost one-third of assaults causing bodily harm last year. Shown here is a can of bear spray that was taken from a woman in downtown Kelowna during an incident in 2014.
More than 225 new townhomes are proposed for a hillside area just outside the permanent growth boundary in West Kelowna, outlined in red on the map shown on a development sign alongside Gates Road. Municipal planners say city councillors should reject the proposal at a meeting on Tuesday.


Monday, March 11, 2024  Im American actor, Alec Baldwin will reportedly have a potential list of actors testify in his upcoming manslaughter trial in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico set of the Western film Rust on October 21, 2021.

Insiders close to the case told TMZ on Thursday that Oscar-nominated actor, 65, and his team are 'considering putting together a list of famous people' who would take the stand in his defense, as in January, he entered a not guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter.

This comes a day after a New Mexico jury deliberated less than three hours before convicting armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 26, of involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins' death.

Gutierrez-Reed was swiftly taken into custody after the verdict was read, as she awaits sentencing, facing up to 18 months in prison.

The 30 Rock actor and his team are specifically looking to build a witness list of 'people who've already spoken out in Alec's defense,' insiders told the outlet.

The focal point of the testimony would be how responsible an actor is for the weapons on the set of a production, sources told TMZ, adding that plans were nowhere close to being finalized yet.

Actors who have past publicly spoken in defense of Baldwin include his Rust costar Frances Fisher, as well as Mickey Rourke, Debra Messing, and DJ Qualls.

Rourke, 71, told the outlet that he has not been in contact with anyone from Baldwin's legal team, but that he would be willing to testify in defense of the actor.

'Whatever Alec needs Ill be there 100 percent,' Rourke said. 'The armorer is 100 percent responsible for any gun handed to an actor. Especially, to an actor who didn't have experience with guns.'

Rourke in January of 2023 on Instagram that there's 'no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever,' as 'the guns are supposed to he handled only by' the weapon armorer.

The Academy Award-nominated actor added, 'the powers [that] be charging Baldwin with this responsibility is terribly wrong,' adding that Baldwin 'is already suffering enough over what happened' and it's 'terribly terribly wrong' to blame him for the tragic shooting.

Fisher said in January 2023 in a social media post in reaction to a Deadline story about the case, 'Anyone NOT in the industry or who has not worked on a set should STFU - youre showing your ignorance.'

Fisher, 71, added: 'The grandstanding prosecutor doesnt even go after the true culprit: Who put a live round in the gun? There is NO investigation about that. THAT is the question.'

Gutierrez-Reed on Wednesday was swiftly taken into custody as she awaits sentencing, facing up to 18 months in prison.

Baldwin figured prominently into testimony and closing arguments over two weeks that highlighted his authority as a co-producer and the lead actor on Rust. Both the prosecution and defense in Gutierrez-Reeds trial dissected video footage of Baldwin before the fatal shooting for clues about breakdowns in firearms safety.

Baldwins trial is scheduled for July and will involve the same judge and prosecutors as well as many of the same witnesses. Baldwin has maintained that he pulled back the guns hammer, but not the trigger, and the weapon fired, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.

Having seen Gutierrez-Reed's trial play out will be a boon to Baldwin and his legal team, said Emily D. Baker, a legal analyst and former Los Angeles deputy district attorney who wasn't involved in the case but followed it closely.

'Theyre in the incredible position of getting to watch this prosecutor in action, see how this judge works, and come in knowing exactly what these experts are going to say and how they present to the jury,' Baker said Wednesday. 'I dont think Baldwins going to want to deal in this case, and I think his legal team will tell him this is a very different case than the case against Hannah.'

A weapons expert for the prosecution in Gutierrez-Reed's case gave strong testimony, Baker said. But the armorer expert was aligned with what Baldwin's team has been saying all along - that it wasn't his job to check the weapon, Baker said.

Expert witness and movie firearms consultant Bryan Carpenter testified that images showed Baldwin firing blanks toward a camera within a 'no-go' zone at close range, flouting safety protocols as he commanded crew members to quickly reload his revolver, and waving a gun like a pointing stick after the close of one scene. Another clip captures the sound of Baldwin firing a gun after a director calls out, 'Cut!'

Investigators haven't found any video recordings of the shooting, which took place during a rehearsal inside a makeshift church on October 21, 2021, on a movie set outside Santa Fe. But Gutierrez-Reed's trial included previously undisclosed testimony from eyewitnesses to the shooting.

Those witnesses included Souza, who felt the shock of a bullet's impact as he moved in for a view of the camera monitor - but never saw the gun that shot him.

A camera-dolly operator and the assistant director Dave Halls also gave visceral accounts of the revolver firing and the aftermath. Script writer Mamie Mitchell testified that the script didn't call for Baldwin to point the gun.

'Alec Baldwins conduct and his lack of gun safety inside that church on that day is something that hes going to have to answer for,' prosecutor Kari Morrissey said in her closing arguments against Gutierrez-Reed. 'Not with you and not today. Thatll be with another jury, on another day.'

Morrissey and co-counsel Jason Lewis presented the case against Baldwin to a grand jury in January and secured an indictment on the single felony count that gives them two pathways to prosecution.

A recent analysis of the gun gave them the opportunity to reboot the case after an initial involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin was dismissed.

That analysis by Forensic Science Services in Arizona concluded 'the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver.'


Monday, March 11, 2024  A federal judge has denied Donald Trump's effort to delay enforcement of an $83 million jury award against him in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case, with the former president left with just three days to raise the cash or post bond.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled against Trump's effort to push off the enforcement deadline, while the former president faces an even more staggering sum following a judge's order against him in his Manhattan fraud case.

That boosts the staggering pressure on Trump to line up an acceptable bond during his expected appeal.

Kaplan said Trump had only himself to blame.

'Mr. Trump's current situation is a result of his own dilatory actions,' he wrote Thursday. 'He has had since January 26 to organize his finances with the knowledge that he might need to bond this judgment, yet he waited until 25 days after the jury verdict ... to file his prior motion for an unsecured or partially secured stay pending resolution of post-trial motions.'

The legal and financial challenge comes just a day after Trump cleared his last major challenger to the Republican presidential nomination when Nikki Haley dropped out of the race.

The financial penalties against him pending appeals in the pair of civil cases present Trump's most immediate legal challenge against Trump, after the Supreme Court's intervention in his January 6 case raised the prospect it could get delayed until after the election, and his criminal prosecution in Georgia was up in the air following stunning revelations about a 'romantic relationship' Fulton County DA Fani Willis had with special prosecutor Nathan Wade.

Trump faces a staggering order to pay $464 million in penalties in interest in his New York fraud case, a sum Trump appears unable to raise after his lawyers offered to provide less than one-quarter of the amount.

Trump's lawyers called that fine 'exorbitant and punitive' and persuaded a judge to back down from lending restrictions.

'The exorbitant and punitive amount of the Judgment coupled with an unlawful and unconstitutional blanket prohibition on lending transactions would make it impossible to secure and post a complete bond,' his team wrote in filing to Judge Arthur Engoron.

In the Jan. 26 verdict in the Carroll case, jurors agreed with the writer, a former Elle magazine advice columnist, that Trump had defamed her in June 2019 by denying he had raped her in the mid-1990s in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan.

Kaplan made the verdict official on Feb. 8, and gave Trump 30 days to post a bond or come up with cash during his appeal, which is expected to challenge the jury's finding of liability and the amount of damages.

Trump had sought to delay enforcement of the verdict until the judge ruled on his motions to throw it out, which he filed on Tuesday.

But the judge said Trump should not have waited 25 days after the verdict before seeking a delay.

He also said Trump failed to show how he might suffer 'irreparable injury' if required to post a bond.

'Mr. Trump's current situation is a result of his own dilatory actions,' the judge wrote.




Monday, March 11, 2024 - Kenyans were yesterday treated to rare drama after a video emerged of residents from an estate in Nairobi beating up Nairobi City Council officers popularly known as kanjos.

In the video, the officers had confiscated a few items including plywood seemingly from hardware in the area. This resulted in a confrontation between the officers and the residents.

One of the locals, dragged the materials from the officers' pick up attracting the attention of other residents and passers-by.

Another resident was depicted holding a hammer and arguing with one of the kanjos before proceeding to slap him.

Onlookers who were enraged by the behaviour of the officers were heard inciting others. They could be heard accusing kanjos of failing to respect other people's businesses.

"Life is hard for everyone, leave the young man alone. We have been quiet for so long," the residents were heard shouting.

Additionally, a section of other locals confronted some of the officers who could be seen walking away to avoid escalating the matter.

However, the angry crowd followed the officers who managed to escape after jumping into their pickup.

Some of the locals hopped onto the vehicle while others ran after it shouting and hurling stones.

Following the incident, Kenyans have called out these officers who are harassing Nairobi residents.

Most called upon Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to intervene.

Kenyans also cautioned their countrymen against taking matters into their own hands.

Others lauded the residents for standing up against the alleged mistreatment and harassment from the officers.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, March 11, 2024 - The US State Department has deployed the Marine Corps to Haiti as chaos escalated and gangs took over major installations.

In a statement from the US Southern Command, it was revealed that the team was being dispatched to safeguard the US embassy at Port Au Prince in Haiti as the Kenya-led peacekeeping mission stalls.

According to the Miami Herald, an American publication, the team was deployed at night while some non-essential personnel at the Embassy were evacuated.

"This airlift of personnel into and out of the Embassy is consistent with our standard practice for Embassy security augmentation worldwide, no Haitians were on board the military aircraft," read part of the statement.

Gangs in Haiti have reigned terror and disrupted operations at major highways, blocking Prime Minister Ariel Henry from returning after jetting out to Kenya.

The chaos has escalated with gang leaders calling for the resignation of the Prime Minister. They have also threatened to instigate more violence.

Meanwhile, the deployment of the Marine Corps comes a few days after the US hinted at instituting policy measures to stem the rising violence.

Earlier, the US declined plans to deploy their police officers to the Caribbean Country.

US officials stated they were working to expedite the deployment of Kenyan police as well as those from other countries.

In line with this, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Sunday called President William Ruto to discuss the ongoing political and security crisis in Haiti.

Notably, the deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti was delayed by a court ruling in January which declared it unconstitutional.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Monday, March 11, 2024 - Thika-based pineapple farm, Delmonte, has finally fired its 214 security guards over accusations of killing tress-passers and dumping their bodies in nearby dams.

Last Christmas, the pineapple firm came under public scrutiny after its security team killed 4 people over accusations of stealing pineapples.

The company security was also accused by an international human rights organization of assaulting beating, torturing, maiming, raping, and/or killing the trespassers.

Following the grave accusations, the company management last week fired its 214 security guards and replaced them with elite G4S guards.

But former guards, many of whom have worked for the company for decades, claim they had no idea until they received redundancy letters on March 4.

There was no warning, they gave us no reason, Kelvin Kipleting, who had been with the company for 15 years, told the journalist. We know nothing.

On March 6, Del Monte sent out an internal company-wide announcement about the reorganization of security services and hiring of G4S officers.

G4S recruitment is taking place in Thika on Friday, March 8.

They are seeking employees of high integrity and physically fit with motorcycle technical skills and computer literacy, read one of the announcements.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Monday, March 11, 2024 - Former Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has broken his silence after a long hiatus, criticizing President William Rutos proposed Farm Produce Tax that has faced stiff opposition in Mt. Kenya.

Speaking in Tigania East over the weekend, alongside former Agriculture CS Peter Munya, Kagwe criticized the tax describing it as an ill-advised taxation policy.

The former CS argued that farmers needed to make profits before remitting tax.

Kagwe used this stance to question the quality of Kenyan leadership and whether political leaders are operating in the best interests of Kenyans.

That is why the purpose of our education must be now going forward to move the Kenyan nation from one of the hecklers and hustlers to one of a wealthy nation, Kagwe charged.

Both Kagwe and Munya, castigated the government, stating that the Kenya Kwanza government should have implemented procedures and structures that help farmers increase output before moving to tax them.

One cannot pay tax from what they have sold, as it is not profit, they should pay tax from profit and not the 30 per cent of sales as stated in the proposed tax," explained Munya.

The proposed Farm Produce Tax has attracted widespread criticism, particularly from leaders within the Mt. Kenya region who have insisted the proposed tax will be oppressive for farmers.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, March 11, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's ex-aide, Silas Jakakimba, has urged his former boss to form a good communication team that will sell his idea of becoming the African Union Chairperson.

Raila, 79, has expressed his willingness to become the AUC once current chairperson Mousa Faki retires in 2025.

The former premier on Saturday said he would serve Africa and Kenya at the same time.

But Jakakimba on Monday said Raila Odinga erred while making the statement since one of the requirements of the AU chairperson seat is to cease participating in politics at all.

As the government led by President William Ruto prepares to commence a continental campaign blitz for this seat, it is imperative moving forward, that PM Raila Odinga's public messaging targeting local audiences, remains tempered and weighs less on expressions alluding to a burning desire to 'chew the gum and scale the stairs' - loosely translated to mean he intends to remain active in Kenya's ever-evolving political landscape with all its obvious intrigues," he said on X.

There's an urgent need for a very tempered balance in public comms from the former PM around and, during the window of this bid, intertwined with a fair share of soft and deliberate diplomatic posture."

He, however, noted that he has always believed Raila is best placed to lead the African continent in many other capacities, including the one he is currently seeking.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Monday, March 11, 2024  A man who was given months to live has seen his aggressive brain cancer effectively disappear, leaving doctors stunned.

Ben Trotman, 41, of West Sussex, was given the glioblastoma diagnosis in October 2022 and he brought his wedding forward to January 2023 as he prepared for the end.

Doctors told him and his now-wife Emily that patients normally only survive nine months.

They were left grappling with the fact he had gone from being apparently perfectly healthy to having months to live.





But luckily the investment banker was able to join a world-first clinical trial for a treatment that uses patients own immune systems to attack the tumour.

Now, after completing treatment, Ben is virtually disease-free, with the tumour receding in a way that was previously unheard of.

Dr Paul Mulholland, of University College Hospital in London, told The Times: The standard treatment for glioblastoma is to have surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Then your disease comes back, then you have palliative care, then you die. Its the same story every time. We need to do something different.




Monday, March 11, 2024 - Trans Nzoia County Governor, George Natembeya, has exposed Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula as the man who supported the oppression of Kenyans during the reign of late Kenyan dictator, Daniel Arap Moi.

Speaking on Sunday, Natembeya said when he was a student leader fighting for a multi-party system Wetang'ula was former president Daniel Moi's lawyer

Natembeya said Wetang'ula did not like the idea of a multi-party system yet he, at one point, became the leader of the Ford Kenya party.

He also said Wetangula, who was a former Bungoma County Senator, was a very stingy person since he didnt share a cup of tea when they visited his office when he was Mois lawyer.

He summoned us to his office very early in the morning.

"He came dressed in a very neat suit.

"He removed the coat, put it on his chair, made tea, and took it as we watched, and then he started lecturing us.

"When you go and riot on the streets and throw stones and you go back to your miserable rooms, and the chips are down, that's when you will realise the futility of your actions.

"He loves big English. He said fighting for a multi-party system is a futile exercise.

"And now, he even became the leader of Ford-Kenya," Natembeya said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Monday, March 11, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odingas Azimio One Kenya Alliance has appointed former Busia County Senator, Amos Wako, as the man who will lead the opposition team that will audit the 2022 presidential election.

The National Delegates Committee (NADCO) report which has the blessing of President William Ruto and Raila Odinga agreed to constitute a six-member committee that will audit the election.

Raila's side appointed Wako, Judith Pareno, and forensic investigator Julius Njiriani to the six-member panel.

According to the NADCO report, both Kenya Kwanza and Azimio were to nominate three members each to the panel which will comb through the results of the 2022 presidential elections.

The panel should be in place 21 days after the adoption of the NADCO report.

National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi wrote to the Speaker on Monday communicating members of Azimio to the panel.

I have today written to the Speaker conveying the names of the three persons who will be our members in the panel, Wandayi said.

These three persons will be led by Hon. Wako; they will join their three counterparts from the Kenya Kwanza side.

President William Ruto has yet to make public the names of their nominees to the Panel.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Monday, March 11, 2024 - President William Ruto is not having any peace at all after committing to deploy 1,000 police officers to Haiti.

This is after he received a call on Saturday night from President Joe Bidens administration over the deteriorating situation in Haiti.

A statement issued by the Department of State and published on its website revealed that the call was made by Secretary Antony Blinken who spoke about the ongoing political and security crisis in Haiti.

While the gangs continue to wreak havoc in the Caribbean nation, the two leaders agreed that Kenya needed to deploy 1,000 police officers in the troubled nation.

Additionally, the need for other countries to pledge deployment of their troops under a Multinational Security Support Mission was underscored.

Initially, the rules of engagement were that Kenyan police guard key government infrastructure including airports, hospitals, and parliament.

With gangs already taking control of major buildings, Blinken stated that the Kenyan police would work in tandem with Haiti security forces in creating the security conditions necessary to conduct free and fair elections.

Secretary Blinken also offered his appreciation for Kenyas diplomatic work to support peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the US stated.

Blinkens call was made the same day that reports were made that the Haitian interior ministry headquarters were on fire.

It was also reported that the gangs were plotting to raze to the ground the countrys Supreme Court.

While Bidens administration is committed to funding Kenyas mission in Haiti, this has been met with resistance from Republicans.

The United States government is awaiting support from Republican congressmen to approve the allocation of Ksh14 billion to finance the mission.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Monday, March 11, 2024  The Indonesian Air safety agency has called for better pilot fatigue monitoring mechanisms after an investigation revealed that both pilots of a commercial aircraft had recently fallen asleep in flight.

A pilot and his co-pilot were simultaneously asleep for approximately 28 minutes during a Batik Air flight from South East Sulawesi to the capital Jakarta on January 25, a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) said.

The report, seen by AFP on Friday, March was uploaded to the agencys website in late February.

One of the pilots had not rested adequately on the night before the flight, the report said.

The incident resulted in a series of navigation errors, but the Airbus A320s 153 passengers and four flight attendants were unharmed during the two-hour-and-35-minute flight according to the report.

About half an hour after the plane took off, the captain asked permission from his second-in-command to rest for a while, with the request being granted.

The co-pilot then took over command of the aircraft, but also inadvertently fell asleep, the report said.

The second-in-command had one-month twin babies. His wife took care of the babies and he assisted while at home, the report said.

A few minutes after the last recorded transmission by the co-pilot, the area control centre in Jakarta tried to contact the aircraft. It received no answer.

Twenty-eight minutes after the last recorded transmission, the pilot woke up and realised his co-pilot was asleep and that the aircraft was not on the correct flight path.

He immediately woke his colleague up, responded to the calls from Jakarta and corrected the flight path, the report said.

The plane landed safely after the incident.

Investigators did not identify the pilots but said they were both Indonesians and were aged 32 and 28.




Monday, March 11, 2024 - It is now emerging that Suleiman Ibrahim Roba, the newly appointed Kenyas Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, is not qualified for the plum job.

Word has it that he can barely write or communicate in English.

People who know him were overhead laughing hard over the appointment while questioning how he will discharge his duties.

It is said that his brother Ali Ibrahim Roba, the current senator of Mandera and an ally of President Ruto, influenced his appointment to the plum job.

He was a waiter before landing the ambassadorial job.

This is how Sunday Nation reported the gist and failed to mention his name for obvious reasons.





The Kenyan DAILY POST.
Monday, March 11, 2024  A Sri Lankan student has been charged with the mass murder of a mother, her four children, and their friend.

Febrio De-Zoysa, 19, is accused of killing the family and their lodger, who had recently immigrated from Lanka, inside a home in Ottawa, Canada.

The victims are:

Mom Darshani Banbaranayake Gama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake, 35

Their lodger Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon, 40,

Inuka Wickramasinghe, seven,

Ashwini Wickramasinghe, four

Rinyana Wickramasinghe, two

Kelly Wickramasinghe, two months old





The victims were discovered at a home just before 11 pm on Wednesday, March 6, after police received several frantic 911 calls.

No motive has been released for the killing.

According to Mail Online, Cops arrived at the house to find a man outside yelling for help. He was later taken to the hospital with serious wounds, but is now said to be in a stable condition.

Inside the home, authorities discovered his wife, their children, and the acquaintance.

Five of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, one was rushed to a nearby hospital, where the victim died.





De-Soyza has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. Cop said he was arrested at the scene 'without incident.'

Investigators said he was an acquaintance of the family and was living in the home at the time although no motive has been established yet.

They added that an 'edged' weapon was used during the killings.

'There are a lot of questions about why this tragedy occurred. This is the focus of our homicide unit as [they] diligently investigate this tragic crime,' Ottawa Deputy Police Chief Trish Ferguson said during Thursday's press conference.

'Our investigators and forensic teams are working very hard to determine all of the facts and ensure justice is done but that also means we must maintain the integrity of the investigation for court,' she added.

'This was a senseless act of violence, perpetrated on purely innocent people,' Chief Eric Stubbs said.





'We have been working to advise the families of the deceased, many of whom are overseas.

'I want to emphasize that this was a senseless act of violence perpetrated on purely innocent people.

'I know our whole community is shocked and mourning this event.

'I want to offer my condolences to the loved ones of all of the victims for this unimaginable loss.'

The murders, which have rocked the community of Barrhaven, were addressed by the country's prime minister, Justin Trudeau.

'Obviously, our first reactions are all ones of shock and horror at this terrible violence,' he said.

'We are expecting that the community reaches out to support family and friends as Canadians always do, and we expect the police of jurisdiction to be doing the work and keeping us all informed of this terrible tragedy.'





Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe also sought to reassure the public there is no wider danger.

'While it will be difficult for many of us to go about our usual routines in the face of such tragedy, again there is no risk to the public.

'We are fortunate to live in a safe city where these events are extremely rare, but everyone understandably will react to this news today, and feel less safe and secure.'




Monday, March 11, 2024  Renowned City Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi has advised former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to accept business mogul Jimmy Wanjigis running mate offer ahead of the 2027 General Election.

This is after Wanjigi visited Oparanya at his home in Kakamega County to court him ahead of 2027.

In a statement on X, Ahmednasir said the running mate position is priceless and Oparanya is lucky to receive such an offer from Wanjigi.

What a lucky dude, Governor Wycliffe Oparanya is. Getting on a silver platter, the running mate position from Jimi Wanjigi is priceless. He should grab it, Ahmednasir stated.

Addressing the media on Saturday, Wanjigi said his meeting with the former Kakamega governor was not showbiz but a first step in the birth of a movement that is going to challenge President William Ruto in the next election.

He asked Kenyans to follow them keenly, noting that many events will unravel in the coming days.

What you are seeing today is the beginning of a platform where we are saying we no longer can take this pain from the current government.

"We are even wondering if four years is too far. I want you to just watch our steps keenly there are many events in the coming days, said Wanjigi.

Wanjigis offer comes days after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga endorsed Oparanya and former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho as his successors in ODM as he battles the AU Chairmanship bid.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Monday, March 11, 2024  Former US President Donald Trump posted a $91.63 million bond on Friday, March 8 as he appeals a Manhattan jurys judgment against him for defaming writer E. Jean Carroll.

The posting of the bond is expected to allow Trump to stop the penalty from being enforced while he challenges Januarys verdict at the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Trump was ordered to pay the massive sum at a trial to determine damages after a federal judge found Trump liable for repeatedly defaming Carroll, whom a prior jury found Trump sexually assaulted inside a department store fitting room by claiming that shed made up her allegation to get publicity for her book and calling her a whack job who should pay dearly.

Insurance company Chubb underwrote the bond for Trump, which the former president signed on Tuesday. Under the terms of the bond, Chubb will only secure the appeal of the $83.3 million judgment, not any future appeals.

The bond size is greater than the judgment because the district court generally requires a party to post 110% of the bond.

In a statement, a Chubb spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics of Trumps bond.

As a matter of policy, we do not comment on client-specific information, the spokesperson said.

Our surety division provides appeal bonds in the normal course of business. These bonds are an ordinary and important part of the American justice system, protecting the rights of both defendants and plaintiffs.

Trump also faces a March 25 deadline to put up another $454 million in the New York attorney generals civil fraud case.

In Carrolls case, Trump has argued that the jury award is excessive and should be reduced. During the trial, Carrolls lawyers told the jury that Trump should be punished with a large number in damages so that it actually gets him to stop his defamatory behavior.

In addition to those two judgments against him, Trump is also facing mounting legal fees he owes on the four criminal trials hes facing as he campaigns for another presidential term.
Monday, March 11, 2024 - One of former President Uhuru Kenyattas confidants has asked Kenyans to explain the difference between the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and the National Delegates Committee report.

BBI was an initiative by Uhuru and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga but current president William Ruto and his voting robots were opposed to the initiative.

However, when they came into power in a hotly contested election in 2022, Ruto and the same opposition leader, Raila Odinga, came up with a new initiative dubbed the National Delegates Committee Report commonly known as NADCO, which has proposed the same things that were in BBI which was banished by the courts.

Reacting to the similarity between NADCO and BBI, renowned digital and media strategist, Pauline Njoroge, said she was asked by a friend about the difference between BBI and NADCO report.

A friend just asked me the difference between the BBI and NADCO report, Pauline wrote on her X and laughed sarcastically.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Monday, March 11, 2024  The US embassy in Russia has issued an urgent warning of an imminent terrorist attack in Moscow just hours after ISIS was thwarted from a planned massacre at a synagogue.

The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and US citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours, the embassy said on its website.

American citizens were specifically told to avoid crowds and be aware of your surroundings.

The warning came after Russias FSB security service said an ISIS cell operating in Russias Kaluga region as part of the Afghan arm, known as ISIS-Khorasan was plotting to massacre Jewish worshippers at a synagogue in Moscow.

The terrorist cell was preparing to attack the congregants of a synagogue using firearms, the security service said.

When Russian special forces raided the ISIS cells headquarters, the militants put up a fight and were neutralized, according to the FSB.

Firearms, ammunition, as well as components for the manufacture of an improvised explosive device were found and seized, the agency said.

It is unclear if the alleged terrorist attack foiled by the FSB is related to the warning from the U.S. embassy.

Tensions between Russias Jewish and Muslim population have soared since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October. Similar to many other parts of the world, the fighting in Gaza has stoked a wave of antisemitism in Russia, including violent protests. Israel urged Russia to protect its citizens in late October after a mob in the mostly Muslim Dagestan region stormed an airport in search of Jewish passengers arriving from Israel.




Monday, March 11,2024 - National Assembly Minority leader, Opiyo Wandayi, has dismissed claims that former Mombasa County governor Hassan Joho and former Kakamega County Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, will succeed Raila Odinga as ODM party leader once he joins the African Union as its chairperson.

Last week, Raila, who is contesting for the AUC position, said Joho and Oparanya, who are ODM deputy party leaders, are capable of succeeding him once he joins the continental body.

But Wandayi, who is also a close confidante of Raila Odinga, urged Joho and Oparanya to brace for a fight since they will not automatically become the ODM top leaders.

In the event or for whatever reasons Raila chooses to step aside upon clinching the Africa Union chairmanship, the field will be open to everyone, Wandayi said.

Everybody else will be free to aspire to lead ODM. Even myself I may present my name for the position.Wandayi added.

The Ugunja MP has been an ardent Raila supporter since his 20s, he is currently 51 years old.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Monday, March 11, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is now as good as the next African Union Commission (AUC) chair.

This is after he received the backing of Rwandan President Paul Kagame when he visited him over the weekend to seek his vote in the upcoming AU election.

Azimio allies, including Pauline Njoroge, Deputy Organising Secretary of the Jubilee Party, revealed that Kagame assured them of backing their coalition principal in the upcoming elections scheduled for next year.

It was noted that the President of Rwanda expressed his faith in the leadership of the ODM boss given that he had also previously served in the post.

"President Kagame promised support for Raila's bid, saying that the former Prime Minister has so much to offer to the African continent due to his impeccable leadership skills, deep understanding of the continent, and vast experience in AU as former High Representative on Infrastructure Development.

"The Rwandan President affirmed his confidence in Railas capabilities, given his status in the region and internationally as well as his transformative leadership," she posted on her X account after the meeting.

On his part, the former Prime Minister did not divulge the outcome of their discussion.

However, he noted that talks were centered on the unity and development of the continent.

"Had an insightful conversation with President Paul Kagame in Kigali, diving into regional and Pan-African ideals. We are committed to African unity and solidarity for shared prosperity and progress," Raila stated

According to Raila, a significant number of presidents within the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had already pledged their backing for his candidacy.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
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The first book I ever read was The Last Angry Man. I could never have imagined then how it would influence me now.

It is about a fictional character, Dr. Samuel Abelman. He is a general practitioner practicing in New York City during the 1950s. He is in the twilight of a career that spans fifty years of commitment to the Hippocratic Oath.

In the 1950s, the emerging professional trend is specialization. He regards specialization as antithetical to the Hippocratic Oath because the practice of medicine does not separate patients into different categories. He is outspoken, and consequently, he is disrespected and even maligned by elite power brokers who profit from specialization. In todays lexicon, they try to cancel him.

In Dr. Abelmans day, elite power brokers profit when the patient/doctor relationship is built on specialization. Today, they profit when the patient/doctor relationship is eroded. This trend is even more antithetical to the Hippocratic Oath. I wonder what Dr. Abelman would do.

An example of such erosion is when health systems consume private practices. However, nothing erodes the patient/doctor relationship more than unfortunate medical outcomes, especially when a random error of nature is made to appear as a medical error. This is the foundation of a malpractice lawsuit. This is also why private practices are consumed by health systems.

Like Dr. Abelman, our jobs are to improve and, sometimes, save lives by practicing quality medicine. Unfortunate outcomes are inevitable even when practicing quality medicine. There are 86,000 malpractice lawsuits per year. By joining health systems and agreeing to comply with their rules, we are covered under the health systems liability umbrella. In return, we surrender the relationships we developed with our patients to the health system, which gains enormously.

Most medical malpractice cases are built on departures from empiric standards of care. When we join a health system, we agree to practice according to its resource-based practice guidelines whether a guideline satisfies the standard of care or not. The myth is adherence to guidelines protects from medical errors. In truth, adherence to resources-based practice guidelines protects doctors less from medical errors than it protects health systems from excessive expenditure of resources.

Whether adhering to standards of care or guidelines, complications are inevitable, and so are lawsuits. Those who read my earlier post know I propose a specific risk-management protocol.

In a nutshell, the burden of proof is a preponderance of the evidence, which corresponds to 50% probability plus an additional scintilla. Scintilla is intuitive. Intuition is without conscious thought and is what one believes to be true. If a medical expert in a lawsuit believes the measure for scintilla to be only 0.01%, it is still sufficient to satisfy the burden of proof, but 50.01% probability is insufficient to confidently separate a random maloccurrence from a medical error.

Such a low threshold for confidence of proof is curious when the scientific threshold is 95%. So, I develop a risk management tool for objective decision-making to truly separate a random maloccurrence from a medical error. Rather than adding some self-intuited measure to the burden of proof, the measure is objective. That measure is 45%, which, when added to the baseline of 50% probability, equals the scientific standard of 95% confidence. Unlike intuition, this analysis is concrete proof and is open to examination.

Plaintiff attorneys, defense attorneys, and medical experts are free to use scintilla as they see fit, but they do so at their own peril because relying on intuition is an overt exploitation of the ambiguity in the burden of proof, and it stands in stark contrast to 95% confidence.

Being licensed in Maryland, I present my model to the medical society. They dismiss it without hesitation. Next, the Board of Physicians of Maryland not only dismisses it but delivers a subtle threat by advising me to consult legal counsel before proceeding further.

I expected more. We, physicians, ordinarily entrust such interests to bureaucrats who run organized medicine. They rhetorically claim to be our advocate and resource when they interact on our behalf with CEOs of malpractice carriers, CEOs of health systems, politicians, the Governor, leaders in the defense and plaintiff bars, and the media, just to name a few. I did not expect my idea, which is in keeping with the best interests of physicians, patients, and jurist prudence, to be embraced without investigation, but I never expected it to be met with such consternation.

This creates a suspicion of impropriety. Should it be found that some executives of the medical society are lawyers or some prominent committee heads earn incomes as expert witnesses in lawsuits, are on the boards of directors of malpractice carriers, or are connected to the Board of Physicians in Maryland, my methods may, indeed, be incompatible with their interests. In practice, this is precisely what I find.

When an ordinary physician, like myself, brings an idea addressing a problem largely ignored by power brokers to the attention of power brokers, and that idea is summarily dismissed, and the physician is warned to cease and desist, it is because these power brokers benefit from or even cause the problem. In todays lexicon, this is cancel culture and echoes The Last Angry Man.

What I describe is how cancel culture is used by elite power brokers to control physicians. Most of us have no idea. These power brokers keep their boots on our necks and exploit our outcomes from medical interventions. My model confidently separates a medical error from random chance and threatens their interests. The medical elite need to change their attitudes, or we need to change our affiliations.

Howard Smith is an obstetrics-gynecology physician.
Kilkenny's Malcolm Noonan, who is Irelands first nature minister, has said that a dedicated role to protecting Irelands biodiversity is not tokenistic and has made a difference.

Mr Noonan, who was a climate activist for 20 years before becoming a councillor, mayor and TD, said that having a strong civil society is important, as is having idealistic politicians.

Asked whether he wonders if he is on the right side since becoming a minister, he said he sometimes feels he should be out protesting outside Leinster House, rather than being in it.

Malcolm Noonan was first elected to the Dail in the most recent general election, taking the fifth and final seat in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency.

Now the Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, he claims a shift has taken place to restore Irelands biodiversity, after previous poor results.

His first efforts at change saw him involved in planting projects and river clean-ups as a young man.

I can remember being on CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) marches in a local group in Kilkenny when I was 14 or 15 and that was the start of it really, he said.

He became a member of Earthwatch, the precursor to Friends Of The Earth Ireland, and eventually became a director of Friends Of The Earth.

He protested on the streets and outside Leinster House, but was not interested in politics.

Eventually approached by the Green Party to run in the 2004 local elections, and held that council seat until he became a TD in 2020.

He said the council gave him a chance to merge activist principles with practical politics, day-to-day politics.

It is a huge transition and it involved a very steep learning curve when I did get elected in 2004 and I found out that actually this is very different.

I could make certain changes, very slow, incremental changes and I need to work in collaboration with people of different political backgrounds.

You will get, and I did because of certain positions I took on certain matters, you get ostracised, you get pushed to one side and you do feel that sense of isolation at times.

Its quite lonely being the only Green in the village, as I was for 16 years on Kilkenny County Council.

In an interview with PA in his office in Government Buildings, when asked whether he wonders if he chose the right path, he said: I question that all the time.

Were conscious with the issue around Gaza, theres times you feel youd love to be out there with them.

And at times, we feel we cant because were in government, and were the ones that are perceived not to be doing enough.

And thats really difficult, I find that difficult at times.

In his role in the three-party coalition, he said that creating Irelands first minister for nature was significant and a role that should continue in other governments.

Its not tokenistic, because it has been backed up with action. I would hope that its a title that will be held onto for future governments  I think its critically important.

Almost half of Irelands most protected habitats are in ongoing decline, particularly marine, peatland, grassland and woodland habitats, with only 2% improving over a 12-year period.

Over half of native Irish plant species have also declined in range or abundance.

He said the National Parks and Wildlife Service had been bolstered under his tenure and Ireland had taken a strong position on the EU Nature Restoration Law.

Theres often a feeling in activists who are working in the conservation-nature field that it is the poor relation of the whole climate agenda.

The Dail did declare a climate and biodiversity crisis, but the focus has been on the climate side of it both are inextricably linked.

And nature offers us a lot of solutions around climate crisis as well.

Asked how many more national parks Ireland needs, Mr Noonan said: I cant put a figure on the number of national parks, there are certainly areas were looking at that might potentially add to that network.

He also said that the polarised conversation between farmers and climate was starting to level out in Ireland.

He said he doesnt see how a push for biodiversity should result in a clash with farmers, saying there had been a meeting of minds and interest in the Life projects around Donegal and Mayo as well as the Farm Plan Scheme.

Parish halls, community halls are filled with farmers interested in taking part, so I think the critical thing they want is certainty good advice and a steady income stream from their activities.

I think it has to be voluntary.

You cant compel or force farmers to do things they dont want to do.

Primarily theyre running a business and not all of them are full-time farmers. They need to be able to make a living from the land.

Asked about the Green Partys chances in the next elections, he said: Weve always been a party that wants to be in government, regardless of taking a potential hit in a subsequent election.

We have no fear of that.

When asked if Mr Noonan is concerned about losing his seat, he said he is not.

If I get re-elected I get re-elected, and if I dont get re-elected, Ill go back outside the gates  and protest, he joked.
Confidence and candidate selection are still some of the barriers for women in politics, but the pace of change is moving in the right direction- thats according to Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh, the countrys longest serving continuously elected female County Councillor.

Cllr. Cavanagh who celebrates 50 years as a public representative this year was one of the guest speakers at a Kilkenny Women in Politics seminar hosted by Kilkenny County Council in association with See Her Elected at the Council Chamber, County Hall Kilkenny to mark International Womens Day 2024.

Currently only 26% of county councillors in Ireland are female and there are only 4 female Councillors out of 24 or 17% in County Kilkenny.

Cllr. Cavanaghs advice to the women of Kilkenny was simple: Be conscious of the time it involves but if you want to do it- go for it! Its better to put your name on the ballot paper and if youre beaten, youre beaten, you can run again in five years time but its better to run than regret it all of your life.

The veteran councillor was first elected in 1974 and she noted this was a time when there was no maternity leave for councillors, and she worked without a salary for the first twenty-five years as a public representative.

The event also included informal panel discussions with female politicians from Kilkenny on their journey into politics and the day-to-day reality of being public representatives.

Cllr. Deirdre Cullen said that political parties had a role to play by selecting women for winnable seats as opposed to being token candidates and she also noted that sometimes women can be their own worst critics and that confidence was a major factor. Cllr. Fidelis Doherty said that if the people of Kilkenny wanted to see greater levels of female representative, then the voters needed to support female candidates. Cllr. Maria Dollard became involved in politics as an activist for people with disabilities and she noted that her grandmother and grand aunt had been involved in the war of Independence, so she had always believed it was worth arguing and fighting to achieve things.

Deputy Kathleen Funchion T.D. also noted that confidence was a major barrier for women in politics and she said that political spaces had become so toxic but that should not deter women.

A second panel discussion also took place on diverse pathways into politics with a panel of women from a range of communities in County Kilkenny including Helena Power, a representative of the Traveller community, Pearl Jensen of Comhairle na nOg, Nicoleta Choiran, Chairperson of the Intercultural group, Twilight Community Group and Mary Fennelly a member of the Kilkenny Access Group.

Mary Fennelly, who is registered blind said that one in five or one million people in Ireland live with a disability and 80% of those people have a hidden disability. She asked people to walk in her shoes.

I had to give up my job because there was no public transport in rural Ireland- I had to ask my 86-year-old mother to bring me to a GP or hairdressers appointment and I eventually had to move into Kilkenny city, said Ms. Fennelly.

Helena Power, Chairperson of the Irish Traveller movement who is also an Integration Support worker with Kilkenny County Council said that in order to have true inclusion greater diversity was needed amongst public representatives.

Pearl Jensen of Comhairle na nOg, who is a fifth-year student at the Presentation Secondary School called for greater awareness of politics within second level education while Nicoleta Choiran, Chairperson of the Intercultural group, Twilight Community Group said that migrants were often painted in a negative light rather than hearing the stories of migrants contributing to society.

Sinead Doody of Doody Facilitating and Consulting acted as MC for the event.

In welcoming a chamber full of women, the Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council, Lar Power stated that the challenge of increasing the number of women in local politics continues and the aim of this event is to encourage more women and people from diverse backgrounds to participate in Local Government, to the greatest extent possible and to realise the Councils ambition of a more diverse representation of candidates in the 2024 local elections in Kilkenny.

Director of Services with Kilkenny County Council, Mary Mulholland said that the council can make changes to meet the needs of the lived experience of members of the community and she noted that not one size fits all. Ms. Mulholland noted that just under 10 million had been invested in community development projects across the county of Kilkenny.

We all have to play our part in the creation of the society we want to see so if youre thinking about running for election- go for it- or you may regret it. We need a broader skill set and greater diversity in the chamber- its important we hear everybodys view, said Ms. Mulholland.

Dr. Michelle Maher, Programme Manager with See Her Elected, the award-winning Government funded project which supports women in rural constituencies to become County Councillors noted that there was a much lower percentage of female Councillors in rural counties compared to more urban centres around Dublin. There are only 4 female Councillors out of 24 (which is just 17%) in County Kilkenny. Compare that to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council where half of the 40 County Councillors are female. Neighbouring counties such as Tipperary have 9 out of 40 which is 23% female, Waterford only has 6 female Councillors out of 32 (19%) and Offaly County Council only has 2 females out of 19 Councillors (11%).

The first female elected to Kilkenny County Council was Sheila McCarthy from Ballyraggat in 1967. Since then, only another 18 women have managed the same feat, said Dr. Maher.

The local elections will take place this June, so the people of Kilkenny have the power to make changes and see more balanced representation in their county council. The council chamber should look more like the society it represents so by voting for more women, we can have more balanced decision making, concluded Dr. Maher.
Organisations in Kilkenny are encouraged to apply for the Collaboration and Innovation Fund, which provides 1 million available to fund local projects that support adults with unmet literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy needs.

The Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) office in collaboration with SOLAS is launching a call for applications to the 2024 Collaboration and Innovation Fund.

Details of a new Collaboration and Innovation Fund were announced last week by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris TD, with applications invited across Ireland and Kilkenny and Carlow. The Fund aims to support collaborative and innovative projects that enable adults with unmet literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy needs to fully engage in society and realise their potential.

Organisations that work in the public, not-for-profit, community and voluntary sector can apply for up to 25,000 to fund a local project, or up to 50,000 for a national project. A minimum of two organisations working in partnership is required to apply for the Fund.

In 2024, the total funding available in the Collaboration and Innovation Fund is 1.25 million. 1 million is available to fund local projects in any county in Ireland. 0.25 million is available to fund national projects that have a have a wider, national scope.

The Collaboration and Innovation Fund is an initiative of the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy  a 10 year, whole-of-government and society strategy dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the literacy to meet their needs, and that literacy is valued and supported at every level of society.

Cross-community partnerships are encouraged to avail of the Collaboration and Innovation Fund to support adults with unmet literacy needs.

The closing date for applications from Kilkenny April 4, 2024.

Further information about how to apply for Collaboration and Innovation Fund can be found on https://www. adultliteracyforlife.ie/fund/ website.

The fund will support collaborative and innovative projects that reach adults with unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy needs, through effective cross-community partnerships such as libraries, refugee centres, community and adult education providers.

Minister Harris said: "I am delighted to launch the 2024 Collaboration and Innovation Fund. Last year, the Fund was a huge success with over 50 innovative projects that supported individuals with unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy needs. We know that accessing literacy supports can be very difficult for people. There is often a stigma attached to not being able to read, write, or participate in the world online. What is really magic about this Fund is that it supports projects that often inject fun into learning those essential skills. That can mean improving reading and writing skills through the joy of cooking or learning new digital skills."

In Ireland, more than 500,000 people have unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy needs. This means they may be unable to fill in a form, vote, read instructions on medicines, add up a bill, help kids with homework or search the web for information. This can negatively impact their confidence and prevent them from participating fully in society. The aim of the Adult Literacy for Life Strategy and the Collaboration and Innovation Fund is to ensure that no one is excluded, isolated, or stigmatised because of unmet literacy, numeracy, or digital literacy needs. The Collaboration and Innovation Fund hopes to support ambitious and collaborative partnerships that promote adult literacy in 2024.

Helen Walsh, Regional Literacy Coordinator, Carlow and Kilkenny ETB said:

"In the past, literacy was considered to be the ability to read and write. Today, the meaning has evolved to reflect changes in how we live and the skills needed by individuals to participate fully in society. This includes areas such as digital literacy, family literacy, environmental and eco-literacy, financial literacy, health literacy, media literacy and numeric literacy. Literacy is critical to all aspects of day-to-day life and we would love to support innovative projects in Kilkenny and Carlow that support individuals gain these valuable skills  so get your applications into us before the closing date on the 4 April."

The Collaboration and Innovation Fund can be used support projects and activities that enable adults to gain the necessary literacy, numeracy and digital literacy to fully engage in society and realise their potential. It can also be used to help organisations and services to be literacy-friendly and fully accessible to adults with unmet needs. Further information about last years projects is available on the Adult Literacy for Life website.
Kilkenny woman and Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, Marianne Walsh from Mooncoin, is calling on Kilkenny people to go all in against cancer for the Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day, which takes place on Friday, March 22.

Marianne was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma in 2020, at the age of twenty-seven. Marianne went through chemotherapy treatment and is now thankfully doing well.

Reflecting on her cancer experience, Marianne noted that 'the services that are available are so useful'.

"I would encourage anyone affected by cancer, to make use of these supports," she said.

"My cancer experience has opened up my eyes and made me more empathetic towards people.

"I would encourage everyone to please get out there on Daffodil Day, March 22, and show your support for those affected by cancer in your local community."

The Irish Cancer Society is there to ensure that every person affected by cancer has a place to turn to, the support they need and the hope that there will come a day when no one in Ireland dies from cancer.

Thanks to the amazing generosity of the Irish public the Irish Cancer Society invests in ground-breaking cancer research and delivers crucial free support services for people affected by cancer, throughout Kilkenny.

In 2023, your generous support provided:

- More than 165 free lifts to bring Kilkenny based cancer patients to their treatment

- Over 110 free counselling sessions to people living in Kilkenny

- Almost 250 nights of free night nursing care to allow cancer patients in Kilkenny to die at home surrounded by loved ones.

Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said that 'unfortunately, 1 in 2 of us will get cancer at some point in our lives'.

"There isnt a family in Ireland that hasnt been touched by the disease," she said.

"When Daffodil Day first began in 1986, just 3/10 Irish people survived a cancer diagnosis. Today, thanks to investment in innovative cancer research, that has doubled to 6/10 people in Ireland surviving cancer. And we at the Irish Cancer Society wont stop until 10/10 people survive a cancer diagnosis. But we cannot do that without your support on Daffodil Day.

"We only receive 5% of our income from the government, so were urging everyone in Kilkenny to go all in this Daffodil Day to help us achieve a future where nobody dies from cancer in Ireland, and everyone affected by the disease has the support they need when they need it most."

For more information about Daffodil Day visit www.cancer.ie/daffodilday
Kilkenny man Kieran Cuddihy was amongst the first people to enter the hugely anticipated new LEGO brick exhibition which recently opened in Dublin.

'Bricktionary: The Interactive LEGO Brick Exhibition' has created much excitement across the country, with the first of its kind museum making its European debut in the Irish capital.

Newstalk Presenter, Kieran Cuddihy and The Late Late Toy Show star, Finn Ryan were bestowed with the honour of being the first people to set foot into the Dublin experience on Friday, March 8, with the museum officially opening to the public last Sunday (Mother's Day).

Created by one of the world's leading LEGO brick artists and LEGO certified professional Ryan 'Brickman' McNaught, is based on Ryan's renowned book 'The Bricktionary: The Ultimate A-Z of LEGO'. The creative and colourful LEGO wonderland has been painstakingly built in Dublin over the last week and aims to inspire the imaginations of Irish LEGO fans, children, and adults alike.

Broadcaster, Kieran Cuddihy, a former hurler with Dicksboro admits to being a huge LEGO fan himself and believes a visit to the museum is not just an experience for children.

"As a huge LEGO fan myself, I was simply in my element throughout that experience. I love the creativity and challenge LEGO brick building presents, so to see models of that incredible detail, creativity, size, and scale was just so inspiring and amazing to see," he said.

"After sell-out stays in cities across the globe, its super exciting that Sundays opening makes this the European debut. Any adults, like myself, who are LEGO fans will be amazed by whats on show here, but this will really be just the best day out for any Irish kids who love Lego. The play, build and challenge areas included for them are brilliant," Mr Cuddihy concluded.
More than 500 projects from primary schools around the country, including eight schools from Kilkenny, were showcased at this years sixth annual ESB Science Blast, the RDS Foundations flagship Science and Technology Programme.

ESB Science Blast is a STEM-focused educational programme involving whole classes investigating the science behind simple questions.

Picture: Pupils from St Canice's Co. Ed. NS, Granges Road, Kilkenny

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The Dublin event took place over four days in RDS Simmonscourt, from March 4 to 7, and included a 'la speisialta do Ghaelscoileanna agus do scoileanna Ghaeltachta'.

Pupils from Kilkenny showcased an experiment and discussed their investigation with a STEM expert (judge/moltoir).

The judging was non-competitive and aimed at growing pupils' interest and passion for STEM.

Over 55,000 children have participated in ESB Science Blast to date, making it the largest primary school programme on the island of Ireland, and one of the largest programmes of its kind in Europe.

Strong themes emerging from schools this year included climate change, biodiversity, the impact of fast fashion and questions related to physical and mental health.

Participating schools in Kilkenny included St Aidan's NS, Kilmanagh, Skeoughvosteen NS, Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Freshford and Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Graignamanagh.

Their projects featured questions such as:

- The Power of Advertising: Does branding influence our taste buds?

- How do plants react to different environments?

- What animals in Ireland are most impacted by climate change?

- Does the material of your hurl impact how far you can hit a sliotar?

Speaking at the event in RDS Simmonscourt, Niamh De Loughry, Deputy Chief Executive of the RDS Foundation, said that 'it's wonderful to see such a great turnout from primary schools across the length and breadth of Ireland, including Kilkenny'.

"In developing ESB Science Blast we wanted an event that would be informative, inclusive and, above all, a really fun and engaging learning experience," she said.

"Ive really enjoyed meeting the children from all around the country and learning so much from the wild and wonderful projects that theyre showcasing here this week.

"Im also delighted that we welcomed an even split of repeat attenders and first timer primary schools to the RDS this year, with over a quarter of all Gaelscoileanna taking part in the dedicated day for Irish speaking schools, on March 7."
LONDON -- Chinese electric cars sell better than US "inferior" ones due to their better performance and affordability, the Financial Times reported, citing the head of a global battery material producer.

Chinese vehicles are "simply good cars and people buy them," Mathias Miedreich, CEO of Umicore headquartered in Belgium, was quoted by the British newspaper as saying.

American producers "seem to struggle to bring good electric vehicles" to the market, he said in an interview.

The sales of electric cars in China are surging, while the market in the United States is small, said the report.

Miedreich said that US carmakers were also pulling back on factory expansion plans for electric vehicles because of weak demand.

The new energy vehicle market has witnessed robust expansion in China over the past years thanks to the country's accelerated push for green development and a rapidly growing auto market. In 2023, electric passenger cars accounted for 69 percent of the country's sales, while plug-in hybrids gripped 31 percent.




christopher luxon and Winston Peters announced:

Prime minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have announced today the designation of Hamas in its entirety as a terrorist entity. The terrorist attacks by Hamas in October 2023 were brutal and we have unequivocally condemned them, Mr Luxon says. Following these attacks, then Prime Minister Chris Hipkins commissioned advice from officials about designating the entirety of Hamas  which has now been received. Mr Peters says New Zealand has designated the military wing of Hamas as a terrorist entity since 2010. But what happened on 7 October reinforces we can no longer distinguish between the military and political wings of Hamas. The organisation as a whole bears responsibility for these horrific terrorist attacks.

The distinction was always tenuous. It is good NZ now recognises the reality.

They also announced:

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have announced travel bans on a number of extremist Israeli settlers who have committed violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank.

New Zealand is seriously concerned by the significant increase in extremist violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinian populations in recent months. This is particularly destabilising in what is already a major crisis, Mr Luxon says.

New Zealand has taken this step to signal clearly that this behaviour is unacceptable, Mr Peters says.

We are imposing travel bans on a number of people known to have committed violent acts. These individuals will not be able to travel to New Zealand.

This seems very reasonable also. Those who commit illegal violent acts should not be welcome in NZ.

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American Muslims say they feel urgent need to send aid to Gaza this Ramadan as threat of mass starvation looms
President Joe Biden looks on during a campaign event at Pullman Yards in Atlanta on March 9.
A man who was out on bond when he crashed into and severely injured a teen athlete in St. Louis last year has been found guilty in the crash
K-pop fans expressed disappointment at LE SSERAFIM Yunjin after she was spotted drinking Starbucks coffee...AGAIN.

But why are people furious

On March 9, the K-pop girl group joined IU's H.E.R. concert in Seoul as its guests. While K-pop fans were delighted to see their presence, Yunjin surprisingly suffered criticism as she was seen drinking Starbucks coffee on their way to the venue.

As this happened amid boycott, she met people's frustration as this is not even the first time she did this.

Yunjin Criticized for Being 'Hypocrite' After Idol Was Seen Drinking Starbucks Coffee

K-pop fans on the X platform were dismayed by Yunjin since Starbucks is currently being boycotted as one of the companies said to be funding Israel's genocide in Gaza.

People pointed out that her supporters can't defend her by using the excuse of not knowing this movement, since aside from being chronically online, Yunjin in the past was initially caught deleting her post about Starbucks after numerous K-pop idols were called out for it.

yunjin with starbucks im tired pic.twitter.com/qtpMIxA2sC  halle  (@endedbyyoongi) March 9, 2024

here's another perspective of yunjin with that starbucks drink to further confirm her wrongdoing

pic.twitter.com/jsFt5NUZBx   (@guacc__) March 10, 2024

ALSO READ: LE SSERAFIM Yunjin Gets Real About Overcoming Setbacks & Finding Path to Success: I was angry, sad, upset

However, fans were just made aware by her unintentionally that she's still supporting the brand and netizens were calling her "hypocrite." This is after earlier, Yunjin was cheered on by K-pop fans for supporting feminism and her remark of wanting to "change the idol industry."

On the X platform, posts about her drinking Starbucks went viral among fans and most of them were extremely disappointed of her.

Yunjin is such a hypocrite https://t.co/NWc1uyVRtg March 10, 2024

i want to change the idol industry by collaborating with a racist, making videos with fuckass jay park and consuming starbucks multiple times https://t.co/B087REGZbf  sumi  (@oddtae) March 9, 2024

yunjin's sister unliked noah's shitty zionist post after backlash, hybe protest trucks+hastags trending 24/7, her friends, labelmates & sister were called out & they responded to it but this is still the THIRD time we're seeing her with sb, we should be holding her accountable. pic.twitter.com/GnVEK7BgyO  pio makes it look easy (@chaerizardd) March 10, 2024

atp shes stupid. and there is no she doesnt know, she just doesnt care March 10, 2024

FEARNOTs Defend LE SSERAFIM Yunjin from Hateful Comments

With the increasing backlash she's getting, LE SSERAFIM Yunjin's supporters especially FEARNOTs (fandom) jumped to her defense from rude and malicious comments.

According to her fans, the posts were created to promote hate culture, emphasizing how Yunjin was being called names and receiving hateful comments rather than constructive criticism.

Also, fans claimed that Starbucks isn't on the list of the BDS movement and went on by highlighting proofs that the company is not funding Israel.

Fans also find it unfair that Yunjin was being persecuted while some idols can still freely drink Starbucks without receiving the same level of hate and criticism.

if u call yunjin as performative activist how about yall?? hahaha u actually not just performative activist, yall also hypocrites & dumbos who don't know how to apply their so called morals, ethics and principles in every fcking situation. y'all jus being selective.  March 10, 2024

Yunjin and the Starbucks Boycott

(with a focus on Korea) a thread:  Elesia  (@BonchaeManchaee) March 10, 2024

can you stop bringing up her sister? she unliked the post, donated and linked the donation to gaza post to her instagram, yes she was ignorant but she learned, yunjin deleted many instagram posts not only the ones related to starbucks focus on the issue RIGHT now https://t.co/rKqsSerD1P   ia (@msgzuha) March 10, 2024

idc about yunjin and dont like her at all for drinking starbucks, however a lot of this criticism is very much not related to the genocide and is actually rooted in kpop stans hatred of confident women who dare to speak up their mind from time to time March 10, 2024

while yes its very upsetting and outraging to see that yunjin is drinking starbucks what were not going to do is use genocide for fucking fanwars weve been over this millions of times and yet there are some of you who still dont seem to get it https://t.co/WOYhnLcJir  kiwi  (@yunjzns) March 10, 2024

READ MORE: LE SSERAFIM Huh Yunjin Goes Viral with Her Feminist Book Choice  'Impressive to see her...'

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dawson.
After being criticized for drinking Starbucks, LE SSERAFIM Huh Yunjin is now drawing flak for her latest post on Weverse. Keep on reading for all the details.

LE SSERAFIM Huh Yunjin Shares New Post on Weverse

On March 11, 2024, Huh Yunjin took to Weverse to celebrate the end of the group's "EASY" promotions.

YUNJIN weverse post 



"hi everyone its yunjin.

our long-awaited EASY promotion is already over

a lot of peoples blood, sweat, and tears have been poured into this album  our company, staff, directors, members!

thank you so much for your hard work.



time is such a fickle pic.twitter.com/malo6UPDm1  joe (@elsserafim) March 11, 2024

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: LE SSERAFIM Huh Yunjin Draws Criticism For Cover of 'dlwlrma' During IU Concert In her post, Huh Yunjin thanked the people who helped them with the album. She commented that waiting for their comeback date felt like a long time, but the three weeks of promoting "EASY" passed by in the blink of an eye.

She talks about how she grew since the group's debut. Initially shy, her voice has now grown louder. She added that she noticed the fans' voices have also grown louder and how she sees herself in them.

CHECK THIS OUT: 'HUMAN MAC' LE SSERAFIM Huh Yunjin Goes Viral For Visuals at Brand's Event

However, it was the following portion that earned the LE SSERAFIM member backlash.

LE SSERAFIM Huh Yunjin Weverse Post Draws Criticism

In her post, she commented that she is still lacking and has so much to learn. She added that she will make countless mistakes and countless redemptions, acknowledging that the path to perfection is a lifelong battle. Huh Yunjin tells FEARNOTs that she will keep trying, falling, and getting back on her feet.

FOR YOU: 6 Female K-Pop Idols Who Rocked Underwear-Exposing Fashion: LE SSERAFIM Huh Yunjin, BLACKPINK Jennie, MORE!

She added that there are things she can and cannot say; she wants to be able to share this process with the fans. She says this in the hopes that her fans will have the courage to continue trying, and so that in the future, both she and FEARNOT can grow into the versions of themselves they dreamed of.

While her post was touching for fans, people slammed the idol for her tone-deaf post. Many were upset that Huh Yunjin's post was devoid of any direct apology or acknowledgement of her Starbucks scandal. Previously, the idol was slammed for drinking a Starbucks drink on her way to IU's concert venue on March 9.

yunjin with starbucks im tired pic.twitter.com/qtpMIxA2sC  halle  (@endedbyyoongi) March 9, 2024

FOR MORE INFORMATION: LE SSERAFIM Yunjin Faces Massive Backlash for Drinking Starbucks: 'This is disgusting...'

Her alluding to making mistakes and continuing to learn and grow from them was seen as an indirect acknowledgement of her mistake, but it was not enough for fans to forgive her. While some speculated she could not directly apologize for drinking Starbucks, others refuted this. It was noted that Jake from ENHYPEN, who is also under HYBE Labels, personally apologized to fans for drinking Starbucks via Weverse comments.

i love yunjin but she needs apologize fr. her saying, i still have so much to learn and i will make countless mistakes means (imo) she knows whats going on.



if j4ke from 3nhyp3n can be straightforward and apologize after he had starbucks in his live, then she can too  https://t.co/nhpDxTYGw9   (@ntltcbadbye) March 11, 2024

 she cant directly mention the starbucks thing or apologise because of her company/ because shes under hybe!! mind you her peer from the same label hybe, who is under a company notoriously known for controlling him and his group, was able to directly apologise for it https://t.co/459g7hmRqD March 11, 2024

READ MORE: Korean Music Critic 'Accuses' LE SSERAFIM of Plagiarism For Multiple Songs in 'EASY' Album

Currently, Starbucks is the center of a worldwide boycott. The company has been accused of supporting the genocide in Palestine. While Starbucks has stated they are neutral and do not have any political affiliations, the company was slammed for suing Starbucks Workers United after the union shared pro-Palestinian sentiments on social media.

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

KpopStarz Owns This

Written by Alexa Lopez
In a heartwarming turn of events, former Secret member and K-Pop sensation Song Jieun has revealed her upcoming marriage to the beloved YouTuber, Park Wi.

A Love That Blossomed

The announcement of their union comes after nearly ten months of public admiration for their relationship.

Song Jieun took to Instagram last December to introduce Park Wi as a cherished presence in her life, describing him as a "precious person" who entered her life like a gift. She highlighted his positive outlook on life and generous nature, sentiments that Park Wi warmly reciprocated.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: SECRET Song Jieun, Naked Face Selfie 'Twenty-Five'

A Journey of Strength and Devotion

Park Wi, a popular figure on YouTube, faced a life-altering accident in 2014, resulting in quadriplegia. Despite this tremendous challenge, his unwavering spirit and dedication to rehabilitation have enabled him to regain some mobility.

He now uses a wheelchair due to paralysis of the lower body. Their shared faith as devout Christians brought them together, with the couple meeting at church.

Netizens' Reactions

Here are the netizens' reactions to the wedding announcement of SECRET member Song Jieun and Youtuber Park Wi:

"Such a beautiful couple'

"Very very beautiful,good and precious couple.. "

"Wah congrats"

"Love this coupe congratss"

"Wow so good I'm glad you look happy Songji"

"I'm in shock my lovely"

"Happy for both of you"

" congratulations Jieun"

" I love you! And so so bless "

A Public Romance

The couple's love story has captivated fans and casual viewers alike, especially as Jieun took on the role of Park Wi's manager, often appearing on his YouTube channel, Weracle.Their public relationship has garnered widespread admiration and support.

The intimate wedding ceremony is scheduled for October 9 in the sophisticated neighborhood of Cheongdam-dong, Seoul. As they prepare to exchange vows, Song Jieun and Park Wi's love story continues to inspire netizens from around the world.

YOU MIGHT BE ALSO INTERESTED IN: SECRET Song Jieun, 'Her Face Is Smaller Than Her Head'

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Cassidy Jones.
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New Delhi, March 11: Best Agrolife Ltd (BAL) on Saturday announced the proposal to acquire Sudarshan Farm Chemicals India Pvt Ltd. (SFCL). SFCL is an established name in field of agrochemicals and innovative process chemistries having an IP portfolio of 10 patents (applied). This strategic acquisition aims to leverage SFCL's significant R&D capabilities, IP portfolio and backward integrated technical manufacturing knowledge. BAL proposes use SFCL's extensive expertise in development of cost competitive and unique manufacturing routes for off patent molecules.

The proposed acquisition will give Best Agrolife access to the complete IP portfolio of SFCL and its R&D division, complementing Best Agrolife's R&D divisions at Gajraula and Noida. Best Agrolife intends to utilise this acquisition for its technical brown field and green field capacity enhancements. DMI Group Acquires Homegrown Fintech Startup ZestMoney for an Undisclosed Sum Following Startups Shutdown Announcement.

SFCL, bears its heritage to Sudarshan Chemical Industry, a pioneer in this field for 40 years with a legacy of having earned the farmers' trust. As a part of the merger, BAL will gain access to all of SFCL's brands, including "Sutathion", "Suphos", "Suchlor" and "Sumidon". BAL intends to supplement its position in the central and south zones with the SFCL brands. NODWIN Gaming Acquires 100% of Shares of Comic Con India for Rs 55 Crore.

BAL will be able to extend its reach with the Sudarshan's network of over 2500 dealers. The extended network is planned to be an inorganic growth accelerator in alignment with the proposed capacity expansion at BAL. Best Agrolife Ltd (BAL) is a leading agrochemical company committed to delivering innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture. Presently, BAL boasts manufacturing capacities of 7,000 MTPA for technicals and 30,000 MTPA for formulations across three manufacturing plants situated in Gajraula, Greater Noida, and Jammu & Kashmir. With a network of over 8,500 distributors across India, BAL maintains an impressive portfolio of 480+ formulations and holds over 115 technical manufacturing licenses. With a focus on quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction, BAL continues to set new benchmarks in the agrochemical industry.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chennai, Mar 11 (PTI) AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday condemned Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar for taking a stand against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and hit out at both the Congress and the BJP for hypocrisy over inter-state issues.

Palaniswami, the Leader of the Opposition, also condemned the Karnataka BJP as it attacked the Congress regime in connection with release of water to the state. In a social media post, the former Chief Minister condemned Shivakumar and Karnataka BJP leader CT Ravi over providing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: 30-Year-Old Man Kills Another With Brick After Victim Refuses To Pay Rs 500 for Sexual Relationship in Ghaziabad, Arrested.

"This reflects the historic dual stand and hypocritical nature of national parties in inter-state issues." Unlike the DMK, which has been 'continuously mute and giving up the rights' of Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami said his party, the AIADMK has continuously been firm in ensuring the rights of the people of Tamil Nadu.

The AIADMK shall never allow any measures that would lead to the desertification of the entire Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu, he asserted in a post on X.

Also Read | Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Rahul Gandhi's March To Enter Maharashtra's Nandurbar on March 12, Conclude at Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai.

"I request TN Chief Minister @mkstalin to take necessary legal measures and ensure that our rights over Mother Cauvery are preserved."

The AIADMK leader's sharp reaction followed Shivakumar's comment that "there is no question of releasing Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu now at any cost."

In connection with the Cauvery issue, the BJP had attacked the Congress government, alleging that it was keen to protect the interests of the DMK, the party's alliance partner in Tamil Nadu, at the cost of Karnataka's farmers and citizens.

With Karnataka facing its worst drought in about four decades that has affected the capital city, the neighbouring state on Monday announced restrictions and stated that water from Cauvery river will not be released to Tamil Nadu.

The AIADMK has been maintaining that both the Congress and the BJP betrayed Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery issue.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], March 11 (ANI): Telugu Desam Party general secretary Nara Lokesh on Monday said that Andhra Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is "apprehensive" after TDP, Jana Sena Party and BJP formed an alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and assembly polls in the state.

Lokesh said that "no attacks" occurred on Muslims when TDP and BJP formed the government in 2014 emphasizing that their government worked for the welfare of minorities in Andhra Pradesh, a press release said.

Also Read | Rahul Kaswan Quits BJP: Churu MP Joins Congress in Presence of Party President Mallikarjun Kharge, Says 'Voice Not Being Heard' (Watch Video).

Nara Lokesh mentioned that the government led by TDP provided "Ramzan tohfa" and allocated funds for painting mosques. Additionally, it provided an honorarium for Imams and allocated funds for minorities through the Dulhan scheme

Lokesh alleged that attacks on minorities have "increased significantly" after Jagan Reddy came to power.

Also Read | Women Opting for Freelancing Jobs in India Doubled From 4% in February 2023 to 8% in February 2024: Report.

Lokesh referred to the "suicides of Abdul Salam and his family, as well as a girl named Misbhah in the Palamaner constituency" and highlighted an instance "where a minority leader named Ibrahim was allegedly killed by the YSRCP when he fought for minority lands in Narasaraopeta" . Urging minorities not to trust Jagan Mohan Reddy, Nara Lokesh said TDP had nominated three members from the minority community to the Rajya Sabha.

Lokesh criticized CM Jagan Reddy for allegedly "deceiving people through green mats and graphics" in his Siddham meetings.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said on Sunday said that he is ready to fight against the alliance and alleged that Chandrababu Naidu's cycle is "rusted and he is fetching support from other political parties".

"Elections are ahead. We are ready to fight against the alliance. YSRCP will stand with weaker sections," he said.

Lok Sabha and assembly polls will be held simultaneously in Andhra Pradesh. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, Mar 11 (PTI) Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar arrived here on Monday on a three-day visit to review preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

The general elections are likely to be held in April-May.

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No formal engagements are scheduled for the Election Commission team consisting of Kumar and nine other EC officials for Monday, officials said.

The team will hold detailed meetings with civil administration and police officials on Tuesday as part of the review process, they added.

Also Read | Telangana Shocker: Couple Poisons Two Daughters in Mahabubabad, Flee From Village on Their Two-Wheeler; Probe On.

The EC officials are also scheduled to meet representatives of political parties during the visit.

They will hold similar interactions in Jammu on Wednesday, the officials said, adding they are also likely to interact with the media there.

There has been a growing demand from political quarters in Jammu and Kashmir that the Election Commission should hold Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls or immediately after the general elections.

Former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad have raised this demand in the past two weeks.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday held a meeting with the civil and police administration to sensitise them about the measures to be taken for the smooth conduct of the Lok Sabha polls in the Union Territory.

The chief secretary asserted that the administration's objective is to ensure free and fair elections with large-scale public participation.

Dulloo impressed upon the divisional and the district administration to take all necessary measures to ensure that people do not face any hardships in exercising their democratic rights.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gurugram, March 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hit out at the Congress and said that the 'ghamandia' alliance are afraid of the pace at which development is being undertaken by the present government in the country. Addressing the event during the inauguration of the Haryana section of the Dwarka Expressway in Gurugram, the Prime Minister said that there was a 'delay' earlier but not there is 'delivery'. The government's focus is on building high-speed corridors.

"The Congress and its 'ghamandia' alliance have problems with the inauguration of these development projects. They are sleepless because of these development projects. The Congress doesn't have the strength to talk about development. When I inaugurate developmental projects, they call it the 'Chunavi strategy'. Negativity, and only negativity, is the true characteristic of Congress," PM Modi said. PM Modi in Gurugram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates Haryana Section of Dwarka Expressway (Watch Video).

The Prime Minister further said that in the last 10 years country has changed so much but the views of Congress and its friends have not changed. "Only Congress and its arrogant alliance are facing the biggest problem that's why they are saying that Modi is doing work worth lakhs of crores of rupees because of elections. The country has changed so much in 10 years, but the views of Congress and its friends have not changed. The number of their vision is still the same - all negative."

He further asserted that previous governments used to make a small plan and hold a small program and keep talking about it for five years. "The earlier governments used to make a small plan and hold a small program and keep talking about it for five years. Not even three months have passed since 2024, and in such a short time, the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 10 lakh crore has been laid and inaugurated," he added. PM Narendra Modi Interacts With 'Lakhpati Didis' in Delhi, Says 'Congress Mocked Me Whenever I Spoke About Women Empowerment' (Watch Video).

PM Modi said that changing problems into possibility is Modi's guarantee, Dwarka Expressway is a big example adding that the pace of development work will increase many times in next five years, "India of the 21st century is an India of big vision. This is an India of big goals. Today's India cannot compromise on the pace of progress. I cannot think small, nor do I dream small, nor do I make small resolutions. Whatever I want... I want it big, I want huge and I want it at a fast pace because in 2047 I want to see the country as a 'Developed India'," he said.

The Prime Minister asserted that fast development of infrastructure would help India become the third largest economy in the world. Earlier today, to help improve traffic flow and ease congestion between Delhi and Gurugram on NH-48, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Haryana section of the landmark Dwarka Expressway.

PM Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 112 National Highway projects spread across the country worth about Rs 1 lakh crore. The 19-km-long Haryana section of the 8-lane Dwarka Expressway has been built at a cost of around Rs 4,100 crore and includes two packages of 10.2 km long Delhi-Haryana Border to Basai Rail-over-Bridge (ROB) and 8.7 km long Basai ROB to Kherki Daula. It will also provide direct connectivity to the IGI Airport in Delhi and the Gurugram Bypass.

(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 11 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed AAP MLA Amanat Ullah Khan's anticipatory bail plea. He sought anticipatory bail in the Delhi Waqf Board Money Laundering case.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma dismissed the plea with some strict remarks and observations. She said that elected representatives and public figures are not above the law. A separate class cannot be created for political leaders.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Opens Kiratpur-Nerchowk Four-Lane Section To Boost Road Infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh.

He was summoned six times by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) but did not appear. His earlier plea was dismissed by the trial court.

Justice Sharma rejected the petitioner's contention that he might have been arrested if he had appeared before the ED.

Also Read | UP Shocker: Woman Kills Self Over Alleged Molestation by Minor in Agra, Accused Detained.

The High Court said that if such submissions were to be accepted that the accused might get arrested during the investigation, no person would ever enter the office of any investigating agency.

This Court cannot allow a new jurisprudence or a new set of rules, the High Court said.

"Even the lawmakers should know that disobeying the law will have legal consequences as all citizens are equal in the eyes of the law," Justice Sharma said.

The bench said that there can be no entitlement to different treatment under the same law.

The bench further said that investigating agencies in India had the right to conduct an investigation. To conclude, an MLA or any public figure is not above the law of the land, the court said.

"Actions of such public figures are observed closely by the public. This sets a bad precedent," Justice Sharma pointed out.

The High Court observed that the AAP MLA avoided six summons issued by the ED.

"Such avoidance of multiple summons is impermissible by law," the High Court said.

By avoiding the summons he obstructed the investigation and obstruction in the investigation is an obstruction in the administration of justice, the High Court said.

The high court also said that the conduct of the petitioner of not cooperating with the investigation is an erosion of the criminal justice system.

The High Court also noted that the property in question was purchased for Rs 36 crore and Rs 27 crores was paid in cash. The existence of two agreements to sell also creates doubt.

The high court said, "People also have a right to know what is the truth when their leader whom they have elected is being probed."

"Seeing the conduct of the accused for non-joining of investigation, there is no ground for granting anticipatory bail," Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said.

The High Court reserved the order on the bail plea on March 4, 2024.

It was stated that there is no bribe amount involved therefore there is no generation of Proceeds of Crime which leaves no scope of applicant's involvement in any activity of placement, layering and/or integration of any proceeds of crime and as such, there is no question of any violation of the provisions of the PMLA.

On the other hand, it was submitted by the ED that the petitioner has been issued several summons and he has been evading the same. His bail plea has already been dismissed by the trial court.

The Rouse Avenue court on March 1 dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of AAP MLA Amanat Ullah Khan.

This case is related to the Purchase of a property of Rs. 36 crores in the Okhla area at the alleged behest of Amanat Ullah Khan who is also a sitting MLA from that area.

In this case, the court has dismissed the bail application of three accused namely Zeeshan Haider, Daud Nasir and Jawed Imam Siddiqui.

A charge sheet has already been filed against four accused persons including Qausar Imam Siddiqui.

It has been alleged that Rs. 100 crore Waqf Properties were given on lease illegally. It is also alleged that 32 contractual employees were appointed in the Delhi Waqf Board during the chairmanship of Amanat Ullah Khan flouting the rules.

It was argued before the trial court that the CBI concluded in its charge sheet that leasing out properties was administrative irregularities. There were no proceeds of crime, no undue advantage and no loss to the government exchequer.

It was also argued that salaries were paid to the workers for the work done by those employees. No undue advantage by the applicant. No recovery was effected from the applicant. (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 11 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Monday listed a plea moved by the Indian National Congress (INC) seeking a stay on the Income Tax notice for recovery of more than Rs 105 crore as outstanding tax for hearing on Tuesday.

On Friday, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) dismissed the stay plea against the Income Tax Department proceedings of recovery and freezing of their bank accounts.

Also Read | Maharashtra ATS Arrests Man From Navi Mumbai for Sharing Sensitive Information With Pakistan-Based Intelligence Operative.

Though the matter was listed before the Division Bench of Justice Yashwant Verma and Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav on Monday itself but the bench listed the matter for hearing on Tuesday for a detailed hearing.

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) on Friday dismissed the plea moved by the Congress Party which sought a stay against Income Tax Department proceedings of recovery and freezing of their Bank accounts and said the Stay Application is without merit.

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ITAT bench of GS Pannu, Vice President, and Anubhav Sharma, Judicial Member on Friday passed the order and said, "We do not find that the recovery notice under Section 226(3) of the Act issued by the Assessing Officer on February 13, 2024, is lacking in bona fides, so as to require us to intervene."

At this stage, we may also refer to the reliance placed by the Senior Counsel on various judgments of the Coordinate Benches in order to support the proposition that it was an accepted practice at the level of the Tribunal that the taxpayer is entitled to a stay on the recovery proceedings on payment of 20 per cent of the demand during the pendency of the Appeal before the Tribunal. The aforesaid argument, in our view, is too general and does not merit acceptance, the bench said.

Moreover, as we have already discussed, each application for a stay has to be decided on its own facts and circumstances, and there can be no generalized approach. The stay application is without merit and, it is dismissed accordingly, said the bench in order.

The Bench, in its order, further stated that even after the rejection of the appeal by the CIT (Appeals) on March 28, 2023, no recovery action seems to have been initiated by the assessing officer to recover the demand by February 13, 2024.

On the other hand, the assessee has also not demonstrated its keenness to expeditiously settle the issue, in as much as the appeal of the assessee pending with the Tribunal had come up for hearing on three occasions, viz., September 21, 2023, November 28, 2023 and February 5, 2024 and, on each of the occasions, the record of proceedings revealed that the appellant-assessee was not prepared and sought adjournment, the bench said.

Senior Advocate Vivek Tankha, who appeared for Congress on Friday, also requested that the bench keep the order in abeyance for 10 days so that the Indian National Congress (INC) can approach the concerned High Court.

However, the bench declined the same, saying that it had no such provision or prayer before it.

Zoheb Hossain, Vipul Agrawal, Sanjeev Menon and Vivek Gurnani, advocates, appeared for the Income Tax Department in the matter before ITAT.

During arguments earlier, Congress's senior lawyer submitted that the hardship created for the assessee, which is a National Political Party, in view of the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections, alleging that the initiation of the recovery proceedings under Section 226 (3) of the Act on February 13, 2024, is so timed that the assessee would not be left with enough resources to contest the Parliamentary Elections.

Attributing malice to the action of the Assessing Officer in exercising his power of recovery under Section 226(3) of the Act, Senior Counsel Vivek Tankha further submitted that the intention is not merely to recover the outstanding demand, but to bring the activities of the assessee to a standstill, as it would not be able to meet out even the basic maintenance and establishment expenditure, noted the bench.

"If a stay is not granted, then the party would be under a grave financial crunch ahead of the general elections. So we need a protection order at this moment. Parties and elections will come and go but since revenue is a department of the government of India, it has to go by law. If there's only one party, then how will democracy survive?" asked Advocate Tankha.

Senior Advocate Vivek Tankha also submitted that the compliance requirements have been met.

"The wrong interpretation has been given by income tax. Our bank account has been frozen and on February 16, our accounts were made liens. Last evening, they went and withdrew Rs 65 crore. We are one of the largest parties and we are on the eve of the election. If our accounts are frozen like this, how will a democracy survive," he said.

Advocate Zoheb Hossain, who appeared for the Income Tax Department, submitted that this is a regular recovery proceeding with no propaganda ahead of the polls. The IT Department also argued that the conduct of Congress is not correct as they have not paid these dues from several.

The counsel for the Income Tax Department defended the decision to recover the amount and submitted that there has been a breach of rules by Congress and, in such a scenario, the entity must be treated as a normal assessee.

He submitted that on July 6, 2021, the first notice of recovery was given. He said the Congress party filed an appeal for a complete stay on October 28, 2021, but for this, they had to deposit 20 per cent of the dues as per the IT Act. He said they were requested to pay 20 percent of the demand but it was not done.

The Income Tax Department further submitted before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) that they acted with responsibility and that their action was fully in line with the law to obtain demand drafts of Rs 65 crore from the bank accounts of the Congress party.

The Income Tax Department had recovered Rs 65 crore from the accounts of the Indian National Congress out of the total outstanding tax dues of Rs 115 crore.

The Congress has recently approached the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) against the recovery and has filed a complaint and sought a stay against Income Tax Department proceedings of recovery and freezing of their bank accounts.

In the complaint, Congress said the Income Tax Department has enforced its law by encashing some of the balances lying with the banks without waiting for the outcome of the hearing scheduled before the bench. Congress appealed that the department should not proceed further till the disposal of the stay application. (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 11 (ANI): The second meeting of the Congress party's Central Election Committee (CEC) will be held at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi on Monday evening, party sources said.

According to party sources, the meeting has been convened at 6 pm and will be chaired by party national president Mallikarjun Kharge. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party MP Rahul Gandhi are also expected to attend the meeting.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress CEC Meeting Today to Finalise Candidates for Remaining Seats.

The sources said that discussions will be held on the Lok Sabha seats of Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh.

Earlier, Congress released its first list of candidates for 39 Lok Sabha constituencies on March 8.

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The names have been announced for Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshwadeep, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Telangana, and Tripura.

Of the total 39 candidates announced, 16 are from Kerala, seven from Karnataka, six from Chhattisgarh, and four from Telangana.

Two from Meghalaya and one each from Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, and Lakshwadeep.

The list of 39 candidates was released after the first Central Election Committee meeting, which was held on March 7.

Addressing the press conference, KC Venugopal said, "Out of these 39 candidates, 15 are from General category and 24 are from SC, ST, OBC, and minorities."

The BJP has already released its first list of 195 candidates. The Lok Sabha polls are likely to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) The Women and Child Development Ministry on Monday said it will launch a national curriculum for early childhood care and education for children from three to six years.

The timeline for the launch has not been announced yet.

Also Read | Mission Divyastra: PM Narendra Modi Lauds DRDO Scientists for First Flight Test of Agni-5 ICBM With Multiple Warheads.

The ministry also said that a national framework for early childhood stimulation for children from birth to three years will be launched.

The move comes in line with the National Education Policy 2020, recognizing the pivotal role of early childhood in shaping a child's future.

Also Read | Telangana Shocker: Couple Poisons Two Daughters in Mahabubabad, Flee From Village on Their Two-Wheeler; Probe On.

With 85 per cent of brain development occurring before the age of six years, the ministry said it aims to make a concerted effort towards bolstering India's early childhood care and education framework.

Under initiatives like Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, bolstered by Palna and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) schemes, the ministry aims to provide comprehensive childcare support to mothers and children under six.

This includes ensuring a secure environment, nutritional support and holistic development activities.

The National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) 2024 caters to all domains of development, fostering competency-based learning through playful, joy-based activities.

With a focus on quality improvement, the curriculum aims to align with the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022, preparing the children for primary education.

On the other hand, the National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation 2024 aims to empower caregivers and Anganwadi workers with the knowledge and tools necessary for optimal early stimulation.

By emphasizing principles such as 'serve and return' and 'love, talk, play,' the framework aims to provide a nurturing environment conducive to holistic child development.

Both documents have been prepared by the National Institute for Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), incorporating feedback from the Anganwadi workers to ensure flexibility and effectiveness.

The NIPCCD will spearhead the training of the Anganwadi functionaries on the new curriculum and framework.

The initiatives mark a significant step towards ensuring that every Anganwadi centre becomes a vibrant learning hub, fostering the holistic development of children across the nation.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 11 (ANI): After the Supreme Court dismissed an application of the State Bank of India (SBI) seeking an extension of time till June 30 to submit details of Electoral Bonds to the Election Commission of India, Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said that the people of India have the right to know who purchased the electoral bonds.

Highlighting why the disclosure by the SBI is important for people, the Congress leader said, "The people of India need to know who purchased the electoral bonds, who are the beneficiaries and whether any quid pro quo was given by the government to those who contributed to them."

Also Read | Malegaon Blast 2008 Case: Special NIA Court Issues Bailable Warrant Against BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur.

Karti said that that the State Bank of India should not have filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking an extension of the deadline to submit electoral bond data.

"SBI should have never filed the application asking for an extension of time. It was really in bad form. I am glad that the Supreme Court threw out their application and has asked them to make full disclosure by tomorrow. They should not delay it. They need to make truthful disclosure by tomorrow," Chidambaram said speaking to ANI on Monday.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Samajwadi Party, INDIA Bloc Will Be First To Emerge Victorious in General Polls, Says Akhilesh Yadav.

Meanwhile, Navy veteran-turned-RTI activist Lokesh Batra said in a lighter note that the Supreme Court has given more time to SBI.

"I think they have given more time. But this is an excellent order. If they don't comply we will see," Batra said.

In response to the time sought by the SBI from the top court, Batra said, "It is laughable."

Disclosing details of a secret number on the electoral bonds, the RTI activist said, "There is a secret number on the bond. When the political party receives it, before that, the bank matches both. This was said by the Finance Ministry when it was dug out by a journalist that there is a secret number."

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Supreme Court of India to disclose the details by March 12. A five-judge Constitution bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra ordered that the details be disclosed by the bank on March 12.

The apex court also directed the Election Commission of India to compile the information to be furnished by the SBI and publish the details on its official website no later than March 15, 2024 by 5 pm.

In its February 15 judgement, the apex court had set the deadline for SBI as March 6. The apex court had said that by March 13, the ECI should publish the details of Electoral Bonds on its official website.

The SBI last week moved the top court seeking an extension till June 30 to comply with the court's directions. (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, March 11: The Delhi Police has registered an FIR against several individuals after a scuffle broke out over a road rage incident, which further escalated into cross-firing from both sides. A video of the incident has gone viral which shows people beating each other up with sticks and hurling stones at one another.

The Delhi Police said that they received a call from the Police Control Room (PCR) at 2:33 p.m. on Sunday about firing at a lane at Sangam Vihar in Delhi's Wazirabad, following which the Station House Officer and his team rushed to the spot. After conducting an inquiry, it came to light that initially a quarrel broke out between one Shavez and Salman, both residents of Delhi's Sangam Vihar over a scooter sliding abrasively against a mini-truck, police said. Road Rage in Maharashtra: Car Driver Mows Down Biker After Smashing Three Cars in Palghar's Arnala (Watch Video)

The quarrel escalated into a scuffle among the relatives, friends, and neighbours of both sides which led to firing and counter-firing, police said adding that no one was injured in the firing. A total of three persons sustained injuries in the quarrel. One Mohsin has been apprehended with his pistol for allegedly firing, police said. Another accused, Arshad who cross-fired has also been apprehended, they said. Road Rage in Ghaziabad: Man Dragged on Car's Bonnet for Three Kilometres in Uttar Pradesh, Disturbing Video Surfaces

The police have registered a case against all accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. The investigation is in progress.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow, March 11: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that his party along with the INDIA bloc will register the first victory in Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "The Samajwadi Party was the first to announce its seats and start the campaign. You will see that the first victory will be that of the Samajwadi Party and the INDIA bloc...We were the first to form an alliance, distribute seats, release campaign song...," Akhilesh Yadav said speaking to reporters at a joint press conference with state Congress President Ajay Rai on Monday.

Yadav pointed out that the integrated terminal 3 (T3) of the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (CCSIA) that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was built when the Samajwadi party was in power in Uttar Pradesh. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress to Contest on 11 Seats in Uttar Pradesh, Announces Akhilesh Yadav.

"The airport and runway that was inaugurated were built when the Samajwadi party was in power in the state. It was built during Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) and was expanded during the time of the last Samajwadi Party government, whether it is Azamgar or Moradabad. Even the Lucknow airport was constructed when our government was in power," the Samajwadi Party chief said.

Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Yadav said that the upcoming Lok Sabha election will be fought to save the Constitution and democracy. "The slogan Sabka Satha Sabka Vikas is the biggest lie. Where is everyone prospering? This election is on saving the Constitution, democracy, the idea of Dr Ram Manihar Lohia's socialist society and to save the rights and respect of the farmers, poor and those are from minority," the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Mamata Banerjee, Bhagwant Mann Deal Double Blow to INDIA Bloc, Say No Alliance in West Bengal, Punjab for General Polls.

In response to the BJP claiming that the candidates fielded by their party belong to the "actual PDA", Yadav took a dig saying it is good that the BJP has at least started to speak on PDA. "It is good that they have started speaking on the PDA. Those in BJP are fake PDA. How many Vice Chancellors who were appointed were from PDA? How many district officials posted are from PDA? How many directors of this University (Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University) are from PDA? The Bharatiya Janata Party is only concerned about taking the votes of PDA but not giving them their rights and respect," Yadav said.

The Samajwadi Party and the Congress will contest the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in alliance with the Congress contesting 17 seats while the SP will contest 63 seats.

(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 11 (PTI) Sebi on Monday announced expanding the Qualified Stock Broker (QSB) framework that will bring more brokers under enhanced obligations, a move aimed at bolstering the trust of investors in the securities market.

The decision will also help in strengthening the compliance culture among stock brokers.

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Now, the parameters of proprietary trading volumes, compliance and grievance redressal scores will also be taken into account while classifying stock brokers as QSBs, according to a circular.

At present, there are five parameters for classifying a stock broker under the QSB framework -- total number of active clients, available total assets of clients, trading volumes of the stock broker (excluding the proprietary trading volume of the stock broker), and the end of day margin obligations of all clients.

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The margin obligations exclude the proprietary margin obligation of the stock broker concerned in all segments.

QSBs are required to meet various enhanced obligations and discharge responsibilities to ensure appropriate governance structure, risk management policy and processes, robust cyber security framework.

In the circular announcing the enhanced QSB framework, Sebi said it is part of "measures to instill trust in securities market".

The move also comes against the backdrop of instances of alleged misdoings by some stock brokers.

"Once the revised list of QSBs is released, those QSBs which no longer belong to the list, shall continue to comply with the enhanced obligations and responsibilities, for an additional period of 3 financial years or such time, as may be specified by Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs), in consultation with Sebi," the circular said.

The regulator said the latest provisions will come into force in a risk-based, staggered manner to ensure smooth adoption and effective implementation for all the QSBs by providing enough time for them, based on their size, for making necessary changes.

As part of strengthening the compliance culture among stock brokers, Sebi said it has also been decided to facilitate stock brokers to voluntarily get designated as QSBs, who otherwise would not have qualified to become QSBs.

For designating stock brokers as QSBs, the applicable date will be September 1 of the subsequent year with respect to two parameters -- compliance score and grievance redressal score.

The rest of the parameters will be applicable on June 1 of the subsequent year.

On February 24, Sebi Whole Time Member Kamlesh Chandra Varshney cautioned against manipulations in the capital market and urged brokers to keep a tab and prevent such instances.

At that time, he had also emphasised the importance of investor trust and said if there is no trust of investors, "everything will fail".

Manipulations are going on and Sebi cannot intervene in all of them. Some brokers are involved and the broker community should keep an eye as "bad elements can come into the system", he had said.

Clamping down on misdoings, the markets watchdog has been taking action against various entities for manipulations, including front-running activities.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Pudukkottai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 11 (ANI): Seven fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on the charges of 'trespassing' in the early hours of March 10. As per the information, the seven fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for trespassing while fishing at a distance of 32 nautical miles near Neduntheevu Naval Camp, Sri Lanka.

These fishermen had set sail from the Jegathapattinam barge port on March 9.

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The arrested fisherman has been identified as Kaliappan, Akhilan, Kodi Mari, Sheikh Abdullah, Thangaraj, Jayaraman and Saravanan.

The arrested fishermen belong to Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram and Pudukottai Districts.

Also Read | Gurugram Horror: Mentally-Ill Son Stabs Mother to Death, Sets Flat on Fire After She Calls Him Mad.

Earlier, six fishermen who were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy were released in February.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed concerns about the increase in attacks on members of the state's fishing community in the region and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and resolve the issue at the earliest.

In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, Chief Minister Stalin stated, "I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the alarming increase in incidents of apprehension of Tamil fishermen and their boats by the Sri Lankan authorities. This issue severely impacts the right to livelihood of these fishermen, as the communities have utilised these fishing waters for generations."

Additionally, Stalin added, 'During 2023, the Sri Lankan navy arrested 243 fishermen and seized 37 boats. However, in the past 28 days alone, 88 fishermen and 12 boats were apprehended in six incidents.' (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 11 (PTI) The Trinamool Congress and the CPI deciding to go it alone in West Bengal and Jharkhand respectively has dealt a big blow to the INDIA bloc and its efforts to unitedly fight and defeat the BJP across the country, some opposition leaders have said.

After the TMC's strong rebuff to the Congress by announcing candidates for all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, the grand old party has now initiated talks with the CPI-M for a possible tie-up in the state.

Also Read | Ramzan 2024: Moon Sighted in Various Parts of Country, Muslims in India To Begin Fasting From March 12.

The Left parties have also said the remaining INDIA bloc members would have to restrategise to defeat the TMC and the BJP in West Bengal "to save democracy".

The INDIA bloc was formed by more than two dozen non-NDA parties including the Congress and the TMC to take on the BJP unitedly and defeat it in the 2024 general elections.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Opens Kiratpur-Nerchowk Four-Lane Section To Boost Road Infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress on Sunday gave a major shock to the opposition grouping Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) by declaring all its candidates from West Bengal.

Sources said West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has initiated talks with the CPI and CPI-M for a possible seat-sharing deal for the state.

Differences within the INDIA parties and their reluctance to part with seats in states ruled by regional players have caused friction within the alliance, leading to a direct contest between some of the partners in states like West Bengal, Kerala and Punjab.

While the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress are contesting together in Delhi, they are against each other in Punjab and so are left parties and the Congress in Kerala. In West Bengal too, the TMC and the Congress will be pitted against each other now.

Even as some members of the INDIA grouping are fighting against each other, the Congress has invited the leaders of all the parties to its public rally in Mumbai on March 17 to mark the culmination of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

"We have extended an invitation to all parties to attend the joint public rally of INDIA bloc in Mumbai on March 17 and we expect all the parties to be together on one platform on the occasion," said Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh.

The Congress, however, remained tight-lipped on TMC and CPI's decision to fight separately and said their doors are open for an alliance even with the withdrawal of candidates.

When asked about INDIA bloc constituents up against each other, a senior Congress leader did not rule out the possibility of a "friendly fight" in some states.

Another senior leader, when asked about the TMC's snub to the Congress in West Bengal, said, "The two parties are ideologically together, but are separate on seat-sharing."

The leader said on the condition of anonymity that the TMC and the CPI breaking ranks with the INDIA bloc is a "big blow" to the opposition unity.

A senior opposition leader also questioned the commitment of some parties in fighting the BJP. The are feeling "pressured" by the ruling dispensation and are unable to fight them out, he said.

Some parties are working in favour of the BJP out of fear of probe agencies, he said.

"When on the discussion table, they talk of fighting the BJP together and oust them from power, but now they are fighting against each other in elections. This shows their intent to fight the BJP is not sincere," said a leader.

Another leader said it will have to be seen whether the opposition alliance remains together till the Lok Sabha elections and if their fight against the BJP is still united or scattered and "half-hearted".

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has said that in West Bengal, public gatherings are uniting against the divisive and autocratic policies of both TMC and BJP.

CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury said that with the TMC announcing all its candidates, the other INDIA bloc parties will have to sit together and decide how to go about the polls and defeat the "BJP and TMC".

"If the TMC has announced (its candidates), it is a clear indication that rest of the parties will have to sit together and decide how to proceed in fighting these elections in Bengal," he said

"We are asking all secular forces in Bengal to come together to defeat the BJP and the TMC, which actually has taken such unilateral decisions... CPI(M)'s appeal has always been to defeat BJP and defeat TMC in order to save democracy in India and Bengal," he said.

The leaders of 26 opposition parties of the INDIA bloc are expected to be together on one platform once again at the Mumbai rally organised by the Congress.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tiruchirappalli (TN), Mar 11 (PTI) Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) chief TTV Dhinakaran on Monday announced his party's unconditional support to the BJP for the soon to be announced Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking to reporters, Dhinakaran said his party's alliance with the BJP is confirmed. He said: "TN BJP President K Annamalai and BJP leader Kishan Reddy spoke to me over phone and I have conveyed to them the unconditional support of AMMK to the BJP-led alliance."

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Arrives at BJP Headquarters for Central Election Committee Meeting Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 (Watch Video).

Dhinakaran said he could not meet the BJP leaders on Monday as he was out of Chennai.

The AMMK leader said the BJP leaders had been in touch with them for the past six months and talks were on for about three months now.

Also Read | Ramzan 2024: Moon Sighted in Various Parts of Country, Muslims in India To Begin Fasting From March 12.

While it is certain that people will give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a third term in office, his party, the AMMK will contribute like a 'squirrel,' to ensure victory for the BJP in Tamil Nadu.

On seat-sharing, the AMMK leader said his party's demands will be reasonable. There is no issue as regards the number of constituencies to be allotted to his party and the Lok Sabha segments from where his party nominees will contest.

To a question, Dhinakaran said his party there was absolutely no pressure on his party to contest on BJP's lotus symbol.

Answering another question, he said if policies and ideologies matched, there was no need for the presence of separate political parties and the understanding between parties is confined to electoral purpose.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Thane, March 11: Unidentified persons allegedly opened fire at a house in Kalyan area of Maharashtra's Thane district in the wee hours of Monday, police said. No one was injured, they said, adding the motive behind the firing was not yet known. The incident took place at around 1 am in Chikanghar locality. Thane Shocker: Body of 62-Year-Old Unidentified Man Found in Retibandar Creek Near Kharegaon Toll Naka in Kalwa Area (See Pic)

The house occupants woke up to the loud sound of firing and found pellets falling in a room after piercing through the roof, an official from MFC police station in Kalyan division said. The police registered a case against unidentified persons and a probe was on into it, he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, March 11: A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Monday asked the State Bank of India to apprise it about the steps taken so far to ensure disclosure of details of electoral bonds encashed by political parties before the scheme was scrapped last month. Commencing the crucial hearing, the bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said it had asked the SBI to do a "plain disclosure" as per the court's judgment. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Infighting Begins After TMC Releases List of Candidates in West Bengal, Sayantika Banerjee Resigns.

In a landmark verdict delivered on February 15, a five-judge Constitution bench scrapped the Centre's electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous political funding, calling it "unconstitutional" and ordered disclosure by the Election Commission of donors, the amount donated by them and the recipients by March 13. "In the last 26 days, what steps have you taken? Your application is silent on that," the bench, also comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, J B Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, said. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP's Central Election Committee To Meet Today in Delhi; Likely To Discuss More LS Candidates.

The SBI has to just open the sealed cover, collate the details and give the information to the Election Commission, the bench said.

The hearing in the case is underway. The State Bank of India has sought an extension till June 30 to disclose the details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties before the scheme was scrapped. A separate plea, seeking initiation of contempt action against the SBI is also being heard.

(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 11 (PTI) AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak on Monday accused the BJP of trying to defame the Delhi government by blocking the city's sewerage network.

His claim drew a sharp response from the BJP, which alleged that the lawmaker is trying to evade his duties by levelling charges against the saffron party.

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Addressing a press conference, Pathak noted that there has been an increasing number of cases of blocked sewers and sewage overflow at many places during the last few days.

"When the Delhi Jal Board tried to clean it, they found bags filled with sand and cement in the sewers in various areas. Overflow is happening in such places where it has not happened for 25 to 30 years. All this cannot be a coincidence. Everything is happening under the BJP's dirty conspiracy," he alleged.

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He also showed pictures and videos of the overflowing sewers.

"The deliberate blocking of the sewerage system can only be done by someone with an agenda, whose purpose is to defame Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his government, to defame the AAP government and the local MLA and the councillor of the party. All of this is happening under the BJP's conspiracy," Pathak claimed.

He demanded that the BJP apologise to the people of Delhi and called for a thorough investigation in the matter.

Hitting back, the BJP's Delhi unit said sewer cleaning is the task of the Delhi Jal Board, which does not perform the job for months on end, leading to choked and overflowing sewers.

Praveen Shankar Kapoor, a BJP Delhi unit spokesperson, challenged Pathak to show CCTV evidence to prove that any BJP worker had blocked the sewers or take back his allegation and apologise to the saffron party.

(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 11 (PTI) Coromandel International on Monday said it has provided 200 drones to women members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and also provided training to operate them.

Coromandel International Ltd is one of the leading agri-solutions providers. It operates in two major segments: nutrient and other allied businesses and crop protection. These include fertiliser, crop protection, bio-products, specialty nutrients and organic businesses.

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In a statement, the company said it has delivered 200 drones to women from Self Help Groups (SHGs), towards modernising farming.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually handed over 1,000 drones, including 200 drones supplied by Coromandel International, to the members of various SHGs, it added.

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The company said the drones will be used by the women SHG members in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. The company has also trained the local women pilots to operate these drones.

Commenting on the initiative of providing drones to women, Anoop Upadhyay, Co-Founder of drone maker IoTechWorld Avigation, said the drone technology is a game-changer for farmers, saving them time, water, and money.

"We believe it can increase their income by 20-25%. For this reason, the government and the Prime Minister are promoting Drone Didi to empower women at the grassroots level. This is likely to increase the livelihood and income of rural women," he said.

Upadhyay hoped that demand for drones in rural area would increase substantially in the near future.

In a separate statement, drone manufacturer Marut Drones said it has trained 150 SHG women in agri drone technology operated AG365 drones at the Namo Drone Didi event.

The 'Namo Drone Didi' scheme is aimed at empowering rural women by training them to be drone pilots and making them integral stakeholders of the local farming supply chains. As part of the scheme, the government aims to help 15,000 women-led SHGs with agricultural drones for crop monitoring, spraying fertilisers and crop protection chemicals.

(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 11 (PTI) The government has abolished wireless operating licence and launched a regulatory sandbox for quick and online approval of product testing, Union Communications and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Monday.

While speaking at the curtain raiser of the telecom sector event India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024, the minister said that the wireless operating licence was abolished a few months back but it is being formalised now.

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"There was a wireless operating licence. For operating wireless devices they had to take wireless operating licences. That has been done away with. It was done away for a few months and we are formalising it today," Vaishnaw said.

The minister unveiled a regulatory sandbox for the telecom sector.

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He said that through the regulatory sandbox, the DoT will provide online approval for product testing at minimal charge in an easy manner to even enable students to test their products.

Vaishnaw said that 15 organisations including industry bodies ICEA, MAIT, Nasscom should come together to make it Asia's biggest technology event to be held from October 15-19.

The India Mobile Congress is currently organised by telecom industry body COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India) with the support of the Department of Telecommunications.

"Put in some effort and take the target of 1000 exhibitors. We should make tech-oriented organisations-- MAIT, ICEA, and Nasscom an integral part of IMC. I would like you to get into EV, connected cars, people who are into IOT devices, particularly entire tech serviced by telecom. If that is the goal then we should look at 15 organisations jointly organising it. Then only we will be able to reach the 1000 mark," Vaishnaw said.

IMC had 247 exhibitors in 2023.

The IMC will coincide with the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA 2024) from 15-24 October 2024 preceded by Global Standards Symposium (GSS 2024) on 14 October 2024 at New Delhi.

The minister said that the industry should make an effort to involve college students in WTSA and IMC from 500 colleges.

He said that the government will bring on board Indian Railways for logistics and bring students to attend these events.

"Practically every technology program that we are doing, we are involving students at the college level," Vaishnaw said.

COAI Chairman PK Mittal said that it was a great pleasure to know that the government has introduced another path-breaking reform by doing away with WOL which will facilitate ease of doing business and expedite rollout of wireless services.

COAI, Director General, SP Kochhar said IMC has become Asia's largest digital technology showcase platform, gaining global recognition and appreciation in the process.

"We are making all efforts to position it on a greater scale this year, to display India's tech prowess in the dynamic digital arena," he said.

The IMC 2023 recorded over 618 use cases, 247 exhibitors, 17 ministries, over 150,000 attendees from 67 countries, 513 speakers spread across 86 sessions.

"We will make all efforts to live up to the tall order of the Hon'ble minister to make IMC a tech and telecom event of global scale. We will collaborate with other organisations and global players to strive to reach the bigger goal of 1000 exhibitors as laid down by Hon'ble Minister," IMC CEO Ramakrishna P said.

(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 11 (PTI) Alcoholic beverages makers' body CIABC on Monday said the free trade agreement between India and four European nation bloc EFTA will help push the growth of the domestic wine industry.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

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The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) Director General Vinod Giri said that time-bound reduction of customs duties on an equitable and sustainable level will support the domestic industry.

As per the documents of the agreement, duty concessions on wine are similar to those given to Australia, with no concessions for wines costing less than USD 5.

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Wines priced between USD 5 and less than USD 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.

For wines costing USD 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.

"The India-EFTA trade deal will help in providing easier access to high-quality wines from EFTA countries without affecting the domestic wine industry adversely by ensuring that the concessions cut-off remains above the lower price segments where most of the domestic industry operates," Giri said.

He said that the deal will also help the domestic industry further lift its quality by exposure to quality wines and possible investments.

"The deal will spur growth of the Indian wine industry," Giri noted.

He further said the time horizon of 10 years for the staggered reduction of customs duties is long enough to help the domestic industry raise its competitiveness and product quality to match the best.

"The deal is similar to India's trade deal with Australia which ensures no cross effects. The domestic wine industry supports over 6,000 grape-growing farmers," he added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kingston, Mar 11 (AP) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet Monday with Caribbean leaders in Jamaica as part of an urgent push to solve Haiti's spiraling crisis, while pressure grows on Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign or agree to a transitional council.

Henry is expected to attend the closed-door meeting organised by members of a regional trade bloc known as Caricom who for months have pressed for a transitional government in Haiti as violent protests demanded Henry's resignation.

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Whilst we are making considerable progress, the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be, Caricom said in a statement Friday announcing the urgent meeting in Jamaica.

Attacks by powerful gangs on key government targets began February 29 across Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince. Gunmen have burned police stations, closed the main international airports and raided the country's two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

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Scores of people have been killed, and more than 15,000 people are homeless after fleeing neighbourhoods raided by gangs. Food and water are dwindling as stands and stores selling to impoverished Haitians run out of goods.

The main port in Port-au-Prince remains closed, stranding dozens of containers with critical supplies.

Henry remains locked out of his country, landing in Puerto Rico last week after being denied entry into the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

When the attacks began, Henry was in Kenya pushing for the UN-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country that has been delayed by a court ruling.

A growing number of people are demanding the resignation of Henry, who has not issued any public comment since the attacks began.(AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New York, Mar 11 (PTI) Four prominent Indian and Indian-American women were honoured here for their achievements and contributions to society on the occasion of International Women's Day.

Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Neena Singh, Dr Indu Lew and Megha Desai were the honorees at the 6th edition of the International Women's Day commemoration event hosted by the Consulate General of India in New York and the Federation of Indian Associations.

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Gaekwad is a visionary committed to education and community empowerment through her philanthropic work, the FIA said in a release.

Singh is the first Indian and Sikh woman Mayor in New Jersey and is known for her dedication to mental wellness and community engagement.

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Lew rose from being a clinical pharmacist to becoming the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at RWJBarnabas Health, demonstrating exceptional leadership in healthcare.

Desai is the President of the Desai Foundation, whose work focuses on improving health, livelihood, and menstrual equity for women and children in rural India, the release said.

The event recognised the achievements of four extraordinary women, celebrating their significant contributions across various fields and reinforcing a commitment to empowerment and recognition.

Consul General of India in New York Binaya Pradhan and FIA President Dr Avinash Gupta, addressing the gathering at the Consulate on Friday, acknowledged the indispensable role of women in society and the significant strides made towards women's empowerment in India, commemorating the spirit of International Women's Day and applauding the awardees' contributions, the release said.

The awardees were each honoured with a trophy and proclamation, recognising their outstanding achievements and contributions.

FIA is a leading diaspora organisation in the United States, dedicated to enhancing cultural ties and advocating for the welfare and interests of the Indian community.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], March 11 (ANI): New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters arrived in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Sunday night on an official visit.

Winston Peters is on an official visit to India from March 10 to 13 at the invitation of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release.

Also Read | UK: Driver Crashes Car Into Buckingham Palace Gates in London; Arrested (Watch Video).

Deputy Prime Minister Peters will be visiting Ahmedabad and New Delhi on his first visit to India after the new government in New Zealand assumed office in November 2023. He had earlier visited India as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in February 2020, the release added.

In Ahmedabad, Deputy Prime Minister Peters is expected to meet the political leadership of Gujarat on March 11, 2024.

Also Read | Ramadan 2024 Date: Muslims Spot Ramzan Crescent Moon in Saudi Arabia, Meaning Month of Fasting Starts From March 11.

In New Delhi, EAM and Deputy Prime Minister Peters are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on March 12, 2024, during which the entire gamut of our bilateral relationship with New Zealand is expected to be discussed.

Deputy Prime Minister Peters is also scheduled to have meetings with other dignitaries during his official visit to India, it also said.

India and New Zealand share warm and friendly relations based on the commonalities of democratic traditions and shared values bolstered by strong people-to-people ties.

The two countries are engaging in cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade and economy, defence and security, education and research, and environment and climate change, the MEA release concluded.

Bilateral relations were established in 1952 between India and New Zealand. New Zealand has identified India as a priority country in its "Opening Doors to India" policy notified in October 2011, which was reiterated by New Zealand in 2015. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Patna, March 11: Three persons including a school student were killed while twelve other passengers were injured after a speeding bus overturned in Bihars Samastipur district on Monday. The bus was on the way from Mathurapur to Baheri and overturned near Rewra Mor. The deceased were walking on the pavement when the accident took place.

Following the accident, the driver managed to flee from the spot prompting local residents to protest and block the road. Khanpur SHO Muhammad Fahim said that police have rescued the injured and the situation is under control. Bihar Road Accident: Three Youths Killed in Road Mishap As Speeding Bike Crashes Into Parked Truck in Kaimur District (Watch Video).

"We have rescued the injured passengers and admitted them to the Sadar hospital. The dead bodies have also been recovered and sent for the postmortem. We are making efforts to identify the errant driver. He will be arrested soon, Fahim said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 11, 2024 05:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Aamir Khan, producer of Lahore 1947, praises Karan Deol's natural qualities as he cast him in the film. Karan's innocence, sincerity, and honesty were highlighted as valuable assets for the project.
Samsung is set to launch its highly anticipated smartphone from Galaxy A series, the Samsung Galaxy A35 and Samsung Galaxy A55, today at 02.30 PM in India. As per reports, the Samsung Galaxy A35 will likely to be powered by the Exynos 1380 Processor, while the Samsung Galaxy A55 could come equipped with the Exynos 1480 Processor. The Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55 are rumoured to boast a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz of refresh rate. The Samsung Galaxy A55 is expected to come with a 5,000mAh battery with 25W wired charging support. The price of Samsung Galaxy A35 might start at Rs 34,000 and the price of Samsung Galaxy A55 is expected to start at Rs 43,000. Google Lens App: How To Enable Google Lens New Feature That Lets You Save Visual Search History.

Samsung Galaxy A35 5G and Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Launch Today

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
New Delhi, March 11: Adani Group Founder and Chairman Gautam Adani on Monday said he met chip maker Qualcomms President and CEO Cristiano Amon, and had a detailed discussion around semiconductors, AI, mobility and edge appliances -- area in which India is taking bold steps with big investments flowing in. In a post of X, Gautam Adani said that it was a great meeting with the Qualcomm CEO and his leaders.

Inspiring to hear his vision for semiconductors, AI, mobility, edge appliances and much more across different markets, said the Adani Group Founder. Exciting to hear about his plans and commitment to India's potential, Gautam Adani added. India has embarked on its ambitious semiconductor journey with a likely groundbreaking ceremony of three new semiconductor projects worth $15.14 billion, including two from the Tata Group, soon. Elon Musks Aerospace Company SpaceX Aces Double Launch of 46 Starlink Internet Satellites Under Six Hours.

Gautam Adani With Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon:

Great meeting with Qualcomm CEO @cristianoamon & his leaders! Inspiring to hear his vision for semiconductors, AI, mobility, edge appliances and much more across different markets. Exciting to hear about his plans and commitment to India's potential! pic.twitter.com/g20X6iHhDU  Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) March 11, 2024

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, recently approved the establishment of these units that are set to generate direct employment of 20,000 advanced technology jobs and nearly 60,000 indirect jobs. In a big push to the vision of 'Making AI in India' and 'Making AI Work for India', the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week approved the comprehensive national-level IndiaAI Mission with a budget outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore. Airbnb Fined for Its Failure To Properly Verify Information of Short-Term Rental Hosts for Customers in South Korea.

On the mobility front where the requirement for high-end chips for next-gen vehicles is constantly increasing, the Adani Group and Uber may soon announce a joint venture (JV) to help the global ride-hailing major expand its fleet that runs on alternative and renewable energy, which is a thrust to the government's green energy goals. The Adani Group is likely to explore partnerships with major Indian vehicle manufacturers to further build the fleet in the key sunrise sector.
On 9 March Guerrero state attorney generals office (FGE) announced it was investigating the state police over the killing of a student from the Ayotzinapa rural teacher training college in state capital Chilpancingo two days earlier.

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On 8 March the Brazilian press reported that supreme court (STF) justicehad ordered that former president(2019-2023) and his allies be prohibited from attending official events held by the armed forces and military police.

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On 8 March a US federal court convicted Honduras former president(Partido Nacional, PN, 2014-2022), on three drug and weapons-related counts.

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Donald Trump may have just defamed E. Jean Carroll, the woman he was found liable of sexually assaulting, once again. This came just a day after he posted a $91.6 million bond for losing against Carroll in her previous defamation case against him.

During a campaign rally in Rome, Georgia, Trump talked about the $91.6 million bond he posted on March 8 and stood by his 2019 statement that writer E. Jean Carroll made a "totally false accusation" against him. This is despite the court finding that he is liable for defamation and was ordered to pay $83.3 million in damages to Carroll for defaming her, leading him to pay that massive bond.

"I just posted a $91 million bond, $91 million on a fake story, totally made-up story," the former president told his supporters in Georgia. He added that the judgment was "based on false accusations made about me by a woman that I knew nothing about, didn't know, never heard of, I know nothing about her."

Despite these comments, evidence presented in court showed that they did know each other, with Trump continually praising Carroll's husband previously. CNBC noted Trump repeated these claims before.

"She wrote a book, she said things, and when I denied it, I said, 'It's so crazy, it's false,' I get sued for defamation," Trump once again stated. "They changed the law that allowed women to go back, like unlimited ... then she went back and she said, mid-90s maybe, I have no idea."

Donald Trump Endorses Lauren Boebert in Colorado; It Might Not Be Enough

Donald Trump also announced that he was endorsing embattled Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado. Boebert is facing a myriad of issues, from her sex scandal to her son having a sex tape to her son stealing money and her messy divorce.

READ MORE: Arizona Supreme Court Rejects Kari Lake Bid To Toss Out Defamation Lawsuit Over False Election Claims

However, even with the Trump endorsement, Boebert might not even win her primary in the heavily-conservative 4th District of Colorado. She still ended with a third-place straw poll finish even with that endorsement, according to The Independent.

Donald Trump Praises Hungarian Autocrat Viktor Orban During His Visit to Mar-a-Lago

Meanwhile, as Trump is dealing with the E. Jean Carroll, he also hosted Hungarian autocrat Viktor Orban, who is being praised by the far right over his extreme stances. He stated, "There's nobody that's better, smarter, or a better leader than Viktor Orban. He's fantastic."

Trump described the meeting with Orban as a "social meeting" with no agenda. He also called it "an honor" and noted that he and the Hungarian leader "kept in touch" after he left the White House.

As CNN noted, Orban has become infamous for his far-right rhetoric. The populist leader is known for his fierce anti-immigration rhetoric, Christian nationalism, and hostility to LGBTQ rights. These stances on various issues have made him very popular with Trump's far-right base.

READ NEXT: Donald Trump Financial Statements Errors: Independent Monitor Finds Trump Organization Could Have Falsified Financial Disclosures

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: BREAKING: Trump suddenly at risk of NEW MAJOR lawsuit - Brian Tyler Cohen
The US military has taken swift action to enhance security at the US Embassy in Haiti amidst escalating gang attacks, deploying additional forces and facilitating the departure of nonessential personnel.

The move comes as the situation in the capital, Port-au-Prince, remains volatile, with gangs exerting control over the surrounding neighborhood.

The US Southern Command clarified in a statement that the deployment involved helicopters, emphasizing that no Haitians were on board the US military aircraft, according to AP News.

This clarification aims to dispel speculation about the departure of senior government officials amid the worsening security conditions.

"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," stated the Southcom release.

Nonessential personnel, typically including diplomats' families, had already been directed to leave in July, suggesting that the US embassy staff recently transported may have been part of a rotation process.

READ NEXT: Haiti Extends State of Emergency

European Union Takes Measures Amidst Security Concerns

In response to the Haiti crisis due to the deteriorating security situation, the European Union's delegation in Haiti has temporarily closed its offices and minimized its presence in the country.

The decision, driven by security concerns, reflects the broader instability in the region, Reuters noted.

Haiti declared a state of emergency last Sunday, coinciding with Prime Minister Ariel Henry's absence in Nairobi, where he sought a resolution for the long-delayed UN-backed mission.

Despite Kenya's earlier commitment to lead the force, domestic legal challenges have hindered the mission's progress.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in discussions with Kenyan President William Ruto, reiterating their dedication to a multinational security mission to restore order in Haiti.

The US embassy emphasizes its commitment to supporting the Haitian people, including backing the Haitian National Police, expediting the deployment of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, and facilitating a quiet transition of power through free and fair elections.

State of Emergency Extended as Gang Violence Persists

The state of emergency in Haiti, initially declared for three days, has been extended by a month due to heightened gang violence in the vicinity of the US embassy and the airport.

The US State Department justified the departure of additional US embassy staff, citing security concerns in the face of escalating violence, BBC reports.

Despite these challenges, the embassy reassured the public that it would remain open, emphasizing the United States' ongoing commitment to supporting Haiti's stability.

The evacuation of personnel reportedly took place through a pre-dawn operation involving US military helicopters, according to reports from nearby residents.

The deteriorating situation in Haiti is underscored by the suspension of operations at the country's main port, attributed to sabotage and vandalism.

Gangs intensified their attacks when Prime Minister Ariel Henry left for a regional summit, causing disruptions in both domestic and international travel.

The German ambassador to Haiti, along with other EU representatives, has left for the Dominican Republic following Germany's decision to suspend operations in Haiti.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Henry's attempts to return to Port-au-Prince faced setbacks, with both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic rejecting his plane.

Amid the turmoil, Prime Minister Henry has not made any public statements since his visit to Kenya, where he met with President Ruto to salvage a deal for a multinational force to restore order in Haiti.

The international community, particularly the United States and the European Union, remains committed to addressing the Haiti crisis and ensuring a secure and stable future for their people.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Refuses Troop Deployment to Haiti

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WATCH: U.S. evacuates nonessential embassy employees out of Haiti - From NBC News
Senator Katie Britt, the 42-year-old junior United States senator from Alabama since 2023, addressed questions arising from her SOTU response, where she criticized President Joe Biden's border and immigration policies.

During Katie Britt SOTU rebuttal, the senator recounted the story of a woman who was sexually assaulted in a trafficking operation run by cartels, stating that the abuse began when the woman was 12 years old, according to USA Today.

Questions were raised about the timing and details of the story, leading to a clarification by Britt's spokesperson, Sean Ross.

According to Ross, the senator was referring to an account of a woman who was sexually assaulted in Mexico, not the United States.

The incidents occurred from 2004 to 2008, more than a decade before Biden assumed the presidency.

In response to scrutiny from Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream, Britt clarified that she did not intend to give the impression that the story occurred during President Biden's tenure.

Instead, she used the opportunity to further criticize Joe Biden's handling of border security and immigration.

Britt defended her stance, emphasizing her efforts to gather information during her visits to the southern border.

She expressed a commitment to understanding the challenges faced by border patrol agents, victims of drug cartels, and the local population.

READ NEXT: Gold Star Father Arrested After Heckling Joe Biden's Speech

Investigation Reveals Origin of Senator's Story

Freelance journalist Jonathan Katz conducted a detailed investigation, posting a video on TikTok that traced the story referenced to Senator Katie Britt SOTU rebuttal.

The events unfolded in Mexico in the mid-2000s, and Katz linked it to a 2023 press release from Senator Marsha Blackburn.

Blackburn, along with Senators Britt and Cindy Hyde-Smith, visited Eagle Pass, Texas, in January 2023, shortly after Britt assumed office.

The press release highlighted their engagement with Karla Jacinto Romero, a human trafficking survivor, CNN reports.

Jacinto Romero publicly shared her story in a 2015 hearing on sex trafficking, recounting years of emotional and sexual violation starting at the age of 12.

Senator Britt had previously mentioned this story, including on Capitol Hill in September 2023, according to her social media account.

White House spokesman Andrew Bates responded to the controversy, urging Senator Britt to focus on supporting bipartisan border legislation.

He criticized her for perpetuating "debunked lies" and prioritizing human smugglers and fentanyl traffickers over national security.

Republican Rep. Chip Roy Defends Britt Amid Criticism

Republican Representative Chip Roy from Texas defended Senator Katie Britt SOTU rebuttal to her lack of Senate speech experience.

Roy took to X, alleging that GOP leadership set Britt up for failure by assigning her the rebuttal without prior Senate speech experience.

Roy criticized party leaders for not adequately preparing Britt, leading to a speech mocked as awkward and stilted, even becoming the focus of a Saturday Night Live cold open, per The Hill.

The representative argued that the party's mishandling allowed the focus to shift from policy issues to the senator's delivery and choice of venue.

Roy urged Republican voters to reject leadership that distracts from policy discussions, emphasizing the importance of fact-checking and preparation to avoid unnecessary controversies.

He called for a renewed focus on addressing policy concerns rather than engaging in internal party disputes.

READ MORE: Marjorie Taylor Greene Breaks House Ethics Rules During Joe Biden's SOTU

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WATCH: 'Absurdly overdramatic': Republicans react to Katie Britt's State of the Union response - From MSNBC




After being disowned by his Republican colleagues, former Republican Congressman George Santos announced that he will be running for the House once again, even after his historic dismissal from Congress, which received widespread support from both parties.

The former New York Representative who was once wanted in Brazil is now officially running for Congress again. This will allow him to raise money from the public not just for his congressional run but also pull a Donald Trump and use that money for his legal defense.

As Yahoo! News pointed out, Santos has been charged with 23 federal counts as he faces several big legal battles. His alleged crimes include unemployment fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, stealing from his own campaign donors, and lying to Congress.

While the announcement was not unprecedented, with former Rep. James Trafficant, a former Democrat, running as an independent from his jail cell only to lose to his former aide, Rep. Tim Ryan, his former colleagues in Congress were still surprised.

The announcement was timed with Joe Biden's State of the Union address. However, many raised their eyebrows as Santos previously announced that he would not run again after he was expelled from Congress with a wide bipartisan vote.

"I will continue on my mission to serve my constituents up until I am allowed," he previously said after he was expelled from Congress. "I will however NOT be seeking re-election for a second term in 2024 as my family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time."

George Santos' Republican Primary Opponent Reacts To Political Return Announcement

When George Santos announced he would run again, he did so by revealing that he would be running in the 1st District of New York and challenging GOP Rep. Nick LaLota for the seat. He previously represented the 3rd District of New York, which has since disavowed him after his various scandals came out.

READ MORE: George Santos Sues Jimmy Kimmel Over Using His Cameo Video to Make Fun of Him

"Tonight, I want to announce that I will be returning to the arena of politics and challenging Nick for the battle over #NY1," Santos wrote in his announcement. "I look forward to debating him on the issues and on his weak record as a Republican. The fight for our majority is imperative for the survival of the country."

However, LaLota hit back, saying, "To raise the standard in Congress and to hold a pathological liar who stole an election accountable, I led the charge to expel George Santos. If finishing the job requires beating him in a primary, count me in," said the Republican incumbent.

He was the one who introduced a resolution to expel Santos last fall and he previously stated that Santos deserved "to be in prison."

George Santos Appearance at the State of the Union Surprised Many

When George Santos announced he was running, he did so after the State of the Union address. He also appeared during Biden's televised address, surprising many of his colleagues. He was booted out of Congress with a 311-114-2 vote.

"It's the State of the Union, why not," he told Fox News as to why he was there. "It's a privilege."

The Hill noted that during last year's SOTU, he drew headlines when he had a heated discussion with Republican Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, with the former Republican presidential candidate calling Santos a "disgrace" to his face.

READ MORE: George Santos Wants To Be Donald Trump's Head of ICE

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WATCH: 'It's a joke': Santos ex-aide blasts his rerun for Congress - CNN
A devastating collision between a semi-trailer truck and a van at a central Wisconsin highway intersection resulted in nine fatalities and one injury, as confirmed by authorities.

The fatal Wisconsin crash occurred on Friday morning in Dewhurst Township at the intersection of Highway 95 and County Road J, according to the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

The tragic collision transpired when a tractor-trailer traveling eastbound on Highway 95 collided with a van heading northbound on County Road J shortly before 8 AM local time, according to ABC News.

Preliminary reports from the sheriff's office suggest that the van, upon entering the intersection, was struck by the semi.

Regrettably, eight individuals in the van, including the driver and the semi-truck driver, succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.

The lone survivor, a passenger in the van, suffered injuries and was promptly transported to a local hospital.

At this time, details regarding the survivor's condition have not been released, pending family notification.

Authorities have abstained from disclosing the names of those involved, respecting the process of notifying their families.

READ NEXT: Wisconsin: Elijah Vue Remains Missing

Heroic Efforts Amidst Tragedy

Amidst the wreckage, a harrowing tale of survival unfolded.

Jason Jahn, a Marine Corps veteran from Neillsville, rushed to the scene and discovered a little boy, Micah Schrock, as the sole survivor of the Wisconsin crash.

Schrock had been thrown from the van during the collision. Jahn, displaying courage and quick thinking, pulled the boy to safety, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Despite his attempts to rescue others, the van succumbed to flames, leaving Jahn shaken and mourning the loss of fellow travelers.

Jahn, reflecting on the tragedy, expressed that he believes he was at the scene for a reason, emphasizing the need for extra vigilance at the intersection.

A makeshift memorial, including small wooden crosses and heartfelt messages, has emerged at the Wisconsin crash site, with locals and Amish community members paying their respects and hoping it serves as a reminder for increased caution.

Community Mourns and Calls for Safety Improvements

Residents, including Marcie Parker and Karli Berg, gathered at the accident site to pay their respects and expressed the profound sadness gripping the community.

Parker lamented the frequent accidents on this stretch of the highway and called attention to the challenges faced by trucks descending the nearby hill.

Berg echoed the sentiment, emphasizing gratitude for arriving home safely every night, MPR News noted.

Hatfield, a tourist town known for its seasonal population fluctuations, has a close-knit community that includes Amish families running various small businesses.

Lori Bixby, owner of the Deer View bar in Hatfield, highlighted the Amish's valuable contributions to the community.

As investigations into the tragic incident continued, Governor Tony Evers offered condolences, expressing sympathy for the victims' families and acknowledging the rapid response of first responders.

The area of the crash, located approximately 50 miles southeast of Eau Claire, witnessed Highway 95 closure for several hours, with overhead footage revealing the aftermath of the collision.

Authorities assure that the names of the Wisconsin crash victims will be disclosed following family notifications.

READ MORE: 6 Arrested for Alleged Halloween Party Attack

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WATCH: 9 dead after a semi collides with a van - From TMJ4 News




In a moment of Oscars 2024 drama, late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel took the stage at the 96th Academy Awards, less than an hour after former President Donald Trump criticized him on Truth Social.

Kimmel, the host of the ceremony, read aloud a scathing review posted on Truth Social, mimicking Trump's distinctive style.

The critical post suggested replacing Jimmy Kimmel with another ABC talent, George Slopanopoulos, and concluded with the iconic phrase "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Kimmel, seizing the opportunity, playfully asked the audience to guess which former president authored the post, hinting at Trump.

During Jimmy Kimmel Oscars monologue, the comedian read aloud Trump's post from his phone, "Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars. His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be," according to The Guardian.

He then humorously remarked, "See if you can guess which former president just posted that on Truth Social," and cheekily added, "Isn't it past your jail time?"

The remark alluded to the legal challenges Trump is currently facing.

READ NEXT: Margot Robbie Breaks Silence on 2024 Oscars Snub

Politics Takes the Spotlight at the Oscars 2024

While Jimmy Kimmel's banter with Donald Trump injected humor into the evening, the Oscars saw a relatively Trump-free environment.

However, politics remained a focal point as numerous attendees, including Mark Ruffalo and Billie Eilish, wore red pins in support of a ceasefire in Gaza, Variety noted.

Demonstrations related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza created disruptions around the Kodak Theater, leading to a delayed start of the ceremony.

Jonathan Glazer, the director of the winning film for best international feature, "The Zone of Interest," used his acceptance speech to address violence in the Middle East.

He drew parallels between the film's exploration of dehumanization and the current conflicts, emphasizing the need to resist such acts.

Glazer's poignant statement resonated with the broader theme of the Oscars 2024 as a platform for social and political commentary.

Donald Trump's History with the Oscars

This isn't the first time Trump has taken aim at the Oscars, per the Independent.

In 2021, he criticized the event's name, deeming "the Oscars" less important and elegant than "the Academy Awards."

Trump also mocked the show's declining ratings, expressing skepticism about its future.

In 2020, during a rally, Trump diverted his attention to the Oscars, expressing displeasure about the Best Picture award going to Bong Joon-Ho's "Parasite," a South Korean film. He questioned the choice, suggesting a return to classic films like "Gone with the Wind" and "Sunset Boulevard."

Additionally, Trump revealed his disapproval of Brad Pitt, winner of Best Supporting Actor that year, dubbing him "a little wise guy."

Despite Donald Trump's occasional critiques, the Oscars have persisted as a platform where artists use their visibility to address pressing social and political issues, fostering a dialogue that extends beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

Meanwhile, Oscars 2024 marks the fourth time Kimmy Kimmel has hosted the event.

READ MORE: George Santos Sues Jimmy Kimmel

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WATCH: Jimmy Kimmel reads Donald Trump's Truth Social post calling him mediocre Oscars host. #oscars2024 - From Voz Media
As Venus Joins the Pisces Party...

It is entirely possible to be more attracted to how much someone likes you and how good they make you feel than you are to the actual person -- a dynamic to be wary of, as its neither ideal nor sustainable. It is not too much to ask that both boxes be checked -- that someone you admire, share values with and enjoy being around also happens to make you feel like a superstar.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The best way to learn is to put yourself out there and get some feedback. Youre ready for it. What you gather will point you straight to your next good move.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Its been said that a loan to a friend has the potential to lose both. Instead of loaning, consider gifting. Only give what you can afford to lose. Only hand over what you can immediately forget about and will never want back.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Over the course of a day of excellence, youll turn out work thats stellar and not so. Youll make mistakes. Youll make adjustments. Youll start over. Excellence is about tenacity, not perfection.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There is no universal concept of ownership. You will wonder what belongs to you, and youll get a very real sense that this is a subjective construct. Whats worth fighting for and what can be let go of is a personal decision.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Theres some impatience with the work at hand, but as long as youre learning, youre golden. Its OK to think differently than others seem to want you to. It will be interesting to note how your thought process converges and diverges with the norms.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Dont worry about whether you have enough. It will often appear to you like you dont. But once youre doing the work, youll find that you can get all you need by making use of the resources you have.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your exceptional powers of observation will help you navigate a tricky and competitive atmosphere. Ultimately, what you notice can be applied later. For now, keep track of it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Youll ask for and learn from the opinions of others. A moment of empathy will broaden you. Its your heart that benefits the most, though youll also use what you absorb to conduct relevant business.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your interest goes in so many different directions today. You neednt give into the pressure to choose. Explore and enjoy. Youll know when the time is right to narrow your focus.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A memory isnt a story until you turn it into one. Taking the time to do this will give you insight into yourself and help others know you, too. Storytelling will be one of the best ways to help people understand and align with you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Unwilling to gamble with other peoples expectations of you, youll underpromise and overdeliver. Encourage a realistic view of what you can do for others and discourage them from placing you on a pedestal.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). At first, todays problem seems more complicated than it really is. A little research is all it takes to free you. Ask around. Do an internet search. Read articles. Youll soon get enough of a feel for things to make an informed decision.

TODAYS BIRTHDAY (March 11). The year rolls with a free-flowing style, exploring various themes including identity and the interconnectedness of all aspects of your existence. The world celebrates your talent and pays you well for it, too. More highlights: Your understanding of people will deepen. Your insights will lead to artful ideas. Nutritional changes lead to increased vitality. Scorpio and Taurus adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 11, 4, 44, 18 and 1.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Like a Pisces, Terrence Howard has an artistic range that spans genres and is as comfortable in a comedy such as the upcoming film Selfie as he is with a drama, thriller or horror project. This versatile Pisces powerhouse was on an engineering track before he switched lanes to become an actor, and he has been known to tweet his mathematical theories. Natal Mercury in Aquarius speaks to an inventive mind, and Venus and Saturn in headstrong Aries suggest Howard will go to the mat to defend his ideas.

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.

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Demolition work is scheduled to resume Monday at the Walnut Street parking garage following a collapse last month of three support beams, a city official said.

Mike Simonson, the citys chief building official, told lehighvalleylive.com city officials had to review a revised demolition plan from the Bethlehem Parking Authority and the engineering team of their contractor, Vollers Construction, before any work could start again.
The debate was only minutes old when Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana drew jeers from the audience as she attacked the record of longtime state Rep. Robert Freeman.

Fact check, called out one person on hand at Shiloh Chapel for last Tuesdays forum featuring the two candidates in next months Democratic primary election for the 136th Legislative District in Northampton County.
Pupils at East Hills Middle School were dismissed early Monday morning after a pipe break, Bethlehem Area School District officials said.

The school at 2005 Chester Road set an early dismissal for 10 a.m. A break in a pipe outside of the building led to the early closure, according to the districts website.

District officials said the break resulted in diminished water and sewer service to the school. The school houses students in grades 6-8.

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Following is a look at some government business, and related topics, this coming week across the Lehigh Valley region.

Monday, March 11

BETHLEHEM | UGI Utilities Inc. announced plans to begin gas main replacement projects on Monday, March 11 in Bethlehem, and said the work will impact Linden Street between East Elizabeth Avenue and Melrose Avenue. Construction is scheduled 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Drivers, residents and business owners may experience road closures, detours and traffic delays during construction hours. Traffic in and out of Liberty High School may also be impacted. Parking also will be restricted on Linden Street in the area during construction hours, and there will be some interruptions to natural gas service. Construction is expected to be completed in early August, though weather and working conditions may impact the completion date.

EASTON | The Easton Historic District Commission meets at 5 p.m. Monday, March 11 in city council chambers at City Hall, 123 S. Third St., with an agenda item on the continued review of Peron Development and City Center Investment Corp.s The Confluence mixed-used redevelopment at 185 S. Third St.

ALLENTOWN | The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board meets at 7 p.m. Monday, March 11 in City Hall Council Chambers, 435 Hamilton St., to continue to review applications for converting a place of worship into 12 homes, a community center, office and temporary shelter at 1539-51 Chew St. and for converting vacant offices to 40 homes and building 50 more homes at 2236-80 S. 12th St. Visit allentownpa.legistar.com for more details and a meeting video link.

FORKS TWP. | The Forks Township Zoning Hearing Board meets at 7 p.m. Monday, March 11 at the municipal building, 1606 Sullivan Trail, to consider the application of Members 1st Federal Credit Union related to construction of a portion of the proposed bank building at 1900 Sullivan Trail, on property owned by Posh Properties No. 46 Hanson LLC.

Tuesday, March 12

ALLENTOWN | Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue are visiting senior and community centers statewide to help Pennsylvanians file their Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program applications. The help is scheduled to be available beginning this week in Lehigh County as follows: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at Bnai Brith House Senior Center, 1616 Liberty St. in Allentown; 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 19 and 26 at the Central Park Senior Center, 683 Wahneta St. in Allentown; 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14 and 21 at the Coopersburg Senior Center, 538 Thomas St.; 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 20 and 27 at the Fountain Hill Senior Center, 1101 Seneca St.; and in Northampton County as follows: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 at the Cherryville Senior Center, 4131 Lehigh Dr. in Lehigh Township; 9:30 to 11 a.m. March 28 at the Northampton Senior Center, 902 Lincoln Ave.; and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 22 and 25 at the Slate Belt Senior Center, 707 American-Bangor Road, Bangor.

The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Pennsylvania increased the maximum rebate amount from $650 to $1000 and eligible-income limits to $45,000. Taxpayers who need assistance with the Pennsylvania personal income tax return (PA-40) should bring their tax information/income statements, a photo identification card (drivers license, etc.), and Social Security cards for themselves and their dependents. All taxpayers who received more than $33 in total gross taxable income in calendar year 2023 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return by midnight, Monday, April 15.

ALLENTOWN | The Allentown Planning Commission meets at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 in City Hall Council Chambers, 435 Hamilton St., to review the proposed construction of a 10,625-square-foot parking lot for 24 tractor-trailers at 2268 S. 12th St. Visit allentownpa.legistar.com for more details and a meeting video link.

HELLERTOWN | The Hellertown Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 to review plans for a Sheetz Gas Station on four parcels at Kichline and Main streets. The meeting is slated to be live-streamed via Zoom via tinyurl.com/mrxxcpe9 with a Meeting ID: 837 2152 5699 and Passcode: 2024.

Wednesday, March 13

BETHLEHEM | The Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority meets at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 in Town Hall, 10 E. Church St., for a public hearing to discuss and take public comment on nonprofit financing of $45 million for The Haupert Union Building project at Moravian University.

Thursday, March 14

BETHLEHEM | The Bethlehem Planning Commission meets at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 14 in Town Hall, 10 E. Church St., to review a curative amendment challenge filed by BAHX LLC to the Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Boards August 2023 rejection of permitting four new apartment buildings to be as long as 290 feet, rather than the 180-foot maximum allowed by-right under the propertys Limited Commercial zoning, where West Broad Street in Bethlehem becomes Hanover Avenue in Allentown. The city planning commission meetings are live-streamed on YouTube.

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
MORE: Lehigh Valley weather: Wind advisory issued with gusts expected to reach 50 mph

Thousands are in the dark Monday as wind gusts expected to reach 50 mph knocked down power lines and trees across the region.

The National Weather Services Mount Holly office Monday morning issued a wind advisory for both Northampton and Lehigh counties in Pennsylvania, as well as Warren County in New Jersey and surrounding areas. The advisory remains in effect until 8 p.m. Monday.

A hazardous weather outlook says strong gusty winds in Northampton County could blow around unsecured objects, and tree limbs and weaker trees could be blown down, resulting in power outages.

As of 10:45 a.m., Met-Ed, a First Energy company, reported Lehigh County had 76 customers and Northampton County had another 1,368 customers without power. Met-Ed spokesman Todd Meyers said both Palmer Township and William Township are the most heavily impacted areas with 647 and 293 customers, respectively, without power.

Meyers said all the outages are due to the heavy wind associated with the ongoing frontal passage. He expects even more outages throughout the day even as crews restore service to other customers.

The damage comes as the result of branches or trees beyond the right-of-way where we trim contacting our wires and other infrastructure, Meyers said. ... Crews continue to assess damage and we do not have an estimated time of restoration for all customers at this time.

JCP&L, another First Energy company, reports 745 Warren County customers without power, according to its outage map.

As of 10:45 a.m. Monday, PPL had 724 Lehigh County customers and another 21 customers without power, according to its outage map. In total, PPL spokeswoman Tracie Witter told lehighvalleylive.com the utility has approximately 4,600 of our 1.5 million customers currently without power.

The outages are the result of a lengthy period of strong, damaging winds across PPLs service territory Sunday into Monday, with more outages expected throughout Monday. Restoration times, Witter said, vary between 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday for Lehigh County and varied repair times of by 3 p.m. or 9 p.m. Monday for Northampton County.

Hundreds of personnel are responding to the storm, providing both field-based and back-office emergency response operations across PPLs service territory. Workers include lineworkers, foresters, damage assessors and call center staff.

We will have crews working throughout the day and into the night to restore power for any customers who experience outages, Witter said. Our crews will continue to work as safely and quickly as possible around the clock.

Utility companies additionally are reminding people to stay at least 30 feet away from downed wires, which could still be live and energized.

Mondays forecast comes after some strong snow squalls moved through the region during the mid-afternoon on Sunday. The wintry mix then carried wind gusts up to 40 mph. Forecasters said the coverage and intensity of the snow showers decreased by late Sunday evening.

As for Monday, northwest winds 20 to 30 mph are expected, with gusts up to 50 mph. Its forecast to be partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 49 degrees. The strong winds, however, could make things feel much colder, meteorologists say.

Monday evening is forecast to be mostly clear, with a low temperature around 34 degrees. Itll also be breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph, according to the weather service. AccuWeather is making similar predictions, calling for a high temperature of 52 degrees for the region Monday and a low temperature of 36 degrees.

The National Weather Service has put the region under a wind advisory Monday, March 11, 2024 with gusts expected to reach up to 50 mph. The latest forecast comes after strong snow squalls hit the region mid-afternoon on Sunday.National Weather Service

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A man banged his former girlfriends head off a wall and stole cash from her before damaging her car in Mountmellick in 2022.

Ciaran Kelly, 30, of 9 Church Street, Ballinasloe, Co Galway appeared before Portlaoise District Court where he admitted assault causing harm at an address at Cullenwood, Mountmellick on June 22, 2022. The man also admitted stealing 100 at the same location on June 22, 2022.

He further admitted causing criminal damage to a car, at the same address on June 23, 2022.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said a victim impact statement had been prepared by the injured party.

Judge Nicola Andrews asked about the extent of the damage caused by the defendant.

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said the damage amounted to 2,350 in total.

We have that in court to make good the loss, he said.

Sgt Kirby said the injured party was the defendants then girlfriend.

He banged her head against a wall, Sgt Kirby told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court.

He said the man then stole 100 from her wallet. He said the man damaged a candle holder and fan and returned the following morning and smashed the windows of the womans Ford Focus car.

She was very upset over it, Sgt Kirby said.

That is fully conceded, to the shame of the defendant, said Mr Fitzgerald.

He said his client had very little by way of previous convictions and he had completed a 12 week residential programme. He said the incident was the catalyst for change for the man.

He has been sober ever since, he said.

Mr Fitzgerald said there had been copious amounts of alcohol consumed at the time of the incident and an argument had broken out.

My client in an intoxicated state went completely over the top, he said.

He has 5,000 with him here in court, said Mr Fitzgerald.

The defendant has come up with this level of compensation. He has dealt with his own issues, said Mr Fitzgerald.

He said there had been no follow up incidents and his client had dealt with his alcohol abuse.

He accepted the woman would have suffered psychological trauma having been assaulted in her own home. However, he asked the judge to credit the man with the manner in which he had dealt with the matter.

Judge Andrews asked Sgt Kirby about the injuries sustained by the woman during the assault.

He said she had suffered swelling to the right side of her forehead and bruising to her arm and back.

Mr Fitzgerald handed in a letter of apology from his client to the injured party. He said there hadnt been any contact between the woman and the man following the incident.

Judge Andrews fined the man 1,000 and gave him six months to pay for the assault. She ordered that the 5,000 be given to the woman.

Judge Andrews said she had read the victim impact statement and was happy to hear the couple were no longer in contact with each other.
The OPW has been advised to advertise attic space to bats once its extensive roof works are completed on the historic Emo Court House in Laois.

A major programme of conservation and restoration works has been approved at the top tourist attraction was approved by Laois County Council subject to seven conditions.

The presence of colonies of wild bats in the attic had put a question mark over the proposed works and a company was hired to carry out an ecological survey.

One of the key mitigation measures they proposed in the survey was to advertise the attic space to bats with Batlures and Bat-spinners and playing bat social calls once the work is complete.

The Commissioner of Public Works had applied for permission to carry out works including on roof sections, the facade, windows and the copper dome.

The extensive programme of works seeks to weatherproof the 18th century house and return some of its original features to how they would have first looked when it was designed by renowned architect James Gandon.

Once the largest country estate in Ireland, Emo Court and Estate is now one of Irelands leading tourist attractions.

Latest figures show 350,000 people visited Emo Court in 2022 and it ranked in the top 10 free visitor sites operated by the OPW.

Some works undertaken at the Emo Court House in recent years were harshly criticised due to their potential impact on protected bat species in the house.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service(NPWS) inspected the property in late 2019 amid claims that work had been carried out to the basement without the appropriate derogation from the NPWS. This led to criticism of the OPW, both from politicians and from the Irish Wildlife Trust.

The approved Emo Court House plans were accompanied by an ecological impact assessment of the attic and second floor works. The assessment was carried out by FERS (Forest, Environmental Research and Services Ltd) over a year on behalf of the OPW.

The purpose of the survey was to establish if existing attic spaces are being utilised by bats in advance of a comprehensive roof replacement and refurbishment package of works, which are currently at design stage. Bat passes of six species were recorded, the vast majority of which were of Brown Long-eared and Whiskered Bat, the assessment noted.

It indicated that the space is used all year-round, primarily by a small population of Brown Long-Eared Bats. There was no evidence of a maternity colony present, but it is likely that individuals may move between the basement roost habitat and the second floor/attic.

The numbers of Brown Long-eared bats varies likely between 10 and 15 individuals, with other species observed using the habitat irregularly including Soprano Pipistrelle and Whiskered Bat, the assessment states.

Any works to the roof/attic/second floor will require application for a derogation licence from NPWS. The Wildlife Licensing Unit have adopted a new policy for all derogation licences issued under Regulation 54 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, the assessment stated.

According to the FERS report: The primary mitigation measure post works, which will be subject to input/conditioning from NPWS will be to ensure that the attic spaces remain available to bats post-works. Brown Long-eared Bats are very roost-loyal and are likely to return to the roost. Following the completion of all roof-works, the availability of the attic space will be advertised through the use of a Batlure and Bat-spinner, playing back social calls of the bats in order to encourage the bats to explore the space.

The approved development to Emo Court House, a protected structure (RPS 412A), under Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, consists of the conservation of the roof structures and facade fabric.

The application seeks the conservation of the Michael Scott designed roof structure, including reinstatement of the original south elevation, installation of new zinc roof deck closely following the original design, renewal of flat roof structures and the conservation of existing steel windows.

"Renewal of the natural copper to the 19th-century dome. Reinstatement of original roof pitches and profiles to the east and west wing roofs, along with the renewal of all natural slate and subsidiary roof coverings. Installation of two automatic opening vents to the east wing and central flat roofs.

"Conservation of facade fabric includes repairs to high-level stonework, including decorative stone cornices, corbelling, friezes and column capital. Installation of a new lead weathering over the parapet and projecting stone cornices.

"Repair of the semi-circular balustrade over the eastern elevation, along with removal of inappropriate cementitious render and conservation of chimney stacks.

Laois Fianna Fail TD and Minister of State for Finance, Sean Fleming, welcomed the planning approval by Laois County Council.

"I welcome the approval of these works for Emo Court House, which is now one of the Midlands leading tourist attractions. These improvement works will preserve Emo Court House for many generations to come.

"Emo Court House is a great asset to the Midlands, to Laois and to the local community. It is a great place to visit and enjoy the lake and woodland walks or visit the House to see the fantastic building and architecture," Minister Fleming said.
Road signs fixed to the many Portlaoise roundabouts are blocking vision, a local councillor says.

Fianna Fail Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald fears that a child or a scooter user at a pedestrian crossing may not be seen by drivers, resulting in a collision injury.

"There was a sign out the main door of county hall here and it too 15 years to get it lifted. There's new ones all on the ground in the middle of pedestrian crossings.

"If you are using a scooter or are a child you can't see. This has to be addressed immediately, and get these signs lifted up high. there is not a hope if a scooter or a child is behind these signs.

"I find it incredible that the TII is behind this, with all their safety audits," Cllr Fitzgerald said.

A roundabout on the Southern Circular route Portlaoise with signs on the pedestrian crossing island. Photo: Google Maps

She tabled a motion to the February meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, asking "that this council insist on a policy of no road signs on the ground at juntions/roundabouts".

Sinn Fein Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded the motion.

"The issue is the signs are restricting the views of drivers. At Fairways they had to move it out further to get a view. An audit is needed to see how many need to be moved," she said.

Laois County Council Director of Services Simon Walton is the manager for Portlaoise Municipal District.

He said that the signs are installed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), not the council.

Senior engineer Paul McLoughlin meanwhile has agreed to meet and view any roundabouts with the signs.

"The Department of Transport's Traffic Signs Manual sets out the requirements for the design, placing and mounting heights of various types of road signage across the road network. As safety is of paramount importance when choosing sign positions and mounting heights a member of staff from the Roads and Transportation Section will meet Councillor Fitzgerald on site to assess the areas of concern and thereafter take action as necessary".
A new social housing project on historic Portlaoise property will have a long-term transformational impact and provide much-needed homes, according to the chair of the housing body which is commissioning construction in partnership with Laois County Council.

Michael McCarthy, Chair of the housing body, Sophia Housing, commented as the multi-million contract was formally signed to build 52 homes and amenities on former Church and Convent land and buildings on Church Avenue, Portlaoise.

Bretland Construction, an Endenderry headquartered firm, was awarded the contract for the project following a public procurement process. The process was co-ordinated by Laois County Council backed by the Department of Housing.

John Mulholland Chief Executive of Laois County Council, spoke at the official contract signing on Friday, March 8 at County Halll in Portlaoise, after work had begun on the site.

The commencent of work by Bretland on behalf of Sophia on the convent site is yet another very welcome and necessary step in the ongoing regeneration of Portlaoise town centre. In addition to providing 52 quality homes to people who may not otherwise have had an opportunity to avail of accommodation, this landmark project also delivers a heritage and public realm dividend reflecting on the often-undocumented origins of our county town.

"I acknowledge the invaluable support and contribution of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Portlaoise Parish and the Presentation Sisters in leveraging this project through to construction stage.

"All in all, therefore, it's an exceptionally positive story for the core of Portlaoise and I wish every success to Sophia and their contractors Bretland in progressing the Convent project, he said.

Michael McCarthy Chair of Sophia welcomed what was described as an important development. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Contract signing in the Laois County Council chamber in Portlaoise. Pic: Maxwells

This a major project that will have long-term transformational impact, it will provide much needed homes and be an important resource to the town of Portlaoise. This project was only made possible by the leadership and support of Laois County Council, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, he said.

Mr McCarthy also praised the vision of the Presentation Sisters and Portlaoise Parish for having the imagination and focus to offer their buildings and lands.

Their buildings and lands, which served the community for over one hundred years will now be re-purposed to respond to the most pressing need in our current times; namely the need for homes, he said.

The project will see the former convent and former Sacred Heart school converted into housing. A new apartment block will be built on the sit of Portlaoise's Parish Church beside the convent. Sophia says the homes will be ready for the people by end of 2025.

Mr Mulhollhand has told councillors that the project is expected to cost in the region of 26 million. MORE BELOW PICTURE

The contract signing was attended by Nigel Tighe, Construction Director, Bretland Construction, Tony ORiordan, CEO, Sophia Housing, Georgina Ireland, Senior Executive Officer, Laois County Council, Ciaran O Brien, Managing Director OBFA Architects, Tony Meehan, Commercial Director, Bretland Construction, Damien Walsh, Contracts Director, Bretland Construction, Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, Sr Frances Crowe, Presentation Sisters; Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, Msgr John Byrne, Portlaoise Parish PP, John Mullholland, CEO, Laois County Council, Michael Lee, Company Secretary, Sophia Housing, Cllr Pascal McEvoy, Cathaorleach, LCC, Coleman Yates, Deputy Managing Director, Bretland Construction.

Sophia Housing is a national homeless and housing support organisation which owns and manages over 400 homes across Ireland and supports over 1,200 people each year.
A woman who turned up at Naas District Court with bruising to her face and arms applied for protection under family law legislation.

The woman, who is a native of South America and an Irish citizen, alleged she was locked in a room and pushed by her ex-husband from whom she is separated.

Judge Desmond Zaidan commented that he could see bruising to her face, eyes, forehead and arms.

The woman said she had also been verbally attacked and she was struck in the eye by his forearm. The court heard the man still lives in the house.

The couple have two young children together.

I was really in fear, I feared I wouldn't be able to leave the room.

She said one of the children witnessed the entire incident.

She also said that he took her phone and would not give it back and he had taken the children's passports. She alleged he had paid someone to unlock her phone.

She also claimed he had taken her car and car keys and wouldnt give it back to me for a week.

He thinks Im having an affair, she said, adding he had affairs when she was pregnant and not long after she had given birth.

The woman, who was previously granted a barring border, said she rang the gardai saying he was the one being assaulted and he scratched his cheek to make it look like she had assaulted him.

She said he sometimes stays in Dublin and she and the children are in fear of going into the house.

One of the children wont go into the kitchen or upstairs

The woman said she has no other relatives in Ireland apart from her children.

Her husband said she was having an extramarital affair and while he was previously unfaithful, they agreed on a trial separation and he sometimes lived in the family home and at times he lived in the family home.

He said they both agreed not to see anyone else but when he was out with one of the children, the child saw her leaving a gym with another man and he saw this too.

He added he was extremely upset because they had agreed not to see anyone.

He said he confronted her aggressively demanding answers and she denied the affair.

He added he grabbed her phone to ask her to ring him . He dragged her back into a room to shield the children from witnessing the incident but clothes stacked behind a door prevented it from closing.

He said he was hit in the face with a hot hair straightener and he indicated a burn mark on his cheek, handing in pictures of his injuries and a medical report.

He had been hit with clothes hangers by her and she battered him with a metal object in 2019.

He said he disputed her version of events and said she previously lunged at him and started to choke him.

He said he is homeless because she has changed the locks at the house and he has been paying the mortgage. The woman said she changed the locks with garda permission.

He runs a business from the house and had thousands of units of stock there.

Read more Kildare news

Judge Desmond Zaidan commented that the woman gave up everything in her native country to start a new life and had had beautiful children with her husband.

He granted a barring order to the woman and her husband will be allowed to retrieve his stock.

He said he would grant the order for a duration of one year. He said the case merited a three year barring order but he set it at one year because of the children. He told the man to be accompanied by a garda when collecting his stock and if he goes alone he will be in breach of the order.
Irelands president has condemned a propaganda campaign against the United Nations over Gaza as a scandalous travesty.

Michael D Higgins urged countries to follow Irelands lead and increase aid funding to the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

Ireland has pledged 20 million euro extra in support for UNRWA after several countries, including the UK, paused funding for the relief agency while an investigation takes place after allegations emerged in January.

Israel has claimed that 12 staff members of UNRWA, which provides essential services including healthcare and education in Gaza, were involved in the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

Statement by President Higgins on current situation in Gaza https://t.co/wxPCGJC8T3  President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 11, 2024

UNRWA commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini said the aid agency had lost out on 450 million US dollars (419 million euro or 359 million) in the wake of the allegations.

On Monday, as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins, Mr Higgins urged every country to do all in its power to avoid the most extreme humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

The situation we are now witnessing in Gaza is one from which the global public must not be distracted or avert its gaze, he said in a statement.

It is a matter of life and death. The blockading of food and aid must immediately be stopped.

Vital essential medicines and sources of energy must be provided to what is left of the hospitals in Gaza.

Aid that could be delivered immediately is scandalously being blocked and those responsible for doing so must take responsibility for the deaths that are ensuing.

Those countries, and they include some of the strongest economies in the world, who have removed over 450 million dollars from the UNRWA budget must take account of what is now being shown on the television screens of the world for all to see  infant children dying from lack of oxygen, many more dying from malnutrition and all of this set to escalate.

The recent decisions made by Canada and Sweden to rescind a previous decision and resume aid to UNRWA are to be welcomed, as is the recent announcement by the European Commission that it will immediately disburse 50m in funding.

Given the depth of what the people of Gaza are now facing, and what is so clear to all concerned, others should now follow such a lead. May I also urge all countries to emulate Irelands example in increasing its aid at this time to this most vital United Nations agency.

Mr Higgins also urged UN countries to take notice of a statement by Mr Lazzarini, that there has been little less than a campaign against UNRWA.

It is a campaign which could have the effect of undermining the role of the UN in the present circumstances and in relation to the future of Gaza, Mr Higgins said.

His plea for help deserves the support of all who believe in the United Nations.

The releasing of a propaganda campaign against the United Nations is a scandalous travesty against the little less than heroic efforts of all those involved on the front line in Gaza  medical staff, those working to supply nutrition and aid in the most trying of circumstances, and those other dedicated professionals in UNRWA who have lost more than 160 of their colleagues.

Mr Higgins called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and above all the release of humanitarian aid.

He said that dropping aid from the sky could not substitute for UNRWAs work, and extremist settlers blocking aid trucks was an appalling denial of the humanity.

Once a ceasefire is achieved, Mr Higgins said work towards a long-term peace solution should be sought to provide for the rights of Palestinians and for the appropriate security of Israel.

He added: The world has been warned by those on the ground, and by those at the highest level, including the Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, about the implications of an extension of the military campaign into Rafah.

No-one now or in the future can say they didnt know what the consequences of inaction would be. This is something that has been emphasised by, among others, the president of the United States.

It is time for the world to put an end to this loss of life, to remember our shared humanity, listen to the peacemakers and commit all of its efforts to bringing this crisis to an end and ensuring an appropriate long term settlement is reached.
Two men of a well-known organised crime group, caught with stolen cash, have been sentenced.

A garda helicopter captured footage of three men, described in court as members of the Wall organised crime group, digging up almost 80,000 buried in coffee jars in a suburban Dublin field.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard gardai believe that the cash dug up by brothers Michael (30), Thomas (39) and Patrick (20) Wall, using shovels and a mini digger, was derived from burglaries.

Bottles of Lucozade and packets of Monster Munch crisps, which Patrick Wall had earlier been captured on CCTV footage buying in a local Applegreen, were also found in the hole.

The court heard the brothers began digging after becoming aware that the landowner was carrying out groundworks at the location. They had approached local businesses earlier in the day to inquire about the works and ask that it be stopped.

Michael Wall of Fortunestown Lane, Tallaght, and Thomas and Patrick Wall, both of Fortunestown Crescent, Tallaght, were initially charged with money laundering offences but guilty pleas to possession of stolen property were accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The case of Patrick Wall was adjourned to May, for finalisation for a probation report.

Judge Orla Crowe set headline sentences of two years in relation to Michael and Thomas Wall and imposed sentences of 18 months on both men. She noted both men were married with children and took into account their personal circumstances.

Detective Garda Kate Gilligan of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau told Judge Crowe the offending took place on August 14, 2020, at a field in Keatings Park, Rathcoole, Co Dublin.

She said the location was beside the N7 motorway close to a large Applegreen petrol station.

The court heard gardai were in receipt of confidential information that the Wall organised crime group were seeking to recover a large amount of cash buried in the field.

Gardai, who had known members of the Wall family for a significant time, identified the three men before the court on the footage. The helicopter returned to the scene where it observed a mini digger had arrived, with five people in total present and a large hole in the field.

Gardai entered the field and recovered four jars of own brand Lidl coffee containing cash, loose cash and a fifth smashed jar. The total found was 79,000.

A builder carrying out legitimate work for the previous three weeks on the land was approached by a large group of men who asked what he was doing. He observed other men using a tape to measure from the fence to a location in the middle of the field where they started digging.

Detective Garda Gilligan said the builder later left work and that the other men did not have the owners permission to be digging on the field.

The three brothers were arrested and each told gardai they were building fences for horses.

Thomas Wall has 12 previous convictions, while Michael Wall has one previous conviction for a road traffic offence and Patrick Wall, has no previous convictions.

Barry Ward BL, defending Thomas Wall, said his has been using his time in custody 'productively'.

Delia Flynn SC, defending Michael Wall, said he was very much engaged with his family with a lot of responsibility and difficulties in his life.

Padraig Dwyer SC, defending Patrick Wall, said this offence occurred when his client was a juvenile and in the company of older relatives. He said his client has no drink or drugs issues. He asked the court to take into account his early guilty plea.
Music stars from around the world have been paying tribute to Waterford music promoter Vince Power, who died over the weekend.

Imelda May, Billy Bragg, Cait O'Riodan of the Pogues and Cerys Matthews are just some of those who paid tribute to the Waterford man who championed live music and organised many successful music festivals.

Mr Power played a significant part in the music industry in the UK and Ireland through his work as a live music promoter. He was renowned for organising festivals and live shows, including Glastonbury, the Leeds Festival, Hop Farm Music Festival and many more.

Raised in Kilmacthomas, Mr Power moved to London at 15 and went on to carve out an impressive career in the music business through his events management group Mean Fiddler in the 1980s. Mean Fiddler took over the Reading Festival, before branching out in many other ventures.

In 1993 he organised Fleadh Mor, a largescale music festival at Tramore Racecourse in his native Waterford. The event featured top international acts including Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, The Chieftains and Joan Baez.

He repeatedly promoted many famous artists of the rock and roll era including Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Roy Orbison, Paul Weller and Neil Young.

The Embassy of Ireland in Great Britain paid tribute saying: "Saddened to learn of the passing of Vince Power. He worked throughout his career to champion Irish culture, leaving an indelible impact on the music scene in Britain. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam".

The Irish Cultural Centre said: "His impact on London's Irish music scene was profound, shaping the industry for decades. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends".

I'm going to miss you so very much, my friend in music, in thinking, in dreaming. love you very much. RiP #VincePower pic.twitter.com/HxzK4It4hN  Cerys Matthews (@cerysmatthews) March 10, 2024

Tanita Tikaram said like many artists, she owed so much to him. "He gave me my first gig at the Mean Fiddler acoustic Room attended by about 3 people but he made sure 1 of them was an important agent!" she recalled.

Paul Weller described him as a "good friend".

I'm sorry to hear of the passing of Vince Power, who was a good friend to us, and will be greatly missed. Bless you mate and thank you - PW  Paul Weller (@paulwellerHQ) March 11, 2024

Imelda May said how she adored him.
Adam O Ceallaigh, the youngest candidate in Leitrim for the local elections, has been chosen to participate in the prestigious Candidates programme organised by the European Green Party.

This esteemed program is designed to cultivate skills in public speaking, policy development, and community organising among political leaders.

Adam O Ceallaigh, The Green Party Candidate for the Ballinamore LEA, has been selected to represent Leitrim and Ireland on this international platform, showcasing the potential and talent of local leaders in global arenas.

The programme aims to empower young politicians by providing them with invaluable training and resources to excel as community leaders.

The inaugural training session of the Young Candidates programme took place in Rome, Italy, over the past weekend.

Adam travelled to the Candidates' programme by train and ferry, where he interacted and collaborated with fellow candidates from various European countries, including Germany, Austria, Finland, and Spain.

"I am honoured to have been selected for the Young Candidates programme and am grateful for the invaluable lessons and experiences gained during the training. I hope to be able to use my new found skillset to better represent the people of Leitrim," Adam said.
AbilityPharma Announces ? 7 Million Financing Round to Advance Development of its Clinical Phase 2b Autophagy Inducer ABTL0812 in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer





The Canadian venture capital fund CTI Life Sciences Fund III, Inveready and the EIC Fund from the European Commission close a round with the additional participation of CDTI Innvierte, FiTalent, family offices as well as founders.

BARCELONA, Spain, MONTREAL and LUXEMBOURG, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Catalan biopharmaceutical company Ability Pharmaceuticals, SA (AbilityPharma), focused on the development of innovative oral autophagy-inducing anticancer compounds, announces a ?7M investment from a European-Canadian syndicate of life sciences investors, including CTI Life Sciences Fund, Inveready, the EIC Fund, Fitalent and CDTI Innvierte. The funding will allow the Company to fully finance its phase 2b clinical study of antitumor compound ABTL0812 in patients with pancreatic cancer.

AbilityPharma is completing a Phase 2b clinical trial with ABTL0812 in metastatic pancreatic cancer (all 140 patients recruited) with the aim of demonstrating greater efficacy than standard treatment FOLFIRINOX. The double-blind, placebo-controlled, first-line study in combination with FOLFIRINOX is ongoing in 23 hospitals in Spain, USA, France, and Israel. Efficacy results are expected by year-end.

Significant superior efficacy results will allow AbilityPharma to obtain financing for final development of ABTL0812 or to license it to a multinational pharmaceutical or biotechnology company, with the goal of making ABTL0812 available to pancreatic cancer patients in 2028.

"We are very pleased to complete this financing round and welcome CTI Life Sciences Fund's Shermaine Tilley to our board of directors, which will enable us to accelerate the development of ABTL0812 in the short term", stated Carles Domenech, PhD, Executive Chairman and CEO at AbilityPharma. "We are thankful to CTI Life Sciences, Inveready and the EIC Fund for completing this financing round, and to all our new and existing investors for their confidence in our team and for their support to our goals. This investment will allow us to continue working tirelessly on taking ABTL0812 to patients with pancreatic cancer".

Shermaine Tilley, PhD, MBA, Managing Partner at CTI Life Sciences Fund, said "We are delighted to provide financing for late-stage development of Ability Pharma's innovative and highly promising treatment for pancreatic cancer. I am pleased to assume a position on their board of directors and will work with management and the board to optimize the value of ABTL0812 for patients and for investors".

Sara Secall, MSc, MBA, General Partner Inveready, said "We are excited to bring in savvy investors that can help move forward AbilityPharma's treatment for cancer patients".

Svetoslava Georgieva, Chair of the EIC Fund Board, said: "The EIC Fund has become a strong player in EU deep-tech investments. The unique financing approach through the EIC, combining grants and equity, is attracting significant interest from Europe's most promising start-ups and provides them with the means to develop and scale their businesses in Europe. Our investment will help Ability Pharma with the development of their product for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer."

www.abilitypharma.com

SOURCE AbilityPharma

11 march 2024 at 08:26

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Government of Canada Announces Next Steps on Methane Centre of Excellence and Associated Call for Proposals





OTTAWA, ON, March 11, 2024 /CNW/ - To fight the worst impacts of climate change and thrive in a net-zero future, there is an urgent need to reduce methane emissions and an enormous opportunity for Canada to lead. Methane, which has at least 80 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, accounts for 14 percent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions on a CO 2 -equivalent basis. Cutting methane emissions is widely recognized as one of the fastest, cheapest and most effective ways to fight climate change.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, officially launched Canada's Methane Centre of Excellence and an associated call for proposals for methane emissions measurement and mitigation projects.

Spurred by an initial investment of $30 million, work associated with the Methane Centre of Excellence will aim to improve the accuracy, understanding, reporting and mitigation of methane emissions by focusing on key data, measurement techniques and technology development. The Centre will also improve knowledge sharing between Canadian industry leaders, emitting sectors, provincial and territorial governments, and international partners. Taken together, these activities will promote projects and technologies that lower emissions to fight climate change, create good jobs and new market opportunities, and support a clean and competitive economy.

The Centre will also convene a community of practice of experts and stakeholders to collaborate on efforts that will help drive the development, deployment and growth of methane measurement and mitigation solutions in Canada. This will include a dedicated online collaboration community for information sharing.

Funded under the Energy Innovation Program , today's call for proposals will invest principally in projects that develop more effective approaches for methane measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), with remaining funding directed to projects focused on the mitigation of methane slip.

Projects funded by this call for proposals, and other work associated with the Centre of Excellence, are crucial given that methane emissions ? particularly methane leaks, also known as fugitive methane emissions ? have been consistently under-reported for decades, both in Canada and globally. Strengthening the ability to measure emissions is key to bolstering Canada's clean economy and climate leadership and will be an important part of ensuring Canada meaningfully achieves its goal of slashing oil and gas methane emissions by 75 percent below 2012 levels by 2030.

Canadians are global leaders in the technologies, regulations and science associated with methane emissions due to Canada's early leadership providing methane management solutions. Canadian expertise has helped countries around the world develop strategies to limit their own methane emissions, and we continue to work with like-minded partners, including 150 fellow signatories to the Global Methane Pledge, which commits to a collective goal of reducing human-caused methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030.

Today's announcement is another step taken to fight climate change while catalyzing innovation and generating economic benefits. Through the Centre of Excellence, among other venues, Canada will continue to invest in the innovative projects and technologies that form the cornerstones of a strong and prosperous net-zero economy.

Quotes

"We are taking action to support innovation, reduce emissions and enhance competitiveness across the sectors that are at the forefront of the clean economy. With over 170 Canadian companies already borne out of Canada's leadership in regulating methane emissions, it is clear that reducing these emissions both fights climate change and creates economic opportunity for Canada. The Centre of Excellence will help ensure Canada achieves its methane emissions reduction commitments and the economic, health and climate benefits that their achievement will bring."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

"Canada hosts a growing of community innovators ready to deploy solutions that will monitor and reduce methane emissions. This new Methane Centre of Excellence will play a fundamental role in bringing together leading stakeholders, including industry, to join forces on the development and implementation of methane solutions that will help Canada meet its climate and economic goals."

The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"Reducing oil and gas methane emissions is one of the success stories of Canada's climate action to date. To continue this momentum, we need further improvements in measuring, tracking and reporting on methane emissions. The Methane Centre of Excellence will help bring together leaders to share knowledge and experience that will further advance the science and technology needed to tackle methane emissions. Given that methane is a key climate pollutant, taking swift action to quantify and reduce emissions will help fight climate change and protect our environment."

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault

Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick Facts

More details on eligibility for the call for proposals are outlined in the Applicant Guide. The call will remain open to applicants until April 17, 2024 , at 6 p.m. ET .

. In addition to ongoing work, the call for proposals and the Collaboration Community, the Centre of Excellence will also be convening a Methane Speaker Series to exchange new learnings and state-of-the art approaches to methane measurement and mitigation. If you would like to offer a talk or suggest a topic for discussion, please fill out the input form.

Methane is the second-largest contributor to climate change after CO 2 . It is responsible for roughly 30 percent of global warming since pre-industrial times.

. It is responsible for roughly 30 percent of global warming since pre-industrial times. The oil and gas sector is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing methane emissions from this sector includes many low-cost solutions and is one of the most effective ways to slow the pace of climate warming.

In Canada , recent studies have demonstrated that bottom-up inventories underestimate methane emissions from the oil and gas industry by between 25?90 percent, demonstrating the decisive need for better measurement.

, recent studies have demonstrated that bottom-up inventories underestimate methane emissions from the oil and gas industry by between 25?90 percent, demonstrating the decisive need for better measurement. Canada was one of the first countries to publish national-level regulations targeting methane emissions from the oil and gas sector and was the first country to commit to reducing methane emissions from oil and gas by at least 75 percent by 2030 (below 2012 levels). Canada is already on track to meet its 2025 methane reduction target of 40?45 percent below 2012 levels, making Canada well positioned to go further, faster.

was one of the first countries to publish national-level regulations targeting methane emissions from the oil and gas sector and was the first country to commit to reducing methane emissions from oil and gas by at least 75 percent by 2030 (below 2012 levels). is already on track to meet its 2025 methane reduction target of 40?45 percent below 2012 levels, making well positioned to go further, faster. Canada has been investing in projects and research on methane emissions reductions since 2016, including: $170 million to incent and support the energy sector in reducing oil and gas methane emissions and complying with stringent regulations to reduce oil and gas methane emissions through the Emissions Reduction Fund; $25.5 million through the Clean Growth Program and the Energy Innovation Program for innovation in methane emissions measurement and reduction, which includes key investments such as: $11 million for the NGIF Emissions Testing Centre ( $9 million from NRCan, with a further $2 million from PrairiesCan this year) $1.87 million for Carleton University $7.1 million since 2019 for government-led research efforts to strengthen methane measurement, reporting, verification and data.

has been investing in projects and research on methane emissions reductions since 2016, including: Canada joined by international partners in regulating and controlling methane emissions including the U.S., EU, China , Brazil , Colombia and Mexico . This presents an opportunity for Canada to lead and share its best practices with the growing list of countries taking action.

joined by international partners in regulating and controlling methane emissions including the U.S., EU, , , and . This presents an opportunity for to lead and share its best practices with the growing list of countries taking action. Canada is also an active participant in international initiatives on greenhouse gas emissions, including the Global Methane Pledge, the Global Methane Initiative, the Net-Zero Producers' Forum, and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

11 march 2024 at 09:00

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Bestselling Author Walter Isaacson, Leaders from ARPA-E, AWS, LanzaTech, Microsoft and Radia Headline Innovation and Technology Programming at CERAWeek by S&P Global 2024





Week-long programming on technology, innovation and decarbonization?centered in the "CERAWeek Innovation Agora"?will be a major focus at the world's preeminent energy conference, to be held in Houston March 18-22

HOUSTON, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bestselling author Walter Isaacson, as well as leaders from the U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), Amazon Web Services (AWS), LanzaTech, Microsoft, and Radia will be among the technology and innovation speakers at CERAWeek 2024 by S&P Global 2024?the world's preeminent energy conference?to be held in Houston March 18-22.

CERAWeek 2024: Multidimensional Energy Transition: Markets, climate, technology and geopolitics will explore strategies for a multidimensional, multispeed and multifuel energy transition?one that reflects different realities and timelines by region, technology, industry strategies, as well as the variety of social and political approaches and divergent national priorities in an increasingly multipolar world.

Among the technology and innovation leaders to address conference delegates are:

Walter Isaacson , biographer of Elon Musk , Steve Jobs , Albert Einstein , Leonardo DaVinci and professor at Tulane University

, biographer of , , , and professor at Ernest Moniz , Founder and CEO, Energy Futures Initiative, former U.S. Secretary of Energy

, Founder and CEO, Energy Futures Initiative, former U.S. Secretary of Energy Lord John Browne of Madingley, Chairman, Beyond Net Zero

of Madingley, Chairman, Beyond Net Zero Evelyn N. Wang , Director, U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)

, Director, U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) H.E. Ivan Duque, former President, Colombia

Bill Vass , Vice President of Engineering, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

, Vice President of Engineering, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Nicole Iseppi , Managing Director of Energy Innovation, Bezos Earth Fund

, Managing Director of Energy Innovation, Bezos Earth Fund Cesar Norton , CEO, HIF Global

, CEO, HIF Global Maria Pope , President and CEO, Portland General Electric

, President and CEO, Portland General Electric Sushil Purohit , CEO, Gentari

, CEO, Gentari Damien Beauchamp , President and Chief Development Officer, 8 Rivers

, President and Chief Development Officer, 8 Rivers Jennifer Holmgren , Chairman and CEO, LanzaTech

, Chairman and CEO, LanzaTech Scott Guthrie , Executive Vice President, Cloud + AI, Microsoft

, Executive Vice President, Cloud + AI, Microsoft Meg Gentle , Executive Director of the Board, HIF Global

, Executive Director of the Board, HIF Global Mark Lundstrom , Founder and CEO, Radia

, Founder and CEO, Radia John Arnold , Founder and Co-Chair, Arnold Ventures

, Founder and Co-Chair, Yi Cui , Director, Sustainability Accelerator, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University

, Director, Sustainability Accelerator, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Marco Alvera, Co-founder and CEO, TES

Dr. Sama Bilbao y Leon, Director General, World Nuclear Association

y Leon, Director General, World Nuclear Association Franklin Chang Diaz, CEO, Ad Astra Rocket Company

Hon. Mary Landrieu , Senior Policy Advisor, Van Ness Feldman LLP, former U.S. Senator

The CERAWeek Innovation Agora will serve as the center of technology and innovation programming at the conference. Featuring a community of thought leaders, technologists, investors, academics, energy companies and government officials, the Innovation Agora will showcase transformational technology platforms in energy and adjacent industries?including presentations from more than 200 start-ups?ranging across AI, decarbonization, low carbon fuels, cybersecurity, hydrogen, nuclear, mining and minerals, mobility, automation, and more.

The CERAWeek Innovation Agora program is available to all CERAWeek registrants and will comprise a series of thought-provoking conversations, presentations and discussions, including its signature Voices of Innovation series of intimate, one-on-one conversations with thought leaders, Agora Studio sessions featuring moderated dialogues with 2-3 guest speakers on emerging and disruptive technologies, as well as Agora Pods featuring demonstrations and case studies. The 2024 program will also feature expanded Agora Hubs?dedicated areas focused on hydrogen, carbon and climate.

The 2024 CERAWeek Innovation Agora program will also include:

Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI) Energy Ventures Pitch Competition:

A competition for start-ups and entrepreneurs where businesses that are focused on providing cleaner and more sustainable energy, while also meeting global energy needs reliably and affordably, will be evaluated by a special judging panel of venture capitalists.

A competition for start-ups and entrepreneurs where businesses that are focused on providing cleaner and more sustainable energy, while also meeting global energy needs reliably and affordably, will be evaluated by a special judging panel of venture capitalists. US National Labs Participation: Visit the U.S. Department of Energy National Labs Accelerator Room to learn how five of the Labs are applying technologies to solve the challenges of energy transition.

Visit the U.S. Department of Energy National Labs Accelerator Room to learn how five of the Labs are applying technologies to solve the challenges of energy transition. Innovation Agora Car Show: A select number of CERAWeek Partners will display and discuss vehicles powered by different fuels and systems?such as EVs, Hybrid, E-Fuels, Biofuels, Hydrogen?that are shaping the automotive future.

The 2024 program will also feature the "Clean Energy Commons" fostering connections for the innovation ecosystem as well as the "Clean Tech Corridor" where delegates can meet entrepreneurs building promising companies.

Key themes to be explored throughout the Innovation Agora program include:

Decarbonizing industry and transport

AI and digital technology

Financial innovation

Innovation ecosystems

Low/no carbon power and electrification

Human capital

Hydrogen and low carbon fuels

Addressing climate change

"The growth of the CERAWeek Innovation Agora highlights the accelerating pace of the energy transition and the emerging technologies that are driving it," said James Rosenfield, CERAWeek Founder and Co-chair. "These technologies?and the innovators behind them?are more vital than ever in meeting the challenges of a multidimensional, multispeed and multifuel transformation of the energy system.

"The unique community that the CERAWeek Innovation Agora brings together?comprised of traditional energy companies, start-ups, technology companies, innovation thought leaders and investors?reflects the vibrant marketplace of ideas required to develop, deploy and scale the solutions for the world's greatest energy and environmental challenges."

"The intersection of technology and energy is among the most consequential areas shaping the future, and that is reflected throughout the CERAWeek 2024 program," said Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman, S&P Global and CERAWeek conference chair. "This year's conference theme, 'Multidimensional Energy Transition' speaks to the increasing realization that the path forward will be non-linear. Meeting energy and technological challenges along a multitude of paths?accounting for different situations in different parts of the world?requires an equally diverse and dynamic set of solutions. The role that innovation will play cannot be overstated."

Learn more about the CERAWeek Innovation Agora program at: https://ceraweek.com/program/innovation-agora.html

CERAWeek by S&P Global is the premier annual international gathering of the world's energy industry leaders, experts, government officials and policymakers, as well as leaders from the technology, financial and industrial communities. The conference is produced by S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI).

Visit www.ceraweek.com for a complete list of speakers and the most up-to-date program information (subject to change).

Registration Information

CERAWeek by S&P Global 2024 will be held March 18-22 at the Hilton Americas?Houston. Further information and delegate registration is available at www.ceraweek.com.

Media Accreditation

Media registration is now open. Members of the media interested in covering CERAWeek 2024 are required to apply for accreditation.

Applications are subject to approval and can be submitted at the following link: https://reg.spglobal.com/flow/spglobal/ceraweek24/mediareg/login

About S&P Global

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) provides essential intelligence. We enable governments, businesses and individuals with the right data, expertise and connected technology so that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new investments to guiding them through ESG and energy transition across supply chains, we unlock new opportunities, solve challenges, and accelerate progress for the world.

We are widely sought after by many of the world's leading organizations to provide credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world's leading organizations plan for tomorrow, today. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com.

News Media Contacts:

Jeff Marn

S&P Global

+1 202 463 8213

[email protected]

SOURCE S&P Global

11 march 2024 at 09:00

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Buyer Group International, Inc. Releases Shambhala 2024 Surface Exploration Plan





SHERIDAN, WY / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Buyer Group International, Inc. (OTC PINK:BYRG) is pleased to present the 2024 Surface Exploration Plan for Project Shambhala, prepared by Justin Mistikawy. A geologic investigation of the Shambhala Project claims area near Albany, WY, in summer 2023 revealed a complexly deformed bedrock geology consisting of meta-igneous rocks that compositionally range from ultramafic to granitic. In total, 64 rock and 176 soil samples were collected and sent to American Assay Laboratories ("AAL"), Inc., in Sparks, Nevada, for multi-element, gold, and platinum group element ("PGE") analyses. After conducting geostatistical analyses of the returned surface sample assay data, we identified two geochemical anomalies in the Shambhala Project claims area that warrant further investigation.

*LINK TO FULL PDF REPORT: CLICK HERE

These identified anomalies will be geographically refined with the proposed Phase 1B

surface sampling and mapping activities herein. Phase 1B sampling will offer higher spatial resolution and a more in-depth geologic investigation of these anomalies, thereby improving interpolation model precision, smoothing, and geologic interpretations. Ultimately, these sampling efforts will provide valuable insight into the best places to conduct surficial diamond core drilling.

CEO Dave Bryant of Buyer Group International, Inc. stated that "the 2024 Surface Exploration Plan, the first of two key operational plans for 2024, is driven by an unwavering commitment to unlocking the hidden potential at project Shambhala within the historic New Rambler District. Our vision also extends beyond the mere extraction of resources; it encompasses responsible stewardship, utilizing cutting-edge technology like ground-penetrating radar, and sustainable practices. In this exciting journey, we embrace the challenges of exploration with a spirit of innovation, environmental consciousness, and a dedication to creating lasting value for our stakeholders."

About Buyer Group International, Inc.

Buyer Group International, Inc. is targeting exploration at its flagship mining project Shambhala in Albany County, Wyoming. The Shambhala Project consists of 84 lode claims, 2.71 square miles in the historic New Rambler District. The district is located near the south edge of the Cheyenne Belt, a noted Greenstone Belt of the Medicine Bow mountains, which contains various concentrations of rare minerals.

To learn more about Buyer Group International, Inc. also visit:

Corporate Website: https://frontierplatinumgroup.com/

Corporate Twitter: https://twitter.com/buyergroupinc

Corporate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/byrg/

Corporate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buyergroupinternationalinc/

Corporate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091509813233

OTC Stock Market Information: https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/BYRG/overview

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to future events, including our ability to raise capital, or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause materially different results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the OTC Markets Group Inc. Our public filings with the OTC Markets Group Inc are available from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the OTC Markets at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/BYRG/disclosure

CONTACT:

Buyer Group International, Inc.

Phone: 214-810-1317

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Buyer Group International, Inc.

11 march 2024 at 09:00

View the original press release on accesswire.comNews published onand distributed by:
Standard Solar Acquires 18-Megawatt Solar Project Portfolio in Vermont, Reinforcing its Commitment to the State's Renewable Energy Market





Standard Solar, a leading commercial and community solar developer and asset owner, today announced the acquisition of an 18.5-megawatt (MW) solar project portfolio in Vermont from local developer MHG Solar.

The six projects, owned and operated by Standard Solar, will provide clean energy to Vermont's electric utilities under the state's Standard Offer Program. This purchase underscores Standard Solar's commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions and advancing the development of solar power in the region.

The portfolio, spread across Vermont, marks a substantial growth of Standard Solar's presence in the state. With the inclusion of these projects, the company is actively advancing Vermont's green energy objectives and reinforcing its status as a vibrant solar energy hub. These initiatives are poised to produce clean electricity capable of powering thousands of homes in Vermont, significantly curbing greenhouse gas emissions. They are also expected to foster the creation of numerous local job opportunities, promoting economic prosperity and community development in the region.

"We are thrilled to be taking this significant step forward in the Vermont solar market with our long-term partner MHG Solar," said Eric Partyka, Director of Business Development, Standard Solar. "We firmly believe in the transformative power of solar energy, and this acquisition allows us to play a vital role in helping Vermont achieve its renewable energy targets. We are fully committed to partnering with the local authorities and stakeholders to ensure a seamless integration of these solar projects into the existing energy infrastructure."

The projects include Evergreen Solar, 2.9 MW in Fair Haven; Halladay Solar, 3.3 MW in Middlebury; Midway Solar, 3.3. MW in Berlin; Steinberg Solar, 3.3 MW in Brandon; Stone Mill Solar, 2.8 MW in Castleton; and Trolley Tracks Solar, 2.8 MW in Poultney. All projects are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

"MHG is excited to be partnered with Standard Solar on this portfolio of projects," expressed one of MHG's Owners, Thomas Hand. "MHG is exclusively focused on developing thoughtfully located, high-quality, clean energy projects in Vermont to help guide the State forward on its continued path as a national leader in renewable energy commitments and this portfolio represents another big step in that direction. We're excited for the future of renewable energy in Vermont."

The power purchase agreement (PPA) is with VEPP Inc., the Standard Offer Facilitator for existing and new Standard Offer Projects. VEPP acquires electric power from Vermont renewable resources and then distributes it to all 17 Vermont utilities on a pro-rata basis.

"It is also important to highlight and acknowledge the supportive, positive policy framework that the state of Vermont provides through VEPP's Standard Offer RFP process, which makes these projects possible," continued Partyka.

Standard Solar announced its first project partnership with MHG Solar in 2020 for a 3.2 MW solar project in Wallingford, Vermont. This collaboration marked a pivotal moment in Standard Solar's commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions in the Vermont solar market.

About Standard Solar

Standard Solar is powering the nation's energy transformation ? channeling its project development capabilities, financial strength and technical expertise to deliver the benefits of solar and solar + storage to businesses and institutions, farms, governments, communities, and utilities. Building on 20 years of sustainable growth and in-house and tax equity investment capital, Standard Solar is a national leader in developing, funding and long-term ownership and operation of commercial and community solar assets. Recognized as an established financial partner with immediate, deep resources, the company owns and operates more than 350 megawatts of solar across the United States. Based in Rockville, Maryland, Standard Solar is a portfolio company of Brookfield, one of the world's largest owners and operators of renewable power and climate transition assets. Learn more at standardsolar.com, LinkedIn and on X (formerly known as Twitter): @StandardSolar.

For project acquisition and development inquiries, contact Eric Partyka, Director of Project Development, 443-350-1776, [email protected] and on LinkedIn.

11 march 2024 at 10:00

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Primergy Secures $588M in Project Financing and Power Purchase Agreement with Microsoft for 408 MW Solar Project in Texas





Primergy Solar LLC (?Primergy'), a leading developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale solar and storage projects, announced today that it closed commitments for $588 million in debt financing for the 408 MWac Ash Creek Solar project in Hill County, Texas. The company also signed a long-term power purchase agreement with Microsoft for the full capacity of the plant.

"The successful completion of this financing and a long-term PPA from Microsoft for Ash Creek is a testament to Primergy's proven ability to creatively develop, finance, build, and operate large-scale renewables projects," said Ty Daul, CEO of Primergy. "Ash Creek aligns with Primergy's mission to invest in well-located projects that offer regional diversity to our portfolio and serve the needs of leading corporate customers. Our team is extremely grateful for our continued partnership with prominent clean energy project financiers to make this a reality and are proud to work with Microsoft on meeting its sustainability commitments."

The Ash Creek Solar site is strategically sited near several existing fossil fuel plants and high energy demand. Once completed, the project is expected to generate enough carbon-free energy to power the equivalent of approximately 90,000 homes per year.

The Ash Creek Solar project debt financing includes a construction loan, tax credit transfer bridge loan, and related letters of credit. The facilities are led by MUFG Bank, Ltd. and SMBC as lead structuring arrangers and seven coordinating lead arrangers ("CLAs") including BNP Paribas, Commerzbank AG, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, ING Capital, KeyBanc Capital Markets, Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, New York Branch, and Rabobank. Latham & Watkins LLP acted as Primergy's legal counsel, while Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom served as lender's counsel.

"We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Primergy and support its growing solar and storage portfolio," said Louise Pesce, Managing Director, Project Finance Americas at MUFG. "We are committed to creating a sustainable future by financing solar projects that have a positive community impact, like Ash Creek Solar."

"The financial close of Ash Creek Solar aligns with SMBC's commitment to advance the development of clean energy infrastructure," said Paul Jun, Head of Power & New Energies Project Finance at SMBC. "We continue to partner with organizations like Primergy that are accelerating the global energy transition."

Primergy has engaged SOLV Energy, a leading utility-scale solar contractor, as the engineering, procurement, and construction partner. Construction has started and is expected to create approximately 350 local full-time construction jobs. Once operational, the safety and reliability of Ash Creek Solar will be managed by six full-time and permanent positions on-site.

Primergy and its partners worked closely with local leaders, school districts, and over 20 landowners to ensure Ash Creek Solar brings tangible benefits to the community beyond the construction phase. Over Ash Creek Solar's operating life, it will provide an estimated $100 million in tax payments to Hill County and substantially increase the tax base of local school districts.

"Large-scale solar projects have a ripple effect that strengthens communities," said George Hershman, CEO of SOLV Energy. "Ash Creek Solar represents a long-term investment in Hill County that will generate revenue for local schools and services. We're proud to partner with Primergy to bring the benefits of solar energy to more Texans."

Ash Creek Solar was originally developed by Orion Power Generation, LLC, a joint venture between Orion Renewable Energy Group LLC and Eolian. Primergy acquired the project in 2021. For more information on Primergy, please visit www.primergysolar.com.

About Primergy Solar

Primergy (https://www.primergysolar.com) is a developer, owner and operator focused on both distributed and utility-scale solar PV and battery storage projects across the US. Primergy is a portfolio company of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners and is the primary investment platform for Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners' solar and solar plus energy storage activities in North America.

11 march 2024 at 10:35

News published onand distributed by:
Mammoth Holdings Opens Silverstar Car Wash in Coon Rapids, MN





DALLAS, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mammoth Holdings LLC, America's premier express car wash platform, announced the recent opening of its newest location, Silverstar Car Wash outside Minneapolis in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The new site aligns with Mammoth's dual growth strategy of developing greenfield locations while also acquiring existing brands.

"We are thrilled to bring our state-of-the-art technology and equipment to Coon Rapids and the Greater Minneapolis area so customers can experience a top-notch car wash," said Dave Hoffmann, Chairman and CEO of Mammoth Holdings. "This latest site is our third in Minnesota, representing our commitment to the market, and building on our momentum to reaching 500 sites across the country."

The site will become a go-to destination for car owners in the Coon Rapids area, providing convenience and best in class service to every car and every customer. Today's opening marks the 26th Mammoth location under the Silverstar Car Wash brand.

Mammoth Holdings is the first car wash platform formed by industry insiders and has 135 operating locations. Mammoth is customer-focused operationally; operator-focused in its approach to acquisitions; and seeks to be the partner-of-choice for car wash operators who desire liquidity, growth capital, and a tax-deferred equity investment opportunity.

Mammoth Holdings' multi-brand portfolio includes Busy Bee Car Wash, Coastal Carwash, Finish Line Car Wash, Galaxies Express Car Wash, In & Out Express Carwash, Jax Kar Wash, Lulu's Express Car Wash, Marc-1 Car Wash, Mr. Squeaky Car Wash, Pals Carwash, Pitstop Car Wash, PureMagic Carwash, Silverstar Car Wash, Speedy Clean Car Wash, Suds Car Wash, Swifty Car Wash, Today's Car Wash, Ultra Car Wash, Wash Me Fast, Wash-N-Go Express Car Wash, and Wiggy Wash.

Mammoth has significant growth capital available and is actively seeking acquisitions and development opportunities.

In October 2018, Mammoth partnered with Red Dog Equity LLC, an Atlanta-based private equity firm, which, through its partnership with Tom Pritzker's family business interests (advised by The Pritzker Organization), provided the equity for Mammoth Holdings' corporate development initiatives. In December 2022, Mammoth sold a minority stake to CCMP Growth Advisors that provided Mammoth with additional capital to pursue building new units and making acquisitions.

Oak Hill Advisors provides Mammoth Holdings' debt financing through its direct lending partnership with BMO Capital Markets.

About Mammoth Holdings

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Mammoth Holdings, LLC operates 135 conveyor car washes under the Busy Bee Car Wash, Coastal Carwash, Finish Line Car Wash, Galaxies Express Car Wash, In & Out Express Carwash, Jax Kar Wash, Lulu's Express Car Wash, Marc-1 Car Wash, Mr. Squeaky Car Wash, Pals Carwash, Pitstop Car Wash, PureMagic Carwash, Silverstar Car Wash, Speedy Clean Car Wash, Suds Car Wash, Swifty Car Wash, Today's Car Wash, Ultra Car Wash, Wash Me Fast, Wash-N-Go Express Car Wash, and Wiggy Wash brands in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah.

Mammoth Holdings was founded by Gary Dennis and Chip Hackett in 2002. To learn more, please visit mammothholdings.com.

About Red Dog Equity

Red Dog Equity LLC is a private equity firm that invests in lower middle-market companies poised for strong growth in partnership with driven, entrepreneurial business leaders ("Red Dogs"). To learn more, please visit reddogequity.com.

About The Pritzker Organization

The Pritzker Organization is the merchant bank for the business interests of the Tom Pritzker family. Additional information can be found at pritzkerorg.com.

About CCMP Growth Advisors

CCMP Growth Advisors, LP ("CCMP Growth") is a New York based growth-oriented private equity firm focused on making lead buyout and growth equity investments in middle-market companies in the Consumer and Industrial sectors primarily in North America. CCMP Growth leverages the deep investment experience of its team to identify high growth companies in transition, and partners with management to help each platform scale through strategic and operational support.

SOURCE Mammoth Holdings

11 march 2024 at 10:48

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A bridge submerged by the flooded Gard river is pictured in Dions, on March 10, 2024 following heavy rain over south-eastern France. (Photo by CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP) CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP

Five people died over the weekend when violent storms swept southern France, authorities said Monday, March 11, as rescue services continued their search for missing people, including two children.

On Sunday, a man was found dead in the village of Gagnieres, in the Gard department, in his car that had been swept away by floods, authorities said. Also on Sunday, two women died in a separate incident when their car got caught in the raging current of a river.

A fourth confirmed victim, a man whose body was found Monday, is believed to be the father of a family of four who tried to cross a flooded bridge over the river Gardon by car in Dions, near the southern city of Nimes. His wife was rescued and taken to hospital, but their two children, four and 13 years old, are still missing. Regional authorities said the car's driver appeared to have ignored a warning sign set up at a bridge and tried to cross before police had been able to set up barriers to block access.

"There were probably cases of individual behavior that were not totally appropriate," the secretary-general of the Gard department, Frederic Loiseau, told reporters. Around 110 firefighters and 120 gendarmes have been involved in the search, backed up by helicopters, drones, search dogs and divers.

Seven departments were placed on high weather alert on Saturday, but were out of danger for the most part on Monday. Southern France regularly falls victim to sudden storms. In the worst recent incident, 22 people died in gale-force winds and flooding in 2022.
France's President Emmanuel Macron said a bill on assisted dying would go before parliament in May, speaking in an interview published Sunday, March 10.

Only adults with full control of their judgment, 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 newspapers La Croix and Liberation.

Minors and patients suffering from psychiatric or neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's will not be eligible, he said.

If medical professionals give their consent, a lethal substance will be prescribed for the patient, who can administer it themselves or with the help of a third party if they cannot 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 centers.

Medical experts will have 15 days to respond to the request for help to die and an approval will be valid for three months, during which time the patient can retract, Macron said. He said that if medical professionals rejected the request, the patient could consult another medical team or appeal.

'Precise criteria'

Macron 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."

Read more Subscribers only Macron's hesitations on assisted dying

Until now French patients in pain wishing to end their lives have had to travel abroad, including to neighbouring Belgium.

A 2005 law legalized 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.

From 2023 Subscribers only French citizens' convention supports active assistance in dying using different models

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.
Al-Qaeda's branch in Yemen has announced the death of its leader Khalid Batarfi and named a successor, SITE Intelligence Group reported on Sunday, March 10. The monitoring service said Batarfi's body was shown in footage released by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in a burial shroud and wrapped in a flag bearing the jihadist group's name.

"God took his soul while he patiently sought his reward and stood firm, immigrated, garrisoned and waged jihad," SITE quoted an AQAP veteran as saying of Batarfi in the nearly 15-minute video. There were no immediate details of the time or cause of Batarfi's death. He was believed to be in his 40s.

The United States considers Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch the most dangerous faction of the global jihadist network, and the State Department designated Batarfi in 2018 a "global terrorist." SITE said the group had named its new chief Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, who last appeared in a video released in February 2023 urging Sunni tribesmen to join AQAP.

The Sunni extremist group thrived in the chaos of years of war since 2014 between Yemen's Saudi-backed government and Iran-backed Huthi rebels. AQAP has carried out operations in Yemen against both the Huthis and government forces.

It has also carried out sporadic attacks abroad, including on the offices of the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo in 2015 and a 2019 mass shooting at a US naval base in Florida, in which a Saudi Air Force officer killed three American sailors.
PEOPLE are coming to Limerick from right across Ireland to buy deadly crack cocaine, a TD has claimed.

Maurice Quinlivan made the comments after it emerged gardai in the city are hoping to launch a fresh drive to tackle the sale and supply of both crack cocaine and heroin.

There is still ongoing crack dealing in the city, said the Sinn Fein deputy.

He said two weeks ago people travelled especially to Limerick to acquire the drug.

People were coming from all over the country. You could see that, you heard the reports from the bus station, people getting off buses and trains coming here, mainly because its cheaper to buy crack here than anywhere else, Mr Quinlivan said.

Open drug dealing continues to be a problem in the city, he added, saying: Unfortunately we have visible drug taking very near a creche - there are discarded needles and paraphernalia. Its simply not good enough.

He raised the issue with senior gardai in the Limerick division at the Joint Policing Committee meeting.

He asked what steps are being taken to combat the sale and supply of drugs, particularly in the Kings Island area of the city.

In a written reply from chief superintendent Derek Smart, he was told the gardai were hoping to relaunch Operation Feabhsaigh.

READ MORE: BREAKING: Man dies while hunting in Limerick

Initiated in September 2023, its priorities included tackling the sale and supply of drugs, open use of substances, chronic anti-social behaviour and aggressive begging and crime in St Marys Park.

He confirmed an application is being prepared to re-initiate the operation.

Its aim again is to confront and challenge the issue of drugs and anti-social behaviour which worked very successfully in the past, Limericks most high-ranked garda stated.

Mr Quinlivan welcomed this, and said there is a feeling in the community that the area feels left behind in the fight against drugs.
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VIATEL Technology Group welcomed women (and a few men!) from across the Mid-West to The Women in the Room: Inclusive

Workplaces in 2024, an International Womens Day event hosted in the groups Limerick offices.

Head of Group Product Strategy at Viatel, Lauren Kehoe, extended a warm welcome, outlining Viatels commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the workplace, the groups membership of CWiT (Connecting Women in Technology) and the work that group does to attract and retain more women in technology sector.

The morning commenced with an inspiring keynote address delivered by Tammy Darcy, the Founder and CEO of The Shona Project, a distinguished social enterprise dedicated to empowering Irish girls through education and inspiration.

Tammy shared her personal journey, motivations behind founding The Shona Project, and the challenges faced by young girls.

With insights drawn from her extensive work in nearly 500 schools, Tammy urged those in STEM fields to mentor and support the next generation, emphasising their ethical responsibility to use their personal and professional influence.

An insightful panel discussion followed, led by Tammy herself, alongside panellists from University of Limerick and Viatel Technology Group.

Check out our gallery for more pictures from the event.
MALACHY McCourt, one of Limericks most notable characters, has died at the age of 92.

Malachy, who was born in Brooklyn and raised in Limerick, was the brother of Frank McCourt, who wrote Angela's Ashes, which centred around their upbringing in the city.

According to the New York Times, his death was confirmed by his wife, Diana McCourt.

He was the last surviving of seven siblings.

Malachy had undertaken a lot in his 92 years - dabbling in acting, writing, campaigning, politics, broadcasting and even owned a popular New York City pub at one point.

He previously ran for New York Governor back in 2006, under the Green Party but lost out to the Democratic candidate Eliot Spitzer.

Malachy left Limerick in 1952 at the age of 20 and returned to America.

In 2023, Malachy told RTE Radio One show that he was diagnosed, several years previously, with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) - a rare condition and a muscular disease where your muscles waste away.

He had more recently been diagnosed with cancer, which affected both his prostate and skin.

Malachys brother Frank won a Pulitzer Prize for his account of his childhood in Limerick called Angelas Ashes, and Malachy himself had mentioned previously that life in Limerick was quite miserable growing up.

Dan Barry, a writer for The New York Times paid tribute to the late actor on the social media platform, X.

The great Malachy McCourt, author, actor, raconteur, and fierce advocate of justice and equality, has died at 92. In his honour, live the hell out of your life. As he would say: Sing it, children! Mr Barry

He was the owner of Malachy's, a bar on Third Avenue in New York City.

A frequent patron was actor, fellow Limerick man, and friend, Richard Harris, who reportedly worked for a short time behind the bar for McCourt.
THERES good news for staff of three local restaurants this week after the parent company of the firm emerged from examinership.

In a move which has saved 200 jobs, the Irish arm of the Cornstore Group, which runs the restaurant of the same name in Thomas Street in Limerick city centre, has been given court protection over a debt of 26.7m.

The group also runs the Coqbull restaurant chain, which also has a branch in Thomas Street and one in Castletroy.

Cornstore founder and chief executive Padraic Frawley has been reinstated as a director of the company after helping secure new investment.

READ MORE: Notable Limerick character Malachy McCourt dies aged 92

Mr Frawley said: "It has been a challenging few months for the Cornstore Restaurant group, but I am extremely grateful to Linda Frawley and my senior management team, who have been stoic in keeping positive and remaining resilient during an already tough economic climate for our industry. Together with my executive team and with new funding in place, we look forward to growing from strength to strength this year and beyond, with expansion plans and refurbishments in the pipeline."

Mike Ryan, the director of Cornstore Restaurant and Coqbull said its important for people to support local.

"Going the extra mile for our customers has always been a number one priority for us and we will continue to support and give back to the community who has kept us going through the difficult times," he said.

As well as its branches in Limerick, the Cornstore Restaurants group also operates in Cork.
WELL-KNOWN city businesswoman Helen ODonnell will this Monday morning launch her bid to become the first directly elected mayor of Limerick.

It comes as President Michael D Higgins formally signed the laws governing the new, prestigious role into law, after it passed through Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann.

And the Electoral Commission has now moved to confirm the maiden election to become executive mayor will take place alongside the local and European elections on Friday, June 7.

It means Limerick voters will be presented with three voting papers - one for their district of the city or county to elect local council members, one for the Ireland South European election constituency, plus one for the mayoral election.

READ MORE: Good times on horizon for Limerick firm after one million boost

Following Ms ODonnells entry into the election race as an Independent, there are now four confirmed candidates in the race for the role.

City TD Brian Leddin of the Green Party was first to declare before Christmas, followed by Ruairi Fahy of People Before Profit, who is also seeking a council seat on the northside.

The former secretary general at the Department of Finance John Moran joined the race last month.

Chamber chief executive Dee Ryan is to seek the Fianna Fail party nomination, meaning she is not yet confirmed on the ballot.

Likewise, Labours northside councillor Conor Sheehan has also expressed an interest in going for the prestigious role but is as of yet unconfirmed.

Ms O'Donnell has been in business in Limerick for more than 30 years, running the cafe in the Hunt Museum through her firm Dolmen Catering up to 2022 when she retired.

She also chairs the Paul Partnership, which aims to tackle disadvantage in the city.

A community activist, she chairs the board of management at Crescent College Comprehensive and a member of A t-Udaras Rialaithe, the governing body of Mary Immaculate College.

Elsewhere, she chairs the Limerick City Tidy Towns committee and sits as a member of the JP McManus Benevolent Fund committee.

Her late husband, Tom is a former government minister and MEP.

Ms ODonnell is to formally launch her campaign at the Limerick Strand Hotel this morning.
The Central Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant after a man who attempted to murder his wife 12 years ago allegedly breached the terms of his release by trying to contact his victim.

Lounes Ouachek had admitted trying to murder his wife by beating her with a kettlebell after becoming resentful of her independence.

At the Central Criminal Court this Monday, Detective Sergeant Mary Fitzpatrick gave evidence that Lounes Ouachek had failed to appear in court despite being notified of his requirement to be present.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott made an order for the arrest warrant.

Lounes Ouachek, aged 54, formerly of St Dominic's Terrace, Tallaght, Dublin 24, pleaded guilty, in 2014, to the attempted murder of Ruta Ouachek at that address on August 23 2012.

He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with the final three suspended, by Mr Justice Paul Carney, on July 21, 2014.

The Court of Appeal later reduced his sentence to 15 years with the final four suspended. At a previous hearing Garret McCormack BL, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said one of the conditions set by Mr Justice Carney in 2014 was that there be no contact between Ouachek and his wife "in perpetuity".

The 2014 sentencing hearing was told that Algerian national Ouachek had met his wife, a Lithuanian national, in Germany in 2000. The got married a year later and moved to Ireland in 2005.

Following the birth of their daughter in 2007, Ms Ouachek entered full time education and the defendant  a devout muslim, the court heard - developed a resentment of his wife's new-found independence and the little time she was spending at home.

Ouachek took his daughter to Algeria but was subsequently persuaded to return by his wife.He had legally separated from his wife when he began "stalking" her and breached an interim barring order.

READ ALSO: Man dies while hunting in Limerick

The sentencing hearing in 2014 heard that Ouachek, an Algerian national, had legally separated from his wife when he began "stalking" her and breached an interim barring order by calling to her home.

He demanded that she return various items, including a kettle-bell, but then attacked her using the kettle-bell as a weapon.

She managed to make her way into the bathroom where she locked herself in and was found later by gardai covered in blood and seriously injured.

Ms Ouachek had fractures to her skull and facial bones and was later transferred to Beaumont Hospital.

After he tried to kill his wife, Ouachek left the house, pulled the blinds and locked the door before driving her car to Dublin airport.

He flew to Tunisia via Paris without telling anyone that his wife lay injured in a pool of blood for nine hours and was subsequently arrested in Germany on foot on an extradition warrant.
IndiGo co-founder Rakesh Gangwal on Monday sold a 5.8 per cent stake in operator Interglobe Aviation via a bulk deal, according to BSE data. Morgan Stanley bought 2.1 million shares in Indigo.

According to the corporate announcement by the firm, Gangwal raised 6,785 crore by selling 2,25,00,000 shares at an average price of 3,016 a share. Morgan Stanley Asia Singapore Pte bought 21,00,000 shares of the aviation company, representing a 0.5% stake, for 633 crore.

The shares were sold in three tranches, with the price per scrip varying from 3,015.10 to 3,016.36.

ALSO READ: IndiGo co-founder Rakesh Gangwal invests $20 million in Zetwerk

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd ended 3.63 per cent up at 3214.25 apiece at BSE on Monday.

After this transaction, Gangwals stake in the firm has further reduced to 6 per cent, bringing down the promoter groups holding in InterGlobe Aviation to 57.3 per cent.

This is the fourth time in the past two years that Gangwal has offloaded his stake via a block sale of his Indigo shares.

Earlier, it was reported that Gangwal was looking to sell his stocks in InterGlobe Aviation Ltd and mulling raising $795 million.

This bulk deal sale by IndiGo co-founder marked the largest block sale in India since 2019, with Gangwal offering as many as 22.5 million shares of InterGlobe Aviation, reported Hindustan Times.

Meanwhile, on March 7, Gangwal invested $20 million in the manufacturing services company Zetwerk.

Mr Gangwal, with his extensive experience spanning several decades, brings invaluable insights into building businesses and iconic brands. His strategic guidance will be crucial in building Zetwerk into a generational company," read a statement from Zetwerk.

About Rakesh Gangwal:

In February 2022, Rakesh Gangwal stepped down and announced plans to dilute his familys stake. He sold a 4 per cent stake for 2,900 crore in February and then a 2.8 per cent stake worth 2,000 crore in September. His family divested a stake worth $450 million in August 2022.

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NEW DELHI : In the first week of March, a Vijay Sales store in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, buzzed with shoppers crowding the place. Holi, the festival of colours, is around the corner; it announces the onset of the long and gruelling Indian summer. Expectedly, around this time, the demand for room air conditioners (ACs) shoots up. However, at this prominent outlet selling consumer electronics, one brand was missingLloyd.

We havent been stocking Lloyd for some time now. There were some issues related to annual maintenance packages. Very rarely do customers ask for it, anyway," a mildly irritated sales executive told this writer before listing out specifications and finance options for ACs sold by Voltas, a home appliance company from the Tata group, and Hitachi, a multinational aggressively selling its wares in India.

Lloyd is owned by Havells India, one of the countrys largest electrical equipment companies, which sells everything from switches and cables to fans and water heaters.

It is the same situation in nearly half a dozen stand-alone electronic shops in Noidas Sector 18 marketonly one shop had a Lloyd AC on display and could provide information about the product, pricing, and warranty. This sticks out like a sore thumb given that Havells claims that it is the No. 3 in the pecking order of AC manufacturers in India with an estimated market share of over 10%.

Lloyds revenue has more than doubled since 2017-18, from  1,414 crore to  3,400 crore in 2022-23. But investors and analysts have concerns, beyond its availability in retail stores.

Lloyd began in India as a joint venture under Fedders Lloyd, a multinational company, in 1956, but became a solo brand in 2007 when Fedders went bankrupt in the US. In February 2017, Havells bought the consumer durables business from the BR Punj Group, owners of Lloyd back then, for 1,600 crore. The acquisition announced Havells as a serious player in the consumer appliances businessbesides ACs, Lloyd sells televisions, washing machines, and refrigerators.

ACs, nonetheless, have been the mainstay of the brand and still account for over 60% of its sales. So far, Havells has spent 2,500 crore (which includes the cost of acquisition) on Lloyd. Investments to beef up marketing, retail footprint, local research and development and manufacturing have been made. Manufacturing investments include two new factories in Ghiloth, Rajasthan, and Sri City, Andhra Pradesh.

Sure, these efforts have paid dividends. Lloyds revenue has more than doubled since 2017-18, from 1,414 crore to 3,400 crore in 2022-23. But investors and analysts have concerns, beyond its availability in retail stores.

The growth seems to have come at the cost of profitability as Lloyd finds itself in a gully with 10 consecutive quarters of operating losses (see chart). Never keen to give the long rope, analysts are growing restive.

While Lloyd has a huge addressable market to cater to, the medium-term journey is likely to be one of very gradual margin accretion. Lloyds profitability is still two-three years away," stated brokerage house Nuvama Institutional Equities in a note published after the companys third quarter results were announced in January.

While the rationale for the acquisition appeared solid in 2017, Lloyds recent cash burn points to a different reality. The big question is if Havells can steer the boat in the right direction in the coming quarters.

The heartburn

In some ways, Lloyds financial performance in the last two years validates investor worries even at the time of the deal. On 20 February 2017, the day after the acquisition was announced, share prices of both the companies fell on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Havells fell 2.66% while Lloyd fell 16.75%. Over the course of the week, Havells fell another 3% before recovering.

These were the first indications of investor concern. Lloyds operating margin at that time, of around 6%, was lower than what its peers were reporting1013%. Moreover, Havells operating margin was even healthier at 14%. So, investors wondered if Lloyd would end up stretching Havells and diluting its profitability.

For now, this is how it is playing out. Havells core business of switch gears, cables, wires, lighting, and fixtures have much higher profitability. For example, switch gears had a 13% share of the companys revenue of nearly 17,000 crore but contributed to 36% of its operating profit in 2022-23. The only drag was Lloyd. While it now accounts for 20% of Havells revenue, its contribution to the firms earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit) is a negative 14%.

There is little to suggest the script is changing. In the third quarter of 2023-24, which ended in December, Lloyd had a negative Ebit margin of 10.1% which compared unfavourably with all the other segments. Switchgear had a healthy Ebit margin of 24% during the quarter, followed by lighting and fixtures at 14.2%, electrical consumer durables at 11.2% and cables at 10.4%.

The acquisition has not panned out as per the initial plans," said Harshit Kapadia, vice president at Elara Capital, a brokerage house. Its manufacturing cost is high as its plants are new and Lloyd is positioned on the lower end of mass premium. Thus, the losses. But, we expect them to reduce the losses over the next two years," he added.

What went wrong?

View Full Image Unlike Havells, Lloyd now finds itself competing in a very cluttered industry full of established players. (Photo: HT)

Lloyd was not in the best shape in 2017 and was in need of a complete overhaul. Dependent on imports from China with minimal in-house research and development, and not much scale to boast of in terms of manufacturing, the brand was perceived as a low-end player. Its retail presence was focused on the price conscious tier-II and -III cities of the country.

When Havells took over the business, it wanted to change that brand positioning. It had to invest in manufacturing, research and brand building to move the needle on perception.

Unlike Havells, Lloyd now finds itself competing in a very cluttered industry full of established players, including global firms. In the room AC market, for example, there are over two dozen players, including Voltas, Hitachi, Daikin, Blue Star, Carrier, Panasonic, Samsung, and LG.

It is difficult to grab market share in a hyper competitive market. Harshit Kapadia

Analysts point to this while talking of Lloyds financial performance. The gestation period of the investments yielding dividends is likely to be long and the consumer durables industry, by nature, has a lower margin profile than the core businesses of Havells.

It is difficult to grab market share in a hyper competitive market," said Kapadia of Elara. Diversification beyond ACs is a long drawn process."

According to industry estimates, Voltas is the market leader in ACs in India with over 20% share. South Korean company LG led the washing machine segment with 29% share as also refrigerators with over 30% share in 2022. Samsung, another South Korean giant, was the leader in televisions with 21% share by volume. Except for ACs, where it claims 10% share, Lloyd has a low single digit share in other segments.

The defence

View Full Image Anil Rai Gupta, chairman and managing director, Havells.

The headquarters of Havells is barely 5 km away from the Vijay Sales store we mentioned earlier. On a pleasant morning in March, this writer met Anil Rai Gupta, the companys 54-year-old chairman and managing director, here.

He defended the purchase and exuded confidence.

Vijay Sales is perhaps the only large retail store that doesnt stock Lloyd ACs yet, but they will eventually," he said. When we took over the company in 2017, it wasnt present in many retail chains but now, it is there everywhere. For example, the moment Havells bought Lloyd, Reliance started stocking it," he added.

In fact, all of Havells management exudes this sort of confidence. During an investor conference, after its third quarter results, the company saw an uptick in demand, going ahead, and blamed high advertising spends for the relatively weak performance during the quarter. They also pointed to stabilizing raw material costs that will boost profitability for Lloyd in the future. Yet, no timeline was given for a turnaround.

We believe consumer durables is a very large opportunity and if there is one category where India is least penetrated, it is the air conditioners," Rajiv Goel, executive director at Havells, told analysts. We have established good credentials and the market is getting consolidated in terms of the larger players. Let us not measure them in a few quarters here and there...We are here for the long term."

How large is the opportunity?

ACs, washing machines, refrigerators, and televisionsthe segments Lloyd is present inis today a 1 trillion market in India, the industry estimates. Havells believes that these four segments will expand to 1.75 trillion in five years.

In comparison, the annual market size of Havells established businessthe electrical business comprising cables, wires, lighting, switches and small domestic appliancesis 1.25 trillion today and is seen growing to 2 trillion over the next five years.

I would like all businesses to grow at a similar pace but that doesnt happen ever. Lloyd is a much bigger opportunity and our share is smaller than in the other businesses. So, without a doubt, we will grow faster there...more than 20%," Gupta told Mint.

He believes that the building blocks for Lloyd are still being put in place and eventually it will not only be profitable but comparable with Havells core businesses.

I would like all businesses to grow at a similar pace but that doesnt happen ever.  Anil Rai Gupta

Transforming the perception of a brand takes a long time. There is a mismatch between what a consumer wants to pay and the quality that we are offering. Once that is established, the business will become stronger," Gupta said.

He is hopeful the investment in Lloyd will earn a very high return on capital and become a much larger player than it is today. For us to be a meaningful player, we should not be tied at 3,0004,000 crore of annual revenue," Gupta said.

Weighing others down

View Full Image Havells may cede market share in cables and wire to Polycab and KEI, analysts have warned.

There is yet another fear. Is Havells, focused on turning around Lloyd, missing out on growth opportunities in its other businesses?

Analysts have been pointing at how Havells has not adequately expanded capacity in the cables and wire businesses. As a result, it has not fully exploited the demand surge in the current fiscal.

Lack of investment in C&W (cables and wire) capacity has hurt Havells meaningfully, especially in FY24 when demand surged. Even now, Havells investment is sub-optimal in scale given the demand surge seen currently and may lead to it ceding further share to Polycab/KEI," Nuvama stated in its January note.

Both Polycab India and KEI Industries are manufacturers of electrical wires and cables. Polycab is today the largest player in Indias cables and wire industry with an estimated 2022% market share. Havells is No. 2 in the pecking order, at 1517% share, industry estimates suggest.

Gupta admitted it may have missed out on the underground cables growth opportunity this year, but remains confident of catching up.

When you have many businesses, sometimes you over invest or under invest in certain businesses. Not so much in wires, but in the underground cables business, we could have invested faster or looked at international markets more strongly," he said.

But, the strength of an established player is that they have the financial backing and the technology," he further added. They can come back fast. So, while we may have missed out a bit on cables, our new facility is coming up in Karnataka which will give us more capacity and we will be able to benefit from the growing demand."

Gupta admitted that Havells may have missed out on the underground cables growth opportunity this year but remains confident of catching up.

Does the persistent questioning by analysts bother him?

Gupta said he is more concerned with making money for his investors than analysts nitpicking on its balance-sheet. But, of late, there is one person whose grilling he cannot escapehis son, the 26-year-old Abhinav Rai Gupta. He graduated from Harvard last year and is currently working with Bain Consulting. He is already taking a keen interest in the family business.

He keeps grilling me. I almost feel overworked at home now," Gupta joked.

Almost a decade ago, the senior Gupta took over Havells after the death of his father, Qimat Rai Gupta, the companys founder. While retirement is not on the horizon yet, he would want to hand over a Havells group that is much larger and stronger when he does retire. A profitable Lloyd, too.
Users of Facebook Marketplace say the once-straightforward process of buying and selling there has become anything but.

Buyers say theyve encountered counterfeit listings, payment cons or products that dont match what was promised. When sellers are scammed, its often by a buyer" showing fake payment confirmation, or theyre inundated by messages that ask, Is this still available?" The Better Business Bureaus Scam Tracker database is filled with hundreds of reports from Facebook Marketplace users who allege they fell prey to fraud on the platform.

The Marketplace section within Facebooks app launched in 2016 to enable users to exchange items with one another locally. It has since grown into an online bazaar where people can buy goods from virtually anywhere. While it still serves a purpose for people selling their belongingsand many great deals can regularly be foundusers, financial institutions and online shopping experts say the quality of the experience has diminished.

Facebook parent Meta Platforms says it invests in tools to detect fraudulent activity, and provides measures people can take to protect themselves from scams. (See below for tips.)

Peter Panduro, a 32-year-old software engineer in Sweden, for years used Marketplace to declutter his home or prepare for a moveeven to sell a car. When he posted some photography equipment for sale there in December, things had changed. Instead of inquiries from people in his area, Panduro said he received suspiciously vague, similar-sounding messages from accounts based all over the world.

The moment you upload something, you get an avalanche of spam messages from bots," Panduro said. They are rarely close to me, and they all say the same thing." Overwhelmed, he has shifted to selling on Blocket, a Swedish online marketplace that verifies sellers and shoppers.

Too easily scammed

In January, TSB, a Scotland-based retail bank with over five million customers, found that 60% of all purchase fraud reported by its customers in 2023 originated on Facebook Marketplacedoubling in a year. About one-third of the platforms listings appear to be scams, it warned, calling on Meta to add more user protections.

Innocent consumers are too easily scammed by fake profiles, adverts and listings, and lack protection," said Matt Hepburn, a fraud-focused spokesman for TSB Bank.

Small U.S. banks also have issued warnings about Facebook Marketplaces risks. They include Empeople Credit Union in Moline, Ill.; United Bank & Trust in Marshalltown, Iowa; and Merrimack County Savings Bank in Concord, N.H. The Federal Trade Commission said scams originating on social media accounted for $1.5 billion in losses in 2023.

Carol Johnson, a 58-year-old mom in Novato, Calif., witnessed her son get scammed trying to sell his laptop. She didnt blame the bank, even though it refused to intervene. My biggest issue was with Facebook," she said. Youre creating an environment where fraud flourishes."

Marketplace is a free service that connects people to thousands of products in their community," said Meta spokesman Daniel Roberts, in a statement. We invest heavily in review teams and specialized detection tools to identify fraudulent activity," he added. Meta also said it provides tips and tools to help people avoid scams, and works with law enforcement and takes legal action when necessary.

The company declined to report how many people use Facebook Marketplace, or how many listings are on the platform overall.

Buyers beware

Early on, Facebook Marketplace transactions generally took place face-to-face, often with cash. Users said they were satisfied with the experience, and that it beat alternatives like Craigslist because on Facebook, they could see buyers and sellers profiles.

As Marketplace expanded, it added shipping options and facilitated online payments through PayPal and Venmo. In 2019, it added the Facebook Pay option, now known as Meta Pay. Meta makes money from advertising and promoted listings, not through Marketplace transactions themselves.

Facebook Marketplace has become the biggest swap meet in the world," said Kevin Lee, vice president of trust and safety at the fraud-management firm Sift. That makes Facebook particularly lucrative for fraudsters."

Fewer geographical constraints meant more sophisticated remote scams, and an increased prevalence of bots and automated scams, according to Lee and other fraud-prevention specialists.

They say the most-scammed items include vehicle parts, event tickets and electronics, items that often cant be authenticated on the spot. Apple products are also popular, because of their high demand and resale value.

Legitimate people see a shiny item and want to clear the deal," Lee said. Too often, theyre willing to look past some of the red flags."

AirPods and Siamese kittens

Matthew Zaradich, 41, a tech manager in Dublin, wanted a pair of Apples big AirPods Max headphones, but didnt love the correspondingly big $549 price tag. He turned to Facebook Marketplace and found a pair for $300.

When he met with a young seller in the city center, he examined the headphones then transmitted payment via a banking app. But after a day of dealing with an awkward fit and software issues, he took them to an electronics store. The headphones were counterfeit.

I felt violated," Zaradich said. He was able to reconnect with the seller and talk him into a refund. Other buyers arent so lucky.

In January, Bruce Anthony set out to purchase a rare Siamese kitten for his girlfriend. The 77-year-old from Bremerton, Wash., felt drawn to a $400 listing, a bargain given that such cats can fetch upward of $1,000. The seller promised to reserve the kitten in exchange for a $100 Amazon gift card.

Anthony considered it odd but felt safe since the seller provided a pickup address in a nearby town. He sent the payment, then he and his girlfriend hopped in his truck, drove to the address, and messaged the seller to say they were outside.

The seller stopped responding. They realized they had been scammed.

It mustve been an address he picked out of the phone book or something," Anthony said. He contacted Meta and Amazon to report the fraud, but didnt get a refund. He still searches Facebook Marketplace for cats. Only, Im a lot more careful," he said.

Sellers beware

The situation can be just as fraught for sellers. Hira Saeed, 41, an Austin, Texas-based entrepreneur, sold a bed and mattress to a couple. When they came to pick it up, she even helped them load it onto their truck. They showed Saeed a screenshot ostensibly showing a $200 Zelle payment.

Instead, it was a sham. Saeed didnt receive those funds, and the buyer blocked her on Facebook.

Saeeds husband let her use his Facebook profile to sleuth. She found the couples address from a baby-shower invitation that also included a phone number. She managed to contact them. Ultimately, they paid up.

They appeared to be just a typical couple from next door," Saeed said, but their actions suggested they were seasoned in this scam."

A lot of real people on Facebook

Despite the mounting challenges, users continue to successfully buy and sell items on Facebook Marketplace, because of its vast size and variety of items.

Morgan Johnson, a 33-year-old public health specialist, navigated its complexities ahead of a January move from Atlanta to Detroit.

While attempting to sell IKEA furniture and other items, she got messages from accounts created that month, profiles without any pictures, and supposed buyers asking to shift communication to email. Despite all those likely fake interested buyers," she managed to sell most things within a week.

There are a lot of real people on Facebook," Johnson said. You just have to weed through and overlook a lot."

How to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams

If you shop on the platform, these guidelines can lower the risk of becoming a victim, fraud-prevention specialists say:

 Use secure payment methods. Choose payment options such as credit cards, which have protection policies and traceable transactions. Dont use gift cards.

 Verify profiles. Check the seller or buyers profile for signs of legitimacy, such as how long it has been active and how many transaction reviews it has.

 Meet in public. If you are doing an in-person handoff, make sure you exchange goods and payments in safe locations.

 Scrutinize listings. Always be critical of the listings and watch for red flags: prices that are too low, vague descriptions or high-pressure sales tactics.

 Avoid sending deposits for high-value items. Confirm the authenticity of expensive items through in-person meetings, receipt verification or a video call before sending deposits.

 Inspect items before payment. Thoroughly check condition and functionality before handing over payment. Examine packaging for signs of tampering or counterfeiting.

For more WSJ Technology analysis, reviews, advice and headlines, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Write to Dalvin Brown at dalvin.brown@wsj.com

View Full Image The Trouble With Facebook Marketplace

View Full Image The Trouble With Facebook Marketplace

View Full Image The Trouble With Facebook Marketplace
Bengaluru: In October last year, Piramal Enterprises Ltd raised around 533 crore through non-convertible debentures (NCDs), out of which JM Financial Products Ltd, a subsidiary of JM Financial Ltd, funded nearly 26%.

Over half of the investors participated through the ICICI Bank branch located at the Free Press Journal branch at Nariman Point in Mumbai.

On the day of the listing of the NCD (7 November), JM Financial Products bought back all the securities from all the 1,016 investors only to later sell these securities to two corporates and a brokerage firm, resulting in a loss of 90 lakh for JM Financial Services Ltd.

This complex transaction, revealed in a probe by the Securities and Exchange Board of India, left the regulators scratching their heads. It does not make commercial sense for a company driven by profit motive to enter into transactions which resulted in consistent losses," concluded a Sebi order, dated 7 March.

The Reserve Bank of India and Sebi concluded last week that there was more to this transaction than meets the eye. The two regulators barred JM Financial Products from taking any new mandate for acting as a lead manager to any public issue of debt securities.

According to a review by Mint, the year 2023 saw 44 companies raise funds through NCDs, which is the highest number in a year. In comparison, 30 companies raised money through NCDs in 2022, 28 in 2021, 21 in 2020, and 36 in 2019.

Piramal Enterprises, a non-banking finance company of Piramal Group, planned to raise 1,000 crore through NCDs in October last year. The NCD had a base size of 200 crore with an option to increase it by 800 crore (greenshoe option).

Non-convertible debentures (NCDs) are fixed-income securities that are listed on the stock exchanges. The process for issuing these securities to the public is similar to how companies offer shares at the time of going public. Potential investors apply for an NCD through a broker, and a portion of NCD is reserved for individuals, high net-worth investors, and institutions.

In the case of Piramal Enterprises NCD, which was one of the five fixed-income securities of the size of 1,000 crore last year, 300 crore each was reserved for retail individual iInvestors and high-net-worth individuals, while 200 crore each was earmarked for non-institutional and institutional investors.

Piramal Enterprises managed to raise 533 crore. The issue saw retail investors bidding 256 crore of securities, translating to 85.3% of the allotment. HNIs bid 146 crore and non-institutional investors bid 131 crore, implying that 48.7% and 65.5% of subscriptions from the two categories, respectively. Not a single institutional investor bid for the offer.

JM Financial Services Ltd was one of the 54 brokers that acted as banker to the debt issue. JM Financial Services managed to get 1,748 the highest number of subscribers for the debt issue, more than 1,658 and 1,120 applicants by the A.K. Stockmart Pvt. Ltd and Nuvama Wealth and Investment Ltd, respectively.

It is important to mention that 1,748 investors bought 199.46 crore worth of securities or about 37.4% of the 533 crore raised by Piramal Enterprises.

But before we dwell more on this let us first glance at JM Financial Group, which is among the countrys oldest brokerage and financial groups.

JM Financial was founded in 1973 by cousin brothers Mahendra Kampani and Nimesh Kampani. Later, Mahendra separated and took control of Jamnadas Morarjee Securities Ltd. Last year, the group celebrated 50 years. But financially it was not a great year as revenue totaled 3,343 crore in the year ended March 2023, an 11.2% decline from the 3,763.2 crore in the previous year. A 19% drop in fees and commission hurt. However, a 69% drop in fair value of assets to 183.42 crore hurt the groups income. Profit tumbled 22.7% from 773.16 crore to 597.29 crore.

Nimesh Kampani serves as non-executive chairman, while his son Vishal is the non-executive vice chairman. Vishal Kampani is the managing director of JM Financial Products Ltd, which is one of the 15 subsidiaries of the listed entity. Set up in 1984, JM Financial Products offers real estate financing, fixed income division (structured financing), SME financing, and capital market financing. JM Financial Products is the mainstay of the group as it accounted for a fourth or 858 crore of parents revenue and 44.2% or 313.36 crore of profit last year.

JM Financial Group coming under the scrutiny of regulators caught the attention of boardrooms across India. JM Financial is known for being a fundraiser and a go-to investment bank for blue-chip companies and distressed businesses. Their clientele includes prestigious names such as the Tatas, SP Group, Ambanis, and Adanis.

JM Financial has been synonymous with the Indian financial market development. I appreciate and respect the capacity of JM Financial to deliver fast, reliable, and no complications advice. With JM Financial, you can envision innovative ideas and execute them in an easy and flawless manner," Gautam Adani, founder and chair of Adani Group, was quoted as saying in JM Financials annual report for 2022-23.

Nimesh Kampani, 77, the chairman, is known for his financial acumen, intrepid dealmaking, and conflict-resolution skills, which involve bringing clients who otherwise never see eye-to-eye. It is a "pedigreed firm" and may come out "not guilty" if Sebi's record of its orders being overturned by the Securities Appellate Tribunal, is anything to go by, said a senior executive of an NBFC.

"No one lost money, and so what's the crime," he asked, requesting not to be quoted.

So what happened?

Remember, investors applying through JM Financial Services bid 199.46 crore of the 533 crore raised by Piramal Enterprises. This was more than three times the 65.53 crore and 64.40 crore put by subscribers of A.K. Stockmart and Nuvama Wealth and Investment Ltd.

JM Financial Products gave loans worth 141.40 crore to 1,016 investors who applied through JM Financial Services. But it was not just this scheme of offering loans that made the two regulators uncomfortable. A Sebi probe found that 47 investors, who declared an annual income of less than 5 lakh, were given a loan of 9,80,000 by JM Financial Products. Additionally, 10 investors, who also earned less than 5 lakh a year, were each given a loan of 98 lakh.

Sebi found that of the 1,013 retail investors that got loans from JM Financial Products, 772 submitted their bids at 4:47:35 on 19 October, the day the NCD issue opened.

On 7 November, within two hours of listing the NCD, JM Financial Products bought back securities from 993 investors, worth 100 crore at an average price of 1,002.5. Subsequently, an hour later, JM Financial Products sold 80 crore of debt securities to two corporates, Cyient Ltd and Chaitanya India Fin Credit Pvt Ltd, and to Om Scrip Trading Pvt Ltd, a broker, at an average price of 994.

Sebi found that on the day of the listing, an overwhelming majority of the investors who had exited on the listing day had applied through JM Financial Services.

It thus concluded that JM Financial Group got individual investors, who would otherwise not have participated in the issue, to make applications not just by providing funds to them but also by assuring them an exit at a profit on the listing day.

This action is necessitated due to certain serious deficiencies observed in respect of loans sanctioned by the company for IPO financing as well as NCD subscriptions," RBI said in a press release dated 5 March.

Some of these practices are sharp for sure but not illegal per se," said Chirag M. Shah, counsel - Securities Law, Arbitrator. "They will continue unless these regulatory gaps are tightly plugged and they are statutorily declared to be illegal. RBI and SEBI working in tandem and co-operating is a good sign, the Financial Stability and Development Committee seems to be working at last. It will be a dampener for sure, in the short term, but no one can wish away Regulatory Arbitrage or sharp business practices"

You outlaw some of them, new ones will emerge," said Shah.

RBI, based on the Sebi probe said, that JM Financial Products had repeatedly helped a group of its customers to bid for various IPO and NCD offerings by using loaned funds.

The credit underwriting was found to be perfunctory, and financing was done against meagre margins. The application for subscription, the demat accounts and the bank accounts, all were operated by the company using a power of attorney (POA) and a Master Agreement obtained from these customers without their involvement, whatsoever, in the subsequent operations. Consequently, the company was able to effectively act as both lender as well as borrower," said RBI.

The company also acted as the arranger of bank account opening as well as operator of the said bank accounts using the POA. Apart from being in violation of regulatory guidelines, there are serious concerns on governance issues in the company, which in our assessment are detrimental to the interest of the customers. Regulatory violations and deficiencies, if any, on the part of the bank(s) in this regard is being examined separately," said RBI.

The evolution of technology has made spotting violation of regulations much easier, be it of RBI, Sebi or ED regulations," said corporate lawyer HP Ranina . "One can't work that everybody is doing it so I can get away with it. Because if you're caught violating or falling foul of regulatory compliance, you will have to face the music."

Sebi believes market integrity" and fair price discovery" were the causality and that this episode was not an isolated incident.

The applications of investors were punched on the same day, the loans were disbursed on the same day (November 1, 2023), the exits were provided on the first day of listing, the exit price for most of their customers were common and the counterparty in all the transactions of funded investors was JM Group company itself," said the Sebi order. Such synchronization cannot happen serendipity. The series of transactions appear to have been planned and executed meticulously"

JM Financial Services disagrees with the conclusion made by the two regulators.

JMFPL believes that there have been no material deficiencies in their loan sanctioning process and has not violated the applicable regulations," JM Financial told the exchanges in a filing on 6 March.

JMFPL further reaffirms that there have been no governance issues whatsoever and the conduct of all its business and operational affairs are in a bonafide manner and shall continue to service its existing customers as advised by the RBI. JMFPL will fully cooperate with RBI in their special audit initiative and also explain its position to RBI," said JM Financial.

JMFPL has been in the business of funding IPOs over the last two decades. In the context of IPO funding, the power of attorney (POA) is taken as a risk containment measure only. The practice of taking POA is prevalent across the industry and is perfectly legal.

The net total income from the IPO Financing business for the 9M FY 23-24 is around Rs. 7 crore which constitutes ~1.5% of the net total income of JMFPL and ~ 0.3% of the consolidated net total income of the company. Accordingly, the impact of the above RBI order on the company in monetary terms is not expected to be material."
The U.S. bolstered its position as the worlds dominant arms exporter, accounting for more than 40% of the global trade in weapons over a recent five-year period, while Russia saw its sales abroad drop by more than half because of the war in Ukraine, according to a new report.

The latest data, released Sunday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, SIPRI, reflects, in part, the global conflict in Ukraine. Russia has reoriented its defense industry to support its war there, while the U.S. has sent weapons in large quantities to Kyiv. Concerns over Chinas military ambitions are also fueling U.S. sales to its partners and allies in Asia.

SIPRI, a global authority on arms trade and production, releases data annually in five-year blocks, since arms deals between states run on multiyear cycles of ordering, production and shipment. Sundays figures cover the five-year period ending in January and are based on weapons deliveries.

The U.S.A. has increased its global role as an arms supplieran important aspect of its foreign policy," said Mathew George, the director of Sipris arms transfers program. This comes at a time when the U.S.A.s economic and geopolitical dominance is being challenged by emerging powers."

Russia, at one point a U.S. peer in arms exports, has fallen to third place, while France leapfrogged to second place in the rankings. China was fourth, Germany fifth. The five top countries on the SIPRI list accounted for 75% of all arms exports.

U.S. exports grew 17%, with the American share of global exports expanding to 42% from 34%. The U.S. sent arms to 107 countries, more than the total for the next two largest exporters combined.

Amid expanding global conflict and instability, and a resultant hunger for weapons, the U.S. has used domestic defense production to strengthen alliances and partnerships.

Ukraine, until recently a limited importer of U.S. arms, accounted for 4.7% of U.S. weapons exports in the studys time period and 17% of those that the U.S. sent to Europe.

In the past two years, according to SIPRI figures, Ukraine was the worlds fourth-largest arms importer, receiving transfers of major arms from more than 30 countries.

As has been the case in recent years, the largest share of U.S. arms exports38%went to countries in the Middle East; 28% went to European countries. For the first time in 25 years, the U.S. was the largest arms supplier to Asia and Oceania, reflecting Washingtons rising concern over Chinas designs on Taiwan and the region broadly.

India, Saudi Arabia and Qatar were the top three weapons importers.

Russias war with Ukraineprincipally the expansion of that war two years agohas withered Moscows defense-export business. Russian export volume plummeted 52% from 2022 to last year.

Russias arms sales have fallen from the Soviet Unions Cold War highs, and the internal needs of the war against Ukraine has contributed, more recently, to the decline in Russian weapons available for transfer," said Richard Grimmett, an expert on arms sales who served for decades as an analyst at the Congressional Research Service.

In 2019, Russia shipped major weapons to 31 countries. Last year, that number fell to just a dozen, as Russia exploits its production capacity for use by its own forces.

Chinas arms exports decreased, as did its weapons imports, the figures reflecting a squeeze in the availability of Russian arms and Beijings need to replace them with domestic systems and munitions. China, which accounted for nearly 6% of global arms exports, sent major arms to 40 states, although 61% of these exports went to Pakistan.

China is making a great effort to improve the technological sophistication and capabilities of its systems but items such as the J-20 aircraft are not ready for export," said Trevor Taylor, a director at the Royal United Services Institute, a London defense and security think tank.

Chinas growing military power appears to be driving U.S. arms sales to allies and partners, particularly Japan, South Korea and Australia. Over the past five years, according to the report, U.S. arms exports to Japan increased by 161%.

SIPRI figures show that for the first time, France is the worlds second-largest arms exporter. Its exports nearly doubled because of a sharp increase in transfers of Rafale combat aircraft, mostly to countries in the Middle East and South and Southeast Asia, which have sought to avoid dependence on either the U.S. or Russia.

Write to Brett Forrest at brett.forrest@wsj.com and Michael R. Gordon at michael.gordon@wsj.com
Hamburgers are fast food. But in the Buffalo suburb of Hamburg, N.Y., plans to paint a water tower to look like a hamburger have been cooking for six yearsand still arent done.

Leading the mission is retiree Chris Hannotte, who wears a burger-shaped felt hat to collect petition signatures or raise money for the cause.

Hannotte says the burger, 130 feet in the sky and near a highway, would attract tourists. Naysayers suggest it will look cheesy. I say to them, Look, dont worry, we live in Hamburg, not Cheeseburg. "

Highflying foods dot America, usually reflecting whats made or grown below. Theres a water tower painted like a watermelon over Luling, Texas; a peach above Gaffney, S.C.; and gummy bears over the Haribo factory in Pleasant Prairie, Wis. The most-handsome towers compete in an annual beauty contest, Tank of the Year, whose motto is, A contest that really holds water."

Hamburgs tower was built in 1970 and can hold 500,000 gallons, but hasnt held a drop for 30 years. The tower is blue, rusted and has Town of Hamburg" on the tank in fading black paint.

It is not putting the best foot forward for Hamburg," says Hannotte. It begs to be painted like a hamburger."

Resident Dan Schinzel, 72, wouldnt mind that, but doesnt think it will add sizzle to the local economy.

If youre on your way to Sandusky, Ohio," he says, why are you going to pull over in the town of Hamburg to look at a water tower painted like a hamburger?"

Hamburg is internationally famous for its Devonian fossils and shale outcroppings along Eighteen Mile Creek, according to the towns website. It is also home to the Erie County Fair, which claims to be the birthplace of the hamburger in 1885, though other communities also make that boast.

I think the painted burger would be a symbol of who we areif they can pull it off," says Tom Tallman, mayor of the picturesque village of Hamburg, a 2.5- square-mile area inside the town of Hamburg.

The village is home to the annual Burgerfest, where food vendors have to serve something burger related.

The hamburger was invented in Hamburg," says Tallman. People can say what they think, but were pretty confident."

In 2018, Hamburg residents voted on what type of burger would hover over them. The four designs submitted included one that would outline the burger in neon lights. The winner, after more than 800 votes, was by graphic artist Dylan Cownie.

I got the works," says Cownie, 31, whose artistic patty is garnished with eye-catching lettuce, tomato, red onion, bacon, pickles, ketchup and mustard, on a sesame bun.

Strange visitors

For the actual painting, Hannottes choice is local muralist Tim Martin, who has painted water towers before, including one in Lancaster, N.Y.

Its gonna be an awesome piece, but it wont be my masterpiece," Martin, 58, says. I have my own Sistine Chapel." He says he painted the altar and inside of a church near Buffalo.

Painting the hamburger could take six weeks or more, he says. He cant work in the winter, because the Buffalo cold will freeze the paint. Additionally, he says, Im booked pretty far out."

Schinzel doesnt care whats painted on the tower, as long as its painted. Only a chain fence with barbed wire separates his backyard from the tower. He can see it from two bedrooms, a bathroom, the kitchen and while taking a dip in the pool.

Its an eyesore," he says, and painted the most drab blue that you can think of."

He asked the town to tear it down, but was told it costs too much to do, says Schinzel, who is retired from the local highway department.

When the Pokemon Go" game took off, Schinzel found two people in his yard who said there was a Pokemon on the tower. He told them they were lucky his German shepherd was sleeping inside.

A landmark

Hannotte, the burger booster, envisions visitors snapping selfies, and filling up their gas tanks and dining out in town. Hannotte, who previously worked for the state helping find jobs for people with disabilities, modeled plans after other dressed-up towers.

In a lot of these smaller towns, they become a landmark," says Brian Cheshire, director of sales at water-tower paint company Tnemec.

Tnemec, which started the Tank of the Year contest, says there were 320 entries last year. The winner: One in Bryan, Ohio, with Dum-Dum lollipops painted on the tank. The towers stems were painted white to look like lollipop sticks, a detail that helped it win. This is the first time weve ever seen anybody actually use the legs as part of the design," says Cheshire.

The top 12 tanks get the pinup treatment: a spot on the companys annual calendar.

At times, the hamburger project has been on a roll.

The Buffalo News published an editorial in July, saying plainly: Paint the Hamburg water tower like a hamburger."

It will provide good-humored place-making for this Southtowns community as well as give walkers, cyclists and motorists something fun to look at on their travels."

The town of Hamburg agreed to pay for an inspection of the tower, which found it structurally sound in an October report. Town officials didnt respond to requests for comment.

Hannotte, who has vowed not to use tax dollars, says shes raised about $25,000 and has a long way to go.

A collection box for the project sits in town hall, and there are people who do put money in it," says Rose Morford, who works in the clerks office. Why is beyond me."

I would rather see a pie up there than a hamburger," she cracks. Or they should paint it like an alien, sure why not?"

Jennifer Levitz contributed to this article.

Write to Joseph Pisani at joseph.pisani@wsj.com
Months before a piece of a Boeing 737 blew out mid-flight, leaving a door-sized hole in its side, the plane spent nearly three weeks shuffling down an assembly line with faulty rivets in need of repair.

Workers had spotted the bad parts almost immediately after the planes fuselage arrived at the factory. But they didnt make the fix right away and the 737 continued on to the next workstation. When crews completed the repair 19 days later, they failed to replace four critical bolts on a plug door they had opened to do the job, leading to the Jan. 5 accident on an Alaska Airlines flight.

At Boeing, there is a term for situations such as this one, when work is completed out of the production lines ordinary sequence: traveled work.

The folks on the line, they know what it is," Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun said in a Wednesday address to employees. Its uncomfortable. It creates opportunities for failure."

And at this moment in time, in light of what happened with Alaska," Calhoun said, weve got to make a step change on this one."

Boeing and federal investigators probing the Alaska Air incident have said the practice of completing work out of sequence is a liability when it comes to airplane quality. Boeing leaders, as they canvass factory workers for insight on where safety is falling short, have said travelled work tops employees lists of concerns. The company has said it believes documentation required in the opening of the plug door was never created.

Last week, Boeing told staff it was changing how it determines pay for tens of thousands of non-union employeesfrom mechanics in South Carolina to its top brass. Quality measures, such as reducing travelled work, will now determine 60% of the annual bonuses for those working on its commercial aircraft.

For years, Boeing executives have tried and failed to break the habit. Four years ago, in the aftermath of a pair of fatal MAX crashes, Boeing laid out five values central to improving safety. Number three on the list: eliminate travelled work.

That is because doing work out of order further complicates the already intricate, often-taxing process of putting together an airplane. In Boeings Renton, Wash., factory where 737s are built, each plane moves its way through a series of stations, where crews are tasked with completing certain tasks. Those stations are equipped with tooling, platforms and crews trained to do the jobs designated for the site. Planes advance to the next station roughly every 24 hours.

Sometimes, a missing part prevents workers from finishing the designated job. Leaving the plane sitting in place would slow the entire production line. So it moves ahead and the part gets added or repair is completed somewhere down the line.

In some cases, the work isnt done until the plane leaves the factory for what is known as the flight line, a spot outside the factory where planes are parked as they await delivery.

Doing a job away from the intended workstation can be problematic. The proper tooling may not be on hand, leaving workers moving back and forth to get the necessary equipment. And the station may not be set up for the job.

Youre performing work later in the process, in a different location that wasnt engineered ergonomically for the work," said Jon Holden, president of an IAM chapter representing 32,000 Boeing workers in Washington state. Now Im out on the flight line and Im on a ladder or on a contoured surface.

Its something you want to avoid, but you gotta move that airplane out of that position because another one is coming," Holden said.

Workers say travelled work makes their jobs harder and increases the likelihood for mistakes, but phasing out the practice is tough because it helps keep planes rolling off the line. Keeping production lines moving even when certain parts arent available for a given job helps avoid costly slowdowns.

Pressure on Boeing to keep the planes coming has been especially high in the past year.

Airlines, following years of depressed travel amid the pandemic, scrambled to meet growing post-Covid demand.

Once people started flying again, Boeing faced a supply chain that was slow to restart following shutdowns during both the pandemic and the nearly two-year grounding of Boeings bestselling MAX jets because of the crashes. Compounding the problem: a series of quality mishaps at Spirit AeroSystems, a major supplier, that slowed 737 production to a crawl last fall.

The company also is in talks to take over Spirit, whose quality problems have resulted in fuselages arriving at Boeings factory with defects. Last month, Boeing began refusing to take shipments of any Spirit part not completed to specification. Doing so will slow 737 production, which will give workers a chance to catch up on unfinished jobs, commercial chief Stan Deal said in a memo to employees.

Travelled work emerged as a problem during a review of Boeings safety culture on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Employees are told that safety is the top priority but then they see airplanes being pushed out with work not being finished," said Javier de Luis, who was part of an independent panel that conducted the review. He teaches aerospace engineering at MIT and his sister, Graziella de Luis, died in the second MAX crash in Ethiopia.

Andrew Tangel contributed to this article.

Write to Sharon Terlep at sharon.terlep@wsj.com
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani is excited by United States-based chipmaker Qualcomm's plans for India, he said on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), on March 11.

In his post, Adani said he met with Qualcomm CEO Cristiano R Amon and added that the company's vision and plan for artificial intelligence (AI), emerging technologies and semiconductors in India "inspired" him.

"Great meeting with Qualcomm CEO @cristianoamon & his leaders! Inspiring to hear his vision for semiconductors, AI, mobility, edge appliances and much more across different markets. Exciting to hear about his plans and commitment to India's potential!" the billionaire wrote.

Semiconductor Industry in India Gains Momentum

India's semiconductor industry is in its early stages, with both local and multinational companies eyeing its vast potential, ANI reported. Micron, an American chipmaker, is constructing India's first high-end semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat's Sanand.

Micron Technology is investing $2.5 billion ( 22,500 crore) to establish an Assembly, Test, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) facility in Gujarat's Sanand GIDC-II. The plant is set to be operational by late 2024.

The Micron plant in Sanand is expected to boost India's domestic semiconductor ecosystem, the report added. The associated industries for raw materials and finished products related to this sector are also expected to witness growth.

Highlighting the progress of the project signed with Micron in 2023, Union Information and Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said close to 5,000 people are working on the construction. He added that the plant is expected to contribute significantly to India's semiconductor industry.

In a recent move, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of three more semiconductor units under the 'Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystems in India.' Two units will be in Gujarat, and one in Assam, all slated to commence construction within the next 100 days.

The Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystems in India, initiated on December 21, 2021, has a total outlay of 76,000 crore.

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Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the nearly 19-km long Haryana segment of the long-awaited Dwarka Expressway on Monday, which will boost connectivity between Gurugram and Delhi, reducing travel time to less than 30 minutes, as per various estimates. This development is set to spur housing, social infrastructure, and the ambitious 'Global City' project, potentially transforming the area into a new real estate corridor. Mint delves into the details:

Why is the Dwarka Expressway significant?

Once fully operational, the Dwarka Expressway, spanning 29 km, will link Dwarka in Delhi with Kherki Daula in Gurugram. With the Haryana portion now complete and the Delhi section nearing completion, this eight-lane, access-controlled expressway promises to significantly reduce travel times, by as much as 30 minutes for commuters currently reliant on National Highway-48. Initiated nearly 18 years ago by the Haryana government, the project, later taken over by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has overcome numerous challenges, including land acquisition disputes resolved in 2018. Originally planned as an 18-km route to enhance connectivity between Kherki Daula and Najafgarh Road, the project's scope has since expanded. Additionally, there are now plans to improve peripheral and service roads alongside the expressway.

A new real estate hotspot

Dwarka Expressway has quickly become a prime real estate destination, with residential property prices in the vicinity rising the most among top cities post-pandemic.

According to property consultant JLL India, in 2023, around 12,409 housing units were sold in the Dwarka Expressway-New Gurugram sub-market, accounting for 66% of Gurugram's total housing sales. Sales jumped 67% from previous year.

This surge in real estate activity follows the pattern of rising interest in areas nearing completion of significant infrastructure projects. Around 175 acres of land across 17 separate deals valued at over 3,100 crore have been acquired by real estate developers since 2022 in the area, JLL said.

According to Anarock Property Consultants, the area's robust development and high demand, coupled with ongoing infrastructure improvements, are attracting both end-users and investors. A lot of projects are already in various stages of development, and there is huge potential for future development. Retail and commercial office developments are also expected to pick up in the future.

Whats the governments roadmap on building expressways?

Roughly 4,000 km of Centre-funded, NHAI expressways are currently operational. There are state-controlled highways, too.

The ministry of road transport and highways has ambitious plans under Vision 2047 to construct 50,000 km of access-controlled highways or expressways, supplementing the expressways currently in use. This initiative aims to enhance travel efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and lower logistics costs, with completion targeted within 10-14 years after Cabinet approval. Prime Minister Modi underscored this commitment by laying the foundation stone for 112 national highway projects across India during his visit to Gurugram on Monday.

Will property prices shoot up further?

The Dwarka Expressway area, previously known for mid-income housing, is now witnessing a shift towards more premium developments. The improved connectivity and the allure of condominium living are particularly appealing to investors and buyers from Delhi.

JLL notes that nearly 38% of the 11,270 new housing units launched in 2023 in the Dwarka Expressway-New Gurugram cluster were priced above 2.5 crore.

Projects that were launched for 10,000-11,000 per sq ft some two years ago, are now fetching 18,000 per sq ft, as per prop-tech platform Square Yards. Estimates suggest prices could increase to 25,000 per sq ft in the future. Developer Signature Global recently pre-launched its first premium project in Sector 37D, close to the Expressway, and sold 3600 crore of inventory, with a lot of interest from NRIs.

The Global City project

Marketed by Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) as the city of tomorrow, the Global City project in Gurugram is a mixed-use integrated township.

Envisioned as a smart city featuring residential, commercial, educational, and healthcare facilities, this 1,000-acre project, in Gurugrams Sectors 36, 36B, 37 and 37B, aims to become a unique investment destination with its internal mass rapid transportation system. With the Haryana government commencing the project's initial phase, Global City is poised to redefine urban living and attract global investors.
Popular Vehicles and Services, an automobile dealer, announced that it garnered 180.17 crore from anchor investors on March 11, just ahead of the company's IPO launch in Kerala.

According to an exchange filing, the company has allocated 61,07,325 equity shares to anchor investors at a price of 295 per equity share on Monday.

Also read: Popular Vehicles & Services IPO: From price band to GMP, here are 10 things to know about the upcoming public issue

"The IPO Committee of the Company at its meeting held on March 11. 2024, in consultation with ICICI Securities Limited. Nuvama Wealth Management Limited (formerly known as Edelweiss Securities Limited) and Centrum Capital Limited ("the Book Running Lead Managers"). It has finalized allocation of 61.07.325 Equity Shares, to Anchor Investors at Anchor Investor Allocation Prive (which was decided by the Company in consultation with the Book Running Lead Managers) of 3 295/- per Equity Share (including share premium of 2 293/- per Equity Share," the company said.

Participating in the anchor book round of the Popular Vehicles and Services IPO were notable entities such as HDFC Mutual Fund, Quant Mutual Fund, HSBC Global Investment Funds, Lion global Investment Funds, BofA Securities Europe SA, Pinebridge Global Funds, ITI Mutual Fund, Citigroup Global Markets Mauritius, SBI General Insurance Company, LC Pharos Multi-Strategy Fund, 3P India Equity Fund, Integrated Global Strategies Asia, and Copthall Mauritius Investment.

"Out of the total allocation of 61,07,325 equity shares to anchor investors, 38,14,148 equity shares were allocated to three domestic mutual funds, which have applied through a total of 8 schemes," it further added.

Also read: Popular Vehicles IPO opens next week. GMP, review, other details of upcoming IPO

The automotive dealer aims to raise over 601.55 crore through its Initial Public Offering (IPO). The upcoming IPO comprises a fresh issuance of shares valued at 250 crore and an offer-for-sale of 1.19 crore equity shares worth 351.55 crore.

The price band for the upcoming IPO has been set at 280-295 per share. ICICI Securities Limited, Nuvama Wealth Management Limited, and Centrum Capital Limited are the book running lead managers, meanwhile, Link Intime India Private Ltd is the registrar for the issue.

ICICI SECURITIES More Information

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MUMBAI : British American Tobacco (BAT) Plc is preparing for its long-awaited stake sale in ITC Ltd in the next two weeks, two people aware of the matter said.

The British multinational plans to sell 4% in the Indian company at 380-390 per share, a 5-8% discount to Mondays closing price of 409, the people said on condition of anonymity.

Around 499 million shares worth around 20,000 crore (over $2.4 billion) are expected to change hands, in the biggest block deal since 2021 when Bosch Ltd saw block deals of 29,000 crore for 19.98 million shares.

Buyers of ITC shares may include ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund and O3 Securities, the people cited above added. Spokespersons for BAT, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund and O3 did not respond to requests for comment.

However, the timeline of stake sale may change based on market conditions, the people cited above said. BAT is one of ITCs biggest shareholders with a holding of 29%.

The stake sale follows BAT chief executive Tadeu Marrocos 8 February statement during the companys earnings call that the company was focussed on improving its financial flexibility".

We continue to seek and evaluate all opportunities to enhance balance sheet flexibility. And as part of this, we regularly review our stake in ITC. We recognize that we have a significant shareholding, which offers us the opportunity to release and reallocate some capital," he said at the time.

BAT has been trying to reduce its debt. On 18 December, Jefferies said its stake in ITC at approximately $20 billion is nearly 30% of its own market cap. BAT also had net debt of approximately over $53 billion, Mint reported on 14 February.

Our shareholding in ITC has existed in one way or another since the early 1900s and was subject to numerous share capital changes and regulatory restrictions. We have been actively working on some time on completing the regulatory process required to give us the flexibility to monetize some of our shareholding," Marroco had said. BAT needs RBI approval to trim its stake.

BAT has so far resisted paring stake in ITC as new Indian FDI laws in tobacco do not permit a foreign strategic company to make a fresh investment.

Though it can sell stake now, BAT would not be allowed to re-purchase additional stake according to current Indian law, Jefferies said.

A big investor paring stake is usually seen as a negative, and this was an overhang for ITCs stock.

BAT told investors on 9 February that its shareholding will not fall below 25% stake. As of the end of December 2023, BATs subsidiaries Rothmans International Enterprises Ltd, Myddleton Investment Company Ltd, and Tobacco Manufacturers (India) Ltdcollectively held 29% stake in ITC.

As per reports, BAT is working with Citi and Bank of America for the block deal and the value unlocking might help it reduce leverage and resume a share buyback programme. In 2022, BAT launched an upto 2 billion buyback which it did not renew last year.

Several MNCs hace divested stakes in their Indian ventures as share prices soared. The proceeds are utilized for various purposes, including debt repayment.

Over the past month, Conagra Brands announced the sale of its controlling stake in Agro Tech Foods, while Japans Sumitomo Wiring Systems sold a 4.4% stake in Samvardhana Motherson International.
Ola Electric clearly leads Indias electric two-wheeler market. The company accounted for more than 42% of the market in February, having gained the most market share from the previous month (about 277 basis points), according to BNP Paribas Securities India. One basis point is 0.01%. TVS Motor Co Ltd was in second place with 17.5% of the market, having lost the most market share (118 basis points) in February.

Indias electric two-wheeler industry may be nascent, but competition is also heating up from other incumbents such as Honda and Suzuki, which are expected to launch electric two-wheelers. Listed two-wheeler companies are also in the process of launching new electric models. It may be too early to tell if Ola will remain the market leader, but it does own a large part of the electric two-wheeler ecosystem, which gives it the upper hand over its peers. Besides manufacturing electric two-wheelers, it also produces components such as cells, battery packs, motors and vehicle frames.

Moreover, under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for automobiles and auto components, the International Centre for Automotive Technology awarded its first PLI  automotive certificate to Ola, meaning the company is eligible for PLI incentives for the Ola S1 Pro (Gen2).

However, electric two-wheeler makers have a long path to profitability. As of now, they are using discounts to sell electric vehicles, prioritising market share over margins. Assuming gross margins of 15-20%, we estimate Ola will achieve Ebitda breakeven (excluding the cell manufacturing business) at annual volume of 0.5 to 0.9 million units and profit-before-tax breakeven at 0.7 to 1.3 million units," analysts at Ambit Capital wrote in a report on 1 March.

In CY23, Ola clocked sales volume of about 0.3 million units, according to Vahan. Ambit noted that the cell manufacturing business would be a drag due to hindrances in improving yield and ramping up production.

For electric two-wheelers to see higher penetration, incentives provided by the government are crucial. The FAME-II scheme, which reduces the initial cost of ownership, ends with this financial year. In February, electric two-wheelers accounted for 5.7% of all two-wheelers sold in India. However, this was still lower than the peak that was achieved before the FAME-II subsidy cut came into effect on 1 June, 2023.
MUMBAI : Bubbles in the market are not a good thing for retail investors, and mutual funds could form a common policy to protect investors in this respect, the stock market regulator said, at a time of turbulence in an overheated small and mid-cap space.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has already asked for results of stress tests from mutual fund trustees, stating the time it would take to liquidate portions of investors portfolios.

There are pockets of froth.....sections of froth in the market," Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch said on the sidelines of an event in Mumbai on Monday. Some people call it a bubble, some may call it froth. The question is, it may not be appropriate to allow that bubble or froth to keep building. Because if it keeps building, it will burst, because by definition, bubbles burst. So, when they burst, they impact the investors adversely; so, thats not a good thing."

Buchs comments come in the backdrop of relentless flows into small and midcap funds, stretching valuations in these segments. For instance, the Nifty Smallcap 250 index has risen almost 60% in the past one year against the benchmark Nifty 50s 28% return. However, these stocks have seen turbulence in in recent weeks, after the Reserve Bank of India restricted operations of fintech major Paytm, and NBFCs IIFL Finance and JM Financial Products.

On Monday, the smallcap index plunged 2% to 14507.15, while the benchmark Nifty fell 0.72% to 22332.65

In addition to the recent action against NBFCs, the Enforcement Directorates ongoing investigation to find if proceeds of crime from the Mahadev betting case were routed into the smallcap and SME segments of the market also contributed to Mondays carnage. Stocks like Suzlon, NCC, Tata Investment Corp, HFCL and IIFL Finance were the top five contributors to the decline in the smallcap index.

Buch also hinted that MFs could formulate a common policy to protect investors from risks of a bubble.

Each mutual fund has trustees, who are looking out for the interests of the investors; they should sit down and formulate a policy. If each fund decides to have its policy on how to manage this risk, we are okay with it. We are okay if the industry wants to make a common policy... Our objective is that trustees are responsible for protecting the investors. In case we have to do anything, we will not do it without suitable public consultation," she said.

Buch said that by 15 March, Sebi will make available a disclosure format on stress testing for small- and mid-cap funds. Investors will benefit from knowing how many days the funds would need to liquidate their underlying portfolios in the event of unfavourable market conditions.

In terms of the disclosure on stress testing, it is not a nudge, it is a directive. Disclosure is what we do as a fundamental way of operation. We are a disclosure-based regime. The objective is for the investor to take an informed decision. A disclosure format on stress testing for small- and mid-cap funds has been approved that is mandatory and not optional for any mutual fund," she emphasized.

The stress tests would determine that were there to be significant redemption pressure, how would an MF cope with it if the underlying market for the securities isnt deep or liquid enough.

Thats the most significant risk that the mutual fund runs. The assessment was if there is an adverse environment and there is redemption pressure; we dont know, it could be anything. In such circumstances, while protecting investors, in terms of the first-mover advantagethe first one will always feel that I will have an advantage, which becomes a vicious cycle of attracting more and more redemption."

Buch explained that the stress tests would determine how many days MFs would need to liquidate the investors portfolios if prices fell and volumes jumped, say, three times above normal.

The regulator also wants small and medium enterprises (SMEs) preparing to go public to disclose risk factors in greater detail to potential investors.

Some more disclosure in terms of risk factors is required. For investors to understand that the SME segment is different from the mainboard, the regulations are different, the disclosures are different and, therefore, the nature of the risk is different," Buch said, while expressing concerns about instances of price manipulation in some SME IPOs.

Twenty of 23 Tata Group stocks fell on Monday on reports of group holding company Tata Sons proposing to avoid a listing by September next year. The losses were particularly steep in companies with stake in Tata Sons. Tata Chemicals, which holds 3% in Tata Sons, fell 10.6%, Tata Power (-2.8%), Indian Hotels (2.5%) and Tata Motors (-1.1%).

Separately, the regulator on Monday announced expanding the qualified stock broker (QSB) framework, that will bring more brokers under enhanced obligations. The move aims to bolster trust in the securities market, and strengthen the compliance culture among stock brokers.

Parameters of proprietary trading volumes, compliance and grievance redressal scores will also be taken into account while classifying stock brokers as QSBs, a Sebi circular said. At present, there are five parameters for classifying a stock broker under the QSB framework -- total number of active clients, available total assets of clients, trading volumes of the stock broker (excluding the proprietary trading volume of the stock broker), and the end of day margin obligations of all clients. The regulator said the latest provisions will come into force in a risk-based, staggered manner to ensure smooth adoption and effective implementation for all the QSBs by providing enough time for them, based on their size, for making necessary changes.

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Funding the purchase of your dream house is a tough ask, particularly if you are a salaried employee. For one, property prices seem to be on the rise always. Two, savings from mutual fund investments and bank fixed deposits alone may not be sufficient as there will always be expenses that are often unaccounted for. Most salaried employees then decide to dip into their employee provident fund (EPF) savings, usually as a last resort. But that is easier said than done.

Withdrawing funds from your PF can be a nightmarish experience for many employees. Ask 35-year-old Asleen Kaur, who tried that 15 months back. The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) denied her claim. Reason? Her last name in the EPFO records was different from that of her other documents such as PAN, Aadhaar and bank account details.

View Full Image Graphic: Deepak Bhardwaj

To be sure, EPFO lets its members, or subscribers as they are known, update their names online in a few steps: key in the revised name under manage details section and upload supporting documents. The request for verification is then submitted both to the EPFO and your employer. Easy, right? Thats what Kaur thought but she was in for a rude shock. I have been trying to update my records for close to 15 months without any success. My documents are in place but the request keeps getting rejected for unclear reasons.

Despite multiple follow-ups with the EPFO, both online thorough emails and phone calls and physical visits to the office, this issue hasnt been resolved yet," said the Bengaluru-based communication consultant. Kaur has deferred her house buying decision until she can get her hard-earned PF money.

In distant Jaipur, Anil Sharma, 42, received more money from his EPF than he intended to withdraw. Despite opting for a partial withdrawal, I have received the full amount. This indicates a failure in the system to correctly process my application," Sharma said, who is a research analyst. EPFO, he said, has not acknowledged the error or taken steps to rectify it. As a result, Sharma has been forced to invest the surplus funds elsewhere, resulting in him losing out on the tax-free, guaranteed returns that EPF subscribers get.

Kaur and Sharma are among the many subscribers for whom the process of EPF partial withdrawal, updating personal details, balance transfer and final settlement is a challenging one. In fact, as per a recent report by The Indian Express, the EPF final settlement rejection rate has surged to an alarming 34% in 2022-23. Rejections of claims could happen due to a variety of reasons, including discrepancy in the subscribers personal information or incomplete KYC (Know-Your-Customer) details.

Challenges in withdrawal

The most common reason for EPF withdrawal rejection is incomplete KYC. So, if details like Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account details are not updated and verified, the application will be rejected. Another reason could be wrong bank account details, particularly if you have moved your . account from one bank to another. Sometimes, your employer may not verify your KYC details or there could be a mismatch between what you submit and what the EPFO has on its records. Its also important to activate your UAN (universal account number, provided to a subscriber by the EPFO) and link it with Aadhaar. The UAN allows you to add any previous or new PF accounts to your current one.

View Full Image Graphic: Deepak Bhardwaj

Though all the processesfrom withdrawal to requests for updating personal details to activating the UANhave moved completely online, they are often plagued by technical glitches, lack of assistance in filling up applications and delayed responses from the EPFO.

Manas Sinha, a 31-year-old business analyst from Bengaluru, experienced delayed OTPs (one time passwords sent to a mobile number linked to the PF account) and frequent server downtimes, making the already cumbersome process even more frustrating. The procedure was complex and I did not find clear instructions anywhere on the portal. I tried to get assistance from the EPFO helpline through emails and calls, but did not get a response," Sinha said.

In some cases, the subscriber may even have to make multiple visits to the regional EPFO office even after making a request online for processing their claims.

Chennai-based John Kingsley found this out the hard way. At the time of withdrawal, the 39-year-old cybersecurity engineer found out that his employer had created multiple EPF accounts in his name because his previous one was not linked with his Aadhaar ID. This resulted in administrative complication for Kingsley and he had to run from pillar to post to get the issue sorted. I had to make multiple visits to the EPFO office to link my Aadhaar to the account and change the bank details. The process was not only inconvenient but the visits also wasted a lot of my time," Kingsley said.

To avoid facing issues during withdrawals, EPF subscribers need to keep their KYC and other details updated, say financial experts.

EPFO did not respond to Mints specific queries.

Fund withdrawal process

The EPF withdrawal process, for both partial and final settlement, has now moved online. Subscribers continue to get the option to apply offline as well. The process involves multiple steps and requires the submission of various documents.

Before you initiate the online EPF withdrawal, ensure that your UAN is activated, the mobile number linked to your UAN is active, and your KYC details are updated as per the latest Aadhaar and PAN information. Experts say that following these steps will facilitate a smooth and efficient online EPF withdrawal process, ensuring that you receive your funds in a timely manner. These details can be updated on the official EPFO website, www.epfindia.gov.in, under relevant sections.

Once all the details are updated, you have to log in with your UAN credentials. Under the online services tab, select Claim (Form 31, 19 & 10C)" for withdrawal. The first step is to verify your details and enter the last four digits of your registered bank account. This is the point where you have to choose the type of withdrawalfull or partial. Select the reason for withdrawal and upload the required documents, such as your Aadhaar card, PAN card, and bank statement.

The offline EPF withdrawal process involves visiting the EPFO website to download the composite claim form, either Aadhaar-based (without employer attestation) or non-Aadhaar-based (with employer attestation). After filling out the form and attaching the required documents, individuals must submit their claim in person at the EPFO office. Then, you will need to wait for approval from your employer. Once approved, the money will be credited to your bank account within 15-20 days.

Online withdrawal of Provident Fund (PF) contributions has now become a relatively simpler and fast process. There is no need to visit the PF office. However, to avoid rejection of claim, PF members should ensure that their UAN is seeded with Aadhaar, KYC is updated, the bank account is seeded with Aadhaar and verified and e-nomination has been completed. They should not forget to attach other documents like form 15G and a copy of the cancelled cheque," said Vikas Kumar, a chartered accountant and director, Vialto Partners.

Members say that the challenges faced during withdrawal should be addressed by the organisation by simplifying the process for claims made on the online portal, ensuring timely solutions, reliable servers, and providing clear instructions.

Kingsley said he struggled with a lack of clear information on how long it takes to withdraw the funds after leaving a company. The frequent down-time of the EPFO website added to his woes. I could not access important information and updates on time as the website would not open," he said.

Subscribers can report such grievances, digitally, on the EPFiGMS portal. EPFO claims that the typical time limit for settlement of any grievance shall be seven working days and, in case of non-redressal, the grievance is escalated to higher officials.
Hollywood's big night at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, in Los Angeles marked the day with 'Oppenheimer' raking in three awards with Robert Downey Jr was named best supporting actor. At the 96th Academy Awards in California, Ryan Gosling dazzled the night with his performance, Im Just Ken."

Here's how social media reacted to Oscar 2024:

One user stated, Me remembering Jamie Lee Curtis won Best Supporting Actress instead of Stephanie Hsu last year."

A second user shared a hilarious meme describing Hollywood's reaction when Oppenheimer received Best Film Editing award at the Oscars. He stated, The reactions as Oppenheimer fails to win Best Film Oscar!!"

A third user stated, John Cena creates a makeshift toga out of curtains to present the #Oscar for Best Costume Design."

Another user tweeted, Ryan Goslings face lighting up when he sees Messi, the dog applauding at the #Oscars."

A fourth user tweeted, From Iron Man to Golden Man" as "Oppenheimer" actor Robert Downey Jr was named best supporting actor for his role as the professional nemesis of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer.

Toronto Television tweeted, Well deserved. More people should see the reality of russian invasion of Ukraine" when Mstyslav Chernovs 20 Days in Mariupol," a harrowing first-person account of the early days of Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, won the best documentary Oscar on Sunday night.

Christopher Nolan's biopic film 'Oppenheimer' bagged the golden trophy for Best Cinematography at the Oscars 2024 while a user stated Poor things deserve it more."

A user commented, DANNY DEVITO IS ON THE SCREEN EVERYBODY SHUT UP #Oscars" as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito gave the award and joked about how they both tried to kill Batman and lost.

The day witnessed few fashion risks as many celebrities stuck to classic silhouettes including black and other standard colours. Some dazzled the night with under-the-sea-vibe in soft seafoam colours accompanied with mermaid crystals and shell-like designs.

Emma Stone was seen donning the sea camp in a soft pastel strapless look with a faint shell pattern in mint and a wide peplum at the waist.

Ryan Gosling dazzled the night as he performed Im Just Ken," a huge 80s power ballad, in a glittering pink suit while neon pink lights set the background tone. A user remarked, ryan gosling and emma stone singing im just ken at the oscars" while another said imagine not giving Ryan Gosling the Oscar after one of the greatest performances of all time."

Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell, the sibling duo from Barbie, registered Academy Award for What Was I Made For?" under the best original category. With this achievement, Billie Eilish, has become the youngest person to have won two Oscars in her career. A user commented,  A two-time winner and a record-breaker. She is just 22."

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Google Doodle's animated doodle celebrates the flat white, a popular espresso-based beverage which is believed to have first originated in Australia and New Zealand. In terms of visibility, this doodle will be visible across various countries of the world including India.

History of flat white

March 11, marks the day flat white was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in the year 2011. Flat white which is a beloved coffee drink of steamed milk poured over a shot of espresso is speculated to have been first served in Australia and New Zealand. It is believed that the drink first appeared on the menus of Sydney and Auckland during the 1980s.

Also read: Google Doodle marks Portugal National Elections 2024

How is flat white made?

A flat white is made up of an espresso shot topped with steamed milk and a thin layer of micro-foam and is traditionally served in a ceramic cup.

Flat whites are popular among those coffee connoisseurs who want for less foam in their beverage as flat white is flatter" than a cappuccino or latte. In many cafes across Australia and New Zealand, customers are commonly allured into having the drink by baristas who show off their skills and create beautiful artwork while preparing the drink.

Over the years, coffee culture has changed a lot and also have the ways to prepare the flat white. Earlier, flat white was made with whole milk but nowadays its common to see Aussies and Kiwis ordering it with plant-based milk including oat milk.

Also read: Google calls off contract with YouTube Music team members protesting for better pay

The flat white is gaining popularity and is becoming a favourite since its spread far across the world. It has come to delight many and has become a staple in many nations. Google Doodle's description states, No matter the origins, coffee lovers worldwide agree its a favourite morning or arvo (afternoon) pick-me-up!"

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NEW DELHI : India and Italy are set to sign an extradition treaty as the two countries seek to repair their bilateral relations that were waylaid by the 2012 killing of two Indian fishermen by Italian marines.

The extradition treaty will make it easier for both countries to counter crime and improve cooperation between their law enforcement agencies, said people aware of the developments.

The final text of the extradition treaty has been approved by the MEA and the ministry of home affairs, with the law ministry examining it for the Union cabinets approval, these people said.

The treaty is significant as the two countries only have a limited extradition arrangement despite Indias large diaspora in Italy. In 2018, Italy had refused to extradite businessman Carlo Gerosa, implicated in the AgustaWestland chopper scandal, to India.

The lack of an extradition treaty between the two countries was cited as the reason for not extraditing Gerosa, according to reports.

Indias present extradition arrangement with Italy only covers crimes such as trafficking in narcotics and psychotropic substances as both countries are party to the 1988 UN convention against trafficking in these substances, according to Indias ministry of external affairs.

The Italian embassy and Indias ministries of external affairs, home affairs, and law and justice did not immediately reply to emailed queries on the extradition treaty.

According to data from the ministry of external affairs, India has extradition agreements with 48 countries, including the US, the UK, Russia, France and Germany. The oldest extradition agreement was signed with Switzerland in 1880.

The Extradition Act of 1962 governs the framework for Indias extradition treaties. These treaties include provisions for how extradition requests can be made, whether Indian nationals can be extradited, and grounds for refusal of these requests.

The AgustaWestland scandal surfaced in 2013 as investigations began into allegations of bribery involving senior officials and politicians in the purchase of the companys helicopters for VVIP duties. Indian investigators had sought to extradite Gerosa, seen as a key middleman in the dealings, but were denied access.

Earlier in 2012, India arrested two Italian marines who were aboard a commercial oil tanker for fatally shooting two Indian fishermen off Keralas coast, with subsequent events escalating tensions between the two countries.

In recent years, India and Italy have worked to repair their bilateral ties. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited India in early 2023 and for the G20 Leaders Summit in September. The two countries have also signed a defence agreement, while Indias cabinet approved a Migration and Mobility Agreement in December.

Italy is home to the second-largest population of overseas Indians in continental Europe. As per MEA data, Italy is home to 203,052 overseas Indians, with 157,695 non-resident Indians in the country. The migration of Indians from Punjab to work in Italys dairy sector over the last few decades has led to a large increase in this figure.

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As the water shortage in Bengaluru worsens, the tech professionals of India's Silicon Valley have gradually started moving back to their hometowns temporarily. Hinting at urban distress, the acute water crisis has made the city life unsustainable for its residents.

The tech professionals in Bengaluru are seeking refuge in their home cities.

According to a Deccan Herald (DH) report, IT professional working at multinational companies have been moving back to their hometowns.

Citing the example of a resident of Bengaluru's Ayyappa Nagar, Sumantha, the DH report said that he and his wife faced severe shortage of water, despite paying hefty rent.

Sumantha told DH adding that despite this, they are paying a monthly rent of 25,000 for a flat they do not currently reside in.

With a strict no work from home policy at his office, Sumantha said that he has to occasionally stay with his friends in South Bengaluru to attend office meetings. The water situation is less severe in the southern area of Bengaluru.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, also in-charge of Bengaluru development, has attributed the crisis to the defunctioning of 6,900 of the 13,900 borewells in the city.

Another techie, Anita Srinivas, opted to move out permanently. She has shifted to her second home, Mumbai. Our dependency on borewells, now dried up, and the wait for water tankers made our situation in Bengaluru untenable," she told DH.

For residents like Rashmi Ravindran who have relied on borewell water for years, there's an acute shortage of water, along with tension in the community over the distribution of the scarcely available resource.

Talking to DH, she said that their family has been in Bengaluru for around 15 years and have "never faced such an acute water shortage".

She said that they depend on borewell water at their Banaswadi home and now it too gives very little water.

The neighbours have started fighting to get water to their homes and fixing valves in front of their houses. The water flow pressure is so low that nobody gets enough."

Recently, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had been receiving several requests to make work from home mandatory for IT companies.

Karnataka 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.

On Monday, Shivakumar said that the state had not witnessed such a severe drought in the past three-four decades, and the next two months are very much important."

(With agency inputs)

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Amidst the water crisis gripping Bengaluru, the opposition BJP has declared plans for a protest at Freedom Park on Monday, aimed at drawing attention to the city's water woes.

Here are the top ten updates:

1. As reported by ANI, leader of the opposition, R Ashoka, has accused the government of inefficiency, suggesting that it has contributed to a situation where numerous multinational companies are contemplating relocating from the city.

2. R Ashoka said, This government never focused on real issues and only tried to divert important issues. Many apartments in the city do not have enough drinking water for the residents. The MNCs are planning to move to other places if the situation remains. We will be conducting a protest at Freedom Park on March 11 and announce our demands. If they are not met, we will announce the future course of action," as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Also Read: Bengaluru water woes: Stop wasting drinking water to wash car, gardening or pay fine. Here's what's allowed, what's not

3. Authorities in Bengaluru have made the decision to replenish drying lakes with 1,300 million liters per day of treated water in an effort to restore groundwater levels in the city, PTI reported. This initiative comes as approximately 50% of borewells in Bengaluru have dried up, signaling a pressing need for intervention to address the water scarcity issue. Aimed at managing the water crisis in Bengaluru, the civic body Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will also install filter borewells and construct water plants using an innovative technology near the restored lake beds to supply water after testing," BWSSB officials said.

4. The Irrigation Department is supplying water in Devanahalli, where the Kempegowda International Airport is located, by treating the water from the Kote lake with a similar initiative. As part of the plan, lakes in Bellandur, Varthur, Nayandahalli, Herohalli, Attur and Jakkur will be refilled initially, the official said.

Also Read: Bengaluru water crisis: Calls for work from home, online classes until monsoon grow louder

5. Officials emphasized that Bengaluru's requirement for potable water stands at 2,100 MLD, with 1,450 MLD sourced from the Cauvery river. They reassured that there is an ample supply of water in the reservoirs to sustain the city's needs until July. Notably, from March to May, the city requires approximately eight thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water, whereas the reservoirs currently hold 34 TMC of water, according to the officials.

6. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has extended the registration deadline for water tanker owners until March 15, with the aim of encouraging more suppliers to come forward. Currently, as of the latest update, 1,530 tankers have completed the registration process, according to officials.

7. In a bid to tackle the water mafia, the government has taken over private water tankers, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also in-charge for Bengaluru development, said that about 50 per cent of the borewells in the city have dried up.

Also Read: The Bengaluru water crisis and how the Karnataka govt is tackling it

8. We have decided to take control of thousands of private water tankers (by registering) to supply water from sources outside the city. We have left the pricing to officials as factors like distance travelled determines costs. Unused milk tankers will be used to ferry water," Shivakumar said.

9. Earlier, IISC will utilise water from 185 lake beds of the city to meet the staggering water demand with the help of innovative technologies.

10. The Indian Institute of Science has taken up a pilot project in which experts have recycled water adjacent to lake beds with the help of innovative technology, Bengaluru Water Supply Board chairman Ram Prasath Manohar told NDTV in an interview.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The BJP Central Election Committee meeting will be held today evening at the party headquarters in Delhi.

The election panel, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to discuss names of the remaining candidates for the Lok Sabha election. The party released the first list comprising 195 candidates from 16 states for the Lok Sabha elections March 2.

In the meeting on March 11, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners from Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, and Bihar are likely to discuss seat sharing with the BJP's top leadership, according to a report in news agency ANI.

Last week, the BJP sealed alliance with Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP and Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena in Andhra Pradesh ahead of Lok Sabha elections

Also Read : Lok Sabha elections 2024: Congress CEC meet today to finalise candidates for remaining seats. What to expect

The first list of 195 candidates features high-profile names such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will again contest from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah who will contest from Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

The BJP has kept 370 seats target for the party in the upcoming polls and 400 for the NDA.

The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the dates of April-May Lok Sabha Elections later this week. In 2019, the Lok Sabha polls were held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19 to elect the members of the 17th Lok Sabha.

The result, declared on May 23, 2019 saw a landslide victory for the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi with 303 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

The Congress released its first list of 39 candidates for Lok Sabha elections on March 8. The list comprised candidates from Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshwadeep, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Telangana, and Tripura.

Prime Minister Modi, who is on inauguration spree across the country ahead of Lok Sabha polls 2024, will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of 112 national highway projects across the country worth 1 lakh crore at an event in Gurugram on March 11.

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Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Monday late night said the BJP, TDP and Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena Party (JSP) have forged a formidable seat-sharing formula in Amaravati today.

According to the seat-sharing agreement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will contest on six Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh, while the TDP will contest on 17 seats. Jana Sena Party will contest on the remaining two seats.

Taking to microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the TDP chief said, In Amaravati today, the BJP, TDP and JSP forged a formidable seat-sharing formula. With this significant step, the people of Andhra Pradesh now stand on the threshold of reclaiming our State and paving the way for a brighter future."

According to the pre-poll alliance between the parties, the BJP will contest on 10 seats in the Assembly elections, while the TDP will fight on 144 seats. Actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena Party will contest on 21 seats.

It is important to note that the Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh will be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls.

Earlier on March 9, announcing the alliance of the TDP and the JSP with the BJP-led NDA block, the party's president, JP Nadda, said that it has been decided that TDP, JSP and BJP will contest the ensuing Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections together in Andhra Pradesh.

"Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party (JSP), as well as being committed to the progress of the 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," a joint statement released by the TDP BJP and the JSP said.

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"Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has been working tirelessly for the development and progress of the nation for the last 10 years and coming together with the TDP and JSP will help in reaching the aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh," it added.

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Security was heightened in the National Capital Region on Monday night after the Centre notified the Citizenship Amendment Act. Jawaharlal Nehru University  the site of extensive protests after the Act was passed in 2019  also issued an advisory urging students to remain vigilant and maintain "peace and harmony" on campus. The developments come mere weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections amid continued protests from the Opposition ranks.

Paramilitary personnel have undertaken intense patrolling and flag march in sensitive areas of northeast Delhi, Shaheen Bagh and Jamia Nagar. The Delhi Police's cyber unit is also monitoring social media platforms to prevent provocative posts and rumours. Police officials also began on-ground inspections across Noida and Greater Noida on Monday evening while teams were deployed at strategic public locations  such as markets, shopping malls, temples and mosques.

"Patrolling has been started by the Gautam Buddh Nagar police in view of upcoming festivals, Lok Sabha elections and the current sensitive situation. Paramilitary, local police and PAC teams are on the ground while all intelligence units are alert. We are keeping a constant watch on crowded locations, places that have mixed populations, religious sites. We are also monitoring social media," said Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Shivhari Meena.

The Citizenship Amendment Act was passed in December 2019 amid extensive protests. It will now pave the way for granting Indian nationality to undocumented non-Muslim migrants  Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians  from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 2014.

Several parties including the Congress and TMC have voiced their criticism as the new law came into effect. In Kerala both the ruling Left Democratic Front and the opposition United Democratic Front came agreed that the controversial law would be thrown into the Arabian Sea once the INDIA alliance comes to power post the elections.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Narendra Modi government notified implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act on Monday  mere weeks before the Lok Sabha elections. The contentious Act has faced numerous delays and continued criticism from the Opposition ranks. More than 100 people have lost their lives to protests and consequent police action since it was passed in December 2019.

The CAA rules aim to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants - including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians - who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before 2014. Applications have to be submitted online through a newly formed portal with citizenship hopefuls declaring the year in which they entered India without travel documents.

Home Minister Amit Shah had recently indicated that the CAA will be issued ahead of Lok Sabha polls and enforced accordingly. The senior politician also reiterated the BJP-led government's commitment towards the issue during a rally in West Bengal and accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misleading people.

"CAA will be implemented by the polls, and there should be no confusion around it. CAA was a promise of the Congress government. When the country was divided and the minorities were persecuted in those countries, Congress had assured the refugees that they were welcome in India and they will be provided with Indian citizenship. Now they are backtracking," Shah had said.

CAA implementation had been a significant poll plank for the BJP during the previous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in West Bengal. Opposition leaders however insist that they would repeal the Act if they were voted to power in the upcoming polls.

After seeking nine extensions for the notification of the rules, the timing right before the elections is evidently designed to polarise the elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam. It also appears to be an attempt to manage the headlines after the Supreme Courts severe strictures on the Electoral Bonds Scandal," said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the wake of the recovery of an unidentified man's body from an abandoned Delhi Jal Board (DJB) borewell at Keshopur in west Delhi, the Delhi government has taken immediate action, Hindustan Times reported.

DJB Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar and the water utility on March 10 were instructed to seal all public and private borewells not in use within 48 hours. Additionally, a time-bound inquiry into the incident has been demanded.

14-Hour Recovery Operation Led by NDRF

According to the police, the man's body was retrieved following a 14-hour operation conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in collaboration with the police and fire brigade.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressed the situation in a Hindi post, stating, "Water minister Atishi assessed the situation, revealing that the borewell was inside a locked room. Delhi Police is investigating the incident, and DJB has been ordered to conduct its inquiry. Stringent action will be taken against responsible officers, and all abandoned government and private borewells will be sealed within 48 hours."

Speaking to the press, Atishi Singh, who heads the Public Works Department Ministry in Delhi said the borewell was situated inside a locked room, indicating a possible attempt to force entry. She added that police and DJB are investigating the matter.

Further, the minister said that all closed borewells in Delhi, both private and government-owned, should be welded and sealed within 48 hours to prevent future incidents. A report will be submitted to Singh.

Government Directives for Inquiry

An order from Singh to Kumar highlighted the "deeply unfortunate incident" at Keshopur. It noted that despite the land being handed over to Delhi Metro in 2020, there is a need to examine the DJB's role and prevent such incidents.

The chief secretary is directed to conduct a time-bound inquiry into the incident and take strong and exemplary action against any officer found responsible. Ensure all government and private abandoned borewells to be welded and sealed immediately and compliance reported to me within 48 hours," the order undersigned by the minister added.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has pointed fingers at DJB, alleging negligence and citing a previous incident on February 28, where another person died due to a ditch left open by DJB in Alipur. Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor called for a 1 crore compensation for the victims' families.

The Accident

An unidentified man, aged between 25-30, fell into a 40-foot-deep borewell at a DJB sewage treatment plant in west Delhi's Keshopur Mandi area.

A senior police officer told PTI the borewell pipe was 12 inches in diameter and 40 feet deep. They added that the Delhi Fire Services was informed after police were called by a site security guard.

A team of NDRF comprising 40 members reached the site at 4 am, police said. They dug a parallel borewell nine feet away to pull out the man who was rushed to a nearby hospital.

(With inputs from PTI)

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The Supreme Court of India on March 11 dismissed the State Bank of India's (SBI) application seeking an extension of time to disclose the details of electoral bonds. The apex court has directed the bank to disclose the details by the close of business hours on March 12.

The top court has also asked the Election Commission of India to put the information about Electoral Bonds on its website by March 15.

Follow Live Updates on Supreme Court hearing on Electoral Bonds Here

"Submissions of SBI in application indicates that info sought is readily available. Thus, the application by SBI seeking extension of time until June 30 is dismissed. SBI is directed to disclose the details by the close of business hours of March 12, 2024," the top Court said in the order as reported by Bar & Bench.

The Supreme Court has also warned that it will initiate contempt proceedings against the government-run SBI if it does not comply with its orders and provide the information by tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12.

The SBI shall file an affidavit of its Chairman and Managing Director on compliance with the directions issued above. While we are not inclined to exercise the contempt jurisdiction at this time, we place SBI on notice that this Court may be inclined to proceed against it for wilful disobedience if SBI does not comply with the directions by the timelines indicated in this order," the court said as reported by LiveLaw.

The SBI had approached the court for an extension, allowing it to disclose the details by June 30. The matter was heard by a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

On February 15, in a landmark verdict, a five-judge constitution bench scrapped the Centre's electoral bonds scheme, which allowed anonymous political funding, calling it "unconstitutional" and ordered disclosure by the Election Commission of the donors, the amount donated by them, and the recipients by March 13.

Also Read: Electoral Bonds have been scrapped but not corporate funding

The top court subsequently directed the SBI, the authorised financial institution under the scheme, to submit by March 6 the details of the electoral bonds purchased from April 12, 2019, till date to the Election Commission, which was asked to publish the information on its official website by March 13.

The SBI contended that retrieval of information from "each silo" and the procedure of matching the information of one silo to that of the other would be a time-consuming exercise.

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The Supreme Court will today, Monday, March 11, hear the State Bank of Indias application seeking an extension till June 30 to disclose details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties.

Besides this, the five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will also hear a separate plea seeking contempt action against SBI for allegedly wilfully and deliberately" disobeying the SCs deadline for submission of details. The petition was filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on March 7.

A five-judge bench headed by CJI Chandrachud also comprises Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra. Both pleas are scheduled to be heard at 10.30 am today, Monday, March 11.

The apex court had, in an order on February 15, scrapped Electoral Bonds and directed Indias largest public bank, SBI, to submit all details regarding the same to the Election Commission of India by March 6. Further, the ECI was directed to publish the received data on its website by March 13.

Ahead of the hearing, here is all you need to know about the case.

Also Read | Supreme Court strikes down Electoral Bond Scheme: What is it? Who has the most funding? and concerns explained

Top 10 Updates

 The Supreme Court on February 15 scrapped the Electoral Bond Scheme that allowed anonymous funding to political parties. The apex court said that the Scheme violates the right to information (RTI) and can lead to quid pro quo. The Electoral Bonds Scheme is not the only scheme to curb black money. There are other alternatives," the top court had said in its verdict.

 The Supreme Court said infringement of the Right to Information (RTI) is not justified to curb black money. There are other alternatives which substantially fulfil the purpose and impact the right to information minimally when compared to the impact of electoral bonds on the right to information," SC said, as quoted by LiveLaw.

 The Supreme Court instructed SBI, the authorised financial institution, to submit details of electoral bonds purchased from April 12, 2019 onwards by March 6, 2024. However, the bank missed this deadline.

 The details to be shared by SBI included disclosure of each electoral bond encashed by the political parties, which shall include the date of encashment and the denomination of the electoral bond.

 Notably, the EC has been directed to publish the disclosed information on its official website by March 13. Whether this deadline will be met now remains uncertain.

 SBI had on March 4 requested an extension until June 30 to disclose details. In its plea, SBI argued that retrieving information from various sources and matching data between silos would be time-consuming.

 SBI said the complexity of matching donors to donations is due to the anonymous nature of the process. It added that donor details were kept in sealed covers at designated branches for anonymity.

 The NGOs, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Common Cause filed a contempt plea against SBI for alleged disobedience of the courts directives. It claimed a deliberate attempt to withhold donor information before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

 The contempt plea argued that the Electoral Bond Schemes anonymity contradicts participatory democracy and citizens right to information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. It also noted the traceability of electoral bonds through SBIs secret number-based records.

 According to the annual audited report submitted to the EC by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the saffron party received nearly 1,300 crore through electoral bonds in 2022-23. The partys total contributions stood at 2,120 crore in the 2022-23 fiscal, of which 61 percent came from electoral bonds. The funding from electoral bonds to the Congress was 171 crore in 2022-23, down from 236 crore in 2021-22.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Haryana section of the landmark Dwarka Expressway, which will improve traffic flow and ease congestion between Delhi and Gurugram on NH-48.

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, were also present at the event. The PM also inspected the 4-level Interchange of the Haryana Section of the Dwarka Expressway.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, Today is an important day for connectivity across India. At around 12 noon today, 112 National Highways, spread across different states, will be dedicated to the nation or their foundation stones would be laid. The Haryana Section of Dwarka Expressway will be inaugurated. These projects will boost economic growth and are also in line with our efforts to build next-generation infrastructure."

Features of Dwarka Expressway and how it will benefit commuters

1. The 19 km stretch of the Dwarka Expressway in Haryana has been constructed at an estimated cost of approximately Rs. 4,100 crore. This section comprises two packages: the first is a 10.2 km stretch from Delhi-Haryana Border to Basai Rail-over-Bridge (ROB), and the second covers an 8.7 km distance from Basai ROB to Kherki Daula.

2. The third and fourth sections cover approximately 19 km in Gurugram, while the first two segments, totalling 10 km, are situated in Delhi. Originating from Shiv Murti near Mahipalpur on the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway, it traverses through Dwarka Sector 21, the Gurugram border, Basai, and concludes near Kherki Daula on the national highway.

3. The Expressway is an entirely access-controlled, grade-separated 14-lane corridor, a pioneering project in India. It includes four multi-level interchanges, incorporating tunnels or underpasses, ground-level road sections, and elevated flyovers.

4. Notably, it features an 8-lane elevated structure alongside India's first 4 km long 8-lane tunnel near IGI airport, described as a 'shallow tunnel' for its less intrusive construction method, according to a report by Times of India. The Expressway's starting point includes an interchange with two underpasses beneath NH 48, catering to over 3 lakh vehicles daily. It aims to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce vehicular pollution in the Delhi NCR region.

5. Notably, this expressway will offer direct connectivity to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and the Gurugram Bypass, enhancing transportation efficiency in the region.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A plea has been filed in Supreme Court to restrain Union government from appointing Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, Bar & Bench reported on March 11.

The plea cites Section 7 and 8 of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and terms of office Act 2023, with the plea, the report said.

The plea also seeks direction to appoint member of election commission as per Arup Baranwal judgment.

The petition comes in the wake of Election Commissioner Arun Goel stepping down from his position last week ahead of Lok Sabha polls. Arun Goel was next in line to become the chief election commissioner (CEC) as incumbent Rajiv Kumar is set to retire in February 2025.

The resignation of Arun Goel leaves CEC Rajiv Kumar as the sole election commissioner in India before the crucial Lok Sabha elections.

Also Read : PM Modi to chair first meeting to appoint new Election Commissioner today; Amit Shah, Adhir Chowdhury to attend

The two election commissioners are expected to will be appointed t his week. A high-level selection committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprising a Union Minister and Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, is likely to meet for the purpose on March 14.

In December 2023, the President approved a new law for the appointment of Election Commissioners last year. The panel responsible for selecting the Chief Election Commissioners (CECs) and other Election Commissioners includes the Prime Minister, the leader of the Opposition, and a Union Cabinet minister, as per the new law.

In March 2023, the Supreme Court had ruled that the appointment of CECs and ECs should be done by the President on the advice of a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India. However, in January 2024, the apex court refused to stay the operation of the new law. This meant that the appointment of CECs and ECs will now be done through the panel as per the new law.

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Top Events of Today: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the Sashakt Nari-Viksit Bharat programme and witness agricultural drone demonstrations conducted by Namo Drone Didis at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute on Monday.

Here are the top events of today:

Electoral bonds: Supreme Court to hear SBIs plea seeking extension to disclose details

The Supreme Court of India will hear the State Bank of Indias extension plea on providing details about electoral bonds on Monday, March 11. The State Bank of India (SBI) had earlier sought an extension till June 30.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will also hear a separate plea, which has sought initiation of contempt action against the SBI, alleging it willfully and deliberately" disobeyed the apex courts direction to submit details of the contributions made to political parties through electoral bonds to the Election Commission by March 6. Read here.

Bengaluru water crisis: Karnataka BJP to stage protest against Siddaramaiah govt

Bengaluru is currently in the grip of a severe water crisis, with residents experiencing daily water cuts and certain areas receiving water only on alternate days. In response to this pressing issue, the BJP has declared a protest at Freedom Park on Monday, aimed at shedding light on the citys water woes.

R Ashoka, the leader of the Opposition, has accused the government of inefficiency, asserting that the dire situation has prompted many multinational companies to contemplate relocating from the city. Read here.

Ramadan 2024: The holy month begins today

The Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan began on Monday, according to announcements made by Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations.

Saudi Arabia, revered for housing Islams holiest sites, conveyed through its official SPA news agency on Sunday, March 10, that the Supreme Court had declared Monday, March 11, 2024, the commencement of the blessed month of Ramadan for this year". Ramadan, regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam, holds immense significance in the Islamic calendar. Read here.

Rajasthan petrol pump strike continues

The strike, initiated at 6 am on Sunday, March 10, is slated to endure for 48 hours and conclude at 6 am on March 12. The Rajasthan Petrol Dealers Association has announced a No Purchase, No Sale" strike, commencing at 6 am on Sunday and persisting for 48 hours. The primary aim of this strike is to draw attention to the escalating fuel prices in the state, urging government intervention. Read here.

PM Modi to participate in Sashakt Nari-Viksit Bharat programme

A statement by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said, Namo Drone Didis from 11 different locations nationwide will also participate in the demonstration simultaneously. During the programme, Modi will also hand over drones to 1,000 Namo Drone Didis."

The Namo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi initiatives are integral to the Prime Ministers vision of fostering economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women, especially in rural areas, the statement said.

To further this vision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will felicitate Lakhpati Didis, who have achieved success with the support of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission and are supporting and motivating other self-help group members for their upliftment.

Parliament security breach: Delhi Court to hear accuseds plea alleging torture

The judge has issued notice to the incarcerated accused Neelam Azad, Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Lalit Jha, Amol Shinde, and Mahesh Kumawat regarding the application and has requested their responses by March 11.

Their custody has been extended subsequent to the lapse of their previous judicial custody.

During Zero Hour on December 13 last year, coinciding with the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, a major security breach occurred when two individuals, Sharma and Manoranjan D, leapt into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery.

They released a yellow gas from canisters, shouting slogans before being subdued by MPs.

Congress Partys second CEC meeting to be held today

The Congress partys second Election Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday in Delhi. The agenda of the meeting is to deliberate on potential candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 polls.

At the Congress CEC meetings, the partys General Secretary (Communications), Jairam Ramesh, said, CEC will discuss all seats. Final decisions will be taken wherever possible. CEC is the highest body that deliberates on and finalises candidates."

President Murmu to visit Mauritius: Three-day state visit from today

President Droupadi Murmu is set to embark on a three-day state visit to Mauritius starting Monday, March 11, with a primary focus on attending the island nations National Day celebrations as the chief guest.

Accompanying her visit, a contingent from the Indian Navy, along with two ships, INS Tir and CGS Sarathi, will also participate in the festivities.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the visit, highlighting that President Murmu will engage in bilateral meetings with her Mauritian counterpart, President Prithvirajsing Roopun, and Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

CUET PG exam 2024: Common University Entrance Test to begin

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revealed the dates for the Common University Entrance Test (Postgraduate) 2024, scheduled to take place from March 11 to March 28, 2024. This examination will be conducted in over 300 cities across India, with various examination centres set up by the NTA.

Here are the other key events today:

PM Modi to attend a DRDO programme in Delhi

Haryana: PM Modi to inaugurate a section of Dwarka Expressway and to hold a roadshow

SC to hear a plea filed by AAPs Sanjay Singh over remarks on Prime Minister March 11

ED summons Mahua Moitra for questioning in FEMA case on March 11

Lok Sabha 2024 polls: Election Commission to hold a meeting for all its observers

UN Commission on Status Of Women: Indian delegates take part at UN HQ from March 11 to March 22

Farmers protest: Over 500 to reach Jaipur demanding MSP agreement

Telangana government to launch Indiramma housing scheme March 11

Telangana: CM Revanth Reddy to address Congress meet in Vizag

Sahityotsav: Worlds largest literary festival to be held from March 11- March 16 in Delhi

Samsung Galaxy A55 to be launched in India on March 11

Hyundai Creta N Line to be launched in India on March 11

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National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Monday said his party was not rigid" and "ready to compromise with Congress on 3 seats," news agency ANI reported.

Abdullah said if the National Conference was rigid then it would have declared candidates on all the six seats like West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The party is not fielding its candidates on 50% of the seats.

We are not rigid, if we were rigid then we would have declared our candidates on all 6 seats like Mamata Banerjee..We are not fielding our candidates on 50% of the seats...In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee did not leave for Congress the seats which Congress had won. We are ready to compromise with Congress on 3 seats...," Omar Abdullah said.

"If Congress wants, they can offer Jammu seats to the PDP," India Today quoted the NC vice presidentas saying.

However, the report said the NC vice president was optimistic about the seat-sharing discussions with Congress in the union territory. "Our talks with Congress are going in the right direction. An announcement will be made soon," he added.

The development followed after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti expressed unhappiness over the NC's decision to contest all three Lok Sabha constituencies in Kashmir. Accusing the NC of reducing the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to a "joke", the PDP chief on Friday said that the NC's decision was "disappointing" and a "setback to the hopes of the people of J&K".

PAGD is an alliance of five political parties seeking the restoration of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir which was revoked by the Centre in 2019.

The Congress, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and NC are part of the INDIA bloc.

"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 this PAGD. We will talk to Congress as we are in the INDIA alliance and see how to go forward," ANI quoted Mufti as saying.

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The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) elections are scheduled to take place later this month after four years.

The previous JNUSU elections took place more than four years ago in September 2019 and the upcoming elections are scheduled for March 22, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

While announcing the schedule for the 2024-25 polls, the JNUSU Election Committee informed that the key electoral events will begin on Monday with the publication and correction of the tentative voters' list.

On March 24, counting of votes will take place and later in the day, the results will be declared. The Election Committee suggested that any corrections to the voters' list need to be made well in advance before the filing of nominations. The panel will release a tentative voters list on March 11 following which any objections to the list will be addressed.

Additionally, corrections to the voters list can be made on March 12 and the correction window will remain open from 9:00 am till 5:00 pm. On Thursday, March 15, nomination forms will be issued between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm, reported TOI. The window to file nominations will open at 9:30 am and close by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 16.

The list of valid nominations will be displayed at 9:00 am on Saturday, March 17, according to the report. Candidates can withdraw their nominations between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm on the same day following which the final list of candidates will be displayed at 3:00 pm.

The decision to hold the JNUSU 2024 elections was taken following a long struggle by the JNUSU and the united student community.

The demands by the student union pressured the JNU administration to conduct these elections in accordance with the recommendations of the Lyngdoh committee. Following a Supreme Court order, the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development had constituted the panel under JM Lyngdoh, a former chief election commissioner, to give recommendations on issues related to student bodies and student union elections conducted in universities, colleges and other higher education institutions across India. The committee submitted its report on May 26, 2006. The committee suggests that student union elections should take place within six to eight weeks from the beginning of the semester.

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(Bloomberg) -- Portugals Socialists conceded defeat in a parliamentary election on Sunday which saw the far-right emerge as the biggest winner.

With nearly 99% of votes counted, the center-right AD coalition had secured 77 seats against 75 seats for the Socialists.

Everything indicates that the result wont enable the Socialist Party to be the most voted party," Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos said. He congratulated the AD for their election victory.

Far-right party Chega recorded the biggest jump in support compared with the 2022 election - it has already won 46 seats, almost quadrupling its current tally. This means the AD would be able to control parliament with the backing of Chega.

Andre Ventura, who founded Chega in 2019, has grown the party from a one-lawmaker outfit into the third largest parliamentary force. He said Sunday that its clear AD and Chega have an outright majority and he should be allowed to negotiate a role in a government led by the center-right. ADs leader Luis Montenegro has maintained an acrimonious relationship with Ventura and ruled out any agreement with the party.

The early election was called after Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa quit in November amid a probe into alleged influence peddling.

(All times are Lisbon time)

Climate Protesters Target PSDs Venue (10:58 p.m.)

Climate protesters threw red paint on the Epic Sana Hotel, where the Partido Social Democrata (PSD) is holding an election night watch party during the general election in Lisbon, Portugal, on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Portugals center-right AD coalition is set to win over its Socialist opponents in parliamentary elections, according to an exit poll, setting the stage for a minority government having to rely on the support of smaller parties to govern.

Spanish Far-Right Party Congratulates Chegas Ventura (10:35 p.m.)

Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spanish far-right party Vox, congratulated Chegas Ventura for a great result," in a post on X.

As with Vox in Spain, the far right in Portugal remains the third-biggest party in parliament, still locked out of the top two positions.

High Voter Turnout (8:55 p.m.)

Voter turnout on Sunday is set to be the highest for a parliamentary election in about 15 years, the RTP exit poll indicated. The number of Portuguese voting exceeded that of the past two elections in 2019 and 2022, both won by the Socialists.

Chega Insists It Wants a Role in Government (8:51 p.m.)

Chega leader Ventura hailed what he says is a historic" result for the party, having received enough voter support to allow him to negotiate a role in the next government. Today the Portuguese spoke out and clearly said that they want a two-party government  Chega and AD," Ventura said in comments broadcast by RTP television. Together, the two parties would effectively control parliament.

However, a coalition looks unlikely. Before the vote, AD leader Montenegro rejected any alliance with Chega. In a televised debate on Feb. 12, Montenegro said Ventura stood for xenophobic, racist, populist and excessively demagogic" ideas and represented the degree zero of politics."

Minority Government Will Have to Make Concessions (8:38 p.m.)

The lack of an outright majority leaves Portugal in a murky situation," with a government dependent on support from other parties in parliament to govern, says Marina Costa Lobo, professor of political science at the University of Lisbon.

The AD has ruled out an alliance with Chega, meaning it will have to get backing from the Socialist Party, something Costa Lobo says will complicate major decisions like the annual budget. We are in a dire situation where concessions and compromises will have to be made."

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

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Russias ability to churn out tanks, missiles and shells has surprised the West and heaped further pressure on Ukraine. The question now is how long it can continue.

For some Western officials and analysts, Russias military production figures are misleading and mask challenges including a shortage of labor and a falloff in quality. The ramp-up may not be sustainable as it saps resources from the wider economy, and any drop in output could leave Russia even more reliant on help from allies such as China, Iran and North Korea, they add.

Russia has rather impressively managed to increase production in many defense sectors," said Oscar Jonsson, a researcher at the Swedish Defence University. But I would be very suspicious of Russia being able to continue at that pace it will stagnate."

Russias ability to produce weapons has become increasingly important as the war drags into its third year, and amid uncertainty over future U.S. military aid for Ukraine. Russias greater supply of artillery shells, for instance, proved decisive when Ukraine lost the eastern town of Avdiivka in February. Meanwhile, Russias ability to rearm after the war could threaten other countries on its borders, those nations say.

Following Moscows 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and its allies imposed a raft of sanctions aimed at hobbling Russias arms industry. On the battlefield, Russia soon lost equipment and ran down inventories of missiles and shells.

In response, the Kremlin quickly pumped resources into its arms industry. Last year, 21% of all federal expenditure went into what Moscow categorizes as defense, up from almost 14% in 2020. The 2024 federal budget calls for an even greater proportion of spending on defense this year, at more than 29%.

Russia has also become adept at avoiding sanctions, sourcing components like Western microchips and telecommunications equipment that it cant buy directly via other countries.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in December that Russia was producing 17.5 times as much ammunition, 17 times as many drones and 5.6 times as many tanks as it did before the war.

Moscow has also increased production of missiles and other weapons, Western officials say. For example, production of artillery shells went from 400,000 shells in 2021 to 600,000 the following year, more than the combined output of the U.S. and European Union, Estonian military intelligence estimates.

Russia can likely sustain its war effort for two to five more years at the current scale, according to a senior North Atlantic Treaty Organization official. At least two European military-intelligence agencies also believe Russia can produce enough weapons to last several more years.

The ramp-up in military production shows up in economic data.

Output from several military-related industries, including optical products and fabricated metals, has grown as much as two times since the start of the war, according to an analysis of Russian statistics by Finlands central bank.

But the production increasesand overall level of military spendingmay not be sustainable given the drain on investment, manpower and materials from other sectors of Russias economy, the Bank of Finland concluded.

The central banks analysis also shows that much of the increase in defense-related output was in low-tech products, such as fabricated steel, rather than more sophisticated items, like semiconductors, for which Russia is reliant on foreign suppliers.

While Moscow has been able to get around sanctions for some products, other more specialized components that Russia bought from the Westsuch as tank optics that help crew members seeare much harder to buy through third parties.

Some analysts question Moscows production boasts. Russias output figures, for instance, dont differentiate between newly produced armored vehicles and old models brought out of storage and refurbished.

They are hyping up the numbers," said Michael Gjerstad, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Last year Russia brought out at least 1,200 old tanks from storage, Gjerstad estimates, based on a review of satellite images before and after the start of the war. That means that, at the very most, Russia produced 330 new tanks last year, though the true figure is likely to be half that number, Gjerstad said.

For example, up to 200 tanks at a time have sat outside the Omsktransmash tank factory in Omsk, Siberia, since late 2022, according to satellite photos provided by Planet Labs PBC. Thats despite the plant having produced no new tanks for several years before the war began, Gjerstad said.

The tanks look like the T-62, which hasnt been produced since the 1970s, and the T-54/55, which was first designed just after World War II, according to Nicholas Drummond, a defense consultant.

These older tanks arent as good quality as new models, and stocks will eventually run dry.

The Kremlin didnt respond to a request for comment on the output and quality of its arms production.

Russia has also dipped into reserves of old artillery ammunition. That stockpile now stands at around 3 million rounds, much of which is in poor condition, according to the Royal United Services Institute, a U.K. think tank.

RUSI and other analysts say that Russias domestic ammunition production isnt sufficient to meet its needs for Ukraine, meaning Moscow will grow more dependent on foreign allies.

North Korea, Iran and Belarus have supplied munitions, while Russia has received components such as computer chips and chemicals from China, analysts say.

North Korean munitions factories are currently operating at full capacity to supply Russia, South Koreas defense minister recently told reporters. Shin Won-sik said that North Korea may have shipped the equivalent of around 3 million 152mm artillery shells since last September. Ukrainian military intelligence has said that the quality of North Korean ammunition has been poor, sometimes even destroying Russian guns.

In return for such supplies, there is some evidence that Russia has shared technical military information with China and North Korea, the senior NATO official said.

Back at home, Russias arms makers face labor challenges.

During a visit in February to Russias largest tank factory, President Vladimir Putin told a worker that he was aware of a shortage of skilled personnel, according to a transcript on the Kremlins website.

The labor crunch at the Uralvagonzavod site was so bad at the start of last year that the company took on 250 convicts from a nearby prison, the correctional facility said at the time.

In June 2022, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said that the arms industry had a shortage of around 400,000 people. Borisov and other Russian officials have said the sector needs around 2 million workers, suggesting a personnel shortfall of about 20%.

Since then, Russia has sent more people to fight in Ukraine and hundreds of thousands more are estimated by economists to have left the country, though some may have returned.

To boost output, Uralvagonzavod, which has some 30,000 workers, started 24-hour production at the factory.

Workers there have complained on social media about inadequate training, a lack of tools and poor safety conditions.

In one instance widely reported by Russian media last year, a dispute over training and wages led one worker to stab himself in the throat with a knife in front of his boss. He survived. The company said it regretted the incident, which it described as an ordinary human tragedy.

Alastair Gale and Warren Strobel contributed to this article.
COMMAND POST TANGO, South KoreaThe top U.S. military official in South Korea said his thinking has changed on deterring North Koreas nuclear weapons.

In the past, efforts were dedicated to halting Pyongyangs development of nuclear capabilities. Now the focus is on preventing Kim Jong Un from using the weapons.

We have to assure him that positive will be met with positive actions, and negative will be met with negative," said Paul J. LaCamera, a U.S. four-star general who leads the roughly 28,500 American military personnel stationed in South Korea, in a rare interview.

The stick in that equation is on display this month, as the U.S. and South Korea conduct expanded annual springtime drills. This year, the number of field exercises has roughly doubled, as have participating troops. An unprecedented 12 United Nations Command member states are involved, including France, Canada and the Philippines.

The 11-day training, which ends Thursday, spans land, sea, air, cyber and space operations. The drills practice shooting down North Korean missiles, bombing targets and firing shells.

In an interview at a top-secret bunker complex built underneath a mountain outside Seoul, Gen. LaCamera said the exercises are aimed at responding to a vast array of potential threats from Kims military. He has urged his soldiers to grab lessons from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as the nature of combat evolves.

We cannot have a failure of imagination," the 60-year-old Gen. LaCamera said. Its just that simple."

The decades-old wartime bunker is called Tango"short for Theater Air Naval Ground Operationsand features a labyrinth of passageways. With exercises under way, U.S. and South Korean soldiers filed through the massive underground facility, where packages of Raisin Bran were as plentiful as ramen. The facility is reportedly designed to withstand a tactical nuclear strike.

Wearing a camouflage uniform, Gen. LaCamera, who has led combat troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, stood in what would be the primary command-and-control room for armed conflict with North Korea. This is the center, this is the brain," he said. These are the people that make all the magic happen."

After becoming a brigadier general more than a decade ago, Gen. LaCamera recalled the wording on a coin he possessed back then: Adapt or Perish. Now, he often encourages troops with another quip: Readiness is perishable."

Thorny inter-Korean tensions

Kim has given officials in Washington and Seoul plenty of reasons recently to prepare for a potential clash.

The North Korean leader has freshly abandoned hopes of peaceful reunification, declared South Korea his countrys No. 1 enemy and vowed to thoroughly annihilate" Seoul and Washington should either attempt an attack. The 40-year-old dictator has told his people to prepare for war and in recent days oversaw North Korean artillery drills aimed at the enemys capital, and the mock takeover of a South Korean border-guard post, state media reported.

Kang Shin-chul, a South Korean four-star general, calls North Koreas weapons a practical, obvious and clear threat. He compared the counter strategy to trying to achieve a stalemate in chess. Thats a metaphor, but we are trying to create a situation where the other side cant use its nukes," said Gen. Kang, the deputy commander general for the South Korea-U. S. Combined Forces Command, which directs both countries troops in the event of war.

The command has operational control of more than 600,000 active-duty military personnel from both countries, plus more than 3.5 million South Korean reservists. If North Korea provokes, we can be stronger and subdue them completely," Gen. Kang said.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative who backs a tougher line with the North, says peace is built through strength. He vowed that Seouls response to any Pyongyang provocation would be multiple times as hard.

The elevated tension between the two Koreas goes beyond tough words. They each in recent months have launched first-ever spy satellites into space. In January, the two countries exchanged live-fire drills, one after another. A years-old inter-Korean accord that was meant to tone down military hostilities has been ripped up, resulting in border soldiers on both sides carrying arms once again.

The South Korean emphasis on a disproportionate response to any North Korean provocation does raise some concern for the U.S., which may not want to see a limited attack escalate into a broader conflict, said Ankit Panda, the Stanton senior fellow in the nuclear-policy program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Hashing out what might be an acceptable response for all scenarios remains a work in progress for Washington and Seoul, he added.

I do think there is some daylight here between the two countries," Panda said.

Pyongyangs antagonism toward Seoul aims to weaken what is a major concern for Kim: the Yoon administrations bolstered three-way military ties with the U.S. and Japan, which provide a unified front against North Korea, said Sydney A. Seiler, a former U.S. national intelligence officer for North Korea.

If South Korea looks like theyre shooting off for revenge, and not coordinating with the U.S., it can actually do more harm than good," said Seiler, a senior adviser of the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

A fair fight?

Both Gen. LaCamera and Gen. Kang said their countries remain aligned and focused on sharpening readiness to dissuade Kim from bad behavior.

North Korea has advanced its nuclear and weapons capabilities with impunity in recent years. The regime has unveiled new generations of its intercontinental ballistic missiles, which have the range to strike the U.S. mainland. Pyongyang has sharpened regional attack power that threatens Tokyo, Seoul and the soldiers under LaCameras direction. Those efforts include recent tests of cruise missiles that the Kim regime claims are nuclear capable.

Gen. LaCamera grew circumspect when asked where Kim might instigate an inter-Korean clash. I focus on capabilities," he said. If I could read minds, I would be in a different business."

Regarding Kims fledgling relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Gen. LaCamera opted for a more maximalist presumption of what the two countries might be up to. Hes willing to give more credit than perhaps deserved, in terms of how North Koreas military capabilities might be improving due to Russian assistance. But he declined to go into specifics.

Regardless of North Koreas advancements, Gen. LaCamera said: Im not looking for a fair fight."

Write to Timothy W. Martin at Timothy.Martin@wsj.com
The Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan began on Monday, according to announcements made by Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations.

Saudi Arabia, revered for housing Islam's holiest sites, conveyed through its official SPA news agency on Sunday that the Supreme Court had declared Monday, March 11, 2024, the commencement of the blessed month of Ramadan for this year". Ramadan, regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam, holds immense significance in the Islamic calendar.

Following the sighting of the crescent moon, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have also confirmed a Monday start for Ramadan, as reported by their respective official news outlets.

As the holy month of Ramadan begins on Monday, here are some messages to share with your loved ones.

Messages:

Wishing you and your family a blessed Ramadan filled with peace, prosperity, and happiness.

May the spirit of Ramadan illuminate your heart and bless you with grace and joy. Ramadan Mubarak!

As the holy month of Ramadan begins, may Allah bless you with happiness and grace your home with warmth and peace.

Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food; it's a time for spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and devotion. Wishing you a meaningful Ramadan.

May the divine blessings of Allah bring you hope, faith, and joy on this Ramadan and forever. Ramadan Kareem!

Let this Ramadan be the month of forgiveness and compassion, a month to cleanse our souls and seek the mercy of Allah. Ramadan Mubarak to you and your family!

May this Ramadan be a month of love, harmony, and blessings for you and your family. Ramadan Mubarak!

As you fast and offer prayers to Allah, may you find your peace and happiness. Ramadan Mubarak!

Ramadan is the month of Allah. Whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness, and whose end is freedom from the fire. Ramadan Kareem!

May this Ramadan bring you the utmost in peace and prosperity. Ramadan Mubarak to you and your family!

As the crescent moon is sighted and the holy month of Ramadan begins, I wish you and your family a blessed month ahead.

Let this Ramadan be the time of reflection and gratitude. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Ramadan filled with blessings and forgiveness.

May Allah shower His countless blessings upon you and your family this Ramadan. Ramadan Mubarak!

Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion. May Allah bless you and your family with strength and perseverance. Ramadan Kareem!

As the holy month of Ramadan begins, I pray that Allah grants all your wishes and fulfills all your desires. Ramadan Mubarak!

Quotes

"Ramadan is the month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness, and whose end is freedom from the fire." - Prophet Muhammad.

"The best charity is that given in Ramadan." - Prophet Muhammad.

"He who gives iftar to another fasting person shall earn reward equivalent to a fasting man without detracting from the reward of the latter." - Prophet Muhammad.

"Ramadan is a time to empty your stomach to feed your soul." - Unknown

"Ramadan is the month to fast, pray, read the Quran, and increase acts of kindness and charity." - Unknown

Verses from the Quran:

"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous." (Quran 2:183)

"And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me." (Quran 2:186)

"The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy." (Quran 49:10)

"And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression." (Quran 5:2)

"And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]." (Quran 2:195)

Images:

View Full Image Ramadan 2024 (Image: Pexels)

View Full Image Ramadan 2024 (Image: Pexels)

View Full Image Ramadan 2024 (Photo: Pexels)

View Full Image An Egyptian Muslim boy worshipper takes part in evening prayers called 'Tarawih' during the eve of the first night of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Amr Ibn El-Aas mosque, the first and oldest mosque ever built on the land of Egypt, in old Cairo, Egypt March 10, 2024. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (REUTERS)

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Several major news agencies have issued a kill notice" to the first picture of Kate Middleton after her surgery. The photograph of the Princess of Wales has been withdrawn by agencies like Getty Images, Reuters, Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press as it looked manipulated".

View Full Image 'We are removing this image following a post publication review. Regions Affected: WORLDWIDE Please remove it from your systems as follows: If this image has already been used online, please remove it from your properties and pages,'. said Reuters. Prince of Wales/Kensington Palace/Handout via REUTERS (Prince of Wales/Kensington Palace/Handout via REUTERS )

Kate has not made any public appearances since December. On top of that, her abdominal surgery started rumours about her well-being. Kensington Palace released the photo on Mothers Day amid speculations suggesting sinister" possibilities.

The photo shows Kate seated with Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George hugging her. The photo was shared on social media. It includes a note from the Prince and Princess of Wales: "Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day."

Many believe that the release of the photograph was an effort by the palace to quiet the rumours. However, the move may have backfired as Royal observers have noticed that there is something off in the photo.

There was no suggestion that the photo was fake. Still, AP withdrew the image from circulation as it did not meet its photo standards".

Whats wrong with the photo?

Royal experts, as well as netizens, have pointed out a number of inconsistencies in the photo. Take a look:

It's simple really. There were multiple shots taken during the photo-shoot. It's decided that the facial expressions over multiple shots should be combined into one to make the "perfect" image. Whoever did the Photoshop job rushed it. No big conspiracy, just poor Photoshop skills," came from one user on X (formerly Twitter).

The thing I noticed right away this morning was that Princess Catherines abdomen is totally blackened out. Thats not normal. This area should be shown even if it is in a slight shadow," came from another.

Kensington Palace has not issued any statement yet.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 11 claimed that over 1 crore women have become 'Lakhpati Didis' due to various government schemes, while addressing the Sashakt Nari-Viksit Bharat programme in Delhi.

Here are key take aways from his speech:

PM Modi said that his third term will write a new chapter in rise of women power.

PM Modi said that opposition parties like Congress mocked and insulted him whenever he spoke of women empowerment from Red Fort.

Over 1 crore women have become 'Lakhpati Didis' due to various government schemes said PM Modi at the event.

During the programme, Namo Drone Didis from 10 different regions of the country participated in the drone demonstration.

The PM also handed over drones to 1,000 Namo Drone Didis in the national capital

PM Modi aims to foster economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women, especially in rural areas with the Namo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi initiatives.

With these initiatives that align with PM's vision, 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are being connected with the 'Namo Drone Didi' program.

Under this programme, drones will be provided to these self-help groups and women will receive training to become drone pilots for agricultural purposes. These drones will assist in tasks such as crop monitoring, spraying of fertilisers and sowing of seeds.

The drone program will provide additional income opportunities for several women, empowering them and making themself-reliant.

Additionally, with the support of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission, a number of Lakhpati Didis have become successful and were felicitated by PM Modi. These Lakhpati Didis are supporting and motivating members of other self-help groups to foster economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women.

Moreover, Union Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman had announced that it has been decided to increase the target for Lakhpati Didi from 2 crore to 3 crore, while presenting the Interim Budget 2024-25 last month. She had noted that around eighty-three lakh SHGs with nine crore women are transforming rural socio-economic landscape.

In a move towards empowerment and self-reliance, success story of these women assisted nearly one crore women to become Lakhpati Didi.

(With inputs from PTI)

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US President Joe Biden has expressed concerns over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus actions. While Biden believes Israel has the right to defend itself, the impact on innocent lives must be taken into consideration, he said.

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," AP quoted Biden as speaking on Netanyahu in an MSNBC interview.

Also Read: Some German Jews say their country goes too far defending Israel

Hes hurting...in my view, hes hurting Israel more than helping Israel."

The holy month of Ramadan, significant for Muslims, usually sees heightened tensions in the region. Clashes have historically erupted during this time, particularly in Jerusalem's Old City, a site sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims.

This weekend, Biden asked Netanyahu not to attack Rafah, where many Gazans had taken refuge. He said this would be crossing a line and that too many Palestinian lives had already been lost.

Despite Biden's stern warning, Netanyahu defended his actions, denying any harm to Israel's interests.

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.

Relief for Gaza

Efforts to deliver aid to Gaza have been ramped up, including US airdrops and plans for a temporary sea pier, amid Israeli hesitations to open land routes. This initiative comes as Gaza faces severe humanitarian challenges, with a significant portion of its population on the brink of famine.

Also Read: Palestinians prepare for Ramzan in shadow of elusive ceasefire talks in Gaza

In Gaza, about 60,000 pregnant women face issues like not getting enough food, water, and medical care. The health ministry there mentioned that, every month, 5,000 women give birth under very tough and risky conditions because of attacks and having to move from their homes, as per a report by The New York Times.

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(Bloomberg) -- The deadlock in Ukraine is shifting the momentum" in the war there in Moscows favor, US intelligence agencies told the Senate on Monday.

Moscow has made continual, incremental battlefield gains since late 2023 and benefits from uncertainties about the future of military assistance from the US and allies, the top intelligence officials told members of the Senate Intelligence Committee in their annual presentation on the biggest worldwide threats" facing the US.

This deadlock plays to Russias strategic military advantages and is increasingly shifting the momentum in Moscows favor," they said.

Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns testified that the Ukrainians are not running out of courage and tenacity. Theyre running out of ammunition and were running out of time to help them."

US intelligence officials frequently offer blunt and politically sensitive assessments at the worldwide threats hearings, and Monday was no exception both in the written report and in testimony led by officials including Avril Haines, director of of the Office of National Intelligence, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Burns.

Their joint report warned of the risk of regional escalation in the Israel-Hamas war. It said armed resistance to Israel by Hamas is likely to continue for years and it is likely that the Gaza conflict will have a generational impact on terrorism," they said.

Beyond those external events, the report warned that Russia, China and Iran may all seek to influence the 2024 US presidential elections. Beijing aims to sideline critics of China and magnify U.S. societal divisions, the report found.

Their report also warned of an ambitious but anxious China," as President Xi Jinping continues to confront slowing economic growth and widespread corruption in the Chinese military.

Chinese leaders almost certainly are concerned about the ongoing impact of corruption on the militarys capabilities and reliability, judging from a purge of high-level officers including the defense," the report found.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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Palestinians ushered in the month of Ramadan under constant bombardment on Monday. More than 31,000 people have been killed since October 7 and ceasefire talks remain stalled. Israel has accused Hamas of delaying a truce to inflame violence across the region during the holy month. The militant group however insists that more Israeli hostages had died in captivity than earlier believed. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden warned Israel against attacking the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.

The United States, Qatar and Egypt had hoped to broker a cease-fire ahead of the normally joyous month of dawn-to-dusk fasting that would include the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of a large amount of humanitarian aid. However, the cease-fire talks stalled last week.

Here are the latest updates:

US President Joe Biden insisted on Monday that the suffering of the Palestinian people was front of mind" for him as millions across the world marked the beginning of Ramadan. The POTUS pushed for expansion of aid delivery to the area as well as delving into the possibility of a two-state solution for both Palestinians and Israelis.

While we get more life-saving aid to Gaza, the United States will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages," he added.

While we get more life-saving aid to Gaza, the United States will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages," he added. The rift between Biden and his Israeli counterpart however continues to grow, with Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to move ahead with an offensive in Rafah.

Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Monday. He also interacted with his Israeli counterpart Tzakhi Hanegbi while discussing regional developments and the urgent need to address the issue of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and updated him on recent developments in the fighting in the Gaza Strip. The sides also discussed the effort to release the hostages and the issue of humanitarian assistance," the Israeli Prime Minister tweeted. on X from his official handle.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and updated him on recent developments in the fighting in the Gaza Strip. The sides also discussed the effort to release the hostages and the issue of humanitarian assistance," the Israeli Prime Minister tweeted. on X from his official handle. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, the bodies of 67 people killed by Israeli strikes were brought to hospitals over the past 24 hours. This brings the Palestinian death toll to more than 31,112 since war broke out. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says that women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

Around 80% of Gazas 2.3 million people have been displaced since since war broke out in early October. Hundreds of thousands have also been pushed to the brink of famine as Israel leads a near-total siege in the narrow strip.

Hamas is demanding guarantees that any ceasefire agreement will lead to an end to the war, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until total victory" against the militant group and the release of all the remaining hostages.

Unverified reports indicate that senior Hamas leader Marwan Issa  known as the 'Shadow Man' for his ability to stay out of sight  has been killed in an airstrike. He is one of the three top Hamas leaders who planned the October 7 attack on Israel, believed to have been directing group's military operations since then.

(With inputs from agencies)

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(Bloomberg) -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to deepen economic ties with Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines as Europes largest economy looks to diversify trade relations in Asia and become less dependent on China.

Scholz will receive leaders of the three Southeast Asian countries for separate talks in Berlin this week in what close aides have described as a coordinated push to reduce one-sided dependencies on China and improve Germanys economic resilience through more diverse supply chains and raw-materials partnerships.

Despite political efforts to pivot away from Beijing, China remained Germanys most important trading partner in 2023 for the eighth consecutive year, and foreign direct investments of German companies in China reached a fresh record.

Major companies such as carmakers Volkswagen AG and chemicals manufacturers like BASF AG continue to look to one of the worlds most populous countries as a key market, and China still dominates the supply of raw materials needed to make electric-vehicle batteries, solar panels and other high-tech products.

Scholz on Monday discussed deepening ties with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the areas of renewable energies and green hydrogen.

We would like to expand this partnership further," Scholz said Monday during a news conference with Anwar. And of course, this also applies with regard to the objective of diversifying our economic ties around the world. We want to have good economic and political relations with many countries."

Scholz will meet Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Tuesday and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Wednesday.

The talks with the three leaders will also focus on raw materials partnerships, closer cooperation on attracting skilled workers and deepening free trade, German officials said.

Scholz also wants to discuss the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region, Russias war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East with his Asian partners.

Scholzs ruling coalition last year passed a new China strategy calling on Germanys biggest companies to make sure their risks in China are manageable as part of broader efforts to reset relations with the Asian superpower.

The document expanded on the governments inaugural national security strategy, in which Germany stated that elements of rivalry and competition have increased in recent years" with China. At the same time, though, Berlin described China as a partner in certain areas such as addressing global warming and other challenges.

Seeking closer ties with ASEAN partners will help Germany only partly in diversifying its business ties with China which has also to do with the sheer size of the respective economies: China is home to more than 1.4 billion consumers which is more than double of the 670 million people living in ASEAN countries.

(Updates with Scholz comment beginning in fifth paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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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."

View Full Image 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) (AP)

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."

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Artificial intelligence continues both to astound and confound. Googles recent launch of its new Gemini AI tools was a mess, producing images of Founding Fathers and Nazi soldiers as people of color. When asked if Elon Musk or Adolf Hitler had a more negative effect on society, Gemini responded that it was difficult to say." Google pulled the product over inaccuracies." AI is the next wave of computing and human interface but its definitely out over its skis.

But Geminis problems say more about Google than they do about AI. A Google AI Ethics & Compliance Advisor" is on video talking about deliberate steps to ensure that the advanced technologies we develop and deploy lead to a positive impact on individuals and society." This is DEI-speak. No wonder Geminis output is screwy.

AI finds patterns of patterns in data and then uses a technique called reinforcement learning from human feedback." Humans help train and fine-tune large language models. Some humans, like ethics & compliance" folks, have a heavier hand than others in tuning models to their liking. Google, with 190,000 employees, controls 90% of search. So how did this flaw make it into the marketplace? A bloated bureaucracy. Alex Kantrowitz at the Wrap quotes a member of Googles Trust and Safety Team: Organizationally at this place, its impossible to navigate and understand whos in rooms and who owns things. Maybe thats by design so that nobody can ever get in trouble for failure." Business 101: Hiding failure limits success.

Theres a long history of dominant players missing the next big market because of bloat and hubris. Xerox, IBM, Digital Equipment, Compaq, AT&T, AOL, Netscape, Yahoo. I can go on. The Federal Trade Commission should Sharpie this on employee foreheads: Theres no need to break up technology companies, as they will diminish or fail all by themselves.

In the 1990s, Cisco owned most of the router market. During the dot-com explosion, investors believed a long-run rebuild of telecom infrastructure was imminent to build out the internet. In 2000 the companys stock peaked at a $555 billion value. The internet got built all right, but Cisco shares crashed almost 90%. It has taken the company 24 years to crawl back to its $200 billion value today.

Change takes a toll. Microsoft is now a data-center company, more utility than innovator. Notice how Microsoft lets OpenAI make all the mistakes and hallucinations with ChatGPT and stays comfortably distant from problems. Amazon masquerades as an online retailer but is really also a data-center company. Plus, the tech giants quest for the next platform is treacherous. Facebook controls social media but has lost $42 billion investing in the still-nascent metaverse. Apple owns the smartphone market, which saw unit sales peak in 2018, and it lost $10 billion over 10 years not building its Titan electric car. Good thing. Tesla is stuck in the Biden administration-created EV glut. Instead, Apple thinks well all wear expensive augmented-reality ski goggles, like bumblebee eyes. The Apple Bee look is beyond dorky.

Rounding out the Magnificent Seven stocks driving todays market is Nvidia, which momentum-obsessed investors drove past $2.3 trillion in value last week. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang talks of computing going from retrieval to generative, which investors believe will require a long-run overhaul of data centers to handle AI. All true. But that premise about an overhaul also was true for Cisco.

Follow the money. Microsoft invested $13 billion in OpenAI for just under half the companythe for-profit entity anywayto help develop and roll out ChatGPT. But much of that was funny moneyinvestment not in cash but in credits for Microsofts Azure data centers. AOL used to do this logrolling from its balance sheet to reported revenue by forcing startups to buy its ads in exchange for investment. That didnt end well.

Microsoft then spends real money on Nvidia H100 processors to speed up AI calculations. Nvidia makes the H100 with chipmaker TSMC, for an estimated cost of $3,300 apiece. Because of shortages, Nvidia can sell each processor for $30,000 or more. TSMC, in turn, buys Extreme Ultraviolet lithography machines, also in short supply, from ASML in the Netherlands.

Microsoft and Facebook are reportedly Nvidias biggest customers, buying these processors last year with a frenzy. You can see why Nvidia makes 62% operating margins and its stock has headed toward Jupiter. But for how much longer?

Fat margins attract competition, including AMD, Intel, Qualcomm and others. Google has its own AI chips. So does Microsoft. Its impossible to predict how fast additional fabricating capacity comes on, but soon there will be more AI chips than snow in Lake Tahoe last week.

Meanwhile, the Bubblicious bat signals are flashing red again: Bitcoin, Carvana, Super Micro are all flyingeven the meme-screamer Reddit is readying its IPO. Momentum investors can be relentless, so AI is up, up and away. But remember, while markets continue to grow, valuations peak and leadership often changes. Be careful out there.
China dominates the global electric vehicle (EV) industry today, and it is only likely to get more dominant in the future. Chinese dominance spans manufacturing, batteries, supply chains and demand. Today 60% of all EVs sold in the world are in China. Nearly 40% of new car sales in China are now EVs. And more than half the worlds EV batteries are made in the Peoples Republic. The US is a distant second with about 15% of the worlds market.

During the last quarter of 2023, BYD, the largest Chinese player (and a maker of both batteries and EVs), overtook Tesla in global EV sales, selling 526,000 battery-only vehicles (BEV). For the whole year, Shenzhen-based BYD sold 3 million new energy vehicles, which include BEVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). The brand-name BYD is inspired by the slogan Build Your Dreams and its buses and taxis operate in cities as diverse as London, Santiago, Helsinki, Hong Kong and Mexico City. BYD now sells 10 models cheaper than the entry-level Tesla 3 model. BYD uses lithium-iron phosphate technology for its batteries, rather than the nickel manganese cobalt kind initially chosen by many Western EV manufacturers. Except for some high-end performance EVs, most manufacturers are now switching to lithium, where BYD holds a commanding lead in experience and expertise.

Chinas EV industry has a storied past. EV technology was introduced as a priority science project in its 2001 Five-Year Plan. In 2007, Wan Gang, an automobile engineer who had worked at Audi in Germany for a decade, became its minister of science and technology. Wan is credited with Chinas decision to go big on EVs. Between 2009 and 2022, the Chinese government handed out subsidies of about $29 billion, spanning the entire EV chain from upstream battery technology and electric motor and drive components to downstream demand. China says that all central subsidies were phased out by the end of 2022, though state and local governments remain free to offer subsidies for customer adoption.

From Chinas point of view, the sequencing of subsidies has resulted in significant adoption of carbon-free modes of transport, keeping it well on track to meet its 2030 targets. According to China, demand-side subsidies are necessary to offset the unpaid carbon cost imposed by hydrocarbon vehicles. The rest of the world views these subsidies as a way to dump Chinese EVs in their markets. The European Commission has begun an anti-subsidy investigation of Chinese EVs. American President Joe Biden ordered the US commerce department to probe any potential national security threat posed by Chinese-made connected electric vehicles."

And so, even as China dominates the global EV industry, we can expect an increase in frictions associated with world trade in EVs. Unlike the battle for advanced semiconductor chips and other critical technologies, this appears to be an old-fashioned trade battle between the West and China, where upstarts have upstaged incumbents from US, Japan and Germany. The production cycle for a new model from Chinese manufacturers like BYD, Nio and XPeng is 36 months, a full 12 months shorter than most Western manufacturers. The Chinese lead in lithium technology also grants both time and cost advantages. And Chinas large home market allows for significant economies of scale in production. This combination keeps the cost and quality of Chinese EVs difficult to beat.

From a standing start, India has made dramatic strides in two-wheeler and three-wheeler EVs. Commercial 3-wheel EVs (E3Ws), for instance, are already at about 25% of new sales. However, this E3W trend masks the fact that most sales are still of the earlier e-rickshaw standard, rather than the modern L5 standard. Mahindra and Piaggio dominate the L5 E3W market. In 2023, 2-wheel EVs (E2Ws) constituted 56% of the total 1.5 million EVs sold in India. Ola Electric and TVS Motor are leaders in Indias E2W market. In general, it seems likely that market forces combined with government encouragement will take care of the E2W and commercial E3W segments and their evolution. Indias market for E4Ws, comprising passenger cars and taxis, is still in its infancy. So too Indias market for larger commercial EVs. Approximately 400,000 passenger cars are sold each month in the country. Of this, about 8,000 are E4Ws (just 2%). Tata Motors, led by its model Nexon, has an estimated 65% share of our E4W market. MG Motors, owned by Chinese automaker SAIC, is a distant second with a 15% market share. Electric-bus sales account for about 4% of overall buses sold. Given a dramatic increase in municipal orders, the electric bus segment is poised to grow. JBM Auto and Tata Motors dominate this segment.

Even though BYD has entered the Indian market with two models with a very long-range, Chinese E4Ws and e-buses do not pose an immediate threat to Indian players. Last year, the Indian government rejected a proposal by BYD to build a $1 billion plant with a local partner. Given the cost and material advantage of lithium batteries, India has leapfrogged to this power-pack technology; several factories have begun production. Time, though, will tell if quality and scale advantages elude Indiain which case, the Chinese threat will become real.

P.S: The present is theirs, the future, for which I really worked, is mine," said inventor Nikola Tesla.
The deposits and advances of the Indian banking system are likely to record a significant uptick in 2023-24. Bank deposits are likely to end this fiscal year with 13-14% growth. However, credit growth will outpace this and could end the year with 19-20% growth. Even if we net out the merger impact of HDFC, the story does not change materially. This is a structural break, as nominal GDP growth is likely to end 2023-24 below 10%, so credit as a multiple of nominal GDP growth will be about 2.3 times, against a 7-decade average of close to 1.5. Even if the ratio moderates to about 1.5 over the medium term, we will still have a short-term credit spurt. Against this backdrop, it is imperative to understand where bank deposit growth is headed.

First, lets address a misplaced narrative: that the financialization of savings, particularly by way of mutual funds (MFs), has been crowding out incremental growth in bank deposits. As per depositories data, around 120 million new demat accounts were opened from 2014 to 2023. As per National Stock Exchange data, about 85 million unique investors (55 million added in the last four years) from about 17% of Indian households are directly investing in the Indian stock market, mostly through public issues.

The MF industry has 52.7 trillion worth of assets under management (AUM) as of end January, and 150 million investor folios. On an average, over 1.2 million new folios have been added every month since April 2017. It is expected that the MF industrys AUM will cross 100 trillion in the next nine or 10 years. This, however, does not necessarily mean a decline in bank-deposit growth, as some financial analysts have argued.

Firstly, if we look at the MF industrys net inflows/outflows, we see net inflows of 22 trillion from 2013-14 till end-January of 2023-24, the equivalent of about 41% of the incremental current-and-savings-account (CASA) deposits that banks got in the same period. The AUM of MFs increased by 45.7 trillion from 2013-14 to 2023-24 (combined effect of inflows and increased asset values), while deposits of the banking system increased by around 137 trillion (likewise). So, the AUM of MFs expanded by around a third of bank deposit value. This indicates that flows into MFs came from deposits in the banking system; otherwise, deposit growth would have slumped and banks could have faced asset-liability mismatches.

How do we explain this link?: When a customer buys MFs, the money mostly flows from the persons savings account to the current accounts of the company/ Asset Management Company. Thus, it is debited from the customers account but stays in the banking system. Even upon the redemption of MF units, the money flows into the customers account from the companys accounts. Thus, deposits shift from savings into current accounts when a retail investor invests, and the other way round when the investor redeems the investment. Thus, a decline in bank deposits is MF-agnostic.

This is borne out by other data. If we look at incremental deposits in savings accounts, their share in total deposits has reduced to 20% in 2022-23 from 40% in 2019-20, while incremental current account deposits in total deposits have increased to 10% in 2022-23 from 8% in 2019-20. The overall CASA proportion, however, has declined from 45.2% in 2021-22 to 40.5% in 2023-24. The reason for this sharp recent decline is that deposits in savings bank accounts have flowed into time deposits, with banks having raised their time-deposit rates. The share of time deposits in incremental deposits has zoomed to 93% in 2023-24 from 44% in 2021-22, while that of CASA has dropped from 56% to 7% in the same period. This pronounced shift towards time deposits is not a surprise, as CASA deposits are usually meant for transaction purposes.

If we look at the instrument-wise financial assets of Indian households from 2019-20 to 2022-23, it reveals that households are conservative and 94% of flows go towards fixed-income instruments like bank deposits, small savings schemes, etc, while only 6% flows to markets (equity 1.3% and MFs 4.7%). These numbers may have remained at the same level in 2023-24.

Coming back to the broad outlook on deposits, the increased market participation of retail investors will increase the current-and-savings account deposits of banks, as it works in a cycle. Bank deposits will continue to expand, but banks exploring variable term deposit rates, as is being suggested in some quarters, will continue to remain a huge challenge, as retail investors (senior citizens and the like) will always prefer a steady rate of return. That idea was experimented with by State Bank of India back in 2001, but did not find much traction.

That product will be successful only if the Reserve Bank of India issues guidelines to banks directing them to mobilize fresh deposits only at floating rates, as with loans linked to external benchmarks. Variable term deposit rates could also be incentivized through differential tax treatment (say, a lower tax for those who choose variable term rates). On their own, they lack appeal.

However, other product innovations like women-centric products could emerge as the Indian banking sector prepares to support Indias quest for a $5 trillion economy. Despite rising deposits heldand loans takenby women, very few women-centric products are available that are appropriately designed to serve their needs.

These are the authors personal views.
On Sunday, India signed the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, our first trade deal with any Western nation or group. It was signed with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Its an innovative and well-balanced pact that covers two-way trade in goods and services as well as bilateral investments. Moreover, it is expected to pave the way for negotiations with other Western countries and blocs, including the EU, UK and US, among others.

The four EFTA members are not part of the EU and this inter-governmental organization was set up to promote and intensify trade. India has been negotiating a trade deal with this group since January 2008, but talks gained momentum only over the past year.

There is a broader global context to it. As little progress has been witnessed at the World Trade Organization (WTO), a multilateral forum, many countries around the world are rushing to forge free trade agreements (FTAs) to suit their requirements. The Narendra Modi government of India, on its part, has been working on ties with the EU, UK and US, apart from Canada, Qatar, the UAE, Australia, Mauritius and others. Given the current uncertainty over striking deals with the EU and UK, despite all the optimism, Sundays deal assumes special significance. Indian negotiators deserve praise for their relentless efforts to revive talks that had stalled for years in the face of various complexities and divergent geopolitical interests. And for India to play an active role in global supply chains in a fast-changing world, international alliances are crucial.

India-EFTA trade dynamics: India has consistently had a trade deficit with EFTA countries; it peaked at $23.7 billion in 2021-22, and then declined to $14.8 billion in 2022-23 before it again widened to $15.6 billion in April-December 2023. Switzerland is Indias largest trade partner among the groups four members. Indias imports from Switzerland during January-December 2023 stood at almost $14 billion, vis-a-vis Indian exports of $877 million, resulting in a deficit of over $13.1 billion. Gold, with imports of about $13 billion, is the single largest imported item from that country. However, a large proportion of this gold goes into jewellery product that finds their way into international markets from India. Major Indian exports to EFTA countries include chemicals and semi-precious stones, ships and boats, pharmaceuticals and electronic instruments.

Since EFTAs share in Indias total exports has been a tiny 0.4%, whereas imports from the four countries account for 2.4% of our import pie (down from 5.5% during the previous year), Indian negotiators have been very cautious in their negotiations. They were aware that duty elimination may lead to an even wider trade deficit. The deal struck is expected to provide duty-free EFTA market access to Indian animal products, fish, processed foods and vegetable oils, among other items. Should the merchandise gap widen, it will need to be compensated for by increased access to EFTAs services market. Apart from the trade aspect, India can also look forward to investments and technology transfers in high-tech sectors.

India-EFTA economic partnership: The agreements balance comes from innovative measures across the agreements 14 chapters, which range from trade in goods and services and investment promotion and cooperation to trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, government procurement and technical barriers.

The India-EFTA trade deal is likely to unleash opportunities not only in trade and investment, but also for forging strategic partnerships with some of the worlds most tech-savvy countries that score very low on corruption and very high on peoples quality of life. We could collaborate in a range of high-tech fields, including IT research, as India seeks to achieve self-reliance. In the context of New Delhis policy resolve to Make in India, such tech collaborations are expected to witness significant synergies and investments.

As a part of investment promotion, investments worth $100 billion are anticipated over time, much of it in sectors such as food processing, pharma, engineering and chemicals. Investments could also come from retirement and pension funds in EFTA countries, including Norways $1.6 trillion sovereign wealth fund. Unlike the efforts underway on the UK and EU trade deals, under which bilateral investment treaties are being negotiated as integral parts of the agreements, investment commitments under the India-EFTA pact are part of investment promotion, which means they may not be legally binding. All the same, we can expect significant inflows.

As for what EFTA countries can look forward to, their businesses in search of alternatives to China for a manufacturing location would be able to count on India. Apart from that, the deal opens up avenues for EFTA firms to penetrate the domestic market of the worlds fastest growing major economy, home to more than 1.4 billion people.

With a worldwide edge in innovation and research and development (R&D) across diverse spheresfrom digital trade, pharmaceuticals, bio-technology, food processing and chemicals to financial and banking services, high-tech farming, supply-chain logistics and green energyEFTA countries could help India integrate cutting-edge technological advancements in its manufacturing, agriculture and service sectors for the eventual benefit of the countrys economy.

The India-EFTA trade deal is thus likely to pave the way for major opportunities not only in trade and investment, but also in the sphere of strategic international partnerships, making it a win-win.
Each year for more than three decades, Chinas No. 2 leader has concluded the countrys annual legislative meetings in Beijing by taking questions from journalists. Broadcast on national television, it has been one of the few chances Chinese people have had to hear a top official questioned directly about pressing issues facing the country.

Until Monday. This year, Chinese Premier Li Qiang exited Beijings Great Hall of the People at the end of the session without fielding a single querya potent reflection of the secrecy that shrouds decision-making in China as leader Xi Jinping tightens his grip in the face of growing challenges.

On the surface over the past week, the National Peoples Congress hummed along in a familiar way. Nearly 3,000 delegates from across China took their seats in a cavernous auditorium inside the Great Hall of the People, beneath a giant red star. On opening day, Li delivered a work report, a sort of State of the Union address with Chinese characteristics.

But the meetings also highlighted how the gap between Beijings words and reality is growing wider. The government pledged openness and transparency while going to ever-greater lengths to stage-manage the press. Lis press briefing was axed with little explanation. Officials celebrated the economys prospects while glossing over the hazards it faces. The congress itself touted its votes as democratic even as decision-making in the country is increasingly concentrated in Xis hands.

To some extent, that dissonance has long been a feature of Chinese politics. But it is growing stronger as fundamental weaknesses in Chinas economy grow more apparent.

Chinese TV and state-run social-media accounts collectively devoted dozens of hours to the congress over the past week. But the biggest issues facing the economya cratering population, soaring debt levels, souring relations with some of its biggest trading partners and falling housing priceswere barely mentioned, if they came up at all.

Instead, those issues are being discussed in private, with all of the most important decisions coming down to one man: Xi. Beneath the pageantry of the congress, senior officials strongly reinforced the message of his total authority over the past week.

We firmly believe that under the strong leadership of the partys Central Committee, with comrade Xi Jinping as the core," said Zheng Shanjie, the head of Chinas top economic planning body, that we have the confidence, ability, conditions and the strength to promote sustained economic recovery and long-term improvement."

China is entering an especially delicate phase. For decades, whatever other problems existed in the country, the government could lean on the fact that the economy was generally strong and people were gradually getting richer. Officials now are being forced to maintain that messaging even as more Chinese find that the facts on the ground suggest otherwise.

At the congress, officials sought to project confidence. Premier Li laid out a 5% economic growth target for 2024, an ambitious goal that suggested officials dont want growth to slow too much, even as Xi attempts to reorient China away from traditional growth drivers such as infrastructure and real estate and toward areas such as advanced manufacturing and technology.

To achieve the goal, China said it would sell some 1 trillion yuan, or $139 billion, of ultralong special Treasury bonds, with the money going to bolster projects in areas such as science and technology and food and energy security. Xi and other leaders have recently been talking about unleashing new productive forces" in China, a new piece of political jargon that appears to be largely about bolstering homegrown technologies.

For the delegates themselves over the past week, this new phase for China has hamstrung their largely ceremonial roles even further. Before Xi, from time to time, they would speak out publicly on various issues. Doing so today has become far riskier.

On the opening morning of the congress, Wang Daowen, a delegate from the inland province of Hubei, strode across a chandeliered reception gallery toward the east gate of the Great Hall, having just listened to Li deliver the governments work report.

A Wall Street Journal reporter nudged him about why the premiers press conference had been scrapped.

Was it reasonable for them to cancel the premiers press conference?" Wang was asked.

There is no question of reasonable or not here. Everything is made clear in the work report," he responded.

But in the past, foreign journalists had opportunities to ask questions"

Werent you just listening? Weve already heard everything" from the premier, Wang said. I think the government is already very transparent and open, and thats a great sort of policy."

Some of the most revealing moments in the congress came from what was left unsaid.

At last years congress, then-Foreign Minister Qin Gang seemed to be enjoying himself, holding court among dozens of journalists. Sporting an oversize Chinese flag pin on his lapel, Qin blasted the U.S. that day, honing his reputation as a nationalist in service of Xis vision.

Three months later, Qin disappeared. China hasnt explained what happened to him; his whereabouts remain unknown. The Journal reported last fall that senior Chinese officials were told he was being probed for an extramarital affair that led to the birth of a child in the U.S.

Over the course of a 90-minute press conference last Thursday, in the same red-carpeted hall where Qin met journalists a year ago, not a single reporter ventured to ask his successor what had happened to Qin. (The Journal wasnt selected to ask a question.)

Instead, reporters hailing from countries seen by Beijing as friendlier, from Cuba to Tanzania, treaded far safer ground with their questions.

What do you think are the highlights of and key points of Chinas story in the new era? What is the importance of telling Chinas story well?" one Middle Eastern journalist asked.

Wang smiled. He said he had seen a video of the journalist performing a popular dance at a Chinese New Year party hosted by the ministry.

Do you still dance?" Wang asked.

Within hours, the friendly exchange between the foreign minister and the journalist was being posted widely on Chinese state-run social-media accounts, portraying Wang graciously.

Being able to see that the foreign minister recognized me really made my life worth it," the journalist said in one widely posted video on social media.

Write to Brian Spegele at Brian.Spegele@wsj.com
Soon after the Modi government notified the rules of CAA, opposition parties on Monday flayed the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) for the timing of the move. While some parties alleged that it is a move to polarise the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, others went on to call it BJP's game of distraction.

It has also been receiving heat from the Muslim community and student bodies.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) grants Indian nationality to Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who fled to Hindu-majority India from Muslim-majority Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before December 31, 2014.

Questioning the timing of the CAA notification, the Congress said that the move was evidently designed to polarise the Lok Sabha polls, especially in Assam and West Bengal. "It also appears to be an attempt to manage the headlines after the Supreme Court's severe strictures on the Electoral Bonds Scandal."

Jairam Ramesh, in a post of X, said the Modi government has taken over four years to notify the rules, after nine extensions. It has taken four years and three months for the Modi Government to notify the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act that was passed by the Parliament in December 2019."

Refuting the Prime Minister's claims that his government works in a business-like and time-bound manner, Ramesh said that the time taken to notify the rules for the CAA is yet another demonstration of PM Modi's blatant lies.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the other hand has called it BJP's publicity for elections, while also stating that she will fight against the saffron party if the notification deprives people of their rights.

"Let me see the rules first. The notification has not been issued yet. If people are deprived of their rights under the rules, then we will fight against it. This is BJP's publicity for elections, it is nothing else," the Trinamool Congress chief said at a press conference in Kolkata.

The Bengal CM also questioned Centre's motive of releasing the notification before Ramazan and said the rules should have been notified six months ago. She also appealed people to be calm.

"You should have notified rules six months ago. If there are any good things, we always support and appreciate but if anything is done that is not good for the country, TMC will always raise its voice and oppose it. I know why today's date was chosen before Ramazan. I appeal to the people to be calm and avoid any rumors," she said,

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav termed the CAA notification as BJPs' game of distraction, and said the Modi government at the Centre should also explain why lakhs of citizens gave up their citizenship of the country during their 10-year rule. "When the citizens of the country are forced to go out for livelihood, then what will happen by bringing 'citizenship law' for others? The public has now understood the BJP's game of politics of distraction," Yadav said in a post on X.

"The BJP government should explain why lakhs of citizens gave up their citizenship of the country during their 10 years of rule. No matter what happens tomorrow you have to give account of Electoral Bond and then also of the 'care fund'," he added.

Scenario in Assam

Opposition parties in Assam called the CAA notification a way for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The All Assam Students Union (AASU) which launched a six-year agitation demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants in 1979, said it will fight legally against the Centre's move.

Congress leader of the opposition in Assam assembly Debabrata Saikia termed the notification of CAA as "unfortunate".

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP had been saying since 2016 that all illegal foreigners will have to leave Assam, they betrayed the people of the state and brought in the CAA,'' Saikia told PTI.

The people of Assam will make the PM and the BJP answerable for it, he added.

Raijor Dal president and MLA Akhil Gogoi said, "The process to legitimise 15-20 lakh Bangladeshi Hindus illegally living in Assam has begun. There is no other way but to come out on the street and protest against this unconstitutional act.''

''This is Delhi's attack on Assam and the entire country. We appeal to all to come out and protest against this law peacefully and democratically,'' Gogoi told PTI.

"Assam's long struggle against illegal immigration has been nullified with just this one act. This act will also open the doors for 1.7 crore Hindus living in Bangladesh to cross over to Assam. There is no other option but to fight against this act with full force. It has to be an all-encompassing protest," he said.

Chief advisor of All Assam Students Union and North East Students Organisation Samujjal Bhattacharjya told PTI that the AASU will not accept the CAA and will continue to protest against it.

We are already in talks with our advocates and will continue our legal fight against its implementation,'' he said.

Muslims on CAA

Muslim groups say the law, combined with a proposed national register of citizens, can discriminate against India's 200 million Muslims - the world's third-largest Muslim population. They fear the government might remove the citizenship of Muslims without documents in some border states.

Centre has denied it is anti-Muslim and has said that the law is needed to help minorities facing persecution in Muslim-majority nations.

It said that the law is meant to grant citizenship, not take it away from anyone, and has called the earlier protests politically motivated.

(With agency inputs)

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The Supreme Court of India, on Monday, turned down the State Bank of Indias (SBI) request seeking an extension of time to disclose details of the Electoral Bonds Scheme.

The top court has asked the SBI to share the details with the Election Commission of India (ECI) by tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12. The poll panel has been asked to publish the details on its website by 5 pm on Friday, March 15.

Here are the five highlights of the verdict

SBI to give details by March 12

After scrapping the Electoral Bonds Scheme, the Supreme Court had on February 15 directed Indias largest public bank, SBI, to submit all details regarding the bonds to the Election Commission of India by March 6. Further, the Election Commission was directed to publish the received data on its website by March 13.

However, on March 4, the SBI approached the top court with a plea seeking an extension until June 30 to disclose the details.

Today, a five-judge Constitution bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, with Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, rejected the SBIs time-extension plea. The top court has ordered that the details be disclosed by SBI to the Election Commission by March 12.

"Submissions of SBI in the application indicates that info sought is readily available. Thus, the application by SBI seeking extension of time until June 30 is dismissed. SBI is directed to disclose the details by the close of business hours of March 12, 2024," the top Court said in the order, Bar & Bench reported.

Details on EC website by March 15

Bar & Bench reported that the bench, while passing the order, noted that the now-scrapped Electoral Bonds Scheme stipulated that the information furnished by the buyer of such bonds shall be treated as confidential by the authorised bank and shall be disclosed when called upon to do so or on registration of an offence by law enforcement agencies.

Once the SBI furnishes the details, the Election Commission of India is supposed to post them on its website. The poll panel has been asked to publish the details on its website by 5 pm on Friday, March 15.

The dates assume significance since the Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the April-May Lok Sabha polls 2024 in a few days from now.

Contempt warning to SBI

The Supreme Court, in its March 11 order, also warned the SBI that it will initiate contempt proceedings against it if the information on the Electoral Bonds is not furnished before the close of business hours on March 12.

Also Read: SBI share price falls 2% on weak sentiment post electoral bond case hearing in Supreme Court

The SBI has been asked to file an affidavit of its Chairman and Managing Director on compliance with the SC directions. "While we are not inclined to exercise the contempt jurisdiction at this time, we place SBI on notice that this Court may be inclined to proceed against it for wilful disobedience if SBI does not comply with the directions by the timelines indicated in this order," the court said.

SC rejects two silo argument

The SBI, in its plea, had claimed that there were a large number of data sets to decipher. The plea said that as many as 22,217 bonds were purchased between April 2019 to February 2024, and this will lead to 44,000 plus data sets since there are two silos of info. Thus, the SBI said the compilation would be a time-consuming process. However, the Supreme Court refused to buy the argument, according to Bar & Bench.

No donor-political party link?

In the previous order, the Supreme Court had ordered that details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties must be furnished by the SBI to the poll panel by March 6.

The SBI was required to publish details about the purchaser, denomination of electoral bonds and details of each electoral bond redeemed by political parties, including the date of encashment.

However, the top court has agreed to SBIs request of not linking the donor with the political party. The apex court said that the SBI is supposed to just open the sealed cover, collate the details and give the information to the Election Commissioner. The SBI was asked to simply provide the details of both donors and of bonds encashed by political parties, without 'matching' them.

So, importantly, the link between the donors of electoral bonds and the political parties who purchased them will not be established.

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Albert Einstein was a German-American physicist and probably the most well-known scientist of the 20th century. He is famous for his theory of relativity , a pillar of modern physics that describes the dynamics of light and extremely massive entities, as well as his work in quantum mechanics , which focuses on the subatomic realm.

Albert Einstein's birthday and education

Einstein was born in Ulm, in the German state of Wurttemberg, on March 14, 1879, according to a biography from the Nobel Prize organization . His family moved to Munich six weeks later, and in 1885, when he was 6 years old, he began attending Petersschule, a Catholic elementary school.

Contrary to popular belief, Einstein was a good student. "Yesterday Albert received his grades, he was again number one, and his report card was brilliant," his mother once wrote to her sister, according to a German website dedicated to Einstein's legacy. But when he later switched to the Luitpold grammar school, young Einstein chafed under the school's authoritarian attitude, and his teacher once said of him, "never will he get anywhere."

In 1896, at age 17, Einstein entered the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich to be trained as a teacher in physics and mathematics. A few years later, he gained his diploma and acquired Swiss citizenship but was unable to find a teaching post. So he accepted a position as a technical assistant in the Swiss patent office.

Related: 10 discoveries that prove Einstein was right about the universe  and 1 that proves him wrong

Einstein's wives and children

Einstein married Mileva Maric, his longtime love and former student, in 1903. A year prior, they had a child out of wedlock, who was discovered by scholars only in the 1980s, when private letters revealed her existence. The daughter, called Lieserl in the letters, may have been mentally challenged and either died young or was adopted when she was a year old. Einstein had two other children with Maric, Hans Albert and Eduard, born in 1904 and 1910, respectively.

Einstein divorced Maric in 1919 and soon married his cousin Elsa Lowenthal, with whom he had been in a relationship since 1912.

How Einstein changed physics

Einstein obtained his doctorate in physics in 1905  a year that's often known as his annus mirabilis ("year of miracles" in Latin), according to the Library of Congress . That year, he published four groundbreaking papers of significant importance in physics.

The first incorporated the idea that light could come in discrete particles called photons. This theory describes the photoelectric effect , the concept that underpins modern solar power. The second explained Brownian motion, or the random motion of particles or molecules. Einstein looked at the case of a dust mote moving randomly on the surface of water and suggested that water is made up of tiny, vibrating molecules that kick the dust back and forth.

The final two papers outlined his theory of special relativity, which showed how observers moving at different speeds would agree about the speed of light, which was a constant. These papers also introduced the equation E = mc^2, showing the equivalence between mass and energy. That finding is perhaps the most widely known aspect of Einstein's work. (In this infamous equation, E stands for energy, m represents mass and c is the constant speed of light).

In 1915, Einstein published four papers outlining his theory of general relativity, which updated Isaac Newton's laws of gravity by explaining that the force of gravity arose because massive objects warp the fabric of space-time. The theory was validated in 1919, when British astronomer Arthur Eddington observed stars at the edge of the sun during a solar eclipse and was able to show that their light was bent by the sun's gravitational well, causing shifts in their perceived positions.

Related: 8 Ways you can see Einstein's theory of relativity in real life

In 1921, he won the Nobel Prize in physics for his work on the photoelectric effect, though the committee members also mentioned his "services to Theoretical Physics" when presenting their award. The decision to give Einstein the award was controversial because the brilliant physicist was a Jew and a pacifist. Anti-Semitism was on the rise and relativity was not yet seen as a proven theory, according to an article from The Guardian.

Einstein was a professor at the University of Berlin for a time but fled Germany with Lowenthal in 1933, during the rise of Adolf Hitler. He renounced his German citizenship and moved to the United States to become a professor of theoretical physics at Princeton, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1940.

During this era, other researchers were creating a revolution by reformulating the rules of the smallest known entities in existence. The laws of quantum mechanics had been worked out by a group led by the Danish physicist Niels Bohr, and Einstein was intimately involved with their efforts.

Bohr and Einstein famously clashed over quantum mechanics. Bohr and his cohorts proposed that quantum particles behaved according to probabilistic laws, which Einstein found unacceptable, quipping that "God does not play dice with the universe." Bohr's views eventually came to dominate much of contemporary thinking about quantum mechanics.

This autographed photo of Albert Einstein with his tongue out was sold at auction for $125,000. (Image credit: Arthur Sasse/Nate D. Sanders Auctions)

Einstein's later years and death

After he retired in 1945, Einstein spent most of his later years trying to unify gravity with electromagnetism in what's known as a unified field theory . Einstein died of a burst blood vessel near his heart on April 18, 1955, never unifying these forces.

Einstein's body was cremated and his ashes were spread in an undisclosed location, according to the American Museum of Natural History . But a doctor performed an unauthorized craniotomy before this and removed and saved Einstein's brain.

The brain has been the subject of many tests over the decades, which suggested that it had extra folding in the gray matter, the site of conscious thinking. In particular, there were more folds in the frontal lobes, which have been tied to abstract thought and planning. However, drawing any conclusions about intelligence based on a single specimen is problematic.

Related: Where is Einstein's brain?

Gravitational waves and relativity

In addition to his incredible legacy regarding relativity and quantum mechanics, Einstein conducted lesser-known research into a refrigeration method that required no motors, moving parts or coolant. He was also a tireless anti-war advocate, helping found the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists , an organization dedicated to warning the public about the dangers of nuclear weapons.

Einstein's theories concerning relativity have so far held up spectacularly as a predictive models. Astronomers have found that, as the legendary physicist anticipated, the light of distant objects is lensed by massive, closer entities, a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing, which has helped our understanding of the universe's evolution. The James Webb Space Telescope, launched in Dec. 2021, has utilized gravitational lensing on numerous occasions to detect light emitted near the dawn of time, dating to just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang.

In 2016, the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory also announced the first-ever direct detection of gravitational waves , created when massive neutron stars and black holes merge and generate ripples in the fabric of space-time. Further research published in 2023 found that the entire universe may be rippling with a faint "gravitational wave background," emitted by ancient, colliding black holes.

Additional resources

Find answers to frequently asked questions about Albert Einstein on the Nobel Prize website. Flip through digitized versions of Einstein's published and unpublished manuscripts at Einstein Archives Online. Learn about The Einstein Memorial at the National Academy of Sciences building in Washington, D.C.

This article was last updated on March 11, 2024 by Live Science editor Brandon Specktor to include new information about how Einstein's theories have been validated by modern experiments.
SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems announced today that it was awarded a contract from Lockheed Martin Space to deliver missile warning, tracking and defense payloads to support the ...
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.
Dog owners should make sure their pets are up-to-date on their vaccines, including those for canine influenza, Bordetella and parainfluenza, experts say.
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.
Food, Wine, & Dining, Local News, Local Steals & Deals

By Long Island Published: March 11 2024

Throughout March, customers across the United States can celebrate the luck of the Irish with Bagel Boss's exclusive St. Patrick's Day treats, delivered straight to their doorsteps.

This St. Patrick's Day, New York's own Bagel Boss is bringing a festive twist to breakfast tables nationwide. Delighting bagel aficionados with a unique offering, the renowned bakery is rolling out a special collection of green bagels, cream cheese, and green & white cookies available for order on their website, www.BagelBoss.com.

Throughout March, customers across the United States can celebrate the luck of the Irish with Bagel Boss's exclusive St. Patrick's Day treats, delivered straight to their doorsteps, free of charge. This seasonal special not only brings a pop of color to the classic New York bagel but also a touch of holiday spirit from coast to coast.

Andrew Hazen, CEO of Bagel Boss, shared his excitement about the launch: "At Bagel Boss, innovation is part of our DNA, so introducing the St. Patrick's Day Green Bagel Packages was an exciting endeavor for us. This festive package includes our uniquely colored green bagels, our signature homemade cream cheese, and the irresistibly tasty green & white cookies, all freshly baked."

Bagel Boss is on a mission to share the authentic New York bagel experience with the world. "A bagel that's not from New York just isn't a real bagel," Hazen remarked, emphasizing the brand's commitment to quality and authenticity. Bagel Boss has successfully shipped millions of their fresh, New York bagels nationwide, proving the universal appeal of their handcrafted products.

Since its founding in 1975, Bagel Boss has established itself as a premier destination for the finest bagels, gourmet coffee, and freshly prepared foods, now serving customers from 18 locations and expanding. To explore their St. Patrick's Day specials or for more information, visit www.BagelBoss.com
Local News

By Long Island Published: March 11 2024

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad Detectives are investigating a single-vehicle crash in Smithtown that resulted in the death of a man, as the driver lost control of his vehicle, which overturned and caught fire on ...

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad Detectives are investigating a single-vehicle crash that illed a man in Smithtown this morning.

A man was driving a 2006 Honda Civic westbound on East Main Street when he lost control of the vehicle, which overturned and caught fire, in front of 280 East Main St. at approximately 3:45 a.m.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. An autopsy will be performed to confirm the drivers identity.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: March 11 2024

For almost eight years, Kai Li has been wrongfully detained by the Chinese Communist Party, said LaLota.

Ahead of National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) introduced a resolution demanding the Chinese Communist Party immediately release Kai Li of Huntington, NY.

For almost eight years, Kai Li has been wrongfully detained by the Chinese Communist Party. Since then, his son Harrison has been a fierce advocate for his return, but has been stonewalled by multiple Administrations, said LaLota. In addition to my resolution, I am calling on President Biden to personally meet with Harrison and the families of other Americans wrongfully detained. We will not rest until Kai is reunited with his family.

To read a full text of the legislation, click HERE.

Background:

Earlier this week, LaLota brought Kais son Harrison Li as his guest to the State of the Union.

Since coming into office, LaLota has called on the Biden Administration to prioritize bringing Kai Li home from wrongful detainment in China. Last year, LaLota sent a letter to President Biden calling on him to meet with the Li family. Earlier this year, LaLota joined several other members in a letter to Secretary Blinken highlighting the human rights abuses committed by the Chinese government, including the treatment of Kai Li.

Since 2016, Kai Li of Huntington, New York, has been unjustly imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party.

In 2016, Kai Li visited Shanghai to mark the first anniversary of his mothers death. When he arrived at the airport in Shanghai, CCP authorities immediately arrested him on state security charges.

For months, Kai was held in secret detention without access to legal counsel. Then, almost two years later in July 2018, in a one-hour secret trial, Kai was convicted of espionage.
Long Island Blue Star Moms NY6 is proud to announce its upcoming Veterans Conference, scheduled to take place on April 27, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This event aims to provide valuable resources and support for veterans transitioning to civilian life, offering a platform for networking, education, and empowerment.

To be held in the ballroom on the beautiful campus of Farmingdale State College, the conference will feature a diverse range of speakers and exhibitors tailored to meet the unique needs of veterans. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with industry professionals, connect with fellow veterans, and gain insights into various career paths, educational opportunities, and support services available to them.

"The Long Island Blue Star Moms NY6 are thrilled to host this important event for our veterans. As mothers of active military and veterans, we are committed to supporting those who have served our country, and this conference is an extension of that commitment. It's an opportunity to express our gratitude and provide tangible support as veterans navigate the transition to civilian life."- Rosemarie Kluepfel, chapter NY6 president

The conference will feature newly elected Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine, Veteran Service Agency directors; Ralph Esposito from Nassau and Marcelle Leis from Suffolk, keynote presentations and panelists from distinguished veterans and leaders in the field, addressing topics such as career transition strategies, educational benefits, mental health resources, entrepreneurship opportunities, and more. Upon returning HOME, our military personnel need support in many areas including financial planning, employment placement and education options, as well as accessing VA benefits.and more.

"We understand the challenges that veterans may face as they reintegrate into civilian life," said Rosemarie Kluepfel. "Our goal is to create a supportive environment where veterans can access the resources, information, and connections they need to thrive in their post-military careers and personal lives."

The Veterans Conference at Farmingdale State College SUNY is open to ALL, especially veterans of all branches and eras of service, as well as active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, military spouses, and dependents. Admission to the conference is free, and pre-registration is highly encouraged. as space is limited.

For more information and to register for the conference, please visit: https://www.eventbrite. com/e/veterans-conference-the- journey-home-tickets- 807659430097.
Photo of AQAPs new emir, Saad Bin Atef al-Awlaki.

In a newly released video, Ibrahim al-Qosi, a veteran official within al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), announced the sudden death of AQAPs emir, Khalid al-Batarfi.

At the same time, al-Qosi announced that Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, a member of AQAPs top shura council, was selected to succeed Batarfi as the groups leader. To note, the United States currently has a $6 million bounty on Al-Awlakis head.

The relatively short video released by AQAP did not specify how Batarfi met his demise. Instead, al-Qosi simply stated that Batarfi died and did not elaborate further. Al-Qosi celebrated Batarfis long history in jihad, which included fighting alongside al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Following his stint in Afghanistan, Batarfi then went to Yemen where the Saudi national became AQAPs leader for Abyan Governorate in 2010. He was arrested by Yemeni authorities in 2011 and imprisoned until 2015 when he was freed in an al-Qaeda-led jailbreak in the port city of Mukalla.

After rising to a position as a senior official on the groups main shura council, Batarfi then took over the reigns of AQAP in early 2020 after the death of Qasim al-Raymi. As earlier assessed by FDD Long War Journal, Batarfis lengthy al-Qaeda pedigree likely meant that Batarfi also played a role within al Qaedas global management team.

In yesterdays video, al-Qosi then explained that Saad bin Atef Al-Awlaki was chosen as the successor of Batarfi to take over as the overall emir of AQAP. Al-Awlaki, who only recently became more camera-friendly, had long served as a deputy to Batarfi, one of the top officials on AQAPs main shura council, and the groups emir for Yemens Shabwa Governorate.

As his name suggests, Al-Awlaki is a member of the influential Awlaki tribe, which plays a prominent role within al Qaeda. Another infamous Awlaki is Anwar al-Awlaki, the American-born jihadi preacher who held an influential role within AQAP as well a beloved preacher for al Qaeda within jihadi circles and an critical recruiter of westerners. Anwar helped found AQAPs Inspire Magazine, which encouraged Western Muslims to wage jihad both at home as well as within Muslim countries.

Anwar also served as a key facilitator for AQAPs external operations branch. The U.S. killed Anwar in a drone strike in Al Jawf province in Sept. 2011. His son, Abdul Rahman, who said he hoped to attain martyrdom as my father attained it and was described by AQAP as a lions cub, was killed in a U.S. strike that targeted AQAPs media emir in Shabwa Governorate in Dec. 2011.

AQAP remains a significant threat

Though in a relatively weakened state compared to its operational height in the early-to-mid-2010s, AQAP continues to be a significant threat to Yemen and further afield. In the United Nations Sanctions and Monitoring teams most recent report, it noted AQAPs media resurgence since Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, invasion of Israel, which AQAP (among others) have capitalized on for their own purposes.

On the ground, AQAP has also intensified its military operations against both UAE-backed militias and hostile tribal forces in southern Yemen. The most recent report noted that AQAP maintained strong ties back to al Qaedas central leadership and especially Sayf al-Adl, widely believed to be al Qaedas current global emir.

Al-Adls son, Khaled Mohammed Salahaldin Zidane, is currently deployed to Yemen as his personal representative, where he plays a critical role in recruitment, media and managing AQAP internal strife, according to the UN.

Some of this aforementioned internal strife, which reportedly included disagreements between Batarfi and Al-Awlaki, likely stems from AQAPs current strategy to not target the Houthis, which in prior years were a major enemy of the al Qaeda branch.

Indeed, the most recent UN report also noted reported instances of the Houthis training AQAP in the use of drones, while the Houthis have also released AQAP members it had previously arrested. AQAP has also not claimed any attacks on the Houthis in several years.

It remains unclear if this calculus changes with the death of Batarfi. A 2023 report from the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies noted that while Al-Awlaki respected and often deferred to Al-Adls leadership and decisions, he nevertheless disagreed on not targeting the Houthis. To note, despite reported disagreements with al-Adl and some of his directives, the Sanaa Center report also makes clear that the AQAP leaders nevertheless remained loyal to al-Qaeda and its overall vision.

Despite the death of Batarfi, however, AQAPs trajectory currently remains upward thanks to policies implemented under his emirship and al-Adls tutelage. As noted by the UNs most recent report, AQAP remains the most effective terrorist group in Yemen with intent to conduct operations in the region and beyond. Whether new amir Saad Bin Atef al-Awlaki can continue this attempted revival is now the key question.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of The Long War Journal. Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.
Interior Minister Leon Gloden has publicly pushed back against Luxembourgs chief public prosecutor who chided him over the way the capitals controversial begging ban is enforced at the expense of criminal investigations.

Prosecutor General Martine Solovieff wrote to Gloden last week, complaining that 110 officers of the judicial police (police judiciaire), which is in charge of criminal investigations and which she oversees, were drafted into enforcing the begging ban. Even members from the financial crime unit were involved in the crackdown, she said.

That means that over 880 working hours were lost while that more than 1,200 investigations currently remain open, Solovieff said in a letter seen by the Luxembourg Times. It is evident that a great number of these affairs will never be prosecuted, she said.

That letter is actually a cry for help from Madam Prosecutor General. It is a cry for help in the same way it was from the Luxembourg City Council, Gloden told broadcaster RTL on Monday in his first public reaction to the letter.

[She] will find in me her first ally to combat drug crimes, among others, and to get more police officers, he added.

In one of his first acts in government, Gloden signed off on an executive order by the Luxembourg City Council to ban all forms of begging between 7:00 and 22:00 in the capitals busiest streets and parks.

Also read:

Just two beggars reported in Luxembourg City under new ban

The measure drew fierce criticism from the judiciary, opposition parties and human rights organisations who question its legality.

One unnamed civil servant was overzealous when he ordered members from the financial crime unit within the judiciary police to patrol the capitals streets, Gloden said on Monday. He was made aware of this on Thursday - the date the letter was sent to him - and ordered the withdrawal of those officers, the home affairs minister said.

A special police mission to crack down on begging is also aimed at drug crimes, squatting and illegal migration, Gloden said. The police has recorded five cases of illegal gambling, five of illegal migration and two for organised begging, he said.

That proves very clearly that we only took aim at organised begging. That confirms what I and what the police have been saying all along, that it is not about simple begging. If it was, the police would have more records, he said.

Over 430 people have been searched, he said.

Interior Minister Leon Gloden  Photo credit: LT archive

Solovieff, in her letter, said the special police mission was subject of fierce criticism within the judicial police and asked Gloden to review the begging ban crackdown.

It is up to her as prosecutor general to launch criminal investigations into drug trafficking - which Gloden said was part of the special police mission - and not any member of the executive, Solovieff said.

Gloden, when he was still a lawmaker, was in charge of drafting the chapter of the constitutions reform that details Luxembourgs separation of powers, she added.

Only two complaints for begging had reached her office, she said, one of which was one made by former Greens president Christian Kmiotek, who turn himself in to force the judiciary to judge whether the begging ban was legal. She called that outcome impressive.

Solovieff also said a follow-up visit of the global anti-money laundering watchdog FATF was due for 2026 and the judicial police was busy preparing that. Currently, 1,200 investigations remain unresolved, of which 320 relate to financial crime, 283 juvenile delinquency and 43 to sexual violence.
Just three CFL attendants hired so far this year are able to communicate in the national language, transport minister says

Luxembourgs national rail company is struggling to hire on-board attendants who are able to speak Luxembourgish, Transport Minister Yuriko Backes has said, with just three people recruited with knowledge of the national language for roles so far this year.

It has become particularly difficult in recent years to find enough candidates who have both a knowledge of Luxembourgish and meet the rest of the requirements of the profession, particularly in the area of security and customer service, Backes said in response to a written parliamentary question earlier this month from ADR deputies Fred Keup and Jeff Engelen.

The ADR deputies questioned why priority was being given to French language skills, which CFL recruits must demonstrate in order to be hired, instead of the countrys national language of Luxembourgish, which is only tested after one year of employment.

Also read:

Train services trimmed over staff shortages in Luxembourg

It had proven impossible to fill dozens of vacancies for controllers without dropping the Luxembourgish language requirement, Backes said, adding that CFL hires are given intensive training to try to bring them up to speed with the language in their first year.

For years, the CFL has been recruiting employees in other professions who do not meet the criteria of Luxembourgish knowledge upon their hiring, she said, indicating that the strength of the current job market and the requirement for evening and weekend work had left the train company struggling to recruit attendants.

In the last group of hires made, which started in January 2024, only three employees who knew Luxembourgish and also met all the other criteria were found, Backes added.

Also read:

English language becoming more important in Luxembourg

There were simply more routes in operation which required a knowledge of French, Backes said, when asked by the deputies why German - one of the countrys three official languages - was not a mandatory requirement for staff.

German is a requirement in the rail transport sector on German territory. National traffic on line 30 [crossing into Trier] is not affected by this condition, the minister replied, adding that all train agents crossing the German border meet this linguistic requirement.

(This article was originally published by Virgule. Translation and additional reporting by John Monaghan)
MANCHESTER  In her latest novel After Annie, Anna Quindlen does something daring in her first sentence: she kills off her protagonist.

As Quindlen said on Saturday in an appearance at the Southern Vermont Arts Center, the novel is not really "after" Annie.

Annie is the most vivid character in the whole book, Quindlen said. When someone we love dies, [most of us] feel them, know them, understand what theyve brought to us more vividly than when they were alive  which in a way is a great tragedy.

When someone dies, they are not in the kitchen, not in the living room (but) in my heart, in my mind, in every bit of myself.

Interviewed by WAMCs Joe Donahue (and hosted by Manchesters Northshire Bookstore), Quindlen glided through topics, with insight and good humor that were quintessentially Quindlen.

No man ever likes his wifes best friend, she said at one point. At another, she noted, the secondary characters are where the fun is. Alluding to Charles Dickens character Uriah Heep in "David Copperfield," she said of the mother-in-law in After Annie, man, she was so much fun in her terribleness.

This was the least knowledgeable about a central character as she has ever been starting a novel. Usually, she spends months taking notes on characters, fully fleshing them out. With After Annie she had just an image of her protagonist, mashing potatoes at the stove, then falling, the spoon skidding across the floor, as the novel says, leaving a thin trail of potatoes.

Like this early image, names come unbidden, so this novel has Annie, Ali and Annemarie. When her agent pointed out all the A-names, Quindlen asked, And your point is  ? The names stayed.

Her observations during the talk reflected her thinking on death and the lives of those left behind.

Grief has claws, grief has teeth  but what comes after grief is loss, she said. Loss is like a well, where if you toss a stone in, you never hear the plop.

Her family is Irish and Italian. My Italian grandparents didnt speak great English. Their daughter did. And their granddaughter won the Pulitzer Prize, she said. And thats the story of America.

She deplored that current demonization of immigrants in some quarters, noting that her grandparents faced hardship and poverty. Of the current immigrants, she asked rhetorically, Will I be surprised in 50 years if a big chunk of those people have prospered?

Although observations come seemingly fully formed to Quindlen, she maintains, nothing about writing is easy.

I try to avoid writing at all costs. She exhausts three hours  reading newspapers, walking 4 miles, talking on the phone to a friend, before run[ning] out of stuff and settling in to write. Her imagination is good for two or three hours. She starts writing and ends it mid-sentence, fearing that the responsibility of a new chapter, paragraph or even sentence might prove overwhelming.

In 1995, Quindlen was the only woman writing a column for the New York Times. Donahue asked if she missed writing her column. No, is the short answer.

Today, given the demands of posting updates online, reporters work much harder than I ever did  continually changing and updating. Yet, she said, On election night, I love newsrooms. I love reporters. I love editors. To some extent, [reporting is] a young persons job. And I was a young person (then). I had the time of my life.

Im good with finding a different time in my life, she said, sensing that that time had arrived with her third novel, which garnered a contract that she could live on. She became a novelist full-time then, and now, almost 30 years later, After Annie is her tenth novel.
Darren Allen is the Communications Director of Vermont-NEA. Cosigners include: Aimee Towne, President, Vermont State Employees Association; Don Tinney, President, Vermont-National Education Association; Deb Snell, RN CCRN President Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals; Heather Bauman, President, UVMMC Support Staff United, AFT-VT Local 5223; Cindy Chornyak, Chair, Benefits Advisory Committee, Vermont State Employees Association; Kathy Callaghan, former State Benefits Director and VSEA Health Care Consultant; Avery Book, President, Vermont Workers Center; Sue Racanelli, League of Women Voters of Vermont; Mollie Wills, Rural Vermont, Grassroots Organizing Director; Patrick Flood, former Deputy Secretary, Agency of Human Services; Cheryl Mitchell, former Deputy Secretary, Agency of Human Services; John Perry, former Director of Planning, Vermont Department of Corrections; William Young, former Commissioner of Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services; Joe Patrissi, Former Commissioner of Corrections and Deputy Commissioner of Economic Services; Julie Wasserman, MPH; Jack Mayer, MD, MPH, Rainbow Pediatrics (Ret.); Marvin Malek, MD, MPH; Deborah Richter, M.D., Family Physician; Johana K. Brakeley, M.D., Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, retired; Lee Russ, BPS, JD; Walter Carpenter, Green Mountain Care Board Advisory Committee; Ellen Oxfeld, Vermont Health Care for All, Board Member; Ethan Parke, Vermont Health Care for All, Board Member; Giovanna Peebles, retired state employee; David Peebles, retired state employee.

The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
Dear Amy: My wife and I are going to have a baby in two months. We are very excited.

My mother is very excited, too. This will be her first grandchild.

The other day my mother brought up the idea of bringing her dog with her into the delivery room while my wife gives birth.

We all love this dog (and my mom), but this seems bonkers to me. She says it will be great for the newborn baby to get used to the dog and that the dog will be like an emotional support animal for all of us.

My wife hates this idea, but Im not sure how to respond to my mother.

We agreed to ask you for ideas of what to say.

 Worried Future Dad

Dear Worried: Reword this sentiment: Hell to the no, and take it from there.

The hospital will not allow a dog in the delivery room.

And you should not allow your mother in the delivery room, either.

Your childs birth should be shared by you and your wife as a private and intimate event.

You are going to need a lot of practice in establishing healthy boundaries with your mother, and this is the place to start.

Dear Amy: Your reply to Grasping, the parent concerned about how they will be able to get along with their daughters future in-laws  who dont speak English  left out the obvious answer: Hand-held translation (old-fashioned and modern)!

When our son married a lovely Brazilian woman 22 years ago, we and her parents carried around small English-Portuguese dictionaries whenever we were together. Now, translation is in our phones, which are omnipresent.

 Hold On, Let Me Look That Up

Dear Hold On: Absolutely. Obrigada!

(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)

2024 Amy Dickinson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
In honor of New Englands sweetest season, the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association has designated the weekend of March 16 and 17 as Maple Weekend. Over that two-day span of time, sugarhouse locations across the region will be offering up-close opportunities to enjoy the maple sugaring experience.

Sugarhouse restaurants, those enjoy-it-at-the-source seasonal eateries, will be open, serving maple inspired creations both classic and creative.

Davenport Maple Farm in Shelburne, for instance, will be offering breakfast all day, including their signature Finnish pancake. They also hope to once again have maple baked beans for sale.

Davenport can be reached at 413-625-2866.

High Hopes Farm in Worthington will be presenting their Sugarhouse Buffet of breakfast favorites from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both weekend days.

Call them at 413-238-5919 for more details.

Maple Corner Farm in Granville will have their rustic pancake restaurant open from 8 p.m. to 1 p.m., offering a classic menu of pancakes, French toast, eggs, and plenty of freshly made maple syrup to go-with.

Maple Corner can answer questions at 413-357-8829.

Easy to reach on Route 5 in Deerfield, Williams Farm Sugarhouse serves breakfast, including maple frosted donuts, on Saturdays and Sundays for 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Their direct line is 413-773-5186.

Other maple producers in Western Massachusetts have put together one-time open house events for Maple Weekend.

The Harris Mountain Sugar Shack in Granby plans on boiling both day and will offer tours and demonstrations as well as a small-scale crafters fair. Several food trucks will be on hand, including Moeshmallows Food Truck, which, in addition to its gourmet marshmallows, cookies, and tarts, will be serving crepes.

Hours for the weekend festivities will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 413-218-0496 for more details.

Ferrindino Maple in Hampden will be observing Maple Weekend on Sunday, March 17 with an Open House. In addition to their Perfectly Pure Certified Organic Maple Syrup, Ferrindino will have their food trailer open and serving Maple Bacon Hot Dogs, Maple Creemees, and Maple Affogatos.

Ferrindino Maple LLC answers at 413-374-7511.

Maple Ledge Farm in Holland will be holding their Annual Pancake Party on Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The party includes pancakes and fixins for a free-will donation. Maple Ledge Farm, which can be reached at 774-230-0936, produces and sells maple syrup, maple cream, maple sugar, and maple candies.

Visits to an operating sugarhouse, it should be noted, is an outdoorsy, often muddy experience, so appropriate dress is a wise precaution.

More information about sugarhouses across Central and Western Massachusetts can be found at massmaple.org.

Side Dishes:

In honor of St. Patricks Day, the Munich Haus German Restaurant in Chicopee will have a corned beef dinner on their menu March 13 through March 17.

Available at both lunch and dinner, the meal package includes house-made corned beef, boiled potatoes, braised carrots and cabbage, salad or soup, and Irish soda bread.

The corned beef meal is available for take-out or dine-in.

The Munich Haus German Restaurant can be reached at 413-594-8788.

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On Thursday, March 28, the Still Bar & Grill in Agawam will be co-hosting a Jack Daniels Whiskey Dinner. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. and will incorporate a four-course menu crafted to pair with a selection of Jack Daniels Premium whiskeys.

Tickets for the event, which are $100 plus a convenience fee, can be purchased at Eventbrite.com. The Still Bar & Grill answers at 413-304-2795.

**********

The Shortstop Bar & Grill in Westfield is currently compounding a selection of specialty cocktails in honor of St. Patricks Day.

The Lucky Charm Martini features vanilla vodka, crame de menthe, white chocolate liqueur, and Irish cream liqueur with a garnish of mini-marshmallows, while a Jameson Orange Mule enhances Jameson Orange Irish Whiskey with triple sec and fresh lime as part of a ginger beer thirst quencher.

A Leprechaun Bite incorporates both spiced and coconut rums, blue curacao, melon liqueur, and pineapple juice blended into a sour mix base.

Shortstops Drunken Leprechaun is a riff on Irish coffee of which Kahlua, Irish Cream, and creme de menthe are the featured spirits.

Call the Shortstop Bar and Grill at 413-642-6370.

**********

The Pancake of the Month for March at participating IHOP locations incorporates another early spring tradition - Girl Scout Cookies.

IHOPs Girl Scout Thin Mints Pancakes are tinted-green buttermilk pancakes topped with cheesecake mousse, pieces of Thin Mint cookies, and whipped topping. The pancakes are available in either a four-cake full stack or a smaller short stack portion.

There are IHOP locations on Riverdale Street in West Springfield and in the Five Town Plaza in Sixteen Acres.

**********

Black Birch Vineyard in Hatfield will be holding its 5th annual Vintners Dinner on March 23 at 6:30 p.m.

The event will feature an inventive four-course menu prepared by Porch Too of Brattleboro; Black Birch will be pouring wines, some of which are yet to be released, to accompany the dinner.

In addition to tasting notes, a presentation on the Vineyards outlook for the 2024 season will be delivered.

Dinner is $125 plus a convenience fee. Reservations can be made online.

Black Birch picks up at 413-247-3300.

**********

For its sundae of the month, Wilbraham-based Friendlys Restaurants is featuring an Easter Bunny Sundae. Assembled on a puddle of blue marshmallow cream, the soda fountain treat features a scoop of vanilla ice cream decorated with banana slices, pancake cubes, cherries, candies, whipped cream, and sprinkles, all of which are arranged bunny-fashion.

The Easter Bunny Sundae with be available at participating Friendlys locations through March.

**********

On St. Patricks Day weekend, March 15 though 17, Champneys Restaurant at the Deerfield Inn in Deerfield is getting its Irish on with an array of menu specials.

At both lunch and dinner Champneys will be serving Corned Beef & Cabbage and well as a Colcannon Croquette. The latter brings together minced potato, corned beef, and braised cabbage, forms those ingredients together into a cake, which is then fried crispy. The croquette is served with whole grain mustard cream.

Additional dinner specials include Bangers & Mash- assorted sausages, caramelized onion gravy, mashed potatoes, and sweet peas. A herb-crusted Roast Spring Leg of Lamb dinner will also be available

Two adult desserts, A Baileys Affogato and a Guinness Float, are planned.

Live Irish music by John Waynelovich will be featured from 4 to 8 p.m. on March 17.

Reservations, which are suggested for all three weekend evenings, can be made by calling 413-774-5587.

**********

Through May 5, Sonic Drive-In locations will be featuring two wrap snacks based on crispy chicken tenders wrapped in warm tortillas.

The Hickory BBQ Crispy Tender Wrap is garnished with shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese, then drizzled with hickory barbecue sauce.

A Cheese Baja Crispy Wrap is a similar roll-up within which spicy cheese sauce replaces the barbecue drizzle.

There are Sonic Drive Ins on Boston Road across from Five Mile Pond and on Buckland Street in Manchester, Conn.

**********

The Comfort Inn in Huntington is currently promoting a selection of weekly specials.

Mondays are Burger Nights, when a Burger and Fries plate is available for $10. On Wednesdays, the kitchen prepares Chicken or Eggplant Parmesan and serves it with penne marinara ($14).

The Thursday feature is a Grilled Hanger Steak finished with bacon-bleu cheese butter; the steak is priced at $19.

Fridays are Fish & Chips day, while the Sunday feature is a $20 Roast Turkey Dinner.

The Comfort Kitchen & Bar, which does business daily except for Tuesdays, can be reached at 413-207-3011.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community Colleges hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.
With St. Patricks Day just around the bend, Guinness is probably on some readers minds.

Although I drink mostly Irish craft beer on my visits to the Emerald Isle, Im sure no one will be surprised to learn that I also indulge in plenty of The Black Stuff. Although its true that even most of the older traditional pubs now feature at least a few craft offerings, Guinness is always a welcome choice when I want to keep the alcohol level on the lower side.

Of course there are any number of good craft stouts in Ireland, including Carlow Brewings excellent OHaras Stout and Wicklow Brewings Black 16, but you cant always find them everywhere (although OHaras is pretty ubiquitous). However, if you want an standard alternative to Guinness that is fairly available in most municipalities, there are two that you should try: Murphys and Beamish.

Let me start with this caveat: Only one of those options is available here in America as of this writing. So Im also writing this with the idea that some of you will be visiting Ireland and can seek all sorts of stouts out when youre there. Im also hoping theyll all be available again at some point. But lets start with the one that you can get here in the United States .

Murphys Irish Stout originally hails from Co. Cork, which was the only place you could get it until 1983, when Heineken acquired the rights to the brand. Whitbread got the rights to brew and distribute it in the U.K. in 1988, and Whitbread was acquired by a subsidiary of the multinational group Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2000.

Since I never had it before the big boys took it over, I cant say if its changed over the years, but Im always worried that good products often do  but not always. I have had it plenty of times since 2000, including my most recent trip to Ireland in January. And I have to say its pretty tasty stuff. It has a more pronounced toffee note than Guinness and seemed to have a lighter body. There is also a noticeable coffee element to it.

So, if you like those aspects, youll probably like it. I enjoy it, but I would prefer Guinness most of the time. Its even lower and alcohol, then goodness, sitting right at 4% ABV.

Beamish Genuine Irish Stout is also a Cork product. It was first brewed by Beamish & Crawford, who opened their brewery in 1792. The business exchanged hands several times over the years, and is now defunct, having been absorbed by Heineken International in 2008. The beer is still brewed in Cork, however, at the Heineken facility in the city.

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, Heineken decided to stop selling it in the United States more than a decade ago, if memory serves. In my opinion, this is unfortunate, as its a great alternative to Guinness and Murphys. It has a little bit more of a chocolate vein in it, and the roasted nuttiness is blended in well. It goes down smoothly, and at 4.1% ABV, its also perfect as a session beer. I hope that it returns to these shores someday, but Im not holding my breath.

Anyway, happy St. Patricks Day, enjoy whatever stout you prefer  and Slainte!
A film that was entirely shot in Massachusetts lost the Academy Award for Best Picture to the former frontrunner of the category.

Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, which was nominated for a record 13 Oscars this year, took home the award for Best Picture at the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 10.

Oppenheimer beat out American Fiction, Anatomy of the Fall, Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon, Mastro, Past Lives, Poor Things, The Zone of Interest and The Holdovers, which was filmed in Massachusetts.

Nolans three-hour opus also took home awards for Actor in a Leading Role (Cillian Murphy), Actor in a Supporting Role (Robert Downey Jr.), Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing and Music (Original Score).

The Holdovers was shot at Deerfield Academy, with the film crew utilizing the front lawn and outside of the building. In addition to being filmed at Deerfield Academy, the movie was shot on location at four more Massachusetts schools, according to Town & Country Magazine.

The film crew shot at the chapel inside the Groton School in Groton, used the outside of Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, the dining hall, gymnasium and headmasters office at St. Marks School in Southborough, as well as the study hall and auditorium at Fairhaven High School in Fairhaven.

The film crew also shot at the Somerville Theatre, Brattle Book Shop in Downtown Boston, the Orpheum Theatre and other spots around the Boston Common, according to WBUR.

Scenes were also filmed behind Boston City Hall Plaza and in Worcester where the production put up a large Christmas tree outside of Worcesters City Hall during the winter of 2022, WCVB reported. Filming for The Holdovers started in the state on Jan. 27, 2022 and wrapped in late March, according to Boston.com.

In addition to Best Picture, The Holdovers received nominations for Best Actor for Paul Giamatti, Original Screenplay and Best Editing.

DaVine Joy Randolph also won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film. A full list of winners can be found here.
(This is the fourth in a four-part series about Burgundy wineries visited this year by the author in Gevrey-Chambertin, France.)

GEVREY-CHAMBERTAIN, FRANCE  Traffic races by the large wooden door partially shrouded in ivy leading into Domaine Trapet.

Decades ago, you could play in this same street since few cars drove by most days, according to Louis Trapet.

My grandfather told me that when he was young he was playing in the road when he was three or four years old, Trapet said as he walked through his familys winery. There was maybe one car a day or so.

But while the world has changed dramatically outside, time seems to stand still behind that large wooden door thanks to people like Trapet, the seventh-generation at this renowned family-owned winery that continues to create world-class wines.

This is no easy task.

Demand for wines from Gevrey-Chambertin has soared in recent years, especially for some of the Grand Crus produced by Domaine Trapet Pere Et Fils, the official name of the winery, which translates as Domaine Trapet Father and Sons.

But some years can be more challenging than others due to unpredictable weather conditions.

The 2022 growing season was just perfect, Trapet said as we walked through the winery. But 2021 was a very hard year, he added.

So how does Domaine Trapet overcome such obstacles, year in and year out?

Ironically, by not being stuck in the past.

The Trapets respect tradition. You can feel it as we walk beneath the wood-beamed ceilings and stone-lined walls in the winery built in 1860.

But the Trapets also embrace innovation. You can see that in their wine cellars. Before being aged in oak barrels, many of the wines are vinified in concrete tanks or sometimes steel tanks.

But no matter how the wines are aged or vinified, the goal remains the same  to produce the best possible wines.

We are not alchemists, Trapet said. We not putting some stuff in the wines. We are working biodynamically since 1996. (The winery was officially certified as biodynamic in 1998.)

That innovative approach starts in the fields as well. Since 2020, the winery has been experimenting with different types of canopy management, which involves how the vines are pruned and trimmed.

The thing that we saw in the vineyard was in February, when we have some sun on the skin, the UV (rays) are getting stronger and stronger, Trapet said. And we really wanted to protect the grapes and also the soils. So thats why when there are no leaves the sun is going through the canopy. But when its in summer, its really important and really interesting to protect the grapes and the soils.

As a result, since 2020, the winery has been using taller stakes in the vineyard to encourage the vines to grow taller. So the last part of the vines (in summer) we have a lot of shadow on the grapes and the soil, Trapet said. We really could see the difference during the harvest between the higher (taller) stacks and the lower stacks because of the sunburn on the grapes on the lower grape vines.

You can taste that attention to detail in each wine as well. Thats why it was such a thrill to spend time with the youngest member of the Trapet family at their historic winery in this legendary winemaking village in Burgundy.

History of Domaine Trapet Pere & Fils

The winery was founded by the Trapet family in Gevrey-Chambertin in 1859, the same year the winery began purchasing many of its renowned vineyards. The first winemaker at Trapet was named Louis Trapet as well. By todays standards, the first Louis Trapet did not have to travel far to create the winery. He came from the neighboring village of Chambolle-Musigny. But in 1859, it was quite long because you had to walk two hours, Louis Trapet said. But he came here to Gevrey because he married someone in Gevrey.

And in 2003, the Trapet family also inherited their other winery located in Frances Alsace region. That winery produces many outstanding wines as well, especially its five Grand Cru white wines from Alsace.

Domaine Trapets wines

The winery owns 45 acres of vineyards mostly in Gevrey-Chambertin and other parts of Burgundy. As for its Alsace wines, the winery owns and manages 34 acres of vineyards.

Sticking strictly with its Burgundy vineyards, Domaine Trapet owns vines in three of Gevrey-Chambertins greatest Grand Cru vineyards  Chambertin, Chapelle-Chambertin and Latricieres-Chambertin. The winery also produces wines from three Premier Cru vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin and village wines from Gevrey-Chambertin and Marsanny.

Their Winemaking Philosophy

In general, Domain Trapets winemaking philosophy is simple  less is more. Thats why they dont add anything to their wines. (Many winemakers add sulfur during the vinification process.) They also try to take as much of a hands-off approach as possible in the vineyard. With the vines, when you just cut it, you give the information to the vines that they have to concentrate (their energy) on the fruits, Trapet said, adding, What we can see in Burgundy is we are harvest more and more earlier but the concentration in the flavor in the grapes is still the same. This approach also produces wines with less sugar and lower alcohol with more maturity in flavor, Trapet explained.

Wine Tasting Notes

(Wines tasted at the winery in Gevrey-Chambertin with the winemaker, Louis Trapet. All wines listed below are red wines made with pinot noir grapes unless otherwise noted.)

2021 Domaine Trapet Passetoutgrain A Minima

Made with a blend of equal parts pinot noir and gamay grapes, this soft, subtle wine slowly builds in intensity and flavor. Hints of fresh pepper, spices and subtle fruit flavors abound.

2021 Domaine Trapet Marsannay

Big, bright, flinty wine with intense blackberry flavors give this wonderful wine a lot of structure and character. You can taste the stone-filled soils in this lovely, firm wine.

2021 Domaine Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Ostrea

Bright, lively, fruit-forward wine filled with vibrant fruit flavors, including fresh raspberries and cherries. A great easy-drinking wine ready to enjoy anytime.

2021 Domaine Trapet Gevrey 1859 Cuvee

Named in honor of the year the winery was founded, this well-balanced, understated wine has a wonderful soft finish with subtle fruit flavors.

2021 Domaine Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Ergot

The first Premier Cru of the tasting has big, ripe, vibrant fruit flavors (especially raspberry) along with a fleshy and flinty finish that lasts at least half a minute after each taste.

2021 Domaine Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Petite Chapelle

Grown in limestone soils, this outstanding Premier Cru has vibrant fruit flavors and a long, intense, flinty finish that beautifully brings to life this charming hillside vineyards rocky soils.

2021 Domaine Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Clos Prieur

This Premier Cru wine has lighter, more floral-like aromas and flavors, including hints of cherry and raspberry. A delightful, bright wine that goes down easy.

2021 Domaine Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Cru Latricieres

The first of three Grand Crus we tasted, this austere, elegant wine slowly builds in intensity like a large ocean wave approaching the shoreline. Its bold, dark fruit flavors last nearly two minutes after each taste. Truly magnificent.

2021 Domaine Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Cru Chapelle-Chambertin

Another limestone-rich vineyard, this Grand Cru masterpiece starts off low at first. Initially, its flavors are soft, subtle and understated. But as the wine opens up and warms up, those flavors build in intensity and power, delivering flashes of vibrant fruit flavors that last several minutes.

2021 Domaine Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Cru Chambertin

Theres a reason why the town of Gevrey added the word Chambertin to its name. Thats because the wines from this legendary Grand Cru vineyard truly live up to all the hype. Powerful, vibrant, superb fruit flavors (including blackberry and raspberry) dance in harmony with softer, more subtle notes played in a whisper by a concert pianist. Absolutely amazing.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republicans Weekend section every Thursday.

Other Stories In This Series

Wine Press: A visit to Domaine Duroche in Gevrey-Chambertin

Wine Press: Maison Joseph Drouhin wines from Gevrey-Chambertin and Santenay in France

Wine Press: Interview, tasting with owner of Domaine Sylvie Esmonin
An accident last year at Logan Airport in Boston resulting in the death of a forklift operator could have been prevented, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced Monday.

Raul Santiago, 51, of Winthrop, Mass., was fatally injured on Aug. 29, 2023, when he tried to drive a forklift through a lower bag service entrance in the loading area of Terminal C and a part of the vehicle hit the entrance and fell onto him, according to Massachusetts State Police. Santiago was rushed to Boston Medical Center, where he died soon after, police said.
The GoFundMe set up to help the family of Chasity Nunez, the Worcester mother who was shot and killed along with her daughter Zella on March 5, is approaching its goal.

Nunez, 27, and her daughter Zella, 11, were shot in a parked SUV in the area of Englewood Avenue and 1 Lisbon St. around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Worcester police said previously. They were both pronounced dead after they were brought to the hospital.

One suspect was arrested, charged and held without bail while another remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police. Worcester police, Massachusetts State Police and U.S. Marshals announced a $5,000 reward for the latter suspect.

Set up by Quadasha OLeary, of Worcester, to send to beneficiary Ben Nunez, the GoFundMe originally featured a $10,000 goal. As of Monday, that goal was bumped up to $45,000 and with 577 donations sent, $44,207 has been raised.

We extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support, OLeary wrote in a March 8 update. Its not just I, but the Nunez family as well, who are overwhelmingly thankful for the generosity shown by everyone who has donated and continues to do so. Your contributions go beyond mere financial assistance; they represent a profound sense of solidarity and compassion during our time of need. We are truly touched by your kindness and your willingness to honor the memory of their loved ones. Together, your support uplifts and comforts them in ways words cannot express. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

The highest donation was $9,000 from Joyner Lucas, followed by several $500 donations. Several donors sent their condolences and support to the Nunez family.

I didnt know them and didnt need to! donor Nathalie Gibson wrote. This is such an unspeakable tragedy and Im at a loss for words. No amount of words or money can ever undo or repair this damage  only justice and time. My sincere condolences to anyone who ever knew them. Worcester is here for you!!!

Dejan Dante Belnavis, 27, is wanted in Tuesdays fatal shooting of Chasity and Zella Nunez. A warrant for his arrest has been issued on charges of armed assault with intent to murder and possession of a firearm without a license, according to the Worcester Police Department.

Up to $5,000 is being offered as a reward as authorities search for Belnavis. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-Kapture (1-800-527-8873) or text Worcester police at 274637 with TIPWPD their information.
A 46-year-old New Bedford man died after a solo car crash near the eastbound side of Interstate 195 in New Bedford on Sunday, according to Massachusetts State Police.

At around 3:15 p.m., State Police based in Dartmouth drove out to a single-car crash into a utility pole at the end of the ramp from I-195 eastbound onto Washburn Street, State Police said in a statement.

When troopers arrived, the driver, Jeffrey Szynal, 46, of New Bedford, was found to have gone unconscious while driving after having a medical emergency, State Police said. First responders gave life-saving aid before Szynal was taken to Saint Lukes Hospital, where he died.

A passenger in Syznals vehicle was not injured in the crash, State Police said.

The ramp to Washburn Street was closed for about one hour in order for recovery and cleanup to be done.

The crash remains under investigation by State Police with assistance from the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and Bristol County State Police Detective Unit.
MBTA Transit Police are asking the public to help them identify a suspect they say pepper-sprayed passengers on a Green Line trolley at Lechmere station on Saturday.

The assault happened around 2:25 p.m. when the suspect pepper-sprayed numerous passengers while the trolley was at the Cambridge station, police wrote on social media on Sunday. Officers are investigating the incident as an assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

MBTA Transit Police are hoping to identify the suspect pictured above, who they say pepper-sprayed passengers on a Green Line trolley.MBTA Transit Police

The suspect appears to be a white man wearing a black shirt and pants, a multi-colored plaid scarf, a gray Boston Celtics hat with a shamrock and gray Nike shoes. He is also pictured carrying what looks like a black gym bag.

Transit Police are asking anyone who recognizes the man pictured above to call their Criminal Investigation Unit at 617-222-1050. Tips can be given anonymously.
A Plymouth man is facing a slew of charges in connection with an incident over the weekend during which two homes in the town were damaged by gunfire, according to police.

Joshua Fitzgerald, 25, is accused of shooting at a Plymouth home in an attempt to kill a group of people hed gotten into a bar fight with the night of March 8, police said in a press release.

Plymouth police have charged Fitzgerald with four counts of armed assault with intent to murder, seven counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, threats to commit murder, destruction of property over $1200, disturbing the peace, four firearms charges and one drug charge,

Officers responded to a call reporting gunshots on North Spooner Street just after 1:45 a.m. Saturday morning, police said. They soon discovered that bullets had hit two homes, but that no one inside them had been injured.

Officers soon learned that Fitzgerald had gotten into an argument with the residents of one of the homes at a downtown bar earlier that evening, police said. The conflict later escalated into a physical fight outside the bar.

Following the fight, Fitzgerald drove to North Spooner Street to shoot at the home housing the group hed fought with, police said. The second home  whose residents were not involved in the conflict  was also struck with gunfire as a result.

Officers found Fitzgerald at his home a short time later and arrested him after a brief attempt at fleeing during which he dropped a pistol, police said. He is being held at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility on $10,000 bail pending his arraignment Monday.

We are thankful that no one was injured during this extremely reckless and dangerous attack, Plymouth police wrote in the release.

No further information about the incident has been released.
Needham police teamed up with Massachusetts State Police on Monday to search the Charles River for military supplies including explosives after the discovery of a WWII-era bazooka in the water last week, police said.

Needham police urged the public to avoid the Kendrick Street bridge area, where the search was focused, the department said in a Facebook post. The department said there was no risk to the public.
A 21-year-old with a gunshot wound to the neck led police to arrest a Southbridge man and the unrelated arrest of a relative, Oxford police announced.

On March 9, Auburn police detectives were investigating a shooting incident that happened earlier in the evening at Boulder Industrial Park in North Oxford, in the area of RJH Concrete Co., police said on Facebook.

A man, 21, was found with a single gunshot wound around his neck and was treated and released by first responders, Oxford police said. As they took over the investigation, Oxford police determined that Christopher Tetreault, 29, of Southbridge, had worked with a group in the area of RJH Concrete Co. The 21-year-old told officers that he argued with Tetreault and his friends before it became more heated and physical.

Tetreault shot the man, who drove off to seek medical treatment, Oxford police said. Police determined that given the limited number of people involved in the incident, there was no risk to the public.

Tetreaults car was found in Warren near a relatives home on March 10, police said. Both he and his relative were placed into custody on unrelated charges, with Tetreault charged with assault to murder and assault and battery with a firearm. Oxford police did not specify what Tetreaults relative was charged with.

Oxford police took Tetreault while Warren police apprehended the relative. Tetreault was held on $50,000 cash bail and arraigned in Dudley District Court.
Update: Haitis acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced on Tuesday that he intends to resign from his position once a transitional presidential council is formed, according to the AP.

In a warning to travelers, the State Department urges people to not visit the Caribbean nation of Haiti, leaving the Travel Advisory at level four to discourage travel.

Do not travel to Haiti, the Port-au-Prince U.S. Embassy said in a press release issued Sunday. The current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. We are aware that there are few or no commercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time. As they become available, we urge U.S. citizens to take advantage of them.

Along with Haiti, other level four countries where Americans are discouraged from traveling to are North Korea, Russia, Venezuela, Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, according to the State Department. To the east of Haiti is the Dominican Republic, which shares the same island. The Dominican Republic is under a level two advisory, which has urged travelers to take increased caution since June 23, 2023.

American travelers in Haiti are advised to avoid crowds, avoid being outside after dark, prepare to shelter in place, keep a low profile and be aware of their surroundings, the U.S. Embassy said.

Warring gangs have coordinated attacks on Haitis government, including political buildings and police departments, ABC News reported on Monday. One of the more prominent gang leaders, Jimmy Cherizier, aka Barbecue, even told Haitis acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry to step down for the violence to temporarily pause.

The first step is to overthrow Ariel Henry and then we will start the real fight against the current system, the system of corrupt oligarchs and corrupt traditional politicians, Cherizier told the news network in a video call. Not only are we fighting against Ariel Henry, but we are also fighting against everyone who has some complicity.

Henry took power in the wake of President Jovenel Moises assassination in 2021, ABC reported. In the years since, Henry has wanted to introduce proper elections but paused due to security concerns before landing on August 2025 to hold elections.

Amidst this violent political struggle, Royal Caribbean ships continue to call into Ladabee, about a six-hour drive away from Port-au-Prince, CNN reported. Despite Ladabees continued use, the company also monitors the situation on the ground while visitors do not leave the resort.

The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority. Our global security teams are closely monitoring the situation in the area. At all times, we remind guests to remain aware of their surroundings while ashore and follow all State Department guidelines. Should any changes be required, guests will be notified directly, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told CNN.
A Worcester funeral home has announced visitation hours for Chasity and Zella Nunez  the mother and daughter who were killed in a shooting in the city last week.

Visiting hours for both the mother and daughter are scheduled for Thursday, March 14, at Callahan Fay Caswell Funeral Home from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to their obituary.

Chasity and Zella Nunez were shot in an SUV near an intersection in Worcesters Columbus Park neighborhood around 3 p.m. on March 5, police said previously. They were rushed to a hospital but died of their injuries.

Chasity Nunez, who died at age 27, was born in Worcester and graduated from South High School, according to her obituary. She earned a degree from Worcester State University and later a masters from the University of Marylands global campus.

Nunez served in the Connecticut National Guard for four years before her death, working as a patient administration specialist, MassLive reported previously. During this time, she was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Service Ribbon and the Army Achievement Medal.

Nunez also worked as a patient safety and clinical quality program coordinator at MIT Health, MassLive reported previously. Representatives from both her military and civilian employers described her as a dedicated, intelligent and compassionate medical worker who was beloved by those who served alongside her.

Zella, 11, was a sixth grader at Columbus Park School in Worcester when she died, according to her obituary. She is described in a GoFundMe campaign to benefit her family as a bright child who brought joy to all who knew her and had a loving demeanor that matched her mothers.

Zella is being mourned by her grandparents on both sides, as well as aunts, uncles and other relatives, according to her obituary. Nunez leaves behind her second daughter, mother, brothers and many other relatives. Nunezs second daughter is just 2 years old, according to the GoFundMe campaign.

Two GoFundMe campaigns  one to benefit Nunezs family and one to start a college fund for Nunezs second daughter  have been created since their deaths.

So far, police have arrested one suspect  28-year-old Worcester resident Karel Mangual  in connection with the shooting. He is facing charges of armed assault to murder and carrying a firearm without a license, Worcester police said previously.

As of Sunday afternoon, police were still searching for 27-year-old Dejan Belnavis, who is wanted on the same charges. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to his arrest.

Mangual was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Tuesday during his arraignment last week, MassLive reported previously. In court, his lawyer argued that no witnesses had seen him at the scene of the shooting, but prosecutors argued that security footage showed two men shooting at the SUV the Nunezes were in, and that Manguals face is visible in the video.

Investigators connected Belnavis to the scene through the registered owner of the shooters getaway car, who told them he has been letting the suspect drive it for over a year, MassLive reported previously. This claim was backed by a car crash report from Shrewsbury in which Belnavis is listed as the cars driver.

Manguals criminal history includes a conviction in a 2014 fatal shooting that landed him years in prison, MassLive reported previously. He has three other open cases, prosecutors said during his arraignment.

No further information about the shooting, including a motive, has been released.
Young adults in the Greater Boston area are satisfied overall with their lives in the area. But theyre worried about housing costs and the supply of good-quality jobs, according to a survey released Monday by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

The results of the survey, which included 20- to 30-year-olds in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk Counties, showed that 89% of respondents were satisfied with their day-to-day lives, regardless of race and gender. However, about 25% said they were planning to leave the area in the next five years.

Our young residents are not only the future of the workforce, but also our current leaders and champions of our small businesses, downtowns and workplaces, James Rooney, the president of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation, said in a statement.

It is incumbent upon us to elevate the voices of young residents who are contributing to our local vibrancy and civic fabric while navigating significant hurdles, Rooney said.

According to the survey responses, the most important factors influencing the decision to stay in Greater Boston were job availability (87%), the cost of rent (83%) and the ability to buy a home (78%). Similarly, 66% of those surveyed said housing affordability should be prioritized by local leaders, 39% said the availability of quality jobs and 35% said wages.

Only 18% of people surveyed owned their own home, with 42% renting and 27% staying with relatives for free.

Women aged 28 to 30, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) residents, and those working in management positions were more likely to say they planned to stay in Greater Boston.

Black women and LGBTQ+ people were more likely to say they planned to leave. They also were more likely to say cultural and racial diversity played an important role in that decision.

People surveyed who said they were dissatisfied with Greater Boston or planned to leave were also more likely to say they had difficulty with transportation in the area. This was especially true in Suffolk County, where the city of Boston is located, where 87% said efficient transportation and mobility were at least somewhat important.

Non-white survey respondents were most likely to say they used public transportation, with 52% of AAPI residents and 42% of Black residents saying they rode the MBTA subway lines regularly, and 32% of Black residents and 37% of Latino residents using the bus regularly.

Recent studies have shown that Massachusetts is among the states with the most outbound migration. A study released in January by United Van Lines put the state at seventh-highest outmigration in 2023, the only New England state on the most-moved-out-of list, MassLive previously reported.
Massachusetts burdens low-income families after a loved one dies, a report says, by requiring they pay the state back for all services received through MassHealth  sometimes costing families their homes.

This week, two state legislators will meet to discuss the racial and economic disparities this policy tacks on to low-income families dealing with loss. They want MassHealth to reform its policies for a second time.

While Massachusetts tends to be a leader in addressing health inequities, as the report highlights, this is not the case with respect to current MassHealth estate recovery policy, said Katherine Howitt, director of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundations Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute.
SPRINGFIELD  Baystate Medical Center cleans and prepares more than 5 million surgical instruments a year. It happens in the hospitals sterile processing labs  a painstaking process that requires a staff of about 90 technicians working in shifts 24/7, 365 days a year.

Keeping those jobs filled is a job in itself.
WESTFIELD  City officials hope changes to the parking lots at Westfield Middle School will solve its significant traffic problem, and that state money can pay for most of the cost.

City Engineer Alison McMordie and middle school Principal Jesse McMillan presented their plan to the Westfield School Committee on March 4. It results in a net addition of 12 spaces across the schools two parking lots, as well as several safety features and a bioretention basin to divert stormwater from drains that carry runoff pollution to streams and rivers.

Because of the positive impact on rivers and the middle schools location in an environmental justice neighborhood, and because it is based on a previous proposal that included a partnership with a student from Westfield State University, McMordie said the $635,000 project ticks several boxes and has a good chance of qualifying for a state grant.
The left continues to viciously attack Americas democracy. The writers opinion on Feb. 26 (Useful Idiots in US Lending Support to Autocratic Russia, Letters to the Editor, The Westfield News) shows hes trying to convince everyone to fear MAGA Republicans and previous POTUS. This author is twisting the truth to make everyone afraid of Republicans. Labeling Republicans as useful idiots is showing that its pointless to argue with a radical thinker who continues twisting the truth just to make a Republican look bad. The writer is cleverly butchering the truth to create fear against any MAGA supporter. Were living under the rule of many far-left liars wholl say anything to stay in power. Voters need to vote for good, not evil, this coming election.

Also, if the U.S. gave Ukraine a trillion dollars, theyd want more without explaining where the money goes. The money given only makes a Ukrainian leader richer. U.S. money wont stop the Russian military!

Stan Haracz
by Barbara Lippert , Columnist, March 8, 2024

Im writing this before the Oscars broadcast, but it doesnt take a clairvoyant to know that Oppenheimer will sweep the show.

I have problems with this three-hour film being hailed as a masterpiece. For one, theres director Christopher Nolans decision not to show the inhuman effects of dropping the bomb on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Instead, we see the result through the eyes of a brooding, guilt-ridden Oppenheimer, as a problem with his own psyche. We watch the father of the atomic bomb personally reckon with this gruesome devastation as a series of hallucinations, including one nightmare in which he sees a womans skin burning.

Theres little acknowledgement of the Japanese side of it, and the civilians who were killed and maimed in a way far more brutal and environmentally toxic than traditional bombing.

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When Nolan was asked about this crucial choice, he sounded defensive.

[Robert Oppenheimer] learned about the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the radio  the same as the rest of the world, he told NBC News journalist Chuck Todd. That, to me, was a shock.  Everything is his experience, or my interpretation of his experience. Because as I keep reminding everyone, its not a documentary. It is an interpretation. Thats my job.

But millions seeing the film are left with the impression of troubled Oppenheimer as hero as he subsequently battles his way through the Truman administration and is forced to testify against the House Un-American Activities Committee.

And while Nolan felt clear about what was his job, The overall impact of the film is unbalanced  people leave the theatre thinking how exciting a process it was, not thinking God, this was a terrible weapon of mass destruction and look whats happened today, said Carol Turner, a co-chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmaments London branch.

For many viewers -- especially as the film gets a second life after collecting so many Oscars -- it will be their only shot at learning about this moment in history.

Little Boy was the name given to the atomic bomb that exploded over Hiroshima, a densely populated city. Once it was dropped, the film showed the whole town of Los Alamos celebrating.

Those celebrations were accurately portrayed. At the time, most Americans were thrilled that the nuclear bomb would put an end to World War II.

With time, people started seeing news of the fallout and were hit with the moral gravity of such devastation.

With Cold War paranoia building in the 60s, students were taught to hide under their desks in the face of a nuclear threat, and lots of Americans built bomb shelters.

Now we face this prospect again, with the war in Ukraine and China and North Korea possessing nuclear weapons.

Thus, anti-nuke protests have been going on for at least two generations. But I was happy to hear that in the run-up to Oppenheimers big night, a U.S.-based disarmament organization has jumped on the popularity of the film for a pre-Oscars campaign calling for a global end to nuclear weapons.

The Washington-based Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a nonprofit think tank, published an open letter with the title Make Nukes History in the Los Angeles Times, and also released videos on social media. The organization is placing billboards all over Los Angeles, along with street posters proclaiming, Oppenheimer Started It, We Can End It and 13 Oppenheimer Nominations; 13,000 Nuclear Weapons.

The letters signatories include members of the movies cast and crew, musicians like Annie Lennox, Graham Nash and Jackson Browne, and a constellation of movie stars, including Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Michael Douglas and Rosanna Arquette. Robert Oppenheimers grandson, Charles, is also among the group.

As artists and advocates, we want to raise our voices to remind people that while Oppenheimer is history, nuclear weapons are not, the letter said. At a time of great uncertainty, even one nuclear weapon  on land, under the sea, in the air, or in space  is too many. To protect our families, our communities and our world, we must demand that global leaders work to make nuclear weapons history  and build a brighter future.

We have a collective responsibility to build a better world and encourage awareness of that message -- despite what Nolan thought might confuse his narrative.
by Ray Schultz , March 10, 2024

A Connecticut state legislator has proposed a new way of helping local media.

A bill authored by Rep. Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford) would require executive branch state agencies to purchase a certain percentage of procured print or digital advertising from in-state commercial or nonprofit news publishers.

A hearing on the measure, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Matthew L. Lesser, was conducted last Friday by the Connecticut General Assembly. Several local newspapers offered testimony in support.

The legislation requires that each state agency of the executive branch of the state government procuring print or digital advertising shall contract with a commercial or nonprofit publisher of news whose principal place of business is in this state for not less than fifty per cent of the total annual value of such agency's contracts for such advertising.

However, publications owned by a parent company located outside the state would be deemed as being from that location, not from Connecticut.

Farrar hopes to block hedge funds and media conglomerates who pursue cost cutting measures  leading to coverage that is more national, less diverse and, in some cases, more politically polarized, she said in written testimony, according to Connecticut Internal Investigator.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, March 11, 2024

Stagwell media agency Assembly has restructured its North America operations with a series of promotions and a shift to geographical and industry sector units that are being defined as assemblies.

Nicole Jennings has been promoted to managing director of North America, reporting to NA CEO Valerie Davis. She is a two-decade veteran of the agency and most recently served as executive vice president, activation. Shell work with Davis and the agencys executive management team to set strategic priorities and drive innovation.

advertisement advertisement Bridget Lynn, Kevin Tarpey and Megan Warfield have been promoted to managing partners and Toni Box has been upped to executive vice president, brand experience for North America.

Lynn, previously senior vice president and strategic leader, will oversee the operations of Assembly Midwest, which has offices in Detroit and Minneapolis. Her focus will be on brick-and-mortar clients, as well as the CPG and home sectors.

Tarpey, formerly senior vice president, integrated communications group director, will oversee Assembly West. Based in Los Angeles, Tarpey will lead efforts to serve health and wellness clients, franchises, and co-ops.

Warfield, who joined Assembly in 2023 as executive vice president of client excellence, will oversee Assembly East. Based in New York, Warfield will lead teams across New York, Baltimore, and Toronto, specializing in finance, luxury, fashion, and beauty clients.

In her new role Box, previously senior vice president of social media, will orchestrate full-funnel, cross-channel campaign strategies and integrated activations.
What is Meningitis?

The meninges are the membranes covering the spinal cord and the brain. When the meninges become swollen or inflamed, it results in meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis occurs in infants, children, and adults. Fever, stiffness of the neck, headache, and changes in mental capacity are the main symptoms.

In 1806, Vieusseux identified the organism causing the almost fatal condition of meningococcal meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is a bacterial infection of the meninges, resulting in swelling within the central nervous system (CNS).

An individual can die in as little as a few hours. However, most cases recover although they may be left with long-lasting handicaps, such as hearing impairment, learning difficulties, and damage to the brain.

The etiology varies according to the age of the patient.

In newborn infants, bacterial meningitis is caused most often by:

Escherichia coli

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus)

Streptococcus pneumoniae (by chance)

In children, bacterial meningitis results from:

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Neisseria meningitides

Haemophilus influenzae (only in non-vaccinated children)

In adults, bacterial meningitis is caused by:

Neisseria meningitides

Listeria monocytogenes (immunocompromised individuals; old age)

(immunocompromised individuals; old age) Streptococcus pneumonia

Staphylococcus aureus (endocarditis) & Haemophilus influenzae (sinusitis, otitis)

The following factors increase the risk of contracting meningitis infection:

Presence of sinus or middle ear infection

Age (< 5 or > 60)

Persons who have undergone spleen removal  since spleen is a major immune organ

Co-morbidities (HIV, sickle cell disease, diabetes, cancer)

Malnutrition

Alcoholism

Missing routine vaccinations

Pregnancy  increases the risk of Listeria infection

Persons living away from home accommodations such as college hostels, military bases boarding school or foster care facilities where the infection can easily spread.

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The main symptoms of bacterial meningitis in 95% of adults are:

Fever

Headache

Changes in mental function

Neck stiffness

There may also be

Swelling of the brain parenchyma (meningoencephalitis)

Swelling of the spinal cord

Swelling of the ventricles in the brain (ventriculitis)

Vomiting, heightened sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia) (signs of meningeal irritation)

Seizures

Consciousness is altered

Coma

A few of the adults will exhibit neck stiffness, changes in mental function, and fever together but this is frequently observed in pneumococcal meningitis rather than in meningococcal meningitis.

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In infants, the symptoms are not very specific. They may present with one of the following symptoms:

Feeding poorly

Irritability

Fever

Lethargy

Vomiting

Bulging fontanelles may be present in the presence of raised intracranial pressure

The symptoms present in older children are:

Neck stiffness with feeling of resistance when the doctor tries to bend the neck forward

Meningeal irritation accompanied by vomiting

Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)

Headache

Seizures have been reported in children especially in pneumococcal or Haemophilus influenzae meningitis.

Rashes aremainly observed in meningococcal infections.

Complications aremore likely to occur in untreated cases or when treatment is delayed. These include the following:

Blindness

Deafness

Seizures

Impairment of memory

Learning difficulties

Difficulty in walking

Weakness or paralysis of limbs

Kidney failure

Shock

Death

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To diagnose bacterial meningitis, the following tests are recommended.

Lumbar puncture to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for analysis and Gram-staining

CSF cultures, is recommended.

In bacterial meningitis, CSF biochemical analysis reveals

A high white blood cell count (<500 cells/ml)

High protein content

Increased neutrophils (80% - 95%)

Reduced glucose content

Increased lactate content

A Gram stain of the CSF and culture reveals the organism in most cases.

A primary source of infection should be ruled out such as sinus inflammation, ear infection and a chest x-ray to rule out lung infection.

Blood cultures are also performed especially when there is a delay in obtaining CSF

However, Gram-staining CSF cultures, is nearly 90% accurate as compared with just 50% accuracy in blood cultures.

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP)  This test is useful to distinguish between bacterial and viral meningitis. A normal CRP excludes the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis with 99% accuracy.

Diagnostic imaging

A CT scan of the brain should be done before attempting a lumbar puncture in cases of altered sensorium, swelling of the optic discs, new onset seizures, focal neurological deficits or immunocompromised persons to rule out brain abscess or swelling of the brain.

Brain imaging may also reveal any underlying complications such as death of brain tissue, brain swelling or hydrocephalus (increased CSF in the brain).

In cases of suspected meningitis, the person is admitted to the hospital for further investigations and for administering intravenous antibiotics.

The person may be kept in a darkened room as there may be light sensitivity in meningitis.

Intravenous fluids are administered to prevent dehydration and shock.

Until the results of the diagnostic tests come in, patients are administered medications (empirical) based on suspected meningitis. Corticosteroids and antibiotics are administered in the treatment of bacterial meningitis.

1. Corticosteroids  Dexamethasone is the prescribed treatment for children (0.15 mg/kg for 2 to 4 days every 6 hours) and adults (10 mg for 4 days every 6 hours). Dexamethasone should be administered at least 10 to 20 minutes prior to the start of antibiotic therapy. It is not recommended giving dexamethasone later as it is ineffective. Infants are not prescribed dexamethasone.

2. Analgesics  Headaches are treated with analgesics, such as opioids.

3. Antibiotics  Antibiotics need to be prescribed immediately even before the diagnostic tests are verified. Antibiotics should be given based on the medical history of the patient (e.g. Age and any prior medical condition).

A patient suspected with meningococcus should be isolated in the first 24 hours of treatment. If the condition does not improve, then a CT scan and lumbar puncture should be repeated.

The antibiotic course varies depending on the type of bacterial infection.

Uncomplicated meningococcal meningitis  5 days to a week

Enterobacteriaceae, Listeria monocytogenes  3 to 4 weeks

4. Anti-epileptic treatments are administered for seizures.

Haemophilus influenzae is no longer a risk in developed countries due to effective vaccination programs. Pneumococci infections have also been controlled with effective vaccination. However, pneumococcal strains have developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics.

is no longer a risk in developed countries due to effective vaccination programs. infections have also been controlled with effective vaccination. However, pneumococcal strains have developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Neisseria meningitidis is now the main infecting organism of bacterial meningitis in developing countries as well as in Europe and the US. There are vaccines for N. meningitidis to prevent infections.

Pregnant women should get themselves tested for group B Streptococcus and take the required antibiotics during labor to prevent transmission to the baby.

and take the required antibiotics during labor to prevent transmission to the baby. Persons at risk who should be vaccinated include infants, the elderly, those with a weak immune system and persons who have undergone splenectomy.

Avoid contact with -

People who are infected with meningitis



Cigarette smoke or smoking

Antibiotic prophylaxis of family members in close contact with someone who has meningitis.

Neisseria meningitidis Vaccines Can Prevent Bacterial Meningitis" title="Vaccines Can Prevent Bacterial Meningitis">

With prompt attention and if the condition is treated in its early stages, most people recover. However, it is estimated that there is a 10% mortality rate. Some persons who recover may have residual neurological deficits such as loss of vision or hearing, onset of seizures, and weakness or paralysis of limbs.
COVID-19 in Children - Is it different from Adults?

COVID in children is similar to that in the adults and caused by the same factors as those seen in the general population.

COVID wreaked global havoc starting from the beginning of 2020 and is caused by SARS-CoV-2.

This disease is communicable and can spread from one person to another through respiratory droplets. COVID is caused in children due to the same factors as those seen in the general population. The causes include:

Person to person transmission - being in close proximity to an infected person increases the risk of inhaling respiratory droplets that are emitted when breathing, talking, coughing, sneezing and singing. The virus can also enter through the eyes. The risk increases significantly when both individuals are not wearing a mask.

Airborne transmission - COVID-19 can continue to stay in an environment in the form of tiny droplets or aerosols. These may enter a persons nose, mouth or eyes. This is another possible mode of getting infected but more research is needed to ascertain to what extent this plays a role.

Surface transmission - an infected person may have coughed or sneezed and the respiratory droplets may have landed on surfaces around him/her. Touching these surfaces and then subsequently touching ones mouth, eyes or nose can be a pathway for the virus to enter the body

The World Health Organization suggests that the first outbreak of cases was in China, in December, 2019. After two waves of COVID-19, a third wave is being expected as the virus is constantly mutating.

Recently, the Delta variant has swept the many countries leading to severe losses, and the possibility of a worse wave looms ahead.

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The symptoms of COVID in children are similar to those in adults. The signs and symptoms of COVID in children include:

Respiratory related symptoms - Sore throat, fever, continuous cough, congestion, difficulty breathing and pneumonia

Nervous system related symptoms - Loss of taste or smell

Digestive system related symptoms  Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting

Aches and pains - Body ache and headache

Fatigue

Certain symptoms require hospitalization. These include difficulty breathing, inability to retain liquids leading to vomiting, bluish coloured lips, sudden new confusion, stomach pain, chest pain and inability to waken.

As a result of COVID, other conditions such as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Shock and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) may develop and need medical attention. MIS-C involves rashes, gastrointestinal distress, coagulopathy and cardiac issues.

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In order to diagnose COVID in children, different types of molecular tests can be conducted. An RT-PCR test can be conducted. This involves taking a nasopharyngeal swab. The test checks for the presence of viral RNA in the sample. This test is generally accurate 70% of the time.

A matter of caution is the occurrence of false negatives. A child who has been in contact with a known COVID infected individual may immediately get tested. The test results can be negative. This could be because the virus has not been detected by the test, but the child may actually have COVID, symptomatic or asymptomatic. A retest could show a positive result.

False positives can also occur as the test may detect the presence of deactivated virus in the body from a person who previously had COVID. The other molecular tests include LAMP and NEAR tests, but RT-PCR is considered to be the best option.

Another test used for diagnosis is the antigen test in which a nasal and throat sample are collected. This test is conducted by detecting protein markers found around the SARS- CoV-2 virus. It is not as accurate as the RT-PCR.

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Antibody tests study the blood to check for presence of antibodies developed in response to the virus. This test is more useful to check if one has had COVID in the past rather than diagnosing a current infection.

CT scans are also being used to test the presence of COVID. CT abnormalities are found in 75% of children with confirmed COVID. However it is important to rule out other illnesses such as influenza B.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoFHW) has provided comprehensive guidelines for the management of COVID in children. This is according to the severity of the case. For asymptomatic cases, home isolation with telephonic consultation and nutritious food and fluids are recommended.

For mild cases, paracetamol, throat soothing agents and daily monitoring of symptoms is required. This includes breathing rate, cold fingers and toes, oxygen levels and fluid intake.

For moderate cases, the child may need to be admitted in a hospital. Oxygen support is required when the level is below 94%. Blood tests and a chest x-ray may be needed. Fluids and electrolytes need to be kept in balance.

For severe cases, the child will need to be admitted in an intensive care or high dependency unit.

Oxygen therapy, anticoagulants, corticosteroids, organ support and antimicrobials may be required. Blood tests, CT scan of chest would be required till the patient stabilises.

Preventing COVID in children involves ensuring that they stay at home as much as possible, avoid crowded spaces, wear masks while outside (above 5 years of age), wash or sanitize hands frequently, and maintain social distance (6 feet). As children may not be as careful as adults, it is important to spend time teaching them in a way that is interesting and possibly adding a reward for following the safety precautions of COVID-19.

Vaccines for children are in the third stage of trial for children aged 12-18 years. The main frontrunners are Covaxin and Zycov-D. Trials for younger children will start soon.
About Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas may show up as acute pancreatitis or chronic pain. Alcohol consumption is the main offender. Treatment requires hospitalization and at times surgery.

Pancreatitis (pan-kree-a-TY-tis) is a painful inflammation of the pancreas (PAN-kree-us) that may be acute or chronic. The acute form occurs suddenly, causes severe pain in the abdomen and often, resolves completely.

In acute pancreatitis the pancreas - "succumbs to its own digestive properties" (Chiari  1896). Alexander the Great succumbed to this condition in 323 BC at a very young age of 33 years.

Chronic Pancreatitis lasts for as long as six weeks or more and keeps recurring on and off. It is very common amongst the Americans and more so in African Americans.

The incidence of acute pancreatitis is 19.5 per 100,000 population and chronic pancreatitis is 8.3 per 100,000 population per year.

The patient classically suffers severe pain in the abdomen that radiates to the back. He also has fever, vomiting and feels sick. Clinical history, blood tests and a CT scan of the abdomen make the diagnosis of pancreatitis. Blood tests include those for serum amylase, trypsin, electrolytes, calcium and glucose. A CT scan may show swelling of the pancreas and the areas of damage as well as areas of blockage and cysts or pseudo cysts. An ultrasound of the abdomen is useful in picking up gallstones.

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Lord Moynihan (1925) one of the renowned surgeons described acute pancreatitis as - "Acute pancreatitis is the most terrible of all the calamities that occur in connection with the abdominal viscera. The suddenness of its onset, the illimitable agony which accompanies it, and the mortality attendant upon it, all render it the most formidable of catastropies".

The most common cause of acute pancreatitis seems to be alcohol abuse in the developed countries.

The famous musician Beethoven also suffered from alcoholic pancreatitis as was evidenced by the autopsy of his pancreas after his death.

Gallstones which block the flow of pancreatic juice into the duodenum also can give rise to pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis occurs in children following trauma or due to defects in the pancreas like pancreas divisum or cystic fibrosis.

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Certain drugs that lower cholesterol are also thought to give rise to pancreatitis. Infections due to coxsackie, mycoplasma and some viral infections can cause pancreatitis. A rare cause is one that follows an ERCP or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram.

An infection of the pancreatic ducts causes it to release its enzymes before it reaches the intestine and the enzymes then begin to digest and harm the pancreas itself. The severity of damage is translated into the intensity of the clinical features, which may range from pain to bleeding within the abdomen and infection. Repeated vomiting can lead to dehydration. Very severe cases lead to lung pneumonia, ARDS, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, and even renal failure.

Treatment is directed towards relieving pain, treating dehydration, vomiting and attention to nutrition. The jury is still out as to whether parenteral nutrition is useful or not in cases of pancreatitis. Those cases, which are caused by gallstones, have to be treated by surgery to remove the gallstones, which is done at the earliest, depending on the condition of the patient. The patient may also have to go under the knife if there is a cyst or pseudo-cyst that is infected or is blocking the pancreatic ducts. Severe bleeding and abdominal infection may also be occasions to operate upon the patient and stem the problem during an attack of pancreatitis.

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What is the prognosis in a case of severe acute pancreatitis?

The outlook in a case of pancreatitis depends on various associated feature like age of the patient, the white blood cell count, the level of various enzymes at the time of attack and after 48 hours. Ranson has devised a score based on the above factors to predict the severity and likelihood of serious complications including death from Pancreatitis.
Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome-About

Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome (PSAS) or Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) is a phenomenon relating mainly to womens sexual health, in which afflicted women complain of sudden and frequent feelings of genital arousal that are qualitatively different from the kind of sexual arousal that is associated with sexual desire or subjective arousal. Masturbation and orgasms offer little or no relief.

It is a very rare condition and it is possible that sufferers dont report the condition because of the shame and embarrassment the disclosure would involve.

Dr. Sandra R. Leiblum documented the condition first in July 2001, along with Dr. Sharon G. Nathan in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. The reasons for Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome remain a medical mystery till date.

The first real research study on PSAS was conducted at Rutgers University in June 2007 and women with PSAS felt encouraged when doctors found evidence that it was not an imaginary syndrome. More than 400 women from different parts of the world have reported suffering from PSAS. According to a report in the Shukan Post last year, a growing number of Japanese women are suffering from PSAS. One woman said she was terrified because even her mobile phone vibration was enough to set her off and was told by her friend that she was stricken by what was called the cum cum disease.

It is not surprising that the women who have reported the condition are only from the developed countries, because the consequences of reporting such a syndrome by women in developing or under-developed countries or conservative societies would be disastrous. In conservative societies, women reporting this disease run the risk of being stigmatized or labeled as freaks by others.

Interesting to Know

Some theories that are doing the rounds on PSAS are discussed below:



a. Neurological hypersensitivity - In women with PSAS the normal or minor sensation from areas such as clitoris or pelvic organs get amplified and result in a persistent or permanent state of arousal at the brain level. Treatment with anti-depressants is advocated. The hypersensitivity may also result after some minor trauma to pelvic nerves or after an episode of neurological conditions such as meningitis or encephalitis. The glans penis of male has 4000 nerve endings and in comparison the equivalent smaller female clitoris has 8000 such nerve endings.



b. Venous congestion of pelvic organs - Women with PSAS may have some form of pelvic venous congestion syndrome (Allen-Masters Syndrome). The pelvic and sexual organs are rich in blood supply and sometimes the chronically dilated varicose veins do not respond well to neurologic and hormone signals to contract to normal size especially after the resolution phase of the sexual cycle leading to persistent arousal.



c. Endocrinal PSAS - Women who suffer from the condition after menopause or during a few days before the onset of menstrual cycle may have problems related to hormones such as progesterone. This maybe caused due to over-sensitivity to the arousal effect of Progesterone.



d. Prolactin release disorder - Role of Prolactin in orgasm is well studied. It has a role in maintaining the refractory and relief phase after orgasm. Men usually have a much larger release of prolactin after orgasm than women and hence they take time to be aroused the second time. Women have a shorter refractory period due to a smaller release of the hormone. In PSAS it is possible that there maybe no release or delayed release of the prolactin hormone.



e. Oxytocin deficiency  Oxytocin release from pituitary in orgasm gives the calming effect. It reduces stress and its release in clitoral orgasm is even more. That may be the reason why you fall asleep after great sex.



f. Tourettes syndrome variant of PSAS - Tourettes syndrome is a compulsive tic disorder and the most common tics are of eye blinking, coughing, throat clearing, sniffing, and facial movements. PSAS may be a variant of such a disorder that is associated with compulsive masturbation, intrusive thoughts, and there may be a family history of Tourettes syndrome or a similar disorder.
What is Polymelia?

Polymelia is a rare birth defect in which the affected individual has more than the usual number of limbs, usually five or more limbs. In this congenital defect, the extra limb is most commonly abnormal in shape and size and may appear as a shrunken limb. The presence of extra limbs, higher than the normal number is technically termed as supernumerary limbs. Polymelia can be in the form of dipygus deformity, which is a severe congenital anomaly in which the body axis forks along the abdomen and the lower extremities such as the pelvis and legs become duplicated, giving rise to two pelvises and four legs.

The prevalence of polymelia alone in the Indian population is difficult to ascertain; however, the prevalence of birth defects as a whole is 61 to 69.9/1000 live births. Since polymelia is an extremely rare condition, it is plausible that it forms only a minute fraction of the total prevalence of birth defects.

The type of polymelia depends on the position at which the accessory limb is attached to the body. Thus, polymelia can be classified as follows:

Cephalomelia: Extra-limb attached to the head

Extra-limb attached to the head Pyromelia: Extra-limb attached to the pelvis

Extra-limb attached to the pelvis Thoracomelia: Extra-limb attached to the thorax

Extra-limb attached to the thorax Notomelia: Extra-limb attached to the backbone

Polymelia can be caused by one of several factors:

Genetic Factors: These include defects in the chromosomes and transgenes. One or more genes may undergo a change, technically termed a mutation. Sometimes, a part of a gene may be missing. These changes can result in improper cell division and/or proliferation, leading to polymelia. In this genetic birth disorder, conjoined twins can sometimes be formed in which one of them undergoes degeneration while still in the womb, but its shrunken limbs may remain attached to the remaining fetus, thereby giving rise to polymelia.

External Factors: Exposure to infectious agents, medications, and chemicals during pregnancy can influence the pattern of gene expression that can lead to polymelia. The thalidomide disaster is a classic example, where pregnant women consumed an innocuous cough syrup containing the drug thalidomide and gave birth to children having multiple limb defects like polymelia, amelia, phocomelia, polydactyly, abnormal hand position (AHP), limb reduction defects (LRD), and arthrogryposis. Exposure to the rubella virus, commonly known as German measles, as well as toxic chemicals such as hydrocarbons, can also give rise to congenital birth defects.

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The signs and symptoms of polymelia are quite obvious. These include presence of limbs that are more than the normal number. This congenital anomaly is responsible for the extra number of limbs, as a result of which more than two arms or more than two legs are formed. Sometimes the limbs may be rudimentary or may be greatly deformed and disproportionate in size.

Prenatal (prior to birth) screening of fetuses while still in the womb offers a convenient way to identify birth defects associated with abnormalities in the limbs, so that timely preventive measures can be instituted. Prenatal diagnosis should be carried out by a multidisciplinary medical team so that a proper diagnosis can be established and institution of possible treatment strategies such as orthopedic surgery can be planned.

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Commonly used diagnostic strategies include the following:

Fetal Ultrasonography: Fetal ultrasonography is the diagnostic tool of choice for detection of visible fetal abnormalities such as limb defects. Ultrasonography can effectively reveal the presence of polymelia, while the fetus is still in the womb. The general build of the patients body, fetal position, quality of the ultrasound machine, and operator skill have a major impact on the diagnostic efficacy of prenatal ultrasonography.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI can be used to detect fetal limb abnormalities. However, this technique is very rarely used in clinical practice for detecting fetal malformations, largely due to lack of knowledge of fetal anatomy and pathology, which is required for proper interpretation of the images.

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Crucial Information Impacting Diagnosis: The medical history of the mother as well as a detailed family history influences a correct diagnosis. Therefore, the following aspects should be considered:

Maternal History:

Diabetes mellitus

Propensity for formation of blood clots (hypercoagulability)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other autoimmune diseases

Myotonic dystrophy

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Exposure to teratogens

Family History:

Congenital limb abnormalities

Recurrent miscarriage

Stillbirths

Mental retardation

Inherited disorders

Consanguinity

Treatment requires surgery to detach the soft tissue between the false limb(s) and other adjacent structures. Typically, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon would carry out the operation under general anesthesia. The surgery is quite complicated and involves the removal of the extra limbs from the body, taking utmost care not to excise other structures. A successful surgery is a life-changing event for the infant. However, the surgery can sometimes lead to disability and other complications.

Polymelia can be prevented by carrying out a thorough prenatal screening to detect any birth defects before the child is born. In case of any severe anatomical abnormalities such as supernumerary limbs, the gynecologist may advise the medical termination of pregnancy in a timely manner.

Health Tips
About

A person with testicular cancer may have a testicle that is three times its original size. The greatest risk factor is undescended testes. Testicular cancer has an amazing cure rate, if detected early.

Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that affects the testicles (or testes) which are the sperm-producing part of the male reproductive system.

The testes, in the human male, are two in number and are located just below the penis, in a pouchlike structure, called the scrotum. They are responsible for storing the male gametes - sperms, and also play an active role in the production of the male hormone, called testosterone.

The vast majority of testicular cancers are Germ Cell Tumors, which comprises of two subtypes-Seminomas and Teratomas. Younger patients have a greater chance of developing seminomas while the older men are inclined to develop teratomas.

Unlike other cancers, the chances of developing testicular cancer does not increase with age. It occurs mostly in men who are between 25-45 years of age. The occurrence pattern follows three peaks in a male's lifetime:

Infancy

25-40 years

After 60 years

In younger men, germ cell tumors of the testes are the most common.

Testicular cancer occurs more commonly in white males and is rare in men of Asian or African origin, although the frequency in the latter is on the increase. Scandinavia, Germany, and New Zealand report the highest incidence. They account for 1% of all malignant tumors.

No environmental agent has been conclusively implicated in the development of testicular cancer. Undescended testes (Cryptorchidism), a congenital defect, is the most common risk factor. It increases the risk by 14 to 48 times the normal expected incidence.

A pain-free testicular mass is the most common presenting symptom. A person with the cancer may have a testicle that is three times the original size. Concurrently this may lead to a shrinking in the size of the other testicle as the tumor feeds on the scrotal blood supply.

Not all the testicular lumps are tumors; many other conditions, such as a tense hydrocele, hematocele, epididymitis, and varicocele are capable of mimicking testicular cancer. In 25% of the patients the diagnosis of the tumor is missed leading to a delay in treatment.

Testicular cancer has an amazing cure rate, especially if detected early. This has been made possible by improvements in the adjuvant (preventive) therapy which comprises of a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and careful watching after a surgery. Doctors recommend regular self-examination for early detection.

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A person who has testicular cancer is at risk of developing secondary cancers such as germ cell tumors in the contra lateral testis, leukemias, GI malignancies, melanoma, soft-tissue sarcoma, and genitourinary cancers.

Testicular Cancer Facts:
Introduction to Abortion

An abortion is carried out to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. In India, an induced abortion is permitted within 20 weeks of pregnancy in cases where continuing with the pregnancy puts the life of the mother at risk, the baby is likely to be born with abnormalities that will last a lifetime, or for social causes like for a pregnancy following rape, or an unplanned pregnancy in a woman with low socio-economic status who already has other children to care for.

An abortion can be induced with the help of medications and through a surgical procedure. Oral medications are used in the first trimester (up to 49 to 63 days since the last period depending on the local laws) and include mifepristone, misoprostol and sometimes methotrexate.

Mifepristone blocks the effect of progesterone (the hormone that supports the pregnancy) on the uterus. It also stimulates the release of prostaglandins by the uterus and sensitizes the uterus to the effects of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins increase uterine contractions and soften the cervix, thereby promoting expulsion of the uterine contents.

Methotrexate interferes with cell division and interferes with the development of the placenta. Though it is usually administered intramuscularly, it can also be given orally.

Misoprostol is a prostaglandin that stimulates uterine contractions, softens the cervix and helps in the expulsion. It thus has a synergistic effect when administered with mifepristone or methotrexate.

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The preferred option for abortion pills is mifepristone followed by misoprostol 36 to 48 hours later. Mifepristone is administered in a dose of 600 mg, though a lower dose of 200 mg has also been found to be effective and is often used. Misoprostol or another prostaglandin can be administered either orally as pills or can be inserted into the vagina. The intravaginal route appears to be more effective than the oral route and is also associated with lesser side effects. The combination produces a complete abortion in around 95% cases when administered within 63 days of the last period.

The combination of methotrexate with misoprostol also has a good success rate. Methotrexate is administered first followed by misoprostol a week later.

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Several women prefer medical methods of abortion as compared to the surgical methods since they are more private and often less invasive. Every woman should, however, be informed of the possible adverse effects before undergoing a medical abortion. Side effects of abortion pills include the following:

Excessive and prolonged bleeding: Bleeding to expel the products of conception is normal following the intake of abortion pills. Normal bleeding following abortion pills is usually more than what occurs during a menstrual period and may last for 9 to 16 days, and sometimes even for more than 30 days. Large clots may be present in the initial period. Excessive bleeding should be suspected if the woman soaks through 2 thick sanitary pads per hour for 2 consecutive hours. Excessive and continuous bleeding may result in dizziness and shock and should therefore be treated with medications to tighten the leaking blood vessels (vasoconstrictors), saline infusion, and curettage of the inner lining of the uterus to scrape off the inner lining of the uterus. Blood transfusion may be required in rare circumstances. To prevent excessive bleeding, mifepristone should not be used for abortion in women with previous bleeding or clotting disorders, severe anemia, or those taking blood thinners.

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Infections : Bacterial infections that can be serious enough to cause septic shock have been reported in patients who have taken misoprostol. The patient may complain of high fever, abdominal or pelvic pain along with other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or weakness. Antibiotics are required for the treatment of infections.

: Bacterial infections that can be serious enough to cause septic shock have been reported in patients who have taken misoprostol. The patient may complain of high fever, abdominal or pelvic pain along with other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or weakness. Antibiotics are required for the treatment of infections. Incomplete abortion : In some cases, some products of conception may remain in the uterus, resulting in continuous bleeding. A complete abortion can be confirmed through clinical examination, an ultrasound done one to two weeks following the intake of the medication, or the measurement of the blood levels of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), the level of which is high during pregnancy and falls following the abortion. A surgical procedure to completely evacuate the uterus will be required to resolve the issue. The medications methotrexate and misoprostol cause fetal malformations, and therefore, if the abortion does not take place following the oral medications, surgical abortion is a must. The absence of bleeding following the medications should prompt an immediate visit to the doctor.

: In some cases, some products of conception may remain in the uterus, resulting in continuous bleeding. A complete abortion can be confirmed through clinical examination, an ultrasound done one to two weeks following the intake of the medication, or the measurement of the blood levels of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), the level of which is high during pregnancy and falls following the abortion. A surgical procedure to completely evacuate the uterus will be required to resolve the issue. The absence of bleeding following the medications should prompt an immediate visit to the doctor. Pain in the abdomen: Pain in the abdomen is usually due to contractions of the uterus and is more pronounced following misoprostol as compared to mifepristone. Over-the-counter painkillers can be used to reduce the pain. Aspirin should not be used, since it is a blood thinner and can cause excessive bleeding.
Introduction

Health is a Human Right. The affordability and accessibility of health insurance have to be ensured. Higher incomed population can access and afford medical care, however, for the below poverty population medical care is neither accessible nor affordable. The Central Government launched the national health insurance schemes to provide healthcare support to all Indian citizens from private sectors, to government staff and specifically for the below poverty line people such as cobblers, fisheries and such occupations.

The list of national health insurance schemes by the central government are as follows:

Rashtriya Swasthiya Bima Yojana (RSBY)

Employment State Insurance Scheme (ESIS)

Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)

Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY)

Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY)

Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS)

Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the RSBY to provide health insurance for the below poverty line (BPL) population. BPL families under RSBY will be benefited with hospitalization coverage of Rs.30,000/- for most diseases that require hospital admission. The benefits of RSBY are: no age limit and no pre-existing conditions which are covered from day one. This scheme covers five members of a family, which include the head of the family, spouse and three dependents. There is a registration fee of Rs.30/- and the payment to the insurers will be paid by the central and state government.

Comparing RSBY with other schemes, RSBY is unique and provides some unique features mentioned below:

Empowers the beneficiaries by giving a choice between public and private hospitals.

Inclusion of intermediaries such as Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Micro Financial Institutions (MFIs) to assist BPL households.

Each family pays a maximum of Rs.750/-, per year to access quality healthcare to the BPL.

Biometric enabled smart cards and key management systems make RSBY a safe and foolproof scheme.

The smart card can be used by the beneficiary at any of the RSBY enlisted hospitals across India.

Cashless and paperless transactions with the beneficiarys smart card and fingerprint verification are used to approve cashless transactions.

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Employment State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) provides socio-economic protection to the working population and their dependents. It is regarded as a multidimensional social security system. This scheme covers various cash benefits like physical distress, temporary or permanent disablement. Monthly pension called dependents benefit is also available for beneficiaries who die due to injuries or accidental deaths during their employment term time. The available coverage limit is Rs.15,000/- per month.

There is also a coverage applicability for this scheme. It covers non-seasonal factories with 10 or more employees. It also includes shops, hotels, cinemas, newspaper establishments and road-motor transport establishments hiring 20 or more employees. Private medical and educational establishments in specific states/union territories recruiting 20 or more employees are covered under this scheme. ESIS is available in all states except Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Mizoram. It is only available in the Union Territories of Delhi and Chandigarh. The government has plans to implement this scheme in other Union Territories and states, where ESIS is unavailable.

The central government first initiated the Central Government Health Insurance Scheme (CGHS) in 1954 at New Delhi. This scheme is precisely tailored to provide comprehensive health care support to central government employees and pensioners including their dependents living in cities that cover CGHS. This central government scheme is now active in the cities of Allahabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhubhaneshwar, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Dehradun, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jabalpur, Kanpur, Kolkatta, Lucknow, Meerut, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, Ranchi, Shillong, Trivandrum and Jammu. Wellness centers/polyclinics offer medical facilities under Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathic (AYUSH) systems. This scheme also consists of components like dispensary services-domiciliary care, hospitalization and health education to beneficiaries.

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Aam aadmi bima yojana launched on 2nd October 2017 is a social security scheme for people living in rural households. This scheme either covers the head or the earning member of the family within the age group of 18 to 59 years. The central and state government shares a premium of Rs.200/- annually. A premium of Rs.30,000/- is paid for natural deaths, Rs.75,000/- for death due to accidents and Rs.35,000 for partial permanent disability due to accidents.

The central government has set a separate fund called Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana Premium Fund to pay its contribution, and LIC maintains the fund resources.

This scheme was introduced on 10th August 2000 to yield protection to below poverty or marginally above poverty line people. JBY replaced two insurance schemes such as Social Security Group Insurance Scheme (SSGIS) and Rural Group Life Insurance Scheme (RGLIS).

NO OCCUPATION NO OCCUPATION 1 Beedi workers 24 Hilly area woman 2 Brick kiln workers 25 Foodstuffs products like khandsari/sugar 3 Carpenters 26 Textile 4 Cobblers 27 Manufacture of food products 5 Fisherman 28 Manufacture of paper products 6 Hamals 29 Manufacture of leather products 7 Handicraft artisans 30 Printing 8 Handloom weavers 31 Rubber and coal products 9 Handloom and Khadi workers 32 Chemical products like candle manufacture 10 Lady Tailors 33 Mineral products like earthen clay toys 11 Leather tannery workers 34 Agriculturists 12 Pappad workers attached to SEWA 35 Transport drivers association 13 Physically handicapped self employed persons 36 Transport karmacharis 14 Primary milk producers 37 Rural poor 15 Rickshaw pullers/ Auto drivers 38 Construction workers 16 Safai karmacharis 39 Fire crackers workers 17 Salt growers 40 Coconut processors 18 Tendu leaf collectors 41 Anganwadi workers/ Helpers 19 Scheme for urban poor 42 Kotwal 20 Forest workers 43 Plantation workers 21 Sericulture 44 Woman associated with SHG 22 Toddy tappers 45 Sheep breeders 23 Power loom workers

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People between the age group of 18 to 59 years and members of the above mentioned occupational groups are eligible for this scheme. Since 2013, Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana and Janashree Bima Yojana are incorporated into one scheme as Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana"

Universal health insurance scheme is implemented by four public general health insurance companies like LIC, etc,. UHIS aims to focus on improving healthcare access for low-income families. This scheme has been revamped to meet the needs of below poverty line (BPL) families. It includes individuals, families and groups. The scheme price ranges from Rs.100/- to Rs.200/- for an individual, Rs.300/- for a family of five and Rs.400/- for a family of seven. Regardless of the premium, there are no reductions in benefits.

The UHIS covers a reimbursement of Rs.30,000 for medical expenses during hospitalization floated among the entire family and Rs.25,000/- death cover due to an accident of the earning family head. A compensation of Rs.50/- per day is paid to a person with job loss for maximum up to 15 days.
About

The Star Health's 'Red Carpet Health Insurance Policy' aims particularly at senior citizens. It provides coverage to anyone over the age of 60 and permits entry right up to the age of 75 with continuing cover thereafter till lifetime.

The coverage ranges from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakhs for cerebrovascular accident, cardiovascular disease, cancer, bone fractures, kidney diseases and all other major surgeries. Premium charges vary from Rs.4,450 to Rs.22,500 depending on sum assured chosen.

Major Product Features:

Entry age between 60 and 75 years

Guaranteed renewals beyond 75 years

No pre-insurance medical test required

Treatment at network hospitals only

All preexisting diseases are covered from first year, except those for which treatment or device was recommended by or received during the immediately preceding 12 months from the data of proposal.

Disease for which treatment or advice was recommended by or received during the immediately preceding 12 months form the date of proposal will be covered from second years onwards

Note: Please refer to the policy documents for the complete Insurance Policy subject to the insurance Company. This information is valid for 2015  2016.

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Policy Benefits

The policy protects the insured for in patient hospitalization expenses for a minimum of 24 hrs. These expenses include room rent, specialist fees, cost of medicines and boarding up to 1% of the sum insured subject a maximum of Rs 4000/-per day.

ICU expenses per day up to 2% of the sum insured

Nursing Expenses

Surgeon's fees, consultant's fee, Anesthetist's and Specialist's fees up to 25% of sum insured per hospitalization.

Cost of blood, oxygen, pacemaker, drugs and diagnostic tests up to 50% of the sum insured per hospitalization

Emergency ambulance charges for transporting the insured patient to the hospital up to a sum of Rs 600 per hospitalization and overall limit of Rs 1,200 per policy period

Out-patient consultation in network hospitals across India

Copayment benefits of 50% for each claim related to pre-existing diseases and 30% for all other claims

Pre-existing diseases will be covered after one year of continuous coverage

Treatment for cardiovascular disease, cerebrovasculasr accident, cancer and bone fracture are covered subject to the following limits:

Sl. No. Disease Sum Insured Rs. Limit of Company's Liability 1. Cerebrovascular Accident 1,00,000 75,000



2,00,000 1,50,000



3,00,000 1,60,000



4,00,000 1,70,000



5,00,000 1,80,000 2. Cardiovascular Disease 1,00,000 75,000



2,00,000 1,50,000



3,00,000 1,60,000



4,00,000 1,70,000



5,00,000 1,80,000 3. Cancer 1,00,000 75,000



2,00,000 1,50,000



4,00,000 1,70,000



5,00,000 1,80,000 4. Bone Fracture 1,00,000 75,000



2,00,000 1,50,000



3,00,000 1,60,000



4,00,000 1,70,000



5,00,000 1,80,000 5. Renal Complications 1,00,000 75,000



2,00,000 1,50,000



3,00,000 1,60,000



4,00,000 1,70,000



5,00,000 1,80,000 6. All other major surgeries 1,00,000

60,000



2,00,000 1,20,000



3,00,000 1,30,000



4,00,000 1,40,000



5,00,000 1,50,000

Tax Benefit

Amount paid by any mode other than by cash for this insurance is eligible for relief under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act.

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Free Look Period

A free look period of 15 days from the date of receipt of the policy is available for reviewing the policy terms and conditions. In case insured is not satisfied he can seek cancellation of the policy and in such event the company will allow a refund of the premium after adjusting the cost of pre-acceptance of medical screening, stamp duty charges and proportionate risk premium for the period concerned provided no claim has been made until such cancellation. However, free look cancellation is not applicable at the time of renewal.

Note: Please refer to the policy documents for the complete Insurance Policy subject to the insurance Company. This information is valid for 2015  2016.

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Premium Rates (Service Tax Extra)

The premium to be paid on Star Health and Allied Insurances Senior Citizen Red Carpet policy is listed below:

Sum Insured (Rs.) Premium 1,00,000 4,450 2,00,000 8,456 3,00,000 12,990 4,00,000 15,501 5,00,000 18,000 7,500,00 21,000 1,000,000 22,500

A discount of 10% of the above premium will be allowed if the proposer produces the following documents to the satisfaction of the company:

a) Stress Thallium Report*

b) BP Report*

c) Sugar (blood & urine)*

d) Blood Urea & Creatinine*

e) Self-declaration or Certification that surgeries related to Heart/Brain/Cancer has/have not been done in the past.

* The tests should have been taken not before 45 days from the date of the proposal.

Note: Please refer to the policy documents for the complete Insurance Policy subject to the insurance Company. This information is valid for 2015  2016.

Terms & Conditions for Claims

Remember to pay premiums always on time, the terms of the policy are quite stringent. If you miss a premium, no reminders may be sent.

1. Every notice or communication to be given or made under this policy shall be delivered in writing to the address as shown on the schedule.

2. The premium payable under this policy shall be payable in advance. No receipt of premium shall be valid except on the official form of the company signed by a duly authorized official of the company. The due payment of premium and the observance of fulfillment of the terms, provision, conditions and endorsements of this policy by the Insured Person, in so far as they relate to anything to be done or complied with by the Insured Person, shall be a condition precedent to any liability of the Company to make any payment under this policy. No waiver of any terms, provisions, conditions, and endorsements of this policy shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by an authorized official of the Company.

3. Upon the happening of any event, which may give rise to a claim under this policy, notice with full particulars shall be sent to the Company within 24 hours from the date of Death, Injury, Hospitalization.

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4. The claim must be filed with 15 days from the date of discharge from the Hospital. Note: This is a condition precedent to the admission of liability under the policy.

5. The Insured Person shall obtain and furnish the Company with all original bills, receipts and other documents upon which a claim is based and shall also give the Company such additional information and assistance as the Company may require in dealing with the claim.

6. All claims under this policy shall be payable in Indian currency. All medical/surgical treatments under this policy shall have to be taken in India.

Note: Please refer to the policy documents for the complete Insurance Policy subject to the insurance Company. This information is valid for 2015  2016.

Renewal and Claim Procedure

Lifelong renewal of the policy offered, except on grounds such as moral hazard, misrepresentation or fraud committed

A grace period of 30 days from the date of expiry of the policy is available for renewal

Enhancement of sum insured is permitted only during renewal

In respect of diseases/sickness for which claims have been made, the sum insured will be restricted to that policy sum insured where the claims were made

In the event of this policy being withdrawn or modified with revised terms and premium with the prior approval of the competent authority, the insured will be intimated three months in advance and accommodated in any other equivalent health insurance policy offered by the company, if requested for by the insured person at the relevant point of time

Renewal premium is subject to change with prior approval from IRDI

Procedure
What is External Beam Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer?

Radiotherapy for prostate cancer is an alternative to surgical treatment such as Radical prostatectomy and over the years the results of this treatment have improved and currently the results seem to be comparable to surgery.

New era of medical research and treatment with radiations began, following the ground-breaking discovery of radioactive elements radium and polonium by Madam Marie Curie. Radiation therapy is now an essential part of Cancer therapy around the world. The Treatment modality is now highly developed and sophisticated for cancers like Prostate cancer.

Two Main Types of Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer:

External beam Radiotherapy

Internal Radiotherapy (Brachytherapy)

External Beam Radiation Therapy (ERBT) utilises high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells by disrupting their DNA structure.

Radiotherapy for Prostate cancer is used for different stages of the cancer and is indicated as follows:

As a first line treatment for localised cancer or the cancer which is not spread outside the prostate gland. Success rate for curing cancer with radiotherapy at this stage is similar to Radical prostatectomy surgery.

First line therapy along with hormonal therapy for the cancer, which has spread outside the prostate gland but in nearby tissues only.

In case of incomplete removal of prostate gland during surgery or in Cancer recurrence.

As a palliative treatment in Advanced cancer with purpose of reducing the tumor size and providing pain relief due to bone metastasis.

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When is External Beam Radiation Therapy (ERBT) Not Used?

ERBT is contraindicated in patients with history of gastrointestinal problems like ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis as well as in patients with poorly controlled Diabetes, because EBRT in these patients will carry high risk of Intestinal Obstruction, Perforation, Colitis and Proctitis.

EBRT is used for treating prostate cancer in its early stages and also for prostate cancer that has spread outside the gland to bones. The Radiation is applied from outside the body in form of focused beams of radiation.

Imaging evaluations like X-ray, CT scan or MRI of pelvis area is done before initiation of the therapy to identify the exact location of prostate cancer. Once the tumor size and location is known, physicians put some ink marks on the skin of patient which are then used to focus radiation beams on affected area.

Mostly the patient is treated 5 days a week as an out-patient up to 7-9 weeks. The procedure is painless and is completed within few minutes.

Observational research suggests that when patients with localised cancer are treated with EBRT, 60-65% of them have disease-free survival up to five years. However, 10 year disease free survival rate is observed in only 30-40% and disease recur in 70-80% patients at 15 years after therapy. The long term results of radical prostatectomy are considered better than EBRT.

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With advancement in technology, newer EBRT techniques have been developed which can administer higher dose of radiation which are more focused to the tumor to reduce radiation to adjoining structures and hence lower the side effects of the treatment.

Three Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT)

In 3D-CRT, location mapping of prostate tumor is done using advanced technology like CT and MRI, after which precisely shaped and focused radiation beams are administered to the patient. During the course of therapy, the patient is confined in a Plastic body cast to reduce movement and increase accuracy of the treatment.

Research suggests that 3D-CRT is more effective in the patients whose pre-treatment PSA (prostate specific antigen) level are 10-20 ng/ml. Also the therapy is 30% more effective as compared to the EBRT in providing disease free survival up to five years.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for Prostate Cancer Treatment

IMRT is an advanced form of 3 Dimensional conformal radiotherapy. Currently, it is the most common method of EBRT used for treating prostate cancer. A movable unit of the machine moves around the affected area to deliver focused radiation beams from different angles. The main advantage of this method is that the radiation dose can be adjusted and reduced during the course of treatment so that normal surrounding tissues are less affected and hence it lowers the side effects of radiation.

Recent IMRT machines carry an in-built imaging scanner. This advanced technique is known as Image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Imaging scanners in IGRT allow the Radiologist to capture picture of prostate tumor during the procedure and allows him to make necessary Radiation dose adjustments in order to enhance effectiveness and reduce radiation toxicity to normal surrounding tissues. However, further research is warranted to verify the safety and efficacy of this method.

In another form of IGRT, minute implants are placed in the prostate tumor which emits radio waves which act as the guide to Radiation machine for delivering more focused radiation. The main advantage of this technique is that it guides the radiation machine to make even the minutest movement adjustment even if the patient moves during normal breathing. The machines that use this are known as Calypso.

A Major Meta-Analysis of 23 studies among 9556 Prostate patients, by Yu et Al in 2016 has found out that IMRT produces less toxicity has shown significant reduction in Morbidity and gastro-intestinal toxicity when compared to 3D CRT.

Further sophisticated variation of IMRT is known as Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The VMAT technique administers radiation to affected area in focused by highly rapid manner and therefore allows the procedure to complete within few minutes.

While VMAT technique is more convenient for the patient, so far no research has been identified to prove it superior to IMRT.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Prostate Cancer Treatment

SBRT is another form of advanced technology used for delivery high intensity radiation to the prostate cancer tumor with extreme precision (i.e. stereostatically). The technique utilises sophisticated imaging techniques like 3 dimensional CT scans to develop precise map of prostate tumor.

The entire course of treatment is completed within few days with SBRT as compared to few months with other forms of External beam radiation therapy and therefore reduces the overall cost of prostate cancer treatment.

However, recent clinical trial performed at Yale School of Medicine suggested that patient taking SBRT are at higher risk of developing genitourinary and gastrointestinal radiation toxicity as compared to the conventional IMRT.

Proton Beam Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Treatment

Proton beam Radiation therapy utilises protons for generating radiations unlike X-rays used in other types of EBRT. X-rays emit radiation energy both before and after hitting the target and therefore affects the surrounding normal tissues. On the other hand, protons first travel up to particular distance and then release energy. This characteristic of Proton beams allows them to deliver higher energy to prostate tumor in a more precise manner. Techniques similar to those used in 3D-CRT and IMRT are also used for Proton beam radiation therapy.

Although early results are promising, so far studies have not shown that proton beam therapy is safer or more effective than other types of EBRT for treating prostate cancer.

Right now, proton beam therapy is not widely available. The machines needed to make protons are very expensive, and they arent available in many centres or countries. Proton beam radiation might not be covered by all insurance companies at this time.

Radiotherapy can be combined with hormonal therapy or surgery to improve treatment outcomes. There are various terms used for this combination

What is Combined Radiotherapy and Androgen Ablation?

The combined radiotherapy and androgen ablation are gaining significance in treating Prostate cancer with Intermediate grade cancers such as Gleason scores of 7 or more, which suggests bi-lobar and more severe cancer, which is moderately curable or very unlikely to be cured. The Treatment modality uses both the androgen ablation using hormone therapy and External beam radiation together or in alternative stages.

Research by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (USA) has found that 4 months of hormonal ablation therapy along with EBRT is more effective in producing disease-free survival (identified by low levels of PSA) at 5 years as compared to EBRT alone for patients with Gleason score of more than 6.

In case of more curable early stages of prostate cancer, the European Organisation for Research and treatment has found that primary total hormonal ablation therapy for reducing the size of tumor increases the effectiveness and outcome of 3D-CRT in producing disease free survival at 5 years.

When External beam radiation therapy is given in addition after prostate surgery or in addition to Brachytherapy, it is known as adjunctive EBRT.

As per the findings of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (USA), combination of EBRT and permanent implant brachytherapy provides higher rate of disease free survival at 5 years for high-risk patient as compared to brachytherapy alone or surgery alone.

In many cases, higher PSA levels are detected even after Radical prostatectomy, which suggests incomplete removal of prostate tumor. Adjunctive EBRT is applied in such cases. American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology suggest that post-operative EBRT reduces the PSA levels by 70% and therefore provides more effective destruction of prostate tumor.

Bowel disturbances: Irritation and damage caused to intestine and rectum by radiations lead to development of medical condition called Proctitis. The condition is characterised by frequent diarrhoea, bloody stool, stool leakage, and incontinence of gas.

Irritation and damage caused to intestine and rectum by radiations lead to development of medical condition called Proctitis. The condition is characterised by frequent diarrhoea, bloody stool, stool leakage, and incontinence of gas. Urinary bladder cystitis: Damage to urinary bladder and cystitis causes urine frequency, Urinary incontinence, burning sensation and often bloody urine.

Erectile dysfunction and Impotence: Erection problems and impotence gradually develop over years after EBRT.

Erection problems and impotence gradually develop over years after EBRT. Fatigue: Very common side effect. Feeling of tiredness continues for months after taking EBRT.

Very common side effect. Feeling of tiredness continues for months after taking EBRT. Lymphedema: If the lymph nodes around the prostate glands are damaged during EBRT, lymph fluid becomes stagnant in legs and genital region causing swelling and pain.

If the lymph nodes around the prostate glands are damaged during EBRT, lymph fluid becomes stagnant in legs and genital region causing swelling and pain. Urethral Stricture: Rarely the urethra (tube which allows to pass urine out of body) is damaged by radiation which causes difficulty in urination.

It should be noted that with advancement in EBRT techniques which administer focused radiations, the rates of these adverse effects are decreasing.
Her sartorial fashion sense is why people look up to her for fashion inspo, no matter how expensive or grand her look is. Her latest look has, yet again, turned heads in a way no one expected.

Nita Ambani is often in the news for her exquisite outfits and jewellery. From wearing the worlds most expensive saree to donning a huge diamond and emerald worth 500 crores for her son Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants pre-wedding festivities, shes always on top of her fashion game.

 InstagramSwadeshOnline

Nita Ambani was seen at the Miss World 2024 pageant where she received the 'Beauty with Purpose Humanitarian Award'. While she was dressed to the nines for this occasion, as usual, all eyes were on her intricate bajuband. Turns out, this was originally the kalgi or sarpech (turban ornament), belonging to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.



Pramod Kumar KG took to his Instagram page, topophilia.india to share some interesting details about the ornament which has Mughal roots. Pramod is the Managing Director of a Delhi-based museum consulting company.

Apparently, He shared, "Shah Jahan ibn (son of) Jahangir Shah, proudly proclaim the pair of inscribed spinels highlighting this sarpech (turban ornament); last seen publicly at the Al Thani Collection before being divested at auction in 2019." Pramod also explained how th two red gems actually had inscriptions on them. "Their age, if the inscriptions are of the time, read  12 / Shah Jahan ibn Jahangir Shah / 1049. The date in the Islamic calendar corresponding to a 17th century date (1639-40)," he wrote in the post.

As reported by Bollywood Shaadis, the bajuband is worth a whopping Rs. 200 crores. Nita Ambani wore the sarpech as a bajuband with a banarsi saree by Manish Malhotra. The jangla design on the saree was crafted with rich gold zari work. She completed her look with statement danglers and chunky kada.

Though its no surprise that Nita Ambani was able to get her hands on a rare piece of history with Shah Jahans jewellery, its definitely a reminder of the Ambani familys wealth and power. Truly, theres nothing this family cant buy!
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, Ambassador Burak Akcapar and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou, held the regular Political Dialogue meeting in Ankara, on March 11, 2024.



In addition to various aspects of bilateral relations, regional and international issues were discussed during the meetings. The two sides reiterated their joint commitment to build on the existing positive atmosphere in line with the Athens Declaration signed last December by the leaders of the two countries, exploring further areas of bilateral and international cooperation. They reviewed the preparations for the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Mitsotakis to Turkiye in May, and took stock of progress achieved so far in the existing dialogue channels, covering all aspects of the bilateral relationship.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis intervention at the Plenary Session of the Hellenic Parliament (07.03.2024) - Debate and vote in principle, by articles, and as a whole of the draft law: "Strengthening the Public University - Operating Framework for Non-Profit Branches of Foreign Universities



OPENING STATEMENT



Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today, I felt politically and morally compelled to come before the Hellenic Parliament to express my views on a draft law that establishes a new standard in Greek Higher Education. I will speak both in my capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs, as I feel that this preeminently concerns issues related to foreign policy and, in particular, the portfolio of the Diaspora Greeks, and as an academic, as a person shaped by the Greek public education system, primary, secondary, and tertiary. I believe the truths about where we were, where we are, and where we want to take Greek higher education need to be heard in this chamber. The first concern that has been raised is the legal issue. Multiple opinions have been expressed. It has been argued that the bill is constitutional, that it is unconstitutional, that it even contravenes European Union Law, because it does not meet the latters requirements in terms of freedom of establishment and operation of academic institutions.



Let me clarify something in principle. Regardless of the effect of EU Law what matters is to accept that our Constitution is not a static and inert legal text. This is something that the entire international Constitutional Law community recognizes, and it could not be otherwise. The Constitution, by its very nature, is an abstract text that is transmuted in practice through the legislature and serves as the framework within which the state functions and rights are structured. The normative power of reality has an impact. The actual situation has an impact. The effect of European Union Law has an impact, whether it applies or not because it is an academic rather than a professional qualification. The proportionality of the universal prohibition concerns European Union Law nonetheless. Above all, let us be clear regarding the application of Article 16. The synthetic and systematic reading of Article 16, in my opinion, clearly allows the establishment, mind you not in the form of creating, which is expressly prohibited, but in the form of installing of an existing academic institution. And this, of course, must at last be stated, because I often hear my colleagues refer to the wording and the spirit of the Constitution. However, no one gives due emphasis to the fact that the Constitution's prohibition is for the creation and not for the installation of existing institutions, which are indirectly or directly subject to the effect of European Union Law. In any case, constitutional revision is necessary and beneficial. I will not dwell on the historical journey of constitutional revision and why we have reached the point of having failed attempts to revise Article 16 and we are today deviating from the entire universal international legal acquis. What I want to emphasize is that constitutional revision is essential because it should set the framework within which higher education will operate, namely provide the safeguards which are outlined in the bill, but should also become a constitutional mandate.



What does this specific bill accomplish? In my opinion, it maintains a balanced measure. It follows a golden rule based on a duality: the strengthening of public universities, on the one hand, and the strictness in the establishment of private, non-state, non-profit universities, on the other. Why this golden rule? Let us consider the strengthening of public universities : a multifaceted strengthening. We are bolstering regional universities. The Democritus University, which incorporates the International University, is strengthened; the Hellenic Open University is strengthened; the student housing issue, which indeed constitutes a significant problem, is being addressed. We are increasing flexibility, granted to universities in their self-governance, especially regarding the Special Accounts for Research Grants, which have been obstructed by red-tape for decades. And above all, in my view, the most important thing is that we ensure that for every university faculty member who retires between 2025 and 2030, there will be a one-to-one immediate replacement, so that there is no reduction in the teaching staff of public universities. And of course, with the political commitment that we will continue to strengthen the public universities and, especially, the regional universities. The second pole of this duality is the tightening of the framework regarding non-state, non-profit universities. At this point, allow me to say that there is a degree of hypocrisy when we talk about the current situation in relation to the situation that the bill being debated today will introduce.



Currently, we have post-secondary education of a commercial nature that is immediately recognized in Greece. This is a mandate of European Union Law, and we are proceeding towards a non-state, non-profit type of strict and controlled higher education. Why should we really object to this? Do not all of us in this chamber agree that it is preferable to have order in the field of higher education, rather than disorder? And I will keep it simple. For a foreign university to establish itself in Greece, according to the bill, once it comes into effect, a dual threshold will be required. This is extremely important for our understanding. This threshold will concern both the administrative and academic prerequisites for establishment specified by the parent university, but also the law governing it -each country has its own system regulating these requirements- as well as the additional requirements set by the bill regarding the establishment of universities. Let me simply remind you that we already provide for the obligation to have three faculties, the requirement to have a minimum entry threshold, and of course, a quota of doctorate holders in the teaching staff.



The set of these prerequisites is so stringent that I can say with certainty, and we will be here to discuss it in the future, that there is no chance for any entity without a very solid institutional and operational background, for any university that does not meet the conditions, to come and establish itself in Greece. The connection with a foreign university is absolutely critical because it actually creates the condition to ensure that no institutions of higher education exist that do not meet the most rigorous requirements.



The crucial question, however, is: what is the significance for the country of establishing non-state, non-profit universities. Allow me to limit myself to three parameters of the great significance this holds for our country. The first is that we retain students who are currently part of a significant brain-drain, which means a loss in both human and economic capital. The second, equally important, is that in this way, the new bill makes Greece a university hub, attracting foreign students to Greece. Do we know that Greece ranks low on the higher education index because it has one of the lowest rates of foreign students in our universities? Only 0.7% - one of the lowest rates in the European Union. In addition, there is a fiscal dimension. The National Bank of Greece estimated in its 2017 analysis that there would be a direct benefit of at least 1.8 billion euros per year in 2017, resulting from more exports and lower imports of educational services. The National Bank of Greece estimates a figure of 50 billion. Allow me, Mr. Speaker, a small indulgence. 50 billion over the next decade from the application of non-state, non-profit universities as well as an increase in GDP of one to two percentage points for the decade and subsequently followed by half a unit. We all realize that these resources should be significantly channeled into public education. It is indeed a means of financially strengthening the public higher education so that it can carry out its teaching and research work. There is also something else that is important: attracting foreign students constitutes the most systematic and influential form of educational diplomacy. When we have foreign students in Greece, they become infused with the Greek spirit, Greek culture, Greek history, and the Greek language.



There is no better form of person-to-person diplomacy than the educational one. Many of you in the Hellenic Parliament who have studied or lived abroad realize the significance of being in the host country and absorbing influences from there. The third great significance that I particularly value is that the purpose of the bill is to regain a significant national capital that has leaked away. These are the highly qualified Greeks who are currently at universities abroad, either as academic teachers or researchers. The Greek academic capital abroad is beyond imagination. I will present you with data that goes back already seven years, but, I believe, is quite revealing to grasp the full extent of the issue. The estimate is that there are 22,000 - I reiterate, 22,000 - Greek academics abroad, and this is a conservative estimate because there is no formal record. It is estimated that about 0.2% of the Greek population is currently teaching at foreign universities and research centers, - I reiterate 0.2% of the Greek population -, ten times higher than the European average. Do we want these people back? Do we want these people to return to Greece, to contribute to their homeland, to elevate the level of education, but also to provide additional value to the country where most of them have studied? Because there is a significant investment in the capital of Greeces new generation, which unfortunately, in most cases, is not recovered. Six out of ten Greek professors - I want you to pay particular attention to what I am about to say - 6 out of 10 Greek professors are currently at universities abroad.



Only four out of ten Greek professors are at Greek universities. Is this satisfactory? Do you know what the European average is? The European average is that only one professor is at foreign universities, and we have six. The majority of Greek professors are at universities abroad. Do we want them in Greece? We need a clear answer to this. They must return to Greece and contribute to their homeland. And I will tell you one last piece of information, because I fear I have tired you. Allow me to say something else, if I may.



In 2016, a major study was conducted by the Technical University of Istanbul. The sample was 15,000 professors who teach at the top 50 universities in the United States. It turned out that Greece, proportionally to its population, is the second country with the most teaching staff in the United States. Greek professors are more numerous than all the professors from Africa and Latin America combined. They are only second after Israel. That is a tremendous human capital. The current government and the Greek state must give them real incentives to return to their homeland.



I will conclude by addressing my fellow academic teachers and students. As for the academic teachers, I would like to say, and fortunately, we have university teachers among us in this chamber, that authority does not arise through monopolistic coercion but only through comparison and real superiority. No Greek academic fears this comparison, because the capital of those teaching at Greek universities - and this, I can confidently assert - is so high that it can never be threatened.



And a final word for the students as I conclude. The public university can only gain from the presence of serious, large, and reliable foreign universities that will co-exist with a very strong public university. And I believe and state today that there will be no condition where Greek public university graduates, like myself and most of you, will not excel wherever they may find themselves.



Thank you very much.



SECOND INTERVENTION



Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the MPs who have commented in relation to my speech. Initially, I wish to address what Mr. Mantzos said regarding yesterday's events. We are currently in direct cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities to fully clarify the incident. There was no direct threat to life or integrity. Of course, as you are aware, there was an attack, which is currently under investigation in terms of its causes and origins. Concerning the meetings, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense of European Union member states will participate in a teleconference this afternoon, on the initiative of the French government, to discuss the Ukrainian issue and future steps in relation to the reinforcement of Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression. Whenever you wish, Mr. Mantzos, we can have a further discussion on these matters.



Allow me to turn back to Education. With all due respect, Mr. Tsakalotos, you must allow me to say that I have fulfilled my duty as an academic for 20 years at the Law School, and for this reason, I will only take instructions and orders from my students. Everyone is judged by their actions, their consistency, and above all, their contribution to the Greek academic community. The fact that from what I said in my speech, you retained the budgetary issues, I attribute it rather to professional perversity, Mr. Tsakalotos. Because what I did say was that resources will enter the country to strengthen the public university, that we will create conditions for the return of the vast human capital that has been lost, highly qualified individuals, so that they may contribute to their homeland, and that we are creating conditions for upgrading the Greek public university, so that it can continue its great work. And you know better than myself, Mr. Tsakalotos, that the Greeks who currently serve in the Greek public university are in huge disproportion to all the quality indicators regarding publications, based on all credible studies. Therefore, there is no reason for concern and there is no need to judge the Greek professors serving in the Greek public university. There are others who could possibly do just as well from their own experience.



I will answer you on the legal aspect. Although you understand that we can have any discussion you want on economic matters, as regards legal matters, I will try to simplify as much as possible because there is a higher degree of complexity. Article 16, Mr. Tsakalotos, is not interpreted paragraph by paragraph, and no legal provision is interpreted paragraph by paragraph. For this reason, since the 19th century, there has been what we call in law, a systematic interpretation. You can never see a provision isolated from another, and for that reason, the unity concerning higher education is an interpretative unity. You referred to Legal Entities of Public Law. The answer is very clear. The state is obliged to organize higher education provided by the state itself in the form of Legal Entities of Public Law. There cannot be a state university, Mr. Tsakalotos; there can only be a public self-administered university under the terms provided by Article 16. Why? Because the revising -essentially constitutional- legislator of 1975, following earlier constitutions, intended the university to be distanced in relation to state choices, so that it can operate autonomously and produce education and culture. Thus, under this interpretation, the provisions regarding Legal Entities of Public Law concern the way the state delivers its university education.



This does not preclude, Mr. Tsakalotos, the presence of non-profit universities installed in Greece - not created but installed - and for this reason, the constitutional revision is useful to clarify the landscape regarding creation, which is currently prohibited. You asked, Mr. Tsakalotos, - and I detected a hint of irony in the way you spoke - if I indeed believe that with the establishment of non-state, non-profit universities we will attract foreign students. The answer is very clear. I am not a nihilist. I believe in my country. I believe that students will come, as happened, Mr. Tsakalotos, in countries that did not have this tremendous inertia and also did not have such fixated perceptions regarding higher education. Because this reform, which is coming now is long overdue. If I may, let us consider the examples from our neighborhood, such as Cyprus which has emerged as a hub of higher education in the last decade. The examples are tangible.

We do not need to speculate. You mentioned synergies, Mr. Mantzos. You are absolutely right. The Greek public university has excellent synergies with most foreign universities. However, with all due respect, you will allow me to say that your position that institutions of dubious status and low prerequisites will come to Greece is not valid. It is not valid because, I repeat, such are the safety valves introduced that only a stricter regulation of the field of higher education will exist in Greece. Because the prerequisites set - I repeat, because this body must be aware - are cumulative; they concern both the prerequisites of the foreign university, the parent university, and the relevant legislation, as well as the safety valves that we impose. Mr. Mantzos, I reiterate, I accept any criticism.



However, I would like you to tell me if you disagree. I understand that you have a principled objection which I must confess I have not understood. I would like you to tell me though, apart from this objection, if you disagree with any quality prerequisite set in the bill, or if you think another one should be added. I believe the answer to both will be no. There is nothing for you to say. Allow me to tell you, dear Mr. Mantzos -and I always appreciate your calm speech- that at this moment, in order to support a position that goes against the universal international reality, unfortunately, we invent reasons just to be able to argue.



However, this is not a matter for political confrontation; it is about the present and future generations. Greece, Mr. Mantzos, has always been a producer of education and culture. It has always been outward-looking, and it will remain so. Thank you.
G. GERAPETRITIS: It is our honor to welcome today a true philhellene, who has dedicated his scientific life to studying and teaching Greek literature and disseminating the values of Greek education and culture.



Honorable Minister, dear Filip,



Welcome to Athens, a city familiar to you since you lived here during your academic research.



Montenegro is a friendly nation with which we traditionally maintain political, historical and cultural ties.



Building upon these solid foundations, we would like to strengthen our cooperation on more levels, such as economy, transportation, and tourism.



We already record significant actions in these fields.



The most typical example is tourism, with the Athens-Podgorica air connection, which has significantly contributed to turning Greece into the most popular summer tourist destination for the citizens of Montenegro.



We hope to increase the frequency of flights to allow for more citizens from Montenegro and also have more options for the Athens-Podgorica route.



Regarding our economic cooperation, our bilateral trade is in a development phase. Yet there is great scope for further expansion, especially in the fields of innovation, technology, green and digital transition and communications.



Regarding infrastructure projects, the completion of the Adriatic-Ionian motorway is critical for regional interconnectivity.



On the occasion of today's visit by our friend, the Minister, I would like to express, once again, Greece's support for Montenegro's European perspective.



Our firm position is that the Western Balkans European perspective will enhance regional security, prosperity, peace, and stability. Since the 2003 Thessaloniki Summit, Greece has been at the forefront, playing an active role in this regard, and will continue to do so.



The accession perspective of all candidate states must be governed by the principle of own merits and full respect for International Law, the rule of law, democracy, the European acquis and good neighborly relations.



In this regard, I welcome the progress Montenegro has made regarding the accession negotiations.



In particular, I would like to express our satisfaction with Podgorica's full alignment with the decisions of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy.



The coalition among all European states, with the collective interest and peace in mind, is particularly crucial at a time when wars in our wider region, in Ukraine and the Middle East, threaten global stability and violate International Law.



During the accession negotiations, Greece will continue to provide Montenegro with technical assistance concerning the integration of the European acquis in various fields of action.



Greece will remain committed to promoting Montenegros candidacy, which has made very significant progress regarding its convergence with the European Union. We hope that we will soon have the opportunity to welcome Montenegro to the European family.



Honorable Minister, dear Filip,



I would like to assure you that Greece and the Greek people will remain by the side of your friendly nation and we will continue to work together for our peoples prosperity as well as regional and international peace.



It is with great pleasure and honor that I welcome you to Athens.



JOURNALIST: The question concerns the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs. I would like a comment from him on the humanitarian corridor being established for Gaza. What will Greeces stance be?



G. GERAPETRITIS: I would like to emphasize that Greeces presence in issues concerning the major humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, is constant and ongoing. We are in communication with all our partners who are involved in the humanitarian sea corridor, especially with Cyprus, with whom we are in excellent cooperation.



Greece encourages the establishment of this corridor. We believe that the crisis is currently at a tipping point. For this reason, we should find all possible ways to provide humanitarian relief until a definitive solution to the cessation of hostilities and a viable solution to the Middle East issue is achieved.



Greece will provide every possible assistance with its ports and infrastructure, as well as its commercial fleet.



It has been and remains a priority of Greek foreign policy to create conditions that will alleviate the major humanitarian crisis currently dramatically unfolding in the Middle East.








Air Force officials are reducing planned troop totals in their 2025 budget request, cutting the total number of airmen in the service after missing its recruiting goal last year for the first time in more than two decades.

During a roundtable on Friday, officials told reporters that the projected end strength in the 2024 budget request for the Department of the Air Force was 512,000. In 2025, the service is aiming for 504,000 people. The service also plans to continue pumping money into bonuses and incentives to attract and retain airmen.

"That was probably assuming some optimistic growth that just given the recruiting challenges that we've experienced the last year was unrealistic," Maj. Gen. Michael Greiner, the Air Force's deputy assistant secretary for budget, said about the earlier 2024 end-strength number.

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The Air Force's budget submission requested funding for 8,000 fewer airmen, Maj. Kaitlin Holmes, an Air Force spokeswoman, said -- 4,700 less from active duty, 2,600 less from the reserves and 700 less in the Air National Guard. Due to last year's shortfall, Congress reduced the end strength for fiscal 2024 in that year's National Defense Authorization Act.

The budget request made public on Monday now goes to Congress, which will take it under advisement as lawmakers debate and craft their own budget plans for the Air Force and the rest of the military throughout this year.

Last year, the Air Force announced a 10% shortfall in its active-duty recruiting goals -- marking the first time since 1999 the service missed its target numbers.

The Air Force said it is on better footing and is at about 101% of its month-to-month recruiting goals and has completely filled jobs for February, March and well into April, Military.com reported last month.

The last time the Air Force did not reach 100% of its recruitment goal, prior to 2023, was in 1999 when Millenials -- who were born between 1981 and 1996 -- first began to reach the age of service. In 1979, the Air Force also missed its goals when Gen X began to reach the age for military service, according to a 2002 research paper from Air University.

Now, all the services are working to recruit Gen Z -- defined as those born between 1997 and 2012.

That has been a challenge during the past few years as the U.S. has seen some of its lowest unemployment rates in decades and civilian employers are offering higher-paying jobs with better quality-of-life benefits. Added to that, the Pentagon has released studies showing that only 23% of American youth are eligible to serve due to being overweight, using drugs, or having mental or physical health problems.

The Air Force Recruiting Service has told Military.com in the past that less than 10% of the young population is interested in serving in the first place; 50% can't even name all the military service branches.

In the Air Force's 2025 budget request -- which is seeking a little more than $188 billion overall for a modest 1.6% increase from last year's ask of $185 billion -- service officials are continuing to heavily fund various bonus and incentive programs to the tune of $1.1 billion.

Among those are $327 million for aviation bonuses, $91 million for initial enlistment bonuses, $21 million for cyber retention bonuses and $10 million for the service's enlisted college loan repayment program.

"We really do continue to stay focused on our bonus and retention programs," Greiner said. "Our retention rates remain very high. We're at near record levels above 90% on both enlisted and officer."

In an effort to improve quality of life, the Air Force is also proposing a 4.5% pay raise, a 4.2% housing allowance raise and a 3.4% basic meal allowance raise.

Other major improvements the Air Force is proposing in its budget request includes $4.1 billion for construction projects at various bases to include $185 million for new dorms at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia as well as Joint Base San Antonio. Additionally, it funds a new child development center at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

Related: Air Force Recruiting Is on the Upswing. Service Says It's 'Cautiously Optimistic' About Hitting Goals for 2024.
A Marine stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe will spend 30 years in a military prison for sexually assaulting children in Hawaii and other states.

Staff Sgt. Jawan T. Hale, 37, pleaded guilty to 13 charges of crimes against children as defined by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He was sentenced Wednesday.

The charges include three counts of rape of a child, three counts of sexual abuse of a child, two counts of production of child sexual abuse material, three counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, one count of indecent language pertaining to a minor and one count of solicitation.

"The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is dedicated to justice and the protection of the most vulnerable members of our community, " said Oliver Scammell, NCIS Hawaii Field Office acting special agent in charge. "This sends a clear message that such reprehensible actions will not be tolerated within the Navy or Marine Corps ranks."

Hale is from Iron City, Ga., and previously worked with the 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, providing fuel for amphibious assault vehicles at Fort Bragg, N.C.

NCIS special agents arrested Hale in February 2023 after they got a tip from law enforcement partners and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Agents found "large quantities of digital evidence showing the sexual exploitation of children, " according to a NCIS news release.

When questioned, Hale admitted to molesting a child. Evidence gathered during the investigation showed Hale preyed on his victims by targeting single mothers with young children.

Hale's sentencing "reflects the gravity of the offenses committed by Staff Sgt. Hale, " Scammell said. "The military justice system has acted swiftly and decisively to hold him accountable for his actions."

Hale's sentencing, handed down by a military judge, is effective immediately. Hale also will be dishonorably discharged, required to register as a sex offender and have a reduction in rank to private.

The case was prosecuted by Marine judge advocates, the attorneys "responsible for upholding the law and core values of the Marine Corps, " according to the MJA website. "They are Marine Officers first and attorneys second."

NCIS "encourages individuals who believe they may be victims or have information related to Hale's crimes to come forward."

They can contact NCIS using the NCIS Tips App or visit for further assistance. Reports also may be submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678 ) or online to.

___

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The Marine Corps has published new marksmanship guidelines, shifting how Marines are scored on their annual rifle qualifications and how those in the early stages of training are initially tested.

The changes, which were released Monday and are effective immediately, include a greater focus on getting Marines to shoot at expert levels versus mere completion of their annual rifle qualification.

Col. Greg Jones, the commanding officer for Weapons Training Battalion at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, said Marines should "be proud of the service for being really, really serious about finding better pathways to train to increase their lethality."

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"So, when they do go downrange, they're better able to defend themselves and their peers," he added.

Under the latest version of Marine Corps Order 3574.2, Marines will no longer be allowed to accept marksman or sharpshooter scores on pre-qualification day at the range. Only those who shoot at the expert level will still be allowed to accept the score and opt out of the rest of the qualifying portion of their annual rifle qualification, or ARQ.

"We don't want [Marines] to accept less than only [their] best effort," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Joshua Grayek, director of Marine Corps marksmanship. The motivation for the move is similar to the 2023 update allowing Marines more than one chance per year to pass their annual qualification.

Another update will allow Marines to shoot in the prone position while using the magazine as a sort of bipod support for their rifle. Previously, this was allowed only while zeroing during the Table 1 phase -- which is shot in various positions from the 200-, 300- and 500-yard lines.

The change is reflective of the newer and higher-quality Magpul magazines used, compared to the metal magazines of old, Jones said. He added this is a prime example of more changes to come that prove the Marine Corps is working to "cross-pollinate best practices from other advances in marksmanship over to entry-level training."

Marines training at the various Schools of Infantry and the Basic School will now be allowed to use the rifle marksmanship assessment, or RMA, instead of finishing Tables 3 and 6, which fleet Marines will still be required to complete. These tables traditionally include shooting with night-vision goggles and firing at targets posted at unknown distances, skills that are similarly included in the RMA, just under new scoring standards.

According to Grayek, the RMA offers a better system of scoring that gives Marines more accurate feedback and therefore should allow them a greater chance at improving.

"For most legacy marksmanship, the only evaluation criteria was where the bullet landed on the target," Grayek said. "But now we're quantifying how quick your first shot was, how fast you can present to the target, how fast you can reload, and then presented again for your follow-up shots."

Through the RMA, Marines will be given feedback on every single round, Jones said. Officer trainees will undergo a similar assessment tailored to the more-limited timeline of the Basic School.

It builds on the increased difficulty added in 2021 updates to the ARQ, a test first established in the early 1900s, and uses updated data analytic systems, like the MantisX BlackbeardX system, to give Marines what they need to be their most lethal selves, Grayek and Jones said. The instructor-to-shooter ratio will also be smaller, allowing for more individualized help and feedback.

The order also notes that updates will be made to the combat pistol program, or CPP. Jones and Grayek clarified this will include scoring shots on target along the same standards as rifle qualification, which have to hit "more lethal" spots like the head and chest.

The changes are thanks to an assessment started about five years ago that essentially revealed Marines are not good at four things when it comes to their marksmanship, Jones explained.

The lethality assessment showed that Marines "don't do a very good job shooting while moving, shooting at moving targets, and shooting at an unknown distance." The fourth thing was that the service wasn't collecting enough data to appropriately assess marksmanship, Jones said.

That led in 2022 to changes to how Marines in the fleet are supposed to qualify on the range, including shooting from positions more closely resembling those found in combat situations while also wearing the same flak vests and kevlar Marines wear when forward-deployed. In the latter half of 2023, the changes dictated in the updated order were phased in aboard the recruit depots and the Schools of Infantry. The early results from those changes appeared promising, according to Jones and Grayek.

"The data analytics really just brings 21st-century information-age technology down to the level of every Marine to help them be more lethal," Jones said. "This helps us be the most ready when the nation's least ready, and we're not going to rest on our laurels just because we're in a time of peace."

-- Rachel Nostrant is a Marine Corps veteran and freelance journalist, with work published in Reuters, New York Magazine, Military Times and more.

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ALTA, Norway -- Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Zachery Matthews often sleeps with an IV bag close to his chest at night when he's in a cold place. Corpsmen who work in environments like the Arctic said they keep essential medical fluids near their bodies, using their natural heat to keep them warm. In trauma care, seconds matter and there is no time to wait for liquids to thaw.

On Saturday, Matthews helped lift a Norwegian soldier onto a gurney; another needed intubating. Noise and energy flowed through the medical tent as X-ray machines snapped, surgical instruments clinked and those fluids Matthews often kept close to his chest were passed back and forth between American and Norwegian hands, ice free.

Matthews, along with six other U.S. service members, are part of a U.S. Navy shock trauma platoon -- a specialized unit that acts as a mobile emergency room on the battlefield -- taking part in NATO's massive Nordic Response 2024 exercise. That day, alongside the Norwegian military, they demonstrated what they would do if the unit received several casualties at once in a simulated, but nonetheless serious, exercise.

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With the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine passing two weeks ago and NATO forces -- along with the U.S. and Norwegian soldiers Military.com interviewed on Saturday -- exercising close to Russia's border now, the war has helped reshape the way some military trauma professionals think about casualty care.

"It's looking like, gone are the days of being able to set up massive field hospitals that won't be a target and where you're going to need to pack up and move quickly," U.S. Navy Lt. Kathleen Laboa, the officer in charge of the shock trauma platoon, told Military.com as her corpsmen helped hurry patients into the operating room of the field tent where Norwegian medical teams simulated emergency surgery.

Over the last 20 years, the U.S. has fought counterinsurgency wars that -- relative to the level now seen in Ukraine -- allowed for robust and uncontested medical processes. Now, as the U.S. prepares for large-scale, conventional conflicts, the realization that those systems need to change has set in.

"Unfortunately, a lot of this is based off of the data that we had from the last conflicts in the last 10-20 years," she said, pointing to blast injuries from improvised explosives devices as a hallmark injury of the Global War on Terror. There is a dearth of information available outside of those wars, she said, but "believe it or not, we're getting a ton of data from the casualties coming out of Ukraine."

She pointed to artillery shells, mortars, as well as other heavy ordnance used by Russia that have wrought havoc on the Ukrainian battlefield. And while the Ukrainians pioneered drone use during that war, Russia has increased its own production and used them to deadly effect. Mines, too, have caused serious injuries and death.

Those who survive those weapons are often left with burns, shrapnel injuries and -- in increasing numbers -- lost limbs. While American service members experienced those types of injuries during the Global War on Terror, the staggering volume of wounds suffered in Ukraine have placed pressure on its medical systems. In just two years, many tens of thousands of Ukrainians are estimated to be amputees due to the war, and the country's once-fledgling prosthetic industry has grown to meet the need.

Members of the shock trauma platoon said that they have watched the global events unfold and have thought about how they would meet their own needs during a potential conflict of their own.

"The biggest takeaway is, we're going to have to flex, we're going to have to change," Matthews said. "With medicine always evolving, we're looking at prolonged field care as our next option. How are we going to keep that casualty without a medevac for multiple hours? Are we going to bring out the loadout we need? [Are] there going to be different loadouts we need to try out with medical gear?"

Laboa said her team is learning that medical assets need to be maneuverable. Time is a paramount factor in trauma care. Installments such as the medical tent she helped direct can take up to six hours to set up, she said, adding that "you can't really afford to waste that time."

To reduce those time constraints, she said her team is working to provide specialized medical professionals closer to the front so patients can receive care sooner. Working out of urban environments, non-medical structures and undesignated vehicles like turning a van into an ambulance, she said, were all things the shock trauma platoon was eyeing.

The flow of medical operations in Alta, Norway, where the units are participating in NATO's Nordic Response, is tiered. Corpsmen down at the front with the line units assess injuries and determine if a Marine or sailor needs additional care. If they do, they are processed into field tents, such as the one Laboa and Matthews are working out of. If they need even more care, they are sent to a Norwegian civilian hospital.

That partnership has been a boon for the Americans and Nowegians working together, they said. The shock trauma platoon and the Norwegian medical team started their first simulations Saturday morning and representatives from both units told Military.com the unity has been smooth since.

Blood and fluids, such as the ones Matthews spoke about, work differently in cold temperatures, and the Norwegians know how to manage it, he said. Even things such as making sure American stretchers can fit in Norwegian medical vehicles, and vice versa, is a critical piece of integration to check for.

Normally, the shock trauma platoon would not have a surgical element and would be able to treat two or three urgent casualties at a time. With the Norwegians, that number has increased, and the medical unit is bolstered by an operating room that can perform emergency surgeries right there in the tent. The Americans also provide another skilled emergency team in the field tent to process and work on patients.

"I think it's important for us to work together because if there is a war, if there is an Article 5, NATO needs to protect the members," Norwegian Maj. Richard Sadem, the company commander of the field hospital, told Military.com. "It's important that we do this during peacetime -- working together, working together as closely as we can."

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WARSAW, Poland  Poland's president on Monday called on other members of the NATO alliance to raise their spending on defense to 3% of their gross domestic product as Russia puts its economy on a war footing and pushes forward with its invasion of Ukraine.

President Andrzej Duda made his call in remarks directed at home and abroad. His appeal came on the eve of a visit to the White House, where U.S. President Joe Biden will receive both Duda and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday.

In the face of the war in Ukraine and Russias growing imperial aspirations, the countries making up NATO must act boldly and uncompromisingly, Duda said in a Monday evening address to his nation.

His appeal comes at Poland marks the 25th anniversary of its accession to NATO, along with the Czech Republic and Hungary, on March 12, 1999.

Poland is proud to have been a part of it for 25 years, he said. There has been and there is no better guarantor of security than the North Atlantic Alliance."

The war in Ukraine has clearly shown that the United States is and should remain the leader in security issues in Europe and the world, Duda said in his speech to his nation. However, other NATO countries must also take greater responsibility for the security of the entire alliance and intensively modernize and strengthen their troops.

NATO members agreed in 2014 to boost their defense spending to 2% of GDP after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, but most members, including Germany, still fall short of that benchmark.

Poland, however, now spends 4% of its GDP on defense, making it the member to spend the most in percentage terms as it modernizes its military, while the U.S. is well above 3%.

Russias imperialistic ambitions and aggressive revisionism are pushing Moscow toward a direct confrontation with NATO, with the West and, ultimately, with the whole free world, Duda said in an op-ed published in The Washington Post.

Duda said that puts the United States and Poland in a position to lead by example and provide an inspiration for others.

The Russian Federation has switched its economy to war mode. It is allocating close to 30 percent of its annual budget to arm itself," Duda argued in the newspaper op-ed. This figure and other data coming out of Russia are alarming. Vladimir Putins regime poses the biggest threat to global peace since the end of the Cold War.

Duda will visit Brussels for a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg after his visit to the U.S.
Unemployed military spouses could have child care fully paid for during their job search under a proposal being crafted by a leading lawmaker.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee's military quality-of-life panel, is advocating for what she has termed a "GI Bill for child care." The proposal would provide grants of up to $15,000 per kid to cover child care for 6-9 months while spouses try to reenter the workforce, according to a fact sheet provided by her office.

The proposal is meant to address a "chicken-and-egg kind of circumstance where sometimes you can't afford child care because you don't have a job, [but] you don't have a job because you can't afford child care," Houlahan told Military.com in a recent interview in her Washington, D.C., office.

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"We want to provide a benefit for those people who have served us and their families that is the equivalent of a GI Bill, that gives them the boost, the shot in the arm that allows you to afford child care," added Houlahan, a retired Air Force captain.

Military spouse unemployment has remained stubbornly high over the last decade despite years of efforts by the federal government to incentivize employers and even as the overall U.S. unemployment rate reaches new lows following the economy's post-pandemic rebound.

The Defense Department's most recent spouse survey, from 2021, found spouse unemployment has hovered around 21% since 2015. By contrast, the overall unemployment rate in the U.S. was 3.9% in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Meanwhile, affordability of child care has also continued to be an issue even as the Pentagon has sought to reduce costs. Earlier this year, the Defense Department announced it was restructuring the costs of its on-base, child-care centers so that lower-income families pay less and higher-income families pay more in an effort to make the price of child care more equitable.

Access to on-base child care has also been an issue, with long waitlists exacerbated by staffing shortages locking parents out of that option. But the cost of civilian child care is often out of reach for service members, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Houlahan raised the idea of the "GI Bill for child care" during meetings with the quality-of-life panel she co-leads with Chairman Don Bacon, R-Neb., and her office said they are hopeful parts of it could be included in the panel's final report and recommendations.

But her office also described the proposal as more of a personal project than an official undertaking of the quality-of-life panel and said she would pursue it as a standalone bill if it does not get included in the panel's recommendations.

Much like the GI Bill covers a veteran's education by sending payments directly to their school, Houlahan's proposal would send the grant money directly to child-care centers. That would allow the child-care providers to plan for the staffing they need while also ensuring military families don't have to pay up-front and rely on being reimbursed later, her office said.

While the proposal is being branded as similar to the GI Bill, Houlahan's office stressed that it would not involve amending the law that provides the GI Bill benefit to veterans.

Houlahan's proposal would start as a pilot program with the exact locations to be determined in collaboration with the Defense Department and other key players, according to the fact sheet. Those running the program would also work to identify child-care providers that have the capacity to accommodate more families.

The fact sheet identifies one company, Higher Ground Education, that has committed to increasing its capacity to participate in the program. The company operates a nationwide network of early childhood centers and schools that follow the Montessori model of education.

Military families nonprofit Blue Star Families would be involved in oversight of the pilot program, including studying its effects on spouse employment and overall family financial well-being, according to the fact sheet.

For Houlahan, the issue of child-care affordability in the military is personal. One of the reasons she said she left active duty in 1991 was because she and her husband couldn't afford child care.

"I hope it has legs," she said of the proposal. "I think it's something that people can kind of sink their mind into."

Related: Tax-Free Pay, 2-Year Leave of Absence for Parents Among Ideas Being Floated by House's Military Quality-of-Life Panel
After years of growth, the young Space Force may be about to see its first funding cuts under its own budget plan unveiled on Monday -- but service officials insist it's still on good footing to address rising threats in low earth orbit.

The service, which was established in 2019, is requesting $29.4 billion for fiscal 2025, about $600 million -- or 2% -- less than the $30 billion it proposed in the last budget request. Congress will still have to debate and eventually approve a final budget for the service, and so far, lawmakers haven't even passed the previous budget.

The potential cuts come as threats continue to proliferate in space, with the White House reporting that Russia may be pursuing a nuclear space weapon and China advancing with anti-satellite capabilities and a space plane.

Read Next: Air Force Reduces End Strength Goal in Budget Proposal, Bets Big on Recruitment Bonuses

"So the net effect of the constraints that we have [is] that we're not moving forward as fast as I'd like to in space, but we're still moving forward," Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters during a roundtable on Friday. "And you're going to actually see a small decrease in that number for the Space Force."

Until Monday, growth in the service budget was more the norm. The $30 billion the Space Force asked for in fiscal 2024 was a more than $5 billion increase from the previous year's request, the largest in the service's history at that point.

"This is the first time the U.S. Space Force budget has decreased since the U.S. Space Force has had its own budget established in FY21," Maj. Annabel Monroe, an Air Force spokeswoman, said in a statement to Military.com.

The 2% decrease in the Space Force's 2025 budget request is due to several factors. One of those is that fewer launches will be scheduled in the next fiscal year.

"Launches have slipped because payloads have not been ready," Kendall said. The anticipated fewer satellite and rocket launches means less funding will be necessary for them.

The Space Force also proposes a decrease from fiscal 2024 in the research, development, test and evaluation section of its budget. According to the budget documents, the service is asking for $18.7 billion in 2025, as compared to the $19.1 billion it sought last year. It also reduced the procurement budget from $4.7 billion down to $4.3 billion.

But, notably, the Space Force is still spending money on its people. It hopes to increase the size of the force from 9,400 Guardians in 2024 to 9,800 in the 2025 budget request.

Additionally, the Space Force is also seeking $25 million in selective retention bonuses and initial enlistment bonuses, as well as $5.7 million for assignment incentive pay.

Unlike the Air Force, the Space Force has not had to struggle with recruiting challenges and often has no problem filling the small number of spots available each year.

News of the decrease in the Space Force budget comes as global tensions in the Pacific, Middle East and Europe increase and threats in space become more public.

Last month, the White House announced that Russia had a "troubling" emerging, anti-satellite weapon that could severely disrupt U.S. military and civilian operations in outer space. Some U.S. government officials suspect the system may be nuclear, a prospect that raises concerns that the Russian government could not only disable strategic satellites in orbit, but, in turn, deal a major blow to the U.S. economy by degrading both government and civilian space-based operations, Military.com wrote.

Additionally, China continues to be the Department of the Air Force's overwhelming focus.

In 2007, China fired a ballistic missile, destroying its own satellite and creating a cloud of more than 3,000 pieces of space debris, the largest ever tracked, according to the nonprofit Secure World Foundation.

A 2021 threat report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence indicated that "China has ground-based lasers capable of blinding or damaging optical sensors on low-altitude satellites," according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Last year, China deployed its highly secretive space plane into outer space for the third time. It was just one day before the Space Force's own space plane, the X-37B, was set to launch.

"We've really got a problem with space," Kendall told reporters on Friday. "China has fielded a combination of anti-satellite capabilities and space-based targeting capabilities. So they're threatening our space assets and they're threatening our joint force, and we've got to respond to that."

Related: What Does the Space Force Do? 4 Years After Its Birth, Glimpses of the Service's Mission Emerge
KYIV  Ukraine's air defenses fended off another large-scale Russian attack with combat drones overnight, the military said on Sunday, while the Kremlin appointed a new head of the navy.

In Ukraine, all but four of the 39 approaching drones were apparently intercepted and destroyed. There were reportedly no casualties.

"I would like to thank everyone who achieved this result," Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk wrote on his Telegram channel on Sunday morning.

The past week saw almost nightly attacks with dozens of drones by one or both sides.

According to Ukraine's military, an enemy drone hit an industrial building in the southern Odessa region in the latest assault. Another damaged a power line in the neighboring Mykolaiv region.

The Iranian-made Shahed drones were launched from the Russian coast of the Sea of Azov and from the Crimean peninsula. Russia also reportedly fired four converted S-300 anti-aircraft missiles at ground targets in the eastern Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.

A simultaneous night-time attack by Ukraine resulted in a drone hitting a fuel depot in the Russian border region of Kursk and catching fire, the local governor Roman Starovoit wrote on Telegram. The fire brigade was dealing with the incident, he said.

In addition to heavy ground fighting in the east and south of Ukraine, both sides have increased their use of explosive-laden drones since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbor more than two years ago.

Ukrainian drones have increasingly targeted supply facilities supporting the Russian military operations.

Separately, the Russian newspaper Izvestia, citing unnamed sources, reported on Sunday that the commander of the Russian navy, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, has been retired.

Yevmenov has been replaced by Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, the previous commander of the Northern Fleet, the report said. The website of the Russian Ministry of Defence did not initially provide any information on this.

Izvestia did not provide a reason for the personnel change.

Yevmenov's departure comes after the Russian Black Sea Fleet recently suffered considerable losses of combat ships and soldiers due to attacks by Ukrainian missiles and so-called naval drones - unmanned boats loaded with explosives.

Due to the threat posed by the Ukrainian armed forces, Russian naval combat units have largely withdrawn from the occupied Crimea peninsula.

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2024 dpa GmbH. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Red Sox recently signed right-hander Brayan Bello to a six-year, $55MM extension that extends their team control over the youngster by two years. That deal isnt the only possible extension for a young potential cornerstone that Boston has pursued this winter, however, as first baseman Triston Casas confirmed to reporters that he and the Red Sox have discussed a possible extension as well. At the time, Casas indicated that while he would love to spend his entire career in Boston, the club had yet to present him with anything enticing to that point. In the wake of Bellos extension, Casas recently discussed his own extension negotiations with the Red Sox, as relayed by Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.

In his comments, Casas reiterating that he hopes to play in Boston for the rest of [his] career while also providing an update on the discussions hes had with Red Sox brass. Per Casas, the sides are still talking but theres been no numerical values discussed to this point and that nothing has really accelerated to this point. Even as the 24-year-old makes clear he hopes to spend his entire career in Boston, it doesnt seem as though he feels much urgency to get a deal done anytime soon.

I think I have a lot of work to do before I feel like I can say I deserve that contract extension to be the long-term first baseman for the Boston Red Sox, Casas said, as relayed by Speier. So if I dont get that offer, Im not upset at anybody in the organization. Im not upset with myself.

Although Casas claims to have not yet performed at a level that would warrant the extension hes looking for, he certainly turned in a strong performance in his first full big league season last year. In 132 games with the Red Sox, Casas slashed an impressive .263/.367/.490 (129 wRC+) in 502 trips to the plate. That strong overall performance was bolstered by a torrid second half that saw Casas slash an incredible .317/.417/.617 in 54 games with a 175 wRC+ that was the fifth-best figure among all hitters with at least 200 plate appearances down the stretch, bested by only Shohei Ohtani, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Mookie Betts. If the sides are unable to come to an agreement this spring, a 2024 campaign that even comes close to resembling his second half last year would surely improve Casass earning power considerably.

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In a sure sign of the changing seasons, migratory birds are slowly making their way back north right now.

From tiny songbirds to enormous soaring cranes and eagles, springs earliest arrivers are starting to appear in Michigan forests, wetlands and fields  sometimes even showing up with big appetites at backyard bird feeders.

Keeping an eye or ear out for spring birds can be an exciting way to shake off any late-winter cabin fever and feel increasingly connected to Michigans great outdoors. Heres a short guide to just a few of the species you might see and hear right now, as well as some tips for where to look.

Bald eagles: While some of these stately raptors remain in Michigan for the winter, those that migrate are often among the first birds to return in early spring. Adults are easy to spot soaring in the sky or building their enormous nests near lakes, rivers or other bodies of water; just look for their telltale white heads and tails. Younger bald eagles can be more difficult to ID because theyre mostly a mottled brown, and the distinctive white markings dont appear until the birds are four or five years old.

RELATED: 2 key winter birdfeeding tips to keep birds safe this season

Song sparrows: This streaky brown-and-white songbird can be heard calling brightly from overgrown fields and at the edges of marshes and ponds. Sparrows can be tricky to tell apart from one another, so it can be helpful to learn their lovely calls and field markings before you go out.

Red-winged blackbirds: The distinctive call of these wetland dwellers is synonomous with early spring in Michigan. As they return from the southern U.S. this time of year, you can easily spot the males  glossy black with bright red shoulder patches  as they sing their hearts out near ponds, small lakes and cattail marshes. If youd like to help them refuel after the exhausting trip back north, stock your backyard feeders with black-oil sunflower seeds, cracked corn and peanut hearts.

RELATED: Bird thats a sure sign of spring already returning to Michigan right now

Killdeer: This lively little bird is named after its unmistakable high-pitched call, which is said to sound like the words kill-deer. Killdeer are technically shorebirds, related to the endangered Great Lakes piping plover, but in many parts of Michigan they are commonly found on open landscapes like lawns, golf courses and parking lots. Listen for their namesake call and you might find them overhead on the wing, or skittering around nearby on their quick little legs.

Sandhill cranes: Warmer winters have led some of these spindly birds to stick it out in southern Michigan all year long, but this time of year most are just now returning from balmier locations like Mexico and Cuba. In spring you can look for sandhill cranes in wet meadows, marshy areas and agricultural fields, though if you learn their distinctive, prehistoric-sounding call, you can also hear them when theyre flying overhead.
DETROIT - Sting is planning to tour all over the world in 2024 after a busy concert schedule the last couple of years, including a Vegas residency. He plans to return to Michigan this year for two intimate theater concerts.

The former frontman for The Police will be at The Fillmore in downtown Detroit on Tuesday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 18. Tickets go on sale on Friday, March 15 at 10 a.m. Stings last concert in Michigan was a big arena show at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on May 7, 2022.
By ED WHITE Associated Press

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP)  The father of a Michigan school shooter told police shortly after the fatal attack that a gun and ammunition used by his son had been hidden at the familys home, according to a video seen by jurors Friday.

James and Jennifer Crumbley were interviewed in a small room at a sheriffs office while Ethan Crumbley was kept in another room. Two investigators spoke calmy as they tried to get as much information as possible from the parents.

Is it possible for me to have a water? My mouth is super dry, James Crumbley asked before the interview began.

James Crumbley, 47, is on trial for involuntary manslaughter in his 15-year-old sons killing of four students at Oxford High School. Hes accused of failing to secure the gun at home and ignoring signs of his sons mental distress.

The gun was hidden in our armoire in the case, and the bullets were hidden in a different spot underneath some jeans, James Crumbley declared, not adding anything more about how Ethan might have discovered them.

He said he immediately raced home when he learned about the shooting and found the gun missing.

I called you guys right away to let you know, James Crumbley said of a 911 call.

The gun, a Sig Sauer 9 mm, is a critical issue. Prosecutors said a cable lock given to James Crumbley when he bought the gun with Ethan four days earlier was still in the package.

We go to the shooting range all the time. Ive been trying to teach him safety, James Crumbley told investigators.

The parents said their son had mediocre grades and was failing geometry. They wondered aloud if they should have a lawyer when speaking to police, but continued sharing information.

I really wish we would have taken him home, Jennifer Crumbley said.

She was referring to a meeting at the school a few hours ahead of the shooting. The Crumbleys had met with staff who gave them a drawing of a gun, blood, and a wounded person on Ethans math assignment. There were anguished phrases: The thoughts wont stop. Help me. My life is useless.

But the Crumbleys didnt take their son home, and the school, concerned that he might be suicidal if alone, didnt demand it. A counselor said Jennifer Crumbley seemed more concerned about returning to her job.

No one checked the boys backpack for a gun, however, and the nine-minute shooting happened that afternoon.

Why? Why? Jennifer Crumbley asked Ethan when detectives allowed the parents to see him.

I love you, James Crumbley said repeatedly.

The Crumbleys are the first U.S. parents to be charged with having criminal responsibility for a mass school shooting committed by a child. Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty of the same involuntary manslaughter charges last month.

Defense attorney Mariell Lehman has told jurors that James Crumbley was not aware the son had access to the gun or could be a danger to others.

She noted during cross-examination of a detective Friday that James Crumbley was incredibly emotional at the sheriffs office.

Yes, Det. Sgt. Joe Brian said.

Earlier, jurors heard about the purchase of the gun. Shop manager Cammy Back said James Crumbley, accompanied by his son, paid roughly $520 in cash, including tax, for the firearm.

The son was standing behind him, Back testified. Mr. Crumbley asked to see the Sig Sauer, said that hed had his eye on it for quite some time.

Ethan referred to the gun as my beauty on social media. When he pleaded guilty to murder and terrorism, he said that his money was used to buy the gun. That detail hasnt emerged in his fathers trial because hes not a witness.

Ethan, now 17, is serving a life prison sentence for murder and terrorism.

James Crumbley has been in jail since his arrest more than two years ago. The sheriffs office said Friday that his use of a phone and tablet would be restricted after he used them to make threatening statements while in custody.

Authorities didnt elaborate on the threats. Neither did Judge Cheryl Matthews, who said he can use a phone or tablet only to communicate with his lawyer or clergy.

A gag order in the case bars attorneys from speaking to reporters. The trial will resume for a third day on Monday.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP, MI -- A 34-year-old Harrison Township woman is facing up to life in prison after she allegedly stabbed her cousin Wednesday afternoon at an apartment. The Macomb County Sheriffs Office says it was dispatched to the Prentiss Pointe Apartments around 4:40 p.m. for reports of a domestic violence incident.

Once on scene, police discovered a 36-year-old victim on the floor of the kitchen holding a cloth against her chest. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries and is expected to recover.

The suspect -- identified as Sabrina Finnemore -- was still on scene and police determined she is the victims cousin and roommate. Finnemore allegedly admitted to engaging in a verbal fight with the victim and grabbing a knife during the dispute. However, Finnemore allegedly has no recollection of what happened after that.

She was taken into custody without further incident and was formally arraigned on charges Friday in 41-B District Court. Finnemore is charged with one count each of assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and domestic violence. The assault with intent to murder charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Bond was set at $100,000 cash/surety.
ANN ARBOR, MI  What does it cost to get in line for an apartment in Ann Arbor with no guarantee it will become available in the next year?

In two cases cited by the Ann Arbor Tenants Union, landlords have charged fees well over $6,000.

That includes $6,745 charged by Campus Management Inc. and $6,887.50 charged by Prime Student Housing, according to landlord-tenant agreements the tenant rights organization has publicly circulated while calling for banning waitlist fees.

City Council Member Travis Radina, D-3rd Ward, said he now plans to bring forward an ordinance to ban them.

The onslaught of increasingly excessive waitlist fees and other  often hidden  rental junk fees is a maddening example of predatory profiteering by some landlords who seem hellbent on taking advantage of the approximately 55% of Ann Arbor residents who rent, Radina said.

The fees in some cases arent refundable, Radina and the Tenants Union note.

There is no justifiable reason for a non-refundable waitlist fee  especially some of the exorbitant and extreme examples weve heard about throughout the city, Radina said.

The Campus Management Inc. office next to Ann Arbor's city hall on Huron Street on March 10, 2024. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Chris Heaton, property manager and co-owner of Campus Management, defended the fees, though he doesnt consider them waitlist fees, but rather options to lease.

Campus Management offers option agreements to potential tenants upon request, Heaton said. If they do not get their desired housing because current tenants decide to renew, a full and prompt refund is made, he said.

If their desired housing is available because of non-renewal, and they sign a lease with us, all payments are credited to their account, he said. Along the way, we make sure to observe all timelines imposed by local ordinances.

Ann Arbors rental housing market has long been highly competitive with limited supply and strong demand driven in large part by the University of Michigan student population.

Landlords are now limited in when they can show apartments to prospective tenants and enter new leases under the citys renter rights laws, which were recently updated again to push back against landlords pressuring current tenants to renew leases early by threatening steep rent hikes if they dont.

Ann Arbor gives final OK to strengthen renter rights laws

During the periods when landlords are prohibited from entering new leases, some are now taking the option to lease approach, charging prospective tenants steep fees get in line for occupied apartments where the current tenants may or may not decide to renew for another year.

A Prime Student Housing rental property on Division Street in Ann Arbor on March 10, 2024. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

In the example of a Campus Management option agreement from fall 2023, the opening paragraph acknowledges a prospective tenant can only exercise their option to lease an apartment once the current tenants right to renew expires within the timeframe established under city ordinance.

The tenants currently in possession have been offered a significant renewal incentive that expires on November 30, 2023, the agreement states. If they have not renewed by then, it becomes significantly more likely that they will not renew.

The following paragraphs outline the stipulations for the $6,745 fee to get in line for an apartment, with payments due in three installments: an immediate payment of $1,290, another $2,580 by Feb. 25 and another $2,875 by March 10.

All money paid is non-refundable if the $6,745 is not paid in full, the agreement states.

Additionally, fees are not refunded if the desired apartment becomes available and the person entering the option agreement decides for any reason not to sign a lease, it states, giving them 72 hours starting at 12:01 a.m. March 14 to sign a lease if the apartment becomes available.

If they fail to act, Campus Management will keep their money as liquidated damages, the agreement states.

A Campus Management Inc. rental property on Geddes Avenue in Ann Arbor on March 10, 2024. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

The example of a Prime Student Housing option agreement with a $6,887.50 fee includes similar language, including allowing renters to pick their first and second choices for apartments.

A representative for Prime declined to comment, referring questions to Heaton.

Heaton did not respond to requests for comment on the rationale for charging such high fees for apartments that may not become available, or whether multiple people can pay the fees to get in line behind the current tenant or tenants for the same apartment.

James Nichols, executive officer of the Washtenaw Area Apartment Association, a group representing local landlords, did not respond to requests for comment.

Zackariah Farah, chair of the citys Renters Commission and a member of the Tenants Union, said his group is aware of another landlord charging prospective tenants a $500 reservation fee to join an apartment waitlist.

Since current tenants have the right to renew leases, anyone who pays a reservation fee or option fee is second in line and thus there functionally is a waitlist, Farah argued.

If you wanted to dine at a restaurant but werent first in line for a table, you would say that you were on a waitlist, he said. The difference is that restaurants dont charge you thousands of dollars in fees to be on the list.

A Prime Student Housing rental property on Division Street in Ann Arbor on March 10, 2024. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Some of the waitlist contracts are for a particular apartment or any similar apartment, Farah noted.

The most important thing to remember here is that the prospective tenants who sign these contracts have absolutely no guarantee of receiving a lease, he said. Whether landlords choose to call these options fees, reservation fees or waitlist fees, they are all wrong and should be banned.

The fees also are prohibitively expensive for many renters and are unnecessary, Farah said, adding the Tenants Union believes landlords should immediately refund the fees, the city and state governments should ban them and renters should file consumer complaints with the state attorney generals office.

A Prime Student Housing rental property on Division Street in Ann Arbor on March 10, 2024. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Radina, who expects to bring a new ordinance to the council table soon to crack down on greed in our rental market, said landlords have been empowered for too long to take advantage of tenants to increase their profits and it must end.

He also believes in rent transparency, he said, arguing prospective tenants should have the right to know their full housing costs up front.

Thats why I support banning not only waitlist fees, but all rental junk fees which are driving up housing costs, making financial planning impossible, and making Ann Arbor less affordable for students, families and middle-class workers, he said, indicating hes working with the city attorneys office on it.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - More than a century of history is hitting the real estate market in the Ann Arbor area.

The Wild-Frey farmstead, an historic farmhouse, barn and out-buildings at 7970 W. Liberty Road in Scio Township, will soon be listed for sale for $325,000, according to a new online preview from Reinhart Realtors.

The buyer will take over the property, with roots in the earliest days of German settlement of the area, from Scio Township, which acquired it thanks to a tax foreclosure process.

The property features a more than a century-old farmhouse seated on a fieldstone foundation, a dairy barn dating back to 1906 and other agricultural structures, including a chicken coop and sheep barn.

Officials converted most of the surrounding land into the Liberty Pond Nature Area. And in 2023, they completed the process of turning the remaining farmstead parcel into a local historic district, ensuring its buildings wont be demolished and new owners protect the property.

Read more: Washtenaw County farmstead could turn new page with historic protections in place

Hopefully, well have multiple people who are approaching this as historic preservationists, because thats really what youre buying into when you buy a property that is in a historic district, said Scio Township Supervisor Will Hathaway.

The farmstead in some ways represents an historic fixer-upper. The three-bedroom farmhouse, dating to the early 1900s, is solid, but will require updating and stabilization, according to the real estate listing preview. Some of the out-buildings are also deteriorating, MLive/The Ann Arbor News previously reported.

A farmhouse and several barns on a property at 7970 W. Liberty in Scio Township on Wednesday, Dec. 28 2022.

Officials tried pricing the property at a level that acknowledges theres a lot of work to be done, Hathaway said.

Most people buying a property like this would probably not preserve the buildings. Many buyers would simply start over, but were looking for someone who is going to be a good steward of an historic farm, he said.

The township has placed several conditions on the sale. For one, dividing the five-acre lot wont be permitted.

Another: no party barns, Hathaway said. Officials realize the farmsteads new owners may need to operate some kind of business to generate revenue from the property, but the township didnt want to introduce a new event venue, he added.

Read more: Party barns or a sacred space? Conflict over event venues near Ann Arbor heats up

A full property listing is set to go live Friday, March 15, the supervisor said.

Officials are working with Patrick McCauley, a real estate agent who has co-authored a guide to historic Ann Arbor buildings and has expertise in restoring older structures, according to Hathaway.

Were leaning on him to help us market it so that the potential buyers understand the nature of the property and the commitment that they would be getting into, Hathaway said.

The farmstead draws its name in part from the Frey family, with roots in Wurttemberg, Germany. The Freys owned the farm for more than 70 years between the late 1800s and 1970s, according to a survey report drafted as the property was proposed as a historic district.

Paul Wild, born and raised in Washtenaw County, eventually married into the Frey family, subsequently running an apple cider orchard from the farmstead, before it was taken over in the 1980s by Ernest Bateson, who has since died.

Bateson was hard on the property, with his company Ann Arbor Super Soils scraping topsoil from the land for sale and dredging a pond, according to the historic district report.

He and his companies faced foreclosure proceedings and at least six different lawsuits from local municipalities, including allegations of zoning violations relating to his business, MLive/The Ann Arbor News reported in 2014.

Scio Township officials acquired the land for conservation purposes, and have worked to clean up remnants of the Bateson era while pursuing the historic protections.

The local historic district, the 16th such designation granted in Washtenaw County, offers resources for preservation and restoration through the county Historic District Commission, ensuring any changes to the property are historically appropriate.

The sale of the property is in line with the buy-protect-sell strategy Scio Township has implemented through its farmland conservation program, previously used to purchase, conserve and flip large agricultural properties, like the one that is now the Honeybee U-Pick organic farm.

The township board will ultimately approve a buyer for the Wild-Frey property, Hathaway said. The goal is for the sale to be completed this summer, he added.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
FLINT, MI  It was about two years ago when Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson met a Florida man at Detroit Metro Airport and recorded their interaction in a Facebook live video.

The man, who had been taken into custody while in Florida and escorted to Michigan by sheriffs deputies, was an alleged serial rapist, the sheriff said, wanted in connection with the sexual assault of at least one girl in the Flint area and, eventually authorities would say, women in other states.

Now, that man, Petar Vuk Pejic, will serve 30 years in federal prison for his role in the sexual exploitation of minors and the distribution of child pornography.

This investigation highlights the importance of child sexual abuse reporting requirements, said United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. It was because of the initial abuse report in this case that law enforcement officers were able to identify and stop Pejic from continuing to sexually exploit children online and in person.

The strong cooperation between federal and local law enforcement partners across the country then helped bring Pejic to justice.

Pejic, 23, once faced numerous charges in Genesee County courts. However, those charges were eventually dismissed as the federal government took over the case.

U.S. District Court Judge F. Kay Behm sentenced Pejic after his guilty plea to sexually exploiting a Michigan minor and distributing child pornography he produced of the minor.

After Pejic met the girl online, he requested that she send him sexually explicit videos, which she did, officials said.

In February 2022, Pejic travelled from Florida to Michigan to have sex with the minor, whom officials said Pejic knew was 12 years old at the time. Pejic took the girl to a hotel and raped her, going so far as to record his actions. He then distributed videos of the incident online.

As part of his plea agreement, Pejic also admitted to using the internet to entice two other minors to engage in sexual activity.

Officials said that in March 2022, he travelled from Florida to the states of Oregon and Washington to engage in sexual activity with a 14- and 15-year-old. Pejic also admitted to possessing, receiving, and distributing other child pornography.

Police became aware of Pejics online activities when a victim reported him to the Genesee County Sheriffs Office.

This case highlights the very real and very dark side of child sexual exploitation but, at the same time, it highlights the very real and very positive side of law enforcement working together at every level from the local Sheriff and Prosecutor to federal agents and U.S. Attorneys across multiple state lines, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said in a statement. I am proud of the work we have done together to stop this child predator in his tracks and to see justice through in a court of law.
KENT COUNTY, MI  A man accused of shooting a worker at a Wyoming gas station was ordered held without bond on an attempted-murder charge.

Niko Rey Mena, 20, if Wyoming, was arraigned Monday, March 11, by Wyoming District Judge Steven Timmers on charges of assault with intent to murder, a potential life offense, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearm.

Timmers ordered Mena held without bond.

Related: Shooting that critically injured Wyoming gas station worker happened outside the building

The victim, a 36-year-old Grand Rapids man, was reported to be in critical condition after the shooting on Wednesday, March 6, at the Admiral gas station at 3221 S. Division Ave.

He was shot several times, Wyoming police said.

The shooting happened around 5:40 p.m. Police said in a probable-cause affidavit that Mena had concealed a pistol when he got out of a vehicle and entered the convenience store.

He made contact with the victim who then left the store, police said.

Defendant then followed the victim out of the store, pointed the firearm at the victim and shot him, police said in the document.
BRANCH COUNTY, MI -- Police are investigating a breaking and entering at a gun store in Southwest Michigan, the Michigan State Police said.

After 1 a.m. Monday, March 11, troopers were called to Broadhead and Bullets, a gun and archery store in Coldwater Township for a breaking and entering. The front doors of the business were destroyed, MSP said in a news release.
EDWARDSBURG, MI -- A Facebook page going by the name of a Michigan village advised residents about an error in wastewater billing in late February, telling people to disregard the bill.

Next, the #ShowUsYourHole pothole patching promotion was posted along with mashups of celebrities from Kate Upton to Donald Trump posing atop photos of potholes.

On Monday, March 11, a post about sex toys appeared on the Facebook page titled Village of Edwardsburg.

Officials want residents to know: The village of Edwardsburg did not post the content.

These posts and others were not from the real village page, but from an imposter account created recently, officials told MLive/Kalamazoo Monday morning.

Do people have nothing better to do than to make a fake page for a tiny village? Village Treasurer Sarah Overgaard said. The content drew some concerned calls to village officials, she said.

She reported the page to Facebook, she said, and someone from the company told her they are looking into the page and hoping to get rid of it.

She realized it was going to be a problem when the page posted about the fake billing error, and she worried people could get the wrong idea. The page posted some other misinformation as well, Overgaard said, causing misinformation concerns.

If they do find the page, they might believe it, she said.

Off-color posts appeared next. Which is just gross, Overgaard said.

The village received complaints, she said, and officials have had to explain the situation to multiple people. She does not know who is behind the page, and wonders if it could be someone upset about a local wastewater assessment, which is not new.

A public works employee relayed he was getting texts and phone calls about the pages posts and it was a problem, the treasurer said.

Its been frustrating, she said, and a waste of time. Were a tiny little village. Why? Whats the point?

The village of Edwardsburg had a population of about 1,300 people as of 2020. It is about 55 miles southwest of Kalamazoo, in Cass County, near the Indiana state line.

As of Monday morning, days after the raunchy pothole posts began on March 7, the page remained online.

The fake page also copied the official accounts post advising people about a fake page.

Overgaard pointed out that the real village page URL is facebook.com/VillageOfEdwardsburg, and the imposters URL is different.

The imposter bills itself as the Official page of the Village of Edwardsburg in the page information and lists some of the same information as the official page, along with the villages PO Box. The fake pages posts have been shared around on some community Facebook pages in the area.

Dumb and annoying

Some citizens have blamed the village.

One person called chewing me out, Village Clerk Paula Ralph said.

She was just angrier than angry, Ralph said, adding, I finally just said, Look, its not us.

Officials want the page taken down, she said.

The imposter page did not respond to a message from a reporter Monday afternoon.

The fake page is taking time and attention away from other important issues, officials said.

We dont need that, Overgaard said. Its dumb and annoying and we have other things to focus on.

The Facebook page is among other social media pages that mimic official accounts, with some of the pages disclosing they are satire, and others using alternate spellings.

Satire is not indicated in the about information of the Village of Edwardsburg imposter page, which has attracted 164 likes and 382 followers as of Monday morning. The page calls itself a government organization and its first visible post was on Feb. 28.

The official village page has about 1,500 followers and has gained some additional followers somehow from the attention, Overgaard said.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent Monday afternoon.

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CALHOUN COUNTY, MI -- Police found four dead goats during an investigation of an animal welfare compliant and discovered an illegal indoor marijuana grow while checking for other animals.

On Saturday, March 9, Calhoun County Sheriffs Office Deputies were called to the 300 block of Cooper Street in Pennfield Township for an animal welfare complaint. The remains of four dead goats were found on the back side of the property, Michigan State Police said.

A search warrant was drafted for the property to see if there were any other animals on the property, police said.

An illegal marijuana grow operation was located in one of the buildings on the property during a search on Sunday, March 10, police said.

More than 140 plants were seized from the property, along with other equipment, police said.

Police did not release other details about possible charges in the case.

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MUSKEGON, MI  The owner of a now-defunct dog rescue shelter admitted to animal cruelty after dozens of canines were found in deplorable living conditions in and around the womans home.

About a year ago, investigators removed 78 dogs from Lisa Marie Cobers business that she ran out of her home in Norton Shores. Dogs were locked in cages and in some cases, living in urine and feces.
SANDUSKY, MI  After allegedly opening fire on police with CO2-powered BB guns, a Sanilac County man is charged with trying to murder two officers wounded by his pellets.

Carl A. Hoffman, 38, on March 8 appeared in Sanilac County District Court for arraignment on a dozen charges: two counts of assault with intent to murder  a life offense  four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of felony firearm-pneumatic gun, two counts of malicious destruction of police or fire department property, and one count of assaulting, resisting, or obstructing police.
SAGINAW, MI  They hoped maybe 10 people would show up.

But the decision last year by two doctors to organize a semi-informal gathering for medicine-practicing, mid-Michigan women attracted nearly 100 of their peers to the latest of two meetings.

The following could grow larger by the next meeting, the two friends said.

Drs. Rania Esteitie and Kala Ramasamy travel in the same medical industry circles in the region, and considered each other professional acquaintances as well as friends. They met regularly to talk shop.

Last fall, they decided to test the level of demand for networking from other women in the regions health care industry. Their creation  Mid-Michigan Women Physicians  formed in October.

After a lot of challenges I personally went through, I sought out mentorship from other female physicians in the area, said Esteitie, a pulmonary critical care physician at Covenant HealthCare and a faculty member at Central Michigan Universitys College of Medicine.

So, (Ramasamy) and I started talking last year about: We wanted to create a safe space and a sense of community for women in the medical field to connect, collaborate and support each other on their professional journeys.

Their goal: Establish a network where women physicians and medical students could share resources and address unique challenges facing women in the industry.

We didnt have an agenda, said Ramasamy, a primary care physician who teams with her sister as owners of Karu Medical Associates in Saginaw Township.

Initially, we just wanted to gauge interest and just see what people wanted (from Mid-Michigan Women Physicians), Ramasamy said. We wanted to know, what is it that you need and how can we be helpful to each other?

The level of response from interested participants exceeded both founders expectations.

We were thinking 10 people or so would come, said Esteitie, who solicited interest via texts and emails to a few of her peers.

The inaugural meeting in the fall at Retro Rocks in Saginaws Old Town district attracted 75 people from hospitals and private practices across Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties.

And then there was the outpouring of support we got from people who werent able to show up because of scheduling conflicts, Esteitie said. We saw so much interest and requests to have these ongoing meet-ups and networking events.

About 85 people showed up for the groups second gathering, hosted in January at Baynes Apple Valley in Tittabawassee Township.

Weve clearly seen there was a need and an interest and motivation, she said. Were really excited about that.

The group generated enough engagement that Esteitie and Ramasamy created a Facebook page for Mid-Michigan Women Physicians to distribute information and share meeting dates. A website remains in the development phase.

The idea of a women-centered health care networking group in mid-Michigan isnt new, said the founders of Mid-Michigan Women Physicians. A similarly themed group formed in the region about a quarter-century ago but fizzled out.

The moment was ripe for such an endeavor here this time, Ramasamy said. There are more women in the industry in 2024 than 25 years ago. And, since then, CMUs College of Medicine attracted to Saginaw more young medical professionals  and prospects  who could benefit from networking with experienced peers.

Having that individual attention from a physician thats older  like me  and mentoring them and saying, This is great place to be, hopefully we can retain some of these students, said Ramasamy, a Saginaw native.

She said plans remain in development for the next Mid-Michigan Women Physicians meeting, likely to gather sometime in July.

Its really nice to be able to build that rapport, build that support and be able to help break down barriers to promote gender equity in the field of medicine, Esteitie said.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Its been a down year for flu shot uptake, with less than 20% of Michigan children getting the recommended dosage.

On Monday, March 11, Dr. Kira Sieplinga said shes still recommending the vaccine, especially for children younger than 5 years old. While the state is seeing glimpses of warmer weather, the annual flu season can still continue through as late as May.
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Rachita Prasad heads Moneycontrols coverage of conventional and new energy, and infrastructure sectors. Rachita is passionate about energy transition and the global efforts against climate change, with special focus on India. Before joining Moneycontrol, she was an Assistant Editor at The Economic Times, where she wrote for the paper for over a decade and was a host on their podcast. Contact: rachita.prasad@nw18.com
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in today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: Bond demand remains strong, can SME IPOs continue its performance run, poll-bound...

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In a thrilling encounter, the Delhi Capitals clinched victory by 20 runs against the Chennai Super Kings. Stellar performances from David Warner, Rishabh Pant, and Prithvi Shaw powered Delhi to set a challenging target of 192.



Despite a promising start, CSK's opening pair faltered, and Delhi's spinners tightened the grip, restricting their batting lineup.



Although Rahane and Mitchell steadied the innings, quick wickets hindered CSK's chase. A late surge by Dhoni injected some hope, but it wasn't enough to bridge the gap, as Delhi Capitals emerged triumphant, defending their target successfully and securing a crucial win in the IPL match.



Here are some key moments that turned the match:



Delhi Capitals 1st Innings



David Warner smashes the first six of the innings



David Warner hits a four



Deepak Chahar opens the CSK attack.



In 4.5 overs Warner hits four



Prithvi Shaw smashes back-to-back boundaries!



Prithvi Shaw smashes third four on Mustafizur Rahman's delivery



Warner hits four on Jadeja's delivery in 6.4 overs.



Matheesha Pathirana bowls two wides in the 7.4th over.



Warner hits a massive six in 8.1 overs on Ravindra Jadeja's delivery



Warner caught by Matheesha Pathirana on Mustafizur Rahman's delivery



Jadeja dismisses Shaw in 10.4 over



Pant hits SIX in 12.3 on Jadeja's delivery



In 13.6 over, Mitchell Marsh showcases sheer power as he hits a six off Deepak Chahar's delivery!



Clean bold, Marsh out on Matheesha Pathirana delivery in 14.4



Matheesha Pathirana strikes! Tristan Stubbs is bowled, adding to Delhi's troubles with another wicket down.



Rishabh Pant dispatches a delivery from Tushar Deshpande for a boundary!



Rishabh Pant finds the boundary off Mustafizur Rahman, providing a much-needed boost for Delhi Capitals!



Rishabh Pant smashes another boundary, a six!



Rishabh Pant falls, caught by Ruturaj Gaikwad on Matheesha Pathirana delivery on 18.4 overs



Delhi Capitals scores 191/5 in 20 overs



Chennai Super Kings 2nd Innings



DC gets first wicket! Ruturaj Gaikwad caught by Pant on Khaleel Ahmed's delivery



2nd wicket down: CSK in trouble as Rachin caught by Stubbs in 2.5 over on Khalil's delivery



Daryl Mitchell hits 4 on Khalil's delivery



CSK at 23/2 in 5th over



A huge six by Daryl Mitchell on Axar Patel's delivery



A huge six by Ajinkya Rahane on Rasikh Dar's delivery in 9.3 overs



A big six by Daryl Mitchell on Rasikh Dar's delivery in 9.5 overs



Daryl Mitchell out on Axar Patel's delivery



Ajinkya Rahane smashes back-to-back boundaries!



Shivam Dube hits four in 12.5 over on Anrich Nortje's delivery



13.3 over: Rahane out on Mukesh Kumar's delivery caught by David Warner



Another wicket fell Sameer Rizvi out in 13.4 overs. CSK at 102/5



Shivam Dubey caught by Stubbs on Mukesh's delivery in 16.1 over



MS Dhoni hits four



Ravindra Jadeja hits Four on Mukesh Kumar's Delivery



Dhoni hits Four on Mukesh Kumar's Delivery



Dhoni hits a huge Six on Khaleel Ahmed's delivery in 17.5 over



Dhoni hits a huge Six on Anrich Nortje's delivery in 19.2 over



Dhoni hits four in 19.3 overs



Delhi Capitals wins by 20 runs
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Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_
Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 13 years.
While upholding orders passed by fora below, the national consumer disputes redressal commission (NCDRC) directed ICICI Bank Ltd to refund the balance of Rs2.90 lakh with an interest of 9%pa (per annum) from the wrongly transferred Rs4.50 lakh from its customer's account. ICICI Bank had incorrectly credited the amount to one of its customers' accounts instead of the original beneficiary of the national electronic funds transfer (NEFT) transfer.

In an order last month , the NCDRC bench of air vice-marshal (AVM) J Rajendra (retd) (presiding member) says, "I do not find any merit in the present revision petition and the same is, therefore, dismissed and the order of the district forum dated 25 May 2018 is modified to the extent that the compensation of Rs60,000 awarded on account of mental agony and harassment is set aside."

In December 2014, Panchkula, Haryana-based Vikas Goyal, a customer of HDFC Bank, issued three cheques for Rs1.50 lakh, Rs1.40 lakh and Rs1.60 lakh for payment through NEFT in favour of Kasturi & Sons Ltd. As per his routine practice, Mr Goyal also wrote details of the account name and number to which the amount was to be transferred on the reverse of the cheques. He also wrote his name on the reverse of the cheques as a person making the payment.

While Rs4.50 lakh was debited from Mr Goyal's HDFC Bank account, the money was not credited to the account of Kasturi & Sons. When Kasturi & Sons raised a demand for Rs4.50 lakh with Mr Goyal, he found that ICICI Bank had wrongly transferred the money to the account of its customer, Laxman Singh Chahar of Vikas Impex Ltd, from Jaipur.

When he raised a complaint, ICICI Bank recovered Rs1.60 lakh from Mr Chahar's account and refunded it to Mr Goyal. However, ICICI Bank claimed that, due to insufficient funds in the account of Mr Chahar, it could not recover the balance Rs2.90 lakh.

Alleging deficiency in service, Mr Goyal then filed a complaint against ICICI Bank before the Chandigarh district consumer disputes redressal forum-I. While allowing the complaint, the district forum says, "ICICI Bank cannot wash off their hands from the liability by firstly taking the stand there were insufficient funds in the account of Mr Chahar and then in the same breath set up the plea, it is still unclear whether Mr Goyal had any liability to make good regarding Mr Chahar. The liability is fastened upon the ICICI Bank due to a deficiency in service. No record has been produced; there were insufficient funds in the account of Mr Chahar in whose account it was wrongly credited."

Commenting on ICICI Bank's objection that Mr Goyal made the payment for commercial purposes and, hence, he is not a consumer, the district forum noted that Mr Goyal is running a small business by means of self-employment, earning his livelihood and, in the ordinary course of this earning livelihood, the amount was sought to be transferred to Kasturi & Sons.

"Per this record and evidence produced, it is established after online service or NEFT mode, there is a transaction inter se banks and the complainant is deemed to have hired the services of the banks that too against payment, irrespective of being account holder of HDFC Bank. ICICI Bank cannot escape from the liability of raising such a plea otherwise, NEFT transferred through the electronic system would become futile and meaningless. Thus, we hold the complainant is a consumer of both banks. We find no force in the objections raised," the order says.

Aggrieved by the order, ICICI Bank filed an appeal before the Chandigarh state consumer disputes redressal commission. While dismissing the appeal, the state commission says, "If there was some doubt, before putting the amount in a wrong account number, it was duty on the part of ICICI Bank to get it clarified from Mr Goyal and HDFC Bank, through whom the amount was paid. No effort was made in this regard. Otherwise in ordinary course of transaction, even if there is mistake of one numerical or alphabet, the bank rejects the cheque and refuses payment. In the present case, the transaction was done in a casual manner. The order passed by the district forum is quite justified."

ICICI Bank then approached NCDRC with its revision appeal. During the hearing, the counsel for ICICI Bank asserted that Mr Goyal does not fall within the definition of 'consumer' and its role is limited to the transfer of money into the account number received from the originating bank (HDFC Bank).

The counsel for Mr Goyal contended that ICICI Bank had admitted the deficiency of services on its part by refunding Rs1.60 lakh against Rs4.50 lakh. "The act of recovering Rs1.60 lakh out of Rs4.50 lakh by ICICI Bank itself shows that the responsibility and/or the duty was on the ICICI Bank to recover and transfer the amount in the account of Mr Goyal."

After examining the pleadings and associated documents placed on record, including the orders of the district forum and the state commission, AVM Rajendra noted that the district forum and the state commission issued well-reasoned orders based on evidence and arguments advanced before it.

"It is a well-settled position in law that the scope for revision under Section 21(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 and now under Section 58(1)(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 confers very limited jurisdiction on this Commission. In the present case, there are concurrent findings of the facts, and the revisional jurisdiction of this Commission is limited. After due consideration of the entire material, I do not find any illegality, material irregularity or jurisdictional error in the impugned order passed by the state commission warranting our interference in revisional jurisdiction under the Act," he says.

While dismissing ICICI Bank's revision petition, NCDRC revised the order passed by the district forum to the extent to set aside the compensation of Rs60,000 awarded on account of mental agony and harassment.

(Revision Petition No2988 of 2018 Date: 23 February 2024)
On Monday, 925 stocks advanced, 3039 declined and 118 remained unchanged, with an advance decline ratio of 0.30 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), indicating negative closing of stocks in broader markets. The trend of the major indices on Mondays trading is given in the table below.

On NSE, 90 securities advanced and closed at a new 52-week high whereas 70 securities sank to close at their new 52-week lows. In sectoral indices, Nifty Media, Nifty PSU Bank and Nifty Metal were among the biggest losers. Nifty Pharma was the only gainer. Meanwhile, Nifty Microcap index was down 2.43% and BSE Smallcap index was down2.01%.

NTPCs (-1.21%) renewable energy arm -- NTPC Green Energy (NGEL) has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (RVUNL). The MoU between NTPCs renewable energy arm NGEL and RVUNL is for development of Renewable Energy Projects up to 25 GW capacity and Green Hydrogen Derivatives up to 1 million ton capacity, both in the state of Rajasthan.

Magnum Ventures (-5.00%) has raised Rs150 crore through Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) on private placement basis.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (-0.84%) subsidiary -- Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.is recalling around 55,000 bottles of a generic medication to treat gout from the American market due to manufacturing practices norms deviations.

Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works (+0.98%) has received the Letter of Award (LoA) from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for the Fairway maintenance of the Farakka-Kahalgaon stretch (146 Km) of National Waterway - 1 (River Ganga). The contract, valued at Rs 98.06 crore.

India Glycols (-2.28%) has successfully added further capacity of 270 KLPD to the existing Bio-Fuel Ethanol plant (Ethanol to Bio-Fuel conversion) at Kashipur (Uttarakhand).

Adani Green Energy (-0.01%) (AGEL) has operationalized cumulative capacity of 1,000 MW solar energy at the worlds largest renewable energy (RE) park at Khavda, Gujarat.

H.G. Infra Engineering (-0.08%) has received the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for Construction of 4 lane Elevated corridor of Kalimandir- Dimna Chowk- Baliguma (Jamshedpur) Section of NH-33 (New NH-18) (from km 241.940 to km 251.961) (Length 10.021 km) under NH(O) on EPC mode in the state of Jharkhand. The project cost is Rs610.11 crore and the construction period is 30 months.

Zydus Lifesciences (+1.81%) has received the Establishment Inspection Report (EIR) report from the USFDA for the inspection conducted at the API Ahmedabad facility.

GMR Power and Urban Infra (-3.86%) has planned to raise funds of approximate Rs181 crore by way of issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) on Private Placement basis.

Gensol Engineering (-9.21%) has emerged as L1 attaining an unassailable position for 70 MW / 140 MWh out of 250 MW/500 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) project.

Macrotech Developers (+0.88%) has raised Rs3,300 crore by selling shares to institutional investors through QIP.

Quint Digital (QDL) (-2.22%)has received approval to enter into a Joint Venture (JV) Agreement with MK Center of Enterpreneurship Foundation (MK Group) for setting up a joint venture company.

Venus Remedies (-0.36%) has successfully obtained Marketing Authorizations (MAs) for a range of essential oncology drugs in Ukraine (Asia CIS).

Bharat Wire Rope (-4.04%) Promoter bought net 6,200 shares through open market. Camlin Fine Sciences (-2.64%) Promoter sold net 48,11,400 shares through open market. Ganesh Benzoplast (-1.56%) Promoter sold net 1,60,000 shares through open market. Lotus Eye Hospital And Institute (-4.95%) Promoter sold net 5,00,000 shares through open market.

The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below:

The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below:
By Dani Ray | Mar 11, 2024

Back row (L to R): Dr. Marc Polizzi, Weslan Banks, Luke Wyatt, Brandt Knasel, Jyotiraditya "Joe" Kishore Thakkar, Dr. Brittany Wood. Middle row (L to R): Audrey Stallings, Katie Ford, Mary Huffman, Jocelyn Stark, Katrina Seelentag. Front row (L to R): Nate Hunt, Ali Khatib

MURRAY, Ky.  Murray State Universitys Model United Nations (UN) Team took home seven awards at the Midwest Model UN (MMUN) conference Feb. 21-24 in St. Louis, Missouri, marking the most successful performance in the teams history.

The team includes 13 Murray State students:

Audrey Stallings (President), a senior political science/legal studies major from Chandler, Indiana. Nate Hunt (Vice President), a sophomore political science/legal studies major from Edwardsville, Illinois. Mary Huffman (Historian), a senior culture and language studies/French major from Lexington, Kentucky. Weslan Banks (Treasurer), a senior political science major from Paducah, Kentucky. Jacob Lemon (Secretary), a senior political science major from Golconda, Illinois. Jocelyn Stark, a junior history/social studies major from Smiths Grove, Kentucky. Katie Ford, a senior political science major from St. Louis, Missouri. Katrina Seelentag, a freshman English/creative writing major from Linden, Indiana. Ali Khatib, a sophomore political science/legal studies major from Murray, Kentucky. Brandt Knasel, a junior political science major from Edgewood, Kentucky. Jyotiraditya "Joe" Kishore Thakkar, a sophomore economics major from Nashik, India. Luke Wyatt, a senior political science/legal studies major from Benton, Kentucky. Danielle Duncan, a senior political science major from Paducah, Kentucky.



Audrey Stallings, Nate Hunt, Jocelyn Stark, Katie Ford, Katrina Seelentag, Ali Khatib and Weslan Banks won Outstanding Delegation for the Federated States of Micronesia, which is awarded to the top eight delegations. Nate Hunt and Jocelyn Stark won the UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA) Outstanding Delegation for the Federated States of Micronesia. Brandt Knasel won the General Assembly 2 Position Paper Award for Austria. Mary Huffman earned the World Health Organization Position Paper Award for Austria. Audrey Stallings won the World Health Organization Position Paper Award for Micronesia. Weslan Banks and Ali Khatib earned the General Assembly 4 Position Paper Award for Micronesia. Nate Hunt and Jocelyn Stark won the UNEA Delegates Choice Award for Micronesia.

There were 83 delegations and about 500 students representing 29 universities competing in the event.

This years successful performance at the Midwest Model UN conference is a testament to the dedication, teamwork and exceptional diplomatic skills exhibited by our Murray State students, said Dr. Brittany Wood, Murray States Model UN Team faculty advisor. This team invested a significant amount of time and effort in researching their assigned country's positions, policies and historical perspectives on various global issues including economic development, nuclear proliferation, maternal health and climate change. The students demonstrated exceptional teamwork by coordinating strategies, negotiating resolutions and supporting each other throughout the conference. Additionally, they exhibited outstanding leadership across each committee, in negotiations during informal sessions and while giving speeches on their working papers during formal sessions. I am incredibly proud of this teams dedication to global diplomacy and am excited to see them recognized for their hard work!

The Murray State Model UN Team is designed to promote students active learning about the UN, international relations and important global issues and to help students develop their skills of debate, compromise, conflict resolution and negotiations by simulating the UN system. The club activities also help students gain a broader perspective of global issues and the role of the United Nations.
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.
A screenshot of an advertisement on a fake Department of Revenue and Taxation Facebook account.
The Managaha Marine Conservation Area in Saipan is the most popular tourist spot in the Northern Marianas. The Micronesia chapter of the Pacific-Asia Travel Association will hold its tri-annual general membership meeting on Saipan on March 13-15, 2024.
Taijah-Rai Arce, a University of Guam student, uses her phone and laptop in between classes at the Mangilao campus on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy adjusts his earphone during a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan (not pictured) in Istanbul, Turkey, March 8, 2024.
La Scala performers and workers call for Gaza cease-fire before opera-ballet set in conflict View Photo

MILAN (AP)  Just before an opera-ballet set in conflict, La Scalas principal dancer Roberto Bolle, general manager Dominique Meyer and other members of the dance company, orchestra and stage crew faced the audience as the curtain rose. It revealed a banner with the imperative: Cease fire.

The sentiment referring to the war in Gaza received a standing ovation lasting at least two minutes Saturday evening before the final performance of the opera houses original production Madina. It tells the story of a Chechen woman who is manipulated to become a suicide bomber after she is orphaned and raped by Russian soldiers.

In a title role performed by La Scala ballerina Antonella Albano, Madina repents at the last minute and throws down her suicide vest inside a crowded Moscow cafe.

Albano, Madina composer Fabio Vacchi and conductor Michele Gamba were also among the dozens of La Scala performers and staff who stood beneath the banner.

It was the famed Milan theaters first comment on the war in Gaza, but not the first time it has waded into the politics of war.

La Scala music director Riccardo Chailly held a concert for peace in Ukraine in April 2022, with proceeds going to help the population hit by the war. The theater joined others in dropping Russian conductor Valery Gergiev from its program because of his failure to distance himself from the invasion. Ukrainians later protested La Scalas staging of the Russian opera Boris Godunov, for the opening of its 2022-23 season.

By COLLEEN BARRY

Associated Press
Woman and child from Belgium killed by a speeding driver in Berlin, police say

Woman and child from Belgium killed by a speeding driver in Berlin, police say View Photo

BERLIN (AP)  An 83-year-old driver in Berlin drove into a woman visiting from Belgium and her 4-year-old child, killing them both, police said Sunday.

The 41-year-old mother died in the hospital where she was taken after being hit in the accident Saturday. Her child died the same evening after an emergency operation, the German news agency dpa reported. Two relatives witnessed the accident and had to be treated for shock.

Police said Sunday that the 83-year-old had been speeding ahead of the deadly accident, which happened near Potsdamer Platz in the center of Berlin.

James Klein, a press spokesman for the Berlin fire brigade, said the car ran into the woman as she crossed the road with her child.

According to police, the 83-year-old driver was taken to a hospital but was released after outpatient treatment.
THESSAOLONIKI, Greece (AP)  Nine people jailed in Greece will be tried 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 Sunday. Twelve other people, all minors, were released provisionally pending trial on the same charges before a juvenile court.

The charges include abuse with bigoted intent. Two of the adults, who allegedly threw bottles at the transgender persons, were also charged with assault.

Police are looking for more people who might have been involved in the Saturday night incident in Aristotelous Square, the citys main square.

Police said the accused individuals began taunting and cursing the two transgender persons, who decided to enter a restaurant to escape the crowd. Some of the alleged harassers unsuccessfully 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 incident 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, mostly but not exclusively, from the far right.
California Governor Panera View Photo

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A wealthy campaign donor of California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the Panera Bread restaurants he owns will start paying workers at least $20 an hour on April 1 after controversy over whether a new state minimum wage law for fast food workers applies to his businesses.

Californias statewide minimum wage is $16 per hour. Newsom signed a law last year that says fast food restaurants that are part of a chain with at least 60 locations nationally must pay their workers at least $20 per hour beginning April 1. But the law does not apply to restaurants that have their own bakeries to make and sell bread as a stand-alone menu item.

That exception appeared to apply to restaurants like Panera Bread. Last week, Bloomberg News reported that Newsom had pushed for such a carve-out to benefit donor Greg Flynn, whose company owns and operates 24 Panera Bread restaurants in California.

The Democratic governor and Flynn denied the report, with Newsom calling it absurd. Newsom spokesperson Alex Stack said the administrations legal team analyzed the law in response to recent news articles and concluded Panera Bread restaurants are likely not exempt because the dough they use to make bread is mixed off site.

Flynn has not said whether he agrees with the Newsom administrations interpretation. But on Tuesday, he announced that all of the Panera Bread restaurants his company owns and operates will pay all hourly workers pre-tip wages of $20 per hour or higher.

At Flynn Group, we are in the people business and believe our people are our most valuable assets, Flynn said. Our goal is to attract and retain the best team members to deliver the restaurant experience our guests know and love.

Flynn had previously said the exemption has very little practical value because  even if Panera Bread restaurants were exempt  its competitors in the fast-food world were not exempt and Panera would have to pay similar wages order to attract and retain workers.

He declined an interview request through a spokesperson.

There are 188 Panera Bread restaurants in California. Panera Bread representatives declined to comment.

Chris Micheli, a California lobbyist and adjunct professor of law at McGeorge School of Law, said Flynn likely would have had a good case had he chose to challenge the Newsom administrations interpretation of the law. The law defines what a fast-food restaurant is, and says it is not an establishment that operates a bakery that produces for sale on the establishments premises bread.

The law goes on to say the exemption only applies where the establishment produces for sale bread as a stand-alone menu item, and does not apply if the bread is available for sale solely as part of another menu item.

On its face it appears that it would be applicable, however a court might have to determine what is included in the word produce in order for the exemption to apply, Micheli said.

As for which businesses would be exempt from the law, Newsoms office said the newly created Fast Food Council may develop regulations and the Labor Commissioner has enforcement authority over individual claims based on the facts of individual cases.

Ultimately, the courts may have to make the final ruling, said Alex Stack, Newsoms spokesperson.

Last week, Flynn denied asking for an exemption or special considerations. He said he did participate in a group meeting with some of Newsoms staff and other restaurant owners. He said if the intent of the bill was to address labor code violations in the fast-food industry, he suggested the bill make a distinction between fast-food restaurants and fast-casual restaurants.

In an interview with KNBC in Los Angeles earlier this week, Newsom said negotiations about the law included some discussions around bakeries and this and that, but he said those talks were only as it relates to the carve-outs and the details that were done with this deep coalition that included labor unions and fast-food industry representatives.

The political effects of the issue could linger whether the allegations are true or not, said Kevin Liao, a California-based Democratic political consultant. While Flynn now wont benefit from the exemption in the law, that likely wont deter Newsoms opponents from using the allegations against him.

Anyone who wants to take a shot at Newsom will use this. Thats just politics, Liao said. When you have someone who many think has national aspirations, they are going to pick at any scab that exists and try to exploit it.

By ADAM BEAM

Associated PRess
Senator Marie Alvarado Gil speaks at TuCare dinner View Photos

Sonora, CA  The 33rd Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources and the Environment (TuCARE) dinner was held Saturday night at the Sonora Elks Lodge.

It was a full house. California Senator Marie Alvarado Gil, a Democrat, delivered the keynote address. She said it was her first time attending, adding, It is exciting for me to be here because these are my constituents that essentially cultivate the resources of our community and help to shape policy in Sacramento. I think TuCare has been essential in advocating for the true people of Senate District Four.

Some of the topics Alvardo-Gil spoke about was helping to secure $42 million for CAL Fire projects and the need for reforms related to fire insurance.

Alvarado-Gils speech followed Mike Albrecht, the President of the American Loggers Council. He talked about legislation he is concerned about at the federal level and efforts to educate lawmakers. One bill he is watching closely is the Range of Light National Monument Act which would lead to notably less logging on federal lands in the Sierra Nevada, if approved. He also spoke about a national event that will be held in Tuolumne County in October and will attract 300 to 400 loggers to a conference at the new Chicken Ranch Casino Resort.

The theme of this years TuCare dinner was Working Together to Make California Golden.

The evening also included a live and silent auction, along with a buffet dinner.
WOODBRIDGE, N.J. (AP)  An infant was killed and the childs parents injured in an apparent attack by a dog at a New Jersey home over the weekend, authorities said.

Middlesex County prosecutors and Woodbridge police said officers responded to the Woodbridge Township home shortly before 6:30 a.m. Saturday over a report of an unresponsive baby believed to have been attacked by the family dog.

Authorities said officers found that the mother and child had sustained serious injuries from the dog. The baby was pronounced dead at the scene. The mother and father were taken to a hospital for treatment.

The names of the victims werent immediately released, and officials didnt clarify the current status of the animal. Authorities described the investigation as active and continuing and asked anyone with information to call Woodbridge police and county prosecutors.
Suspect in killing of 2 at North Carolina home dies in shootout with deputies, authorities say

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP)  A suspect in a weekend shooting that killed two people and injured another at a North Carolina home died in a shootout with deputies hours afterward outside another house, a sheriff said Sunday.

In a social media post, Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said that Justin Michael Strawser was wearing a bulletproof vest and firing at deputies when he was killed in the shootout Saturday outside a home in Mooresville. The deputies and four minor children inside the home with Strawser werent hurt, he added.

Deputies had responded to a call about shots fired at a different Mooresville home, where they discovered two dead people inside the house and someone critically injured on the back porch. All three were found restrained and bound, and the third was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, the sheriff said.

The sheriffs office said Strawser and the three who were shot knew each other, so it wasnt a random home invasion. Narcotics and robbery are possible motives, the office added.

Information about Strawser led deputies to approach the second home, where Strawser barricaded himself inside and began firing at them with the AR-15, the sheriff said.

With the house surrounded, sheriffs office negotiators tried to get Strawser to come out, according to Campbell. They also learned the four juveniles were inside, but the minors were uncooperative and refused rescue attempts, he added.

Authorities said some of the bullets fired by Strawser hit sheriffs office vehicles. Strawser also told negotiators about his involvement in the deadly incident at the other house, according to the sheriff.

Deputies then used tear gas, spurring the children to flee the house and Strawser exited after them, wearing the bulletproof vest and firing at the deputies, according to the sheriff.

Deputies then shot back, killing Strawser. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting. Three deputies were placed on administrative leave under the sheriffs offices standard policy.

The people killed at the first house were identified as two men, ages 22 and 24.
5 people found dead at a Honolulu home in an apparent murder-suicide, police say

5 people found dead at a Honolulu home in an apparent murder-suicide, police say View Photo

HONOLULU (AP)  Honolulu police said Sunday they were investigating what appears to be the murder-suicide of a family, including three children, at a Manoa home.

Police first arrived at the home at 8:30 a.m. but left after no one answered the door, Lt. Deena Thoemmes said during a news conference Sunday afternoon. She explained the initial call was from an anonymous person and police had no cause to enter the home.

Officers returned at 9:15 a.m. after receiving another call and were able to speak with a caller. Upon entering the residence, they found four people who had been fatally stabbed and appeared to be a wife and three children aged 10, 12 and 17. The husband also was found dead.

A preliminary investigation showed the husband fatally stabbed his wife and children, Thoemmes said. She added the husbands cause of death was under investigation when asked whether he stabbed himself.

The ages of the adults was not immediately known. The medical examiners office will release the identifications of the deceased.

There was no history of domestic calls to the residence and police did not have a motive for the killings, Thoemmes said.

Witnesses reported there had been an argument in the home early Sunday morning, police said.

The five deaths mark the states worst mass killings since the Xerox murders on Nov. 2, 1999, when Bryan Koji Uyesugi fatally shot seven co-workers, including his supervisor, Chief Joe Logan said.

The horrific scene found Sunday will have an impact on the officers, Logan said, as it would any officer, for the rest of their lives.
Lambert here: Hopefully a topic of purely academic interest!

By Silvia Marchesi, Professor of Economics University of Milano Bicocca, and Giovanna Marcolongo, Postdoctoral Fellow, Crime and Law Economic Analysis unit Bocconi University. Originally published at VoxEU.

Much of the current research on offshore financial centres has focused on the roles of tax havens in advanced economies, and less is known about the case of developing countries, especially after a financial crisis. This column shows that tax havens not only facilitate tax evasion and corruption in normal times, they also harbour funds during economic crises, slowing down recovery. This is particularly relevant for low income-countries characterised by high inequality. The diversion of capital to tax havens by the richest shifts the burden of the recovery onto the rest of the population, further exacerbating inequality.

Capital flight features prominently in contemporary debates about economic development. In developing countries, capital is relatively scarce and the same domestic investors may prefer to locate part of their assets outside of the countries borders (e.g. Cuddington 1986, Eaton 1987). Starting from the great financial liberalisation in the 1980s, wealth has been moving across the borders at higher frequency, often reaching offshore destinations characterised by a close-to-zero tax rate. Offshore capital is not employed productively in the country of origin. Furthermore, when offshore wealth is hidden from the tax authorities of the country of origin, or when regulation  such as bilateral tax agreements  is not in place or not enforced, the country of origin cannot levy any taxes on it. This issue becomes more concerning for low- and middle-income countries, where the rule of law and state capacities are typically weaker.

According to Zucman (2013), about 8% of all global financial wealth reached tax havens, corresponding to a tax revenue loss of $190 billion. More recent evidence suggests that firms book around 7% of their global profits in tax havens, resulting in significant revenue losses (Zucman and Wier 2022). This subtraction of resources, being it direct (through capital flight) or indirect (through non-levied taxes) becomes even more concerning at times of financial crises, when productive use of domestic resources could foster recovery. If, at the extreme, the movement of capital toward tax havens accelerates even more during a financial crisis, then two sets of negative consequences derive: slower recovery on one side, and higher burden of the crisis on poorer citizens on the other. Indeed, access to tax havens is skewed heavily towards the highest-income individuals (Alstadsaeter et al. 2018, 2019).

Our Study

In our recent paper (Marchesi and Marcolongo 2023), we focus on the cross-country relationship between financial (i.e. banking and sovereign debt) crises and hidden wealth. We measure hidden wealth using data on bank deposits in offshore financial centres provided by the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) and, as robustness, data from the Offshore Leaks Database (the Panama Papers and subsequent leaks such as the Pandora Papers and Paradise Papers) measuring the probability of observing the incorporation of shell companies in tax havens.

Figure 1 Financial crisis: Funds to tax havens

Notes: Stacked difference-in-differences. It shows estimates of funds flowing to tax havens around a financial crisis. Markers represent 90% confidence intervals.

Analysing 144 developing countries, using quarterly data and both a two-way fixed effects (TWFE) and stacked difference-in-differences methodology, we estimate the effect of financial crises on bank deposits in tax havens over the 1977-2020 period. We provide empirical evidence of a link between the beginning of a financial crisis and an increase in offshore bank deposits in the same period. Using an event-study analysis, we detect an increase in deposits of about 20% three years after the beginning of a crisis (Figure 1). The effect is economically sizeable: the average increase of deposits into tax havens corresponds to about $1 billion during the crisis (corresponding to slightly less than 1% of a developing countrys average annual GDP). The effect does not persist beyond the end of the crisis.

Given the different characteristics between sovereign debt and banking crises, we explore whether the flows of funds to tax havens differ during these two types of shocks. We find the results are qualitatively similar during banking and debt crises, even though the increase in bank deposits after a sovereign debt default is more persistent (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Sovereign debt and banking crises and funds to tax havens

a) Sovereign debt crises

b) Banking crises

Notes: Stacked difference-in-differences. Panel a shows funds to tax havens during a sovereign debt crisis, panel b shows funds to tax havens during a banking crisis. Markers represent 90% confidence intervals.

As far as possible mechanisms are concerned, we investigate whether the two main drivers of funds to tax havens suggested by the literature  namely, tax evasion and corruption  explain the increase in hidden wealth during financial crises. We document no increase in the effective tax on capital following the start of a crisis (tax rates are typically very low in low-income countries), while we find evidence of an increase in the expropriation risk, which is typically higher in countries with more fragile institutions.

Without Considering Tax Havens We Underestimate Inequality

Ultimately, as emphasised by Alstadsaeter et al. (2019), it is important to take into account the role tax heavens play in underestimating inequality. When attesting the consequences of a financial crisis on inequality, it is important to consider both domestic (observed) as well as offshore (hidden) wealth. In fact, only the sum of the two allows us to construct a reliable measure of the wealth distribution. We provide suggestive evidence of the fact that the larger the amounts of funds a country diverts to tax havens during a financial crisis, the higher the reduction in the observed household wealth of the highest quantiles (top 0.01%) of the distribution (Figure 3). We show that this reduction is not a mechanical byproduct of the domestic effects of the financial crisis (such as, for example, falling prices on financial assets). At the same time, the effect of the financial crisis on the populations (observed) average wealth decreases gradually as we move away from the richest segments of the population. This fact is consistent with the richest segments of the population harbouring part of their funds in tax havens.

Figure 3 Dynamic of average wealth by income quantiles after the start of a financial crisis

Notes: Standardised wealth of countries experiencing a financial crisis by different percentiles of average wealth over time

Conclusion

We add to previous works by investigating the relationship by financial crises and hidden wealth. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time in this literature that the link is taken into consideration. Previous literature provided measures of net wealth positions and estimates of offshore tax evasion (Lane and Milesi-Ferretti 2007, Zucman 2013, Johannesen 2014, Johannesen and Zucman 2014). Moreover, Johannesen and Rijkers (2020), Andersen et al. (2022) and Andersen et al. (2017) have documented that tax havens can be facilitators of corruption. We show that tax havens not only facilitate tax evasion and corruption in normal times, they also harbour funds during economic crises, slowing down recovery.

Moreover, while much of the current research has focused on the roles of tax havens in advanced economics, we contribute to this literature by highlighting how tax havens attract funds from developing economies as well, especially from countries with weak institutions. In particular, we show that tax havens, besides allowing tax and sanction evasion and harbouring the proceeds of criminal activities, absorb resources at difficult times and may lead to a downward bias when measuring inequality in a country. To draw a complete picture of the costs of a financial crisis and its consequences for inequality, we cannot ignore the role of hidden wealth. As the pandemic and the more recent geopolitical turmoil have increased financial instability, it is important to understand how a crisis may affect the size of funds in tax havens, harbouring resources when most needed and shifting the burden of adjustment on poorer citizens.

References available at the original.
Generous and patient readers, please forgive me for mentioning that the 2024 Water Cooler fundraiser is ongoing. lambert

* * *

Love them or hate them, hyenas are getting the last laugh National Geographic

Dealmaking slowdown leaves private equity with record unsold assets FT. Somebody call a wh-a-a-a-a-bulance!

Take note, downtowns: Crystal City suffered its office apocalypse and came out better Greater Greater Washington

Perpetually growing meat! pharyngula. Just like Chicken Little in The Space Merchants!

Climate

Breaking The Ice: Frederic Tudors Frozen Empire Investor Amnesia

Water

Colorado ranchers sentenced after tampering with rain gauges to increase crop subsidies CBS

#COVID19

We ignored AIDS. Lets not repeat the mistake on long COVID Newark Star-Ledger. Again, mass media starting to get out in from of CDC and the public health establishment. On the impact of mass screening for SARS-CoV-2 through self-testing in Greece Frontiers in Public Health. From the Abstract: Screening programs that pre-emptively and routinely test population groups for disease at a massive scale were first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in a handful of countries. One of these countries was Greece, which implemented a mass self-testing program during 2021. In contrast to most other non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), mass self-testing programs are particularly attractive for their relatively small financial and social burden Conservative estimates show that the program reduced the reproduction number by 4%, hospitalizations by 25%, and deaths by 20%, translating into approximately 20,000 averted hospitalizations and 2,000 averted deaths in Greece between April and December 2021.

China?

Myanmar

India

The Koreas

South Korea begins suspending licences of 4,900 striking doctors; leaves door open for dialogue Channel News Asia

Africa

Thousands of Chinese workers leave Africa as lack of funding and impact of pandemic take their toll South China Morning Post

Syraqistan

European Disunion

New Not-So-Cold War

US uranium miners resurrected by nuclear revival and Ukraine war FT

Haiti

Biden Administration

2024

Whats Really Going On with Immigration? Neil Howe, Demography Unplugged

Antitrust

Healthcare

Need help with a big medical bill? How a former surgeon general is fighting a $5,000 tab USA Today. Jerome Adams

Digital Watch

Bushnell

Our Famously Free Press

How Pseudo-Intellectualism Ruined Journalism William Deresiewicz, Persuasion

The Oscars

Class Warfare

The Billionaire And The Con Artist Forbes

Forecaster Peter Turchin: The US is in a much more perilous state than Russia FT

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
@startleseasily is a fervent observer of the Metro government's comings and goings. In this column, "On First Reading," she'll recap the bimonthly Metro Council meetings and provide her analysis. You can find her in the pew in the corner by the mic, ready to give public comment on whichever items stir her passions. Follow her on Twitter here.

With a series of Twitter-approved mayoral appointments to boards and commissions at Thursday nights council meeting, the posting-to-politics pipeline has never been stronger. Finally, our Very Online Mayor Freddie OConnell is putting some Very Online Nashvillians in a position to do more than scream into the void.

Neil Kornutick, whose baby had a starring role in my column about parking minimums, was appointed to the Traffic and Parking Commission. Explaining his decision to accept the nomination, Kornutick says, I am a multimodal transportation user who believes strongly that the safety and function of our networks lead to a more inclusive city for all. Unfortunately, the baby will not be joining him at meetings. This might be the one benefit of having meetings early enough in the day: Day care is open until 5:30, he tells me.

Resident Bike Mom Katherine McDonnell and newly minted American citizen Matthew Hertz, who hasnt driven a car in 15 years, were both appointed to the new Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.

Now if we could just get self-described chaos agent Kelly, aka that Kelly kitty girl from Twitter, appointed to something, wed really be cooking.

Life and Death at Colemere Mansion

As audience members held pastel-colored signs reading Save the Manor, Michael King, the owner of Nashville staple Monells, pleaded with the Metro Council to pass a resolution requesting that the Metro Nashville Airport Authority preserve the historic Colemere Mansion, home to Monells at the Manor.

I want to make it clear: Its not about Monells losing the lease there at the manor, said King in a still-strong Boston accent thats survived his quarter of a century spent living in the South. Its about Nashville losing another historic property. He recounted fruitless efforts to work with the MNAA to preserve the manor. The airport would like to demolish the building ... because they just dont want to deal with an old building, King lamented.

Councilmember Russ Bradford, whose district includes the Nashville International Airport, has over the past year developed a somewhat adversarial tone toward MNAA leadership. This decision to demolish a cultural landmark and unceremoniously evict a revered tenant is just the latest instance of MNAAs overreach, Bradford contends.

As we all know, the airport is growing, and that growth is now negatively impacting not just people who live in my community, but people who own businesses in my community, Bradford told his colleagues on Thursday night. Were being threatened with losing a part of our citys soul.

The council unanimously approved the nonbinding resolution. I asked my Magic 8 Ball whether MNAA will reverse course and spare the manor. The response: Outlook not so good. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, yall.

When Settling Isnt an Option

Perhaps the most controversial item on Thursday nights agenda was a resolution authorizing Metro Legal to settle a First Amendment retaliation lawsuit brought by Nashville Fire Department Capt. Tracy Turner for $105,000. In 2020, in the wake of George Floyds murder, Turner posted a series of inflammatory and arguably racist remarks on Facebook. In a series of posts, he referred to violent protesters as animals and Black Lives Matter supporters as thugs.

Public backlash was swift, and Turner was temporarily demoted from captain to firefighter. Six months later, he was reinstated to the rank of captain.

Speaking during the public comment period, two NFD elders urged the council to approve the settlement. In 2022, a Nashville firefighter posted his opinion about license plate readers on social media and called the majority of Metro Council members white supremacists, firefighters union president Danny Yates said, referring to comedian Josh Blacks controversial Twitter post that led to a $450,000 settlement in Blacks favor. In Yates estimation, Captain Turner simply called a few people some names, just like the firefighter did.

Yates conveniently left out a couple of highly relevant differences between the two cases. First, Josh Black uses a stage name online and never identified himself as a firefighter in his social media accounts. Turner, by contrast, uses his legal name and identifies himself as a Metro fire captain.

Second, Blacks comments targeted a very specific group: the Metro Council. He was expressing dissatisfaction about his government. Turners comments were directed at entire swaths of the Nashville populace: the very public that he is supposed to protect and serve, as Councilmember Jason Spain put it.

Spain, a quiet councilmember who jokingly referred to himself as a longtime listener, first-time caller, highlighted the subjectivity of the balancing test that courts use to determine whether the government has overstepped in disciplining employees for their speech. If Metro were to lose the case at trial, Spain argued, the appeals court might well see the issue differently.

Metro won a similar case on appeal in 2020. A police department employee posted a racial slur and was fired. She sued Metro for violating her First Amendment rights and won at the trial court level, but lost at the appeals court. Meanwhile, Turner, who called protesters animals, is still a fire captain. Hes suing Metro over a temporary demotion. If you ask me, he got off easy.

Ultimately, the council voted to reject the Turner settlement, with nearly every councilmember voting against it. Even the most right-wing councilmembers didnt have the heart to vote for the settlement, instead opting to abstain.
The Swedish flag was raised at NATO Headquarters for the first time on Monday (11 March 2024) in a ceremony to mark the countrys membership of the Alliance. Sweden became NATOs 32nd Ally on 7 March upon depositing its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty with the United States government in Washington D.C.

The Secretary General welcomed Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to NATO Headquarters for a flag-raising ceremony to mark Swedens accession. Speaking ahead of the ceremony, the Secretary General thanked Prime Minister Kristersson for his strong personal leadership and commitment to leading Sweden into NATO. He said: Sweden has taken its rightful place at NATOs table under the shield of Article 5 protection  the ultimate guarantee of our freedom and security. All for one and one for all.

Swedens flag was hoisted to join the flags of the other 31 Allies, as the Swedish national anthem and the NATO hymn were played. Flag-raising ceremonies took place simultaneously at Allied Command Operations (SHAPE) in Mons (Belgium) and Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia (United States). Standing alongside Prime Minister Kristersson, the Secretary General said: Swedens accession shows again that NATOs door remains open. No one can close it. Every nation has the right to choose its own path, and we all choose the path of freedom and democracy.

Noting that NATO will mark its 75th anniversary this year, Mr Stoltenberg underlined that the transatlantic bond between Europe and North America has ensured our freedom and security. Sweden will help to build an even stronger NATO at a critical time for Euro-Atlantic security, he said, adding that joining NATO is good for Sweden, good for stability in the North, and good for the security of our whole Alliance.
Austin descends into lawlessness following defund the police cuts targeting law enforcement

Police patrols in the Texas capital city of Austin are waning as a result of the "defund the police" movement that spread like a virus following the George Floyd false flag riots of 2020.

Reports indicate that the Austin Police Department is having trouble keeping staff on board, which we warned was happening at the height of the psychological operation known as the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic."

In some areas of Austin, entire neighborhoods are going unpatrolled for weeks at a time. Response times for 911 in Austin are also getting longer and longer, leaving residents without emergency help in times of need.

Speaking to Fox News, Austin Police Association president Michael Bullock claimed that Austin is now on the "brink of a disaster" as law enforcement struggles to keep the peace.

"Previous councils and leadership have actively worked against our officers and department, which has now put us in a free-falling staffing crisis," Bullock says.

"Twice now we've had our contract voted down or it has been allowed to expire. Each year since 2017, we've lost more officers than we've hired. We had to gut our specialized units and force detectives to work backfill on patrol just to try and respond to 911 calls."

No more 911 emergency service

Area resident Lauren Klinefelter is upset about the long 911 response times in Austin, this after she was involved in a significant vehicle accident back in 2022 that also affected her two children, ages two and eight.

"We needed an ambulance and some emergency assistance because not only was my car totaled, but my children were both bleeding and visibly injured," Klinefelter said about the experience.

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"I called 911 and, to my surprise, it rang and rang endlessly, only to be routed to a 311 operator for non-emergencies.

The Austin mother recalled having to call a ride-sharing service to take herself and her two children to the hospital for treatment, this after waiting an hour with no help from emergency responders.

"My children were bleeding and over an hour had passed, so with no other option, we got a Lyft to the hospital and back home," Klinefelter said. "The police never showed up. I was never contacted by anyone to follow up on the incident."

Klinefelter says she understands that 911 cannot always be on demand at a moment's notice, but receiving no help at all "is scary," she says, "especially when your babies are the ones you are seeking help for."

"I hope that our city can become safe again and that the police department can fill the empty spots, because if not, God help us all," she added.

Following the emergence of Black Lives Matter (BLM) in the summer of 2020, Austin's city council decided to reallocate about $150 million, or around 34 percent of the police department's existing budget, towards other services besides law enforcement. The decision was unanimous.

That decision was later reversed by the Texas Legislature, which passed a statute requiring Austin to reinstate the funds to police, but the staffing crisis reportedly continues.

Last year, 40 officers in Austin filed for retirement after the city council voted to pursue a one-year contract as opposed to the four-year contract that was previously discussed.

"Our staffing has been set back at least 15 years and at the same time we've dealt with a population growth of over 250,000 new residents," the police union president further explained.

"Combine that with a district attorney who has made it very clear that targeting officers and releasing criminals is his priority  not public safety."

Chaos is spreading like a virus across the United States as the government, media, education and business sectors drive a wedge between left and right, and between dark and white, in classic divide-and-conquer fashion. Find out more at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

ThePostMillennial.com

NaturalNews.com
Biden admits to FLYING 320,000 migrants into U.S. to PURPOSELY skew border crossing numbers

To keep the official border crossing numbers down, the Biden regime is flying migrants into the country rather than just allowing them to illegally enter on foot.

All last year, the Biden regime was secretly chartering flights for thousands of illegal migrants, we now know, delivering them from foreign airports to various locations throughout the United States.

The year 2023 saw a record number of illegal entries in the U.S. as it is. This, coupled with the thousands of illegals Biden brought in on chartered flights, means more illegals than previously thought have illegally entered the U.S. in the last year.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) knew about all this, by the way, but refused to disclose any information about the secret program. To this day, it is unknown precisely how many illegals Biden brought in via plane, not to mention where they were delivered.

Biden's people provided a special cell phone app to the illegals, bringing in an astounding 320,000 of them, at least officially, using the system. And do not forget: U.S. taxpayers are the ones funding all this illegality.

(Related: We received word that the San Vicente migrant camp in Darien Gap was set ablaze and partially burned down by fighting migrants.)

Creating new Democrat voters, one illegal at a time

All of this came to light through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, as reported by Todd Bensman from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS). The group discovered that hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens from foreign countries were delivered by plane to at least 43 different U.S. airports in 2023.

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The aforementioned cell phone app is called CBP One, and it went live in January 2023.

"Migrants were able, under Biden's expansion, to apply for asylum using the app from their home countries," a media outlet reported.

"Aliens who cannot legally enter the U.S. use CBP One to apply for travel authorization and temporary humanitarian release from those airports."

In case you are unfamiliar with how the process works, when a migrant is caught illegally entering at the border, he or she is released under parole and allowed to remain in the U.S. for two years without obtaining legal status. During that time, these caught-and-released illegals are allowed to work in the U.S.

The Biden regime refused to disclose which airports it flew the illegals to, citing a "law enforcement exception." The truth, we now know, is that the names of the airports were not released due to fear that "bad actors" would put public safety at risk and create law enforcement vulnerabilities.

According to CBP lawyers, revealing the names of the airports would "reveal information about the relative number of individuals arriving, and thus resources expended at particular airports," which in turn would reveal "operational vulnerabilities that could be exploited by bad actors altering their patterns of conduct, adopting new methods of operation and taking other countermeasures."

CBP continues to claim that the U.S. borders are secure, but Republicans say otherwise. CIS, meanwhile, is fighting the "legally dubious" flight program, arguing that if the program is so risky that airport names cannot be disclosed, then it should cease.

We do know the countries from which these migrants came, though. Eligible citizens for the CBP One app must come from one of the following countries: Cuba, Haiti, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Columbia, Venezuela, or Ecuador.

"No wonder they look so clean, rested and well-fed," one commenter noted about how clean cut a lot of these migrants appear to be. "No Darien Pass for them  instead, first class on United."

"And all on our dime!" complained another. "Worst president in American history."

More of the latest news about America's porous borders can be found at InvasionUSA.news.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com
TRAITOR: Trump lambasts Bidens immigration policies aiming to replace American voters with illegal migrants

At campaign rallies in North Carolina and Virginia, former president and Republican Party frontrunner Donald Trump accused President Joe Biden of weakening border security policies to carry out the latters agenda of transforming the huge wave of migrants coming into the United States into American voters who'd favor the Democratic candidates  a conspiracy to overthrow the nation.

In the NC rally, he said that Biden's policies are excessively permissive, an obvious strategy to increase the number of Democratic voters by allowing migrants to enter the U.S. illegally from the southern border. The former president argued this is an agenda to "collapse the American system" and "nullify the will of the actual American voters," creating a new power base for Democrats that would ensure their control for generations.

During the following event in Virginia, he also accused the White House of attempting to register migrants to vote in upcoming elections and providing "aid and comfort to foreign enemies of the United States" through his border security measures.

The 45th POTUS currently winning his reelection bid said that he was with Texas Governor Gregg Abbott a couple of days back, checking on the U.S.-Mexico border. He said that the state law enforcement caught illegal border crossers from Congo and when asked where in the African nation they were from, one answered he came from the prison. He was jailed for murder. Trump was adamant about stopping the invasion because the migrants that are gushing in are not from unknown origins; they could be criminals and gangs running away from their countries' laws of the land.

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.

He reminded his supporters how three years ago, America had the safest and most secure border. "We had the best border in the history of the United States. We built a 571-mile-border and asked Mexico to send 28,000 soldiers to guard it, free of charge." But as soon as Biden assumed office, all his policies were abolished. He further condemned Biden's justice system for stopping Texas from defending its state by securing the border. "Nobody has done destruction to our country except this incompetent president," he said referring to Biden. (Related: Speaker Johnson reveals 64 instances where Biden sabotaged border security and encouraged illegal migration.)

In response to Trump's allegations, Biden's campaign highlighted a recent incident where Trump encouraged Republicans to reject a border security bill in Congress, which Biden's team described as the "fairest and toughest border security bill in decades." Ammar Moussa, a spokesperson for Biden, in turn, criticized Trump for projecting and attempting to distract from his own actions, which they believe undermined effective border security measures.

Trump reveals Biden allowed 320,000 undocumented aliens to fly directly into U.S. airports

During the recently concluded Super Tuesday, the biggest primary day of the year, Trump revealed how Biden approved a program that allowed the import of 320,000 undocumented immigrants directly to U.S. airports. The revelation came on the heels of the release of a Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) report that called out lawyers for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for refusing to disclose the departure and arrival airports of these flights last year.

"Today, it was announced that 325,000 people were flown in from parts unknown. Migrants were flown in. Airplane  not going through borders," Trump said. "Not going through that great Texas barrier that I was with the Governor of Texas Greg Abbott the other day and we were looking at the job they're doing."

He added that what Biden's regime did tells they want open borders. "Open borders are going to destroy our country. We need borders and we need free and fair elections," he said.

Meanwhile, Biden's administration admitted transporting migrants on secret flights into the U.S., and lawyers for CBP revealed the locations could create national security "vulnerabilities." The measure is rooted in the administration's expansion of the "CBP One" app, which last year allowed foreign nationals from several countries south of the U.S. to apply for asylum online rather than travel to the border.

Illegal immigrants who cannot legally enter the U.S. used the mentioned mobile app to apply for travel authorization and temporary humanitarian release from those unnamed airports. Under this parole release, migrants can remain in the U.S. for two years without obtaining legal status and meanwhile are eligible for work authorization.

Big Tech mogul Elon Musk echoed Trump's sentiments and posted on X, formerly Twitter, the CIS revelations through their Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Biden administration. He said the program is a way for Democrats to bring in more voters who rely on left-leaning policies and programs like the "CBP One" app. "This administration is both importing voters and creating a national security threat from unvetted illegal immigrants," Musk wrote. "It is highly probable that the groundwork is being laid for something far worse than 9/11. Just a matter of time."

Go to InvasionUSA.news for more stories related to Biden's illegal migration-favoring policies.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

CIS.org

DailyMail.co.uk
9 new independent advisers to CDC publicly promoted vaccines or took money from pharma  or both

Nine new members named to the committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine recommendations have financial ties to pharmaceutical companies or have worked with public health agencies to promote the COVID-19, RSV or HPV vaccines.

(Article by Brenda Baletti, Ph.D. republished from ChildrensHealthDefense.org)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in mid-February appointed the new members to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which shapes U.S. vaccine policy.

Commenting on the new appointments, Childrens Health Defense (CHD) President Mary Holland said:

ACIP has long been a rubber stamp for any and all vaccines Big Pharma wants to push. But the brazenness of the HHS-Big Pharma fusion has never been so much on display.

The only silver lining in this grotesque display is that more and more people are waking up to the reality that ACIP has nothing to do with health and everything to do with profit.

The ACIP is described as an independent, nonfederal expert body made up of professionals with clinical, scientific and public health expertise. The committee decides which vaccines should be recommended to the public, who should take them and how often  recommendations the CDC typically rubber stamps.

This external advisory committee includes a chair, an executive secretary, and 15 voting members  14 medical experts and a lay member representing consumers.

It also includes a non-voting body that offers input composed of eight ex officio members from other federal health departments and liaison representatives from health-related professional organizations like the American Association of Pediatrics.

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However, when the committee convened last week to make its spring recommendations, it was missing so many voting members that it lacked a quorum. Vacant committee spaces on the independent committee had to be temporarily filled by government employees  ex officio members can be sworn in as temporary voting members.

Over the last year, HHS struggled to fill eight vacancies. An additional four members will be needed when existing members four-year terms are up at the end of June.

As seats on the committee sat unfilled, industry news sites like StatNews suggested the committee appears to be atrophying and Medriva said there is an unprecedented lack of expertise in the committee.

When HHS finally announced the new members to fill the vacancies, it was also reported the new members would be filling spots at last weeks meeting. However, they had not yet taken their positions at the time the meeting occurred on Feb. 28-29.

A CDC spokesperson confirmed to The Defender that nine members have been appointed to the committee, including Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot, an infectious diseases researcher at Vanderbilt University who previously served on the committee from 2018 through 2022 and will rejoin the committee to serve as chair.

Members typically are not eligible for reappointment, but in Talbots case, the HHS provided a waiver to that existing policy.

In addition to Talbot, four members will begin their tenure immediately upon submission of paperwork. These include Dr. Denise Jamieson, dean of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine; Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a professor of pediatrics at Stanford University; Dr. Robert Schechter, a medical officer with the California Department of Public Health; and Dr. Albert Shaw, an infectious diseases professor at the Yale School of Medicine.

The other appointees will begin on July 1. They include Dr. Edwin Asturias, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at the Colorado School of Public Health; Noel Brewer, Ph.D., a professor of health behavior at the University of North Carolina; Dr. Helen Chu, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Washington; and Dr. George Kuchel, a professor of geriatric medicine at the University of Connecticut.

All nine appointees will serve four-year terms.

Stringent measures and rigorous screening are reportedly used to avoid the committee members having real or apparent conflicts of interest.

However, all of the new appointees except for the public member have received grant funding or consulting fees from major pharmaceutical companies, including vaccine makers like Pfizer, Moderna and Merck, or have worked for HHS or on recent HHS grants developing or testing vaccines or investigating how to improve vaccine uptake.

Many of them have been key public advocates for the COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, crafting and promoting the CDCs message in the media and in the clinic.

Several have sat, sometimes together, on other vaccine advisory committees for the World Health Organization (WHO), the state of California, and The Lancet, among others.

What constitutes a conflict of interest?

The committees policies and procedures document, updated in 2022, defines a conflict of interest for committee members.

According to the ACIP policies, while members are actively on the committee, neither they nor their immediate families can be employed by or hold stock in a vaccine manufacturer. They cannot receive royalties from a vaccine that is being evaluated by the committee. They cannot act as advisers, consultants or a paid litigation expert to a vaccine manufacturer, or otherwise receive money from a vaccine maker  with exceptions  while they serve on the committee.

The committees definition of a conflict of interest doesnt prohibit members from benefiting financially from HHS grants while on the committee.

It also doesnt apply to their activities before or after their time on the committee, which is when most potential members have taken money from industry or engaged in vaccine promotion that raises questions about their impartiality.

This narrowly defined conflict of interest differs markedly from how HHS defines conflict of interest in its ethics training for HHS employees. In that training, HHS warns employers that criminal law prohibits them from participating personally or substantially in an official capacity that would have a direct and predictable defect on your financial interests, according to a source at the CDC who asked not to be named.

HHS also notes in its training that appearances matter and a conflict of interest arises if a reasonable person with knowledge of relevant facts would question someones impartiality.

Impartiality is not a requirement for membership on the CDC advisory committee. Members are required only to declare their financial conflicts at each meeting and to recuse themselves where appropriate.

Members may be granted waivers if the committees need for their services outweighs the conflict of interest, according to the CDC.

Below are the new appointees, with a summary of their research and their links to Pharma or public health agencies and research that could raise questions about their impartiality.

Jamieson promoted COVID vaccines for pregnant women

Dr. Denise Jamieson spent most of her career working for the CDC before becoming a faculty member at Emory University and then a dean at the University of Iowa.

Jamieson is a spokesperson for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a member of its Practice Advisory on COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy.

She publicly promoted the COVID-19 vaccine as safe and effective for pregnant women as early as Spring 2021  even though in January 2021, regulatory agencies were aware from Pfizers own data that the vaccines pose serious risks for pregnant women.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended pregnant women get vaccinated despite a lack of clinical trials showing safety and even before the CDC began advising pregnant women to take the vaccine.

The association was among the many womens health organizations that had urged Pfizer and Moderna to speed up vaccine tests in pregnant women, The New York Times reported.

Last year, Freedom of Information Act requests revealed the CDC bankrolled the association to the tune of $11 million to promote COVID-19 vaccination as safe and effective for pregnant women.

As part of her public outreach promoting the COVID-19 vaccines, Jamieson said in public interviews that fertility concerns about the vaccines were myths with no biological plausibility.

Jamieson also said there was no evidence that the vaccines caused menstrual irregularities, despite early reports that vaccines were causing menstrual irregularities. She also began advocating vaccination for adolescent girls even before the vaccines were approved for adolescents.

Maldonado studied COVID vaccines in children for Pfizer

Stanfords Dr. Yvonne Maldonado took tens of thousands of dollars in consulting fees and nearly $4 million in research funding from Pfizer since 2016, according to OpenPaymentsData.CMS.gov, the government website that tracks pharmaceutical industry funding to medical professionals.

She also received consulting fees for Trumenba, a meningococcal vaccine for meningitis B.

Among the projects she has headed up are studies of nasal swab techniques that led to home testing and the development of an antibody test to detect the virus, which received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.

Maldonado was a strong public advocate for testing the vaccines in children. She promoted testing the vaccines on kids in outlets like NBC News as early as October 2020, despite acknowledging children were at very low risk for serious illness.

She led clinical trials for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children at Stanford, promoted them as 90% effective for children and was an early advocate for including the vaccines on the childhood immunization schedule.

In this video from November 2021, Maldonado celebrates the short amount of time it took to make the vaccines and promotes them for children:

Maldonado also advocated to expand the use of Paxlovid for children.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently funded the Maldonado Group to do a 2.5-year study on the oral poliovirus vaccine in Veracruz, Mexico.

Experts have widely criticized the Gates Foundation for over a decade for its self-interested work promoting polio vaccines in the developing world at the expense of other, more important public health measures.

Shaw, a strong COVID vaccine advocates

Albert Shaw, M.D., Ph.D., studies the immunology of aging at the Yale School of Medicine. He recently was the principal investigator on a major observational study of adults hospitalized with COVID-19, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Shaw also publicly advocated for COVID-19 vaccination, particularly for the elderly and for pregnant mothers. He appears frequently on local news sounding the alarm on the dangers of COVID-19, even for strains like XBB 1.5, promoting the vaccines as safe and effective and encouraging people to get vaccinated and boosted.

OpenPaymentsData reports that Shaw was paid $2,590.00 in consulting fees by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. in 2022 and $1,425.71 from GSK (formerly GlaxoSmithKline) in 2019.

Schechter, a public advocate on multiple HHS committees

Dr. Robert Schechter appears to hold the position of the public member, meant to represent consumers on the committee. Schechter also serves as the public member of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, another HHS vaccine advisory committee.

However, he was a medical officer with the California Department of Public Health for decades working primarily on the California Vaccines for Children Program.

He has functioned as a spokesperson, informing the public about vaccines in California, frequently quoted in local media. He also is a member of the American Association of Pediatrics.

Schechter also served on the California Department of Public Health Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, along with other existing and incoming members of the CDC advisory committee Maldonado and former chair Dr. Grace Lee. That group set COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations.

Asturias, a global vaccine researcher with consulting fees from 5 Pharma companies

Dr. Edwin Asturias is a professor of pediatrics with a focus on Latin America. He has served on several different vaccine advisory boards globally, including in Guatemala and for the WHO.

Asturias is a member of the Strep A Vaccine Global Consortium whose mission is to make sure Strep A vaccines are available and administered. He also receives grant funding from Pfizer and is a paid consultant for Curevac, Inovio and Moderna.

Much of his research focuses on the epidemiology of disease, largely in rural Guatemala. However, over the last several years Asturias has published several articles on vaccine hesitancy among rural Latin American people and how to overcome it.

He has worked on several studies of community perceptions of vaccines in his native Guatemala, including studies of attitudes among trusted leaders and parents who are key to building vaccine confidence.

According to OpenPaymentsData, Asturias received approximately $4,000 in consulting fees and over $1 million in research funding from Merck in 2022.

Since 2016, Asturias has received over $60,000 in consulting fees and travel costs from Merck, Pfizer, GSK, Sanofi Pasteur and Astellas Pharma, and almost $3 million in research funding from Pfizer, over $750,000 in research funding from GSK and a small amount of funding from Takeda Vaccines.

That is in addition to tens of thousands of dollars in payments from those same companies in 2014.

Brewer, a Merck consultant who developed the Announcement Approach to HPV vaccination

Asturias will be joined on the committee by another Merck consultant and vaccine hesitancy expert, Noel Brewer, Ph.D.

Brewer is a behavioral psychologist at the University of North Carolinas Gillings School of Public Health, a paid consultant for Merck and the recipient of commercial research grants from Merck, Pfizer and GSK.

Over the past several years, Brewer received millions of dollars in funding from HHS for research on how to increase teen uptake of the HPV vaccine, documents obtained by CHD via a Freedom of Information Act request revealed.

Merck, for which Brewer consults, makes Gardasil, the only HPV vaccine commercially available in the U.S.

Brewer is best known for developing and testing the Announcement Approach to vaccinating the vaccine-hesitant. The approach involves having providers skip the step of discussing with families in open-ended conversation whether or not they want their child vaccinated for HPV and instead presume the family wants the vaccine and announce the child will receive it as if it were a routine part of the office visit.

Brewer and others previous research shows this method reduces the time a provider needs to spend talking with their patients and increases vaccine uptake.

HHS also has dedicated millions of dollars in funding to other researchers to test ways to expand Brewers approach.

In what was perhaps a Freudian slip, Brewer announced his new appointment on X, formerly Twitter, saying the committee would be setting the vaccine police:

Excited to announce that Ive been appointed as a voting member of ACIP, the CDC board that sets vaccine police for the US. https://t.co/8KGX0wKylu  Noel Brewer (@noelTbrewer) February 16, 2024

Dr. Peter Hotez responded with his congratulations. The two worked together on the Lancet Commission of Vaccine Refusal, Acceptance and Demand in the USA, which was formed to address the persistent and important threat to public health in the USA posed by suboptimal uptake of some vaccines.

Chu has ties to Pharma, Gates ventures and is an advocate for the RSV vaccine

Dr. Helen Chu is an infectious disease specialist and co-author of the JAMA study that concluded the COVID-19 bivalent boosters were effective in children and adolescents ages 5-17.

Chu has consulted for pharmaceutical companies AbbVie, Vindico, Ellume, Medscape, Merck, Clinical Care Options, Catalyst Medical Education, Vir, Pfizer, Prime Education and the Gates Foundation.

She also served on advisory boards for Vir, Merck and AbbVie and conducted continuing medical education teaching with Medscape, Vindico, Catalyst CME and Clinical Care Options.

Gates Ventures has published her research and she also obtained support from Cepheid, a PCR testing company.

As an RSV researcher, Chu early on, on X (formerly Twitter), raised the alarm about a triple-demic dangerous for children and the elderly.

Later, she promoted the RSV vaccine, particularly for pregnant women. She is a co-author of a systematic review in The Lancet, out this month, finding that infants, particularly pre-term babies, have a higher risk for RSV-related severe acute lower respiratory infection.

Chu and her co-authors conclude: Preventive products for RSV can have a substantial public health impact by preventing RSV-associated  severe outcomes from infection in preterm infants, a finding that implies vaccination during pregnancy or of infants would be appropriate, as these are the measures currently available or being considered.

GSK halted its Phase 3 clinical trial of RSV in pregnant women in 2022 after the company identified a safety signal for preterm birth. Pfizer was criticized for not informing women of the risk, the BMJ reported. Pfizers version of the RSV vaccine received FDA approval after Chu presented her research to the FDAs vaccine advisory committee in May.

After the FDA approved it, the CDC advisory committee that Chu will sit on recommended it.

In less than a year since its approval, CDC data and the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) already show reports of 34 deaths, 302 serious adverse events and according to news reports this week, a safety signal for Guillain-Barre syndrome, The Defender reported.

As an example of her Pharma-funded educational work, in March, Chu presented a Pfizer-funded webinar to educate providers on the burden of RSV in older adults and the importance of RSV awareness.

Kuchel strongly advocates the RSV vaccine for pregnant women and the elderly

Dr. George Kuchel, professor of geriatric medicine is a strong advocate for the RSV vaccine in pregnant women and older people. He promoted the vaccine as potentially transformational for older people  just like the COVID-19 and flu vaccines, he said.

In 2023, Kuchel told the media there was no evidence the vaccine posed a risk to pregnant women, despite the safety signals in GSKs trials.

Kuchel is currently working on a five-year, $9 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study flu vaccines in older adults.

According to OpenPaymentsData, he has taken consulting fees  approximately $13,000 from Janssen Global Service in 2019 and approximately $1,300 from Novo Nordisk in 2020.

Former member Talbot replaces Lee as chair

The final new appointee, former committee member Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot, will rejoin the committee as chair. Her research focuses on adult vaccination, influenza vaccination, human coronaviruses and vaccine trials for respiratory illnesses such as RSV.

According to Talbots curriculum vitae  last updated in 2018 before she joined the committee  her most recent research funding comes from both the federal government (CDC, National Institutes of Health) and Sanofi Pasteur, primarily for the study of pandemic preparedness in 2015 and influenza vaccination.

Sanofi and MedImmune have been recurrent funders since 2009, along with AstraZeneca, Gilead, Protein Sciences, VaxInnate and Wyeth (since acquired by Pfizer).

According to the OpenPaymentsData, Talbot received roughly $1.4 million in research payments and associated research funding since 2014 (417 total payments) from these companies, along with 29 general payments totaling $17,000, The Defender reported.

Talbot sat on the committee through the pandemic that voted to recommend the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for adults and children.

Talbot will replace former chair, Dr. Grace Lee, who was associate chief medical officer for practice innovation at Stanford Medicine Childrens Health and a pediatrics professor at Stanford School of Medicine since 2017.

While committee appointments are typically four years long, Lee served only two, and the chair position currently sits vacant. Her office did not respond to The Defenders inquiry as to why she resigned from the committee.

While she was on the committee, her husband, Joshua Salomon, Ph.D., health policy professor at Stanford was heading up a major, multi-million dollar five-year CDC-funded project to model local and national policies for responding to infectious diseases. That work is also funded by the Gates Foundation.

Read more at: ChildrensHealthDefense.org
Man gets TWO YEARS in prison for sharing stickers warning about illegal migrants REPLACING Europeans

A right-wing British activist has just been handed a two-year prison sentence for intending to stir up racial hatred in the UK. His offense? Sharing stickers with anti-immigration mottos such as We will be a minority in our homeland by 2066, Mass immigration is white genocide, Intolerance is a virtue and White Lives Matter.

Sam Melia, a 34-year-old husband and father from Leeds, was accused of inciting racial hatred via an online collection he managed containing stickers people can download and use. He was also found guilty of encouraging racially aggravated criminal damage on the grounds that the sticker collection was part of numerous stickering incidents as group members accessed the stickers, downloaded them, and then stuck them in various locations throughout their neighborhoods.

Melia said that he simply wanted the stickers to start a conversation and did not think their use constituted criminal damage. In fact, he said in his trial that it never occurred to him that this was something that could land him in prison.

The judge on his case, Judge Tom Bayliss KC, said: "I am quite sure that your mindset is that of a racist and a white supremacist. You hold Nazi sympathies and you are an anti-Semite."

He told jurors that it did not matter if the slogans were true or legal and that they should rule only based on Melia's intent.

According to a post by his wife, Laura Towler, on Telegram, Bayliss could have chosen a sentence for him of anywhere from 2 to 6 years, and the judge gave him the minimum sentence because of the lack of seriousness regarding the offence. She said that although the judge could have suspended his sentence, he decided against it because he wanted the case to serve as a deterrent to other people with the same beliefs.

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.

She also pointed out that the judge ignored Melias probation officers insistence that he did not pose a risk to the public and had no chance of reoffending. The probation officer recommended a community order, but the judge apparently disagreed.

Towler expressed dismay that the judge said her husbands activism undermined efforts by the government to keep immigration under control.

What efforts?! They are literally facilitating record breaking levels of legal and illegal immigration. Why should the public have to stay quiet and leave it up the incompetent government?, she wrote.

Social media users outraged over ridiculous sentence

Political and social commentator Keith Woods posted his outrage over the sentence on X, writing: What a travesty of justice. Across the West, we are ruled by anti-white regimes which won't even allow us to advocate for our people's safety and heritage in their own homelands.

Woods noted that Melias wife is eight months pregnant, and he will be in prison when his second child is born. He also shared some slogans from the stickers Melia distributed, asking followers if they sound hateful. They include Reject White Guilt, Stop Anti-White Rape Gangs, Its ok to be White, and Love Your Nation.

Other social media users looked into Judge Baylisss record, with one pointing out that he was the judge on a case in which a man who was caught with sexual images of a 3-year-old child avoided jail time. Elon Musk weighed in, replying with !! to a tweet about Melias sentence on X. On Reddit, even users who said that they disagreed with Melias views on immigration admitted that a prison sentence over the stickers is completely unreasonable.

Sources for this article include:

InformationLiberation.com

BBC.com
mRNA vaccines could unleash epidemic of prion brain diseases, doctors warn

Doctors everywhere are starting to notice serious problems with the new-wave mRNA (modRNA) "vaccines" that were unleashed starting with Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines" via Operation Warp Speed. One of them is Dr. Kevin McCairn, a neuroscientist who says the jabs are resulting in the very same "frame shifting" that established science shows is linked to prion production in the brain.

Anything but "safe and effective" as the establishment claims, mRNA injections are increasingly being linked to incurable brain-wasting conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), all forms of dementia that have no known cure.

The Journal of Theoretical Biology published a study back in 2013 warning about all this as mRNA shots were just coming into the limelight as a novel pharmaceutical intervention, but nobody listened.

That paper looked specifically at CJD, a brain-wasting disease linked to infected cattle. People who eat CJD-infected cattle can develop the disease themselves, linking mRNA technology to the "transmissible spongiform encephalopathy" that results from consuming the tainted proteins.

"Frameshifting accounts quantitatively for the tiology of prion disease. One per million frameshifted prions may be enough to cause disease," the paper states. "The HIV TAR-like element in the PRNP mRNA is likely an effector of frameshifting."

(Related: Did you hear? Billionaire eugenicist Bill Gates has developed a new Eucharist-like wafer mRNA vaccine that is deposited under the tongue like a religious rite of passage into "immunity.")

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.

mRNA-induced brain damage

Dr. McCairn recently spoke  see the video below  about the risk of prion disease from mRNA exposure, having first brought up the issue in 2020 when Chinese Virus injections were being pushed as the "cure" for COVID.

A former neuroscientist at the Korea Brain Research Institute, Dr. McCairn explains that mRNA technology does, in fact, trigger the same "frame shifting" phenomenon that has repeatedly been linked to the production of harmful prions in the brain.

The really scary thing is that regardless of whether or not a person has taken an mRNA "vaccine" or not, the prions can still spread from person to person.

"Mis-folded proteins caused by prions can impact every level organ and tissue system in the body," Dr. McCairn explains in the above video, which was published by Health Alliance Australia on February 19. "[They] bioaccumulate and are resistant to others. So why have we not heard of this danger?"

The reason why most of the world has never heard about any of this, despite it being known for at least the past decade, has everything to do with the social media censorship problem that has increased dramatically in recent years  and especially since COVID.

Describing the SARS-CoV-2 so-called "virus" as "the result of bio-warfare research," Dr. McCairn wants people to know that there is more than likely going to be an "epidemic of prion disease" now that mRNA is being mainstreamed as a modern "medicine."

In an interview with LifeSiteNews last month, Dr. McCairn also warned of the horrifying likelihood of a prion disease epidemic stemming directly from the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccine" campaign.

Dr. McCairn is hardly alone in his warnings. British Dr. David Cartland has warned about mRNA-induced prion disease, as has genomics expert Kevin McKernan, but their warnings have been dismissed and even mocked by the corrupt medical establishment.

"We tried to publish this in 2021 with Peter McCullough," McKernan explains in the video below about how his attempts to publish warnings about mRNA have been thwarted.

"Two reviewers signed off on it and then the editor stepped in and torpedoed the paper."

Getting jabbed with mRNA is stupid. Don't fall for it. Find out more at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

ScienceDirect.com

NaturalNews.com
MSNBC openly attacks First Amendment, says free speech leaves American democracy vulnerable

If it were up tolegal analyst Barbara McQuade, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution would be abolished in order to protect Americans against "disinformation" campaigns.

In a recent segment on "The Rachel Maddow Show," the University of Michigan law professor complained that it is precisely America's "deep commitment to free speech" that makes the country susceptible to "misinformation."

The author of a new book we will not bother to mention here, McQuade says her "goal" in attacking the First Amendment in her new book is to spark a "national conversation about truth and our commitment to it."

"I hope that by dissecting it, explaining it, and educating the public, we can all see disinformation for what it is so that we can begin to push back against it," McQueen told Maddow.

When Maddow asked McQuade if she believes America is just as vulnerable as other countries to disinformation, McQuade responded that she feels things are worse in the U.S.

"Actually, Rachel, I think we're more susceptible to it than other countries, and that's because some of our greatest strengths can also be our Achilles Heel," McQuade said.

"So, for example, our deep commitment to free speech in our First Amendment. It is a cherished right. It's an important right in democracy, and nobody wants to get rid of it, but it makes us vulnerable to claims [that] anything we want to do related to speech is censorship."

(Related: These constant media attacks on free speech are part of the 5th generation warfare agenda that Dr. Robert Malone says is in full swing throughout the West.)

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Supreme Court can limit speech, says McQuade

As to the constitutionality of McQuade's position, she believes that the Supreme Court is actually in agreement with her that the First Amendment has limits and is not some free pass for people to say whatever they want.

"Of course, the Supreme Court has held that all fundamental rights, even the right to free speech, can be limited as long as there is a compelling governmental interest and the restriction is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest," McQuade explained.

"But I think any time someone tries to do anything that might limit free speech, people claim censorship."

Using the example of the recent SCOTUS decision concerning how individual states regulate the way social media platforms moderate content, McQuade feels that there are "common-sense solutions" to the problem of unregulated free speech that, using different rhetoric, can avoid the label of "censorship."

"We need to have a conversation," McQuade demanded about the free speech issue. "Instead, we throw out terms like 'censorship,' call each other names, use labels, and retreat to our opposite sides. We need to be pragmatic and come up with real solutions."

Maddow, pleased with McQuade's position and her new book, called the discourse on her show a "real public service and a pleasure."

"Amazing that a legal analyst doesn't know the rationale behind the 1st Amendment," wrote one incensed commenter about McQuade's position. "Who gets to decide the truth? Certainly not the government."

"The government is free to make any argument or counterargument they want, but deciding what is misinformation and should be blocked is pure censorship and a violation of the First Amendment."

Another warned that what McQuade is suggesting "should send chills down the spine of any U.S. citizen."

"When the media decides 'what is disinformation' by censoring free speech, we are headed down the path of totalitarianism," this person warned. "Give me the facts and I will decide. It's not the media's right to decide for you what is true and what is not."

The latest news about the media's assault on the First Amendment can be found at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

NYPost.com

NaturalNews.com
Missouri Sen. Schmitt asks Defense Department to help Philippines counter Chinas aggressive behavior

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) has asked the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to aid the Philippines in countering China's "aggressive behavior" in the South China Sea.

The former Missouri attorney general made this request in the form of a March 5 letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a copy of which Fox News shared. "I request the DoD to move quickly to support the Philippines in countering China's aggressive behavior," he wrote. Schmitt also expressed "serious concerns" about the "increasing volume and intensity of confrontations" instigated by Beijing in the disputed area.

According to Schmitt's letter, the March 5 confrontation between Chinese and Philippine naval forces in the Second Thomas Shoal occurred after a "string of aggressive efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to assert its unlawful territorial claims in the South China Sea." During the aforementioned incident, Chinese vessels fired water cannons at a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) supply boat, injuring four crew members.

The senator also requested that the Defense Department provide Congress with "a comprehensive plan" on how Washington can help Manila counteract Beijing's "unlawful actions in the region. He mentioned: "The Biden administration has upheld the Trump administration's position that an attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty." (Related: U.S. vows to defend the Philippines amid Chinas bold incursions.)

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Meanwhile, the Philippine South China Sea Task Force confirmed the incident. It said two Chinese vessels fired their water cannons at the PCG supply boat, breaking the vessel's windshield. Prior to this, a Chinese Coast Guard ship carried out "dangerous blocking maneuvers," leading to a minor collision that created "superficial structural damage" to the PCG vessel's hull.

The task force denounced the "unprovoked acts of coercion" and "dangerous maneuvers" by the Chinese ships," adding that this puts "the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue and lessening of tensions" into question. "Peace and stability cannot be achieved without due regard for the legitimate, well-established, and legally settled rights of others," it emphasized.

Other U.S. officials also denounce Beijing's aggression against Manila

Matthew Miller, spokesman for the U.S. Department of State, reiterated in a statement that Washington stands with its ally Manila and condemns China's "provocative actions" in the disputed South China Sea. He remarked that Beijing's actions "show disregard for the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos and international law."

DoD spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder agreed with Miller, noting that China's actions "demonstrated disregard for international law." He continued: "The U.S. is going to continue to stand by our Philippine ally and our commitment to our defense treaty is ironclad."

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it had summoned China's deputy chief of mission in Manila Zhou Zhiyong. The DFA has protested the actions of Beijing and demanded that Chinese ships immediately vacate the Second Thomas Shoal.

In contrast, the CCP blamed Manila for the incident. It accused Philippine ships of illegally trespassing into waters close to the shoal, prompting it to take control measures.

China calls the shoal Renai Reef, while the Philippines calls it Ayungin Shoal after the silver perch (Leiopotherapon plumbeus). It is located about 105 nautical miles from the western Philippine province of Palawan, making it part of the nation's jurisdiction. But Beijing has insisted on territorial claims over almost the entire South China Sea, including reefs and islands that extend with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines.

Follow NationalSecurity.news for more news about China's intrusions in the South China Sea.

Watch the video below about America standing with the Philippines after a recent clash with China in the South China Sea.

This video is from the Pool Pharmacy channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Philippines gives American forces access to 4 additional military bases. .

China now building an airstrip on disputed island in South China Sea.

Ben Armstrong: Chinas balloon launch over Taiwan is a DISTRACTION for surprise attack on America.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

FoxNews.com

State.gov

Yahoo.com

Brighteon.com
Above-normal temperatures are likely in the Midwest, Central Plains, and Northern Plains this week, according to a forecast at the National Weather Service (NWS). The weather is expected to ease the colder outlook in the region.

NWS monitors the development of a winter storm in the Canadian Maritimes, bringing hazardous travel, gusty winds, and heavy high-elevation snow in the Northeast states. The forecast advisory reveals that another front can spread.

Meanwhile, dry and gusty winds can unfold in the Central Plains, with a potential critical fire on Monday. People traveling this week can expect favorable weather conditions due to the warming trend.

NWS Sioux Falls reports rising temperatures can emerge in the region, with potential wildfires. People should be extra careful to avoid fire concerns. However, homeowners should check the weather forecasts to avoid weather dangers.

NWS Weather Forecast: Where Will Warm Conditions Unfold?

The NWS weather advisory monitors the development of below-normal temperatures in the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast regions. Warmer air can emerge in portions of the Plains, Gulf of Mexico, and Midwest.

In addition, above-normal temperatures are expected in the central and northern plains. High temperatures are expected in the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes. Homeowners should anticipate favorable travel conditions due to the warmer outlook in the Midwest.

Meanwhile, a warmer outlook can emerge in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, with 30 to 40 degrees above normal in the early week. However, homeowners should watch out for high temperatures, causing potential heat-related health concerns like heat stress and heat stroke.

On the other hand, very warm temperatures can continue in the central and southern High Plains. The Storm Prediction Center warns of an increased risk of wildfire in the region, particularly in Texas and Oklahoma.

Also Read: Powerful Hurricane Season Likely in Atlantic This Year, Forecast Warns

Pacific Northwest Weather Forecast This Week

According to forecasts, the advisory reveals multiple low-pressure systems in the Pacific Northwest, bringing possible precipitation in the northern Rockies.

Meanwhile, locally moderate to heavy rain can unload in the Cascades, northern Sierra, Teton ranges, Sawtooth, Bitterroot, and northern Rockies. People should stay alert for snowy outlooks, including in Washington Cascades.

Motorists should be extra careful with challenging commutes this week, with slippery commutes and foggy conditions. When travel is not essential, homeowners should check limited outdoor plans due to potential travel hazards.

On the other hand, NWS Binghamton reports snow squall threats, bringing short-lived moderate to heavy snowfall bursts. Motorists should stay alert for a quick reduction of visibility and whiteout conditions with strong cold fronts.

In addition, motorists should expect rapidly deteriorating commutes, with icy and slick travel. Potential flash freeze can emerge, bringing chain-reaction accidents and treacherous travel.

Related Article: West Coast Weather Forecast: Stormy to Dry Conditions Likely to Unfold This Week

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News
Mild winters in recent years have caused bears to shorten or skip hibernation, resulting in an increase in their number and more sightings in urban areas in North Macedonia.

Skip Hibernation

A growing bear population has posed a threat to residents in western North Macedonia, where bear break-ins are becoming more regular.

Last year, a dozen incidents were recorded of bears attempting to break into houses in search of food by terrified residents living in the mountainous territory of the country's largest national park, Mavrovo.

Some locals have urged that the authorities take immediate action to safeguard them.

Stojance Angelov, the head of the National Crisis Management Center, said that the national park's brown bear population has doubled in the last five years.

"There are between 160 and 180 brown bears in Mavrovo National Park. Experts indicate that there should be up to 70 bears in this region, and their number now has doubled," he added.

Brown bears have been protected in North Macedonia since 1996. Angelov noted that bears are breeding at an increasing rate and are no longer hibernating due to global warming.

"Bears are now active during winter, and this alone makes them search for food to survive year round. It is becoming more and more common for bears to have three cubs each, which used to be a rarity," he said.

Similar difficulties have been reported in neighboring Greece, where farming unions claim crops and bee hives have been harmed.

Read Also: Carcass Of Bear Suspected Behind Attacks In Japan Found Beside Human Remains

Bear Attacks Reported

A Danish skier was hurt in a bear attack in a nature park in North Macedonia.

The unidentified skier was rushed to a hospital in the western city of Tetovo. During the attack in the Shar Mountain area, he injured his left leg.

Angelov underlined the necessity of taking measures when visiting bear habitats, such as sticking to designated pathways and avoiding attracting bears with food or trash.

Last year, an endangered brown bear was killed near an Italian national park, causing outcry in Italy.

The marsican brown bear was shot in the environs of San Benedetto dei Marsi, in the mountainous Abruzzo area. The park characterized the killed animal, dubbed "Amarena" for the black cherries she enjoyed eating, as one of its most productive brown bears.

Local lawmakers and animal rights campaigners were outraged by Amarena's murder, as park officials searched for her cubs, fearing for their safety.

Local police recognized and questioned the suspected shooter, who said he shot Amarena out of panic after finding the mother bear on his land.

Angelov also said that, according to the residents of the village of Zirovnica, there are about 30 bears that feed in the area and often enter the village.

They pose a danger to the lives and health of the villagers, especially because there are many children.

Experts also noted that this year, there isn't enough food and fruit, and bears are approaching the community more regularly.

Communities are carrying firecrackers to terrify and drive them away. For the time being, no attacks on people have occurred, but it is only a matter of time before they do.

Zirovnica villager Sanie Kukoli says bear attacks on livestock have increased recently. "Several calves have been eaten; four to five cows have been killed and eaten by bears. The situation is alarming," he said.

The crisis center chief stated that locals are demanding that officials declare a state of emergency in the municipality and remove the bears' threat.

Related Article: Bear Attack! Wisconsin Couple 'Double Kills' Massive Bear Who Entered Their Home




Challenging winds and snow squalls can unload in the Northeast, according to the latest forecast. People should stay alert for dangerous travel conditions due to snow squalls and slippery commutes.

Homeowners should stay alert for cold-related health risks, such as hypothermia and frostbite. Prolonged exposure to cold weather is not recommended to avoid cold risks. In other portions of the US, warmer temperatures are reported in the Midwest, Northern Plains, and Central Plains.

In New York, the advisory shows that a wind advisory is in effect in the city, with winds reaching 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. In addition, isolated gusts can reach 60 mph, causing tree damage and power outages.

Meanwhile, damaging winds can unfold on Monday, with high pressures possible in the Southeast and low pressure in the Canadian Maritimes, causing strong winds. Homeowners should watch out for a high wind warning and a gale warning.

Northeast Weather Forecast: Where Will Challenging Conditions Unload?

According to the latest forecasts, Northeast residents can anticipate the threat of dangerous winds and a cold snap this week, with possible snow squalls. The strong winds can cause power outages, causing a serious cold-related concern.

The dangerous wind events in the Northeast can unload in the following areas:

Sault Ste. Marie

Traverse City

Detroit

Buffalo

Pittsburgh

Montreal

Portland

Boston

Halifax

New York

Washington

Knoxville

Virginia Beach

In Boston, the advisory warns of minor coastal impacts and splashes. Motorists are advised to avoid flooded roadways to avoid travel delays or slower commutes.

Meanwhile, a wind advisory is present in southern New England on Monday. Homeowners should stay alert for Northwest winds reaching from 45 to 55 mph, with troublesome winds likely in the Berkshires.

In addition, the chilly weather outlook is expected in the following areas:

Burlington

Portland

Boston

New York

Washington

Virginia Beach

Pittsburgh

Buffalo

Detroit

In the early week, winter-like temperatures, slick spots, and reduced roads are forecast in the following areas:

Detroit

Pittsburgh

Erie

Buffalo

Barrie

Sudbury

Ottawa

Burlington

Portland

Albany

New York

Also Read: Powerful Hurricane Season Likely in Atlantic This Year, Forecast Warns

Severe Storms in Central and Southern US

On the other hand, the latest forecasts warn of a severe storm outlook in the central and southern US this late week, bringing travel delays and flooding risks. Isolated tornadoes are also possible.

On Thursday, Americans can expect the threat of severe thunderstorms with localized damaging winds. The region is no stranger to extreme weather events, particularly isolated tornadoes.

In the late week, severe thunderstorm conditions can spread over the following areas:

Joplin

Oklahoma City

Abine

Dallas

Austin

Little Rock

Evansville

Shreveport

In addition, flooding risks can unload in Little Rock, Nashville, Houston, New Orleans, and Atlanta.

Did you know? According to the National Weather Service, Boston celebrates Southern New England Flood Safety Awareness Week this week.

Related Article: NWS Weather Forecast: Above-Normal Temperatures to Continue in Midwest, Northern to Central Plains

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News
A group of more than 500 scientists and conservation groups has urged the French government to address frog overexploitation, which is mostly driven by France's insatiable hunger for frog legs.

Largest Frog Consumer In Europe

Professionals from academic, veterinary, and conservation groups have urged French President Emmanuel Macron to "end the overexploitation of frogs" and improve protections for the most traded species.

France consumes more frog legs than any other country in the European Union, frequently fried in batter or sauteed with garlic and parsley.

The country takes 3,000 metric tons of frogs, according to environmentalists Robin des Bois, who organized the letter, and Pro Wildlife.

The scientists propose that France should try to win worldwide safeguards for fragile frog species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), which works to combat the illegal trade in plants and animals.

In February, 46 environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) filed a similar request with the French environment ministry.

Every year, the European Union imports 80-200 million frogs, the bulk of which are consumed in France and come from Indonesia, Turkey, and Albania, as well as farms from Vietnam.

Despite EU legislation safeguarding European frog populations, the trade persists, endangering amphibians in the source nations.

Dr. Sandra Altherr, head of science at Pro Wildlife, stressed how absurd it is that natural frog populations in Europe are protected by EU law.

"But the EU still tolerates the collection of millions of animals in other countries - even if this threatens the frog populations there. This is not at all in line with the EU's recent biodiversity strategy," she said.

Read Also: One of the Worst Invasive Species on Earth Spotted in Western Washington

Frog Species Suffering

Studies show that certain frog species are already suffering.

According to the letter to Macron, the fanged river frog (Limnonectes macrodon) has apparently disappeared from commercial imports to France, while two other common species, the crab-eating frog (Fejervarya cancrivora) and rice-field frog (Fejervarya limnocharis), have been in decline for many years due to intensive commercial harvests.

Frogs play a vital role in ecosystems and on farms. Tadpoles can enhance pond water quality, while frogs can help farmers use fewer pesticides. They may also help prevent infectious disease by consuming mosquitoes.

Scientists underscored the demise of many frog species is a global issue that is being exacerbated by a small number of European countries.

They also warned that Turkey's large-bodied frogs may become extinct by 2030 due to high demand.

Alain Moussu, the president of the Veterinaires pour la Biodiversite, a third group that organized the letter, said veterinarians have joined the initiative in large numbers.

"They are both sensitive to the cruelty that prevails in this market and concerned about the ecological imbalances caused by the collapse of amphibian populations," he said.

Conservationists advocate for strict laws to protect amphibian populations and ecosystems.

They push for open data collection and monitoring to ensure sustainable harvesting practices. Urgent initiatives include incorporating endangered frog species into international conservation agreements and boosting consumer awareness of the ethical and environmental consequences of the frog leg trade.

Related Article: African Clawed Frogs Carry Deadly Amphibian Pathogen
A recent report unraveled the planet's possible oldest forests after discovering fossils on the coast of Somerset and Devon in the United Kingdom. Researchers believe that the forest is likely 390 million years old.

Forests play an essential role in communities, wildlife, and ecosystems. Trees are crucial for the planet's animals and fight against climate change, at the same time offering healthy air for humans.

However, the world's forests are no stranger to decline due to massive deforestation, commercialization expansion, climate change, and extreme weather events. As a result, researchers find ways to protect trees from decline, particularly old forests.

Somerset Fossils and Planet's Oldest Forest

In the new report, researchers, from Cambridge University and Cardiff University, unearthed the Earth's possible oldest fossils of forests in Somerset in the UK. They found fossils, with trunks and small branches (cladoxylopsids).

The researchers explain that the forest fossils are about 390 million years old, making the said discovery older than the previous findings. The research report was published in the Journal of the Geological Society.

"These Calamophyton trees are the oldest fossil trees ever found in Britain and represent an as yet missing part of our vegetational history," Dr. Christopher Berry said, as quoted in a report.

The report also explained a pioneering tree known as cladoxylopsids, which was present in terrestrial ecosystems five million years ago. The recent findings can provide new insights into the tree evolution and mitigation efforts.

"The record of fossil forests, where tree bases are preserved where they were living, so far dates back to those discovered in New York State, at Cairo and Gilboa at about 385 million years," Dr. Berry said in the same report.

Also Read: Wildfire, Extreme Drought Can Cause Widespread Emergence of Invasive Species in California's Ecosystem

Targeting Seed Microbes To Protect Trees and Crops

According to a recent report, researchers looked into a crop known as Fonio, Digitaria exilis, that has shown resilience against drought and challenging soil conditions. The research findings were published in Microbiome.

Understanding crop resilience will help protect plants and crops against the impacts of rising temperatures and climate change. It will provide new insights into saving crops, seeds, and plants from decline.

The study observed the fonio seed microbiome, especially its adaptation to geo-climatic factors, genotypes, and soil compositions. Fonio is a millet crop that can be found in West Africa. The searchers explain that it can provide new insights into how the crop survives in poor soil conditions, helping cereals become resilient against changing climates.

Although folio has lower yields or harvests than other crops, it can offer new ideas to improve crop management and resilience. As a result, the researchers looked into the diversity of seed endophytes in 126 sequenced fonis.

In addition, the researchers studied the impact of environmental factors by collecting soil and meteorological data, helping to understand the composition of seed microbiomes. With the report, the researchers aim to advance seed microbiome engineering, protecting crops from extreme and changing weather conditions.

Related Article: NOAA Latest Weather Assessment: February 2024 Ranks Third Warmest In Same Month On Record

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
The recent reports raised concerns about the emergence of highly aquatic invasive species at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana to avoid potential impacts on other species and ecology in the region.

The National Park Service (NWS) looked for ways to mitigate and prevent the alarming spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) at the park. The report detected highly invasive zebra and quagga mussels, fearing possible ecological damage to wildlife and waterways.

The report highlights the urgency of addressing the invasive mussels at the park, which could lead to serious environmental consequences. Effective mitigation efforts can rapidly contain and remove the invasive species.

Highly Invasive Species Impacting the Park

The park is home to various recreational and outdoor activities, with a spectacular view of wildlife. As a result, protecting waterways is crucial to avoid clogging of pipes and boat engine failure or destruction.

Unlike native species, invasive species or animals can multiply and cause the decline of native animals, causing potential extinction and economic harm. They can also alter habitats and ruin the biodiversity of native organisms.

NPS explains that mussels can lead to irreversible ecological damage in waterways in the Colorado River Basin, Eastern US, and Midwest. Meanwhile, mussels can attach themselves to watercraft and likely transport to other areas of oceans or waters

Also Read: US Pacific Northwest Forests Suffer from Climate Change Effects, Growth Decline, New Report Warns

Parasitic Wasps To Act as Biological Control Against Invasive Avian Vampire Fly

With the increasing threats to Darwin's flinches population, experts from the University of Minnesota are thinking of using biological control to control the invasive avian vampire fly, Philornis downsi.

According to recent reports, Darwin flinches are mostly found in the Galapagos Islands. However, the species is under threat due to the following:

Habitat loss or habitat destruction

Diseases

Predators

Invasive parasitic fly Philornis downsi

The avian vampire fly poses a significant risk to the population of Darwin's flinch on the Galapagos Islands. The widespread invasive species can impact the nests of said bird species by laying eggs, potentially damaging the animals' nestlings.

To save the species from decline, the researchers looked for ways to mitigate the impacts of invasive species in the region. The report is considering the release of a biological control of a parasitic wasp, known as C. annulifera. The findings can be found in the Conservation and Diversity journal.

In addition, the researchers raised concerns about the need to study the dynamics of endemic species and the effects of human activity on the Galapagos Islands. The parasitoid species can act as an effective biological control to prevent the avian vampire fly.

According to a UNESCO report, Galapagos Island is recognized as a living museum that is a crucial place for wildlife, particularly marine species. The area, with 19 islands, can be found near the Pacific Ocean and 1,000 km from Ecuador.

Related Article: Avian Influenza Virus Threatens Wildlife Conservation Due to Spread Among Marine Animals, Birds

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According to information published by the Turkish MoD on March 9, 2024, the Turkish minehunter TCG ANAMUR, assigned to the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2, conducted joint training exercises with the Greek naval unit HS EVROPI in the Aegean Sea.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Aydin class minehunter TCG Anamur and mine countermeasure vessel HS Europa. (Picture source: Turkish MoD)

Amidst their intricate history marked by occasional disputes, Turkey and Greece, both members of NATO, have actively participated in mine warfare exercises. In October 2021, Turkey led the Nusret 2021 mine warfare exercise in the Gulf of Saros, in the northern Aegean Sea.

This exercise was notable for its broad participation, including the NATO Mine Countermeasures Group-2, the NATO Center for Maritime Research and Experimentation, and the NATO Mine Warfare Center of Excellence. Countries such as Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Iraq, Libya, Oman, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Romania, and Tanzania took part.

The focus of Nusret 2021 was on mine warfare planning and execution, aiming to enhance interoperability among NATO allies and partners. The exercise was designed in three stages: force integration, mine laying and countermeasures activities, and post-exercise evaluations and port visits.

Concurrently, diplomatic relations between Greece and Turkey have shown signs of warming, with efforts made towards resolving longstanding disputes. In December 2023, Greece and Turkey agreed to reset their relationship, focusing on good neighbourly relations, military confidence-building measures, and boosting trade volumes.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Greece highlighted a mutual desire to turn the Aegean into a "sea of peace" and serve as a model for international relations. This thaw in relations followed years of disputes over territorial waters, energy resources, and military presence in the Aegean Sea.

Turkey's collaboration extends beyond its immediate neighbor, Greece, into broader regional security initiatives. Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey have established a mine countermeasures task force in the Black Sea to address threats from sea mines and enhance navigation safety.
According to a PR published by Navantia on March 7, 2024, the Spanish shipbuilder has handed over the fifth and final corvette, HMS UNAYZAH, to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) during a ceremony at the King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah.

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Saudi Al Jubail class corvette Hunayzah. (Picture source: Navantia)

The event, overseen by General Fayyad bin Hamed al Ruwaili and Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily, marks the completion of the Al-Sarawat project, aimed at enhancing the naval capabilities of Saudi Arabia in line with the country's Vision 2030.

HMS UNAYZAH, constructed at Navantias shipyard in the Bay of Cadiz, is part of an effort to improve the RSNF's efficiency in multi-combat missions and to safeguard Saudi Arabia's strategic interests.

Vice Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily, in his remarks, emphasized the corvette's contribution to the Kingdom's defense readiness and the project's role in advancing the localization of defense capabilitiesa key goal of Saudi Arabia's defense spending strategy.

The delivery ceremony highlighted the partnership between Navantia and the Saudi Arabian Military Industry (SAMI), demonstrating the technology transfer and localization of production capabilities achieved through the SAMINavantia joint venture. This collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia's efforts to enhance its defense industry and job creation.

HMS UNAYZAH, based on the AVANTE 2200 design, is 104 meters long and accommodates 102 personnel. Its construction and delivery conclude a project that saw the launch of five units within three years, signifying a significant phase in the partnership between Navantia and the RSNF. The contract also encompasses life cycle support and training services, ensuring the corvettes' operational effectiveness.

The commissioning event was attended by senior officials from both Spain and Saudi Arabia, including representatives from the defense sector and the joint venture partners, underscoring the collaborative efforts behind the project's realization.

Technical data

The HMS Unayzah has a displacement of 2,419 tons and measures 99 meters (324 feet 10 inches) in length and 13.6 meters (44 feet 7 inches) in beam, with a draught of 3.8 meters (12 feet 6 inches).

It is powered by a Combined Diesel And Diesel (CODAD) propulsion system that includes four MTU 12V-1163-TB93 engines, each producing 4,440 kW (5,950 hp), and operates two shafts fitted with Wartsila 5C11 CP propellers. This setup enables the corvette to achieve a top speed of 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph), with cruising and economy speeds of 22 and 18 knots, respectively.

The HMS Unayzah has an operational range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km; 4,000 mi) at a speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph). The ship's crew includes 60 members, with additional space for 32 personnel.

For surveillance and combat operations, the HMS Unayzah is equipped with several sensors and processing systems, including the Thales SMART-S Mk-2 multifunction radar, Mirador Electro-Optical Tracking System (EOTS), Vigile 100 Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Scout Mk2 Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) radar, Sting 1.2, and the TACTICOS Combat Management System (CMS).
According to information published by the Ukrainian government on March 9, 2024, during his official visit to Turkey, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inspected the construction of two corvettes for the Ukrainian Navy at a shipyard in Istanbul.

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2nd Ada class corvette Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky. (Picture source: Ukrainian presidency)

Zelenskyy shared updates via Facebook, stating his visit to the shipyard where the corvettes for the Ukrainian Naval Forces are being built. He reviewed the progress and equipment of the corvette "Ivan Mazepa" and engaged with Ukrainian Naval personnel, expressing gratitude for their service. Furthermore, Zelenskyy was briefed on the construction progress of a second Ada-class corvette, which he named after Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky.

This inspection is part of Ukraine's ongoing efforts to enhance its naval capabilities, with Turkey playing a pivotal role in building these corvettes. Previously, in August 2023, it was reported that Turkey would construct a second Ada-class corvette for the Ukrainian Naval Forces, which had its keel laid at a shipbuilding enterprise in Istanbul.

Zelenskyy had decreed to name this corvette after Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky, following his earlier decision in August 2022 to name the first Ada-class corvette being built for Ukraine by Turkey as "Hetman Ivan Mazepa."

Technical data

The Ukrainian Ada-class corvettes have a displacement of 2,300 long tons and measure 99.56 meters in length. With a beam of 14.40 meters and a draft of 3.89 meters, they are designed to balance stability and maneuverability in a variety of sea conditions.

Powered by a CODAG system that includes one gas turbine and two diesels, these corvettes can reach an economy speed of 15 knots and a maximum speed of 29 knots, with a range of 3,500 nautical miles at the economy speed. They can operate for 21 days with logistic support and 10 days autonomously.

The corvettes accommodate 93 personnel, including aviation officers, with space for up to 106. Their technical equipment encompasses the GENESIS Combat Management System, SMART-S Mk2 search radar, sonar, GPS, LAN, ECDIS, UniMACS 3000 IPMS, and various electronic warfare and decoy systems including Aselsan ARES-2N.

Armaments include a 76 mm OTO Melara Super Rapid gun, a 35 mm Aselsan GOKDENIZ anti-aircraft gun, two 12.7 mm Aselsan STAMP machine guns, Harpoon anti-surface missiles, VL MICA-M anti-aircraft missiles, and 324 mm MU90 torpedoes.
According to information published by the French MoD on March 9, 2024, a multi-mission frigate patrolling the Gulf of Aden as part of the European operation ASPIDES detected and destroyed four combat drones. These drones, approaching in a tactical formation and identified as coming from Yemen, were neutralized by the frigate and French fighter jets in an act of self-defense.

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Firing the 76 mm OTO Melara gun from the FREMM frigate. (Picture source: French MoD)

The incident ensured the safety of the cargo ship TRUE CONFIDENCE, flying under the Barbados flag, which had been attacked on March 6 and was being towed, as well as other merchant ships in the area.

This operation is part of efforts to maintain security along the maritime passage stretching from the Suez Canal to the Strait of Hormuz, under the EU-led mission EUVNAVFOR ASPIDES launched on February 19.

About the OTO Melara 76 mm

It has an empty weight of 7.5 tonnes (17,000 lb) and a barrel that is 62 calibers long, or 4,724.4 mm (186.00 in). Designed for remote control, the system does not require a crew for manual operations, which can contribute to operational efficiency and safety.

This artillery piece utilizes 76636mmR shells, with the cartridges weighing 12.5 kilograms (28 lb) and the shells themselves at 6.3 kilograms (14 lb). The propellant for each round weighs 2.35 kilograms (5.2 lb), and the system's caliber is set at 76.2 mm (3.00 in). It can adjust its elevation from 15 to +85, allowing for engagement with targets across a broad spectrum of angles.

The system's traverse is capable of a full 360 rotation, with a speed of 60/s and an acceleration rate of 72/s. Its elevation speed is 35/s, with the same acceleration, facilitating rapid target engagement.

Depending on the model, the OTO Melara 76 mm's rate of fire can be 85 rounds per minute for the Compact version or up to 120 rounds per minute for the Super Rapid variant.

The muzzle velocity of the rounds is 915 m/s (3,000 ft/s), supporting engagement with targets at considerable distances. The effective range varies by ammunition type: HE-PFF rounds can reach 16,000 m, SAPOMER rounds up to 20,000 m, and VULCANO rounds can extend to 40,000 m.

The system is equipped with a magazine capable of holding 80 ready rounds for the Compact gun mount, aiming to ensure a consistent rate of fire during operations.
Both Prabagaran and Ahuja point to the traditional OSI stack as an outdated impediment to innovation and say the stack must be reimagined to meet current and evolving threats.

Innovation on the existing network architecture paradigm will require networking, user experience, security, and cost functions to be blended. The seven-layer architecture accompanied by dozens of stakeholders in IT wont work, Prabagaran said. True innovation will be in the stack, and it will be centered around the work done by network architects to harmonize all these demands into a new single network layer for experience, security and connectivity, and cost management. While theres certainly a place for innovative point solutions, this rethinking is required before AIOps or any innovative networking solution can be deployed.

Ahuja believes that the next wave of enterprise networking innovation will focus on integrating security features into the networking stack, giving enterprises the ability to provide granular and posture-based access to protect the business.

The network is not one network  its the LAN, WAN, and data center, Ahuja said. Each of those networks could contain some combination of Ethernet, Wi-Fi, MPLS, wireline broadband, etc. Meanwhile, extending security beyond traditional perimeter protections involves complicated trade-offs that often negatively impact the end-user experience.

Enterprises need a new approach that delivers security built into the network, so protection can happen at every edge (LAN, WAN, cloud), threats are detected and dealt with instantaneously at every edge, and a user/app-aware network can deliver the right experience, he added.

The perimeter is gone forever

Startups Airgap Networks and Graphiant argue that networking and security must be more tightly integrated in order to meet modern security challenges. Whether workers are in the office or not is beside the point. The traditional corporate perimeter has been obliterated, and its not coming back.
96th Academy Award: Margot Robbie, Emma Stone join Ryan Gosling as he performs 'I'm Just Ken' Live with Slash

Los Angeles, March 11

P ink power took over the 96th Academy Award stage as actor Ryan Gosling performed 'I'm Just Ken' from the original album from Greta Gerwig's directorial 'Barbie'.

Before starting the performance, "Barbie" actor Simu Liu urged the audience to turn on their phone lights and sing along to Gosling's performance.

Gosling wore a bright sparkling pink suit and pink gloves and started singing "I'm Just Ken".

He then made his way to the stage, where he was joined by Mark Ronson on guitar and a handful of backup dancers. Slash also appeared on stage after contributing guitar to the song, reports variety.com.

Joining Gosling were his fellow 'Kens' Simu Liu, Scott Evans, Ncuti Gatwa and Kingsley Ben-Adir.

Gosling then got off the stage with the microphone in his hand and held it up to his "Barbie" collaborators Greta Gerwig, Robbie and America Ferrera, who were all singing along with him. He also held the mic next to Emma Stone to sing along, too. The electrifying performance earned him a standing ovation.

The 96th Academy Award is airing on Disney+ Hotstar in India.

96th Academy Award: Margot Robbie, Emma Stone join Ryan Gosling as he performs 'I'm Just Ken' Live with Slash

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Los Angeles, March 11

C hristopher Nolan's film 'Oppenheimer' dominated the 96th Academy Awards as it took home seven trophies, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

"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," Murphy said while accepting the honour.

For Nolan, who took home the Best Director, the Oscar win is a first despite being nominated seven times previously for directing "Dunkirk", as well as for his work on movies like "Memento" and "Inception".

During his acceptance, he said: "Movies are just a little bit over 100-years-old."

"I would imagine being 100 years into painting or 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."

Emma Stone earned her second best actress Oscar for "Poor Things". She thanked her director Yorgo Lanthimos, with whom she has just made another movie, "Kinds of Kindness", as well as the rest of the film's team.

Da'vine Joy Randolph was feted Best Supporting actress for her role as a grieving cafetaria manager grappling with the death of her son in "The Holdovers".

Robert Downey Jr. won the Best Supporting actor for the Cillian Murphy-starrer. He said: "Here's my little secret: I needed this job more than it needed me."

The actor, who struggled with drug addiction for much of the 1990s and early aughts before getting sober and launching his comeback, thanked Tom Hansen, his lawyer of 40 years, "half of which he spent trying to get me insured and bailing me out."

Jonathan Glazer, director of the best international feature winner "The Zone of Interest", a drama set in Auschwitz, spoke about violence in the Middle East and to draw parallels with the message of his searing look at the Holocaust.

"American Fiction", a satire that explores race and art, won Best Adapted Screenplay, while "Anatomy of a Fall", earned Best Original Screenplay.

"20 Days in Mariupol," won Best Documentary, its director Mstyslav Chernov drew attention to the human costs of Russia's invasion.

Billie Eilish shattered records, becoming the youngest two-time Oscar winner at the age of 22 after earning best song for her "Barbie" ballad "What Was I Made For?"

This year's Academy Awards, honouring the best films of the previous year, arrived at a tumultuous moment for Hollywood, which didn't have a whole lot to celebrate in 2023, reports variety.com.

The major studios spent much of that time locked in labour disputes with the leading actors and writers unions, which led to two costly strikes that ground film production to a standstill.

Much of the debate centered on how the streaming revolution that changed the way movies and shows are made and distributed has disrupted the way that talent profits from their work.

Jimmy Kimmel returned to host the Oscars for the fourth time. He started the ceremony with jokes about the Academy snub of "Barbie" filmmaker Greta Gerwig, the excessive lengths of many of the nominated films and Robert De Niro's much younger girlfriend.

96th Academy Award: 'Oppenheimer' dominates with 7 wins, 'Poor Things' gets 4 honours

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Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low around 50F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low around 50F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Researchers at LMU Munich have shown that sleep enhances the migratory potential of T cells toward lymph nodes.

Sleep is healthy - this popular knowledge is backed by science. Previous research had already shown that in people who slept after a vaccination, the immune response was twice as strong on average as in people who did not sleep during the night after the vaccination. However, the cell biological reasons for this had been little investigated before now.



A team led by Professor Luciana Besedovsky from the Institute of Medical Psychology has now demonstrated that sleep promotes the potential of immune cells - so-called T cells - to migrate toward lymph nodes. The researchers have reported their findings in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.

Significant differences after sleepless night

The scientists repeatedly examined the concentration of various subgroups of T cells in the blood of a cohort of healthy men and women over the course of two 24-hour sessions. In one of the two test conditions, the participants were allowed to sleep at night for eight hours, while in the other they relaxed in bed at night but stayed awake. A forearm catheter connected to an adjacent room by means of a tube enabled blood collection without disturbing the participant's sleep.



Analysis of the blood samples revealed significant differences between the test conditions: "Our results show that sleep promotes the migratory potential of various T-cell subpopulations," says Besedovsky.

Migration of T cells toward lymph nodes

As the researchers demonstrated, sleep increases the directed migration of T cells toward a signaling protein, the so-called 'homing' chemokine CCL19. This molecule mediates the migration of T cells, which possess the corresponding receptor for CCL19, to the lymph nodes, where the T cell immune defenses are 'trained' by being presented with antigens - for example, after a vaccination.



In further experiments, the researchers showed that incubating T cells with blood plasma taken from sleeping participants likewise increased the migratory potential. "This demonstrates that soluble factors that are elevated in blood plasma during sleep mediate the effect of sleep on T-cell migration. So we can in a way recreate the effect of sleep in the lab using the blood plasma of sleeping persons," reports Besedovsky.



The scientists identified growth hormone and prolactin as the decisive factors for this migration behavior. Both hormones showed sleep-dependent changes in concentration in the plasma, with higher values among the participants who slept during the night.

Our results also have potential clinical implications. Thus, growth hormone and prolactin could be considered as new adjuvants to promote immune responses following vaccination, especially in aged people, who typically display reduced levels of these hormones during sleep." Professor Luciana Besedovsky, Institute of Medical Psychology

Overall, the authors see the study as an important step for better understanding why sleep supports immune responses - for example, after vaccination - and why vaccines are often less effective in older people.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday that he is throwing his weight behind legislation to bar medical debt from showing up on consumer credit reports, a Democratic-led effort to offer protection to patients squeezed by health care bills.

Bonta is a sponsor of Sen. Monique Limon's bill, which seeks to block health care providers, as well as any contracted collection agency, from sharing a patient's medical debt with credit reporting agencies. It would also prevent credit reporting agencies from accepting, storing, or sharing any information concerning medical debt. Medical debt isn't necessarily an accurate reflection of credit risk, and its inclusion in credit reports can depress credit scores and make it hard for people to get a job, rent an apartment, or secure a car loan.

"This is a broken part of our current system that needs to be fixed," Bonta, a Democrat, told KFF Health News. "This is Californias opportunity, and we relish the ability to be up in front of key issues."

If enacted, California would become the third state to remove medical bills from consumer credit reports, following Colorado and New York in 2023. Minnesota has a proposal to do the same. Last year, the Biden administration announced plans to develop similar federal rules through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but they have yet to be released. And should former President Donald Trump return to the White House, he would have the prerogative to undo the rules.

Limon said it's important for the state to enshrine its own protections into law alongside the federal push. "We may be waiting for a very long time to see outcomes that California could potentially deliver in the next year," said the Santa Barbara Democrat.

Bonta said he's not sure what sort of opposition to the bill to expect, but he wonders if providers and collection agencies will be resistant.

A KFF Health News analysis found that credit reporting threats are the most common collection tactic used by hospitals to get patients to pay their bills. A hospital, for example, might be concerned that a credit score ban might make it more difficult to get patients to pay for medical care they have already received.

The three largest U.S. credit agencies  Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion  have said they would stop including some medical debt on credit reports as of 2022. Among the excluded debts are paid-off bills and those less than $500, but the agencies' voluntary actions left out millions of patients with bigger medical bills on their credit reports.

Limon said she often hears from constituents about the impact medical debt has on their lives. Medical debt disproportionately affects low-income, Black, and Latino Californians, according to the California Health Care Foundation.

And, increasingly, people with healthy incomes who often carry medical insurance are incurring medical debt. A KFF Health News-NPR investigation found that about 100 million people across the country are saddled with medical debt, which has forced some to give up their homes, ration food, and take on extra work.

Though the legislation wouldn't forgive medical debt, Limon said she hopes it will encourage people to seek medical care when they need it.

"You hear so many people now that are concerned about getting medical care because they cant afford it and instead wait to get worse," Limon said. "If the bill passes, well see less fear and more people going to get medical care."
Each year between 200,000 and 270,000 children and youth enter foster care placements with child welfare services, and many more children receive child welfare services while remaining in their parent's care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Although many of these children have a documented history of abuse or neglect, children may respond differently to incidents of maltreatment or other potentially traumatic events. Incorporating a trauma screening -; which assesses how trauma and maltreatment affected each child -; into the child welfare evaluation process provides information that could be used to connect children to the specific mental-health services they need, according to new research from the Penn State College of Health and Human Development and the Child Health and Development Institute.

Individuals react differently to traumatic events like stress or abuse. Some children develop signs of traumatic stress while other people in similar situations do not. For children who experience distress, some become hypervigilant, and others may become withdrawn.

Christian Connell, associate professor of human development and family studies and director of the Child Maltreatment Solutions Network, and collaborator, Jason Lang, chief program officer at the Child Health and Development Institute and a faculty member in the Yale School of Medicine and University of Connecticut, led a study on the value of screening for traumatic experiences during child welfare system intake evaluations. Their study demonstrated that asking a small number of questions about trauma during these evaluations led to better identification of trauma symptoms and more appropriate trauma-focused service recommendations for children. Results of the study were recently published in Journal of Traumatic Stress.

In 2014, Connell and Lang created the Child Trauma Screen, a 10-item screening questionnaire that measures trauma exposure and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in children. The screen was designed for use with established child welfare service evaluations and is freely available to any government entity or child-serving service organization that wishes to use it. Since 2015, the state of Connecticut has included the Child Trauma Screen as part of evaluations for children placed in the child welfare system.

In this study, the researchers reviewed Connecticut child welfare records from July 2013 through October 2014, before the screening was implemented, and from October 2015 through March 2016, after the screening was integrated into evaluations across the state. The research team examined 70 records from the pre-screening time period and 100 records from the screening time period for children between the ages of six and 17.

"When a child encounters the child welfare system, he or she may have had a number of difficult life experiences. The Child Trauma Screen helps staff understand how the system might best respond to that child's needs related to these experiences," said Connell, who is also one of the principal investigators of the Translational Center for Child Maltreatment Studies, within the Penn State Center for Safe and Healthy Children. "While the child welfare investigation processes usually identifies the types of experiences the child may have had leading to child welfare involvement, staff also need a standard way to assess how the child is processing those experiences to better identify appropriate service referrals. This is why we created the Child Trauma Screen."

By using the Child Trauma Screen when children entered formal involvement with the child welfare system, case workers were able to gather consistent information on the types of traumatic stress reactions experienced by children. Results from the study showed that using the screening led to better documentation of children's reactions to traumatic events and increased service recommendations and referrals for specific, trauma-focused services.

One potential concern arises from the fact that -; despite the heightened rates of referral for services prompted by the trauma screening -; the results did not demonstrate a corresponding increase in children receiving trauma-related services. The data in this study do not explain why the recommendations did not lead to more services being documented in the child welfare record, but the researchers agreed that identifying that disconnect is critically important so that they can understand and rectify it. Potential explanations include challenges in accessing services within communities or a failure to document services that were provided.

Ultimately, the goal is to connect children who have experienced trauma to the services and supports they need. Our results show that screening can be an important part of that process, but that further work is required to make the connection. The next step is identifying the barriers to providing trauma-related services and then connecting each child with the specific help they need." Christian Connell, associate professor of human development and family studies and director of the Child Maltreatment Solutions Network

The Child Trauma Screen has been translated into several languages and is used by juvenile courts and child welfare systems in multiple states and localities in the U.S. and internationally. Connell and Lang said that there are multiple valid tools that can be used for trauma screening, but the most important thing is that children should be screened for trauma experiences and trauma-related symptoms if there in an opportunity to connect them with necessary services.

"Most children who suffer from traumatic stress do not receive behavioral health services, and some suffer in silence alone without telling anybody what they experienced," Lang said. "Screening is an effective strategy for identifying children who are suffering and providing support and connection with behavioral health or other services. Unfortunately, trauma screening is not commonly used in many settings where it can be helpful, so we are also creating trainings for adults who work with children."

The Child Health and Development Institute is developing a web-based training program about trauma screening for social workers, health care providers, educators and other people who work with children. Trauma ScreenTIME is a five-module, web-based training on trauma screening developed with funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Child Traumatic Stress Network. So far, over 1,600 people have enrolled and more than 500 have completed the training, according to Connell, who is evaluating the effects of the training among participants.

Modules for people who work in schools and pediatric medical care are available now, and modules for people who work in early childcare, child welfare and juvenile justice are in development. Like the Child Trauma Screen, the Trauma ScreenTime trainings are available for free online.

"Many child-serving professionals are reluctant or don't feel equipped to talk with children and families about trauma," Lang said. "Trauma ScreenTIME provides comprehensive courses in trauma-screening best practices. The trainings address common questions and concerns and provide simple strategies that can be used in virtually any child-serving setting."

Ann Shun Swanson, graduate student at Penn State, and Maegan Genovese, research associate at The Consultation Center in the Yale School of Medicine, also contributed to this research.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families and the Children's Bureau funded this project.
Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Haryana section of the landmark Dwarka Expressway, real estate players say it marks a significant milestone for the real estate sector in Gurugram and the Millennium City, radiating optimism and growth. It said the expressway will improve traffic flow and ease congestion between Delhi and Gurugram on NH-48.

The total length of Dwarka Expressway is 29 km, out of which 18.9 km falls in Haryana, while the remaining 10.1 km is in Delhi.

On March 9, 2019, the then Union ministers, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Nitin Gadkari had laid the foundation stone for Dwarka Expressway. The prime minister also held a road show here.

Dwarka Expressway is Indias first elevated 8-lane access control urban expressway, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 9,000 crore, as part of the Centres Rs 60,000 crore highway development plan in the NCR to decongest the national capital. The Haryana section of Dwarka Expressway has been built at a cost of around Rs 4,100 crore and includes two packages of 10.2-km Delhi-Haryana Border to Basai Rail-over-Bridge (ROB) and 8.7-km Basai ROB to Kherki Daula.

It will also provide direct connectivity to the IGI Airport in Delhi and Gurugram Bypass. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari were present at the event.

What Industry Players Say

Pradeep Aggarwal, founder and chairman of Signature Global (India) Ltd, said, The unveiling of the Gurgaon segment of the Dwarka Expressway marks a significant milestone for the real estate sector and the Millennium City, radiating optimism and growth. This state-of-the-art project includes a modern eight-lane expressway, which strategically connects key locations of Delhi and Gurugram and re-shaping the landscape of Gurgaons property market. The project stands as a testament to the governments dedication to fostering a dynamic urban centre.

He added that this new expressway will not only provide better connectivity for the close vicinity and locations of SPR, New Gurugram and Sector 37D at Dwarka Expressway; it would be a catalyst for price appreciation and promises a bright future for the real estate market in the region.

Aman Sarin, director and chief executive officer of Anant Raj, said, From a real estate perspective, the completion of the Dwarka Expressway will benefit the numerous homebuyers who have invested in properties in this region. Additionally, this milestone will unlock numerous land parcels for development, presenting fresh opportunities for both Residential and Commercial Projects.

Mohit Jain, managing director of Krisumi Corporation, said major infrastructure projects act as a catalyst for the economy. This is the reason the government prioritises such developments. Real estate as a sector immensely benefits from improved connectivity.

Pankaj Pal, managing director of Whiteland Corporation, said, The Dwarka Expressway, with its strategic linkage from Shiv Murti near IGI Airport to Kherki Daula toll, is set to redefine the accessibility and convenience of residents, making Gurgaon a prime destination for property investment. The commitment of Rs 9,000 crore towards this infrastructure project underscores the governments dedication to fostering economic development and creating a conducive environment for real estate growth.

Vipin Sharma, founder and chairman of Aarize Group, said past hurdles in urban mobility are being overcome, present opportunities are being seized, and the future holds promise for exponential growth. Enhanced connectivity not only attracts investors but also fosters sustainable urban development, creating vibrant communities and unlocking immense economic potential. As real estate developer, we embrace such initiatives as they not only benefit the real estate growth, but also contribute to the overall prosperity and livability of the region.
The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has released the answer key for the Class 10 exam 2024. Candidates can visit the official website biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in to check the Bihar Board matriculation exam answer key online. Students can raise objections to the answer key till March 14 by 5 pm. The final result will be released after reviewing the objections raised on the answer key of the exam. The matriculation exam commenced on February 15 and concluded on February 23.

As per the marking scheme, students must achieve a minimum of 30 per cent in theory papers and 40 per cent of the total marks in practicals to pass. According to media reports, the Bihar Board matriculation results can be released by April 10. The application process for admission to the Bihar Board intermediate class will start on April 11. The process of admission to BSEB class 12 will continue till April 25.

ALSO READ | Bihar Board Result 2024: Class 12 Topper Verification Begins Soon; When Will Inter Exam Marks Be Released?

Bihar Board class 10 Answer Key 2024: How To Download?

Step 1: Go to the official website  biharboardonline.com.

Step 2: On the homepage, locate and click on the matriculation exam answer key.

Step 3: Youll be prompted to enter your roll code and roll number into the required fields.

Step 4: After entering your details, click on the Submit button.

Step 5: Once submitted, youll be directed to the Bihar Board 10th Answer Key 2024 dashboard. Here, you can select the subject from the provided list.

Step 6: The answer key file for the chosen subject will be displayed. Review the answers, and if necessary, download the answer key file for future reference.

Meanwhile, the BSEB inter examination was conducted across 1,523 exam centres in Bihar from February 1 to February 12, 2024. A total of 13,04,352 students participated in the exams. The exams were conducted in two shifts  the forenoon session from 9:30 am to 12:45 pm and the afternoon session from 2:30 pm to 5:15 pm. The evaluation process has been completed and BSEB has also released the class 12 answer key.
The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) is slated to commence the class 10 and class 12 board exams 2024 from today, March 11. The GSEB class 10 exams and class 12 exams for Science, General Stream, Vocational, and Sanskrit medium students will go on till April 26, 2024. The exams will continue for almost 15 days. The Class 10 and 12 science exams will end on March 22, while Class 12 general stream exams will finish on March 26.

The SSC exams will take place in the morning session from 10 am to 1:15 pm. The GSEB HSC science board exams for 2024 are scheduled to start on March 11, beginning with Sahkar Panchayat and Namanam Mula Tatvo papers. The exams will be conducted in two shifts: the morning shift from 10:30 am to 1:45 pm and the afternoon shift from 3 pm to 6:15 pm.

Students are advised to reach the exam centres 30 minutes before the commencement of the GSEB exams. Before entering the exam centres assigned to them, candidates must carry a print out of admit card downloaded collected from their schools. Mobile phones, laptops, Bluetooth speakers, and earphones are not permitted inside the test venue.

Among the key modifications announced by the Gujarat board regarding the GSEB classes 10 and 12 board exams 2024 include a hike of 10 per cent in objective questions from 20 to 30 per cent. The share of descriptive questions on the other hand has declined from 30 to 20 per cent. Furthermore, class 12 science students can appear in either one or all of the supplementary exams, to be held in June/July. Among these, the best of the two exam results will be considered by the Gujarat board.

In 2023, out of 734,898 students who took the Gujarat board class 10 exam, 474,893 students successfully cleared it, resulting in a pass rate of 64.62 per cent. The overall pass rate for the HSC general stream last year was 73.27 per cent, and for the science stream, it was 65.58 per cent.
A fresh plea filed in the Supreme Court has sought to restrain the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government from appointing a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Other Election Commissioners (EC). The appointment of two Election Commissioners by the government is expected later this week.

The plea filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur alleges that the new law on the appointment of CEC and ECs is against free and fair elections. Thakur, a Congress leader from Madhya Pradesh, has filed a petition in the top court citing a 2023 judgment to restrain the BJP government from appointing the ECs.

The plea further states that theres urgency in the matter as Lok Sabha polls might be announced anytime soon and one Election Commissioner Arun Goel has already resigned. It also sought direction from the apex court for the appointment of the ECs in line with the 2023 order.

A Constitution Bench in 2023 ruled that election commissioners must be appointed on the advice of a panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice of India.

The posts of the two ECs fell vacant after the surprise resignation of Arun Goel last week, followed by the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey last month.

Appointment Of New ECs

As per News18 sources, two election commissioners are likely to be appointed on March 15 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A selection committee meeting will also be conducted, headed by PM Modi along with a Union minister and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who will name two persons for the appointment as election commissioners.

Sources said the selection committee could meet either on March 13 or 14 depending on the convenience of the members. Following this, the official appointment will be made by the President.

Arun Goel Resigned As EC

Goel resigned on Saturday, days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. His tenure was until December 5, 2027, and he would have become Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after the retirement of incumbent Rajiv Kumar in February next year.

It was not immediately known why he stepped down. Goel was a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre.

He joined the Election Commission in November 2022. Following the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey in February and Goels resignation, the three-member EC now has only one member  CEC Rajiv Kumar.
Former Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan on Sunday asserted that every party wants him to be on its side, indicating he could tilt towards the one that offered a better bargain.

Paswan, an NDA ally, has been getting feelers from the Mahagathbandhan, the opposition coalition in Bihar.

Addressing a rally in the Sahebganj assembly segment, Chirag dropped ample hints that he was weighing his options and could tilt towards the side with a better bargain.

I can see the posse of media persons here who are anxious to know whom Chirag Paswan is aligned with. I wish to tell them that Chirag Paswan is aligned only with the people of Bihar, said the young leader, who has often sworn by his loyalty towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, likening him to Lord Ram and himself to Lord Hanuman.

Every party, every coalition wants Chirag Paswan to be on its side, he said, adding that this was because people were enamored with his Bihar first Bihari first vision that seeks to pull the state out of chronic backwardness.

In his speech, he made yet another attempt to project himself as true heir to his late father Ram Vilas Paswan, calling himself sher ka beta.

He refrained from mentioning by name bete noires in the NDA, Nitish Kumar, the Bihar chief minister who heads the JD(U), and Union minister, uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras, who split the late leaders party.

The young leader, however, spoke at length about the conspiracies he had to face, aimed at breaking my home, my family and my party, though I have demonstrated that Chirag Paswan cannot be cowed down.

The rally at Sahebanj under the Vaishali Lok Sabha seat, which the LJP won in the last two elections, is being seen as a fresh attempt by Paswan to claim his fathers legacy, after having earlier declared that the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), a splinter group that he now heads, will contest Hajipur, which the late leader had represented several times.

Predictably, the nephews offensive has not got down well with Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) headed by Paras, who is the sitting MP from Hajipur, and has made it clear that he will seek re-election from the seat.

RLJP spokesman Shravan Agrawal said, There is no question of our giving up Hajipur or any of the other four seats our party holds. We are sure our claim will be honoured by the BJP as we are the NDAs natural allies. Why else are they (Chirags party) getting an offer from the other side, but nobody dares to approach us with such enticements.

While no Mahagathbandhan leader has said on record what was the offer made to Paswan, sources in the coalition, which includes the Congress, RJD and three Left parties, said he could be accommodated with more than six seats.

The LJP had, in 2019, fought six seats, winning all of those, though the two splinter groups may have to settle for a much smaller number this time, especially in view of the fact that the NDA has brought into its fold two smaller parties, the Rashtriya Lok Morcha of former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha and Hindustani Awam Morcha of ex-CM Jitan Ram Manjhi.

Moreover, Nitish Kumar, who had quit the NDA for a brief period, is also back in the coalition, and is understood to be adamant on his share of 17 seats, the number fought by the JD(U) five years ago when it won all but one.

BJP leaders said on the condition of anonymity that the feud between uncle and nephew is a thorn in the flesh, as the party cannot afford to lose Chirag, who enjoys mass appeal, but also does not wish to turn its back on Paras, whom it made a Union minister after Paswan seniors death and behind whom all other LJP MPs had rallied when the party split up in 2021.

However, one of the MPs, Veena Devi, who represents Vaishali, recently announced that she was back in Chirags camp. She was also present at the Sahebganj rally.

Soon after the rally, Paswan, who was in Patna to board his return flight to Delhi, did not reveal his cards when journalists approached him with queries at the airport.

I learn it from the media that I am angry (with NDA) on one day and happy on another day. But, let me assure you that my concerns are bigger. I care for Bihar and Biharis, he told reporters.

As far as pre-poll and seat-sharing arrangements are concerned, it has taken the final shape and we will share the details in a few days, added Paswan, without elaborating further. PTI NAC RBT

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After launching the Aam Aadmi Partys 2024 campaign in Delhi and Kurukshetra, the AAP launched its campaign for Punjab with two slogans  Sansad Vichvi Bhagwant Mann, Khushaal Punjab Te Badhegi Shaan and Punjab Banega Hero, Is Baar Tera Zero. The slogan is a take on the one launched in Delhi  Sansad Mein Bhi Kejriwal, Toh Delhi Hogi Aur Khushaal.

Speaking in Mohali, AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the partys campaign with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann by his side. The AAP is going local in each state, instead of pinning its campaign completely on the face of AAP Chief Kejriwal.

FOCUS ON 23 SEATS

In the upcoming 2024 general elections, as part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, the AAP is focusing on 23 Lok Sabha constituencies. Of these, 13 are in Punjab, where both the AAP and Congress have decided to fight independently. In Delhi, the AAP-Congress are fighting on 4 and 3 seats, respectively; in Kurukshetra, the AAP has wrested 1 constituency, while the Congress is fighting on the rest 9. In Gujarat, the AAP is contesting two seats, while the Congress is fighting on 24. In Goa, the Congress is contesting both the Parliamentary constituencies, while in Assam, the AAP has put up three candidates as part of the united Opposition bloc.

While the AAP has declared candidates for all other states, the Punjab list is still awaited. On March 8, the day the party launched its Lok Sabha campaign for Delhi, AAP National Organisation Secretary Sandeep Pathak told News18 that the campaign in Punjab would be state-centric and the names of the candidates would be announced within a week. Punjab remains the only state that has elected members of Parliament to the lower House from AAP from 2014, a year after the party was formed and, remains the partys best hope in 2024. AAPs 7 Rajya Sabha members are from Punjab.

JANTA JANARDAN HAI

We regard the people of Punjab as our malik. We are sevaks, janta janardan hai, janta bhagwan hai, hum bhagwan ke bhakt hai. When a devotee goes to the Lord, the devotee asks for more and more. Just like that, we have come to ask more from the people of Punjab. You gave us 92 out of the 117 seats. We are grateful. Now, another big election is upon us. There are 13 seats at stake. We want all these 13 seats, not for our sake, but for the sake of the wellbeing of your families, to make Punjab prosperous. Punjab ko rangla banana ke liye, for the development of Punjab, we need these 13 seats, Kejriwal appealed to the voters.

Kejriwal then targeted the central government for allegedly obstructing the work of the Mann government. The Central government stalled Rs 8,000 crore in dues to Punjab. That is a huge amount of money and would have helped build more schools, roads, hospitals, mohalla clinics and more. Whatever work we do, the Governor interferes with it. The Central government rejected the tableau that the people of Punjab had prepared for Republic Day. That tableau had Sardar Bhagat Singh, Kartar Singh Saraba and Lala Lajpat Rai. The tableau had the stories of Punjabs freedom fighters. Who are the people in the central government to reject Sardar Bhagat Singh, Kartar Singh Saraba and Lala Lajpat Rai, Kejriwal asked.

The Delhi Chief Minister then went on to allege that multiple efforts were launched to topple the Punjab government. To topple the Punjab government, every day, they are approaching one MLA or another. They want to topple the Punjab government, he said.

GIVE ALL 13 SEATS TO MANN

In a pitch similar to the one of the AAP in Delhi, Kejriwal said, Today, Bhagwant Mann is fighting for you alone. Bhagwant Mann is fighting the central government, the BJP and the Governor. Your son and brother is fighting for you alone. Will you leave him alone? Will you not support him? Today, if you defeat them with 13-0, give all 13 seats to Mann, it will strengthen his fight for Punjab in Parliament. Thirteen MPs will be the voice of Punjab in Parliament.

Targeting the opposition MPs, which included those from the Congress, Kejriwal asked, What were these 13 MPs doing when the central government stalled Rs 8,000 crore meant for Punjab? You only hear the voice of Rinku who won from Jalandhar. Where are the other 12 MPs? Where were the 12 MPs when your tableau was rejected?

Kejriwal futher said that if the AAP won from 13 constituencies, these 13 MPs would, if necessary, stage sit-ins at the ministers house and ensure that Punjabs work gets done.

Mann thanked the AAP convener for reposing his trust in him and launching the slogan for the partys campaign in his name. The BJP-led central government hates the people of Punjab. The central government does not want Punjab to become a leader or to become prosperous because the BJP never wins in Punjab. Having failed to win from here, the BJP resorts to obstructing work in Punjab, just as they are doing in Delhi, said Mann.

The Punjab Chief Minister alleged that the central government had stalled funds worth Rs 8,000 crore, which would have been used for peoples work. If you give me 13 more hands, 13 MPs will go from here, more will go from Delhi, Kurukshetra and Gujarat. We already have 10 MPs in the Rajya Sabha. When we have around 30 MPs in Parliament, no one will dare to obstruct the development of Punjab, said Mann.
Uddhav Thackerays announcement of Amol Kirtikars candidature from Mumbai North West constituency for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls has once again exposed the chinks in the MVA armour, with Congress seething over the move.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi is still holding meetings to decide the final seat-sharing formula for the Lok Sabha elections but Thackerays declaration has upset former Mumbai Congress chief and former Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam.

According to sources, Nirupam was anticipating that the Congress would get a word into the ongoing negotiations but Thackeray announced his partys pick before the seats could be formally announced.

Kirtikar is the son of incumbent MP Gajanan Kirtikar who joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena after the split in the party. However, Thackeray wanted to reward Amol for sticking by him after the split and hence announced his name.

A month ago, Aaditya Thackeray, at one of his rallies in Mumbais Girgaon area, announced the candidature of Arvind Sawant from the Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency. The announcement led to the exit of former MP Milind Deora from the Congress. He later joined the Shinde-led Sena and became a Rajya Sabha MP.

Nirupam told news agency ANI: 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 I request Shiv Sena to take back the announcement they made.

Nirupam also questioned Thackerays choice of Amol who is facing an ACB inquiry in the Khichadi scam during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Sunday, Bhaskar Jadhav, another Thackeray MLA who hails from the Konkan region and represents Chiplun constituency, held a meeting with his supporters and expressed his displeasure about not getting any portfolio despite being a former minister.

I dont just contest to become a minister. If that were my intention, I could have got it in 2019 only. When Uddhav-ji was chief minister, BJP leaders were making a continuous attack on him. I was taking all those BJP leaders head-on inside and outside the state assembly. How many of those who got portfolios raised their voices to defend him? Jadhav asked, bringing up his disappointment at not being made group leader of Shiv Sena UBT post the split in the party.

Apart from Thackeray, Sharad Pawar has announced the ticket to his daughter Supriya Sule who represents Baramati constituency in the Lok Sabha. The Congress has announced the candidature of Shahu Maharaj from the Kolhapur Lok Sabha seat.
Amidst the glitz and glamour of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants pre-wedding celebrations, a long-awaited union stole the limelight in tinsel town. Actress Surbhi Chandna, best known for her role in Ishqbaaaz, tied the knot with longtime beau Karan Sharma on March 2. The wedding festivities, which spread over three days and were filled with elegance, joy, and tradition, took place at Jaipurs Chomu Palace.

While the wedding celebrations have ended, it appears that the wedding fever is still on, as the Naagin 5 actress is regularly posting their wedding pictures and videos on her social media, giving fans a glimpse into their fairytale celebration. Starting with the wedding day pictures, the beauty has recently dropped a video on Instagram, giving a sneak peek of her Sufi Night (Sangeet function). Along with the lovely video, Surbhi also shared a sweet anecdote from the function.

The vibrant Sufi night held on March 1 saw the lovebirds twinning in all-black ensemble. Surbhi slipped into a beautiful sequined crop top and flared pants with a flowy cape, adding to its beauty and elegance. Karan, on the other hand, looked dapper in a sequined Indo-western set.

The Sufi night was a fun-filled event with close friends and family members in attendance. Sharing a glimpse of their big night, Surbhi penned down an appreciation post for her husband, Karan Sharma. As per the post, Karan took an extra step and made sure that the guests had a fun time during the Sufi Night function with his foot-tapping playlist. The newlyweds along with their family and friends can be seen dancing and celebrating the night.

Taking to Instagram, Surbhi Chandna wrote, Appreciation Post For The Husband. The Sufi night was just not any Ordinary Night. The Husband had a special segment planned for our lovely guests and we all had the privilege of dancing to Karans tunes when Sir took over the DJ Console and had all of us in splits with his clap-worthy playlist.

Watch the video:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Surbhi Chandna (@officialsurbhic)

Surbhi Chandnas pre-wedding festivities kicked off with a Mehendi ceremony, where the bride and groom sported beautiful outfits with amazing henna designs.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Surbhi Chandna (@officialsurbhic)

The wedding ceremony was a beautiful and emotional affair, and the bride opted for a stunning turquoise lehenga with pops of pink carnation. Designed by Jigar and Nikita, the lehenga was adorned with intricate embroidery, floral motifs, and sequins. This masterpiece took a whopping 70 days and 1,680 hours of hard work and we just cant take our eyes off the beautiful bride.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Surbhi Chandna (@officialsurbhic)

We wish Surbhi Chandna and Karan Sharma a lifetime of happiness together!
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government announced the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Monday, the law is back in discussion.

The Central government passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Parliament in 2019. The purpose of this bill is to give Indian citizenship to refugees of six communities (Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and Parsis), who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. It had led to protest over the exclusion of Muslims.

The CAA was an integral part of the BJPs manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had last month said that the CAA would be implemented before the Lok Sabha elections this year.

Heres the governments response to all questions that were raised when the CAA was introduced:

What is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)?

The law does not deprive anyone of citizenship nor does it grant citizenship to anyone. It merely modifies the category of people who can apply (for citizenship). It does this by exempting the applicants from the definition of illegal migrant"  any person who belongs to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian community and is from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, who has entered India on or before the 31st day of December, 2014, and who has been exempted by the Central Government or the Foreigners Act, under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, or the provisions of 1946 or under any rule.

The legal framework for this exemption is found in two notifications issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2015.

In effect, this notification exempts only those Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis or Christians, from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, who have come to India before December 31, 2014, due to fear of religious persecution.

What does the citizenship law do?

This law does not automatically give them citizenship, it just makes them eligible to apply for it. They will have to show that they have lived in India for five years. They will have to prove that they have come to India before December 31, 2014. It has to be proved that they have fled from their countries due to religious persecution. They speak languages from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and fulfill the requirements of the Third Schedule of the Civil Code 1955. Through this, they will be eligible to apply. After that, it will be up to the Government of India whether it grants them citizenship or not.

The Modi government today notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024.These rules will now enable minorities persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to acquire citizenship in our nation. With this notification PM Shri @narendramodi Ji has  Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) March 11, 2024

What kind of visa does India issue to refugees?

Refugees who do not qualify (regardless of religion) will continue to be protected under Indias ad-hoc refugee policy, under which long-term stay visas are issued to them to stay in India.

According to the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, many refugees from countries such as Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, etc. are living comfortably in India. The government says that this law does not cover Muslim refugees, because our position is that when the situation becomes safe for them, the refugees can and should return to their homes.

ALSO READ | CAA is the Law of the Land, No One Can Stop It, Says Home Minister Amit Shah

How does India give visa to refugees?

Indias policy has always been non-inclusive (long before this government came into existence). Some countries are exclusively constitutionally Islamic nations. The official religion there is Islam, whereas some Muslims flee and come to India. They come here after fleeing the conditions of oppression and tyranny in their countries. India sees no sense in neutralising them from a policy perspective.

What are the problems faced by non-Muslim refugees?

There are constitutional problems for non-Muslims in neighbouring countries. There is a view that they are subjected to such atrocities as if they do not deserve to live there. Therefore, amnesty makes sense for non-Muslims. Muslims are treated as separate cases, as we have done for Muslims coming from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, etc.

How is the government tackling the Rohingya issue?

In case of Burma, Rohingya actually came to India during the time of undivided India, when Britain occupied Burma. Therefore, Burma does not include them in its ethnic groups and citizenship. India is embroiled in this controversy. If India grants Rohingya the right to be neutralised in India, it will upset Burma. Rohingya have got refugee protection and long-term visa in India. But they will not be eligible for citizenship.

Is this law against Muslims?

The governments stance has been that this law is not against Muslims. Any person who is in India because of atrocities will be sent back to the place later. It should not be assumed that they will ever be eligible for citizenship here. People whose atrocities are permanent will be given protection. Our policy of non-inclusion will continue. However, if things do not improve for refugees over the next 50 years, we will need to increase their protection through additional ad hoc constitutional legislation, which is not the policy currently.
Dr V Ram Prasath Manohar, chairman of the Bengaluru Water Supply & Sewage Board (BWSSB), has an unenviable job. The young IAS officer has to ensure that the worlds second-largest IT city gets enough water every day. At the same time, he has to fight misinformation and alarmists to calm the nerves of the citys population.

These days, Manohar rarely sleeps. He starts work early after staying awake late into the night taking stock of the situation and making plans for the next day. April will be the cruellest month for him and, like all Bengalurians, he too prays for early pre-Monsoon showers.

Bengalurus water shortage has already made it to international headlines, triggering panic among its almost two crore (20 million including the rural parts) people.

The Congress government in Karnataka led by chief minister Siddaramaiah, which is gearing up for Lok Sabha elections, is now mobilising all resources to fight the water shortage in the capital city.

Monsoon failed in the previous year, causing unprecedented drought across Karnataka. According to Siddaramaiah, this kind of a drought has not been seen in the last 130 years.

Unlike other major cities, Bengaluru is officially a hill station situated at an elevation of 3,000 feet from the sea level. It is at the centre of the Deccan plateau and gets copious rains from two Monsoon seasons  Southwest Monsoon (June-September) and Northeast Monsoon (November-December).

Due to its elevation, the city has hundreds of small and big water bodies. Not so long ago, it had over 600 tanks and lakes. Over the years, the city, which is now bursting at the seams, devoured 2/3rds of the water bodies, turning once-serene tanks and lakes into concrete skyscrapers.

Till the IT boom hit the skies in the early 2000s, Bengaluru had an ideal population of about 50 lakh people. The city has added over one crore in just 20 years, adding to its water woes. Bengaluru has expanded into neighbouring districts of Ramanagara, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapur and even Tumkur, making providing drinking water a huge task.

Two-thirds of Bengalurus water comes from the Cauvery River. For the remaining needs, the city depends on borewells and other sources. Pumping water to the city from Cauvery is an engineering marvel as the river flows 1,000 feet below Bengalurus elevation at a distance of 120 kilometres.

The Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal has allocated 35 TMC feet water for Bengaluru and the city is currently using 19 TMC feet from the fully executed Cauvery 1-4 phase water supply schemes.

In the Cauvery V Phase, the BWSSB is planning to supply Cauvery water to 110 villages which now form the core of the IT corridor in the southern and eastern parts of the metropolis. This phase alone will utilise 10 TMC feet of water from the Cauvery. The area is now entirely dependent on borewells for its water needs.

The water shortage is acute in these parts as 30 per cent of the borewells dried up by the end of February. Water tankers, which are the lifeline of the residents, have been taken over by the government on the instructions of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also holds the powerful portfolio of Bengaluru Development. The BBMP has also fixed the price of water being supplied by the tankers to help the people who otherwise would be at the mercy of tanker mafia.

Alarmed gated communities and high-rise apartments have already started rationing water, banning car washing with drinking water, using it for fountains etc. Since the borewells have dried up or the water table has depleted, getting tanker water has also become a big task for most.

Entire Bengaluru is not facing a water crisis. Yes, the Monsoon failed completely last year and there are some serious issues. The areas which are not under the Cauvery water supply scheme are facing crisis due to drought. Our government is doing everything possible to supply water to all. No one should cause panic, Siddaramaiah said while speaking to the media.

The BWSSB is also assuring people of enough water to meet their daily demands.

According to water expert Vishwanath Srikantaiah, a major part of the groundwater crisis in Bengaluru is the draining of Bellandur and Varthur lakes for desilting. As an emergency measure, just filling them with tertiary treated wastewater will fill aquifers up to 10 kilometres.

A water crusader, Vishwanath is optimistic about water for Bengaluru in the future. Cauvery 2,225 MLD+ground water 600 MLD+Rainwater 500 MLD + treated wastewater 2,260 MLD = 5,585 million litres per day, he adds, explaining what the water availability for Bengaluru could look like if planned well. This would be a holistic plan, good enough for four crore people.

Manohar, meanwhile, assures that there will be no problem till July as far as Cauvery water is concerned. According to him, Bengaluru is getting 1,470 MLD per day from Cauvery. At this rate, the city needs 1.54 TMC feet of water per month and Bengaluru requires a maximum of eight TMC feet of water till the end of July.

He adds that Cauvery V which is scheduled for implementation by May 15 can add another 775 MLD water per day.

At a later stage, the BWSSB plans to bring outskirt taluks in Rural, Chikkaballapura and Ramanagara under Cauvery VI, and the final phase utilising all 35 TMC feet of water allocated for Bengaluru, he says.

Expecting more crisis closer to the Monsoon season, residents and restaurateurs have already started rationing the available water.

The water shortage is likely to be a big issue during the Lok Sabha elections and the ruling Congress is praying for the rains to face that.

Bengalurus water shortage is certainly worrying, but not yet alarming.
Aaj toh kachori aur mirchi pakode ki party hogi (today well celebrate by eating kachori and mirchi pakoda), said a thrilled Heeralal, who might get Indian citizenship after Monday. The ministry of home affairs notified the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act, five years after the law was passed in Parliament.

The new rules will pave the way for six communities  Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Sikhs and Christians  from 3 countries  Pakistan , Afghanistan and Bangladesh  to seek Indian citizenship through naturalisation. According to home ministry data, at least 31,000 persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh could benefit from the CAA. A government spokesperson said all applications will be processed online through a notified portal.

Those who came to India before 2014 to benefit

Under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), those who came to India on or before December 31, 2014, can apply for citizenship. The central government said the law removes legal barriers to rehabilitation and citizenship.

(This is) to give a dignified life to refugees who have suffered for decades. Citizenship rights will protect their cultural, linguistic and social identity. It will also ensure economic, commercial, free movement, and property purchase rights, government sources said.

CAA constitutional obligation

The Centre sought to dispel many misconceptions (that) have been spread regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act. This is the law to give citizenship; it will not take away citizenship of any Indian citizen, irrespective of religion. This Act is only for those who have suffered persecution for years and have no other shelter in the world except India, sources said.

On the need for this law, the government reiterated that it was a constitutional obligation. The Constitution of India grants us the right to provide religious persecuted refugees with fundamental rights and to grant citizenship from a humanitarian perspective. The implementation of the CAA was delayed due to the Covid pandemic. But we are now implementing it sources added.

We had said in our 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto that we are committed to enacting the Citizenship Amendment Bill for the protection of persecuted religious minorities from neighboring countries, a senior BJP functionary told News18. Today, we have fulfilled this promise within the spirit of the Constitution.

Big day for us

Heeralal came from Mirpur Khas in Pakistans Sindh. He came to India with his daughter, son and wife. In India, two more children were born to the farm labourer, who is thankful to the Centre for giving him and 200 other families a place to live.

I have gone to school till Class X. But my wife is illiterate. I couldnt send my daughter to school there. What was happening around it was clear that we cant live peacefully in Pakistan. Their Constitution does not grant any right to us minorities, he said, adding that it was a big day for him and others like him, and that he wanted to thank the government.

For those like Heeralal, who came on a long-term visa, getting an Aadhaar card was easy. The government is now relying on Aadhaar cards, linked bank accounts, school admission documents that mention nationality, to allow citizenship to persecuted minorities from three countries.

For Radha Solanki and 150 other families in Majnu ka Tila in North Delhi, it has been a long wait that will finally end. These families came to India around 2011 on a pilgrimage visa to attend Kumbh.

Hindu Singh Sodha, whose family fled to India from Pakistan after the 1971 War, said the wait for the CAA has been too long. When we came, refugee status was given. Proper schools, doctor visits were organised. But, for the last two decades, the struggle for Pakistani Hindus in India has been long. Todays decision is welcome, he told News18. The group is hopeful that India will keep its heart open for those who fled after 2014 as well.
Following is the list of Documents to prove that the applicant is a national of Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan [for applicants applying for citizenship via CAA under section 6B] 

1. A copy of the passport issued by the Government of Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan

2. Registration Certificate or Residential Permit issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) in India

3. Birth certificate issued by a Government authority in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan

4. School certificate or Educational certificate issued by the School or College or Board or University authorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan

5. Identity Document of any kind issued by the Government of Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan or any other Government authorities or Government agencies in these countries

6. Any License or Certificate issued by a Government authority of Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan

7. Land or tenancy records in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan

8. Any document that shows that either of the parents or grandparents or great grandparents of the applicant are or had been a citizen of one of the three countries i.e. Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan

9. Any other document issued by a Government authority or a Government agency in Afghanistan Bangladesh or Pakistan which will establish that the applicant is from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan

Note: The above documents will be admissible even beyond their validity period.
The heart-warming reunion of two childhood best friends separated during the India-Pakistan partition in 1947 went viral on social media. The two friends grew up together in Deesa, Gujarat and were separated in 1947, when they were around 12 years old. A video of their heartfelt reunion has garnered a lot of love on the internet.

After being separated in 1947, they managed to briefly reconnect in 1982 in New York with the help of a mutual friend. However, it was not until October 2023 that they would meet again.

Megan Kothari, 32, documented the whole episode of reuniting her grandfather Suresh Kothari with his childhood best friend, AG Shakir in the US in October 2023. A video of the reunion was shared on an Instagram page, Brownhistory.

When his friend reached Pakistan in 1947, he wrote to my grandfather that he had reached and shared his address in Rawalpindi (which to this day my grandfather has memorized). They tried to write to each other over the years, but the tensions between the two countries eventually made it impossible, Megan Kothari wrote in the caption.

In the video, the two friends were seen shaking hands before hugging and spending the evening together.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brown History (@brownhistory)

The love and respect they still held for each other, despite the geographical and political barriers that had separated them, is profound. It serves as a powerful reminder that the power of human connection can not be extinguished by any government or border, the caption of the video read.

Megan further said that they hope to be reunited at her grandfathers 90th birthday in April 2024 in New Jersey.
The Delhi Police has arrested five sharpshooters of the Kala Jathedi-Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate and claimed to have foiled a plan to kill a rival gang member, officials said on Sunday.

Police said they also recovered sophisticated imported weapons from them.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Manoj C said they received a tip-off on March 7 that some members of the Kala Jathedi-Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate would come near a DDA Park in Dwarka sector 16 with illegal weapons.

He said the police laid a trap and nabbed Rahul, Parveen, Rohtash, Mohan and Sachin, all residents of Haryana.

Rahul said during interrogation that he runs wine shops in partnership with gangsters Kala Jathedi and Anil Chippi and they had some financial dispute with a person named Ajay, a resident of Basantpur Village in Rohtak, according to the officer.

Ajay was supported by one Aman, a resident of village Bhainswal, Sonepat, Haryana. Aman is also involved in crime and he is associated with fugitive gangster Himanshu. Last year, Rahul had opened fire outside the residence of Ajay and he was arrested by Haryana police in the case, said the DCP.

Rahul was lodged in a jail in Haryana where he was brutally attacked and stabbed multiple times by jail inmates, who were allegedly Amans associates.

After his release from jail, Rahul planned to kill Aman and recruited Rohtash, Mohan and Sachin in his gang. Parveen is closely associated with Rahul. They were facilitated with highly sophisticated pistols by jailed gangsters Kala Jathedi and Anil Chippi, said the DCP.

The DCP further said that the role of gangsters Kala Jathedi, Anil Chippi and Naresh is being probed.

The arrested accused persons are being interrogated for their involvement in other cases and efforts are being made to arrest their associates and firearm sources, the DCP added.
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the State Bank of Indias plea seeking an extension of time and directed the bank to furnish the details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission (EC) by close of business hours tomorrow. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud also directed the EC to publish the details shared by the bank on its official website by 5 pm on March 15.

During the hearing, the bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, J B Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, directed the SBI Chairman and Managing Director to file an affidavit after complying with its orders.

Highlights From SC Hearing

Junking the SBIs plea, the Bench said, Though we are not exercising the contempt jurisdiction, but we place SBI put on notice that this court will proceed against it for WILFUL DISOBEDIENCE OF COURT if it does not adhere to the directions issued by the court, as quoted by the Bar and Bench.

The top court gave a days time to SBI to furnish data regarding donors of Electoral Bonds and contributions to political parties via these bonds. It also warned the banks Chairman and Managing Director to comply with the timeline else contempt would follow.

The bench took note of the submissions of senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the SBI, that more time was needed for collating the details and matching them as the information were kept in two different silos with its branches. Salve noted if the matching exercise is to be done away with, the SBI can complete the exercise within three weeks.

The bench said it had not directed the SBI to match the details of donors and donee with other information. The SBI has to just open the sealed cover, collate the details and give the information to the Election Commission, the apex court said.

It also asked the bank about the steps taken by it to comply with the directions given by the apex court in its February 15 judgment. In the last 26 days, what steps have you taken? Your application is silent on that, the bench said.It asked the SBI to do a plain disclosure as per the courts judgment.

The court further directed the election commission to publish the Electoral Bond data on its website by 5 pm on March 15.

Electoral Bond Case and SBIs Plea

In a landmark verdict delivered on February 15, a five-judge Constitution bench scrapped the Centres electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous political funding, calling it unconstitutional and ordered disclosure by the Election Commission of donors, the amount donated by them and the recipients by March 13.

The SBI had sought an extension till June 30 to disclose the details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties before the scheme was scrapped. A separate plea, seeking initiation of contempt action against the SBI, was also heard by the bench.

Important Points From Feb 13 Order

In its February 13 order, the top court said political parties are relevant units in the electoral process and the information about funding of political parties is essential for electoral choices.

The court observed that the electoral bonds scheme is not the only scheme to curb black money and there are other alternatives for that.

Infringement to the right to information is not justified by the purpose of curbing black moneyNon-disclosure of voluntary political contributions is violative of Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, it said.

In a democracy, the right to information includes the right to know the source of political funding, the court said, adding that unlimited political funding by corporations is violative of the fundamental right to free and fair elections.
The Supreme Court on Monday junked the State Bank of Indias plea seeking an extension till June 30 to disclose details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties before the scheme was scrapped last month.

A five-member Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked the SBI to submit the required data within the close of March 12 (Tuesday) business hours. The court also asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish the details of the information supplied to the court as per the interim order on its website.

In a clear-cut warning to the SBI, the court said if the timeline was not adhered to, the court could issue contempt.

Appearing on behalf of SBI, advocate Harish Salve told the court that there was an SOP in place that made sure that there was no name of the purchaser in our core banking system and the bond number.

We were told that this was supposed to be a secret, said Salve.

Now, if you see the direction we have issued, we have not told you to do the matching exercise. We have directed a plain disclosure, the court said.

When the purchases were happening, we had divided the information, said Salve.

But ultimately all details were sent to the Mumbai main branch, said CJI DY Chandrachud.

The frequently asked questions (FAQs) you showed us during the hearing showed that each purchase required Know Your Customer (KYC) details, said the CJI.

We knew that it was sensitive information. A physical procedure was devised. Only the bond number was cleared and the bond number was used for further purchases. And it was done to prevent gossip. I have the full detail of who donated through EB, which is in one silo, I also have the data of which political party encashed, that is not a problem, said Salve.

In the last 26 days, how much of matching has been done, asked the court. Responding to the courts query, Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for SBI, said, We can give the information on an affidavit.

The court said, Youre the top bank in the country. We expect you to handle it.

The list of FAQs on electoral bonds published by the SBI states Know Your Customer (KYC) documents must be submitted by the purchaser each time the bond is purchased irrespective of whether the purchaser has a KYC verified SBI account, the court said.

That is one set of documents (electoral bond application form, KYC documents, and pay-in-slip) can only be used to purchase one electoral bond. Contributors, who have an SBI account as well as those who dont have to submit the EB application, KYC docs, and proof of payment through NEFT/Cheque/DD. Thus, the details of the bonds which have been purchased are readily available, said the court while dictating the order.

The court said the crux of the SBIs submission was that matching donor and receiver party information was a time-consuming process.

In a landmark verdict delivered on February 15, a five-judge constitution bench scrapped the Centres electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous political funding, calling it unconstitutional and ordered disclosure by the Election Commission of the donors, the amount donated by them, and the recipients by March 13.

The top court subsequently directed the SBI, the authorised financial institution under the scheme, to submit by March 6 the details of the electoral bonds purchased from April 12, 2019, till date to the Election Commission, which was asked to publish the information on its official website by March 13. On March 4, the SBI moved the apex court seeking an extension till June 30 to disclose the details of the electoral bonds encashed by political parties.

The SBI contended that retrieval of information from each silo and the procedure of matching the information of one silo to that of the other would be a time-consuming exercise. The application said due to stringent measures undertaken to ensure that the identity of the donors was kept anonymous, decoding the electoral bonds and matching the donors to the donations would be a complex process.
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government is likely to notify the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) today (March 11). This comes a month after Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that the CAA would be implemented before the Lok Sabha elections this year.

CAA rules are expected tonight, sources told CNN News 18.

With the speculation of CAA rules likely to be notified by tonight, the Delhi police have jumped into action and increased security in mixed-population areas in north-east parts of the city.

Delhis north east district was the worst-hit during the 2020 riots.

What Is CAA?

The CAA amends the Citizenship Act of 1955 to provide Indian citizenship to migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who belong to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian communities and had entered India on or before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in their home countries.

The CAA will help refugees from these neighbouring countries, who dont have documents.

CAA Rules Expected By Tonight

Earlier, media reports said that CAA rules would be notified before the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into play ahead of general elections. Citing sources, a report by news agency IANS said that an online portal is ready for registrations.

In what is seen as a precursor to CAA, powers have already been given to the district authorities to issue long-term visas, as per the IANS report.

Over 30 district magistrates and home secretaries of nine states were given powers to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians coming from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

The CAA was enacted by the Parliament on December 11, 2019. The issue has drawn massive protests across India.

Earlier, Home Minister Shah had reiterated the acts objective, emphasising its humanitarian intent to grant citizenship solely to those subjected to persecution in the neighbouring nations.
The Bombay High Court on Monday rapped the Maharashtra government for delaying land allotment for the new court building in suburban Bandra, noting that the condition of the existing structure in south Mumbai was bad and lives of judicial officers were in peril because of it.

A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor expressed displeasure with the state government for dragging its feet on the issue, and said it does not want to create an unsavoury situation.

The bench was hearing a petition by lawyer Ahmed Abdi, alleging that the government had not complied with the high courts 2018 order on land allotment for the court building.

Last year, the government informed the bench that approval was given to grant 30 acres of land for a new high court building in Bandra, and the process was on to make necessary changes in the state revenue records, after which possession would be handed over.

Additional government pleader Abhay Patki informed the court on Monday that there were some existing structures on the proposed land that serve as residences for government officers.

The government will have to first figure out an alternate accommodation for those staff, he said.

The bench then sought to know if there was any plan in place to get the entire land vacated.

The condition of the Bombay High Court building is well known. The condition of this building and also the annexe building is bad. Our officers work there. Their lives are in peril. They work in dangerous conditions. There is no space for storage no space to walk the stairs are in poor condition, Chief Justice Upadhyaya said.

The court then asked why there was no change in the revenue records till now.

The government knew long back that the land was not vacant when it was earmarked for the high court building. Why was nothing done for so long? What is the plan for relocation? the bench questioned.

Abdi told the court that the government was deliberately delaying the process and that it had no intention to allot the land for the court building.

The bench directed the government to file an affidavit by March 28 providing details of the steps it has taken so far to hand over the vacant land for the new court building.

The land earmarked in Bandra is expected to have central tribunals and chambers for lawyers along with the high court building, which will also house judges quarters.
A 36-year-old woman from Hyderabad, Chaithanya Madhagani, was found murdered in Australia and her husband, who allegedly killed her, flew to Hyderabad and handed over their child to her parents.

Her body was found in a wheelie bin on the side of a road in Buckley on Saturday, according to reports. Chaithanya and her husband Ashok Raj Varikuppala, along with their son had settled in Point Cook, Australia, after becoming Australian citizens.

Hyderabad MLA writes to Ministry of External Affairs

Upon receiving information about the incident, Uppal MLA Bandari Lakshma Reddy, who represents the constituency from which the Chaithanya hailed, met with her parents. In response to their request, he wrote a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to bring the victims body back to Hyderabad.

The Legislator told PTI that at the request of the womans parents, he wrote a letter to the MEA to bring her mortal remains to Hyderabad.

The MLA further said according to the information provided by her parents, their son-in-law confessed to having killed their daughter.

The husband of the deceased travelled to Hyderabad and entrusted the care of their child to his in-laws.

The Victoria Police in a statement dated March 9, on its website, said Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after a deceased person was located in Buckley, near Winchelsea. Officers located the deceased person on Mount Pollock Road about midday.

A second crime scene has been established at a residential address on Mirka Way, Point Cook, and is believed to be connected to the homicide, it said, adding the investigators are treating the death as suspicious. At this stage in the investigation, it is believed the parties involved are known to one another and the offender may have fled overseas, the statement said.
Shivratri is one of the most auspicious festivals in India, which is celebrated with utmost pomp and fervour. The day is celebrated with varied rituals across the country. This year, it was celebrated on March 8. Devotees visited Lord Shiva temples to offer their prayers and bathe him with water, milk and honey. In many places, the day is also celebrated as Shiv Vivah, marking the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. In Karnatakas Gokarna, the Arabian Sea was lit up with artificial lighting after Sagar Aarti was performed on the auspicious occasion of Shivratri. Whats surprising is that the Sagar aarti was being performed since last week as part of Rathotsava (Rathotsava) in Mahabaleshwar. Devotees have been lighting up diyas and performing aartis at the shores of Gokarna.

Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple Rathotsav is celebrated in the month of Phalgun. It is an important fair and chariot festival at the Mahabaleshwar Temple at Gokarna in Karnataka. The festival itself is associated with Shivratri. This year, it falls on March 11. The festivities commenced on March 4.

The Sagar Aarti commenced last year as a part of Shivratri celebrations. This year, it was organised by the Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple Committee and the Youth Brigade.

The Sagar Aarti takes place on the main beach of Gokarna, which is just a few metres away from the Mahabaleshwar temple.

The Rathotsava attracts a lot of devotees from Gokarna, other cities of Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Devotees from other parts of the country and tourists flock to Gokarna to witness the surreal Sagar Aarti that offers a spiritual experience to everyone present. Witnessing such a huge-scale celebration on the Koromandal coast is a rare sight on the Western coast and hence people participated with much excitement.
Amidst the rising anger over the sudden fall in chilli prices in Karnatakas Haveri district, a group of angry farmers gathered in front of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) office in Byadgi and allegedly resorted to vandalism.

The farmers allegedly also set at least three vehicles on fire including a fire engine and ransacked and vandalised the APMC office. The police personnel and a fire engine also arrived at the spot to control the situation and blocked the entry to the market and prevented them from entering the area.

However, later the police managed to disperse the crowd and brought the situation under control. Home Minister G Parameshwara told reporters that chilli prices had gone down from Rs 20,000 per quintal to Rs 8,000 per quintal in a single day and that led to a commotion in Haveri APMC market. It is being checked whether this kind of price fall has happened in all the APMC markets or only in the Haveri market.

The APMC office in Haveri district was broken into and furniture was destroyed.

The Chief Minister has asked for a report to be submitted to find out the reasons behind the fall in prices. He informed that further action will be taken based on the report.

(with PTI inputs)
Just like Goa, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Maharashtra, now Karnataka has also joined the bandwagon to ban food colouring agents that may lead to cancer. And if food vendors are found violating this ban set by Karnatakas health ministry, they will land in jail.

So the next time you feel like enjoying one of Indias famous roadside snacks, Gobi Manchurian, think again. This fried cauliflower-based dish tossed in sauces with added colour has been found to contain large amounts of carcinogenic substances. This could lead to cancer if consumed regularly.

Two food items, Gobi Manchurian and the colourful Cotton Candy, have sent alarm bells ringing across health ministries in the country as laboratory tests have shown cancer-causing additives Rhodamine-B and Tartrazine were being used in their preparation.

Officials of Karnatakas health ministry collected nearly 171 samples of these food items from various roadside eateries and hotels to test the quality of the additives used.

Our findings revealed that around 107 unsafe artificial colours were found in these dishes. We found only 64 safe samples, which is alarming. We have taken swift action to ban these immediately, state health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told News18.

Health inspectors are expected to conduct random visits and surprise raids on food outlets in the state to maintain strict implementation of the ban, said ministry officials.

Any violation will attract 7 years of life imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh, said Rao. Repeat violators will be handled with an iron fist and will be booked under the strictest section of the law. One cannot play with the lives and health of people, warned Rao.

Diet will become leading contributor to cancer

Dr (Prof) US Vishal Rao, a prominent Bengaluru-based oncologist on the Committee for Cancer Control in Karnataka and a part of the consultative group to the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister, highlighted the critical issue of unlicensed and unregulated street food vendors.

Looking ahead, I believe that diet will become the leading contributor to cancer within the next decade. Current dietary habits, including the consumption of harmful additives, adulteration and pesticide-laden produce in cooking, are paving the way for a health crisis where dietary requirements lack nutritional and safety standards. While tobacco use is prevalent in 20-30% of the population, contributing to 50% of cancer cases, everyone consumes food, making the potential impact of dietary risks universal and deeply concerning, Dr Rao explained to News18.

He stressed on the importance of stringent regulation and continuous monitoring from farm to plate, ensuring that all food meets high safety standards.

Harmful substances found in seemingly innocuous foods from unregulated unlicensed outlets and vendors like Gobi Manchurian and Cotton Candy can be highly carcinogenic. Indias food exports face high rejection rates due to our failure to meet international quality and safety standards, which often stems from a disregard for regulatory guidelines, Dr Rao pointed out. Its imperative that we address these issues to reduce the future burden of cancer linked to dietary factors.

What is Rhodamine-B?

Rhodamine-B is a harmful chemical colouring agent extensively utilised in textile dyeing and the paper industry, known for its original green appearance. Upon introduction to liquids, it undergoes a transformation, turning vividly pink or red.

This substance is a prevalent component in creating dishes such as the bright-coloured Gobi Manchurian or the pretty pink cotton candy. Recognised as a carcinogenic agent, regular consumption poses a potential risk of cancer.

What is Tartrazine?

Tartrazine is known to be the second most commonly used food colouring agent. Widely incorporated in various food items, including soft drinks, baked goods, gelatin-based products, pickles, and more, this bright yellow dye is frequently added to impart a vibrant orange or deep yellow hue to the food product.

The governments of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu have issued a directive banning the production and marketing of coloured cotton candy after Rhodamine-B was found in its production. North Goas Mapusa Municipal Council passed a resolution banning the sale of Gobi Manchurian at roadside stalls in the area.
KERALA LOTTERY WIN WIN W-760 RESULT ON MONDAY, MARCH 11, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Win-Win W-760 lucky draw on Monday, March 11. Check the full list of winning numbers below.

ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today LIVE: Akshaya AK-643 WINNERS for March 17, 2024; First Prize Rs 70 Lakh!

FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR WIN-WIN W- 760

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3913 4139 2735 3893 9347 1911 2100 7471 3468 8651 3730 0424 7410 2012 0777 5208 7261 0244 7625 1117 6615 2053 9212 6857 9123 0551 6996 1287 2358 1668 3724 8689 6232 2966 7769 3197 5451 6939 2699 6230 5877 2743 3332 5664 6080 8291 4439 9992 1985 1183 2102 6440 6074 7968 0114 7415 0876 4278 3411 1948 4235 3933 5475 7466 0266 2313 1998 2790 3286 7767 6419 7326 8776 7841 2511 7309 8295 2859 1122 4931 3086 3835 3450 4907 7272 9925 8966 7571 4744 6900 6233 2531 4084 2973 3201 7692 6298 2068 6832 2277 5663 1194 1907 0023 1145 2171 9382 9334 2299 9623 4442 2153 6245 8779 7786 2747 9771 6505 8710 4335 6361 7027 0552 1213 0792 8610 8352

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The Maharashtra government on Monday appointed IPS officer Sandeep Karnik, whose name figured in a report on the 2011 firing on farmers, as the head of the special investigation team (SIT), which will probe the Maratha quota violence.

Karnik and three other officers were accused of unjustified firing during a protest staged by farmers in Maval tehsil of Pune district in August 2011, in which three persons were killed.

The state home department issued an order stating that Karnik will head the SIT, which will conduct an in-depth inquiry into the violence that erupted during the Maratha quota protests a few months ago. Violence was reported during quota protests in October 2023, in which houses of two MLAs and other properties were ransacked and torched in Beed.

The SIT is expected to submit its report in the next three months, covering issues such as deliberate attempts to instigate people to resort to violence by spreading malicious and fake information through social media and other means of communication.

The SIT chief will have special powers to invite experts and induct more people with the state governments consent, the order said. Karnik is currently posted as the police commissioner of Nashik City.

Karnik, who was the superintendent of police of Pune district at the time of the Maval firing, was criticised by political parties and the Bombay High Court in 2015 pulled up the state government for letting him off with just a warning.

A probe into the incident had indicated that four officers, including Karnik, were involved in the unjustified firing on a mob of farmers, who had staged a roadblock on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in Maval to protest against the construction of a pipeline from Pavana dam to Pimpri Chinchwad.
India successfully conducted the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X on Monday to praise the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) scientists for the remarkable achievement that takes India among the selected few nations that have the capability.

Heres All You Need to Know About the Mission:
In todays afternoon digest, News18 brings you the latest updates on Supreme Court directions to the SBI on electoral bonds, Karnatakas ban on the sale of coloured gobi manchurian and cotton candy, Indias Vande Bharat fleet to cross half-century mark, Dwarka Expressway launch, and other top stories.

SC Dismisses SBIs Electoral Bonds Plea, Asks for Disclosure Of Details By Tomorrow

The Supreme Court on Monday junked the State Bank of Indias plea seeking an extension till June 30 to disclose details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties before the scheme was scrapped last month. A five-member Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked the SBI to submit the required data within the close of March 12 (Tuesday) business hours. The court also asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish the details of the information supplied to the court as per the interim order on its website. READ MORE

Karnataka Govt Bans Sale Of Coloured Gobi Manchurian & Cotton Candy Citing Use Of Harmful Chemicals

The Karnataka Health Department on Monday banned the sale of coloured Gobi Manchurian and Cotton Candy in the state, saying that the use of artificial colouring agents, such as Rhodamine-B, are harmful to health. At a press conference, state Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao addressed the rising concerns over the presence of harmful chemicals in various food items and pressed on the importance of consuming food which is safe for health. READ MORE

SC Refuses To Interfere With Calcutta HC Order Transferring Sandeshkhali Case To CBI

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with the Calcutta High Court order transferring the Sandeskhali violence case, pertaining to the attack on teams of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Armed Police Forces on January 5, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta, however, agreed to expunge remarks against the West Bengal Police in the high court judgement. READ MORE

Traffic Between Delhi, Haryana Will Change Forever: PM Modi Unveils Haryana Section Of Landmark Dwarka Expressway

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Haryana section of the landmark Dwarka Expressway and laid the foundation stones of over 100 road projects during an event in Gurugram on Monday. The eight-lane high-speed expressway, Indias first elevated highway will help improve traffic flow and ease congestion between Delhi and Gurugram on the National Highway-48. Before the launch, PM Modi along with Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inspected the model of the Dwarka Expressway. READ MORE

Hyderabad Woman Found Murdered in Australia, Body Found in Wheelie Bin, Husband Flees to India

A 36-year-old woman from Hyderabad, Chaithanya Madhagani, was found murdered in Australia and her husband, who allegedly killed her, flew to Hyderabad and handed over their child to her parents. Her body was found in a wheelie bin on the side of a road in Buckley on Saturday, according to reports. Chaithanya and her husband Ashok Raj Varikuppala, along with their son had settled in Point Cook, Australia, after becoming Australian citizens. READ MORE

Indias Vande Bharat Fleet to Cross Half-Century Mark Tomorrow With Launch of 10 New Trains | Check Routes Here

The total number of operational Vande Bharat trains will cross the half-century mark on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to inaugurate 10 new trains across various routes in the country. It has been a little over two months since these trains were last inaugurated. The 10 trains are the Lucknow-Dehradun Vande Bharat along with Patna-Lucknow, New Jalpaiguri-Patna, Puri-Visakhapatnam, KalaburagiBengaluru, Ranchi-Varanasi, and Khajuraho-Delhi. The Railway Ministry will be running the second set of Vande Bharat trains on Ahmedabad-Mumbai, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, and Mysuru-Chennai routes. READ MORE
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in an X post praised the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.

Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, PM Modi said in an X post.

Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 11, 2024

This test flight is unique as it comes with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, which ensures that the warhead can split into multiple re-entry vehicles to deliver a precise and targeted attack.

This means that a single missile can deploy multiple warheads at different locations. With the test of Mission Divyastra, India has joined the select group of countries that have MIRV capability.

This system is equipped with indigenous Avionics systems and high-accuracy sensor packages, which ensure that the re-entry vehicles reach the target points within the desired accuracy. The capability is an enunciator of Indias growing technological prowess.

According to a PTI report, the weapon system is equipped with indigenous avionics systems and high-accuracy sensor packages so that the re-entry vehicles reach the target points within the desired accuracy. The capability is a testament to Indias growing technological prowess.

The Agni-5 has a range of 5000 km and is developed keeping the long-term security needs of the country in mind. The missile can bring almost the entire Asia including the northernmost part of China and several regions in Europe under its striking range. The Agni 1 to 4 missiles have ranges from 700 km to 3,500 km and have already been deployed.

President Droupadi Murmu also called the first flight test of Agni-5 missile and important milestone in Indias march towards greater geo-strategic role and capabilities.

The first flight test of Agni V under Mission Divyastra marks a very important milestone in Indias march towards greater geo-strategic role and capabilities. The state-of-the-art technology developed indigenously is a firm step in the direction of India becoming Atmanirbhar. I convey my heartiest congratulations to the Team DRDO for this major achievement. I am sure they will keep moving apace in their quest for excellence and self-reliance, President Murmu said in a statement.
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with the Calcutta High Court order transferring the Sandeskhali violence case, pertaining to the attack on teams of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Armed Police Forces on January 5, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta, however, agreed to expunge remarks against the West Bengal Police in the high court judgement.

The Calcutta High Court on March 5 ordered an independent probe by CBI into the matter and directed the West Bengal Police to hand over the accused mastermind behind the attack Sheikh Shahjahan from the custody of the CID to the CBI on the same day.

Against this, the West Bengal government filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court saying that the High Court order to transfer the probe to the CBI was passed in a cursory manner and frustrates its right to avail remedy available under the law.

Meanwhile, the CBI went ahead and registered the three FIRs on the basis of high courts order but the state police did not give custody of Sheikh, claiming the matter was sub judice.

Sandeshkhali Violence

The Sandeshkhali region, situated on the fringes of the Sunderbans, had been engulfed in turmoil for over a month due to allegations against Sheikh and his associates of sexual abuse and land usurpation.

On January 5, a team of ED officials went to raid the house of Sheikh, who allegedly has close links with arrested former state food minister Jyoti Priya Mallick, in connection with the multi-crore ration distribution scam in West Bengal.

There, a mob of around 1,000 people attacked the team, in which three ED officials were injured.

Sheikh was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29 in connection with the attack on ED officials, following which the state government handed over the case to the CID.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide. It is that time of the year when Muslims observe fasts for 2930 days and then culminate it with pomp and gaiety with the grand feasting of Eid-ul-Fitr. This period holds special significance for Muslims, as it is believed that Ramadan commemorates the first revelation of the Holy Quran to the Prophet Muhammad by God.

ALSO READ: Ramadan Mubarak 2024: Happy Ramzan Wishes, Photos, Messages and WhatsApp Status to Share

This holy month is seen as an opportunity for spiritual growth, self-improvement, and strengthening ones relationship with Allah. Ramadan fosters a sense of community through shared experiences, gatherings for prayers and meals, and increased acts of charity and kindness.

This year, the holy month of Ramadan 2024 will begin on March 12 and will end after four weeks with Eid-ul-Fitr on April 11, 2024.

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

Besides observing fasts, Muslims follow some strict guidelines and the teachings of Prophet Mohammad throughout these days. Ahead of the holy month, here are a few things one should keep in mind during Ramadan.

Dos For Ramadan 2024

Pray at least five times a day, and offer extra prayers for more rewards. Offer as much Zakat (charity) as possible to the poor and underprivileged during the holy month of Ramadan and also throughout the year. Start your Ramadan fast with Sehri at dawn and end the fast with Iftar after dusk. Recite the holy book of the Quran, memorise it, and evaluate the verses they read. Muslims are encouraged to practice Dhikr which is praying to Allah and expressing gratitude. Be polite and patient while observing a fast. Muslims should seek the well-being of their families while praying. Muslims are encouraged to maintain celibacy throughout this pious period and engage in prayers to strengthen your bond with Allah.

Donts For Ramadan 2024
Muslims around the world are preparing for Ramadan, also known as Ramzan. Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon sighting, and all adult Muslims are required to fast during this time unless they are sick, travelling, on their menstrual cycle, pregnant, diabetic, or elderly.

After the sighting of moon in Saudi Arabia on March 10, Ramadan in India will begin on March 12. The last day of it is April 9. The holy month of Ramadan usually occurs 10 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year because the Islamic calendar typically follows the ebb and flow of the moon.

ALSO READ: Ramadan Mubarak 2024: Happy Ramzan Wishes, Photos, Messages and WhatsApp Status to Share

Since the start of Ramadan, Muslims worldwide will fast during the day and refrain from eating and drinking even water. For Muslims, fasting is more than simply abstaining from food and drink; it is a spiritual cleansing. Its a time for introspection, a concentrated effort at patience and prayer, a mental stillness to quell the bodys desires and nourish the soul.

Tips to Support Muslim Coworkers

To support Muslims at work during this time, keep in mind that different people will be observing Ramadan in different ways. During Ramadan, employers and colleagues can show their support for their Muslim coworkers in the following ways:
In a new poster for Ae Watan Mere Watan, released on Monday, the makers revealed Emraan Hashmis first look from the patriotic film. Emraan, sporting black-rimmed glasses, a khadi jacket, and a Nehru cap, appeared almost unrecognizable. Fans were excited to see this new avatar of the actor in the film. Its expected that Emraan will portray Ram Manohar Lohia in the movie.

In the poster, Emraans character is shown as determined in his fight against British rule in India, with clenched fists suggesting his involvement in an anti-British protest. That apart, Emraan shared a picture of Ram Manohar Lohia on his Instagram Stories, confirming his role as the latter in the film. Ram Manohar Lohia is renowned for his work with Congress Radio, which broadcasted covertly from several locations in Bombay until the early 1940s. Check out his first look here:

The trailer of the film is out already. Set against the backdrop of 1942s Quit India Movement, the movie is inspired by real events and tells the story of unsung heroes during a pivotal chapter of Indias freedom struggle. Sara Ali Khan portrays Usha, whose underground radio system becomes an important beacon of the Movement.

The trailer transports us to the pre-independence era, introducing us to 22-year-old Usha, a college girl in Bombay, who endeavours to help India achieve its freedom and forms an underground radio station that becomes the fuel that fires the Quit India Movement. Through Ushas journey, the trailer highlights the courage, sacrifices, and resourcefulness of the youth of the nation during Indias fight for freedom.

Besides Sara, the film also stars Sachin Khedekar, Abhay Verma, Sparsh Shrivastav, Alexx O Nell and Anand Tiwari in pivotal roles.
Dragon Ball, a megahit comic book and animated series, fueled the golden period of shonen manga for more than a decade. Now, the death of its creator, Akira Toriyama, has sent shockwaves across its global fan base. It should come as no surprise that a number of well-known celebrities enjoy Akira Toriyamas works. One such celebrity is Jackie Chan, who recently conveyed his condolences for Toriyama following his tragic passing.

Akira Toriyama-sensei, thank you for creating so many classic works, they will last forever. Farewell, Jackie Chan wrote on the Chinese microblogging platform Sina Weibo.

Jackie Chan on Weibo: Akira Toriyama-sensei, thank you for creating so many classic works, they will last forever. Farewell  https://t.co/auzJ7RNObX pic.twitter.com/6talLlR072 Todd Blankenship (@Herms98) March 8, 2024

Akira Toriyamas Dr. Slump comic propelled him to widespread fame prior to his creation of Dragon Ball, which made him an iconic figure in the manga community. Surprisingly the Dr. Slump manga had a significant influence on Jackie Chans works. In the past, Toriyama stated in interviews that Chans movies and Chinese literature served as the primary influence for Dragon Ball, as per Fandom Wire. Nonetheless, Jackie Chan acknowledged Toriyamas influence on his films in a rare interview, the outlet added.

Although few fans are aware of it, Jackie Chan and Akira Toriyama did actually meet; the specifics were made public in Bird Land Press 1986 publication. Bird Land Press was a prominent magazine that featured everything written by Akira Toriyama. Certain seldom-known facts were made public after The Dao of Dragon Ball succeeded in translating the magazine that a fan had posted to Flickr. I took influence from Dr. Slump when making my movies! said Chan, as reported by Fandom Wire.

Interestingly, Jackie Chan dressed like Dr. Slumps protagonist, Arale Norimaki, in a scene from his 1985 film My Lucky Stars.

Chan was also instrumental in the creation of the Dragon Ball. Akira Toriyama mentioned in Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 2: Story Guide (translated by Dragon Ball podcast Kanzenshuu) that he was stuck for ideas after finishing Dr. Slump. Thats when his admiration of Jackie Chans 1978 comedy-action film Drunken Master inspired him to write a novel about Son Goku and his friends adventures.

Dragon Ball, which debuted as a serial in 1984, has expanded to rank among the best-selling manga series of all time. It is also credited with popularising manga throughout the world, which is backed by the long-lasting popularity of its multiple anime adaptations in Western countries.
The 96th Academy Awards was a star-studded affair that took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with several Hollywood A-listers attending the red carpet in the best looks. This years award ceremony saw a lot of epic red carpet moments including a surprise pregnancy reveal by Vanessa Hudgens followed by jaw-dropping looks from fashion mainstays like Margot Robbie, Zendaya, Emma Stone, and Carey Mulligan among others. Joining the list of celebrities at the awards show, Chris Hemsworth also made a dazzling entry with his wife Elsa Pataky, turning a lot of heads on the red carpet.

After rumours of a rift between the couple last year, Hemsworth and Patakis adorable moment on the red carpet cleared the air, giving relief to fans. Posing together on the Oscars red carpet, the couple looked amazing as they also indulged in some heartwarming PDAs.

While posing for pictures, Chris and Elsa were seen hugging and kissing as the Avengers star had his arm around his wife.

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky pose for photos at the #Oscars. https://t.co/qxqSOgif3j pic.twitter.com/VYKLsHOmBH Variety (@Variety) March 10, 2024

While the actor looked dashing as ever in a black suit paired with a white shirt, Elsa also looked amazing in a plunging white gown with a sequinned trim. Prior to their red carpet appearance, the couple was also spotted at the pre-Oscars party over the weekend, looking all happy together.

Notably, their appearance came months after a lot of speculations were made last year concerning the couple after the two went on separate trips with their children. While Elsa took the couples twin sons Tristan and Sasha to Japan, Hemsworth went to Iceland with his daughter India.

As fans continued sharing their concerns on social media, the Hollywood duo later shut down the rumours by sharing some happy pictures from a family vacation in Fiji.

Chris Hemsworth reunites with RDJ on Oscars red carpet

In an epic reunion at the Academy Awards, Chris Hemsworth had a pleasing reunion with his Avengers co-star Robert Downey Jr. In videos going viral on social media, the 58-year-old Marvel star was joined by Robert Downey Jr., posing on the red carpet together. Quite happy and excited upon meeting each other, the two happily posed for the cameras and also shared a warm hug.

CHRIS HEMSWORTH AND ROBERT DOWNEY JR REUNION  pic.twitter.com/D40MDGsz5V mary  (@skyfullofstarks) March 10, 2024

In the meantime, Hemsworth took part in the ceremony as a presenter with his Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga co-star Anya Taylor-Joy. The two gave out the Oscar for Best Animated Short and Best Animated Feature.
Jimmy Kimmel took a dig at Donald Trump while onstage at the 96th Oscars less than an hour after the ex-president penned a scathing Truth Social post about the late-night talk show host. Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars. His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be, Kimmel read aloud Trumps post from his phone.

Kimmel then quipped: See if you can guess which former president just posted that on Truth Social. He then thanked Trump for watching before asking: Isnt it past your jail time?
While Oscars 2024 marked a significant moment for Ryan Gosling, his wife Eva Mendes was notably absent from the event. This left fans curious about the reason behind yet another miss. However, to mark the special event, Gosling was joined by his mother, sister, and stepfather.

Eva Mendes, who typically keeps a low profile, was last spotted on the red carpet with Ryan Gosling back in 2012, during the premiere of their film The Place Beyond the Pines. Mendes has since taken a step back from acting to focus on raising their two daughters, Esmeralda Amada, aged 9, and Amada Lee, aged 7.

Although physically absent from the Oscars, Eva Mendes remained Ryan Goslings biggest cheerleader from afar. Ever since Barbie was announced, Mendes has been a steadfast supporter of her husband on social media. Today was no exception, as she took to her Instagram handle to share a video of herself dressed casually backstage and captioned the post, Always by my man.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eva Mendes (@evamendes)

In another post dedicated to her Ken, she wrote, You took Ken all the way to the Oscars, RG.

Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eva Mendes (@evamendes)

Last year, Eva Mendes explained on Instagram the reason why she does not attend red-carpet events with Gosling. Alongside posting footage of the two of them in 2011s The Place Beyond the Pines, Eva Mendes wrote, Magic is Real. We did not meet on set. The magic started way before, but heres a little magic captured on camera.

Soon after, a fan commented, Eva, I want to be honest w u, but I hope Barbie will get through the Awards Season just to see you w Ryan. I know Im selfish and probably a dreamer, but I will never stop to dream about it!!

In response to him, Mendes said, Youre the best! What a cool comment; thank you. But we dont do those things togetherLike these photos Ive been posting, Im only comfortable posting because its already out there.

In the second comment, she added, Oh wait -for those who may catch me in a lie -we only were on the red carpet together once when promoting this film.

Meanwhile, Ryan Gosling set the Oscars stage on fire with his energetic performance on Im Just Ken. Greta Gerwigs blockbuster film Barbie earned 8 Academy Award nominations this year, including Best Picture.
Shraddha Kapoor, one of the most-loved actresses in Bollywood, recently celebrated her birthday with 30 fans who had come from various parts of the country at her invitation. Reflecting on the event, Shraddha, who was adjudged Best Actress for Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. As she got up to stage to accept the honour, she shared a heartwarming anecdote with the guests. She said, It was a special birthday for me because special fans from various regions of India came together to celebrate my birthday and it was the best birthday for me. I celebrated my birthday with them and our bond is very special so it was a memorable one. Jo fans kar sakte hai woh koi nahi kar sakta. I dedicate this to my fans. I got a brand partnership through an insta comment and I dont think this has happened ever before.This also shows the power of social media. A fan noticed it and it came under my acknowledgement,I shared it on my social media account. This has never happened before and I also got a brand Palmonas partnership with it.

The actress looked radiant in an off-white, embroidered pantsuit at the event. She was seated with Varun Dhawan, Karan Johar and Janhvi Kapoor and was seen having a gala time at the prestigious show. 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.

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.

Several big celebrities including Karan Johar, Ananya Panday, Ananya Panday, Sharmila Tagore, Kartik Aaryan, Varun Dhawan, Manoj Bajpayee and Shankar Mahadevan among others also attended the News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu dropped a bunch of photos donning a powerful look recently. She looked gorgeous in the pictures she shared on her social media on Monday, March 11. Other than Samanthas stunning look, what has also caught everyones attention is her Citadel co-star Varun Dhawans reaction to the post.

Varun Dhawan took to the comments section of Samanthas post and dropped a fire emoji. Samantha looked ravishing in a white pantsuit with gold detailing. She completed her look with statement gold and pearl earrings. She captioned the photos, Mad love for this bunch.

Check out Samanthas post here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samantha (@samantharuthprabhuoffl)

Samantha had earlier taken a break from acting to focus on her health. She is back to work now and has begun working on a health podcast. As for films, Samantha will be seen in the Indian version of Citadel which also stars Varun Dhawan and is helmed by Raj and DK. She will be playing the character of Honey Gambhir in the Indian adaptation of the American spy-thriller.

Samantha announced her break from acting after wrapping up the shoot for Citadel India in July 2023. Back then, the actress took to her Instagram handle to announce the same and shared that she will be prioritising her health in the coming months. And its a wrap on #CitadelIndia. A break doesnt seem like a bad thing at all when you know whats coming @rajanddk @mensit The family I didnt know I needed Thank you for helping me fight every single battle and never ever giving up on meI wish more than anything in the world to make you proudThank you for the role of a lifetime.. i.e until you write me the next, she had written.

She was last seen in Kushi with Vijay Deverakonda.
It seemed inevitable that someone would portray Senator Katie Britt of Alabama on NBCs Saturday Night Live this weekend, following her much-discussed GOP reply to President Joe Bidens State of the Union speech on Thursday. With Britts speech viral because of the politicians rambling speech patterns and false claims, the issue now was who would draw on the satirical potential of the speech. As it happened, actress Scarlett Johansson, a two-time Academy Award nominee and six-time SNL host, executed the act.

In the opening scene of the spoof, actors Mikey Day as Joe Biden and Ego Nwodim as CNNs Abby Phillip delivered succinct speeches in which Biden said that Britts reaction would benefit him more than anything else I can say here.

Although the actual Britt, according to CBS News, disapproved of many of Bidens stances on politics and stated in her reply that he had been in office for longer than Ive been alive, Johanssons portrayal highlighted some of her similar sentiments.

Johansson quipped that she was auditioning for the part of scary mom and performing an original monologue called, This country is hell. The footage was taken in a kitchen, just like Britt had when she taped her own reaction to Bidens State of the Union.

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

You see, Im not just a senator, Johansson went on. Im a wife and mother, and the craziest bitch 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 kitchens.

Johansson continued to imitate Britt, stating that she had just seen President Bidens address with her husband Wesley and that she had perceived it as an act by a permanent politician.

But me, Im not performing. she said, gesturing dramatically with her hands, Im not.

She also joked that since she is a mother, she will suddenly tell a startlingly brutal story about sex trafficking, just like any other mother would. She continued, saying that every aspect of it is true, with the exception of the year, place and president at the time.

The American dream has become a nightmare, she continued.

Johansson continued to poke fun at Britt, claiming that she and her spouse Wesley spend a lot of time worrying in this kitchen since thats where families have the important talks. Similar to the one theyre having tomorrow, she continued, about how mommy freaked out the entire country.

Biden, she said, is the one ruining the United States. Just ask yourself  are you better off today than you were four years ago, back in the good ole days of 2020, the year that nothing bad happened? Johansson continued.

Johanssons character broke into song for a brief moment before mentioning that she tells her kids every night that theyre steeped in the sweat of patriots in a castle made of bones. As she continued, she stirred a spoon around a teacup and made an allusion to Jordan Peeles Get Out, which made Kenan Thompson react.

She added that the American people, who are currently struggling, should know that we hear, see and smell them in their kitchen, going through their refrigerator.

She continued by assuring the President of the United States that thiswas not the last time he would see Katie Britt.

Maybe not in politics, but when you close your eyes, Ill be right there, she said.
Finally ending all speculations, the main opposition party, TIPRA Motha, in the northeastern state of Tripura, joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance. As a result of this, two MLAsAnimesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarmaof Motha joined the council of ministers in the Manik Saha-led BJP government. Animesh took the oath of cabinet minister, while Brishaketu took the oath of minister of state. The ruling alliance already has another constituent the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura, whose only MLA, Shukla Charan Noatia, is a cabinet minister in the CM Manik Saha-led BJP cabinet.

This is a big boost for the BJP-NDA ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in the state, which has a 31 per cent tribal population. Tribal votes are crucial in the state, which has two Lok Sabha seats, including a Scheduled Tribe seat, the Tripura East constituency.

Continuation of the tradition of tribal parties aligning with the centre

The decision of TIPRA Motha to ally with the BJP is a continuation of the tradition of the states tribal parties to ally with the ruling party of the Centre. This started with the Tripura Upajati Juba Samiti (TUJS), considered the parent of many tribal parties, including Motha, when it first allied with the Congress in the 1983 state elections after the former was able to strike a deal with the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government at the Centre for Sixth Schedule of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). It has to be mentioned that the then Left Front government constituted the ADC under the provisions of the Fifth and Seventh Schedule of the Constitution  and later Indiras Congress government amended the Constitution and extended the Sixth Schedule to the ADC.

This is quite similar to the present situation. The decision of TIPRA Motha to join the NDA comes after the former signed a tripartite agreement with the Centre and the state government.

According to the agreement, a joint working group or committee would be formed to work out and resolve all issues affecting the indigenous people of Tripura relating to history, land rights, political rights, economic development, identity, culture, language, etc.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, states CM Manik Saha, and Motha founder Pradyot Debbarma were present during the signing of the agreement.

The accord signed by the TIPRA Motha also has similarities with the 1988 Tripura Accord signed by the Rajiv Gandhi-led Centre with the BK Hrangkhawl-led Tripura National Volunteers (TNV), a militant outfit that mostly targeted the Bengalis of the state. Among the prominent demands agreed upon in the accord was to reserve 20 ST seats.

Later, TNV joined mainstream politics and joined the Congress-TUJS alliance for the 1990 ADC polls. This alliance with the Congress continued in the 1993 and 1998 state elections. It has to be mentioned that TNVs Hrangkhawl is now the president of the TIPRA Motha.

The 2023 polls revealed BJPs weakness

Now, coming to the present, the central leadership of the BJP hasnt been much satisfied with the state unit of the party, which hasnt been able to build a strong base in the tribal areas despite being in power for the last six years. This weak link of the party became visible first when the newly formed TIPRA Motha won the TTAADC elections in 2021 and later in the last state assembly polls.

Although the saffron party managed to return to power for the second time, it was clearly evident that had Motha not divided the anti-BJP votes in the 22 non-scheduled tribe seats, it would have been difficult for the party to cross the majority mark of 31 seats in the state assembly. The party had barely crossed the majority by winning 32 seatsa reduction of 4 seats in comparison to the state elections of 2018. The party didnt perform well in the tribal belt of the state.

TIPRA Motha was looking for an escape route

Although, after coming to power for the second time, the BJP has been able to increase its strength in the tribal areas with many Motha supporters and local leaders joining the party, this is also due to Mothas failure to emerge as a kingmaker in the last elections. Despite Motha becoming the main opposition party after winning 13 seats, it started to lose momentum. This is due to the flip-flops of Pradyot, from raising the demand for Greater Tipraland to later softening his stand by talking about a constitutional solution for the indigenous people and then to demand for an interlocutor. Motha, practically a one-man party, remained divided within itselfwhether to join the BJP-led NDA or work as an opposition party in collaboration with other opposition parties like CPM or Congress. This became clear with the occasional outbursts of Pradyot against his own party leaders.

As a result of its internal confusion, the party didnt perform properly the duty of its main oppositionit rather followed a softened approach towards the BJP government, despite some occasional criticisms.

Also, there have been allegations of Motha failing to properly run the administration of TTAADC. Although Motha had repeatedly said that the state BJP government reduced funds for the ADC, it, surprisingly, failed to launch protests on the grounds against the government.

Aware of the situation that emotional demands like Greater Tipralandan infeasible demand given the demography of the statecant be exploited repeatedly over the basic demands of jobs, drinking water, food, electricity, and transport facilities to reap votes for the elections, Pradyot-led Motha has been desperately waiting for an escape route, and the BJP provided that route through the recent tripartite accord with the former.

Importantly, the accord nowhere mentions the name of Greater Tipraland, a demand on which Motha banked to raise its political capital. Though Pradyot still maintains that his party hasnt abandoned the Greater Tipraland demand, it has become clear that for the time being, the demand isnt the main priority for the party.

A long-term strategy of the saffron party

To rule for a long period in the northeastern state, along with the support of the Bengalis, the BJP also needs the support of the tribals. The CPM-led Left Front ruled the state for 35 years in two stints after it was able to get support from both Bengalis and tribals.

By aligning with the TIPRA Motha, the BJP wants to tame the former, which has weakened slightly but still remains a crucial force in the tribal belt. The saffron party knows that until and unless Motha remains a strong force in the tribal belt, it wont be able to gain a strong foothold in the tribal areas.

The saffron party believes that by aligning with Motha and giving it two ministers, it will be able to send a message of goodwill to the tribal votersthat it cares about its aspirations. The saffron party is also aware that regional tribal parties in the state dont last for a long timeone is replaced by another after a time period. When IPFT weakened after the post-2018 state elections, it was replaced by TIPRA Motha in the hills, but the saffron party failed to gain from that.

Challenges do remain against BJPs alliance strategy

It has to be mentioned that Congress lost ground among the tribals after it started ceding space to its ally TUJS since the 1983 state elections. The grand old party didnt gain its lost ground in the tribal belt even after adding TNV to its alliance. Importantly, Congress allied with TUJS and TNV to fight against the CPM-led Left Front. Similarly, the current BJP-IPFT-TIPRA Motha alliance also has a common enemythe CPM.

Surely, the saffron party is following the strategy of striking alliances with the tribal parties to weaken them as part of its long-term strategy. But this strategy didnt work for Congress in the past. Also, with TIPRA Motha joining the NDA, there has been a vacuum in the opposition in the tribal belt, and in politics, such a vacuum doesnt last long. The CPM, although weakened, still retains a section of its support in the tribal belt.

So, the battle isnt easy for the saffron party. If it wants to strengthen its hold in the long term, the BJP, apart from striking alliances with the regional tribal parties, also needs to cultivate mass leaders from the tribal community simultaneously. Otherwise, it may also face the same fate that Congress faced as a result of banking only on striking alliances with the tribal parties in the hills of the state.

The author is a political commentator and tweets @SagarneelSinha. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
In the heart of the Caribbean, Haitis tumultuous journey has been marked by a series of catastrophic events and political mismanagement, pushing the nation into a state of civil unrest unparalleled in its history. The countrys current plight, characterised by extreme poverty, violence, and even reports of cannibalism, is a testament to the destructive power of freebie politics and the failure of its leadership to steer the nation toward stability and prosperity. This article explores the multifaceted crisis in Haiti, examining the root causes of its collapse and the dire consequences that have followed.

The Collapse of Haiti: A Mosaic of Misfortune

Haitis descent into chaos is not a result of a single event but rather a confluence of several factors that have compounded over time. The term freebie politics refers to the practice of political leaders using short-term handouts or benefits to win support from the populace, often at the expense of long-term development and governance. In Haiti, this approach has been rampant, with leaders offering immediate gratifications to secure loyalty while neglecting the fundamental aspects of nation-building, such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

The repercussions of such politics are evident in the nations economic stagnation and lack of public services, making it increasingly vulnerable to crises. When disasters strike, be it natural or man-made, the fragility of Haitis institutions becomes starkly apparent, leaving the population to bear the brunt of the fallout.

Cannibalism and the Exodus of Diplomats: A New Low

Recent reports from Haiti have been alarming, with instances of cannibalism emerging as a stark indicator of the dire humanitarian crisis. Such extreme acts of desperation highlight the severe food scarcity and breakdown of social order in the country. The international community has been shaken by these developments, leading to the evacuation of embassies, including that of the United States, signalling a loss of faith in Haitis ability to safeguard foreign nationals and maintain diplomatic relations.

The vacuum created by the departure of international diplomats has exacerbated the sense of abandonment among Haitians, further destabilising the already volatile situation. The international communitys response, or lack thereof, will play a crucial role in determining Haitis future trajectory.

The Impact of Covid-19

The pandemic has been a global disruptor, but its effects on already vulnerable nations like Haiti have been particularly devastating. The health crisis has overwhelmed the countrys fragile healthcare system, leading to widespread suffering and further economic decline. The pandemic has also interrupted the already limited foreign aid and investment, deepening the nations isolation and compounding its challenges.

Military and Political Mismanagement: A Legacy of Dysfunction

Haitis history is marred by a succession of military coups and unstable governments, with leaders often prioritising personal gain or political survival over the well-being of the nation. This pattern of mismanagement has eroded trust in public institutions and fostered a climate of impunity and corruption. The lack of accountable leadership has hindered effective governance, leaving the state ill-equipped to address the needs of its people or to implement policies that could foster stability and growth.

The Way Forward: Rebuilding Haiti

The path to recovery for Haiti is fraught with challenges, but it is not insurmountable. A concerted effort from both the national government and the international community is essential to address the immediate humanitarian needs and to lay the groundwork for sustainable development. Prioritising good governance, transparency, and accountability will be crucial in restoring public trust and building a more resilient Haiti.

The rebuilding process must also involve a reevaluation of the role of international aid, ensuring that it supports long-term development goals rather than perpetuating dependency. Empowering Haitian institutions and civil society will be key in driving the nations recovery and ensuring that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.

Conclusion

Haitis current crisis is a stark reminder of the perils of freebie politics and the importance of robust and accountable governance. The nations descent into chaos serves as a cautionary tale for other countries, underscoring the need for leaders to prioritise the long-term well-being of their citizens over short-term political gains. For Haiti, the road to recovery will be long and arduous, but with a renewed commitment to good governance and sustainable development, there is hope for a brighter future.

Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod VSM (retd) tweets at @mjavinod; Squadron leader Varsha Kukreti (Retd) is the founder and CEO of AutoMicroUAS Pvt Ltd and Aeronne Dynamics Pvt Ltd. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication.
The Peoples Republic of China (PRC), at the UNs Universal Periodic Review session, presented its report on the progress on the countrys human rights situation. The report maintained that Beijing upholds the equality of all ethnicities, respect the religions, beliefs of the masses and guarantee the lawful rights and interests of all ethnic groups.

The report received criticism from the US, the UK and other countries that pointed at the countrys poor human rights record, especially of its minorities, which China refuted as misunderstanding and misinformation. The chief of United Nations Human Rights, Volker Turk, recently urged China to implement the recommendations to amend its laws, which violate fundamental rights within China, including the Tibetan region. The human rights record shows that in reality Tibet continues to face systemic oppression by Chinese authorities, which in fact, intensified under Xi Jinpings rule.

The Tibetan question has its roots in Chinas annexation of the region in 1951, claimed wrongfully as peaceful liberation. However, the region soon started grappling with systemic repression of a new China under the CCP rule that received widespread global attention following the 2008 Tibetan uprising. Under Xi Jinpings rule, which aims for great Chinese rejuvenation, attention was paid to implement the Sinicisation policy, that is, transformation into a socialist society compatible with Chinese characteristics. In the case of Tibet, Beijings aim of cultural assimilation was targeted at Tibetans religion, language, culture and environment, all which are vital to keep alive the ethnic minority identity that Tibetans hold.

The series of new legislative measures and policies have perpetuated Beijings vicious project in name of Tibets liberation. Heavy restrictions on freedom of movement and communication in Tibet along with mass relocation, environmental degradation and phasing out of Tibetan language in primary education are mentioned as the human rights violations on the ethnic minority population in Tibet in the latest Human Rights Watch (HRW) report.

The infamous state surveillance has further seemed to alleviate when a recent report revealed evidence of a Chinese app claimed to be an anti-fraud app, that is believed to monitor Tibetans through digital surveillance and gets control over device facilities, by getting access to their data. Tibetans also complained of being forced to download the app by the police. Just a year back, new cyber security rules in Tibet to punish those found guilty of creating public disorder by engaging in separatist acts, or acts threatening the countrys national security.

The communication clampdown on Tibetans, whereby they are targeted and arbitrarily detained on charges of possessing and spreading banned contents or rumours, is yet another strategic move to instil fear and restrict movements among Tibetans. Other restrictions such as periodic internet blackouts, prohibition of using Tibetan language on social media apps and censorship on news covering Tibetan issues are found to be strictly applied in the Tibetan region.

The exploitation of natural resources in Tibet, witnessed since the 1951 annexation, reached new heights lately as found in a latest report which said that China is damaging the Tibetan plateaus fragile ecology via its ambitious lithium exploration to boost its electric vehicle industry, further aggravating human rights violations. Moreover, China came under fire last month for detaining more than 1,000 Tibetan monks and villagers who travelled to Dege county in Chinas Sinchuan province to peacefully protest against the building of a hydropower dam construction project that is believed to submerge Tibets historic monasteries and villages.

Freedom of association and movements already under strict control in the Tibetan region, the latest development attracted global attention with the Human Rights Watch asking the Chinese authorities for immediate release. To fulfil its mega infrastructure projects, China has for years eyed Tibet and exploited its resources. This was obviously done without taking into account the environmental impact of its projects. The latest Tibetan protest also was about resettlement of residents of at least two villages and six monasteries that would be forced to relocate for hydropower dam construction. There are already reports of Chinese authorities subjecting millions of Tibetans to its policy of involuntary mass relocation and housing that has gravely altered their life and detached them from not only their land but also their cultural identity, a practice that seems to continue despite international communitys criticism.

This year also witnessed a leading scientific publisher of a genetic journal retracting 18 papers from China for Human Rights concerns with respect to data collection methods employed by those who wrote these research papers. Of the mass retracted papers, one paper studied DNA of Tibetans in Lhasa, using their blood samples. However, the ethnic review found uncovered inconsistencies between consent documentation and the research reported. In January, the US biotech company Thermo Fisher reported to halt sales of its DNA identification kits in Tibet, followed by a series of complaints from rights groups about China systemic collection of DNA samples without consent for surveillance purposes, a grave human rights violation found to be in practice in the Tibetan plateau region.

Chinas Sinicisation of Religions (2016) policy, aimed at cultural assimilation with the majoritarian Han population, essentially contributed to the restrictions in freedom of religious practice found in Tibet, what is recognised as Sinicisation of Tibetan Buddhism. Besides the destruction of religious sites and the systemic target and detention of Tibetan monks found in the latest HRW report, the United Nations Special Rapporteurs in its February report published shocking findings that nearly 80 percent of Tibetan schoolchildren are sent state-run boarding schools, away from their families, forcibly by Chinese authorities, where they are taught in Mandarin and no lessons on Tibetan language, a deliberate effort at cultural assimilation that risks the erosion of unique Tibetan identity.

China faced its consequence as the US imposed new visa restrictions on China over its forced assimilation last year. In February, the US legislature also passed the China-Tibet dispute bill in order to strengthen efforts to push the Chinese government to resolve the decades-long Tibetan issue through dialogue with the Tibetan leaders, to ensure the Tibetans right to have a say in deciding their own future. This reveals that the global community is gradually taking firm actions to not allow the Tibetan question to be diminished as Chinas internal matter as Beijing intends it to be.

The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
While the tunnels in the coastal road have three lanes each, the remaining stretch of the road consists of four lanes on each carriageway. (Image: News18)
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday announced his partys seat-sharing deal with the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls as well as the assembly elections in the state.

According to the announcement made by Naidu, TDP will contest on 17 seats out of a total of 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state, while the BJP will contest six seats. Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena Party will contest two seats in the coming general polls.

On the other hand, for the upcoming Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections, TDP will contest 144 seats, while the BJP and JSP will fight 10 and 21 seats in the state, respectively.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena Party reached a political understanding for an alliance ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. This big announcement came after the second round of talks between the stakeholders was held on Saturday at Home Minister Amit Shahs residence.

Talking to a group of reporters, TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu said, Andhra Pradesh has been destroyed badly. The BJP and the TDP coming together is a win-win situation for the country and the state. The alliance will sweep the polls in Andhra Pradesh, he asserted, lashing out at the YSR Congress.

Taking to X, BJP National President JP Nadda said, I wholeheartedly welcome the decision of N Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan to join the NDA family. Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji, BJP, TDP, and JSP are committed to the progress of the country and the upliftment of the state and people of Andhra Pradesh.
The much-anticipated first list of the Congress party released last week contained just 39 names, essentially a safe list with no candidates declared yet from major states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

The start seemed rather uninspiring for a party riding on the INDIA bloc and aiming to dislodge the Narendra Modi government.

On the other hand, the BJP seems to be on board a Formula One racing car towards its aimed finishing line of 400 seats for the NDA  be it in terms of declaring candidates or stitching new alliances like with TDP in Andhra Pradesh and opening talks with the BJD in Odisha.

A regional party, Trinamool Congress (TMC), trumped the Congress in poll preparations by declaring all 42 candidates in West Bengal in one go and quashed all talk of any arrangement with the Grand Old Party.

This came after another INDIA ally, Aam Aadmi Party, took on the Congress inside the Punjab assembly, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann even daring the party to pull out of arrangements in Delhi, Haryana and Gujarat.

Rahul Gandhi will fight from Wayanad in Kerala against the Left, sparking another strife in the INDIA camp. His opponent is Annie Raja, the wife of senior Left leader D Raja.

When the leaders are not able to agree on an alliance, it would be foolhardy to expect the cadre of various INDIA parties to work together on ground.

The only solace seemed to be Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge declaring that seat-sharing talks had concluded in Tamil Nadu with the DMK, and Congress would now be getting 10 seats to fight. The second list of the Congress is expected on Tuesday after the CEC on Monday.

BJP in Top Gear

The BJP camp has been in top election gear. PM Modi has been on a Bharat Darshan across the country for the last one week, inaugurating projects worth crores and milking the self-goal by RJD supremo Lalu Prasad of taking a pot shot at the prime minister for having no family.

His party declared 195 candidates in one go and the second list with a considerable number of names is expected on Tuesday after the CEC meets on Monday. Nearly 70 per cent of BJPs candidates could be declared before the Model Code of Conduct comes into play.

Senior BJP leaders are also opening new fronts with the TDP alliance in Andhra Pradesh being sealed last week and efforts on for an alliance with the BJD in Odisha.

Home Minister Amit Shah has been leading the talks for sealing the seat-sharing arrangement with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawan in Maharashtra, as well as with the JDU and Chirag Paswan in Bihar.

The Maharashtra and Bihar arrangements are expected to be announced this week. A deal with Akali Dal in Punjab is also in the works.

In the BJP camp, the mission seems simple, and no cost seems to matter. Like the eye of Arjun, the aim is to achieve 370 seats for the BJP and 400-plus for the NDA, as the target fixed by Narendra Modi, and isolate the Congress in this political battle.

The INDIA pact does not seem to exist beyond DMK, Samajwadi Party and the RJD  and in states, where the Congress is a minor partner.
Indias commitment to nurturing its childrens health and well-being has taken a delightful turn with Poshan Se Padhai Tak under the Poshan Abhiyaan, a flagship initiative by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, driven by the visionary leadership of Smt. Smriti Irani, Minister of Women & Child Development in India. The launch took place on 29th February 2024, in partnership with Network18 Group, marking a significant milestone in Indias journey towards ensuring nutrition for every child, with a special focus on leveraging the power of storytelling.

India embarked on a transformative journey towards ensuring the health and well-being of its citizens, particularly its children, through the Poshan Abhiyaan initiated by our Honourable Prime Minister in 2018. This ground-breaking mission, led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, has made significant strides in combating malnutrition, stunting, and wasting, aiming for a healthier and more prosperous India.

As the Poshan Abhiyaan evolved into Poshan 2.0, a new chapter unfolded with Poshan se Padhai Tak. This initiative, themed Poshan Se Padhai Tak Naye Bharat Ki Unnati, symbolised Indias commitment to holistic child health and nutrition, paving the way for a brighter future and reaching out to millions of schools in the country to build a brighter future of India.

The Poshan se Padhai Tak launch featured a special interaction with Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, delving into the governments initiatives and holistic approaches to child health and nutrition, showcasing Indias remarkable progress in reducing malnutrition and fostering a healthier population. Highlighting the path-breaking transformation of Anganwadis over the past six years as Saksham Anganwadis, the platform demonstrated the collaborative efforts of the government, UNICEF, and other stakeholders in enhancing early childhood care and education. Discussions on combating obesity and promoting healthy eating habits further underscored the importance of nutrition in childrens lives.

Sharing her unwavering commitment to the initiative, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister of Women & Child Development in India, said, As we work on Poshan se Padhai Tak, let us remember that investing in our childrens health is an investment in our nations future. We pave the way for a brighter, healthier India through education, empowerment, and a shared commitment to nurturing every childs potential. Let us embark on this transformative journey together, ensuring that no child is left behind in pursuing a nourished and prosperous tomorrow. She also thanked the Bill Gates Foundation for helping India with the Poshan tracker at the time of the pandemic.

The event also witnessed Mr Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, sharing his perspective and insights, further launching the Poshan Utsav Book and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials enriching the proceedings.

With great enthusiasm, Mr Bill Gates applauded Indias Poshan initiative for blending local customs to boost nutrition across diverse communities. He commended the ministers strides in enhancing nutrition, expanding childcare, and empowering women economically. Mr Gates expressed optimism about continued progress in nutrition, with India taking the lead in innovations like vaccines and supplements. He further thanked health workers and highlighted the positive impact of these advancements on women and children in India.

Expressing his joy on being the esteemed media partner for Poshan se Padhai Tak, Mr. Rahul Joshi, MD & Editor, Network18 Media & Investments Limited, said, As proud media partners of Poshan se Padhai Tak, we at Network18 are committed to leveraging our platform to spread awareness about the importance of nutrition and its profound impact on the lives of millions of children across the country. Through our collective efforts, we aim to empower communities, foster positive change, and ensure every child has the nourishment they need to thrive. Together, let us illuminate the path towards a healthier, brighter future for all.

The centre of attraction of Poshan se Padhai Tak initiative launch was the Cartoon Coalition, a collaboration between iconic brands such as Sesame Street, Diamond Comics, and Amar Chitra Katha. Through this coalition, beloved characters like Chamki & Elmo from Sesame Street, Diamond Comics and Amar Chitra Kathas historical figures like Motu- Patlu, Chacha Chaudhary, Shambhu and Supandi came together on one platform to champion the cause of good nutrition. The Cartoon Coalition took centre stage at the Poshan se Padhai Tak launch as a beacon of hope, inspiring children to become enthusiastic advocates for good nutrition. Through the power of storytelling, the initiative looks forward to igniting a spark of curiosity and creativity in children, setting them on a path towards lifelong health and well-being.

From colourful illustrations to engaging narratives, the Cartoon Coalition is a powerful initiative to bring nutrition education to life in a fun and relatable manner, capturing the imagination of young minds across India. Smt. Smriti Zubin Iranis unwavering commitment to childrens welfare shined through underscoring the significance of leveraging innovative approaches, such as storytelling, to educate and empower children, laying the foundation for a healthier and brighter future.

With esteemed speakers, engaging discussions, and impactful insights, the Poshan se Padhai Tak initiative promised a momentous occasion in Indias journey towards ensuring nutrition for all. Join the nutrition revolution with Poshan Se Padhai Tak to empower the children for a healthier, happier India.
India faces significant challenges in ensuring adequate nutrition, especially for women and children. Malnutrition, stunted growth, and inadequate maternal care persist as critical issues. Even though Indias economy has grown by 50% since 2013, over one-third of the worlds malnourished children live in India. Out of these, half of the children under three years old are not weighing enough for their age. Recognizing this, initiatives like the POSHAN Abhiyan- Nutrition for All have been introduced by the government to address these concerns comprehensively.

POSHAN Abhiyan: A Holistic Approach to Nutrition

POSHAN Abhiyan, also known as the National Nutrition Mission, is a flagship program by our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, aiming to improve nutritional outcomes for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children. Launched in 2018, it operates under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, emphasising the first 1,000 days of a childs life as crucial for optimal development.

Anganwadis: The Frontline of Nutrition

The Anganwadi program in India has been a cornerstone of the countrys efforts to address maternal and child health, early childhood care, and nutrition. The term Anganwadi translates to courtyard shelter in English, reflecting its initial purpose of being a community centre. These centres play a crucial role in rural and urban areas, particularly for marginalised communities. In 2018, post the launch of POSHAN Abhiyan, the Anganwadi system played a central role in the missions implementation. The initiative aimed to address malnutrition comprehensively, focusing on the initial years of a childs life through:

Community Engagement: The role of Anganwadis extended beyond service delivery to fostering community engagement. Empowering communities with knowledge about health, nutrition, and childcare practices became a key focus.

Digital Transformation : Post-2018, there was an increased emphasis on leveraging technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Anganwadi services. The introduction of digital platforms, like the Poshan Tracker, aimed at real-time monitoring and reporting, contributed to better data-driven decision-making.

Poshan Tracker

Poshan Tracker is another significant medium designed to help the Anganwadi Didis to create impact. After the Portion Tracker started working in India, it was discovered that out of 75 million children who were checked using WHO standards, the numbers for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) decreased by 12%. This is a significant improvement in the nutrition situation in India with features like:

It supports 12 languages for user convenience.

It has specific grids for Pregnant Women, Lactating Women, Children, Adolescent Girls, and Boys.

Allows Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) to enter and update details of beneficiaries, including nutritional information.

Monitors daily activities, attendance, health and nutrition data, and overall centre performance.

Includes a section to add and manage details of orphan children.

Checklists to assess and report on Anganwadi Centre status and compliance.

Captures data related to Anganwadi Centre infrastructure.

Enables AWWs to provide feedback on training received from Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).

Aids in training AWWs on various modules and sections of the app.

Allows AWWs to rate and provide feedback on the training received.

Monitors growth, vaccination, and other essential parameters for beneficiaries.

Challenges and Evolving Strategies:

Despite progress, challenges such as infrastructure limitations, manpower shortages, and ensuring the quality of services persisted. The government continued to evolve strategies to address these challenges, including capacity building for Anganwadi workers, enhanced coordination with healthcare services, making the children understand the importance of nutrition and community mobilisation.

Poshan Se Padhai Tak Initiative: An Educational Approach

The Poshan Se Padhai Tak initiative launched by the Ministry of Women & Child Development by the visionary leader Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, under Poshan 2.0, embodies a holistic approach to child development by intertwining nutrition with education. Recognizing the symbiotic relationship between nourishment and academic success, the initiative leverages technology for efficient monitoring while integrating education with nutrition. By prioritizing the well-being of women and children, it endeavours to lay the foundation for a healthier and more prosperous future for the nation. The launch of the Poshan Utsav Book, curated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the Deendayal Research Institute, represents a significant stride in this endeavour. This comprehensive resource seeks to revive ancient nutrition traditions, fostering intergenerational learning and celebrating Indias rich culinary heritage and nutritional diversity.

In addition to the Poshan Utsav Book, the initiative also introduced the Cartoon Coalition, a creative collaboration between popular cartoon entities in India. Characters like Shambhu, Supandi, Chacha Choudhary, Elmo, Chamki, and others came together to convey essential messages on nutrition in an entertaining and relatable manner. This innovative approach aims to make nutrition education engaging, particularly for children, thereby contributing to positive behavioral changes regarding nutrition. As these initiatives unfold, Anganwadis emerge as vital hubs for their implementation, reaffirming a collective commitment to combat malnutrition and promote holistic health practices among children and women.

The Poshan Se Padhai Tak Initiative stands as a beacon of progress, emphasising that a well-nourished nation begins with empowering communities at the grassroots level. Join the nutrition revolution & be part of building a healthier, happier India.
The 96th Academy Awards, once again helmed by Jimmy Kimmel, are in full throttle as Christopher Nolans 2023 biopic Oppenheimer strides into the ceremony with an impressive 13 nominations. Yet, amidst the glitz and glamour, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk seems to be giving the event a cold shoulder on social media as over the weekend, Musk took to X, formerly Twitter, to air his grievances about Hollywoods most extravagant affair.

In one of his tweets, the X boss equated snagging an Oscar to clinching victory in the woke contest.

Winning an Oscar now just means you won the woke contest Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 10, 2024

While according to the Cambridge Dictionary, woke simply denotes being aware, especially of social problems such as racism and inequality, Musk has previously suggested that wokeness seeks to outlaw comedy.

In the same thread, Musk remarked, When an award is diluted, everyone knows, including those who received it, and it no longer commands respect.

When an award is diluted, everyone knows, including those who received it, and it no longer commands respect Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 10, 2024

Soon, denizens of social media jumped in to tease Musk in the comments, with one user jesting, Youre just upset youll never win one. Another quipped, Yet another thing you know nothing about, and that money can not buy. You should buy the Oscars and make them terrible probably cheaper than Twitter, joked the third, while the fourth pondered, You think if Oppenheimer wins its because its woke?

Oppenheimer is woke?Dude, what are you on about   General Strike (Terrence Daniels) (@Terrence_STR) March 11, 2024

You should buy the Oscars and make them terrible probably cheaper than twitter Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) March 10, 2024

Youre just upset youll never win one David Leavitt  Pax East (@David_Leavitt) March 10, 2024

Didnt Oppenheimer win a few? Nothing woke about that SMA  (@generic_void) March 11, 2024

Meanwhile, the buzz surrounding contenders like the brooding Oppenheimer, the chilling Anatomy of a Fall, and the vibrant Barbie finally reached its crescendo as the 2024 Oscars transformed the aspirations of top contenders into glittering gold.

Also Read: Elon Musk Mocks FRIENDS With Hilarious Meme, Internet Is Having A Field Day

The night belonged to Oppenheimer, clinching the coveted Best Picture trophy, with Christopher Nolan rightfully crowned Best Director, and Cillian Murphys stellar performance securing him the title of Best Actor. These three luminaries had been riding high on a wave of victories from prestigious precursor ceremonies, from the Golden Globes in January to the SAG Awards in February.

Other victors basking in the glow of sustained success over recent months include DaVine Joy Randolph, honoured as Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Holdovers, and Robert Downey Jr., who triumphed as Best Supporting Actor for his contribution to Oppenheimer.

Also Read: Margot Robbie, Greta Gerwigs Snub at Oscars 2024 Has Barbie Fans in a Towering Rage

However, the nights most unexpected twist saw Emma Stone, the leading lady of Poor Things, emerging victorious as Best Actress, reclaiming the spotlight despite being sidelined by the history-making Lily Gladstone from Killers of the Flower Moon after her SAG Award win in February.
In the ever-evolving landscape of modern living, its becoming increasingly evident that artificial intelligence (AI) is asserting its presence in every aspect of our daily lives. The familiar sight of robot waiters in cafes and restaurants shows the integration of AI is reshaping the way we experience the world. A recent video circulating on the internet captures an incident in this new technological era where a man received his meal delivered by a robot in China, showcasing how AI is changing the way we live.

The clip starts with the man excitedly exclaiming, Im about to get my food delivered by a robot here in China! As he waits, his phone rings, signaling the robots arrival. A robotic voice speaks in Chinese, adding to the anticipation. Okay, so the phone is ringing. That means the robot is here. Oh, theres a robotic voice speaking in Chinese. Not sure what it says, but lets see if its here, he explains.

Opening his rooms gate, hes greeted by the sight of the robot waiting outside.

Initially unsure how to retrieve his meal, the man explores the robots features. Pressing a button, he watches as his food is revealed in a compartment. With a bit of confusion, he learns to close the compartment by tapping the button again. He shares with viewers that theres a timer for retrieving the food from the compartment.

As the robot departs, leaving him impressed, he cant help but say, This is so cool. Thank you for the delivery.

Ken Abroad, a travel vlogger, shared an intriguing video on social media platform Instagram with the caption, Food delivered by a robot in China. Im 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?

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ken Abroad | Travel Vlogger (@ken_abroad)

The video quickly captured the attention of online users, sparking a lively discussion in the comments. A curious user pondered, Is the food cooked by robots too? while another praised the convenience, saying, Very convenient for the customers.

Reflecting on the futuristic vibe, an account remarked, This feels like what life in the 2050s will be like. China is far ahead in many aspects but we wouldnt know it if not for people like Ken traveling there and showing us what its like. Thanks Ken!

Injecting humor into the conversation, a user quipped, Sometimes it will fall down to the floor, and it will shout HELP ME.

Since its sharing, the video has accumulated an impressive 360,000 views online.
India remains the worlds top arms importer and its imports increased by 4.7 per cent between 20142018 and 20192023, Swedish think tank SIPRI said in a new report on Monday. Russia continued as Indias main arms supplier, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said, adding around 55 per cent of arms imports by European states in 201923 were supplied by the US, up from 35 per cent in 201418.

India was the worlds top arms importer. Its arms imports increased by 4.7 per cent between 201418 and 201923, the think-tank said in a statement.

Although Russia remained Indias main arms supplier (accounting for 36 per cent of its arms imports), this was the first five-year period since 196064 when deliveries from Russia (or the Soviet Union before 1991) made up less than half of Indias arms imports, it said.

According to the report, Pakistan significantly increased its arms imports (43 per cent).

Pakistan was the fifth largest arms importer in 201923 and China became even more dominant as its main supplier, providing 82 per cent of its arms imports, it said.

Arms imports by two of Chinas East Asian neighbours increased, Japans by 155 per cent and South Koreas by 6.5 per cent, it said.

Chinas own arms imports shrank by 44 per cent, mainly as a result of substituting imported arms  most of which came from Russia, with locally produced systems. There is little doubt that the sustained high levels of arms imports by Japan and other US allies and partners in Asia and Oceania are largely driven by one key factor: concern over Chinas ambitions, said Siemon Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.

The US, which shares their perception of a Chinese threat, is a growing supplier to the region, it said. Thirty per cent of international arms transfers went to the Middle East in 201923. Three Middle Eastern states were among the top 10 importers in 201923: Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt.

Saudi Arabia was the worlds second-largest arms importer in 201923, receiving 8.4 per cent of global arms imports in the period, the SIPRI said. Saudi Arabian arms imports fell by 28 per cent in 201923, but this was from a record level in 201418.

Qatar increased its arms imports almost fourfold (396 per cent) between 201418 and 201923, making it the worlds third biggest arms importer in 201923, according to the report.
Nepali men stranded in Russia have reached out to the Indian government in a viral video, claiming that they were deceived into working as helpers in the Russian army but are now coerced into fighting in the Ukraine conflict. The men were seen seeking refuge and imploring neighbouring India to intervene after failed attempts to seek help from the Nepalese Embassy in Moscow.

Dressed in combat attire, the soldiers said they were fraudulently recruited by agents and now seek repatriation to their home country. Underlining the robust relations between New Delhi and Kathmandu, they appealed for Indias support. Three Indian brothers were fighting alongside us, but they have been rescued by India, the Nepali men said. Nepals embassy is not able to help us, thats why we are appealing to the Indian government. Both countries share friendly ties. Your country has a powerful embassy. There were 30 of us, now only 5 remain, they added.

Nepali people stranded in Russia have appealed to the Indian government to rescue them as their appeals to the Nepali govt have gone in vainThere were 30 Nepalese in the group. Only 5 of them survived at the front. The powerful Modi govt has saved the Indians present with them pic.twitter.com/irb0XyIBQs  Megh Updates  (@MeghUpdates) March 11, 2024

For the past few months, Nepals Foreign Ministry has sent two back-to-back diplomatic notes to Moscow seeking details on the status of the Nepali nationals serving in the Russian Army. It has been asking Russia to send back hundreds of its nationals who were recruited to fight against Ukraine and repatriate the bodies of those who died in the conflict.

For centuries, Nepali nationals were recruited by the British army to fight as famed Gurkha soldiers and later by India when it gained independence from Britain. That arrangement was made in 1816 after signing a treaty between Nepal and Britain. In an Associated Press interview in January, Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud revealed that Nepal is seeking monetary compensation from Russia for the families of those Nepali nationals who were killed in the fighting.

Last month, Moscow reportedly agreed to compensate the families of Nepalis killed during its war with Ukraine through the Nepali Embassy in Moscow. As many as 14 Nepali nationals have so far died in the war. However, officials and individuals still serving in the Russian Army or those who managed to escape fighting have claimed that the number of Nepali casualties could be much higher than reported, according to The Kathmandu Post. On the other side of the Himalayas, neighbouring India is facing a similar situation, where its citizens are being duped into fighting for Russia in the Ukraine conflict.

On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that New Delhi has strongly taken up with Moscow the matter concerning about 35 people who were sent to Russia in the dubious scheme. Several Indian nationals have been duped to work in the Russian army. We have strongly taken up the matter for the early discharge of such Indian nationals, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a presser. Strong action has been initiated against agents who recruited them on false pretexts, he added. At least two men who went to Russia expecting to work as helpers in the army have died while fighting at the front.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said he would be willing to ignore US President Joe Bidens red line and proceed with invasion of Rafah as Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza.

Netanyahu said Rafah continues to be a part of his military action plans. Well go there. Were not going to leave, you know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is, that October 7 doesnt happen again, Netanyahu was quoted as saying by Axel Springer.

Netanyahu claimed he received quiet support from several Arab leaders to press forward with Israels war on Hamas. They understand Hamas is part of the Iranian terror axis, he said.

He told Axel Springer that the fighting could be over in maybe six weeks, maybe four and reiterated that 18 of Hamas 24 battalions have been destroyed, but that four of the six units remaining are believed to be in Rafah.

Rafah is currently the shelter for more than 1.5 million people who are trying to find refuge but are still at risk from Israeli bombing.

Biden on Saturday stressed his growing impatience with Israels right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling broadcaster MSNBC that the Israeli leader must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

At this stage, said Biden, Netanyahus approach to the war was hurting Israel more than helping Israel. Israel has faced scrutiny as the toll from the Palestinian enclave rose to at least 30,000, according to Hamas-backed health officials.

It is a red line, but Im never going to leave Israel. The defence of Israel is still critical. So theres no red line [in which] Im going to cut off all weapons so they dont have the Iron Dome to protect them, the US President further added.

Biden has urged Netanyahu against launching a major offensive in Rafah, telling him to find a way to evacuate civilians in the part of Gaza that is yet to see Israeli troops on the ground.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and the war cabinet claim that few top Hamas leaders are hiding in Gaza. IDF said that it has killed about 12,000 Hamas terrorists since the war began, which is close to 50% of its estimated members.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to face the ire of the Pakistani establishment in Rawalpindis Adiala Jail after he rallied for a peaceful protest against the alleged rigging in the February 8 elections, according to exclusive information obtained by CNN-News18.

Khan had called for demonstrations following last months contentious polls, citing claims of vote theft. Sources close to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) hinted at the possibility of a false flag operation aimed at relocating him to a less secure facility under the guise of safety concerns.

Serving another blow to the embattled Imran faction, Pakistans election commission last week ruled that a party aligned with candidates backed by the former premier was not eligible for extra reserved seats in the legislature. The decision represented a further setback to Khan, who is in jail following a string of convictions, despite his candidates winning the most seats overall in the national election.

Even after a month has passed since the election, the turmoil continues to escalate as Khans supporters claim their electoral victory, pointing to disputed Form 45 documents allegedly reversed to undermine their legitimacy. Accusations were flying as power shifts were attributed to political heavyweights including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Punjab Chief Minister Mariyam Nawaz.

Days after Mariyam was crowned as the head of the countrys most populous region, the daughter of three-time PM Nawaz Sharif was disinvited from a speaking engagement at a Lahore college, underlining public discontent with the election results. With Khans allies vowing to disrupt government proceedings until their grievances are addressed, Pakistan braces for further political upheaval amidst mounting tensions.
The Indonesian government is probing local carrier Batik Air after two pilots who were flying a plane from Sulawesi to the capital Jakarta fell asleep mid-air with 153 passengers aboard. They were asleep for 28 minutes mid-flight.

Both pilots, both men, have been temporarily suspended for their conduct aboard the flight which was flying to the Indonesian capital on January 25. One pilot said he was reportedly tired from helping care for his newborn twins.

The plane, an Airbus A320, briefly veered off course but landed safely, a report by BBC Indonesia said. The 153 passengers and crew members were unharmed.

The Indonesia transport ministrys report said that the 32-year-old pilot had told his co-pilot to take control of the aircraft about half an hour after take off because he needed to rest. The 28-year-old co-pilot agreed but inadvertently fell asleep. The 28-year-old pilot is the one whose wife had just given birth to one-month-old twin babies and he was helping with childcare.

The Jakarta air traffic control tried contacting the cockpit of the Batik Air A320 but they did not receive any response. 28 minutes later, the lead pilot woke up and realised that his co-pilot had also fallen asleep and saw the flight had briefly veered off course.

They responded quickly to the calls from Jakarta and landed the plane safely.

Both men did undergo medical tests and those tests deemed that the men were fit to fly.

Both men displayed normal blood pressure and heart rate and their alcohol tests came back negative.

An expert speaking to the broadcaster said that even though the pilots appeared to be fully rested, the tests could not determine whether the quality of their rest was good.

Indonesian authorities strongly reprimanded Batik Air over the incident. The Indonesian head of air transport, M Kristi Endah Murni, asked the carrier to pay more attention to their crews rest time. The airline said that it operates with adequate rest policy and that it was committed to implement all safety recommendations.

A pilot aboard a Batik Airlines flight in 2019 was forced to have an emergency landing after the pilot fainted. Most aviation regulators across the globe require at least two pilots to be present in the cockpit of commercial airliners.
Social media is abuzz with conspiracy theories after several news outlets withdrew a photograph issued by Kensington Palace of Kate, Britains Princess of Wales, following a post-publication analysis that showed it did not meet their editorial standards.

The palace issued the photograph of Kate and her three children on Sunday, along with a message of thanks from the princess in her first public comments since undergoing abdominal surgery in January. News agencies said part of the sleeve of Kates daughters cardigan did not line up properly, suggesting that the image had been altered.

Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day. C The Prince of Wales, 2024 pic.twitter.com/6DywGBpLLQ  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 10, 2024

The palace said the picture had been taken by Kates husband, heir-to-the-throne Prince William, last week. It showed Kate, 42, smiling and looking well, surrounded by Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte. Kate has been absent from public royal life since Christmas Day, sparking rumours and speculation on social media about her health of the princess.

So far, Kensington Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Reuters but people on the internet were swift to start speculating. Wonder if they did this on purpose just to have a giggle at the conspiracy theorists, commented one of the users on Kates picture.

Thank you for this demonstration that Photoshop cannot cheat the world. Charlottes shoes. Heel or not? Her left ankle cut off. The hands of Catherine  one absolutely sharp  the right one in the picture, her left one. The other one seems to be half a meter behind. No rings anymore. Just tell us the truth and the monarchy wont loose the least bit of trust, said a user in an assertive manner.

Speculating on #katemiddletons health condition is unfair. She will be fine and will return to being the mother, wife and future queen she deserves, said another user. Some wise ones questioned why people always jump to conspiracy theories. Happy mothers day! Definitely looks like it had some photo editing happening. Why edit princess Charlottes cuffs? People jump straight to conspiracy.
Haitis prime minister was last seen in Puerto Rico, negotiating his return to a homeland gripped by violence and controlled by heavily armed gangsters. With his fate in the air and the situation in Haiti deteriorating by the day, the world has been left to wonder whether the country will fully descend into anarchy or whether some semblance of order will be restored.

What is going on in Haiti?

Its easy to blame this latest spasm of violence in the Wests first free Black republic on longstanding poverty, the legacy of colonialism, widespread deforestation, and European and US 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.

Gang-related violence has continued to increase in intensity and brutality, with gangs expanding their control within and beyond Port-au-Prince, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report published Wednesday.

Sexual violence, including collective rape, continue to be used by gangs to terrorize populations under the control of rival gangs, he added.

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.

Haitis Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier presents himself as a revolutionary, and is seldom pictured without his rifle and spare clips of ammunition.

The former policeman heads one of the powerful gangs that is ravaging Haiti, and claims he wants to sweep away the crisis-torn countrys elite.

As the head of an alliance of gangs dubbed the G9 family, 46-year-old Barbecue has become a public face of the violent chaos engulfing the Caribbean country, now plunged into a deep political and humanitarian morass.

The alliances more than 1,000 members, made up mainly of former police, security guards and street children, are accused of murder, robbery, extortion, rape, targeted assassinations, drug trafficking and kidnappings.

The UN sanctions experts also highlighted Barbecues involvement in the Saline massacre that took place in 2018 in a slum of the same name in the capital.

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 US-backed UN force pushed out the coups leaders in 1994, a World Bank-sponsored structural adjustment led to the importation of rice from the US 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 continued.

How did weak foreign intervention hurt Haiti?

Many of the gangs retreated in the face of MINUSTAH, a UN 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 isnt 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, he said.

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 an 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.
One among the three prisoners who hijacked the yacht of a US couple raped the wife before killing her and her husband and possibly threw them overboard. The bodies are yet to be found.

Ron Mitchell, Atiba Stanisclaus and Trevon Robertson escaped a Grenadian jail and were aiming to reach St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They hijacked a docked catamaran named Simplicity in St. Georges, Grenada, which was used by experienced cruiser couple Kathy Brandel, 71, before the trio killed her and her 66-year-old husband Ralph Hendry.

The trio has been charged with the couples murder and one among the three allegedly raped Kathy Brandel before the trio killed the couple. The Virginia couples boat was commandeered by the trio briefly before the police caught them.

The Royal Grenada Police Force charged the trio with two counts of capital murder as well as escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and two counts of kidnapping this week. Stanisclaus, 25, was also charged with one count of rape. Royal Grenada Police confirmed that the rape charge is related to an assault on Brandel in a statement to the Daily Mail.

They did not reveal what evidence led to the additional charge since the couples bodies have not been found. They were last seen near their docked catamaran near in St. Georges, Grenada on February 18, the same day the trio allegedly broke out of a police holding cell on the island.

Grenadian police believe the escapees hijacked the sailboat while the couple were on board. They found the catamaran anchored and deserted days later with large amounts of blood. They also believe that the killers threw their bodies overboard while sailing to St.Vincent.

The family of the Virginia couple released a statement last week. We live in a world that at times can be cruel, but its also a world of profound beauty, wonder, adventure, love, compassion, caring, and faith. Our parents encompassed all those values and so much more. If we have learned anything from this tragic event, its that we know they left this world in a better place than it was before they were born, the statement said.
A harrowing incident unfolded in the US state of Nebraska, where a 4-year-old girl suffered severe injuries from a Cane Corso Mastiff mix, owned by her mothers boyfriend.

On February 20, 42-year-old Greg Preisters dog mauled Lillianna in Omaha which caused her scalp to be torn off and other significant injuries. The mother, Danielle Stratman, 25, faced accusations of obstructing justice by hiding her blood-stained clothes when authorities responded, the New York Post reported.

After the attack, animal control located and euthanised the dog due to the severity of its actions. To address the mounting medical expenses, Lilliannas great-aunt, Kimberly Lane Koterba, started a GoFundMe campaign. The fundraiser stressed the extent of Lilliannas injuries, highlighting her need for ongoing medical care and therapy, especially given her pre-existing condition of spina bifida.

She is 4 years old and her scalp was torn off, her cheekbone was broken, she has torn ligaments in her neck and stitches all over her body, the fundraiser reads in part. She is now out of ICU but will possibly [be] having another surgery later this week. Many more to follow. Shes also going to need therapy for the trauma.

Adding complexity, both Stratman and Preister faced legal consequences. Stratman, with a prior arrest for child abuse and domestic assault, was found to have violated a no-contact order with her daughter. Preister, with a history of criminal convictions, faced charges related to harboring a dangerous dog. As the investigation continues, Stratman remains in custody, with a bail set at $150,000, while Preisters bail status is pending clarification.
reunited with mother A couple has been arrested for kidnapping a two-month old baby in Gweru from its mother, who was provided a lift from the hospital to town. A couple has been arrested for kidnapping a two-month old baby in Gweru from its mother, who was provided a lift from the hospital to town.

According to a police memorandum, the first accused is Sakhile Tanyanyiwa (34), a student at Midlands State University, while her husband is 59 year Mekia Tanyanyiwa, a retired Zimbabwe Republic Police commissioner who is now self-employed.

The couple has been charged with kidnapping as defined in Section 93(1) (b) (i) (ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

The informant in this case is the 31 year old mother of the two month old baby, who is recorded as the complainant in the police memo.

The police memo said on March 8, 2024, the mother had taken her daughter (whose names have been withheld to protect their identity) to the hospital to obtain her birth record.

As (she) arrived at Gweru Provincial Hospital main gate, she met Sakhile Tanyanyiwa, a female adult, light in complexion, medium built, appearing to be in the early 30s of age and was wearing a red and blue floral dress. Sakhile inquired about the direction to the maternity ward and (the mother) gave her the directions and proceeded with her mission to obtain the birth record, read the report.

After she was served, the mother returned to the main gate where she wanted to look for transport to the Gweru Central Business District, when Sakhile emerged from the hospital direction driving a Toyota Aqua and offered her a lift.

(The mother) got inside the car and while inside she discovered that there were two more ladies whose body appearance and dressing did not notice. One was seated at the front passengers seat and the other was seated at the right back while Sakhile was driving. Loreen sat at the left side of the back seat, read the police report.

The one seated at the front passengers seat was holding what appeared like a newly born baby wrapped in nappies and she looked as if she was from giving birth. All the way she was behaving like she was in birth pain.

On the way to town, Sakhile told the mother that she wanted to pass through Southview, to drop her sister before proceeding.

While in Southview, the vehicle was parked by the gate at an unknown address purporting to drop her sister and (the mother) was asked to assist a female passenger who was holding a newly born baby. (The mother) put her child on the seat and disembarked from the vehicle to go and offer help as requested, read the police memo. It is at that time that the vehicle sped off at high speed towards the Gweru to Bulawayo road together with two month old and the mothers belongings that included an Itel A56 cellphone, said the memo.

The mother screamed for help and a male adult managed to record the vehicle registrations number and proceeded to make a report at ZRP Gweru Central.

Police investigations uncovered that the vehicle registered under Glandina Nhamos name, had changed hands multiple times before ending up with Mekia, who was found with the baby.

 Mekia was interviewed and he implicated his wife Sakhile Tanyanyiwa nee Tshuma as the one who was in possession of the motor vehicle in question. He added that the vehicle was brought to Harare whilst being driven by an unknown female who later on escaped into the darkness, read the report.

When police contacted the mother, she positively identified her child, her bag with baby clothes and the childs birth record.

 (The baby) was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital for examination and was found to be stable. She was later reunited with her mother, read the report.

The motor vehicle Toyota Aqua registration number (number withheld) was seized and is held at the station as an exhibit.

The police memo said when Sakhile was lured to CID Gweru for interviews, she implicated her friend Soneni Nyoni as the one whom she left with the vehicle in question whilst she was going to Masvingo.

Police said investigations continue, with efforts to locate Nyoni while the Tanyanyiwa couple will proceed to court.

Reached for comment, Midlands Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko redirected inquiries to National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who was unavailable for comment at the time. CITE
THE Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) says it is still pursuing a case in which PHD Ministries leader, Walter Magaya, is being accused of allegedly sexually abusing women despite indications that some of the witnesses have developed cold feet.

In 2019, ZGC invited victims to come forward as part of its investigations following several complaints against the prophet.

The notice says victims or witnesses to acts of sexual abuse by the prophet are supposed to furnish the commission with written complaints, witnesses statements and any other supporting documents or evidence which can assist in the investigation. It said oral hearings would commence thereafter.

ZGC chief executive officer, Virginia Muwanigwa, told last week that the commission is actively pursuing the case. The case is still on-going, the case is still open, she said despite admitting that some witnesses were not forthcoming.

ZGC chairperson Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe also said they were still waiting for more women to come out as they continue with investigations. We saw some social media posts where several people were making claims on the issue and indicating where they stay but they are not coming through, she said.

We do not know why the women have stopped coming through. Newsday




An esteemed analyst known as "Colorado's star DNA scientist" purposely manipulated evidence for years, involving hundreds (if not more) of the cases she worked on and putting the spotlight on her entire career, according to an investigation. According to a report released Friday by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Yvonne "Missy" Woods' finagling of DNA test results affected at least 652 cases under her purview between 2008 and 2023, though more could come to light as investigators keep looking back through her life's work, reports the Wall Street Journal. The paper notes that some experts say the scandal "could potentially be one of the largest in the history of forensic DNA testing."

The allegations: Woods, who was with the state's crime lab for nearly three decades, isn't accused of making up DNA profiles or lying about matches. Rather, the report claims she "omitted material facts in records, tampered with DNA testing results, and violated a variety of lab policies, including quality-control measures," per the Journal.

Woods, who was with the state's crime lab for nearly three decades, isn't accused of making up DNA profiles or lying about matches. Rather, the report claims she "omitted material facts in records, tampered with DNA testing results, and violated a variety of lab policies, including quality-control measures," per the Journal. CBI's take: "This discovery puts all of her work in question," the agency notes in a statement, per CNN. The CBI alleges that Woodswho retired in November, two months after the CBI became aware that something was amiss, and one month after she was placed on administrative leave"deviated from standard testing protocols and cut corners," adding that it's still reviewing more of Woods' work, stretching back to 1994. It also says it has brought in "third-party investigative resources to protect the integrity of the inquiry."

"This discovery puts all of her work in question," the agency notes in a statement, per CNN. The CBI alleges that Woodswho retired in November, two months after the CBI became aware that something was amiss, and one month after she was placed on administrative leave"deviated from standard testing protocols and cut corners," adding that it's still reviewing more of Woods' work, stretching back to 1994. It also says it has brought in "third-party investigative resources to protect the integrity of the inquiry." Legal team's reaction: "Ms. Woods will continue to cooperate to preserve the integrity of her work that resulted in true and just criminal justice findings," her attorney, Ryan Brackley, said after the CBI report was released, per the AP. He added that his client "has long maintained that she's never created or falsely reported any inculpatory DNA matches or exclusions, nor has she testified falsely in any hearing or trial resulting in a false conviction or unjust imprisonment."

"Ms. Woods will continue to cooperate to preserve the integrity of her work that resulted in true and just criminal justice findings," her attorney, Ryan Brackley, said after the CBI report was released, per the AP. He added that his client "has long maintained that she's never created or falsely reported any inculpatory DNA matches or exclusions, nor has she testified falsely in any hearing or trial resulting in a false conviction or unjust imprisonment." Complaint: At least one prisoner is going after Woods' analysis, however. James Hunter, 64, is suing, claiming he was wrongfully convicted for a 2002 burglary and sexual assault partly based on evidence analyzed by Woods.

(More DNA analysis stories.)
Late last month, President Biden predicted we'd see some sort of ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war within days. That break has still not come to pass, and now the US president is warning Israel's leadership on the attacks in Gaza, where deaths continue to mount, including by starvation. Over the weekend, Biden cautioned that an Israeli incursion into Rafah, along the southern border of the Gaza Strip right as Ramadan starts, would be crossing a "red line," per the AP. The war can't see "30,000 more Palestinians dead," Biden told MSNBC on Saturday.



Netanyahu's numbers: The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza has said there've been more than 30,000 Palestinian deaths, and Bibi's numbers aren't too far off from that. He says about 13,000 Palestinian fighters have been killed, with the death rate of civilians estimated to be 1 to 1.5 killed for every combatantwhich Politico estimates to be a total death toll of "at least 26,000."

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza has said there've been more than 30,000 Palestinian deaths, and Bibi's numbers aren't too far off from that. He says about 13,000 Palestinian fighters have been killed, with the death rate of civilians estimated to be 1 to 1.5 killed for every combatantwhich Politico estimates to be a total death toll of "at least 26,000." His reaction to Biden: "You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is?" Netanyahu said Sunday, per Politico. "That October 7 doesn't happen again. Never happens again." He also noted that Biden's assertion that Israel's attacks in Gaza were going against both the wishes and interests of the Israeli people was "wrong on both counts."

"You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is?" Netanyahu said Sunday, per Politico. "That October 7 doesn't happen again. Never happens again." He also noted that Biden's assertion that Israel's attacks in Gaza were going against both the wishes and interests of the Israeli people was "wrong on both counts." Two-state solution? That's what Biden is still hoping for, but not his Israeli counterpart. Israelis "also support my position that says that we should resoundingly reject the attempt to ram down our throats a Palestinian state," he said. Netanyahu blamed the lack of peace in the region on the fact that Palestinians "have not brought themselves to recognize and accept the Jewish state."

That's what Biden is still hoping for, but not his Israeli counterpart. Israelis "also support my position that says that we should resoundingly reject the attempt to ram down our throats a Palestinian state," he said. Netanyahu blamed the lack of peace in the region on the fact that Palestinians "have not brought themselves to recognize and accept the Jewish state." Netanyahu's prediction: The Israeli leader says he sees an end to his nation's on-the-ground fighting within two months or sooner, claiming Israel has destroyed 75% of Hamas' "fighting terrorism battalions." "Maybe six weeks, maybe four," he said.

(More Israel-Hamas war stories.)
Peter Kaestner has seen 10,000 different bird species, which, if you're not familiar with birding, sounds pretty impressive. If, however, you are familiar with birding, it's far more than that. As in, it's unprecedented. Last month, the 70-year-old retired American diplomat became the first person to log 10,000 different species, reports the Baltimore Sun.

The bird: Kaestner traveled to the Philippines, where he spotted and photographed an orange-tufted spiderhunter. Kaestner already was No. 1 in the world in documented sightings, but the bird gave him the milestone.

Kaestner traveled to the Philippines, where he spotted and photographed an orange-tufted spiderhunter. Kaestner already was No. 1 in the world in documented sightings, but the bird gave him the milestone. Context: The world has maybe 11,000 bird species, per the New York Times, meaning Kaestner has now seen the vast majority of them. About 60 people have cracked the 8,000 mark, while fewer than 20 have hit 9,000. "The number of people that helped over the years was extraordinary," Kaestner tells the Times of reaching the threshold once thought impossible.
An American airman who shouted "Free Palestine" as he set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, last month has had a street named after him in a Palestinian town. Abdul Karim Sidr, the mayor of Jericho, said Aaron Bushnell "sacrificed everything" to support Palestinians, the Guardian reports. "We didn't know him, and he didn't know us. There were no social, economic, or political ties between us. What we share is a love for freedom and a desire to stand against these attacks," he said, referring to the Israeli offensive that has killed more than 30,000 people in Gaza.

The 25-year-old was still an active duty Air Force member when he self-immolated on Feb. 25, saying he would "no longer be complicit in genocide." He died in a hospital several hours later. Jericho city council member Amani Rayan rejects arguments that his act had more to do with mental illness than solidarity with Palestinians, reports the Guardian. "He was a soldier who with his last breath, despite the pain, shouted, 'Free Palestine,'" says Rayan, who grew up in Gaza and has dozens of relatives trapped there. "This means he was clear to the depths of his being about why he was doing it." (More Israel-Hamas war stories.)
Harold Terens and 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 US 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 US troops landed, the AP reports.

"I love this girlshe is quite special," said Terens, who has been dating Swerlin since 2021. "He's an amazing guy, amazing," Swerlin said. "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, trying to impress. Terens, on the other hand, 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. All four were killed in action. "I loved all those guys," says Terens.

On D-DayJune 6, 1944Terens helped repair planes returning from France so they could rejoin the battle. He 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. (Read the full story, which details Terens' further missions and two close calls that nearly took his life.)

(More World War II stories.)
At least 50 passengers were injured in what airline officials describe as a "technical event" that caused a LATAM Airlines flight from Sydney, Australia, to Auckland, New Zealand, to experience a "strong movement." Dozens of injured passengers and crew members were treated when the flight landed in Auckland in Monday, and at least 12 were hospitalized, CNN reports. Passengers said the plane suddenly nose-dived and they saw people hit the ceiling of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with such force that some panels were broken. They said some passengers were covered in blood and doctors on board helped "patch up" people with broken bones. Boeing says it is "working to gather more information about the flight."
An attorney for a longtime advice columnist who won an $83.3 million defamation award against Donald Trump suggested Monday that a new lawsuit is possible against the ex-president after he resumed verbal attacks against her at a campaign rally. Roberta Kaplan, who represents 80-year-old writer E. Jean Carroll, noted in a statement that the statute of limitations for defamation in most jurisdictions ranges from one to three years, the AP reports. "As we said after the last jury verdict, we continue to monitor every statement that Donald Trump makes about our client, E. Jean Carroll," Kaplan said.

Her statement came after Trump angrily complained during a nearly two-hour speech at a Rome, Georgia, rally on Saturday that he had "just posted" a $91.6 million bond to cover the January verdict by a Manhattan jury while he appeals. Trump told the crowd that the verdict was "based on false accusations made about me by a woman that I knew nothing about, didn't know, never heard of." His statements about Carroll were similar to those he made while he was president after Carroll publicly revealed her claims in a 2019 memoir that Trump had raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room across the street from Trump Tower in 1996. At the time, Trump said she was lying to sell her book and damage him politically.

For over 10 minutes on Saturday, Trump railed against his civil cases and four criminal cases, per the AP, saying he'd been indicted more often than the "late, great Al Capone." Trump, 77, followed up his rally statements with an interview on Monday on CNBC's Squawk Box in which he labeled Carroll as "Miss Bergdorf Goodman," saying, "I have no idea who she is." The January verdict at a trial that Trump regularly attended and briefly testified at was based on the 2019 comments.

(More E. Jean Carroll stories.)
According to the report, the second-in-command pilot had notified his co-pilot earlier in the day that he had not had "proper rest."

In the flight before the incident, the second-in-command was able to sleep "for about 30 minutes." After the aircraft departed Kendari and reached cruising altitude, the pilot-in-command asked for permission to also rest and the second-in-command took over the aircraft. Around 90 minutes into the flight, the second-in-command then "inadvertently fell asleep," according to the report.

Twelve minutes after the last recorded transmission by the co-pilot, the Jakarta area control center (ACC) tried to reach the aircraft, but there was no reply from the pilots, it said. Around 28 minutes after the last recorded transmission, the pilot-in-command woke up and realized the plane was not in the correct flight path. At that point, he woke up the second-in-command and responded to the ACC, it said.

The preliminary report detailed that the pilot-in-command told the ACC that the flight had experienced a "radio communication problem" that had been resolved.

The report did not reveal the names of the pilots, but identified the pilot-in-command as a 32-year-old Indonesian male and the second-in-command as a 28-year-old Indonesian male. The second-in-command had one-month-old twins and "had to wake up several times to help his wife take care of the babies," the report said.

"We will conduct an investigation and review of the night flight operation in Indonesia regarding the Fatigue Risk Management for Batik Air and other flight operators," Murni said in a statement, according to Antara.

Flight crews of BTK6723 have also been grounded according to standard operating procedure pending further investigation, she added, according to the news agency.

She also said the agency will dispatch a flight inspector authorized on Resolution of Safety Issue (RSI) to investigate the cause of the incident and recommend mitigation measures to flight operators and supervisors, Antara reported.

CNN
Escape and exploitation

Chae-ran made her first escape after finishing high school. She'd been assigned a job at a coal mine, like her father and most people in their village near the Chinese border - but the teenager didn't want to spend her life doing hard labor, deep underground.

She'd seen other villagers crossing the river that separates North Korea from China to find work and wanted to help support her family. So, one day, without telling her mother, she and a friend left home with the help of a broker - people who plan and facilitate the journey out of North Korea for a fee. She remembers it was early evening in autumn; the sky was still light when she crossed the river.

But upon reaching the other side, she and her friend were put into cars and driven into northwestern China, where they were given a choice, she said: entertain customers at a bar, or marry a Chinese man.

"I wanted to cry but I knew nothing could change even if I did," she said, speaking in Korean during a conversation with CNN. "I thought I couldn't work at a bar so that left me only one option, marrying a Chinese man."

Shortly afterward, Chae-ran says she was separated from her friend, who she never saw again, and introduced to the man who had bought her, a Chinese farmer eight years her senior.

"I didn't like the man because he was short, but I didn't want to be sold again so I stayed quiet," she said.

She was brought to the man's village, in the mountains of northeastern Hebei province, close to the capital Beijing. "Honestly, they seemed poorer than my family," she said. "The houses in the village were made from mud and stones, and the windows didn't have glass but thin paper."

Since she couldn't speak Chinese, she couldn't communicate with the farmer or his family, and felt she couldn't run away. That was 17 years ago.

Many like Chae-ran leave their isolated home nation hoping to find freedom and opportunity once across the Chinese border, only to be trafficked by the brokers they hired. One 2019 investigation by the London-based Korea Future Initiative (KFI) claimed that tens of thousands of North Korean girls and women were being exploited this way, including some as young as 12.

Men far outnumber women in China, largely due to its former one-child policy and families' traditional preference for sons. Human traffickers are reportedly attempting to fill that gap by selling North Korean girls and women - some into marriage, while others are enslaved in brothels or made to perform graphic acts on webcams, according to researchers and organizations that help refugees.

Once a victim enters a forced marriage, she is often raped, given no choice but to have children, and compelled into domestic or manual labor, according to the KFI report.

CNN was not able to independently verify claims made in the report. Other reports by the US State Department and rights groups including Human Rights Watch have reached similar conclusions.

Chae-ran said her so-called "husband" didn't treat her badly, but she was required to obey him, and he presented her as his wife. Within eight weeks of being sold, Chae-ran became pregnant. She said she didn't want to have a child with him and attempted to induce a miscarriage, but failed and gave birth to a son.

"The baby was so beautiful," she said. "When I saw my pretty baby, I changed my mind."

She resigned herself to living in China for the rest of her life.

Living in the shadows

There are few ways out for trafficking victims like Chae-ran.

China considers North Korean refugees to be economic migrants, and forcibly deports them back to North Korea - where, as alleged defectors, they face imprisonment, possible torture or worse, activists say.

That forces refugees to live in the shadows, without legal status or protections, often unable to speak the language and with no way to reach loved ones back home.

Chae-ran and her husband's family moved to a nearby town a few years later, where she found work washing dishes. Later, when she began learning Chinese, she worked at a supermarket, a tea shop and as a food delivery courier.

During that period, she also met other North Korean refugees in the same situation - with their status public knowledge in the village, she said. CNN is not disclosing the location to protect Chae-ran's identity.

According to the KFI report, the buying of a North Korean wife is "always known to the local community" but rarely reported to authorities. Some locals argue their village would not survive otherwise, given the skewed gender ratio and China's falling birthrate.

Some refugees in the town, like Chae-ran, had no identification documents and lived under the radar for fear of arrest and deportation back to North Korea - meaning they are often denied job opportunities, access to health care, and the ability to move freely. But, she said, a few others did have documents that gave them better access to resources.

According to researchers and experts, authorities in some parts of China have begun issuing so-called "residence permits" to North Korean women married to Chinese men, for a "considerable financial price."

These aren't official state-issued ID cards, but rather a document used by China's public security forces for surveillance purposes, according to Kim Jeong Ah, a former North Korean refugee who was trafficked in China, and now heads the organization Rights for Female North Koreans (RFNK).

Speaking at the United Nations in September, Kim described how these residence permits allow North Korean refugees to get jobs and use public transport within the region - but not to travel beyond their local area, or to access medical care. She added that many women are coerced or threatened by local authorities into registering for the permit, and face strict government surveillance afterward.

Chae-ran claimed her husband and in-laws refused to pay for the documents, leaving her feeling exposed and fearful of detection by Chinese authorities. She had to be careful not to get into accidents when riding her bicycle; she avoided upsetting local residents who threatened to report her to the police; she felt afraid just seeing a police car.

"I lived in China, but I didn't exist as a person," she said.

Surveillance under COVID

Life in China only got worse during the pandemic, with the country imposing an unrelenting zero-Covid policy. Residents needed mandatory tests and health QR codes to enter most public places - neither of which Chae-ran could access without identity documents.

When her son's school asked all parents to submit proof of negative Covid test results, she had to explain to the teacher she was a North Korean refugee. With facial recognition used in parts of China to track individuals' health status, it felt impossible to hide from the authorities. She confined herself at home, well into the third year of the pandemic.

The pandemic restrictions also made some North Korean trafficking victims more vulnerable to abusive relationships or domestic violence, said Sokeel Park, the South Korea country director for international nonprofit Liberty in North Korea (LINK), which helps North Koreans resettle in the South.

Chae-ran's son had been the only thing keeping her in China all these years, but she felt she couldn't keep living in hiding and isolation. When she floated the idea of fleeing to South Korea to her son, then 16, he said he didn't want to leave.

The other North Korean refugees she'd met in town had connections to brokers who could help them escape, while church organizations and non-profit groups discreetly helped raise funds for the journey. One day last April, she told her family she was going to work; instead, she and a group of refugees fled, traveling across the country to China's southern border. She didn't tell her son she was leaving.

From the southern border, they crossed through several neighboring countries and trekked along the Mekong River to Thailand, where they turned themselves in to local police and were put in a Thai detention center.

"It was so hot in the detention center that I even had heat rashes. People in the cell were fighting over everything," she said. "The hardest thing for us was not knowing when we'll be able to leave for South Korea."

A South Korean embassy official helped organize Chae-ran's eventual journey to South Korea, visiting her and other North Korean refugees in detention and bringing them food. He was the only warm person she met on her long journey to escape, she said, recounting the experience through tears.

A new life in South Korea

In late May, Chae-ran finally arrived in South Korea. Like all North Koreans who enter the South, she underwent security checks and spent time in a facility that teaches defectors to assimilate into society before finally starting her new life in November, six months later.

With financial support from the government, she rented a studio apartment and bought appliances like a washing machine and a television. Churches and non-profit organizations helped her obtain basic goods like winter blankets, utensils and dishes.

Chae-ran was especially excited to receive her South Korean identification documents. "When I got my ID card for the first time, I felt so happy," she said. "I came to (South) Korea for this one thing, and I finally have it."

But even with support, adjusting to life in South Korea can often be difficult for refugees.

Some have described struggling with culture shock, loneliness, unemployment or poor working conditions - and hostility from South Koreans, especially in recent years as North Korea has ratcheted up tensions with its neighbor.

In that time, fewer defectors have crossed the border to start a new life. Just 196 North Koreans entered South Korea last year, according to the Unification Ministry - more than the previous two years during the pandemic, but a steep drop from pre-pandemic levels. And most of those defectors left North Korea long ago, staying in third countries for years before arriving in Seoul, according to the ministry.

"It has become much more difficult to escape from inside North Korea," said Park, from LINK.

Those stuck in China now have fewer avenues of escape because the network of brokers helping transport North Koreans out of the country collapsed during the pandemic, Park said.

Brokers who remain have raised their prices due to increased risks and surveillance, while newcomers to the business are inexperienced, making it a risky gamble for North Korean refugees. That's not to mention the tightened border security in China and neighboring countries.

For now, Chae-ran is planning for her future. She hopes to one day visit China as a tourist with her newly obtained passport to see her son, who she was able to contact through her sister-in-law in China. She's received a barista certificate, is working on her driver's license, and has applied to take a nail care class at the government training facility.

While it can be overwhelming to start from square one - especially in a country with social stigma against North Korean defectors - she's determined to make it work.

"I'll face anything, everything," she said. "I'm aware of discrimination against people like me in this society, but no matter how bad that is, it will be much better than living in China."

CNN
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."

Reuters
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low 22F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low 22F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Kuwait Finance House  Bahrain, one of the leading Islamic banks in the Kingdom, has officially launched its Apply-and-Win rewards campaign aimed at auto-finance clients with cash prizes reaching up to BHD 500, along with discounted finance rates for Auto-finance facilities.

All clients who obtain a final approval on auto-finance facility for a new or used car from KFH  Bahrain during the period commencing on the 10th of March until the 31st of May 2024 will be eligible to win as per the terms and conditions of the campaign.

Interested parties can visit KFH-Bahrains Auto Finance Division located in Sitra Mall, which stands in close proximity to several major auto-dealerships in Bahrain. Commenting on this initiative, Hamed Mashal, Head of Retail Banking at KFH-Bahrain, said, I invite everyone to enjoy the flexibility and competitiveness of our offerings, all while getting the chance to win cash prizes.

KFH-Bahrain is committed to enabling its esteemed customers with auto-financing solutions for their next car purchase. Utilizing the Sharia compliant Murabaha structure, the bank offers its customers optimal comfort and flexibility through easy installments with finance tenors of up to seven years along with competitive rates, low admin fees and zero down-payment.
AFP | New Delhi

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

India and the four-member European trade bloc EFTA, including Norway and Switzerland, signed a $100-billion free trade agreement yesterday to promote investment and exports, officials said.

The deal will see the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) -- made up of non-European Union nations, including Iceland and Liechtenstein -- invest $100 billion over 15 years in India, the worlds fifth largest economy, Indias Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said.

The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) marks a historic milestone in our growing partnership, Goyal said after the signing in New Delhi. The agreement will pave the path for mutual growth and prosperity by boosting exports, promoting investment and creating employment, he added.

The deal was signed after several rounds of negotiations spanning 16 years. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the trade agreement symbolises our shared commitment to open, fair and equitable trade, according to a statement read out at the signing ceremony. Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin said the deal will allow us to make better use of our economic potential and create additional opportunities for both India and the EFTA states.

EFTA countries gain market access to a major growth market... India, in return, will attract more foreign investment from EFTA, which will ultimately translate into an increase in good jobs, he added, speaking in New Delhi. EFTA was established in 1960 to promote free trade and economic integration between its members.

In 2021, it was the 10th largest trader in the world in terms of merchandise, and the eighth largest in services. In recent years, India has signed trade agreements with Australia and the United Arab Emirates. A long-talked-about trade deal with Britain is also said to be in the final stages.
AFP | Baghdad

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

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.
BARRIE, ON, March 11, 2024 /CNW/ - Bayshore Specialty Rx and Georgian College are leveraging student expertise, high-quality, real-world patient data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop innovative nursing solutions to improve patient care.

"Bayshore Specialty Rx is proud to work with Georgian College on this initiative," said Kate Lawrence, National Director, Bayshore Specialty Rx Nursing Services. "As a leading specialty pharmacy and nursing services provider in Canada, we are always looking for innovative ways to enhance both the patient and employee experience. New technology and techniques have the potential to revolutionize the way healthcare is delivered."

Georgian College's Artificial Intelligence  Architecture, Design, and Implementation program provides students with the necessary background to become AI system designers, programmers, implementers, or machine learning analysts. With a strong focus on applied skills, students learn how to design and implement learning solutions for various situations and solve challenges for diverse industries.

"It was an amazing opportunity for our students to work with real-time data, especially from Bayshore," said Sanjeev Kumar, Researcher, Data Scientist and Professor at Georgian College. "The Bayshore name is known for healthcare innovation, and we look forward to seeing the impact the students' work will have on the wider industry."

Under the guidance of Kumar, students from the program were able to create healthcare solutions using AI technology. Projects included various schedule optimization software for Bayshore Specialty Rx nurses and infusion clinics.

The students provided a minimum viable product, which will act as a framework for Bayshore Specialty Rx to enable the product development and commercialization to market. This advanced technology solution will allow Bayshore Specialty Rx to support greater patient experiences and outcomes, minimize wait times, efficiently optimize resources for productivity to enhance overall patient care and clinic responsiveness.

"Our goal was to design efficient patient routes so each nurse can visit more patients by optimizing their time," says Rahil Ahmed, Student at Georgian College who worked on a nursing staff scheduler solution for Bayshore Specialty Rx's nursing and scheduling team. "This patient-nurse matching solution is based on geographical location, the number of patients assigned to the nurse, and the drugs the nurse has been trained to administer."

The capability created by students uses AI algorithms to optimize scheduling and planning, which can help automate scheduling tasks, reduce errors, and improve efficiency.

"Several dependencies such as the infusion duration, infusion risk, required medical supervision, availability and operating hours can affect scheduling at infusion clinics," says Pankti Vishnukumar, Student in Georgian College's AI program who worked on an optimized scheduling software for Bayshore Specialty Rx infusion clinics. "Using existing Bayshore Specialty Rx data, we developed a condition-based schedule optimization program that meets both the patient's and clinic's specific needs."

As the field of AI continues to rapidly evolve, there is potential for solutions that help clinicians provide more personalized care to patients and more efficiently manage resources.

"Collaborating with educational institutions, like Georgian College, can equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop AI models that streamline clinician workflow and improve patient outcomes," said Lawrence. "Bayshore Specialty Rx even had the pleasure of hiring a student from this year's graduating class."

About Bayshore Specialty Rx

Bayshore Specialty Rx is a division of Bayshore HealthCare (Bayshore), one of Canada's leading providers of home and community healthcare, and specialty pharmacy services. Bayshore Specialty Rx has more than 90 infusion clinics and 11 pharmacies across the country, as well as patient support programs and nursing services. Bayshore's goal is to enhance the quality of life, well-being, dignity, and independence of Canadians of all ages. https://www.bayshore.ca/

About Georgian College

Georgian is MORE than an education  it's an experience. The college offers 130+ market-driven programs, from degrees and diplomas, to certificates, apprenticeships, corporate training and more. A recognized leader in student work experience, our graduate employment rate  90.3 per cent  is in the top 3 for Ontario colleges. Georgian graduates continue to play a pivotal role in meeting the demand for a highly qualified workforce. We're the first  and only  college in Canada designated a changemaker college by Ashoka U for our role as a leader in social innovation and changemaking in higher education. https://www.georgiancollege.ca/

SOURCE Bayshore HealthCare

For further information: Media contact: Michelle Ramos, Communications Coordinator, Bayshore HealthCare, [email protected]; Jenni Thompson, Media Relations Officer, Georgian College, [email protected]
TORONTO, March 7, 2024 /CNW/ - In recognition of Fraud Prevention Month in March, the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) announces the release of a new cyber security toolkit designed for newcomers to Canada. This initiative broadens the CBA's suite of fraud prevention tools, which already includes resources tailored for individuals, small businesses, and older adults, all of which are aimed at enhancing protections against fraud and scams.

CBA Launches Cyber Security Tookit for Newcomers (CNW Group/Canadian Bankers Association)

Anthony G. Ostler, President & CEO, CBA, emphasized the toolkit's significance: "At a time when digital threats loom larger than ever, it's imperative that all Canadians, especially newcomers who might not yet be fully aware of local laws or the specific scams that are prevalent in Canada, have the knowledge and resources at their disposal to safeguard their personal and financial information."

Developed in collaboration with the Get Cyber Safe campaign, this toolkit provides important information to help newcomers identify and avoid scams, including:

Recognizing phishing scams and suspicious emails or texts.

Avoiding One-Time Passcode scams.

Identifying phone scams, including fraudulent calls from supposed government officials or financial institutions.

Understanding tax season scams and legitimate communications from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Protecting against ransomware through preventive measures.

Identifying fake websites and apps designed to steal personal or financial information.

And more.

All fraud prevention toolkits are accessible in English and French on the CBA's website:

The CBA and its member banks work closely with law enforcement, government departments and agencies, and other stakeholders to educate Canadians on how to stay vigilant, adhere to safe online practices, and distinguish between legitimate requests and attempted fraud. If a customer notices unauthorized activity, they should immediately report it to their financial institution, their local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

About Fraud Prevention Month

Led by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Competition Bureau of Canada, Fraud Prevention Month is an annual campaign that seeks to help people and businesses recognize, reject and report fraud. This year's theme, "20 years of fighting fraud: From then to now" will help Canadians recognize how fraud has evolved over the years, from telemarketing and mail to social media and Artificial Intelligence.

About Get Cyber Safe

Get Cyber Safe is a national public awareness campaign created to inform Canadians about cyber security and the simple steps they can take to help protect themselves online. The campaign is led by the Communications Security Establishment, with advice and guidance from its Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, on behalf of the Government of Canada.

About the Canadian Bankers Association

The Canadian Bankers Association is the voice of more than 60 domestic and foreign banks that help drive Canada's economic growth and prosperity. The CBA advocates for public policies that contribute to a sound, thriving banking system to ensure Canadians can succeed in their financial goals. www.cba.ca

Follow the CBA on X: @CdnBankers

Follow the CBA on LinkedIn

SOURCE Canadian Bankers Association

For further information: Maggie Cheung, Manager, Media Relations, [email protected]
CALGARY, AB, March 7, 2024 /CNW/ - To mark Fraud Prevention Month, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is reminding Canadians to remain vigilant about potential investment scams and misleading advice. While online financial advice is readily available, the CSA encourages investors to verify information sources and work with registered professionals to reduce the risk of becoming victims of fraud.

"Investment fraud is prevalent and increasingly sophisticated, affecting investors across the country," said Stan Magidson, CSA Chair and Chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission. "It's more crucial than ever for people to safeguard their financial interests by learning more about current scams, and verifying sources of investment information."

Although social media platforms, apps and websites have become a popular source of investing information, Canadians should recognize that not all information is provided by qualified or well-intentioned individuals. To help protect investors from fraud, the CSA encourages Canadians to:

Verify information sources: Don't rely solely on online content or influencers that promote investment advice. When uncertain about the quality of an information source, consult a qualified and registered investment advisor or financial professional.

Don't rely solely on online content or influencers that promote investment advice. When uncertain about the quality of an information source, consult a qualified and registered investment advisor or financial professional. Work with registered professionals and firms : Ensure that individuals involved in securities trading or advising are registered with a Canadian securities regulator. Use the CSA's National Registration Search to confirm the credentials of any potential advisor or service provider.

: Ensure that individuals involved in securities trading or advising are registered with a Canadian securities regulator. Use the CSA's National Registration Search to confirm the credentials of any potential advisor or service provider. For crypto investments, opt for registered crypto trading platforms (CTPs) : Canadians interested in crypto asset transactions should exclusively use platforms registered with Canadian securities regulators. Non-compliant platforms are more likely to pose risks or lack necessary investor protections. It's crucial to recognize that crypto investments entail high risks. Educate yourself about these risks before committing funds.

: Canadians interested in asset transactions should exclusively use platforms registered with Canadian securities regulators. Non-compliant platforms are more likely to pose risks or lack necessary investor protections. It's crucial to recognize that investments entail high risks. Educate yourself about these risks before committing funds. Be wary of these common scam tactics: Guaranteed and/or high profits: Many fraudulent pitches promise high returns or guaranteed profits, showing examples of high account balances or affluent lifestyles to reinforce their pitch. In reality, all investments come with some level of risk, and if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. No risk and urgent action: Scammers often rely on messaging that pushes quick action, while promising little to no risk. These tactics encourage investors to move quickly, without taking the time to check the information or the source. These scams often have "once in a lifetime" messaging. Requiring access to electronic devices: Scammers will often ask for direct access to your electronic devices, such as your phone, laptop or tablet. Never provide access to your electronic devices. Loss recovery: Once an individual has become a victim of a scam, scammers will re-target them with false promises to get lost money back, which often results in additional financial loss.



Canadians should fully understand what they are investing in and the risks involved prior to investing. For more information about investing, and how to protect yourself from fraud, visit the CSA's Investor Tools webpages.

To shed light on the proliferation of inaccurate, misleading or fraudulent investment advice on social media, the CSA re-launched its "Human Disclaimers" campaign for Fraud Prevention Month. These videos feature people acting as "human disclaimers" who question common "get rich quick" social posts and encourage Canadians to check their information sources and do proper research before investing.

The CSA has investor tools and resources available at https://www.securities-administrators.ca designed to help Canadians be informed investors. Investors can stay informed of the latest investor tips, news and developments by following @CSA_News on X (Twitter) and @CSA.ACVM on Facebook.

The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

SOURCE Canadian Securities Administrators

For further information: For media inquiries, please contact: Ilana Kelemen, Canadian Securities Administrators, [email protected]
Another strong year in marine imports and cruise ship activity highlights the important role the Port plays in Toronto's economy for tourism, trade and construction.

TORONTO, March 11, 2024 /CNW/ - The Port of Toronto moved more than 2.3 million metric tonnes of cargo and welcomed a record 45 cruise ships and nearly 18,000 visitors to its Cruise Ship Terminal in 2023. Another strong year in marine imports and cruise ship activity highlights the important role the Port plays in Toronto's economy by enabling the movement of goods and people, which in turns drives tourism and trade for the region.

Commercial Tonnage

More than 2.3 million metric tonnes of cargo transited through the Port of Toronto in 2023, providing the sugar for our coffee, the salt for our roads and the raw materials needed for Torontos booming construction industry  one of the busiest in North America  including cement, aggregate and steel. (CNW Group/PortsToronto)

The number of cargo ships visiting the Port of Toronto remained consistent in 2023, with 189 ships visiting the Port of Toronto and delivering a range of bulk, project and general cargo products totalling 2,311,616 metric tonnes.

In addition to importing 606,060 metric tonnes of sugar from Central and South America to support Toronto's food and beverage industry, the Port moved more than 685,661 metric tonnes of salt, much of which is used for Toronto's roads during the winter months. With construction in Toronto showing no signs of slowing down, the Port also moved 796,644 metric tonnes of cement (an 11 per cent increase over 2022), 97,016 metric tonnes of aggregate, and 123,234 metric tonnes of steel products, including coil, pipe, and rebar, which transited through the Port to construction sites throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

Economic Impact

Commercial Cargo

An independent report entitled Economic Impacts of Marine Shipping in the Port of Toronto  published in September 2023 by Martin Associates confirms that marine cargo handled at the Port of Toronto generated $463.5 million in economic activity and 1,989 jobs in Ontario in 2022. This study focuses exclusively on the cargo component of the Port of Toronto's operation and does not reflect the Port's full diversity of uses, which includes its Cruise Ship Terminal and Marine Terminals.

Cruise

The Port of Toronto is a popular Great Lakes cruising Port of call, in 2023 experiencing its second consecutive record year and welcoming 45 cruise ships and nearly 18,000 passengers. The year 2024 will usher in another strong cruise ship season, with 36 ships expected to call between May and October, bringing nearly 18,000 passengers to Toronto to enjoy all the city has to offer. Cruise the Great Lakes, an initiative led by the Conference of Great Lakes Governors and Premiers, expects cruising in the Great Lakes to generate an economic value of over $200 million USD to the region's Ports and communities in 2024.

Film

PortsToronto leases two of its Marine Terminals to Cinespace, which in turn provides production facilities for film and television companies such as Netflix. This activity supports Toronto's $2 billion film industry, much of which is concentrated in the port lands area. The Port also provides the backdrop for many film productions including Law & Order Toronto, Reacher and The Boys.

Quote

"The Port of Toronto is part of an environmentally sustainable, marine transportation corridor through the Great Lakes  St. Lawrence Seaway and facilitates the movement of goods and people through Canada's largest city and most populous region," said RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto. "Over and above the Port of Toronto's significant economic impact, generating more than $460 million in economic activity in Ontario, the 2.3 million metric tonnes of cargo delivered to the Port by ship last year took approximately 57,000, 40-tonne trucks off Toronto's congested roads and highways."

"The Port of Toronto is a reliable, sustainable trade gateway that imports millions of tonnes of goods each year that our city needs to continue to thrive. From the cement needed to supply our construction industry  one of the busiest in North America  to the sugar we use to sweeten our morning coffee," continued Steenstra.

By the Numbers

189 cargo ships delivered 2,311,616 million metric tonnes of goods to the Port of Toronto in 2023, including: 796,644 metric tonnes of cement (an 11 per cent increase over 2022); 606,060 metric tonnes of sugar; 685,661 metric tonnes of salt; 97,016 metric tonnes of aggregate; and, 123,234 metric tonnes of steel products, including coil, pipe, and rebar.

delivered of goods to the Port of in 2023, including: The 2.3 million metric tonnes of cargo delivered to the Port by ship last year took approximately 57,000, 40-tonne trucks off Toronto's congested roads and highways.

off congested roads and highways. $463.5 million in economic activity generated by marine cargo at the Port in 2022.

in economic activity generated by marine cargo at the Port in 2022. $79.1 million in taxes generated by cargo and vessel activity at the Port in 2022.

taxes generated by cargo and vessel activity at the Port in 2022. 673 jobs directly generated by marine cargo and vessel activity at the Port of Toronto .

jobs directly generated by marine cargo and vessel activity at the Port of . 18,000 passengers welcomed to Toronto on 45 cruise ships in 2023.

welcomed to on in 2023. USD $200 million in economic value expected to be generated by cruising in the Great Lakes in 2024 1 .

in economic value expected to be generated by cruising in the Great Lakes in 2024 . $2 billion film industry thriving in Toronto .

About the Port of Toronto

Since 1793, the Port of Toronto has served as Toronto's gateway to the St. Lawrence Seaway and to marine Ports around the world. Serving primarily as a bulk cargo destination, the Port boasts a unique location minutes from Toronto's downtown and moves goods from countries as far away as Germany, South Korea, China, Brazil, Australia, South America and the United States. In addition to managing the movement of ships through the harbour, PortsToronto is the owner and operator of Marine Terminals 51, 52 and the Cruise Ship Terminal within the Port of Toronto.

The Port of Toronto is one of Canada's inland Ports and is situated on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario. Located minutes from Toronto's downtown core, the Port provides a seamless network of cost-effective intermodal links to road, rail and air transportation, serving as a unique and crucial piece of economic infrastructure. Marine cargo arriving and managed at the Port of Toronto generated $460 million in economic activity and 1,989 jobs in Ontario in 2022. Port also welcomes cruise ships and passengers from around the globe through the Cruise Ship Terminal.

Take a virtual tour of the Port of Toronto to learn about the important role the Port plays in Canada's transportation network as well as the environmental benefit of marine transportation.

About PortsToronto

For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomed approximately 2.8 million passengers in 2019; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and the marine Port of Toronto that includes businesses in a variety of sectors including marine shipping, cargo services, media production and passenger cruises. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $14 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a board with representation from all three levels of government.



_____________________________________

1 Great Lakes Cruise Ship Industry Expected to Have $200M Economic Impact in 2024, Cruise the Great Lakes, March 4, 2024. Link.

SOURCE PortsToronto

For further information: Media Contact: Jessica Pellerin, Manager, Media Relations and Public Affairs, PortsToronto, Cell: (647) 298-0585, E-mail: [email protected]
The presidency has responded to the allegation that the 2024 budget was padded by the national assembly with N3 trillion.

The presidency said it is untrue that the federal government is operating two versions of the 2024 budget.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Saturday, Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, alleged that the 2024 budget was padded with N3 trillion in the national assembly.

Ningi said the northern senators have engaged with some experts to review the budget.

Ningi, who is the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, said huge damage has been done to the north and the entire country in the budget.

For example, we had a budget of N28 trillion but after our 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? he asked.

But in a statement on Sunday, Bayo Onanuga, presidential aide, said President Bola Tinubu did not present a N25 trillion budget to the national assembly but N27.5 trillion.

Onanuga said the national assembly passed N28.7 trillion, noting that the budget could not have been padded with N3 trillion as claimed by Ningi.

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, Onanuga said.

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.

Onanuga added that the claim that the budget was anti-north is uncharitable stressing that Tinubu is leading a government that is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria.

The presidential aide said the northern part of the country is covered in all areas, from security to agriculture, healthcare to education, and other important infrastructure.

In December 2023, the two arms of the national assembly passed the 2024 appropriation bill, increasing its size from N27.5 trillion proposed by Tinubu to N28.7 trillion.

The budget has N1.7 trillion as statutory transfers, N8.7 trillion as recurrent expenditure, and N9.9 trillion as capital expenditure.




One of the kidnapped pupils from Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mustapha Abubakar, who luckily escaped has recounted his ordeal in the hands of his abductors.

This was according to a report by BBC Hausa Service published online on Monday, March 11, 2024.

According to Abubakar, the kidnappers treated them like a herd of cows grazing in the bush.

Recall that over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school at Kuriga, Kaduna State were abducted by bandits on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

The bandits reportedly invaded the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Thursday, shooting at their victims before taking away at least 280 of the pupils and teachers from both schools.





The secondary school was relocated to the primary school on account of the insecurity in the council.

Narrating his experience, Abubakar said he escaped by craftily hiding in the bush while they were being transported into the forest on foot by the bandits.

He said, We trekked in the bush; sometimes we crawled. We were so thirsty that some of the girls were becoming weak and falling due to tiredness. The bandits were lifting them and putting some of them on motorcycles.

We reached a big river, where we drank water and continued trekking. There was a plane that hovered above us. That was when the bandits ordered us to remove one of our clothes and lie down.

The bandits themselves are tired, they didnt have anything to eat but they are eating grass and rope in the forest, they didnt give us anything to eat.

While we were trekking, I noticed a shrub that was brown in colour, like my trouser. I hid inside and crawled like a snake. I was there until it was completely silent before I came out and headed to the bush.

He noted that he met an old man who could hardly walk, so he could show him the way to the side of the road or another town to get drinking water.

According to Abubakar, he travelled a long distance until he later arrived at Gayan, a community from where he finally escaped.

Meanwhile, Senator Uba Sani who led senior government officials and heads of security agencies in the state to the scene of the attack on Thursday evening, assured the community that those abducted by the bloodthirsty bandits would return unhurt.

The governor said he had spoken to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu on the matter and that security operatives had swung into action in search of the abducted pupils.




Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, could be handed a suspension over the allegation that the 2024 appropriation bill was padded by N3 trillion.

At the weekend, Ningi, who is the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, said huge damage has been done to the north and the entire country with the budget.

The national assembly had passed a budget of N28.7 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year.

President Bola Tinubu had proposed N27.5 trillion, but the lawmakers had increased it by N1.2 trillion.





Some senators who have disagreed with Ningi plan to take up the allegation on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday, Solomon Adeola, chair of the senate committee on appropriations, said on Sunday.

By the senate standing rules, a senator could seek redress if it is established that his privilege has been breached by his colleague or an outsider.

Such matters are referred to the committee on ethics and privileges, which recommends to the larger house what punishment should be meted out to the offender.





WHAT THE RULE BOOK SAYS

Order 67(4) of the standing rules provides; When a Senator is named by the President of the Senate, if the offence is a minor one, the President of the Senate may order the Senator to; withdraw for the rest of the Legislative Day;

But  if the matter appears to the President of the Senate to be of a more serious nature, the President of the Senate shall put the question on motion being made, no amendment, adjournment or debate being allowed, that such suspension being for any time stated in the motion not exceeding 14 legislative days.

Speaking with journalists, Adeola said he initially wanted to react but withdrew it because there are procedures that needed to be followed in addressing the situation.

As you people can see, many senators are here with me across the six geo-political zones to react to what a senator said at the weekend on alleged two versions of the 2024 budget, he said.

After realising that there are laid down procedures and processes to follow in dealing with such a matter involving an insider, we have decided to shift the venue of reaction to the senate chamber on Tuesday, after which, briefings would be made to journalists.

In the eighth assembly, Ovie Omo-Agege, former senator from Delta state, was suspended for 90 days after he opposed a bill seeking to reorder the elections.

A court later overturned the suspension.




The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, has bowed out from office.





When newsmen tried to contact the Head of Media at NIMASA, Edward Osagie, to confirm the development, he was not able to take his calls.





However, a reliable source within the agency, who preferred anonymity, confirmed that Jamohs tenure at NIMASA ended on March 10, 2024.





He said Jamoh had handed over to the Executive Director of Finance, Chudi Ofordile.





Recall that Jamoh was appointed as the DG of the Agency on March 10 2020 by Former President Muhammadu Buhari.





Before his appointment, Jamoh served as the agencys finance executive.





Jamoh had replaced Dakuku Peterside.




A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has appealed to traders not to complicate the current economic situation in the country.





Mumuni made the call in a statement on Monday, urging the traders to create ease for citizens.





He said this will help to make life comfortable for Muslims who are fasting during this period of Ramadan.





The statement signed by his Media Aide, Rasheed Abubakar, appealed to traders not to hike prices of food items across the country, tasking well-to-do members of society to assist the needy and less privileged people in their respective locations.





He used the medium to congratulate Nigerian Muslims as they join their brothers across the world to welcome the month of Ramadan.





Mumuni said, Interestingly, the Ramadan fast of the Muslims is coming at a time the Christian faithful are also observing Lent, which has started since February. These are two special events for the religious community in Nigeria, the statement read.





I therefore urge both Muslims and Christians to make good use of this period to uplift their spirituality and especially pray for our country. We need economic recovery, increased security, prosperity and wisdom for the leaders.





We shouldnt lose hope in our country. Prayer is key in turning around the fortunes of Nigeria. So, we should offer a lot of prayers for the country and its leadership. We should not curse the country because it belongs to all of us.




Members of the Local Government Coordinators of Grassroots Development Initiative, GDI, a political pressure group that was instrumental in the grassroot mobilization for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while contesting the 2015 governorship elections in Rivers State have declared their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

This is coming barely four days after Achor Nna, the councillor representing the ward of the FCTs Minister, resigned his position in Fubaras support.

The 12 coordinators represent Ogu/Bolo, Port Harcourt City, Opobo/Nkoro, Gokana, Bonny, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Obio/Akpor local government areas.

The former coordinator in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Collins Onunwo, who led the delegation to the Governor at the Government House in Port Harcourt, said they decided to resign their leadership positions in GDI to protect, defend, and promote the interest of Rivers State.

Onunwo said the group has no option but to support Fubara, having freely given their votes and mandate to him, a decision that has been affirmed by the Supreme Court.

We want the public, Rivers people, and all Nigerians to know that GDI is the group founded by the former governor and now Federal Capital Territory Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike. That group brought him to power in 2015 and supported his ambition in 2019. That group is his strength.

But today, we and our supporters have decided we are no longer members of GDI. The reason is simple: we want to be with Rivers people. Rivers interest is paramount.

Today, Rivers interest is to protect our votes that brought in Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State in the most credible, fair, and violence-free election.

We have come to join millions of Rivers women, youths, elders, and other well-meaning people who insist that we must protect our votes to sustain democracy. Our concern is that we voted for PDP and Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and we must protect that mandate with all we have, he said.

He further cautioned those fighting against the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, to retrace their steps, or prepare to face the wrath of Rivers youths, women, and elders.

Also speaking, former Public Relations Officer of GDI ACF, Christian Abu, said that the simple message is that the ex-GDI coordinators just resigned to get Simplified, clarifying that GDI has been the vehicle and political structure for the successes recorded in the previous elections in the state.

Abu said, Getting Simplified means that the strategies, movement, and vehicle that always conveyed electoral successes to the previous administrations have brought the same support to the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

Our support for him today is total, and unwavering. We are committed and dedicated to his victory and mandate. We had sleepless nights to achieve this victory, and we have come to protect the mandate freely given to Sir Siminalayi Fubara under the platform of the PDP, he added.




President Tinubu has arrived in Niger State to inaugurate the mechanised agricultural project.





Tinubu is expected to inaugurate the renamed Minna International Airport, agro-processing zone and agricultural equipment.





The airport was renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna by the state governor, Umar Bago on Friday.





The airport was first inaugurated by former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida on June 20, 1990.





Bago remodelled the airport, hitherto closed due to the cut-off runway; it now has a fully furnished Domestic Terminal.





About 2,000 hectares will be used for the agro-processing zone project: 1,000 hectares for drip.




The United Kingdom (UK) government has banned international health and care workers from bringing their dependants to the country on work visas.

Announcing the development in a post on its X account on Monday, the UK Home Office said the move is part of its plan to deliver the biggest ever cut in migration.

From today, care workers entering the UK on Health and Care Worker visas can no longer bring dependants, the statement reads.

A graphic banner accompanying the post reads Banned: Overseas care workers from bringing dependants.

The statement added that 120,000 people who arrived last year would no longer be eligible under our new rules.

In December the UK Home Office announced the plan to reduce unprecedented and unsustainable levels of legal migration to the United Kingdom (UK).

James Cleverly, home secretary, said apart from the ban on bringing dependents, workers would need to earn at least 38,700 to obtain a visa, up from 26,200.

We will stop overseas care workers from bringing family, dependants and we will require firms in England to be regulated by the Health Care Quality Commission in order for them to sponsor visas, he said.

Approximately, 120,000 dependants accompanied 100,000 care workers in the year ending September 2023, but only 25% of the dependants are estimated to be in work, meaning that a significant number are joining public services rather than helping to grow the economy.

We recognize that healthcare workers do great work in our NHIS and health sector, but its also important that immigrants make a big enough financial contribution. Therefore, it will increase annual immigration healthcare charge by 66% from 624 to 1035 to raise, on average, 1.3 billion for the health services of the country every year.

The UK had recently restricted foreign students from bringing family members with them.

The UK Home Office said the development was necessary to stop people from using the student visa as a backdoor route to work in the UK.
DEAR ABBY: On paper, Im an accomplished woman. I have a doctorate in Educational Leadership and had a 36-year career in education, mostly as a school administrator. I am financially stable and I have many friends. I also have an overwhelming sense of loneliness, and this is where my issues lie.

I was well accepted when I lived in the North, but since moving to Florida, I have had trouble breaking into volunteerism. It took five years before I was accepted for volunteer jobs in my community, and only because of a board members intervention. I have been told there are no openings on certain committees until they hear my background from someone. I joined a philanthropy group, which costs me more than $1,000 a year, and as often as they ask for volunteers, I am never accepted.

Recently, there was a social event sponsored by this group. I was not invited. I learned about it only when someone offered me a ride. When I asked my doctor for the name of someone I could talk to, as the fault must lie within me, he was dismissive. I am sinking further into loneliness and dont know what to do. Do you have any suggestions? -- OFF TRACK IN STUART, FL

DEAR OFF TRACK: Are you affiliated with a religious institution in your community? If so, it might benefit you to talk with the clergyperson and ask why you may have been excluded from volunteering. In most communities, theres a crying need for people to donate their time and help. If that conversation doesnt provide insight regarding the attitude toward new arrivals in town, it may be time to consider relocating to a more welcoming city, one with opportunities for folks who would like to share their time and talents.

P.S. If there are more Northerners like yourself who have been pushed aside, consider forming a group of your own and socializing with them. You might make some more wonderful friends if you do.

***

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
More than 50 roosters were recovered and 52 people were arrested Saturday when police broke up a large-scale cockfighting ring at a South Jersey home, authorities said.

The raid ended an ongoing investigation by Galloway Township police into the ring in the 300 block of South Bremen Avenue off the White Horse Pike, officials said.

Four dogs, three of which were housed in an outdoor shed in inhumane conditions, were also taken by local animal control officials, police said Monday.

The homeowner, Jose Madera, was arrested at the site Saturday and charged with numerous animal cruelty offenses, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, destruction of evidence and resisting arrest, police said. Investigators also recovered over $37,000 in cash during the raid.

Police allege the money was proceeds from illegal gambling on the fights, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Attorney information for Madera was not immediately available.

Madera allegedly housed the ring in a garage on his property, charging admission to spectators to watch and place bets on the fights, according to arrest records obtained Monday.

Police entered the property on Saturday and found a large gathering of people, authorities said. Many of the spectators began to flee, but police said they were able to detain several people.

Police found a cockfighting ring with seating for viewers. The roosters had various health issues and were found in crates, boxes and bags.

Cocaine was also discovered in a bathroom at the home, the affidavit states.

Madera was taken to Atlantic County jail following the raid.

The other 51 people arrested were from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Police did not release their charges.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
A principal in the South Orange-Maplewood School District was arrested Monday and charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault for an incident that occurred last year, authorities said.

Frank Sanchez, principal of Columbia High School in Maplewood, surrendered to detectives from the Essex County Prosecutors Office Monday morning, said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly.

Neither school officials nor the prosecutors office said who the principal allegedly assaulted in the March 9, 2023, incident.

But, the Black Parents Workshop, a South Orange-Maplewood advocacy group, said the charges stem from an incident involving Sanchez and a female student at Columbia High School last year. The group is providing legal counseling for the teenager.

Sanchez was in custody Monday while he awaited processing, authorities said. Attorney information for the principal was not immediately available.

Acting South Orange-Maplewood Superintendent Kevin F. Gilbert said he was deeply saddened by the news and added administrators would continue working to fulfill our obligations to the people we serve.

Sanchez has been on administrative leave since early January, though school district officials have not said why or if his leave is linked to the alleged assault.

Ann Bodnar, the school districts assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, is serving as acting principal.

I am deeply saddened by the news of charges against the Columbia High School principal, the latest in a series of unexpected events that have happened in our district during this school year, said Gilbert, who was appointed acting superintendent in November.

No matter what our feelings may be at this time, our focus must be on meeting the needs of Columbia High School students, their families, and staff. I am working with my administration colleagues to make sure we continue to fulfill our obligations to the people we serve, Gilbert said.

Gilbert did not comment on the incident that led to charges against Sanchez.

A post on social media by the Black Parents Workshop, an advocacy group representing Black families in the district, said the charges against Sanchez stem from an incident with a Black, female Columbia High School student.

Since its inception ten years ago, the Black Parents Workshop has taken seriously the responsibility to protect Black students in the South Orange-Maplewood School District. We were the only organization that expressed disapproval of the renewal of Mr. Sanchezs contract when it came before the Board of Education. Our position was based upon what we had been hearing from Black students in Columbia High School, and our inclination was validated when we became aware of the incident at the heart of these charges, the group said.

The Black Parents Workshops legal counsel, Robert Tarver, and the groups chairman, James H. Davis III, are providing legal counseling for the student.

Walter Fields, founder and spokesman of Black Parents Workshop, said he couldnt discuss the details of the case.

What I can say is we are really concerned about the manner in which adults in our district treat our children, said Fields. The group is advocating for the student victim and standing with her.

We were not shocked, but we were gratified by the prosecutors office taking seriously what occurs in these schools and what happens to Black children in these schools. We hope this sends a clear message to this community that Black children are not to be targets, said Fields.

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NJ Advance Media staff writer Tina Kelley contributed to this report.

Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
Some substitute teachers in an Essex County school district are now getting $200 per day to fill in overseeing classes.

The South Orange-Maplewood School District recently approved pay raises for substitute teachers, officials in the K-12 district said Friday.

The pay raises that went into effect March 1 included a pay hike for substitute teachers from $110 to $175 a day, a 60% increase.

For state-certified substitutes with long-term assignments in the districts schools that stretch beyond two months, the pay rate rose from $160 to $200 a day, a 25% percent increase.

District officials said they needed the pay hike to remain competitive with nearby districts, including Montclair, West Orange and Irvington, where they said substitute teacher rates also range from $175 to $200 a day.

The pay increase comes after several years of substitute teacher shortages around New Jersey exacerbated by the pandemic and the states relatively low unemployment rate.

South Orange-Maplewood officials said hiring additional substitutes could also save money because it would reduce the need to pay multiple regular teachers to give up their free periods to fill in for absent teachers.

These increases will make the district more competitive against other public school districts. Attracting more substitutes means we will be relying less on our teachers for coverage of classes, said Kevin F. Gilbert, acting superintendent of the South Orange and Maplewood School District.

The school board approved the pay increases at its Feb. 29 meeting.

South Orange-Maplewood School Board President Qawi Telesford said raising the pay of substitute teachers is a step in the right direction in maintaining better staffing levels.

These pay increases will make the district more competitive with other public school districts in attracting substitute teachers, allowing teachers to be able to focus more on the classes they have been assigned to teach, Telesford said.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust.

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
When Jonnathan Glazer accepted the Oscar for best international feature film, he didnt talk about the horrific Holocaust on which his film is based.

Glazer, the British director of The Zone of Interest, instead turned to the present  the war in Gaza and Israel.

The Oscar-winning film, which is partly based on the 2014 Martin Amis novel, unfolds just outside the hell of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland during World War II. The terrifying sounds of the death camp are heard loud and clear in the film, though the prisoners and the events inside the grounds are not seen. (The Zone of Interest also won the Oscar for best sound.)

Glazers film centers on the home life of Nazi commandant Rudolf Hoss on the perimeter of Auschwitz. The A24 movies focus emphasizes the chilling acceptance of murder and mass extermination  how people went about living their lives despite the horrors at their doorstep.

All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present, not to say look what they did then, rather, look what we do now, Glazer said upon receiving the award. Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst. Its shaped all of our past and present.

Jonathan Glazers acceptance speech for Best International Film for THE ZONE OF INTEREST at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/XNsMv0HDib  Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 11, 2024

The director stood onstage alongside producers James Wilson and Leonard Blavatnik.

Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and a Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people, Glazer continued, to applause from the audience.

Whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza or the victims of this dehumanization, how do we resist?

Outside the Oscars, protesters called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War.

Inside the ceremony, attendees and presenters like Billie Eilish, Finneas OConnell and Poor Things actor Ramy Youssef, who hails from Rutherford, wore red Artists4Ceasefire pins in support of a permanent ceasefire and the release of hostages.

Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup.
A New York acupuncturist admitted last week to costing Amtrak $9 million in fraudulent health insurance claims as part of a scheme to defraud the national railway agencys benefits program.

Punson Figueroa, 57, was one of four people charged in the scheme that federal agents learned about through an undercover investigation in 2021.

She pleaded guilty in federal court in Newark on Friday to health insurance fraud, potentially facing 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when shes sentenced June 16, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

The charges followed a two-week nationwide investigation that resulted in charges against 90 defendants in alleged health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes. Those cases resulted in the submission of over $2.6 billion in alleged false billings, authorities said.

Prosecutors on Friday described Figueroa, of Long Island City, as the mastermind behind a scheme that began in January 2019 and continued until June 2022.

This case demonstrates Amtraks resolve to work alongside all our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable those who attempt to defraud the system, Amtrak Police Chief Sam Dotson said in a statement following Thursdays plea hearing.

Ex-Amrak employee Devon Burt, 50, of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and Hallum Gelzer, 44, of East Orange, separately pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy charges to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to communicate extortionate threats.

New Jersey Dr. Muhammad Mirza, 50, of Cedar Grove, also previously pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud offenses for his role in the scheme.

Prosecutors said Figueroa and her conspirators agreed to solicit medical services from Amtrak employees, signing off for procedures that were either medically unnecessary or never performed.

After obtaining health insurance information provided by employees, the Figueroa provided kickbacks to Amtraks workers, prosecutors said.

Posing as an employee, an undercover federal agent signed his name about 30 times for services allegedly received while under Figueroas direction at her office. He was instructed not to date the documents, prosecutors said.

Figueroa provided to the agent with an envelope holding $1,000 in cash for participating in the scheme, prosecutors said. The insurer paid over $31,000 to the undercover agents health plan, according to court records.

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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
Five people were displaced from their homes and a firefighter was injured in a blaze on Lincoln Street in Jersey City Sunday, authorities said.

Jersey City firefighters responded to the three-story building at 170 Lincoln St. at 7:53 p.m. As a precaution, the buildings on both sides of 170 Lincoln were evacuated. The fire was brought under control quickly, but residents of the fire building could not return to their homes.

One firefighter suffered a laceration to his right hand and was taken to the Jersey City Medical Center for stitches.
A massive, 674-unit redevelopment project on Monroe Street in Hoboken is moving forward while a lawsuit by neighboring Union City to halt the development has appeared to have stalled.

The project by New York-based Madigan Development proposes to build three, 11-story residential buildings at 930 Monroe St. on the site of an Amazon warehouse, below the Palisades cliffs. The development would also include space for commercial use and amenities.

The Hoboken Planning Board will hear the projects application Tuesday night for completeness review, a precursor for a hearing for approval by the same board at a later date. The city and developer are being sued by Union City over the height of the project.

Union City and its mayor, Brian Stack, along with 10 unnamed residents, alleged in a lawsuit filed in February 2023 that the height of the project would rise above the Palisades cliffs and negatively impact Union City residents. The Doric, a 23-story residential building at 100 Manhattan Ave. in Union City, sits above the project site.

The lawsuit charges that the project will directly impact the light, air, shadows, and views of citizens and residents of Union City and that numerous parks and public amenities, which are frequented and enjoyed by Union City and Hudson County residents, are located directly west of the project.

However, the lawsuit has not moved forward since last November, and representatives for all parties declined to comment Monday. Philip Lamparello, an attorney for Union City, said in a statement that we remain confident that our position will be vindicated once fully addressed on the merits.

(The city) remains opposed to any development that exceeds the height of the Palisade cliffs and will continue to protect the interest of the residents of Union City and the community overall, Lamparello added.

930 Monroe St. in Hoboken. (Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal)

Representatives for Hoboken and Madigan Development declined to comment on why the project application is moving forward with the lawsuit pending.

A redevelopment agreement approved in December 2022 for the project stipulates that the developers will set aside $15 million for the construction of a section of the citys green circuit near the project, as well as for a new resiliency park at 800 Monroe St.

The Monroe Street project isnt the first Hoboken development where Stacks preference for an unobstructed view of the Manhattan skyline prompted legal action.

Pegasus Partners, another developer, sued both Hoboken and Union City in 2021, alleging that Hoboken officials privately promised Union City officials that the original height of Pegasus Western Edge redevelopment project in Hoboken would never be approved after Stack complained about its height.

Stack, in his role as state senator, also attempted to co-sponsor a bill in the state Legislature a few years ago that wouldve made it illegal to building anything east of the cliffs that rises above it.
A man who robbed four banks of more than $32,000 last year has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison.

Damen Drakeford, 30, robbed Fulton Bank in Netcong on July 7 and Provident Bank in Fair Lawn four days later, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said in a statement.

On the same day he robbed the Fair Lawn bank, Drakeford hit the Fidelity Bank in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Pennsylvania, officials said.

The robbery spree concluded on July 14 when Drakeford robbed the M&T Bank in Stroudsburg. He led police on a high-speed chase, crashed his vehicle and ran into the woods before he was arrested, authorities said.

Drakeford, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in November to stealing $32,988.

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NEW YORK  Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife pleaded not guilty on Monday to new obstruction of justice charges in a New York court.

The new charges were in a rewritten indictment returned last week against the Democrat in Manhattan federal court.

Once again, not guilty your honor, Menendez responded after Judge Sidney H. Stein asked him to enter a plea at a 20-minute hearing. Menendez had previously pleaded not guilty to charges in October.

Menendez and his wife, Nadine, entered the pleas to the indictment containing new charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice. Afterward, they briefly spoke to one another before leaving the courtroom together.

The couple is charged with conspiring with three businessmen to accept bribes of gold bars, cash and a luxury car in return for the senators help in projects pursued by the businessmen.

Nadine Menendez and Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., arrive at Manhattan federal court, Monday, March 11, 2024, in New York. They are being charged with conspiring with three businessmen to accept bribes of gold bars, cash and a luxury car in return for the senators help in projects pursued by the businessmen. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)AP

Two of the three businessmen they allegedly conspired with also entered not guilty pleas on Monday. A third, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty two weeks ago to bribery charges and agreed to testify against the others at a trial set for May 6.

The new allegations  part of what is now an 18-count indictment  are related to gifts prosecutors say the couple received from Uribe.

According to the indictment, Menendez caused his lawyer to falsely tell prosecutors overseeing the investigation that he was unaware that another of his business associates had helped his wife make a $23,000 mortgage payment on her New Jersey home. It said Nadine Menendez caused her lawyer to tell prosecutors last August that the mortgage payment and funds provided by Uribe for a Mercedes-Benz were loans when she knew they were bribes.

Menendez said in a statement last week that prosecutors have long known that I learned of and helped repay loans  not bribes  that had been provided to my wife.

After his fall arrest, Menendez, 70, was forced to relinquish his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but said he would not resign from Congress.

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Its been some years since Ive had to buy diapers for my kids and I thank God for that. But as a soon-to-be tia, I have been doing an awful lot of shopping for baby items. So, when I came across TinkyPoo, a unique diaper brand that features characters and images of babies of color, tribal or kente-styled lettering, and Black Power fists on its diapers, I instantly thought of my sister and sister-in-law  both are pregnant with babies who will have Black fathers. And the two have told me how important it is for them to make sure their biracial little ones feel seen in this world from day one.

Nadiyah Spencer, the Plainfield mom who founded TinkyPoo, tells me thats exactly what shes trying to accomplish with her company. I wanted a brand that celebrated our babies and showed them from the very start just how beautiful and lovely they are, she says. I wanted what I didnt have when my own son, whos 9 now, was in diapers ...seeing that excitement in him when the diaper is pulled out because he sees himself in the characters that are on it.

Sadly, she tells me, for many companies that make baby products, babies of color are merely an after-thought. But seeing yourself makes all the difference, she says, thats why for us, thats our motto, and its what we stand for and believe in, which is the power of representation.

Still, her brands not the first or only Black-owned diaper brand  theres actually several on the market you can choose from, though theyre usually sold online or in specialty stores. TinkyPoo diapers are sold on the companys website but are also on the shelves at the 11 BuyBuy Baby stores on the East Coast, including the four in N.J. What truly sets us apart, she says, is not just that were Black-owned, or woman-owned, or even that were in one of the largest retailers of baby products in the country, its Timmy and Penny, theyre what make us truly special.

Nadiyah Spencer, a Plainfield mom, created a diverse diaper and wipe brand called TinkyPoo. Later this year, TinkyPoo will release plush toys of the cartoon babies featured on some of its diapers. They are Penny, left, and Timmy, right. Amanda Brown| For NJ Advance Media

Timmy and Penny are the fictional twin babies  a baby girl with a dark complexion, and a boy with a much lighter one  that are featured on TinkyPoo diapers as astronauts in outer space and alongside Pan-African flags and phrases like be the power. This summer, Nadiyah says, shes launching stuffed Timmy and Penny plushies on the companys website, where she also sells TinkyPoo-brand wipes and diaper bags.

Oh, with the diapers, its just the start!, she says enthusiastically, I want to create a whole world of Timmy and Penny, where they go on adventures with friends they meet at nursery school, which Ill call the TinkyPoo Crew ...therell be books, coloring books, and more, because again, what I want is for Black and brown babies and kids to see themselves and feel excited.

She tells me the idea for a diaper brand geared towards babies and parents of color came to her in a dream in 2020. Ive been in retail manufacturing professionally for about 20 years, but I had never done anything like this where the idea for a business came to me in a dream, she says. But once it was in my heart, I just couldnt shake it and I knew I had to go after it.

In 2022, after being told no by nearly 50 factories and dealing with a series of other challenges she says stemmed from trying to start a company in the middle of a pandemic, Nadiyah launched TinkyPoo online. Almost right away, she says, positive feedback started popping up in reviews on TinkyPoo.com and on the companys Instagram, where it has more than 10,000 followers. Natalie Martone, BuyBuy Babys senior associate of merchandising, told me the same happened on the retailers social media platforms with customers showing tremendous support for the brand.

Nia Jones Alugbin, a mother of three boys who lives in Washington, D.C., started buying TinkyPoo diapers for her toddler online months ago after learning about the brand through friends. The first time her son saw the diapers, she says he giggled and excitedly shouted, thats me!

Nadiyah Spencer, a Plainfield mom, created a "diverse" diaper and wipe brand to "celebrate Black babies" called TinkyPoo. The company features characters and images of babies of color, tribal or kente-styled lettering, and Black Power fists on its diapers, which can be found at all four BuyBuy Baby stores in N.J.Amanda Brown| For NJ Advance Media

From then on, she was sold on TinkyPoo. For me, Nia says, that was loud and clear validation as to the importance of inclusivity and products like these that aim to be inclusive. It doesnt hurt, she says, that the diapers, which are made from plant-based materials and have an organic cotton inner-lining, are also high quality.

Jane Judd, a Korean-American Hunterdon County mom, whose three children are biracial  her husbands African-American  tells me she was first drawn to the brand by the images on the diapers. I thought wow, its such a beautiful way of honoring and representing [babies of color] and I want to support that, she says. Once we tried them, we were hooked because theyre also super-absorbent and worked really well for our daughter.

Now, the couple is buying TinkyPoo diapers and wipes again for their 8-month-old. Having to buy diapers and the trial-and-error process of buying the right ones, she says, can easily make you want to pull your hair out but shes tells me shes glad she found a brand that works for her family in every way.

Thats music to my ears!, Nadiyah tells me. Im literally living the dream. And I have to say, I love that.

Daysi Calavia-Robertson may be reached at dcalavia-robertson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Instagram at @presspassdaysi or Twitter @presspassdaysi.

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Donald Trumps former chief of staff, retired Gen. John Kelly, reportedly said Trump had a soft spot for despots and autocrats, including Adolf Hitler.

Thats according to Kelly and other former Trump staffers who spoke to CNNs Jim Sciutto, and its detailed in his upcoming book, The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War.

He said, Well, but Hitler did some good things. I said, Well, what? And he said, Well, [Hitler] rebuilt the economy. But what did he do with that rebuilt economy? He turned it against his own people and against the world. And I said, Sir, you can never say anything good about the guy. Nothing, Kelly told Sciutto. I mean, Mussolini was a great guy in comparison.

Its pretty hard to believe he missed the Holocaust, though, and pretty hard to understand how he missed the 400,000 American GIs that were killed in the European theater, Kelly told him. But I think its more, again, the tough guy thing.

Trump also called North Koreas Kim Jong Un an OK guy, said Hungarian strongman Viktor Orban was fantastic, and called Chinese leader Xi Jinping brilliant.

Kelly added: My theory on why he likes the dictators so much is thats who he is.

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New Jersey students would have experienced less learning loss and isolation had schools reopened earlier after the coronavirus pandemic shutdown, according to the findings of a 910-page independent review of New Jerseys response to COVID-19.

The report, released Monday, also said business closures in the state could have been handled differently.

We could have allowed some businesses to reopen earlier or remain open, Paul Zoubek, a former assistant state attorney general who headed the review, said during a press briefing at the Statehouse in Trenton.

Shutdowns were necessary at the start of the pandemic, Zoubek said. But if the state had better information from the federal government about the virus, the closures wouldnt have had to be as severe, he said.

New Jerseys shutdown lasted 58 days. Only three states had longer ones, the report said.

In hindsight, it is likely that New Jersey students would have benefited from schools opening sooner, said the report, which Gov. Phil Murphys administration commissioned to examine what the state did right and wrong during the crisis.

The report also noted that poor, Black and Hispanic students and workers were hurt more by the shutdowns of schools and businesses.

School closures

Murphy ordered schools and non-essential businesses across New Jersey to close as the virus quickly spread throughout the state.

Zoubek said those moves were necessary early on to help curb the illness spread and not overwhelm hospitals.

But, he noted, schools should have given greater weight to the devastating impact of school closures and perhaps pushed harder for schools to reopen in the fall of 2020.

The state allowed schools to make their own decisions on whether to reopen in the fall of that year with social distancing protocols. A few dozen went back to in-person classes, while many remained remote or with a hybrid mix of in-person and virtual classes.

The report noted that if the state had known more about ways to reduce airborne transmission of the virus, particularly by indoor masking, it would have been more likely to encourage reopening more schools in the fall. But reopening then would have been particularly difficult in older urban schools that didnt have room for social distancing.

The state made its school-related decisions with the best information they had at the time, and in the face of incredible uncertainty, the report said.

I think the lesson is there does need to be greater coordination, said Ethan Hougah, another partner at the law firm that conducted the review. So you have a uniform policy.

New Jerseys disadvantaged students struggled to gain the technology, Internet connectivity, and space they needed to attend school remotely, the report found, adding that students with learning disabilities had a particularly difficult time.

The achievement gap between white students and students of color, and wealthy students and less wealthy ones was already a big problem before 2020, the report said, but this gap became a chasm during the pandemic.

The report cited figures that in the 2020-21 school year, 15% of white students attended school in person, while only 7% of Black students and 8% of Hispanic students did.

The report said states with more powerful teachers unions were more likely to open in-person later in the pandemic. It described the New Jersey Education Association as one of the strongest teachers unions in the U.S.

It noted that New Jerseys scores on the Nations School Report Card fell more than the national average in 4th grade math and reading and 8th grade math, while 8th grade reading scores stayed flat, above the national average.

The state was caught flat-footed by not knowing the extent of its digital divide when the pandemic hit, making it more difficult to ensure students had laptops and connectivity for remote learning, and could have moved faster to bridge the gap, the report said.

The report did find New Jersey was a model for other states with its food distribution program for students during the pandemic.

A statement by Murphy did not address specific problems outlined in the report.

Steven Baker, spokesman for the New Jersey Education Association, the states largest teachers union, said it advocated for the health and safety of students and staff during the pandemic.

We believe that in-person instruction is the gold standard for effective teaching and learning, but that had to be balanced against the very real health risks of in-person instruction early in the pandemic, particularly before vaccines were universally available, Baker said.

Business shutdowns

The pandemic shutdowns may have been even worse on business in New Jersey than the Great Depression, Zoubek said.

The aggressive closures had a devastating and unprecedented impact on our economy  lost jobs and lost businesses that caused a restructuring of our economy, he said.

In less than a year, nearly a third of small businesses in the state closed in the wake of restrictions. Zoubek didnt offer a hard number of businesses that shut down permanently, and noted there was already a movement towards online shopping before COVID hit.

The report said economic impacts were more pronounced in New Jersey than in other parts of the country but similar to other states with severe COVID levels.

While only five states had a greater economic losses than New Jersey, it also was one of the states that experienced the most fatalities and implemented the longest shutdowns, the report said.

The report glosses over the needless damage to our businesses, said state Sen. Declan OScanlon, R-Monmouth, a frequent critic of the Murphy administration during the pandemic.

Had there been any reasonable give and take, and concern for our businesses, we could have dramatically reduced the negative impact across the board, OScanlon said.

I think it did tremendous damage to businesses and to the mental status of the folks who owned the businesses, said former state Assemblyman Hal Wirths, R-Sussex, who during the pandemic called the shutdowns overly aggressive and criticized many of Murphys executive orders.

Though I appreciate what people did in the first couple of months, all businesses should have been under the same guidelines ... Maybe we can learn from our mistakes.

The report detailed how the state Labor Department couldnt keep up with record unemployment claims and how small businesses jumped through hoops to get economic assistance from state and federal programs while they tried to stay afloat. It also said lower-income workers faced a disproportionate share of the harm because they were overrepresented in sectors such as hospitality, which was hit especially hard by the shutdowns.

It said the pandemic exacerbated existing racial and ethnic disparities because those groups have a higher representation in jobs that dont allow for remote work, and women  often faced with responsibility for children as schools depended on remote learning  left the labor force at greater rates than men.

While labor participation rates have rebounded after the pandemic, many women continue to face persistent barriers to re-entry, the report said.

It also noted that while people with disabilities suffered more job losses during the pandemic, they now have higher labor force participation because of new options for flexible and remote work schedules.

Murphy said New Jersey is the only state in the nation that completed such an independent and comprehensive review.

I know New Jersey will be better off because of this review, and my administration looks forward to working with the Legislature on its recommendations, Murphy said.

The New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) did not immediately respond to request for comment.

NJ Advance Media staff writers Brent Johnson, Susan K. Livio, and Ted Sherman contributed to this report.

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Former President Donald Trump is just not letting up on writer E. Jean Carroll.

Trump was on CNBC Monday morning and claimed her accusations against him of sexual assault were false.

This comes after Trump has been ordered to pay tens of millions of dollars to Carroll for publicly defaming her a civil jury in New York last May found that Trump had sexually abused Carroll in 1996 in the dressing room of a luxury department store in Manhattan.

He now owes her a total of $88.3 million after another jury penalized him over his continued social media attacks against the longtime advice columnist over her claims.

Robbie Kaplan, main lawyer for Carroll, does not rule out a new defamation suit: "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  Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) March 11, 2024

This comes days after Trump posted a $91 million bond that allows him to appeal a defamation judgment and after he attacked Carroll at a rally in Georgia, but without calling her out by name.

I I just posted a $91 million bond, Trump told the 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.

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.

Former federal prosecutor Shanlon Wu, appearing on CNN shortly after the Georgia remarks, 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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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More attorneys are weighing in on why former President Donald Trumps latest attack against writer E. Jean Carroll could cost him.

Trump critic George Conway, the estranged husband of top Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, said on X that Trumps comments on CNBC were highly significant for a procedural reason in addition to a substantive one.

In the interview, Trump referred to Carroll as Miss Bergdorf Goodman and said her claims of sexual assault against him were false.

Trump has already been ordered by a jury to pay tens of millions of dollars to Carroll for publicly defaming her after a civil jury in New York last May found that Trump had sexually abused Carroll in 1996 in the dressing room of a luxury department store in Manhattan.

The fact that Trump libeled @ejeancarroll on @CNBC @SquawkCNBC is highly significant for a procedural reason in addition to a substantive one.



Were E. Jean to sue Trump just for the speech he gave in northwest Georgia the other day, she probably would have had to sue in the https://t.co/Iw4aDEKwH4  George Conway (@gtconway3d) March 11, 2024

Were E. Jean to sue Trump just for the speech he gave in northwest Georgia the other day, she probably would have had to sue in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Conway went on. But now that he libeled her on Squawk Box, which is anchored in Manhattan, she likely may now sue in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. If she does that, the case would be assigned to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan as a case related to the earlier two cases that produced $88.3 million in damages awards.

Carrolls attorney has already said they continue to monitor every statement that Donald Trump makes about (their) client.

Robbie Kaplan, main lawyer for Carroll, does not rule out a new defamation suit: "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  Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) March 11, 2024

A jury awarded $83.3 million to Carroll in January over Trumps continued social media attacks against the longtime advice columnist over her claims that he sexually assaulted her. The award, coupled with a $5 million sexual assault and defamation verdict last year from another jury in a case brought by Carroll, raised to $88.3 million what Trump must pay her.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Donald Trump finally went there.

After years of trashing Joe Biden for everything from the economy to the demise of the countrys future, Trump recently mocked his rival over something he had so far held back against Bidens stutter, which hes had since childhood.

Wasnt it  didnt it bring us together? Trump told a crowd at a rally in Georgia, speaking of Bidens State of the Union address. Im gonna bring the country tuh-tuh-tuh-together.

His supporters ate it up.

John Hendrickson, meanwhile, a writer for The Atlantic and author of Life on Delay: Making Peace with a Stutter, called out Trump for being a small-minded bully.

Watching this new clip brought me back to my conversation with Biden five years ago. At the time, I asked him whether he thought Trump would one day nickname him St-St-St-Stuttering Joe. If Trump were to go there, Biden told me, itll just expose him for what he is, Hendrickson, whose book is also about his decades-long journey with stuttering, wrote. He mocks Bidens disability because he believes the voters will reward him for it  that there is more to be gained than lost by dehumanizing his rival and the millions of other Americans who stutter, or who go through life managing other disorders and disabilities. I would like to believe that more people are repulsed than entertained, and that Trump has made a grave miscalculation.

Hendrickson argued Trump had so far exercised a modicum of restraint around this topic up until recently, arguing, To paraphrase Michael Jordan, Republicans stutter too.

AUTHOR HTML:

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A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment.

Social services and mental health care are difficult enough for many Americans to access, but a unique set of challenges arise for recent migrants in need of care.

New arrivals may be unfamiliar with the country, may speak different languages and may not have money or insurance. As the U.S. grapples with a shortage of social and mental health workers, more refugees are arriving in the country, fleeing violence, poverty and persecution from their homelands.

Theyre leaving their home country because they feel they have no choice if they want to survive, said Aimee Hilado, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice. Oftentimes, their journeys are filled with trauma and a great deal of stress. So many of them talk about never feeling safe and never knowing when the fear is going to subside.

Hilado is the chair of the Coalition for Immigrant Mental Health and has been on the frontlines welcoming new arrivals to Chicago since Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began bussing them to sanctuary cities across the country as part of Operation Lone Star. More than 105,000 migrants have been transported since 2022, Abbott said Friday in an update marking the three-year anniversary of the initiative.

For those who work with refugees and migrant new arrivals, the last couple years have taken a harder toll on workers in an already difficult field. That could explain why, for Social Workers Month this March, this years campaign is Empowering Social Workers. That means providing more support  including better compensation  according to the National Association of Social Workers.

The work is not easy, Hilado said. In my 17 years of practice, Ive been witness to the darkest sides of what human beings can do to one another.

An exploratory study available through PubMed Central found that social workers who work with immigrants see their practice as an important response to defend human rights concerns, including due process, right to asylum, access to legal representation and freedom from detention, persecution and torture.

Social workers have increasingly needed to address racism, xenophobia and rising anti-immigrant rhetoric against their clients in the last few years. They may also be restricted in the aid they can offer families due to their mixed immigration status. Furthermore, migrants, refugees and their children may hesitate to report employer exploitation, domestic violence and child abuse because they fear deportation, according to a report by the Crown School.

Cathi Tillman is the executive director of La Puerta Abierta, a nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia that helps Latino immigrant and refugee communities gain access to mental health care. Tillman found that social workers are struggling to provide sufficient attention to the needs of our immigrant neighbors, due in part to the massive amount of other needs identified in our community.

Hilado said the workforce has to adjust how they speak and engage with recent arrivals so they do not activate past trauma. When she visits the emergency shelters, migrants talk to her about their grief: the loss of their home country, the family left behind and the people who couldnt complete the journey. Migrant parents especially struggle knowing that their children were put through horrific experiences in pursuit of a better life.

Social work is among the professions with the highest risk of chronic stress and burnout. Hilado said people in this field could also experience second-hand trauma if the workforce does not address the impacts or regularly check in with staff. She said her team practices reflective self-care strategies and takes preventative measures to get ahead of burnout.

For people to live to their fullest potential, sometimes they need additional supports that simply arent available. Social workers create pathways for opportunity, Hilado said. Oftentimes, people dont come to us because theyre doing well. Its because theres internal suffering and a desire to heal. Its a wonderful opportunity to be in a position to give reprieve.
There was a familiar sight in the backfields of the Dodgers spring training complex over the weekend: Trevor Bauer wearing No. 77 for the Asian Breeze.

Bauers most recent spot on his tour attempting to make a case for any MLB to sign him on continued on Sunday. Thats when he faced minor leaguers as a member of the independent Japanese travel team, his first time facing hitters in America since June 2021, before serving a 194-game suspension for violating MLBs domestic violence and sexual assault policy.

BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER

Bauer faced 12 batters, touching 99 mph on the radar gun, According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

He even toyed with (Hunter) Feduccia for the final out by having fans next to the bench call his pitches, with Bauer letting everyone know what was coming, Nightengale wrote.

Hunter Feduccia is a minor league catcher on the Dodgers 40-man roster.

I just stay ready, Bauer said, via USA TODAY and maybe people somehow will remember that Im still one of the best pitchers in the world.

Bauers been making desperate pleas to big league teams, including the Yankees and Mets, since his sexual assault case was settled in October 2023. He reiterated his willingness to sign a risk-free contract for the league minimum if thats what it takes to return to MLB.

I mean if you think about it, I should have the opportunity to sign with a big league team, Bauer said, via USA TODAY. Im just asking for the league minimum, so its not a money thing. Ive served my suspension twice over. Ive been cleared of everything in the legal system.

If you think about it logically, theres really no reason I shouldnt have a job. But I dont. So, it is what it is.

Well see how it plays out. I dont want to predict the future. Well see.

In 10 MLB seasons, Bauer has an 83-69 record with a 3.79 ERA. He recorded 1416 strikeouts in 1297 2/3 innings, good for 9.8 strikeouts per nine rate, eighth in MLB among pitchers with a minimum of 1,200 innings pitched.

Last season, Bauer played for the Yokohama Baystars in Japan. He posted an 11-4 record with a 2.59 ERA and 160 strikeouts in 156.2 innings.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Manny Gomez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com.
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Months after his election last October, Jeff Landry entered the Louisiana governors office, guns blazing.

Republican supermajorities in both chambers of the newly sworn-in legislature likewise came prepared to back the states first GOP governor in eight years.

For the past two months, between executive orders and special legislative sessions, citizens and the media alike have had difficulty keeping up with Landrys everything, everywhere, all at once approach to carrying out his far-right agenda.

Even before his inauguration, Landry surrounded himself with industry heads and business leaders. He put oil lobbyists and executives at the helm of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources, formerly known as the Department of Natural Resources.

When a federal judge ordered lawmakers to create a second majority-Black congressional district, Landry added more than a dozen unrelated topics to his official call for the required special legislative session.

Though lawmakers didnt give the governor everything he wanted then, they largely did in a special session on crime a month later.

Landry, previously Louisianas attorney general, made that session his top campaign issue. The sessions agenda included campaign promises such as longer jail terms, severely reduced opportunities for parole, and putting the states public defender system under the governors direct control.

And its only been two months.

The regular lawmaking session kicked off Monday, March 11, and must end no later than June 3.

Compared to his Democratic predecessor John Bel Edwards more deliberate approach to legislating and policy making, Landry has set a breakneck pace for his legislative allies and the public.

Still, according to Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) Research Director Melinda Deslatte, who spent more than two decades as a journalist covering Louisiana politics, Landrys early push, while slightly surprising, [wasnt] far outside of the norm of what other governors have done over the years.

When you just get elected and come into office, arguably that's the height of your power, she told Gambit. It's before you've irritated legislators with things you're requesting of them. It's before they've had feedback from voters back home about stuff they've passed.

That said, Deslatte notes that Landry has proven he is willing to be a little bit of a disrupter or to approach things differently than perhaps some past governors have.

During his campaign for governor, Landry painted New Orleans as a lawless city that only he could fix, vowing to bend the city to his will.

While the city has struggled with gun violence and high rates of poverty and trauma, the rate of violent crime dropped significantly in 2023.

Violent crime increased nationally during the pandemic, from 2020 to 2022, especially in New Orleans. But, by last October, the citys murder rate had fallen by 24%, with similar declines in nonfatal shootings, armed robberies and aggravated batteries. The national rate of violent crimes also dropped, but the rate in New Orleans declined twice as much.

Still, Landry kept his promise to call a special legislative session on crime, which ran from Feb. 19 to Feb. 29. During it, lawmakers speedily passed traditional failed tough on crime measures that certainly will put  and keep  more people behind bars in a state that already has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country.

The previous legislature seemed to understand that in 2017 when lawmakers passed a bipartisan set of reforms to the criminal legal system. The changes reduced penalties for nonviolent crimes and expanded opportunities for parole by allowing a state board to release certain nonviolent offenders from prison early.

The current legislature, fueled by Landrys support, undid much of those reforms last month  in some cases making the system harsher than it was before 2017. Hes already signed most of them into law and is expected to soon sign the rest. Once signed, theyll start taking effect over the next six months.

They eliminated the parole system almost entirely for anyone convicted of a crime after Aug. 1. The only exception would be juveniles who receive life  or essentially life  sentences. Even before 2017, Louisiana had a parole system; the reforms just expanded it.

On top of that, they expanded penalties for violating parole rules, notably by removing parts of existing law that prevent judges from extending someones probationary period just because they havent paid fees or fines.

Lawmakers also severely limited the ability for people in prison to earn good behavior credits or good time, which allows for their sentences to be shortened as a reward for things like following prison rules or completing education and counseling courses.

The bottom line: Louisiana will keep people in prison until they serve 85% of their sentences, no matter if it's for a violent or nonviolent offense or how many good behavior credits they earn. Thats up from the 35% minimum set in 2017 for nonviolent crimes  and more than double the 40% required by pre-2017 laws, according to The Times-Picayune.

When asked by Landry which crime bill from the session was her favorite, Rep. Debbie Villio, a Kenner Republican, cited her 85% minimum-time-served measure.

Former state Rep. Joe Marino, a no-party independent from Gretna and a criminal defense lawyer, played a key role in convincing lawmakers and voters to accept the 2017 reforms. Marino recently has spoken out against many of the recent changes  particularly Villios 85% measure.

If our goal isn't to double the jail population, then the responsible way to do that, if you're going to raise the number up to 85% under the guise of we need clarity in sentencing, [is to lower] all of the sentencing ranges accordingly, Marino says.

Combined with the elimination of parole, Marino says taking away chances for early release will give people behind bars less motivation to follow prison rules and participate in rehabilitative programming.

With prisons already having trouble attracting staff to work a low-wage job in mostly unairconditioned facilities, Marino predicts Louisianas jails and prisons will become more dangerous.

I think that's going to be a very volatile situation that is going to quickly start causing problems within our prisons, Marino says.

New laws also single out teens who enter the criminal legal system.

Louisiana will now require trying more 17-year-olds as adults for all crimes. Then, once convicted, there will be fewer opportunities for minors to have their sentences shortened.

Another law will create an online database for the public to access court records of juveniles arrested for violent crimes. That information would include the names of defendants, details of their arrests, their criminal records and if they are in custody or out on bail.

Some family members of crime victims told a House committee in February that officials didnt notify them in a timely fashion with case updates, so they supported having the information accessible online. But critics said having this information readily available could create a stigma against young people, even those who are arrested but ultimately found not guilty.

+4 From child labor rollbacks to attacks on trans people, Republicans pursue a radically cruel agenda in Louisiana Republicans in the state House and Senate have introduced a host of bills in the annual session that would have been considered fringe policies even a few years ago.

Lawmakers also ramped up penalties for carjacking, distributing fentanyl and using weapons illegally. Minimum carjacking penalties will roughly double, from a minimum of two to five years and from 10-to-20 years to 20-to-30 years if a victim is seriously injured.

Another measure creates stiff sentences for those marketing fentanyl products in packaging deemed under the law to be child-friendly, including products that look like candy, animals, people or characters. Currently, theres a minimum five-year sentence for distributing fentanyl in small amounts, but this ups it to 25 to 99 years in these cases.

Illegal use of weapons will be classified as crimes of violence. Republican state Rep. Mike Johnson of Pineville, who authored the law, cited shooting guns into the sky during the Fourth of July and New Years Eve as behavior he wanted to target.

These and other changes to the states criminal laws will come at a cost.

A legislative fiscal analysis estimated that under Johnsons law people will be locked up for an average of 13 years instead of the current three years, costing the state $11.5 million more each year.

At the same time, lawmakers removed permitting and training requirements currently required to carry concealed weapons in Louisiana  and lowered the minimum age from 21 to 18. Rep. Alonzo Knox, a New Orleans Democrat, has already filed a bill for consideration in the regular session to create gun-free zones in crowded areas in New Orleans, such as the French Quarter.

Legislators also passed a bill giving anyone who gets a concealed-carry permit special immunity from civil damages if they shoot and injure or kill an undefined perpetrator in a justified use of force or self-defense.

That means those found to be perpetrators, along with their survivors or heirs, cannot sue for damages via a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit  unless the shooter displayed extremely reckless behavior (gross negligence), or knew they could hurt or kill someone and did it anyway (intentional misconduct).

It looks like not only are they giving you the right to have the gun, but they're giving you the right to shoot people, as long as it's not gross negligence. That's a high standard to prove, Marino says.

Criminal cases  which can send people to jail and require a higher burden of proof  could still proceed.

State law also will now shield law enforcement officers from being sued for civil damages for any actions they take on the job, even if they seriously injure or kill someone because of recklessness. The person filing the lawsuit would now have to prove the officer intended the misconduct, a far higher standard. Criminal lawsuits or lawsuits for fraud against officers would still be fair game.

The law allows judges to grant leniency to law enforcement officers when their misconduct leads to injuries, a concept known as qualified immunity. Now such immunity is required under the law. However, the new law wont impact federal court cases, which is where most police brutality suits play out.

Following in the footsteps of Alabama, which recently became the first government in the world to execute someone using nitrogen gas, Louisiana added nitrogen gas and electrocution to ways the state could carry out the death penalty.

Though the death penalty is on the books in Louisiana, the state hasnt executed anyone since 2010, citing troubles getting lethal injection drugs.

Witnesses described the execution of Kenneth Smith in Alabama as lasting minutes, far longer than the seconds they were told it would, during which he convulsed and gasped for air.

The previously approved method, injecting someone with deadly drugs, also raises concerns. Autopsies show that the drugs commonly used for lethal injection result in a slow death, in which a person not given enough anti-pain medication would feel like they were suffocating or drowning.

The state also will keep secret the identity of execution drug and equipment providers  and expose people who reveal such information to be sued. It does not carve out exceptions for journalists.

In another law and order move, lawmakers shortened the time  from two years to one year  that people convicted of crimes can seek post-conviction relief. Such relief often comes in the form of asking the judge who heard the original case to consider new information or evidence. That could include instances of witness tampering, someone lying under oath, or changing state or federal laws, for example.

The original version of that measure would have stopped anyone who pleads guilty to a crime from seeking post-conviction relief for that crime, even though there are several reasons an innocent person would plead guilty to a crime they didnt commit. The final version of the law won't change post-conviction relief sought on the grounds of factual innocence.

Lawmakers rammed all those measures through the legislative process in just 11 days, before staff could accurately estimate each bills cost to Louisiana taxpayers.

Special sessions are more of a compressed time period to start with, so things tend to move more quickly in a special session than in a regular session already," PARs Deslatte says. "It's not entirely surprising if the governor is of the same political party as the majority of the legislature that bills would move fairly quickly in a special session. That being said, there are areas where they sped up the process even further.

For example, Deslatte said the House skipped the usual process of referring proposals that could cost the state money to the House Appropriations Committee for fiscal review and debate. However, state senators did put bills through that process.

"It's not a surprise that these bills were going to pass. I do think it was a missed opportunity to discuss the financial implications, Deslatte says.

Lawmakers also limited opportunities for public testimony on bills in committee hearings. Its typical for each speaker to be limited to two or three minutes, but during the special session Republicans also capped total testimony at two hours total  one hour in favor of a bill, and another in opposition.

Add to that the fact that bills flew through multiple committees at the same time, which made it difficult, if not impossible, for some people to speak on every bill they wanted to address.

I literally saw people ... running from the House side to the Senate side to try to be able to testify against a bill in the Senate side after coming out of the House Chamber, Marino says. That's disturbing.

Marino says he believes the speed of the session was intentional because Republicans were under pressure not to challenge  or change  any of the bills. He believes the Republican majorities in the House and Senate may continue to limit public debate in future sessions.

I think they were just going through the motions of listening to the public, but the bills were going to be pushed through and passed with little to no changes, Marino says.

The Times-Picayune reported the changes will cost at least $32 million a year, but the price tag could end up being far higher. Its difficult to determine how much the state will end up paying when so much is unknown, including how many people district attorneys will prosecute for which crimes, the length of sentences that judges impose, and how much to factor in the changes to parole and good time calculations.

All of that right now is a question mark, Deslatte says, adding, but it does seem as though these pieces of legislation are likely to keep some people in prison facilities for longer than they otherwise might have been. And anytime you keep someone in jail or prison longer, that has a cost to the state. It simply does.

A 2022 report on the 2017 reforms by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement showed the reforms saved the state $152.6 million, which then went to the state general fund and programs aimed at keeping people from returning to the prison system once they leave it. Those programs could lose funding now.

It's going to be a financial problem before the end of the governor's first term, 100%, Marino says.

Louisiana governors already wield enormous power, but Landry wants to expand his control.

In a recent column for Verite, Dillard professor Robert Collins said Landry has been attempting to exercise more power to change Louisiana politics than any governor since Huey Long in the 1930s.

During the January redistricting session, Landry called for major changes to who can vote in Louisianas primaries, aka the first election held to see if the race will go to a runoff and narrow it down to two candidates if so.

Currently, any registered voter can vote for anyone in a primary, regardless of party, but Landry wants to change that to have separate party primaries where only those registered with a party choose which candidate they want to represent their party.

The original proposal would have effectively kept more than 600,000 no party voters from voting in initial elections.

Lawmakers scaled back that attempt, making it apply only to federal elections and certain state races as well as allowing no-party voters to vote in any partys primary. But those registered with smaller political parties, like the Independent and Green parties, will only be able to vote in their partys primaries. It will take effect in 2026.

Lawmakers also refused to pass several other items in Landrys call, such as his proposals to rebuild the state Supreme Court to his liking.

Going into the crime special session, Landry declared a state of emergency in Louisiana, citing a shortage of police. The order paused limits on the number of people sheriffs can hire and how much they can increase pay in the first months of a governors term. The emergency declaration expires March 15, though Landry could extend it.

For the crime special session, Landrys staff also wrote a bill that would give his office more control over Louisianas public defender system, which provides legal representation to the more than 80% of people in criminal cases who cant afford a private lawyer.

Though the measure was watered down, it still lets the governor appoint the state public defender, which the state public defense board could then approve or veto. The governor will also now have a hand in choosing most of the oversight board members.

The public defenders office, which has been strapped for cash as traffic ticket revenue declines, is expected to get an extra $600,000 from the state  but Landry indicated he would only be comfortable giving the office that money if he had more say so over the system.

Additionally, in the middle of the crime special session, Landry issued an executive order rolling back some of former Gov. John Bel Edwards changes to Louisianas industrial tax exemption program (ITEP).

Companies now no longer must prove theyre creating jobs to get a local property tax break on a project. And, instead of having each local taxing body individually approve or deny a tax break, each parish must have a single board that makes an all-or-nothing decision.

Regardless of local input, the governor can ultimately do whatever he wants. As Landry spokesperson Kate Kelly told The Louisiana Illuminator, the governor is the final say.

Landry also has shown hes interested in exercising some state control over New Orleans. He plans to establish a State Police troop in the city, and he supports letting the state attorney general prosecute State Police arrests in Orleans Parish.

The governor more recently appointed a task force to recommend changes to operations and governance of the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board. Potential changes include having all ratepayers pay a stormwater fee and revamping the structure of the board.

That could range from decreasing the number of board appointments the mayor can make to removing the mayor as board president entirely. Currently, the mayor appoints most members and serves as the boards president.

The task force doesnt include any New Orleans elected officials. It also will look at S&WBs billing process, as the utility has a history of surprise overbilling.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell has asked the utility to create its own report by the end of the month.

Going into the regular legislative session, it appears Landrys authoritarian streak will continue  with the help of some lawmakers. Rep. Michael Melerine, a Shreveport Republican, filed a bill that would exempt records in Landrys office from Louisiana's Public Records Act. Melerine pulled the bill shortly after it went online, but he is expected to refile it.

However, the most sweeping changes could come via a convention to rewrite the state constitution  something Landry never mentioned as a candidate. Legislators have talked about that idea for years, but trade publication LaPolitics Weekly reported Landry officials, legislative leaders and Republican donors are signaling interest in making that a reality this year.

A convention could be an opportunity to shorten Louisianas Constitution of 1974, which has mushroomed with amendments during the past half-century. A shorter constitution could shift more policy decisions from voters to lawmakers.

What actually happens would depend on who the delegates are and how theyre selected. Considering the hold Republicans have on the governors office and the legislature, it could be a highly partisan undertaking.

Deslatte says a governors backing is crucial to convening a constitutional convention, but that for it to be successful, you have to alleviate fears that something nefarious will happen in that convention.
VALPARAISO  A Valparaiso woman is dead in what officials are now calling a homicide following reports of gunfire late Friday afternoon in the 350 block of Locust Street.

Jessica Kouba, 29, died as a result of blood loss, the Porter County Coroner's Office announced Monday morning.

Anthony Lee, 25, of Merrillville, who was found at the scene, was taken into custody and is being held at the Porter County Jail on unrelated charges, Valparaiso police said as part of an update Monday.

Valpo mom overdosed in front of children; son responded with life-saving drug, cops say The youngest child, who is 8, reportedly told police her mother uses drugs and described the disturbing bodily effects of the overdose.

Valparaiso police said they responded shortly before 4 p.m. Friday to reports of multiple gunshots.

Kouba was taken to Northwest Health-Porter hospital and the coroner's office said it was called out at 5:23 p.m. regarding her death.

"An autopsy was performed and cause of death was found to be exsanguination, manner of death is ruled as homicide," coroner officials said.

Lee was taken from the scene to the Valparaiso police station for questioning and remained in custody as of Monday morning on charges unrelated to the shooting, police said.

He is reportedly being held on a charge of possessing marijuana and on a Porter County warrant, according to police.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the department at 219-462-2135.

Information can also be sent by text message to TIP411 (847-411) by entering "Valpo" in the message field prior to sending.

"Please use the word 'Locust' in the first line of the message to identify the case," police said.
MICHIGAN CITY  A 16-year-old Michigan City resident is in custody after barricading himself inside a home and shooting at police during early hours on Sunday morning, police said in a statement.

At approximately 8:33 p.m. Saturday, officers received a notification from the city's Flock Safety Raven gunshot detection system of multiple shots fired in the 1600 block of Tennessee Street. Police located a residence in this block that was struck by gunfire multiple times.

Officers collected evidence on scene and identified the suspect, Ja'Narri Garrett-Coleman, who left prior to their arrival. While searching for Garrett-Coleman, officers received a second notification of shots fired at approximately 12:20 a.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of Tennessee Street.

"Responding officers discovered the same residence was struck by additional gunfire and learned the same suspect left in the same vehicle prior to their arrival," Michigan City police said in a statement.

A person inside of the home was grazed by a bullet, but refused medical attention. Police collected additional evidence and continued their search for Garrett-Coleman.

At approximately 1:18 a.m., officers located the suspect vehicle parked in front of a residence in the 1800 block of Kentucky Street.

"Four officers from Uniform Patrol Shift III attempted to contact the suspect when they were shot at numerous times by a barricaded person inside this residence," police said.

Police requested additional assistance from other officers and the SWAT team. Garrett-Coleman exited the residence at 8:49 a.m. and was taken into custody.

No officers were injured on scene, nor did they exchange gunfire. Evidence collected included a loaded handgun with a "switch" attached that converts a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic weapon, police said.

Garrett-Coleman has been charged with four counts of attempted murder, a level one felony; operating a loaded machine gun, a level four felony; two counts of criminal recklessness, a level five felony; possession of a machine gun, a level five felony; and four counts of criminal mischief, a Class-A misdemeanor.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Det. Shane Washluske at 219-874-3221, ext. 1081 or by email at swashluske@emichigancity.com.

This investigation is ongoing. No additional information is available at this time.

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PORTAGE  A driver, known only by the nickname Slick, allegedly led police on a high speed chase into Lake County before disappearing on foot, according to the incident report.

Charles Harvey, 42, of Florida, who was a passenger in the vehicle, reportedly told police he was unable to identify the driver any further.

A Portage police officer said he was patrolling around 8:30 p.m. Thursday along Portage Avenue when he spotted a suspicious vehicle and attempted a traffic stop.

The driver took off and went around crossing gates as a train was nearing on Portage Avenue near Willowcreek Road, police said.

Police then located the vehicle again and the driver led officers on a high speed chase westbound on U.S. 6, driving recklessly through intersections along the way nearly causing several accidents, according to the report.

Porter County cop injured in high speed chase ending in fiery crash A pursuing Porter County police vehicle was reportedly unable to avoid crashing into the Audi and the officer suffered a possible broken thumb and his head struck the inflated airbag in his vehicle.

The driver headed north on Interstate 65 and then west on Interstate 94 where the vehicle was eventually stopped after police succeeded in damaging its tires.

The driver was seen fleeing the vehicle on foot into a wooded area, police said.

"Officers searched the area for the male driver but were unsuccessful," according to the report.

Harvey, who said he and the driver had gone to Portage to buy marijuana, was taken into custody and faces a charge of possessing the illegal drug, police said.
VALPARAISO  A 39-year-old Valparaiso woman faces three felony counts of neglect of a dependent after overdosing on heroin in front of her children, including one who administered the opiate-neutralizing drug Narcan, according to charging documents.

One of the children of the accused, Raven Welch, reportedly told police his mother had overdosed on the bathroom floor of their Valparaiso residence in sight of all four young people.

All the children watched as one administered the life-saving drug and their mother slowly regain consciousness, but remained incoherent, police said.

"The daughters were visibly upset (crying) when I arrived and were aware of what was happening," police said. "All daughters were aware of Raven's drug use."

Valparaiso police said they responded to the residence in the 1900 block of Chicago Street around 2:30 p.m. March 2.

UPDATE: Former Porter County Judge David Chidester dead, remembered as helping the less fortunate VALPARAISO  Former Porter County Superior Court Judge David Chidester died Saturday, a year and a half after the death of his wife, retired P

The youngest child, who is 8, reportedly told police her mother uses drugs and described the disturbing bodily effects of the overdose.

Another child reported being the one who opened the bathroom door to check on Welch and finding her overdosing, police said.
The air permit for U.S. Steel's Gary Works is up for renewal and residents are asking for a public meeting that would explain the full impact of the steel mill's air pollution.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is now taking public comments on the Gary Works steel mill's air permit. The Gary Advocates for Responsible Development group is calling for a meeting during which residents would be able to ask questions and IDEM can explain the terms of the permit and what it will mean for Gary

Gary residents should immediately write IDEM and request a public meeting on the permit. Now is the time to let IDEM and U.S. Steel know that we want Gary Works to control and eliminate the pollution that fouls our air and makes people sick, said Dorreen Carey, GARD president.

U.S. Steel spokeswoman Amanda Malkowski said it was a standard renewal.

"Our Indiana facilities have some of the most stringent environmental compliance monitoring requirements in our industry across the nation, and consistently demonstrate (more than) 99% compliance with all permit requirements," she said.

Gary Works' permit comes up for renewal every five years. The pending permit renewal does not cover any new equipment that would result in additional emissions, but IDEM said there are some changes in the 735-page permit that governs what the steel mill can and cannot emit into the air.

The public has until March 23 to submit its comments. GARD is calling for a 30-day extension.

For more than a hundred years pollution from Gary Works has negatively impacted the health of Gary residents and poisoned our air, land and water. Despite the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, close to 70,000 tons a year of regulated air pollutants are still emitted annually by Gary Works. With profits of $7.593 billion dollars over the last three years, we believe U.S. Steel has the resources to implement the monitoring, workplace and technological upgrades needed to protect the health of our citizens, Carey said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported Gary Works emitted 1,019 pounds of lead and lead compounds in 2021. The EPA reported the 118-year-old steel mill emitted 51 tons of hazardous air pollutants a year in a 2011 study.

The public can submit comments by referencing air permit number 089-46943-00121 and emailing Sipaul@idem.IN.gov or writing Sidhant Paul, IDEM, Office of Air Quality, 100 North Senate Avenue, MC 61-53 IGCN 1003, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2251.
The Indiana Court of Appeals has determined there are no constitutional issues with an East Chicago man being convicted of two counts of rape and one count of attempted rape for a single attack on one teenage victim.

Harold France, 67, was found guilty last year by a Lake County jury of those crimes, as well as criminal confinement, intimidation and battery by means of a deadly weapon, for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in an East Chicago alley in October 2017, according to court records.

Records show France was sentenced to an aggregate 61-year prison term  all but ensuring he will die inside the walls of the Miami Correctional Facility, near Kokomo.

According to court records, France accosted the victim at knifepoint and asked her, Live or die? When she responded, Live, he threw her to the ground and sexually assaulted her.

During the assault, France digitally penetrated the teens sex organ, attempted to engage in sexual intercourse with her, and compelled her to perform fellatio on him, records show.

He was identified as the teens attacker based on DNA evidence collected from the victims saliva, a genital swab and an underwear swab, according to court records.

France argued in his appeal that charging him with rape, attempted rape and rape for his actions violated the constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy because they all were part of the same criminal transaction.

The appeals court disagreed in an unanimous ruling by the three-judge panel.

Judge Cale Bradford, writing for the appeals court, said Indiana law establishes separate crimes of rape and attempted rape, depending on the means by which it is perpetrated.

In this case, he said, none of Frances rape offenses was an included offense of any of the others because each required proof of a material element the others did not.

That means there is no double jeopardy violation and Frances convictions are affirmed, Bradford said.

France still can ask the Indiana Supreme Court to consider reviewing his case. Otherwise, his earliest possible release date from prison, assuming good behavior, is Nov. 24, 2063  when he will be 107 years old.

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Just as Jake Keith began explaining how too many vehicles blow through the stop sign in front of his home, a pickup truck zoomed past him without slowing down.

You see what I mean? Keith said, pointing to the relatively new stop sign, which now lights up.

He lives at the intersection of Vale Park Road and Saddlebrook Crossing, just west of Valparaiso High School on a ribbon of roadway reconstructed to cater to increased traffic from upscale neighborhoods to the west.

Vale Park Roads westbound extension has been in the citys master plan for many years. But homeowners such as Keith were under the impression that traffic safety measures would be implemented to slow down vehicles and prevent incidents or accidents involving pedestrians.

In July, 2022, city officials invited residents to attend a neighborhood input session to give feedback on the extension plans.

We understood with the final design, and before construction started, we would have a raised intersection and crosswalk, Keith wrote in his notes from that meeting. Residents left feeling we would have some traffic calming measures implemented.

Traffic calming is a system that utilizes design strategy and physical adjustments to reduce traffic speeds for the sake of safety and accessibility. It has a range of proven benefits including: speed reduction, lower fatality rates, decrease in injury severity, reduced traffic noise, better conditions for non-motorists, and improved street aesthetics, according to SMATS, a company that specializes in smart transportation data collection and analysis.

Traffic will only get worse with more subdivisions going up to the west, Keith said as his young son bicycled across Vale Park Road. (Watch a video at NWI.com.)

Keith and his wife have three young children and legitimate concerns for their safety near the familys home in the Keystone Commons neighborhood.

I believe speed humps are the absolute answer, Keith wrote to city officials in an email exchange. They are proven to work and, prior to the construction, the Keystone neighborhood had three and we did not have these issues. I don't believe this is a coincidence.

Speed humps are rounded mounds, approximately three inches high and 10 to 12 feet long. They effectively slow down traffic to 15-20 mph without making drivers uncomfortable, according to Project for Public Spaces. A study by The American Journal of Public Health found that children who lived within a block of a speed hump had significantly reduced odds of being hit by a vehicle.

Speed humps are not speed bumps, usually five inches high and less than three feet long.

City Engineer Max Rehlander replied to Keith via email, writing in part, I dont believe speed bumps are appropriate.

Keith suggested a third-party consultant to review the situation. Rehlander didnt oppose it.

As speed humps are relatively new additions to the city, itd be beneficial to have an outside source look into this area and possibly come to a Traffic and Safety meeting to inform the group, he wrote to Keith.

Speed humps are not something most of us think about until we slow down to drive over them.

In Valparaiso, there are two of them along Vale Park Road east of the high school, though no homes or pedestrians are at that stretch of road. There are a few other speed humps in the growing city in addition to a raised crosswalk in front of the new Boys & Girls Club, a perfect example of what Keystone residents were hoping for.

Following the opening of Vale Park Road after construction last fall, there has been a significant reduction in the number of traffic violators, Rehlander noted. The citys engineering department will complete a traffic study next month, then make a determination, he said.

In the meantime, Valparaiso police department has increased patrols near that intersection. On a recent weekday, after high school classes ended, I watched as a police vehicle parked in the middle of the intersection to deter motorists from driving through that recently installed stop sign.

Yes, the police are trying to do what they can, Keith told city officials. It seems silly to waste such resources on something that is not a solution when there are simple and proven alternatives.

Keith is a rare citizen in any community whos compiled comprehensive information and related data on this issue to share with the city. Its out of necessity, not to be annoying, he said.

I wasnt expecting things to turn out this way here, Keith said.

Valparaiso City Councilwoman Ellen Kapitan told me, The residents in Keystone have a right to be concerned and I am impressed with their commitment to public safety.

Last year, Rehlander restarted the citys monthly Traffic and Safety meetings to prompt residents conversations with police, fire, engineering, city services and other members of the public.

We've been able to make a lot of adjustments based on these meetings, Kapitan said.

Vale Park is now a through street for residents from the north and west side of the city, which means much more traffic and opportunity for careless driving, Kapitan said.

Pedestrian and traffic safety is one of the main reasons I got heavily involved in local politics, she said. I was in the same boat as Jake in Keystone, trying to show city leaders the sheer danger that drivers were presenting in my neighborhood.

With a new department head in engineering, I have seen significant steps in addressing concerns like this and I am especially glad they are met with seriousness and solutions, she added.

Valparaiso police have increased its presence along that stretch of Vale Park Road. At one point, two police officers parked their vehicles on both sides of that intersection and each cop was soon chasing down stop sign violators.

Keith has a surveillance camera mounted on his home recording hundreds of video clips of violators in action. That fancy new stop sign may be the most ignored one in the city.

We live this all day, every day, Keith told me as another motorist blew past us.

GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week
The first time I had brown bread from Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork, Ireland, was at a welcome lunch for students.

The menu was simple: Loaves of the bread accompanied poached Poole prawns from Ballycotton Bay, a 15-minute walk from the farm where the school sits. Darina Allen, the schools co-founder, buzzed around the room, encouraging us to spread thick slices of the bread with mayonnaise or butter, and pile on the tiny prawns. The quiet luxury of all of it was heady, but it was the plain brown loaf  nutty, barely sweet and still warm  that felt most special.
In the final chapter of Elmer McCurdys macabre posthumous journey through the American West, his red-painted corpse dangled from a noose inside a Southern California amusement park ride: a creepy bit of decor to spook the thrill seekers.

More than six decades after his death, poor old arsenic-preserved McCurdy was presumed to be a mannequin  until, in 1976, the TV series The Six Million Dollar Man came to shoot an episode at the ride, and a crew member discovered otherwise.

This is a man! the freaked-out Teamster shouts in Dead Outlaw, a mischievous but never meanspirited ghost story of a musical about McCurdy from the creators of The Bands Visit.

Conceived by David Yazbek, who wrote the Dead Outlaw music and lyrics with Erik Della Penna, this oddball new show reunites Yazbek with the book writer Itamar Moses and the director David Cromer. Based on a sensationally ghastly scrap of Old West and pop culture history that has inspired books, previous plays and a documentary, it is 180 degrees different from The Bands Visit, the gently comic, Tony Award-winning tale about an Egyptian band stranded in an Israeli town. Its also terrific fun.
Four years ago today, society began to shut down.

Shortly after noon Eastern on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared Covid  or the coronavirus, then the more popular term  to be a global pandemic. Stocks plummeted in the afternoon. In the span of a single hour that night, President Donald Trump delivered an Oval Office address about Covid, Tom Hanks posted on Instagram that he had the virus and the N.B.A. announced it had canceled the rest of its season.

It was a Wednesday, and thousands of schools would shut by the end of the week. Workplaces closed, too. People washed their hands frequently and touched elbows instead of shaking hands (although the C.D.C. continued to discourage widespread mask wearing for several more weeks).

The worst pandemic in a century had begun.

Today, on the unofficial fourth anniversary, Ill update you on where things stand.

The true toll

Covids confirmed death toll  more than seven million people worldwide  is horrific on its own, and the true toll is much worse. The Economist magazine keeps a running estimate of excess deaths, defined as the number of deaths above what was expected from pre-Covid trends. The global total is approaching 30 million.
Biden and Netanyahu clashed over war in Gaza

President Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel traded criticisms as a public dispute over Israels tactics in Gaza heated up.

Biden said in an interview that Netanyahu must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost and that hes hurting Israel more than helping Israel.

Netanyahu replied in a later interview that if Biden thought Netanyahu was going against the wish of the majority of Israelis, and that this is hurting the interests of Israel, then hes wrong on both counts.

The sparring comes as the U.N. and aid agencies warned of looming famine in the besieged enclave of about 2.2 million. Health officials in Gaza reported that at least 25 people, most of them children, had died from malnutrition and dehydration in recent days.
Trumps TikTok U-turn

TikTok users have continued to flood the social media platform  and lawmakers inboxes  with pleas to halt a bill that would force its Chinese owners to divest or face a ban in the U.S.

That effort to keep TikTok online has now attracted some unlikely backers, including Donald Trump.

A recap: Last week, a powerful House committee voted 50-0 to remove TikTok from U.S. app stores by Sept. 30 unless its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, sold its stake. A large contingent of Republicans and moderate Democrats see the app as a national security risk.

President Biden said on Friday that hed sign the bill if it reaches his desk  even as his campaign has embraced the platform.

But Trump has potentially scrambled the political calculus in Washington. Starting last week, the former president has pushed back against a TikTok ban, arguing that such a move would strengthen Metas Facebook  the true Enemy of the People! (Remember that as president, Trump issued an executive order ordering ByteDance to divest its American assets.)
When the Golden Mall opened in Flushing, Queens, in 1990, its patrons didnt mind getting lost within the maze of vendors in order to find chile oil-slicked noodles, chunky sea bass dumplings or cumin-scented lamb burgers.

For nearly two decades, it pioneered the food hall business model in Flushing, providing a launchpad for chains like Xian Famous Foods, KungFu Kitchen, Laoma Malatang and Lanzhou Handmade Noodles. The Dashan Restaurant Group started with Yozi Shanghai at the Golden Mall and eventually opened spots like Szechuan Mountain House and CheLi.

Everybody started with nothing, said Robert Cheng, whose family has owned the Golden Mall since 2000.

Now there are big plans to open a second location of the mall in Manhattan this summer, about a year after the original space in Flushing reopened following a major renovation.
A New York City landlord could face jail time in connection with dangerous conditions at two of his Manhattan apartment buildings, the city announced on Monday.

Property owners almost never face criminal consequences over neglect in their buildings.

But a housing court judge, Jack Stoller, issued an arrest warrant on Friday for the landlord, Daniel Ohebshalom, noting that problems involving lead, mold and pests have persisted at two of his buildings in Washington Heights for some 16 months.

The warrant orders the landlord to be detained for up to 60 days unless he corrects the violations.

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development said that there were nearly 700 open violations across the two buildings. Mr. Ohebshaloms buildings have been implicated several times in the city public advocates worst landlords watchlist, a ranking that is based on violations issued by city agencies.

If you create unsafe, unhealthy and unlivable conditions, we will hold you accountable, the housing commissioner, Adolfo Carrion Jr., said in a statement on Monday.
Less than a year ago, the governor of New Jersey, Philip D. Murphy, signed legislation that weakened the power of a watchdog agency set up to police election campaigns. Now, lawmakers are moving to limit another good-government effort, a public records law established to limit corruption by encouraging government transparency.

Mr. Murphy, a Democrat, has not addressed the proposal publicly, and his spokesman refused to comment on whether he would sign the bill if it reached his desk. But it comes at a critical time in his second term, and as his wife, Tammy Murphy, is running for U.S. Senate and relying on the support of some of the same Democratic lawmakers who are pushing the legislation.

The public records law, known as the Open Public Records Act, was adopted 21 years ago, well before the explosion of digital communications magnified the volume of information covered by the act  and expanded the universe of people seeking to obtain the data.

For-profit companies now use government records laws to obtain data central to their business models, at times burdening taxpayer-funded agencies, and there has been a bipartisan push across the country to evaluate public records laws.
The images were disturbing: Three large red swastikas. A menacing warning that read, I HATE BLACKS. And a graphic threat of a school shooting.

The graffiti was found on a boys bathroom stall at an elite college preparatory high school in Manhattan last week. On Monday, the authorities said the vandalism was being investigated as a potential hate crime. The Police Departments antiterrorism unit is also working with the school, and no arrests have been made.

The discovery has unnerved students and teachers at the institution, Beacon High School in Hells Kitchen. After the graffiti was found on Thursday, officers swept through the building. Some teenagers stepped out of classes to meet with counselors. Staff members fielded a flurry of worried calls and emails.

The jarring episode is the latest in a series that has rattled New York City high schools in recent months in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. A raucous demonstration at a Queens high school became a major flashpoint in the fall, after officials said a pro-Israel teacher was targeted by students. And this month in Brooklyn, several teachers reported antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents at their high school.
For the third time in six months, Senator Robert Menendez stood before a judge in Manhattan on Monday to be formally arraigned on charges in an expansive federal bribery case. He pleaded not guilty, just as he had twice before.

Once again  not guilty, your honor, Mr. Menendez told the judge, Sidney H. Stein of Federal District Court.

Mr. Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, has previously pleaded not guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for political favors and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.

On Monday, he pleaded not guilty to obstruction of justice, a charge added last week in an updated indictment.
Hundreds of demonstrators protested on Sunday outside an Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Teaneck, N.J., where 35 Israeli real estate companies were promoting their properties to potential American buyers.

The demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and signs denouncing Israel. Some brought prayer rugs and paused their chants to pray. Cars honked in support, or drivers and passengers flung vitriol at the demonstrators.

The demonstrators traded profanities and taunts with a much smaller group of pro-Israel counter-demonstrators, and police had to break up a few potential fights, but overall they kept the two groups separated.

The real estate show, at Congregation Keter Torah, is one of several in the area this month that have sparked heated protests. And just before the local events, at a sales event outside Toronto last weekend, a man was arrested on charges of attacking pro-Palestinian demonstrators with a nail gun.
For anyone but Donald J. Trump, Mondays legal docket would have induced dizziness.

In the morning, a lawyer for the writer E. Jean Carroll suggested she might sue Mr. Trump for defamation for a third time. By lunch, it emerged that Mr. Trumps lawyers had mounted a last-ditch effort to delay his upcoming criminal trial in Manhattan. And by evening, the New York attorney general asked an appeals court to maintain a $454 million judgment against Mr. Trump in yet another case.

It was a flurry of legal activity that, in a single day, demonstrated the remarkable breadth of Mr. Trumps legal entanglements.

He is not only standing trial this month on criminal charges  making him the first former American president to face prosecution  but is also fighting three other criminal cases and several civil lawsuits, all at a time when he is poised to lock up the Republican presidential nomination. Even for a man who is no stranger to legal woes, this is an unparalleled situation.

Ms. Carrolls lawyer raised the prospect of a new lawsuit after Mr. Trump in recent days repeatedly lashed out at her, using the same kind of disparaging language that led to an $83.3 million judgment against him in January.
William Gross said to sell it all, a command that would have made Wall Street shudder if he had been talking about his huge portfolio of bonds.

But he was talking about his huge portfolio of postage stamps, and Charles Shreve  a stamp dealer who built Grosss collection for him  has spent years carrying out the sell order.
There is a moment in the 2008 HBO movie Recount that illuminates an essential difference between Republicans and Democrats. The film was a fictionalized account of the mayhem that followed the 2000 presidential election in Florida.

Warren Christopher, a courtly former secretary of state, represents the Democratic candidate Al Gore. The world is watching, he intones. We are theoretically its last great democracy. If we cannot resolve this in a way that is worthy of the office we seek, what kind of hope can we give other countries that wish to share our values? James Baker, another former secretary of state, represents George W. Bush. He has a different theory of the case: This is a street fight for the presidency of the United States.

Both Mr. Christopher and Mr. Baker later said the contrast was overdrawn. Well, thats entertainment. But we keep bumping into Recount moments in politics. Democrats litigate; Republicans fight. Democrats float toward an almost helium-infused state of high-mindedness; Republicans see politics as a no-holds-barred cage match.

President Bidens pugilistic State of the Union address last week may represent a new direction. But given the partys recent history, the Democrats will probably need some CRISPR editing of their DNA.
On March 1, Iranians went to the polls for the first time since the protest movement of 2022 and the start of the war in Gaza. The vote, for the Parliament and Assembly of Experts, which appoints the supreme leader, was far from a referendum on current leaders, though. The big result was the number of people who didnt vote. Even if we are to believe official numbers, the turnout for the elections was the lowest since the Islamic Revolution of 1979: Only 41 percent of Iranian voters showed up at the polls.

Regardless of the turnout, change would not have come at the ballot box. The theocratic regime has never held free or fair elections, but this one made even the facade of fairness difficult to uphold. Most reformists and even centrists were barred from running. Iranians instead had the option to vote for varying degrees of conservative and hard-line candidates, often competing only in their effusive praise for the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

But it would be a mistake to assume that hard-line victories and political stagnation augur the continuation of the status quo. Despite their Islamist declarations, many politicians in the Islamic Republic are not ideologues or revolutionaries but technocrats or pragmatists who have gathered around Ayatollah Khamenei for proximity to his power.

Todays Iran is held together by the octogenarian Ayatollah Khamenei and his authority. After his death, Iran is likely to make a sharp turn in its policies. A closer look at the cast of characters vying for power behind the scenes shows that Irans policies are likely to be made more palatable both to its people and to the West, turning the country away from theocracy toward a mundane military authoritarian regime. A new Iran may be on the horizon, even if its not the Iran that anti-regime protesters hope for.
To the Editor:

Re How to Teach Students About a Politicized Supreme Court, by Jesse Wegman (Opinion, March 3):

Mr. Wegman asserts that teaching constitutional law has relied on the belief that the Supreme Court is a legitimate institution of governance and its justices, whatever their political backgrounds, care about getting the law right.

Perhaps it is because I am a political scientist teaching constitutional law and politics to undergraduates rather than a legal scholar teaching it to aspiring lawyers, but this premise suffers from a rosy reading of the past.

From the very outset of the American republic, the Supreme Court has engaged in political maneuvering framed in legal language. Through the Civil War and the New Deal and the social tumult of the 1960s, the justices offered legal reasoning embodying political ideology and swollen with political ramifications.

We can decry the potentially suspect motivations behind Bush v. Gore or the shoddy treatment of historical evidence in the Bruen gun rights case, and we can lament the polarization of the confirmation process or the partisan voting patterns of the current justices. But the idea that we are shocked  shocked!  to find politics going on here is simply not credible.
In January of 2014, a meteor fell from space off the coast of Papua New Guinea. That might have been the end of it, but several years later Avi Loeb, a theoretical astrophysicist at Harvard, drew on seismic data from near the site, looked for crash remains on the ocean floor and proposed that the remains may reflect an extraterrestrial technological origin.

Dr. Loeb has previously been accused by his peers of wild speculation and sensationalism. Last fall, Benjamin Fernando, a planetary seismologist at Johns Hopkins University, led a team that re-examined the nearby seismic signals and concluded that they were not evidence of the extraterrestrial, or anything close to it.

On Tuesday, Dr. Fernando will present the data in detail at scientific conference. Recently, he sat down with The New York Times to preview what his team had found. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

How did this all start?

In 2014, a meteor entered the atmosphere and went bang. Sometimes, you hear these meteors on seismometers. Avi Loeb wrote a paper to say that hed found the seismic signal from this meteor and that hed used it to locate exactly where the meteor debris fell. And from that, they mounted an expedition and picked stuff up off the sea floor.

In one paper, Dr. Loeb and a co-author wrote that they confirmed the fireball location in the ocean from the timing of the strong seismic signal. But youve determined that the seismic information wasnt coming from a meteor. What do you think it was coming from?
Ira von Furstenberg, who came as close as one can get to having it all as an Italian-born princess descended from Charlemagne, an heiress to the Fiat fortune, a Vogue model, a big-screen ingenue and a globe-trotting bon vivant, died on Feb. 19 at her home in Rome. She was 83.

Her son, Hubertus von Hohenlohe, said she died after breaking ribs and perforating her lungs in a domestic accident.

Blending the gilded privilege of the old-world European aristocracy with the elan of the midcentury film and fashion peerage, Ms. von Furstenberg seemingly defined the term jet setter, bouncing between homes in Rome, London, Paris and Madrid and on Lake Geneva.

My only real home is on airplanes, she said. I spend so much time going from country to country that my children suspect that Im really a flight attendant.
Kenn Dahl says he has always been a careful driver. The owner of a software company near Seattle, he drives a leased Chevrolet Bolt. Hes never been responsible for an accident.

So Mr. Dahl, 65, was surprised in 2022 when the cost of his car insurance jumped by 21 percent. Quotes from other insurance companies were also high. One insurance agent told him his LexisNexis report was a factor.

LexisNexis is a New York-based global data broker with a Risk Solutions division that caters to the auto insurance industry and has traditionally kept tabs on car accidents and tickets. Upon Mr. Dahls request, LexisNexis sent him a 258-page consumer disclosure report, which it must provide per the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

What it contained stunned him: more than 130 pages detailing each time he or his wife had driven the Bolt over the previous six months. It included the dates of 640 trips, their start and end times, the distance driven and an accounting of any speeding, hard braking or sharp accelerations. The only thing it didnt have is where they had driven the car.
Watching an episode of The Innocence Files, about a Los Angeles man who served 20 years in prison for a murder he did not commit and the lawyer who freed him, Ms. Jacobs sensed she had found a calling. So she reached out to the lawyer, Ellen Eggers, and told her she wanted to help investigate cases like the one on the show.

Ms. Eggers, a retired public defender who once worked for Cesar Chavez helping farmworkers become lawyers and now works on innocence cases for no fee, was skeptical of Ms. Jacobss overture. But she was overburdened with cases, and Ms. Jacobs was insistent. Eventually, she told Ms. Jacobs about the case of Jofama Coleman, which Ms. Eggers had learned about from Mr. Colemans ex-wife.
The budget that President Biden released on Monday projects to cut deficits by $3 trillion over a decade, and it does so with an approach that has become familiar: tax increases for companies and the wealthy.

The president previewed several of the proposals in his State of the Union speech last week and contrasted them with those of Republicans, who have called for extending most of the $2 trillion of tax cuts that former President Donald J. Trump signed into law in 2017. For Mr. Biden, tax policy has been at the center of his efforts to make the economy more equitable and to counter Republican tax proposals that Democrats deride as giveaways to the wealthy.

Does anybody here think the tax codes fair? Mr. Biden said during remarks in New Hampshire on Monday. I don't either.
House Republican leaders are moving this week to pass legislation that would force the Chinese owners of TikTok to sell the platform or face being barred in the United States, even after former President Donald J. Trump came out against targeting the popular social media app he once vowed to ban.

Representative Steve Scalise, Republican of Louisiana and the majority leader, said on Monday that the House would try to speed the bill to passage under special procedures reserved for noncontroversial legislation, which require a two-thirds majority for passage. The approach reflected the bills growing momentum on Capitol Hill during an election year in which members of both political parties are eager to demonstrate a willingness to be tough on China.

We must ensure the Chinese government cannot weaponize TikTok against American users and our government through data collection and propaganda, Mr. Scalise said in his weekly preview of legislation to be considered on the House floor.

The 13-page bill is the product of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, which has served as an island of bipartisanship in the polarized House. The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted unanimously last week to advance the legislation, which would remove TikTok from app stores in the United States by Sept. 30 unless its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, sold its stake.
For Judge Scott McAfee, it was probably an awkward moment.

At a hearing in Atlanta last month, he issued a warning to his former boss, Fani T. Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, during her combative turn on the witness stand. Ms. Willis, who was fighting allegations that threatened her grip on the election interference case against former President Donald J. Trump, had grown so irritated with a defense lawyer that she began expressing her frustration directly to the judge.

Im going to have to caution you, the soft-spoken Judge McAfee, of Fulton County Superior Court, told her in response. We have to listen to the questions as asked. And if this happens again and again, Im going to have no choice but to strike your testimony.

Ms. Williss filibustering whirlwind subsided as she waved a hand in exasperation.

Now Judge McAfee, who at 34 is too young to be president himself, is preparing to issue a high-stakes decision in the Georgia case against the former president and 14 of his allies: whether to disqualify Ms. Willis on the grounds that a romance she had with Nathan Wade, the lawyer she hired to run the case, created an untenable conflict of interest.

Legal experts generally agree that Ms. Willis used poor judgment in paying a romantic partner public funds while he was also at least partly paying for vacations they took together  the basis for the defense argument that she engaged in self-dealing.
Just months ago, Geert Wilders was an anathema to most Dutch political parties.

A disruptive and divisive force on the far right for two decades, Mr. Wilders has said he wants to end immigration from Muslim countries, tax head scarves and ban the Quran. He has called Moroccan immigrants scum. His Party for Freedom has supported leaving the European Union.

But then Mr. Wilders won national elections convincingly in November. Nearly a quarter of Dutch voters chose his party, which won 37 of 150 seats in the House of Representatives, a huge margin by the standards of a fractious party system that rests on consensus and coalition building.

Since then, Mr. Wilders has become an unavoidable political force. He is the biggest, said Janka Stoker, a professor of leadership and organizational change at the University of Groningen, of Mr. Wilders. They simply cant ignore him.
A German court on Monday convicted an American man of raping and murdering a woman and attempting to murder her companion near the Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the countrys most famous tourist destinations.

A nearby bridge known for its panoramic views of the fairy-tale castle became a crime scene in June when the 31-year-old man attacked two young American women, who had been on a trip to Europe after their college graduation.

In imposing a life sentence, the court established the particular gravity of the guilt, a spokesman for the court said, adding that the man was charged with murder and rape resulting in the death in relation to the first victim, and attempted murder and grievous bodily harm in relation to the second. This means that the defendant will not be eligible for parole after the customary 15 years, though possibly at a later date.

(In Germany, a life sentence is not for a specific time period. A convicted person is usually allowed to apply for parole after 15 years and then, if rejected, to reapply every two years.)
Streets and squares are being changed from Ukrainian names to those from the Soviet era. Only Russian passport holders will have access to health care and social services. Teachers have been forced to switch to Russian curriculums.

The Ukrainian port city of Mariupol has been a symbol of Russias brutal invasion and occupation of vast areas of Ukrainian territory. But as the war drags on and Moscow tries to turn the city into a model of Russification, Mariupols fate risks slipping away from the worlds consciousness.

So it was with satisfaction and hope that Ukraine on Monday celebrated winning its first-ever Oscar for the documentary 20 Days in Mariupol, which recounts the ferocity of the Russian siege of the city in spring 2022.

The Oscar for the film, Ukrainians said, may help refocus attention on the martyred city and the war in general, at a time when aid from allies is uncertain and Russian troops are retaking some ground.
The jets are ready, and the flight instructors are waiting, at a new training center in Romania that was created to teach Ukraines pilots to fly the F-16 warplane. But theres a catch: The Ukrainian pilots have yet to arrive, despite declarations last summer that the center would play a crucial role in getting them into the air to defend their country from increasingly deadly Russian strikes.

Its still unclear when Ukrainian pilots will begin training at the center, at the Fetesti air base in southeast Romania, which NATO allies also are using to get schooled on the fighter jets. But the delay is a window into the confusion and chaos that has confronted the military alliances rush to supply the F-16s.

That is not to say that Ukraines pilots are not being prepared. Twelve pilots so far  fewer than a full squadron  are expected to be ready to fly F-16s in combat by this summer after 10 months of training in Denmark, Britain and the United States.

But by the time the pilots return to Ukraine, as few as six F-16s will have been delivered out of about 45 of the fighter jets that European allies have promised.
President Biden, marking the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, said he would press for a cease-fire in Gaza and more humanitarian aid for the territory, and noted that many American Muslims were grieving for family members killed there.

The war has inflicted terrible suffering on the Palestinian people, Mr. Biden said in the statement, released Sunday night, adding that more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, including thousands of children. In addition, nearly two million people have been displaced and need food, water and shelter, he said.

Mr. Bidens comments were part of a tradition of U.S. presidential statements marking religious holidays, but they carried additional political significance given many Arab Americans opposition to U.S. support for Israels war against Hamas in Gaza.

In one measure of the wars potential electoral significance, more than 100,000 voters in Michigans Democratic primary last month registered their ballot as uncommitted. That signaled discontent over the war among Arab Americans, as well as some young voters and progressives, in a battleground state.

Mr. Biden noted that the United States was carrying out airdrops of aid and reiterated a U.S. commitment to building a temporary pier on Gazas coast, as well as working with Israel to expand deliveries of aid by land.

Since Oct. 7, when Hamas led an attack on Israel in which the authorities there say around 1,200 people were killed, the number of trucks entering Gaza daily with food and other humanitarian aid has dropped by around 80 percent, according to U.N. data.

The United States will continue working nonstop to establish an immediate and sustained cease-fire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages, Mr. Biden said, referring to around 100 hostages seized on Oct. 7 who the Israeli authorities say remain in captivity in Gaza.

We will continue building toward a long-term future of stability, security, and peace, he said in the statement, which also decried an appalling resurgence of hate and violence toward Muslim Americans.
As the sermon about the Muslim holy month of Ramadan sounded over the speakers from Al Aqsa Mosque, 13-year-old Yousef al-Sideeq sat on a bench outside the compounds gates.

Most Fridays they prevent me from getting in, for no reason, the young Jerusalem resident said, referring to the Israeli police.

Every Friday, Yousef visits Jerusalems Old City to pray at Al Aqsa, the third holiest site for Muslims and part of the compound sacred to Jewish people, who call it the Temple Mount. But since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks and Israels ensuing bombardment of Gaza, heavily armed Israeli police forces who guard many of the Old Citys gates have stopped him from entering the compound, he said.

He has managed to get in only twice.

Muslim access to the mosque has long been a point of contention as Israel has exerted tighter control in recent years over the compound, one of many restrictions Palestinians living under decades of Israeli occupation have had to endure.
The Yemen-based branch of Al Qaeda said on Sunday that its leader, Khaled Batarfi, had died.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, known as A.Q.A.P., released a video announcing Mr. Batarfis death, showing images of him wrapped in a white funeral shroud overlaid with a black Al Qaeda flag. It did not explain how he had died.

The United States government once considered Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to be one of the worlds most dangerous terrorist organizations. The group tried and failed at least three times to blow up American airliners, and has been targeted by American drone strikes for two decades. But in that time, its power and ability to carry out attacks outside of Yemen have both diminished, according to scholars who study the group.

It will be interesting to observe whether the group charts a new course in coming months, said Gregory D. Johnsen, a Yemen expert at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. A.Q.A.P. has struggled in recent years, losing territory and recruits and, at the moment, is a shadow of its former self.

In the video statement, Ibrahim Al-Qosi, a Sudanese senior leader in the group, expressed his heartfelt condolences and sincere regret over the death of Mr. Batarfi.

He said that the groups new leader would be Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, of Yemen. The United States previously offered a $6 million reward for information about Mr. al-Awlaki, and $5 million for tips about Mr. Batarfi.

Born in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Batarfi traveled in the 1990s to Afghanistan and fought alongside the Taliban before joining Al Qaedas branch in Yemen, according to a U.S. informational sheet about him. He was believed to have been in his 40s when he died.
Friends and family of Class 10 students taking an important exam at a school in Haryana, India were filmed climbing the back wall of the building to pass cheat sheets to their loved ones.

The Chandrawati School in Haryanas Nuh district recently found itself at the center of a massive exam cheating scandal after viral videos of people scaling the wall of the school in order to pass cheat sheets to students found their way on social media. School officials insisted that no cheating occurred during the Class 10 board exam on Wednesday and that people merely attempted to help their friends and relatives, but some sources claim that these real-life Spider Men only started climbing the school after being given the exact questions on the test and looking up the right answers to them.

The India Times newspaper reports that someone took pictures of the questionnaire for the Physical Education exam and shared it with the students friends and family waiting in a parking lot behind the exam building. This allowed the people to look up the answers, write them on pieces of paper, and then share them with the students through tiny windows.

One of the videos shows at least a dozen people climbing the concrete building and calling students to the windows so they can pass them the answers. However, despite evidence of the cheating, school officials claim that the video merely shows a cheating attempt, adding that security managed to prevent outside interference during the exam.

The men were creating chaos outside the school and no cheating took place inside. Though they were trying to call out to the students inside, we made sure nothing untoward happened, school staff said in a statement.

Our school does not face any problem, all the disruptions are by those outside. We dont even allow anyone except students to enter the premises. No cheating takes place and students take their exams properly. Police patrol the area, and officers are stationed in different corners of the campus, Principal Nidhi Rohilla added.

However, despite the complete denial of school officials, there are those who say that this type of cheating is routine behavior at the school, and that security during important exams is merely a formality.

This is an annual affair, and I have been witnessing it regularly. Though police pay visits, it is a formality, a former student at Chandrawati School told the Indian Express.



This is a routine activity. Friends of the students throw cheating material through window grilles to help students taking exams. Most teachers dont protest, a Class 10 student confirmed.

India has been dealing with blatant exam cheating for a long time now. Back in 2015, we first posted about such an incident at a school in Bihar, where friends and relatives of 12th-class students also climbed the school walls to pass them cheat sheets.
A young Chinese woman who went to sleep every night for two years by playing music in her headphones now has to wear a hearing aid to compensate for the hearing loss.

Ms. Wang, a young woman from Shandong, China who works as a secretary at a local firm, recently went to the hospital for an ear exam after noticing that she had hearing problems. Often, when her supervisor would whisper to her during meetings, she had trouble understanding his words and she was worried that this would end up causing problems at work. A thorough examination revealed that the woman had suffered permanent neurological hearing damage in her left ear, which accounted for her trouble hearing her boss. Asked if she had suffered any trauma or if her ears had been subjected to loud noises for long periods of time, Ms. Wang said that the only thing she could think of was listening to music through her headphones every night.

When I was in college, I liked falling asleep while listening to music. Once I started listening to it, I would sleep with the headphones on all night. It has become a habit, and I have been doing this for about two years, the woman reportedly told her doctor.

Li Tao, director of the Department of Otolaryngology at the hospital, told Chinese newspaper The Paper that Ms. Wangs hearing loss had most likely been caused by the music she listened to every night. Even though the volume wasnt excessive, the ears were subjected to noise for long periods of time and this eventually caused permanent hearing damage.

Luckily for Ms. Wang, it was only her left ear that was affected by the constant noise, and the damage was mild enough that the loss of hearing function can be compensated with a hearing aid.

Photo: Unsplash

Interestingly, we featured a very similar story in 2019, when a Taiwanese man woke up deaf in one ear after falling asleep while listening to music through a pair of earbuds.

Ms. Wangs story went viral in China recently and is being treated as a cautionary tale by youths. Doctors advise people to follow the principle of the three 60 to avoid similar problems: do not expose your ears to an environment exceeding 60 decibels for a long time, do not wear headphones or listen to loud music for more than 60 minutes, and when using sound-playing electronics, try to keep the volume under 60 percent.
David Barkoe, founder and CEO of Carve Communications, says its possible to effectively lead teams, even virtual ones, through any challenge.

From our discussion, youll take away critical insights on maximizing your leadership when times are seemingly tough or merely uncertain. Here are excerpts from the full video interview:

What's your advice on how to successfully lead a team during times that seem to be better, but might still be somewhat uncertain?

I do believe that this year will be an improvement over 2023. We're already witnessing some positive signs. Unfortunately, it's crucial to recognize that challenges often begin before they become apparent to many.

When adversity strikes, is everyone united in purpose? Are they rowing together, in sync and with determination? That's a motto and a theme we have here at Carve because those who want to be in the boat stand out. When they're all rowing in the same direction, it helps turn around the bad quicker.

It's about ensuring everyone is aligned, and moving in the same direction, and that the leader is avoiding excessive micromanagement. Considering the uncertainty of future challenges is essential in maintaining unity. Who knows what lies ahead in 2027, 2028, or 2030?

Let's discuss PR a bit. It's akin to an organization laying the groundwork, and establishing relationships with the local community, media, and influencers, during prosperous times. This ensures their support and that good will endure through changes. Simultaneously, leading through uncertain and challenging times is the true test of a great leader. Guiding in good times may be somewhat easier than in tough times.



I find the analogy of turning around and seeing followers behind you, people rowing in the same boat, as you mentioned, profoundly significant. It underscores the importance of leadership periodically checking in on their team's morale and engagement.

What are you observing? What's the big picture? In an era of employee disengagement, turning around more frequently is crucial. If they're not engaged, you're the leader. What will you do about it? It's also important to distinguish simple engagement with the company or brand from the day-to-day work.

Those are two distinct things. Yes, everyone must complete their tasks and deliver for clients and partners. But do they also contribute to your company or brand during weekly stand-up calls? Do they seem engaged or bored?

Are they joining in a Zoom happy hour at your invitation, or are they attending live events if you're back in the office? There are two ways to assess engagement and ensure everyone is on board. It's crucial to pay attention to these indicators.

What can agency owners and leaders of other communications organizations do to improve motivation, morale, and culture during trying or uncertain times?

My firm belief is that if you interview the rest of my team, theyll tell you it's about listening, engaging, opening my door, and making them feel empowered to help the company push through as much as possible. Its about giving them more control, not less. If things are going badly, I shouldn't jump in and try to fix everything myself.

You don't do a 180 of what you've been doing during the good times. That micromanagement turns people off. Everybody wants to be empowered and enabled.

And that's both in great times as we've grown, as well as tougher times when we stagnated here for a few months. Now were looking at growth again, and it doesn't matter if they're the interim getting paid hourly or a mid-level staffer or a VP. Its important to give everybody a seat at that Solution Table. Why?

Because sometimes it might be something big, sometimes something small. But most of the time, I don't have those answers because I'm not doing the work daily. They're the ones out there seeing it, hearing it, listening to it, engaging it, activating it.

Thanks for opening that door. One phrase I hear from leaders is "What if they bring me ideas and I just don't think it's right like?

Your response is important and will affect how often they bring ideas to you. One powerful response is "Thank you for bringing me that idea. We're not running with it this time. Here's the direction were going to go, and I need you in the boat with me on this initiative. But keep bringing in ideas, because next time we may just implement yours.

I have to comment on what you said about no micromanagement. It's proven to lead to disengagement because the idea is You can't do it, only I can do it. Who wants to work for someone like that? People stop. They say, "You're so smart. Go ahead, do it yourself."

And then what happens to your leadership legacy? No one says, "They were a great micromanager!" I believe micromanagement and effective leadership are mutually exclusive. While wanting to control everything may be understandable and tempting, it's important to consider the long-term implications.

As a leader, you must pause and consider, "What's the long-term strategy here?" Additionally, as you progress in your leadership role, whether you're an owner like myself or a senior account executive who has advanced to an account director or higher positions, it's essential to evaluate how people are working for you and with you.

You relinquish those responsibilities. What you do as a CEO and owner is not the same as what you did as a VP, or even six years ago. This is a challenge I face, and I'm sure others do too: Am I not doing enough? Shouldn't I be doing that?

Thats when the leader must remind themself: No, I shouldnt! That's why I have a team. That's why I pay people. Whether you're an owner, a VP-level executive in an agency, or in-house, the answer remains No!

It's crucial to remember that regardless of your role, individuals are available to perform that work effectively. Part of this means letting go of the notion that only you can handle it, or that you've done it all. As you progress from being a learner to a practitioner to a manager, and finally to a leader, it's important to encourage yourself to ask, "In this moment, if I were a leader, what would I do?"

How Do You Drive Culture Among Remote or Partially Remote Teams?

We operate as a fully remote team. During the early months of the COVID pandemic, we let go of our office space in Miami, and our team members moved all across the country. I have made minimal efforts to actively shape the company culture other than giving my team the keys.

We're approaching nearly four years, which is difficult for all of us to believe. Throughout this time, I have never dictated that things must be done a certain way or followed a specific path. Ive asked our team of nine people that has now grown to 23 members, "What do you want? What is going to make you happy in this virtual world?

I say this a lot: I do not know what a 26-year-old living in an apartment in New York City wants. I don't know what somebody who's 24 living in their parents attic right now wants to create culture.

Five years ago, when we were all in office, we could do things together as a team. I gave the team the keys to the culture train long ago, and it's worked out tremendously. All they do is ask, Can we do this?

Yes, we can achieve this because I understand that fostering such an environment is key to cultivating the virtual culture that we cannot replicate in person. This approach aligns with the way our business operates, and I believe it has been highly successful. I've witnessed members of my team step up and express a desire to contribute to the creation of our culture, which has been truly inspiring.

***

Ken Jacobs is the principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching, which empowers PR and communications leaders and executives to breakthrough results via executive coaching, and helps communications agencies achieve their business development, profitability, and client service goals, via consulting and training. You can find him at www.jacobscomm.com, [email protected] @KensViews, or on LinkedIn.
The New York State Dept. of Health AIDS Institute is looking for a firm to run a social media campaign to educate people about the syndemics of HIV, hepatitis C and sexually transmitted infections.
Kyiv Global Outreach has hired DCI Group, which has strong ties to the Republican Party, for media and public affairs work.

The move comes as GOP support for arming Ukraine in its fight against Russia falters.

DCIs contract calls for helping to rebuild and maintain strong public support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression,and to back policies that strengthen Ukrainian security and the conditions for peace.

The pact runs from Feb. 26 through the end of the year. It is worth $3.6M.

DCI managing partner Justin Peterson, who worked on the presidential campaigns of Elizabeth Dole and George W. Bush, heads the Ukrainian business.

Kyiv Global Outreachs purpose is to carry out analytical, research, educational and advocacy activities to preserve Ukraines democratic values and promote industrial and economic development of the country.
An Offaly student has been chosen as the Leinster winner in a prestigious essay competition.

St Brendans Community College student Karo Bekker secured the prize for the best essay in Leinster at the Oireachtas Essay Competition prizegiving in Leinster House on Friday, 1st March.

Karo received his prize from Ceann Comhairle, Sean O Fearghail TD, at a ceremony attended by the winning students, their parents/guardians, teachers, as well as Competition judges and sponsors. The prizegiving ceremony was followed by lunch and a tour of Leinster House.

The Competition, sponsored by book publishers and distributors Eason, Folens and CJ Fallon, was devised by Independent NUI Senator Ronan Mullen with the support of An Ceann Comhairle and the Oireachtas Education Unit.

Senior Cycle (5th and 6th Year) and AS/A Level students across the Island of Ireland were invited to submit essays in Irish or English on the theme Parliamentary Politics Matters for Peace or An Pharlaimint agus an tSiochain.

Over 4,500 in prizemoney went to the winners, out of a 6,000 prize fund. Students whose essays were Highly Commended will receive certificates and cash prizes at a ceremony in their schools.

The judges praised Karo for writing an interesting and insightful profile of Nelson Mandela as an agent of peace in a troubled 20th century South Africa. The essay touches on some interesting tensions between the ultimate authority of parliament and the importance of a central, charismatic leader to which a nation can cleave.

Presenting the prizes, Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail said that greater engagement by young people with the political system was vital for the health of our democracy and for our ability to overcome the many challenges we face at home and abroad.

We are delighted with the growing support for the Oireachtas Essay Competition  reflected in a large increase this year in both the number of entries received and the number of schools from which they came, says Senator Ronan Mullen, Competition Convenor. There is a widespread appreciation in schools of the value of getting students to think about our democracy and the need to work it for the common good.
TWO men involved in an affray at a shopping centre in Tullamore have been ordered to pay 500 each to a community association.

The local District Court was told that John McCarthy (24), Puttaghaun Close, Tullamore and Billy (named in court by a garda as Bernard) Power (43), Chancery Lane, Tullamore were seen fighting each other near the Bridge Centre and the incident was captured on CCTV.

Judge Andrew Cody was told that Mr Power had 14 previous convictions, including one for the cultivation of cannabis.

Mr McCarthy's only previous conviction related to failing to wear a seat belt.

David Nugent, BL, counsel for Mr McCarthy said the accused was an unemployed married man who got into a row with Mr Power over something very innocuous.

He admitted he should have known better. He's not 13 any more, said Mr Nugent.

The barrister said there was no intoxication on Mr McCarthy's part and he asked the court to accept a contribution of 250 from the man to maintain his good character.

It was just one of those things, added Mr Nugent, saying both parties had got caught up in it.

Tony McGlynn, solicitor for Mr Power, said there would be no difficulty going forward between the parties and though there had been some bad blood between the families, it was not between the two individuals before the court.

Obviously on this occasion it seems to have got out of hand, said Mr McGlynn.

Mr McGlynn added that his client was on disability, suffered from chronic anxiety and had one adult son.

Mr Power had driven to the shopping centre to collect his mother and wife and had brought 250 to court.

Judge Cody said he did not accept this was about nothing and there was something behind it but he did not know what it was.

He remanded both men on continuing bail to appear in court again on April 3 next.

On that date both men are to pay 500 each to Cadamstown Community Association who are carrying out tidy towns work and if that is done he will be prepared to strike out both charges.
THE Heritage Council has come out strongly against the plan for a 13-storey building in Tullamore town centre.

In a submission to Offaly County Council on the planning application from local developer Seamus Kane, the Heritage Council says it cannot support the proposal.

The council says it supports efforts to achieve more sustainable patterns of development in villages and county towns and states the redevelopment of inner urban core sites, particularly those dominated by surface car parking, can bring benefits to the living and historic environment of towns such as Tullamore.

But it adds: However, there is a need to ensure that there is not a misguided conflation between high density and high buildings in terms of achieving compact growth. It is clear that this conflation is being made in relation to the approach to the design of this proposed scheme. High density compact growth does not necessarily mean high buildings. The latter inevitably has significant impacts on the heritage of historic townscapes. Relatively high density can be achieved by high site coverage, rather than by building height.

In particular, the council hits out at the designers' declaration that the development represents an exciting redefinition of the city centre through a series of new buildings...

The council says: Tullamore is a typical county market town with a strong rural hinterland; therefore, it is not a large urban city centre and a redefinition of one of the midlands traditional streetscapes is not warranted or welcomed.

It acknowledges that it calls the forthrightness of the designers when they say the project will represent a new paradigm but says the design approach is fundamentally flawed.

How this new development presents itself to the existing townscape, particularly in relation to the height, scale, and massing of the new build elements, cannot be supported on heritage grounds.

The Heritage Council also has concerns that if permitted, the Tullamore project could lead to similar developments in other parts of the country: The visual change to Tullamore will be significantly negative, irrespective of the intention and shows little regard for the existing townscape character and its evolution; therefore setting an undesirable precedent, that if replicated, would significantly alter, and damage the historic integrity of our county towns and rural market towns.

READ https://www.ireland-live.ie/news/offaly-live/1422656/eighteen-storey-building-was-one-option-considered-for-massive-tullamore-development.html

The assessment is not entirely negative. The Heritage Council welcomes in principle the refurbishment of the DE Williams House and the stone outbuilding behind it (known locally as the Cornloft) and which the council says was formerly a bottling structure.

There is no objection to the new glazed section which will connect the main house to the former bottling structure, which if executed successfully could benefit the setting of both the house and this outbuilding.

On the other hand, the council objects to the height of the proposed glazed structure between the main house and the outbuilding and says it should be lower than the eaves.

In its conclusion the Heritage Council states: we consider the approach to this development flawed. There is disregard to existing townscape character resulting in a design that by virtue of its mass, height, bulk, and scale, is completely inappropriate to the county town context. The dynamic between high density and high buildings is conflated, resulting in a proposal that would set a very undesirable precedent for inner town core redevelopment in historic towns throughout Ireland. As such the Heritage Council does not support the scheme as currently proposed.

The Heritage Council is a public body which provides policy advice for government on heritage issues such as sustainability, landscape management, high nature value farming, forestry and climate change.

It is a prescribed body under the planning acts so applications such as the Tullamore one must be referred on to it.

Seamus Kane heads up Cayenne Holdings, the company behind the ambitious plan to redevelop the site between Patrick Street, Offaly Street and Kilbride Plaza where a Tesco/Quinnsworth store and a car park were located.

Mr Kane has said the aim of the Distillery Yard residential and commercial project is to ensure that Tullamore will bustle with life once more.

He said the project is set to be an exemplar of urban regeneration and it has already received the backing of local Fianna Fail TD, Barry Cowen, who described it is an exciting application.

Mr Kane said: Like many town centres in Ireland, the former market town has been subject to falling footfalls and general decline in recent years. People are not living in the town centre.

In a move that will strengthen Tullamores existing offerings, this mixed-use development will combine new high quality public realm with streets and squares.

There will be over 200 apartments, public squares, shops and restaurants in six blocks from two to 13 storeys.

A two to three-storey block will be partly contained within the former De Bruns public house, with a change of use to two cafes or licensed restaurants.

DE Williams House, which is a protected structure, will have five cafes/restaurants to its rear.

Access for traffic will be both from O'Connell Street (which is off Kilbride Street), as well as Offaly Street and William Street.

A nearby building which was formerly the location of the multi-storey Texas department store has been demolished to make way for a new Aldi supermarket.
A 60-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving in relation to a Co Monaghan crash in which two teenage best friends died.

Kiea McCann, 17, and Dlava Mohamed, 16, died after the car they were travelling in left the road and crashed into a tree in the Legnakeely area on July 31 while on their way to a debs ball.

Anthony McGinn, 60, of Drumloo, Newbliss, Co Monaghan, appeared before Monaghan District Court charged with dangerous driving, including speed, causing the deaths of Kiea McCann and Dlava Mohamed.

McGinn was also charged with dangerous driving that led to another person being seriously injured.

Hundreds of mourners attended the funerals of the girls, who had been close friends since Dlavas family arrived in Clones as part of a resettlement programme for Syrians.

In mid-December, Gardai arrested two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

Appearing before court on Monday, McGinn was granted bail before the next court appearance.
Funeral details have been announced for BBC journalist Nick Sheridan, who is to be laid to rest this week.

The former RTE news2day presenter died from a brain aneurysm at the age of 32, on March 6.

Nick was originally from Wexford, he was both a children's author and a journalist.

After obtaining a journalism degree from DCU, he worked with had worked for RTE for three years before moving to Glasgow. In Scotland, he first worked for STV News before moving on to a role at BBC Scotland.

He will be reposing at Hammel's Funeral Home, Kilmuckridge (Y25 C9T3) on Tuesday, March 12 from 2pm, concluding with prayers at 7.30pm.

Funeral arriving to St Ibar's Church, Castlebridge on Wednesday for Funeral Mass at 11am, followed by a private committal for family and close friends at Mount Jerome Crematorium.

Since the tragic news broke out, tributes have been pouring in for Nick, who has been described as a 'hugely talented journalist' by many of his colleagues.

Former minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, paid tribute to Nick.

So terribly sad to read this. It is truly awful. Nick was young, talented, vivacious, and full of potential. What a horrible, senseless loss. My thoughts are with his family, colleagues and many friends, Ms Sturgeon wrote in tribute.

Gary Smith, Head of News and Current Affairs at BBC Scotland, called him a wonderful colleague and a hugely talented journalist.

Nick has been a wonderful colleague. He was a hugely talented journalist, presenter and author - and one of those rare people who light up the lives of everyone around them. Funny, clever, kind. A lovely man, said Gary Smith.

Our hearts go out to his parents, to his partner and to all his family and friends, he added.

I cannot believe I've written this. Nick was the funniest, sharpest and best of hosts. He soothed me over many TV nerves and was just the loveliest, loveliest of men. What a ridiculous loss this is. Love to all Nick's family, colleagues and friends, paid broadcaster Catriona Stewart in tribute.
The Central Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant after a man who attempted to murder his wife 12 years ago allegedly breached the terms of his release by trying to contact his victim.

Lounes Ouachek had admitted trying to murder his wife by beating her with a kettlebell after becoming resentful of her independence.

At the Central Criminal Court this Monday, Detective Sergeant Mary Fitzpatrick gave evidence that Lounes Ouachek had failed to appear in court despite being notified of his requirement to be present.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott made an order for the arrest warrant.

Lounes Ouachek, aged 54, formerly of St Dominic's Terrace, Tallaght, Dublin 24, pleaded guilty, in 2014, to the attempted murder of Ruta Ouachek at that address on August 23 2012.

He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with the final three suspended, by Mr Justice Paul Carney, on July 21, 2014.

The Court of Appeal later reduced his sentence to 15 years with the final four suspended. At a previous hearing Garret McCormack BL, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said one of the conditions set by Mr Justice Carney in 2014 was that there be no contact between Ouachek and his wife "in perpetuity".

The 2014 sentencing hearing was told that Algerian national Ouachek had met his wife, a Lithuanian national, in Germany in 2000. The got married a year later and moved to Ireland in 2005.

Following the birth of their daughter in 2007, Ms Ouachek entered full time education and the defendant  a devout muslim, the court heard - developed a resentment of his wife's new-found independence and the little time she was spending at home.

Ouachek took his daughter to Algeria but was subsequently persuaded to return by his wife.He had legally separated from his wife when he began "stalking" her and breached an interim barring order.

The sentencing hearing in 2014 heard that Ouachek, an Algerian national, had legally separated from his wife when he began "stalking" her and breached an interim barring order by calling to her home.

He demanded that she return various items, including a kettle-bell, but then attacked her using the kettle-bell as a weapon.

She managed to make her way into the bathroom where she locked herself in and was found later by gardai covered in blood and seriously injured.

Ms Ouachek had fractures to her skull and facial bones and was later transferred to Beaumont Hospital.

After he tried to kill his wife, Ouachek left the house, pulled the blinds and locked the door before driving her car to Dublin airport.

He flew to Tunisia via Paris without telling anyone that his wife lay injured in a pool of blood for nine hours and was subsequently arrested in Germany on foot on an extradition warrant.
various Central American rum bottles displayed - Static Media / Getty

Though sometimes overshadowed in the rum world by its Caribbean neighbors, Central America offers the perfect backdrop for crafting intriguing and delightful rums. With its lush rainforests, volcanic soils, and tropical climate, the region's spirit-making tradition is as rich as its vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes. More than that, many Central American distilleries have committed to sustainability and eco-friendly practices -- so go Earth!

Central American rums are a diverse bunch that reflect the unique character and heritage of each country within this spirited region (like some of the most popular rum brands on the market). From smooth, aged expressions that whisper tales of ancient distillation techniques to lighter, mix-friendly rums that scream party, there's a style for every palate and occasion. The Central American rum-aging process is an art form, and many distilleries utilize a variety of barrels -- like ex-bourbon, sherry, and cognac casks -- to add complexity and depth.

But where should you start your discovery of Central American rum? Do you go with the lighter-styled Panamanian rums of Ron Abuelo, or perhaps the more robust, oak-infused rums of Guatemala's Ron Zacapa? We've compiled a roadmap to shed some light on that path and help anyone taste their way through this lush and verdant land. Based on a variety of factors -- including our firsthand experience with Central American rum brands and in-depth research into popular and well-known distilleries -- here is our ranking of 10 Central American rums.

Read more: 13 Liquors Your Home Bar Should Have

10. Pirate's Grog

Pirates Grog Rum bottles - Pirate's Grog Rum / Facebook

Pirate's Grog Rum hails from Roatan -- an island located off the coast of Honduras -- and injects a dose of adventure into the rum market with its seafaring theme. Named to evoke the tales of old-world pirates and their tropical exploits, the brand has managed to distinguish itself since its 2011 inception. The brand's heavy reliance on themed storytelling and visuals -- like its "made for pirates, by pirates" slogan -- initially raised our eyebrows regarding its substance versus style. The rum itself, however, manages to stand its ground.

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The Pirate's Grog Five Year (aged for five years, naturally) achieves a commendable balance of sweetness and subtle spice. It's versatile enough for both neat sips and cocktail mixes, with well-pronounced vanilla and butterscotch notes reflective of its tropical upbringing. On the other end, Pirate's Grog No.13 ages 13 years before bottling. This premium expression ventures into a more complex territory with its richer palette of chocolate and coffee, targeting those who prefer a sophisticated rum experience.

With its engaging narrative and unique branding, Pirate's Grog Rum certainly caters to a niche audience -- those drawn to the romanticism of pirate tales and tropical adventures. While it may not compete with the gravitas of the oldest rum distilleries (or those Central American rums ranked higher), it offers an enjoyable taste experience that defies initial skepticism. Try it in one of the many cocktails to drink if you like rum.

9. Botran

Botran Rum bottles displayed - Botran / Facebook

Originating in 1940 with five brothers, Botran Rum sets itself apart by focusing on a '"crop to drop" mentality. The distillery is carbon neutral and was named the first sustainable rum in the world in 2019, as well. This dedication to quality craftsmanship sets the stage for the creation of exceptional spirits renowned for their character and complexity.

Botran utilizes an adapted solera system to age its rums -- a method typically used for sherry that involves blending younger rums with older ones over time. They also employ not one but three master blenders: Yasmin Chapeton, Magda Lopez, and Leslie Taracena. Each brings their expertise to individual offerings, and this diversity is another feather in Botran's cap.

The brand offers a gamut of styles at a range of price points. On the lighter side, you'll find Botran Reserva Blanca, which is not your average white rum. Aged and then filtered to crystal clarity, it packs a smooth, sophisticated punch with a hint of smokiness (perfect for elevating your cocktail game). Other standouts include copper-distilled Botran Cobre (with its ginger and cardamom notes) and the Botran 18 -- a beautifully aged beast that's as rich and layered as rum gets. Full of toasty oak, spices, and dried fruit vibes, it's like a cozy, boozy blanket in a glass. It may rank ninth, but that's more a reflection of the brands above it.

8. Copalli

Copalli Rum bottles surrounded by sugarcane - Copalli Rum / Facebook

Copalli Rum emerged from the verdant rainforests of Belize in 2018 and represents a fresh face in the rum industry. Crafted on the premises of the Copal Tree Lodge -- an eco-lodge renowned for its dedication to environmental preservation -- this brand is certified organic and staunchly eco-conscious. Distinct from the traditional rum-making process, Copalli champions sustainability from the very start. It utilizes organically grown sugar cane -- which is pressed within two hours of harvesting -- alongside pure rainforest canopy water and renewable energy (emphasizing its zero-waste philosophy).

Although it currently offers a limited range -- which contributed to its eighth-place ranking -- Copalli's products are noteworthy for their quality and promise. The Copalli White Rum evokes the spirit of a light-bodied agricole rhum and impresses with clean, vibrant flavors. With hints of tropical fruit and grass, as well, it's one of the best rums for a daiquiri -- or try it as part of a rum blend (and do wonders) for your next Mai Tai.

On the other hand, the Copalli Barrel Rested Rum -- which is matured in American oak barrels -- deepens the narrative with its rich vanilla and subtle spiciness. Rounding out the lineup, the Copalli Cacao Rum is enriched with locally sourced organic cacao nibs and adds a unique twist to its collection. As Copalli continues to evolve, we're excited to see the expansion of its rum offerings in the years to come.

7. Cihuatan

Cihuatan Rum bottles with cocktails and fruit - Ron Cihuatan / Facebook

Cihuatan Rum is handcrafted in the valley from where it takes its name: Cihuatan Valley in El Salvador. Legend has it that a Mayan goddess blessed this fertile valley and maintains her watch to this day in the form of the Guazapa mountain. The name Cihuatan itself is said to translate to "land beside the sleeping woman". This connection to the land and its history is a critical part of Cihuatan's identity, with each rum telling a story rooted in Salvadoran culture.

Produced by Licorera Cihuatan using a 100-year-old sugar cane mill, the distillery prides itself on its grain-to-glass approach, overseeing every step of production within the country's borders. Cihuatan's rums are aged in American oak barrels, which contribute to their smooth, rich profiles marked by vanilla, caramel, and a touch of spice. While the year-round offerings are mostly solid (if unspectacular), the limited edition bottlings are where Cihuatan shines.

The Nikte Limited Edition was inspired by an ancient Mayan festival of flowers and is noteworthy for its floral and fruity profile. The Cihuatan Sahumerio is another gem that combines four different rums (aged 12 to 14 years) and offers a complex tapestry of flavors including chocolate, coffee, and tropical fruits. While we are impressed by the depth of the lineup, many core bottles tend toward the sweeter side and seem to lack depth. Consequently, it comes in on the bottom half of these rankings.

6. Travellers Liquors

Travellers Liquors rum bottles - Travellers Liquors / Facebook

In 1953, Jaime Omario Perdomo opened a bar in Belize City. Inspired by the diverse patrons who passed through its doors, he fittingly named it Travellers. At the time, it was common for bars to blend their own rums -- a practice Perdomo took up with zeal. Thus, Travellers Liquors was born.

This distillery boasts an extensive selection of rums ranging from budget-friendly options to premium labels. Among its offerings, One Barrel Rum stands out as Belize's pioneering aged rum. This rum is renowned for its rich vanilla and brown sugar notes that capture the essence of the tropics and is an ideal way to bring a hint of Belizean warmth to any cocktail. Travellers' line also includes Three Barrel and Five Barrel rums -- named for how long it's aged before bottling -- which further showcases the distillery's expertise in crafting aged spirits.

The premium line features a tribute to the founder of it all with the Don Omario 18-year. This expression benefits from aging in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in ex-port barrels -- creating a rum that's meant to be savored neat or on ice. Keep an eye out for their limited edition bottles, as well, like the 1981, which was created in 2021 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Belize's independence. It's a 15-year-old rum that's finished in sherry casks and bottled at cask strength.

5. Ron Zacapa

Zacapa rum bottles by water display - Ron Zacapa / Facebook

Ron Zacapa has a reputation for excellence in the world of rum -- and a price tag to match. Distilled from virgin sugar cane grown in lowland volcanic soil, all of its rums are aged in the moist, cool air at the "House Above the Clouds" (which sits over 7500 feet above sea level). Under the watchful eye of Lorena Vasquez -- one of the industry's most respected female master blenders -- the resulting spirits are as smooth as silk. Though its rums are a touch on the sweet side at times, they also contain rich tapestries of flavors and remarkable consistency.

At the heart of Zacapa's lineup, Zacapa 23 features a blend of rums -- some aged up to 23 years -- in a series of barrels that have previously matured American whiskeys, sherries, and Pedro Ximenez wines. This process imbues Zacapa 23 with a luxurious profile, marked by sweet nuances of honey, butterscotch, and a medley of dark chocolate and fruit. It's one of the best rums for an indulgent coquito, and it's also great neat or on ice.

Zacapa XO is another crown jewel and represents the zenith of the brand's craftsmanship. Aged in French oak barrels that once held cognac, Zacapa XO is a symphony of elegance and depth. It offers discerning palates a complex array of flavors, from spicy oak and dried fruits to a delicate balance of chocolate and toasted nuts.

4. Flor De Cana

Flor de Cana rum bottles - Facebook

Flor de Cana Rum is Nicaragua's pride and joy. Renowned for its exceptional smoothness and commitment to being eco-friendly, these esteemed rums come from a sustainable family-run distillery that's been pouring its heart into rum since 1890. Nestled at the base of the San Cristobal volcano, it uses molasses from local sugar cane that's distilled five times and ages its rums in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels.

Flor de Cana is among the few Central American brands that can boast its rums have no added sugar. Dive into its lineup with the Flor de Cana 4 Extra Seco -- a dry, light-bodied liquor that's one of the best rums for crafting a crowd-pleasing pina colada -- or the Flor de Cana 7 Gran Reserva. This versatile fan favorite has a rich amber hue and tastes of toffee, citrus, and a hint of spice.

There's also the more mature and sophisticated Flor de Cana 18. Its deep, warm notes of cocoa and caramel are perfect for sipping slowly and pretending you're on an exotic beach. The pinnacle of its collection is the Flor de Cana 25. An ultra-premium rum that's been aged to perfection, this expression presents a complex array of flavors. Dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and a delicate hint of vanilla provide a smooth, luxurious, and truly indulgent sipping rum. Clearly, Flor de Cana has plenty going for it (even if it just missed our top three).

3. Ron Abuelo

Abuelo Rum bottles by wood - Ron Abuelo / Facebook

Located in the lush landscapes of Panama, Ron Abuelo is a smooth operator in the world of spirits -- and one that's been turning heads and lifting spirits (pun totally intended) for over a century. When Don Jose Varela Blanco established Panama's first sugar mill in 1908, he couldn't have known the impact he would have on his family and the country as a whole. As an homage, Ron Abuelo (or "Grandfather Rum") prides itself on a field-to-bottle approach, controlling every aspect of production from sugarcane cultivation to bottling. The rums are aged in white oak barrels, which contributes to their distinct flavor profiles without being overpowering -- helping it earn third place.

First up on the must-try list is the Abuelo 12 Anos. Lighter in style than many Central American rums, it's like a masterclass in balance and richness. Aged to perfection in oak barrels, it offers up a symphony of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of smoke. It's the kind of rum that makes you want to sit back, relax, and savor every sip.

Then there's the granddaddy of them all: the Centuria. This ultra-premium offering is a blend of the distillery's finest aged rums, creating a complex, velvety smooth drink that's packed with deep, dark fruit flavors and a whisper of spice. It's not just a rum; it's an experience that's been crafted with patience and passion.

2. Zafra

Zafra Rum bottle on white - Zafra Rum / Facebook

If Zafra rum was a bit easier to find, it might have taken our top spot. Zafra is a small-batch spirit celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship. Originating from Panama, the brand's dedication to quality is evident in its selective aging process. The tropical climate of Panama plays a crucial role in accelerating the maturation, though, enhancing the rum's body and character.

Zafra's commitment to sustainability and ethical practices further distinguishes its offerings in the premium rum market by appealing to enthusiasts seeking both quality and responsible production methods. Through its standout rums, Zafra captures the essence of Panama's rich rum heritage, offering a luxurious experience that resonates with connoisseurs around the world. With only two rums in its portfolio, Zafra's focus is on the premium end of the market. These are sipping rums -- the sort suitable for special occasions or as a gift for that rum lover in your life.

Zafra's Master Reserve 21 is the flagship offering. It's aged for 21 years in bourbon oak barrels, which imparts a rich, sophisticated flavor profile marked by vanilla, caramel, and a slight smokiness. Their other notable expression is the limited edition Zafra Master Reserve 30, which is a testament to the brand's commitment to excellence. It showcases an even deeper complexity and smoothness, with layers of chocolate, dried fruit, and spices.

1. Ron Centenario

Centenario rum bottles with flowers - Centenario Ron / Facebook

Ron Centenario takes our top spot. It shines as a pinnacle of craftsmanship and sustainability in Costa Rica -- a land typically known for the traditional sugar cane spirit called guaro. Embodying the vibrant pura vida lifestyle, Centenario distinguishes itself as Costa Rica's only rum producer. It boasts a legacy of quality and a dedication to encapsulating the essence of its tropical surroundings in each bottle. Demonstrating a profound commitment to environmental stewardship, Centenario operates its facilities with 99.98% solar energy and actively engages in initiatives aimed at preserving local wildlife (further solidifying its spot in our rankings)

Eco-consciousness aside, Centenario has another interesting trick up its sleeve that you'll have a hard time finding anywhere else. Unique to Centenario, each of its aged rums embarks on a journey through American Oak barrels that once held Scotch whisky. This adds an unparalleled richness and subtle smokiness that bridges the tropical warmth of Costa Rica with a unique and distinguished character.

While many of Centenario's lower-priced offerings can be difficult to come by outside of its home country, we can attest that the Centenario 20-Year-Old Anniversario and the Centenario 25-Year-Grand Reserve are worth spending a bit more on. The luxurious layers of caramel and tropical fruit (with a hint of peat and oak) invite connoisseurs and casual sippers alike to explore the depths of their complexity.

Methodology

map of central America region - Juanmonino/Getty Images

In our quest to uncover the top Central American rums, we launched into a detailed tasting odyssey, sampling a variety of offerings from each brand to assess the flavor intricacies, smoothness, and overall enjoyment each brand brings. Our exploration wasn't confined to just our own experiences, though, as we also dove into online ratings -- taking into account the views and assessments of a wider community of rum aficionados and critics.

Acknowledging the importance of environmental responsibility in today's world, we also took a look at the eco-friendly practices of these distilleries. Brands that demonstrated a commitment to sustainability -- through the use of organic ingredients, renewable energy, or effective waste reduction measures -- stood out to us and gained extra favor in our rankings.

To further refine our rankings, we considered the diversity of each brand's rum lineup. Although our highest accolades were reserved for brands that excelled in crafting the most exceptional single expressions, those offering a broad and varied selection were also acknowledged, giving them a slight advantage in tie-breaking situations.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Elsa Pataky has dazzled on the red carpet in a daring cut-out gown, putting on a united display with husband Chris Hemsworth after rumours of a separation plagued the couple late last year.

Elsa looked incredible in a plunging white gown with a sequinned trim, while Chris also looked dashing in an open white shirt and black suit.

Elsa, 47, and Chris, 41, hugged and kissed as they posed for photos on the red carpet, and we also spotted at a pre-Oscars party over the weekend holding hands and looking happy.

Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth at the 2024 Oscars. Photo: Getty

Why were fans worried about Chris and Elsa?

Late last year there was a lot of speculation that the couple were on the rocks after they went on separate In October, Elsa, 47, took the couple's twin sons Tristan and Sasha, 9, to Japan without Chris, while he took their daughter India, 11, on a getaway to Iceland.

Fans started commenting on their social media posts, expressing concern over a split, with Elsa having also posted a series of photos of herself and her children putting their Christmas tree up last year without Chris.

RELATED:

"Havent seen you and @chrishemsworth together in a while, hope all is good," one person commented, with others agreeing they were "really worried".

"No, because the last few months they have not been liking each others pictures or taking pictures with each other, something is up, I know it"," one person speculated at the time.

The Hollywood duo later shut down rumours of a separation, uploading some happy snaps and putting on a united front on a family holiday in Fiji.

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky shut down rumours of a split after a family holiday in Fiji. Photo: Instagram.com/chrishemsworth

They shared a bunch of cute family and couple pics and videos as they relaxed with their kids, looking carefree and happy despite the ongoing rumours.

SHOP:

Story continues

Chris also celebrated his wife on Valentine's Day this year, uploading a photo of them frolicking underwater, with the actor seen playfully grabbing his wife and wrapping himself around her back.

Chris uploaded a video of him and Elsa frolicking underwater on Valentine's Day. Photo: Instagram.com/ChrisHemsworth

"This year I thought Id share with you how babies are made in Australia," he jokingly captioned his post. "Its both a game of passion, love and intense sportsmanship where everyone ones a winner."

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Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@yahooinc.com.
Film projects to be produced by Andrew Lau (Infernal Affairs, Initial D) and Han Sanping, the former head of China Film Corp., are among the new in-development titles that grace the FilMart slate of Hong Kong studio Media Asia.



The Peter Lam-controlled studio is also poised, at an event within FilMart on Monday, to detail its new alliance with Chinas Alibaba Pictures Group.



More from Variety

Lau is producing Behind the Scene, a book-to-film adaptation to be directed by Lee Kwong-yiu (Insanity) in which four friends uncover a meticulously planned murder that is carefully disguised as a kidnapping. Suspicions fall on a bank president who is involved in counterfeiting.



Han is aiming to produce Fading Tracks, another crime title that is also adapted from a novel. Wang Jing (The Best Is Yet to Come) is set to direct the tale of murders and an erroneous conviction that come to light a decade later when new bodies are discovered.



Also on the Media Asia slate is T-Bonds 327, a fact-based crime drama to be directed by Chinas Ren Pengyuan. It follows as an unremarkable man becomes a major player in the Chinese stock market, only to be blocked and marginalized by corrupt officials. When he manages to fight back and make an even bigger fortune, he enjoys only short-lived success.



Another Media Asia title is In the Light of Dark, to be directed by Zhang Mo (Suddenly Seventeen, Snipers, Last Suspect) from a screenplay by He Keke (Lost in Russia, Railroad Tigers) and Zhang Hongyi (My Love, Mr. High Heels, You Are My Sunshine). Dark is a period espionage and romance drama set in 1941 Shanghai, when the city was under Japanese occupation. Despite the war raging around it, the citys French concession is decadent and full of spies. The story follows a woman who captures the hearts of two men as they wait for fate to change.

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New Delhi: India and the four-nation European bloc EFTA on Sunday signed a free trade agreement under which New Delhi received an investment commitment of USD 100 billion in 15 years from the grouping while allowing several products such as Swiss watches, chocolates and cut and polished diamonds at lower or zero duties.



The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

The bloc committed an investment of USD 100 billion -- USD 50 billion within 10 years after the implementation of the agreement and another USD 50 billion in the next five years - which would facilitate the creation of 1 million direct jobs in India. This is a first-of-its-kind pledge agreed upon in any of the trade deals signed by India so far.

The commitment is the key substance of the TEPA (Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement), which took almost 16 years to conclude, for India in return for opening its markets for several products coming from the EFTA nations.

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 a 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.

The biggest trading partner of India in the bloc is Switzerland, which already has zero customs duties on almost all industrial goods. Due to this, the Swiss side cannot offer anything in the goods category and the agri sector, there are sensitivities for them.

India has low trade volumes with the remaining three countries. India would get duty concessions on processed agricultural products.

"It is for the first time in the history of FTAs, a binding commitment of USD 100 billion and one million direct jobs in the next 15 years has been given," Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said.

As the investments will be made by the private sector firms of the EFTA nations, the agreement will facilitate it by providing legal certainty in terms of tariff regime and terms of regulations and this certainly is prompting them to come forward and invest, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce L Satya Srinivas told reporters.

An official said that there is a provision in the agreement that if the proposed investments would not come because of some reasons, India can "re-balance or suspend" the duty concessions to the four countries.

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 are gold.

On gold, India has not touched the effective customs duty (15 per cent) but reduced the bound rate by 1 per cent to 39 per cent, which will not have any implication on imports.

India will also provide duty concessions on certain 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 and there will not be any duty concessions on these goods.

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 the trade pact on these goods over 10 years.

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.

According to the ministry, India's interests in generic medicines and concerns related to the evergreening of patents have been fully addressed.

Further, the pact would provide an opportunity for domestic exporters to integrate into EU (European Union) markets. Over 40 per cent of Switzerland's global services exports are to the EU. 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.

It will take up to a year to implement the agreement due to an elaborate ratification process of these pacts in different countries.

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.

Jan Christian Vestre, Minister of Trade and Industry of Norway said 113 Norwegian companies are operational in India and many more are keen to come. The Climate Investment Fund and sovereign wealth fund have substantial investments in India.

"We will open an EFTA office in India to assist companies wanting to invest here," Vestre said.

Under TEPA, Norway will be bringing down tariffs on 98 per cent of Indian exports to zero in the next five to 10 years.

TEPA is the 14th trade deal that India has signed with individual countries and regional blocs. TEPA is the first trade agreement with developed countries from the Western Hemisphere.

This will be the fourth agreement of the Modi-led government. India signed pacts with Mauritius, the UAE and Australia. Talks are at an advanced stage with the UK, Oman and Peru for FTAs.

India-EFTA two-way trade was USD 18.65 billion in 2022-23 (of this, USD 17.14 billion with Switzerland) compared to USD 27.23 billion in 2021-22. The trade deficit was USD 14.8 billion in the last fiscal.
Watching the news this morning on "Democracy Now" (DN) I couldn't help feeling outraged, humiliated, and taken for a fool.

I mean, think about what's happening in Haiti, Honduras, at our southern border, and in Gaza.

In each of those cases, the repeated refrain from Amy Goodman's guests was that the U.S. is majorly responsible for the disasters in question. All of them are marked either by State Department regime changes, support of drug dealers, and/or by U.S.-backed slaughters that beggar description.

But to my point here: in each of the cases just mentioned, the Biden administration and its predecessors have shown complete contempt for our ability to remember, think, or exhibit any sense of morality. Our leaders are evidently convinced that we're all like them complete idiots without a trace of humanity or moral compass.

And perhaps they're right because of constant brainwashing by our ahistorical schooling and unrelenting mainstream media (MSM) propaganda. I mean, which of us really cares about the history behind U.S. interventions in Haiti, Honduras, Gaza, or at the border in Tijuana?

Which of us really cares about learning our own history?

Haiti

Begin with Haiti.

There we're supposed to scratch our heads wondering why the country -- the first in the world to be run by former slaves - is so out of control.

Why is it apparently run by "gangs?"

DN's guest, Haitian American scholar Jemima Pierre, explains why.

It's because in 2004, the Clinton administration regime-changed the country's first elected president, Jean Bertrand Aristide - a former Catholic priest and liberation theologian.

Since then, the State Department has assisted in the complete destruction of democracy in the country. According to Professor Pierre, the country had 7000 elected representatives in 2004. Thanks to U.S. interference in the name of "democracy," it now has NONE (Zero, 0).

And right now, the United States gives its unquestioning support to Ariel Henry an unelected "president" who succeeded President Jovenel Moise who was assassinated in 2021.

You can't understand any of that, Professor Pierre explained, if you don't start your thinking with U.S. interference in Haitian politics in 2004 - and (I would add) since the Haitian revolution of 1791.

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Several articles in this series introduced members of the balanced family of voting systems. Balanced approval voting (BAV) has received the most attention, but there have also been articles on

balanced randomized voting and balanced Condorcet voting . BAV deserved its special attention if only for its simplicity, but importantly because of its membership in another important family, that of evaluative voting systems. Evaluative voting systems ask voters to evaluate all the candidates according to the same rules. In contrast, plurality voting, asks the voter must choose only a single candidate to vote for while saying nothing whatever about any of the other candidates; ranked voting systems fail to be evaluative because, for example, the voter must choose just a single candidate to place first. Voting systems (such as BAV are both evaluative and balanced, and for that reason they avoid the spoiler effect. Moreover, they avoid giving an undue advantage to famous candidates like most other voting systems do.

Ranked voting illustrates a somewhat different sort of family that for convenience we call a nuclear family. What characterizes a nuclear family is that the ballot for one member can work as well for any other member of the nuclear family. For example, the most widely familiar of the ranked voting systems is ranked choice voting, formerly known as instant-runoff voting (IRV). But in another article, we introduced what arguably is a better way for counting the IRV ballots. And Borda voting, along with its infinitely many technical variations, are also members in good standing of this nuclear family. Members of this nuclear family may elect different candidates but at least the ballots used

can be identical. It should be noted, however, that there are deficiencies common to this entire family of ranked voting systems.

A natural question is whether there are other members of BAV's nuclear family. Are there other sensible ways we might tally BAV ballots? Certainly, we could just ignore the opposition votes as a way of using approval voting ballots in a BAV election. But a ballot for approval voting would not generally be suitable for a balanced approval election. Approval voting and BAV are both in the evaluative family and both are in the balanced family, but they are not in the same nuclear family. The question remains whether there are other members of the BAV nuclear family.

An affirmative answer to this question is suggested by a common practice on the internet. If do a search for some sort of product, you will likely find links to the Amazon web site. Noticing the ratings, you might decide to consider only the products getting a four or five-star rating. But you might temper your enthusiasm for even a rating of five by also taking note of the number of customers rating a product. It might be advisable to discount a five-star rating if that rating reflects the opinion of only a single customer.

By analogy, we might consider a modification to BAV that ignores candidates with fewer than a specified number of non-abstentions. The tally would be the same as for BAV, but a step in choosing the winner would be to reject a candidate with fewer than the required count of non-abstentions. The problem being addressed by this is, in essence, the stealth-candidate problem discussed in an article from 2022.

As another approach, we might observe that in a BAV election, the net vote for a candidate will be at most the number of non-abstentions for that candidate. And one might notice that this cap on the net vote is higher for famous candidates than for the less famous. Since the famous candidate can be expected to also have a greater number of opposition votes BAV compensates for this problem, but still, some may argue that the higher cap on net vote still gives the famous candidates an advantage. It is a judgement call, but some people could feel strongly about and this could motivate other variations in BAV's nuclear family.

Notice that while BAV determines the winner based on the net vote, it would be entirely equivalent for BAV to express the net vote as a percent of the number of the total number of voters (this percentage being simply the net vote divided by a positive constant). An alternative system could instead determine the winner of an election according to the candidate's net vote expressed as a percentage of the non-abstentions for the candidate. The effect would be to penalize the most famous candidates (though another effect would be to further aggravate the stealth-candidate problem).

There is no limit to the variations possible with this alternative approach. Instead of choosing the winner based on the percentage of non-abstentions, it could be taken as a percentage of any positive value computed from the number of non-abstentions. The formula for this could easily be designed to penalize candidates with very few non-abstentions (to avoid the stealth candidate problem) but at the same time the formula could be tuned to further depress the prospects of a famous candidate who is favored with so few abstentions.

So, just like ranked-choice voting, BAV enjoys an infinitely large nuclear family, but what is more important is that it (like many members of its nuclear family) enjoys membership in the two very important extended families that together mitigate against duopoly politics (being both balanced and evaluative). It is these smaller extended families that are (given what we know now) most appropriate for use by a democracy. BAV stands out in this family as its simplest member.
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.





It's not complicated. This country, as TomDispatch regular and co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign Liz Theoharis makes clear today, is simply unprepared -- unprepared, that is, to keep all too many Americans even reasonably healthy and well. It matters little that this may be the wealthiest country on the planet. (It certainly has the most billionaires!) I mean, there was a brief period after the Covid pandemic hit when a national public health emergency was declared, but that ended last May. It matters little that this country could, for instance, be experiencing the worst surge of Covid cases since that massive wave of them in the winter of 2021-2022, with deaths significantly lower but still topping 1,500 a week. Who's paying attention? Who even cares?

And is this country faintly prepared for the next pandemic? I wouldn't count on it. Not for a second. Worse yet, it's not prepared for another kind of pandemic that Theoharis lays out so strikingly today -- the gutting of healthcare for all too many Americans. And believe me (as you'll see when you read her piece), that, too, should be considered a pandemic of some sort and the richest country on this planet should truly be ashamed of itself. Tom

The Great Unwinding

The Failing Battle for Health and Healthcare in These All Too Disunited States

By Liz Theoharis

The slang definition of "unwinding" means "to chill." Other definitions include: to relax, disentangle, undo -- all words that, on the surface, appear both passive and peaceful. And yet in Google searches involving such seemingly harmless definitions of decompressing and resting, news articles abound about the end of pandemic-era Medicaid expansion programs -- a topic that, for the millions of people now without healthcare insurance, is anything but relaxing.

Imagine this: since March 2023, 16 million Americans -- yes, that's right, 16 million -- have lost healthcare coverage, including four million children, as states redefine eligibility for Medicaid for the first time in three years. Worse yet, the nation is only halfway through the largest purge ever of Medicaid as the expansion and extension of healthcare to millions, brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, have ended, leaving some families no longer eligible, while others need to reapply through a new process in their state.

This thrusting of tens of millions of Americans out of the national healthcare system at a moment when healthcare outfits, pharmaceutical companies, and health insurance corporations are making record profits has been termed "the great unwinding." And it couldn't be more cruelly ironic. After all, states have the power and authority to expand healthcare to all their residents; the federal government could similarly extend the declaration of a public health emergency that would let so many of us keep distinctly life-protecting access to healthcare. Yet millions have instead been pushed violently and rapidly from such life-saving care.

Some states are feeling the impact especially strongly. In Georgia, for instance, more than 149,000 children lost their pandemic Medicaid enrollment in just six months. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Texas is the epicenter of Medicaid's unwinding. There, more than two million Americans have been removed from the state's Medicaid program since federal pandemic-era coverage protections were lifted last April. As Axios reported, new state data indicates "that's the most of any state and nearly equivalent to all of Houston -- Texas' most populous city, with 2.3 million residents -- losing coverage in less than a year." In fact, 61% of enrollees in Texas have lost Medicaid since last April.

Death by Poverty and the Lack of Healthcare

In my home state, policy analysts predict that more than 1.1 million New Yorkers will be pushed off Medicaid roles in this same unwinding. Fortunately, people are organizing in response, calling for the right to healthcare, living wages, the abolition of poverty, and more.

On Saturday, March 2nd, I stood next to Becca Forsyth of Elmira, New York, at the Poor People's Campaign's Mass Poor People and Low Wage Workers Statehouse Assembly in Albany, New York. Becca was one of dozens of low-income people who testified at simultaneous assemblies held in 31 state capitals and Washington, D.C. These assemblies launched 40 weeks of the mobilizing and organizing of poor and low-income eligible voters in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, while challenging those running for office, as well as elected officials, to confront poverty as the fourth-leading cause of death in America. Becca was not the only speaker to touch on the crisis of healthcare (and its connection to poverty and death), but her words stuck with me:

"Just since December 19th, I have lost more than a dozen people I loved dearly. In 74 days, I've watched as people I've known most of my life were literally squeezed to death by poverty and the catastrophic impact it has on our entire lives. People like Missy, a 47-year-old woman who was found lying beside the railroad tracks, dead" Or Gary, who died at the hands of the police while in a hospital for a mental breakdown. Or Loretta, a friend who was a friend before I even knew what the word friend meant, who is no longer with us because my community won't spend money on substance-use treatment. Chemung County leads this state in way too many negative ways. We rank 59 out of the 62 counties in New York for health outcomes. We have outrageous homelessness, food insecurity, premature death rates, and lead poisoning. Our chances for getting out of poverty are extinguished before we even have a chance!"

Just two days before I stood with Becca in Albany, the state capital, demanding the right to thrive and not just barely survive, I rallied with healthcare workers and community members at SUNY Downstate Hospital. With the support of New York Governor Kathy Hochul, SUNY Chancellor John King recently announced that his outfit may close SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, one of the few remaining public-safety-net hospitals in the state.

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Persian American Civic Action Network [PACAN] Announces its 3rd annual fundraising Gala to celebrating the Centennial of the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF) and commemorating the memories of its visionary founders and highly decorated leaders. Los Angeles, CA - Persian American Civic Action Network [PACAN], a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Iranian-Americans for civic engagement and activism for the restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and a free, democratic and 
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Delhi, 11-March-2024 - Durato Electric Mobility, a pioneering company registered under the name of Brand Bharat E Cab, is thrilled to announce its revolutionary one-way electric cab services. This innovative approach aims to provide both drivers and customers with unparalleled benefits, fostering a sustainable and cost-effective transportation solution. Durato Electric Mobility stands at the forefront of the electric mobility revolution, offering eco-friendly transportation options that contribute to a cleaner and greener 
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.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM
New avian arrivals flying in from Australia and Antarctica are being closely watched by New Zealand authorities as a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu (H5N1) continues to spread across the globe, killing tens of millions of birds in its wake.

At risk are the countrys beloved native birds  82 per cent of which are already threatened with extinction  as well as the availability of popular foods like KFC, roast chicken and fried eggs.

The current strain has been spread globally by migrating birds since December, 2021 and Oceania remains the only region free of the disease, likely due to the sick birds dropping off as they try to make the massive trek Down Under. The same had been assumed for Antarctica, but a fortnight ago samples taken from predatory skua seabirds tested positive.

We've got two major pathways that we're keeping an eye on. One is through Antarctica and the other one is through Australia. We're not judging either one more likely at the moment, but that's where we think it will be coming from, Department of Conservation (DoC) technical advisor of ecology Bruce McKinlay told Yahoo News.

It's not just established migration pathways (left) that have authorities worried, individual birds or small flocks will sometimes trial a route. Source: Birdlife International/Getty

Key avian influenza facts

In the United States alone 82 million poultry and 9,169 wild birds have been affected

The risk to humans is still considered low, although there have been cases in Cambodia in 2024

It has been detected in mammals including dolphins, foxes, otters, mink, sea lions and seals.

Wild bird vaccinations being trialled on birds threatened with extinction

Wild birds in New Zealand are believed to carry little natural immunity to avian influenza, and the DoC began working with the Ministry for Primary Industries to trial a vaccine thats used in domestic poultry overseas in five native species.

Among the birds being vaccinated are those at a high-risk of extinction. The full list includes the takahe, tuturuatu (shore plover), red-crowed kakariki (a surrogate for kakariki karaka), kaki (black stilt) and the kakapo.

Story continues

Weve established a team to do quite a lot of preparedness work. We know its coming but were not quite sure how or when, McKinlay said.

Across the ditch in Australia, independent experts are also concerned about native bird species, issuing a warning in May 2023 that H5N1 could drive some species to extinction. Australias Department of Agriculture (DAFF), which is spearheading the nations preparedness efforts, confirmed with Yahoo it is monitoring vaccine programs overseas but it has no plans to conduct similar research itself.

New Zealand is trialling a vaccine on species including the Takahe (right) and Kakapo (left). Source: Getty

As well as being responsible for its own landmass, Australia also claims 42 per cent of Antarctica, a massive landmass thats 80 per cent the size of its own mainland. Currently, H5N1 is confined to the western side of Antarctica, but scientists are unsure how it arrived there and how it will spread.

Elsewhere there has been around 30 per cent mortality in wild birds, but Spanish scientists are concerned it could be worse among penguins as they huddle tightly to withstand the cold as they raise their chicks.

It is a tsunami, but it's a tsunami that's rather unscoped in terms of size and potential impact.Bruce McKinlay, DoC

Odd birds arriving on New Zealand shores

When it comes to migratory birds, northern Australia is a popular stopover destination for birds flying from Asia to New Zealand. But its not just long-haul migratory species that pose a threat, McKinlay notes there is also a constant flow of odd arrivals.

The more you look at it, the more you realise that birds are regularly crossing the Tasman as individuals or in small numbers, and just testing it out, he said.

In the last six weeks, we've had a Pacific heron turn up on the west coast of the South Island from Australia, we've had an Adelie penguin turn up from Antarctica, and we've got a number of crested penguins coming from the Sub-Antarctic islands.

Australia's wild birds like the endangered hooded plover have never faced an outbreak of avian flu. Source: Getty (File)

How is Australia preparing to combat bird flu?

Australia has fought off other strains of avian flu in poultry before, but the disease has never impacted wild birds. Few details have been made public about how it plans to tackle the disease if native species test positive, but authorities maintain they are "well prepared to respond to an avian influenza outbreak".

The department of environment (DCCEEW), which is working with DAFF on Australias response, confirmed with Yahoo it completed an expert assessment of the level of risk in 2022. It has also set up 44 cameras across its territory and East Antarctica, and those working on the ground are implementing biosecurity protocols to avoid close contact with wildlife or its faeces. Importantly, after H5N1 was detected in Antarctica, it reviewed response programs to combat the virus if it reaches stations or field camps.

A monitoring program to detect viral incursion and future impact is being implemented through the Australian Antarctic Divisions Seabird Conservation Team, and specific protocols are in place for expeditioners working with or observing wildlife, it said in a statement.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis personally intervened to make sure that a man wanted on rape and sexual-abuse charges in Oregon was arrested after Washington County officials in Oregon declined to request his transfer from Florida, a Florida sheriff said.

But Washington County prosecutors on Monday disputed the Florida sheriffs office version of events and said they were never asked by Florida officials to seek Juan Jose-Sebastians transfer to Oregon.

The case came to light after a Florida sheriffs office posted about it on Facebook and it got the attention of DeSantis and a U.S. representative from Florida.

It quickly became a Republican talking point on the nations much-debated immigration policies.

The controversy began when Jose-Sebastian, 26, was about to complete a jail sentence in Martin County, Florida, for driving without a license. The sheriffs office there said it discovered Washington County in Oregon had a warrant out for Jose-Sebastians arrest on three rape and sexual-abuse charges.

But, the sheriffs office wrote in a March 1 Facebook post, Oregon officials wouldnt extradite Jose-Sebastian.

Jose-Sebastian is an undocumented man from Guatemala, and the Martin County Sheriffs Office also said it had reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about detaining him based on his immigration status.

But the federal agency declined to hold the suspect, according to the sheriffs office, later saying he did not meet current enforcement priorities.

The wanted rapist will be released into our community today, the Martin County Sheriffs Office wrote in the Facebook post. There is no legal way for the Sheriffs Office to continue holding Jose-Sebastian.

That quickly changed.

Several hours after the sheriffs office released Jose-Sebastian, the Martin County department re-arrested him on an immigration hold, the sheriffs office wrote the following morning. It was able to do so after DeSantis and Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Mast intervened, according to the department.

Reaction from our community was swift, the sheriffs office wrote in a March 2 Facebook post. As a result, ICE officials authorized (the sheriffs office) to locate and re-arrest the Fugitive From Justice. He is now in the custody of Immigration officials.

That same day, a local ABC affiliate TV station published a segment on Jose-Sebastians case. Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told reporters that his deputies called Washington County, but that officials there declined to extradite him.

The station quoted the Washington County District Attorneys Office in a subsequent update to the online article accompanying the segment.

The WCDAs Office stands ready and willing to prosecute all criminal cases, especially those involving sex charges, the district attorneys office told 25WBPF News, according to the article. We support ensuring Oregons state extradition program is fully funded.

The Washington County District Attorneys Office said in a statement Monday that it never received a request from the Florida governors office or Florida law enforcement officials to extradite Jose-Sebastian and that the first Washington County prosecutors heard of the issue was from media accounts.

At his news conference on March 5, DeSantis, who recently dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination, took credit for the re-arrest of Jose-Sebastian and accused Oregon officials of being lax on crime.

They werent interested in seeking justice, apparently, on behalf of victims, potential victims, of his crimes, and so the plan was just to release him on the streets of Florida, DeSantis said. Well, that is unacceptable. So we fought back.

A DeSantis spokesperson also wrote on X, formerly Twitter: The Biden administration was going to put an illegal alien and alleged rapist back on the streets in Florida. (DeSantis) didnt let that happen.

The Washington County District Attorneys Office told The Oregonian/OregonLive that, under longstanding Oregon Governors Office policy, in most cases only people facing high-level felony charges are extradited to the state from anywhere outside Oregon in the United States.

The district attorneys office confirmed that Jose-Sebastian faces charges in Washington County but did not list specific counts, saying that they involved a class C felony. Third-degree rape, a class C felony, is statutory rape where the victim is 15 or 16 years old and the suspect is three or more years older, the office said.

On March 6, the day after DeSantis news conference, the Washington County District Attorneys Office asked the Oregon Governors Office to extradite Jose-Sebastian, and the request was approved 10 minutes later, according to a timeline provided by the governors office.

The Washington County District Attorneys Office asked for an exception to the governors offices general policy limiting nationwide extradition to high-level crimes, the district attorneys office said in a statement.

The Oregons Governors Office said it considers each case individually.

The Governors Office reviews and considers each extradition request on an individual, case-by-case basis, spokesperson Anca Matica said in an email. Some considerations include the seriousness of the crime, public safety concerns, the likelihood that the person will be released pretrial after extradition, the fugitives criminal history, the cost of extradition, and any other relevant information provided with the request.

A Miami ICE detention center is currently holding a Guatemalan man named Juan Jose-Sebastian, according to that agencys online database of detainees.

 Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter with a focus on crime. Reach him at 971-373-2905; fzarkhin@oregonian.

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Oregon State Hospital Superintendent Dolly Matteucci will step down this month, ending a six-year tenure at the states largest psychiatric facility marked by the upheaval of pandemic and the renewal of old battles over the hospitals ability to accommodate new patients.

Her departure comes at a critical time for the institution, which for several years has been at the center of the states mounting mental health crisis.

Matteuccis last day is March 29. Sara Walker, the state hospitals chief medical officer, will serve as interim superintendent during a search for a permanent replacement.

A dietitian by training, Matteucci said she was drawn to work in psychiatric facilities after an internship at Californias Napa State Hospital in 1986. She continued working there as a clinical dietitian for several years before earning a masters degree in business administration and moving into administrative roles. She served as the hospitals executive director for eight years before taking a job as the Oregon State Hospital superintendent in March 2018.

The Oregon hospital has been embroiled in a yearslong court case over its failure to quickly admit criminally charged patients seeking mental health treatment, but the fight found new life during Matteuccis tenure.

The hospital imposed admissions restrictions during the pandemic that caused an already large waitlist to balloon. Staff resigned in droves amid taxing pandemic working conditions. Twice the hospital faced federal investigations, and the potential loss of federal funding, after patients escaped custody.

Matteucci, whose last day is March 29, acknowledged the pain of the past few years. But she said she hopes people will remember the improvements that happened under her watch, too.

She hopes her legacy will include heartfelt leadership with several successes: getting the state hospital into compliance with a decades-long federal admissions order, leading the facility through the pandemic without any serious coronavirus outbreaks among patients, and making key safety improvements following multiple federal investigations.

Id like to be considered a leader that was steadfast in terms of focusing on patient care and staff and community experience, Matteucci said, someone who worked thoughtfully across the state hospital community and with OHA to make difficult decisions, but hopefully ones with the least amount of negative impact.

She acknowledged that sometimes those difficult decisions were at the expense of staff and patient satisfaction.

During the early part of the pandemic, in addition to restricting and periodically pausing admissions, the hospital also limited activity and interaction among patients to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Its rate of patient infection was low, and unlike other large institutions such as Oregons prisons, no state hospital patients died from the virus.

Matteucci acknowledged that many were unhappy with her decisions around restricting patient activity during the pandemic.

We thoughtfully and intentionally limited exposure across patient and staff populations, she said. We were successful. We didnt have a single patient who was hospitalized or died. But the downside was isolation.

Staff morale plummeted, too, as the strain of the pandemic led to more stressful and dangerous working conditions and an increase in assaults by patients. Dozens of employees resigned, causing a staffing shortage that required the state to call in the National Guard on two separate occasions to staff the facility.

Staff, Matteucci acknowledged, took on a heavier, more stressful workload and didnt feel supported. Matteucci says now she could have mitigated some of those struggles if she had slowed decision-making and included more people in those conversations.

She acknowledged that disconnect with other changes at the state hospital too, such as working to get into compliance with federal safety guidelines after the multiple patient escapes.

While she believes the changes she oversaw have made the hospital safer overall, she acknowledged that many were made quickly and without much input or involvement from staff or patients.

Could I have made different decisions, behaved differently, showed up differently to negate some of the consequences of that? Sadly, I would say yes, she said. I could have better balanced the immediacy of pressures before us as an organization  including more people in the conversation and decision-making so we could do better.

Matteuccis tenure was also marked by an ongoing struggle to manage a growing population of mentally ill patients coming through the states criminal justice system.

The hospital for years failed to follow a decades-long court order to admit patients within seven days who are seeking treatment to be able to aid in their own criminal defense. The pandemic exacerbated the problem, leaving patients waiting in jail for months to be transferred to the facility.

In 2022, under a new court order, the state hospital began discharging patients on strict timelines in order to make room for new ones.

While the hospital is now admitting patients on time, mental health providers elsewhere in Oregon are struggling to keep up with the rate of patients coming out of the state institution.

And the hospital remains mired in court proceedings related to the order. Days before announcing her retirement, a Marion County judge summoned Matteucci to face a contempt charge after the hospital declined to continue providing treatment to a recently released patient. (Hospital attorneys argued that the hospital has never provided outpatient care and also that treating the patient would put them in violation of the federal court order, a position the federal judge affirmed.)

Matteucci said she considers getting the state hospital into compliance with the federal court order one of her successes.

But those gains were undercut by the failings of the states overall mental health system, she said, adding that it will take the collaboration of state and local governments to fix the systemic problems  as well as building more community facilities to treat patients.

Id love to see OSH returning to what previously existed when I arrived in 2018, Matteucci said. At that time, she said, the hospitals population was closer to evenly split between patients who arrive through the criminal justice system and those civilly committed but not accused of crimes.

She said she believes the state hospital can better utilize its space and the skill of its staff if its not overwhelmed, and if its open to all types of patients, not just those charged with crimes.

The state hospital will use a third-party recruiting firm to find a new superintendent, said Kris Kautz, Oregon Health Authoritys deputy director for administration. She said the agency hasnt set a timeline for filling the role yet, although she said shes hopeful the process will take less than a year.

Kautz said the permanent position will be open to both internal and external candidates.

She said Oregon Health Authority staff are still finalizing the job description, but that desired attributes for the candidates will include a focus on data; experience working with federal, state, tribal and community groups; and an understanding of behavioral health prevention measures and treatments for people of all ages.

According to the health authority, candidates for the role should also have a minimum of nine years of management experience or six years of management experience and a bachelors degree in a related field. Matteucci earned approximately $262,000 annually in the role as of 2022.

Kautz said the health authority will also look for someone who can engage staff, patients and those outside the institution as the facility continues to change.

As those types of evolutions occur, we need someone who can set the vision for the hospital about how to deal with that changing environment, and also continue to work through how to keep staff and patients safe so they can get through treatment and recovery, Kautz said.

Gov. Tina Kotek thanked Matteucci for her leadership through a tumultuous time and said the state hospital has a solid foundation for providing consistent care to Oregonians with behavioral health needs.

Looking ahead, my office expects the next permanent leader to deepen that foundation, continue to prioritize supporting OSH staff and strive for excellence in patient care, Kotek said in a written statement.

Matteucci said she hopes her successor will take the time to learn about all the systems the state hospital works with.

A lot of our success  is around the larger behavioral health continuum, the court systems and community, she said. We all need to work in collaboration, address pain points and build out what doesnt exist.

She also advised her successor to listen to the staff and patients at the state hospital.

Whoever comes in next will be well-qualified, talented and up to the task, Im sure, Matteucci said. They need to hear from the patient population and staff to understand the dynamics of the Oregon State Hospital.

Jayati Ramakrishnan reports on Oregonians access to housing, transportation and mental health care. Reach her at jramakrishnan@oregonian.com.

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Anyone who knows me knows I am very concerned about the need for good nutritious food for people, especially children. Im concerned as a mother, grandmother, retired elementary school teacher and childrens librarian, a farm owner and a volunteer with The Giving Plate, Bend Food Project and High Desert Food & Farm Alliance.

I am horrified that the candidate supported by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for Oregons fifth Congressional District has made her living from four McDonalds restaurants in the Portland area. I feel these are the absolute antithesis of healthy nutritious food that fuels the obesity problem in our country. If she is elected, she will be making decisions about our farm bills, which fund not only agriculture but also the SNAP program and lunch programs in schools throughout our nation. I fear she will be a lobbyist for the big agriculture producers whove manipulated the food industry with their ideas of what is healthy or not. Its a prime example of profit for big corporations instead of healthy food.
A lack of funding and the passage of Measure 110 dealt a double whammy to Oregon drug courts. Even as fentanyl became a scourge, one of the best tools to help addicts largely faded away.

Programs in Deschutes, Benton, Polk and Multnomah counties shut down in recent months or years and others have been hit with funding problems. But in this short legislative session, the Oregon Legislature voted to increase funding to $37 million this two-year budget cycle, an increase of almost 50%.

Legislators also recriminalized drug possession, voting to creates a new misdemeanor for people caught with small amounts of illicit drugs. That might send more people into drug courts tailored to lesser offenders.

Reporter Aimee Green took a deep dive into the history of drug courts in Oregon, how they work and how people have benefited from them. She talked to policymakers, recovering addicts and judges.

Green joined Editor Therese Bottomly to talk about her article (Bottomlys sister is a Multnomah County judge).

They discussed:

--What is different about drug courts from regular court?

--What critics of drug courts have to say?

--Whats next after the Legislature ends?

LIsten to their full conversation here.
Oregon lawmakers wrapped up this years five-week session late last week.

The 24 days of intensive public lawmaking were at times highly remarkable and, at others, intensely predictable.

Here are six things Oregonians could learn from observing their elected leaders at work:

>> Democrats and Republicans can work together

Under fierce public pressure, Democrats and Republicans came together to revamp Measure 110, Oregons controversial drug decriminalization law.

They overwhelmingly agreed on a plan to aggressively address Oregons severe housing shortage, which leads to high rents and home prices and fuels homelessness.

And, for the first time in state history, lawmakers agreed to set limits on contributions to their and other candidates campaigns.

All those landmark changes drew support from most Democrats and most Republicans  a big change from recent sessions marked by walkouts and partisan rancor.

Was it as friendly between the parties as lawmakers portrayed in the lofty political speeches that bookended the session? Probably not. There was pretty intense partisan division over issues like book bans and corporate healthcare which ultimately spelled those bills doom.

Still, the tone of the session was impressively cordial, especially in comparison to what happens in Washington D.C.

>> Pork barrel politics remains alive and well

Pork barrel is a term used to describe government spending on local projects that benefit a particular lawmakers district. It can sound smarmy  but its a boon if your community is represented by a particularly persuasive lawmaker.

(What even is a pork barrel? Apparently how pork was preserved before refrigerators. Dont think about it too hard. Its a metaphor).

The list of hometown projects and priorities for which many lawmakers secured funding this session is long and varied  from $3 million for a Pendleton sports complex to $500,000 for a new historical museum in Rainier to $500,000 to replace a fire training tower in Gresham.

Some line-items caught heat in the final hours of the session. Rep. Mark Gamba, a Milwaukie Democrat, criticized spending on things like professional sports, including $15 million for the Hillsboro Hops ballpark, given that bills supporting school health centers and wildfire preparedness got cut.

Our priorities come down to what we spend money on, not to what we talk about in press conferences, Gamba said.

>> Last day surprises still happen

Bills that had amassed a lot of votes, including ones to restrict book bans, limit corporate ownership of medical practices and make it easier to site addiction and mental health treatment centers, died in the sessions final hours.

>> Even the governor doesnt get all she wants

Gov. Tina Kotek announced before the session shed introduce just one bill  spelling out her wide-ranging $500 million plan to spur creation of new housing plus address and prevent homelessness.

The package that eventually passed, however, included just $376 million and tackles some initiatives the governor didnt propose.

Kotek also signaled she wanted $50 million for summer learning programs. Lawmakers settled on $30 million.

Rep. Janelle Bynum, a Happy Valley Democrat, gives a farewell address to colleagues at the close of the the 2024 legislative session. She is one one of numerous lawmakers running for higher office, in her case, seeking a seat in Congress.Dave Killen / The Oregonian

>> A lot of lawmakers wont be back

Some are retiring. Some Republicans and one independent in the Senate will be forced out after they boycotted work in 2023.

Others are hoping to be elected to higher office.

Democratic Reps. Maxine Dexter of Portland and Janelle Bynum of Happy Valley are running for seats in Congress. House Speaker Dan Rayfield of Corvallis is running for attorney general.

In their final hours, lawmakers got emotional about the departures. Bynum recounted her best memories in the House. And Rep. Rob Nosse, a Portland Democrat ended the session with a punchy speech just before sine die during which he saluted his soon-to-be former colleagues.

I will actually miss you, Nosse said to departing Rep. Christine Goodwin, a Republican who co-chairs his healthcare committee. Goodwin is running for the Senate. Youre my best Republican friend.

>> Art Robinson went out on a roll

Sen. Art Robinson, an 81-year-old Republican from Cave Junction, is among the Republicans barred from running for reelection because of the walkout.

He used his last session to make a speech. Actually, several.

Robinson started 18 of this years 19 Senate floor sessions by offering a remonstrance, a formality available to any senator that all but Robinson used sparingly. Robinson stood nearly each day to critique everything from gender identity to government corruption to the Capitol remodeling project that has at times left senators frigid and wrapped in blankets or jackets due to their chambers lack of heat.

His son, Noah Robinson, plans to run for his seat.

Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430.
A 2.5 million-acre swath of southern Oregon has been named the largest Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world.

The region, which on Monday was officially named the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary, comprises the southeastern half of Lake County, including Hart Mountain, Lake Abert and Summer Lake. Future plans include expanding the sanctuary to 11.4 million acres across Harney and Malheur counties.

The designation was given by DarkSky International, an organization dedicated to protecting the nighttime environment and preserving dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. The project is the work of the Oregon Dark Sky Network, an ad-hoc group of state, local and federal officials, private individuals, business owners and tourism agencies.

Travel Southern Oregon, which is a member of the network, celebrated the designation in a news release Monday.

This four-year collaboration brings together so many of the elements we try to achieve in regenerative tourism, Bob Hackett, executive director of Travel Southern Oregon, said. It not only elevates the destination experience for visitors to Lake County and opens up opportunities for local businesses, but it also helps agencies and residents steward their lands in ways that celebrate a legacy of starry night skies for generations to come.

Oregon already has two destinations with official DarkSky International designations: Prineville Reservoir State Park, which in 2021 became a Dark Sky Park, and Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory, which was named a Dark Sky Place in 2020.

Oregon Dark Sky Sanctuary map.Mark Graves/The Oregonian

The Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary is now the largest of 19 Dark Sky Sanctuaries, which are spread out across five continents. At 2.5 million acres, the Oregon sanctuary is larger than Minnesotas 1 million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which was designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2020.

The expansion of the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary seems inevitable, with only a few local approvals and lighting changes needed to make it happen, DarkSky International said. Most land in the region is either privately property or public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The largest city in the area is Lakeview, home to fewer than 2,500 people.

Stargazers know southern and southeast Oregon as home to some of the best places to watch meteor showers and other astronomical events. Dark, clear skies are ideal for anyone hoping to peer into the cosmos, whether with a telescope or the naked eye.

Amber Harrison, program manager for DarkSky International, said in a news release Monday that the organization is already looking forward to the second phase of the Oregon Outback project, the big expansion, which would be the first landscape-scale sanctuary of its kind.

Congratulations to the Oregon Outback Dark Sky Network team for achieving a monumental milestone in our journey towards preserving the night, Harrison said. Your dedication and collaboration have made Phase 1 of the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary a reality, showcasing the power of collective action in safeguarding night sky protections.

--Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @HaleJamesB.

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Photo: (Photo : Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

The Cocoa Police Department recently disclosed the discovery of Marlene Lopez, a 52-year-old Florida mother, found alive inside a shipping container adjacent to Cocoa Boulevard.

Lopez, who was reported missing by a concerned co-worker after she failed to pick up her son, has emerged from a baffling ordeal that has left both investigators and local residents searching for answers.

Discovering the Missing Florida Mother By Banging Shipping Container Door

The ordeal began when Marlene Lopez, a resident of Lucerne Drive, was last seen at her home on Monday. Concerns escalated on Wednesday after a co-worker, alarmed by her absence, reported her missing to the Cocoa Police Department.

Thursday afternoon brought an unexpected twist as authorities revealed Lopez was trapped inside a shipping container near Cocoa Boulevard. Her last known whereabouts were at her residence on Lucerne Drive on Monday, March 4.

A colleague, expressing worry about her welfare when she did not collect her son, prompted detectives to initiate a comprehensive inquiry. They examined familiar places, interviewed family members, and disseminated a missing person alert.

Detectives, deep into their investigation, were informed that Lopez had been found after someone heard her desperate cries from within the container.

She had been discovered banging on the door of a shipping container, where someone, upon hearing her distress, intervened to unlock the door and facilitate her release.

The unlocking of the container door marked the end of her mysterious disappearance. However, the circumstances surrounding her confinement remain shrouded in mystery. Questions persist regarding the timeline of events leading to her discovery and the nature of her unexpected entrapment.

A Mysterious Lock-In Case Found Alive in a Container

Tyler Sonnenberg, the owner of the shipping container primarily utilized for lawn mower storage, provided crucial insights into the unfolding mystery.

Sonnenberg, recalling his interactions with Lopez, mentioned seeing her in the area on Monday, the last day she was seen. He detailed the routine securing of the container on Tuesday afternoon, followed by an eerie silence within its confines on Wednesday.

Sonnenberg speculated that Lopez might have entered the container voluntarily, potentially losing consciousness inside. Asserting his lack of responsibility for her predicament, he maintained that he was unaware of her presence until her desperate banging on the container door was heard.

As authorities delve into the ongoing investigation, the timeline leading to her discovery continues to perplex both law enforcement and local residents alike.

Read Also: Beverly Hills Middle School Deepfake Controversy: Students Expelled Over AI-Generated Images

Police Investigation Unfolding

The official statement from the Cocoa Police Department clarified that Marlene Lopez, though not injured, was taken to the hospital for evaluation and potential dehydration.

The unexpected climax to the investigation occurred when someone finally heard Lopez's distress signals. As the authorities intensify their inquiry into the mysterious circumstances of her discovery, the community remains on edge, craving updates on this perplexing incident that has unfolded within their midst.

The mysterious disappearance and subsequent discovery of Marlene Lopez have cast a captivating shadow over the local community, leaving them eager for answers in a case that continues to defy expectations.

The enigma surrounding Lopez's ordeal has fueled public interest, as the investigation into the peculiar circumstances of her entrapment unfolds.

As the community awaits further updates, the story of Marlene Lopez serves as a reminder that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, even within the seemingly ordinary confines of everyday life.

Related Article: Deadly Wake-Up Call: CDC Reports 100+ Pediatric Flu Deaths, Urges Timely Vaccination
Australia has one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.

Our country is home to hundreds of thousands of different animals that can only be found here, and, you don't have to travel far to stumble across one. Otherworldly and alien-like creatures are in abundance across the nation, with our unique wildlife often creating confusion among travellers and locals with so many different species on offer.

Such was the case in NSW at the weekend, with one Pyrmont resident taking to social media to question what exactly he was looking down at in Sydney Harbour.

Stunning sea creature 'mimics jellyfish' to survive

The fish have incredibly elongated fins used to mimic other species in including jellyfish, to avoid prey. Source: Facebook

Pennant fish are found along Australia's east coast and in parts of WA. Source: Facebook

"Wow  does anyone know what this fish is called? Found them around Pyrmont Bay this morning," the man wrote on Facebook, beside images and videos of a school of black and white fish with elongated filaments.

The creatures can be seen darting through the sea, with their ribbon-like filaments looking similar to tentacles as the school swim together in unison. The fish can be seen twisting and turning through the water, a technique that could be used to avoid prey, experts say.

Many responded in the comments with what species they believed the creatures to be, but speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Denice Askebrink, Curatorial Manager at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium explained what was in the water.

"It looks like like a pennant fish Alectis ciliaris, aka pompano or threadfin trevally," Askebrink told Yahoo News. "I believe they are usually more prominently found in waters off Queensland and the Northern Territory than in NSW."

Interestingly, "many juvenile species have clever ways they deter predators," Askebrink explained.

"[They use] either mimicry, camouflage or submissive signals," she said. "In this photo example, it could be hypothesised that they have attempted to imitate a jellyfish, to help them see another day."

Story continues

Elongate filaments 'not present in adults'

According to the Australian Museum, juvenile pennant fish have "very elongate trailing filaments" from the dorsal and anal fins, which are not present in adults. "The long trailing pennants are only in juveniles and are thought to mimic jellyfish and siphonophores," a spokesperson told Yahoo.

The school of pennant fish were spotted at Pyrmont Bay in Sydney Harbour. Source: Facebook

They are known to be found in southwestern Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country to the southern coast of NSW.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Amid mounting concerns over the prevalence of child marriage, California has introduced pioneering legislation designed to overhaul existing legal frameworks and safeguard vulnerable youth.

Led by California Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, this legislative endeavor seeks to address gaps in current laws, aligning with global initiatives supported by organizations like UNICEF.

Child Marriages in the United States: California's Response to Child Marriage Laws

Child marriages, often concealed beneath societal norms, have silently persisted across the United States.

Recent revelations highlight a sobering truth: nearly 300,000 children, some as young as 10, were married between 2000 and 2018.

Even in California, heralded for its progressive values, the prevalence of child marriages underscores the urgent need for comprehensive legal reform.

In navigating the intricate legal landscape surrounding child marriage, California confronts a multifaceted challenge. With federal regulations lacking a universal age for marriage, states grapple with disparate laws.

Notably, California's absence of a minimum age requirement exposes minors to potential exploitation.

Assemblymember Petrie-Norris's legislation seeks to untangle these complexities, reaffirming California's commitment to eradicating child marriages within its jurisdiction.

Janette's Tale: A Personal Struggle Amidst Legal Gaps

Janette, now a 56-year-old activist working to end child marriage, was only 14 when she was introduced to a 21-year-old man who would soon become her husband. Her story reveals the disturbing reality faced by many girls in California.

For those under 18 seeking an escape from abusive homes, child marriage may seem like a way out, but it often leads to a legal trap.

As Janette points out, marrying a minor becomes a 'get out of jail free' card, a shocking legal inconsistency that the new legislation aims to rectify.

For girls caught in the web of child marriage, the journey out of an abusive situation is fraught with challenges.

In states allowing marriage before age 18, girls can marry but usually can't get a divorce until reaching the legal age of adulthood.

This legal limbo, as highlighted by activist Fraidy Reiss, can strip them of the rights crucial for escaping forced marriages.

Read Also: Beverly Hills Middle School Deepfake Controversy: Students Expelled Over AI-Generated Images

The Long-term Impact: Child Marriage's Lingering Effects

The detrimental effects of child marriage are well-documented, with girls marrying before 18 more likely to experience domestic violence and facing challenges in continuing their education.

Adolescent girls who become pregnant under these circumstances encounter heightened health risks, as do their babies.

Beyond the physical toll, child brides often bear the stigma associated with their early marriages, echoing Janette's struggles with shame and self-doubt.

Janette's personal journey, marred by homelessness and separation from her child, paints a stark picture of the repercussions of child marriage.

Having married at 14, she faced the challenges of early motherhood, the subsequent disappearance of her husband with her toddler, and a long separation from her son.

Her involvement with Unchained, an advocacy organization, reflects a broader movement where survivors speak out, shattering the silence around the issue.

California's proactive stance against child marriages signifies a crucial step in addressing legal gaps and safeguarding its youth.

The introduced legislation, shaped by the experiences of individuals like Janette, is a testament to the ongoing fight against child marriage, aiming to provide a safer future for the state's young population.

As the legislative process unfolds, California stands as a beacon of change, inspiring a collective effort to eradicate child marriages and foster a future where every child can grow free from exploitation and undue hardship.

Related Article: Deadly Wake-Up Call: CDC Reports 100+ Pediatric Flu Deaths, Urges Timely Vaccination
Photo: (Photo : MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images )

An investigation is ongoing by the FAA and NTSB to identify the cause of a plane crash near Ingalls Airport in Virginia, where four adults and a child lost their lives, as announced by the Virginia State Police on Sunday.

Twin-Engine Private Jet Crashes Near Virginia Airport

The twin-engine IAI Astra 1125, described as a private jet, crashed into the woods in the 6200 block of Airport Rd. in Bath County around 3 p.m. local time and ignited upon impact.

The Bath County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call at 2:58 p.m. reporting a crash at Ingalls Field Airport in Hot Springs, Virginia. The call prompted the dispatch of the Sheriff's Department, Virginia State Police, and Hot Springs Fire and Rescue to the incident.

The Virginia State Police spokesperson, Corinne Geller, declared in a news release, "At this time, it appears there were four adults and one juvenile onboard the aircraft. All five, which includes the pilot, died at the scene."

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have stated their intention to investigate the scene.

Identifying the plane as a "small, private jet," state police affirm their teamwork with the FAA and NTSB to verify the flight path and single out the occupants. Corinne Geller added, "The crash investigation remains ongoing at this time."

Located near the boundary of Virginia and West Virginia, Hot Springs is almost 160 miles northwest of Richmond.

New data from the Virginia State Police announce that five people died in the plane crash at Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County. The identities of the casualty, including a small kid aged between five and seven, remain unknown. Authorities suspect the other casualties include a first officer, a pilot, and three additional passengers, with no survivors reported.

Read Also: Mother of 2 Mysteriously Dies During Her Return Flight from Dominican Republic

Authorities Investigate Factors That Caused the Twin-Engine Plane Crash

According to VSP, the plane fell short of the runway, passed through several trees, and ultimately collided with the hillside. It is yet to be confirmed whether the wind situation played a role in the scene.

An investigation is underway to identify the cause of the plane's approach to the airport runway and the nature of the emergency. The plane had reportedly communicated with the Washington Center before the scene unfolded.

Law enforcement has closed the airport and is conducting a thorough investigation at the scene.

In a separate report, Chairman of the Bath County Airport Authority, Jeff Ford, confirmed four casualties in the plane crash, stating that a twin jet made an emergency landing. The specific nature of the emergency is unknown, and authorities clarify that the jet did not belong to the airport.

Emergency management crews are recently on-site, and further updates will be given as the situation advances. Additionally, the Virginia State Police reported a plane crash at Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County around 3:00 p.m., with officers en route to the scene.

Ingalls Field Airport officials are assessing the situation. The Virginia Department of Transportation has closed all north and south lanes on Rt. 703 near the airport.

Related Article: Heartbreaking Nashville Plane Crash: 3 Children Among 5 Victims in Tragic Accident
Photo: (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images )

A California medical facility is making efforts to contact approximately 300 individuals who may have been susceptible to measles.

Hospital Initiates to Contact Individuals at Risk Within Its Premises

This possible exposure happened after a child, who had recently returned from international travel, got treatment for the infectious viral disease at a hospital in Sacramento last week.

UC Davis Health's emergency department evaluated the child on March 5 between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. PT.

The hospital, ensuring control of the circumstances, has initiated contact with those in danger within the facility.

UC Davis Medical Center emphasized that there are no additional potential exposures beyond the identified and contacted individuals.

The hospital is employing various means, such as phone calls, online messaging, letters, and in-person communication, to inform patients and employees present in the Emergency Department during the specified time frame.

Unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status who were present at the emergency department are at risk of developing measles between seven to 21 days after exposure.

Public health officials in Sacramento County advise those at risk to review their immunization records, consult their healthcare providers, and monitor themselves for potential illness.

The hospital is actively contacting individuals at risk, and care teams managing current inpatients are being briefed on infection prevention protocols.

Read Also: Measles Resurfaces in Chicago: Two Cases Identified, Including Migrant Child at Shelter

Significance of Vaccination in Halting Outbreaks

The child initially sought care at San Joaquin Urgent Care in El Dorado County, where a limited number of residents may have been susceptible.

Measles is a vastly infectious illness that can lead to serious problems and fatality.

Health officials characterized its manifestations, including fever, cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and a characteristic red rash.

The contamination of the virus is quick, putting up to 90% of individuals near an infected person without immunity in jeopardy.

The CDC indicates the airborne nature of the virus, noting its capacity to remain outside the body for up to two hours following coughing or sneezing.

Measles spreads through the respiratory route and can stay in the air for up to an hour in places where a contagious person has coughed or sneezed.

With 45 reported measles cases in 17 states since the start of the year, public health experts conveyed concerns about the rising numbers, partly connected with descending vaccination rates and increased travel.

Dr. Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer of ASTHO, asserts the relevance of vaccination to avoid epidemic and safeguard communities.

Despite measles being declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, it remains highly infectious.

The escalation in cases is related to falling vaccination rates and increased travel, allowing unvaccinated individuals to acquire measles abroad and bring it back to the US.

Experts endorsed the MMR vaccine in two doses for children, with the first administered between 12 and 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years.

An individual dose is generally 93% effective, while two doses give about 97% effectiveness.

However, vaccine rates in the US, especially for measles, remain under federal targets, raising concerns among public health officials.

Related Article: Deadly Wake-Up Call: CDC Reports 100+ Pediatric Flu Deaths, Urges Timely Vaccination
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For many years now, my most devoted atheist commenter here (never a Latter-day Saint) has repeatedly (and repetitiously) asserted that religious claims can neither be examined, tested, nor investigated. (Which, Im guessing, is intended to show  in what might perhaps be a kind of folk echo or pop version of once-fashionable logical positivism  that such claims are nonsense. He never actually formulates an argument, so Im left to speculate. But that seems to be whats in the back of his mind.) Lets call him gemli.

Anyway, Ive lately been reading Here is Brigham . . .:: Brigham Young, the Years to 1844, by S. Dilworth Young (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1964). Elder Young (1897-1981) was a General Authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1945 until his death. He was also a great-great nephew of Brigham Young. He wasnt a scholar, but he was a good writer. And this particular book, which I had never read before, is both a pleasantly readable narrative and a richly informative one.

In the light of recent exchanges with this ardent atheist, though  I wont call them a conversation  this passage struck me. I read it earlier this afternoon:

Brigham loved his family. As the demands of his new calling [to the apostleship in 1836] allowed, he always tried his best to convert his cousins, his uncles and his aunts. He had some success, but there were some of his kin who did not respond. And at no time did any of them join without careful investigation. One of the most careful of these was Willard Richards, his first cousin. Willard had always shown an independence of spirit in family affairs. He had read a copy of the Book of Mormon and had been profoundly influenced by it. Twice reading through it, with a strong spirit of testimony accompanying the reading, convinced him that he must know more about it and the people from which it came. He commenced to arrange his affairs to visit Kirtland [the then headquarters of the Church, in Ohio], when he was stricken with palsy, which laid him low for a considerable period of time. Finally he was sufficiently recovered to be able to begin his journey, and with his brother Levi as his physician he managed to arrive in Kirtland in October of 1836. He sought out the house of Brigham and was promptly made welcome. Not only must he enter the home, but he must stay there, Brigham insisted. Then followed nearly three months of most intense investigation. Willard was well versed in the Bible and in the tenets of the Protestants of his day. Every objection he raised was countered by Brigham; every doctrine was followed through and justified by the Bible; every error of doctrine common to the churches of the day was pointed out by Brigham, argued through, and the truth substituted in the mind of Willard. Every night that Brigham could be at home the discussion continued. And Willard talked to others. He heard and measured the stories and arguments of the apostates. He attended the services and heard the preaching of the brethren. He gained close acquaintanceship with the new book, The Doctrine and Covenants, having thus before his eyes the actual revelations of God and not just the talk. And he met Joseph Smith. For his physical comfort it would have been easier for him had he been able to accept the Gospel immediately. But that was not to be. Brigham had taken a year or so to think things through. Under Brighams influence Willard was convinced in three months. On December 30 he told Brigham he was ready for baptism. Physical comfort was not considered. Heber C. Kimball with a few friends spent the afternoon cutting the ice on Chagrin Creek to prepare for the baptism and, once it was cleared, kept the water from freezing again. In the late afternoon as soon as a large enough place had been cleared, Brigham led his cousin into the water, and between gasps for breath pronounced the required words: Willard Richards, having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Levi followed Willard into the waters of baptism. If the usual custom was followed the two men were immediately confirmed members of the Church and ordained elders. Like Athena who sprang full grown from Zeus head, so Willard Richards was in the work among the leaders almost overnight. His ability and sincerity were immediately recognized. He began to have responsibility almost at once. He proved to be a powerful defender on the side of right. (157-158)

I would like, though, to offer a little further information on Willard Richards.

He was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, on June 24, 1804. At the age of four, he was injured in a fall and suffered some relatively minor but permanent physical disabilities. (The palsy that later delayed his journey to Kirtland, Ohio, for approximately a year was very possibly related to the persistent tremors that he suffered after his fall).

Young Willard was very inquisitive and a voracious reader, and this, too, had its aftereffects. For example, the local congregational minister resided in his parents household for roughly six months  and Willard was denied admission to that church because of his tendency to ask apparently unwelcome questions.

He earned a teachers certificate at age sixteen and taught school in both Chatham, New York, and Lanesborough, Massachusetts. He also pursued studies in physical mechanics and science, and learned to play the clarinet. At the age 27, he became an itinerant lecturer, traveling throughout New England in order to give lectures on various scientific subjects.

At the age of thirty, following the death of a sister, Willard decided to become a medical doctor. He studied at the Thomson Infirmary in Boston, where he focused on medications and herbal preparations. He then settled in Holliston, Massachusetts, where he practiced medicine.

Wikipedia says that Willard Richards was baptized on 31 December 1836, rather than on 30 December, and that he was ordained an elder on 6 March 1837.

In any event, he was one of the first Latter-day Saint missionaries to Great Britain, where he served for a total of four years. It was during his mission that he first married, and it was in England that he and his wife, Jennetta, welcomed (and lost) their firstborn child. It was also in England that he was ordained an apostle on 14 April 1840, under the hands of Brigham Young (though at the direction of Joseph Smith).

In Nauvoo, Illinois, Willard became both Joseph Smiths private secretary and Nauvoo Temple recorder in December 1841. Twelve months later, in December 1842, he was appointed Church Historian and Recorder, a position that he held until his death. He wrote a total of 1,884 pages of Joseph Smiths history, and what he wrote has been largely preserved in the so-called Documentary History of the Church  more properly The History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, edited by B. H. Roberts.

Willard Richards was with Joseph and Hyrum Smith at Carthage Jail, in Illinois, when they were murdered by an anti-Mormon mob and his fellow apostle, the Englishman John Taylor (the future third president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), was gravely wounded.

On 27 December 1847, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, Elder Richards was called as second counselor in the newly reorganized First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the First Presidency until his death in 1854, at only forty-nine years of age.

In Utah Territory, Elder Richards served as the first editor-in-chief of the Deseret News, as well as territorial secretary and president of the territorial council and postmaster of Salt Lake City.

Willard Richards was clearly, it seems to me, an unusually bright and capable man and, despite another oft-repeated claim of my atheist commenter, he doesnt seem (despite being a theist) to have been obviously unaware of the reality of the world around him.

Nor does he seem to have accepted the claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints without thought or investigation. One might retort that his examination of those claims was insufficient, or that it didnt involve sufficiently fundamental questions, or that it wasnt informed by herpetology and other modern sciences. But to pretend that he (and his cousin Brigham Young before him, who investigated for a year) simply swallowed whatever assertions were served up to them uncritically and without thought is plainly contradictory to their genuine history.
Thank you for sharing Mr. Martignonis response, which I understand is one held by many Catholics today. Martignoni is correct that my opinion is not infallible, but neither is his. I never claimed that Vatican I defined the indefectibility of the Roman Pontiff. I believe, though, that it affirms this teaching in Pastor Aeternus, chapter IV, when it teaches that in the Apostolic See the Catholic religion has always been preserved immaculate and sacred doctrine honored (Denz.-H, 3066). In the same chapter of Vatican I, it is likewise stated that this See of St. Peter always remains untainted by any error, according to the divine promise of our Lord and Savior made to the prince of the disciples: But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren (Lk 22:32) [Denz.-H. 3070]. The possibility of a heretical pope is likewise rejected by Vatican I, when it affirms that the charism of truth and never-failing faith was conferred upon Peter and his successors in this chair in order that they may perform their supreme office for the salvation of all [Denz.-H, 3071]. (emphasis [ blue ] added).

*

What seemed true to Suarez and Bellarmine has been affirmed by an ecumenical council. How can these words of Vatican I be reconciled with a Pope teaching heresy? Some claim the pope is protected from heresy only when he teaches ex cathedra. But this is not what Vatican I says. I know and respect Fr. Brian Harrison, but in his article that Mr. Martignoni shared, Fr. Harrison seems to assume what I believe Vatican I denies, viz., that a pope can teach heresy. Theres a difference between teaching something that is later considered wrong and teaching heresy. Heresy is the denial or calling into doubt a truth that must be believed with divine and Catholic faith. This is one reason why Pope Honorius I cannot be justly accused of heresy. He died in 638 before monothelitism had been condemned as a heresy (and its not clear that Honorius actually taught monothelitism).

*

Ecumenical councils like Constantinople III can teach infallibly on matters of faith and morals. Constantinople IIIs condemnation of Pope Honorius was not on a matter of faith and morals but on a matter of historical fact. Moreover, as Martignoni knows, Pope Leo II censured Honorius I for negligence rather than heresy. There is also the added complicated fact that Constantinople III affirmed a letter of Pope Agatho in session 4 (before its condemnation of Honorius in session 13), which teaches that the Apostolic See of Rome has always been immune from error. There seems to be an internal contradiction at Constantinople III. This contradiction, though, can be resolved if we understand that its condemnation of Honorius I relies upon a matter of historical interpretation, and is, therefore, not infallible. Moreover, Leo II qualifies the condemnation, and he censures Honorius I for negligence rather than heresy.

*

I respect Martignoni, but he has not at all convinced me that my understanding of Vatican Is affirmation of papal indefectibility is wrong. I do agree with him that we need to give a benevolent interpretation of what Bishop Strickland and Cardinal Burke have said. They seem to assume that a pope can teach heresy. Well, that is their opinion, and their opinion is not infallible, and I argue that their opinion and that of Martignoni is not that of Vatican I. Unfortunately, the affirmation of papal indefectibility and the divine protection of popes from teaching heresy does not seem to be adequately understood today.

*

I (together with some other theologians) wrote to Cardinal Ladaria about this a few years back. We received a reply from the CDFs undersecretary encouraging us to continue our work. This correspondence is confidential, but perhaps there will be some public intervention in the future. The Holy See is aware of the problems with Catholics accusing popes of heresy and has encouraged theologians to respond to these accusations. From the response I received, it seems that the CDF/DDF would prefer this problem be handled by Catholic theologians for now. There might be a clarification in the future, but I think Vatican I already is quite clear on the matter. The simple fact remains that the Magisterium has never affirmed that popes can teach heresy , and the letter of Pope Agatho and Vatican I seem to rule out that possibility. The case of Honorius does not argue against my position as I explain above and in the attached notes.

*

There might be errors in the sense that popes have taken positions that were later qualified or abandoned. There is a difference, though, between such errors and heresy. Unfortunately, some Catholic writers seem to think that believing divine providence protects popes from teaching heresy is equivalent to saying that every teaching of the pope is infallible. They then dismiss those of us who defend papal indefectibility as hyperpapalists or ultramontanists. In doing so, they show they dont understand the difference between papal indefectibility and papal infallibility. Well, we can only try to explain what the Church teaches. *

The indefectibility of the Roman Pontiff in teaching on faith and morals is at least a doctrine of the Church that requires religious submission of will and intellect (see Canon 752 , which is based on Lumen Gentium , 25). I think a case could be made that it is a dogma by virtue of the ordinary and universal magisterium. Ron Conte, Jr. has argued that position . The indefectibility of the Pope in teaching does not preclude him from making judgments that can later be qualified or changed. It does, however, preclude grave error or heresy. Otherwise, the teaching authority of the Pope, established by Christ, is not reliable.

I dont wish to engage in a discussion with Mr. Martignoni on this matter. I encourage him, though, to study these matters in greater depth.

*

On this the 750th anniversary of the death of St. Thomas Aquinas, we ask for his prayers.

*

APPENDIX ONE

*

Bellarmine, Suarez, and Liguori on Divine Providences Protection of the Church from Heretical Popes

*

Bellarmine (15421621) and Suarez (15481617) expressed their confidence in the protection of divine providence from there ever being a heretical pope. In fact they both came to believe there cannot be (non posse) such a heretical pope.

*

In Book 4, chapter 3 of De Summo Pontifice, Bellarmine states that without doubt (sine dubio) the privilege has been handed down to Peters successors, which insures that in his chair there would never be found someone who would teach contrary to the true faith (in sede ejus numquam inveniretur qui doceret contra verum Fidem).

*

In Book 4, chapter 6, when speaking of the Pope as a particular person, Bellarmine maintains that it is probable and can piously be believed that the Supreme Pontiff not only cannot err as a Pontiff, but also that as a particular person he cannot be a heretic, by obstinately believing something false contrary to the faith.

*

Bellarmine then provides two proofs for this position. First, because the gracious disposition of divine providence seems to require it. For the Pontiff not only should not but cannot preach heresy, but also should always teach the truth, and without doubt he will do that, since the Lord commanded him to confirm his brothers (Nam Pontifex non solum non debet nec potest haeresim praedicare, sed etiam debet semper veritatem docere et sine dubio id faciet, cum Dominum illi juserit confirmare fratres suos). The second proof is from the events of the past (ab eventu): Because there has never been a heretical pope up till now, or certainly it cannot be proved that any Pontiff was a heretic. Therefore, this is a sign that it cannot happen. (ergo signum est, non posse esse).

*

Note: In the official relatio of Vatican I, Bishop Vincent Gasser specifically says that the Council is endorsing the position of Bellarmine in Book 4, chapter VI of De Summo Pontifice (see Bishop Vincent Ferrer Gasser, The Gift of Infallibility, trans. Rev. James T, OConnor, Ignatius Press, 2008, p. 59).

*

The Jesuit theologian Francisco Suarez (15481617) argues that not only could God prevent a heretical pope from harming the Church, but by His divine providence it seems more likely that He would also insure that there would never be such a heretical pope. On whether a pope could fall into heresy, Suarez says: Even though many affirm this as more probable, nevertheless to me (in brief) it seems more pious and more probable that a Pope could indeed err as a private person out of ignorance but not out of contumacy. For although God is able to prevent a heretical Pope from harming the Church, nevertheless it is more agreeable to the way of divine providence thatsince God has promised that the Pope would never err in his definitionsHe would insure that there would never be such a heretical Pope. And since up till now there has never been one in the Church, it should consequently be thought that, by the ordination and providence of God, there cannot be one. De Fide, disp. 10, sect. 6, no. 10: Opera Omina, Vives ed. Vol. XII, 319.

*

(Quod licet multi verisimiliter affirment, mihi tamen breviter et magis pium et probabilius videtur, posse quidem Papam, ut privatam personam, errare ex ignorantia, non tamen ex contumacia. Quamvis enim efficere Deus possit ut haereticus Papa non noceat Ecclesiae, suavior tamen modus divinae providentiae est, ut, quia Deus promisit Papam definientem numquam erraturum, consequentur provideat ne umquam ille haereticus sit. Adde, quod hactenus in Ecclesia numquam accidit, censendum ex Dei ordinatione et providentia accidere non posse).

*

St. Alphonsus Liguori (16961787) agreed with Bellarmine, and he writes: We ought rightly to presume as Cardinal Bellarmine declares, that God will never let it happen that a Roman Pontiff, even as a private person, becomes a public heretic or an occult heretic. (Dogmatic Works of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (Turin, 1848) Vol. VIII, p. 720).

*

What Bellarmine, Suarez, and Liguori believed could not happen seems to be confirmed by Vatican Is affirmation of the charism of truth and of never-failing faith conferred upon Peter and his successors (Denz.-H, 3071). How could a charism of truth and never-failing faith coexist with heresy?

*

Pastor Aeternus, chapter 4 (Denz.-H, 30703071):

*

Now this charism of truth and never-failing faith was conferred upon Peter and his successors in this chair in order that they may perform their supreme office for the salvation of all ; that by them the flock of Christ might be kept away from the poisonous bait of error and be nourished by the food of heavenly doctrine; that, the occasion of schism being removed, the whole Church might be preserved as one and, resting on her foundation, might stand firm against the gates of hell.

For the Holy Spirit was not promised to the successors of Peter that they might disclose a new doctrine by his revelation, but rather that, with his assistance, they might reverently guard and faithfully explain the revelation or deposit of faith that was handed down through the Apostles.. Indeed, it was this apostolic doctrine that all the Fathers held and the holy orthodox Doctors reverenced, fully realizing that this See of St. Peter always remains untainted by any error , according to the divine promise of our Lord and Savior made to the prince of the disciples: But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren (Lk 22:32).

Possibility of error in ordinary papal teachings?

*

Teachings of the extraordinary papal Magisterium are infallible as well as definitive judgments by the Pope. The question of the possibility of error in ordinary papal teachings is a delicate matter. Vatican I stated that in the Apostolic See the Catholic religion has always been preserved immaculate and sacred doctrine honored (Denz.-H, 3066) and the See of St. Peter always remains untainted by any error (Denz.-H, 3070). Ordinary teachings of the papal magisterium are not definitive and they are subject to revision or reform. This is why the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in its 1990 instruction, Donum Veritatis, speaks of such magisterial teachings as pertaining to matters per se not irreformable.

*

If a papal teaching is not irreformable, it is subject to revision or change. For example, Pope Innocent I in 405 allowed for the use of judical torture by Christian magistrates. Nicholas I, however, in 866 taught that neither divine nor human law allows such torture (cf. Denz.-H, 648). Innocent IV, however, approved the use of torture by the Inquisition in 1252. In 1993, though, John Paul II included torture among the acts which are intrinsically evil (Veritatis Splendor, no. 80). We can look back and say that Popes Innocent I and Innocent IV were in error about torture, but they were not opposing any definitive teaching on the subject at the times when they made their judgments. Their judgments were not irreformable; and when they made these judgments they were not opposing any settled truths of the faith.

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APPENDIX TWO

*

Bishop Gasser on Bellarmine and Vatican I

*

Bishop Gasser on Bellarmine and Vatican I Bishop Vincent Ferrer Gasser was the Bishop of Brixen in Austria. He was the author of the official Relatio of Vatican I.

Here is a key passage of that Relatio, which can be found on pages 5859 of Bishop Vincent Ferrer Gasser, The Gift of Infallibility, translated with a commentary by Rev. James T. OConner (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2008):

As far as the doctrine set forth in the Draft is concerned, the deputation is unjustly accused of wanting to raise an extreme opinion, viz., that of Albert Pighius, to the dignity of a dogma. For the opinion of Albert Pighius, which Bellarmine indeed calls pious and probable, was that the Pope, as an individual person or a private teacher, was able to err from a type of ignorance but was never able to fall into heresy or teach heresy. To say nothing of the other points, let me say that this is clear from the very words of Bellarmine, both in the citation made by the reverend speaker and also from Bellarmine himself who, in BOOK 4, CHAPTER VI, pronounces on the opinion of Pighius in the following words: It can be believed probably and piously that the supreme Pontiff is not only not able to err as Pontiff but that even as a particular person he is not able to be heretical, by pertinaciously believing something contrary to the faith. From this, it appears that the doctrine in the proposed chapter is not that of Albert Pighius or the extreme opinion of any school, but rather that it is one and the same which Bellarmine teaches in the place cited by the reverend speaker and which Bellarmine adduces in the fourth place and calls most certain and assured, or rather, correcting himself, the most common and certain opinion.

Bishop Gasser make it clear that the position (the fourth place) of Bellarmine that the Council is endorsing is that of De Summo Pontifice, book IV, chapter VI, where Bellarmine refers to the fourth proposition. Here is what Bellarmine says in that chapter:

De Summo Pontifice, Book IV, chapter VI: On the Pope as a Particular Person: The fourth proposition: It is probable and may piously be believed that not only as Pope can the Supreme Pontiff not err, but he cannot be a heretic even as a particular person by pertinaciously believing something false against the faith. It is proved, first of all, because the sweet disposition of the providence of God seems to require it. For the Pope not only should not, but cannot preach heresy, but rather should always teach the truth. He will certainly do that, since the Lord commanded him to confirm his brethren, and for that reason added: I have prayed for thee, that thy faith shall not fail, that is, that at least the preaching of the true faith shall not fail in thy throne. How, I ask, will a heretical Pope confirm the brethren in faith and always preach the true faith? Certainly God can wrench the confession of the true faith out of the heart of a heretic just as he placed the words in the mouth of Balaams ass. Still, this will be a great violence, and not in keeping with the providence of God that sweetly disposes all things. Secondly, it is proved ab eventu. For to this point no [Pontiff] has been a heretic, or certainly it cannot be proven that any of them were heretics; therefore this is a sign that it [i.e. a heretical pope] cannot happen. For more on this see Pighius.

What Bellarmine teaches in book IV, chapter 6 of De Summo Pontifice is clearly affirmed by Vatican I in Pastor Aeternus, chapter IV.

APPENDIX THREE

Alleged Papal Heresies Outline

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Heresy is defined as the obstinate denial or obstinate doubt after the reception of baptism of some truth which is to be believed by divine and Catholic faith (1983 CIC, canon 751; 1917 CIC, canon 1325.2; CCC, 2089)

1) The case of Pope Liberius (in office 352-366)

Pope Liberius is sometimes criticized as an Arian or a Semi-Arian because of an ambiguous Christological formula he signed when under captivity by the emperor, Constantius, who favored Arianism. St. Athanasius, the greatest opponent of the Arian heresy, however, defended the personal orthodoxy of Liberius. In his History of the Arians, Part V, n. 41, St. Athanasius testifies to Liberius hatred of the Arian heresy as well as the popes support for him [Athanasius] as long as he was able to exercise a free choice. After the death of Constantius in 361, Liberius was a vigorous defender of Nicene Christology.

2) The Case of Pope Honorius I (in office 625-638)

1) From Fr. Ludwig Ott, The Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma trans. Patrick Lynch (St. Louis: Herder, 1958), p. 150 (p. 162 in the revised 2018 Baronius Press edition):

There is no doubt that Pope Honorius I (625-638) was personally orthodox. However, through his prohibition against speaking of two modes of operation he unwittingly favored the Monothelite error. The Sixth General Council wrongly condemned him as a heretic. Pope Leo II (682-683) confirmed his anathematization but not for the reason given by the Council. He did not reproach him with heresy, but with negligence in the suppression of the error. cf. DH 563.

The subsequent repetitions of the condemnations of Honorius I by Nicaea II and Constantinople IV, therefore, must be understood as condemnations for negligence rather than for heresy.

Pope John IV (r. 640642) defended the orthodoxy of Pope Honorius I in his Letter Dominus quid dixit to the Emperor Constantine III in the spring of 641 (Denz- H. 43 th ed. 2012: 496-498):

[D-H 496] The Patriarch Sergius, of venerable memory, indicated to the aforesaid Pontiff of the city of Rome, [Honorius] of holy memory, that certain people were saying that there were two wills in our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. After having learned this, the aforesaid Pope wrote back to him that our Savior, as a total unity, was thus conceived and born in a miraculous way beyond any human order. Likewise, from the holy dispensation of his in the flesh, he taught that our Savior, as he was perfect God and perfect man, was born without sin so that he might restore the noble original state, which the first man lost through his transgression. Therefore, the second Adam was born, without having any sin, either by birth or by contact with men; and, in fact, the incarnate Word, in likeness to sinful flesh, assumed all that is ours without bearing any guilt of the sin arising from the inheritance of the transgression [etenim Verbum caro factum in similitudine carnis peccati omnia nostra suscepit nullum reatus vitium ferens ex traduce praevaricationis exortum]. [D-H 497] It was in this way, therefore, that [Pope Honorius] evidently wrote [to Sergius], that, in our Savior, two contrary wills do not exist at all, that is, in his members [cf. Rom. 7:23], since he contracted no defect from the transgression of the first man. But in order that no one, devoid of understanding, might reprove [Honorius] for seeming to speak only of a human nature and not also of a divine nature,  whoever disputes this should understand that the response was already made to the inquiry of the above-mentioned Patriarch. Furthermore, of course, the help of medicine is usually applied to the place where the wound is located For the blessed Apostle likewise is known to have done this often, adapting himself to the custom of his hearers; sometimes indeed when teaching about the supreme nature (of Christ), he is completely silent about the human nature; but sometimes when speaking of his human economy, he does not touch on the mystery of his divinity [D-H 498] Therefore, my aforementioned predecessor, while teaching on the mystery of Christs incarnation, said that there were not in him, as in us sinners, contrary wills of mind and flesh. Because certain people have transformed this to their own way of thinking, they have supposed that he taught one will of [Christs] humanity and divinity, which is completely contrary to the truth 

The great opponent of the Monothelite heresy, St. Maximus the Confessor (c. 580662), agreed with John IVs defense of Honorius in his letter to Marinus, a priest of Cyprus (see the 1911 article on St. Maximus in the Catholic Encyclopedia by Abbot Chapman). While it is true that Constantinople III (680681) included Honorius in its anathema against supporters of the Monothelite (one-will) heresy, we must remember that ecumenical councils can only pronounce infallibly on matters of faith and morals. What was infallibly condemned by Constantinople III was the Monothelite heresy.

Whether Pope Honorius I actually adhered to this heresy is a historical question and not a matter on which the council could infallibly pronounce. St. Robert Bellarmine maintained that that no error is contained in the letters of Honorius. Moreover, Bellarmine notes that nothing had been defined about the two wills at the time of Honorius I (De Summo Pontifice, Book 4, chapter XI). Because the dogma of the two wills had yet to be defined, it is anachronistic to accuse Pope Honorius I of heresy.

3) The case of John XXII (r. 13161334)

The controversy was over John XXIIs claim that the souls of the departed did not enjoy the fullness of the beatific vision until after the general judgment. (see Introduction to Denz.-H, 990991). John XXII was not teaching something heretical at the time because the Holy See had yet to offer a definitive judgment on the issue (see J.P. Hirschs 1910 article on John XXII in the Catholic Encyclopedia). A definitive judgment on this issue would only come two years after John XXIIs death when Benedict XII settled the matter by his 1336 constitution, Benedictus Deus (Denz.-H, 10001002).

To call John XXII a heretic would be as anachronistic as calling St. Thomas Aquinas a heretic for stating that the Blessed Virgin did indeed contract original sin (ST III q. 27 a. 2 ad 2). Its worth noting that Pope John XXII was the pope who canonized St. Thomas Aquinas in 1323. Following the logic of the critics of John XXII it would have been the case of one heretic canonizing another!

St. Robert Bellarmine states that John XXII expressed his opinions without the danger of heresy, because at the time no definition of the Church had been made on this matter (De Summo Pontifice, Book IV, chap. XIV; see St. Robert Bellarmine, Controversies of the Christian Faith, trans. Kenneth Baker, S.J. [Keep the Faith, 2016], p. 1012). Prior to his three homilies of 13311332, John XXII had affirmed all that the Church taught about the status of the departed souls in heaven. His Nov. 21, 1321 Letter to the Armenians (Denz.-H, 925926) repeated almost verbatim what had been stated in the Profession of Faith read out at the 1274 Second Council of Lyon (cf. Denz.-H., 857).

This Profession stated that the purified souls of the faithful departed are received immediately into heaven (Denz.-H, 857), but it took no position on whether the blessed souls experience the full beatific vision. By the 13th century, however, the general theological consensus was that the souls in heaven do enjoy the full beatific vision prior to the general judgment.

This opinion was upheld in 1241 by the University of Paris and later 3 by St. Thomas Aquinas (ST Suppl. q. 92, a. 12), but it could not claim the status of a definitive magisterial judgment. It should also be noted that John XXII himself affirmed the position of the full beatific vision in his bulls of canonization of 1317, 1320, and 1323 (cf. X. Le Bachelet, Benoit XII in Dictionnaire de Theologie Catholique [DTC] 2:659). John XXIIs subsequent study of Scripture (Rev. 6: 911), the Church Fathers (e.g. St. Augustine), and theologians such as St. Bernard of Clairvaux led him, however, to a different position, which he presented in three homilies of 13311332.

As Joseph Ratzinger writes: In the texts of the fathers he [John XXII] discovered the doctrine of waiting for heaven which, as we have seen, dominated the entire patristic period and could still be found, in living continuity with that period, at more than one point in the works of Bernard of Clairvaux [c.10901153] (J. Ratzinger, Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life, 2nd Ed., trans. M. Waldstein, CUA Press, 2006, pp. 136137).

After John XXIIs homilies of 13311332 became known, there was considerable controversy. This controversy ranged from a polite request from the King of France to clarify the matter (DTC 2: 666667) to accusations of heresy by William of Ockham and other enemies of the Pope such as the Spiritual Franciscans who were angry at John XXII for his 1318 condemnation of their errors (Denz.-H, 910916; cf. DTC 2:667). The controversy, moreover, was exploited by supporters of the Holy Roman Emperor, Louis IV the Bavarian, who had previously accused John XXII of heresy for his decisions against the Spiritual Franciscans. In 1328, Louis IV illegitimately deposed John XXII and forced the election of the anti-pope Nicholas V (cf. J.N.D. Kelly, The Oxford Dictionary of the Popes [1986], p. 215).

Because of the controversy over his homilies, John XXII appointed a commission of Cardinals to study the matter, and, on their recommendation, he decided to reverse the position he expressed in his homilies of 13311332 and a short treatise of 1333 on the subject. As is well-known, he offered a clarification by means of the bull, Ne super his, issued on Dec. 3, 1334 the day before his death. (Denz.-H, 990991). John XXII, however, had only presented his opinions in the homilies as a private theologian, and he recognized the matter as open to discussion (cf. DTC 2: 662).

According to Bellarmine, John XXII did not need to retract any error on the day before his death since he had not fallen into any error [cum in errorem nullam incidisset] (De Summo Pontifice, Book IV, chap. XIV; Controversies of the Christian Faith, p. 1013). John XXII merely retracted his opinion (sententiam suam) at the urging of his advisors (ibid.). Bellarmine was convinced that the mind of Pope John was always good and Catholic (Joannis Papae mentem semper bonam et Catholicam fuisse; cf. De Summo Pontifice, Book IV, chap. XIV; Controversies, p. 1012).

Some statements of the Jesuits, Suarez and Bellarmine, on heretical popes

Francisco Suarez, De Fide, disp. 10, sect. 6, no. 10: Opera Omina, Vives ed. Vol. XII, 319 [De Fide was published posthumously in 1622, five years after Suarezs death].

On whether a pope could fall into heresy, Suarez says:

Even though many affirm this as more probable, nevertheless to me (in brief) it seems more pious and more probable that a Pope could indeed err as a private person out of ignorance but not out of contumacy. For although God is able to prevent a heretical Pope from harming the Church, nevertheless it is more agreeable to the way of divine providence thatsince God has promised that the Pope would never err in his definitionsHe would insure that there would never be such a heretical Pope. And since up till now there has never been one in the Church, it 4 should consequently be thought that, by the ordination and providence of God, there cannot be one. De Fide, disp. 10, sect. 6, no. 10: Opera Omina, Vives ed. Vol. XII, 319. Quod licet multi verisimiliter affirment, mihi tamen breviter et magis pium et probabilius videtur, posse quidem Papam, ut privatam personam, errare ex ignorantia, non tamen ex contumacia. Quamvis enim efficere Deus possit ut haereticus Papa non noceat Ecclesiae, suavior tamen modus divinae providentiae est, ut, quia Deus promisit Papam definientem numquam erraturum, consequentur provideat ne umquam ille haereticus sit. Adde, quod hactenus in Ecclesia numquam accidit, censendum ex Dei ordinatione et providentia accidere non posse.

St. Robert Bellarmine (15421621) considers the possibility of there being a heretical pope. He rejects the idea that a general council is above the pope because the Roman Pontiff occupies the See that will be judged by no one: Prima sedes a nemine judicabitur (De Conciliis Liber Secundus, Caput XVII; Opera Omnia ed. Fevre [1870] Vol. 2, 270). He argues that Pope Honorius I was not a heretic (De Summo Pontifice Liber IV, Caput XI Opera Omnia ed. Fevre [1870] Vol. 2, 101108). For there to be a heretical pope, the heresy would need to be so manifest that the pope could no longer be considered a Christian and thus a member of the Church. In De Summo Pontifice Liber II, Caput XXX Opera Omnia ed. Fevre [1870] Vol. 1, 610611, Bellarmine writes:

The fifth true opinion, therefore, is that a Pope who is a manifest heretic per se ceases to be Pope and Head, since per se he ceases to be a Christian and member of the body of the Church; wherefore the Church is able to judge and punish him. This is the opinion of all the early Fathers  This opinion is based on the fact that a manifest heretic is not in any way a member of the Church: neither in spirit nor in body, neither by interior union nor by external union. Est ergo quinta opinio vera, Papam haereticum manifestum per se desinere esse Papam et Caput, sicut per se desinit esse Christianus et membrum coporis Ecclesiae; quare ab Ecclesia posse eum judicari et puniri. Haec est sententia omnium veterum Patrum  Fundamentum hujus sententiae est, quonium haereticus manifestus nullo modo est membrum Ecclesiae, id est, neque animo neque corpore, sive neque unione interna, neque externa.

Bellarmine here was bringing up a hypothetical question about a Pope falling into manifest heresy. He never says, though, that this hypothetical scenario ever happened or will ever happen. In fact, in the same controversy on the Roman Pontiff, Bellarmine refutes all the alleged examples of heretical popes. St. Robert also argues that it is pious and probable that the Roman Pontiff can in no way be a heretic. Some argue that this latter opinion of Bellarmine was affirmed implicitly at Vatican I when it taught the See of St. Peter always remains untainted by any error and that the charism of truth and never-failing faith was conferred upon Peter and his successors (Denz.-H, 3070-3071).

Popes, of course, can sin and make mistakes in their prudential judgments. According to the teaching of Vatican I, however, the successors of St. Peter have the charism of truth and never-failing faith. The prevenient grace of God prevents Popes from ever leading the Church into heresy. According to the official Relatio of Bishop Gasser at Vatican I, the Council affirmed the position of Bellarmine in De Summo Pontifice, Book IV, chapter VI in which the Jesuit saint states:

It is probable and may piously be believed that not only as Pope can the Supreme Pontiff not err, but he cannot be a heretic even as a particular person by pertinaciously believing something false against the faith. It is proved: 1) because the sweet disposition of the providence of God seems to require it. For the Pope not only should not, but cannot preach heresy, but rather should always 5 preach the truth. He will certainly do that, since the Lord commanded him to confirm his brethren, and for that reason added: I have prayed for thee, that thy faith shall not fail, that is, that at least the preaching of the true faith shall not fail in thy throne. How, I ask, will a heretical Pope confirm the brethren in faith and always preach the true faith? Certainly God can wrench the confession of the true faith out of the heart of a heretic just as he placed the words in the mouth of Balaams ass. Still, this will be a great violence, and not in keeping with the providence of God that sweetly disposes all things. 2) It is proved ab eventu. For to this point no [Pontiff] has been a heretic, or certainly it cannot be proven that any of them were heretics; therefore this is a sign that it [i.e. a heretical pope] cannot happen. For more on this see Pighius.

See Bellarmine, Third General Controversy On the Roman Pontiff, Book IV, chapter VI and Bishop Vincent Ferrer Gasser, The Gift of Infallibility, trans. Rev. James T. OConnor (Ignatius Press, 2008), pages 5859. Ultimately, Bellarmine and Suarez agree that God, in His divine providence, will prevent a pope from ever imposing heresy on the whole Church. As Bellarmine writes in De Summo Pontifice 4.2: the Pope cannot in any way define anything heretical to be believed by the whole Church (non posse ullo modo definire aliquid haereticum a tota Ecclesia credendum).

In De Summo Pontifice 4.6, Bellarmine further states that the Pontiff not only should not, but cannot preach heresy, but also that he should always teach the truth, and without doubt, he will do that (sed etiam debet veritatem semper docere et sine dubio id faciet), since the Lord commanded him to strengthen his brethren, and therefore He added, I have prayed for you that your faith many not fail, that is, that at least the teaching of the true faith on your throne will not fail. Ultimately, Bellarmine believed that God will protect popes from either defining or teaching something that is heretical.

Who will judge the Roman Pontiff?

In his Letter to Emperor Michael of September 28, 865, Pope St. Nicholas I, when speaking of the authority of the Roman Pontiff, said: neither by the emperor, nor by all the clergy nor by kings nor by the people will the judge be judged  The first See will not be judged by anyone (Denz.-H. 638). The teaching that the first See ( i.e. the Roman See of the Pope) will not be judged by anyone was repeated in canon 1556 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law and canon 1404 of the 1983 Code in this way: The First See is judged by no one (Prima Sedes a nemine iudicatur).

Vatican I in 1870 declared that the judgment of the Apostolic See, whose authority is unsurpassed, is not subject to review by anyone; nor is anyone allowed to pass judgment on its decisions (Denz.-H, 3063). Vatican II, in its Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, Lumen gentium, taught that the college or body of bishops has no authority unless it is understood together with the Roman Pontiff, the successor of Peter as its head. The Popes power of primacy over all, both pastors and faithful remains whole and intact. In virtue of his office, that is, as Vicar of Christ and pastor of the whole Church, the Roman Pontiff has full, supreme, and universal power over the Church. And he is always free to exercise this power (Lumen gentium, 22).

APPENDIX FOUR

The Letter of Pope Agatho to the Emperors March 27, 680, which, along with another letter of his, was read out in session 4 of Constantinople III and approved by the council fathers. The council fathers approved these two letters again in session 18 and sent them to the emperor with the words Peter has spoken through Agatho (see Introduction to Denz.- H. 542545)

This letter of Pope Agatho is found in Migne, Pat. Lat., 87:1161 ff; In the highlighted section on p. 4 [in blue rather than bolding], Pope Agatho affirms that the Apostolic Church of Rome has never turned away from the path of truth in any direction of error and has never erred from the path of the apostolic tradition. The acceptance of this letter by the bishops at Constantinople III shows that the condemnation of Pope Honorius I (in session 13) was one of negligence and not heresy or grave doctrinal error. [Dave: I have added many paragraph breaks and an indentation of a long quotation from St. Augustine]

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Agatho a bishop and servant of the servants of God to the most devout and serene victors and conquerors, our most beloved sons and lovers of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Emperor Constantine the Great, and to Heraclius and Tiberius, Augustuses.

While contemplating the various anxieties of human life, and while groaning with vehement weeping before the one true God, in prayer that he might impart to my wavering soul the comfort of his divine mercy, and might lift me by his right hand out of the depths of grief and anxiety, I most gratefully recognize, my most illustrious lords and sons, that your purpose [i.e. of holding a Council] afforded me deep and wonderful consolation. For it was most pious and emanated from your most meek tranquility, taught by the divine benignity for the benefit of the Christian commonwealth divinely entrusted to your keeping, that your imperial power and clemency might have a care to enquire diligently concerning the things of God (through whom Kings do reign, who is himself King of Kings and Lord of Lords) and might seek after the truth of his spotless faith as it has been handed down by the Apostles and by the Apostolic Fathers, and be zealously affected to command that in all the churches the pure tradition be held.

And that no one may be ignorant of this pious intention of yours, or suspect that we have been compelled by force, and have not freely consented to the carrying into effect of the imperial decrees touching the preaching of our evangelical faith which was addressed to our predecessor Donus, a pontiff of Apostolic memory, they have through our ministry been sent to and entirely approved by all nations and peoples; for these decrees the Holy Spirit by his grace dictated to the tongue of the imperial pen, out of the treasure of a pure heart, as the words of an adviser not of an oppressor, defending himself, not looking with contempt upon others; not afflicting, but exhorting; and inviting to those things which are of God in godly wise, because he, the Maker and Redeemer of all men, who had he come in the majesty of his Godhead into the world, might have terrified mortals, preferred to descend through his inestimable clemency and humility to the estate of us whom he had created and thus to redeem us, who also expects from us a willing confession of the true faith.

And this it is that the blessed Peter, the prince of the Apostles, teaches: Feed the flock of Christ which is among you, not by constraint, but willingly, exhorting it according to God. Therefore, encouraged by these imperial decrees, O most meek lords of all things, and relieved from the depths of affliction and raised to the hope of consolation, I have begun, refreshed somewhat by a better confidence, to comply with promptness with the things which were sometime ago bidden by the Sacra of your gentlest fortitude, and am endeavouring in obedience therewith to find persons, such as our deficient times and the quality of this obedient province permit, and taking advice with my fellow-servant bishops, as well concerning the approaching synod of this Apostolic See, as concerning our own clergy, the lovers of the Christian Empire, and, afterwards concerning the religious servants of God, that I might exhort them to follow in haste the footsteps of your most pious Tranquility.

And, were it not that the great compass of the provinces, in which our humilitys council is situated had caused so great a loss of time, our servitude a while ago could have fulfilled with studious obedience what even now has scarcely been done. For while from the various provinces a council has been gathering about us, and while we have been able to select some persons of those from this very Roman city immediately subject to your most serene power, or from those near by, others again we have been obliged to wait for from far distant provinces, in which the word of Christian faith was preached by those sent by the predecessors of my littleness; and thus quite a space of time has elapsed: and I pass over my bodily pains in consequence of which life to a perpetually suffering person is neither possible nor pleasant.

Therefore, most Christian lords and sons, in accordance with the most pious jussio of your God-protected clemency, we have had a care to send, with the devotion of a prayerful heart (from the obedience we owe you, not because we relied on the [superabundant] knowledge of those whom we send to you), our fellow-servants here present, Abundantius, John, and John, our most reverend brother bishops, Theodore and George our most beloved sons and presbyters, with our most beloved son John, a deacon, and with Constantine, a subdeacon of this holy spiritual mother, the Apostolic See, as well as Theodore, the presbyter legate of the holy Church of Ravenna and the religious servants of God the monks.

For, among men placed amid the Gentiles, and earning their daily bread by bodily labour with considerable distraction, how could a knowledge of the Scriptures, in its fulness, be found unless what has been canonically defined by our holy and apostolic predecessors, and by the venerable five councils, we preserve in simplicity of heart, and without any distorting keep the faith come to us from the Fathers, always desirous and endeavouring to possess that one and chiefest good, viz.: that nothing be diminished from the things canonically defined, and that nothing be changed nor added thereto, but that those same things, both in words and sense, be guarded untouched?

To these same commissioners we also have given the witness of some of the holy Fathers, whom this Apostolic Church of Christ receives, together with their books, so that, having obtained from the power of your most benign Christianity the privilege of suggesting, they might out of these endeavour to give satisfaction, (when your imperial Meekness shall have so commanded) as to what this Apostolic Church of Christ, their spiritual mother and the mother of your God-sprung empire, believes and preaches, not in words of worldly eloquence, which are not at the command of ordinary men, but in the integrity of the apostolic faith, in which having been taught from the cradle, we pray that we may serve and obey the Lord of heaven, the Propagator of your Christian empire, even unto the end. Consequently, we have granted them faculty or authority with your most tranquil mightiness, to afford satisfaction with simplicity whenever your clemency shall command, it being enjoined on them as a limitation that they presume not to add to, take away, or to change anything; but that they set forth this tradition of the Apostolic See in all sincerity as it has been taught by the apostolic pontiffs, who were our predecessors.

For these delegates we most humbly implore with bent knees of the mind your clemency ever full of condescension, that agreeably to the most benign and most august promise of the imperial Sacra, your Christlike Tranquillity may deem them worthy of acceptance and may deign to give a favourable hearing to their most humble suggestions. Thus may your meekest Piety find the ears of Almighty God open to your prayers, and may you order that they return to their own unharmed in their rectitude of our Apostolic faith, as well as in the integrity of their bodies. And thus may the supernal Majesty restore to the benign rule of your government through the most heroic and unconquerable labours of your God-strengthened clemency, the whole Christian commonwealth, and may he subdue hostile nations to your mighty sceptre, that there may be satisfaction from this time forth to every soul and to all nations, because what you deigned to promise solemnly by your most august letters about the immunity and safety of those who came to the Council, you have fulfilled in all respects.

It is not their wisdom that gave us confidence to make bold to send them to your pious presence; but our littleness obediently complied with what your imperial benignity, with a gracious order, exhorted to. And briefly we shall intimate to your divinely instructed Piety, what the strength of our Apostolic faith contains, which we have received through Apostolic tradition and through the tradition of the Apostolical pontiffs, and that of the five holy general synods, through which the foundations of Christs Catholic Church have been strengthened and established; this then is the status [and the regular tradition] of our Evangelical and Apostolic faith, to wit, that as we confess the holy and inseparable Trinity, that is, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, to be of one deity, of one nature and substance or essence, so we will profess also that it has one natural will, power, operation, domination, majesty, potency, and glory.

And whatever is said of the same Holy Trinity essentially in singular number we understand to refer to the one nature of the three consubstantial Persons, having been so taught by canonical logic. But when we make a confession concerning one of the same three Persons of that Holy Trinity, of the Son of God, or God the Word, and of the mystery of his adorable dispensation according to the flesh, we assert that all things are double in the one and the same our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ according to the Evangelical tradition, that is to say, we confess his two natures, to wit the divine and the human, of which and in which he, even after the wonderful and inseparable union, subsists. And we confess that each of his natures has its own natural propriety, and that the divine, has all things that are divine, without any sin. And we recognize that each one (of the two natures) of the one and the same incarnated, that is, humanated (humanati) Word of God is in him unconfusedly, inseparably and unchangeably, intelligence alone discerning a unity, to avoid the error of confusion. For we equally detest the blasphemy of division and of commixture.

For when we confess two natures and two natural wills, and two natural operations in our one Lord Jesus Christ, we do not assert that they are contrary or opposed one to the other (as those who err from the path of truth and accuse the apostolic tradition of doing. Far be this impiety from the hearts of the faithful!), nor as though separated (per se separated) in two persons or subsistences, but we say that as the same our Lord Jesus Christ has two natures so also he has two natural wills and operations, to wit, the divine and the human: the divine will and operation he has in common with the coessential Father from all eternity: the human, he has received from us, taken with our nature in time. This is the apostolic and evangelic tradition, which the spiritual mother of your most felicitous empire, the Apostolic Church of Christ, holds. This is the pure expression of piety.

This is the true and immaculate profession of the Christian religion, not invented by human cunning, but which was taught by the Holy Ghost through the princes of the Apostles. This is the firm and irreprehensible doctrine of the holy Apostles, the integrity of the sincere piety of which, so long as it is preached freely, defends the empire of your Tranquility in the Christian commonwealth, and exults [will defend it, will render it stable; and exulting], and (as we firmly trust) will demonstrate it full of happiness. Believe your most humble [servant], my most Christian lords and sons, that I am pouring forth these prayers with my tears, or its stability and exultation [in Greek exaltation]. And these things I (although unworthy and insignificant) dare advise through my sincere love, because your God-granted victory is our salvation, the happiness of your Tranquility is our joy, the harmlessness of your kindness is the security of our littleness.

And therefore I beseech you with a contrite heart and rivers of tears, with prostrated mind, deign to stretch forth your most clement right hand to the Apostolic doctrine which the co-worker of your pious labours, the blessed apostle Peter, has delivered, that it be not hidden under a bushel, but that it be preached in the whole earth more shrilly than a bugle: because the true confession thereof for which Peter was pronounced blessed by the Lord of all things, was revealed by the Father of heaven, for he received from the Redeemer of all himself, by three commendations, the duty of feeding the spiritual sheep of the Church; under whose protecting shield, this Apostolic Church of his has never turned away from the path of truth in any direction of error, whose authority, as that of the Prince of all the Apostles, the whole Catholic Church, and the Ecumenical Synods have faithfully embraced, and followed in all things; and all the venerable Fathers have embraced its Apostolic doctrine, through which they as the most approved luminaries of the Church of Christ have shone; and the holy orthodox doctors have venerated and followed it, while the heretics have pursued it with false criminations and with derogatory hatred. This is the living tradition of the Apostles of Christ, which his Church holds everywhere, which is chiefly to be loved and fostered, and is to be preached with confidence, which conciliates with God through its truthful confession, which also renders one commendable to Christ the Lord, which keeps the Christian empire of your Clemency, which gives far-reaching victories to your most pious Fortitude from the Lord of heaven, which accompanies you in battle, and defeats your foes; which protects on every side as an impregnable wall your God-sprung empire, which throws terror into opposing nations, and smites them with the divine wrath, which also in wars celestially gives triumphal palms over the downfall and subjection of the enemy, and ever guards your most faithful sovereignty secure and joyful in peace. For this is the rule of the true faith, which this spiritual mother of your most tranquil empire, the Apostolic Church of Christ, has both in prosperity and in adversity always held and defended with energy; which, it will be proved, by the grace of Almighty God, has never erred from the path of the apostolic tradition, nor has she been depraved by yielding to heretical innovations, but from the beginning she has received the Christian faith from her founders, the princes of the Apostles of Christ, and remains undefiled unto the end, according to the divine promise of the Lord and Saviour himself, which he uttered in the holy Gospels to the prince of his disciples: saying, Peter, Peter, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that (thy) faith fail not. And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Let your tranquil Clemency therefore consider, since it is the Lord and Saviour of all, whose faith it is, that promised that Peters faith should not fail and exhorted him to strengthen his brethren, how it is known to all that the Apostolic pontiffs, the predecessors of my littleness, have always confidently done this very thing: of whom also our littleness, since I have received this ministry by divine designation, wishes to be the follower, although unequal to them and the least of all.

For woe is me, if I neglect to preach the truth of my Lord, which they have sincerely preached. Woe is me, if I cover over with silence the truth which I am bidden to give to the exchangers, i.e., to teach to the Christian people and imbue it therewith. What shall I say in the future examination by Christ himself, if I blush (which God forbid!) to preach here the truth of his words? What satisfaction shall I be able to give for myself, what for the souls committed to me, when he demands a strict account of the office I have received? Who, then, my most clement and most pious lords and sons, (I speak trembling and prostrate in spirit) would not be stirred by that admirable promise, which is made to the faithful: Whoever shall confess me before men, him also will I confess before my Father, who is in heaven? And which one even of the infidels shall not be terrified by that most severe threat, in which he protests that he will be full of wrath, and declares that Whoever shall deny me before men, him also will I deny before my Father, who is in heaven? Whence also blessed Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, gives warning and says: But though we, or an angel from the heaven should preach to you any other Gospel from what we have evangelized to you, let him be anathema.

Since, therefore, such an extremity of punishment overhangs the corruptors, or suppressors of truth by silence, would not any one flee from an attempt at curtailing the truth of the Lords faith? Wherefore the predecessors of Apostolic memory of my littleness, learned in the doctrine of the Lord, ever since the prelates of the Church of Constantinople have been trying to introduce into the immaculate Church of Christ an heretical innovation, have never ceased to exhort and warn them with many prayers, that they should, at least by silence, desist from the heretical error of the depraved dogma, lest from this they make the beginning of a split in the unity of the Church, by asserting one will, and one operation of the two natures in the one Jesus Christ our Lord: a thing which the Arians and the Apollinarists, the Eutychians, the Timotheans, the Acephali, the Theodosians and the Gaianit taught, and every heretical madness, whether of those who confound, or of those who divide the mystery of the Incarnation of Christ. Those that confound the mystery of the holy Incarnation, inasmuch as they say that there is one nature of the deity and humanity of Christ, contend that he has one will, as of one, and (one) personal operation. But they who divide, on the other hand, the inseparable union, unite the two natures which they acknowledge that the Saviour possesses, not however in an union which is recognized to be hypostatic; but blasphemously join them by concord, through the affection of the will, like two subsistences, i.e., two somebodies.

Moreover, the Apostolic Church of Christ, the spiritual mother of your God-founded empire, confesses one Jesus Christ our Lord existing of and in two natures, and she maintains that his two natures, to wit, the divine and the human, exist in him unconfused even after their inseparable union, and she acknowledges that each of these natures of Christ is perfect in the proprieties of its nature, and she confesses that all things belonging to the proprieties of the natures are double, because the same our Lord Jesus Christ himself is both perfect God and perfect man, of two and in two natures: and after his wonderful Incarnation, his deity cannot be thought of without his humanity, nor his humanity without his deity. Consequently, therefore, according to the rule of the holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ, she also confesses and preaches that there are in him two natural wills and two natural operations. For if anybody should mean a personal will, when in the holy Trinity there are said to be three Persons, it would be necessary that there should be asserted three personal wills, and three personal operations (which is absurd and truly profane).

Since, as the truth of the Christian faith holds, the will is natural, where the one nature of the holy and inseparable Trinity is spoken of, it must be consistently understood that there is one natural will, and one natural operation. But when in truth we confess that in the one person of our Lord Jesus Christ the mediator between God and men, there are two natures (that is to say the divine and the human), even after his admirable union, just as we canonically confess the two natures of one and the same person, so too we confess his two natural wills and two natural operations. But that the understanding of this truthful confession may become clear to your Pietys mind from the God-inspired doctrine of the Old and the New Testament, (for your Clemency is incomparably more able to penetrate the meaning of the sacred Scriptures, than our littleness to set it forth in flowing words), our Lord Jesus Christ himself, who is true and perfect God, and true and perfect man, in his holy Gospels shews forth in some instances human things, in others, divine, and still in others both together, making a manifestation concerning himself in order that he might instruct his faithful to believe and preach that he is both true God and true man.

Thus as man he prays to the Father to take away the cup of suffering, because in him our human nature was complete, sin only excepted, Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And in another passage: Not my will, but thine be done. If we wish to know the meaning of which testimony as explained by the holy and approved Fathers, and truly to understand what my will, what thine signify, the blessed Ambrose in his second book to the Emperor Gratian, of blessed memory, teaches us the meaning of this passage in these words, saying: He then, receives my will, he takes my sorrow, I confidently call it sorrow as I am speaking of the cross, mine is the will, which he calls his, because he bears my sorrow as man, he spoke as a man, and therefore he says: Not as I will but as thou wilt. Mine is the sadness which he has received according to my affection. See, most pious of princes, how clearly here this holy Father sets forth that the words our Lord used in his prayer, Not my will, pertain to his humanity; through which also he is said, according to the teaching of Blessed Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles, to have become obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross.

Wherefore also it is taught us that he was obedient to his parents, which must piously be understood to refer to his voluntary obedience, not according to his divinity (by which he governs all things), but according to his humanity, by which he spontaneously submitted himself to his parents. St. Luke the Evangelist likewise bears witness to the same thing, telling how the same our Lord Jesus Christ prayed according to his humanity to his Father, and said, Father, if it be possible let the cup pass from me; nevertheless not my will but thine be done,  which passage Athanasius, the Confessor of Christ, and Archbishop of the Church of Alexandria, in his book against Apollinaris the heretic, concerning the Trinity and the Incarnation, also understanding the wills to be two, thus explains: And when he says, Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not my will but thine be done, and again, The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak; he shews that there are two wills, the one human which is the will of the flesh, but the other divine.

For his human will, out of the weakness of the flesh was fleeing away from the passion, but his divine will was ready for it. What truer explanation could be found? For how is it possible not to acknowledge in him two wills, to wit, a human and a divine, when in him, even after the inseparable union, there are two natures according to the definitions of the synods? For John also, who leaned upon the Lords breast, his beloved disciple, shews forth the same self-restraint in these words: I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of the Father that sent me. And again: This is the will of him that sent me, that of all that he gave me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. Again he introduces the Lord as disputing with the Jews, and saying among other things: I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. On the meaning of which divine words blessed Augustine, a most illustrious doctor, thus writes in his book against Maximinus the Arian. He says,

When the Son says to the Father Not what I will, but what thou wilt, what doth it profit thee, that thou broughtest thy words into subjection and sayest, It shews truly that his will was subject to his Father, as though we would deny that the will of man should be subject to the will of God? For that the Lord said this in his human nature, anyone will quickly see who studies attentively this place of the Gospel. For therein he says, My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death. Can this possibly be said of the nature of the One Word? But, O man, who thinkest to make the nature of the Holy Ghost to groan, why do you say that the nature of the Only-begotten Word of God cannot be sad? But to prevent anyone arguing in this way, he does not say I am sad (and even if he had so said, it could properly only have been understood of his human nature) but he says My soul is sad, which soul he has as man; however in this also which he said, Not what I will he shewed that he willed something different from what the Father did, which he could not have done except in his human nature, since he did not introduce our infirmity into his divine nature, but would transfigure human affection. For had he not been made man, the Only Word could in no way have said to the Father, Not what I will. For it could never be possible for that immutable nature to will anything different from what the Father willed. If you would but make this distinction, O ye Arians, ye would not be heretics.

In this disputation this venerable Father shews that when the Lord says his own he means the will of his humanity, and when he says not to do his own will, he teaches us not chiefly to seek our own wills but that through obedience we should submit our wills to the Divine Will. From all which it is evident that he had a human will by which he obeyed his Father, and that he had in himself this same human will immaculate from all sin, as true God and man. Which thing St. Ambrose also thus treats of in his explanation of St. Luke the Evangelist. [After this follows a catena of Patristic quotations which I have not thought worth while to produce in full. After St. Ambrose he cites St. Leo, then St. Gregory Nazianzen, then St. Augustine. (L. & C., col. 647.)] From which testimonies it is clear that each of those natures which the spiritual Doctor has here enumerated has its own natural property, and that to each one a will ought to be assigned. For an angelic nature cannot have a divine or a human will, neither can a human nature have a divine or an angelic will. For no nature can have anything or any motion which pertains to another nature but only that which is naturally given by creation.

And as this is the truth of the matter it is most certainly clear that we must needs confess that in our Lord Jesus Christ there are two natures and substances, to wit, the Divine and human, united in his one subsistence or person, and that we further confess that there are in him two natural wills, viz.: the divine and the human, for his divinity so far as its nature is concerned could not be said to possess a human will, nor should his humanity be believed to have naturally a divine will: And again, neither of these two substances of Christ must be confessed as being without a natural will; but his human will was lifted up by the omnipotency of his divinity, and his divine will was revealed to men through his humanity. Therefore it is necessary to refer to him as God such things as are divine, and as man such things as are human; and each must be truly recognized through the hypostatic union of the one and the same our Lord Jesus Christ, which the most true decree of the Council of Chalcedon sets forth  [Here follows citation.]

This same thing also the holy synod which was gathered together in Constantinople in the time of the Emperor Justinian of august memory, teaches in the seventh chapter of its definitions. [Here follows the citation.] Moreover it is necessary that we should faithfully keep what those Venerable Synods taught, so that we never take away the difference of natures as a result of the union, but confess one Christ, true and perfect God and also true and perfect man, the propriety of each nature being kept intact. Wherefore, if in no respect the difference of the natures of our Lord Jesus Christ has been taken away, it is necessary that we preserve this same difference in all its proprieties. For whoso teaches that the difference is in no respect to be taken away, declares that it must be preserved in all things. But when the heretics and the followers of heretics say that there is but one will and one operation, how is this difference recognized? Or where is the difference which has been defined by this holy Synod preserved? While if it is asserted that there is but one will in him (which is absurd), those who make this assertion must needs say that that will is either human or divine, or else composite from both, mixed and confused, or (according to the teaching of all heretics) that Christ has one will and one operation, proceeding from his one composite nature (as they hold).

And thus, without any doubt, the difference of nature is destroyed, which the holy synods declared to be preserved in all respects even after the admirable union. Because, though they taught that Christ was one, his person and substance one, yet on account of the union of the natures which was made hypostatically, they likewise decreed that we should clearly acknowledge and teach the difference of those natures which were united in him, after the admirable union. Therefore if the proprieties of the natures in the same our one Lord Jesus Christ were preserved on account of the difference [of the natures], it is congruous that we should with full faith confess also the difference of his natural wills and operations, in order that we may be shown to have followed in all respects their doctrine, and may admit into the Church of Christ no heretical novelty. And although there exist numerous works of the other holy Fathers, nevertheless we subjoin to this our humble exposition a few testimonies out of the books which are in Greek, for the sake of fastidiousness. [Here follows a catena of passages from the Greek fathers, viz.: St. Gregory Theologus, St. Gregory Nyssen, St. John bishop of Constantinople, St. Cyril, bishop of Alexandria. (L. & C., col. 654.)]

From these truthful testimonies it is also demonstrated that these venerable fathers predicated in the one and the same Lord Jesus Christ two natural wills, viz.: a divine and a human, for when St. Gregory Nazianzen says, The willing of that man who is understood to be the Saviour, he shows that the human will of the Saviour was deified through its union with the Word, and therefore it is not contrary to God. So likewise he proves that he had a human, although deified will, and this same he had (as he teaches in what follows) as well as his divine will, which was one and the same with that of the Father. If therefore he had a divine and a deified will, he had also two wills. For what is divine by nature has no need of being deified; and what is deified is not truly divine by nature. And when St. Gregory Nyssen, a great bishop, says that the true confession of the mystery is, that there should be understood one human will and another a divine will in Christ, what does he bid us understand when he says one and another will, except that there are manifestly two wills? [He next proceeds to comment upon the passage cited from St. John, then upon that from St. Cyril of Alexandria. After this follow quotations from St. Hilary, St. Athanasius, St. Denys the Areopagite, St. Ambrose, St. Leo, St. Gregory Nyssen, St. Cyril of Alexandria, which are next commented on in their order. He then proceeds: (L. & C., col. 662.)]

There are not lacking most telling passages in other of the venerable fathers, who speak clearly of the two natural operations in Christ, not to mention St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. John of Constantinople, or those who afterwards conducted the laborious conflicts in defence of the venerable council of Chalcedon and of the Tome of St. Leo against the heretics from whose error the assertion of this new dogma has arisen: that is to say, John, bishop of Scythopolis, Eulogius, bishop of Alexandria, Euphrmius and Anastasius the elder, most worthy rulers of the church of Theopolis, and above all that emulator of the true and apostolic faith, the Emperor Justinian of pious memory, whose uprightness of faith exalted the Christian State as much as his sincere confession pleased God. And his pious memory is esteemed worthy of veneration by all nations, whose uprightness of faith was disseminated with praise throughout the whole world by his most august edicts: one of these, to wit, that addressed to Zoilus, the patriarch of Alexandria, against the heresy of the Acephali to satisfy them of the rectitude of the apostolic faith, we offer to your most tranquil Christianity, sending it together with this paper of our lowliness through the same carriers.

But lest this declaration should be thought burdensome on account of its length, we have inserted in this declaration of our humility only a few of the testimonies of the Holy Fathers, especially [when writing to those] on whom the care and arrangement of the whole world as on a firm foundation are recognized to rest; since this is altogether incomparable and great, that the care of the whole Christian State being laid aside for a little out of love and zeal for true religion, your august and most religious clemency should desire to understand more clearly the doctrine of apostolical preaching. For from the different approved fathers the truth of the Orthodox faith has become clear although the treatment is short. For the approved fathers thought it to be superfluous to discourse at length upon what was evident and clear to all; for who, even if he be dull of wit, does not perceive what is evident to all?

For it is impossible and contrary to the order of nature that there should be a nature without a natural operation: and even the heretics did not dare to say this, although they were, all of them, hunting for human craftiness and cunning questions against the orthodoxy of the faith, and arguments agreeable to their depravities. How then can that now be asserted which never was said by the holy orthodox fathers, nor even was presumptuously invented by the profane heretics, viz.: that of the two natures of Christ, the divine and the human, the proprieties of each of which are recognized as being preserved in Christ, that anyone in sound mind should declare there was but one operation? Since if there is one, let them say whether it be temporal or eternal, divine or human, uncreated or created: the same as that of the Father or different from that of the Father. If therefore it is one, that one and the same must be common to the divinity and to the humanity (which is absurd), therefore while the Son of God, who is both God and man, wrought human things on earth, likewise also the Father worked with him according to his nature (naturaliter, phusikos); for what things the Father doeth these the Son also doeth likewise.

But if (as is the truth) the human acts which Christ did are to be referred to his person alone as the Son, which is not the same as that of the Father; in one nature Christ worked one set of works, and in the other another, so that according to his divinity the Son does the same things that the Father does; and likewise according to his humanity, what things are proper to the manhood, those same, he as man, did because he is truly both God and man. For which reason we rightly believe that that same person, since he is one, has two natural operations, to wit, the divine and the human, one uncreated, and the other created, as true and perfect God and as true and perfect man, the one and the same, the mediator between God and men, the Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore from the quality of the operations there is recognized a difference void of offence (aproskopos) of the natures which are joined in Christ through the hypostatic union.

We now proceed to cite some passages from the execrable writings of the heretics hated of God, whose words and sayings we equally abominate, for the demonstration of those things which our inventors of new dogma have followed teaching that in Christ there is but one will and one operation. [Then follow quotations from Apollinaris, Severus, Theodosius of Alexandria. (L. & C., col. 667.)] Behold, most pious lords and sons, by the testimonies of the holy Fathers, as by spiritual rays, the doctrine of the Catholic and Apostolic Church has been illustrated and the darkness of heretical blindness, which is offering error to men for imitation, has been revealed. Now it is necessary that the new doctrine should follow somebody, and by whose authority it is supported, we shall note. [Here follow quotations from Cyrus of Alexandria, Theodore of Pharon, Sergius of Constantinople, Pyrrhus, Paulus his successor, Peter his successor. (L. & C., col.670.)]

Let then your God-founded clemency with the internal eye of discrimination, which for the guidance of the Christian people you have been deemed worthy to receive by the Grace of God, take heed which one of such doctors you think the Christian people should follow, the doctrine of which one of these they should embrace so as to be saved; for they condemn all, and each one of them the other, according as the various and unstable definitions in their writings assert sometimes that there is one will and one operation, sometimes that there is neither one nor two operations, sometimes one will and operation, and again two wills and two operations, likewise one will and one operation, and again neither one, nor two, and somebody else one and two. Who does not hate, and rage against, and avoid such blind errors, if he have any desire to be saved and seek to offer to the Lord at his coming a right faith?

Therefore the Holy Church of God, the mother of your most Christian power, should be delivered and liberated with all your might (through the help of God) from the errors of such teachers, and the evangelical and apostolic uprightness of the orthodox faith, which has been established upon the firm rock of this Church of blessed Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, which by his grace and guardianship remains free from all error, [that faith I say] the whole number of rulers and priests, of the clergy and of the people, unanimously should confess and preach with us as the true declaration of the Apostolic tradition, in order to please God and to save their own souls. And these things we have taken pains to insert in the tractate of our humility, for we have been afflicted and have groaned without ceasing that such grievous errors should be entertained by bishops of the Church, who are zealous to establish their own peculiar views rather than the truth of the faith, and think that our sincere fraternal admonition has its spring in a contempt for them.

And indeed the apostolic predecessors of my humility admonished, begged, upbraided, besought, reproved, and exercised every kind of exhortation that the recent wound might receive a remedy, moved thereto not by a mind filled with hatred (God is my witness) nor through the elation of boasting, nor through the opposition of contention, nor through an inane desire to find some fault with their teachings, nor through anything akin to the love of arrogance, but out of zeal for the uprightness of the truth, and for the rule of the confession of the pure Gospel, and for the salvation of souls, and for the stability of the Christian state, and for the safety of those who rule the Roman Empire.

Nor did they cease from their admonitions after the long duration of this domesticated error, but always exhorted and bore record, and that with fraternal charity, not through malice or pertinacious hatred (far be it from the Christian heart to rejoice at anothers fall, when the Lord of all teaches, I desire not the death of a sinner, but that he be converted and live and who rejoiceth over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety-and-nine just persons: who came down from heaven to earth to deliver the lost sheep, inclining the power of his majesty), but desiring them with outstretched spiritual arms, and exhorting to embrace them returning to the unity of the orthodox faith, and awaiting their conversion to the full rectitude of the orthodox faith: that they might not make themselves aliens from our communion, that is from the communion of blessed Peter the Apostle, whose ministry, we (though unworthy) exercise, and preach the faith he has handed down, but that they should together with us pray Christ the Lord, the spotless sacrifice, for the stability of your most strong and serene Empire.

We believe, most pious lords [singular in the Latin] of all things, that there has been left no possible ambiguity which can prevent the recognizing of those who have followed the inventors of new dogma. For the sweetness of spiritual understanding with which the sayings of the Fathers are full has become evident to the eyes of all; and the stench of the heretics, to be avoided by all the faithful, has been made notorious. Nor has it remained unknown that the inventors of new dogma have been shewn to be the followers of heretics, and not the walkers in the footsteps of the holy Fathers: therefore whoever wishes to colour any error of his whatever, is condemned by the light of truth, as the Apostle of the Gentiles says, For everything that doth make manifest is light, for the truth ever remains constant and the same, but falsehood is ever varying, and in its wanderings adopting things mutually contradictory. On this account the inventors of the new dogma have been shewn to have taught things mutually contradictory, because they were not willing to be followers of the Evangelical and Apostolic faith.

Wherefore since the truth has shone forth by the observations of your God-inspired piety, and falsity which has been exposed has attained the contempt which it deserved, it remains that the crowned truth may shine forth victoriously through the pious favours of your God-crowned clemency; and that the error of novelty with its inventors and with those who follow their doctrine, may receive the punishment due their presumption, and be cast forth from the midst of the orthodox prelates for the heretical pravity of their innovation, which into the holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ they have endeavoured to introduce, and to stain with the contagion of heretical pravity the indivisible and unspotted body of the Church [of Christ]. For it is not just that the injurious should injure the innocent, nor that the offences of some should be visited upon the inoffensive, for even if in this world to the condemned mercy is extended, yet they who are thus spared reap for that sparing no benefit in the judgment of God, and by those thus sparing them there is incurred no little danger for their unlawful compassion.

But we believe that Almighty God has reserved for the happy days of your gentleness the amending of these things, that filling on earth the place and zeal of our Lord Jesus Christ himself, who has vouchsafed to crown your rule, ye may judge just judgment for his Evangelical and Apostolical truth: for although he be the Redeemer and Saviour of the human race yet he suffered injury, and bore it even until now, and inspired the empire of your fortitude, so that you should be worthy to follow the cause of his faith (as equity demanded, and as the determination of the Holy Fathers and of the Five General Synods decreed), and that you should avenge, through his guardianship, on the spurners of his faith, the injury done your Redeemer and Colleague in reigning, thus fulfilling magnanimously with imperial clemency that prophetic utterance with which David the King and Prophet, spake to God, saying, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Wherefore having been extolled for so God-pleasing a zeal, he was deemed fit to hear that blessed word spoken by the Creator of all men, I have found David, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.

And to him also it was promised in the Psalms, I have found David, my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him: My hand shall aid him and my arm shall comfort him, so that the most pious majesty of your Christian clemency may work to further the cause of Christ with burning zeal for the sake of remuneration, and may he make all the acts of your most powerful empire both happy and prosperous, who hath stored up his promise in the Holy Gospels, saying, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you. For all, to whom has come the knowledge of the sacred heads, have been offering innumerable thanksgivings and unceasing praises to the defender of your most powerful dominion, being filled with admiration for the greatness of your clemency, in that you have so benignly set forth the kind intention of your august magnanimity; for in truth, as most pious and most just princes, you have deigned to treat divine things with the fear of God, having promised every immunity to those persons sent to you from our littleness. And we are confident that what your pious clemency has promised, you are powerful to carry out, in order that what has been vowed and promised to God by the religious philanthropy beyond your Christian power, may nevertheless be fulfilled by the aid of his omnipotency.

Wherefore let praise by all Christian nations, and eternal memory, and frequent prayer be poured forth before the Lord Christ, whose is the cause, for your safety, and your triumphs, and your complete victory, that the nations of the Gentiles, being impressed by the terror of the supernal majesty, may lay down most humbly their necks beneath the sceptre of your most powerful rule, that the power of your most pious kingdom may continue until the ceaseless joy of the eternal kingdom succeeds to this temporal reign. Nor could anything be found more likely to commend the clemency of your unconquerable fortitude to the divine majesty, than that those who err from the rule of truth should be repelled and the integrity of our Evangelical and Apostolic faith should be everywhere set forth and preached.

Moreover, most pious and God-instructed sons and lords, if the Archbishop of the Church of Constantinople shall choose to hold and to preach with us this most unblameable rule of Apostolic doctrine of the Sacred Scriptures, of the venerable synods, of the spiritual Fathers, according to their evangelical understanding, through which the form of the truth has been set forth by us through the assistance of the Spirit, there will ensue great peace to them that love the name of God, and there will remain no scandal of dissension, and that will come to pass which is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, when through the grace of the Holy Spirit the people had come to the acknowledging of Christianity, all of us will be of one heart and of one mind.

But if (which God forbid!) he shall prefer to embrace the novelty but lately introduced by others; and shall ensnare himself with doctrines which are alien to the rule of orthodox truth and of our Apostolic faith, to decline which as injurious to souls these have put off, despite the exhortation and admonitions of our predecessors in the Apostolic See, down to this day, he himself should know what kind of an answer he will have to give for such contempt in the divine examination of Christ before the judge of all, who is in heaven, to whom when he cometh to judgment also we ourselves are about to give an account of the ministry of preaching the truth which has been committed to us, or for the toleration of things contrary to the Christian religion: and may we (as I humbly pray) preserve unconfusedly and freely, with simplicity and purity, whole and undefiled, the Apostolic and Evangelical rule of the right faith as we have received it from the beginning.

And may your most august serenity, for the affection and reverence which you bear to the Catholic and Apostolic right faith, receive the perfect reward of your pious labours from our Lord Jesus Christ himself, the ruler with you of your Christian empire, whose true confession you desire to preserve undefiled, because nothing in any respect has been neglected or omitted by your God-crowned clemency, which could minister to the peace of the churches, provided always that the integrity of the true faith was maintained: since God, the Judge of all, who disposes the ending of all matters as he deems most expedient, seeks out the intent of the heart, and will accept a zeal for piety.

Therefore I exhort you, O most pious and clement Emperor, and together with my littleness every Christian man exhorts you on bended knee with all humility, that to all the God-pleasing goodnesses and admirable imperial benefits which the heavenly condescension has vouchsafed to grant to the human race through your God-accepted care, this also you would order, for the redintegration of perfect piety, to offer an acceptable sacrifice to Christ the Lord your fellow-ruler, granting entire impunity, and free faculty of speech to each one wishing to speak, and to urge a word in defence of the faith which he believes and holds, so that it may most manifestly be recognized by all that by no terror, by no force, by no threat or aversion any one wishing to speak for the truth of the Catholic and Apostolic faith, has been prohibited or repulsed, and that all unanimously may glorify your imperial (divinam) majesty, throughout the whole space of their lives for so great and so inestimable a good, and may pour forth unceasing prayers to Christ the Lord that your most strong empire may be preserved untouched and exalted. The Subscription. May the grace from above keep your empire, most pious lords, and place beneath its feet the neck of all the nations.

Footnotes:

[327] Only in the Latin.

[328] Meo affectu: kat emen diathesin.

[329] Propter fastidium; what this may mean I have no idea; the Greek is still more extraordinary: rhathumias (vel. baruthumias) charin.

[330] The meaning of this passage is clear enough but the text is slightly corrupt.

[331] I.e., the imperial edicts.

***

NOTE Michael Lofton devoted a 28-minute show on his webcast, Reason & Theology, to this article (dated 3-11-24).

*
Over and over again, the Pope says things which make traditional/ orthodox/ conservative Catholics want to bang their heads against the wall. It appears that he is deviously attempting to change church doctrine, one step at a time, that he is acting as a dictator, that he is cruel and vicious towards traditionalists.

But what if whats really happening is that he just isnt that bright? Sure, his writing sounds smart but in my view (though I acknowledge that his words are always in translation its possible that the tone is lost) his texts always come off to me as trying to sound smart  in part by stringing together endless quotations  rather than really being profound.

Fundamentally, what characterizes higher levels of intelligence, and wisdom in the broadest sense, is not you do a better job solving math problems. A key differentiator, it seems to me, is the ability to think about the future and the past, and alternate scenarios, and ways in which other worlds, people, cultures are different from your own, as part of an overall ability to reason abstractly. Perhaps what I want to express is also the issue of theory of mind, the ability to understand that how other people feel about something is not necessarily the same as how you feel.

Consider the Fiducia Supplicans uproar. What did the Pope intend when he approved of the idea of blessing same-sex or irregular opposite-sex relationships? Did the Pope intend that the relationship of the same-sex couple be blessed? Did he imagine you could bless a couple without blessing the relationship itself? What would it mean to bless without approving? As far as I can tell, he approved of this plan without having thought through all of this, let along without the awareness that African bishops would find it outrageous or that the Germans would consider it a sign-off of their plan to provide blessings of gay unions.

Or consider his suppression of the Latin Mass and his constant attacks on Catholics of a traditionalist bent, whom he calls rigid when he doesnt find a more mean-spirited term to use. Maybe hes an ***, but maybe he just is not smart enough to understand what motivates these people.

Or how about the economy, where over and over his statements seem to show an inability to understand how economies actually work, with pretty much the same inability that has caused Argentina to be in such poor condition?

Or his change to the catechism about the death penalty, in which he revised the prior statement that, generally speaking, in our modern times, the conditions in which the death penalty would be acceptable, no longer exist, into a blanket statement that the death penalty is inadmissable?

Here is the revised text:

Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state. Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption. Consequently, the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person, and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.

The very statement that more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens is the sort of inappropriate blanket statement which, to me, shows an inability to recognize the possibility that circumstances may change or be different elsewhere. Does he imagine that a future Pope would re-revise this if a historically-Catholic country falls into a state of chaos in which those more effective systems of detention are nowhere to be found? Its arc of history thinking, the idea that things will always change for the better, never get worse.

(Side note: we have just had an illustration of this very issue, with reports of a mass prison break in Haiti as gangs rampage across the country. It is clearly not the case that Haiti has been able to effectively detain its criminals.)

How about his thoughts on just war? This is something I came across a while back, that I thought was pretty concerning. There was a statement somewhere about the Pope disapproving of the idea of the just war and stating, in the context of the war in Gaza, that all war is always bad, with maddening vagueness about a nations need to defend itself. In trying to find out what exactly he said, I came across a piece from 2022, at CNA, Pope Francis: I believe it is time to rethink the concept of a just war, describing an interview in which he seemingly tried to have it both ways, both accepting a nations right to self defense but nonetheless claiming that Resolving conflicts through war is saying no to verbal reasoning, to being constructive.  War is essentially a lack of dialogue. It seems naive, at best, to believe that some meaningful number of wars could have been avoided by dialogue, as if it was all a matter of misunderstanding, rather than due to an aggressor who wanted to conquer another territory.

And one paragraph in particular was concerning:

And when the anniversary of the landing in Normandy was commemorated, I thought of the 30,000 boys who were left dead on the beach. They opened the boats and said, get off, get off, they were ordered while the Nazis waited for them. Is that justified? Visiting military cemeteries in Europe helps one realize this, he said.

What the heck does he mean here? It sure sounds as if he believes that the loss of life was so great that the Allies should not have resisted the Nazis. Thats absurd. In my mind, thats again the sort of thing that you conjure up if you just cant think and reason through things well enough.

Once again, the Pope caused a stir with his comments that he hopes Hell is empty.

Thats absurd.

Yes, theres a pious prayer, lead all souls to Heaven. And some nice words in the catechism about hoping that all may be saved. But thats a sort of future tense hope, and a tidy sort of expression that salvation is offered to everyone. It is not logical to take that pious hope and reverse it into history, because we know that there have been a great many human beings who lived lives of cruelty and, indeed, demonic acts, and it defies reason to believe that each and every one of them would have repented at the end of their lives. It also counters actual scripture, where Christ actually said that real people would be in Hell.

But heres what was reported back in January:

When asked by the interviewer, Fabio Fazio, how he imagines hell, Pope Francis gave a short response. What I am going to say is not a dogma of faith but my own personal view: I like to think of hell as empty; I hope it is, Pope Francis said.

And yet in that very article was a statement that

Pope Francis has previously spoken about the existence of hell in public speeches during the past 10 years of his pontificate. In March 2014 he said in an address that members of the Mafia should change their lives while there is still time, so that you do not end up in hell. That is what awaits you if you continue on this path.

So in the end, when you consider the various conspiracies that the pope is attempting to change Catholic doctrine, it begins to seem far more plausible to me that he is trying to be far more clever than he is actually able to, than some more nefarious purpose. Though, of course, it could be both . . .
I just finished re-reading Mary Shelleys classic 1818 novel Frankenstein. Its a pioneering work of horror and science fiction, and its as relevant today as it was when she first wrote it.

Frankenstein and me

Regular readers know that my first loves in the realm of horror (some would say my obsession) are vampires. But Frankenstein has always been right there too.

The first movie I ever saw on Shock Theatre was Dracula (1931). The next week they showed Frankenstein (1931). A couple weeks later they showed Draculas Daughter (1936), followed the next week by Bride of Frankenstein (1935). There was Son of Dracula (1943) and Son of Frankenstein (1939). Hammer Films did the same thing. They started with The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) and followed it with Horror of Dracula (1958)  both starring Christopher Lee in the title role.

I like horror books and movies not because I want to be scared, but because I want to be fascinated: with castles and forests, cauldrons and books, magic and monsters.

As a nerdy little kid who struggled to fit in, I especially identified with the monsters. I wanted to be Dracula, but I felt like I was Frankenstein.

For all my often-voracious reading, this is only the second time Ive read Frankenstein. Im struggling to remember when I read it first. My best guess is sometime in the early 1990s. I know I read Dracula for the second time in 1992, in preparation for seeing Bram Stokers Dracula that November. I suspect I read Frankenstein about the same time.

Im reading more fiction these days. Its mostly contemporary horror and urban fantasy, but Im trying to sprinkle in some classics. I re-read Dracula in late 2022 and Carmilla in late 2023  it was time to tackle Frankenstein again.

And so I did.

Reading a 206 year old novel

The main thing I remembered about Frankenstein from 1992 (or whenever) was that it was difficult to read. The prose is formal and unfamiliar. It didnt help that I was reading an old mass market paperback printed in 10 point font. Im normally a fast reader  I had to cut my reading speed about in half.

As I understand was common for novels of the day, Frankenstein is written as a series of stories told from one character to another. It begins with a letter from a Captain Walton on board a sailing ship exploring the Arctic to his sister back in England. Early on he rescues Victor Frankenstein from the ice  then we hear Victor telling his story. When we eventually hear from the Creatures point of view, we have him talking to Victor, who tells the sort to Walton, who tells it to his sister. It works, but as with the prose, the method is unfamiliar.

When I re-read Dracula (first published in 1897) most recently, I was struck by how Christian it is. I credited that to Britain being a thoroughly Christian culture at the time.

Frankenstein impressed me with how Christian it isnt. Religion is hardly mentioned and when it is its often for negative reasons, such as the priest who harangues Justine into confessing to a murder she did not commit. For all its talk of life and death, there is no discussion of heaven or hell. And for all that Frankenstein is often described as a cautionary tale for man interfering with the affairs of God, the Christian God is almost never brought up.

Internet sources are in disagreement as to Mary Shelleys religious thoughts and beliefs. She was intelligent and curious and she lived 53 years  it is likely they shifted over the course of her life. But Frankenstein makes it clear that at age 19, she had little desire for religion in general and for established religion in particular.

Its alive!

Books and movies are two very different ways of telling a story. The challenge for scriptwriters is to adapt the book for the screen, being neither slavish to the original nor losing sight of the books main characters and themes.

Peggy Webling adapted Frankenstein into a stage play in 1927. John Balderson adapted Weblings play further, screenwriters Francis Edward Faragoh and Garrett Fort turned it into a script, and director James Whale turned that into the brilliant 1931 movie.

The movie spends much of its time in Frankensteins laboratory. There is the body, the defective brain, the storm, the electricity, all culminating in Colin Clives Dr. Frankenstein shouting its alive!

The book is much more understated. Victor engages in his unwholesome trade, the Creature awakens, Victor is horrified at what he has done and runs away, and when he comes back the Creature is gone. The bulk of the story is not in the making, but in the consequences of the making.

Geneva: 1816

Many of you know that Frankenstein was conceived in a storytelling contest between Mary, her husband Percy, Lord Byron, his traveling companion Dr. John Polidori, and Marys stepsister Claire Clairmont. They were living temporarily in Geneva  1816 was the year without a summer caused by the volcanic eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia the previous year. The weather was cold and rainy and the party spent most of their time indoors.

This contest produced both Marys groundbreaking novel and Polidoris The Vampyre, the first modern vampire story in English. Byron wrote a fragment of a vampire novel  its available in some anthologies (all five pages of it). Percy wrote something about a ghost that has been lost, and if Claire wrote anything there is no mention of it.

Byron and the Shelleys rented separate houses, but it was Byrons house Villa Diodati where the storytelling took place, at least according to their accounts. Villa Diodati is still there. Unfortunately, it has been carved up into luxury apartments and is not open to the public.

I would pay an irresponsible amount of money to spend a long weekend in Villa Diodati, especially if I could persuade a few of my close Pagan and magical writer friends to join me. Alas, thats not possible.

Its just as well. I would be chasing someone elses inspiration instead of following my own.

How to make a monster

Contrary to what some have said (likely in the more loose movie adaptations), Mary Shelley never named Frankensteins creation. Hes simply called the Creature or occasionally  by an angry Victor  demon. The idea that he was named Adam comes from this line:

I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone am irrevocably excluded. I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous.

The Creature comes to life and is immediately abandoned by his creator. Everywhere he is shunned and attacked because of his appearance  an appearance his creator made. When others are helpful to him  even unknowingly  he repays kindness with kindness. And when Victor reneges on his promise to create a mate for the Creature, the Creature takes his revenge in kind.

In the eternal question of nature vs. nurture, Mary Shelley comes down strongly on the side of nurture.

None of the Creatures murders are justified. He understands this, saying you hate me, but your abhorrence cannot equal that with which I regard myself. Revenge upon the innocent is never justified.

More relevant to our world here and now, revenge leads only to more revenge, which leads only to destruction and death.

This was portrayed brilliantly in Penny Dreadful (2014  2016). As in the novel, the Creature is abandoned by his creator, shunned by society, and becomes a murderer. But as he is befriended  especially by Vanessa  he becomes a friend. He takes the name John Clare after the English poet (1793  1864) and by the end of the series, he is perhaps the most human of all the characters.

Is this canonical? No. Is it plausible? Definitely.

Who is the monster?

A meme I see occasionally says:

Knowledge is knowing Frankenstein isnt the monster. Wisdom is knowing Frankenstein is the monster.

This is a dangerous oversimplification.

The Creature is not the villain of Frankenstein. And yet when he kills William, Henry, Elizabeth, and indirectly, Justine, he is a monster.

Victor is the villain of Frankenstein. But he started with the best of intentions. His fatal sin was not arrogance or blasphemy but cowardice: his refusal to accept and nurture his creation, and then his refusal to keep his word and create a mate for him (though, as both Bride of Frankenstein and Penny Dreadful showed, it might not have gone well if he had).

There are two monsters in this story, and two ways of becoming a monster.

Treat people monstrously and they will become monsters.

Treat people monstrously and you will become a monster yourself.

Frankenstein is out of copyright and is available for free on Project Gutenberg.

To answer the questions I know are coming, no, I have not seen Poor Things (2023) or Lisa Frankenstein (2024). I likely will see them eventually, though at this point the rental prices on Amazon Prime are more than I want to pay.
Southeastern Australia is set to sizzle for another day as a record-breaking autumn heatwave rolls on.

Melbourne is expected to bake on Monday, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a top of 37C after a low of 24C. Hot weather is predicted across most of Victoria, with temperatures in the mid to high 30s likely. An extreme fire danger rating is in place for the South West region of Victoria, with emergency crews on high alert.

Resident are taking to social media to share the novel ways they're beating the heat, with one person even claiming they set up a temporary pool in their living room. Others, however took a slightly more conventional approach setting up the "$20 kids pool" from Kmart under the Hills Hoist adorned with a tarp for shade. Locals sharing their unlikely creations to cool down has become somewhat of a growing trend this summer.

Well, that's one way to do it. Source: Reddit

"Alright at least this one is outside," one person commented. Source: Reddit

Online, some expressed concern over electrocution risk when it comes to setting up a pool in the living room, while others praised the tarp shade as "absolute genius".

The temperature peaked at 36.9C in Melbourne late on Sunday, with Avalon recording 40C and Geelong 39.6C.

Adelaide is also sweltering, with the state's capital tipped to peak at 38C after an uncomfortable overnight minimum of 27C. Hot conditions in the high 30s and low 40s are forecast for most regional areas in South Australia, with a total fire ban widely declared.

Sweltering heat to remain until Wednesday

The bureau warns the conditions will persist in parts of SA, Victoria, NSW and Tasmania until Wednesday.

It followed a record-breaking Saturday night in the Victorian capital, with the mercury hovering about 30C until Sunday morning, when it dropped to 27.3C  toppling the previous March record-high minimum temperature of 26.5C in 2013.

Hobart was also stifling on Saturday night, with a minimum temperature of 24C, well above the previous March record of 21.1C.

In SA, Adelaide recorded a top of 38.8C on Sunday as the mercury soared into the high 30s and 40s across most of the state.

Story continues

Melbourne lads Nick (front) and Jacob (back) made a pool using pallets and a tarp to cool down during Melbourne's previous bout of heat. Source: Supplied

The warmer weather, roughly 10 to 15 degrees higher than average is caused by a high-pressure system sitting in the Tasman Sea that directs hot northerly winds over south-eastern Australia.

The Bureau of Meteorology says those "blocking high-pressure systems" also prevent cold fronts being able to sweep across the southern parts of the country and flush away the heat.

"A southerly change is expected to move through early on Tuesday, giving the southern states some reprieve but it won't be until Wednesday or Thursday that a colder air mass will push in and bring those temperatures down," senior meteorologist Sarah Scully told ABC News.

Heat shuts down events

Extreme conditions on Saturday forced event organisers to cancel some outdoor festivals and parades.

Melbourne's famous Moomba Parade was cancelled on Saturday due safety concerns for performers and spectators.

Patrons at the Pitch Music and Arts Festival in southwest Victoria were told to leave by Saturday morning as those yet to arrive were warned to stay away.

One of the stages at Adelaide's WOMAD was closed on Sunday due to the heat, while a handful of other events were postponed until late at night or cancelled.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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I have been working in the IT industry for over 30 years, for most of this time as an editor at PC-WELT (PCWorlds German sister publication), specializing in security. I test antivirus software, give tips on how to make Windows more secure, am constantly on the lookout for the best security tools, and monitor the activities of cyber criminals.

Over the years, I have acquired a whole range of behaviors and principles that seem completely normal and sensible to me. However, when I observe other PC users, I often discover risky or at least less security-oriented behavior.

Thats why Ive put together the 10 most important things I would never do as an IT security expert, with tips on what to do instead.

Further reading: Best antivirus software

1. Move instead of copy

You can hardly tell the difference in Windows Explorer: Here, photos and videos are moved instead of copied. This can worsen data security rather than improve it.

You can hardly tell the difference in Windows Explorer: Here, photos and videos are moved instead of copied. This can worsen data security rather than improve it.

IDG You can hardly tell the difference in Windows Explorer: Here, photos and videos are moved instead of copied. This can worsen data security rather than improve it.

IDG IDG

Moving your own files instead of copying them immediately makes me feel uneasy. This includes, for example, photos or videos from the camera or audio recordings from a smartphone or audio recorder. If you move such files, which are usually unique, you run the risk of losing them as soon as you move them. Although this is very rare, it cannot be completely ruled out.

But even if the moving process goes smoothly: The data is then still only available once. If the hard drive in the PC breaks, the data is gone. If I make a mistake and accidentally delete the files, they are gone. These are risks that only arise if you start a move operation instead of a copy operation.

If you think I need the space on the SD card for new photos, then you should consider buying a second SD card. Your own data is always worth it.

And when do I release the space on the SD card? I do this as soon as my backup plan on the PC has backed up the copied data. In my case, this is done on a hard drive in the network that runs on a Raspberry Pi.

Important files are also automatically encrypted and uploaded to cloud storage.

Further reading: Best online backup services

2. Save my own data without a backup

I have set up an automatic backup for all important data. Because saving files I have created myself without a prompt backup is far too risky for me. This also includes all data that I enter into apps, for example, whether for Android, iOS, or Windows. Just because most apps dont offer an easily recognizable backup function doesnt absolve the user of responsibility for their data.

great windows backup software Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Read our review Best Prices Today:

For example, at two grammar schools in Koblenz, Germany, several hundred school iPads were logged off the school network due to an error. The handwritten notes in the Goodnotes app used by the pupils were deleted. Many students had worked exclusively with the schools own iPads and this app  in other words, there was no secondary copy of their notes. Around 500 of the total of 7,500 iPads were affected by the data loss by being connected to the school network at the time of the breakdown.

A cloud backup, as is usual for iPads, was deactivated for data protection reasons. No other form of data backup appears to have been used. The pupils concerned cannot be blamed here, but the system administrator responsible can.

3. Format storage without a thorough check

The drive management shows each connected drive with all partitions. You can usually clearly identify a partition based on its name and size. The drive management shows each connected drive with all partitions. You can usually clearly identify a partition based on its name and size. IDG The drive management shows each connected drive with all partitions. You can usually clearly identify a partition based on its name and size. IDG IDG

I would never make this mistake  because I have made it before. Therefore, I can only advise from experience: Only format a storage drive when you are sure that you have selected the correct drive.

For years, I used external USB hard drives to store my files. The folder structure on these hard drives was usually identical. There were the folders My Documents, Videos, Temp, Virtual PCs, and a few more. Whats more, all the hard drives were the same model, which I had once bought generously on a good deal. Some of these disks even had the same data carrier designation  namely Data.

That wasnt very clever, because it made it too easy to mix them up. So I ended up confusing one of these hard drives with another one at a late hour and formatted the wrong one.

Since then, I have named and labelled my external hard drives and USB sticks very clearly and take another close look before formatting them.

First check, then format: Choosing the right drive before formatting is crucial to avoid unintentional data loss. In Windows Explorer, check which drive letter the hard drive or partition to be formatted has. This is often not immediately apparent on systems with multiple drives. Take the time to check, unplug other hard disks and drives to increase the overview. The name of the disk and its size will help you to identify it.

In addition, start Disk Management by entering Disk Management in the Windows search. All connected disks and their partitions will be displayed. Only start formatting when you are sure that you have found the correct hard drive, USB stick, or partition.

I dont like to open a link in an email. And I never open a link if the email is supposedly from my bank or payment service provider. I dont even open the link in the monthly email from PayPal, even though I know that this email actually comes from PayPal.

Why not? Nowadays it is very easy for an attacker to create a deceptively real copy of a bank email. I wouldnt reliably recognize the difference between a phishing email and a real bank email  at least not in the short time I have to check my inbox.

Instead, I open online banking pages and other important pages via links Ive saved in my browser, or retype the address into the browser each time. I log in to the site and check whether a new message has arrived in my customer account. If not, then the message in the email is either a fake or not important enough for the bank to enter this information in my customer account. Thats the end of the matter for me.

Tip: Change these 5 Windows settings to improve your data privacy

5. Opening suspicious files

The online sandbox Hybrid Analysis documents the behavior of a suspicious program with a screenshot. The service is free, but it is often overloaded and responds very slowly. The online sandbox Hybrid Analysis documents the behavior of a suspicious program with a screenshot. The service is free, but it is often overloaded and responds very slowly. IDG The online sandbox Hybrid Analysis documents the behavior of a suspicious program with a screenshot. The service is free, but it is often overloaded and responds very slowly. IDG IDG

If a file is suspicious, regardless of whether its a program or a document, I dont open it. The risk is simply too great. As an IT editor, I am of course constantly downloading tools from the internet and quite a few of them are scanned by the virus scanner. That is one indication that makes a file suspicious.

Another is the source. Files from dubious websites are just as suspicious as files that are attached to an email or come from links in emails. If I cant avoid opening or starting such files, I always check them first with the tool www.virustotal.com. The online service checks a file with more than 60 virus scanners.

If you want even more information about a suspicious file than www.virustotal.com provides, you can also upload suspicious files to an online sandbox. However, this is somewhat more complicated than a test at Virustotal. The services often require registration and are sometimes subject to a fee.

A free and uncomplicated online sandbox without registration is available at www.hybrid-analysis.com.

6. Give vouchers for payment of services

If you are asked to buy vouchers, you should listen carefully (at least if the request does not come from your children). This is how scammers who are after your money operate. If you are asked to buy vouchers, you should listen carefully (at least if the request does not come from your children). This is how scammers who are after your money operate. Foundry If you are asked to buy vouchers, you should listen carefully (at least if the request does not come from your children). This is how scammers who are after your money operate. Foundry Foundry

Who would want to do this? An astonishing number of users! They are all victims of a social engineering attack. Social engineering uses psychological tricks to manipulate people into doing things that are not in their interests. Human characteristics such as trust, fear, or ignorance are exploited.

A popular trick goes like this: You are surfing the internet and suddenly a warning message appears that appears to come from Windows. Your PC has been hacked and you should call a support telephone number so that a Microsoft employee can fix your PC. When you call, you are told that your PC has actually been hacked. However, this costs money and is supposed to be paid for with voucher cards. The criminals demand these because voucher codes are much harder for the police to trace than a bank transfer.

The fact is: Nobody is immune to the tricks of social engineering. A well-prepared and skillful attacker can lure anyone into a trap. There are many examples of this  search CEO fraud. But the moment something as unusual as a voucher code for a service is requested, you can become suspicious and escape the trap. The same applies if you are told that someone is coming round to collect money from you.

See also: How do I remove malware from my PC?

7. Connect unknown external devices

A USB stick whose owner I dont know. Im not plugging it in. Fortunately, gone are the days when Windows autostart function immediately launched an EXE file from a connected USB stick. By default, Windows 10 and 11 only offer to start Windows Explorer to display the contents of the USB stick.

So thats not the problem. But like everyone, Im curious. Attackers take advantage of this and save malicious files with file names that you cant resist opening.

For a long time, security experts said that if you wanted to break into a company network, all you had to do was leave a few infected USB sticks in the company parking lot. Some employee will grab a stick and connect it to their work PC.

The professional malware Stuxnet is also said to have reached the computers at the Iranian nuclear facility via a USB stick. It is only unclear whether this USB stick got into the plant via the parking lot trick or whether an insider smuggled it in. Stuxnet destroyed the centrifuges in the nuclear facility and thus delayed the production of fissile material for a nuclear bomb.

When you have to insert a foreign USB stick: The same rules apply as under point 5. Check the files on www.virustotal.com or start them in a sandbox.

8. Use default passwords

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When I connect a new device that has default password protection, I immediately change the existing password. The same applies to online accounts that have given me a password.

Admittedly: It has become rare for a router to come with a default password. However, it is all the more important to act quickly in the remaining cases. This is because attackers know the default passwords and try to use them to log into the devices. A great password manager can help you create strong, unique passwords for every site and service you use.

9. Enable unnecessary network services

If you do not need remote access to the Fritzbox via www.myfritz.net, for example, you should not activate it. Every access point to your IT increases the attack surface for hackers. If you do not need remote access to the Fritzbox via www.myfritz.net, for example, you should not activate it. Every access point to your IT increases the attack surface for hackers. IDG If you do not need remote access to the Fritzbox via www.myfritz.net, for example, you should not activate it. Every access point to your IT increases the attack surface for hackers. IDG IDG

Hardly a month goes by without a new security vulnerability in a NAS or webcam becoming known. These network devices are usually vulnerable via the internet and allow hackers to access the data on the NAS, the images on the webcam, or even the entire home network.

Thats why I dont activate any network services that I dont need. Remote access to my router  deactivated. Remote access to my smart lighting  deactivated. Access to my NAS and the robot vacuum cleaner is also deactivated.

10. Buy an expensive Plus version of antivirus

Most antivirus manufacturers offer three or more program versions. I wouldnt buy the most expensive one. I dont need their expensive additional functions. Most antivirus manufacturers offer three or more program versions. I wouldnt buy the most expensive one. I dont need their expensive additional functions. PCWorld Most antivirus manufacturers offer three or more program versions. I wouldnt buy the most expensive one. I dont need their expensive additional functions. PCWorld PCWorld

Antivirus software is usually available in three versions. Simple, good, and very good  or antivirus, internet security, and total security. I would never buy the third and most expensive version.

Thats purely a financial consideration: If I were rich, I would decide differently. But as long as money is tight, I only buy the middle variant, which is usually called Internet Security. It usually offers more than the free Microsoft Defender, but is not as expensive as the full version.

With the latter, I would be paying for services that I dont necessarily need (metadata cleansing, social media monitoring) or that I can get cheaper elsewhere (VPN services, cloud storage).

As I said, the total versions offer more, but I dont need that extra.

the best budget antivirus we've tested AVG Internet Security Read our review

This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.
After three years, its finally time to upgrade to Windows 11.

get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro

With Windows 11, Microsoft shifted into productivity mode, and to this day Windows 11 still feels like the operating system for work, while Windows 10 still feels lively and fun. But Windows 11 not only is where entertaining new features are landing, but also includes new AI capabilities that may improve your lives. Its time to embrace the change.

Last year, I was split: I wrote five reasons to switch to Windows 11, and five more to remain on Windows 10. In my initial review of Windows 11 I called it unnecessary, and I know that many of you will still agree with me. But Im less reluctant now, and I think were approaching a tipping point for most people. Im already past it.

Windows 11 is visually underwhelming, but its functional. And its grown on me, Windows 11 is visually underwhelming, but its functional. And its grown on me, Microsoft Windows 11 is visually underwhelming, but its functional. And its grown on me, Microsoft Microsoft

Windows 11 is betting big on AI-powered Windows apps

So why switch to Windows 11? Lets start with the acronym Microsoft cares most about: AI. And no, I dont mean Copilot.

Microsoft has bet big on Copilot, of course, but its AI chatbot is available within Windows 10, Microsoft Edge, the web, mobile  you name it. If you want to chat with an AI, Microsoft has made Copilot as ubiquitous as possible. What it hasnt done is sprinkle AI on the Windows 10 apps, in the same way it has for Windows 11.

Some of my favorite AI-powered applications and features within Windows 11 include:

Paint: Microsoft added its Cocreator AI generation technology to Paint, plus background removal and even layers, like Photoshop. Those features arent in Windows 10. Part of the reason I like all of this AI art is that while I can write, I certainly cant draw. Paint goes beyond any of the AI art services by allowing me to add or subtract, using layers.

Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG

Live Captions: As outlined in our Windows 11 2022 Update review, Windows 11 can transcribe incoming or recorded audio on your PC, including Teams calls or just a home movie that you recorded years ago.

As outlined in our Windows 11 2022 Update review, Windows 11 can transcribe incoming or recorded audio on your PC, including Teams calls or just a home movie that you recorded years ago. Windows Studio Effects: Though Zoom and Teams automatically blur your background, this collection of utilities can pan and zoom to lock in on your face, and help fool people into thinking that youre paying attention. And the AI audio filtering they do in conjunction with your laptops hardware can be just plain magical.

Though Zoom and Teams automatically blur your background, this collection of utilities can pan and zoom to lock in on your face, and help fool people into thinking that youre paying attention. And the AI audio filtering they do in conjunction with your laptops hardware can be just plain magical. AutoHDR: Windows 11 can automatically add HDR features to games that dont natively support them.

Windows 11 can automatically add HDR features to games that dont natively support them. Windows Automatic Super Resolution: Microsoft has begun testing a way to automatically upscale your PCs frame rate (using a compatible PC graphics card or GPU) on Windows 11.

To be fair, Microsoft took one cool AI-powered feature in the Windows 11 Photos app, Generative Erase, and said it would add it to the Windows 10 (preview) version of the app, too. (Its essentially Googles Magic Eraser technology, but within Windows.) So, well, yeah.

If Microsofts smart  and they usually are  the company is simply going to find more and more ways to boost Windows 11 apps via AI, enticing you to switch. If you switch to Windows 11, youll be there as those changes roll out.

Core AI improvements within the Windows 11 OS

You dont have to be a psychic to know that Microsoft is going to lean heavier on AI as time progresses. Since Windows apps move at their own pace with their own development roadmaps, it makes sense that theyll integrate AI capabilities first. But reports also say that Microsoft plans to improve Windows 11s own built-in search capabilities with an AI-powered tool that should know more about you and what you want. That could roll out as early as this summer.

Windows 11 did combine fun and smarts in the search box in this 2023 screenshot featuring Bing. Today, its been replaced by a rather plain Copilot interface. Can Microsoft somehow combine the two? Windows 11 did combine fun and smarts in the search box in this 2023 screenshot featuring Bing. Today, its been replaced by a rather plain Copilot interface. Can Microsoft somehow combine the two? Mark Hachman / IDG Windows 11 did combine fun and smarts in the search box in this 2023 screenshot featuring Bing. Today, its been replaced by a rather plain Copilot interface. Can Microsoft somehow combine the two? Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG

This sounds like an AI-infused resuscitation of Timeline, a feature that Microsoft has rolled out before  then deprecated after no one used it. An OS that knows you can feel a little disconcerting. If it is, dont think about what your smartphone already knows about you.

Microsoft isnt calling this new AI-powered OS Windows 12, as once thought. Instead, it will be Windows 11. PC makers have already said that it will debut in June. Thats when the Surface Laptop 6 and Surface Pro 10 are also expected, too. Switch now, and youll be ready for the next wave of AI PCs.

Quality-of-life improvements

I know this isnt a big deal for some of you, but Windows 11 automatically stores the positions of my monitors when I undock them. Since I review the best Thunderbolt docks as part of my job (and I recently reviewed one which allowed for four 4K displays) this matters! To me, at least. I cant imagine the pain it would be to configure each display just so after I undocked my laptop.

Not everyone uses four 4K displays in the course of their work, but I do. Not everyone uses four 4K displays in the course of their work, but I do. Mark Hachman / IDG Not everyone uses four 4K displays in the course of their work, but I do. Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG

Likewise, snapping Windows via Windows Snap feels far more intuitive in Windows 11 than in Windows 10. While you can snap a window to the side of the screen via the Windows + [direction arrow] key in Windows 10, being able to hover your cursor over the maximize window icon and see suggested layouts makes much more sense.

I dont see as much value in Snap Groups (where, in addition to the suggested layouts, Microsoft suggests which apps should go where) but its still an attempt at convenience that just isnt there in Windows 10.

Windows 11s Snap Layouts/Groups, on a laptop display. Bigger monitors have more layout options. Windows 11s Snap Layouts/Groups, on a laptop display. Bigger monitors have more layout options. Mark Hachman / IDG Windows 11s Snap Layouts/Groups, on a laptop display. Bigger monitors have more layout options. Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG

Windows can automatically also lock your PC when you leave, which isnt a big deal for a home with a trusted family, but may be for a shared apartment or workplace. And Microsoft is also providing a Narrator feature that can read to you in a natural tone. Phone Link now connects to iPhones, but it wont on Windows 10.

Some of these features arent tremendous advantages. (In the spirit of full disclosure, Microsoft provides a cheat sheet of feature differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11.) Widgets, for example, serves more as a nuisance than as a genuine source of news.

But you may see under-the-hood changes, too. Intel launched its 12th-gen Alder Lake processors in 2021, and said then that its Thread Director management software wouldnt offer the same advantages on Windows 10 as they would over Windows 11. Usually it works the other way around  an OS eventually drops support for older processors. Over time, who knows? As processors and the OS become more tightly integrated, we cant say for certain what will happen to Windows 10 performance.

Windows 10 is dying, and Windows 11 is the future

get windows 11 pro for cheap in PCworld's software store Windows 11 Pro

So far, weve focused on the positives, but theres a real consequence to remaining in Windows 10: the end-of-life date. Windows 10 users have about eighteen months before Windows 10 runs out of support on Oct. 14, 2025. And if you want support after that, Microsoft will force you to pay up.

That facts a bit troubling, as Microsoft still hasnt convinced a majority of users to adopt Windows 11. As I write this, its 883 days since the launch of Windows 11. Windows 11s North American market share is dragging: 64.3 percent of PCs are still running Windows 10, according to StatCounter, versus 31.3 percent which have jumped to Windows 11.

If you go back in time, 883 days after Microsoft launched Windows 10, it commanded a 47.8 percent market share. But a year earlier, in Jan. 2017, Windows 10 was dead even at 41.3 percent with Windows 7  the OS that everyone proclaimed their love for at the time.

So why does this matter? For two reasons: the 2017 releases of the Windows 10 Creators Update and the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Microsoft didnt deliver quite everything it promised, but both updates were chock full of consumer-friendly features nevertheless. Not surprisingly, the two were the most consequential Windows 10/11 updates Microsoft has ever delivered, and they convinced users to jettison the beloved Windows 7 in favor of something new, cooler, and more useful.

Remember when Story Remix/Photos allowed you to add 3D effects to a photo? Now you can just do it with AI in Windows 11. Remember when Story Remix/Photos allowed you to add 3D effects to a photo? Now you can just do it with AI in Windows 11. Remember when Story Remix/Photos allowed you to add 3D effects to a photo? Now you can just do it with AI in Windows 11.

Thats the bar Microsoft has set for itself as it heads into 2024: can it convince users that they need AI? I think that what Microsoft has already added to Windows justifies the switch, with more to come.

Do I miss Windows 10? A little

Some people I know work within Windows 11, but maintain a separate Windows 10 PC for gaming and fun. I can totally understand why they would. When Windows 11 rolled out, it felt somewhat sterile, and still does  the Start menu doesnt offer much configurability, the Taskbar doesnt move and expand, and so on. I really missed Windows Spotlights rotating backgrounds, and am happy theyre now on Windows 11.

If youre in the camp that argues that Microsoft hasnt done enough to win you over to Windows 11  part of me agrees with you. But I also think that Ive developed workarounds for the things I dislike with Windows 11. Time has dulled the pain. I rarely touch the Start menu, launching apps by name via the Windows key. The Mail app (never die, Mail) shows numerical icon badging, even if most Taskbar icons do not. The technical improvements Windows 11 promises simply outweigh the aesthetic elements I disagree with.

So, god help me, Im done with Windows 10. And Im not going back.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, reiterated the pivotal role of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business in enhancing bilateral and trade relations between Ghana and Canada, particularly the extractive sector.



Delivering an address at the 25th annual African Mining Breakfast and the 22nd annual Investing in African Mining Seminar held In Toronto, Canada on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Hon. Jinapor shed light on the historically rich relationship between Ghana and Canada, noting that the time has arrived for the two countries to ramp up the collaboration with investment in Ghanas extractive sector as the focal point of the renewed relationship.



The Lands Minister touted the summit as well as the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business as major platforms for the promotion of investment in Ghanas mining sector.



We must leverage on this cordial relations to promote business and trade between Canada and African countries. That is why the work of Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and this Seminar are very consequential; for there is no better sector to promote trade and business than the extractive sector, which has proven to generate significant rent for its owners and stakeholders, he said.



In his bid to woo investors to Ghanas thriving extractive industry, Hon. Jinapor touched on the various components of the Ghanaian mining architecture that makes the country a welcoming destination for investors.



A welcoming investment climate should include appropriate policy, legislative, institutional and fiscal framework, and Ghana, the beacon of democracy in Africa, is reputed in this area.



Our modern day lives depend, largely, on minerals and mining, which provide the components for the manufacturing industry. And this has become even more profound as the world works towards a green energy transition. Fortunately, we in Africa, apart from our mineral endowment, have created a common market, through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), headquartered in Ghanas vibrant capital city of Accra, with a market of over one point two billion (1.2billion) people.



Africas mineral endowment places the continent in a unique position, particularly on this journey towards green energy. I am hopeful that this Breakfast and Seminar will renew the cordial relations between Africa and Canada, and encourage more businesses to invest in Africas mining industry, and, of course, my country, Ghana, the leading producer of gold in Africa, and the undisputed mining hub of the continent.



He also took time to explain Ghanas tripartite mineral harnessing policy to the investors, noting that the governments commitment to the successful implementation of the policies has opened up a myriad of investment opportunities in the extractive industry.



To realise the goal of IGF and the Africa Mining Vision, of utilising our mineral resources for sustainable development, and to ensure that these resources benefit our people and investors, equitably, the Government of Ghana, under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, is promoting three main policies within the mining industry.

Firstly, diversification of our mineral resource base to exploit the range of minerals that can be responsibly and viably mined. Secondly, beneficiation and value addition to minerals mined in our country, to ensure a mutually beneficial situation for both Government and investors; and

Finally, enhancing local content and local participation, to ensure that, while the interests of investors as our partners are upheld, Ghanaians, who are, by law, the owners of our mineral resources, also, benefit from the mining industry.



Delivering the key note address at the event, Mr Peter Marrone, Chairman and Chief Executive officer of Allied Gold Corporation urged African governments to create opportunities in Africa as many investors the world over are looking up to Africa, stressing that " for over half of the world's population is in Africa which present a unique opportunity to invest".



He noted that Africa is a youthful population and the youthful population wants to be better and mining should represent the industry that present the best opportunity and benefits across board.



Touching on the Africa model with direct investment into the assets, he said that Africa cannot be overlooked and tasked investors to look for such benefits.



He also urged African governments to Keep their countries competitive to obtain the right investment including ensuring that mining companies maintain their interests.





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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G&J Technical Services Ltd, a pioneering force in backup power solutions, has held a media encounter in commemoration of three decades of excellence in providing reliable electricity to Ghana and the wider West African region.



The 30th Anniversary celebrations under the theme "Our Past Guides Our Future," is to reaffirm its clients the companys commitment to serving and empowering households and organizations with constant energy supplies.



Speaking at a press launch event on Monday, March 11, 2024, Founder and Managing Director, Godfrey Asiedu, reminisced about the company's journey from its modest beginnings to its current status as a powerhouse in the industry.



"It is humbling. This is a humbling experience because when we started this company, all I was hoping for was to be able to put food on the table and pay school fees. But what weve achieved together in this past 30 years, weve been blessed beyond measure," he said.



The celebrations, he said commemorate the company's rich history and highlight the invaluable contributions of its clients and stakeholders to the success of the company in the three decades gone by.



Established in March 1994, G&J Technical Services has been at the forefront of delivering reliable backup power solutions, sourcing engines and generators exclusively from the United Kingdom.



Over the past three decades, the company has not only established itself as a market leader but has also contributed significantly to job creation and community development within Ghana.



Discount



As part of their anniversary celebrations, the company announced exciting discount offerings on their generator sets, ranging from 22KV to 50KV.



Managing Partner and Head of Marketing and Sales, James Aidoo, revealed that clients making full payments will enjoy a 10% discount, while those opting for a 50% down payment will receive a 7.5% discount.



He said these discounts come at a crucial time as the region grapples with recent erratic power supply, ensuring companies and households have access to uninterrupted electricity.



The press launch will be followed by a celebration dinner at Labadi Beach Hotel on March 15, 2024.







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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Police have arrested a delegate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Sunyani East Constituency for taking pictures while voting in the partys parliamentary primary at the Catholic Pastoral Centre.



About 982 delegates in the constituency voted to elect the parliamentary candidate for election 2024.



They decided between Ambassador George Kumi, a former envoy and Mr Kwasi Asomah-Cheremeh, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP).



The incident happened around 1030 hours on Saturday, when the suspect, yet to be identified, took pictures of himself while casting his ballot.



In the process, another delegate noticed his actions and alerted the police, leading to his arrest.



The police declined to speak to the media. However, the incident did not obstruct the election process, which was conducted and supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC).



Due to certain internal challenges, the Sunyani East constituency could not participate in the NPPs parliamentary primary held on Saturday, January 27, but the national leadership resolved those challenges and re-scheduled the primary to March 9.





Source: GNA









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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Nigeria's spate of abductions worsened on Saturday as more than a dozen students and four women were kidnapped from a school in Gada, Sokoto.



Local MP Bashir Usman Gorau told the BBC that 15 students were among those kidnapped early in the morning.



Meanwhile, the army is still searching for hundreds of schoolchildren taken in the western town of Kuriga on Thursday.



In an update, the state governor Uba Sani told the BBC that at least 28 of these children had escaped.



Thursday's kidnapping - which saw 280 students taken - was the biggest mass abduction from a school since 2021.



Gangs of armed men on motorbikes took primary and secondary school children between the ages of eight and 15, school authorities and parents said.



Nigerian troops are working with police and local search teams to comb forests within the state of Kaduna, where Kuriga is located, as well as neighbouring states.



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.



Mr Sani said the lack of boots on the ground was the main reason for the rise in kidnappings in the area.



Families 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."



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 fear for their children's safety and are wary of allowing them to go to school. As a result, thousands of children are not attending school.



The last major abduction of children in Kaduna was in July 2021 when gunmen took more than 150 students.



They were re-united months later after their families paid ransoms.



But in 2022, Nigeria passed a law banning ransom payments to kidnappers and imposed a 15-year jail term for making them.



It also made abduction 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 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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Ghanas foreign minister, Shirley A. Botchwey, was a special guest of King Mswati III of Eswatini, at the annual Buganu festival commemorating the Marula fruit harvest, one of the biggest events of the southern African kingdoms national calendar.



The event in a large royal arena, featured over 30,000 dancing and singing women leaders, known as Lushango, who serve as torchbearers of Swazi culture, and ensure traditional knowledge and practices are passed on to younger generations.



King Mswati presided over the ceremony at Hlane, 95 km south-west of the capital, Mbabane, with their revered Queen Mother Ntfombi Tfwala, seated on the dais alongside Madam Botchwey who was dressed in the orange celebratory bare-shoulder Lihiya attire.



The 55-year-old King also held in-camera bilateral discussions with Madam Botchwey and hosted a banquet for her and dignitaries at his palace at Hlane.



She also delivered a special message from President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.



Were happy that weve been joined today by women from other African countries; Africa has always been led by culture, King Mswati said in an address delivered solely in siSwati, one of the countrys national languages.



He said International Womens Day (commemorated worldwide on March 8) is recognition of the role of women in societies.



Madam Botchwey and the Eswatini foreign minister, Madam Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu, also joined the Lushango in the celebratory dance in the flood-lit arena.



The Marula fruit, the centre-piece of the festival, is the source of the Swazi staple Buganu alcoholic beverage. It is also the fruit from which the creamy alcoholic drink, Amarula is distilled.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
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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Professor Vladimir Antwi Danso, Dean of the Armed Forces Staff and Command College, has urged ECOWAS and the African Union to take specific measures to neutralize the activities of the LGBTQ+ communities.



Prof. Vladimir questioned the rationale behind the pressure being issued by some European diplomats.



Speaking on United Television's 'Mpu ne Mpu' programme, Prof. Antwi Danso asked, "Why should LGBTQ be a variable for the determination of our international relations? It is a corrupt pressure that all of us must oppose."



"We dont tell them what to do, so why should they dictate to us what we should do as a sovereign state? ECOWAS and the African Union must rise up to oppose this action before it becomes too late."



"Why should someone come to dictate to us. We cannot all be Europeans, nor can we all be Africans. The specificities of our countries create the conditions for our choices. That is why the African Union and ECOWAS must stand firm to protect our culture."



He added that the LGBTQ+ community is specific to Western countries. How is it being pushed to be legalized in Ghana?



According to him, we must take a specific stand to neutralise the activities and demands of the LGBTQ+.



He further added that there is no international law that gives any country the right to dictate to another country how to govern itself.



Watch video below





Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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An Australian visual communication expert has labelled a digitally "manipulated" portrait of Kate Middleton "very suspicious" and "very risky", following an extraordinary recall of the image by the world's biggest photo agencies after it was found to have been doctored.

On Monday, just under 12 hours after the photo of the Princess of Wales and her three children  George, Charlotte and Louis  was posted to Instagram, global photo agencies Associated Press, Getty and AFP, which provide images to media outlets including Yahoo, recalled it, issuing a "kill notice" to news outlets.

"The Associated Press initially published the photo, which was issued by Kensington Palace," an AP spokesperson told Yahoo. "The AP later retracted the image because at closer inspection, it appears that the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP's photo standards. The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand."

An Australian photo expert has pointed out the 'obvious' flaws in this image of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. Source: Supplied / TJ Thomson

Royal pic 'not a particularly good Photoshop job'

The photo is the first officially released portrait of the princess in months and comes amid intense speculation over her whereabouts, following a notable absence from appearances and media since she underwent abdominal surgery in January.

Experts said there are a number of "obvious" flaws in the touch-up job, and it's difficult to tell if the portrait, posted to the Prince and Princess of Wales' official Instagram account, is even recent.

Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, TJ Thomson, visual media and communication expert at RMIT University, said "it wasn't a particularly good Photoshop job" and "there is very little" we can do to determine when it was actually taken. "It does seem very, very suspicious, and very, very risky," Thomson told Yahoo.

"It has been picked up quite easily, quite quickly, within 12 hours or so, and it is really easy in Photoshop to just kind of face swap someone else's head onto someone else's body.

Story continues

"It's probably more or less real, there could be a little bit of airbrushing, a little bit of smoothing, teeth whitening  that kind of thing, I think the basic components probably are accurate. But it's just a matter of if they are all accurate at the same point in time, at that same location that the photo is claiming it is."

'Very hard' to determine when photo was taken

Without having the original image "to look at and forensically analyse" it's really "anyone's guess whether it depicts what they're claiming it depicts, or not", Thomson explained, meaning there's no way to really tell when it was taken or what components of the image are 100 per cent authentic.

The photo of the princess and her three children was recalled by leading photo agencies AP and Getty. Source: Supplied / TJ Thomson

Visual communication expert TJ Thompson branded the alterations 'suspicious' and 'very risky'. Source: Supplied / TJ Thomson

"It could be that something just wasn't as flattering as they wanted it to be in the image. They want to have a really kind of carefully curated, nice presentation with the family, in perfect light, that kind of thing, or, could be something more insidious," he said.

"But there are very little ways we can be sure to be honest [if the picture was taken recently]. I tried to do a reverse image search of the photo to see if there were older photos of a similar nature, and I couldn't find any. But that doesn't mean there aren't any, it just means it's not any publicly out there online already."

Kensington Palace, the royal couple's official residence, has remained silent on the awkward controversy, reportedly declining to issue a statement to British media.

No comment from Kensington Palace tonight after at least 3 international pictures agencies refuse to distribute this mornings photo of Kate and her children. Some of them (@AP ) have claimed the source [the palace] has manipulated the image. pic.twitter.com/ppOwDtPr9P  Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) March 10, 2024

Multiple processes in place to verify images in global outlets

Thomson said anyone with eyes would be able to be immediately notice some of the alterations "just from looking at it".

"The cuff of Princess Charlotte's left sleeve, you can see with the naked eye that something's off with that, it kind of dissolves midway into thin air," he said. "You can also see with naked vision that Princess Kate's right arm, or the right hand, fingers already are quite unnaturally blurred and same thing with her hair on the right side of her head, also quite blurred compared to the left side of her head."

There are multiple processes in place when it comes to verification within photo agencies, with images analysed and interpreted by different types of software.

"I would anticipate that folks either at AP or colleagues in other newsrooms are probably looking at social media and looking at comments," Thomson said. "And probably someone noticed that anomaly and mentioned it, and then they probably looked at it closely themselves.. and then issued the kill notice."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The choice of a former Minister of Education, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the vice presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, has been described as a "shrewd move" by Alhaji Said Sinare, the former High Commissioner to Egypt and Saudi Arabia.



Alhaji Said Sinare applauded the appointment of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang adding that, her emergence as President Mahama's running mate is a "masterstroke that will not make the office of the Vice President wasteful and irrelevant as it has been under Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's days in office."



The founder of the Zongos for John Mahama added that the choice of Prof. Jane Naana was an indication that the party consulted widely and settled for the best among equals shortlisted candidates.



"John and Jane's campaign will not be one riddled with phantasmagoric and illusory cheap campaign promises but issue and policy-based that will keep the other languorous mate goofing," he stated in a Facebook post.



He continued to add that the "ticket of John and Jane will take governance from the level of mediocrity to excellence" as Ghanaians are witnessing under the leadership of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Prez. Nana Addo.



Alhaji Said Sinare further noted that the pair, if they win, could set the nation on the pedestal of economic recovery given their rich public and private sector managerial experience.



READ THE FULL POST BELOW



H.E John Dramani Mahama and Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang's ticket into the 2024 general elections will brim with the integral condiments of leadership: competence, capacity and credibility.



Their campaign will not be one riddled with phantasmagoric and illusory cheap campaign promises but issue and policy-based that will keep the other languorous mate goofing.



Congratulations once again @Prof as your emergence as President Mahama's running mate is a masterstroke and I know you won't be a wasteful vice president to the Republic of Ghana.



This pair will take governance from Mediocrity to Excellence.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com









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Nigerian actor Ramsey Nouah has rejoiced over the treatment hes received from Kwadwo Nkansah Lilwin since he arrived in Ghana to appear in a movie.



According to him, Lilwin is overfeeding him and indeed, has even made him gain weight since arriving in Ghana.



Nouah and other Nigerian actors are set to appear in A Country Called Ghana, a new production from Lilwin.



Nouah, in an interview with Kofi Adoma Nwawani, said the treatment he has received from Lilwin is fantastic.



He said he is fed waakye every afternoon and in the evening, he eats some sort of goat soup with its accompanying swallow, as the Nigerians would say.



Ramsey Nouah said he has gained about 5kg since coming to Ghana whilst Lilwin remains as slim as a broom!



Watch Nouah below

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ghanafuo Ho Nsem (@ghanafuonsem)















View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ghanafuo Ho Nsem (@ghanafuonsem)















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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Ghanaian actor John Bredu Peasah, famed for his portrayal of Drogba in the widely acclaimed series YOLO, has made a heartfelt plea to the public for assistance following the revelation of his ongoing health battle.



Taking to his official Instagram account, affectionately known as Drogba, Peasah disclosed his diagnosis of demyelinating disease, a condition affecting the protective covering of nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord.



The actor disclosed that he has been undergoing treatment for the past two and a half years, emphasizing the financial strain it has placed on him.



Peasah's appeal for financial aid underscores the urgent need for support to cover his medical expenses during this challenging period.

Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket worth $350,000 was sold in Dauphin County, according to the Pennsylvania Lottery.

The ticket was for the Saturday, March 9, drawing and matched all five balls drawn, 5-9-23-39-42.

The Giant supermarket located at 2300 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, will earn a $500 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

Winners are not known until the tickets have been validated and the prizes are claimed, the lottery said.

Winners have one year to claim their prize. Over 11,400 other Cash 5 tickets won prizes as well. Anyone with a winning Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket should contact their nearest Lottery office or call 800-692-7481.

If you have a gambling problem and are located in Pennsylvania, call 1-800-GAMBLER or contact the 24-hour helpline chat at https://www.pacouncil.com/chatline.
VENICE, Fla. (AP)  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 (45 meters) from Service Club Park.

A perimeter had been set up to allow authorities to assess the whales condition at the site in Venice, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) 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 (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.
By Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

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.
Police have accused two Ohio women of driving the corpse of an 80-year-old man to a bank to withdraw money from his account.

Karen Casbohm, 63, and Loreen Bea Feralo, 55, have been charged with gross abuse of a corpse and theft from a person in a protected class, according to WTAE.

Police said they were told Monday evening that two women had dropped off a body at the Ashtabula County Medical Center emergency room without identifying either the deceased or themselves.

Several hours later, the body was identified as Douglas Layman, 80, of Ashtabula.

Police then went to Laymans home, where Casbohm and Feralo said that all three of them lived at the residence and that they had discovered Laymans dead body at the house.

With the help of a third, unnamed person, police said Casbohm and Feralo put Laymans body in the front seat of his car and drove to a bank where they withdrew an undisclosed amount of money from his account.

Before dropping him off they went through a bank drive-thru with him propped up in the passenger seat so that the teller could see him. ... They tried to withdraw money from his account, Ashtabula Police Chief Robert Stell said in a news release, the Star Beacon reported. The bank had allowed this previously as long as they were accompanied by him.

Allegedly, they wanted to pay some bills but outside of that, there wasnt a specific motivation provided, Lt. Mike Palinkas said to WEWS, adding that one of the two women had been in a relationship with Layman for several years.

Both women are currently in custody. The coroners office said Laymans autopsy could take up to eight months, WTAE reported.

Its a very sad commentary on how desperate these two must have been for whatever reason they were doing this, Ashtabula City Solicitor Cecilia Cooper said to WEWS.
The U.S. embassy in Haiti is urging its citizens to not travel to Haiti, and for any citizens currently in the country to leave as soon as possible.

The travel advisory comes in the wake of anti-government gangs that have been battling police and have already shut down both of the countrys international airports. On March 3, a mass prison break in Port-au-Prince led the government to declare a state of emergency after thousands of inmates escaped.

In a post on Sunday, the embassy reminded travelers that the U.S. State Departments Travel Advisory for Haiti remains at Level Four, or Do Not Travel. Other level 4 countries include Russia, Syria and Burkina Faso.

U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible by commercial or other privately available transportation options, in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges, the State Department said in its initial advisory, posted on July 27, 2023.

Do not travel to Haiti. The current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous, the embassy said in its most recent post.

We are aware that there are few or no commercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time. As they become available, we urge U.S. citizens to take advantage of them, the embassy continued. While the U.S. Embassy is unable to facilitate travel out of the country, U.S. citizens in Haiti who wish to record their presence and provide updated contact information should complete our crisis intake form.

The U.S. military flew forces into Haiti over the weekend in order to beef up security at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti and allow nonessential personnel to leave, the Associated Press reported.

Despite the security issues, CNN reports that the area remains a popular stop for Royal Caribbean cruise ships. The ships pull into Labadee, a property owned by the company and located along a peninsula thats more than six hours away by car from Port-au-Prince.

Royal Caribbean has not canceled any stops to Labadee, CNN said, but said that it is continuing to monitor the situation.

If you are currently in Haiti or must travel there, the embassy offers the following tips:
With the beginning of daylight saving time on Sunday, the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms to make sure the devices are working.

If any of the alarms arent working then replace the battery.

Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half as you only have about two minutes to get out, Jorge Martinez, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania, said in a press release. Every second counts when theres a home fire and the sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get to a safer place. When you turn your clocks forward this weekend, test your smoke alarms too to help prevent a tragedy in your home.

Over the past year, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help nearly 5,800 people in Pennsylvania affected by more than 1,400 home fires, which account for most of the about 65,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.

The Red Cross offered these tips:

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.

Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Components such as sensors can become less sensitive over time. Follow your alarm manufacturers instructions.

Practice your two-minute home fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes  the amount of time you may have to escape a burning home before its too late.

Include at least two ways to get out of every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbors home or a landmark such as a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet.

Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to create and practice with your family, or download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching American Red Cross in app stores.

If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Visit SoundTheAlarm.org/GreaterPA for help.
Central New York's members of Congress, U.S. Reps. Claudia Tenney and Brandon Williams, joined House Republicans and some Democrats in supporting a bill named for Laken Riley, a Georgia student whose alleged killer is in the country illegally.

The legislation, the Laken Riley Act, passed by a 251-170 vote. The 251 supporters included 214 Republicans and 37 Democrats. Most Democrats opposed the bill.

U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, a Georgia Republican who sponsored the Laken Riley Act, explained in a statement that the bill would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take undocumented immigrants into custody if they are accused of shoplifting and theft-related crimes.

Collins' bill would allow states to sue the federal Department of Homeland Security if immigration policies and other actions cause harm. The legislation also slams President Joe Biden for his handling of the border and urges him to reinstate the "Remain in Mexico" policy, which requires asylum seekers to stay in Mexico until their immigration court date.

"While we can't bring Laken back, we must now turn our focus to doing everything we can to prevent this from happening to another American," Collins said.

Riley, a student at the University of Georgia, was killed after going for a morning jog. Jose Ibarra, the man accused of killing Riley, is a migrant from Venezuela who has been in the country illegally since 2022.

According to multiple news stories, Ibarra was accused of other crimes before Riley's death. He was cited for shoplifting in October 2023 after allegedly stealing clothing and food totaling $200 from a Walmart in Georgia. In September 2023, he was arrested by police in New York City and charged with acting in a manner to injure a child under 17.

Tenney, R-Cleveland, said Riley's death could have been avoided if there were strong border policies and she criticized criminal justice measures, such as bail reform in New York, "that have allowed dangerous criminals back into our communities."

Biden has not taken a position on the Laken Riley Act, but mentioned her name after his State of the Union address was disrupted by U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene, a Georgia Republican, shouted at Biden while he called on Republicans to pass a bipartisan immigration and border security bill. While some Republicans in the Senate support the legislation, House GOP leaders do not think it goes far enough.

In his brief exchange with Greene, Biden said Riley was "an innocent woman who was killed by an illegal."

"To her parents I say my heart goes to you, having lost children myself," he added.

Other votes in the House last week:

 Tenney and Williams haven't disagreed on much during the current Congress, but they were on opposite sides of an important vote last week.

Tenney was the lone New Yorker to vote against a $460 billion spending package that includes six appropriations bills to fund various federal government departments and programs.

The House passed the legislation 339-85. Tenney was one of 83 Republicans who voted against the measure. Two Democrats also opposed the spending plan. Williams joined a bipartisan supermajority to support its passage.

After the Senate approved the bill later in the week, it was signed by President Joe Biden.

 The Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 passed 384-4. Tenney and Williams voted for the bill, which reauthorizes a research initiative led by the National Institutes of Health that focuses on pediatric diseases.

 The Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act passed 382-12. Tenney and Williams were among the supporters. The legislation would continue to support efforts aimed at addressing maternal mortality.

 The Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act passed 413-7. Tenney and Williams supported its passage. The bill would renew the national firefighter cancer registry, which is maintained by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

 The Action for Dental Health Act passed 391-32. Tenney and Williams voted for the bill, which reauthorizes grants to help states address dentist and dental health care worker shortages.

 The Expanding Access to Capital Act seeks to reduce regulations to help boost investment in businesses. The bill passed 212-205, with Tenney and Williams joining their Republican colleagues in supporting the measure.
Police in Lebanon are asking for help finding an 81-year-old woman with dementia who is limited in how much she can walk.

Ramona Hernandez was last seen in the 900 block of E. Lehman St. in Lebanon County around 10 a.m. on Monday, according to police.

Police said she was wearing a light purple sweater and black pants. No additional details of her disappearance were released.

Anyone with information on Hernandezs whereabouts please reach out to Lebanon City Police at (717) 272-6611 or submit a tip.
It might be hard to believe on this cold and windy morning, but temperatures could rise into the 70s later this week.

Residents in the Harrisburg area woke up to a very cold and windy start to the work week.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is announcing $1 million for victims of sexual violence by Hamas during the attacks by the militant group last October. Joly responds to questions from reporters in the Foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill after Question Period, in Ottawa on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Isaac Brouillard Lessard is shown in Quebec provincial police handout photos. A Quebec coroner's inquiry looking into the 2023 killing of a provincial police sergeant at the hands of a man with a history of mental illness is hearing from police officers who interacted him in the months before the deaths. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Surete du Quebec **MANDATORY CREDIT**
A recent ransomware attack that has knocked out several online services in one of Ontario's largest cities has brought into sharp focus the need for municipalities to have a plan in place to respond to what's become an unavoidable -- and increasingly sophisticated -- threat, a top cybersecurity expert said.A man uses a computer keyboard in Toronto on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 in this photo illustration. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
AUBURN  An official representing Auburn Community Hospital warned that the medical center would be in a "very tenuous" position if the state Legislature approves Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed $500 million cut to a program supporting financially distressed hospitals.

Matthew Chadderdon, vice president of marketing, media relations, public affairs and fund development for Auburn Community Hospital, was one of the speakers at state Sen. Rachel May's budget town hall meeting Thursday in Auburn. He relayed the hospital's concern about Hochul's budget proposal, specifically the potential cut to the Vital Access Provider Assistance Program.

The program, known as VAPAP, is administered by the state Department of Health. According to the agency, VAPAP funding is provided to hospitals "with serious financial instability ... to enable these facilities to maintain operations and provision of vital services while they implement longer-term solutions to achieve sustainable health care service delivery."

The Greater New York Hospital Association says the 2023-24 state budget cut funding for VAPAP by $200 million, from $700 million to $500 million. Under Hochul's proposed 2024-25 budget, this would be eliminated and, according to the trade group, replaced with new 1115 Medicaid waiver funding.

In its budget testimony, the association criticized the proposed cut as "nothing more than swapping out one dollar for another, with very little positive impact."

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, who also testified at the budget hearing in January, said the 1115 Medicaid waiver will provide up to $2.2 billion over multiple years for distressed hospitals. That's in addition to the state Department of Health's $984 million investment in the 2025 fiscal year.

But hospitals are worried about the state slashing a program that has proven to be a safety net. Nearly one-third of New York's 261 hospitals are financially distressed, Chadderdon said, and Auburn Community Hospital is one of them.

"(VAPAP) has kept the hospital afloat as we're trying to build different programs, like cancer care, heart care and other things," he told May at the budget town hall. "It's a big deal to a rural hospital and a nonprofit community hospital."

Chadderdon provided more details in an email that was sent to May's office in February and provided to The Citizen. While asking state lawmakers to restore the funding, he explained that without VAPAP, the hospital would be "challenged to meet the needs of our community."

The state Legislature is reviewing Hochul's budget proposal and preparing one-house budget bills, which should be released soon. Although the fate of VAPAP is uncertain, May indicated the state Senate would restore the funding in its spending plan.

"We are working very hard to make sure that money gets put back," she said.
APT Taipei 2024 Smashes Several Records; Awards Largest Main Event Prize in Taiwanese History

March 11, 2024 Matthew Pitt Senior Editor

The Asian Poker Tour (APT) Taipei 2024 festival has wrapped up and it is safe to say it surpassed all expectations. APT Taipei boasted over 100 trophy events, making it one of the busiest schedules in the tour's long and illustrious history, but it is the prize money awarded in some of those events that make APT Taipei 2024 extra special.

Eleven events broke APT and country records, including the Main Event, which raised the bar in terms of the total prize pool and the first-place prize awarded in Taiwan. The TWD 70,000 (US$2,270) buy-in Main Event drew in 737 unique players who purchased 445 re-entries between them, taking the total attendance to 1,182.

Such a bumper crowd resulted in a TWD 72,232,020 (US$2,288,706) prize pool created, and a first-place prize weighing in at TWD 12,944,020 (US$410,137). Both those impressive amounts are APT and Taiwanese records.

Stanley Weng, Kosei Ichinose, Thomas Ward, Sofia Lovgren, Nam Le, David Erquiaga, and Thai Ha were among the in-the-money finishers in the APT Taipei 2024 Main Event.

Event #39: APT Taipei 2024 Main Event Final Table Results

*Rank Player Country Prize (TWD) Prize (USD) 1 Daisuke Ogita Japan $12,944,020 $410,137 2 Guo Zhang Xi Taiwan $7,620,000 $241,443 3 Chi-Jen Chu Taiwan $5,360,000 $169,834 4 Seungmook Jung South Korea $4,016,000 $127,249 5 Li Wei Sun Taiwan $3,077,000 $97,496 6 Jung Chuan Liao Taiwan $2,275,000 $72,084 7 Pitipong Posri Thailand $1,734,000 $54,943 8 Sawane Anwar Bahri France $1,236,000 $39,163 9 Steve Ng Singapore $959,000 $30,386

The equivalent of US$30,386 was the least any of the nine finalists could win, but there was a record-breaking US$410,137 reserved for the eventual champion.

Singapore's Steve Ng was the first player to bust from the final table, with France's Safwane Anwar Bahri joining the list of eliminated players soon after.

Seventh place and US$54,943 went to Thailand's Pitipong Posri, who evidently loves playing live poker in Taipei. Posri cashed in four events at the APT Taipei 2023 festival, but this Main Event final table finish saw him more than double his lifetime earnings.

Local player Jung Chuan Liao won the US$72,084 sixth-place prize before Li Wei Sun came in fifth for US$97,496.

The final four became three with the demise of South Korean star Seungmook Jung, a finish worth the equivalent of US$127,249. That prize is the third-largest of Jung's career, taking his lifetime earnings north of US$1.57 million and pushing him into the top ten of the South Korean all-time money list.

There was a new career-high for Justin Chin Jen Chu, whose third-place finish came with US$169,834. Chu would later take down a single-day High Roller Mystery Bounty tournament for an additional US$42,500.

Heads-up pitted Japan's Daisuke Ogita against Taiwan's Guo Zhang Xi. Despite a massive difference in the prize money, no deal was struck, meaning whoever came out on top would get their hands on the largest-ever first-place prize awarded in a Taiwanese poker tournament.

Xi had no recorded live cashes on their Hendon Mob page before this event but now has one showing US$241,443, the second-place prize. Xi fought valiantly but could not dislodge Ogita from the top of the chip counts.

Ogita collected the US$410,137 top prize, the largest of his career, plus one of the coolest winner's trophies you will ever see. Ogita is becoming a regular feature in European events, particularly the European Poker Tour. The fact that a player of Ogita's stature ventured out to Taiwan for this incredible tournament speaks volumes about the APT's ability to draw in top-tier poker talent.

Grospellier Briefly Holds a Taiwan Record

Bertrand \"ElkY\" Grospellier

Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier is famous throughout the poker world, especially in Asia, where he used to be a professional StarCraft player. Grospellier thought he had written his name into the poker history books when he came out on top in the Superstars Challenge because first place came with a US$367,793 payout.

The Frenchman's victory meant he had won the largest-ever first-place prize in a Taiwan-based event. However, Grospellier's seat at the top of the tree only lasted a few days until Ogita triumphed in the Main Event!

Only seven places were paid in this high-stakes affair, due to a compact yet stellar 49-strong field. Sweden's Mikael Andersson was the first player to bust inside the money places; Andersson banked a career-high US$61,305.

Super High Roller specialist Danny Tang fell in sixth for US$75,912, with Klemens Roiter finishing fifth for US$99,245. It proved to be a profitable trip for Roiter because he won the Baby Superstar Challenge a couple of days after this fifth-place finish, and reeled in another US$122,130 in prize money.

Biao Ding's latest deep run ended in a fourth-place finish worth US$128,428, with Roman Hrabec collecting the US$169,308 third-place prize. Hrabec then jumped on a plane and headed to the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in Jeju, South Korea, where he has enjoyed three cashes, including one worth $441,000.

Grospellier and Philippines' Lestor Edoc were the last two players standing. Edoc had earlier won a Single Day High Roller for US$84,888, so went into this heads-up clash full of confidence. However, Grospellier proved to be a formidable foe, and Edoc had to make do with a US$265,645 consolation prize, leaving Grospellier to add $367,793 to his ever-growing live earnings total.

Event #23: Superstars Challenge Final Table Results

*Rank Player Country Prize (TWD) Prize (USD_ 1 Bertrand Grospellier France $11,632,810 $367,793 2 Lestor Edoc Philippines $8,402,000 $265,645 3 Roman Hrabec Czech Republic $5,355,000 $169,308 4 Biao Ding Hong Kong $4,062,000 $128,428 5 Klemens Roiter Austria $3,139,000 $99,245 6 Danny Tang Hong Kong $2,401,000 $75,912 7 Mikael Andersson Sweden $1,939,000 $61,305

In total, APT Taipei 2024 drew 13,153 entries and awarded almost TWD 383.5 million, or US$12.19 million, setting a new Taiwan poker record. There are far too many results to display on one PokerNews page, but you can check out each of the results via the APT Taipei 2024 results page, which opens up in Google Docs.

Next Up on the APT

Players do not have long to wait before they can participate in an APT festival. APT Jeju is scheduled for April 26 through May 5 at the Shinhwa Resort in Jeju, South Korea. Of course, PokerNews will have the schedule for you as soon as it is released.

Sharelines Here are a couple of highlights from the APT Taipei 2024 festival.
Career-Best Score for Ian Swan, the 888poker UKPL Luton Champion

March 11, 2024 Matthew Pitt Senior Editor

888poker took its fledgling UK Poker League (UKPL) tour to the live poker hotbed that is Luton and Ian Swan will forever look back on this event with a beaming smile on his face. Swan returns home to bonny Scotland with the 560 Main Event trophy under one arm and a career-best 24,530 haul under the other.

The Main Event attracted 342 entrants and paid the top 53 finishers. A min-cash awarded 930, with a final table appearance boosting the payout to 3,250, and first-place originally awarding 34,000, although a deal would alter the top prize.

888poker UKPL Luton Main Event Final Table Results

Rank Player Prize 1 Ian Swan 24,530* 2 Andreas Orthodoxou 25,251* 3 Muhamed Mia 26,219* 4 Yucel Eminoglu 11,000 5 Shan Jiang 7,800 6 David Gassian 5,540 7 Sinead Priestley 4,390 8 Terence Mitford 3,820 9 Alex Montgomery 3,250

*reflects two deals made

The nine-handed final table exploded into action with a double elimination. Alex Montgomery found himself all-in with ace-ten against Terry Mitford's pocket queens and Swam's ace-king. Swan flopped trip kings and improved to a full house on the river, busting Montgomery in ninth and Mitford in eighth.

Sinead Priestley, fresh from taking down the Opening Voyage event for 17,865, saw her latest deep run end in a seventh-place finish. Priestley's ace-four ran into the aces of Andreas Orthodoxou. The in-form Priestely spiked a four but couldn't find another, and she made her way to the cashier's desk to collect 4,390.

Massive Mystery Bounty Festival Hits 888poker From March 17 Check out the schedule

David Gassian's first recorded live score for 18 months earned him 5,540. Down to only seven big blinds, Gassian pushed all-in with ten-eight, and Muhamed Mia called from the small blind with pocket fours. The coinflip went Mia's way, and Gassian bowed out in sixth.

UK-based Australian Shan Jiang fell in fifth for 7,800, the UKPL Luton Main Event's final four-figure prize. Jiang, who was the runner-up in the EPT Paris 1,650 Mystery Bounty event last month, found himself all-in for ten big blinds with queen-ten. Unfortunately for Jiang, Mia held the dominating ace-ten. Both players flopped a ten, but Jiang fell by the wayside despite picking up a gutshot straight draw on the turn.

Mia then sent the dangerous Yucel "Mad Turk" Eminoglu home in fourth, a finish worth 11,000, to leave only three players in the hunt for the title of champion. Those three players struck a deal that left 6,000 to play for before resuming the Main Event.

Swan sent Mia to the rail in third, with Mia taking home 26,219 as part of the deal. That was the last of the action because Swan and Orthodoxou made another deal that gave Orthodoxou another 2,000 and Swan the title. Orthodoxou took home 25,251 leaving Swan to collect 24,530.

Redemption for Swan

Every player celebrates winning a live poker tournament, but one feels that taking down this event was extra special for Swan. In 2015, Swan was the runner-up in the 220 Grosvenor 25/25 Series in Edinburgh and finished second in the 2017 GUKPT Edinburgh Main Event.

More recently, Swan finished third in the 888poker UKPL Edinburgh Opening Voyage and sixth in the Seniors event at the same stop. The joy stemming from taking down the UKPL Luton Main Event should more than make up for those other near misses.

Other UKPL Luton Results

Sinead Priestley and Matthew Davenport

Main Event players aside, Sinead Priestley got her hands on the largest payout at UKPL when she collected 17,865 for her impressive victory in the Opening Voyage tournament. Shortly after, Priestley's fiance, Matthew Davenport, triumphed in the 1,100 High Roller, banking 17,770. Davenport went on to clinch the Turbo Dash title for another 2,920.

Event Buy-in Entrants Champion Prize Opening Voyage 250 399 Sinead Priestley 17,865 High Roller 1,100 56 Matthew Davenport 17,770 Big Shot 250 72 Calogero Morreale 3,808 Turbo Dash 200 52 Matthew Davenport 2,920 PLO 150 106 Philip Bain 2,730 Seniors 150 30 Paul Underwood 1,800 The Closer 200 29 Amir Alam 1,670

Where Does the 888poker UKPL Go Next?

The next stop of the inaugural UKPL is in a month's time, with the tour heading to the Grosvenor Casino Bury New Road in Manchester. April 16-21 are the UKPL Manchester dates; PokerNews will have a preview of that stop in the coming weeks, so keep your browsers locked to us.

Sharelines Here are the full results from the 888poker UKPL Luton festival.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) made a compelling case to his fellow progressives for why they must vote for President Joe Biden.

Sen. Sanders was asked if he could, in good conscience, ask his supporters to vote for President Biden.

Sanders answered, Well, look, the contrast that I think President Biden made it very clear in the State of the Union address. If you believe that climate change is real, youve got to vote for President Biden, if you believe that women have a right to control their own bodies, youve got to vote for President Biden. If you think that at time of massive income and wealth inequality, you dont give trillions of dollars in tax breaks to the 1%, youve got to vote for Biden. If you want to lower the cost of prescription drugs, youve got to vote for Biden. If you believe in democracy, and involving people in the process, rather than keeping people from voting, you have to vote for Biden.

When asked about the Gaza issue, Sanders said, I am saying weve got to come, not put it aside. The fight continues to change Bidens policy in Gaza. But the contrast between Biden and Trump is day and night. The election of Trump would be a disaster for this country. And in my view of the world, weve got to come together, reelect Biden, but at the same time, we have to demand that we have a progressive agenda, where we have an economy that works for all, not just a few.

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Video:

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) tells progressives why they need to vote for Biden. If you believe climate change is real, you have to vote for President Biden. If you believe women have a right to control their own bodies, you have to vote for President Biden. pic.twitter.com/ytddI1iLVo  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 10, 2024

The best way for progressives to get the policy changes that they are seeking is to advocate to Joe Biden. Not supporting Biden means electing Trump, which would be a disaster for progressives and the entire country.

Progressives currently have a seat at the table with Biden as president, but that seat will disappear if Donald Trump wins in 2024.

Biden has helped progressives make a lot of progress on their agenda, and the administrations policy on Gaza is shifting, so it could be argued that progressives are having an impact on changing the policy on Gaza.

Progressives would throw away years of progress if they dont support Biden and Trump wins the election.

Bernie Sanders was right, as he laid out why progressives should ensure that Joe Biden wins a second term.

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Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) tried to clean up her SOTU rebuttal disaster on Sunday, and it didnt go great.

Here is how Britt explained misleading the American people with her sex trafficking story on Fox News Sunday:

BREAM: So be clear, the story that you relate is not something thats happened under the Biden administration, that particular person?

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BRITT: Im  well, I very  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. And so listening to her story, she is a victims right advocate who  who is telling this is what drug cartels are doing, this is how theyre profiting off of women. And it is disgusting. And so I am hopeful that it brings some light to  to it. And we can actually do something about human trafficking. And thats what the media actually decides to cover.

Video:

We have reached the point where Katie Britt is blaming the media for SOTU rebuttal lies. pic.twitter.com/OHh94H4Lmn  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 10, 2024



Sen. Britt intentionally tried to mislead the American people with her story and got caught.

Britts response to getting caught is to blame the American people for not understanding her story, attacking the media, and then claiming that she didnt lie.

Of course, she lied. Britt created the false impression that the sex trafficking story that she told happened during the Biden administration. She framed her story with comments about Bidens policies.

Britt needs to tell the truth that she tried to fool the American people and got caught.

It is time for the lies to stop, as Sen. Britts attempts to defend her story are only making the situation worse, and she is not helping herself or the Republican Party.

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Bianca Moorman is a reporter for the Post and Courier North Augusta/The Star with a focus on community, public safety and more. Follow her on X at @biancarmooman.

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Seven months after a defective utility pole killed a Wagener-Salley High School teacher while she was walking to get her lunch, her family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

We are disappointed that we had to file, seeing that it happened in August, and weve given individuals this amount of time to do the responsible and right thing, said Donovan Julian, father of Jeunelle Robinson. To have to make someone or individual to do the right thing is disappointing.

The lawsuit was filed by Andrea Julian as the personal representative of the estate of Robinson.

The lawsuit named Dominion Energy of South Carolina Inc., formerly known as South Carolina Electric and gas company; Dominion Energy Inc.; PBT Telecom Inc.; and Comporium Inc. as defendants.

Robinson, who was a social studies teacher at Wagener-Salley High School, was killed Aug. 23, 2023, when an old and rotted utility pole, came down after a vehicle snagged a 1967 Comporium utility line and the pole, the lawsuit states.

It hits hard as a parent because you go through your life protecting them and then something like this happens, and it hits you in a way because we couldnt protect her, Donovan Julian said.

Attorney Justin Bamberg, who is representing the family, said the pole that killed Robinson could have been replaced for $500.

The family is also seeking $130 million in damages, which includes investments to power utility infrastructure in the towns of Wagener and Salley, a scholarship in Robinsons name for any Aiken County students who want to become teachers or go into the field of education, and for the familys loss, pain and suffering.

Jeunelle was a victim of utter corporate greed. Her family, the community of Wagener and students at the school where Jeunelle taught at were victims of corporate greed, Bamberg said.

With this lawsuit we are not going to allow ourselves to be victims anymore.

A spokesperson with Dominion Energy said in an email that Dominion Energy did not own the telecommunications pole that struck Robinson.
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable.
WEST COLUMBIA  On a sunny day in early March, Larry Nipper, a utility worker with Aiken Electric Cooperative, stands tall in the white bucket of a work truck.

Carefully going through a safety maneuver intended to keep him and other linemen from accidentally interacting with live wire, he works to address a downed power line.

But Nipper is nowhere near an actual downed line.

Hes standing in a dated classroom in a small, dingy building in rural Lexington County. A pair of white virtual reality goggles are strapped over his eyes. The safety procedure hes walking through, known among linemen as lockout-tagout, is aided by the headset and a pair of handheld controllers.

Its a new way of training in a new world, the safety class instructor, Travis Renwick, told the handful of linemen attending the training.

It was Renwicks third time showing off the VR headset to a class of utility workers in whats become a growing trend of using virtual and augmented reality to train mostly blue-collar workers across South Carolina. Companies and colleges across the state have started focusing on the virtual aspect of workforce development  a system that many said is safer, cheaper and just as effective at preparing workers.

The shift to training occupations like linemen or construction and plant workers using virtual reality comes at a time when workforce development and training is top of mind for state leaders. As South Carolina pushes to become a leader in advanced manufacturing, government officials have put an emphasis on workforce training and the states technical college system.

Augmented reality training at BMW

Workers at the BMW Plant in Spartanburg stare at the screen of an iPhone. Through the screen, which uses the camera to show whats directly in front of the workers in real life, the employees  some training for the first time and others getting a refresher on procedures  can walk through assembly line processes without ever picking up a tool.
U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney praised a late Auburn woman for her love of family and community service in a House floor speech Monday.

Tenney, R-Cleveland, honored Marion Camardo, who died Nov. 1. She was 94.

In her speech, Tenney highlighted Camardo's life, from her love of music to quietly donating clothing and food to help those living in poverty. After graduating from Central High School, Camardo worked at clothing stores in the city and was manager of Steven's Department Store.

Camardo was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Auburn. She was also an active member of the Cayuga County Republican Party and served as an election inspector.

"Throughout her long and admirable life, (Camardo) made a significant contribution to her family and community in historic Auburn, New York," Tenney said. "I'm so grateful that I had the honor and privilege to meet Marion. Her kindness and love shown through her gleaming and welcoming smile."

Camardo and her husband, Joseph, raised five children. One of her sons, John, and a grandson, Anthony, were in the House gallery for Tenney's speech. John Camardo is the chairman of the Cayuga County Republican Committee and a former Auburn city councilor.
COLUMBIA  A Richland County judge found March 8 that a vague vote taken by Richland Ones school board following a closed meeting violated South Carolinas Freedom of Information Act.

That initial order by Circuit Judge Jocelyn Newman came in a lawsuit against the Columbia school district by parent and law professor Clint Wallace. He asserted Richland One broke the state law when it voted Feb. 1 to approve the districts recommendations about its under-investigation early learning center without publicly disclosing what those recommendations were.

Defendant Richland County School District One violated the Freedom of Information Act as alleged in the Complaint, Newmans order said.

The brief initial order did not include any details of the judges reasoning or what, if anything, the court would require from the district. Those details will likely come from a more detailed order that Wallaces lawyers will propose to the court within 15 days.

In his initial Feb. 7 complaint, Wallace asked the court to invalidate the School Boards unlawful vote and to stop the district from taking action on the issues raised in the executive session unless a lawful public meeting and vote of the School Board occurs.

The initial court order followed a Feb. 16 hearing where Wallaces lawyer Christopher Kenney argued the district hadnt provided enough legally required detail to the public before entering the executive session. The alert was that the discussion would involve legal advice related to a construction project and the state investigation into the now-halted Vince Ford Early Learning Center.

Richland Ones lawyer argued during the hearing the board wasnt able to disclose the details of the recommendations they were voting on because it was legal advice, which FOIA protects under attorney-client privilege.

Kenney conceded the legal advice itself was privileged but said the recommendations based upon that advice were not. Ruling that governmental bodies are allowed to take a vague public vote in reference to an entirely private conversation would effectively nullify the laws requirements that decisions be made in public, the plaintiffs lawyer argued.
More Information

The Post and Courier Education Lab is a multi-year project, employing four reporters, focused on the need for public education reform in South Carolina. The Coastal Community Foundation and Spartanburg Foundation serve as fiscal sponsors for the Education Lab, which is supported by grants from the Jolley Foundation, Intertech, anonymous donors, and generous donations on behalf of donors to The Post and Courier Public Service and Investigative Fund who designate to the Education Lab.
CLEMSON  Daylight saving time has arrived with its longer days perfect for walks to soak in the sunshine, catch sight of the spring blooms and take in the fresh air with a hint of  what is that?

Rotting fish, per chance? Did the cat miss the litter box and land on the laundry again? No, its the smell of the dreaded Bradford pear tree.

The bright white blooms you see now are among the first of spring, but the trees are considered a scourge to other life around it.

Thats why South Carolina three years ago moved to outlaw them  and the grace period extended to allow the law to take root ends after this summer.

While owning the invasive, thorny cross-pollinating tree isnt illegal, as of Oct. 1, selling and trading Bradford pear and other pear trees grown on the Pyrus calleryana rootstock is outlawed.

Legislation passed in 2021 and allowed a three-year grandfathering period for producers. South Carolina is the second state to issue a ban on Bradfords after Ohios five-year grandfathering period ended and sales made illegal on Jan. 1, 2023.

While most local nurseries have already dropped them from inventory, big box stores are another story, Clemson University invasive species expert David Coyle said.

Its still super common, he said. Theres a bunch of different cultivars that are all the same species  Chanticleer, Aristocrat and Cleveland Select are probably the most common ones.

They shine as ornamental trees because they grow quickly, produce some of the first blooms of spring and the last bold reds of fall. Thought to be sterile, the Bradford pear easily cross-pollinates and comes back as a Callery pear, a tree that produces thorns capable of puncturing livestock and tractor tires.

The Bradford Bounty program, which Coyle started alongside South Carolina Forestry Commission urban forester Dena Whitesides, educates residents on why and how to replace their Bradford pears.
GREENVILLE  Tania Cienfuegos Harris is reviewing the menu at Sachas Cafe even though she knows shes going to order the same thing she usually does.

And para me una de carnitas and stuffed but no onions, Harris said, switching between Spanish and English.

The pastry chef at Topsoil Kitchen & Market and now a James Beard semifinalist nominee discovered Sachas Cafe on Pendleton Street on the edge of West Greenville just under four years ago.

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Shes eaten here nearly once a week ever since.

As a result, the servers know her so well that Harris can almost communicate by gesture from across the room without even saying words.

At noon on this Monday, Harris is one of the few people in the restaurant, but within 30 minutes, the place is bustling.

Over chicharrons and empanaditos, she feels at home. Its not that it is the same food she grew up with in Mexico City, but there is something about the feel of the people and the hominess of the flavors that comforts her.

And having lived away from Mexico, in the United States for 15 years now, Harris is always looking for a little bit of home.

Path to becoming a famed chef

She arrived in the U.S. in 2009, living and working in Texas on a J-1 student visa. The visa arrangement allowed her to pursue her culinary education studies by working and learning in various restaurants.

She didnt think shed stay in American, but she met a man and fell in love. He was from Greenville. While the relationship didnt last, her love of Greenville did.

The chef has worked everywhere from Sidewall Pizza creating specialty ice creams to Restaurant 17 and to The Lazy Goat with Table 301.

In 2019, she was named a South Carolina Chef Ambassador .

She joined Topsoil in 2021, drawn to the restaurant by executive chef and co-owner Adam Cooke, who shed worked with at Restaurant 17.

He has been hands down the best chef, Harris said.
GREENVILLE  Trees are blooming and sidewalks are full of people on Main Street, and that means outdoor concerts are back in downtown Greenville.

Starting March 14, free concerts will fill NOMA Square on Thursday and Friday nights, continuing a decadeslong tradition that has become a staple of spring and summer in the Upstate.

The concerts, organized by the city of Greenville, will run through September, highlighted by Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive events on Thursday nights and Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays on Friday nights.

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Each evening will offer live music from mostly Upstate artists, along with food trucks and beverages.

While Downtown Alive focuses on country, rock and indie-Americana music, Main Street Fridays focuses more on top 40, R&B and beach music artists.

The series began in 1986 with Downtown Alive at Piazza Bergamo as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Arts Council and a way to drive people to the downtown area when it was struggling to maintain businesses. Main Street Fridays formed in 1995 at NOMA Square.

Thirty-eight years after Downtown Alive started, its initial goal hasnt changed  even after downtown has transformed.

Both of these events are just really great opportunities for people to come downtown and experience the vibrancy of Greenville, hear live music and just have an opportunity to meet and gather and really feel that community spirit, said Anna Catherine Miller, the citys tourism administrator.

This year, Downtown Alive will add a new wrinkle with Art After Dark. Every third Thursday, visitors will find six tents featuring local artists funded by the Metropolitan Arts Council.

Downtown Alive still doubles as a major fundraising event for MAC, the 41-year-old nonprofit that provides grants, education and support for local artists. All proceeds from beverage sales and sponsorship checks at Downtown Alive go to MAC.

Downtown Alive runs through Aug. 29, while Main Street Fridays runs through Sept. 27.
NEW YORK  Omar Abu Kuwaik is far from his home in Gaza. The 4-year-olds parents and sister were killed by an Israeli airstrike, when he lost part of his arm.

Hes one of the lucky ones.

Through the efforts of family and strangers, Omar was brought out of Gaza and to the United States, where he received treatment, including a prosthetic arm. He spent his days in a house run by a medical charity in New York City, accompanied by his aunt.

It was a small measure of grace in a sea of turmoil for him and his aunt, Maha Abu Kuwaik, as they looked to an uncertain future. The grief and despair for those still trapped in Gaza is never far away.

Abu Kuwaik is glad she could do this for her beloved brothers son, whom she now considers her fourth child.

But it was a terrible choice. Going with Omar meant leaving her husband and three teenage children behind in a sprawling tent camp in Gazas southernmost city of Rafah. With Israel carrying out strikes in areas where it told civilians to take shelter, including Rafah, Abu Kuwaik knows she might never see her family again.

My kids love Omar so much, she said. They told me, Were not children anymore. Go, let Omar get treated. Its whats best for him. Its his only chance.

Omar used to be an outgoing boy, she said, and hes clever like his late father, who was an engineer. Now hes often withdrawn and breaks into tears easily. He wonders why they dont have a home like the kids he sees on YouTube.

Ask Omar a question, and he covers his ears with his right hand and the stump of his left arm, declaring, I dont want to talk.

Kindergarten was nice, he eventually admits, and I was happy on the first day. He started school just weeks before the war broke out. But he says he doesnt want to go to kindergarten anymore because hes afraid to leave his aunts side.

His flight to New York may have given him a new dream, though.
As medical students prepare to find out on Match Day where they will further their training, and possibly spend their careers, fewer of them are applying to go to states with abortion bans or limits, research showed. That could impact South Carolina, which already has a physician shortage, particularly in rural areas.

March 15 will be the annual Match Day, when roughly 50,000 medical students across the country will find out where they will spend the next several years in a residency program further refining their skills as a doctor and learning a specialty.

Last year was the first Match Day since the Dobbs decision by the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed states to implement bans or more severe restrictions on abortion access. In 14 states, abortion is banned except for some limited circumstances, such as to save the life of the mother, while two states, including South Carolina, ban it after six weeks, with exceptions.

Those laws were already having an impact on senior medical students as they began to look at where they want to further their training, particularly for those in the obstetrics/gynecology field, research found .

The number of applications to states with bans declined by 3 percent overall, and among those looking for an OB-GYN residency, it was more than double the decline compared to states without bans.

It appears to be a new element for how students are choosing their residency sites. Geography has always been important, said Dr. Atul Grover, executive director of the Research Action Institute of the Association of American Medical Colleges.

People want to be closer to their families, to their spouses family; they want to be in a city they want to live in, he said. But we do have some indication that the social/legal/regulatory atmosphere of states does have an effect.

It was also true for Family Medicine residencies where we saw similar drop-off, and it may be true for others, as well, Grover said.
With the recent substantial increase in mortgage interest rates, many homeowners have been asking, Will this finally cause home prices to drop? In a market where rates are predicted to rise even further this year, buyer affordability could take a serious hit. To give you a better idea of w Read moreAre home prices falling?
It is unclear to us as to whether or not these devices are authorized to be on the state-owned right of way, Hall said in a Forbes report. And there has not been public policy put into place by the South Carolina Legislature regarding the use of these devices, (or the) privacy concerns regarding the collection, handling and disposition of the data they collect.

Hall didnt respond to calls and texts from The Post and Courier.

Since the discovery, and after a lawsuit was filed in July against state authorities for operating a database of hundreds of millions of license plate reads, South Carolinas Department of Transportation has put a pause on approving any new license plate cameras on state roads.

SCDOT spokeswoman Kelly Moore declined to comment on Flocks unpermitted cameras but attributed the halt to ongoing litigation.

The pause still lets cities, counties and private property owners install new cameras, Flock Safety spokesman Connor Metz told The Post and Courier. He attributed the installation of unpermitted cameras to unclear or misunderstood DOT jurisdiction lines.

Because of the literal life or death situation that many cities face when dealing with crime, were proud of the fact that our installation teams move very quickly, Metz said.

Every time weve been asked to check where our devices have been installed, or explicitly told to remove them because they may cross a jurisdictional line, we have done so.

Flock Safety, a nationwide company that sells to law enforcement, homeowners associations, retail businesses and more, contracts with several major cities in South Carolina, including the Greenville and Charleston police departments.

Charleston has 12 Flock cameras, with the most recent one being installed in February, according to Charleston Polices Sgt. Anthony Gibson.

Greenville has 30 Flock cameras and said last July the system has been very effective in recovering stolen vehicles and finding wanted persons, according to Greenville Polices Sgt. Diana Munoz.
Vacant houses Charleston County bought for $2.47 million from the struggling Charleston County Housing and Redevelopment Authority are slowly being doled out to organizations that plan to use them for affordable housing.

One question is: how many of the houses are too far gone to save?

The housing authority, which is separate from the county government, had neglected to maintain the vacant single-family homes and sold 18 of them to the county in 2021 because it needed the money.

The county quickly demolished two of them, and a Habitat for Humanity affiliate plans to level another.

Its been vacant for five years, said Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Director John Rhodan, referring to a Keswick Drive house on Johns Island. The washer was outside, the water heater was outside, the roof needed to be replaced.

Sea Island Habitat will tear down the house and build a new one. Habitat typically builds new homes, using lots of volunteer labor, and sells them at low prices to homeowners who usually help with construction.

Land is so valuable right now, its not something folks usually give, Rhodan said.

Sea Island Habitat is among the first organizations to get one of the properties from the county, which decided to put the houses in the hands of qualified groups rather than attempt the work.

Our approach is unique, said LoElla Smalls, who is leading the countys Charleston Homes program. We will deed the property over to them once the renovation work is complete.

In the recent first phase of the distributions, three houses were awarded. In addition to Sea Island Habitat, Charleston Habitat for Humanity received a house on Marginal Road in West Ashley, and for-profit company Palmetto Community Developers is slated to get one on Oxbow Drive in Charleston once a contract is finalized.

Charleston Habitat plans to renovate and expand the house on Marginal Road, and it expects to use the property to house AmeriCorps members working with the nonprofit. AmeriCorps is sometimes described as a domestic version of the Peace Corps.
The Finger Lakes Drive-In has asked for an injunction to prevent the Cayuga Nation from blockading the Aurelius theater's entrance.

The drive-in's owner, Paul Meyer, asked Cayuga County Supreme Court for the injunction Feb. 14 in response to the blockade. The nation's leadership council placed concrete blocks in the theater's entrance in January, claiming it encroaches on a neighboring property the nation purchased last year along with about a third of the theater's movie screen and several of its parking spots.

However, Meyer argued that the drive-in's access to those areas is protected by a 20-year lease he signed June 1, 2014, with the previous owner of the neighboring property. He went on to allege that the Cayuga Nation  which is also suing Meyer over his connection to a Montezuma smoke shop operated by a "rogue" nation citizen  was aware of the lease before purchasing the property.

The drive-in's use of the leased property was "open, notorious and visible at all times including any time during which (the Cayuga Nation) should or could have conducted due diligence in its acquisition of the subject property," Meyer's Feb. 14 filing said. The blockade, the filing continued, is now causing "irreparable harm" to the drive-in by effectively closing it for business.

For that reason, Meyer has asked the court for a permanent injunction preventing the nation from blockading the theater's entrance and touching any of the drive-in's property, including the screen. The injunction would come with dismissal of a Jan. 24 complaint by the nation against the drive-in's encroachment. Until the court decides on that, Meyer has asked for a temporary injunction.

The nation purchased the neighboring property, the 40.18-acre 1044 Clark St. Road, in order to place it into federal trust, its leadership council announced in a January news release. The nation's Jan. 24 complaint sought to confirm the boundary between the property and the drive-in at 1064 Clark St. Road so that the U.S. Department of the Interior can approve the trust application.

In response to Meyer's Feb. 14 filing, the nation claimed in a Feb. 20 filing that his lease with the previous owner is "invalid and unenforceable." There have been no updates on the case since then.

Meanwhile, Meyer is raising money for his legal expenses on GoFundMe. The page for the fundraiser, which has a goal of $65,000, accuses federally recognized Cayuga Nation representative Clint Halftown of "knowingly" purchasing the property for an "inflated" amount. According to Cayuga County records, the nation paid $720,000 for the property, whose total 2023 assessment value was $56,000.
I just put the Stars and Stripes back up outside my house. Though hard winds keep blowing it down, I put it up again. Having it regularly knocked down has me reflecting on what it means to be American in 2024. Read moreCommentary: Why I put my US flag back up again even as the hard winds blow
When the novel coronavirus roared into South Carolina in March of 2020 and Gov. Henry McMaster sent the kids home from school, it seemed reasonable to believe that if everybody just stayed away from other people for a couple of weeks  a month tops  we could end this thing. Read moreEditorial: Four years after COVID stole Easter, a time to rejoice in progress made
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against The Boeing Company ("Boeing" or "the Company") (NYSE:BA) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Boeing securities between October 19, 2019 and January 24, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/BA Case Details:The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period Boeing and certain of its executives failed to disclose material information in violation of federal securities laws including:(1) On January 5, 2024, a Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines experienced an in-flight departure of an in-cabin door plug, causing the cabin to become depressurized and forcing an emergency landing.(2) On January 7, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a grounding order, stating that "Boeing 737-9 aircraft will remain grounded until operators complete enhanced inspections which include both left and right cabin door exit plugs, door components, and fasteners" and that "[o]perators must also complete corrective action requirements based on findings from the inspections prior to bringing any aircraft back into service." On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $20.00 per share, or 8%, to close at $229.00 per share on January 8, 2024.(3) Then, on January 9, 2024, news outlets reported that United Airlines had found loose bolts on exit door plugs during their FAA-mandated inspections of Boeing 737 Max planes. The reports also noted that Alaska Airlines said its initial inspections of the jets had turned up "loose hardware." On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $3.24 per share, or 1.4%, to close at $225.76 per share on January 9, 2024.(4) On January 11, 2024, news outlets reported that the FAA had informed Boeing it had launched a formal investigation into whether Boeing had failed to properly ensure its aircraft were safe for operation.(5) On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $5.18 per share, or 2.3%, to close at $222.66 per share on January 11, 2024. on January 12, 2024, news outlets reported that the FAA would increase oversight of Boeing production and manufacturing processes. The FAA stated that a comprehensive audit set to be conducted on the Boeing 737 MAX 9 production line and its associated suppliers, specifically to assess Boeing's adherence to approved quality procedures, which could result in further audits.On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $4.96 per share, or 2.2%, to close at $217.70 per share on January 12, 2024.(6) On January 16, 2024, Wells Fargo downgraded Boeing, citing risks associated with the FAA's inspection of Boeing's production.On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $17.18 per share, or 7.9%, to close at $200.52 per share on January 16, 2024.(7) Finally, on January 24, 2024, news outlets reported that the FAA had announced it would not allow Boeing to expand production of the 737 MAX due to safety concerns related to the January 5, 2024 incident.On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $12.25 per share, or 5.7%, to close at $201.88 per share on January 25, 2024.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/BA or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Boeing you have until April 1, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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FORT MILL, SC / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Catheter Precision, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE American:VTAK), a US based medical device company focused on electrophysiology products, announced that LockeT was used for the first time outside of the United States at Hamad Medical Corporation Heart Hospital in Doha, Qatar. Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is the main provider of secondary and tertiary healthcare in Qatar and one of the leading hospital providers in the Middle East. HMC manages 12 hospitals - nine specialist hospitals and three community hospitals.After using LockeT, Dr. Sajad Hayat said, "A vascular hemostasis [product] should be simple to use and effective. The LockeT venous hemostasis device combines the simplicity of a figure of 8 suture but with a more controlled delivery and release making it ideal. Importantly, it simplifies post procedure care facilitating early mobilization and discharge." "Not only were the first cases outside of the United States successful, but the value of the product was immediately observed by the physician," said David Jenkins, CEO of Catheter Precision, Inc. "Dr. Hayat was quick to observe that LockeT is not only simple in design, but simple to use and that it effectively creates hemostasis and provides additional benefits to the patient and hospital staff." About LockeTCatheter Precision's LockeT is a suture retention device intended to assist in hemostasis after percutaneous venous punctures. LockeT is a Class 1 device registered with the FDA.About Catheter PrecisionCatheter Precision is an innovative U.S.-based medical device company bringing new solutions to market to improve the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. It is focused on developing groundbreaking technology for electrophysiology procedures by collaborating with physicians and continuously advancing its products. Reincorporated as Ra Medical Systems, Inc. in Delaware in 2018, the Company changed its name to Catheter Precision, Inc. on August 17, 2023.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis communication contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "anticipate," "may," "might," "can," "could," "continue," "depends," "expect," "expand," "forecast," "intend," "predict," "plan," "rely," "should," "will," "may," "seek," or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances, including but not limited to risks and uncertainties included under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov . These risks and uncertainties include, but aren't limited to, that we will not be able to reach profitability unless we are able to achieve our product expansion and growth goals, our research and development and commercialization efforts may depend on entering into agreements with corporate collaborators, we have entered into joint marketing agreements with respect to our products, and may enter into additional joint marketing agreements, that will reduce our revenues from product sales, royalty agreements with respect to our LockeT device will reduce any future profits from this product, if we experience significant disruptions in our information technology systems, our business may be adversely affected, litigation and other legal proceedings may adversely affect our business, if we make acquisitions or divestitures, we could encounter difficulties that harm our business, failure to attract and retain sufficient qualified personnel could also impede our growth, failure to maintain effective internal controls could cause our investors to lose confidence in us and adversely affect the market price of our common stock, if our internal controls are not effective, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, our revenues may depend on our customers' receipt of adequate reimbursement from private insurers and government sponsored healthcare programs, we may be unable to compete successfully with companies in our highly competitive industry, many of whom have substantially greater resources than we do, our future operating results depend upon our ability to obtain components in sufficient quantities on commercially reasonable terms or according to schedules, prices, quality and volumes that are acceptable to us, and suppliers may fail to deliver components, or we may be unable to manage these components effectively or obtain these components on such terms, if hospitals, physicians and patients do not accept our current and future products or if the market for indications for which any product candidate is approved is smaller than expected, we may be unable to generate significant revenue, if any, our medical device operations are subject to pervasive and continuing FDA regulatory requirements, our products may be subject to additional recalls, revocations or suspensions after receiving FDA or foreign approval or clearance, which could divert managerial and financial resources, harm our reputation, and adversely affect our business, changes in trade policies among the U.S. and other countries, in particular the imposition of new or higher tariffs, could place pressure on our average selling prices as our customers seek to offset the impact of increased tariffs on their own products, increased tariffs or the imposition of other barriers to international trade could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and operating results. In addition, our auditor's finalization of the accounting for the merger requires complex calculations and the input of outside advisors, and as a result, the final results of these calculations could differ from our current expectations. The risks and uncertainties described above may be amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused significant economic uncertainty, or other pandemics, supply chain disruptions from the Ukraine war and otherwise, and ongoing volatility in the stock markets and the U.S. economy in general.The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, e
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By Mary de WysockiNORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Cisco Systems Inc.International Women's Day (IWD) gives us time to reflect on the achievements women have made before us, the unique challenges women may face today as they continue to break barriers, and what the future may look like for women as we move into a digital and low-carbon economy.The theme for IWD this year is "inspire inclusion." Thriving economies depend on stable environments and inclusive societies, and that's why Cisco's environmental sustainability strategy, The Plan for Possible, includes investing in resilient ecosystems as one of its three priorities. It is in our shared interest to help humans and nature navigate a changing climate by investing in regenerative technologies, workforces, and nature itself. The Cisco Foundation's Climate Grants and Investments team is working toward that vision by providing nonprofit grants and impact investing to support innovative climate solutions.As I reflected in a piece last year about women making strides in sustainability, I couldn't be prouder to see so many women represented in the environmental sustainability space. Women couldn't be better positioned to help connect us to a more regenerative future. According to United Nations (UN) Women, "In general, women are more likely to consider their families and communities in decision-making processes-which is crucial to producing the kind of holistic solutions that make for effective climate action." To gain some different perspectives, we asked six women entrepreneurs, whose climate technologies the Cisco Foundation has invested in, how women's leadership and creativity in the climate innovation space helps us build resilient ecosystems. This is what they had to say:Allison Wolff, CEO, Vibrant Planet- United States"Jane Goodall, one of the women I most admire, said: The environment, after all, is where we all meet, where we all have a mutual interest. It is one thing that all of us share. It is not only a mirror of ourselves, but a focusing lens on what we can become.'I am inspired by many women in the nature solutions space. Margo Robbins is a Karuk Tribal member teaching hundreds of people the art of beneficial fire; Katharine Hayhoe leads science at The Nature Conservancy; Sandra Steingraber who picked up Rachel Carson's lifesaving work; dozens of women cofounders and CEOs who, like me, are pioneering the nature tech space.Perhaps women are leading this space because we naturally have a nurturing, reciprocal relationship with nature rather than a destructive one. Women are known for creating community and we know that the answer to the nature and climate crisis resides in community, collaboration, and cooperation. Women know that nature is community and community is nature." Ugwem I. Eneyo, CEO and Co-Founder, SHYFT Power Solutions - Nigeria"As the founder and CEO of SHYFT Power Solutions, I've had the opportunity to work with families, businesses, regulatory bodies, and a wide range of stakeholders, delivering technology and solutions to solve some of Africa's toughest energy challenges.I see how economies can be impacted and ultimately thrive when we take creative approaches to supporting clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions.I believe people closest to challenges are often in a unique and promising position to solve those challenges, and solving climate and environmental challenges can be best achieved when women are involved and leading those efforts.One of SHYFT's core values is solving unique challenges with diverse perspectives, and the creativity, ingenuity, and insight of women are a key part of that." Emily Jacobi, Founder and Co-Director, Digital Democracy- United States"I believe that women's full participation and leadership in general is critical to a thriving human ecosystem. This is particularly true in the climate innovation space.Through my work with Digital Democracy, I have been privileged to work with Indigenous women on four different continents and I have seen firsthand how much more effective and resilient climate work is when women's contributions are fully valued and recognized in their communities.Everywhere we've worked, I've seen how Indigenous women bring essential skills, knowledge, and energy to the collective work of building resilience. For example, in so many Indigenous communities in the Americas, it is women who are the knowledge keepers of where sacred medicinal plants are grown, and how to best tend to traditional foods - essential knowledge for climate resilience. Or with our close partners the Cheptikale Ogiek of Mt Elgon, Kenya, women have played a leading role in a mapping initiative to restore ancestral lands to their communities, helping to protect and steward their local ecosystem.The future of humanity depends on us doing everything we can to support resilient ecosystems in the world at large, and therefore depends on women's inclusion in these efforts." Nancy Schellhorn, Co-Founder and CEO, RapidAIM - Australia"As women leaders, we bring visibility to the value of whole-of-community approaches to innovation.Meeting the challenge of building resilient ecosystems takes all of us. It is our diversity of thinking and lived experience that helps us fully understand the problems that we need to solve, and that guides our creativity in developing solutions.At the company I lead, RapidAIM, we're on a mission to reduce the chemical intensity of agriculture. Pesticides are hydrocarbons that have been a mainstay of protecting food and fiber systems for decades. They have brought value by providing simple solutions to protecting crops, but also CO2e and harm to biodiversity.At RapidAIM we believe in protecting crops while also protecting people and the planet. We achieve this with our cutting-edge hardware-enabled pest detection and defense system. Our novel internet of Things (IoT) insect sensors connects growers to the farm 24/7 to enable the most precise management of pests.In celebration of International Women's Day, let's honour those women who have cleared the path of innovation by being bold, believing in our vision, and building for a better future." Kelly Erhart, President and Co-Founder, Vesta - United States"Ideal leadership includes varying perspectives and reflects the population being led. So, naturally, including women's perspectives at senior levels is essential to holistic leadership for any organization - and the climate innovation space is no different.In my personal experience, the teams where I've seen the most success are those that include women at the helm. Most recently, at Vesta, I helped build an organizati
Rivian

I was recently in Laguna Beach, California for the unveiling of the Rivian R2, which is a perfectly functional, mid-size electric SUV. Ho, hum. But when the new R3 and R3X rolled out onto the stage, I became animated. I felt that I was witnessing a reinCARnation. The blunt nose, the hooded eyes, the beveled beltline and flanks, the trapezoidal rear hatch, the alluring squat. It looked like a late 20th-century design from my favorite automotive Crease Monkey, the most influential car designer: Giorgetto Giugiaro. More specifically, it looked like a cross between a Fiat Panda and a Lancia Delta. In other words, a hot-hatched Eighties rally car.

Howard Boylan - Getty Images

This was not a mistake. When Jeff Hammoud, Rivians chief design officer, was trying to figure out what the EV startups second car, the R2, was going to be, it was clear that it needed to get our brand language into a smaller, more affordable price point. But for the third car, the R3, Hammoud wanted to expand the definition of what Rivian is. Beyond trucks and SUVs, beyond big American-scale vehicles. Into a more international footprint and price point.

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The brief I gave the design team was like, we need this to be our Solo Rally Car, Hammoud told Road & Track. So on our image boards, we had the Delta Integrale and the Audi Quattro coupe from that era. But Hammoud didnt want their design to be slavishly retro. He wanted it to, as he said, have more of that nostalgic feeling where it looks modern, but where it looks like its from the future, and the past, at the same time.

Rivian

Part of the goal here was trying to find means to rationalize Rivians dual, off-road and on-road performance equities, and shift that out of the go-anywhere promise endemic in the SUV/Truck paradigm.

How can we do something that's Rivian, that's capable, but is in that indescribable sort of segment, Hammoud said. Something that you look at and youre like, what is that?

But this goal belies an abiding ambition to provide a deeper and more ardent connection to EVs, one that goes beyond the functional. If you look at that era of vehicles, you already evoke this emotional attachment to those vehicles from the Eighties. Those rugged little hatches, Hammoud said.

Story continues

It was also importantgiven Americans toxic resistance to, and unwillingness to pay premium prices for, small carsto make it, according to Hammoud, take a form factor of something very useful, like a hatch, but also make it still feel like it's a premium vehicle. Clever interior packaging, great use of space and storage (including a big frunk and two glove boxes, as well as a split-opening rear hatch), the use of premium materials like grommeted leather seating surfaces and anodized metals, and a means of accessing an evanescent past help achieve this mission.

Rivian

I told Hammoud that, over the past few years, Ive been consistently seeking the car that will become my first EV. The closest Id come is the Ioniq 5, but that seemed too jacked up and large in person. Now, Im feeling the R3, which is, according to Hammoud, the same size as an Audi Q3a half-foot shorter than the Hyundaiand has the simple, stylish design cues of cars I love from the past and present.

This evocation of my interest seemed paramount, a means of Trojan Horsing a connection to electric vehicles to a generation (or two, or three) of automotive aficionados who are decidedly not powertrain agnostic.

If you think about EVs, it's not a matter of if everything goes to electric. It's a matter of when. And so how do you still invoke an emotion and still get people excited about something so different, Hammoud said. With cars like R3, maybe we'll be able to convince guys like us that have been around, and are petrol-heads, to give it a try.

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Feldman Legal Advisors, a cannabis and psychedelics-focused boutique law firm, is thrilled to announce the promotion of Courtney Barnes to the position of Partner. As a seasoned attorney, Barnes has played a pivotal role in the firm's success and growth, particularly in the emerging field of psychedelics law.Ms. Barnes has served as counsel at Feldman Legal Advisors since 2021, where she has demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the legal landscape surrounding cannabis, hemp, psychedelic substances, functional mushrooms, and other highly regulated natural products. In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Barnes is a passionate criminal justice and drug policy reform advocate who has vast experience drafting and helping to implement state and local change relating to the regulation of cannabis and the decriminalization of psychedelics. She is an in-demand speaker at all major industry conferences and was a key contributor to the firm's recognition at the recent Wonderland psychedelics conference as Law Firm of the Year. Her dedication, expertise, and commitment to the firm and social causes have propelled her to this well-deserved position."We're delighted to recognize Courtney's talents with this elevation to partner at Feldman Legal Advisors," said the firm's founder and Managing Partner David Feldman. "Since her arrival she has been an invaluable member of our team - she is incredibly skilled and bright with a stellar track record of success. Courtney exemplifies the level of excellence, expertise, empathy, and leadership we look for in those who help lead our firm." Her promotion to Partner is a testament to her instrumental role in advancing our firm's capabilities in this innovative legal space.As partner, Ms. Barnes will continue advising key clients on complex regulatory compliance matters and corporate transactional work. She will also play a greater role in the firm's management and strategic direction as a member of the executive leadership team, and will continue to work with the firm's affiliated consulting firm, Skip Intro Advisors, on strategic guidance, finance and M&A advice for cannabis and psychedelics companies. "I'm honored to accept this leadership role with Feldman Legal Advisors," said Courtney Barnes. "I look forward to continuing to leverage my legal experience to serve our valued clients and contribute to the firm's ongoing success. I am incredibly grateful to work with such a unique, dedicated and passionate team." Ms. Barnes earned her Juris Doctor from the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver and graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications. She is licensed to practice law in California, Colorado, and Texas.Feldman Legal Advisors has been at the forefront of progressive legal representation, and Barnes's promotion signifies the firm's commitment to staying ahead in the rapidly evolving field. As Partner, Barnes will continue to provide strategic legal counsel to clients navigating the complex regulations surrounding psychedelic compounds, ensuring that they are well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities within this burgeoning industry.More information at https://feldmanlegaladvisors.com/ Contact:David Feldman, Managing Partner, Feldman Legal AdvisorsDFeldman@ feldmanlegaladvisors.com Courtney Barnes, Partner, Feldman Legal AdvisorsCBarnes@ feldmanlegaladvisors.com SOURCE: Feldman Legal Advisors
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Leading Design-Build Firm to Share Exclusive Banking InsightsPALM SPRINGS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Leading retail transformation firm DBSI announces Mike Forsyth, Director of Transformation Strategy, to be a featured speaker at the BankSpaces retreat hosted by the influence group. Forsyth will be joined on stage by Carla Trombly, SVP, Director of Branch & ATM Channel Optimization at Synovus, alongside an impressive lineup of financial industry leaders.Mike Forsyth, Director of Transformation Strategy Leading retail transformation firm DBSI announces Mike Forsyth, Director of Transformation Strategy, to be a featured speaker at the BankSpaces retreat hosted by the influence group.This invite-only retreat, taking place from May 5-7, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, California, will bring together thought leaders from North America's top banks and credit unions to discuss the future of the branch in an increasingly digital-first world."Participating in BankSpaces offers an incredible platform to discuss how the evolution of technology, people, and processes impact the future of banking. It's important for industry leaders to come together and discuss the innovative solutions that are redefining the retail banking industry," Forsyth shared.DBSI's comprehensive approach ensures that banks and credit unions are equipped to meet the evolving needs of their customers and stay competitive in a rapidly changing financial sector. Forsyth has an extensive 26-year background in transforming financial institutions across the U.S.In a recent Q&A with BankSpaces, Forsyth reflected on his journey from a bank teller to a leading strategist in banking transformation, emphasizing the continuing importance of physical branches."My personal belief is the branch is never going away. We will change how we envision and utilize them, but they will remain a key component to the overall banking experience," Forsyth mentioned in the article.Forsyth's insights into blending technology and enhanced customer experiences in branches provide a first look at his upcoming presentation at BankSpaces. Forsyth will dive into how these elements combine to bring banking customer environments in line with current demands, drawing from his firsthand experiences and the innovative strategies delivered by DBSI."We created BankSpaces to be a collaborative retreat where industry leaders can come together to envision the bank of the future, while also gaining practical strategies to breathe new life into existing branches to meet modern customer expectations," said Michael Owens, Executive Producer of BankSpaces.For more information or to inquire about partnering with DBSI for your transformation project, visit dbsi.com or contact info@ dbsi-inc.com Contact InformationStephanie HollandPR & Content Strategistpr@ dbsi-inc.com 480-320-0718Related FilesDBSI Announces Mike Forsyth, Director of Transformation Strategy to Speak at BankSpaces RetreatSOURCE: DBSIView the original press release on newswire.com
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MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / On March 8th, family owned and operated logistics companyWTDCcelebrated 47 years in business. Now a market leader in worldwide logistics and Foreign Trade Zone Warehousing for the Duty Free and Travel Retail industry, the Miami-based logistics company still adheres to the core principles of family, faith, and community.Sean Gazitua "Our family was running a successful freight forwarding business called Florida International Forwarders (FIF) at the time of WTDC's founding in 1977. My father Ralph, my uncle John, and my grandfather Luis Rafael (LR) Gazitua fostered a generation of logistics professionals in Miami and set a high bar for us to follow." The Gazitua family's contributions to Miami's logistics industry from the 1950s to 1970s are enshrined in the Florida Foreign Trade Association (FFTA) Pioneers monument at the entrance to PortMiami.WTDC added services over the decades namely bonded warehousing, customs brokerage, and transportation licenses for worldwide and domestic transportation - NVOCC, IAC, IATA, among others. In 2012, WTDC became a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) and employs its expertise as FTZ Consultants to assist other companies to apply and comply with FTZ regulations. WTDC continues to expand its door to door international transportation footprint in cruise, electronics, industrial machinery, pharma, and solar while serving as an international warehousing and logistics hub for Duty Free and Travel Retail."So many factors have contributed to our growth over the last 47 years but none have been more important than the efforts of our employees," said WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua. "Our family philosophy on a work-life balance with a higher purpose evolved to what we call the company's 4 pillars: God and Family, Health and Education, Community, and WTDC. With these priorities in order, we believe our employees can better themselves and provide better customer service." For more information about WTDC's services and initiatives, please visit https://wtdc.com WTDC is a worldwide logistics company and Foreign Trade Zone. Based in Miami, FL, the company specializes as a logistics hub for Duty Free and Travel Retail inventory. WTDC provides international cargo transport by air, ocean, road, and rail. The company has been owned and operated by the Gazitua family since its founding in 1977.Contact InformationSean GazituaWTDC President & CEOsgazitua@ wtdc.com 305-594-7484SOURCE: WTDCView the original press release on newswire.com
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Gay Digital Nomads Provides a Supportive and Empowering Space for the Global Community of LGBTQ+ Digital NomadsOKLAHOMA CITY, OK / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Foodie Flashpacker celebrated the tenth anniversary of the travel website by launching Gay Digital Nomads, an online community for LGBTQ+ digital nomads.To learn more about Foodie Flashpacker and how the food-focused travel site helps more than a million people per year find the best of where and what to eat around the world, please visit https://foodieflashpacker.com/ The founder of Foodie Flashpacker was inspired to create Gay Digital Nomads from his own experiences as a LGBTQ+ business owner and digital nomad."Recognizing the lack of resources tailored for LGBTQ+ digital nomads, I set out to bridge that gap and provide a dedicated space for our community," Nathan Aguilera noted.The mission of Gay Digital Nomads is to create a supportive and empowering online space for the global community of LGBTQ+ Digital Nomads that supports the power of connection, diversity and passion for adventure.For example, Gay Digital Nomads features an in-depth travel guide filled with advice and tips on everything from LGBTQ+-friendly destinations to co-working spaces and much more.The website also offers articles on refined nomadic living - including how to choose ideal accommodations and restaurants, mastering the art of packing for the modern gay digital nomad and a curated list of destinations that celebrate LGBTQ+ individuals who have embraced the digital nomadic lifestyle.Gay Digital Nomads also features a Community Hub, where members of the LGBTQ+ community can connect and offer support while enjoying the opportunity to network."In the Community Hub, visitors to the website can connect with like-minded individuals, share their experiences, and celebrate the unique variety of LGBTQ+ stories from around the globe," Aguilera said.About Gay Digital NomadsGay Digital Nomads' mission is to create a supportive and empowering space for the global community of LGBTQ+ Digital Nomads. The new website was launched by the founder of Foodie Flashpacker as a way to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the website, and help LGBTQ+ individuals who are currently working remotely, or who are aspiring to do so. For more information, please visit https://gaydigitalnomads.com/ Media ContactNathan Aguilera nathan@ foodieflashpacker.com 405-268-61041303 N KleinOklahoma City, OK 73106SOURCE: Foodie Flashpacker
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-11 14:03:31

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COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Fortitude Gold Corp. (OTCQB:FTCO) (the "Company") announced multiple high-grade gold drill intercepts at an intersection between two faults feeding high-grade gold into its East Camp Douglas lithocap system. Intercepts include 3.05 meters grading 5.57 grams per tonne (g/t) gold within 12.19 meters grading 2.90 g/t gold, 3.05 meters grading 6.11 g/t gold within 16.76 meters grading 1.58 g/t gold, and 10.67 meters grading 1.05 g/t gold. Fortitude Gold is a gold producer, developer, and explorer with operations in Nevada, U.S.A. offering investors exposure to both gold production and dividend yield.East Camp Douglas lithocap drill highlights include (m=meters, g/t=grams per tonne) (full drill table below):Hole# ECDRC-119:10.67 m of 1.05 g/t goldincl.3.05 m of 2.36 g/t goldHole# ECDRC-134:16.76 m of 1.58 g/t goldincl.3.05 m of 6.11 g/t goldHole# ECDRC-144:1.52 m of 1.06 g/t gold 6.10 m of 1.49 g/t goldincl.3.05 m of 2.55 g/t goldHole# ECDRC-156:12.19 m of 2.90 g/t goldincl.3.05 m of 5.57 g/t gold & 4.57 m of 3.38 g/t gold This reverse circulation drill program focused at the D2 Cliffs target builds on the Company's January 2023 drill results where 15.24 meters intercepted 1.87 g/t gold including 4.57 meters grading 5.24 g/t gold. The East Camp Douglas lithocap is an expansive 1.5 by 1.0-kilometer geologic structure that has the potential to host a significant near-surface gold deposit. Lithocaps are stratabound alteration domains that are laterally and vertically extensive and typically have steeply dipping structural roots with significant lateral fluid flow during formation. The lithocap structure at the south end of the Company's East Camp Douglas property has always been a priority target. The D2 Cliffs now contains at least one high-grade gold feeder zone elevating its exploration status and increasing the potential for a significant discovery."It appears we have discovered an intersection point between two faults that is feeding high-grade gold mineralization into the lithocap," stated Mr. Allan Turner, Vice President of Exploration for Fortitude Gold. "We continue to target feeder zones within high-angle structures at the D2 Cliffs zone within the much larger East Camp Douglas lithocap structure. While we have consistently intersected lower grade gold mineralization that is stratabound to the silicified tuffaceous unit typical in mineralized lithocaps, this discovery of an initial feeder zone may be the first of many feeding high-grade gold into this large lithocap system." "This new discovery of a high-grade gold feeder zone supplying the larger mineralized lithocap confirms what we had always hoped would be the case at our East Camp property which now elevates it to possibly being one of those rare and potentially large gold deposits," stated Mr. Jason Reid, CEO and President of Fortitude Gold. "Lithocaps in and of themselves don't necessarily mean much, but our very large gold bearing lithocap with both typical bulk tonnage lower grade gold mineralization is now confirmed to be associated with an initial high-grade feeder zone, both which are earmarks for a significant discovery. 12.19 meters, or forty feet, of 2.90 grams per tonne gold is both exciting and incredible, especially given its location within our lithocap." Mr. Reid continued, "Our new questions include how large is the mineralization within the lithocap, how large is the high-grade gold feeder zone, and are there additional feeder zones given the tremendous size of our mineralized lithocap. This is a very large area and will take substantial time to fully test and understand our geologic model. As I have stated before, we are swinging for the fence with our lithocap exploration program, and it is very exciting to see that we may have hit a home run. High-grade gold like we just intercepted within our huge mineralized lithocap is very rare. Mineralized lithocaps are associated with some tremendous gold deposits around the globe and speak to the extensive and exciting potential of our East Camp Douglas district scale land position." About Fortitude Gold Corp.:Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, high margins, and strong returns on capital. The Company's strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial dividends. The Company's Nevada Mining Unit consists of seven high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt and an eighth high-grade gold property in west central Nevada. The Isabella Pearl gold mine, located on the Isabella Pearl mineralized trend, is currently in production. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world's premier mining friendly jurisdictions.Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. If you are risk-averse you should NOT buy shares in Fortitude Gold Corp. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release.Contact:Greg Patterson719-717-9825 greg.patterson@fortitudegold.comwww.Fortitudegold.com SOURCE: Fortitude Gold Corporation
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-11 15:45:43

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LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Gabriel Resources Ltd. (TSXV:GBU)("Gabriel" or the "Company") announced on March 8, 2024 that the Company's ICSID arbitration claims against the Romanian Government were dismissed by a two to one majority and the tribunal awarded Romania approximately US$10 million in legal fees and expenses. The award is binding on the parties and the amount payable incurs simple interest from the date of the award at the 3-month US Treasury rate.Gabriel believes the Tribunal's decision is deeply flawed and a travesty of justice. This decision blatantly ignores or intentionally misconstrues the vast body of evidence presented to demonstrate that Romania's decision to deny necessary permits was politically motivated and without any substantive or objective regulatory basis.The Company continues to analyze the judgment with its legal advisers to evaluate its options, including to challenge the decision through the annulment process prescribed by the ICSID Convention.The Company currently has available funds of approximately C$2.7 million (US$2.0 million) and would expect such balance to be exhausted in the normal course of business by May 2024. Gabriel intends to conduct an immediate review of its current and future financial obligations and the ability to source funds to settle amounts payable. The Company will announce its conclusions in due course.Notwithstanding this review, Gabriel will require further funding during the second quarter of 2024 in order to pursue longer-term activities (which may include, as appropriate, costs of any potential annulment proceedings) and for general working capital purposes. There is a significant risk that sufficient additional financing may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms, or at all. The failure to raise funds as and when needed would have a negative impact on the Company's financial condition and its ability to continue as a going concern.For information on this press release, please contact:Dragos TanasePresident & CEOPhone: +40 730 399 019 dt@ gabrielresources.com Richard BrownChief Financial OfficerMobile: +44 7748 760276 richard.brown@gabrielresources.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.About GabrielGabriel is a Canadian resource company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's principal business had been the exploration and development of the Rosia Montana gold and silver project in Romania. The Rosia Montana Project, one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in Europe, is situated in the South Apuseni Mountains of Transylvania, Romania, an historic and prolific mining district that since pre-Roman times has been mined intermittently for over 2,000 years.The exploitation license for the Rosia Montana Project is held by Rosia Montana Gold Corporation S.A., a Romanian company in which Gabriel owns an 80.69% equity interest, with the 19.31% balance held by Minvest Rosia Montana S.A., a Romanian state-owned mining company.Following issuance of the exploitation license in June 1999, the Group focused substantially all of its management and financial resources on the exploration, feasibility and subsequent development of the Rosia Montana Project. Gabriel invested over US$760 million to develop the Rosia Montana Project and to define two promising gold, silver and porphyry copper-gold mineral deposits in the Bucium concession area located in the vicinity of Rosia Montana ("Bucium Projects" and together with the Rosia Montana Project, the "Projects").The Rosia Montana Project had the potential to be a flagship development project in Romania presenting opportunities to:boost the Romanian economy through direct and indirect contributions to GDP; create several thousand of much-needed direct and indirect jobs in an area that has record unemployment, thus ensuring Rosia Montana's sustainable economic development; make Romania the leading producer of gold and silver in the European Union; remediate, through significant investment in infrastructure and environmental rehabilitation, the severe environmental degradation that besieges Rosia Montana's landscape today as a consequence of unregulated historical State mining operations; and add further significant investments to the preservation and restoration of Rosia Montana's important cultural heritage (beyond the significant investments already made by Gabriel). Forward-looking StatementsThis press release contains "forward-looking information" (also referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of the Company's operating environment. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the ability of the Company to source further capital.In this press release, forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the Company's actual financial results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein.Some of the material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the uncertainties associated with: any challenge to the recent decision of the ICSID tribunal, actions by the Romanian Government, conditions or events impacting the Company's ability to fund its operations (including but not limited to the completion of further funding noted above) or service its debt, exploration, development and operation of mining properties and the overall impact of misjudgments made in good faith in the course of preparing forward-looking information.Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors including those set out below, that may never materialize, prove incorrect or materialize other than as currently contemplated which could cause the Company's results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, belief
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-11 13:01:06

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GHI provides key insights into Latin America's medical equipment sales leadersMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Global Health Intelligence (GHI), the leading healthcare data analytics provider in Latin America, has just published data on the market leaders in 29 categories of installed base of medical equipment in Latin America.LATIN AMERICA'S MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SALES LEADERS "While biohealth companies have their own approaches to determining their respective market shares, GHI is the first independent, objective source for this data," explains Guillaume Corpart, CEO of Global Health Intelligence. Our analysis is driven by HospiScope, our database of 19,000+ Latin American hospitals. We track multiple demographic data points about hospitals, including the brands of the installed base," says Corpart.To offer these unique insights to the market, GHI published a detailed article on its site that reveals the market leaders in a range of equipment modalities, including:IMAGING EQUIPMENT: Latin American market share leaders for C-arms, CT scanners, MRI machines, Gamma cameras, and more.DIAGNOSTICS EQUIPMENT: Latin America market share leaders for colposcopes, endoscopy towers, ultrasound machines, fluoroscopes, and more.CANCER TREATMENT: Latin America market share leaders for linear accelerators, radiography equipment, and more.SURGICAL EQUIPMENT: Latin America market share leaders for robotic surgery systems, surgical tables, laparoscopic surgery equipment, surgical generators, and more.EQUIPMENT TO TREAT HIGH-RISK PATIENTS: Latin America market share leaders for hemodialysis machines, infusion pumps, ventilators, and more."It's important to note that this data reflects installed base, i.e. the sales over the life expectancy of each type of medical equipment," says Corpart. "Because of this, the data we share here may differ from the market share over a specific period." To address this, GHI has developed a new service called BrandTrack, which identifies market size for over 400 equipment types and provides insights on market share on a quarterly basis. BrandTrack allows companies to monitor their market share more directly, not only on a regional basis, but also in specific markets like Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and other countries."It's groundbreaking to offer insights on the installed base as a resource for the MedTech companies operating in Latin America. No one has done this before-especially at no charge-so we're hoping it delivers a useful, quantitative perspective for industry leaders," says Corpart.###About Global Health Intelligence (GHI) Global Health Intelligence created HospiScope, the world's largest hospital demographics database focused on Latin America, as well as SurgiScope, the first database to track surgical procedures performed in Latin America. The firm updates more than 2 million hospital data points each year, helping clients with custom research, data on the medical devices market, competitive profiling for the LatAm healthcare industry, marketing sizing, segmentation, and pricing/cost analyses.Contact InformationCarolina ChazaroDigital Marketing Coordinatorcarolina@ globalhealthintelligence.com Guillaume CorpartCEOgc@ globalhealthintelligence.com SOURCE: Global Health IntelligenceView the original press release on newswire.com
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Spotlights Role of African Philanthropy in Transforming the Development Agenda in AfricaLAGOS, NIGERIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / At a time of renewed geopolitical interest in Africa, and an increasing questioning of traditional development finance models, Harvard Business School today released a case study examining the role and impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) ( https://www.TonyElumeluFoundation.org) , and its unique approach to catalysing entrepreneurship in Africa.The Foundation, Africa's leading funder of young entrepreneurs, has pioneered an innovative approach to seeding, capacitising and networking young entrepreneurs across Africa. Drawing directly from Tony Elumelu's entrepreneurial journey, his acknowledgement that luck and chance played an important role in his success, the Foundation democratises luck, spreads opportunity, in a sector agnostic approach, and has developed a bespoke infrastructure that reaches every country in Africa. The Foundation is a direct expression of Elumelu's philosophy of Africapitalism, that the private sector must play a pivotal role in Africa's development, and that investment must seek social, as well as economic returns.The case study, the first of its kind focused on African philanthropy, was launched today, Thursday, February 29, 2024, before a class of graduate students at Harvard Business School and explored the Foundation's unique approaches and transformative initiatives, showcasing how the strategic philanthropy offered by TEF, is driving positive change and elevating countries and communities.The case study recognises challenges the Foundation faces, and its responses, as it developed its mission, since founding in 2010. The track record is impressive, with over 20,000 entrepreneurs funded, over a million connected digitally and the development of an impact assessment capacity. TEF has disbursed over USD$100 million, reaching every African country. The Foundation is increasingly developing a partnership-based approach, working with institutions such as the EU, US agencies, the UNDP, the ICRC, the Ikea Foundation, and others to develop bespoke programmes focused on fragile states, female entrepreneurs and sustainability initiatives.Tony Elumelu, who spoke at Harvard said, "TEF is creating economic hope and opportunity for African entrepreneurs. We know that entrepreneurship is the solution to youth unemployment and insecurity. Through the intervention of the Foundation, we are transforming our young people, giving them hope. Collectively, all of us can resolve the challenges that we have on the continent.It is wonderful to have had the opportunity to work with HBS, to spotlight our successes, acknowledge the challenges that we have at times faced, and provide the opportunity to spread our experience, for the benefit of others." The Harvard Business School session provided an opportunity to engage in a meaningful discussion on the role of philanthropy in shaping sustainable and inclusive economies. As the world grapples with complex challenges around demographics, climate and sustainability, the Tony Elumelu Foundation model offers a fascinating model of how strategic philanthropy can be a driving force for positive change.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.Download image 1: https://apo-opa.co/43cA5KI Download image 2: https://apo-opa.co/3PhXKnn Download image 3: https://apo-opa.co/3PfEbvW Download image 4: https://apo-opa.co/48OXPWn Download image 5: https://apo-opa.co/43eK2Y1 About the Tony Elumelu Foundation:The Tony Elumelu Foundation is the leading philanthropy empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, driving poverty eradication, catalysing job creation across all 54 African countries, and ensuring inclusive economic empowerment. Since the launch of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, the Foundation has trained over 1.5 million young Africans on its digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed over USD$100 million in direct funding to 20,000 African women and men, who have collectively created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs. The Foundation's mission is rooted in Africapitalism, which positions the private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the African continent.SOURCE: Tony Elumelu Foundation
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-11 11:00:15

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MEMPHIS, TN / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Innova Memphis, Inc., a leading investor in early-stage FarmTech companies, today announced its participation in the latest funding round for Soiltech Wireless, Inc., a company developing next-generation wireless sensor technology to empower farmers and processors with actionable insights for sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.logo Soiltech Wireless (Rupert, ID) offers a multifunctional plug-and-play environmental sensor that measures soil moisture, temperature, humidity, CO2, GPS location, crop damage, and several other key indicators that farmers and processors need to make critical and timely decisions. The "Beacon" sensor uniquely provides value across the entire crop production cycle. The Beacon is planted with the seed, collects data throughout the growing season, is harvested, and remains with the crop through storage and processing. The Beacon is simple to deploy, rugged, and used for multiple years.The firm's "Signal" software platform provides a user-friendly interface that enables seamless tracking of agricultural data throughout the supply chain, literally from seed to processing. The ability to remotely monitor fields in real-time enables farmers to determine when to plant, apply inputs, scout, and irrigate fields without visiting the field, reducing the number of physical trips, saving fuel, and optimizing time management. For example, water optimization alone can save potato farmers up to 10% annually, equating to millions of gallons."Soiltech Wireless is a prime example of the innovative and impactful companies we seek to partner with," said Dean Didato, Managing Partner at Innova Memphis, Inc. "Their commitment to addressing critical challenges faced by the agricultural industry, including labor constraints, data utilization, and sustainable practices, aligns perfectly with our investment thesis." Soiltech Wireless's sensor technology provides farmers with real-time data on crucial soil conditions, such as moisture levels, nutrient content, and temperature. This data empowers them to make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilization, and other farm management practices, ultimately leading to increased yields, reduced costs, and improved environmental sustainability."We are thrilled to have Innova Memphis on board as we continue to develop and commercialize our solutions," said Ehsan Soltan, President / CEO of Soiltech Wireless. "Their deep understanding of the FarmTech landscape and their proven track record of supporting innovative companies will be invaluable as we continue bringing our technology to market and empower farmers worldwide." About Innova Memphis: Innova Memphis is a venture capital firm focused on empowering early-stage startups that are defining the future of agriculture through automation, digitization, sustainability, and operational efficiencies. Innova partners with visionary entrepreneurs to bring groundbreaking solutions to the agricultural sector, fostering a more efficient and sustainable farming future. www.innovamemphis.com About SoilTech Wireless Soiltech Wireless is a technology company developing next-generation wireless sensing technology and software solutions for the agricultural industry. The company's mission is to provide farmers with the data and insights they need to optimize their operations, improve sustainability, and propel profitability. For further information, visit: https://www.soiltechwireless.com/home Contact:info@ soiltechwireless.com Contact Information Eshan SoltanCEO / Presidenteshan@ soiltechwireless.com (202) 705-9993SOURCE: Soiltech Wireless, Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-11 09:02:26

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of JBS S.A. ("JBS" or "the Company") (OTCQX:JBSAY). Investors who purchased JBS securities are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/JBSAY Investigation Details:On February 28, 2024, Reuters published an article entitled "New York sues meatpacking giant JBS over climate claims." The article reported, in relevant part, that New York State's Attorney General has "accused [JBS] of misleading the public about its impact on the environment in order to boost sales. Attorney General Letitia James said JBS USA Food Co, the Brazilian company's American-based unit, has no viable plan' to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, making its stated commitment to achieving that goal false and misleading." On this news, JBS's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $0.22 per share, or 2.38%, to close at $9.02 per share on February 28, 2024.What's Next?If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation or purchased JBS securities, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/JBSAY . You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his law clerk and client relations manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 332-239-2660.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / March 10, 2024 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP( www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against GrafTech International Ltd. ("GrafTech") (NYSE:EAF). The action charges GrafTech with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of GrafTech's materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, GrafTech' s investors have suffered significant losses.CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR GRAFTECH LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/graftech-international-ltd?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=eaf&mktm=r CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERELEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: MARCH 25, 2024CLASS PERIOD: FEBRUARY 8, 2019 THROUGH AUGUST 3, 2023CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ ktmc.com Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field as well as the firm itself which is continuously awarded for the successful results we've achieved. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.In addition to representing investors in cases where the fraud has been revealed, Kessler Topaz also represents whistleblowers - persons who expose wrongdoing to those in positions of authority or to the public- in cases brought under federal and state qui tam statutes, and through financial fraud whistleblower programs, such as those run by the SEC, CFTC and IRS. If you have information about fraud against government programs (such as Medicare), or violations of federal securities, commodities, tax or anti-foreign bribery laws, contact Kessler Topaz at (866) 369-7779 or at wbinfo@ ktmc.com or go to https://www.ktmc-whistleblower.com DEFENDANTS' ALLEGED MISCONDUCTBefore the start of the Class Period, GrafTech had underwent an extensive transformation that wasintended to revamp the company's business and return it to profitability. In public filings with the SEC, the company lauded its "transformation" and claimed that it had emerged from its restructuring with the "most competitive portfolio of low-cost graphite electrode manufacturing facilities in the industry." The company further represented that GrafTech's facilities were "modern, strategically located and well-maintained," which they claimed would provide the company with efficient growth opportunities following the offering. Key to this purportedly sustainable growth were the company's claims regarding the "more environmentally friendly nature of EAF steelmaking" employed by GrafTech's customers. Defendants continued to represent throughout the Class Period that GrafTech was committed to protecting the environment and acting "proactively" to advance sustainability initiatives.The truth began to be revealed on September 16, 2022, when GrafTech disclosed that its critical manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico had been shut down by regulators following inspections by the State Attorney's office for the Secretary of Environment and the Ministry of the Environment. The Monterrey facility was responsible for manufacturing 30% of GrafTech's overall graphite electrode output and 100% of its pin stock. Following this news, GrafTech's stock price fell $0.45, or 8.5%, to close at $4.85 on September 19, 2022.Then, on August 4, 2023, GrafTech issued a press release reporting the company's financial and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. In the results, GrafTech reported that sales declined 49% compared to the second quarter of 2022 as the company continued to "recover" from the effects of the Monterrey facility shutdown in 2022. As a result of the substantial decline in net sales, GrafTech reported a net loss of $8 million compared to $115 million in net income reported in the second quarter of 2022. On the investor conference call discussing the results, GrafTech attributed the Monterrey suspension as the "key driver" of the underperformance and disclosed that GrafTech's ability to secure customer contracts would continue to be indirectly impacted in the second half of fiscal 2023.Following this news, GrafTech's stock price fell $1.18 per share, or 22.56%, to close at $4.05 per share on August 4, 2023.WHAT CAN I DO?GrafTech investors may, no later than March 25, 2024, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages GrafTech investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The class action complaint against GrafTech, Porter v. GrafTech International Ltd., et al., Case No. 24-cv-00154, is filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASEWHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLPKessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com CONTACT: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP Jonathan Naji, Esq.280 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087(484) 270-1453 info@ ktmc.com SOURCE%
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The Pepp Rally Sub Offered for a Limited TimeMEMPHIS, TN / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / For the first time in brand history, Lennys Grill & Subs is adding savory Pepperoni to its robust lineup of fresh-sliced deli meats with the launch of the Pepp Rally, available through April 21.Starting at $6.99, the Pepp Rally is loaded with authentic Italian meatballs covered in a new, richly flavored Marinara and Swiss American cheese and topped with slow-cured, seasoned fresh-sliced Pepperoni, Oregano, and Parmesan cheese on a fresh baked white or wheat roll warmed to perfection on the grill.Customers can also amp up the flavor of any of Lennys' subs by adding Pepperoni for only $0.99."We are always innovating ways to enhance flavor for our guests. This Pepperoni is seasoned perfectly to complement and heighten the flavor profiles of many of our Subs, so we're also offering it as an add-on. It adds a savory, subtle kick of spices to our Meatball Classic, which inspired the Pepp Rally. And it also allowed us to improve our existing Marinara. We are so pleased with this thicker, more flavorful Italian sauce that it will be a permanent replacement," said Lennys Grill & Subs President Joe Unger.The Pepp Rally is available for a limited time only and can be purchased in-store at all locations, online at order.lennys.com , through all delivery service providers, and on the Lennys Rewards mobile app.Fans can join Lennys Rewards to earn free food and receive special offers. To sign up for the loyalty program, visit www.Lennys.com/rewards or download the Lennys Rewards app on Google Play or the App Store.About Lennys Grill & SubsSince 1998, our focus has remained the same - good food with a great experience - as your favorite neighborhood sandwich shop. This means never skipping on quality or quantity. That's why at Lennys, we're proud to serve handcrafted deli subs and made-to-order authentic cheesesteaks piled high with freshly sliced premium meats and cheeses on bread that is baked fresh every day in our restaurants.For more information on Lennys Grill & Subs, visit www.lennys.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @lennyssubs.###Media Contact: Kathryn Gamis Sr. Marketing Manager kgamis@ lennys.com (901) 753-4002SOURCE: Lennys Holdings, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-11 15:32:02

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COLUMBIA, MD / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Nava Health, a leader in integrative and functional medicine, expands its reach to Queen City with the start of construction on its new center in Charlotte, North Carolina, at 15235 John Delaney Drive, Suite 20, in the Ballentine East retail center. The Charlotte Center is the Company's first location in North Carolina and is expected to open in September 2024. Nava also plans to open additional Charlotte locations, as well as centers in the Raleigh-Durham area.Nava Health isn't just about treating illness; the Company views healthcare as a proactive journey towards optimal well-being. Recognizing the growing emphasis and effectiveness of preventative and longevity-focused medicine, Nava Health offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to empower individuals. Offerings include functional medicine, focused on the root causes of health issues, regenerative medicine, which aims to restore cellular and tissue function, and personalized wellness plans that provide a roadmap for long-term health.The Charlotte center expands Nava Health's southern footprint, complementing a recently opened location in Boca Raton, Florida and another coming later in 2024 in Plantation, Florida."We are excited to open our first Nava Health center in North Carolina. Nava Health is dedicated to ensuring that personalized healthcare that addresses more than symptoms and is accessible to everyone, empowering individuals to reach their full health potential. Charlotte's thriving metropolitan population is an ideal audience for our offerings," said Bernie Dancel, CEO of Nava Health. "Our new center in Charlotte further strengthens this commitment, bringing our unique approach to a new community and enabling residents to take control of their health and well-being." Building a Southern PresenceThis is the first Nava Health in North Carolina. The Company has plans for additional locations in the Raleigh-Durham area, as well as further expansion within Charlotte, to offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to empower "Research Triangle" residents and perfectly match the region's vibrant energy.Nava Health's commitment to personalized, data-driven healthcare aligns seamlessly with Charlotte's dynamic spirit. The center will offer a full spectrum of integrative medicine services, including functional medicine, regenerative medicine, nutrition counseling, IV vitamin therapy, and premium aesthetics.The new Nava Health will be centrally located in the Charlotte metropolitan area, in Ballentine East, a prominent community center anchored by Harris Teeter. Located at 15235 John Delaney Drive, Suite 20 in Charlotte, the 4,800 square foot center enjoys convenient accessibility with ample parking.About Nava HealthNava Health is a vertically integrated, tech-enabled healthcare practice combining integrative, functional, preventive, and regenerative medicine. Our innovative medical practice uses a data-driven, personalized approach to optimize health and increase longevity. We provide each client with an individualized wellness roadmap tailored to their specific symptoms, medical needs, and personal goals. All client wellness roadmaps result from a proprietary diagnostic process, the "Nava Method," which utilizes data and specially designed software to create optimal personalized client outcomes. To learn more visit navacenter.com Media ContactSuzanne Coblentz Scoblentz@ navacenter.com Investor Contact:John Nesbett/Jen BelodeauIMS Investor Relations nava@ imsinvestorrelations.com SOURCE: Nava Health
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-11 17:00:35

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / NutriAg, a leading provider of science-driven plant nutrition solutions, proudly announces the addition of four new team members to support its expanding operations in the United States. The new hires include Jared Yost, Area Manager - OK and Kansas; Jared Garner, Area Manager - Mid South; Tommy Boren, Area Manager - Delta Region; and Mark Shannon, Territory Manager - Northeast USA. They all bring a wealth of experience and expertise to fuel NutriAg's continued growth trajectory in the region.The decision to bolster our team comes in response to NutriAg's rapidly increasing presence in the USA market. As demand for our innovative plant nutrition and Bionutritional solutions continues to surge, we recognize the need for additional seasoned professionals with proven track records to spearhead our expansion efforts effectively.Commenting on the new appointments, Martin Bloomberg, President of NutriAg, stated, "We are thrilled to welcome, Jared, Tommy, Jared and Mark to the NutriAg family. Their diverse backgrounds and extensive localized industry knowledge will be instrumental in driving our growth initiatives forward, further solidifying NutriAg's position as a leader in the plant nutrition sector." Riley Reynolds, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, North America, added, "As we navigate the dynamic landscape of the agricultural industry, it's crucial to have a dedicated team of experts who understand the unique needs of our customers. These new additions will play a pivotal role in strengthening our partnerships and delivering exceptional value to growers and dealers across the USA." NutriAg remains committed to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence while continuing to provide cutting-edge solutions that empower farmers to achieve optimal results in their operations.Contact InformationTerry KukleVP Marketingpr@ nutriag.com SOURCE: NutriAgView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-11 13:32:29

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / At SAIC, we value our people for their unique perspectives, life experiences, values and skills. We empower our employees to succeed by developing their potential and enabling them to bring their authentic selves to work and consistently deliver innovative solutions for our customers. We are proud to highlight the winners of our 2024 Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) in the "Modern Day Technology Leader" and "Science Spectrum Trailblazer" categories for their outstanding achievements in a STEM profession. They exemplify all of our talented people, who apply their expertise and determination to our customers' missions so that we can solve the most difficult challenges and succeed together.SAIC HONORS OUR 2024 BEYA WINNERSSAMFORD ANDERSON Senior Operations Research Analyst BEYA Modern Day Technology LeaderSamford Anderson is a senior operations research analyst, managing the planning and execution of U.S. Army constructive experimentation, overseeing the outcomes, analyzing data and producing experiment reports for the organization. He joined SAIC as a doctrinal and mission command expert, and in that role he has successfully planned and executed constructive simulation experiments and war game events to inform science and technology investments in force design of Army combat unit formations.Anderson is an Army veteran. Throughout his 29-year military career, he was assigned many positions of increasing authority and responsibility in which he led multicultural organizations comprised of service members, Department of Defense civilian employees and contractors to achieve objectives in support of the national defense strategy. He is a member of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center, the Military Officers Association of America and the American Legion.Anderson earned a certificate in electromagnetic warfare data analysis from Georgia Tech, a bachelor's degree from the University of Hawaii and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Regent University. He is also a Certified Modeling and Simulation Professional Master level.WATCH VIDEOMARCUS HILL Senior Program Manager BEYA Modern Day Technology LeaderMarcus Hill is a senior program manager in the Information Technology Office within SAIC's Business and Customer Experience Office. Hill joined SAIC as software engineer supporting several Department of Defense initiatives and eventually transitioned to leadership roles in research and development, profit and loss, and IT. He has led several program management offices and supported the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' $1.3 billion Revolutionary Information Technology Service program, implementing a technical business management framework and plug-in that enabled insight into financial spending and budgets to improve decision-making. His current focus is on mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Most recently, he led the Separation Management Office in executing the divestiture of SAIC's logistics and supply chain management business, valued at $350 million.Hill earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace science engineering from Tuskegee University and an MBA from Rollins College, and is pursuing a doctorate in business administration at the University of North Alabama. He is a member of SAIC's Multicultural Employee Resource Group and is active in community service through his church. He is a certified TBM Executive for technology business management, has a Project Management Professional certification, and is a member of the North Alabama Chapter of the Project Management Institute and the ITIL Foundation.WATCH VIDEODEJA NOEL Cybersecurity Specialist BEYA Modern Day Technology LeaderDeja Noel is a cybersecurity specialist with SAIC's Governance, Risk and Compliance team. Her role includes identifying, assessing, reporting and mitigating risks; evaluating international travel requests regarding company assets; and reviewing enterprise software requests. Noel joined SAIC as an intern, where she learned about cybersecurity working in corporate operations. Noel's journey from novice to accomplished professional underscores her commitment to contributing significantly to the protection of digital environments and critical data.Noel is a member of the leadership team for SAIC's Women's Employee Resource Group. She spearheaded the group's annual blood drive in collaboration with the American Red Cross, overseeing event coordination. In addition, Noel has actively contributed to volunteer initiatives supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and participated in Feeding America events.Noel earned her bachelor's degree from Seminole State College of Florida.WATCH VIDEODONALD TARPLEY Program Analyst Manager BEYA Science Spectrum TrailblazerDonald Tarpley is a program analyst manager, serving as an invaluable principal advisor for lifecycle logistics strategy, execution and continuous improvement for property and program management for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate. He is a highly sought-after expert and invaluable leader of a seven-person team, responsible for loss prevention for more than $125 million in accountable personal property assets per year. In 2022, he and his team were awarded the DHS Under Secretary's Award for Science and Technology Program Management Support.Tarpley is a member of the National Property Management Association in Northern Virginia and serves as a consultant for a community of interest with the DHS Personal Property Committee. As a dedicated blood drive volunteer with the American Red Cross, he has contributed to more than 1,000 lifesaving efforts each year.Tarpley earned his bachelor's degree from Penn State University and is working to obtain Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute.WATCH VIDEOGEATAEUS WILLOCKS Systems Engineering Manager BEYA Science Spectrum TrailblazerGeataeus Willocks is a systems engineering manager in SAIC's Space and Intelligence Business Group. She joined SAIC as a radio frequency systems engineer supporting the Special Programs Directorate within the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, where she successfully advised and led acquisition programs in electronic warfare space control.Throughout her career, Willocks has held numerous positions of increasing authority, leading teams focused on atmospheric traffic control and research and development with particular emphasis on propulsion technologies, X-ray vision and super-hearing.Willocks earned her bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering from Ohio State University and her master's degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. She currently serves as a mentor
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-11 12:01:52

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Predictmedix Inc. ("Predictmedix" or the "Company") (CSE:PMED)(OTCQB:PMEDF)(FRA:3QP), an emerging provider of rapid health screening solutions powered by a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI), today announced it has engaged in a strategic partnership with both Virginia-based firms Samyak Solutions Inc. and Manchester Marketing Group Inc. This collaboration is set to accelerate the distribution of Predictmedix's innovative Safe Entry Stations across the United States.The Safe Entry Station, developed by Predictmedix AI, is an advanced health screening solution designed to enhance safety and mitigate health risks in various settings, including workplaces, educational institutions, and public venues.The partnership signifies a strategic move to expand Predictmedix's footprint in the US market. Manchester Marketing will be working with Samyak Solutions Inc. to position Safe Entry Station in the government segment in the US.Moreover, with its expertise in technology solutions, Manchester Marketing Group Inc.'s extensive reach and marketing prowess will contribute to raising awareness and driving adoption of the innovative health screening technology. In addition to the government segment, multiple opportunities have also been identified in the aviation, education, manufacturing, and health segment which are being worked upon.The United States represents a significant market for health and safety solutions, particularly in the wake of ongoing global health concerns. Predictmedix AI aims to leverage these partnerships to meet the increasing demand for advanced health screening technologies and to position itself as a leader in the domain.What sets this collaboration apart is the government contacts that Samyak Solutions Inc. and Manchester Marketing Group Inc. bring to the table. With established relationships within government agencies, these partnerships are expected to facilitate the integration of Predictmedix's Safe Entry Stations into select public spaces and government institutions across the United States."We are pleased to join forces with Samyak Solutions Inc. and Manchester Marketing Group Inc. in our mission to make public spaces safer through innovative health screening technologies. The US market is crucial for us, and these partnerships will enable us to reach more organizations and communities, providing them with cutting-edge solutions for health and safety," said Rahul Kushwah, COO of Predictmedix AI.To receive company news, please sign up for alerts at the bottom of the page link below: https://predictmedix.com/press-releases/ About Manchester Marketing Group Inc.:MMGI, a private company incorporated in 2014 has extensive experience in supporting vehicle fleets, leasing, and renewable energy. MMGI has introduced several medical technologies to the government and commercial sections in North America including a disinfectant technology to kill Covid, RSV and antibiotic resistant viruses and fungi in medical facilities. MMGI team members have introduced Pharmacogenetic testing to reduce adverse drug reaction in senior citizen facilities which has now become more readily available because of their efforts. The MMGI team has over eight decades of collective experience in the federal government and commercial sectors throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our expansive network includes businesses that provide products, services, and turnkey solutions to improve health in the workforce and moreover enhance the quality of life in underserved communities in North America. For over 25 years, the MMGI principals have worked with 8(a) and HUBZone Alaskan Native Corporations (ANCs) and Native American Tribal 8(a) contractors on direct sole source/single source Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. The cumulative value of these contracts is over $1.2 billion with the federal government covering Civilian, DoD, and Intelligence agencies.About Samyak Solutions Inc.:Samyak Solutions Inc. (SSI) is a consulting and professional services company, dedicated to providing the highest quality service to our clients. A trusted partner to our DOD and Federal customers, Samyak Solutions is a woman-owned business, founded and incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. SSI has a very active Federal government General Services Administration catalogue (schedule) from which all U.S. agencies, especially the Department of Defense along with Health and Human Services buys products . This unique contracting schedule is active for purchases through November 2033.About Predictmedix Inc.Predictmedix (CSE: PMED) (OTCQB: PMEDF) (FRA:3QP) is an emerging provider of rapid health screening and remote patient care solutions globally. The Company's Safe Entry Stations - powered by a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) - use multispectral cameras to analyze physiological data patterns and predict a variety of health issues including infectious diseases such as COVID-19, impairment by drugs or alcohol, fatique or various mental illnesses. Predictmedix's proprietary remote patient care platform empowers medical professionals with a suite of AI-powered tools to improve patient health outcomes. To learn more, please visit our website atwww.Predictmedix.comor follow us onTwitter ,InstagramorLinkedIn .Public Relations ContactFor further media information or to set up an interview, please contact:Nelson HudesHudes Communications International(905) 660 9155Nelson@ hudescommunications.com Dr. Rahul Kushwah(647) 889 6916Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information:This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results of the Company. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulations under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or t
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-10 23:31:12

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MEDFORD, OR / ACCESSWIRE / March 10, 2024 / Satya Therapeutics (the Company) is pleased to announce it has lowered the wholesale prices of psilocybin to $1 per mg, or roughly $10 per gram of dried mushrooms. This pricing structure is consistent with plans made in March, 2023 to achieve a $1 per mg wholesale price point. Prior to this announcement, the wholesale price the company offered for sale to licensed service centers was $1.50 per mg of psilocybin.Andreas Met, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, states "As a company we have always believed that accessibility to psilocybin services is the most important thing we can offer. We must make services available to people from all walks of life-not just the affluent. The cost of psilocybin at some service centers is up to $500 for a 35mg session. Offering low wholesale prices to other service centers in Oregon allows them to offer lower prices to clients, or to make more profit per client. For example, at Satya's psilocybin service center in Ashland the cost of psilocybin to clients seeking a journey is either $100 for a therapeutic dose (up to 35mg of psilocybin), or $150 for a maximum dose (up to 50mg of psilocybin). Saving several hundred dollars on services makes a big difference to many peoples' ability to afford psilocybin services. And low psilocybin prices have even allowed opportunities for some facilitators to reduce the overall cost of a therapeutic journey to between $500 and $750-all inclusive. That is the most affordable psilocybin service option in Oregon." The Company has been ramping-up operations to support an increased demand for psilocybin mushrooms in the State. The Company plans to build up its on-hands to 100,000mg of psilocybin analyte-the maximum allowed by the State at a service center. Mr. Met states, "We are looking to grow eight strains at varying potencies to meet our client demand at our Ashland-based psilocybin service center. Clients want both whole and powdered mushrooms. Our expanded selection also allows us to blend strains so clients can have the benefit of multiple strains in one session. Our ramp-up has been an exciting process, and a collaboration with several industry partners." Jennifer Met, co-founder and CEO, commented, "The Company has served close to three hundred clients to date at our service center. Clients have had significant success in alleviating their mental health burdens via psilocybin services. Our mushrooms have had the desired effect with our clients. We take client feedback and continuously adjust our offering to meet their needs. Our business is 100% client driven." All psilocybin mushrooms the Company grows are tested by an independent, State licensed, laboratory for potency. This ensures maximum safety. The Oregon services model is unique because there are four different licenses: facilitator, laboratory, manufacturing (grow), and service center-each independent of each other. This provides a safe supply and services chain. There have likely been more than 1,500 clients taking part in psilocybin services in Oregon since services started in July 2023. To date, to our knowledge there appears to not have been a single "adverse event" and the program appears to be exceptionally safe.The Company was able to receive a copy of all complaints made to the Oregon Health Authority through February 8, 2024. It would appear the biggest risk to safety-according to an analysis Satya made of this complaints document-is individuals and entities operating outside of the licensed framework (unlicensed) while "disguising themselves" as being licensed. Mr. Met opines "Its dismaying to see individuals and entities obscuring their activities and misleading the public regarding their activities. We (Satya and other licensed entities) operate within the OHA framework. That ensures a high degree of accountability for clients and ensures the highest level of safety possible. We strongly encourage potential clients to do their due diligence when looking at any psilocybin service provider, and determine these facts: 1) are they licensed by the OHA, 2) is the license prominently displayed at the address listed, and 3) are there any reviews (e.g. Google Reviews) or success stories that can be viewed that describe client experiences? We (Satya) are strong believers that these bad actors will be weeded-out over time. The mushrooms always show the truth." The Company currently sells its wholesale psilocybin products to three other licensed service centers. There are now seven licensed manufacturers in Oregon, each new manufacturer has been offering even lower prices than the last. Mrs. Met states, "I personally speak to potential clients seven days a week and find they are knowledgeable about the Oregon psilocybin market and they are price conscious. Clients navigate many hindrances: financial, geographical, mental health conditions, and physical ailments for example. These are difficult financial times, so we are and ALWAYS HAVE been committed to offering pricing options to serve people from all walks of life. And the Company wants to support fellow service centers in keeping costs of psilocybin low, plain and simple. Competitors have admonished us for doing so but we will always strive to be client based." When asked how this good news of possible lower prices might be received in the Oregon psilocybin market, Mr. Met said, "Look, we made the commitment to $1 per mg when we started operations in 2023. We had to take prices up for a while because our sales volume was low. Increasing the number of clients visiting Oregon is what this industry needs, and we are proud to take a leadership position making the cost of services more affordable. Every day our clients thank us for making services affordable. That makes the entire Satya network very proud." For more information about Satya Inc. Contact:Andreas Met, co founder and COO541-930-2478 or andreas@ satyatherapeutics.comwww.satyatherapeutics.com SOURCE: Satya Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-11 18:05:05

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TOKYO, JAPAN / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Sushi Ginza Onodera, Inc. ("Sushi Onodera" or the "Company"), a food service company operating high-quality sushi, tempura, teppanyaki, and makiyaki restaurants across three regions, launched the official grand opening of Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera Osaka on March 9, 2024, marking its 15th restaurant.Located in Shinsaibashi, a district in the Chuo-ku ward of Osaka, Japan and the city's main shopping area, the restaurant marks the Company's 12th establishment in Japan and 3rd Kaiten Sushi establishment since venturing into the revolving sushi bar market in October 2021."I am pleased to announce the opening of our 15th restaurant location in Osaka, which marks our 3rd Kaiten Sushi establishment, a vital initiative of our broader growth strategy," said Sushi Onodera CEO Shinji Nagao. "Situated in the vibrant Shinsaibashi district, our new restaurant capitalizes on its strategic location within one of Osaka's busiest shopping areas, renowned for its bustling atmosphere and diverse cultural offerings. Leveraging this prime spot, we aim to attract both locals and tourists, tapping into the district's rich commercial landscape filled with shops, restaurants, and various attractions. Our venture into the Kaiten Sushi business model has proven to be immensely successful since our inaugural establishment in October 2021, emerging as a cornerstone of our profitability and growth strategy. As we journey towards becoming a publicly listed company in the U.S., our Kaiten Sushi ventures are pivotal in driving our future expansion and initiatives, with plans underway to open two additional restaurants in Hawaii and Texas in 2024."The restaurant is located at 1st basement Midosuji Diamond Building 2-1-3 Nishi-shinsaibashi Chuo-ku,Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 542-0086, Japan.About Sushi Ginza Onodera, Inc. Sushi Onodera is a food service company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operating fifteen premium sushi, tempura, teppanyaki, and makiyaki (firewood cuisine) restaurants in three regions around the world. Sushi Onodera is a wholly owned subsidiary of LEOC Co., Ltd., a Japan limited company, establishing the "Ginza Onodera" brand in 2013 and began operations in the U.S. and Tokyo. Sushi Ginza Onodera Los Angeles has been awarded a Michelin Star for four consecutive years and counting ('20 - '23). Makiyaki Ginza Onodera has been awarded a Michelin Star for four consecutive years and counting ('21 - '24). Sushi Ginza Onodera New York was awarded a Michelin Star for five years ('17, '18, '19, '21, '22). The slogan, "From Ginza to the World", embodies the Company mission of spreading refined Japanese culture throughout the world by providing every customer with high-quality dishes to create an authentic Japanese cuisine that immerses customers in a rich, traditional cultural experience. For more information, please visit https://www.sushionodera.com/ Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "potential," "continue" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement reflects Sushi Ginza Onodera, Inc.'s current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. Sushi Ginza assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.Investor Relations Contact: John Yi and Steven ShinmachiGateway Group, Inc.949-574-3860 Onodera@ gateway-grp.com SOURCE: Sushi Ginza Onodera
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-11 21:47:48

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ROCK HILL, SC / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / TaxBandits, the leading IRS-authorized e-file provider for 1099, W-2, ACA 1095, and various other tax forms, now provides a simplified solution for small businesses and CPAs to prepare and submit theirBOIR(Beneficial Ownership Information Report) to FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). This introduction proves to be a valuable addition to the already advanced software trusted by businesses and tax professionals across the country for IRS tax compliance solutions.BOI Reporting - An OverviewIn accordance with the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) passed by Congress in 2021, the Beneficial Information Reporting Requirement has been incorporated into U.S. law. Starting January 1, 2024, the majority of U.S. businesses are obligated to report information about their Beneficial Owners to FinCEN. Beneficial owners are individuals who, directly or indirectly, hold a substantial interest or control within a company.This law aims to enhance financial transparency, eradicating opportunities for money laundering and financial crimes.Requirements for Completing BOI ReportingAs outlined by FinCEN, businesses meeting any of the following conditions may be obligated to submit a BOI report:Companies established in the U.S. and registered as Corporations and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). Companies created through the filing of a document with a Secretary of State or any similar office under the law of a State or Indian tribe. Companies created outside the U.S. but registered to conduct business within the U.S.There are several exemptions from this reporting requirement, more information on them can be foundhere.Information Provided on BOI ReportsGenerally, companies are required to report the following information on theirBOI report .Type of Report - The company must specify the type of BOI report being submitted. Typically, a BOI report can be categorized as follows:Initial Report: The company's first submission of the BOI report to FinCEN.Corrected Report: A report filed to rectify any inaccuracies in a previously submitted BOIR by the company.Updated Report: A report filed to communicate changes to the Beneficial Owners or other relevant information previously reported in the company's BOIR.Newly Exempt Entity Report: A report filed to indicate that the company, which had previously submitted a BOIR, is now exempt from BOI reporting. Reporting Company Details - The entity responsible for submitting the BOI is commonly referred to as the 'Reporting Company.' The report must encompass fundamental information about the reporting company, including its Legal Name, Address, Tax Identification Number (TIN), Country/Jurisdiction of Formation or First Registration, and other pertinent details.Company Applicants - Company applicants are the individuals who have directly filed the document that created or registered the company. If multiple individuals were involved in the filing process, the BOIR must include the personal details of two company applicants.Business Owners - As previously mentioned, beneficial owners are individuals who directly or indirectly hold a substantial interest or control within a company. The BOI must include their Name, Address, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and Identifying Document (ID).Deadline for Completing BOI ReportingThe deadline for submitting the BOI report depends on the date when the business was created or first registered in the U.S.For companies created or first registered on or before January 1, 2024, the deadline is January 1, 2025.For companies created or first registered after January 1, 2024, the BOI report must be submitted within 90 calendar days after the effective date when actual or public notice of creation or registration was received. Simple and Secure BOI Reporting from TaxBandits - File with ConfidenceHaving established itself as a trusted e-file provider for numerous businesses and tax professionals nationwide, ensuring seamless tax compliance, TaxBandits now unveils a simplified solution for efficiently submitting BOI reports to FinCEN.Clients can effortlessly utilize the intuitive software to prepare and submit BOI reports with complete ease and precision. TaxBandits supports various types of BOI reports, including Initial, Corrected, Updated, and Newly Exempt Entity reports. Additionally, clients who initially submit their BOI report with TaxBandits canfile BOIcorrections or updates for free within a week from the original submission date.Tax professionals can extend invitations to their staff, providing them access to their TaxBandits account and enabling them to efficiently prepare and manage BOI reporting for their clients.The TaxBandits team is excited to continue enhancing their BOI Reporting solution with additional features coming in the future, such as bulk upload options, additional tracking capabilities, and advanced summary reports.When asked about this new facet of the TaxBandits compliance solution, Agie Sundraram, the CEO and Co-founder of SPAN Enterprises (parent company of TaxBandits), responded with excitement, stating, "The TaxBandits is committed to enhancing and expanding on the advanced compliance solutions that we offer to our clients, therefore we are thrilled to unveil the new BOI Reporting solution. Especially given the huge number of small businesses that will need a solution for this reporting in the coming months." Create a free account today at TaxBandits.com to begin the streamlinedBOI reportingprocess.About TaxBanditsThe 1099 and W-2 experts! TaxBandits is a SOC 2 Certified, IRS-authorized e-file provider ofForms 1099 ,Form W-2 ,1095 ,940 ,941 , andW-9 , serving businesses, service providers, and tax professionals of every shape and size.Software providers and other high-volume filers can take advantage ofTaxBandits API . The integration allows them to add value for their clients and expand monetization efforts. TaxBandits API enables seamless preparation and e-filing of 1099, W-2, 941, 940, and ACA 1095 forms. Software providers can also use the developer-friendly1099 APIto request W-9s and automate 1099 filings efficiently.About SPAN EnterprisesHeadquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina, SPAN has been developing industry-leading software tools for e-filing and business management tools for over a decade.The SPAN Enterprises Portfolio of products includesTaxBandits ,ACAwise ,ExpressExtension ,123PayStubs , andTruckLogics .Please direct all media inquiries to Stephanie Glanville, Marketing Manager, atstephanie@ spanenterprises.com ###SOURCE: TaxBandits
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RED BANK, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / The Bunker Firm, renowned for its well-established supply capabilities in Africa and the Middle East, proudly announces the opening of its new office in Red Bank, New Jersey, signaling its expansion into the Americas and Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions.Leading this strategic expansion is Michael Bergendorff, who assumes the role of Managing Director and Partner for the Americas. With a proven track record in the industry, Bergendorff's leadership will drive The Bunker Firm's commitment to delivering top-tier bunkering solutions tailored to the unique demands of the Americas and APAC markets."After a year-long hiatus, I am thrilled to rejoin the industry and be part of The Bunker Firm's expansion into new territories," said Michael Bergendorff. "Our established supply capabilities in Africa and the Middle East position us to seamlessly extend our services to the Americas and APAC, meeting the evolving needs of our global clientele." With its well-recognized expertise in bunkering solutions, The Bunker Firm's expansion into the Americas and APAC reaffirms its dedication to providing reliable and sustainable fuel options worldwide. Leveraging its extensive network and industry knowledge, the company is poised to address the increasing demand for innovative and environmentally-conscious fuel solutions in these regions."In addition to our longstanding presence in Africa, the Middle East, and last year's expansion with an office in Denmark, we are excited to announce our supply capabilities in the Americas and APAC," explained Bergendorff. "This expansion underscores our commitment to serving our clients wherever they operate while contributing to a more sustainable and cleaner maritime future." As part of its expansion efforts, The Bunker Firm is actively seeking Junior and Senior Traders to join its team in Red Bank, New Jersey. This presents a unique opportunity for individuals to be part of a dynamic company at the forefront of driving positive change in the maritime industry.For more information on career opportunities at The Bunker Firm or its comprehensive bunkering solutions, please visit www.thebunkerfirm.com About The Bunker Firm: The Bunker Firm is a global leader in bunkering solutions, with a strong foothold in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. With the opening of its new office in Red Bank, New Jersey, the company extends its supply capabilities to the Americas and APAC regions. Committed to sustainability and excellence, The Bunker Firm delivers tailored fuel solutions to meet the diverse needs of its clients worldwide.For more information, please contact Michael Bergendorff at sales@ thebunkerfirm.com The Bunker Firm 331 Newman Springs RdBldg 3, Suite 320Red Bank, New Jersey, 07701, United States.SOURCE: The Bunker Firm
(Baonghean.vn) - Vinh University and the University of Waikato have recently exchanged a cooperation agreement in the field of education and training during the visit and working sessions with PM Pham Minh Chinh in New Zealand.

The delegates participate in the Vietnam-Australia Higher Education Cooperation Forum. Photo: Duong Giang (VNA)

From March 4 to March 12, 2024, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese high-level delegation attended the Special High-Level Conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia relations, officially visited Australia and New Zealand.

As part of the program, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, Australian Minister of Education Anthony Chisholm, leaders of several Vietnamese ministries, departments, and localities, along with representatives from more than 30 higher education institutions from both Australia and Vietnam participated in the Vietnam-Australia Higher Education Cooperation Forum.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy Bang, the President of Vinh University, and Prof. Dr. Neil Quigley, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato exchange the Cooperation Agreement under the witness of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son. Photo: Duong Giang (VNA)

During this forum, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy Bang, the President of Vinh University, engaged in discussions with representatives from Australian universities and domestic institutions to explore effective international cooperation models and opportunities for collaboration between Vinh University and Australian universities. The goal is to enhance international cooperation, provide more opportunities for students to benefit from advanced training programs, cultural exchange and collaborative experiences in scientific research.

As part of the official visit to New Zealand, on March 10, in Auckland, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Prof. Dr. Neil Quigley, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato and the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

On this occasion, under the witness of the Prime Minister, Vinh University and the University of Waikato signed a cooperation agreement in the field of education and training.

As one of the eight public universities in New Zealand, the University of Waikato is renowned for its innovative and flexible development approach, ranking 266th in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2019. It is among the top 1% of leading business management schools globally and holds certifications from three international accreditation organizations: AACSB, AQUIS, and AMBA.

With this cooperation agreement between Vinh University and the University of Waikato, in addition to student exchange activities, Vinh University aims to receive support and advice from the University of Waikato in building and improving its development strategy, meeting international standards to realize its vision of being among the top 500 universities in Asia by 2030 and the top 1,000 universities globally by 2045.

Furthermore, both parties aspire to implement 2+2, 3+1, and other joint training programs in priority sectors identified by the Vietnamese government, contributing to the rapid and sustainable development of the country in the coming years.
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ORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Sofidel:SofidelToday, when discussing corporate culture, we emphasize the importance of purpose, the reason, or "higher" purpose, of the company. This qualifies the company on the market and generates long-term value for stakeholders. It is also the result of the growing role being recognized for businesses, in conjunction with institutions and other social parties, to resolve the complex problems that need to be addressed, starting with the ongoing transformational change.To this end, expanding the scope of corporate responsibility, which encompasses environmental and social dimensions that have become absolutely relevant, these years has undoubtedly created the conditions for further enrichment and development of the corporate culture deeply rooted in the values embodied by a company and expressed in its vision, goals, policies, and the behavior of its people. It is a dynamic that affects all markets and companies of all sizes.This issue of Soft&Green features an interview with Cristina Bombassei, president ofAIDAF , the Italian Association of Family Businesses (the Italian Chapter of FBN, Family Business Network), to understand how corporate culture is evolving within the economic realities it represents. The issue also discusses other phenomena - such as the growth of corporate museums, the spread of training programs to strengthen employees' sense of belonging, and the importance of organizations such as the Global Compact that help companies evolve - that point to an evolution in corporate culture and how companies' identity assets are managed.All this is in the wake of insights or best practices that often come from afar, thanks to highly visionary entrepreneurs or managers. Because, in words attributed to Bernard of Chartres, "We are dwarfs on the shoulders of giants." About The Sofidel GroupThe Sofidel Group, a privately held company owned by the Stefani and Lazzareschi families, is a world leader in the manufacture of paper for hygienic and domestic use. Founded in 1966, the Group has subsidiaries in 12 countries - Italy, Spain, the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Romania, and the USA - with more than 6,400 employees. A member of the UN Global Compact and the international WWF Climate Savers program, the Sofidel Group considers sustainability a strategic imperative and is committed to promoting sustainable development. For more information, visit www.sofidel.com Media Contact:Fabio Vitali Fabio.Vitali@sofidel.comwww.sofidel.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Sofidel on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: SofidelWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/sofidel Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Sofidel
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against GrafTech International Ltd. ("GrafTech" or "the Company") (NYSE:EAF) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired GrafTech securities between February 8, 2019 and August 23, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/EAF Case Details:The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, GrafTech made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:(1) GrafTech's manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico had for decades chronically contaminated neighboring communities with harmful carcinogenic gasses and particulate matter;(2) GrafTech had signed agreements with local authorities committing itself to improving the environmental performance of its Monterrey facility, but repeatedly failed to honor these commitments;(3) GrafTech had been repeatedly warned over an approximately 30-year period regarding its wanton disregard for the environment and health and well-being of people near its operations in Monterrey, Mexico;(4) GrafTech's operations in Monterrey, Mexico were not in compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations;(5) GrafTech had failed to adequately remediate the environmental problems caused by the Monterrey facility following the 2019 administrative proceeding conducted by the Department of Sustainable Development of the State of Nuevo Leon;(6) the government of Apodaca had sought intervention from the State of Nuevo Leon authorities to curtail and prevent the adverse environmental impacts and noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations caused by the Monterrey facility;(7) GrafTech's purported cost leadership was achieved in substantial part by failing to implement appropriate and effective environmental safeguards at its manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico;(8) GrafTech's capital expenditures and/or related operational projects were woefully insufficient to adequately address the harm that GrafTech's operations in Monterrey, Mexico had inflicted on the environment and people within the neighboring communities;(9) as a result of the above, GrafTech was acutely exposed to undisclosed material risks that GrafTech's manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico would be severely disrupted by government action or enforcement; and(10) as a result of the above, GrafTech was acutely exposed to undisclosed material risks that its supplies of pin stock and graphite electrodes would be withdrawn and/or materially diminished, thereby materially harming GrafTech's business, operations, reputation, and financial results.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/EAF or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in GrafTech you have until March 25, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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Benefit Will Help Non-Profit Clients Improve Employee Retention and DEIB Goals While Saving Employees MoneyMOUNTAIN VIEW, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Vita, a leading employee benefits brokerage and consulting company, today announced a new partnership with Summer, a leading end-to-end workplace student loan solution. This partnership honors the work of Vita's non-profit clients by providing their employees free student loan support and navigation services, specifically with the government's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program."Vita's partnership with Summer helps our amazing non-profit clients deliver impactful student debt relief to their employees so they can continue doing important work in our communities," says Erik Hansen, President at Vita. "By subsidizing this benefit for non-profits, we can help reduce benefits costs so employer benefit dollars can remain mission focused." "Vita's non-profit clients are in a unique position to help their employees by leveraging PSLF," says Dan Macklin, President at Summer. "Summer guides these employees through the complicated PSLF process, resulting in a 95% application acceptance rate and saving users an average of $40,000, equivalent to an average of a six percent salary raise." This partnership will have the following impact:Help non-profits attract and retain top talent with 20% improved attrition. Support employers' Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts by assisting those who need it the most. More than two-thirds of student loan borrowers are women and BIPOC. Capitalize on government funding, helping 50-80% of employees save on their monthly student loan payments. About Vita: Vita is a leading employee benefits brokerage and consulting company based in California. Founded in 1979, Vita creates innovative solutions that help clients meet the ever-changing needs in employee engagement and risk management. From healthcare plans to retirement solutions, Vita partners with employers to develop and deliver the solutions needed to help companies attract and retain talent while maintaining compliance.About Summer: Summer is the only end-to-end student loan solution that saves employees an average of $40,000 and is proven to reduce turnover by 20 percent. Summer partners with employers to deliver tailored benefits that empower employees to save for education, better manage their student loans, find forgiveness options, and lower monthly payments. As a Certified B Corporation, Summer has partnered with leading employers, financial institutions, unions, and government leaders to generate over $1.5 billion in savings for borrowers.Contact InformationMichael MuldoonDirector of Communicationsmichael@ vitamail.com 6509661492SOURCE: Vita Insurance Associates, Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com
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MISSOULA, MT / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Wild West Chocolate has launched the "Most Wanted" Chocolate Bandit Hunt to celebrate their launch at Sprouts Farmers Market. For this game, Wild West has hidden a Most Wanted poster in a chocolate bar sold at Sprouts*. The lucky consumers who find a Most Wanted poster in their chocolate will win a Wild West Chocolate prize package valued at $450.Wild West launched at Natural Products Expo West 2023 with a first-to-market chocolate sweetened only with organic fruit. The proprietary sweetening method uses the entire fruit without the addition of any sugars, sugar substitutes, or sugar alcohols. When paired with a single-origin cacao the resulting craft chocolate offers wildly delicious taste and texture.Wild West is inspired by the spirit of the West as a symbol of adventure, connecting with and preserving our pristine, natural resources, and getting back to nature. The Most Wanted game is an adventurous and playful take on searching for a confection fugitive, the Chocolate Bandit. This outlaw is on the loose, hiding out in our chocolate bars, and the reward for his apprehension is a stockpile of Wild West goods and apparel to equip your next wild pursuit."We wanted a way to capture the excitement of launching in Retail and nationally in the Sprouts Forager program - and to share this fun play on a golden ticket' with consumers", said BJ Howard, CEO.The Most Wanted game runs from 3/1/24-5/15/24. In addition to purchasing a Wild West chocolate bar at Sprouts, bandit-seekers can participate by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Wild West. Full rules can be found on the Wild West website: wildwestchocolate.com Wild West offers six flavors of craft chocolate bars, and three flavors of Bear Claws:Chocolate Bars:Dark Horse: 70% Cacao dark chocolate Most Wanted: 70% Cacao dark chocolate with almond & sea salt Cowboy Coffee: 70% Cacao dark chocolate with ground espresso Grizzly: 50% Cacao oatmilk chocolate with raspberry & hazelnut Snowcapped: 50% Cacao oatmilk chocolate with coconut Prairie Oat: 50% Cacao oatmilk chocolate with toasted oats Bear Claws:Dark chocolate nut clusters with almond & sea salt Oatmilk chocolate fruit and nut clusters with huckleberry & cashew Oatmilk chocolate fruit and nut clusters with raspberry & hazelnutWild West products are USDA Organic, Non-GMO Verified, Certified Vegan, Fair Trade Certified, Certified Gluten-Free, and Kosher, and are in the process becoming Regenerative Organic certified.*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE. Open to USA residents, 18+. Void where prohibited. For Official Rules and participation options/details, visit https://wildwestchocolate.com/pages/ww-most-wanted-contest-rules . Ends 5/15/24. Sponsor: Wild West Chocolate LLC.Find Wild West Chocolate online at wildwestchocolate.com , and follow on IG and TikTok, @wildwestchocolate.# # #Contact:WILD WEST CHOCOLATE BJ Howard 833-957-2397Related ImageSOURCE: Wild West Chocolate
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XPOF Investors with Substantial Losses Encouraged to Contact Hagens Berman, National Trial AttorneysSAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Hagens Berman urges Xponential Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:XPOF) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Class Period: July 26, 2021 - Dec. 7, 2023Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Apr. 9, 2024Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/xpof Contact An Attorney Now: XPOF@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895Xponential Fitness, Inc. (XPOF) Securities Fraud Class Action:The litigation focuses on XPOF's repeated touting of same-store sales ("SSS") and average unit volume ("AUV") metrics as measures of the health of its franchise system.The complaint alleges, in part, that XPOF made misleading statements and failed to disclose that: (1) it had permanently closed at least 30 stores; (2) it misstated its SSS and AUV metrics by excluding underperforming stores; (3) 80% of its brands were losing money each month; (4) over 100 of its franchises were for sale at a price well below their initial cost; and (5) it misled franchisees by misrepresenting the financial profile, profitability, and the expected rate of return for new studio openings.Investors began to learn the truth on June 26, 2023, when Fuzzy Panda Research published a scathing report based in part on interviews with former XPOF business partners, franchisees, and on the examination of roughly 16,000 pages of Franchise Disclosure Documents ("FDDs") filed with the FTC.Among other matters, Fuzzy Panda alleged that: (1) CEO Anthony Geisler has a long history of misleading investors; (2) XPOF falsely claimed to have never closed a store; (3) over 50% of XPOF's average studios are losing money; (4) 80% of its brands have unprofitable business models; (5) over 100 of the company's franchises were for sale at 75% below their initial cost; and (6) the SSS and AUV metrics reported to investors misleadingly exclude underperforming stores.Then, on Dec. 7, 2023, Bloomberg published an article, based on interviews with dozens of XPOF former business partners, employees, and franchisees, which largely corroborated Fuzzy Panda's report.These events drove the price of XPOF shares sharply lower.After the Class Period, on Dec. 11, 2023, XPOF announced (without explaining) that the SEC contacted the company and formally requested "certain documents." "We're investigating whether XPOF may have intentionally misled investors by misrepresenting its business model and key financial metrics," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm's investigation.If you invested in Xponential Fitness and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman If you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Xponential Fitness case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Xponential Fitness 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 XPOF@ hbsslaw.com About Hagens BermanHagens 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
In the early hours of Monday, Oppenheimer, a 2023 epic biographical thriller by Christopher Nolan, clinched seven awards out of the thirteen categories it was nominated for at the 96th Oscars held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles.

Oscar awards are presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence in cinematic achievements.

The movie won Best Picture, Best Original Score, Best Film Editing, Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Director (Christopher Nolan), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey), and Best Cinematography.

Following closely is Poor Things, a 2023 film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Tony McNamara, which secured victories in four out of the eleven categories it was nominated for.

Poor Things won Best Actress (Emma Stone), Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

Oppenheimer

The film traces the career of J. Robert Oppenheimer, focusing primarily on his academic pursuits, leadership at the Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II, and subsequent downfall following his 1954 security hearing.

Oppenheimer premiered at Le Grand Rex in Paris on 11 July 2023, followed by theatrical releases in the United States and the United Kingdom ten days later through Universal Pictures.

It was recognised as one of the top ten films of 2023 by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute.

At the 81st Golden Globe Awards, the movie secured a top-five win, including the prestigious Best Motion Picture Drama category.

Furthermore, it garnered three wins at the SAG Awards, including Best Ensemble.

Full winners list

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

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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 HAller, 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 Director

Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest

Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things

Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer (winner)

Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon

Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall

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

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 (winner)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Mission: Impossible a Dead Reckoning Part One

Napoleon

Best Original Score

American Fiction

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Killers of the Flower Moon

Oppenheimer (winner)

Poor Things

Best Original Song

It Never Went Away from American Symphony

Im Just Ken from Barbie

What Was I Made For? from Barbie (winner)

The Fire Inside from Flamin Hot

Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People) from Killers of the Flower Moon

Best Documentary Feature Film

20 Days in Mariupol (winner)

Bobi Wine: The Peoples President

The Eternal Memory

Four Daughters

To Kill a Tiger

Best Cinematography

El Conde

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer (winner)

Poor Things

Best Costume Design

Barbie

Killers of the Flower Moon

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things (winner)

Best Animated Short Film

Letter to a Pig

Ninety-Five Senses

Our Uniform

Pachyderme

War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & 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)

NCZi Nai & WA i PA

Best Film Editing

Anatomy of a Fall

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Oppenheimer (winner)

Poor Things

Best Sound

The Creator

Maestro

Mission: Impossible a Dead Reckoning Part One

Oppenheimer

The Zone of Interest (winner)

Best Production 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

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Nigeria has confirmed 96 new Lassa fever infections and 23 deaths across 12 states in one week, spanning 19 to 25 February.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed this in its latest situation report published on its website for week eight of 2024.

The report reveals that the number of new confirmed cases increased from 66 in week 7 to 96 cases, adding that six new health workers were affected in the reporting week.

Cumulatively, the report shows that from week one to eight, Nigeria recorded 573 confirmed cases and 108 deaths with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.8 per cent which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2023(16.4 per cent)

Breakdown

According to the situation report, 24 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 93 local government areas in 2024.

It further stated that 64 per cent of all the confirmed cases were recorded from three states: Ondo, Edo and Bauchi while 36 per cent were from 21 states.

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Of the 64 per cent confirmed cases, Edo accounted for 26 per cent, Ondo, 23 per cent, and Bauchi, 15 per cent.

The report also noted that people between the age range of 31-40 years are predominantly affected by the disease.

It added that the National Lassa Fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response at all levels at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

Challenges

NCDC, in the report, highlighted some of its challenges in the fight against Lassa fever.

The challenges include the late presentation of cases leading to an increase in CFR, and poor health-seeking behaviour due to the high cost of treatment and clinical management of Lassa fever.

Others are poor environmental sanitation conditions observed in high-burden communities, and poor awareness observed in high-burden communities.

Lassa Fever

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.

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The Oyo State Government has banned the use of Styrofoam for food packaging, storage, and other uses in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this on Monday at the Food Safety Stakeholders Forum and inauguration of the task force to oversee the enforcement.

Mrs Ajetunmobi, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Akintunde Ayinde, said the decision was part of government efforts to uphold food safety standards in the state.

Recall that the Lagos State government initiated the ban on the use and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics across the state.

The Oyo State House of Assembly, later, on 8 February, urged the state government to also ban the use of Styrofoam for food purposes in the state, and also inaugurated the Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force to oversee the enforcement of food safety rules and regulations in the state.

Mrs Ajetunmobi noted that the menace of food poisoning, indiscriminate use of chemical products for food production, processing, packaging, and other sharp practices being carried out by food business operators have become a great public health concern in the state.

According to her, the task force would be sensitising the actors along the food chain on the importance attached to the implementation of food safety standards by the government.

Prevention is better and cheaper than cure; hence the need for people to adhere strictly to food standards to save lives.

The directorate of Food, Water, and Laboratory Services is saddled with the responsibility of regulating food business operations to ensure the presentation of wholesome edibles for public consumption in the state. There are also plans to double efforts to monitor and inspect food business premises in the state, Mrs Ajetunmobi said.

The permanent secretary, Mr Ayinde, who will be heading the task force, promised to work with the ministry to achieve its set objective.

The task force comprises members from the state Food Safety Management Committee, the Nigeria Police Force, the Association of Table Water Producers, and the Association of Canteen Workers, among others.

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The Nigerian government has revealed that the country now has only 55,000 licensed doctors to serve its growing population of over 200 million.

During an interview on Channels TVs Politics Today, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, also disclosed that about 16,000 doctors left the country in the last five years and about 17,000 have been transferred.

Mr Pate lamented the mass exodus of doctors, health workers, tech entrepreneurs, and various professionals abandoning the country for better opportunities abroad, while the country is barely managing the available ones.

According to the Minister, Nigeria has about 300,000 health professionals, including doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and others.

We did an assessment and discovered that we have 85,000 to 90,000 registered Nigerian doctors. Not all of them are in the country, he said.

Some are in the diaspora, especially in the US and UK. But there are 55,000 licensed doctors in the country.

Impact

Speaking further, the minister expressed concern over the impact of brain drain on the health sector, stating that it has deprived Nigeria of its top medical professionals, resulting in a scarcity of healthcare practitioners.

He also highlighted an uneven distribution issue, with a significant concentration of skilled doctors in urban centres like Lagos and Abuja.

He explained that in Lagos, the population of doctors overall is about 7,600 and 4,700 in Abuja.

The doctor-to-population ratio in Abuja is 14.7 per 10,000 population; in Lagos, it is about 4.6, even though the average is 2.2 by 10,000, he said.

The Minister stressed the critical role of human resources in a robust health sector, saying Nigeria cannot afford to keep losing its top talents to developed nations.

He added that the government is making efforts to enhance the training programme and incentivise healthcare workers who opt to remain in the country.

Now to the Japa you talk about, it is not only limited to Nigeria. It is a global phenomenon, he said, adding: Other countries dont have enough and they are asking to take more.

Brain Drain in Nigeria

Nigeria has been battling the increasing exodus of healthcare professionals, especially doctors, pharmacists, and nurses, to developed countries.

With a doctor-patient ratio over five times worse than the WHO recommendation, Nigeria has continued to lose hundreds of doctors annually to brain drain.

Various statistics show that over 5,000 Nigerian medical doctors have migrated to the UK between 2015 and 2022.

According to data documented by the Development Research and Project Centre (dRPC), 233 Nigerian doctors moved to the UK in 2015; the number increased to 279 in 2016; in 2017 the figure was 475, in 2018, the figure rose to 852, in 2019 it jumped to 1,347; in 2020, the figure was 833 and in 2021, it was put at 932.

As of July, the President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Emeka Orji, revealed that the association is left with only a few over 9,000 medical doctors, due to the brain drain crisis in the healthcare system.

The continued emigration of health practitioners has led to a shortage of skilled health workers in the country, which has negatively affected the quality of healthcare services provided to the citizens.

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Some members of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) have dissociated themselves from the allegation of padding in the approved 2024 budget made by their chairperson, Abdul Ningi.

The senators expressed their position in a statement jointly signed on Monday.

The signatories are Aminu Abass (PDP, Adamawa Central), Ibrahim Bomai (APC, Yobe South), Abdulaziz Yaradua (APC, Katsina Central) and Lawal Usman (PDP, Kaduna Central).

Others are Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East), Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central) and Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central).

The seven senators claimed the statement was released on behalf of senators from 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory.

Abdul Ningi, the senator representing Bauchi Central and chairperson of the 58-member NSF, told BBC Hausa on Saturday that the members of the Forum sought the service of a private auditor and discovered irregularities in the budget.

He said two budgets were in operation and that one of them passed by the National Assembly was N25 trillion while the second one being implemented by the federal government was N28 trillion and therefore, had been padded with N3 trillion.

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 told BBC Hausa.

PREMIUM TIMES also exclusively reported that the northern senators under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum (NSF) confronted the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on the issue and accused him of inserting projects worth N4 trillion in the 2024 budget.

Reacting to the allegation, the seven senators explained that Mr Ningis comment was his personal opinion and not the position of members of the Northern Senators Forum.

They insisted that there was no budget padding in the approved 2024 budget.

To the best of our knowledge, there was no budget padding, whatsoever that was done to the 2024 budget. The assertion by Senator Ningi that certain things were done to the bill is his personal opinion. It is not the view of the generality of us, the senators.

Hence, we strongly and collectively dissociate ourselves from his action which was grossly unparliamentary.

That, we, the Northern Senators are solidly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and we will continue to support him to succeed in addressing the challenges facing our country. Nigeria, at this particular moment, does not need ethnic sentiments but collaborations of all to bring prosperity to our beloved country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We will continue to work with our brothers and sisters from the southern part of the country to move our country forward for the benefit of all and sundry, the statement reads.

Earlier on Sunday, three northern senators had dissociated themselves from Mr Ningis claim.

The senators are Sunday Karimi (Kogi), Titus Zam (Benue) and Kaka Sheu (Borno).

The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, and the presidency, in separate statements, also debunked the claim of budget padding by the NSF chairperson.

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A minnow is a tiny fish that somehow emigrated here from Europe, presumably in search of a better life, like most of our ancestors. The minnow is often used as bait to catch a more desirable fish coursing the waterways of Montana.

We have another species here, also called a MINO, but this is a politician from anywhere but here, who is a "Montanan In Name Only." They hale from places like California or Maryland or New Jersey or Kansas, maybe? Not sure about that one yet. However they all follow a very predictable pattern. They sell their souls to PACs with an endless supply of money, buy some property in an insignificant farming community like Big Sky or Bozeman or Whitefish and create a story about their humble beginnings.

Then they throw in some spice about military heroism or business prowess and hope to God that they get elected and stay in office long enough to get a coveted lifetime retirement from the government that they rail against incessantly. Eventually, the citizens of Montana will tire of them and quietly issue an exit visa, irrespective of party affiliation or library card membership. Eventually, we all die, but where is it written that some should strive to make the neighbors' lives practically intolerable while we all breathe the same air? Maybe it's somewhere in the Old Testament?

David Mosdal

Broadview
The 4,400 miles between France and Liberia closed on Friday when present day news from Liberia made it into the appeal hearing here of convicted war criminal Kunti Kamara.

Court President (chief judge) Jean Marc Lavergne used the testimony of Alain Werner, director of the Switzerland-based justice advocates Civitas Maxima, to ask about this weeks passage of a bill to establish a war and economics crimes court through the Liberian legislature.

Mr Werner updated the court on the passage of the bill through the lower house and the plans for a court.

He underscored why, he said, he believes a court in Liberia is essential for justice. Mr Werner quoted Alieu Kosiah, the former Ulimo commander, who Mr Werner helped convict for war time atrocities, in a Swiss court in 2021.

Kosiah has always said that that it is an injustice that he is being pursued but no one is pursuing the big people, Mr Werner told the court. He is right. It is the smaller ones that are being pursued.

That is why, Mr Werner said, a Liberian court to try the most notorious perpetrators listed in the countrys Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, is essential.

But he hoped that the 16 cases that have been pursued against perpetrators in Liberias civil war  including two Europeans  will be instrumental in prosecutions of faction leaders in a war crimes court.

President Lavergne asked Mr Werner, as he had asked TRC Commissioner John Stewart during his appearance this week, whether the news of the international trials in Europe and American were known to Liberians.

Mr Werner, like Mr Stewart, assured the court that Liberians had been actively engaged in news from the trials.

He pointed to New Narratives journalists in the courtroom and told the jury that Liberians were receiving news in newspapers, radio and online from the trials.

Mr Stewart had credited the coverage of the trials with driving support for the war crimes court among the Liberian population. Mr Stewart and another witness, Liberian police investigator Patrick Massaly, made a point of thanking the jury and the French court for pursuing justice on behalf of victims.

Mr Werner was also asked to respond to accusations from Messrs Kosiah, Kamara, and others targeted in international prosecutions including Agnes Taylor and Gibril Massaquoi that he and Hassan Bility, head of Civitas Maximas Liberian partner Global Justice and Research Project, had offered witnesses bribes and made promises of resettlement in other countries.

Mr Werner told the court the accusations were refuted by the witnesses themselves. Dozens have traveled to testify in trials in Europe and America and the only one to have claimed asylum was Kosiahs own defense witness. Mr Werner assured the court that the witnesses, including those who will come to testify against Mr Kamara in this trial want nothing but justice.

They didnt come for money, Mr Werner told the court. They didnt come for asylum as some people claimed. They didnt come for any other thing. They came because they had a simple conviction that they needed justice to be done.

The defence motion claiming that Mr Kamara was 15, and therefore too young to be tried in an adult court under French law, is still hanging over the court. Until now Mr Kamara has claimed that he was born in 1974 and was therefore 19 when the crimes, for which he was convicted, took place in Lofa in 1993. At the start of the trial the defense called Mr Kamaras brother to testify that Mr Kamara was born four years later, in 1978. President Lavergne has decided the court will rule on that issue at the end of the trial. Questions about his age will come up in relevant testimonies over the next three weeks of the trial.

The court will rule on another key issue early next week. The defence has filed a motion that the statute of limitations for torture is 10 years in French law, far shorter than the 25 year period between when the crimes were committed in 1993 and Kuntis indictment in 2018.

Prosecutors have argued that the judicial system in Lofa barely existed before 2018 and thus it was impossible for victims to bring a case against Mr Kamara there. If the court rules in Mr Kamaras favor almost all the 11 counts could be thrown out.

Later in the day General Jean-Philippe Reiland, one of the French police investigators who went to Liberia to investigate the crimes, went through the 11 charges against Kamara and recounted the interviews and reenactments that he did with victims and witnesses in Lofa County. He detailed harrowing details of accounts he heard of crimes committed by Kamara  rape, murder, torture, cannibalism and forced labor that will be heard by the jury from the victims themselves, starting next week.

Mr Reiland said all the witnesses stated clearly that CO Kunti had committed the crimes or directed rebels to commit them.

He also detailed phone calls that were intercepted between Mr Kamara and members of the Mandingo community in France. Phone recordings read before the court had Mr Kamara saying that he was aware that investigators in the Netherlands were pursuing him. He said he destroyed his passport and traveled to France where he sought help from Liberians in France to flee France for Guinea.

Mr Reiland who had investigated cases in Rwanda previously, was asked to compare Rwanda and Liberia. He emphasized the extreme poverty he encountered in Liberia.

Rwanda, compared to Liberia, is like Switzerland, he said.

In Rwanda, Mr Reiland said, police investigators had investigative and technical capacity and equipment to take photos, record interviews etc. They were able to map GPS coordinates for locations for example and submit them directly to the court in France. Liberians did not have technical capacity and faced challenges with electricity, equipment and internet access.

The roads were a challenge. Mr Reiland took 14 hours to drive to Lofa on terrible roads. Language differences were a challenge and it was impossible for French investigators to ask direct questions. Everything had to go through Liberians. Medical exams were not available.

Mr Reiland rejected the defence claim that photos had not been presented to witnesses. He said everyone in Liberia had been shown photos. Only one was able to recognize Mr Kamara. He put that down to the great length of time since the people had last seen him when he was a teenager.

He also said he didnt believe that they had coordinated responses. He said they all appeared spontaneous and authentic.

Defence lawyer Marilyn Secci continued to try to sow doubt in the minds of the jury. She challenged numerous aspects of the investigation. Had the investigators seen a birth certificate, she asked? How could they know this was the same Kunti Kamara that victims blamed for the crimes?

Mr Reiland responded with a clear answer to each question but it will be up to the jury to decide if the state has presented its case to the burden required in criminal cases, beyond a reasonable doubt.

The trial continues on Monday.

This story was a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Africa Justice Reporting Project.

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The President of Rotary International, Gordon Mclnally, will make a fresh donation of $7million for eradication and disease prevention in Nigeria when he arrives in the country on Friday on a three-day working visit.

This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Rotary International in Abuja.

Rotary had two months ago given $14 million to Nigeria, through the World Health Organisation (WHO), for technical assistance on polio surveillance.

Nigeria had also received Rotarys $2 million US dollar grant for the improvement of Maternal and Child Health

During his visit, Mr Mclnally is expected to meet President Bola Tinubu during which the two leaders would speak on other areas of assistance on disease control, child and maternal health.

According to the statement by the Coordinator of the LOC, Emmanuel Lufadeju, and the Co- coordinator, Goddy Nnadi, Mr Mclnallys visit will enhance the ties between the Nigerian government and the Rotary International.

The statement said: Rotary International is a Non-Governmental foremost Humanitarian Organization with over 1.5m members worldwide. It enjoys diplomatic status and sits at the United Nations as observer since 1948. The organisation has been instrumental to the eradication of Polio in Nigeria.

This visit is to cement the already existing bond between the Federal Government of Nigeria, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and other stakeholders.

Nigeria is the awardee of the 2nd Programme of Scale (PoS), a US$2 million US dollar grant, for the improvement of Maternal and Child Health code named  Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria.

Also, recently, a new grant amounting to US$14million was given by Rotary, through the WHO to the Government of Nigeria, to enable WHO provide technical assistance on polio surveillance .

The grant was also a support to avert a resurgence of wild polio as well as to eradicate the Circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 (CVPVD2) in the country (CVPVD2).

Another US$7Million is to be donated by Rotary to UNICEF for Eradication and disease prevention in Nigeria.

It is important to note that Rotarians are actively involved in the implementation of all Rotary projects in Nigeria, working closely with the Federal Ministry of health, the State Ministries of Health and other national and international partners.

The statement explained why Nigeria was a priority nation to Rotary International.

The statement added: Nigeria is a priority country in Africa and indeed in the world for Rotary International.

The country has four Districts and because of the phenomenal growth of membership, the Rotary Districts in Nigeria will increase to six by July 1, 2024, making it the country with the highest number of Districts in Africa as well as the highest contribution in Humanitarian Giving in the Africa Zone.

The country is duly recognised by being given the longest duration of Rotary International Presidents visit in his Africa Hope Tour.

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A coalition, comprising Enough is Enough Nigeria, Purple Women Foundation, and Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre (WARDC), will on Tuesday, 12 March, hold a solidarity walk for Chioma Okoli.

The walk, tagged, #IStandWithChiomaOkoli, will set off from Kadiri street, off Oregun road, Ikeja, Lagos by 8 a.m.

While inviting all good Nigerian consumers, including He4Shes, to join the walk, the organisers said the event is being held as part of the activities to mark the 2024 International Womens Month.

Recall that in September 2023, Mrs Okoli had reportedly bought a brand of

tomato paste, and after tasting and finding it sugary, subsequently shared her opinion on her Facebook

page.

What seemed like a harmless comment at the time had since got her embroiled in a legal tango with the manufacturer of the tomato paste brand, Erisco Foods.

Since then, Chioma has been arrested, not once but twice, for exercising her right to freedom of speech and opinion as granted by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Chioma is a married, pregnant mother of three. In the words of the late Rev Desmond Tutu, if an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality. No

Nigerian is more Nigerian than any Nigerian, Aisha Yesufu, a leader of one of the organising groups, said.

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Three factory workers with Jumia Nigeria Limited, were on Monday, arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates Court for allegedly stealing the companys cellular phones valued N1.5 million.

Justice Alson, 42; Daniel Iheka, 23, and Hammed Salami, 25, face charges of conspiracy and stealing.

Jumia is one of the largest online marketplaces, also offering payment and logistic services to its teeming customers.

The prosecutor, Raji Akeem, an assistant superintendent of police, told the court that the defendants committed the offences between December 2023 and January 2024 at Jumia office in Surulere Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

Mr Akeem said that the defendants stole three units of Redmi Note 12C phone, valued N781,920, a Tecno phone, valued N166,210 and a Samsung A75 phone, valued N570,000.

He said that the total value of the items stolen by the defendants amounted to N1.5 million, belonging to their employee, Jumia Nigeria Limited.

The prosecutor said that the defendants were always on duty whenever there were cases of missing phones.

So the security guards became very watchful until they were finally caught, he said.

Mr Akeem said that the offences contravened sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Bola Osunsanmi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N300,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.

Mrs Osunsanmi adjourned the case until 17 April for mention.(NAN)

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The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on Muslim faithful to use the month of Ramadan to pray for peace in Nigeria.

The northern Nigerian group also asked Muslims to pray for security agents in the country as they perform their responsibilities.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when Muslims observe one of the five pillars of Islam  fasting. They spend 29 or 30 days fasting from dusk to dawn throughout the month.

While felicitating with the Muslim faithful for witnessing this years Ramadan, the ACF said the month is a time for people to look forward to a brighter future.

The Holy Month is a most auspicious one for remaining upbeat as nothing is impossible for the Almighty Allah to grant his servants, T. A Muhammad  Baba, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF said in a statement.

The ACF urged the faithful to pray for peace, security and economic prosperity in Nigeria, and especially so that its Nigerias leaders in all spheres are endowed with Divine Wisdom, faith, resolve and renewed vigour with which to find solutions to Nigerias challenges.

To pray for the security agencies to be further emboldened and strengthened to confront all agents of criminality, insecurity and destabilisation in the country.

To pray that God Almighty will turn the hearts of the evil purveyors of terror, banditry and all their enablers away from criminality to law and order. That all the innocent school children, students and all citizens being held captive by the agents of terrorism/banditry are released forthwith, he said.

The country, especially the northern region, has been battling a series of security challenges for over a decade. While Boko Haram insurgents continue to hold sway in the north-east, several communities in the north-west and north-central are constantly being raided by bandits, which has led to the death of hundreds of thousands of people.

In the last few days, massive abduction of internally displaced persons was recorded in Borno State while over 300 students were abducted in Kaduna and Sokoto states.

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The Borno State Ministry of Education has directed primary and secondary schools to adjust their calendar and timing.

The State Director of School Services in the ministry, Mustapha Bukar, gave the directive through a statement on Monday in Maiduguri.

He said the adjustment is because of the fasting period, adding that schools should now close by noon, instead of 1.30 p.m.

In light of the ongoing fasting period of Ramadan for the year 1445 AH, it is hereby directed that all primary and secondary schools across the state adjust their daily closing time to noon.

READ ALSO:

Moreover, all non-essential extra-curricular activities should be discouraged throughout the Ramadan.

Additionally, we kindly request all primary and secondary schools to ensure completion of academic activities, including examinations, for the 2nd term of the 2023/ 2024 academic session by Friday, March 29, 2024.

He noted that holidays are scheduled to commence from Saturday, March 30 to Sunday, 28 April.

Schools shall resume for the 3rd term of the 2023/2024 academic session on Monday, April 29, 2024, he added.

(NAN)

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The police in Imo State, south-east Nigeria, have confirmed the death of a fifth person in a recent attack by gunmen in the state.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the gunmen invaded Abacheke Community in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of the state on Friday evening, killing four people, with another seriously hit by bullets.

The armed men, dressed in military camouflage and wearing masks, were said to have entered the community on three motorcycles.

But Henry Okoye, the police spokesperson in the state, confirmed in a statement on Monday that the fifth victim had died.

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Mr Okoye, an assistant superintendent of police, said the commissioner of police in the state, Aboki Danjuma, on Monday, convened a pivotal security meeting with leaders of the Abacheke Community over the attack.

The police spokesperson said the meeting focused on ways of stopping the killings in the community.

Adequate security measures have been implemented to enhance the overall safety, security and wellbeing of the people of Abacheke Community and other communities in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area, he said.

Mr Okoye said the meeting was held at the palace of the traditional ruler of the community, Bright Ikeji.

A former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly and immediate past Nigerias Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Opiah, attended the meeting, according to the statement.

Mr Opiah, who also represented Ohaji-Egbema-Oguta-Oru West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, hails from the Abacheke Community.

Who carried out the attack?

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

But the growing insecurity in the state and South-east has been linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra which is seeking the secession of the South-east and some parts of the south-south from Nigeria

However, the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the growing insecurity in the region.

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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has urged mineral-rich African countries to use the proven mineral reserves of their countries as equity in joint ventures, instead of taking loans that worsen the plight of their people.

Speaking at a Ministerial Roundtable on Powering Africa in Washington DC recently, Mr Alake deplored unwholesome pressure on African governments by loan marketers despite global concerns over the declining capacity of many countries to settle their debts.

The minister said,  It is an interesting paradox that in spite of their chronic indebtedness, African countries remain the target of institutional and private loan sharks marketing short and long-term credit to ministries, departments and agencies.

Indeed, in the first month after a minister is sworn into office, he is literally bombarded by these marketers promising above-the-table and under-the-table deals.

Mr Alake, who doubles as the Chairperson of the African Minerals Strategy Group, the body of ministers of mining and mineral development in Africa, canvassed an alternative to loans, which he defined as using proven mineral reserves as equity.

In the mining sector, in-situ equity, where the verified value of unextracted mineral can be the equity of the owner in joint ventures, is a better financial arrangement than the road to chronic indebtedness, the minister said.

Recalling how he had taken issues with indiscriminate loan deals of African governments as a journalist, Mr Alake said only loans that can be liquidated by the returns on the project should be taken to save the people from poverty.

I have criticised the predilection of Nigerian governments to sign the dotted lines of loan agreements on the flimsiest excuse mostly with stiff conditions which hurt the common people. Therefore, I believe African governments should exercise patriotic circumspection and due diligence before committing their sovereignty.

READ ALSO:

The ministers presentation set the tone for his meetings with investors on the sidelines of the conference.

In top-level talks with the delegation of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC), Mr Alake shared the vision of President Bola Tinubus administration to reposition the sector to compete with others to attract investments.

According to him, the administration has focused on developing the critical minerals sector to diversify the economy from oil.

 There are certain things that we need to bolster that sector, and all the support we can get is crucial. First and foremost is critical big data, which is exploration. We are actively working to sanitise the sector, including establishing a new security architecture to secure the mining environment.  he said.

Speaking further at the parley with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the US IDFC, Agnes Dasewicz and her team, Mr Alake stated that Nigeria has an abundance of 44 critical minerals that exist in commercial quantities, emphasising ongoing reforms by the Tinubu administration to sanitise the sector and make it attractive to big players.

In her submission, Ms Dasewicz lauded the renewed focus on solid minerals by Nigeria, emphasising her corporations interest in providing the required support to strengthen the mining sector value chain.

 We very much partner with private sector players to deliver financing to mining companies to help them really expand what they can do. Some of the focus sectors that we have are critical minerals and infrastructure; health and agriculture as well as energy. We would love to do more in the critical minerals sector, and we know there is a lot of potential in that regard, in Nigeria, Mrs. Dasewicz added.

To execute areas of partnership, further engagement will continue between the ministers team comprising Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) Executive Secretary, Fatima Shinkafi, other top ministry officials and representatives of the US IDFC.

The minister also had fruitful deliberations with a cross-section of private sector players in the mining industry, including KRL International, securing their commitment to take more than a cursory look at the mining sector.

Segun Tomori

Special Assistant (Media)

Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development.

11th March, 2024.

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President Bola Tinubu on Monday flagged off the Food Security and Agricultural Mechanisation Programme in Niger State, emphasising that his administration remained committed to ensuring food sufficiency and protecting local industries for sustainable economic growth.

The project, an initiative of the Niger State Government, is for the deployment of cutting-edge agricultural machinery and technology for large-scale agro-value chain development in the state.

Speaking at the inauguration, President Tinubu said the event represents another step in the food security and agricultural mechanisation agenda, declaring that Nigeria must enhance its capacity to feed its people and have enough for export.

We have seen the level of commitment here. We have seen leadership. The success of any leader will depend on the ability to do what needs to be done when it ought to be done. It is now time for us to address the challenges and make Nigeria an economy of opportunities. We must care for our people; re-orient our people. I do not see why Nigeria cannot feed all students in its schools.

I know what it means for roaming cows to eat crops and the vegetation of our land. I know it is painful. But when we re-orient the herder and make provision for cattle rearing, we can address that. You are the governors who are to provide us with land. I, as President, I am committed to providing a comprehensive programme that will solve this problem, the president said.

President Tinubu also urged sub-national governments, as an immediate intervention measure, to implement wage awards in their states to complement the efforts of the federal government in easing the burden of citizens, pending when the minimum wage is increased.

I am equally here to partner with you to banish hunger. You are doing the job. And it is necessary for me to support you; it is mandatory as Nigerians. When you read newspapers, some of us are confused about whether to abuse the past or the present or to make excuses for the future. But that is not in my dictionary. I think action now, re-engineer the finances of our country and steer it on the right path.

The student loan programme will commence. There will be unemployment benefits for our graduates. The social security benefits for the elderly and the vulnerable will commence. We are fine-tuning all of that area. We need to relieve our people of hunger. Let all the sub-nationals start paying wage awards, pending when the minimum wage is increased. I am not giving an order; I am only appealing. NEC should adopt this, the president said.

Appreciating the president for honouring his invitation and inaugurating the facilities, Governor Umar Bago said four states, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, and Lagos had already signed memoranda of understanding on building partnerships for the development of agriculture.

Mr. President, your presence here today underscores the importance of this occasion for our state in particular and Nigeria as a whole, as we gather to celebrate a good example demonstrated in our modest contribution to infrastructure and agricultural development encapsulated in our New Niger Agenda.

For us, agriculture is key to addressing the challenges in critical sectors of our economy, and we shall seize every opportunity for the attainment of growth and engender prosperity for the people of our beloved state and by extension our country, Nigeria, the governor said.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed that the federal government had signed an agreement with the Brazilian Government and German Deutsch Bank Group as financiers of a facility of 995 million euros for the Green Imperative Programme which will provide mechanisation hubs across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria when implemented.

A memorandum of understanding between the federal government and the John Deer Group, a subsidiary of Tata Equipment, was signed. The manufacturer has signed to deliver 10,000 units of tractors and implement in tranches of 2,000 units per annum for the next five years.

The Greener Hope Initiative is another veritable platform the federal government is deploying to ultimately change the deficit narrative in the Nigerian agricultural mechanisation space, he added.

While in Niger State, President Tinubu also visited former Nigerian Heads of State, Ibrahim Babangida, and Abdulsalami Abubakar with whom he had fruitful discussions concerning the advancement of the nation.

Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

March 11, 2024

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The police in Edo State, South-south Nigeria, said they have arrested an operative seen assaulting a young woman in a viral video.

In a statement posted on X on Monday, the police spokesperson in Edo, Chidi Nwabuzor, identified the operative as Samuel Imakor, a sergeant attached to Iruekpen police station in the state.

The erring operative, Mr Nwabuzor said, was brought to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Funsho Adegboye, where he confessed to have slapped the woman, identified as Mercy Ajayi.

Justifying his action, the erring operative said the woman first slapped him in a vehicle while he was trying to arrest her on the allegation that she stole a human hair in a hotel.

The commissioner of police has ordered that the operative be made to face an administrative trial, the police spokesperson said.

Mr Nwabuzor said the police got to know about the assault through a post on X by a human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu.

Mr Gwamnishu first posted the video on the microblogging platform on Sunday, with a call on the police authorities to take action against the operative.

In the 32-second clip, two operatives wielding guns could be seen shouting at the woman before one of them violently slapped her on the face.

I will send you to the hospital and I will admit you, the operative who slapped the woman shouted at her.

Hours after Mr Gwamnishu posted the clip, Police Complaint, a department created to check abuse by police operatives, reacted to it on X, saying that the incident was being investigated.

Surge in reported cases of police brutality

There has been a surge in reported cases of police brutality and extortion in Nigeria lately.

Last month, the police dismissed an operative, and have suspended two senior officers for allegedly abducting two Nigerians and extorting $3,000 from them. The money was recovered and returned to the victim.

The police authorities in Rivers State in 2023 arrested four operatives over an alleged assault on a traveller in the state.

In April same year, this newspaper reported how a police operative filmed slapping a motorist in Rivers State was demoted by the police.

In Delta State, a police officer, Ubi Ebiri, allegedly shot dead a young man for refusing to offer a N100 bribe, an action that triggered protest by some youths in the state.

Mr Ebiri was arrested and subsequently dismissed from service.

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FARGO  A Red River Valley potato farmer accused of lying to the government about his failed potato crops has avoided jail time, though he has been banned from the federal crop insurance program for a decade.

North Dakota U.S. District Judge Peter Welte sentenced 59-year-old Darren Tronson, of Buxton, to a year of supervised probation last week in Fargo. Tronson, who owns DL Farms, previously agreed to plead guilty to concealment of material fact.

That means he did not follow recommendations from NAU Country Insurance Co. to use a soil fertility plan to determine how much fertilizer to apply to his potatoes and speak with an agricultural expert for his 2019 potato crop, according to a criminal complaint. He then hid the fact that he didnt follow his crop insurance companys suggestions when he made a federal claim for losses that year.

Tronson claimed he lost $540,142 worth of crops in 2019 due to rain, according to a plea agreement. NAU denied coverage for roughly 50% of that claim, according to court documents.

He faced up to five years in prison for the felony charge.

A grand jury initially indicted the fifth-generation farmer on three counts of making false statements to influence the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency. Those charges alleged he lied to the USDA about his failed 2017 and 2018 crops.

The USDA suspended Tronson from the federal crop insurance program, claiming the farmer didnt follow good farming practices in those years and blamed weather conditions on his poor yields, the indictment said. In 2017, his crops yielded 20 hundredweight, or cwt, per acre in Grand Forks County, while other farmers produced more than 300 cwt, according to the indictment.

The next year, he produced 60 cwt potatoes per acre, when the average yield of other area producers was 229 cwt, according to court documents.

Since 2000, the federal crop insurance program has paid Tronson $5.7 million, the indictment said.

Tronson had filed a lawsuit against the USDA in an attempt to lift his suspension from the crop insurance program. His civil attorney, Michelle Donarski, previously told The Forum that the government was trying to push him out of farming.

The USDA does not require farmers to hire a consultant or soil test to qualify for crop insurance, she said, claiming the suspension and criminal charges were retaliation.

Tronson settled the civil case out of court, which required he pay $10,000 in restitution and agree to a voluntary ban from participating in federal programs for 10 years, which started Jan. 1, 2023, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in North Dakota.

The indictment was dismissed after Tronson pleaded guilty to the concealment charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Greenley acknowledged 2019 was a tough year for farmers, but he said Tronsons actions cheated the federal crop insurance program and raised rates for fellow farmers.

Greenley recommended three years of probation but no jail time.

The crop insurance program is based on trust for better or worse, Greenley said, adding the USDA cant monitor every field in the country.

Tronson didnt listen to NAUs recommendations because he believed his farming practices were good and based on years of experience, his defense attorney Drew Hushka said. Hushka agreed to no jail time but suggested his client shouldnt get probation, either.

When asked if he had anything to say, Tronson said he, his attorney and the USDA had gone over the case thoroughly, adding all the facts are here.

Buxton is about 20 miles south of Grand Forks.
The Tinubu administrations position on the digital currency world has been confusing, starting with the lifting of the ban imposed by the former administration and now back to a clampdown on the crypto giant, Binance.

However, the lawmakers are not doing any better in sending out clear messages. Last week saw the House of Representatives dishing out messages that are equally confusing.

The week started with the House Committee on Financial Crimes threatening arrest warrant on the management of Binance over its failure to appear before the lawmakers for an ongoing investigative hearing into the activities of the company.

The lawmakers ignored the plea by Binance lawyer, Senator Ihenyen, who stated that the ongoing impasse between the Nigerian government and Binance makes it impossible for the company to send another set of representatives into Nigeria.

Three days after the threat of arrest, on Wednesday, the House, following a motion by Ibrahim Isiaka (APC, Ogun), lampooned the executive for the crackdown on Binance and other cryptocurrency platforms.

In the motion, the lawmaker argued that the government was at risk of sending conflicting messages to international investors with the clampdown.

Binance and other cryptocurrency exchanges and cryptocurrency transactions have not been banned in the USA even after a U.S. court ruling in the case filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against Binance, fined Binance $4.3 billion for a violation of anti-money laundering laws, international financial transaction sanctions violations and unlicensed money transmitting and included the resignation of the companys founder and Chief Executive Officer, he said.

This is one of the numerous examples of the House issuing conflicting directives on the subject matter.

Repeated motion on census

During the week, a motion to investigate the N200 billion spent on the botched National Population Census was passed by the House.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Clement Akanni (PDP-Osun), during plenary in Abuja on Thursday.

But the House had in November last year decided on a similar motion with the same resolution. This shows that the House has a poor record-keeping system and a lacks synergy on decisions and resolutions.

Like other Nigerians, lawmakers suffer power outage

For years, Nigerians have been battling poor power supply. Even the lawmakers who have the responsibility of bringing motions to the floor of the House dont even have power supply in their offices.

Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu during Tuesdays plenary session, said Nigerias National Assembly complex did not get electricity from AEDC, and that the complex was being powered by a generator. Unfortunately for the lawmakers, some offices are not even getting supply from the generators.

Some lawmakers could not stay in their offices last week.

Chinedu Ogah, a member from Ebonyi State, on Tuesday, raised a point of privilege that his constituents are being shortchanged by the National Assembly because the power outage is preventing him from discharging his duty as an elected representative.

The poser remains, should Nigerians be expecting legislative intervention from the lawmakers  these same lawmakers that cannot help themselves?

Move to review the 2024 budget amid budget padding scandal

At the time the lawmakers passed the 2024 budget, the Naira was trading at about N800 to a dollar. But the Nigerian currency is currently trading at N1600 to a dollar.

The House last week resolved to review the parameters of the 2024 budget due to the depreciation of the Naira against major currencies.

The lawmakers, on Thursday, mandated its Committees on National Planning and Economic Development, Appropriation and Finance, to review the parameters in the budget, particularly the exchange rate.

This resolution was a sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved by Kafilat Ogbara (APC, Lagos) during plenary.

However, this planned review is coming amid a budget padding scandal rocking the National Assembly.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported the allegation of budget passing by the Northern Senators Forum (NSF).

Abdul Ningi, the Bauchi senator, who also heads the Forum, 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. He also claimed that the budget was skewed against northern Nigeria.

Its not clear how the National Assembly will carry out this review amid these allegations.

Parliamentary State: Group of 60 lawmakers continue push

The group of 60 lawmakers pushing the abolition of the presidential system for the parliamentary system has continued their advocacy.

Last week, they met with the Arewa Consultative Forum to draw support for the constitution alteration bills.

The lawmakers and the leadership of ACF had a closed-door session at the YarAdua Centre in Abuja.

Despite the slim chances of the bills scaling all constitutional amendment hurdles, the lawmakers continue the push.

So far, they have met with Aminu Dantata, an elder statesman from Kano, Bisi Akande, a former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ango Abdullahi, leader of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), and others.

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Nine persons were injured in a gas explosion on Saturday at a steel company in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The explosion occurred at Phoenix Steel Mills in Ogijo.

Reacting to the situation in a statement on Sunday night, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, adding that the victims of the blast were factory workers.

Ms Odutola, a superintendent of police, added that the victims were taken to Rolayo Private Hospital in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

 There was a case of an industrial accident that occurred at Phoenix Metal Company in Ogijo on March 9 at 9:38 p.m.

According to an eyewitness account, the explosion was attributed to a cylinder explosion which happened at the melting point area, affecting staff members who sustained injuries.

ALSO READ: Court remands three over Ibadan explosion

The explosion impacted nearby houses as window frames were reportedly cracked due to the vibration from the blast.

Community youths tried to attack the company but efforts by policemen and army detachment of 174 battalion in Odogunyan Ikorodu were visibly on the ground to intervene.

The situation is under control and close monitoring; there is no indication for panic, whereas further updates will be communicated to members of the public, she stated.

(NAN)

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Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture and creative economy, has called for the support of the Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, in providing strategies for the promotion and preservation of literary arts in the country.

A statement issued by Nneka Anibeze, special adviser to the Minister, stated that Ms Musawa made the call during a courtesy visit to Mr Soyinka, a Nobel Prize winner in Literature

.

The minister said the sector needed to tap into the wealth of experience of the literary icon in promoting the rich cultural heritage of the nation.

It is an honour to share my vision for the development of the arts, culture, and creative economy with the Nobel Laureate.

The purpose of this visit is to invite you to share your invaluable experience with us, including insights, guidance, and advice on how to add to the development of literary arts in the country.

This is the first time that we are having a ministry created specifically for this sector which is the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.

Nigeria has a huge culture content including music, films, fashion and literary arts of which our priorities include the preservation of literary works.

This, we intend carrying out by formulating policies that will ward off piracy and plagiarism, she said.

According to Ms Musawa, Nigeria boasts of great writers like Wole Soyinka, the late Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Adichie, Okey Ndibe and many others.

She said, We will be happy to see Prof. Soyinka lead the way on these strategies.

We look unto your antecedents for initiatives to encourage the younger generation to embrace and celebrate their cultural identity.

The minister also discussed initiatives to encourage the younger generation to embrace and celebrate their cultural identity, artistic and creative development, as well as opportunities for collaboration and innovation in the creative economy.

She said the initiative of cultural diplomacy and utilising arts and culture as tools for international diplomacy and promoting the nations cultural diversity on the global stage would also be looked into.

She noted that she eagerly anticipates the opportunity to engage in a meaningful collaboration with Mr Soyinka and looks forward to the potential of collaboration for the advancement of arts, culture, and the creative economy.

Responding, Mr Soyinka expressed delight in the visit and described his interest in culture and literary arts as a comparative one.

He called for a conscious effort to preserve the culture and tradition of the Nigerian people.

Culture is interrelated and inter-connected with different other cultures, so culture is universal.

Nigerians are faced with diverse issues due to the neglect of heritages and monuments.

We need to promote indigenous languages and cultures to preserve morals and values across the country.

The performing artiste is at a disadvantage, as his resources are limited. All an actor can do is join forces.

Nigeria boasts of writers, musicians, painters, sculptors and artists who believe in opening up certain horizons for human striving.

I am an artist and a producer, a creative person and I like to go into galleries, to listen to music and to read books.

The arts are the material expression of the peoples essence, of their spirituality, and of their dignity. Return the spirituality to Africa by returning all the looted works, he said.

(NAN)

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The Police Service Commission has suspended two senior officers for allegedly extorting $3, 000 from two Nigerians in Rivers State, South-south Nigeria.

The commission has also stopped the salaries of the officers, Doubara Edonyabo and Talent Mungo, both assistant superintendents of police.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in Rivers State, disclosed this in a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday.

Their suspension, which took effect on 29 February, came less than a month after the third officer involved in the alleged offence, Michael Odey, an inspector, was dismissed from the service.

Background

Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu in January drew the attention of the police authorities to the alleged extortion through his X handle.

Mr Gwamnishu said the three officers left Port Harcourt for Abia State where they abducted the victims and took them to Delta and Bayelsa States before dumping them in Port Harcourt after allegedly extorting $3, 000 from them.

The police authorities in Rivers State in their investigation found the officers guilty, recovered the money and refunded the victims before recommending the officers for dismissal.

Being a junior officer (inspector), Mr Odeys case was reviewed by the assistant inspector general of police in charge of Zone 16, Bayelsa State, who upheld the recommendation of the police in Rivers and subsequently dismissed him with effect from 7 February.

But Messrs Edonyabo and Mungo, being senior officers, had their case referred to the Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police for a review.

Their suspension and stoppage of salaries is the outcome of the review by the Police Service Commission, Mrs Iringe-Koko said.

The two officers will face the Force Disciplinary Committee, which is responsible for addressing disciplinary issues involving senior officers. Update would soon be given on other cases involving these officers.

This decisive course of action serves as a strong deterrent to any police officer who may contemplate engaging in misconduct and unequivocally reaffirms our unwavering commitment to upholding the fundamental principles of credible policing in Rivers State, she said.

Other extortions

There has been an increase in the reported cases of extortion among police officers in the country since the beginning of the year, despite the inspector general of police warning that officers found guilty of using his name to extort Nigerians will face severe punishments.

The commissioner of police in Delta State last month removed a Divisional Crimes Officer in Abraka Division for alleged extortion over N2 million from residents of the state.

The DPO of the division is also accused of benefiting from the extorted money to the tune of over N900,000. The money was recovered and returned to the victim.

The police spokesperson in Delta State, Bright Edafe, told PREMIUM TIMES that the police in the state were still investigating the case and would update the public on the outcome.

This newspaper also reported how some police officers from Force Headquarters in Abuja who were on a mission to investigate a murder case in Edo State allegedly extorted over N3 million from a Nigerian in the Auchi area of Edo State.

The police authorities recovered the money and returned it to the victim.

Also, PREMIUM TIMES last month reported the detention of some officers at the Force headquarters in Abuja over an alleged extortion of N30.3 million from a Nigerian.

Mr Gwamnishu drew the attention of police authorities to the alleged extortions by the officers.

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The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider reopening the countys borders and allow the importation of food items to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

The appeal was contained in a statement on Monday issued by the Governors spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, after Mr Yusuf received the Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, at the Government House in Kano.

The governor lamented the federal governments policy of border closure, which he described as one of the reasons for the hike in the price of commodities and the attendant hardship in the country.

We wish to appreciate the presidents intervention in the ongoing national food initiative which he considers Kano as the host for the initiative to be launched, believing that the programme will cushion the effects of food scarcity if implemented, the statement quoted Mr Yusuf.

According to the governor, another immediate intervention that can make food available and affordable to our teaming population is for the Federal Government to consider the reopening of the borders and allow free importation of commodities.

Governor Yusuf emphasized the prevalent hardships faced by the populace, particularly during the sacred month of Ramadan, underscoring the necessity of opening the borders to alleviate their distress, Mr Bature said in the statement.

Meanwhile, the governor expressed satisfaction with the Customs Services plan to distribute seized food items to the citizens of Kano. He urged the Customs Service to ensure that distribution reaches those most affected.

In his remarks, according to the statement, Mr Adeniyi reiterated the significance of fortifying the bond between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Kano community, emphasizing the Services deeper commitment to collaboration and mutual understanding.

He pledged to implement policies aimed at refining business processes and fostering engagement with stakeholders.

While in Kano interacting with various stakeholders, Mr Adeniyi also stated that the Service had made comprehensive arrangements to address the current challenges of food scarcity and hardship in Kano by distributing essential food items to the states residents, the statement said.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari closed Nigerias borders to stop the importation of food products, particularly rice, and illegal arms and ammunition into Nigeria.

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An investigator at Nigerias anti-corruption agency, ICPC, Agboro Michael, has told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja that an erstwhile Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, awarded contracts to two obscure companies belonging to his wife and a CBN staff member.

While Mr Emefieles wife, Margaret, owns Architekon Nigeria Limited, the CBN staff member, who allegedly benefitted from the controversial contracts, Saadatu Yaro, owned the April1616 Investment Limited, according to the investigator.

The two companies  Architekon Nigeria Limited and April1616 Investment Limited  were awarded multiple contracts for the renovation of the CBN governors lodge in Lagos as well as the supply of power lines and vehicles for the bank.

Mr Emefiele, who was the governor of the CBN for nearly a decade, faces corruption charges preferred against him after President Bola Tinubu removed him from office last June.

He is being prosecuted on amended 20 counts of conferment of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $6.23 million.

Mr Emefiele denied the charges during his re-arraignment in January.

Outcome of inter-agencies probe

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Oyedepo Rotimi, Mr Michael said he alongside investigators from sister agencies interrogated Mr Emefiele in the course of investigating his activities as the head of the central bank.

During the interagency investigation comprising the ICPC, EFCC, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and the State Security Service (SSS), Mr Michael said Mr Emefieles wife, Margaret, and her brother, Marcombo Omoile, were director and shareholder, respectively, of Architekon Nigeria Limited.

Mr Michael, who is the seventh prosecution witness in the trial, said Architekon Nigeria Limited was incorporated in 2009, five years before Mr Emefiele was appointed CBN governor.

The company (Architecture Nigeria Limited) began enjoying CBN patronage after the defendants appointment as CBN governor, Mr Michael said.

The witness said a team of investigators wrote banks and the Corporate Affairs Commission, requesting documents concerning the registration and bank statements of Architekon Nigeria Limited and April1616 Investment Limited.

We found out that Architekon Nigeria Limited was incorporated in 2009, the directors and shareholders were the defendants wife, Omoile Margaret, and his brother-in-law Marcombo Omoile.

We discovered that the company before Emefieles appointment at CBN, though in existence, had never had any contractual dealings with the CBN until his appointment.

REAS ALSO:

Also, we discovered that the name of his wife was stated as Margaret Omoile despite the fact that she was married to Emefiele.

After the defendants appointment in 2014, the company started to enjoy the patronage of the CBN.

Omoile is Magaret Emefieles maiden surname.

Testifying further, Mr Michael said an investigative report issued after the inter-agencies probe detailed the outcome of the investigations on Mr Emefieles transactions involving relatives and associates during his time in office as CBN governor.

He said Mr Emefiele conferred corrupt and unfair advantages on his wife and Ms Yaro through the award of contracts to their companies.

After over three hours of leading evidence through the ICPC investigator, Mr Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and prosecutor, tendered several documents as exhibits.

The documents, comprising bank statements and payment approvals for contracts payment executed by Architekon Nigeria Limited and April1616 Investment Limited, were admitted in evidence by the judge, Hamza Muazu.

But, when asked under cross-examination by Mr Emefieles lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, also a SAN, about the whereabouts of the investigative report, the witness said it was submitted to the Director-General of the SSS, Yusuf Bichi.

Contracts passed through due process

During cross-examination, Mr Burkaa, a SAN, asked Mr Michael about the CBNs contract award procedure.

In his response, the witness listed the Tenders Board, Contract Approval Council, and Committee of Board of Governors as the three CBN bodies that process contract bids received by the bank.

When asked if the contracts in question in the case passed through the statutory bodies at the bank, Mr Michael answered in the affirmative.

He said the contracts were vetted through the procurement department of the bank.

Similarly, Mr Michael said he did not find evidence by way of official communication from Mr Emefiele recommending any of the two companies for the award of contracts.

The witness added that all documents containing payment approvals issued by Mr Emefiele were done after certificates of completion of contracts were issued by the CBN to Architekon Nigeria Limited and April1616 Investment Limited.

The defence lawyer further asked Mr Michael if it was wrong to pay the companies for contracts that were duly awarded and executed.

He said, I cannot say if the contacts were done or not.

After the cross-examination, the judge adjourned the trial until 25 April for further hearing.

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The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, on Monday inaugurated three ad-hoc committees and tasked them with research, skills and infrastructure development.

The committees inaugurated are for the operationalisation of equipment of workshops and laboratories for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education (technical); implementation of Skills Development Special Intervention; and Assessment and Review of TETFund Centres of Excellence.

Mr Echono said the committees tasks are part of the President Bola Tinubu administrations plan for the youths to contribute to the approach of creating wealth, jobs and being able to invent by themselves.

He added that the constitution of the committees is part of the efforts towards strengthening the agencys intervention activities towards the delivery of its mandate and bearing in mind the tasks ahead.

He asked the committees to leverage all available resources within the country to upskill young men and women both in formal and informal sectors.

We are trying to upgrade the equipment in workshops and laboratories in our schools. So the practical mode and hands-on form of teaching and learning will be emphasised, he said.

Each of those facilities we are going to upgrade will have sustainable power supply and will be able to use them all the year round.

He said one of the advantages of the intervention is that students in tertiary institutions would be able to make a reasonable impact in their communities when they are not in school sessions by mounting programmes, skills development programmes and being able to bring those from the rest of the community to come to learn about these skills.

Speaking on the committee on Assessment Review of TETFund centres of excellence, Mr Echono said the idea behind these centres is the realisation of not having enough resources to improve all their facilities at the same time.

He added that the agency decided to prioritise some areas where some institutions have comparative advantage to establish those centres to take advantage of the quality of faculty and to use them at points where some of the things and desires they have are realised.

He said: Theres no point trying to do everything at the same time, so we want to upgrade them and find out what they need to perform better. Also, the key areas that they should specialise in so that we can make them more useful.

Upgrading research infrastructure

Mr Echno noted that a 2022 survey by the agency at beneficiary institutions revealed that most of the equipment, laboratories and workshops are either inadequate or underutilised.

Under the 2024 intervention budget, he said N25 billion has been budgeted for the upgrade of the equipment in workshops and laboratories for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to ensure effective implementation of the intervention.

He also added that as part of their strategies to achieve the objectives of deepening the institutionalisation research centres, the agency has established 27 Centres of Excellence spread across the six geopolitical zones of the country and specialising in various areas or national priorities.

He said: The overarching goal of the Centres of Excellence is to bridge the gap between researchers and users by supporting strategic and applications-oriented research that has potential for industrial applications through the gathering of complementary resources, and expertise needed for technical development and industrial growth.

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The Nigeria Customs Service, Eastern Marine Command, has seized food items valued at N250 million, intended for illegal exportation to Cameroon. Three truckloads of yam tubers and other assorted items, were being loaded into a boat for exportation in Ibaka, Oron, in Akwa Ibom State, when they were intercepted.

The Customs Area Comptroller, Eastern Marine Command, Mike Ugbagu, disclosed this while briefing reporters at the Commands headquarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The text of the briefing was posted on Customs X handle.

Mr Ugbaku advised exporters to adhere to export procedures, adding that an attempt to transport goods through the creeks without following required protocols constitute smuggling which he said is punishable under the law.

He attributed the interception to the continuous surveillance and strategic efforts of the command operatives, whom he said diligently patrol the creeks and beaches of the Southern waterways.

The command, Mr Ugbaka said, arrested five suspects linked to the intercepted goods.

Tinubu orders returns of seized food items to owners

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has directed the customs to return all seized grains to their owners, a measure he said will boost food sufficiency.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Saturday at a meeting with residents of border communities in Kongolam and MaiAdua border stations of Katsina State, PREMIUM TIMES reported.

Mr Adeniyi emphasised that the presidential directives was on a condition that the owners of the grains will sell them in local markets so as to help address the problem of food scarcity.

Those food items will be returned, and it is a directive that it will be pass back into the Nigerian markets, Mr Adeniyi said, adding that the customs will monitor implementation to ensure compliance.

Prices of commodities have escalated as a result of the removal of petrol subsidy by Mr Tinubus administration, a policy that has caused the price of petrol to increase from N189 to over N700.

Nigerians in different parts of the country have taken to the streets to protest the skyrocketing food prices, calling on the federal government to take steps to ameliorate their sufferings.

It is unclear if the presidential directive on the return of seized food items covers the three trucks of yam tubers seized at Oron in Akwa Ibom.

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The Government of the United Kingdom has barred emigrating health and care workers from bringing along dependants.

The UK Home Office made this known in a statement published on the governments website on Monday.

It described the development as a new law to cut migration and tackle care worker visa abuse, stating that a disproportionate 120,000 dependants accompanied 100,000 workers to the country in 2023.

Care providers in England acting as sponsors for migrants will also be required to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)  the industry regulator for Health and Social Care  in order to crack down on worker exploitation and abuse within the sector, the statement reads in part.

It forms part of a wider package of measures, which is being implemented as soon as possible, which means a total of 300,000 people who were eligible to come to the UK last year would now not be able to do so.

Nigerians react

The announcement of the new policy has generated a wide range of reactions among Nigerians on social media.

In his comment, a Nigerian UK-based lawyer, Dele Olawale on his X account, @dolawanle, described the policy as a home breaker and life destroyer.

Mr Olawale said many marriages will be ruined, saying many sold their belongings to relocate to the UK either as students or skilled workers.

Also, Harvey Olufunmilayo with his X handle, @DrOlufunmilayo said, I do not understand or endorse this particular policy as it makes zero sense to me.

How can you say you want people to leave their countries to come to care for your families but you want the same people to leave their own families back in their home countries?

Again it makes zero sense to me, but it is not my job to tell another country how to run their country. Their country, their choice.

We as Nigerians only need to fix our own country so we would never be in this sort of situation where our lives and future will depend on the whims and caprices of another countrys decisions and policies.

Impact on Nigerians

Another X user @Adasu_d_gr8 observed that the new policy will affect Nigerians the most because Nigerians are the major people leaving this country because of our leaders in search of greener pastures.

This is as the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate revealed on Sunday that about 16,000 doctors in Nigeria left the country in the last five years and about 17,000 have been transferred.

Mr Pate, during an interview on Channels TV, Sunday, noted that Nigeria now has only 55,000 licensed doctors to serve its growing population of over 200 million.

According to the Minister, Nigeria has about 300,000 health professionals, including doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and others.

We did an assessment and discovered that we have 85,000 to 90,000 registered Nigerian doctors. Not all of them are in the country, he said.

Some are in the Diaspora, especially in the US and UK. But there are 55,000 licensed doctors in the country.

Sustainability reason

In the publication on its website, the UK Home Secretary, James Cleverly, explained why the country cannot sustain the migration numbers.

Mr Cleverly was quoted to have said: Care workers make an incredible contribution to our society, taking care of our loved ones in times of need. But we cannot justify inaction in the face of clear abuse, manipulation of our immigration system and unsustainable migration numbers.

It is neither right nor fair to allow this unacceptable situation to continue. We promised the British people action, and we will not rest until we have delivered on our commitment to bring numbers down substantially.

He added that there is clear evidence that care workers have been offered visas under false pretences, travelling thousands of miles for jobs that simply dont exist.

Also, the Minister for Social Care, Helen Whately, said the rules provide a more ethical and sustainable approach to international recruitment and immigration.

Our reforms will grow the domestic workforce and build on our success over the last year that saw more people working in social care, fewer vacancies and lower staff turnover, Ms Whately was quoted.

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At the core of our problems as a people, is the nature of our politics. As the current government demonstrates anew, we do not do merit and competence well. Years ago, a much younger boss once told me that he was willing to trade aptitude in for attitude all the time. For, according to him, you could train for aptitude. Attitude, on the other hand, especially one that is not sufficiently deferential, is often ingrained, and harder to sublimate.

In search of a one-sentence description of the main challenges facing the Nigerian economy, one could do no better than point to the need for rapid growth and development. Partly, as with all rising tides, this should lift all actors in the domestic economy. But it should also help even out the current extremes of affluence and want. At a granular level, this reading of the problem is about several interlinked concepts and processes. In no specific order, it is about deepening and broadening the national education curriculum, while ,democratising access to it. Thus described, this section of the conversation is as much about riding the many streams of innovation in technology that the world is currently experiencing, as it is about ensuring that, at the minimum, our girl-children complete secondary school. Increased labour force participation amongst women, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses, fixes several problems. It boosts productivity, addresses population issues, and forces us to confront much of the gender biases that underpin our cultures.

Population concerns are readily alleviated by an efficient healthcare system, in which users at least meet the cost of providing services. Full employment, on the other hand, is as dependent on the free entry of employers into the diverse markets that the country comprises, as the success of these employers are contingent upon the absence of constraints to supplies in these markets. Unfortunately, when free markets are argued for, as part of contributions to the discourse on economic growth and development, the tendency, at least, amongst large parts of our echo chambers, is to presume the redundancy of the state. Yet, the state is implicated in the efficient functioning of markets, simply by the need to maintain a regulatory environment that prioritises the welfare of consumers. When the state plights its troth to any other set of priorities, especially the building of national industrial champions, as has been the wont of our policymakers over the years, it nearly always distorts the proper functioning of markets, and by extension the allocative efficiency of the economy.

Over the years, Nigerians growing economic needs (and the obvious incapacity of the state to meet them) has fuelled an often-internecine debate about appropriate policy choices. The market, advertised as the most efficient means of allocating domestic resources (except for public goods, where the concept of the tragedy of the commons might impede investment) is increasingly recognised by its advocates as most unkind to those who fail at it. Responding to the possibility of these failures, our policymakers continue to vote overwhelmingly to protect possible victims of market failures without putting markets in place. Denied the revenues from trade and commerce that markets support, government has gone about this duty of protection by leveraging its export of hydrocarbons. But because the oil and gas sector is an exclave (pace Chu S. P. Okongwu) of the economy, the spending that this policy choice has supported, wrought more harm than good on the economy.

Consistent with the kabiyesi complex, our politics thrives on generating a herd of loyal followers, but no more. Our economy, alas, clearly needs much more than idobale (the prostration before elders and bosses by the youths and subordinates that the Yoruba esteem as a mark of respect) and alaye (preferment for explanations over action) to move forward.

In the fraught environment that is the Nigerian economy today, this debate has both a new urgency and intensity to it. Today, there is a fin de siecle quality to the country, careening as it were towards an ineluctable date with a destiny whose outcome, based on our current experiences, may not be anything like we would have voted for.

Scary, though, this outlook is, at bottom all the preceding are but symptoms of a deeper malaise. At the core of our problems as a people, is the nature of our politics. As the current government demonstrates anew, we do not do merit and competence well. Years ago, a much younger boss once told me that he was willing to trade aptitude in for attitude all the time. For, according to him, you could train for aptitude. Attitude, on the other hand, especially one that is not sufficiently deferential, is often ingrained, and harder to sublimate. So, across corporate Nigeria, I have seen bosses encourage groupthink for as long as the ethics and values around which the group coheres are theirs.

The resulting herd may make for good followers; but is never going to solve problems easily, as it is always looking to take its cues from the leader. Consistent with the kabiyesi complex, our politics thrives on generating a herd of loyal followers, but no more. Our economy, alas, clearly needs much more than idobale (the prostration before elders and bosses by the youths and subordinates that the Yoruba esteem as a mark of respect) and alaye (preferment for explanations over action) to move forward.

Uddin Ifeanyi, journalist manque and retired civil servant, can be reached @IfeanyiUddin.

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A statewide law enforcement crackdown on impaired driving in North Dakota resulted in 92 DUI arrests.

The "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" enforcement campaign was conducted Dec. 15 through Jan. 31. There were a total of 147 alcohol- or drug-related citations issued, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The campaign was part of North Dakota's Vision Zero strategy to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads. For more information, go to https://visionzero.nd.gov/.
After over a decade of insurgency in the North-east, there has been a significant escalation of terrorism in the North-west zone of the country. From Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina and Sokoto states, reports of killings, kidnappings, the destruction of properties and other forms of degradation of human lives continue to cascade ad nauseam. It is not, therefore, shocking that a recent report attributed to a UN study, claims that 24 terror-cells exist in 30 forests in the region, with many of them in Katsina State.

The figure, whether exact or a learned conjecture, signifies that it is not in doubt that there are recurrent and widespread acts of barbarity evident in kidnappings, killings and the raping of women and teenagers in the zone. Their inherent anguish and lamentations are devastating. No fresher evidence could be more hideous than last Thursdays kidnapping of 100 pupils of LEA primary school; and another 187 students of a college  all in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A total of 287 young Nigerians were corralled into a nearby forest by the terrorists, without any intelligence for security operatives to immediately trail them and rescue the victims. The dust of protests from residents of the same Chikun LGA, who barricaded the Abuja-Kaduna Highway a few days earlier, over incessant terror attacks, had yet to settle, when this latest dastardly incident occurred.

Kaduna and Borno states are yoked together in last Thursdays harvest of bestialities. Boko Haram terrorists abducted hundreds of people from an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp last week. Initially, 200 people were reportedly involved. But Amnesty Internationals aggregate is over 400. The two ugly episodes serve as cruel reminders of the 2014 abduction of Chibok School girls. About 100 of them are still unaccounted for. The abductions are a brutal indictment of the countrys security system. Needless to say, the IDP camps ought to be governments sites for the safe custody for these unfortunate Nigerians.

Kidnapping is an act of terror, according to the countrys anti-terrorism statute, yet the authorities seem to have lost sight of this fact.

President Bola Tinubu reacted angrily to the two tragedies, directing the rescue of the victims. Nothing else is acceptable to me he insists. But the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, was even angrier, describing the terrorists as animals who deserve capital punishment. She called on state governments to see to this. These are good vibes. But immediate result-oriented action is what is needed, rather than rhetoric.

Echoes of these savageries were loud in the chambers of the House of Representatives penultimate week, when one of its members, Aliyu Abubakar from Katsina State, moved a motion for President Bola Tinubu to take action in neutralising the terror-cells and halt this gradual but steady descent into the abyss of barbarism in Nigeria. Similarly, the Senate resolved last Wednesday that the National Assembly leadership will meet the President over the escalating insecurity across the country. A senator, Emmanuel Udende from Benue North, had decried how 54 persons from his constituency were massacred a few days ago by assailants who remain elusive.

In a fit of rage and helplessness, residents recently blocked the Dutsinma-Katisna Highway and burnt tyres over the incessant banditry and kidnappings in Bichi, Wurma and neighbouring communities. Early in January, bandits emerged from the forest and shot sporadically at a convoy of vehicles carrying traders to the market. Six of these traders were killed.

The sadism was reminiscent of the killing of nine persons in October 2023, when the headquarters of Danmusa Local Government Area was attacked; among the dead was a former caretaker chairman, Dauda Mai Iyali. Apart from Damusa, Kankara, Jibia, Safana and Batsari LGAs are others under this terror siege. Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has recruited 1,500 Community Watch Corps, who are armed to reinforce regular security personnel. But the level of the monstrosity is beyond his ken, with the security under the remit of the Federal Government as encapsulated in the Constitution.

As villagers and traders are easy targets of these attacks, so are students. Late last year, five female students of Katsina State University were kidnapped, an evil fate 24 students of Federal University of Gusau suffered too. The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, Joseph Hayub, recently disclosed that N250 million was paid as ransom to terrorists for the release of 121 students of Baptist High School, kidnapped in 2021. The last of the victims, Treasure Ayuba, escaped from the kidnappers den recently, prompting the CAN chairman to heave a sigh of relief and visit Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, where he made the disclosure.

Forests like the Kwiambana Games Reserve, Madada and others that straddle many states in the region are behemoths in this crisis, in the absence of enough forest rangers, or their lack, to checkmate the activities of terrorists who have made these nebulous territories their hideouts. Underworld kingpins like Ali Kachallah and Godo Gida, with a large army of non-state actors, operating from these fortresses need to be taken out. Virtually, all state governors from the zone have visited the president to solicit for more military or security presence in their domains to route these criminals.

Given how these terrorists migrate from one state to another when security forces attack them, well-coordinated and simultaneous aerial bombardments of the forests, guided by intelligence, for maximum effect, is now a necessity. Marching 287 students into a forest, as it has just happened in Kaduna, is emblematic of zero security presence in the area, as in most rural communities across the federation. This is a deplorable situation! In the South-east, Biafran irredentists are active in their various cells, killing mostly security personnel and citizens who dare them.

It appears governments at all levels are no longer conscious or mindful of the sanctity of life as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Section 33 (1) states, Every person has a right to life and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life This inalienable right, we dare say, has been lost in Nigeria.

President Tinubu has acknowledged that vast areas of the country are not policed or are under the authority of non-state actors, evident in his recent acquiescence to devolve policing in the country. With Nigerias unwholesome experience in the last two decades, and no sign of insecurity abating, Tinubu has to effectively walk his talk: We shall reform our security doctrine and its architecture. This was a self-imposed task on his inauguration on 29 May, 2023.

Perhaps, unknown to him, security on his watch is ineluctably gravitating towards the Muhammadu Buhari regimes highway of hopelessness. In January, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) put the number of Nigerians killed since Tinubu assumed office at 2,423, while 1,872 were kidnapped. Initial signals lent credence to this prognosis, with 629 Nigerians reportedly killed within his first 45 days on the seat, as claimed by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, quoting SMB Intelligence data. Information from the Nigerian National Tracker indicates that 89,920 people were killed in the first seven years of the Buhari administration  from 29 May, 2015 to May 2022. These were Nigerians failed by the state and nobody is held to account.

All are agreed that: The security architecture of Nigeria has failed woefully as Ahmad Lawan, a former President of the Ninth Senate, put it last week when the mayhem in Benue State was debated in the red chambers. This is a crass failure of political leadership and violence to the Constitution, in view of the primacy of the protection of lives, in the hierarchy of governance.

At Tinubus instance, a committee has been set up to plumb the depths of setting up state police in the country. The sub-national governments are in concert with this; and they have to work, putting in place granite legislative and administrative frameworks. The new policing paradigm must include a mechanism for the federal government to seize control in any state where the state police are abused, just as the National Assembly does in taking over the functions of a state house of assembly in a time of emergency. Nigeria is a federation, and should be made to function accordingly.

Consequently, enormous responsibility is placed on the non-performing National Assembly in this arduous task. The lawmakers should read the sarcastic lips of Senator Abbah Morro, and stop their hopeless motions of: We urge the security chiefs We urge NEMA, when Nigerians are routinely massacred. They have over the years failed to give Nigeria a constitution that would have addressed these challenges. The militarys inability to halt the downward spiral in insecurity is not for want of trying. They have been overstretched, performing their duties and those of the police.

Above all, the President must excise the duplicitous DNA of the Buhari regime that made it shield 400 Bureau de change operators, who are alleged terror financiers, from prosecution. These purported criminal elements were identified by the UAE. Those who thrive on terror entrepreneurship are oxygen to this evil enterprise. Tinubu, prosecute them and see the difference. Otherwise, insecurity of more embarrassing dimensions will spiral.

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In a groundbreaking development, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State demonstrated exceptional leadership by promptly addressing the tragic kidnapping incident in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government. His swift response is unprecedented, marking the first instance in Nigerias history where a sitting governor visited the scene of an attack within less than 12 hours of its occurrence.

The kidnapping of numerous school children from the Kuriga community reverberated nationwide, eliciting a swift response from Governor Sani. Despite security advisories cautioning against visiting the community, known for its dense forest and proximity to the notorious Birnin Gwari kidnapping hotspot, Governor Sani courageously defied these warnings. His decision to personally assess the situation on-site showcased not only his bold leadership but also a profound commitment to ensuring the safe return of the abducted children, expressing solidarity with the affected families.

Mr Sanis swift response assured the community and conveyed a strong commitment to addressing crises. He declared an unwavering dedication to securing the childrens release, even expressing readiness to stay in Kuriga for their safe return, earning him the title the Peoples Governor.

While some seek to politicize the tragedy for personal gain, it is crucial to prioritise efforts to secure the childrens release and prevent future incidents, avoiding the exploitation of this situation for political motives.

We stand united with the governor in urging the media to refrain from aligning with those who seek to harm Kaduna by reporting negatively. While the government, security agencies, and stakeholders persist in their efforts to secure the release of abducted children, all parties need to condemn attempts to politicize this crisis. Lets collaborate to ensure the safety and security of all residents in Kaduna State and beyond.

Mr Sanis focus on security, outlined in his SUSTAIN AGENDA, underscores the paramount importance he attributes to protecting the lives and property of Kaduna State residents. His push for the establishment of state police highlights his proactive stance in addressing security threats, demonstrating a profound grasp of the urgent requirement for comprehensive security measures.

The governors emphasis on security, as outlined in his SUSTAIN AGENDA, reflects the high priority he places on safeguarding the lives and property of the people of Kaduna State. His advocacy for the establishment of state police further showcases his proactive approach to addressing security threats, revealing a deep understanding of the pressing need for comprehensive security measures.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the government of Kaduna and its people, particularly those in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government, impacted by this unfortunate incident.

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No fewer than 564 patients out of the 636 recorded cases of meningitis outbreak in Yobe have recovered, an official has said.

The Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, Primary Healthcare Management Board, Haruna Umar, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Damaturu.

Mr Umar said that 22 deaths had been recorded with 564 patients fully recovered while the remaining 50 were being observed and managed at isolation centres

He said that the first suspected case was reported on 24 December 2023 and confirmed on 26 January.

Also, he highlighted that the 636 cases were recorded across six local government areas of Machina, Nangere, Fika, Fune, Potiskum and Gujba.

The health official assured that the government had taken proactive measures to curb the spread of the disease in the state.

The government has established treatment centres in the affected LGAs, including temporary isolation camps in some secondary schools.

The government has also engaged 18 ad hoc staff, including two medical doctors at the isolation centres, among other measures, Mr Umar added.

(NAN)

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No fewer than seven people were shot dead and many others injured, on Sunday, when gunmen attacked a market in Zurak Campani in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to residents, the attack occurred on a market day when residents gathered to buy and sell at the communitys main market.

Abdullahi Hussaini, a youth leader in the area who confirmed the incident, said the gunmen arrived at the market around 2 p.m. and opened fire at people transacting businesses.

The gunmen arrived at the market in their numbers riding on motorcycles. They started shooting sporadically, killing seven people instantly while many others were injured. The gunmen did not encounter any resistance because people were not expecting any security threat, Mr Hussaini said.

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The gunmen later fled to the bush but the police have been deployed to the community to restore law and other. We are calling for more security deployment in the area because we dont know what may happen anytime again, the youth leader added.

The spokesperson of the police in Plateau State, Alabo Alfred, did not respond to calls made to his phone about the incident.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Plateau witnesses different forms of violence including ethno-religious crises usually fuelled by the competition for land between resident farming communities and herders. Last Christmas day, gunmen attacked many communities in coordinated attacks that left scores of people dead but with none of the perpetrators yet to be apprehended.

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A Catholic priest, Andrew Obinyan, on Sunday, appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to prevail on the state House of Assembly to discontinue the impeachment process against Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.

The Edo House of Assembly on 6 March began impeachment proceedings against Mr Shaibu over alleged perjury and disclosure of government secrets.

Mr Obinyan, who is the parish priest of St Francis Catholic Church, Benin City, Edo State, in a statement, appealed to the governor to leave his deputy alone to deal with his issues and resolve them without initiating impeachment, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

The priest said the lawmakers must not take any action that bears the semblance of retaliation.

Why you shouldnt do this, Obaseki

To Governor Obaseki, he said, May it not be in the annals of Edo political history that there was once a deputy governor, impeached under your watch for his aspiration.

Mr Obinyan said he regarded the governor as a civilised and enlightened man.

It will be perceived as a sting of betrayal and it will invariably redefine loyalty and aspiration as antithetical.

Please, do not get me wrong, because this is far more polite than you can imagine. This is the kernel of my entreaty, Mr Obinyan said in the statement.

The Catholic priest noted that reconciliation was always a prosperous option and urged the governor to listen to his kind heart.

He said, I am not insinuating he must be governor. Yet, we cannot justify an impeachment without putting a wedge on the path of positive advancement in other spheres of life.

Do yourselves a favour because you dont know the next victim in sudden political twists and turns.

Dear Mr Governor, here is the point. Bear with Comrade Philip Shaibu, not for his sake but for the sake of your own indomitable spirit.

What I see in you is what I see in your deputy, a resolute spirit. We often say only God can determine who gets power.

This saying should not be personalised and meaningful only when it is to our advantage.

When you were at your lowest point and facing your political trials, your rock bottom foundation was the support from Edo people and your deputy, who you used to call your brother, he added.

Edo 2024 politics

The move to impeach Mr Shaibu is apparently because of his insistence to contest for the 2024 governorship election in Edo against the wish of Governor Obaseki, who prefers another person, Asue Ighodalo, to succeed him as governor.

Mr Ighodalo, a former banker, recently won the PDP governorship ticket in Edo while Mr Shaibu, through a parallel primary election in which he was a lone candidate, claimed he is the rightful candidate of the party.

Mr Shaibu was a strong political ally of Governor Obaseki until his (Shaibu) governorship ambition created a feud between both of them. He (Shaibu) stood in solidarity with Mr Obaseki when Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo and the then national chairperson of the APC, wanted to stop the governor from running for a second term.

Both Governor Obaseki and Mr Shaibu defected from the APC to the PDP where they got the party ticket and later won in the 2020 general election.

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Emmanuel Ogboo, from Ossamala in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, has decried the arrest and detention of his 17-year-old son, Chinedu Ogboo, since 16 February.

Mr Ogboo, on Sunday, said his son was been taken to Atani Division, Okpoko Division and later to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka.

He said his son was arrested alongside his 16-year-old colleague, Chima Ossai, over a fire outbreak at the company where they worked.

He said the company (name withheld), which manufactures single-use food packs, is at Atani Road, Odoekpe, in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Mr Ogboo said the company alleged that the teenagers were the last to exit the section where the fire incident occurred which led the company security personnel to arrest and hand them over to the police.

He wondered why the teenagers have been detained for 24 days without bail or prosecution. He expressed concern over the mental and physiological health of his son, whom he said may have been locked up in a cell with criminals.

I need the world to hear me. My son and his friend who work in a company have been in police detention since 16 February.

The company claims that the duo were responsible for the fire outbreak in their factory, though they claimed the fire started immediately when they left the section, but the camera did not detect any weapon in their possession to ignite the fire.

They did not kill, they did not steal. Why will those children be kept by the Police without bail or trial? These boys have been moved from Atani to Okpoko and SCID. I am afraid about the life and health of my son, he said.

What the law says

A lawyer in Anambra, Reginald Uzoechi said the Nigerian law forbids suspects being kept in police custody for over 48 hours without being charged to court.

Mr Uzoechi said being underage does not confer immunity on the suspects from due process of investigation and prosecution, but that their continued detention amounted to gross abuse of their fundamental human rights.

The Law requires that when you arrest a suspect, you should charge them to court not later than 48 hours, but if arraigned, the court grants that the Police should detain for as long as it permits.

It is illegal and an abuse of human rights to throw people into detention perpetually, more so, when they are teenagers. It will amount to exposing them to real criminals, which will leave them mentally bruised, he said.

The police spokesperson in Anambra, Toochukwu Ikenga, told the News Agency of Nigeria that he was not aware of the matter.

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An Akure Magistrates Court, on Monday, sentenced two farmers, Hassan Augustine, 55, and Felix Balogun, 47, to two weeks of community service for unlawful possession of camouflage uniforms of the Nigerian army.

The Magistrate, O. W Dosumu, ordered that the community service would be served within the new court complex, Oke Eda, Akure, between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. every day within the period.

She held that the farmers were convicted following their guilty plea and the prosecution proving its case beyond reasonable doubt against the two farmers.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Adeboye Adesegun, had informed the court that the convicts were caught with the uniforms at Wese Camp, Ipele in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.

According to him, the convicts could not give a satisfactory account of how they came about the uniforms when they were arrested.

The prosecutor, who tendered the convicts confessional statements and the army uniforms as exhibits, asked the court to sentence the farmers accordingly.

Mr Adesegun added that the offences contravened Sections 516 and 428 (a) and (b) of the Criminal Code Cap 33, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

(NAN)

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A Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates Court sitting in Lagos, on Monday, remanded former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambodes chef, Victor Abayomi, for allegedly stealing valuables worth millions at his Ikoyi residence.

The Chief Magistrate, Peter Nwaka, ordered the remand of the defendant for 30 days in Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

Mr Nwaka, however, adjourned the case until 8 April for investigation and presentation of facts.

Mr Abayomi whose house address was not provided, is standing trial on a two-court charge of conspiracy and theft.

Earlier, the legal officer, Joshua Babalola, in the employment of the State Security Service (SSS), told the court that Mr Abayomi and some others still at large committed the offences at the residence of the former governor.

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Mr Babalola alleged that the defendant carted away valuable items worth millions of naira from his employers residence at Ikoyi.

He said the defendant absconded to Old Garage, Molorundo Local Government Area, Osun State, where he was arrested by Ambodes SSS on March 7.

The offences, Mr Babalola said, contravened sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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The North Dakota Stockmens Association and its Foundation have launched a relief fund for ranchers impacted by massive wildfires in Texas.

The nonprofits have created the Operation Lone Star Disaster Relief Fund, put $2,000 in it, and are inviting donations. Checks can be sent to NDSF, 4520 Ottawa St., Bismarck, ND 58503. Donations also can be made online at www.ndstockmen.org. All of the money raised will go to cattle-ranching wildfire victims, according to the Stockmen's.

The wildfires in Texas have burned more than a million acres and killed thousands of cattle.

What Texas has been through is almost unimaginable, Stockmen's Foundation President Jeff Schafer said. We want impacted Texas cattle ranchers to know their North Dakota friends are here for them and praying for them as they overcome this tragedy.
The Company continues its commitment to providing traders with industry-leading offerings

PANAMA CITY, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Deribit, the world's largest crypto options exchange, announced the launch of three altcoins options: Solana (SOL), XRP, and Polygon (MATIC). SOL options begin trading today and will be followed tomorrow by options on MATIC and XRP.

The price of Solana increasing by over 1700% since the beginning of 2023 has set the stage for blockbuster activity in Solana options. Furthermore, there has been increasing demand from institutional traders looking to gain additional exposure to altcoins across the board, and these new offerings from Deribit are the latest step for the exchange to offer quality products with deep liquidity. With the addition of three altcoin options, Deribit now offers more trading possibilities for traders and an intuitive product for altcoin investors to express broad opinions on the market.

Luuk Strijers, Chief Commercial Officer of Deribit, stated: "Adopting USDC for settling options positions grants traders critical benefits: it eliminates the need for rebalancing collateral when holding positions across multiple altcoins like SOLANA, MATIC, and XRP, reduces the requirement for hedging for those aiming to maintain a stable USD position, simplifies profit and loss calculations by obviating the need to convert returns into BTC or ETH, and enables the efficient implementation of trading strategies, including cash-secured puts."

These new altcoin option markets will use USDC as the settlement currency. Using USDC as the settlement currency has several potential benefits for traders:

The same currency can be used for each of the different altcoin currency options, so there is no need to rebalance the collateral when positions are held in multiple currencies at once.

For traders who prefer to remain flat in USD terms, less hedging is required compared to holding BTC or ETH as collateral.

The launch of these altcoin options follows various platform improvements and milestones, such as a full upgrade of the portfolio margin model , attaining ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications, the launch of Fireblocks Off Exchange custody capabilities, and the launch of Mass Quotes for options market makers.

For additional information, visit:

https://insights.deribit.com/education/new-altcoin-options-on-deribit-sol-xrp-matic/

About Deribit

Deribit is the dominant crypto options exchange with the highest open interest in dated BTC and ETH futures. Their state-of-the-art infrastructure offers instantaneous price discovery, low latency trading, advanced risk mitigation services, a variety of custodial solutions, and deep liquidity via its network of top-tier market makers. Led by a team with decades of experience in options across all markets, Deribit has the gold standard in proof of assets and liabilities.

For additional information, visit: https://www.deribit.com/

Media Contact

M Group Strategic Communications (On behalf of Deribit)

deribitpr@mgroupsc.com

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CHICAGO, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Activated Carbon Market by Type (Powdered Activated Carbon, Granular Activated Carbon), Application (Liquid Phase Application, and Gas Phase Application), End-Use Industry, Raw Material (Coal, Coconut, Wood, Peat), and Region - Global Forecast to 2030", Activated Carbon Market size is projected to grow from USD 4.4 billion in 2023 to USD 8.4 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period.

The increasing global population and improving living standards contribute to a heightened demand for clean air and water. Hence, there is a rise in the purification of both air and water, which drives the activated carbon market during the forecast period. Additionally, factors such as the growing food and beverage industry, recovery of the automotive sector, and strict government regulations further propel the market for activated carbon. However, the market faces challenges due to the scarcity of raw materials, leading to price hikes. The reactivation of activated carbon presents lucrative opportunities for producers in the industry. Weak economic growth remains a significant challenge for the market.

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Powdered Activated Carbon accounted for the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

With its small particle size, powdered activated carbon boasts a large surface area and exceptional adsorption capacity, rendering it highly effective in eliminating various contaminants like organic compounds, colorants, and odors from both water and air. It finds widespread application in water treatment, wastewater treatment, food and beverage processing, and air purification tasks.

Coconut based raw material segment accounted for the second largest market during the forecast period.

A prominent type of activated carbon originates from coconut shells, significant for its abundant micropores ideal for water filtration. Sourced from renewable coconut trees with lifespans exceeding 70 years, this carbon variety exhibits increased hardness and filtration effectiveness, making it highly applicable across a wide range of water treatment scenarios. Its filtration efficiency and performance depend on various factors and carbon characteristics. Recognized for its high levels of hardness, purity, and low ash content, coconut-derived activated carbon serves as a potent adsorbent for a diverse array of contaminant.

Gas phase application segment accounted for the highest CACR during the forecast period.

Activated carbon is vital in gas phase applications as it effectively adsorbs a wide range of pollutants and contaminants found in the air. This includes harmful gases like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), odors, and airborne dust particles. By adsorbing these substances, activated carbon helps to purify the air, ensuring it is safe and healthy for inhalation. This makes activated carbon filters advantageous in air purification systems used in industrial, commercial, residential, and automotive settings. Activated carbon plays a significant role in mitigating emissions in exhaust systems by capturing and neutralizing harmful gases before they are released into the atmosphere. Thus, activated carbon is essential for improving air quality, reducing pollution, and safeguarding human health in gas phase applications.

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Food & beverage end-use industry is projected to be the third largest market during the forecast period.

Activated carbon finds extensive application in the food & beverage industry for purifying food ingredients and enhancing their color. Its usage spans various processes, including the removal of color from food products such as oils and other edible items. Specific applications include purifying sweeteners (fructose, glucose, and dextrose syrups), edible oils, glycerine, wine, juices, and organic and inorganic acids (such as adipic, citric, lactic, and phosphoric acids). Additionally, activated carbon is essential to the preparation of materials for beverage production, including soft and alcoholic beverages. It helps the decolorization of sugar syrup, removal of disinfecting agents from municipal water, treatment of bore-hole sources containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), purification of carbon dioxide from fermentation processes, and adjustment of specification products like beers, wines, and spirits.

Europe is projected to be the third largest region during the forecast period.

Europe serves as a manufacturing hub for prominent pharmaceutical companies. The pharmaceutical industry in the region is primarily propelled by rising investments in research and development (R&D), significant expenditures on pharmaceuticals, and a rapidly aging population. Regulatory oversight from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) ensures adherence to stringent standards regarding drug purity and quality, thereby stimulating the demand for activated carbon within this sector.

The key players profiled in the report include Diagas Group (Japan), Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Japan), Haycarb PLC (Sri Lanka), Norit (Netherlands), Kureha Corporation (Japan), BASF SE (Germany), Albemarle Inc. (US), Ingevity (US), Iluka Resources Limited (Australia), Tronox Holdings Plc (US), Evoqua Water Technologies LLC (US) and other leading companies in this market.

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Pitch competition to be held March 27 during On Tech @ On Aging 2024

ATLANTA, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AgeTech Atlanta and the American Society on Aging today announced finalists for the AgeTech Challenge Innovation Showcase 2024. Finalists will pitch to an A-list panel of venture capitalists for the chance to win $10K during On Tech @ On Aging 2024, a four-day summit within the On Aging conference. On Tech includes a complete AgeTech track of workshops and speakers, a two-hour AI event featuring investors and innovators, as well as a Startup Alley featuring AgeTech devices and technologies designed to help older adults live their best lives. This year's On Aging Conference will be held March 25-28 in San Francisco and is the largest multidisciplinary conference on aging in the country.

"We're thrilled to announce another blockbuster lineup of finalists for this year's AgeTech Challenge Innovation Showcase at On Aging 2024," said Jeff Gray, founder of AgeTech Atlanta. "These innovations are as diverse as the founders who created them, with women-founded ventures leading the charge and representing seven out of the group of finalists."

The AgeTech Challenge Innovation Showcase will feature early-stage companies from across North America that are developing groundbreaking solutions geared toward older adults, their caregivers, and the industries serving them, including fintech, logistics, Internet security, travel and hospitality, retail, digital health, smart home, and IoT. The finalists are:

"Over 12,000 people turn 65 every day in the U.S. The business and mission opportunities for the tech sector are clear, and the American Society on Aging is proud to support today's innovators as they work to meet this moment," said Leanne Clark-Shirley, CEO of the American Society on Aging. "We can't wait to host the AgeTech Challenge Innovation Showcase at On Aging in San Francisco, especially as we celebrate our 70th birthday. Together, the ASA, AgeTech Atlanta, and these innovators are helping write the future of AgeTech enterprise!"

Tickets to attend the AgeTech Challenge Innovation Showcase in San Francisco are included with the On Tech @ On Aging conference passes.

About AgeTech Atlanta

AgeTech Atlanta is a close-knit community of Atlanta-based innovators that are committed to changing the definition and experience of aging. Founded in 2021, AgeTech Atlanta is on a mission to make Atlanta #1 in AgeTech innovation. Our group is composed of startup founders, industry mavericks, educators, researchers, and influencers in the fields of AgeTech, eldercare, and longevity. For more information, visit our website at www.agetechatlanta.com .

About the American Society on Aging

The American Society on Aging was founded in 1954. Celebrating 70 years, the organization serves 6,000+ members and over 180,000 constituents who work in, support, or provide care to the world's fastest-growing population, our aging population. Learn more at www.asaging.org .

Media Contact:

Kathy Berardi

Carabiner Communications

678-644-4122

[email protected]

SOURCE AgeTech Atlanta
NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- An artificial intelligence tool can convert doctor-written notes that summarize patients' hospital visits into accurate, lay language, a new study found.

The research focuses on discharge notes written by doctors to capture patient's health status in the medical record as they are discharged from the hospital. Effective summaries are essential for patient safety during these transitions in care, but are filled with technical language and abbreviations that are hard to understand and increase patient anxiety, say the study authors.

To address the problem, NYU Langone Health has been testing the capabilities of a form of artificial intelligence (AI) called generative AI, which develops likely options for the next word in any sentence based on how billions of people use words in context on the internet. A result of this next-word prediction is that the such generative AI "chatbots" have become good at replying to questions in realistic, simple language, and at producing clear summaries of complex texts. However, AI programs, which work based on probabilities instead of "thinking," may produce inaccurate summaries and so are meant to assist, not replace, human providers.

To explore generative AI, NYU Langone Health in March 2023 received access to GPT4, the latest tool from OpenAI, the company that created the famous chatGPT chatbot. NYU Langone Health licensed one of the first "private instances" of the tool, which freed hundreds of its frontline clinicians to experiment with AI-based solutions to clinical problems using real patient data, while adhering to federal standards that protect the patient privacy.

One of the first studies by researchers using GPT4, publishing online March 11 in JAMA Network Open, looked at how well the tool could convert 50 patient discharge notes into patient-friendly language. Specifically, running discharge notes through generative AI dropped the reports from an eleventh-grade reading level on average to a sixth grade level, the gold standard for patient education materials.

The team also ranked the AI discharge report translations using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), which generates a percentage score based on 19 factors on the ability of patients to understand any piece of reading material. GPT-4 translation raised PEMAT understandability scores to 81 percent, up from 13 percent seen with the original doctor-written discharge reports from the medical record.

The research team designed the study to look at AI performance by itself as a scientific question: How far could it go independently when translating discharge reports?

"GPT-4 worked well alone with some gaps in accuracy and completeness, but did more than well enough to be highly effective when combined with physician oversight, the way it would be used in the real world," says senior study author Jonah Feldman, MD, medical director of Clinical Transformation and Informatics within NYU Langone Health's Medical Center Information Technology (MCIT) Department of Health Informatics. "One focus of the study was on how much work physicians must do to oversee the tool, and the answer is very little. Such tools could reduce patient anxiety even as they save each providers hours each week in medical paperwork, a major source of burnout."

To measure the accuracy of the AI tool translations, the authors also asked two physicians to review the AI discharge summary for accuracy based on a 6-point scale. The reviewing physicians awarded just 54% of the AI-generated discharge notes the best possible accuracy rating. They also found that just 56% of notes created by AI were entirely complete. These results, however, must be considered in context, say the authors. For instance, they say, the results signify that, even at the current performance level, providers would not have to make a single change in more than half of the AI summaries reviewed.

Feldman notes that generative AI tools are sensitive, and asking a question of the tool in two subtly different ways may yield divergent answers. The skill required to frame the questions asked of chatbots in a way that elicits the desired response, called prompt engineering, combines intuition and experimentation. Physicians and nurses, with their deep understanding of individual cases and nuanced medical contexts, are best positioned to engineer prompts, say the authors, and without learning to write computer code.

Within weeks, the research team will be launching a program interviewing patients waiting to be discharged whether AI-generated reports are clear and helpful after physician review. By the summer, the team expects to launch a pilot program to integrate GPT4-generated, physician-reviewed lay language discharge summaries to patients on a larger scale.

"Having more than half of the AI reports generated being accurate and complete is an amazing start," says first study author Jonah Zaretsky, MD, Associate Chief of Medicine at NYU Langone HospitalBrooklyn. "Even at the current level of performance, which we expect to improve shortly, the scores achieved by the AI tool suggest that it can be taught to recognize subtleties."

Along with Feldman and Zaretsky, NYU Langone study authors were Jonathan Austrian and Yindalon Aphinyanaphongs from the MCIT Department of Health Informatics, Jeong Min Kim and Saul Blecker, and Department of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine; Yunan Zhao from the Department of Population Health; Samuel Baskharoun from the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, and Ravi Gupta from NYU Langone Health's Long Island Community Hospital.

Contact: Gregory Williams, [email protected]

SOURCE NYU Langone Health System
SHARON SPRINGS, N.Y., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Beekman 1802 has developed the first vegan bio-milk in the beauty industry - a plant-based, reverse-engineered alternative to goat milk ushering in a new future of biotech skin care. This new Shine-Free range with vegan goat milk targets the needs of oily and combination skin and is tailored towards Gen Z to actively balance the skin barrier.

Beekman 1802 Dupe Themselves with Groundbreaking Biotech Vegan Goat Milk Post this Beekman 1802's Shine-Free Range Collection Goat Milk vs. Vegan Goat Milk

"Not only did we acknowledge that the younger user searches for vegan skincare, we recognized that goat milk is so rich in fatty acids and researched how to create lighter textures with the same composition of nutrients. This is the beauty of biotechnology." - Jill Scalamandre, CEO at Beekman 1802.

After having researched goat milk science for 15 years, Beekman 1802 most recently conducted a white paper study to identify the exact composition and weight of the 31 nutrients found inside every drop of goat milk. Although Goat milk fatty acids are rich and ultra-hydrating for dry skin, they may be too heavy for those with oily or blemish-prone skin.

Beekman 1802 worked with 20+ chemists and scientists in labs in Colorado and Florida, ALS testing labs (in vivo and in vitro) in California, as well as key biotech companies, Croda & Sederma, to successfully reverse engineer Beekman's signature goat milk into a 100% vegan form. The result, a lighter formula that balances the skin barrier and microbiome, controls shine while also being safe for those with sensitive skin. 92% of a 26-subject questionnaire, ages 20-30, saw healthy hydration with a reduction in oil and shine when using products as instructed.

"To clone goat milk into a Shine-Free Range, we looked to plant biotech actives that were safe for sensitive skin with great amino acid profiles like goat milk has but with the added benefit of being powerful astringents, and natural degreasers with barrier balancing properties for oily/combo skin without using harsh acids or harsh exfoliants." - Ayesha Bshero, Head of Development at Beekman 1802.

Key Products & Ingredients

SHINE FREE / Shine Control Gel Cream Moisturizer : $28 Vegan Goat Milk: A breakthrough biotech "milk" that reverse engineers the skin benefits of goat milk to target oil/combination skin 1% Heptapeptide: antimicrobial peptide that supports the skin barrier by promoting microbiome health 4D Hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid hold thousands times their weight in water to help hydrate on the surface and deep within the skin Glacier Water: Instantly cools, while softening skin and reducing flakiness

$22 SHINE FREE / Pore Minimizing Facial Toner Vegan Goat Milk: A breakthrough biotech "milk" that reverse engineers the skin benefits of goat milk to target oil/combination skin Niacinamide: Vitamin B3 brightens skin and visibly improves the look of pores Black Tea Ferment: Strengthens the skin barrier while lifting away oil, dirty and makeup

$20 SHINE FREE / Oil Eliminating Foaming Gel Cleanser Vegan Goat Milk: A breakthrough biotech "milk" that reverse engineers the skin benefits of goat milk to target oil/combination skin Succinic Acid: A gentler alternative to salicylic acid that controls sebum and eliminates excess oil Pineapple Ceramide: Improves hydration and supports a healthy skin barrier



To launch the Shine-Free collection, Beekman 1802 took a full 360 approach with their newly "cloned" vegan goat milk. The campaign kicked off with an "ALTER (v)EGO'' open casting call which invited and received over 2K applicants including look-alikes and dynamic duos to be the faces of the new launch. Focusing on Gen Z, Beekman 1802 will partner with mega stars on TikTok such as the Mian Twins, while also tapping into Gen Z's love for nostalgia with a Chia Pet collaboration where the brand mascot "Goatie" will literally transform into a vegan form.

"Our new vegan biotech milk was such a revolution in skin science, that we wanted to celebrate this launch with a campaign that was both breakthrough and relatable for Gen Z. We really leaned into the "cloning" aspect of the vegan milk science - from our look-alike casting contest, to our twin-fluencer social influencer strategy, to cloning our mascot Goatie with our Chia Pet collaboration." - Brad Farrell, Chief Marketing Officer at Beekman 1802.

Availability

The Beekman 1802 x Shine Free Collection ($20-$28), along with the 3-Step Oily + Combination Skin Starter Kit ($28) is available now on Beekman1802.com and on Ulta.com and Ulta locations across the country, while supplies last.

About Beekman 1802

Beekman 1802 is a skin health brand based on the clinical science of 2 ingredients: Goat Milk and Kindness. Founded by Dr. Brent Ridge, a Harvard-trained longevity physician, and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, bestseller author, the brand is a leading milk-based brand for sensitive skin. With its 31 active ingredients that strengthen the skin barrier and balance the microbiome, Beekman 1802 products are Clinically Kind and proven to rebalance, rebuild, and repair even the most sensitive skin to its healthiest state.

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Beekman 1802
ATLANTA, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 100 women have signed on to a statement in support of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Signers include Shirley Franklin, former Atlanta Mayor, and civil rights leader, Helen Butler. The statement on DogonVillage.com reads as follows:

We, the undersigned women, fully support Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and call for an immediate end to the unwarranted investigations into her personal life, as it bears no relevance to her professional responsibilities.

When Black women ascend to positions where their voices can be heard, their presence seen, and their power felt, it often unsettles certain individuals in this country. We are currently witnessing a concerted effort to scrutinize and attack Black women in positions of power, finding any issue or flaw, no matter how small, to use against them. In Charles M. Blow's New York Times column, "The Persecution of Harvard's Claudine Gay,' he refers to this phenomenon as the "Wonder Woman requirement"the relentless pursuit of the slightest imperfections to persecute Black women who rise to high positions.

We knew that the first Black woman to become the district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia would face challenges, especially when prosecuting powerful men. We simply request that DA Fani Willis be afforded the same dignity and respect as her peers, or merely treated with the same level of respect as previously shown to her. There was no scrutiny of her personal life when she prosecuted and locked up Black teachers, or when she indicted Black gang members. Let's not alter the standards just because she's pursuing wealthy, politically-involved men. Remove the unfair burdens placed on Black women and stop subjecting us to higher standards than others. We are not Wonder Woman.

Black women have endured centuries of oppression, from slavery and Jim Crow to various forms of bias. We've been the backbone of the fight for civil rights and women's rights. We've shouldered the burden of holding families together amidst the fallout from a welfare system that divided us, the scourge of drugs, and mass incarceration that took our fathers, husbands, and sons away. We continue the tireless battle against police brutality, inequality, and voter suppression. Despite these challenges, Black women persist in pursuing education and have broken barriers to excel in all sectors of the professional world.

It's time for this biased treatment to end. As the brave freedom fighter, Fannie Lou Hamer declared, "we are sick and tired of being sick and tired." Let Fani Willis' private life remain exactly that  private. Stop the witch hunt.

For a list of signers visit www.dogonvillage.com/?p=10147.

Media Contact :

Edrea Davis :

(818)-613-9521

[email protected]

Makeda Smith:

[email protected]

SOURCE DogonVillage.com
Event series offers free colon cancer screenings and resources in historically underserved Latino communities in southern California.

OAKLAND, Calif., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California is teaming up with Zocalo Health, an innovative primary health care service for the Latino community, to host a "Cafecito, Cumbia, & Salud" event series, which will include free colon cancer screening for communities across California. These events aim to raise awareness about preventative health, remove the stigma associated with seeking medical help, and provide culturally appropriate resources to improve health outcomes across the Latino community.

"Blue Shield of California is proud to partner with Zocalo Health to host these important community conversations about colon cancer," said Jackie Ejuwa, Vice President, Health Transformation, Blue Shield of California. "We know that colon cancer is the third leading cause of death in Latino men and women, and that young Latinos, between ages 20 and 29, are seeing some of the highest increases in distant-stage, early onset colorectal cancer. Raising awareness about cancer screening is one way we can help reverse this concerning trend."

Preventive health is often overlooked despite being essential for reducing the risk of chronic diseases, such as colon cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Many Latinos underutilize preventive health services due to lack of insurance, language barriers, or cultural dissonance. When it comes to colon cancer screening, only 42% of Latinos aged 45 and older were up to date in 2018, compared to 58% of non-Latino whites, according to the American Cancer Society. With screening, doctors can find and remove polyps before they spread or progress into cancer, making treatment easier.

"Rooted in culture, traditions, and trust, these events are a great way to build community," said Erik Cardenas, CEO and Co-Founder, Zocalo Health. "By bringing together trusted and vetted healthcare professionals, city leaders, and other mission-driven service providers, we can begin to build inroads into these vibrant communities while delivering essential programming and raising awareness about critical health topics affecting our people."

The first three of seven events are scheduled in the following communities:

Friday, March 8 , 5:00 PM  8:00 PM PST : Dagny's Coffee Co, 1600 20th Street #3902, Bakersfield, CA 93301

Dagny's Coffee Co, 1600 20th Street #3902, 93301 Friday, March 29 , 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM PST : Mi Cafesito Van Ness, 1495 North Van Ness Avenue Fresno, CA 93728

Mi Cafesito Van Ness, 1495 North Van Ness Avenue 93728 Thursday, April 18 , 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM PST : Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC), 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, CA 93030

The events are family-friendly, including numerous activities designed to engage children while parents learn valuable health information. Attendees can start the event with delicious free pan dulce and coffee, enjoy the lively rhythms of Cumbia music, and take part in the overall inviting atmosphere. Most importantly, they'll be able to take advantage of complimentary health screenings, an essential step in proactive health management for themselves and their family.

About Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. Blue Shield of California is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with over 4.8 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $24 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $97 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities.

For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com.

Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

About Zocalo Health

Zocalo Health is a Latino-founded healthcare service designed for the Latino patient. Our primary care model blends tradition with innovation and prioritizes trusting relationships between care teams and patients. Each member of Zocalo Health is paired with a promotor de salud (community health worker) to establish a relationship to better understand members' goals and connect them to a Zocalo Health physician. Our team of physicians, hired from the community, focus on prevention, primary care, behavioral health, and traditional practices that work together to support our members' wellness. Operating in the states of California, Washington, and Texas, Zocalo Health offers affordable and convenient same-day access to culturally-aligned providers.

###

CONTACT: Mashi Nyssen

Blue Shield of California

510-607-2359

[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Shield of California
ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, February 29, 2024, Bound Tree Medical partnered with leading local, state and national organizations to discuss strengthening the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workforce and reimbursement. During a community-based roundtable discussion, EMS leaders presented their challenges and proposed ideas to address the significant challenges facing the EMS community due to years of underfunding, a chronic workforce shortage, increased demand for services, and the need for new facilities and equipment.

Rob Meriweather, Bound Tree Medical's President of Emergency Preparedness, indicated his strong support of first responders in Pennsylvania and across the country, stating that "decisionmakers must act now to equip EMT's and paramedics with the support they need so they can continue to provide our communities with the care they deserve."

EMS in the Commonwealth and nationally is facing a crippling workforce shortage. According to Regional EMS Chief Chris Woolfolk, "Many Pennsylvania communities are facing crisis-level shortages of EMS personnel and have been negatively impacted by agency closures, thus threatening their ability to provide crucial emergency healthcare services." Many voiced support of a new $1 million tuition assistance program to help recruit and retain EMS professionals for the workforce announced by the Shapiro Administration.

Heather Sharar, Executive Director of the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania, noted that the amount of uncompensated care absorbed by ambulance services is extensive. "Ambulance providers receive below-cost reimbursement for more than 70% of all transports," she said, adding that "uncompensated care, if left unaddressed, threatens the financial stability of the entire EMS safety net."

Bound Tree's roundtable discussion assisted in gathering key stakeholders to discuss how to best support those in the EMS industry, ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of various programs. In addition to EMS leaders, representatives from the offices of Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Robert Casey, Congressman Lloyd Smucker and State Senator Ryan Aument attended the event and offered insights.

For the latest updates on key EMS federal legislation and how to get involved with congressional letters of support, go to www.boundtree.com/ems-advocacy.

About Bound Tree Medical

Bound Tree Medical, part of the Sarnova family of companies, is a leading, nationwide distributor of emergency medical equipment, supplies, pharmaceuticals and services to EMS, fire and other first responders. For more information on Sarnova's family of companies, visit www.sarnova.com.

Media Contact:

Beth Scott

Director, Marketing Communications, Sarnova

[email protected]

SOURCE Bound Tree Medical, LLC
JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (IDX: BBRI) hosted the BRI Microfinance Outlook 2024, opening on March 7th with Indonesian President Joko Widodo underscoring the pivotal role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for the nation's economy. With around 65 million MSMEs contributing 61 percent to the country's GDP and employing 97 percent of the workforce, President Jokowi applauded BRI's efforts in empowering MSMEs, stating, "Focusing on MSMEs is the right move, and I am pleased to hear from the BRI Director (Sunarso) that digital banking services have truly reached the grassroots level."

Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia together with Sunarso, BRI President Director; Kartika Wirjoatmodjo, Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises; Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Trade; Sri Mulyani, Minister of Finance; Erick Thohir, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises; and Teten Masduki, Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs at the opening of BRI Microfinance Outlook 2024 (03/07)

Sunarso, BRI President Director, explained how banking, particularly BRI, can empower communities, especially MSMEs, by providing funding opportunities, particularly for Ultra Micro entrepreneurs who lack access to formal financial services, saying, "BRI has taken concrete actions, including establishing the Ultra Micro Holding, where BRI, along with Pengadaian and PNM, provides integrated financial services." Sunarso added, "Thanks to President Jokowi's support, the initiative has reached 44 million MSME credit customers and 173 million depositors."

Additionally, BRI demonstrates its commitment to financial inclusion through AgenBRILink, facilitating transactions outside traditional branch offices or ATMs, generating economic and social value. By December 2023, AgenBRILink has expanded to 741 thousand agents, with significant public enthusiasm, especially in rural areas.

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani emphasized MSMEs' importance, stating, "Currently, 97% of job creation in Indonesia comes from MSMEs. However, their contribution to exports is still small, around 15%." She added, "With synergy, we can maintain Indonesia's economic growth at a high but inclusive level, benefiting MSMEs."

Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki addressed challenges, emphasizing the need for policy innovations. "Policy ecosystem innovations for MSMEs are needed, including optimizing supply chain credit and supporting insurance guarantees," said Teten.

Joining President Jokowi at the event were Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, and Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Kartika Wirjoatmodjo. The annual BRI Microfinance Outlook 2024 aims to discuss MSMEs' vital role in economic growth. Held in a seminar format with expert speakers, the event garnered appreciation for its contribution to enhancing MSME competitiveness globally.

For more information on BRI, visit www.bri.co.id .

SOURCE PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk (BRI)
So far, I've read four books from the famous Chinese author who wrote in

English. Mid Feb, someone posted in the online forum, MYSJ, a short bio of Ha

Jin and the next week I finished 'Waiting,' Mr. Jin's National Book Award

winning piece. Its backdrop is set in the northeast China and I could definitely

relate. I don't exactly like the main characters, some reviews criticized them

as 'wooden,' but that was how I remembered people from that era. It was a good

read.

I went on to 'The Boat Rocker' which was a bit of a flop. The hero was not

defending journalistic integrity or protecting the public when he was bent on

getting even with his ex-wife by exposing hyperboles she used in flogging her

new book. Calling her a 'bitch' is not self-respecting(IMO) at all, having an

Irish girlfriend, an NYU professor, does not validate himself, and the story

felt like much ado about nothing. (Later the day I wrote this post, I chanced

upon a remark from Stephen King: "Every book you pick up has its own lesson or

lessons, and quite often the bad books have more to teach than the good ones.")

In 'The Writer as Migrant,' Mr. Jin talked about giving up his savior complex

where he aspired to speaking for the downtrodden Chinese. It felt authentic. I

learned interesting facts about a few writers (Lin, Sozhenitsyn, Conrad,

Nabokov, etc.) whose first langauges were not English. I admired Nabokov

for his tenacity in inventing humor in his fiction although I had lost interest a

quarter through 'Lolita.' (Maybe I should pick it up again.) In the end, I

borrowed 'A Bend in the River' by V. S. Naipaul which was quoted a few times.

I chose 'War Trash' for its rating (3.8/5 at goodreads) and was not

disappointed. I strongly identify with Yuan, the hero, who joined neither the

Nationalist or Communist camp, was volunteered to fight in Korea, and later as a

POW, just wanted to go home to his mom and fiancee. I wished for less prison

stories and more on the Chinese POWs' fates post-repatriation. A list of works

is given at the end of the book, which reminds me of the articles I wrote as a

PhD student. So the novel-creating process might share something with publishing

scientific papers.

I like Mr. Jin's vocabulary for everyday Chinese village and small-town life.

Words and phrases like puttee, loamy, ducks and drakes, and Tower Candy, speak my

childhood memories. On the other hand, sometimes words feel coming directly from a

list of synonyms and can block me for a minute or two.

His 2023 'The Woman Back from Moscow' already hit the libraries. I was little

interested in the internecine struggles within the party (I'd say leave it

alone), but the book earned an astounding 4.3 out 5 in goodreads ratings (In

comparison, they give 'David Copperfield' 4.0). So I might get around to it some

day after all.
DENVER, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sam The Concrete Man, a leading provider of concrete services, proudly celebrates the franchise owners at the recent Summit 2024 conference. The event served as a platform to recognize the contributions of franchise owners to the company's exceptional growth and success.

Our franchisees play a vital role in Sam The Concrete Man's growth. Their dedication and resilience to exceed expectations has been instrumental in moving the company to new heights. Sam The Concrete Man highlighted outstanding performance of eight franchisees who demonstrated excellence across various metrics including revenue generation, customer reviews, project close rates, and overall brand representation. Below is a detailed list of our award winners:

Celebrate Sam The Concrete Man's franchise owners 2023 achievements and growth. Post this

Top review earner: Jamie Damm  Gainesville, FL

Lifetime achievement: Dwayne Greene  Columbia, SC and Augusta, GA

Rookie of the year: Jesse Sanders  Montgomery County, MD

Franchisee of the year: Matt Healy  Greenville, SC

Top revenue earner: Glenn Krispense  Tulsa, OK

Highest close rate earner: Scott Condict  Oklahoma City

Validator of the year: Mike Bright  Atlanta, GA

New SAM on the block: Shane Sieracki  Buford and NE Atlanta, GA

Since 2020, Sam The Concrete Man has expanded its presence to 36 states with 100 established locations statewide. This expansion demonstrates the hard work of both the corporate team and its franchise partners. In recognition of its outstanding performance and impact in the industry, Sam The Concrete Man has ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine 500, a prestigious ranking of top franchises. The company was ranked due to our outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. For two years in a row, Sam The Concrete Man has earned #1 in the concrete category, reaffirming its position as a market leader.

"We are incredibly thankful for the hard work and passion demonstrated by our franchise owners. Their commitment to excellence and determination have been key to our growth and success." - Todd Stewart, CEO and President of Sam The Concrete Man

Sam The Concrete Man remains committed to empowering its franchisees and fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and success. As the company looks towards the future, it remains dedicated to delivering exceptional concrete services and maintaining its position as an industry leader.

Media Contact: Lindsey Vandenberg

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Sam The Concrete Man
Having conversations about patient's wishes can affect end-of-life care

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Three-quarters of patients presenting to an ED with a serious illness do so in the last six months of their life. Being able to have conversations around end-of-life care is crucial so that the nurses can provide care consistent with the patient's wishes.

Emergency nurses are well-positioned to have those conversations and coordinate care, but nearly 68 percent reported they will encounter barriers while having those conversations according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Emergency Nursing.

"Emergency nurses are in a unique position where they may be required to have end-of-life conversations with patients at a moment's notice," said Journal of Emergency Nursing Editor-in-Chief Anna Valdez, PhD, RN, PHN, CEN, CFRN, CNE, FAEN, FAADN. "It's imperative that emergency nurses are prepared to have meaningful end-of-life discussions with patients and their loved ones."

Researchers found three themes of barriers from the 2,176 nurses surveyed: human factors, time constraints and work environment challenges. Subthemes found include perceived difficulty of serious illness conversations, delay in daily throughput and lack of privacy in emergency departments.

The Journal of Emergency Nursing, ENA's peer-reviewed academic journal, is published six times a year with original research and updates from the emergency nursing specialty, while also covering practice and professional issues.

The March issue can be found online here. Other topics covered include pediatric triage accuracy, needs of family members in emergency departments, cold spray and ice impact, and more.

About the Emergency Nurses Association

The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With nearly 50,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines, and guides emergency health care public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.

ENA Media Contact:

Morgan Wietecha

Media Relations Strategist

847.460.4038

[email protected]

SOURCE Emergency Nurses Association
North America's Original Blow Dry Bar Franchise Debuts in Green Bay, Offers Founders Rate for Mane Squeeze Membership

GREEN BAY, Wis., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blo Blow Dry Bar, North America's original blow dry bar and blow dry bar franchise, will open its newest bar on March 15 in Green Bay, marking the first location in Wisconsin. Located at 2621 S. Oneida St., the new bar will offer guests five signature styles on its hair menu, a la carte options, a variety of hair treatments, plus five signature makeup looks and a brand new section of customized looks to provide endless inspiration. Also, for a limited time, the new bar will offer a founder's rate for its signature Mane Squeeze Membership that includes two blowouts a month for $75, $5 off each additional blow out and 10% off retail.

The new bar is owned and operated by former Green Bay Packer Jarrett Bush. An advocate for self-love, Bush decided to open Blo Blow Dry Bar to bring a place of inclusivity and acceptance to Green Bay. Inspired by Blo Blow Dry Bar's ability to work on all hair types, Bush hopes that anyone, no matter their hair texture, leaves Blo Blow Dry Bar feeling confident and knowing their self-worth.

"With social media today, a positive self-image can be hard to grasp," said Bush. "I want this Blo Blow Dry Bar location to be a place where women can encourage other women to see the beauty in themselves. I understand that some women may be too busy to take time for themselves, and I hope this Blo Blow Dry Bar can be a place for them to get a hassle-free blowout while being surrounded by encouragement and positivity."

To celebrate the opening, Blo Blow Dry Bar guests will be able to purchase a single discounted blowout for $40, this offer runs from March 15- April 14.

Blo Blow Dry Bar is on a mission to create a space where people of all ages, ethnicities, and orientations are welcomed, represented, and made to feel gorgeous while emphasizing the need for self-care and wellness. Combining a sophisticated design with a fun and energetic environment, Blo cultivates a seamless and enjoyable experience for guests upon their arrival, during, and after their services. Expertly trained blo-ers are available for consultation seven days a week to meet the needs of all guests. The brand's hair menu includes five signature styles from sleek and straight to bouncy curls, plus a wide assortment of customized looks including updo's and braids. Blo Blow Dry Bar also offers makeup services from expert artists on hand to help guests look and feel amazing for any occasion.

Blo Blow Dry Bar is open Monday  Thursday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.  6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.  5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information on Blo Blow Dry Bar in Green Bay, please visit https://blomedry.com/blo-green-bay/ or call (920) 393-1883.

About Blo Blow Dry Bar

Blo Blow Dry Bar is North America's original blow dry bar and the world's largest blow dry bar franchise. The company transformed beauty norms and reinvented the salon industry when it launched the "no cuts, no color" concept: only blow outs. Since opening its first location in Canada in 2007, Blo has grown to over 150 locations across the U.S. and Canada and continues to expand rapidly. The brand has also evolved over time, adding makeup services, a membership program, and quality retail products to its bars. With a mission to enhance the lives of those in the community through the power of flawless blow outs and beauty services, Blo Blow Dry Bar offers perfectly styled hair and exceptional customer experiences seven days a week. For more information visit www.blomedry.com.

Media Contact: Emily Otter, Fishman Public Relations, (440) 623-6532, or [email protected]

SOURCE Blo Blow Dry Bar
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Foundation Investment Partners is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Spartan Tool Supply, a premier distributor of industrial power tools and equipment based in Columbus, Ohio. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

For over 45 years, Spartan Tool Supply has served as a trusted supplier of high-quality commercial tools and equipment to businesses across various industries. With a strong focus on customer service and reliability, Spartan Tool Supply has built enduring relationships with clients throughout Central Ohio.

"We are thrilled to welcome Spartan Tool Supply into the Foundation Investment Partners family," said David Wood, Managing Member of Foundation Investment Partners. "Spartan's reputation for providing leading industrial brands and stocking unique, hard-to-find consumables and accessories align perfectly with our dedication to delivering exceptional value to our customers." FIP plans to leverage its deep experience in the industrial distribution space to create value immediately.

Under the ownership of Foundation Investment Partners, Spartan Tool Supply will continue to operate autonomously, augmenting its existing workforce with industry veteran Derek Elbaor as CEO. The acquisition will provide Spartan with access to new resources and expertise to expand the team, enter new markets and build upon the Company's success.

"We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as part of Foundation Investment Partners," said Derek Elbaor. "With their support, we are confident that we can further elevate our capabilities and better serve our customers while staying true to the principles that have guided us for decades."

About Foundation Investment Partners

Foundation Investment Partners is a private equity firm focused on building companies that account for the well-being of our people, recognizing that the cared for and empowered are more likely to outperform. FIP focuses on investing in niche manufacturers, high value-added distributors, outsourced business service providers, and niche software developers with EBITDA levels of $1 million to $10 million. FIP's operating model focuses on embedding our team with the owners or operators of smaller businesses to provide the support, guidance, and resources necessary to grow the business. For more information, please visit www.foundationpartners.net

Contact:

David Wood

Founder & Managing Member

Foundation Investment Partners

[email protected]

(440) 903-1791

SOURCE Foundation Investment Partners
DUBLIN, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Two-wheeler Intelligence and Industry Chain Research Report, 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

In recent years, two-wheelers have headed in the direction of intelligent connection and intelligent driving, which has been accompanied by consumption upgrade, and mature applications of big data, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things, 5G and other technologies.

In the early stage of intelligence, it is necessary to transfer technology from smart products and intelligent vehicles to MCUs, chips, big intelligent screens, automotive electronics, software and operating systems. Based on the successful experience in vehicle intelligence, some automakers therefore have begun to deploy two-wheelers in hope of expanding new business amid the automotive market saturation.



Electric two-wheeler intelligence



Electric two-wheelers use IoT technology for remote unlocking and mobile APP interconnection, AI big data computing for higher battery safety and precise range, and GPS/Beidou positioning technology for anti-theft, which has been a standard configuration in high-end brands of top manufacturers. Internet brand electric vehicle manufacturers such as Niu Technologies and Segway-Ninebo have even started installing cameras, ultrasonic sensors and other sensors to enable riding assistance functions such as ACC and collision warning to gain differentiated competitive edges.



Motorcycle intelligence



Motorcycles are becoming 'intelligent', and telematics, adaptive cruise control (ACC), forward collision warning (FCW), blind spot detection (BSD) and other functions are finding their way into the motorcycle industry.



For example, in September 2023 Qianjiang Motorcycle released QJ PILOT, an AI-driven riding assistance system which combines intelligent hardware and software. It has such functions as monitoring, warning, and safety protection, and also enables language communication between people and vehicles through voice interaction to complete audio navigation, vehicle control and other tasks.



Automotive Tier 1 suppliers have dabbled in the two-wheeler industry.



Bosch has started developing ABS for motorcycles since 1984. Up to now, its products have covered motorcycles and electric two-wheelers. Bosch's two-wheeler products include:

Sensors (radar, IMU, wheel speed sensor, etc.)

Motorcycle stability control (MSC)

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Advanced rider assist system (ARAS)

Integrated interconnection (cluster is connected with helmet, mobile phone, etc.)

B2V (information interaction between motorcycle and automobile)

mySPIN APP

Electric vehicle products (hub motor and drive control unit)

In addition to Bosch, Huawei, Qualcomm, Cerence and ABUP among others that are successful in vehicle intelligence also have set foot in the two-wheeler industry in recent years.



Huawei: In 2021, SUNRA became a partner of Huawei HarmonyOS, and officially launched the industry's first electric vehicle connected with HarmonyOS. In 2022, Huawei continued to use HarmonyOS as a stepping stone to expand its main business to the field of electric bicycles. In 2023, TAILG and Aima launched products equipped with HarmonyOS.



Qualcomm: In May 2023, Qualcomm released a digital chassis supporting two-wheelers, providing connected services for two-wheelers. In September 2023, Qualcomm expanded its Snapdragon Digital Chassis portfolio with the introduction of two new platforms, QWM2290 and QWS2290, using the latest technologies of Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, Snapdragon Automotive Connected Platform, and Snapdragon Cloud Connected Digital Services to provide technical support for motorcycles, electric vehicles and other fields. Currently, two-wheeler manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers, module vendors, etc. have adopted these two platforms to build related models. In November 2023, Valeo and Qualcomm cooperated on innovation for the 2-wheeler and 3-wheeler segments in India. These collaborative efforts are an extension of the two companies' long-term working relationship to deliver advanced computing units for telematics and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for software-defined vehicles (SDVs).



Cerence: Cerence concentrates on building AI intelligent voice interactive assistants for the automotive industry. In July 2021, it cooperated with Visteon to dabble in the two-wheeler field. From 2022 to 2023, it provided voice interactive products for motorcycle brands such as Qianjiang, CFMOTO and LONCIN.



At present, the intelligent driving of two-wheelers features warning, and will have control functions (motorcycle self-balancing, lane keeping assist, emergency avoidance, etc.), so high-performance chips, cameras, radar and other hardware will be installed. Moreover, in the future, ever more two-wheelers will have interconnection functions, such as intelligent interconnection, OTA, voice interaction, face recognition and gesture control.





Key Topics Covered:



1 Market Overview of Two-wheeler Industry

1.1 Electric Two-wheelers Define Gesture Control and Face Recognition

1.1.1 Electric Two-wheeler Market

1.1.2 Competitive Landscape of Chinese Electric Two-wheeler Market

1.1.3 Policies for the Development of China Electric Two-wheeler Industry

1.1.4 Comparison between the New and Old Chinese National Electric Two-wheeler Standards

1.2 Definition and Classification of Motorcycles

1.2.1 Motorcycle Market

1.2.2 Competitive Landscape of Motorcycle Market

1.2.3 Policies for the Development of China Motorcycle Industry



2 Intelligent Development Directions and Trends of Two-wheelers

2.1 Development Trends of Electric Two-wheeler Industry

2.1.1 Intelligence Features of Electric Two-wheeler Brands

2.1.2 Intelligence Directions of Electric Two-wheelers

2.2 Development Trends of Motorcycle Industry

2.3. Trends of Intelligent Two-wheeler Suppliers

2.4 Intelligent Two-wheeler Industry Chain



3 Electric Two-wheeler Intelligence of Companies

Summary of intelligent functions of Electric Two-wheelers

3.1 SUNRA

3.2 Yadea

3.3 Aima

3.4 Niu Technologies

3.5 Segway-Ninebo

3.6 TAILG

3.7 Luyuan

3.8 MAMOTOR

3.9 Blueshark

3.10 XDAO



4 Intelligence of Motorcycle Companies

Motorcycles Intelligence

4.1 BMW Motorrad

4.2 Honda

4.3 Suzuki

4.4 Kawasaki

4.5 Ducati

4.6 Yamaha

4.7 Harley-Davidson

4.8 CFMOTO

4.9 Qianjiang

4.10 LONCIN

4.11 ZONSEN



5 Two-wheeler Intelligent Industry Chain Companies

Software - IOT Terminal Vendors

5.1 Queclink

5.2 Senthink

Software - Platform Solutions

5.3 ThinkerRide Technology

5.4 Huawei

5.5 Tuya

Software - Voice Interaction

5.6 iFLYTEK

5.7 AIspeech

5.8 Cerence

OTA

5.9 ABUP

Hardware - Main Control Chips

5.10 GigaDevice

5.11 Geehy Semiconductor

5.12 Qualcomm

Hardware - Sensors

5.13 Vayyar

5.14 Jingwei Hirain

5.15 IntiBeam

Hardware - Smart Wearable Devices

5.16 Aegis Rider

5.17 Vidoar

Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS)

5.18 Bosch

5.19 Continental

ARAS Hardware: Radar

5.20 Ride Vision

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/aal2ty

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Neuromorphic Computing Market (2023-2028) Competitive Analysis, Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Neuromorphic Computing Market was estimated to be USD 49.91 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 329.61 Billion by 2028 growing at a CAGR of 45.87%.

Several factors play pivotal roles in shaping the trajectory of the industry. These factors include drivers that fuel growth and innovation, such as the pressing need for enhanced Integrated Circuit Systems (ICS) performance. Furthermore, the escalating demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies across various sectors serves as a significant impetus for market expansion.

However, progress is hindered by various restraints. Chief among them is the inadequacy of Research and Development (R&D) investments, which slows down the translation of advancements into tangible real-world applications. Moreover, the complexity inherent in designing hardware for neuromorphic chips, compounded by a general lack of understanding about neuromorphic computing, presents formidable challenges.

Yet, within these challenges lie opportunities for growth and innovation. Emerging applications in automation and the adoption of neuromorphic computing for security purposes represent promising avenues for market penetration. Additionally, the intersection of AI and neuromorphic computing holds vast potential for transformative advancements in medical science and imaging technologies.

However, businesses must also confront significant challenges on their path to success. These challenges include the need for software compatibility in applications reliant on neural hardware and the formidable task of replicating human-like flexibility and adaptability, particularly in learning from unstructured stimuli data.

Market Segmentations

The Global Neuromorphic Computing Market is segmented based on Components, Deployment, Application, Industry, and Geography.

By Components, the market is classified into Hardware and Software.

By Deployment, the market is classified into Edge Computing and Cloud Computing.

By Application, the market is classified into Image Recognition, Signal Recognition, and Data Mining.

By Industry, the market is classified into Aerospace and Defense, IT and Telecom, Automotive, Medical, Industrial, and Others.

By Geography, the market is classified into Americas, Europe , Middle-East & Africa and Asia-Pacific .

The report provides a detailed analysis of the competitors in the market. It covers the financial performance analysis for the publicly listed companies in the market. The report also offers detailed information on the companies' recent development and competitive scenario. Some of the companies covered in this report are Applied Brain Research Inc, Aspinity Inc, Brainchip Holdings Ltd Ceryx Medical, etc.

The report includes Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.

Ansoff Analysis

The report presents a detailed Ansoff matrix analysis for the Global Neuromorphic Computing Market. Ansoff Matrix, also known as Product/Market Expansion Grid, is a strategic tool used to design strategies for the growth of the company. The matrix can be used to evaluate approaches in four strategies viz. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development and Diversification. The matrix is also used for risk analysis to understand the risk involved with each approach.

The publisher analyses the Global Neuromorphic Computing Market using the Ansoff Matrix to provide the best approaches a company can take to improve its market position.

Based on the SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, the publisher has devised suitable strategies for market growth.

Report Highlights:

A complete analysis of the market, including parent industry

Important market dynamics and trends

Market segmentation

Historical, current, and projected size of the market based on value and volume

Market shares and strategies of key players

Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the market

Key Topics Covered:

1 Report Description

2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Market Size, Segmentations and Outlook

4 Market Dynamics

4.1 Drivers

4.1.1 Need for Better-Performing ICS

4.1.2 Increase in Demand for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

4.2 Restraints

4.2.1 Lack of R&D and Investments is Slowing Down Development of Real-World Applications

4.2.2 Complex Algorithms Increase Complexity of Designing Hardware of Neuromorphic Chips

4.2.3 Lack of Knowledge about Neuromorphic Computing

4.3 Opportunities

4.3.1 Emerging Applications Pertaining to Automation

4.3.2 Adoption of Neuromorphic Computing for Security Purposes

4.3.3 Growing Potential of AI and Neuromorphic Computing in Medical Science and Medical Imaging

4.4 Challenges

4.4.1 Applications Dependent on Software Compatibility of Neural Hardware

4.4.2 Matching a Human's Flexibility and Ability to Learn from Unstructured Stimuli Data

5 Market Analysis

5.1 Regulatory Scenario

5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Ansoff Matrix Analysis

6 Global Neuromorphic Computing Market, By Components

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Hardware

6.3 Software

7 Global Neuromorphic Computing Market, By Deployment

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Edge Computing

7.3 Cloud Computing

8 Global Neuromorphic Computing Market, By Application

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Image Recognition

8.3 Signal Recognition

8.4 Data Mining

9 Global Neuromorphic Computing Market, By Industry

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Aerospace and Defense

9.3 IT and Telecom

9.4 Automotive

9.5 Medical

9.6 Industrial

9.7 Others

10 Americas' Global Neuromorphic Computing Market

11 Europe's Global Neuromorphic Computing Market

12 Middle East and Africa's Global Neuromorphic Computing Market

13 APAC's Global Neuromorphic Computing Market

14 Competitive Landscape

15 Company Profiles

Applied Brain Research

Aspinity

Brainchip Holdings

Ceryx Medical

Cognixion

General Vision

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

HRL Laboratories

IBM

Innatera Nanosystem

Intel Corp

Koniku

Mindmaze

Natural Intelligence System

Neuropace

Numenta

Qualcomm

Samsung Electronics

Vicarious

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bexxew

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
BEIJING, March 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This is the 17th consecutive year that Wu Weishan, a world-renowned Chinese artist and the director of the National Art Museum of China, participated in the two sessions - one of the most important annual political gatherings that set the tone for the country's policy priorities in a wide range of fields from the economy and society to cultural development.

Since becoming a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee in 2008, Wu has submitted over 40 proposals to the two sessions covering a wide range of agendas, including aesthetic education, global cultural exchanges and how to tell and spread Chinese stories to international community.

In 2023 alone, Wu visited and conducted field research in more than 20 places across China, which not only enriched his artistic creation but also deepened his reflections on social issues such as aesthetic education.

The Global Times had an in-depth interview with Wu during his lunch break on Saturday after he came back from a meeting in the Great Hall of the People.

How does he portray the spirit and beauty of Chinese civilization through the array of well-known sculptures, paintings and calligraphy works he has created? How can we promote the global influence of China's artworks? Will the sweeping artificial intelligence (AI) wave endanger the livelihood of artists? Wu, who started the interview by showing pictures he took during a recent sketching trip to Huangshan Mountain, one of the most famous mountains in China, provided his insights on these topics.

Chinese artists need to enhance their international exchange discourse and gear up efforts to create more "fine works of art," so that more artistic works showcasing the "beauty of Chinese civilization" and the spirit of the times will be "invited abroad," Wu Weishan, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, a world-renowned Chinese artist and the director of the National Art Museum of China, told the Global Times on Saturday in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the ongoing two sessions.

In such a way, the world will form a more comprehensive understanding of the culture of China - not only its profound cultural heritage, but also the contemporary culture that is developing in a constant state of renewal and rejuvenation, he said.

Wu's comment comes after China released on Tuesday the Government Work Report, which set the tone for a number of key cultural developments in 2024, including culture digitalization and protection and preservation of intangible cultural heritage. It also comes as China has been mulling over efforts to build itself into a leading country in culture and foster modern Chinese civilization at a new historical starting point.

This year also marks the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. Also, the years of 2024 and 2025 will be cross years of culture cooperation between China and Russia, which all indicate China's stepped-up cultural exchanges and cooperation in the global arena.

With regards to how China presses ahead toward the goal of building a global cultural powerhouse, Wu stressed the importance of expanding the global influence of outstanding Chinese culture, while highlighting a bunch of pragmatic approaches.

"In terms of internationalization, what we need to work on is to make our [cultural works] be 'asked to go out,' rather than merely having to 'seek chances to go global,'" he said.

According to Wu, both historical and contemporary arts are important windows for the outside world to learn about Chinese culture and stories. "It involves both historical classic art such as the archaeological culture of Sanxingdui, the country's first emperor Qinshihuang and the Terracotta Warriors, as well as the contemporary art creation in China," he explained.

While the former has received global endorsement, the latter has yet to form worldwide influence. So this is what the Chinese artists should be doubling down on, Wu said.

He suggested that the Chinese art industry arrange more exhibitions at globally influential museums, art galleries and opera houses. At the same time, the country's artists should invite more talented foreign peers to visit China to see "the creativity of Chinese people in the new era."

"This is an important way for foreign artists to erase prejudice and deepen their understanding of China. Visiting China themselves provides a full, diverse, and multidimensional picture on an ocean instead of a small wave; a whole set of mountains instead of an individual peak," Wu explained.

Inspiration from Chinese culture, history

So far, more than 50 of Wu's sculptures have been collected by different museums and institutions in nearly 30 countries and regions, some of which are displayed in public spaces.

Recently, he has been making a sculpture of famous contemporary Chinese writer Lu Xun that will soon be shipped thousands of kilometers to Greece for an exhibition.

"Lu Xun is a representative of Chinese culture, and having his sculpture erected abroad also shows that his thoughts are being accepted by the Western world," Wu noted.

In 2022, Wu's sculpture titled Dialogue between Confucius and Socrates was erected in the Greek city of Athens, an important ancient cultural city. Wu said the sculpture carries great global ramifications in terms of the progress of human civilization and the global exchanges of philosophy.

"This scene featuring a dialogue between the two wisest philosophers would never have been realized in reality. But we have manifested it through artistic creation, and through the lens of China's vision to build a community with a shared future for mankind," Wu said.

Likewise, Wu suggested that Chinese artists draw inspiration from China's profound history, as well as their daily lives in the new era, presenting the world the uniqueness, the thickness and "national spirit" of Chinese civilization.

Since the 1990s, Wu has created about 600 sculptures of prominent figures in Chinese history, which Wu said all embody the excellent qualities and spirit of Chinese civilization.

"As I'm 'sculpting' them, they're also 'sculpting' and inspiring me," Wu recalled.

He is now making a sculpture of Shi Tao, a famous painter from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), that he says "carries far-reaching significance for today."

Shi Tao's key theory of one-stroke, which refers to the fundamentals of the art of painting, or put in a broader scope, the universal laws of the formation and development of everything in the universe, is about "passing on traditional Chinese philosophy through painting."

Last year, Wu, leading an array of peers, created a sculpture about the Long March, as he has also devoted himself to depicting stories involving "Red Culture."

The Long March was a military maneuver carried out by the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army from 1934 to 1936. During this period, they left their bases and marched through rivers, mountains and arid grassland to break the siege of Kuomintang forces and continue to fight Japanese aggressors. Many marched as far as 12,500 kilometers.

"Under the leadership of the CPC, China has undergone a marvelous journey of standing up, growing rich and becoming strong," Wu explained. "This is an important part and a shining point of Chinese history."

He also suggested that Chinese artworks, in order to have spiritual impact and global allure, take into account "the historical development, the heights of building a community with a shared future for mankind and engaging in dialogues between Chinese and global culture" during the creation process.

Proposal on national aesthetic education

In a proposal for the two sessions, Wu recommends a full-fledged push for aesthetic education among the public.

"Aesthetic education not only involves an improvement in aesthetics but also is a way of cultural transmission and spiritual cultivation. Promoting nationwide education is beneficial for enhancing the overall quality of the population, strengthening the indigenous dynamics of social development, and advancing Chinese modernization with great cultural confidence," he said.

In January 2024, China's Ministry of Education issued a notice on the comprehensive implementation of aesthetic education in schools, which includes setting up an art education curriculum that coordinates with other subjects.

The Global Times learned that Wu had also made similar proposals regarding aesthetic education for the two sessions in previous years, including initiatives to introduce calligraphy into primary and secondary schools, and improve China's cultural quality.

Wu further explained that national aesthetic education should be a comprehensive, lifelong education, without restrictions to certain times, certain subjects and a certain scope. It is also about establishing an integrated education system that bridges different fields, with comprehensive design and phased implementation.

Wu said that there should also be targeted measures for the elderly, for example, building nursing homes into cultural universities, which will help the elderly to find a sense of belonging and new interests.

In another proposal that Wu made for this year's two sessions, he recommended that nursing homes set up different cultural subjects, such as painting, writing, dancing and singing, thus "creating an atmosphere of aesthetic education throughout society."

Will AI take over the art industry?

The year 2024 began with a tsunami of sweeping technological revolution. For example, AI has already been seeping into every corner of Chinese people's lives, producing short videos, creating beautiful artworks and writing eye-catching novels. It also has led to people rethinking human's role in today's evolving world.

When asked about whether AI will replace the work of artists, Wu shook his head.

"When we talk about artworks, human beings are the only creators. When an artist's creativity bursts out at the moment of inspiration, his artistic expression is unique. Art creation is something that emphasizes style, individuality and a certain level of contingency So these characteristics determine that it won't be replaced by AI technology," Wu explained.

To further expound the issue, he also talked about his recent experience using generative AI to create a picture of a horse.

"By typing several keywords such as 'a running horse, high-spirited,' all of a sudden, boom, I saw a horse there. Does it mean that if you are good at vocabulary and literature, then you could basically accomplish everything with AI? The answer is no. The horse is stiff, or we could say it does not have a 'soul' inside," he noted. "So in no way could AI surpass the creation of a genuine artist."

Wu, nevertheless, also stressed that AI could be properly used to assist in the art creation process.

In February, Nanjing University unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to introduce AI to the curriculum for all incoming students. It marked the first time that a Chinese university has made AI education a mandatory course.

Wu said he welcomes the move.

"Technological progress has shaped the way people live and think, and even how a society moves forward. We cannot shy away from it and need to brace for such change," Wu noted, while giving the example of how he has been utilizing 3D printing technology to assist different angles of sculpture creation in the early stages.

SOURCE Global Times
Expected to Generate $140 Million in Annual Revenues

2024 Year-To-Date Acquired Annual Revenues of $1.0 Billion

HOUSTON, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI) ("Group 1" or the "Company"), a Fortune 300 automotive retailer with 202 dealerships located in the U.S. and U.K., today announced the acquisition of Modern Classic Motors in Hilton Head, South Carolina. The acquisition includes three franchises: Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and Honda in Beaufort County, one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina. The acquisition expands Group 1's relationship with Mercedes-Benz to 17 franchises in the U.S. and U.K. and with Honda to 13 franchises in the U.S. The dealerships are expected to generate $140 million in annual revenues.

Group 1's President and CEO Daryl Kenningham stated, "We are delighted to grow our relationship with Mercedes-Benz and Honda while adding scale to our successful Hilton Head operations with these highly desirable brands."

Group 1 has now acquired an estimated $1.0 billion of annual revenues in 2024, which follows $1.1 billion of acquired revenues in 2023.

ABOUT GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

Group 1 owns and operates 202 automotive dealerships, 265 franchises, and 43 collision centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 35 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships and omni-channel platform, the Company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing; sells service and insurance contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts.

Group 1 discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations at www.group1corp.com , www.group1auto.com , www.group1collision.com , www.acceleride.com , www.facebook.com/group1auto , and www.twitter.com/group1auto .

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS



This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are statements related to future, not past, events and are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. In this context, the forward-looking statements often include statements regarding our strategic investments, goals, plans, projections and guidance regarding our financial position, results of operations and business strategy, including the annualized revenues of recently completed acquisitions or dispositions and other benefits of such currently anticipated or recently completed acquisitions or dispositions. These forward-looking statements often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "should," "foresee," "may" or "will" and similar expressions. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. Any such forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, (a) general economic and business conditions, (b) the level of manufacturer incentives, (c) the future regulatory environment, (d) our ability to obtain an inventory of desirable new and used vehicles, (e) our relationship with our automobile manufacturers and the willingness of manufacturers to approve future acquisitions, (f) our cost of financing and the availability of credit for consumers, (g) our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions, on a timely basis, if at all and the risks associated therewith, (h) foreign exchange controls and currency fluctuations, (i) the armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, (j) the impacts of any potential global recession, (k) our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity to operate, and (l) our ability to successfully integrate recent and future acquisitions. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor contacts:

Terry Bratton

Manager, Investor Relations

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

[email protected]

Media contacts:

Pete DeLongchamps

Senior Vice President, Manufacturer Relations, Financial Services and Public Affairs

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

[email protected]

or

Clint Woods

Pierpont Communications, Inc.

713-627-2223

[email protected]

SOURCE Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
GrubMarket acquires North Carolina-based Performance Produce, a top provider of produce and specialty foods sourced primarily from the U.S. and Mexico, to expand across the Southeastern U.S.

SAN FRANCISCO, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GrubMarket announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Salisbury, North Carolina-based Performance Produce, a well-respected and vertically integrated fresh produce business that sells over 80 different items, sourced primarily from the U.S. and Mexico, to nearly 100 different retail customers across the Southeastern U.S., including leading global grocery chains. In addition to wholesale distribution, Performance Produce also provides comprehensive 4PL services, including inbound and outbound logistics, warehousing and cold storage, as well as packing and repacking solutions.

Performance Produce was founded in 2007 by JR Roach, a fresh produce veteran with almost 50 years of experience in the industry, alongside his wife Virginia. Together, JR and Virginia started the business from scratch with an empty warehouse, toiling for sixteen hours a day, seven days a week, driving forklifts, unloading trucks, and packing produce themselves. Today, Performance Produce employs dozens of employees and operates a cutting-edge Primus GFS-certified warehouse facility that spans 40,000 square feet in space, including 4 temperature-controlled coolers and several wrapping, labeling, bagging, and packing machines for their 4PL service offerings. Their state-of-the-art operations and extensive, diversified supplier base of over 100 local and regional farmers enable them to offer a dependable and consistent supply of specialty foods and core items, including onions, potatoes, brussels sprouts, tomatoes, and other assorted fruits and vegetables. Performance Produce's reliability and attention to customer service have allowed it to achieve an impressive 99% fulfillment delivery rate, amongst the highest in the industry. After the acquisition, Performance Produce will continue to be managed by its current highly experienced and mission-driven leadership team, which includes Virginia's son, Ernesto Mier.

"I started my career in the produce industry in 1977 and have experience working across every aspect of the business. My wife and I had always dreamed of running our own business, and we worked hard to build Performance Produce into the successful company you see today. Our outstanding reputation was not built overnight; it was our dedication to and consistent delivery of excellent customer service that allowed us to shine. This is evident in the large cohort of customers that has been with us for well over a decade. In this industry, I truly believe that nobody beats us at customer service. We are thrilled to join the GrubMarket team, which shares our service-oriented values and cares as much as we do about taking care of not only customers and suppliers, but also employees. The team members at GrubMarket feel like kindred spirits. We can't wait to join this tight-knit family and leverage GrubMarket's incredible technology ecosystem to bring more high-quality and farm-fresh produce to GrubMarket's customers nationwide," said JR Roach, owner of Performance Produce.

Mike Xu, CEO of GrubMarket, adds: "JR embodies the true spirit of an entrepreneur - he started Performance Produce from scratch with his wife Virginia and worked tirelessly around the clock in the warehouse to personally fulfill all of his customers' needs. As a fellow entrepreneur, I can appreciate the hard work and dedication required to achieve unmatched success and the sterling reputation built on dependability and reliability that Performance Produce has maintained for the last 17 years. Several of their largest customers have been with them since their earliest years, which is a testament to their outstanding customer service and enviable delivery and fulfillment track record. With this acquisition, GrubMarket expands further into North Carolina and strengthens our strategic presence within the Southeastern U.S. We are beyond excited to welcome the Performance Produce team to the GrubMarket family."

As a part of GrubMarket's portfolio, Performance Produce will utilize GrubMarket's innovative, AI-powered WholesaleWare software suite, the company's software-as-a-service platform that provides food industry wholesalers and distributors with seamless financial management, powerful sales support, online ordering, precise inventory management, lot traceability, grower accounting, and automated routing and logistics, as well as Orders IO, GrubMarket's custom branded, mobile eCommerce solution.

About GrubMarket

Founded in 2014, CA-based GrubMarket is an AI-powered technology enabler and digital transformer of the American food supply chain industry, as well as one of the largest private food tech companies in the U.S. As a first mover in the tech-enabled B2B food eCommerce space and a pioneer offering cutting-edge, AI-powered software-as-a-service solutions, GrubMarket uses AI-powered technology to fundamentally transform the American and global food supply chain. GrubMarket operates in all 50 U.S. States and has a global presence in Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, India, Mexico, South Africa, and Spain, with plans to expand further across the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, Africa, and other parts of the world.

For Media Inquiries:

GrubMarket Media Team

[email protected]

(415) 986-0523

GrubMarket Inc.

1925 Jerrold Ave.

San Francisco, CA, 94124

SOURCE GrubMarket
AUSTIN, Minn., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced it will participate in a fireside chat at the 2024 BofA Securities Consumer & Retail Conference on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 10:20 a.m. CT (11:20 a.m. ET). Representing Hormel Foods will be Jacinth Smiley, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Mark Ourada, group vice president of foodservice.

A link to the live webcast, replay and other information related to the event can be accessed on the company's investor website, http://investor.hormelfoods.com.

ABOUT HORMEL FOODS  Inspired People. Inspired Food.

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters, SKIPPY, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, WHOLLY, Hormel Black Label, Columbus, Jennie-O and more than 30 other beloved brands. The Company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized on Fast Company's list of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators, received a perfect score of 100 on the 202324 Corporate Equality Index and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement  Inspired People. Inspired Food.  to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com.

SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation
I hadn't been interested in politics or political jargon for a very long time.

Now I find myself debating whoever, whenever and wherever on everything from vaccination to climate change, from TCM to trade wars.

Dozens of on line encounters later I came to a conclusion/revelation that I am a strong believer in a historical perspective.

You see:

Earth was formed 4.65 billions years ago

100,000 years ago Homosapiens walked out of Africa.

40,000 years ago Neanderthals still roamed the world.

400 years ago Thomas Cayote introduced/imported forks to British eaters.

100 years ago the first airplane was made.

It MAKES SENSE to have a historical perspective.

5 years ago I was asked which country is the most and which is the least racist on Earth

"America!" I said.

Of course America is both the most and the least racist country on our planet.

It has committed numerous unthinkable crimes against the racial minorities over the past two centuries. At the same time it is also the first western country to have a black president.

We should think of the Chinese government and its ruling party in a historical perspective too.

Across the whole political spectrum there must be a lot of scholars, social media influencers and politicians who bash, defend or praise China on the internet. Below are two examples:)
WILMINGTON, N.C., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Partnership includes a signed Master Manufacturing Agreement (MMA) for Sturdy Corporation to manufacture Koolbridge Solar's Smart Load Center  (SLC).

(SLC). The Smart Load Center is a patented, intelligent residential energy management system that automatically and seamlessly switches sources of power on a circuit by circuit basis.

Koolbridge Solar announced today that a Master Manufacturing Agreement has been signed with the Sturdy Corporation of Wilmington, NC to manufacture its first product, the Smart Load Center for North America. The partnership anticipates continued significant growth in the United States residential solar and energy storage market.

With Sturdy Corporation's 50+ years of manufacturing experience blended with Koolbridge Solar's patent protected smart residential energy management products under development, the synergy created between the two companies should help accelerate the solar market in the USA.

Introducing the Koolbridge Solar Smart Load Center

a. Automatically switches between utility and solar, solar and battery, utility and generator, etc. on a circuit by circuit basis based on time of day use, battery state, inverter output state, and weather factors to always provide the lowest cost electricity possible;

b. Uses embedded, proprietary, smart algorithms combined with a microcontroller to shed load and control peak demand automatically when necessary;

c. Allows the homeowner to automatically self-consume their solar power in a grid outage leaving critical load circuits alive.

With patent priority dates of May 8, 2011, the patent portfolio includes 30+ US granted patents and patent applications covering the Smart Load Center, a transformerless, pure sinewave, 99% efficient inverter, and smart addressable electrical power outlets. Koolbridge Solar has kept its chain of 12+ Continuation US granted patents and patent applications alive.

"We could not have a better partner than Sturdy Corporation to manufacture our first product, the Smart Load Center. Dave Sturdy and his team have built a company that offers award winning custom electrical, electronic, mechanical, printed circuit board fabrication, software integration and other expertise. I've never worked with any company that brings a higher level of skillsets to a product like Sturdy does. They are helping us significantly improve a very complicated electrical product and I'm very thankful to Dave Sturdy and his entire team," said Stephen Burnett, Chairman and Co-Founder of Koolbridge Solar. "By partnering with Sturdy on improving, testing, and manufacturing our product, we expect the Smart Load Center will have an immediate impact in the US residential rooftop solar market."

Dave Sturdy, President and CEO of Sturdy Corporation stated "Koolbridge Solar has a very unique and market leading product in its Smart Load Center. I'm familiar with most, if not all, of the residential energy management systems on the market similar to the SLC and I'm convinced that it's something that the solar industry will embrace and the utility industry should take a look at." "The residential breaker box has not been able to handle renewable energy very well until recently. When you marry a small computer, or in this case a microcontroller, with a residential sub-panel, all of a sudden you can do lots of things automatically like control peak demand or select which power source will be given priority to any circuit breaker. The SLC is an automated electrical power optimizer of a user's cost to operate their home, which is a game changer. The SLC can do that and we are excited to be Koolbridge's manufacturing partner."

About Koolbridge Solar

Koolbridge Solar is the "Gateway to the Intelligent Home." It is one of the first companies to design, develop and sell the next generation of innovative, intelligence driven, solar-ready, electrical power products that automatically select the most economical use of utility, solar, battery, wind or generator power for homes and businesses on a circuit by circuit basis. Koolbridge Solar has 30+ US patents and patent pending applications. The Koolbridge Solar Smart Load Center is a sub-panel that effectively captures, manages and distributes electrical energy throughout homes or businesses in the most economical fashion. Moreover, with the Smart Load Center, there is no power interruption whatsoever on critical load circuits if the utility grid goes down while using solar power.

About Sturdy Corporation

With global headquarters in Wilmington, North Carolina, Sturdy Corporation is a manufacturer and global supplier of electrical, mechanical, electronic and software solutions for a diverse range of markets with a focus on applications designed for harsh environments. Operating from its "concept to completion" enterprise platform, the company has on-site capabilities to design, manufacture, validate and distribute quality products since 1971. The production facility in Wilmington, North Carolina has 140,000 square feet with additional capacity in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. Sturdy is a TS 16949, ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 Certified Enterprise. Sturdy has received recognition from their Fortune 500 client base that includes being a General Motors Platinum Supplier, Ford Total Quality Excellence Winner, a Caterpillar Preferred Global Supplier, and the Detroit Diesel Quality Award.

For information about pre-orders of the Smart Load Center, please contact Bill Griffin, President and CEO at [email protected] or call 1-703-395-1379.

SOURCE Koolbridge Solar Inc.
HOUSTON, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexitas, a leading provider of technology-enabled litigation services and a portfolio company of funds advised by Apax, announced the launch of a new fund that provides financial assistance to eligible employees facing difficult or unforeseen circumstances.

The Lexitas Employee Assistance Fund builds on Lexitas' SPIRITED Values and commitment to supporting employees who are experiencing hardship.

"We have a responsibility to care for our employees with the same level of dedication that they show our clients and service providers," said Debbie Weaver, VP of Community Relations. "This fund is an opportunity to exemplify our values, and commitment to our people by being there to support them when they need it most," Weaver added.

The fund will be reviewed, verified, and operated by America's Charities, a 501(c)3 nonprofit with 40 years of proven charitable funds management expertise. Partnering with America's Charities will ensure that all grants made from the fund are confidential and tax-free, providing maximum support to those who need it most quickly.

"Corporate social responsibility is more than what you do for others  it is also about what you do for your own employees," said Gary Buckland, CEO. "From corporate philanthropy to employee giving, and volunteering, businesses are striving to be the difference for their employees and their communities."

Lexitas has provided the initial funding for LEAF. Over time, the fund will be sustained with a combination of donations from Lexitas and employees.

Founded in 1987, Lexitas is a leading national provider of legal and corporate support services to law firms, corporations, and insurance companies. Services include court reporting, record retrieval, process service, registered agent, legal staffing, document review, and commercial contracts outsourcing. For more information visit https://lexitaslegal.com.

SOURCE Lexitas
 Retrospective analysis suggests Acthar Gel treatment was associated with similar improvement in health status and overall symptom reduction in African Americans and non-African Americans with symptomatic sarcoidosis1 

 Findings on treatment response and physician-reported outcomes indicate that Acthar Gel may be a viable treatment option for both African American and non-African American sarcoidosis patients1 

DUBLIN, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt plc, a global specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced the publication of findings from a retrospective chart review of Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) treatment outcomes for African American and non-African American patients with symptomatic sarcoidosis  including treatment patterns, co-medication use, and overall health outcomes.1 This analysis suggested that Acthar Gel treatment was associated with similar improvements in health outcomes, a reduction in symptoms, and reduced co-medication use in both African Americans and non-African Americans with symptomatic sarcoidosis.1 The manuscript was recently published online in Therapeutics & Clinical Risk Management.

This research builds upon findings from a study investigating the clinical and real-world outcomes of Acthar Gel treatment in a subgroup of African Americans with symptomatic sarcoidosis, previously presented at the 2022 American Thoracic Society Annual International Conference in San Francisco, CA, and published in Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease in 2019.2

Acthar is a naturally sourced complex mixture of adrenocorticotropic hormone analogs and other pituitary peptides.3 Acthar Gel is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of several autoimmune disorders and medical conditions known to cause inflammation, including symptomatic sarcoidosis.3

Please see additional indications and Important Safety Information below.

"The results of this retrospective medical chart review highlight unmet needs that exist for African American patients with symptomatic sarcoidosis, who are disproportionately affected by the disease, and reinforce Acthar Gel's potential to help improve health outcomes for appropriate patients,"1,4,5 said George Wan, Ph.D., M.P.H., Vice President, Evidence Generation and Data Sciences, Mallinckrodt. "This research reflects Mallinckrodt's commitment to collecting real-world data on the relationship between patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes to support clinicians' treatment decisions and address disparities in symptomatic sarcoidosis care."1

About the Study:1

In this retrospective analysis, a national database of Acthar Gel prescribers and the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile listing were merged to obtain a sample of 98 physicians to provide data on the last 6 consecutive patients seen who met the study's eligibility criteria. The medical records were extracted for adult patients (18 years) with a diagnosis of advanced symptomatic sarcoidosis, who had 1 symptom, and who had either completed at least one course of Acthar Gel or had received Acthar Gel for at least 6 months during data collection.

A total of 272 patients with symptomatic sarcoidosis were included in this analysis (African American (AA): n=168; non-African American (non-AA): n=104). Most patients in both race groups were diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 sarcoidosis based on chest imaging and biopsy (AA: 61.3%, n=103 vs. non-AA: 68.3%, n=71; p=0.2453).

Per an assessment of patient characteristics and Acthar Gel treatment patterns, this analysis suggests that the average time since the first diagnosis of sarcoidosis was slightly longer among AA than non-AA (mean  SD: 5.2  7.6 years vs. 4.3  5.1 years; p>0.05).1 Further, a lower proportion of AA vs. non-AA had completed a course of Acthar Gel therapy (44%, n=74 vs. 55.8%, n=58; p=0.0602) during the data collection period,1 and the duration of Acthar Gel treatment was slightly longer among AA vs. non-AA (mean  SD: 31.7  32 vs. 29  27.4 weeks; p>0.05).1

"This research underscores the importance of conducting real-world studies to provide data that helps to recognize the disparities in symptomatic sarcoidosis care and address unmet needs to better support health outcomes for all appropriate patients," said Mary McGowan, Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR). FSR is the leading international organization dedicated to finding a cure for sarcoidosis and improving care for sarcoidosis patients through research, education, and support.

Key Findings:

Co-Medication Utilization Patterns1

Significantly fewer patients among both race groups were on any co-medication after Acthar Gel initiation (p<0.0001): AA before: 88.1%, n=148 vs. after: 20.2%, n=34 Non-AA before: 83.7%, n=87 vs. after: 24%, n=25



More AA had a reduction in any co-medication use after Acthar Gel initiation (AA: -77% vs. non-AA: -71%; p<0.0001). After Acthar Gel initiation, fewer AA (before: 59.5%, n=100 vs. after: 11.9%, n=20; p<0.0001) and non-AA (before: 65.4%, n=68 vs. after: 14.4%, n=15; p<0.0001) were on glucocorticoids. Overall, the mean prednisone dose reduced after Acthar Gel initiation among AA (before: 18.5 mg/day vs. after: 10.1 mg/day) and non-AA (before: 17.6 mg/day vs. after: 10 mg/day). The proportion of patients on prednisone daily dose of <10 mg increased after Acthar Gel initiation among both race groups (AA before: 27.8%, n=27/97 vs. after: 31.6%, n=6/19; non-AA before: 13.6%, n=9/66 vs. after: 60%, n=9/15).



Physicians' Assessment of Improvement1

The health status of 95.2% (n=160) of AA and 97.1% (n=101) of non-AA improved following treatment with Acthar Gel, based on physician-provided assessments of patient outcomes. Treatment response to overall symptoms was not statistically significantly different between both race groups (AA: 72.6%, n=122 vs. non-AA: 70.2%, n=73)

The most frequently reported changes in symptoms following Acthar Gel treatment in both race groups were: Reduction in inflammation (AA: 33.9%, n=57 vs. non-AA: 32.7%, n=34) Improvement in quality of life (AA: 31.5%, n=53 vs. non-AA: 34.6%, n=36) Improvement in lung function (AA: 30.4%, n=51 vs. non-AA: 53.8%, n=56; p<0.05) Reduction in fatigue (AA: 27.4%, n=46 vs. non-AA: 35.6%, n=37)



Limitations:1

Data retrospectively collected from medical charts of patients may have omissions and errors. Completeness of information was assessed to the extent possible to minimize bias resulting from any missing data. In addition, only data available in medical charts or known to be complete to the respondents were extracted. Additional limitations of this study include:

Physicians' standards for the interpretation of change in each patient's health status vary which may result in bias due to over- or under-estimation of the effectiveness of Acthar Gel.

This study was unable to quantify clinical data such as diagnostic and safety measures, clinical and sustained response after treatment, and reasons for discontinuation or dose adjustments related to Acthar Gel.

Due to the exploratory nature of this analysis, data were not collected for other medications besides Acthar Gel.

Data on adverse reactions in this population, drivers of the decision to use Acthar Gel, and detailed information on prior therapies were not captured.

This study was sponsored by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.

INDICATIONS

Acthar Gel is indicated for:

Inducing a diuresis or a remission of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome without uremia of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus

Monotherapy for the treatment of infantile spasms in infants and children under 2 years of age

Treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis in adults. Controlled clinical trials have shown Acthar to be effective in speeding the resolution of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis. However, there is no evidence that it affects the ultimate outcome or natural history of the disease

Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa such as: keratitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis, optic neuritis, chorioretinitis, anterior segment inflammation

Symptomatic sarcoidosis

Treatment during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of systemic lupus erythematosus

Treatment during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of dermatomyositis (polymyositis)

Adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: psoriatic arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy); ankylosing spondylitis

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Contraindications

Acthar is contraindicated:

For intravenous administration

In infants under 2 years of age who have suspected congenital infections

With concomitant administration of live or live attenuated vaccines in patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of Acthar

In patients with scleroderma, osteoporosis, systemic fungal infections, ocular herpes simplex, recent surgery, history of the presence of a peptic ulcer, congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, primary adrenocortical insufficiency, adrenocortical hyperfunction, or sensitivity to proteins of porcine origin

Warnings and Precautions

The adverse effects of Acthar are related primarily to its steroidogenic effects

Acthar may increase susceptibility to new infection or reactivation of latent infections

Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may occur following prolonged therapy with the potential for adrenal insufficiency after withdrawal of the medication. Adrenal insufficiency may be minimized by tapering of the dose when discontinuing treatment. During recovery of the adrenal gland patients should be protected from the stress (e.g., trauma or surgery) by the use of corticosteroids. Monitor patients for effects of HPA axis suppression after stopping treatment

Cushing's syndrome may occur during therapy but generally resolves after therapy is stopped. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms

Acthar can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and hypokalemia. Monitor blood pressure and sodium and potassium levels

Acthar often acts by masking symptoms of other diseases/disorders. Monitor patients carefully during and for a period following discontinuation of therapy

Acthar can cause gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and gastric ulcer. There is also an increased risk for perforation in patients with certain GI disorders. Monitor for signs of perforation and bleeding

Acthar may be associated with central nervous system effects ranging from euphoria, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, personality changes, and severe depression to psychosis. Existing conditions may be aggravated

Patients with comorbid disease may have that disease worsened. Caution should be used when prescribing Acthar in patients with diabetes and myasthenia gravis

Prolonged use of Acthar may produce cataracts, glaucoma, and secondary ocular infections. Monitor for signs and symptoms

Acthar is immunogenic and prolonged administration of Acthar may increase the risk of hypersensitivity reactions. Cases of anaphylaxis have been reported in the postmarketing setting. Neutralizing antibodies with chronic administration may lead to loss of endogenous ACTH and Acthar activity

There may be an enhanced effect in patients with hypothyroidism and in those with cirrhosis of the liver

Long-term use may have negative effects on growth and physical development in children. Monitor pediatric patients

Decrease in bone density may occur. Bone density should be monitored in patients on long-term therapy

Adverse Reactions

Commonly reported postmarketing adverse reactions for Acthar include injection site reaction, asthenic conditions (including fatigue, malaise, asthenia, and lethargy), fluid retention (including peripheral swelling), insomnia, headache, and blood glucose increased

The most common adverse reactions for the treatment of infantile spasms (IS) are increased risk of infections, convulsions, hypertension, irritability, and pyrexia. Some patients with IS progress to other forms of seizures; IS sometimes masks these seizures, which may become visible once the clinical spasms from IS resolve

Pregnancy

Acthar may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman

Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.

ABOUT SYMPTOMATIC SARCOIDOSIS

Sarcoidosis is a challenging and rare multisystem disease.6 In some cases, the symptoms may come and go throughout a lifetime.6 This is referred to as symptomatic sarcoidosis.6 In people with sarcoidosis, the immune system overreacts, forming clumps of cells called granulomas that result in inflammation to the body's tissues.7 The disease can impact any organ, but it most often impacts the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, liver, and skin.8 Nearly 90 percent of people with sarcoidosis will suffer lung problems.8 Concomitant involvement of organs outside of the lungs is common, occurring in more than half of all sarcoidosis cases, according to one study.2

ABOUT MALLINCKRODT

Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. The company's Specialty Brands reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, hepatology, nephrology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, and oncology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics; and gastrointestinal products. Its Specialty Generics reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements, including with regard to Acthar Gel, its potential to improve health and treatment outcomes, its potential impact on patients. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: the effects of Mallinckrodt's recent emergence from bankruptcy; satisfaction of, and compliance with, regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; changes in laws and regulations; issues with product quality, manufacturing or supply, or patient safety issues or adverse side effects or adverse reactions associated with Acthar Gel; and other risks identified and described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, all of which are available on its website. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTACT



Media Inquiries

Green Room Communications

908-577-4531

[email protected]

Investor Relations

Derek Belz

Vice President, Investor Relations

314-654-3950

[email protected]

Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. Other brands are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company or their respective owners.

2024 Mallinckrodt. US-2400042 03/24

References

___________________________________

1 Bindra J, et al. Acthar Gel in African Americans versus Non-African Americans with Symptomatic Sarcoidosis: Physician Assessment of Patient Medical Records. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2024;20:83-94

https://doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S438174.

2Chopra I, et al. Repository Corticotropin Injection in Patients with Advanced Symptomatic Sarcoidosis: Retrospective Analysis of Medical Records. Ther Adv Res Dis. 2019(13);1-11. DOI: 10.1177/1753466619888127.

3 Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) [prescribing information]. Mallinckrodt ARD LLC. 2023.

4 Judson MA. Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: A Guide for the Practicing Clinician. Humana Press, New York, NY. 2014. 8;149-186.

5 Hena, K. M. Sarcoidosis Epidemiology: Race Matters. Front Immunol. 2020;11:1-5.

6 Sarcoidosis. American College of Chest Physicians. Available at: http://chestnet.org/sarcoid. Accessed February 2024.

7 Sarcoidosis Overview. 2019. Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11863-sarcoidosis-overview. Accessed February 2024.

8 Judson MA, Boan AD, Lackland DT. The Clinical Course of Sarcoidosis: Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment in a Large White and Black Cohort in the United States. Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis. 2012. 29(2);119-127.

SOURCE Mallinckrodt plc
The modular cloud-based solution will open new markets and reduce maintenance burden and complexity

NEW YORK and TOKYO, March 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Matsui Securities Co., Ltd., one of Japan's top online securities brokers, has selected global Fintech leader Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc .'s (NYSE: BR) cloud based SaaS post-trade processing solution to drive operational efficiency in its stock lending business. System integrator Intelligent Wave will develop the front office component and system integration as well as provide project management and overall consultation to Matsui Securities.

"Hitherto, we have operated an internally developed system for stock lending transactions, but as our business has grown it has become bloated, making system maintenance a significant burden," said Shinichi Uzawa, Managing Director, Corporate Division at Matsui Securities. "By adopting Broadridge's post-trade processing solution with its proven global track record, we expect to reduce our maintenance burden and facilitate a far more stable management with much greater operational efficiency."

"We are delighted to work with Matsui Securities and Intelligent Wave to meet their clients' current and future stock lending needs in Japan," said Ian Strudwick, Managing Director, Head of Asia Pacific at Broadridge. "In today's competitive online securities brokerage market, margin compression means that our clients are looking at new revenue growth opportunities and operating efficiencies. Our modular platform allows them to achieve these goals, quickly and with ease, and provides the flexibility for future expansion of their services locally and globally at scale."

Broadridge delivers global simplification, transformation and innovation across the trade lifecycle through scalable solutions. Broadridge's cloud based post-trade SaaS solution will allow Matsui Securities to process and settle all stock lending and borrowing transactions, manage the corresponding positions, compute required collateral, as well as automatically calculate fees and rebates and manufactured dividends.

About Matsui Securities

Matsui Securities Co., Ltd. is an online-focused securities firm that provides financial products and services to retail investors via the internet. Our range of products and services includes Japanese and U.S. stocks, forex, investment trusts, futures options, NISA, and iDeCo. Our corporate philosophy is "Supporting the prosperous lives of customers" and our corporate objective is "Delivering valuable financial products and services to retail investors." Under our corporate slogan, "As a reliable securities broker, we make investment fun and interesting," we are committed to a "reliable" approach to investment while aiming to provide products and services full of ideas that make investing "fun and interesting" through the excitement and enjoyment of the investment experience, helping our customers to discover and grow.

About Intelligent Wave

Intelligent Wave Inc. is an IT services firm that supports business reliability in sectors including settlement, finance and securities.

We have acquired a high share in the domestic Japanese market through developing, building, and maintaining systems for the financial industry that process large volumes of data accurately and in real time, including building online network gateway systems for settlement systems and stock price information distribution gateway systems for the securities market. We are also significantly expanding our information security business by introducing and disseminating our proprietary internal information security products, as well as advanced solutions from overseas, in the domestic market.

For more information, please visit: https://www.iwi.co.jp/en/

About Broadridge

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader with over $6 billion in revenues, provides the critical infrastructure that powers investing, corporate governance, and communications to enable better financial lives. We deliver technology-driven solutions that drive business transformation for banks, broker-dealers, asset and wealth managers and public companies. Broadridge's infrastructure serves as a global communications hub enabling corporate governance by linking thousands of public companies and mutual funds to tens of millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. Our technology and operations platforms underpin the daily trading of more than $10 trillion of equities, fixed income and other securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work, Broadridge is part of the S&P 500 Index, employing over 14,000 associates in 21 countries.

For more information about us, please visit www.broadridge.com.

Broadridge Contacts:

Investors:

Edings Thibault

Head of Investor Relations, Broadridge

[email protected]

Media:

Gregg Rosenberg

Global Head of Corporate Communications

Gregg.Rosenberg@broadridge.com

SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
MANILA, Philippines, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Outsource Accelerator, the leading global outsourcing marketplace, today announced the release of its highly anticipated 2024 OA500 report, ranking the top 500 outsourcing companies worldwide.

The OA500 uses an objective methodology evaluating over 20 public metadata points to provide a definitive view into the global outsourcing industry. The 2024 report features an enhanced ranking system, and longitudinal analysis, providing an even more comprehensive insight into the global outsourcing industry and its top 500 firms.

This year's Global Outsourcing Firm (BPO) Index assessed 2,847 outsourcing firms globally, up by 26% from 2023.

Key Highlights from the 2024 OA500 Analysis:

Double-Digit Industry Growth: The OA500 firms generated a combined $590.87 billion in revenue, up 13.8% from $519.25 billion in 2023. They account for 94.7% of the total industry revenue, despite counting for just 17.5% of companies. The OA500 workforce represents 97.9% of the total industry workforce. The increase of large BPO companies in the rankings has surpassed the total workforce last year alone with 7.86 million, which is 24.9% higher than last year's 6.29 million.

The OA500 firms generated a combined in revenue, up 13.8% from in 2023. They account for 94.7% of the total industry revenue, despite counting for just 17.5% of companies. The OA500 workforce represents 97.9% of the total industry workforce. The increase of large BPO companies in the rankings has surpassed the total workforce last year alone with 7.86 million, which is 24.9% higher than last year's 6.29 million. Online Presence Opportunity: While capturing 92.5% of total industry web traffic (up from 91.8%), OA500 firms experienced a dramatic 23% year-on-year decline in online traffic.

While capturing 92.5% of total industry web traffic (up from 91.8%), OA500 firms experienced a dramatic 23% year-on-year decline in online traffic. U.S. Firms Maintain Dominance: The top 500 firms are present in 11,493 locations worldwide. Over half (55.6%) of ranked companies are headquartered in the United States (278 firms), followed by India at 12.6% (63 firms) and the United Kingdom at 6% (30 firms).

The top 500 firms are present in 11,493 locations worldwide. Over half (55.6%) of ranked companies are headquartered in (278 firms), followed by at 12.6% (63 firms) and the at 6% (30 firms). Employee Satisfaction: The average Glassdoor rating for small and mid-sized OA500 firms was 4.1, signaling positive workplace cultures and employee engagement. On the other hand, the average rating for large OA500 companies is 3.7.

The average Glassdoor rating for small and mid-sized OA500 firms was 4.1, signaling positive workplace cultures and employee engagement. On the other hand, the average rating for large OA500 companies is 3.7. Emerging Trends: The healthcare outsourcing segment experienced significant gains primarily due to the ongoing healthcare staffing crisis in the United States . Emerging technologies and specialty services are expected to unlock new capabilities, positioning the OA500 firms to further enable global organizational focus.

"The 2024 OA500 report offers an unrivaled analysis of the top 500 outsourcing firms globally, assessing their progress both individually and as a cohort compared to 2023," said Derek Gallimore , Founder and CEO of Outsource Accelerator. "We go deep into the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the outsourcing landscape, making this report an invaluable resource for industry stakeholders."

Professional services giant Accenture retains the #1 spot, followed by Teleperformance and Concentrix rounding out the top three.

Top 10 Outsourcing Firms in the 2024 OA500:

Accenture Teleperformance Concentrix Wipro Capgemini Cognizant HCL Technologies Infosys CGI Tech Mahindra

Visit outsourceaccelerator.com/oa500 to access the full 2024 OA500 rankings and insights from Outsource Accelerator.

For media inquiries, contact:

News and Public Relations Team, Outsource Accelerator

[email protected]

About Outsource Accelerator

Outsource Accelerator (OA) is the world's trusted source of independent information, advisory, and expert implementation of outsourcing, offering the world's leading aggregator marketplace for outsourcing. www.outsourceaccelerator.com

SOURCE Outsource Accelerator
VANCOUVER, BC and SYDNEY, Australia , March 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Patriot") (TSX: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQB: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) announces that it has changed its auditor from Manning Elliott LLP (the "Former Auditor") to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (the "Successor Auditor") effective February 26, 2024.

At the request of the Company, the Former Auditor resigned as the auditor of the Company effective February 26, 2024, and the Board of Directors of the Company appointed the Successor Auditor as the Company's auditor effective February 26, 2024, until the next Annual General Meeting of the Company.

There were no modifications of opinion in the Former Auditor's reports in connection with the two most recently completed fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 and there are no reportable events between Patriot Battery Metals Inc. and the Former Auditor as defined in National Instrument 51-102  Continuous Disclosure Obligations (NI 51-102). The resignation of the Former Auditor as auditor of the Company has been approved by the Company's Audit Committee and its Board of Directors.

In accordance with NI 51-102, the notice of change of auditor, together with the required letters from the Former Auditor and the Successor Auditor, have been reviewed by the Board of Directors of the Company and filed on SEDAR+.

About Patriot Battery Metals Inc.

Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is a hard-rock lithium exploration company focused on advancing its district-scale 100% owned Corvette Property located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada, and proximal to regional road and powerline infrastructure. The Corvette Property hosts the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite with a maiden mineral resource estimate of 109.2 Mt at 1.42% Li2O inferred and ranks as the largest lithium pegmatite resource in the Americas based on contained lithium carbonate equivalent ("LCE"), and one of the top 10 largest lithium pegmatite resources in the world. Additionally, the Corvette Property hosts multiple other spodumene pegmatite clusters that remain to be drill tested, as well as more than 20 km of prospective trend that remain to be assessed.

The CV5 mineral resource estimate (109.2 Mt at 1.42% Li2O and 160 ppm Ta2O5 inferred) is reported at a cut-off grade of 0.40% Li2O with effective date of June 25, 2023 (through drill hole CV23-190). Mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability.

For further information, please contact us at [email protected] or by calling +1 (604) 279-8709, or visit www.patriotbatterymetals.com. Please also refer to the Company's continuous disclosure filings, available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca and www.asx.com.au, for available exploration data.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Ken Brinsden"

Ken Brinsden  President, CEO & Managing Director

SOURCE Patriot Battery Metals Inc
HARRISBURG, Pa., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today announced that the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund will be reopening on Monday, March 18, 2024, to homeowners struggling as a result of pandemic-related financial hardships. PAHAF provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners for mortgage and housing-related expenses to address delinquency and avoid default, foreclosure or displacement from their homes.

Since February 2023, there has been a pause on new applications in effect to allow PHFA to focus on a backlog of applicants as a priority. Now that a majority of pending applications have been processed and an assessment of remaining funds has been made, PHFA is able to reopen the program to eligible new applicants until the remaining monies are exhausted.

Pennsylvania was awarded $350 million for the administration of the program and the disbursement of funds as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. As of March 7th, 2024, more than 15,500 Pennsylvania households have received over $205 million, with approximately $92 million remaining. There is approximately $42 million encumbered to complete the processing of the pending applications that were transitioned. PHFA estimates that $48-$50 million in remaining PAHAF funds will be available to eligible new applicants for pandemic-related mortgage reinstatement, forward mortgage assistance, tax assistance and delinquent utility bills.

Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible new applicants until the remaining monies are exhausted with priority given to homeowners facing an imminent adverse action (IAA) such as a notice of foreclosure, sheriff sale or utility shut-off notice. Applicants should understand that submitting an application does not guarantee funding. PHFA has encumbered adequate funds to process the remaining pending applications.

"This announcement fulfills PHFA's promise to prioritize the backlog of Pennsylvania homeowners who have been waiting for their applications to be processed," said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. "PHFA is pleased that we are now in a position to reopen PAHAF to homeowners until the balance of funds has been exhausted."

Interested Pennsylvania homeowners should visit www.pahaf.org for more information, eligibility requirements, and instructions on how to submit their application. If homeowners have questions, they can contact the dedicated PAHAF Call Center at 888-987-2423, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. PHFA is working with its broad network of mortgage lenders, community partners and housing counseling agencies to help notify likely new applicants.

The PAHAF website features a regularly updated PAHAF dashboard that displays the status of the program by county, including applications submitted, number of households assisted and total disbursements made to date. The amount of money remaining in the fund will be updated on the program dashboard on a weekly basis as applications are processed through the debt-verification stage and expected disbursement amounts are verified.

About PHFA

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $17.9 billion of funding for more than 196,750 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 103,328 rental units, distributed approximately $289 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 50,860 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.

Contact:

Scott Elliott

717-649-6522 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
YANTAI, China, March 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RemeGen Co. Ltd.("RemeGen" or "the Company") (9995.HK, 688331.SH), a commercial-stage biotechnology company, recently gave an oral presentation on an interim analysis of the evaluation of the Company's proprietary Disitamab Vedotin (RC48), an investigational anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting prevalent solid tumor cancers with significant unmet medical needs, at the European Congress on Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO 2024 Congress) held in Barcelona from March 7-10, 2024.

A Phase II, open-label, multicenter basket design study (NCT04965519) is currently underway to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of RC48 monotherapy in the treatment of HER2-expressing gynecologic malignancies. The cervical cancer cohort includes patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer who have progressed on at least 1L anti-tumor therapy and have HER2 IHC 1+. The treatment regimen consists of RC48 monotherapy administered at a dose of 2 mg/kg Q2W. The primary endpoint is objective response rate (ORR) by Independent Review Committee, with secondary endpoints including ORR by Investigator, duration of response (DoR), disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

As of October 31, 2023, 25 patients with cervical cancer were enrolled with a median age of 56 years (range: 35-66). Most patients (64%) had a baseline ECOG performance score of 1. 18 patients had a primary FIGO stage of IIB or higher. 16 (64%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma, and 9 (36%) had adenocarcinoma. Among the 22 efficacy evaluable patients,

The ORR was 36.4% (8/22). The confirmed ORR was 31.8% (7/22), the DCR was 86.4% (19/22), and the median time to response was 1.5 months.

The mDoR was 5.52 months, and the mPFS was 4.37 months.

The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) included an increase in ALT (56%), an increase in AST (56%), and a decrease in white blood cell count (52%). Two patients (8%) experienced SAEs, and there were no deaths related to RC48. In conclusion, RC48 demonstrates a manageable safety profile and positive efficacy in HER2-expressing r/m cervical cancer patients, suggesting it to be a promising new treatment for HER2-expressed cervical cancer.

Dr. Jianmin Fang, CEO of RemeGen, commented, "ESGO congress is a unique opportunity for professionals from around the world to share and discuss their latest medical and scientific developments in their gynecological cancers research, treatment, and care. I am delighted to share an oral presentation on the evaluation of our proprietary ADC Disitamab Vedotin at ESGO 2024. It marks RemeGen's commitment to continued innovation and advancement in the field of cervical cancer treatment, and we strongly believe that the results of RC48 will bring new hope to cervical cancer patients."

Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies, with the latest cancer report in China in 2022 showing the 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of patients with late-stage recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer to be only about 15%. Current treatment options for patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer are limited to immunotherapy and chemotherapy (ORR ranging from 14.6% to 26.8%), indicating there are significant unmet clinical needs.

About RemeGen Co. Ltd.

Founded in 2008, RemeGen (9995.HK, SHA: 688331) is a leading biopharmaceutical company in China committed to providing solutions to the unmet clinical needs of patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses. RemeGen has research laboratories and offices throughout China and the United States. The company is committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative and differentiated biologic drugs of significant clinical value in the key therapeutic areas of autoimmune, oncology, and ophthalmic diseases.

For more details, please visit: www.remegen.com

About Disitamab Vedotin (RC48)

Disitamab Vedotin (RC48) is an investigational anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate targeting prevalent solid cancers with significant unmet medical needs and is the first domestically developed ADC to receive marketing approval in China. The drug was granted conditional marketing approval in June 2021 by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China to treat locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer. In the same month, the company submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the treatment of HER2-expressing advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma with disitamab vedotin. In 2021, RemeGen and Seagen Inc. (acquired by Pfizer in December 2023) entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement to develop and commercialize disitamab vedotin.

The company is implementing a differentiated development and commercial strategy for disitamab vedotin, including (i) gastric cancer (GC), (ii) urothelial carcinoma (UC), (iii) breast cancer (BC), and (iv) other HER2-expressing cancers.

SOURCE RemeGen Co., Ltd
Managers that take this course will learn how to:

Raise morale in the workplace by creating a positive climate for people to work in.

Boost teamwork by developing cohesion among team members.

Improve motivation and commitment by providing purpose in the workplace.

Increase the team's ability to solve problems and overcome challenges by facilitating team learning.

Enhance the organization's ability to change and compete by supporting organizational learning.

The 7-week Building and Leading Resilient Teams course at the University of Charleston meets the education/training requirement for the Resilience-Building Leadership Professional certification exams.

About the University of Charleston

The University of Charleston is an independent, co-educational, residential university, with the main campus in the state capital of West Virginia, Charleston. UC embeds critical thinking, communication, citizenship, creativity/innovation, ethical practice and inquiry into courses in each major, providing students the foundation to think, act and develop skills that are necessary to thrive in the workplace and in the future.

"The University of Charleston is dedicated to innovation, and we recognize that with change can come adversity" says Dr. Martin S. Roth, President, University of Charleston. "The partnership with RBLP enables us to help leaders learn to navigate adversity, positioning themselves for success in any industry or economy. Strong leaders with advanced skills and certifications are increasingly important in our ever-changing world."

About Resilience-Building Leader Program (RBLP)

Resilience-Building Leader Program (RBLP) is the credentialing body for the Resilience-Building Leadership Professional certifications. Our mission is to certify leaders.

"We are quite proud that the University of Charleston is joining our growing list of Education Partners" says Dr. Gene Coughlin, the Founder of RBLP. "We look forward to making the benefits of leader training and certification available to their continuing education students."

Media Contact:

Belinda Aramide

[email protected]

SOURCE Resilience Building Leader Program
Leading shelf-stable baby and toddler food brand plans to utilize the capital to further accelerate the brand's category leadership, retail distribution, and innovation

AUSTIN, Texas, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Serenity Kids , the leading shelf-stable pouched baby food brand in the country(1), has closed a $52 million minority investment and partnership with Stride Consumer Partners LLC ("Stride"), a growth-equity investment firm focused on the next generation of great consumer brands and services.

Serenity and Joe Carr, co-founders of Serenity Kids with daughter, Della, and a sampling of Serenity Kids' nutrient-dense baby and toddler food products

Serenity Kids was created and is led by co-founders Serenity and Joe Carr who could not find baby food options that were both low in sugar and contained balanced macronutrients, so they decided to make their own. Since launching in 2018, Serenity Kids has quickly become the fastest selling shelf-stable baby food pouch brand in all grocery channels(2). The brand offers nutrient-dense products that contain the highest quality proteins and healthy fats across pouches, puffs, and toddler formula with national distribution in over 18,000 stores, including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Walmart, Target, Kroger, Publix, Amazon, Thrive Market, and more.

"The current investment landscape is pretty dire, so our ability to attract this financing and partnership validates our differentiation, mission, and growth potential. We're excited to pour more resources into our revolution that elevates children's nutrition so that all future generations can thrive," said Joe Carr, President and Co-Founder of Serenity Kids. "We are profitable and were not seeking to raise funds, but when we met the Stride team we immediately connected with them and appreciated their approach to building strong sustainable brands. The Stride team's proven track record partnering with companies like Yasso and Chomps makes us confident that they can help take us to the next level."

Serenity Kids' success, including 71% year-over-year retail revenue growth in 2023 versus 2022(3), can be attributed to the brand's strong product quality and differentiation, unique innovation, and commitment to the highest nutritional, ethical, and taste standards that parents seek today. With their Ethically Sourced Meat Pouches as a top performing product line, Serenity Kids is elevating the category by providing healthy meat-based protein solutions for little ones that are dramatically outperforming(4) traditional fruit-based purees at both natural and conventional retailers. The brand was recognized on Inc. 5000's fastest growing companies list of 2023. Serenity Carr, CEO and Co-Founder of Serenity Kids, was named one of Inc.'s 200 Best Female Founders in 2023.

"We launched Serenity Kids to create superior products that give little ones the best start possible," said Serenity Carr. "Stride's team has already been super collaborative, and we're confident they're the right partner to help propel our business into the next phase. We look forward to working with them to achieve our goal of helping babies grow up healthy, happy, and strong."

The growth capital from Stride will fuel investment within key areas of Serenity Kids' business, namely marketing, talent, and innovation. The funds and strategic partnership with Stride will support Serenity Kids' vision to improve the well-being of all children by making it easier for parents to feed their kids the healthiest food.

"In my 20 years of experience in growth equity investments, I have rarely seen a brand with such a consistent track record of winning at the shelf as Serenity Kids," said Juan Marcos Hill, Partner at Stride Consumer Partners. "We were impressed with the brand's unique positioning and the team's vision and passion to provide the highest quality, most nutrient-dense products for babies and toddlers. We look forward to supporting the Serenity Kids team on their continued expansion as they seek to transform the standard in baby and toddler food."

Serenity Kids offers baby food pouch varieties in five lines: *new* World Explorers, Dairy-Free Smoothies, Ethically Sourced Meats, Organic Savory Veggies, and Purees with Bone Broth, as well as zero-sugar Grain Free Puffs, and a first-of-its-kind A2 Whole Milk Toddler Formula. These differentiated baby food recipes introduce savory flavors early and sets children up for a lifetime of healthy eating without an early craving for sugar. Serenity Kids is committed to only using premium-quality ingredients without any antibiotics, added hormones, pesticides, fillers, or major allergens. All of Serenity Kids' products are third party tested for over 200 heavy metals and contaminants and are made with ethically sourced, regeneratively farmed meats and Certified USDA Organic vegetables, herbs, and spices.

Serenity and Joe Carr will maintain ownership and continue to run the company with this significant and timely financial investment.

Kirk Lin, Serenity Kids' VP of Finance played a pivotal role in this transition and Haynes & Boone served as the exclusive legal advisor to Serenity Kids. Latham & Watkins LLP served as the exclusive legal advisor to Stride Consumer Partners.

About Serenity Kids:

Serenity Kids makes premium baby and toddler food products of the highest nutritional, ethical, and taste standards. Serenity Kids only uses ingredients without any antibiotics, added hormones, pesticides, fillers, GMOs, or major allergens. The brand has established partnerships with Land to Market and Partnership for a Healthier America. All of Serenity Kids' products are Clean Label Project certified, and the brand is one of the few baby and toddler food companies that has received a Clean Label Project Purity Award. Serenity Kids' meat and vegetable pouch lines as well as the Grain Free Puffs line and new Toddler Formula are available online at www.MySerenityKids.com , Amazon, and Thrive Market, and in over 18,000 grocery stores nationwide including Harris Teeter, select H-E-B locations, Kroger, Natural Grocers, Meijer, select Albertsons/Safeway locations, Sprouts, Target, Wegmans, Whole Foods Market, Walmart, and more. For more information on the brand, mission, and products, please go to www.MySerenityKids.com , and follow them on Instagram and Facebook .

About Stride Consumer Partners:

Stride is a private equity firm that specializes in partnering with talented and dynamic founders, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to build the next generation of great consumer brands. Founded by a passionate group of experienced investor-operators, Stride's unique approach brings together a fully integrated team of successful investors working alongside seasoned operators to assist high-growth and disruptive consumer products and services businesses to hit their stride. Together, Stride supports its partners on their journey as they take decisive steps toward delivering on their vision. Within consumer, the firm focuses on the following areas of expertise: beauty and personal care, food and beverage, active lifestyle, and multi-unit consumer services. The Stride team has had the pleasure of working side-by-side with the founders and teams of Brew Dr., The Bruery, Chomps, drybar, Essentia, First Aid Beauty, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, MacKenzie-Childs, Odele, Patrick Ta, Simms Fishing Products, Skinfix, Tatcha, Truewerk, TRX, Urban Decay, and Yasso. For more information, please visit Stride Consumer Partners website.

Media contact:

Leah Brown

[email protected]

(858) 337-2995

(1) Leading defined as a brand with best-selling items. Serenity Kids Beef & Chicken have the most sales of any pouches in FMCG. Nielsen Baby & Toddler Food, Pouches, FMCG Channel, L13 WE 1/20/24

(2) Nielsen Baby & Toddler Food, Grocery Channel, L13 WE 1/20/24, $/TDP (Velocity)

(3) Nielsen Serenity Kids $ Sales, FMCG Channel, L52 WE 12/30/23

(4) $/TDP, Pouches in FMCG, L13 Wks ending 1/27/24

SOURCE Serenity Kids
HDD's 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide, Mar 31, 2024 is Brought To You By...
NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against British American Tobacco p.l.c. ("BAT" or the "Company") (NYSE: BTI). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

The class action concerns whether BAT and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until March 25, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired BAT securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

In January 2017, BAT, which already had a 42% stake in Reynolds American Inc. ("Reynolds"), took over the remaining interest in Reynolds for $49.4 billion dollars, valuing Reynolds at around $86 billion. This resulted in Reynolds becoming a BAT subsidiary. In doing so, BAT took control of the Camel, Newport, and Natural American Spirit cigarette brands (the "Premium American Cigarette Brands" or the "Brands"), among others, which are considered to be premium cigarettes.

On December 6, 2023, BAT issued a press release announcing that it was taking a 25 billion Pound (or around $31.5 billion USD) impairment (the "Impairment") on the cigarette brands it acquired from Reynolds. It stated, in relevant part: "Consistent with our vision to 'Build a Smokeless World', and in combination with the current macro-economic headwinds impacting the U.S. combustibles industry, in 2023 we will take an accounting non-cash adjusting impairment charge of around 25bn. This accounting adjustment mainly relates to some of our acquired U.S. combustibles brands, as we now assess their carrying value and useful economic lives over an estimated period of 30 years. Accordingly, we will commence amortisation of the remaining value of our U.S. combustibles brands from January 2024."

On this news, BAT's American depositary receipt ("ADR") price fell $2.68 per ADR, or 8.88%, to close at $28.86 on December 6, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Evolution AB ("Evolution" or the "Company") (OTC: EVVTY). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

The class action concerns whether Evolution and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until March 25, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Evolution securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On January 24, 2022, Analyst Alpha Generation Limited released a report on Evolution (the "Report") to certain institutional investors. According to subsequent media coverage, the Report stated that (i) a significant portion of Evolution's revenue "could be at risk due to future regulatory clampdowns," and (ii) Evolution was "exposed to revenues from what we [the authors of the Report] believe to be illegal gambling activities."

On this news, Evolution's American Depositary Share ("ADS") price fell $19.78 per ADS, or 14.68%, over the following three trading sessions, to close at $115.00 per ADS on January 27, 2022.

On April 26, 2022 (that is, on April 25, 2022 in the United States), Australia's gambling regulator announced that it had requested that Australian internet service provides block six online gambling sites, the operators of at least five of which were direct or indirect customers of Evolution's, alleging that the sites were engaged in illegal gambling.

On this news, Evolution's ADS price fell $6.02 per ADS, or 6.22%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $96.73 per ADS on April 27, 2022.

On May 4, 2022, industry press reported that the Swedish Administrative Court had upheld most of the record Swedish fines of 175 million Swedish Krona (approximately $17.8 million) that had been imposed on brands operated by ComeOn Group, a subsidiary of Cherry AB (publ), a customer of Evolution's, in relation to breaches of Swedish online gambling regulations.

On this news, Evolution's ADS price fell $12.34 per ADS, or 10.88%, to close at $101.09 per ADS on May 5, 2022.

On May 7, 2022, media outlets reported that industry participants had lobbied the UK government against an overhaul of gambling laws in the UK.

On this news, Evolution's ADS price fell $14.84 per ADS, or 14.54%, over the following three trading sessions, to close at $87.25 per ADS on May 11, 2022.

On April 27, 2023, Evolution released its financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2023. Among other items, the Company disclosed that Evolution's revenue from the RNG segment of its business did not grow, and that its North American business segment had experienced a low growth rate.

On this news, Evolution's ADS price fell $11.24 per ADS, or 8.23%, over the following four trading sessions, to close at $125.26 per ADS on May 2, 2023.

Finally, on October 26, 2023, Evolution released its financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2023 and held an analyst call to discuss the results. In its quarterly report and on the analyst call, Evolution disclosed that the Company faced delays in opening new studios and that revenues for its RNG and North American business segments did not grow.

On this news, Evolution's ADS price fell $7.15 per ADS, or 7.61%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $86.80 per ADS on October 27, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against GrafTech International Ltd. ("GrafTech" or the "Company") (NYSE: EAF). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

The class action concerns whether GrafTech and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until March 25, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired GrafTech securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On September 16, 2022, GrafTech disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that regulatory inspectors in Mexico had issued a temporary suspension notice to the Company's graphite electrode manufacturing facility in Monterrey.

On this news, GrafTech's stock price fell $0.45 per share, or 8.49%, to close at $4.85 per share on September 19, 2022.

On November 18, 2022, GrafTech announced that the Monterrey facility was conditionally permitted to resume operations subject to the Company's completion of certain remediation efforts.

Then, on August 4, 2023, GrafTech issued a press release disclosing the Company's financial and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 ("2Q23 Release"). The 2Q23 Release reported that sales declined 49% compared to the second quarter of 2022 as the Company continued to "recover" from the effects of the Monterrey facility shutdown in 2022. As a result of the substantial decline in net sales, the 2Q23 Release reported a net loss of $8 million compared to $115 million in net income the Company reported in the second quarter of 2022.

On the accompanying earnings call, the Company's Chief Executive Officer described the Monterrey suspension as the "key driver" of the underperformance and revealed that GrafTech's ability to secure customer contracts would continue to be indirectly impacted in the second half of fiscal 2023.

On this news, Graftech's stock price fell $1.18 per share, or 22.56%, to close at $4.05 per share on August 4, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Xponential Fitness, Inc. ("Xponential" or the "Company") (NYSE: XPOF). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

The class action concerns whether Xponential and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until April 10, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Xponential securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On June 26, 2023, short-biased analyst firm Fuzzy Panda published a research report titled "Xponential Fitness (XPOF)  'Abusive Franchisor That Is A House Of Cards'" (the "Fuzzy Panda Report"). Among other revelations, the Fuzzy Panda Report alleged that Xponential's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") Anthony Geisler has had a long history of misleading investors, including being exposed on camera for using "boiler room" tactics to mislead investors in connection with a prior venture and issuing false claims that Xponential "never closed a store." The Fuzzy Panda Report disclosed that its examination of 64 Franchise Disclosure Documents ("FDDs") demonstrated 8 of 10 Xponential brands are losing money monthly and more than 50% of its studios never make a positive financial return. The Fuzzy Panda Report also revealed that more than 100 of Xponential's franchises were for sale at a price 75% less than their initial cost and that the same-store sales ("SSS") and average unit volume ("AUV") the Company reports to investors selectively and misleadingly exclude underperforming stores.

Following publication of the Fuzzy Panda Report, Xponential's stock price fell $9.39 per share, or more than 39%, to close at $15.72 per share on June 27, 2023.

Although Xponential attempted to deny the allegations in the Fuzzy Panda Report, on December 7, 2023, Bloomberg Businessweek ("Businessweek") published an expose on the Company that largely corroborated the Fuzzy Panda Report's allegations entitled "Club Pilates, Pure Barre Owners Say Xponential Left Them Bankrupt." The article stated that Businessweek had interviewed dozens of former business partners, employees, and franchisees of the Company who revealed that Xponential misled many franchisees into a "financial nightmare." The article stated that CEO Geisler "has a track record of combative management, deploying growth-at-all-costs tactics and unleashing aggressive reprisals against anyone who gets in his way." The article disclosed that these unscrupulous tactics caused "many of the company's franchisees . . . [to] have either declared bankruptcy or los[e] their retirement savings."

Following publication of the Businessweek article, Xponential's stock price fell more than 26% over two trading days on heavy trading volume to close at less than $9 per share on December 11, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of HSBC Holdings plc ("HSBC" or the "Company") (NYSE: HSBC). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether HSBC and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On February 21, 2024, HSBC announced its financial and operating results for 2023. Among other items, the Company announced an impairment charge of $3 billion on a write-down of its stake in Bank of Communications Co., Limited ("BoCom") and a $2 billion charge on the sale of its French retail operations.

On this news, HSBC's American depositary receipt ("ADR") price fell $3.63 per ADR, or 8.89%, to close at $37.22 per ADR on February 21, 2024.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of JBS S.A. ("JBS" or the "Company") (OTC: JBSAY). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether JBS and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On February 28, 2024, Reuters published an article entitled "New York sues meatpacking giant JBS over climate claims." The article reported, in relevant part, that New York State's Attorney General has "accused [JBS] of misleading the public about its impact on the environment in order to boost sales. Attorney General Letitia James said JBS USA Food Co, the Brazilian company's American-based unit, has 'no viable plan' to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, making its stated commitment to achieving that goal false and misleading."

On this news, JBS's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $0.22 per share, or 2.38%, to close at $9.02 per share on February 28, 2024.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated ("UnitedHealth" or the "Company") (NYSE: UNH). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980

The investigation concerns whether UnitedHealth and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On February 27, 2024, The Wall Street Journal ("WSJ") reported that the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") has launched an antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth. Specifically, the WSJ reported that DOJ investigators have been interviewing healthcare industry representatives in sectors where UnitedHealth competes to determine the possible impacts of acquisitions made through its health services arm, Optum.

On this news, UnitedHealth's stock price fell $27.04 per share, or 5.15%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $498.28 per share on February 28, 2024.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
DOHA, Qatar, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant development for the remittance sector, TerraPay, a global cross-border payments network, has announced a strategic partnership with Alfardan Exchange. This collaboration aims to leverage TerraPay's advanced digital payment infrastructure and Alfardan Exchange's established presence in the industry, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of cross-border remittance solutions.

Alfardan Exchange, a prominent player in the remittance sector, brings to the table a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to facilitating seamless financial transactions. This partnership is set to provide a host of benefits to Alfardan Exchange, with a key focus on leveraging TerraPay's cutting-edge digital payment infrastructure. By joining forces, the two entities aim to facilitate seamless, cost-effective, efficient cross-border payments to cater to the diverse customer needs.

Sudhesh Giriyan, President  Cross-Border Payments at TerraPay, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating "TerraPay, a pioneering provider of white-labeled digital payment infrastructure, is dedicated to transforming the remittance landscape. The partnership with Alfardan Exchange is seen as an opportunity to strengthen our market presence in Qatar and gain strategic leverage in the remittance sector."

He added, "The collaboration underscores TerraPay's commitment to innovation, setting new benchmarks in the remittance sector. Known for creating seamless, secure, and accessible cross-border transaction solutions, TerraPay aims to revolutionize the digital payments landscape in partnership with Alfardan Exchange.

In terms of the partnership's specifics, the two companies will work together to establish advanced digital cross-border remittance solutions. This collaboration will not only strengthen financial inclusivity but also enhance connectivity across multiple global corridors."

Bashar Alwaqfi the General Manager of Alfardan Exchange, said: "We are pleased to announce our partnership with TerraPay, this collaboration adds more valuable services to our existing offerings for customers. At Alfardan Exchange, we are committed to continually expanding our service portfolio, in line with our strategic growth objectives. Through this partnership, we look forward to working with TerraPay to introduce innovative solutions and enrich the remittance experience for our valued customers."

This collaboration between TerraPay and Alfardan Exchange represents a shared commitment to providing cutting-edge remittance solutions and driving financial inclusion globally. Both entities are poised to revolutionize the digital payments landscape, offering enhanced efficiency, security, and accessibility to customers across diverse corridors.

For media inquiries, please contact: Juveria Samrin [email protected]

About TerraPay:

TerraPay simplifies the movement of money everywhere  providing a single connection to the most expansive cross-border payments network regulated in 30 global markets and enabling payments to 141 receive countries, 210+ send countries, 7.5Bn+ bank accounts and 2.1Bn+ mobile wallets. TerraPay is on a mission to connect a borderless financial world, making moving money everywhere instant, reliable, transparent and fully compliant. TerraPay pushes the boundaries for global businesses  ranging from banks, fintechs and money-transfer operators to travel businesses, creator economy platforms and e-commerce marketplaces  while driving financial inclusion in even the most inaccessible markets. Founded in 2014, TerraPay is headquartered in London, with global offices in Bangalore, Dubai, Miami, Bogota, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Hague, Dakar, Joburg, Nairobi, Milan, Singapore and is expanding rapidly, having received funding from leading investors, including the IFC (the World Bank), Prime Ventures, Partech Africa and Visa.

About Alfardan:

Established in 1971, Alfardan Exchange is Qatar's premier financial exchange company, aiming to serve the needs of the region's millions of expatriates and thriving foreign businesses investing in Qatar and the Middle East. Alfardan Exchange has earned the distinction of being ranked first in Qatar and recognized among the top five exchange houses in the field of digital transformation in the GCC. It has also been classified among the top 20 exchange companies in the Middle East by Forbes Middle East, proudly representing the sole Qatari exchange house on these lists.

Additionally, Alfardan Exchange is a member of the Union of Arab Banks and the Digital Master Agent for Western Union, providing remittance services through a mobile application and an online web portal, as well as the distinctive services that it provides through its digital portal.

Logo https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1222771/TerraPay_Logo.jpg

SOURCE TerraPay
RALEIGH, N.C., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Mark J. Mills, JD, MD is acknowledged as a Life Achiever 2023-2024 for his contributions as a Forensic Psychiatrist.

Dr. Mark J. Mills, a highly accomplished forensic psychiatrist, is marking an impressive 48 years of dedication and expertise in the field of forensic psychiatry. As a renowned figure in the industry, Dr. Mills has made substantial contributions to academia and has maintained a thriving private firm, Mark J. Mills, JD, MD, since 1987.

Mark J. Mills, JD, MD

Dr. Mark J. Mills has spent an illustrious 48 years in the field of forensic psychiatry, specializing in providing critical insights and expertise in legal and psychiatric matters.

Dr. Mills' career is characterized by academic excellence and impactful roles at prestigious institutions. Over the years, he has served at renowned universities, including New York Medical College, Columbia University, Georgetown University School of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Stanford University. His contributions have played a vital role in shaping the field of forensic psychiatry.

Since 1987, Dr. Mills has been operating his eponymous firm, Mark J. Mills, JD, MD. Through his private practice, he continues to provide invaluable forensic psychiatric services, offering his expertise to individuals, legal professionals, and institutions.

Dr. Mills is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, showcasing his commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards in the field.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Mills has received numerous accolades for his outstanding contributions. Some of his notable awards and honors include the Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Law & Medicine, a Bronze Medal from the 28th Annual International Film and Television Festival of New York for his work on "In the Absence of Angels - A Report on the Homeless Mentally Ill Chronology" (1985), and the esteemed Harry C. Solomon Award (1981-1982). He is also recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Legal Medicine (1978), a fellow of the Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists (1986), and holds the title of Distinguished Lifetime Fellow at the American Psychiatric Association (2010).

Dr. Mills' educational journey includes a Bachelor of Arts in Intellectual History from the University of California, Berkeley (1967), a Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) from Harvard Law School (1970), and a Doctor of Medicine in Psychiatry from Stanford University School of Medicine (1975).

While Dr. Mills' specific philosophy is not detailed, his enduring commitment to the field of forensic psychiatry is a testament to his dedication to helping individuals in need and contributing to the legal and psychiatric realms.

Dr. Mark J. Mills, JD, MD, is a distinguished figure in the world of forensic psychiatry, with a career spanning close to five decades. His unwavering commitment to the field, combined with his extensive academic and professional achievements, continues to make a significant impact. As he celebrates 48 years of expertise, Dr. Mills looks forward to contributing further to the betterment of individuals and the field of forensic psychiatry.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
SOMERS, N.Y., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Rosalie Mignano-Aste is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional for her contributions to the field of Real Estate.

Rosalie Mignano Aste

Ms. Mignano-Aste has obtained a comprehensive academic background, including a Bachelor of Science degree in Property Management from Iona University and an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from SUNY Westchester Community College. She oversees the process of transaction management and lease administration as well as space and strategic planning for corporations based on their office locations which involves handling all aspects of the entire life cycle of corporate real estate transactions.

The business professional notes that this is what separates her in the marketplace while most others handle only real estate, design, or construction. Also setting her apart from her peers is her work experience and interactions with international and domestic communities; garnering high honors and awards from the International Facility Management Association, Cornet Global, and the St. Francis Food Pantries, which named her Woman of Valor. Upon reflection of her success, she attributes that to her love for the profession, drive, and desire to do well and progress.

Ms. Mignano-Aste considers her most notable achievement working with many of the same staff members for 15 to 20 years on average. She also includes in highlights of her career when she sat for and attained her New York real estate broker license which allowed her to advance more quickly than most others, especially in a then-male-dominated field. Through the years, however, the married mother of two children has witnessed more women joining and succeeding in the profession, especially in construction, thanks in part to professional organizations that promote the inclusiveness and growth that she strongly encourages.

Alongside her role at Endeavor, Ms. Mignano-Aste is vice president of corporate real estate and facilities management at IMG. Before joining both companies in 2008, she was vice president of global real estate and facilities director at Alliance Bernstein, assistant director of building services at The Museum of Modern Art, and administrative officer of facilities management at Alliance Capital Management.

Looking to the future, she plans to have continued growth and success with Endeavor.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
   

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MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- First Horizon Corporation, (NYSE: FHN or "First Horizon") announced that Tracy Bell, Director of Equity Investments Strategies, was honored as a 2024 Women Who Shape the State by This is Alabama.

For 11 years, This is Alabama has asked Alabamians to nominate women who have made a difference in the community. The honorees have included a broad range of women from every corner of the state, including business leaders, educators, artists, activists, CEOs, astronauts, engineers, nonprofit leaders, volunteers and more.

Tracy Bell (center) is honored by "This is Alabama" as a 2024 Women Who Shape the State. Pictured with Tracy from First Horizon are Mary Nelson Little, Jerry Laurain, Dave Goode and Debbie Parrott.

Bell is passionate about making economic and investment topics approachable and understandable to all. She states, "I speak about these topics often and believe that for women especially, taking charge of their own financial future or being very involved in family finances is important for good socio-economic and family outcomes."

As shared in her This is Alabama profile, Bell has 25 years of experience in investment management and uses her broad knowledge of the industry to help families in her community learn more about their financial power. Each year, Bell leads First Horizon's "Women and Wealth" dinner, an empowering workshop for women offering information and more about how to take charge of their own financial future. She also authors investment publications and is a frequent speaker across the First Horizon footprint and has appeared in the Birmingham Alabama Business Journal's Table of Experts series. In 2018, she was selected as one of 20 women from IBERIABANK to attend the year-long Women Unlimited, Inc. LEAD leadership development program. Bell serves on the board of directors and as treasurer for Girls, Inc. of Central Alabama, and she has previously served as an industry mentor for student teams from The University of Alabama, Samford University and The University of West Alabama competing in the CFA Institute Research Challenge.

About First Horizon

First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $81.7 billion in assets as of December 31, 2023, is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com .

SOURCE First Horizon Corporation
Legends in Taiwan are visualized with immersive technology for international markets and professionals

TAIPEI, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Taiwan's rich history and folklore take center stage at South by Southwest (SXSW) in the United States in March, with the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) orchestrating a display of 15 innovative projects combining culture and technology at the Taiwan Pavilion. Among these productions, "Madame Pirate: Code of Conduct," was selected for the 2024 SXSW XR Competition, while the other creation "Sister Lin-Tou" graced the XR Spotlight section.

Directed by Dan-Chi Huang and Morgan Ommer, "Madame Pirate: Code of Conduct" serves as the eagerly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed 2021 hit, "Madame Pirate: Becoming a Legend." Displaying a tale steeped in the exploits of a legendary 19th-century Asian pirate, produced by Serendipity Films (Taiwan) and Digital-Rise (France), the narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a monumental clash between 70,000 Red Flag pirates and the corruption-laden Qing Dynasty. Shot at the cutting-edge IP Lab by TAICCA, the film employs state-of-the-art volumetric capture and 3D animation techniques to transport viewers to the maritime battleground.

"Sister Lin-Tou," which delves into a local ghost story, marking the inaugural VR venture for the performing arts company MeimageDance, promises to captivate audiences with its immersive storytelling experience. Collaborating with Funique VR, the production translates human forms into the protagonist through multi-camera scanning technology. Initially presented in Taipei in 2023, this title is now poised for its international debut at SXSW 2024.

In addition to the two projects officially selected, TAICCA will present eight immersive works, three immersive projects, and two cultural tech services at the Taiwan Pavilion within SXSW's XR Expo. These titles have received support through grants such as the Immersive Content Grant or Future Content Production provided by TAICCA in 2022. Among the highlights are "Encounters" by Serendipity Films, "Monologue of Barbie" by MeimageDance, "Somewhere Unknown in Indochina," shedding light on the plight of boat people in Vietnam, and "Guardians of the Jade Mountain," recounting a legendary tale from the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan. These compelling titles will offer glimpses of their narratives through teasers at SXSW, aiming to forge connections with potential international partners.

Homme Tsai, TAICCA's chairperson, notes that in recent years, XR development in Taiwan has been on an upward trend. By participating in major international events, the aspiration is for Taiwan's outstanding works, professionals, and technologies to become more integrated into global industries.

SXSW, takes place from March 8 to 16 in Austin, Texas, the United States this year, is known as a premier global platform celebrating creativity and innovation, offers an ideal setting for the convergence of cultural expression and technological advancement. The XR Exhibition, a highlight of the event, presents immersive experiences that push the boundaries of storytelling and audience engagement.

2024 SXSW FESTIVAL  XR EXPOTaiwan Pavilion: https://pavilion.taicca.tw/2024-sxsw/

About TAICCA ( https://en.taicca.tw/ )

The Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), established in June 2019 and supported by the Ministry of Culture, is a professional intermediary organization working to promote the development of Taiwan's content industries including film and TV, publishing, pop music, ACG, and more.

Media Contact

TAICCA PR | Yiching LEE | [email protected]

SOURCE Taiwan Creative Content Agency
COLLEGE PARK, Md., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Small businesses and nonprofits can receive free internal control risk assessments from Justice for Fraud Victims (JFV) at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business.

"A risk assessment can reveal control weaknesses in an organization and will make pragmatic suggestions as to how to solve those," says Smith Accounting Lecturer and JFV Director Samuel Handwerger .

Handwerger adds, "It is normal for small businesses and nonprofits to have inherent control weaknesses because of their size. This is why they are most vulnerable. We can help find and institute easy mitigating controls without increasing the organization's budget."

The work will be CPA-supervised, including under Handwerger, a past recipient of the Maryland Governor's Volunteer of the Year Award for financial and management advisement to nonprofit organizations.

JFV launched in 2023 as a collaboration of UMD Smith and the Prince George's County Financial Crimes Unit and State's Attorney's Office. The program engages students in investigating financial fraud  including against members of vulnerable populations  with local law enforcement officers.

The program further involves forensic accounting in investigating real-life cases of fraud and analyzing evidence from grand jury-subpoenaed documents. The students also receive assistance from UMD faculty and oversight of Certified Fraud Examiners, as well as other professionals.

Organizations can arrange for an assessment and get more information by email at [email protected] .

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master's, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

Contact:

Greg Muraski

gmuraski@umd.edu

SOURCE University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
DUBLIN, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "US Medical Face Shields Market - Focused Insights 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The US medical face shields market was valued at USD 102.21 million and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.55% from 2023 to 2029, to reach USD 158.16 Million by 2029.

In 2023, the market was dominated by reusable face shields, accounting for a significant market share of more than 70%. However, the forecast period anticipates a shift as disposable face shields gain traction due to their affordability and convenience. Disposable face shields are increasingly preferred because they prevent direct contact with respiratory droplets, crucial in mitigating the spread of infectious diseases. The disposable segment is also witnessing rapid growth, driven by innovation and technological advancements to enhance protective capabilities and user comfort.

The global pandemic has catalyzed a rapid surge in online sales of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), reshaping the dynamics of the industry. Major manufacturers have strategically aligned with online retail giants, facilitating the seamless distribution of bulk orders. Furthermore, 3D printing technology has revolutionized face shield production, offering advantages such as rapid and cost-effective manufacturing of customized components. Many key players have leveraged 3D printing during the pandemic, underscoring its importance in meeting surging demand.

Public awareness campaigns on infectious diseases are pivotal in driving demand for face shields as a supplementary protective measure. While face masks remain essential, face shields complement their efficacy by providing additional protection against respiratory droplet transmission. This dual protective approach is crucial in curbing the spread of infectious diseases, thereby driving market growth.



MATERIAL INSIGHTS



Polycarbonate stands out as the dominant material in the market, offering comprehensive facial protection against infectious agents. Manufacturers focus on producing disposable polycarbonate face shields with adjustable headbands to cater to evolving consumer preferences. Polyethylene face shields are also prevalent in healthcare settings, providing additional protection when used with other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The market is witnessing a rising demand for full-face shields, particularly those equipped with anti-fog properties, owing to their superior visibility and infection-prevention capabilities.



END-USER SEGMENTS



Hospitals and clinics emerge as the primary end-user segment, commanding a significant market share. This dominance is attributed to the heightened focus on healthcare worker protection, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, diagnostic laboratories are poised to generate substantial revenue, driven by an aging population and the growing demand for preventive medicine initiatives. Face shields serve as an alternative to goggles, offering broader protection against airborne infectious diseases, thereby witnessing increased adoption across various end-user industries.



COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE



The US Medical Face Shields market exhibits fragmentation, characterized by numerous local vendors alongside crucial players such as 3M, Cardinal Health, and Medline Inc. Emerging med-tech companies pose a considerable threat to global players with their innovative products and technologies. To maintain a competitive edge, market leaders focus on diversifying their product offerings and implementing strategies such as new product launches, acquisitions, and strengthened distribution networks

Moreover, companies are introducing differentiated products tailored to the specific needs of medical professionals and frontline healthcare workers, further driving market growth.

VENDORS LIST

Key Vendors

Cardinal Health

3M

Medline

Alpha Pro Tech

Sanax Protective Products

Prestige Ameritech

Other Prominent Vendors

Productive Plastics

Unified Packaging

Southmedic Inc

Avantor

Casco Bay Molding

MSA Safety

Key Surgical

Karam

DuPont Teijin Films

Radians

Aspen Surgical

Honeywell

Paulson Manufacturing Corp

DiaDent

Magid

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What factors are driving the growth of the US medical face shields market?

What are the primary materials used in manufacturing medical face shields?

What technological advancements are shaping the medical face shields market?

PRODUCT SEGMENTATION & FORECAST

By Usage

Reusable Face Shields

Disposable Face Shields

By Material

Polycarbonate

Polyethylene

Others

By Product

Head Band

Wide Shape

Others

By End-User

Hospitals & Clinics

Diagnostic Laboratories

Others

MARKET STRUCTURE

Market Dynamics

Competitive Landscape of Medical Face Shields Market

Key Vendors

Other Prominent Vendors

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/x5kwn5

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
Selected by Techstars as one of The Featured Portfolio Companies, Trez.co Sets the Stage for Unprecedented Growth with a Focus on Serving America's Fastest-Growing Entrepreneurial Segment, the Hispanic.

SAN FRANCISCO, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

What:

U.S. 1st Latino Tech Payroll Startup Trez.co, Announces Advisory Board of Industry Giants and C-Suite Executives As It Opens Its Scaling Seed Round

Trez.co, the first U.S. Latino payroll platform company in the United States, is proud to announce its Board of Advisors. A remarkable assembly of distinguished global executives, the board will guide and champion Trez.co in its mobilization of the company's primary market, Latino and Latina companies, which contribute to the U.S. Latino GDP, which is now the fifth largest in the world, according to the U.S. Latino GDP Report. This initiative underscores Trez.co's commitment to driving national economic growth through customer first payroll, benefits, and financial solutions tailored to the unique needs of Latino businesses and employees.

"Techstars Miami was essential to our growth at the early stage, they helped us find our founding engineer, and provided us with a community of founders and mentors that have opened doors and supported us post program." Arthur Garcia Co-founder Trez.

"Trez is the successful outcome of conversations initiated from LBAN (latino business action network) at Stanford University. This inspiring achievement demonstrates the power of national Latino conglomerates and leaders who have paved the way for Latino creators to serve the fastest-growing segment in the U.S., the Hispanics. The enthusiastic acceptance from a distinguished group of global executives sends a powerful message to the tech ecosystem that Trez is at the right opportunity to become the next Latino billion-dollar company." Gustavo Suarez, Co-founder & CEO Trez.

Advisory Board Members

Trez.co, under the visionary leadership of Gustavo Suarez, has attracted an exceptional group of individuals to its Board of Advisors, each bringing a wealth of experience and insights from diverse sectors and industries:

Felipe Bayon: Esteemed for his tenure as CEO of Ecopetrol, Felipe has been instrumental in the leading diversified energy group in Colombia and one of the most important in Latin America, demonstrating historical financial performance. He led the transformation of Ecopetrol from an integrated oil & gas company to a diversified energy group, positioning it as a regional leader in the energy transition. Leading voice in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sector, globally recognized.

Rita Mitjans: With her experience as former head of strategy and CMO at ADP TotalSource achieving strong profitability and more than tripling the size of the business during her tenure. Rita also served as the Chief Inclusion & Corporate Responsibility Officer at ADP, brings a deep understanding of go-to-market, human resources, and corporate responsibility to the board.

Guillermo Diaz Jr: Currently leading with Purpose! He is the Founder/CEO of Conectado Inc, building an immersive XR/VR and Web3 platform to accelerate representation for Latinos in STEAM/Technology. As the former CIO of CISCO Systems, Guillermo pioneered digital transformation and technology solutions that propelled the tech giant into a new era of innovation and scalable global reach. Guillermo currently serves on the boards of Jack in the Box, Blue Shield of California and Unicoin Inc.

Lili Gil Valletta: Former corporate executive, board director and CEO/ Founder of Culture+ Group, is an expert in Cultural Intelligence solutions, advising Fortune 500s with analytics, business and marketing strategies to turn cultural trends and demographics shifts into profits and growth. Her clients include some of the world's most iconic brands like Johnson & Johnson, Prudential, Kelloggs/ Kellanova, GSK, UnitedHealthcare, among others. She is also a regular TV business commentator analyzing markets and economic trends in national television.

Maria Eugenia Rey Renjifo: As the former Country Manager for Lufthansa Colombia, Maria Eugenia has demonstrated her prowess in the aviation industry, ensuring operational excellence and enhancing customer experiences. Maria Eugenia brings vast corporate governance experience as she has led several boards as the chairman of the board.

Maria Rios: The CEO of Nation Waste, Maria is a testament to entrepreneurial success in America, turning her waste management company into a multimillion-dollar enterprise and showcasing the impact of Latino leadership in sustainability.

A New Chapter for Trez.co

This announcement comes on the heels of Trez.co's successful pre-seed funding round. Currently, Trez.co is preparing for a Seed Round aimed at raising $3 Million in Q1/Q2 2024. As a Techstars Portfolio Company powered by JP Morgan, Trez.co is poised for rapid growth and scaling through its unique offerings to meet the needs of Latino businesses across the U.S. 50 States and Puerto Rico.

The first in-person meeting of the Board of Advisors is set to take place on March 8, 2024, in New York City, symbolically hosted on the 85th floor of the One World Trade Center. This Trez.co milestone not only signifies the board's commitment to Trez.co's vision but also marks the beginning of a new chapter in Latino-led technology innovation.

About Trez Inc

Trez.co, the first US Latino-focused payroll platform, offers specialized solutions for payroll, benefits, and financial services, empowering the Latino business community. Recognized by Techstars, Forbes, Inc, and Stanford GSB, our mission is to equip Latino entrepreneurs and their workforce with the tools for success.

Latino-owned businesses, a key driver of the U.S. economy, contribute significantly with $500 billion in annual sales and millions of jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 78 percent of the new workers entering America's workforce between 2020 and 2030 will be Hispanic. Hispanics own more than 4.5 million businesses and employ over 2.9 million people. Trez.co taps into those growing trends and addresses the unique challenges these entrepreneurs face, enhancing their operational efficiency and growth potential.

Press Contact:

Maria DelMar Lopez

832-219-0919

http://trez.co

SOURCE Trez Inc
WESTERLY, R.I., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Trust Company ("Washington Trust," "the Bank") today announced the Bank has kicked off its 24th annual Peanut Butter Drive and will collect jars of peanut butter at the Bank's 27 branch locations through March 31, 2024. Peanut butter collected from the Washington Trust Peanut Butter Drive is donated to 19 local hunger relief agencies across the Bank's footprint, and online contributions support the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Connecticut Foodshare, and the Greater Boston Food Bank.

Washington Trust has kicked off their annual Peanut Butter Drive to benefit local hunger relief agencies throughout RI and CT. Since 2001, the annual Washington Trust Peanut Butter Drive has collected the equivalent of more than 159 tons of peanut butter, enough to make 5 million peanut butter sandwiches!

"Washington Trust started the Peanut Butter Drive 24 years ago and, since that time, we've collected 159 tons of peanut butter enough to make 5 million peanut butter sandwiches," said Edward O. "Ned" Handy III, Washington Trust Chairman & CEO. "Unfortunately, in today's economic environment the need is greater than ever, so we once again are asking our friends and neighbors to donate to help feed a local family in need."

Handy, who formerly served as the President of the Board of Directors at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, provided these Food Bank statistics:

The RI Community Food Bank network of 140 member agencies serves 80,000 individuals per month on average, a 51% increase from 2019.

One in three households in Rhode Island are food insecure, meaning that they cannot meet their basic food needs

are food insecure, meaning that they cannot meet their basic food needs 38% of households with children are at risk of hunger.

How to Donate:

Drop off a jar of peanut butter at any Washington Trust branch location. Peanut butter collected at branches will be distributed to local hunger relief agency partners.

Visit peanutbutterbank.com to make an online donation in support of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Connecticut Foodshare, or the Greater Boston Food Bank.

Sign up to host a collection! Washington Trust will share everything necessary to host a collection at your school, business, organization or in your neighborhood.

#SpreadTheWord! Follow Washington Trust on Facebook, X and Instagram, and share the opportunity to get involved and to give with your networks.

ABOUT WASHINGTON TRUST

Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is recognized as the oldest community bank in the nation, the largest state-chartered bank headquartered in Rhode Island and one of the Northeast's premier financial services companies. Washington Trust values its role as a community bank and is committed to helping the people, businesses, and organizations of New England improve their financial lives. The Bank offers a wide range of commercial banking, mortgage banking, personal banking and wealth management services through its offices in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts and a full suite of convenient digital tools. Washington Trust is a member of the FDIC and an equal housing lender. Washington Trust is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., a publicly-owned holding company which trades onNASDAQ: WASH. For more information, visit the Bank's website at www.washtrust.com or the Corporation's website at ir.washtrust.com.

SOURCE The Washington Trust Company
NEWARK, N.J., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ZAGO, a high-tech sustainable sealing fasteners and switch boots manufacturer, is celebrating Women's History Month 2024 with a new achievement: certification as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) in New Jersey. The WBE certification opens doors to new opportunities in government and the private sector where supplier diversity is a priority.

"The certified Women Business Enterprise status is a significant milestone," says Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, Co-Founder and CEO of ZAGO Manufacturing Co. "It enhances access to contract opportunities where sustainability and supplier diversity is important, such as in offshore wind."

"March is Women's History Month, and it is only fitting that we recognize this WBE certification as a pivotal accomplishment, especially for women in manufacturing," says Jackie Luciano, ZAGO Vice President, who joined ZAGO 16 years ago as a part-time bookkeeper while raising young children and advanced to a leadership role after earning her Rutgers MBA in Finance. "It empowers women to aim high when pursuing ownership and leadership positions."

Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, a corporate attorney, and her husband Harvey Rottenstrich, an engineer, co-founded ZAGO 31 years ago and envisioned ZAGO becoming a diverse employer and a great place for both women and men to work and flourish.

Becoming Woman-Owned

"Harvey and I realized that ZAGO should become a woman-owned manufacturer to show women, explicitly and implicitly, what is possible," says Gail.

Thriving in Newark

Today, ZAGO is thriving, with its headquarters and manufacturing facility based In Newark, NJ. ZAGO employs 35 associates hailing from different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.

About ZAGO:

Founded in 1993, ZAGO is a sustainable manufacturer making sustainable sealing fasteners and switch boots for a sustainable world. ZAGO sealing fasteners and components are Made in USA / Buy American Act compliant and used by thousands of engineers, manufacturers, and distributors worldwide. Visit www.zago.com.

Contact: Kim Keating, kim@zago.com

SOURCE ZAGO Manufacturing Company Inc
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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96th Academy Award: '20 Days in Mariupol' wins Documentary Feature Film, director says 'this is the first Oscar in Ukranian history'. Image Source: IANS News

Los Angeles, March 11 : The documentary film 'To Kill a Tiger', directed by Indian-born Canadian filmmaker Nisha Pahuja lost the Oscar to the Ukranian documentary feature '20 Days in Mariupol' at the 2024 Academy Awards.

Los Angeles, March 11 (IANS) The documentary film 'To Kill a Tiger', directed by Indian-born Canadian filmmaker Nisha Pahuja lost the Oscar to the Ukranian documentary feature '20 Days in Mariupol' at the 2024 Academy Awards.

Actress America Ferrera, who was dressed in the pinkest ensemble, presented the honour for the categories Documentary Feature Film and Documentary Short Film.

'20 Days in Mariupol', which tells the story of the twenty days Chernov spent with his colleagues in besieged Mariupol after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, was nominated alongside "Bobi Wine: The People's President", "The Eternal Memory", "Four Daughters" and "To Kill a Tiger".

Upon accepting the honour, Chernov first thanked his team for making this documentary and then said: "This is the first Oscar in Ukranian history and I am honoured."

"(But) probably I wish I never made this film, I wish to be able to exchange this to Russia never attacking, occupying cities. To Russia not killing 10 of 1,000s of people."

He then said: "I cannot change the pasta The truth will prevail.... Cinema forms memories and memories form history."

For the Documentary Short Film, "The Last Repair Shop" won the award. Kris Bowers, who has co-directed with Ben Proudfoot, said: "The film is about heroes in our school, who go unsung, un-thanked and unseen."

Talking about the documentary film 'To Kill a Tiger', follows the story of a family in Jharkhand, India, who are campaigning for justice after their teenage daughter was brutally raped.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2022. It had its American premiere at the Lighthouse International Film Festival in June 2023.
Seoul, March 11 : The financial regulator on Monday unveiled a set of plans that advise banks and brokerages to compensate losses from derivative products tracking Chinese stocks listed on the Hong Kong exchange.

The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) said its preliminary inspection, conducted for two months since January 8, has verified "various cases of incomplete sales" involving equity-linked securities (ELS) products tracking Hong Kong's H Index, reports Yonhap news agency.

The outstanding value of such products stood at 18.8 trillion won ($14.2 billion) as of end-December, with 15.1 trillion won, or 80.5 percent of the total, set to be redeemed this year.

The products, if redeemed at end-February value, would post a combined loss of up to 5.8 trillion won, according to the FSS.

"The sellers had created an environment for incomplete sales by setting excessive sales targets during a period of growing risks of loss for consumers and promoting all-out sales efforts through inadequate performance indicators, while neglecting the sales cap designed to protect consumers," it said in a press release.

"As a result of its inspection, (the government) has confirmed various cases of illegal and unfair practices, including incomplete sales," it added.

Incomplete sales occur when financial institutions fail to provide all necessary information to consumers about products, including contract terms and associated risks. The financial regulator earlier said its inspection involved 12 local banks and brokerages.

The FSS said it will quickly start the dispute mediation process by holding dispute mediation committee meetings on representative cases, with the first of such meetings expected to be held next month.
Lucknow, March 11 : The Uttar Pradesh Police have issued a set of comprehensive guidelines to ensure security throughout the state, ahead of upcoming festivals.

There is a line up of festivals including Ramadan, Navratri, Ram Navami and Eid during the next one month.

UP DGP Prashant Kumar, in a set of directives to zonal ADGs, commissioners, IGs, DIGs, SSPs, and SPs, has underlined the need for stringent security measures to safeguard against potential threats during festive season.

The DGP said that all are directed to organise peace committee meetings with religious leaders. "The aim is to foster coordination, address concerns and resolve issues related to the festivals in a timely manner," he said.

He said that vigilance against anti-social elements is paramount. Police are advised to update lists of undesirable elements, take preventive actions and closely monitor activities to maintain law and order, he said.

The DGP added that a comprehensive list of trouble spots and hot spots is to be compiled and reviewed at senior levels. Learnings from past incidents are to be analysed to effectively manage potential controversies, he said.

"The intelligence network is to be intensified with a focus on monitoring activities of anti-social, undesirable and communal elements. Swift action is mandated upon receiving any information, regardless of scale," the state police chief stated.

He further said that adequate police arrangements are to be made at event venues, sensitive areas, procession routes and hot spots.

Surveillance through CCTV cameras and drones along with regular patrolling will be enforced.

Police teams will conduct regular checks at religious sites to ensure security, especially through poster parties in districts. Personnel of UP 112 PRV vehicles must be briefed and managed efficiently to enhance emergency response capabilities.

The DGP said that social media platforms are to be closely monitored to counter false information and take legal action against misinformation promptly. Strict adherence to these directives has been emphasized to maintain peace and security during the upcoming festive season, the DGP added.
Lucknow, March 11 : The Hazratganj police in Lucknow has filed a charge sheet in the Alaya Apartment collapse case, accusing former SP MLA Shahid Manzoor of culpable homicide.

Charges under the Criminal Act, conspiracy and other IPC sections have also been filed against him, his son and three others.

Police said evidence from CCTV footage and photographs obtained hours before the collapse of Alaya Apartment had confirmed that Shahid Manzoor was involved in the excavation work at the building which led to the tragic incident, claiming three lives.

The divisional commissioner's committee, chaired by Roshan Jacob, also corroborated these findings in its report, said the police.

The accused include Shahid Manzoor, his son Nawazish Shahid, nephew Mohammad Tariq, Fahad Yazdani and Saim Yazdani.

The police have invoked the Gangster Act against all five individuals and are preparing to attach their properties.

Shahid Manzoor, a resident of the Delhi Gate area in Meerut district, allegedly exerted pressure on individuals to sell a plot of land where Alaya Apartment was constructed.

Nawazish and Tariq subsequently bought the plot and entered into a builder agreement with Fahad Yazdani and Saim Yazdani to construct the apartment.

It was built without approved maps, and despite notices from the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) against the construction, the former minister and his son allegedly continued with the illegal construction, selling flats to customers using fraudulent maps.

The five-storey Alaya Apartment had collapsed on January 24, 2023, in which Uzma Haider, 35, and Begum Haider, 75, wife and mother of Samajwadi Party spokesperson Abbas Haider respectively, and an Unnao-based teacher Shabana, 42, had lost their lives.

Collapse of the Alaya Apartment prompted an extensive rescue operation by the fire department, police, SDRF and NDRF which continued for three days.

Investigations revealed gross violations in the construction process, indicating a blatant disregard for safety regulations. DCP, central zone, Raveena Tyagi said the probe was on.
New Delhi, March 11 : Elon Musk's aerospace company SpaceX on Monday aced double launches of 46 Starlink internet satellites in low-Earth orbit -- all under just six hours.

The satellites lifted onboard the company's reusable, two-stage Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the company said, in a statement.

The first set of 23 satellites lifted off at 4:35 am on Monday (India time).

"This was the 11th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20, and now five Starlink missions," it added.

About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage came back to Earth and made a vertical landing on the SpaceX drone ship "Just Read the Instructions," which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

"Deployment of 23 @Starlink satellites confirmed," SpaceX said in a tweet, an hour after the launch.

The second set of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit liftoff at 9:39 am (India time).

"This is the 17th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, Iridium OneWeb, SDA-0B, and 11 Starlink missions," the company said.

Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the 'Of Course I Still Love You' droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

Last week, SpaceX launched 23 Starlink internet satellites.

The company currently has over 5,000 working Starlink satellites in orbit, and it has approval to launch up to 12,000.

SpaceX has launched 22 orbital missions already this year, but several more are in the offing: The company intends to launch 144 times in 2024.
New Delhi, March 11 : Delhi Police have registered a case of causing death by negligence after a man, who fell into a 40-feet deep borewell in Delhi's Keshopur area, was found dead by the rescuers.

The man fell in the borewell on Sunday and the rescuers had to dig a parallel hole to reach him.

"An FIR under section 304-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered in Vikaspuri police station in this matter. Further investigation will be taken up. Efforts are on to identify the deceased person," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (west) Vichitra Veer.

The borewell is located in the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) area in Keshopur Mandi.

Delhi Fire Services Director Atul Garg had said that initial message "was received at around 1 a.m. on Sunday 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."

The DCP had said that after receiving a police control room call at Vikaspuri police station, a police team rushed to the spot.

For over eight hours, the rescue team attempted various strategies to extract the person from the borewell without success. Finally an NDRF team devised a plan to rescue the person by excavating a new borewell adjacent to the existing one. In the afternoon, the rescuers extracted the man, who was already dead.
Guwahati, March 11 : All Assam Students Union (AASU) has said that it will agitate against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules soon after these are notified by the Centre, said the Chief Adviser of the student body, Samujjal Bhattacharya.

He told IANS, "We have decided to burn the copies of CAA rules in each district headquarters of Assam once the central government's notification is out in public domain. Assam will witness continuous non-violent agitations against CAA in the coming days."

AASU and 30 other organisations have already held a 12-hour hunger strike against the CAA.

Bhattacharya said, "CAA is an injustice towards the people of Assam and Northeast and at least 53 petitions from Assam and Tripura have been submitted before the Supreme Court against it since December 2019."

He also claimed that Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur are exempt from the CAA. Additionally, the Act does not include the three Assam hill districts and the five districts covered by the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution.

"Our primary question is how will CAA benefit Assam if it is detrimental to Mizoram or Arunachal Pradesh? How is it beneficial for Nagaon and Kamrup if it is wrong for Kokrajhar and Karbi Anglong in Assam? We are not to be viewed as dumping grounds", Bhattacharya said.

He added, "The reason the northeast is unique from other regions of the country is that we have taken in the majority of illegal immigrants. In the 1980s, there was a movement in Assam and the government signed the Assam Accord. That is why we will continue to oppose the CAA until it is scrapped."

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Sunday that since the CAA has become law, there is no longer any reason to hold protests against it.

"They ought to have voiced their objections in 2019 before Parliament approved it. I respect their view, but I believe they ought to challenge laws like the Illegal Migrants Determination by Tribunals (IMDT) Act in the Supreme Court." CM Sarma added.
New Delhi, March 11 : The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) is once again all set to steal the spotlight on the fourth day of Lakme Fashion Week with a trailblazing presentation - an International designer initiative "Measure", showcasing an innovative collection "TOI" at JIO World Convention Centre, Mumbai.

New Delhi, March 11 (IANSlife) The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) is once again all set to steal the spotlight on the fourth day of Lakme Fashion Week with a trailblazing presentation - an International designer initiative "Measure", showcasing an innovative collection "TOI" at JIO World Convention Centre, Mumbai.

Originating from Dagestan, Russia, since its foundation in 2018, Measure has been on an extraordinary trajectory.

The Russian fashion brand stands as a cultural phenomenon in the realm of modest fashion, hailing from Dagestan. It seeks harmony between the natural and the man-made, the past and the present, the vital and the spiritual.

Designer Zainab Saidulaeva's cutting-edge collection "TOI" is a creative exploration inspired by Dagestani wedding traditions, fusing the mosaic of customs, wedding gifts, and historical attire into a contemporary design narrative. The collection's design ethos is expressed through a delicate interplay of layering and rich texture, making Measure a distinctive force in the fashion landscape.

"As a designer, I am thrilled to unveil my 'TOI' collection at LFW x FDCI, a creative journey into Dagestan wedding traditions. Inspired by the rich tapestry of customs and garments from the region's past, the collection explores the beauty of multi-layered outfits in black and various shades of white, using silk in diverse variations. Join us on this mesmerizing journey into the heart of Dagestan's cultural heritage, all thanks to the Fashion Design Council of India for this incredible opportunity" said designer Zainab Saidulaeva.

Scheduled to be held on 16th March at 8:30 pm, this show is an exquisite fusion of fashion and art, adding another chapter to the brand's legacy, and capturing the imagination of fashion aficionados and art lovers alike.

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in

---IANS

lh/
Bengaluru, March 11 : Senior BJP leader and Karnataka Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka on Monday slammed the Congress government for releasing water to Tamil Nadu at a time when state capital Bengaluru is facing crisis.

Speaking to the media here, Ashoka demanded the Congress government to stop releasing water to Tamil Nadu immediately and respond to the woes of people. "Mr. DyCM D.K. Shivakumar, you patted your own back by claiming that your government delivered on its promises. You stand exposed in matters of releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The Congress government also stands exposed," he said.

Ashoka asked leaders of the Congress government to quit if they did not have the capacity to provide drinking water to the people of the state. "If you have any capacity, provide drinking water to people. The water is ours, but the right over the water rests with Tamil Nadu during the Congress government.

"If you do not have the capacity to provide drought relief to the people, you (Congress government) step down. You are in power, BJP is not ruling Karnataka. When BJP was ruling the state, the government did not wait for the Centre to provide compensation to people during floods and drought time. We have released money from the state government.

"The problem is you don't have money. Yours is a pauper government. You don't even have money for providing drinking water," he slammed.

The leader of Opposition also said that the protest at the Freedom Park has been postponed in the backdrop of preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Karnataka. "The protest would be staged in a day or two," he said.

The BJP has alleged that the Congress government was releasing water to Tamil Nadu from the KRS Dam in Mandya district from where drinking water is supplied to the state capital Bengaluru even as the IT city is facing a water crisis.

It is also alleged that more than 4,000 cusecs of water is being released to Tamil Nadu quietly. The farmers have expressed their outrage for the move of the state government. However, the government is yet to respond to these allegations.
Mumbai, March 10 : Actor Sunny Hinduja will be taking on the role of an exorcist in his Malayalam debut film 'Hello Mummy', which he calls an exhilarating journey.

Mumbai, March 10 (IANS) Actor Sunny Hinduja will be taking on the role of an exorcist in his Malayalam debut film aHello Mummya, which he calls an exhilarating journey.

Talking about the role, Sunny said: "It's been an exhilarating journey diving into the world of Malayalam cinema, and I'm truly grateful for the warm welcome from Malayalam movie lovers. While I can't wait to unveil more about my character, I hope this sneak peek ignites the anticipation and curiosity of our audience."

Adding to the speculation of his new look, Sunny recently shared a glimpse of his look from 'Hello Mummy' on his social media platforms.

The images showcase the actor adorned with rings and tattoos inscribed on his fingers.

The film also stars Aishwarya Lekshmi and Sharaf U Dheen.

'Hello Mummy' is scripted by Sanjo Joseph and directed by Vaishakh Elans.
Kolkata, March 11 : The 'son of the hills' theory, which has been the talking point in the hills of Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong in North Bengal for quite some time now, gained further momentum after the Trinamool Congress fielded former bureaucrat Gopal Lama, a local face, from the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency.

On Monday, less than a day after Lama's name was announced as the party candidate, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) hinted that there is a high possibility of GJM supremo Bimal Gurung contesting as an Independent candidate from the same constituency.

According to Nemon Rai, a youth leader of GJM, only a prominent local face can work for the real development of the people of the hills.

"Who else but Bimal Gurung, who has been fighting for a separate Gorkhaland state for years, is more eligible for that position? That's why we want him to contest from Darjeeling this time. We will hold meetings on this in the coming days," Rai said.

While the BJP is yet to announce its candidate from Darjeeling, another prominent political force in the hills, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), which has a political understanding with the Trinamool, has expressed satisfaction over the choice of the ruling party's nominee.

According to BGPM supremo and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive Anit Thapa, since the beginning, he had insisted on fielding a local face, and had even discussed the matter with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Now with Gopal Lama being chosen as a candidate, not just us, but the entire Gorkha population is happy. We wish that Lama, after getting elected, will fulfil the wishes of the local Gorkha people," said Anit Thapa.

The Darjeeling constituency has been a BJP stronghold for the past three consecutive terms starting 2009, and Raju Bista is the sitting BJP MP.

Throughout this period, the BJP received the backing of GJM and Gurung, though the latter's charisma has eroded substantially from what it was during the peak period between 2009 and 2019.
New Delhi, March 11 : Adani Group Founder and Chairman Gautam Adani on Monday said he met chip maker Qualcomm's President and CEO Cristiano Amon, and had a detailed discussion around semiconductors, AI, mobility and edge appliances -- area in which India is taking bold steps with big investments flowing in.

In a post of X, Gautam Adani said that it was a great meeting with the Qualcomm CEO and his leaders.

"Inspiring to hear his vision for semiconductors, AI, mobility, edge appliances and much more across different markets," said the Adani Group Founder.

"Exciting to hear about his plans and commitment to India's potential," Gautam Adani added.

India has embarked on its ambitious semiconductor journey with a likely groundbreaking ceremony of three new semiconductor projects worth $15.14 billion, including two from the Tata Group, soon.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, recently approved the establishment of these units that are set to generate direct employment of 20,000 advanced technology jobs and nearly 60,000 indirect jobs.

In a big push to the vision of 'Making AI in India' and 'Making AI Work for India', the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week approved the comprehensive national-level IndiaAI Mission with a budget outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore.

On the mobility front where the requirement for high-end chips for next-gen vehicles is constantly increasing, the Adani Group and Uber may soon announce a joint venture (JV) to help the global ride-hailing major expand its fleet that runs on alternative and renewable energy, which is a thrust to the government's green energy goals.

The Adani Group is likely to explore partnerships with major Indian vehicle manufacturers to further build the fleet in the key sunrise sector.
Press Release

March 11, 2024 Manifestation speech of Sen. Pia Cayetano in support of Senate Resolution No. 946

75TH Anniversary of Philippine-South Korea Diplomatic Relations Thank you, Mr. President. This is very short, Mr. President. But I hope my simple not even a speech, my simple story will manifest my personal relationship with Korea and as a Senate as well. I think I am the only senator, Mr President, who has hiked and slept on top of the mountain in Korea, Seoraksan. I was there even before I was a senator. I hiked there, I had to put on maybe three layers of jackets. But after you hike, it's a very difficult hike, and eventually, you'll take it out and then if you stop to eat, you put all your jackets on again. And then when we got to the peak, Mr President, it was the first time I experienced that. They looked like container vans, totally enclosed, but when you open it, that's where all the hikers sleep. And then, everybody is eating Kimchi. And I never ate Kimchi before, but everybody was just eating Kimchi, so I had to eat Kimchi. And we slept on just elevated wooden planks, next to all the Koreans there. I almost missed that, Mr President, because during our hike, it was getting dark, and then I did not know, and of course the signs were in Korean, maybe now, there's English. But this was more than 20 years ago. I almost missed that wooden shed, I didn't know what it was. So we would've gone up if not for our companion calling us that that's where we were going to stop and sleep for the night. And the following day, to be sure that we did not get lost, we were accompanied by our new Korean friends down the mountain, and at the very end, we ate the freshest Bibimbap I ever tried in my life. And I think no one in the Senate has such a personal experience as I have had. And it is my dream that I will be invited to do that again, Mr. President. So on that note, I of course express my deep support for the continued diplomatic relations with South Korea. Thank you.
Los Angeles, March 11 : Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel took a moment during the live telecast, right before Al Pacino presented Best Picture, to read aloud the Republican Party's presumptive presidential candidate Donald Trump's latest social media post. It bashed Kimmel as this year's Oscars host, reports 'Variety'.

"Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars. His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be. Get rid of Kimmel and perhaps replace him with another washed up, but cheap, ABC 'talent', George Slopanopoulos," Trump thundered.

He was of course referring to George Stephanopoulos. "He would make everybody on stage look bigger, stronger, and more glamorous," Trump added.

Continuing with his rant, quoted in full by 'Variety', Trump said: "Also a really bad politically correct show tonight, and for years -- disjointed, boring, and very unfair."

He concluded by asking: "Why don't they just give the Oscars to those that deserve them. Maybe that way their audience and TV ratings will come back from the depths. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Kimmel fired back at Trump onstage by saying, "Blah, blah, blah ... Okay, now, see if you can guess which former president just posted that on TruthSocial. Anyone? No? Well, thank you, President Trump. Thank you for watching, I'm surprised you're still -- isnat it past your jail time?"

Outside of Kimmel's dig, 'Variety' notes, "before the final award was announced, the 2024 Oscars were a largely Trump-free evening".

Politics still played a prominent part, as was to be expected at a high-profile event such as the Oscars. A number of attendees, including Mark Ruffalo and Billie Eilish, wore red pins in support of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Protests related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza drew hundreds of attendees around Kodak Theater and ended up blocking so much traffic that the ceremony started five minutes late.
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 11 : AICC General Secretary (Organisation) and candidate from Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency K. C. Venugopal, who on Monday reached Wayanad, slammed the BJP for destroying the country's ethos in devious ways.

"The INDIA bloc's aim is to recover India, and we the Congress will go to any extent to see that BJP gets the minimum number of seats. What happened in West Bengal was not what we expected, but we will go forward with our agenda to take on the BJP," said Venugopal.

Venugopal arrived in Wayanad, the constituency of Rahul Gandhi, to set the campaign process on track.

"Rahul will arrive here soon after his ongoing political yatra concludes in Mumbai," said Venugopal.

Rahul is pitted against Annie Raja of CPI, wife of party General Secretary D. Raja.

"I fail to understand why CPI is talking about Rahul contesting from Wayanad. It is his sitting seat and in the 2019 polls also, the CPI contested and saw him winning by a staggering margin (4.31 lakhs). Was it not a significant poll battle then? This time also it would be the same," added Venugopal.

CPI is the second biggest ally of the ruling CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front and for a while, they have been upset and expressed their desire that as they are part of the INDIA Block, Rahul should not contest from Wayanad.

Incidentally, in all the four seats that the CPI contests out of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, they are fighting Congress candidates. However, it is only in Wayanad that they do not want Rahul to contest.
Los Angeles, March 11 : When Ranjit, who was till then looking after his rice fields in one corner of Jharkhand, decided to stand up against his village and fight for his daughter after she was gang-raped in 2017, he was told, "You can't kill a tiger by yourself."

Recounting this conversation towards the end of New Delhi-born Indian Canadian filmmaker Nisha Pahuja's Oscar-nominated documentary feature, 'To Kill A Tiger', Ranjit says with steely determination, "But I replied, 'I'll show you how to kill a tiger all by yourself.' And so, I did."

'To Kill A Tiger' may have lost out, as was predicted, to '20 Days in Mariupol', but Ranjit had the time of his life that he had never imagined. Dressed in the regulation black tuxedo and bow tie, he was there at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles for the 96th Academy Awards, soaking in the glitz and glamour of the most-anticipated event in global cinema.

He may never be able to get over the trauma of his daughter's rape, but for Ranjit, it was the final vindication of his lonely battle against the odds piled up by an insensitive system. His daughter, who's now 20 years old, also has moved far away from her past as she nurtures the dream of becoming a policewoman fighting to protect women like her.

For Pahuja, whose previous documentary, 'The World Before Her', was nominated for an Emmy, it took eight years of hard work to put together 'To Kill A Tiger'.

The documentary has won her 19 awards (not the Oscar, sadly), besides being picked up by Netflix and getting the support of the leading lights of the global Indian diaspora -- Dev Patel, Mindy Kailing, poet Rupi Kaur, Dr Atul Gawande and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

Pahuja and Ranjit can, for now, let their hair down and party after the curtains come down on the Oscars.

But they both know too well that their story is getting repeated every hour across the country. The tiger is still at large -- and difficult to kill.
Mumbai, March 11 : Maharashtra's MahaYuti (grand alliance) government comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP claimed on Monday that the state continues to be a favoured investment destination.

Earlier, in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, the MahaYuti government earmarked at least Rs 84.10 crore (Rs 1.40 crore per day) for a special publicity campaign till March 31.

The government has also rolled out the advertisement claiming that "Magnetic Maharashtra" continues to be the favoured investment destination.

In another advertisement titled "Resolve for rural development", the state Rural Development has listed out a slew of initiatives to boost development. The MahaYuti wants to project Maharashtra's development while overall growth will be the major poll plank in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, at the same time it will also publicise the decisions taken on the line of the Central government.

Despite fierce competition from several states in the era of Cooperative and Competitive Federalism, the Mahayuti government has said that Maharashtra leads in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as it has received FDI worth Rs 1,18,422 crore during April-December 2023. A sum of Rs 1,00,112 crore of investment was attracted in Maharashtra which will contribute to 30 per cent of the nation's FDI.

The government has claimed signing of MoUs worth Rs 3.73 lakh crore during the World Economic Forum summit in Davos for investment in varied sectors including steel, IT, green energy, agriculture, logistics and electronics. This is expected to generate employment opportunities for 2 lakh persons.

The cabinet sub-committee approved projects worth Rs 1,27,675 crore which are expected to create 1,62,500 jobs.

Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) have been signed with 7 companies for the production of green hydrogen with a proposed investment of Rs 2,76,300 crore to generate 64,000 employment opportunities.

The government has announced the Export Policy 2023 and integrated Textile Policy to attract more investments. Besides, the government expects an investment of Rs 95,000 crore under the new IT and ITeS policy. The government has claimed that the Maharashtra Industry, Trade and Investment Facilitation Cell will enable 119 facilities for industries providing ease of access and faster services.

The government has further claimed that Maharashtra is leading in defence manufacturing and it is the first-ever state in the country to create a defence and aerospace policy. MoUs worth Rs 1358 crore in the defence manufacturing sector were signed at the recently held by the Defence Expo.

The government has also taken credit for the approval of 12,326 loan cases in 2022-23 through the Chief Minister Employment Generation Programme. In 2023-24, loans of Rs 342 crore cleared for 14,822 entrepreneurs.

The government in a bid to smoothen logistics has also installed 6 parks in the state.
Mumbai, March 11 : Ever since the poster and pre-teaser drop, Aayush Sharma-starrer 'Ruslaan' has been making waves as a riveting blend of heart-pounding action and emotions set against a backdrop of intrigue.

'Ruslaan' promises an experience that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

With the excitement around the film's story taking centre-stage, a social media creator posted a video that showcased his version of the film's narrative.

A talented animator, Darshan Dabrase shared the video on his Instagram profile, tagging Aayush in the post. Impressed by Darshan's talent and the unique rendition of his upcoming film, Aayush reposted the video on his own social media platforms.

In his repost, Aayush showered Darshan with praise, describing the video as "next level awesome" and perhaps the "coolest countdown" yet to his film's teaser.

The interaction did not end there. Aayush went a step further. He extended an invitation to Darshan to collaborate with him on 'Ruslaan'. In a message accompanying his repost, Aayush said, "Let's work on Ruslaan together."

It is yet to be known what Darshan will do as part of the 'Ruslaan' team, but it is wonderful to see the film and its headliners make it a movie of the people, by the people.

'Ruslaan' starring Aayush Sharma, Sushrii Mishraa, Jagapathi Babu and Vidya Malvade is being helmed by Karan L. Butani and produced by Sri Sathya Sai Arts. The film is set to release on April 26.
Anantapur : , March 11 (IANS) A woman died of shock after her husband, a guest faculty at Sri Krishnadevaraya University, was murdered in front of her by his nephew.

The shocking incident occurred in Anantapur late on Sunday night.

Police said that Murthy Rao Gokhale (59) was stabbed to death by his nephew Aditya at his apartment near JNTU.

Shocked over this, the victimas wife Shobha (56) died of suspected cardiac arrest a couple of hours later.

Preliminary investigation by police revealed that Murthy Rao, who earlier worked as principal of Ananta Lakshmi Private Engineering College, had taken money from Aditya to find a job for him.

The professor had also reportedly agreed to conduct the marriage of his daughter with Aditya but married her off with another person a few months ago. Aditya had developed a grudge against his uncle over both the issues.

On Sunday night, Aditya went to his uncleas house and had a heated argument with uncle and aunt. In a fit of rage, he attacked Murthy Rao with a knife, resulting in his death on the spot.

Shobha, who was shocked over the killing of her husband in front of her eyes, collapsed and later succumbed at a hospital.

Shobha was working as a school assistant in Sri Sathya Sai district.

Police have arrested Aditya and have also registered a case.
New Delhi, March 11 : The Delhi High Court on Monday issued a notice to Delhi Police on a plea filed by Sharjeel Imam against a trial court order denying him statutory bail in a UAPA and sedition case.

Sharjeel Imam is a key accused in a case involving alleged inflammatory speeches made against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

On February 17, Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of the Karkardooma Court had denied statutory bail to Imam.

On Monday, a division bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Manoj Jain sought Delhi Police's reply in the matter within two weeks.

Imam was initially booked for the offence of sedition by Delhi Police's Special Branch in 2020. Later, Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was also invoked in his case.

Imam has been in custody since January 28, 2020, and his argument is that he has completed half of the maximum seven-year punishment prescribed under Section 13 of the UAPA.

The same bench had earlier affirmed Imam's right to file a fresh appeal if bail is denied by the trial court, based on the grounds mentioned in his initial appeal or any additional grounds.

Delhi Police had earlier opposed Imam's claim that he has completed half of the maximum seven-year punishment prescribed under Section 13 of the UAPA, stating that there is not just one offence, but multiple crimes.

According to his application, Imam has spent three years and six months in judicial custody and thus should be entitled to statutory bail under Section 436A of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The application states that Imam is willing to provide reliable surety and adhere to any condition upon release.

The charges against Imam include sedition (Section 124A), promoting enmity between different religious groups (Section 153A), making assertions prejudicial to national integration (Section 153B), and making statements conducive to public mischief (Section 505) under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as punishment for unlawful activities (Section 13) under the UAPA.
New Delhi, March 11 : REC Limited, a Maharatna CPSE under the Ministry of Power, has signed an MoU with the Rajasthan government to finance projects across power and non-power infrastructure sectors with an investment of up to Rs 20,000 crore per annum for a period of six years, extending up to 2030, according to a company statement issued on Monday.

REC chairman and MD Vivek Kumar Dewangan said, "Under this agreement, REC Limited will provide loans of upto Rs 20,000 crores annually for the next six years to various departments, undertakings, institutions and schemes of the Rajasthan government."

With this MoU, there will be a rapid increase in projects related to the state's infrastructure sector like power projects, metro, roads & highways, airports, IT infra, oil refinery, steel infra, ports and waterways, fiber optics, telecom, health sector, tourism infrastructure, agriculture and other infra projects, he added.

This collaboration underscores REC's commitment to supporting the development of both power and non-power infrastructure in Rajasthan, thereby contributing to the state's economic growth and prosperity, according to the company statement. he added.

The MoU was signed in Jaipur at a ceremony in the presence of the Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

MoUs worth Rs 1.6 lakh crore were signed by Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) under the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Coal with the Rajasthan government.

These agreements marked a substantial commitment towards bolstering infrastructure development and driving economic growth in the region.

Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy R. K. Singh and Minister of Coal Prahlad Joshi addressed the ceremony via virtual conference.
New Delhi, March 11 : The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned till March 18 the hearing on the bail plea of mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's son Abbas Ansari, who was booked by the Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly procuring foreign guns on the pretext of shooting competitions.

Acceding to the joint request made by parties, a Bench presided over by Justice B.R. Gavai posted the matter for hearing next week.

In an earlier hearing, the Bench had allowed two weeks' time to petitioner Abbas Ansari to file a rejoinder affidavit to the reply filed by the state government.

The top court in January this year had issued a notice on the bail plea and sought the response of the Uttar Pradesh government within a period of four weeks.

The Allahabad High Court in November 2023 had rejected the regular bail application filed by Abbas, saying that he imported a pistol, a rifle and six barrels in violation of the import permit issued by the National Rifle Association of India besides importing two barrels of prohibited bores and a pistol with three spare barrels without permit.

Further, the Allahabad High Court had noted that Abbas got a revolver endorsed and had 4,431 cartridges in his possession.

A Bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi of the HC had said that Abbas -- being a sitting MLA representing the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party -- was expected to respect the laws of the land more as compared to any other person.

Allegedly, Abbas had projected that he had got the arms licence that was issued in Lucknow, transferred to Delhi. However, he continued to use both the licences on two different UIDs.

In 2019, an FIR was registered against Abbas at the Mahanagar Police Station in Lucknow under Sections 419, 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) read with Section 30 of the Arms Act.

Later, the probe into the matter was handed over to the UP STF. The investigation revealed that Abbas, using Mukhtar Ansari's international contacts, allegedly procured sophisticated weapons from a foreign country in the name of shooting competitions, but the weapons were used in illegal activities, and not in any competition.
New Delhi, March 11 : Former India batter Ambati Rayudu said he would love to see Rohit Sharma make a switch to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2025 and wished the Indian skipper to lead the franchise when MS Dhoni retires.

Rohit will not be leading Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024, starting March 22 as the 5-time champions appointed Hardik Pandya as the skipper of the franchise.

"Rohit can play for another 5-6 years. I want to see him play for CSK in the near future. If he has to captain, he can do it anywhere in the world. I want to see him playing for CSK in 2025. And when MS retires, he can also take over as captain," Rayudu told News24.

Pandya, who started his career with Mumbai Indians and won a couple of IPL titles with them, joined Gujarat Titans before the start of the 2022 season, leading them to the title, and the final in the 2023 season. Ahead of the 2024 season, Hardik was traded to MI and was announced as their captain.

Rayudu also expressed the opinion that leading Mumbai Indians could prove challenging for Pandya due to the contrasting setups of Gujarat Titans and MI.

"This year, Rohit should have continued captaining this year and Hardik, maybe after a year, could have been given that responsibility. Rohit is still captaining India in T2OIs. I personally feel that MI rushed into this decision but probably they know best. So, it will be difficult. Gujarat Titans had a different set-up. Captaining MI is not easy because there are so many star players in the team. There is too much pressure and not everyone can handle it," he added.

Rohit is the all-time fourth highest run-getter in the IPL having scored 6211 runs from 243 matches
New Delhi, March 11 : To solidify the status of the world's leading youth festival, the historic Jayamahal Palace in Bangalore witnessed the 9th edition of the much-anticipated Under 25 Summit 2024. The extraordinary event brought together a diverse assembly of students, creators, performers, and thought leaders, celebrating the limitless potential of the youth.

Anto Philip, CEO, and Co-Founder of Under 25 Universe highlighted, "We gave it our all and wore our heart on our sleeves as we built this year's summit. It was truly homecoming in more ways than one, coming back to Jayamahal Palace felt special and none of this would have been possible without our student crew and the lovely team that worked tirelessly to make sure no one left the festival ground without a smile."

The first day of the summit, on March 9th, lived up to its stellar reputation with a star-studded lineup of speakers and performers. Renowned personalities such as Vikrant Massey, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Babil Khan, Nikhil Kamath, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Tanmay Bhat, and Kenny Sebastian graced the stage, captivating the audience with their insights and experiences. The day also witnessed stellar musical performances by Brodha V, No Treble, and Shubham Roy.

Vikrant Massey, Actor, shared, "Kya mahaul hai! The Under 25 Summit is an event like nothing I've seen for youth. The fact that it is also put together by students is a heartening testimony to those whose hands the future of the country lies in."

The second day, on March 10th, continued the excitement with engaging activities, discussions, and memorable performances. Eminent personalities like Saba Azad, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Niharika NM, and Ankush Bahuguna, presided over various talks at the event. The day concluded with an electrifying drone show and a captivating performance by Ritviz.

Babil Khan, Actor, emphasized, "It is important to understand why the Under 25 Summit is important for our youth; it is because as we try to find our way through the burden of excessive information and external validation, our yearning for the expression of our individuality is drastically increasing. Under 25 Summit allows us to step out of those boxes and be involved in an energy that motivates us to create, innovate, inspire, and be inspired. To let our guards down and finally FEEL! I am honored to have been a small part of this beautiful and essential venture."

With multiple successful editions under its belt, the summit stands as one of India's most triumphant edutainment IPs, having welcomed over 100,000 students! With top-tier curation, the Summit brings together different fields through inspiring speaker sessions, talent discovery opportunities, enriching workshops, engaging panel discussions, and interactive experience zones, promising a great experience for all attendees.

"At the Under 25 Summit 2024, the energy was electric. Ideas exchanged, opinions voiced, and electrifying performances showcased the vibrant spirit of today's youth. With each passing year, the summit grows more impactful, drawing a larger crowd and sparking greater anticipation. This event embodies the active participation, creativity, and enthusiasm of our youth, paving the way for a promising future driven by their energy and ideas," concludes Vijay Subramaniam, Founder and Group CEO of Collective Artists Network.

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in
Bengaluru, March 11 : The Karnataka government has banned the use of artificial colours in the popular Gobi Manchurian dish and cotton candies liked by children, after a lab test found them carcinogenic.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao made this announcement in the Vidhana Soudha.

Based on complaints by public and media, the samples of Gobi Manchurian and cotton candies sold out to people were collected from across the state and examined at the state laboratories, he stated.

Minister Rao explained: "171 samples of Gobi Manchurian were collected, among which, 107 samples contained unsafe artificial colours. The unsafe colours such as tartrazine, sunset yellow and carmoisine were found."

"About 25 cotton candy samples were collected and 15 samples contained unsafe colours. In this, tartrazine, sunset yellow and Rhodamine a"B unsafe colours were found. Rhodamine-B is carcinogenic. It can cause cancer if you consume it regularly and is banned. This is a serious issue as children often consume cotton candy. The use of this colour is illegal. It was used to get the pink colour for the cotton candy," Rao explained further.

The circular in this regard has been issued and awareness programmes will also be held. Strict legal action would be initiated in this regard. Further samples would be collected to initiate legal proceedings, he stated.

The artificial colours are unsafe under the Guidelines 3(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. As per the Rule 16.0 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, no artificial colours should be used to prepare the Gobi Manchurian dish. "Hence, use of any artificial colour is prohibited," he stated.

In case of any violation, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, a case would be lodged in the court which attract punishment of imprisonment of five years to life sentence. The fine of Rs 10 lakh will also be levied.

If the food with artificial colours is consumed for a long time, one could be affected with cancer. "The public is requested to not consume or to bring down consumption of food with artificial colours," he appealed.
New Delhi, March 11 : Global health experts from a group of 58 charities, NGOs on Monday, the fourth anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic, urged the US and European Union to end "patent hypocrisy" to help the world to effectively prepare for the next pandemic.

New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) Global health experts from a group of 58 charities, NGOs on Monday, the fourth anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic, urged the US and European Union to end "patent hypocrisy" to help the world to effectively prepare for the next pandemic.

Covid was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. The pandemic has claimed over 7 million lives globally.

The WHO has been calling for a global pandemic treaty and waiving off intellectual property (IP) rights to help all countries equally prepare for the next pandemic, with vaccines and test kits, among others.

However, the rich countries, including the US and EU have been opposing measures to ease IP rights.

In an open letter coordinated by the People's Vaccine Alliance, organisations including Oxfam, The African Alliance, Innovarte, and Public Citizen accused US President Joe Biden and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen of undermining "the safety of all humanity in the next health crisis".

"It cannot be one rule for Americans and Europeans and another for everyone else," they said, in the letter.

During Covid pandemic, the rich countries had blocked proposals to waive intellectual property rules on Covid vaccines, tests, and treatments. This reportedly resulted in about 1.3 million loss of lives by the end of 2021, mostly in low- and middle-income countries.

The experts called on the leaders to "support measures in the Pandemic Accord to enable lower-income countries to overcome intellectual property barriers, to make public funding of R&D conditional upon sharing pharmaceutical technology and knowhow with Global South countries, and to embed transparency in global health by publishing all government contracts with companies involved in public health".

They also called for extending the pandemic flu mechanism. Under this, countries that share pathogen data to monitor for threats receive benefits such as fair access to medicines and financial contributions.
Gurugram, March 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 112 National Highway projects spread across the country worth about Rs one lakh crore from here.

The Prime Minister was in Gurugram for the event, where he also inaugurated the Haryana section of the landmark Dwarka Expressway in Gurugram.

Being built for around Rs 9,000 crore, a stretch of the expressway -- 18.9 km -- falls in Gurugram, while 10.1 km is in Delhi. Out of this total stretch, 23 km is elevated and a tunnel of about 4 km is being constructed.

Along with the flyover, an underpass is also being constructed to connect the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway to the Dwarka Expressway in Mahipalpur.

The 18.9 km Gurugram segment of the expressway was completed last year, while the remaining 10 km within Delhi is expected to be completed in a few months.

The elevated eight-lane access-controlled expressway is a first-of-its-kind in the country. It includes a unique 34-metre-wide elevated road supported by single pillars over a stretch of 9 km.

The Dwarka Expressway, also called the Northern Peripheral Road (NPR), or NH 248-BB, is a high-speed, access-controlled highway under construction connecting Delhi with Gurugram. It is the country's first elevated urban expressway.

The expressway is anticipated to reduce travel time between Delhi and Gurugram and promote development in the newly-developed sectors.

The expressway starts from the Shiv Murti on the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway and ends near the Kherki Daula toll plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway via Dwarka Sector 21 in Delhi, Gurugram border and Basai.

The expressway will connect key areas such as Pataudi Road, Harsaru, Farrukhnagar, and Sector 88(B), improving connectivity for the Gurugram residents.

The expressway will also link Sectors 83, 84, 88, 99, and 113 in Gurugram with Dwarka Sector 21 and the Indira Gandhi International Airport. It will feature a fully automated tolling system.

The project will also be equipped with an intelligent transportation system (ITS), a toll management system, CCTV cameras, and surveillance mechanisms.

The construction of the Dwarka Expressway is being carried out in four stages covering different segments, from the Shiv Murti in Mahipalpur to Bijwasan (5.9 km), from Bijwasan railway over bridge (ROB) to the Delhi-Haryana border in Gurugram (4.2 km), from Delhi-Haryana border to Basai ROB (10.2 km) in Haryana, and from Basai to the Kherki Daula cloverleaf interchange (8.7 km)

Apart from the Dwarka Expressway, PM Modi also inaugurated various National Highway projects across the country.

Major projects that were inaugurated included the 9.6 km long six lane Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II)- Package 3 from Nangloi Najafgarh Road to Sector 24 Dwarka section in Delhi, three packages of Lucknow Ring Road developed at cost of Rs 4.600 crore in Uttar Pradesh, Anandapuram Pendurthi - Anakapalli section of NH16 developed at a cost of Rs 2,950 crore in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Kiratpur to Nerchowk section of NH-21 (2 packages) worth Rs 3,400 crore in Himachal Pradesh, Dobaspet - Heskote section (two packages) worth Rs 2,750 crore in Karnataka, along with 42 other projects worth Rs 20.500 crore in different states across the country.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for various National Highway projects across the country.

The projects included 14 packages of Bengaluru Kadappa - Vijayawada Expressway worth Rs 14,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh, six packages of Belgaum - Hungund - Raichur Section of NH-748A worth Rs 8,000 crore in Karnataka, three packages of Shamli - Ambala Highway worth Rs 4,900 crore in Haryana, two packages of Amritsar - Bathinda corridor worth Rs 3,800 crore in Punjab, along with 39 other projects worth Rs 32,700 crore in different states across the country.

These projects will significantly contribute towards the growth of National Highway network as well as help in boosting socio-economic growth, enhance job opportunities and promote trade & commerce in regions across the country.
Seoul, March 11 : Samsung's new Galaxy S24 series smartphones enjoyed a robust start in the first three weeks of release, with their sales showing double-digit growth in key markets, industry data showed on Monday.

Global sales of the Galaxy S24 between January 28 and February 17 expanded 8 per cent compared with the previous Galaxy S23 series during the same period last year, according to the data by market research firm Counterpoint Research.

In particular, Samsung saw sales of its latest smartphone model jump 22 per cent over its predecessor in its home market, reports Yonhap News Agency.

In Western Europe, its sales vaulted 28 per cent driven by strong preorders in Britain, Germany and France. The US also experienced 14 per cent growth in sales.

Sales of the most expensive S24 Ultra model accounted for 52 per cent of the total, followed by the Galaxy S24 at 27 per cent and the Galaxy S24 Plus at 21 per cent.

Unveiled in January, the Galaxy S24 series is Samsung's first smartphone model with on-device artificial intelligence (AI), featuring real-time translation for phone calls and improved camera performance.
New Delhi, March 11 : Embattled edtech company Byju's has apparently mandated all its employees to work from home as it gives up office spaces across the country amid several cash crunch, barring those working at its 300-odd offline tuition centres.

New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) Embattled edtech company Byjuas has apparently mandated all its employees to work from home as it gives up office spaces across the country amid several cash crunch, barring those working at its 300-odd offline tuition centres.

The company, which managed to disburse a portion of the pending salaries for over 20,000 employees for the month of February, has given up office spaces as the leases expired, keeping only its Bengaluru-based headquarters, people close to the development told IANS on Monday.

The move to give up offices is part of Byju's India CEO Arjun Mohan's restructuring exercise to save cash as proceeds from the rights issue (around $250-$300 million) remain stuck amid its tussle with select investors.

The CapTable was the first to report the development.

The company has promised to pay the remaining salaries 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 its latest letter to employees.
New Delhi, March 11 : A court on Monday granted Delhi Police 45 days more to complete its probe in the December 13, 2023 Parliament security breach case.

The police had moved the court last week, saying that certain reports are awaited and the digital data is voluminous.

Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur of the Patiala House Courts allowed the policeas application but granted only 45 days against their request for an extension of three months to finish the investigation.

On March 7, the judge issued notice to six accused -- Neelam Azad, Manoranjan D., Sagar Sharma, Lalit Jha, Amol Shinde, and Mahesh Kumawat, on the police plea.

Manoranjan, Sharma, Shinde, Jha, and Kumawat had earlier alleged that they were being tortured by Delhi Police to admit their association with opposition parties and were coerced into signing about 70 blank sheets of papers. Azad had also alleged that police forced her to sign several blank sheets of paper.

Special public prosecutor Akhand Pratap Singh had objected to the allegation, as the court recorded the submissions from both sides.

Manoranjan D. and Sharma had burst yellow smoke canisters inside the Lok Sabha chamber on December 13, the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, after jumping from the visitorsa gallery before they were overpowered by the MPs present in the House. Azad and Shinde also burst smoke canisters and raised slogans outside the Parliament. Jha is believed to be the mastermind of the entire plan and had reportedly fled with the mobile phones of the four other accused persons.
New Delhi, March 11 : Delhi Police have busted a party drug, methamphetamine, making lab, which was being run by an African national in a house in Delhi area, an official said on Monday.

He said that sophisticated equipment and 78.6 kgs of raw material for making drugs were recovered from his possession.

The officials said that they have also arrested the accused identified as Chigemezu John Udechukwu (29), a resident of Nigeria.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh said that the illegal drugs manufacturing unit was unearthed after an African national was nabbed with 129 grams of 'fine quality' methamphetamine drug and 17.133 kgs of raw material for making drugs from the Vikaspuri area.

During his interrogation, he disclosed his identity as Chigemezu John Udechukwu.

"He also disclosed that he along with his associates is running a methamphetamine drug-making lab at Sant Nagar, Burari, Delhi. He also disclosed that he along with his associates' motive was to make quick easy money for a luxurious lifestyle," said the DCP.

He said that an illegal drug-making lab was also busted and 61.5 Kg raw material, sophisticated equipment like heating, mantle machine, borosilicate glass reagent bottle, flasks, high-quality face masks, and gloves were recovered from his possession from the lab at Sant Nagar.

"As per his disclosure, it also came to fore that his two Nigerian associates were dead in the blast in the lab. Further, investigations is going on and efforts are being made to arrest syndicate members," the DCP added.
Bengaluru, March 11 : Karnataka former Chief Minister, BS Yediyurappa, stated on Monday that the list of Lok Sabha poll candidates from the state might be finalised in today's meeting being held in New Delhi with the BJP's Central Election Committee.

He was speaking to reporters at his residence before leaving for the national Capital for the meeting.

Former CM Yediyurappa, who is also the BJP's Central Election Committee member, said that the party's Karnataka President, BY Vijayendra and his son were already in New Delhi.

The Central Election Committee meeting will be held in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all final decisions would be taken then.

He also said that the tour programme of PM Modi to Karnataka was all set.

"He is also arriving in Shivamogga, we are planning for massive rallies there," he added.

"I have been maintaining that the BJP in Karnataka will win 25 out of 28 seats. I am reiterating that along with the JD-S we will win 25 seats," the senior leader stated.

When asked about the dropping of Union Ministers from the state from the Lok Sabha poll race, the former CM said he had no idea and PM Modi would take a call on it.

When asked about talks being held with the scion of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family, Yaduveer Wadiyar, he maintained that if at all there was any such discussion he would not discuss it with the media.

Meanwhile, sources in the BJP explained that four sitting MPs had conveyed that they would not contest the Lok Sabha polls.

Further, the issue of the sitting Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shobha Karandlaje, and Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Bhagawanth Khuba, facing opposition from local leaders would be discussed and a call would be taken.

Davanagere sitting MP, GM Siddeshwara, is also facing the heat and many leaders from the region have stationed themselves at New Delhi and are lobbying against him with the central leadership.

The party has decided not to field Belagavi MP, Mangal Angadi and is contemplating fielding former Karnataka CM, Jagadish Shettar, sources stated.

Sources added that there was stiff competition among former ministers from BJP, V Somanna and JC Madhuswamy to get the ticket of the Tumkur Lok Sabha seat.

Former Minister Dr K Sudhakar and BJP MLA, SR Vishwanath, have locked horns for the Chikkaballapur Lok Sabha ticket and Vishwanath is vouching for the candidature of his son.
Patna, March 11 : Three persons including a school student were killed while twelve other passengers were injured after a speeding bus overturned in Bihar's Samastipur district on Monday.

The bus was on the way from Mathurapur to Baheri and overturned near Rewra Mor. The deceased were walking on the pavement when the accident took place.

Following the accident, the driver managed to flee from the spot prompting local residents to protest and block the road.

Khanpur SHO Muhammad Fahim said that police have rescued the injured and the situation is under control.

"We have rescued the injured passengers and admitted them to the Sadar hospital. The dead bodies have also been recovered and sent for the postmortem. We are making efforts to identify the errant driver. He will be arrested soon," Fahim said.
Drama unfolds at Kerala University Senate meet over choice of new V-C. Image Source: IANS News

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 11 : The Kerala University Vice-Chancellor on Monday ordered for the suspension of ongoing youth festival after a series of protests by activists of Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Kerala Students Union (KSU).

On Monday, following fresh complaints, Prof Mohanan Kunnummal intervened and decided to suspend the youth festival and promised to look into all the complaints that have come up.

It has also been decided that the results of the events will not be announced till every aspect is looked into.

Meanwhile, Kerala Police have registered two cases: one against SFI for roughing up KSU activists; and the other against the KSU for indiscriminately barging onto the stage.

Since the event began last week, things never fell in place amid protests with the rival student unions accusing the other of creating troubles.
Kolkata, March 11 : The Calcutta High Court on Monday expressed its anguish at the delay in beginning the trial process in the multi-crore cash-for-school job case in West Bengal.

The division bench of Justices Jaymalya Bagchi and Ajay Kumar Gupta directed the CBI to immediately start the trial process.

It also directed the central agency to file a detailed affidavit in the matter within the next three weeks.

Hearing the anticipatory bail plea of the two accused in the case, Kuntal Ghosh and Niladri Saha, Justice Bagchi observed that the delay in the beginning of the trial process would result in a delay in punishment for the genuine offenders in the case and, hence the entire process will become a laughing stock.

"In case of the delay in the beginning of the trial process, the matter will fade out of the memories of the common people and all investigation efforts will be fruitless," he observed.

Justice Bagchi also referred to the examples of countries like Singapore and Japan where the trial processes are completed speedily.

Recently, the CBI has said that the trial process against some key accused in the case might be delayed because of the lack of necessary state government approval regarding the arrests of some key officials attached to different wings of the Education Department, currently in judicial custody.
Chennai, March 11 : The Tamil Nadu Crime Branch-CID has issued a lookout circular (LOC) against former Director General of Police Rajesh Das, who was sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment for sexual harassment of a woman Superintendent of Police.

The LOC has been sent to all airports to prevent Rajesh Das from leaving the country.

The sexual harassment happened when Rajesh Das and the woman SP were on security duty of then Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami in February 2021.

The Villupuram Chief Judicial Magistrate's court had sentenced Rajesh Das to three years rigorous imprisonment in June 2023 under Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women (Amendment) Act, 2002.

Rajesh Das moved the Madras High Court against the trial court order, but on February 12, it had refused to stay the order of the lower court. The Tamil Nadu Police had constituted a special CB-CID team to arrest him.
New Delhi, March 11 : With improving ease of access to information and technology, more women investors are investing in mutual funds, the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) said.

The share of women in mutual fundsa assets under management (AUM) has shot up from 15.2 per cent in 2017 to 20.9 per cent in 2023.

This pace of growth is more prominent in the hinterland as compared to the urban centres, with the share of women's folios and assets in the B-30 cities increasing from 15 per cent to 18 per cent and from 17 per cent to 28 per cent during the period, respectively, the AMFI said.

The age analysis of women investors indicates that almost 50 per cent of women investors fall in the 25-44 years age group, as compared to around 45 per cent for the overall set of individual investors.

Goa boasts the highest share of women in the mutual fund industry at 40 per cent, followed by the northeastern states with high 30s percentage. Chandigarh, Maharashtra, and New Delhi also have over 30 per cent share of women in the industryas assets under management, as per the AMFI data.

Most women continue to invest through the regular plan route in mutual funds and stay invested for longer when investing through a mutual fund distributor.

The number of women mutual fund distributors has steadily increased, nearing the 42,000 registration mark as of December 2023, managing over Rs 1 lakh crore in AUM.
New Delhi, March 11 : With the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 around the corner, the Election Commission (EC) on Monday held a meeting with its observers, including officials from the police, general administration, and expenditure departments.

The meeting was attended by over 2,000 officials, including from the IAS, the IPS, and the IRS.

"In the run-up to General Elections 2024, ECI today organised a briefing for Observers to be deployed in the States/UTs. CEC Rajiv Kumar & senior EC officials briefed over 2150 senior officers drawn from IAS, IPS, IRS & IAAS officers," the poll panel spokesperson said in a tweet.

The EC is expected to fly to Srinagar to review preparations for the elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The visit to the UT on March 12 and 13 is likely to be its last visit to a state or UT before the polls are announced.
Mumbai, March 11 : 'Lootere' director Jai Mehta has opened up on the picturesque backdrop of the upcoming action-packed web series 'Lootere'. He revealed the inspiration for Cape Town as the location came from the veteran producer Mukesh Bhatt.

The show revolves around a ship carrying precious cargo and the threat it faces from Somali pirates. It features an ensemble cast that includes Rajat Kapoor, Vivek Gomber, Amruta Khanvilkar and Aamir Ali.

Jai, who's better known as acclaimed director Hansal Mehta's son, said: "We thought of many locations for 'Lootere', including Gujarat, and even thought of building sets in Mumbai. But there were no ships available. The team went to Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi and even Sharjah to explore further, but we were met with little to no success. There was even a time when we thought of going to Morocco or Egypt."

When the 'Lootere' team was wrestling with options that were not working out, Jai remembers how he coincidentally met Bhatt and shared the problem with him. That was when Bhatt "confidently suggested" Cape Town.

"Now, even though we had already thought of Cape Town as an option before this, we believed it would be too expensive," Jai said.

"When Mukesh Ji said 'the location is economically viable, you have to believe it', we settled on Cape Town as our final location. We realised we would be able to overcome our biggest challenge when we finally landed there. And it was way too pretty compared to the other locations we were considering," added Jai.

Continuing on the choice of Cape Town, Jai added: "If there's one thing I have learned from assisting and working with Hansal sir and Anurag [Kashyap] sir all these years, it is that if the journey is insanely difficult, not only are you doing something right, but also something good can come out of it. That's it. I was convinced this is where we needed to be."

'Lootere' will air on Disney+ Hotstar from March 22.
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 11 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday issued summons to eight persons with whom the now-suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, the accused mastermind behind the January 5 attack on ED and CAPF staff at Sandeshkhali, spoke to immediately before the incident.

Sources said they have been asked to be present at the agency's Nizam Palace office in Kolkata by March 14.

One of the eight persons being summoned by the CBI is Ziauddin Mollah, known to be Shahjahan's most trusted lieutenant.

According to the sources, Ziauddin, who is suspected to be the chief orchestrator in planning the attack on ED and CAPF staff as per the instruction of Shahjahan, has already reached the CBI office where his interrogation by the central agency is presently underway.

On the day of the attack, Ziauddin was the first person to give his reaction to the media, claiming that the attack was spontaneous as the ED staff accompanied by CAPF personnel tried to break into Shahjahan's residence without a proper search warrant.

Ziauddin, the head of the Sarberia-Agarhati village panchayat in Sandeshkhali, is known to be a close associate of Shahjahan in the multiple businesses owned by the latter.

The CBI has already got the details of the telephone calls made from the two cellphones of Shahjahan 30 minutes before the attack on January 5.

The calls were made to a legislator of the ruling Trinamool Congress, some panchayat members from the two blocks in Sandeshkhali, and some of Shahjahan's employees engaged in the businesses run by him, the sources said.

However, the CBI is yet to get physical possession of the two cellphones of Shahjahan, which have gone missing since his arrest.

The leader of the opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has already accused the Basirhat district police of destroying the two phones after Shahjahan's arrest on the night of February 28.
New Delhi, March 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of homegrown Agni-5 ICBM with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle technology (MIRV), terming it a landmark achievement by DRDO scientists.

"Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable re-entry vehicle technology," he posted on X.

While the Agni-5 missile is a potent ingredient in defence preparedness as it puts India in the select league of nations with ICBM capability, the development of MIRV technology - where the payload contains several warheads, each capable of being aimed to hit a different target, makes India only the sixth country with this technology.

This system is equipped with indigenous avionics systems and high-accuracy sensor packages, which ensure that the re-entry vehicles (warheads) reach the target points within the desired accuracy. The capability is an enunciator of Indiaas growing technological prowess, sources said.
Kanpur, March 11 : The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur on Monday launched a novel air sampling device that will assess particulate matter in ambient air.

The Air Sampling Device, developed by Airshed Planning Professionals -- an incubatee at Startup Innovation & Incubation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur -- can effectively assess various air parameters, including respirable air quality, ambient air monitoring and sampling, and quantitative evaluations of air pollutants.

In addition, the device can also bring out estimates of different microbial colonies present in the ambient air.

It comes with a high-volume PM2.5 impactor with multiple slit nozzles and is built with chrome-plated brass. It can collect particles with efficiency and minimal pressure drop. Together with substrate plates, the nozzle can seamlessly integrate into existing high-volume dust samplers.

"I am thrilled that our development simplifies air quality monitoring. With this device, we have made it easier for existing samplers to upgrade their capabilities without hassle by providing practical solutions that anyone can benefit from," IIT Kanpur's Dean, Research & Development, Prof Tarun Gupta, who invented the device, said in a statement.

"With this technology, we aim to empower communities with accurate and accessible tools for monitoring air quality, ultimately fostering a healthier environment for all," he added.

IIT Kanpur Director, Prof S. Ganesh said that the device will soon be available in the market at an affordable price.
Mumbai, March 11 : Maharashtra Cabinet on Monday cleared Rs 67.14 crore for land acquisition for the construction of the state guesthouse in Ayodhya.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds Planning and Finance Departments, in the interim budget for 2024-25 had announced the construction of Maharashtra State Guesthouse in Ayodhya and Srinagar.

The government has already finalised a 9,420.55 sq mt plot in Greenfield Township Shahnevajpur Majha in Ayodhya. The guesthouse will be for the benefit of the devotees and tourists from Maharashtra visiting Ayodhya to have a darshan at the Ram Temple.

As per the report submitted by the nodal officer appointed by the Public Works Department, the proposed land is quite suitable for the construction of the government guesthouse and its purchase will be done shortly.

The plot is priced at Rs 67.14 crore (Rs 60,261.60 per sq mt).

The government will shell out the money towards land purchase from the budgetary provision. The government initially will have to pay Rs 6 crore as token money for the demarcation of the land.

The proposed land is 7.5 km away from the Shri Ramjanmabhoomi Temple and about 15 km away from the Sarayu River.

Public Works Department said that the land is strategically located as the NH 27 Gorakhpur Lucknow passes from 0.25 km while Ayodhya railway station is 4.5 km away.

The Maharshi Valmiki International Airport is just 11.5 km from the proposed land earmarked for the Maharashtra Sadan.

The MahaYuti governmentas move is important especially when the ruling partners BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP want to cash in on the opening of Ram Temple in January this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
New Delhi, March 11 : The Delhi High Court on Monday rebuked convict Ravi Kapoor, who's serving life sentence for the murder of IT executive Jigisha Ghosh, for filing two similar pleas seeking parole to attend his niece's wedding.

The high court had on February 19 asked the state authorities to decide within 10 days on Kapooras parole application, after which he filed one more plea.

Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, who presided over the case, dismissed both the applications and criticised Kapoor for what the court deemed as "misuse of the legal process".

While recognising Kapoor's right to seek parole, the court condemned his actions as overreaching the judicial process.

The court noted that Kapoor failed to withdraw the initial plea before filing the second one, raising doubts about the petitioner's intentions.

Kapoor had moved the high court in January seeking three months' parole to attend his niece's wedding in March, and to maintain social ties with his parents and other family members. During the pendency of the first application, Kapoor filed a second plea seeking the same relief.

His counsel attributed this to a typographical error in the initial plea, and told the court that an application to withdraw the first petition had been filed.

However, the state's counsel argued that the second petition contradicted Kapoor's claim of not filing similar pleas before the court or the Supreme Court.

The high court noted discrepancies in the withdrawal process of the first petition and observed that its previous remarks on Kapoor's pending cases might have prompted the filing of the second plea.

Despite the court's displeasure, Kapoor was spared heavy costs, as the court refrained from imposing them.

Kapoor, who was convicted for the murders of journalist Soumya Vishwanathan and Jigisha Ghosh, was recently granted bail by the high court in Vishwanathan's case pending his appeal challenging his conviction and sentence.

In January, the high court denied Kapoor's parole application considering the seriousness of the offences committed by him.

Initially sentenced to death by a trial court in 2016 for Jigisha Ghosh's murder, Kapoor's sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment by the Delhi High Court.

Jigisha Ghosh (28) was kidnapped and killed in March 2009, while Vishwanathan was shot dead in September 2008.

The recovery of the weapon used in Jigisha's killing had led to the resolution of the Vishwanathan murder case. The police attributed robbery as the motive behind both the killings.
New Delhi, March 11 : President Droupadi Murmu was welcomed by Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and his Cabinet members as she landed in the island nation on Monday to participate in the National Day celebrations as Chief Guest.

During her three-day stay in the country from March 11-13, President Murmu and PM Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate 14 India-assisted projects in a further fillip to bilateral partnership.

"President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Mauritius on her first state visit to the country, to participate in the Mauritian National Day celebrations as Chief Guest," a post on the 'X' handle of Rashtrapati Bhavan read.

"In a special gesture, Prime Minister @KumarJugnauth, along with members of his cabinet and senior Mauritian dignitaries, received President Murmu upon arrival with full state honours."

President Murmu will also hold bilateral meetings with her Mauritius counterpart Prithvirajsing Roopun and PM Jugnauth.

In addition, she will meet the Speaker of the Mauritius National Assembly, the Chief Justice of the Mauritian Supreme Court, and other important Mauritian leaders. According to an MEA release, the President will also witness the exchange of the key bilateral agreements that seek to strengthen the robust bilateral institutional collaboration and capacity-building cooperation between the two countries.

President Murmu's visit comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Jugnauth jointly inaugurated a new airstrip and a jetty along with six other community development projects in Agalega Island.

India has close, long-standing relations with Mauritius owing to historic, demographic, and cultural reasons.

In addition, people of Indian origin comprise nearly 70 per cent of the island's population of 1.2 million.
Guwahati, March 11 : The Bodoland People's Front (BPF), an erstwhile ally of the Congress in Assam, on Monday announced that it will fight the upcoming Lok Sabha polls alone.

"Our party will field candidates in two Lok Sabha seats in Assam - Kokrajhar and Darang. We are not allying with the Congress or any other party. We will fight the polls alone," BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary told reporters here.

According to him, the position of the BPF is strong on the ground and the party will sweep polls in these two seats.

"The BPF will win the Darang seat with at least 1 lakh votes. I assure everybody that the winning margin will be even bigger in the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha constituency," he added.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed several times that the BJP would win at least 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state. It has an alliance with the United Peopleas Party Liberal (UPPL) in Bodoland.

Reacting to Sarmaas statement, Mohilary said: "Assam has 14 Lok Sabha seats. Except for two constituencies, the BJP can win the remaining 12 seats." He also said that UPPL will find it hard to contest with his BPF in the Lok Sabha polls.

The BPF was part of a grand alliance led by the Congress in the previous Assembly elections in Assam. However, after the alliance failed to oust the BJP from power, the BPF moved away from the opposition bloc.
New Delhi, March 11 : Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Union Home Ministry on Monday notified the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) -- a major highlight of the BJP's manifesto during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls -- paving the way for granting citizenship to people of certain faiths facing persecution in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, who moved to India before 2015.

New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Union Home Ministry on Monday notified the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) -- a major highlight of the BJPas manifesto during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls -- paving the way for granting citizenship to people of certain faiths facing persecution in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, who moved to India before 2015.

Here is a timeline of the new law:
New Delhi, March 11 : ITC Hotels has signed a management agreement with Narne Hotels and Resorts Private Limited, further expanding the Welcomhotel brand's presence in South India.

Set to be a key project located at the hill town of Madikeri in Kodagu district (also known by its former name Coorg), Karnataka, Welcomhotel Madikeri will offer exciting food & beverage options with two restaurants and bars, a lounge, and over 1,300 sq mt of meeting space.

The property is located on the prime MG Road in central Madikeri. Framed by the Western Ghats mountain range, Madikeri is known for the Raja's Seat, a 200-year-old monument that overlooks forests and paddy fields, and offers some of the best sunrise and sunset views.

Taking centrestage, with two stone elephants at the entrance, is the 17th-century Madikeri Fort.

In close proximity stands the famous Omkareshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. To the northwest, the cascading Abbey Falls surrounded by spice plantations is a much-visited tourist attraction.

Kodagu district is known for its lush green valleys, vast coffee plantations, and spice trails. It is also one of the few areas in South India, where the rare Neelakurinji flower blooms once in 12 years.

The region offers a variety of unique experiences for the travellers, including spiritual sites, wildlife, adventure, and leisure activities. The region has witnessed a significant rise in tourist footfalls, supplemented by growth in the business segment driven by demand from agricultural and administrative segments.

Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels, expressed his excitement about the project, saying, "Madikeri is an important market for ITC Hotels. Over the recent years, this region has grown in popularity, and we saw a niche space for leisure travel. Through Welcomhotel Madikeri, we bring the signature hospitality of ITC Hotels to this beautiful city.

"Madikeri reflects the rich Kodava culture and is home to heritage cuisine that many wish to explore.

With this signing, ITC's hotel group has further strengthened its presence in Karnataka, where it currently operates 11 hotels and over 1,300 rooms under various brands, including ITC Hotels, Welcomhotel, Fortune, and Welcomheritage."

Saibabu Appalaneni, CEO, Narne Hotel and Resorts Private Limited, said, "We are delighted to sign brand Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels for our Madikeri hotel project. ITC Hotels are known for their expertise in hospitality and focus on promoting regional cuisine. We believe Welcomhotel Madikeri has strong potential and will provide a memorable guest experience."
Vijayawada : , March 11 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh CID on Monday filed a charge sheet against TDP President and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, former minister P. Narayana, and others in Rs 4,400 crore Amaravati capital city assigned lands scam case.

Anne Sudheer Babu, former tahsildar of Thulluru mandal, and K.P.V. Anjani Kumar (Bobby), Managing Director of Ramakrishna Housing Pvt Ltd, are the others named in the charge sheet.

The case was registered in 2020 at the CID police station in Mangalagiri under the Indian Penal Code's (IPC) Sections 420 (cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust), 506 (criminal intimidation), 166 & 167 (public servant disobeying law), 217 (public servant framing incorrect record), 109 (abetment) along with various sections related to criminal conspiracy, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Andhra Pradesh Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfer) Act, and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

According to the CID, the estimated value of 1,100 acres of land involved is Rs 4,400 crore. It stated that the then Chief Minister Naidu, then Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana, other ministers and their 'benamis' (proxies) with an intention to grab the assigned lands in the capital city area from the SCs, STs and BCs, put them under the apprehension that the assigned lands will be taken away by the government under the Land Pooling Scheme without giving any package and purchased the lands from them at lower prices.

Later, the ministers pressured then-government officials to issue a GO to gain benefits from the land pooling scheme for the assigned lands. The accused allegedly engaged Kommareddy Brahmananda Reddy, Anjani Kumar, Gummadi Suresh, and Kolli Sivaram, who acted as 'benamis' of the then ministers and purchased the assigned lands of poor people.

Pressure was brought upon the Sub-Registrar officers in Mangalagiri, etc. to allow registrations and GPAs on the lands in the prohibited list The investigation elicited clear evidence of the flow of funds of about Rs 16.5 crore from the educational societies and companies operated by the family members of Narayana to Ramakrishna Housing Pvt Limited and other real estate middlemen, who, in turn, paid the farmers of assigned lands and got illegal sale agreements prepared in the names of the 'benamis' of Narayana.

"He illegally acquired 162 acres of assigned lands for himself. Other politically affiliated associates of N. Chandrababu Naidu and P. Narayana, too, acquired assigned lands of hundreds of acres in the capital city area," the CID said.

The agency claimed that senior IAS officers deposed before the Magistrate under Section 164 CrPC, that Naidu and Narayana got the GO 41 issued, overriding the opinions of the then Advocate General, the High Court, the Law Secretary, and the objections raised by the IAS officers.

This GOM No.41 was intended to give legitimacy to the transactions on the assigned lands, though such transactions were illegal as per the A.P. Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfer) Act, 1977, the CID said.

Brahmananda Reddy, a realtor who dealt with the agreements on the assigned lands approached the ACB court, praying to consider him a "prosecution witness" (approver). The ACB court is examining his petition.
New Delhi, March 11 : Delhi Police on Monday beefed up security in Shaheen Bagh and parts of northeast Delhi following the notification of the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by the Union Home Ministry.

Northeast district police along with paramilitary forces also conducted patrolling in the sensitive area to maintain law and order situation.

"North-East district police personnel conducted extensive patrolling and checking in sensitive areas, along with paramilitary forces, for the security of civilians. Everyone is urged to adhere to the security instructions," Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey wrote on X.

Tirkey said that 29 Aman Committee meetings were convened and we are endeavouring to dispel misconceptions about the CAA among the public.

"We have conducted a flag march for the last two days. I plan to deploy additional forces, likely starting tomorrow, to conduct more flag marches. A detailed list of criminals and troublemakers has been compiled, and they are under police surveillance," said the DCP.

"We are confident that the situation will remain peaceful. We are also monitoring social media, and necessary action will be taken," Tirkey added.

Heavy police personnel were also deployed in southeast Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area where on December 15, 2019, a protest began in response to the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) on December 11, 2019.

The protest at Shaheen Bagh had lasted until March 24, 2020. The protest was led by women who blocked a major road at Shaheen Bagh.

As Shaheen Bagh was seeing the sitting protest, which included students from Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), against CAA, Delhi witnessed one of its worst communal riots in the month of February 2020 which spread over 11 police stations of North-East District.

"These communal riots took place as the culminating high point of various sustained sit-in and roadblock (Chakka-Jaam) protests organised by seemingly amorphous but bonded by anti-CAA groups.

"Anti-CAA protests were also organised in the areas of Hauz Rani, Jama Masjid, Darya Ganj, Seelampur, Nabi Kareem, Shastri Nagar, Sadar Bazar etc. where substantial Muslim population resides," as per police chargesheet in the court.

The riots started on February 23, 2020 and lasted till late night of February 25, 2020, causing the loss of 53 lives and damage to several public/private properties.

The areas which were badly affected by the communal riots were mainly covered in the 11 police stations of North-East District namely Jafrabad, Welcome, Seelampur, Bhajanpura, Jyoti Nagar, Karawal Nagar, Khajoori Khas, Gokal Puri, Dayalpur and New Usmanpur.

By the afternoon of February 24, 2020, full-scale riots broke out when violence was reported on the 66 Foota Road and Wazirabad Road and clashes spread to other areas, which continued till the night of 25th February.

"A total of 755 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered during the Northeast riots and 400 cases were solved. Police had filed a charge sheet in 349 cases," said police.
New Delhi: A view of the Supreme Court in New Delhi on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (Photo: Wasim Sarvar/IANS). Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 11 : The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a plea challenging the Madras High Court order which had held that downloading and possessing child pornography does not amount to any offence.

A bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, sought the response of the Tamil Nadu government and others in the matter within four weeks.

In January, the Madras High Court had quashed the FIR and criminal proceedings against a 28-year-old Chennai man, holding that watching child pornography in private would not fall within the scope of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

A bench of Justice N. Anand Venkatesh reasoned that the accused had merely downloaded the material and watched the pornography in privacy and it was neither published nor transmitted to others.

"Since he has not used a child or children for pornographic purposes, at best, it can only be construed as a moral decay on the part of the accused person."

The Chennai police registered an FIR under Sections 67 B of the Information Technology Act and Section 14(1) of the POCSO Act after it seized the phone of the accused and discovered that he had downloaded and possessed child pornography.

In India, both the POCSO Act 2012 and the IT Act 2000, along with other laws, criminalise the creation, distribution, and possession of child pornography.

Senior advocate H.S. Phoolka, assisted by advocate Saksham Maheswari, represented the appellants - Just Rights for Children Alliance, a coalition of NGOs, and the Bachpan Bachao Andolan.
Kolkata, March 11 : Soon after the Union Home Ministry on Monday issued a notification for the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee termed the announcement as a 'political gimmick' ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"Had the Union government been so serious about CAA, they could have notified it earlier. Why did they notify CAA just before the Lok Sabha elections? We will study the notification first and then announce our next course of action. But one thing is clear, if there is discrimination -- religious or caste-based -- I will not tolerate that," CM Banerjee told mediapersons on Monday evening.

She also called the CAA a tool to hoodwink the people before the elections since granting citizenship is not an easy task.

"If people from all religions enroll in the CAA portal, will that be effective? How can the BJP raise questions over the citizenship of people who voted them to power? I have my doubts about CAA. I request the people not to be scared. There will be no CAA in West Bengal," the Chief Minister said.

Banerjee has been opposing the CAA for quite some time now. According to her, CAA is a tool in the hands of the BJP with the sole aim of polarising the voters.

However, she played it safe on Monday as she said that she will "oppose CAA if there is discrimination against any religion or caste" in the notification. Some people feel that her stand on the issue was prompted by the fear that any vehement opposition to CAA might polarise the voters further.

Meanwhile, as soon as the news of the CAA notification by the Union government surfaced, a wave of joy swept Thakurnagar in Bangaon subdivision of North 24 Parganas district, which is considered to be the hub for Matuas, a Scheduled Caste refugee community from the neighbouring Bangladesh.

People from the community came out on the streets to express their joy over the notification.

"We thank the Union government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP, and local BJP MP Shantanu Thakur for fulfilling our long-standing wish," said a local resident.

The leader of the opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi gives a guarantee, it is always fulfilled.

"This is #ModiKiGuarantee. I wholeheartedly thank Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji and Hon'ble Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji for notifying the rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)," Adhikari said in a post on X.

Adhikari also said that the long-standing demand of the Matua community will be fulfilled now, adding that no one, not even Chief Minister Banerjee, will be able to stop them from getting citizenship.
Hyderabad, Sep 11 : The Telangana Police's CID have arrested four more accused, including three Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs), in a fake passport case, officials said on Monday.

With this, the total number of accused arrested in the case has gone up to 22, Additional Director General of Police, CID, Shikha Goel said.

Those arrested are identified as passport agent Koppisetti Kalyan, resident of S.R.Nagar, ASI Thippanna, of Traffic Police Station, Maredpally, ASI Shaik Nazeer Basha of Panjagutta Traffic PS, and ASI Guntur Venkateshwarlu, SHE Team, Haka Bhavan, Hyderabad.

The accused were produced before a court.

ADG Goel said that the investigation is still in progress for collecting evidence of the fraud and apprehension of other accused.

It has been revealed in the investigation that, in addition to the 95 passports issued to illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka, another 30 passports have been issued in the same way bringing the total number of passports to 125.

The same has been informed to the passports and immigration authorities for taking necessary action at their end, she added.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 11 : The Central government on Monday announced to set up 10 artificial intelligence (AI) labs in 10 colleges here, adding that Rs 2,000 crore has been set aside to finance startups which will go as investments in startups built by youth across Kerala and the country.

Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said the labs will comprise a blend of government and private institutions and are part of the IndiaAI Mission.

"This is not the limit, it is just the beginning. The infrastructure comprising hardware, software, and skilling programmes will be provided to these 10 colleges with AI labs. These AI labs will be set up in collaboration with leading global tech companies as partners in Thiruvananthapuram," he told the media.

The Minister explained how this mission whose financial outlay of Rs 10,371 crore was approved and announced by the Union Cabinet last week, will help young Indians and startups in Kerala.

"Innovation centres under the IndiaAI Mission will harness the power of AI for our Indian digital economy and our citizens. They will develop in areas such as health, medicine discovery, agriculture, education, security, governance, language translation, among others," said the Union Minister.

"Therefore, a capacity of 10,000 GPUs for AI compute will help startups in Kerala and across the country that currently lack adequate AI compute resources. Rs 2,000 crore has been set aside to finance startups."

--IANS

na/pgh
London, March 11 : As part of the UK government's plan to bring down unsustainable levels of legal migration and tackle visa abuse, overseas care workers coming to the country will now be restricted from bringing dependants, starting from Monday itself.

The implementation of the move means a total of 300,000 people eligible to come to the UK last year, will not be able to do so now, a Home Office statement said on Monday.

In addition, care providers in England acting as sponsors for migrants will also be required to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) -- the industry regulator for Health and Social Care -- to crack down on worker exploitation and abuse within the sector.

As 120,000 dependants accompanied 100,000 workers on this visa route last year, British Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "...we cannot justify inaction in the face of clear abuse, manipulation of our immigration system and unsustainable migration numbers".

"Our plan is robust but fair a" protecting British workers while ensuring the very best international talent can work and study here, to add value to our society and grow the economy," he said.

According to the Home Office, there is "clear evidence" that care workers have been offered visas under false pretences. This includes travelling thousands of miles for jobs that simply donat exist or exploiting them by paying far below the minimum wage required for their work while undercutting British workers.

These changes came into effect with the government set to lay rules in Parliament on March 14 to prevent the "undercutting of British workers".

Further, Cleverly will also commission a review of the graduate route for international students to prevent abuse and protect the integrity and quality of higher education in the country.

"He will ask the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to ensure that demand for the graduate route, through which a total of 175,872 visas have been granted since it was established, is fit for purpose and focused on attracting the best and brightest to the UK," the Home Office said.

The move comes after an analysis by the MAC showed that the number of foreign postgraduate students attending institutions with the lowest UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) entry requirements has increased by over 250 per cent between 2018 and 2022.

The Home Office also announced that starting April 4, the minimum salary required for those arriving on the Skilled Worker visa will rise from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700 -- a 48 per cent increase. Further, the minimum income requirement for family visas will also go up, starting at GBP 29,000 from April 11, and by early 2025, this will be increased to GBP 38,700.
United Nations, March 11 : UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages to end the "civilian killing and destruction at a level that is unprecedented in all my years" in office.

In a statement at the beginning of the Muslim religious observance, he said: "My strongest appeal today is to honour the spirit of Ramadan by silencing the guns a" and removing all obstacles to ensure the delivery of lifesaving aid at the speed and massive scale required."

And in a message to Hamas, he added: "At the same time a" and in the Ramadan spirit of compassion -- I call for the immediate release of all hostages."

Appealing to "political, religious and community leaders everywhere to do everything in their power to make this holy period a time for empathy, action and peace", Guterres added: "Let's not forget that beyond Ramadan, Christians will soon celebrate Easter and Jews will celebrate Passover in April."

Efforts for a ceasefire through diplomacy by Qatar, the US, and Eqypt have been futile so far over the conditions imposed by Hamas and Israel.

Guterres also pointedly drew attention to Sudan where UN officials have reported mass killings, but which, unlike Gaza, has been generally ignored.

"Today, I also renew my appeal for a Ramadan cessation of hostilities in Sudan," he said.

"The fighting there must end for the sake of the Sudanese people who face hunger, horrors and untold hardships."

The office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has reported mass killings of violence and sexual violence directed against ethnic minorities in the Darfur region of Sudan.

The violence there is directed by the Arab Rapid Support Forces against non-Arab ethnic groups.

The Gaza war, sparked by the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage, resulted in a massive Israeli retaliation that has killed more than 30,000 people, most of them women and children, and the destruction of vast tracts there.

In Gaza, "International humanitarian law lies in tatters and a threatened Israeli assault on Rafah could plummet the people of Gaza into an even deeper circle of hell", Guterres warned.

Israel ordered Gaza residents to the southern part of the territory as it sent ground forces into the north, and as the operations spread, more than 1.5 million people are sheltering in the Rafah region. As Israelas threatened invasion of Rafah looms, the scale of Israeli attacks has led to the international isolation of Israel, with even the US expressing concern over the level of civilian casualties.

In an interview with the left-oriented news channel MSNBC, President Joe Biden warned that an attack on Rafah would cross a "red line" and "cannot have another 30,000 more Palestinians dead".

In defiance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden has ordered US military air drops of food into Gaza, where Israel has restricted relief supplies, and the construction of a temporary pier to send in aid.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Patna: Union Home Minister Amit Shah with Bihar Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha during the Pichhra-Atipichhra Sammelan. Image Source: IANS News

Hyderabad, March 11 : The preparation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) preparations for Lok Sabha elections in Telangana will get a fillip with Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit on Tuesday.

The top BJP leader will interact with the party's social media strategists. He will also address a meeting of polling booth presidents of the party.

The meeting titled 'Vijay Sankalp Sammelan' is scheduled to be held at L.B. Stadium at 1 p.m.

He is also expected to give directions to the state BJP leadership on the strategy to be adopted for the upcoming polls.

HM Amit Shah is likely to set the roadmap for the party cadres to achieve the target by highlighting the achievements of the BJP-led government at the Centre during the last 10 years and emphasising the need to elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi as PM for a third consecutive term.

HM Amit Shah had last visited Hyderabad on December 28. He had addressed a meeting of the mandal presidents of the BJP as part of the poll preparations.

He had asked the party workers to work hard to win a majority of the seats in the state and increase the vote share to 35 per cent.

This was HM Amit Shah's first visit to Telangana after the recent Assembly elections, in which BJP secured eight seats in the 119-member House.

The BJP is upbeat as two sitting MPs and several other leaders from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) joined its camp during the last few days.

BJP leaders are confident of making a clean sweep this time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state last week boosted the morale of the party cadres.

During his two-day visit, PM Modi addressed public meetings at Adilabad and Sangareddy after launching various development projects.

The recent Vijay Sankalp Yatras of the BJP across the state also lifted the spirits of the party cadres.

Several central ministers, chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states and other senior leaders had participated in the yatras, which covered all Lok Sabha constituencies.

In the recent Assembly elections, the BJP bagged eight seats, up from just one in the 2018 elections.

The BJP also managed to double its vote share from 6.98 per cent in 2018 to almost 14 per cent.

However, compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the vote share of the BJP came down.

This time, the BJP contested 111 seats and left eight segments for its ally Jana Sena Party (JSP), which drew a blank.

The BJP had won just a single seat in the 2018 Assembly elections.

It had later improved its tally to three after winning two seats in the by-elections.

In 2019, the BJP had polled 19.45 per cent votes and bagged four out of 17 Lok Sabha seats.

It had contested alone and this was the highest number of seats won by the party in two decades.

The BJP early this month announced candidates for nine out of 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Three out of four sitting MPs featured in the list.

They include Union Minister for Tourism and Culture and state BJP president G. Kishan Reddy and BJP general secretary Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

The BJP decided to field B.B. Patil from Zahirabad.

The BRS MP had joined the BJP a day ago.

The BJP named Pothuganti Bharat as its candidate from Nagarkurnool.

He along with his father and sitting MP Pothuganti Ramulu joined the BJP on February 29.

On March 10, four leaders of BRS joined the BJP.

Former MPs, Sitaram Naik and Godam Nagesh and former MLAs -- 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.
New Delhi, March 11 : A large number of Hindu refugees living in the national capital and other parts of the country are an ecstatic lot today.

They are elated over the imminent end to their decades-old ordeal and dream of getting Indian citizenship after the Centre on Monday notified the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), paving the way for its implementation weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Expressing joy over the Centre's move, many Hindu refugees thanked the Narendra Modi government for ending their travail and tribulation.

Sukhnand, who describes himself as the chief of the Hindu refugee community in Delhi's Majnu Ka Tila area, told IANS, "We are very happy with this move. All our families and relatives are overjoyed. The implementation of CAA is like a festival for us, even bigger than Diwali and Holi."

Speaking to IANS, Sukhnand reminisced about his escape from Pakistan, as he stated that they had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

"We are thankful to the Modi government for bestowing us the gift of citizenship. All of us fled had Pakistan because of oppression and persecution, and we are grateful to the Centre for making us an inhabitant of this land," he said.

To celebrate the 'good news', he and other members of the Hindu refugee community also raised slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Jai Hind, Jai Bharat'.

Notably, the Centre on Monday announced the implementation of CAA for granting citizenship to the people of certain faiths, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who faced religious prosecution in countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and migrated to India before December 31, 2014.
Hyderabad, March 11 : Implementing another guarantee promised by the Congress in the run-up to the Assembly elections in the state, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday launched 'Indiramma Indlu', a housing scheme for the poor.

Under the scheme, the government will distribute house sites in the name of women and extend financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the construction of houses. The government has sanctioned 4.50 lakh Indiramma houses for Rs 22,500 crore.

Launching the scheme in the temple town of Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, the Chief Minister said the objective of aIndiramma Indlua is to fulfil the poor familiesa dream of owning a house.

Revanth Reddy alleged that his predecessor K. Chandrasekhar Rao sought votes in the name of double-bedroom houses, only to deceive the people in the last 10 years.

"People have buried the KCR regime and elected the 'Indiramma Rajyam'," he said.

Stating that the undivided Khammam district shares a special bond with the Congress, the Chief Minister said it was for this reason that the government launched the Indiramma housing scheme from here.

The Chief Minister said the Congress had announced six guarantees to remove the sufferings of the people, which it is implementing now.

He also mentioned that the government is providing cooking gas cylinders for Rs 500 apiece along with 200 units of free power every month to the beneficiaries. The government is also implementing the Mahalakshmi scheme, under which women are being provided free travel facility in TSRTC buses.

Under the Indiramma housing scheme, the government will provide Rs 5 lakh financial assistance to the beneficiaries to build houses on their plots. He assured that the houses will be sanctioned to all eligible poor.

He also challenged KCR to seek votes in the villages where double-bedroom houses were sanctioned, adding that Congress will seek votes in the villages where Indiramma houses are being constructed for the poor.

Revanth Reddy also demanded the BJP to make public the details of the houses sanctioned to the poor in Telangana.

The Chief Minister, who had earlier offered prayers at the Sitaramachandra Swamy temple, claimed that his government has definite plans for the development of Bhadrachalam.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka claimed that KCR also betrayed the Bhadrachalam temple by not providing Rs 100 crore which he had promised.

He said KCR turned a cash-rich Telangana into a debt-ridden state. Vikramarka, who holds the finance portfolio, claimed that under BRS rule, Telanganaas debt rose to Rs 7 lakh crore.
Chennai, March 11 : A murder accused, who was shot by police, succumbed to his injuries at Tirunelveli Medical College hospital in Tamil Nadu on Monday, officials said.

The deceased was identified as K. Petchidurai, 23, who had, in an inebriated state, hacked road worker C. Karuppasamy to death near Velankulli in Tirunelveli, along with his accomplice, Chandru.

The duo had also attacked another road worker, A. Venkatesh, and also destroyed the windshield of a car and damaged a government bus.

Veeravanallur police officials told IANS that the duo had then attacked police constable Shenthil while a police team was trying to take them into custody. Police then shot Petchidurai in the leg and managed to arrest both him and Chandru.

Petchidurai was admitted to Tirunelveli Government Medical College hospital, but his injury was serious and he passed away on Monday.

Veeravanallur police officers told IANS that they have registered cases under charges of murder against both Petchidurai and Chandru for killing Karuppusamy and under other sections for assault and vandalism.

--IANS

aal/vd
Thiruvananthapuram, March 11 : As the Centre on Monday notified the Rules to the Citizenship Amendment Act, paving the way for its implementation, both the ruling Left and the Congress-led opposition in Kerala strongly opposed the move.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while categorically ruling out implementation of the law in the state, argued that the move is aimed at disquieting the nation ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"The LDF government has repeated several times that the Citizenship Amendment Act, which treats Muslim minorities as second-class citizens, will not be implemented in Kerala. We reiterate that position. Kerala will stand united in opposing this communal and divisive law," he said.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued the notification regarding the CAA, just ahead of the announcement of the elections to the Lok Sabha. This is to divide the people, incite communal sentiments and undermine the fundamental principles of the Constitution. This move to stratify Indian citizens, who have equal rights, must be opposed unitedly," he added.

"Denying citizenship to Muslims while granting citizenship to non-Muslims who immigrated to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014, is a blatant violation of the Constitution. This amounts to defining Indian citizenship on the basis of religion. It is an open challenge to humanity, the nationas secular tradition and its people," Vijayan said.

The Kerala Assembly passed a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act on December 31, 2019, with the lone dissent coming from the only BJP legislator in the 140-member house, O. Rajagopal. Hence, it was not passed unanimously.

State Congress President K. Sudhakaran said that if the INDIA bloc is elected to power in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the CAA will be thrown out, with his party colleague and Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan said under no circumstances, will the opposition alliance have anything to do with this CAA.

"This is a ploy of the Sangh Parivar forces to divide society and to instil a sense of fear in the society for political gains. We will strongly oppose it and as the first step, we will take to the streets against it all across the state tomorrow (Tuesday)," he said.

However, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said there is nothing against the Muslims in this and this was announced long back by the Centre.
Kolkata, March 11 : With the Central government on Monday issuing the notification for Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the BJP unit in West Bengal expressed happiness over the development, while the ruling Trinamool Congress played safe while reacting on the matter.

West Bengal unit Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and Lok Sabha member Sukanta Majumdar said that the CAA is meant for "granting citizenship" and "not snatching citizenship".

Criticising West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the BJP leader said: "CM Banerjee has been trying to mislead Muslims claiming that CAA was meant to snatch citizenship. She had questioned why the notification was announced before the Lok Sabha elections.

"Had it been announced before, her party would have disturbed its implementation by misleading the Muslims again. However, soon the model code of conduct will be in place and everything will come under the control of the Election Commission."

BJP legislator Ashok Kirtania said that the CAA notification had relieved the people of the Matua community from the curse that they had been facing for such a long time.

"The curse was imposed on them first by Congress and subsequently by its ally - Trinamool Congress, who aggravated that. Now, they are relieved," Kirtania said. Another BJP legislator, Shankar Ghosh, said that the notification is "really a welcome move".

While BJP leaders sounded elated, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee played safe, as she said that she will "oppose CAA if there is discrimination against any religion or caste" in the notification.

Meanwhile, as soon as the news of the CAA notification by the Central government surfaced, a wave of joy swept Thakurnagar in Bangaon subdivision of North 24 Parganas district, which is considered to be the hub of the people of Matua -- a backward community from neighbouring Bangladesh who had been living in West Bengal for long.

"We are really happy. We came to India from Bangladesh after facing tremendous oppression and humiliation there. So this is a great day for us," said Shoma Bala, a woman from the Matua community.

Pijush Gosain, a representative from Matua Mahasangha said that the CAA notification has finally ended the long wait of the people of the community for a solid base under their feet.

"We are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this," he said.
Mumbai, March 11 : Days after the launch of the 4th Women Policy on the occasion of International Women's Day, the Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Monday made it mandatory to include the mother's name in all government documents.

Records of children born on May 1, 2024, or thereafter, will have the childas name, motheras name, fatheras name and then, the surname, be it educational documents, revenue documents, pay slips, service book, or application forms for various examinations.

According to the Chief Ministeras Office, the cabinet has asked the state Public Health Department to discuss, with the Central government, the necessary amendments in the birth and death registers. After receiving the order from the Centre, it has been approved to record the child's name, followed by the mother's name and then the father's name and surname in the birth/death registers.

In the case of married women, as per the existing system, the process of registration would be continued after their marriage with the writing of her name, followed by her husband's name, and surname.

A nod has also been given to a woman to enter her maiden name in the property document.

Exemption regarding registration of birth/death certificates of orphans and similar exceptional cases will be given.
Jaipur, March 11 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday visited Ayodhya along with his Cabinet ministers and MLAs, and offered prayers at Ram Mandir while wishing for the happiness, prosperity and prosperity of the people of the country and the state.

Chief Minister Sharma reached Ayodhya along with ministers, MPs, MLAs, Chief Secretary and senior officials to pray to Lord Ram. This was his first ever visit to the temple since the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22.

"Ram is the centre of our faith, he resides everywhere. Ram is the one who does everything in this world," CM Sharma added.

The Rajasthan Chief Minister also recalled his earlier visit and said that he had darshan of Ram Lalla in the tent in Ayodhya, and now, "it was overwhelming to have darshan of Lord Ram in this grand and divine temple".

After 'darshan', the Chief Minister, along with ministers, MLAs, and others, chanted 'Jai Shri Ram', and recited Hanuman Chalisa.

CM Sharma also interacted with the workers and artisans involved with the construction of Ram temple.

CM Sharma further said that as a devotee of Ram, he also got the opportunity to contribute to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is completing the development work of the spiritual and cultural sector in the country.

"Temples which are symbols of Sanatan culture are being renovated and developed. The new, grand and divine temple of Ayodhya is attracting devotees from all over the world," he said.

Those present on the occasion were Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary, Rajasthan BJP president CP Joshi, among others.
Mumbai, March 11 : Notwithstanding opposition from the Shiv Sena-UBT, the Maharashtra cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Monday cleared the development of a Central Park on 120 acres of the total 211 acres of the Mahalaxmi Race Course.

The proposed Central Park will be of international standards, and on the lines of such parks in New York and London.

According to the Chief Ministeras Office, the government will hand over the plot to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) which will be the nodal development agency.

The cabinetas approval came days after the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) gave its nod to the BMCas proposal to convert the Mahalaxmi Racecourse into a theme park.

The BMC had offered to renew the turf clubas lease, which expired in 2013, for a 30-year period if the RWITC hands over half of the 211 acres of land it possesses.

The cabinet has approved granting a lease of 91 acres of land to RWITC for a further period of 30 years from the date of actual possession and renewal of the said lease per the provisions prescribed from time to time.

The agreement on the leased plot was approved for renewal from June 1, 2013, to the date of actual possession of the plot.

As per Mondayas cabinet decision, the difference in the amount payable for the said period will be recovered by the BMC as per the rate fixed by the state Revenue and Forest Department.

Shiv Sena-UBT leader and former Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray had earlier alleged that the state governmentas move to redevelop a part of the Mahalaxmi Race Course was a land grab deal, adding that his party would not allow the government to hand over the land to builders.
Imphal, March 12 : Kwatha Khunou, one of the last Meitei villages on the eastern side of restive Manipur, had remained relatively untouched in the ethnic violence that broke out in the northeastern state over ten months ago but now, two houses there were found to been torched by "unknown attackers", officials said on Monday.

Imphal, March 12 (IANS) Kwatha Khunou, one of the last Meitei villages on the eastern side of restive Manipur, had remained relatively untouched in the ethnic violence that broke out in the northeastern state over ten months ago but now, two houses there were found to been torched by "unknown attackers", officials said on Monday.

Nestled along the India-Myanmar border, the tiny hamlet, which comes under the jurisdiction of Moreh police station in Tengnoupal district, has nearly 15 houses with around 40 people.

In the aftermath of the ethnic violence that broke out on May 3 last year, the villagers, fearing attacks from the surrounding tribal villages, left the area for safety, village Chairman Ningthoujam Maniha said on Monday.

He said that many of the villagers of the Kwatha Khunou had taken refuge at the nearby Central forces-guarded Kwatha Khunjao, another Meitei village having a population of little over 200, while others, including patients and students, are staying in Imphal.

"When some villagers, along with the Central forces, returned to Kwatha Khunou on Monday, they witnessed two houses reduced to ashes though other structures remained intact," Manihar said adding that the incident might have occurred on late Sunday night.

"We donat know what will happen to other houses and structures in our village in the coming days," he lamented while urging the government to deploy adequate security there to ensure the displaced villagers return there soon.

The torched houses belong to L. Irabanta, 66, and Wahengbam Budha, 45.

Manihar said normally the Army carried out patrolling and sometimes, halted a night or two there.

"But, we are not sure whether they (Army) were there or not when the incident took place," he added.

Following the incident, security forces deployed at Moreh town, visited Kwatha Khunou to assess the situation. Superintendent of Police, Special Commando, Th Krishnatombi Singh said: aKwatha Khunou is an abandoned village as no villagers were seen there during our visit. We saw the remains of two kutcha houses (houses made of mud and straw), and we could not immediately ascertain who torched the houses. A newly constructed government health centre building and other structures remained intact."

Plans are afoot in the government to set up a security post at Kwatha Khunou to ensure the displaced villagers return, the police officer told the media on Monday.
Jaipur, March 12 : Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said the Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor, whose two packages were inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, will open new opportunities for the economic development of her entire state, especially its western border districts.

Deputy CM Diya Kumari, who attended the programme via video-conferencing, said that the districts of Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Barmer, and Jalore have direct connectivity with the major industrial cities of Punjab and Gujarat.

This will boost tourism and exports, along with industrial development and create new employment opportunities, she said, adding that with the increase in hotels, restaurants and other business activities along the route, local people will get employment and their income will increase.

She said that it is the result of the far-reaching thinking of Prime Minister Modi and Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari that the country's road network has expanded very rapidly in the last 10 years.

The state has benefited from many important national highway projects including the Delhi-Mumbai Vadodara Expressway and the Amritsar-Jamnagar Corridor. Thanking the Prime Minister and the Union Road Transport Minister for these projects, she said: "Good roads are the basic foundation of the development of any country. To make the country's infrastructure world-class, a provision of Rs 11.11 lakh crore has been made in the Union Budget. In the state too, the double-engine government is working with a commitment to rapid development. An additional provision of Rs 1,500 crore has been made in the State Road Fund in the budget."

The 917-km long 6-lane access-controlled Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor is being developed at a cost of approximately Rs 22,500 crore, connecting Amritsar to the port city of Jamnagar. As much as 637 km of it is passing through Hanumangarh, Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Barmer, and Jalore districts of the state. This project has 23 packages in Rajasthan.

After completion of work, 18 packages of 502 km length have been dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister. On Monday, the Prime Minister inaugurated 2 packages (Dabwali, Sirsa-Pilibanga, Hanumangarh) of this project - 53 km in length and costing Rs 1,799 crore.
New Delhi, March 12 : Sharjeel Imam, accused in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act related to the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots, on Monday urged the Delhi High Court to grant him bail.

The High Court on Monday also issued a notice to Delhi Police on a plea filed by Imam against a trial court order denying him statutory bail in a UAPA and sedition case. He is a key accused in a case involving alleged inflammatory speeches against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

His counsel argued that Imam's speeches, though inflammatory, did not incite violence, saying that his approach was entirely Gandhian.

Senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan contended before a bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain that there was no evidence implicating Imam in terrorist activities or conspiracy with co-accused individuals.

She argued that Imam's presence at Shaheen Bagh, a non-violent protest site, and his advocacy for similar peaceful gatherings did not align with a violent ideology. Ramakrishnan said that the police had failed to establish a case against Imam. She cited instances where Imam's remarks, such as suggesting the "cutting off" of Assam, were misinterpreted and taken out of context.

Furthermore, the defence sought bail for Imam on grounds of parity with co-accused individuals, Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal, and Asif Tanha, who were granted bail by the high court in June 2021.

The trial court had previously denied bail to Imam in April 2022, following his arrest in August 2020 in connection with the case. He has been in custody since January 2020, facing multiple FIRs related to the violence.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 19.
Jaipur, March 12 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for implementing Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) across the country.

The Chief Minister said, "The decision of the Union government under the leadership of Prime Minister @narendramodi to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is commendable."

"#CAA is a humanitarian law through which the oppressed Hindu and minority communities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will pave the way to realise their years-long dream of Indian citizenship by providing them a dignified life," he added.

On behalf of all the countrymen, I express my gratitude to the Government of India, including Prime Minister @narendramodi ji and Home Minister @AmitShah ji, said Chief Minister Sharma.
New Delhi, March 12 : Building bridges of friendship whilst training young minds, the ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron (1TS), comprising INS Tir and CGS Sarathi, entered Port Louis on Monday, ahead of the 57th Mauritius National Day celebrations, a Navy spokesman said.

As a gesture of solidarity and friendship, a Navy helicopter and a contingent will participate in the National Day parade on Tuesday.

President Droupadi Murmu is the Chief Guest for the National Day celebrations.

Earlier, the ships undertook joint EEZ surveillance with Mauritius' Dornier aircraft.

During the visit to Port Louis, various training activities and cross-deck visits are planned. The presence of 1TS is a testament to the shared commitment to regional security and underlines the rich cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Patna, March 12 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returned to Patna from his UK visit on Monday evening, two days earlier than scheduled.

JD-U supporters assembled at the Patna airport in large numbers to welcome him in a grand style. Nitish Kumar, however, maintained a distance from the media.

Sources said that the seat-sharing formula of the NDA in Bihar will be finalised soon after the return of Nitish Kumar in Patna. The JD-U, the BJP and other NDA partners have not reached a consensus on the issue.

The Chief Minister has posted details and photos of his visit to the UK on his X page.

He said he had met India's High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram K. Doraiswami, who assured him of all possible support in the ongoing construction of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Science City of Patna to make it world-class.

Nitish Kumar visited Scotland and learnt about water management to implement it in the flood-affected areas of his state.
Kolkata, March 12 : In what is being considered a major success by investigating agencies, the Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended a Bangladeshi human organ trafficker while he was attempting to cross over to India in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.

The man had been involved in organ trafficking at several private hospitals in and around Faridabad in Haryana.

Troops of the BSF's North Bengal Frontier nabbed Md Mehedi Hasan (27) within the jurisdiction of the Berubari-II Border Outpost.

Hasan, apprehended on Sunday, belongs to Narsingdih district in Bangladesh.

When nabbed, he was carrying Rs 16,700, two high-end mobile phones, a driving licence and PAN and Aadhaar cards that he confessed to having obtained fraudulently in Faridabad.

"During questioning, the Bangladeshi national said that he had first come to India in July 2019 on a medical visa to get himself treated at a private hospital in Delhi. He allegedly met a man named Subhash there who arranged for his Aadhaar and PAN Cards and driving licence. Since then, he has been engaged in the human organ trafficking racket and handling crores of rupees sent through hawala channels. He was arrested once on August 17, 2022 by the Haryana Police after a Bangladeshi passport was found on him, but he was released from prison on September 22 that year," a BSF spokesperson said.

Hasan began working as a translator for Bangladeshi patients who visited private hospitals in Faridabad.

He would also arrange for human organs for those in need through illegal channels.

The payment was received in his account through hawala and he paid off the donors or their families after keeping aside a tidy sum for himself.

Hasan has been handed over to the police station in Jalpaiguri with the seized material.

Soorya Kant Sharma, IG, BSF, North Bengal Frontier, has commended the alert troops under his command for this major breakthrough that may lead to the busting of a major racket in cross-border human organ trafficking.
United Nations, March 12 : India has assailed the secretive "subterranean" working of the Security Council sanctions committee on terrorism, accusing it of allowing a system of "disguised veto" in blocking the listing of Pakistan-linked terrorists.

"For genuine, evidence-based listing proposals for globally sanctioned terrorists to be blocked. without giving any justification, is uncalled for and smacks of doublespeak when it comes to the council's commitment in tackling the challenge of terrorism," India's Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj said on Monday.

Speaking at a meeting of the Council on its working methods, she said that "while we do get to know of the decisions of these committees on listing, the decisions on rejecting listing requests are not made public".

"This", she declared, "is a disguised veto".

China has repeatedly blocked the listing of Pakistan-linked terrorists as international terrorists subject to UN sanctions.

The most recent action was blocking last year the designation of Laskhar-e-Taiba's Sajid Mir, the mastermind of the 26/11 terrorist attack on Mumbai in 2009, as a global terrorist by the body named the 1269 Committee for the Council resolution setting it up to sanction those with al-Qaeda, the Islamic State or related terror groups.

Calling for transparency in the working of the Council committees known as subsidiary bodies which were "inhabiting a subterranean world with their own custom-made working methods and obscure practices, which do not find any legal basis in the charter or any of the Council's resolution," Kamboj said that the selection of chairs of the panels should an open process with "exhaustive consultations".

She pressed the case for Council reforms that expands both permanent and elected membership.

In a reference to the Council's veto-wielding permanent membership frozen in the post-World War 2 era of the 1940s, she pointed out that "with both feet firmly fixed in the past" it has been unable to act on the wars raging in Ukraine and Gaza.

The "need is a Security Council that better reflects contemporary realities, the geographical and developmental diversity of the multipolar world of today, including the voices of the developing countries, and underrepresented regions like Africa, Latin America, and the vast majority of Asia and the Pacific," Kamboj said.

"We ask those blocking progress on this vital issue to heed calls for genuine reform and contribute to making this Council truly fit for purpose for the 21st century," she added.

The main hurdle to reforms is the position of a minority group, Uniting for Consensus, led by Italy and includes Pakistan as a leading member.

"We can no longer hide behind the smokescreen of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (for reforms) by delivering entrenched national positions in a process which has no timeframe and no text," she said.

The backdrop of Ukraine and Gaza and as such, the question as to how much the Security Council has been able to deliver on peace and security, with both feet firmly fixed in the past is a larger question.

She said the negotiations should be based "on text and not through speaking as each other or past each other as we have done for the past three decades".

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Comics shop staff tend to be a quirky set, but the one thing these booksellers have in common is their love of the form. Reading widely goes with the territoryretailers always have old and new recommendations, which keep the backlist moving and promote the frontlist. Tony Davis at Million Year Picnic in Cambridge, Mass., says handselling is easy when chatting up store regulars, since he knows their tastes. Marjorie Liu and Sana Takedas long-running Monstress series is a top seller, so hes sure fans get first dibs on their newest release, She Eats the Night. But retailers also cherish their own personal picks, which they press upon newcomers and old-timers alike.

Tony Davis, Million Year Picnic

(Cambridge, Mass.)

Nicnevin and the Bloody Queen

Helen Mullane and Dom Reardon (Humanoids)

Its a horror fantasy, set in rural England, with a young girl of color.

I just love it.

The Sentient

Jeff Lemire and Gabriel Walta (TKO)

A lot of people come in and they want maybe something thats science

fiction, but they arent necessarily looking to get into a series. This one is self-contained.

Avi Ehrlich, Silver Sprocket

(San Francisco)

The Magic Fish

Trung Le Nguyen (Random House Graphic)

One of our bestsellers. San Francisco is a pretty queer town, and its about generational trauma and communication across generations.

Stages of Rot

Linnea Sterte (Peow)

Everything from Peow is so good that we dont have to try very hard. We just hold it up and people say, Oh my god, what is that? 

Katie Pryde, Books with Pictures

(Portland, Ore.)

Damn Them All

Simon Spurrier and Charlie Adlard (Boom)

A dirtbag British wizard raised his niece in ceremonial magic and then

he went and got himself inconveniently murdered, so his niece is trying to solve his murder. It is gorgeously drawn and extremely funny, with really good dialogue.

The Many Deaths of Laila Starr

Ram V and Filipe Andrade (Boom)

Its breathtakingly gorgeous, even when you just pick it up and peek at

it. It is this big, beautiful story of

mortality, and also very funny.

Bob Moreau, Westfield Comics

(Madison, Wis.)

The Deviant

James Tynion IV and Joshua Hixson (Image)

Tynion is the writer of the Something Is Killing the Children series. The Deviant is also very horror oriented. Its based on his time growing up in Milwaukee around the time of Jeffrey Dahmer; its set around Christmas and its very dark.

G.O.D.S.

Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti (Marvel)

This is kind of a dense story where the creators have created a whole pantheon of gods that have always existed in the Marvel

universe, but we just didnt know about them.

The Reckless series

Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Image)

These detective stories, set in 1980s Los Angeles, about a seedy private eye and the people he meets, capture the current interest in true crime podcasts. Theyre the first books I recommend for customers who arent interested in superhero titles.

Siena Fallon, Ultimate Comics

(Raleigh and Durham, N.C.)

Its Lonely at the Centre of the Earth

Zoe Thorogood (Image)

Im all in on Thorogood. She can do no wrong. This book was so meaningful to me, and its been a perennial in our store ever since.

Night Fever

Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Image)

I love reading 1940s pulp detective comics. Thats what I read in my free time, so Ill recommend anything from Brubaker. Night Fever is so good, and anytime theres a new Reckless series title, if Im in the store, Im putting it in somebodys hands.

Nimona

ND Stevenson (Quill Tree)

Im a big fan of Stevenson. We saw a huge influx of people interested in Nimona because of the movie, which was cool. I read the webcomic in

college, so Im really excited to sell it.

Return to main feature:

Should Comics Keep It Direct?

Direct market distribution has, for decades, been a keystone of comics culture, but its future is up for debate.

Correction: An earlier version of this piece credited the wrong publisher for The Magic Fish.
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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Zac Clark is tight-lipped about his alleged romance with Kaitlyn Bristowe and acts "awkward" when the subject comes up, according to his close friend Blake Moynes Blake, who just appeared on Bachelor in Paradise's ninth season last year, recently went on a trip with Zac to South Africa, where they both participated in an effort to raise funds and spread awareness about wildlife conservation.The two men had competed against each other for Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams ' hearts on 's sixteenth season in 2020, and they've remained friends ever since.On a recent episode of "The Ben & Ashley I: Almost Famous Podcast," Blake was therefore put in the hot seat and asked to comment on Zac's alleged relationship with Kaitlyn, who starred on Season 11 of and also co-hosted two seasons alongside Zac's ex-fiancee, Tayshia."Why did I feel like you were going to go there? I knew it! I just knew it," Blake quipped to the podcast's co-hosts Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti When Ashley asked Blake if Zac had discussed his dating life during their adventure in South Africa together, Blake replied, "Yes and no.""To be honest," Blake continued, "you probably see the rumors and all of those things. It probably plays into, you know, you see hat Zac doesn't comment on any of those things. He's very nonchalant."Blake admitted that when he brought up dating to Zac, it seemed like Zac didn't want to tell him anything in fear Blake would get "wrapped up" in the whirlwind and gossip."People know we're close, so they're going to know that I potentially know stuff," Blake said."And so when I asked, because I went to the New Year's [party] and all that stuff, like, do I know that they're hanging out and have [hung out]? Yes.Blake was referring to the New Year's Eve party Kaitlyn had hosted in her Nashville, TN, home on December 31. Several members of Bachelor Nation had attended the bash, including Blake and Zac.On January 1, @BachelorNation.scoop posted a video of Kaitlyn and Zac looking cozy as they counted down to midnight together. Kaitlyn had her arm around Zac's neck while he had his hand on her back.While Blake certainly has some knowledge about Zac's dating life, he confessed, "But [Zac] does not give me the guts, because when I have asked, he makes it awkward."Blake said Zac's reluctance to share and talk about his current love interest makes Blake want to shut the conversation down."I'm just like, 'Okay, I'm not going to go there again with you.' He just doesn't want to feed and play into that," Blake shared."And he's just all business. He's just not a very emotional guy with me in that sense. But I think he's also, in some sense, protecting me from whatever is going on with that. He doesn't want me wrapped up in it because everyone knows we're tight."Blake therefore reiterated of his pal, "And so he makes it awkward to talk about, so we just don't really talk about it."Ben acknowledged how Zac's lack of interest in creating a headline about his love life shows his authenticity and the genuineness of whatever connection he currently has blossoming."Zac really cares, like, 'Hey, if I'm really going to do this thing, it's not because it's going to make me more money or it's going to keep my name out there,'" Ben declared."Yes, exactly," Blake agreed."He moves with so much poise and calmness, and he's so happy in his own life and so wrapped up in trying to continue to help people through his recovery foundation and all his work that there's no money aspect to this at all."Blake insisted Zac has "no ulterior motive" for dating someone in the public eye or from The Bachelor franchise."It's just par the course with that guy. He's just easy to be around, in that sense, because there's no other noise or any sh-t. You just get an actual true friend and the show stuff -- and the public stuff -- is just so to the side," Blake explained of Zac."It's nice, because when I'm with him... we never talk about the show. It's always about what he's doing, what I'm doing, and work. It's never show-based conversation, which is a really nice disconnect."Because Blake admitted that often times, when he's in group settings, he's asked about and talks about the show."There's none of that with him, which is such a breath of fresh air," Blake concluded.When footage circulated of Kaitlyn and Zac partying together on New Year's, rumors began to swirl that Kaitlyn had possibly cheated on her now ex-fiance Jason Tartick before they officially announced their split in August 2023."Here to say that there was never an ounce of cheating happening and I will not stand for this rumor. Y'all are NASTY in here. Anywho. Swear on my dogs lives," Kaitlyn clarified in an Instagram comment on January 1. No cheating went on . So we can just put that to rest. Thank you!! Happy new year everyone. Go donate some blood or somethin!"Kaitlyn also slammed trolls for acting like she had "murdered someone" by just spending time with Zac.The former Dancing with the Stars winner vented on social media of the backlash , which included allegations she had broken "girl code" with Tayshia, "You would think by now I'd be used to the hate. I'm not. Your words hurt. Your shaming hurts."Kaitlyn noted, "But you don't even know the truth, and your HATE should actually come with consequences. I truly worry about some of your mental health. It's not OK. It's. Not... Shame. On. YOU. Not me."The Bachelor alum also appeared to address her rumored romance with Zac by writing, "I wish I could just share my truth and tell you my side. It's hard to bite my dang tongue sometimes."Kaitlyn was not only disappointed in fans' reactions, but she was also "disappointed" in how Jason handled the news of her new rumored romance with Zac.And then in late January, Kaitlyn and Zac were spotted hand-in-hand dancing at a bar in New York City together, right around Zac's 40th birthday.At the end of a video that circulated online, Kaitlyn pulled Zac in for a tight hug, wrapping her arms around his neck.Zac got engaged to Tayshia on 's sixteenth season finale in 2020, but they announced their breakup in November 2021.The addiction specialist and New Yorker recently recalled of proposing marriage to alum on "The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast" that in the moment, "it felt real" and "it felt right."Zac insisted, "I wouldn't change anything . I don't live in regret. It's a very special moment in time and in my life regardless of what happened."Tayshia is currently dating former Summer House star Luke Gulbranson.For Blake's part, he is still single after having a fling with Jess Girod on Bachelor in Paradise last year.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
During World War I, Henry Johnson suffered 21 knife and bullet wounds while he engaged at least 15 German soldiers in hand-to-hand combat, killing four and wounding 10 to 20 more.

William Henry Johnson was born July 15, 1892, in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He moved to New York as a teenager, working various jobs as a chauffeur, coal yard laborer, and finally as a Red Cap Porter at the Albany train station.

He enlisted in the all-black 15th New York National Guard Regiment on June 17, 1917. Black units were tasked with menial labor supporting white troops, unloading ships, digging latrines, etc. The unit was later renamed the 369th Infantry Regiment when it shipped to France.

A year later, on orders from General Blackjack Pershing, the unit was lent to the French Fourth Army, which was short on troops. As the French were less concerned about race than the Americans, they welcomed the men known as the Harlem Hellfighters. The 369th would become the first African American unit of the U.S. Army to engage in combat in WWI.

Henry Johnson, 369th Infantry Regiment Harlem Hellfighters. Photo: army.mil

THE ARGONNE FOREST

Now brigaded with the French Fourth Army in frontline combat, the Harlem Hellfighters were ordered to Outpost 20, located on the western edge of the Argonne Forest in Frances Champagne region. Private Johnson and squad mate Needham Roberts were posted to sentry duty.

The pair began their sentry duty at midnight, and it wasnt long before German snipers attacked. After the shooting started, Johnson and Roberts prepared for an assault on their position and began readying grenades.

Harlem Hellfighters unit insignia. Photo army.mil

Shortly after 0200 hours, the pair heard the Germans begin work on their barbwire fence with wire cutters. Johnson told Roberts to head back to camp and give the French commander a situation report.

As Roberts began to run back to camp, Johnson tossed a grenade toward the sound of the Germans, who returned the favor with gunfire and potato mashers (grenades).

Roberts heard all hell break loose and turned back to help Johnson but didnt get far before he was wounded in the hip and arm by a grenade. Unable to help, Johnson positioned Roberts into the trench and handed him grenades.

Johnson began tossing grenades as fast as he could while taking enemy fire. He took rounds to the head but kept shooting. He took rounds to his side but kept shooting. Finally, while reloading his rifle, Johnson loaded it with different caliber ammunition mixed in, and it jammed.

Johnsons position was overrun, and now he had Germans in his trench. Johnson began to use his rifle as a club until the stock split. He took a blow to the head and went down.

As he started to get up, he saw that the Germans were taking Roberts as a prisoner. Johnson pulled out the only weapon he had left, an M-1909 Bolo knife with its 14-inch blade. Johnson stood up and charged the Germans, slashing away at the enemy.

Johnson hand-to-hand combat cartoon. Photo: New York National Guard

Johnson stabbed one of them in the stomach, another in the ribs, another in the head, and killed a lieutenant before taking a round to his arm.

Each slash meant something, believe me, Johnson later said. I wasnt doing exercises, let me tell you.

Johnson was able to drag Roberts away as reinforcements came, and the Germans retreated. Johnson passed out and was taken to the hospital. As the sun rose, the savagery of the fight was evident. Johnson killed four Germans and wounded another 10 to 20 more while suffering 21 wounds. Johnson had prevented the Germans from overrunning the French line.

There wasnt anything so fine about it, he said later. Just fought for my life. A rabbit would have done that.

Johnson and Roberts were the first American privates to receive the Croix de Guerre, Frances highest military honor. Johnsons medal included the Palm de Ore for extraordinary valor.

BACK HOME

After he was discharged, the Army used Johnsons image to recruit new soldiers and to sell Victory War Stamps. (Henry Johnson licked a dozen Germans. How many stamps have you licked?) and former President Theodore Roosevelt called Johnson one of the five bravest Americans to serve in WWI.

He later learned that his discharge records made no mention of his battle injuries. Johnson was denied not only the Purple Heart but a disability pension as well. Johnson had nobody to help him correct the problem, so he considered himself lucky to be alive with his 21 bullet and shrapnel wounds.

In February 1919, the Harlem Hellfighters returned to New York for a victory parade up Fifth Avenue. Photo: New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs

Johnson returned home to his native Albany, New York, and tried to carry on as best he could, resuming his job as a Red Cap porter. But couldnt overcome his battle injuries. His left foot was held together with a metal plate after being shattered, and he had dozens of shrapnel and bullet wounds.

Johnson in 1919, after receiving the French Croix de Guerre. Photo: New York Public Library Digital Collection

His trouble holding down a job soon led him to the bottle and the downward spiral that goes with it. His wife couldnt take it anymore and left him, taking their three children.

Johnson and Roberts with Croix de Guerre Photo: Anonymous  Public Domain

By the mid 1920s, Johnsons problems were catching up with him, and he continued to decline until his passing in 1929 at age 32, unknown and unloved. It was thought that Johnson was buried in a paupers grave in Albany, never to be considered.

HISTORIANS TO THE RESCUE

In 2001, 72 years later, historians from the New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs suspected that Johnson mightve been buried at Arlington. Microfilm records listed William Henry Johnson buried there. After a request for paper records, they discovered the error. Henry Johnson was buried at Arlington.

Johnson and Needham Roberts. Photo: New York Public Library Digital Collection

Johnsons tombstone. Photo: arlingtoncemetery.mil

Later, an endorsement from Gen. John J. Pershing himself, written shortly after Johnsons heroics in the Argonne, was discovered by an aide to New York Senator Charles Schumer. In 1996, Johnson was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart by President Bill Clinton. Following the discovery of the paperwork, Johnson was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 2002.

President Obama bestows the Medal of Honor to Sgt. Henry Johnson. Accepting on his behalf is Command Sgt. Major Louis Wilson of the New York National Guard. Photo: army.mil

In 2015, President Obama awarded Johnson the Medal of Honor in the presence of his son Herman Johnson, who followed in his fathers footsteps and served in segregation with the Tuskegee Airmen. Now, 94 years after his death, Louisianas largest military installation took on a new name that honors the Black Medal of Honor recipient rather than a Confederate general.

Fort Polk, founded and named Camp Polk in the early 1940s after Confederate Lieutenant-General Leonidas Polk, is now officially Fort Johnson.

The complete story of Johnson took almost a century to be told. Fortunately, Johnsons story was revealed, and he received long-overdue recognition for his heroism.
On Sunday morning, the sun shone brightly on vintage cars parked in symmetry on the grounds of ITC Maurya in New Delhi.

Photograph : ANI Photo

The owners were making sure the old beauties turned up spick and span for a rally organised by ITC Hotels in partnership with the Heritage Motoring Club of India.

The rally would end at ITC Grand Bharat in Gurugram, Haryana, later in the day.

Some owners were simply sipping their cuppa, relishing the mood and waiting for the flag-off.

The outlook towards these cars, they said, has changed in recent years.

Earlier people used to export these cars, said Arjun, who came to participate in the rally with his grey left-hand drive 1964 Willys CJ-3B.

But now with the new rules, the trend has reversed.

"People are now importing these cars, added Arjun, who only identified his first name.

Before 2021, there was no legal process to register vintage cars in India.

In July 2021, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced the formalisation of these cars by amending the Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1989.

According to the new rules, all four-wheelers that are at least 50 years older than their first date of registration are now considered vintage.

However, these cars need to be in their original form with no substantial overhaul.

The notification also laid down the rules for re-registration of these cars.

Arjun told Business Standard that these cars were also exempted from the National Green Tribunals 2015 ruling that imposed a ban on all diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi-National Capital Region.

The process has become really simple.

But, he added, The only challenge is that the traffic cops still harass us.

The Centres notification states that these cars would not be allowed to be driven on roads for regular/commercial purposes.

Several vintage car owners said that the restrictions were not clearly defined and it led to miscommunication on the ground.

Arjun said, They (traffic police) havent gotten the message yet.

"So we still need to show the notification and the papers.

Prashant Gondal, who owns a Pontiac 1957, said that these cars could be taken to a mechanic or petrol pumps but even then the cops can stop you.

Last year, Delhi resident Kaleem Khans 1948 Humber Hawk III was seized by the state government citing its scrapping policy.

Khan moved the court and later the Delhi High Court stayed the seizure of the car. It asked the Delhi government to clarify its stance on vintage vehicles.

Last month, the Delhi government issued guidelines for the end-of-life vehicles stating that their owners can get the cars released by paying a fine of Rs 10,000 and giving an undertaking that these will not be driven on city roads.

The owners would also need to park the cars in a private space and not in public.

The notification also mentioned that if the vehicles were diesel-run and older than 10 years, and impounded for a second time, they would not be released and simply scrapped.

The scrap value would be digitally sent to the owner within 15 days of it being accepted by the registered vehicle scrapper facility.

Amaan Kidwai, area manager of North (luxury hotels) and general manager at ITC Maurya, said that for the rally, they took the permission of Delhis traffic police.

They have been very cooperative. They have provided us with the necessary permissions here as well as in Gurugram and Manesar, he said.

Pursuit of passion

Despite the hurdles and confusion, classic and vintage cars continue to be in demand in India.

According to Knight Franks The Wealth Report 2024, released last month, classic cars were the fourth most preferred investment of passion for ultra-rich Indians in 2023.

Globally, it stood in the third spot.

The report also highlighted that cars as an investment have yielded a return of 82 per cent globally in the last 10 years.

However, most people at the rally said they owned the cars not as an investment option but to pursue their passion.

There is investment. Investment of time, investment of money, said Indermeet, the owner of a maroon 1954 Willys CJ-3A who only identified his first name.

But there is no return on investment.

Its a passion. Its difficult to make money out of these cars, added Arjun.

Agreed Gondal, These cars do have a notional value and some people would sell them for profit, too.

"But that depends on how many cars one has and what is his vision.
As many as 5,532 complaints were received by the regulator in January, an 80 per cent increase over the number of complaints filed in the previous month.

Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

Complaints made to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) have seen a sharp rise in January.

As many as 5,532 complaints were received by the regulator in January, an 80 per cent increase over the number of complaints filed in the previous month.

This is also twice the 2023 low. Sebi had received 2,321 complaints in February 2023, the lowest figure since October 2021.

Complainants lodge their grievances on the Sebi Complaints Redress System (SCORES).

The complaints can be against listed companies as well as intermediaries registered with the regulator.

This, according to the portal, covers 'complaints arising out of issues that are covered under the Sebi Act, Securities Contract Regulation Act, Depositories Act, and rules and regulations made under relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.'

The total number of pending complaints has risen to 5,371. The surge has come despite higher resolutions by the regulator. It closed 3,941 complaints in January.

This is higher than the 3,780 complaints pending at the beginning of the month. New complaints have largely led to the increase in pendency.

Pending actionable complaints had declined in the previous financial year.

In fact, with a little over 2,000 grievances in financial year 2022-23 (FY23), grievances pending resolution were at the lowest in over a decade, most of them for less than 3 months, according to the Sebi annual report 2022-23.

Over 49,000 complaints were pending in FY09. About half of all these complaints during FY23 were received in the Maharashtra head office followed by states in the northern region (including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir among others).

Most of the complaints in FY23 were against stock brokers. This was followed by complaints against refunds, allotment, dividend, transfer, bonus, rights, redemption, and interest.

The rise in the number of pending grievances comes despite the fact that there is a decrease in the average resolution time of complaints in January.

The average time taken to resolve a complaint in January was 35 days. This was a substantial decrease in resolution time over the previous months.

It took over 40 days to redress grievances in November and December 2023. The average annual resolution time in 2023 was 35 days compared to 28 days in 2022.

Of the complaints in January, 16 were pending for more than 3-months, six of which were against venture capital funds, four each against investment advisors and alternate investment funds. Two were against research analysts.

The Securities Appellate Tribunal had criticised the functioning of the portal in an order in August 2023, noting that it merely forwards complaints about the intermediary to the concerned entity.

It then forwards the reply to the complainant and treats the complaint as closed.

"Sebi is required to consider whether the complaint infringes any provision of the Sebi Act and its regulations and if it finds that the complaint is genuine... then it is an onerous duty of Sebi to direct the company, registered intermediary or recognized Market Infrastructure Institution to sort out the complaint or initiate proceedings for violation of the securities laws," it noted.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Over the past eight months, a team of 80 people has been diligently working to harmonise operating procedures across four airlines run by the Tata group, as part of two mergers, revealed Campbell Wilson, Air India's chief executive officer (CEO), on Friday.

Photograph via X

The Tata group is consolidating its aviation business by merging four airlines into two: Air India and Vistara are merging to form a single full-service carrier, while AIX Connect and Air India Express are combining to create a unified low-cost carrier (as a subsidiary of Air India).

Wilson, in a message to employees, expressed his appreciation for the approval of the Air India-Vistara merger by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS).

"This (approval) complements the one granted by the Competition Commission of India six months ago and, being the final competition-related approval, permits Air India and Vistara to now share detailed information to optimise our schedules, contracts and accelerate the journey to the merger, he said.

In light of this, it is heartening to see that a key enabler of this merger has already been running full steam ahead, he noted.

The project weve been running, involving more than 80 people over eight months, to harmonise operating procedures and manuals across the four Tata airlines is now entering its final phase, Wilson mentioned.

The cross-airline team has been working tirelessly, spending two days (Thursday and Friday) together to finalise changes to documents and chart the implementation path.

Alignment of procedures will expedite the safe transfer of crew and aircraft from one AOC (air operator certificate) to another, so it is a critical aspect of bringing our two low-cost carriers, and our two full-service carriers, into the final state.

"Thank you to all involved in obtaining the competition clearances as well as everyone working hard to align our processes, he said.

Vistara, a 51:49 joint venture between the Tata group and Singapore Airlines, anticipates an operational merger with Air India by mid-2025.

Its CEO Vinod Kannan, at a press briefing in January, also expressed expectations of receiving legal approvals for the merger by the middle of the current calendar year.

In November 2022, Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines announced plans to merge Vistara into Air India.

As part of the deal, Singapore Airlines will invest Rs 2,059 crore in the expanded share capital of Air India for a 25.1 per cent stake, leaving Tata Sons with the remaining 74.9 per cent stake in the combined entity.

On International Womens Day, Air India operated 15 flights with all-women crews in both domestic and international sectors.

Women constitute over 15 per cent of Air India's pilots and as much as 51 per cent of its workforce.
Chip giant Qualcomm chief executive Cristiano R Amon and billionaire Gautam Adani on Monday discussed role of AI, semiconductors and edge appliances across markets in the fast changing global technology space.

Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

The two leaders met in Mumbai on Monday morning to discuss India's potential around semiconductors, AI and mobility, according to a social media post by Adani.

While Qualcomm is big on designing and manufacturing semiconductors and wireless telecommunications products, Adani group had in 2022 bought a small quantity of fifth generation or 5G spectrum for private captive network deployment in ports, logistics and power generation among others.

Adani is also building data centres at multiple locations.

"Great meeting with Qualcomm CEO @cristianoamon & his leaders! Inspiring to hear his vision for semiconductors, AI, mobility, edge appliances and much more across different markets.

"Exciting to hear about his plans and commitment to India's potential!," Adani said in a post on X.

Amon is expected to inaugurate a Rs 177.3 crore new design centre at Ramanujan IT City in Chennai on March 14.

The new centre, which specialises in wireless connectivity solutions with a focus on innovations that complement Wi-Fi technologies, is expected to create jobs for up to 1,600 skilled professionals in Chennai.

Adani Data Networks is looking at solutions to deploy a 5G network in the 26GH band.

No details of any planned partnership was indicated in the post.

Semiconductor industry in India is in its nascent stage and the government is keen to combine unparalleled design capabilities with $10 billion of incentives to draw manufacturers to set up new fabs and units that will cut dominance of Taiwan, South Korea and China.

Manufacturers are being drawn to set up new fabs (semiconductor fabrication plants) to make chips that are an essential component of electronic devices, and are used in automobiles to computers, mobile phones and even washing machines.

The Cabinet recently approved proposals to set up three semiconductor plants, including a mega fab by Tata Group, at a cumulative investment of Rs 1.26 lakh crore.

Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd will set up a semiconductor fab in partnership with Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp at Dholera's special industrial region in Gujarat.

The plant will have the capacity to produce 50,000 wafers per month and involve an investment of Rs 91,000 crore.

The government has also approved a proposal by Tatas to build a greenfield semiconductor assembly and test facility in Jagiroad, Assam.

The facility will be built with an investment outlay of Rs 27,000 crore and is expected to generate over 27,000 direct and indirect jobs in the region.
The Buffalo Catholic Dioceses headquarters in the former Courier-Express newspaper building on Main Street in the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is being listed for sale at $9.8 million.

Buffalo Diocese puts former seminary on the market for $5.3 million The Buffalo Diocese has set the price at $5.3 million for a bucolic property in the Town of Aurora where it used to have men trained to become priests.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to help settle child sex abuse claims in the dioceses Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.

The listing has been anticipated for years, and it will be the second large diocese property put on the market following the listing of the former Christ the King Seminary in the Town of Aurora in November.

The diocese spent about $4 million to buy and renovate the five-story office building in 1985, according to diocese spokesman Joseph Martone. At the time, diocese staff filled the available space, but in recent years the building has been less than half full. Sixty-five to 70 people  about three-quarters of the total central office staff  regularly work in the building now, he said. Nearly 300 diocese staff occupied the building in the late 1980s.

Its a very big structure, and we need to find a place that better suits our needs, Martone said.

Four years into bankruptcy, Buffalo Diocese prepares to sell off property The diocese has identified 22 properties, including its longtime headquarters, it may sell to generate funds toward a settlement of sex abuse claims. But aside from that development, theres little indication the diocese is close to reaching a deal with the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, which represents about 900 people who said they were sexually abused as children by Catholic priests or other diocese employees.

The listing includes the 95,000-square-foot building at 795 Main St., an additional two-story building at 801 Main St. and an adjacent garage structure on Main and Burton streets. Three adjoining parking lots on both the east and west side of Main Street also are included.

The sale will be subject to the rules of U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

The headquarters, known as the Catholic Center, will likely be the most valuable among 22 properties the diocese identified in court papers as candidates to be sold to help generate funds toward a settlement of roughly 900 sex abuse claims. The former seminary property is listed at $5.3 million.

The diocese continues to be in mediated discussions with the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors over what a settlement of the claims will look like.

Attorneys for the diocese said in court papers in the fall that the diocese was prepared to offer at least $100 million, including funds from parishes and other Catholic entities, and insurance could provide hundreds of millions more to sex abuse claimants.

Sex abuse lawsuits against Buffalo Catholic parishes remain on hold Chief Judge Carl L. Bucki of U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Western District of New York said the pause in litigation was necessary to consider more fully whether a diocese reorganization plan can protect parishes, schools and other affiliated Catholic entities from sex abuse lawsuits.

The art deco-style diocese headquarters was built in 1930 for the offices and printing operations of the Courier-Express, a daily newspaper that shut down in 1982.

The diocese, which comprises eight counties in Western New York, moved all of its offices into the building in 1986.

Martone said diocese buildings and properties staff will look for suitable properties to house the central offices in the event that the current headquarters is sold.

Something that we already own would be ideal, although if we cannot find anything to suit our needs, we would look at more commercial space, where we would have to obviously pay a monthly lease rate, or something like that, he said.

Chief Judge Carl L. Bucki of U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Western District of New York in January approved the dioceses hiring of Hanna Commercial Real Estate as real estate broker for the 22 properties, including the Catholic Center.

Buffalo Diocese prepared to offer $100 million to child sex abuse victims The Buffalo Diocese is offering up to $100 million to settle child sex abuse claims in its federal bankruptcy case. As much as half of that would come from parishes, schools, and other Catholic entities, while the diocese would also need to sell its Catholic Center on Main Street, the former Christ the King Seminary campus in the Town of Aurora and other properties.

The diocese is required under bankruptcy proceedings to monetize its assets for the purposes of paying its creditors, but it doesnt necessarily mean that it must sell all of its properties.

In some instances, a loan may be taken against the value of a property, with the loan proceeds used to pay into a settlement trust.

Property sales will further reduce the local Catholic Churchs vast Western New York real estate empire, which has shrunk dramatically over the past 15 years as dozens of churches and elementary schools closed due to declining church attendance and school enrollments and fewer priests.

In addition to the diocese-owned properties, three local Catholic parishes will likely soon be selling churches and school buildings.

All Saints Catholic Church in Buffalos Riverside neighborhood, St. Andrew Church and school in the Town of Tonawanda and St. Lawrence Church on Buffalos East Side all have been slated for closure, as the areas more than 500,000 Catholics continue to wrestle with the fallout of a clergy abuse scandal and demographic changes in the region.
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday arrested three alleged associates of suspended Trinamool Congress leader Shahajahan Sheikh including his security guard in connection with the January 5 attack on an Enforcement Directorate team, officials said.

IMAGE: Suspended TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh (right) being brought to Bhabani Bhawan in the CID office regarding the Sandeshkhali incident, in Kolkata, February 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The agency took into custody Sheikh's security guard Didar Baksh Molla, who is the complainant in one of the three FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police after the attacks. These FIRs have been handed over to the CBI by the Calcutta high court.

Besides Baksh Molla, the CBI also arrested Jaiuddin Molla, the Panchayat Pradhan of Sarberia village, and another person Faruk Akunji.

All three are close associates of Sheikh who is considered the mastermind behind the attack, the officials said.

"They will be produced before a magistrate tomorrow (Tuesday)," a CBI spokesperson said in a statement.

The CBI had summoned nine close aides and associates of Sheikh for questioning in the case on Monday, the officials said.

The agency suspects that these nine individuals were allegedly part of the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5 and instigated the crowd to target the team when they went to raid the premises of Sheikh at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal, they said.

Sheikh, whose role in the attack is under probe, is in the custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation till March 14, the officials said.

The CBI has taken over investigation in three cases related to incidents on January 5, when ED officials were attacked by an around 1000-strong mob when they went to search Sheikh's premises in connection with the agency's investigation into an alleged ration distribution scam case.

A former state minister has been arrested in the ration case.

Sheikh was arrested by the state police on February 29, a day after the high court ordered that the CBI, ED or the West Bengal police could arrest him.
The Centre on Monday implemented the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, a move that comes four years after the contentious law was passed and paves the way for citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.

IMAGE: All Assam Students' Union (AASU) activists stage a protest after central government has officially notified the rules for the implementation of CAA, in Guwahati on Monday, March 11, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The rules were notified days ahead of the expected announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. With this, the Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants -- Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians -- from the three countries.

Union Minister Amit Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered on another commitment and realised the promise of the makers of the Constitution.

"These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for the grant of Indian citizenship," a home ministry spokesperson said.

"The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided," the spokesperson added.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the president's assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it, with many opposition parties speaking out against the law calling it 'discriminatory'.

The law could not come into effect as rules had not been notified till now.

'These rules will now enable minorities persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to acquire citizenship in our nation.

'With this notification, PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji has delivered on another commitment and realised the promise of the makers of our Constitution to the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians living in those countries,' Shah said on X.

The Congress and other opposition parties slammed the government's step, alleging it is designed to polarise the coming Lok Sabha elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also alleged that the announcement is yet another attempt to 'manage the headlines' after the Supreme Court's strictures on the electoral bonds issue.

"After seeking nine extensions for the notification of the rules, the timing right before the elections is evidently designed to polarise the elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam," the Congress leader said.

Kerala CM Pinaray Vijayan described CAA as a communally divisive law and asserted that it will not be implemented in the state.

According to the Manual on Parliamentary Work, the rules for any legislation should be framed within six months of presidential assent or the government has to seek an extension from the Committees on Subordinate Legislation in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Since 2020, the Home Ministry has been taking extensions at regular intervals from the parliamentary committee for framing the rules.

No document will be sought from the applicants, an official said.

Pakistani Hindu refugees, who have been living a life of uncertainty, welcomed the government's step.

Dharamveer Solanki, a leader of Pakistani Hindu refugee families in Delhi, told PTI that around 5,000 from the community will receive citizenship now.

"I and my family have been waiting for this for over a decade now. We are extremely happy that we will be finally called Indian citizens. I am glad I decided to return to my homeland in 2013," Solanki said.

Over 100 people lost their lives during the anti-CAA protests or police action.

On Monday, security was stepped up in Shaheen Bagh, Jamia and other areas of the national capital as well as in various states where anti-CAA protests were held in the past.

On December 27, 2023, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that no one can stop the implementation of the CAA as it is the law of the land and accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misleading people on the issue.

Addressing a party meeting in Kolkata, Shah said it is the BJP's commitment to implement the CAA.

The TMC, led by Mamata Banerjee, has been opposing the CAA since the beginning.

The promise of implementing the controversial CAA was a major poll plank of the BJP in the last Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in West Bengal. The saffron party's leaders consider it a plausible factor that led to the rise of the BJP in Bengal.

In the last two years, over 30 district magistrates and home secretaries in nine states have been given powers to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians coming from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

According to the annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2021-22, from April 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, a total of 1,414 foreigners belonging to these non-Muslim minority communities from the three countries were given Indian citizenship by registration or naturalisation under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

The nine states where Indian citizenship by registration or naturalisation is given under the Citizenship Act, 1955 to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra.

Authorities of none of the districts of Assam and West Bengal, where the issue is politically very sensitive, have been given the powers so far.
Churu MP Rahul Kaswan on Monday resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party and joined the Congress in the presence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital.

IMAGE: BJP's Churu MP Rahul Kaswan joins Congress in the presence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge in Nw Delhi. Photograph: @RahulKaswanMP/X

After joining the Congress, Kaswan, who was denied ticket by the BJP for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, said he felt his "voice was not being heard" in the party.

Kharge welcomed him in the Congress fold, saying the party needs such people who have fought against power.

"I heartily welcome Rahul Kaswan ji on joining the Congress Party. I am happy that Rahul Kaswan ji, who fought against feudal people and have supported the farmers' issue, has joined the Congress Party," Kharge said.

"If people with such ideology keep joining the Congress party, then the BJP will certainly be decimated. The BJP has always been intimidating people, but we need people like Rahul Kaswan ji," he added.

The Congress chief also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speeches in different languages across the country and said he wants to have a "mastery" on everything but continues his habit of intimidating people.

Speaking to reporters after joining the grand old party, Kaswan said, "My entire family was working with honesty and dedication in the region, but a time came where I felt that my voice was not being heard (in the BJP)."

"I felt that I will suffocate if I cannot raise the issues of my farmer brothers," he added.

Welcoming Kaswan into the Congress fold, Rajasthan PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra said he took membership of the Congress party in Delhi in the presence of party chief Kharge.

"Undoubtedly Rahul Kaswanji's spirit of farmer welfare and public service will lend strength to public issues and strengthen the party organisation," Dotasra said.

Earlier announcing his decision to resign from the BJP and Lok Sabha membership, Kaswan expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party leaders for giving him the opportunity to represent Churu as the MP twice.

"Due to political reasons, at this very moment today, I am resigning from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party and from the post of Member of Parliament," Kaswan posted on X.

"I express my gratitude to BJP national president J P Nadda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, who gave me the opportunity to serve the Churu Lok Sabha family for 10 years, " he said.

The BJP had given ticket to paralympic gold medalist Devendra Jhajharia from the Churu Lok Sabha seat in Rajasthan in place of two-time MP Kaswan.
A day after Arun Goel resigned as election commissioner, the Congress and other opposition parties on Sunday asked whether he did so due to any differences with the chief election commissioner or the Narendra Modi government.

IMAGE: Arun Goel's tenure was till December 5, 2027, and he would have become Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after the retirement of incumbent Rajiv Kumar in February next year. Photograph: ANI Photo

Taking potshots at the Bharatiya Janata Party, 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.

"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?

"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 said in a post on X.

The Congress leader said the Election Commission has for eight months now refused to meet with INDIA parties on the issue of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) that is essential to prevent "electronic voting manipulation".

"Each passing day in Modi's India deals an added blow to democracy and democratic institutions," he alleged.

Asked about Goel's resignation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said one has to wait to see what he does 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.

Addressing a rally in Kolkata, where the Trinamool Congress unveiled its candidate lineup for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee praised Goel for "not succumbing" to what she described as BJP's attempts at "coercion".

"I salute Arun Goel for not succumbing to pressure by Delhi leaders and his top bosses in connection with the West Bengal Lok Sabha polls and the deployment of forces. It is proven that what they want to do in the name of the election. They want to loot votes," the TMC supremo alleged, targeting the BJP.

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.

"In the last 10 years, the Election Commission has been privatised. It has become a branch of the BJP," he alleged.

He said two people have gone and only one remains in the Election Commission.

"Like BJP's people have been appointed in high courts, Supreme Court, Governor's house, in the same manner, they would appoint two of their BJP people here too," Raut claimed.

Ramesh said, "It is possible that Arun Goel resigned to contest elections on a BJP ticket".

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) said it was "alarmed" by Goel's resignation just ahead of the general elections and demanded the Union government provide a clear statement on the circumstances in which this situation has emerged.

The party said that this creates "an atmosphere of uncertainty" on the eve of the elections to the 18th Lok Sabha. "With the new law on appointment of ECs, the composition of the Election Commission is under the complete control of the government," the CPI(M) said in a statement.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed that several times during the BJP rule officials have had to leave their job due to pressure.

"The resignation (of Arun Goel) raises questions as to who is putting pressure on the Election Commission," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi demanded answers from Goel and the government over the resignation just ahead of 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.

TMC leader Saket Gokhale asked, "Why did Election Commissioner Arun Goel abruptly resign last night just after cutting short his trip to Bengal with the ECI."

"What explains this sudden mystery days before the elections? This is a part of the 'chronology' of Modi's & BJP's dirty tricks to steal votes in Bengal," he alleged.

The "anti-Bengal outsider zamindars of the BJP are rattled" because Bengal has constantly rejected them, he claimed.

He said, "In the face of a certain defeat, they've tried everything including depriving Bengal of its rightful financial dues, sending 100s of companies of central forces to Bengal before the elections and influencing a sitting HC judge who resigned".

Gokhale alleged that the BJP "forced" Goel to "abruptly resign so that Modi and his one chosen minister get to appoint two out of three Election Commissioners days before Lok Sabha polls are announced".

Independent MP Kapil Sibal said it was a worrying development.

"Way cleared to: Pack the Commission with Yes men. This applies to all institutions that are the foundations of our Republic!" he said on X.

"To abruptly resign like this at the cusp of the Lok Sabha elections is something we should be worried about, because normally this would not happen. Maybe the reasons cited by him that he has resigned for personal reasons are genuine. But, it is unlikely...," Sibal said.

"There is also a possibility that there was some element of disagreement between him and the chief election commissioner in the context of elections in West Bengal. I do not know the real reason, but that is speculation.

He alleged institutions in this country, including the Election Commission which is constitutionally obliged to ensure a free and fair elections, are being "slowly decimated".

"And, it has been decimated over the years and in the last ten years they have captured almost all institutions in this country," the former union minister said, adding that the Election Commission is also one such victim.

"In the last 10 years, it looks like the Election Commission has become an extended arm of the government," he also said.

TMC MP Sagarika Ghose said, "Now on the eve of elections, an election commissioner - Arun Goel - has actually resigned. What message does this send about the world's largest democracy?".

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 the retirement of incumbent Rajiv Kumar in February next year.

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 was a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre. He joined the Election Commission in November 2022.

Following the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey in February and Goel's resignation, the three-member EC now has only one member - CEC Rajiv Kumar.
The State Bank of India, which unsuccessfully sought extension of time till June 30 to disclose the details of electoral bonds, on Monday faced searching questions from the Supreme Court which wanted to know about the steps taken to comply with the directions it had issued while scrapping the controversial scheme of anonymous political funding on February 15.

IMAGE: A five-judge Constitution bench consisting of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra during the hearing of the application of the State Bank of India (SBI) seeking an extension of time till June 30 to submit the details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India (ECI), in New Delhi on Monday, March 11, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

In a landmark verdict, a five-judge constitution bench had done away with the scheme, calling it 'unconstitutional', and ordered disclosure by the Election Commission of donors, the amount donated by them and the recipients by March 13.

Ordering the closure of the scheme, the top court had directed the SBI, the authorised financial institution under the scheme, to submit by March 6 the details of the electoral bonds purchased since April 12, 2019 till date to the Election Commission.

On Monday, the apex court dismissed SBI's plea seeking an extension of time and ordered it to disclose the details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission by close of business hours on March 12.

During the hearing on SBI's application seeking extension of time, the five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud told senior advocate Harish Salve, who was representing the bank, that the plea was 'absolutely silent' about the steps taken to comply with its directions.

"Mr Salve, our judgement is dated February 15, 2024. We are now on the 11th of March. In the last 26 days, what extent of matching has been done by you? What steps have you taken in the last 26 days? The application is absolutely silent on that," the CJI said.

Salve told the bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, that the bank can file a detailed affidavit on this aspect.

"It should have been disclosed in the affidavit," the bench said.

Justice Khanna observed that the SBI is the number one bank of the country and the court expects that it will be able to handle the issue.

During the hearing, the CJI observed that an assistant general manager of the bank has filed an affidavit in support of the application moved in the top court for modification of an order of a constitution bench.

"It is serious matter when you ask for modification of an order of the constitution bench," Justice Chandrachud said.

When Salve argued the SBI's 'big concern' was that it cannot make a mistake in this as it may get sued by the donors, Justice Gavai told him, "Whatever you are doing, you are doing under the directions of the highest court of the country. Where is the question of you being sued?"

The senior advocate said if the bank makes a mistake in a hurry to give the numbers, it might create havoc.

Salve told the bench that as per the apex court's February 15 direction, the SBI has stopped issuance of electoral bonds.

"Even your FAQs (frequently asked question), which were shown to us during the hearing, indicate that for every purchase, you have to have a separate KYC (know your customer)," the bench said, adding, "Therefore, it is very clear that every time somebody made a purchase, a KYC was mandated."

Salve said the bank have full details of who purchased the bonds and this detail is put in one silo of information.

He said the SBI has complete details of which political parties tendered how many electoral bonds and who has been paid how much.

While asking the SBI to disclose the details of electoral bonds to the EC on March 12, the bench directed the poll panel to publish the details shared by the bank on its official website by 5 pm on March 15.

It also put the SBI on notice that the top court may be inclined to proceed against it for 'wilful disobedience' of its February 15 verdict if the bank failed to comply with its directions and timelines.
The Bombay high court on Monday said it cannot keep monitoring every road accident caused due to potholes and ultimately it is the city civic body's responsibility to ensure motorable roads and pedestrian-friendly footpaths.

Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff.com IMAGE: Members of the Watchdog Foundation organised a unique protest against potholes at Andheri, Mumbai, July 29, 2023.

A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor also noted that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation claimed to have spent Rs 273 crore on the filling of potholes last monsoon but the condition of roads continues to remain poor.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by advocate Ruju Thakker, seeking contempt action against the civic authorities for failing to implement the HC orders of 2018 directing for the repair of potholes along all arterial roads in Mumbai and neighbouring areas.

Thakker has been pointing out to the bench since last year several instances of motorists losing their lives following accidents due to potholes.

"Monitoring every single road accident and pothole is becoming difficult. Ultimately it is their (BMC) responsibility," CJ Upadhyaya said.

The HC said as per the affidavit submitted by the BMC on Monday, Rs 273 crore was spent last monsoon for the filling of potholes but still the condition of roads was poor.

BMC counsel Anil Sakhare told the court that the city roads are being concretised and this should solve the problems of potholes.

As per the BMC affidavit, of the total 2,050 km roads in the city, 1,224 km roads have been concretised and work on 356 km is in progress.

The HC bench said it would hear the matter further on April 15.
Former Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan on Sunday asserted that every party wants him to be on its side, indicating he could tilt towards the one that offered a better bargain.

IMAGE: Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas MP Chirag Paswan. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

Paswan, a National Democratic Alliance member, has been getting feelers from the 'Mahagathbandhan', the opposition coalition in Bihar.

Addressing a rally in the Sahebganj assembly segment, Chirag dropped ample hints that he was weighing his options and could tilt towards the side with a better bargain.

"I can see the posse of media persons here who are anxious to know whom Chirag Paswan is aligned with. I wish to tell them that Chirag Paswan is aligned only with the people of Bihar," said the young leader, who has often sworn by his loyalty towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, likening him to Lord Ram and himself to Lord Hanuman.

"Every party, every coalition wants Chirag Paswan to be on its side," he said, adding that this was because people were enamored with his 'Bihar first Bihari first' vision that seeks to pull the state out of chronic backwardness.

In his speech, he made yet another attempt to project himself as true heir to his late father Ram Vilas Paswan, calling himself 'sher ka beta'.

He refrained from mentioning by name bete noires in the NDA, Nitish Kumar, the Bihar chief minister who heads the Janta Dal-United, and Union minister, uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras, who split the late leader's party.

The young leader, however, spoke at length about the 'conspiracies' he had to face, 'aimed at breaking my home, my family and my party, though I have demonstrated that Chirag Paswan cannot be cowed down'.

The rally at Sahebanj under the Vaishali Lok Sabha seat, which the LJP won in the last two elections, is being seen as a fresh attempt by Paswan to claim his father's legacy, after having earlier declared that the Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas, a splinter group that he now heads, will contest Hajipur, which the late leader had represented several times.

Predictably, the nephew's offensive has not got down well with Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) headed by Paras, who is the sitting MP from Hajipur, and has made it clear that he will seek re-election from the seat.

RLJP spokesman Shravan Agrawal said, "There is no question of our giving up Hajipur or any of the other four seats our party holds. We are sure our claim will be honoured by the BJP as we are the NDA's natural allies. Why else are they (Chirag's party) getting an offer from the other side, but nobody dares to approach us with such enticements."

While no 'Mahagathbandhan' leader has said on record what was the 'offer' made to Paswan, sources in the coalition, which includes the Congress, RJD and three Left parties, said he could be accommodated with 'more than six seats'.

The LJP had, in 2019, fought six seats, winning all of those, though the two splinter groups may have to settle for a much smaller number this time, especially in view of the fact that the NDA has brought into its fold two smaller parties, the Rashtriya Lok Morcha of former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha and Hindustani Awam Morcha of ex-CM Jitan Ram Manjhi.

Moreover, Nitish Kumar, who had quit the NDA for a brief period, is also back in the coalition, and is understood to be adamant on his share of 17 seats, the number fought by the JD-U five years ago when it won all but one.

BJP leaders said on the condition of anonymity that the feud between uncle and nephew is a thorn in the flesh, as the party cannot afford to lose Chirag, who enjoys mass appeal, but also does not wish to turn its back on Paras, whom it made a Union minister after Paswan senior's death and behind whom all other LJP MPs had rallied when the party split up in 2021.

However, one of the MPs, Veena Devi, who represents Vaishali, recently announced that she was back in Chirag's camp. She was also present at the Sahebganj rally.

Soon after the rally, Paswan, who was in Patna to board his return flight to Delhi, did not reveal his cards when journalists approached him with queries at the airport.

"I learn it from the media that I am angry (with NDA) on one day and happy on another day. But, let me assure you that my concerns are bigger. I care for Bihar and Biharis," he told reporters.

"As far as pre-poll and seat-sharing arrangements are concerned, it has taken the final shape and we will share the details in a few days," added Paswan, without elaborating further.
Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives manning the operations of a helicopter have departed from the island nation after handing over the operations of the chopper to an Indian civilian crew, the Maldivian media reported on Monday.

IMAGE: Troops of the Indian Army and Maldives National Defence Force take part in the joint military exercise 'Ekuverin', in Chaubatia, June 25, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

A media official for the Maldives National Defence Force told the Adhadhu news portal that the Indian soldiers who were stationed in Addu city are now back in India after handing over the operations of a helicopter to an Indian civil crew.

There was no immediate confirmation from India's defence ministry on the withdrawal of the first batch of Indian military personnel from the Maldives as reported by the media in Maldives.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, seen as a pro-China leader, has affirmed that no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present inside his country after May 10.

There will be no Indian troops in the country come May 10. Not in uniform and not in civilian clothing. The Indian military will not be residing in this country in any form of clothing. I state this with confidence, Muizzu was quoted as saying by the local media last week.

After a high-level meeting in New Delhi on February 2 between the two sides, the Maldivian foreign ministry said India would replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10 and the first phase of the process would be completed by March 10.

India had agreed to remove its troops from the Maldives under the condition that a number of their civilians equivalent to the military presence are brought to operate the aircraft.

Muizzu rode to power last year on an anti-India stance and within hours of taking oath demanded India to remove its personnel from the strategically located archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean.

Muizzu's government also allowed a sophisticated Chinese 'research ship' to dock at Male. Last week, the MNDF signed a deal with China's military. Under this deal, China will supply 'non-lethal' weapons to the Maldives free of cost.

The first group of Indian civilian personnel, which included 26 people, arrived on February 26 to replace the Indian military personnel operating a helicopter in Addu city.

India also sent a new helicopter and transported the old helicopter used in Addu city for repairs. A ship carrying the new helicopter docked in Addu on February 29.

President Muizzu asked India to withdraw nearly 90 military personnel from the Maldives and India agreed to replace the military personnel with civilians and to continue the operations of two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft provided to the country for providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services.

The Maldives' proximity to India, barely 70 nautical miles from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainland's western coast, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) gives it significant strategic importance.
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Manipur government, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to file reports elaborating on the status of probe and the charge sheets filed in cases of ethnic-violence to help it take a decision on whether the trials can commence in Assam or be undertaken in Manipur.

IMAGE: Indian Army and Manipur Police conduct a joint operation that led to the recovery of a huge cache of arms, ammunition and war-like stores, including a 9mm carbine, a country made mortar, a 9mm pistol, a country-made GI pipe Pompi gun and a grenade, in the general area of Sadar Joute and T Mongbung villages, in Kangpokpi on March 5, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The top court, meanwhile, made it clear that it cannot issue directions to the state government and law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order in Manipur in the wake of a spate of violent incidents, armed protests, blocking of the highways and the attack on the residence of a district collector in the last two months.

"These are the matters where this court cannot give directions. We cannot be issuing directions to the civil society organisations to maintain law and order...The state government is there to maintain law and order," said the bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwla and Manoj Misra.

It asked Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the state government and the probe agencies, to take instructions on a recent report of the Justice Gita Mittal committee on the recent incidents of violence in the state.

The apex court-appointed three-judge panel headed by Justice Mittal wanted the top court to pass some orders following the recent incidents of violence.

The court asked the counsel, appearing for the panel, to provide a copy of the report to the attorney general to take instructions on the issue.

The top court referred to a communication received from a special judge in Guwahati, to whom the cases of violence in Manipur were transferred, for monitoring the probe.

The trial judge wanted a clarification about whether he can proceed with the trial in the cases which were transferred from Manipur to Guwahati in pursuance of the top court's directions issued on August 25, 2023.

The Assam court also wanted a direction as to how it should proceed to deal with juvenile offenders.

"The updated status reports will be filed by the Manipur government, the NIA and the CBI with regard to the investigations. The status report should indicate the charge sheets filed as of now and the stage of investigations in other cases," the bench said.

"Let us have an idea. We will take a call on whether the trial should take place in Assam or in Manipur," the CJI said and permitted the Manipur government also to file a response.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Manipur government, said it wanted the trial to be held in the state as there was a marked improvement in the situation.

"We want to know whether the cases were ripe for the trial or not," the bench said, adding that a tabulated chart be filed on the status of cases.

The top court ordered the listing of petitions on Manipur violence after two weeks.

The top court had, on August 25 last year, ordered transfer of several Manipur violence cases being probed by the CBI, including the sexual assault case of two women seen in a viral video being paraded naked, to Assam.

It had asked the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to nominate one or more judicial officers to deal with them.

The apex court had passed a slew of directions on judicial procedures, including virtual examination of victims and witnesses by courts, saying they have been issued 'at the present stage, bearing in mind the overall environment in Manipur and the need for ensuring a fair process of criminal justice administration'.

"Both sides (Kuki and Meiteis) have been hurt ...There have been victims in valleys, and in hills. It would be difficult for people who suffered in valleys to travel to hills, and the other way round. We are not on who suffered more, just the practical difficulty," the CJI had said, adding the top court will pass orders which will be fair to both sides.

Prior to this, the central government had ordered a CBI probe into several cases of ethnic violence in Manipur.

Manipur plunged into a frenzy of violence in May 2023 over a high court order directing the state government to consider including the non-tribal Meitei community in the list of Scheduled Tribes.

This order led to rampant ethnic clashes. More than 160 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence first broke out in the state on May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Political pundits unanimously suggest that the state is not experiencing a discernible Gandhi wave this time around.

IMAGE: Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rahul Gandhi - Wayanad/X

In the current political landscape, the notion of a wave of support for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi may seem far-fetched to many.

Yet, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when the Congress was nearly obliterated from the political map with a mere 52 seats (and the United Progressive Alliance with 91), it was a surge of support for Gandhi in the South that helped keep the party relevant.

The Congress and its allies secured 19 of their seats from Kerala, buoyed by the fact that, for the first time, a national leader and member of the Nehru-Gandhi family was contesting from Kerala.

Only once before in Kerala's history has the Congress and its allies fared better -- during the post-Emergency elections in 1977 when they swept all 20 seats.

On both occasions, in 2019 and 1977, the Congress suffered losses in large parts of the country.

Will the Sahyadri ranges provide a bulwark for the party and its allies once again? Political pundits unanimously suggest that the state is not experiencing a discernible Gandhi wave this time around.

Unlike the previous election, the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) is on solid ground, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to pose a strong challenge in two seats in Kerala -- Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram.

The CPM is already making strides on the battlefield, having finalised its candidates list, which includes political heavyweights like former health minister K K Shailaja, former finance minister Thomas Isaac, and state Cabinet minister K Radhakrishnan.

The party will run in 15 seats in the state, while its allies, the Communist Party of India (CPI), will contest four seats and the Kerala Congress-M one seat.

Recently, the LDF even managed to wrest a total of four seats from the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP in local body byelections held across several districts.

Meanwhile, the BJP is pulling out all stops to secure victories in Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram.

"Thiruvananthapuram has always been a BJP stronghold, while in Thrissur, the party is fielding Suresh Gopi, a film superstar turned politician. Hence, the glamour factor is certainly in play. These two seats hold strong potential for the party, rather than seats like Kasargod," observed A Jayashankar, a senior political analyst.

In the past two months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited Thrissur twice, underscoring the significance of the constituency.

Still, the Congress and its allies, according to most opinion polls, have the upper hand in Kerala.

Furthermore, in 2019, half of the UDF, led by the Congress, won with a margin of more than 100,000 votes.

However, the party is grappling with internal strife ahead of the elections, with a public spat between Congress state President K Sudhakaran and the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly V D Satheesan.

Sudhakaran was caught on the microphone using profanity while questioning why Satheesan was at a party event in Alappuzha.

The BJP is not without its share of problems. In an embarrassment, a promotional song released by the Kerala BJP urged people to defeat the "government at the Centre that is known for corruption".

Adding to the state leadership's woes, a controversy erupted over the party's "upper caste mindset" when a poster announced that Kerala BJP President K Surendran would have lunch with "SC and ST leaders" on February 20.

On the other side, the CPM is dealing with corruption allegations against the chief minister's daughter, Veena Vijayan, who continues to face scrutiny from central agencies.

Asked about the electoral outcome, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed confidence in securing victory in all 20 parliamentary seats in the state, citing the good governance practices introduced by his administration.

This time, it may not be a cakewalk for Gandhi either, as CPI senior leader Annie Raja could be the challenger to Gandhi in the Wayanad constituency.

The National Democratic Alliance, too, is expected to field a strong candidate this time.

In Thiruvananthapuram, too, where the Congress's Shashi Tharoor is the sitting candidate, the BJP has fielded Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

"Here the advantage for the Congress is that anybody can win from Wayanad, it is their fortress. On the other hand, in Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor's popularity as a global citizen is unmatchable," Jayashankar added.

For the time being, it seems to be difficult for the Congress to replicate the 2019 show.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center will cut the ribbon at 10 a.m. Tuesday on its new MRI Imaging Center of Niagara, marking the completion of the $3 million project. The ceremony will take place at the Heart Center of Niagara, 571 10th St., Niagara Falls.

The Niagaras WorkSourceOne job fair will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Kenan Center Arena, 433 Locust St. in Lockport. About 60 employers are expected to participate.

Catholic Health is hosting a recruitment dinner and hiring event from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Sisters Hospital in Buffalo, seeking to lure medical laboratory technologists and technicians to the health system. Those interested in attending should register for the dinner at chsbuffalo.org/labdinner.

Catholic Health his hosting a livestream panel discussion titled, "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare," from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday. The panel will be moderated by Claudine Ewing of WGRZ-TV, and will feature Catholic Health President and CEO Joyce Markiewicz, Community Health Center of Buffalo CEO and Executive Director Dr. LaVonne Ansari and Dr. Nancy Nielson, senior associate dean for health policy at University at Buffalo's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The livestream is open to the public and can be watched at Catholic Health's Facebook page.

The Western New York Venture Association will hear from two Buffalo startups making presentations on Wednesday at UB Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, 701 Ellicott St.

The company presentation forum will feature Dimien Inc., a lithium battery company that competed in the 2018 43North competition and is part of the Launch NY Investor Network, and Sadies Foods, featuring Sadies Relish, which is available in 135 stores, including Tops Markets, Wegmans, Market 32, Lexington Co-Op, Niagara County Produce, and Highmark Stadium and KeyBank Arena suites.

Check-in and networking begins at 8 a.m. The business plan presentations will start around 8:45 a.m. Register at https://wnyventure03132024.eventbrite.com.

The Buffalo Planning Board on Monday will consider special-use permits for:

Salena M. Leonard to open a dance studio called Salena Melody at 218 Abbott Road , for "neighborhood retail and services," in a former vacant space, in order to offer "social interactions, fitness and opportunities for all ages of the community."

to open a dance studio called Salena Melody at , for "neighborhood retail and services," in a former vacant space, in order to offer "social interactions, fitness and opportunities for all ages of the community." Christina Currie-Bishop , to operate Loud House Buffalo restaurant and bar, with alcohol, in the former Buffalo's Original Steak & Seafood space at 1735 Hertel Ave .

, to operate Loud House Buffalo restaurant and bar, with alcohol, in the former Buffalo's Original Steak & Seafood space at . Michael Schweikowsky , to open a cannabis retail store, pending a state license, at 1936 South Park Ave .

, to open a cannabis retail store, pending a state license, at . Jacory Chambers and Henry King to open and operate Kings Court Bar and Grill, with alcohol, at 1994 Seneca St., in a building owned by Hook & Ladder Development. The restaurant will have 50 seats around tables and 10 in the bar area, with another 10 to 12 on the patio, for a total potential capacity of 75 to 85 people.

In Orchard Park, the town Planning Board on March 14 will hold public hearings for a three-lot subdivision at 5640 Armor Duells Road and a two-lot subdivision on Powers Road, and will evaluate an application for a rezoning of five parcels in the Birdsong neighborhood. It will also initiate an environmental review of the proposed Maple Grove Apartments complex, with 54 units at 4038 California Road.

Additionally, the panel will examine a proposal by Ellicott Development Co. for a new Crosby's gas station and convenience store at 4297-4309 Abbott Road, at the southeast corner of Abbott and Big Tree Roads. And it will consider a request by Miranda Holdings Inc. for a special-exception use permit for a drive-thru for a proposed new Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop at 4956-4968 Chestnut Ridge Road.

Welcome to Buffalo Next. The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy  from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com.

THE LATEST

Why the Buffalo Niagara job market suddenly looks stronger.

A Batavia housing project is getting tax breaks.

An Amherst school is complaining about debris from a nearby demolition project.

HP Hood is seeking tax breaks for a Batavia expansion.

Buffalo Bills season ticket holders are getting a chance to see the new stadium  virtually.

More than 2,000 staffing complaints have been filed by a union against Catholic Health.

Amazon's distribution center in Hamburg has topped its hiring goals.

Neighbors aren't happy with a plan to reopen a South Buffalo scrapyard.

Carley Hill's new way to support construction industry is an academy accelerating workers into the field.

Buffalo Niagara home prices look cheap compared with most big cities.

ICYMI

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1.The office market still is changing, four years after Covid-19.

2. What could the future hold for the site of Erie Community College's South Campus?

3. Western, upstate NY tech hub bid aims for $54 million in federal funds. The joint bid expects to find out this summer if it wins funding in the Commerce Department competition.

4. This UB program aims to help women and minorities build their startups.

5. FanDuel's CEO hasn't forgotten about her roots in the Buffalo Niagara region.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a Maharashtra government application seeking a stay on a Bombay high court order that acquitted former Delhi University professor G N Saibaba and others in the Maoist links case.

IMAGE: Former Delhi University Professor Dr GN Saibaba addressesa press conference in New Delhi after his release from the jail. Photograph: Mohd Zakir/ANI Photo

A bench of justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta admitted the state government's appeal, even as it observed that the high court order was "prima facie well reasoned".

The bench also rejected the oral request of Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the Maharashtra government for early listing of the appeal and said it will come in due course.

"There cannot be any urgency in the order of reversal of conviction. Had it been the other way around, we would have considered," the bench told Raju.

Justice Mehta said it is a hard-earned acquittal and in normal course, this court should have dismissed this appeal.

On March 5, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba, 54, and others, noting that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the case against him.

The HC had also set aside Saibaba's life sentence and acquitted five other accused in the case.

It held as "null and void" the sanction procured by the prosecution to charge the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

"The prosecution has failed to establish any legal seizure or any incriminating material against the accused," the HC had said.

Saibaba, who is wheelchair-bound, was lodged in Nagpur Central Jail since his arrest in the case in 2014.

In March 2017, a sessions court in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district had convicted Saibaba and five others, including a journalist and a Jawaharlal Nehru University student, for alleged links with the banned CPI (Maoist) and for indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the country.

The trial court had held Saibaba and others guilty under various provisions of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code.
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai issued a bailable warrant of Rs 10,000 against Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha MP Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, for failing to attend court's proceedings on Monday despite a direction from it.

IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur. Photograph: ANI Photo



Earlier in the day, Thakur's lawyer filed an application seeking exemption from appearance for his client on medical grounds, but the plea was rejected by special NIA court Judge A K Lahoti.

The bailable warrant is returnable on March 20.

'It was specifically directed that the accused No.1 (Thakur) remain present on March 11 (Monday), along with medical certificates, considering her last application (filed on March 5). Despite aforesaid directions neither she is present nor the original medical certificate is produced on record,' the court noted.

'Therefore, I am not inclined to allow the present application (seeking exemption from court appearance). Issue a bailable warrant of Rs10,000 against her and it is returnable on March 20,' it added.

In the exemption plea, her advocate J P Mishra mentioned that Thakur's doctor in Bhopal, her Lok Sabha constituency, has stated that she was feeling dizzy and can travel at her own risk.

A bailable warrant contains a direction that if the person arrested executes a bail with sufficient sureties for his/her attendance before the court, he/she may be released from custody.

Last month, the Judge had warned the Hindutva activist of 'necessary action' if she failed to attend the court's proceedings in the more than 15-year-old case.

Earlier too, the court had specifically directed her to appear before it and attend the hearing.

On multiple occasions in the past, the Lok Sabha member, who has been denied renomination from the Bhopal seat for the upcoming polls, had filed exemption pleas on health grounds, which were considered by the court then.

Thakur and six other accused are facing trial in the case under provisions the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a stringent anti-terror law, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The court is currently recording statements of the accused under relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedures Code (CrPC).

Six people were killed and over 100 injured when an explosive device strapped on a motorcycle went off near a mosque in Malegaon, a town about 200 km from Mumbai in north Maharashtra, on September 29, 2008.

The case was initially probed by Maharashtra's Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) before being transferred to the NIA in 2011.
Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday invoked the Hindu epic Mahabharata and said his party has 'dharma' with it while asking people to decide whether they are with 'dharma' or 'adharma'.

IMAGE: Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal addresses a public meeting in Haryana's Kurukshetra. Photograph: @ArvindKejriwal/X

The Delhi chief minister also asked people to vote in the coming Lok Sabha polls to elect an MP, not the prime minister, saying the MP would "work for you during tough times".

Addressing a public meeting in Haryana's Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency, he urged people to vote for Sushil Gupta, the AAP candidate from the seat.

The AAP and the Congress will fight the Lok Sabha polls in alliance in Haryana. Under the tie-up, the AAP will contest from the lone Kurukshetra seat out of total 10 parliamentary seats in the state.

Taking on the BJP-JJP government, Kejriwal said the Khattar government has "destroyed" Haryana in the last 10 years.

"Now, everybody wants the Khattar government to go. Ensure AAP's victory on the Kurukshetra seat...it will follow the news of Khattar's exit," he said.

Addressing the gathering, Kejriwal said Kurukshetra is a pious land where the 'dharmayudh' was fought.

'Pandavas' had won it despite 'Kauravas' having everything, said the AAP convener who was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

"What did Pandavas have? Lord Shri Krishna was with them," he said.

"Today, what do we have with us. We are small too, but Lord Shri Krishna is with us," said Kejriwal.

Referring to the BJP-led Centre, Kejriwal said, "They have everything. They have all the powers. They have IB, CBI, ED."

"We have our 'dharma' (righteousness) with us. It (Lok Sabha polls) is a fight between 'dharma' (righteousness) and 'adharma' (non-righteousness) and you have to decide whether you are with 'dharma' or 'adharma'," Kejriwal told the gathering.

"Do not make a mistake this time. Do not fall into a trap of electing the prime minister. Vote for electing your MP. Elect an MP that will help you in tough times," he asked people.

Seeking votes for his party candidate, Kejriwal said he (Gupta) understands the problems of people and will raise their voice.

Kejriwal said the BJP says that it is winning 370 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. "They are openly saying they do not need your votes."

"I came from Delhi to seek your votes with folded hands. Sushil Gupta ji is going door to door to seek your votes. We need your votes to win elections. They (BJP) do not need your votes," said Kejriwal.

The Delhi CM further said there are two types of people in the country. One is a "desh bhakt" and the other is "andh bhakt".

"Those who are 'desh bhakt' come with me...we don't need 'andh bhakt'," he said.

Slamming the BJP MPs from Haryana, Kejriwal claimed that they never did anything for the people of the state.

You have been giving all the 10 seats to the BJP for the last two Lok Sabha elections. I want to ask you what these 10 MPs did for you in the last 10 years. Tell one work which they did...they did nothing.

"They are not your MPs. They are BJP MPs. They are BJP's slaves. When you faced so many problems in the last 10 years, where were they," he asked.

He also raised the issue of Haryana wrestlers who had last year protested against the then Wrestling Federation of India chief for allegedly sexually harassing female grapplers.

"Atrocities were committed with our Haryana's wrestler daughters. They faced harassment. They were beaten up with lathis when they went to Delhi for holding an agitation...I supported them at Jantar Mantar," said the AAP leader.

"Where were your 10 MPs? They were clapping when your daughters were being harassed," he said.

He further slammed the Centre and the Haryana government for stopping farmers from heading towards Delhi.

"What is their fault? They are just demanding price (MSP) for their crops. What did they get? They were given tear gas shells...one Punjab farmer died," said Kejriwal while referring to the ongoing farmers' agitation at Shambhu and Khanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana.

He alleged that the farmers whose crops got damaged last year were not compensated by the Khattar government.
Pakistani Hindu refugees residing in Delhi expressed a sense of hope and relief on the implementation of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act on Monday, saying they are elated they 'will be finally called Indian citizens'.

IMAGE: Pakistani Hindu Refugees perform a havan at Majnu ka Tilla in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the Centre announced the implementation of the CAA 2019 for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.

Dharamveer Solanki, who is considered the chief of the Pakistani Hindu refugee families in Delhi, told PTI that around 500 from the community will receive citizenship now.

"I and my family have been waiting for this for over a decade now. We are extremely happy that we will be finally called Indian citizens. I am glad I decided to return to my homeland in 2013," Solanki said.

"It feels like a huge burden has been lifted from our shoulders. With the implementation of this act, around 500 Pakistani Hindu refugee families who live here, will get citizenship," Solanki told PTI.

With the CAA rules being notified, the Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from the said countries. These include Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians.

Sona Das, another Pakistani Hindu refugee, said he has been waiting for being granted Indian citizenship since 2011 and the implementation of CAA will give them 'a new life' in India.

"This news seems like us getting a whole new life in India. I moved here from Pakistan in 2011 and been waiting for citizenship since then. Extremely happy that I'll finally be called an Indian citizen now," Das told PTI.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the president's assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it.

The law could not come into effect as rules had not been notified till now.

Kanhaiya, who moved to India from Pakistan in 2012, expressed his gratitude to the Centre.

"Getting citizenship is like a dream come true," he said.

"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Centre for allowing us to get citizenship again. I moved to India in 2012 with my family and have been waiting for papers since then. It is like a dream come true," Kanhaiya told PTI.

Krishan Mal is a Pakistani Hindu refugee who has been waiting to get Indian citizenship for 14 years.

"We have been yearning for this day since 14 years. The fact that we will be called Indian citizens is like a dream come true. I'm grateful to the Indian government that they understood our pains and problems. And I hope we too get to do something for our nation," Mal told PTI.
Kate Middleton on Monday apologised for 'any confusion' caused by a royal family portrait released by Kensington Palace of her posing with her three children, the first photograph made public since her abdominal surgery in January.

IMAGE: Kensington Palace posts this image of Kate Middleton with her her three young children on X. Photograph: @KensingtonRoyal/X

The 42-year-old Princess of Wales took to the official Palace X handle to clarify that the discrepancies which led major photo agencies to withdraw the image from circulation were the result of some amateur editing by her.

The image released on Sunday, which is celebrated as Mother's Day in the United Kingdom, showed a smiling Kate with Princes George, 10, and Louis, 5, and Princess Charlotte, 8.

The palace said it had been taken by Prince William at Windsor Castle earlier in the week.

'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,' reads the statement by Catherine, Princess of Wales, which is signed as C.

'I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day,' it said.

Royal sources indicated that the picture was an amateur photograph taken by William, Prince of Wales, as the royal family wanted to offer an informal picture of the family together for Mother's Day.

They added that the princess made some 'minor adjustments' to the image and that the family spent Mother's Day together and had a wonderful day.

Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the original unedited photograph of Kate and her children, the BBC reported.

Earlier, in a rare move, major international photo agencies issued a so-called kill notice on the official royal photograph over concerns it was 'manipulated' by 'the source'.

The agencies, which have strict rules on digital manipulation of images, said they had spotted a number of inconsistencies in the photograph, including the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand.

Several people also took to social media to point out that Kate Middleton was not wearing her wedding ring, which was unusual.

Kate, who has been on official leave as she recovers from an abdominal surgery in January, has not been seen in public for weeks which had led to some social media speculation over her recovery.

Kensington Palace, the office for the Prince and Princess of Wales, have repeatedly said that she is doing well and that health matters are private.

The release of the photograph was intended to allay fears of any serious health concerns, but it triggered its own set of speculation and conspiracy theories instead.

AFP said it had 'come to light' that the image of the 'Princess of Wales and her kids had been altered' and was therefore removed from its systems.

An AP statement read: The Associated Press initially published the photo, which was issued by Kensington Palace.

'The AP later retracted the image because at closer inspection, it appears that the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP's photo standards. The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand.'

Reuters said it withdrew the picture following a 'post-publication review' with a spokesperson saying the agency is 'reviewing the matter'.

Royal experts indicated that editing photographs after they have been taken for professional purposes is a common practice. Therefore, it was believed Kensington Palace may have only been trying to improve the photograph if it was indeed altered.

Meanwhile, it is unlikely to quell social media rumours over the health of the Princess of Wales as details of her medical condition have not been released by the palace except to say it is not cancer-related.

Kate is not expected to return to official royal duties until after Easter next month as she recuperates.
In 2017, a retired R&AW officer conveyed that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was keen to get monarchy restored in Nepal and suggested that I support these efforts.

A fascinating excerpt from S D Muni's Dabbling in Diplomacy -- Authorised & Otherwise: Recollections of a Non-Career Diplomat

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka 'Prachanda' at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, June 1, 2023. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

In late 2003, Bamdev Chhetri, a Nepali national working in the JNU library, visited my home one day. He said Dr Baburam Bhattarai, who was then the Maoist second in-command, was in town and wanted to meet me urgently. He said that Baburam would not be able to come to JNU, because he is operating underground, so I will be taken to him tomorrow, whenever it is convenient to me.

Within a week of this meeting, Baburam suddenly came home one day unannounced. He wanted my help in meeting Sitaram Yechury and D P Tripathi, Both were in active politics and had access to leaders in India's political establishment. Sitaram Yechury was second in-command in the CPI-M party and Tripathi was one of the secretaries in the Nationalist Congress.

I said: 'Baburam, you have studied with them in the School of Social Sciences. They should meet you easily. I have had only a limited contact with them for being in the SIS.'

Baburam said he had been trying but they are not meeting him. In his presence, I called both Yechury and Tripathi one by one, but both expressed their inability to meet Baburam as 'this was a sensitive matter'.

In the following days, I broached the matter with the ORF president R K Mishra. He sounded sympathetic to the proposal, and said he would consult Pranab Mukherjee, a senior Congress leader.

After three to four days, Mishra conveyed to me that Pranab Mukherjee sought a written commitment from the Maoists, ensuring that their actions would not jeopardize India's core interests in Nepal. He referred particularly to the Maoists' campaign for revising the 1950 Treaty and the Gurkha recruitment agreement.

Baburam's response was that these demands were not invented by the Maoists; they had been longstanding issues reiterated by various political forces in Nepal, including the King.

After consulting with his leader, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, alias 'Prachanda', and other associates, Baburam provided the letter requested by Pranab Mukherjee. I passed on this letter to R K Mishra, but there was no response for weeks. When I enquired, Mishra mentioned the possibility of Pranab Mukherjee having second thoughts.

It was a very frustrating experience since nothing was working out. In desperation, I went to Brajesh Mishra in the PMO to request if the Maoists could be helped as they were willing to join the mainstream.

He asked me, 'What do they really want?' I said, "They want to remove monarchy, change the system and join the mainstream Nepal politics.' On the question of monarchy, Mishra reacted very sharply, got up from his seat and said, 'This is not possible. I have nothing more to talk on this issue.'

I pleaded with him to calm down, sit down and answer my one question, after which, I said I would leave. My question was: What has the King done to promote India's national interests? Is he not inviting China, Pakistan and Western powers to counter India in Nepal?

In response, after a pause, he sat down and said, 'Will they put in writing that they will not do anything that harms India's interests in Nepal?' The same commitment had been asked for by Pranab Mukherjee, so I said, "Yes they will do so.'

I was then asked to bring such a letter. After a couple of days, I got such a letter and personally handed it over to Brajesh Mishra. He warned me not to talk about this to anyone, and if I did, he would publicly deny this. I promised to respect his confidentiality as long as he was in power.

A few weeks later, during an official lunch for a foreign dignitary by the Prime Minister at Hyderabad House, I had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. On such occasions, guests are introduced to the visiting dignitary before settling down for lunch.

As I was making my way to the main hall for lunch, Prime Minister Vajpayee gestured for me to come over. He said, 'Muniji, we have got your message on Nepal. Will do something.' I did not hear from Mishra about the government's response to the Maoists' letter for a long time after that.

IMAGE: Then Nepal's King Gyanendra and then prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh at their meeting at the Asian-African leaders summit in Jakarta, April 23, 2005. Photograph: Crack Palinggi/Reuters

***

My contacts with the Maoists continued. Baburam introduced me to Prachanda, and both of them used to come home for discussions. Prachanda also came with his wife, the late (Mrs) Sita Dahal, to our residence in JNU for dinner a couple of times. In my long discussions with the Maoist duo, it became clear that the Maoists had come to realise that there was no final military solution to their 'Peoples' War'.

During these meetings with the Maoists, I received anonymous calls twice, asking me to keep away from Nepal Maoists otherwise I may be detained under India's draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). I never knew who the callers were, but suspected them to be from India's Intelligence Bureau.

I ignored these calls in the belief that I was doing something in India's national interest. One of the influential Nepali Congress leaders and a friend, Sagar Shumsher Rana, who had close family links with the senior RNA officers, told me years later that in the RNA's intelligence assessment, a good deal of the Maoists' strategy was finalised in consultation with me.

The situation turned into a crisis when in February 2005, King Gyanendra staged a coup. He terminated even his pliant prime minister and took control of power himself directly. He detained all the political leaders and imposed emergency. He also doubled the strength of RNA and unleashed it against the Maoists as well as political parties.

Gyanendra's use of army against the Maoists, his public claim to finish the Maoist insurgency in six months and repression against the political parties facilitated the political parties getting together with the Maoists.

IMAGE: Activists affiliated to the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist burn an effigy of then newly-appointed prime minister Khil Raj Regmi during a protest. Photograph: Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters

India's role was critical in opposing the king's autocratic moves and forcing him to accept the demands for democratisation. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, on three different occasions in one-on-one discussions, asked Gyanendra to accommodate the mainstream parties and restore democratic functioning. The king would agree to do so every time, but would not act on this advice.

Frustrated by the king's obstinacy, India helped in the finalisation of the 12-Point Agreement. Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and R&AW chief P K Hormis Tharakan helped soften India's attitude towards the mainstreaming of the Maoists and the conclusion of the 12-Point Agreement.

Resistance to the accommodation of the Maoists had come from M K Narayanan, India's national security adviser, and Pranab Mukherjee, who assumed the charge of defence minister.

In April 2006, the situation in Nepal became volatile with massive protest demonstrations against the King and refusal on his part to yield.

Fearing outbreak of massive violence, India directly intervened, sending its special envoy, Dr Karan Singh, assisted by Shyam Saran, to persuade the king to yield.

India distanced itself from the king and compromised on its two-pillar policy primarily because the king was not executing his promises to India on restoring the parliamentary system and joining hands with the mainstream parties.

He was insistent on his military approach to deal with the Maoists, which in India's assessment was a futile and undesirable attempt. For dealing militarily with the Maoists, the king was also collecting arms from China and Western sources which were a red herring to India.

IMAGE: Newly sworn-in Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel with Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda during the swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Palace, in Kathmandu, March 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Dr Karan Singh was chosen as special envoy to persuade the king as a last attempt, in view of his close relationship with Nepal's royal family. He had his one-on-one meeting with the king, while Shyam Saran had a separate one-on-one meeting with Nepal's then army chief, General Pyar Jung Thapa.

We learnt through different sources that Dr Singh, while persuading the king to give up direct rule and restore the dissolved Parliament, probably, gave assurances to the king that India will not support complete abolition of monarchy as demanded by the Maoists.

Later, I also learnt through Shyam Saran that he had a difficult time persuading General Thapa to convince the king that military action against the 'Peoples' Movement' was not the solution and will not be allowed.

It was only after this message that the king conceded what Dr Singh was asking for. He issued a half-hearted proclamation on 21 April 2006 to restore Parliament and for a new prime minister to be appointed by him.

The 'Peoples' Movement had already resulted in some violence and more violence was feared if the agitation was to be prolonged and enhanced. This forced the king to issue another proclamation on 24 April, 2006 which restored the Parliament without any caveats and reinstated G P Koirala as the prime minister. All the political parties heartily praised the role played by India in the success of their movement.

One Dr Asarfi Shah used to meet me both in Kathmandu and New Delhi to seek my support for the king. During a meeting in my IDSA office, Dr Shah once bragged that the Indian establishment, under the Narendra Modi regime, had assured the king that monarchy and Hinduism represent two faces of the same coin that India would support in Nepal.

It is, however, not in my DNA to support autocratic monarchy. I made this stance clear to Dr Shah on every occasion.

In 2017, a retired R&AW officer, whom I knew for many years because of our common Rajasthani origin, invited me for lunch at the Delhi Gymkhana Club. He conveyed that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was keen to get monarchy restored in Nepal and suggested that I support these efforts. I firmly communicated that he had approached the wrong person for a wrong cause.

IMAGE: Former Nepalese prime minister Baburam Bhattarai, centre addresses crowds during the general strike in Kathmandu, January 20, 2015. Photograph: Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters

***

Weeks before Prachanda's first visit to India after assuming the office of prime minister in 2008, the National Security Council in India was preparing a profile of the visiting dignitary.

Prachanda had defied the long tradition of Nepali prime ministers undertaking their first foreign visit to India, He went to China first to participate in the concluding function of the Beijing Olympics. Ambassador Leela Ponappa, Deputy National Security Adviser, called me in Singapore to get my input on Prachanda's personality.

I said: 'Prachanda is a highly motivated and ambitious power seeker. Beneath the ideological cover, he is a hardcore pragmatist and would cut a deal with anyone who will help him acquire and sustain power. He is very slippery also and may not stick to the deal until its full implementation if, at any point, he finds it going against his core interests.'

I was in Delhi to attend a family function when Prachanda's visit took place in September 2008. 1 visited him in Maurya ITDC Hotel on Sardar Patel Road.

Briefing me on the course of his visit he said, one of the important sticking points in his talks with the Indian authorities was the integration of Peoples' War soldiers in the Nepal Army. I alerted him that he should agree on that specific figure for integration, and that specific process which he can honestly and efficiently implement. It did not happen.

He agreed on a number, I think 4,000 plus, but did not carry out the process after his return to Kathmandu. This added to the trust deficit between Prachanda and the New Delhi establishment.

I tried later also to persuade Baburam and Prachanda to close their differences. In my view, both were complementary to each other; Baburam for his intellectual sharpness, broader vision and ideological resilience, and Prachanda for his organisational command and practical approach.

IMAGE: Pro-democracy activists shout anti-monarchy slogans while defying a curfew in Kakorvita village in eastern Nepal April 23, 2006. Photograph: Reuters

During Baburam's tenure as prime minister, I met both of them over a private dinner at the prime minister's residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu. India's ambassador, Jayant Prasad, was also in attendance. During the dinner, I emphasised to both of them that it was crucial for them to collaborate closely for their personal benefit, the political well-being of the Maoists, and the national interest of Nepal.

Despite their repeated assurances of commitment to working together, the reality was that they struggled to overcome their differences. This was primarily attributed to a significant clash of personalities and egos, combined with a deep-seated power struggle that originated with the establishment of the Maoist party in the early 1990s.

Baburam eventually left the Maoists and formed his own party called Naya Shakti Party in 2016, which proved to be a futile effort. He has been moving from one grouping to another in search of a viable political constituency. He is primarily an ideologue without the political acumen needed for an organisational leader.

It is difficult to say with certainty if India contributed in any way to fuel the differences between Baburam and Prachanda to weaken and destroy the Maoists.

I am aware that there were two views in the Indian establishment when Baburam emerged as the prime-ministerial candidate in 2011. While the PMO and the Indian embassy in Kathmandu supported him, Pranab Mukherjee was calling Nepal's President Dr Ram Baran Yadav not to let Baburam become prime minister.

India's approach to Nepali politics has often been ad hocist and personality oriented. During his term as prime minister, Baburam once complained that India was exercising undue pressure on him regarding bureaucratic decisions and delaying many of the developmental projects initiated by him.

IMAGE: Professor S D Muni, second from left, at the launch of his book.

***

Power struggles and ego clashes among Nepali leaders have made most of the power-sharing arrangements fragile, adversely affecting political stability in Nepal and souring its relations with India.

This was the case when the then prime minister (K P Sharma) Oli, in May 2020, brought up the issue of a border dispute with India in the Lipulekh-Kalapani area. Internally, he was facing significant challenges within his party due to his failure to honour the power-sharing agreement with Prachanda.

He raised the border issue and whipped up anti-Indian nationalism to gamer political support for his leadership, both within his party and within the country. When he found that the issue was becoming difficult to manage, he sought a resolution with India.

His US ambassador Arjun Karki sent me a message from Washington, DC, asking if I could help in this respect. I conveyed Oli's message, received through Arjun Karki, to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on 25 May 2020.

Following this, India's ambassador in Kathmandu also became actively involved in addressing the issue. A telephonic conversation was arranged between Oli and Modi. However, Oli did not respect the sanctity and confidentiality of this arrangement.

Before talking to his Indian counterpart on the issue as agreed, he released an official map displaying the disputed area in Nepal. This resulted in a breakdown of communication at the highest political level, leading to Oli's move for a constitutional amendment to endorse the altered map.

This helped him survive politically, but at the cost of vitiating relations with India for many years to come.

Excerpted from Dabbling in Diplomacy--Authorised & Otherwise: Recollections of a Non-Career Diplomat, with the kind permission of Konark Publishers Pvt Ltd.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
TOWNSHEND  "The Emperor's New Clothes" will showcase the comedic talents of theater students at Leland & Gray Union Middle and High School.

Doran Hamm, director, said the show originally was written by Rosa Palmeri for a comedian troupe at New England Youth Theatre. He described the play being "very funny" and "perfect for one act."

"It's less than an hour long," he said. "It has a really nice collection of really strong, funny characters. It was perfect for a small cast, which I knew I would have, which is 13 kids."

The show will be performed at the Townshend Town Hall at 6 p.m. March 15 and 7 p.m. March 16 with a suggested donation of $5 for seniors and students, and $10 for others. The production also will be brought to a regional one-act festival at Thetford Academy on March 23.

Hamm said this style of comedy is new for the students. They most recently performed "Mean Girls: the Musical."

When working on that show, Hamm didn't have as much time to work on the acting, given all the movement and singing going on. He said he really loves teaching comedy to kids.

Shannon Ward, producer, noted the specificity going into perfecting the comedic timing.

Savannah Perez, seventh-grader, plays the narrator.

"I am a child who calls out the king," she said. "I'm telling this story through my perspective when I'm all grown up and a child professor."

Meadow Brown-McCoard, seventh-grader, is a student in the professor's class.

"I'm the generation going forward but I'm also helping to tell the story of the past," she said. "She just really wants to do the best in school and get to the top of the class."

Perez described the play as "a satire about how rich people act."

"It's very fun," she said Monday. "We really enjoy it so far. That's before tech week."

The plot involves two poor swindler tailors realizing they can get money from the wealthy by creating invisible clothing that only the truly fashionable people can see.

"It's very relatable to our times," Hamm said. "It's very much about a fashionista emperor who just kind of lords over everyone and is at such wealth and a pinnacle of power that they're bored and they just want the newest fashion to satisfy themselves."

Hamm said the story "plays a lot with the concept of what money and power is in our society today."

"Power is a made-up construct until it's not," he said. The story "very much just plays a lot to our time, to capitalism as a whole. It is very much tongue-in-cheek making fun of it, which it needs to be made fun of."

Ward said that while brainstorming ideas for one acts, "The Emperor's New Clothes" came to mind since Vermont Suitcase Company had toured the show and had the curtains to pull it off. Curtains for the show are being borrowed from the local theater group in which Hamm and Ward are members.

"We were trained in melodrama and camp when we were kids, then we all went on to do theater," Hamm said of Vermont Suitcase Company. "A lot of those nuts-and-bolts styles of training lead to very crisp comedy. It's all about timing and it's all about framed comedy and it's all about tight, well put together bits. I feel like that's what we try to do with Vermont Suitcase."

Hamm said he thinks the students "naturally are very funny. They naturally kind of get it. They get timing in a way. Sometimes they're a little off but they get the jokes very strongly and our kids are very funny."

Bits are dissected one part at a time, Ward said. She described how the invisible fabric needs to be unveiled slowly or else the audience won't "see it."

Hamm said the swindlers are meant to be rooted for as heroes of the working man while the emperor and his lackeys are seen as the power.

The local production marks a new partnership with the town of Townshend. Hamm said the town clerk and Select Board have been "so accommodating."

"It's a beautiful theater space upstairs," he said. "It's just underutilized."

Hamm said Dutton Gym at the high school next door is used for different activities so he's excited to have the theater students work in a historical space and avoid conflicting schedules.

A film version of "The Emperor's New Clothes" produced by Vermont Suitcase Company is being sent to festivals. Screenings will be announced soon.
Press Release

March 11, 2024 Sen. Pia Cayetano's sponsorship speech of Senate Resolution No. 806

Honoring Dr. Carmencita Padilla as National Scientist Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I rise today to sponsor Senate Resolution No. 806, Recognizing and Commending Dr. Carmencita Padilla for Receiving the Order of National Scientist Award. On 31 August last year, Dr. Carmencita Padilla received the Order of National Scientist Award (Orden ng Gawad ng Pambansang Alagad ng Agham), the highest national recognition given to a man or woman of science in the Philippines. Dr. Padilla demonstrated academic excellence. She graduated cum laude, BS Pre Medicine at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1976. She was an outstanding graduate at the UP Manila when she took her medical degree in 1981. She is a pediatrician, with a sub-specialty in clinical genetics. Dr. Padilla has made significant contributions in public health through medical research, particularly in the development of genetic technology, which played a crucial role in the passage of key health measures. I have worked with her closely on various landmark health legislation. But I'd like to add a personal note, Mr. President. I met Dr. Carmencita Padilla before I became a senator, when my father was a senator. Because, and I hope I remember this correctly, I had consulted with her because I was pregnant and diagnosed... My unborn child, I was told, had a genetic condition known as Trisomy 13. So I believe I met her when I was still pregnant. She told me that when I give birth, we can talk further about the condition of my child. So eventually, I met with her. Eventually, my son eventually passed away, but we had forged a personal relationship and so soon after that, because my son was born in 2000 and he passed away in 2001, she had already started working on the Newborn Screening Act and was literally... You don't do justice to the word lobbying when I talk about a scientist, a doctor, who is trying to really educate legislators and policymakers on the importance of a measure. But in any case, that's what she was trying to do. And because we had a personal relationship, I was the one who explained to my father the importance of the Newborn Screening Bill that Dr Padilla was pushing for. And so this actually passed in 2004 just before... Well, my father had already passed away, and then that year, I became a senator. And then, we had worked on implementing this law. And then a few years later, we started discussing the Rare Disease Bill that in 2016 became a law. This representation had the privilege of working with our distinguished recipient of this award during those times. And later on today, we will also acknowledge other supporters and beneficiaries of the Rare Disease Act that we had passed. In addition, with funding support through our initiative with the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Sen. Angara, Dra. Padilla led the establishment of Newborn and Rare Diseases Continuity Clinics in the country, which provide lifetime support for patients diagnosed with rare diseases regularly or after newborn screening. I'd like to point out, Mr. President, that because of the Newborn Screening Act, thousands of infants all over the country have been saved from intellectual disability and death because early recognition of their conditions can literally save, if not their lives, the course of their lives. Dra. Padilla spearheaded the establishment of the Philippine Genome Center, a multidisciplinary institution that combines basic and applied research for the development of health diagnostics, therapeutics, DNA forensics, preventive products, and the improvement of crop varieties in the country. Dr. Padilla demonstrated compassionate leadership and dedication in pursuit of honor and excellence as the former Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Manila. She pushed for innovative ways for the delivery of health sciences and medical education to our Iskolars ng Bayan. And at the same time, she led the establishment of various medical and laboratory facilities that cater to patients of the PGH and from other hospitals in the country. Dr. Padilla's contributions to public health, particularly in the fields of medical research, education, and legislation continue to inspire and uplift the lives of Filipinos all over the nation. It is our pleasure and it is our honor to support our scientists like Dr. Padilla as they help continue the growth of our research and the development of society. She is needless to say, a beacon of hope and of light for young girls as we celebrate Women's Month. And so once again, it is my pleasure, Mr. President, to sponsor this resolution honoring Dr. Padilla as a National Scientist of this country. Thank you, Mr. President.
Lawsuit related to cryptomining operation in North Tonawanda allowed to proceed

A lawsuit filed by the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York and the Sierra Club against the state Public Service Commission, related to a cryptomining operation in North Tonawanda, will be allowed to proceed.

A state Appellate Court ruling reversed the dismissal of the suit by a State Supreme Court judge, which returns the matter to State Supreme Court.

The environmental groups lawsuit centers on the PSCs decision to allow Canadian company Digihost International to buy the Fortistar natural gas-fired power plant in North Tonawanda, for cryptocurrency mining.

The environmental groups contend the PSC failed to analyze the climate and environmental effects of allowing that purchase to proceed, as required under the states climate law.

We are heartened by this news  we continue to regularly hear complaints from neighboring residents of noise and vibration issues from the cryptocurrency operations at Fortistar, and residents continue to be extremely concerned about the health impacts from poor air quality, said Bridge Rauch, environmental justice organizer at Clean Air Coalition of Western New York.

 Matt Glynn

A representative for Digihost could not immediately be reached to comment on the Appellate Court ruling. The PSC said it does not comment on pending litigation.

Digihost in 2021 bought the Fortistar plant at 1070 Erie Ave. for $3.5 million. The PSC approved the transaction in September 2022.

Environmentalists have challenged the project and are urging the state Department of Environmental Conservation to deny the renewal of an air permit for the facility.
Compass Middle School goes foraging with guides at Bald Hill Reserve each fall. Their guide in this 2021 photo, Christopher Denette, testified last month in support of a Vermont State Mushroom.
Chloe Learey, left, Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development, and then-State Sen. Becca Balint with a resolution congratulating Winston Prouty on its 50th anniversary in January, 2019. Learey was recently a guest of current U.S. Rep. Balint at the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C.
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Dan Smith is the president & CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation, vermontcf.org. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
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Nancy Braus writes from Guilford. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
Richard E. Lucas IIIs taste for stealing cars gradually became more lavish.

What began as thefts of a Dodge Challenger and Charger from an Amherst dealership in December 2022 culminated  nine stolen vehicles later  with a Bentley, Mercedes-Benz G-Class and BMW M8 from a Clarence dealership last September.

In all, Lucas, a 21-year-old from Cheektowaga, stole 14 vehicles  with a total value of about $1.1 million  over 10 months.

A Bentley, Benz and BMW worth more than $500,000 were stolen Sunday from a local dealer Early Sunday morning, someone sneaked into the Mercedes Benz dealership in Clarence and stole the key box that contained the keys to all of the used cars on the lot.

A release Monday from the Erie County District Attorneys Office revealed the far-flung nature of his crimes, relative lack of discrimination in make and model, and reckless efforts to evade law enforcements grasp.

Lucas pleaded guilty Friday to 15 felony charges across eight criminal cases. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when sentenced April 19, according to the DAs report. Lucas has been held without bail since late September.

The cases were broken down into two indictments, for which Lucas was arraigned Sept. 7 and Sept. 29. These carried a range of charges in addition to those for stealing vehicles in Rochester and Orchard Park, respectively.

But as part of his plea agreement, Lucas assumed guilt for six other car thefts  some involving multiple vehicles  which showed the breadth and depth of his thievery.

The serial thief focused his efforts mostly in the Northtowns, according to the DAs report. He stole cars from Grand Island, Amherst, the Town of Tonawanda and finished with back-to-back heists in Clarence.

Half of the 14 vehicles were made by Dodge, including four Hellcats that ranged between $80,000 and more than $90,000, while the most luxurious vehicles he stole were the 2021 Bentley Continental, valued at $235,850, and a 2022 Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG, valued at $204,850, both from a dealership on Main Street in Clarence. The least valuable vehicle Lucas stole? A 2017 Dodge Challenger, worth about $22,400.

The vehicles were recovered at different locations, mostly in Buffalo, but also at two different addresses in West Seneca and two by the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

For these, Lucas admitted guilt to nine charges: five counts of second-degree grand larceny, two counts of third-degree burglary and two counts of second-degree criminal mischief, the DAs Office said.

Details from the two indictments showed how aggressive Lucas was in trying to evade capture.

The first indictment stemmed from Lucas theft of a 2022 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat on March 1, 2023, on West Henrietta Road in Rochester. The vehicle was tracked to Lucas apartment and garage in an apartment complex on Indian Church Road in West Seneca, where investigators secured a search warrant on March 2 and, shortly after midnight the next day, found the Hellcat with a damaged front passenger door and rearview mirror  but did not locate Lucas, the DAs Office said. Investigators also found 5 pounds of cannabis inside Lucas apartment.

Lucas was arrested outside of his West Seneca apartment April 6, the DAs Office said. A physical struggle occurred when officers tried to arrest him, leaving a detective with an injured shoulder. After his arraignment and release on supervision, Lucas pleaded guilty Sept. 7 to felony charges of second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree attempted assault, third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree criminal possession of cannabis, as well as a misdemeanor for third-degree unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Lucas was indicted a second time Sept. 29 after stealing a 2021 Dodge Challenger Hellcat from an Orchard Park dealership June 6, the DAs Office said. About a month later, an Orchard Park police detective spotted Lucas driving the Hellcat near Transit Road and Seneca Street in Elma, which led to a high-speed chase that zoomed through a field and over a ditch before it was called off in East Aurora, the report continued.

The Erie County Sheriffs Office located the 2021 Hellcat in Buffalo, the DAs Office said, adding that Lucas DNA was linked to the crime. He pleaded guilty to two felonies  second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree criminal mischief  as well as two misdemeanors.
AVW Group has signed an agreement to distribute video solutions from Sencore across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Sencore's product base include receiver decoders, media gateways, encoders, transcoders, streamers, servers and test and measure solutions.

It also offers Centra Gateway, a video distribution platform that can receive, transmit and convert various internet protocols, including SRT, RIST, Zixi and HLS, according to AVW CTO Richard Kaub.

AVW said the Sencore agreement covers a range of products and solutions. In addition, training, stocking and access will be made available to clients.

The distributor and systems engineering company meanwhile focuses on broadcast, satellite, audio visual (AV) and ICT sectors and has been in operation for over 40 years. Its geographic remit ranges from East Pacific Islands to Western Australia, covering five different time zones.

In addition to its product range, AVW's special services group provides engineered solutions, systems installation and integration, project management, critical system maintenance and support services to its integration and reseller partners, end-clients and the industries it services.
Ingram Micro Showcase 2024 kicked off in Christchurch on 6 March, drawing a turnout of nearly 500 attendees.

This diverse gathering of vendors, resellers, and end-users has set the stage for a dynamic exchange of ideas and business opportunities.

Highlights included James Laughlins thought-provoking address on A Future of Infinite Possibilities: Shaping Tomorrows Landscape; economist Tony Alexanders comprehensive economic outlook for 2024 and 2025, and David Leteles inspiring stories of resilience and success.

With a total of 37 IT vendors showcasing their latest products and solutions, attendees had the chance to explore cutting-edge innovation firsthand. The Ingram Micro Showcase tour hits Wellington on 12 March and Auckland on 15 March.

Ingram Micro Christchurch

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Celebrate St. Paddy's Day with this Hallmark's As Luck Would Have It filmed in Ireland with stars Joanna Swisher and Allen Leech in this delighful movie. Downton Abbey fans will immediately recognize Leech aka as Tom Branson, a beloved Downton Abbey character.

Hallmark fans will enjoy the traditional storyline which is enhanced by the chemistry between the lead actors and authentic Irish scenery. Filmed In Kilabbey, Ireland and Howth Castle and add in the Cliffs of Mohr and viewers will not be disappointed.

The storyline is not new (and that is OK! for a movie which works so well) as an American is dispatched to turn the Irish family castle into a hotel. The struggle to keep the castle and town financially afloat is the why and the heart behind the castle is the why the behind saving the castle and town!

With names such as Brennan, Seamus, Fiana, Siobhan, and Maebh the authenticity shines through of the supporting cast. The Hallmark chemistry hits the bullseye with Joanna and Allen, the supporting characters and the scenery is so beautiful - let's call the scenery a major supporting character too!

Of course love is in the air as the main characters work as opposities and then join forces to save the family hotel as only Hallmark can...

Deer Park Hotel

Ever want to stay at a Hallmark movie castle? This castle may be your chance. In August 2023 plans have been approved to construct a hotel on the Howth property. The current Deep Park will be demolished to build a destination hotel with all the amenties. The project's estimated completion is 2025 to welcome guests.

Howth Castle Cookery School

Who knew cooking classes are held at the infamous Howth Castle 18th Century Georgian kitchen! Professional chefs provide hands on instruction for foodies of all levels in the cooking shcool which has operated since 2008 in the castle.

Recommendation

Highly recommend As Luck Would Have It! Ireland fans and Hallmark romcom fans will not be disappointed and in fact, this is a movie which left many viewers asking, "When is the sequel?"

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.

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The fake representatives are another example of absurdist dramas Beijing creates for itself.

Mainland-appointed representatives for the island of Taiwan attend a meeting at the National Peoples Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2024.

China's National People's Congress wrapped up its annual session on Monday with its highly choreographed show of support for ruling Communist Party leader Xi Jinpings vision for the nation.

The extent to which the event was highly scripted and carefully stage-managed was highlighted in particular by the presence of a "provincial delegation" from democratic Taiwan, where the majority of people reject Beijing's territorial claims on their country.

U.S.-based veteran journalist and political commentator Hu Ping takes a closer look at what he describes as an "absurdist drama":

Among the nearly 3,000 delegates to China's National People's Congress, which just concluded its annual session in Beijing, were seats for 13 "provincial delegates from Taiwan."

The group was a little different to the other groupings of regional delegates from, say, Beijing or Sichuan province.

Delegates applaud during the closing session of the 14th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 11, 2024. (Wang Zhao/AFP)

While elections in China aren't strictly worthy of the name, delegates from places like Beijing or Sichuan would still necessarily be chosen by people in those places, and they would be residents of those places.

But the 13 "Taiwanese" delegates weren't even from Taiwan. They don't hold Taiwanese passports, nor are they citizens of the 1911 Republic of China government which has governed the democratic island since World War II in one form or another. Some have distant family connections.

Keeping up the pretense

They're not actually Taiwanese at all, but Chinese citizens chosen by Taiwanese nationals living in mainland China.

The official website of the National People's Congress says the delegates were "elected following consultative election meetings composed of compatriots with Taiwanese nationality across China's provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, agencies of the central government, and the People Liberation Army."

They are basically fakes.



The Chinese Communist Party leaders aren't stupid. They know these 13 Taiwanese delegates are fake. But they have to keep up the pretense all the same.

According to Beijing, the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government of China, which -- according to them -- includes Taiwan.

A 1968 Whole Country is Red stamp is displayed before being auctioned in Hong Kong on Jan. 27, 2010. (Mike Clarke/AFP)

There is currently no way to have the people of Taiwan elect their own delegates to China's National People's Congress.

So it has to rope in some Chinese nationals to get elected by people in China instead.

The absurdity calls to mind a situation during the 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution, during which there was effectively a coup during which major Communist Party and government bodies were taken over by a new leftist regime in the form of "revolutionary committees," which popped up across the country.

The Revolutionary Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region was proclaimed in the fall of 1968, completing the takeover by revolutionary committees in 29 Chinese provinces and cities.

The People's Daily put out an editorial, titled "The whole country turns red," and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications issued a special 8-cent stamp to commemorate the event using the same title.

Absurdist dramas

The stamp's design featured a map of the People's Republic of China colored in bright red, with the exception of Taiwan.

Perhaps some conscientious person spotted a problem and wrote in to the central government saying that there was no revolutionary committee yet in Taiwan, because the island hadn't yet been "liberated."

Perhaps they made the point that it couldn't be claimed that the whole country had turned red, because that would be tantamount to saying that Taiwan isn't part of China.

Either way, it must have suddenly dawned on the central government, because they issued a secret order to have all of the commemorative stamps withdrawn and immediately destroyed.

But they couldn't destroy all of them, because some had already been sold.

A group of delegates poses for a picture after the closing session of the 14th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 11, 2024. (Wang Zhao/AFP)

The incident turned the "Whole Country is Red" commemorative stamp into one of the most sought-after and expensive in post-1949 China.

To this day, the Chinese Communist Party hasn't publicly corrected its claim that "the whole country has turned red," because it doesn't want to draw public attention to the implications.

The National People's Congress' "Taiwan provincial delegation" is another example of these absurdist dramas that play out under Chinese Communist Party rule.

Hu Ping is the chief editor of the New York-based monthly journal Beijing Spring, and is on the Board of Directors of the NGO Human Rights in China. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of Radio Free Asia.



Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
The girl said she was locked in a room and forced to have sex with a man who bought her from brokers.

A 16-year-old Cambodian girl pleads for help on Facebook after she was tricked by job brokers, sold to a Chinese man and held against her will in China. Blurring by RFA to protect her identity.

Chinese authorities rescued a 16-year-old Cambodian girl who said she was tricked by job brokers, sold to a Chinese man and held against her will in Chinas Zhejiang province, a Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman told Radio Free Asia on Monday.

Police went to a family home on Sunday after the girl posted a video and a written message on Facebook seeking help from Cambodian authorities, spokesman Chum Suntory said. The Cambodian consul in Shanghai informed police and accompanied authorities to the home, he said.

The girl told RFA she faced regular beatings and insults and was forced to have sex with the man who declared he hoped to get her pregnant. At times, she was locked in her room, she said.

I couldnt go anywhere. I would eat and then they would chase me back into the room, she said on Facebook Messenger to RFA. I was worse than a prisoner. I couldnt think of anything or do anything, but just sit and cry alone.

Cambodian women and girls are often coerced and forced into arranged and forced marriages in China through various means, including through the false promise of a job, according to a 2022 report from the Geneva-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

The girl, from eastern Tbong Khmum province, said she and three of her friends were told by brokers in August that they could work at a market in China and earn US$700 a month  about four times the average Cambodians monthly earnings.

The girl and her friends were taken from Phnom Penh by car through Vietnam into China, she said.

Threatened by family members

When they arrived in China, they were taken into a room that held many other Cambodian and Vietnamese girls and women.

They were put up for sale, and one Chinese man paid money for her, the girl said. Her three friends were sold separately, she said.

The girl was kept at the Zhejiang province home  which included the man and his relatives  for more than six months. The mans family members threatened to harm her if she reported the case to authorities or contacted her family in Cambodia for help, she said.

The girl is cooperating with Chinese investigators and is being held in a safe place under the care of Cambodian consulate officials, Chum Suntory told RFA in a Telegram message. She will be returned to Cambodia soon, he said.

Am Sam Ath of human rights group Licadho said Cambodian government officials and police need to do more to stop Cambodian women from being lured into vulnerable situations abroad.

And this is the role of the embassy that should hurry up to help its citizens, he said in an interview with RFA before Sundays rescue.

Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Its 2024 defense budget is set to grow more than 7%, making it the second highest in the world after the U.S.

PLA soldiers march in formation during the military parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of People's Republic of China, on its National Day in Beijing, China, Oct. 1, 2019.

China is increasing its 2024 defense budget by 7.2% to US$231 billion amid regional tensions and growing rivalry with the United States, marking the third consecutive year of over 7% growth in defense spending.

Since 2015 and under Xi Jinpings leadership, Chinas defense budget has more than doubled, becoming the second-largest globally, despite the economic slowdown. This military spending increase outpaces the governments economic growth forecast of 5% for 2024.

As national defense is the security guarantee for the survival and development of a nation, a stable growth in military expenditures has been maintained throughout the years, a Chinese military spokesperson, Wu Qian, said at the weekend.

The increased defense budget, announced at the National Peoples Congress (NPC) last week, will focus on military construction and capabilities; the innovative development of national defense science and technology; military reform; and an improved remuneration policy system, Wu added.

The increase aligns with Beijings goal of achieving a world-class military by 2049, as reported by the state-run Xinhua News Agency quoting Xi Jinping at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2017.

Given the state of Chinas economy now, it does appear that Beijing is bent on persisting with its buildup of the Peoples Liberation Army despite the economic challenges, said Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, who also warned about the opacity in Chinas decision making.

Researchers of the China Power project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington D.C. shared a similar view.

While China releases an official defense budget, how much China actually spends on its military is widely debated, its March report reads in part.

Despite joining the U.N. voluntary report on military expenditures, China remains less transparent than many countries, the report further reads.

Chinas official defense budget for 2022 was approximately US$230 billion, but the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated the actual figure that year to be US$292 billion, or almost 27% higher.

The U.S. Department of Defense also noted in 2021 that Chinas real military spending may be around 1.1 to 2 times higher than stated in its official budget.

Yet the Chinese military spokesperson Wu insisted that Chinas defense expenditures are open, transparent, reasonable and appropriate.

China actively participates in the United Nations military expenditure transparency system and has submitted its military expenditure report for the previous fiscal year to the United Nations every year since 2008, Wu said.

Lower than the U.S.

The military budget for 2024 is about 10 times as much as Chinas education budget, and almost five times more than the budgets for science and technology.

But the Chinese military spokesperson Wu said compared to the U.S., Chinas defense expenditure remains relatively low in terms of the percentage in GDP, percentage in national fiscal expenditure, and per capita defense expenditure as well as per-service member defense expenditure.

China adheres to the path of peaceful development and firmly pursues a defensive national defense policy, Wu added.

Koh from S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies believes that whether Chinas defense policy is defensive or offensive, it requires a debate on several fronts, including strategic and operational.

But the fact is that it is acquiring an array of offensive, especially force projection type, capabilities  several of which could be deemed destabilizing in nature, Koh told Radio Free Asia.

Such a move as the military budget expansion could fuel regional arms dynamics and consequently a potential arms-tension spiral given the extant geopolitical flashpoints in the region, he added.

Its aggressive behavior against its neighbors such as India and Southeast Asian rivals in the South China Sea should also justify China being seen as a security threat.

Taiwan reunification

Observers also noted that Chinas Premier Li Qiang in his government work report at the opening of the annual parliamentary session last week dropped the mention of peaceful reunification when speaking of Taiwan.

But the report pledged that Beijing would be firm in advancing the cause of Chinas reunification.

China considers the self-ruled island one of its provinces that should be reunited with the mainland but so far Chinese officials have not threatened military action and the word peaceful, though was dropped before, was re-installed last year.

We should promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance the process of Chinas peaceful reunification, said the then-Premier Li Keqiang at the 2023 NPC meeting. Li passed away last October.

A Chinese warship fires towards the shore during a military drill near Fuzhou near the Taiwan controlled Matsu Islands that are close to the Chinese coast, China, April 8, 2023. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)





In response to Li Qiangs government work report, Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu said that Taiwan is a sovereign independent country and is not subordinate to the Peoples Republic of China, which has never ruled Taiwan.

Koh believes Beijing has also paid close attention to whats happening in Ukraine since the war started and sought to draw useful lessons to refine its own wartime strategy on Taiwan.

Taiwan definitely forms a major consideration, he said. But its also equally important to say that in this context, the primary adversary Beijing is preparing the PLA for isnt just simply Taiwan per se, but the Americans.

The U.S.-China rivalry has been dominating the international geopolitical agenda for several years and shows no sign of abating, analysts noted.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines testifies during a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on the "Annual Worldwide Threats Assessment" in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., March 11, 2024.

UPDATED at 7:55 p.m. ET on March 11, 2024.

Beijing has improved its ability to covertly spread disinformation and may try to influence Americas 2024 presidential election, according to a report issued Monday by the U.S. intelligence community.

The annual worldwide threat assessment says Beijing is expanding its global covert influence posture to better support the goals of the Chinese Communist Party, with the aim to sow doubts about U.S. leadership, undermine democracy, and extend Beijings influence.

China has been intensifying efforts to mold U.S. public discourse, the report says, with a focus on shifting how Americans view Chinese sovereignty claims over Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tibet and the Xinjiang region, where the United States has accused Beijing of genocide.

But in the coming months, the report adds, the machinery of Beijings online influence operations may be increasingly concentrated on impacting the Nov. 5 presidential election, which looks set to again pit President Joe Biden against former President Donald Trump.

The PRC may attempt to influence the U.S. elections in 2024 at some level because of its desire to sideline critics of China and magnify U.S. societal divisions, it says, using an acronym for the Peoples Republic of China.

Chinese state actors, it says, have increased their capabilities to conduct covert influence operations and disseminate disinformation and already have a track record of using artificial intelligence to generate political content on TikTok targeted at Americans.

China is demonstrating a higher degree of sophistication in its influence activity, the report says. TikTok accounts run by a PRC propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates from both political parties during the U.S. midterm election cycle in 2022.

Even if Beijing sets limits on these activities this year, it continues, individuals not under its direct supervision may attempt election influence activities they perceive are in line with Beijings goals.

Balancing act

Any influence attempts, though, would likely be hard to detect, leaders of the intelligence community told U.S. lawmakers on Monday during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing to accompany the report.

From left, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, FBI Director Christopher Wray, CIA Director William Burns, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh and Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Brett Holmgren testify before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on the "Annual Worldwide Threats Assessment" in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., March 11, 2024. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said that while Chinese President Xi Jinping was convinced that the United States will not tolerate a powerful China, he was also biding his time and has been seeking to avoid any tensions since his summit with Biden last year.

Xi seeks to ensure China can maintain positive ties to the United States, and will likely continue to do so this year, Haines said, because stability in our relationship is important to [Chinas] capacity to attract foreign direct investment amid growing economic problems.

In an exchange with Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida and his partys top member on the intelligence committee, FBI Director Christopher Wray said he was worried by the ways that TikTok, one of the most popular social media apps in America, could be used.

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on the "Annual Worldwide Threats Assessment" in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., March 11, 2024. (Saul Loeb/AFP)

Rubio posed a hypothetical scenario in which TikToks Chinese parent company ByteDance was approached by Beijing and told, We want you to change your algorithm so Americans start seeing videos that hurt this candidate or help that candidate in the upcoming election.

ByteDance would have to do that under Chinese law, Rubio said.

That's my understanding, Wray said. That kind of influence operation  [is] extraordinarily difficult to detect, which is part of what makes the national security concerns represented by TikTok so significant.

TikTok, which is the fourth most downloaded app on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, is currently the target of a bipartisan effort by U.S. lawmakers to pass legislation that could force ByteDance to divest its ownership to avoid a ban on the app.

However, TikTok has strenuously denied being instructed by China to influence public discourse in the United States.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for Chinas embassy in Washington, on Monday denied Beijing had plans to interfere in the 2024 election.

The election is U.S. domestic affairs, and China doesnt interfere in other countries internal affairs. That is our principle. We have no intention to interfere in the US election, Pengyu said in an email.

Some in the U.S. should stop making unwarranted accusations and smears against China, and stop playing up the China topic in the election year, he said.

Edited by Malcolm Foster. Updated to include comment from the Chinese Embassy.
One called State Trooper Anthony Nigro IV distraught.

Another said he looked somber.

Three of Nigros colleagues who testified at his manslaughter trial Friday in Erie County Court said he did not appear angry or frustrated in February 2022 after he fatally shot a motorist he had been pursuing in a chase that at times exceeded 100 mph.

Those troopers statements stood in contrast to how prosecutors with the state Attorney Generals Office painted Nigro in their opening statements a day earlier.

Hes one of the go-to troopers I would turn to if I needed a situation handled, said retired Sgt. David Schwing.

Nigro, 40, faces first- and second-degree manslaughter charges for the Feb. 12, 2022, fatal shooting of James Huber on East Eagle Street. Troopers engaged in a pursuit of Huber, 38, of North East, Pa., that began on the Thruway in Brant and continued onto the I-190 and into downtown.

State police called off the pursuit when Huber exited the northbound I-190 at Church Street. Nigro continued patrolling and followed Huber on city streets for several minutes before approaching Hubers stopped vehicle on East Eagle.

Nigro ordered Huber out of the car and tried pulling him out through his car window. Nigro fired twice as Hubers car accelerated backward.

Prosecutors called Nigros actions unnecessary and rooted in anger and frustration. Nigros defense attorneys say he was neither and his actions were justified because he believed his life was in danger because he could have been dragged or crushed by the vehicle.

Testimony in the trial began Thursday. The trial is expected to last a little more than a week.

Investigator Sherron Jones, the first witness to take the stand Friday, was a trooper on road patrol at the time of the chase and shooting 25 months ago.

During the pursuit, Jones deployed a tire-deflation device on the Thruway in Hamburg, but Huber drove onto the left shoulder to avoid driving over the Stinger spike strips in the left lane of the highway, he testified.

Hubers vehicle came with 7 feet of him as he stood on the side of the Thruway, Jones said.

Jones was the first trooper to get to the scene where Nigro shot Huber. Nigro told Jones he shot the driver, and, per protocol, Jones took possession of Nigros body-worn camera, Jones said.

Prosecutors played footage from Jones body-cam in court from the time when he got the order to set up spike strips to after he took Nigros body-cam.

Nigro was distraught and showing effects of having gone through trauma, Jones said on cross-examination by Andrew Quinn, one of Nigros attorneys.

Trooper Kenneth A. Flilpski, who was working in the commercial vehicle enforcement unit that day, sat with Nigro in his patrol car after the shooting.

Nigro looked somber, Filipski said.

Schwing, the retired sergeant, testified that he called Nigros cellphone after ordering troopers to terminate the pursuit over the police radio.

Schwing, who had been one of Nigros supervisors from 2015 until he retired last year, said he called Nigro because he anticipated having to complete a report due to the fact that Hubers car collided with Nigros during the pursuit.

While he was on the phone with Nigro, Nigro spotted Hubers car.

I gotta go, Schwing testified he was told by Nigro.

My response to that was, OK,  Schwing said.

On cross-examination, Schwing testified he called off the pursuit in part because he believed there was going to be some kind of protest downtown that day.

Schwing said he let Nigro get off the phone because he trusted him to handle the situation appropriately, following his training and reacting to how a situation unfolds.

How we live the trooper life, Schwing said.
For the first time, subscribers around the world can pay to watch North Korean state-run TV.

Called Shiwani TV, the service will livestream Korean Central Television from a pro-North Korean organization based in Poland called Chollima Front for 19 euros (US$21) a month, which includes radio as well.

The programs typically include propaganda about supreme leader Kim Jong Un or other top officials, bad news about other countries  thought to instill fear among North Koreans that the outside world is largely unsafe  and stories confirming the policies that the government wants to push.

For just radio service from the radio stations Korean Central Broadcasting and Voice of Korea, its 9 euros ($10) a month. The content will be digitized from their satellite and shortwave broadcasts and streamed online.

We will actually offer our service to everyone who pays for it, a representative of Shiwani TV told RFA Korean, asking not to be identified by name. We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality television, regardless of their location, political views, party or organizational affiliation, or contacts.

The service will be available worldwide, including in the United States as well as in South Korea, where it may run counter to national security laws and therefore be illegal to access  which the Shinwani TV official said shouldnt be a problem.

Technically illegal

In South Korea  its technically illegal to access content from North Korea, but [the laws] date back to 1948 before the internet era, the representative said. People arent prosecuted for private consumption of North Korean content these days.

Additionally, Shiwani TV is not under South Korean jurisdiction as it is based in Poland, the representative said.

The plan has the support of North Korean authorities, he said. The North Korean Embassy in Poland is aware of the plan and has reacted very positively, he added.

The service may fill gaps left by the closure in January of two North Korean state-run news websites, when Kim Jong Un called for a fundamental turnaround in its stance toward reunification, reversing its previous campaign to be reunified with the South.

The homepage of Shiwani TV, a paid subscription service that would stream North Korean state media, (RFA screenshot)

They are aware of the service, and their acknowledgment stems from the understanding that it has become increasingly difficult to find high-quality television recordings online since the closure of Korean websites uriminzokkiri.com, dprktoday.com, etc., the Shiwani TV official added.

The representative said the service will have no contractual relationship with North Korean authorities, the embassy, or any North Korean national, the organization will not pay video usage fees. He also said that the organization is confident it will meet its subscription goals, without elaborating what those goals were.

No one is interested

On its website, Chollima Front says it is an independent organization for the study of North Korean culture and its founding Juche ideology of self-reliance, regardless of politics. The organization says it fights against disinformation while sharing reliable news about North Korea.

Chollima Front has approximately 12 members, mostly Polish, but also includes Germans and Canadians.

Chollima Front is very small organization whose members are a few young Polish people with communist political views, a Polish North Korea and East Asia studies scholar, who requested anonymity for personal safety, told RFA, They are in touch with North Korean Embassy in Warsaw.

He emphasized that the organization does not have much influence.

No one in Poland is interested in North Korean culture, especially in comparison to South Korean culture, he said.

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to RFAs inquiry about whether it was aware of Shiwani TVs launch plan.

The Polish Embassy in the United States thanked RFA for the information regarding the launch of the service and said it has alerted the appropriate parties.

Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
Junta officials blamed the deaths on the Arakan Army, an ethnic rebel group seeking to capture Rakhine's capital.

Locals shelter as heavy artillery explodes in Sittwes Kathe and Aung Min Ga Lar neighborhoods, on Mar. 10, 2024.

Heavy artillery in Myanmars west killed seven people over the weekend, locals told Radio Free Asia.

After the ethnic rebel army captured a city only 24 kilometers (15 miles) from Rakhine states capital of Sittwe on Mar. 4, most residents fled as junta soldiers prepared for battle.

While the Arakan Army has not entered Sittwe, a shell explosion on Saturday night is responsible for the deaths and five additional injuries. All victims were Rohingya living between Sittwes Kathe and Aung Min Ga Lar neighborhoods.

A resident who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons told RFA on Sunday that five people were killed instantly, while two more died at Sittwe Hospital.

Five died on the spot at the beginning, and two died on Sunday morning, he said. The first five dead were a whole family.

The dead were sent to Sittwe Hospitals mortuary, locals said, adding that most of the injured were hit by shrapnel in the head and lower body.

The names and ages of victims could not be confirmed as telecommunication remains difficult to access in the area, but children and elderly women are among the casualties, residents said.

RFA contacted Rakhine states junta spokesperson Hla Thein for more information about the explosion, but he said that he didnt know anything about the attack.

Military-controlled newspapers claimed on Monday that the Arakan Army fired into Sittwes Kathe neighborhood, killing the seven civilians. RFA contacted Arakan Army officials for comment on this accusation, but did not receive a reply by the time of publication.

A man who identified himself as part of Sittwes Rohingya community told RFA on Sunday that the restrictions and travel ban imposed by the junta have been particularly harsh for those in the ethnic group, historically targeted by the Myanmar military.

Everyone is worried, he said, asking not to be named for fear of persecution. People dont know when and at what time a heavy weapon will fall, so people live with fear and anxiety.

Junta-affiliated police officers in Sittwe city, Rakhine state, taken on an unknown date. (RFA)





Junta troops arrived in Sittwes Kathe neighborhood a few hours after the explosion, he said, adding that security has been tightened and almost no one dares to walk freely around the area.

Despite allowing civilians to travel within Sittwe, those remaining in the capital have been told they are not allowed to leave, residents said.

Another Sittwe resident who also asked for anonymity told RFA he suspects the military juntas repeated attacks on civilians are intentional.

Heavy weapons have not just fallen once or twice, he said. I doubt that the heavy weapon firing had any purpose because they dropped shells in civilian neighborhoods, not a military target.

Locals claimed ammunition was fired from Sittwe-based Police Battalion No. 12, but RFA has not been able to independently verify this statement.

On Feb. 29, soldiers firing explosives into a crowded market in Sittwe killed 12 civilians and injured 18 more in what appeared to be another round of indiscriminate civilian attacks.

As of Feb. 18, renewed fighting in Rakhine between the military junta and Arakan Army has killed 111 civilians and injured 357 since it began on Nov. 13, 2023, according to a statement by the Arakan Army.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.
Meanwhile, conscription law is driving Burmese youth to flee to Thailand and Malaysia. We no longer feel safe, said one.

People who appear to be Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state undergo weapons training by junta military personnel on March 10, 2024.

Videos have emerged on social media in recent days that appear to show junta personnel providing military training to ethnic Muslim Rohingyas at a site in western Myanmars Rakhine state, amid reports of forced recruitment around the country.

On Feb. 10, the junta imposed a military draft law  officially called the Peoples Military Service Law  prompting civilians of fighting age to flee Myanmars cities. Many said they would rather leave the country or join anti-junta forces in remote border areas than serve in the military, which seized power in a 2021 coup detat.

The junta has sought to downplay the announcement, claiming that conscription wont go into effect until April, but RFA has received several reports indicating that forced recruitment is already under way.

Two videos emerged on Facebook over the weekend showing junta troops training a group of people wearing full military uniforms in the use of firearms and around 30 armed people wearing fatigues inside of a military vehicle. They were posted to the site with a description that identifies the subjects as Rohingyas.

A third video, posted on March 7, shows junta Rakhine State Security and Border Affairs Minister Co. Kyaw Thura visiting a warehouse where hundreds of people, believed to be Rohingyas, are seated in military attire.

RFA was unable to independently verify the content of the videos.

Reports suggest the junta has been forcibly recruiting Rohingyas in Rakhine in recent weeks, and residents told RFA Burmese that the video shows members of the ethnic group receiving training at a site in the north of the state, although they were unable to provide an exact location.

They said that junta personnel have detained and enlisted around 700 Rohingyas for military training from the Rakhine townships of Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Kyaukphyu, as well as the capital Sittwe, since the Feb. 10 announcement, with the goal of forming a militia.

In Kyaukphyu, the training has progressed to using firearms, said a resident who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

It is known that the current training phase involves firearms practice, the resident said Monday. Gunfire has been heard over the past two or three days, although the training regimen varies daily.

Many of the detainees are living at Kyaukphyus Kyauk Ta Lone camp for internally displaced persons, or IDPs, where on Feb. 29 junta authorities forcibly gathered 107 mostly ethnic-Rohingya Muslims between the ages of 18 and 35 at the camps food warehouse, after collecting their personal information.

Former military captain Nyi Thuta, who now advises the armed resistance as part of the anti-junta Civil Disobedience Movement, questioned why the military regime is forcibly recruiting the Rohingya when it has refused to grant them citizenship.

"These people are being coerced and manipulated in various ways into fighting to the death for the junta, which is facing defeat in [the civil] war, he said.

No way to escape

Some 1 million Rohingya refugees have been living in Bangladesh since 2017, when they were driven out of Myanmar by a military clearance operation. Another 630,000 living within Myanmar are designated stateless by the United Nations, including those who languish in camps and are restricted from moving freely in Rakhine state.

Rights campaigners say the junta is drafting Rohingya into military service to stoke ethnic tensions in Rakhine, while legal experts say the drive is unlawful, given that Myanmar has refused to recognize the Rohingya as one of the countrys ethnic groups and denied them citizenship for decades.

People who appear to be Rohingya Muslims ride in the back of a military vehicle, March 9, 2024. (Image from citizen journalist video)

Myanmars military is desperate for new recruits after suffering devastating losses on the battlefield to the ethnic Arakan Army, or AA, in Rakhine state. Since November, when the AA ended a ceasefire that had been in place since the coup, the military has surrendered Pauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Myay Pon and Taung Pyo townships in the state, as well as Paletwa township in neighboring Chin state.

On Feb. 28, the pro-junta New Light of Myanmar claimed that Rohingya had not been recruited for military service because they arent citizens. Attempts by RFA to reach Hla Thein, the juntas attorney general and spokesperson for Rakhine state, went unanswered Monday.

Nay San Lwin, a Rohingya activist, condemned the coercion of members of his ethnic group into military service as a war crime.

They wield power and resort to coercion and arrests, he said, adding that he believes the juntas goal is to obliterate the Rohingya community. I perceive this as part of a genocidal agenda."

Earlier this month, the shadow National Unity Government, or NUG  made up of former civilian leaders ousted in the coup  warned that Rohingya were being pressed into duty by the military because there is no way to escape.

Kachin youth fleeing recruitment

Meanwhile, residents of Kachin state said Monday that young people in the area are increasingly fleeing abroad or to areas controlled by the armed resistance to avoid military service. The draft law says males between the ages of 18 and 35 and females between 18 and 27 must serve in the military.

A draft-eligible resident of Kachins Myitkyina township said that he and others like him no longer feel safe in Myanmar.

Since the conscription law was announced, it has become quite difficult for us to realize our dreams, he said. It isnt even safe to go out to a restaurant. We feel threatened daily.

People stand in line to get visas at the embassy of Thailand in Yangon on Feb. 16, 2024. (AFP)

But even for those who have left the country, life can be difficult abroad.

A young Kachin named Ma La Bang who recently relocated to Thailand said he doesnt have a visa to stay in the country legally, and told RFA that people like him worry about being forced to return home.

"Young people living in Thailand without any visa feel insecure, and it is also difficult for them to get jobs, he said. They are struggling to get a visa and any legal status for residency right now.

La Sai, the chairman of the Kachin Refugee Committee in Malaysia, said that Kachin youths have been flooding the country since the conscription announcement.

Two weeks after the junta activated the conscription law, the number of people entering Malaysia from Kachin state has more than doubled, he said. This kind of migration is also taking place at [Myanmars] Thai and Indian borders.

Sacrificing their futures

Win Naing, a member of parliament for Kachins Moe Kaung township for the deposed National League for Democracy, said the future of Myanmars youth is being lost because of the law.

"The conscription law  has directly interfered with the opportunities of young people for education and employment, he said. The youth are being made to sacrifice their futures.

Myanmar military personnel participate in a parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw, March 27, 2021. (Reuters)

Junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun was quoted in pro-junta newspapers on Feb. 15 as saying that 50,000 soldiers will be recruited every year that the law is in effect.

Based on Myanmars 2019 interim census, at least 13 million people are eligible for military service. Those who refuse face five years in prison.

Translated by Kalyar Lwin and Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Tibetan flags were hoisted outside town halls in Europe and the United States.

Tibetans living in Taiwan and their supporters hold up Tibetan national flags and the portrait of the Dalai Lama during a march in Taipei, March 10, 2024. Tibetans living in Taiwan and their supporters hold up Tibetan national flags and the portrait of the Dalai Lama during a march in Taipei, March 10, 2024.

Thousands marched in rallies around the world on Sunday and more than 2,100 towns  mostly across Europe  hoisted the Tibetan flag to mark the 65th anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising against China.

March 10 commemorates the 1959 uprising against Chinese rule, when thousands were killed, and Tibetans have used the day to honor their courage, press China to stop its repression of Tibetans and voice their hope for a homeland where they can live freely.

In Dharamsala, India  home of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader  crowds listened to speeches and later marched through the hillside town, chanting and carrying banners and Tibetan flags, which are banned inside Tibet.

On a hot, sunny day in Victoria, Australia, dozens of Tibetan repeated the scene, walking along a city sidewalk, holding Tibetan flags and banners saying Free Tibet.

Marches also took place in Paris, Vienna, Geneva, New York, Toronto and Taipei.

And in Washington D.C., Tibetans from across the United States gathered to lobby lawmakers to pass the Resolve Tibet Act, which pressures the Chinese government to restart negotiations with the Dalai Lamas envoys or the democratically elected leaders of the Tibetan people.

The talks have been stalled since 2010. The bill passed in the House of Representatives on Feb. 15 and is now up for Senate approval.

Dam protests

Policymakers and activists also called on China to release the more than 1,000 Tibetans arrested in February for peacefully protesting the construction of a massive dam project on the Drichu River in Dege county, a Tibetan-populated area of Sichuan province.

A Tibetan youth with his face painted in the colors of the Tibetan flag attends a peace march during the 65th Tibetan National Uprising Day, in the suburb of McLeod Ganj near Dharamsala, India, March 10, 2024. (Sanjay Baid/AFP)

The project is expected to result in the forced resettlement of at least two major communities near the river and the submersion of at least six historical and religious significant monasteries.

It is only to be expected that we demand that all the innocent and peaceful Dege Tibetans who had been arrested be released immediately, said Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, when reading the bodys official statement.

The weekend rallies also marked the 35th anniversary of martial law imposed on March 5, 1989, and the anniversary of the peaceful protests that erupted across Tibet in 2008, said Sikyong Penpa Tsering, president of the Central Tibetan Administration, in the cabinets March 10 statement.

Since 2009, 157 Tibetans are known to have self-immolated for more freedom inside Tibet and for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, he said.

On this solemn occasion, we remember and offer our prayers in honor of our compatriots who have given their lives for the cause of Tibet, he said. We stand in solidarity with those who are still suffering under the brutal occupation of the Peoples Republic of China.

Flags raised, protest in New Delhi dispersed

In another way to recognize the day, more than 2,100 towns, municipalities, and counties around the world hoisted the Tibetan national flag.

In Europe alone, more than 800 Tibetan flags were raised outside state or town halls in the Czech Republic, 600-some in France and another 458 in Germany.

In the United States, Gov. Tony Evers of Wisconsin officially declared March 10 as Tibet Day in his state, while raising the Tibetan national flag at the Madison City-County building.

Flags were also hoisted in other parts of the country., including Boston and El Cerrito, Santa Barbara, Berkeley, and Richmond in California, East Rutherford in New Jersey and Burlington in Vermont.

Exile Tibetans carry flags and shout slogans as they participate in a rally to commemorate the anniversary of the 1959 uprising in Tibet, in Dharamsala, India, March 10, 2024. (Ashwini Bhatia/AP)

On Monday, 35 members of the Tibetan Youth Congress were arrested after holding a protest outside the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi, India.

Authorities grabbed demonstrators holding signs and Tibetan flags and carried them by their arms and legs to a green bus that drove them away. The arrested activists were charged with trying to storm the embassy and later released on bail late Monday.

The protest was meant to draw attention to human rights violations inside Tibet, Chinas use of boarding schools run only in Mandarin  threatening to erase the Tibetan language  the forced collection of DNA samples as a surveillance tool and arrest of dam protesters in Dege, said Gonpo Dhondup, president of the Tibetan Youth Congress.

Written by Tenzin Pema for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
Rights groups call on the Thai government to defy Chinas pressure and free them.

Detainees stand behind cell bars at the police Immigration Detention Center in central Bangkok on Jan. 21, 2019. More than 40 Uyghurs have been held for a decade.

After fleeing Chinas persecution and entering Thailand 10 years ago, more than 40 Uyghurs remain incarcerated in overcrowded detention centers for illegal entry without knowing their fate, their families and rights groups said at a weekend seminar.

They are among more than 500 Uyghurs who fled Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to Southeast Asian countries, according to Thai officials and NGOs. They hoped to be resettled in Turkey via Malaysia but only about 100 made their way through the red tape and intransigence of officials.

During the exodus from late 2013 to 2014, Thai immigration authorities arrested at least 475 Uyghurs  mostly on rubber plantations in Songkhla province  and detained them in March 2014, according to official figures.

Suspected Uyghurs are transported back to a detention facility in the town of Songkhla in southern Thailand after visiting women and children at a separate shelter March 26, 2014. (Reuters)





And the remaining Uyghurs have been held as illegal immigrants  not refugees  under poor living conditions in detention centers, unable to speak with outsiders, said an advisor to the countrys National Human Rights Commission, Rattikul Chansuriya, who contended that the Uyghurs could be in danger if repatriated to China.

The concerned authorities should urgently find appropriate third countries or other destinations for Uyghur detainees, she told the seminar in Bangkok on Saturday.

She made the same recommendation to Thailands civilian-led Srettha Thavisin government.

The concerned authorities should expedite the implementation of the regulations for the screening of aliens who cannot be returned to their country of origin due to potential danger, she said. This is an important mechanism to provide protection to asylum seekers, including Uyghurs.

Thailands foreign ministry had not responded to a request for comment on the Uyghurs by the time of publication.

Civilian government provides little hope

The life of Uyghurs under the then-government of Prayuth Chan-o-cha, a former army general who led the May 2014 coup, was harsh.

A month after the forced repatriation of 109 Uyghur men in July 2015, a bomb blast killed 20 people and injured more than 100 others at Bangkoks Erawan Shrine, frequented by Chinese tourists. Thai officials believed the attack was in retaliation for China blocking the transfer of Uyghur refugees to Turkey after Ankara accepted more than 170 Uyghur women and children.

At that time, the Turkish embassy in Bangkok said it was willing to accept all the Uyghurs, but China protested. Beijing has continued to closely monitor the status of the detainees, prompting Bangkok to prevaricate.

One Thai NGO said in spite of international pressure on Thailand it continues to be hard to persuade the government to release the Uyghurs.

The Uyghurs are a small group of people, [who] mean nothing. China keeps submitting letters to follow up on Uyghurs with the Thai foreign ministry every day, said Chalida Tajaroensuk, director of the Peoples Empowerment Foundation, a Thai NGO that assists Uyghur refugees in Thailand.

She said it was hard for NGOs and even for Thai officials to have access to the detainees, especially the two bomb suspects, because the government called the matter a top secret security issue.

An immigration detention center, where human rights activists believe that a group of Uyghurs are being detained, is pictured in the Sathorn area of Bangkok on Sept. 30, 2022. (AFP)





At least five Uyghurs died in detention, according to the Germany-based World Uyghur Congress.

The National Human Rights Commission advisor, Rattikul, said that Thailands Human Rights Commissioner would persist in advocating for various recommendations.

These include establishing a definitive timeline for third-country asylum, ensuring access to psychotherapy, enabling communication with outsiders, providing prompt notification in case of death, and improving detention facilities.

Additionally, the Commissioner is pushing for the authorities to identify a third country for asylum seekers and the implementation of a no repatriation policy when there is a potential danger. However, these recommendations have so far received no response from the Srettha administration.

I thought this government would have a more liberal policy, or a balanced policy on this matter or human rights issues in general but its disappointing. I still didnt hear anything about them upholding human rights issues in Thailand, she said.

Following nine years of a military-backed government, the ruling coalitions leading party Pheu Thai may not do much to improve the administrations human rights focus.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, whom the media dub a salesman for his economic focus, is seen by many political pundits as disregarding human rights.

But Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson said Srettha needs to stop buckling under Beijings pressure.

Thailand should say to China: Look, according to our law and international standards, we cant send them to you.

Waiting for his father

Speaking in an animated video at Saturdays seminar, a Turkey-based man whose father remains in a Bangkok cell said no one wanted to become a refugee but did it out of necessity. He said his family was longing to be reunited.

The man said his parents and siblings were detained in Thailand on March 14, 2014, before all-but-his-father were released for settlement in Turkey.

The most important man in our lives is missing ... We know where he is, but we cannot hug him, said the man, who wished to remain anonymous to protect his family.

His absence is the most visible wound in our soul.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
The Vietnam Committee on Human Rights made the call on International Womens Day.

The Paris-based Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR)  or Que Me  marked Fridays international womens day with a call for the release of all the countrys female prisoners of conscience.

More than 30 of Vietnams 200-plus political prisoners are women, the group said.

While the government claims these women threatened national security or caused harm to the nation, VCHR said the reality is that they were simply fighting for basic rights, social justice and a clean environment.

It said their arrests violated the Vietnamese constitution, national legislation and international human rights law.

By stifling these essential voices, Vietnam is not only violating its binding international commitments, but also jeopardizing its own future, VCHR Vice-President Vo Tran Nhat said.

A clean environment cannot be built without environmentalists, a society respectful of human rights cannot exist without human rights defenders.

VCHR cited the cases of eight women prisoners, including Nguyen Thuy Hanh who is being treated for cancer while in detention.

Hanh, who in 2016 ran for a seat in Vietnams National Assembly, was arrested in April 2021 on charges of anti-state propaganda, for allegedly disseminating materials against the state.

After a year of incarceration in a Hanoi prison, she was forced into treatment for depression at the Central Mental Institute in Hanoi. In January, her husband wrote on Facebook that her harsh treatment had made her condition much worse.

VCHR said that as a member of the U.N. Human Rights Council and a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Vietnam should respect its binding international commitments to respect human rights, including environmental and workers rights and end the arbitrary detention of activists.

The organization called on all U.N. member states to participate in Vietnam's fourth Universal Periodic Review in Geneva on May 7, 2024, to pressure Hanoi to release all human rights defenders, bloggers and environmental rights defenders from Vietnams prisons.

It said the international community needed to urge Vietnam to immediately abolish the provisions in the National Security chapter of the criminal law, especially articles 109, 117 and 331 used to arrest and detain individuals who assert their rights to freedom of speech, association, assembly and expression, and religion and belief.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.
A year after the arrest of Evan Gershkovich in Russia, the Wall Street Journal reporters family pledged to continue to fight for release from a Moscow prison where he is being held on espionage charges the White House and his employer say are fabricated.

Gershkovich became the first U.S. journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War when he was detained on March 29, 2023, by the Federal Security Service (FSB), which said he had been trying to obtain military secrets.

The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government have vehemently rejected the espionage charges, saying he was merely doing his job as an accredited reporter when he was arrested.

Gershkovich saw his detention extended to June 30 earlier this week by the Moscow City Court. The Kremlin said on March 29 it had no information on when the 32-year-olds trial will begin. If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in jail.

"We never anticipated this situation happening to our son and brother, let alone a full year with no certainty or clear path forward," his family said in a letter published by the Wall Street Journal on March 29 to mark the anniversary.

"But despite this long battle, we are still standing strong."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on March 29 that "to date, Russia has provided no evidence of wrongdoing for a simple reason: Evan did nothing wrong. Journalism is not a crime."

Born in the United States to Soviet emigres, Gershkovich reported from Russia for six years before being detained in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg.

Leon Panetta, former director of the CIA, said the United States must play a "tough game" with Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to get Gershkovich released.

"We have got to play a tough game with Putin to make sure hes not going to get away with this kind of game." Panetta said on Fox News.

Gershkovich will ultimately be released through a prisoner swap, Panetta predicted, saying the United States could "develop some leverage" for such a deal by arresting Russian spies in the United States "so that [Putin] has a reason to come to the bargaining table."

State Department spokesman Vedant Patel, also speaking on Fox News, said the United States engages daily with the "highest levels of the Russian government" in its effort to win Gershkovich's release, but he said it was "important not to talk about the deliberations in public."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has also stressed the importance of silence about any negotiations, but Wall Street Journal Associate Editor Paul Beckett, who is leading the newspapers efforts to free Gershkovich, said talks involving Gershkovich on any level keep his supporters optimistic that something can be done.

Russian authorities accuse Gershkovich of collecting state secrets about the military industrial complex at the behest of the U.S. government.

Wall Street Journal Associate Editor Paul Beckett, who is leading the newspapers efforts to free Gershkovich, told Current Time in an interview broadcast on March 29 that the reporter is holding up OK under very difficult circumstances.

He's in his cell for 23 hours a day. He has an hour outside in the courtyard, which is about the same size as his cell. So we've just been very grateful that he's been able to maintain his equilibrium, Beckett said of Gershkovichs incarceration in Moscows Lefortovo prison.

Beckett said that besides one hour of courtyard time per day, Gershkovich has been in constant correspondence with his family, including swapping lines from shows that they enjoyed together, and weekly meetings with his lawyers.

Earlier on March 28 in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked about reports of a possible prisoner exchange involving Gershkovich, and he stressed the importance of silence about any negotiations.

But Beckett said talks involving Gershkovich on any level keep his supporters "optimistic that something can be done."

Gershkovich is one of two American reporters currently being held by Russian authorities. The other is Alsu Kurmasheva, an RFE/RL journalist who holds dual Russian-American citizenship.

Kurmasheva, 47, was arrested in Kazan last October and charged with failing to register as a foreign agent under a punitive Russian law that targets journalists, civil society activists, and others. Shes also been charged with spreading falsehoods about the Russian military and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

RFE/RL and the U.S. government say the charges are reprisals for her work as a journalist for RFE/RL in Prague. She had traveled to Russia to visit and care for her elderly mother and was initially detained while waiting for her return flight on June 2 at Kazan airport, where her U.S. and Russian passports were confiscated.

Gershkovich has been designated as wrongfully detained by the U.S. government. Kurmasheva, however, has not despite pleas from RFE/RL and Kurmashevas family.

The Wall Street Journal on March 28 published a story about her detention and the difficulties her husband, Pavel Butorin, who also works for RFE/RL in Prague, and their two daughters, aged 12 and 15, have had without her and their efforts to have her designated as wrongfully detained.

The designation would mean her case would be assigned to the office of the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs in the State Department, raising the political profile of her situation and allowing the Biden administration to allocate more resources to securing her release. The designation currently applies only to Gershkovich and another American held in Russia, Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine and corporate security executive who is serving a 16-year prison sentence on espionage charges.

Other events being held to mark the one-year anniversary of Gershkovichs detention include a 24-hour read-a-thon of his work by his Wall Street Journal colleagues at the newspapers headquarters in New York and swimming events at Brighton Beaches in New Zealand, South African, Canada, the United States and Britain.

The beaches were chosen in recognition of his familys connection to Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York, which is home to a large Russian immigrant community. Gershkovich's parents emigrated from the Soviet Union, separately, in 1979.
Ukrainians hailed Mstyslav Chernov's 20 Days In Mariupol, a harrowing first-person account of the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that won the Academy Award for best documentary, saying they hope it "keeps other Mariupols" from happening.

Chernov, producer and editor Michelle Mizner, and producer Raney Aronson-Rath were presented with Oscar statues on March 10 after their film, a joint production by The Associated Press and the U.S. public broadcaster PBS, won Ukraine its first-ever Academy Award.

The film, which had already won a Pulitzer Prize, depicts the carnage of the first days of Russia's assault on the southern port city of Mariupol, which had a population of 400,000 before the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The city was reduced to rubble, with thousands of civilians dead and tens of thousands more who fled during and after a siege that ended in May 2022.

"Russia brutally attacked Mariupol over two years ago. The film 20 Days In Mariupol depicts the truth about Russian terrorism," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, adding the award "makes it possible to speak loudly about Russia's war against Ukraine."

The award comes as Ukrainian forces battle to repel Russian troops as the war grinds on more than two years later. Ukrainian troops made only slight gains during a much-anticipated counteroffensive last year, and with military aid and support slowing, Russia has made some incremental gains in recent weeks.

WATCH: RFE/RL spoke with Ukrainians in Kyiv to see how they felt about the country's first Oscar win.

Meanwhile, a $60 billion aid package in the United States, Ukraine's largest military backer, has been held up by political wrangling in Congress, where Republican lawmakers are inhibiting approval because they say they want deep changes to domestic border policy in exchange for their support.

Hours after Chernov and his co-workers took the stage to receive their Oscars, the city of Kharkiv, Chernov's hometown that lies about 350 kilometers to the north of Mariupol, along with the port city of Odesa and the nothern city of Sumy were targeted by barrages of Russian drones and shelling.

"Probably I will be the first director on this stage to say: I wish I'd never made this film," Chernov said as he accepted his Oscar at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

"I wish to be able to exchange this [for] Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities. I wish to give all the recognition (of winning an Oscar for) Russia not killing tens of thousands of my fellow Ukrainians. I wish for them to release all the hostages, all the soldiers who [were] protecting their land, all the civilians who are now in their jails but I cannot change history, I cannot change the past," he said.

"But we all together, you some of the most talented people in the world can make sure the history record is set straight and the truth will prevail and that the people of Mariupol and those who have given their lives will never be forgotten because cinema forms memories, and memories form history," he added.

The chief of Zelenskiy's office, Andriy Yermak, described the documentary's Oscar win as "important," saying it showed "the world the truth about Russia's crimes."

"Our film has broken the enemys propaganda. Justice always prevails. Many thanks to the whole team that worked on the film for reminding the whole world that the war goes on and the evil is still alive. And while it is still alive, other Mariupols may occur," Yermak wrote on Telegram.

Andriy Alferov, a Ukrainian director and cinema expert, told Current Time that the Oscar "will definitely attract a large audience" to the documentary, thus reminding the world of the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine.

"The film will explicitly explain to the audience what is happening in Ukraine much better than any news agencies or statements by politicians, who usually are restricted by the boundaries of political correctness. In that matter, the film is not restricted by any political correctness. The camera fixes only on what is in front of it: The really shocking footage it captures. This will reveal the anatomy of the current war that is going on in Ukraine," Alferov said.

Later during the awards ceremony, the film industry paid a brief tribute to late Russian opposition figure Aleksei Navalny, the subject of last year's Oscar-winning documentary, titled Navalny.

The staunch Kremlin critic died in one of Russia's harshest prisons in the Arctic last month.

With reporting by Current Time
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."
One day after her nanny was arrested as a fugitive with a different name, Leah Leochko still had a lot to process.

The woman that Leochko, her husband and four children knew as Julie Wilson was actually Lisa Noble, a Town of Tonawanda woman accused of stealing about $1 million over the last two years while working for Audiology Service Associates and later St. Amelia Church in Western New York.

Noble was arrested Friday by U.S. marshals at East Regional Library in Wake County, N.C., where she had gone by Julie Wilson and worked four months as a nanny  integrating herself as a trusted figure in a large family.

She was so solid, which makes it even more scary, Leochko said Saturday. She really knew what she was doing.

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn confirmed Friday that Noble had been taken into custody, but he could not confirm that she was under indictment. His office had no updates Saturday.

Wake County Mugshots Zone, a website that publishes mugshots and other information about people booked in the Wake County, N.C., jail listed the charges against Noble as grand larceny, forgery and false business records. Flynn declined to comment on those charges. Flynn said that Noble will be held in custody in Wake County until her arraignment. If she doesnt fight extradition, she will soon be brought back to Erie County.

Noble has been the subject of a manhunt by the U.S. Marshals Service and other police agencies for more than six months after she did not show up for two scheduled meetings last fall with the Erie County DAs Office about a possible plea deal regarding thefts from Audiology Service Associates and St. Amelias, her attorney said in February.

Woman accused of stealing $465K from church had served prison time after previous thefts Frustrated officials at St. Amelia Church say they hope a former business manager will be arrested soon in connection with the theft of $465,000 in church funds.

In 2009, using the name Lisa Prynn, Noble was sentenced to state prison for 18 months to three years for felony grand larceny after stealing from a drug treatment center in Lockport as well as three companies in other counties.

In the meantime, Leochko, who moved from Burlington, Ont., to North Carolina about 18 months ago, grapples with the startling realization of their nannys identity.

I never thought Id be housing a fugitive for four months, she continued, adding she feels traumatized and vulnerable. How wild can life get?

Looking back, there were suspicious signs, Leochko said, that preceded Nobles arrest by U.S. marshals at the library where she had taken two of Leochkos children.

Leochko said the nannys behavior had changed over the last couple of weeks. After recovering from a recent illness, Leochko recalls receiving a message from Noble from a new phone number. I fell while getting cold medicine, and my phone fell into a drain pipe, the nanny told her. Given that it was a dreary, rainy day, Leochko at the time did not think much of it.

Nobles work efforts changed, too. For several months she was generous with her time, spending an extra hour if asked and regularly taking Leochkos children on short excursions out of the house.

For the last few weeks, though, the woman showed less patience, left immediately after her shifts and embarked on fewer adventures with the kids outside the house.

Julie Wilson began a side hustle, too, occasionally walking a dog for one of their neighbors, a person they have not met who lived three houses away, said Leochkos husband, Garrett.

Id never seen anyone in that house, he said. He wonders now if the neighbor was an undercover police officer keeping Julie Wilson under surveillance as they tried to determine if she was Noble. He said he asked several U.S. marshals about that, and they chuckled.

With hindsight being 20/20, she knew someone was after her, Leah Leochko said. She probably felt pretty uncomfortable.

That was a remarkable contrast from Nobles first several months on the job. Described as a timely hard worker, Noble quickly earned the familys trust and the kids affection, said Leochko, who works in pharmaceuticals. Considering her last nanny had been absent often, Leochko thought this time she had gotten lucky by engaging on a Facebook group to find nannies. She was like a dream come true. She was paid about $1,700 every two weeks, by Venmo, Leochko said.

Their trust extended far. Noble drove the familys Ford Expedition Max, used the Leochkos debit card and knew their door code. I know Im pretty trusting, Leochko said, but none of my Spidey senses really went off.

Leochko does not believe Noble took any money from her family  as shes accused to have done from four former employers  despite the access. She said her children are sad Julie Wilson will no longer be their nanny.

Im glad I really treated her with kindness, Leochko said. She knew we appreciated her, we thanked her.

The generosity actually swung the other direction. Noble frequently bought presents for the four Leochko kids  including taking them and a relative to a Lego exhibition  brought an ornate cupcake-themed charcuterie board to Christmas dinner and had planned to take the Leochkos only daughter out for ice cream Saturday because her brothers were attending a birthday party and she felt left out.

Thats the good person in her, Leochko reflected Saturday, before quickly adding: I dont want to see her ever again.

Leochko knew little about Nobles background and personal life, aside from her claims that she grew up in an orphanage in New York City and left Buffalo to come to North Carolina. But she never dived deep into what she did, Leochkos husband said.

Noble had an affinity for Lululemon, Leochko said, and was vocal about her Bills fanhood. She changed her appearance regularly, Leochko said, including the length of her hair and its color  from pink to rainbow to natural brown. I never saw her without makeup or lashes done, she said.

Now that Noble has been arrested, her alleged victims want answers.

Dr. David T. Nelson, the former owner of Audiology Service Associates  from whom Noble is alleged to have stolen more than $500,000  still has questions about the timeline of the investigations of Noble. The News previously reported Nelson chose to shutter both locations of his business due to the theft.

Woman accused of theft from church stole more than $500,000 from Tonawanda business, ex-boss says A local audiologist alleged on Friday that Lisa Noble  who is accused of stealing $465,000 from St. Amelia Church as its business manager  stole from his Audiology Service Associates business when she was his business manager.

Jack Rogowski, Nelsons attorney, said Saturday that, while Nelson is not accusing Flynn of malfeasance, he wants to know why the case did not move forward after Nelson met with the district attorney Nov. 15, 2022, about two months after Noble was fired from the audiology business.

Four months after that meeting, Noble was hired in March 2023 at St. Amelias, from which she was fired six months later.

St. Amelia Church leaders said Saturday they await action by the Erie County District Attorneys Office and the Buffalo Diocese to make a statement. A diocese spokesperson deferred to the DAs office.

After her experience with Noble, Leochko feels sympathetic toward those affected by the alleged crimes  heightened by her positive experience growing up in the Catholic Church.
A foundation controlled by former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev paid at least $5 million for a 2021 documentary that sought to whitewash the authoritarian leader's image, an independent investigation has revealed.

Qazaq: History Of The Golden Man, a documentary produced by pro-Kremlin U.S. filmmaker Igor Lopatonok, centers around a lengthy interview with the long-serving Nazarbaev done by famous yet controversial U.S. film director Oliver Stone, who also made documentaries about Russian President Vladimir Putin, Cuban leader Fidel Castro, and Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez.

Nazarbaev, who ruled Kazakhstan with an iron fist for 30 years, speaks about his childhood, political career, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and Kazakhstan's formation as an independent state.

The documentary was criticized by many film experts and dubbed by one a "hagiographic ode" that became part of Nazarbaev's "ongoing cult of personality."

The documentary was released in 2021 both as an eight-part miniseries and feature film. It had been in the works since late 2019 -- after Nazarbaev had stepped down from the presidency, though he continued to enjoy enormous political clout in Kazakhstan.

According to an investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global network of investigative journalists, and the Kazakh-based media site Vlast.kz that was released on March 5 (From Nazarbaev To Lukashenka: Hollywood In The Service Of Dictators), Nazarbaev was personally involved in the making of the film.

"Nazarbaev would constantly edit the film, trying to improve [the depiction of] his image," a member of the film crew told OCCRP.

Nazarbaev was reportedly satisfied with the final cut of the film, the investigators said.

The Nazarbaev Fund -- a charity foundation established when Nazarbaev was in power in 2010 and chaired by daughter Darigha Nazarbaeva -- paid at least $5 million to Lopatonok and Stone, according to the investigation.

Lopatonok and Stone had previously denied any Kazakh government involvement in the project.

Neither Nazarbaev nor his daughter responded to the investigators' request for comment.

Lopatonok agreed to speak to OCCRP and Vlast, but he became increasingly angry during the video interview last month when quizzed by the journalists about the financing of his films. "We're going after you, personally. We know you. We're going after your sources," Lopatonok threatened them. "We're going to destroy you, your credibility."

In 2021, Lopatonok refused to respond to an RFE/RL correspondent's question about the financing of the Nazarbaev documentary, saying he would have no comment because RFE/RL was a "foreign agent."

Russia's so-called "foreign agents" law is used to label and punish government critics who receive money from abroad.

The Kazakh 'Template'

The documentary about Nazarbaev was shown on Kazakh state television just once, in December 2021.

The next month, the oil-rich Central Asian country saw bloody nationwide unrest, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets to protest former President Nazarbaev and what they saw as his legacy of social injustice, economic inequality, corruption, and a cult of personality.

Authorities say at least 238 people were killed when those demonstrations turned violent, with most of the protesters killed by state security services. The people's economic grievances were a key factor behind the protests, which started with a peaceful protest about a fuel price hike.

But many Kazakhs believe that a power struggle between the inner circles of Nazarbaev and his handpicked successor, President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, played a major role in stirring up the violence.

Following the protests, Toqaev's government sidelined Nazarbaev, his family, and his cronies from politics and business. Several of Nazarbaev's relatives and allies are now in prison.

Lopatonok and his team have since pitched similar films to other authoritarian leaders, including Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev and Belarus's Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the investigation revealed.

"The Kazakh film may have given Lopatonok a template for how to approach other dictators: They or people close to them would provide the funding, and he'd deliver a hagiography with high production value and a star interviewer [Stone] to boot," the journalists wrote.

The documents obtained by the investigators show that among the topics proposed for Stone's interview was Azerbaijan's "success" under the "dynastic rule" of the Aliyev family.

Aliyev, who came to power in 2003 by taking over the presidency from his late father, has been widely criticized for clamping down on his opponents, severely restricting civil liberties, and exploiting political power to enrich his own family. His wife serves as vice president.

In his pitch to Aliyev, Lopatonok wrote that the planned film would "have a unique positive impact on [the] publicity of [the] president and Azerbaijan." He added that the film about Aliyev would cost $15 million to produce. It's not known if Aliyev has responded to the proposals.

But Lopatonok's documentary about Lukashenka had already begun filming at locations across Belarus, including Lukashenka's childhood home. Lukashenka was to be interviewed in each location. But the work was halted after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Lopatonok, 56, was born in eastern Ukraine. He emigrated to the United States in 2008, where he started Grading Dimension Picture, a little-known Hollywood entity. Since acquiring U.S. citizenship, Lopatonok has often expressed staunchly pro-Kremlin views.

It's not clear how Lopatonok first encountered Stone, but they worked together on two films about Ukraine: Ukraine On Fire in 2016, followed by Revealing Ukraine in 2019.

The documentaries give a Moscow-friendly view of Ukraine's 2014 Euromaidan revolution that culminated in the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.

The 77-year-old Stone, a four-time Academy Award winner, has had his own share of controversies, including his 2017 work The Putin Interviews, which was described by The New York Times as "obsequious" and "embarrassingly generous" to the Russian leader.

Stone's close friendship and support for the controversial Venezuelan leader Chavez was also criticized.
Ukrainians reacted to 20 Days In Mariupol winning this year's Oscar for best documentary. The film by Ukrainian producer and journalist Mstyslav Chernov shows a shocking first-person account of Russia's brutal assault on the southern Ukrainian city in 2022. RFE/RL spoke with Ukrainians in Kyiv to see how they felt about the country's first Oscar win.
Late last week, managers at the Astrakhan Natural-Gas-Processing Plant handed workers leaflets with instructions on how to vote in Russia's March 15-17 presidential election, the Telegram channel Ostorozhno, Novosti reported.

According to the instructions, the plant's 5,000 workers will be sent text messages containing a link they are to open when they are at a polling station. The link will geolocate their phone and report to company management that they voted. Workers who don't receive the SMS are told instead to scan a QR code presented by a "person" at the polling station.

On March 7, the independent election-monitoring group Golos, which is banned in Russia, reported that the ruling United Russia party has created a project called GEO-SMS that aimed to "control the turnout of state-sector voters" such as medical workers, teachers, and employees at state enterprises.

The use of geolocation software to boost turnout is an innovation in this year's election, in which longtime President Vladimir Putin is set to secure a fifth term as president. It figures prominently in a leaked document that was posted on Telegram last month by opposition politician Olga Sidelnikova, a former administrative head of Moscow's Lomonosov district who now lives abroad.

The document appears to be a presentation of the Kremlin's election strategy for Udmurtia, a central region with a population of nearly 1.5 million. Sidelnikova declined to say how she obtained it, but added she had the original in her possession and had no doubt about its authenticity.

The 38-page set of presentation slides reveals "what 'elections' are in Russia," Sidelnikova wrote, adding that information coming from across the country, such as the Astrakhan report, indicates that "the story will undoubtedly be the same in the other regions."

Sergei Antonov, a political consultant from Udmurtia who now lives abroad, said he was certain Sidelnikova's leak is "a real document and that analogues have been issued in all the regions of Russia."

"On Friday [March 15], before 2 p.m., all state-sector workers have to send to the server a message with their geolocation turned on," Antonov said. "This is new technology. With each election, the system is perfected."

Getting Voters 'On Their Feet'

Elections under Putin have never been fairly conducted, monitoring groups and Kremlin critics say, with the state controlling resources from the police and the courts to election commissions, state media, and local governments. But the current campaign, which is being conducted amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a yearslong crackdown on dissent that has completely marginalized the opposition, is widely seen as the least competitive national vote in his nearly 25 years as president or prime minister.

Media reports and remarks by officials indicate the Kremlin intends to secure 80-85 percent of the vote for Putin, with a turnout of at least 70 percent. Analysts say Putin and his administration want to use the election to boost his legitimacy through the appearance of mass popular support for his rule, as well as for the war against Ukraine and for Russia's growing confrontation with the West.

Securing a high turnout was always a "weak spot" for the government, Sidelnikova said.

"Despite the innovations of recent years, such as the elimination of independent monitoring, the expansion of online voting, the control of election commissions at all levels, they still need people to show up at the polls," she told RFE/RL. "And controlling the turnout is not easy. It is, crudely speaking, their weak spot."

"They need people to actually get on their feet and go to the polls," she continued. "Once they get the turnout, they can produce whatever result they want, considering that there is no independent monitoring and the election commissions are completely controlled."

From internal evidence, it appears the document Sidelnikova obtained was presented to officials in Udmurtia not later than June 2023, at which point the planning for the presidential campaign was already apparently well under way. The document devotes considerable attention to the problem of raising the turnout from Udmurtia's typical figure of about 55 percent to the goal of 80 percent.

In addition to the geolocation software, the document calls for the "mobilization" of voters through United Russia party offices and the efforts of municipal administrations and local lawmakers. It instructs municipal administrations to "control the turnout through their representatives" on the polling station commissions.

Antonov said United Russia intended to "increase the base-level turnout by means of administrative resources -- mobilizing workers, holding various competitions and patriotic events."

However, he added, the party is often handicapped in its ability to carry out such plans by a general lack of enthusiasm at its lower levels.

"When it comes to carrying out such ideas, it turns out that in local party cells there are people who really don't do anything or people who have been pressured to be there," he said.

'Project Purge'

The leaked document also details the Kremlin's efforts to "control public opinion," including expanded social-media efforts. The Putin campaign will, the document says, constantly monitor social-media chats and discussion groups with the goal of controlling negative information and discrediting opposition initiatives.

The document includes points such as "the filming and compiling of useful content," "counterwork against any actions of protest that arise," "the creation and distribution of countercontent," and "the preparation and distribution of memes, fakes, long reads, investigative films, and so on." It also includes Project Purge, which aims to identify and "quickly eliminate" all "opposition agitational-propaganda material" from the Internet.

The government has also been creating "territorial public self-government organizations" (TOS), made of government-friendly activists, from which it has recruited "independent" election monitors.

They are "pseudo-public pseudo-monitors," Antonov said of the 4,500 monitors the government plans to deploy in the region.

"Their task is not to allow any 'provocations' or 'fakes,'" he said. "That means they will always say that there were no violations. If they have to give an interview, that is what they will say. That is the way they are instructed. During the election of the head of Udmurtia [in September 2022], they didnt uncover a single violation.*

According to the document, Putin's campaign effort in Udmurtia is headed personally by regional head Aleksandr Brechalov, who has also headed the regional branch of United Russia since July 2020. His chief of staff, Aleksandr Zhuravlyov, is one of his deputies in the campaign, in charge of "organization." The other two deputies are Udmurtia deputy head Roman Yefimov, in charge of finances, and Udmurtia regional Election Commission head Svetlana Palchik, in charge of coordinating the work of polling stations and "party mobilization."

The campaign structure outlined in the leaked document, Antonov said, "de facto duplicates the structure of the government of Udmurtia."

"Elections in Putin's Russia have been brought to their logical perfection," he added, "and will be held according to the pattern of the U.S.S.R. -- without choices, with a single candidate."

*CORRECTION: A previous version of this article contained an incorrect reference to the date of the election. It was September 2022, not September 2017.

Robert Coalson contributed to this report
Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods.

I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm looking at the latest developments concerning EU enlargement and what it means for Bosnia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia.

Brief #1: Ukraine, Moldova, Bosnia: How Their EU Membership Bids Are Stacking Up

What You Need To Know: In December 2023, European Union leaders made the historic decision to open EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. But two months into 2024, the negotiations have not yet started as fears still exist of going too fast too soon -- notably with Kyiv -- especially ahead of June's European Parliament elections.

And as Ukraine's and Moldova's enlargement journeys are connected, this of course applies to Chisinau as well. Most pressing are the negotiation frameworks that the European Commission, the executive branch of the EU, needs to adopt for both Ukraine and Moldova. Those two countries also have a "midterm" assessment, along with Bosnia-Herzegovina. The commission is due to deliver all these reports to EU member states on March 12. A more comprehensive report on all EU candidate countries in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe is due at the end of October.

Deep Background: The easiest way to unpack all of this is to revisit the December 2023 summit conclusions that the 27 EU heads of state agreed on regarding enlargement. The conclusions state that "the European Council decides to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and with the Republic of Moldova. The European Council invites the council to adopt the respective negotiating frameworks once the relevant steps set out in the respective commission recommendations of November 8, 2023, are taken."

"Relevant steps" for Ukraine and Moldova normally means issues related to the rule of law in those countries. While Kyiv and Chisinau are working to address the issues, the question of whether they have satisfactorily resolved them is open to interpretation. It is the European Commission's job to decide and issue a recommendation. Then it's up to the EU member states to decide.

This is where Bosnia also comes into the picture. And again, it's worth looking back at those EU summit conclusions: "The European Council will open accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina, once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved. It invites the commission to report to the council on progress at the latest in March 2024, with a view to making a decision."

Drilling Down

Bosnia is one step behind Ukraine and Moldova, as the opening of talks is conditional on the country completing a number of reforms spelled out in the European Commission's enlargement report in November 2023.

Some of Bosnia's biggest supporters in the EU -- Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia -- want Bosnia's candidacy to be tied to Ukraine and Moldova. So far, those supporters have used their potential vetoes on accepting Ukraine and Moldova into the bloc in order to secure a green light for Sarajevo. Not everyone feels the same about Bosnia. There are plenty of officials from the EU and EU member states who think that Bosnia is less deserving than the two Eastern European countries.

The issue is coming to the fore, as EU leaders have explicitly asked for a European Commission report on the progress Bosnia has (or hasn't) made by the end of March at the latest. That's a requirement that neither Moldova nor Ukraine have. The most likely scenario is that the European Commission will deliver a written report on Bosnia but only give oral assessments on Ukraine and Moldova.

EU leaders will assemble again for a summit in Brussels on March 21-22. From speaking to officials and diplomats, my understanding is that Germany and France don't want the summit to be about enlargement, instead preferring to focus on how to arm Ukraine. So those assessments might be something of a damp squib.

Another distinct possibility, from speaking to my sources, is that Germany and others would prefer that no enlargement decisions be made before the European Parliament elections in June. The justification stems from the concern that populist parties around the continent would increase their support by inciting alarm about Ukraine's impending EU membership.

That would be bad news for Ukraine and Kyiv's biggest supporters, notably the three Baltic states and Poland. They were hoping that a symbolic intergovernmental conference, marking the opening of talks with Ukraine (and Moldova), could be held in March.

This would mean a decision is pushed back to the end of June, after the European elections. Leaders of the 27 member states are planning to hold two summits in Brussels in June chiefly with the aim of selecting new European Commission and European Council presidents but also to potentially discuss and decide on enlargement.

A June date would also give Ukraine and Moldova a few more months to complete the necessary reforms. In Moldova, for example, the EU-required vetting of judges is expected to drag on well into May.

But what about the negotiation frameworks mentioned in the December 2023 summit conclusions? Each framework is a roughly 20-page document outlining the main negotiation chapters -- for example, agriculture, taxation, or home affairs -- and what each candidate needs to do to comply with EU laws.

Normally, the frameworks are just an overview, without any controversial political elements. And while they are country-specific, the chapters will be essentially the same as those negotiated by Albania and North Macedonia, who were both given the go-ahead to start accession talks back in 2022.

The European Commission is currently working on drafts of the frameworks, and, when visiting Kyiv in February, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that they will be ready in mid-March. That's the easy part. The hard part is getting agreement and sign-off from all the members of the EU.

Brief #2: With Hungary And Georgia, A Complex Picture Gets Even More Complex

What You Need To Know: The already complex enlargement picture gets even muddier when it comes to Georgia and Hungary. More so, as the Hungarian European commissioner, Oliver Varhelyi, is also in charge of the bloc's enlargement negotiations.

On July 1, Hungary takes over the rotating six-month presidency of the European Council, which defines the political direction and priorities of the EU. Given Budapest's open skepticism of Ukraine's EU membership bid -- starkly illustrated in December 2023, when Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had to leave the room while others voted to open membership talks with the war-ravaged country -- Kyiv might not see much progress in the second half of 2024.

Deep Background: EU officials and diplomats are broadly split into two camps. Some believe Hungary will act as a spoiler on anything Ukrainian and that every decision related to Kyiv will have to be made prior to July 1 -- or instead have to wait until Poland takes over the rotating presidency from Hungary on January 1, 2025.

The second camp is more optimistic and believes that Hungary will take a more moderate position during its presidency, given that the country must appear to be a neutral, honest broker for those six months. The optimists have also noted that if Budapest did want to spoil things, it could do so at any time, presidency or not.

My guess is that the intergovernmental conference will be held with Moldova and Ukraine in June. It's unlikely, but who knows, maybe even Bosnia will get one as well.

In this context, it is worth mentioning Varhelyi, who, despite the fact that he officially works for the European Commission, seems to be very aligned with the Orban government's thinking on enlargement. Case in point: screening. This is when European Commission officials sit down with their counterparts, in this case from Ukraine and Moldova, and go through policy field after policy field to determine how EU rules and regulations would be transposed into national law.

The screening is the meat on the negotiation framework's bones. Diplomats from EU member states expressed surprise when they learned in January that the screening with Ukraine and Moldova hadn't started immediately after EU leaders made the decision in December 2023. In fact, the screening still hasn't started, although both Ukrainian and Moldovan officials have claimed the opposite.

Quite why it has dragged on is unclear. One explanation is that Varhelyi didn't want to start the process until he got an explicit green light from EU member states to do so, whereas officials from other EU member states claimed that such a technical move didn't need to be signed off on by national capitals and that the European Commission was capable of taking such a step itself. So far, so Brussels.

Drilling Down

So where does Georgia fit into all of this? You may remember that the South Caucasus country got candidate status from EU leaders at that same December 2023 summit that Moldova and Ukraine got a green light to open accession talks. This means that Tbilisi is at least one step behind the pair.

This could mean Hungary will get involved, especially if its past record is anything to go by. Take the EU-Georgia Association Council, which took place in Brussels in February. Normally, this is a fairly low-profile event, where Brussels and Tbilisi compare notes on various political developments. This time, though, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze was there, along with the bloc's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, and Varhelyi.

EU member states tend to not even send their EU ambassadors to such things, instead deploying their designated desk officers. However, at the EU-Georgia Association Council, Hungary was represented by none other than Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.

While the Georgian and Hungarian governments have cultivated close political ties, sending Szijjarto was an extraordinary gesture. It shows just how hard Hungary is lobbying for Georgia's membership, with some reports indicating that Budapest is trying to move the timeline forward and even pushing for an intergovernmental conference with Tbilisi before the end of the year.

Looking Ahead

Ambassadors from EU member states are set to green-light another set of sanctions when they meet in Brussels on March 13. This time it concerns asset freezes and visa bans on around 35 people and entities that the bloc considers directly responsible for the death of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny in a Siberian prison last month.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will present his annual report for 2023 the following day, on March 14. There will be a lot about the war in Ukraine and how prepared the military alliance is in case Russia were to attack any of its members. The report is also set to include new figures on how much the 31 allies have spent on defense in the past 12 months.

That's all for this week. Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on X @RikardJozwiak or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org.

Until next time,

Rikard Jozwiak

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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
High Court reporters

A retired man has secured permission from the High Court to challenge the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman's refusal to investigate his complaint over loans he claims he was mis-sold by AIB.

Martin Mahoney claims the ombudsman's decision not to investigate his 2021 complaint, on the basis that it is outside the respondent's jurisdiction, is unlawful and should be overturned.

His complaint to the ombudsman arises from loans acquired in 2005, for 160,000 for 20 years and in 2008 for 30,000 for 17 years, by Mr Mahoney from AIB.

Mr Mahoneym from Corish Park, Wexford, was in his late 40s when he took out those loans.

The monies were borrowed for purposes including the acquisition of his family home, to refinance short-term debt, to refinance existing loans and are on course to be fully paid by 2025.

The core issue of his 2021 complaint to the ombudsman is his allegation that he was mis-sold the loans by the bank, which he contends were inappropriate and unsuitable for him.

He claims that because the loans were due to expire six years after he reached his mandatory retirement date, they were contrary to EU consumer law and an EU directive on unfair terms in consumer contracts.

He claims that following a preliminary opinion of his complaint, the ombudsman said in March 2023 that it could not investigate his complaint because he had alleged fraud against the bank. As a result, he claims that he withdrew the claim of fraud.

Jurisdiction

However, last November, the ombudsman said it did not have the jurisdiction to investigate his complaint, and that the complaint had been brought outside the allowed time limits.

Represented by Gary McCarthy SC, Andrew Walker SC and Brendan Hennessy Bl, Mr Mahoney seeks orders from the court quashing the ombudsman's decision, and that the respondent be made to consider and determine his complaint.

The action has been brought on grounds including the respondent has failed to have regard for the binding requirements of EU law on unfair terms, and is entitled to determine complaints involving allegations of breaches of the relevant directive.

The refusal to investigate the complaint is "entirely at odds with previous decisions made by the respondent, and is unfair, the plaintiff claims.

The refusal is also irrational, and unreasonable, it is alleged.

Allied Irish Bank (AIB) PLC is a notice party to the action.

The matter came before Ms Justice Niamh Hyland on Monday, who granted the plaintiff permission on an ex-parte basis to bring his action against the ombudsman.

The matter will return before the court in April.
Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

President Michael D Higgins has issued a strong statement condemning the propaganda campaign against the United Nations over Gaza as a scandalous travesty.

Michael D Higgins urged countries to follow Irelands lead and increase aid funding to the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

Ireland has pledged 20 million extra in support for UNRWA after several countries, including the UK, paused funding for the relief agency while an investigation takes place after allegations emerged in January.

Israel has claimed that 12 staff members of UNRWA, which provides essential services including healthcare and education in Gaza, were involved in the October 7th attacks by Hamas.

UNRWA commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini said the aid agency had lost out on $450 million in the wake of the allegations.

On Monday, as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins, Mr Higgins urged every country to do all in its power to avoid the most extreme humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

Statement by President Higgins on current situation in Gaza https://t.co/wxPCGJC8T3  President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 11, 2024

The situation we are now witnessing in Gaza is one from which the global public must not be distracted or avert its gaze, he said in a statement.

It is a matter of life and death. The blockading of food and aid must immediately be stopped.

Vital essential medicines and sources of energy must be provided to what is left of the hospitals in Gaza.

Aid that could be delivered immediately is scandalously being blocked and those responsible for doing so must take responsibility for the deaths that are ensuing.

Those countries, and they include some of the strongest economies in the world, who have removed over $450 million from the UNRWA budget must take account of what is now being shown on the television screens of the world for all to see  infant children dying from lack of oxygen, many more dying from malnutrition and all of this set to escalate.

The recent decisions made by Canada and Sweden to rescind a previous decision and resume aid to UNRWA are to be welcomed, as is the recent announcement by the European Commission that it will immediately disburse 50 million in funding.

Given the depth of what the people of Gaza are now facing, and what is so clear to all concerned, others should now follow such a lead. May I also urge all countries to emulate Irelands example in increasing its aid at this time to this most vital United Nations agency.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin and UNRWA commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini. Photo: Cate McCurry/PA.

Mr Higgins also urged UN countries to take notice of a statement by Mr Lazzarini, that there has been little less than a campaign against UNRWA.

It is a campaign which could have the effect of undermining the role of the UN in the present circumstances and in relation to the future of Gaza, Mr Higgins said.

His plea for help deserves the support of all who believe in the United Nations.

The releasing of a propaganda campaign against the United Nations is a scandalous travesty against the little less than heroic efforts of all those involved on the front line in Gaza  medical staff, those working to supply nutrition and aid in the most trying of circumstances, and those other dedicated professionals in UNRWA who have lost more than 160 of their colleagues.

He added: The world has been warned by those on the ground, and by those at the highest level, including the Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, about the implications of an extension of the military campaign into Rafah.

No-one now or in the future can say they didnt know what the consequences of inaction would be. This is something that has been emphasised by, among others, the president of the United States.

It is time for the world to put an end to this loss of life, to remember our shared humanity, listen to the peacemakers and commit all of its efforts to bringing this crisis to an end and ensuring an appropriate long-term settlement is reached.
Police Refutes Claims Related to Threats to Shehnaaz Gill's Father

The police have declared his claims

Shehnaaz Gill Father Santokh Singh Threat News: The police have countered the allegations made by Santokh Singh Gill, the father of Shehnaaz Gill, regarding threatening phone calls and demands for payment. In a video shared on social media, Santokh Singh asserted that he had received a threat from a foreign number, demanding a sum of Rs 50 lakh as a ransom. Allegedly, the caller warned of harm to both Santokh Singh and his daughter Shehnaaz if the demanded money was not paid.

However, the police have refuted these claims, stating that they have found no evidence to support Santokh Singh's claims. They assert that Santokh Singh has a history of misusing police protection and has been involved in criminal cases in the past. Moreover, they highlight that he previously received police protection due to his position as the president of an organization, but he capitalize on this privilege for personal reasons.

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Opposite to Santokh Singh's allegations, the police maintain that there is no substance to his claims of receiving threats from a foreign number. They dismiss his assertions as an attempt to manipulate the situation and gain police protection through deceitful means.

Santokh Singh had alleged that the caller identified themselves as being from Pakistan and threatened violence against him and his daughter. It was also said that the person who threatened them that they will also be shot in the same way. Santokh Singh said that he has demanded justice from the police many times, but he is not heard. But now the police have declared his claims false.

(For more news apart from Shehnaaz Gill Father Santokh Singh Threat News, Stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
What is CAA law, Citizenship Amendment Act?

Citizenship Amendment Act

What is CAA law, Citizenship Amendment Act? It was on December 11, 2019 when Rajya Sabha had passed the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act with as many as 125 votes in favour of it and 99 against it. On December 9, 2019, the CAB Bill was tabled and passed in the Lok Sabha during the Parliament's Winter Session. The then President Ram Nath Kovind had signed the same on December 12.



What is Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019



The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 seeks to fast-track the citizenship for persecuted minority groups in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The six minority groups specifically identified are Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis. It aims to change the definition of illegal migrants. However, it doesnt have a provision for Muslim sections like Shias and Ahmedis who also face persecution in Pakistan.



The beneficiaries of Citizenship Amendment Bill can reside in any state of the country while the burden of those persecuted migrants will be shared by the whole country.



Currently, the Constitution of India provides for citizenship by naturalisation  for those who have lived in India for the past 12 months and for 11 of the past 14 years. Besides, it also provides for people whose parents or grandparents were born in India to become Indian citizens.



Who are illegal immigrants from India perspective?



As per the Citizenship Act, 1955, an illegal immigrant is the one who enters the country with fake or forged documents and/or does not have a valid passport. Anyone who stays beyond the visa permit is also referred to as an illegal immigrant.
PM Modi govt notifies Citizenship Amendment Act today, say sources

It was on December 11, 2019, when Rajya Sabha passed the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

CAA law, Citizenship Amendment Act, Notification News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the nation and issued a notification related to the Citizenship Amendment Act.

It was on December 11, 2019, when Rajya Sabha passed the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act with as many as 125 votes in favour of it and 99 against it.

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On December 9, 2019, the CAB Bill was tabled and passed in the Lok Sabha during the Parliament's Winter Session. The then President Ram Nath Kovind had signed the same on December 12.



What is the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019



The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 seeks to fast-track the citizenship for persecuted minority groups in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The six minority groups specifically identified are Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis. It aims to change the definition of illegal migrants. However, it doesnt have a provision for Muslim sections like Shias and Ahmedis who also face persecution in Pakistan.



The beneficiaries of the Citizenship Amendment Bill can reside in any state of the country while the burden of those persecuted migrants will be shared by the whole country.



Currently, the Constitution of India provides for citizenship by naturalisation  for those who have lived in India for the past 12 months and 11 of the past 14 years. Besides, it also provides for people whose parents or grandparents were born in India to become Indian citizens.



Who are illegal immigrants from an Indian perspective?



As per the Citizenship Act, of 1955, an illegal immigrant is the one who enters the country with fake or forged documents and/or does not have a valid passport. Anyone who stays beyond the visa permit is also referred to as an illegal immigrant.
OpenAI Chief executive Officer Sam Altman is rejoining its Board of Directors after an independent Special Committee investigation on his last year's firing found that his conduct did not mandate removal.

The developer of highly popular generative AI chatbot ChatGPT further announced three new members to the Board, including Sue Desmond-Hellmann, former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nicole Seligman, former EVP and General Counsel at Sony Corp. and Fidji Simo, CEO and Chair of Instacart.

Altman in November last year was ousted from the Board and as CEO of the artificial intelligence startup he co-founded saying that the CEO was not consistently candid in his communications. After Altman's exit, OpenAI's President and co-founder Greg Brockman also left the company in protest.

Following this, majority of OpenAI employees also threatened to quit if Altman was not reinstated.

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft Corp., OpenAI's largest investor, then had informed that he was not given any explanation. Nadella also said then that Altman and Brockman, together with colleagues, would be joining the tech major to lead its new advanced AI research team.

However, after few days, Altman was reinstated to the company chief role.

Following these incidents, a Special Committee of the OpenAI Board conducted a review of the events concerning the removal of Altman and Brockman from the OpenAI Board and Altman's termination as CEO. The review included interviews with OpenAI's prior Board members and OpenAI executives and employees, among others.

The investigation found that there was a breakdown in trust between the prior Board and Altman that precipitated the events of November 17. It was also found that the prior Board's decision did not arise out of concerns regarding product safety or security, the pace of development, OpenAI's finances, or its statements to investors, customers, or partners. Instead, it was a consequence of a breakdown in the relationship and loss of trust between the prior Board and Altman.

WilmerHale, which conducted the investigation, found the prior Board implemented its decision on an abridged timeframe, without advance notice to key stakeholders, and without a full inquiry or an opportunity for Altman to address the prior Board's concerns.

WilmerHale found that the prior Board acted within its broad discretion to terminate Altman, but also found that his conduct did not mandate removal.

With the conclusion of the review and following the recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board now expressed its full confidence in Altman and Brockman's ongoing leadership of OpenAI and to endorse the November 21 decision to rehire Altman and Brockman.

Bret Taylor, Chair of the OpenAI Board, said, "We have unanimously concluded that Sam and Greg are the right leaders for OpenAI."

The Board already includes members Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers and Taylor, who were appointed in November last year.

Taylor added that the expanded board will prioritize its crucial work to enhance the governance procedures to best achieve OpenAI's mission. "We recognize the magnitude of our role in stewarding transformative technologies for the global good," he said.

The latest news comes as billionaire Elon Musk, who was the founding member of OpenAI, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Altman alleging that the firm is developing AI for profitability instead of its foundational mission of utilizing it for the benefit of humankind.

OpenAI responded to Musk's lawsuit by publishing the latter's emails acknowledging that it needs to raise a ton of money to fulfil its AI missions. As per the published emails, Musk argued with OpenAI executives to find different sources of revenue in order to be a successful generative AI platform.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
A federal judge in Texas has blocked a rule by the U.S. National Labor Relations Board or NLRB, which would have expanded the definition of employers to include franchise and contract workers, requiring them to bargain with unions of those workers.

The contested rule states that the companies would be considered joint employers if they exert control, directly or indirectly, over the significant aspects of workers' condition, such as wages and benefits, hiring, work scheduling and work assignment.

US District Judge J. Campbell Barker of the Eastern District of Texas defined the rule as overly broad and contrary to law. He stated that the rule would classify some companies as employers of contract and franchise workers, even if they do not possess control over their working conditions.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which had led the lawsuit against the rule, called the verdict "a major legal victory for American businesses of all sizes, including franchises and contractors, employers and workers."

Notably, manufacturing and construction industries, and franchisers such as McDonald's, Burger King, and Dunkin' Donuts would have been affected gravely due to the joint-employers rule.

"This ruling is a major win for employers and workers who don't want their decisions micromanaged by the NLRB," U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne Clark commented. "It will prevent businesses from facing new liabilities related to workplaces they don't control and workers they don't actually employ."

Meanwhile, NLRB Chairman Lauren McFerran stated that the decision was "a disappointing setback, but is not the last word on our efforts to return our joint-employer standard to the common law principles that have been endorsed by other courts. The Agency is reviewing the decision and actively considering next steps in this case."

The NLRB is expected to file an appeal against the ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

The rule supposed to come into effect from March 11, was issued on October 26, 2023, by the labor board to determine whether two or more employers are joint employers of particular employees within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act.

"Under the new standard, an entity may be considered a joint employer of a group of employees if each entity has an employment relationship with the employees and they share or co-determine one or more of the employees' essential terms and conditions of employment," the NLRB said in October.

Within weeks of the announcement, the new rule was challenged by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a coalition of business groups, who called the newly-issued joint-employer rule unlawful and filed a lawsuit to strike it down stating it as arbitrary and capricious.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Two women have been appointed to fill the posts of Buffalo city historian and poet laureate.

Lindsey Lauren Visser, 32, was named Monday as the first female city historian and Aitina Fareed-Cooke, 37, as the citys second poet laureate.

Both women are exceptional in their commitment to our great city, Mayor Byron Brown said in making the announcement at City Hall.

Both unpaid positions are for one year and can be extended an additional year.

Fareed-Cooke has a media arts company, Get Fokusd Productions, and is a rapper and lyricist who performs under the name A.I. the Anomaly. She was a featured artist on Lecrae Moores Church Clothes 4 album that won a Grammy for best contemporary Christian album this year.

She also co-curated the 2022 exhibition In These Truths at Albright-Knox Northland.

Overall, Im a creative arts strategist, within multiple mediums, Fareed-Cooke said. My main aspiration is to ignite thought and expand perspective through the creative arts. This position is another opportunity to do that.

Visser has a head full of ideas to bring Buffalos rich history to life. Shell now have the chance to put them into practice.

Buffalo plays such a key role in so many major moments, and there is so much to tell, she said. We know some of the greatest hits  the major people, the big things  but thats just the surface, even just the tiniest little piece of the surface.

There is a stretch from 1880 to 1920, for instance, that no matter what is going on nationally there is some tie to Buffalo, she said.

Big time for history

Her appointment comes with weighty historical markers on the horizon  the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal in 2025, the 250th anniversaries of both New York State and the United States in 2026, and the 200th anniversary of Emancipation Day in 2027 after slavery was outlawed in New York State.

Visser holds a bachelors degree in history from Canisius College and a masters in modern British and European history from the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. She is pursuing a second masters degree in education leadership at Harvard University, and serves on the boards of the Buffalo Presidential Center and the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village.

The city appointment comes as Visser begins a new job this month as executive director of the Niagara Aerospace Museum. She was previously executive director at the Italian Cultural Center, and held several positions at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site before that.

Every municipality and county is required to have a historian to help with record-keeping and ensure archives are maintained and preserved, according to the New York State Constitution. Vissers appointment follows years of the unpaid position being unfilled.

Common background

Doug Kohler, a history teacher at Clarence Middle School and the historian for Erie County, praised Vissers appointment.

The goal of the municipal historian is to put history in front of the public, and Lindsey has exactly the right skill set for the city, Kohler said. I think she will be phenomenal in that job, bringing dynamism and social media awareness that will really energize people for the big events coming up.

Visser was born in the University District, lived in Cheektowaga and Williamsville and graduated from Mount Saint Mary Academy in Kenmore. She also spent time in the Italian section of east Lovejoy, where her grandmother lived and her mother grew up.

Visser, part Dutch and part Italian, said her family history is not unlike many in Buffalo whose descendants lived in pocket communities of immigrant groups, settling where they did in part because of work the Erie Canal made possible.

My family came to Lovejoy to work in the steel plants and they were here because of the canal, she said. So for someone who thinks what happened is completely irrelevant, this event with the canal from 200 years ago is actually the reason why you grew up where you grew up, and why your city looks the way it looks.

Too often, Visser said, history is taught backwards.

Instead of approaching history like the dawn of time is the beginning and the present is the end, we expect people to have a higher threshold and we turn people off before we turn them on, she said.

Visser credits a stint serving in AmeriCorps teaching history to middle-schoolers at Elmwood Village Charter School for her approach to talking about history.

I realized the way we taught social studies was kind of clinical and detached, and it wasnt really resonating with students, Visser said. But when we made it fun and engaging, the kids just took to it.

She looks forward to speaking in schools and museums to share her appreciation for history and instill that in others.

I want to live in a world in which Im confident that the next generation coming up understands their role in shaping our future, Visser said.

A multifaceted poet

Fareed-Cooke said she looks forward to fulfilling the diverse needs the position of poet laureate is called upon to meet.

I hope to translate the emotions, the experiences, the various things that are happening in our city and our country, into a way that individuals can understand, Fareed-Cooke said.

Poetry is particularly equipped to do that, she said.

I feel that art is a language and every medium is a different dialect, Fareed-Cooke said. Poetry is one of those dialects in which it can touch and reach a lot of different people, and thats what Im hoping to do.

Fareed-Cooke succeeds Jillian Hanesworth as an entrepreneur steeped in the arts.

The lifelong East Side resident graduated from Performing Arts High School, and holds a bachelors in English and a masters in science in education, with a focus on digital technology, from SUNY Buffalo State. She is on the board of the Buffalo State University Foundation and CEPA Gallery, where she was also a teaching artist.

Aitina Fareed-Cooke is proof positive that good things come out of the Buffalo public schools, Brown said.

Being poet laureate is also important to Fareed-Cooke for how she will be perceived by others close to her or from similar circumstances.

Im a wife of 13 years, a mother and I have two children, and they get to see me in this element as well, she said.

Fareed-Cooke sees the position as an opportunity to be a role model for children in the foster care system, too. Its something she knows well. She went into foster care at 14 months old, with her biological mother succumbing to substance abuse when she was 3.

Im hoping my presence is a reminder, she said, to those kids who are in foster care right now, kids that have been adopted and feel unsure and displaced, that they can achieve.
[L-R] Rhodes University Vive Chancellor Prof Sizwe Mabizela, Judge of Appeal Nambitha Dambuza, Law Clinic Attorney Shaun Bergover [Pic credit] Vusumzi Tshekema

By Siyamthanda Hobo

In a rare spotlight on South Africa's ongoing struggle with land reform, Rhodes Universitys Law Faculty, as part of the Universitys 120th-anniversary celebrations, hosted a public lecture in collaboration with the Black Lawyers Association student charter.

The event, held on 27 February 2024, featured Judge of Appeal Nambitha Dambuza as the keynote speaker. Her aim was to shed light on the complexities surrounding customary law and land allocation by traditional leaders amid reform efforts, particularly in the former Transkei.

The warm welcome extended by Dean of Law Professor Laurence Juma set the tone for an evening of enlightenment and reflection. Acknowledging the historical significance of the celebration, Professor Juma hinted at an exciting alumni event in June, promising further engagement and discourse. This gesture emphasised the University's commitment to fostering connections among its academic community.

Associate Professor Helen Kruuse then took the stage to introduce the distinguished guest, Judge Dambuza, providing insights into her remarkable legal career and accomplishments.

Judge Dambuza, a visiting professor at Rhodes University Law Faculty, shared her journey from the Eastern Cape High Court to her current position at the Supreme Court of Appeal. Beyond her judicial roles, she has actively engaged in various educational and training initiatives, showcasing a commitment to legal education.

Judge Dambuza's speech focused on customary law land tenure in South Africa, a deeply personal topic due to her familial roots in Butterworth. She revealed that her father and ancestors had owned a homestead there since 1900, and had been navigating the intricacies of land ownership through generations. Dambuza expressed concern over the outdated land tenure system, highlighting the lack of infrastructure, such as the absence of the Land Affairs office in Butterworth for title upgrades.

The industrialisation and urbanisation of Butterworth further complicated matters, leading to changes in the traditional identity and creating chaos within the community. The introduction of clinics and institutions like Walter Sisulu University altered the landscape, impacting the region's environment and socio-cultural fabric. Dambuza emphasised that the community was not adequately consulted during these developments, contributing to regional disputes and challenges.

In an interview, Judge Dambuza shared her aspirations for land reform in South Africa. Expressing a sense of urgency, she advocated for a comprehensive approach, not merely settling people on land but considering long-term goals. She emphasised the importance of special development as part of the reform, aiming for people to live with dignity rather than in a "haphazard way". Dambuza underscored the need for foresight in the reform process, envisioning a future that spans five, ten, and fifty years.

The public lecture not only provided a platform for a crucial conversation on land reform but also showcased the dedication of legal scholars and practitioners in addressing the intricate issues surrounding South Africa's history and its impact on land ownership. As the nation grapples with the challenges of reform, Judge Dambuza's insights and experiences added valuable perspectives to the ongoing discourse.

The public lecture at Rhodes University Law Faculty exemplified the role of educational institutions in shaping the narrative on critical societal issues. By providing a platform for open dialogue and inviting key figures like Judge Dambuza, Rhodes University showcased its dedication to contributing to the national conversation on land reform.

As the echoes of the lecture lingered, it became clear that initiatives like these not only educate the current generation but also lay the foundation for a more informed and engaged society. The integration of legal expertise, historical context, and personal narratives enriched the discourse, leaving attendees with a deeper understanding of the challenges and aspirations surrounding land reform in South Africa. The event at Rhodes University Law Faculty demonstrates that addressing the complexities of land reform requires a multifaceted approach, involving legal, historical, and personal perspectives.
If the Senate majority leaders optimism counts, this expanded regions application for designation as a federal tech hub is all but in the bag.

Fortunately  and as valuable as Chuck Schumers support plainly is  the joint application of the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse area is also supported by a solid plan bolstered by economic facts. Nothing is guaranteed, but the possibilities of an economic boon is real.

The application, which could bring a total of $64 million to the region, was recently submitted. It wisely builds on the upstate semiconductor industry that was seeded when Micron Technology announced that it would build a chip fabrication plant near Syracuse worth up to $100 billion. That prize was made even more valuable when Edwards Vacuum revealed plans to build a $319 million facility in Genesee County. That plant will support chip operations such as Microns.

Significantly, the national competition for designation as a tech hub was driven by the federal CHIPS Act, which was designed to re-energize the countrys shrunken role in the critical semiconductor industry. Schumers fingerprints are all over that necessary law.

The joint application provides for workforce training that includes underrepresented communities; a sector to focus on commercializing new semiconductor technologies; seed funding for semiconductor firms; and support for entrepreneurs. Here, the University at Buffalos role would be to augment the supply chain for the semiconductor industry.

The Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse bid made the first cut last year when it was designated one of 31 tech hubs out of about 400 across the country. Of those 31, five to 10 will be eligible for federal grants of about $54 million. If the upstate entry is among them, New York State has pledged to contribute an additional $10 million.

And that money would work as seed capital that can be used to attract additional investments, said Dottie Gallagher, president and the CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. The payoff for upstate, said another economic development leader, would be transformational.

This gives us an opportunity to make some strategic and targeted investments to position us to lead the way and ensure that future innovation goes through our region, said Joseph Stefko, president and CEO of ROC2025, an alliance of economic development groups in Rochester. Funding decisions are expected this summer.

Schumer is confident: Its been my dream to sort of turn the economy of Western New York and upstate New York around, he said. Weve had some successes already, but this is going to really hit a home run for us.
Vista Christian School seventh-grader Claire McLeod, 12, enjoys a sample of a Mintfully Brownie Bar at its unveiling Wednesday at Chuao Chocolatier in Carlsbad. She was head chef in the classroom candy-making project that inspired Chuao CEO Michael Antonorsi.

A group of Vista middle-schoolers is enjoying the sweet taste of success this week after developing a mint brownie candy bar that so inspired Chuao Chocolatier co-founder Michael Antonorsi that a version of it is moving into worldwide distribution this week.

Mintfully Brownie, a 2.8-ounce Signature premium dark chocolate bar, was developed by Antonorsi last summer after a sixth-grade science class at Vista Christian School came up with its intriguing combination of flavors and textures as part of a classroom project.

On Wednesday, Antonorsi invited the 16-student class  now all seventh-graders -- back to his Carlsbad headquarters and factory to unveil the new bar, which went on sale the same day. Besides handing out trays of the finished bars to the 12- and 13-year-olds to sample, Antonorsi had a few other surprises up his chef coat sleeves.

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If the Mintfully Brownie bar is a success  and Chuao sales director Tomas Pineda said early feedback from retail buyers is outstanding  Antonorsi said he hopes to donate a portion of the sales to the school.

He has also included a dedication to the students on the back of the bars white-and-green foil wrapper that concludes with the words: This one is for you, future chocolatiers!

1 / 11 Vista Christian School seventh-grader Karlee Mejia shows off a Mintfully Brownie Bar during its unveiling at Chuao Chocolatier headquarters in Carlsbad on Wednesday. Her science class helped provide inspiration for the bars ingredients as part of a class project last spring. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 11 Vista Christian School seventh-grader Moerani Wight gets a high-five from Tomas Pineda, director of sales at Chuao Chocolatier during a company tour Wednesday. Chuao developed its new Mintfully Brownie chocolate bar after being inspired by a candy bar the students created in class last spring. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 11 Chef Michael Antonorsi talks to Vista Christian School seventh-graders Wednesday at the Chuao Chocolatier headquarters and factory in Carlsbad. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 11 CEO and head chef Michael Antonorsi at Chuao Chocolatier in Carlsbad serves Vista Christian School seventh-graders samples of his Mintfully Brownie bars, which were developed after the students came up with their own mint brownie candy bar recipe as a science class project last spring. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 11 Vista Christian School seventh-graders enjoy a sample of a Mintfully Brownie Bar, a candy bar produced by Chuao Chocolatier in Carlsbad, on Wednesday. The bar was inspired by a similar bar they created as a school science project in spring 2018. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 11 Vista Christian School seventh-grader Kasey Valdez enjoys a sample of Chuao Chocolatiers Mintfully Brownie Bar, inspired by a chocolate bar her class developed last year, during a visit to the companys headquarters in Carlsbad on Wednesday. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 11 Vista Christian School seventh grader Elena Redwine enjoys a sample of Chuao Chocolatiers Mintfully Brownie Bar during a visit to the companys headquarters in Carlsbad on Wednesday. It was inspired by a chocolate bar her class developed last year as a science project. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 11 Vista Christian School seventh-grader Claire McLeod enjoys a sample of Chuao Chocolatiers Mintfully Brownie Bar during a visit to the companys headquarters in Carlsbad on Wednesday. The new Chuao bar was inspired by a chocolate bar McLeods class developed last year as a school science project. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 11 Boxes of newly manufactured Mintfully Brownie bars on display during a premier of the product Wednesday at the Chuao Chocolatier facility in Carlsbad. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 11 Chef Michael Antonorsi introduces the newly manufactured Mintfully Brownie chocolate bars to seventh-graders from Vista Christian School at the companys Carlsbad headquarters on Wednesday. Antonorsi was inspired to create the bar after the students created one with similar ingredients last spring as a science class project. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 11 A seventh-grader from Vista Christian School holds one of Chuao Chocolatiers new Mintfully Brownie chocolate bar on Wednesday at Chuaos headquarters in Carlsbad. Sixteen science students from the school created a mint brownie candy bar last year as a class project and it served as inspiration for Chuaos new bar. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Student Grace Gonzalez, 13, was the class projects photographer and videographer and said she cant believe shes had her own Willie Wonka experience.

This whole thing was awesome, she said. It was very challenging and also inspiring. Our dream really did come true. Now I want to come work here some day.

The Chuao candy bars genesis stretches back to late 2017 when Antonorsi said hed become creatively stuck in his effort to create a brownie-based chocolate bar.

Every one of the companys Signature bars incorporates chocolate and two other layers of flavor that are designed to re-create either a childhood memory or an aromatic experience. Some of the companys 18 Signature bars are Baconlicious, Potato Chip, Ravishing Rocky Road, Caramel Apple Crush and Cinnamon Cereal Smooch.

Antonorsi, whos CEO and head chef at the 17-year-old company, tried mixing caramel and other flavors with chocolate and thin, crunchy brownie cookies but nothing worked. Then last May, he got a letter from Rachel Flores, science teacher at Vista Christian School.

Last spring, Flores was looking for a fun, hands-on project her class could do for open house that incorporated all five elements of the STEAM curriculum: science, technology, engineering, art and math. She came up with the idea of having the kids create their own candy bar flavors. Her husband, Angel, works in Chuaos e-commerce department, so he arranged for the company to donate several pounds of cooking chocolate for the students to experiment with.

Over the next several weeks, the students dreamed up their own flavors, polled the 175 students on campus on their favorites, graphed the data, and set to work inventing the three top finalists: Mint brownie, French toast and coffee toffee.

Student Claire McLeod, who aspires to be a chef someday, was in charge of the cooking project. She said it was much harder than she imagined. As Antonorsi told the students Wednesday during their return visit, making a candy bar isnt as easy as stirring together a few items. Some ingredients lose their texture or flavor, some items arent the proper bite size and many arent shelf-stable.

Its like experiencing fresh-popped popcorn versus popcorn that has been sitting in a bag for months, Antonorsi said. My goal is to translate that experience. Its not always literal. It just feels like what its promising.

McLeod, 12, said she experimented for weeks with different batches of brownies and various mints, finally discovering that the crispy overbaked edges of brownies and chopped up Andes-brand mints worked best. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Bria Livingston designed packaging inspired by previous Chuao Signature bars, with the main ingredient, brownies, covered in a bath of melted chocolate and a mint leaf.

After the open house last April, Flores sent a letter and video of the students experience to Antonorsi as a thank you for the chocolate. He said opening that letter and reading about the students mint brownie bar came like a bolt from the blue.

It just happened out of nowhere. That was it. Mint was the perfect flavor, he said. It has that freshness, it adds another layer to the bar and its a taste that lingers in your mouth afterward.

Last May, he invited the class to the factory for a tour and thanked them for helping him with his long-gestating idea. Then his team went to work formulating their own bar, which is topped with crunchy mint sugar crystals. Senior brand designer Carly Cruickshank came up with the bars name and brand manager Sebastian Gomez oversaw the packaging, which includes the student dedication and a cover design that also features chocolate-dripping brownies and a mint leaf.

After more than eight months of development, the Mintfully Brownie bar was introduced Jan. 13 at the Winter Fancy Foods Show in San Francisco and it was an instant hit. Sales begin this week and the $6 bars should start appearing on store shelves in four to eight weeks.

Antonorsi said he hopes the Mintfully Brownie bar is just the first of many collaborations between his company and Vista Christian School students, who hes calling his outsource R&D department.

On Wednesday, he gave each student a chocolate goodie bag and asked them to fill out a questionnaire on ideas for his now-in-development non-chocolate snack product line. He also asked them for some other candy bar ideas. They came up with mochi, wasabi, pina colada, arroz con leche and creme brulee.

I love collaborating with children, he said. Theyre not as restricted in their creativity as adults. Theres more of a free flow of ideas.

Flores said its been an eye-opening experience for all of the students.

Michael is a passionate person and he inspired the kids, Flores said. He told them that if you have a passion you can make a career out of it. To see the process of something going from an idea to creation was great for them.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe is set to benefit from investments valued at more than US$500 million in several sectors of the economy from a group of African-American owned businesses that have set their eye on the local market.A delegation of members of the Global Opportunity Committee of the Atlanta Black Chambers (ABC), is in the country for a week on a visit which seeks to foster trade, investment, economic and cultural exchange between Zimbabwe and the United States.The ABC team, which is comprised of investors and experts in fields that include agriculture, real estate, manufacturing, mining and biotechnology, is part of a broader mission that includes visits to South Africa and Zambia.Several memorandums of understanding between ABC and Zimbabwe companies and business associations, are expected to be signed during the mission.Speaking at a press conference in Harare yesterday, chairman of the Global Opportunity Committee Mr Ricardo Berris, said their major goal was to build relationships and to do business in Zimbabwe."Please understand that as we meet you throughout the next few days, we want you to ensure that as we go back, we are going back with a story, with a message to tell to our members that Zimbabwe is open for business. That the new Zimbabwe is ready to receive their business. And this is something that we are just getting started with."It is amazing what you have here in this country and I hope you see the value in that because we also see that value and that is the big part of the reason we are here."He said the ABC had a vision to generate US$100 billion in transactions for its members and Zimbabwean businesses could also benefit from this trade opportunity.International trade expert Ms Shaquana Teasley, who is also part of the American delegation, said it was important for the business that would be generated during the visit to be mutually beneficial for both the American and Zimbabwean businesses."We can come to Zimbabwe and we can make good relationships but what we want to see is business that is successful and this happens through positive trade initiatives. It is important to have a trade expert to make sure that both parties are getting the true benefit of import and export so that we can see the growth and development for our chamber and the mutual relationships that we are building throughout Zimbabwe," she said.Ms Teasley expressed hope that the subsequent partnerships would not be hindered by bureaucracy and red tape.The engagements between the ABC and CEO Africa Roundtable, who are cohosting the mission with the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, was facilitated by the Zimbabwe Embassy in the US when staff visited Atlanta in May last year.Besides putting into action President Mnangagwa's mantra that Zimbabwe is "Open for Business", the mission will also leverage on ABC's experience to change the narrative about Zimbabwe as an investment destination for American businesses.Zimbabwean Ambassador to the US Tadeous Chifamba said this engagement was part of Government's engagement with the diaspora community initiative."Our message was that Zimbabwe's future is not dependent on aid but on mutually beneficial partnerships and we highlighted the many investment opportunities that Zimbabwe has to offer. Beyond our natural resources, our flora and fauna and our human capital is among the best and it is highly adaptive and efficient."It is important that as you are here, you begin to appreciate the difference between what you hear on cable news and the actual reality of Zimbabwe. We have been receiving very hostile press for a long time and this opportunity, I , will create a new understanding, a new perception of Zimbabwe which I hope you will be able to share with the global membership of the Chamber," he said.CEO Africa Roundtable chairman Mr Oswel Binha said the ABC mission aligned perfectly with CEO Africa Roundtable's commitment to fostering collaboration and driving sustainable economic growth and development in Africa."The visit by the Atlanta Black Chambers serves as a testament to the growing interest in Zimbabwe's business landscape and the recognition of its potential as a vibrant market for international cooperation. Thus, this serves as an opportunity to improve on the current low volumes of trade in goods, which have failed to reach US$1 billion for the past 5 years, between the US and Zimbabwe," he said."We believe that initiatives like this play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity, diversity, and economic empowerment. By connecting African diaspora communities with their countries of origin, we can leverage their expertise, resources, and networks to drive sustainable development and create shared prosperity."He commended Government for its role in facilitating the visit by the American mission, which he said was the beginning of a fruitful and enduring relationship between Atlanta and Zimbabwe.The ABC delegation is also accompanied by the Investments in Manufacturing Production and Infrastructure (IMPI Inc) consortium of Zimbabwe scientists who are seeking to construct a biotechnology city in ZimbabweThe IMPI group met President Mnangagwa on the sidelines of the 78th United National General Assembly in New York in September last year, and he assured them of full Government support.Since then, the group has been successfully registered in Zimbabwe as IMPI Biotechnology Consortium (Pvt) Ltd and applied for an investment licence, which is currently being processed by ZIDA. They are also looking towards the finalisation of the land offer, signalling the start of the project.IMPI Inc has also identified the nucleus companies based in the US ready to set up subsidiaries in the Biotechnology City under the first phase of the project which will have an investment of about U$100 million.IMPI board chairman Dr Tawanda Gumbo said: "We are actually raising about US$70 million to put into that city. We would love for most of that investment to be from black people. As we learnt during the Covid-19 pandemic, those who control medications, control life, and it is a life and death situation but it is also an incredible economic opportunity and an incredible way to think of black people at large the whole world in control of one of the major sectors of wealth in the future," he said.
Pudella carlae is the first living cervid species described in the 21st century and the first from the New World in over six decades.

The newly-described deer species, Pudella carlae, belongs to the Neotropical deer tribe Odocoileini.

Several issues regarding the systematics and taxonomy of Odocoileini, an assemblage of 18 recognized living species currently allocated into 7 genera, remain unclear, said Dr. Guillermo DElia from the Universidad Austral de Chile and his colleagues.

The few available phylogenetic analyses indicate that some genera are not monophyletic and that species richness in the group is underestimated.

One genus that presents both problems is the stocky and short-legged dwarf deer, Pudu.

It includes two species: the northern pudu (Pudu mephistophiles) from Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia; and the southern pudu (Pudu puda) from southern Chile and nearby Argentina.

In a new study, the authors found that Pudu mephistophiles is in fact two distinct species.

The typical form, Pudu mephistophiles, distributes north of the Huancabamba Depression from northernmost Peru to the north (Ecuador and Colombia), while the other distributes south of the Huancabamba Depression and is a Peruvian endemic, they said.

As no name is available for the last one, we describe and name it here: Pudella carlae.

This is the first living cervid species described in the 21st century and the first from the New World in over 60 years.

The researchers also found that Pudu puda, the type species of Pudu, is not sister to the two northern pudu species.

We revalidate the genus Pudella to allocate the latter two species.

The teams paper was published this month in the Journal of Mammalogy.

_____

Javier Barrio et al. The first living cervid species described in the 21st century and revalidation of Pudella (Artiodactyla). Journal of Mammalogy, published online March 1, 2024; doi: 10.1093/jmammal/gyae012
News / National

by Staff reporter

According to James Manyika, Senior Vice President at Google, Zimbabwe possesses immense potential to emerge as a leading technology innovation hub in Africa, provided that the costs associated with Information Communications Technology (ICT) data, devices, and infrastructure are reduced.During a recent visit to his homeland, Manyika, speaking in a personal capacity, engaged with ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera, advocating for concerted efforts from the government and key stakeholders to foster ICT development in the country.He underscored the critical role of digital infrastructure, affordable internet accessibility, and education in nurturing a dynamic innovation ecosystem capable of attracting entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators.Manyika stressed, "Establishing a robust innovation ecosystem in Zimbabwe, leveraging the abundant talent among its youth, necessitates ensuring widespread access to infrastructure and innovation centers, akin to the thriving environments witnessed in other nations like Ghana and Rwanda."He emphasized the importance of integrating digital technology education from primary school level, ensuring that children have access to necessary infrastructure and tools."Our discussions with the minister highlighted three key areas: enhancing digital infrastructure, reducing barriers to internet access, and addressing the affordability of devices, all of which are significant challenges across many African countries," Manyika remarked.He urged the government to take proactive measures to tackle these issues and seize the opportunities presented.Manyika envisioned Zimbabwe as a prominent regional hub for innovation, drawing in entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors, provided that enabling policies are formulated and implemented.Minister Mavetera echoed Manyika's sentiments, stressing the necessity for policy frameworks that foster a conducive environment for the ICT sector to flourish, thereby attracting youth and investors while facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Press Release

March 11, 2024 TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Pia Cayetano's privilege speech on Rare Disease Day

Principal sponsor of Republic Act 10747 or Rare Diseases Act Mr. President, I rise on a matter of personal and collective privilege. March 3 is the Anniversary of the Rare Disease Act, which this representation principally authored and sponsored. Presidential Proclamation 1989 (series of 2010) established the 4th Week of every February as National Rare Disease Week. The last day of February of every year is "Rare Disease Day". What is a rare disease? The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a rare disease as an "often-debilitating disease or condition with a prevalence of 0.65% to 1%". Our law, the Rare Disease Act of the Philippines, refers to it as disorders such as inherited metabolic disorders and other diseases with similar rare occurrences as recognized by the DOH upon recommendation of the NIH but excluding catastrophic (i.e., life threatening, seriously debilitating, or serious and chronic) forms of more frequently occurring diseases. So in layman's term, Mr. President, rare nga siya. Bibihira siya. Kokonti lang ang may ganyang sakit and what happens is there is also very little research that allows them to find life-saving interventions, whether the intervention be food, kasi minsan it's just food, medicines, or other kinds of treatment. There are not enough pharmaceuticals or even other entities that invest in finding solutions for those who have rare diseases. As of 2023, the Philippines has identified 156 conditions, or 1 in every 20,000 individuals. I actually authored this Act, Mr. President. It's a 2016 Act, but again our honoree, Dra. Padilla, is really the brainchild behind this. It is very technical so she was the one who worked on this so that we would have a law that aims to improve the availability of comprehensive medical care for patients diagnosed with rare diseases. I would like to mention, Mr. President, that we have with us a few of the patients of Dra. Padilla, but before I go there, let me ask that a video be played, it's a very short video of Juan Magdaraog, who is actually with us, to just say a few words about his condition. Yes, Mr. President. That is Dickoy, who is over there. As described by Dr. Padilla, he is practically paralyzed all over, practically because obviously, he can speak, so he can use that function, a little bit of movement on his fingers. But despite that, he is a productive member of society contributing to GDP and our economy. Dear colleagues, you will be able to taste his culinary efforts because I regularly purchase his cuisine, which is chicken pie, key lime pie, it's my favorite. And I encourage all of you to try it because I need not salestalk this, masarap talaga... And in addition to that, Sen. JV, I want him to know that he is also a seller of collectible watches. As to why I mentioned this to you, wala lang, baka lang gusto mong bumili ng relo. And then he is also a digital expert giving advice and consultancy in the digital realm so if you have projects. And this is just Dickoy, Mr. President. I know that his mom is there, Cynthia, she's very active, please stand. She has been a partner of Dr. Padilla, reaching out to other parents and helping them have the courage to seek the kind of support that they need for their children. And it's because of this whole-of-society approach - government, because of our Chairman Senator Sonny Angara we are able to put budget for the Rare Disease Act implementation, and also the Newborn Screening. This is for rare diseases but the newborn screening in a way has some similarities, in the sense that if you can diagnose, then you can treat it ideally. Not all rare diseases have treatment. Along with Dickoy here are just a few other patients, just to see the faces of these people who deal with this day to day. So may I call on Ziah Nicole. She has a metabolic condition leading to motor and cognitive delays. It is 6-Pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase (6PTPS) deficiency. And there is Janelle, a 10-year-old girl from Laguna with Phenylketonuria (PKU) that leads to developmental delays and behavioral problems. And then there's Schan Lieam, who is the younger sibling of Janelle, and is currently 3 years old. He also has PKU. And there's Louise Franzine who has Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD). But because of its proper management, she is now in normal condition. She has already delivered her own baby, and the baby does not have this condition. So there are happy stories despite the sad stories. And we're happy that they are happy to share their stories with us. Very quickly, Mr. President, my son, Gabriel, had a rare disease. I actually did not know until years after he died that his condition is considered a rare disease. All I know during the time na wala pang internet, during a routine checkup with my OB-GYN, she told me that I wasn't gaining enough weight. And so at that time, it wasn't really routine to have an ultrasound, so she asked that I get an ultrasound, and it was revealed that my unborn child had a cleft lip and tumors in his kidney. That's what was shown in the ultrasound. And that was the beginning of many tests, etc. And I had to go to the US to have an amniocentesis. Because they don't do it here. Do they still not do it here? I don;t know, that's an issue I leave to the experts because being able to have that amniocentesis prepared me for the reality of what I was going to face. So my son was born on December 4, 2000. And he lived for 9 months. And the early diagnosis helped prepare me emotionally and mentally for this condition. So that's something I think we should look into. Anyway, I never knew that was something called a rare disease until years later when we were talking and I said, is my son's condition, which is called Trisomy 13, a rare disease? And Dr Padilla said yes, it's considered a rare disease. So I didn't even know at a time I was pushing for this bill that it's something that I personally had experienced. Anyway, Mr. President, this is all tied up to SDG 3 on Good Health and Wellbeing, which no less than the WHO Director-General said, "The vision of the Sustainable Development Goals is a world in which no one is left behind," and that includes people who suffer from rare diseases. So on that note, I thank our colleagues for the time to take a look at this issue. And even just having them here, we already got so much input and support on the need to provide more financial support, on the need also to help the communities who are thriving to be productive members of society. So thank you so much for the time that you have given the Senate to understand this issue better. Thank you, Mr. President. ---------------------------- Period of interpellations [Sen Pimentel: title of law?] PSC: Rare Diseases Act of 2016 [Sen Pimentel: salient points?] PSC: Yes, Mr President. What's very important here in the law is that we well of course, it may go without saying, but we do recognize them as persons with disabilities, with all the benefits that fall under the definition of persons with disabilities, which is covered by a separate law. And then, it requires the different government agencies to provide support. There's DSWD that is mentioned, even DOLE. And I know the line of questioning of the Minority Floor Leader will lead to that. So anong ginagawa nitong mga ito? Sen. Joel's favorite agency, I can see the big smile on his face, let me put on record. DOLE is actually required to adopt programs that promote the availability of opportunities for work and employment of abled persons with rare diseases. In addition to that, Mr. President, there is the technical side of the work which must be done by DOH, which is perennially updating this list of persons with rare diseases. This may also be an opportunity to say that we are, Dr. Padilla, sadly, very reliant on international standards in determining also, discovering and determining what are these rare diseases. So it would be very nice, I don't even know if there are other Asian counterparts to the work we're doing, but if there is anything we can do, including more research. Because there is really a lack of research on what are the solutions and the interventions that can be done for many of these patients. But we have enough, well our Doktor Para sa Bayan, if I may mention, of course, contributes to that. The likes of Dra. Padilla to recruit them into their work. But one of the important things, and I'll just add newborn screening as well, is also to identify and recognize these conditions early on. Because ano namang matutulong natin kung hindi? And if we will only rely on geneticists like Dr. Padilla, konti lang kayo. I don't even know how many geneticists we have in the country. 20. We have 20 geneticists in the country. But what they have done is that they have created programs so that the various clinics that we have empowered have the ability to address those conditions. I'll read it into the record if that's okay with the Minority Floor Leader, "Under the law, patients highly suspected of or diagnosed with a rare disease shall be referred to a newborn screening continuity clinic to ensure the early detection of that rare disease." So tied up talaga ang rare disease and the Newborn Screening Act. And then "the DOH, with the assistance of NIH, shall develop a system to train a sufficient number of medical specialists to diagnose and manage persons with rare diseases." [Sen Pimentel: Assistance for parents?] PSC: I will give you a very specific answer. In 2022, we funded the establishment of 66 clinics all over the country to provide lifetime support for patients diagnosed with rare diseases after the newborn screening. So the Newborn Screening Act is already happening all over the country, right? Through various hospitals. And these 66 clinics are important to make sure that after may diagnosis, may continuing care. But this is an ongoing, this cannot be a one-time funding, Mr. President. So, in 2023, we added support for the operations because na-establish na, and this was 28M. In 2024, we had capital outlay for the continuity and satellite clinics across the country, only 5M, Mr. President. I have to add, having been a senator for almost, well, senator and 3 years in the House, so almost 20 years altogether, I have had the experience of working with secretaries who were not very keen on funding. And for me, my position has always been pondohan kahit paano, diba? Let's move it forward. I understand that these are rare diseases, if you are going to try to figure out how many children, how many families are affected, maybe it's not as many as those with cancer, but we still have to fund, they are still human beings, they are still Filipinos. So, yun lang sa akin, kasi kung tuloy-tuloy pakonti-konti, marami tayong ma-achieve, Mr. President. [Sen Pimentel: main agency for implementation is DOH?] PSC: So DOH and UP-NIH, because like ito pong establishment of clinics, the system that was going to be put in place was Dr Padilla's program. And having been... DOH ang main, NIH assists. [Sen Pimentel: What program under DOH?] PSC: For implementation of the Rare Disease Act, okay na po yun under the general DOH budget, they will put that for the implementation. Kasi we already have funding there, eh. The establishment of a clinic, support for operation... I think that's still a dream of Dr Padilla to have a center for that. [Sen Pimentel: Lodged in Secretary?] PSC: But I have to say, Mr President. That's probably why Dr Padilla received the National Scientist award. Not just for her intelligence and her titles, but she's very diligent in making her projects become a reality. Grabe tumutok yan. So kapag yan nalagay diyan, hindi yan papayag na hindi magamit for the purpose it is intended. [Sen Pimentel: Audit of implementation of law] PSC: Mr President, I look forward to that opportunity. As his honor said, let's do an audit. Thank you.
Challenger Energy announced the signing of the AREA OFF-3 licence on Monday, marking a significant milestone for the Caribbean and Americas-focussed energy company.

The AIM-traded firm said the licence was awarded on 2 June 2023 under Uruguay's Open Uruguay Round process, with exploration set to start on 7 June 2024 and lasting four years until 6 June 2028.

Covering 13,252 square kilometres in relatively shallow waters about 100 kilometres off Uruguay's coast, the licence held substantial promise.

Benefitting from extensive 2D and 3D seismic coverage, the block boasted two previously-identified prospects with estimated gross resource potential of about two billion barrels of oil and up to nine trillion cubic feet of gas.

During the initial exploration phase, Challenger Energy said its obligations were focussed yet impactful, involving licensing, reprocessing and reinterpretation of 1,000 kilometres of legacy 2D seismic data, along with two geotechnical studies.

Following a successful strategy akin to the AREA OFF-1 licence, which saw a farm-out to Chevron announced on 6 March, the company said it aimed to expedite its technical work programme to enhance its existing prospects, identify new opportunities, and attract strategic partners.

The AREA OFF-3 licence's strategic positioning adjacent to significant regional players such as Shell and APA Corporation, coupled with prior seismic activity, underscored its potential.

Notably, the adjacent Amalia prospect, partially within AREA OFF-3, and the entirely contained Morpheus prospect, presented substantial opportunities for exploration and development.

Renewed interest in similar plays triggered by recent discoveries offshore southwest Africa further bolstered the optimism surrounding Uruguay's offshore potential.

With enhanced technical understanding and confidence in the regional petroleum system, Challenger said it was poised to leverage that momentum, accelerating its work programme with a keen eye on introducing strategic partnerships at an early stage.

Following on from our recently announced farm-out of the AREA OFF-1 licence to Chevron, pending regulatory approvals, we are very pleased to announce that the AREA OFF-3 licence has now been formally signed, cementing Challenger Energy's position as a significant industry participant in Uruguay's offshore, said chief executive officer Eytan Uliel.

AREA OFF-3 represents a successful expansion of the Company's business in Uruguay, a country that has fast become one of the world's frontier exploration hotspots.

Uliel said the company believed AREA OFF-3 had strong technical merit, offering an exciting value-creation opportunity.

Therefore, like with AREA OFF-1, our immediate strategy for AREA OFF-3 is to commence accelerated technical work, in support of seeking an early farm-out.

We look forward to keeping shareholders informed of our progress.

At 1259 GMT, shares in Challenger Energy Group were down 1.7% at 0.15p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
News / National

by Staff reporter

AS prevalence of public sector corruption reaches alarming levels, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has demanded that Zimbabwean authorities ensure the newly-established Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF) - which inexplicably replaced the Sovereign Wealth Fund - plugs potential financial leakages through transparency and accountability systems amid fears that the new scheme is a grand heist.This comes as the United States has imposed a new sanctions regime on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and 10 others, as well as three entities, accusing them of corruption and human rights abuses.The government reacted to US remarks that Mnangagwa and his cronies are corrupt, demanding substantiation or withdrawal of the statements.Zimbabwe is ranked by Transparency International as one of the countries with high levels of corruption in both public and private sectors.Past reports by Zimbabwe's Auditor-General have also shown that Treasury could be losing significant revenue due to financial mismanagement.Zimbabwe scored 24 points out of 100 on the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index as reported by Transparency International. Zimbabwe's Corruption Index ranking averaged 24.58 points from 1998 until 2023, reaching an all-time high of 42.00 points in 1998 and a record low of 18.00 points in 2008.After a recent visit to Zimbabwe on an Article IV mission led by Wojciech Maliszewski - which visited Harare from 31 January 14 February - to discuss the authorities' request for a Staff-Monitored Programme and commence 2024 Article IV consultations, the IMF demanded reforms and transparency on the dodgy MIF affairs."Structural reforms aimed at improving the business climate, strengthening economic governance and reducing corruption vulnerabilities are key for promoting sustained and inclusive growth and would bode well for supporting Zimbabwe's development objectives embodied in the country's National Development Strategy 1 (2021-2025)," the IMF said."In this context, the mission encourages the authorities to ensure that the corporate governance arrangement, transparency and financial reporting, and accountability oversight of the recently established Mutapa Fund are in line with international standards and good practices."On 19 September 2023, Mnangagwa controversially promulgated Statutory Instrument 156 of 2023 (SI 156/2023) which changed the name of the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Zimbabwe to MIF. No official reasons have been given for the renaming of the fund.State enterprises or parastatals now commandeered to be under the dodgy MIF include Defold Mine, Zupco, Kuvimba, Silo Investments (Grain Marketing Board commercial arm), the National Oil Company of Zimbabwe, the Cold Storage Commission, Petrotrade, POSB, NetOne Cellular, the National Railways of Zimbabwe Holdings and NRZ Ltd, TelOne, Arda Seeds, Zimbabwe Power Company, Powertel, Allied Timbers, Telecel Zimbabwe, Air Zimbabwe, Industrial Development Corporation, Cottco, AFC Limited and Hwange Colliery.Critics said the effect of putting all the companies under one roof is to create a behemoth whose operations and transactions are not subject to public procurement laws, parliamentary oversight or disclosure to the public.This, they said, undermines constitutional principles of good governance, transparency and accountability.The fund's managers and employees are "sworn to secrecy", further making it opaque and vulnerable to corruption, while blocking access to information.The fund will be able to transfer and externalise foreign currency without foreign exchange controls.Lawyer and opposition politician Fadzayi Mahere said granting Mnangagwa carte blanche powers to appoint the sovereign wealth fund's board of directors would heighten cronyism and nepotism after the Zimbabwean leader recently appointed close family members, allies and clansmen into his executive.Late last year, former Finance minister Tendai Biti said the MIF is unconstitutional, illegal and opaque, as well as murky and muddy to ensure that it is not transparent and accountable to facilitate looting on an industrial scale."The Mutapa Investment Fund is conceptually flawed; it is like an asset management behemoth created to house state enterprises and related assets illegally, make them fungible and easily transferrable. It's not a typical sovereign wealth fund as we know it. It's not like Norway's US$1.4 trillion Sovereign Wealth Fund, the biggest in the world, for sure," Biti told The NewsHawks in an interview."A normal sovereign wealth fund is a state-owned investment fund comprising of money generated by government surplus reserves or its resources to create wealth for current and future generations. It's a pool of assets owned and managed directly or indirectly by governments and invested in stocks, bonds, real estate, precious metals, or in alternative investments such as equity funds or hedge funds to achieve national objectives."For instance, before this Mutapa scam, we had created a proper sovereign wealth fund in 2014 because Zimbabwe has world-class deposits of gold, platinum, diamonds, chrome and now lithium. Yet these are non-renewable natural resources so we need to exploit them for current and future generations. Collect royalties and invest them in a sovereign wealth fund."Biti says the changing of the SWF to MIF has created a conduit for industrial-scale looting."Mnangagwa's opaque structure is a scheme for a grand heist. We will witness unprecedented grand scale looting and industrial-scale corruption under this Mutapa Fund. The structure is flawed conceptually. It is also unconstitutional. It is illegal. It was established through a statutory instrument, a presidential decree, violating the constitution, laws and principles of separation of powers," he said.Mahere said the entity is unconstitutional."The most concerning feature of the recent purported amendment to the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Zimbabwe Act by Mnangagwa is that it is unconstitutional in a number of respects," she said."As a starting point, the amendment was introduced by way of a statutory instrument, which violates section 134 of the constitution. The said section prohibits the enactment, amendment or repeal of legislation by way of a statutory instrument. Only Parliament can make, change or remove laws."It is no answer to this charge that the statutory instrument was gazetted purportedly under the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act - this statute itself offends section 134 of the constitution."In the event of a conflict, the constitution is supreme. It follows that Mnangagwa's statutory instrument that changed the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Zimbabwe was invalid, ultra vires the constitution and thus illegal as a matter of a law. It additionally breaches the section 68 obligation of all administrative authorities to act lawfully, reasonably and fairly."Last October, Harare lawyer and businessman Frederick Nyamande took Mnangagwa to court following the promulgation of the controversial MIF which he argues allows the head of state to loot public resources. The matter is still pending.
Traffic numbers at Heathrow rose to record highs in February with the airport handling two million passengers during its busiest-ever winter half-term season.

Some 5.8m passengers travelled through the UK's largest airport last month, helped by an additional leap year day which saw an additional 207,000 customers.

That was up 11.6% from the 5.2m passengers seen in February 2023 and also ahead of the 5.5m recorded in February 2019 pre-pandemic.

Passenger numbers across January and February combined were up 10.4% on the previous year and the airport said it is now in track to serve more passengers in 2024 than any year before.

Meanwhile, cargo tonnage was up 21% year-on-year, which Heathrow said outperformed the global average increase of 8%.

It was wonderful to welcome so many passengers for the first holiday peak of 2024, setting a new Heathrow record," said chief executive Thomas Woldbye.

However, Woldbye continues to use the monthly traffic reports as a vehicle to call on the government to do more to encourage foreign visitors to the UK, following the introduction of a so-called tourist tax in 2021  with the scrapping of tax-free shopping for international consumers. Up until 2021, non-EU visitors were able to claw back a 20% VAT refund on their goods when shopping in the UK.

The chief executive said chancellor Jeremy Hunt was prioritising short-term decisions over policies that would help drive economic growth, adding: "Instead, he raised taxes on aviation with no ring-fencing for the green transition."

"While we are serving more people, visitors to the UK are spending less since the removal of tax-free shopping, impacting businesses across the country. The Spring Budget was a missed opportunity to give the whole tourism, hospitality and retail sector the support it needs to compete internationally," Woldbye said.
In a significant stride towards the preservation and promotion of India's rich cultural heritage, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to launch the 'Adopt a Heritage 2.0' programme. The initiative aims to foster collaboration between ASI and public and private sector entities for the adoption and maintenance of iconic monuments. The Ministry of Culture announced that ASI will sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with various partners on Tuesday, coinciding with the unveiling of an upgraded website designed to enhance the viewer experience.

The 'Adopt a Heritage' programme builds upon its predecessor, emphasizing the collective responsibility of both public and private entities in safeguarding India's heritage for future generations and enhancing the overall experience for visitors. Notable monuments earmarked for adoption include Qutub Minar, Purana Qila, Humanyuns Tomb, Elephanta Caves, Agra Fort, Bhimbetka, Khajuraho Group of Temples, and Konark Sun temple, among others.

With over 3600 monuments under its protection nationwide, ASI acknowledges the importance of collaboration to ensure the safety and improved experience of visitors at these cultural treasures. The signing of MoUs formalizes the commitment of external agencies to adopt specific monuments, contributing to their maintenance and better showcasing to the public.

The signing ceremony, scheduled for March 12, 2024, at the National Museum in New Delhi, will witness the participation of various agencies and dignitaries, including Minister of State Meenakashi Lekhi. The government's dedication to fostering partnerships for the preservation of India's diverse heritage will be underscored during the event.

The selection process for the 'Smarak Sarathi/Sathi' involved rigorous due diligence, discussions with various parties, and an assessment of their commitment and potential at each monument. The selected entities will be responsible for providing and maintaining amenities in hygiene, accessibility, safety, and knowledge categories, positioning them as responsible and heritage-friendly custodians.

Simultaneously, ASI will launch its upgraded website, offering diverse functionalities that make each vertical of ASI meticulously navigable. Users will effortlessly explore various aspects of India's cultural tapestry, from historical sites to educational resources. The website is poised to become a valuable resource for students seeking information on India's heritage.

This comprehensive digital overhaul reflects ASI's commitment to leveraging technology for the benefit of all, ensuring that the nation's cultural treasures are accessible to a broader audience. The 'Adopt a Heritage 2.0' programme and the revamped website mark a crucial step towards preserving India's cultural legacy and fostering a sense of collective responsibility among public and private entities.
In the fast-paced world of network engineering, the name Yamini Kannan resonates as a trailblazer, a visionary, and an advocate of automation. Her impact on the industry is not just about her individual achievements but the transformative influence of her work on the future of network engineering.

Early Foundations and Technical Mastery

Yamini's foray into the tech industry commenced at Cisco, where she honed her technical prowess and laid the groundwork for her future endeavors. This early experience equipped her with a robust set of skills in network engineering, providing a strong foundation for her journey.

Her subsequent role at Meta further deepened her understanding of the field, enriching her knowledge base and enabling her to approach industry challenges with a unique perspective. These formative experiences set the stage for her to become a driving force in the evolution of network engineering.

Academic Pursuits and Intellectual Exploration

Yamini's academic pursuit at NYU Courant in Information Systems marked a turning point in her career. Here, she not only acquired knowledge but also cultivated a mindset driven by curiosity, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in network engineering.

Her role as a teaching assistant and research assistant at NYU Courant fostered her ability to convey complex concepts in an accessible manner and delve into thorough research, bridging the gap between theoretical findings and practical applications.

Bridging Theory and Practice

Yamini's part-time role as a data analyst further refined her skills in database management and data interpretation, providing her with a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by large datasets in network engineering. Her ability to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application has been a hallmark of her career.

Community Engagement and Thought Leadership

Yamini's commitment to professional development and community engagement is evident in her active participation in events like the NetDevOps Days in New York. This involvement has not only kept her abreast of industry trends but also allowed her to contribute to the evolving conversation around network engineering and DevOps practices.

Shaping the Future: The Role of Automation in Network Security

At the heart of Yamini's work lies the integration of automation into network security, particularly in the realm of financial network systems. Her paper, "The Role of DevOps in Financial Network Security," underscores the significance of integrating DevOps methodologies into financial network security, backed by real-world examples and insights into future trends of automation in regulatory compliance and instant reporting.

Her expertise in automation further shines through in her analysis of "Access Control List (ACL) Compliance Verification and Alarm Systems: Strengthening Network Security," where she presents an innovative approach to ACLs compliance verification systems, emphasizing efficiency and the power of automation in responding swiftly to changes in network topology.

Pioneering DevOps Efforts

Yamini's journey has led her to assume a pivotal role at a premier financial institution, where she spearheads the DevOps efforts for global network engineering teams. Her focus on designing, maintaining, and scaling network infrastructure and applications underscores her unwavering commitment to innovation, particularly in the realm of automation.

Yamini Kannan's journey exemplifies the transformative power of education, practical experience, and community engagement in shaping a successful career in network engineering. As an emerging leader in the industry, her contributions are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the technological landscape, paving the way for a future where automation and innovation are at the forefront of network engineering.
Axis My India, Indias foremost consumer intelligence company has appointed Mr. Prateek Dubey as its Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective 1st February 2024. Under a full-time secondment from Google India, Mr. Dubey will play an instrumental role in spearheading and setting in motion the companys crucial strategic initiative, a revolutionary People Empowerment Platform (PEP)  a App and its pan-India rollout campaign.

Concurrently, Mr. Dubey will also support in enhancing talent and performance quotient for Axis My India by supporting the hiring of C-suite positions and setting up key performance indicators (KPIs) to enhance business performance. Additionally, he will also be actively involved in business development initiatives by identifying various partnership opportunities.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Pradeep Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, Axis My India said, We are thrilled to welcome Prateek Dubey to Axis My India. With his extensive background, Prateek brings a proficient understanding and skillset in building businesses on top of tech platforms. He also displays significantly effective strategic thinking and execution capabilities. We are confident that his exceptional expertise and unparalleled proficiency in the tech industry will be helpful in accelerating our People Empowerment Platform (PEP)  a App to reach billions of citizens across India.

With over 15 years of rich experience in the ad tech industry from both supply and demand sides. Mr. Prateek Dubey was the Head of Google Marketing Platform at Google India starting from its early days. Previously he has also worked at various ad tech companies like Near and Komli media. In his personal capacity, Prateek actively researches assistive technologies for people facing severe and sudden disability from diseases like ALS/MND.

I am excited to join Axis My India as a secondee from Google India. Its rare to find opportunities where your personal values and experiences overlap deeply with an organizations mission therefore, I feel fortunate to be working with the Axis My India team. While AI & technology are great enablers, they need a sound economic flywheel to really deliver value to users at scale. I hope to channel my experiences and skillsets in these areas to contribute to Axis My Indias mission., said Mr. Prateek Dubey, Chief Operating Officer, Axis My India (under full-time secondment from Google India).

Established in 1998, Axis My India is committed to resolve problems of every Indian household. With this vision, the company is building the a App, the one-of-its-kind People Empowerment Platform designed to empower citizens with authentic information and viable solutions to meet their daily needs. This innovative phygital model and two-way communication platform uses Google's Generative AI & Cloud technologies to recommend personalized information based on user details for Government social welfare schemes, employment opportunities, healthcare benefits, agriculture, and other basic day-to-day amenities. Axis My Indias massive scale and expertise offers an unprecedented opportunity to bring information equity between rural and urban India through this platform.
India has successfully signed a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), a group comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The deal, hailed as a 'watershed moment' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to stimulate economic growth and job creation in India. According to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, the EFTA countries are set to invest approximately $100 billion in India over the next 15 years, generating one million jobs.

Under the FTA, India will eliminate or partially reduce customs tariffs on 95.3% of industrial imports from Switzerland (excluding gold) either immediately or through phased transition periods. Switzerland, in turn, will gain tariff-free access to the Indian market for selected agricultural products after a transition period of up to ten years. The Swiss Federal Council highlighted that the agreement is in line with Swiss agricultural policy and will enhance the competitiveness of Swiss exports to India.

Commerce Minister Goyal emphasized the equitable and balanced nature of the agreement, heralding it as a new era of prosperity and mutual growth among the five nations. The Swiss Federal Council echoed this sentiment, noting that the FTA signing is a significant milestone in Swiss trade policy after 16 years of negotiations.

This agreement positions EFTA as the first European partner to conclude an FTA with India, marking a strategic move towards closer economic ties. Goyal highlighted that the FTA includes an investment commitment for the first time, addressing economic asymmetries between the EFTA region and India.

The FTA aims to enhance market access, with EFTA countries offering access to 92.2% of tariff lines, covering 99.6% of India's exports. This includes tariff concessions on processed agricultural products. India has presented 105 sub-sectors to EFTA and secured commitments from each member state, fostering a comprehensive economic relationship.

Indian services exports, particularly in IT services, business services, education, and audio-visual services. It also includes provisions for Mutual Recognition Agreements in professional services such as nursing, chartered accountancy, and architecture. The agreement is expected to stimulate, particularly in IT services, business services, education, and audio-visual services. It also includes provisions for Mutual Recognition Agreements in professional services such as nursing, chartered accountancy, and architecture.

The Commerce Ministry emphasized that the FTA provides an opportunity for Indian companies to integrate into EU markets, leveraging Switzerland as a potential base for extending market reach to the EU. It facilitates technology collaboration, granting access to cutting-edge technologies in precision engineering, health sciences, renewable energy, innovation, and research and development.

Notably, improvements have been made to intellectual property rights (IPR), ensuring legal certainty, streamlined patent procedures, and protection of 'Swissness.' The Swiss Federal Council assured that these changes will not restrict access to medicines in India.

Additionally, the agreement includes a comprehensive and legally binding chapter on trade and sustainable development, underscoring the commitment to environmentally responsible practices. The Swiss Federal Council highlighted a chapter promoting investments in India by companies from the EFTA states.
In the midst of a dynamic nationwide tour spanning 12 states in just 10 days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Haryana's Gurugram to unveil and lay the foundation stone for an impressive array of 112 National Highway projects, collectively valued at approximately Rs 1 lakh crore.

A significant highlight of the Prime Minister's agenda is the inauguration of the Haryana section of the transformative Dwarka Expressway, aimed at ameliorating traffic flow and alleviating congestion between Delhi and Gurugram on NH-48. This 19-km-long, 8-lane expressway, constructed at a cost of Rs 4,100 crore, encompasses two vital packages: the 10.2 km-long stretch from Delhi-Haryana Border to Basai Rail-over-Bridge (ROB) and the 8.7 km-long Basai ROB to Kherki Daula section. The expressway is poised to facilitate direct connectivity to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and the Gurugram Bypass.

Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate a multitude of other significant projects during his visit, including the 9.6 km-long six-lane Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) Package 3 in Delhi, Lucknow Ring Road in Uttar Pradesh, Anandapuram - Pendurthi - Anakapalli section of NH16 in Andhra Pradesh, Kiratpur to Nerchowk section of NH-21 in Himachal Pradesh, and Dobaspet - Heskote section in Karnataka, among others. These projects, collectively valued at Rs 20,500 crores, are poised to contribute significantly to the enhancement of the National Highway network and bolster socio-economic growth, job opportunities, and trade and commerce in various regions across the country.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated and initiated the groundwork for 253 development projects undertaken by the Municipal Corporation in Gorakhpur, with a total investment of Rs 482 crore. During the event, he stressed the importance of integrating technology to propel the progress of individuals and urban centers, transforming them into 'smart' entities in the contemporary age.

The Chief Minister also unveiled the Integrated Control and Command Centre, launched the Gorakhpur Newsletter, and commenced the operation of 34 sanitation vehicles. "By integrating technology, Gorakhpur has established an Integrated Control and Command Center within the Municipal Corporation, monitoring cleanliness, street lighting, water supply, traffic, and security measures. This initiative propels Gorakhpur towards the status of a 'smart city", Chief Minister said.

He further added, "We should try to make our country and our cities appear 'smart.' Rather than seeking inspiration from elsewhere, our cities should set the benchmark for the world to follow. There is a need to make cities 'smart' for ease of living". He commended Gorakhpur for its commendable endeavors towards becoming a 'safe city,' achieved through the installation of numerous cameras throughout the urban area, with the collaborative effort of various sectors of society.

"With this extensive surveillance network, any untoward incident can be promptly detected and addressed," he said. Chief Minister noted the transformation of public behavior, citing how the presence of CCTV cameras has deterred people from littering on the streets.

He underscored the government's dedication to building resilient infrastructure by citing the construction of two-lane and four-lane roads in Gorakhpur, designed to endure for 50 years. Pointing out the rejuvenation of the Goddhoiya drain, CM Yogi remarked on its transformation into a scenic spot reminiscent of Ramgarhtal, drawing people to capture its beauty through selfies.

He emphasized, "Goddhoiya drain will be developed in the form of a river and it will look like heaven on earth. The area around it will be made green by planting trees on both its sides". In discussing the revival of Ramgarhtal, the Chief Minister emphasized its remarkable transformation from a location marred by waste and criminal activity to a favored spot for selfies and photography. "Even Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kishan has chosen to reside nearby", CM Yogi said.

Emphasizing the range of facilities accessible in Gorakhpur, CM Yogi emphasized, "It falls upon the Municipal Corporation to safeguard and uphold them". He stressed that the active involvement of public representatives and citizens in preservation endeavors would guarantee the city's cleanliness, attractiveness, and modernity, rendering it an attraction for visitors.
In a significant stride towards gender inclusivity in the technology sector, Women in Tech Global has officially launched its India chapter at the French Embassy in New Delhi. The announcement, made in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, solidifies the organization's commitment to empowering and advancing women in technology. With an ambitious vision, Women in Tech aims to empower five million women and girls by 2030 through strategic mentorship programs and skill-building initiatives designed for careers in technology.

Notably, the organization has joined forces with Girls4Girls (G4G), an esteemed global initiative originating from Harvard University. Together, they plan to introduce a tailored mentoring initiative in India, dedicated to supporting young women and girls in unlocking their leadership potential within the technology realm. The launch also highlights Women in Tech's focus on addressing region-specific challenges, particularly in Northeast India. The initiative aims to provide women in this region with access to digital resources crucial for their daily lives and small businesses.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Staten Island man is headed to prison after what authorities say started as a series of scary domestic disputes inside an apartment building on the boroughs North Shore.

Eric Pineiro, 26, of Stapleton, pleaded guilty in January to a charge of second-degree attempted possession of a weapon in connection with the March 2023 encounters.
News / National

by Staff reporter

IN Zimbabwe's capital of Harare, potholed roads have become a symbol of more than 20 years of national decline and neglect of public services.Motorists must weave down roads and often encroach onto oncoming traffic lanes to avoid the craters. Even SUVs risk damaged suspensions, cracked rims and burst tires. Though a daily hazard for motorists, potholes in the city are even more dangerous after heavy rains, when standing water hides them.But for some 40 roads, that could soon change. The government has pledged to fix the streets before it hosts the Southern African Development Community summit in August. The city of some 1,6 million people first held the meeting in 1999.At the gathering of 16 heads of State, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to take over leadership of the regional bloc from Angola. Mnangagwa told journalists earlier this week on the sidelines of a United Nations Economic Commission for Africa conference that he expects to see "a record of excellence" on how his country will host the meeting.As part of the preparations for the upcoming Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit, the Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry said in a statement that it has been "tasked with constructing and rehabilitating road infrastructure to facilitate efficient and smooth flow of the delegates and the citizenry during the summit."Transport minister, Felix Mhona, did not immediately respond to a call to his mobile phone and a text message sent seeking comment on the costs.Zimbabwe's economy has been in meltdown for more than two decades, saddled with an US$18 billion debt after defaulting on its loans in 1999. As a result, it has had no access to lines of credit for over 20 years which has left the country unable to maintain its infrastructure, which has sunk into decay. Repairs to dilapidated roads, bridges and dams must be funded via the national budget.Treasury allocated ZWL$1,4 trillion (US$85 million) for road works this year, according to the 2024 budget document on its website.The ministry set a July 31 deadline to complete the repairs, which include the widening of some roads as well as fitting new streetlights and landscaping.Motorists in Harare often endure dimly lit roads at night, and most traffic lights don't work. Traffic police and Harare city council workers are a common sight on busy intersections during morning and evening peak hours directing traffic.The investment in road renewal in Harare is rare, good news in the southern African nation, which otherwise suffers from the widespread collapse of everything from the health sector to basic services. Refuse collection is erratic, and the supply of running water is unreliable. Most northern suburbs in the city have gone for years without access to running tap water.As a result, Harare periodically is the epicentre of cholera outbreaks, despite an ongoing vaccination programme to contain the disease. The latest cholera surge also affected neighbouring countries including South Africa and Zambia.
A man has been arrested and faces several charges following a horrific incident in which he allegedly pushed his girlfriend onto New York City subway tracks, leading to both of her feet being severed, ABC News is reporting.

Christian Valdez, 35, was captured and arrested at 9:30 p.m. at the Fulton Street subway station, around 11 hours after the attack, the report said.

Valdez has been charged with attempted murder and felony assault, the report said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In October, Chick-fil-A operator Roosevelt Board bubbled over with joy announcing the Mall restaurants mission that month  to raise funds for cancer. Patrons at that time were asked to donate $1 at the register. And they surely did.

Flip forward to March.

The restaurant where Staten Islanders indeed Eat Mor Chikin declared the results of its fall fundraiser. Board and his crew handed over an oversized check for $5,000 for the American Cancer Society (ACS) of Staten Island.

Antonio Coppola of the ACS borough chapter shared her delight on such an outstanding local community partner that raised much needed funds for breast cancer and stomach cancer research.

The monies also will support local cancer programs in Staten Island.

Coppola said, Words cannot properly explain the deep gratitude and appreciation we have for everything Mr. Roosevelt Board and his local team at Chick-fil-A have done. We thank him for just not taking the time to be an active member of the Staten Island community but for all he has contributed. Mr. Boards dedication helps move our mission forward and touch the lives of those affected by cancer

Board said, Its always been important for me to be heavily involved with the community. I want to have a positive contribution to society and the people within my community. In 2019, my sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer and a year later my mother-in-law was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Unfortunately, a year after being diagnosed, my mother-in-law passed away. Her name was Deborah Payton and she was the light in the room.

He added, I had the opportunity to know Deb for over 14 years. And in that time, I got to see how much she meant and did for her family and others. She was a selfless person that didnt ask for anything but gave so much. Her love, laughter, and personality is what we miss the most.

Roosevelt Board of the Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy speaks to the graduates at the Pathways to Graduation Staten Island 2023 commencement ceremony in Tompkinsville last June. Board operates the Staten Island Mall Chik-fil-A. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

Board explained that before Debs diagnosis he hadnt known anyone with cancer, personally.

He shared, Watching what she went through and what her kids and family went through, opened my eyes to the pain so many people around the world go through. Knowing what I know now, I want to support the cancer community in any way possible.

Board declared the ACS partnership a wonderful experience knowing that we could help make a difference.

The Chick-fil-A operator concluded, Supporting an organization like ACS is an easy choice for me and my business. I look forward to finding opportunities to support and give back to the community. Its important that we dont give up the fight and keep giving back with our time and resources to those in need. Im not happy that it took the death of someone special to me and my family for me to get involved. But Im here now, and I will do my part to serve!
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, visited Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Tompkinsville on Monday in celebration of the schools centennial, addressing students and thanking the principal and teachers for being part of a grand heritage of 100 years.

Students, staff and families joined together inside the Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church for a special mass led by Dolan, along with other clergy from borough churches. Dolan was joined by Sister Mary Grace Walsh, superintendent of Catholic schools, and Jann Amato, regional superintendent of Staten Island Catholic schools, and Borough President Vito Fossella to commemorate the schools centennial.

Students in uniform filled the pews of the church, along with their teachers and Principal Tara Hynes. Many parents and other families members sat or stood in the back of the church. In the front corner of the church, the schools choir sang hymns throughout mass.

A WELL-KEPT SECRET

Its just a joy to celebrate such a milestone in Catholic education, said Hynes, who has been the principal at the school for the last nine years. This school is a well-kept secret. Our strong Catholic community, our academics are just so wonderful, and I think its really a united front that makes it so wonderful, and were happy to celebrate this day. Were looking forward to another 100 years on Staten Island. And we just are so proud of where the kids go from here, and how successful they are. I think it was important for them to see that the cardinal felt the same way.

Dolan gave a homily, distributed the Eucharist, and gave a special blessing to two young students, both in first grade. The archbishop also thanked Hynes, along with the teachers.

Youre doing a great job. We appreciate your love and care and professionalism that you have for people who are really close to the heart of Jesus  our children, said Dolan. We couldnt do it without the parents and our benefactors. And our neighbors, volunteers and staff. So thanks, thanks to all of you.

Following mass, Dolan, Walsh, Amato, and Fossella toured the school building with the help of eighth-graders Declan Driscoll and MaryKate Russo. And in honor of St. Patricks Day, elementary school students lined the hallways to sing When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, with an accordion played by music teacher Gusti Daija. At some points, Dolan spoke with students while walking down the hallway. The group then visited middle school classrooms on the second floor, speaking with students and teachers, and asking what students were learning in class.

Dolan even spotted a portrait of himself, drawn by a student, hanging in the hallway on a bulletin board. The portrait was framed as a gift for Dolan.

Throughout the visit, Walsh said it was evident that students are thriving and receiving a faith-based education  from the elementary students singing to the middle school students having discussions about what they were learning in their science, history, or math classes.

DEEPLY SPECIAL

I think that the 100th anniversary of any school is a remarkable thing, said Walsh. The 100th anniversary at Our Lady of Good Counsel is deeply special, because its so clear to me, having visited and having heard about it, its really truly a family-centered community. The parish and the school seem to be thriving, but its because the families feel a part of this community.

The day ended with a lunch among Our Lady of Good Counsel families in the schools gymnasium that included plenty of Irish specialities, like corned beef and Irish soda bread. Upon entering the gym, Dolan greeted a mother with her 5-month-old baby  later holding the child while he continued to greet and speak with other parents and school staff.

It speaks to the longevity of Catholic education in Staten Island, said Amato. It also speaks to the robust education that we continue to provide for the members of our community here. And I think the cardinal being here, acknowledging, is really momentous occasion for Our Lady of Good Counsel School. It speaks to make his continued commitment to Catholic education and supporting our fantastic principals like Mrs. Tara Hynes.

Amato added that there are many committed educators who provide a faith-based education to thousands of Staten Island children, which speaks to the spirit of community on Staten Island.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The Powerball jackpot has climbed to $532 million for the next drawing on Monday, according to the New York Lottery.

The jackpot rolled over after a winning ticket didnt match all six numbers during Saturday nights drawing  white balls 30, 36, 49, 52, 63 and red Powerball 16. The cash value of the jackpot is $260.1 million.

The jackpot was last hit on Jan. 1 when one ticket bought in Michigan won the grand prize worth $842.4 million.

A second-prize $1 million ticket was sold for the drawing on Saturday at Manhattans Peoples Place Gourmet Delii, located at 1391 Second Ave., in Manhattan. It had matched the first five numbers.

Heres what to know before you play.

BUYING A TICKET

Powerball tickets can be purchased at any New York Lottery retailer for $2, seven days a week. The deadline for purchasing a ticket is 9:45 p.m. on draw nights.

Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and the New York Lottery urges players to buy tickets early to avoid last-minute lines.

NEXT DRAWING

The drawing for the $532 million jackpot prize is Monday at 10:59 p.m.

WINNING THE JACKPOT

Players select five numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26.

In order to win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls in any order and the red Powerball number.

There are two Powerball jackpot prize payment options: You can receive your prize in 30 annual payments, or receive the prize in a lump sum cash payment.

Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

ADDING A POWER PLAY

Power Play is a feature that allows a winner to multiply the original prize amount  but only on non-jackpot prizes.

Players can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 times with the Power Play option for an additional $1 per play.

ODDS OF WINNING

The odds of a $2 ticket hitting the jackpot are more than 292 million to 1. Its roughly a 11,688,053-to-1 shot to match five numbers but not the Powerball.
More than 50 roosters were recovered and 52 people were arrested Saturday when police broke up a large-scale cockfighting ring at a South Jersey home, authorities said.

The raid ended an ongoing investigation by Galloway Township police into the ring in the 300 block of South Bremen Avenue off the White Horse Pike, officials said.

Four dogs, three of which were housed in an outdoor shed in inhumane conditions, were also taken by local animal control officials, police said Monday.

The homeowner, Jose Madera, was arrested at the site Saturday and charged with numerous animal cruelty offenses, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, destruction of evidence and resisting arrest, police said. Investigators also recovered over $37,000 in cash during the raid.

Police allege the money was proceeds from illegal gambling on the fights, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Attorney information for Madera was not immediately available.

Madera allegedly housed the ring in a garage on his property, charging admission to spectators to watch and place bets on the fights, according to arrest records obtained Monday.

Police entered the property on Saturday and found a large gathering of people, authorities said. Many of the spectators began to flee, but police said they were able to detain several people.

Police found a cockfighting ring with seating for viewers. The roosters had various health issues and were found in crates, boxes and bags.

Cocaine was also discovered in a bathroom at the home, the affidavit states.

Madera was taken to Atlantic County jail following the raid.

The other 51 people arrested were from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Police did not release their charges.
FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh apologized to state Attorney General Letitia James for booing and taunts she received from pro-Donald Trump members of the crowd at a recent Fire Department promotion ceremony, according to the New York Daily News.

On behalf of the New York City Fire Department, Im sorry, the commissioner said Sunday at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn  the same church where the heckling happened on Thursday. Not only is the Fire Department the greatest department in the world, its also the most professional fire department in the world and we let down that reputation on Thursday.

According to the Daily News, during last weeks ceremony, members of the crowd booed as James assumed the spotlight for the swearing in of 34 civilian FDNY employees and 29 members of the Bureau of Fire Prevention.

Multiple outlets reported that at one point during the attorney generals speech, members of the crowd consisting of FDNY members and their families broke out in chants of Trump! Trump! Trump!

The department has since launched an official investigation, according to the New York Post.

New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a news briefing, Feb. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)AP

Nobody is hunting anyone down. Were looking into those who clearly broke department regulations, FDNY spokesman Jim Long said in a statement, according to the New York Daily News. It has nothing to do with politics. Its about professionalism at an official event held in a house of worship.

The crowds jeering came weeks after a judge ruled in favor of the attorney generals office and smacked Trump with massive fines at the end of his Manhattan fraud trial.
Rescuers recovered more bodies as waters began to recede after flash floods and landslides caused by torrential rains on Indonesias Sumatra island, which have killed at least 26 people and left 11 missing, officials said Monday.

Monsoon rains and rising rivers have submerged nine districts and cities in West Sumatra province since Thursday. Late Friday, a major mudslide caused a river to breach its banks and tear through mountainside villages in Pesisir Selatan district.

Relief efforts for have been hampered by power outages, damaged bridges and roads blocked by thick mud and debris, the National Disaster Management Agency said.

In this image made from video, soldiers ride motor bikes in a village affected by flash flood in Langgai, West Sumatra, Indonesia, Sunday, March 10, 2024. Torrential rains have triggered flash floods and a landslide on Indonesia's Sumatra island leaving a number of people dead and missing, officials said Sunday. (AP Photo)AP

Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said rescuers recovered more bodies, mostly in the worst-hit villages in Pesisir Selatan and its neighboring Padang Pariaman district, bringing the death toll rose to 26.

Landslides buried at least 14 houses, he said. At least two villagers were injured and rescuers were still searching for 11 people reportedly missing.

In this image made from video, damaged houses are seen in a village affected by flash flood in Langgai, West Sumatra, Indonesia, Sunday, March 10, 2024. Torrential rains have triggered flash floods and a landslide on Indonesia's Sumatra island leaving a number of people dead and missing, officials said Sunday. (AP Photo)AP

Monsoon rains in West Sumatra province have submerged more than 37,000 houses and buildings, Muhari said. At least three houses were swept away by flash floods and 666 others were damaged.

Floods also damaged 26 bridges, 45 mosques and 25 schools; and destroyed 13 roads, two irrigation system units, which in turn submerged 113 hectares (279 acres) of rice fields and 300 square meters (3,220 square feet) of plantation, the agency said.

Heavy rains cause frequent landslides and flash floods in Indonesia, an archipelago nation of more than 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near floodplains.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The average American is receiving more money back on their annual tax return than they did last year.

Through March 1, the most recent date currently available, the agency has issued 36,288,000 refunds, nearly 14% fewer than the 42,040,000 that had been issued by this time last year, according to the latest Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data.

The reason for the dramatic reduction in refunds issued to date is a simple one; the agency officially began processing tax returns one week later this year than it did in 2023.

Because the 2023 filing season began on Jan. 23, the IRS had been receiving returns for 40 days by Feb. 23, 2023; compared to only 33 days for the 2024 filing season, which opened on Jan. 29. Considering the loss of 7 days in this comparison, filing season statistics below continue to show a strong start to Filing Season 2024, with all systems running well, according to the IRS.

The average refund amount through March 1 was $3,182, roughly 5.1% higher than the average refund of $3,028 at that time last year.

Through Feb. 9, the average had been just $1,741, but has increased dramatically now that the IRS has begun issuing refunds to taxpayers who claimed the the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit.

Due to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, which took effect during the 2017 filing season, the IRS legally cannot issue refunds or credits to anyone who claimed an Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before Feb. 15, with the agency expecting those who claimed those credits to receive their direct deposit refunds by Feb. 27.

The policy was implemented to help prevent revenue loss due to identity theft and refund fraud related to fabricated wages and withholdings, according to the IRS.

TRACKING YOUR REFUND

If youre one of the millions of Americans who have already sent in their tax returns, there are online portals that will allow you to monitor the status of your refund.

For federal taxes, residents can use the IRS Wheres My Refund tool or the IRS2Go mobile app to see when their refunds have been received, processed and sent.

Refund status will appear roughly 24 hours after you e-file a current-year return, three or four days after you e-file a prior-year return or four weeks after you file a paper return.

To access the information, which is updated overnight each day, residents must provide their Social Security or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN), filing status and exact refund amount on their return.

Once refunds are sent, those using direct deposit should receive their refund within five days, while those expecting checks in the mail may have to wait several weeks.

For state taxes, New Yorkers can visit the Department of Taxation and Finance website and click Check refund status.

This allows residents to see if their return has been received; when its being processed; if the return requires additional review; if the state requires additional information; if a requested refund amount has been adjusted and when a refund has been issued.

NEW TAX INCOME BRACKETS

While tax rates have remained the same as last year, the IRS has announced new brackets with adjusted thresholds, boasting upper limits that are 7% higher than last year.

In addition to the new tax brackets, the standard deduction, the amount you can deduct to adjust the amount of income on which youre taxed, has also increased from $12,950 to $13,850 for single filers and from $25,900 to $27,700 for married couples filing jointly.

Heres a look at the new tax brackets that will be used when filing in 2024.

MARGINAL TAX BRACKETS FOR SINGLE FILERS

$11,000 or less in taxable income  10% of taxable income

$11,001 to $44,725 in taxable income  $1,100 plus 12% over $11,000

$44,726 to $95,375 in taxable income  $5,147 plus 22% over $44,725

$95,376 to $182,100 in taxable income  $16,290 plus 24% over $95,375

$182,101 to $231,250 in taxable income  $37,104 plus 32% over $182,100

$231,251 to $578,125 in taxable income  $52,832 plus 35% over $231,250

$578,126 or more in taxable income - $174,238 plus 37% over $578,125

MARGINAL TAX BRACKETS FOR MARRIED COUPLES FILING JOINTLY
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Staten Island pre-K facility settled for nearly half a million dollars recently in a lawsuit filed by a local family, court records show.

The suit was filed in 2020 against Smiles All Around Us Academy Inc., located at 351 Sand Lane in South Beach. Also named as a defendant was Smiles Around Us II, Inc.

The plaintiff, Jareer Alabdoun of Midland Beach, is the father of a then 4-year-old girl who was attending the school at the time of the incident.

Alabdoun stated in court documents that on Sept. 15 of that year, his daughter fell down a set of stairs at the facility and fractured her wrist.

The injury was caused by the gross negligence of school staff who did not adequately attend to a group of children as they were returning to the building from outside, according to the civil complaint filed approximately two weeks after the incident by attorneys for the plaintiff.

Staff at the school called the childs mother, but said she was OK and did not seek medical attention, the complaint alleged.

Then, three hours later, the girl was crying when her father arrived for pickup, so the family took her to a CityMD, furthered attorneys for the plaintiff.

Attorneys for the school countered in court filings that the plaintiff did not take the necessary and proper precautions for their own safety, and was otherwise negligent and careless inside the premises.

The school did not return a request for comment this week at numbers listed on its website and in public records.

The plaintiff was represented in the case by attorney Ramy Joudeh of Joudeh and Kuller.

JURY TRIAL

The case ultimately ended up on trial before Justice Wayne Ozzi, resulting in a $2.050 million verdict returned by a Staten Island jury.

The plaintiff, however, accepted an offer from the defendant in January for $450,000.

In a letter asking the court to approve the settlement, Alabdoun noted his daughter had healed from the injury and did not require additional medical attention.

Additionally, stated the plaintiff, he did not want to risk the uncertainty and expense of ongoing litigation in the appellate courts.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The house at 24 Alaska St. in West Brighton isnt much to look at these days.

A short distance from Richmond Terrace, the disheveled, two-story home sits behind tall, weathered fencing on a lot overgrown with weeds.

The dwellings windows and doors are covered with boards, and one portion of the house appears to have collapsed and is open to the elements. Plastic bottles, cups, bags and other trash and debris litter the grounds outside the fence.

A reader tipped the Advance/SILive.com to the home recently in keeping with our continuing coverage of vacant, decrepit or zombie houses across Staten Island.

But the home at 24 Alaska St. isnt just another old broken-down old house. It has an illustrious history and has been the focus of preservation efforts in the past.

UNSAFE BUILDING

A neighbor on Alaska Street who spoke to the Advance said that home had been in disrepair and boarded up since the 1980s.

There are two unsafe building violations pending against the home, according to the city Buildings Department website, the most recent lodged in 2022.

Historic home at 24 Alaska St. in West Brighton has been boarded up since at least the 1980s. (NYC Municipal Archives photo)NYC Municipal Archives photo

The Advance has reported at various times that the Federalist-style home was built either in 1810 or in the 1840s, making it one of the oldest homes in West Brighton.

The house was built at a time when the core of West Brighton town was considered to be closer to Richmond Terrace.

The home was said to contain three fireplaces and wide plank floors. The red cedar shakes were added to the structure sometime around the turn of the last century.

The home has been likened to the famed Basket Makers House at Historic Richmond Town, which was built around 1810.

Home at 24 Alaska St. is shown in this photo from around 1940. (NYC Municipal Archives photo)NYC Municipal Archives photo

The current owner of the home is listed as Ronald Losner, according to city Finance Department records.

Losner could not be located for comment.

SAVE THIS HOUSE

Losner was the owner of 24 Alaska St. back in 1988, when the Advance reported on a restoration effort that was launched by preservationist and neighborhood resident Linda Eskenas, a champion of the history of old West Brighton.

But no restoration plans ever came to fruition and the home now sits vacant and derelict.

Home at 24 Alaska St. in West Brighton was the the focus of preservation efforts when this photo was taken in 1988. (Staten Island Advance photo)Staten Island Advance photo

The house, which has no landmarks protection, has been a perennial entry on the Preservation League of Staten Islands list of the boroughs endangered historic buildings.

The house has historic provenance, said John Kilcullen, vice president of the preservation league. It could be a future landmark.

Kilcullen said that the house was likely built for workers when West Brighton was known as Factoryville and was home to a number of textile, dye and printing businesses, as well as furniture and carriage builders.

Alaska Street at that time was known as Water Street.

In the 1860s and 1870s, Factoryville residents began calling the area West New Brighton, likely in hopes of gaining some of the luster of the more fashionable neighboring town of New Brighton.

LITERARY LION

The house at 24 Alaska St. in the middle of the last century was home to the family of Rutledge Robinson and his wife, Hubertine Robinson, who married in 1956.

Born Hubertine Zahorska and related to Polish nobility, she managed a gift shop in Bermuda in the 1920s where she befriended the legendary playwright Eugene ONeill, author of Long Days Journey Into Night, The Iceman Cometh and other seminal works of the American theater.

Zahorska became ONeills secretary for about 10 years, beginning in the mid-1920s, the Advance reported.

Zahorska typed and edited ONeills plays, and she also met many of the celebrated authors and theatrical people in ONeills circle. She was also witness to the sometimes complicated domestic affairs of ONeill, his children and his third wife, Carlotta.

Out of loyalty to the man she called Gene, Zahorska never wrote her memoirs, although she was a sought after sounding board for ONeill biographers, producers of the literary giants plays and actors who had parts in those plays.

She retired to the familys summer home in Jersalem, Vt., in 1977. She died in 1982 at the age of 80.

Rutledge Robinson was born on the Country Club Grounds in Dongan Hills, according to the Advance. The lower school building of Staten Island Academy was later built on that spot, the Advance said.

Robinson was a construction engineer who worked on projects around the globe, and the family initially lived in a Victorian home on Little Clove Road in Sunnyside.

But that abode was demolished to make way for the Staten Island Expressway, the Advance reported. In an ironic touch, Robinson at one time worked for Robert Moses, the New York master builder who devised the expressway route.

Robinson died in 1954 at the age of 57.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Its not known what will become of the house at 24 Alaska St.

The neighborhood resident that the Advance spoke with agreed that the property is an eyesore.

I would say take it down, they said. But if it has historical value, restore it. It doesnt need to sit here for another 20 years.

The Buildings Department told the Advance that an inspector will be sent to the address to evaluate the building.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of attempted murder as he tried to strangle a grade one pupil to death, reportedly for ritual purposes.According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, Tatenda Mudziwedare from Headlands was arraigned before the Rusape Magistrates' Court.The Court heard that on February 28, 2024, Mudziwedare was instructed by a businessman at Sherenje Business Centre to bring him a human head and he waylaid a grade one pupil."Acting on the instruction, the accused person chased a group of pupils that were on their way to school at Sherenje Business Centre. He managed to grab the complainant who is a 7-year-old Grade 1 pupil and squeezed the minor's neck using both hands," posted the NAPZIt is alleged that Mudziwedare only stopped after he saw some villagers approaching at a distance."The complainant narrated his ordeal to his mother who reported the matter to the Police, leading to the accused person's arrest. The accused person pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to seven years in prison, of which 3 years were suspended."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Con Edison is mobilizing to respond to any service problems that may be caused by fierce winds that are expected to hit the New York City area Sunday evening into Monday.

The utility company urges members of the public to stay safe by staying away from downed wires that may still be live.

The combination of prolonged gusty winds and widespread saturated soil conditions can cause trees and branches to fall onto power lines and bring those lines down, causing customers to lose service and creating a safety hazard, the company said in a statement.

There is expected to be some serious wind in the area on Monday. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Marshall Moss believes that the west-northwest winds will blast us with gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range, with the potential to reach up to 55 mph.

To ensure public safety, Con Edison may guard downed wires until crews make repairs. Company personnel may be in unmarked cars but will always have Con Edison identification.

The priority for restoration will be facilities that have an impact on the public, such as mass transit, hospitals, police and fire stations and sewage and water-pumping stations.

Crews will then prioritize repairs that will provide power to the largest numbers of customers as quickly as possible, then move on to restore smaller groups and individual customers.
UPDATE: According to the Con Edison online outage map, power has been restored on the North Shore.



STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Fierce winds lashed Staten Island on Monday, prompting bridge restrictions and toppling trees.

At one point, 600 Con Edison customers were without power.

Wind and speed restrictions have been placed on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge due to gusts topping 45 mph.

According to an alert from the MTA, the following vehicles are not permitted on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge as of about 10 a.m.:

all tractor trailers (including vehicles pulling trailers);

minibuses;

step vans;

motorcycles;

house trailers;

any vehicle deemed to be a potential safety hazard due to cargo or other factors.

Drivers also are asked to slow down as they cross the span.

OUTAGES

At one point Monday, a total of 641 were affected by an outage mostly on the North Shore, according to the utilitys website.

Isolated power outages also were reported on the South Shore, with several customers out of power on Yeomalt Avenue near Arbutus Avenue in Huguenot and along Billop Avenue in Tottenville.

Most of the outages were in West Brighton between Cary and Forest avenues and Dubois Avenue and Bement Avenue.

WINDY FORECAST FOR MONDAY

High winds continued to blow on Staten Island and the rest of New York City Monday.

Empty tractor-trailers, tandems, and motorcycles, were banned at the Bayonne Bridge, where there was a speed restriction of 30 mph. The pedestrian path was also closed, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

A large tree fell down onto Ramble Road in Great Kills, blocking the street and a pedestrian entrance to Jacks Pond near Dent Road. Tree limbs and branches landed on at least two fences.

The mercury likely will peak at about 51 degrees as the clouds clear and the sun shines during the evening rush hour, according to AccuWeather.com.

A National Weather Service wind advisory is in effect until 11 p.m. Winds are expected to exceed 45 mph on Staten Island.

Throughout the region, northwesterly winds blew steadily at 20-to-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Isolated gusts of 60 mph are possible and winds were strong enough to blow down unsecured items, tree limbs and power limbs. Gusts could buffet cars, especially on bridges, according to the National Weather Service.
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Facebook and Instagram owner Metas decision to opt out of commercial deals with Australian news publishers has prompted an existential moment for media companies, says Nine chairman Peter Costello, former head of the Future Fund.

Making the comments at The Australian Financial Reviews business summit in Sydney on Monday, Costello said Metas decision to pull almost $70 million in annual revenue for news organisations would put reputable journalism at risk.

Nine chairman Peter Costello said Meta should be subject to improved government regulation. Credit: Peter Rae

If our media goes the way of everybody being drawn on platforms with free unedited content, then you wont have anyone investing in reputable media, he said.

This is quite an existential moment for Australian media.
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Eating outJust open High-profile brewer opens first Melbourne venue and theres chops by the kilo and spanakopita lasagne Two chefs with a love of fire are having fun with their first beer hall menu at South Melbournes new Pirate Life, serving smoked goat spring rolls, mussels a la oven and other things youll want to eat with beer. Emma Breheny March 12, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the Melbourne hit list April 2024. See all stories .

South Australian brewer Pirate Life touches down in Victoria this week with a rollicking restaurant and beer hall for 220 people in a former mechanics garage in South Melbourne. While therell be some common brewpub items, such as smoked and barbecued meats, the wood-fired kitchen is turning out items that go beyond the obvious. Pirate Lifes Melbourne debut has room for 220 punters in what was once a mechanics garage. Amy Whitfield Mussels a la oven is the humble name given to mussels cooked in a searing-hot cast-iron pan with a typical French medley of white wine, garlic and parsley, plus smoked fish stock made using the hearth. Goat spring rolls, partly inspired by a Chiko roll, involve whole goat sourced from Bacchus Marsh thats smoked and then braised for 15 hours. The meat is shredded and combined with salted cabbage for a beer-friendly snack. Two fire-loving chefs jointly lead the kitchen: Maria Delengas, who was head chef at Adelaides acclaimed fire-driven Arkhe restaurant, and Nicolas Lopez, a Chilean-born chef whose career has skewed towards steakhouses and cooking over fire.

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The chefs culinary backgrounds merge in the lamb forequarter chops with chimichurri. Supplied Delengas says her Greek heritage combined with Lopezs skill in South American barbecue have resulted in winning dishes such as lamb forequarter chops, available by the kilo or half-kilo. Thinly sliced, theyre marinated overnight in parsley and onion, cooked very quickly and served with lots of lemon and chimichurri, a popular condiment for meat in Argentina. Another cross-cultural collab is pickled octopus with ajo blanco, a sauce based on the Spanish soup of stale bread, almonds and garlic. A garnish of oregano nods to Delengas roots. The buildings industrial bones are celebrated in the original paintwork and walls, and enhanced by the large oven and hearth of the open kitchen. An express lunch menu with dishes designed to hit the table in 15 minutes is geared to the surrounding offices and shoppers at nearby South Melbourne Market. The standout is the spanakopita lasagne, which uses the same filling as the Greek pie but sandwiches it between two sheets of pasta instead of pastry.

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Pickled octopus with ajo blanco nods to each chefs heritage. Amy Whitfield This venue is Pirate Lifes fourth. The craft brewer began in Adelaide in 2014 and was quickly snapped up by Carlton & United Breweries (now owned by Asahi). Pirate Life wont be brewing at South Melbourne, but will send beer from its South Australian headquarters to fill the 11 beer taps in South Melbourne, including a special Market Street Lager exclusive to the venue. These will join predominantly Australian wines (the most expensive glass is $20) and four classic cocktails, including a South Side. The opening comes at a tumultuous time for the craft beer industry, with many independent breweries closing because of the difficult economic and regulatory environment. Several are adding full-scale restaurants to diversify their businesses. A retail shop at the front will sell merch and beer.

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Eating outRestaurant news The hot new (and upcoming) Indian restaurants you need to know about right now A wave of young chefs is transforming Melbournes Indian dining landscape. We find out why, and reveal the best places to try it. Tomas Telegramma March 12, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This story appears in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival highlights collection. See all stories .

People have been expecting Indian food to turn the corner in Melbourne for so long, says chef Mischa Tropp. In 2018, he introduced home-style Keralan cuisine to Fitzroys Rochester Hotel before settling down at the new venue Toddy Shop by Marthanden Hotel late last year. Tropp is part of a wave of remarkable young Indian chefs making their mark on Melbournes food scene with restaurants and pop-ups that challenge preconceptions about Indian cuisine, with undeniably delicious results. From left: Mischa Tropp, Helly Raichura and Harry Mangat are cooking the Worlds Longest Brunch. Shelly Horan Leading the pack is Helly Raichura. [Indian] food has always been tasty, she says. Its the perception thats changed. When the Indian chef launched Enter Via Laundry as a supper club in her Box Hill home in 2018, diners were mostly curious about the secrecy of its location.

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Now, with a permanent restaurant in Carlton North, theres a much greater appreciation for the tireless technique she uses in her cooking. Raichuras Enter Via Laundry degustation highlights a different regional cuisine every six months. Jana Langhorst For Tropp, however, an approachable price point was uppermost in diners minds when he began doing pop-ups. Its always been easy for French or Italian cuisines to create perceived value, he says. But diners see value in [Indian cuisine] now, and theyll spend money on anything thats done well, whether that be fine dining or traditional. Mischa Tropp says Melburnians now put greater value on Indian food. Hayden Dibb

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Its a beautiful time to be opening that treasure chest, says Raichura, who credits much of her success to unwavering support from Melbournes large Indian community, with savvy diners relishing a taste of home, then spreading the word to their friends. When we started, we didnt get many Indians; now its 30 per cent or more. Raichura attributes some of the demand to Indian migrants finding success in Australia. Theres a lot more disposable income that Indians now have ... And they really know what theyre eating: whos authentic, whos not. For Tropp, opening his 20-seat venue, tucked just off Smith Street, was a matter of finally having the money and skills, emboldened by almost a decade spent travelling to India, to expand his repertoire. The more great Indian restaurants we have, the better theyll be. Mischa Tropp

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What sets many of this new guard apart is their pride in hyper-regionality instead of serving a broad sweep of dishes from across the subcontinent. Tropp honours the food of his heritage in Kerala, in Indias south; Raichura champions a different regional Indian cuisine every six months, fiercely researching for each new tasting menu. For those familiar with the specific cuisine, its a drawcard. And for those who arent? Tutorials dont come much tastier. Food is wrapped up in a lot of emotions for a lot of cultures, Tropp says. His restaurant has struck a chord with Indians in its emulation of the toddy shops, or drinking establishments, around Kerala that pour fermented coconut juice sourced from toddy palms. They call us up and say, You actually serve toddy? says Tropp. Indeed, he does. Seeing their culture celebrated  for a group who didnt grow up with that  is huge. Its probably going to turn into a bit of a destination for Indians coming to Melbourne.

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And then theres the support from the hospitality industry. Instead of competing, his Indian chef counterparts have bonded  and banded together. Avani winery has provided a base for Indian chefs, including Biji Dinings Harry Mangat and Sandy Soerjadhi (second and third from left). Theyre pictured with the Singh family, son Rohit (far left), Shashi and Devendra. Parker Blain For several years, Shashi and Devendra Singhs Mornington Peninsula winery Avani has showcased some of Melbournes most dynamic Indian talent. Its pop-up restaurant has played host to Biji Dining, a nomadic concept by Harry Mangat, who  like Raichura  cleverly melds his Indian heritage with native Australian ingredients, and Saadi, by husband-and-wife team Sriram Aditya Suresh and Saavni Krishnan  both finalists in the 2023 Young Chef of the Year  who are based at Coburg wine bar Gemini and North Melbournes Mauritian wine bar Manze respectively. The commitment of these trailblazing chefs to honing and sharing their craft is thrilling not only for Melbourne diners today but also for the future of Indian dining here.

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Finding someone with a deep understanding of the cuisine is hard, says Raichura, who worked in corporate HR before embarking on a hospitality career. Its not something we can advertise for ... Skillset is something you often have to import. Tropp adds: Its not like the UK, where Indian chefs come up in all these amazing [Indian] restaurants. A slow but steady stream of new Indian restaurants will, Raichura hopes, create opportunities for people who have capabilities they havent had a chance to express yet. The more great Indian restaurants we have, the better theyll be, Tropp adds. Fish nadan, featuring a broth spiked with Kashmiri chilli, at Toddy Shop, Fitzroy.

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New venues to visit As well as the new Toddy Shop, theres an evolution to explore at some of our most-loved Indian spots. After earning a hat in last years Good Food Guide, Belgrave south-Indian spot Babajis Kerala Kitchen has opened a sophomore diner in Warburton, Babajis Birrarung. The Gandhis  the family that founded Caulfield South treasure Bombay by Night  have relocated their follow-up venue, Cafe Southall from St Kilda to Hampton, upsizing the space and the menu of (mostly) true-to-tradition Indian dishes. Dessert Corner has graduated from an Indian food truck park in Clayton to a fully-fledged diner in Truganina, with owner Deval Patel doing sweet food for every mood.

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Dessert Corners Glory Falooda riffs on a Mughlai cold dessert made with vermicelli. Chris Hopkins And while Punch Lane restaurant Sunda is broadly Southeast Asian, the return of former sous chef Nabil Ansari as head chef  following founding chef Khanh Nguyens departure  means some exciting injections of his Indian heritage on the menu. Upcoming openings to watch Indian fine dining is set to have a moment in Melbourne. Chefs Nishant Arora and Janos Roman met while working on the opening of Society, but this May, after several pop-ups, theyll launch Aanya in Collingwood. Its more fun dining than fine, but razor-sharp technique will result in decidedly fancy dishes such as mango lassi reinvented as a fermented mango oyster with seaweed moss, and cumin-and-goats-yoghurt snow. A partner in Aanya is restaurateur Jessi Singh (Daughter in Law, Bar Bombay Yacht Club), who will open curry pub You My Boy next door, dishing up pub classics with an Indian accent, such as tandoori chicken and chips, and saucy butter-chicken pizzas. Singh is also soon to unveil Bibi Ji in Carlton, serving generous thali on banana-leaf platters.

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Butter chicken pizza or Indian fine dining? The dead end of Smith Street is about to get glitzy Nearby in Carlton North, change is afoot at Raichuras 20-seat degustation diner, Enter Via Laundry. Adding a small bar in the front room will make her masterful cooking more accessible. Snacks will be a mix of past hits and new tricks, like falooda, a weird and wonderful cold dessert of vermicelli and basil seeds layered with Geraldton wax and rosella jelly. Events to book The eruption of Indian innovation through the citys restaurants is mirrored in a glut of Melbourne Food & Wine Festival events, which will bring together Indian talent from all over to offer a snapshot of where the cuisine is at right now  and where it could go. When I look at what the Indian and Indian-Australian chefs are cooking for the festival, Im really excited by the diversity and freshness, says creative director Pat Nourse, who says the events reveal things you may not have known or expected about Indian food.

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Michelin-starred chef Garima Arora, of modern Indian restaurant Gaa in Bangkok. Some of it, like the food Garima Arora does, is influenced by travel and geography  she is an alumna of Noma, and her restaurant is in Bangkok, says Nourse. Gaa at Evergreen (March 15-24, $250) is the Michelin-starred chefs first Australian residency. Other times, Nourse continues, its more a reflection of just how vast and complex the cuisine of India is and how little we see of that complexity and breadth in restaurants, especially in Australia. The 1800-person Worlds Longest Brunch (March 16, $125) in Kings Domain is one hell of a platform, and this year its an Indian triple-header starring Raichura, Tropp and Harry Mangat. Its not somewhere you would ever have expected to see us, says Tropp. Its a reflection of how the markets changed  for the better. Elsewhere, one of Indias most awarded restaurants is coming to town for Indian Accent x Daughter in Law (March 20-21, $270), and Swadeshi: Raja x Sunda (March 18-19, $234) is a chance to try hatted chef Ahana Dutts cooking without the trip to Sydney, as she puts her spin on Indias tribal cuisine with Nabil Ansari.

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Review Eating outBalmain This indoor-outdoor Argentinian-inspired grillfest boasts Balmain-to-Buenos Aires vibes Casa Esquinas menu includes 10 different dishes from the parrilla, from Gundagai lamb tomahawk chops to a one-kilo dry-aged Rangers Valley Black Market rib-eye. Terry Durack March 12, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 7 Casa Esquinas sprawling indoor-outdoor vibe has a special sense of freedom. Wolter Peeters 2 / 7 Empanadas are ideal snackage while youre waiting for your steak. Wolter Peeters 3 / 7 The 275-gram Tajima wagyu picanha steak, served with chimichurri sauce. Wolter Peeters 4 / 7 Charcoal sweet potatoes are split open at the table to show off the fluor orange flesh. Wolter Peeters 5 / 7 Sweetbread and prawn paella, the rice turned pitch-black with squid ink. Wolter Peeters 6 / 7 Alfajores are all crisp, biscuity dacquoise sandwiching rich dulce de leche and toasted coconut. Wolter Peeters 7 / 7 The indoor space, for when the weather isnt playing nice. Wolter Peeters Previous Slide Next Slide 14 / 20 How we score Argentinian$$$ Dining out is great, but dining outside is even better. Theres a special sense of freedom to drinking a margarita and nibbling empanadas while basking in the last of the days rays. Since Casa Esquina opened on February 15, however, the weather has been volatile, so its just as well they have options. There is some undercover seating outside, or you can move into the buzzy, long walk-in bar that ends in the grill kitchen. Or head upstairs to a light-filled dining room that spills out onto a curved concrete balcony, lined with stools and fringed by the leaves of two magnificent 80-year-old camphor laurel trees. Sometimes being sent to dine indoors by the weather feels like punishment, but Michael Fegent of Atticus Hospitality (Tequila Mockingbird, Esteban) has done a great job with this reinvention of the former Efendy site. The clean lines of poured concrete, rotating grills, shapely chairs, artful lamps and random vignettes of cactus against Victorian railing give a real Balmain-to-Buenos Aires vibe.

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Hard-to-resist empanadas made from rough, rustic pastry. Wolter Peeters Fegent and head chef Will Quartel recently ate their way through Argentina, and have had fun with a menu that runs to 10 different grills from the parrilla, from Gundagai lamb tomahawk chops to a one-kilogram dry-aged Rangers Valley Black Market rib-eye. To begin, its hard to resist the empanadas, fashioned in rough, rustic pastry, enclosing chicken and chorizo or juicy beef (both $10), or try the playful kangaroo and maraschino cherry version ($12). Consider also Esquinas take on a Fernandito, with Fernet-Branca and cola foam ($23) or a salt-rimmed margarita of Patron Silver, Cointreau and lime ($21). Quartel hails from Washington, DC, and has proudly put his grandmothers lemon chess pie (a Southern US classic) on the menu, in another clue to the free-ranging approach. The kitchen loves a char  theres a sweet potato ($15) that comes in a completely blackened sarcophagus, split open at the table to show off its fluorescent orange flesh. Waitstaff suggest the skin can be eaten, but I wouldnt. Besides, blackened mahimahi and black garlic pasta await for those who want it painted black. Paella, too, is pitch-black with squid ink, topped with fat lobes of Cowra lamb sweetbreads and curls of prawns ($36). Its listed as an entree (it isnt), and quickly makes your face look, shall we say, Halloween-ish.

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Rice, pitch-black with squid ink, is topped with fat lobes of sweetbread and prawns. Wolter Peeters Thank you for waiting; we are now ready to discuss the steak. Because if you know anything about cooking over coals, then youll know the importance of being patient. Order even a modestly sized 275-gram wodge of Tajima wagyu picanha ($76), or rump cut fringed with fat, and youll be in for a 30- to 40-minute wait (which is why the country invented its cocktails and snacks, lets face it). This isnt meat slapped on a hot griddle and sent out sizzling. Its exposure to heat is slow and steady, leaving the meat consistently ruby-pink medium-rare from one side to the other, and the outside darkly bitumenised. Add an OK chimichurri ($3) of parsley, garlic and vinegar for acidity and piquancy. Red wine is required, and who better to make it than Telmo Rodriguez, one of Spains most passionate pioneers, whose fleshy, floral LZ tempranillo ($100) is pure village-style Rioja. The chocolate-cloaked alfajor is all crisp dacquoise sandwiching dulce de leche and toasted coconut. Wolter Peeters

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Alfajores ($20) are cutely done here: all crisp, biscuity dacquoise sandwiching rich dulce de leche and toasted coconut, with way too much chocolate poured over the top. Theres a slight disconnect when you cant see, hear or smell your steak cooking, so make a point of checking out the grills yourself to close that gap. Or come for lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday when a spit grill and barbecue is set up outside for porchetta, chorizo and morcilla in rolls and burgers; or the monthly Sunday lunch asado with a whole pig or lamb on the cross, plus live music ($155 a head). In other words, Casa Esquina has loads and loads of options and ideas. But in a changing world, and climate, you cant have too many. The low-down Vibe: Mendoza grill-house with backyard barbecue Go-to dish: 275-gram Tajima wagyu picanha, $76 Drinks: Deep dive into the wines of Spain and South America, Latin-leaning cocktails Cost: About $270 for two, plus drinks

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News / National

by Staff reporter

A HARARE woman feels betrayed and abused after her videos were recorded without her consent and posted on social media by people she claims were working on behalf of her married lover.Sally Sallom Chikodzi had a four-year relationship with Lazarus James but it ended in an ugly manner.She claims Lazarus engaged a private investigator to harass, record and post her videos on social media.Lazarus is said to have ditched Sally when she demanded more money than expected for her medical treatment when she had a miscarriage.Sally was accused of faking pregnancy in order to extort money from Lazarus.Sally and Lazarus' romantic photographs have leaked and become the talk of the Hwange community.Sally told H-Metro that she was Lazarus' second wife considering the lengthy period they were together although he was yet to pay lobola."I met Lazarus four years ago in Hwange and he ended up managing my business," said Sally."We ended up falling for each other and the rest was for nature to take care of and I got pregnant."Lazarus introduced me to his children and we lived together as husband and wife."At first he lied to me that he was a divorcee only to find out later that he was not single."He has found another girlfriend."She added:"That is why he engaged Tafadzwa Chidawa to humiliate and sexually harass me pretending as if he was a police detective. Tafadzwa recorded and posted a video, which is humiliating me, on social media."It's inhumane, abusive and defamation of character considering that we had united our children and lived as husband and wife," said Sally.Lazarus, whose photographs with Sally are awash on social media, could not be reached for his side of the story.
A surgeon whose substandard care resulted in the deaths of two patients, who lied about a relationship with a third patient and provided a false medical certificate to cover up his failure to attend mandatory drug testing for cocaine use has been cleared to reapply for his practising certificate after serving a years ban.

In granting his reinstatement, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has concluded it is highly unlikely that William Mooney, an ear, nose and throat surgeon, will repeat any of the mistakes of the past.

In our view, Mr Mooney has proven that he can be trusted to practise in an honest and ethical manner and presents no risk to the safety of the public and their confidence in the profession, the tribunal found.

Controversial ENT surgeon William Mooney is allowed to practise again.

He has put a considerable amount of time and effort into addressing his past unethical behaviour.
Sydney has become Australias most tolled city courtesy of road building programs that developed nearly a dozen toll roads without much regard to any overall system linking them.

Motorists now pay around $2.5 billion a year across the patchwork network, and under current contractual arrangements with private firms that is expected to total $196 billion between now and 2060.

Former ACCC boss Allan Fels has released his interim review into toll roads. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Now, in the first holistic and independent review of the citys toll system, the former competition watchdog chairman Professor Allan Fels has attempted to find a road to the future by highlighting the current problems.

Among the identified failings: the lopsided financial impact of tolls is greatest in western Sydney; tolls are higher than necessary or desirable; dominant toll road concessions given to Transurban could adversely affect competition for tolling concessions; high tolls may be a disincentive for motorists to use the shiny new infrastructure, and important details of public-private partnerships arrangements on toll setting are not disclosed to the public.
Thats where well leave our live updates. Well be back with you tomorrow morning. Here are the headlines you might have missed today:

A man has died after reportedly being pulled from a car and stabbed on the Gold Coast.

A photo of 18-year-old Tia Cameron, left at a footpath memorial on Edward Street where she died. Credit: Marissa Calligeros

The union representing the driver of the bus that struck 18-year-old Tia Cameron has expressed condolences to her loved ones, and pledged its co-operation with an investigation into her death.

Bruce Lehrmann gesticulates as a man appears to line up white powder. Credit: Instagram

Former federal Liberal political staffer Bruce Lehrmann has been filmed alongside a friend who appears to be lining up white powder on a plate inside the northern beaches home that is being paid for by the Seven Network.

One of the teenagers charged over the death of mother Emma Lovell on Boxing Day in a home invasion has pleaded guilty to her murder.

And sport, culture and entertainment:

The royal photo.

British media hardly mentioned missing Kate  but they couldnt ignore this photo.

Oppenheimer swept the Academy Awards, but Ryan Gosling stole the show.

And Alex Carey won a Test off his own bat for his country, but thats not all he achieved in leading the way as Australia chased down 279 to beat New Zealand in Christchurch.
The union representing the driver of the bus that struck 18-year-old Tia Cameron has expressed condolences to her loved ones, and pledged its co-operation with an investigation into her death.

Rail Tram and Bus Union state secretary Tom Brown said several bus drivers witnessed the incident on Edward Street in the Brisbane CBD on Friday evening and were also now being counselled.

A photo of 18-year-old Tia Cameron, left at a footpath memorial on Edward Street where she died. Credit: Marissa Calligeros

Investigations are continuing to determine what caused the 70-year-old bus driver to mount the footpath and plough into the Anzac Square Arcade building, shortly after turning from Ann Street, about 5pm.

Brisbane City Council has said the buss brakes were tested last month and the driver was very experienced, having worked in the role for decades.
One of the teenagers charged over the death of mother Emma Lovell on Boxing Day in a home invasion has pleaded guilty to her murder.

Lovell, 41, died from stab wounds after two teenagers allegedly broke into her familys North Lakes home on December 26, 2022.

Emma and Lee Lovell. Emma was killed and Lee injured during the confrontation at their home.

Her husband, Lee, 43, was also stabbed during the altercation, as the pair tried to defend their home, with their two teenage daughters inside.

Police later charged two 17-year-olds over Lovells death.
A new battle line has been drawn over housing density in Melbournes middle ring, as an eastern suburbs council warns the Allan government not to use the Suburban Rail Loop as cover to flood its heritage and low-rise residential streets with apartments.

The rail project is a key part of state government plans to build more housing in Melbournes well-serviced suburbs, rather than on the urban fringe.

Whitehorse Mayor Denise Massoud, in one of Box Hills heritage streets, is concerned about the loss of neighbourhood character. Credit: Justin McManus

New underground stations will be built in Box Hill and Burwood as part of the $34.5 billion first stage of the mega project, and Whitehorse City Council fears the station developments will trigger a rush to build high-density housing in streets characterised by traditional residential development.

Councillors have warned the state government not to shut the council out of the planning process, or to override its local heritage and neighbourhood character overlays, which guard against new housing development in many low-rise streets near the planned new stations.
A man is executed in front of his garage and  instantly  the spectre of gangland violence returns to suburban Melbourne.

John Peter Latorre, a man police describe as belonging to the older generation of Italian organised crime, was gunned down in an apparent ambush killing in the early hours of Tuesday, placing police on high alert for possible revenge attacks.

Distraught loved ones in front of John Latorres Greenvale home on Tuesday morning. Credit: Chris Hopkins

As initial details of his killing spread, so, too, did the shadow  first over Greenvale, a suburb in the citys north filled with big families who live on large plots of land.

Before midday, most Melburnians were reminded that while the underworld wars that gripped the streets two decades ago had faded from the news, they still lingered in the citys consciousness.
Lasry then ordered a permanent stay on all charges against the Connect Logistics boss. Loading But that decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal and Tuteru eventually pleaded guilty to failing to maintain safety procedures. A spokesperson for the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) did not comment on the latest judicial findings about the conduct in the Tuteru case. After Lasrys resignation, it was revealed Judd had also made a second, separate complaint about County Court judge Geoff Chettle.

The Age has interviewed more than a dozen senior figures in the justice system who described the current climate of conflict as toxic and unsustainable. Most declined to speak on the record out of concern about the potential professional consequences. These figures include current and former solicitors, barristers, prosecutors, defence lawyers, members of the judiciary and legal experts. It has the potential to undermine trust in one of the most crucial institutions in our democracy: the court system, said Dr Colleen Lewis, integrity expert at the Australian National University. Former Supreme Court judge Lex Lasry, pictured in 2018. Credit: Simon Schluter The message is not good as it indicates tensions between eminent former and current members of the judiciary and the DPP and her Office. If those tensions are not resolved quickly, the publics trust in, and respect for, the justice system could be seriously eroded.

An OPP spokesperson said the offices relationships with others in the justice system remained constructive. Loading The OPP and the DPP continue to have constructive working relationships with a range of justice system stakeholders, including the courts, the Victorian Bar and the legal profession, the OPP spokesperson said. Those relationships are important for our work as Victorias public prosecutions service, and for the administration of justice in Victoria more broadly. The renewed controversy comes as the states peak body for lawyers issued a statement last week expressing alarm at the public commentary surrounding the complaints made against Lasry and Chettle.

County Court judge Geoff Chettle. Credit: Michael Clayton-Jones Recent events undermine those efforts and highlight the need for an obligation for complaints to be made and kept confidential  by both the person complaining and the person complained about  while the proper investigation is being carried out, the Law Institute of Victoria statement said. The institute declined to comment on whether its criticism was directed specifically at Lasry or Chettle after the existence of the complaints against them became public knowledge last month. On February 14, Lasry announced a complaint had been filed against him  and his protest resignation in response  during a court hearing for an unrelated matter. The complaint had been filed by the DPP in May 2023, but Lasry was not informed of its existence for more than eight months despite continuing to hear numerous matters involving the OPP and its officers. The existence of the complaint against Chettle, which was filed by the DPP early last year, was revealed by The Australian in late February.

Lasry and Chettle have refused requests to comment. Law Institute of Victoria chief executive Adam Awty said it was not acceptable to perpetuate a culture where people are too scared to make a complaint. Like every workplace, the justice sector and courts need to be safe places for everyone, and that includes having a safe environment to make a complaint to the appropriate body, without the fear of victim-blaming or having ones competency questioned, he said. Ensuring that the process is confidential while the allegation is being investigated means that both individuals  the person making the complaint and the person being complained about  are afforded natural justice and are protected.

But former chief crown prosecutor Gavin Silbert, KC, said the saga showed the system was broken. This infighting brings the whole criminal justice system into disrepute and erodes public confidence in the system. In both the Lasry and Chettle matters, the DPP filed complaints against the judges after already lodging appeals about the disputed decisions made by each of them. Under Judicial Commission policy, the investigation of a complaint cannot be undertaken while an appeal is under way. The complaints system needs to be overhauled to the extent that it prohibits the DPP from lodging a complaint against a ruling where that ruling has been dealt with on appeal, as is the position in New South Wales, Silbert said.
Warning: This story contains graphic content.

A man who woke his mum in the middle of the night to tell her he was overdosing on drugs and needed her help went on to stab her 62 times as she tried to get him into a waiting ambulance, a Perth court has heard.

Callum James Cameron, 31, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his mum Carol Cameron, 63, but guilty to manslaughter on the first day of his trial in the Supreme Court of WA on Monday.

Carol Cameron, 63, died after being stabbed by her son Callum who was in a drug psychosis.

Prosecutors continued to push for a murder conviction, arguing he had premeditated intent and moments of lucidity, while Camerons defence claimed he had no idea or memory of what he did.
We dont need a lot of content, we just need lots of really good content, Kelvin Yau, President of Asia Pacific and Marketing iQIYI, concluded when quizzed on his companys editorial strategy during a keynote session on streaming this morning at Filmart in Hong Kong.

Yau took part in the keynote alongside fellow streaming heads Marianne Lee, Chief of Content Acquisition and Development at Viu, Jessica Kam-Engle, Executive VP and Business Head at CreAsia Studio, and Winradit Kolasastraseni, President of Digital Media at True Digital Group.

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The session was chaired by Asia Video Industry Association CEO Louis Boswell, who began the session by noting that iQIYI, which launched in 2010 as a tech company before moving into content production, was now profitable after hitting the black in 2023.

Its about putting the right resources in the right places, Yau said. It goes back to the whole point of being disciplined, and we had to make a lot of very difficult decisions four years ago to get profitability.

Yau added that iQIYI had seven of the 10 top drama series in Mainland China in 2023, and the company found that 80% of its income that year was generated from those seven shows.

Yaus enthusiasm for the local market was shared by Lee, who, later in the session, said the Asian market is experiencing what she described as an unprecedented period of growth and development.

In Asia, were on the up and up, Lee said. Weve never been so high.

Lee said Viu, which launched in 2015, has produced around 25 original projects in regions across Asia, including Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia. Lee highlighted one specific project during the keynote titled Private Bodyguard, a teen drama from Indonesia that she said best displayed the strength of local streaming production.

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We only launched with three episodes, and its now the number-one show. But it has also helped us drive our younger download figures. The Viu app is now the number-one downloaded app in the Indonesian app store, she said.

Once you have good content you can really drive viewership. Thats our principle.

Lee continued to say that right now the romance genre is playing well with audiences on Viu. But the companys work, she added, has mostly been shaped by the social makeup of its audience across several regions.

Our audience in Southeast Asia is quite young. The median age in Indonesia is about 29, and in the Philippines is about 25. So we try to make sure the content we acquire and commission fits that.

Bespoke commissioning was a strategy also highlighted by Kam-Engle, who recently joined Banijay-backed CreAsia Studio after holding exec positions at Disney APAC and HBO Asia.

I am based in Hong Kong, but the company will be where the markets are. And the main markets will be Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, she said.

Highlighting trends she has identified recently amongst audiences and buyers, Kam-Engle said she believes the effects of several dark COVID years are still being felt in the market.

The last few years have been tough. Most countries just got out of COVID. People are now tending to look at things that are lighter and give some hope and escapism. Things that are too heavy may not necessarily be what people look for, she said.

The one buzzy market on the lips of industry folk here at Filmart is Thailand. The countrys current moment in the sun was always on the cards, according to Kolasastraseni of the Bangkok-based True Digital Group.

Thailand has always been up there at the very top when it comes to creative talents, Kolasastraseni said. What weve realized over the last few years is we never really had proper investment from the government or the private sector.

Another growth point highlighted by the panel was artificial intelligence, which Yau described as a huge game changer for iQIYIs content production and marketing efforts, while Lee said the technology could also help democratize the presentation of content across the globe.

I personally look forward to a time when we can use AI for dubbing. The technology is still at the early stage, but with time, Im sure we will see developments, Lee said.

Filmart runs March 11  14.

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Australia will not reinstate funding to the UNs main provider of humanitarian aid to Palestinians until an investigation into the agency is complete, a minister says, as the federal government prepares for a backlash from the Israeli government and its local advocates.

Sweden and Canada announced in recent days they would resume funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, prompting calls from pro-Palestinian advocates for Australia to quickly follow suit and unlock $6 million in suspended aid.

Australia and over a dozen other countries paused funding to UNRWA in January following allegations some of its staff members had been involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel, but Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has made clear the government wants to resume funding to the agency as no other organisation can fulfil its responsibilities.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has made clear the government wants to resume funding for UNWRA. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Australia cannot be involved in funding organisations that have members involved in terrorist activities, Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite told Sky News on Monday.
Wealthy Australians should draw down their superannuation and pay more for their aged care costs  particularly their everyday living expenses such as meals, laundry and cleaning  a major review of aged care funding has told the Albanese government.

A government-appointed taskforce has rejected arguments for a taxpayer levy to fund the countrys growing aged care bill, saying it would be unfair to future generations when older Australians were retiring with growing levels of wealth.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells will on Tuesday publish the taskforces 23 recommendations to make the sector more sustainable as it becomes one of the fastest-growing areas of federal expenditure and the Baby Boomer generation retires with higher expectations around quality.

The taskforce said there was a strong case for increasing co-contributions for those with the means to do so. Credit: Jessica Hromas

Over the next decade alone, the independent Parliamentary Budget Office estimates the cost of aged care will climb by more than 82 per cent  or almost $29 billion  to $63.6 billion in 2033-34.
It is one of Silicon Valleys legendary investments. In 1998, a 34-year-old Jeff Bezos gave $US250,000 ($377,825) to a pair of Stanford University students who had developed a new type of search engine.

At the time, it was a risky bet. Most people browsed the web by using portals like Yahoo or by remembering their favourite sites; it was not obvious that searches would be a profitable business.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin is back. Credit: AP

But when Google went public in 2004, Bezoss stake was worth $US280 million. If he had held on to it, it would now be worth billions.

So in January, when the Amazon founder invested in a company seeking to take Googles place in the food chain, people sat up and took notice.
French Quarter:--- The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to celebrate the launch of a new coloring book, Soualiga Creatures. The free launch event will take place from 9 am to noon this Saturday, March 16th at Amuseum Naturalis in French Quarter. The new book spotlights the incredible insects and other little creatures of St. Martin. It will be given away for free at the launch. The event will also feature a coloring station and a craft station where kids and adults can decorate creature-themed fabric bags. The author will be present for the book signing.

Soualiga Creatures is the latest in the associations popular Soualiga series of multi-lingual color and learn books for young children. Earlier books in the series include Soualiga Island, Soualiga Sea, and Soualiga Birds. Future topics planned for the series include St. Martin plants and heritage.

Soualiga is one of the Amerindian names for St. Martin, said author Jenn Yerkes. English is the most common language spoken on this island. But its been a richly multi-lingual place for a very long time! Thats why our association makes multi-lingual books for the kids here. In the Soualiga series, everything is in English, French, Spanish and Dutch.

Soualiga Creatures stars some of the tiniest of St. Martins amazing animals, especially insects. Its a great look at the fascinating little critters that fly, crawl, glide and jump around on this island. There is a visual guide on the back cover with vivid color photos of all the featured creatures. This encourages kids to learn what they look like, and spot them in the wild. Inside, kids will find a coloring page for each creature with its name in all four languages. Each one also has a page where they can practice writing the names of the creature.

Reading and writing are key skills for everyone. This series makes it fun to learn them by showcasing wildlife from this island that kids can see around them, or discover through the books. We hear from St. Martin educators and parents that the local topics help kids connect more with reading and writing, said Les Fruits de Mer co-founder Mark Yokoyama. This series is especially designed to inspire kids to practice handwriting. And to give teachers a great tool to encourage their students to practice it, too!

With multi-lingual books, parents and family members who might speak a different language at home can participate in kids education, added Jenn Yerkes. Plus, its fun for everyone to learn creature names in different languages!

The free launch event and book giveaway of Soualiga Creatures will be held at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, March 16th from 9am to noon, thanks to Delta Petroleum. Amuseum Naturalis is a free museum of nature and heritage located in French Quarter, St. Martin. It is open every day from sunrise to sunset.

The book is also available as a free download from http://lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

Free printed copies of Soualiga Creatures are being given to local schools and students as part of Les Fruits de Mers 2024 book giveaway program.This project is supported by the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivite de Saint-Martin. Distribution of this book to students in Sandy Ground is supported by the Cite Educative de Saint-Martin. Soualiga Creatures was produced with support from the Collectivite de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohesion des territoires.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Dutch Caribbean Public Health Expertise Network (DUCaPHEN) conference will start on Monday, March 11, and runs until March 15.



Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Collective Prevention Service (CPS) Department Head Eva Lista-de Weever said on Sunday that the conference will focus on a number of public health topics such as strengthening the countrys capacity to respond to public health events, disease surveillance, vector control, research opportunities and strengthening collaboration between public health and key stakeholders within the Dutch Caribbean.

The Dutch Caribbean Public Health Expertise Network (DUCaPHEN) was established in June 2023.

DUCaPHEN is a collaboration between the six islands in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), bringing together several public health professionals and medical specialists from both the Caribbean region and the European part of the Netherlands.

The aim of DUCaPHEN is to strengthen public health across the six islands in a collaborative manner. One of the pillars of this aim is strengthen public health in the region through the exchange of knowledge and expertise.

The overall objective of DuCaPHEN is to prepare for future pandemics and strengthen public health skills and collaborate with the Caribbean region of the Kingdom where public health is concerned.

DuCaPHEN supports and facilitates the local Public Health departments in epidemiology and communicable disease control.

The building blocks for the Caribbean HUB are capacity building of local Public Health, an education, training, and exercise program, a regional structure for epidemiology and surveillance, and regional research and prevention projects.

This way, sustainable construction of knowledge, innovation, research, and uniformity in data management can be facilitated and the opportunities for more flexibility to scale up personnel is created.

CPS extends an invitation to local public health professionals such as physicians to attend the Tuesday, March 12 conference session at 7:00 PM in the CPS Conference Room at the Vineyard Office Park in Philipsburg. For additional information, physicians can contact the CPS office by phone or by email.
NTT Introduces CloudWAN to Deliver Cloud-Ready Enterprise Networks Starting from South Africa and Japan

PALO ALTO, CA and JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA and TOKYO, JAPAN  (Marketwired)  05/30/17  NTT Innovation Institute Inc. (), a prominent Silicon Valley innovation center for NTT Group, and Internet Solutions (), the leading pan-African telecoms services provider, NTT PC Communications (), a network service and communication solution provider in Japan, announced today global collaboration on the delivery of .

A collaborative, worldwide development effort across several members of the , CloudWAN combines both software-defined Wide Area Network technology (SD-WAN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) into one environment, enabling enterprise customers to deliver advanced services to the computing edge.

CloudWAN delivers an enhanced user experience, powerful flexibility and agility to NTTs enterprise customers. With CloudWAN, enterprise customers can maintain and deliver high quality services, consistent policies and robust security.

With CloudWAN, NTT Group delivers one-stop productive operation management for the entire ICT environment, said Hiromichi Shinohara, Senior Executive Vice President, CTO for . By combining NTT i3s Silicon Valley-based R&D with the strengths and features of each NTT Group company, I believe we are a stronger company that significantly contributes to the business value of a wide variety of customers.

NTT is uniquely able to leverage the strengths and global presence of its operating companies to develop an open, agile product that weaves functionality into an intelligent service delivery fabric that drives rapid growth and expansion while minimizing network costs, reducing complexity and increasing control.

CloudWAN empowers businesses with an accelerated path to leverage new software easily and in an agile way at the edge of their network, said Nina Simosko, President and CEO, NTT i3. This opens the door to a whole new level of business flexibility and enables rapid business transformation, and that is the heart and soul of what we do here at NTT i3.

Todays enterprises must adapt to successfully achieve digital transformation, cloud-based consumption and infrastructure convergence. These paradigm shifts require a radically different approach to networking. CloudWAN offers enterprises a simple, three-step journey designed to modernize their network and transform their business.

As a first step, CloudWAN delivers a platform to link public and private clouds and on premise infrastructures into a. This new virtualized service plane provides the capability to then extend network services across the enterprise in a controlled and consistent way.

With a virtualized service plane in place, enterprises can now deploy third party virtualized network functions (NFV) such as firewall and WAN acceleration onto the unified virtual network, eliminating the need to send highly skilled network administrators onsite to manage the rollout.

The third step is where enterprises truly transform their business with the ability to rapidly deliver applications and services to the edge. In this case, necessary applications and services can be instantly deployed to user communities at the edges of the network.

The result of this modernization is that enterprise customers can now proactively plan for network needs, while also managing their existing infrastructure investments. Similarly, enterprise cloud operators running a wide range of traditional enterprise applications from multiple vendors or cloud-native workloads can flexibly consolidate their application silos into one universal data infrastructure.

Unified Virtual Network for linking public and private clouds, and on-premises infrastructure

Management support of infrastructure, network functions, and applications from a single cloud-based console

Extensible Network Functions provided by software that interoperates with the core virtual network

Integration of Business Applications and Services from the cloud to the edge of the network

Modularity and simplicity to scale distributed IT environment

Micro-service architecture for connected devices

Ecosystem of other network function providers that allow CloudWAN to flexibly fit into an existing enterprise IT landscape without disrupting prior infrastructure investments

Seamless unification of disparate network deployments

Site in a Box solution to standardize network technologies across diverse global locations or to streamline complex networks across various business units

COST:

Reduce setup and service costs of network products and apps

Reduce bandwidth cost by enabling alternate transport networks

COMPLEXITY:

Easier device management with network functions as a service on a single appliance

Reduce burden on overloaded subject matter experts

Easier network monitoring, debugging, and troubleshooting

CONTROL:

Improve ability to rapidly deploy centralized changes to the network edges

CloudWAN is a unified, virtual WAN and network function solution that simplifies the way you manage your network. The network essentially functions as a service on a single device, so you need just one device at each location instead of a complicated arrangement of network hardware. With CloudWAN, you no longer need to ship network devices, servers and applications to new sites. Even your skilled engineers can stay where they are and set up site-to-site VPN remotely.

It is critical that we provide our clients with a high performance, highly resilient network solution, said Saki Missaikos, Managing Director, Internet Solutions. Having an open ecosystem available to develop an adaptable platform that can morph along with rapidly developing technology changes and market needs is critical. Leveraging NTT i3s CloudWAN SD-WAN controller and ecosystem allows us to offer a high speed, reliable enterprise service to local enterprises.

For more information on CloudWAN from Internet Solutions, visit

NTT Communications group is promoting SDx + M, and NTTPC has been developing related services as a member of the group. NTTPC launch MastersONE CloudWAN Service suitable in the Japanese SME market empowered by NTTi3 CloudWAN technology.

NTTPC positioned the SD-WAN service as a next generation Network service. This service is terms of 3 features  Flexibility, Agility and Security, provide a unified VPN service by overlaying various networks. This connects various Clouds, large and small business sites as necessary.

As enterprise businesses move towards digitalization and cloud, NTT will continue to provide innovative solutions like CloudWAN which enable flexibility and agility, without compromising on performance, said Motoo Tanaka, President and CEO for NTT PC Communications.

For more information about MastersONE CloudWAN, please visit

NTT Innovation Institute, Inc. (NTT i3) is the Silicon Valley-based innovation center for NTT Group, one of the worlds largest ICT companies. Our approach to enterprise technology is driven by a commitment to discovering ambitious new ideas, developing them into robust technology platforms, and delivering them into the marketplace to be applied against significant and difficult industry, business, and human problems.

NTT i3 accelerates the movement of innovation from an initial idea in the lab to impact in the marketplace through our unique access to NTTs global infrastructure and investment resources, a significant network of research labs, long and trusted relationships with customers, and an engaged global community of collaborators in both established enterprise companies and the startup community. For more information, please visit .

Internet Solutions (IS) is a South African company founded in 1993. Owned by Dimension Data, it is an Internet Protocol (IP) communications service provider on the African continent. The company provides connectivity services, cloud offerings as well as carrier services to corporate enterprises. Today, IS is at the forefront of Internet Protocol-based technologies and it builds solutions and services tailored to the increasingly complex demands of organizations across the enterprise and public sector.

Internet Solutions maintains its own tier one international network and its own network nodes in North America, Europe and Asia, where it interconnects with Internet backbone providers. The company lands this international bandwidth at multiple points in Africa. Internet Solutions provides services to 80 percent of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. IS also has a presence in Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, Mauritius, Tanzania, Nigeria, Angola and Ghana. More information can be found at

NTTPC Communications Incorporated (NTTPC), established in 1985 is a subsidiary of NTT Communications, is a network service and communication solution provider in Japanese telco market, The company has been the most strategic technology company of the group throughout of years. NTTPC launched the 1st ISP service of the NTT group, so called InfoSphere at 1995, and also launched the 1st Internet Data Center and server hosting services of Japan so called WebARENA at 1997. NTTPC have always started something new in ICT market.

MastersONE is the VPN service based on the technology and skills related to the Internet services. In recent years NTTPC has grown a broadband VPN service that makes full use of the features of FLETS, Japanese broadband Network. In addition, and has been providing functionally and various services that can be combined with these network services.

For more information, please visit

Tatsuya Hisano

NTT Innovation Institute, Inc.

Mayur Soni

Internet Solutions

Motohiko Sato and Masaharu Hayashi

NTT PC Communications Incorporated

Public relations team:
MONTREAL  Wedne Colin says he feels like he's leading a "double life," living in Montreal but constantly worrying for his family in Haiti.

"It's like we're here, but at the same time we're in Haiti," he said Monday in an interview. "We can't get rid of Haiti, Haiti follows us. Haiti sticks to our skin."

Colin says his family members have had to flee their homes several times to find a place that's safe from the armed gangs he says have seized control of the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Sometimes, he said, they spend a week sleeping outside with no possessions other than a handful of important documents, like passports.

He said his family lives in fear of violence and kidnapping, noting that some of them received letters demanding they hand over money by a certain date. But, as many times as they leave home, they always end up returning, he said, "because nowhere is safe."

Colin and Orlando Ceide, who both work at the Maison d'Haiti community centre, are two of the many Haitian Montrealers who are worried about loved ones amid the violent gang attacks that have paralyzed the Haitian capital.

Ceide describes the situation in his home country as "catastrophic." His own family members in Haiti are relatively safe from violence because they live in a small town away from the capital. But he said the latest crisis is impacting the availability of basic goods and services including food, water and health care.

As a former student activist, he said that if he were still in Haiti he would probably be in the streets protesting. But in Montreal he finds it hard even to talk about the homeland that he misses.

"I have a feeling of helplessness in relation to what's happening," he said.

Both men say the Canadian government needs to do what it can to help Haitians, including making it easier for them to leave and join their families in Canada. They also say Canada can play a role in the efforts to stabilize the country, but that effort, they add, needs to be led by Haitian people themselves.

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Canada confirmed on the weekend it was sending an official to attend an emergency meeting in Jamaica on Monday, following an invite from Caribbean leaders who want to discuss escalating violence in Haiti. A spokesperson for the office of Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, was to attend.

Caricom, the 15-nation Caribbean bloc, said in a statement late Friday that the situation on the ground remains dire" in Haiti, which has faced a protracted security crisis since the mid-2021 assassination of former president Jovenel Moise.

In 2022, Haiti's unelected prime minister, Ariel Henry, asked for an international military intervention to clear out the gangs, an idea that is deeply divisive within that country.

Washington had asked Canada to lead such a military intervention, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said it's unclear whether that would stabilize the country. He cited past interventions organized by the United Nations, in which foreign soldiers sexually exploited Haitians and introduced cholera to the country.

Kenya agreed last fall to lead such a mission, though that decision is being contested by Kenyan courts.

In comments made last week, Canada's chief of the defence staff said past military interventions in Haiti have failed.

"I think if we take a look at our experience in military interventions over the last quarter century, three decades, where we have done security force substitution  that is, taking in or bringing in a foreign force  it quickly becomes seen as an occupying force," Gen. Wayne Eyre said Thursday evening during his keynote address to a security and defence conference in Ottawa.

Eyre said efforts need to instead focus on helping Haiti develop a local force that is capable of managing security, which he admits could be a lengthy, difficult process in a country like Haiti, which also lacks a solid political and economic framework.

In Quebec's large Haitian community  estimated at more than 140,000  it can feel hard to know what to do.

Stephania Dorvilus, who recently arrived in Montreal from Haiti, said she sometimes cries when she thinks about what's happening back home. Like many others in Port-au-Prince, her family has left their home seeking refuge, likely in a government building.

"No one should  live what the Haitian people are living," she said Monday at Maison d'Haiti. But while she wants to help family, she's 25 years old and just moved to a new country, without money to spare.

Colin said that while the solution has to come "by and for Haitians," the international community has a role to play, including in helping to stop guns and ammunition from entering the country. He said he also feels people need to start talking as much about Haiti as they do about conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, noting that Haiti's problems "didn't start yesterday."

"There has been a silence around Haiti for a long time," he said, "and this situation allowed gang leaders, criminals and the corrupt to take advantage."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 11, 2024.

 With files from Dylan Robertson and The Associated Press.

Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press
Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) is a U.S. astronomical observatory on Kitt Peak in Pima County, Arizona. It was the first national optical observatory in the U.S. Located about 54 miles (87 kilometers) from Tucson, the observatory is in the Schuk Toak District on the Tohono O'odham Nation, according to the observatory's website .

The observatory hosts two dozen optical and radio telescopes, making it home to one of the largest and most diverse collections of telescopes in the world. Visitors have access to four of these telescopes during the observatory's well-known stargazing programs .

KPNO was founded in 1958, while the visitor center has existed since 1964 and has been visited by over 2 million people. It is a program of NOIRLab , the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory, which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

Kitt Peak National Observatory FAQs

Is Kitt Peak National Observatory open to the public? Yes, it is open to the public via the visitor center, nighttime stargazing programs and daytime tours. Four telescopes are available for use during these programs at the visitor center. You can learn more about these programs on Kitt Peak's website.

How many telescopes does Kitt Peak have? The observatory directly operates two research telescopes. It also hosts 22 optical telescopes and two radio telescopes, which are operated by many universities and institutions.

Why is Kitt Peak famous? Kitt Peak has one of the largest collections of optical and radio telescopes in the world. It was the first national astronomical observatory in the U.S. and is well known for its extensive outreach programs. Also, Kitt Peak hosted the first telescope, which was operated by the University of Arizona's Spacewatch program; it was used with a software program to automatically discover a near-Earth asteroid; and data from its Mayall Telescope led to the discovery of methane ice on Pluto.

History of Kitt Peak National Observatory

Kitt Peak is the highest point in Arizona's Quinlan Mountains. The Indigenous people of the Tohono O'odham Nation call it Iolkam Du'ag, meaning "mountain of Manzanita shrubs," according to ICT . In English, Kitt Peak was named for Philippa (Roskruge) Kitt, the sister of 19th-century surveyor George Roskruge.

During the Cold War, many astronomers petitioned the government to establish a large national observatory. Astronomers in the eastern U.S. were particularly interested, because rain and snow often made it difficult for them to make astronomical observations. Astronomers began searching for a location for this new observatory in 1955.

Several sites were considered because of their dark skies, but astronomers concluded that Kitt Peak was the best choice, in part because of its relative closeness to Tucson and its international airport. In 1956, astronomers Helmut Abt and Aden Meinel got permission to ride up the mountain on horseback with two O'odham guides, who explained the cultural significance of the mountain to the tribe. In 1958, the tribe agreed to lease the peak to the National Science Foundation.

Telescopes and research

There are two dozen telescopes at KPNO, including two that are operated by the observatory : the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope and the WIYN 3.5m Observatory. KPNO also hosts 22 optical telescopes and two radio telescopes that are operated by universities and research centers, including the University of Arizona, Dartmouth College, Columbia University, Case Western Reserve University, and the Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy, according to NOIRLab.

Data collected by Kitt Peak's many telescopes is used in a wide variety of research projects. One of the best-known current projects is the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument ( DESI ), which is using the observatory's Mayall Telescope to create a detailed map of the universe, in hopes of unraveling how the mysterious force of dark energy is accelerating the expansion of our universe . Another project, the NN-explore Exoplanet Investigations with Doppler spectroscopy ( NEID ), uses the WIYN Observatory to measure the precise movement of nearby stars to identify potential exoplanets .

KPNO telescopes have been used to make some well-known discoveries. The first telescope to use software to identify a near-Earth asteroid was on Kitt Peak, as a part of the University of Arizona's Spacewatch program. Spacewatch's state-of-the-art equipment on Kitt Peak continues to make it the world's most productive station for observing asteroids , comets and similar objects. Kitt Peak's Mayall Telescope was also used to discover methane ice on Pluto in 1976.

The McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope framing bright planets Venus and Jupiter in the night sky. (Image credit: NASA/Mike Line/Ed Mierkiewicz/Ron Oliversen)

Visiting Kitt Peak

Contrary to the climate in much of the Sonoran Desert, the high elevation of the observatory means that it is usually 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (8 to 11 degrees Celsius) cooler at the observatory than in Tucson, according to the observatory's website , which recommends dressing warmly between late fall and mid-spring, including wearing a hat, gloves and an insulated jacket, and even bringing blankets, especially for night programs.

During the day, the observatory offers tours of the telescopes owned by the facility, including the Mayall Telescope and the KPNO 2.1-meter Telescope, which are currently operational, and the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope, which was decommissioned in 2017. The observatory is currently transforming the retired telescope into a center for public astronomy programming called the Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach.

KPNO also offers nighttime programs , which use the four telescopes at the visitor's center. Its Nightly Observing Program offers visitors a guided astronomy experience  first observing stars and constellations with high-powered binoculars and then using one of the telescope domes for a more detailed view. The program lasts four to five hours.

For a full astronomer-in-residence experience, the observatory also offers the Overnight Telescope Observing Program, a custom overnight program for groups of up to four people. The program includes overnight access to one of the visitor center's telescopes, a designated telescope operator, a dorm room to stay in when you aren't observing, and three meals. You can make your own list of observing targets or have the operator create one for you. No previous experience in astronomy is required.

The Kitt Peak National Observatory stands about 50 miles outside of Tucson on a remote mountain that rises high above the Sonoran Desert. (Image credit: Megan Gannon)

Expert Q&A

David Schlegel Social Links Navigation Astrophysicist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Project scientist for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument David Schlegel is an astrophysicist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a project scientist for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument. His research has focused on studying and mapping the structure of galaxies and the universe. These maps enable researchers to study dark matter, the undetectable matter that makes up most of the matter in the universe, and dark energy, the enigmatic force causing the expansion of our universe to accelerate.

What is the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument? The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is the most ambitious multiobject spectrograph ever built. The Mayall Telescope was rebuilt with a set of 6-meter-scale [20 feet] lenses that allows observing a field of view that's 40 times larger than the full moon . Within that field, a set of 5,000 robots reposition optical fibers every 15 minutes. Those fibers capture light from up to 5,000 stars , galaxies and quasars , splitting the light from each object into 12,000 wavelength channels in a set of 30 spectroscopic cameras. This gives DESI a map-making speed more than 10 times faster than any other telescope.

How will the DESI survey hopefully change or enrich our understanding of the universe? DESI is making the largest three-dimensional maps of the universe by measuring the velocities and inferred distances to 40 million galaxies and quasars. These objects extend to distances of 11 billion light-years, which is most of the way across the 13.7 billion light-years of the observable universe. Dark energy is a force that has profoundly impacted the history of the universe by accelerating its expansion over the past 6 billion years. Dark energy has effectively created more space in the local universe, which is evident in the greater-than-expected distances between galaxies and a corresponding reduction in the gravitational attraction between those galaxies. DESI will measure these effects from dark energy, thus informing this least-understood of the fundamental forces .

What were some of the most notable results from DESI's early data release? The DESI early data release contains spectra and redshifts for 2 million stars, galaxies and quasars. This represents only a small fraction of the 40 million galaxies and quasars that will be mapped by 2026 but demonstrates the quality of the data. This early release includes discoveries of 400 new quasars from when the universe was less than 1.2 billion years old, which are being used to study the properties of early supermassive black holes at the cores of those quasars.

What makes Kitt Peak and the Mayall 4-meter Telescope a good location and telescope for DESI? Kitt Peak is a premier site for professional astronomy, purportedly with the largest collection of such telescopes in the world . The Mayall Telescope is a superb platform for DESI for two reasons. The first is that it has a large light-collecting area with a 3.8-meter-diameter [12.5 feet] primary mirror of a Ritchey-Chretien optical figure that allows it to be corrected to a large field of view. The second is that the telescope is massive enough, with a moving weight of 375 tons, that it can support the 6 tons of optical corrector and steel work on its top end. The Mayall Telescope is one of only a handful of telescopes in the world that could satisfy these technical requirements.

Additional resources

To find more news and current updates from KPNO, you can follow its social media pages, including on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook . You can book a spot for daytime tours and nighttime programs on Eventbrite . You can learn more about the Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach on AURA's website .

Bibliography

NSF, NOIRLab, and AURA. About KPNO. https://kpno.noirlab.edu/about /

NSF, NOIRLab, and AURA. Daytime Tours. https://kpno.noirlab.edu/tours-programs/daytime-tours/

NSF, NOIRLab, and AURA. Nighttime Programs. https://kpno.noirlab.edu/tours-programs/nighttime-programs/

NOIRLab. Kitt Peak National Observatory. https://noirlab.edu/public/programs/kitt-peak-national-observatory/

NOIRLab, Mid-Scale Observatories  Kitt Peak National Observatory. https://noirlab.edu/science/programs/kpno

NOIRLab. NEID. https://noirlab.edu/public/projects/neid/

Penn State University. What is NEID? https://neid.psu.edu/

AURA. Kitt Peak National Observatory. https://www.aura-astronomy.org/centers/nsfs-oir-lab/kitt-peak-national-observatory/

Ramon-Sauberan, Jacelle. Kitt Peak National Observatory and Native Americans Go Way Back, ICT News, October 11, 2018, updated September 13, 2018. https://ictnews.org/archive/kitt-peak-national-observatory-and-native-americans-go-way-back

Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Science, 2018. https://www.desi.lbl.gov/

The University of Arizona. SPACEWATCH, 2024. https://spacewatch.lpl.arizona.edu/
Kremlin declines to comment if naval chief sacked



Moscow, March 11 (AFP) Mar 11, 2024



The Kremlin on Monday declined to comment on reports it had sacked the commander-in-chief of its navy after losing a string of warships to Ukrainian attacks in the Black Sea.

Several news outlets including the pro-Kremlin Izvestia newspaper said over the weekend that Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov had been replaced by Northern Fleet commander Alexander Moiseyev.

The Kremlin refused to comment on the reported appointment, which would typically be announced by presidential decree.

"There are decrees labelled secret, I cannot comment on them. There were no public decrees on this matter," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Yevmenov, 61, was appointed head of the navy in May 2019.

If confirmed, his removal would be the biggest shakeup in Russia's military top brass since the sacking of aerospace force chief Sergei Surovikin last year.

Ukrainian forces claim to have destroyed more than two dozen Russian ships since the conflict began in February 2022, including a military patrol boat last week.

The sinkings are an embarrassment for Moscow, which has been forced to move boats from its historic Sevastopol naval base in Crimea to the port of Novorossiysk, further east.

Russia's Black Sea woes come in stark contrast to its land offensive in east Ukraine, where its forces have advanced in recent months after over a year of deadlocked fighting.
India tests missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads



New Delhi, March 11 (AFP) Mar 11, 2024



India has successfully test-fired a domestically developed ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads for the first time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday.

Modi said he was "proud" the launch of "the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology", in comments on social media platform X.

The MIRV technology enables the Agni-5 to carry several nuclear warheads at once, so they can split up and hit different targets.

Modi did not give further details of the launch, but India has previously test-fired multiple Agni-5 missiles, developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh said on X that India had "joined the select group of nations" capable of the missile technology.

Agni, meaning "fire" in Sanskrit, is the name given to a series of rockets India developed as part of a guided missile development project launched in 1983.

While the shorter-range Agni-I and II were mainly developed with traditional rival Pakistan in mind, analysts say later versions with a longer range reflect the shift in India's focus towards China.

India has deepened defence cooperation with Western countries in recent years, including in the Quad alliance with the United States, Japan and Australia.
Poland urges NATO members to spend 3% of GDP on defence



Warsaw, March 11 (AFP) Mar 11, 2024



Polish President Andrzej Duda on Monday said NATO members should increase their defence spending to three percent of GDP in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

The Western defence alliance currently has a defence spending target of 2 percent of gross domestic product, though Poland already spends around 4 percent.

"I want to propose in the near future... that NATO members decide together that the alliance requirement will be to spend not 2 percent, but 3 percent of GDP on defence," Duda told reporters.

"That will be the threshold below which it will absolutely not be recommended to go," he added ahead of visits to Washington and Brussels.

On Tuesday, Duda and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will meet with US President Joe Biden to mark 25 years since Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary joined NATO.

Duda said NATO must give a "clear and courageous response to Russian aggression".

"This response will consist of increasing the military capacity of the North Atlantic Alliance," he added.

NATO is a "defence alliance, and defence means that if someone threatens us, we react."

In a separate video address to the nation, Duda called his proposal "the best response to today's threats to international security".

He also penned an opinion piece on the topic that was published by the Washington Post on Monday.
Israel says strike targeted senior Hamas commander



Jerusalem, March 11 (AFP) Mar 11, 2024



Israel said on Monday that an air strike in Gaza over the weekend targeted a senior Hamas militant, but it was unclear whether he was killed.

The strike occurred "between Saturday and Sunday" on an underground compound in central Gaza, near the Nuseirat refugee camp, military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a press briefing.

"The compound was used by two senior members of the organisation" including "Marwan Issa who was the deputy of Mohammed Deif and one of the planners of the massacre on October 7," Hagari said.

Deif heads Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, and is accused by Israel of being one of the masterminds of the October 7 attack.

"We are still examining the results of the strike, and final confirmation has yet to be received," Hagari said, in an announcement on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.

In early January a strike in Beirut's southern suburbs killed Saleh al-Aruri, a founder of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades who at his death was the deputy political chief of Hamas.

A United States Defense Department official said at the time that Israel carried out that strike.

Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was on its way to "total victory" in the war triggered by Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel.

That attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures. Militants also seized about 250 hostages, dozens of whom were released during a week-long truce in November. Israel believes 99 hostages still in Gaza remain alive and 31 have died.

In December, the European Union placed sanctions on Issa and Deif. In January it added the Islamist movement's Gaza political chief Yahya Sinwar to the same "terrorist" sanctions list.

Israeli officials accuse Sinwar of being the top mastermind of the October 7 attack.

Palestinian media reported in December that Issa's son Mohammed was killed in an Israeli strike.

Israel's relentless military campaign to destroy Hamas has killed at least 31,112 people, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
Israel strikes Lebanon's east: security sources



Baalbek, Lebanon, March 11 (AFP) Mar 11, 2024



Israel launched air strikes near Lebanon's eastern city of Baalbek on Monday, security sources and state media said, the second raids in the region since cross-border hostilities began after the Gaza war.

Since October 8, the day after the war broke out in the Gaza Strip, Hamas ally Hezbollah and its arch-foe Israel have exchanged near-daily fire.

Strikes have largely remained confined to border regions, but several have hit Hezbollah positions further north in recent weeks, raising fears of a full-blown conflict.

"Israeli aircraft targeted a former Hezbollah building near Dar Al Amal Hospital," a security source told AFP, adding that Israel "conducted another raid on a warehouse west of Baalbek".

Another security official confirmed the strikes.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli air strikes on several locations, including the strike on the warehouse.

The NNA also reported Israeli raids "targeting a residential building in the town of Ansar... south of Baalbek".

"Fire and plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the targeted location," the NNA added.

The city of Baalbek in the Bekaa valley is a Hezbollah bastion, bordering Syria.

On February 26, Israeli strikes targeted Baalbek, some 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the border, killing two Hezbollah members in the deepest such raid into Lebanese territory since the hostilities began.

Hezbollah has repeatedly said that it will only stop its attacks on Israel with a ceasefire in Gaza.

But Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said recently that any truce in Gaza would not change Israel's goal of pushing Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon, by force or diplomacy.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October at least 316 people, mainly Hezbollah fighters, and 53 civilians have been killed in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally.

In Israel, at least 10 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed.
Israel strikes Lebanon's east, killing one: security source



Baalbek, Lebanon, March 11 (AFP) Mar 11, 2024



Israel launched air strikes near Lebanon's eastern city of Baalbek Monday killing one person, a security source said, the second raid in the region since cross-border hostilities began after the Gaza war.

Since October 8, the day after the war broke out in the Gaza Strip, Hamas ally Hezbollah and its arch-foe Israel have exchanged near-daily fire.

Strikes have largely remained confined to border regions, but several have hit Hezbollah positions further north in recent weeks, raising fears of a full-blown conflict.

"Israeli aircraft targeted a former Hezbollah building near Dar Al Amal Hospital" a security source told AFP, adding that Israel "conducted another raid on a warehouse west of Baalbek".

The strikes killed one person and injured six others, he added.

The governor of the Baalbek-Hermel region Bachir Khodr also said a man had been killed in the strikes near Baalbek in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Another security official confirmed the strikes, without mentioning casualties.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli air strikes on two locations, including the strike on the warehouse.

The NNA also reported Israeli raids "targeting a residential building in the town of Ansar... south of Baalbek".

"Fire and plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the targeted location," the NNA added.

The city of Baalbek in the Bekaa valley is a Hezbollah bastion, bordering Syria.

On February 26, Israeli strikes targeted Baalbek, some 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the border, killing two Hezbollah members in the deepest such raid into Lebanese territory since the hostilities began.

Hezbollah has repeatedly said that it will only stop its attacks on Israel with a ceasefire in Gaza.

But Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said recently that any truce in Gaza would not change Israel's goal of pushing Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon, by force or diplomacy.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October at least 316 people, mainly Hezbollah fighters, and 53 civilians have been killed in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally.

In Israel, at least 10 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed.
Catherine Dahm

In February of 2020, as a new pathogen was beginning to make its way around the world, Cat Dahm was in the process of moving to Europe. An Indiana native, Dahm had spent years working in branding in New York City, but the lifestyle was starting to wear on her. As a sideline, she had launched a fashion brand, Rabot, with a friend, and it seemed like time for a new adventure.

So at age 27, Dahm quit her job and flew to Paris with her friend. We were going to stay in Paris for a month, and then I was going to go to Berlin, she explains over ZoomBerlin being a relatively affordable home base for a fashion designer.

But fate had other plans. On Dahms first night in France, she struck up a conversation about jazz with a cute waiter. He invited her to see jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, and they began spending time together. But in the background was all this, like, ramping-up-of-Covid conversation, Dahm says. And then, for the first time since World War II, they closed the borders between all the European countries. With her lease in Berlin canceled, she had nowhere to stay, so her new French boyfriend invited her to move in with him. After all, he said, it would only be for two weeks.

In the end, they lived in that apartment for two and a half years. It was interesting, living with him in the beginning, Dahm muses. Hes a sociologist; he also writes a lot of poetry. It sounds very French, but he was just the first person that Ive met who is very in his life, in the moment. She was sick of the fast-paced, productivity-obsessed American system, and Paris, even in its eerie lockdown form, felt like a place where she could finally pursue art. During that Covid period, I was constantly sketching, creating, dying fabrics in the bathtub, weaving on a loom that I made in the living room. Just experimenting.

Catherine Dahm

You can feel the romance of this origin story in her clothing line, Dahm House, which is full of earthy-sexy pieces like a long, beribboned dress in turmeric satin, or a split-front top with gemstones stitched in spirals on the bust. Ruffles bloom like flower petals down the front of a blouse, or sprout from the collar of a shirt like monstera leaves. Sharp pants add an element of edgea reminder that as imaginative as these clothes may be, theyre for a girl whos riding the Metro, not floating on a cloud.

Story continues

But as much as Dahm House, which just released its second collection, is inspired by Paris, it owes an equal debt to the Indiana of Dahms youth. Its this balance of industrialnot Westerncreativity and femininity, she explains. Im using a bleaching technique on a lot of the garments to remove color. And Im introducing a lot of cool workwear: wax, cotton canvas, things that give it a contemporary spin and make it feel more, I dont know, authentic. I really want to have it hit on the Indiana component, because its where I come from and its something that doesnt really exist in the market. And I think balancing that with this elegant femininity is a nice play.

Philip Gay

In the same way other brands stamp their stores or websites or bags Paris, London, New York, Dahm considers the phrase Paris, Indiana an important part of her labels DNA. Theres so much great craftsmanship in Indiana, [and that is] my preferred style for design and architecture, she says. The countryside is never going to be the most grandiose, with crazy mountain views or anything, but its this really subtle beauty that builds over time.

The clothes are produced in Frankfurt, Germany, in an atelier employing 15 refugee women from all over the world. The work offers them both financial stability and a pathway to citizenship. For Dahm, this detail is not just a nice-to-have, but an important component of her overall vision: A lot of my inspiration come from the Arts and Crafts Movement, which [came about] postindustrial revolution and was a response to preserving craftsmanship and better working conditions for people. I think its really important to have transparency around that.

Dahm releases one big thematic collection per year, and she spends countless hours refining the conceptual framework behind each themethought work that finds another outlet in an oversize print magazine (also named Dahm House), which she releases along with the clothes. The first, Welcome to Earth, was inspired by a quote from fellow Indiana native Kurt Vonnegut, while the new, second collection is called The Bardo, for the liminal stage between life and death in some branches of Buddhism.

A former journalism major, Dahm peppers her conversation with literary references. Collection two was inspired by the Booker Prizewinning author George Saunders and The Tibetan Book of the Dead (Im in the middle of reading it; its dense). The second edition of Dahm House magazine will include a reprint of beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghettis I Am Waiting and of American artist Joan Mitchells painting Minnesota. Songwriter Adrianne Lenker of the band Big Thief, another Indiana native, gave Dahm permission to reprint some of her work, as well.

Catherine Dahm

For Dahm, the swirl of ideasdreams, liminal spaces, Paris, Indianaseems to be as heady as the clothes themselves. Its all rooted deep in her unconscious: Four or five of the garments [in the first collection], I legitimately just had a dream about them. I would wake up and draw it with my finger on my phone and then go back to sleep. No wonder she chose this quote from Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami as the epigraph for her second look book: Nothing in the real world is as beautiful as the illusions of a person about to lose consciousness.

Yireh Lee

Dahm House is currently stocked at 10 Corso Como, RTW in Charleston, and Viola Lovely in Boston.

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Photo agencies are refusing to publish a portrait of Kate Middleton with her children over concerns it was manipulated

Multiple photo agencies have removed Kate Middleton's new portrait over editorial concerns.

The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse issued kill notifications over the photo.

The photo has intensified conspiracy theories about Kate's whereabouts.

Multiple photo agencies are sounding the alarm that Kate Middleton's newest portrait with her children could have been digitally altered.

The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse all released kill notifications to media outlets over the photo  released by Kensington Palace on Sunday  announcing that they would no longer be distributing the image.

The AP wrote, "It appears that the source has manipulated the image." AFP cited an "editorial issue," while Reuters said the photo was withdrawn after a "post-publication review."

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The only significant update was when the palace announced her planned abdominal surgery on January 17. Kensington Palace also announced on January 29 that Kate had returned to Windsor Castle and went on the record to dispute claims that she had been in a coma.

The mystery surrounding her monthslong disappearance has sparked conspiracy theories about Kate's whereabouts and health, and this most recent photo hasn't done much to quiet such theories.

Following its release, social media was abuzz with sleuths questioning whether the photo was photoshopped or generated by artificial intelligence. Many were focused on the cuff of Princess Charlotte's pink cardigan, which seems to disappear in the photo.

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A spokesperson for the AP pointed Business Insider to a story from the outlet that explained why it believed the photo to be manipulated. "The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand," the AP said.

Social-media users also pointed out that Kate wasn't wearing her wedding ring.

One X user wrote that there were "no rings, kids all have their fingers crossed, weird blurring on charlotte's cuffs" and leaves on the trees despite the time of year, adding: "I'm sorry but they're just asking for us to go full katespiracy at this point."

no rings, kids all have their fingers crossed, weird blurring on charlottes cuffs, leaves on the trees despite it being early mach - im sorry but theyre just asking for us to go full katespiracy at this point https://t.co/v7Eh7iQT9x  Ben Smoke (@bencsmoke) March 10, 2024

Reuters and AFP didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from BI. Kensington Palace didn't immediately answer questions from BI about allegations that the photo was altered and hasn't publicly responded.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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Research Computing

San Diego State Establishing New High-Performance Computing Center

San Diego State University (SDSU), part of the California State University system, is establishing a new computing core facility called the Technology Infrastructure for Data Exploration (TIDE) project, set to be installed and set up by April 2024 and available to researchers in May.

The project was funded by a $991,749 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), and its services, starting with four campuses, will eventually be available remotely to researchers in all 23 of the CSU campuses.

TIDE will be powered by Dell PowerEdge R760XA and R760 servers, the release said. According to SDSU's TIDE page, the hardware will consist of "18 GPU nodes, 6 CPU nodes, and three storage nodes. Seventeen GPU nodes will contain 4x NVIDIA L40 48GB accelerators, and a single GPU node will host 4x NVIDIA A100 80GB accelerators to add a total of 72 GPUs to Nautilus." Storage node capability will be around 240 TB for science usage. Visit this TIDE technology link to learn more.

The new center will first be available to researchers needing advanced computing infrastructure at Cal Poly Humboldt, Cal State San Bernardino, San Diego State, and Stanislaus State, SDSU said.

TIDE is expected to bring multiple benefits to the CSU system, including the ability to:

Connect remotely and run large data sets for high level research in less time;

Give students opportunities to train and engage in high-performance computing technology, needed skill sets for upcoming careers;

Compete with research institutions to attract and retain quality faculty needing high computing performance;

Address equity issues by making this resource available to historically underserved populations, a significant percentage of whom attend CSU institutions; and

Connect CSU to the 50-partner National Research Platform, led by SDSU, for researchers whose projects might exceed TIDE's capabilities.

TIDE will fund support staff at collaborating institutions through graduate student assistants, according to a January 2024 SDSU release, some of whom will be cyberinfrastructure professionals funded and trained by a separate NSF partnership in 2022.

"I'm excited about what the TIDE initiative means for the CSU," said Ed Clark, chief information officer at the CSU Office of the Chancellor. "Certainly, it will benefit our current faculty members and attract new scholars working on computing-intensive research projects. But just as importantly, these resources will be used to teach our students critically needed skills that are in high demand across the country. This student aspect sets the project apart from other high-end research computing initiatives."

Visit SDSU's TIDE page to read more about the project and follow a link to the NSF funding abstract.

To read the full release, see this Cal State news page.
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Press Release

March 11, 2024 SPONSORSHIP SPEECH

Senate Resolution No. 946

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE ENDURING AMITY AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, AND COMMEMORATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS March 11, 2024

Session Hall, Senate of the Philippines Delivered by the Honorable Win Gatchalian, Senator of the 19th Congress: Mr. President, esteemed colleagues, a pleasant day to you all. Today, we are truly honored by the presence of the distinguished delegates from the Republic of Korea, headed by Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa [Li Sang-wa], together with Counsellor Kwon Soon Hyun [Kwon Soon Hiyun], and First Secretaries Kim Boram, [Kim Bo Ram], and Cho Seonghyeon, [Cho Song-yon]. Annyeonghaseyo [an-yong-ha-seyo]! Mabuhay, and welcome to the Philippine Senate! In my capacity as the Chairperson of the Republic of the Philippines-Republic of Korea Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Philippine Senate, I have the privilege to sponsor the adoption of a resolution that aims to recognize the enduring amity and cooperation between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, as we commemorate the significant milestone of the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Mr. President, just as "K-drama" or Korean dramas have captured the hearts of Filipinos with their captivating storytelling and universal themes of love, family, and resilience, so too have our nations found common ground in the narratives of our histories. Our enduring bond, spanning over 70 years, traces its roots back to 1949, when the Philippines proudly became the fifth nation to recognize the Republic of Korea upon its inauguration. The depth of our friendship was further solidified during the Korean War, when the Philippines courageously deployed the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea--standing shoulder to shoulder with our Korean brothers and sisters in their pursuit of peace and freedom. Similarly, just as "K-pop" or Korean Pop transcends borders and languages to unite fans from every corner of the globe, our friendship knows no bounds--transcending geographical distances to foster a sense of camaraderie. A testament to this enduring connection is the sisterhood forged between our city, Valenzuela, and Bucheon City in South Korea, which commemorated its 15th anniversary last year. Having personally witnessed the innovative practices of Bucheon City, I can attest to its profound influence on our approaches in Valenzuela City, leaving an indelible mark on our governance. But on a larger scale, the continuing mutual cooperation and friendship between the Philippines and South Korea have contributed to the promotion of diplomatic relations and growth across various areas. The collaboration between our countries which started in defense has since extended to trade and investment, maritime affairs, and people-to-people exchange, among others. In the realm of defense, our journey of cooperation has been one of mutual respect and shared goals. Through the years, the Philippines has been an active supporter in the inter-Korean peace process and reconciliation efforts. South Korea, meanwhile, has been a steadfast ally of the Philippines in our pursuit of defense capability modernization. In addition to entering into several bilateral defense agreements, South Korea has also supplied the Philippine Air Force with FA-50 multirole jet fighters and the Philippine Navy with its first two missile frigates. Furthermore, the trade and investment collaboration between the Philippines and South Korea has greatly flourished over the years. As of June 2022, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority has registered 251 South Korean companies, channeling nearly 90 billion Pesos in investments across various economic zones in the Philippines. These enterprises collectively employ about 45,000 Filipino workers, contributing significantly to the local job market, and have yielded export revenues totaling 1.1 billion US Dollars as of August 2022. This partnership was further solidified with the recent enactment of a free trade agreement, aimed at enhancing the vibrant relationship and collaboration between the two countries. In the domain of maritime affairs, the Philippines and South Korea have embarked on innovative initiatives aimed at harnessing the potential of the blue economy. Our cooperation has been multifaceted, ranging from the establishment of maritime partnerships through dialogues and agreements to the initiation of capacity-building programs. Together, we have focused on enhancing our maritime domain awareness, safeguarding our marine environment, and cultivating an ocean economy that mutually benefits our people. Mr. President, the Philippines and South Korea have long enjoyed a relationship that extends beyond formal agreements and economic partnerships. It is a bond that is deeply rooted in the hearts and lives of our people. Over the years, our nations have nurtured bilateral relations through vigorous people-to-people exchanges, facilitated by initiatives such as South Korea's Global Korea Scholarship programs and the Korea International Cooperation Agency training programs. From the bustling streets of Manila to the serene landscapes of Jeju, our people have embraced each other's cultures, learning and growing together. Today, South Korea stands as the Philippines' top source market of foreign tourist arrivals. In 2023 alone, the Philippines welcomed over 1.44 million Korean visitors, representing about one out of every four foreign tourists entering the country. Likewise, South Korea benefits from the contributions of over 47,000 Filipinos employed in various industries across South Korea, according to 2021 data from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office. Our shared history, marked by the valor of Filipinos during the Korean War, has blossomed into a modern-day alliance that celebrates diversity and mutual respect. Through the strength of our partnership and the richness of our cultural exchange, may we continue to inspire generations to come, forging a legacy of enduring friendship that knows no bounds. In closing, let us celebrate the richness of our enduring friendship, akin to the fusion of spicy kimchi and savory adobo delights. Just as the graceful lines of the hanbok intertwine with the elegant barong Tagalog, our cultures converge in a beautiful tapestry of tradition and innovation. Cheers to 75 years of shared history and boundless possibilities! Kamsahamnida [kam-sam-ni-da]! Maraming salamat! Thank you, Mr. President, esteemed colleagues.
JK Lakshmipat University Gears Up for a Celebration of Design at Jaipur Design Week 2024

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India] Published : March 9, 2024



JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU), a pioneering institution in multidisciplinary higher education, is set to host another successful edition of Jaipur Design Week 2024, an exemplary and insightful Design Festival that serves the purpose of creating a constituency of Design in India. Scheduled from 10th-17th March at the University's campus in Jaipur, and studios across the city, this seven-day event promises to be an immersive celebration of design across multiple disciplines.



Jaipur Design Week, #JDW'24 will feature a diverse array of events, including Project presentations, panel discussions, signature talk series, experiential workshops, and competitions, bringing together a vibrant community of designers, students, professionals, educators, and enthusiasts from across the country.



"Last year's Jaipur Design Week was a resounding success, and we are excited to build upon that momentum this year," said Prof. A Balasubramaniam, Director, Institute of Design, JKLU. "The festival provides a platform for creative minds to converge, collaborate, and push the boundaries of design thinking across various domains."



One of the highlights of JDW'24 year's festival is a session with a renowned French designer Martha Maria Le Bars, and a film screening in collaboration with Alliance Francaise de Jaipur. Attendees can look forward to a range of engaging events, including Open Studios, Designathon, Storytelling sessions, DesignThinking workshops, ThoughtSpot, Book Launch, Workshops such as AI Prompt Engineering, Film Screening, the Designer of the Year award ceremony, and Pantone Party.



The Open Studios, a four-day workshop at the JKLU campus in Jaipur, offers attendees the opportunity to learn from industry experts and academia through masterclasses covering diverse topics like Narrative Threads, Storytelling Magic, Bike Styling, Calligraphy, Adaptation into Visual Media, Introduction to Wayfinding and Signage Design, and Collaborative Perceptions.



The design week will have several industry experts including Prof. Vijay Kumar, Illinois Tech's Institute of Design in Chicago, delivering the inaugural address, Sarita Sundar, Author Designer, Rajeev Prakash, Type Designer, Founders of OJI Story, Oni Sen, Designer-turned filmmaker, to name a few.



Jaipur Design Week will also witness the launch of the Association of Designers of India (ADI) Student Chapter at JKLU, fostering a community of young design enthusiasts. In recognition of outstanding talent, the festival will honor Danisha Mehta, a Royal College of Art, London graduate with the 'Emerging Designer of the Year' award for her exemplary work in the field of design. As the recipient of this prestigious recognition, she will serve as a role model, inspiring the next generation to strive for excellence in their craft.



With its diverse array of events, Jaipur Design Week 2024 is set to be a vibrant confluence of creativity, innovation, and design excellence, creating a constituency of Design in India and fostering a thriving design ecosystem.



For more information, please visit: jaipurdesignweek.com.



Established in 2011 by J.K. Organisation (JKO), JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU) is a pioneering institution committed to bridging the industry-academia gap, carrying forward JKO's illustrious 125-year legacy of nation-building. With cutting-edge programs in engineering, management, and design, JKLU offers experiential learning opportunities and boasts the highest faculty-student ratio in the region, accredited by NAAC. Through strategic partnerships, hands-on projects, and immersive internships, JKLU equips students with practical skills and real-world insights. With a commitment to nurturing dreams, JKLU offers personalized guidance and inclusive educational opportunities, ensuring that every student's aspirations are fulfilled.



For additional details, visit: www.jklu.edu.in.

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Almost 17 million euros has been paid by the Romanian state until now, to former inmates who won compensation at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the general director of the National Penitentiary Administration (ANP), Dan Halchin informed on Monday, at the presentation of ANP's 2023 activity report.

"In the last 15 years, 160,000 persons deprived of liberty have been detained in the penitentiary system. Of these, in the last 15 years, 4,300 former persons deprived of liberty have won compensation at the ECHR in the average amount of 4,000 - 5,000 euros, 4,300 compared to 160,000, and the total amount that the Romanian state has paid, up to this moment, from the records that the National Penitentiary Administration has at its disposal, is 16.8 million euros. (...) The percentage cases won at the ECHR is in the 2-3% range. (...) It has been circulated many times that the Romanian state pays hundreds of millions of euros, which is not true," said Halchin.

He said that last year the ANP had among its priorities the fight against overcrowding and recalled that the Government approved a memorandum with measures to expand the penitentiary infrastructure.

Last year, approximately 1,000 fugitives were repatriated.

"The conditions in the Romanian penitentiary system are nowhere near as they are claimed or blamed by some people who are in the scope of a criminal trial or another. It can be concluded that, in the hypothesis that the conditions of detention would have been inadequate or if we had done something incorrect in the penitentiary system, the international courts in the countries we cooperate with would not have made the decision to repatriate such a significant number of people to serve their sentence in Romania," argued Dan Halchin
The 2024 draft budget of the Bucharest City Hall has been rejected for the third time by the General Council.

It received 17 "in favour" votes, 23 abstentions and one vote "against".

Previously, two amendments supported by general mayor of the Capital City, Nicusor Dan, as well as an amendment supported by the National Liberal Group (PNL) group and another belonging to the Social Democratic Group (PSD) group were rejected.
A ceremony dedicated to the 144th anniversary of Romania's diplomatic relations with France and Germany took place on Monday in the Hall of Honour of Peles Castle in Sinaia resort, the event being hosted by the Custodian of the Romanian Crown, Her Majesty Margareta.

In her address, the Custodian of the Romanian Crown pointed out that France and Germany are among Romania's most important partners in the European Union and NATO, noting that the alliance between the three nations remains strong.

"King Carol I, the founder of the modern Romanian state, had close ties with France and Germany (...) Today, France and Germany play an essential role in the EU and NATO and are among Romania's most important partners in both alliances. (...) Ladies and gentlemen, the alliance between our three nations remains strong. And this alliance is reaffirmed literally every day. Our meeting is a tribute to the French Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany, especially to the French and German citizens living in our country. It is also a tribute to the many Romanians from Romania and the Republic of Moldova currently living in France and Germany," said Her Majesty Margareta.

In this context, the Custodian of the Romanian Crown also mentioned the current security crisis in Europe, thanking France and Germany for their contribution to NATO air policing operations over Romania.

German ambassador Peer Gebauer spoke about the cultural, economic and political relations with Romania, stressing the importance of the partnership between the two countries.

Our countries have long been EU partners and NATO allies. However, Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine has made us realise even more clearly how important this partnership is for our common security in Europe. We are grateful to have Romania by our side as a close friend in these difficult times, said ambassador Peer Gebauer.

French ambassador Nicolas Warnery also highlighted, among other things, the support offered to Romania, together with other European partners, for its full accession to the Schengen area as soon as possible.
Foreign Affairs minister Luminita Odobescu, who had a meeting on Monday with a delegation of the Parliament of Georgia, led by Nikoloz Samkharadze, reconfirmed Romania's support for Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic path, in the context of obtaining the status of candidate country to the EU, according to a MAE press release sent to AGERPRES.

Minister Odobescu encouraged "the intensification of reform efforts subsumed to these processes."

The discussions focused on the stage and prospects of bilateral relations, Georgia's relations with the European Union and NATO, cooperation within international organizations and the regional security agenda on the Black Sea.

Both sides welcomed the objectives and joint projects in areas of strategic interest such as connectivity, transport and energy. The Romanian official welcomed the operation of the ferry line between southeastern port of Constanta and the Georgian port of Poti. She also mentioned the role of transport corridors crossing Georgia and Romania, in the context of an increased flow of goods and products on the Asia-Europe route, highlighting Georgia's important role in connecting the EU with the Caspian Sea.
Romania's FOB / CIF trade deficit in January 2024 was standing at EUR 1.958 billion euros, down EUR 359.0 million (-15.5%) from January 2023, according to data with the National Institute of Statistics (INS) released on Monday.

In January 2024, FOB exports amounted to EUR 7.085 billion and CIF imports amounted to EUR 9.043 billion. Y-o-y, January 2024 exports declined 1.3% and imports 4.8%.

In January 2024, important shares in the composition of exports and imports were held by machinery and transport equipment (47.3% exports and 35.9% imports) and other manufactured goods (29.6% exports and 27.9% imports).

The value of Romania's intra-EU27 trade in goods in January 2024 was EUR 5.260 billion in exports and EUR 6.663 billion in imports, accounting for 74.2% of total exports and 73.7% of total imports.

The value of Romania's extra-EU27 trade in goods in January 2024 was EUR 1.824 billion in exports and EUR 2.379 billion in imports, accounting for 25.8% of total exports and 26.3% of total imports.

According to INS, FOB/CIF trade balance is calculated against the FOB export value and CIF import value as difference between them. The negative value of the trade balance is called deficit, and the positive one is called surplus.

FOB price (Free on Board) is the price at the border of the exporting country, which includes the value of the commodity, all transport expenditures to the shipping point as well as all the fees for the commodity to be loaded on board.

CIF price (Cost, Insurance, Freight) is the price at the border of the importing country, including both components of FOB price and the cost of insurance as well as the cost of the international transport.
Romania firmly supports the Open Door Policy of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance, and "Sweden's accession proves that NATO's door remains open and that together we are stronger", the Romanian Minister of Defense, Angel Tilvar said on Monday at the headquarters of the ministry, where the raising ceremony of Sweden, Romania and NATO's flags took place on the occasion of Sweden's entry into the North Atlantic Alliance.

The event took place in the presence of Minister Angel Tilvar and the ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Romania, Therese Hyden, informs a press release sent to AGERPRES.

The minister of defense declared that Sweden, as a member of NATO, will equally contribute to the development of the Alliance's policies and decisions, as well as to the strengthening of the allied forces.

"The new ally brings to the NATO table a strong and well-prepared army, as well as a robust defense industry," said Angel Tilvar.

"In order to strengthen the security situation, measures to deter Russia are also needed, and Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance, together with Finland, will make substantial contributions to the integrated defense and deterrence posture on the eastern flank, ensuring coherence and unity from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. As a concrete example, this summer Finland will participate in enhanced air policing missions in our region, with F-18 aircraft. We are sure that with Sweden we will also identify numerous joint projects," Tilvar said.

For her part, the ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Romania, Therese Hyden, stated that her country intends to live up to the expectations of all NATO allies.

We will share the same challenges, risks and responsibilities as all allied states, we will contribute with all our capabilities and we will respect the values of the Washington Treaty. With the entry into NATO, the North Atlantic Alliance will be stronger and Sweden will be safer, said the diplomat, quoted in the press release.
Everybodys Irish on St. Patricks Day, and this year theyre Irish on the day before, too.

The big day falls on a Sunday this year, and a lot of parades and festivities want to give their participants a good day to recuperate. So some will be held Saturday while the traditionalists will have their activities on Sunday.

Of course, if youre serious about celebrating the culture, traditions, literature, music, food and people of the Emerald Isle  or if you just like to drink beer  you can go on both days and make a real party out of it.

Area St. Patricks Day event include:

Metropolitan St. Patricks Day Parade, downtown

When: 5-mile and 3K shuffle runs at 9 a.m., parade at noon, March 16

5-mile and 3K shuffle runs at 9 a.m., parade at noon, March 16 Where: Parade begins at 20th and Market streets, goes east to Broadway and south to Clark Street

Parade begins at 20th and Market streets, goes east to Broadway and south to Clark Street How much: $55 for race registration, parade is free

$55 for race registration, parade is free More info: irishparade.org

They call it one of the top St. Patricks Day parades in the country, and who are we to disagree? More than 120 units are expected for the 55th annual shindig, including floats, balloons and marching bands. Among the 5,000 marchers will be clowns. Lots and lots of clowns. It will take place rain or shine.

Ancient Order of Hibernians Parade and St. Patricks Day Block Party, Belleville

When: 5K run and 50-yard kids rainbow dash begin at 9 a.m., parade starts at 11 a.m. and block party begins after the parade, March 16

5K run and 50-yard kids rainbow dash begin at 9 a.m., parade starts at 11 a.m. and block party begins after the parade, March 16 Where: Main Street, Downtown Belleville

Main Street, Downtown Belleville How much: $35, $20 children for 5K, $5 for rainbow dash (12 and under only); parade and party are free

$35, $20 children for 5K, $5 for rainbow dash (12 and under only); parade and party are free More info: facebook.com/BellevilleSaintPats

There will be plenty of the wearing of the green all along the parade route  and on the marchers and riders of the floats  and more at vendors tents (you cant have St. Patricks Day without beer) and in the Main Street bars, restaurants and shops. Food trucks, too.

St. Patricks Day Festival, Defiance

When: 5K run at 10 a.m., parade at noon, live music until 5:30 p.m. March 16

5K run at 10 a.m., parade at noon, live music until 5:30 p.m. March 16 Where: Run begins at Good News Brewing Company, 2886 South Missouri Route 94, Defiance; parade begins at Defiance Ridge Vineyards, 2711 South Missouri Route 94, Defiance, and goes through downtown

Run begins at Good News Brewing Company, 2886 South Missouri Route 94, Defiance; parade begins at Defiance Ridge Vineyards, 2711 South Missouri Route 94, Defiance, and goes through downtown How much: $35 (includes two beers), $20 children for 5K, free

$35 (includes two beers), $20 children for 5K, free parade and festival.

More info defiancemo.com/events

After the race and the parade, celebrants can enjoy live music, courtesy of Ed Callison, Darren Hank and David Green, a bounce house, a Busch family horse-drawn wagon and more. Parade awards include best decorated, best float and best pet.

St. Patricks Day Parade, Pacific

When: 11 a.m. March 16

11 a.m. March 16 Where: Parade begins on West Union Street at Sanker Street, travels east to North First Street, south to East St. Louis Street, west to South Sixth Street, north to West Union Street

Parade begins on West Union Street at Sanker Street, travels east to North First Street, south to East St. Louis Street, west to South Sixth Street, north to West Union Street How much: Free

Free More info: pacificmo.org/event/saint-patricks-day-parade

This parade isnt just fun, its fun for a good cause: All of the 50 units and floats have paid a registration fee, and the money from that is going to maintain spring flower pots in the downtown district. The floats will toss out candy to youngsters.

Cottleville Shamrock Run and Irish Fest

When: 9 a.m. March 16

9 a.m. March 16 Where: Downtown Cottleville

Downtown Cottleville How much: $50 for the run

$50 for the run More info: fireoutreach.com/shamrock

After a 5K run, there will be beer and other non-running-related activities. Money from the registration fees will go to the Cottleville Firefighters Outreach charitable programs. The party continues at the restaurants and bars of Cottleville with Irish Fest, featuring live bands and drink specials.

St. Pats Pub Crawl, Alton

When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. March 16

11 a.m.-7 p.m. March 16 Where: Downtown Alton

Downtown Alton How much: Free (but you pay your bar tab)

Free (but you pay your bar tab) More info: stpatsalton.com

Fourteen Alton dining and drinking establishments are offering St. Patricks Day-related specials, plus a general party atmosphere. A shuttle bus will make the rounds continually to each location.

St. Louis Shamrock Stroll Bar Crawl

When: 1-8 p.m. March 16

1-8 p.m. March 16 Where: Bars throughout the area

Bars throughout the area How much: $14.99, plus $5.73 in fees and taxes

$14.99, plus $5.73 in fees and taxes More info: eventbrite.com

A ticket gets you into a number of local bars, where you can drink and dine with your fellow inebriates. But cant you do that without a ticket? Yes you can, but according to their website each person will receive exclusive privileges to generously low drink or food specials that you will not be able to find anywhere else.

Ancient Order of Hibernians Parade and Irish Festival, Dogtown

When: Festival is 9 a.m.-6 p.m. March 17; Parade begins at 11 a.m.

Festival is 9 a.m.-6 p.m. March 17; Parade begins at 11 a.m. Where: Parade begins at Tamm and Oakland avenues and heads south down Tamm, ending at Manchester Avenue. Festival is around intersection of Tamm Avenue and Clayton Road

Parade begins at Tamm and Oakland avenues and heads south down Tamm, ending at Manchester Avenue. Festival is around intersection of Tamm Avenue and Clayton Road How much: Free

Free More info: dogtownunited.org

Last year saw more than 90 units in the parade, which has been held annually (except COVID years) since 1984  can they go for 100 this year? The festival will feature two party zones and one family zone, each with its own stage for live music, much of which will be Irish, plus lots of food and drink and family-friendly games. No coolers, backpacks or glass bottles allowed.

St. Patricks Day, St. Charles

When: 4 p.m. March 17

4 p.m. March 17 Where: Parade begins at the Lewis and Clark Boathouse parking lot (1050 South Riverside Drive, St. Charles), goes up Boones Lick to Main Street and travels on Main Street to Clark Street

Parade begins at the Lewis and Clark Boathouse parking lot (1050 South Riverside Drive, St. Charles), goes up Boones Lick to Main Street and travels on Main Street to Clark Street How much: Free

Free More info: stcharlescitymo.gov

St. Charles decided to get into the St. Patricks Day parade fun in 2022, after a group of the local Ancient Order of Hibernians held their own impromptu parade the year before. They happened upon the mayor, who thought a more formal event might be just what St. Charles needed.

St. Patricks Day Grub Crawl, OFallon, Illinois

When: 1-5 p.m. March 17

1-5 p.m. March 17 Where: Various locations around OFallon, Illinois

Various locations around OFallon, Illinois How much: Free, but you have to pay for what you eat and drink

Free, but you have to pay for what you eat and drink More info: ofallondowntowndistrict.com

Ten different OFallon, Illinois, bars, restaurants and veterans organizations are participating in this event. Each will offer a different Irish dish for around $5 and a drink special. If you find a leprechaun, you can compete in the stein-holding event; the winner will get a cash prize.
Joe Holleman Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The gloves are off in the 1st Congressional District race, and the first haymaker has been thrown at St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell.

And in the other corner is not incumbent U.S. Rep Cori Bush but another Bush challenger  former state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal.

Wesley Bell, youre messy, Chappelle-Nadal said in a social media post in which she accuses Bell of having sexual relations with employees in his office.

Her post Friday evening included a photo of the first page of a motion filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court that seeks to compel a party in a discrimination case to answer questions regarding sexual relationships in Bells office.

The name of the specific party in the motion is redacted, but Chappelle-Nadal calls out Bell, saying I strongly urge Wesley Bell to stop sleeping with ... subordinates in the prosecuting attorneys office.

For #InternationalWomensDay2024, I strongly urge Wesley Bell to stop sleeping with his male and female subordinates in the Prosecuting Attorney's office.



Wesley Bell, you're messy. pic.twitter.com/oXuzi8bDA1  Maria Chappelle-Nadal (@Maria4Missouri) March 8, 2024

Bell and Chappelle-Nadal are both challenging Bush, a two-term incumbent, in the Democratic primary in August for the congressional seat that covers all of St. Louis and parts of north and west St. Louis County.

Bells campaign released a short response Monday to the social media post: Wesley has a practice of not commenting on matters that are subjects of ongoing litigation.

In an interview Monday, Chappelle-Nadal said she felt the need to speak out about a situation she said had been brought to her attention several years ago.

After I read the motion, I felt I needed to say something, Chappelle-Nadal said, adding that discrimination and sexual politics in the workplace continues to be an issue.

We dont need this kind of behavior from any elected official, she said.

The genesis of these recent events is a discrimination suit filed against St. Louis County in October 2020 by longtime prosecutor Susan Petersen.

The motion was filed on Feb. 14, alleging that a person involved in the case refused to answer questions from Petersens lawyers during a deposition taken on Jan. 29.

The motion states that during the Jan. 29 deposition, Petersens lawyers asked the deposed party if he had ever been involved in sexual relationships with any employees in the Prosecuting Attorneys Office, including several specific employees ...

The deposed party refused to answer the question on advice from attorneys, who argued the questions were highly prejudicial and do not prove anything in the case.

Petersens attorneys counter that the questions are pertinent to their clients case, arguing that the answers may illustrate the redacted partys attitude toward and general treatment of women in the workplace.

Petersens side further argues that the redacted party engaging in intimate relationships with his female subordinates would make it more probable that (he) would use his power ... to treat other women in the office, including (Petersen), in a disrespectful and demeaning manner ...

The motion goes on to also allege that (redacted party) treats younger women in the office more favorably than older women, which is relevant to (Petersens) claim of age discrimination.

A hearing on the motion is set for March 19 in St. Louis County Circuit Court. A jury trial on the lawsuit has been set for April 15, but the county has asked for a delay.

Petersens lawsuit, filed in October 2020, says she worked for prosecutors office for 21 years and then was fired in 2019.

Her suit contends that she was one of five white prosecutors older than 40 who either were forced out or quit in Bells first term as county prosecutor.

The lawsuit says Bell favored hiring and promoting male employees and attorneys, noting the appointment of several men to Bells executive staff.

Her suit also alleges that Bell intervened in two of Petersens cases by making plea deals with Black defendants who were charged with violent crimes against police and a white victim.

Those deals were made without input from Petersen, she said.

One of those deals was with a Jennings man who got a 15-year term for shooting at four undercover police officers in 2017, the lawsuit says. The other case was a Webster Groves woman who went to prison for 15 years on a reduced charge of manslaughter for fatally stabbing a man who was white.

Petersen, who was 46 at the time, was suspended with pay in September 2019 after she complained to her superiors about the interference.

The following month, Bell demoted Petersen and sent her a written reprimand saying he had lost faith in her ability to handle criminal cases and work with police officers on criminal cases (in) an honest, ethical and professional manner.

Petersen left the office on Oct. 7, 2019. She now is lead counsel for the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 15, which represents police departments in the region. Her suit seeks at least $100,000 in damages.

This recent motion to compel is not the first such action in this case.

On Oct. 10, Joshua Canavan, a prosecutor in Bells office, was deposed, according to filings on Missouri Casenet.

On Oct. 26, Petersens attorney filed a motion to compel with the courts, claiming that a party involved in the suit was deposed on Oct. 10 and refused to answer questions.

Supporting documents on Casenet show that the person refused to answer questions about the attitude toward women in the office; whether male and female employees were treated differently; and if that person had any knowledge about sexual relations in the office.

Records show that a hearing on that motion to compel was set for Dec. 15. But it was canceled on Dec. 4.

Court records show that Canavan gave another deposition on Dec. 18.

Chappelle-Nadal, a Missouri state representative and senator for a total of 16 years, is no stranger to volatile social media posts.

In 2017, she gained notoriety for calling on social media for the assassination of former President Donald Trump. She apologized for the post and removed it.

As to Bell, Chappelle-Nadal has been a vocal critic of his performance in office and said he needs to be held accountable for failing to prosecute violent criminals.

Chappelle-Nadal has been sharply critical of Bell since 2021, when Bells office released a man from custody who, one month later, was charged in the shooting death of Chappelle-Nadals cousin.

Bell, who upset longtime incumbent Prosecuting Attorney Robert P. McCulloch in 2018, has stayed busy running for political offices that are available in 2024.

In June, one week after saying on television he was not interested in another office, Bell filed to run in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat now held by U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley.

Then in October, shortly after Bush began to draw fire for her pro-Palestine response to the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, Bell switched over to become a candidate against Bush in the congressional race.
ST. LOUIS  Goodfellow Boulevard was once home to a sprawling ammunition industry that employed thousands and supplied the national war efforts in Europe, Korea and Vietnam. Now, the north-south thoroughfare is a no mans land of abandoned businesses, littered roadways and lawlessness thats driving Black residents out of northwest St. Louis.

They call it Goodfellow. There aint nothing good, Shirley Robinson, 66, said from her front porch. I can see why people be moving. I am going to be next as soon as my money pops. I like this house, but people come through our gangways with guns. I am going to buy a house where there are stores and a fence so high that nobody can get in.

A $30.5 million tax-subsidized effort is underway to stabilize low-income housing at Hillvale Apartments, a huge complex in the area. Many neighbors like Robinson are skeptical it will last if security isnt better addressed, particularly at the busy intersection of Goodfellow and Natural Bridge thats an epicenter of mayhem.

There, a headless lamppost leans like a giant sword over the entrance to the most dangerous gas station in St. Louis, according to a Post-Dispatch analysis of crime data. The business has had many formal names in its storied history. Today, its a Conoco, but residents still call it the Murder Mobil.

I dont go there, said Robinson, who lives a few blocks away. Its been robbed so many times. There are a bunch of people hanging around. You never know when they get to shooting.

Other than a man who buys booze, several long-term residents said they avoid the gas station for the same reason. Its been on the citys radar for some time, but problems persist.

Out of more than 100 gas stations still in operation citywide, the station in question at 5750 Natural Bridge Avenue had the highest number of aggravated assaults  106  and robberies  66  between 2005 and 2020. Aggravated assaults were more than double the runner-up  46  at the Phillips 66 on the Halls Ferry Circle. It was also one of eight gas stations with two or more homicides during that time frame.

The Post-Dispatchs analysis relied on 15 years of uniform crime report spreadsheets, published monthly by St. Louis police on their website until 2020, when they changed computer systems. Police on Tuesday released a crime dataset covering the missing years, 2021 to 2023, but in a different format that cant be directly compared with the old data. That data shows 5750 Natural Bridge ranked fifth for aggravated assaults over those three years, with just under half the total of the leader, the Shell station at 721 North Tucker Boulevard.

Twenty years of police calls for service to 5750 Natural Bridge also paint a bleak picture.

Between 2004 and 2016, the station averaged 186 calls per year. Then, in January 2017, the stations owner, 31-year-old Maulik Patel, was cut down in a hail of gunfire as he drove home one night, a murder case that remains unsolved. Calls for service doubled that year to 504, kicking off a multiyear surge that lasted through 2022, except for a brief reduction during the 2020 pandemic year.

Then, on July 12, 2022, local and federal police raided the North Western Inn, another chronic source of calls for service next door known for drugs and prostitution. They arrested more than a dozen people, lining them up on the curb of the gas station. The hotel was shuttered.

The following year, calls for service at the gas station fell to a 20-year low: 55.

Now, hotel owners want to reopen. Disruptions continue at the gas station. Its ATM was recently yanked out and stolen.

As crime ebbs and flows, the Murder Mobil lives on in an area where the Rallys burger joint is one of the latest businesses to shutter. Stakeholders say the future of stations like this one pose an enormous challenge and opportunity for those who want North City to thrive once more. Gas stations bring in tax revenue, but also come with heavy tolls.

That place over there makes the Shell downtown look like the Ritz-Carlton, said Jermaine Wooten, an attorney. Thats where people meet for drug sales and all types of crime. Police say if you pull up on that lot, they assume they are going to commit a crime. Thats how bad it is.

Wooten represented Michael Williams in a personal injury case involving the property. Williams alleged in court records that he was beaten unconscious and robbed by a group of individuals marauding on the parking lot July 4, 2017. Williams claimed the gas station manager poured water over his face and left him on the ground for about 30 minutes before calling for help. He claimed he was mentally and physically disabled by the incident, which, he argued, was foreseeable given the troubling pattern of crime at the location.

Ayush One LLC has owned the gas station since 2013. Several months ago, the manager described to a reporter a sense of being trapped. He complained that the city wasnt providing enough security and that if he or his employees called for help, it worsened their case with city problem properties officials. He said hed be open to allowing a reporter and photographer to observe the challenges for a day or night, but, when pressed on a date, changed his mind, saying the business may be sold soon.

By early March, the store hadnt sold. The same manager angrily told the Post-Dispatch to leave the property and that he didnt want to participate in a story about gas stations in the city. The Williams case, filed in 2019, had recently been dismissed; its unclear if a settlement was reached.

And another personal injury lawsuit had been filed  this one against Ayush One and a private security company, Beast Mode LLC.

William E. Jones, the plaintiff, claims in court records that a private security guard used a firearm to strike somebody inside the gas station on Sept. 8, 2021. During the struggle, the gun allegedly fired and struck Jones in the arm, making it one of many shootings that have happened at the station.

Corvettes to crime

The intersection of Goodfellow and Natural Bridge was a beacon of prosperity in the 1970s. Corvettes rolled off a nearby assembly line. The federal center hummed with jobs. Goody Goody Diner filled stomachs with fried eggs.

And Gary Hinton, just a teenager, closed the gas station at 5750 Natural Bridge at 1 a.m.

It was a different time, Hinton, now 66, said by telephone from Arizona.

He said his parents took over the station about a year after it opened. They initially called it Jodies Mobil, after his father, and later, Jodie Hinton and Sons Enterprises. There wasnt much money in gas, so they offered full-service and auto repair. He said they had a couple tow trucks and sold ice and cigarettes.

Having a job was huge at that time because it kept you off the street, said Gary. Time on your hands and hot ass St. Louis in the summertime. It was the best thing for me to work at that gas station.

He said they were robbed a few times, but nobody paid attention to it because no one was physically harmed.

We were well-embedded in the community, he said. People called us who needed stuff. Dad was really personable.

In the mid-1980s, around the time Gary was leaving for a career in the Air Force, the family business fell apart and turned over. Jodie Hinton pivoted to running a northside lounge. In 1986, seated at the bar, police said somebody came in and fatally shot him in the head without saying a word.

By then, the gas station was advertising as the Goodfellow Sunoco. It later sat vacant from 1989 to 1997, when new bays were built, according to city records.

It became a hot spot for crime. In the past 20 years, there was a wide variety of more than 4,650 calls for police service. Michael Anthony Tunstall alone racked up at least 22 trespassing cases filed in St. Louis Circuit Court. In one, police also claimed he had a crack pipe and threatened to kill arresting officers.

One afternoon in 2016, somebody drove off in a womans SUV when she went up to the window of the gas station to check on a child inside. A 2-month-old boy, left in the back seat, was later found uninjured, dumped at a Sherman Park bathroom, along with the stolen vehicle nearby.

Its unclear when the gas station picked up the informal name Murder Mobil. According to news reports, five people have been killed there since 2002:

Lawrence Brady II, 19, the son of a former Wellston mayor, was shot in the head in 2002 as he got out of a car and later died of his wounds.

Acme Price III, 44, of University City, who served a brief stint in the Marines, was fatally stabbed in 2004. Family said hed done time in federal prison and struggled with drug addiction.

Damien Guy, 21, of Pine Lawn, was killed in 2004. Witnesses told police that they saw somebody chasing him from the gas station before being shot in the street.

Arnold Grice, 24, who lived in northwest St. Louis near the border of Pine Lawn, was gunned down in 2011.

Caylin Hudson, 18, was killed in 2016. He was a passenger in a fleeing car that a group of men shot at in the parking lot.

Police said then that Hudson lived in the 6200 block of Lenox Avenue in Wellston. No one there could be found recently who remembered him, but Samuel Shannon, a Wellston councilman who lives nearby, said many people have been shot at the infamous gas station he avoids.

They need to shut it down and do something, said Shannon, 73. Its just a bad place for the city of St. Louis. Its a place you dont want to go to get gas.

No surrender

To this day, few are aware that a recent owner of the gas station was slain. Like many fatal shootings, Maulik Patel suffered a violent death that was briefly mentioned in the news right after it happened on Jan. 11, 2017.

He was on his way home to unincorporated west St. Louis County around 10 p.m., right after work. He was driving north on Goodfellow Boulevard in a 2011 Hyundai Sonata with personalized license plates: AYUSH.

A witness told police that when the Sonata stopped at a traffic light leading to the Interstate 70 on-ramp, a sedan with tinted glass pulled up directly beside the Sonata and started blasting. The witness told police that the victim got out of the car and held his hands up in the air, attempting to surrender; however, the assailant or assailants continued to shoot until the victim collapsed on Goodfellow Boulevard.

The suspect vehicle sped off on Interstate 70, according to the police report.

Another witness stopped and got out of her Impala to check on the victim and call police. Soon she reported that somebody from the amassing crowd sped off in her car.

Patel was pronounced dead at the scene. One employee at the gas station told police that several unknown individuals had made verbal and physical threats toward Patel on a regular basis. A police review of surveillance video from the night of his death didnt reveal anything notable, according to the police report.

Police wouldnt sit for an interview to discuss the unsolved case. Evita Caldwell, a police spokeswoman, said by email that detectives received leads over the years, but none of them have been substantial enough for an arrest.

In 2017, St. Louis police Detective Daniel Sweeney acknowledged in court testimony that we have reason to believe that Patel was intentionally targeted.

Court records show that Patel filed a last will and testament three weeks before his death. He had a young son and wife at home but was only 31. According to a copy of the will, his business interests were Ayush One at 5750 Natural Bridge, as well as Hare Krishna LLC, which had locations in Florissant and Louisville, Kentucky.

Two witnesses signed the will, including a parent.

In a lawsuit against a car insurance company, Patels widow, Ripal, claimed in court records that there was no plausible reason why Maulik Patel would be targeted by the occupants of the fleeing vehicle.

In a 2017 television news story, three months after the shooting, Ripal called for justice for Mauliks death. She described him as a family man without enemies.

Who did this? Why they did this? she said. Whats the point? My husband was an innocent man. He never did nothing wrong in his life that somebody would just kill him in this way.

Recently reached at her home in Chesterfield, Ripal confirmed that she is the current owner of the gas station. She said crime has dipped quite a bit since the neighboring hotel was shut down in 2022. She declined to be interviewed at length.

Different sets

St. Louis police declined requests to talk about the broader challenges they face in the neighborhoods along Goodfellow Boulevard.

The closest the Post-Dispatch came was at a recent town hall held at the OFallon Park Rec Complex that addressed the exodus of more than 27,000 Black residents from the city between 2010 and 2020.

We all have to collaborate to address the challenges that we face in north St. Louis, Neal Richardson told the crowd.

As leader of the St. Louis Development Corporation, hes expected to carry out the economic development strategy of Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, who celebrated her election victory in 2021 at a former United Auto Workers union hall near Goodfellow and Natural Bridge.

Balancing economic development and public safety continues to be a main challenge of her administration, as seen at the town hall.

An announcer struggled to pronounce the name of police Capt. Matthew Karnowski, the new leader of District 6, who also struggled to recall what SLDC stands for.

Asked by a reporter after his public remarks if he had ideas for addressing crime around problematic gas stations anywhere in the city, Karnowski said: I am super new in this role, but leveraging technologies  ShotSpotter, real-time crime center cameras  and then working with problem properties officers, City Hall, the building division, and all relevant stakeholders to try to come up with a solution.

A Sunshine request for problem properties records explaining the situation with the gas station at the intersection of Goodfellow and Natural Bridge took the city counselors office three months to process. It ultimately turned up a 27-page chronological summary of numerous actions, hearing dates, nuisance notices, crackdowns and scheduled meetings with city attorneys and representatives of the police, Board of Aldermen and gas station ownership dating to 2013.

Noted incidents range from the robbery and assault of an elderly woman to possession of a controlled substance to seven men seen hanging around in the parking lot that was packed with cars at the pumps and not at the pumps.

After a rash of police calls for service in 2017, a meeting was held with Ripal Patel and the manager. A police sergeant told them they should hire a security company that has off-duty St. Louis police officers, which would allow them to make arrests. The sergeant advised having them walk the perimeter of the lot every 30 minutes. An attorney with the city counselors office also recommended increased lighting, power washing the lot more often and ending sales of single cans of beer.

Soon, Patel was accused of failure to abate. More meetings were scheduled. Gas station representatives told officials they couldnt afford to hire off-duty police. They said the gas station was taking blame for being a safe spot for Hillvale Apartments residents to call police.

At one point in 2018, a police colonel provided two options: either close or hire off-duty police until crime subsides. Its unclear if they ever hired off-duty police, but a St. Louis police chaplain who has a private security company was accused of shooting at a vehicle fleeing from the gas station. Dealings with Beast Mode resulted in the ongoing personal injury lawsuit.

After another no-show from the property owner in 2020, another cease-and-desist order was issued for the business that expired in 2021. Another one was posted in 2021 that expired in 2022. Then, more calls for service: stolen vehicle at gunpoint; stolen bank bag of cash, cigarettes, liquor; suspected hand-to-hand transactions with numerous individuals gathering on the parking lot.

The current cease-and-desist order expires in July.

They arent coming over here to do a deep dive on this, Hassan Shariff said of city officials. They could fix this if they wanted to.

Shariff, 56, used to work for the Cure Violence initiative, which was aimed at deescalating potential gun violence in the city. He also used to refer people to drug court and is the current president of the Wells-Goodfellow Neighborhood Improvement Association.

He said different sets of people from throughout the city congregate at the gas station. Nobody wants to take a chance to try and fix that.

After local police and federal agents raided the neighboring hotel in 2022, Shariff, Alderwoman Pamela Boyd, a state representative and a couple others successfully testified against reopening the hotel. The owners, who testified they have made notable changes, must wait another year before applying for occupancy again, officials said.

The hotel is closed. The gas station is open.

When Murda was painted on the exterior wall, somebody eventually cleaned that up. But the building is still tagged with spray paint. Theres a memorial for Mike, apparently the guy who racked up all those trespassing cases. In 2022, somebody accidentally ran him over in a nearby street, thinking he was debris. According to the autopsy report, he had fentanyl, PCP, cocaine and old bullets in his body. He was 31.

Inside the gas station, a loaf of bread is expensive, and the beer is cheap  $1.29 for a single 32-ounce can of Milwaukees Best.

Shariff wants something better for the children and adults left to endure the neighborhood.

What is the solution? Shariff said. Dont give up. Stay in the fight.
JEFFERSON CITY  The man running to replace state Rep. Justin Hicks in the Missouri House said the first-term legislator sued him after he published copies online of protective orders filed against Hicks.

Max Calfo, a substitute teacher from Lake Saint Louis, told the Post-Dispatch that Hicks sued him, Calfos campaign and campaign treasurer Lindi Williford in December for public disclosure of private facts.

There is no record of the protective orders, or of the lawsuit, available in online court records. Williford wrote Thursday in a Facebook post that St. Charles County police served her with the lawsuit on Dec. 4.

Williford said Monday that Hicks requested the lawsuit be sealed.

His reasoning behind it was because the suit contained the document of the restraining order that had previously been sealed, Williford said.

We filed a motion to unseal, she said Monday, adding her side had also filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

Also Monday, Hicks announced that he was running for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District, forgoing reelection to the state House.

Missouri deserves a fresh conservative voice that has been tested and can be trusted to fix Washingtons mess, said Hicks, 31, on social media site X, formerly Twitter.

Hicks, who had not filed official paperwork with the secretary of state as of Monday morning, was poised to join a crowded field of seven other Republican candidates running to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer.

Hicks entry into the congressional race was set to leave Calfo as the only Republican vying for the 108th House District, at least for now. Candidate filing ends March 26.

Hicks had previously been mentioned as a contender for the 3rd. He did not respond to text messages Friday and Monday from a reporter about the lawsuit.

The Post-Dispatch reported in late November on information that had been posted to Calfos website.

Part of the information Calfo published included purported court records in which a woman in 2010 accused Hicks, when he was 17, of attempting to choke her. John OSullivan, a spokesman for the St. Louis County Circuit Court, wouldnt confirm the existence of the records. But OSullivan previously said the forms pictured appeared to be documents used by St. Louis County courts at that time.

The woman who sought the court-ordered protection, contacted by the Post-Dispatch in November, vouched for the authenticity of the documents.

The restraining orders true, said the woman, who asked that her name be withheld from publication.

In the petition for order of protection, the woman, then 19, said she and Hicks had been in a romantic or intimate relationship.

She checked boxes saying the respondent, Hicks, then of Overland in St. Louis County, intentionally caused physical harm to me, harassed me, and placed me in fear or apprehension of immediate physical harm.

The petitioner said that on the day prior, Hicks grabbed me by the back of the neck and attempted to choke me.

Then he dragged me to his car, telling me we were going somewhere. I told him I didnt trust him, and he said, You shouldnt.

Seven Republicans had already filed to run for the open seat, including Arnie Dienoff of OFallon; Chad Bicknell of Arnold; Kyle Bone of De Soto; Brandon Wilkinson of Fenton; former state Sens. Bob Onder of Lake Saint Louis and Kurt Schaefer of Columbia; and current state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold.

Democrats running in the heavily Republican district include Bethany Mann of Wentzville and Andrew Daly of Fulton. Libertarian Jordan Rowden is also running.
JEFFERSON CITY  Certain child rapists could face the death penalty in Missouri under a measure a Senate committee considered Monday.

Legislation filed by Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, would allow for capital punishment in statutory rape cases if the victim is younger than 14. The death penalty would also be permitted in child sex trafficking cases where the victim is younger than 12.

If approved, Missouri would join Florida in allowing executions for child rape  despite current U.S. Supreme Court precedent against such executions.

The high court in 2008 ruled 5-4 against a similar Louisiana law, holding it violated the Eighth Amendments prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

I think that we need to challenge some of those decisions that are made, Moon told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation last year allowing the death penalty for sexual battery of a child younger than 12.

A Florida prosecutor said in December he would pursue the death penalty for Joseph A. Giampa, who faced multiple counts of sexual battery of a child under 12.

DeSantis said the case would test Supreme Court case law.

It will be the first case to challenge SCOTUS (the U.S. Supreme Court) since I signed legislation to make pedophiles eligible for the death penalty, DeSantis posted on social media in December.

Giampa eventually was sentenced to life in prison in February. Florida State Attorney Bill Gladson attributed the swift resolution to the new law.

The director of the Missouri State Public Defender and the co-director of Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty testified against Moons plan on Monday.

Mary Fox, director of the public defenders office, said the office provides defense services for most death penalty cases in Missouri.

She said the measure was unconstitutional under current Supreme Court precedent and that research has found the death penalty doesnt deter crime.

No action was taken on Moons measure Monday.

In 2023, Moon proposed legislation that would allow for women to be charged with murder if they got an abortion in the state.

The Missouri legislation is Senate Bill 951.

Editors note: This version corrects the name of the anti-death penalty group, and the title of the person with the group who spoke at the hearing.
JEFFERSON CITY  Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Friday sued a Florida real estate company that has drawn complaints and lawsuits around the country for what critics call deceptive real estate contracts that offer homeowners upfront cash in exchange for thousands of dollars in future brokerage fees.

The lawsuit accuses companies affiliated with MV Realty of using high-pressure sales tactics and deceptive marketing to induce homeowners into signing up for the companys so-called Homeowner Benefit Agreement product. That product offered cash to convince homeowners to sign an agreement pledging to use the companys brokers if they ever sold their house.

The agreement was enforced by a 40-year lien on customer homes and included provisions such as an early termination fee of 3% of the homes value  as determined by MV Realty  that could be triggered if the home was transferred to the owners heirs.

Nonprofit consumer advocacy law firm Legal Services of Eastern Missouri spent months investigating MV Realtys practices in the region and forwarded many of the complaints to Baileys office.

Legal Services applauds the attorney generals office for taking action against this egregious scam, said Rob Swearingen, an attorney with the nonprofit who worked with homeowners targeted by MV Realty. Its one of the most high-pressure scams Ive seen in my 40 years as a consumer rights lawyer.

Homeowners who signed the agreement told the Post-Dispatch in 2022 they were cold-called by MV representatives and did not realize the agreement placed a 40-year lien on their house.

Legal Services interviewed dozens of people, and every single one of them told us they never heard the word lien, Swearingen said.

The Missouri lawsuit says beginning in 2021, MV Realty convinced 380 people to enter into its agreements in Missouri. Those homeowners received $579 on average in upfront cash and owed an average of $6,673 in brokerage fees if they were to sell their house, according to the lawsuit.

MV Realty made over 42,000 calls to numbers on Missouris Do Not Call List and used spoofing to make the numbers appear to come from state area codes, the attorney generals office said.

The lawsuit seeks $212 million for violations of the states do-not-call law, the removal of all liens from MV Realty on homes in Missouri and an injunction blocking the company from doing business in the state. It also asks the court to invalidate the contracts and order MV Realty to repay all fees collected from Missouri consumers.

As Attorney General, I will enforce the laws as written and defend innocent Missourians from being ripped off, Bailey said in a statement. Im proud of the work done by our Consumer Protection Unit to obtain justice for victims in this case. The Attorney Generals Office will continue to do everything in our power to protect Missourians from deceptive business practices.

Baileys lawsuit, filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court, names as defendants MV Realty companies incorporated in Missouri and the executives of the Florida parent company: director and Chief Sales Officer Amanda Zachman, CEO Antony Mitchell, Senior Vice President Steven Scott and Chief Operating Officer David Manchester.

The Missouri attorney generals legal action is one of at least seven lawsuits from other state attorneys general against MV Realty. Members of Congress have also asked regulators to look into the company.

MV Realty and its affiliated companies last year filed for bankruptcy protection, potentially complicating efforts to recover any money from the company.

A spokesperson for MV Realty did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. MV Realty told the Post-Dispatch in December 2022 that new and innovative business models ... can sometimes draw questions from critics or outright hostility from those whose existing business model is threatened. It denied engaging in deceptive business practices.
A student from the University of Missouri at Columbia went missing Friday in Nashville, Tennessee, while visiting with his fraternity.

Nashville police said Riley Ray Strain, a senior at Mizzou, was last seen about 10 p.m. Friday leaving a bar on Broadway in downtown Nashville.

Strains stepfather, Christopher Whiteid, said in an interview Monday that the past few days have been pure hell.

Strain, 22, is a member of the Delta Chi fraternity at Mizzou. The group traveled to Tennessee for their annual spring formal this past weekend, but Strain went missing after being kicked out of country music star Luke Bryans bar, Lukes 32 Bridge, on Friday evening.

Several of Strains family members, including Whiteid, traveled to Nashville from Springfield, Missouri, on Saturday after being alerted of his disappearance by Delta Chi members.

Whiteid said Strain usually talks to his mother, Michelle Whiteid, four to five times a day and had FaceTimed her from a bar a few hours before he went missing.

The family has been walking the streets of downtown Nashville the past three days, searching everywhere from the river to all the way up to Broadway, Christopher Whiteid said.

Whiteid said Strain called his fraternity brothers after leaving the bar and told them he was going back to the hotel.

A representative of the bar declined comment.

From surveillance footage, Whiteid said it looked like Strain was heading back to the hotel but took a wrong turn.

One of Strains fraternity brothers called police from the Tempo Hotel on Rosa Parks Boulevard to report Strain missing on Saturday.

The friend told officers that he and others unsuccessfully tried using Strains Snapchat location to find him. They tried calling him several times Friday and Saturday, but the calls kept going to voicemail.

Strain is 6-foot-5, 160 pounds and has blue eyes and blonde hair. He was wearing a black-and-brown button-up shirt with blue jeans and brown boots.

Strains stepdad said this is not the first Delta Chi formal Strain has attended. Strain is set to graduate this May with a degree in business and finance.

The safety of our community is our highest priority, Angela King Taylor, interim vice chancellor for student affairs, said in a statement Monday afternoon. Our thoughts are with Rileys family as the search continues. We will be offering any support to them that we can, and we encourage anyone who needs help to reach out to our counseling resources.

Fraternities at Mizzou have come under fire for several incidents in recent years.

In 2021, the university suspended all fraternity activities after a freshman was found unresponsive at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house. The student was left blind, unable to walk or speak, and with brain damage after drinking a liter of vodka as a form of hazing.

In 2016, the same year another student was hospitalized for drinking, the Post-Dispatch reported that almost half of the fraternities on Mizzous campus were on probation due to instances involving alcohol abuse.

Delta Chi, which is headquartered in Indianapolis, said Monday that it is aware Strain was reported missing.

Delta Chi is hopeful for Rileys safe return; our thoughts are with his family and the members of the Missouri Chapter during this difficult time, the statement reads.

The fraternity said it is providing in-person resources to local chapter members and virtual access to crisis counselors to all members.

Delta Chi has over 118,000 members across nearly 150 chapters.
CLAYTON  Many Hazelwood East High School students left school early on Monday as police investigated multiple threats amid fallout from a viral video that showed a 15-year-old girl severely beating another girl near the school last week.

The video, which showed one girl bashing another girls head into concrete during a brawl, was shared widely online over the weekend. Some news outlets initially reported the girl was dead, but police said Sunday she was in critical condition.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey was among the chorus of calls for the girl carrying out the beating to be charged as an adult. Many on social media argued there was a racial component to the video  they claimed the girl charged with assault is Black and the victim is white, though the video is unclear and authorities have not addressed that issue.

Meanwhile, several parents of Hazelwood students said Monday they were frustrated by what they say is a lack of communication from the district.

Students began leaving around 1:30 p.m. At least four St. Louis County Police Department vehicles and one from Creve Coeur were stationed outside the schools entrance, and several police dogs were being led through the school grounds.

Jordyn Elston, spokesperson for the district, said police had conducted a bomb drill at the school and that the school did not dismiss students early.

But Tracy Panus, spokesperson for St. Louis County police, said officers were investigating many threats at the school, as well as providing additional patrols.

Several parents said they received no notification from the district and were informed of the early dismissal only by their kids.

Lisa King, a parent of a senior, said she was eager to pick up her daughter but wasnt surprised by recent developments at the school.

(Safety) has been a problem here for a long time, King said.

Sophomore Shalimar Ross said in an interview Monday that the girl who was beaten in the video had been bullied recently, and she was encouraged by a peer last week to fight back.

Now, as the story continues spreading nationwide, we dont know what to believe and what not to, Ross said.

Police responded around 2:30 p.m. Friday to the fight at Norgate and Claudine drives in Spanish Lake, a community in north St. Louis County. They found one girl suffering a severe head injury, and a 15-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault and referred to juvenile court.

A hearing to determine if the teen will be charged as an adult had not been scheduled as of Monday afternoon. If juvenile court officials decide to pursue adult charges, a St. Louis County juvenile judge will ultimately decide on their request.

If the judge agrees with juvenile court officials, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell will take over the case.

This is sickening (and) so difficult to watch, Bell said Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter. This is a juvenile court matter, unless it is certified ... (and) by law, certification is not our decision either. We pray the victim makes a full recovery. This is just heartbreaking.

If she is certified as an adult, the girl could be charged with first-degree assault, which is defined as when someone attempts to kill or knowingly causes or attempts to cause serious physical injury to another person.

Missouri does not have a charge for attempted murder, which is what many people called for on social media.

Anaya Bluiett, whose daughter is a junior at Hazelwood East, said Monday that violence and bullying have been problems for years at the school.

Now, she and her daughter are looking for other options.

Its gotten to the point where her grades are so bad because of having to miss so much school because of the bullying, Bluiett said. She doesnt even want to go back.

The Hazelwood School District released a statement Saturday condemning bullying and fighting in the community and urging people to take ownership and work towards a resolution for the sake of our children.

The Hazelwood School District offers our sincerest condolences to everyone involved, and will offer additional emotional support from our support and crisis team to those in need, the statement said.

According to district records, nine students faced disciplinary action for fighting at Hazelwood East last year, ranking among the 10 most of any school in the St. Louis area.

That number was slightly fewer than Hazelwood Central, where 11 students were disciplined, and comparable to Vashon High School in St. Louis and Pattonville High School in Maryland Heights.
CLAYTON  A St. Louis County juvenile court judge will ultimately decide if a 15-year-old accused of severely beating another teen in a fight near Hazelwood East High School last week is charged as an adult if officials decide to pursue such a move.

Juvenile court cases are sealed until a hearing where a judge determines if the teen should be charged as an adult. At that hearing, the court's chief juvenile officer presents a case to the judge for why the child should be charged as an adult, and the child's attorney weighs in.

If the judge agrees with juvenile court officials, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell takes over the case.

A hearing had not been scheduled as of Monday afternoon for the girl accused in the beating. It was unclear if juvenile court officials would seek one.

"This is sickening (and) so difficult to watch," Bell said Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter. "This is a juvenile court matter, unless it is certified ... (and) by law, certification is not our decision either. We pray the victim makes a full recovery. This is just heartbreaking."

Outrage mounted over the weekend as a video went viral online showing the 15-year-old girl beating another girl on Friday afternoon.

St. Louis County police provided extra security at the school on Monday and investigated several threats to the school. The school had a bomb drill on Monday afternoon, several parents said, and then students were told to call their parents for early dismissal.

Police responded just after 2:30 p.m. Friday to a fight near the intersection of Norgate and Claudine drives in Spanish Lake, a community in north St. Louis County. Officers found a girl suffering from a severe head injury. She remained in critical condition on Sunday.

If she is certified as an adult, the girl could be charged with first-degree assault, which is defined as when someone "attempts to kill or knowingly causes or attempts to cause serious physical injury to another person."

Missouri does not have a charge for attempted murder, which is what many people called for on social media.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey was among the people calling on Monday for the girl to be tried as an adult.

"This evil and complete disregard for human life has no place in Missouri, or anywhere," Bailey posted on X.

The Hazelwood School District released a statement Saturday condemning "bullying and fighting in the community" and urging people to "take ownership and work towards a resolution for the sake of our children."

The Hazelwood School District offers our sincerest condolences to everyone involved, and will offer additional emotional support from our support and crisis team to those in need, the statement said.

The district declined to comment further on Monday morning.

Anaya Bluiett, whose daughter is a junior at Hazelwood East, said Monday that violence and bullying have long been problems at the school.

Now, she and her daughter are looking for other options.

"It's gotten to the point where her grades are so bad because of having to miss so much school because of the bullying," Bluiett said. "She doesn't even want to go back."

According to district records, nine students faced disciplinary action for fighting at Hazelwood East last year, ranking among the 10 most of any school in the St. Louis area.

That number was slightly fewer than Hazelwood Central, where 11 students were disciplined, and comparable to Vashon High School in St. Louis and Pattonville High School in Maryland Heights.
JEFFERSON CITY  The Missouri Senate is expected to take up a measure this week that would expand a school voucher program and allow public charter schools in all of St. Louis and St. Charles counties.

Senate President Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, a proponent, said Friday the education package could be brought to the floor as early as Monday or Tuesday.

School choice forces would score a big win with a successful vote  three years after proponents settled for a partial victory when Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, authorized vouchers for students, but with certain geographic and income limits.

This years measure would remove geographic barriers to participation and double the current income limits to 400% of the income level to qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Using income criteria effective July 1, that would allow a family of four with a household income of up to $220,000 to qualify for the vouchers.

During debate, Democrats could push for additional accountability measures for the program and action on legislation to encourage a five-day school week.

The school choice proposal, opposed in committee by traditional public education groups such as the Missouri School Boards Association and the Missouri State Teachers Association, is a priority for the Republican-controlled Senate this year.

Its sponsor, state Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, is a member of the Missouri Freedom Caucus, a group of hard-right conservatives that has openly feuded with Rowden and other Republicans. But he and Rowden are both vocal supporters of additional school choice legislation.

Still a minority of the GOP caucus has viewed past school-choice legislation with skepticism, which could present a challenge on the floor if any of those Republicans align with Democrats in blocking a vote.

After this session, I dont count anything out, said Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence. It has not been politics as usual this year, so to speak, so nothing shocks me anymore.

Three Republicans joined with all 10 Democrats in opposing passage of the initial MOScholars program in 2021. All three  Sens. Sandy Crawford, Karla Eslinger and Lincoln Hough  are still in the chamber.

Voucher, charter expansion

MOScholars provides more than $6,000 to go toward education expenses for qualifying students. Instead of a direct state appropriation, legislators created a tax credit program to fund the scholarships.

Under the system, Educational Assistance Organizations accept donations that fund the scholarships, and the contributor claims a tax credit.

Most of the students participating in the program have gone to private religious schools, and a minority of families have used the funds for home-schooling expenses.

The availability of the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts in 2021 was limited to certain parts of the state, including St. Louis and the counties of St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson, and the Kansas City and Springfield metro areas, Columbia, and cities with 30,000 or more residents.

At the time backers in the House compromised with rural Republicans to gain support. Rural Republican legislators asked for geographic restrictions on the program, said Rep. Phil Christofanelli, R-St. Peters, the sponsor.

The Senate plan under consideration would eliminate the geographic barriers imposed in 2021.

The Senate bill would also expand the places where publicly funded charter schools may operate.

Charters would be allowed in St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Boone County under the measure.

Currently, there are charters operating in the city of St. Louis and Kansas City, as well as one charter school in the Normandy School District.

Any sponsor may open a charter school in St. Louis or Kansas City, as well as in districts such as Normandy that have been provisionally accredited for several years.

But to open anywhere else, the charter school under current law would need to be sponsored by the school district.

Treasurer troubles

Sen. Doug Beck, D-south St. Louis County, on Thursday called for more accountability for the program, which is currently housed within the state treasurers office.

We need to look at accountability, to where our taxpayer money is going, whether its vouchers or charters, Beck said. One of my specific issues is that the voucher program is currently within the treasurers office.

And, when weve tried to get information ... you cant get it, Beck said.

Koenig, in comments to reporters, said he had a hard line at placing MOScholars under the purview of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

I will not allow DESE to control the program, Koenig said. I think that would be a disaster for the program.

Koenig said he was open to more transparency, including an online portal where information can be provided to the public, or a board that would make suggestions.

Koenig also said it was not good information that we received when asked if he or his Freedom Caucus colleagues had asked for records from State Treasurer Vivek Maleks office.

Obviously I think they should be more forthcoming in providing that information, said Koenig, who is running for treasurer in the Aug. 6 Republican primary.

In response, a statement provided by Kern Chhikara, spokesman for the treasurers office, said, The Treasurers office has provided information to legislators about MOScholars upon request.

Chhikara provided a copy of an email sent to Beck on Jan. 10 that includes two data tables. Two additional data tables were sent Jan. 16 in spreadsheet form.

Beck originally had asked for all the data on the MoScholars program, according to his email.

We have provided him with abundant information about MOScholars, a treasurers office statement said.

Malek, who has also faced criticism after he allowed treasurers office stickers to be placed on unregulated slot machines, as of Friday had yet to file for election. Candidate filing ends March 26.

House Budget Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, and Lori Rook, of Springfield, are also running for treasurer.

The legislation is Senate Bill 727.
JEFFERSON CITY  The Missouri Senate on Monday afternoon began debate on a plan that would expand a school voucher program statewide.

Shortly before 8 p.m., after more than three hours of discussion, the Senate adjourned for the day without taking a vote on the legislation.

The MOScholars program, originally approved in 2021 to serve qualifying students in charter counties and cities of 30,000 residents or more, would serve students across the state under the Senate plan, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester.

The MOScholars program provides more than $6,000 annually to families to cover qualifying education expenses.

A student from a family of four earning 200% of the limit for receiving free and reduced lunch may currently participate in the MOScholars program.

Under the plan, income limits would be increased: a student whose family earns 300% of the free-and-reduced lunch limit would be eligible under the measure.

That means a household of four earning $111,000 per year is currently eligible; that would increase to $166,500 under the bill.

A previous version of the measure wouldve allowed a family of four earning up to $222,000 to participate.

Students would receive scholarships under the measure at different times based on their personal circumstances: students who previously received a scholarship would be first, followed by their siblings.

Then, students with individualized educational plans, or IEPs, or who have dyslexia, would receive scholarships.

Next in line would be students who qualify for free lunch living in an unaccredited or provisionally accredited school district and then students who qualify for reduced-price lunch in those districts.

After that, students who qualify for free lunch anywhere, and then students who may receive reduced-priced lunch anywhere, may receive scholarships.

Children of active-duty members of the military who are enrolling in a Missouri school for the first time would go next, and then everyone else.

The measure would also bar students who are in the United States illegally from participating in the program.

Most of the students in the program have attended private religious schools.

Instead of a direct state appropriation, the 2021 legislation created Educational Assistance Organizations that distribute scholarships to students.

The assistance organizations receive contributions from donors, who then are able to claim a tax credit.

The legislation would also allow public charter schools in Boone County independent of a public school district.

Currently, there are charters operating in the city of St. Louis and Kansas City, as well as one charter school in the Normandy School District.

Any sponsor may open a charter school in St. Louis or Kansas City, as well as in districts such as Normandy that have been provisionally accredited for several years.

But to open anywhere else, the charter school under current law would need to be sponsored by the school district.

The legislation is Senate Bill 727.

To monitor Senate debate, go to chamber.senate.mo.gov/chamber.
CHESTERFIELD  The Rev. Dave Burgess was confused when he learned that Missouris attorney general had sent a cease-and-desist letter to Parkway schools.

The letter accused Parkway of preventing students from forming religious-based clubs, such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

But Burgess, a local pastor, sits on a religious advisory board for Parkway. He knew the district already had several religious-based groups for students  including multiple Fellowship of Christian Athletes clubs. His daughter was a member of one.

And she had just attended an FCA meeting the night before Burgess learned of the attorney generals letter, sent on Feb. 22.

It felt like left field for me, and also left field for her, Burgess said in an interview.

Now Parkway officials are pushing back. In a two-page letter the district sent to Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Friday, officials said they were perplexed by the allegations. All four of Parkways high schools have FCA clubs, the letter said, plus several other faith-based groups, including the Jewish Student Union, Muslim Student Union and Catholic Faith Club.

Its the latest example of a local school district firing back at Bailey, arguing that his claims, often of discrimination, arent true. Parkway, Lindbergh, Wentzville and Webster Groves school districts all received letters over a two-day span last month, and three of the four letters accused the districts of discrimination.

The districts have since denied Baileys claims, and some say theyve been left in the dark about the genesis of the letters, diminishing their chances of fixing the issues if they actually exist.

The district was surprised to receive your letter stating that your office received reports that the district is discriminating against its students, wrote Margaret Hesse, a lawyer who sent the letter on behalf of Parkway. Because no specific complainant is mentioned in your letter, nor was any specific school or incident identified, the district was perplexed by the allegations.

When Hesse pressed Baileys office for answers, she said an attorney with his office told her that a student had complained that they were denied the opportunity to start an FCA club at Parkway South.

But the high school already has an FCA club. It meets every other Thursday in a classroom.

And Baileys claim that the district denied resources to faith-based clubs is simply not true, Hesse wrote. The clubs have the same access to resources that other clubs have, she wrote, and district officials didnt know of a student trying to start another FCA club.

From my perspective, said Burgess, a pastor at St. Mark Presbyterian in Ballwin, this is clearly not an issue of religious liberty.

Baileys office did not respond to multiple requests for comment for this story.

Blatantly false information

In one of Baileys other three letters to school districts last month, he threatened legal action against Wentzville School District if it carried out plans to punish three school board members  Renee Henke, Jen Olson and David Lewis  who provided Bailey information for his ongoing lawsuit against the district.

That suit accuses the board of violating state sunshine law when board members met in private to discuss a proposed new bathroom policy at the school.

In a response letter on March 1, Wentzville Superintendent Danielle Tormala flatly denies that the district had any plans to punish the board members, or any person, for engaging in any protected activity under Missouri or federal law.

The district is deeply concerned and disappointed that you did not contact me, any District administrators, or the districts board of education to first obtain accurate information before blasting blatantly false information on social media, Tormala wrote.

But in a joint statement, two of the three board members whose alleged punishment Bailey is trying to prevent, Henke and Olson, said they stood by Bailey's letter.

"The AG has proof of what he wrote in the cease and desist letter," Henke said in a phone call. "He would not have written that without proof."

In Webster Groves, Bailey warned the district to stop instituting race-based criteria for its employees and applicants.

Websters three-year plan, adopted in 2023, calls for increasing the districts number of qualified applicants of color and the percentage of staff of color. The district has maintained its not discrimination to try to attract diverse employees.

And Bailey accused Lindbergh School District of implementing race-based criteria for students seeking to enter the districts honors program, which the district denied.

In a three-paragraph letter last month, Superintendent Tony Lake said the district respectfully disagreed with Baileys conclusion that Lindbergh violated state and federal law to boost diversity in its gifted program.

Lindberghs process complies with Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements and expectations, state and federal law, and educational best practices, and it does not discriminate against any individual or group of students, Lake wrote. All students must meet IQ requirements established by the state of Missouri for gifted student selection.

More than 700 students, or 10% of Lindberghs student body, participate in the districts gifted program. Publicly available state data does not break down student participation by race.

DESE encourages school districts to apply a 20% equity index as a way to determine if their gifted programs meet minimum equity targets, per the departments website. If a districts student body is 20% Asian, for example, at least 15% of students in the districts gifted program should be Asian.

Black, Asian and Hispanic students make up 2.4%, 4.5% and 5.5% of Lindberghs K-12 enrollment, respectively.

A spokesperson for Lindbergh said Baileys office had not sent a response back to Lakes letter.

Wanting answers

Several of the school districts have complained that Baileys office provides little or no information about the source of allegations against the district.

Hesse, the Parkway attorney, said in her response to Bailey that an attorney in his office was unwilling to identify the complainant or the specific nature of any incidents.

In Webster Groves, after Bailey alleged the district showed a sex education video to students without parental permission as required by law, the district requested copies of the reports that Bailey indicated he had received.

That will assist the district in becoming more particularly aware of any issues that might exist, Attorney Douglas Copeland wrote on behalf of the district on Jan. 30.

A spokesperson for Webster Groves said they had yet to receive the records. They were told Baileys office could send the records by June at the earliest.

Burgess, the pastor in Ballwin, wanted answers, too.

When he called Baileys office, a staffer called him back a few days later and gave the standard talking points, Burgess said: The attorney generals office values religious liberty and would always fight for it.

When he pointed out Parkway had active FCA clubs, Burgess said Baileys office had no response.

They said it was an ongoing investigation, Burgess said, as if it were a crime scene.

This story has been updated to include comment from Renee Henke and Jen Olson.

Missouri AG warns Lindbergh, Parkway schools against discriminatory practices In one letter, Bailey claims the Parkway School District has prohibited students from forming religious-based clubs, namely Fellowship of Christian Athletes, or prevented them from using school resources.

AG Bailey warns Webster Groves, Wentzville school districts on race and gender issues The state attorney general said Webster Groves is discriminating on the basis of race in direct violation of both state and federal law.

Missouri AG warns Webster Groves School District about sex ed curriculum The cease-and-desist letter says students watched a video that discussed gender identity and sexual orientation without notifying parents.
CREVE COEUR  St. Louis Priory School will add a sixth grade class in fall of 2025, becoming the latest Catholic school to expand its enrollment to younger students.

The boys school with a 150-acre campus on Mason Road currently enrolls students in seventh grade through high school.

In the last few months weve really been detecting a high need from our own families who would much prefer to come in sixth grade, said the Rev. Cuthbert Elliott, Priorys headmaster and a 2002 graduate of the school. We just want to make sure our families have access to the education they are seeking.

Last month, De Smet Jesuit High School for boys announced it would add grades six through eight in the 2025-2026 school year. Chaminade boys school also starts at sixth grade.

Leaders of Priory and De Smet both said the addition of younger students is not aimed at competing with other private high schools. But faced with declining birth and baptism rates, Catholic schools in recent years have expanded programs and marketing to attract a dwindling number of new students. Some high schools run shuttles to outlying counties while others have started offering merit scholarships.

Adding lower grades should not have a major impact on feeder parish schools, the leaders said. Parish grade schools, with students in kindergarten through eighth grades, have experienced decades of enrollment decline and dozens have closed. On average, the 82 grade schools across the Archdiocese of St. Louis are filled below 65% of student capacity.

The 30 smallest parish grade schools were advised to file long-term feasibility plans last month with the archdiocese. Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski announced Friday the closing of two of the schools, St. Roch in St. Louis city and Little Flower in Richmond Heights as part of the All Things New downsizing of the churchs footprint in the region amid a declining number of Catholics and priests.

The archdiocese no longer operates any high schools in St. Louis County following the 2021 closure of Trinity in Spanish Lake. Rosati-Kain and St. Marys high schools in St. Louis opened last fall as independent Catholic schools in response to the archdioceses plan to shutter them.

The biggest barrier to private high school enrollment is rising tuition, according to the National Catholic Education Association. At $28,700 a year, Priorys tuition is among the highest for private schools in the St. Louis region. The school has not announced a tuition rate for the new sixth grade, but said more than 40% of students receive financial aid.

At 300 students, Priory is the smallest of the Catholic boys schools in the area. It opened in 1956 and is staffed in part by Benedictine monks of the St. Louis Abbey, which shares the campus. The addition of sixth grade is expected to bring in another 30 to 40 students to the school in the first year.

Priory is an amazing institution, its just a really strong, holistic approach to preparatory school education, said Dan OKeefe, a board member and 1987 graduate who has two sons at Priory and two who graduated in 2019 and 2021. I think including more students and bringing them into the school at an earlier point will be very positive.
JEFFERSON CITY  A proposal designed to tamp down on illegal immigration in Missouri was presented by gubernatorial candidate Bill Eigel to a state Senate committee Monday.

Eigel, a state senator and Weldon Spring Republican, said his measure attempts to be proactive in how we deal with illegal immigration in the state of Missouri. It is a response to the federal governments failure to protect the sovereignty of the state of Missouri and the other states of this union, he said.

The three-part measure would create the state-level crime of improper entry by an alien, punishable by a $10,000 fine and a possible removal order.

It would also prohibit the Legislature from funding private or public entities for the purpose of providing services to aliens unlawfully present in the United States.

And it would bar immigrants living in the U.S. illegally from attending college in Missouri.

During public testimony, just one person spoke in support of the bill, while a few opposed it.

Those opposing the legislation said it may not be deemed constitutional if challenged in court and would exacerbate the states worker shortage. They also appealed to principles of human dignity.

Banning undocumented students from attending post-secondary educational institutions would be inhumane and unreasonable, said Guillermo Villa Trueba, Hispanic outreach manager at the Missouri Catholic Conference.

The Catholic Church teaches that the more prosperous nations are obliged to the extent they are able to welcome the foreigner in search of security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin, said Villa Trueba.

I think in passing this bill, we would be opening up Missouri to a painful and expensive legal battle, said Gabriele Eissner, a community organizer at the St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America.

Eigel has been outspoken in his stance against illegal immigration, which he has used a key message in his campaign.

In February, on the day he formally filed paperwork to compete in the Republican primary for governor, Eigel said he is going to go after illegal immigrants.

Im going to declare an invasion under Article IV of the state constitution, he said that day. Thats gonna activate the National Guard, the Highway Patrol, and every sheriff in this state to get engaged in detain and deport.

The election-year rhetoric mirrors that of other Republican state officials.

Republican Gov. Mike Parson earlier this year traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border to show support for Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts border security efforts and condemn the federal governments handling of immigration.

Parson last month also issued an executive order to deploy roughly 200 Missouri National Guard troops to the southern border. Various Republican state lawmakers have filed resolutions to demonstrate support for the governors efforts.

Eigel during the Senate hearing Monday linked his proposal to the broader, national immigration debate: Most members of the committee are very familiar with the invasion that is going on right now as we speak down at our southern border, and really the failures of our federal government led by President Joe Biden to deal with that.

This legislation is Senate Bill 1372.
When a motion detector went off overnight at Kromrey Middle School, a police dispatcher called up a digital map of the building, pinpointed the detector, clicked on a live feed from the nearest camera and relayed the intruder's location to responding police.

Within moments, they captured the culprit: a teenager, dressed in dark clothes and a ski mask but carrying no weapon.

The map and cameras let the dispatcher keep things from becoming super-escalated, said the school's security director, Jim Blodgett. The dispatcher could see that it looked like a student  just kind of goofing around in the building.

Spurred by mass shootings, thousands of school districts have hired companies to produce detailed digital maps that can help police, firefighters and medical professionals respond more quickly in emergencies.

The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, where the teenage trespasser entered from a roof hatch, was an early adopter in Wisconsin, which has since provided mapping grants to about 200 districts.

More than 20 states have enacted or proposed digital school mapping measures in the past few years, according to an Associated Press analysis aided by the bill-tracking software Plural. Florida approved $14 million in grants last year. Michigan allotted $12.5 million. New Jersey allocated $12.3 million in federal pandemic relief funds to complete digital maps of every school in the state.

Critical Response Group, run by an Army special operations veteran, has been driving the trend. The New Jersey-based company's CEO Mike Rodgers recently told lawmakers in Maryland how he used gridded digital maps during deployments and was surprised the school where his wife taught had nothing similar. So he mapped her school, then expanded  to 12,000 schools and counting, nationwide.

Many of the state laws and bills contain nearly identical wording championed by Rodgers' company. They require verification by a walk-through of each campus and free compatibility with any software already used by local schools and public safety agencies. They must be overlaid with aerial imagery and gridded coordinates, oriented true north and contain site-specific labeling for rooms, doors, hallways, stairwells, utility locations, hazards, key boxes, trauma kits and automated external defibrillators.

The standards create a competitive, fair environment for all vendors, Rodgers said. But when New Jersey sought a mapping contractor, the Critical Response Group had "the only product that was available in the state that answered the legislative criteria, State Police mapping coordinator Lt. Brendan Liston said.

The New Jersey law required critical incident mapping data, a phrase that Critical Response Group tried to trademark.

Critical Response Group has hired lobbyists in more than 20 states to advocate for specific standards, according to an AP review of state lobbying records. Competitors also have engaged lobbyists to wrangle over the precise wording. In some states, lawmakers have gone with a more generic label of school mapping data.

Four companies offering digital mapping among their services  Critical Response Group, Centegix, GeoComm and Navigate360  have together spent more than $1.4 million on lobbyists in 15 states, according to an AP analysis. Their costs are unknown in some states where lobbyist payments aren't publicly reported.

Delaware and Virginia also chose the Critical Response Group program. Iowa has contracted with GeoComm. Other states are leaving vendor decisions to local schools.

The Texas Education Agency responded last year with new standards requiring an accurate site layout and door designations to be provided to 911 agencies. The Legislature reinforced this by requiring silent panic buttons and armed security officers as part of a more than $1 billion school safety initiative.

Creating each map can cost several thousand dollars, and costs can escalate as maps are linked to other security systems, such as wearable panic buttons. But integrations also add value.

If its not integrated with a crisis response system that can be pushed electronically to the dispatch center and police, then its probably not going to mean anything to them in the first minutes, said Jeremy Gulley, the school system superintendent of Jay County, Indiana, which uses a Centegix mapping and alert system.

Because of their detailed information, digital school maps are exempt from public disclosure under legislation in some states. Thats critical to school safety, said Chuck Wilson, chair of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools, a nonprofit coalition of education groups, law enforcement and security businesses.

If bad people had access to the drawings, that would be almost worse than not knowing a schools layout, Wilson said. He added, Weve got to be really, really mindful of protecting this information.

Yes, it's getting worse: New data shows mass shootings are more frequent Yes, it's getting worse: New data shows mass shootings are more frequent Mass shootings have been on the rise steadily for the past 40 years While shooting incidents show a gradual upward trend, the number of those killed is rising at an alarming rate Injuries have likewise risen significantly; one contributing factor: assault weapons
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.

Latest addition:  In late March, Bailey inserted his office into a tragic incident in which 16-year-old Kaylee Gain was critically injured by another girl in a horrific after-school fight near Hazelwood East High School that was captured on video.

Though Kaylee is white and her attacker as seen on the video is Black, its not at all clear that race was a factor. The bystander video shows it was part of a broader melee in which multiple students were fighting with one another. Yet Bailey announced an "investigation" into the schools focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for students of all races. It shamelessly politicized the girl's life-threatening injuries in service to the political right's obsession with stamping out DEI policies.

 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 the liberal national media watchdog group Media Matters 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.

Bailey followed through in late March with a lawsuit against Media Matters for its commentary. The suit declares (without an ounce of irony or apparent self-awareness) that Twitter is "one of the last platforms dedicated to free speech in America."

 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 11, 2024: For nearly a decade the American military has been using software incorporating AI (Artificial Intelligence) to select targets for air strikes for a human to approve or modify. In most cases the air force personnel assigned to check what the software selected find there is nothing requiring modification. In 2023 the software-based target selection system averaged was able to quickly identify 85 targets in seven different areas in Iraq and Syria.

This use of enhanced mission planning software has been around for nearly a decade, but the concept has been around for decades until technology and software capabilities reached the point that such systems became reliable and useful.

While some civilians regard AI enhanced target selection as a nightmarish and improbable effort, the reality is that it works for the troops whose lives depend on it. The success in using the IA based software for target selections is being expanded to include other types of intelligence collection. The fact of the matter is that the AI-based system can make accurate decisions more quickly than human analysts. Human operators must constantly monitor this process to watch out for errors made in the process. Some of those errors were caused by faulty software which is ultimately created by human software engineers. There are always humans in the loop, either directly or indirectly.

US Central Command, while responsible for American operations in the Middle East, Central Asia, and some parts of South Asia, has regularly used algorithms to help decide the state of these regions and what actions the United States should take.

Central Command began using Project Maven's computer vision systems in real campaigns after Hamas' surprise attack on Israel during October 2023. Israeli intelligence was criticized for not detecting the Hamas operation. Israeli intelligence did detect the Hamas plans, but Hamas devised a deception that persuaded the Israelis that there was no danger. Successful deception and surprise are one of the most effective military techniques if you can make it work. Hamas did make it work.

Project Maven scrutinizes large quantities of video and still photos of a combat zone, or potential combat zone, looking for patterns that identify or indicate the possibility of combat or violence occurring. The AI bases system is trained to detect such possibilities and provide warnings of attacks or unexpected military or militant movements. The October 2023 Hamas surprise attack was the sort of thing Project Maven could have convincingly predicted. More so than the Israeli intelligence analysis that did not indicate any dangerous actions by Hamas.

Project Maven can monitor trouble spots in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the Far East where North Korea remains an unstable threat. In combat situations Project Maven can determine where targets are and what impact attacking them would have. Project Maven can also examine past combat situations, if there is enough visual and textual data available, and clarify what happened, how it happened and how that contributed to the outcome. This is a form of predicting the past, which is a standard tool for determining if a prediction system will be accurate and used in situations that have not taken place yet.

Currently there are a number of active combat zones in the Middle East and Russia/Ukraine that would be more effectively monitored with a system like Project Maven, while also using Project Maven to see how useful Project Maven would have been in predicting if these situations would occur and how they will develop in the future. Project Maven doesnt predict the future but can provide likely future developments. Compared to current intelligence prediction techniques, Project Maven would be faster and incorporate actual outcomes to develop a real-time prediction of how these events are likely to evolve. Intelligence organizations already try to do this manually and have done so for a long time. The results have often not been timely enough or accurate enough to be useful to combat commanders or even planning staff. Having an AI give the same warning that humans give also provides intelligence officials a little bit more credibility with their civilian bosses impending trouble.

With Project Maven the combat commanders and their intelligence staff personnel can quickly evaluate actual or potential combat situations and do so in real time, or at least quickly if potential situations are being examined and evaluated for useful predictions. Project Maven will also strive to overcome the old problem of no combat plan surviving contact with the enemy. Warfare has two sides and Project Maven strives to better understand what the enemy is likely to do.

One lesson of military history is that while enemy reactions to your moves are difficult to predict, it would be a major advantage if you could come up with accurate estimates of future reactions by the enemy. Experience has shown that such estimates, at least accurate and useful ones, are nearly impossible to achieve. Project Maven will try to overcome that problem.

Project Maven is already being used but the results are kept secret. If actual or potential enemies know what Project Maven is predicting they will do, the enemy will change their plans. This has always been a problem with intelligence work, but Project Maven does it in more detail and can change predictions in real time to adapt to changes in enemy activity.

Project Maven may prove to be a major new intelligence tool or maybe not because there may be unexpected pitfalls. Youll never know unless you try and then you may find yourself reminded of the ancient ironic expression, may you live in interesting times.
March 11, 2024: Two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, the severe economic sanctions imposed on Russia continue causing problems, especially with the Russian space program and the Russian space agency Roscosmos. These funding reductions hit a lot of non-military government programs.

The costs of the war reduced government income while military spending took priority, but that did not extend to the Russian space program. In theory Roscosmos could assist the military effort but in practice Roscosmos had little to offer. This became evident six months after the invasion when Russia confirmed that it was not withdrawing from the ISS (International Space Station) program by 2024 but would scale back its support because of the economic sanctions. That meant other members of the ISS consortium had to provide the transportation services to and from the space station. The Americans were already using the SpaceX passenger and cargo capsules. Other American and European firms had developed similar capabilities. Currently the ISS is supposed to remain operational until 2030. As of early 2024 the ISS has been occupied 23 years. Russia played a major role in ISS design and construction early in the program, but the Russian contributions have been steadily declining over the last few years.

Even without the Ukraine War related economic sanctions, the Russian space program was in financial trouble and sanctions only made it worse. The Russian space program suffered from a growing number of problems in the last decade. Russian support for the ISS suffers because Roscosmos is also responsible for maintaining the more important Russian GPS (GLONASS) satellites as well as all other military communications and surveillance satellites. These activities take priority over projects involving international cooperation.

Roscosmos has been receiving between $3.4 billion and $3.9 a year until a few years ago. Then the annual budget began to shrink. The 2024 budget is $2.8 billion. This also has to cover the cost of maintaining the Plesetsk military launch site and other military related space program infrastructure. Roscosmos also handles commercial launches at the old Soviet Baikonur launch center in Kazakhstan. Russia rents this site from Kazakhstan and has fallen behind in rent payments. In response Kazakhstan seized Roscosmos assets at Baikonur. Russia is not getting foreign commercial launch business because of the Ukraine War related sanctions. Currently Russia cant even muster enough troops to threaten Kazakhstan. That is a problem because Russian leader Vladimir Putin recently mentioned Kazakhstan as one of many areas, like Ukraine, that should be absorbed back into Russia. Kazakhstan agrees with Ukraine on the need to oppose Russia on this issue.

Currently Russia wants to eliminate all cooperation with Western nations, especially the United States and Europe. Roscosmos officials point out that is not economically possible or technically preferable. Cooperation with the West has increased the capabilities of the Russian space program and provided economic opportunities for Russia. A much larger space program budget would be required and the loss of Western tech and markets for satellite launch services and satellite manufacturing hurts Russia more than the West. There are other problems, some needing immediate attention.

For example, GLONASS satellites regularly exceed their expected useful life and have to be replaced before they fail. To keep the GLONASS network operational you need at least 18 operational satellites. Currently Russia has 25 operational with replacement satellites standing by. Until 2023 Russia was using GLONASS -K satellites to replace the older GLONASS-Ms that were past their replacement date. As of 2024 all the replacements are the new K2 models. Russia before the sanctions were imposed Russia had been producing 15 to 17 new satellites a year and many were GLONASS replacement models. Russia cannot afford to replace the aging GLONASS birds quickly enough to prevent shrinkage in the number of satellites required for global coverage. The sanctions mean Russia losing sales of satellites and launch services, which involves putting foreign satellites into orbit. The Russian government insists that Roscosmos can survive without Western nations as partners and customers. Roscosmos officials know better and quietly dismiss government plans to put a Russian space station into orbit after 2030. One reason for this goal being out of reach is that about 90 percent of the satellite components come from Western nations. Seeking substitute components from nations willing to break the sanctions, or smugglers who do it for a living, increases the coast of components. Even then, all the needed components cannot be obtained.

All these problems mean the end of a long Russian history with space stations. The Mir space station was the last of eight Russian built space stations and the one that remained occupied the longest at 4,594 days. This 130-ton Mir was brought down in 2001 after Russia joined the ISS consortium. The 420-ton ISS has been in orbit since 1998, when the first of 17 modules was operational. Other nations have built similar, and rather temporary space stations. That effort began in the 1970s with the Russian Salyut 1 but since the 1990s most nations with space programs have put their resources into supporting the ISS. Now the development of commercial space stations will dominate simply because its cheaper and more efficient than government-run operations. This has already happened, again without much media fanfare, in the design, launch and operation of space satellites.

While Roscosmos fades away, it is replaced by the expanding Chinese space program, which is expected to become dominant by the 2030s. The most obvious aspect of this is space stations. There are only two in orbit. The ISS is the largest (419 tons) occupied (usually by a crew of six), the longest in orbit (over 24 years) and the longest occupied (23 years). The ISS was initially expected to have a useful occupied life of fifteen years. The ISS was not completed until 2011. The longer it was up there the more space station tech was developed. That led to extensions to the useful life of space stations. Until recently the ISS was to be used until 2028 but it is proposed to extend that to 2030.

Without any new government proposals for a new ISS replacement space station, the only one up there after 2030 would be the Chinese Tiangong 3, which has been occupied since 2021 and was completed in 2022 as a 66-ton unit with a useful life of 15 years. Tiangong 3 was designed to easily be doubled in size and extend useful life to 30 years.

China's new space station could be built so quickly because space tech has advanced over the years. For that reason, there are several proposals by Western firms to finance, build and operate commercial space stations. This development is no surprise to veteran space program engineers and administrators. Most of these new developments go unnoticed by the public because it is kind of boring tech stuff. One exception was commercial firm SpaceX with its revolutionary SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicle) tech which greatly reduced the cost of putting anything into orbit. The Chinese didnt use SpaceX tech to build their new space station.

The ISS cost about $150 billion to build and operate so far. The Tiangong 3 cost much less because it's now cheaper to build and launch satellite components and China plans to include lots of space for profitable science experiments. The large number of such experiments carried out in the ISS demonstrated that there is a market for this and thats the motivation behind commercial space stations, especially those using SpaceX SLV tech and similar new tech developed by SpaceX and a number of other firms. Space stations no longer have to be limited to government funded science experiments. Few noticed how much the costs were coming down at the same time income sources increased. Current plans are to have the first commercial space station operational before ISS retires in 2030. More commercial stations will follow.

China seemed to sense this trend when, without much fanfare, they put their first space station into orbit in 2011, This was the eight-ton Tiangong 1. It lasted two years and provided practical experience for the construction and launch of the 8.6-ton Tiangong 2 in late 2016. This one was built to last longer and in early 2017 a Chinese cargo vehicle made an automated docking with the Tiangong 2. This was a major step for the Chinese, who could now maintain two or three people in the Tiangong 2 for up to 30 days with the supplies from one cargo vehicle. China put the first 22 t0n module of the Tiangong 3 in orbit during April 2021 and it has been occupied since September 2021. Two laboratory modules, each weighing the same as the first, are planned for 2022. The first of these was launched on schedule and by the end of 2022 second one went into orbit. This made the initial Tiangong 3 complete. After that three more modules were added to double the crew size to six.

China wanted to join the consortium (United States, Russia, European Union, Japan, and Canada) that built and managed the ISS. There was opposition within the U.S. government from Chinese espionage efforts that had obtained data from the United States for peaceful use of space but then used that information for military purposes. The U.S. passed the Wolf Act in early 2011 prohibiting the American space agency NASA from cooperating with China on the ISS. That ended Chinese efforts to participate in the ISS. Later in 2011 China launched, on schedule, Tiangong 1, its first space station. China was in the space station business while Russia desperately sought ways to regain a place in orbital space and once more be competitive.
Official Red Ribbon Week Merchandiser NIMCO, Inc. Unveils Line of Products Sporting the New 2024 Theme

CALHOUN, KY / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / In January, the National Family Partnership (NFP) unveiled its pick for the official 2024 Red Ribbon Week theme, "Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free"". Each year, the National Family Partnership and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) cosponsor the official Red Ribbon Week theme contest, inviting millions of Americans to submit a unique slogan that captures the essence and mission of the campaign. This theme will be the main focus of a new official line of Red Ribbon Week-themed products and merchandise supplied by NIMCO, Inc. - the official merchandiser and partner of the NFP.

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week 2024 Official Theme presented by NIMCO, Inc.

Cheryl Holspafel, a Digital Art Teacher, and Devansh Aggarwal from Solon Middle School submitted this year's winning Red Ribbon Week theme.

The theme, "Life is A Movie, Film Drug Free"", was selected because it inspires individuals to play their part in fostering safe, healthy, and drug-free communities.

In addition to the honor of being the driving force behind this year's campaign, Cheryl received $500 in official Red Ribbon Week products courtesy of NIMCO, Inc.

NIMCO is the #1 place families, children and schools can purchase Red Ribbon Week theme merchandise and products to support ongoing drug education in schools and communities around the country.

"We at NIMCO, Inc. are honored to contribute to this nationwide initiative and create a positive impact on the younger generation by spreading the empowering message of leading a drug-free life," says NIMCO spokesperson Paula Jones.

The NFP organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon campaign in response to the murder of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. After his murder, leaders and youth in communities around the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raising awareness of the destruction caused by drugs in America.

ABOUT NIMCO, INC.

NIMCO, Inc. has been the sole provider of official Red Ribbon Week merchandise for over 30 years. From posters and stickers to bracelets, T-shirts and more, NIMCO, Inc. has everything you need to show your support for the cause in 2024.

"Red Ribbon Week is an opportunity for people of all ages to come together and take a stand against drug use," said Jones. "By wearing the official merchandise and promoting the theme, we can all play a role in creating a safer and healthier community."

Red Ribbon Week takes place from October 23rd to 31st, 2024. Whether you're a teacher, student, parent or community leader, there are many ways to get involved. NIMCO, Inc. can help you make the most of this important event.

For further media inquiries, please contact Paula Jones directly at (270) 273-5000 or [email protected].

###

Contact Information:

Paula Jones

Marketing

[email protected]

(270)-273-5000

SOURCE: NIMCO, Inc.

View the original press release on newswire.com.
PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / The following abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds (NYSE:ACP, AGD, AOD, ASGI, AWP, THQ, THW)(NYSE American:AEF, FAX, FCO, VFL), announced today that the closed end funds in the chart directly below will pay the distributions indicated on a per share basis on March 28, 2024 to all shareholders of record as of March 21, 2024 (ex-dividend date March 20, 2024).

Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ACP NYSE abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund $ 0.1000 AGD NYSE abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund $ 0.0650 AEF NYSE American abrdn Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0900 AOD NYSE abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund $ 0.0575 ASGI NYSE abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund $ 0.1500 AWP NYSE abrdn Global Premier Properties Fund $ 0.0400 FAX NYSE American Abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0275 FCO NYSE American abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0700 THQ NYSE abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund $ 0.1800 THW NYSE abrdn World Healthcare Fund $ 0.1167 VFL NYSE American abrdn National Municipal Income Fund $ 0.0375

At the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders, which will state the amount and composition of each fund's distributions and provide information with respect to their appropriate tax treatment for the prior calendar year. You should not draw any conclusions about any of these Funds' investment performance from the amount of the distributions.

MANAGED DISTRIBUTION POLICY FUNDS

ANNOUNCE DISTRIBUTION PAYMENT DETAILS

abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund ("ASGI")

abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund ("THQ")

abrdn World Healthcare Fund ("THW")

The above-noted abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds (the "Funds" or individually the "Fund"), today announced that the Funds will pay the distributions noted in the chart above on March 28, 2024, on a per share basis to all shareholders of record as of March 21, 2024 (ex-dividend date March 20, 2024).

Each Fund has adopted a distribution policy to provide investors with a stable distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital in reliance on an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders.

The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions to be paid as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies.

The Funds' estimated sources of the current distributions to be paid and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows:

Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains* Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $ 0.1500 $0.0120 8% $0.0015 1% $0.1080 72% $0.0285 19% THQ $ 0.1800 - - $0.0108 6% $0.0018 1% $0.1674 93% THW $ 0.1167 - - - - - - $0.1167 100%

Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share Fund Fiscal Year** to Date Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains* Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $ 0.8200 $0.0656 8% $0.0082 1% $0.5904 72% $0.1558 19% THQ $ 0.8100 - - $0.0486 6% $0.0081 1% $0.7533 93% THW $ 0.7002 - - - - - - $0.7002 100%

* includes currency gains

** ASGI, THQ and THW have a 9/30 fiscal year end.

Where the estimated amounts above show a portion of the distribution to be a "Return of Capital," it means that Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all the money that you invested in a Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The following table provides the Funds' total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Funds' annualized and cumulative distribution rates.

Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 02/29/2024 Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV ASGI3 7.45%3 8.60% 8.80% 3.35% THQ 9.84% 8.61% 12.88% 2.87% THW 8.02% 11.48% 9.30% 4.78%

1 Return data is net of all fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.

2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of February 29, 2024.

3 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through February 29, 2024.

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy").

While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.

Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received.

The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state, and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances.

Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

In the United States, abrdn is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., abrdn Investments Limited, abrdn Asia Limited, abrdn Private Equity (Europe) Limited, and abrdn ETFs Advisors LLC.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter

For More Information Contact:

abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds

Investor Relations

1-800-522-5465

[email protected]

SOURCE: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds

View the original press release on accesswire.com
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / AI/ML Innovations Inc. ("AI/ML" or the "Company") (CSE:AIML)(OTCQB: AIMLF)(FRA:42FB) announced that it has entered into a Debt Settlement and Security Agreement with ThreeD Capital Inc. (the "Creditor") of Toronto, Ontario for payment of indebtedness owing to the Creditor in the aggregate total of $27,120 with respect to services rendered by the Creditor (the "Shares for Debt Transaction"). The Creditor has agreed to the conversion of such debt into common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares"). Pursuant to the Shares for Debt Transaction, the Company will issue to the Creditor a total of 339,000 Common Shares, at a deemed price of $0.08 per Common Share. The proposed Shares for Debt Transaction is subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

The Common Shares issued will be subject to a four-month hold period.

About AI/ML Innovations Inc. https://aiml-innovations.com/

AI/ML Innovations Inc. has realigned its business operations to capitalize on the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with an initial investment focus on emerging digital health and wellbeing companies that leverage AI, ML, cloud computing and digital platforms to drive transformative healthcare management solutions and precision support delivery across the health continuum. Through strategic partnerships with Health Gauge (95.2% owned by AIML), Tech2Heal (up to 22% ownership rights, with 12.44% currently owned by AIML), AI Rx Inc. (70% owned by AIML) and other planned accretive investments, the Company continues to capitalize on expanding growth areas, to the benefit of all the Company's stakeholders. AI/ML's shares are traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "AIML", the OTCQB Venture Market under "AIMLF", and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under "42FB".

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Tim Daniels, Executive Chairman

For more information about AI/ML Innovations :

For detailed information please see AI/ML's website or the Company's filed documents at www.sedarplus.ca

For further information, contact: Blake Fallis at (778) 405-0882 or [email protected]

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For AI/ML Innovations Investors

Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, AI/ML Innovations' expectations concerning management's plans, objectives, and strategies, including strategies for defending the Company's intellectual property. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. AI/ML Innovations Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or circumstances or otherwise except as expressly required by applicable securities law. Further information regarding the uncertainties and risks can be found in the disclosure documents filed by AI/ML with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedarplus.ca

SOURCE: AI/ML Innovations Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / bettermoo(d) Food Corporation (CSE: MOOO), (OTCQB: MOOOF), (Frankfurt: 0I5A, WKN: A3D8PP) (the "Company" or "bettermoo(d)") announces further details for its special investors announcement. Nima Bahrami, CEO of bettermoo(d), will share an exciting new development with investors.

CONFERENCE CALL:

The conference call will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific, 4:30 p.m. Eastern, 9:30 p.m. CET.

Please call in 10 minutes before the conference call starts and stay on the line. Questions will be answered at the end of the call.

CONFERENCE PARTICIPANT ID: BETTER

DIAL-IN NUMBERS:

Toll: 785 424 1744

Toll-Free Canada & the US: 877-830-2596

Toll-Free Germany: 0 800 186 2030

The Company will issue a press release detailing the new announcement after the conclusion of the Conference Call.

ABOUT BETTERMOO(D) FOOD CORPORATION

bettermoo(d) Food Corporation is an innovative plant-based dairy alternative food and beverage company based in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, launching Moodrink", a nutritious dairy-alternative beverage with a revolutionary flavour. Moodrink" includes a blend of herbs and flowers similar to what cows ate, before the time of mass livestock production. Like rich dairy products, Moodrink" contains added healthy plant fats and vitamins, so consumers don't miss out. The "Moodrink" is just the beginning of the revolution for the Vancouver based dairy-alternative company, bettermoo(d).

Driven by the motto "What A Cow Eats and A Human Needs" bettermoo(d) seeks to produce dairy alternative products that are good for both people and the planet - ensuring that all products are nutritious and sustainably sourced, and that also emulate the great taste of traditional milk from the Alps regions of Switzerland, France and Austria. Working with food scientists, the Company's goal is to conduct continuous food research and development programs with the aim of rolling out a full line of dairy alternative products, including Moogurt and Buetter, as well as many other products, that are better for YOU and better for the planet.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD of DIRECTORS

Nima Bahrami

Chief Executive Officer and Director

bettermoo(d) Food Corporation

For further information please contact:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.bettermoo.com

Phone: 1-855-715-1865

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain forward looking statements and forward looking information (collectively, "Forward-Looking Statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements with respect to the anticipated commercial production of Moodrink, are forward-looking statements. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

SOURCE: bettermoo(d) Food Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
PIEDMONT, QC / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Goldflare Exploration Inc. (TSXV:GOFL) ("Goldflare" or "the Company") wishes to announce the resignation of Serge Roy as Vice-President, Strategy and Business as well as Chairman of the Board of the Company. All members of management and the Board of directors would like to thank Mr. Roy for the services he has provided since taking office in 2019. Resigning for personal reasons, Mr. Roy wanted to express his gratitude to the shareholders for their support in the recent years and mentioned that "Goldflare remains, in my opinion, a junior company with one of the best high-potential property assets in Canada."

"It is with mixed feelings that Goldflare's management has accepted the resignation of Serge Roy. Although the reasons for this decision are personal and in the interest of our Company, it is never easy to see a colleague and friend leave. Serge's departure, however, represents an opportunity for Goldflare in the sense that his or her successor will bring a fresh perspective and a revitalizing vision to the board. , declares Ghislain Morin, CEO of Goldflare Exploration.

Furthermore, Ms. Sara Pedneault, sitting on the Board of directors as an independent director, will replace Mr. Roy as third member of the Company's audit board. For his part, Ghislain Morin will take the helm of the Board of directors.

For more information:

Ghislain Morin

Chief Executive Officer

819-354-9439

[email protected]

David Corbeil-Heneault

Chief Financial Officer

450 622-4066

[email protected]

SOURCE: Goldflare Exploration Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Leading Design-Build Firm to Share Exclusive Banking Insights

PALM SPRINGS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Leading retail transformation firm DBSI announces Mike Forsyth, Director of Transformation Strategy, to be a featured speaker at the BankSpaces retreat hosted by the influence group. Forsyth will be joined on stage by Carla Trombly, SVP, Director of Branch & ATM Channel Optimization at Synovus, alongside an impressive lineup of financial industry leaders.

Mike Forsyth, Director of Transformation Strategy

Leading retail transformation firm DBSI announces Mike Forsyth, Director of Transformation Strategy, to be a featured speaker at the BankSpaces retreat hosted by the influence group.

This invite-only retreat, taking place from May 5-7, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, California, will bring together thought leaders from North America's top banks and credit unions to discuss the future of the branch in an increasingly digital-first world.

"Participating in BankSpaces offers an incredible platform to discuss how the evolution of technology, people, and processes impact the future of banking. It's important for industry leaders to come together and discuss the innovative solutions that are redefining the retail banking industry," Forsyth shared.

DBSI's comprehensive approach ensures that banks and credit unions are equipped to meet the evolving needs of their customers and stay competitive in a rapidly changing financial sector. Forsyth has an extensive 26-year background in transforming financial institutions across the U.S.

In a recent Q&A with BankSpaces, Forsyth reflected on his journey from a bank teller to a leading strategist in banking transformation, emphasizing the continuing importance of physical branches.

"My personal belief is the branch is never going away. We will change how we envision and utilize them, but they will remain a key component to the overall banking experience," Forsyth mentioned in the article.

Forsyth's insights into blending technology and enhanced customer experiences in branches provide a first look at his upcoming presentation at BankSpaces. Forsyth will dive into how these elements combine to bring banking customer environments in line with current demands, drawing from his firsthand experiences and the innovative strategies delivered by DBSI.

"We created BankSpaces to be a collaborative retreat where industry leaders can come together to envision the bank of the future, while also gaining practical strategies to breathe new life into existing branches to meet modern customer expectations," said Michael Owens, Executive Producer of BankSpaces.

For more information or to inquire about partnering with DBSI for your transformation project, visit dbsi.com or contact [email protected].

Contact Information

Stephanie Holland

PR & Content Strategist

[email protected]

480-320-0718

Related Files

DBSI Announces Mike Forsyth, Director of Transformation Strategy to Speak at BankSpaces Retreat

SOURCE: DBSI

View the original press release on newswire.com.
The all stock transaction bolsters DLT's Gross Sales by an additional USD $50,000,000

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / DLT Resolution Inc. (OTC Pink:DLTI), a prominent Software as a Service (SAAS), information technology, and communication company, proudly announces the execution of a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) closing of the 100% ownership of Global Motor Trade LLC, Global Motor Trade International LLC, SJ Auto Trade LLC, and WEC International LLC. These strategic acquisitions reinforce DLT Resolution Inc.'s commitment to its growth strategy and market expansion.

The acquisitions highlight DLT Resolution Inc.'s foresight in cultivating a diversified and innovative portfolio aligned with evolving market demands.

Drew Reid, Executive Chairman of DLT Resolution Inc., stated, "These acquisitions mark a significant step towards strengthening our offerings and diversified holdings. We are driven by a shared vision of innovation, excellence, and value creation for our customers and stakeholders."

Charles Brofman of Global Motor Trade Group of Companies expressed enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled to be part of this venture. Drew Reid's vision for DLTI aligns perfectly with our growth aspirations. We are already planning our strategy to achieve the next level of revenue within the first twelve months after closing. Additionally, being part of DLTI will enable us to make strategic acquisitions within our industry, enhancing our customer base and international supply chains."

Empowering Future Growth

The Corporation's Global Motor Trade Group of Companies, based in the United States, specializes in international vehicle, vehicle parts and equipment, and machinery and equipment, wholesale distribution and sale, with a primary focus on United States, Canada, Mexico, Southeast Asia, China, Europe, Dubai, Africa and worldwide.

This strategic move will contribute a combined annual gross revenue of $50,858,000 USD to DLT Resolution Inc.

The acquisition is an all-stock transaction, with 6,000,020 restricted common shares of DLTI issued to the venders.

Multiple Add-On Acquisitions Planned

DLT Resolution Inc. is on track to finalize multiple acquisitions within this calendar year, aiming to catalyze growth and expand its market footprint.

Advancing into the Future

The acquisition of Global Motor Trade Group of Companies signifies a substantial step towards amplifying value and expanding horizons. With a shared commitment to innovation and customer-centric excellence, DLT Resolution Inc. is poised to create a lasting impact across sectors, forging an exciting path forward.

About DLT Resolution Inc.

DLT Resolution Inc. has undergone transformative evolution, focusing on driving advancements in telecommunications and technology. Our core operations center around strategic Software as a Service (SAAS) acquisitions, enabling us to seize opportunities in the dynamic world of tech companies and cutting-edge technologies.

At the forefront of our pursuits lies the realm of SAAS, where we revolutionize how businesses operate and engage with their clientele. Through these acquisitions, we empower organizations to leverage state-of-the-art solutions for domestic and global growth.

DLT Resolution Inc. is more than a company; it's a catalyst for technological transformation. We are driven by the pursuit of groundbreaking solutions that empower businesses to navigate the digital era with confidence and embrace the limitless possibilities of telecommunications and technology.

Welcome to the future, where innovation is our foundation, and technology is our compass.

CONTACT:

Drew A. Reid

Executive Chair & CEO

1 (800) 463-5465

[email protected]

www.dltresolution.com

Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations or forecasts of future events, can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, and are subject to various business risks and known and unknown uncertainties, a number of which are beyond the control of management. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Additional information respecting the factors that could materially affect the Company and its operations are contained in its annual report on Form 10K and Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: DLT Resolution Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Kubera Gold Corp. (the "Company") (TSXV:KBRA) is pleased to announce that it has completed its initial public offering (the "Offering") of 3,000,000 common shares ("Common Shares") in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.25 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $750,000, pursuant to a final prospectus of the Company dated December 18, 2023 and filed in each of the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario (the "Prospectus"). On closing of the Offering, a total of 9,591,920 Common Shares were issued and outstanding, of which 1,200,000 Common Shares are currently held in escrow pursuant to National Policy 46-201 - Escrow for Initial Public Offerings, as disclosed in the Prospectus.

The net proceeds of the Offering are expected to be used by the Company for exploration expenditures on its Dash Lake project (the "Dash Lake Project") which covers an area of approximately 815 hectares and is located approximately 90 kilometres north of the town of Fort Frances, Ontario, within the Kenora Mining Division, and for general working capital purposes.

Pursuant to an agency agreement dated December 18, 2023 between the Company and Research Capital Corporation (the "Agent"), and in connection with the completion of the Offering, the Company granted to the Agent 180,000 Common Share purchase warrants (each, a "Agent's Warrant"), with each Agent's Warrant entitling the Agent to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.25 per Common Share for a period of 36 months from the closing of the Offering ("Closing"). In addition, the Agent received a cash commission of $45,000, representing 6% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering, and a corporate finance fee of $30,000 plus applicable taxes.

The TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") has accepted the Company's listing application of the Common Shares as a Tier 2 Mining Issuer ("Listing"). The Common Shares will commence trading on the TSXV at market open on March 13, 2024, under the trading symbol KBRA. The Company's CUSIP is 50116K101 and ISIN is CA50116K1012.

Immediately following Closing, the Company granted an aggregate of 800,000 stock options (the "Options") to directors, officers and a consultant of the Company permitting them to acquire up to an aggregate of 800,000 Common Shares. Each Option is exercisable to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.25 until March 11, 2029.

Early Warning Disclosure

Prior to Closing, Scott Ackerman, President, CEO, Corporate Secretary and Director of the Company, with an address located at 1837 128th Street, Surrey, British Columbia, owned and controlled 1,120,000 Common Shares representing approximately 16.99% of the outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. Following Closing and the grant of Options, Scott Ackerman owns and controls 1,120,000 Common Shares, acquired at a price of $0.0125 per Common Share, and 470,000 Options, representing approximately 11.68% of the outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 15.80% of a partially diluted basis assuming exercise of his Options.

Prior to Closing, The Emprise Special Opportunities Fund (2017) Limited Partnership ("LP2017"), with an address located at 1600 - 609 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, owned and controlled 1,850,000 Common Shares, acquired at a price of $0.07 per Common Share, representing approximately 28.06% of the outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. Following Closing, LP2017 owns and controls 1,850,000 Common Shares, representing approximately 19.29% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis.

The Company has been advised that the securities noted above were acquired by Scott Ackerman and LP2017 for investment purposes, and neither have any present intention to acquire further securities of the Company, although they may, in the future, acquire or dispose of securities of the Company through the market or otherwise, as circumstances or market conditions warrant.

To obtain a copy of the early warning reports filed under applicable Canadian provincial securities legislation, please go to the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or please reach out to Scott Ackerman at 778-331-8505.

For further information about the Company, the Offering and the Dash Lake Project, please see the Prospectus, which is available under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About the Company

Kubera Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, acquisition, and exploration of mineral projects. The Company holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in and to the Dash Lake Project, which consists of mineral claims covering nearly 815 hectares approximately 90 km north of the town of Fort Frances, Ontario, in the Kenora Mining Division.

For more information, please contact the Company at 778-331-8505 or email: [email protected] or [email protected]

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Kubera Gold Corp.

Scott Ackerman

President, CEO, Corporate Secretary and Director

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the Listing, the use of proceeds of the Offering, and the grant of Options, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risk that the Company will not obtain Listing as contemplated, or at all, risk that the Company will not use the proceeds of the Offering as contemplated, risk that the Company will not grant the Options as contemplated, or at all, and statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's option to acquire the Dash Lake Project, the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the TSX Venture Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Company's limited operating history, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Prospectus and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this presentation or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

SOURCE: Kubera Gold Corp

View the original press release on accesswire.com
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Predictmedix Inc. ("Predictmedix" or the "Company") (CSE:PMED)(OTCQB: PMEDF)(FRA:3QP), an emerging provider of rapid health screening solutions powered by a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI), today announced it has engaged in a strategic partnership with both Virginia-based firms Samyak Solutions Inc. and Manchester Marketing Group Inc. This collaboration is set to accelerate the distribution of Predictmedix's innovative Safe Entry Stations across the United States.

The Safe Entry Station, developed by Predictmedix AI, is an advanced health screening solution designed to enhance safety and mitigate health risks in various settings, including workplaces, educational institutions, and public venues.

The partnership signifies a strategic move to expand Predictmedix's footprint in the US market. Manchester Marketing will be working with Samyak Solutions Inc. to position Safe Entry Station in the government segment in the US.

Moreover, with its expertise in technology solutions, Manchester Marketing Group Inc.'s extensive reach and marketing prowess will contribute to raising awareness and driving adoption of the innovative health screening technology. In addition to the government segment, multiple opportunities have also been identified in the aviation, education, manufacturing, and health segment which are being worked upon.

The United States represents a significant market for health and safety solutions, particularly in the wake of ongoing global health concerns. Predictmedix AI aims to leverage these partnerships to meet the increasing demand for advanced health screening technologies and to position itself as a leader in the domain.

What sets this collaboration apart is the government contacts that Samyak Solutions Inc. and Manchester Marketing Group Inc. bring to the table. With established relationships within government agencies, these partnerships are expected to facilitate the integration of Predictmedix's Safe Entry Stations into select public spaces and government institutions across the United States.

"We are pleased to join forces with Samyak Solutions Inc. and Manchester Marketing Group Inc. in our mission to make public spaces safer through innovative health screening technologies. The US market is crucial for us, and these partnerships will enable us to reach more organizations and communities, providing them with cutting-edge solutions for health and safety," said Rahul Kushwah, COO of Predictmedix AI.

To receive company news, please sign up for alerts at the bottom of the page link below: https://predictmedix.com/press-releases/

About Manchester Marketing Group Inc.:

MMGI, a private company incorporated in 2014 has extensive experience in supporting vehicle fleets, leasing, and renewable energy. MMGI has introduced several medical technologies to the government and commercial sections in North America including a disinfectant technology to kill Covid, RSV and antibiotic resistant viruses and fungi in medical facilities. MMGI team members have introduced Pharmacogenetic testing to reduce adverse drug reaction in senior citizen facilities which has now become more readily available because of their efforts. The MMGI team has over eight decades of collective experience in the federal government and commercial sectors throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our expansive network includes businesses that provide products, services, and turnkey solutions to improve health in the workforce and moreover enhance the quality of life in underserved communities in North America. For over 25 years, the MMGI principals have worked with 8(a) and HUBZone Alaskan Native Corporations (ANCs) and Native American Tribal 8(a) contractors on direct sole source/single source Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. The cumulative value of these contracts is over $1.2 billion with the federal government covering Civilian, DoD, and Intelligence agencies.

About Samyak Solutions Inc.:

Samyak Solutions Inc. (SSI) is a consulting and professional services company, dedicated to providing the highest quality service to our clients. A trusted partner to our DOD and Federal customers, Samyak Solutions is a woman-owned business, founded and incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. SSI has a very active Federal government General Services Administration catalogue (schedule) from which all U.S. agencies, especially the Department of Defense along with Health and Human Services buys products . This unique contracting schedule is active for purchases through November 2033.

About Predictmedix Inc.

Predictmedix (CSE: PMED) (OTCQB: PMEDF) (FRA:3QP) is an emerging provider of rapid health screening and remote patient care solutions globally. The Company's Safe Entry Stations - powered by a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) - use multispectral cameras to analyze physiological data patterns and predict a variety of health issues including infectious diseases such as COVID-19, impairment by drugs or alcohol, fatique or various mental illnesses. Predictmedix's proprietary remote patient care platform empowers medical professionals with a suite of AI-powered tools to improve patient health outcomes. To learn more, please visit our website at www.Predictmedix.com or follow us on Twitter , Instagram or LinkedIn .

Public Relations Contact

For further media information or to set up an interview, please contact:

Nelson Hudes

Hudes Communications International

(905) 660 9155

[email protected]

Dr. Rahul Kushwah

(647) 889 6916

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results of the Company. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulations under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any Page 4 of 4 future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein, such as, but not limited to dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; the ability to obtain intellectual property rights related to its technology; limited operating history; general business, economic, competitive, political, regulatory and social uncertainties, and in particular, uncertainties related to COVID-19; risks related to factors beyond the control of the Company, including risks related to COVID-19; risks related to the Company's shares, including price volatility due to events that may or may not be within such party's control; reliance on management; and the emergency of additional competitors in the industry.

All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except required by law.

Disclaimer: "The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to diagnose, eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 (or SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time."

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED NOR DOES IT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

SOURCE: Predictmedix AI Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Comcast Corporation

By Dalila Wilson-Scott

The power of community-centered solutions to create a more digitally inclusive world was on full display at the Net Inclusion 2024 conference in Philadelphia last month. Hosted by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), this year's event was the largest to date - bringing together more than 1,300 leaders who share our vision of helping more people gain access to the Internet, technology, and skills needed to thrive in a digital economy.

"Now more than ever, public and private partnerships are critical to equitable access and use of technology," said Angela Siefer, Executive Director, NDIA.

We're proud to have partnered with Comcast to be able to showcase innovative cross-sector models of digital inclusion at this year's conference. ANGELA SIEFER

Executive Director, NDIA

Committed to Digital Innovation in Philadelphia

As I reflect on the conference, I can think of no better city than our hometown to host a gathering of leaders, practitioners, and policymakers who are working to make our communities better for us all through digital equity. That's why NDIA recognized Philadelphia as a Digital Inclusion Trailblazer in 2023, an award given to municipal, county, and regional governments that are providing excellent models for digitally inclusive communities.

What stood out to me during the conference was how Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker acutely captured the spirit of this work and what it can accomplish for communities.

"I made a commitment last year to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the nation with access to economic opportunity for all," she said. "You do that by closing the gap between the haves and the have-nots."

You can't put people on a path to self-sufficiency, without digital inclusion. CHERELLE PARKER

Philadelphia Mayor

Investing in Our Communities through Project UP

With 92 percent of jobs available today requiring digital skills, it's clear that digital inclusion is essential for a stronger, more equitable tomorrow.

That's a future Comcast has long been committed to. For over a decade, we've been developing programs and partnerships to ensure the most marginalized groups are connected to the Internet - reaching millions of people nationally.

And we've accelerated our commitment through Project UP, our $1 billion digital equity and economic mobility initiative that is opening doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators.

Spotlight on Community Partners and the Power of Aligned Action

Everyone at Net Inclusion recognized that creating more economic opportunity is not something any one company or organization can do alone. In order to advance digital equity, we must invest in partnerships with organizations that are embedded in our communities.

Our Project UP partners are able to deliver real impact because they have a unique set of superpowers: community expertise, relationships, and trust.

We were proud to share the Net Inclusion stage with five of those partners - SERJobs, Community College of Baltimore County, LGBT Tech, Raising Expectations and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey - who deploy a full range of services to advance digital equity in their respective communities. This is done through Digital Navigators - trusted individuals trained to help get more people connected. Some of the wisdom and impact that our partners shared included:

Sheroo Mukhtiar, CEO, SERJobs

"Our digital navigation program leverages technology, training and connectivity to empower individuals and families so that they too can have equal and timely access to much-needed information, resources, and opportunities. In 2023, our ambitious goal for the program was to reach 1,600 families. With the dedication and commitment of our two incredible navigators, we served 5,230 families in the greater Houston area in 12 months."

Ke'ra Thomas, Program Coordinator, Community College of Baltimore County

"My mission is to be an ambassador for affordable broadband. We want more families, regardless of age, background, or circumstances to get connected to the Internet at home and learn the digital skills to navigate in today's world. In less than a year, we hired 11 digital navigators and reached 4,000 students and community members."

Arin Rook, Digital Navigator, LGBT Tech

"I want to share one important, overarching recommendation that we believe is critical to ensuring that all digital equity initiatives are fully inclusive of all communities. And that is that proactive, intentional, and meaningful inclusion of Queer and Trans experiences is key. We must include those communities in our work to ensure that programs fit the needs of the community."

This last takeaway, the notion of tailoring solutions to specific challenges is one that was repeated throughout the three-day conference. And it's a powerful reminder that we must work intentionally and collectively with our communities to make our shared vision of digital equity a reality.

Whether this critical work takes the form of digital navigators building trust and connecting households to the Internet, or comes from policymakers leveraging BEAD and Digital Equity Act funding to advance broadband adoption and deployment, or is propelled by our collective voices calling on Congress to reauthorize the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) - Net Inclusion offered a space for us to come together to build new bonds and to focus on aligned action.

Dalila Wilson-Scott is Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Comcast Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Comcast Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/comcast-corporation

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Comcast Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 3DEO, a Los Angeles-based leader in design, engineering, and metal additive manufacturing (AM), is proud to announce a strategic partnership and investment with IHI AEROSPACE Co., Ltd. (IA), a globally recognized brand in aerospace engineering and manufacturing. This multifaceted, multi-phased partnership aims to enhance the adoption and implementation of AM technologies within IA, drawing on 3DEO's expertise and resources in Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) and technology differentiation to support its mission.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311984674/en/

(L-R) 3DEO Co-founders Dr. Matt Petros (CEO) and Dr. Payman Torabi (CTO) (Photo: Business Wire)

Identified as a strategic investor and partner, IA's collaboration with 3DEO signifies a significant commitment to integrating the advanced capabilities of additive manufacturing with the precision and tradition of Japan's aerospace manufacturing sector. This partnership follows closely on the heels of 3DEO's recent strategic investment announcement with the Development Bank of Japan and Seiko Epson Corporation, further highlighting 3DEO's growing influence in global manufacturing landscapes.

"We are deeply honored to partner with IA, a company that shares our vision for the future of aerospace manufacturing, Matt Petros, CEO and Co-founder of 3DEO, commented. This partnership underscores the incredible progress and potential of additive manufacturing, especially when coupled with a highly collaborative design for additive approach."

Payman Torabi, CTO and Co-founder of 3DEO, added, "Working alongside IA presents an exceptional opportunity to apply our additive manufacturing technologies to the aerospace sector. It's a collaboration that stands to reduce time-to-market and drive innovation."

The strategic investment from IA not only marks an important vote of confidence in 3DEO's technology and team but also represents a collaborative effort to explore new advancements in aerospace manufacturing. By leveraging 3DEO's patented technology, Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) expertise, and IA's engineering excellence, this partnership is poised to make a lasting impact on the aerospace industry, enhancing capabilities and setting heightened standards for manufacturing excellence.

ABOUT 3DEO

3DEO, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, specializes in metal additive manufacturing with a focus on precision metal 3D printed components. The company holds a suite of 18 patents for its Intelligent Layering technology and end-to-end manufacturing solution that includes proprietary software, robotics, and metal 3D printers. 3DEO's full stack ecosystem streamlines the transition from design to engineering to manufacturing, emphasizing efficiency and scalability. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified provider, 3DEO commits to quality in delivering fully integrated services that facilitate Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) for its clients and unlocks new opportunities in product design and development. For additional information, visit www.3DEO.co.

ABOUT IHI AEROSPACE CO., LTD.

IHI AEROSPACE Co., Ltd., part of the IHI Corporation family, is renowned for its contributions to aerospace engineering and manufacturing on a global scale. Specializing in the development and production of propulsion systems, components for space exploration, and advanced aerospace materials, IHI AEROSPACE Co., Ltd. is at the forefront of supporting significant advancements in both aviation and space technology. For additional information, visit www.ihi.co.jp.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311984674/en/

Emily Elpes

Chief of Staff, VP of Marketing, 3DEO

(323) 214-7665

[email protected]

Source: 3DEO
HIV/AIDS advocates to protest drug maker at Leerink Partners Biopharma Conference in Miami and call out the poster child for greed  CEO Daniel ODay  who now is PhRMA board chair

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) advocates will rally at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel Tuesday to protest Gilead Sciences ongoing efforts to rack up exorbitant profits while restricting access to lifesaving medications. AHFs sustained protests against the drug maker continue as Gilead faces legal action over its keeping safer HIV medications off the market to maximize profits.

HIV/AIDS activists also will protest Gilead CEO Daniel ODay over his February appointment as board chair for PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America), the cutthroat trade group representing companies in the pharmaceutical industry in the United States.

It is so sadly apropos that Gilead CEO Daniel ODay  the poster child for PhRMA greed  also now sits atop PhRMA, the undisputed fortress of greed, said Michael Weinstein, AHF president and cofounder.

Tuesdays action outside the annual Leerink Partners Biopharma Conference is the latest in a series of escalating efforts by AHF to draw attention to Gileads quiet campaign to undermine safety net providers and illegally restrict access to lifesaving HIV and Hepatitis C treatments. Since 2021, AHF has been taking on Gilead and CEO Daniel ODay, holding more than two dozen protests in multiple cities, including Washington, DC, Miami, Boston, and Foster City, CA at Gileads corporate headquarters.

WHO: AHF Advocates and Allies WHEN: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET WHERE: Fontainebleau Miami Beach (Leerink Partners Global Biopharma Conference) 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the worlds largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 1.9 million individuals across 45 countries, including the U.S. and in Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, visit us online at AIDShealth.org, find us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and subscribe to our AHFter Hours podcast.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311128996/en/

John Farina, AHF Associate Director of Advocacy

(216) 832-7106 c

[email protected]



Ged Kenslea, Senior Director, Communications, AHF

+1.323.791.5526 [cell]

[email protected]

Source: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) announced today that Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, Executive Chairman, John L. Plueger, Chief Executive Officer and President, and Gregory B. Willis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will be speaking at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference 2024 in New York City on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. ALCs participation will be broadcast live through a link on the Investors page of the Air Lease Corporation website at www.airleasecorp.com. Alternatively, virtual attendees may access the webcast directly via this link: J.P. Morgan 2024 Industrials Conference. Please visit the website prior to the webcast to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

About Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL)

Air Lease Corporation is a leading global aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that has airline customers throughout the world. ALC and its team of dedicated and experienced professionals are principally engaged in purchasing new commercial aircraft and leasing them to its airline customers worldwide through customized aircraft leasing and financing solutions. The company routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the Investors section of its website at www.airleasecorp.com. Investors and potential investors are encouraged to consult Air Lease Corporations website regularly for important information. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, ALCs website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311669104/en/

Investor Relations:

Jason Arnold

Vice President, Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

Media:

Laura Woeste

Senior Manager, Media and Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

Ashley Arnold

Senior Manager, Media and Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

Source: Air Lease Corporation
Believes the Board Continues to Take Oppressive Actions Which Fundamentally Disregard the Rights and Interests of Shareholders

Asserts the Boards Desperate, Wasteful and Self-Serving Entrenchment Tactics to Date Indicate That the Current Directors Will Do Anything to Preserve Their Current Positions

Requests That the Quebec Court Compel Gildan to Conduct the May 28th Annual Meeting Without Delay and With the Oversight of an Independent Chair to Ensure Shareholders Have the Opportunity to Hold the Current Board Accountable and Elect New Leaders

Files and Mails Information Circular

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Browning West, LP (together with its affiliates, Browning West or we), which is a long-term shareholder of Gildan Activewear Inc. (NYSE: GIL) (TSX: GIL) (Gildan or the Company) and beneficially owns approximately 5.0% of the Companys outstanding shares, has filed a lawsuit today with the Superior Court of Quebec  Commercial Division (the Quebec Superior Court) against Gildan and the Companys Board of Directors (the Board) in order to ensure the rights of shareholders are preserved in connection with the May 28th, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Annual Meeting).

Usman S. Nabi and Peter M. Lee of Browning West commented:

Rather than assume accountability for its value-destructive decisions, we believe that the Board continues to take oppressive actions against shareholders, demonstrating that its priority is self-preservation. We are concerned that the Board will seek to delay the Annual Meeting that has been set for May 28th. This is why we have filed an application with the Quebec Superior Court to ensure that the Annual Meeting proceeds on the scheduled date without delay or interference and that the rights of all shareholders are protected with respect to the vote. In addition to requesting that the Quebec Superior Court compel Gildan to hold the Annual Meeting as scheduled without employing any delay tactics or gamesmanship, we want to ensure all shareholders have their votes counted and that the Annual Meeting be conducted fairly and legally. As such, we are asking that an independent chair be appointed to oversee the Annual Meeting. While we expect Gildan to oppose Browning Wests application, we will not be deterred and will continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure that all shareholders have an opportunity to replace the directors whose decisions have destroyed shareholder value and who have failed to give due regard to the views of investors.

The lawsuit asserts that Gildan and its Board have acted in a manner that unfairly disregards the rights and interests of shareholders by pursuing a strategy of entrenchment, obfuscation and disparagement of dissenting shareholders, improperly placing their own personal interests ahead of the interests of the Company and its shareholders, contrary to the reasonable expectations of Browning West, including by:

Leaking corporate documents and confidential information to journalists and sharing this information with a third-party governance expert hired by the Board, while refusing to share those same documents and information with shareholders;

Improperly soliciting proxies prior to filing a management information circular;

Pursuing a meritless litigation with the primary purpose of undermining and delaying Browning West and Gildan shareholders from exercising their rights;

Launching unwarranted public attacks on Browning West and imposing costs associated with defending meritless litigation in a clear attempt to deter and silence shareholders from raising their concerns publicly;

Signing a support agreement, which was not in the best interest of the Company and includes Board representation rights for a shareholder who has a conflict of interest due to a significant ownership stake in one of Gildans largest customers;

Attempting to justify its decision to terminate Gildan founder Glenn Chamandy and name Vincent Tyra as Chief Executive Officer with a misleading and evolving set of explanations that directly contradict signed statements in Gildans prior annual reports; and

Making groundless attacks on Browning West, including false accusations of acting jointly or in concert with other shareholders, and collaborating improperly with Mr. Chamandy while he was Chief Executive Officer of Gildan.

All Gildan stakeholders, including its employees and shareholders, require certainty as to the future direction of the Company, which can only be determined by the Board after the Annual Meeting has been held. The primary objective of this application is to ensure that the Board holds the 2024 Annual Meeting on May 28th without delay and involves an independent third party running the Annual Meeting to ensure a fair and transparent process.

In furtherance of this objective, Browning West has decided that now is the time to take active steps to communicate directly with as many Gildan shareholders as possible and to solicit their support in order to ensure that real and substantive change will come to Gildan. Accordingly, Browning West has filed and commenced the mailing of an information circular.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this news release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and information generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as outlook, objective, may, will, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, believe, should, plans, continue, or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Forward-looking information in this news release may include, but is not limited to, statements of Browning West regarding (i) how Browning West intends to exercise its legal rights as a shareholder of the Company, and (ii) its plans to make changes at the Board and management of the Company.

Although Browning West believes that the expectations reflected in any such forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements including, without limitation, the risks that (i) the Company may use tactics to thwart the rights of Browning West as a shareholder and (ii) the actions being proposed and the changes being demanded by Browning West, may not take place for any reason whatsoever. Except as required by law, Browning West does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

Advisors

Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP is serving as legal counsel, Goodmans LLP is serving as Canadian legal counsel, and IMK is serving as Quebec legal counsel. Longacre Square Partners is serving as strategic advisor and Pelican PR is serving as public relations advisor. Carson Proxy is serving as proxy advisor.

About Browning West, LP

Browning West is an independent investment partnership based in Los Angeles, California. The partnership employs a concentrated, long-term, and fundamental approach to investing and focuses primarily on investments in North America and Western Europe.

Browning West seeks to identify and invest in a limited number of high-quality businesses and to hold these investments for multiple years. Backed by a select group of leading foundations, family offices, and university endowments, Browning Wests unique capital base allows it to focus on long-term value creation at its portfolio companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311166267/en/

Browning West

[email protected]

310-984-7600



Longacre Square Partners

Greg Marose / Charlotte Kiaie, 646-386-0091

[email protected]



Pelican PR

Lyla Radmanovich / Melanie Tardif, 514-845-8763

[email protected]



Carson Proxy

Christine Carson, 416-804-0825

[email protected]

Source: Browning West, LP
Konstantin Braun joins firm as Vice President, Investments to drive investment activity in Germany

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cabot Properties, a leading investor, developer and operator of logistics properties throughout the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific, today announced that it has expanded its European operations with the opening of an office in Munich, Germany. The firm has hired Konstantin Braun as Vice President, Investments to source and execute acquisition and development opportunities in the market. In this role, he will report to Justin Harvey, Managing Director, Investments, who oversees the firms operations in the UK and Europe.

Strong buying opportunities are emerging in the European markets following a period of decreased transaction volume, said Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld, Chairman and CEO of Cabot Properties. Expanding into Munich will bolster our ability to capitalize on these opportunities across Germany, which has one of the largest and most important logistics markets in Europe, serving the worlds third-largest economy. In addition, the countrys large consumer base, modern infrastructure and ports such as Hamburg  the third-largest in Europe  support its position as a compelling location for companies to warehouse and distribute goods within Germany and across the continent.

Braun joins Cabot following three years with Prologis, where he served as a Capital Deployment Manager in Dusseldorf and Munich. This experience and deep knowledge of Cabots target markets in Germany naturally position him to further expand Cabots investment and development activity in the country. While Cabot has been conducting business in Germany since 2019, the firm has been more active recently with three acquisitions in the last six months. Brauns hire comes on the heels of the final close of Cabots Industrial Value Fund VII  a $1.57 billion fund targeting logistics properties across the US, Europe and Asia Pacific  which will allow Braun to execute on the firms strategic priorities in Germany.

Harvey commented, Konstantins direct experience in the acquisition of existing industrial assets and the ground-up development of state-of-the-art facilities  as well as his deep knowledge of the German markets and vast network of relationships throughout the country  make him a great fit for the role. I look forward to working with Konstantin to expand Cabots operations in Germany, and Im confident his contributions will play a significant role in our future growth.

About Cabot Properties Inc.

Cabot Properties is an international private equity real estate firm focused on the logistics sector. Founded in 1986, Cabot was one of the first real estate firms to provide institutional investors with access to the industrial property sector and has invested over $15 billion in logistics real estate, served over 4,200 tenants, and operated over 1,600 buildings totaling more than 230 million square feet. Cabot is headquartered in Boston with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, London, Sydney, and Tokyo. For more information, visit www.cabotprop.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311934310/en/

Media

ICR on behalf of Cabot Properties

[email protected]

[email protected]

Source: Cabot Properties
CENIC Announces Recipient of 2024 Innovations in Networking Award for Network-Enabled Cloud Applications: Education and Administration

LA MIRADA, Calif. & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CENIC is pleased to award the 2024 Innovations in Networking Award for Network-Enabled Cloud Applications: Education and Administration to the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD)'s project to move their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). This award is made in recognition of the SDCCDs modernization and optimization of its educational and administrative services, thus ensuring a more efficient, scalable, and secure management of resources. The CENIC Innovations in Networking Awards recognize exemplary people, projects, and organizations that leverage high-bandwidth networking.

This project promises to enhance operational efficiencies for the district and pave the way for advanced data analytics, ultimately fostering more data-driven teaching and learning, said Louis Fox, CENICs Chief Executive Officer. Were delighted to honor what may become an excellent model for other community college districts in California and beyond.

Supported by the CCC Technology Center and CENIC, and led by Peter Maharaj, Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Technology at the SDCCD and Cindy McCartney of the CCC Technology Center, this initiative involved a complex and imaginative two-part upgrade. It began with the migration of the PeopleSoft/Oracle ERP to the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), accompanied by crucial enhancements to ensure a robust network with 99% uptime, heightened security measures, and improved connectivity services.

Then, the district significantly upgraded its wireless services, achieving uniformity across campuses, bolstering security, and laying a resilient platform for educational innovation.

Our students, faculty, classified professionals, and administrators rely on our technology infrastructure to protect their privacy, ensure their safety, and facilitate teaching and learning, said Gregory Smith, Chancellor for the SDCCD. These investments demonstrate our commitment to earning the trust of our community members.

A Secure, Robust, High-Availability Cloud Service

As the second largest California Community College district, the SDCCD serves nearly 100,000 students annually. Many of these students are at San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego Miramar College.

However, the SDCCD also serves the San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE)s seven campuses. As SDCCE Vice President for Administrative Services Jacqueline Sabanos observed, This recognition underscores SDCCD's dedication to modernization, resulting in more efficient, scalable, and secure educational and administrative services. This achievement directly benefits the district, enhancing its ability to support all students and employees effectively.

Astute Business Solutions provided an accelerated cloud migration service and moved San Diego Community College District to OCI in five months, building a secure, modern enterprise solution with high availability, disaster recovery, and automated monitoring and backups. The San Diego Community College District has been live since July 2023 and is running stable production, non-production, and disaster recovery instances on OCI now.

San Diego Campus Connect: Stable, Secure Wireless Access Throughout the SDCCD

In September 2023, the San Diego Community College District introduced a new Wi-Fi system to provide expanded and reliable Wi-Fi access to all campuses and District facilities. The main Wi-Fi system, called SDCCD-Campus-Connect, covers all buildings, including office spaces, classrooms, and study areas, along with outdoor areas. An additional network, SDCCD-Campus-Connect-Guest, is available to visitors at all SDCCD locations.

The system ensures stable and fast connections to the Internet, minimizing interruptions and delays for students and employees. Everyone in the District experiences a unified high-quality Wi-Fi that provides a seamless and consistent online experience. Full coverage throughout the campuses and District properties provides students and employees an extra level of safety as the security systems that rely on Wi-Fi, such as cameras and emergency communication tools, are better supported.

About CENIC | www.cenic.org

CENIC connects California to the worldadvancing education and research statewide by providing the world-class network essential for innovation, collaboration, and economic growth. This nonprofit organization operates the California Research and Education Network (CalREN), a high-capacity network designed to meet the unique requirements of over 20 million users, including the vast majority of K-20 students together with educators, researchers and others at vital public-serving institutions. CENICs Charter Associates are part of the worlds largest education system; they include the California K-12 system, California Community Colleges, the California State University system, Californias Public Libraries, the University of California system, Stanford, Caltech, USC, and the Naval Postgraduate School. CENIC also provides connectivity to leading-edge institutions and industry research organizations around the world, serving the public as a catalyst for a vibrant California.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305069954/en/

Media Contact:

Lee Ann Weber

Associate VP of Communications, CENIC

[email protected]

Source: CENIC
Former Goldman Sachs Partner Brings More Than 30 Years of Financial, Digital and Risk Management Experience

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Corebridge Financial, Inc. (NYSE: CRBG) today announced that its Board of Directors elected Deborah Leone as an independent director on March 5, 2024.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311455964/en/

Deborah Leone (Photo: Business Wire)

Ms. Leone is a financial expert and retired partner of the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., having built a 30-year career at the multinational investment bank and financial services company. She most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for its then Investment Management Division (IMD). In this role, Ms. Leone worked on the development and execution of IMD's strategic initiatives, as well as the operations of Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) and Private Wealth Management (PWM) businesses globally. Throughout her tenure, she held various senior leadership roles including Global Head of Internal Audit for the firm.

We are very pleased to add someone with Debs broad experience and background to the Board of Corebridge Financial, said Peter Zaffino, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Corebridge Financial. Deb brings significant expertise across operations, audit and digital that will be extremely beneficial to Corebridge.

Ms. Leone serves as director of the Goldman Sachs Bank USA Board, where she chairs the Audit Committee. In 2021, Ms. Leone joined the board of Organon, a global healthcare company with a focus on womens health, where she serves on the Audit Committee. Ms. Leone is also a member of the board of trustees at Syracuse University.

About Corebridge Financial

Corebridge Financial, Inc. makes it possible for more people to take action in their financial lives. With more than $380 billion in assets under management and administration as of December 31, 2023, Corebridge Financial is one of the largest providers of retirement solutions and insurance products in the United States. We proudly partner with financial professionals and institutions to help individuals plan, save for and achieve secure financial futures. For more information, visit corebridgefinancial.com and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311455964/en/

Isl Muderrisoglu (Investors): [email protected]

Matt Ward (Media): [email protected]

Source: Corebridge Financial
AstraZeneca, Innio and A2A Recognized for Excellence in Sustainability

PARIS & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- EcoVadis, the leading provider of business sustainability ratings, today announced the winners of its eighth annual Sustainability Achievement Awards (formerly Sustainable Procurement Awards). Winners were announced at the EcoVadis Sustain 2024 conference.

The EcoVadis Sustainability Achievement Awards recognize companies who are leading the charge in engaging and integrating sustainability into their relationships with trading partners around the globe and creating an impact through their sustainability business practices.

This years winners exemplify excellence and that sustainable business practices are an essential part of their business success, said Pierre-Francois Thaler, co-founder and co-CEO of EcoVadis. These companies have gone above and beyond this past year in leading sustainable procurement collaboration and execution, driving results and sparking true change. We congratulate them for all their hard work and were eager to see what the future holds for them.

The Awards cover three main categories for enterprise companies.

Best Mature Program

Winner: AstraZeneca

This award recognizes ongoing achievement and innovations that drive continued program expansion and maturity, even beyond the scope of the Sustainable Procurement program.

The award was selected by an independent panel of judges composed of industry experts: Divya Demato, CEO and Co-Founder of GoodOps; Sarah OBrien, Strategic Advisor at Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council; and Uwe G Schulte, CEO of Prosolvo GmbH.

In the case of this years winner the jury noted that AstraZenecas program stood out from the rest of the applications in terms of driving collaboration and engagement, with notable cohesion in onboarding suppliers in the procurement function. While the pharmaceutical industry in general has initiatives to create a common baseline for sourcing decisions, the jury noted that AstraZeneca goes above and beyond by making it a critical part of their implementation.

It is important to judge not only by the procurement process efforts but to look at the company's overall sustainability performance, of which the supply side has to be an integral part. In light of the unfortunately very underdeveloped social sustainability performance of the vast majority of corporations, it was an important confirmation of the maturity of the AstraZeneca program when considering their track record on 'Access to Medicine', said judge Uwe Schulte, CEO of Prosolvo GmbH.

Natasa Vidmar, CPO, AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca, we believe in creating a positive impact not just within our operations but across the entire value chain, driving forward practices that contribute significantly to a healthier planet and society. Im delighted to accept this award on behalf of AstraZeneca. Its a great testament to the hard work of our team, our partners and suppliers in our collective effort to create a healthier future for everyone.

Best New Program

Winner: Innio

This award acknowledges best-in-class examples in rolling out global sustainable procurement programs, enabling internal and external stakeholders, and building the foundation for future development. This award was also selected by the independent jury panel, who evaluated nineteen applications to name this years winner.

The jury noted the programs overall drive and clarity in recognizing procurement as a key driver for Innios ambitious and public sustainability goals. The close collaboration with suppliers and the integration of their supplier program work together to deliver results and represent a step in the right direction for driving action in the supply chain. Hence it is truly encouraging to see Innio starting to achieve GHG reductions, not just in their primary business but also in their supply chain through a focus on Scope-3.

Thomas Janvier, VP of Procurement, Innio

"Receiving an award in sustainable procurement is not merely an accolade or a feather in our cap. It is a profound recognition of the tireless efforts that INNIO Group has invested in aligning our procurement processes with the principles of sustainability. It is an affirmation that we are on the right path  a path that is not just about cost-effectiveness but also about environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

INNIO Group is empowering the transition to net zero, not just with energy solutions and services that are flexible, scalable, and resilient, but also with our outstanding business practices. We are humbled by this recognition from EcoVadis and we appreciate their meaningful support on our journey."

Outstanding Program Management

Winners: Federico Introvigne, A2A

This award recognizes one individual with outstanding contribution to driving a sustainable procurement initiative forward within their company. Nominated and selected by the EcoVadis team, the award is based on sustainable procurement program results and excellence demonstrated in the programs strategy and execution.

Federico Introvigne, Head of Procurement Excellence and Governance, A2A

A2A deals with energy, water and the environment, with a circular use of natural resources. We are committed to helping our communities and our customers, delivering services that are part of daily life and that can contribute concretely to the sustainable future of new generations. We have the same commitment and dedication in driving the sustainability of our supply chain through our inclusive responsible procurement policies. Our suppliers are now able to develop and report stronger sustainability action plans supported by EcoVadis and we are truly pleased of this recognition.

In addition to these three awards, EcoVadis also recognizes a selection of small- and medium-sized rated companies across the globe who achieved exceptionally high performance in their EcoVadis rating in the past year. Learn more on the 2024 Regional Sustainability Leadership Awards here.

About EcoVadis

EcoVadis is a purpose-driven company dedicated to embedding sustainability intelligence into every business decision worldwide. With global, trusted and actionable ratings, businesses of all sizes rely on EcoVadis detailed insights to comply with ESG regulations, reduce GHG emissions, and improve the sustainability performance of their business and value chain across 220 industries in 180 countries. Leaders like Johnson & Johnson, LOreal, Unilever, LVMH, Bridgestone, BASF and JPMorgan are among 130,000+ businesses that use EcoVadis ratings, risk, and carbon management tools and e-learning platform to accelerate their journey toward resilience, sustainable growth and positive impact worldwide. Learn more on: ecovadis.com, X or LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311390663/en/

Press Inquiries

US: Corporate Ink for EcoVadis

617-969-9192, [email protected]

Source: EcoVadis
A new program aimed at supporting workforce development in Wisconsin was praised by Gov. Tony Evers on March 7 when he visited University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Evers learned about a first-of-its-kind collaboration that began last fall between the university and state Department of Workforce Development. The university is offering a three-course certificate program, the Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship, for company trainers, with the aim to improve workplace training.

Focused employment and training solutions can lead to new and existing workers building better skills, improving productivity and, ultimately, staying on the job, which has been a challenge for companies facing worker shortages in a strong Wisconsin economy.

The number of workers in Wisconsins 113-year-old apprenticeship program is at a record high. UW-Stouts higher education certificate aims to support those trades apprentices with better training  training the trainer  by leveraging university expertise.

Having that direct connection between the workforce and the universities is so important. Its good for the students, good for our economy and, frankly, good for the university, Evers said. UW-Stout should be proud.

Enrollment in the certificate program has steadily increased with students from around the state. Tuition is free through 2024, thanks to grant funding.

Evers spoke with certificate founder Kelly Droege, assistant professor in training and development, and Beth Hein, executive director of Educational Pathways and Outreach at UW-Stout.

This program has been a dream of mine for a long time, said Droege, a UW-Stout alum who returned to teach after working in industry and seeing the need for improved training methods in the workplace. It fits with Stouts polytechnic, applied learning focus.

Also speaking with Evers were two representatives from manufacturer Nolato Contour of Baldwin, human resources manager April Robelia and training manager John Eisenmann. Several Nolato Contour trainers are enrolled in the certificate program.

Weve altered a lot of training because of this program, Eisenman said. Weve already started applying things weve learned from the classes.

The three certificate courses are: Workplace Learning Technologies, Foundations in Talent Development and Managing Organizational Change Initiatives.

Students in the certificate program, who can start taking the online courses at any time, also can apply their credits toward a bachelors or masters degree program at UW-Stout. Amy Mustafa, of Springbrook, south of Hayward, is doing just that.

Mustafa works in human resources for Tamarack Health at the Hayward Medical Center. She also is working toward an online bachelors degree in management at UW-Stout, with a concentration in human resources. She worked in a bakery for 15 years and has been in human resources for nine.

Its exciting to learn about things that I know I will be able to use daily in my career going forward. The certificate program is a great opportunity for adult learners like myself to work toward being better business leaders, Mustafa said.

Evers tour was led by Chancellor Katherine Frank, along with Provost Glendali Rodriguez. Frank stressed how the certificate program serves the employee and the employer.

As Wisconsins Polytechnic University, UW-Stout leads the way in building new partnerships with business and industry and identifying flexible pathways for students to both contribute to and build capacity within Wisconsins workforce, Frank said.

Governor learns about more industry collaboration

While on campus, Evers visited several labs in the Applied Arts Building, speaking with students, faculty and staff about new technology, innovative projects and industry collaboration.

In the Digital Process Lab, he saw large-format printers, laser cutters and 3D printers being used by art and design students but also students from engineering, science and human sciences. Lab manager Zach Kolden told Evers how students are trained to set up and use the equipment for their projects, then take those skills with them into the workplace.

The equipment in the 3,000-square-foot lab mostly has been funded through corporate donations and grants, including from Gordon Flesch Company, Kohler and 3M.

Evers met students Michael Witt, of Port Washington, and Corey Hedlund, of Eau Claire, who have started an AI club on campus. The computer and electrical engineering majors provided a lab demonstration of AI-developed robots, along with engineering professors David Ding and Yuan Xing. Ding serves on the governors AI task force.

Professors Nagesh Shinde, graphic design and interactive media, and Kate Liu, packaging, explained an ongoing cross-collaborative course, thanks to a second $100,000 donation from Great Northern Corp. Students design packaging that Great Northern produces for clients.

The biggest advantage of this is students get ands-on experience working with real clients, Shinde told Evers.

Other packaging students explained facets of the industry and program, including the intricacies of packaging fresh food, using samples of a UW-Stout-named cheddar cheese in various resealable bags.
HAMBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- H.I.G. Capital (H.I.G.), a leading global alternative investment firm with $60 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its German portfolio company ICG Group (the company or ICG) to SPIE Group, a European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, listed on the Paris stock exchange (Ticker: SPIE). ICGs management will remain in place and continue to drive the companys future development. The transaction is subject to clearance by antitrust authorities.

ICG Group was initially launched in 2021, with H.I.G.s platform investment in Infratech, which builds complex FTTx networks on behalf of public and private German network operators. ICG subsequently acquired comcross, one of Germanys leading service providers for mobile telecommunication infrastructure. The mobile communication segment was further developed through ICGs bolt-on investments in telecommunication solutions providers Schwan and TripleA as well as telecommunication network planner DPE. Today, ICG has more than 700 employees in 16 locations throughout Germany, mainly, as well as in the Netherlands, and Croatia. The company has built more than 15,000 mobile communications sites, deployed more than 15,000 kilometers of fiber-optic lines, and connected more than 100,000 households to the fiber-optic network ("homes passed"). ICGs revenue quadrupled during H.I.G.s ownership.

Holger Kleingarn, Managing Director at H.I.G., commented, We are very pleased to have assembled the ICG Group, uniquely offering customers a single point of contact for the entire value chain of digital infrastructure services. Our engagement in ICG underlines H.I.G.s expertise in identifying strong platforms in key future industries and sustainably expanding them via organic growth and selected acquisitions. We have established ICG Group as the leading enabler of next-generation infrastructures and turnkey network solutions in Germany and beyond. We thank the management team of Vladimir Suznjevic and Gregor Klaen for the highly trustful and successful partnership and wish them continued success for the next phase of ICG Groups development.

Vladimir Suznjevic, Managing Director of ICG Group and responsible for the mobile communication business, commented, "Technologies such as Industry 4.0, autonomous driving, and artificial intelligence require a significant expansion of digital infrastructure in Germany and Europe. In addition, while the 5G mobile communication standard is currently being rolled out, 6G is already in development. In order to best drive the European digitization, a technical integration of mobile communications and fiber-optic infrastructure is key. At ICG, with the support of H.I.G. and now SPIE, we are ideally positioned to continue meeting this requirement for the benefit of our trusted customers."

Gregor Klaen, Managing Director of Infratech and responsible for its fiber-optic business, commented, "Germany will catch up to the industrialized countries in fiber optic roll-out over the next decade, resulting in an ongoing high demand for experienced and reliable service providers in the areas of fiber optic planning, civil engineering, and installation. We have trusted relationships with our public-sector and corporate clients, allowing us to implement large turnkey networks for them. We thank H.I.G. for the strong support over the past years. We are looking forward to continue ICGs success story as part of SPIE Group."

About ICG Group

ICG Group, headquartered in Leonberg (Germany), combines the competencies of the leading communication infrastructure service providers: Infratech, comcross, Schwan, TripleA Networks, and DPE. The Group covers the entire value chain from planning and construction to installation and maintenance of infrastructures for fiber-optic, mobile communications, and electricity networks. All units of the Group are characterized by a strong position in their respective segments and long-standing customer relationships. The ICG Group has more than 700 employees in 16 locations throughout Germany, mainly, as well as in the Netherlands, and Croatia. For more information, please visit icg-gruppe.de.

About H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. Capital is a leading global alternative investment firm with $60 billion of capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco in the United States, as well as international affiliate offices in Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Dubai, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to middle market companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/value-added approach:

H.I.G.s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses.

H.I.G.s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. also manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.

H.I.G.s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices.

H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector.

Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 400 companies worldwide. The Firm's current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $53 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at hig.com.

*Based on total capital raised by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240308259866/en/

Holger Kleingarn

Managing Director

[email protected]

H.I.G. European Capital Partners GmbH

Warburgstrasse 50

20354 Hamburg

Germany

T: +49 40 41 33 06 100

hig.com

Source: H.I.G. Capital
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KBRA is pleased to announce the assignment of preliminary ratings to 13 classes of Benchmark 2024-V6, a $1.1 billion CMBS conduit transaction collateralized by 37 commercial mortgage loans secured by 62 properties.

The collateral properties are located throughout 18 MSAs, of which the three largest are New York (17.2%), Dallas  Fort Worth (10.4%), and Atlanta (8.7%). The pool has exposure to all major property types, with five types representing more than 10.0% of the pool balance: office (23.5%), lodging (18.1%), retail (16.8%), mixed-use (14.3%), and multifamily (10.7%). The loans have principal balances ranging from $3.3 million to $80.0 million for the largest loan in the pool, Prime Storage - Hudson Valley Portfolio (7.3%), which is comprised of 14 self-storage facilities in the Hudson Valley area of lower New York State, approximately 70 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. The five largest loans, which also include Warwick Melrose & Allerton (7.2%), Panorama Tower (6.6%), Kenwood Towne Centre (6.0%), and Vero Office Portfolio (6.0%), represent 33.0% of the initial pool balance, while the top 10 loans represent 55.0%.

KBRAs analysis of the transaction incorporated our multi-borrower rating process that begins with our analysts' evaluation of the underlying collateral properties' financial and operating performance, which determine KBRAs estimate of sustainable net cash flow (KNCF) and KBRA value using our U.S. CMBS Property Evaluation Methodology. On an aggregate basis, KNCF was 12.7% less than the issuer cash flow. KBRA capitalization rates were applied to each assets KNCF to derive values that were, on an aggregate basis, 39.1% less than third party appraisal values. The pool has an in-trust KLTV of 91.4% and an all-in KLTV of 91.7%. The model deploys rent and occupancy stresses, probability of default regressions, and loss given default calculations to determine losses for each collateral loan that are then used to assign our credit ratings.

To access rating and relevant documents, click here.

Click here to view the report.

Related Publication

Methodologies

Disclosures

Further information on key credit considerations, sensitivity analyses that consider what factors can affect these credit ratings and how they could lead to an upgrade or a downgrade, and ESG factors (where they are a key driver behind the change to the credit rating or rating outlook) can be found in the full rating report referenced above.

A description of all substantially material sources that were used to prepare the credit rating and information on the methodology(ies) (inclusive of any material models and sensitivity analyses of the relevant key rating assumptions, as applicable) used in determining the credit rating is available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) located here.

Information on the meaning of each rating category can be located here.

Further disclosures relating to this rating action are available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at www.kbra.com.

About KBRA

Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider.

Doc ID: 1003474

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311784650/en/

Analytical Contacts

Colt Stonehill, Associate Director (Lead Analyst)

+1 646-731-2344

[email protected]

Lynn D'Eugenio, Managing Director

+1 646-731-2487

[email protected]

Nitin Bhasin, Senior Managing Director, Global Head of CMBS (Rating Committee Chair)

+1 646-731-2334

[email protected]

Business Development Contact

Daniel Stallone, Managing Director

+1 646-731-1308

[email protected]

Source: Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC
Rick Bergman appointed as President and CEO, and Nicole Piasecki elected as Chair for Kymeta. Company closed Series D funding round.

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- World-leading flat panel satellite antenna company Kymeta (www.kymetacorp.com) announced today leadership and board changes as the company continues to build on its innovative technology and first-to-market products. This has been an orderly collaborative process to support existing leadership retirements.

Effective April 1st, 2024, Rick Bergman will become the President and CEO of Kymeta, bringing a wealth of experience from his most recent role as Executive Vice President, Computing and Graphics at AMD. Bergman also served as President and CEO of Synaptics (SYNA) during their high growth phase from 2011 to 2019. His distinguished career includes steering organizations towards capitalizing on market opportunities with innovative technologies, leading to sustained market growth.

Kymeta stands as a technology and market leader supported by the strength of a highly capable global team, said Rick. Guided by a dedication to customers, innovation, and the delivery of top-notch products, Kymeta is well-positioned for advancing global broadband communications.

Nicole Piasecki will be appointed Chairperson of the Board, succeeding Doug Hutcheson. Nicole, who joined the board in May 2022, brings an extensive background from the aerospace and defense sector. Commenting on Ricks appointment, Piasecki said, I am excited about Rick joining our outstanding team. Kymeta is at the forefront of connecting the world through its hybrid communication solutions. With Rick Bergmans track record of driving value-led growth in the technology sector bolstered by disciplined execution, we eagerly anticipate the next phase of growth for Kymeta.

Effective March 31, 2024, Doug Hutcheson and Walter Berger are retiring from Kymeta. Throughout the last five years, their pivotal contributions have played a central role in spearheading numerous product launches and consistently fostering year-over-year growth. Their grasp of customer needs, commitment to innovation, and successful introduction of new products to the market have resulted in record-breaking achievements. They are committed to a transition of responsibilities to Rick.

Nicole added: Our sincere gratitude goes to Doug and Walter for their unwavering commitment to Kymeta over the years. Doug and Walter have successfully laid the groundwork for Kymeta's future growth. Their departure leaves the company strategically positioned for a robust future.

Kymeta recently completed its Series D round. These additional funds will be used for ramping up production of the recently announced Osprey u8 Hybrid-GEO-LEO and future product generations.

About Kymeta

Kymeta is the industry leader in flat panel satellite antennas, providing purpose-built solutions across a variety of enterprise and military applications and unlocking the commercial value of space to address the vast, unmet demand for ubiquitous broadband and truly mobile connectivity for customers around the world. Its innovative metasurface technology, coupled with a software-first approach, delivers the first commercially available, metamaterial-based and electronically steered flat panel satellite antenna. Kymetas low-cost, low-power, and high throughput solutions make it easy to connect on the move or while stationary  for any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or fixed platform  enabling industries on earth to transform their operations by harnessing capacity in space.

Kymeta is a privately held company based in Redmond, Washington.

For more information, visit kymetacorp.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311278205/en/

Inquiries for Kymeta:

Brenda Kuhns

Senior Director of Marketing

Kymeta Corporation

[email protected]

Source: Kymeta
HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MetLife Foundation announced it is expanding its Community Impact Grant Program to Asia. Originally launched in the US last year, the Asia program will also address acute needs disproportionately impacting people with low- to moderate-incomes. An invitation-only program, selected recipients will receive programmatic support through grants between USD $50,000 - $100,000 in the following four focus areas:

Hunger Relief and Nutrition to provide access to healthy food options that address food insecurity, nutrition, and healthy eating.

to provide access to healthy food options that address food insecurity, nutrition, and healthy eating. Physical and Mental Well-Being to provide access to shelters and affordable housing, social services, mental health and well-being services.

to provide access to shelters and affordable housing, social services, mental health and well-being services. Environmental Sustainability to mitigate the impact of changing weather patterns and improve the environment in local communities.

to mitigate the impact of changing weather patterns and improve the environment in local communities. Quality of Life to improve access to transportation to increase the accessibility to critical needs and services; emergency supplies; and access to recreation, arts and cultural experiences.

MetLife employees will continue to lead the effort as volunteers drawn from across the companys Asia network will participate on the selection committee. The committee will assess and recommend grants to local organizations who are addressing emergency needs of people with low incomes and communities impacted by the growing income and wealth divide.

Employee care is at the center of this program, creating connectivity and vitality across our communities, said Mike Zarcone, Head of Corporate Affairs for MetLife and Chairman of MetLife Foundation. The programs success is driven by MetLife employees coming together to live our purpose, with the expansion reflecting our commitment to our communities and our efforts to provide a source of immediate assistance to those in need globally.

The Foundation is now inviting organizations with demonstrated success in one of the four focus areas to submit requests for proposal (RFP) for the 2024 calendar year. The Foundation will award grants to organizations who plan to implement their program in one of the following six markets where MetLife has a presence:

Australia

Bangladesh

Malaysia

Nepal

South Korea

Vietnam

Regional President for MetLife Asia, Lyndon Oliver, noted, Serving the communities in which we all live and work by helping in both big ways and small is central to our purpose, and the addition of the Community Impact Grant Program allows us to do just that, complementing all our MetLife Foundation strategic initiatives in the region.

The RFP for this round of funding in Asia is by invitation only. All organizations who apply will receive a decision on their proposal by June 2024.

For more information on the program, visit www.MetLife.org.

About MetLife Foundation

At MetLife Foundation, we are committed to driving inclusive economic mobility. We collaborate with nonprofit organizations and provide grants aligned to three strategic focus areas  economic inclusion, financial health and resilient communities  while engaging MetLife employee volunteers to help drive impact. MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to continue MetLifes long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Since its inception, MetLife Foundation has contributed over $1 billion to strengthen communities where MetLife has a presence. To learn more about MetLife Foundation, visit www.metlife.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240310053882/en/

Media:

MetLife Foundation

Olivia Janicelli

+1 (212) 578-3547

[email protected]

MetLife Asia

Sharon Buan

+65 9088 0491

[email protected]

Source: MetLife Foundation
ADELAIDE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A virtual reality walkthrough of world-first mobile stroke diagnosis technology has been released by x-ray innovator Micro-X.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311352361/en/

The Head CT is designed to fit in an ambulance so patients can be assessed, diagnosed and begin treatment before arriving at hospital. (Photo: Business Wire)

The VR shows how the Head CT Scanner is designed to be used in an ambulance, bringing mobile stroke diagnosis to the patient to reduce the time to treatment. Stored in the side of an ambulance, the Head CT can be easily opened and operated, and if built successfully, will send images to stroke clinicians for diagnosis. The medical device is currently under development and due to commence human clinical trials late this year.

When completed, the Micro-X Head CT will be less than 70kg and will contain 21 mini x-ray tubes, as opposed to a conventional CT that is more than 1200kg with one x-ray tube in a rotating gantry. Micro-Xs patented Nano Electronic X-ray Technology uses carbon nanotubes to miniaturise x-ray tubes.

Mobile stroke units  fully equipped, custom-built specialist vehicles that accommodate a modified, but still very heavy CT scanner at more than 500 kg, and specialist acute stroke personnel  are being introduced around Australia. The equipment and required staffing are a high cost, with the custom-built ambulance also requiring reinforcement to support the weight of the CT scanner. The good patient outcomes from these units provides support for a truly mobile solution that is lower cost and more widely deployable.

The development of Micro-Xs world-first mobile stroke technology is funded through $8m of a $40 million grant awarded to the Australian Stroke Alliance under the Australian Governments Medical Research Future Fund.

Micro-X Chief Executive Officer Kingsley Hall commented: What we are achieving at Micro-X is phenomenal. With stroke the second largest cause of death globally and numbers increasing, our ambition is for our technology to improve and save the lives of people around the world. In Australia, we aim to transform how stroke diagnosis and management occurs through truly mobile CT, democratising access to treatment whether patients are in urban, rural or remote communities.

Australian Stroke Alliance co-chair Professor Stephen Davis commented: We are very keen to see the Micro-X device make it to field trials later this year. If successful, we will be able to scan stroke patients at the scene of their stroke in what will be a world first, using a lightweight, portable brain scanning device.

Co-chair Professor Geoffrey Donnan added: It is essential to conduct a brain scan when a paramedic suspects a stroke so they can work with a tele-neurologist to administer the correct treatment. The Australian Stroke Alliance is taking the emergency department to the patient, saving vital minutes by diagnosing the stroke and then fast-tracking the patient to a comprehensive stroke centre where a team is waiting to remove a clot or to stop a bleed.

Access a video of the Head CT Virtual Reality and images here

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311352361/en/

Press:

Micro-X

Rebecca Puddy

Head of Corporate Communications

[email protected]

0403 861 112

Australian Stroke Alliance

Amanda Place

Director Communications

0411 204 526

Source: Micro-X
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Netsmart, an industry-leading provider of value-based care and population health management technology for the human services and post-acute care communities, will showcase its artificial intelligence (AI) and interoperability solutions at the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition 2024 (HIMSS) in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) on March 11-14 in Orlando, Florida.

Visitors are invited to explore the groundbreaking advancements in healthcare technology at booth #1561 in partnership with AWS, offering transformative solutions to elevate healthcare delivery for vulnerable populations. Additionally, attendees can discover the decade-long interoperability leadership, employing the latest data standards, including Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR).

Netsmart has maintained an industry-leading presence at HIMSS for more than a decade, highlighting interoperability and technology for community-based providers, said Netsmart COO Tom Herzog. Over the last several years, we have continued to be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge AI and automation for community-based providers and look forward to showcasing the pivotal role of AI technology in driving actionable, predictive analytics across the healthcare landscape. Our impactful innovations go beyond AI, advancing interoperability, care coordination and have made great strides to becoming a qualified health information network (QHIN), which can benefit community-based providers across the nation."

Kiosk Demonstration:

Attendees will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of AI-driven solutions in electronic health records (EHR). Netsmart and AWS have collaborated to introduce cutting-edge technology aimed at enhancing clinical workflows, optimizing operational efficiency and supporting providers in their efforts to improve patient outcomes. Among the showcased initiatives is Bells AI, a digital documentation assistant leveraging cloud services, predictive modeling capabilities to preempt crises, and natural language processing (NLP) for extracting actionable insights from unstructured data.

Theater Presentation:

Julie Hiett, Vice President and General Manager of Population Health, Netsmart will lead a presentation, AI + Automation in Action: Redefining Population Health Management, on Wednesday, March 13 at 12:30 p.m. Attendees will gain insights into how the Netsmart and AWS collaboration is revolutionizing population health management, fostering proactive care coordination, and facilitating the adoption of value-based care models across healthcare organizations nationwide.

Exhibit Floor Speaking Session:

Ben Rosen, Client Success Manager  Interoperability, will join a discussion with the HIMSS (Long-Term Post-Acute Care) LTPAC Committee to share insights on Priorities in Long-Term and Post-Acute Care on Thursday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m. in the HIMSS Connect booth. This session will highlight the role long-term and post-acute care plays in healthcare delivery and supporting these care settings as they integrate into larger industry efforts which is critical to realizing a well-functioning healthcare ecosystem.

HIMSS Interoperability Showcase:

The HIMSS Interoperability Showcase uses real-life scenarios of health IT systems sharing and using data in near real time to demonstrate how providers and organizations can enhance care delivery and outcomes. Attendees who visit the showcase can see Netsmart in the presentation, Multimodality Technology to Support Care Transitions, illustrating a behavioral health providers journey delivering care to a woman experiencing postpartum depression. This use case will demonstrate open networks in action, how to simplify transitions of care, achieve closed-loop referrals, connect to outside EHRs and close gaps in care.

The Interoperability Showcase is located in booth #3760-37 and tours will run during the following hours:

Tuesday, March 12, 10:00 a.m.  6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 13, 9:30 a.m.  6:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 14, 9:30 a.m.  4:00 p.m.

Schedule a meeting with Netsmart or visit the Interoperability Showcase and AWS booth in Orlando, March 12-14 to experience how Netsmart is accelerating interoperability, AI and automation technology to better connect community organizations to care delivery.

About Netsmart

Netsmart, a leading provider of Software as a Service (SaaS) technology and services solutions, designs, builds and delivers electronic health records (EHRs), health information exchanges (HIEs), analytics and telehealth solutions and services that are powerful, intuitive and easy-to-use. Our platform provides accurate, up-to-date information that is easily accessible to care team members in the human services and post-acute care (which is comprised of skilled nursing, home care, hospice, palliative and senior living), and payer markets. We make the complex simple and personalized so our clients can concentrate on what they do best: provide services and treatment that support whole-person care.

By leveraging the powerful Netsmart network, care providers can seamlessly and securely integrate information across communities, collaborate on the most effective treatments and improve outcomes for those in their care. Our streamlined systems and personalized workflows put relevant information at the fingertips of users when and where they need it.

For more than 50 years, Netsmart has been committed to providing a common platform to integrate care. SIMPLE. PERSONAL. POWERFUL. Our more than 2,500 associates work hand-in-hand with our 754,000+ users at our clients across the U.S. to develop and deploy technology that automates and coordinates everything from clinical to financial to administrative. Learn more about how Netsmart is changing the face of healthcare today. Visit www.ntst.com, call 1-800-472-5509, follow us on our CareThreads Blog, LinkedIn and Twitter, like us on Facebook or visit us on YouTube. Netsmart is pleased to support the EveryDayMatters Foundation, which was established for behavioral health, care at home, senior living and social services organizations to learn from each other and share their causes and stories.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311080417/en/

Netsmart Media Contact:

Natalie Caruso

[email protected]

913.272.2235

Source: Netsmart
-- Study follows ongoing Phase 1 trial in U.S. and will enroll patients in China to evaluate the first protein degrader developed using Ranoks innovative CHAMP technology

BOSTON & HANGZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ranok Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is developing a novel approach to targeted protein degradation for the treatment of cancers, today announced the initiation of patient dosing in China for a Phase 1 study of RNK05047, its first protein degrader candidate. The study, which mirrors an ongoing Phase 1 study in the U.S., will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of RNK05047 in Chinese patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphomas. Ranok anticipates preliminary data from both the US and China Phase 1 studies by the end of 2024.

RNK05047, which has been developed using Ranoks proprietary CHAMP technology, is the first BRD4-selective protein degrader to have entered clinical testing in China. This extends our ongoing clinical study of RNK05047 in the U.S. to an Asian patient population, which we believe will provide important insights, said Weiwen Ying, Ph.D, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ranok. RNK05047 degrades BRD4 protein preferentially in tumors, which may potentially lead to improved safety and efficacy. We look forward to sharing initial results from both the US and China studies later this year.

BRD4 is an epigenetic target of great interest for the treatment of many different cancer types, said Ning Li, M.D., Professor and Vice President of the National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) in Beijing China, as well as Lead Principal Investigator for this study. The Cancer Hospital is the first and largest cancer hospital in China for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. We are excited to be participating in this study and are hopeful that RNK05047 will provide an important new therapeutic option for cancer patients.

Additional information can be found at www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn (CTR20233943) and www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05487170).

About Ranoks CHAMP platform

Ranoks proprietary Chaperone-mediated Protein Degradation (CHAMP) platform takes advantage of the cellular chaperone network, which regulates the folding and stability of proteins, distinguishing it from other targeted protein degradation approaches. CHAMPs have a number of unique advantages, such as the evasion of mechanisms of drug resistance, and are designed to improve safety and efficacy due to the selective targeting of disease tissues.

About RNK05047

RNK05047 is a first-in-class, small-molecule, tumor- and BRD4-selective protein degrader that was discovered and developed using Ranoks proprietary approach to targeted protein degradation, CHAMP. The bromodomain transcription factor BRD4 is a key epigenetic regulator of oncogenes such as MYC and BCL2 and is involved in diverse cancer types. Phase 1 trials of RNK05047 are currently underway in both the U.S. and China to assess its safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics, and also include measures of anti-tumor activity and pharmacodynamic readouts as secondary endpoints. Initial results are expected by the end of 2024.

About Ranok Therapeutics

Ranok is a privately held biopharmaceutical company that is pioneering CHAMP, an innovative approach to targeted protein degradation for the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. Our R&D team brings deep biological insight and chemistry expertise to rapidly identify and advance CHAMP degraders for a variety of important disease targets, with the goal to create transformative medicines that benefit patients around the world suffering from cancer and other serious diseases. For more information, please visit the company website at www.ranoktherapeutics.com or follow us on Twitter (@RanokTx) and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311598657/en/

US Media & Investor:

Ms. Mary Conway

Conway Communications

[email protected]

China Media & Investor:

Liang Ma, Ph.D.

Ranok Therapeutics

[email protected]

Source: Ranok Therapeutics
Company will enable a faster and more dependable spaceport launch schedule

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC) has been awarded a $444 million contract to support Digital Transformation, Acquisition, Modernization and Modification (DTAMM) for the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command and Space Launch Deltas (SLDs) 30 and 45.

"SAIC's continued partnership with the Space Force is a symbol of our commitment to further space exploration, resilience and crew safety in space ranges in Florida, California and across the United States," said David Ray, executive vice president, Space and Intelligence Business Group at SAIC. "As space efforts advance, we understand the growing significance of efficient spaceports and look forward to further supporting the modernization work alongside our industry-leading partners."

SAIC will support the modernization of the space launch range instrumentation. The efforts will support an accelerated national launch cadence across the Eastern Range (ER) and Western Range (WR) including Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Patrick Space Force Base in Fla. and Vandenberg Space Force Base in Calif. Experts from SAIC and partners will collaborate to modernize antiquated instrumentation and processes to enable a faster and more integrated launch environment.

SAIC remains at the forefront of national priorities to explore, secure and influence space by leveraging industry expertise and legacy in this domain. In addition to DTAMM, SAIC's work facilitates future unmanned spacecraft, earth science data-collecting satellites, space-ground systems for military joint all-domain command and control and more.

To learn more about SAICs space exploration efforts, please visit SAIC.com

About SAIC

SAIC is a premier Fortune 500 technology integrator driving our nations technology transformation. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in engineering, digital, artificial intelligence and mission solutions. Using our expertise and understanding of existing and emerging technologies, we integrate the best components from our own portfolio and our partner ecosystem to deliver innovative, effective and efficient solutions that are critical to achieving our customers' missions.

We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, which is core to our values and important to attract and retain exceptional talent. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $6.9 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release contain or are based on forward-looking information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as expects, intends, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, guidance, and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the Risk Factors, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Legal Proceedings sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website at saic.com or on the SECs website at sec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAICs expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.

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Thais Hanson

703.676.8215 | [email protected]

Source: Science Applications International Corp.
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Turning Point Brands, Inc. (TPB or the Company) (NYSE: TPB), a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded consumer products, including alternative smoking accessories and consumables with active ingredients, announced today the appointment Andrew Flynn as the Companys new Chief Financial Officer, effective on or before April 1, 2024. Mr. Flynn is replacing Louie Reformina, who will step down to pursue other opportunities.

Prior to joining Turning Point Brands, Mr. Flynn served as the CFO of Connected Cannabis Co. where he was responsible for bringing sustained profitable growth, expanding geographically and recapitalizing the company. In this role Mr. Flynn operationalized and reshaped the finance, IT, legal and compliance organizations to meet business objectives. Before joining Connected he served as Sr. Vice President of Juul Labs. Earlier in his career he served as Vice President of Finance, at James Hardie Building Products, and Vice President of Finance at Arrow Electronics. Mr. Flynn holds a BS from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Colorado Denver.

Turning Point Brands is one of the most innovative and well-capitalized companies in the industry. TPBs iconic Zig-Zag and Stokers brands and market-leading distribution platform set it apart in this rapidly evolving space. As CFO, I look forward to working with the Board and management team to maximize long-term shareholder value, said Mr. Flynn.

Andrew has led key initiatives across all areas of finance and broader strategic planning throughout his career. His diverse operating background and industry expertise ideally positions him to help us maximize the value of our brands, continue to modernize our organization, and grow our free cash flow, said Graham Purdy, Turning Point Brands President and CEO.

I have enjoyed getting to know Andrew and am excited to have him on board. I am confident he will hit the ground running and be immediately accretive to the organization, added David Glazek, Executive Chairman of Turning Point Brands.

I would like to thank Louie for his service to the Company, said Mr. Purdy. Louie played a major role in improving Turning Points capital structure, securing and negotiating the Clipper Distribution Agreement, spearheading our IT initiatives, and navigating our transition from the pandemic. I look forward to tracking his future progress.

About Turning Point Brands

Turning Point Brands (NYSE: TPB) is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded consumer products, including alternative smoking accessories and consumables with active ingredients, through its iconic Zig-Zag and Stokers brands. TPBs products are available in more than 210,000 retail outlets in North America in addition to its ecommerce platforms. For the latest news and information about TPB and its brands, please visit www.turningpointbrands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan" and "will" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. As a result, these statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual events may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by TPB in this press release, its reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and other public statements made from time-to-time speak only as of the date made. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for TPB to predict or identify all such events or how they may affect it. TPB has no obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to those included it the companys Annual reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed by the Company with the SEC. These statements constitute the Companys cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

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Investor and Media Contact

Jamie Clement

Investor Relations

[email protected]

Source: Turning Point Brands, Inc.
White paper describes how a skills-aligned curriculum provides the foundation of a career-focused ecosystem for adult learners

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- University of Phoenix has released a new white paper, Ensuring Educational Excellence and a Career-Focused Experience through a Skills-Aligned Curriculum Map, by authors Mary Elizabeth Smith, M.Ed., director, Learning Innovation and Strategy, and Nick Williams, Ed.D., director, Assessment. The white paper discusses how the digitized skills-aligned curriculum provides the foundation of a skills-aligned higher education ecosystem featuring career-relevant, skills-based education and authentic assessment for working adult learners.

As the labor market continues to increasingly focus on skills and implement data analysis and artificial intelligence to understand skills gaps, higher education programs have a mandate to arm their learners with skills confirmed by authentic assessments, states Doris Savron, vice provost, Colleges, Assessment and Curriculum at University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix programs built on a skills-aligned curriculum map are part of a career-focused ecosystem designed to illuminate career pathways and resources for our students and alumni, and which informs our future-state strategies on new support products and technologies.

The white paper describes how a skills-aligned ecosystem provides a vehicle to help students realize the power of their education more quickly and efficiently by validating skill acquisition throughout their educational journey. The foundation of this experience, the digitized skills-aligned curriculum, is evident throughout the career-centric design of courses, measured through authentic assessment, and supported with technology.

Our digitized skills-aligned curriculum serves as the source of truth for all University innovation, states Smith. Sharing taxonomies of skills and learning outcomes  and the relationships among them  develops a shared awareness and common language for university stakeholder groups who facilitate student learning.

The white paper is part of a planned series detailing the Universitys development and deployment of a skills-aligned curriculum. In turn, this now informs the development of tools and products, which is growing a system of lifelong career support for students and alumni.

In 2023, the Universitys innovative skills-aligned curriculum culminated in 100 percent of associate, bachelors and masters degree programs open for new enrollment being fully skills-mapped.

Smith is the Director of Learning Innovation Strategy in the Center for Teaching and Learning at University of Phoenix and previously served as the Research and Implementation Strategist and the Director of Curriculum Development. For over 30 years, Smiths career in education has included working in curriculum development, learning design, faculty development, faculty, and e-learning roles for four universities and several community colleges as well as two educational software companies. She holds a bachelors in Speech Communication and Journalism from Southern Illinois University and an M.Ed. in Educational Media and Computers from Arizona State University.

In his role as Director of Assessment, Williams coordinates student learning outcomes assessment efforts across multiple platforms, including direct measures of student performance within and outside the classroom, student survey systems, and digital badging projects. Before moving to higher ed, Nick was a K-12 teacher for several years. His advanced degrees include an Ed.D. in leadership and innovation from Arizona State University, an M.Ed. in educational measurement from University of Illinois-Chicago, and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from University of Notre Dame. His research interests include effects of norming faculty raters for student learning outcomes assessment efforts, culture of assessment, and user experience of students and faculty for field experience and assessment programs.

The full white paper is available at University of Phoenix Thought Leadership hub and as a direct link here.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelors and masters degree programs and a Career Services for Life commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Sharla Hooper

University of Phoenix

[email protected]

Source: University of Phoenix
Crypto Firm Copper Allegedly Sent $4.2M to Sanctioned Russian Arms Dealers Wallet

UK-based crypto firm Copper Technologies reportedly transferred digital assets totaling more than $4.2m to a wallet associated with a Russian arms dealer. Subsequently, the individual faced US sanctions months later.

The Guardian reported that these transfers were made to 29-year-old Russian national Jonatan Zimenkov in May 2021. The US sanctioned him in Feb. 2023 for allegedly assisting the Russian military in the Ukraine invasion as part of the Zimenkov network. This network was led by his father, Igor Zimenkov.

At the time of the transaction, Zimenkov didnt face any sanctions. Rather, they were imposed on him 19 months later. The US Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) indicated that it suspected the network, including Zimenkov, had been operational for several years prior to the imposition of restrictions.

Copper didnt return Cryptonews request for comment by press time.

Blockchain records show that Copper transferred over 1,700 units of Ethereum, valued at over $4.2m in May 2021, to Zimenkov. These transfers were conducted through two transactions on the same day, Etherscan data showed.

Unclear Intentions Behind Copper Transfer to Zimenkov



According to OFAC, the Zimenkov network had engaged in various activities, including deals related to Russian cybersecurity and helicopter sales overseas. Additionally, there were efforts to provide weapons to a country in Africa.

It was identified as part of a sanctions evasion network that operated for several years. Zimenkovs father was accused by US authorities of leading this purported arms-dealing network.

Copper was not implicated in any wrongdoing or violations of sanctions or regulations during the transaction.

The intention behind the transaction remains unclear. The recipient of the Ethereum transactions is unidentified in blockchain records, only displaying their digital currency addressa sequence of letters and numbers. However, this address was later mentioned in a US Treasury announcement in February 2023, outlining sanctions against the Zimenkov network.

US Sanctions Targeting Russian Entities



Following the Ukraine invasion, the US enacted sanctions on Russians to disrupt Russias military operations and penalize entities aiding Russias weapon acquisition or involvement in removing Ukrainian children from their homes.

These sanctions involved freezing foreign currency reserves, prohibiting technology exports, seizing oligarchs yachts, and impacting Russias oil industry.

Additionally, the US imposed sanctions on a Russian crypto mining company to dissuade Moscow from evading existing sanctions imposed as consequences of the Ukraine invasion.
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Western States Reclamation, LLC (WSR), a portfolio company of Strength Capital Partners, has completed the acquisition of Naranjo Civil Constructors (Naranjo). The two entities along with WSR subsidiary Ecological Resource Consultants (ERC) have been combined under a newly formed entity: Western States Water. The three entities will continue to operate under the legacy business names.

WSR is a leading provider of environmental reclamation and specialty civil contracting services focused on the preservation and protection of water resources. The company serves public and private customers located throughout the Western United States.

Founded in 1982, Naranjo is a specialty civil contracting company focused on natural waterways, urban drainage, recreational environments, and related utilities & infrastructure projects in Colorado. Naranjo has a specialty in structural and sculpted concrete and a highly dedicated workforce of over 100 employees.

We have long viewed Naranjo as a highly respected competitor within our core markets, commented David Chenoweth, Founder of WSR, stating further that, Naranjo has an excellent reputation in the industry, and we very much look forward to working with Jerry Naranjo and his team going forward.

Jerry Naranjo, CEO of Naranjo Civil Constructors, added, We are very proud of the name we have built for this business over the last 40+ years and have been preparing for this moment to take our capabilities and market reach to the next level.

Colby Reid, CEO of Western States Water and WSR shared, The combination of the three businesses creates an unprecedented level of skills and expertise under one roof. We are very enthusiastic about the future.

Mark McCammon, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Strength Capital Partners commented, We couldnt be more pleased to welcome Naranjo into the Western States family of companies. Naranjo will meaningfully expand our core capabilities and solidify our position as one of the leading environmental service providers in the West focused on protecting the regions critical water resources. The completion of this transaction is instrumental in furthering our investment thesis and we hope to have additional M&A opportunities present themselves soon.

Legal counsel for Western States and SCP during the acquisition was provided by Taft Law Firm.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311667707/en/

Ian Higgins

[email protected]

Source: Western States Reclamation, LLC
Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) today announced that Sam Glaetzer has been appointed as the companys new Executive Vice President and President, Wine & Spirits Division, effective March 11, 2024. Glaetzer succeeds Robert Hanson, who previously held the role. In addition to Glaetzers new responsibilities leading the companys Wine & Spirits Division, he will also serve as a member of Constellations executive management committee.

Sam is a well-rounded senior leader with a wealth of experience in wine and spirits and a successful track record of driving commercial and operational efficiency and effectiveness, said Bill Newlands, President and Chief Executive Officer at Constellation Brands. Now that our strategic wine and spirits brand portfolio transformation is largely complete, and as we turn our focus more squarely towards strong commercial and operational execution for this business, Sam is uniquely equipped to lead our Wine & Spirits Division at this pivotal time as we look to deliver growth and improved profitability.

Glaetzer brings nearly 30 years of wine and spirits industry experience to this role. He joined Constellation Brands in 2014 as managing director of the companys New Zealand and Australian operations. Over the better part of the past decade, Glaetzer has served in a number of leadership capacities in areas such as general management, international commercial sales, supply chain operations, product quality, new product development, acquisition integrations, and divestitures. Most recently, Glaetzer served in the role of Senior Vice President, Global Operations and International Sales at Constellation.

Im excited about the opportunity to lead our Wine & Spirits team as we look to more fully capitalize on our portfolio transformation and accelerate the overall performance of this business going forward, said Glaetzer. We have a solid strategy and foundation for growth in place, and one of the most talented teams in the industry. I look forward to working with my colleagues across our Wine & Spirits Division, as well as our wholesaler and retailer partners, to realize our full potential in the years ahead.ABOUT CONSTELLATION BRANDSConstellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. Our mission is to build brands that people love because we believe elevating human connections is Worth Reaching For. Its worth our dedication, hard work, and calculated risks to anticipate market trends and deliver more for our consumers, shareholders, employees, and industry. This dedication is what has driven us to become one of the fastest-growing, large CPG companies in the U.S. at retail, and it drives our pursuit to deliver whats next.

Every day, people reach for our high-end, iconic imported beer brands such as those in the Corona brand family like the flagship Corona Extra, Modelo Especial and the flavorful lineup of Modelo Cheladas, Pacifico, and Victoria; our fine wine and craft spirits brands including The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi Winery, Casa Noble Tequila, and High West Whiskey; and our premium wine brands such as Kim Crawford and Meiomi.

As an agriculture-based company, we have a long history of operating sustainably and responsibly. Our ESG strategy is embedded into our business and our work focuses on serving as good stewards of the environment, enhancing social equity within our industry and communities, and promoting responsible beverage alcohol consumption. These commitments ground our aspirations beyond driving the bottom line as we work to create a future that is truly Worth Reaching For.
Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: EPRT) announced today that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of 8,000,000 shares of its common stock on a forward basis in connection with the forward sale agreements described below.

BofA Securities, Wells Fargo Securities, Truist Securities and Mizuho are acting as the joint book-running managers for the offering.

In connection with the offering, the Company expects to enter into forward sale agreements with BofA Securities, Wells Fargo Securities, Truist Securities and Mizuho (or affiliates thereof) (the forward purchasers), with respect to 8,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock.

The underwriters have been granted a 30-day option, exercisable in whole or in part from time to time, to purchase up to an additional 1,200,000 shares of the Companys common stock. If the option to purchase additional shares of the Companys common stock is exercised, the Company expects to enter into one or more additional forward sale agreements with the forward purchasers in respect of the number of shares of the Companys common stock that are subject to exercise of the option to purchase additional shares.

In connection with the forward sale agreements and any additional forward sale agreements, the forward purchasers (or their affiliates) are expected to borrow from third parties and sell to the underwriters an aggregate of 8,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock (or an aggregate of 9,200,000 shares of the Companys common stock if the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full). However, a forward purchaser (or its affiliate) is not required to borrow and sell such shares if, after using commercially reasonable efforts, such forward purchaser (or its affiliate) is unable to borrow such shares, or if borrowing costs exceed a specified threshold or if certain specified conditions have not been satisfied. If a forward purchaser (or its affiliate) does not deliver and sell all of the shares of the Companys common stock to be sold by it to the underwriters, the Company will issue and sell to the underwriters a number of shares of its common stock equal to the number of shares that such forward purchaser (or its affiliate) did not deliver and sell, and the number of shares underlying the relevant forward sale agreement or such additional forward sale agreement will be decreased by the number of shares that the Company issues and sells.

Pursuant to the terms of the forward sale agreements and any additional forward sale agreements, and subject to its right to elect cash or net share settlement, the Company intends to issue and sell, upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements and any additional forward sale agreements, an aggregate of 8,000,000 shares of common stock (or an aggregate of up to 9,200,000 shares of common stock if the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) to the forward purchasers. The Company expects to physically settle the forward sale agreements and any additional forward sale agreements within approximately 12 months from the date of the prospectus supplement relating to the offering.

The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of its common stock by the forward purchasers (or affiliates thereof). The Company intends to contribute any net proceeds from the settlement of the forward sale agreements to the Companys operating partnership in exchange for OP Units, and the operating partnership intends to use such net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including potential future investments.

All of the shares of common stock will be offered pursuant to the Companys effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC. When available, a copy of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from BofA Securities, Inc., NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attn: Prospectus Department, Email: [email protected]; Wells Fargo Securities, 90 South 7th Street, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, at 800-645-3751 (option #5) or email a request to [email protected]; Truist Securities, Inc. 3333 Peachtree Road NE, 9th Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, Attn: Equity Capital Markets or by email at [email protected], or Mizuho Securities USA LLC, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10020, Attn: Equity Capital Markets, telephone: 1-212-205-7600 or by emailing [email protected], or by visiting the EDGAR database on the SECs web site at www.sec.gov.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction..
Skye Bioscience, Inc. (OTCQB: SKYE) today announced that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement for the sale of 4,000,000 shares of its common stock at $10.00 per share to certain investors in a private placement (the "PIPE") to certain qualified institutional buyers. Gross proceeds from the PIPE are expected to be $40 million before deducting any placement agent fees and offering-related expenses. The PIPE financing is expected to close on March 13, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Investors in this financing included Perceptive Advisors, Velan Capital and Schonfeld Strategic Advisors, among others, and certain existing institutional Skye shareholders including a life science-focused investor, 5AM Ventures, Altium Capital and Sphera Healthcare.

Piper Sandler & Co. is acting as the lead placement agent and Oppenheimer & Co. is acting as a placement agent for the PIPE financing.

"Our January PIPE financing provided funding for our immediate Phase 2 clinical development plans for obesity and glaucoma. Adding additional capital gives us the ability to proactively expand the strategic development of our unique peripheral CB1 inhibitor, nimacimab, for obesity. This monoclonal antibody offers differentiated characteristics within this class of mechanism and we look forward to broadly assessing its therapeutic potential," said Punit Dhillon, CEO and Chair of Skye. "We are also pleased to add to our healthcare-focused institutional shareholder base."

The securities being issued and sold in the PIPE have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Company has agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering the resale of the shares of common stock issued in this PIPE within 60 days of signing.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
TFI International Inc. (NYSE: TFII), a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry, today announced the acquisition of Hercules Forwarding, Inc. (Hercules), a Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) carrier with an emphasis on intra-US and US-to-Canada cross-border transportation. Founded in 1985 and family-owned with US headquarters in Vernon, California and Canadian headquarters in New Westminster, BC, Hercules utilizes a 31-terminal network and operates more than 210 trucks, close to 600 trailers and approximately 75 containers, generating more than US $100 million in annual revenues. Hercules non-union team focuses on direct shipper customers seeking high-quality, damage-free service across diverse end markets including consumer/retail, HVAC/building products, automotive, industrial, 3PL and food/beverage. Led by its president, Marty Burnham and CFO, Melanie Burnham, Hercules will join TFIs LTL business segment.

This bolt-on acquisition fortifies our US LTL portfolio while adding cross-border LTL into Canada, creating a partner for our Canada-to-US shipments while offering synergy opportunities on both sides of the border, stated Alain Bedard, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of TFI International. Hercules impressively low claims ratio and skill at serving multiple premium freight markets moving high-value cargo across the US and Canada aligns well with our focus and operating philosophy. We are pleased to welcome Marty, Melanie, and the entire Hercules team to the TFI International family.

ABOUT TFI INTERNATIONAL TFI International Inc. is a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry, operating across the United States and Canada through its subsidiaries. TFI International creates value for shareholders by identifying strategic acquisitions and managing a growing network of wholly owned operating subsidiaries. Under the TFI International umbrella, companies benefit from financial and operational resources to build their businesses and increase their efficiency. TFI International companies service the following segments:

Package and Courier

Less-Than-Truckload

Truckload

Logistics

TFI International Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TFII. For more information, visit www.tfiintl.com.
Washington, DC, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Americas Blood Centers (ABC), the national organization of community-based, independent blood centers that supply 60 percent of the nations blood supply, is proud to announce the recipients of its annual Awards of Excellence. These distinguished individuals and organizations have demonstrated outstanding dedication and support for the nations blood supply over the past year. The awards were presented during the ABCs Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, where hundreds of blood center executives and national leaders convened to address vital blood community issues including advocacy, regulatory updates, cutting-edge developments in science, medicine, and technical affairs, and other key topics.

"Americas Blood Centers is proud to honor the remarkable contributions of these award recipients, who have been at the forefront of advocating for blood donation and ensuring a consistent supply of blood products for patients in need. Their unwavering commitment has played a pivotal role in strengthening the nation's blood supply during a time marked by a critical demand for donations from younger and more diverse donors. The collaborative efforts of blood center staff across the country, as well as our community and government partners, are helping to inspire more individuals to generously donate blood and make a meaningful difference in saving lives," said Kate Fry, CEO of Americas Blood Centers.

National Partner of the Year: HOSA-Future Health Professionals. This award recognizes an ABC partner for their commitment to saving lives, helping communities, and supporting the blood supply. ABC and HOSA announced a multi-year national partnership in 2022 to encourage blood donation and careers at community blood centers. During the last academic year, more than 24,000 HOSA students donated blood, resulting in more than 21,000 units donated and as many as 63,000 lives saved. They are on track to exceed those numbers during this academic year.

The Blood Community Advocate of the Year: Blood Centers of California. This award honors individuals who demonstrate leadership, commitment, or extraordinary service in advocating on behalf of ABC member blood centers and the blood community. Blood Centers of California is a collaborative network comprised of 11 non-profit blood centers across the state that ensure a safe and available blood supply for California's healthcare facilities, physicians, and patients. Each year, it provides over 1.4 million units of blood and blood products, meeting more than 90 percent of the state's demand.

William M. Coenen Presidents Award: The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC). This award was established in 2015 to honor Bill Coenen, former Chief Financial Officer of Americas Blood Centers, for his long service and commitment to ABC members. The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) is a national collaboration of blood centers that strategically collect and share surplus blood units on a rotating on-call basis, ensuring communities are well-prepared for demanding transfusion needs during natural disasters and large-scale accidents. BERC's proactive approach has effectively addressed periods of low blood supply, ensuring the continuous availability of blood products and reducing delays in life-saving blood transfusions.

William M. Coenen Presidents Award: Laurie Sutor, MD, MBA. Dr. Sutor is a distinguished national leader with a 30-year career at Carter BloodCare and over 40 years in healthcare. As the Vice President of Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer at Carter BloodCare, she has overseen multiple departments and held key positions at organizations, including the American Association of Tissue Banks, the American Medical Association, and the American Society for Apheresis. Dr. Sutor is also a renowned member of numerous professional associations, including serving as president of the North Texas Society of Pathologists, chair of ABCs Scientific Medical Technical Committee, and chair of the Physicians Council with the American Association of Tissue Banks.

ABC Corporation of the Year Award: H-E-B. This award is given to a corporation that demonstrates an exceptional commitment to the volunteer blood community. H-E-B hosted more than 50 community blood drives across South Texas last year, while also conducting drives for their employees. These efforts brought in more than 1,000 units of blood to the South Texas blood supply in 2023 alone.

ITxM Award for Excellence in Technical Operations: Alicia Bellido Prichard, Senior Vice President, Biologics Laboratory and Supply Chain, OneBlood. This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates exceptional commitment to the field of technical and laboratory operations in the blood banking field. Ms. Bellido Prichard has worked across the blood banking industry for more than 35 years. She has continuously demonstrated a dedication to patient care, leadership in implementing key initiatives, and driving innovation. This includes playing a pivotal role in manufacturing COVID-19 convalescent plasma and implementing Pathogen Reduction Technology.

ABC Outstanding Blood Drive of the Year Award: Barnett Harley-Davidson Blood Drive in El Paso, Texas. This award is given to one blood drive that has demonstrated excellence in promoting blood donation through recruitment and collection efforts and establishing blood donation as a priority within an organization. The drive was started by Mr. Barnett after his cancer diagnosis in 2003 to promote the lifesaving power of blood donation that he saw firsthand. This drive marked its 20th year in July, having collected its 32,000th blood donation and awarded its 36th Harley-Davidson Motorcycle to a lucky donor.

ABC Outstanding Public Relations Campaign: South Texas Blood and Tissues Double Your Impact Campaign. This award is presented to a member blood center for an outstanding public relations campaign that used print, radio, television media, and/or social media to promote blood donation awareness through original content and creativity. By allowing donors to donate their points accumulated with South Texas Blood and Tissue to a local nonprofit of their choice, this campaign has made a positive impact across the local community. More than 215,000 meals were provided to families in need through partnerships with food banks, more than 2,000 trees were planted in collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation, and camp experiences were organized for nearly two dozen pediatric cancer patients.

Larry Frederick Award: Angeleck Williams of Decatur, Alabama. This award is named after former Oakland police officer Larry Frederick, who was struck in a hit and run accident in 1982 while performing a routine traffic stop and received over 110 units of blood. It recognizes individuals for community leadership in raising awareness about blood donation. Working with LifeSouth blood center, Ms. Williams has organized 12 successful birthday blood drives that have helped collect more than 1,345 units of blood.

Thomas F. Zuck Lifetime Achievement Award: Debra Kessler, RN, MS. This award honors an individual for career achievement in the application of clinical, medical, and scientific research to improve methods of blood collection and safety and efficacy of blood products provided to patients. Since 1987, Dr. Kessler she has played key roles at the New York Blood Center, currently serving as Vice President of Medical Programs and Services. Dr. Kessler has been extensively involved in many in organizations over the years, while making significant contributions to TTID surveillance and research and work chairing the AABB Donor History Task Force.

Founded in 1962, Americas Blood Centers is the national organization bringing together community-based, independent blood centers. Its member organizations operate more than 600 blood collection sites providing close to 60 percent of the U.S., and a quarter of the Canadian, blood supply. These blood centers serve more than 150 million people and provide blood products and services to more than 3,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities across North America. All ABC U.S. members are licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information, visit www.AmericasBlood.org.

###

Jeff Gohringer Americas Blood Centers (202) 654-2901 [email protected]

Source: Americas Blood Centers
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blender Bites Limited (the Company or Blender Bites) (CSE: BITE, FWB: JL4, WKN: A3DMEJ) is pleased to announce that further to its November 9, 2023 press release, its operating subsidiary, Blender Bites (Holdings) Limited, has entered into a definitive agreement with Export Development Canada (EDC) for a term loan credit facility of up to $2,000,000 (the Facility). The Facility is now available to the Company and will be used to support the Companys operations and the enhancement of the Companys brand presence in the United States.

Our expansion into the U.S. market has been instrumental in the Companys growth, and provides a solid foundation for our long-term success. The Facility provides us with additional means to effectively meet the growing demand for our products in the United States, and we are thrilled to have EDCs support as we further our expansion into the American marketplace, said Chelsie Hodge, CEO of Blender Bites.

The Facility is available in three drawdowns within the next six-months, with interest only payments for the first 12-months. Principal payments become due on 20th day of the 13th month following the first advance under the Facility, and will be made in 60 consecutive monthly installments. The Facility is secured by a security interest over the assets of Blender Bites (Holdings) Ltd. and is guaranteed by the Company and Blender Bites US Ltd. The Facility bears interest at the Canadian prime rate plus 4.00% per annum and is subject to financial covenants.

ABOUT BLENDER BITES

Blender Bites is an award-winning Canadian company focused on the development and sale of premium frozen beverage products, with a focus on convenience and functionality. Blender Bites was founded in 2016 with the mission to simplify the time-consuming steps required to make a satisfying, functional, nutrition and organic smoothie. Today, Blender Bites is a leader in the easy smoothie category in North America, and has continued to innovate and add to its product lines. Blender Bites products are certified organic, non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free and soy free and contain functional ingredients such as whole food vitamins, collagen, and probiotics. Blender Bites 1-Step Smoothies and 1-Step Frappes are distributed across Canada and the United States, and are currently sold in over 5,000 stores, including Walmart Canada, Walmart USA and the Albertsons Group of Companies and Southeastern Grocers.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Blender Bites Limited

Chelsie Hodge, Chief Executive OfficerEmail  [email protected]Telephone  236-521-0626

For further information, contact Blender IR Team at:

Email  [email protected]Telephone  1-888-997-2055Media Contact  [email protected]

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to the Companys use of funds advanced under the Facility and the ability of the Company to effectively meet the growing demand for its products in the United States. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon several estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties, and uncertain capital markets. Readers are cautioned that actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Source: Blender Bites Limited
Philadelphia, PA , March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Since its inception, Creditor Law Group has maintained a steadfast commitment to protecting consumers against unlawful debt collection practices and educating borrowers on their legal entitlements. Despite the safeguards in place, debtors frequently encounter unacceptable conduct from debt collection agencies, with unscrupulous creditors often flouting legal standards. Backed by a proficient team of legal professionals, Creditor Law Group takes decisive action against any debt collector resorting to tactics that violate consumer rights and jeopardize financial stability.

Standing up to debt collectors can be highly stressful, especially when faced with intimidating or illicit methods. These tactics may involve aggressive communication, misrepresentation of outstanding balances, or the use of deceptive approaches to coerce repayments, acknowledges Creditor Law Group. "Our team has a proven history of combatting these unjust practices, empowering debtors to assert their rights and halt illicit collection activities. In addition to offering legal support, we share informative resources that demystify the debt collection process, empowering individuals to confidently address these challenges.

As stipulated in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), creditors cannot employ abusive or deceptive practices when attempting to collect a debt. Unfortunately, some of them still engage in such practices, which can lead to significant financial and emotional distress for debtors. Typical examples of wrongful actions include making threatening phone calls, harassing people at work or at home, misrepresenting the amount owed, and adding unauthorized fees or charges to the debt. Besides being illegal, these practices can damage a person's credit score and reputation. Creditor Law Group relentlessly fights on behalf of debtors, harnessing the experience of its attorneys to help clients stop harassment, dispute false claims, and negotiate fair repayment plans.

Our teams commitment to protecting debtors has earned our company a reputation as a trusted advocate to people struggling with debt. We have defended countless individuals against wrongful debt collection practices, standing firmly by their side to ensure that they resolve their debt issues and regain control of their finances, Creditor Law Group says. Any person experiencing harassment or unfair treatment by a debt collector can contact us to schedule a free consultation and learn how our attorneys can help them fight back and get the debt relief they deserve. We pride ourselves on the work we do to hold creditors accountable for violating the FDCPA and protect consumers from undue pressure and manipulation.

Creditor Law Group is an award-winning legal services provider focused on defending consumers who face debt-related lawsuits. The Philadelphia, PA-based company assists individuals in or out of court, ensuring that their rights are protected. Creditor Law Group specializes in the areas of garnishment reversal and relief, legal representation of individuals in lawsuits filed by creditors, and defense against debt collector harassment.

Creditor Law Group: https://clglaw.com

Legal Firm, Creditor Law Group, Devoted to Contesting FDCPA Infringements:https://finance.yahoo.com/news/legal-firm-creditor-law-group-020300189.html

Creditor Law Group Pioneers in Shielding Consumers from Their Creditors:https://finance.yahoo.com/news/creditor-law-group-pioneers-shielding-033000034.html

David Glanzberg Creditor Law Group 1515 Market Street Suite 1200 Philadelphia PA 19102 https://www.clglaw.com [email protected] (800) 216-7211

Source: Creditor Law Group
Ivry-sur-Seine, France, March 11, 2024

REGULATED INFORMATION

FILING OF THE 2023 UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT

Fnac Darty registered its 2023 Universal Registration Document (Document denregistrement universel) with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) on 11 March 2024.

The 2023 Universal Registration Document, filed in xHTML version, is made available to the public free of charge under the conditions provided for by the regulations in force. It mainly includes the following informations:

The 2023 financial report, including Fnac Darty's corporate accounts and the Group's consolidated financial statements;

The report of the Board of Directors on Corporate Governance;

The Statutory Auditors' reports;

Information related to the description of the share buyback programme;

The social and environmental information, with the taxonomy, included in the Declaration of Extra-Financial Performance.





The French version of the Universal Registration Document is available on the website of the AMF (www.amf-france.org) and on the website of Fnac Darty at the following address: www.fnacdarty.com/en/ under the section "Investors". It can also be sent by e-mail upon request sent to [email protected].

Furthermore, the Universal Registration Document is also published in European Single Electronic Format (ESEF), with the consolidated primary financial statements and the notes to the consolidated financial statements marked up with XBRL tags.

The English translation of the Universal Registration Document will be available on the Company's website from 28 March 2023.

CONTACT

ANALYSTS / INVESTORS

Domitille Vielle  Head of Investor relations  [email protected]  +33 (0)6 03 86 05 02

Laura Parisot  Investor Relations  [email protected]  +33 (0)6 64 74 27 18

Attachment
Company invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend in person or online at VirtualInvestorConferences.com

EXTON, Pa., March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Resource Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQX: FRSB), based in Exton, PA, focused on hybrid community banking, today announced that Glenn Marshall, CEO, and Lauren Ranalli, President, will present live at the Banking Virtual Investor Conference, hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on March 14th, 2024.



DATE: March 14th, 2024

TIME: 11:00 AM ET

LINK: https://bit.ly/3wk07PV

Available for 1x1 meetings: March 14 - 15

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

Recent Company Highlights

Record annual net income, 5% higher than the prior year

Total assets surpassed $600 million

Loans and deposits both grew 16%

Return on average assets 1.09%

Return on average equity 13.77%

No nonperforming loans at December 31, 2023

About First Resource Bancorp, Inc.

First Resource Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company of First Resource Bank. First Resource Bank is a locally owned and operated Pennsylvania state-chartered bank with three full-service branches, serving the banking needs of businesses, professionals and individuals in the Delaware Valley. The Bank offers a full range of deposit and credit services with a high level of personalized service. First Resource Bank also offers a broad range of traditional financial services and products, competitively priced and delivered in a responsive manner to small businesses, professionals and residents in the local market. For additional information visit our website at www.firstresourcebank.com. Member FDIC.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

First Resource Bancorp, Inc.

Lauren Ranalli

President

610-561-6014

[email protected]

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

[email protected]
Major Russian Companies Will Be Forced to Accept Digital Ruble Payments

Major Russian companies will be forced to accept digital ruble payments as of October 2026, a new report has claimed.

Per the news agency Interfax, smaller firms will likely have to follow suit and accept the CBDC by October 2027.

Major Russian Companies Obliged to Accept Digital Ruble?



Interfax said a source familiar with the situation confirmed that government and Central Bank officials want to amend the nations law on the protection of consumer rights.

The source also claimed that the first batch of firms would comprise vendors (including data and service providers) with an annual revenue of above $330,000.

This group must begin accepting CBDC pay no later than October 1, 2026. Companies with an annual revenue of $220,000 to $330,000 will have an additional year to adopt.

However, smaller firms may be exempt from the new rules. The media outlet noted that companies with an annual revenue of under $55,000 will not be obliged to accept CBDC payments at all.

Central Bank to Use Familiar Adoption Strategy



The bank and the Kremlin have prior form. They used a similar approach to the Mir payments system, which debuted in 2017.

The amendment will also be bundled with provisions for the Faster Payments System (SBP), another Central Bank project.

In the banks own words, SBP allows individuals to instantly transfer funds to each other using mobile phone numbers, pay for purchases, pay utility bills, and make a wide variety of other transfers.

Larger firms will need to adopt SBP pay by October 1 this year. Medium-sized companies will be given until October 1, 2025.

Interfax reported that it had seen an accompanying note from the Central Bank that read:

This bill provides for a staged approach. It will provide merchants with the ability to make payments using SBP and digital rubles. And it will let merchants prepare for the implementation of the requirements of the bill.

The bank further enthused:

We took a similar approach to introduce the mandatory acceptance of Mir payment cards and this proved effective.

The amended bill is yet to pass before lawmakers, but the idea that CBDC acceptance may become mandatory is a major departure for the Central Bank.

The bank has previously insisted that individuals will be free to choose whether or not they want to use the digital ruble.

Russias growing trade with China has helped its economy withstand Western sanctions. Now Moscow is preparing to spend billions to upgrade its vast eastern railroads to speed up the burgeoning cooperation https://t.co/nY5gqTPlIG  Bloomberg Economics (@economics) March 7, 2024

CBDC Reluctance in Russia?



There are also suggestions that the public is wary of the Central Bank coin. A Moscow-based business operator told Cryptonews.com, on condition of anonymity:

I dont really see why the digital ruble is necessary. Im not opposed to it in principle. It may prove to be a good idea in the long term. But I have no idea how itd help me or my business at this point.

However, some analysts have suggested that the bank is already preparing to issue mandatory CBDC pension and benefits payments  despite its insistence to the contrary.

The Central Bank suggested that its current focus is adoption among major Russian companies.

CBDC B2B transfers will be subject to 0.3% commission fees, while transfers between individuals will be commission-free.

The bank reportedly said that its new move is aimed at promoting competition, improving the quality and availability of payment services, and scaling settlements in digital rubles.

 Apple has suspended its Apply Pay service for Russia's Mir card payment system, closing a loophole that had allowed Russians to keep using the digital payment service. Apple initially restricted the use of Apple Pay in Russia on March 1https://t.co/x00mZAo75U pic.twitter.com/0YH3yrZgoZ  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 25, 2022

Major Russian Companies Stand to Benefit from Digital Ruble?



The bank has further reportedly claimed that the adoption of the law will also allow merchants to reduce costs for payment services.

Per official figures, 1.5 million Russian firms had adopted SBP payment infrastructure by the end of 2023. This figure is a sharp rise from the 560,000 SBP-adopting companies reported in 2022.

A second group of 17 banks is poised to join the CBDC pilot, along with several tens of thousands of firms and individuals, later this year.
Washington, DC, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors for the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Natalie Madeira Cofield as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 18, 2024. With a legacy spanning over 30 years, AEO, along with its 2,700 member/partner organizations, has been a beacon of support for millions of entrepreneurs, catalyzing economic growth across the nation.

"Natalie Madeira Cofield's appointment marks an exciting chapter for AEO as we continue our mission to empower entrepreneurs and foster economic growth, said Ines Polonius, Chair of the AEO Board of Directors. Her proven track record, coupled with her visionary leadership, will undoubtedly drive AEO towards new heights of impact and influence. We are thrilled to welcome her to the team and look forward to her leadership towards a bright future.

Natalie Madeira Cofield brings a wealth of experience and a steadfast commitment to championing small and micro businesses. As the incoming president and CEO, she will spearhead national programming, oversee regional expansion efforts, enhance AEO's industry-leading research, bolster the impact of its Innovation Hub center, and passionately advocate for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and the CDFI industry.

Reflecting on her appointment, Cofield remarked, "AEO has served as a national champion for the advancement of small businesses and the financial institutions that support them. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to both work with and be impacted by the work of AEO in our shared commitment to championing small and micro businesses. I look forward to stewarding the organization into its next era of impact and scale by drawing on our dedication to economic prosperity and financial access for all."

Cofield's illustrious career includes a presidential appointment as Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where she played a pivotal role in advising on the deployment of $1.2 trillion in funding. Notably, she co-architected the SBAs Community Navigator Pilot Program, allocating $200 million to national ecosystems. Her leadership as the head of the Office of Womens Business Ownership at SBA resulted in significant milestones, including managing a grant-making budget of $70 million and expanding the Womens Business Center network to 146 Centers across every state in the US.

Post her tenure with the SBA, Cofield has advised various organizations, serving as an Executive-in-Residence with Mastercard. Her accolades as an award-winning entrepreneur, philanthropist, and economic development executive underscore her deep commitment to small business empowerment. In 2019, Entrepreneur Magazine recognized her as one of the most powerful women in business.

As AEO embarks on this transformative journey under Cofield's leadership, we look forward to deepening our impact and invite all stakeholders, partners, and advocates to join us in shaping a future where entrepreneurship thrives, and opportunities abound for all.

Join AEO in its bright future. Cofields appointment has drawn massive endorsement from industry professionals:

Usman Ahmed, PayPal - "Cofield's appointment heralds a new era for AEO, one where our commitment to empowering entrepreneurs is invigorated with fresh vision and determination. With her extensive experience and unwavering dedication, we anticipate reaching new heights of impact and influence in fostering economic growth small and microbusinesses nationwide."

Chris Wheat, JPMorgan Chase - "As AEO's new CEO, Natalie Madeira Cofield brings a dynamic blend of strategic insight and advocacy for small businesses. With her expertise and passion for small business empowerment, we're poised to forge even stronger partnerships that drive economic growth and foster meaningful impact in communities nationwide.

About AEO:The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is the voice of innovation in microbusiness and microfinance in the United States. For over 30 years, AEO and its members have helped millions of entrepreneurs contribute to economic growth while supporting themselves, their families, and their communities. AEO's membership includes a diverse range of organizations providing capital and services to assist underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing, and expanding their businesses.

Attachment

John Torres Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) 443-310-7830 [email protected]

Source: Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)
SAN FRANCISCO, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Foundation Health, a pioneering healthcare technology company, today announced the closure of a $6 million seed funding round. Propelling Foundation Health into an exciting phase of growth, participants in the round include industry leaders Garry Tan (CEO, Y Combinator), Transpose Platform, Tuesday VC, Alt Capital, Box Group, Liquid Ventures, Exceptional Capital, Calm/Storm Ventures, and PageOne Ventures, with support from angel investors Paul Johnson (Lemonaid) and Meghan Fitzgerald (Grey Ghost Advisors).

Foundation Health is dedicated to redefining the consumer healthcare experience by empowering clients to quickly develop and launch modern, digital-first pharmacy and telehealth solutions at scale. Featuring easy-to-integrate APIs and white-label products, the company enables health plans to disintermediate PBMs and take control over pharmacy services, facilitates direct-to-patient experiences for pharmaceutical manufacturers, and empowers digital health brands to easily launch innovative, on-brand experiences.

"Our vision is to grow Foundation Health into the definitive tech platform for powering and managing complex consumer healthcare operations globally," said Foundation Health founder and CEO, Umar Afridi. "With this funding, we are equipped to accelerate product development, onboard customers currently on our waitlist, and continue engaging with new customers to ensure we're delivering precisely what the market needs. We are thrilled by the initial demand for our products and anticipate reaching profitability in approximately 18 months."

Foundation Health's offerings encompass three core B2B products:

APIs for Telehealth Prescribing and Pharmacy Services: A tech platform that seamlessly connects clients to telehealth providers and a network of pharmacies to provide prescription mail order delivery, same-day delivery, compounding, specialty medications, veterinary medications, and durable medical equipment (DME).

Virtual Pharmacy: Digital pharmacy SaaS product that enables any company to launch their own white-label, custom virtual pharmacy. Features include pharmacist support 24/7, a variety of delivery methods, and clear, transparent pricing that allows patients to choose between cash or insurance. Expandable options include telehealth and clinical services such as brand-to-generic switching and MTM to help improve adherence and, ultimately, health outcomes.

Virtual Direct-to-Patient (DTP) Service: A complete solution for pharmaceutical manufacturers to launch products direct-to-patient. Fully white-label and customizable to deliver an intuitive, delightful patient experience end-to-end. DTP enables manufacturers to remove the middleman, set affordable pricing without rebates, and seamlessly get medication to those who need it.

"Patients want clear pricing, lower costs, and convenient access to healthcare. These are not outrageous demands, yet solutions that meet them are few and far between, said Afridi. At Foundation Health, we believe traditional multi-month, multi-million dollar builds are the enemy of innovation and progress. Were focused on providing affordable solutions that are intentionally built for speed and scale. Our services can be implemented within days, offering unparalleled speed-to-market for our clients at substantially lower costs than alternatives."

While Foundation Health's services currently span the US, UK, and EU markets, the company's initial focus will be on driving innovation within the US healthcare landscape. For more information about Foundation Health and its healthcare solutions, visit www.foundationhealth.com.

About Foundation Health:Foundation Health is a pioneering healthcare technology company on a mission to power the next generation of consumer healthcare experiences. By delivering affordable, tech-enabled pharmacy and telehealth experiences at scale, Foundation Health empowers clients to take control of healthcare delivery, streamline operations, and redefine the consumer healthcare experience worldwide. With a commitment to innovation and accessibility, Foundation Health is backed by industry leaders including Garry Tan (CEO, Y Combinator), Transpose Platform, Tuesday VC, Alt Capital, Box Group, Liquid Ventures, Exceptional Capital, Calm/Storm Ventures, and PageOne Ventures, with support from angel investors Paul Johnson (Lemonaid) and Meghan Fitzgerald (Grey Ghost Advisors).

Media Contact:Emily Fox[email protected]

Source: Foundation Health
OTTAWA, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors for the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB) is pleased to announce Janine Harker has been appointed as its new president, effective April 1, 2024. This strategic appointment comes at a pivotal time for CSCB and underscores the organization's commitment to leadership excellence and advocacy for the customs brokerage industry in Canada.

Ms. Harker brings to the role over two decades of profound experience in customs and trade administration and enforcement, having joined the CSCB as its Senior Vice-President in July 2023. Since the end of November 2023, she has adeptly led the organization in an interim capacity, showcasing her remarkable leadership and comprehensive understanding of the industry's dynamics.

Deborah Osborne, CSCB Board Chair, expressed her confidence in Ms. Harker's capabilities, stating, "Janine's extensive knowledge and experience, coupled with her proven creativity and dynamic energy, position her ideally to steer CSCB in navigating the complexities of our evolving industry. Her established reputation and effective relationships with governmental counterparts are invaluable assets that will greatly enhance CSCB's efforts in advocacy and collaboration on policy and operational matters."

Under Ms. Harker's leadership, the CSCB is poised to continue its mission of delivering unparalleled value to its members in five key areas: advocacy, issue resolution, intel, training and certification, and business tools and services.

For more information regarding this announcement, please contact the CSCB Board at [email protected].

About the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB):

CSCB is a professional organization for customs brokers licensed to do business in Canada. We help them move things forward by leveraging our far-reaching connections with individuals involved in global trade across business, government and multiple organizations. CSCB members benefit from support in five key areas: advocacy, issue resolution, intel, training and certification, and business tools and services. For more information, visit www.cscb.ca.

Contact: Board of Directors Canadian Society of Customs Brokers Email: [email protected] Website: www.cscb.ca

Source: Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB)
HOUSTON, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Koil Energy Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: KLNG), an international specialist in subsea energy equipment and services, today announced the resignation of its President, CEO and CFO, Mr. Charles Njuguna due to a family health matter. Mr. Njuguna has also resigned as a member of the Companys Board of Directors (Board).

Mr. Njuguna will stay on through March 31, 2024 and oversee the 2023 fiscal year-end audit and financial reporting.

In connection with Mr. Njugunas resignation, Koil Energys Board of Directors appointed Mr. Erik Wiik as a member of the Companys Board effective March 8, 2024, and to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2024. Mr. Wiik has been working with the Company as a consultant since September 2023.

Serving as CEO of Koil Energy has been the highlight of my professional career. As I look back on the Companys transformation over the past four and a half years, I could not be prouder of what the team has accomplished, said Mr. Njuguna. Despite the challenges we have encountered, the Companys foundation has never been stronger. Having crafted a new growth strategy with Erik and the team, I am delighted he has committed to executing this strategy as the new CEO.

Mr. Wiik has more than three decades of experience in the energy industry, including extensive knowledge of subsea technology gained during his 24-year tenure with Aker Solutions.

Mark Carden, the Companys Board Chair said, On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Charles for his strong leadership of the Company over these past few years. Charles and his family will be in our prayers as they deal with this family health matter.

About Koil Energy

Koil Energy is a leading energy services company offering subsea equipment and support services to the worlds energy and offshore industries. The Houston-based company founded in 1997 and formerly known as Deep Down, Inc. is comprised of world-class experts in engineering and manufacturing who provide innovative solutions to complex customer challenges with a fearless commitment to Energizing the Future. Koil Energys highly experienced team can support subsea engineering, manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and maintenance projects located anywhere in the world. Visit www.koilenergy.com to learn more.

Forward-Looking Statements Any forward-looking statements in the preceding paragraphs of this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties in that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In the course of operations, we are subject to certain risk factors, competition and competitive pressures, sensitivity to general economic and industrial conditions, international political and economic risks, availability and price of raw materials and execution of business strategy. For further information, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available from the Company without charge.

Investor Relations Contact:Trevor AshurstVP of Finance[email protected]

Source: Koil Energy Solutions, Inc.
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, OTCQX: MBXBF, Microbix), a life sciences innovator, manufacturer, and exporter, announces that it is presenting results of Quality Assessment Products (QAPs) for supporting the quality control (QC) of histology and PCR-based tests driven by tissue-samples of Head and Neck cancer caused by human papilloma virus (HPV). Its results presentation will be made at EUROGIN 2024, an international collaborative conference and exhibition focused upon innovations in HPV research and global cancer solutions taking place in Stockholm, Sweden from March 13 to 16, 2024.

While HPV is best known for causing cancers of the cervix in women, this virus family also causes cancer in other bodily tissues. Such further types of HPV-driven cancer include those of the Head and Neck, collectively tumours inside and behind the nose, throughout the mouth (including the tongue, gums, and palate), all sections of the throat, and the voice box. Diagnosis of such cancers is made from tissue sample analyses that look for the presence of cancerous cells via histology and the presence of viral DNA by PCR.

Unfortunately, a lack of standardized and reproducible reference samples makes it challenging to control the recommended test workflows for diagnosing such cancers. Microbix and collaborators at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center worked to address this need. Microbix developed homogenous and reproducible simulated-specimen paraffin blocks to monitor the accuracy and reliability of such testing, being presented via a poster titled Evaluating Diagnostic Workflows for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Detection Using Simulated Specimens Mounted on Slides.

The authors of the poster conclude that this QAP is innovative and clinically-relevant on multiple levels, namely that (i) these are the first simulated and standardized slides for use as prospective whole workflow QC materials for Head and Neck cancer reflex histology (IHC for p16) with follow up PCR-based confirmatory testing, and (ii) these prototype HPV-positive and HPV-negative contrived-specimen slides are homogeneous and reproducible QC materials that can be used to standardize inter-laboratory methodologies, monitor accuracy, and support new proficiency-testing and accreditation (EQA) schemes for laboratories conducting histologic and PCR test driven detection of such cancers.

Microbix will now work to optimize its tissue scaffold designs for supporting both histology and PCR workflows. These standardized and reproducible tissue-oriented test controls will then be added to Microbixs catalogue of QAPs, expanding its activities into support of oncology workflows alongside its wide range of infectious disease test controls. The global market for diagnostic tests for cancer is currently estimated at US$ 18-20 billion, with a projected compound annual growth rate of over 10%.

Purchase enquiries for these and all Microbix QAPs can be e-mailed to [email protected].

About Microbix Biosystems Inc.Microbix Biosystems Inc. creates proprietary biological products for human health, with over 100 skilled employees and annualized sales targeting C$ 2.0 million per month. It makes a wide range of critical ingredients and devices for the global diagnostics industry, notably antigens for immunoassays and its laboratory quality assessment products (QAPs) that support clinical lab proficiency testing, enable assay development and validation, or help ensure the quality of clinical diagnostic workflows. Its antigens drive the antibody tests of approximately 100 diagnostics makers, while QAPs are sold to clinical lab accreditation organizations, diagnostics companies, and clinical labs. Microbix QAPs are now available in over 30 countries, supported by a network of international distributors. Microbix is ISO 9001 & 13485 accredited, U.S. FDA registered, Australian TGA registered, Health Canada establishment licensed, and provides CE marked products.

Microbix also applies its biological expertise and infrastructure to develop other proprietary products and technologies, most notably viral transport medium (DxTM) to stabilize patient samples for lab-based molecular diagnostic testing and Kinlytic urokinase, a biologic thrombolytic drug used to treat blood clots. Microbix is traded on the TSX and OTCQX, and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Forward-Looking InformationThis news release includes forward-looking information, as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, discussion of EUROGIN, the Poster, these latest QAPs or their relevance, Microbixs or others products or services, business and business results, goals or outlook, risks associated with financial results and stability, development projects such as those referenced in its presentations, regulatory compliance and approvals, sales to foreign jurisdictions, engineering and construction, production (including control over costs, quality, quantity or timeliness of delivery), currency exchange rates, maintaining adequate working capital or raising new capital on acceptable terms or at all, and other similar statements about anticipated future events, conditions or results that are not historical facts. These statements reflect managements current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Microbix cautions that all forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond its control. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and represent Microbixs judgement as of the date of this new release, and it is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking information.

Please visit https://microbix.com or www.sedar.com for recent Microbix news and filings.

For further information, please contact Microbix at:

Cameron Groome, CEO(905) 361-8910 Jim Currie,CFO(905) 361-8910 Deborah Honig, Investor RelationsAdelaide Capital Markets(647) 203-8793 [email protected]

Copyright  2024 Microbix Biosystems Inc. Microbix, DxTM, Kinlytic, and QAPs are trademarks of Microbix Biosystems Inc.Other companies names and products are protected by their respective trademarks.

Source: Microbix Biosystems Inc.
Washington, D.C., March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On behalf of clients Jeanna Norris, Kraig Ehm, and DAnn Rohrer, the New Civil Liberties Alliance has petitioned the Supreme Court to hear Norris, et al. v. Stanley, et al. regarding Michigan State Universitys unlawful and unscientific Covid-19 vaccine mandate. MSU fired two of NCLAs three clients, all of whom had naturally acquired immunity to Covid, for refusing the vaccine. By conditioning their public employment on receiving unnecessary medical treatment, MSU violated their constitutional right to refuse medical intervention and ignored their statutory right to informed consent. NCLAs petition for a writ of certiorari asks the Court to hold that the 1905 Jacobson v. Massachusetts decision requires states to satisfy at least intermediate scrutiny before mandating their employees receive an unnecessary vaccine. NCLA further urges the Court to hold that MSUs policy failed to meet that standard.

An unelected, unaccountable administrator imposed MSUs Covid vaccine mandate on all employees and students without an approved medical or religious exemption. Despite claiming to rely on CDC guidance, MSU permitted individuals to satisfy the standard by taking any WHO-approved vaccine, including those that are not FDA-approved. At the same time, and contrary to all scientific evidence and basic principles of immunology, MSU refused to recognize naturally acquired immunity to the virus. Instead of following the science, MSU terminated Mr. Ehm and Ms. Rohrer (while providing Ms. Norris with a religious exemption). The district court dismissed these brave Americans claims of constitutional and statutory rights violations, holding MSUs policy survived rational basis reviewthe most permissive form of judicial scrutiny.

NCLAs petition maintains that rational basis review is not the proper standard by which to evaluate vaccine mandates because such mandates impinge upon the constitutional rights to bodily integrity and to refuse medical intervention. Instead, intermediate scrutiny must be applied, meaning that the policy in question must be substantially related to an important governmental interest. MSUs mandate failed that test because vaccinating already immune individuals was not related to any legitimate interest. The Supreme Court has long recognized that the right to refuse treatment is deeply rooted in Americas history and traditions, and a state actor like MSU is not entitled to interfere in personal health decisions without a sufficiently compelling reason and even then, only in a way that is necessary to achieve a legitimate goal. To hold otherwise would give the government free rein to wield unconstrained and limitless power over countless personal healthcare decisions. Forcing a Covid-recovered person with natural immunity to take a vaccine that provides no additional benefit (to themselves or to third parties), while risking adverse effects, does not meet any standard of review.

The Jacobson case, decided during a smallpox epidemic, held that a state government can mandate vaccinations. But the lower courts have been overreading that case and treating it as an unlimited license for government authorities to impose dissimilar mandates under wildly different circumstances and in the face of modern scientific advances. Lower courts have failed to recognize that Jacobson preceded modern constitutional analysis that requires government to bear a heavier burden before limiting citizens rights to bodily autonomy. NCLAs petition presents the Supreme Court with an ideal opportunity to correct this widespread misunderstanding before another emergency pandemic breaks out.

NCLA released the following statements:

During the Covid pandemic various governmental entities ran roughshod over not just constitutional law, but also the basic scientific principles which they claimed to be following. Now that the country mostly has returned to normal, the Court has an opportunity to clarify once and for all that while government has broad powers to protect public health it still must act with due regard to peoples civil liberties. Gregory Dolin, M.D., Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA

Jacobson is an outdated precedent. The failure to address its shortcomings has tacitly enabled enormous violations of Americans rights, like the right to refuse medical treatment. The Court needs to update the precedent to reflect current constitutional law. John Vecchione, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA

CDCs flawed guidance was not subject to direct court challenge, because it was deemed mere guidance. If MSUs actions, which only partially followed that guidance, are insulated by a permissive standard of judicial review, then Americans will have lost their constitutional rights to control what goes into their bodies. Mark Chenoweth, President, NCLA

For more information visit the case page here or watch the case video here.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights.

Ruslan Moldovanov New Civil Liberties Alliance 202-869-5237 [email protected]

Source: New Civil Liberties Alliance
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithe Resources Corp. (TSX-V: SMTH.P) (Smithe), a capital pool company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange), announces that, by mutual agreement, the parties have terminated the letter of intent relating to Smithes proposed acquisition of MeetAmi Innovations Inc. (MeetAmi). The parties have determined not to proceed with the transaction as a result of current market conditions. The parties have no further obligations under the letter of intent, except that $25,000 remains owing by MeetAmi to Smithe in respect of an initial advance made in connection with the transaction.

About Smithe Resources Corp.

Smithe Resources Corp. is a capital pool company (CPC) within the meaning of the policies of the Exchange that has not commenced commercial operations and has no assets other than cash. The current directors and officers of the Company are: Sam Wong (Director), Matthew Roma (Director), Anthony Balic (Director) and Andrew Lau (CEO, CFO and Corporate Secretary). Except as specifically contemplated in the Exchange's CPC policy, until the completion of its Qualifying Transaction, the Company will not carry on business, other than the identification and evaluation of companies, businesses or assets with a view to complete a Qualifying Transaction.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information regarding Smithe and the Proposed Transaction, please contact: Andrew Lau CEO, CFO & Corporate Secretary Phone: +1 604-722-9633 Email: [email protected]

Source: Smithe Resources Corp.
NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP:



Do you, or did you, own shares of Snowflake Inc. (NYSE: SNOW)?





Did you purchase your shares between September 16, 2020 and March 2, 2022, inclusive?





Did you lose money in your investment in Snowflake Inc.?





Do you want to discuss your rights?

Bernstein Liebhard LLP announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the Class A common stock of Snowflake Inc. (Snowflake or the Company) (NYSE: SNOW) between September 16, 2020 and March 2, 2022, inclusive (the Class Period). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the Complaint).

If you purchased or acquired Snowflake Class A common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Snowflake Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected].

According to the Complaint, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (i) Snowflake had systematically oversold capacity to customers which created a misleading appearance of the demand for Snowflakes products and services; (ii) Snowflake had provided significant discounts to its customers prior to its initial public offering (IPO) that temporarily boosted sales but would not be sustainable after the IPO and/or necessitate platform efficiency adjustments that negatively impacted client consumption and Snowflakes revenue and profit margins; and (iii) as a result, Snowflakes customers were poised to roll over a material amount of unused credits (and thereby cannibalize future sales) at the end of their contracts terms or to refuse to renew their contracts at prior consumption levels or at all.

On March 2, 2022, Snowflake revealed that its product revenue growth rate for fiscal 2023 was projected to be slashed to a range of 65% to 67%, far below the triple-digit growth and purportedly ongoing favorable business trends highlighted by Defendants during the Class Period. On an earnings call also held on March 2, 2022, Snowflake CFO, Defendant Michael P. Scarpelli, disclosed that Snowflake customers were consuming at a reduced rate, which he blamed on platform enhancements . . . which lowered credit consumption.

On this news, the Companys stock price fell $40.67, or over 15%, to close at $224.02 per share on March 3, 2022.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 29, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

If you purchased or acquired Snowflake Class A common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Snowflake Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected].

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journals Plaintiffs Hot List thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2024 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:

Peter Allocco

Investor Relations Manager

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

https://www.bernlieb.com

(212) 951-2030

[email protected]
AVAILABILITY OF THE 2024 UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT, THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT AND THE REPORT ON CORPORATE FINANCE

Regulated Information

Paris, 11 March 2024

Societe Generale hereby informs the public that the French version of the 2024 Universal Registration Document was filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) on 11 March 2024.

The 2024 Universal Registration Document includes:

 the 2023 annual financial report; and

 the report on corporate governance prepared by the Board of Directors, as well as the related Statutory Auditors findings.

The annual financial report cross-reference table appears on page 728 of the Universal Registration Document.

The report on corporate governance prepared by the Board of Directors, as well as the related Statutory Auditors findings, appear respectively on pages 75 to 188 and on page 698 of the 2024 Universal Registration Document.

The 2024 Universal Registration Document is made available to the public, free of charge, in accordance with the conditions provided for by the regulations in force and may be consulted in the Regulated information section of the Companys website (https://investors.societegenerale.com/en/financial-and-non-financial-information/regulated-information-and-other-important-information) and on the AMFs website.

Press contact:

Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00_ [email protected]

Fanny Rouby_+33 1 57 29 11 12_ [email protected]



Societe Generale

Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with more than 126,000 employees serving about 25 million clients in 65 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for nearly 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective - to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.



The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:

French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance , with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank.

, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank. Global Banking and Investor Solutions , a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG.

, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG. International Retail, Mobility & Leasing Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.





Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).

In case of doubt regarding the authenticity of this press release, please go to the end of the Group News page on societegenerale.com website where official Press Releases sent by Societe Generale can be certified using blockchain technology. A link will allow you to check the documents legitimacy directly on the web page.

For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegenerale or visit our website societegenerale.com .

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SANTA ANA, Calif., March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PLEMCo, a subsidiary of Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. (OTC: SIRCD) (SIRC or the Company) is excited to design and build a Net Zero Energy Solar Photovoltaic System for Anderson Burton as part of the USACE Lake Isabella Permanent Operations Buildings project at Lake Isabella, Kern County, California.

Bart Saunders, Director of Government Sales, believes having Anderson Burton trust PLEMCo as their partner for this project is a great match for our capabilities. With our history of implementing renewable energy solutions on military sites, as well as our full turnkey inhouse capabilities, we see this as a win-win for both organizations and look forward for more close collaboration in the future.

Anderson Burton were looking for a trusted partner with military experience and solar installation expertise to meet the very specific requirements of this project for the US Army Corp of Engineers. The energy the solar component can deliver will be a valuable addition to the many other sustainable solutions included in the overall design of the site. Dan Carrisosa explained, For renewable energy clients, one of the many focusses for us has been providing them with clean energy solutions. We at Anderson Burton are committed to helping meet their net zero goals and build a sustainable future for everyone.

In addition to the Design Build Project with Anderson Burton, PLEMCo was also recently awarded the installation of 10 EV chargers at Waco State Prison in Kern County, CA. The project is expected to start at the end of Q1 and will wrap up in early Q2.

About Anderson Burton

Anderson Burton is a full services Design Build and EPC General Contractor nationally recognized for safely delivering high quality, innovative solutions. We partner with clients from initial concept development all the way through to the completion of construction, delivering turnkey projects that meet their specifications for a guaranteed price and by a guaranteed date. We believe that being a good neighbor means protecting the environment and adjacent communities at our worldwide jobsites and supporting the communities where our employees live and work.

About PLEMCo

PLEMCo (est.2003) is charging toward clean energy solutions to control energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint. We are a provider of energy & water conservation and renewable energy design, consulting, and installation services to businesses of all sizes throughout the US. We are DoE-Qualified ESCo, in the CA-DGS ESCo pool, and a qualified FEMP-Enable provider. From simple energy efficiency to complex ESPCs are provided to both commercial and government clients.

About Solar Integrated Roofing Corp.

Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. (OTC: SIRCD) is an integrated, single-source solutions provider of solar power, roofing and EV charging systems, specializing in commercial and residential properties throughout North America. The Company serves communities by delivering the best experience through constant innovation & legacy-focused leadership. For more information, please visit the Company's Investor Relations website at www.solarintegratedroofing.com, Corporate website at https://www.sirc.com or join us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.

Press Release Contact:Julie Brehm[email protected]

Source: Solar Integrated Roofing Corp.
South Korean Crypto Exchanges Outpace Stock Market in Trading Volume Amid Bitcoin Rally

The recent Bitcoin rally has reignited a trading frenzy among South Koreas crypto enthusiasts, with trading volumes on local exchanges surpassing those of the stock market last week.

Reports from local media indicate that trading volumes on South Korea-based crypto exchanges reached a record-breaking 11.8 trillion won (KRW) on Sunday, equivalent to $9 billion based on the prevailing USD-KRW exchange rate.

These figures exceeded the trading volume of the South Korean stock market on Friday, which stood at 11.47 trillion won ($8.7 billion).

The combined transaction amount of Koreas five largest won markets contributed to this milestone, with Upbit leading the pack at 8.8 trillion won, followed by Bithumb at 2.7 trillion won, Coinone at 176.4 billion won, Gopax at 55.2 billion won, and Coinone at 32 billion won.

Among the top five crypto markets on Upbit, the most actively traded pairs were Bitcoin (BTC), Space ID (ID), IQ Protocols IQ, Oxs ZRX, and Shiba Inu (SHIB).

Rising Crypto Demand Shows Increased Risk Tolerance



Observers of the local market believe that the relatively higher volume in the crypto market reflects an increased risk tolerance among South Korean investors, especially following the recent Bitcoin rally.

Ki Young-Ju, founder of on-chain provider CryptoQuant, explained that Koreans tend to favor high-risk, high-return investments due to their experience with a rapidly growing economy.

As wealth disparity widens, more individuals are turning to alternative coins (altcoins) as their preferred choice over major assets like BTC or ETH.

Despite trading at a premium compared to global exchanges, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other tokens maintain strong retail demand on Korean exchanges.

The sustained high daily trading volume on Upbit since March, surpassing 60,000 BTC, further supports the evidence of retail inflow into the market.

As reported, Bitcoin has been commanding an average 10% price premium in South Korea compared to global exchanges.

This phenomenon is known as the Kimchi premium, which refers to the price difference of Bitcoin on local Korean exchanges compared to global platforms.

The price of #BTC on #upbit , South Korea's largest CEX has hit 100M KRW(about $76K, kimchi premium ~= 7%). The historic moment is made all the more historic because the South Korean government has yet to allow the BTC spot ETF to be bought and sold  pic.twitter.com/Myg5uKo4WO  Henry | nonceClassic (@HenryK_Xel) March 11, 2024

South Korea Crypto Fans Could See Spot ETF Approvals



Last week, South Koreas chief of the financial watchdog revealed that authorities are discussing the potential approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the country.

Lee Bok-hyun, governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, said in a recent radio interview that there are differing opinions among authorities.

While some, like himself, hold a positive stance on virtual assets, others are more cautious.

Among authorities, I am one of those who are positive about virtual assets, while there are others who are wary, and we need to hear their opinions as well. We are internally discussing it.

As of now, spot Bitcoin ETFs are not available for South Korean crypto investors.

Meanwhile, South Korean police continue to wage war on crypto-powered drug trafficking, with officers in the capital Seoul making 452 arrests from June 2022 to December 2023.

As reported, police arrested three suspected drug dealers just this week. Officers also charged 445 buyers and four illegal cryptoasset trading platform operators.
Arvida

Coral Gables, Fla, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Keyes Company once again demonstrated its ability to navigate complex luxury real estate transactions, with the simultaneous closing of two deals totaling $14.5 million in Coral Gables. Daniel Rascon and Patrick Regan of The Keyes Company represented the seller of a nearly one-acre property in the citys coveted Gables Estates neighborhood and the buyer of a newly constructed home in the Ponce Davis neighborhood.

Both off-market transactions closed on March 1.

These closings required creativity and vast knowledge of the high-end market in Coral Gables, Rascon said. Inventory is scarce in the city, especially when it comes to new luxury product and developable land. We are thrilled with the outcome.

Rascon and Regan collaborated with Alex Pirez, broker/owner of Mocca Group, on both transactions. Pirez is also president of Mocca Construction, which builds luxury spec homes and constructed the brand-new residence at 4975 SW 82nd St. in Ponce Davis.

The 40,711-square-foot lot at 501 Arvida Pkwy. in Gables Estates has 200 feet of water frontage. The home was demolished in 2021 and will be redeveloped with a luxurious spec estate by Pirez.

These closings occurred just one week after Rascon and Regan closed the $3.35 million sale of a condominium in the waterfront Monad Terrace building in Miami Beach.

We applaud Daniel and Patrick on their tremendous luxury residential sales output, Keyes Miami Beach District Sales Manager Alberto Carrillo said. Our Miami Beach-based agents continue to leverage the Keyes platform and network, including our affiliations with Forbes Global Properties and Luxury Portfolio International, to secure optimal results for their clients.

About The Keyes Company: Independently-owned and operated since 1926, The Keyes Company is a leader in the real estate industry. The Keyes Family of Companies, along with its network of partner brokerages comprises 50 offices, more than 3,000 Associates and closed over $9.3 billion in annual real estate sales and services in 2023. Keyes offices are distributed throughout seven counties  Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Volusia, and Lee. Keyes expands our Associates reach globally as a Founding Member and Shareholder of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the worlds largest network of independent brokerages, and Member of the exclusive Forbes Global Properties network. The Keyes Company offers a suite of resources to cover whatever needs arise while buying or selling a home. Mortgage, title, insurance and property management needs are all be managed in-house, allowing Keyes Realtors to close deals with speed and efficiency while giving clients valuable access to the professionals responsible for the specific service lines.

Media Contact:Eric Kalis and Daniel Benjamin, BoardroomPR[email protected] or [email protected]954-370-8999

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Arvida Arvida

Source: The Keyes Company
Philadelphia, PA , March 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recent Experian data shows that the average American household debt was $103,358 in Q2 of 2023, and by Q3, total household debt increased by a substantial $228 billion, hitting a staggering $17.29 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. These alarming figures indicate that numerous US families are grappling with financial instability. The situation is exacerbated by debt collectors whose practices can sometimes lack integrity. Enter Creditor Law Group, a law firm dedicated to protecting consumers from such unfair treatment by creditors. This legal aid has been instrumental in assisting thousands of Americans navigate their debt issues, providing them with crucial support during challenging times.

In the face of escalating household debt, people across the country need a champion, and our team is proud to be on the frontline of defending Americans wronged by their creditors. Our dedicated attorneys successfully navigate the complexities of debt collection, employing a comprehensive approach to debt resolution that leverages legal expertise and a deep commitment to consumer protection, Creditor Law Group says. We believe our impact is felt nationwide as we go to bat for debtors facing aggressive tactics from creditors. Employing carefully crafted legal defense strategies, our attorneys have successfully negotiated settlements, challenged unfair debt collection practices, and provided individuals with the tools to regain their financial stability. The thousands of Americans we have helped are a testament to our dedication to level the financial playing field for all.

The team at Creditor Law Group is well-versed in the intricacies of debt collection laws, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). By leveraging their expertise, the firms attorneys defend debtors against unacceptable creditor behavior to ensure fair and respectful treatment of consumers. In addition, Creditor Law Group educates clients about their rights, enabling them to make informed financial decisions in the future. It provides valuable resources to people seeking information about debt resolution, demystifying the legal aspects of debt collection and empowering individuals to take control of their finances.

We firmly believe that knowledge is vital when it comes to financial matters, so we strive to make a difference by offering not only legal representation but also a holistic approach to debt resolution, Creditor Law Group notes. Every client's situation is unique, which is why our attorneys devise strategies that address the specific challenges faced by each individual or household. As U.S. consumer debt continues to rise, we stand ready to defend the rights of debtors and resolve debts through legal means so that we can ensure fairness and justice for people in financial distress.

Creditor Law Group is a Philadelphia-based legal services provider dedicated to defending consumers against credit card companies, debt collectors, and their lawyers. The firms team of experienced attorneys specializes in helping individuals who have had their wages garnished, have been taken to court by creditors, or have become victims of debt collector harassment.

Creditor Law Group: https://clglaw.com

Creditor Law Group Leads the Charge to Protect Consumers Against Their Creditors: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/creditor-law-group-leads-charge-015400275.html

Award-Winning Law Firm Creditor Law Group Committed to Challenging FDCPA Violations: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/award-winning-law-firm-creditor-033200728.html

David Glanzberg Creditor Law Group 1515 Market Street Suite 1200 Philadelphia PA 19102 https://www.clglaw.com [email protected] (800) 216-7211

Source: Creditor Law Group
Washington, D.C., March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Through his FY 2025 (FY25) budget proposal, President Biden and his administration have once again shown their commitment to investing in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their students.

The Presidents FY25 recommended budget proposes a $750 increase in the maximum Pell award over FY23 levels to $8,145 and maintains the strength of student aid programs such as Federal Work-Study and the Federal Supplemental Equal Opportunity Grants program (FSEOG). Additionally, similar to last year, the Presidents FY25 budget includes a consequential proposal originally introduced in the Presidents Build Back Better plan that would subsidize tuition for students during their first two years of attendance at an HBCU or MSI who come from families earning less than $125,000 a year.

The Presidents recommended budget also includes significant increases in Title III funding for HBCUs, Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs); and includes $100 million for four-year HBCUs, PBIs and MSIs to expand their research and development infrastructure.

Increasing research capacity and opportunity at our schools is of critical importance to the long-term sustainability and growth of our institutions, and to our nations global competitiveness. A $100 million investment in the research capacity and infrastructure is a material enhancement of the $50 million commitment made in the FY23 budget which was funded through the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) but is, unquestionably, a significant step backwards from the $350 million that the President requested in his FY24 budget proposal. We strongly encourage the Administration to consider an upward adjustment in its proposed investment in FIPSE as it begins its negotiations with Congress on the FY25 budget.

As always, TMCF looks forward to working with Congressional leadership on both sides of the aisle, the Congressional Black Caucus and the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus to ensure that investments in our students and institutions are prioritized during the FY25 budgeting process.

About the Thurgood Marshall College FundEstablished in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nations largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member schools include the publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Historically Black Community Colleges and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit www.tmcf.org.

Dr. Clara Ross Stamps The Thurgood Marshall College Fund 202-888-1648 [email protected]

Source: The Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Manila, Philippines, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Traders Fair Philippines, the leading financial event in the region, is set to return to Manila in 2024 for another exciting edition. Organized by FINEXPO, Traders Fair Philippines brings together traders, investors, brokers, exchanges, and financial service providers under one roof for a day of learning, networking, and exploration of the latest trends and opportunities in the financial markets.

Event Details:

Date: [May 25, 2024]

Location: Edsa Shangri-La, Manila, Philippines

Time: [10 am  6 pm]

Traders Fair Philippines 2024 will feature a wide range of topics and activities catering to traders and investors of all levels of experience. Attendees can expect insightful discussions, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and access to leading brokers, exchanges, and financial service providers.Key Topics:Forex Trading: Learn about the latest trends, strategies, and techniques in forex trading from expert speakers and industry professionals. Discover how to navigate the global currency markets and capitalize on trading opportunities.Cryptocurrency: Explore the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, including trading, investing, and the latest developments in the crypto space. Get insights into emerging trends, regulatory updates, and investment opportunities in digital assets.Stocks and Futures: Gain valuable insights into stock market trading, futures trading, and equity derivatives. Learn how to analyze market trends, identify trading opportunities, and manage risk effectively in dynamic market environments.Options Trading: Discover the potential of options trading and how to use options strategies to enhance your trading performance and manage risk. Learn from options experts about different trading strategies, techniques, and best practices.Brokers and Exchanges: Meet leading brokers, exchanges, and financial service providers showcasing their products, services, and solutions. Explore the latest innovations in trading technology, investment platforms, and trading tools to optimize your trading experience.Financial Service Providers: Connect with financial service providers offering a wide range of services, including investment advisory, wealth management, asset management, and financial planning. Discover how to achieve your financial goals and secure your financial future with expert guidance and support.Traders Fair Philippines 2024 promises to be a must-attend event for anyone looking to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of trading and investing. Whether you're a seasoned trader or a novice investor, there's something for everyone at Traders Fair Philippines.Register Now FREE: Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand your knowledge, grow your network, and explore new opportunities in the financial markets.Register now for Traders Fair Philippines 2024 and join us for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration.For more information and to register for Traders Fair Philippines 2024, visit the official website: https://tradersfair.com/philippines/About Traders Fair Philippines: Traders Fair Philippines is the premier financial event in the region, bringing together traders, investors, brokers, exchanges, and financial service providers for a day of learning, networking, and exploration of the latest trends and opportunities in the financial markets. With expert speakers, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and access to leading industry players, Traders Fair Philippines provides a unique platform for individuals to enhance their trading skills, explore new investment opportunities, and connect with the global financial community.Social links:Twitter X: https://twitter.com/tradersfairTelegram: https://t.me/traders_fairWebsite: https://tradersfair.com/philippines/Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency & securities.

Paula Cabildo media manager asia-at-finexpo.org

Source: Traders Fair
Analysts at Bank of America said Monday they believe the decline in equity price trend could cause CTAs trim their ...
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 11, 2024) - Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) ("Forum" or the "Company") announces it has entered into an agreement with Investing News Network ("INN") to provide an advertising and investor awareness campaign. The agreement is for a term of one year commencing March 1, 2024 and ending March 2, 2025. The cost of the campaign is $30,000 payable as to $15,000 on March 1, 2024 and $15,000 on September 1, 2024.

The Company also announces that, in accordance with the Company's stock option plan, it has granted to a consultant incentive stock options to purchase up to an aggregate of 100,000 common shares exercisable on or before March 11, 2025 at a price of $0.15 per share.

Forum Energy Metals

Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) is focused on the discovery of high-grade unconformity-related uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and the Thelon Basin, Nunavut. In addition, Forum holds a diversified energy metal portfolio of copper, nickel, and cobalt projects in Saskatchewan and Idaho. For further information: https://www.forumenergymetals.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Richard J. Mazur, P.Geo.

President & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information contact:

Rick Mazur, P.Geo.

President & CEO

[email protected]

Tel: 604-630-1585

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/201190
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 11, 2024) - Prospector Metals Corp.(TSXV:PPP)(OTCQB:PMCOD)(FSE:1ET) ("Prospector" or the "Company")is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Parkinson to the Board of Directors.

Ian Parkinson had a successful 16-year career as a sell-side mining analyst for a series of leading Bay Street brokerage firms. Most recently Ian was Managing Director, Mining Equity Research at Stifel GMP. Prior to Stifel, Ian's brokerage career included time at GMP Securities and CIBC World Markets. Before moving to the brokerage industry, Ian spent 10 years with Falconbridge and Noranda (now Glencore) gaining broad experience across the mining business including geology, metals marketing and business development. Ian is a graduate of Laurentian University in Sudbury where he was born and raised.

Ian is currently the CEO of Halcones Precious Metals, a South American focused exploration company and serves as Executive Vice President Corporate Development for Emerita Resources which is focused on advancing several base metals projects in Spain. He is Troilus Gold Corporation's nominee to the Board as per the terms of the Property Purchase Agreement for the ML Property announced on January 3, 2024.

Dr. Rob Carpenter, P. Geo, CEO of Prospector, stated, "We are thrilled to welcome Ian Parkinson as our newest Director at Prospector. His wealth of experience and strategic vision will undoubtedly contribute to our success as advance our newly acquired ML Project in the Yukon."

The Company also announces today the resignation of Michael Murphy as Director. Mr. Murphy has been a Director of the Company since 2018. In his resignation, Mr. Murphy wished the Company's management team every success in the future.

"On behalf of the members of the Board, the management team of Prospector, I would like to thank Michael for his valued contributions and commitment over the years," said Craig Roberts, Co-Chairman of Prospector. "We wish Michael all the best in his future endeavours."

The Company announces that it has granted, under its Equity Incentive Plan, incentive stock options to certain directors of the Company to purchase an aggregate of up to 300,000 common shares exercisable for a period of up to five years from the date of grant at a price of $0.22 per share. This grant is subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Prospector Metals Corp.

Prospector Metals Corp. is a Discovery Group Company focused on district scale, early-stage exploration of gold and base metal prospects. Creating shareholder value through new discoveries, the Company identifies underexplored or overlooked mineral districts displaying important structural and mineralogical occurrences similar to more established mining operations. The majority of acquisition activity occurs in Ontario, Canada - a Tier-1 mining jurisdiction with an abundance of overlooked geological regions possessing high mineral potential. Prospector establishes and maintains relationships with local and Indigenous rightsholders, and seeking to develop partnerships and agreements that are mutually beneficial to all stakeholders.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Prospector Metals Corp.

Dr. Rob Carpenter, Ph.D., P.Geo.

President & CEO

For further information about Prospector Metals Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at prospectormetalscorp.com or contact us by email at [email protected].

Prospector Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca.

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions:

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, and other project opportunities. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/201322
Rarely seen trading data made available for Trade Amber customers

London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - March 11, 2024) - In a decisive move towards transparency, Trade Amber is spearheading efforts to bring clarity to the proprietary trading industry. By boldly publishing trading data - both successful and unsuccessful - Trade Amber is shedding light on the habits and practices that potentially define traders' success or failure within the prop firm space.

"Trade Amber's commitment to transparency is unwavering," states Richard Townsend, CEO of Trade Amber. "We recognize the importance of providing traders with real insights into what works and what doesn't in the trading world. By sharing comprehensive trading data, we aim to empower traders to make informed decisions and enhance their trading strategies."

By offering traders access to anonymized trading data, Trade Amber aims to help users to gain valuable insights into potentially successful trading strategies. This transparent approach not only empowers traders but also fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within the prop firm space.

"Transparency is key to fostering trust and accountability," remarks Townsend. "At Trade Amber, we believe in equipping traders with the knowledge and tools to potentially succeed. By openly sharing trading data, we're not just levelling the playing field - we're reshaping the entire landscape of proprietary trading."

Beyond the publication of trading data, Trade Amber is also pioneering innovative approaches to mentorship and trader development. Collaborating with seasoned mentors, Trade Amber provides traders with personalized guidance and support to help users navigate the complexities of the trading world. This mentorship program, coupled with access to comprehensive trading data, offers traders a potentially unique opportunity to possibly accelerate growth and achieve trading goals.

"Education and mentorship are fundamental to our approach at Trade Amber," affirms Townsend. "By pairing traders with experienced mentors and arming them with valuable insights, we're empowering them to take control of their trading journey."

In addition to its commitment to transparency and trader development, Trade Amber is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive trading community. The launch of a Discord channel provides traders with a platform to connect, collaborate, and share experiences, further enhancing the trading experience for all members of the Trade Amber community.

"At Trade Amber, we're more than just a prop trading firm - we're a community," says Townsend. "Our Discord channel serves as a hub for traders to exchange ideas, seek support, and celebrate successes. By fostering a sense of camaraderie and collaboration, we're building a stronger, more resilient trading community."

With its unwavering commitment to transparency, trader development, and community engagement, Trade Amber is poised to redefine the proprietary trading landscape. By providing traders with the tools, resources, and support, Trade Amber is ushering in a new era of potential opportunity and empowerment in the prop firm space.

For more information about Trade Amber and to join the trading community, visit www.tradeamber.com.

Contact Information:

Richard Townsend

[email protected]

+447484533878

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200688
Costa Mesa, California--(Newsfile Corp. - March 11, 2024) - WOSU Presents, a local public television program presented by WOSU, will feature #1 New York Times bestselling author and neuropsychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen in 'Raising Mentally Strong Kids' a must-watch television event where he will share seven core conversations to help parents and grandparents raise happy, responsible, and mentally strong kids. The program will air on local PBS stations nationwide. Check local listings for details or view the local PBS station's broadcast TV schedule through the PBS app or PBS.org.





WOSU Presents 'Raising Mentally Strong Kids' with Dr. Daniel Amen



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10282/201055_istock-950269456.jpg

Raising mentally strong kids and young adults is the most important work parents and grandparents ever do. Yet, parenting seems harder now than ever before with social media, digital addictions, and the epidemic rise of anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

This program will include valuable insights and information for caregivers based on the highly anticipated new parenting book from Dr. Daniel Amen and child psychologist Dr. Charles Fay, Raising Mentally Strong Kids: How to Combine the Power of Neuroscience with Love and Logic to Grow Confident, Kind, Responsible, and Resilient Children and Young Adults which will be released on March 26, 2024, and is available for pre-sale now on Amazon and other popular retailerswith an exclusive opportunity for pre-orders.

"In this program available exclusively on public television, I will provide evidence-based guidance and advice to help you and your children develop strong brains," said Dr. Amen, co-author and double-board certified psychiatrist and founder of Amen Clinics and BrainMD. "While so many children and young adults are struggling, there is help and solutions to raising mentally healthy kids who are equipped to thrive."

About Daniel G. Amen, MD

Dr. Amen is a former US Army infantry medic, physician, double-board certified psychiatrist, 12-time New York Times bestselling author, and founder and CEO of Amen Clinics with 11 locations nationwide. Amen Clinics has built the world's largest database of brain scans related to behavior, totaling more than 250,000 scans on patients from 155 countries.

Dr. Amen's research team has published more than 85 scientific articles and Discover Magazine named his research as one of the Top Stories in Science for 2015. Dr. Amen has also written, produced, and hosted 17 national public television specials about the brain that have aired over 135,000 times across North America. He has appeared on numerous television shows, including Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, The Doctors, Today Show, Good Morning America, and The View. He has a massive following on social media, with over 3.3 million followers on Instagram, 2.6 million followers on TikTok, and hundreds of thousands more on Facebook. He is widely regarded as a gifted teacher.

Media Contact:

Natalie Buchoz

Email: [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/201055
MELBOURNE, Fla. , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Apis Cor, a manufacturer of construction 3D printing robotic technologies, announces that D.R. Horton, the largest homebuilder by volume in the United States , has made a strategic investment in the company.

The two companies plan to work together on a multi-unit construction project in South Florida after the finalization of the new 3D-printed wall system, which Apis Cor estimates will result in a significant increase in productivity.

Apis Cor was founded to address the labor shortage in the industry that makes homebuilding challenging across the country to meet the growing demand for housing. According to Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, in 2023, more than 400,000 construction industry positions were unfilled, and current workers are retiring in record numbers, making skilled labor hard to find and expensive.

Apis Cor's 3D-printing technology aims to empower all homebuilders, including smaller developers, with advanced robotic solutions to help fill the gap in the limited pool of skilled labor, increase productivity, and build more houses, thus increasing the overall inventory in the market.

"Access to D.R. Horton's extensive expertise and infrastructure can boost the adoption and scalability of our breakthrough technology in the market and help us make our technology available for every homebuilder in the country sooner," said Anna Cheniuntai, CEO and co-founder of Apis Cor.

As part of the relationship, D.R. Horton will provide advisory support through their team of construction experts.

"As a strategic investor, we are always interested in highly innovative companies. We've seen many technologies in the space and are very impressed with what Apis Cor has achieved and demonstrated so far with their mobile, proprietary printer "Frank". We look forward to what we can achieve together to expedite the commercialization of this promising technology," said Brad Conlon , D.R. Horton's SVP of Business Development.

About Apis Cor Inc.

Founded in 2016 by Nikita and Anna Cheniuntai, Apis Cor is an American technology corporation headquartered in Melbourne, Florida , that develops advanced technologies and materials for construction 3D-printing. The company holds the Guinness Book World Record for the Largest 3D- Printed Building on Earth and is proud to be a resident of the Autodesk Technology Centers Outsight Network. A successful participant in NASA's "3D Printed Habitat Challenge"  Apis Cor was awarded top honors in several categories. Apis Cor is backed by Alchemist Accelerator, the premier accelerator for enterprise startups, and At One Ventures, a VC and private equity firm that supports deep tech ventures that are a net positive to nature and the planet. Learn more about 3D-printing construction technology at: www.Apis-Cor.com .

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Apis Cor's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and neither Apis Cor Inc. nor D.R. Horton Inc. undertakes any duty to update such information.

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SOURCE Apis Cor
PHILADELPHIA  Two 18-year-olds were arrested in the shooting of eight Philadelphia high school students at a bus stop last week, and authorities recovered a fully loaded, fully automatic weapon that matches evidence found at the scene, they announced Monday.

Two more suspects were still being sought, authorities said. The Wednesday afternoon shooting was the fourth in four days involving the city's transit system.

The discovery of the stolen car involved, just hours later, helped lead police to suspect Jamaal Tucker, who turned himself in Friday, police said. On Saturday, they said, federal marshals searched a location linked to Ahnile Buggs and recovered the .40-caliber Glock that matched casings found at the scene.

Both teens are face the same charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, weapons offenses and other charges, and are being held on more than $2 million bail. Preliminary hearings are scheduled March 20 for both. A message left Monday with Buggs' attorney was not immediately returned. Tucker is being represented by public defenders, who did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Mayor Cherelle Parker led a group of public officials at a Monday afternoon news conference, including the heads of the local FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives offices, to try to assure city residents they are working to address the spate of transit crime.

We will focus on prevention, intervention and enforcement, said Parker, who took office in January and promised to present her public safety strategies in the coming weeks "in an effort to bring lawfulness and some order back to our city."

She urged an end to the finger-pointing that has caused friction between the police department, reform-minded District Attorney Larry Krasner and other agencies in recent years.

The shooting Wednesday came as students at nearby Northeast High School were waiting to board the bus home.

About 3 p.m., three masked gunmen rounded the corner and opened fire, surveillance video shared by police shows. The victims were ages 15 to 17. A 16-year-old was critically injured after being hit nine times.

The city's police commissioner, Kevin Bethel, credited quick action by two police officers in applying tourniquets to three of the victims with possibly saving lives.

Northeast High School is the largest public high school in the city, with more than 3,000 students.

Police were investigating whether the shooting may have been related to the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old charter school student, when gunmen fired 40 shots at close range as people boarded a city bus in the city's Ogontz section. Four others were injured, including a 70-year-old woman.

Also last week, police believe an argument aboard a bus led to the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man by a passenger exiting a bus in South Philadelphia. A 27-year-old man was killed by another passenger moments after they both got off a bus in the city's Oxford Circle area.
HANGZHOU and SHAOXING, China , March 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKEX: 1672, "Ascletis") today announces the poster presentation of Phase II study final results of ASC40, a first-in-class fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitor for treatment of acne, at the 2024 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in San Diego , the United States .

The summary of the poster is shown as below:

Title:

First FASN inhibitor ASC40 to treat acne vulgaris patients: final results from a Phase 2 trial

Method:

This phase 2 trial (NCT05104125) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. 180 patients were 1:1:1:1 assigned to the ASC40 25\50\75 mg or placebo QD for 12-week treatment and 2-week follow-up. Efficacy and safety of ASC40 vs placebo were assessed.

Background:

ASC40 (denifanstat) is a potent and selective small molecule inhibitor of fatty acid synthase (FASN). Mechanisms of action of ASC40 for acne treatment are novel: (1) direct inhibition of facial sebum production through inhibition of de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in sebocytes; and (2) inhibition of inflammation through decreasing cytokine secretion. Previous clinical studies showed that ASC40 treatment for 10 days reduced significantly facial sebum palmitic acid levels. Here we report the efficacy and safety results from a phase 2 study of ASC40 in patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris after 12-week treatment.

Results:

At week 2, 4, 8 and 12, percentage and absolute change from baseline in total lesion, inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts as well as treatment success and Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) reduction  2 were assessed. At all doses, above efficacy measures generally improved from week 2 to week 12. 50 mg QD demonstrated the best efficacy: placebo-adjusted proportion of patients with treatment success and IGA reduction  2 were 14.3% and 16.2%, respectively. Placebo-adjusted median percentage (absolute) change from baseline in total lesion and inflammatory counts were -27.1% (-23.5) and -33.5% (-13), respectively (p = 0.008 (0.030) and 0.003 (0.003)).

Safety:

The incidence rates of study drug related AEs were comparable among 25 mg (grade 1 = 28.9%; grade 2 = 20.0%), 50mg (grade 1 = 36.4%; grade 2 = 11.4%), 75 mg (grade 1 = 44.4%; grade 2 = 17.8%) ASC40 and placebo (grade 1 = 35.6%; grade 2 = 13.3%). The most common study drug related AE was dry eyes whose incidence rates were similar among 25 mg (grade 1 =17.8%; grade 2 = 6.6%), 50 mg (grade 1 = 22.7%; grade 2 = 2.3%), 75 mg (grade 1 = 15.5%; grade 2 =11.1%) ASC40 and placebo (grade 1 = 28.9%; grade 2 = 6.6%). There were no clinically significant findings in clinical laboratory, vital signs and electrocardiography. There were no ASC40 related grade 3 or 4 AEs and no ASC40 related serious AEs (SAEs).

Conclusion:

Based on efficacy and safety data from this phase 2 trial, a phase 3 clinical trial of 50 mg QD ASC40 with 12-week treatment has been initiated.

"It's a great honor to present our Phase II clinical trial results of ASC40 for acne treatment at the AAD Annual Meeting. The FASN inhibitor ASC40 is a first-in-class drug candidate with novel mechanism, demonstrating significant efficacy and good safety in the Phase II clinical trial. Currently, the enrollment of Phase III clinical trial of ASC40 for acne is accelerating. We expect to bring more benefits for acne patients in the future." said Dr. Jinzi J. Wu , Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ascletis.

Ascletis holds the rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize ASC40 in Greater China under an exclusive license from Sagimet Biosciences Inc.

About AAD

Founded in 1938, the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is the largest, most influential, and most representative dermatological society in the United States . The 2024 AAD Annual Meeting is held at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego , the United States , from March 8 to March 12, 2024 .

About Ascletis

Ascletis is an innovative R&D driven biotech listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (1672.HK), covering the entire value chain from discovery and development to manufacturing and commercialization. Led by a management team with deep expertise and a proven track record, Ascletis focuses on three therapeutic areas with unmet medical needs from a global perspective: viral diseases, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and oncology. Through excellent execution, Ascletis rapidly advances its drug pipeline with an aim of leading in global competition. To date, Ascletis has multiple drug candidates in its R&D pipeline. The most advanced drug candidates include ASC22 (CHB functional cure), ASC40 (acne), ASC40 (recurrent glioblastoma), ASC40 (NASH), ASC41 (NASH) and ASC61 (advanced solid tumors).

For more information, please visit www.ascletis.com.

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SOURCE Ascletis Pharma Inc.
BISMARCK, N.D. , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As spring approaches, visitors to North Dakota can experience a variety of creative and unique attractions from art and science museums to concerts and film festivals that are appealing and fun-filled for all ages.

Here is a glimpse of what travelers can expect to discover this spring in North Dakota :

Bismarck

North Dakota Gateway to Science

The Gateway to Science, opened in 2023, features an interactive gallery, education wing with a lab, outdoor learning areas, conference room and innovation space. There are 10+ interactive exhibits for children to explore and learn. From the anatomy of the body and the dynamics of machines, to farming, engineering, and technology, the Gateway to Science is a transformative experience for children to explore and for parents to set fledging learners on a life-long path of curiosity.

North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum

North Dakota's largest museum features four museum galleries tracing the state's rich history and future with thousands of artifacts and specimens, high-tech displays, and interactive exhibits. Opening March 16 , the new exhibit Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross features over 50 original illustrations by the artist as well as 3D figures. Considered one of the greatest artists in the field of comic books, Alex Ross has created some of the most iconic images known to fans today. For nearly 30 years, he has revitalized classic superheroes into works of fine art by illustrating characters including Spider-Man, Captain America , Iron Man, Storm from the X-Men, the Avengers, Black Panther and many more. Make plans to catch the superheroes before the exhibit ends on June 9 .

Fargo

FMBallet

Celebrating its 20th season, the Fargo-Moorhead Ballet is a professional dance company under the direction of Matthew Gasper , a former professional ballet, Broadway , and commercial dancer. For this year's celebration, FMBallet will debut "Alice in Wonderland" on April 20-21 at the Fargo Theatre, with tickets available starting March 18 . A literary masterpiece, this performance will entertain both ardent classical ballet fans and those simply seeking a magical night out. Join Alice and the full cast of iconic characters as they transport you to a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Fargo Film Festival

The Fargo Film Festival provides an exceptional opportunity for filmmakers' work to be shown on the big silver screen at the Fargo Theater, a beautifully restored, state of the art, 870-seat Art Deco theatre. From March 19-23 , a full catalog of films, Q&As and panel discussions will fill the weekend, with each night concluding with showcased films. 2024 films include "Show Her the Money" produced by Catherine Gray , Wendy Ryan , Azin Radsan Van Alebeek , and Julie Peterson Klein , "Scrap" from actor/director/writer Vivian Kerr , and "The Day Of" featuring actor and producer Jennifer Lafleur . The festival will feature two must-see Oscar nominated movies "Nai Nai and Wai Po" (Best Documentary Short Film ) and "Letter to a Pig" (Best Animated Short Film ).

Grand Forks

North Dakota Museum of Art

Starting March 14 , two new exhibitions will hit the museum's floor! Maurice Sendak : 50 Years, will showcase a retrospective of original paintings and illustrations by Maurice Sendak , honoring the 50th anniversary of when "Where the Wild Things Are" was originally published, and Heidi Goldberg : Over and Under, Here and Now, is a captivating exhibition showcasing the visionary work of artist Heidi Goldberg . In addition, on March 17 , the multiple Grammy Award-winning, Pacifica Quartet, will perform a concert in the galleries filling the halls with their exuberant and daring musical style. To end the month of March, the museum will host their annual Family Day, where children of all ages and adults come together to work on community art projects to learn about techniques and materials.

Minot

Magic City Discovery Center

The Magic City Discovery Center is a destination to bring children, their families and caregivers together in an interactive environment that inspires creativity, encourages play, and enhances education. Every month, there are activities like STEAM Storytime, an interactive story time geared for toddlers and preschoolers, and Feature Fridays, a monthly come-and-go for families to learn from a person or group who has made important contributions to a STEAM-related field. Regular sensory-friendly nights feature reduced sound levels and limited attendance for children and their families who may have special needs, differently abled individuals, and those who have sensory sensitivities.

Western North Dakota

The Enchanted Highway

In western North Dakota , the Enchanted Highway is a 32-mile stretch of magical highway punctuated with seven giant, whimsical art structures off of Interstate 94 . From a 40-foot-tall pheasant to a 60-foot-long grasshopper, to the World's Largest scrap metal sculpture with "Geese in Flight," The Enchanted Highway takes the Spring Break road trip to a new level.

With an array of events in the month of March and the new 2024 Travel Guide now available, there's no limit to the experiences awaiting visitors during a trip in North Dakota this spring.

For more winter travel inspiration, follow North Dakota Tourism on Facebook at facebook.com/TravelND , on Instagram at instagram.com/northdakotalegendary/ or on X at twitter.com/NorthDakota and get tips on what to see and do all year long.

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SOURCE North Dakota Tourism Division
BLAZE, a cloud-native microservices-based technology platform, was introduced during the Simply Payments event, a Leadership Connect Conference for financial services industry representatives

for financial services industry representatives BLAZE is designed to facilitate scalable and secure payment transactions, in sync with the changing demand faced by banks and financial institutions in the region

DUBAI, UAE , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Software & Systems Pvt Ltd (FSS), a prominent global payments technology solutions provider, introduced BLAZE for the Middle East payments market during the Simply Payments conference, on 7th March, in Dubai .

The Simply Payments conference focused on the theme of 'Redefining payments ecosystem through platforms'. The event was attended by dignitaries from the ME finance industry along with notable speakers, including Mr. Jan Pilbauer, CEO of Al Etihad Payments, who elaborated on ' UAE's payment ecosystem'; Dr. Ali Salim Al Shekaili , AGM - Head of Digital & e Channels at the National Bank of Oman, shared insights into the 'Success story of payment platforms'; and Mr. Tony Chacko Joseph , Head of Digital Payments Transformation at the Ministry of Finance, who discussed 'Digital Payments in the Public Sector'.

BLAZE is a cloud-native microservices-based technology platform designed to offer significant efficiency gains in terms of speed and scalability, and ensure high durability during peak workloads, improve fraud prevention, and enhance services to banks and financial institutions, while simplifying choices and bolstering the confidence of end consumers.

Using the BLAZE architecture, the FSS Payment Gateway can process over 5000 transactions per second.

BLAZE, a platform that is built to create a robust ecosystem of world-class payment technology, will help financial services institutions and banks overcome the challenges imposed by heavy, monolithic architectures.

FSS has a proven track record in the Middle East , with more than 18 products deployed across six countries and partnerships with the top tier-1 banks, four of the six central country switches, and the top two third-party processors.

V Balasubramanian, CEO of CashTech, FSS, said: "Continued expansion in the region demonstrates our commitment to providing our clients with quality services and support. With BLAZE, we further embody our commitment to innovation in payments. BLAZE will enable banks and financial institutions to deliver their customers novel and innovative payment experiences."

The entry of BLAZE into the market will further expand its presence in the Middle East market and provide digital technology-enabled scalable and safe payment solutions.

Contact

[email protected] | +91 22 6757 4444

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2359085/FSS_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE FSS
Guest speakers from Medecins Sans Frontieres and more

Atmospheric water generator (AWG)  Ai Heart

Earthquake resistance coating  Aster

A "magic floor" that prevents injuries from falls  Magic Shields

Innovative Japanese start-ups with global ambitions will be gathering in the heart of Tokyo on March 15 , showcasing the solutions they offer to help solve the world's biggest social and environmental challenges to a panel of international experts who will assess their growth potential overseas.

TOKYO , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Representatives of innovative Japanese start-ups with global ambitions will be gathering in the heart of Tokyo this week on March 15 . They will showcase the solutions they offer to help solve the world's biggest social and environmental challenges. A panel of international experts will assess their growth potential overseas.

Various industry experts, ranging from venture capitalists to media professionals and international NGOs, namely Medecins Sans Frontieres, Mundi Ventures, J-BIG, and more, will provide the Japanese innovators with hands-on feedback and advice on their global expansion plans. The experts will be joining this event in person or online from overseas.

The event is supported by the government of Tokyo , the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper and the Office of Economy and Commerce at the Spanish Embassy in Japan . It will be co-hosted by Japan's solutions-focused news service J-Stories and the Mainichi national daily's start-up accelerator, Mainichi Future Creation Lab.

The event also aims to explore the latest trends in social initiatives and the possibility of "inclusive innovation" Japan-based start-ups could leverage.

The inaugural Japan Global Innovators' Forum (JGIF) will invite promising Japanese start-ups from three specific categories: Age Tech, Disaster Tech, and Clean Energy. The main language of the event is English, with simultaneous interpretation provided via zoom available through participants' own device (i.e., smartphone, earplugs) onsite. We look forward to having you at the venue for face-to-face networking after the panels.

Register here  https://jgif-english.peatix.com/

[Event Overview]

"1st Japan Global Innovators' Forum (JGIF)"

Date: Friday, March 15, 2024

Time: 18:00 to 20:00 Tokyo time (doors open at 17:30) / 10:00 a.m. to noon CET (Central European Time);

Networking event from 20:00 to 21:00 for on-site participants only.

Where (Physical venue): Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB) in front of Yurakucho Station , Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Format: Hybrid (150 on-site participants / 150 online participants)

Language: English (with simultaneous interpretation in Japanese via ZOOM *please use your own devices  smartphone and earplugs)

Organizers: J-Stories, Mainichi Future Creation Lab

Partners and Supporters: The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TiB partner), The Mainichi Newspaper, The Embassy of Spain's Office of Economy and Commerce, Pacific Bridge Media & Consulting (PBMC)

Participating Start-ups: Start-ups focusing on Disaster Tech, Age (Silver) Tech and Clean EnergyAND MORE!

Participating Commentators' Countries of Origin: Spain , Germany , the Netherlands, USA, Japan, among others.

Tickets: 1,500 for on-site participants (includes snacks and drinks for networking event); free for online participants. On-site participants are requested to bring two business cards.

Register here  https://jgif-english.peatix.com/

[ Program (Tentative; subject to change)]

Part 1: Case Study and Feedback (18:00-19:30 Tokyo time / 10:00-12:00 CET )

Group 1: Disaster Tech (30 minutes)



- Aster: Provider of earthquake resistance coating

- Ai Heart Japan : Provider of atmospheric water generator/AWG



- Johan Martens , Innovation Manager, Doctors Without Borders ( Netherlands )

- Matthew Romaine , Co-founder & Managing Director, Shizen Capital (Japan/ USA )

Group 2: Age Tech (30 minutes)



- Magic Shields : A "magic floor" that prevents injuries from falls

- Assist Motion: "Wearable" robotic suit



- Bjoern Eichstaedt , Publisher, J-BIG ( Germany )

- Yoko Kojima , Head of ESG, Mundi Ventures ( Spain )

Group 3 : Clean Energy (30 minutes)



-Ability: Portable hydrogen cartridges for mobility

-Challenergy: Wind power generation without blades



- Jan Lozek, Founder & Managing Director, Future Energy Ventures ( Germany / Spain )

- Hirokazu Yamaguchi , Founder & CEO, Beyond Next Energy (Japan)

Part 2: Roundtable Discussion (19:30-20:00 Tokyo time / 11:30-12:00 CET )

Topic: How Can Social Innovators in Japan Shine on a Global Stage?

- Exploring Japan as a Pioneer Nation in Global Challenges: Unveiling the Sectors Capturing Worldwide Interest

- Navigating the Future: Unpacking the Latest Trends in Impact and ESG Investing on the Global Stage

- Pioneering Change: Can Japan Lead the World in Nurturing "Zebra" Companies and "Inclusive Innovation"?

- Insights and Strategies: Leveraging Advice from International Venture Capitalists to Make a Global Impact

Speakers:

- Jeff Char , Founder & CEO, SOGO Energy (Japan/ USA )

- Yoko Kojima , Head of ESG, Mundi Ventures, ( Spain /Japan)

- Others/TBA

Moderators:

- Toshi Maeda , Founder and Executive Editor, J-Stories

- Sayuri Daimon , Former Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Writer at The Japan Times

Part 3: Networking Event (20:00-21:00 Tokyo time) ( Tokyo /TiB venue only)

Light refreshments and soft drinks will be served, and participants will have an opportunity to chat with each other. (Please note that alcohol will not be served due to the restrictions at the venue.)

For event inquiries, please contact the organizers at [email protected]

For media registration

https://jgif.peatix.com/

If you are a journalist/media member coming to the venue for coverage, please enter "discount code" [ MEDIA ] for media only invitation with free entrance.

For media inquiries

PBMC CEO Toshi Maeda

phone+81- 50-5527-0955 email[email protected]

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SOURCE PACIFIC BRIDGE MEDIA AND CONSULTING
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 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

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SOURCE Lahome
Former Ameriprise Firm with $210 million in Client Assets Joins Affiliated Advisors, One of Osaic's Largest Enterprise OSJs

PHOENIX , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Osaic, one of the nation's largest providers of wealth management services, announced the addition of Latitude Wealth Advisors ("Latitude"), a wealth management firm located in Hauppauge, New York . Latitude serves hundreds of families and businesses, representing $210 million in total client assets. The firm was formerly affiliated with Ameriprise Financial and joins Osaic through Affiliated Advisors, one of Osaic's largest enterprise OSJs.

The Latitude partnership includes wealth advisors Robert Martino , CFP, ChFC, CLU, RICP, CRPC, CLTC, Jason Harris , MSFS, CRPC, Anthony Martino , CRPC, CLTC, RICP, and Mark Harris. The four founding partners have more than 100 years of combined experience in helping clients meet their long-term financial goals by providing an individualized, disciplined and comprehensive planning methodology, coupled with a team focused on responsive client service.

"We were seeking a new partner for the next chapter of our growth, and Osaic and Affiliated Advisors provided the clearest choice based on the breadth and depth of their platform, combined with the personalized service, value-added resources and specialized experts," said Mr. Martino .

In addition to their committed work with clients, each of Latitude's partners is known for their dedication to charitable initiatives and giving their time and expertise to serve many of the non-profit organizations in their community and beyond.

"We are thrilled to be providing Jason, Mark, Robert, Anthony and their talented team with the resources and technology to achieve their true growth potential," said Affiliated Advisors President Rita Robbins . "Latitude Wealth Advisors' culture and commitment to their clients, as well as their extensive work with nonprofits, completely aligned with our values and the future of the industry."

Affiliated Advisors provides a comprehensive suite of business management, compliance, technology, marketing, and investment advisory services, along with direct access to service professionals skilled in helping advisors streamline their workflows. Additionally, Affiliated Advisors is known for efficient transitions, as well as succession planning resources and acquisition opportunities. With the addition of Latitude Wealth Advisors, Affiliated Advisors now serves over 100 advisors and 60 staff, representing more than $4 billion in client assets.

Kristen Kimmell , Executive Vice President Business Development, Osaic, said, "Latitude is a great practice run by an exceptional team. They came to Osaic for the flexibility to provide client-centric solutions and technology to enhance their clients' experience, while taking advantage of resources to streamline workflows. The team is also excited about joining a community of like-minded professionals where they can share best practices. We welcome Latitude to the family and congratulate Rita and her team at Affiliated Advisors for their ongoing success in attracting top-tier advisors and practices to the Osaic platform."

About Affiliated Advisors

Founded 30 years ago by industry veteran, Rita Robbins , Affiliated Advisors is a team of experienced and innovative industry experts with a passion and mission to help advisors build the practices of their dreams through a dedicated service and support platform. Affiliated Advisors' award-winning suite of marketing, technology, compliance, service, financial planning, practice management and succession planning resources is helping over 50 firms grow and better manage their advisory businesses. To learn more about the Affiliated Advisors visit www.AffiliatedAdvisors.com.

About Osaic

Osaic, Inc. ("Osaic"), a portfolio company of Reverence Capital Partners, is one of the nation's largest providers of wealth management strategies, supporting approximately 10,500 financial professionals. Our mission is to support the strategic role that financial professionals can play in the lives of their clients. Cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence, Osaic champions the enduring value of financial professionals. For more information visit www.osaic.com

Securities and investment advisory services are offered through the firms: Osaic Wealth, Inc., Triad Advisors, LLC, and Osaic Institutions, Inc., broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, and members of FINRA and SIPC. Securities are offered through Securities America, Inc., American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc., and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., broker-dealers and member of FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Arbor Point Advisors, LLC, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., and Triad Hybrid Solutions, LLC, registered investment advisers. Advisory programs offered by Osaic Wealth, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., and Triad Advisors, LLC., are sponsored by VISION2020 Wealth Management Corp., an affiliated registered investment adviser.

Media Inquiries

Donald Cutler

Haven Tower Group

[email protected]

424 317 4864

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SOURCE Osaic, Inc.
LAS VEGAS , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Made-in-China.com has significantly enhanced its offline service through a comprehensive upgrade recently, introducing an immersive purchasing experience aimed at enhancing the procurement process for global buyers.

As a comprehensive cross-border trade platform, Made-in-China.com remains committed to providing high-quality online and offline services. With its latest enhancement, the platform has tailored its "WE EXPO" service to align with the unique characteristics of various industries and products. By integrating suppliers' products with on-site booth setups at top-tier international exhibitions worldwide, Made-in-China.com enables overseas buyers to visually assess the quality of samples firsthand.

The International Builders' Show (IBS), the largest construction industry event in North America , serves as a crucial trade platform for Chinese building material suppliers looking to penetrate the American market. Made-in-China.com has partnered with a number of construction and building materials manufacturers to showcase at IBS 2024, which is the first stop after the upgrade of offline services. The booth's innovative use of cabinet boards, door handles, display boards, and hardware has garnered considerable interest from attendees at IBS.

Kyle from Swensenw Ap Real Estate Company, deeply engaged with products displayed by Topunion Hardware And Plastic Co., Limited on-site, expressing interest by stating, "Their offerings seem tailor-made for my multifamily and house flipping ventures. I think I would definitely be interested in looking into this in the future."

Guangdong Kaxier Green Building Materials Co., Ltd., another exhibitor at Made-in-China.com's booth, successfully negotiated orders with buyers after product demonstrations. The company's General Manager stated, "After experiencing the quality of our products and browsing through our product catalog at the booth, a Canadian buyer immediately placed an order worth nearly $70,000 . The upgraded service has enhanced the experience, benefiting both buyers and suppliers." Mr. Zhou , the general manager of Kaxier, commented.

Made-in-China.com has consistently pursued innovative breakthroughs, advancing its online and offline services to meet evolving industry demands. It previously launched several "Selected Sourcing Connect" events, bringing high-quality Chinese suppliers, products, and exemplary service directly to global buyers. Additionally, through meticulous market research and analysis, the platform initiated the "Special Exhibition" event, leading 40 Chinese enterprises to participate in the International Construction & Interior Design Expo "CIDEX 2023" in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates at the end of last year. Through a diverse range of business negotiation services, Made-in-China.com has created abundant opportunities for relevant enterprises across various industries.

Made-in-China.com continuously innovates its online and offline service offerings, rolling out significant online promotional initiatives, such as the "Amazing April" event, while also consistently refining the buyer experience through its offline engagements, ultimately elevating the overall procurement standards.

Media contact:

Yichun Wu

[email protected]

+8602566775597

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SOURCE Made-in-China.com
The modular cloud-based solution will open new markets and reduce maintenance burden and complexity

NEW YORK and TOKYO , March 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Matsui Securities Co., Ltd., one of Japan's top online securities brokers, has selected global Fintech leader Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc .'s (NYSE: BR) cloud based SaaS post-trade processing solution to drive operational efficiency in its stock lending business. System integrator Intelligent Wave will develop the front office component and system integration as well as provide project management and overall consultation to Matsui Securities.

"Hitherto, we have operated an internally developed system for stock lending transactions, but as our business has grown it has become bloated, making system maintenance a significant burden," said Shinichi Uzawa , Managing Director, Corporate Division at Matsui Securities. "By adopting Broadridge's post-trade processing solution with its proven global track record, we expect to reduce our maintenance burden and facilitate a far more stable management with much greater operational efficiency."

"We are delighted to work with Matsui Securities and Intelligent Wave to meet their clients' current and future stock lending needs in Japan ," said Ian Strudwick , Managing Director, Head of Asia Pacific at Broadridge. "In today's competitive online securities brokerage market, margin compression means that our clients are looking at new revenue growth opportunities and operating efficiencies. Our modular platform allows them to achieve these goals, quickly and with ease, and provides the flexibility for future expansion of their services locally and globally at scale."

Broadridge delivers global simplification, transformation and innovation across the trade lifecycle through scalable solutions. Broadridge's cloud based post-trade SaaS solution will allow Matsui Securities to process and settle all stock lending and borrowing transactions, manage the corresponding positions, compute required collateral, as well as automatically calculate fees and rebates and manufactured dividends.

About Matsui Securities

Matsui Securities Co., Ltd. is an online-focused securities firm that provides financial products and services to retail investors via the internet. Our range of products and services includes Japanese and U.S. stocks, forex, investment trusts, futures options, NISA, and iDeCo. Our corporate philosophy is "Supporting the prosperous lives of customers" and our corporate objective is "Delivering valuable financial products and services to retail investors." Under our corporate slogan, "As a reliable securities broker, we make investment fun and interesting," we are committed to a "reliable" approach to investment while aiming to provide products and services full of ideas that make investing "fun and interesting" through the excitement and enjoyment of the investment experience, helping our customers to discover and grow.

About Intelligent Wave

Intelligent Wave Inc. is an IT services firm that supports business reliability in sectors including settlement, finance and securities.

We have acquired a high share in the domestic Japanese market through developing, building, and maintaining systems for the financial industry that process large volumes of data accurately and in real time, including building online network gateway systems for settlement systems and stock price information distribution gateway systems for the securities market. We are also significantly expanding our information security business by introducing and disseminating our proprietary internal information security products, as well as advanced solutions from overseas, in the domestic market.

For more information, please visit: https://www.iwi.co.jp/en/

About Broadridge

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader with over $6 billion in revenues, provides the critical infrastructure that powers investing, corporate governance, and communications to enable better financial lives. We deliver technology-driven solutions that drive business transformation for banks, broker-dealers, asset and wealth managers and public companies. Broadridge's infrastructure serves as a global communications hub enabling corporate governance by linking thousands of public companies and mutual funds to tens of millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. Our technology and operations platforms underpin the daily trading of more than $10 trillion of equities, fixed income and other securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work, Broadridge is part of the S&P 500 Index, employing over 14,000 associates in 21 countries.

For more information about us, please visit www.broadridge.com.

Broadridge Contacts:

Investors:

Edings Thibault

Head of Investor Relations, Broadridge

[email protected]

Media:

Gregg Rosenberg

Global Head of Corporate Communications

Gregg.Rosenberg@broadridge.com

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SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
Mongolian Labour Minister in New York to Highlight Concerted Gender Equality Push

NEW YORK , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mongolia's minister for Labour and Social Protection will use UN events on the status of women tomorrow to pledge to keep her country in the forefront of global efforts to advance gender equality.

Bulgantuya Khurelbaatar will highlight her government's "robust enforcement of national legislation, increased allocation of technical and financial resources, challenging gender stereotypes, combating gender-based violence, promoting women's economic empowerment, ensuring workplace equality, fostering work-life balance, and enhancing women's political participation and leadership."

Ms. Khurelbaatar , a rising star in Mongolia's political scene and one of three women in the cabinet, is making a five-day visit to the United States to change perceptions of her country; a beacon of democracy and human rights sandwiched between Russia and China .

On Monday she's due to address a side event to the 68th session of the UN's Commission on the Status of Women on "Investing in the prevention of violence against women and girls" and speak at both its general discussion and roundtable gathering on Tuesday.

She will tackle the topics of violence against women, women's rights and the need to increase opportunities.

She will tell the general discussion that "while women represent the majority of [ Mongolia's ] tertiary education graduates, their labor force participation remains low, with an average salary significantly lower than that of men. The gender pay gap currently stands at 20.6 percent, and gender discrimination persists in the workplace." The Mongolian government has prioritized reducing the disparity and has segregated data by gender to bring the issue into sharper focus. In contrast the gender pay gap in the United States stands at 16%, according to the AAUW.

Ms. Khurelbaatar will also be discussing concerns about children's rights, in particular changes to Mongolia's laws that aim to increase online child safety. The Minister will also highlight the economic challenges faced by landlocked countries like Mongolia and how geographical disadvantages can be overcome.

Minister Khurelbaatar, who took a Masters in International and Development Economics from Yale University, served as Mongolia's Deputy Finance Minister from 2016-2020 before being elected to Mongolia's national legislature in 2020. She joined the cabinet in April 2023 .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2359397/Mongolian_Ministry.jpg

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SOURCE Mongolian Ministry for Labour and Social Protection
WASHINGTON , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has selected Bastion Technologies Inc. of Houston to provide support services in four broad technical areas including environmental, institutional operational safety, occupational health, aeronautics and space systems, and ground support equipment mission assurance.

The Environmental, Safety, Health, and Mission Assurance contract is cost-plus-fixed-fee with indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity task orders with a maximum value of approximately $125.4 million . The performance period is from May 1, 2024 , to April 30, 2029 .

Services will be provided at NASA's Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field in Cleveland and Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio . Services also will be provided at the agency's Headquarters in Washington and may be required at other NASA facilities, once approved, and placed on the contract.

Major subcontractors for Bastion Technologies Inc. include Leidos Inc. of Reston, Virginia , and Herndon Solutions Group of Henderson, Nevada.

For information about NASA and other agency programs, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov

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SOURCE NASA
Press Release

March 11, 2024 Senate adopts a resolution commending National Scientist Awardee Dr. Carmencita Padilla The Senate on Monday, March 11, 2024 adopted Resolution No. 806 recognizing and commending Dr. Carmencita Padilla for receiving the order of national scientist award conferred by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Sen. Pia Cayetano, author and sponsor of the resolution, expressed gratitude to Dr. Padilla for pushing the passage of Newborn Screening Act in 2004 and the Rare Disease bill that became a law in 2016. "Dr. Padilla demonstrated compassionate leadership and dedication in pursuit of honor and excellence as the former Chancellor of the UP Manila. She pushed for innovative ways for the delivery of health sciences and medical education to our Iskolars ng Bayan and at the same time led the establishment of various medical and laboratory facilities that cater to patients of the PGH and from other hospitals in the country," Cayetano said in her sponsorship speech. "Her contributions to public health, particularly in the fields of medical research, education, and legislation continue to inspire and uplift the lives of Filipinos all over the nation," she added. Executive Order No. 236, series of 2003, otherwise known as the Honors Code of the Philippines, emphasizes the exceptional prestige of the Order by placing the National Scientist Award fourth in the order of precedence and equal in rank with the Order of National Artist. On August 31, 2023, Dr. Carmencita Padilla received the Order of National Scientist Award (Ang Orden ng Gawad ng Pambansang Alagad ng Agham), the highest national recognition given to a man or woman of science in the Philippines. Dr. Padilla excelled in her medical studies, graduating cum laude with a degree in BS Pre- Medicine at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1976; her degree for Doctor of Medicine as an outstanding graduate at the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila in 1981; her Fellowship in Clinical Genetics at the prestigious Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Sydney, Australia in 1990; and her MA in Health Policy Studies at the College of Public Health at UP Manila in 2005. "She has made significant contributions in public health through medical research, particularly in the development of genetic technology, which played a crucial role in the passage of key health measures," Cayetano said. Dr. Padilla's notable studies were vital in the crafting and passage of critical health laws such as the Newborn Screening Act of 2004, which is known to have saved thousands of infants all over the country from intellectual disability and death, and the Rare Diseases Act of2016, which protects and promotes the right to health of right of persons suffering from rare diseases to survive through access to timely health information and adequate medical care. Dr. Padilla also spearheaded the establishment of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), a multidisciplinary institution that will combine basic and applied research for the development of health diagnostics, therapeutics, DNA forensics, preventive products, and the improvement of crop varieties in the country. ###
SINGAPORE , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OKX Ventures, the investment arm of leading crypto exchange and Web3 technology company OKX, today announced a collaboration with ReFiDAO and Arkreen to become Launch Partners for GreenBTC.Club. GreenBTC.Club is an innovative platform dedicated to reducing the carbon footprint associated with Bitcoin mining through the collective efforts of the global Web3 community.

This partnership with ReFiDAO, a network society on a mission to regenerate the earth, and Arkreen, a Web3-enabled data network for distributed renewable energy resources connection and monetization towards a carbon-neutral Earth, reflects OKX Ventures' active commitment to blockchain sustainability, aligning with its core values of innovation and responsibility. The partnership also represents OKX Ventures' dedication to environmentally friendly practices and de-carbonization, leveraging the power of public goods to promote a green Bitcoin ecosystem.

Utilizing a blend of Web3, Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) and regenerative finance (ReFi) technologies, GreenBTC.Club strives for carbon neutrality in Bitcoin's historical energy consumption. The platform aims to encourage widespread adoption of eco-friendly Bitcoin assets among institutions and individuals with ESG goals, thus enhancing Bitcoin's societal value.

OKX Ventures Partner Jeff Ren said: "As a leader in the Bitcoin ecosystem, OKX Ventures remains committed to promoting sustainable development within the sector. Today, I am very pleased to announce our partnership with ReFiDAO and Arkreen in joining GreenBTC.Club. Our goal is not only to eliminate the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining, but also to take an important step towards a sustainable future for our digital economy. We will continue to play a leading role, working tirelessly to guide the sector towards a cleaner and greener future."

The concept for GreenBTC.Club originated at the Hong Kong Web3 Festival in April 2023 , of which OKX was a sponsor. During the event, Arkreen and Hashkey interacted with ReFi communities and successfully "greened" a Bitcoin block of height 779089 using tokenized renewable energy certificates. This year, GreenBTC.Club has broadened its platform by introducing a large-scale voluntary climate action initiative, garnering widespread community support to green all Bitcoin blocks.

OKX Ventures is partnering with GreenBTC.Club to set an industry standard for Web3 carbon neutrality and to enhance sustainability within the Bitcoin ecosystem. In the coming weeks and months, OKX Ventures plans to establish dedicated zones on the GreenBTC.Club map and invite the global OKX Community to participate in pioneering ESG practices.

About OKX Ventures

OKX Ventures is the investment arm of global leading crypto exchange and Web3 technology company OKX. It focuses on exploring the best blockchain projects on a global scale, supporting cutting-edge blockchain technology innovation, promoting the healthy development of the global blockchain industry, and investing in long-term structural value.

Through its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who contribute to the development of the blockchain industry, OKX Ventures helps build innovative companies and brings global resources and historical experience to blockchain projects.

Find out more about OKX Ventures here.

Disclaimer

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SOURCE OKX
MILBURN, Okla. , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Humane Society of the United States is assisting the Johnston County Sheriff's Office with the rescue of over 150 dogs and puppies as part of an alleged cruelty case at two large-scale puppy breeding operations in Milburn, Oklahoma . Oklahoma Humane Society is also assisting on-scene.

Over 150 dogs rescued from large-scale puppy breeding operations, in poor and unsanitary conditions

Local authorities served search and seizure warrants on two residential properties at approximately 8 a.m. Dogs and puppies were found living in poor and unsanitary conditions throughout the properties, many contained in outdoor pens with little protection from the elements. Veterinarians noted dogs with skin infections, eye issues and nasal discharge. One puppy was found to be in respiratory distress and was removed from the property immediately for emergency veterinary care.

"It's a bleak existence for these dogsno one would want to live like this," said Cynthia Armstrong , Oklahoma state director for the Humane Society of the United States. "We are grateful to the Johnston County Sheriff's Office for intervening on behalf of these animals and getting them the care they need."

"The Johnston County Sheriff's Office is happy to partner with the Humane Society of the United States and appreciates their assistance in rescuing these animals in need," said Sheriff Gary Dodd . "This is not in keeping with the Western way of life that we strive to protect every day. A culture in which both man and animal work together in a strong agricultural society where we protect and care for the animals that we also rely on. When presented with probable cause of alleged animal cruelty, we will not hesitate to act."

One of the breeders has puppies listed for sale on the American Kennel Club's website.

The breeders each advertise that they sell their dogs at the notorious Dog Alley flea market in Canton, Texas , which has been the subject of multiple animal welfare investigations and complaints over the years. This market allows unlicensed, uninspected breeders to sell animals directly to the public in dismal conditions. Investigations have revealed breeders selling puppies from filthy, overcrowded, tiny wire cages in close quarters with farmed and exotic animals.

"Puppy mills sell puppies to unsuspecting consumers who, misled by the AKC stamp of approval, assume the puppies are healthy and from a reputable, caring source. This situation underscores why families who choose to buy from a breeder cannot rely on AKC registrations or other endorsementsthey must insist on visiting the facility in person to see the reality of the living conditions," said John Goodwin , senior director of the Humane Society of the United States' Stop Puppy Mills campaign. "Whether selling puppies through a pet store, online or at a notorious flea market, operations which place profits over the well-being of dogs will continue to perpetuate unthinkable suffering."

The Humane Society of the United States is transporting the animals to a safe, undisclosed location where they will receive in-depth veterinary exams and much-needed care. RedRover responders are assisting with the daily care of the animals.

Donate to Support This Rescue and All of The Humane Society of The United States' Work

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We fight the big fights to end suffering for all animals. Together with millions of supporters, the Humane Society of the United States takes on puppy mills, factory farms, the fur trade, trophy hunting, animal cosmetics testing and other cruel industries. Through our rescue, response and sanctuary work, as well as other direct services, we help thousands of animals in need every year. We fight all forms of animal cruelty to achieve the vision behind our name: a humane society.

Learn more about our work at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to Kitty Block's blog, A Humane World. Follow the HSUS Media Relations department on X, formerly known as Twitter. Read the award-winning All Animals magazine. Listen to the Humane Voices Podcast.

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SOURCE Humane Society of the United States
HARRISBURG, Pa. , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today announced that the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund will be reopening on Monday, March 18, 2024 , to homeowners struggling as a result of pandemic-related financial hardships. PAHAF provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners for mortgage and housing-related expenses to address delinquency and avoid default, foreclosure or displacement from their homes.

Since February 2023 , there has been a pause on new applications in effect to allow PHFA to focus on a backlog of applicants as a priority. Now that a majority of pending applications have been processed and an assessment of remaining funds has been made, PHFA is able to reopen the program to eligible new applicants until the remaining monies are exhausted.

Pennsylvania was awarded $350 million for the administration of the program and the disbursement of funds as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. As of March 7th, 2024 , more than 15,500 Pennsylvania households have received over $205 million , with approximately $92 million remaining. There is approximately $42 million encumbered to complete the processing of the pending applications that were transitioned. PHFA estimates that $48-$50 million in remaining PAHAF funds will be available to eligible new applicants for pandemic-related mortgage reinstatement, forward mortgage assistance, tax assistance and delinquent utility bills.

Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible new applicants until the remaining monies are exhausted with priority given to homeowners facing an imminent adverse action (IAA) such as a notice of foreclosure, sheriff sale or utility shut-off notice. Applicants should understand that submitting an application does not guarantee funding. PHFA has encumbered adequate funds to process the remaining pending applications.

"This announcement fulfills PHFA's promise to prioritize the backlog of Pennsylvania homeowners who have been waiting for their applications to be processed," said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann . "PHFA is pleased that we are now in a position to reopen PAHAF to homeowners until the balance of funds has been exhausted."

Interested Pennsylvania homeowners should visit www.pahaf.org for more information, eligibility requirements, and instructions on how to submit their application. If homeowners have questions, they can contact the dedicated PAHAF Call Center at 888-987-2423, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. PHFA is working with its broad network of mortgage lenders, community partners and housing counseling agencies to help notify likely new applicants.

The PAHAF website features a regularly updated PAHAF dashboard that displays the status of the program by county, including applications submitted, number of households assisted and total disbursements made to date. The amount of money remaining in the fund will be updated on the program dashboard on a weekly basis as applications are processed through the debt-verification stage and expected disbursement amounts are verified.

About PHFA

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $17.9 billion of funding for more than 196,750 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 103,328 rental units, distributed approximately $289 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 50,860 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.

Contact:

Scott Elliott

717-649-6522 (cell)

[email protected]

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SOURCE Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
BOISE, Idaho , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle , Sharon E. Oster , MD, is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Life Member for her contributions to the fields of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Oster began her scholarship at the University of Colorado where she completed a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from The Phi Beta Kappa Society. She followed this accomplishment at East Virginia Medical School where she completed a medical degree in 1980. Recognized as the Resident of the Year award, the doctor completed her residency at the Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center.

The doctor had extensive experience prior to her current position working at Saint Alphonsus Hospital from 1999 to 2006 and then serving as Chief of the Infection Control Committee in Pinole, CA , from 1990 to 1998. She also served with the AIDS clinics in Martinez and Oakland, CA , from 1985 to 1999, and as an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California at Davis from 1985 to 1989.

Considered a leader in her field, Dr. Oster is considered an expert in internal medicine and infectious diseases. She is the owner and a practicing physician at Oster Medical Group in Boise, ID and attributes her success to her talent for connecting with her patients. Dedicated to providing the latest innovations in internal medicine and infectious diseases, Dr. Oster is a member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM); the American Board of Internal Medicine; and her respective state and county medical associations. A testament to her expertise, the doctor was recognized with America's Best in Medicine Award by the American Health Council in 2019.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Dr. Oster volunteers with the Idaho Historical Society and participates as an accomplished flutist in the Canyon County Flute Orchestra as well as the Mulligan Capital City Band. She also enjoys reading mysteries. Dr. Oster wishes to honor the loving memory of her dear husband, David; her father, Robert; her mother, Caroline; and her grandmother, Ellen Evans . She would also like to acknowledge her daughter, Stephanie, and thank her for her love and support. In the future, Dr. Oster hopes to retire soon.

Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634, [email protected]

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SOMERS, N.Y. , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle , Rosalie Mignano-Aste is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional for her contributions to the field of Real Estate.

Ms. Mignano-Aste has obtained a comprehensive academic background, including a Bachelor of Science degree in Property Management from Iona University and an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from SUNY Westchester Community College. She oversees the process of transaction management and lease administration as well as space and strategic planning for corporations based on their office locations which involves handling all aspects of the entire life cycle of corporate real estate transactions.

The business professional notes that this is what separates her in the marketplace while most others handle only real estate, design, or construction. Also setting her apart from her peers is her work experience and interactions with international and domestic communities; garnering high honors and awards from the International Facility Management Association, Cornet Global, and the St. Francis Food Pantries, which named her Woman of Valor. Upon reflection of her success, she attributes that to her love for the profession, drive, and desire to do well and progress.

Ms. Mignano-Aste considers her most notable achievement working with many of the same staff members for 15 to 20 years on average. She also includes in highlights of her career when she sat for and attained her New York real estate broker license which allowed her to advance more quickly than most others, especially in a then-male-dominated field. Through the years, however, the married mother of two children has witnessed more women joining and succeeding in the profession, especially in construction, thanks in part to professional organizations that promote the inclusiveness and growth that she strongly encourages.

Alongside her role at Endeavor, Ms. Mignano-Aste is vice president of corporate real estate and facilities management at IMG. Before joining both companies in 2008, she was vice president of global real estate and facilities director at Alliance Bernstein, assistant director of building services at The Museum of Modern Art, and administrative officer of facilities management at Alliance Capital Management.

Looking to the future, she plans to have continued growth and success with Endeavor.

Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634, [email protected]

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CHICAGO , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tractable accused CCC of violating federal antitrust laws in a court filing today, alleging that CCC is using its 85% market share of the Estimatics market to limit customer choice and raise prices that ultimately impact the American consumer. Estimatics products can be used to identify automotive damage, diagnose necessary repairs, and estimate the costs of such repairs.

Tractable leveled the charges in its Motion for Leave to File an Amended Answer and Counterclaim, filed as part of ongoing litigation between the two companies in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

"Today, Tractable took legal action against CCC, challenging what Tractable believes is anticompetitive conduct that harms the auto collision ecosystem. Tractable took this legal action to enable choice and best-of-breed technologies in the ecosystem: for insurers, repairers, service providers, and everyday Americans, who pay for auto insurance as a life necessity," said Alex Dalyac , the founder and CEO of Tractable.

About Tractable

Tractable is an Applied AI company that uses the speed and accuracy of artificial intelligence to visually assess cars and homes. Our solutions aim to help people work faster and smarter, while reducing friction and waste  better for businesses and the planet. Trained on millions of data points, Tractable's AI-powered solutions process more than $7 billion in vehicle repairs and purchases annually, and connect everyone involved in insurance, repairs, and sales of cars and properties. Founded in 2014, Tractable is the AI tool of choice for over 20 world-leading insurance and automotive companies, including over 10 of the Fortune Global 500. Backed by SoftBank, Insight Partners and other top-tier investors, our world-class research and engineering team is based in London , with offices across North America , Asia and Europe .

To learn more about Tractable and schedule an AI demo, visit tractable.ai . You can also follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter .

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SOURCE Tractable
Growing IT and advisory services provider integrates operations and chooses easy over legacy

DULLES, Va. , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Unanet, the leading provider of project-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) for government contractors (GovCons), today announced that Tria Federal (Tria) has selected Unanet ERP GovCon for its superior functionality, ease of use, and enhanced real-time analytics.

With nearly 1,000 employees across more than 40 states, and headquarters in Northern Virginia , Tria is a premier middle-market IT and advisory services provider, delivering transformative IT solutions to civilian, defense and health agencies. After integrating three government services consulting firms under the Tria Federal banner  Federal Advisory Partners (F|A|P), Favor TechConsulting, LLC (FTC), and Universal Consulting Services (UCS)  the new company needed to consolidate financial statements, reporting, and other key business operations.

"We had three separate ERP systems with no economies of scale, and we were concerned that employees would be reluctant to adopt a new platform," said Charles Cosgrove , chief financial officer at Tria. "After a thorough review, we found Unanet to be the clear choice for our firm. And instead of resistance, our teams were excited to switch from a cumbersome legacy software to something that is more powerful and efficient.

Several factors drove Tria's decision, including Unanet's superior user experience, real-time dashboards, and the ability to integrate the software with Tria's current HRIS and ADP platforms. Each of Tria's teams saw opportunities with Unanet to improve everything from financial reporting accuracy and budgeting efficiency to forecasting capabilities, resource planning and report writing. In addition, Tria appreciated that Unanet ERP GovCon did not need additional bolt-on applications to reach full functionality, nor did it require a full-time IT professional to manage the system.

"We received multiple referrals from companies who shared how Unanet improved user functionality and experience through its dashboards, resource planning tools and the real time ability to run their business," said Cosgrove.

Throughout implementation, Tria relied on Unanet's easy-to-reach customer service and expert recommendations to customize the system. Unanet's cloud-based ERP system, which is designed from the ground up for government contractors, quickly eliminated spreadsheet inaccuracies and improved the integrity of Tria's data.

"Unanet ERP's well-engineered functionality and enhanced reporting empowers our teams with deep insights across the entire enterprise," said Cosgrove. "Already, we have seen a smoother internal process and better, smarter operations for our user communities."

Unanet ERP GovCon is an award-winning industry software that helps firms plan, track, and manage projects. The intuitive, flexible platform automates tasks, aligns people, and delivers clear insights for more than 2,000 GovCons nationwide. To learn more, visit https://unanet.com/erp-for-govcon/overview/.

About Unanet

Unanet is a leading provider of project-based ERP and CRM solutions purpose-built for government contractors, architecture, engineering, construction, and professional services. More than 4,000 project-driven organizations depend on Unanet to turn their information into actionable insights, drive better decision-making, maintain regulatory compliance, and accelerate business growth. All backed by a people-centered team invested in the success of your projects, people, and financials. For more information, visit www.unanet.com.

About Tria Federal

Tria Federal is the premier middle-market IT and Advisory services provider delivering digital transformation solutions to Civilian, Defense and Health agencies across the federal sector. With a future-forward vision and a mission rooted in service, Tria bridges capability gaps to transform the business of government. For more information, visit www.triafed.com.

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SOURCE Unanet
COLLEGE PARK, Md. , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Small businesses and nonprofits can receive free internal control risk assessments from Justice for Fraud Victims (JFV) at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business.

"A risk assessment can reveal control weaknesses in an organization and will make pragmatic suggestions as to how to solve those," says Smith Accounting Lecturer and JFV Director Samuel Handwerger .

Handwerger adds, "It is normal for small businesses and nonprofits to have inherent control weaknesses because of their size. This is why they are most vulnerable. We can help find and institute easy mitigating controls without increasing the organization's budget."

The work will be CPA-supervised, including under Handwerger, a past recipient of the Maryland Governor's Volunteer of the Year Award for financial and management advisement to nonprofit organizations.

JFV launched in 2023 as a collaboration of UMD Smith and the Prince George's County Financial Crimes Unit and State's Attorney's Office. The program engages students in investigating financial fraud  including against members of vulnerable populations  with local law enforcement officers.

The program further involves forensic accounting in investigating real-life cases of fraud and analyzing evidence from grand jury-subpoenaed documents. The students also receive assistance from UMD faculty and oversight of Certified Fraud Examiners, as well as other professionals.

Organizations can arrange for an assessment and get more information by email at [email protected] .

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland , College Park , the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master's, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

Contact:

Greg Muraski

gmuraski@umd.edu

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/umds-justice-for-fraud-victims-offers-pro-bono-risk-assessment-for-nonprofits-small-firms-302085719.html

SOURCE University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
Ciara, Founder of OAM Skin, to be the Keynote Speaker

LOS ANGELES , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Landing International , the most awarded B2B beauty platform, uses its exclusive technology to ensure that every voice in beauty is heard and celebrated. By putting their unparalleled industry knowledge to work, they have positioned brands - especially indie and BIPOC-owned beauty brands - for success. In that vein, Landing International is thrilled to announce Voices of Beauty , the beauty industry's first two-day summit dedicated to creating change through diversity and inclusivity.

Taking place March 27th and 28th in Downtown LA, Voices of Beauty aims to bring together industry pioneers and accelerate growth so that our combined expertise and impact can contribute to a truly inclusive future for all. The summit will explore the powerful synergy of brands, retailers, and experts, addressing the urgent need for more inclusivity across workplace culture, product development, and marketing strategies.

Sarah Chung Park , CEO and Founder of Landing International, says, "As founders and leaders, we have influence. How do we use that privilege to ensure every beauty consumer feels empowered to live loudly and proudly in their skin? I hope this summit will help open the conversation."

The summit will have industry powerhouse speakers from brands like Glossier, FORVR Mood, Tower 28, Live Tinted, Sweet July Skinand PHLUR, retailers including ULTA, Forever21, JCPenney, FabFitFun, Credo, and beauty publications such as Allure, Cosmopolitan, and Refinery29.

Day 1 of the summit will be the "Retail Bootcamp," dedicated to upskilling and uplifting beauty founders at the forefront of diversity and inclusivity. Designed by founders for founders, this one-day event will provide a unique opportunity to connect with fellow founders, editors, buyers, and influencers in a collaborative setting.

Day 2 will be the formal summit, moderated by industry powerhouses. There will be panels, fireside chats, and more to learn about diversity and inclusivity in the beauty space. This day will be packed with information on how to reach a diverse consumer base, break down barriers in media, accessibility in beauty, the ever-changing retail landscape, and so much more.

For more information, please visit https://www.voicesofbeautysummit.com/ . This ticketed event is open to brands, retailers, and service providers. Tickets can be purchased here .

About Landing International:

Landing International is a B2B technology company specializing in digital tools that advance the future of retail and make the industry more conscious, inclusive, and empowering. We are a minority and women-led team committed to diversity and inclusivity.

Named one of Fast Company's most innovative companies of 2022, we work closely with over 400 beauty and skincare brands and nearly 100 leading global beauty retailers, including Ulta, Target, Nordstrom, and JCPenney. Our award-winning SaaS sales enablement tools were designed to solve many hurdles preventing brands from succeeding in storescreating more chances of success for brands, retailers, and the beauty advisors who interact with customers daily on the sales floor.

To learn more, visit Landing International .

Media Contact:

Jennifer Betts

310-490-7278

[email protected]

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SOURCE Voices of Beauty
Sessions cover topics from cancer vaccines to logistics and the next pandemic

WASHINGTON , March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's top experts and policymakers, including government leaders, renown researchers and company executives driving vaccine development, will gather to discuss the latest progress in vaccines  from efforts to inoculate bees to a discussion of pathogens that could cause the next pandemic  at the World Vaccine Congress April 1-4 .

The lineup of speakers includes top officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, countries around the world, the World Health Organization, pharmaceutical companies and many others.

"We have assembled the world's foremost experts and policymakers in the field of vaccination for the 2024 World Vaccine Congress," said Dr. Gregory A. Poland , Director of Mayo Vaccine Research Group, Mayo Clinic and a member of the Science Advisory Board. "This event represents an unparalleled opportunity for collaboration and innovation and promises to drive meaningful progress in global health. It is a unique and massive forum for discovery and access to leaders across the field."

Highlights include a keynote panel with women pioneers in developing and implementing lifesaving vaccines and a panel of directors from the Food and Drug Administration, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Vaccine Research Center, and other U.S. and international agencies.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Mandy Cohen will also give a keynote address. Other keynote panels will cover the sustainability of manufacturing, gaps in adult immunization, and efforts to develop universal and next generation vaccines.

The four-day event at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington features hundreds of sessions, including panel discussions, dozens of interactive roundtable discussions, networking events, plenary sessions, keynotes, posters, and workshops on every topic related to vaccines  from manufacturing to biodefense and vaccines to prevent cancer.

In-depth sessions also cover vaccine supply and logistics, veterinary vaccines, emerging diseases, and vaccine delivery. The full agenda is available here.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-vaccine-congress-draws-leaders-from-government-science-and-industry-302085794.html

SOURCE World Vaccine Congress
The Southwest Virginia woman charged with stabbing her boyfriend to death in a University of Virginia Medical Center parking garage while his father was recovering from surgery pleaded guilty to manslaughter Friday.

Tabatha Lynn Head, a 47-year-old Lebanon resident, appeared pained while offering her plea to a manslaughter charge in Charlottesville Circuit Court.

It was a stark contrast to a prior hearing in the general district court shortly after her arrest, when Head seemed practically jovial as a judge advised her of the legal jeopardy she was facing for killing 53-year-old Brian Patrick Kiser, a retired Norfolk Southern Railway track worker.

In court Friday, Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney Joe Platania described bizarre statements by Head when first responders rushed to the stabbing scene inside the 11th Street Garage on the afternoon of Sept. 7.

"She repeatedly told the officer how scared she was," said Platania. "She said that Mr. Kiser killed her whole family and was trying to electrocute her."

Platania said that body-worn camera footage showed the panicked suspect making other claims too.

"He was trying to push me out the window," Head allegedly told an officer. "He had a knife, and I pushed it back at him. I was trying to get away."

In fact, Platania said, Head had thrust a knife into Kiser's upper chest near his collar bone, a single wound that caused a catastrophic and ultimately fatal hemorrhage.

Taking over after a passerby began chest compressions, medical personnel lost Kiser's pulse at 4:20 p.m., Platania said, and Kiser was pronounced dead in the emergency room at 4:45 p.m., just 32 minutes after police had been dispatched to the scene.

"When she was told that he died," said Platania, "she expressed surprise and said, 'You've got to be kidding me.'"

Head, the prosecutor said, had earlier said that she had bipolar disorder and expressed interest in pressing assault charges against the dying man.

"We accept that that's the commonwealth's evidence, and we have nothing additional to add at this time," said Lauren Reese, a public defender who was one of two lawyers assisting Head in court the day she gave her guilty plea.

Head has already been the subject of two sealed psychiatric evaluations that apparently cleared the way to her prosecution, and Judge Claude Worrell ordered a presentence report that he will consider when he sentences her this summer. She faces up to 10 years in a penitentiary for the killing that, by Virginia's definition of manslaughter, was committed "while in the sudden heat of passion."

Head has a history of violence.

In 2007, according to Russell County Circuit Court records, she was charged with attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle. But by the time of her trial, the victim, her husband, had died of cancer; without his testimony, the judge convicted her of the lesser charges of assault and battery, brandishing a weapon and reckless handling of a firearm  and suspended all 12 months of her sentence.

Stiffer was the sentence that Head earned in 2014 in that same court for two felony drug distribution convictions: six months. Ditto for her pair of 2016 forgery convictions: another six months.

The court records show that Head, who also used the surname Dotson, went on to be convicted 12 times for parole violations.

In court Friday, Head was dressed in the bright red jumpsuit that is the uniform of female inmates at Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, where she has been held since her arrest the day of Kiser's killing. She nodded frequently as the judge outlined the impacts of a guilty plea.

Pauline Salyers traveled from her Russell County home to Charlottesville to watch the sentencing of the woman who killed her only child. With her grandson, Kiser's son, by her side outside of the courtroom, Salyers said that Head is a dangerous methamphetamine addict who should remain jailed to protect the public. She vowed to return for the sentencing hearing set for Aug. 2.

The son of the man allegedly targeted in the 2007 shooting says that his late father, Johnny Paul Head, was trying to get away from his wife after an argument when she fired a 9mm pistol three times through the windshield of his truck with one shot hitting the collar of his father's coat.

"I hope she gets the maximum that's coming to her," the son, Johnny Lee Head, told The Daily Progress, "because of what she did to Brian and what she did to my daddy."
FILE PHOTO: European flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union finance ministers on Monday set out priorities for creating a Capital Markets Union over the next five years to attract private capital to Europe and help fund the costly transition to a "green" and digital economy.

The priorities list key areas of work for the next European Parliament and executive European Commission, which will begin their terms in the second half of the year.

Below are the main issues the ministers want EU institutions to focus on until 2029:

THE COMMISSION

* Assess what is holding back the development of the EU securitisation market, including the prudential treatment of securitisation for banks and insurance companies, and reporting and due diligence requirements.

* Assess how to improve supervision. The aim is to strengthen financial integration, ensure financial stability, simplify processes and reduce compliance costs for supervised entities across the bloc.

* Propose ways of harmonising different national accounting rules so that corporate information can be compared more easily across borders.

* Further develop and improve the pan-European pension product (PEPP) to offer all citizens attractive pension options and make sure that pension savings are invested productively.

THE COMMISSION AND SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES

* Assess how to cut the regulatory burden and transaction costs, in particular for smaller market participants.

THE COMMISSION AND EU GOVERNMENTS

* Make national corporate insolvency laws more similar, notably in the ranking of claims and insolvency triggers or the rules for financial collateral and settlement.

* Harmonise listing requirements across European stock exchanges to cut listing costs and make equity and bond financing more attractive, and examine how to improve access to market information.

* Develop simple and cost-effective cross-border investment and savings products for retail investors.

EU GOVERNMENTS

* Provide national tax incentives for companies to raise capital through shares rather than debt. The bias now, because of tax breaks, is towards raising funds through debt.

* Support investment in securities by adjusting the way personal income tax systems treat long-term retail investment products and capital gains and losses.

* Educate citizens about investment options available on capital markets as an alternative to keeping savings in bank deposits.

THE FINANCE INDUSTRY

* Offer easy-to-use and secure digital interfaces for all retail clients to access financial services across the EU.

(Reporting by Jan Strupczewski; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Signage is seen at the Federal Trade Commission headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 29, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/ File Photo

By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) - The Federal Trade Commission and 10 U.S. states on Monday sued what they called a "sham" charity that raised $18.25 million to help women fight cancer, but spent just $194,809 for that purpose.

According to a complaint filed in Houston federal court, telemarketers hired by Women's Cancer Fund and its founder Gregory Anderson lied to tens of thousands of prospective donors by promising their money would "help save lives," and help cash-strapped patients pay for rent, utility bills and food.

Instead, the complaint said Anderson, who was also the fund's chief executive, paid his fundraisers more than $15.55 million and himself more than $775,000, with most of the rest going to overhead.

Some donors allegedly received bogus handwritten "thank you" letters in which Anderson said he survived cancer in 1984, and assured that donations would help thousands of women cover basic living expenses.

The alleged scheme ran from 2017 to 2022 when the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based charity, also known as Cancer Recovery Foundation International, sought to dissolve. Monday's lawsuit seeks restitution, civil fines and other relief.

"Cancer Recovery Foundation International and Anderson abused the generosity of American donors in the most egregious way," Samuel Levine, director of the FTC's consumer protection bureau, said in a statement.Anderson, 76, of The Woodlands, Texas, could not immediately be reached for comment. No phone number is listed for his home. It is unclear whether Anderson has hired a lawyer.

California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin joined the FTC lawsuit.

Anderson has run at least nine other nonprofits and related entities that have sought donations for cancer-related causes from people around the world, the complaint said.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Israeli soldiers operate in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights near the border with Syria, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, December 28, 2023. REUTERS/Gil Eliyahu ISRAEL OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SA

AMMAN (Reuters) -Lebanon's Hezbollah group said it carried out a drone attack on Monday against an Israeli air defence outpost across the border in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

It said the rare attack, in which it deployed four drones, hit their target with "accuracy" in what it said was another operation in support of Palestinian militant groups in Gaza.

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967.

The Iran-aligned Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been exchanging fire along Lebanon's southern border since October, when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas, which is at war with Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli strikes had been mostly limited to the southern border region of Lebanon, although they have edged further north

in recent weeks.

Hezbollah last month said it fired rockets against the same target in the Golan Heights.

The armed group has used surface-to-air missiles on several occasions since Oct. 7 to target Israeli aircraft. It has also launched its own surveillance drones into northern Israel.

The Israeli military said two hostile aerial targets crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory in the northern Golan area "fell in open areas".

It also said Israeli warplanes struck a Hezbollah military site in the border area of Jibbain and overnight hit another Hezbollah outpost in the Taybeh area.

Three fighters of the Lebanese Islamist militant group Jamaa Islamiya, an ally of Hezbollah, who were killed in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Sunday, were buried on Monday, the group said.

More than 60 civilians have been killed in Israeli shelling on Lebanon, along with more than 200 Hezbollah fighters, according to medical and security sources.

(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem(Reuters Editing by Alex Richardson, Ros Russell and Angus MacSwan)
A man walks past the logo of the Serum Institute of India, inside the facility in Pune, India, February 27, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas

By Manas Mishra

PUNE, India (Reuters) - The CEO of the world's biggest vaccine maker, Serum Institute of India, said the company has bolstered its manufacturing ahead of launches over the next few years of shots against diseases like malaria and dengue by repurposing facilities used to make COVID-19 immunizations.

With COVID manufacturing scaled back as demand ebbs, the company is using those facilities to instead manufacture its newer shots, which it estimates will boost total production by two and a half billion doses, CEO Adar Poonawalla said in an interview.

Serum produces AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine under the brand name Covishield in India, and also makes Novavax's protein-based COVID shots.

It invested $2 billion during the peak of the global health crisis to boost production.

The company currently sells about 1.5 billion total vaccine doses every year, and estimates a total production capacity of as much as 4 billion doses.

"And this is also important because if there is a pandemic again in the future, we can vaccinate the whole of India in a matter of three months, three to four months," Poonawalla said.

The company is in talks with other countries and governments to utilize those facilities in the event of future outbreaks, he said, but did not provide further details on the discussions.

Poonawalla said Serum has capacity to manufacture 100 million doses of its malaria vaccine, and could scale up further depending on demand. It has already produced 25 million doses ahead of a launch in the coming months.

The ancient mosquito-borne disease still kills more than half a million people, mainly young children in sub-Saharan Africa, every year.

Poonawalla said Serum would focus on exporting its vaccines, such as the malaria shot, to other countries, rather than sign technology transfer deals.

Serum is also testing a single-dose vaccine for dengue, another mosquito-borne, painful and sometimes fatal disease, which it developed building on research done by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

That vaccine is in early- to mid-stage trials in India and the company expects to complete late-stage trials in the next three years, the CEO said.

Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical also makes a dengue shot, which is available in countries like Indonesia and Thailand, as well as Argentina and Brazil, which is currently dealing with a major outbreak and not enough vaccine.

Other companies such as Indian Immunologicals are also developing vaccines against the disease.

(Reporting by Manas Mishra in Pune, India; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
Family members attend a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., March 11, 2024. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Monday demanded the United Nations Security Council "put as much pressure as possible" on Palestinian militants Hamas to release the people it took hostage during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Katz addressed the 15-member council, which met to discuss a U.N. report that found there were "reasonable grounds to believe" sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, occurred at several locations during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

"We are asking you to condemn the sexual violence crimes these barbarians committed in the name of the Muslim religion," Katz told the Security Council, also urging the body "to put as much pressure as possible on the Hamas organization to release immediately and unconditionally all the kidnapped hostages."

He called for sanctions to be imposed on Hamas, accusing the group of crimes "worse then the terror actions carried out by al-Qaeda, ISIS and other terror organizations" who had been targeted by the Security Council.

The Security Council has called for the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages in resolutions adopted in November and December. It is currently considering a U.S.-drafted resolution that includes a condemnation of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas "as well as its taking and killing of hostages, murder of civilians, and sexual violence including rape."

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged council members to condemn Hamas.

"There can be no doubt about what happened on October 7th. The evidence before us is damning and devastating. Now, the only question is: How will we respond? Will this council finally, finally, finally condemn Hamas' sexual violence? Or will we continue to stay silent?" she asked the Security Council.

Hamas killed 1,200 people and seized 253 hostages on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies. Israel has retaliated by launching an air and ground assault on Hamas in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 31,000 people, health authorities in Gaza say.

Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour accused Israel in the Security Council of pursuing the "forcible displacement of our people by making Gaza unlivable."

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
LONDON(Reuters) - Several leading news organisations have withdrawn a photograph issued by Kensington Palace of Kate, Britain's Princess of Wales, after post-publication analysis showed it did not meet their editorial standards.

The palace issued the photograph of Kate and her three children on Sunday, along with a message of thanks from the princess in her first public comments since undergoing abdominal surgery in January.

News agencies including Getty, Reuters, Associated Press and AFP withdrew the photograph later in the day. Reuters picture editors said part of the sleeve of Kate's daughter's cardigan did not line up properly, suggesting that the image had been altered.

Reuters could not immediately establish how, why or by whom the alteration had been made.

Leading picture agencies distributing news photographs prohibit the publication of images that have been overly edited.

The Reuters Handbook of Journalism states, for instance, that the editing tool Photoshop can only be used in very limited matters. "We use only a tiny part of its potential capability to format our pictures, crop and size them and balance the tone and color."

Kensington Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Getty, Associated Press and AFP also did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters said in a statement it had withdrawn the picture following a post-publication review. "We are reviewing the matter," a spokesperson said.

The palace said the picture had been taken by Kate's husband, heir-to-the-throne Prince William, last week. It showed Kate, 42, smiling and looking well, surrounded by Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.

Kate has been absent from public royal life since Christmas Day, sparking rumours and speculation on social media about the health of the princess.

Kensington Palace said at the time of her surgery that Kate was unlikely to return to official duties until after Easter, which falls at the end of this month.

Officials had said they would provide only "significant updates" about her recovery.

(Reporting by Kate Holton; Editing by Frances Kerry)
Belgian Wendy Adriaens, the founder of De Passiehoeve, an animal rescue farm where animals support people with autism, depression, anxiety, or drug problems, offers a hug to Pinot, a 10-month-old male ostrich at Passiehoeve farm, in Kalmthout, Belgium Mar

KALMTHOUT, Belgium (Reuters) - Ostriches are normally territorial and aggressive birds best approached with caution, but at a Belgian animal rescue farm, the hand-reared birds are so gentle they will cuddle with visitors.

At the Passiehoeve animal rescue farm in Kalmthout, visitors can sit on a blanket in an enclosure where some of the ostriches will approach, sit, and rest their long necks on human shoulders.

"This is the only place in the world where ostriches will really cuddle with people," said Wendy Adriaens, 41, a former corporate executive who started the farm after saving a clutch of ostrich chicks from an ostrich meat farm.

Her farm now has nine ostriches, a horse, a pony, a donkey, pigs, dogs, chickens, ducks and 14 goats. Most come from shelters or are brought by animal rescue services.

Every year, authorities take away some 7,000 animals from owners because of neglect and Adriaens' farm is part of a network where they are placed.

Her animals are also used as therapy animals for people with autism, depression, anxiety or drug problems. Belgium and the neighbouring Netherlands have hundreds of "care farms" where judicial and medical authorities send people for short- or long-term stays.

"Horses are also used as therapy animals, but our ostriches are more sensitive. They connect with visitors, they feel everything, and if you have negative thoughts, they step away," Adriaens said.

She added that ostriches - which can weigh up 175 kilos - will be comfortable around humans and even affectionate if treated with kindness.

Individual cuddling sessions with the ostriches, which typically last an hour or until the birds step away, cost 65 euros ($71) at the farm.

($1 = 0.9152 euros)

(Reporting by Geert De Clercq and Yves Herman; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg gestures as he attends a press conference on the day of a flag-raising ceremony at NATO headquarters following the accession of Sweden to the alliance, in Brussels, Belgium March 11, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO boss Jens Stoltenberg made clear on Monday that he disagreed with Pope Franciss comments that Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" and negotiate an end to the war triggered by Russias invasion.

Asked about the popes remarks, the secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization told Reuters: "If we want a negotiated peaceful lasting solution, the way to get there is to provide military support to Ukraine."

In an interview at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Stoltenberg said "what happens around a negotiating table is inextricably linked to the strength on the battlefield".

Asked if his reaction meant now was not the time to talk about a white flag, Stoltenberg said: "It's not the time to talk about surrender by the Ukrainians. That will be a tragedy for the Ukrainians. It will also be dangerous for all of us."

(Reporting by Andrew Gray; Editing by GV De Clercq)
FILE PHOTO: People lay flowers at the grave of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny following his funeral at the Borisovskoye cemetery in Moscow, Russia, March 1, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) -The U.N. human rights expert on Russia said on Monday that the death of opposition politician Alexei Navalny was Moscow's responsibility as he was either killed in prison or died from detention conditions that amounted to torture.

Russian authorities say Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic, died on Feb. 16 in an Arctic prison of natural causes. Navalny's wife Yulia Navalnaya has accused Putin of having him killed, an accusation the Kremlin rejects.

"So the Russian government is responsible, one way or another, for his death," Mariana Katzarova told Reuters on the sidelines of an event on Russian political prisoners at the United Nations in Geneva. She cited long periods of solitary confinement which she said amounted to about 300 days, which could have caused "a slow death over several years".

Katzarova, who was appointed last year and has not yet been granted access to the country, also said other detainees in Russia could suffer the same fate as Navalny. She was "very worried" about opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza.

"Ever since the death of Alexei Navalny, there is no day passing without asking myself, who is the next Navalny?" she said. "And there will be a next Navalny, for sure, with this level of repression."

Katzarova, a Bulgarian former investigator for Amnesty International, is one of dozens of independent human rights experts mandated by the United Nations to report on specific themes or crises, though the only one reporting on one of the five states with a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.

Civil society groups say that around 600-1,000 political prisoners are being detained in Russia for voicing opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine or refusing to fight in it. Moscow rejects criticism of its domestic rights record.

In her address at the U.N. meeting earlier, where Nobel Prize-winning Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov also spoke, Katzarova called for more pressure on Moscow to release political detainees and investigate Navalny's death.

"We cannot afford to just be insulted by the human rights situation in Russia," she told the packed room of diplomats. "It's up to you to take steps, real steps for the protection of these political prisoners."

(Reporting by Emma Farge and Cecile Mantovani; editing by Mark Heinrich)
FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump attends a watch party event to mark the Super Tuesday primary elections at his Mar-a-Lago property, in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. March 5, 2024. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File P

By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Donald Trump on Monday asked the New York judge overseeing his criminal case on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star to delay the trial until the U.S. Supreme Court finishes reviewing his claim of presidential immunity in a separate case.

The first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president is set to begin on March 25 in a New York state court in Manhattan.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsification of business records.

Prosecutors say he directed his former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, to pay porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she says they had a decade earlier, and then falsely recorded his reimbursement to Cohen as legal expenses.

Trump denies the encounter with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

The move was the latest by Trump seeking to delay the four upcoming criminal trials he faces until closer to, or even after, his expected Nov. 5 election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.

The Supreme Court last month handed Trump a win when it agreed to hear in late April his argument that he is immune from federal prosecution for trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat, a decision that will delay the start of any trial by at least several months.

The court, by contrast, moved faster in acting to ensure that Trump remained on Colorado's primary ballot, rejecting an effort to disqualify him the day before the contest.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in all criminal cases, which he has termed "election interference."

'PRESSURE CAMPAIGN'

In their court filing on Monday, Trump's lawyers said the outcome of the Supreme Court's review was relevant to the hush money case because prosecutors were seeking to present evidence of statements Trump made while he was president.

Last month, prosecutors said they planned to introduce evidence of a "pressure campaign" by Trump in 2018 to ensure Cohen did not cooperate with a federal investigation into the payment to Daniels. Cohen pleaded guilty that year to violating campaign finance law.

In their court filing on Monday, Trump's lawyers called prosecutors' claim of a pressure campaign "fictitious." They said Trump's social media posts about Cohen were "official communications" about "matters of public concern" and thus immune from state prosecution.

"Without immunity from criminal prosecution based on official acts, the President's political opponents will seek to influence and control his or her decisions via de facto extortion," Trump's lawyers wrote.

A spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney's office, which brought the charges, declined to comment.

Last year, Trump made a similar argument as part of an unsuccessful push to move the hush money case from state court to federal court. In denying Trump's request in July 2023, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein wrote that the payment to Daniels "was a purely personal item."

"Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a President's official acts," Hellerstein wrote.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York, editing by Scott Malone and Deepa Babington)
An Augusta County sheriffs investigator is appealing his convictions on assault and battery charges in Staunton District Court.

C.J. Taylor was convicted on two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery by District Judge Robin J. Mayer on Feb. 29, stemming from a 2022 incident in which Taylor was recorded by two men at a traffic stop.

Taylor, who received a $1,000 fine on each count, remains on administrative leave from the sheriffs office. His appeal to Staunton Circuit Court is expected to result in a jury trial.

Taylor was working in coordination with the Staunton police and Virginia State Police as part of a drug task force investigation on Aug. 31, 2022, when a suspect was stopped in downtown Staunton.

The two men who filed the criminal complaints against Taylor, Chris Shifflett and Antwhon Suiter, pulled up several yards behind the traffic stop. Suiter is president of Black Lives Matter Shenandoah Valley, and Shifflett is a police auditor.

According to Shiffletts complaint, he was recording the traffic stop. When he exited his car, he said Taylor approached, talked aggressively and then grabbed my wrist and slammed me to the ground. Shifflett said the phone video showed he was passive. The force of Taylor grabbing his wrist caused him to lose his phone and break the screen.

Suiter said in his complaint that he was also recording the traffic stop when Taylor approached and grabbed me. He caused my fingers to be sore after squeezing my fingers when he grabbed my phone.

Both criminal complaints were filed with a city of Staunton magistrate in August 2023.

Unlike many area law enforcement agencies, the Augusta County Sheriffs Office operates without body or dashboard cameras.

Although the sheriffs office is currently piloting the use of cameras with six deputies, the department has not received funding to purchase equipment for all patrol deputies. Wayne District Supervisor Scott Seaton has repeatedly sought to fund the cameras, but supervisors excluded the equipment during final budget cuts in 2023.

Obstacles to funding the equipment this budget cycle include the recent county reassessment and funding to pay for the construction of the new Augusta County Courthouse.
(Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that the situation along the front of Ukraine's war with Russia was the best it had been in three months, with Moscow's troops no longer advancing after their capture last month of the eastern city of Avdiivka.

Zelenskiy, in an interview with France's BFM television, said Ukraine had improved its strategic position despite shortages of weaponry, but suggested the situation could change again if new supplies were not forthcoming.

"The situation is much better than it has been over the past three months," Zelenskiy said in comments voiced over in French.

"We have had some difficulties because of shortages of artillery shells, an air blockade, Russian long range weapons and the great intensity of Russian drone attacks.

"We have worked in very efficient fashion... against Russian aviation. We have recovered in our situation in the east. The advance of Russian troops has been stopped," he said.

Russia's capture of Avdiivka gave the Kremlin's forces breathing room in defending the Russia-held regional centre of Donetsk, 20 kilometres (12 miles) to the east.

Russian troops subsequently seized a cluster of villages near the Avdiivka. But in the past week, Ukrainian military spokespersons have said that Russian forces were no longer advancing and Ukrainian troops had improved their position.

Russian troops had levelled everything in months of bombardments of Avdiivka, Zelenskiy said. "We can no longer speak of a city as everything has been destroyed in Avdiivka."

Russian forces, he said, enjoyed superiority in terms of long range weapons. "an advance of 20 km on us".

Zelenskiy said Ukrainian forces had downed large numbers of Russian aircraft and "continue to act in a strong manner in the Black Sea," where Russian military targets have come under repeated attack.

And Kyiv's forces had built up three lines of fortifications over more than 1,000 km of territory, he added.

Zelenskiy also said he believed a Russian missile strike in Odesa while he and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis were visiting the port city last week showed that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin had "taken leave of the real world".

"Was he aiming at me? That's not what matters now," he said. "When you make a cruise missile strike a few hundred metres from a European leader, I think you have to be truly ill."

(Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for a truce in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and the conflict in Sudan as the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan begins.

He also called for the release of hostages held by Hamas and the removal of "all obstacles to ensure the delivery of lifesaving aid at the speed and massive scale required" to Gaza, where the U.N. has warned that a quarter of the population are on the brink of famine.

"International humanitarian law lies in tatters," he told reporters. "And a threatened Israeli assault on Rafah could plummet the people of Gaza into an even deeper circle of hell."

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Paul Grant)
By Mohammed Ghobari

ADEN, Yemen (Reuters) -Airstrikes attributed to a U.S.-British coalition hit port cities and small towns in western Yemen on Monday, killing at least 11 people and injuring 14 while defending commercial shipping, a spokesperson for Yemen's internationally recognized government told Reuters.

At least 17 airstrikes were reported in the country, including in the principal port city of Hodeidah and at Ras Issa Port, according to Al Masirah, the main Houthi-run television news outlet.

The strikes come just days after the first civilian fatalities and vessel loss since the Iran-aligned Houthis began attacking commercial shipping in November in solidarity with the Palestinians under attack by Israel. The strikes also coincide with the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a period of fasting for Muslims.

Despite reprisals from the U.S.-British coalition and other navies, the Houthis have escalated their campaign of attacks on commercial vessels in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

The Houthis killed three crew of the Barbados-flagged, Greek-operated True Confidence on Wednesday in an attack off the port of Aden.

That came days after the sinking of the cargo ship Rubymar, which went down about two weeks after being hit by a Houthi missile on Feb. 18.

Many ships are now making the longer, more expensive trip around Africa's Cape of Good Hope to avoid the dangerous route through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea to the Suez Canal - sharply raising shipping costs.

(Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari in Aden, Adam Makary in Cairo; writing by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Stephen Coates)
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

(Rule 13d-102)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

TO RULES 13d-1(b), (c), AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED

PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-2(b)

(Amendment No. )1

T2 Biosystems, Inc. (Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (Title of Class of Securities)

89853L302 (CUSIP Number)

February 20, 2024 (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

 Rule 13d-1(b)

 Rule 13d-1(c)

 Rule 13d-1(d)

1 The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP No. 89853L302

1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON JACOB SAFIER 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)  (b)  3 SEC USE ONLY 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION UNITED STATES NUMBER OF 5 SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES BENEFICIALLY 350,000 OWNED BY 6 SHARED VOTING POWER EACH REPORTING -0- PERSON WITH 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 350,000 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- 9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 350,000 10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES  11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 7.1% 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN

2

CUSIP No. 89853L302

1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON NEW DIMENSIONS TRADING LTD. 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)  (b)  3 SEC USE ONLY 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION CAYMAN ISLANDS NUMBER OF 5 SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES BENEFICIALLY 350,000 OWNED BY 6 SHARED VOTING POWER EACH REPORTING -0- PERSON WITH 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 350,000 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- 9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 350,000 10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES  11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 7.1% 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO

3

CUSIP No. 89853L302

Item 1(a). Name of Issuer:

T2 Biosystems, Inc. (the Issuer).

Item 1(b). Address of Issuers Principal Executive Offices:

101 Hartwell Ave.

Lexington, MA 02421

Item 2(a). Name of Person Filing:

Item 2(b). Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence:

Item 2(c). Citizenship:

New Dimensions Trading Ltd. (New Dimensions)

c/o The Wolfson Group

One State Street Plaza, 29th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Citizenship: Cayman Islands

Jacob Safier

c/o The Wolfson Group

One State Street Plaza, 29th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Citizenship: United States

Each of the foregoing is referred to as a Reporting Person and collectively as the Reporting Persons.

Item 2(d). Title of Class of Securities:

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Shares).

Item 2(e). CUSIP Number:

89853L302

4

CUSIP No. 89853L302

Item 3. If This Statement is Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b) or (c), Check Whether the Person Filing is a:

/x/ Not applicable. (a) / / Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act. (b) / / Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act. (c) / / Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Exchange Act. (d) / / Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act. (e) / / An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E). (f) / / An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F). (g) / / A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G). (h) / / A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. (i) / / A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act. (j) / / Non-U.S. institution in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). (k) / / Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution: ____

Item 4. Ownership.

(a) Amount beneficially owned:

As of the date hereof:

New Dimensions Trading Ltd. beneficially owned 350,000 Shares.

Jacob Safier, as the portfolio manager of the T2 Biosystems, Inc. investment by New Dimensions, may be deemed to beneficially own the Shares owned by New Dimensions and, therefore, may be deemed to beneficially own 350,000 Shares.

(b) Percent of class:

As of the date hereof, New Dimensions beneficially owned and Jacob Safier may be deemed to beneficially own 7.1% (based upon 4,932,459 Shares outstanding, which is the total number of Shares reported as outstanding in the Issuers Proxy Statement on Schedule 14-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2024).

5

CUSIP No. 89853L302

(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:

(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:

See Cover Pages Items 5-9.

(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:

0 Shares.

(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

See Cover Pages Items 5-9.

(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

0 Shares.

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

Not Applicable.

Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

Not Applicable.

Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary That Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.

Not Applicable.

Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

Not Applicable.

Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.

Not Applicable.

Item 10. Certifications.

By signing below each of the undersigned certifies that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

6

CUSIP No. 89853L302

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: March 11, 2024

New Dimensions Trading Ltd. By: /s/ Chana Edelstein Name: Chana Edelstein Title: Director

/s/ Jacob Safier Jacob Safier

7

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
An Air Force CV-22B Osprey arrives at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2018. (Stars and Stripes)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  The U.S. and Japanese governments are working on a timeline for resuming tiltrotor flights over Japan, according to officials from both countries.

On Friday, the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps lifted a flight ban imposed on V-22 Ospreys after an Air Force tiltrotor crashed off Japan on Nov. 29, killing eight Yokota-based members of Special Operations Command.

A timeline for resuming flights in Japan for U.S. and Japanese tiltrotors continues to be closely coordinated between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States, U.S. Forces Japan said in a statement Friday.

On Dec. 6, the U.S. military grounded about 400 Ospreys after Japan grounded its fleet of 14 during an investigation into the Nov. 29 incident and an August crash in Australia that killed three Marines.

The Air Force cited equipment failure for the most recent crash but was not specific.

Return to flight timelines after the issuance of flight clearance for the V-22 are based on operational requirements unique to each service and mission profile, USFJ said in its statement. V-22 aircraft will only operate after all maintenance, safety and procedural changes have been implemented.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with top service leaders March 1 and endorsed their plans for a safe and measured return to operation, according to The Associated Press.

Naval Air Systems Command lifted the flight ban Friday, but Austin had asked for a briefing because of the significant safety concerns and the fact that three of the services and a critical ally are involved.

Japans Defense Ministry, in a statement Friday, echoed the USFJ announcement.

The confirmation work between Japan and the United States has recognized that materiel failure that caused the accident has been identified and we believe that flight operations can be resumed safely by taking various safety measures for the concerned failure, the statement said.

U.S. officials have provided their Japanese counterparts with a detailed explanation of the November accident, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters Saturday.

The allies will coordinate closely to come up with a timeline for resuming flights in Japan, he said, according to a transcript of his news conference posted on the ministrys website.

We have received an unprecedented level of detailed information from the U.S. side regarding the circumstances and cause of the accident, as well as safety measures, Kihara said. We evaluate this as reasonable from the professional standpoint of the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces, as well as the standpoint from the operator.

However, he declined to discuss the details until the U.S. releases an accident report.

The ministry will explain the circumstances and cause of the accident to anxious Japanese residents before flights resume, he said.
Army soldiers coaching at the Talisman Saber 23 exercise talk with a German soldier at the tactical operations center on July 26, 2023, during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center rotation at Townsville Field Training Area in Australia. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies. (Mariah Aguilar/U.S. Army)

WASHINGTON  Improving poor living conditions for soldiers and military families, overcoming a sag in recruiting, a pay increase for military personnel and investing in the Indo-Pacific region to challenge China are focuses in the Armys proposed budget for fiscal 2025.

The proposed budget of $185.9 billion, a 0.2% increase from last year, comes as the Defense Department continues operating under short-term spending bills as Congress continues to wrangle over spending for fiscal 2024, which started Oct. 1. The Pentagons overall proposed budget for 2025 is $849.8 billion.

The budget includes $935 million for nine new barracks projects, more than three times last years budget request of nearly $288 million.

The military services have come under scrutiny from lawmakers and others to help improve the poor living conditions for service members and military families so troops can focus on warfighting.

Housing projects for active-duty troops are scheduled at Fort Johnson, La.; Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; Joint Base Myers-Henderson Hall, Va.; Smith Barracks in Baumholder, Germany; and Barton Barracks in Ansbach, Germany, according to Maj. Gen. Mark Bennett, director of the Army budget with the services assistant secretary for financial management and comptroller. There are two Reserve projects also planned, one at Parks Reserve Air Forces training area in California and another at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.

Barracks sustainment is also funded to 100% for the first time in recent history at $680 million, Undersecretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo told reporters at the Pentagon.

The Army also provides a 4.5% basic pay increase, 3.9% basic allowance for housing increase and 3.4% basic allowance for subsistence increase.

After the service missed out on its recruiting goals for two consecutive years, it remains a key focus for the Army.

Its not borne by the Army alone. All the military services are facing some significant multiyear-recruiting headwinds, Camarillo said. Weve been taking this challenge head on.

The Army projects an end-strength of about 442,300 active-duty soldiers, 325,000 National Guard members and 175,800 reservists by the end of fiscal 2025, he said.

The service implemented a series of new recruiting jobs styled after talent-acquisition models used by private businesses.

The Army opened jobs on Jan. 3 for sergeants through master sergeants and warrant officers 1 through chief warrant officers 3 to become full-time talent acquisition technicians, or 420T. The position will work to standardize operations and advise staff on recruiting, retention, operations, marketing and analytics, according to the Army.

Service officials had previously said the recruiting goal for 2024 year is 55,000 new troops. Gen. Randy George, the Army chief of staff, recently said the service is ahead of where it was last year.

The service proposed budget allots $1.1 billion for marketing and advertising, an increase of 10% from 2024, Camarillo said. While the Army will continue to make investments in national advertisements, the service will look to invest in local and regional marketing campaigns.

He did point out that working under a stopgap spending measure, also known as a continuing resolution, is a problem.

Ill tell you one thing that we certainly found that doesnt work. Its being in a CR environment where we cant really plan some of the media buys early enough in the year has been a real challenge for us because it forces us to buy inefficiently, Camarillo said.

The war in Ukraine and China, which is viewed by defense officials as the top pacing challenge for the U.S. military, also remain areas of focus for the Army. Camarillo said the service alternated in recent years between funds for Europe and the Pacific. Since fiscal 2024, they are no longer doing that.

The Armys budget request includes $1.5 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, a program designed to develop advanced capabilities, new operational concepts and build a more resilient force posture in the Indo-Pacific. The service also requested more than $461 million for Operation Pathways for 11 exercises in the Pacific, a 200% increase from last year.

Similar to the Pacific deterrence, the Army includes an allotment of $2.1 billion for the European Deterrence Initiative. This initiative looks to build up a deterrent in the face of Russian aggression, while funding the Armys posture in the region and enabling rapid force buildup.

There is a determined push to ensure that we are funding exercises as part of our NATO assurance mission in Europe, but also significantly investing in Pacific pathways, the undersecretary said. All of those nations in the Pacific, they all have armies, and they appreciate the opportunity to train with us.

Here are some Army priorities from the services budget request for fiscal 2025:
(Tribune News Service)  A Marine stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe will spend 30 years in a military prison for sexually assaulting children in Hawaii and other states.

Staff Sgt. Jawan T. Hale, 37, pleaded guilty to 13 charges of crimes against children as defined by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He was sentenced Wednesday.

The charges include three counts of rape of a child, three counts of sexual abuse of a child, two counts of production of child sexual abuse material, three counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, one count of indecent language pertaining to a minor and one count of solicitation.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is dedicated to justice and the protection of the most vulnerable members of our community,  said Oliver Scammell, NCIS Hawaii Field Office acting special agent in charge. This sends a clear message that such reprehensible actions will not be tolerated within the Navy or Marine Corps ranks.

Hale is from Iron City, Ga., and previously worked with the 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, providing fuel for amphibious assault vehicles at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), N.C.

NCIS special agents arrested Hale in February 2023 after they got a tip from law enforcement partners and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Agents found large quantities of digital evidence showing the sexual exploitation of children, according to a NCIS news release.

When questioned, Hale admitted to molesting a child. Evidence gathered during the investigation showed Hale preyed on his victims by targeting single mothers with young children.

Hales sentencing reflects the gravity of the offenses committed by Staff Sgt. Hale, Scammell said. The military justice system has acted swiftly and decisively to hold him accountable for his actions.

Hales sentencing, handed down by a military judge, is effective immediately. Hale also will be dishonorably discharged, required to register as a sex offender and have a reduction in rank to private.

The case was prosecuted by Marine judge advocates, the attorneys responsible for upholding the law and core values of the Marine Corps, according to the MJA website. They are Marine Officers first and attorneys second.

NCIS encourages individuals who believe they may be victims or have information related to Hales crimes to come forward.

They can contact NCIS using the NCIS Tips App or visit for further assistance. Reports also may be submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678)o.

(c)2024 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Visit www.staradvertiser.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Prosecutors, not police, decide formal charges under the Japanese justice system. (Pexels)

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan  A Japanese court fined a 19-year-old Marine the equivalent of about $680 for trespassing and assaulting an older man in November near this air base south of Hiroshima.

Japanese authorities did not identify the Marine, who under age 20 is considered a juvenile in the Japanese judicial system. Marine spokesmen declined to identify the service member on Monday, saying they were not yet apprised that his case had closed.

The Marine was referred first to family court, then back to the Yamaguchi Public Prosecutors Office last month for criminal proceedings, a spokesman for that office said by phone Friday.

A court in Iwakuni city rendered a summary judgment Thursday and ordered the Marine to pay 100,000 yen, the spokesman said.

The victim, 67, scuffled with a U.S. service member Nov. 18 following a break-in at a store in Iwakuni, according to a Yamaguchi Broadcasting report.

He sustained serious injuries, such as bruises to his body and a cut on his head, the report said. The service member was taken away by other Americans.

We respect the decision of the court, and we take this matter very seriously, base spokesman 1st Lt. Aaron Ellis told Stars and Stripes by email on Monday.

The actions for which the service member was convicted are contrary to our values, and we expect our service members to be upstanding members of the community, he said.
Marines zero their rifles in the Marine Corps Championships hosted by the Weapons Training Battalion at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., in April 2023. (Joaquin Dela Torre/U.S. Marine Corps)

WASHINGTON  The Marine Corps is asking for more than $50 billion to support its ongoing transformation into a more modernized force and improve living conditions for Marines.

The services $53.7 billion budget request is part of the Navys $257 billion overall proposed spending plan for fiscal 2025, which begins Oct. 1. The total budget for the services represents a funding increase of 0.7% from last years request, which has yet to be approved by Congress.

This budget prioritizes our people and our readiness to deploy and operate today and respond in this decade if called to, said Rear Adm. Ben Reynolds, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for budget. The budget delivers the resources necessary to operate and build a lethal naval force to defend our nation and our way of life.

The Marine Corps spending plan would support a force of 204,800 active-duty Marines and Reserve members, several hundred less than the projected end strength for fiscal 2024.

The Navy and Marine Corps are boosting investment in personnel, including a 4.5% pay raise for sailors and Marines and expanded opportunities to enroll in community college or pursue other education.

There is also additional funding for the restoration and maintenance of barracks, family housing and child development centers.

As we looked [at the budget], we said the first thing and most important is just to make sure that our sailors and Marines are safe and they have a good place to live, Reynolds said.

Something as simple as providing Wi-Fi access can go a long way toward making troops feel at home, as well as ensuring basics such as working doors with locks, he said.

The Marine Corps is in the midst of inspecting every barracks facility in its inventory and hopes to bring them all up to standard by 2030, Reynolds said. The services deferred maintenance backlog stands in excess of $15.8 billion, according to budget documents.

Much of the Marine Corps budget request is committed to implementing its Force Design 2030 program, a long-term plan for the service to modernize and adapt for future marine warfare environments. The service is asking for nearly $14 billion in weapons and systems procurement  a 5.2% increase from the fiscal 2024 request.

This budget is focused on delivering resources to ensure Americas maritime forces  our Navy and Marine Corps team  are ready, resilient, flexible and forward-deployed to do our nations tasking, whether thats supporting naval diplomacy, crisis response, building partnerships, or protecting the worlds global economy, which floats on seawater, said Erik Raven, undersecretary of the Navy.

Here are other figures from the Marine Corps budget request for fiscal 2025:

 $364 million for major construction supporting the relocation of Marines from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam and Darwin, Australia.

 $3 billion for research and development, a $600 million drop from fiscal 2024.

 $18.1 billion for military personnel, including increases in pay and housing compensation.

 Procurement of 123 Javelin missiles, 674 joint light tactical vehicles, and 12 Medium-Range Intercept Capability, or MRIC, missiles.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Luis SanchezMateo, a supply administration and operations specialist with Headquarters and Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, fires an M4 service rifle during the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition Far East on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. (Vincent Pham/U.S. Marine Corps)

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.  Changes announced Monday to scoring and shooting standards for Marine Corps marksmanship requirements will better account for the speed at which a Marine shoots at a target, not just accuracy, according to service officials behind the decision.

The changes allow for a magazine-supported shooting posture and require higher scores to complete annual requirements at the prequalification phase of rifle training, according to an announcement sent to Marines.

For Marines who qualify on a pistol, which depends on a service members job, the first three qualification stages are becoming more difficult to better prepare Marines for the final two.

This is about increasing lethality, said Col. Gregory Jones, commander of the Weapons Training Battalion, part of Training Command at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. This is not your granddads rifle range.

He spoke last week about the changes alongside Chief Warrant Officer 4 Joshua Grayek, director of marksmanship in the battalion. Both described the overhaul as the largest since 1907.

The rifle range in 1907, its not bad or good. Its what we had when we had  a 1903 Springfield [rifle], which was an 1890s technology, Jones said. Now we have an M-16A4. The test is not as true a measure of lethality as it was when we had older, outdated technology.

Marines participate in a pistol marksmanship course March 5, 2024, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)

The Marine Corps began reevaluating its marksmanship standards after a 2018 combat-based lethality assessment found skill gaps in the ability of Marines to shoot on the move or at a moving target at unknown distances.

With that in mind, Training Command evaluated how to better train and score Marines in how effectively they can shoot to kill with their weapons, and the command will use a $34 million program to score troops on shooting speed and accuracy. The Joint Marksmanship Assessment Program, or JMAP, provides detailed data that can then be used to create individual training programs to help Marines improve their skills.

Under the previous system, a Marine had two minutes to shoot 30 rounds at targets at the required distances. The final score was an aggregate that showed nothing of how quickly the Marine hit the targets or which distances proved most difficult. It also did not differentiate between body hits and fatal shots.

With the new data redefining lethality, we can find out that hes shooting 50 seconds faster than I am, Grayek said, pointing to Jones. That means hes killing three or four bad guys in the time it takes me to kill one. Hes more lethal now, so that was the big paradigm shift.

Each year, Marines must do a prequalification and a qualification on their rifle. In the past, the prequalification score could be accepted for both if it passed the standards at any of the three acceptable levels of marksman, sharpshooter or expert. Now, for a prequalification score to be accepted, it must be expert  the highest level available.

Youre going to have to go back and try to better yourself, Grayek said. Its a forcing function to make them not accept less than the best.

Entry-level shooters can now support their rifle on the magazine while shooting, something that was previously banned. Jones credited better magazines for being able to allow the supported position that is acceptable in many civilian-shooting events.

This is common in all our advanced marksmanship courses, and its common in high-end civilian marksmanship competitions. This is the start of experimenting with and permanently changing some of the ways we do it at entry-level marksmanship, Jones said. We hope its not overly emotional, because it shouldnt be. Theres logical, functional reasons for why were making this change.

Staff Sgt. Austin Hill, chief instructor of the Advanced Marksmanship Training Program at Quantico, said hes seen the Corps turn marksmanship upside down to improve the ability of all Marines.

We are trying to pull the best that we can be so that we can further the force as a whole and continue to move forward, he said.
The USS Gerald R. Ford beside the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the USS George H. W. Bush at Naval Base Norfolk. The Navys 2025 budget will fund work on two new Ford-class carriers, one of which is slated to replace the Eisenhower by 2027. (Jackson Adkins/U.S. Navy)

The Navy will cut its purchase of Virginia-class submarines and F-35C Lightning II carrier-based fighter jets in fiscal 2025 amid uncertainty over budget constraints, including the 2024 defense appropriation stalled in Congress.

Navy and Defense Department officials presenting the services $203.9 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2025 said they face a double squeeze.

Congressional infighting has stalled the allocation of 2024 funds even as plans for 2025 are unveiled. Conflicts in the Red Sea and Ukraine and heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific region has drained operations and munitions budgets.

The Navy is carrying the brunt of those costs, said Michael McCord, the undersecretary of defense comptroller and chief financial officer.

Adm. Christopher Grady, Joint Chiefs of Staff vice chairman, said Monday that the result is a budget that emphasizes current needs and the ability to respond to China in the Indo-Pacific, even if it means risking investments in future technologies and weapons.

Were ready to fight tonight, he said.

The Navy proposed a pivot on its shipbuilding plans and wants to retire vessels that service officials believe do not match the profile of current and near future conflicts.

The USS Oregon, a Virginia-class submarine, passes the New London Ledge Lighthouse near Groton, Conn., in October 2022. The Navys fiscal 2025 budget calls for adding a Virginia-class attack submarine to the fleet. (Wesley Towner/U.S. Navy)

The fiscal 2025 budget calls for $43.1 billion in shipbuilding, including six new battle force additions to the fleet: One Virginia-class attack submarine, one Constellation-class guided missile frigate, two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, one San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, and one medium landing dock.

The budget would continue funding for the USS Enterprise and USS Doris Miller, the third and fourth of the new-generation Ford-class aircraft carriers. The ships are expected to enter service in the early 2030s.

The Navy also wants to start work on the USS Wisconsin, the second of the new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines that also are scheduled to debut in the next decade.

The budget would allow the service to maintain 31 amphibious ships to carry Marines and other troops to conflicts. It would also meet the congressional mandate to maintain 11 aircraft carriers, a number that would go to 12 next year with the arrival of the USS John F. Kennedy, the second Ford-class aircraft carrier.

This is a strategy-driven budget that reflects the nations priorities, said Erik Raven, undersecretary of the Navy.

The Navy opted to reduce its planned request on the attack submarines from two to one and use $3.4 billion on the Pentagons Submarine Industrial Base plan to streamline and upgrade the supply chain of 15,000 companies in 50 states involved in submarine production.

We need to get to a better, healthier dynamic, McCord said of the Virginia-class production delays.

The decision drew immediate pushback from Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committees subpanel on seapower and projection forces. His district includes General Dynamics Electric Boat, the submarine builder in Groton.

The Navys plan to cut a submarine that has already been partially paid for and built makes little or no sense, Courtney said Monday. This hard rudder turn by the Navy demands the highest scrutiny by the Congress.

To offset the costs of operations and new ships and submarines, the Navy wants to retire 10 ships that have yet to reach their projected end-of-service age. The list includes two Ticonderoga-class cruisers, four expeditionary transports, two littoral combat ships, and one expeditionary transport dock ship.

Sailors aboard the USS Makin Island "man the rails" at Naval Base San Diego in June 2023. The Navy's 2025 budget calls for 390,000 sailors and officers in the service  332,300 on active duty and 57,700 in reserves. (Eloise A. Johnson/U.S. Navy)

Another procurement casualty would be the Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II aircraft slated to replace the McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet as the Navys main carrier-launched fighter and attack aircraft. The Navy will buy 13 F-35Cs, which Navy or Marine squadrons can fly off aircraft carriers.

McCord said the new planes development issues, including software problems, were affecting deliveries. He said just as the Virginia submarine program could get back on track with a production slowdown, a longer delivery runway for the F-35C could allow for a catch-up between demand and supply.

Raven said allowing the Navy to make the choices was critical as congressionally mandated limits constrain future budgets.

Were moving into a capped environment, he said. We looked at our own programs and made trades with a clear understanding of the risks we are taking.

If the Navy shipbuilding and retirement plan is approved, the service would drop from 296 ships now to 287 in 2025. The fleet would include 11 aircraft carriers and 67 nuclear-powered attack and ballistic-missile submarines.

Personnel would also remain essentially flat under the budget.

The Navy wants 332,300 active-duty sailors, up from its current 331,221. As with the other military services, the Navy has fallen short of recruiting goals. The Navy remains below its 2024 authorized force size of 337,800 personnel. The service also wants to increase the Reserve in 2025 from 55,979 to 57,700.

The budget did not include money needed to replenish missiles and other ammunition expended in operations in the Middle East. The Defense Department and Navy plan to submit a supplemental budget to cover the costs of current conflicts.

Rear Adm. Ben Reynolds, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for budget, said the service needed a return to annual budgets with funds matching costs. The current short-term funding measures and caps arent sustainable.

It can cause lasting and profound damage to the Navy and Marine Corps, he said.
Air Force Master Sgt. Toni Odom takes photos of students inside a C-130J Super Hercules during a Fly Girls excursion over Tokyo, on March 8, 2024. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  International Womens Day at this airlift hub in western Tokyo dawned cold and wet but the weather did not deter the third annual Fly Girls celebration.

More than 100 girls and boys from Yokota and Yokosuka middle and high schools attended Fridays event, organized by Capt. Casey Guardia, a Huey pilot with Yokotas 49th Airlift Squadron. Also present were airmen from Misawa Air Base and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

Womens numbers have been rising (in the military) and its exciting to show the students that women are here, that were making an impact and that we work really well with our male counterparts in aviation, Guardia told Stars and Stripes at the event.

And for the little girls out there, you can do whatever you set your mind to  you can still have an impact and you can still make a big difference, she said.

The students day started with a morning ride on a C-130J Super Hercules airlifter.

Today really opened my (eyes) to a new experience of joining the Air Force, Kaiya Tryka, 17, an 11th grader at Yokosukas Nile C. Kinnick High School, told Stars and Stripes. This was just really a fun experience, and I really enjoyed it.

Tryka said she plans to join the Air Force after graduation and wants to fly the F-15 Eagle.

Being able to experience getting on the plane and seeing a different perspective, and how pilots manage and work things on the plane was really interesting to me, she said.

Guardia invited the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Misawas 14th Fighter Squadron, and organized aircraft static displays and information tables in the 459th Airlift Squadron hangar. There, attendees met the women who pilot and maintain the aircraft.

I was just looking at the aircrew equipment, said Senior Airman Kyoka Kusuhashi, a C-130H Hercules maintainer for the Air Self-Defense Force. Ive never seen that, so that was very cool. Ive also never seen the aircraft, as well, and it is a chance for me to meet all our American friends here as well.

Kusuhashi said only about 10 out of 200 people working at Komaki Air Base are women, a big difference that she sees between the American and Japanese military.

Guardia said her mother, Charlene Guardia, served six years in the Army as an occupational therapist and has been a great role model as her daughter paves her own path in the military.

Im really lucky to serve when I am, when womens numbers are rising, she said. About 25% of the of the students were women when I was in pilot training at the Air Force Academy.

Guardia said its great to an increasing number of women in the service.

Were grateful for all the women that came before us and kind of paved the path, and that we just dont face the hardships they faced because theyve really led the way, she said.
China criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modis inauguration of a tunnel that will give Indian troops easy access to areas close to the disputed border between the two countries. (Prakash Singh/Bloomberg)

China criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modis inauguration of a tunnel that will give Indian troops easy access to areas close to the disputed border between the two countries.

Beijing lodged a diplomatic protest with New Delhi over the development in Indias northeastern Arunachal Pradesh region, an area China calls Zangnan and claims as its own.

The Chinese government has never recognized the so-called Arunchal Pradesh locally set up by India, and we firmly oppose this, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters Monday in a regular briefing.

Modi was in the regions capital Itanagar on Saturday, where he unveiled the Sela tunnel during a video ceremony, dedicating it to the development of Indias northeastern states. The tunnel, built under the Sela pass at about 13,700 feet, is expected to aid movement of troops to locations along the Line of Actual Control, an area that is disputed between the two nations.

The China-India boundary question has yet to be solved. India has no right to arbitrarily develop the area of Zangnan in China, Wang said.

China has consistently opposed Indias development projects and visits by Indian leaders in the region. Indias relevant moves will only complicate the boundary question. China is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposed to the leaders visit to the eastern section of the China-India boundary, the ministrys spokesman added.

Modi said on the weekend that the tunnel provides all-weather connectivity to our people in Tawang, making transportation easier for the locals and boosting tourism in Arunachal. Addressing a gathering in Itanagar, Modi said several such tunnel projects are rapidly progressing in this region.

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
This AN-M65 general-purpose bomb was discovered Thursday, March, 7, 2024, at a construction site roughly 60 miles south of Seoul, South Korea. (South Korean air force)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  An unexploded 1,000-pound bomb leftover from the Korean War was partially dismantled and removed from a construction site last week south of Seoul, a South Korean air force spokesman said.

The AN-M65 general-purpose bomb from the 1950-53 conflict was discovered Thursday by workers at a construction site in Cheongju city, roughly 60 miles south of the capital, a South Korean air force spokesman said by phone Monday.

The spokesman declined to say precisely where the bomb was discovered. South Korean officials regularly speak to the media on a customary condition of anonymity.

Air Force explosive ordnance disposal specialists removed the bombs detonator about two hours after it was discovered, the spokesman said. The bomb was removed for further investigation, he said.

Our [explosive ordnance disposal] members are experts and have always been making their efforts for national security and the people, the spokesman said.

M65 bombs were dropped from P-47 Thunderbolt and B-26 Invader aircraft on reinforced targets like dams and concrete or steel railroad bridges, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Forces website.

Unexploded ordnance dating to the Korean War are routinely discovered throughout South Korea.

In June, unexploded ordnance was safely recovered by the South Korean military at a construction site in Seoul, a little over a mile from the U.S. Armys Yongsan Garrison.

U.S. aircraft dropped around 635,000 tons of bombs throughout the Korean Peninsula during the war, former University of Chicago professor Bruce Cumings wrote in his book, The Korean War: A History.

At least 5 million artillery rounds were fired by allied and communist troops in the final two months of the conflict and up to 2 million unexploded ordnance and land mines are estimated to remain on the border between North and South Korea, according to United Nations Commands website.
Trains across Germany will halt Tuesday as train drivers union GDL is enforcing its demands against national railway operator Deutsche Bahn in another 24-hour long walkout. (Deutsche Bahn)

Updated March 12, 2024 at 3:15 p.m. Central European Time

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  The strike by the German train drivers union GDL is continuing as planned after Deutsche Bahns attempt to halt it through court action failed at both the initial and appeal stages Tuesday.

The national railway operator filed for an injunction at the Frankfurt labor court Monday, the company said in a statement, criticizing the unions abrupt timing and arguing that the strike, affecting both freight and passenger services, is groundless and disproportionate.

The Hessian State Labor Court has dismissed the companys appeal against the earlier ruling in Frankfurt, confirming the legality of the unions short-notice strike.

GDL will continue its 24-hour strike until 2 a.m. Wednesday, the union said, an action that comes shortly after they concluded a 35-hour strike Friday.

Deutsche Bahn said it would maintain basic service across its long-distance, regional and S-Bahn trains. The company on its website advised passengers to book seats in advance due to expected limitations.

Tickets affected by the strike will remain valid and passengers will have the option to travel at other times without being bound to specific trains, Deutsche Bahn said. Additionally, seat reservations can be canceled for free and full refunds are available for canceled trains.

As threatened previously, union leaders announced the strike less than 48 hours in advance in order to prevent Deutsche Bahn from creating an emergency timetable. Fewer trains may roll Tuesday as a result, according to German automobile club ADAC.

Tuesdays standoff between Deutsche Bahn and GDL marks the sixth work stoppage over wages and benefits, with each side blaming the other for the failure to reach an agreement that could avert further disruptions in Germanys rail services.

(Deutsche Bahn) shows once again that it has no interest in improving the working, income and living conditions of its employees, but simply wants to win, GDL chief Claus Weselsky said in a Friday statement. This is not what a collective bargaining and social partnership on equal footing looks like.

Mediation talks in late February aimed to address the unions demands for reduced working hours, salary increases and improvements in working conditions.

Key to the deadlock is GDLs demand for a 35-hour workweek with full wage compensation.

The mediators suggestion to gradually reduce working hours to 36 per week by 2028 has been rejected by GDL, which also demands a larger pay bump than Deutsche Bahn offered.

Deutsche Bahns latest offer, in line with the mediators proposal, included a staggered salary increase topping out at an additional 331 euros per month by 2025. GDLs initially demanded a retroactive 555 euro increase and is now standing firm at an immediate raise escalating to 420 euros per month.

The GDL declined an invitation for further negotiations scheduled by Deutsche Bahn for Monday, dismissing the latest offer as inadequate and demanding a better offer from the company by Sunday evening  an offer that had reportedly not been made.

With GDL rejecting the offer to negotiate based on the current proposal, the prospect of reaching a resolution remains uncertain, according to officials of both parties, potentially leading to further disruptions in the coming weeks.
The headquarters of Bank Rossii, Russias central bank, in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. (Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg)

(Tribune News Service)  Russia is weighing options for big tax increases to raise as much as 4 trillion rubles ($44 billion) as the war in Ukraine puts growing pressure on the governments coffers.

Tax hikes on corporate profits and on high-earning individuals are being considered, two people involved in the discussions said, asking not to be identified because the matter isnt public. The government may raise personal income tax to 20% from 15% now for those earning more than 5 million rubles, and company taxation to 25% from 20%, according to the Important Stories news site and confirmed by two people involved in the discussions.

Russias Finance Ministry didnt immediately respond to a request to comment.

President Vladimir Putin has announced he intends to overhaul the tax system once he returns for a new six-year term in this weeks elections. In a Feb. 29 speech to lawmakers and officials at Russias Federal Assembly, he said he wanted a more equitable distribution of the tax burden toward those with higher personal and corporate incomes.

Individuals in Russia pay 13% tax on annual incomes up to 5 million rubles, rising to 15% for anything over that level. Changes under consideration would lower the 15% threshold to 1 million rubles and increase the level to 20% on incomes above 5 million rubles, shifting many more Russians out of the lowest tax bracket.

The average monthly salary in December was 103,815 rubles, or more than 1.2 million rubles annually, according to the Federal Statistics Service.

Officials are likely to decide on the exact levels of the tax increase in the summer, the people said.

The government considers the beginning of a new presidential term a window of opportunity for unpopular reforms, according to people involved in the discussions. Shortly after he was last reelected in 2018, Putin pushed through an unpopular increase in Russias pension age and raised the Value Added Tax to 20% from 18%.

Russias government is draining its resources amid surging expenditure on the military and efforts to support businesses as the economy labors under the pressure of unprecedented international sanctions. Finance Ministry data showed it had tapped almost half of the national wealth funds available reserves at the end of last year.

This years federal budget was 1.5 trillion rubles in the red by the end of February, while the Finance Ministry has planned for a deficit of 1.6 trillion rubles for the whole of 2024.

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President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the media during a joint press conference with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy on March 8, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey. (Chris McGrath, Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Turkey is looking to expand its cross-border military operation against Kurdish militants in Iraq as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan courts more nationalist voters ahead of this months local elections.

Turkey and Iraq are in talks to jointly crack down on hideouts of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which has long battled for an autonomous Kurdish region in Turkey, Defense Minister Yasar Guler said Monday.

Turkey has employed a so-called inkblot military strategy to seize control of the rugged Iraqi border area, creating more than 100 army outposts in the region. That fits with Erdogans goal to create a cross-border buffer zone with Iraq and Syria to combat the threat of Kurdish separatism from both countries.

We are fully determined to create a 30-40 kilometer deep security corridor along our borders, Guler was cited as saying by Turkish media on Monday. This summer, we will complete the circle that will secure our Iraq border and eradicate the terrorism problem.

An expanded military operation could ensure Erdogan the support of the MHP, a nationalist party whose leaders have allied with the presidents AK Party, in the run-up to local elections on March 31. Nationalists account for about 10% of the electorate in Turkey.

Erdogan needs to shore up nationalist support to try and regain control of major cities, including Istanbul and Ankara, which he lost to the main opposition party in 2019 polls. If he could win them back, Erdogan may feel strong enough to rewrite the constitution to make it easier for him to retain the presidency in future national elections, where he currently needs more than half of the votes cast.

Military escalation

After dozens of Turkish soldiers in Iraq were killed in attacks in December and January that Turkey blamed on the PKK, Erdogan vowed to step up military operations against both the PKK and its offshoot, the Peoples Protection Units, or YPG, in Syria.

We will take new steps to fill the gaps in this corridor, Erdogan said, referring to areas outside the control of Turkeys military and allied Syrian rebels within Syria.

2024 Bloomberg News.

Visit bloomberg.com.

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People walk by vendors and shops in a busy traffic circle in central Nablus in the West Bank on March 7, 2024. (Tamir Kalifa for The Washington Post)

NABLUS, West Bank  The signs of economic distress are everywhere in Nablus, a once-bustling hub of Palestinian commerce now paralyzed by Israels tightening grip on life and work in the West Bank.

School-age children sell candy for change and the upscale hotels and restaurants are closed. Jobless men smoke cigarettes on street corners, while taxis sit idle, their routes out of the city blocked by Israeli troops.

The Palestinian people are used to crises, said Iyad Kordi, general secretary of the Nablus Chamber of Commerce, but what I see now, Ive never witnessed. This winter, local officials said hundreds of families reached out for the first time to plead for cash, food or basic heating.

At least before, we had the basic needs of survival, said Kordi, adding that the pressure Israel is putting on the West Bank is pushing it to the brink.

While Israel besieges and pummels Gaza, Palestinians here say it is also waging an economic war in the West Bank. Since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, Israel has imposed sweeping restrictions on the Palestinian economy, revoking work permits, hindering free movement and even withholding for months the tax revenue it collects for the Palestinian Authority.

Boys with shopping carts wait for people to pay them a few shekels to carry purchased goods at the market in the Old City of Nablus. (Tamir Kalifa for The Washington Post)

The measures, which Israel says were taken for security reasons, have led to massive job losses, unpaid salaries and a steep drop in local production, according to the World Bank. They have also stoked fears of widespread unrest and worries that more young men, especially in the impoverished refugee camps, will join militant groups to take up arms against Israel.

They are killing us economically, said Jamal Tirawi, a local Fatah party leader in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus. Officials there say thousands of the camps roughly 33,000 residents were employed in Israel before the attack, mostly as construction workers.

Now, about 70% of workers there arent receiving a salary, compared with 35% who were unemployed five months ago, said Ahmed Thoukan, co-president of the camps popular services committee. Across the West Bank, unemployment reached 29% by the end of 2023, causing a sharp decline in the gross domestic product, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

Lost income

Israel has long exercised significant control over the lives and movement of Palestinians here. It captured the West Bank from Jordan in 1967, ruling for decades through military occupation and constructing sprawling settlements for Israeli citizens.

In the 1990s, after the first Palestinian uprising, the Oslo accords granted the Palestinian Authority limited autonomy over civil affairs, including the economy, as a step toward peace. But that peace never materialized and Palestinians still rely heavily on Israel for jobs, market access, tax collection and imports of raw materials and essential goods.

Over the years, Palestinian workers formed the backbone of Israels construction industry and became a reliable source of cheap labor for its booming agriculture and tourism sectors. Workers from Gaza and the West Bank could earn in Israel triple the amount they could make in the Palestinian territories, according to the World Bank.

Young men socialize below the Manara Clock Tower in the Old City of Nablus. (Tamir Kalifa for The Washington Post) A woman collects empty cans to resell in the Balata refugee camp. (Tamir Kalifa for The Washington Post)

But after Oct. 7, when Hamas and other militants killed about 1,200 people, authorities imposed a near-total ban on Palestinians working in Israel or its settlements in the West Bank. The government canceled the work permits of more than 170,000 Palestinian laborers, the World Bank said. Tens of thousands more who worked in Israel illegally are now also out of jobs, according to Shaher Saed, general secretary of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions.

The issue of work permits for Palestinians is based on ongoing and comprehensive security considerations, Ophir Falk, foreign policy adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said in a statement. Israel is vigilant on this issue in order to prevent additional Palestinian terror.

For Abdullah Khezaran, 29, the money he earned as a maintenance worker in Tel Aviv allowed him to get married and start a family. Now hes unemployed and spends his days sleeping or playing cards, plagued by fears he wont be able to support his wife and children.

At a Nablus roundabout, 53-year-old Taysir Dabeek sells parsley and lettuce. He used to make between $85 and $110 each day painting houses in Tel Aviv. Now he earns $15 a day to buy essentials for his family of six.

God help us, said Khezaran, who was standing on a nearby street corner.

Abdullah Khezaran, 29, stands for a portrait near an entrance to the Balata refugee camp. (Tamir Kalifa for The Washington Post) An empty refrigerator that would normally be full before Ramadan is seen in the home Abu Hussam, who said he couldnt find work locally and ended up joining a local battalion of fighters. He requested to be identified by his nickname for fear of retribution by authorities. (Tamir Kalifa for The Washington Post)

Checkpoints and roadblocks

But even getting fresh produce or other goods, including from West Bank cities, is costly and cumbersome. The West Bank, which is slightly smaller than the state of Delaware, was already carved up by checkpoints and roadblocks, including a 450-mile barrier that snakes through Palestinian land.

Over the past five months, Israel has erected dozens of new military checkpoints and blocked towns and villages from accessing main roads, according to Israeli rights group BTselem. The worsening restrictions have stifled local trade and production, key pillars of the West Bank economy, and prevented another 67,000 Palestinians from physically returning to their workplaces, the World Bank said.

In Nablus, nestled in a valley in the upper part of the West Bank, Israeli forces have long maintained checkpoints at the citys four exits. The military closed two of them in the fall, meaning no traffic could go in or out.

They also installed dozens of metal gates and dirt mounds to block roads around Nablus, Kordi said, cutting off routes to nearby villages. A spokeswoman for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli government body charged with overseeing civilian policy in the West Bank, did not respond to requests for comment.

Drivers now get stuck for hours trying to leave the city. Students enrolled in university in Nablus, but who lived outside the city, are dropping out. Palestinian citizens of Israel used to travel to Nablus to shop or visit relatives. But now theyre staying home, keeping cash out of the local economy.

An Israeli soldier stands guard at a bus stop near Tapuach Junction in the West Bank. (Tamir Kalifa for The Washington Post)

Nabluss once-thriving furniture industry has all but collapsed because of the sheer difficulty of moving goods in and out of the West Bank. The Titi family faces the same problem with the sesame seeds it imports to make the popular condiment tahini, which it sells from its chain of stores. Skyrocketing costs might force the family to close at least one of the shops, the family said.

If time passes and there is no relief, the potential for an explosion gets bigger, said Michael Milshtein, a former adviser to COGAT on Palestinian affairs.

Under pressure

The widespread loss of income is leading to desperation and rising social tensions, especially in the West Banks crowded refugee camps, where local leaders and residents say domestic disputes are becoming more frequent, and some parents are pulling their children from school to put them to work.

On a recent day, a woman wandered through Balatas narrow alleyways, collecting aluminum cans to resell as scrap metal to support her four children. Volunteers at the local food kitchen said theyre preparing to serve double the number of families this year for the holy month of Ramadan, which begins Monday.

Young men in the camp are under big pressure and unemployment is very high there, the deputy mayor of Nablus, Hussam Shakhshir, said. But they dont normally turn to criminality, he said, and instead revolt against the occupation.

From left, Muna Abdallah, 43, Shifa Shilbayeh, 60, Samia Himo, 49, Amal Tirawi, 50, and Abeer Abu Halimeh, 29, who are involved with the womens center at the Balata refugee camp. (Tamir Kalifa for The Washington Post) A vendor sells fried dough near an entrance to the Balata refugee camp on the outskirts of Nablus. (Tamir Kalifa for The Washington Post)

Thoukan, the Balata camp official, said hes already observed young men taking up arms after losing their jobs.

Abu Hussam, 28, used to earn about $100 a day working construction in Tel Aviv. But Israel canceled his work permit last year after finding out about his brothers militant activities.

Abu Hussam, who asked to be identified by his nickname for fear of retribution by authorities, said he couldnt find work locally and ended up joining a local battalion of fighters.

Balata is a place that prizes armed resistance: Children wear miniature portraits of fallen militants around their necks, and ride bicycles, unfazed, as men with automatic rifles roar past on motorbikes. The walls of Abu Hussams living room are lined with posters of his dead comrades, killed in clashes with Israeli forces.

Resistance is our right, he said. But Abu Hussam also received regular cash handouts from a popular commander named Zoufi, who was killed by Israel in November.

What do you expect them to do? Amal Tirawi, director of the Balatas womens center, said of the workers who lost their jobs in Israel. There are university graduates among the militants.

But, she said, No mother wants to see their sons killed or injured.
Damage from a mid-air collision between two planes sits within the fence line of the Dallas Executive Airport on Nov. 12, 2022. (Liesbeth Powers, The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

DALLAS  The National Transportation Safety Board published Monday an in-depth look into the 2022 Dallas air show crash that killed six people.

The public docket consists of nearly 2,000 pages of new information, including interview transcripts, photos, medical and toxicology reports, maintenance records and laboratory examinations. It is not a final report and does not declare a cause for the crash.

On Nov. 12, 2022, two World War II-era planes, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a Bell P-63 Kingcobra, collided at Dallas Executive Airport during the Wings Over Dallas show. One pilot was in the P-63 while two pilots and three crew members were in the B-17.

The Commemorative Air Force, which hosted the Wings Over Dallas show in 2022, identified those who died as Terry Barker, Craig Hutain, Kevin Michels, Dan Ragan, Len Root and Curt Rowe. No one on the ground was injured or killed.

A short, preliminary investigative report was released less than three weeks after the crash, and officials have said the final report was expected to take 12 to 18 months. NTSB did not provide an updated timeline Monday, but said the final report will include analysis, findings, recommendations and probable cause determinations.

P-63s GPS system inactive since 2014

Skies were clear when both airplanes departed at 1 p.m. No wind gusts were present and no turbulence was reported, officials said.

The Bell P-63 Kingcobra was registered under the American Airpower Flying Museum. It sat one and had one engine.

Craig Hutain, 63, of Montgomery, was flying in the single-seat plane and wearing a four-point restraint.

Pilots are required by the Federal Aviation Administration to be cleared for medical purposes, both physically and mentally. Hutains last medical certificate was Nov. 1, 2022, and he had no limitations.

Hutains death was ruled accidental from blunt force injuries, according to an autopsy summary. His autopsy was limited by the severity of his injuries.

A Garmin GPSMAP 496 was recovered from the crash, according to a report from the electronic recorder devices specialist.

It is a battery-powered 12-channel GPS receiver that receives satellite radio for flight information, the report said. A track log of latitude, longitude, date, time and GPS altitude information are stored. If the devices memory becomes full, new information would overwrite the oldest information or recording would stop, depending on how it was configured.

Although the Garmin GPSMAP 496 was damaged, a memory chip was removed from the circuit board. The chip recovered 47 recordings from July 30, 2013, to June 19, 2014  and none from Nov. 12, 2022.

No track logs were shown in Texas, confirming the crash was never recorded.

It is likely that the devices track log recording function had been inactive since 2014, the report read.

A transcript was released with communications from the aircraft involved in the incident.

After the crash, a person instructing the show repeatedly said knock it off and roll the trucks to the other aircraft over the radio.

The other planes diverted to alternative airports following the incident.

Passengers and pilots aboard B-17

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, a four-engine aircraft, was also registered to the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum. It had 10 seats  four for crew members and six for passengers.

Len Root, 66, of Fort Worth, was flying the plane in the captains seat.

Root wore glasses for near vision but had received his last medical certificate in September 2022. Root had all of his required flying certificates.

Roots family filed a lawsuit last year against the Commemorative Air Force, the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum Inc. and the American Airpower Heritage Museum Inc. Roots wife and daughters said the suit was filed to help ensure safety for pilots participating in air shows and to show that the tragic death of a beloved husband and father is an immense loss made even more traumatic by its preventable nature, according to the law firm representing the family.

To Roots right was Terry Barker, 67, of Keller, who wore corrective lenses and had glasses on hand for his vision. His last medical certification was October 2022. Barker also had all of his required certificates.

Three others were aboard the Boeing aircraft: Curt Rowe, Dan Ragan and Kevin Michels. Rowe wore a lap restraint, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. It is unclear whether Ragan and Michels had restraints.

All of the passengers deaths aboard the B-17 were ruled accidental from blunt force injuries, according to autopsy summaries. All of the autopsies were limited because of the severity of the mens injuries.

The planes crashed at about 500 feet in the air, and the National Transportation Safety Board reported the Boeing aircraft caught fire both on the ground and in-flight and exploded. Officials said both planes were totally destroyed.

Recovered from the Boeing plane was an Avidyne IFD540 flight management system, GPS and navigator. The device could monitor and record navigational information. It was damaged in the fire but appeared to be in good condition, the report said. Officials inserted its compact flash card, which stores flight data, into another device to view data.

It recovered five sessions from Nov. 6 to Nov. 12, and recorded the incident on Nov. 12. The flight was 13 minutes and 4 seconds, according to the report.

2024 The Dallas Morning News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Active-duty service members and veterans will be allowed to access invitro-fertilization treatment regardless of their marital status or sexual orientation, the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs announced. (Jaimee Freeman/U.S. Air Force)

WASHINGTON  Service members and veterans will be allowed to access in vitro fertilization treatment regardless of their marital status or sexual orientation, the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs announced.

Defense officials on Friday said they would end a policy requiring service members to be legally married and able to produce the necessary gametes  the sperm and eggs  for a pregnancy to have a child.

The policy had effectively kept same-sex couples, unmarried couples and single adults from receiving IVF treatment to have a child.

The VA said Monday that the agency also would end the restrictions on IVF treatments to align with the Defense Department.

Under the expansion of care, the Defense Department and VA will offer IVF benefits to eligible service members and veterans regardless of marital status and for the first time allow the use of donor eggs, sperm and embryos.

We are grateful to the Defense Department and overjoyed for the service members who, through this policy change, will now be able to access the reproductive health care so desperately needed in order to build their families, said Sonia Ossorio, director of the New York City chapter of the National Organization for Women.

NOW-NYC, the Veterans Legal Services Clinic and the Reproductive Rights and Justice Project filed a lawsuit in August in federal court in New York City that challenged the policies for IVF treatment by the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments as discriminatory.

Air Force veteran Ashley Sheffield, who served in the military for 20 years, had filed a second lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court on behalf of a proposed class of veterans excluded from IVF treatment.

Sheffield said in her lawsuit that exposure to jet fuel affected her reproductive system and ability to have children. She also claimed she was exposed to polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, which are chemicals in fire-fighting foam that has been linked to infertility, the lawsuit stated.

Sheffield, who retired from the military in 2021, said she was denied IVF treatment because of discriminatory VA policies. She said her constitutional rights were violated.

In 2021, Ms. Sheffield married her wife, according to the lawsuit. They live in Massachusetts and hope to conceive a child of their own and share their passion for serving others with that child.

Her lawsuit included a letter to Sheffield from the VA that reads if [youre] in a same-sex marriage or if the sperm is donated from someone other than a male spouse she was disqualified from the treatment.

LGBTQ+ veterans like Ashley Sheffield who have bravely sacrificed for our country deserve equal treatment when they seek the medical benefits they have earned, according to the lawsuit. VA must end its blatant and willful discrimination of veterans in same-sex marriages and provide Ms. Sheffield, and all other veterans denied IVF because of sex and sexual orientation, the health care they have earned.

VA, under the new policy, will provide IVF treatment to veterans using donated sperm or eggs, which is a critical step toward helping veterans unable to produce their own sperm or eggs due to service-connected injuries and health conditions, the VA said Monday in announcing the rule change.

But the Defense Department and the VA will continue to require that an illness or injury must precipitate coverage for IVF treatment.

Attorneys in the NOW-NYC case said they will continue to press for IVF coverage regardless of whether an individual has a service-connected disability or injury that caused infertility.

Lindsay Church, a Navy veteran represented in the NOW-NYC lawsuit, had said in the lawsuit that her injuries were not directly related to the infertility that she was experiencing. Church had served as a petty officer 2nd class working as a cryptologic linguist from 2008-2012.

My service came with severe injuries, leaving me disabled and unable to carry a child due to extensive damage to my ribs, sternum, spine and torso, Church said. Despite my service-connected disability, my spouse and I do not have access to vital fertility treatments, such as IVF, because my disabilities are not to my reproductive system, and we are in a same-sex marriage.
Needham police teamed up with Massachusetts State Police on Monday, March 11, 2024, to search the Charles River for military supplies including explosives after the discovery of a WWII-era bazooka in the water last week, police said. (Needham Police Department/Facebook)

(Tribune News Service)  Needham police teamed up with Massachusetts State Police on Monday to search the Charles River for military supplies including explosives after the discovery of a WWII-era bazooka in the water last week, police said.

Needham police urged the public to avoid the Kendrick Street bridge area, where the search was focused, the department said in a Facebook post. The department said there was no risk to the public.

The search turned up a large elongated tank containing an unknown substance, but state hazardous materials specialists determined the tank did not contain any hazardous materials, State Police said in a statement. The tank was subsequently disposed of by the Needham Department of Public Works.

On March 6, a fisherman at the river was using a fishing magnet when he found what State Police determined was a World War II-era bazooka round, the agency told MassLive.

After the item was found at around 11:30 a.m., police and firefighters secured the area before two members of the State Police Bomb Squad arrived at around 1 p.m.

Out of caution, the bomb squad removed the round to a secure location and disposed of it through a method called a counter charge, State Police said.

The discovery of that round was the second in less than a week, after officials found a round in the area on March 1, according to State Police. That projectile, believed to be from either the first or second World War, was also found by a fisherman with a magnet.

2024 Advance Local Media LLC.

Visit masslive.com.

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Salman Akram Raja and Sardar Latif Khosa were released from custody on Monday morning.

PTI leaders Salman Akram Raja and Sardar Latif Khosa had been arrested as party leaders and workers staged nationwide protests on Sunday against alleged rigging in February 8 general election and stealing of mandate.

PTI leaders and workers took to streets across the country with rallies held in various cities of Punjab, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad, along with protests in Karachi, Kandhkot, Tank and other cities.

In a statement, Shehbaz Khosa said his father was arrested by station house officer (SHO) Cantt. We have no information where the police have taken him [Latif Khosa], he said.

The police have also arrested PTI-backed provincial assembly member Hafiz Farhat Abbas  who was participating in the protest against election rigging.

Similarly, the police arrested senior party leader and lawyer Salman Akram Raja from Lahores Ichhra.
Kamal Kumar Nepali (24), of Beech Park, Ballincollig, Co Cork, appeared before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath in the Central Criminal Court today

A predator who broke into a house "in the dead of night" and raped a woman as she slept has been jailed for nine years.

Kamal Kumar Nepali (24), of Beech Park, Ballincollig, Co Cork, appeared before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath in the Central Criminal Court today.

He was found guilty following a trial of one count of rape, one count of burglary, one count of assault causing harm, one count of sexual assault and four counts of trespass in Cork on March 1, 2022. He had denied the charges.

Imposing sentence, Mr Justice MacGrath described the rape as a terrifying experience and predatory in nature.

He said the assault occurred in the victim's own bedroom in the dead of night and that the victim was particularly vulnerable. The judge also noted the harm and trauma that the incident caused her.

Mr Justice MacGrath said the aggravating factors included that the rape involved physical violence, that it occurred in the circumstances of a burglary and that it violated the safety and security of the victim's own home.

He said the mitigating factors included that Nepali has no previous convictions. He took into account character references handed in to court by family and co-workers.

The absence of an expression of remorse or apology reduces room for mitigation, the judge said, adding that Nepali does not express remorse, apology or victim empathy.

The judge also noted: He is also a young man whose reputation and standing in the community is likely to be diminished, albeit of his own making.

Mr Justice MacGrath sentenced Nepali to 10 years' imprisonment, but suspended the final year on strict conditions.

He also ordered that there be no contact between Nepali and his victim for an indefinite period going forward.

The sentence was backdated to when Nepali entered custody on June 17, 2022.

Nepali's defence counsel indicated his intention to appeal the decision.

Sergeant John Paul Twomey told Ray Boland SC, prosecuting, at a previous sentence hearing that this was a calculated attack on a female while she slept and that the actions of Mr Nepali were that of a predator.

The court heard the victim had been socialising with housemates at a nearby pub on the night of February 28, 2022. At around 2am, she left the pub and walked home.

She got home, changed into pyjamas and went to sleep. She woke up at 7am to find Nepali in her room with his arms across her body.

Nepali had broken into her house and raped her as she slept, causing injury to her body. The woman said she was a heavy sleeper, and the alcohol she had drunk earlier that evening meant she slept heavier than usual.

Nepali said he'd been there three weeks earlier, which the woman said was not true. She asked him to leave.

After he left, he requested to follow her on Instagram. The woman saw he had accessed her phone without her knowledge and followed his own account as she slept.

The woman was in a state of panic and realized her leg was sore and that there was bruising on her body.

One of the woman's housemates said Nepali had entered the house at 5.30am, and that she had asked him to leave or she would call the gardai. She thought he had left because she saw a motion sensor outside activate.

Nepali had attempted to enter different houses earlier that night, the court heard.

Sgt Twomey said Nepali was entering houses looking to find an intoxicated female to rape, but that the first four houses he entered all had male occupants.

Gardai were informed the day of the assault and the victim attended a sexual assault unit.

Nepali was arrested and interviewed on March 22, 2022. The court heard that throughout his detention, his version of what happened changed, with major discrepancies.

Nepali was unanimously convicted on December 7, 2023 on all counts on the indictment.

In a victim impact statement handed in to the court and read on her behalf, the woman said: I will never forget coming home to my parents and watching my dad cry.

I had love bites all over my neck and bruises on my lower body. I covered myself in scarves and turtlenecked jumpers until these cleared. Not only did I not want to see these, I wanted to protect my family and friends from this too.

The confusion, fear and upset from that morning will never leave me. I couldn't make sense of the situation nor comprehend how my life was about to change, she wrote. I became a shell of a person I once was, unable to speak or process the events that occurred.

I wouldn't wish this on anyone and I will continue to carry this for the rest of my life, she ended her statement.

John Peart SC, defending, said his client has never been in trouble before and that this evening seems to have been completely contrary to his character and life until then.

He said his client does not accept that he raped the woman. He's still a young man. He has the rest of his life to go before him.

Nepali has no previous convictions.
Edvardas Tutylis and his two unknown accomplices followed the same modes operandi as they targeted supermarkets as far apart as Carrick, Coleraine and Enniskillen

A thief who stole more than 6,000 of ink cartridges to found his cocaine habit told cops bluntly when youre trying to make money you dont steal potatoes, a court heard today.

Coleraine Magistrates Court also heard that working in an organised trio, Edvardas Tutylis and his two unknown accomplices followed the same modes operandi as they targeted supermarkets as far apart as Carrick, Coleraine and Enniskillen over a two month period.

As Lithuanian national Tutyliss, listed as no fixed abode, appeared at court by videolink from prison a prosecuting lawyer outlined that in each incident Tutyliss and a second man would walk to the ink cartridge aisles in the respective supermarkets.

Once there, they lifted multiple packs of ink cartridges and hid them in a bag but security and CCTV noticed how the pair were on their phones at the time, linking them to a third man who was acting as a spotter and directing them as to when it was safe to lift the cartridges.

A prosecuting lawyer told the court that on one occasion, the spotter engaged the security guard in conversation as Tutlys and the second man walked out of the store.

In total Tutlys entered guilty pleas to five charges of theft, all relating to ink cartridges amounting to a total worth of 6,013 from Tesco and Asda stores on Coleraine, Enniskillen and Carrick.

Arrested and interviewed Tutlys admitted stealing the cartridges to order so that he could buy cocaine, admitting to police that when youre trying to make money you dont steal potatoes.

Defence counsel for the thief admitted that once the sentence is complete he will be deported after his release and further that he actively wants to go so that he can be with relatives.

Imposing a ten month jail sentence, District Judge Peter King said he had been minded to refer the case to the Crown Court for sentencing given the high value of the theft but that would only delay his deportation and frankly thats not something I want to do.
Officers allege that the gang claimed a hole in the ceiling inside the house had been caused by the leak and asked for a $20,000 cheque to make the necessary repairs.

Terry McDonagh was among the men who fled from NY police

AN Irishman arrested by US police following a car chase has been charged over an alleged attempt to scam an elderly homeowner out of $20,000.

Terry McDonagh (29) was one of four men in an SUV that crashed as the driver tried to get away from police in Long Island, New York.

Officers in Nassau County had been called to the house of an 82-year-old when they got a report that similar suspects had just been at another property in the area.

According to a police report: Detectives observed a 2006 gold Toyota Highlander with a ladder, travelling southbound on Mineola Avenue.

Detectives activated their emergency lights to stop the vehicle. The vehicle initially stopped but then fled southbound and crashed in the vicinity of High Street.

When four men got out and tried to flee, Terry McDonagh  who has an address in New Jersey  was arrested.

Terry McDonagh was among the men who fled from NY police

Earlier, the four men had called to the 82-year-old mans home to tell him that he had a leak in his roof. They asked him to come outside so they could show him the problem, according to the report.

According to police reports, another of the group put a ladder up to the roof, climbed up and showed the victim a piece of wood.

Damage to the roof

Officers allege that the gang claimed a hole in the ceiling inside the house had been caused by the leak and asked for a $20,000 cheque to make the necessary repairs.

The man, however, is reported to have asked them to call back later in the day and when they left he called the police.

While talking to the man, detectives learned that a group of men fitting the same description had called to another property claiming to be from the water company.

The woman refused to open the door and ordered them to leave her property after they told her she had a leak on her roof.

Damage to the roof

The son of the 82-year-old homeowner told CBS New York his fathers house did not have a hole in the roof before the men showed up.

They were talking to him and at the same time putting a hole in the roof, he said.

According to Nassau County Police, McDonagh was charged with Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree and Attempted Grand Larceny 4th Degree.

McDonagh later pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on bail with an electronic motoring device.

Suspected Irish scammers have been operating in recent years in both New York and Massachusetts.

Their activities have attracted the attention of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security.

In January, an Irishman described as having an extensive criminal history was deported from the US after being arrested in Boston.

Described as a threat to the residents of Massachusetts communities Hughie Antony ODonoghue was subject to an Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Boston.

The 25-year-old was arrested in October 2023 for stealing from an elderly disabled person.

In December he was convicted of larceny, conspiracy and home improvement fraud and given a one-year suspended sentence and ordered to pay $30,000.

Another man, Patrick Connors (31), was deported the previous July after his arrest on suspicion of being involved in an organised criminal gang carrying out frauds.

An Irishman is also wanted by police in Boston where residents were swindled out of thousands of dollars by bogus repair men.
Twenty-eight minutes after the last recorded transmission from the co-pilot, the captain woke up and became aware that the aircraft was not on the correct flight path.

The pilot and co-pilot were asleep for nearly 30 minutes. Photo: Stock image

An Indonesian airline has suspended two pilots after they both fell asleep in the cockpit for almost half an hour during a domestic flight in late January.

Flight 6723 by Batik Air, a part of Indonesias Lion Group, was on its way to the capital Jakarta from Kendari in Sulawesi on January 25 with 153 passengers on board when neither the pilot or co-pilot responded to communications from the air traffic controller and another plane, according to the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Commission (NTSC).

They were trying to contact the Airbus A320 after it failed to follow the designated route and headed past Jakarta toward the Indian Ocean.

Twenty-eight minutes after the last recorded transmission from the co-pilot, the captain woke up and became aware that the aircraft was not on the correct flight path.

He then saw that his second-in-command, or SIC, was sleeping and woke him up, the NTSC wrote in the preliminary investigation report of what its described as a serious incident.

On the previous leg from Jakarta to Kendari, the pilot told his colleague that he was aware he had not had a proper rest.

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.

Batik Air said it operated with an adequate rest policy for its crew, in accordance with regulations, to ensure they have optimal physical and mental condition when carrying out their duties.

Lion Airs safety record has been in the spotlight over the years. The privately-held carrier has suffered several hull losses, the industry term for aircraft damaged beyond repair.

In 2018, one of the carriers Boeing 737 Max 8 planes crashed shortly after take-off from Jakarta, killing all 189 people aboard. The incident later revealed a design flaw in the aircraft after a second crash in Ethiopia, resulting in the global grounding of the aircraft type for years.

In 2013, a two-month-old Boeing 737-800 of Lion Air landed in the water short of a runway at Ngurah Rai Bali International Airport.

While the aircraft fuselage broke apart on impact, there were no fatalities.
Principals are warning the $107 million a year they get to maintain school buildings is not enough and flash new classrooms are making the problem worse.

They say recently constructed classroom blocks look great but their high facades, ventilation systems, and automatic doors and windows are expensive to fix and maintain.

At the other end of the scale, schools are facing high upkeep costs for old classrooms that principals say should have been replaced years ago.

The Ministry of Education's property head, Scotty Evans, recently told MPs at Parliament's Education and Workforce Select Committee school caretakers could not fix or maintain some aspects of newly built schools.

He says the ministry is trialling ways of making maintenance funding go further by bundling property jobs at a small group of Waikato schools.

Wellington East Girls' College principal Gael Ashworth told RNZ the upkeep costs for the school's recently constructed main block exceeded its maintenance funding by tens of thousands of dollars a year.

She says the building is great to work in, but the three-storey construction has to be cleaned by specialists and any breaks in its terracotta tiles or aluminium joinery also required specialist workers.

Automatic doors provided swipe-card access for staff after hours, but repairs and maintenance to those doors and to the locks on its heritage-protected main doors cost $17,000 in a single year, she says.

The ventilation system has to be cleaned and maintained by contractors at a cost of about $31,000 last year.

The main block at Wellington East Girls' College exceeds its maintenance funding by tens of thousands of dollars a year, its principal says. Photo: RNZ/John Gerritsen. The main block at Wellington East Girls' College exceeds its maintenance funding by tens of thousands of dollars a year, its principal says. Photo: RNZ/John Gerritsen.

Ashworth says the level of upkeep required to maintain warranties on the building's fixtures is well beyond what the school can afford.

She says the costs shows the property funding system is out of date.

"Our budget for property is $150,000 a year. That's based on a formula the ministry have used and I think that's where the issue is.

"The formula works for a single-storey, timber facility that has opening windows, but for a site where we have a three-storey build with this complex delivery of systems then it doesn't really match... There is a mismatch between the funding model and the facilities we have to maintain and operate."

Ashworth says schools need more funding for property upkeep.

"We've spent $31,000 on air filter maintenance, $17,000 on doors. That's getting close to $50,000 which is a third of the budget that we currently receive so maybe another 30 percent would be great."

Not far away, South Wellington Intermediate School principal Toby Stokes is reviewing storm damage to his 70-year-old main block.

A recent northerly gale swung an exterior door hard enough to crack its wire-reinforced safety glass. Indoors, a wall suffered water damage due to a leak during heavy rain.

The school spends about $40,000 a year on maintenance from its operations grant and received further money from the ministry's five-year property fund for work like replacing roofing.

Stokes says the property funding is not enough.

South Wellington Intermediate School principal Toby Stokes. Photo: RNZ/John Gerritsen. South Wellington Intermediate School principal Toby Stokes. Photo: RNZ/John Gerritsen.

"We could keep throwing massive amounts of money at the school because like I said it's 70 years old. Everything needs to be repaired, everything needs to be fixed.

"We haven't even thought about touching the paint on the school because we just don't have the funding for that."

The school board's presiding member, Mel Millington, says the intermediate needs to be rebuilt and spending money on repairs felt futile.

"The reality for SWIS is we need a new school and we're in patch mode, so we're going round patching things which is just spending money that otherwise could be spent on better things for our students," she says.

"We're making a constant trade-off between things we can do for our students and our teaching versus keeping our building upright while we hopefully wait for a new school."

Mairehau School principal John Bangma says his Christchurch school has mostly new buildings, but also some old classrooms - and both cost a lot to maintain.

"For example we've got a fantastic heat and cooling system but once it's installed we're then presented with a quote that says 'you need to maintain it every three months at a cost of $10,000'. We didn't have that cost before," he says.

"It's all those compliance costs that add up that have to be found somewhere."

Bangma says the school managed to halve the cost of maintaining the heating system by opting for six-monthly servicing with a different company.

Meanwhile, the school also has six classrooms that were constructed in 1953 with the original doors, windows and paintwork.

"The maintenance [funding] nowhere near covers it. When you're paying $50 or $70 just to get a tradesman just to come on site, that all has to be paid for and the bills just keep coming through so it's a massive expense," he says.

"The other big issue is we're trained as teachers. We didn't train as maintenance people, we're not building experts, so we need guidance in what we do and that's not my area of expertise or interest except for if it's not working and then it suddenly does become that."

Bangma says the shortfall in property funding is too depressing to dwell on, and it forces schools to use operational funding that could be used on children's learning and to postpone important work.

"In too many schools around the country the buildings are buildings but they're not keeping up with the way we're teaching. We assume that because it's a building that you can close the door, that that's enough, and it's not. It's not a stimulating environment anymore, some of them are dark and dingy, some of them are cold, all of those things.

"If there's not enough money you end up having to do the urgent and often the would-be-nice doesn't happen. And it's those would-be-nice [things] that lift the spirits of the staff and the children."

The Ministry of Education says school property maintenance grants increased 3.5 per cent this year and will total $107 million.

It says schools nationwide received a further $200m a year from their five-year property allocation for capital works.

-John Gerritsen/RNZ.
Home value growth remains relatively robust in Tauranga compared to most other main centres, reports QV.

The citys average home value increased 3.1 per cent to $1,040,514 this quarter, up from the 2.2 per cent growth reported for the January quarter.

The average value is now just 0.5 per cent less than at the same time last year, and 31.1 per cent higher than at the outset of Covid-19 back in March 2020.

Nationally, property values are slightly higher on average annually for the first time since August 2022.

This comes despite the latest QV House Price Index for February 2024 showing the rate of home value growth has largely flattened across New Zealands main urban centres this quarter, with the average home value increasing by just 1.3 per cent nationally to $925,812  down from 2 per cent quarterly growth in our previous index.

The national average home value is now 0.6 per cent higher than the same time last year and 13 per cent below the markets peak in late 2021.

This small but significant return to positive year-on-year growth means that all the value softening we have experienced over the last 12 months has now been reversed at a national level, says QV operations manager James Wilson.

However, the slow but steady growth that we have been experiencing since June last year now appears to be flattening even further.

Just three of the main urban areas we monitor experienced more positive home value growth this quarter than last  Tauranga (3.1 per cent), Nelson (1.2 per cent), and Marlborough (3.1 per cent)  with Aucklands three-month rolling average going into negative territory (-0.1 per cent) for the first time since August last year.

Values in Wellington (2.5 per cent) and Christchurch (2.4 per cent) continued to grow, albeit at a reduced rate.

This flattening trend is largely being driven by diminishing demand. In some areas, it appears that the increase in the number of new listings that came onto the market in late January and in February appears to have met market demand, cooling competition in places like Auckland in particular, and therefore flattening home value growth, says James.

This trend is expected to continue over the next few months. Strong value declines are unlikely, even as we start moving into autumn and then eventually winter, when sales volumes are likely to reduce even further.

But with such strong economic headwinds in place, were also unable to pinpoint anything that would spark a return to strong value growth over the next 3-6 months.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Banks decision to leave the Official Cash Rate unchanged means that short-term mortgage rates will remain broadly as they are for the foreseeable future.

There is still a reasonable amount of uncertainty about what the Reserve Bank will do next  whether well see it cut the OCR late this year, or whether we might even see it rise further. Either way, the real estate market doesnt tend to like this sort of uncertainty.

Image: QV.
Foodstuffs North Island in partnership with The New Zealand Food Innovation Network are introducing a new series of nationwide forums to help emerging grocery suppliers set themselves up for supermarket success, hosting 14 events across New Zealand from March to September.

As part of the forums, the co-op will partner with regional business development agencies and industry specialists to provide a range of support to small businesses.

The New Zealand Food Innovation Network will provide a focus on supporting product formulation, manufacturing, scaling, compliance - and the business development agencies will bring a network of local support to enable small businesses to thrive.

The forums, which kick off at The Foodbowl in Mangere Auckland on 5 March, will have a team of Foodstuffs experts on hand to share their experiences and insights into supplying products to their more than 300 PAKnSAVE, New World and stores across the North Island.

Foodstuffs North Island Emerging Supplier Manager, Rachel Prenty, says the forums have been developed as a way to connect with suppliers at the start of their growth journey, sharing crucial insights on how to scale up their business for supermarket supply. The overall objective is help take emerging suppliers through this process, which we know can feel challenging when youre standing at the starting line.

If the ultimate goal is to make it onto supermarket shelves, then considerations like having a robust supply chain, sustainable operations, as well as how supermarket distribution works and what customers are looking for can be incredibly helpful, she adds.

Foodstuffs North Island also supports emerging suppliers through events like Emerge, Foodstuffs Emerging Supplier Competition, and with resources like Supplier handbook.

Last years Foodstuffs Emerge winners were Solid, a sustainable plastic free toothpaste in a jar and toothpaste tablets and Herbivore, a premium plant-based butter made from natural coconut, both winners have received dedicated resources and support to help with the next stage of their expansion.

Rachel says for many small businesses, having that guidance when theyre at the early stages of establishing themselves helps set them up for success and inform decision making about the future.

These forums will serve as a way for small business in the same regions to build a network of support and we encourage any supplier at any stage of their business to head along to a local event, she says.

To register, visit Foodstuffs North Island Emerging Supplier Forum registration page.
SUR Malaga Monday, 11 March 2024, 17:56 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Puerto Banus, the historic centre in Malaga city and the area around Fuengirola marina are the three most expensive areas to rent a property in Andalucia, according to new data.

The price per square metre in these areas is 21.20, 16.90 and 15.30 euros, respectively, according to an analysis by real estate portal Fotocasa. All three are also in the top 50 most expensive places to rent in Spain. El Tejar-Hacienda Bizcochero, in Malaga city, also stood out with an average asking price of 13.45 euros per square metre.

"This is the first time the rent for a typical property of around 85 square metres in one of the most exquisite areas of Spain has exceeded 2,000 euros per month," Maria Matos, spokesperson for Fotocasa said. "These neighbourhoods show the existing interest in moving to live in a prime area where only the most privileged can afford the luxury," she added. Price increases in these areas have also been influenced by an imbalance between supply and demand, which is why price growth has been sustained over the past three years, Matos pointed out. Madrid and Barcelona lead the ranking, but Valencia, Las Palmas and Malaga follow in their footsteps due to the sharp rise in rent.

Seville is also home to some of the most expensive neighbourhoods in Andalucia. Triana Oeste, Nervion and Arenal-Museo recorded prices of 13.50, 13.10 and 12.60 euros per square metre, respectively. They are closely followed by Paseo Maritimo-San Jose-La Laguna (12 euros per square metre) in Cadiz city; Triana Este (11.30) in Seville city; San Matias-Realejo (11.10) in Granada city, and Cruz Roja (10.60) in Seville city.

The 20 most expensive neighbourhoods in Spain

Madrid and Barcelona are once again the most expensive cities to rent a property, the data shows. The most expensive neighbourhood in the country is Madrid's Almagro, in the Chamberi district, which reached a price of 24.20 euros per square metre, according to the Fotocasa study. It is followed by the neighbourhoods of Goya, Palacio and Castellana, all of which are also located in Madrid city, with a price of 23.60, 23.10 and 23 euros per square metre, respectively. In Barcelona city, the neighbourhood of El Camp de l'Arpa del Clot (23 euros per square metre), located in the district of Sant Marti, is positioned as the fifth most expensive neighbourhood to rent a property in Spain, registering a year-on-year increase of 17.7%.

Madrid's Recoletos (22.90 euros per square metre) and Sol (22.60), along with Barcelona's Diagonal Mar i el Front Maritim del Poblenou (22.80), El Camp d'en Grassot i Gracia Nova (22.80 and El Raval (22.70 complete the list of the ten most expensive neighbourhoods to rent a property. The latter three overtake Dreta de l'Eixample (22.40) and Sarria (22.30 two of Barcelona's traditionally more expensive neighbourhoods.

The most expensive neighbourhoods in the country also include Universidad-Malasana (22.20 euros per square metre) and Justicia-Chueca (22.20), both located in Madrid, and Sagrada Familia (22.10) and L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample (22), in Barcelona, all of which are above 22 euros per square metre.

The top 50

Among the list of the 50 most expensive neighbourhoods in the country, Valencia city also stands out, contributing six neighbourhoods to the list. In the Valencian region, the neighbourhoods of Playa Poniente, in the municipality of Benidorm, and PAU 5, in the municipality of Alicante, which has an annual growth rate of 19.1%, are among the 50 most expensive neighbourhoods, with prices of 19.10 euros per square metre and 17.10, respectively.

The biggest rises

Valencia province registered some of the highest year-on-year increases in Spain. This is the case of the neighbourhood of Arrancapins (14.40 euros per square metre), located in Valencia city, and Canet d'En Berenguer (15.10), located in the municipality of Canet d'En Berenguer, which registered increases of 29.9% and 23.9%, respectively.
Headteachers and directors speak with SUR in English about learning and wellbeing at international schools and colleges on the Costa del Sol

SUR in English Monday, 11 March 2024 | Updated 15/03/2024 16:09h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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Children are the future - theres no doubt about that - but multiple factors throughout young lives determine just what type of future that will be. While parents, family and society as a whole all have their influence, schools and education form another essential part of a young persons development.

SUR in English looks further at how international schools and colleges in the south of Spain work to guide young people on the path towards a successful future. In a webinar held earlier this week we spoke to head teachers and directors of three teaching centres based in Malaga and Marbella: Andrew Atkinson, principal at Laude San Pedro International College; Stefan Rumistrzewicz, principal of The British School of Malaga; and James Riley, co-director of Phoenix College Malaga.

The British School of Malaga

The British School of Malaga, located in the Cerrado de Calderon area of the city, covers all levels, from three-year-olds up to 18-year-olds, teaching the British national curriculum. The school also includes all the compulsory Spanish subjects, giving pupils the option of having a dual qualification, enabling them to attend universities in Spain, UK or around the world, explains Stefan Rumistrzewicz. The demographic of the school has changed with the local population, going from a high proportion of Spanish students to almost a 50-50 ratio of Spanish and international, said the principal.

Phoenix College Malaga

Phoenix College Malaga was founded in 2017. Located in Malaga city centre, the school specialises solely in sixth form education, teaching British A levels to the 16 to 19 age group as well as PCE subjects required to access Spanish universities. What makes the college unique, explains James Riley, is that it is owned and run by teachers. Growing since 2017, the college now has 45 students doing a wide range of subjects.

Laude San Pedro International College

Laude San Pedro International College in Marbella is, like the British School of Malaga, a member of the International Schools Partnership (ISP), and teaches all ages from three to 18. The school teaches the British national curriculum although pupils have the option of following the Spanish system from the age of 12, according to individual aspirations.

Settling new students in

The international community on the Costa del Sol means that schools have a wide range of nationalities among their pupils and new faces in classrooms throughout the year. Settling in to a new school, especially when that means a new country and even a new language, is a challenge all three schools are expert at dealing with.

Stefan Rumistrzewicz explained that The British School of Malaga has an induction programme at the beginning of the year and new students are invited in to meet the teachers and get to know the school. We accept students throughout the year in all year groups so we also have a buddy system to make sure theyre not alone, said the principal, adding that there is also an extensive pastoral care system in place throughout the entire school so there is always someone to go to.

Language can also be a problem for some new pupils who have not studied in English before and all three schools have programmes in place to help with language acquisition.

Help is given with English for non-native speakers and with Spanish for students coming in from other parts of the world, explained JamesRiley of Phoenix College Malaga. Being a small school, were more like a family, he said. We have tutors assigned to every student and students are able to see teachers all the time, on a day to day basis. Students are invited to taster days to see whether a sixth form college, which gives young people more independence than a traditional school, is for them.

High achievers - special needs

The three experts discussed how their schools made sure they were able to give the right level of attention to pupils with a range of abilities, from very high achievers to those with special needs.

Andrew Atkinson, principal at Laude San Pedro InternationalCollege, said that better attainment tests meant that teachers were able to assess the potential of students in classes where there is a wide range of academic abilities. We have a lot of English as an additional language [EAL] learners at the school and so the important thing is training teachers well, to make sure that they take all learners with them regardless of their different levels of English, he said. He added that the school has a strong special educational needs department that can provide one-to-one interventions when needed.

Meanwhile at the top end, when children are taking official exams the school acts strategically and looks at tailored interventions to boost their grades so they can get to where they want to be when they graduate added the principal of Laude San Pedro.

Similarly, The BritishSchool of Malaga offers support to both high achievers and those needing extra help. Part of the beauty of the British national curriculum is the whole idea of personalised learning, said the principal. For high achievers we offer all sorts of opportunities, he said, explaining that these range from giving them different, more complex work in the classroom to offering clubs to extend their knowledge. We also have a support department for those with additional learning needs, for example someone with dyslexia might have one-to-one lessons or in small groups with a specialist to help them along. So in a sense the support for high and low achievers is very similar, added Rumistrzewicz.

In the case of Phoenix College Malaga, co-director James Riley pointed out one of the foundations of teacher training is that education is for everyone. He said: Sometimes we find that students may not have done so well at GCSE and then suddenly through the different approach and teaching styles here, they have blossomed and found that information has clicked. With the small class sizes, teachers are able to give that extra support to the students.

Independent learning

Both The British School of Malaga and Laude San Pedro International College have classes of very young children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The principals explain that free flow teaching styles are used, providing independence to move between indoors and outdoors and make other choices. Education then becomes gradually more formalised. We continue free flow in years 1 and 2 and further up the school there is still an element of free flow in the sense that students are encouraged to look things up, to try something new, said Stefan Rumistrzewicz.

The early years are the most important in any childs education as without those foundations youre not going to get anywhere, but whether they can continue with those skills depends on us and the education we provide, added the British School of Malaga Principal.

Meanwhile James Riley explained how the independent, flexible learning approach continues at the sixth form college. Research studies and field work help prepare the students for university, he said, adding that the science teachers at Phoenix College believe passionately that the students should learn through experiments.

Dealing with bullying

When talking about student well-being, the issue of bullying inevitably comes up, especially in its 21st-century form, linked to mobile phones and social media.

A constant challenge for any head teacher and senior leaders in a school is how we manage the digital environment when it comes to bullying, said Andrew Atkinson of Laude San Pedro. ISP schools have anti-bullying protocols based on Spanish law and we also have our internal policies about nipping things in the bud, said the principal. Students are aware they can come forward to our safeguarding staff if theyre feeling threatened. The digital environment is where it is hidden; we encourage parents to monitor use of digital devices, said Atkinson.

The digital environment is always a danger and the important thing is educating students and educating parents. Parents are blissfully unaware sometimes about what their children are up to, especially in those early teens, agreed Stefan Rumistrzewicz.

When we find [bullying], even if it doesnt take place inside school, when its between our students we confront it, said Atkinson. As schools, were trained to respond to these things effectively. Parents are appreciative when we resolve issues quickly.

Im not sure mobile-free schools are the answer; I think its about educating children about when to use it and to make them realise that what they write online is the same as saying it out loud; they think its not as serious, the Laude principal said.

James Riley of Phoenix College Malaga agreed that educating parents, students and teachers about the use of mobile devices and technology is essential. When there are issues, he said, we try to respond quickly and effectively, talking to students and parents. Because were a small school it does come to us quite quickly and its evident to us, so we make sure our doors are always open so students can talk about any problems going on.

Riley also pointed out the importance of students understanding the emotional harm they can cause to others through what they write on social media. Phoenix Colleges PSC (Personal, Social and Cultural) programme helps with this, he added.

Parents participation

The extent to which parents take part in school life varies according to the age group.

In the case of very young children, the principal of Laude San Pedro said parents are encouraged to get involved in their childs learning and one way is to drop into the classroom with the child in the morning, sit with them for a few minutes and chat to the teacher. It works really well, he said, adding that it is harder to get parents involved at secondary level.

In terms of parents doing things together as a community, the Laude principal highlighted the parents association. They just add positive things to the school, he said, listing activities, such as bake sales and social events.

Similarly, Stefan Rumistrzewicz said that at The BritishSchool of Malaga parental involvement is part of the schools motto Growing our future together and parents organise charity and social events. Parents come from all over the world so its good for them to meet each other, he said.

At Phoenix College Malaga, doors are always open, explained James Riley, saying that parents are always able to get in touch and speak to teachers.

Class sizes

The three experts agreed on the importance of students getting the attention they need, which is provided by the smaller classes, especially at more specialist A level. However the quality of the teaching is just as, if not more, important.

The important thing is training of teachers - how they manage the differentiation and support all the students, irrespective of class size, so it doesnt affect academic achievement, said the principal at The BritishSchool of Malaga, where no class has more than 25 students and A level classes have a maximum of 12 or 13.

We have one adult for every nine children and one teacher for every 12 children across the school, said the principal of Laude San Pedro, pointing out, though, that academic achievement depends more on how they are taught.

The teachers need to enthuse the students and get them interested in the subjects, said James Riley of Phoenix College Malaga. Were privileged as we have very small class sizes, but its the teaching and education that is fundamental.

Values and relationships

To conclude the discussion, Stefan Rumistrzewicz stressed the core values that run through the British School of Malaga: We try to make sure that students leave with creativity, aspiration, resilience and empathy as they go into the world.

James Riley encouraged parents and students to consider the sixth form college option for A levels offered by Phoenix College Malaga. The difference is that we are run and owned by teachers who have lived in Malaga for a number of years and invested in the region, who enjoy education and want to get the best out of our students.

Andrew Atkinson of Laude San Pedro concluded that successful schools are those that, apart from the academic side, get the relationships right, between students, teachers and parents.

Managing relationships is not an easy task in an international environment with changing families, but its a fun challenge, he said.
The mid-week snow storm  and most likely the last big one of 'official winter'  is set to bring heavy snow accumulations to Colorado beginning Tuesday evening and lasting into Friday evening. Upsloping winds and a long lasting snow event are possible.

Your Monday DEW TOUR moment of INVERTED-ZEN:

Recap:

Saturday and Sunday brought sunny skies and warm temperatures to Colorado's ski slopes as the last couple of weeks of official winter draw to a close  the first day of spring is March 19.

Forecast:

On Monday, expect sunny skies most of the day, but clouds will build in with moisture ahead of the arriving storm. High temperatures at base areas are expected to be in the upper 30s and low 40s, with temperatures on-mountain into the low 30s. More sun crust build up is possible on south facing slopes along with the beginnings of spring conditions.

Some light accumulations of snow are possible Monday night through Tuesday morning as moisture lifts above the state's mountains, but won't amount to much more than a dusting to one inch.

On Tuesday, expect similar conditions to Monday, but with more clouds and slightly cooler temperatures.

The ECMWF synoptic composite model for Tuesday evening shows an area of high pressure west of southern California beginning to push the jet stream north over a ridge and funneling winds and moisture into the southwest before curling back northeastward toward Colorado.

This moisture will begin to rise and cool above the state's mountains Tuesday night into Wednesday, bringing potentially 3-9 inches of accumulation by Wednesday's first chairs.

Western resorts like Powderhorn and Sunlight, and southern resorts in the western San Juan mountains (Purgatory, Silverton and Telluride), should benefit the most, but most mountains west of the Continental Divide will receive some snow by last chairs Wednesday.

Wednesday will also be a storm day and bring a lot more snow to the southern mountains before shifting its focus on northeastern Colorado and the Front Range mountains west of Denver and Boulder Wednesday night, with snow falling along a southwest to northeast line from Grand Junction to Sterling.

A corresponding low pressure following the trough will dip into northern Arizona from Utah and Nevada into Thursday, continuing to push moisture into southwestern Colorado. But it will wrap moisture counter clockwise from northeast Colorado as it stalls over Arizona, creating upsloping winds and snow on east facing slopes up and down the Front Range and Interstate 25 corridor.

Heavy snow is forecast to continue through Thursday into Friday and the Front Range is looking to see a lot of snow.

For Friday's first chairs, the ECMWF high resolution model forecasts 4-16 inches to have fallen in the southern mountains (San Juan, La Garita and Sangre de Cristo), 4-16 inches in the western mountains (Powderhorn, Aspen/Snowmass and Sunlight), 6-20 inches in the central mountains, 4-10 inches in the northwestern mountains (Steamboat), and 6-30 inches in the northern and eastern mountains, with mountains east of and along the Continental Divide seeing potentially between 24-30 inches.

The GFS American model forecast predicts even higher amounts of snow just west of Denver but also in the metro area (potentially 20 inches), and with higher amounts of up to 32 inches in the San Juan and northern Sangre de Cristo mountains, eastern Front Range foothills and peaks west of Denver.

Resorts like Winter Park, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Monarch could all potentially benefit from this storm regardless due to its upsloping nature, but Eldora and Echo are forecast to receive the highest totals due to their proximity in the east-facing slopes and east of the divide.

Long Range:

From Friday heading into the weekend, drier air and warming are forecast to reemerge as the storm exits. The potential for linger snow accumulations in the southern mountains exists, but it would only equate to a few additional inches.

Hello spring conditions, but maybe for only a short time.

Monday through Thursday next week will bring warm temperatures (highs in the 30s and low 40s), the first day of spring on Tuesday and sunny conditions ahead of the next storm around March 22.

More details will follow as this storminess is 10 days plus out.

Sign Up For Free: Denver Gazette Outdoors Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

Today's 24 hour snow total from Colorado resorts:

Arapahoe Basin - 0"

Aspen Mountain - 0"

Aspen Highlands - 0"

Beaver Creek - 0"

Breckenridge - 0"

Buttermilk - 0"

Cooper - 0"

Copper Mountain - 0"

Crested Butte - 0"

Echo Mountain - 0"

Eldora Mountain - 0"

Granby Ranch - 0"

Hesperus - Closed for season

Howelsen Hill - 0"

Kendall Mountain - 0", open weekends

Keystone - 0"

Loveland - 0"

Monarch - 0"

Powderhorn - 0"

Purgatory - 0"

Silverton - 0"

Snowmass - 0"

Steamboat - 0"

Sunlight - 0"

Telluride - 0"

Vail - 0"

Winter Park - 0"

Wolf Creek - 0"
SUR in English Marbella Monday, 11 March 2024, 14:56 Compartir Copiar enlace

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A fashion show and afternoon tea has been organised to raise money for the Costa del Sol animal shelter, ADANA.

It will be held on 13 March at 3pm at Rosas Cafe, Avenida Playas del Duque, Marbella. The catwalk will showcase fashions by Fair Lady and jewellery by Selina.

Tickets for the show, which includes afternoon tea and a donation to ADANA, are 40 euros (45 euros with a glass of cava).

Email: selina@tre.radio to book a place.
Lorena Cadiz Benalmadena Monday, 11 March 2024 | Updated 14/03/2024 10:28h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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After several years of uncertainty, and a lengthy legal battle, Benalmadena town hall has started the process to remove and scrap the iconic Willow steamboat from its berth in the Puerto Marina. The owners of the paddle steamer, which had been badly damaged by a storm and had remained partially submerged for five years, had been ordered to remove the vessel, although they failed to meet the deadline in April last year.

Built in the beginning of the 20th century to sail the Mississippi river, the Willow had spent almost three decades in the Costa del Sol town, where it had been used as a nightclub, a restaurant, and even a clandestine hostess club.

What could have been a source of pride - since it was one of the few historic steamboats berthed in a European port - became a problem, aggravated by a long legal battle between the town hall and the company that owns the boat.

The council has now put out to tender the drafting of the project for the dismantling operation, a project that takes into account all the necessary safety measures, as well as the means to be used for the prevention of marine pollution and waste management.

The council claims the process, which will take around 120 days, will cost more than 90,500 euros. However, it remains to be seen who will ultimately assume the cost of the entire operation, pending the resolution of the current judicial process.

A process began in 2020, when the company filed a lawsuit in which it claimed 13.6 million euros from the port authorities and the council based on an alleged million-dollar rental contract with a third party, signed in 2017.

The court originally ruled partly in favour of the company that owned the Willow, although of the initial amount claimed, it ordered the council to pay 400,000 euros to the owner for the losses caused after its sinking, a decision that was appealed by the local authority. The provincial court finally reduced the amount to be paid by the council to just 4,000 euros and demanded that the boat be removed from the port before 26 April 2023, something that, obviously, did not happen.
Jose A. Gonzalez Malaga Monday, 11 March 2024, 16:54 Compartir Copiar enlace

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There has been a farewell to the queues at Vialia shopping centre in Malaga as the company which scanned your eyes at the retail complex in exchange for a digital ID and cryptocurrency has temporarily been banned from operating in the country.

Spain has banned Worldcoin for up to three months, the business that since the end of 2023 had been installed in Malaga city, as well as others cities, and is run by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT. In recent months, salespeople hired by Worldcoin have been convincing customers in the shopping centre to scan the iris of their eye - which hold their unique biometric information - in exchange for a small financial reward in the form of cryptocurrencies.

But the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) ordered the "precautionary" suspension of Worldcoin, effective immediately. "The decision was communicated on 4 March and requires the immediate suspension of the collection of biometric data by the company," AEPD announced.

According to Spain's data protection watchdog, since last summer, Tools for Humanity Corporation has been photographing the irises of around 400,000 Spaniards, "mostly minors", in shopping centres across Spain in exchange for cryptocurrency called Worldcoin, which translates to about 70. "I want to send a message to all those young people who have approached for these coins, your data is worth more," said AEPD director Mar Espana. "We are talking about biometric data and they are particularly sensitive and that is why they are protected by the RGPD," he added.

The meteoric rise in the value of Worldcoin in euros and dollars has put the company in the spotlight in recent months. On 1 February, this cryptocurrency was trading at $2.35 and reached an all-time high ($8.90) at the end of the same month. "My son sold his iris for 100 euros in cryptocurrencies. He is 15 years old," said a mother in a post on X that went viral in just a few minutes.

According to Worldcoin's information, its databases have almost 3.5 million irises collected in more than a hundred countries. The watchdog has received a dozen complaints, SUR can confirm, as of mid-February. The matter is still being investigated.

The iris, along with the fingerprint, are unique and exclusive data belonging to each person. "They can identify a person and also reveal additional information such as illnesses and can be more or less intrusive depending on the type of data," Elena Gil, an outreach worker on the @TechAndLaw.lab channel on Instagram and TikTok, told SUR.

Spain joins France, Germany and the United Kingdom in banning the company. The data it has obtained from people in Spain has been blocked, and cannot be shared with third parties. If Worldcoin breaches this, it faces a fine of up to 20 million euros. Worldcoin is also under investigation by the European Data Protection Committee.

Worldcoin technology

Worldcoin has rolled out 2,000 orbs all over the world - the small silver balls are able to immediately scan the iris and identify the person. "It is the most reliable method," it said. "No personal information is collected and biometric data can be deleted at the user's request," it said on their website. The Spanish agency has not been able to confirm this. "The deletion of this data is not allowed and we are now investigating what contracts there are to third parties in case they have been sold," AEPD said.

How does it work?

The technology that powers these orbs, designed and manufactured in Germany, identifies the patterns of each part of the iris. This information is captured by high-resolution, infrared cameras and processed to extract patterns for "proof of humanity". Once the data is collected, it is "encoded"and the iris code is created.
Irene Quirante Malaga Monday, 11 March 2024, 13:45 Compartir Copiar enlace

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National Police officers are investigating a new shooting incident in Marbella this Monday (11 March). Apparently, at least two individuals fired several shots at a restaurant located on Avenida Nueva Andalucia - causing damage to the window - although no injuries were reported.

Local and National police officers rushed to the scene after receiving a tip-off about the shooting, which happened at around half past twelve. Several shell casings were found in the premises after this latest firearms incident in the Costa del Sol town.

In photographs of the scene, at least five bullet impacts can be seen in the window of the affected business, as well as a part of the window that was shattered.

According to sources, eyewitnesses told the officers that the perpetrators were two people, who fled on a large motorbike after the shots were fired.

Just a month ago, a young man was admitted to the Costa del Sol hospital after being shot twice in the middle of the street, also in Marbella. The incident happened shortly after eleven o'clock at night on Saturday 10 February, again in the Nueva Andalucia area.

The victim suffered two wounds, specifically one shot in an arm and another in the leg. Medical staff stabilised him at the scene and transferred him to the Costa del Sol hospital.

Spain's National Police force took charge of the investigation. Eyewitnesses reportedly told officers that two individuals got out of a car and one of them shot the victim, with both of them fleeing in the same vehicle.
Networking systems, services and software company Ciena has announced an upgrade to support growing demand for more bandwidth for the SEA-ME-WE 4 cable across the Asia-to-Europe route.

Powered by Ciena's GeoMesh Extreme submarine network solution, the upgrade enables a capacity increase from 65Tb/s to 122Tb/s on the SEA-ME-WE 4 cable system  close to doubling the capacity.

With GeoMesh Extreme, leveraging its 6500 Packet-Optical platform, Ciena says SEA-ME-WE 4 can maintain pace with voracious global demand for bandwidth, protect terabits of traffic, and ensure optimal network availability. Additionally, Cienas WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent optics help significantly lower costs by increasing the capacity per wave up to 450Gb/s. SEA-ME-WE 4 is also utilising Cienas Navigator Network Control Suite for real-time visibility into and control of network performance.

Thomas Soerensen, Vice President, Global Submarine Solutions, Ciena, explains: The Europe-to-Asia route, where SEA-ME-WE 4 is situated, is experiencing a major digitalisation push, resulting in extreme capacity demands. Were helping SEA-ME-WE 4 address rising capacity demands by making the switch to network architectures that adapt to leverage intelligence, scalability, and programmability.

Operated by a consortium of 16 telecom operators, SEA-ME-WE 4 is an approximately 18,800 kilometre submarine cable connecting Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Italy, Tunisia, Algeria, and France.
Syracuse, N.Y.  An 11-year-old boy who died after he was found unconscious in a Syracuse apartment found a dead man just months earlier in the same apartment.

Ashton DeGonzaque, a sixth-grader at Grant Middle School, died Thursday at a hospital after he was found unresponsive inside the apartment at 604 E. Division St.

The boy had cocaine, fentanyl and cannabis in his system, his great aunt Vickie Homer said a doctor told her. She did not know how the drugs got into his system. Police are investigating the boys death.

Shortly before noon Nov. 26, Ashton came across the body of a 50-year-old friend of his fathers whom he considered an uncle, Syracuse police spokesperson Sgt. Thomas Blake told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard Sunday. Blake was one of the responding officers in November and on Thursday when Ashton was found.

Ashton found the body just to the left of the front door, Blake said. The man had no obvious signs of trauma, but police do not know the mans cause of death, he said.

Ashtons great-aunt said that the man had died of an overdose. She said the child protective workers told her the dead body did not give the county enough cause to remove Ashton from the apartment.

The apartment was a known drug house, his great-aunt said. A neighbor who asked not to be identified said on any given day she would see about 10 strangers coming and going from the apartment. They were noticeably high, she said.

First responders described the man as obviously dead when they arrived, according to Onondaga County 911 Center dispatches.

No family member was with Ashton when he found the body, Blake remembered. There was one adult in the apartment.

It has to be absolutely traumatizing, Blake said.

Blake recalled that as Ashton was trying to speak to police the adult was becoming confrontational with officers. Ashton told him to be respectful and let him speak to the officers, Blake said.

Blake said that it was clear Ashton was a good kid and deserved better than the living conditions.

As officers were speaking to Ashton, a relative showed up at the apartment and seemed genuinely concerned for the boy and appeared to want to help him, Blake said.

The relative told officers she had been trying to get Ashton out of that situation.

Blake said that Ashton wasnt living full-time in the East Division Street apartment where his father lived. He said that the 11-year-old was bouncing around from place to place.

He said that in the months after speaking with Ashton, he thought about the boy and hoped he was able to settle into a more stable lifestyle.

It didnt seem like a loving environment, Blake said.

Blake described the house as unkempt and said that he remembered a mattress lying around and it was clear the residents werent cleaning up.

In speaking with Ashton, Blake said, it was clear that it was not the best set of circumstances. The house was kind of dirty.

After Blake spoke to Ashton on Nov. 26, he said, had planned to sign the 11-year-old up for the annual Shop with a Cop event held by Syracuse police. The event takes kids nominated by officers shopping around the Christmas season.

Blake said that when he went to enter Ashton, the deadline had just passed.

I just remember thinking, Blake said, maybe this kid could get a better life and not have to live like this.

Syracuse police are investigating the death of an 11-year-old boy who died after a 911 caller reported he was in a full arrest in a home in the 600 block of East Division Street on Thursday, March 8, 2024.Fernando Alba | falba@syracuse.com

***

Did you try to get help for Ashton? Were trying to report how the system failed him. Reach out at citynews@syracuse.com

***

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.
Two rock and roll concerts have been added to CMACs 2024 concert lineup in Upstate New York.

John Fogerty will celebrate his songs from Creedence Clearwater Revival on June 11 at CMAC (Constellation Brands - Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center) in Canandaigua. Special guests George Thorogood & The Destroyers and Hearty Har will open the show at 7 p.m.
La Grulla, Texas  A National Guard soldier from New York who was seriously injured in the crash of a helicopter flying over the U.S.-Mexico border remained hospitalized Sunday while authorities released the names of the two National Guard soldiers and a Border Patrol agent onboard who were killed.

The three killed Friday in the crash in a field in Texas near Rio Grande City were: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, 28, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia, 30, both with the New York National Guard; and Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna, 49. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The UH-72 Lakota helicopter was assigned to the federal governments border security mission when it went down while the helicopter was conducting aviation operations, according to a statement released by Joint Task Force North, a military unit that supports Customs and Border Protection. No other details were provided.

The injured soldier was from the New York National Guard, according to the National Guard Bureau. The soldier, whose name isnt being released, was the aircraft crew chief. The soldier remained hospitalized, according to a news release posted by the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs.

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, said in the release that they are shocked and devastated by the deaths of Frankoski and Grassia, and are praying for the quick recovery of the injured crew chief.

Troy Miller, acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, said in a statement that they were heartbroken by the death of Luna, who is survived by his wife and two children, parents and brother.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement that they are hoping for the injured national guardsmans swift recovery, and said his thoughts and the deepest condolences of the department were with the families of those killed.

Grassia, who was a New York state trooper, was from Schenectady, New York, and he enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2013 as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter maintenance specialist, according to the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs. The release said that Frankoski, of Rensselaer, New York, enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2016 and she trained to become a UH-60 Black Hawk and UH-72 Lakota helicopter pilot.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement that she was deeply saddened by the deaths of Grassia and Frankoski.

There is no greater calling than service to and defense of your country, she said.

Frankoski and Grassia were assigned to Detachment 2, Company A, 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment. Luna was assigned to the Border Patrols Rio Grande City Station.

The helicopter that crashed was assigned to the District of Columbia Army National Guard, according to the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs release.

The border region is heavily patrolled by both state and federal authorities, including routine aerial surveillance.

In January, a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter patrolling the states border with Mexico lost power and crashed, officials said at the time. The co-pilot suffered a minor hand injury and the helicopter was significantly damaged. That helicopter was flying as part of Operation Lone Star, Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts nearly $10 billion border mission that has tested the federal governments authority over immigration.
This is an opinion column.

Katie Britts kitchen was empty. Her table was bare.

There was nothing to see but her. And she was  they told us  ready for her closeup.

Come on in, America. Meet your future, and see just how normal it looks.

None of this Tommy Tuberville stuff, with the casual racism or the flip-flopping or the hopeless ignorance about the three branches of government.

This was Katie Britt, Alabamas Great Slight Hope. This was Katie freakin Britt, the second coming of Dick Shelby, who could keep his dignity, and hold on to most of himself while maintaining his conservative values, bringing home pork by the barrelful and appeasing the red meat Republican crowd and the Business Council of Alabama to boot.

Katie freakin Britt, the one they said was different. The one they said could show this whole country that young, educated GOP women were still a thing. They said she could demonstrate that Republicans could still be civil and dignified and respected, that they didnt have to be performative clowns in MAGA hats, like Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Katie Britt was the answer.

All eyes were on her Thursday night as she stepped onto a vast stage from that unnaturally empty kitchen to respond to President Joe Bidens State of the Union address. The country was watching as she began to read her predictable script, to audition for the role of her lifetime.

America was looking for proof of normalcy.

And it got The Three Faces of Eve.

Which is sort of appropriate, I suppose, since Britt has had to use a slew of personalities to pretend to be everything to everyone in her own states GOP.

Like always, you become who you pretend to be. And Katie Britt was everybody but the person people claim she is.

What was the part she was trying out for again?

One who could restore faith in the reason and reasonability of the future Republican Party?

Some said the real audition was for the vice presidency of the United States, a shot at being second in command to Donald Trump himself, an old mans heartbeat away from becoming the leader of the free world, should it all go down as some polls predict.

All she had to do was read her script on a teleprompter, catch the bouquet, take her bow and take her place as a politician to be both respected and reckoned with.

And then

And then she started to talk. And by the third paragraph of her prepared speech it was clear she was no longer auditioning for the role of vice president, or for the role of respected politician, or the role of likable mom or genuine human.

She was Faye Dunaway in Mommie Dearest shrieking No wire hangers!

She was Nicolas Cage in anything. She was William Shatner in The Wrath of Katie. She was over-the-top and anything and everything but reasonable.

She wasnt trying out for VP. She was trying out for the cold open of Saturday Night Live. As the punchline and the punching bag.

Katie Britt was supposed to be the smart one, the reasonable one, the regular one.

She was supposed to be the one who would make Alabamians proud  or less embarrassed than they too often are.

Unfortunately, she will be remembered another way.

As a joke.

Which is too bad. Because she seems to come off pretty well when she only pretends to be herself.

John Archibald is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
Washington  A plan to rebuild parts of Syracuse that languished in the shadows of Interstate 81 for more than half a century is about to move a step closer to reality.

The federal government plans to award a $180 million grant to Syracuse and New York state to lay the groundwork for a new neighborhood that would rise along the highways old route, according to New Yorks two U.S. senators.
Dairygold awards bursaries to UCC Agricultural Science students

Dairygold Co-operative Society has awarded two undergraduate bursaries to students undertaking the Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at University College Cork (UCC). The course is anchored in UCC's School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences with input from across the university, and in partnership with Teagasc.

Professor Pat Dillon, Teagasc Director of Research, Saba Loftus, UCC Head of Development (Science, Engineering & Food Science), Professor. Frank Buckley, Professor of Agricultural Science, UCC, student Jack O'Neill, Castlehaven, Co Cork, Adrian Beatty, Dairygold Group Head of Human Resources, student Jamie Magnier, Castletownroche, Co Cork, Sean O'Brien, Dairygold Chairman & Professor Astrid Wingler, UCC Head of the School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES). Picture O'Gorman Photography.

This years recipients are Jamie Magnier, Castletownroche, Co. Cork, and Jack ONeill, Castletownshend, Co. Cork - both in their first year of the Bachelor of Agricultural Science at UCC.

The students will receive an annual bursary for the duration of their four-year undergraduate studies and will also be offered the opportunity to conduct their 12-week industry placement with Dairygold.

Sean O Brien, Dairygold Chairman, said: Dairygold is delighted to extend our strategic partnership with University College Cork and Teagasc for the fifth consecutive year. Through our joint partnerships and initiatives such as the Dairygold Agricultural Science Bursary, we continue to invest in the future of agriculture, empowering individuals to drive positive change and innovation within the industry.

Professor Frank Buckley, Head of Agricultural Science and academic director of the Agricultural Science degree programme at UCC thanked Dairygold for their continued generosity and foresight in providing this fantastic award which aims to identify emerging young talent, and contribute to the development of the next generation of leading agri-professionals.

"Our ambition from the outset has been to attract Irelands brightest and best, and as evidenced by demand for the course, and the calibre of students attracted, as exemplified by our Bursary winners today, we are certainly succeeding in this regard, and excited for the future," he said.

Delivered by UCC in partnership with Teagasc, Agricultural Science at UCC provides students with an unquestionably unique and unparalleled opportunity.

The most up-to-date research curriculum is delivered first-hand by the foremost experts who are recognised both nationally and internationally, and the course provides access to many of Ireland's most profitable, sustainable and in many cases award-winning dairy farmers. Students take on regular field-based training and work and industry placements, and attend many guest lectures and seminars delivered by Industry leaders and representatives of key service providers.

Frank complimented Jamie and Jack, congratulated them, and wished them well with their studies at UCC.

Professor Pat Dillon, Teagasc Director of Research, added: Globally, we face a challenge to feed a population that is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050. To meet this challenge, the Agri-food sector and agricultural professionals need a strong technical, agronomic and environmental knowledge base to ensure the production of safe, nutritious food products, while protecting the environment. This degree is specially tailored to attract those individuals with a particular passion for dairying and provides a rigorous understanding of the science of agriculture, the business of farming and sustainability that is necessary to underpin the profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of Irish dairying and the wider agri-food industry.

Professor Astrid Wingler, Head, School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences said: "We are grateful to Dairygold for their ongoing support and recognition of our students through this bursary programme. It is a testament to the quality and relevance of our curriculum, which combines scientific rigour with practical skills and industry exposure. I wish Jamie and Jack every success in their studies and their future careers."
arjab Senior - BHPian



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Re: Citroen C3 & C3 Aircross to get Automatic Climate Control; mid-life facelift in 2025 Quote: GTO Originally Posted by What all they should have done pre-launch, they are doing post-launch. Didn't they learn anything from new launches like Kia? And to an extent, MG? This is akin to doing your homework after the final exams



It will be difficult for Citroen to play catch up now. When consumer demand is forcing the the OEM's to moving towards even greater feature inttroductions at lower variant levels, Citroen is coming in with contents and fitments which are bygone to say the least. Heck, even the Nano had an AMT variant when it ceased production in 2018(??).

Basic level ADAS, dashcams, premium audio systems and similar stuff are now being introduced in many entry level C segment SUV models. It is not that Citroen does not have the technology. They have everything, it is just that their product planners are totally incompetent and clueless about customer wants and needs and thinks that "Indians won't pay" so let's not put that feature!



It is indeed a shame because Citroen does not deserve to die in India. The car's are extremely well engineered, has a cosseting ride, very nice handling, spacious cabins, supportive seating etc.



Citroen also need to get their supply chain in order. When I booked a C3 Turbo, right after Citroen launched, I waited for six months and was finally told by the dealership, that they were totally clueless as to when Citroen would ship the Turbo variant from the factory to their dealership! I was requested to convert my booking to the naturally aspirated variant which I did not, as I wanted the lovely C3 Turbo only, and eventually had to cancel my booking.

On a more serious note:Citroen dealers are now quite a demoralised lot. The C3, C3 Electric, C3 Aircross(both variants), C5 (oh man, what a car ) nothing is selling. Their working capital is locked up, showroom rents are enormous and the dealers are skeptical about the Fastlounge as well. Because they feel by the time the FastLounge reaches the showroom, the Tata Curvv will steal the thunder and walk away with the emerging new styling trend of "SUV-Coupe".



Hope Citroen India gets it act together before it loses its mojo any further. And even more strange when you consider the fact that the global brand head/director or whatever at Stellantis, responsible for Citroen branding, is a very senior person who formerly helmed the Datsun Redigo-Renault Kwid platform projects. I am sure the person is fully aware as to why the Datsun twins flopped and the Renault Kwid succeeded, Kwid possibly being the first credible threat to Lord Alto in the 2015's after its launch.It will be difficult for Citroen to play catch up now. When consumer demand is forcing the the OEM's to moving towards even greater feature inttroductions at lower variant levels, Citroen is coming in with contents and fitments which are bygone to say the least. Heck, even the Nano had an AMT variant when it ceased production in 2018(??).Basic level ADAS, dashcams, premium audio systems and similar stuff are now being introduced in many entry level C segment SUV models. It is not that Citroen does not have the technology. They have everything, it is just that their product planners are totally incompetent and clueless about customer wants and needs and thinks that "Indians won't pay" so let's not put that feature!It is indeed a shame because Citroen does not deserve to die in India. The car's are extremely well engineered, has a cosseting ride, very nice handling, spacious cabins, supportive seating etc.Citroen also need to get their supply chain in order. When I booked a C3 Turbo, right after Citroen launched, I waited for six months and was finally told by the dealership, that they were totally clueless as to when Citroen would ship the Turbo variant from the factory to their dealership! I was requested to convert my booking to the naturally aspirated variant which I did not, as I wanted the lovely C3 Turbo only, and eventually had to cancel my booking.On a more serious note:Citroen dealers are now quite a demoralised lot. The C3, C3 Electric, C3 Aircross(both variants), C5 (oh man, what a car) nothing is selling. Their working capital is locked up, showroom rents are enormous and the dealers are skeptical about the Fastlounge as well. Because they feel by the time the FastLounge reaches the showroom, the Tata Curvv will steal the thunder and walk away with the emerging new styling trend of "SUV-Coupe".Hope Citroen India gets it act together before it loses its mojo any further.
Vietnams Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has reportedly opened its long-awaited 5G spectrum auction to all players, starting with the 2500-2600 MHz band, with more bands to follow in the coming days.

According to the official Vietnam News Agency, the MIC opened the auction on Thursday, offering 15-year 5G licences for the 2500-2600 MHz band, with a starting price of VND3.9 trillion (US$158 million).

The MIC will also be offering spectrum for two other 5G mid-bands  3700-3800 MHz and 3800-3900 MHz  on March 14 and March 19, respectively. The starting price for both of these bands is VND1.89 trillion, the report said.

MIC minister Nguyen Manh Hung said the auction is open to all eligible enterprises, not just existing mobile operators Viettel, Vinaphone, Vietnamobile and Mobifone.

However, the report added, the odds of other players taking advantage of the auction to enter Vietnams mobile market are slim, as the market is highly saturated and competitve. Viettel, Vinaphone, Vietnamobile and Mobifone have all seen profits shrink in recent years amid heavy competition as core voice and SMS revenues decline.

Between that and the cost of greenfield 5G network infrastructure estimated to be at least US$1 billion, theres little business incentive for new players to come into the market.

Even for existing telcos, the business case for 5G is uncertain, as only 17% to 20% of devices in Vietnam support 5G connectivity, Nguyen Van Son, director of Viettel Telecom's Mobile Centre told VNA. He also said Viettel plans to focus its 5G deployments in locations where there is both high demand and a high concentration of 5G-compatible devices, such as industrial zones, export processing zones and innovation centres.

An October 2023 report from VNMedia said that the 2500-2600 MHz auction winners will be required to deploy at least 3,000 5G broadcasting stations using the band within two years after they receive the licence. They must also commit to launching commercial 5G services using the band within the first 12 months.

VNA reports that the MIC has set a target to provide 5G coverage to 99% of the population by 2025, with minimum data speeds of 100 Mbps.
What just happened? We all learned about Archimedes, the brilliant ancient Greek mathematician and inventor, in school. He introduced us to fascinating concepts like levers, pulleys, and even determined density while taking a bath. However, one of Archimedes' most intriguing creations has remained in the realm of legend for centuries  the death ray. A young enthusiast set out to prove how it might have worked and has now earned a couple of medals for his contraption.

In the 200s BC, historical accounts suggest that Archimedes used an array of mirrors to focus sunlight and set enemy ships ablaze during the Siege of Syracuse. Fast forward to today, Brenden Sener has earned two medals for his miniaturized version of the solar death machine. This project was part of the 2023 Matthews Hall Annual Science Fair.

Sener hypothesized that, as the mirrors focused light energy onto cardboard, the target's temperature would increase with each added mirror. He conducted three trials using different light bulb wattages  50 and 100 watts. These bulbs were rigged with small concave mirrors to concentrate light beams onto a marked target.

As he added more mirrors, angling them to converge on the same spot, the temperature at the focal point kept climbing. With just the lamp alone, the target maintained a mild 81F. However, after positioning the fourth mirror, the heat concentrated to over 128F. Sener described the results as "remarkable," illustrating how curved mirrors intensified the sun's rays into a single searing point.

While the experiment didn't set the paper on fire (it wasn't meant to), Sener demonstrated how his setup reflected and concentrated light to increase the temperature at a focal point. He noted in his science paper that to set a wooden ship ablaze, the setup would require a very powerful light source like the sun and several large mirrors.

A scientist at Sandia National Labs commended the project, noting that while it didn't revolutionize physics, the findings nicely confirmed the first law of thermodynamics regarding energy transfer.

So, was Archimedes' original death ray a real invention or an exaggerated legend that has grown taller over millennia?

While we may never know for certain, Sener's pint-sized experiment suggests that the core idea could have worked. Archimedes was a certified genius ahead of his time. Concentrating solar heat with mirrors to defeat enemies doesn't seem far-fetched coming from the mind that gave us concepts like levers, pulleys, and displacement.

However, the 'death ray' remains a hotly debated topic due to the lack of archaeological evidence for its existence. Setting moving ships on fire, even with supersized mirrors, seems far-fetched, as demonstrated by the magnifying glass experiment  it takes several seconds to ignite a piece of paper. Even if Archimedes could weaponize mirrors this way, scientists argue that the ships would need to be anchored for it to be effective.

At the very least, Sener demonstrated that the physics behind Archimedes' suspected death ray were legitimate. Not bad for a middle schooler's science fair project.
A hot potato: Nvidia has become the dominant force in the AI hardware industry, and CEO Jensen Huang knows it. The leather jacket-loving boss is so confident in the ability of his products, he says that even if the competitors' chips were free, they would still be a worse option than Nvidia's expensive alternatives.

Speaking during a keynote at the 2024 SIEPR Economic Summit, Huang was asked by John Shoven, the Charles R. Schwab Professor Emeritus of Economics at Stanford University, about the prospect of rivals that could offer competing chips that were "good enough" to replace Nvidia's and at a much cheaper price.

Huang started his answer by complaining that Nvidia has more competition than anyone on the planet, having to deal not only with direct competitors but also customers who buy its AI products in order to design competing versions. He also said that Nvidia shows these customers the current and future designs of its chips, partly due to Nvidia's completely "open-book" policy that sees it working with almost everyone in the industry.

Huang's claim of openness and working with competitors will likely raise some eyebrows. According to a report from last month, hardware startup Groq, which creates AI chips for LLM inference, said Nvidia customers have to be secretive about acquiring or ordering AI acceleration tech from rival firms in case Nvidia decides to delay their orders as punishment. Former AMD vice president Scott Herkelman, who previously worked for Team Green, said "They [Nvidia] are the GPU cartel, and they control all supply."

Speaking about the price of Nvidia's AI accelerators and whether competitors' alternatives would offer better value for money, Huang said it's only those who buy and sell chips that think about the prices, while those who operate data centers think about the cost of operations.

The CEO added that Nvidia's chips exhibit an excellent Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)  a measure of both direct and indirect costs  thanks to factors such as time to deployment, performance, utilization, and flexibility. The TCO is so impressive, Huang claims, that even if competitors were giving their chips away for free, it wouldn't be cheap enough.

Although plenty will argue with Huang's claims of Nvidia's benevolence, it's easy to see where his hubris comes from. Nvidia is now the third-most valuable company in the world by market cap ($2.19 trillion) and could soon replace Apple in second position, all thanks to its dominance of the advanced AI hardware market. It's also propelled Huang to the 20th position on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index  his fortune now stands at $77.2 billion.
Ocean World: The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is providing scientists with a closer look at previously discovered exoplanets. Two teams of researchers have now used the NASA telescope to analyze the particular conditions found in a unique celestial object.

TOI-270 d is a Neptune-like exoplanet, originally discovered in 2019, with a radius more than twice Earth's and an orbit around its host star lasting 11.4 Earth days. The planet is 70 light years away from the Solar System, and has very peculiar planetary conditions that have been described in a recently published study by University of Cambridge scientists.

The study describes what could possibly be a "hycean" world, a term related to a particular type of exoplanet with a global water ocean and a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Cambridge researchers said that the ocean of TOI-270 d would have temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius, but water could still be liquid because of the high atmospheric pressure.

The planet wouldn't be habitable in any case, lead study author Prof. Nikku Madhusudhan explained. TOI-270 d is tidally locked, with one side permanently facing the host star just like our own Moon is always showing the same side in ground observations. The exposed side of the exoplanet is likely experiencing extremely hot temperatures, Madhusudhan said, while the night side could theoretically host habitable conditions if it weren't for a "crushing atmosphere" with tens or even hundreds of times the pressure at the Earth's surface.

TOI-270 d's global ocean is likely tens to hundreds of kilometers deep, has a high-pressure ice seabed, and "hides" a rocky core at the center. Thanks to JWST observations, the Cambridge researchers discovered that the exoplanet has no signs of ammonia, which should occur naturally in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Ammonia is highly soluble in water, however, and a hycean world with a global ocean seems to be the perfect explanation for this peculiar chemical mixture.

The hycean hypothesis is disputed by Prof. Bjorn Benneke, a University of Montreal researcher who provided a completely different picture of TOI-270 d. The exoplanet's surface temperature is far too hot for water to stay in its liquid state, and the atmosphere seems to contain too much water vapor. At 4,000C degrees, water could exist in a "supercritical" state where liquid and gas states cannot be perfectly distinguished. It would be almost like a "thick, hot fluid," Benneke said.

The Canadian professor also pondered the potential telltale signs for biological activity, as both teams of researchers detected carbon disulphide which is usually linked to biological processes here on Earth. This molecule can be also produced by other sources, and it is "relatively easy" to form in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Scientists need to be very careful when communicating this kind of results, as the public could easily spread the idea that we have finally found extraterrestrial life in outer space.
TL;DR: It's fair to say that former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is not a well-liked person. He's also reportedly interested in buying TikTok, with help from OpenAI boss Sam Altman and others, should the US government force owner ByteDance to divest the app.

Last week, a group of lawmakers announced a bill that would force ByteDance to divest TikTok within about six months should it pass. Otherwise, the app will be blocked from app stores and web hosting platforms in the US.

In response, TikTok sent messages to users encouraging them to lobby their representatives. President Biden also gave his backing to the bill, saying that "if they pass it, I'll sign it."

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, one person interested in acquiring TikTok is Bobby Kotick. He mentioned the idea of partnering on such a deal with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and others who were seated with him during a dinner at an Allen & Co. conference last week.

Bobby Kotick spent 33 years as CEO of Activision, during which time he faced plenty of controversy. His departure from the company in December following Microsoft's acquisition was met with celebrations from gamers and developers. There were tales of his interference with the development of Activision games over the years and his role in killing off Blizzard titles in China.

Kotick was also accused of leaving a voicemail threatening to kill an assistant in 2006 and was the subject of a flight attendant's sexual harassment lawsuit in 2007. He faced allegations of incidents involving rape and harassment stretching from the mid-2010s through 2021, and Kotick and Activision had to pay a $35 million settlement last year after failing to maintain adequate controls to report and address misconduct within the company. Activision Blizzard also paid $54 million in 2021 to settle a gender discrimination lawsuit in California.

The alleged $15 million golden parachute Kotick received upon leaving Activision did little to endear him to the public, too.

Kotick's plan to buy TikTok might be more than just talk; he's said to have brought it up with ByteDance Executive Chair Zhang Yiming. TikTok was found to be the fastest-growing social media platform in the US in January, with an estimated 150 million users in the US  more than any other country  so its price tag could reach well above $100 billion, which is why Kotick would need plenty of financial help from the likes of Altman, who could decide to use its content to train his company's AI models.

ByteDance's alleged ties with Beijing, which it has repeatedly denied, have led to TikTok being banned by most government agencies, not just in the US but also in other countries.
Why it matters: Remote-controlled and robotic boats can serve many functions, from pre-installation investigations for a global subsea cable network to seabed surveys for offshore wind farm operators. However, the timeline for entirely autonomous ships remains unclear as engineers continue to tackle challenges like bad weather or interactions with other traffic.

One day soon, off Australia's vast coastline, custom-built ships will plow the waters, collecting seabed data for the government. An operations center on the Australian island of Tasmania will collect and process the data. Maritime robotics company Ocean Infinity is in charge of seeing through this vision.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, and the UK's Southampton, Ocean Infinity plans to deliver hydrography services for the Australian government as sustainably as possible. The company boasts that in a recent data project for the government, its robotic vessels collected 58% of the total data but contributed just 4% of the total fuel CO2 emissions.

Those vessels will be the first in the company's fleet of 36m Armada ships developed for large-scale hydrography and similar work. The operations center in Tasmania is part of the company's global rollout of data centers, with some already running in the UK and Sweden. The company has others planned for Singapore and an additional undisclosed Asian location. The centers employ teams of mariners and data acquisition specialists who essentially operate the robotic ships and their payload systems.

Ocean Infinity employs more than 500 technology and data specialists around the world. This group includes uncrewed vessel operators, ROV pilots, AUV operators, robotics engineers, payload specialists, data processors, surveyors, oceanographers, and hydrographers. It provides services ranging from low-emission seabed data acquisition to geotechnical sampling services in various industries, including telecom, energy, and scientific research. For example, Ocean Infinity has a vessel located off the coast of Norway, positioned to survey the seabed for offshore wind farm operators and check underwater infrastructure for the oil and gas industry.

The lime-green ships are about 255 feet long but only require a staff of about 16 people to operate. Compare that to the 40 or 50 required for a conventional vessel of similar size and objectives. The company's development is proceeding rapidly. Ocean Infinity believes it can pare down the number of humans required on its ships even further as it continues to automate operations with an extensive array of high-tech cameras, microphones, radar, and satellite communications.

The backbone of its global operation is its fleet management system. This digital environment integrates the individual platform control systems, navigation, and data to provide a comprehensive view of the remote operations at sea, but how quickly remote ships can revolutionize the shipping industry remains to be seen.

Rudy Negenborn, who researches autonomous shipping at Delft University of Technology, told BBC News that the real "challenges come when interacting with other traffic or a port, or when there are unforeseen situations or bad weather" situations. Still, he remains convinced robotic ships are the way of the future.

"In the end, this is going to lead to safer, more efficient and more sustainable transport over water. I'm sure about that," Negenborn said.
Last week on tech saw massive changes in the EU's DMA, as fulfilled by Apple on its end, but one of the most significant events was the ban and reinstatement of Epic Games' developer account on the App Store. It also saw the RESTRICT Act's progress, with the US Congress getting ready for its House floor vote, with President Joe Biden saying that he will sign it into law once it passes.

Moreover, there is also NASA's CADRE program which is getting ready to send the tiny, autonomous rovers to the Moon for its upcoming exploration.

Apple Reinstates Epic Games's Dev Account on the App Store

The massive events of the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) taking effect saw Apple banning and reinstating Epic Games' developer account in the region, on its App Store. This came after the ban which Epic claimed to be because of several issues, with one highlight of it being its CEO's, Tim Sweeney, posts on X which criticized Apple's adherence to the law.

Apple said that it had talks with Epic Games regarding this, and the company is "committed to following the rules" and working out its relationship moving forward.

This means that the Epic Games Store is back on the App Store for people to download, and here, they may also get what the company has to offer, including the sideloading of its famed battle royale, Fortnite.

Read Also: US Army Is Looking Into AI's Potential for Battle Planning Through Starcraft II

TikTok Ban: President Biden to Sign the RESTRICT Act

The progress of the so-called bill that may be the reason behind the TikTok ban is moving forward, with President Joe Biden's latest comments claiming that he will sign it once it passes the Congress vote. In the POTUS' words, "If they pass it, I'll sign it" confirms that the leader of the country is only waiting for Congress to fulfill its job and present it as a law to be finalized by Biden.

It centers on the recent 50-0 unanimous vote by the US Representatives that awaits its final step with a House floor vote that would pass the RESTRICT Act to the President.

While it is not an outright ban on TikTok, this would then have agencies mark the social media as a foreign entity alongside the threats it brings. Moreover, it would require the social media to fully cut off its ties with its Chinese ownership, ByteDance, in 180 days.

NASA's Tiny, Autonomous Rovers Coming to the Moon

NASA confirmed the completion of its tiny and autonomous Moon rovers which passed its development and testing phase last week. This signals a massive step towards the agency's efforts that will explore more of the natural satellite and would require less supervision and control, unlike earlier remote-controlled rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance.

This was made under the Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Exploration (CADRE) program, with each rover featuring four wheels, approximately the size of a carry-on bag, navigation sensors, two stereo cameras, and a multi-static, ground-penetrating radar that will help map out the Moon in 3D.

Joining the Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander in its IM-3 mission, three CADRE rovers will make their way to the lunar surface and begin their mission.

Related Article: Italy Launches Investigation Into OpenAI's New Video Generation Tool Sora

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A slice of good news is here for Pixel budget smartphone fans, as the Pixel 8a was confirmed by a Google software engineer earlier this month while addressing a bug report concern of a user. This centers on the battery status information which was said to be missing on the Pixel smartphones after the last update that Google rolled out for the users.

While the feature would be making a comeback, this also confirmed the company's development of the Pixel 8a, the budget smartphone version of its current lineup.

Pixel 8a is Coming, Google's Engineer Confirmed

A bug report submitted by a user who asked about the Pixel's missing 'Battery Info' feature revealed more than what the fans expected, as it talked about the presence of the Pixel 8a from Google's development.

This came from Google's software engineer who addressed the issue, claiming last March 4 that this is enabled on the Pixel 8a and beyond, pointing the feature to be available on future releases only. Moreover, while users find this feature inaccessible for current Pixel smartphones, this is regarded as WAI (working as intended).

In this confirmation, it yet remains unknown what the Pixel 8a will offer once it releases in the future, but it is expected to be cheaper than the current Pixel 8 lineup, sport the same Tensor G3 chipset, but have fewer features than this earlier release.

Read Also: Pixel 8 Won't Run Gemini Nano AI Due to 'Hardware Limitations' But is Available for Pro

Battery Status and Pixel 8a Arriving Soon

As per Google's software engineer, the Battery Status which was introduced on the Android 14 QPR1's update and removed on the Pixel update in February 2024, is coming back once Pixel 8a arrives. It will also be available to the next-gen smartphone, Pixel 9, which Google will soon talk about more in the future.

Like Google's I/O 2023, it is also the time when the fans expect the Pixel 8a would arrive, leveraging the budget smartphone during this event.

Pixel's Budget Smartphone Lineup

The last Pixel update from Google supersedes the Android 14 update of the company, and this is also the same update that was said to remove the battery status information which users are disputing with Google. Moreover, this update addressed massive security concerns and the safety of its users, centering on bug fixes to patch the vulnerabilities and Android security bulletins.

It is also important to note that Pixel's budget smartphone lineup, those with the suffix 'a' always comes around half a year (or more) after its mainline release the year before. For the Pixel 7's case, the main release of the company arrived during its October annual release, and the Pixel 7a arrived in May 2023, seven months after, during Google's I/O 2023 event.

While it is known as a budget smartphone, it provides significant value for money with what it has to offer, and this includes the same chip as the mainline release, like Pixel 7a's Tensor G2 which it shares with the 7th generation smartphone, and more.

Despite using a more than half-a-year platform, Pixel's budget releases offer a good value for money, with Pixel 8a already awaited by fans and confirmed by Google themselves.

Related Article: Pixel 9 First Look: New Renders Bring the Next-Gen Google Smartphone to Life

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The Pentagon's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) project officially has five companies competing to create AI-powered drones for the U.S. Air Force. The project's goal is to deploy AI drones alongside human-piloted jets and shield them from enemy fire by serving as escorts with full weaponry and as communications centers or scouts.

(Photo: ANDY JACOBSOHN/AFP via Getty Images)

Drones are checked for air worthiness before flying from a Wing facility in Frisco, Texas on August 31, 2022. - Wing, whose parent company is Alphabet Inc., is the first carrier certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration to operate a drone for delivery in major US metro areas, according to Jacob Demmitt, Wing's manager of marketing and communications.



The five companies pursuing the Pentagon's program are reportedly Anduril Industries, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin. By the summer, the Pentagon intends to select two firms to begin producing the jets.

The drone project is part of a $6 billion Pentagon effort driven mostly by breakthroughs in flight software and the skyrocketing cost of current military aircraft. The Air Force is shifting its focus to a new generation of pilotless aircraft to support a fleet of less expensive AI drones.

Read Also: Merlin Labs' AI-Powered Aircraft Concept Takes Off to Tackle Looming Pilot Shortage

US Military's Drones

The United States has used Reaper and Predator drones from General Atomics in multiple Middle East wars. Anduril is a new player in the space, established in 2017 by Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey, an innovator.

One of the sole firms that has showcased their entry, the Ghost Bat, is Boeing. It can fly slightly slower than the speed of sound and cover more than 2,000 nautical miles. Its length is between 20 and 30 feet.

Conversely, Anduril has demonstrated the application of AI in at least one drone, the Roadrunner, a jet-powered combat drone with AI guidance. Christian Brose, the CSO for Anduril, reportedly praised it as a "very low-cost, very high-quantity, increasingly sophisticated, and advanced aerial threat."

The Air Force plans to build at least 1,000 of the current-generation mini-fighters, including hundreds in the next five years. They would guard and accompany crewed aircraft like the new B-21 bomber and the F-35.

Larger jet-powered drones are thought to be essential to tackling the immense distances in the western Pacific. Still, smaller drones have revolutionized the battlefields across relatively short distances in Ukraine and parts of the Middle East. According to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, it has several capabilities that conventional crewed fighter aircraft need to be built for.

These new aircraft are thought to be indicative of advancements in flying software, which use artificial intelligence to create programs derived from many hours of combat flight experience. Software now allows planes to fly autonomously and adjust to changing battle situations, replacing the technology that allows planes to be flown from the ground.

Previous AI Drone Contracts

This is also not the first contract the US Air Force has done to implement AI drones in the military, as last year (2021) a similar contract. Specifically, the US Air Force's prior contract with RealNetworks, a Seattle-based software company, was to develop facial recognition technology and a method for drones to be completely autonomous.

The Department of Defense's 2021 contract opened the door for an $800,000 budget to develop facial recognition technology for its operations. Its most recent innovation was the use of AI-powered drones that will acquire facial recognition technology to complete the set for various USAF missions and monitoring.

Related Article: AI Can Help US in Developing War Plans Says Experts Amidst China-Taiwan Tension

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Tower company Edotco Bangladesh revealed on Thursday that it signed an MoU with Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh) to collaborate on deploying a telecoms tower in Bangladesh made of fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP).

Under the MoU, Edotco Bangladesh said it will become the first TowerCo in the country to offer its fiberglass tower solutions to mobile network operators, with Huawei serving as technology partner to help deploy the tower.

FRP is a composite material consisting of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers. The fibers  which can be made from materials such as glass, carbon, aramid or basalt  provide the strength and stiffness to the composite material.

According to Edotco, using FRP materials reduces tower weight up to 44%, making such towers suitable for rooftop sites in high-density areas. This also makes them easy to install and transport, which will increase construction efficiency up to 75%.

The company also said FRP towers are engineered not to reflect radio waves, ensuring efficient microwave transmission, while their durability allows them to withstand high voltage without damage. The towers also promise low CO2 emissions.

Sunil Issac, country managing director of Edotco Bangladesh, said FRP towers will help drive innovation in Bangladesh's evolving tower industry landscape.

We are dedicated to shape the future of this industry and continue to enable connected Bangladesh with advanced sustainable practices in line with SDGs, he said.

Huyue, chief operating officer for Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh), said the partnership enhances site facility availability and is set to bring positive change in the tower infrastructure industry.
The Royal Family finds itself amid a photo-editing fiasco, with suspicions rising over amateurish alterations made to an image released by the office of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

(Photo : Prince and Princes of Wales)

Screenshot from Prince and Princes of Wales' Instagram

Raising Questions Over

Intended to quell months of speculation surrounding the whereabouts of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales and future Queen of England, The Verge reported that the photograph has instead ignited a storm of controversy.

The botched editing job is glaringly obvious. Rather than assuaging public concerns about Middleton's absence, the image has only exacerbated them. Upon first glance, the image is disconcerting. Every smile appears unnaturally bright, resembling a distorted Snapchat filter.

Middleton's seated position in the photo, reportedly due to a recent undisclosed abdominal procedure in January, seems off, prompting speculation about the length of her arms. The longer one scrutinizes the image, the more it resembles a puzzle from a children's magazine, inviting viewers to spot its flaws.

Despite widespread criticism, the image remains on the Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram page, inviting further scrutiny. Screenshots circulating online highlight the areas where clumsy Photoshop attempts are evident, suggesting a heavy-handed reliance on amateur editing techniques.

Also Read: Apple Commemorates the Life of Queen Elizabeth II in the Wake of Her Death

Sky News reported that the image initially shared by Kensington Palace and distributed by The Associated Press faced scrutiny, leading to its retraction due to detected alterations that failed to meet the AP's photography standards.

Although post-capture editing is a common practice in professional photography, there's no implication of malicious intent from Kensington Palace regarding any alterations made.

Distracting from Bad News About the King

Nevertheless, the absence of an official response from the palace adds to the ambiguity surrounding the image, potentially fueling online speculation and conspiracy theories, particularly in light of Kate Middleton's recent abdominal surgery.

The Royal Family has been secretive about Kate Middleton's health and why she's been absent, leading to rumors. Sharing a clearly edited photo of her on Mother's Day in the UK won't help.

In the world of the British monarchy, looking good in the public eye is crucial. Prince Harry's memoir, "Spare," talks about how family members like Middleton's brother-in-law were used to distract from bad news about King Charles or Prince William.

Managing their image has always been important, ever since Queen Elizabeth's coronation was shown live on TV. Being seen in photos is a big part of their job.

The palace maintains a close relationship with the British press, operating through the Royal Rota system for media coverage. However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, withdrew from the Royal Rota as part of their broader step back from royal duties.

The recent Middleton photo release has stirred up questions. It's conceivable that it's merely a result of poorly executed Photoshop, attempting to merge multiple photos to capture everyone's best expressions. Especially since Children can be notoriously challenging subjects to photograph.

However, the editing appears so amateurish, especially around the hands, that it prompts speculation about whether the intention was to divert attention to Middleton's prolonged absence.

Related Article: Queen Elizabeth II: Remembering Her Contributions to Space and Technology

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Walmart's generative artificial intelligence search engine is reportedly being praised by several experts as it continues to prove the company is a major tech player with shares currently at an all-time high. This is despite being in an industry that Google has always dominated.

While experts believe that Google will remain relevant as users use it far beyond retail, Walmart's success could still entail negative effects for the search engine behemoth.

(Photo : FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Walmart has joined the list of major advertisers pulling ads from Elon Musk's social media platform, X.





Walmart introduced the company's application's generational AI search capabilities last January, where it saw the retail giant touting its capacity to search for specific things using generative AI as a one-stop shop instead of sending people to an online destination like Google when they need to arrange an event. To further filter results for users, GenAI search may also take into consideration several additional variables, including location, search history, and other contextual information.

Walmart reportedly established itself as a significant participant in the tech industry long ago, managing to stave off years of concern over Amazon, continuing to be a front-runner in the retail sector.

According to Sucharita Kodali, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester, Marc Lore, Walmart must constantly experiment because it is a technology company, and the cost of failure is relatively minimal when introducing generative AI search capabilities. Kodali further notes that Walmart is "operating from a position of strength."

Read Also: Walmart Vizio: Possible $2B Acquisition to Grow Business with Ads, Coming to TVs?

Retail-Centered Search Engines

Walmart is hardly the only retailer investing in this kind of search. Instead of searching by item, consumers may now use Instacart's AI-enabled "Ask Instacart" feature to search by theme, such as supper or date night.

Instead of just searching for specific products, users may converse with Amazon's AI shopping assistant Rufus about what they need. Shopify's AI-driven "Semantic Search" ensures that search results are more accurate while assisting sellers in finding the correct products to offer prospective buyers.

Walmart's success coincides with Alphabet, the parent company of Google, releasing the Gemini gen AI before it was ready for release. Google co-founder Sergey Brin acknowledged that the business made mistakes at its inception in an unusual public appearance, but he downplayed worries about the company's future.

Alphabet is still making significant investments in Gemini in addition to more specialized AI tools to integrate itself into other retail ecosystems. Examples of these tools are Conversational Commerce tools from Google Cloud, which enable businesses to use virtual AI-powered customer service agents on their websites and applications, and Vertex AI Search for retail.

Google Remains Relevant

Walmart's success concerning Google is reportedly viewed by Kodali as less existential. Some early-stage AI shop triumphs will change the fact that the globe still significantly depends on Alphabet's primary search engine for many things.

Insider Intelligence analyst Jacob Bourne believes that these retail-focused search engines will become the standard. He also notes that Google is concerned about search in general, which begs the issue of whether Google Search will ultimately perish by a thousand cuts.

Related Article: Target Launches Target Circle 360 Subscription, Competing with Amazon Prime & Walmart+

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The European Safety Agency has issued a warning regarding the potential dangers associated with touch screens in cars. Euro NCAP, a leading safety assessment organization, is urging drivers to prioritize safety by reverting to physical buttons instead of touchscreens.

(Photo : MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)

A bill preventing automakers from eliminating AM broadcast radio in new vehicles advances to the Senate floor.

Raising Concerns Over Touchscreen Use in Cars

As automobiles have advanced, incorporating features like autonomous driving and alternative fuel sources, one notable innovation has been the integration of touch screens into vehicle dashboards.

However, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) has raised concerns, asserting that touch screens pose significant risks to drivers. In response, they recommend reverting to physical buttons for essential controls.

Interesting Engineering reported that this announcement follows the growing trend of large touchscreen displays in modern vehicles. For instance, models like the Volvo EX30 boast minimal physical buttons, relying heavily on touchscreen interfaces.

Europe's authority on conducting crash and safety evaluations for new vehicles Euro NCAP views this trend as a potential source of distraction, highlighting the importance of prioritizing safety over technological advancements in automotive design.

As reported by KTLA, Euro NCAP is adamant that specific features such as turn signals, hazard lights, and other essential controls must be operated through physical buttons rather than touchscreen interfaces for a vehicle to attain a coveted 5-star crash rating.

This directive stems from concerns over potential distractions and safety risks associated with touchscreen controls, particularly in critical situations requiring swift responses.

Notably, companies like Tesla have been pioneers in replacing traditional physical controls with touchscreen interfaces, prompting discussions about the impact on driver safety.

Highlighting Industry-Wide Concern

Euro NCAP's director of strategic development, Matthew Avery, underscored the industry-wide concern regarding the excessive use of touch screens.

Avery noted that many vehicle manufacturers are transitioning essential controls to central touchscreens, posing a risk of distracting drivers and potentially leading to accidents.

While Euro NCAP lacks regulatory power, its sway over safety assessments could prompt automakers to reassess their reliance on touchscreen controls. Their firm recommendation encompasses all technological interfaces within vehicles, with compliance potentially affecting safety ratings.

Avery elaborated, stating that forthcoming Euro NCAP evaluations in 2026 will encourage manufacturers to incorporate separate, physical controls for basic functions in a user-friendly manner.

This approach aims to minimize the time drivers spend with their eyes off the road, promoting safer driving practices.

Also Read: Anti-Drunk-Driving Tech Demanded by NHTSA, But Says None are Commercially Available

In contrast, in the United States, distracted driving campaigns typically target cellphone usage. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have not proposed a similar requirement.

Nevertheless, states like Michigan have enforced bans on handheld phone use while driving. The IIHS has also suggested the use of roadside cameras and telematics as tools to penalize distracted drivers.

However, there is growing concern over pedestrian safety and the rise in incidents of distracted driving. It is foreseeable that scrutiny over touchscreen usage in vehicles will intensify, likely sparking discussions in the near future.

Related Article: Big Vehicles Linked to Rising Pedestrian Deaths, Study Finds

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Russian government hackers have successfully breached Microsoft's systems and the tech giant confirms it has yet to contain the data breach nor evict the state-sponsored hackers. Microsoft adds that it will continue to provide more information amidst the "ongoing attack."

The Microsoft Security Team discovered the nation-state attack on January 12, 2024, and announced it on January 19. The corporation swiftly started its response procedure when Microsoft's security team discovered the intrusion in senior executives' email accounts and on corporate email infrastructure.

The threat actor was identified by Microsoft Threat Intelligence as Midnight Blizzard, also known as NOBELIUM, a state-sponsored actor from Russia.

(Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The Microsoft logo is illuminated on a wall during a Microsoft launch event to introduce the new Microsoft Surface laptop and Windows 10 S operating system, May 2, 2017 in New York City.



The source code that was accessed and the capabilities the hackers acquired to further jeopardize Microsoft and client systems were not disclosed by the company representative. According to reports on Friday, Microsoft revealed that the hackers had taken cryptographic secrets-passwords, certificates, and authentication keys-from emails exchanged between the business and unidentified clients.

According to Microsoft, it is evident that Midnight Blizzard is attempting to exploit the many kinds of secrets it's uncovered. The business further states that compared to January 2024, when the volume was already high, Midnight Blizzard has increased the attack volume by up to ten times, particularly for password spraying.

Read Also: Switzerland Confirms Ransomware Attack, 65,000 Government Files Leaked

National Cybersecurity Concern

According to cybersecurity experts, Microsoft's admission that the SVR hack had not been contained highlights the dangers of businesses and governments heavily depending on the software monoculture of the Redmond, Washington-based company, as well as the fact that a large number of its clients are connected via its extensive global cloud network.

According to Tom Kellermann of Contrast Security, a cybersecurity firm, the Russian hack has significant ramifications for national security because it allows the Russians to use supply chain attacks against Microsoft's clientele.

Tenable CEO Amit Yoran also released a statement expressing shock and dismay. He is one of the security experts who thinks Microsoft is unduly secretive about its vulnerabilities and hacking procedures. Yoran stated that the public needs to be incensed that this continues to occur. They go on to say that Microsoft intentionally obscures the whole truth with its dubious security procedures and false claims.

Microsoft's Response

The tech giant has not determined yet if there will be a financial fallout from the incident. The company also claimed that the intrusion's continued existence is indicative of an unparalleled worldwide danger environment, particularly concerning highly skilled nation-state attacks.

In response, Microsoft claims to have strengthened defenses, secured and hardened its environment against advanced persistent threats, and boosted investments in security, cross-enterprise cooperation, and mobilization. The organization pledges to keep implementing more sophisticated security detections, monitoring, and controls.

The company says that it has been in contact with its customers to help them take mitigation action. Some of these secrets were disclosed in emails between Microsoft and its customers.

Related Article: OpenAI Security Head Suggests ChatGPT Can Decrypt Russian Hacking Group Conversations in Pentagon Event

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Spain's High Court has affirmed its decision to maintain a temporary ban on an iris-scanning venture by Tools for Humanity, rejecting an appeal by the Worldcoin owner.

The court emphasized the priority of "safeguarding the public interest." In the event of a favorable judgment lifting the ban, Tools for Humanity would be compensated for any lost income, dismissing the appellant's argument of "irreparable damage," as reported by Reuters.

Data Protection Concerns Raised

Over 360,000 individuals in Spain have registered for Worldcoin, based on the latest company data from November. While Worldcoin asserts that the data is utilized for creating a secure form of identification, privacy experts express concerns about potential alternative uses, such as personalized marketing, per Euronews.

Read Also: Italy Launches Investigation Into OpenAI's New Video Generation Tool Sora

This has prompted investigations into Worldcoin's operations in other countries, including France and Germany. The Kenyan government has temporarily halted new sign-ups for Worldcoin amid an inquiry into data protection. According to CEO Alex Blania, Worldcoin, under the direction of Tools for Humanity, is prepared to introduce an upgraded version of its distinctive Orb device within the next six months.

The Worldcoin upgrade aims to provide users with alternative colors and form factors, fostering a more user-friendly appearance reminiscent of Apple products. Blania revealed these details during a presentation at a StrictlyVC event, underscoring the ongoing efforts to improve the device's design.

The Worldcoin Orb, known for its iris-scanning capabilities and assigning users a "World ID" for application access, has sparked intrigue and controversy. Described as a distinctive five-pound device resembling a chromatic bowling ball, it has drawn attention for its unique features.

Worldoin Orb's Expansion is Facing Opposition

TechTimes previously reported that field testing for the upcoming Orb upgrade has also been conducted. Facing criticism during beta testing for its focus on adoption in developing economies, Worldcoin initiated a global tour to cities like Tokyo, Miami, New York City, and San Francisco to broaden its reach.

The recent surge in user growth, with over 190,000 new accounts created in the past week, has propelled Worldcoin's total user count to 3.13 million. This substantial growth solidifies Worldcoin's significance in the dynamic cryptocurrency sector.

However, critics raise concerns about the trading of World IDs and potential security issues with the Orb. According to reports, Worldcoin's value primarily lies in speculative trading, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. Privacy risks and the popularity of Worldcoin also worry critics. Tools for Humanity CEO Alex Blania addressed biometric data concerns, emphasizing privacy measures.

Despite these critiques, Worldcoin remains steadfast in its vision, viewing its tokens as the foundation for a new economic system and a potential source of universal basic income. The intersection of legal challenges, technological advancements, and public perception makes Worldcoin a compelling player in the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrency.

Related Article: Merlin Labs' AI-Powered Aircraft Concept Takes Off to Tackle Looming Pilot Shortage

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Former United States President Donald Trump is skeptical about the possibility of banning the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok in the country, arguing that the measure would only benefit tech giant Meta.

The ex-POTUS and likely Republican presidential contender remarked that a TikTok ban would boost Facebook, Meta's social media platform, which he views as "an enemy of the people."



Donald Trump acknowledged his concerns about TikTok's national security and data privacy but underlined its appeal to young consumers. There are around 150 million TikTok users in the United States, leading the world.



The Republican leader's change of heart follows the Trump administration's 2020 failed attempts to remove TikTok from US app stores over Chinese ownership and data sharing. TikTok's main firm, ByteDance, was ordered to sell the site within 90 days by the former president.



Despite arguing that TikTok posed a national security danger owing to Chinese ownership, Donald Trump said Facebook's impact is "very bad for our country," pointed out the social media platform's privacy and security vulnerabilities, and condemned its impact on US elections.

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the stage a the conclusion of a campaign rally at the Forum River Center March 09, 2024 in Rome, Georgia. (Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Biden Supports TikTok Ban

TechTimes reported that President Joe Biden will sign the RESTRICT Act into law when Congress passes it. Today, President Biden told the press that the proposal might impose a TikTok ban. He said, "If they pass it, I'll sign it," alluding to the House's bipartisan bill.

As his waiting period shows, the law must pass Congress before reaching President Biden's desk. After the President signs it, the RESTRICT Act will allow government agencies to identify and respond to foreign ICT threats.

The Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology Act (RESTRICT) has bipartisan support owing to senators' worries about TikTok's surveillance.

The committee last week approved the legislation, receiving unanimous support from US House Speaker Mike Johnson and a 50-0 vote. While the White House provided technical support, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre suggested additional refinement before President Joe Biden's potential approval.

Read Also: Worldcoin's Appeal Denied: Spain's High Court Backs Temporary Ban on Iris-Scanning Tech

The legislation mandates Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd. to divest TikTok and its affiliated apps within 180 days or face potential US restrictions. It grants executive authority to block national security-threatening applications from foreign adversaries. Johnson views the initiative as a bipartisan strategy to address China's economic and security concerns.

Critics Says TikTok Ban Violates First Amendment

Fears linger that China may compel TikTok to disclose US user data, allegations denied by TikTok with insufficient evidence from the US government.

Critics argue it jeopardizes free speech rights and small businesses. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticizes the bill as a pursuit of "cheap political points," emphasizing TikTok's role in communication and information exchange.

Committee Chairman Mike Gallagher underscores the imperative of preventing a geopolitical adversary from controlling a significant media platform, while Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi emphasizes TikTok's perceived threats to national security.

This legislative proposal represents the latest effort to regulate TikTok and reflects persistent national security concerns. The White House emphasizes balancing participation and national security in light of TikTok's outreach. US government devices cannot use TikTok, but President Joe Biden's re-election campaign does. The TikTok prohibition measure seeks legislative changes, congressional endorsement, and further consideration.

Related Article: CISA Systems Hacked: Ivanti Vulnerabilities Exploited, Urgent Security Measures Advised

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Co-Sponsorship Speech: Commending Dr. Carmencita Padilla for Receiving the Order of National Scientist Award

Sen. Joel Villanueva

Monday, 11 March 2024

The Honorable Senate President, dear colleagues, and esteemed guests:

I am honored to co-sponsor Senate Resolution No. 806, recognizing and commending Dr. Carmencita Padilla for Receiving the Order of National Scientist Award, the highest recognition given to a man or woman of science in the Philippines.

She is no stranger to us. This representation supported her when she ran for Chancellor of UP Manila. We also recently honored her, along with other UP President Edgardo J. Angara Fellowship Awardees as partners of EDCOM II.

Mr. President, as we celebrate Women's Month this March, we celebrate and recognize the achievements of one remarkable woman. Dr. Padilla showed decades of excellence and commitment to her field. She is an important figure in the country's public health; a role model for young girls who dream of pursuing careers in science.

Our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Padilla at Maligayang Buwan ng mga Kababaihan po. Maraming salamat, Mr. President, at pagpalain po tayo ng Diyos.
Cuban intellectual Alina Barbara Lopez has reiterated that she will not pay the fine for "disobedience" she received after the legal deadline to do so has expired. The doctor of History was visited by three (!) female inspectors who served her a document termed the "Insolvency Act Form," but she refused to sign it, for the simple reason that she has the means to pay the fine, but refuses to do so, intentionally adopting a position of what she describes as "defiance of an arbitrary and illegitimate sanction."

The handling of the situation by the neo-Castro regime has exhibited a dynamic that has been recurring for some years now in Cuban society, with the regime increasingly disconcerted and inept in its responses to these kinds of cases. Did it really take three female officials to take a document to a citizen's house, or would it have been enough to send a summons to the appropriate court? This bungling exaggeration, in terms of both numbers and procedure, evidences the system's apprehension in the face of the "bad example" promoted by this act of civil disobedience. The inspectors were not there to intimidate Dr. Lopez, but rather her neighbors and all those who are waiting for the final chapter of this story. It is a Sicilian-type message from the regime, with the significant difference that in this case, the victim does not "sleep with the fishes" like Luca Brasi, but rather is alive and kicking.

The dictatorship's main concern for the dictatorship is not about this isolated event, but rather clusters of such daily challenges, both personal and by groups. Alina Barbara has been demonstrating on the 18th of each month at the Parque de la Libertad in Matanzas, first alone and then in the company of colleagues and friends. Empirically, she has been implementing a method of "progressive immersion" in resistance actions, evolving from the simple to the profound. As a rule, people respond to events related to their daily lives, ones in which they see their own realities reflected, such that they feel empathy towards those involved. Hence the importance of generating examples available to anyone and transcending the hyperbolic paradigms that make no sense to the ordinary Cuban, immersed in a daily struggle for survival.

Not everyone can be a Mahatma Gandhi, but anyone can be a Rosa Parks, without forgetting that in both cases, and in many other similar ones under different circumstances, change has been sparked by a seemingly simple action replicated by hundreds and thousands of people in space and time. Challenging the ban on salt production in India, refusing to give up a seat on a bus in the United States, voting NO in a plebiscite in Chile, or refusing to work in a shipyard in Poland, were steps taken by citizens that led to the development of movements for social change. Everything begins within the individual, and from there it is projected outwards and reproduced in their environment. People do not know their true power; hence, anything that makes them aware of the potential of their small acts of defiance is of extreme importance, however trivial it may seem. The multiplication of success is a catalyst for change processes.

For this to happen, a process of replication is necessary, the concatenation of these simple acts of public resistance, in themselves completely legal and morally valid, as Dr. Lopez has demonstrated well. What would happen if all the people who have received arbitrary fines (the self-employed for example) refused to pay them? What would happen if all those mothers and fathers who do not want to send their children for compulsory military service refused to do so? Could they imprison them all? It is not possible in either numerical or political terms. When a person adopts an attitude, it is an act of individual reaffirmation; when a thousand people adopt that same attitude, it is a trend; and when ten thousand people adopt it ... it is a movement.

The power of such a simple act is the first link to tap into the power of the transcendental. It is what impacts people's inner selves, then connecting them with others in similar situations and uniting them around a specific cause or action. When it comes to people who are normally apathetic or indifferent to injustice, because they believe that there is no possibility of obtaining results, wise and inspirational actions are needed to elicit from them the will to take a stand, in whatever form that might be. Although the typical vision of non-violent strategic action is, generally, a massive protest, in most cases this occurs as a result of a transformative process starting with small acts of resistance that intertwine over time.

By publicly confirming her stance of insubordination, Dr. Alina Barbara Lopez is challenging the foundations of the system of domination by upholding as a right a position classified as a crime in the Criminal Code. This represents a repositioning of the values commonly accepted by citizens, based on an ordinary act. That's why she has power, that's why the regime fears her. As the American writer Oliver Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, one of the 10 best-selling self-help books of all time, said: "If you can't do big things, do small things in a big way."

Omar Lopez Montenegro is president of the Latin American Center for Nonviolence. He has more than 30 years of experience as a practitioner and scholar of non-violent strategic action, and is the author of the book 100 Practical Tips. Non-violent Strategic Struggle. (100 Consejos Practicos. Lucha Estrategica Noviolenta)
Disappearance of little Emile: the child's bones have been discovered, announces the prosecution

Initial research, role play, discovery of bones... The key dates of the disappearance of little Emile

Medical innovation: New tests make it possible to detect cancer long before symptoms appear

The week of God Twitter: from the tragedy on the Baltimore bridge to Holy Week that looks like the Flood

Death of little Emile: how to explain the discovery of his bones near Haut-Vernet?

Remy Martin celebrates its 300th anniversary with the most exclusive cognac in the world and only 8 bottles for Spain

Pension payments will be reduced in real terms, and changes to the social security system for the new fiscal year will be

The employment rate of people with disabilities required by companies will be raised to 2.5% or more.

Journal de l'Afrique - Second reading of the New Constitution in Togo, a setback in the face of opposition pressure?

The execution of young Palestinian men in Khan Yunis...a crime filmed by the killer who failed to bury the evidence

Massive destruction by Israeli bombing that targeted the home of the Abu Aoun family in the Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip

Infusions, ginger, lemon... an expert in digestive health teaches how to strengthen the microbiota to end spring colds

Samantha Vallejo-Nagera's warning hours before the premiere of MasterChef 12: "This year's contestants are very crybaby"

Stacy Martin, the French-British actress who is the muse of Louis Vuitton who excites the public and fashion: "Red carpets are a source of maximum pride and happiness, although they intimidate me"

Palm Royale: another example of how Apple doesn't care about spending money on mediocre projects

Antena 3 once again leads the ratings in the worst month of the year for La 1

Tour of Flanders: Mathieu van der Poel wins for the third time in his career

Loudly slamming the door: Shevchenko won the mass start at the Chechen Biathlon Championships, and Garanichevs team won the relay

Premier League: City and Arsenal pave the way for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool to the top of the table

A curious own goal by Suleymanov and a saving strike by Glushenkov: Krasnodar missed out on victory over Lokomotiv in the RPL match

Tennis: Sinner triumphs at the Masters 1000 in Miami by crushing Dimitrov in the final

"Cheikh is the victim, like Vinicius, not the other way around... We will never know what they feel under their skin"

New employees take on the challenge of shearing sheep at a unique joining ceremony Shizuoka Fujinomiya

Ten years at the helm of the "Yixin-Europe" China-Europe freight train: from a line to a network

Hebei Chongli received more than 4.4 million tourists in the first full snow season after the Winter Olympics

Chicken and egg or egg? The industry is hotly discussing in Shanghai how the domestic computing power industry will rise.

China Eastern Airlines will add new and expanded routes to many airports in Guangdong during the 2024 summer and autumn flight season

The price of electricity will remain negative for several hours this Monday

In response to the 2024 issue, the maximum speed for large trucks on expressways will be increased to 90km/h

Spain registers record financing capacity but does not take advantage of it to reduce its foreign debt

A rule so that appearances do not deceive: the EU legislates against 'greenwashing'

Commemoration of victims on 2nd anniversary of liberation of Bucha; many civilians killed in Russian military invasion

Coordination with Prime Minister Kishida invited to NATO summit meeting to be held in Washington, U.S. in July

The owners of the showroom of brands with history (and that Richard Gere and Cristiano Ronaldo like)

The "trans" judge who wants to intervene in the definition of "woman"

Los Reyes del Mambo, the group that changed the world of graffiti: "They were incredible artists, they had a special light"

RIA Novosti: the share of foreign brands in Russian shopping centers has fallen to a third in two years

The rent does not give up: skyrocketing prices, shared apartments... What can we expect?

Sentenced to two years and seven months in prison for killing in self-defense the man who was going to burn him alive in his house

Seven out of ten Spaniards believe that abolishing prostitution would not put an end to it

Ayuso's "management legislation" that did not start: nine months of battle with Moncloa, the amnesty and the accusation of his partner

Britain probably couldn't fight Russia alone for more than two months

Until May 22: a court in Moscow arrested four accused of the terrorist attack in Crocus

Algorithmic video surveillance at the Olympics: what are we talking about, and why is it worrying?

Bandidos: a series so tacky that it seems taken from the Disney Channel of the 90s

The Russian Embassy in Seoul condemned the cartoon of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

Antibes: an orca dies at Marineland park, the second death in five months

The captain of the expedition that crossed the Atlantic under sail as in the 17th century to make a documentary dies at the age of 75 on the high seas

Daily Shincho: Mariupol residents do not feel the impact of the conflict on the life of the city

8 new massacres in Gaza and fierce battles between the resistance and the occupation forces

Two Israelis were injured in a stabbing attack in Beersheba and the perpetrator was martyred

Will Haniyeh and Nakhla's visit to Iran affect the course of the negotiations?

 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.
Disappearance of little Emile: the child's bones have been discovered, announces the prosecution

Initial research, role play, discovery of bones... The key dates of the disappearance of little Emile

Medical innovation: New tests make it possible to detect cancer long before symptoms appear

The week of God Twitter: from the tragedy on the Baltimore bridge to Holy Week that looks like the Flood

Death of little Emile: how to explain the discovery of his bones near Haut-Vernet?

Remy Martin celebrates its 300th anniversary with the most exclusive cognac in the world and only 8 bottles for Spain

Pension payments will be reduced in real terms, and changes to the social security system for the new fiscal year will be

The employment rate of people with disabilities required by companies will be raised to 2.5% or more.

Journal de l'Afrique - Second reading of the New Constitution in Togo, a setback in the face of opposition pressure?

The execution of young Palestinian men in Khan Yunis...a crime filmed by the killer who failed to bury the evidence

Massive destruction by Israeli bombing that targeted the home of the Abu Aoun family in the Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip

Infusions, ginger, lemon... an expert in digestive health teaches how to strengthen the microbiota to end spring colds

Samantha Vallejo-Nagera's warning hours before the premiere of MasterChef 12: "This year's contestants are very crybaby"

Stacy Martin, the French-British actress who is the muse of Louis Vuitton who excites the public and fashion: "Red carpets are a source of maximum pride and happiness, although they intimidate me"

Palm Royale: another example of how Apple doesn't care about spending money on mediocre projects

Antena 3 once again leads the ratings in the worst month of the year for La 1

Tour of Flanders: Mathieu van der Poel wins for the third time in his career

Loudly slamming the door: Shevchenko won the mass start at the Chechen Biathlon Championships, and Garanichevs team won the relay

Premier League: City and Arsenal pave the way for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool to the top of the table

A curious own goal by Suleymanov and a saving strike by Glushenkov: Krasnodar missed out on victory over Lokomotiv in the RPL match

Tennis: Sinner triumphs at the Masters 1000 in Miami by crushing Dimitrov in the final

"Cheikh is the victim, like Vinicius, not the other way around... We will never know what they feel under their skin"

New employees take on the challenge of shearing sheep at a unique joining ceremony Shizuoka Fujinomiya

Ten years at the helm of the "Yixin-Europe" China-Europe freight train: from a line to a network

Hebei Chongli received more than 4.4 million tourists in the first full snow season after the Winter Olympics

Chicken and egg or egg? The industry is hotly discussing in Shanghai how the domestic computing power industry will rise.

China Eastern Airlines will add new and expanded routes to many airports in Guangdong during the 2024 summer and autumn flight season

The price of electricity will remain negative for several hours this Monday

In response to the 2024 issue, the maximum speed for large trucks on expressways will be increased to 90km/h

Spain registers record financing capacity but does not take advantage of it to reduce its foreign debt

A rule so that appearances do not deceive: the EU legislates against 'greenwashing'

Commemoration of victims on 2nd anniversary of liberation of Bucha; many civilians killed in Russian military invasion

Coordination with Prime Minister Kishida invited to NATO summit meeting to be held in Washington, U.S. in July

The owners of the showroom of brands with history (and that Richard Gere and Cristiano Ronaldo like)

The "trans" judge who wants to intervene in the definition of "woman"

Los Reyes del Mambo, the group that changed the world of graffiti: "They were incredible artists, they had a special light"

RIA Novosti: the share of foreign brands in Russian shopping centers has fallen to a third in two years

The rent does not give up: skyrocketing prices, shared apartments... What can we expect?

Sentenced to two years and seven months in prison for killing in self-defense the man who was going to burn him alive in his house

Seven out of ten Spaniards believe that abolishing prostitution would not put an end to it

Ayuso's "management legislation" that did not start: nine months of battle with Moncloa, the amnesty and the accusation of his partner

It has been 23 years, and the Chinese people dare not forget these numbers!

Britain probably couldn't fight Russia alone for more than two months

Until May 22: a court in Moscow arrested four accused of the terrorist attack in Crocus

Algorithmic video surveillance at the Olympics: what are we talking about, and why is it worrying?

Bandidos: a series so tacky that it seems taken from the Disney Channel of the 90s

The Russian Embassy in Seoul condemned the cartoon of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

Antibes: an orca dies at Marineland park, the second death in five months

The captain of the expedition that crossed the Atlantic under sail as in the 17th century to make a documentary dies at the age of 75 on the high seas

Daily Shincho: Mariupol residents do not feel the impact of the conflict on the life of the city

8 new massacres in Gaza and fierce battles between the resistance and the occupation forces

Two Israelis were injured in a stabbing attack in Beersheba and the perpetrator was martyred

Will Haniyeh and Nakhla's visit to Iran affect the course of the negotiations?

 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.
A new pecan processing facility in Dothan is expected to create 120 jobs over the next two years, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said in an announcement Monday.

Southern Roots Nut Co. based in New Mexico plans to open a facility in Dothan, investing nearly $16.6 million to outfit an existing building in Sam Houston Industrial Park off Columbia Highway outside the Ross Clark Circle and constructing a new facility as a hub to process, store, and distribute raw pecans.

Southern Roots is a pecan grower and processor that specializes in delivering high-quality pecans and pecan products to customers worldwide. The company focuses on sustainable farming practices and advanced technology to ensure efficiency and quality in its operations.

Southern Roots selected the Dothan site over a competing location in Georgia; its products include shelled and unshelled pecans, flavored pecans, pecan oil, and more.

Were honored to have roots in Dothan, Alabama, said Brandon Harrell, Southern Roots chief operating officer and president of sales. My family has called Dothan home since early 2018 and I couldnt think of a better place to continue our familys tradition shelling and processing pecans than Dothan.

We are truly excited to partner with business-friendly state, county and city officials who truly want the best opportunities for their respective areas.

The companys expansion into the Wiregrass area is expected to produce 120 jobs with an annual payroll in excess of $4.1 million, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce. The job creation is projected to take place over a two-year time frame.

Pecans are a trademark product for Alabamas agriculture industry, with an estimated 9,000 acres of orchards in the state, said Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair. The processing facility planned by Southern Roots is good news for those involved in the business of Alabamas official state nut.

The state of Alabama is joining with the city of Dothan to support the project through a package that includes tax credits and AIDT workforce development services. The city and the Industrial Development Board are providing the company with assistance through the AMEA Capital Fund Program, local statutory tax abatements and discretionary support.

Officials in Dothan and Houston County applauded the companys investment project.

We are excited to welcome Southern Roots Nut Co. to our economically diverse community. The jobs that they are creating will have a long-lasting positive impact on our Wiregrass region, said Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba.

The people of Houston County are thankful for the opportunities that Southern Roots Nut Co. is bringing to our area. The companys high standard of sourcing world-class pecans aligns well with the agriculturally rich Wiregrass community, said Houston County Commission Chairman Brandon Shoupe.

In a joint statement, state Sen. Donnie Chesteen and Rep. Paul Lee said, The Wiregrass region continues to excel in diversifying its economy by welcoming Southern Roots Nut Co. The family values of Southern Roots will positively impact its future local workforce.
Greenpeace urges creation of Galapagos high seas protected area



Puerto Ayora, Ecuador, March 11 (AFP) Mar 11, 2024



Greenpeace on Monday urged governments to ratify a UN treaty for ocean protection to allow for the creation of a world-first marine preservation area in the high seas around Ecuador's famous Galapagos archipelago.

"We must protect this area" with its unique fauna and flora where "industrial fishing fleets continue to plunder the oceans," Ruth Ramos of the Greenpeace Protect the Oceans campaign said in a statement.

This could become the first-ever marine protected area created under the so-called High Seas Treaty adopted by United Nations member states last June to protect marine ecosystems that are vital to humanity but under threat from pollution, the environmental campaign NGO said.

The treaty was adopted after more than 15 years of discussions to extend environmental protections to international waters which make up more than 60 percent of the world's oceans.

It can go into effect 120 days after being ratified by 60 countries -- a goal activists hope to reach by 2025.

So far it has been signed by several dozen states but ratified by only two: Palau and Chile.

"This historic treaty, once ratified, will enable us to protect a vast area of international waters near the Galapagos Islands, safeguarding a vital migratory superhighway for marine life such as sharks and turtles," said Ramos, who was taking part in a scientific expedition to the area.

The Galapagos islands, some 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) off the mainland of Ecuador, have flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world.

Observing its wonders led British scientist Charles Darwin to develop his ground-breaking theory of evolution by natural selection in the 19th century.

Ramos said the governments of Ecuador, Panama, Colombia and Costa Rica have taken "admirable steps" to protect the oceans in their national waters."

Under the treaty, "they now have a historic opportunity to demonstrate global leadership by protecting this key area of the high seas and further safeguarding the beauty and biodiversity of the Galapagos region for future generations."

A high seas marine protected area in the region "would remove the threat of industrial fishing fleets," said Greenpeace.

"It would also protect a key area of ocean that many threatened migratory species from Galapagos and adjacent marine regions must cross in order to reach key coastal habitats for pupping, nesting and feeding."
Indonesia vastly under-reports methane emissions from coal: report



Jakarta, March 11 (AFP) Mar 11, 2024



Methane emissions caused by coal-mining activities in Indonesia, the world's largest thermal coal exporter, are severely under-reported due to outdated and inaccurate measurement methods, according to a report published Tuesday.

Ember, a London-based climate and energy think tank estimated that based on its studies, Indonesia's coal mine methane (CMM) pollution is up to eight times higher than official figures.

Methane is the second-largest contributor to global warming after CO2, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The discrepancy in figures means "Indonesia could jeopardise its international standing as it is committed to slashing methane globally", Ember's senior Indonesia climate and energy analyst, Dody Setiawan, said in a statement.

Indonesia's energy and mineral resource ministry did not respond to a request for comment from AFP.

The archipelagic country is the third-largest coal producer in the world after China and India, and is the world's largest thermal coal exporter.

In 2023, Indonesia produced a record-high 775 million tonnes of coal, according to the energy ministry, with more than 500 million tonnes exported.

Indonesia is one of the signatories of the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) and the government has said that it is committed to "take comprehensive domestic actions to achieve the global reduction of methane emissions by 2030".

In its last biennial report submitted to the United Nations, Indonesia reported it had released 128 kilotonnes of methane emissions from surface coal-mining activities.

Ember, however, predicted Indonesia could potentially release more than 1,000 kilotonnes of methane emissions from coal-mining activities in 2024.

The group said Indonesia was using outdated methods to estimate its emissions, and was also failing to report CCM from underground coal-mining activities, which can be far higher than from surface mining.

Activists urged the government to improve its CCM management, identify which regions produced the most CCM, and address the under-reporting of methane pollution.

"Indonesia must plan to monitor its emissions, and improve the accessibility of its coal mining and methane data, to help fully achieve the goals of the Global Methane Pledge," said Dorothy Mei of Global Energy Monitor (GEM) in a statement.

Hendra Sinadia, executive director of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI), told AFP the data gap might be caused by a lack of standards in the measurement method, especially from fugitive emissions that are not reported by the companies.

"The measurement is not standardised... especially for the fugitive emissions which has a large contribution," he said.
Greenpeace calls for high seas protected area in Galapagos



Puerto Ayora, Ecuador, March 11 (AFP) Mar 11, 2024



Greenpeace on Monday called for the creation of a high seas marine protected zone under a new UN treaty to secure a much wider area around Ecuador's famous Galapagos archipelago.

The islands, whose unique fauna and flora inspired British scientist Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, are home to one of the world's largest marine protected areas, in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

But "just outside the Galapagos protected area, industrial fishing fleets continue to plunder the oceans. We must protect this area," Ruth Ramos of the Greenpeace Protect the Oceans campaign said in a statement.

Greenpeace urged governments to ratify the so-called High Seas Treaty adopted by United Nations member states last June to allow for the creation of an expanded protected area in international waters, outside of any country's jurisdiction.

"This historic treaty, once ratified, will enable us to protect a vast area of international waters near the Galapagos Islands, safeguarding a vital migratory superhighway for marine life such as sharks and turtles," said Ramos.

The environmental activist group is carrying out a scientific expedition in the Galapagos, which is home to some 3,000 marine species like sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, sea lions and marine iguanas, to name a few.

The Galapagos islands, some 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) off the mainland of Ecuador, have flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world.



- 'Historic opportunity' -



The existing Galapagos marine reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site created in 1998, is "one of the best examples of ocean protection in action. But it is still an exception in a world where only three percent of the ocean is currently fully or highly protected," Ramos said earlier in the expedition.

The High Seas Treaty was adopted after more than 15 years of discussions to extend environmental protections to international waters which make up more than 60 percent of the world's oceans.

It can go into effect 120 days after being ratified by 60 countries -- a goal activists hope to reach by 2025.

So far it has been signed by several dozen states but ratified by only two: Palau and Chile.

Ramos said the governments of Ecuador, Panama, Colombia and Costa Rica have taken "admirable steps" to protect the oceans in their national waters.

Under the treaty, "they now have a historic opportunity to demonstrate global leadership by protecting this key area of the high seas and further safeguarding the beauty and biodiversity of the Galapagos region for future generations."

Greenpeace said this could be the first marine protected area created since the treaty was adopted and "would remove the threat of industrial fishing fleets."

"It would also protect a key area of ocean that many threatened migratory species from Galapagos and adjacent marine regions must cross in order to reach key coastal habitats for pupping, nesting and feeding."
The Block Island Wind Farm near Rhode Island takes a beating from waves in 2016. The wind farm was the first to operate in U.S. waters. Several Louisiana companies with roots in the offshore oil and gas industry helped design and build the farm.
In celebration of International Womens Day, ESET Australia is proud to announce its third annual Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship program.

For the second year, ESET Australia is teaming up with Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare ONeil, to empower women pursuing education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. As part of this commitment, ESET is offering a Cybersecurity Scholarship of $5,000 to an exemplary female student currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program within the STEM field.

Applications for the scholarship are now open and will close May 1st 2024, the winner will be announced on World Day for Cultural Diversity, 21st May 2024. In addition to the award, Minister Clare ONeil is extending an exclusive opportunity to the scholarship recipient, an invitation to Parliament House for a meeting during a sitting week, a truly unique occasion for professional engagement and recognition.



ESET APJ President, Parvinder Walia, believes that female professionals are still underrepresented in the cybersecurity industry and that the scholarship will break down barriers and support the next generation of female cybersecurity experts. We believe this initiative, and our alignment with Minister ONeil, as a leader for Australias Cyber Security portfolio, will inspire more women into the IT Security sector, said Walia.

Likewise, Minister Clare ONeil, believes that the scholarship will go a long way in encouraging more women into entering the cybersecurity and STEM field. We are embarking on a new era of cybersecurity capability in this country, and are aiming to be a world leader in cyber security by 2030, said ONeil. The number of females in cybersecurity is growing, but its important that Australia motivates and inspires more women into the field.

The latest data from STEM Equity Monitor revealed that women comprise only 15% of the STEM-qualified workforce in Australia, but this proportion is increasing. The Australian Cyber Security Growth Network estimates that Australia will need in excess of 16,000 skilled workers by 2026 and that encouraging female professionals into the technology space will go some way to fill those roles.

Waila hopes that initiatives like the Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship will encourage more females into the sector. Eradicating cybercrime needs a global army of passionate cybersecurity evangelists with different perspectives. The increase of women coming into this robust workforce adds to the [industrys] strength and diversity of expertise, said Walia.

The 2023 winner of the scholarship, Shradha Angrish, is studying a double degree for a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical) and Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences at the University of Adelaide. On acceptance of the award, Angrish said, Being awarded this scholarship is an honour and a privilege that inspires me to do moreIts an incredible reminder that there are people and support systems that want me to succeed.

2022 winner, Alaina Lawson, who studied a Bachelor of IT majoring in cybersecurity at the Australian National University, went on to work in an engineering role with a cybersecurity firm, alongside her full-time studies.



Applicants for the ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship must be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited college or university within Australia, be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (or equivalent GPA in 9.0 scale).

Click here to access the application

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Allan Fels is a regulator first and foremost.

The former ACCC chairman has demonstrated his willingness to stamp his mark on Sydneys tolling regime, which unfairly hits the hip pockets of motorists in the citys west.

It should be no surprise then that the man whom the Minns government hired to launch a wide-ranging review into the toll system has laid out bold plans for a major regulatory upheaval.

Professor Allan Fels has laid out plans for a major shake-up of Sydneys patchwork of toll roads. Credit: Kate Geraghty

Chief among them in Fels interim report is the proposed creation of a state-owned tolling authority  known as State TollCo  to take back control of motorway charges and to set toll prices.
A Sydney man has faced court on harassment and stalking charges after allegedly sending death threats to frontline nurses, sparking a dramatic response leading to his arrest inside Westmead Hospital.

Police were called to the hospital on Hawkesbury Road just after 5pm on Thursday after two of its nurses received threatening phone calls, allegedly from Robert Steven Turner.

Robert Steven Turner will appear in Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday on stalking and intimidation charges.

Officers arrested the 45-year-old inside the hospital about 6.25pm. He was taken to Granville police station, where police allege he returned a positive breath test reading of 0.054.

It is also alleged Turner returned a positive result on a drug test.
A teenager charged over the death of a Queensland Uber driver on the Fraser Coast has pleaded guilty to his murder.

Driver Scott Cabries body was found near a boat ramp. Credit: Nine News

Scott Cabrie, 47, who was working as a ride-share driver at the time of his death, was last seen in February 2023 near Hervey Bay, and his Nissan X-Trail was later found burnt out in Pacific Haven.

Emergency services searched for days to find Cabrie, and his body was found near a boat ramp at Howard.

Police at the time said Cabrie had picked up a group of people in the early hours of February 7. Officers alleged it was an armed robbery that escalated.
Architects and planners say Victorias planning system is dysfunctional, discourages beautiful buildings and adds thousands of dollars to the cost of housing, as they call for reform of the sector.

The Allan government is rewriting the Planning and Environment Act as part of its new Plan for Victoria strategy, which is considered a once-in-a-generation opportunity to overhaul design and planning regulations and put a stop to ugly, poorly constructed buildings.

Urban planner Colleen Peterson says people have to fight hard to get striking buildings constructed. Credit: Simon Schluter

Andrew Maynard, of Austin Maynard Architects, said while Melbourne had some of the best architects around, they were spending valuable design time thinking about navigating the planning system rather than focusing on creating the best and most beautiful buildings.

We are designing buildings to be able to adapt to a chaotic planning process rather than designing the best building for the place, he said. When I point to something like ParkLife, which is the building that we did at the Nightingale Village (in Brunswick), and some people ask me why it is made up of so many bits  so many of us are designing buildings that can take a hit through this random process.
The Victorian government vows to continue with plans to stop children aged 12 and 13 facing criminal charges despite concerns from the police union and state opposition about a rise in youth crime.

Currently, children as young as 10 can be arrested, charged, held on remand and jailed in juvenile detention. But the government has committed to raising the age to 12 by the end of this year and then to 14 by 2027 to bring the state in line with international norms, evidence about child development and human rights standards.

Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes. Credit: AAP

The government had said it would bring the first tranche of reform to parliament by the end of last year, but the bill is now not expected until the middle of this year.

The second phase is conditional on the launch of an alternative service model to deal with misbehaving 12- and 13-year-olds. It will also include yet-to-be-determined exceptions for some serious offences, such as terrorism.
London: King Charles will hail the work of the Commonwealth as it celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, although the British monarch will be absent from annual celebrations for the organisation he leads as he recuperates from cancer treatment.

The Commonwealth Day events are the most significant annual royal occasion that Charles, 75, will miss since he was forced to postpone public appearances while he undergoes treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.

King Charles delivers the Kings Commonwealth message from Windsor Castle. Credit: Royal Household/AP

His wife Queen Camilla will instead lead senior royals when they gather for a service at Londons Westminster Abbey followed by a reception at Commonwealths international headquarters.

In a pre-recorded video message to be played during the service, Charles will pay tribute to the work of the voluntary club of 56 nations which evolved out of the British Empire and was set up in its current form in 1949.
Now that Donald Trump is the inevitable Republican candidate for the US presidency, countries everywhere need to prepare. Can Australia Trump-proof itself somehow?

Some of Australias most senior officials have turned to Mike Green for his advice in recent weeks. Green is an American politico-policy expert who relocated to Australia a couple of years ago to run the US Studies Centre at Sydney University.

Donald Trumps notorious phone call with Malcolm Turnbull was a setback for the Australia-US relationship. Credit: AP

The bad news about a second Trump presidency: Itd be terrible, he tells me. The good news: It wouldnt be as terrible as people think.

Green is one of a particular Washington type; hyperconnected, hypersmart, hyperactive, hypertalkative. Hes also a character. He speaks Japanese, hes worked for a Japanese politician and has a black belt in the Japanese sword martial art of iaido. But before you pigeonhole him, hes also an expert on the bagpipes.
Scam the scammer: How partner almost hustled $40M from Van Thinh Phat chairwoman

Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat, seen at the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City on March 8, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Business partner Nguyen Cao Tri scammed Truong My Lan out of VND1 trillion (US$40 million), but returned the money to her during the Saigon Commercial Bank fraud investigation.

Tri, who is being tried for appropriation of assets, took around VND1 trillion from Lan over the course of three business dealings, according to the prosecution.

The chairman of property developer Capella offered in 2018 to sell a 30% stake in another of his companies, Rubber Corporation based in the southern province of Dong Nai. He even promised to eventually sell her a 65% stake in it.

Lan paid $6 million upfront and another VND500 billion ($23 million) later, but Tri never transferred the shares he had promised to her.

In 2019 Tri had urged her to invest in an industrial park in Quang Ninh Province in the north.

Tri borrowed $12.5 million from Lan, and the two agreed that the money would be Lans investment in the park once it became operational.

But its development was delayed, and Lan demanded her money back, but Tri did not oblige her.

In 2020 he borrowed another VND300 billion from her to invest in tourism company Sai Gon Dai Ninh, and promised to pay her back VND500 billion once he sold stakes in it to investors, but yet again defaulted.

By this time Lan had lost faith in Tri, she told the court. She met with him and they agreed he owed her VND1 trillion.

After both were arrested last year Tri initially told the police he had never obtained any money from Lan and was defamed by her.

But he later admitted to taking the money, and paid her back in full.

Tri successfully sought the courts permission not to attend the trial due to a severe spine injury.

Nguyen Cao Tri, chairman of Capella, seen at the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Thanhh Tung

So far 79 out of 86 defendants being tried for the Saigon Commercial Bank fraud have admitted to their wrongdoing.

SCB and Van Thinh Phat executives have said they were ordered by Lan to help her misappropriate money from the bank, and State Bank of Vietnam inspectors said they were similarly directed by their bosses.

Lan faces charges of bribery, violating banking regulations and embezzlement.

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.

The 85 others are being tried for embezzlement, bribery, abuse of power while performing official duties, lack of responsibility causing serious consequences, and violating banking regulations.
Van Thinh Phat chairwoman Truong My Lan seen at the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City on March 11, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Van Thinh Phat chairwoman Truong My Lan has rejected claims that she held a majority stake in and controlled Saigon Commercial Bank.

Lan, who was questioned at her trial at the Peoples Court of Ho Chi Minh City Monday morning for allegedly stealing from the lender over the course of a decade, told the judges the accusation by the prosecution was incorrect.

She said she owned less than 5% and the remaining stakes were held by her two daughters (5% each) and friends in Vietnam (30%) and overseas (30%).

She explained that when some officials at the State Bank of Vietnam asked her to help merge SCB with two other banks to restructure them, she had to persuade her friends to "save" the bank from bankruptcy by purchasing shares.

Her friends then asked other people to own the shares and she does not know who they are, she said.

"It is painful to be accused of controlling SCB," she added.

Presiding judge Pham Luong Toan pointed out to her that all the Vietnamese shareholders said they held the shares on her behalf, and the court would find out if foreign shareholders make the same claim.

At the two-month-long trial Lan is being tried for bribery, violating bank regulations and embezzlement for allegedly misappropriating VND304 trillion ($12.31 billion) from SCB.

She used the money to fund Van Thinh Phats operations.

She owned 91.5% of the banks shares in various peoples names.

Between 2012 and 2022 SCB gave Lan over 2,500 loans worth over VND1 quadrillion ($44 billion), equivalent to 93% of its entire credit portfolio.

She is accused of causing losses of VND498 trillion to the bank.

The 85 others on trial along with her are charged with embezzlement, bribery, abuse of power while performing official duties, dereliction of duty causing serious consequences, and violating banking regulations.

Of them, 45 are SCB executives, 15 are State Bank of Vietnam officials, three are from the Government Inspectorate, and one is a former official at the State Audit Office.

The trial began at the Peoples Court of HCMC March 5 and is scheduled to go on until April 29.
On Friday, March 8th, the Wyoming Legislature concluded the 67th Budget Session after delivering a balanced, conservative budget to Governor Gordon. The agreement was ultimately approved after a series of budget versions were developed.

The final budget spends $209 million less than the Governor proposed in November. The budget fully funds nursing homes, preschool for developmentally disabled children, and Wyoming home services for senior centers. Further, the bill invests in mental health, funds energy projects, and more fairly compensates teachers and state workers. Additionally, and importantly, the final budget restored more than $300 million for the construction of new schools.

Finally, the budget includes a provision that would only allow the sale of the Kelly Parcel if the Bureau of Land Managements (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP) outcome does not include certain elements in the federal agencys preferred option, alternative B.

Last year, on average, property taxes jumped in excess of 20 percent statewide. That follows a 16 percent increase the year prior. Over the past two years alone, the average property tax bill has grown nearly 40 percent. Most often these hikes are not due to improvements to ones home or land, but rather because a neighboring property sold at a premium, driving up valuations around it. This year, the Legislature allocated $253 million for property tax cuts and refunds. In order to provide real relief to Wyoming families, a couple of notable property tax bills the Legislature passed include:

HB4 expands access to local property tax relief funds by lowering the qualification threshold to 175 percent of a countys median gross household income. The level was previously set at 125 percent. These funds have already been approved and budgeted by the Legislature. This legislation simply makes them accessible to more residents in need.

SF54 brings the largest form of relief to over 93 percent of Wyoming homeowners. In its amended form the bill exempts 25 percent exemption of assessed value for single-family homes valued at $2 million or less in Wyoming. The shift to a percentage allows a more equitable exemption for most Wyomingites that need it. This exemption would be available for 2025.

Additional noteworthy bills that passed the Legislature this week include:

HB0014 helps our hospitals and fellow Wyomingites by addressing prior authorization, which health care providers must obtain from insurance companies. This bill guarantees patients access to previously approved treatments and medications and provides a buffer if their health insurance plan changes their coverage or the approval criteria for their treatment. Until now, Wyoming was the only state with no laws on the book relating to this topic. This bill has been signed into law by the Governor.

HB0015 Health insurance-reimbursement of overpayments allows insurance companies two years, not the current timeframe of 10 years, to request overpayment. This decreases the outstanding liabilities on medical providers and allows for faster closure on medical claims.

Prior to this bill becoming state law, in Wyoming, providers had one year to file a claim after services are provided, but insurers had up to 10 years to come back to a health care provider and request reimbursement for overpayment. This bill was also signed into law by the Governor.

SF99 prohibits physicians from performing procedures related to gender transitioning and gender reassignment on children.

SF105 shares similarities with HB151, a bill that died earlier in the Session. This bill curbs discrimination on credit card transactions related to firearms and prohibits governmental entities from maintaining lists or registries of privately owned firearms.

SF103 allows the sale of homemade meat products directly to consumers. This legislation empowers local producers and ensures that Wyomingites have access to high-quality, locally sourced products. The bill streamlines regulations while maintaining consumer safety through mandatory warnings.

It is my privilege to represent you in the Wyoming Legislature. If you have any questions or concerns about this Legislative Session, please do not hesitate to contact me at: Bill.Henderson@wyoleg.gov.
Cheyenne, WY (82003)

Today

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low near 30F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low near 30F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Vietnamese tech workers studying and working abroad are returning home in increasing numbers since they find the country offers more opportunities for career advancement than competitive developed markets.

Quan Nguyen, 25, recently quit his job at OpenAI in the U.S. to return to Vietnam though he would possibly earn 10 times more in Silicon Valley.

He says: "There is increasing investment in Southeast Asian tech industries. It feels easier to accomplish things in a Vietnamese startup than in Silicon Valley where I basically have nothing."

Quan received some pushback from his mother, who preferred that he stayed in the U.S. for the much higher pay, but he says that if you are not exceptional in the U.S. it is extremely difficult to make something big.

"Most people like me will just be a normal tech engineer and it is very competitive even to be promoted to a leader or managers position."

But he sees that many Vietnamese companies are looking to develop AI and hopes he can contribute his knowledge and also build a career.

Quan is among a growing number of Vietnamese who, after years of living abroad, are returning to the country to seek opportunities in the fast-growing tech industry.

State-owned telecom giant Viettel has been recording steady growth in its overseas markets for the last seven years, including a 20.5% jump in revenues last year.

Private tech group FPT reported revenues topped $1 billion from software for the first time last year.

The layoffs from tech jobs in developed countries have also been causing many to return.

Huu Nguyen, 30, an engineer at Facebooks parent company Meta, says whenever there is a major layoff, 80-90% of Vietnamese in Singapore would leave for Vietnam. The same trend is seen in the U.S. but to a lesser extent.

"Some of my friends received offers of VND100 million (US$4,000) a month in Vietnam and higher positions than in those countries. They can live very comfortably in their homeland."

Any successful foreign service and product can be brought to Vietnam and modified to suit local consumers, and ride-hailing services is one example, he says.

In foreign countries most Vietnamese can only remain at the employee level while in Vietnam they can be managers or even chief technology officers, he adds.

Nguyen Ngoc Dung, a researcher in innovation and startups, says in the last five years an increasing number of Vietnamese have returned home to work in the tech industry.

The trend has gathered pace in the last two after many global companies laid off workers, she says.

They either work for startups or leading tech firms, she says.

Returning Vietnamese expatriates are always welcome, and one person who came from Silicon Valley was even hired as the director of an AI department at a conglomerate, she says.

Quan is now developing a ChatGPT-like product for Vietnamese, which he says can use the Vietnamese language even more fluently than ChatGPT.

"The standards in research and development in Vietnam are rising and this makes returning talent increasingly comfortable."

Dung says the U.S., Japan, South Korea and many other countries have attained higher technology levels than Vietnam, and therefore people who return from there can contribute much to both reforming existing projects and starting new ones.

Some who found their own startups can create jobs, she adds.

Vietnams internet economy is set to see the biggest growth in Southeast Asia by 2025, according to a report by Google, Temasek and Bain.

"There is a lot of freedom in the country for returning talents to research and create new products and services," Dung says.

"They can follow their passion."
Midleton Distillery Experience reopens following flood damage

Midleton Distillery Experience has opened its doors today for the first time since it closed due to flood damage in September 2023, two weeks after it originally opened.

The relaunched experience will take guests on distillery tours and includes masterclasses, tastings, and an Irish whiskey academy.

The Midleton Distillery Experience Tour gives visitors a comprehensive view behind-the-scenes at Midleton distillery, including the cooperage, distillers cottage, and maturation warehouses. At the latter, attendees will have an opportunity to draw and taste whisky straight from the cask.

New to the experience portfolio is the Midleton Cocktail Class, in which visitors will make seasonal, curated cocktails, guided by a Midleton mixologist. For further knowledge, the Discoverer Academy gives guests a closer view of the production process behind Midletons whiskey and the Irish Distillers portfolio.

Greg Hughes, brand homes and education director at Irish Distillers, said: This is a huge day for the team in Midleton and everyone at Irish Distillers as we celebrate the reopening of the Midleton Distillery Experience. Midleton Distillery is the heart and soul of Irish whiskey, and our revamped visitor experience will only enhance its already stellar reputation for excellence on the international stage and deliver a world class tourist attraction.

We now look forward to welcoming our very many brand fans, domestic visitors, and international tourists to the town of Midleton and East Cork area this year and into the future.

11 March 2024 - Lucy Schofield
Barrell Craft Spirits launches in UK

Kentucky-based blending house Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS) has announced the launch of its portfolio in the UK. The brand has partnered with Axiom Spirits as its distributor for on- and off-trade.

BCS has an extensive stock of casked spirits, from which it selects and blends its products. In doing so, the brand explores different influences on its spirits such as distillation method, barrel, and ageing environment.

BCS founder Joe Beatrice commented Were excited to partner with Axiom Brands  an independent company like Barrell Craft Spirits, which is both passionate about and deeply immersed in the UK drinks market. Were thrilled to have pioneered the movement to elevate the art of blending in the United States. The UK is a crucial distilled spirits market as we look to expand our distribution abroad.

Ian Bayliss, co-founder of Axiom Brands, added: We have a long-standing history in our team with the American whiskey category. We are thrilled to welcome the most exciting new American whisky brand to come out of the US right now into the Axiom portfolio and begin the journey of establishing Barrell Craft Spirits on all the best back bars and retail shelves across the UK for consumers and trade to explore.

BCS also distributes its products in 49 US states, Canada, and Australia.

11 March 2024 - Lucy Schofield
Biden plans a temporary food port for Gazans





By Sushil Kutty

THE United States in its latest lets alleviate Gazans condition will build a port on the Gaza coastline for easing the movement of relief into the war-torn city of the dead and a few living. This isnt President Joe Bidens brainwave, but the POTUS mentioned it in his fiery State of the Union address which also saw Biden pull-up Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for being the reason for everything rotten in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas massacre. Israel may have to take charge of security of the temporary port that will service Gaza City. Whether the brainwave will be a success depends upon a number of dynamics and variables including whether protagonists Hamas and Israel toe the US line and believe that the American establishment isnt talking through President Bidens hat. Ask Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and he will scoff. Biden has his own idea of Israel-Hamas and Donald has his to flaunt. For now, the question is how much humanitarian aid, including food rations, is getting into the embattled enclave where stampedes kill when bombings take the rare break. It is acknowledged worldwide that Gaza requires a ceasefire and in Bidens State of the Union address, the President, for the first time since war broke out, rolled his tongue around the word ceasefire. Democrats are thrilled, not because Biden spoke, but because this should stop the kind of protests that broke when Biden did not talk.

Trump doesnt care if Arab Americans and the liberal-locked Americans railed or did not rail, but Joe Biden depends on their votes to ensure a second term for himself, which when Biden turns 82, will be the end of life bonus very few can take to their graves. President Joe Bidens political future has lots hanging on the planned temporary port off the Gaza coastline. By the way, the port will be built by local hands, meaning there will be employment found under the sea of raining bombs. President Joe Bidens military mission will not require American boots on the Gazan ground. But US troops will be on ships berthed at sea along the Gaza coast. For the rest of the world, all this might sound like an American lark, but for Israel, its a welcome distraction. A sea corridor for aid is better than to be held responsible for stampede-deaths around stalled relief trucks brought to a forcible halt by hungry men and hungrier boys. But the temporary port will take 60 days to plan and execute, which means, Israels War on Gaza will not be stopping even after the temporary ports in place. Likely up to 60 days is the American deadline. For now, let there be no disputes on who will provide security. Its hardly likely Israel will allow outsiders to do the honours, definitely not after its experience with the United Nations UNRWA. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a mighty suspicious hombre. A bit of good news though is that when the port is in place, the Biden administration will be shipping in two million meals to the Gazans every day.

The 1,000 or so US troops required to bring the ships close to shore will not step ashore  an order which they will be mighty glad to obey considering that Gaza is nowhere near being a picnic spot. There will be NGOs and the United Nations to take hold of and do the food deliveries. As things stand, the humanitarian crisis has left Gazans war-weary, famished and thirsty for nothing other than pillows to rest their heads. Currently, food is being airdropped. Also, the tight Israeli control of aid trucks isnt doing anything to alleviate the shortage of food. Without doubt Gaza, both north and south, is facing an unprecedented famine if not forbidding famine-like conditions. The Hamas-run Palestinian territory needs the world to step in. President Joe Bidens attempt to secure a second term also requires a port of entry and in his State of the Union address, he spoke of how Israelis can and should do both  open extra land crossings for aid to reach hungry Gazans and do its utmost to keep eliminating Hamas. Is there a better two-in-one offer, anyone? So, theres the planned pier, aid airdropped into Gaza and Biden caught on the hot mic telling Netanyahu to have a Come to Jesus chat. Biden is frustrated that Netanyahu isnt doing more and doing more is a favourite American phrase. In Pakistan and Afghanistan, it was the American policy of Do More which drove the Pakistanis up the wall. But it is unlikely the Israelis will be pushovers and succumb to President Joe Bidens Do More diktat. (IPA)
BIS Nagpur branch officeconducts mentor training





Business Reporter

Nagpur Branch Office of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recently conducted a two-day residential training programme, for mentors of Standard Clubs formed in schools / colleges. This is the Fourth such training programme organized by BIS, Nagpur for mentors from Nagpur, Amravati, Wardha, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gondia, Hingoli and Jalna. Around 71 mentors from different schools and colleges attended the training programme. Raunak Sukhdeve, Scientist C / Deputy Director, BIS, Nagpur Branch Office, delivered a welcome address. Sarvesh Trivedi, Scientist C / Deputy Director BIS, Nagpur, steered through over view of BIS.

Yenu Shahu, Graduate Engineer explained the audience about the types and structure of standards in detail. Sandesh Gokanwar, Scientist C / Deputy Director at BIS, Nagpur, undertook a series of group activities. Isha Khurana, Standard Promotion officer BIS, Nagpur, explained the guidelines for the formation of Standard Clubs in detail. A programme was successfully conducted under the guidance of Hemant B Ade Scientist E / Director & Head, BIS, Nagpur Branch Office.
Countrys most modern cyber lab to come up in Navi Mumbai: Fadnavis





THANE,

THE countrys most modern and biggest cyber lab to combat crime will come up in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday. Addressing a function, Fadnavis, who handles the States home portfolio, also asked the Maharashtra police to be ready for the three newly enacted laws - the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharat Sakshya Act, which will come in to force across the nation from July 1. These three laws got the approval of Parliament on December 21 last year and President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25. Speaking at the inauguration of the Evidence Management Centre (EMC) and the Evidence Despatch Van (EDV) in Navi Mumbai, Fadnavis said the three new acts will be bring radical changes as they include provisions for the most modern electronic and technical evidence, which will increase conviction rates.

The EMC and EDV are the first of its kind in the state. These should be replicated across Maharashtra. The EMC has no human intervention and the entire procedure of handling evidence through it will increase conviction rates. Instances of hacking and other cyber frauds are on the rise, he said. The conviction rate was 9 per cent in 2011-12 and has now gone up to 50 per cent. Focus on technical evidence will be strong so that conviction can be had even if witnesses turn hostile. This will deter crime. The police must also opt for blockchain as tampering is not possible, he said. Under the new acts, evidence has to be collected by experts in cases in which the sentence is more than seven years, he said.

The Navi Mumbai police commissionerate is the first in the country that is as per the new acts that will come into force from July 1. As digital transactions increase so will cyber crimes. The most modern cyber project and cyber lab in the country will be based in Navi Mumbai. All banks, NBFCs, social media sites will be brought on one platform to detect crimes as quickly as possible, Fadnavis said. Maharashtra Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla and Navi Mumbai police commissioner Milind Bharambe attended the event.
High five! Cheetah Gamini gives birth to 5 cubs at Kuno







By Ankita Garg

A five-year-old cheetah Gamini, brought from South Africa, delivered five cubs in Kuno National Park in Sheopur district on Sunday. The development stands as a significant milestone for Indias conservation efforts. Just 46 days after Jwala introduced three adorable cubs into the world, wildlife sanctuary in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh had another reason to rejoice after Gamini delivered five cubs, on Sunday.

The National Park has total 26 cheetahs, including 13 cubs, giving laureals to forest officers. Central Forest and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday informed about the newborn cubs on social media. He 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. Total 13 cubs born in India and this is the fourth litter of cheetah in India and first litter of the cheetah brought from SA. Earlier, on January 23, Cheetah Jwala had delivered three cubs and on March 27, 2023, Asha delivered four cubs out of which only one has survived. DFO R Thikural informed that all the five cubs are looking healthy.

Forest team is monitoring the health and safety issues of both mother and the cubs. Officials said that cheetahs were enclosed for past months for treatment purpose. When all cheetahs were checked and treated, the team started breeding plan of cats by releasing them into a separate enclosure. Female cheetahs were released with male cheetahs for various times to make the breeding plan successful. He said the team is monitoring them from a distance as big cats never allow humans to get closer.
Justice Satyendra Kumar Singh appointed as new Lokayukta of State





By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla

Justice Satyendra Kumar Singh has been appointed as the new Lokayukta of Madhya Pradesh. Justice Singh was appointed as Lokayukta under Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta Adhiniyam 1981, the order stated. He is successor of Justice Naresh Kumar Gupta whose tenure ended on October 17 last year. The General Administration Department (GAD) of the State Government issued an order in this regard. The Governor appoints the Lokayukta after consulting with a committee comprising Chief Minister, Speaker Assembly and Leader of Opposition. Appointment of the Lokayukta is facilitated with the consent of Leader of Opposition and the Chief Juistice of High Court as per the Lokayukta Act. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar raised fingers on the appointment. According to him, due procedure has not been followed in the appointment.

Singhar stated and appealed to the State Government that his consultation was not taken for appointment of Justice Satyendra Kumar Singh. The notification issued by the Government should be considered null and void. Earlier, Satyendra Kumar Singh, has worked as Additional Registrar (Vigilance) in High Court of MP, Jabalpur, Special Judge SC/ST Act and first AJ to first ADJ Ujjain, District and Sessions Judge, Alirajpur, Ujjain and Principal Registrar (Vigilance) HC of MP, Jabalpur and Principal Secretary, Government of MP, Law and Legislative Affairs Department, Bhopal. The Lokayukta is appointed by the Governor of the State, through nomination by its Chief Minister (in consensus with Chief justice of the State High Court, Leaders of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Chairman of the Legislative Council).

Once appointed, Lokayukta cannot be dismissed nor transferred by the Government and can only be removed by passing an impeachment motion by the State Assembly. Any person who is a judge or a retired Chief Justice or a retired judge of the High Court is eligible to be appointed as Lokayukta. The Government of India, on the basis of the Administrative Reforms Commission report and its recommendation, established the institution of Lokayukta on the pattern of the Ombudsman Institution and introduced a bill that provided for the appointment of Lok-Pal and its deputies at the national level and included Lokayukta for the states.
Mah lawyers provide free legal aid to needy undertrials languishing in jails





MUMBAI,

SEVERAL undertrials, mostly from the poor strata of society, languishing in Maharashtra jails due to lack of proper legal assistance have found a ray of hope with a group of lawyers coming forward to take up their cases pro bono. 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.

They visit jails across the state after having received permission from the State Government and collect data of prisoners who need their services. 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 Punes 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.
Bae Seung Jun, Shinhan Life Vietnam's General Director, believes the life insurance market will continue to grow, highlighting the FC channel as an opportunity for breakthroughs.

Bae Seung Jun, General Director of Shinhan Life Vietnam, makes a speech about the company's direction and strategy in 2024 at the FC launching event. Photo courtesy of Shinhan Life Vietnam

What are the attractive differences that Shinhan Life can offer to candidates looking for long-term career development opportunities?

At Shinhan Life Korea, the FC channel is the main contributor to sales revenue, playing a crucial role in the sustainable development of the company.

We will apply this successful model to Shinhan Life Vietnam to turn it into a key player that brings perceptual changes to the Vietnamese insurance market.

The goal of Shinhan Life Vietnam is to become a beloved life insurance company among the Vietnamese people.

Therefore, instead of merely pursuing profits, we aim for collaborative relationships, contributing to the economic and social development of Vietnam.

We strive to build Shinhan Life Vietnam into a company where employees and agents feel happy and proud to work with.

Furthermore, as a strategic channel, the FC team in Vietnam will receive comprehensive support from Shinhan Life Korea.

We will establish favorable income policies and attractive training programs to assist the FC team in achieving greater success in their career paths.

How will Shinhan Life's FC channel reignite the insurance agent recruitment market in the upcoming time amid stricter recruitment regulations?

In the past year, the life insurance market has undergone significant changes. Clearly, as the environment changes, customer perceptions of life insurance also evolve.

Consequently, the sales advisory teams must adapt, and our company has to adjust its operating methods to align with the market's new requirements.

In the current situation, Shinhan Life Vietnam will combine USP (unique selling proposition) and ESP (emotional selling proposition) to create a distinctive brand presence in the market.

USP is demonstrated in the synergy of the subsidiaries within the Shinhan Financial Group in Vietnam (One Shinhan) and through the transfer of insights from the experience of Shinhan Life Korea.

I believe that very few companies on the market can possess or replicate this factor.

Meanwhile, ESP is reflected through an excellent sales team and dedicated after-sales service.

To create a positive image in the eyes of agent candidates and customers, we are committed to quality and will not be compromised on trading-off quality for any reason.

We believe that with a unique business strategy, this will be an attractive point for candidates who want to challenge their abilities and develop their careers in a new and different environment like Shinhan Life Vietnam.

A representative of Shinhan Life Vietnam receives the flag of strength and spirit from Shinhan Life Korea. Photo courtesy of Shinhan Life Vietnam

After launching, what is Shinhan Life's plan to expand FC channel recruitment both internationally and nationwide?

Upon launch, our FC channel will operate with a focus on Ho Chi Minh City, aiming to develop professional consultants.

Alongside Shinhan Life's continuous development strategy for this year and to realize long-term goals, we will further expand both the quantity of FC representatives and broaden the business network of the FC channel in the upcoming period.

How do you elaborate on the goal of the FC channel as an opportunity for Shinhan Life to mark a new growth phase?

From zero, Shinhan Life Vietnam has now evolved into a company with over 100 employees and more than 200 consultants across all distribution channels.

In the past year, Shinhan Life Vietnam achieved insurance premium revenue of VND217 billion (US$8.8 million), representing a remarkable 90% growth rate compared to the same period last year. This is an encouraging result for a relatively new enterprise like ours.

In the short and long terms, Shinhan Life will try to achieve economic scale through rapid growth from diverse distribution channels.

The company has grown strongly through a product portfolio catering to various customer needs and diverse distribution channels such as bancassurance, telemarketing, corporate agents, and collaborations with subsidiaries of Shinhan Financial Group.

Particularly, the recent launch of the FC channel is expected to contribute significantly to the realization of these goals.

FC sales office, as well as the Customer Service Center, is located at CII Tower, 152 Dien Bien Phu Street, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo courtesy of Shinhan Life Vietnam

How do you perceive the recovery of the life insurance market in Vietnam this year and in the future?

In general, the economy, particularly the life insurance market, may still face various difficulties and challenges this year.

However, I believe that significant legal adjustments to the insurance business operations will contribute to fostering a positive market development.

Alongside the efforts and solutions from regulatory bodies and the strong involvement of insurers to enhance consultancy quality and provide products that genuinely meet customers' needs, I believe the market will soon regain customers' trust, leading to recovery and growth.

Examining substantial figures of annual investments back into the economy and payouts for life insurance benefits indicates their role in stabilizing the macroeconomic environment and contributing to social security policies.

Moreover, the participation rate of Vietnamese people in life insurance remains low, approximately 11%.

Therefore, we always have confidence that the life insurance market will soon recover and continue to develop in the coming time.

The launch of the FC channel at this moment is also a confirmation of Shinhan Life's belief in the growth potential of the Vietnamese life insurance market.
Milk collection centre launched..PTRs initiative in East Pench to help farmers





By Kaushik Bhattacharya

To reduce human dependency on forest land and to increase livelihood of unemployed villagers in Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), the management has started milk collection centre project in East Pench. Under this project, PTR Management is also funding farmers in the buffer villages for purchasing of cattle and has also established a milk collection centre where all villagers can collect milk. The milk will then be sold to milk co-operatives in Nagpur. We have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Haldiram, which is purchasing milk from the milk collection centre that we established at a village in East Pench. We are successfully running this project in Awaleghat village of South Pench and now we are extending this in East Pench too, Dr Prabhunath Shukla, Deputy Director, PTR told The Hitavada.

This project is benefiting those villagers who have no earning source like widows, land-less labourers etc. Currently, we have started two milk collection centres where farmers from three-four nearby villages are collecting their milk and then it sending it to co-operatives in Nagpur, said Dr Shukla. We have started this project in January this year and within two months, we have received tremendous response and support from the farmers. Along with this, we are providing 90 per cent funding for purchase of cattle under this project and the remaining 10 per cent cost will be beared by the farmers, said the Deputy Director. Along with this, the management is also providing cattle insurance to every farmer to avoid any loss in their business through any calamity or accident.
Right To Dissent





By Adv. R. S. Agrawal

THROUGH the judgement of the case- Javed Ahmad Hajam v. State of Maharastra & Another, delivered on March 7, 2024, Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, at the Supreme Court, have underlined the need to enlighten and educate our police machinery on the concept of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India and the extent of reasonable restraint on their free speech and expression. They must be sensitised about the democratic values enshrined in our Constitution. For the same reasons, clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 153-A of the IPC will not be attracted as what is depicted on the WhatsApp Status of the appellant cannot be said to be prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony among various groups as stated therein. Thus, continuation of the prosecution of the appellant for the offence punishable under section 153-A of the IPC of the will be a gross abuse of the process of law. A First Information Report (the impugned FIR) was registered against the appellant for the offence under section 153-A of the IPC. The appellant filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court at Mumbai for quashing the FIR. The Bombay High Court dismissed the said petition on April 10, 2023.

The appellant was a Professor at Sanjay Ghodewat College in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. He went to Kolhapur for employment. Earlier, he was a permanent resident of District Baramulla. Kashmir. The appellant was a member of a WhatsApp Group. The allegation of offence is based on what was seen on his WhatsApp Status. It has been stated that during the incident, when the petitioner was employed as a Professor in the said College, he was a member of a WhatsApp group consisting of parents and teachers. Between August 13, 2022 and August 15, 2022, while being part of this WhatsApp group, he posted two messages as their status: 3c- 1. August 5-Black Day Jammu & Kashmir. 2. August 14 - Happy Independence Day Pakistan. d. Furthermore, after aforementioned status, the petitioners WhatsApp status on their mobile included the message: Article 370 was abrogated. We are not happy. Based on these allegations, the present FIR was registered under section 153-A of the IPC. 1860, by the Hatkanangale Police Station in Kolhapur. Through the impugned judgement, the HC division bench held that what was stated by the appellant regarding celebrating Independence Day of Pakistan will not come within the purview of the section 153-A of the IPC. However, the other objectionable part can attract the offence punishable under section 153-A of the IPC.

Coming back to section 153-A, its sub-section (1)(a) is attracted when by words, either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise, an attempt is made to promote disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious, racial , language or regional groups or castes or communities. The promotion of disharmony, enmity, hatred or ill-will must be on the grounds of religion, race or place of birth, residence, language, caste, community or any other analogous grounds. Section 153-A (1)(b) of the IPC will apply only when an act is committed which is prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities and which disturbs or is likely to disturb the public tranquility. Now, coming to the words used by the appellant on his WhatsApp status, it may be noted here that the first statement is that August 5 is a Black Day for Jammu & Kashmir. August 5, 2019 is the day on which Article 370 of the Constitution of India was abrogated, and two separate Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir were formed.

Further, the appellant has posted that Article 370 was abrogated, we are not happy. On a plain reading, the appellant intended to criticise the action of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India. He has expressed unhappiness over the said act of abrogation. Those words do not refer to any religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community. It is a simple protest by the appellant against the decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution of India and the further steps taken based on that decision. The Constitution of India under Article 19(1)(a), guarantees freedom of speech and expression. Under the said guarantee, every citizen has right to offer criticism of the action of abrogation of Article 370 or, for that matter, every decision of the State. He has right to say he is unhappy with any decision of the State. In the judgement of the case - Mamzar Sayeed Khan v. State of Maharashtra and Another-(2007) 5 SCC 1, the Supreme Court has read intention as an essential ingredient of the said offence. The alleged objectionable words or expressions used by the appellant, on its plain reading cannot promote disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religions, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities.

The WhatsApp status of the appellant has a photograph of two barbed wires, below which it is mentioned that August 5-Black Day- Jammu & Kashmir. This is an expression of his individual view and his reaction to the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. It does not reflect any intention to do something which is prohibited under section 153-A. At best, it is a protest against the actions of the State, which are part of his freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the Article 19(1)(a). Every individual must respect the right of others to dissent. An opportunity to peacefully protest against the decisions of the Government is an essential part of democracy. The right to dissent in a lawful manner must be treated as a part of the right to lead a dignified and meaningful life guaranteed by Article 21. But the protest or dissent must be within four corners of the modes permissible in a democratic set-up. Every citizen has the right to extend good wishes to the citizens of other countries on their Independence Days. The Supreme Court has set aside the impugned judgement delivered by the Bombay High Court on April 10, 2023 and quashed the FIR 295/ 2022 registered at the Police Station Hatkanangle in Kolhapur District of Maharashtra.
Sai expresses gratitude to PM





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dedicating his valuable time to launch the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, underscoring its significance for the mothers and sisters of Chhattisgarh. He emphasized that the day they had eagerly awaited had finally arrived, with the first instalment of the scheme being transferred to the bank accounts of 70 lakh 12 thousand 600 women. Referring to the Sanatan tradition that reveres women, Chief Minister Sai reiterated the adage, Yatra Naryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devta, which emphasizes that where women are respected, gods reside.

He emphasized that the Mahtari Vandan Yojana represents a concrete manifestation of this ethos, marking a significant step towards women empowerment and the realization of their aspirations in Chhattisgarh. Acknowledging the invaluable contributions of women to nation-building, Chief Minister Sai described them as the embodiment of Shakti and the architects of the nation. He viewed the Mahtari Vandan Yojana as a humble tribute to their immeasurable efforts and emphasized the importance of empowering women for the development of both the state and the country. Highlighting the synergy between the state government and the central leadership under Prime Minister Modi, Chief Minister Sai stressed the need to maintain and strengthen this alliance.

He urged the people to support Prime Minister Modi, who envisions a developed India, by contributing their strength to the progress of the country and the state. In addition, Chief Minister Sai administered an oath to make Chhattisgarh Child Marriage Free and unveiled a coffee table pictorial book titled Mai Mahtari Havaon, prepared by the Public Relations Department as a dedication to Chhattisgarh Mahtaris. This book features 36 stories of joyous moments, celebrating the spirit and achievements of women in the state.
State-level Mahapanchayat today





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

A state-level Mahapanchayat programme is scheduled to be held at Science College Ground in Raipur on Monday, said Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma during a media briefing at the New Circuit House in the State Capital on Sunday evening. Participants in the programme will include Presidents, Vice Presidents of Jila Panchayats and Janpad Panchayats, as well as Sarpanchs and Deputy Sarpanchs of Gram Panchayats. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will be the chief guest, while Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Kapil Moreshwar Patil will preside over the function.

Deputy Chief Minister Sharma said that suggestions would be solicited from the Panchayat representatives, specifically focusing on inputs for Panchayat elections. A suggestion box will be provided during the state-level Mahapanchayat program for the elected Panchayat representatives to share their thoughts.

Deputy Chief Minister Sharma provided updates on various Government initiatives, including the provision of pucca houses to 18 lakh rural families, progress in housing construction, and the Prime Ministers Tribal Justice Maha Abhiyan. Regarding the Naxal issue, Deputy Chief Minister Sharma stated that the state government is open to dialogue with Naxalites, even using video calls if necessary. He also addressed concerns about fake encounters, emphasising the importance of maintaining the morale of security personnel in the face of Naxalite violence.
Northern Vietnam will experience a period of high humidity starting Tuesday, potentially lasting until March 17.

Due to the effects of cold air, there have been drizzles in northern Vietnam over the past three days, with temperatures below 23 degrees Celsius.

As the cold air weakens and shifts its direction on Tuesday night, the region will experience high humidity levels, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Temperatures at night and in the early morning will stay below 23 degrees, and the drizzles and the fog will not allow dust and particles to be propagated, worsening pollution. High humidity levels may cause condensation on the walls and floors, potentially damaging electrical appliances, the center said.

U.S. weather forecast service AccuWeather anticipated Hanoi's temperatures to be at 18-20 degrees on Monday, going up to 23 degrees during the coming days, and 27-29 degrees by the weekends. High-altitude locations like Lao Cai's Sa Pa would record temperatures at 11-15 degrees in the beginning of the week, before rising to 16-25 degrees by the weekends, it said.

The national forecast center said central Vietnam will see different weather conditions along different terrains. To the north of the Hai Van Pass, from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien-Hue, the impacts of cold air will bring cloudy skies and light drizzles at night and in the early morning until Tuesday. Starting Wednesday, the cold air will weaken and sunny days return.

To the south of the Hai Van Pass, areas from Da Nang to Binh Thuan will see little rain this week, with temperatures at 30-33 degrees, it said.

Southern Vietnam and the Central Highlands are in the peak periods of the dry season, with sunny days and no rain. Southern Vietnam's highest temperatures this week will be around 33-36 degrees, with its eastern parts including Ho Chi Minh City being as hot as 36-37 degrees. Temperatures in the Central Highlands will be around 31-34 degrees.

In March, the average temperatures nationwide will be 0.5-1 degrees higher than in previous years. The cold air is expected to impact northern Vietnam for the first half of the month, while a low-pressure area in the west may expand at the end of the month, heating up certain regions in northwestern Vietnam and from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien-Hue, according to the national center.
Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 3,321 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $255,000.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of AFL. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC boosted its position in Aflac by 12.7% during the third quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 48,745 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,741,000 after purchasing an additional 5,477 shares in the last quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC grew its stake in Aflac by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 81,346 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,678,000 after acquiring an additional 520 shares during the period. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new stake in Aflac in the 3rd quarter worth $803,000. MML Investors Services LLC acquired a new position in Aflac during the second quarter worth $5,237,000. Finally, LPL Financial LLC lifted its holdings in Aflac by 3.5% during the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 808,447 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $62,048,000 after purchasing an additional 27,660 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.75% of the companys stock.

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Aflac Price Performance

Aflac stock opened at $82.11 on Monday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $81.26 and its 200-day simple moving average is $79.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.06 and a current ratio of 0.06. Aflac Incorporated has a 1 year low of $60.20 and a 1 year high of $86.20. The company has a market capitalization of $47.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.91.

Insider Activity at Aflac

Aflac ( NYSE:AFL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.47 by ($0.22). The firm had revenue of $3.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.44 billion. Aflac had a return on equity of 17.59% and a net margin of 24.92%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.29 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.41 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, Director Arthur Reginald Collins sold 3,000 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.73, for a total value of $239,190.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,592 shares in the company, valued at approximately $445,850.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, Director Arthur Reginald Collins sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.73, for a total value of $239,190.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 5,592 shares in the company, valued at approximately $445,850.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Masatoshi Koide sold 30,493 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.91, for a total transaction of $2,436,695.63. Following the transaction, the director now owns 86,090 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,879,451.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AFL has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Aflac from $82.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Aflac from $85.00 to $80.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 1st. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Aflac from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Evercore ISI lowered shares of Aflac from an in-line rating to an underperform rating and upped their target price for the stock from $76.00 to $78.00 in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Aflac from $61.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Aflac has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $80.36.

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Aflac Profile

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Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. It operates in two segments, Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan.

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Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF  Free Report) had its price objective upped by Morgan Stanley from $81.00 to $103.00 in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the apparel retailers stock.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from $149.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and set a $152.00 price target (up previously from $140.00) on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from $98.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from $100.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $110.00.

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Abercrombie & Fitch Trading Down 7.2 %

ANF stock opened at $118.64 on Thursday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $109.77 and its 200-day simple moving average is $81.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Abercrombie & Fitch has a 52-week low of $21.74 and a 52-week high of $140.28. The firm has a market cap of $5.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.07 and a beta of 1.59.

Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, March 6th. The apparel retailer reported $2.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.83 by $0.14. Abercrombie & Fitch had a net margin of 7.67% and a return on equity of 38.80%. The business had revenue of $1.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.43 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.81 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 21.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Abercrombie & Fitch will post 6.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Abercrombie & Fitch

In other news, insider Kristin A. Scott sold 80,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.25, for a total transaction of $7,700,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 148,485 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,291,681.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider Kristin A. Scott sold 80,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.25, for a total transaction of $7,700,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 148,485 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,291,681.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Scott D. Lipesky sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.24, for a total transaction of $4,812,000.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 116,987 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,258,828.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 3.77% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Abercrombie & Fitch

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ANF. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Advisory Services Network LLC boosted its position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 985.0% during the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 1,085 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 985 shares during the period. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000.

About Abercrombie & Fitch

(Get Free Report)

Abercrombie & Fitch Co, through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Hollister and Abercrombie. It offers an assortment of apparel, personal care products, and accessories for men, women, and kids under the Hollister, Gilly Hicks, Social Tourist, Abercrombie & Fitch, and abercrombie kids brands.

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Advisors Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG  Free Report) by 18.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,416 shares of the insurance providers stock after purchasing an additional 542 shares during the period. Advisors Capital Management LLCs holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $242,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Guidance Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the second quarter worth about $514,000. Teza Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter worth about $2,087,000. J.P. Morgan Private Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter worth about $2,828,000. Stifel Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 5.2% in the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 229,461 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $16,271,000 after buying an additional 11,345 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Amalgamated Bank lifted its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 7.5% in the third quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 85,139 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $6,037,000 after buying an additional 5,911 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.81% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on HIG shares. Oppenheimer started coverage on The Hartford Financial Services Group in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a market perform rating for the company. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $97.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Roth Mkm boosted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $80.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. TD Cowen started coverage on The Hartford Financial Services Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set an outperform rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $90.60.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Trading Down 0.2 %

HIG stock opened at $96.86 on Monday. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $64.25 and a 1-year high of $98.22. The firm has a market cap of $28.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 0.88. The businesss 50 day moving average is $88.88 and its 200-day moving average is $79.56. The company has a current ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The insurance provider reported $3.06 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.44 by $0.62. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a return on equity of 19.82% and a net margin of 10.21%. The company had revenue of $6.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.84 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.31 EPS. The companys revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 9.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 4th will be paid a $0.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 1st. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.94%. The Hartford Financial Services Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 23.53%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Christopher Swift sold 94,807 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.65, for a total value of $8,215,026.55. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 170,180 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,746,097. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, SVP Allison G. Niderno sold 1,332 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.74, for a total value of $119,533.68. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 630 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $56,536.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Christopher Swift sold 94,807 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.65, for a total value of $8,215,026.55. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 170,180 shares in the company, valued at $14,746,097. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 332,967 shares of company stock worth $28,667,758. Company insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Profile

(Free Report)

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, accident, health, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers.

Further Reading

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Aurora Investment Counsel increased its position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB  Free Report) by 2.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,031 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after purchasing an additional 483 shares during the period. Aurora Investment Counsels holdings in LyondellBasell Industries were worth $1,613,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Blair William & Co. IL grew its position in LyondellBasell Industries by 1.0% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 10,812 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,112,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. grew its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 26.2% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 41,362 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $4,349,000 after purchasing an additional 8,596 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries during the first quarter worth $731,000. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 29.0% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 7,488 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $770,000 after purchasing an additional 1,684 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moors & Cabot Inc. grew its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 20.2% during the first quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 6,268 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $644,000 after purchasing an additional 1,053 shares during the last quarter. 91.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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LyondellBasell Industries Trading Up 1.3 %

NYSE:LYB traded up $1.27 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $100.21. The company had a trading volume of 1,215,146 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,858,471. LyondellBasell Industries has a fifty-two week low of $81.24 and a fifty-two week high of $102.93. The businesss fifty day moving average is $96.18 and its two-hundred day moving average is $95.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.84. The firm has a market cap of $32.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.19.

LyondellBasell Industries Dividend Announcement

LyondellBasell Industries ( NYSE:LYB Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.33 by ($0.07). LyondellBasell Industries had a return on equity of 21.89% and a net margin of 5.16%. The business had revenue of $9.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.85 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.29 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that LyondellBasell Industries will post 8.86 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 4th will be issued a $1.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 1st. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.99%. LyondellBasell Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 77.28%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LYB has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays decreased their target price on LyondellBasell Industries from $102.00 to $98.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 5th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $107.00 target price on shares of LyondellBasell Industries in a report on Monday, February 5th. Citigroup lowered LyondellBasell Industries from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the company from $105.00 to $98.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised LyondellBasell Industries from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their price target for the company from $95.00 to $100.00 in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Wolfe Research assumed coverage on LyondellBasell Industries in a research note on Friday, March 1st. They set an underperform rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, LyondellBasell Industries has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $100.92.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on LyondellBasell Industries

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other LyondellBasell Industries news, CAO Chukwuemeka A. Oyolu sold 7,084 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.47, for a total value of $711,729.48. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 27,575 shares in the company, valued at $2,770,460.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CAO Chukwuemeka A. Oyolu sold 7,084 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.47, for a total transaction of $711,729.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 27,575 shares in the company, valued at $2,770,460.25. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Kenneth Todd Lane sold 29,229 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.19, for a total value of $2,899,224.51. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 91,758 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,101,476.02. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 45,802 shares of company stock worth $4,549,606 over the last ninety days. 0.12% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

LyondellBasell Industries Profile

(Free Report)

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates as a chemical company in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Poland, France, Japan, China, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company operates in six segments: Olefins and PolyolefinsAmericas; Olefins and PolyolefinsEurope, Asia, International; Intermediates and Derivatives; Advanced Polymer Solutions; Refining; and Technology.

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Two men in central Quang Nam and Ha Tinh provinces were each fined VND62.5 million ($2,535) for not showing up to the compulsory military service ceremony despite being conscripted.

The 23-year-old man from Quang Nam was called for conscription after passing the health examination. But on Feb. 25, when the compulsory military service ceremony took place, he did not show up. Chairman of Quang Nam Le Tri Thanh signed the decision to fine the man, adding that he would be conscripted anyway.

Another man in Ha Tinh, 24, had passed the health examination and been called for conscription. But when authorities came to his family, they said the man had already gone abroad for work. Authorities then requested the family to call the man back home to be conscripted. Deputy chairman of Ha Tinh Nguyen Hong Linh on March 7 signed the decision to fine the man.

Quang Nam has 2,554 people and Ha Tinh has 1,250 people being conscripted this year. In Vietnam, all male citizens need to sign up for military service when they turn 18. Those who enter university or college can postpone their induction but need to sign up before they turn 28. Women are not required to undergo military service, but can volunteer.
Auxier Asset Management trimmed its holdings in Textainer Group Holdings Limited (NYSE:TGH  Free Report) by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 74,410 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 205 shares during the quarter. Auxier Asset Managements holdings in Textainer Group were worth $2,772,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TGH. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC acquired a new position in shares of Textainer Group in the third quarter worth about $33,000. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Textainer Group in the third quarter worth about $42,000. Adirondack Trust Co. acquired a new position in shares of Textainer Group in the third quarter worth about $48,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Textainer Group in the first quarter worth about $53,000. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its position in shares of Textainer Group by 115.4% in the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 3,028 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $81,000 after acquiring an additional 1,622 shares during the period. 44.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Textainer Group Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE TGH traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $49.95. 207,148 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 651,104. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $49.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $45.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.53 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.76, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.16. Textainer Group Holdings Limited has a twelve month low of $30.22 and a twelve month high of $50.15.

Textainer Group Dividend Announcement

Textainer Group ( NYSE:TGH Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The transportation company reported $1.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $190.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $195.71 million. Textainer Group had a net margin of 26.57% and a return on equity of 12.86%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Textainer Group Holdings Limited will post 4.89 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.40%. Textainer Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 27.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Textainer Group in a research report on Friday. They set a hold rating for the company.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TGH

Textainer Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Textainer Group Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, engages in the purchase, ownership, management, leasing, and disposal of a fleet of intermodal containers worldwide. It operates through three segments: Container Ownership, Container Management, and Container Resale. The company's containers include standard and specialized dry freight, and refrigerated containers, as well as other special-purpose containers, which include tank, 45', pallet-wide, and other types of containers.

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Shares of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the sixteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $196.34.

Several research firms have recently issued reports on AVB. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of AvalonBay Communities from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the company from $175.00 to $191.50 in a report on Monday, February 26th. Barclays upgraded shares of AvalonBay Communities from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the company from $194.00 to $204.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $188.00 to $185.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $185.00 target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a buy rating and a $206.00 price target for the company.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on AVB

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AvalonBay Communities

AvalonBay Communities Stock Performance

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Clarius Group LLC grew its position in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. Clarius Group LLC now owns 1,425 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $270,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Vanderbilt University grew its position in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Vanderbilt University now owns 3,728 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $640,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the period. Wexford Capital LP lifted its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Wexford Capital LP now owns 3,347 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $633,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV lifted its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 4,387 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $753,000 after buying an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Janiczek Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 11.8% during the 3rd quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 624 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $107,000 after buying an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 88.71% of the companys stock.

Shares of AVB opened at $186.95 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 1.44. AvalonBay Communities has a one year low of $153.07 and a one year high of $198.65. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $178.95 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $177.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.55 billion, a PE ratio of 28.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.92.

AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.70 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.73 by ($1.03). AvalonBay Communities had a return on equity of 7.98% and a net margin of 33.56%. The company had revenue of $704.71 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $701.67 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.59 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that AvalonBay Communities will post 10.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AvalonBay Communities Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a dividend of $1.70 per share. This is an increase from AvalonBay Communitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.65. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.64%. AvalonBay Communitiess payout ratio is presently 100.76%.

AvalonBay Communities Company Profile

(Get Free Report

As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

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Berenberg Bank reaffirmed their buy rating on shares of Legal & General Group (LON:LGEN  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, Marketbeat reports. They currently have a GBX 289 ($3.67) target price on the financial services providers stock.

Several other research firms also recently commented on LGEN. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Legal & General Group to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from GBX 290 ($3.68) to GBX 295 ($3.74) in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of Legal & General Group in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Legal & General Group from GBX 290 ($3.68) to GBX 295 ($3.74) and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Legal & General Group from GBX 336 ($4.26) to GBX 325 ($4.12) and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Legal & General Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 304 ($3.86).

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View Our Latest Analysis on Legal & General Group

Legal & General Group Price Performance

Legal & General Group Increases Dividend

LGEN stock opened at GBX 249.98 ($3.17) on Friday. Legal & General Group has a one year low of GBX 203.10 ($2.58) and a one year high of GBX 264.60 ($3.36). The companys fifty day moving average price is GBX 245.64 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 232.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 670.83, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a current ratio of 0.95. The company has a market capitalization of 14.95 billion, a PE ratio of 780.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.34.

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 6th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 25th will be given a GBX 14.63 ($0.19) dividend. This represents a yield of 5.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 25th. This is a boost from Legal & General Groups previous dividend of $5.71. Legal & General Groups payout ratio is currently 6,250.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Legal & General Group

In other news, insider Laura Wade-Gery acquired 712 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 1st. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 257 ($3.26) per share, for a total transaction of 1,829.84 ($2,322.43). In other news, insider Laura Wade-Gery acquired 712 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 1st. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 257 ($3.26) per share, for a total transaction of 1,829.84 ($2,322.43). Also, insider Henrietta Baldock acquired 992 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 245 ($3.11) per share, for a total transaction of 2,430.40 ($3,084.66). Insiders have bought 3,040 shares of company stock worth $761,360 over the last quarter. Insiders own 0.85% of the companys stock.

About Legal & General Group

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Legal & General Group Plc provides various insurance products and services in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Legal & General Retirement Institutional (LGRI), Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM), Legal & General Capital (LGC), and Retail Retirement.

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Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Free Report) had its target price increased by TD Cowen from $65.00 to $77.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the medical equipment providers stock.

BSX has been the topic of several other reports. Mizuho upgraded shares of Boston Scientific from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $65.00 to $80.00 in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Truist Financial increased their price objective on Boston Scientific from $59.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Boston Scientific from $65.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Needham & Company LLC boosted their price target on Boston Scientific from $60.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Raymond James upped their target price on Boston Scientific from $67.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $66.62.

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Boston Scientific Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of Boston Scientific stock opened at $67.66 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $101.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 63.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 0.78. Boston Scientific has a twelve month low of $46.20 and a twelve month high of $68.07. The companys 50 day moving average is $63.26 and its 200 day moving average is $56.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical equipment provider reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $3.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.59 billion. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 11.19% and a return on equity of 15.99%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.45 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Boston Scientific will post 2.25 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Boston Scientific

In related news, EVP Jeffrey B. Mirviss sold 15,172 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.25, for a total transaction of $898,941.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 56,588 shares in the company, valued at $3,352,839. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 11,660 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total value of $699,600.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 173,472 shares in the company, valued at $10,408,320. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Jeffrey B. Mirviss sold 15,172 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.25, for a total value of $898,941.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 56,588 shares in the company, valued at $3,352,839. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 76,460 shares of company stock valued at $4,759,945 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.71% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Boston Scientific

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BSX. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter worth about $54,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter worth about $35,000. Prudential PLC acquired a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter worth about $1,076,000. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in shares of Boston Scientific by 24.0% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 28,793 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $1,275,000 after buying an additional 5,581 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter valued at about $230,000. Institutional investors own 89.11% of the companys stock.

About Boston Scientific

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Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system.

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Shares of BellRing Brands, Inc. (NYSE:BRBR  Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twelve ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $57.08.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on BellRing Brands from $60.00 to $63.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Needham & Company LLC lifted their price objective on BellRing Brands from $52.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Stephens reissued an equal weight rating and set a $51.00 price objective on shares of BellRing Brands in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on BellRing Brands from $61.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, DA Davidson initiated coverage on BellRing Brands in a report on Friday, December 8th. They set a neutral rating and a $60.00 target price on the stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at BellRing Brands

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, Director Elliot Stein, Jr. sold 1,000 shares of BellRing Brands stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.81, for a total transaction of $57,810.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 24,646 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,424,785.26. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in BRBR. Pathstone Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in BellRing Brands during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $697,000. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of BellRing Brands by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,661,882 shares of the companys stock worth $97,425,000 after buying an additional 153,415 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. raised its holdings in shares of BellRing Brands by 19.8% during the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 264,718 shares of the companys stock worth $10,914,000 after buying an additional 43,766 shares in the last quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC raised its holdings in shares of BellRing Brands by 273.5% during the 3rd quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 1,074,396 shares of the companys stock worth $44,298,000 after buying an additional 786,756 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners acquired a new position in shares of BellRing Brands during the 3rd quarter worth $19,316,000. 94.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

BellRing Brands Stock Down 2.8 %

BRBR opened at $59.77 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $7.83 billion, a PE ratio of 48.20, a P/E/G ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.84. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $56.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $49.63. BellRing Brands has a fifty-two week low of $29.13 and a fifty-two week high of $62.76.

BellRing Brands (NYSE:BRBR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The company reported $0.43 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $430.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $407.91 million. BellRing Brands had a negative return on equity of 56.67% and a net margin of 9.52%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that BellRing Brands will post 1.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About BellRing Brands

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BellRing Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides various nutrition products in the United States. The company offers ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes, other RTD beverages, powders, nutrition bars, and other products primarily under the Premier Protein and Dymatize brands. It distributes its products through club, food, drug, mass, eCommerce, specialty, and convenience channels.

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Public Sector Pension Investment Board lessened its stake in CAE Inc. (NYSE:CAE  Free Report) (TSE:CAE) by 0.1% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 3,436,274 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 2,494 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Boards holdings in CAE were worth $80,595,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Stonehage Fleming Financial Services Holdings Ltd bought a new stake in shares of CAE during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Allworth Financial LP grew its position in shares of CAE by 678.3% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,541 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 1,343 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of CAE by 85.5% during the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,029 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 935 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of CAE during the 2nd quarter valued at about $55,000. Finally, Natixis bought a new stake in shares of CAE during the 2nd quarter valued at about $73,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.34% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on CAE. Scotiabank downgraded shares of CAE from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. StockNews.com raised shares of CAE from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Bank of America cut shares of CAE from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of CAE from $37.00 to $34.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $35.00.

CAE Stock Performance

NYSE CAE traded down $0.06 on Monday, hitting $19.66. The stock had a trading volume of 130,726 shares, compared to its average volume of 540,868. CAE Inc. has a one year low of $18.26 and a one year high of $25.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The stock has a market cap of $6.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.81, a P/E/G ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.58. The companys 50-day moving average is $20.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.39.

CAE (NYSE:CAE  Get Free Report) (TSE:CAE) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The aerospace company reported $0.18 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.18. The firm had revenue of $804.01 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $807.13 million. CAE had a net margin of 6.20% and a return on equity of 7.52%. On average, analysts expect that CAE Inc. will post 0.87 earnings per share for the current year.

CAE Profile

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CAE Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides simulation training and critical operations support solutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa, and Rest of Americas. It operates through three segments: Civil Aviation, Defense and Security, and Healthcare.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (TSE:CP  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CP) Senior Officer James Dominic Luther Clements sold 7,828 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$118.91, for a total value of C$930,859.57.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Price Performance

Shares of CP opened at C$121.08 on Monday. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a 1 year low of C$94.45 and a 1 year high of C$122.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 53.85, a current ratio of 0.53 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The company has a market capitalization of C$112.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.76. The business has a 50-day moving average of C$110.79 and a 200-day moving average of C$104.71.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSE:CP  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The company reported C$1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$1.12 by C$0.06. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a return on equity of 9.65% and a net margin of 31.28%. The company had revenue of C$3.78 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$3.66 billion. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 4.3406308 earnings per share for the current year.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Dividend Announcement

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.63%. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 18.05%.

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. TD Securities raised their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$110.00 to C$115.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. CIBC reduced their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$126.00 to C$124.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Raymond James raised their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$116.00 to C$120.00 in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Desjardins raised their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$108.00 to C$118.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$116.00 to C$121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$116.00.

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About Canadian Pacific Kansas City

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada and the United States. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; and merchandise freight, such as energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals and consumer, automotive, and forest products.

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Harbour Investments Inc. raised its position in shares of Capital Group U.S. Multi-Sector Income ETF (NYSEARCA:CGMS  Free Report) by 89.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 42,703 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 20,127 shares during the quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. owned about 0.67% of Capital Group U.S. Multi-Sector Income ETF worth $1,090,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Capital Group U.S. Multi-Sector Income ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $635,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its position in shares of Capital Group U.S. Multi-Sector Income ETF by 26.9% during the 3rd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 12,236 shares of the companys stock valued at $312,000 after acquiring an additional 2,596 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Capital Group U.S. Multi-Sector Income ETF by 62.8% during the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 95,955 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,449,000 after acquiring an additional 37,023 shares during the last quarter. TrueWealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Capital Group U.S. Multi-Sector Income ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $10,128,000. Finally, Sigma Planning Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Capital Group U.S. Multi-Sector Income ETF by 201.4% in the third quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 49,673 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,268,000 after purchasing an additional 33,194 shares in the last quarter.

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Capital Group U.S. Multi-Sector Income ETF Stock Performance

CGMS opened at $27.01 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $26.94 and a 200-day moving average of $26.30. Capital Group U.S. Multi-Sector Income ETF has a 12-month low of $25.00 and a 12-month high of $27.32.

About Capital Group U.S. Multi-Sector Income ETF

The Capital Group U.S. Multi-Sector Income ETF (CGMS) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund seeks a high level of current income from an actively managed fund of US corporate debts with varying maturities and credit quality. CGMS was launched on Oct 25, 2022 and is managed by Capital Group.

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Chelsea Counsel Co. lessened its holdings in shares of Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN  Free Report) by 14.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,530 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 1,600 shares during the period. Chelsea Counsel Co.s holdings in Devon Energy were worth $455,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of DVN. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in Devon Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Devon Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. KB Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in Devon Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new position in Devon Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Devon Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Institutional investors own 68.34% of the companys stock.

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Devon Energy Trading Up 0.7 %

NYSE:DVN traded up $0.33 on Monday, reaching $46.49. 3,510,670 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,176,552. The business has a fifty day moving average of $43.28 and a 200-day moving average of $45.72. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Devon Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $40.47 and a 52-week high of $56.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.18 and a beta of 2.18.

Devon Energy Cuts Dividend

Devon Energy ( NYSE:DVN Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The energy company reported $1.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $4.15 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.88 billion. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 31.72% and a net margin of 24.56%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.66 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Devon Energy Co. will post 5.06 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a $0.44 dividend. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Devon Energys payout ratio is currently 13.72%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on DVN shares. Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $54.00 to $53.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $61.00 to $59.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $77.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $50.00 to $48.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Devon Energy from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their price target for the stock from $57.00 to $58.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $56.65.

Read Our Latest Report on Devon Energy

About Devon Energy

(Free Report)

Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Anadarko, Williston, Eagle Ford, and Powder River Basin. The company was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Chelsea Counsel Co. cut its holdings in shares of Barrick Gold Corp (NYSE:GOLD  Free Report) (TSE:ABX) by 5.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 20,834 shares of the gold and copper producers stock after selling 1,200 shares during the quarter. Chelsea Counsel Co.s holdings in Barrick Gold were worth $303,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new position in shares of Barrick Gold in the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Barrick Gold in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. FWL Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Barrick Gold in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Barrick Gold in the 1st quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Almanack Investment Partners LLC. purchased a new position in shares of Barrick Gold in the 3rd quarter worth about $46,000. 58.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on GOLD shares. TD Securities lowered their target price on Barrick Gold from $22.00 to $21.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on Barrick Gold from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. CIBC lowered their price objective on Barrick Gold from $27.00 to $23.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Scotiabank lowered their price objective on Barrick Gold from $24.00 to $23.00 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Barrick Gold from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $22.05.

Barrick Gold Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of GOLD stock traded up $0.15 on Monday, reaching $15.91. 14,460,085 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 20,398,725. Barrick Gold Corp has a 12-month low of $13.76 and a 12-month high of $20.75. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $15.68 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $16.07. The company has a market capitalization of $27.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 2.40 and a current ratio of 3.16.

Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD  Get Free Report) (TSE:ABX) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The gold and copper producer reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.21 by $0.06. Barrick Gold had a return on equity of 4.64% and a net margin of 11.16%. The business had revenue of $3.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.13 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Barrick Gold Corp will post 0.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Barrick Gold Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be paid a $0.074 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.86%. Barrick Golds dividend payout ratio is currently 55.56%.

About Barrick Gold

(Free Report)

Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX.



In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick.

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The International Women of Courage Award recognizes women from around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equity and equality, and the empowerment of women and girls, in all their diversity  often at great personal risk and sacrifice.

This years first recipient is Benafsha Yaqoobi, although she now lives in exile, remains a tireless advocate for Afghans with disabilities.

Fawzia Karim Firoze is a Bangladeshi Supreme Court advocate who has fought for the rights of marginalized groups for more than three decades.

In Belarus, Volha Harbunova is a human rights defender who has dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of women and other marginalized groups in Belarus.

Ajna Jusic from Bosnia-Herzegovina advocates for the social and legal visibility of children born of rape during war and against the associated social stigma.

Myintzu Win is a Burmese criminal defense lawyer who champions the rights of marginalized communities in Burma.

Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello is a Cuban political dissident and leading proponent of human rights and religious freedom in Cuba and has founded and led human rights and democracy organizations.

Award recipient Fatima Corozo is a youth advocate in Esmeraldas - Ecuadors most violent city.

As Gambian parliamentarians currently debate repealing the 2015 ban on female genital mutilation and cutting, Fatou Baldeh, a survivor of FGM/C, is advocating to protect women and girls from such mutilations.

Fariba Balouch is a London-based Iranian human rights activist. As a result of her activism, Iranian authorities have threated her life and detained her son and brother in Iran.

Rina Gonoi of Japan took on the issue of sexual harassment against women in the military.

Rabha El Haymar from Morocco successfully fought to obtain recognition of her traditional marriage to spare her daughter a life of marginalization as an undocumented child.

Agather Atuhaire is a renowned journalist, lawyer and social justice activist who advocates for human rights, public accountability, and the rule of law in Uganda.

The Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award went to nine women who were among the 222 political prisoners released from prison in February 2023 and the many other Nicaraguan activists who continue to fight for democracy and human rights.

As Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, The United States stands with every woman of courage working to build greater stability, greater equality, and greater opportunity.
National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Free Report) had its price objective trimmed by CIBC from C$110.00 to C$109.00 in a research note released on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the financial services providers stock.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$103.00 to C$109.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$109.00 to C$113.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Desjardins increased their price target on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$105.00 to C$109.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$105.00 to C$109.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, TD Securities increased their price target on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$100.00 to C$110.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$107.00.

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National Bank of Canada Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of TSE:NA opened at C$108.82 on Friday. The company has a market cap of C$36.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 17.04 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$102.80 and a 200-day moving average price of C$95.87. National Bank of Canada has a 12 month low of C$84.27 and a 12 month high of C$108.98.

National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The financial services provider reported C$2.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$2.38 by C$0.21. National Bank of Canada had a net margin of 34.22% and a return on equity of 14.73%. The company had revenue of C$2.71 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$2.72 billion. As a group, research analysts forecast that National Bank of Canada will post 9.8970588 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Bank of Canada Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be given a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.90%. National Bank of Canadas payout ratio is 44.26%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Yvon Charest purchased 331 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$103.19 per share, for a total transaction of C$34,155.89. Insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock.

About National Bank of Canada

(Get Free Report)

National Bank of Canada provides financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional clients, and governments in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. The Personal and Commercial segment offers personal banking services, including transaction solutions, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, consumer loans, payment solutions, and savings and investment solutions; various insurance products; and commercial banking services, such as credit, and deposit, investment solutions, international trade, foreign exchange transactions, payroll, cash management, insurance, electronic transactions, and complimentary services.

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Grupo Financiero Banorte (OTCMKTS:GBOOY  Get Free Report) and Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, profitability, dividends and earnings.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

7.6% of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach shares are held by institutional investors. 12.8% of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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Risk and Volatility

Grupo Financiero Banorte has a beta of 1.17, suggesting that its stock price is 17% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach has a beta of 0.41, suggesting that its stock price is 59% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Grupo Financiero Banorte $7.68 billion 3.83 $1.73 billion N/A N/A Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach $431.97 million 1.33 $70.01 million $553.73 8.67

This table compares Grupo Financiero Banorte and Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beachs revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Grupo Financiero Banorte has higher revenue and earnings than Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach.

Profitability

This table compares Grupo Financiero Banorte and Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beachs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Grupo Financiero Banorte N/A N/A N/A Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach 16.21% 5.29% 0.57%

Dividends

Grupo Financiero Banorte pays an annual dividend of $3.31 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.5%. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach pays an annual dividend of $112.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach pays out 20.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Grupo Financiero Banorte and Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Grupo Financiero Banorte 0 0 0 0 N/A Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach 0 0 0 0 N/A

Summary

Grupo Financiero Banorte beats Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Grupo Financiero Banorte

(Get Free Report)

Grupo Financiero Banorte, S.A.B. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of banking and financial products and services in Mexico and internationally. The company accepts checking, current, retirement, and payroll accounts; and provides loans, including mortgage, car, payroll, personal, structured, syndicated, SME loans, and credit cards, as well as letter of credit financing, acquisition funding, and import and export foreign trade financing. It is also involved in investment planning, foreign currency purchase/sale, financial advice, brokerage, asset management, investment banking, letters of credit, bank guarantees, and leasing and factoring activities. In addition, the company sells mutual funds and debt and capital instruments; issues debit cards; and provides insurance services for car, home, life, medical, employee, and SMEs, as well as cash management services for collection, trustees, payroll, and lines of credit. Further, it provides online banking, POS, payment, reconciliation, documentary collection, import bills of exchange discount, International wire transfer, remittances, storage, inventory management, logistics, marketing, and payroll services. The company was founded in 1899 and is based in Mexico City, Mexico.

About Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach

(Get Free Report)

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach provides various banking products and services to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Barbara Counties. It offers checking, savings, Christmas club savings, health savings, market rate savings, and money market accounts; demand and time deposits; certificates of deposit; and individual retirement account. The company also provides personal, home, commercial real estate, real estate and construction, and commercial business loans, as well as lines of credit; financing for residential loans comprising single-family and multifamily loans; and credit and debit cards. In addition, it offers account management, receivables and payables, and risk management services; commercial lending services; and faith-based and healthcare banking services, as well as online and mobile banking services. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.

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AirBoss of America (TSE:BOS  Free Report) had its price target raised by Cormark from C$5.00 to C$5.25 in a report released on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other research firms have also commented on BOS. Pi Financial lowered shares of AirBoss of America from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. CIBC lowered shares of AirBoss of America from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and reduced their price target for the company from C$6.00 to C$3.75 in a report on Friday, November 10th. Finally, TD Securities reduced their price target on shares of AirBoss of America from C$8.50 to C$6.50 and set a speculative buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$5.67.

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AirBoss of America Trading Up 1.0 %

AirBoss of America Announces Dividend

Shares of BOS opened at C$5.20 on Friday. AirBoss of America has a 1-year low of C$3.65 and a 1-year high of C$9.77. The company has a 50-day moving average of C$4.95 and a 200 day moving average of C$4.53. The firm has a market capitalization of C$141.08 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.77, a PEG ratio of -550.53 and a beta of 2.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 88.07, a current ratio of 2.51 and a quick ratio of 1.07.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a $0.07 dividend. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. AirBoss of Americas payout ratio is currently 90.32%.

AirBoss of America Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

AirBoss of America Corp., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells rubber-based products in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through AirBoss Rubber Solutions and AirBoss Manufactured Products segments. The AirBoss Rubber Solutions segment involves in the manufacture and distribution of rubber compounds and rubber compounding related chemicals for various application in automotive, heavy industry, rollers, conveyor belting, defense, construction and infrastructure, mining, transportation, and oil and gas industries.

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Creative Planning boosted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 5.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 363,032 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 18,243 shares during the period. Creative Plannings holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $21,070,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.9% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 92,570,288 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $5,919,870,000 after buying an additional 858,922 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 12.8% during the second quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 69,296,006 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $4,431,517,000 after buying an additional 7,878,833 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 39,034,341 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,489,314,000 after purchasing an additional 225,065 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at $1,873,696,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 5.8% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 25,292,711 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,467,989,000 after purchasing an additional 1,394,158 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BMY opened at $53.92 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $109.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.38. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $50.43 and its 200 day simple moving average is $53.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.43 and a quick ratio of 1.31. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a fifty-two week low of $47.58 and a fifty-two week high of $71.07.

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $11.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.19 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.83% and a return on equity of 50.95%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs revenue for the quarter was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.82 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase program 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 programs are often an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Investors of record on Friday, April 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.45%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is 62.18%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the company from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $58.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Bank of America cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the company from $68.00 to $60.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Redburn Atlantic cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the company from $77.00 to $54.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bristol-Myers Squibb has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $61.12.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BMY

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis 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 Advisors Network LLC grew its stake in shares of Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Free Report) by 2.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,535 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 78 shares during the quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLCs holdings in Deere & Company were worth $1,334,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Deere & Company by 7.6% in the 2nd quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 53,191 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $21,552,000 after purchasing an additional 3,776 shares in the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Deere & Company by 5.6% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 135,091 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $54,775,000 after purchasing an additional 7,182 shares in the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Deere & Company by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 236,696 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $89,322,000 after purchasing an additional 5,485 shares in the last quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board raised its holdings in shares of Deere & Company by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 14,002 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $5,284,000 after purchasing an additional 900 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Greenline Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Deere & Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $265,000. 66.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Deere & Company Stock Performance

DE stock opened at $374.10 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.81, a current ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81. The company has a market capitalization of $104.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.03. Deere & Company has a 12 month low of $345.55 and a 12 month high of $450.00. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $381.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of $382.90.

Deere & Company Announces Dividend

Deere & Company ( NYSE:DE Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The industrial products company reported $6.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.19 by $1.04. The company had revenue of $10.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.30 billion. Deere & Company had a net margin of 16.38% and a return on equity of 44.60%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $6.55 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Deere & Company will post 27.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be given a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. Deere & Companys dividend payout ratio is 17.12%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

DE has been the topic of a number of research reports. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Deere & Company in a report on Monday, January 8th. They issued an overweight rating and a $430.00 target price on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group dropped their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $400.00 to $375.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 27th. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $450.00 to $435.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $380.00 to $385.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $445.00 to $425.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $428.58.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Deere & Company

Deere & Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Deere & Company engages in the manufacture and distribution of various equipment worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Production and Precision Agriculture, Small Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Production and Precision Agriculture segment provides large and medium tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters and loaders, harvesting front-end equipment, pull-behind scrapers, and tillage and seeding equipment, as well as application equipment, including sprayers and nutrient management, and soil preparation machinery for grain growers.

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Deutsche Bank AG cut its stake in shares of TC Energy Co. (NYSE:TRP  Free Report) (TSE:TRP) by 20.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 15,275,862 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 3,910,312 shares during the quarter. Deutsche Bank AGs holdings in TC Energy were worth $525,642,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Creative Planning increased its holdings in shares of TC Energy by 49.3% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 52,218 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $1,797,000 after acquiring an additional 17,245 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in shares of TC Energy by 42.5% during the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 6,821,231 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $234,719,000 after acquiring an additional 2,034,846 shares in the last quarter. Toroso Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of TC Energy during the third quarter valued at $209,000. Scotia Capital Inc. increased its holdings in shares of TC Energy by 8.5% during the third quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. now owns 7,981,871 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $274,205,000 after acquiring an additional 623,982 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in TC Energy by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 8,070,536 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $277,707,000 after buying an additional 352,829 shares in the last quarter. 73.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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TC Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:TRP traded up $0.25 on Monday, hitting $40.49. The stock had a trading volume of 1,269,644 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,178,618. TC Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $32.51 and a 52-week high of $42.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. The stock has a market cap of $40.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.37 and a beta of 0.75. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $39.20 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $37.39.

TC Energy Increases Dividend

TC Energy ( NYSE:TRP Get Free Report ) (TSE:TRP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 16th. The pipeline company reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.20. TC Energy had a return on equity of 18.60% and a net margin of 18.25%. The firm had revenue of $3.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.93 billion. As a group, research analysts predict that TC Energy Co. will post 2.98 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a dividend of $0.714 per share. This is a boost from TC Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. This represents a $2.86 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.05%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. TC Energys payout ratio is presently 138.42%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on TRP shares. TheStreet upgraded TC Energy from a d+ rating to a c+ rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on TC Energy in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. They issued a hold rating for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on TC Energy from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Barclays lifted their price objective on TC Energy from $53.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on TC Energy in a report on Thursday, January 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $48.83.

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TC Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through five segments: Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines; U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines; Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines; Liquids Pipelines; and Power and Energy Solutions. The company builds and operates a network of 93,600 kilometers of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses.

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Diversified Trust Co lifted its holdings in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report) by 15.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 54,471 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,126 shares during the period. Diversified Trust Cos holdings in Citigroup were worth $2,240,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. bought a new stake in Citigroup in the 3rd quarter worth $309,000. Creative Planning lifted its position in shares of Citigroup by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 312,013 shares of the companys stock worth $12,833,000 after purchasing an additional 10,814 shares during the period. Ironwood Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Citigroup by 24.6% in the 3rd quarter. Ironwood Investment Management LLC now owns 18,984 shares of the companys stock worth $781,000 after purchasing an additional 3,750 shares during the period. Employees Retirement System of Texas lifted its position in shares of Citigroup by 11.9% in the 3rd quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas now owns 302,480 shares of the companys stock worth $12,441,000 after purchasing an additional 32,100 shares during the period. Finally, Advisors Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Citigroup by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 526,610 shares of the companys stock worth $21,660,000 after purchasing an additional 24,677 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 69.26% of the companys stock.

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Citigroup Stock Performance

Shares of C stock traded down $0.66 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $56.85. The company had a trading volume of 1,466,614 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,481,676. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $54.35 and a 200-day moving average price of $47.34. Citigroup Inc. has a one year low of $38.17 and a one year high of $58.39. The firm has a market cap of $108.66 billion, a PE ratio of 14.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.95.

Citigroup Dividend Announcement

Citigroup ( NYSE:C Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results 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). The business had revenue of $17.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.71 billion. Citigroup had a net margin of 5.88% and a return on equity of 6.49%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.10 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Citigroup Inc. will post 5.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 5th were issued a dividend of $0.53 per share. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.73%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 2nd. Citigroups dividend payout ratio is currently 53.13%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on C. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Citigroup from an underweight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $46.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. Societe Generale cut shares of Citigroup from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. TheStreet raised shares of Citigroup from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Piper Sandler raised shares of Citigroup from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the company from $56.00 to $63.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets raised shares of Citigroup from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $63.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, December 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Citigroup has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $57.03.

Read Our Latest Analysis on C

Citigroup Company 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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Entourage Health Corp. (CVE:ENTG  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as C$0.01 and last traded at C$0.01, with a volume of 30290 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$0.01.

Entourage Health Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of C$3.08 million, a P/E ratio of -0.03 and a beta of 1.20. The companys 50-day moving average is C$0.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$0.01. The company has a current ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2,914.72.

Entourage Health Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Entourage Health Corp. engages in the production and distribution of cannabis products for medical and adult-use markets in Canada. It offers cannabis plants, dried flower, pre-rolls, soft chews, chewing gum, cannabis oils, capsules, topicals and vapes, extracts, and edibles. The company sells its products under the Color Cannabis, Saturday Cannabis, Starseed Medicinal, Syndicate Cannabis, Mary's Medicinals, and Irwin Naturals brand names.

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EP Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 656.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 551,180 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 478,283 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $31,990,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Finally, OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. 74.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

BMY stock traded up $0.27 on Monday, hitting $54.06. 7,784,117 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 15,064,441. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1-year low of $47.58 and a 1-year high of $71.07. The stock has a market cap of $109.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.38. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $50.43 and a 200-day moving average of $53.18. 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 ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $11.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.19 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.83% and a return on equity of 50.95%. The firms quarterly revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.82 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase program on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to buy up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Investors of record on Friday, April 5th will be given a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.44%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.18%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Bank of America lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $68.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Societe Generale cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Redburn Atlantic cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $77.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have issued a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $61.12.

Read Our Latest Report on Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis 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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Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) by 203.1% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 385 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 258 shares during the period. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $47,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 18.5% during the 3rd quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,269 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $396,000 after purchasing an additional 511 shares in the last quarter. Credit Suisse AG raised its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 65.0% in the 2nd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 755,372 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $86,014,000 after acquiring an additional 297,681 shares during the last quarter. Shelton Capital Management raised its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 753.5% in the 3rd quarter. Shelton Capital Management now owns 17,897 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,166,000 after acquiring an additional 15,800 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Trust Co. raised its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 5.0% in the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Trust Co. now owns 21,888 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,649,000 after acquiring an additional 1,040 shares during the last quarter. Finally, O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 145.2% in the 3rd quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 11,753 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,422,000 after acquiring an additional 6,959 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.71% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Raymond James upped their target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $140.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $98.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, December 8th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $110.00 to $119.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Scotiabank lowered shares of Digital Realty Trust from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $157.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $136.53.

Digital Realty Trust Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of DLR stock opened at $149.28 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $140.83 and a 200-day moving average of $133.02. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a 12-month low of $86.33 and a 12-month high of $154.18. The firm has a market cap of $46.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.33, a PEG ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 0.54.

Digital Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a $1.22 dividend. This represents a $4.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.27%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 164.31%.

Digital Realty Trust Company Profile

(Free Report)

Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges.

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Xinhua News Agency: We noted that at the 13th meeting of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Chinese and African scholars issued the Consensus Among African and Chinese Think Tanks on Deepening Global Development Cooperation, also called the Africa-China Dar es Salaam Consensus. This document represents a joint message from China and Africa in response to the risks and challenges facing the world. Could you share some comments and further information about the meeting?

Wang Wenbin: The China-Africa Think Tanks Forum is an important sub-forum of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. This years meeting had the participation of over 300 think tank scholars, business leaders and officials from China and 49 African countries. The scholars, under the guidance of the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, had in-depth discussions on the major issues and challenges facing the world, jointly put forth solutions and formed the Africa-China Dar es Salaam Consensus. The Consensus called on the international community to deepen development cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, solidarity, win-win cooperation, openness, and common prosperity. It proposed that countries should uphold a people-centered development approach, and create a sound institutional environment that enables everyone to pursue a better life. It stressed that different civilizations should choose dialogue over conflicts, and different nations history, culture and traditions and the basic national conditions of each country need to be respected. It also supported countries in pursuing a path to modernization that meets their own development needs and has the distinctive features of their own culture. These ideas and suggestions reflect the vision and wisdom of the Chinese and African academia and deserve great attention.

We agree with the suggestions proposed in the Africa-China Dar es Salaam Consensus. China always believes that the Global South, including China and Africa, has the right to share in the dividends of economic globalization, and gets the opportunities to accelerate self-driven development. The Global South needs to combine the role of efficient market and effective governance, improve the division of labor in the international industrial chain, help form more resilient global industrial and supply chains, and in this process, upgrade our industries and improve our industrial structures.

This year is a big year for China-Africa cooperation. China stands ready to work with Africa to build an equal and orderly multi-polar world, invigorate and empower global economic growth through a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, promote reform of the international financial system, increase the representation and say of developing countries, open up new prospects for China-Africa common development and write a new chapter of building a China-Africa community with a shared future.

AFP: Last week, Pope Francis called on Ukraine to stop fighting and negotiate with Russia. The Ukrainian side responded that it will never surrender. Does China also call on Ukraine to stop fighting and negotiate with Russia?

Wang Wenbin: On the Ukraine issue, China follows an objective and impartial position and has actively promoted peace talks . President Xi Jinping has put forward four points about what must be done. They are Chinas fundamental guide in seeking a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. China supports an international peace conference that is to be held in due course, recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, and is attended by all parties on an equal footing for fair discussions on all peace plans. China looks forward to the early restoration of peace and stability on the European continent and will continue to play a constructive role to this end.

Associated Press of Pakistan: On March 10, Co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari took oath as the President of Pakistan after securing majority in the presidential elections. Do you have any response on that?

Wang Wenbin: We extend our warm congratulations to Mr. Asif Ali Zardari on his inauguration as the President of Pakistan. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to President Zardari.

China attaches great importance to growing its relations with Pakistan and stands ready to work with Pakistan to carry forward our traditional friendship, advance practical cooperation across the board, promote greater progress in China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and boost an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

TASS: On Monday, the Center for Strategic and International Studies will hold a conversation on land powers contribution to AUKUS. What is the Foreign Ministrys comment?

Wang Wenbin: By setting up the so-called AUKUS, the US, the UK and Australia are in nature inciting military confrontation through military cooperation. This is typical Cold-War mentality. It will increase the risk of nuclear proliferation, exacerbate arms races in the Asia-Pacific and undermine peace and stability in the region. China and many other countries in the region are gravely concerned and oppose this.

Any attempt to enlarge and upgrade the US-UK-Australia military cooperation represents a step in a more dangerous direction, and will only cause greater concern from regional countries and the international community. We urge the three countries to abandon the Cold-War mentality, fulfil their international obligations in good faith, and stop creating greater trouble for peace and stability in the region.

Bloomberg: The Filipino Ambassador to the US said that the Philippines is looking to work with the US, Japan, Australia, and other allies to develop oil and gas resources in the South China Sea. Under the previous government, the Filipinos have been in discussions with China about developing these resources. Does China have any comment about the change in the Filipino strategy?

Wang Wenbin: The South China Sea issue is a matter between China and some ASEAN countries. China maintains that maritime disputes, including those related to exploring resources, should be handled properly with countries directly concerned through negotiation and consultation. The exploration of resources in the South China Sea should not harm Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and no one shall draw forces outside the region into the issues.

Bloomberg: Just to follow up on that question. So you see any participation by foreign energy companies as interference in the sovereign rights of the Chinese state? Is that correct?

Wang Wenbin: I just now made clear Chinas position. Relevant countries should not undermine Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in their effort of exploring resources in the South China Sea. Drawing forces outside the region into the South China Sea issue will only complicate the situation.

AFP: Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui recently visited Russia, Ukraine, Brussels, and Germany for discussions on the war between Russia and Ukraine. Has the visit achieved any progress? Can you brief us on the progress?

Wang Wenbin: In the past week and more, Special Representative Li Hui visited Russia, the EU headquarters, Poland, Ukraine and Germany. He is now in France today. During this round of shuttle diplomacy, Special Representative Li Hui held talks with various parties and officials from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland to pass on messages, build up consensus, and exchange in-depth views on a ceasefire and a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. The parties appreciated Chinas mediation efforts.

On the Ukraine issue, China follows an objective and impartial position and has actively promoted talks for peace. China supports an international peace conference that is to be held in due course, recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, and is attended by all parties on an equal footing for fair discussions on all peace plans. China will continue to play a constructive role for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

Shenzhen TV: Its reported that on March 7, Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh visited Australia and the two countries issued a joint statement on the elevation to a comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Australia. The statement stressed the two sides share a common vision for an inclusive, stable, peaceful, independent, and prosperous Indo Pacific, and touched upon the South China Sea and the Mekong River. Media reports described it as the latest evidence of Vietnam weaning itself away from reliance on China. Whats your comment?

Wang Wenbin: Chinas position on the so-called Indo-Pacific Strategy of the US and some Western countries and the issue of the South China Sea is consistent and clear. We have also expressed concerns to relevant parties. We always believe that in the current Asia-Pacific region featuring overall peace and stability, development and cooperation is the consensus and aspiration of all countries in the region. Leaders of ASEAN countries stressed on multiple occasions that they will never become a proxy for any force and should never plunge into major-country competition. To advocate bloc confrontation and build exclusive circles goes against the trend of the times and the common aspiration of regional countries. We hope relevant parties will follow the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation and do more things conducive to regional peace and stability.

Beijing Daily: Its reported that Indias Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh to inaugurate the Sela Tunnel and other projects on March 9. The Indian Ministry of Defense put out a press release and said that the tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang, boost defense preparedness and augment socio-economic development of the border region. Whats your response?

Wang Wenbin: The area of Zangnan is Chinese territory. The Chinese government has never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set up by India and firmly opposes it. The China-India boundary question has yet to be solved. India has no right to arbitrarily develop the area of Zangnan in China. Indias relevant moves will only complicate the boundary question and disrupt the situation in the border areas between the two countries. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the Indian leaders visit to the eastern sector of the China-India boundary. We have made solemn representations to India.

CCTV: The Mayor of San Francisco, California London N. Breed sent a public letter together with leaders from various sectors to President Xi Jinping recently, reflecting on President Xi Jinpings speech at a welcome dinner hosted by friendly organizations in the US last November which focused on the people-to-people foundation of the US-China bilateral relationship, noting that San Francisco can provide a uniquely significant foothold for this people-to-people relationship, expressing support for a stronger friendship between the two countries on that people-to-people basis, and saying that San Francisco stands ready to welcome giant pandas to the San Francisco Zoo. What is Chinas comment?

Wang Wenbin: In November last year, President Xi Jinping met with President Joe Biden in San Francisco and attended a welcome dinner hosted by friendly organizations in the US where he made an important speech. The two presidents reached a number of common understandings on growing the bilateral relations, fostered the San Francisco vision, and charted the course for the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations.

As President Xi Jinping pointed out, the hope of the China-US relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in our societies, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at subnational levels. We hope and encourage Chinese and Americans to make more visits, contacts and exchanges, and jointly write new stories of friendship between the two peoples and cooperation between the two countries in the new era.

Giant pandas are envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. We stand ready to continue carrying out giant panda conservation cooperation with the US to enhance the friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples.
On March 7, Sweden, feeling increasingly threatened by Russias unprovoked, ruthless war against Ukraine, abandoned its 200-year-old policy of nonalignment and officially joined the NATO defensive alliance as its thirty-second member.

Before Putins re-invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022  less than one-third of Swedes supported joining NATO, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken. After the invasion, three-quarters of the Swedish people made clear their desire to join.



Swedes realized something very profound: that if Putin was willing to try to erase one neighbor from the map, then he might well not stop there. And if he was allowed to proceed with impunity, not only would his aggression potentially continue, but would-be aggressors everywhere would get the message that it was open season, he said.

The Swedish people stood up for their own country and they stood up to defend the international system that we all rely on, said Secretary Blinken. And I think what this tells us even more profoundly is the reaffirmation of Swedens democratic character: change driven by its people.



Theres also no clearer example than today of the strategic debacle that Putins invasion of Ukraine has become for Russia. We see a Russia that is now weaker militarily, economically, diplomatically, he said.

Conversely, NATO is now stronger and larger than its ever been. Everything Putin sought to prevent, hes actually precipitated by his actions, by his aggression; and theres no clearer example of that than Sweden becoming a member of this Alliance, said Secretary Blinken.

Its taken  nearly two years of tireless diplomacy  to achieve ratification by every NATO member, said Secretary Blinken. Some doubted that wed get here. We never did.



Sweden has long been an active partner with NATO Allies, he said. And fundamentally, the reason this is such a strong, powerful fit is because Sweden embodies and promotes the core values that are at the heart of NATO: democracy, liberty, the rule of law.

If you go back to 1949, said Secretary Blinken, at the signing of the NATO Treaty, President Truman said this : In taking steps to prevent aggression against our own peoples, we have no purpose of aggression against other peoples. We hope to create a shield against aggression and the fear of aggression, a bulwark which will permit us to get on with the real business of government and society  the business of achieving a fuller and happier life for all of our citizens.
First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (NYSEARCA:EMLP  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $28.84 and last traded at $28.69, with a volume of 9382 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.69.

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Stock Up 0.1 %

The company has a market cap of $2.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.88 and a beta of 0.81. The companys fifty day moving average price is $27.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $27.26.

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Institutional Trading of First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 342,708 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $9,490,000 after acquiring an additional 14,304 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new stake in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund in the 1st quarter valued at $303,000. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its stake in shares of First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 20.7% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 144,530 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $4,002,000 after buying an additional 24,830 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. boosted its stake in shares of First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 14,022 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $388,000 after buying an additional 543 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Equitable Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 16,930 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $469,000 after buying an additional 430 shares during the last quarter.

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Company Profile

The First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Alerian MLP index. The fund is an actively managed fund that invests in North American energy infrastructure MLPs and LLCs. EMLP was launched on Jun 21, 2012 and is managed by First Trust.

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Forestar Group (NYSE:FOR  Get Free Report) and Broad Street Realty (OTCMKTS:BRST  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings and risk.

Volatility & Risk

Forestar Group has a beta of 1.69, suggesting that its stock price is 69% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Broad Street Realty has a beta of 0.97, suggesting that its stock price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Forestar Group and Broad Street Realtys gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Forestar Group $1.53 billion 1.22 $166.90 million $3.67 10.19 Broad Street Realty $32.95 million 0.30 -$13.75 million ($0.62) -0.48

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Forestar Group has higher revenue and earnings than Broad Street Realty. Broad Street Realty is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Forestar Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

35.9% of Forestar Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.5% of Forestar Group shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 24.7% of Broad Street Realty shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Forestar Group and Broad Street Realtys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Forestar Group 12.08% 13.85% 7.59% Broad Street Realty -20.38% -25.96% -2.22%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Forestar Group and Broad Street Realty, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Forestar Group 0 1 2 0 2.67 Broad Street Realty 0 0 0 0 N/A

Forestar Group currently has a consensus target price of $32.50, indicating a potential downside of 13.06%. Given Forestar Groups higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Forestar Group is more favorable than Broad Street Realty.

Summary

Forestar Group beats Broad Street Realty on 12 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Forestar Group

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Forestar Group Inc. operates as a residential lot development company in the United States. The company acquires land and develops infrastructure for single-family residential communities. It sells its residential single-family finished lots to local, regional, and national homebuilders. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Arlington, Texas. Forestar Group Inc. operates as a subsidiary of D.R. Horton, Inc.

About Broad Street Realty

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Broad Street Realty, Inc. owns, develops, operates, and redevelops grocery-anchored shopping centers, street retail-based properties, and mixed- use assets in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Colorado. The company provides commercial real estate brokerage services for owned and third-party offices, and industrial and retail operators and tenants. It also offers coordination, tenant improvements, and building services; and real estate management and engineering services to property owners, as well as provides tenant representation, landlord representation, property acquisition and disposition, real estate development, project/construction management, finance, strategic consulting, property management, and asset management. Broad Street Realty, Inc. is based in Bethesda, Maryland.

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Graham Capital Management L.P. bought a new stake in General Electric (NYSE:GE  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 160,867 shares of the conglomerates stock, valued at approximately $17,784,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GE. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in General Electric by 10.9% in the 3rd quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 109,332 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $12,087,000 after acquiring an additional 10,722 shares during the last quarter. D1 Capital Partners L.P. lifted its holdings in General Electric by 159.8% during the second quarter. D1 Capital Partners L.P. now owns 1,455,000 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $159,832,000 after purchasing an additional 895,000 shares in the last quarter. Hoey Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of General Electric by 51,152.3% in the third quarter. Hoey Investments Inc. now owns 22,551 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $2,493,000 after buying an additional 22,507 shares in the last quarter. Qsemble Capital Management LP bought a new position in General Electric during the third quarter valued at $1,846,000. Finally, Cambridge Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in General Electric in the third quarter worth about $6,285,000. 74.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total value of $3,195,107.85. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 56,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,153,863.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other General Electric news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 13,601 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at approximately $6,552,351.45. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total value of $3,195,107.85. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 56,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,153,863.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock.

General Electric Price Performance

NYSE:GE traded down $1.97 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $165.99. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,107,912 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,790,993. The businesss 50-day moving average is $140.04 and its two-hundred day moving average is $124.10. The company has a market capitalization of $180.65 billion, a PE ratio of 20.07, a PEG ratio of 2.23 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.

General Electric (NYSE:GE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.13. General Electric had a return on equity of 10.88% and a net margin of 13.95%. The firm had revenue of $19.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.27 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.24 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 15.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that General Electric will post 4.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

General Electric Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 28th were paid a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.19%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 27th. General Electrics dividend payout ratio is currently 3.82%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays increased their price target on shares of General Electric from $153.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Oppenheimer restated a market perform rating on shares of General Electric in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. StockNews.com raised shares of General Electric from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of General Electric from $135.00 to $148.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of General Electric from $144.00 to $148.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, General Electric has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $138.71.

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General Electric 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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Harbour Investments Inc. grew its holdings in Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (BATS:NUSC  Free Report) by 1.8% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 27,918 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 489 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF were worth $972,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in NUSC. Raymond James & Associates grew its stake in shares of Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 14,012 shares of the companys stock worth $558,000 after buying an additional 517 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its stake in shares of Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF by 70.3% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 3,624 shares of the companys stock worth $144,000 after buying an additional 1,496 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF by 187.2% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,091 shares of the companys stock worth $83,000 after buying an additional 1,363 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its stake in shares of Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF by 6.9% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 38,003 shares of the companys stock worth $1,514,000 after buying an additional 2,460 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $392,000.

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Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF Trading Down 0.1 %

NUSC stock opened at $40.43 on Monday. Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF has a 12 month low of $24.96 and a 12 month high of $29.93. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $38.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $36.64. The stock has a market cap of $1.13 billion, a PE ratio of 20.51 and a beta of 1.13.

Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF Profile

The Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap index. The fund tracks a multi-factor-weighted index of small-cap companies listed on US exchanges. Holdings are screened for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. NUSC was launched on Dec 13, 2016 and is managed by Nuveen.

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Shares of Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Hold from the four analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $12.63.

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Mizuho cut their price target on shares of Herbalife from $14.00 to $12.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 16th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Herbalife from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 16th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on Herbalife

Insider Activity at Herbalife

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Herbalife

In related news, CEO Michael Johnson acquired 61,725 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $8.07 per share, with a total value of $498,120.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 603,707 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,871,915.49. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . 0.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in Herbalife by 150.0% during the 1st quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,900 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,140 shares during the period. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in Herbalife by 50.0% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 4,243 shares of the companys stock worth $128,000 after purchasing an additional 1,415 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Herbalife during the 3rd quarter worth about $66,000. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Herbalife by 36.7% in the 2nd quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. now owns 6,720 shares of the companys stock valued at $89,000 after acquiring an additional 1,803 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Middle East FZE purchased a new position in shares of Herbalife in the 4th quarter valued at about $121,000.

Herbalife Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HLF opened at $9.20 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $11.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $13.08. The company has a market capitalization of $913.19 million, a P/E ratio of 6.48 and a beta of 1.21. Herbalife has a 1 year low of $6.68 and a 1 year high of $20.70.

Herbalife (NYSE:HLF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by ($0.10). The firm had revenue of $1.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.19 billion. Herbalife had a negative return on equity of 19.56% and a net margin of 2.81%. The firms quarterly revenue was up .0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.53 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Herbalife will post 2.14 EPS for the current year.

Herbalife Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Herbalife Ltd. provides health and wellness products in North America, Mexico, South and Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, China, and the Asia Pacific. It offers products in the areas of weight management; targeted nutrition; energy, sports, and fitness; outer nutrition; and literature and promotional items.

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Green Dot Co. (NYSE:GDOT  Get Free Report) insider Principal Co Lp Starboard sold 150,000 shares of Green Dot stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.17, for a total transaction of $1,225,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 276,595 shares in the company, valued at $2,259,781.15. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link.

Principal Co Lp Starboard also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, March 8th, Principal Co Lp Starboard sold 75,729 shares of Green Dot stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.58, for a total transaction of $649,754.82.

Green Dot Trading Up 2.8 %

Shares of GDOT stock opened at $8.76 on Monday. Green Dot Co. has a 1 year low of $7.30 and a 1 year high of $21.37. The firms fifty day moving average price is $8.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $10.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $462.79 million, a P/E ratio of 67.39 and a beta of 1.03.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on GDOT shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on shares of Green Dot from $15.00 to $12.50 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Barclays cut shares of Green Dot from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $8.00 to $7.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Green Dot from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, TheStreet cut shares of Green Dot from a c- rating to a d rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Green Dot has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $11.13.

View Our Latest Research Report on Green Dot

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Green Dot

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. State of Wyoming increased its stake in Green Dot by 7.7% in the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 8,812 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $139,000 after buying an additional 633 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Green Dot by 22.7% during the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,718 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 688 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in shares of Green Dot by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 34,599 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $547,000 after purchasing an additional 746 shares during the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky increased its stake in shares of Green Dot by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 16,804 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $315,000 after purchasing an additional 840 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC increased its stake in shares of Green Dot by 4.9% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 27,367 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $271,000 after purchasing an additional 1,285 shares during the last quarter. 92.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Green Dot Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Green Dot Corporation, a financial technology and registered bank holding company, provides various financial services to consumers and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Consumer Services, Business to Business Services, and Money Movement Services. The company provides deposit account programs, including consumer and small business checking account products, network-branded reloadable prepaid debit cards and gift cards, and secured credit programs.

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Integrated Advisors Network LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 3.5% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 33,034 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,183 shares during the quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $1,389,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the first quarter worth $25,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new position in Altria Group in the third quarter valued at $26,000. Nemes Rush Group LLC lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 103.2% in the third quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 636 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 323 shares during the period. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group in the second quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 1,800.0% in 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. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.94% of the companys stock.

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Altria Group Trading Up 0.2 %

MO opened at $41.96 on Monday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $39.06 and a 1-year high of $48.04. The company has a market cap of $73.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $40.76 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $41.54.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 firm 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 was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be given a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. Altria Groups payout ratio is presently 85.78%.

Altria Group announced that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Thursday, February 1st that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 1.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on MO shares. 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 lowered shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.22.

View Our Latest Research Report on Altria Group

About Altria Group

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company 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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Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG  Free Report) by 1.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 269,919 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,174 shares during the quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLCs holdings in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group were worth $2,292,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of MUFG. FMR LLC increased its stake in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 4,477,626 shares of the companys stock worth $38,015,000 after purchasing an additional 188,668 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. raised its stake in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 7.5% in the third quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 11,060,016 shares of the companys stock valued at $93,900,000 after buying an additional 773,830 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 28.2% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,664,275 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,110,000 after buying an additional 806,728 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth $4,545,000. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC increased its holdings in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 90,236 shares of the companys stock worth $766,000 after acquiring an additional 3,724 shares during the last quarter. 1.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Stock Up 0.5 %

MUFG opened at $11.00 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $135.71 billion, a PE ratio of 8.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a 50 day moving average of $9.44 and a 200 day moving average of $8.79. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $5.99 and a 12 month high of $11.22. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.57.

About Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group ( NYSE:MUFG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The company reported $0.21 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by $0.04. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group had a net margin of 19.14% and a return on equity of 7.78%. The business had revenue of $19.25 billion for the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. will post 0.79 EPS for the current year.

(Free Report)

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company for MUFG Bank, Ltd. that provides various financial services in Japan, the United States, Europe, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. It operates through Digital Service Business Group; Retail & Commercial Banking Business Group; Japanese Corporate & Investment Banking Business Group; Asset Management & Investor Services Business Group; Global Corporate & Investment Banking Business Group; Global Commercial Banking Business Group; and Global Markets Business Group segments.

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Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Louisiana-Pacific Co. (NYSE:LPX  Free Report) by 21.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 503,348 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock after purchasing an additional 88,147 shares during the quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. owned 0.70% of Louisiana-Pacific worth $27,820,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al purchased a new position in Louisiana-Pacific during the third quarter worth $10,148,000. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in Louisiana-Pacific by 17.8% during the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 489,908 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $27,077,000 after buying an additional 74,094 shares during the period. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV boosted its stake in Louisiana-Pacific by 7.7% during the third quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 5,282 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $292,000 after buying an additional 376 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its stake in Louisiana-Pacific by 2.0% during the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 54,937 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $3,036,000 after buying an additional 1,068 shares during the period. Finally, Seven Eight Capital LP boosted its stake in Louisiana-Pacific by 64.4% during the third quarter. Seven Eight Capital LP now owns 15,394 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $851,000 after buying an additional 6,029 shares during the period. 91.94% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Louisiana-Pacific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:LPX opened at $76.90 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $5.56 billion, a PE ratio of 31.39 and a beta of 1.83. Louisiana-Pacific Co. has a twelve month low of $49.47 and a twelve month high of $79.56. The companys 50 day moving average is $69.46 and its 200 day moving average is $63.17. The company has a current ratio of 3.00, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22.

Louisiana-Pacific Increases Dividend

Louisiana-Pacific ( NYSE:LPX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The building manufacturing company reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $658.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $618.60 million. Louisiana-Pacific had a return on equity of 15.65% and a net margin of 6.90%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.61 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Louisiana-Pacific Co. will post 3.85 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 23rd were paid a $0.26 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 22nd. This is an increase from Louisiana-Pacifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.35%. Louisiana-Pacifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.45%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on LPX. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Louisiana-Pacific from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. TD Cowen reiterated a hold rating and set a $75.00 target price on shares of Louisiana-Pacific in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Louisiana-Pacific from $57.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. DA Davidson restated a buy rating and issued a $76.00 price objective on shares of Louisiana-Pacific in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded Louisiana-Pacific from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $73.71.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Louisiana-Pacific

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Louisiana-Pacific news, SVP Michael W. Blosser sold 4,060 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.00, for a total value of $272,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 49,858 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,340,486. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Michael W. Blosser sold 4,060 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.00, for a total transaction of $272,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 49,858 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,340,486. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Lizanne C. Gottung sold 3,313 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.00, for a total value of $221,971.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 28,495 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,909,165. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.26% of the companys stock.

Louisiana-Pacific Company Profile

(Free Report)

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides building solutions primarily for use in new home construction, repair and remodeling, and outdoor structure markets. It operates through Siding, Oriented Strand Board, LP South America, and Other segments. The Siding segment offers LP SmartSide trim and siding products, LP SmartSide ExpertFinish trim and siding products, LP BuilderSeries lap siding products, and LP Outdoor Building Solutions; and engineered wood siding, trim, soffit, and fascia products.

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Graham Capital Management L.P. raised its stake in Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH  Free Report) by 371.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 28,413 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 22,388 shares during the quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P.s holdings in Molina Healthcare were worth $9,316,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 18.4% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,449,375 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,151,448,000 after purchasing an additional 1,001,372 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Molina Healthcare in the 4th quarter worth about $214,801,000. Durable Capital Partners LP purchased a new position in Molina Healthcare in the 1st quarter worth about $214,363,000. Boston Partners increased its stake in Molina Healthcare by 225.3% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 915,861 shares of the companys stock worth $275,899,000 after purchasing an additional 634,279 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors increased its stake in Molina Healthcare by 90.4% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 1,304,218 shares of the companys stock worth $392,883,000 after purchasing an additional 619,352 shares in the last quarter. 98.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Richard M. Schapiro sold 711 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $384.06, for a total transaction of $273,066.66. Following the transaction, the director now owns 12,207 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,688,220.42. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Molina Healthcare news, CFO Mark Lowell Keim sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.56, for a total value of $5,798,400.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 36,531 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,121,423.36. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Richard M. Schapiro sold 711 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $384.06, for a total value of $273,066.66. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 12,207 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,688,220.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 16,711 shares of company stock valued at $6,472,517 over the last 90 days. 1.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Molina Healthcare Price Performance

NYSE:MOH traded up $7.44 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $400.07. The company had a trading volume of 110,429 shares, compared to its average volume of 386,659. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $380.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of $357.13. Molina Healthcare, Inc. has a one year low of $256.19 and a one year high of $410.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.36 billion, a PE ratio of 20.91, a PEG ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $4.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $9.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.35 billion. Molina Healthcare had a return on equity of 32.34% and a net margin of 3.20%. The businesss revenue was up 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $4.10 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Molina Healthcare, Inc. will post 23.62 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on MOH. StockNews.com lowered Molina Healthcare from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Truist Financial upped their price target on Molina Healthcare from $435.00 to $460.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Barclays assumed coverage on Molina Healthcare in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. They set an equal weight rating and a $437.00 price target for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price target on Molina Healthcare from $374.00 to $406.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Molina Healthcare from $367.00 to $392.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $385.91.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Molina Healthcare

Molina Healthcare Company Profile

(Free Report)

Molina Healthcare, Inc provides managed healthcare services to low-income families and individuals under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. It operates in four segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company served in across 19 states. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.

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On behalf of the Australian Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has today (March 8) announced $9.4 million in funding to a new . . .
Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report) by 17.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,995,460 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,649,271 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley owned 3.27% of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF worth $538,008,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in EFV. Townsquare Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 162.2% in the third quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 144,544 shares of the companys stock worth $7,073,000 after buying an additional 89,419 shares in the last quarter. WealthPlan Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the third quarter worth about $1,468,000. Theory Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the third quarter worth about $934,000. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 5.6% in the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,038,385 shares of the companys stock worth $50,808,000 after buying an additional 54,895 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 174.0% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 11,139,913 shares of the companys stock worth $545,079,000 after buying an additional 26,191,458 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Trading Up 0.1 %

BATS:EFV opened at $53.60 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $18.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.51 and a beta of 0.84. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 12 month low of $49.15 and a 12 month high of $59.57. The businesss 50-day moving average is $51.73 and its 200 day moving average is $50.29.

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East.

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Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in shares of General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS  Free Report) by 0.3% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 8,242,274 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 23,400 shares during the quarter. Morgan Stanleys holdings in General Mills were worth $527,423,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Essex Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of General Mills by 174.6% during the 3rd quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 8,054 shares of the companys stock worth $515,000 after purchasing an additional 5,121 shares during the period. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV raised its stake in shares of General Mills by 7.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 218,207 shares of the companys stock worth $13,963,000 after purchasing an additional 15,340 shares during the period. Toroso Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of General Mills by 38.4% during the 3rd quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 50,056 shares of the companys stock worth $3,203,000 after purchasing an additional 13,897 shares during the period. iA Global Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in General Mills by 11.2% in the 3rd quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 19,614 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,255,000 after acquiring an additional 1,975 shares during the period. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its stake in General Mills by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 417,791 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,734,000 after acquiring an additional 9,167 shares during the period. 75.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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General Mills Stock Up 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE GIS opened at $65.26 on Monday. General Mills, Inc. has a 12 month low of $60.33 and a 12 month high of $90.89. The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $37.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.88, a PEG ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.15. The business has a 50-day moving average of $64.28 and a 200-day moving average of $64.75.

General Mills Dividend Announcement

General Mills ( NYSE:GIS Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, December 20th. The company reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $5.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.35 billion. General Mills had a return on equity of 25.44% and a net margin of 12.06%. General Millss revenue for the quarter was down 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.10 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that General Mills, Inc. will post 4.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.59 per share. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.62%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 9th. General Millss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 57.42%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on General Mills from $77.00 to $76.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Bank of America lowered their price objective on General Mills from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on General Mills from $74.00 to $72.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on General Mills from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price objective on General Mills from $70.00 to $65.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. 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 MarketBeat, General Mills presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $72.67.

Get Our Latest Research Report on GIS

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Jeffrey L. Harmening sold 60,056 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.44, for a total transaction of $3,870,008.64. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 318,483 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,523,044.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Jeffrey L. Harmening sold 60,056 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.44, for a total transaction of $3,870,008.64. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 318,483 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,523,044.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Jonathon Nudi sold 7,671 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.15, for a total value of $492,094.65. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 102,924 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,602,574.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 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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StockNews.com lowered shares of Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Friday.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on Mueller Water Products from $15.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Mueller Water Products from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mueller Water Products has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $17.00.

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View Our Latest Report on MWA

Mueller Water Products Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE:MWA opened at $15.74 on Friday. Mueller Water Products has a 1 year low of $12.11 and a 1 year high of $16.93. The company has a market capitalization of $2.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 1.34. The businesss 50-day moving average is $14.63 and its 200-day moving average is $13.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 3.29 and a quick ratio of 1.89.

Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 9th. The industrial products company reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.09 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $256.40 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $250.64 million. Mueller Water Products had a return on equity of 13.86% and a net margin of 6.35%. Mueller Water Productss quarterly revenue was down 18.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.13 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Mueller Water Products will post 0.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Mueller Water Products Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th were given a $0.064 dividend. This represents a $0.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.63%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. Mueller Water Productss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.00%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Arsdell Stephen C. Van bought 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was acquired at an average price of $15.42 per share, with a total value of $154,200.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 80,603 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,242,898.26. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, SVP Kenji Takeuchi sold 6,658 shares of Mueller Water Products stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.62, for a total transaction of $103,997.96. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 34,196 shares in the company, valued at approximately $534,141.52. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Arsdell Stephen C. Van bought 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $15.42 per share, for a total transaction of $154,200.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 80,603 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,242,898.26. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 81,463 shares of company stock valued at $1,218,642. Company insiders own 1.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. MQS Management LLC purchased a new stake in Mueller Water Products in the 3rd quarter worth $213,000. Cramer Rosenthal Mcglynn LLC purchased a new position in Mueller Water Products during the second quarter valued at approximately $8,131,000. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System increased its holdings in Mueller Water Products by 0.7% during the third quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 159,471 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,022,000 after buying an additional 1,110 shares during the period. Pearl River Capital LLC purchased a new position in Mueller Water Products during the third quarter valued at approximately $408,000. Finally, Swiss National Bank boosted its stake in Mueller Water Products by 1.1% in the second quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 340,200 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,521,000 after acquiring an additional 3,800 shares in the last quarter.

About Mueller Water Products

(Get Free Report)

Mueller Water Products, Inc manufactures and markets products and services for the transmission, distribution, and measurement of water used by municipalities, and the residential and non-residential construction industries in the United States, Israel, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Water Flow Solutions and Water Management Solutions.

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Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions LLC lifted its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS  Free Report) by 7.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,436 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 96 shares during the quarter. Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions LLCs holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $224,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. RB Capital Management LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 2,689 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $577,000 after buying an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,162,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 10.0% during the first quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 1,233 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $264,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at about $515,000. Finally, Stevens Capital Management LP acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth about $701,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.45% of the companys stock.

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United Parcel Service Price Performance

United Parcel Service stock traded up $0.85 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $154.81. The company had a trading volume of 1,313,462 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,011,497. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1 year low of $133.68 and a 1 year high of $197.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 1.10. The company has a market capitalization of $132.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.87, a P/E/G ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.05. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $151.89 and its 200-day simple moving average is $153.39.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

United Parcel Service ( NYSE:UPS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.47 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.46 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $24.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.40 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 7.37% and a return on equity of 39.46%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.62 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.31 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were paid a dividend of $1.63 per share. This is an increase from United Parcel Services previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.21%. United Parcel Services dividend payout ratio is presently 83.70%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on UPS. Raymond James dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $185.00 to $175.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. UBS Group raised shares of United Parcel Service from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $160.00 to $175.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $175.00 to $147.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of United Parcel Service from a c rating to a b- rating in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $176.95.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on United Parcel Service

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In other United Parcel Service news, Director Eva C. Boratto purchased 1,400 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was bought at an average price of $142.30 per share, for a total transaction of $199,220.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 1,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at $199,220. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

(Free Report)

United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States.

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OLD National Bancorp IN increased its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 4.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 177,079 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 7,157 shares during the period. OLD National Bancorp INs holdings in Altria Group were worth $7,446,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new position in Altria Group during the first quarter worth about $25,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new position in Altria Group during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Nemes Rush Group LLC raised its position in Altria Group by 103.2% during the third quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 636 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 323 shares during the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group during the second quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Legacy Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group during the third quarter worth about $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.94% of the companys stock.

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Altria Group Price Performance

NYSE:MO opened at $42.28 on Monday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $40.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $41.54. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $39.06 and a 12 month high of $48.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.56 billion, a PE ratio of 9.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.65.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.01. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 244.55% and a net margin of 33.21%. The company had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.06 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.18 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.07 EPS for the current year.

The business 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 of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.27%. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 85.78%.

Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, February 1st that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 1.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on MO shares. StockNews.com lowered shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. UBS Group reissued a sell rating and set a $36.10 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $47.22.

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About Altria Group

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company 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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Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR  Get Free Report) insider Heather A. Planishek sold 32,828 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.95, for a total value of $851,886.60. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 662,006 shares in the company, valued at $17,179,055.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link.

Palantir Technologies Price Performance

NYSE:PLTR opened at $26.04 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $57.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 289.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.39 and a beta of 2.82. Palantir Technologies Inc. has a one year low of $7.19 and a one year high of $27.50. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $20.35 and a 200-day moving average price of $18.20.

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Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 5th. The company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.04 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $608.35 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $603.48 million. Palantir Technologies had a return on equity of 6.17% and a net margin of 9.43%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Palantir Technologies Inc. will post 0.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Palantir Technologies

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Truvestments Capital LLC increased its stake in Palantir Technologies by 74.9% in the 3rd quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 1,635 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. First United Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Palantir Technologies in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Pacifica Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in Palantir Technologies in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Palantir Technologies in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC purchased a new stake in Palantir Technologies in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. 34.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

PLTR has been the topic of several analyst reports. Mizuho upped their price objective on Palantir Technologies from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. Bank of America upped their price objective on Palantir Technologies from $24.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Wedbush reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $35.00 price objective (up from $30.00) on shares of Palantir Technologies in a research report on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an underperform rating and issued a $5.00 price objective on shares of Palantir Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Citigroup raised Palantir Technologies from a sell rating to a neutral rating and upped their price objective for the company from $10.00 to $20.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Palantir Technologies presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $18.21.

View Our Latest Research Report on PLTR

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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Penserra Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR  Free Report) by 9.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 56,153 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 4,823 shares during the quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLCs holdings in Arbor Realty Trust were worth $852,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV grew its stake in Arbor Realty Trust by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 49,627 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $571,000 after buying an additional 747 shares during the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its stake in Arbor Realty Trust by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 33,563 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $386,000 after buying an additional 847 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its stake in Arbor Realty Trust by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 21,133 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $321,000 after buying an additional 882 shares during the last quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors grew its stake in Arbor Realty Trust by 8.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors now owns 11,541 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $171,000 after buying an additional 896 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio grew its stake in Arbor Realty Trust by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 38,500 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $584,000 after buying an additional 900 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 53.00% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently weighed in on ABR. JMP Securities dropped their target price on Arbor Realty Trust from $19.00 to $17.00 and set a market outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on Arbor Realty Trust from $14.50 to $13.50 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. Wedbush reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $17.00 price target on shares of Arbor Realty Trust in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, TheStreet cut Arbor Realty Trust from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Arbor Realty Trust has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $15.67.

Arbor Realty Trust Stock Performance

Shares of ABR stock opened at $12.86 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $2.42 billion, a PE ratio of 7.31 and a beta of 1.97. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $14.06. The company has a quick ratio of 36.02, a current ratio of 36.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.21. Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. has a 52-week low of $10.10 and a 52-week high of $17.74.

Arbor Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 4th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 1st. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 13.37%. Arbor Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 97.73%.

Arbor Realty Trust Company Profile

(Free Report)

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc invests in a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily, single-family rental, and commercial real estate markets in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Structured Business and Agency Business. It primarily invests in bridge and mezzanine loans, including junior participating interests in first mortgages, and preferred and direct equity, as well as real estate-related joint ventures, real estate-related notes, and various mortgage-related securities.

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Shares of Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE:PIPR  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $196.69 and last traded at $191.50, with a volume of 7850 shares. The stock had previously closed at $191.98.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PIPR has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Northland Securities lowered Piper Sandler Companies from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. StockNews.com upgraded Piper Sandler Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. JMP Securities reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Piper Sandler Companies in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Piper Sandler Companies from $171.00 to $193.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th.

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Piper Sandler Companies Trading Down 0.0 %

The firm has a market cap of $3.39 billion, a PE ratio of 38.86 and a beta of 1.41. The companys 50-day moving average is $186.99.

Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE:PIPR  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The financial services provider reported $4.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.61 by $1.42. Piper Sandler Companies had a return on equity of 13.27% and a net margin of 6.33%. The firm had revenue of $457.39 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $370.12 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.33 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 17.0% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Piper Sandler Companies will post 11.17 earnings per share for the current year.

Piper Sandler Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 4th will be issued a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 1st. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.25%. Piper Sandler Companiess payout ratio is currently 48.58%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Piper Sandler Companies

In other Piper Sandler Companies news, CEO Chad R. Abraham sold 6,662 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.03, for a total value of $1,232,669.86. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 36,454 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,745,083.62. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, President Debbra L. Schoneman sold 950 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.12, for a total transaction of $171,114.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now directly owns 14,021 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,525,462.52. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Chad R. Abraham sold 6,662 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.03, for a total value of $1,232,669.86. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 36,454 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,745,083.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 54,678 shares of company stock worth $10,044,513. Corporate insiders own 3.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Piper Sandler Companies

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new position in Piper Sandler Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Piper Sandler Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. GAMMA Investing LLC purchased a new position in shares of Piper Sandler Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Piper Sandler Companies by 62.1% in the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 167 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the period. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its stake in shares of Piper Sandler Companies by 328.3% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 227 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 174 shares during the period. 67.23% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Piper Sandler Companies

(Get Free Report)

Piper Sandler Companies operates as an investment bank and institutional securities firm that serves corporations, private equity groups, public entities, non-profit entities, and institutional investors in the United States and internationally. It offers investment banking and institutional sales, trading, and research services for various equity and fixed income products.

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PLDT Inc. (NYSE:PHI  Get Free Report) shares gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $23.12, but opened at $24.75. PLDT shares last traded at $25.50, with a volume of 31,680 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of PLDT from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 29th.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PHI

PLDT Stock Performance

PLDT Cuts Dividend

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.08, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 0.37. The firms 50 day moving average is $22.94 and its 200-day moving average is $22.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.70, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.59.

The business also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 20th will be given a dividend of $0.597 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 19th. PLDTs dividend payout ratio is presently 142.05%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On PLDT

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in shares of PLDT by 19.8% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 14,154 shares of the technology companys stock worth $497,000 after buying an additional 2,339 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its holdings in shares of PLDT by 9.5% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 13,863 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $487,000 after purchasing an additional 1,208 shares during the period. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC purchased a new stake in shares of PLDT in the first quarter valued at about $252,000. Citigroup Inc. grew its holdings in shares of PLDT by 1,869.6% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 2,265 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $80,000 after purchasing an additional 2,150 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in shares of PLDT by 4.7% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 718,032 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $25,232,000 after purchasing an additional 32,027 shares during the period. 2.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About PLDT

(Get Free Report)

PLDT Inc provides telecommunications and digital services in the Philippines. The company operates through three segments: Wireless, Fixed Line, and Others. It offers cellular mobile, Internet broadband distribution, operations support, software development, and satellite information and messaging services; and sells Wi-Fi access equipment.

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Polar Capital Holdings Plc decreased its holdings in McKesson Co. (NYSE:MCK  Free Report) by 31.2% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 220,486 shares of the companys stock after selling 100,066 shares during the quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plcs holdings in McKesson were worth $95,878,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in McKesson by 1.1% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 11,514,039 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,920,064,000 after purchasing an additional 122,156 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its position in McKesson by 3.0% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,508,134 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,784,399,000 after purchasing an additional 187,371 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its position in McKesson by 16.0% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 5,148,794 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,238,953,000 after purchasing an additional 708,438 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in McKesson by 0.9% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,486,792 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,059,447,000 after purchasing an additional 22,726 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised its position in McKesson by 14.0% during the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,398,380 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,042,937,000 after purchasing an additional 294,832 shares during the period. 82.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Barclays assumed coverage on McKesson in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. They issued an overweight rating and a $537.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on McKesson in a report on Thursday, December 14th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $502.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup raised their price objective on McKesson from $530.00 to $575.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on McKesson from $495.00 to $514.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded McKesson from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $522.21.

McKesson Stock Down 0.1 %

McKesson stock traded down $0.47 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $526.94. The companys stock had a trading volume of 279,157 shares, compared to its average volume of 768,011. McKesson Co. has a fifty-two week low of $331.75 and a fifty-two week high of $537.26. The company has a market cap of $69.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.44. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $499.68 and a 200-day simple moving average of $465.10.

McKesson (NYSE:MCK  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $7.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $7.05 by $0.69. The firm had revenue of $80.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $77.93 billion. McKesson had a negative return on equity of 262.63% and a net margin of 0.99%. The businesss revenue was up 14.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $6.90 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that McKesson Co. will post 27.61 earnings per share for the current year.

McKesson Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st will be given a $0.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.47%. McKessons payout ratio is currently 11.24%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Leann B. Smith sold 186 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $496.00, for a total transaction of $92,256.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,511 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $749,456. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, EVP Leann B. Smith sold 186 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $496.00, for a total transaction of $92,256.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,511 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $749,456. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Brian S. Tyler sold 14,026 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $480.00, for a total transaction of $6,732,480.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 43,445 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,853,600. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock.

McKesson Profile

(Free Report)

McKesson Corporation provides healthcare services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Pharmaceutical, Prescription Technology Solutions (RxTS), Medical-Surgical Solutions, and International. The U.S. Pharmaceutical segment distributes branded, generic, specialty, biosimilar and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs, and other healthcare-related products.

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WASHINGTON  The Mine Safety and Health Administration has unveiled an online platform to help miners and their families navigate the process of finding healthcare providers, facilities and related resources.

Accessible through the agencys website, the Health Resource Locator Tool includes care options tailored specifically for miners, including National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-certified B Readers, black lung clinics, buprenorphine providers, audiologists and speech-language pathologists, drug and alcohol treatment facilities, federally qualified health centers, mental health facilities and Veterans Administration healthcare facilities.

The tool enables miners to search for resources easily and anonymously in a chosen area using a mine name or mine identification number, or a city, state, or ZIP code. They can then sort results alphabetically or by distance.

The Health Resource Locator Tool provides miners with a single accessible place where they can obtain real-time information on healthcare facilities, services and specialists tailored to their unique health needs, Chris Williamson, assistant secretary for mine safety and health, said.

Williamson announced the launch on March 6 at a Total Worker Health seminar in Bristol, Connecticut, hosted jointly by the Connecticut Construction Industries Association, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478, Tilcon Connecticut, and the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.

The Biden-Harris administration remains committed to ensuring that all workers have good jobs, and a healthy workplace is a critical component of a good job, Williamson said. Miners face many potential health challenges, whether because of disabling injuries, occupational illnesses like silicosis and black lung disease, or obstacles to finding quality mental health care. MSHAs Miner Health Matters initiative encourages miners to get regular health screenings and maintain awareness about their health, and this tool makes that easier by placing information directly in miners hands.

MSHA says that by harnessing the power of the Health Resource Locator Tool, miners can efficiently access health services, ensuring they receive the necessary support to safeguard their well-being.

The tool will also soon be available within the MSHA mobile miner app.
Public Sector Pension Investment Board raised its position in Avery Dennison Co. (NYSE:AVY  Free Report) by 0.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 698,624 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 942 shares during the quarter. Avery Dennison makes up about 0.9% of Public Sector Pension Investment Boards investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Public Sector Pension Investment Boards holdings in Avery Dennison were worth $127,618,000 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. New York Life Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Avery Dennison by 0.5% in the third quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 11,454 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,092,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in shares of Avery Dennison by 25.5% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 300 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Advisor Partners II LLC lifted its position in shares of Avery Dennison by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC now owns 3,342 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $610,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the period. Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Avery Dennison by 0.5% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 12,732 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,215,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in Avery Dennison by 56.3% during the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 200 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.09% of the companys stock.

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Avery Dennison Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of AVY stock traded down $0.86 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $214.87. 111,367 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 452,553. The stock has a market cap of $17.30 billion, a PE ratio of 34.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.32 and a beta of 0.90. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $204.32 and its 200 day simple moving average is $192.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23. Avery Dennison Co. has a 12 month low of $158.93 and a 12 month high of $219.57.

Avery Dennison Announces Dividend

Avery Dennison ( NYSE:AVY Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The industrial products company reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $2.16. The business had revenue of $2.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.10 billion. Avery Dennison had a return on equity of 30.97% and a net margin of 6.01%. The firms revenue was up 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.65 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Avery Dennison Co. will post 9.28 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.81 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 5th. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.51%. Avery Dennisons payout ratio is currently 52.17%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Avery Dennison from $225.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Avery Dennison from $185.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Raymond James upped their target price on Avery Dennison from $199.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Bank of America downgraded Avery Dennison from a buy rating to an underperform rating and set a $208.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Citigroup downgraded Avery Dennison from a buy rating to a neutral rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $197.00 to $214.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $218.78.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on AVY

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Ignacio J. Walker sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $213.90, for a total transaction of $1,069,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 6,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,305,217.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, SVP Ignacio J. Walker sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $213.90, for a total transaction of $1,069,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 6,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,305,217.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Julia A. Stewart sold 5,311 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $202.26, for a total transaction of $1,074,202.86. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,018 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,014,940.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 18,479 shares of company stock worth $3,919,099. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Avery Dennison Company Profile

(Free Report)

Avery Dennison Corporation operates as a materials science and digital identification solutions company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, Latin, America, and internationally. It provides pressure-sensitive materials comprising papers, plastic films, metal foils, and fabrics; performance tapes products, including tapes for wire harnessing, as well as cable wrapping for automotive, electrical, and general industrial applications; mechanical fasteners, which are precision-extruded and injection-molded plastic devices used in various automotive, general industrial, and retail applications; and other pressure-sensitive adhesive-based materials and converted products under the Fasson, JAC, Yongle, and Avery Dennison brands.

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Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO  Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $62.69, but opened at $61.08. Rio Tinto Group shares last traded at $61.36, with a volume of 810,363 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on RIO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Rio Tinto Group in a report on Friday, January 12th. They set a buy rating for the company. Liberum Capital reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. Finally, BNP Paribas raised shares of Rio Tinto Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, December 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $72.00.

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Rio Tinto Group Stock Performance

Rio Tinto Group Increases Dividend

The businesss 50-day moving average is $68.35 and its 200 day moving average is $66.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.69 and a quick ratio of 1.17.

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a $2.58 dividend. This is a boost from Rio Tinto Groups previous semi-annual dividend of $1.77. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. This represents a dividend yield of 6.6%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rio Tinto Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of RIO. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Rio Tinto Group by 10.9% during the third quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC now owns 8,732 shares of the mining companys stock worth $556,000 after acquiring an additional 858 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. increased its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 18.3% during the third quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 721,662 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $45,926,000 after buying an additional 111,623 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC increased its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 4.0% during the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 369,931 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $23,542,000 after buying an additional 14,083 shares during the last quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group by 16.7% in the third quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 404,189 shares of the mining companys stock worth $25,723,000 after purchasing an additional 57,818 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group by 5.9% in the third quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 2,903,093 shares of the mining companys stock worth $184,721,000 after purchasing an additional 161,532 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 10.03% of the companys stock.

About Rio Tinto Group

(Get Free Report)

Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. It offers aluminum, copper, iron ore, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, silver, molybdenum, and lithium. The company also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, refineries, smelters, and concentrator facilities, as well as power stations, research, and service facilities.

Further Reading

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Friday.

SNOW has been the topic of a number of other reports. Needham & Company LLC reduced their target price on shares of Snowflake from $265.00 to $240.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Snowflake from $190.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Rosenblatt Securities dropped their price target on shares of Snowflake from $190.00 to $185.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Canaccord Genuity Group restated a buy rating and issued a $230.00 price target on shares of Snowflake in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Wedbush lifted their price target on shares of Snowflake from $144.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and twenty have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $204.85.

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Snowflake Trading Down 3.6 %

NYSE SNOW opened at $162.40 on Friday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $204.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $179.27. Snowflake has a 52 week low of $128.56 and a 52 week high of $237.72. The stock has a market cap of $53.48 billion, a P/E ratio of -63.69 and a beta of 0.94.

Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported ($0.44) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.49) by $0.05. Snowflake had a negative net margin of 29.79% and a negative return on equity of 13.80%. The business had revenue of $774.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $759.86 million. On average, research analysts expect that Snowflake will post -1.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Frank Slootman sold 250,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.39, for a total value of $49,597,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 180,143 shares of the companys stock, valued at $35,738,569.77. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Snowflake news, CEO Frank Slootman sold 250,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.39, for a total value of $49,597,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 180,143 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $35,738,569.77. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CRO Christopher William Degnan sold 115,038 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.53, for a total transaction of $23,068,570.14. Following the completion of the sale, the executive now directly owns 147,369 shares of the companys stock, valued at $29,551,905.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 504,295 shares of company stock valued at $103,317,155 over the last 90 days. 8.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Snowflake

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of SNOW. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Snowflake during the 4th quarter worth about $838,455,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Snowflake by 8.0% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,988,720 shares of the companys stock worth $4,176,755,000 after buying an additional 1,559,830 shares during the period. FMR LLC raised its holdings in Snowflake by 32.1% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 6,154,085 shares of the companys stock worth $940,160,000 after buying an additional 1,496,235 shares during the period. Winslow Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Snowflake during the 3rd quarter worth about $226,302,000. Finally, Voloridge Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Snowflake during the 4th quarter worth about $230,003,000. 63.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Snowflake

(Get Free Report)

Snowflake Inc provides a cloud-based data platform for various organizations in the United States and internationally. Its platform offers Data Cloud, which enables customers to consolidate data into a single source of truth to drive meaningful business insights, build data-driven applications, and share data and data products.

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Spears Abacus Advisors LLC decreased its position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD  Free Report) by 27.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 10,312 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 3,928 shares during the quarter. Spears Abacus Advisors LLCs holdings in SPDR Gold Shares were worth $1,768,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 67,584.6% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,037,008 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $515,198,000 after acquiring an additional 3,032,521 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 256.0% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,142,717 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $206,432,000 after acquiring an additional 821,773 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 111.3% in the 2nd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 68,532 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $12,217,000 after acquiring an additional 672,400 shares in the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank raised its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 14.5% during the 3rd quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 4,660,292 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $799,007,000 after buying an additional 591,368 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares during the 1st quarter valued at about $100,880,000. Institutional investors own 40.99% of the companys stock.

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SPDR Gold Shares Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA GLD traded up $0.42 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $202.05. 2,529,630 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,525,125. SPDR Gold Shares has a 52-week low of $168.30 and a 52-week high of $203.30. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $189.12 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $184.36.

About SPDR Gold Shares

SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares).

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Sprott Inc. lessened its holdings in Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:DAR  Free Report) by 6.4% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 5,939 shares of the companys stock after selling 409 shares during the quarter. Sprott Inc.s holdings in Darling Ingredients were worth $319,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of DAR. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in Darling Ingredients in the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Millburn Ridgefield Corp acquired a new stake in Darling Ingredients in the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Darling Ingredients in the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in Darling Ingredients in the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc boosted its holdings in Darling Ingredients by 38.9% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 689 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.78% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on DAR shares. Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and set a $95.00 target price (down from $120.00) on shares of Darling Ingredients in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on Darling Ingredients from $60.00 to $57.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Citigroup lowered their target price on Darling Ingredients from $49.00 to $46.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Stephens lowered their target price on Darling Ingredients from $55.00 to $50.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Darling Ingredients presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $75.80.

Darling Ingredients Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of DAR stock traded up $0.46 during trading on Monday, hitting $43.99. 50,237 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,935,476. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.94 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.86 and a quick ratio of 1.10. The firms fifty day moving average price is $43.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $47.28. Darling Ingredients Inc. has a 52-week low of $38.97 and a 52-week high of $71.60.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Kurt Stoffel bought 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were bought at an average price of $41.62 per share, with a total value of $332,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,571 shares in the company, valued at $439,965.02. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 2.51% of the companys stock.

Darling Ingredients Company Profile

(Free Report)

Darling Ingredients Inc develops, produces, and sells natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients in North America, Europe, China, South America, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Feed Ingredients, Food Ingredients, and Fuel Ingredients. It offers ingredients and customized specialty solutions for customers in the pharmaceutical, food, pet food, feed, industrial, fuel, bioenergy, and fertilizer industries.

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SSE (OTCMKTS:SSEZY  Get Free Report) and BB Seguridade Participacoes (OTCMKTS:BBSEY  Get Free Report) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, earnings and risk.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings for SSE and BB Seguridade Participacoes, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score SSE 0 0 2 0 3.00 BB Seguridade Participacoes 1 0 0 0 1.00

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets SSE N/A N/A N/A BB Seguridade Participacoes 85.27% 80.26% 49.91%

Risk and Volatility

This table compares SSE and BB Seguridade Participacoes net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

SSE has a beta of 0.8, suggesting that its stock price is 20% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, BB Seguridade Participacoes has a beta of 1, suggesting that its stock price has a similar volatility profile to the S&P 500.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares SSE and BB Seguridade Participacoes gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio SSE $15.18 billion 1.55 -$101.49 million N/A N/A BB Seguridade Participacoes $1.81 billion 7.31 $1.55 billion $0.80 8.29

BB Seguridade Participacoes has lower revenue, but higher earnings than SSE.

Dividends

SSE pays an annual dividend of $0.46 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. BB Seguridade Participacoes pays an annual dividend of $0.45 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.8%. BB Seguridade Participacoes pays out 56.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

0.0% of SSE shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of BB Seguridade Participacoes shares are held by institutional investors. 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.

Summary

BB Seguridade Participacoes beats SSE on 7 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About SSE

(Get Free Report)

SSE plc engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and supply of electricity. It generates electricity from water, gas, coal, oil, and multi fuel. The company distributes electricity to approximately 3.8 million homes and businesses across the north of the central belt of Scotland and central southern England; and owns, operates, and develops high voltage electricity transmission system in the north of Scotland and remote islands. It also produces, stores, distributes, and supplies gas. In addition, it engages in the electricity and utility contracting, telecommunications, energy trading, insurance, and property holding businesses, as well as provides maintenance services. The company was formerly known as Scottish and Southern Energy plc and changed its name to SSE plc in September 2011. SSE plc was incorporated in 1989 and is based in Perth, the United Kingdom.

About BB Seguridade Participacoes

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BB Seguridade Participacoes S.A., through its subsidiaries operates in the insurance, pension plans, and bonds, businesses in Brazil. The company operates through Security and Brokerage segments. The Security segment offers life, property, rural, special risks and financial, transport, hulls, and housing people insurance products. It also offers pension plans, dental, and capitalization plans. The Brokerage segment engages in the brokerage, management, and promotion of pension plans, capitalization, capitalization, and dental plans. BB Seguridade Participacoes S.A. was incorporated in 2012 and is headquartered in Brasilia, Brazil. The company operates as a subsidiary of Banco do Brasil S.A.

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StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Physicians Realty Trust (NYSE:DOC  Free Report) in a research note published on Thursday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on DOC. KeyCorp reiterated a sector weight rating on shares of Physicians Realty Trust in a research report on Friday, January 5th. Compass Point dropped their price objective on shares of Physicians Realty Trust from $19.00 to $18.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Physicians Realty Trust from $15.00 to $14.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Physicians Realty Trust presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $16.00.

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Physicians Realty Trust Stock Performance

Physicians Realty Trust Announces Dividend

NYSE DOC opened at $17.74 on Thursday. Physicians Realty Trust has a 52-week low of $15.24 and a 52-week high of $23.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.67. The company has a market capitalization of $9.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.68, a P/E/G ratio of -0.79 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a fifty day moving average of $12.82 and a 200-day moving average of $12.44.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 18th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 3rd were given a dividend of $0.23 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.19%. Physicians Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 214.29%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in Physicians Realty Trust during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Physicians Realty Trust by 274.6% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 4,072 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 2,985 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its position in shares of Physicians Realty Trust by 42.4% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 5,750 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 1,712 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its holdings in Physicians Realty Trust by 99.7% in the 2nd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 5,237 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $73,000 after acquiring an additional 2,614 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. increased its holdings in Physicians Realty Trust by 52.1% in the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 6,426 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $90,000 after acquiring an additional 2,200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.55% of the companys stock.

About Physicians Realty Trust

(Get Free Report)

Physicians Realty Trust is a self-managed health care real estate company organized to acquire, selectively develop, own, and manage health care properties that are leased to physicians, hospitals, and health care delivery systems. The Company invests in real estate that is integral to providing high quality health care.

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Resources Management Corp CT ADV reduced its position in The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK  Free Report) by 31.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,135 shares of the banks stock after selling 990 shares during the period. Resources Management Corp CT ADVs holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $91,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Quilter Plc purchased a new position in Bank of New York Mellon during the first quarter valued at approximately $446,850,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 97.1% during the first quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 609 shares of the banks stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new position in Bank of New York Mellon during the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Addison Advisors LLC grew its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 603.2% during the third quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 879 shares of the banks stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 754 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Command Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in Bank of New York Mellon during the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. 81.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on BK. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Bank of New York Mellon from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $52.00 to $62.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Bank of New York Mellon from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $54.50 price objective on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $54.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $54.75.

Bank of New York Mellon Price Performance

Shares of Bank of New York Mellon stock opened at $55.47 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $54.76 and a 200-day simple moving average of $48.81. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The Bank of New York Mellon Co. has a 1-year low of $39.65 and a 1-year high of $56.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $41.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.97, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.11.

Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The bank reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.12 by $0.16. Bank of New York Mellon had a net margin of 10.01% and a return on equity of 11.63%. The business had revenue of $4.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.30 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.30 earnings per share. Bank of New York Mellons revenue for the quarter was up 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that The Bank of New York Mellon Co. will post 5.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Bank of New York Mellon Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, January 22nd were given a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.03%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 19th. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 42.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Catherine Keating sold 4,498 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.81, for a total transaction of $246,535.38. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 123,490 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,768,486.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, VP Hanneke Smits sold 15,425 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.16, for a total transaction of $850,843.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 119,656 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,600,224.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Catherine Keating sold 4,498 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.81, for a total transaction of $246,535.38. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 123,490 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,768,486.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Bank of New York Mellon Profile

(Free Report)

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics.

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Tompkins Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 34,787 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,163 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company accounts for approximately 2.9% of Tompkins Financial Corps holdings, making the stock its 5th largest holding. Tompkins Financial Corps holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $18,685,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Thompson Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Retirement Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 159.1% during the second quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 57 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 35 shares during the period. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Legacy Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Optiver Holding B.V. bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.38% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LLY has been the subject of several research reports. Barclays raised their price target on shares of 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. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of 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. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of 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. TheStreet downgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Finally, 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. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $677.62.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

NYSE:LLY traded down $30.61 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $731.53. The stock had a trading volume of 1,172,483 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,362,333. Eli Lilly and Company has a twelve month low of $317.24 and a twelve month high of $800.78. The stock has a market cap of $695.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 129.48, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.34. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $694.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $618.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.94.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.19. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 51.22%. The business had revenue of $9.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.95 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.09 EPS. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 78,573 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $648.07, for a total value of $50,920,804.11. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 99,333,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $64,375,262,246.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold a total of 195,055 shares of company stock valued at $125,254,657 in the last three months. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company 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; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Trust Co. of Vermont lowered its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 8.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 101,076 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 9,013 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $5,866,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 61.5% during the third quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 525 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Societe Generale downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. StockNews.com upgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased 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 report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $77.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have issued a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $61.12.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.7 %

NYSE:BMY traded up $0.37 on Monday, reaching $54.16. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,005,596 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,082,742. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12-month low of $47.58 and a 12-month high of $71.07. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $50.43 and a 200 day moving average price of $53.18. The firm has a market cap of $109.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $11.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.19 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.83% and a return on equity of 50.95%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.82 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to repurchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.43%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.18%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis 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.

Further Reading

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Last September, the Board of Regents in charge of the states public higher education system received a presentation that, if correct, suggested enrollment trends that could upend Nevadas higher education budgets within the next decade and force steep cuts.

But the doomsday scenario doesnt seem to worry the states top higher education officials. In interviews with The Nevada Independent, a mix of institutional leaders and budget gurus cast doubt on whether the worst projections would come to pass, especially as post-COVID enrollments have started to rebound.

More pressing, they said, will be the looming revision of the higher education funding formula in 2025  the first major revision of that formula in more than a decade, and an inflection point affecting the higher education systems trajectory for years to come.

At a meeting last month of an interim legislative committee charged with crafting that new formula, discussion pitting long-term enrollment trends against shorter-term funding formula changes set the stage for the coming debate about how to dole out more than $1.2 billion in biennial state dollars for higher education.

But undergirding more than six hours of presentations was an acknowledgment that every institution was ready for change. Kent Ervin, a former head of the Nevada Faculty Alliance, told the committee that the old formula was universally disliked across all institutions, that it was unfair and did harm to their institutions. UNR President Brian Sandoval told the committee the formula was one-size-fits-all.

It really doesnt work, Sandoval said.

So how did we get here?

Doom and gloom for whom?

Many of the enrollment fears are laid out in a 54-slide deck compiled by Las Vegas economics firm Applied Analysis  known chiefly for its more recent work for the relocating Oakland As and Formula One  commissioned last year by former Chancellor Dale Erquiaga and presented to regents in September.

That presentation tested three enrollment models through 2040  a base, high and low scenario  that projected the future of the existing funding model with no changes. Those scenarios were dictated by what the report called demographic realities  an operating assumption that demographic shocks stemming back to the 2008 financial crisis will hollow the ranks of 18- to 29-year-olds that traditionally supply colleges and universities with students sometime within the next 10 years.

That analysis projects that Nevadas population would peak in 2029 before beginning to decline. Under the base scenario, enrollment would continue to rise before dipping down in the 2030s. With costs expected to rise, the worst-case low-enrollment scenario could create a funding gap of $500 million by 2033, growing to $1 billion by 2039.

In order to cover the gap, the report posited, regents would need to contemplate anywhere between a 4.5% and 6.5% hike in tuition and fees, assuming the funding formula remained the same. In the worst-case scenario, the necessary increase would be nearly double the current 10-year average of just 3.2%.

In an interview, Applied Analysis principal analyst Jeremy Aguero said the issue was twofold.

One is this sort of cliff, that I think K-12 education as well as higher education is going to deal with, there are just fewer younger people, Aguero said. But the other half of it is also the question, relative to those same groups of people, smaller as they may be, in terms of their marginal propensity to engage in these programs.

The phenomenon is known nationally as the enrollment cliff, and its a cliff that researchers have posited could cut national college enrollment by as much as 15% over the next 10 years, starting as soon as 2025. That research has also signaled a potentially steeper cliff for public land-grant institutions servicing local students, as demand for degrees is expected to consolidate among the countrys most elite institutions.

Nathan Grawe, an economics professor at Minnesotas Carleton College who has for years studied the relationship between demographics and enrollment, said in an interview recession-era demographic trends are already appearing in K-12 graduation and enrollment data  though national data is hardly a monolith.

Part of the complexity, Grawe said, was that migratory patterns can change the enrollment math. Where coastal states have lost people, states in the South and Mountain West have grown.

In some parts of the country, even as we look forward, the migratory patterns will more or less offset the contraction in fertility, Grawe said.

Texas, Grawe said by way of example, is on track for a real tear in projected high school graduates. Its a tear expected to last through the mid-2020s, where even then, he said, enrollments are expected to move more or less sideways.

Nevada institution presidents have sounded a similar tone  pointing to Nevadas numbers as having little in common with the hardest hit areas of the Northeast and Midwest, where the rapid decline of small, private liberal arts colleges has compounded the issue in ways that are generally less applicable in the Mountain West.

But citing K-12 graduation projections from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Grawe suggested Nevada might not be super strong. Part of the reason, he said, were graduating cohorts that were already smaller than expected.

For instance, Nevada Department of Education numbers show more than 31,200 Nevada high school graduates for the 2022-2023 school year  about 4.6% less than the 32,680 graduates WICHE had projected.

More than that, Grawe said, falling matriculation rates (a measure of how many high school graduates move on to college) cannot solely be explained by demographics  leaving us to wonder, are people reevaluating their relationship with higher education?

Interim Chancellor Patty Charlton told The Nevada Independent in February the projections inside the Applied Analysis report were a very important look at where we were at the time.

But Charlton said she and Aguero had ongoing discussions to continue to vet that presentation, pointing to increasing enrollments in the fall 2023 semester and a now-baked cost for a historically large cost-of-living increase for higher education employees as evidence of the systems ability to remain flexible even in the face of dire projections.

Were never being stagnant, she said. Were always looking at opportunities for efficiencies, for improvements. Institutions are always also looking at programs  is this the right program for the right time? Is this still viable?

Opening the funding formula box

Instead, eyes now turn to a new legislatively approved study committee  the ad hoc Committee on Higher Education Funding  whose work could reshape the higher education funding landscape for the first time in more than a decade. Created in 2023, the committee is staffed by a 14-member mix of lawmakers, regents, business leaders and chaired by former Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice James Hardesty.

At issue is the states higher education funding formula, which splits money across two research universities, four community colleges and a state university based largely on weighted student credit hours.

Those weighted credit hours function as a measure of not only how many students are completing courses from institution to institution, but also a sliding scale designed to account for more expensive classes  labs, graduate study or upper division work.

When it was crafted in 2012, the weighted student credit hour formula was hailed as a success in its primary goal  flattening decadeslong discrepancies, often fueled by discrete and occasionally esoteric regional political battles between UNR and UNLV.

But in the years since, the formula has come under renewed scrutiny by community colleges, and perhaps none more vocally than from College of Southern Nevada President Federico Zaragoza.

Sitting before the new funding formula committee last month, Zaragoza said that the formula as it exists is not an equity formula, that its prioritization of full-time students punished community colleges for catering to part-time students who are often poorer and come from worse schools. He likened the funding received from every full-time equivalent student to three part-time students.

Its not that we dont want to spend more, we dont have the resources to spend more, Zaragoza said.

Accelerating the pain are a mix of outside factors, few more impactful than enrollment. During the pandemic, as colleges and universities nationwide pivoted overnight to online instruction, enrollment fell nearly across the board. But while enrollment trends at UNR and UNLV were relatively unchanged  falling by 1.7% at UNLV and increasing 0.8% at UNR between fall 2020 and fall 2021  enrollment drops were sharp and sudden at community colleges.

At CSN, enrollment in that same time period fell 12%. The colleges total headcount dropped by more than 5,800 students, resetting CSN to its lowest overall headcount since 1998. In the years since, enrollment has remained reduced, with headcount reaching just 30,040 in fall 2023, down from nearly 30,200 a year earlier.

As headcounts drop, so do the revenues that came with tuition and fees for those thousands of students.

Federal aid helped cover much of the financial burden caused by reduced enrollment, Zaragoza told the committee. But amid another crunch created by record cost-of-living increases for state employees, including higher education workers, the hurt continued.

When we do have declining enrollment, there is real pressure that is put on the institutions that will have consequences in terms of our ability to serve our students, he said.

The money question

Higher education leaders have signaled that the upcoming formula revisions represent a golden opportunity to secure more money from state lawmakers  money that lawmakers have historically remained hesitant to dole out amid concerns about transparency and accountability within byzantine college and university accounting offices.

In an interview, UNLV President Keith Whitfield said he would like to see the higher education budget pie to be a little bit bigger, potentially tied to performance incentives than pure credit hours or headcounts.

Whitfield raised concerns with the committee about the finer mechanics for year-to-year caseload growth that redistribute money over time without necessarily increasing the total amount of money, in effect pitting institutions against one another. Instead, he called for a new base funding level for institutions, with caseload growth or new incentives piled on top.

UNRs Sandoval likened the new funding formula as an opportunity to do something visionary and historic, drawing comparisons to the fundamental overhaul of the states K-12 funding formula in 2019 that created additional funding weights for different kinds of students  including English language learners to special education students.

Frankly, the amount of money in our state budget has increased dramatically, and there hasnt been a proportional share thats been devoted to higher education, Sandoval, a former governor, said. We did, and we should, put all that money into K-12  but where do you think all those K-12 students go when they finish high school?

The committee is still months away from completing its work, however, and lawmakers will not take up the charge of drafting a new formula until the 2025 legislative session. By then, they may also be working to reshape the structure of the Nevada System of Higher Education itself, should voters pass Ballot Question 1 in November and remove the Board of Regents from the states Constitution.

And whether a Legislature that has long viewed NSHE funding skeptically will raise funding alongside a new formula remains a political question without an answer.

If the mechanics of the formula are leading to outcomes that are not aligned with the goals of the state, then fixing the mechanics first, in the absence of the political conversation, which is largely How much should we be funding this?  I think those should be two completely separate conversations, Aguero said.
Trust Co. of Vermont lessened its holdings in shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 28,843 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 201 shares during the quarter. BlackRock comprises about 1.3% of Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in BlackRock were worth $18,647,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the second quarter worth about $26,000. West Tower Group LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Archer Investment Corp acquired a new stake in BlackRock in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock in the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management acquired a new stake in BlackRock in the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.01% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at BlackRock

In related news, insider Marc D. Comerchero sold 450 shares of BlackRock 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 5,975 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,691,032.25. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other BlackRock news, General Counsel Christopher J. Meade sold 18,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $282.54, for a total value of $5,085,660.60. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 11,914 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,366,142.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, 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 directly owns 5,975 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,691,032.25. 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 1.06% of the companys stock.

BlackRock Stock Performance

Shares of BLK traded down $9.34 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $826.78. 219,410 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 589,566. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 3.48 and a quick ratio of 3.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $123.14 billion, a PE ratio of 22.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.37. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $798.53 and its 200-day simple moving average is $731.35. BlackRock, Inc. has a 52-week low of $596.18 and a 52-week high of $845.00.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The asset manager reported $9.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.84 by $0.82. The business had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.65 billion. BlackRock had a net margin of 30.81% and a return on equity of 14.74%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $8.93 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that BlackRock, Inc. will post 39.73 earnings per share for the current year.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, March 7th will be given a $5.10 dividend. This represents a $20.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.47%. This is a positive change from BlackRocks previous quarterly dividend of $5.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 6th. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 55.88%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently weighed in on BLK shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of BlackRock from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $708.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Friday, December 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of BlackRock from $719.00 to $793.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 30th. BNP Paribas raised shares of BlackRock from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $885.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $720.00 to $818.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, TD Cowen raised shares of BlackRock from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $819.00 to $938.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $785.73.

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BlackRock Profile

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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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Tudor Investment Corp Et Al raised its holdings in Valaris Limited (NYSE:VAL  Free Report) by 567.3% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 78,457 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 66,700 shares during the quarter. Tudor Investment Corp Et Als holdings in Valaris were worth $5,883,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in VAL. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of Valaris by 3.5% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 6,878,165 shares of the companys stock valued at $432,843,000 after buying an additional 234,977 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its holdings in Valaris by 31.8% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,812,867 shares of the companys stock valued at $285,889,000 after acquiring an additional 919,123 shares in the last quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. raised its holdings in Valaris by 8.7% in the 3rd quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 2,499,355 shares of the companys stock valued at $187,402,000 after acquiring an additional 199,662 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Valaris by 64.6% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,209,606 shares of the companys stock valued at $143,757,000 after acquiring an additional 867,097 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Exor Capital LLP raised its holdings in Valaris by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Exor Capital LLP now owns 2,056,838 shares of the companys stock valued at $101,131,000 after acquiring an additional 35,305 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.57% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on VAL shares. Capital One Financial reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $100.00 price objective on shares of Valaris in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. StockNews.com raised Valaris to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Barclays lowered their price target on Valaris from $105.00 to $102.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. TheStreet raised Valaris from a c rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of Valaris from $107.00 to $105.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $100.00.

Valaris Stock Down 2.2 %

NYSE:VAL opened at $66.02 on Monday. Valaris Limited has a one year low of $54.13 and a one year high of $78.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.71 and a quick ratio of 1.71. The company has a market cap of $4.78 billion, a PE ratio of 5.65 and a beta of 1.10. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $65.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $68.65.

About Valaris

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Valaris Limited provides offshore contract drilling services to the international oil and gas industry. The company owns an offshore drilling rig fleet, which include drillships, dynamically positioned semisubmersible rigs, moored semisubmersible rig, and jackup rigs. It serves international, government-owned, and independent oil and gas companies in the Gulf of Mexico, South America, the North Sea, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

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Walleye Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of PNM Resources, Inc. (NYSE:PNM  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 554,892 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $24,754,000. Walleye Capital LLC owned approximately 0.65% of PNM Resources as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its position in shares of PNM Resources by 8.2% during 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 in the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of PNM Resources by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 45,120 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,151,000 after acquiring an additional 724 shares in the last quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp acquired a new stake in shares of PNM Resources during the 1st quarter worth approximately $5,387,000. Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in shares of PNM Resources by 114.7% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 238,673 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $11,378,000 after acquiring an additional 127,483 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its position in shares of PNM Resources by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 391,228 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $18,650,000 after acquiring an additional 2,959 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.18% of the companys stock.

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PNM Resources Trading Up 0.3 %

NYSE PNM traded up $0.13 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $37.82. 123,053 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,902,851. PNM Resources, Inc. has a one year low of $34.63 and a one year high of $49.14. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $37.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of $41.16. The stock has a market cap of $3.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.59, a P/E/G ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.31.

PNM Resources Announces Dividend

PNM Resources ( NYSE:PNM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.04. PNM Resources had a net margin of 4.54% and a return on equity of 10.51%. The business had revenue of $412.11 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $705.05 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.15 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that PNM Resources, Inc. will post 2.71 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 26th will be issued a $0.387 dividend. This represents a $1.55 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 25th. PNM Resourcess payout ratio is 150.49%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently issued reports on PNM. StockNews.com lowered shares of PNM Resources from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of PNM Resources in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. They issued an overweight rating and a $40.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of PNM Resources from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $44.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. TheStreet downgraded shares of PNM Resources from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Mizuho downgraded shares of PNM Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $41.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $46.20.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on PNM Resources

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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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Xinyuan Real Estate (NYSE:XIN  Free Report) in a research note published on Thursday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Xinyuan Real Estate Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:XIN opened at $2.70 on Thursday. Xinyuan Real Estate has a one year low of $1.92 and a one year high of $6.51. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $2.69 and a 200-day moving average of $2.77.

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Institutional Trading of Xinyuan Real Estate

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Xinyuan Real Estate stock. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. (NYSE:XIN  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 478,629 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $536,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. owned approximately 0.90% of Xinyuan Real Estate at the end of the most recent reporting period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 0.90% of the companys stock.

Xinyuan Real Estate Company Profile

Xinyuan Real Estate Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in residential real estate development and construction in the People's Republic of China, the United States, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. The company develops residential projects, such as multi-layer apartment buildings, sub-high-rise apartment buildings, high-rise apartment buildings; auxiliary services and amenities, such as retail outlets, leisure and health facilities, kindergartens, and schools, as well as office, mixed-use, and commercial properties.

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (L) greets PM Pham Minh Chinh. (Photo: VNA)

Over nearly 50 years of diplomatic ties, the two countries relations have been developing unceasingly and were upgraded to a strategic partnership in July 2020.

The official welcome ceremony for PM Pham Minh Chinh. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam is currently the 14th largest trading partner of New Zealand with bilateral trade reaching 1.3 billion USD in 2023. As of November 2023, New Zealand had 52 investment projects worth 208.35 million USD in Vietnam, ranking 39th among 143 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, statistics showed.

There are about 11,000 Vietnamese people in the South Pacific nation, mainly in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington.

During the visit, PM Pham Minh Chinh is scheduled to hold talks and meetings with senior leaders of New Zealand, attend meetings with heads of associations and leading businesses of the country, engage in working sessions with local scientific, technological, and educational institutions, and meet with the Vietnamese community here.

The two sides will discuss measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation, including such focal and traditional areas as trade, investment, labour, education - training, and agriculture./.
That release could not be found.
Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and his New Zealand counterpart PM Christopher Luxon co-chair the press conference in Wellington on March 11. (Photo: VNA)

PM Pham Minh Chinh noted that during the talks, the two sides discussed a wide range of areas of cooperation and outlined orientations for the Vietnam - New Zealand strategic partnership to continue growing strongly in the time ahead.

In particular, the countries will stabilise and consolidate the strategic trust and political - diplomatic cooperation to create a solid foundation for bilateral ties. They will enhance and expand cooperation in all the important pillars of their strategic partnership, including economy - trade - investment, security - defence, agriculture, and people-to-people exchange. In addition, they will accelerate and make breakthrough in the partnerships in science - technology, innovation, green economy, digital economy, environmentally friendly technology transfer, agriculture, and such emerging sectors as artificial intelligence, semiconductor, maritime economy, environmental protection, labour, and vocational training.

The two sides agreed to establish working groups to step up the fruitful implementation of cooperation deals, he said.

Looking into some regional and international issues of shared concern, they agreed to coordinate closely and support each other, especially at the United Nations, the ASEAN-led forums, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). They also concurred in boosting dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation, together effectively responding to common challenges in the region, and fostering cooperation in the Mekong sub-region, the Vietnamese PM said.

Regarding the East Sea issue, he went on, the two sides re-affirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the waters; not using or threatening to use force; and peacefully resolving disputes on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They agreed to exchange opinions and information, increase maritime cooperation, and make joint efforts to turn the East Sea into an area of peace, stability, friendship, cooperation, and development.

For his part, PM Luxon told the media that during the talks, the two sides made commitments to the building of an Asia-Pacific region of peace, stability, cooperation, and development that generates benefits for both countries and their peoples.

Vietnam and New Zealand will promote cooperation in all fields, including politics, diplomacy, economy - trade - investment, agriculture, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.

Bilateral trade has been rising continuously, by 60% over the last five years, he noted, adding that they aim to raise the trade revenue to 2 billion USD in 2024 and soon double bilateral investment through appropriate measures.

The two countries also agreed to jointly build and implement plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the host leader announced.

He went on to say that he and his Vietnamese guest believe that there remains huge room for the Vietnam - New Zealand cooperation, so the two sides should work to maximise potential, including by holding activities aiming for practical and breakthrough results in 2025  the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, so as to elevate bilateral ties to a new level.

Both sides shared the view that with the achievements obtained so far and the determination of the two countries leaders and peoples, the Vietnam - New Zealand relations will keep growing strongly, substantively, and effectively to practically benefit the two peoples and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in Asia-Pacific and the world, according to Luxon.

Following the press conference, the two PMs witnessed the signing of several deals, including an agreement on educational cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and Education New Zealand, an agreement on economic and trade cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance and the New Zealand Treasury./.
Questions over the status of SoO pact Realpolitiks at play

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Ten months into the conflict and there is nothing to suggest that normalcy is anywhere near in sight. The question is how long Manipur can afford to continue living in this state of conflict. A question which should be given top priority and the fact of the matter is, this question should have been raised a long time back. The fact that the conflict has dragged on for over 300 days should more than underline the fact that no serious efforts have been made to take Manipur on the track of normalcy and this is what is deeply disturbing. No logic explains the indifference of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, best exemplified by his deafening silence, but this should no longer be taken as the reason for the violence to continue. And if New Delhi does not seem to have any clue on how to deal with the ongoing clash, can one expect Imphal to come out with anything tangible to address the issue ? The answer should be obvious to all. This is the reality and perhaps this is where it becomes important to question whether the people as a whole have it in them to start talking the language of resolving the matter and put Manipur on the track of normalcy. Not an easy task, especially given the fact that there is nothing to suggest that the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) have moved on from their slogan Solution first, Peace later. The solution that is being talked about here is clear but there is no way Manipur or even New Delhi would entertain such a preposterous suggestion though New Delhi has not uttered a single word on the Separate Administration demand put forth by the Kuki-Zo MLAs and the silence continues on the status of the Suspension of Operation pact. February 29 has come and gone, but there has been no official statement on the pact being extended. If it is not extended then does this mean that the SoO pact is no longer operative ? No words have come forth from the Union Home Ministry and what is at hand is a state of uncertainty. What it has served however is silencing the growing demand from Manipur that the SoO pact be abrogated. Remember the days running to February 29 and the loud audible demand raised to abrogate the SoO pact comes to mind, but now with no official confirmation on whether the pact has been extended or not, the demand has been muted to a certain extent. Can one read a political masterstroke in the silence maintained on the status of the SoO pact is a question which Manipur should be asking within itself now. More than the people, the Government at Imphal too should be raising this question and one wonders if the political leaders of Manipur have made any efforts to know the status of the SoO pact or are just being satisfied with the silence maintained by New Delhi.

This is where one needs to understand the realpolitiks of inking and driving the SoO pact year after year since 2008. Understanding or trying to understand the geo-politics of the region, especially given the volatile situation in Myanmar, the fact that at least one of the SoO groups the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) is headed by a man from Myanmar and again another fact that the Kuki-Zos have close filial ties with the people of Myanmar who live along the Indo-Myanmar region, should be factored in while trying to understand the geo-politics of the region and why the SoO pact was signed in 2008. Plus an understanding of the armed movement in the region launched by the Nagas most notably under the NSCN (IM) and the other armed groups dominated by the Meitei people is needed. For over 15 years the SoO pact has been in force and peace cannot be part of the pact in any sense for the Kuki armed groups are not known to have ever targeted the security forces of India. This is where the question, why the SoO pact was inked rises and why it has been extended year after year since 2008. The focus of Manipur should now be on the status of the SoO pact. A state of uncertainty over this cannot be of any help in bringing Manipur to the path of normalcy and Delhi should acknowledge that geo-politics should not be allowed to ride roughshod over the fate of the indigenous people of the land.
Jon Toogood and Julia Deans return to the bill, having wowed audiences on the sold out Come Together End of Year Big Bash tour in 2023. Both will feature on U2s The Joshua Tree starting on May 9. For Led Zeppelin IV in July, Julia will be joined by the remarkable rock powerhouse, Devilskins Jennie Skulander and EJ Barnes (Eliza-Jane), the daughter of legendary artist Jimmy.

Fellow music stars including James Milne (Lawrence Arabia) and Sam Scott and Luke Buda(Phoenix Foundation) feature on The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band from 30 August.
From left: Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (2nd) and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon (3rd) witness the exchange of an agreement on economic and trade cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (Photo: VNA)

The following is the full text of the joint press release:

New Zealands Prime Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon welcomed Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to New Zealand for his first official visit and constructive bilateral talks on March 11.

The Prime Ministers reaffirmed the deep and enduring friendship and Strategic Partnership shared by Vietnam and New Zealand, underpinned by strong people-to-people links and close cooperation in areas of diplomacy, economics, trade and investment, education, labour, science and technology.

We have built great momentum in our bilateral relationship since the upgrade of our relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2020. Vietnam is one of New Zealands key relationships in South East Asia, one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and our 14th largest trading partner. We discussed opportunities to significantly boost annual two-way trade to a new goal of 3 billion USD in 2026 by enhancing our tourism and education flows, as well as removing non-tariff barriers, accelerating trade promotion activities, fully committing to existing FTAs and studying measures to promote greater investment in both directions, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.

Prime Minister Luxon also announced a new 6.24-million NZD investment in Vietnams horticulture sector, the Vietnam Climate-Smart Fruit Value Chain (VietFruit) project, delivered through a partnership with the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research to support climate and economic resilience in Vietnams passionfruit industry, building on the highly successful New Zealand-funded dragon fruit project that preceded it.

The Prime Ministers welcomed plans to progress cooperation in the education sector through the new Education Engagement Arrangement focusing on institution-to-institution partnerships in the tertiary sector, innovative education models via digital capability tools, and alumni engagement.

The New Zealand government is committed to boosting international education and diversifying our international education markets. Prime Minister Chinh and I discussed opportunities for more Vietnamese students to study at our world-class universities, says Prime Minister Luxon.

Prime Minister Chinhs visit will also see New Zealand and Vietnam advancing cooperation across a range of fronts  with new Arrangements also signed on economic and trade cooperation, and finance. High-level defence and police dialogues are also being progressed.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon and their spouses. (Photo: VNA)

Plans were also announced for a bilateral Oceans Dialogue in 2024 on international law, maritime governance, and marine conservation. The Prime Ministers reiterated the two countries determination to respect international law, including the United Nations Charter and UNCLOS, and their commitment to working together and with other international partners to contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity globally and in the Indo-Pacific, including in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnamese).

The Prime Ministers looked forward to the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations next year as an excellent opportunity to expand the relationship into new areas of mutual interest such as the green economy, climate change digital transformation and agri-tech cooperation.

Vietnam and New Zealand have made excellent progress together on our Action Plan for the period 2021-2024, resulting in significant outcomes in economic and trade initiatives, defence, security, education and labour. Prime Minister Luxon and I have agreed to accelerate the exchange of high-level visits and contacts, and to actively implement cooperation mechanisms as we look forward to elevating our bilateral relations to a higher level in the near future. I am pleased Prime Minister Luxon has accepted my invitation to undertake an official visit to Vietnam at a mutually convenient time, says Prime Minister Chinh./.
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The huge turnout at the Janagarjan Sabha at the Brigade Parade Ground proves beyond doubt that the days of the outsiders are numbered in Bengal, said Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of Trinamul Congress. Addressing the mammoth gathering, he said the rally has been organised in a unprecedented way. Any political party takes six months to organise a rally at the Brigade Parade Ground while Trinamul Congress did it in just 12 days due to its strong organisation, he said .

He said the meeting today is not a political one but a gathering to raise slogan against long-standing deprivation by the BJP government. He said the meeting has been named Janagarjan Sabha meaning raising the voice in the loudest manner to protest against deprivation. He challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to publish a white paper on the money released by the Centre for Awas Yojna, rural house for the poor in 2021-22,2022- 23 and 2023-24. He is coming to Bengal to circulate lies. If he has guts he should publish the white paper. I know he cannot publish it as he is talking lies to confuse people. He said: Modi ki guarantee is actually zero warranty. It contains some high sounding statements which is far from truth.

He has spoken about giving Rs 15 to every individual while Didi promised to enhance the amount of money given to the beneficiaries in Lakshmir Bhandar and it was done. Projects like Kanyashree, Rupashree, Sabuj Sathi have helped people immensely. People will now have to decide whether they will vote for false statements or promises that have been kept.

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He said: BJP often forgets one simple thing that vote is being cast by the people and not by the agencies like the ED and CBI. Calling the BJP outsiders, he said: They do not understand our language or sentiment. If you cannot speak our language how can people expect that they will understand out feeling. He added: The slogans that have been raised from the meeting will lead to the immersion of the outsiders. Janoganer Garjan, bohiragatader bisorjon.

Without naming former judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, he said: For the first time people saw a former judge being garlanded by corrupt people. We have been alleging that the judge was working with vested interest. He said in the Lok Sabha election, Trinamul will fight against BJP, CPI-M, Congress and a section of judiciary and media.  They have all conspired to malign Trinamul.

So long people will back Trinamul, we do not have to be afraid of anything, he said. A 10 minute video clipping was shown on how Centre has deprived Bengal. He urged people to vote for Trinamul Congress as the party will always be by their side and raise slogans to press their demands.
The TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has retained faith in Mr Kalyan Banerjee the present Serampore MP to contest the Lok Sabha seat for the third time. After TMC candidate Dr Ratna Dey Nag lost the Hooghly Lok Sabha seat to BJP candidate Locket Chatterjee in the last election, Rachna Banerjee is the TMC candidate for the seat this time.

While she will be contesting against cinema celebrity Locket Chatterjee, her name, or nickname of Didi no 1, is spoken in every house of Bengal. The setback in industrialisation after the departure of the Tata Nano project from Singur and lack of job opportunities have become a major issue and a matter of resentment and discontentment among the people of Hooghly Lok Sabha constituency against Locket Chatterjee.

Her frequent absences from her constituency has also come up as an another negative issue. The present Arambagh MP Aparupa Poddar have failed to motivate the people of her constituency regarding the development work carried on by the TMC government, and the growing political presence of the BJP in Arambagh is not encouraging for the Trinamul Congress. Mithali Bag is the new TMC candidate for Arambagh Lok Sabha seat. She is already a member of Hooghly Zela Parishad and has good links with the grassroot workers and the ruling party leadership is confident that she will be able to bring in the votes in favour of TMC.

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Trinamul Congress chairperson and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Sunday that Modi Ki Guarantee is the biggest lie, as she launched the partys Lok Sabha election campaign at a massive Janagarjan Sabha rally at the citys Brigade Parade Ground.

The TMC also announced its candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal at the rally, with the party going it alone as Miss Banerjee had previously made clear. Addressing the gathering, Miss Banerjee said: They have brought down the price of cooking gas by Rs 100 per cylinder because of election and it will go up again after the polls are over. He has given many guarantees since 2014 but till date has failed miserably to keep the promises.

He will come before the election and it will all evaporate once it is over. Coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra for deliberately spreading lies, she said: Before making any statement, Prime Minister should cross-check the facts. In 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 the Centre did not give a single penny to set up houses for rural poor. Why speak lies? Speak the truth. I assure that if the Centre does not give money to build houses for 11 lakh rural poor, the state government will set up their houses from 1 May.

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Reiterating that the BJP has no right to ask for votes in Bengal, Miss Banerjee said: People of Bengal had elected 18 BJP MPs in 2019. But what did they do for Bengal? She added they have deprived Bengal and urged people not to give any vote to the saffron party leaders.

Miss Banerjee added: It is unprecedented that the Election Commissioner Arun Goel has resigned before the Lok Sabha election and the Commission is silent on the matter. Miss Banerjee reiterated that Bengal will not allow implementation of either CAA or NRC. We will not allow them to be taken to detention camp, she said, referring to people who might be affected by the implementation of the CAA and NRC. Criticising the divisive politics of the BJP, she said: It is unfortunate that they call a Sikh officer wearing a turban a Khalistani, a Muslim a Pakistani and Bengalis Bangladeshis. She apprehended that the BJP will soon let loose the ED and CBI to scare the opposition.

She said it is most unfortunate that the Centre did not release funds for the job card holders of MGNREGA.  It is a Constitutional obligation to clear the dues. They didnt it. The state government has cleared dues of 59 lakh job card holders. We have introduced a scheme and the job card holders will get 50 days work.

She said Bengals garjan (raising voice in the loudest manner) is BJPs bisarjan (immersion). She said the voice that has been raised from the meeting against deprivation will put an end to BJPs misrule in Bengal. Referring to Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay (Retd) she said: I will not taken anyones name but it was seen that a former judge touched the feet of BJP leaders.
In view of the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) on Monday, security has been stepped up in sensitive areas of the national capital.

Flag march was also conducted in the sensitive North East district during the past two days for the assurance of public safety, a police official said.

The official added that more forces will be added and flag marches will also take place on Tuesday.

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DCP, North East, Joy Tirkey has said that the police have tagged trouble makers at the beat constable level, and are monitoring their activities.

He said that the police were sure that things were going to be peaceful in the North East district.

Speaking about the CAA, he said that the move is a step towards betterment, and urged the people not to heed any rumours and in any such cases contact the police.

He further said that the police are monitoring social media accounts as well and have asked people through Aman Committees to report about any rumor and also do not believe in any such misinformation.

Through the Aman Committees, which is a platform for inter- community brotherhood, all queries from different communities have been addressed, the police official said.

Security has also been stepped up in the South East district, which is also a sensitive area, and had witnessed protests against the CAA while the North East district had witnessed riots in 2020 over the CAA and NRC (National Register of Citizens).

Additional police force will also be deployed in a bid to ensure safety of people and flag march is likely to take place on Tuesday in the sensitive areas.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday hailed the Central governments decision to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in the country, calling it a historic decision that brings joy to humanity.

In his message on his official X handle, the Chief Minister wrote: The decision to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act for the welfare of the suffering humanity is historic. This has paved the way for a respectable life for the minority communities suffering from religious brutality in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modiji and to Home Minister Amit Shahji for taking this decision, which brings joy to humanity. Hearty congratulations to all the brothers and sisters who are going to get Indian citizenship under this Act!.

Meanwhile, Imam of Eidgah Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali said: I have also just come to know that the Home Ministry has issued its notification.

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He said that no one needs to be worried about this. We should have faith in the laws of our country.

However, he also said that we will study the law and then we will be able to say something about it. Maulana said that everyone should maintain peace and no one needs to be afraid.
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)

Editor: GSY
Babil Khan, son of the late legendary actor Irrfan Khan, has opened up about his relationship with his father in a recent interview, shedding light on their emotional journey together. Recounting his childhood experiences, Babil revealed how his fathers demanding shooting schedules often led to a sense of physical distance between them.

In a candid conversation, Babil shared how his fathers growing fame sometimes created barriers between them, as fans would swarm Irrfan whenever they were out together. Babil expressed the profound impact this had on him as a child, highlighting the pain of having his hand pulled away from his fathers grasp by overzealous crowds. Despite this, he emphasized that whenever they were together, Irrfan showered him with affection, making their time together cherished and memorable.

Babil, who recently marked his Bollywood debut with the film Qala, has been making waves in the industry. He also showcased his talent in the web series The Railway Men, featuring alongside seasoned actors like Kay Kay Menon, R. Madhavan, and Divyenndu. The series, which premiered on November 18, delves into the harrowing events surrounding the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, adding another layer to Babils diverse repertoire.

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Looking ahead, Babil is set to captivate audiences once again in Shoojit Sircars upcoming directorial venture, The Umesh Chronicles, where he will share the screen with the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. With each project, Babil continues to carve his niche in the film industry, honoring his fathers legacy while forging his own path.

Through his candid revelations and promising performances, Babil Khan stands as a testament to the enduring bond between a father and his son, transcending the barriers of fame and adversity. As he navigates his way through the world of cinema, Babils journey serves as an inspiration to all those who strive to follow their dreams while staying true to their roots.
A local court issued a non-bailable warrant against Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan on Monday for avoiding court orders.

The court of ADJ (Fast Track) Ravi Kumar Diwakar issued the warrant against Tauqeer Raza Khan and ordered CO City (I ) to serve the warrant, arrest, and present him in the court by March 13.

The court had earlier summoned the Maulana on Monday, accusing him of being the mastermind of the 2010 Bareilly riots. However, the police could not trace him so far despite several attempts.

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The police informed the court that the house of Maulana Tauqeer Raza is locked for many days. Even his family members were not found while his mobile number either remains switched off or calls are not received.

According to neighbours, the Maulana has been in Delhi for a long time.

In 2010, during the Juloos-e-Mohammadi procession in Bareilly, violence broke out between two communities in the city. Rioters had set about 20 shops on fire in the vegetable market near the Qutubkhana Bazar intersection. Orders were issued to close all the schools and colleges of the city and helicopter surveillance was done in the troubled areas.

In the aftermath of the developments, communal harmony was in danger in the entire division and curfew was to be clamped for several days. The court considered IMC President Maulana Tauqeer Raza as the main conspirator behind the riots.
The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting was held on Monday evening at the party headquarters here to finalize the second list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the partys national president JP Nadda and other senior leaders of the party attended the meeting.

According to the party sources, the candidates for some more Lok Sabha seats were likely to be finalised at the meeting.

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Besides, the candidates for Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, and Bihar will also be discussed, the sources said.

Earlier, on Sunday, four leaders from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and one from the Congress joined the BJP in the presence of the partys General Secretary Tarun Chugh here.

The four BRS turncoats were former MPs Godam Nagesh and Sitaram Naik, as well as former MLAs Saidhi Reddy and Jalagam Venkat Rao.

On Saturday, the BJP, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party (JSP) had decided to contest the ensuing Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together in Andhra Pradesh.

On March 2, the BJP released its first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, topped by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will seek his third straight term in Lower House from Varanasi.

Of the 195 candidates, 34 are ministers from the Center and States, while two are former chief ministers who are in the list.

In 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic (NDA) won a total of 303 seats, leaving the grand-old party behind at 52 seats.

The Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held sometime between April and May this year.
Ramping up its attack on the BJP over Karnataka BJP MP Anantkumar Hegdes remarks against the Constitution, the Opposition Congress on Monday said that the ruling party wants to change Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehrus Constitution.

The BJP-RSS even opposed the Tricolor! The Ashoka Chakra in the tricolor was also opposed. And now they want to change the Constitution made by Dr. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru and other esteemed leaders, said Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Last week, Hegde had said that the Congress party amended the Constitution to downgrade Hinduism. He asked people to give the BJP 400-plus seats in order to change the Constitution.

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You all must help the BJP to win over 400 seats. Why does the BJP need 400 plus seats? Congress leaders in the past made changes to the Constitution and made it in a way that it doesnt put Hinduism in front, Hegde had said.

While the BJP distanced itself from Hegdes remarks, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence over the issue.

Narendra Modis silence on a BJP MPs statement of changing the Constitution is dangerous, Gandhi remarked.

He further said that the upcoming Lok Sabha election is now between two ideologies  Sanvidhan (Constitution) or Sangh Ka Vidhan (Laws of RSS), social justice or exploitation, secularism or communalism, civil rights or helpless people, freedom of speech or fearful silence, Love or hate, diversity or monopoly, just order or dictatorial injustice.

The Gandhi scion further said that changing the Constitution meant pushing the country towards slavery.

Changing the Constitution, Indias most precious heritage obtained from the struggle for independence, means pushing the country towards slavery. The decision about the future of the coming generations is now in your hands, he added.
In a significant step ahead of the announcement of poll schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Centre on Monday notified rules for the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), paving the way for granting of citizenship to people of certain faiths facing persecution in neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

According to officials, the CAA rules aim to give Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was an integral part of the BJPs 2019 manifesto.

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In a post on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Modi Government today notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024.

These rules will now enable minorities persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to acquire citizenship in our nation. With this notification PM Shri @narendramodi Ji has delivered on another commitment and realised the promise of the makers of our constitution to the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians living in those countries, he said.

Earlier in a post on X, spokesperson of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said: These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for the grant of Indian citizenship. The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided.

The BJP also welcomed the Centres announcement to notify the CAA.

Did what was saidModi government fulfilled its guarantee by issuing the notification of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the BJP said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, the Congress took a jibe at the Modi government over the timing of its decision to notify CAA rules, saying the notification move near the date of announcement of Lok Sabha election dates is evidently designed to polarise the elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a post of X that the Modi government has taken over four years to notify the rules.

In her reaction to the governments announcement, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said it is BJPs publicity for elections and if the rules deprive people of their rights, she will fight against them.

Let me see the rules first. The notification has not been issued yet. If people are deprived of their rights under the rules, then we will fight against it. This is BJPs publicity for elections, it is nothing else, the Trinamool Congress chief said at a press conference in Kolkata.

Jairam Ramesh said the government took nine extensions for the notification of the rules and the timing of the government move also appears to be an attempt to manage the headlines after the Supreme Court verdict in the electoral bonds case.

It has taken four years and three months for the Modi Government to notify the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act that was passed by the Parliament in December 2019.

Earlier on February 10, the Union Home Minister had reiterated that the Citizenship Amendment Act, which was passed by the Parliament in December 2019, would be notified and implemented before the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

CAA is an Act of the country. It will definitely be notified. It will be notified before the polls. CAA will be implemented by the polls, and there should be no confusion around it. CAA was a promise of the Congress government. When the country was divided and the minorities were persecuted in those countries, Congress had assured the refugees that they were welcome in India and they would be provided with Indian citizenship. Now they are backtracking, Shah had said.

The Union Home Minister had said in categorical terms that CAA was brought in to provide citizenship and not to take away anyones citizenship.

Minorities in our country, and especially our Muslim community, are being provoked. CAA cannot snatch away anyones citizenship because there is no provision in the Act. CAA is an act to provide citizenship to refugees who were persecuted in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

As per the Ministry of Home Affairs annual report for 2021-22, between April 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, a cumulative count of 1,414 individuals from non-Muslim minority communities originating from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan were granted Indian citizenship through registration or naturalization under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

The CAA, passed on December 11, 2019 by Parliament, seeks to amend the Citizenship Act of 1955.

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2019 said that the grant of citizenship would be from the date and year of entry into India and all the cases and legal proceedings against them would be closed, besides protecting their business and trade interests on an equal footing.

President Ram Nath Kovind on December 13, 2019, gave his assent, officially constituting it as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
In yet another setback back to the ruling BJP, its sitting MP from Rajasthans Churu Lok Sabha constituency Rahul Kaswan on Monday joined the Congress party in the presence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders.

Kaswan, who was denied BJP ticket for Lok Sabha elections, joined the Congress shortly after resigning from the saffron party.

I would like to thank Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and senior leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Govind Singh Dotasra and others for allowing me to join Congress, Kaswan said at a press conference.

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He said, The voice of farmers is being neglected. There are many such issues on which I decided to join the Congress Party

The Churu MP had been vocal about the BJPs decision to drop him from its candidates list for the crucial Lok Sabha elections and took pot shots at Rajendra Rathore.

Without naming the senior BJP Rajasthan BJP leader, Kaswan had said that one person cant decide the future of Churu, his Lok Sabha constituency.

Notebly, Rathore had indirectly taken a Jaychand (word used for trainers) jibe at Rahul Kaswan after he lost the assembly elections from Churus Taranagar constituency.

Earlier today, Kaswan announced his resignation from the BJP due to political reasons.

Due to political reasons, at this very moment today, I am resigning from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the post of Member of Parliament, he added.

The Churu MP also thanked the BJP, its national president JP Nadda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah for giving him the opportunity to serve the Churu Lok Sabha seat.
Bhupen Kumar Borah, the Assam State Congress president, has been summoned by the CID for the third time in connection with alleged violations during Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Guwahati on January 23.

Borah has been directed to appear before the CID office on March 12 regarding the case, following two prior summons, the latest being on March 7.

In response, Borah cited prior commitments, particularly his fathers death anniversary, which requires his presence for rituals during the first half of the day of the summons.

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He also mentioned an engagement with the partys Central Election Committee later in the day.

Borah expressed willingness to cooperate but proposed appearing after the release of the candidates list.

Borah also offered the CID to answer questions via video conferencing and even proposed live telecast of his responses.

This marks the third summon issued to him by the CID in this case.
The Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) on Monday discussed probable names of candidates to be announced in the second list for the Lok Sabha elections.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge chaired the second meeting of the CEC in the presence of Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and partys General Secretary in-charge of Organisation KC Venugopal, and other senior leaders, at the party headquarters here.

During the meeting, they discussed at length to finalise the names of the partys nominees for the polls.

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Last week, the first meeting of the CEC was held under the chairmanship of Kharge. A day after, the party released the first list of 39 candidates for the General Elections, fielding former party president Rahul Gandhi from Keralas Wayanad, which he currently represents in the Lower House.

Of the 39 candidates, 15 are from the General Category while 24 others are from SC, ST, OBC communities and minorities.

Notably, the partys National Alliance Committee (NAC), which is being headed by Mukul Wasnik, has been holding meetings with top leaders of parties under the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc on seat-sharing for the General Elections.

The party announced seat-sharing with the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Haryana and Goa; and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu.

In Delhi, as per the seat-sharing arrangement, the AAP will contest in four parliamentary constituencies and the Congress in three seats.

It may be mentioned that the ruling BJP released the first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contest from Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi parliamentary seat.
A Congress leader from Madhya Pradesh on Monday  March 11  moved the Supreme Court seeking to restrain the Central government from appointing Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners under Section 7 and 8 of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and terms of office) Act 2023, to fill the two vacant slots.

The Section 7 and 8 of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and terms of office) Act 2023, lay down the procedure for the appointment of the members of the Election Commission. including ECE.

Besides seeking to restrain the Central government from going ahead with the appointment of two Election Commissioners, the petitioner Jaya Thakur in her application has further sought direction that the appointment of the members of the Election Commission be done in pursuance to the March 2, 2023, Supreme Courts Constitution bench judgment which had directed that the panel for the selection of CEC and ECs should include Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.

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n the wake of the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel last week and retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey, two vacancies of Election Commissioners have arisen. The government has 0n March 15 called a meeting of the panel comprising the Prime Minister, a cabinet minister and the Leader of Opposition for the selection of candidates to fill two vacant slots.

Advocate Varun Thakur, appearing for Jaya Thakur in a mentioning sought an early listing of the plea for hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra. The bench asked the lawyer to send an email regarding this and it will look into the listing.

Jaya Thakur had earlier challenged the provisions of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and terms of office) Act, 2023. Her petition came up for hearing on January 12, 2024. The top court has issued notice but declined to stay the law.

While issuing notice to the Central government returnable in April 2024, a bench comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta on January 12, 2024, had refused to stay the operation of the law.

The bench had said, Stay will not be there. We cant stay a statute like this. Notice we will issue.

The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act 2023, was brought to dilute the March 2, 2023, a five-judge constitution benchs unanimous judgment directing that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners shall be done on the recommendation of a selection panel comprising the Prime Minister of India, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.

The new law, that was notified on December 28, 2023, the panel for the selection of CEC and the ECs would include the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, and a Central Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister, thereby giving a clear majority to the government in the selection panel.

The Gazette notification followed after the President gave assent to the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill 2023.

Besides Jaya Thakur, Sanjay Narayanrao Meshram, Dharmendra Singh Kushwaha, advocate Gopal Singh have approached the top court challenging the new law on the selection of the CEC and the ECs that has dropped the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel.

The petitioners have sought the setting aside of the notification of the law that replaced the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991.

The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill 2023, was passed by Rajya Sabha on December 12 and the Lok Sabha on December 21, 2023, amidst the suspension of a large number of opposition members in the Lok Sabha.

The Opposition members had earlier expressed their serious concern over the provisions of the then bill, saying it is one of the biggest blows to democracy by the Modi government in the last nine years.

The court in its March 2, 2023, verdict had said that in case, there is no such Leader of Opposition, the Leader of the largest Party in the Opposition in the Lok Sabha having the largest numerical strength will be on the Committee. The court had said that this norm will continue to hold good till a law is made by the Parliament.

The petitioners challenging the law enacted in 2023 to exclude CJI from the selection panel have contended that the provisions of the new law, are violative of the principle of free and fair elections since it does not provide an independent mechanism for appointment of the members of Election Commission of India (ECI).

They have further said that the Act excludes the Chief Justice of India from the process of appointment of the members of ECI and its in violation of the March 2023 verdict of the top court which had ordered that the appointment of members of the ECI be done on the advice of a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the CJI and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha till a law is made by the Parliament.
Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday held a Mashal (Torch) March against the BJP and its allies for trying to destabilize the state government by using unconstitutional means.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu participated in the procession which started from the historic Ridge and culminated at Ambedkar Chowk, Chaura Maidan in Shimla.

HPCC President Pratibha Singh, HP Legislative Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Speaker, MLAs, various office bearers, party leaders and party office bearers participated in the procession.

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Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the BJP attempted to throttle the democratic process and make the mockery of the democratic norms in an unethical and undemocratic manner and tried to topple the Congress government in the State, ignoring the huge mandate of the people given to the Congress.

An attempt was made by the Central government to attack the democratically elected State Government by using unconstitutional means, he charged.
Over 24 hours, the Ukrainian military eliminated about 920 enemy personnel, eight tanks, 24 armored combat vehicles, 33 artillery systems, one MLRS, two air defense systems, 59 UAVs, some 90 units of vehicles and special equipment, the General Staff of the Armed Forces Ukraine said.

"The enemy's total combat losses from February 24, 2022 to March 11, 2024 were approximately: personnel about 424,980 (920 more) people, tanks some 6,739 (eight more) units, armored combat vehicles some 12,874 (24 more) units, artillery systems some 10,499 (33 more) units, MLRS some 1,016 (one more) units, air defense systems some 711 (two more) units, aircraft some 347 units, helicopters some 325 units, operational-tactical level UAVs some 8,141 (59 more), cruise missiles some 1,919, ships/boats some 26 units, one submarine, automotive equipment and tank trucks some 13,826 (74 more) units, special equipment some 1,686 (14 more)," the AFU said on Facebook on Monday morning.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday unveiled PNG connections to 41 villages in Delhi as a part of Dilli Gramoday Abhiyan.

The Minister also inaugurated several other development works across 178 villages to the tune of Rs 383 crore.

Shah in his address said that earlier, only promises were made but now Prime Minister Modis government has created a different culture during the past 10 years and people can see visible changes on the ground, with the promises fulfilled within a time frame.

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He said that the move is part of the PMs vision of welfare of all, including those who lived in villages. PM has fulfilled all the promises he made in the last 10 years.

Meanwhile, Delhi L-G VK Saxena and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri were also present at the event, also attended by the people from Delhis rural belt.

He further said that the government is committed towards development of all sectors, be it infrastructure, gas, health, housing, and others.

Minister Puri said that the government is tirelessly working to provide gas connections, and so far over one crore PNG connections have been provided since the year 2014.

Dilli Gramoday Abhiyan is aimed at development of Delhis villages through establishment and enhancement of essential infrastructure.

Earlier, the L-G had kick started the Abhiyan in December last year with a view to develop urbanised villages of the national capital.

The project is financed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, with a budget exceeding Rs 800 crore.
Following the examples of Goa, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Maharashtra, the Karnataka government on Monday banned food colouring agents, especially found in gobi manchurian dishes and cotton candies.

According to officials, gobi manchurian or the fried cauliflower-based dish tossed in sauces with added colour, has been found to contain large amounts of carcinogenic substances.

Gobi manchurian and the colourful cotton candy have sent alarm bells ringing across health departments as laboratory tests have shown cancer-causing additives Rhodamine-B and Tartrazine were being used in their preparation, an official requesting anonymity said.

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Officials of Karnatakas health ministry collected nearly 171 samples of these food items from various roadside eateries and hotels to test the quality of the additives used.

Our findings revealed that around 107 unsafe artificial colours were found in these dishes. We found only 64 safe samples, which is alarming. We have taken swift action to ban these immediately, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told a news channel.

Health inspectors are expected to conduct random visits and surprise raids on food outlets in the state to maintain strict implementation of the ban, said ministry officials.

Any violation will attract 7 years of life imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh, said Rao. Repeat violators will be handled with an iron fist and will be booked under the strictest section of the law. One cannot play with the lives and health of people, warned Rao.

Rhodamine-B is a harmful chemical colouring agent extensively utilized in textile dyeing and the paper industry, known for its original green appearance. Upon introduction to liquids, it undergoes a transformation, turning vividly pink or red.

Experts say when used for a long period of time and consistently, such as the kind seen in addictive choices made by regular diners, they can cause long-term inflammation.

According to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the use of carotene and carotenoids, including beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, chlorophyll, caramel, riboflavin, saffron and curcumin is allowed. As per FSSAI regulations, the final concentration of synthetic food colorants should not exceed 100 ppm in foods and beverages (FSSAI 2009).
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said that the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) will not be implemented in Kerala.

Our government has repeatedly said that the Citizenship Amendment Act, which treats Muslim minorities as second-class citizens, will not be implemented in the state, Pinarayi Vijayan said in a statement shortly after the Home ministry notified the CAA rules.

He said that the whole of Kerala will be united in opposing this communally divisive law.

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He accused the Central government of notifying the provisions of the Citizenship Amendment Act ahead of the elections to disturb the communal harmony of the country.

On Monday, just before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification regarding the amendment of the Citizenship Act.

Pinarayi Vijayan said it can only be seen as a part of the Hindutva communal agenda of the Sangh Parivar. It is a flagrant violation of the Constitution to grant citizenship to non-Muslims who immigrated to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014, and to deny citizenship only to Muslims, he added.

He said that Kerala was the first assembly to pass a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The Kerala Government has announced that NPR will not be implemented in the state, CM Vijayan further said.

Meanwhile, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) General Secretary PK Kunhalikkutty has said the Centre notifying rules for the contentious CAA before the Lok Sabha polls were illegal. We will challenge this in the court, he said.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the Presidents assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it.
Sonam Wangchuk, the education reformist and engineer who is the real-life Phunsukh Wangdu of the Bollywood flick 3 Idiots is on fast unto death in support of his demands for Ladakh

His demands include statehood for Ladakh and safeguards for the natives under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

As Wangchuks fast entered its sixth day on Monday he urged the people living in big cities to lead a simpler life to reduce carbon emissions and termed his 21-day fast, extendable to death, CLIMATEFAST.

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Taking to social media on Sunday, he informed that a large number of people from different religions gathered at the venue of his fast in Leh and sat on a day-long fast in support of his cause.

He urged the people to support the movement by organising a one-day fast in other cities on coming Sunday, March 17.

The environment activist, who bats for an eco-friendly lifestyle, is a key campaigner for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, and began his fast unto death on March 6, after the rounds of talks with the Centre over Ladakhs demands were inconclusive.

Wangchuck has been reaching out to people through social media platforms as he updates the status of his climate fast daily since March 6.

In the videos uploaded by him on Instagram and other social media platforms, the engineer is seen out in the open in extreme cold with temperatures as low as -17 degrees Celsius.

The protest also comes in the wake of certain things yet to be fulfilled by the government, which were part of their poll manifesto in 2019, claims Wangchuck.

He has been demanding statehood for Ladakh, advocating the rights of the natives in the region, and creating awareness about climate issues the region is facing.

The innovator and educationist was earlier praised for developing solar-heated tents for the use of the Indian army in extremely cold places, while he also has many other eco-friendly innovations to his name.

He had made these solar tents in 2021.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Monday launched a digital exhibition Subhash Abhinandan based on the life of Subhash Chandra Bose.

The exhibition is based on documents available in the National Archives of India which is celebrating its 134th Foundation Day.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Meghwal said in this period of Amritkaal, it is extremely important to depict, read, write, and understand the countrys history that laid the foundation of modern India. He added Our mission is Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi and to make India the world leader in every sector and the Archive sector is contributing in that direction in a great way.

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Netaji Subhash Chandra Boses personal records are preserved in the National Archives of India and can be accessed on Netaji Portal (http://www.netajipapers.gov.in/) and Abhilekh Patal (https://www.abhilekh-patal.in/jspui/). In these records, letters written by him, the diary of his father Shri Janaki Nath Bose, documents of Azad Hind Fauj, and many government documents related to him are available.

The exhibition comprises 16 sections covering the period from his birth to the present time. It provides a glimpse of his life through documents, showcasing significant items such as Janaki Nath Boses diary, his birth, his civil service examination results, and more. The decades of struggle from 1920 to 1940 are well documented, offering insights into his speeches, his adventurous journey, and the struggle of Azad Hind Fauj.

Additionally, the exhibition addresses the award and deferral of the Bharat Ratna and the efforts made by the Ministry of Culture to honour Netaji.
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the State Bank of Indias plea for extension of time till June 30 and directed it to furnish all details relating to disclosure of information relating to purchase of electoral bonds by corporates/private entities and their redemption by political parties, by March 12.

Dismissing the plea by the State Bank of India (ABI) for extension of time, a five-judge constitution bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice S.T.

Gavai, Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra said, The SBI shall file an affidavit of its Chairman and Managing Director on the compliance with the directors issued on February 15, 2024. We are not inclined to exercise the contempt jurisdiction at this time, we place SBI on notice that this court may be inclined to proceed against it for wilful disobedience if SBI does not comply with the directions by the timeline indicated in this order.

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While the Constitution bench dismissed the SBIs application, it disposed of the contempt plea by Association of Democratic Reformers and the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

The court further directed the Election Commission of India to compile the information to be furnished by the SBI and publish the details on its official website no later than March 15, 2024 by 05.00 pm for public information.

The five-judge constitution bench also directed the poll panel to publish on its website the details of the electoral bonds furnished to it by different political parties in pursuance to the top courts April 12, 2019, order.

By its April 12, 2019, interim order, the top court had directed the political parties to furnish to the Election Commission, in sealed cover, the details of the donations received through electoral bonds giving particulars  the donors of each Bond and the amount, the bank account to which the amount has been credited and the date on which each such credit was made.

The top court order directing the State Bank of India to furnish to the poll panel, the details relating to the Electoral Bonds since April 12, 2019 to February 15, 2024, by tomorrow by 05.00 PM came as it noted that a total 22,217 electoral bonds were purchased in this period and this very number of bonds were cashed by different political parties in the said duration.

It further noted that since the information about the purchasers of these electoral bonds and the their redemption/encashment by the political parties are being stored two different silos the total entries to be matched is 44,434  apparently suggesting surely not a big task for the countrys primer number one bank.

The court also noted that it had passed the directions on February 15, 2024 and in the last 26 days till March 11, 2024, the State Bank of Indf0a must have carried out some exercise to comply with its direction.

The bench noted that there was no indication in the March 4, 2024, application of the extent to which its direction has been careened out.

On last 26 days what matching of the electoral bonds purchased and their redemption by the political parties have taken place. There is a degree of candour on the part of the bank, CJI Chandrachud asked, referring to no the mention in the SBIs application.

The bench also noted that the application seeking the extension of time was filed on March 4  just two days before the expiry of the March 6 deadline by which the State Bank of India was mandated to make available the information relating to 22, 217 Electoral Bonds to the Election Commission of India for compiling and publishing it on its website by March 13, 2024.

Appearing for the State Bank of India, senior advocate Harish Salve told the bench that the matching of each bond purchased and its matching by the political party that had encashed it is a time-consuming exercise that is why the SBI has sought a little time more to go it.

Telling Salve that We have not asked you to do the matching exercise, CJI Chandrachud asked Salve to read paragraph 10 to 14 of the SBIs application particularly paragraph 10 and 14, that makes the February 15, 2014, direction by the Constitution bench quite clear.

Salve said that if matching was not required then SBI can do the exercise and sought three weeks time to do it.

As CJI told Salve that everything is linked to the Know your Customer, Justice Khanna said, You have to open the seal cover and give the details.

As Salve said that the SBI has to undertake the matching exercise as any error could result in the bank being sued, Justice Khanna asked, Where is the question of the bank being sued. You are doing under our direction.

After the order was passed, Salve wanted some clarification. At this Justice Gavai said that order was clear and has to be complied with.

The SBI had on March 4, 2024, had moved the Supreme Court seeking extension of time till June 30, 2024, to disclose the details of electoral bonds purchased, their purchasers, encashed by political parties, including the date of encashment and the denomination of the electoral bonds.

Seeking extension of time, the State Bank of India in its application had said that no centralised data of the electoral bond was maintained and it was kept in two silos, and the the retrieval of information from each silo and the procedure of matching the information of one silo to that of the other would be a time-consuming exercise. The details are stored separately, some of the details such as number of Bonds, etc. are stored digitally while the other set of details such as name of purchaser, KYC etc., are stored physically. The purpose of not storing all details digitally was to ensure that it cannot be gathered easily to achieve the object of the scheme.

On the other hand, the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on March 7, 2024, had approached the top court seeking contempt of court against the State Bank of India for not complying with February 15, 2024, direction of the top court.

In a landmark judgment that came as a jolt to ruling establishment, the Supreme Court had on February 15, 2024, struck down the Electoral Bond (EB) scheme  for the funding of the political parties  and had ruled the scheme and the amendments to the Representation of People Act, the Income Tax Act, the Companies Act and 2017 Finance Act to facilitate the scheme were unconstitutional and arbitrary.

Striking down the Electoral bond(EB) which gave anonymity to corporate buying EBs and the political parties receiving them, and holding that it was violative of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, a five-judge constitution bench had ruled The Electoral Bond Scheme, the provision to Section 29C (1) of the Representation of the People Act 1951 (as amended by Section 137 of Finance Act 2017), Section 182(3) of the Companies Act (as amended by Section 154 of the Finance Act 2017), and Section 13A(b) (as amended by Section 11 of Finance Act 2017) are violative of Article 19(1)(a) and unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court on Monday  March 11  refused to interfere with the March 5, 2024, Calcutta High Courts order handing over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the investigation into Sandeshkhali attack on the officials of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) who had gone to raid premises linked to suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh in January this year.

While refusing to interfere with the High Court order transfecting probe by the West Bengal police to the CBI, a bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice Sandeep Mehta, however, expunged the High Courts adverse observations against the State government and the State police for an apparent delay in arresting Shahjahan Sheikh.

Noting the delay by the State police in arresting Shahjahan Sheikh, Justice Gavai asked senior advocate Jaideep Gupta why Shahjahan Sheikh was not arrested for so many days.

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Explaining the delay, Jaideep Gupta told the bench that There was a stay on investigation. We went back to court asking for clarification. It was clarified. Within one day, he was arrested.

Refusing to interfere with the High Courts order transferring the investigation from the State police to the CBI, the bench in its order said, We are inclined to grant leave for the limited purpose of expunging the adverse observation against the State.

The observations against the police and the State government are deemed to be expunged, the top court said in its order.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appearing for the Directorate of Enforcement did not object to the expunging of adverse observation by the High Court against the state government and the State police.

The West Bengal government on Tuesday (March 5) moved the Supreme Court against Calcutta High Court order directing the handing over of the investigation by the State police to the Central Bureau of Investigation into the Sandeshkhali attack on the officials of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in January this year.

The West Bengal government had approached the Supreme Court on March 5, 2024, within hours of the State High Court directing the handing over of the probe to the CBI, including the custody of the prime accused Shahjahan Sheikh to the central investigating agency.

Later on, under the direction of the High Court, the custody of Shahjahan Sheikh was handed over to the CBI.

In January, the officials of the Directorate of Enforcement were allegedly attacked in the North 24 Parganas district while they were on their way to raid the homes of Shankar Adhya  former chairman of Bongaon Municipality and Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh in connection with the ration scam case.

Shahjahan was arrested by the West Bengal police from North 24 Parganas district in connection with the alleged assault on ED officials during a raid in connection with the ration scam case.
The Supreme Court on Monday  March 11  refused to stay the Bombay High Court order, acquitting Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba and five others, who were accused of their alleged links with banned Maoist outfit  CPI (Maoist).  and indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the country.

Refusing to put on hold the High Court order

acquitting Prof Saibaba and five others, a bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice Sandeep Mehta observed that the High Courts decision appeared to be very well-reasoned, and there cannot be any urgent order to reverse such an acquittal order.

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There are two orders of acquittal by two different benches. Prima facie, we find that the judgment is very well-reasoned. Since on an earlier occasion, this court had interfered, we will have to honour that. Otherwise, this is a very well-reasoned judgment by the High Court, the bench said, refusing to stay the acquittal order.

The top court further said: Its a hard-earned acquittal. How many years has the man spent in jail? The law is that there is a presumption of innocence. Once there is an order of acquittal, that presumption gets fortified.

The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on March 5, 2024, jad passed the acquittal order. The High Court bench comprising Justice Vinay Joshi and Justice Valmiki SA Menezes acquitted Prof. Saibaba and others, setting aside the sessions courts order convicting him and others charged under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The sessions court had convicted Saibaba and others in 2017. Besides being accused of their alleged links with the banned Maoist outfit, Prof. Saibaba and others were accused of allegedly indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the country.

This was the second time that the Bombay High Court acquitted Prof. Saibaba.  wheelchair-bound and 99 percent disabled.

Earlier on October 14, 2022, the High Court had acquitted Prof. Saibaba and five others while setting aside the trial court judgment convicting them under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Prof. Saibaba and others, now released, were serving life imprisonment.

However, on October 15, 2022 (Saturday), the Supreme Court in a special sitting stayed the acquittal order by the High Court.

Later, the Supreme Court on April 19, 2023, set-aside the October 14, 2022, acquittal order and remanded the case back to the High Court for fresh hearing.

The Bombay High Court reheard Prof Saibabas challenge to the trial court order convicting him and others. On March 5, 2024, the High Court acquitted Prof Saibaba once again.
The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the State Bank of India (SBI) over non-compliance of its order on disclosing the details of Electoral Bonds by March 6 and dismissed its petition seeking time till June 30.

The apex court asked the SBI to provide electoral bond donor details to the Election Commission of India by March 12. The top court also directed the Election Commission to furnish the details on its official website by 5 pm on March 15.

In a landmark verdict earlier this month, the Supreme Court had ruled that Electoral Bonds, which gave anonymity to the corporates buying them and the political parties receiving the same, were violative of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

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The constitution bench further held that the deletion of the provision to Section 182(1) of the Companies Act permitting unlimited corporate contributions to political parties is arbitrary and violative of Article 14.

The constitution bench of the Supreme Court had also asked the SBI to furnish details of the political parties that received Electoral Bonds since April 12, 2019, and all the particulars received and submit them to the Election Commission of India by March 6.

However, the bank didnt comply with the courts order and instead filed a plea before it seeking time till June 30.

In its plea, the bank has said that it needs more time to disclose details of Electoral Bonds encashed by the political parties.

The SBI said that there are certain practical difficulties and the decoding exercise is difficult to complete in the timeline fixed for it.

However, the Supreme Court said that the information is readily available since there are only 39 authorised branches where political parties have opened their current account for EB redemption.

The submissions of the SBI sufficiently indicate that the information is readily available. The Application filed by the SBI seeking extension of time until 30 June, 2024 is dismissed, the top court ruled.
Former Madhya Pradesh (MP) chief minister and senior Congress leader Kamal Nath on Monday dismissed speculations of him contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections form Jabalpur, saying he will not leave Chhindwara in any condition.

I have no such plan to contest from Jabalpur. I wont leave Chhindwara in any condition, the former MP CM said.

Madhya Pradesh LoP and Congress leader Umang Singhar said that both Kamal Nath and the Congress party wants Nakul Nath to contest from Chhindwara.

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Kamal Nath wants Nakul Nath to be repeated, he has proposed his name. The party too wants the same. So, it is natural that Nakul Nath will be fielded from Chhindwara.., Singhar said.

He also confirmed that senior leader Digvijay Singh will also contest the Lok Sabha elections.

His (Digvijaya Singh) Lok Sabha ticket was finalised with his consent, you will get to knowParty is trying to have women candidates on 2-4 seats of the total 29 seats in the state, the Congress leader said.

Last month, Kamal Naths son Nakul Nath had unilaterally announced his candidature from Chhindwara amid rumours of the father-son duo joining the BJP.

Congress MP Nakul Nath reportedly removed INC from his social media bio, giving further momentum to the rumours that he is going to join the BJP.

However, Kamal Nath later dismissed the rumours, saying he has never said anything about joining the BJP and that all this was a media creation.
Zelenskyy: Church with people is Ukrainian chaplains, not mediation between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy indirectly criticized the Pope for his statements about "courage, courage to raise the white flag and negotiate."

The Pope made this statement in an interview with the Swiss broadcaster RSI, which he gave in February and an excerpt from which was published on Saturday, March 9. He said, answering a journalists question, that he considers the one "who looks at the situation, thinks about the people, and has the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate" to be stronger than anyone else.

"Russian murderers and torturers are not moving further into Europe only because they are being held back by Ukrainians with weapons in their hands and under the blue and yellow flag. In Ukraine, there were many once-white walls of houses and churches that are now scorched and ruined by Russian shells. And this speaks very eloquently about who has to stop for the war to end," Zelenskyy said in a video address on Sunday.

He thanked "every Ukrainian chaplain who is with the army, in the Defense Forces. 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 kilometers away somewhere, virtually mediating between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you."

"I thank everyone who is doing everything in Ukraine and with Ukraine to save lives, I thank everyone who is helping and who is really with us through actions and prayers," Zelenskyy said.
With the Centre issuing notification for the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) paving the way for grant of citizenship to non-Muslim migrants  from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan  who came to India before December 31, 2014, it has triggered jubilation in Odishas coastal pockets among non-Muslim Bangladeshi infiltrators.

The Bengali-speaking settlers, some of them were earlier branded as Bangladeshis, living in seaside villages of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak and Balasore district are ecstatic as news flashed through the television channels that the Union Government issued CAA notification.

Its a new lease of life for Bangla settlers, who bear the ignominy of foreign national tag. It has instilled a sense of security among the Bengali settlers who were living under constant fear of being branded as Bangldeshis and faced deportation threat, remarked Bijoy Shukla, vice chairman, Mahakalapada Panchayat Samiti in Kendrapara district.

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As many as 1551 people from Kendrapara district were officially tagged as Bangladeshis and were served quit India notice in 2005.

Now the deportation fear is over with the notification of CAA, said an ex-Sarpanch, Narayan Haldar.

Similar joyous moods were witnessed in other coastal districts, home to Bangla infiltrators.

The Bengali speaking people are bona fide citizens of the country. They were often clubbed as Bangladeshis because of common language with people of the neighbouring country. Its a huge sigh of relief for us.

Some people here have been enumerated as Bangladeshis though they were not served quit India notice. We all are feeling relieved. We are proud Indians. Nobody could now raise questions on our domicile status and nationality, said a cross section of people from Jagatsinghpur district, with a tinge of joy.

The Union Governments record-books say Odisha is home to 3,987 Bangladeshis infiltrators. However several lakhs Bengali-speaking migrant people are firmly ensconced in several parts of the State.
In the intricate tapestry of international relations, energy policies often become threads woven into the broader narrative. The revelation that funding legislation before the US Congress seeks to block China from purchasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) adds another layer to the complex dance between economic interests and geopolitical tensions. Fuelling this move is a bipartisan determination to establish a hard line on China, a sentiment that seems to be one of the few unifying forces in the polarised halls of Capitol Hill.

Amid the backdrop of escalating competition with the Chinese government, numerous Bills have been introduced, each vying to address the multifaceted challenge posed by the emerging global powerhouse. The focal point of this legislation, however, revolves around the SPR, a strategic asset with a history intertwined with both political and economic manoeuvres. President Joe Bidens decision in 2022 to sell 180 million barrels of SPR oil as a remedy for soaring gasoline prices post-Russias invasion of Ukraine set the stage for the current controversy. The subsequent sale of a million barrels to UNIPEC America, a Houston-based arm of Chinas Sinopec, stirred the pot further.

This move is not unprecedented, as even under former President Donald Trump in 2017, SPR oil found its way to PetroChina International, a subsidiary of the Chinese state oil company PetroChina Company Limited. However, the latest attempt to curb such transactions signals a renewed vigour, reflecting an evolving stance on the interplay between economic cooperation and strategic rivalry. The SPR, currently holding over 360 million barrels of oil, is approaching historic lows due to the sales in 2022. While the desire to secure domestic oil resources is understandable, the question remains whether such restrictive measures are a pragmatic response or merely a symbolic gesture.

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Last July, the Democraticcontrolled Senate passed a bill to ban SPR oil exports to China, a move criticised by some, including Senator Chris Murphy, for its potential to create an illusion of problem-solving with minimal political impact. Beyond the legislative nuances lies the broader issue of US-China energy relations. In 2022, US oil companies sold a substantial 83 million barrels of oil to China, underscoring the interconnectedness of the two economies.

As we navigate this delicate geopolitical landscape, it becomes imperative to assess the potential ramifications of these legislative decisions on economic ties, global energy markets, and the overall stability of international relations. As the 1,050-page funding bill awaits the House vote, the Senates subsequent consideration, and potential implementation, it underscores the intricate ballet of diplomacy and strategy. Striking a balance between safeguarding national interests and fostering global cooperation will be the key to ensuring a harmonious dance in the world of energy politics. The coming days will unveil whether this legislative move is a masterstroke or a potentially discordant note in the symphony of international relations.
It has been ten years since Malaysia Airlines passenger flight MH370 disappeared on 8 March 2014. To this day it remains one of the biggest aviation mysteries globally. Its unthinkable that a modern Boeing 777-200ER jetliner with 239 people on board can simply vanish without any explanation. Yet multiple searches in the past decade have still not yielded the main wreckage or the bodies of the victims.

At a remembrance event held last week, the Malaysian transport minister announced a renewed push for another search. If approved by the Malaysian government, the survey will be conducted by United States seabed exploration firm Ocean Infinity, whose efforts were unsuccessful in 2018. The flight was scheduled to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft within 60 minutes into the flight over the South China Sea. Subsequently, it was tracked by military radar crossing the Malay Peninsula and was last located by radar over the Andaman Sea in the northeastern Indian Ocean. The planned route, final route and initial search area for MH370 in Southeast Asia.

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Andrew Heenen/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY Later, automated satellite communications between the aircraft and British firms Inmarsat telecommunications satellite indicated that the plane ended up in the southeast Indian Ocean along the 7th arc (an arc is a series of coordinates). This became the basis for defining the initial search areas by the Australian Air Transport Safety Bureau.

Initial air searches were conducted in the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea. To date, we still dont know what caused the aircrafts change of course and disappearance. On March 18 2014, ten days after the disappearance of MH370, a search in the southern Indian Ocean was led by Australia, with participation of aircraft from several countries. This search continued until April 28 and covered an area of 4,500,000 square kilometres of ocean. No debris was found.

Two underwater searches of the Indian Ocean, 2,800km off the coast of Western Australia, have also failed to find any evidence of the main crash site. The initial seabed search, led by Australia, covered 120,000 square kilometres and extended 50 nautical miles across the 7th arc. It took 1,046 days and was suspended on 17 January 2017. A second search by Ocean Infinity in 2018 covered over 112,000 square kilometres. It was completed in just over three months but also didnt locate the wreckage.

While the main crash site still hasnt been found, several pieces of debris have washed up in the years since the flights disappearance. In fact, in June 2015 officials from the Australian Air Transport Safety Bureau determined that debris might arrive in Sumatra, contrary to the ocean currents in the region. The strongest current in the Indian Ocean is the South Equatorial Current. It flows east to west between northern Australia and Madagascar, and debris would be able to cross it.

Indeed, on 30 July 2015 a large piece of debris  a flaperon (moving part of a plane wing)  washed up on Reunion Island in the western Indian Ocean. It was later confirmed to belong to MH370. Twelve months earlier, using an oceanographic drift model, our University of Western Australia (UWA) modelling team had predicted that any debris originating from the 7th arc would end up in the western Indian Ocean.

In subsequent months, additional aircraft debris was found in the western Indian Ocean in Mauritius, Tanzania, Rodrigues, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa. The UWA drift analysis accurately predicted where floating debris from MH370 would beach in the western Indian Ocean. It also guided American adventurer Blaine Gibson and others to directly recover several dozen pieces of debris, three of which have been confirmed to be from MH370, while several others are deemed likely.

To date, these debris finds in the western Indian ocean are the only physical evidence found related to MH370. It is also independent verification that the crash occurred close to the 7th arc, as any debris would initially flow northwards and then to the west, transported by the prevailing ocean currents. These results are consistent with other drift studies undertaken by independent researchers globally.

Unfortunately, the ocean is a chaotic place, and even oceanographic drift models cannot pinpoint the exact location of the crash site. The proposed new search by Ocean Infinity has significantly narrowed down the target area within latitudes 36S and 33S. This is approximately 50km to the south of the locations where UWA modelling indicated the release of debris along the 7th arc.

If the search does not locate the wreckage, it could be extended north. Since the initial underwater searches, technology has tremendously improved. Ocean Infinity is using a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles with improved resolution. The proposed search will also use remotely controlled surface vessels. In the area where the search is to take place, the ocean is around 4,000 metres deep.

The water temperatures are 12C, with low currents. This means that even after ten years, the debris field would be relatively intact. Therefore, there is a high probability that the wreckage can still be found. If a future search is successful, this would bring closure not just to the families of those who perished, but also the thousands of people who have been involved in the search efforts.

(The writer is Professor of Coastal Oceanography, The University of Western Australia. This article was published on www.theconversation/com)
Distinguished Professor of History Emerita, Department of History, State University of New York, Oswego Prof. Geraldine Forbes has been regularly visiting India, particularly Kolkata and Mumbai, for more than five decades. Every winter, when she is in Kolkata, Prof. Forbes is invited to deliver the keynote address at seminars held in universities and colleges. Several of her books on womens history, such as Women in Modern India and Women in Colonial India, are regularly used by students and researchers in India.

Here she is in conversation with Sanjukta Dasgupta.

You are internationally known as a feminist historian. Your book Women in Modern India is considered to be an indispensable foundational text. Do tell us about your experiences regarding the books reception.

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Im surprised and delighted that professors and students still find Women in Modern India useful. I began researching womens history because I discovered some fascinating material in the 1970s, and one topic led to another. People who heard I was researching womens lives were immensely helpful, encouraging me to continue and directing me to new sources. The book could not have been written without the help of countless individuals, men and women, who were excited about the idea of womens history. When I was writing that book, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, there were not many published histories of women to draw from, but now the field is rich and becoming richer every day.

Do you think all urban educated cultured Indian women have more similarities than differences? Can you identify a few of these defining factors?

This is difficult to answer because my experience has been limited. Most of the women I know are associated with educational institutions, the majority in the social sciences and humanities. They are dedicated professionals concerned about the status of women but not in complete agreement about the issues or the solutions. I think differences among educated women about what is best for women are a world-wide phenomenon; while women in most countries of the world are aware of the forces stacked against their full participation in their societies, they neither unite as women nor agree on a route to a more equitable world.

You are familiar with the Womens Studies curriculum and research projects. How would you rate these in comparison to Womens Studies in the USA?

From the beginning, there were significant differences between Womens Studies in India and the USA. Although Womens Studies in the USA developed from the feminist demand to be represented in the curriculum, Womens Studies did not have an activism component. The first Womens Studies Research Unit in India was opened at SNDT Womens University in Mumbai in 1974. In the USA, a majority of Womens Studies programmes have added Gender and Sexuality to their titles, expanding their concerns.

Which books in your opinion should be compulsory reading for those interested in Womens Studies and research?

In answering this, Im going to limit myself to a few older books that I see as foundational for women and feminism in India. And, in doing so, I am omitting at least 50 additional books that should be on the list. Some of these are Susie Tharu and K. Lalita, eds., Women Writing in India: 600 B.C. to the Present; Tanika Sarkar, Hindu Wife, Hindu Nation: Community, Religion, and Cultural Nationalism; Padma Anagol, The Emergence of Feminism in India, 18501920; Radha Kumar, The History of Doing: An Illustrated Account of Movements for Womens Rights and Feminism in India, 18001990; Kukum Sangari and Sudesh Vaid, Recasting Women: Essays in Indian Colonial History and Ania Loombas Revolutionary Desires: Women, Communism, and Feminism in India.

Do you think Queer Studies and Mens Studies should be included in Womens Studies courses?

I think this depends on the expertise of the faculty teaching in the particular Womens Studies program. At my university, we changed the programme from Womens Studies to Womens and Gender Studies, which involved a significant commitment to developing new courses. We discussed adding Sexuality Studies but voted against it because, at the time, we did not have sufficient resources to mount the courses necessary to make this a meaningful addition.

Unfortunately, people often use the term Gender Studies, a synonym for Womens Studies. They are not the same. Gender Studies should focus on the study of masculinity and femininity. I would prefer to see programmes couched in broader terms and include Sexuality Studies and Gender Studies rather than Queer Studies and Mens Studies.

Do tell us about your intriguing book on lost letters.

My last book, Lost Letters and Feminist History: The Political Friendship of Mohandas K. Gandhi and Sarala Devi Chaudhurani, was written to recuperate the political partnership of Mohandas K. Gandhi and Sarala Devi Chaudhurani in 19191920. I met Dipak Dutt Chaudhry, the son of Sarala Devi and Rambhaj Dutt Chaudhary, a prominent lawyer and Indian National Congress leader, and based it on the letters he had on an important phase of Indian history.

As a historian, I would like to see International Womens Day maintained as a day that honours working women and reminds us of the problems they face. The first International Womens Day, held in February 1909 in New York, commemorated the 1908 strike of women garment industry workers. The next year, the Socialist International declared 8 March a day to honour the movement for womens rights. However, all celebrations change with time and location.

The writer is professor and former dean, department of English, University of Calcutta.
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.

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Al-Fajr Forces, a Sunni armed group, has recently carried out several military operations against the Israeli army from southern Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have stepped up raids and searches in several areas of Khan Younis region of Southern Gaza strip.

The action has increased since Sunday night following intelligence reports that senior Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, considered by Israel as the mastermind behind the October 7 massacre, was holed up in the area.

The Khan Younis area has been the base of Hamas and Yahya Sinwar hails from the area.

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had targetted the area and destroyed many underground tunnels in the region in a bid to capture Yahya Sinwar dead or alive. However, he has remained elusive and there have been contradicting reports about him with some saying that Sinwar was in the region while others said he escaped to Central Gaza.

Sources in the Israel Defense Ministers office told IANS that Shin Bet had reported the presence of Sinwar in the Khan Younis area.

Israel Defense Minister Youav Gallant had openly called for the assassination of Yahya Sinwar when the war commenced and blamed him for the October 7 massacre and kidnapping.

Sources in the Israel Defense Ministry told IANS that the troops have been involved in massive combing in many residential accommodations, hospitals, educational institutions since late Sunday night in the area.
Rain changed to snow early Sunday morning on Ile Perrot, depositing a quick 3 to 5cm. Temperatures have warmed since and the snow has turned back to rain. In some parts of the province, especially north of Quebec City, precipitation remained in the form of heavy wet snow. The weight of the snow has created power issues, with over 100,000 in the dark at the height of the storm.
In January-February 2024, Turkey increased its export of chemical products to Azerbaijan by 2.7 percent to $78.9 million compared to the same period last year, Azernews reports, citing Turkiye's Ministry of Trade.

In February 2024, Turkiye's export of chemical products to Azerbaijan increased by 11.4 percent compared to the same month of 2023 and amounted to 43.2 million dollars.

It is worth noting that in January-February 2024, Turkiye increased its export of chemical products by 8.8 percent to 5 million dollars compared to the same period last year.

In February 2024, Turkiye's export of chemical products to world markets increased by 15.2 percent compared to the same month of 2023 and equaled 2.6 million dollars.

During the last 12 months (February 2024-February 2023), TurkIy exported chemical products worth 30.9 billion dollars.
The State Operator for Non-Lethal Acquisition (DOT) has concluded contracts for the supply of food for the Armed Forces of Ukraine based on the results of the first round of collecting commercial proposals.

According to the DOT press service on Facebook, according to the terms of the agreements, deliveries will be made to 12 regions: Volyn, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia; Khmelnytsky, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy; Mykolaiv, Kherson, Odesa, Kirovohrad.

"The agreements were concluded within current legislation without the use of an electronic system with food manufacturing companies. The average price of a set was UAH 109.35 per unit. The report on the concluded contracts, including the names of the companies, will be published in the ProZorro system by the end of the week," the message states.

Also today, the State Operator for Non-Lethal Acquisition announced the second round of collecting commercial proposals for supplies to sectors that were not included in the list last week, or for which the winners were not determined.

Date and time for submitting proposals: March 12, 2024 until 18:00. Proposals are accepted by email: [email protected]
FILE - Rows of fresh cut beef are displayed in the coolers of the retail section at the Wight's Meat Packing facility, June 16, 2022, in Fombell, Pa. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday, March 11, 2024, announced new requirements for meat and egg producers who use the voluntary Product of USA or Made in the USA labels on their products.


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Shares of Tata Chemicals, which rose over 40 per cent in the last six trading sessions, came under selling pressure on Monday, with the stock declining over 10 per cent.

The stock took a beating amid reports that Tata Group is trying to avoid Tata Sons IPO.

While Tata Chemicals was the biggest loser among the Tata Group companies, shares of various other Tata Group firms also declined on Monday.

Shares of Rallis India Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Chemicals, came down by over 5 per cent, Tata Consumer Products declined over 3 per cent; Tata Communications, Tata Steel, Indian Hotels Co, and Tata Power declined over 2 per cent. Titan and Tata Motors too faced selling pressure, coming down over 1 per cent each.

As per Reserve Bank of India norms, Tata Sons, being an upper-layer non-banking finance company, has to go public over the next 18 months. The company was expected to list within the next 1.5 years as the RBI classified Tata Sons as an upper-layer NBFC last year.

However, media reports suggest that Tata Sons is now looking at the option to restructure its balance sheet in a bid to avoid listing. Sources told CNBC-TV18 that Tata Sons is not likely to be listed in the immediate future.

According to an Economic Times report, if the company reorganises debt or transfers holding in Tata Capital to another company, Tata Sons could get deregistered and avoid going public.

The valuation is derived by summing up all investments of Tata Sons across listed and unlisted companies/equities, preference shares and mutual funds, according to a Spark Capital report.

Tata Group had earlier sought an exemption to the listing rule, but the central bank rejected the plea. Media reports said Tata Sons has approached financial and legal experts to find a solution.

Tata Sons is mostly owned by Dorabji Tata Trust (28 per cent) and the Ratan Tata Trust (24 per cent). The other promoter trusts own 14 per cent and the Cyrus Mistry family-run Sterling Investment Corporation and Cyrus Investments own 9 per cent each. Tata Motors and Tata Chemicals own 3 per cent each, Tata Power (2 per cent) and Indian Hotels hold 1 per cent. Others hold 7 per cent.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, on Monday, questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence over the demands made by certain BJP leaders, including a Member of Parliament, to change the Constitution of the country.

The Congress will launch nationwide protests from Tuesday over the BJPs alleged intent to change the Constitution.

Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, Kharge accused Modi of deliberately looking the other way while senior BJP and RSS leaders have suggested that the Constitution needs to be changed. He accused the BJP and the RSS of being against the social justice guaranteed by the Constitution and the word secularism in it.

Kharge warned that any attempt to change the Constitution will have dangerous repercussions and disastrous consequences. The prime minister makes others say such things. If he does not agree with what the BJP MP from Karnataka said, why does he not take action against him.

He was referring to the statement made by BJP MP Anant Hegde that a two-thirds majority is needed in Parliament to change the Constitution.

Kharge said there is an agenda behind the BJP seeking to win 400 plus seats, and added that the party will never win those many seats.

He said the BJP has already weakened the autonomous constitutional bodies like the CAG as the government no longer acknowledged and accepted the CAG reports.

The Congress leader claimed that according to various CAG reports, the BJP governments at the Centre and states had committed scams worth Rs 8.5 lakh crore. He said the BJP government was hiding it, and had it been about others, it would have created a huge ruckus.

The Congress president reiterated his partys demand for 100 per cent counting of the VVPAT slips, and wondered why the Election Commission avoided answers on this issue.

On State Bank of India seeking four-and-a-half months for revealing the names of those who purchased electoral bonds, he said the Modi government was only trying to hide its foul deeds.
Volunteers of the Emergency Response Team of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) met evacuation trains in Berdychiv and Khmelnytsky.

"Ukrainians living in towns near which hostilities are taking place continue to evacuate to safer places. Over the weekend, volunteers of the Emergency Response Team of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society of Zhytomyr region met an evacuation train from Pokrovsk, Donetsk region," the society said on Facebook on Monday.

Some 57 people arrived by evacuation train, including 16 children, as well as ten people with limited mobility who needed special transportation conditions.

In Khmelnytsky, volunteers of the URCS Emergency Response Team met the evacuation train from Kherson, provided psychosocial support and other necessary assistance to arriving citizens.
The opposition parties on Monday questioned the timing of notifying the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), alleging that the move was designed to polarise the coming Lok Sabha elections.

The CAA, enacted by the Narendra Modi government in 2019, seeks to grant citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim immigrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said it has taken four years and three months for the Narendra Modi government to notify the rules for the law cleared by Parliament in December 2019.

"After seeking nine extensions for the notification of the rules, the timing right before the elections is evidently designed to polarise the elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam," he said.

"The prime minister claims that his government works in a business-like and time-bound manner. The time taken to notify the rules for the CAA is yet another demonstration of the prime minister's blatant lies," Ramesh further said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a staunch critic of the law, said she would fiercely oppose the CAA if it was found to be discriminatory against groups of people living in India and if it curtailed their existing citizenship rights in any manner.

Why do this only days before the Lok Sabha polls are scheduled to be announced? Why did the Centre have to wait for four years to notify the law after it was passed in Parliament?, Banerjee asked.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav termed the move as BJPs game of distraction.

"When the citizens of the country are forced to go out for livelihood, then what will happen by bringing 'citizenship law' for others? The public has now understood the BJP's game of politics of distraction," Yadav said in a post on X.

"The BJP government should explain why lakhs of citizens gave up their citizenship of the country during their 10 years of rule. No matter what happens tomorrow you have to give account of Electoral Bond' and then also of the 'care fund'," he added.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated that his government will not implement the citizenship law.

"The government has repeatedly stated that the Citizenship Amendment Act, which treats Muslim minorities as second-class citizens, will not be implemented in Kerala. That remains the position. All of Kerala will stand united in opposing this communally divisive law," Vijayan said in a statement.
The photo of a woman donning an army uniform leading a procession with an infant in her hands is doing rounds on social media on Monday. Those sharing the image claimed the woman in the picture was Major Kumud Dogra with her five-day-old child on her way to pay homage to her husband, who was a Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force and died in the line of duty.



The users also criticised politicians and media for sidelining the story of Major Dogra's courage amidst the extravagant pre-wedding bash hosted by the Ambanis.

"Major Smt Kumud Dogra... in her arms is her five days old baby and her feet marching towards the dead body of her husband Wing Cmdr D Vats... a rare epitome of courage... salute to you Major Smt Dogra. No media has covered this news on any channel. The whole country was more bothered about 3 days Jamnagar extravaganza. Sad that our service people don't even get a bit of respect from the Politicians and the Media," the viral post read.

Did IAF lose a Wing Commander recently? If so, did the media ignore his martyrdom? The Week probed

OSINT Probe

When the name "Kumud Dogra" was Googled, the top result was an India Today article from 2018. "Army officer attends martyred husband's funeral with 5-day-old baby, leaves Twitter teary eyed," the headline of the story published on May 17, 2018 read.

The photo alongside the viral post was used in the article as well, it was found. "Major Kumud Dogra attending husband's funeral with 5-days-old daughter in her arms," it was captioned.

Media reports from 2018 had the same photo of Major Kumud Dogra with her child.

According to the report, Major Dogra lost her husband Wing Commander D Vats on February 15 after his IAF plane crashed in Jorhat. The photo was taken when Major Dogra arrived in full Army uniform to pay last respects to her husband.

We also found other news reports that confirmed the incident. Some of these reports were filed in February -- only days after the fatal crash that claimed Wing Commander D Vats's life.

The news was reported soon after the fatal crash, a Google search showed.

Thus, it became clear that the claim made in the viral post is half-true. Although the story behind the photo is true, it is being taken out of context in the backdrop of the pre-wedding ceremonies hosted by the Ambanis to mislead the public.

FACT CHECK

Claim: Indian media and politicians ignored the martyrdom of an IAF officer amidst Anant Ambani's grand party

Verdict: Not True

Fact: Although the story narrated in the post is true, it happened in 2018. The development was covered across media platforms
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad on Monday arrested a 30-year-old man from Navi Mumbai allegedly for sharing sensitive information with Pakistan Intelligence Operative in exchange for money.



The accused reportedly shared information about restricted areas in the country with a Pakistan-based intelligence operative (PIO), the ATS said. The anti-terror agency said the accused had been talking to a woman on social media for several months and the accused allegedly started following the Pakistan agents orders.

The accused was working at a place sensitive to the security of the country. The perpetrator shared important information with the accused woman in exchange for money, the Maharashtra ATS said in a release.

As per probe, the ATS found the accused was in touch with the PIO from November 2021 to May 2023 via Facebook and WhatsApp and shared the sensitive information multiple times through those social media platforms. He reportedly shared information about restricted areas in India with the Pakistan agent, it said.

A case has been registered against the man and the PIO and the Navi Mumbai unit of ATS is conducting further probe into it, the anti-terror agency said.

-with PTI inputs.
The Union Home Ministry (MHA) on Monday notified the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules, days ahead of the expected announcement of the Lok Sabha elections schedule.

The CAA, enacted by the Narendra Modi government in 2019, seeks to grant citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim immigrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014.

The MHA has readied a portal for the convenience of the applicants as the entire process will be online. The applicants will have to declare the year when they entered India without travel documents.

"The regulations are prepared, and an online portal is already set up for the entire process, which will be conducted digitally. Applicants will need to disclose the year of their entry into India without any travel documents. No additional documentation will be required from the applicants," said an official.

The country had witnessed large-scale protests after the law got parliaments nod in 2019 with over a hundred people losing their lives during the agitation and police action.

Government sources earlier told THE WEEK that they expect some protests in states such as Assam, West Bengal and Delhi, but adequate steps have been taken over the last several months to remove any reservations on the issue.

Since 2020, the Home Ministry has been taking extensions at regular intervals from the parliamentary committee for framing the rules.

With the BJP government ending its five-year term and the model code of conduct coming into force soon for the general elections, sources said the rules needed to be notified to prevent the law from getting lapsed.

The sources further clarified that the CAA does not take away the citizenship of any religion or community; rather, it enables the persecuted members of these religions living in neighbouring countries who have suffered over the years to apply for citizenship.

On February 10, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had reiterated that the CAA would be notified and implemented before the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

"CAA is an Act of the country, it will be definitely be notified. It will be notified before the polls. CAA will be implemented by the polls, and there should be no confusion around it. CAA was a promise of the Congress government. When the country was divided and the minorities were persecuted in those countries, Congress had assured the refugees that they were welcome in India and they will be provided with Indian citizenship. Now they are backtracking," Shah had said.

The promise of implementing the controversial law served as a major electoral platform for the BJP in the previous Lok Sabha and assembly polls in West Bengal, with party leaders believing it played a pivotal role in the BJP's ascent in the state.

Several states like West Bengal and Kerala have reiterated that they wont allow the implementation of the law.
The alliance talks between the BJP and BJD in Odisha seem to have failed with BJP state president Manmohan Samal confirming that the party would face elections alone in the state. He denied there were any alliance talks with the BJD.

Following the development, the BJP central leadership has called its state unit leaders and those in charge of elections in Odisha to Delhi for a discussion. The BJP Central Election Committee meeting for states, including Odisha, is also being held on Monday. Odisha has been conducting simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and Assembly since 2004.



Besides Samal, general secretary (organisation) Manas Mohanty, Odisha BJP election in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar and co-incharge Lata Usendi flew to New Delhi. Samal told reporters said the meeting will discuss seat allotment. "The discussion will cover all 147 assembly seats and 21 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state," Samal said. He, however, refused to add anything to the possible alliance.



There were hints that the alliance talks hit a roadblock after Usendi reiterated on Sunday that the BJP will contest in all 147 assembly seats in the upcoming elections. "I am saying it over and over again that the BJP is preparing for all 147 assembly seats," Usendi said, dismissing alliance talks. She, however, acknowledged meetings were taking place. "Meetings are taking place because how can we work without any meetings," she said.



The hints of talks going sour were already visible after BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik issued a one-line statement on Saturday, stating that "rumours" and "lies" were worst aspects of politics.



Talks over the possible alliance between the two parties gained strength after 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 its larger interest.



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 Patnaik's close aide VK Pandian and party's organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das visited Delhi to hold discussions with BJP top brass, they remained silent, adding to the suspense over the alliance.


The Madhya Pradesh High Court here on Monday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out within six weeks a "scientific survey" of the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district, a medieval-era structure which both Hindus and Muslims claim as their own.

Hindus consider Bhojshala, an ASI-protected 11th century monument, to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community call it Kamal Maula Mosque.

As per an arrangement made by the ASI on April 7, 2003, Hindus perform puja in the Bhojshala premises on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz in the complex on Fridays.

"..this court has drawn only one conclusion that Constitutional as well as statutory obligations of the ASI to have a scientific survey, study convened at the earliest of Bhojshala Temple and Kamal Maula Mosque," observed a division bench of the HC at Indore comprising Justices SA Dharmadhikari and Devnarayan Mishra.

Aggrieved by the direction, Dhar city's head cleric Waqar Sadiq said they (Kamal Maula Mosque management committee) will challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court.

The bench sought a comprehensive report of the survey to be prepared by a five-member expert committee of the ASI, a central body, within six weeks.

"A proper documented comprehensively drafted report prepared by an Expert Committee of not less than five (5) senior-most officers of ASI headed by the Director General/Additional Director General of the ASI himself be submitted before this Court within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order," the court said in its 30-page order.

The HC direction came while hearing an application filed by an outfit called Hindu Front for Justice (HFJ).

According to the plea, survey by the ASI is a statutory duty, which should have done long back at the inspection stage when the "mystery and confusion" about the true character of Bhojshala Saraswati Temple (Bhojshala Temple)-cum-Maulana Kamal Maula Mosque arose, leading to disputes about its true status.

The plea was moved by HFJ president Ranjana Agnihotri and others against the Union of India and others. The bench later posted the matter for next hearing on April 29.

Allowing the plea, the bench gave a number of directions to the ASI, asking it to use the latest methods and techniques for the survey, and laid down procedures for the entire exercise.

"Complete scientific investigation, survey and excavation, through adoption of latest methods, techniques and modes of GPR-GPS survey of the site in question constituting the disputed Bhojshala Temple-cum-Kamal Maula Mosque complex, as also the entire 50 m of peripheral ring area surrounding/constituting the circular periphery from the boundary of the complex be conducted," the Judges said.

"A detailed scientific investigation be conducted by adopting carbon dating method for ascertaining the age, life of various structures both above and beneath the ground; permanent, movable and immovable structures both beneath as well as above the ground, constituting the walls, pillars, floors, surfaces, upper top, sanctum sanctorum of the entire complex," noted the bench.

The HC suggested giving a representation to the contesting sides in the expert panel tasked with carrying out the scientific investigation, survey and excavation of the site.

"Efforts should be made to have a representation of Officers of both the contesting communities (if available of the said position & rank) in the said Expert Committee; to photograph and videograph the entire survey proceedings in the presence of two (2) nominated representatives each of both the petitioners as well as respondent No. 8 in the present petition," maintained the bench.

The HC asked the ASI to prepare an inventory of each and every artifact, idol, deity or any structure found in the premises after unlocking/opening the locked/sealed rooms, halls of the complex and submit the same before it along with their respective photographs. The HC allowed the ASI to conduct any other study it deems necessary to ascertain the true character of the complex.

"Any other study, investigation or inquiry, which the said five (5)-member committee of the ASI feels necessary to be undertaken, without destroying, defacing, destructing the original nature of the whole complex be undertaken, towards ascertaining the true nature and character of the Bhojshala Temple-cum-Kamal Maula Mosque for arriving at the truth," it said.

The HC insisted that submissions relating to the right to worship and perform rituals in the disputed premises shall be considered only after the panel submits its report.

"All other issues and submissions relating to the relief as claimed by the petitioners or the right to worship and perform rituals in the disputed premises shall be considered and determined only after receipt of the aforementioned report from the Expert Committee," the bench noted.

With these observations, the HC disposed of the interlocutory application seeking a direction to the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the site, petitioners counsel Vinay Joshi told PTI. He said they had filed the application in January during hearing of a writ petition moved in 2022.

Interlocutory application means a plea in any suit, appeal or proceeding already instituted in a court. Joshi said his clients had moved the petition seeking that Bhojshala be declared a temple and an idol of Goddess Vagdevi kept in a London museum be brought back and installed in the complex.

It is believed Raja Bhoj, a Hindu king, had installed the statue of Vagdevi in Bhojshala in 1034 AD. Hindu groups say the British took this statue to London in 1875. Dhar city's Shahar Qazi (local head cleric) Sadiq said the HC decision was not acceptable to the Muslim community.

"With due respect, we wish to say that the HC order was not acceptable to the Muslim community. Our committee will soon file an appeal against it in the SC," he told reporters.
It's been four days and still, there is no sign of the nearly 300 students kidnapped in Kaduna last week. The Nigerian army and police have been searching in the forests since Friday for the missing children, but still no whereabouts of the abducted children.

According to experts, the search in the forests of northwestern Nigeria could take weeks.

The mass kidnapping happened last Thursday, the first since July 2021.

"The security agencies and the state government are working tirelessly to ensure the freedom of all the abducted students and pupils. We are making progress," Muhammad Shehu Lawal, a spokesperson for Kaduna state governor was quoted by Reuters.

Kidnappings at schools in Nigeria are not something new. It was first carried out by jihadist group Boko Haram. Over 200 students were captured from a girls school in Chibok in Borno state. Though many were released, some girls have never been released.

In the latest incident, a group of armed men abducted 15 children from a school in Sokoto on Saturday. A few days before, around 200 people, mostly children and women were kidnapped in northeastern Borno state.

So far no group claimed responsibility for the recent abductions. Back in 2014, #BringBackOurGirls, a global social media campaign was launched after over 200 school girls were abducted by Islamic extremists from Borno's Chibok.

So far no group claimed responsibility for the recent abductions. Back in 2014, #BringBackOurGirls, a global social media campaign was launched after over 200 school girls were abducted by Islamic extremists from Borno's Chibok.

"My child didn't even eat breakfast before leaving. His mother fainted (upon hearing the news)," said Shehu Lawal, the father of a 13-year-old boy who is among those abducted.

According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, over 3,500 people have been abducted across Nigeria in the last year.

President Bola Tinubu assumed power after promising to tighten security and stop the kidnappings. However, the authorities seem powerless to stop them.

In some cases, the armed gangs sought ransom payments tearing apart poor families and communities.

"It has never been in this manner...We are crying, looking for help from the government and God, but it is the gunmen who will decide to bring the children back. God will help us," said Lawan Yaro, whose five grandchildren are among the abducted.

(With PTI inputs)
After the controversial meeting with the US former president in Florida, Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban said Donald Trump "will not give a penny" to Ukraine if he is re-elected as US president.

He will not give a penny in the Ukraine-Russia war, Orban told state media in Hungary on Sunday. Therefore, the war will end, because it is obvious that Ukraine cannot stand on its own feet, he added.

Orban further added that Trump has a "detailed plan" to end the Ukraine war.

"As it is obvious that Ukraine on its own cannot stand on its feet...If the Americans do not give money and weapons, and also the Europeans, then this war will be over. And if the Americans do not give money the Europeans are unable to finance this war on their own, and then the war will end," said Orban.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Orban has refused to send weapons to Kyiv and kept close relations with Moscow. He has also locked horns with the European Union member nations for helping Ukraine by providing weapons.

Orban had met with Trump last weekend at his beach residence in Florida. After the meeting, the statement released by Orban said that Hungary would want to see Trump return to power.

President Trump was a president of peace, he commanded respect in the world, and thus he created the conditions for peace. During his presidency, there was peace in the Middle East and peace in Ukraine. And there would be no war today if he were still president of the United States," said Orban in a statement.

We agreed that there will be peace when there are world leaders who want peace. I am proud that Hungary is one of those countries. We also agreed that there is still much potential in US-Hungarian economic relations, it added.

Here in America the campaign is in full swing, and indeed is rushing ahead. It is up to Americans to make their own decision, and it is up to us Hungarians to frankly admit that it would be better for the world  and better for Hungary, too  if President Donald Trump were to return to power, it said.
After Pope Francis's comments on the Ukraine war saying the country should have the "courage to raise the white flag", President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hits back saying the Pope was engaging in virtual mediation. Ukraines foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Kyiv will never yield and the nations flag is yellow and blue.

Zelenskyy said that the Pope's ideas had nothing to do with efforts by religious figures in Ukraine to help the country. However, Zelenskyy did not directly refer to Francis.

They support us with prayer, with their discussion and with deeds. This is indeed what a church with the people is, Zelenskyy said. Not 2,500 km away, somewhere, virtual mediation between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you, he added.

Meanwhile, the Russian foreign ministry's spokesperson, Maria Zakharova said The way I see it, the pope is asking the West to put aside its ambitions and admit that it was wrong.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "It is quite understandable that he (the pope) spoke in favour of negotiations." Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly spoken of Russia's willingness and openness to negotiations, but that Ukraine had knocked down such proposals.

"Unfortunately, both the statements of the Pope and the repeated statements of other parties, including ours, have recently received harsh refusals," Peskov was quoted by Reuters.

Several politicians and European commentators came to the forefront criticising Popes remarks. Dennis Radtke, a German Christian Democrat MEP, said the word shameful could be used to describe the popes comments.

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.

Later, 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.
Gandhinagar, Mar 11 (PTI) Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters met Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar on Monday and they discussed establishment of a joint committee to strengthen cooperation between the two sides.

The two leaders also discussed potential collaboration between Gujarat and New Zealand in education and other sectors. Peters showed interest in collaboration with Gujarat in fields such as agri-business, maritime coordination, food security, dairy farming, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and tourism, stated a government release.

Chief Minister Patel told the visiting deputy PM of New Zealand that India's new National Education Policy, unveiled in 2020, prioritises skill development, employability, and higher education, the release said.

The CM suggested that companies from New Zealand can consider leveraging the expanding digital ecosystem, particularly in fintech, at GIFT City in Gandhinagar, it said.

"In the meeting, the Chief Minister said the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit's success under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has solidified Gujarat's status as the best destination for investment," the release stated.

Patel said Modi is committed to nurturing India's relations with nations across the globe as a 'Vishva Mitra' (global friend).

The Vibrant Gujarat Summit, whose 10th edition was held in January, signifies a milestone as India is determined to become the third-largest economy in the world in the next few years, the CM said.
Polish protesters to fully stop passage of trucks from Ukraine through Ustyluh BCP, to resume blocking of Krakovets BCP from March 13  State Border Guard Service

Protesting Polish farmers announced that they will not allow a single truck to leave Ukraine through the Zosin-Ustyluh border crossing point (BCP), according to the Telegram channel of Ukraine's State Border Guard Service.

At the same time, as reported by the border service, Polish farmers will allow six trucks every hour to enter Ukraine.

The State Border Guard Service also said that protesters continue to restrict the movement of cargo vehicles through five BCPs on the Ukrainian-Polish border: Dorohusk-Yahodyn, Zosin-Ustyluh, Dohobyczow-Uhryniv, Hrebenne-Rava Ruska, and Medyka-Shehyni.

The protesters also announced plans to resume blocking trucks moving towrads the Korczowa-Krakovets BCP from March 13, which they stopped on the night of March 9.
Gurugram (Haryana), Mar 11 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the speed of implementation of infrastructure projects will be accelerated manifold in the next five years to make India the third largest economy in the world.

Modi said he has inaugurated and laid the foundation of projects worth Rs 10 lakh crore so far this calendar year and added that he is running short of time for inaugurating projects.

He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for 114 National Highway projects across the country worth about Rs 1 lakh crore.

Among key National Highway (NH) projects, Modi inaugurated the Haryana section of the landmark Dwarka Expressway.

Modi took a dig at Congress, saying the opposition party and its 'Ghamandiya' alliance has lost sleep, seeing the speed at which development works are taking place in the country by his government.

The prime minister said the Congress party is still looking at everything with negativity and this has become a character of the opposition parties and their INDI Alliance.

Modi stressed that he wants everything on a large scale, with great speed to achieve the target of making India a developed nation by 2047.

"All of you know and understand me well. I cannot think small, nor do I dream small, nor do I make small resolutions. Whatever I want, I want it big! Whatever I want, I want it at a fast pace! By 2047, I want to see my country as a 'Viksit Bharat'," he said.

Highlighting that the country has moved from 11th position in 2014 to become the fifth largest economy now, Modi said the fast development of infrastructure will help India soon become the third largest economy in the world.

The prime minister noted that expressway projects would open a lot of opportunities for rural India.

Modi also asserted that his government does not work with elections in mind and added that development work continues whether there are elections or not.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari were present at the event.
Mumbai, Mar 11 (PTI) Equity benchmark indices declined in early trade on Monday after rallying in the past two straight sessions amid weak trends from the US markets and selling in banking stocks.

After a record-breaking rally, the 30-share BSE Sensex went lower by 204.64 points to 73,914.75 due to profit taking. The Nifty slipped 49.15 points to 22,444.40.

Among the Sensex firms, Tata Steel, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tech Mahindra, HDFC Bank, Infosys, and Tata Motors were the major laggards.

Bajaj Finserv, UltraTech Cement, ITC, and Bajaj Finance were among the gainers.

In Asian markets, Seoul and Tokyo were quoting lower, while Hong Kong and Shanghai traded in the green territory

The US markets ended in the negative territory on Friday.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.68 per cent to USD 81.52 a barrel.

The stock markets were closed on Friday for Mahashivratri.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 7,304.11 crore on Thursday, according to exchange data.

"The dominant trend in the market in the near-term is likely to be the underperformance of the broader market, particularly the small-cap space.

"Since restraint imposed by some mutual funds by stopping lump sum investment into their small-cap schemes has failed to stem the flow of funds into the over valued small-cap segment, SEBI has stepped in with regulatory action asking the mutual funds to do stress tests in their mid and small-cap schemes.

"Since the market is scaling new highs consistently, the undertone of the market remains bullish and, therefore, investors should remain invested. Large caps are likely to witness buying on dips while the broader market will face headwinds," V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services, said.

On Thursday, the 30-share BSE Sensex advanced 33.40 points or 0.05 per cent to settle at a new peak of 74,119.39, while the broader Nifty rose by 19.50 points or 0.09 per cent to close at a record 22,493.55.
Srinagar, Mar 11 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday attached properties worth Rs 4.81 crore belonging to accused persons in a bank fraud case here.

The federal agency said the properties belonged to Isfaq Ahmad Zargar of M/s Nikha Ornaments (12.5 marlas), Khalil Ahmad Mughal of M/s JK Gold Jewellery (14.80 kanals), Mohammad Ashraf Dev of M/s Raf Raf Tours and Travel (1.60 kanals) and Mohammad Sayed Kausar Niyazi of M/s Sayed Tours and Travels (17 marlas).

"Directorate of Enforcement, Srinagar Zonal office, has provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 4.81 crore in the form of 18 kanals of land and a building in a fraud case in a Canara Bank branch," the agency said.

An FIR was registered at Maisuma police station in 2014 after several loan accounts turned "bad" with non-existent properties shown as mortgage by the borrowers.

The ED initiated investigation on the basis of the FIR against the accused persons and others for causing loss to the tune of Rs 5.59 crore to Canara Bank, Budshah Chowk branch here.

The police are yet to file a charge sheet before the court in this case.

"The investigation has revealed that during 2014 the accused borrowers, along with 26 other borrowers, in connivance of M N Doley, the then branch manager of Canara Bank, availed cash credit loans totalling Rs 30 crore in the names of non-existent proprietorship entities on the basis of forged and fake documents. The borrowers later siphoned off the same after routing the loan proceeds through various bank accounts of other entities/persons ultimately utilising the funds for personal benefits contrary to its project purpose of business," the ED said.

It said all the loans granted by Dole turned into non-performing assets since 2016 and caused huge loss to the public sector lender Canara Bank.

The agency said further investigation is under progress.
Patiala, Mar 11 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said his government is making strenuous efforts for making Punjab a debt-free, progressive and prosperous state.

Addressing a gathering during 'Sarkar Vyapaar Milni (government trade meet)' here, the Chief Minister said that the state has inherited a debt due to "misdeeds" of the previous governments.

However, he said his government will make all out efforts to bail out the state from this crisis for which concerted efforts are being made.

An official release quoting Mann said for the first time, traders have become integral part in decision making to put the state in a high trajectory.

"Today new schools, hospitals are coming up, free power is given to 90 percent of households, and more than 43,000 government jobs are given," said Mann.

About the state budget which was presented on March 5 in the state assembly, Mann said it is a roadmap for a progressive and vibrant Punjab.

People of the state ousted political parties that used to "play musical chairs of power to loot" them after every five years, said Mann.

His government has been given a chance by people to serve them and they will work hard to fulfil their expectations, said Mann.

He asked the opposition to shun criticism for the sake of criticism and allow them to work for the well-being of Punjab.

The credit of transforming politics and bringing common man on the agenda of the political parties goes to party leader Arvind Kejriwal, said Mann.

He said instead of 'Sankalp Pattars' or election manifestos, the political parties are now giving "guarantees" for welfare of the people.

He had always been a votary of making a manifesto of any party into a legal document so that political parties may not dupe the common man, said Mann.

The CM said the traditional parties envy him because he hails from a common family.
Islamabad, Mar 11 (PTI) Imran Khans wife Bushra Bibi has been confined to a small room despite her Bani Gala residence here being declared a sub-jail, a senior leader of the jailed former Pakistan prime minister's party claimed on Monday.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) general secretary Omar Ayub, who has been nominated by the party and Sunni Ittehad Council lawmakers as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, said Bushra Bibis meal issues have not yet been resolved, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Ayub, who was also the oppositions joint candidate who lost to Khans rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) partys Shehbaz Sharif in the prime ministerial election, said, Bushra Bibi has been confined to one small room despite her residence being declared a sub-jail.

We demand that you do not consider Bushra Bibi Imran Khans weakness. She was the former premiers strength, he added.

Last month, a Pakistani court was informed by the authorities of Adiala Jail that Bushra Bibi, 49, cannot be shifted to the prison due to a security threat.

The information was submitted to the Islamabad High Court while it was hearing a petition filed by Bushra seeking transfer from the Bani Gala sub-jail to Adiala, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

Bushra is imprisoned at Khan's Bani Gala residence after an accountability court sentenced the couple to 14 years in jail in the Toshakhana corruption case last month.

Khan, 71, is lodged at the high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Both of them have been convicted with multiple years sentences in the Toshakhana expensive gift case and the iddat case which declared their marriage as un-Islamic.

The PTI party last month also expressed concern about the health of the wife of the incarcerated leader. The party claimed that there was a "serious threat" to her life and the Pakistani authorities were denying her medical aid.
Colombo, Mar 11 (PTI) After the Opposition in Sri Lanka on Sunday declined President Ranil Wickremesinghes invitation to attend a review meeting of the IMF bailout programme, only the Tamil National Alliance, took part in Mondays meeting with the global lender to help the cash-strapped nation to overcome the financial crisis.

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 four years. Two tranches of USD 330 million each were released in March and December of last year.

Minister of State for Finance Asanka Shehan Semasinghe told reporters that M A Sumanthiran, the leading TNA parliamentarian, attended the meeting this morning after the main opposition SJB and the Marxist JVP snubbed the invitation.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is the main Tamil party in Sri Lanka.

Semasinghe stressed that the invitation was still open during the ongoing IMFs two-week-long review.

Sumanthiran later told reporters that the government had agreed to release the IMFs technical assistance reports to the Opposition upon request.

He said he had told the meeting that transparency of the process was in doubt. The IMF reports, analysing why their recommendations are needed to further the ongoing bailout, have not been made public.

Sumanthiran conveyed that the IMF conditions had not been beneficial to the poor.

The IMF and Sri Lanka had in March 2023 struck a deal to provide a bailout worth USD 2.9 billion over four years.

The Opposition has been critical of the hard reforms that have been imposed, such as high taxes and utility rate hikes. It has vowed to renegotiate the programme under a future government.

The IMF bailout was worked out after Sri Lanka had declared its first-ever sovereign default in April 2022.

The government is yet to reach an agreement on external debt restructuring even after prolonged negotiations.
London, Mar 11 (PTI) India not only shaped the birth of the Commonwealth but will continue to play a vital role in shaping its work, Secretary General Patricia Scotland said on Monday on the occasion of Commonwealth Day.

Baroness Scotland, who will be heading out for a tour of India later this week, participated in an annual ceremony commemorating the contribution of soldiers from the Indian subcontinent who sacrificed their lives in the two World Wars at the Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill in London.

This years ceremony also marked the culmination of a 100-kilometre charity walk by British Army soldiers from across the Commonwealth, including those of Indian heritage.

India shaped the birth of the modern Commonwealth 75 years ago in April 1949, and I anticipate that the country will continue to play a vital role in shaping the work and the direction of the Commonwealth for decades to come, said Scotland.

So much of our focus on accelerating the use of technology throughout Commonwealth states, including our focus on artificial intelligence, has been inspired by how it has transformed the economy of India and set a platform for the prosperity of its citizens, she said.

Commonwealth Day has been celebrated on the second Monday in March every year since 1977 as a celebration of the 56-member organisation, including a commemorative service at Westminster Abbey. The theme for this years Commonwealth Day and the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa later this year is One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.

In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth, said King Charles in a video message for this years ceremony as he undergoes cancer treatment.

My belief in our shared endeavours and the potential of our people remains as sure and strong as it has ever been. I have no doubt that we will continue to support one another across the Commonwealth as, together, we continue this vital journey, he said.

This years charity walk saw Commonwealth soldiers carrying 15kg weighted packs, or bergens, to honour their forebears who carried that weight during their service during the two World Wars. The colourful uniformed march began at the Chattri Memorial near outside Brighton on Friday and culminated at the Commonwealth Memorial Gates in London.

The Memorial Gates Ceremony on Commonwealth Day commemorates the service and sacrifice of the 5 million volunteers from South Asia, Africa and the Caribbean in the First and Second World Wars, said Lord Karan Bilimoria, Chairman of the Memorial Gates Council.

This years Commonwealth Day marked the 75th anniversary of the London Declaration signed in April 1949, which involved republics and other independent countries as equal members of the Commonwealth  leading to the creation of the modern day Commonwealth of Nations.

Marking the 75th anniversary alongside the ceremony provides an opportunity to commemorate and remember, as we continually do on Commonwealth Day, and through the activities of the Memorial Gates Council, the significant contribution that those from around the Commonwealth and world have made to the success of our great nation, added Bilimoria.

The ceremony also commemorated the 80th anniversary of the battles of Imphal and Kohima in the Second World War, specifically commemorating those who served in the Fourteenth Army which spoke 40 languages, contained Sikhs, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jews and many other religions and of its 13 divisions, eight were Indian, three were African and only two were wholly British.

This years ceremony also paid tribute to the late Baroness Shreela Flather, the British Indian peer who served as Lifetime President of the Memorial Gates Council and passed away last month aged 89.
New Delhi, Mar 11 (AP) India signed a trade agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland on Sunday that includes a commitment of $100 billion in investments and creating one million direct jobs in India in the next 15 years.

India committed to reducing import tariffs on industrial products from the four European countries that comprise the European Free Trade Association, or EFTA.

"The landmark agreement between India and EFTA is set 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, an EFTA communique said.

India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India for the first time had signed an agreement with an important economic bloc in Europe. India is also working on trade pacts with Britain and the European Union.

The agreement includes trade in goods and services, investment promotion and cooperation, intellectual property, government procurement, trade and sustainable development, and dispute settlement. It will provide a window for Indian exporters to access European and global markets, Goyal said in a statement.

The agreement was signed in New Delhi by Goyal, his Swiss counterpart Guy Parmelin, Iceland's Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, Liechtenstein's Foreign Minister Dominique Hasler, and Norway's Trade and Industry Minister Jan Christian Vestre.

Parmelin, speaking on behalf of the EFTA member states, said 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." (AP)



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London, Mar 11 (PTI) Overseas care workers, including Indians, will be restricted from bringing dependant family members with them to the UK under new visa rules that come into force from this week.

The UK Home Office had announced the plans earlier and on Monday said the new rules follow a "disproportionate" 120,000 dependants accompanying 100,000 workers on the care visa route last year. It is claimed the move will radically cut net migration to the UK and tackle visa abuse to bring down unsustainable levels of legal migration.

Care workers make an incredible contribution to our society, taking care of our loved ones in times of need. But we cannot justify inaction in the face of clear abuse, manipulation of our immigration system and unsustainable migration numbers, said UK Home Secretary James Cleverly.

It is neither right nor fair to allow this unacceptable situation to continue. We promised the British people action, and we will not rest until we have delivered on our commitment to bring numbers down substantially. Our plan is robust but fair  protecting British workers while ensuring the very best international talent can work and study here, to add value to our society and grow the economy, he said.

The changes come into force as the government prepares to lay the new rules before Parliament on Thursday. Care providers in England acting as sponsors for migrants will also be required to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)  the industry regulator for Health and Social Care, a move the government says will crack down on worker exploitation and abuse within the sector.

International care workers make an invaluable contribution caring for our loved ones, but international recruitment and more immigration are not long-term solutions to our social care needs. These rules provide a more ethical and sustainable approach, said Minister for Social Care Helen Whately.

We are boosting our homegrown workforce by reforming social care careers. These include the first ever national career path for care workers and a new care qualification. Our reforms will grow the domestic workforce and build on our success over the last year that saw more people working in social care, fewer vacancies and lower staff turnover, she said.

The UK government says there is clear evidence that care workers have been offered visas under false pretences, travelling thousands of miles for jobs that simply dont exist or to be paid far below the minimum wage required for their work, exploiting them while undercutting British workers.

The Home Office said its actions will prevent the continued undercutting of British workers, which includes raising the salary threshold that a skilled worker must meet in order to get a visa and removing the 20 per cent going-rate discount for migrant workers in shortage occupations.

It forms part of a wider package of measures, which the Home Office says means a total of 300,000 people who were eligible to come to the UK last year would now not be able to do so.

On Monday, the Home Secretary also commissioned a review of the Graduate Route for international students to prevent abuse, protect the integrity and quality of UK higher education, and ensure it works in the best interests of the UK. Under plans announced last year, James Cleverly will formally commission the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to ensure that demand for the Graduate Route, through which a total of 175,872 visas have been granted since it was established, is fit for purpose and focused on attracting the best and brightest to the UK.

Indian nationals represent the largest group of students granted this visa, making up 43 per cent of grants last year, to stay on and gain work experience for at least two years after their degree.

The review of the post-study route follows changes to student visas which came into force at the start of January, ending the ability of nearly all post-graduate students to bring dependants to the UK.

Meanwhile, from April 4, the minimum salary required for those arriving on the Skilled Worker visa will increase from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700  a 48 per cent increase. The minimum income requirement for family visas will also rise, starting at GBP 29,000 from 11 April and by early 2025 this will be increased to GBP 38,700.
Male, Mar 11 (PTI) Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives manning the operations of a helicopter have departed from the island nation after handing over the operations of the chopper to an Indian civilian crew, the Maldivian media reported on Monday.

A media official for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) told the Adhadhu news portal that the Indian soldiers who were stationed in Addu city are now back in India after handing over the operations of a helicopter to an Indian civil crew.

There was no immediate confirmation from India's defence ministry on the withdrawal of the first batch of Indian military personnel from the Maldives as reported by the media here.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, seen as a pro-China leader, has affirmed that no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present inside his country after May 10.

There will be no Indian troops in the country come May 10. Not in uniform and not in civilian clothing. The Indian military will not be residing in this country in any form of clothing. I state this with confidence, Muizzu was quoted as saying by the local media last week.

After a high-level meeting in New Delhi on February 2 between the two sides, the Maldivian foreign ministry said India would replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10 and the first phase of the process would be completed by March 10.

India had agreed to remove its troops from the Maldives under the condition that a number of their civilians equivalent to the military presence are brought to operate the aircraft.

Muizzu rode to power last year on an anti-India stance and within hours of taking oath demanded India to remove its personnel from the strategically located archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean.

Muizzu's government also allowed a sophisticated Chinese 'research ship' to dock at Male. Last week, the MNDF signed a deal with China's military. Under this deal, China will supply 'non-lethal' weapons to the Maldives free of cost.

The first group of Indian civilian personnel, which included 26 people, arrived on February 26 to replace the Indian military personnel operating a helicopter in Addu city.

India also sent a new helicopter and transported the old helicopter used in Addu city for repairs. A ship carrying the new helicopter docked in Addu on February 29.

President Muizzu asked India to withdraw nearly 90 military personnel from the Maldives and India agreed to replace the military personnel with civilians and to continue the operations of two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft provided to the country for providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services.

The Maldives' proximity to India, barely 70 nautical miles from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainland's western coast, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) gives it significant strategic importance.
The share of refugees who hope to return home has decreased to 65% from 77%, internally displaced persons (IDPs) from 84% to 72%, the Office of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said, following a survey conducted in January and February of this year's survey, comparing it with the survey in April and May in 2023.

If less than a year ago, 14% of refugees and 15% of IDPs reported plans to return home permanently in the next three months, now only 6% of refugees and 5% of IDPs report such plans within 12 months.

However, the number of refugees who have neither a plan nor hope of returning has almost doubled during this time  from 6% to 11%, IDPs  from 12% to 15%, and those who have not decided whether to return in the future  from 18% to 24% and from 6% to 12%, respectively.

"Return intentions differ according to several factors, in particular: proximity of host countries (for refugees); situation in places of origin (e.g. relatives and/or property remaining in Ukraine), demographic characteristics / vulnerabilities (in particular dependency ratio) and prospects for socio-economic inclusion in host countries or displacement areas (e.g. participation in labour market)," according to the study.

In particular, refugees located in countries neighboring Ukraine have more plans and hopes to return (75%) compared to those living in other European countries (62%); originally from Chernihiv, Kherson or Sumy regions (more than 76% in each) as opposed to Poltava, Zakarpattia or Kyiv (60% or less in each); those whose husband and/or sons/daughters are still in Ukraine (72%) compared to those who have no immediate relatives (57%) and those who have a whole or partially damaged house in their place of origin ( 67%), compared to those who are homeless (60%).

In addition, included in this series are households that consist only of older people (79%) or have more than two dependents per adult (76%) as opposed to those with no dependents (61%); not working in their current country of residence (77%) compared to those working or looking for work (62%).

According to the survey, among those whose previous plans to return permanently did not materialize, the vast majority (81% of refugees and 76% of IDPs) indicated that the main reason was the deterioration of the security situation in Ukraine and/or in their place of origin. Other reasons reported  more often by refugees than IDPs  were concerns about economic opportunities in Ukraine (18% and 6% respectively) and damaged or inaccessible property (20% and 7% respectively).

Among those who had previously hoped to return one day but were now undecided or reported no hope of returning, uncertainty about the end of full-scale war was a major factor (65% of refugees and 41% of IDPs), together with a perceived worsening of the security situation in Ukraine and/or at their place of origin (47% and 52%, respectively). Other reasons frequently reported (especially among refugees) were deteriorating economic opportunities in Ukraine (37% of refugees and 17% of IDPs), their concern about lack of sufficient support or resources for return (27% and 7% respectively), and because their property was damaged or inaccessible (23% and 12% respectively).

However, many refugees and IDPs would finally return to Ukraine if a full-scale war were to end within the next 12 months (35% of refugees and 43% of IDPs). The majority (58% and 49% respectively) cite some uncertainty, indicating that the decision to return also depends on other factors or circumstances.

In addition to the end of a full-scale war, the main factors or conditions that would influence the decision to return included access to work (42% of refugees and 18% of IDPs), the end of occupation (34% and 28% respectively) and access to their property or alternative housing (23% and 26% respectively). Having sufficient resources or support for return (18% of refugees and 4% of IDPs) and the ability to reunite with relatives (17% and 8% respectively) are also among the top five factors for return.

The main barriers or reasons reported by those who would not return, even if full-scale war were to end, also related to concerns about economic opportunities in areas of return (49% of refugees and 20% of IDPs) and concerns about continued occupation of territory (21% and 23%, respectively). For IDPs, worry about their property or housing in areas of origin (destroyed or inaccessible) is also an important obstacle: 34% versus 12% among refugees.

According to the study, the main reasons refugees give for planning a return in the near future are similar to previous rounds: the desire to return to their cultural environment (55%) and the desire to reunite with relatives (35%). For IDPs, the main reason for returning is concern for their property (28%) and the desire to reunite with relatives (21%).

In the event that full-scale war continues over the next 12 months, a significant proportion of refugees (60%) indicate that they may be forced to return, even if it is not their first choice, if they encounter problems accessing rights and services in host countries. In particular, related to uncertain legal status or lack of employment opportunities. Among IDPs, less than a quarter (23%) experience difficulties in areas of displacement, particularly related to problems finding stable housing or lack of employment opportunities.

According to updated UNHCR data, the number of Ukrainian refugees in Europe as of February 15 of this year was estimated at 6.004 million, and in the world as a whole  at 6.480 million, which is 29,000 and 30,000 more, respectively, than at the beginning of the year.

In Ukraine itself, according to the UN, there were 3.674 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) as of November 6, compared to the previous estimate of 5.088 million. "This (such a significant decrease) is not due to a significant return of IDPs, but rather primarily changing the methodology for calculating their numbers. The new base population figure used to extrapolate IDP estimates now takes into account the absence of approximately 6.2 million refugees from Ukraine who are no longer in the country," UNHCR said.
Washington, March 11 (PTI) Greeting the Muslim community across the world on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, US President Joe Biden on Sunday reiterated that the United States will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages.

While we get more life-saving aid to Gaza, the United States will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages. And we will continue building toward a long-term future of stability, security, and peace. That includes a two-state solution to ensure Palestinians and Israelis share equal measures of freedom, dignity, security, and prosperity. That is the only path toward an enduring peace, Biden said.

The United States will continue to lead international efforts to get more humanitarian assistance into Gaza by land, air, and sea, he said.

Earlier this week, I directed our military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments of aid. We are carrying out airdrops of aid, in coordination with our international partners, including Jordan. And well continue to work with Israel to expand deliveries by land, insisting that it facilitate more routes and open more crossings to get more aid to more people, Biden said.

In a message, Biden said as the new crescent moon marks the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, he and the First Lady extend their best wishes and prayers to Muslims across the US and around the world.

The sacred month is a time for reflection and renewal. This year, it comes at a moment of immense pain. The war in Gaza has inflicted terrible suffering on the Palestinian people. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, including thousands of children. Some are family members of American Muslims, who are deeply grieving their lost loved ones today, he said.

Nearly two million Palestinians have been displaced by the war; many are in urgent need of food, water, medicine, and shelter. 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, said the US president.

Biden noted that in the US they have seen an "appalling resurgence" of hate and violence towards Muslim Americans. Islamophobia has absolutely no place in the United States, a country founded on freedom of worship and built on the contributions of immigrants, including Muslim immigrants, Biden said.

My administration is developing the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Related Forms of Bias and Discrimination, to take on hate against Muslims, Sikhs, South Asians, and Arab American communities, wherever it occurs. No one should ever fear being targeted at school, at work, on the street, or in their community because of their background or beliefs, he said.

To Muslims across our country, please know that you are deeply valued members of our American family. To those who are grieving during this time of war, I hear you, I see you, and I pray you find solace in your faith, family, and community. And to all who are marking the beginning of Ramadan tonight, I wish you a safe, healthy, and blessed month. Ramadan kareem, Biden said.
Washington, Mar 11 (PTI) Greeting Muslims across the world on the start of Ramzan, US President Joe Biden has recognised the suffering of the Palestinian people and pledged to lead international efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and work non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks there.

Biden said that more than 30,000 Palestinians were estimated to have been killed during the operation in Gaza, which Israel launched in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas militants that left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and about 250 taken hostage.

Tonightas the new crescent moon marks the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan Jill and I extend our best wishes and prayers to Muslims across our country and around the world, Biden wrote in the statement on Sunday.

The sacred month is a time for reflection and renewal. This year, it comes at a moment of immense pain. The war in Gaza has inflicted terrible suffering on the Palestinian people, he added.

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, he said.

"It is front of mind for me, said the US president.

Some of the Palestinians killed in Gaza are family members of American Muslims, who are deeply grieving their lost loved ones today, Biden said.

He also said that nearly 2 million Palestinians are estimated to be displaced and in need of food, water, medicine and shelter.

While we get more life-saving aid to Gaza, the United States will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages.

"And we will continue building toward a long-term future of stability, security, and peace. That includes a two-state solution to ensure Palestinians and Israelis share equal measures of freedom, dignity, security, and prosperity. That is the only path toward an enduring peace, Biden said.

The US will continue to lead international efforts to get more humanitarian assistance into Gaza by land, air, and sea, he said.

Earlier this week, I directed our military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments of aid. We are carrying out airdrops of aid, in coordination with our international partners, including Jordan. And well continue to work with Israel to expand deliveries by land, insisting that it facilitate more routes and open more crossings to get more aid to more people, Biden said.

Biden noted that in the US they have seen an "appalling resurgence" of hate and violence towards Muslim Americans.

Islamophobia has absolutely no place in the United States, a country founded on freedom of worship and built on the contributions of immigrants, including Muslim immigrants, Biden said.

My administration is developing the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Related Forms of Bias and Discrimination, to take on hate against Muslims, Sikhs, South Asians, and Arab American communities, wherever it occurs. No one should ever fear being targeted at school, at work, on the street, or in their community because of their background or beliefs, he said.

To Muslims across our country, please know that you are deeply valued members of our American family. To those who are grieving during this time of war, I hear you, I see you, and I pray you find solace in your faith, family, and community. And to all who are marking the beginning of Ramzan tonight, I wish you a safe, healthy, and blessed month. Ramzan kareem, Biden said.
* In his Ramzan message, US President Joe Biden pledges to work towards 6-week ceasefire in Gaza.



Stories related to political developments in Pakistan.



Stories on Israel-Gaza war.



Stories on Russia-Ukraine war. *
Ahmedabad, Mar 11 (PTI) Bharatiya Janata Party leaders from Gujarat on Monday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the notification of rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act.

The Centre announced the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, a move that comes four years after the contentious law was passed and paves the way for citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

With this, the Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants -- Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians -- from the three countries.

Union Minister of State for Railways Darshana Jardosh hailed Modi and Shah for the "pathbreaking decision" and said implementation of CAA was an integral part of BJP's 2019 (Lok Sabha poll) manifesto.

"Modi's guarantee means guarantee of fulfilment of every guarantee!," she said in a post on X.

People of Gujarat are with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the state government will implement the Central government's decision taken in the interest of the country, minister Rushikesh Patel said.

"Whatever decision the Central government takes in the interest of the country, whatever decision Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Amit Shah take, Gujarat is with them. Gujarat will implement whatever is for the good of the country," Patel told PTI.

Secretary of Daman Muslim Association Khurshid Manjara said members of minority communities should not be worried as the CAA will not take away their citizenship.
Raipur, Mar 11 (PTI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday hailed the Centre for notifying the rules of Citizenship Amendment Act, saying the Narendra Modi government has opened the doors of India for the welfare and development of persecuted minorities in neighbouring countries.

In a post in Hindi on X, he said, "By issuing the notification of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Modi government has opened the doors of India for the interests and development of the persecuted minorities in the neighbouring countries. Under this, minorities from three neighbouring countries will now be able to get Indian citizenship".

"For this, I offer my best wishes to the Honorable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Sir and Honorable Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah," he added.

The BJP does whatever it says and the CAA has been implemented in the country, the state BJP unit said in a social media post.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress claimed the Modi government has notified the rules of CAA to divert people's attention from its failures.

"The Modi government has failed on all fronts in the last 10 years. To divert public attention from its failure, BJP has raised the issue of CAA. It took four years and three months for Modi government to notify the rules of the CAA passed by Parliament in December 2019," said Sushil Anand Shukla, head of the state communication wing.

The PM claims his government works in a very professional and time-bound manner but the time taken to notify the CAA rules is yet another example of the PM's lie, he added.
Mumbai, Mar 11 (PTI) The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad has arrested a 30-year-old man from Navi Mumbai for allegedly sharing information about restricted areas in the country with a Pakistan-based intelligence operative (PIO), the ATS said on Monday.

During a probe, the ATS found the accused was in touch with the PIO from November 2021 to May 2023 via Facebook and WhatsApp and shared the sensitive information multiple times through those social media platforms, the ATS said in a release.



The accused, who was staying in Navi Mumbai, adjoining the state capital, shared information about restricted areas in India with the PIO, it said.



A case has been registered against the man and the PIO and the Navi Mumbai unit of ATS is conducting further probe into it, the release said.
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) Pakistani Hindu refugees residing in Delhi expressed hope and happiness on the implementation of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act on Monday, saying they are elated that "we will be called Indian citizens finally".

Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the Centre announced the implementation of the contentious CAA 2019 for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.

Dharamveer Solanki, who is considered the chief of the Pakistani Hindu refugee community in Delhi, told PTI that around 500 from the community will receive citizenship now.

"I and my family have been waiting for this for over a decade now. We are extremely happy that finally we will be called Indian citizens now. I am glad I decided to return to my homeland in 2013," Solanki said.

"It feels like a huge burden has been lifted from our shoulders. With the implementation of this act, around 500 Pakistani Hindu refugee families who live here, will get citizenship," Solanki told PTI.

With the CAA rules being notified, the Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from the said countries. These include Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the president's assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it.

The law could not come into effect as rules had not been notified till now.
Shimla, Mar 11 (PTI) No emperor can save his chair through intimidation, Himachal Pradesh Congress rebel Rajinder Rana said on Monday, a day after an Independent MLA and the father of another rebel were booked over "electoral offences" related to the recent Rajya Sabha polls.

The case against Hamirpur's Independent MLA Ashish Sharma and Gagret's now-disqualified MLA Chetanya Sharma's father and others was registered based on a complaint lodged by Congress legislators Sanjay Avasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur.

Ashish and Chetanya are among the six Congress rebels and three Independents who had voted in favour of BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the recently held Rajya Sabha polls.

"Battles are not won by attacking from behind like cowards. Real warriors fight from the front... No 'shahenshah' can save his chair through intimidation and registration of false cases," Rana said in a Facebook post on Monday in an indirect attack on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu without naming him.

"Time will also take account of those registering cases and those getting them registered. Stopping the business of MLAs and allowing friends to loot, is this a change in the system?" he posed.

Congress legislators Sanjay Avasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur had filed the complaint, seeking an investigation into "electoral offences", bribery and criminal conspiracy in the whole sequence of events since the Rajya Sabha polls were held on February 27. They alleged "horse trading and misuse of money to influence the elections".

The development evoked sharp reactions from the disqualified MLAs.

On Sunday, Rana maintained that "with this attitude, the chief minister should be ready to face the consequences in future. If the chief minister thinks that he could win hearts by registering false complaints, he is mistaken and these pressure tactics will not help."

Six Congress rebels -- 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. They moved the Supreme Court against their disqualification.

The three Independent MLAs who voted in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls were Ashish Sharma, Hoshiyar Singh and K L Thakur.
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has said the students' union elections will be held on March 22 and the results will be declared on March 24.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) elections were last held in 2019.

According to the schedule released by JNU's Election Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the polls, the tentative voter list will be displayed on Monday and will be open for correction till Tuesday.

Students can file their nominations from March 14 and the final list of candidates will be displayed on March 16, an official notice stated.

A University Governing Body Meeting (UGBM) will be held on March 20, followed by the presidential debate wherein the candidates will address other students.

Voting will be held on March 22. The counting of votes will take place on March 24, following which the results will be declared, according to the notice.
Balasore, Mar 11 (PTI) A POCSO court in Odisha's Balasore district on Monday sentenced a headmaster of a school to five years rigorous imprisonment for molesting a minor student.

The special judge of POCSO court in Balasore, Ranjan Kumar Sutar also imposed a fine of Rs 3000 on Ganesh Chandra Sahu, the headmaster.

According to police, the headmaster molested the class 10 girl student when she went to fetch water on school premises and threatened dire consequences if she disclosed it to anyone.

The victim, however, disclosed her ordeals to her family and her father lodged a complaint with the Singla police station in 2020.

The accused was arrested and tried under several relevant sections of the IPC and POCSO Act, the police said.
The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) has installed four mobile shelters in Zaporizhia region.

"The Ukrainian Red Cross continues to supply communities (hromadas) under constant shelling with mobile shelters. Four mobile shelters have been installed in Orikhiv and Huliai-Pole in Zaporizhia region," the URCS reported on Facebook on Monday.

Shelters are being installed near healthcare facilities, markets, bus stations, public transport stops and places where administrative services are provided.

Shelters of this type are anti-fragmentation structures of civil protection and help to protect people in crowded places from shrapnel wounds. The area of each structure is 10 square meters, the shelter is designed for 10-15 people.

The URCS recalled that recently such shelters have been installed in Odesa and in settlements of Kherson region.

As reported last week, the first mobile shelter was installed in Odesas Arcadia, and 19 mobile shelters were installed in Kherson region during 2023 - January 2024.
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a Maharashtra government application seeking a stay on a Bombay High Court order that acquitted former Delhi University professor G N Saibaba and others in the Maoist links case.

A bench of justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta admitted the state government's appeal, even as it observed that the high court order was "prima facie well reasoned".

The bench also rejected the oral request of Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the Maharashtra government for early listing of the appeal and said it will come in due course.

"There cannot be any urgency in the order of reversal of conviction. Had it been the other way around, we would have considered," the bench told Raju.

Justice Mehta said it is a hard-earned acquittal and in normal course, this court should have dismissed this appeal.

On March 5, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba, 54, and others, noting that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the case against him.

The HC had also set aside Saibaba's life sentence and acquitted five other accused in the case.

It held as "null and void" the sanction procured by the prosecution to charge the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

"The prosecution has failed to establish any legal seizure or any incriminating material against the accused," the HC had said.

Saibaba, who is wheelchair-bound, was lodged in Nagpur Central Jail since his arrest in the case in 2014.

In March 2017, a sessions court in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district had convicted Saibaba and five others, including a journalist and a Jawaharlal Nehru University student, for alleged links with the banned CPI (Maoist) and for indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the country.

The trial court had held Saibaba and others guilty under various provisions of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code.
Gurugram, Mar 11 (PTI) A 59-year-old woman died of suffocation after her mentally unstable son set their flat in a society here on fire, police on Monday said.

A police team reached the spot after receiving information and rescued the woman's son from the flat, they said.

The mentally unstable man has been handed over to a NGO for care, while the woman's body has been handed over to her kin after post-mortem, police said.

A native of Kolkata, West Bengal, lives in a flat on the fourth floor of Tower 3 of Vipul Green Society here. The woman's husband had gone to Kolkata a week ago and the incident took place when the woman and her son were at home, they said.

A brawl broke out between the mother and son two days before the incident, police said.

It was at midnight on Saturday when the woman's son set fire to her room and went to his room, but the fire spread throughout the flat, they said.

When the neighbours tried to open the door, the man did not open the door following which the police and fire brigade were informed, police said.

A team of fire brigade and police reached the spot and brought the fire under control, they said.

The woman identified as Ranu Shah was found unconscious with burn injuries. She was taken to the civil hospital where she died on Sunday morning, police said.

"We have lodged a report about the incident. As the man is mentally unstable and no complaint has been received against him, no FIR has been registered," said Inspector Arjun Dev, the SHO of Sadar police station.

"We handed over the woman's body to her kin after post-mortem today," he added.

The deceased woman's 26 year-old-son is mentally unstable and has been undergoing treatment for the last 16 years, the neighbours said.
Thane, Mar 11 (PTI) Police have arrested a 34-year-old tanker driver for allegedly pilfering petrol from the vehicle in Navi Mumbai township of Maharashtra, an official said on Monday.

Acting on a tip-off, police raided a parking area in Vashi on Sunday morning and spotted the accused stealing petrol from the fuel tanker and filling it in cans and other containers, a police spokesperson said.

The petrol tanker was to head to Vasai in neighbouring Palghar district and the accused was committing the theft to sell the fuel in the market, the official said.

The police seized the tanker, cans filled with the fuel which were loaded in two tempos and a motorbike, collectively valued at Rs 10.60 lakh, he said.





The driver, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, was arrested while search was on for two other persons involved in the offence.

A case was registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Essential Commodities Act and the Motor Spirit & High-Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply & Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, the police added.
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 37F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 37F. Winds light and variable.
on National Slam the Scam Day, Representative Lawler joined his House colleague Andy Kim (D-NJ) along with Senators Ron Wyden, (D-OR), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in introducing the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act to upgrade the security of electronic benefit cards and protect families in need from thieves that have stolen millions worth of essential food benefits. Congressmen Lawler and Kim are leading the bill in the House of Representatives.

To date, tens of millions of dollars in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been stolen by criminals exploiting lax security of SNAP electronic benefit cards. Congress has spent years pressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to require states to issue cards with secure chips rather than magnetic strips that can be easily cloned by criminals. Despite those requests, USDA has failed to update security regulations for benefit cards. Several of Congressman Lawlers constituents have been impacted by these scams, as he and his office have worked arduously to help Hudson Valley families recover their losses.

We must ensure families who rely on SNAP get the support they need  and that means we must ensure there are adequate safeguards in place to protect those benefits from cybersecurity threats, said Congressman Lawler. To that end, Im proud to join my colleague Rep. Kim along with Senators Wyden, Fetterman and Cassidy in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act. This legislation will go a long way to ensuring that those who need this assistance are the ones receiving it, not the fraudsters who prey on our most vulnerable.

Hundreds of thousands of people across New Jersey alone use SNAP to support themselves and their families. With outdated card technology, we are leaving their benefits vulnerable to cybersecurity theft and leaving families at-risk of being unable to put food on the table every day, said Congressman Kim. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to make common-sense upgrades to EBT cards that will protect Americans SNAP benefits from everyday threats.

Theres no excuse for this two-tier system, where families in need are stuck with outdated, easily hackable technology while folks with credit and ATM cards are better protected. Inaction is not good enough for families, not when it can be the difference between a family in need having food for dinner or going hungry, Senator Wyden said.

SNAP is a critical lifeline for nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians  we must do everything we can to protect it. Its despicable that thieves are targeting vulnerable hungry families with cyber-crime scams. We cant let families go hungry because of bad faith actors, Senator Fetterman said. As Chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, I am committed to doing everything in my power to protect and expand SNAP benefits and make sure American families get fed no matter what. In addition to this bill, Ive also introduced the Fairness for Victims of SNAP Skimming Act to give state SNAP agencies more authority to reimburse SNAP recipients of benefits stolen by skimming. I am proud to work across the aisle on this bipartisan, bicameral bill to modernize SNAP and stop criminals from stealing critical food assistance from working families.

SNAP is supposed to help the person who is food insecure, said Dr. Cassidy. It is not supposed to help crooks who steal these benefits. This fights the crooks while preserving the benefits for those most in need.

The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act addresses fraud by directing USDA to update its cybersecurity regulations to ensure SNAP benefits cannot be easily stolen by criminals. Specifically, this bill will require:

USDA to issue updated regulations requiring SNAP cards to feature anti-fraud technology capable of resisting cloning. These regulations, which also cover mobile payments (such as tap-to-pay with a smartphone), will be updated every five years and must keep pace with private sector and federal agency payment security safeguards.

With USDA funding, states will begin issuing chip-enabled SNAP cards within two years of the adoption of the new regulations. Within four years, states will no longer be able to issue new SNAP cards containing a magnetic stripe. Within five years, states will have to reissue all existing SNAP cards containing a magnetic stripe as chip-only cards.

USDA to operate a grant program providing funds for upgraded chip-capable payment machines to small grocery stores in food deserts, farmers markets, and farm-to-consumer programs.

States to provide families with no-fee replacements of SNAP cards in three days or less, if their card is stolen, cloned by fraudsters, or malfunctioning.

States to offer multiple accessible, reliable, and mobile-friendly user interfaces, such as a smartphone app or online web portal, for families to manage their EBT account.

The bill is endorsed by the Oregon Food Bank, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), Propel, Secure Tech Alliance (STA), Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), Hunger Free America, Higher Learning Advocates, Code for America, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Bread for the World, American Heart Association, , Feeding Texas, Hunger Free New Jersey, Food Bank of South Jersey and Hunger Solutions NY.

Food Research & Action Center: The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act is a crucial next step in protecting SNAP consumers against losses from unauthorized electronic transactions, said Luis Guardia, president of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). SNAP is our nations first line of defense against hunger, but its impact has been undermined by ongoing cases of skimming theft, leaving individuals and families unable to purchase enough food for the dinner table. With chip-enabled benefit cards, SNAP households will be able to make secure transactions without fear of losing their benefits.

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute: The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute has worked with hundreds of families whose SNAP benefits were stolen. It is unconscionable that low-income families facing food insecurity are left more vulnerable to theft than all other consumers. SNAP families deserve equitable protection in the checkout line from skimming  we urge lawmakers to address this major gap in federal law.

Nan Swift, Governance Program Fellow, R Street Institute: R Street Institute is pleased to support the bipartisan Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2024. This legislation would provide long-overdue fraud protections and financial management tools for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP).

Unlike other debit cards associated with federal programs, including Social Security, Veterans, and even the Economic Impact Card Americans received during the COVID-19 pandemic, SNAP users electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards do not have modern chip technology to prevent skimming and other forms of passive fraud that can deprive families of critical funds. According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, replacing these funds can cost millions of dollars, in addition to increasing nutritional uncertainty in the lives of vulnerable individuals.

The fault for this oversight, and the responsibility for resolving and enhancing EBT fraud prevention technology lies with Congress. The Enhanced Cybersecurity Cybersecurity for SNAP Act is a basic good governance measure that should be enacted quickly to prevent fraud and protect limited resources.
A shocking revelation has emerged at Origins High School in Brooklyn, where students have been accused of promoting antisemitic sentiments and behaviors. According to a report by the New York Post, students have expressed admiration for Hitler, made Nazi salutes, and even performed Nazi gestures at Jewish boys in a park, as seen in a disturbing video circulating on Instagram.

The schools student body, which includes a significant percentage of Muslim students from Middle Eastern backgrounds, has raised concerns about the influence of social media and family environments on the behavior of some students. However, critics argue that the school has not adequately addressed these incidents, with allegations of bias, including the removal of an Israeli flag from a classroom, being downplayed by school officials.

The Department of Educations response has been deemed insufficient by critics, who demand more decisive action to combat this wave of hate. Meanwhile, leaders of the local Muslim community have distanced themselves from the incidents, attributing them to the influence of social media rather than teachings from the community.

Some students have rationalized the behavior as an extreme form of protest related to the Free Palestine movement, sparking concerns about the normalization of hate speech and the need for education and dialogue to combat antisemitism.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
After a thorough investigation, the Shin Bet security service has concluded that there was no widespread effort by Palestinian workers who entered Israel from Gaza to provide intelligence to Hamas prior to the October 7 massacre, Hebrew media reported. This revelation contradicts previous claims made by various media outlets, including The Washington Post, that some laborers had aided Hamas in its plans for the attack.

According to a Channel 12 report, the Shin Bet investigated approximately 3,000 Gazans with work permits in Israel and found no evidence of a concerted effort to provide information to Hamas about the communities it was planning to attack. While the agency did not rule out the possibility of individual laborers cooperating with the terror group, it stated that there was no concern that the workers investigated had passed information to Hamas as a result of their work in Israel.

The investigation examined roughly 16 percent of the 18,500 Gazans who had permits to work in Israel, according to COGAT, the Defense Ministry body that coordinates activity in Palestinian areas. Following the October 7 attack, many laborers were detained and later returned to Gaza, and Israel has since halted the entry of Palestinian workers from Gaza.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The IDFs Home Front Command has been carrying out an operation in recent weeks to arrange protection for thousands of Israelis in the north who lack shelters or safe rooms, Yediot Achranot reported.

The operation was launched to establish shelters for Israelis who live in old buildings that lack protected spaces and are unable to reach shelters within the warning time before an attack. Transferring residents to hotels in the north is not an option since they are already full of Israelis evacuated from areas close to the northern border.

Numerous locations were identified to serve as communal shelters, mainly underground parking lots. In the case of a war, residents without safe rooms will be evacuated to the shelters for short periods, from hours to days.

The Defense Ministry arranged for the acquisition of the shelters and they are currently being cleaned and equipped with non-perishable food and water.

The Home Front Command will be responsible for transporting civilians to the shelters.

Ynet quoted a military official familiar with the operation as saying: We have now purchased about 80,000 food packages for the shelters. Transfer to hotels is not relevant because there are perhaps 10,000 available rooms left in Israel, which would barely be enough for a quarter of the population of Tzfat. We have strengthened protection solutions in cities near the border such as Nahariya and Kiryat Shmona but were not going to provide thousands of mobile shelters on the streets of the Krayot [suburbs of Haifa] or Akko  its expensive and impractical.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
American and European diplomats are increasingly concerned that Iranian hardliners are gaining strength in their efforts to advance Irans nuclear program, The Guardian reports. This development comes amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and Irans decision to reduce cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

At last weeks IAEA quarterly conference, Western powers opted not to introduce new resolutions criticizing Tehran, seeking to avoid potential escalation while the West tries to contain the fallout from the Gaza war. However, delegates at the meeting did issue warnings about the trajectory of Irans nuclear program.

IAEA Director Rafael Grossi expressed concern that the organization has lost continuity of knowledge regarding Irans production and stockpiling of centrifuges, rotors, heavy water and uranium ore concentrate.

Russian delegate Mikhail Ulyanov blamed the situation on U.S. actions and warned that it was full of danger and risks getting out of control.

Adding to the concern, hardliners dominated Irans parliamentary elections last week.

These developments come as Irans nuclear program continues to evolve, with advancements in enrichment, uranium metal production and centrifuge research, as detailed in a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The situation has led to fears that the original goals of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) may no longer be achievable, and the United States may need to reassess its approach to detecting and containing Irans nuclear ambitions.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A counter-protester was arrested at a pro-Palestinian rally in London yesterday after carrying a sign that read Hamas is a terrorist organization. Niyak Ghorbani, an exiled Iranian activist, was wrestled to the ground by five police officers and handcuffed, according to videos on social media.

Ghorbani told The Daily Mail, 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. He later posted on X that he was released without charges.

This is not the first time Ghorbani has faced repercussions for his anti-Hamas stance. He was attacked by a pro-Palestinian mob at a similar rally last month while holding a similar sign.

Police came under withering criticism for arresting Ghorbani, to which they made an official response on X. The platforms Community Notes fact-checking feature quickly tore apart the polices response, demonstrating once again that London has fallen to radical Islamists.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden wants to allocate $1.5 billion to counter Russia within the framework of the country's budget for the 2025 fiscal year, according to a White House document.

As stated in the draft budget, it is based on an additional request from the administration dated October 2023, provides for $1.5 billion to counter the Russian Federation in Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia, including more than $300 million to support purchases of American equipment.

It is noted that of this amount, the U.S. administration is requesting $482 million to help Ukraine.

In addition, Biden wants to allocate $400 million to counter China, as well as $241 million in military aid to reaffirm America's commitment to national security in the Indo-Pacific region.

In addition, another $25 million is provided for a new Fund to counter Russian malicious actors in Africa, as well as to increase the responsiveness of security forces.

The draft budget also includes investments in the amount of $50 million to increase the capital of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The U.S. President's request will be submitted to Congress for consideration and may be amended.
In a recorded speech, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has accused Israel of being responsible for the breakdown in truce negotiations that took place in Cairo last week. Haniyeh claimed that Israel failed to provide clear guarantees regarding a ceasefire, the withdrawal of its forces, and the return of displaced Gazans.

Haniyeh claimed that Hamas had shown positivity and responsibility during the negotiations, but would not accept an agreement that did not end the war and expel the enemy from Gaza. He also pledged to ensure that Israel would not recover any of the 134 hostages still in Gaza without a permanent ceasefire deal.

The Hamas leader thanked Iran-backed forces, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, for supporting the terror groups fight against Israel. He declared that the Zionist enemy had failed in all its plans in Gaza, and that the Palestinian people were steadfast in their land despite the thousands of martyrs, wounded, and missing people.

Earlier, Egyptian security sources revealed that the country had been in contact with senior Hamas and Israeli figures in an effort to restart negotiations for a truce during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The collapse of the talks has raised concerns about a renewed escalation in violence in the region.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
In an interview with CBSs Face the Nation, US Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner expressed doubts about Israels ability to eliminate all of Hamas, citing concerns that new terror cells may emerge or neighboring militant groups may fill the void.

Warner, who has held meetings with Israeli officials over the war in Gaza, said that while Israel may be able to beat Hamas to a point where it could never repeat the brutal Oct. 7 attacks, it was all too likely that another terrorist group would come and replace it.

Meeting with folks in Israel, in the military community, in the intelligence community, the idea that youre going to eliminate every Hamas fighter, I dont think is a realistic goal, Warner said.

140 days in, theyve basically taken out only about 35% of the Hamas fighters, and literally have only penetrated less than a third of the tunnel network, Warner added, contradicting Israels far higher estimates.

Warner was joined by Sen. Marco Rubio, who agreed and noted that Hamas proclivity to hide behind hostages taken on Oct. 7 made it clear the war will not end quickly.

That doesnt mean Hezbollah doesnt step in and take over now as a result, that doesnt mean that a new Hamas offshoot wouldnt re-create it, Rubio said. This is an ongoing challenge.

Warner and Rubio also blamed Hamas for creating a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, pointing out that the terror group spent millions on terror tunnels rather than building up the infrastructure of the Palestinian enclave.

Thats money that could have gone on to create an economy, to feed people, to build hospitals and serve civilians. They didnt do it, Rubio said of Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2006.

Warner said that as Ramadan began, the US needed to emphasize its actions in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza via the latest airdrops and new port station project.

The comments come as Israel prepares to launch a ground offensive into Rafah, now southern Gazas most populous city harboring more than 1.4 million refugees. Israel has claimed that it has killed about 12,000 Hamas terrorists since the war began, close to half of its estimated members.

However, Warner and Rubios comments suggest that the end of the conflict is not yet in sight.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Jewish students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the university has failed to take meaningful action to address the spreading wildfire of antisemitism on campus. The lawsuit, filed by the StandWithUs Center for Legal Justice (SCLJ) and two MIT students, describes a hostile environment for Jewish students and faculty, with MIT turning a blind eye to hateful antisemitic discrimination and harassment.

The complaint alleges that MIT has failed to enforce policies to protect Jewish and Israeli students and faculty, and has thereby created a hostile environment for Jews. The 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.

The lawsuit also alleges that Jewish professors have reported incidents where MIT students disrupted the academic environment and intimidated faculty, and that Jewish students have been physically prevented from attending classes by hostile groups of pro-Hamas and anti-Israel students.

The lawsuit comes as the House Committee on Education and the Workforce continues its investigations into MIT and other schools over allegations of antisemitism on campus. In a letter to MIT President Sally Kornbluth and MIT Corporation Chair Mark P. Gorenberg, the committees chair, Rep. Virginia Foxx, has asked the university to produce documents regarding pervasive antisemitism.

This is not the first time that MIT has faced criticism over its handling of antisemitism on campus. In December, Kornbluth and other university presidents were rebuked for failing to condemn outright calls for intifada, or the genocide of Jews, on their respective campuses.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu posted a video on Monday saying that Israel eliminated Hamas leader No. 4 and vowed to kill the remaining Hamas leaders.

Were on the way to complete victory, Netanyahu said. On the way to this victory, we already eliminated Hamas No. 4. Were on the way to 1, 2, and 3.

All of them are walking dead men  well get to all of them.

Netanyahus message comes after reports that Israel may have eliminated Hamas leader No. 3 Marwan Issa in an airstrike in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip overnight Motzei Shabbos.

However, according to Channel 12 News, sources close to Netanyahu claim that he was referring to the assassination of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Lebanon in January.

Sources in the security system who spoke to Channel 12 say that there is still no confirmation that Issa is dead. Israeli media reports say that both Israel and Hamas are currently investigating whether Issa was killed or not.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
In a series of targeted raids and strikes, the ID killed approximately 15 terrorists in the central Gaza Strip over the past day. The operations were carried out in response to terrorist activity that endangered IDF troops in the area.

IDF special forces are continuing to operate in the area of Hamad in Khan Yunis, where they have conducted targeted raids on residences used for terrorist activities, apprehended Hamas operatives, and located weapons, ammunition, and military equipment.

During one of the operations, an anti-tank missile was launched at IDF troops, but no injuries were reported. Shortly afterward, IDF troops identified and killed a terrorist who was moving in the area from which the launch was carried out.

In Al-Qarara in the city of Khan Yunis, IDF ground and aerial forces used sniper fire and tanks to strike terrorists in the area. Additionally, Israeli Naval troops operating in the northern Gaza Strip directed a helicopter that struck a vessel used by terror organizations in the area.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was interviewed by Fox News on Monday and responded to US President Joe Bidens comments on MSNBC over the weekend that Israels invasion of Rafah would be a red line.

The president and I have agreed that we have to destroy Hamas, Netanyahu said. We cant leave a quarter of the Hamas terror army in place. Theyre there, in Rafah. This would be equivalent to saying that after the Allies fought back, gone through Normandy, went through Germany and youd say, Well well leave a quarter of the Nazi army in place and we wont go into Berlin, the last stronghold.'

Its either Israel or Hamas. Theres no middle way. We have to have that victory. We cant have three-quarters of a victory, we cant have two-thirds of a victory, because Hamas will reconstitute itself with these four battalions in Rafah, reconquer the Gaza Strip, and do the October 7th massacre over and over and over again.

And for us in Israel, not just me, but for the people of Israel, thats a red line. We cant let Hamas survive.

Regarding Bidens pressure on Israel to reach a ceasefire, Netanyahu said: We have our agreements on the basic goals but we also have disagreements on how to achieve them. Ultimately, its Israel that has to decide. Our neck is on the line. Our people were murdered. Our women were raped and beheaded.

Im telling you that were not getting off the gas. Im telling you that we have to take care of Israels security and our future. And that requires eliminating the terrorist army. Thats a prerequisite for victory. That victory is important not only for us, its important for the civilized world as were fighting these barbarians. Ive seen polls that say 82% of Americans support Israel in its battle against Hamas  thats been constant in the past five months. So they recognize that our victory is your victory and our battle is your battle.

Ultimately Im the prime minister of Israel. Im responsible for their security and the future of the Jewish state. And Im supported in my policies, thats important to understand. The overwhelming majority of Israelis support my policies  that we have to eradicate Hamas as a terror and governing organization, we have to get our hostages back and we have to make sure that Gaza doesnt pose a threat to us. Over 90% of Knesset members supported my policy of opposing a Palestinian state being rammed down Israels throat. So when people say  we have to talk with Netanyahu because hes holding back this prospect of a wonderous peace with a Palestinian state  you dont have an issue with me, you have an issue with the entire people of Israel. Theyre really united like never before.

Netanyahu was then asked on how Biden mistakenly being heard in a hot mic moment criticizing Netanyahu after his State of the Union address affects ceasefire negotiations and hostage release efforts.

To the extent that the world thinks that America and Israel are united, that helps the war effort and it helps our effort to achieve victory and obviously the release of the hostages, Netanyahu replied. To the extent that Hamas believes that theres daylight between us, that doesnt help. I appreciate the support that President Biden and the administration have given us since the beginning of the war and I can only hope that it will continue to victory. Because victory is at hand, victory is close.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The IDF and the Civil Administration, under the direction of the National Security Council, carried out an unusual operation in the past day to rescue over 70 Gazan orphans from Gaza and transport them to an orphanage in the Palestinian Authority.

As part of the operation, the orphans were transferred inside Israel, including on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Channel 12 News reported.

According to the report, the National Security Headquarters in the Prime Ministers Office approved moving the group, which also included dozens of adult Gazan companions, from an orphanage in the Gaza Strip to their new home in Beit Lechem. The unusual humanitarian gesture was made at the request of the German embassy and was carried out despite the fact that Hamas did not provide anything in exchange and has refused to even provide a list of hostages who are still alive.

Channel 12 also reported that a large number of IDF forces were mobilized to secure the buses of the orphans and their companions as they were transferred to the Palestinian Authority.

In addition, it was reported that the political-security cabinet was not updated on the move. A senior cabinet official said that the incident is scandalous and is a slap in the face of the hostages and their families

Minister Betzalel Smotrich said:       . This is a lack of values. I demand clarifications from the prime minister regarding who gave this immoral order and on what authority at a time that our hostages and their children are being held captive by the enemy.

National Security Minister Ben-Gvir said: This is not how a country that wants absolute victory behaves  countless fake humane measures and the citizens of Israel continue to pay the price.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
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.
Ankur Ghosh uses the example of the bamboo tree to explain the rapid progress of SSV Capital PLC in recent months as it hit a series of milestones that count down to a key inflexion point over the summer.

'For the first three years there is no visible activity to show the plant is growing,' Ghosh explains. 'Then suddenly, in year four it shoots up to 80 feet tall.'

For SSV, a lot of subterranean activity' has taken place since its inception in 2020; work that has laid the groundwork for whats happening in the here and now.

So, in recent months it has completed its listing on the JP Jenkins exchange; managed the soft roll-out of SSV SmartPay, its disruptive payment platform; and is ready to go live with its SSV Real Estate prop-tech offering and the SSV Funds operations.

SmartPay's use of QR codes will reduce merchant card charges by up to 70%

'The research and development, creating the strategies for these businesses, allowed us to go out and start raising money from July last year,' says Ghosh.

'We have been very disciplined in our approach; the team backing me, all very smart people, have been fantastic.'

The roll-out of SmartPay has been keenly awaited and could shake up the current infrastructure.

While contactless has been a boon for the consumer with almost 90 per cent of the population using it for transactions, it is a far from optimal solution for merchants, who pay fees of up to 3 per cent on every transaction.

SmartPay's use of QR codes will reduce these charges by up to 70 per cent, as it leverages the new UK Open Banking framework to sidestep the traditional APIs developed by Visa, MasterCard et al.

The exact uptake in the soft launch is confidential. However, according to Ghosh, hundreds of early adopters are now using the SSV SmartPay in the soft launch phase, generating 'hundreds of thousands of transactions'.

Smartphone apps, meanwhile, started to appear in the Apple and Google stores late last month early this month as part of the roll-out.

July this year should see things accelerate. 'We are talking about a full-scale promotional launch, where pretty much we are trying to adopt about maybe between five and ten thousand merchants and thereby one million or two million transactions,' Ghosh explains.

'Now how these transactions will help the merchants by reducing their very significant transaction fees and increasing cash flow.'

The initial plan is to forge partnerships with existing payment solution providers, thereby serving as a conduit for business development.

This approach allows SmartPay to gain a foothold in a broad array of merchant categories without the necessity of a large, dedicated sales force.

With up to 10,000 merchants, SSV will have captured only a small portion of the UK market. Longer-term, the vision is far more ambitious  capturing 5 per cent 'and beyond' of the market, which would roughly equate to over 50,000 merchants.

This would create a business with material revenues.

Outside the payments vertical, there is plenty of activity. SSV Real Estate, its prop-tech business, is gearing up for launch.

It aims to democratise the way people invest in high-yielding commercial property, offering a range of tools designed to diversify an investor's portfolio, reduce associated risks, and potentially increase earning potential.

And with everything that SSV does, there is a sustainability twist to its methodology.

'We will adhere to strict people, planet and prosperity' guidelines,' says the SSV CEO. 'We are going to invest in commercial projects not only here in the UK, but also in India and expanding to Australia and America.'

SSV Funds will see the launch of its first fund in Luxembourg within quarter-one, which like prop-tech will have sustainability at its heart.

So, progress has been considerable of late  but reflects the cautious approach to developing the strategy that is now being rolled out.

'These are exciting times. But it is just the start. Theres much to do,' says Ghosh.
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'.
Ukraine is resuming scheduled and unscheduled inspections in the field of electromagnetic compatibility, low-voltage electrical equipment, safety of machines and mechanisms, as well as unscheduled inspections in the provision of public utilities in terms of establishing state regulated prices and legislation on consumer protection and metrological supervision.

The Ministry of Economy reported the Cabinet of Ministers made this decision at a meeting on March 8.

The adoption of such a decision is a requirement of our European partners. In particular, this is a necessary step within the framework of the recommendations of the European Commission on the preparation for the conclusion of the ACAA Agreement (Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products) and the Ukraine Facility program, Deputy Minister of Economy Oleksiy Sobolev is quoted in the release.

According to him, this will also help protect consumers from violations of the safety of non-food products and legislation in the market for the provision of housing and communal services, about which complaints were regularly received.

According to the government decision, scheduled and unscheduled inspections of non-food products are being resumed in three priority areas of the ACAA Agreement - electromagnetic compatibility, low-voltage electrical equipment, and safety of machines and mechanisms.

The department noted that during preliminary consultations, legal businesses supported strengthening supervision over the safety of non-food products, as this would prevent the work of illegal suppliers.

As reported, at the end of February 2024, the government, together with the Council for Entrepreneurship Support under the Conditions of Martial Law and the Business Ombudsman Council, launched the communication component of the Made in Ukraine platform, which will help measure the level of satisfaction of entrepreneurs with government institutions and services, as well as receive feedback regarding violations and abuse of authority by control and supervision authorities.
Elliott Advisors will not make another offer to buy Currys after the electronics retailer rejected two previous proposals.

The US private equity giant, owner of bookshop chain Waterstones, said it would not put forward a higher bid following 'multiple attempts' to engage with Currys' board.

Last month, the group had takeover offers worth about 682million and 750million turned down by Currys, which said the bids 'significantly undervalued the company and its future prospects.'

Turned down: Elliott Advisors will not make another offer to buy Currys after the electronics retailer rejected its two previous proposals

Analysts at Peel Hunt estimated bosses at the London-listed firm would be unlikely to engage with any bid of less than 900million.

One prominent Currys investor, JO Hambro Capital Management UK Equity Income fund, has suggested the business hold out for at least 1billion.

Under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, Elliott had until 5pm on 16 March to declare its intention to put forward another proposal or walk away.

On Monday, Elliott said it was 'not in an informed position to make an improved offer for Currys on the basis of the public information available to it'.

Currys shares slumped by 8.45 per cent to 59.05p following this announcement and have declined by approximately 60 per cent over the past five years.

Elliott's withdrawal leaves Chinese online retail behemoth JD.com as a possible suitor for Currys, which operates more than 800 stores across eight countries.

In February, JD.com revealed it was in 'the very preliminary stages' of examining a takeover deal, heightening speculation of a bidding war for Currys, although it has yet to table a bid.

The Beijing-based firm, which earned nearly $150billion in turnover last year, is one of two major Chinese e-commerce retailers alongside Alibaba-owned TMall.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'There is logic in wanting to own Currys. It is the last major UK-wide seller of electricals still with a physical store presence.

'There are still plenty of people who like to go into a shop to get advice or technical assistance, compare products in person, and be able to collect items without having to risk a courier losing or damaging their goods during transit.'

JD's interest in Currys comes as the latter struggles with slowing demand for goods like televisions and computers amid widespread cost-of-living pressures and the end of Covid-related restrictions.

It is also happening amidst a frenzy of foreign companies taking advantage of cheap valuations and a weaker pound to snap up London-listed businesses.

Earlier this month, logistics group Wincanton accepted a 762million approach from Connecticut-based GXO Logistics, while US technology firm Viavi Solutions agreed a 175p-per-share offer for telecoms testing equipment provider Spirent.

Major takeover deals finalised in the past year include Hotel Chocolat's acquisition by confectionery giant Mars for 534million and Apollo Global Management's takeover of Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group.
Apax Partners is out of the race to buy Kin & Carta after a rival put forward a higher bid for the digital technology consultancy.

The private equity group made a 203million takeover approach last October for Kin & Carta, which advises firms on technology strategies, claiming it was 'better placed' to help further the company's growth.

It subsequently increased the offer to 220.3million in December, meaning investors would receive 120p per share compared to the previous proposal of 110p.

Acquisition bid: Private equity group Apax Partners made a 203million takeover approach last October for Kin & Carta, which advises firms on technology strategies

Later that month, Valtech, a digital services provider whose largest shareholder is investment firm BC Partners, came out with a 130p-per-share deal valuing the business at 239million.

Apax had until the end of trading on 8 March to lodge a higher bid, but the company refused to budge, meaning its offer has now lapsed.

Founded in 1964 by future Labour peer Robert Gavron, Kin & Carta was initially a printing business called St Ives, named after the town where it was located.

Over the following decades, it expanded to become Britain's biggest printing firm, producing annual company reports and popular magazines like The Economist, Vogue, and Time Out.

By the time Gavron stepped away from day-to-day management, St Ives had a market value exceeding 400million.

But during the 2000s, the group began struggling as the publishing world shifted online and print journalism suffered a significant slump in revenues.

After recording its first-ever annual loss in 2009, the firm began transitioning to a more digital-focused operation when it acquired marketing and data business Occam.

St Ives exited the printing sector following the sale of its print management division to Paragon Group in 2018, the same year it was renamed Kin & Carta.

In its most recent annual results, the company blamed 'macroeconomic challenges' leading to longer sales cycles and more cautious spending among clients for its revenue flatlining at 195.9million.

The firm's adjusted operating profits also declined by approximately 18 per cent to 18.5million amid more difficult trading conditions across the Americas.

Kin & Carta shares were 0.3 per cent lower at 128.2p just after midday on Monday, although they have surged by around a quarter over the past 12 months.
StockNews.com upgraded shares of Easterly Government Properties (NYSE:DEA  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning.

Easterly Government Properties Price Performance

Shares of DEA opened at $11.80 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $1.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 62.11 and a beta of 0.67. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $12.40 and a 200-day moving average of $12.20. The company has a current ratio of 4.65, a quick ratio of 4.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. Easterly Government Properties has a 52 week low of $10.27 and a 52 week high of $15.21.

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Easterly Government Properties Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be given a dividend of $0.265 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 5th. This represents a $1.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.98%. Easterly Government Propertiess dividend payout ratio is currently 557.92%.

Insider Activity at Easterly Government Properties

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In related news, Chairman Darrell W. Crate acquired 8,000 shares of Easterly Government Properties stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $13.14 per share, for a total transaction of $105,120.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 92,174 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,211,166.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Insiders own 8.20% of the companys stock.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DEA. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its stake in Easterly Government Properties by 102.3% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,023 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 1,023 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new stake in Easterly Government Properties during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its stake in Easterly Government Properties by 2,550.6% during the 4th quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 2,200 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 2,117 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Middle East FZE bought a new stake in Easterly Government Properties during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in Easterly Government Properties by 137.3% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,684 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 1,553 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.68% of the companys stock.

About Easterly Government Properties

(Get Free Report)

Easterly Government Properties, Inc (NYSE: DEA) is based in Washington, DC, and focuses primarily on the acquisition, development and management of Class A commercial properties that are leased to the U.S. Government. Easterly's experienced management team brings specialized insight into the strategy and needs of mission-critical U.S.

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Berenberg Bank reaffirmed their hold rating on shares of Ibstock (LON:IBST  Free Report) in a research report released on Thursday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm currently has a GBX 150 ($1.90) price objective on the stock.

Ibstock Trading Down 2.2 %

Shares of Ibstock stock opened at GBX 148 ($1.88) on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 153.30 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 143.52. The company has a market cap of 580.66 million, a P/E ratio of 876.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.35. Ibstock has a fifty-two week low of GBX 118 ($1.50) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 179.60 ($2.28). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 42.09, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.50.

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Ibstock Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, May 9th will be given a dividend of GBX 3.60 ($0.05) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 2.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 9th. This is an increase from Ibstocks previous dividend of $3.40. Ibstocks dividend payout ratio is 4,117.65%.

Ibstock Company Profile

Ibstock plc manufactures and sells clay and concrete building products and solutions in the United Kingdom. The company offers bricks and masonry, which includes facing and engineering bricks, brick slips, special shaped bricks, walling stone, architectural masonry, prefabricated components, eco-habitats, and padstones and lintels, as well as facade systems; roofing products comprising roof tiles and accessories, and chimneys; retaining walls, such as stepoc, slopeloc, and keystone.

Further Reading

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Shore Capital reissued their buy rating on shares of Virgin Money UK (LON:VMUK  Free Report) in a research report released on Thursday morning, Marketbeat reports.

A number of other research firms have also commented on VMUK. Berenberg Bank reduced their price objective on shares of Virgin Money UK from GBX 220 ($2.79) to GBX 200 ($2.54) and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 27th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Virgin Money UK from GBX 265 ($3.36) to GBX 180 ($2.28) and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 27th. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on Virgin Money UK from GBX 210 ($2.67) to GBX 195 ($2.47) and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of GBX 198.75 ($2.52).

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Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Virgin Money UK

Virgin Money UK Trading Down 0.5 %

Virgin Money UK Cuts Dividend

VMUK stock opened at GBX 213.70 ($2.71) on Thursday. Virgin Money UK has a one year low of GBX 134.20 ($1.70) and a one year high of GBX 218.80 ($2.78). The firm has a market capitalization of 2.78 billion, a PE ratio of 1,187.22, a P/E/G ratio of 5.69 and a beta of 1.87. The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 158.25 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 159.07.

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Shareholders 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 yield of 1.27%. Virgin Money UKs dividend payout ratio is 2,777.78%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Virgin Money UK news, insider David Duffy sold 71,341 shares of Virgin Money UK 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 value of 119,852.88 ($152,116.87). 19.88% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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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StockNews.com started coverage on shares of WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Free Report) in a research note published on Thursday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the basic materials companys stock.

Several other analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Argus upgraded WestRock from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. Seaport Res Ptn downgraded WestRock from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $42.00 price objective on shares of WestRock in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Truist Financial upped their price objective on WestRock from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company restated an equal weight rating and issued a $45.00 price objective (up previously from $42.00) on shares of WestRock in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, WestRock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $39.43.

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WestRock Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE WRK opened at $45.56 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.69 billion, a PE ratio of -6.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 1.09. The firms 50-day moving average is $42.30 and its 200-day moving average is $39.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. WestRock has a 1 year low of $26.84 and a 1 year high of $45.98.

WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The basic materials company reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.35 by ($0.15). The company had revenue of $4.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.79 billion. WestRock had a positive return on equity of 6.87% and a negative net margin of 8.58%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.55 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that WestRock will post 1.95 EPS for the current year.

WestRock Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th were paid a dividend of $0.3025 per share. This represents a $1.21 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.66%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 8th. WestRocks payout ratio is -18.01%.

Insider Transactions at WestRock

In other WestRock news, insider Vicki L. Lostetter sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.77, for a total transaction of $149,695.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 92,117 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,939,844.09. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.49% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of WestRock

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in WestRock by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,619,872 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,440,053,000 after buying an additional 252,490 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of WestRock by 9.6% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 26,528,567 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $808,325,000 after purchasing an additional 2,320,073 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of WestRock by 14.7% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,986,307 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $348,442,000 after purchasing an additional 1,538,825 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in shares of WestRock by 59.0% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 9,318,827 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $283,947,000 after purchasing an additional 3,459,641 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of WestRock by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,611,685 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $162,721,000 after purchasing an additional 279,006 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.51% of the companys stock.

WestRock Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

WestRock Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Corrugated Packaging, Consumer Packaging, Global Paper, and Distribution. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers.

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Raymond James upgraded shares of CCL Industries (TSE:CCL.B  Free Report) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report report published on Thursday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have C$78.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of C$74.00.

A number of other research firms also recently commented on CCL.B. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on CCL Industries from C$72.00 to C$81.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. CIBC increased their price target on CCL Industries from C$72.00 to C$82.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. National Bankshares increased their price target on CCL Industries from C$79.00 to C$81.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on CCL Industries from C$76.00 to C$81.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Finally, Scotiabank increased their price target on CCL Industries from C$72.00 to C$79.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, CCL Industries currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$78.80.

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CCL Industries Trading Up 0.2 %

Insider Activity

TSE:CCL.B opened at C$72.96 on Thursday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is C$60.59 and its 200 day moving average price is C$58.58. CCL Industries has a 52 week low of C$52.82 and a 52 week high of C$73.77. The company has a market capitalization of C$12.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.07, a P/E/G ratio of 0.26 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.37, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.89.

In related news, Director Scott Mitchell-Harris sold 1,378 shares of CCL Industries stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$59.80, for a total value of C$82,404.40. In related news, Director Scott Mitchell-Harris sold 1,378 shares of CCL Industries stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$59.80, for a total value of C$82,404.40. Also, Director Gunther Johann Birkner sold 60,900 shares of CCL Industries stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$59.55, for a total value of C$3,626,595.00. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 74,228 shares of company stock worth $4,548,509. 10.05% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

CCL Industries Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

CCL Industries Inc manufactures and sells labels, containers, consumer printable media products, technology driven label solutions, polymer bank note substrates, and specialty films. The company operates through four segments: CCL, Avery, Checkpoint, and Innovia. The CCL segment offers pressure sensitive and specialty extruded film materials for decorative, instructional, functional, and security applications in the consumer packaging, healthcare, chemicals, consumer electronic device, and automotive markets.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Thursday morning.

ARCH has been the subject of several other reports. B. Riley cut their target price on shares of Arch Resources from $232.00 to $223.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 16th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Arch Resources from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 17th.

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Arch Resources Trading Down 0.0 %

Arch Resources stock opened at $184.50 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $172.38 and a 200-day moving average of $160.86. Arch Resources has a one year low of $102.42 and a one year high of $187.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 2.49 and a quick ratio of 1.83. The company has a market cap of $3.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.67 and a beta of 0.68.

Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The energy company reported $6.07 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $6.90 by ($0.83). Arch Resources had a return on equity of 32.20% and a net margin of 14.75%. The business had revenue of $774.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $704.53 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $23.18 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 9.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Arch Resources will post 22.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Arch Resources Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.54%. Arch Resourcess dividend payout ratio is currently 4.16%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Arch Resources

In other news, VP John A. Ziegler sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $184.15, for a total transaction of $2,762,250.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 18,618 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,428,504.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Arch Resources news, CFO Matthew C. Giljum sold 199 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $169.64, for a total value of $33,758.36. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 27,986 shares in the company, valued at $4,747,545.04. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP John A. Ziegler sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $184.15, for a total transaction of $2,762,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 18,618 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,428,504.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 105,606 shares of company stock valued at $19,347,666 in the last three months. 5.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Arch Resources

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ARCH. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its stake in Arch Resources by 2.9% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 2,371 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $325,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in Arch Resources by 6.6% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 78,779 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $10,823,000 after acquiring an additional 4,910 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Arch Resources by 58.0% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 8,190 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $1,125,000 after acquiring an additional 3,007 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Arch Resources by 2.9% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 519,483 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $71,366,000 after acquiring an additional 14,434 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ergoteles LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Arch Resources during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $619,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.03% of the companys stock.

About Arch Resources

(Get Free Report)

Arch Resources, Inc engages in the production and sale of metallurgical products. It operates in two segments, Metallurgical and Thermal. The company operates active mines. It owned or controlled primarily through long-term leases of coal land in Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, Kentucky, Montana, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Illinois; and smaller parcels of property in Alabama, Indiana, Washington, Arkansas, California, Utah, and Texas.

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Frederick County Bancorp (MD) (OTCMKTS:FCBI  Get Free Report) and Heritage Southeast Bancorporation (OTCMKTS:HSBI  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk and earnings.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Frederick County Bancorp (MD) and Heritage Southeast Bancorporation, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Frederick County Bancorp (MD) 0 0 0 0 N/A Heritage Southeast Bancorporation 0 0 0 0 N/A

Risk & Volatility

Profitability

Frederick County Bancorp (MD) has a beta of 0.34, indicating that its stock price is 66% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Heritage Southeast Bancorporation has a beta of 0.85, indicating that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the S&P 500.

This table compares Frederick County Bancorp (MD) and Heritage Southeast Bancorporations net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Frederick County Bancorp (MD) 11.41% N/A N/A Heritage Southeast Bancorporation 20.73% N/A N/A

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Frederick County Bancorp (MD) and Heritage Southeast Bancorporations top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Frederick County Bancorp (MD) $18.62 million 3.11 $2.96 million N/A N/A Heritage Southeast Bancorporation $75.43 million 2.88 $13.81 million $2.19 14.08

Heritage Southeast Bancorporation has higher revenue and earnings than Frederick County Bancorp (MD).

Insider & Institutional Ownership

0.2% of Heritage Southeast Bancorporation shares are owned by institutional investors. 32.2% of Frederick County Bancorp (MD) shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 29.6% of Heritage Southeast Bancorporation shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Heritage Southeast Bancorporation beats Frederick County Bancorp (MD) on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Frederick County Bancorp (MD)

(Get Free Report)

Frederick County Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Frederick County Bank that provides various banking services to individuals and commercial enterprises in the Frederick County, Maryland. It offers deposit products, including personal checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, and health savings accounts; and business checking accounts, savings and money market accounts, and certificates of deposits. The company provides home equity, home equity fixed rate, mortgage, installment, vehicle, and unsecured loans, as well as home equity line of credit and lines of credit; and commercial loans, such as term loans, lines of credit, letters of credit, and real estate finance. It also offers cash management services comprising automated clearing house, wire origination, remote deposit capture, and zero balance account services. In addition, the company provides mobile deposit capture, overdraft protection, debit and credit card, automated teller machine, and night depository services; and business courier and merchant processing services, as well as online banking and bill pay services. The company was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Frederick, Maryland.

About Heritage Southeast Bancorporation

(Get Free Report)

Heritage Southeast Bancorporation, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Heritage Southeast Bank that provides a range of commercial and consumer banking products and services primarily in North and South Metro Atlanta, southeastern Georgia, and Northeastern Florida. The company offers checking and savings, money market, and individual retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit; personal, home equity, mortgage, term, small business administration, commercial real estate, and construction loans; personal lines of credit; accounts receivable financing; credit and debit cards; and mobile, online, and telephone banking services, as well as cash management, courier, and remote deposit services. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Jonesboro, Georgia.

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New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:NYCB  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Reduce by the sixteen brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have assigned a hold rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $7.03.

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered New York Community Bancorp from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $11.50 to $5.50 in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on New York Community Bancorp from $6.00 to $4.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Compass Point downgraded shares of New York Community Bancorp from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the company from $16.00 to $8.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded shares of New York Community Bancorp from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and cut their price objective for the company from $13.00 to $7.00 in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, DA Davidson cut shares of New York Community Bancorp from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $8.50 to $5.00 in a report on Thursday, February 8th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Investors Weigh In On New York Community Bancorp

In related news, EVP Lee Matthew Smith purchased 25,000 shares of New York Community Bancorp stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $4.05 per share, for a total transaction of $101,250.00. Following the purchase, the executive vice president now owns 1,440,683 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,834,766.15. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . In related news, Director Peter Schoels purchased 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $4.15 per share, for a total transaction of $415,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 147,438 shares of the companys stock, valued at $611,867.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Also, EVP Lee Matthew Smith purchased 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $4.05 per share, with a total value of $101,250.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,440,683 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,834,766.15. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Over the last 90 days, insiders acquired 186,310 shares of company stock valued at $775,627. 1.62% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in New York Community Bancorp by 7.5% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 67,668,954 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $767,366,000 after acquiring an additional 4,723,876 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of New York Community Bancorp by 1.0% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 44,302,719 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $377,902,000 after purchasing an additional 444,458 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in New York Community Bancorp by 61.4% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 35,348,227 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $319,548,000 after purchasing an additional 13,450,558 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in New York Community Bancorp by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 10,541,445 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $118,486,000 after purchasing an additional 963,865 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in New York Community Bancorp by 30.0% during the 1st quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 7,932,246 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $71,708,000 after buying an additional 1,829,923 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 67.52% of the companys stock.

New York Community Bancorp Trading Down 6.6 %

NYCB stock opened at $3.42 on Wednesday. New York Community Bancorp has a one year low of $1.70 and a one year high of $14.22. The stock has a market cap of $2.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $7.04 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $9.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.17.

New York Community Bancorp (NYSE:NYCB  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The financial services provider reported ($0.27) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.29 by ($0.56). New York Community Bancorp had a return on equity of 5.85% and a net margin of 28.96%. The company had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $935.90 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.25 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that New York Community Bancorp will post 0.5 EPS for the current year.

New York Community Bancorp Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th were given a $0.05 dividend. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.85%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 13th. New York Community Bancorps dividend payout ratio is presently 6.01%.

About New York Community Bancorp

(Get Free Report

New York Community Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Flagstar Bank, N.A. that provides banking products and services in the United States. The company's deposit products include interest-bearing checking and money market, savings, non-interest-bearing, and retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.

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Macron postpones his visit to Ukraine to come with more tangible help  media

French President Emmanuel Macron is postponing his visit to Ukraine because he wants to arrive with more tangible results to help Ukraine, Politico reports.

Earlier on Sunday, the Elysee Palace announced that Macron's visit to Ukraine would take place in "the next few weeks," clarifying that this was related to security issues.

Politico, citing a representative of French diplomacy, reports that the reason for the postponement was Macron's desire to get additional time for negotiations with allies and arrive in Ukraine with tangible results.

"A bit of time is needed to conclude the different coalitions and their operational commitments with our partners," said the diplomat.
Harmony Gold Mining (NYSE:HMY  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Saturday.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Harmony Gold Mining from a neutral rating to an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. HSBC upgraded shares of Harmony Gold Mining from a reduce rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $3.40.

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Harmony Gold Mining Price Performance

Institutional Trading of Harmony Gold Mining

HMY opened at $7.14 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average is $5.95 and its 200-day moving average is $5.30. Harmony Gold Mining has a 1-year low of $2.96 and a 1-year high of $7.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.62.

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Fifth Third Bancorp acquired a new stake in Harmony Gold Mining in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Point72 Middle East FZE acquired a new stake in Harmony Gold Mining in the 2nd quarter valued at $38,000. LPL Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Harmony Gold Mining in the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its position in Harmony Gold Mining by 378.1% in the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 11,714 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 9,264 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 28.33% of the companys stock.

About Harmony Gold Mining

(Get Free Report)

Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited engages in the exploration, extraction, and processing of gold. The company explores for uranium, silver, copper, and molybdenum deposits. It has eight underground operations in the Witwatersrand Basin; an open-pit mine on the Kraaipan Greenstone Belt; and various surface source operations in South Africa.

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Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) had its price target increased by Bank of America from $379.00 to $419.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the information technology services providers stock.

ACN has been the topic of several other reports. Mizuho assumed coverage on shares of Accenture in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a buy rating and a $426.00 target price on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $374.00 price target on shares of Accenture in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Accenture from $350.00 to $385.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Accenture from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $440.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $368.85.

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Accenture Stock Down 2.3 %

Shares of NYSE:ACN opened at $378.17 on Thursday. Accenture has a 12-month low of $242.80 and a 12-month high of $387.51. The company has a market cap of $237.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 1.20. The companys fifty day moving average is $365.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $336.97.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 19th. The information technology services provider reported $3.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.08 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Accenture will post 12.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 4,333 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $371.83, for a total value of $1,611,139.39. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now owns 34,795 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,937,824.85. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Accenture news, Director Paula A. Price sold 551 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction on 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 sale, the director now owns 6,583 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,273,504.88. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 4,333 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction on Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $371.83, for a total transaction of $1,611,139.39. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 34,795 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,937,824.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 26,551 shares of company stock worth $9,739,791. Insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Accenture

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Chilton Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Accenture by 180.0% in the 4th quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC now owns 70 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Accenture in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new stake in shares of Accenture in the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Accenture in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Halpern Financial Inc. bought a new position in Accenture in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.42% of the companys stock.

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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Dominion Energy (NYSE:D  Free Report) had its target price lifted by Wells Fargo & Company from $49.00 to $51.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the utilities providers stock.

Several other brokerages also recently issued reports on D. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Dominion Energy from $47.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. Guggenheim decreased their price target on shares of Dominion Energy from $57.00 to $52.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 4th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Dominion Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Dominion Energy from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Scotiabank decreased their price target on shares of Dominion Energy from $50.00 to $49.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Dominion Energy has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $49.90.

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Dominion Energy Stock Up 0.0 %

Shares of Dominion Energy stock opened at $48.00 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $40.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.60, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $46.34 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $45.81. Dominion Energy has a 12-month low of $39.18 and a 12-month high of $58.69.

Dominion Energy (NYSE:D  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.40 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $3.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.21 billion. Dominion Energy had a net margin of 12.40% and a return on equity of 8.83%. The firms revenue was down 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.06 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Dominion Energy will post 2.75 earnings per share for the current year.

Dominion Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.6675 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $2.67 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.56%. Dominion Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 114.59%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Joseph M. Rigby bought 2,130 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $46.94 per share, for a total transaction of $99,982.20. Following the transaction, the director now owns 8,417 shares of the companys stock, valued at $395,093.98. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Dominion Energy news, CEO Robert M. Blue acquired 21,735 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $45.91 per share, for a total transaction of $997,853.85. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 176,240 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,091,178.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Joseph M. Rigby acquired 2,130 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $46.94 per share, with a total value of $99,982.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 8,417 shares in the company, valued at approximately $395,093.98. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Dominion Energy

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. State Street Corp boosted its position in Dominion Energy by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 48,339,919 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,503,524,000 after acquiring an additional 432,966 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in shares of Dominion Energy by 9.0% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 23,394,919 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,045,051,000 after purchasing an additional 1,928,823 shares in the last quarter. Dodge & Cox raised its stake in shares of Dominion Energy by 39.6% during the 4th quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 22,800,383 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,071,618,000 after purchasing an additional 6,472,100 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in shares of Dominion Energy by 13.2% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 18,493,273 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $869,184,000 after purchasing an additional 2,153,488 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors raised its stake in shares of Dominion Energy by 136.5% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 17,970,856 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $844,630,000 after purchasing an additional 10,370,768 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.66% of the companys stock.

Dominion Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through three operating segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Energy. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.8 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina.

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of American Realty Investors (NYSE:ARL  Free Report) in a research note released on Friday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

American Realty Investors Stock Performance

NYSE:ARL opened at $19.84 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $320.42 million, a P/E ratio of 6.48 and a beta of 0.71. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $21.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $17.50. The company has a current ratio of 9.23, a quick ratio of 9.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. American Realty Investors has a 1-year low of $11.69 and a 1-year high of $31.59.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Realty Investors

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ARL. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in American Realty Investors by 18.5% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 100,558 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,190,000 after acquiring an additional 15,729 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in American Realty Investors by 21.5% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 31,361 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $683,000 after acquiring an additional 5,557 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in American Realty Investors by 17.1% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 25,399 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $360,000 after acquiring an additional 3,700 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in American Realty Investors by 43.3% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 22,302 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $388,000 after acquiring an additional 6,737 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in American Realty Investors by 4.3% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,405 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $373,000 after acquiring an additional 890 shares in the last quarter.

About American Realty Investors

American Realty Investors, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, and owns multifamily apartment communities and commercial real estate properties in the southwestern, southeastern, and mid-western United States. The company leases apartment units to residents; and leases office, industrial, and retail space to various for-profit businesses, as well as local, state, and federal agencies; and sells land and properties.

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Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE:PEG  Free Report) had its price objective boosted by Royal Bank of Canada from $70.00 to $72.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has an outperform rating on the utilities providers stock.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on PEG. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $61.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $64.00 to $63.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. TheStreet cut shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $64.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $64.25.

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View Our Latest Research Report on PEG

Public Service Enterprise Group Stock Performance

Shares of PEG opened at $64.26 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $60.23 and a 200-day moving average of $60.81. Public Service Enterprise Group has a one year low of $53.71 and a one year high of $65.59. The company has a market cap of $32.04 billion, a PE ratio of 12.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.46.

Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE:PEG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 26th. The utilities provider reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.02. Public Service Enterprise Group had a net margin of 22.81% and a return on equity of 11.53%. The company had revenue of $2.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.45 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.64 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 17.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Public Service Enterprise Group will post 3.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Public Service Enterprise Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. This is a positive change from Public Service Enterprise Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.73%. Public Service Enterprise Groups payout ratio is 46.78%.

Insider Activity at Public Service Enterprise Group

In related news, CEO Ralph A. Larossa sold 1,374 shares of Public Service Enterprise Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.00, for a total transaction of $86,562.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 153,721 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,684,423. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In the last three months, insiders have sold 1,774 shares of company stock valued at $110,364. 0.57% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Public Service Enterprise Group

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PEG. Union Savings Bank bought a new stake in Public Service Enterprise Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Operose Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Public Service Enterprise Group by 435.0% during the 3rd quarter. Operose Advisors LLC now owns 535 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 435 shares during the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Clear Street Markets LLC bought a new stake in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. 72.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Public Service Enterprise Group Company Profile

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Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company primarily in Mid-Atlantic United States. The company operates through PSE&G and PSEG Power. The PSE&G segment transmits electricity; distributes electricity and gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, as well as invests in solar generation projects, and energy efficiency and related programs; and offers appliance services and repairs.

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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 compare to its rivals? We will compare Knife River to similar businesses based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, dividends, risk, earnings, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

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 company 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.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Knife River and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.

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

Earnings & Valuation

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 rivals higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Knife River has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

This table compares Knife River and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share 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 rivals. Knife River 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 Knife River and its rivals 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%

About Knife River

(Get Free Report)

Knife River Corporation provides aggregates-based construction materials and contracting services in the United States. It operates through six segments: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, North Central, South, and Energy Services. The company mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates, including crushed stone and sand, and gravel; and produces and sells asphalt and ready-mix concrete, as well as provides contracting 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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Polaris Inc. (NYSE:PII  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the eleven research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $102.44.

Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Polaris from $100.00 to $96.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Polaris from $100.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Polaris from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $103.00 to $113.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. KeyCorp lowered their price target on shares of Polaris from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Finally, DA Davidson reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $80.00 price objective on shares of Polaris in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Polaris

Polaris Stock Down 0.1 %

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of PII. D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its stake in Polaris by 13.6% in the first quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 2,510 shares of the companys stock worth $264,000 after buying an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in Polaris by 0.4% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 152,648 shares of the companys stock worth $16,077,000 after buying an additional 572 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its stake in Polaris by 10.5% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 20,905 shares of the companys stock worth $2,202,000 after buying an additional 1,993 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Polaris by 0.3% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,803,771 shares of the companys stock worth $505,933,000 after buying an additional 13,281 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can raised its stake in Polaris by 8.9% in the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 33,033 shares of the companys stock worth $3,575,000 after buying an additional 2,692 shares in the last quarter. 87.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Shares of NYSE:PII opened at $92.67 on Monday. Polaris has a 52-week low of $82.00 and a 52-week high of $138.49. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $91.32 and a 200 day moving average of $94.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.23 billion, a PE ratio of 10.65 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 1.39.

Polaris (NYSE:PII  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.67 by ($0.69). The business had revenue of $2.29 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.25 billion. Polaris had a return on equity of 40.98% and a net margin of 5.63%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.46 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Polaris will post 7.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Polaris Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st will be paid a $0.66 dividend. This is an increase from Polariss previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.85%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. Polariss dividend payout ratio is presently 30.34%.

Polaris Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Polaris Inc designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets powersports vehicles in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Off-Road, On-Road, and Marine. The company offers off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles and side-by-side vehicles; military and commercial ORVs; snowmobiles; motorcycles; and moto-roadsters, quadricycles, and boats.

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Tudor Investment Corp Et Al grew its holdings in shares of EnerSys (NYSE:ENS  Free Report) by 33.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 53,504 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 13,519 shares during the quarter. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al owned 0.13% of EnerSys worth $5,065,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Toroso Investments LLC raised its holdings in EnerSys by 35.0% during the 3rd quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 21,254 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,012,000 after buying an additional 5,516 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its stake in shares of EnerSys by 10.5% in the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 50,549 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,785,000 after acquiring an additional 4,794 shares during the period. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in EnerSys by 105.3% during the 3rd quarter. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 15,722 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,488,000 after buying an additional 8,064 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in EnerSys by 4,397.9% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 218,463 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $20,682,000 after buying an additional 213,606 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in EnerSys by 10.4% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 142,595 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $13,499,000 after acquiring an additional 13,403 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.56% of the companys stock.

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EnerSys Stock Up 1.6 %

EnerSys stock opened at $93.81 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 2.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The firm has a market cap of $3.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.19, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.35. The business has a fifty day moving average of $94.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $94.28. EnerSys has a twelve month low of $78.81 and a twelve month high of $113.34.

EnerSys Announces Dividend

EnerSys ( NYSE:ENS Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The industrial products company reported $2.56 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.55 by $0.01. EnerSys had a return on equity of 20.09% and a net margin of 7.49%. The firm had revenue of $861.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $898.79 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.27 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that EnerSys will post 8.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.225 dividend. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.96%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. EnerSyss payout ratio is currently 13.62%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ENS has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com raised EnerSys from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Oppenheimer downgraded EnerSys from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday, February 9th.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on EnerSys

EnerSys Profile

(Free Report)

EnerSys provides various stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates in three segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, and Specialty. The company offers uninterruptible power systems applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, as well as telecommunications systems; switchgear and electrical control systems used in industrial facilities and electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, and energy pipelines; integrated power solutions and services to broadband, telecom, renewable, and industrial customers; and thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries.

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Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC increased its position in shares of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG  Free Report) by 0.8% 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 657,170 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 5,191 shares during the period. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLCs holdings in Mizuho Financial Group were worth $2,254,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. FMR LLC raised its holdings in Mizuho Financial Group by 11.7% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 11,516,942 shares of the banks stock valued at $39,503,000 after buying an additional 1,206,471 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Mizuho Financial Group by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 11,497,463 shares of the banks stock valued at $35,297,000 after acquiring an additional 322,228 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of Mizuho Financial Group by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,268,942 shares of the banks stock valued at $22,316,000 after acquiring an additional 357,162 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in shares of Mizuho Financial Group by 1.9% in the second quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 5,168,655 shares of the banks stock valued at $15,868,000 after purchasing an additional 98,198 shares during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Mizuho Financial Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $9,695,000. 0.60% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Mizuho Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of MFG opened at $4.29 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $54.45 billion, a PE ratio of 11.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 0.42. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. has a one year low of $2.70 and a one year high of $4.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.94. The companys fifty day moving average price is $3.64 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.50.

About Mizuho Financial Group

Mizuho Financial Group ( NYSE:MFG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The bank reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $12.97 billion for the quarter. Mizuho Financial Group had a return on equity of 6.72% and a net margin of 8.48%. As a group, analysts expect that Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. will post 0.36 earnings per share for the current year.

(Free Report)

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in banking, trust, securities, and other businesses related to financial services in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. It operates through Retail & Business Banking Company, Corporate & Institutional Company, Global Corporate Company, Global Markets Company, Asset Management Company, and Others segments.

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Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 260.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 414 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after purchasing an additional 299 shares during the quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc.s holdings in EOG Resources were worth $52,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Truvestments Capital LLC purchased a new position in EOG Resources during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in EOG Resources during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in EOG Resources during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC boosted its holdings in EOG Resources by 77.6% during the 3rd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 238 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the period. Finally, Peoples Bank KS acquired a new stake in EOG Resources in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. 89.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley lowered EOG Resources from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $134.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on EOG Resources from $172.00 to $165.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and issued a $145.00 price target on shares of EOG Resources in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Mizuho reduced their price target on EOG Resources from $150.00 to $138.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price target on EOG Resources from $153.00 to $141.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $141.80.

EOG Resources Trading Up 0.7 %

EOG opened at $118.72 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $68.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.13, a price-to-earnings-growth 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 businesss 50 day moving average is $114.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $121.89. The company has a quick ratio of 2.13, a current ratio of 2.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, February 23rd. The energy exploration company reported $3.07 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.14 by ($0.07). EOG Resources had a net margin of 31.40% and a return on equity of 25.38%. The company had revenue of $6.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.18 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.30 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.46 EPS for the current year.

EOG Resources Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 16th will be paid a $0.91 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 15th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.07%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.98%.

EOG Resources Company Profile

(Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company.

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Biden to meet with Czech PM on April 15 to confirm their strong support for Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden will welcome Prime Minister Petr Fiala of Czechia to the White House on April 15 to reaffirm their strong support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.

President Biden will welcome Prime Minister Petr Fiala of Czechia to the White House on April 15 to further strengthen the U.S.-Czech relationship. The leaders will reaffirm their resolute support for Ukraine as it defends against Russias war of aggression, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement posted on the White House website.

In addition, the leaders emphasize their unwavering commitment to NATO.

Also, during the meeting, the parties will coordinate on a range of shared priorities during the visit, including security issues, economic opportunities that benefit the American and Czech people, and shared democratic values.
Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its stake in shares of International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM  Free Report) by 830.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 6,151 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 5,490 shares during the quarter. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in International Business Machines were worth $863,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC now owns 2,459 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $345,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the period. Perkins Coie Trust Co grew its stake in International Business Machines by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Perkins Coie Trust Co now owns 21,220 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,977,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Equitable Trust Co. grew its stake in International Business Machines by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 6,792 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $953,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in International Business Machines by 19.8% during the 2nd quarter. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC now owns 442 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mirador Capital Partners LP grew its stake in International Business Machines by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Mirador Capital Partners LP now owns 5,094 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $715,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. 56.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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International Business Machines Trading Down 0.3 %

NYSE:IBM opened at $195.95 on Monday. International Business Machines Co. has a 12-month low of $120.55 and a 12-month high of $198.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $179.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.10, a P/E/G ratio of 3.84 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.22, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.93. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $179.07 and a 200 day simple moving average of $160.13.

International Business Machines Announces Dividend

International Business Machines ( NYSE:IBM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The technology company reported $3.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.78 by $0.09. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 39.55% and a net margin of 12.13%. The business had revenue of $17.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.29 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.60 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that International Business Machines Co. will post 10.07 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, March 9th. Investors of record on Friday, February 9th were given a dividend of $1.66 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $6.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.39%. International Business Machiness dividend payout ratio is currently 81.67%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Bank of America raised their price objective on International Business Machines from $155.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. Wedbush restated a neutral rating and set a $140.00 price objective on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Monday, November 13th. Societe Generale restated a sell rating and set a $143.00 price objective on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their target price on International Business Machines from $165.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Evercore upgraded International Business Machines from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $165.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Friday, January 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $173.00.

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About International Business Machines

(Free Report)

International Business Machines Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. The company operates through four business segments: Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing. The Software segment offers hybrid cloud platform and software solutions; software for business automation, AIOps and management, integration, and application servers; data and artificial intelligence solutions; and security software and services for threat, data, and identity.

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Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio cut its holdings in HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ  Free Report) by 7.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 370,446 shares of the computer makers stock after selling 29,597 shares during the quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohios holdings in HP were worth $9,520,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of HP during the third quarter worth $25,000. Certified Advisory Corp bought a new stake in HP in the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC bought a new stake in HP in the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in HP in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd lifted its position in HP by 84.5% in the 2nd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,096 shares of the computer makers stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 502 shares in the last quarter. 76.04% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Kristen M. Ludgate sold 41,015 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.24, for a total transaction of $1,199,278.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 56,169 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,642,381.56. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other HP news, insider Kristen M. Ludgate sold 41,015 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.24, for a total value of $1,199,278.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 56,169 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,642,381.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Enrique Lores sold 38,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.75, for a total transaction of $1,130,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 888,911 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,445,102.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.41% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

HP Stock Up 0.6 %

NYSE HPQ opened at $30.74 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $30.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.99, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 1.04. HP Inc. has a 12-month low of $25.22 and a 12-month high of $33.90. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $29.21 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $28.55.

HP (NYSE:HPQ  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The computer maker reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.81. HP had a net margin of 6.45% and a negative return on equity of 181.02%. The firm had revenue of $13.19 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.56 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.75 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that HP Inc. will post 3.41 EPS for the current year.

HP Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 3rd. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 13th will be given a dividend of $0.2756 per share. This represents a $1.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.59%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 12th. HPs dividend payout ratio is 32.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised shares of HP from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $31.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. StockNews.com lowered shares of HP from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of HP from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of HP from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the company from $33.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded shares of HP from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $31.00 to $33.00 in a research note on Monday, November 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $32.40.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on HP

About HP

(Free Report)

HP Inc provides products, technologies, software, solutions, and services to individual consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses, and large enterprises, including customers in the government, health, and education sectors worldwide. It operates through Personal Systems and Printing segments. The Personal Systems segment offers commercial personal computers (PCs), consumer PCs, workstations, thin clients, commercial tablets and mobility devices, retail point-of-sale systems, displays and other related accessories, software, support, and services for the commercial and consumer markets.

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Creative Planning increased its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 363,032 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 18,243 shares during the quarter. Creative Plannings holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $21,070,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.8% during the second quarter. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd now owns 9,161 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 164 shares during the period. Riversedge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% during the third quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC now owns 5,691 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $330,000 after buying an additional 178 shares during the period. Vicus Capital lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.9% during the third quarter. Vicus Capital now owns 4,824 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $280,000 after buying an additional 179 shares during the period. Cassia Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.3% during the third quarter. Cassia Capital Partners LLC now owns 7,931 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $460,000 after buying an additional 182 shares during the period. Finally, Lindbrook Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.3% during the third quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 8,060 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $468,000 after buying an additional 182 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

Shares of BMY opened at $53.92 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $50.43 and a two-hundred day moving average of $53.18. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $47.58 and a one year high of $71.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.43. The stock has a market cap of $109.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.38.

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $11.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.19 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 50.95% and a net margin of 17.83%. The companys revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.82 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 EPS for the current year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, December 7th that allows the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the biopharmaceutical company to reacquire up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Investors of record on Friday, April 5th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.45%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is presently 62.18%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on BMY. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $68.00 to $55.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 15th. Redburn Atlantic lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $77.00 to $54.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $58.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Bank of America lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $68.00 to $60.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $61.12.

Read Our Latest Report on Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis 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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Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE  Free Report) by 8.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 268,174 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 26,140 shares during the quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. owned approximately 0.13% of DTE Energy worth $26,624,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings in DTE Energy by 10.6% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 17,435,181 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,918,219,000 after buying an additional 1,669,375 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC grew its holdings in DTE Energy by 224.8% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,379,882 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $279,708,000 after buying an additional 1,647,053 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in DTE Energy by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,028,699 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,044,624,000 after buying an additional 1,420,586 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in DTE Energy by 16.4% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 5,130,348 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $509,081,000 after buying an additional 724,561 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Asset Management L.P. grew its holdings in DTE Energy by 89.7% during the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,515,382 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $166,722,000 after buying an additional 716,482 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.72% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at DTE Energy

In other DTE Energy news, COO Robert A. Richard sold 4,800 shares of DTE Energy stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.25, for a total value of $514,800.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 26,118 shares in the company, valued at $2,801,155.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, COO Robert A. Richard sold 4,800 shares of DTE Energy stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.25, for a total value of $514,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 26,118 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,801,155.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Joann Chavez sold 6,070 shares of DTE Energy stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.19, for a total value of $662,783.30. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 16,667 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,819,869.73. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 20,095 shares of company stock worth $2,168,183 over the last quarter. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

DTE Energy Stock Up 0.1 %

DTE Energy stock opened at $112.82 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $23.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.64. DTE Energy has a 52 week low of $90.14 and a 52 week high of $116.73. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $107.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $104.52. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58.

DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.97 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.96 by $0.01. DTE Energy had a return on equity of 11.00% and a net margin of 10.96%. The business had revenue of $3.39 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.31 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that DTE Energy will post 6.7 earnings per share for the current year.

DTE Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 18th will be given a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 15th. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.62%. DTE Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 60.36%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on DTE shares. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on DTE Energy from $113.00 to $111.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 12th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on DTE Energy from $108.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Wolfe Research cut DTE Energy from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Barclays decreased their price target on DTE Energy from $113.00 to $112.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, Guggenheim lowered DTE Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $111.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $114.33.

Read Our Latest Research Report on DTE Energy

About DTE Energy

(Free Report)

DTE Energy Company engages in the utility operations. The company's Electric segment generates, purchases, distributes, and sells electricity to various residential, commercial, and industrial customers in southeastern Michigan. It generates electricity through coal-fired plants, hydroelectric pumped storage, and nuclear plants, as well as wind and solar assets.

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TimesSquare Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BOOT  Free Report) by 4.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 266,135 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 12,085 shares during the quarter. TimesSquare Capital Management LLCs holdings in Boot Barn were worth $21,608,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of BOOT. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Boot Barn in the 3rd quarter valued at about $221,000. Jump Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boot Barn during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,688,000. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Boot Barn by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 573,745 shares of the companys stock worth $48,590,000 after acquiring an additional 21,161 shares in the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd acquired a new position in Boot Barn during the third quarter worth approximately $8,486,000. Finally, Boston Partners acquired a new position in Boot Barn during the third quarter worth approximately $648,000.

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Insider Transactions at Boot Barn

In other news, CEO James Grant Conroy sold 19,478 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.38, for a total value of $1,799,377.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 46,273 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,274,699.74. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO James Grant Conroy sold 19,478 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.38, for a total value of $1,799,377.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 46,273 shares in the company, valued at $4,274,699.74. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Laurie Marie Grijalva sold 5,861 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.31, for a total value of $529,306.91. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 5,861 shares of the companys stock, valued at $529,306.91. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 26,339 shares of company stock valued at $2,413,715 over the last three months. 2.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Boot Barn Stock Down 0.6 %

NYSE BOOT opened at $88.71 on Monday. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $64.33 and a fifty-two week high of $104.91. The stock has a market cap of $2.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.63 and a beta of 2.20. The business has a fifty day moving average of $81.22 and a 200-day moving average of $79.41.

Boot Barn (NYSE:BOOT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.01. Boot Barn had a return on equity of 19.52% and a net margin of 9.62%. The company had revenue of $520.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $520.34 million. As a group, analysts anticipate that Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. will post 4.72 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. B. Riley lowered their target price on Boot Barn from $92.00 to $83.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on Boot Barn from $99.00 to $94.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Williams Trading restated a hold rating on shares of Boot Barn in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. UBS Group upgraded Boot Barn from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $75.00 to $108.00 in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Boot Barn from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, January 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $101.56.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on BOOT

About Boot Barn

(Free Report)

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc, a lifestyle retail chain, operates specialty retail stores in the United States. The company's specialty retail stores offer western and work-related footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and kids. It offers boots, shirts, jackets, hats, belts and belt buckles, handbags, western-style jewelry, rugged footwear, outerwear, overalls, denim, and flame-resistant and high-visibility clothing.

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Penserra Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm purchased 16,912 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $831,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in UNM. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Huntington National Bank raised its stake in shares of Unum Group by 1,076.4% during the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 647 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 592 shares in the last quarter. Bangor Savings Bank raised its stake in shares of Unum Group by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 664 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 332 shares in the last quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Unum Group by 125.9% during the 3rd quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,229 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 685 shares in the last quarter. 79.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Unum Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNM opened at $50.40 on Monday. Unum Group has a 1-year low of $36.27 and a 1-year high of $52.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.65 billion, a PE ratio of 7.77, a PEG ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 0.86. The businesss 50 day moving average is $47.63 and its 200-day moving average is $46.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36.

Unum Group Announces Dividend

Unum Group ( NYSE:UNM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.79 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.86 by ($0.07). Unum Group had a return on equity of 16.03% and a net margin of 10.36%. The firm had revenue of $3.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.14 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.43 EPS. Unum Groups revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Unum Group will post 8.18 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 26th were issued a dividend of $0.365 per share. This represents a $1.46 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 25th. Unum Groups payout ratio is presently 22.50%.

Insider Transactions at Unum Group

In related news, EVP Elizabeth Claire Ahmed sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total value of $250,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 55,450 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,772,500. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Unum Group news, EVP Lisa G. Iglesias sold 16,000 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total value of $800,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 40,840 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,042,000. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Elizabeth Claire Ahmed sold 5,000 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total value of $250,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 55,450 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,772,500. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 71,000 shares of company stock valued at $3,507,500. 0.77% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Unum Group from $61.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on Unum Group from $47.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Unum Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $55.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Unum Group from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Unum Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $55.44.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on UNM

Unum Group Profile

(Free Report)

Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block and Corporate segments. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products.

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Resources Management Corp CT ADV decreased its holdings in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 8,216 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 363 shares during the period. Resources Management Corp CT ADVs holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $994,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Digital Realty Trust by 11.8% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 30,815,132 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,508,919,000 after acquiring an additional 3,245,264 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 20,596,456 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,345,318,000 after buying an additional 464,694 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 8,647,509 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,046,522,000 after buying an additional 394,682 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 74.2% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 7,324,758 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $834,070,000 after buying an additional 3,118,791 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 17.9% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 7,112,088 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $808,046,000 after buying an additional 1,079,787 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.71% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. HSBC assumed coverage on Digital Realty Trust in a research note on Friday, December 1st. They issued a reduce rating and a $112.00 price objective on the stock. Scotiabank downgraded Digital Realty Trust from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $157.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Friday, February 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Digital Realty Trust from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $144.00 price objective on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $154.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Digital Realty Trust has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $136.53.

Digital Realty Trust Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE:DLR opened at $149.28 on Monday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $140.83 and its 200-day moving average price is $133.02. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a 12-month low of $86.33 and a 12-month high of $154.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $46.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92.

Digital Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.22 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.27%. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 164.31%.

Digital Realty Trust Profile

(Free Report)

Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges.

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Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWN  Free Report) by 33.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 82,320 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 20,690 shares during the quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio owned approximately 0.10% of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF worth $11,158,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of IWN. Pflug Koory LLC acquired a new position in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Almanack Investment Partners LLC. acquired a new position in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Spotlight Asset Group Inc. acquired a new position in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000.

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iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of NYSEARCA:IWN opened at $154.76 on Monday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $150.74 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $143.27. iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF has a 12-month low of $124.97 and a 12-month high of $158.87. The firm has a market cap of $12.42 billion, a PE ratio of 9.40 and a beta of 1.15.

iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF, formerly Ishares Trust Russel 2000 (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund, is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Value Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 2000 Index issuers with relatively lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth.

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Advisors Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 5.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 819 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the period. Advisors Capital Management LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $265,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. First Foundation Advisors increased its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 18.4% during the second quarter. First Foundation Advisors now owns 1,771 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $571,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. TBH Global Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. TBH Global Asset Management LLC now owns 3,676 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,190,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE boosted its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 27,076.5% during the third quarter. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE now owns 653,322 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $211,396,000 after purchasing an additional 650,918 shares during the period. Syon Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,395,000. Finally, Fort Point Capital Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 11.1% in the second quarter. Fort Point Capital Partners LLC now owns 728 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $235,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. 69.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of GS opened at $386.99 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $384.85 and a 200-day simple moving average of $351.20. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29. The stock has a market cap of $125.99 billion, a PE ratio of 16.96, a PEG ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.42. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $289.36 and a 1 year high of $397.49.

The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 company had revenue of $11.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.80 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.32 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 32.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a dividend of $2.75 per share. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is 48.20%.

Insider Activity

In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on 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 owns 29,417 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,602,947.31. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CAO Sheara J. Fredman sold 4,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were 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 of the companys stock, valued at $4,357,659.45. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on 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 sold 39,064 shares of company stock worth $15,082,153. Insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently commented on GS. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $333.00 to $449.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. UBS Group increased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $382.00 to $440.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $398.00 to $421.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $357.00 to $360.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, Edward Jones began coverage on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $408.98.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on GS

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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Kampmann Melissa S. acquired a new stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 26,090 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $2,870,000. Intercontinental Exchange makes up about 2.8% of Kampmann Melissa S.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest holding.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Belpointe Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 1.2% in the third quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 8,517 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $937,000 after buying an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. First Foundation Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange in the third quarter worth about $386,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 6.3% in the third quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,833 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $312,000 after buying an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC lifted its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 40.9% in the third quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 4,298 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $473,000 after buying an additional 1,247 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Townsquare Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 47.5% in the third quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 2,720 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $299,000 after buying an additional 876 shares in the last quarter. 87.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $148.00 to $153.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $133.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Raymond James lifted their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $142.00 to $151.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Intercontinental Exchange from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $145.83.

Intercontinental Exchange Trading Down 1.2 %

Shares of ICE traded down $1.70 during trading on Monday, reaching $136.96. 412,678 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,257,669. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. has a twelve month low of $94.16 and a twelve month high of $140.43. The stock has a market cap of $78.43 billion, a PE ratio of 33.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 1.02. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $131.70 and a 200-day simple moving average of $120.12. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80.

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The financial services provider reported $1.33 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $2.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.20 billion. Intercontinental Exchange had a net margin of 23.91% and a return on equity of 12.91%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 24.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.25 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. will post 5.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Intercontinental Exchange Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.31%. This is a boost from Intercontinental Exchanges previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. Intercontinental Exchanges payout ratio is 40.00%.

Insider Activity at Intercontinental Exchange

In related news, CAO James W. Namkung sold 1,171 shares of Intercontinental Exchange stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.00, for a total value of $140,520.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 18,677 shares in the company, valued at $2,241,240. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Intercontinental Exchange, Inc purchased 2,762,009 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The stock was bought at an average price of $0.87 per share, for a total transaction of $2,402,947.83. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 7,476,345 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,504,420.15. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO James W. Namkung sold 1,171 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.00, for a total transaction of $140,520.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 18,677 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,241,240. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 158,288 shares of company stock worth $20,855,393. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

About Intercontinental Exchange

(Free Report)

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Canada.

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Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine Visvaldas Kulbokas was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on Monday, March 11, because of His statements published in the media the other day.

"Visvaldas Kulbokas was informed that Ukraine is disappointed with the words of the Pontiff regarding the white flag and the need to show courage and negotiate with the aggressor. The Foreign Ministry noted that instead of appeals that legalize the right of the strong and encourage him to further disregard the norms of international law, the head of the Holy See would be expected to signal to the world community about the need for immediate unification of forces to ensure the victory of good over evil, as well as appeals to the attacker, not to the victim," the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Ukraine, like no other, strives for peace. However, this world must be fair and based on the principles of the UN Charter and the Peace Formula proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Foreign Ministry said.
Harbour Investments Inc. grew its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 11.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 23,797 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 2,429 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $972,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Belpointe Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 43.1% during the 3rd quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 12,753 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $521,000 after purchasing an additional 3,840 shares in the last quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 92.4% during the 3rd quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC now owns 10,246 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $419,000 after purchasing an additional 4,920 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 8.4% during the 3rd quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 736,316 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,086,000 after purchasing an additional 56,867 shares in the last quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 47.7% during the 3rd quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 26,274 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,074,000 after purchasing an additional 8,480 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 108,733 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,443,000 after buying an additional 410 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.47% of the companys stock.

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Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

NYSE:WFC opened at $57.07 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $50.73 and a 200-day moving average price of $45.59. The company has a market cap of $204.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.84, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.88. Wells Fargo & Company has a fifty-two week low of $35.25 and a fifty-two week high of $57.68.

Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by ($0.30). The company had revenue of $20.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.30 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 12.40%. The businesss revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.67 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 2nd were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 1st. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.45%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 29.05%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on WFC. Raymond James lifted their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. Robert W. Baird reissued a neutral rating and issued a $55.00 target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $51.00 to $50.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $51.43.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on WFC

Wells Fargo & Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.

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Hohimer Wealth Management LLC reduced its stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,500 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 100 shares during the quarter. UnitedHealth Group comprises approximately 1.1% of Hohimer Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest holding. Hohimer Wealth Management LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $3,781,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Robbins Farley purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the third quarter worth about $25,000. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 340.0% during the third quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 66 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter worth about $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Annapolis Financial Services LLC lifted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 38.6% during the third quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 79 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the period. 85.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UNH traded up $5.67 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $482.24. The company had a trading volume of 905,369 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,193,785. The stock has a market cap of $444.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.23, a PEG ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.54. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 12 month low of $445.68 and a 12 month high of $554.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $514.23 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $518.26.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.98 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $94.43 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $92.13 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 26.39% and a net margin of 6.02%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $5.34 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.79 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 11th will be given a dividend of $1.88 per share. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 8th. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.54%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UNH has been the topic of a number of research reports. Oppenheimer restated an outperform rating and issued a $610.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and issued a $591.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Friday, January 19th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $565.00 to $503.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 20th. Barclays began coverage on UnitedHealth Group in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. They issued an overweight rating and a $551.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $584.00 to $581.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $579.33.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on UNH

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 858 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $525.79, for a total transaction of $451,127.82. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 32,289 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,977,233.31. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.35% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About UnitedHealth Group

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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Tompkins Financial Corp raised its holdings in shares of BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE  Free Report) (TSE:BCE) by 12,729.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 64,146 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 63,646 shares during the quarter. Tompkins Financial Corps holdings in BCE were worth $2,448,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in BCE. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its holdings in shares of BCE by 2.1% during the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 15,712,011 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $575,871,000 after buying an additional 323,998 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia lifted its holdings in shares of BCE by 4.5% during the third quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 15,198,064 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $580,173,000 after buying an additional 661,255 shares in the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec lifted its holdings in shares of BCE by 53.5% during the first quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 13,375,600 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $742,107,000 after buying an additional 4,661,300 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of BCE by 3.9% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,200,273 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $553,619,000 after buying an additional 496,949 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in BCE by 0.4% in the second quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 11,909,021 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $542,932,000 after purchasing an additional 46,508 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 42.30% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently commented on BCE. Argus downgraded BCE from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on BCE from $58.00 to $54.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 9th. TD Securities downgraded BCE from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on BCE from $40.00 to $38.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $51.00.

BCE Price Performance

BCE stock traded down $0.18 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $36.35. The companys stock had a trading volume of 516,703 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,316,663. BCE Inc. has a 52 week low of $35.84 and a 52 week high of $48.38. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $39.12 and a 200-day moving average price of $39.22. The stock has a market cap of $33.16 billion, a PE ratio of 21.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.87 and a beta of 0.56.

BCE (NYSE:BCE  Get Free Report) (TSE:BCE) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.82 billion. BCE had a return on equity of 17.13% and a net margin of 8.82%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that BCE Inc. will post 2.37 EPS for the current year.

BCE Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.742 per share. This is a boost from BCEs previous quarterly dividend of $0.70. This represents a $2.97 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.17%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. BCEs payout ratio is 171.01%.

BCE Profile

(Free Report)

BCE Inc, a communications company, provides wireless, wireline, Internet, and television (TV) services to residential, business, and wholesale customers in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Bell Wireless, Bell Wireline, and Bell Media. The Bell Wireless segment offers integrated digital wireless voice and data communication products and services, as well as consumer electronics products.

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Speece Thorson Capital Group Inc. cut its position in shares of Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO  Free Report) by 28.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 138,141 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 54,749 shares during the quarter. Brown & Brown makes up about 2.1% of Speece Thorson Capital Group Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest position. Speece Thorson Capital Group Inc.s holdings in Brown & Brown were worth $9,648,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Clear Street Markets LLC grew its position in Brown & Brown by 93.7% during the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 461 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 223 shares during the last quarter. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new position in Brown & Brown during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. West Tower Group LLC bought a new position in Brown & Brown during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC grew its position in Brown & Brown by 150.6% during the 3rd quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 589 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 354 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank grew its position in Brown & Brown by 50.6% during the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 652 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. 70.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Brown & Brown Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of Brown & Brown stock traded down $0.31 on Monday, reaching $84.88. The companys stock had a trading volume of 77,812 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,404,481. The company has a market capitalization of $24.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.84, a P/E/G ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.78. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $78.59 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $74.26. Brown & Brown, Inc. has a 52 week low of $52.82 and a 52 week high of $86.53. The company has a quick ratio of 1.95, a current ratio of 1.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58.

Brown & Brown Dividend Announcement

Brown & Brown ( NYSE:BRO Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.53 by $0.05. Brown & Brown had a return on equity of 15.46% and a net margin of 20.44%. The business had revenue of $1.03 billion during the quarter. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.50 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Brown & Brown, Inc. will post 3.2 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 2nd were issued a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.61%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 1st. Brown & Browns payout ratio is currently 16.99%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Raymond James increased their price objective on Brown & Brown from $80.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Bank of America assumed coverage on Brown & Brown in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. They issued a neutral rating and a $77.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Brown & Brown from $81.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Brown & Brown from $72.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on Brown & Brown from $75.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Brown & Brown has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $82.70.

Read Our Latest Report on BRO

About Brown & Brown

(Free Report)

Brown & Brown, Inc markets and sells insurance products and services in the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Retail, National Programs, Wholesale Brokerage, and Services. The Retail segment provides property and casualty, employee benefits insurance products, personal insurance products, specialties insurance products, risk management strategies, loss control survey and analysis, consultancy, and claims processing services.

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Braun Stacey Associates Inc. lowered its stake in shares of Ameren Co. (NYSE:AEE  Free Report) by 0.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 178,017 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,105 shares during the quarter. Braun Stacey Associates Inc.s holdings in Ameren were worth $13,321,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AEE. Penserra Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Ameren in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Ameren in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC bought a new position in Ameren during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Ameren by 218.2% during the 3rd quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 350 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Missouri Trust & Investment Co bought a new position in Ameren during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Institutional investors own 77.77% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Ameren from $71.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Ameren from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Ameren from $75.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, February 26th. KeyCorp downgraded shares of Ameren from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a report on Friday, December 15th. Finally, Bank of America downgraded shares of Ameren from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $82.00 to $77.00 in a report on Thursday, January 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $79.89.

Ameren Stock Performance

NYSE AEE traded up $0.33 on Monday, hitting $73.34. 257,682 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,945,244. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The businesss fifty day moving average is $70.83 and its 200 day moving average is $74.77. Ameren Co. has a 52 week low of $67.03 and a 52 week high of $91.18. The company has a market capitalization of $19.53 billion, a PE ratio of 16.71, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.43.

Ameren (NYSE:AEE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 23rd. The utilities provider reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.61 by ($0.01). Ameren had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 10.42%. The company had revenue of $1.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.03 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.63 earnings per share. Amerens revenue for the quarter was down 20.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Ameren Co. will post 4.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ameren Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 13th will be issued a $0.67 dividend. This is an increase from Amerens previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.65%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 12th. Amerens payout ratio is currently 57.67%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ameren

In related news, EVP Mark C. Lindgren sold 1,630 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.70, for a total value of $115,241.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,883 shares in the company, valued at $3,385,328.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Ameren news, EVP Mark C. Lindgren sold 1,630 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.70, for a total transaction of $115,241.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,883 shares in the company, valued at $3,385,328.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Martin J. Lyons sold 7,270 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.70, for a total transaction of $513,989.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 246,434 shares in the company, valued at $17,422,883.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.42% of the companys stock.

Ameren Profile

(Free Report)

Ameren Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a public utility holding company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution, Ameren Illinois Natural Gas, and Ameren Transmission. It engages in the rate-regulated electric generation, transmission, and distribution activities; and rate-regulated natural gas distribution and transmission businesses.

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Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors 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. The firm purchased 71,668 shares of the payment services companys stock, valued at approximately $10,692,000. American Express accounts for about 2.3% of Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 14th largest holding.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AXP. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in American Express by 118,198.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,732,068 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $2,028,913,000 after acquiring an additional 13,720,460 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter valued at about $911,554,000. Swiss National Bank bought a new stake in shares of American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at about $397,678,000. Boston Partners bought a new stake in shares of American Express in the 3rd quarter valued at about $210,540,000. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of American Express by 162.6% in the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,961,999 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $289,885,000 after buying an additional 1,214,731 shares in the last quarter. 83.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on AXP shares. Barclays raised their price target on shares of American Express from $216.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of American Express from $157.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Morgan Stanley cut shares of American Express from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $212.00 to $222.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Stephens upgraded shares of American Express from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $148.00 to $193.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Oppenheimer lifted their target price on shares of American Express from $208.00 to $219.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Four 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 companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $189.00.

American Express Trading Down 2.0 %

American Express stock traded down $4.48 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $218.89. 860,620 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,288,420. American Express has a fifty-two week low of $140.91 and a fifty-two week high of $224.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $158.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.93, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.23. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $201.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $174.85. 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 (NYSE:AXP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 26th. The payment services company reported $2.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.64 by ($0.02). American Express had a return on equity of 30.99% and a net margin of 13.84%. The firm had revenue of $15.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.07 earnings per share. American Expresss revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that American Express will post 12.82 EPS for the current year.

American Express Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be given a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 4th. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is presently 21.41%.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Express

In other American Express news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 7,029 shares of American Express stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $203.65, for a total transaction of $1,431,455.85. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 12,388 shares in the company, valued at $2,522,816.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Laureen Seeger sold 84,420 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.98, for a total value of $17,979,771.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 57,512 shares in the company, valued at $12,248,905.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Howard Grosfield sold 7,029 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $203.65, for a total transaction of $1,431,455.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 12,388 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,522,816.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 172,047 shares of company stock worth $36,528,388 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

American Express 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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Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE:PML  Free Report) during 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 101,085 shares of the investment management companys stock, valued at approximately $777,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in PML. Moors & Cabot Inc. increased its stake in PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II by 7.1% in the first quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 15,000 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $173,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its stake in PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II by 16.2% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 30,199 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $347,000 after acquiring an additional 4,200 shares during the last quarter. Meridian Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II in the first quarter valued at $230,000. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC bought a new position in PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II in the first quarter valued at $193,000. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II by 7.1% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 156,457 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,799,000 after acquiring an additional 10,347 shares during the last quarter.

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PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II Stock Down 0.2 %

PML traded down $0.02 during trading on Monday, reaching $8.46. The stock had a trading volume of 57,077 shares, compared to its average volume of 170,541. PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II has a one year low of $6.92 and a one year high of $9.46. The business has a 50-day moving average of $8.42 and a 200-day moving average of $8.11.

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II Announces Dividend

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.0395 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 8th. This represents a $0.47 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.60%.

(Free Report)

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. The fund is co-managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. It invests in fixed income markets. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 27,098 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,044,000.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ossiam raised its stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 1,304.1% during the 2nd quarter. Ossiam now owns 80,244 shares of the companys stock worth $6,063,000 after buying an additional 74,529 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board raised its stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 1,072,606 shares of the companys stock valued at $80,896,000 after purchasing an additional 31,700 shares during the period. Pathstone Family Office LLC raised its stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 543.2% in the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 28,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,112,000 after purchasing an additional 23,647 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 34.7% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 4,189 shares of the companys stock valued at $320,000 after purchasing an additional 1,078 shares during the period. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 37.2% in the 3rd quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 17,386 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,311,000 after purchasing an additional 4,711 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.73% of the companys stock.

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Archer-Daniels-Midland Stock Performance

Shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland stock traded up $0.15 on Monday, hitting $54.96. The stock had a trading volume of 1,409,920 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,456,121. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a twelve month low of $50.72 and a twelve month high of $87.30. The businesss 50 day moving average is $58.62 and its two-hundred day moving average is $69.14. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The stock has a market cap of $29.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.63 and a beta of 0.75.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Increases Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 8th were given a $0.50 dividend. This is an increase from Archer-Daniels-Midlands previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 7th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.64%. Archer-Daniels-Midlands dividend payout ratio is presently 27.86%.

ADM has been the topic of several recent research reports. Barclays downgraded Archer-Daniels-Midland from an overweight rating to an underweight rating and set a $60.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Citigroup initiated coverage on Archer-Daniels-Midland in a report on Thursday, February 1st. They issued a neutral rating and a $57.00 price objective for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $90.00 to $67.00 in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Argus cut Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Roth Mkm cut Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $98.00 to $66.00 in a report on Monday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Archer-Daniels-Midland currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $67.08.

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Archer-Daniels-Midland Profile

(Free Report)

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

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Spears Abacus Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 0.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 107,702 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 145 shares during the period. Thermo Fisher Scientific accounts for about 4.7% of Spears Abacus Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest holding. Spears Abacus Advisors LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $54,516,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Halpern Financial Inc. increased its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. Live Oak Investment Partners bought a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.06% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently weighed in on TMO shares. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. They issued an outperform rating and a $575.00 target price on the stock. Barclays cut shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their target price for the company from $475.00 to $555.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $530.00 to $575.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. TheStreet raised shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, Raymond James upped their target price on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $515.00 to $605.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Thermo Fisher Scientific has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $596.00.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Trading Down 0.4 %

NYSE TMO traded down $2.66 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $594.95. The companys stock had a trading volume of 360,960 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,678,498. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a twelve month low of $415.60 and a twelve month high of $603.82. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $226.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.68, a PEG ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.80. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $553.59 and a 200 day moving average of $516.47.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical research company reported $5.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.64 by $0.03. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.99% and a return on equity of 18.78%. The firm had revenue of $10.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.73 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $5.40 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $0.39 per share. This is an increase from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.26%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio is currently 9.06%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, November 14th that authorizes the company to buyback $4.00 billion in 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 generally a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Transactions at Thermo Fisher Scientific

In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, Director Debora L. Spar sold 164 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $546.97, for a total value of $89,703.08. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 1,207 shares in the company, valued at approximately $660,192.79. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $555.63, for a total value of $5,556,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 49,155 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,311,992.65. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Debora L. Spar sold 164 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $546.97, for a total transaction of $89,703.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,207 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $660,192.79. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 40,277 shares of company stock valued at $22,533,584 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Profile

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the 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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Tompkins Financial Corp boosted its holdings in Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 16.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 140,745 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 19,455 shares during the quarter. Exxon Mobil comprises approximately 2.6% of Tompkins Financial Corps portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Tompkins Financial Corps holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $16,549,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of XOM. Savoie Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil in the third quarter valued at $16,455,000. Sprott Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 7.5% during the third quarter. Sprott Inc. now owns 133,481 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $15,760,000 after acquiring an additional 9,328 shares during the last quarter. Spartan Planning & Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil during the third quarter valued at $139,000. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 29.1% during the third quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 9,044 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,063,000 after acquiring an additional 2,037 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Resources Management Corp CT ADV boosted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV now owns 52,890 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $6,219,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.53% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Exxon Mobil

In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total transaction of $252,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 30,189 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,169,845. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total value of $1,231,800.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 220,678 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,652,596.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total value of $252,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 30,189 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,169,845. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.04% of the companys stock.

Exxon Mobil Stock Performance

Shares of XOM traded down $0.75 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $107.63. The stock had a trading volume of 3,504,773 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,443,664. The company has a market cap of $427.06 billion, a PE ratio of 12.13, a PEG ratio of 3.95 and a beta of 0.96. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $102.22 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $105.87. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Exxon Mobil Co. has a fifty-two week low of $95.77 and a fifty-two week high of $120.70.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $2.48 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.28. The company had revenue of $84.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $90.03 billion. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 18.51% and a net margin of 10.45%. The businesss revenue was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.40 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Exxon Mobil Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 13th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.53%. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio is currently 42.74%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have issued reports on XOM shares. Mizuho lowered Exxon Mobil from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $117.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. UBS Group decreased their price target on Exxon Mobil from $133.00 to $132.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Exxon Mobil from $134.00 to $127.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Redburn Atlantic upgraded Exxon Mobil from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $116.00 to $119.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Finally, Erste Group Bank restated a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Friday, December 22nd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $127.53.

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Exxon Mobil Company Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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President of Azerbaijan`s State Oil Company (SOCAR) Rovshan Najaf has met with Chairman of the Management Board of KazMunayGaz National Company of Kazakhstan Magzum Mirzagaliyev.

Azernews reports that, during the meeting, the sides hailed the successful development of relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the energy sector and other domains. They emphasized that the road map signed last year between SOCAR and KazMunayGaz had created ample opportunities for expanding relations.

The two discussed possibilities for enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation and exchanged views on the development of oil processing, transit and trade sectors, as well as other issues of mutual interest.
Defense Minister of Ukraine Rustem Umerov discussed the situation at the front, medium- and short-term needs and specific requests of Ukraine with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in a telephone conversation.

Jointly with Commander-in-Chief had a call with the U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on preparations for next UDCG meeting. Provided an update on the operational situation on the battlefield, he said on Facebook.

Umerov briefed that they had discussed Ukraines mid-term and near-term needs and specific requirements.

Ammunition and air-defense remain among key priorities. Look forward to engaging on each of the capability coalitions in greater detail when we meet at UDCG. Grateful for clear and consistent support of Ukraine, the minister stressed.
Walleye Capital LLC trimmed its position in shares of Brixmor Property Group Inc. (NYSE:BRX  Free Report) by 16.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 1,263,161 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 240,222 shares during the quarter. Brixmor Property Group comprises about 0.1% of Walleye Capital LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Walleye Capital LLC owned approximately 0.42% of Brixmor Property Group worth $26,248,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of BRX. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Brixmor Property Group during the first quarter valued at about $407,000. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Brixmor Property Group by 44.2% during the first quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC now owns 14,689 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $379,000 after acquiring an additional 4,504 shares in the last quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. acquired a new position in shares of Brixmor Property Group during the first quarter valued at about $371,000. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its holdings in shares of Brixmor Property Group by 5.5% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 406,368 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $10,834,000 after acquiring an additional 21,179 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Brixmor Property Group by 0.8% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,190,584 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,166,369,000 after acquiring an additional 369,401 shares in the last quarter. 94.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently weighed in on BRX. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Brixmor Property Group in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $27.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Brixmor Property Group from $24.00 to $23.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 13th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of Brixmor Property Group from $22.75 to $24.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, Mizuho reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $24.00 price objective (up previously from $23.00) on shares of Brixmor Property Group in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Brixmor Property Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $25.38.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Brian T. Finnegan sold 7,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.00, for a total transaction of $172,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 186,873 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,298,079. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, insider Brian T. Finnegan sold 7,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.00, for a total value of $172,500.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 186,873 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,298,079. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Angela M. Aman sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.00, for a total transaction of $240,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 152,054 shares in the company, valued at $3,649,296. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 42,975 shares of company stock valued at $998,490 in the last 90 days. 0.64% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Brixmor Property Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BRX traded down $0.04 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $22.71. 528,781 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,602,614. Brixmor Property Group Inc. has a 1 year low of $19.40 and a 1 year high of $24.47. The company has a market cap of $6.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.52, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.58. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $22.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $22.02.

Brixmor Property Group (NYSE:BRX  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by ($0.27). Brixmor Property Group had a net margin of 24.50% and a return on equity of 10.63%. The business had revenue of $316.49 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $311.77 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.49 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Brixmor Property Group Inc. will post 2.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Brixmor Property Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.273 per share. This represents a $1.09 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 1st. This is a boost from Brixmor Property Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. Brixmor Property Groups payout ratio is 107.92%.

Brixmor Property Group Profile

(Free Report)

Brixmor (NYSE: BRX) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates a high-quality, national portfolio of open-air shopping centers. Its 362 retail centers comprise approximately 64 million square feet of prime retail space in established trade areas. The Company strives to own and operate shopping centers that reflect Brixmor's vision to be the center of the communities we serve and are home to a diverse mix of thriving national, regional and local retailers.

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Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 7,824 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $903,000.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. FMR LLC increased its position in shares of Global Payments by 40.7% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 9,346,779 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,078,525,000 after purchasing an additional 2,703,434 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Global Payments during the 4th quarter worth about $261,300,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in shares of Global Payments by 338.3% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,288,108 shares of the business services providers stock worth $379,416,000 after purchasing an additional 2,537,941 shares during the last quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Global Payments during the 3rd quarter worth about $197,875,000. Finally, Boston Partners increased its position in shares of Global Payments by 40.5% during the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 5,142,771 shares of the business services providers stock worth $591,613,000 after purchasing an additional 1,481,714 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.23% of the companys stock.

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Global Payments Stock Up 0.0 %

GPN stock traded up $0.03 during trading on Monday, hitting $129.66. 421,532 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,227,540. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $132.07 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $123.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $33.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.29, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 0.96. Global Payments Inc. has a 52-week low of $94.05 and a 52-week high of $141.77. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Global Payments Announces Dividend

Global Payments ( NYSE:GPN Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The business services provider reported $2.65 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.64 by $0.01. Global Payments had a return on equity of 11.44% and a net margin of 10.22%. The firm had revenue of $2.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.18 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.30 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 7.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Global Payments Inc. will post 10.95 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Global Paymentss dividend payout ratio is currently 26.46%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on GPN. B. Riley raised their price objective on Global Payments from $180.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on Global Payments from $185.00 to $180.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Global Payments from $154.00 to $172.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Wedbush lifted their target price on Global Payments from $130.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on Global Payments from $162.00 to $172.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and twenty have issued 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 $151.92.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Global Payments

Global Payments Profile

(Free Report)

Global Payments Inc provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through two segments, Merchant Solutions and Issuer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization, settlement and funding, customer support, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security, and consolidated billing and reporting services.

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Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital Co. (NYSE:PNW  Free Report) by 338.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 355 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 274 shares during the quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Pinnacle West Capital were worth $26,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in PNW. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Pinnacle West Capital by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,338,202 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,041,714,000 after buying an additional 241,019 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in Pinnacle West Capital by 2.7% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 10,307,741 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $816,785,000 after purchasing an additional 273,945 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in Pinnacle West Capital by 1.0% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,634,622 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $492,509,000 after purchasing an additional 74,164 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in Pinnacle West Capital by 29.6% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,537,942 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $276,313,000 after purchasing an additional 808,207 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 3.4% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,574,336 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $209,414,000 after acquiring an additional 84,844 shares in the last quarter. 84.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Pinnacle West Capital Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of Pinnacle West Capital stock opened at $71.70 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.50. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $69.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $72.87. Pinnacle West Capital Co. has a 1 year low of $65.20 and a 1 year high of $86.03. The stock has a market cap of $8.13 billion, a PE ratio of 16.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.83 and a beta of 0.48.

Pinnacle West Capital Dividend Announcement

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 1st were issued a $0.88 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, January 31st. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.91%. Pinnacle West Capitals payout ratio is 79.82%.

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on PNW shares. Mizuho lowered their price objective on Pinnacle West Capital from $77.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on Pinnacle West Capital from $76.00 to $69.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Pinnacle West Capital from $71.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Pinnacle West Capital from $83.00 to $80.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $78.00 to $74.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 26th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $72.83.

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About Pinnacle West Capital

(Free Report)

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company, provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using coal, nuclear, gas, oil, and solar generating facilities.

Further Reading

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Taylor Wimpey plc (LON:TW  Get Free Report) insider Jennie Daly acquired 108 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 139 ($1.76) per share, with a total value of 150.12 ($190.53).

Jennie Daly also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, February 28th, Jennie Daly sold 104,503 shares of Taylor Wimpey stock. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 134 ($1.70), for a total value of 140,034.02 ($177,730.70).

On Thursday, February 8th, Jennie Daly purchased 102 shares of Taylor Wimpey stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 148 ($1.88) per share, with a total value of 150.96 ($191.60).

On Monday, January 8th, Jennie Daly acquired 103 shares of Taylor Wimpey stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 145 ($1.84) per share, with a total value of 149.35 ($189.55).

Taylor Wimpey Stock Up 0.0 %

TW traded up GBX 0.05 ($0.00) during trading hours on Monday, hitting GBX 139.70 ($1.77). 8,921,256 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,409,451. The stock has a market cap of 4.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,397.00, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 1.77. Taylor Wimpey plc has a 1-year low of GBX 98.92 ($1.26) and a 1-year high of GBX 150.60 ($1.91). The stocks 50-day moving average is GBX 144.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 129.31. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 5.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.80.

Taylor Wimpey Announces Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of GBX 4.79 ($0.06) per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 28th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.41%. Taylor Wimpeys dividend payout ratio is 10,000.00%.

A number of research analysts have issued reports on TW shares. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a GBX 175 ($2.22) price target on shares of Taylor Wimpey in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Berenberg Bank restated a hold rating and set a GBX 130 ($1.65) price objective on shares of Taylor Wimpey in a report on Monday, March 4th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 134.60 ($1.71).

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About Taylor Wimpey

(Get Free Report)

Taylor Wimpey plc operates a residential developer in the United Kingdom and Spain. It builds and delivers various homes and communities. Taylor Wimpey plc was incorporated in 1935 and is based in High Wycombe, the United Kingdom.

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Public Sector Pension Investment Board raised its position in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO  Free Report) by 0.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 37,625 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 183 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Board owned approximately 0.22% of AutoZone worth $95,567,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of AZO. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in AutoZone by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC now owns 714 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,780,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares during the period. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the third quarter valued at approximately $51,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board boosted its position in shares of AutoZone by 4.7% in the third quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 76,379 shares of the companys stock valued at $194,002,000 after acquiring an additional 3,434 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of AutoZone by 1.5% in the third quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 15,542 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,477,000 after acquiring an additional 228 shares during the period. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the third quarter valued at approximately $470,000. 90.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on AZO shares. StockNews.com downgraded shares of AutoZone from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. TheStreet cut shares of AutoZone from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,100.00 to $3,425.00 and gave the company a buy 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 stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on AutoZone from $2,779.00 to $3,100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $3,020.76.

AutoZone Trading Down 1.6 %

Shares of AutoZone stock traded down $48.49 during trading on Monday, reaching $3,031.00. The companys stock had a trading volume of 70,676 shares, compared to its average volume of 163,133. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $2,764.14 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $2,644.27. AutoZone, Inc. has a one year low of $2,277.88 and a one year high of $3,152.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $52.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.70.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported $28.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $26.08 by $2.81. The company had revenue of $3.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 14.70% and a negative return on equity of 56.06%. AutoZones quarterly revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $24.64 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that AutoZone, Inc. will post 150.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other AutoZone news, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,997.76, for a total transaction of $8,993,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 2,921 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,756,456.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other AutoZone news, COO Thomas B. Newbern sold 7,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,551.62, for a total transaction of $19,902,636.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 2,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,427,530.78. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,997.76, for a total value of $8,993,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 2,921 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,756,456.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 14,807 shares of company stock valued at $39,669,061. Company insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock.

AutoZone Company Profile

(Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.

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Public Sector Pension Investment Board lessened its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 10.5% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 538,382 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 62,886 shares during the quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Boards holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $46,785,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Graham Capital Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 3rd quarter worth $2,277,000. Savoie Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the third quarter valued at about $4,863,000. OLD National Bancorp IN grew its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1.9% during the third quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN now owns 107,427 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $9,335,000 after purchasing an additional 2,021 shares in the last quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 208.9% during the third quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 312 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 211 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the third quarter valued at about $50,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Trading Down 4.1 %

Shares of NYSE:TSM traded down $5.93 during trading on Monday, reaching $140.44. The companys stock had a trading volume of 17,850,550 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,758,519. The company has a current ratio of 2.40, a quick ratio of 2.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a 12 month low of $81.21 and a 12 month high of $158.40. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $119.32 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $102.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $728.38 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 announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 18th. The semiconductor company reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $19.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.99 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 38.80% and a return on equity of 25.24%. On average, research analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 6.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 11th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 13th will be paid a $0.4408 dividend. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.26%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 13th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is currently 29.54%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on TSM shares. StockNews.com upgraded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Barclays raised their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, January 19th. Needham & Company LLC raised their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $115.00 to $133.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 19th. Susquehanna increased their price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $130.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, January 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $128.25.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile

(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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Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Free Report) (TSE:CM) by 177.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 990,605 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 633,770 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Board owned approximately 0.11% of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce worth $38,415,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Toronto Dominion Bank lifted its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 1.8% in the third quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 26,965,878 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,041,153,000 after buying an additional 476,342 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI raised its holdings in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 1.5% during the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 15,926,778 shares of the banks stock valued at $599,363,000 after purchasing an additional 230,044 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 3.5% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,825,265 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,804,087,000 after purchasing an additional 495,127 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 1.8% during the second quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 14,074,792 shares of the banks stock valued at $601,416,000 after purchasing an additional 252,515 shares during the period. Finally, CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 0.4% during the third quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 10,287,048 shares of the banks stock valued at $398,310,000 after purchasing an additional 41,841 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 43.72% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. They set a buy rating on the stock. Scotiabank raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Bank of America raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, December 18th. National Bank Financial raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $63.00.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Up 0.2 %

CM stock traded up $0.12 during trading on Monday, reaching $49.72. The stock had a trading volume of 501,933 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,955,411. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a one year low of $34.35 and a one year high of $49.79. The companys 50 day moving average is $46.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is $42.30. The company has a market capitalization of $46.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.25, a P/E/G ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a dividend of $0.6634 per share. This is an increase from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. This represents a $2.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.34%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio is currently 39.46%.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Profile

(Free Report)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S.

Further Reading

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EP Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 329.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 79,272 shares of the asset managers stock after buying an additional 60,816 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in BlackRock were worth $51,249,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of BLK. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A bought a new stake in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. West Tower Group LLC bought a new stake in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Archer Investment Corp bought a new stake in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management bought a new position in BlackRock in the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. 77.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at BlackRock

In related news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 30,978 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $809.92, for a total value of $25,089,701.76. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 414,146 shares of the companys stock, valued at $335,425,128.32. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Stephen Cohen sold 950 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $805.55, for a total value of $765,272.50. Following the sale, the director now owns 4,437 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,574,225.35. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Laurence Fink sold 30,978 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $809.92, for a total value of $25,089,701.76. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 414,146 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $335,425,128.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 100,511 shares of company stock valued at $71,864,028. 1.06% of the stock is owned by insiders.

BlackRock Stock Down 1.2 %

Shares of BLK traded down $10.27 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $825.85. The stock had a trading volume of 197,628 shares, compared to its average volume of 589,065. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $798.53 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $731.35. BlackRock, Inc. has a twelve month low of $596.18 and a twelve month high of $845.00. The firm has a market cap of $123.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 3.48 and a quick ratio of 3.48.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last released 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 the consensus estimate of $4.65 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $8.93 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that BlackRock, Inc. will post 39.73 EPS for the current year.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, March 7th will be given a $5.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 6th. This represents a $20.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.47%. This is an increase from BlackRocks previous quarterly dividend of $5.00. BlackRocks payout ratio is currently 55.88%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have commented on BLK. BNP Paribas upgraded BlackRock from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $885.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered BlackRock from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $708.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Friday, December 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on BlackRock from $719.00 to $793.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. TD Cowen upgraded BlackRock from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the company from $819.00 to $938.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on BlackRock from $720.00 to $818.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $785.73.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BLK

BlackRock Company Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

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Banque Pictet & Cie SA lifted its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 83.9% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 19,556 shares of the restaurant operators stock after buying an additional 8,921 shares during the quarter. Banque Pictet & Cie SAs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $35,823,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,052,227 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $4,389,714,000 after acquiring an additional 54,820 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,085,226 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $2,321,298,000 after acquiring an additional 42,257 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 1,038,882 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $2,222,169,000 after acquiring an additional 52,163 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 565,479 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $963,779,000 after acquiring an additional 9,520 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership lifted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 509,953 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $934,147,000 after buying an additional 7,677 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.19% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Chipotle Mexican Grill

In other news, Director Albert S. Baldocchi sold 750 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,608.51, for a total transaction of $1,956,382.50. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 37,271 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $97,221,776.21. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Albert S. Baldocchi sold 750 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,608.51, for a total value of $1,956,382.50. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 37,271 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $97,221,776.21. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,996 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,399.91, for a total transaction of $4,790,220.36. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 22,447 shares in the company, valued at $53,870,779.77. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 4,744 shares of company stock valued at $11,607,678 in the last ninety days. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CMG has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,225.00 to $2,525.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 5th. BTIG Research boosted their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,650.00 to $2,750.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,650.00 to $2,900.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,246.00 to $2,400.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, KeyCorp boosted their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,250.00 to $2,750.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $2,469.88.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

Chipotle Mexican Grill stock traded down $11.59 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $2,674.53. 106,469 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 212,426. The stock has a market cap of $73.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 60.57, a P/E/G ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.29. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 52-week low of $1,537.08 and a 52-week high of $2,733.74. The firms 50 day moving average is $2,471.55 and its 200 day moving average is $2,187.76.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The restaurant operator reported $10.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $9.73 by $0.63. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 12.45% and a return on equity of 44.41%. The business had revenue of $2.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.49 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $8.29 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 15.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 53.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Profile

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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Trust Co. of Vermont lifted its stake in American Tower Co. (NYSE:AMT  Free Report) by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 56,308 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 1,807 shares during the quarter. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in American Tower were worth $9,260,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Pinnacle Holdings LLC purchased a new position in American Tower in the first quarter worth about $29,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Tower during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. VitalStone Financial LLC purchased a new position in American Tower in the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,000. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in American Tower during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Lumature Wealth Partners LLC boosted its stake in American Tower by 40.3% during the 1st quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 174 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.29% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other American Tower news, Director Pamela D. A. Reeve sold 5,054 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $190.46, for a total value of $962,584.84. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 18,545 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,532,080.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, CFO Rodney M. Smith sold 11,510 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $205.71, for a total value of $2,367,722.10. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 62,969 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,953,352.99. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Pamela D. A. Reeve sold 5,054 shares of American Tower stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $190.46, for a total transaction of $962,584.84. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 18,545 shares in the company, valued at $3,532,080.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AMT has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. HSBC initiated coverage on American Tower in a report on Thursday, December 14th. They set a buy rating and a $245.00 price target on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on shares of American Tower from $224.00 to $234.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of American Tower from $236.00 to $230.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of American Tower from $235.00 to $228.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of American Tower from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, American Tower currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $217.55.

View Our Latest Research Report on AMT

American Tower Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:AMT traded down $0.76 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $206.55. The company had a trading volume of 1,210,627 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,366,720. The company has a market cap of $96.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 64.78, a PEG ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.29, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.69. The company has a fifty day moving average of $199.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $190.55. American Tower Co. has a 12-month low of $154.58 and a 12-month high of $219.10.

American Tower (NYSE:AMT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.10 by ($1.16). The company had revenue of $2.79 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.74 billion. American Tower had a return on equity of 12.80% and a net margin of 13.31%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.34 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that American Tower Co. will post 9.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Tower Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 28th were paid a $1.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 27th. This is a boost from American Towers previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.29%. American Towers dividend payout ratio is 213.84%.

American Tower Profile

(Free Report)

American Tower, one of the largest global REITs, is a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate with a portfolio of over 224,000 communications sites and a highly interconnected footprint of U.S. data center facilities.

Further Reading

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Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference 'Self-defense is not crime'

On Tuesday, March 12, at 12.30, the press centre of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference entitled "Self-defense is not crime" organized by the Glory UA charitable foundation.

Participants include MP of Ukraine Oleksandra Ustynova; MP of Ukraine Andriy Sharaskin; Head of the Glory UA charity foundation, initiator of the petition to remove obstacles to the production of ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykola Orikhovsky; lawyer, representative of the Gun Owners Association Vitaliy Kolomiets; representative of arms production Stanislav Otroshok (8/5a Reitarska Street).

The broadcast will be available on the Interfax-Ukraine agency's YouTube channel.

Admission requires registration on the spot with press ID cards. Details by phone: (099) 521 1184.
Fortis Inc. (TSE:FTS  Get Free Report) Director Brian Slocum acquired 1,888 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$39.18 per share, for a total transaction of C$73,971.65.

Fortis Stock Performance

Shares of Fortis stock traded down C$0.20 during trading on Monday, hitting C$53.86. 164,037 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,634,997. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 128.76, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 0.68. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of C$53.79 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$54.29. Fortis Inc. has a 52-week low of C$49.82 and a 52-week high of C$62.00. The stock has a market capitalization of C$26.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.22, a PEG ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.17.

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Fortis (TSE:FTS  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, February 9th. The company reported C$0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of C$0.72. Fortis had a net margin of 13.66% and a return on equity of 7.41%. The firm had revenue of C$2.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$3.22 billion. On average, research analysts forecast that Fortis Inc. will post 3.2504604 EPS for the current year.

Fortis Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, June 1st. Investors of record on Friday, May 17th will be given a dividend of $0.59 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 16th. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.38%. Fortiss dividend payout ratio is presently 75.16%.

FTS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. CIBC increased their price objective on shares of Fortis from C$58.00 to C$59.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Fortis from C$49.00 to C$50.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. National Bankshares increased their price objective on shares of Fortis from C$52.00 to C$55.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of Fortis from C$57.00 to C$60.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Fortis from C$53.00 to C$50.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Fortis presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$57.54.

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Fortis Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 447,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 103,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,408 megawatts (MW), including 68 MW of solar capacity and 250 MV of wind capacity.

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Trust Co. of Vermont increased its stake in shares of Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB  Free Report) by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 23,299 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 358 shares during the quarter. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in Chubb were worth $4,850,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of CB. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Chubb in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new position in Chubb during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. IMA Wealth Inc. increased its holdings in Chubb by 275.7% during the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 139 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the period. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its position in Chubb by 39.6% during the 3rd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 208 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Chubb in the 4th quarter worth $47,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.30% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Chubb

In other Chubb news, EVP Timothy Alan Boroughs sold 33,150 shares of Chubb stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $255.11, for a total value of $8,456,896.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 50,486 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,879,483.46. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Chubb news, EVP Timothy Alan Boroughs sold 33,150 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $255.11, for a total transaction of $8,456,896.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 50,486 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,879,483.46. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Annmarie T. Hagan sold 7,180 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.04, for a total value of $1,759,387.20. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 6,105 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,495,969.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.37% of the companys stock.

Chubb Trading Up 2.3 %

Shares of CB stock traded up $5.71 during trading on Monday, hitting $254.52. 1,111,078 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,757,241. The firm has a market capitalization of $103.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.62. Chubb Limited has a 52-week low of $183.40 and a 52-week high of $257.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.29. The firms fifty day moving average price is $242.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $224.81.

Chubb (NYSE:CB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $8.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.07 by $3.23. The business had revenue of $13.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.88 billion. Chubb had a return on equity of 16.45% and a net margin of 18.11%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Chubb Limited will post 21.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Chubb Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $3.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.35%. Chubbs payout ratio is presently 15.76%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on CB shares. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Chubb from $245.00 to $256.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Roth Mkm raised their price target on shares of Chubb from $260.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Chubb from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Chubb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $222.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, HSBC initiated coverage on Chubb in a research report on Thursday, December 28th. They set a buy rating and a $263.00 target price on the stock. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $253.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on CB

About Chubb

(Free Report)

Chubb Limited provides insurance and reinsurance products worldwide. The company's North America Commercial P&C Insurance segment offers commercial property, casualty, workers' compensation, package policies, risk management, financial lines, marine, construction, environmental, medical, cyber risk, surety, and excess casualty; and group accident and health insurance to large, middle market, and small commercial businesses.

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iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:HEFA  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $34.08 and last traded at $33.72, with a volume of 482139 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $33.91.

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $3.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.08 and a beta of 0.70. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $32.48 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $31.17.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HEFA. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF by 60.3% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,135,029 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,264,000 after purchasing an additional 803,201 shares in the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF by 481.2% during the 3rd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 57,162 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,721,000 after purchasing an additional 47,326 shares in the last quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF by 40.3% during the 2nd quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,174 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 337 shares in the last quarter. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP raised its position in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF by 48.1% in the 2nd quarter. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP now owns 5,593,841 shares of the companys stock valued at $173,409,000 after buying an additional 1,817,110 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $6,210,000.

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF Company Profile

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted, USD-hedged index of large- and mid-cap stocks from developed countries outside the US and Canada. HEFA was launched on Jan 31, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

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iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (BATS:IGE  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $42.29 and last traded at $42.54, with a volume of 103630 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $42.12.

iShares North American Natural Resources ETF Stock Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $40.27 and a two-hundred day moving average of $40.72. The stock has a market cap of $606.20 million, a P/E ratio of 9.32 and a beta of 1.25.

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Institutional Trading of iShares North American Natural Resources ETF

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of IGE. LM Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares North American Natural Resources ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares North American Natural Resources ETF by 221.3% in the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 980 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 675 shares during the period. Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares North American Natural Resources ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $41,000. Advisors Preferred LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares North American Natural Resources ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of iShares North American Natural Resources ETF by 1,801.7% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,328 shares of the companys stock worth $134,000 after acquiring an additional 3,153 shares during the period.

iShares North American Natural Resources ETF Company Profile

iShares North American Natural Resources ETF, formerly iShares S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of U.S.-traded natural resource-related stocks as represented by the S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index (the Index).

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USA Financial Formulas increased its position in The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 17.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 12,050 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after acquiring an additional 1,801 shares during the period. TJX Companies makes up about 1.6% of USA Financial Formulas investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest position. USA Financial Formulas holdings in TJX Companies were worth $1,071,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TJX. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC bought a new stake in TJX Companies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in TJX Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of TJX Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of TJX Companies by 76.0% in the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 389 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fortis Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in TJX Companies during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.28% of the companys stock.

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TJX Companies Trading Up 0.6 %

NYSE:TJX traded up $0.61 on Monday, reaching $96.52. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,188,556 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,925,171. The firm has a market cap of $109.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.86. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $96.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $92.29. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $72.92 and a 12-month high of $102.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

TJX Companies ( NYSE:TJX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.12 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $16.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.20 billion. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.25% and a return on equity of 64.18%. TJX Companiess revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.89 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.06 EPS for the current fiscal year.

TJX Companies declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Wednesday, February 28th that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the apparel and home fashions retailer to repurchase up to 2.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at TJX Companies

In other news, EVP Louise Greenlees sold 2,694 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.83, for a total transaction of $266,248.02. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 50,273 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,968,480.59. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on TJX shares. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $105.00 target price on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on TJX Companies from $95.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on TJX Companies from $99.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. Redburn Atlantic cut TJX Companies from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $100.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on TJX Companies from $95.00 to $104.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $102.19.

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TJX Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE:EGP  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Monday, March 11th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of 1.27 per share by the real estate investment trust on Monday, April 15th. This represents a $5.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th.

EastGroup Properties has increased its dividend by an average of 17.8% annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 12 years. EastGroup Properties has a dividend payout ratio of 101.8% indicating that the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Analysts expect EastGroup Properties to earn $8.98 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $5.08 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 56.6%.

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EastGroup Properties Stock Performance

NYSE:EGP traded down $0.90 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $180.21. The stock had a trading volume of 150,013 shares, compared to its average volume of 272,019. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 0.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.07, a PEG ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.93. EastGroup Properties has a twelve month low of $152.45 and a twelve month high of $188.85. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $180.84 and a 200 day simple moving average of $175.28.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of EastGroup Properties from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. KeyCorp raised their price objective on shares of EastGroup Properties from $188.00 to $198.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Mizuho downgraded shares of EastGroup Properties from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $185.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, December 5th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of EastGroup Properties from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $188.83.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Brent Wood sold 2,500 shares of EastGroup Properties stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.74, for a total transaction of $456,850.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 102,617 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,752,230.58. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EastGroup Properties

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. MML Investors Services LLC lifted its holdings in EastGroup Properties by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 2,844 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $470,000 after buying an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC lifted its holdings in EastGroup Properties by 10.3% in the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 1,212 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $246,000 after buying an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp lifted its holdings in EastGroup Properties by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 20,479 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,163,000 after buying an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP acquired a new position in EastGroup Properties in the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Gotham Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in EastGroup Properties by 8.6% in the 1st quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 1,973 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $326,000 after buying an additional 157 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.69% of the companys stock.

About EastGroup Properties

(Get Free Report)

EastGroup Properties, Inc (NYSE: EGP), a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina.

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Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its holdings in Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 9.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 84,664 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,170 shares during the period. Chevron comprises about 1.0% of Trust Co. of Vermonts portfolio, making the stock its 26th largest holding. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in Chevron were worth $14,276,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Windsor Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in Chevron by 24.0% in the third quarter. Windsor Advisory Group LLC now owns 3,720 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $627,000 after acquiring an additional 720 shares during the last quarter. Dechtman Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Chevron in the second quarter valued at $648,000. Altrius Capital Management Inc lifted its stake in Chevron by 2.1% in the third quarter. Altrius Capital Management Inc now owns 21,333 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,597,000 after acquiring an additional 434 shares during the last quarter. Tsfg LLC lifted its stake in Chevron by 5.3% in the third quarter. Tsfg LLC now owns 3,473 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $586,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridgewealth Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in Chevron by 1.7% in the second quarter. Bridgewealth Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,703 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $898,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.87% of the companys stock.

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Chevron Price Performance

CVX traded up $0.89 during trading on Monday, hitting $150.77. 4,311,788 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,797,808. Chevron Co. has a twelve month low of $139.62 and a twelve month high of $172.88. The company has a market cap of $280.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.19, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 1.01. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $149.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $153.33.

Chevron Increases Dividend

Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $3.45 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.19 by $0.26. Chevron had a net margin of 10.63% and a return on equity of 15.24%. The business had revenue of $47.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $50.93 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $4.09 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 16.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Chevron Co. will post 13.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 16th will be issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 15th. This is an increase from Chevrons previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.32%. Chevrons dividend payout ratio is 57.39%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have commented on CVX shares. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Chevron from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. DZ Bank cut shares of Chevron from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $160.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Chevron from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $184.00 target price for the company in a research note on Monday, January 8th. TD Cowen cut shares of Chevron from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and cut their target price for the stock from $170.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, UBS Group cut their target price 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. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $180.56.

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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.

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Trust Co. of Vermont grew its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Free Report) by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 158,429 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,520 shares during the quarter. Johnson & Johnson accounts for 1.7% of Trust Co. of Vermonts portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $24,675,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. King Luther Capital Management Corp increased its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 0.3% in the second quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 643,435 shares of the companys stock worth $106,501,000 after purchasing an additional 2,027 shares during the period. DORCHESTER WEALTH MANAGEMENT Co increased its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 0.6% during the third quarter. DORCHESTER WEALTH MANAGEMENT Co now owns 75,495 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,758,000 after acquiring an additional 414 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 5.1% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 8,843,038 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,463,594,000 after acquiring an additional 430,445 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. increased its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 4.4% during the second quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 702,435 shares of the companys stock valued at $116,267,000 after acquiring an additional 29,891 shares during the period. Finally, RFG Advisory LLC increased its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 12.6% during the third quarter. RFG Advisory LLC now owns 18,758 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,921,000 after acquiring an additional 2,102 shares during the period. 68.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at Johnson & Johnson

In related news, EVP Jennifer L. Taubert sold 59,397 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.27, for a total value of $9,281,969.19. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 141,416 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,099,078.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Johnson & Johnson news, EVP Jennifer L. Taubert sold 59,397 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.27, for a total transaction of $9,281,969.19. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 141,416 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,099,078.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder & Johnson Johnson sold 3,725 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.81, for a total value of $96,142.25. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 4,099,575 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $105,810,030.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Johnson & Johnson Trading Up 0.5 %

NYSE:JNJ traded up $0.82 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $160.34. 2,078,458 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,026,000. The companys 50 day moving average is $159.52 and its two-hundred day moving average is $157.05. Johnson & Johnson has a twelve month low of $144.95 and a twelve month high of $175.97. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The company has a market capitalization of $386.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.53.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $2.29 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.28 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $21.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.02 billion. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 37.79% and a return on equity of 37.27%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 9.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.35 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Johnson & Johnson Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were given a dividend of $1.19 per share. This represents a $4.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.97%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. Johnson & Johnsons payout ratio is 34.47%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. UBS Group raised Johnson & Johnson from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $167.00 to $180.00 in a report on Friday, December 1st. TheStreet downgraded Johnson & Johnson from a b rating to a c+ rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. Raymond James lifted their price objective on Johnson & Johnson from $172.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded Johnson & Johnson from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $170.00 to $163.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Johnson & Johnson from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $177.31.

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Johnson & Johnson Company Profile

(Free Report)

Johnson & Johnson, together with its subsidiaries, researches, develops, manufactures, and sells various products in the healthcare field worldwide. The company's Innovative Medicine segment offers products for various therapeutic areas, such as immunology, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis; infectious diseases comprising HIV/AIDS; neuroscience, consisting of mood disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and schizophrenia; oncology, such as prostate cancer, hematologic malignancies, lung cancer, and bladder cancer; cardiovascular and metabolism, including thrombosis, diabetes, and macular degeneration; and pulmonary hypertension comprising pulmonary arterial hypertension through retailers, wholesalers, distributors, hospitals, and healthcare professionals for prescription use.

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Together with Ministry of Social Policy and the Pension Fund of Ukraine, UNHCR ensures extra cash support to vulnerable pensioners during the cold winter months

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has so far provided close to 23 million USD in direct cash support to Ukrainian pensioners in order for them to buy solid household fuel to keep homes warm during the winter season.

According to UN estimates, older people represent almost a quarter of the people in need of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. UNHCR

Kyiv, 11 March, 2024: During the winter season 2023-, UNHCR has so far provided direct cash support to more than 127,000 vulnerable pensioners to help them purchase household fuel during the harsh winter months. This assistance is delivered in support of the Ministry of Social Policy and the Pension Fund of Ukraine under the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1173 from 7 November 2023.

The cash support of 6,660 UAH per person has been provided via bank transfers, directly to the bank accounts of the recipients.

This additional winter assistance was agreed between the Ministry of Social Policy, the Pension Fund of Ukraine and UNHCR in November 2023 as a way to maximize our joint efforts to provide much needed support to vulnerable pensioners during the cold winter months  a clear priority for the Government of Ukraine.

UNHCR will continue this support until the end of the heating season and provide cash assistance totaling more than 25 million USD.

The pensioners, who have so far received this additional winter cash, are residing across Ukraine, with the majority living in Odesa, Vinnytsia and Kirovohrad regions.

Following Russias full-scale invasion in 2022, UNHCR in Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Social Policy to ensure close cooperation with the Ministry towards our common goal of supporting and assisting the most vulnerable in the population to cope with the multiple consequences of the war. I am very pleased that we have continued our close collaboration with the Ministry and been able to support vulnerable pensioners with additional cash assistance during these winter months, when the impact of the devastating war is felt even more, says Karolina Lindholm Billing, UNHCRs Representative in Ukraine

Thanks to the support of UNHCR, we were able to help thousands of Ukrainians keep warm in their homes this winter, as well as significantly increase this assistance. Families who use firewood or coal for heating in their homes and are unable to do it on their own have been supported during this winter season of 2023-2024. Such assistance is extremely important and helps to reduce the impact of war on those who are most vulnerable. We are grateful to UNHCR for the partnership and the opportunity to work together to improve the lives of those who need it most, says Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine.

In Ukraine, UNHCR is operating its largest and most advanced cash assistance programme globally, including a range of different cash modalities. The most comprehensive is multipurpose cash provided to war-affected people based on a set of criteria, which allows people to prioritize themselves which needs to address such as food, medicine, hygiene items, utilities, rent payments, and at the same time support the local economy. In 2022, UNHCR supported around in cash support since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion.

UNHCR is able to provide cash assistance to people in need in Ukraine thanks to the generous support from government and private donors, including the United States of America, the European Union and Japan as the three largest donors to UNHCRs Ukraine response.

Media contact:

Iryna Tymchyshyn, tel +38 050 474 35 12, [email protected]

Elisabeth Haslund, tel +380 95 239 0072, [email protected]
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. KazMunayGas, the national oil and gas company of Kazakhstan, and SOCAR, Azerbaijan's State Oil Company, will sign an agreement to increase the transportation of Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan, Magzum Mirzagaliyev, Chair of the Management Board of KMG, told Trend in an exclusive interview.

"We have a very close working relationship with SOCAR, our longstanding strategic partner. It's noteworthy that since March of last year, we've been transiting Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan, moving approximately 120,000 tons monthly. Now, in conjunction with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's state visit to Azerbaijan on March 11, I, along with my counterpart Rovshan Najafov, plan to sign an agreement to boost the transit of Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan by 1.5 times. Currently, at 120,000 tons per month, this agreement will increase the volume by an additional 60,000 tons, reaching a total of 180,000 tons," he said.

Mirzagaliyev also spoke about the potential transit of Kazakh oil through the Baku-Supsa oil pipeline.

"On March 9, at a meeting with Rovshan Najafov, we agreed that within a month SOCAR will provide us with proposals on the Baku-Supsa route, including the tariff policy," he said.

As Magzum Mirzagaliyev noted, KazMunayGas wants the relationship with SOCAR not to be limited to transportation issues and to include as much as possible the entire range of cooperation.

"So, we have agreed to explore potential projects in the oil and production sector. Furthermore, we've extended an invitation to SOCAR to explore opportunities in geological exploration in Kazakhstan. I briefed Rovshan Najafov on the legislative adoption of the Improved Model Contract (IMC) for subsoil use in 2023, following the directives of President Tokayev. The IMC ensures favorable conditions for investors engaged in geological exploration and production in complex fields. Our discussions involve assessing the possibilities of collaborative projects. In this context, I would not rule out that in the future we can explore joint green projects," he said.

At the same time, Mirzagaliyev named the expected time for the full launch of the project to expand production at the Tengiz field in Kazakhstan.

"We expect that the project to expand production at the Tengiz field will be launched in 2025," he said.

KMG's chair also noted that during his visit to Baku he got acquainted with the work of the Sangachal and Azertrans terminals involved in the transit of Kazakh oil.

"I visited the Astana tanker, owned by Kazmortransflot LLP, responsible for delivering a batch of Tengiz oil to Baku for subsequent transport through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, and met with the crew of the tanker - young Kazakhstanis. The crew members observed that in the management of technological processes, special attention is paid to labor and environmental safety issues, ensuring the smooth and secure transportation of oil," Mirzagaliyev concluded.
The HSE chief Bernard Gloster, has apologised to the families of two children who died after being "badly let down when they most needed care of support".

Mr Gloster extended his apologies to the families of Fiadh O'Connor from Co Wexford and Danny Norris from Co Waterford, who passed after battling cancer.

Fiadh died in April 2023 at the age of four and Danny died in December 2022 on the border between Tipperary and Waterford, at the age of seven.

Now, the HSE has announced that specialist services will provide care to terminally ill children in the South-East, which will correct an inequity that caused extreme heartbreak in the past.

This comes after the families of Fiadh and Danny, publicly pleaded for these services to become available in the region.

CEO of the HSE, Bernard Gloster, said: I want to apologise to the families of Fiadh O Connor from Co Wexford and Danny Norris from Co. Waterford, who we failed and who could not avail of these services. They were badly let down when they most needed care and support. Having met with them it is clear we still have so much to learn about supporting families particularly when life-limiting illness reaches that crucial stage.

Mr Gloster added: I want to thank both families for their generosity in sharing their experiences with me. There is no doubt that were it not for their courage and advocacy in their trauma other children may well have had the same challenges in the future. It is so regrettable that they had to endure this experience when they were already suffering immeasurable heartache and grief, for us to make the necessary changes to ensure no other child or family has to suffer due to lack of community palliative care services.

The four specialist palliative care teams in the South-East are now providing care to terminally ill children as part of a multidisciplinary approach which ensures children can receive palliative care and die at home in line with the wishes of the family.

HSE Palliative nursing and medical staff in the area are now responding to and participating fully in the care of children who require palliative services correcting an inequity that prevailed for some time.

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly said: I want to express my sincere sympathies to Danny Norris and Fiadh OConnors families on their loss. It is not acceptable to me as Minister and as a parent to see the absence of paediatric palliative care services for any period of time, purely based on where you live. This added to the pain and suffering inflicted on the Norris and OConnor families at the worst time imaginable.

Even when resources are not an issue we clearly have so much to do to improve and bring fairness to families right across the country. Fiadh and Danny should never have had to have these experiences in their last stage of life, nor should their parents have had to fight for these essential services and I welcome the HSE's acknowledgement of that. More importantly that it is now corrected and guaranteed for any child or family in the South East who may need this support in the future.

Palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions is an active and total approach to care, from the point of diagnosis or recognition throughout the childs life, death and beyond. It includes the management of distressing symptoms, provision of short breaks and care through death and bereavement.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. The Middle Corridor attracts investors outside the region, said Azerbaijani Ambassador to Kazakhstan Agalar Atamoglanov, during the second session of the Kazakh-Azerbaijani Business Council in Baku, Trend reports.

"The intergovernmental commission held its regular meeting on March 5. The results were extremely productive, with multiple agreements struck. These include the development of a Kazakh-Azerbaijani investment fund, increased freight transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), and expanded collaboration in the light chemical and machine-building industries. TITR's potential appeals to both regional and non-regional investors," the ambassador said.

Atamoglanov expressed optimism that this meeting will prove beneficial.

"Today marks Kazakhstan's President's visit to Azerbaijan, which is significant for Azerbaijan. This visit is expected to strengthen our relations and open up new avenues for collaboration. As allies and strategic partners, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have witnessed the expansion of bilateral cooperation in many areas. Mutual visits act as a strong impetus for improvement," he said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan will work to ensure that the third meeting of the Kazakh-Azerbaijani Business Council is held with the presence of both countries' presidents, said Executive Director of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev during the second session of the Kazakh-Azerbaijani Business Council in Baku, Trend reports.

According to him, there is significant potential for expanding bilateral cooperation, and it is critical to invite enterprises of all sizes from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to collaborate.

"I believe that legal registration would allow the business council to strengthen its influence in both nations. Azerbaijan has such a practice," Abdullayev emphasized.

The AZPROMO official confirmed his decision to attend the business forum in Kazakhstan scheduled for June 13-14.

The first meeting of the Kazakh-Azerbaijani Business Council was held in August 2022 in Astana.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. One of the objectives of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IRIA) for 2024 is to establish an identification fund., said Head of the Innovation Ecosystem Department of IRIA under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Yevgeniya Bikmurzina, Trend reports.

She made the statement at a news conference focused on the agency's actions in 2023 and plans for 2024.

"IRIA has outlined the following targets for 2024: establishing an identification fund, establishing a $10 million fund for Azerbaijani founders, concluding 38 investment deals with business angels and venture capital funds, and opening another business angel club," she emphasized.

The Innovation and Digital Development Agency was founded as a public legal organization under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport by a decree issued by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on October 11, 2021.

The Agency of Innovation and Digital Development is committed to coordinating digital transformation activities across the country, developing a local innovation environment, and enhancing the overall ecosystem. The agency's primary focus areas include nuclear science and technology testing, assisting individuals and entities with innovation-driven scientific research and startups, facilitating the adoption of modern technologies, ensuring accessible educational and career opportunities in the ICT sector, and establishing and managing the digital government and society.

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We noticed today's newspaper headline posted to seem ominous . . . By American standards throughout the ages . . . This is just about as wholesome as political discourse gets. Consider: Nothing was torched and no power tools were involved . . . In fact, people even got a bit of exercise.

Again . . . Here's local "reporting" about online content that's not as disturbing as the vast armies of foreigners working to hack their way into the few hundred dollars in your bank account . . . Check-it:



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.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Guests at Johnson County GOP event punch, kick effigy of President Joe Biden A former chair of the Kansas Republican Party is calling for party leaders involved in the event to resign.
Earlier this year Mayor Q & Council passed "Source Of Income" legislation that mandated a ban against metrics used by landlords.

And now . . .

The partisan game of cat & mouse persists with the response legislation downplayed by local media but CLEARLY pushing back against progressive housing policy.

Check-it . . .



"The legislation passed in a 103-33 vote in the state house that would give landlords the power to deny tenants because of government assistance."

"Its called House Bill 2385. If it passes, it will prevent local governments from banning landlords from refusing to lease or rent to someone if they are using federal vouchers, which includes Section 8.

"It would also give private property owners the power to use credit scores, evictions and request criminal records during the application process."



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Canadians should "avoid all travel" to Haiti due to a highly-volatile security situation, according to the Canadian government.

The government updated its travel advice over the weekend, telling residents to avoid all travel to Haiti due to the "threat posed by kidnappings, gang violence and the potential for civil unrest throughout the country."

The government of Haiti, earlier this month, declared a state of emergency in Ouest Department, including in Port-au-Prince, in response to gang violence and the deteriorating security situation.

A curfew is in place in Ouest Department from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m., according to the government website.

"The security situation remains volatile in Haiti. You should consider leaving the country by commercial means if you can do so safely," the warning states.

The Embassy of Canada in Port-au-Prince is closed temporarily to the public due to the unpredictable security situation, the government said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan "Atameken" and the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs' Organizations of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The signing took place during the second meeting of the Azerbaijani-Kazakh Business Council in Baku.

Besides, the event featured speeches and discussions on the development of trade relations between the countries.

The participants noted role of businessmen in strengthening ties between countries, and emphasized the importance of the business council in expanding direct contacts between businessmen, and in the implementation of joint projects.

Then the event continued with bilateral meetings between entrepreneurs.

To note, the first meeting of the Azerbaijani-Kazakh Business Council was held in August 2022 in Astana.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. Azerbaijan's digital development concept aims to form a digital government to ensure quality, prompt, and transparent provision of digital services, data-based decision-making, and improvement of public administration, said Advisor of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IRIA) under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Shahin Aliyev, Trend reports.

He made the statement at a news conference focused on the agency's actions in 2023 and plans for 2024.

"The goals of the country's digital development strategy include building a digital government to provide efficient, timely, and transparent digital services, data-driven decision-making, and improved public administration. The objectives also include improving digital literacy, knowledge, skills, and competencies, optimizing business processes, and promoting more flexible public services through innovation. Furthermore, the emphasis is on building a digital society to ensure social progress and economic growth," he highlighted.

The Innovation and Digital Development Agency was founded as a public legal organization under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport by a decree issued by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on October 11, 2021.

The Agency of Innovation and Digital Development is dedicated to organizing digital transformation efforts around the country, cultivating a local innovation environment, and strengthening the entire ecosystem. The agency's primary focus areas include conducting nuclear science and technology tests, assisting individuals and entities in innovation-driven scientific research and startups, facilitating the adoption of modern technologies, ensuring accessible educational and career opportunities in the ICT sector, and establishing and managing the digital government and society.

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What is Easter Monday? It is a well-known fact that Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is the final day in the Easter weekend before Christians resume their regular work routine. However, there are certain facts about Easter Monday you may not know. For instance, you might be wondering what the true meaning of this day is and what happened on this day.

Two wooden Easter bunnies stand in a front yard in the centre of town, while colourful Easter eggs hang from a shrub. Photo: Hauke-Christian Dittrich

Source: Getty Images

Easter, the holiday surrounding Christ's death and resurrection, is celebrated in Christian communities worldwide. It runs from Good Friday on M 2 until Easter Monday on April 1 this year. Different countries have evolved different Easter traditions, from decorating eggs to flying kites and so on to mark this day.

Origin of Easter Monday

People often wonder about the origin of Easter. Here is the actual history. Easter had begun as a pagan festival that was for celebrating spring, way back before Christianity was formed. The celebration primarily took place in the Northern Hemisphere.

Professor Carole Cusack of the University of Sydney said, "Since pre-historic times, people have celebrated the equinoxes and the solstices as sacred times". He had further added, "The spring equinox is a day where the amount of dark and the amount of daylight is identical.

As an addition to the old pagan festivals, the feast days celebrated in the new church of the Christians were added. This had happened after Jesus' life, during the first few centuries. Like a kind of relief from the savage cold winter, the spring festivals were celebrated.

This scenario had become connected with the belief that Jesus has been brought back from the dead after his crucifixion.

What does the word Easter mean?

The naming of the celebration as "Easter" can be traced back to a pre-Christian goddess's name in England. The only reference to this comes from the writings of the Venerable Bede, a British monk who lived in the late seventh and early eighth century.

Pastry chef Walter Musco prepares an Easter chocolate egg inspired by the painting by Lucio Fontana "Tagli", in his pastry shop Photo: Vincenzo Pinto

Source: Getty Images

According to St. Venerable Bede, the English word "Easter" comes from Eostre, or Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. Another theory is that the English word Easter comes from an older German word for east, which comes from an even older Latin word for dawn.

Other historians claim that the word "Easter" is derived from a Latin phrase, albis. This Latin phrase was understood as the plural of alba ("dawn") and became eostarum in Old High German, a precursor to today's English language.

It is essential to point out that while the name "Easter" is used in the English-speaking world, many more cultures refer to it by terms best translated as the Jewish festival of Passover. What is Monday after Easter called? Currently, there are a lot of names for Easter Monday, such as Wet Monday, Renewal Monday, Dyngus Day and Bright Monday.

Significance of Easter Monday

What happened to Jesus on Easter Monday? Easter Monday also holds religious significance just like Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Christians believe Jesus Christ returned to earth on Easter Monday, after resurrecting from the grave on Easter Sunday.

Garlands with Easter eggs hang from a tree in the city centre in spring-like weather Photo: Moritz Frankenberg

Source: Getty Images

Jesus is believed to have stayed for 40 days, appearing to believers and giving ministry. After the end of the 40 days, Jesus ascended to heaven.

Who celebrates Easter Monday?

Many Christian groups observe this day. However, it is considered primary for the Roman Catholic traditions and the Eastern Orthodox. Easter Monday is the day that marks the beginning of Bright Week, which is for the Eastern Orthodox and Easter Week for the Roman Catholic. People send Easter Monday messages to their friends and families scattered all around.

However, different cultures are known to celebrate Easter in different ways. Some cultures take Easter Monday as only a solemn remembrance of the death of Christ and the resurrection that is marked by a procession.

People of some cultures celebrate the day with Easter eggs and Easter bunny. In some cultures, spouses and siblings start their day by pouring buckets of water over their partners; this is where the name 'Wet Monday' comes from. A polka festival and a large gathering can also be a form of celebrating a happy Easter Monday.

How is Orthodox Easter celebrated?

Many Orthodox churches around the world observe Easter Monday, which is the day after the Orthodox Easter Sunday. This day, the Eastern Orthodox Church is called "Bright Monday" or "Renewal Monday". For the Orthodox faithful, it is a reflection of the events that occurred during Holy Week.

This is a much more relaxed day when people can wind down or prepare to resume their work or study schedules. It is a day to finish leftover Easter meals that were not eaten the day before. The Orthodox Christians also hold liturgies on this day. These liturgies usually involve a gospel reading, sprinkling of holy water by priests, bell ringing, and so much more.

Do Jewish people celebrate Easter?

Although a holiday of high religious significance in the Christian faith, you will be surprised to know that the Messianic Jews do not celebrate this day. The Jews do not recognize the divinity of Jesus, and he plays no part in their culture or religion.

Colorful Easter eggs hang from a shrub in front of the town sign at the entrance to the community. Photo: Hauke-Christian Dittrich

Source: Getty Images

However, they celebrate the resurrection of Yeshua from the dead as they believe that His resurrection was necessary to salvation. The Messianic Jews celebrate His resurrection on the first day of the Week of Unleavened Bread, commonly called Passover

What is Easter Monday? The next time this question pops up in a discussion forum or Bible trivia session, you will definitely have the best answer to it. As a Kenyan, you can make the most of the day by spending quality time with your family members and loved ones since no religious ceremonies are taking place.

Tuko.co.ke published an article on the difference between Easter Sunday and Easter Monday? If you are a Christian, this should be the question at the back of your mind as Easter sets in. Good Friday is the day when Christians across the globe remember the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. But, what is the significance of the other days in the Easter period?

Easter Sunday was the day when Jesus emerged from the tomb after his crucifixion, proving to His followers that there is life beyond death. On the other hand, Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday. Christians believe the Messiah returned to earth on Easter Monday. It is the last day of the celebration period before people go back to work.

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Belgium has been supplying Ukraine with weapons since the outset of Russias full-scale invasion; this year, its contribution to international military aid will exceed EUR 1 billion.

This was stated by the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, at a press conference in Kyiv, reports the correspondent of Ukrinform.

"First of all, on the military side: Belgium has been one of the first countries, from day 1, to provide you with lethal weapons, and we will continue doing it. In fact, this year, Belgium's contribution on the military side will be more than 1 billion," he said.

De Croo stressed that Belgium has been part of the F-16 coalition since its inception and is training pilots to be able to fly these fighter jets to defend the Ukrainian skies as soon as possible.

The head of the Belgian government added that 1,700 Ukrainian servicemen had already been trained by the Belgian Armed Forces.

"But I leave Kyiv with one big conviction, we have to do more, we have to do it more quickly, and we have to do it in a more efficient way. And many European countries are really looking at all possible solutions to be able to provide you with more ammunition in the short term, we know this is definitely needed, and we will try to come up with solutions within the next days or weeks," the prime minister emphasized.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the Prime Ministers of Italy, Canada, and Belgium  Giorgia Meloni, Justin Trudeau, and Alexander De Croo  as well as President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Kyiv on February 24 in show of solidarity with Ukraine on the second anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion.
Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Solskyi has offered Polish Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Czesaw Siekierski to hold inter-ministerial talks involving the representatives of agricultural associations of the two countries.

The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry, following a meeting between the two ministers, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Solskyi and Siekierski held talks as part of the ninth meeting of the Ukrainian-Polish Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, which is taking place in Lviv today.

Mykola Solskyi offered his counterpart to jointly hold inter-ministerial talks in late March, involving the representatives of corresponding agricultural associations of Poland and Ukraine, the report states.

According to Solskyi, such format of work would help establish constructive relations between Ukrainian and Polish farmers.

A reminder that the ninth meeting of the Ukrainian-Polish Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, co-chaired by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister - Temporarily Occupied Territories Reintegration Minister Iryna Vereshchuk and Polish Economic Development and Technology Minister Krzysztof Hetman, is taking place in Lviv on March 11, 2024.

Polish farmers have been holding protests at the border with Ukraine since February 9, 2024. The protesters demand that Poland ban agricultural imports from Ukraine and withdraw from the European Green Deal.

As of March 11, 2024, freight traffic across five checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Polish border was remaining blocked. About 1,700 trucks were waiting in line.

Photo: Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry
Ukraine officials are recording cases where charter buses heading to or from Poland are being blocked by protesters on the Polish-Ukrainian border. Previously, protesters focused only on freight vehicles.

This was reported on Telegram by the press service of the Ministry of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure, Ukrinform saw.

"The movement of buses from the Polish side is becoming complicated as protesters are deliberately hindering passage of such passenger transport without any explanation," the report reads.

According to Oleksandr Kubrakov, the Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction, Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure, the passengers in international charter buses are mainly women with children, elderly people, those with disabilities, military personnel returning from or going to training, and foreign national traveling in transit.

"The attempt of Polish farmers to make them hostages of protest is unacceptable to the civilized world. We draw the attention of Polish law enforcement agencies to the inadmissibility of such actions and call on them to intervene," Kubrakov said.

As reported, as of March 11, Polish farmers continue to block the Polish-Ukrainian border in five directions. Currently, there are 1,700 freight trucks lined up in queues.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. Over 50 Kazakh companies have applied for work in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from Armenian occupation, said Deputy Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Samir Valiyev during the second session of the Kazakh-Azerbaijani Business Council in Baku, Trend reports.

"The favorable investment climate offers enormous prospects for partnership in the investment industry. Over the last 30 years, the construction of investor-friendly conditions has brought over $300 billion in investments to the Azerbaijani economy, with foreign investors accounting for half of that total. Direct investments from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan total $114 million, while those from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan total $215 million.

More than 200 Kazakh-owned enterprises currently operate in Azerbaijan. Notably, 53 Kazakh enterprises have shown an interest in functioning in the newly liberated areas. We applaud the Kazakh side's eagerness for participation in programs involving the rebuilding and restoration of these sites," he stated.



According to the deputy minister, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have strong fraternal relations that have now advanced to the level of allied contact and are rapidly developing.

"Today marks the start of the official visit of the President of Kazakhstan Kasym-Jomart Tokayev to Azerbaijan. This visit is poised to significantly contribute to the ongoing expansion and fortification of our bilateral ties. Notably, our collaboration extends to the economic sphere, and during the recent meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Astana on March 5, crucial steps were agreed upon to reinforce our economic partnership, duly documented in the meeting minutes. It is worth mentioning that the current trade figures between our countries fall short of the existing potential, indicating substantial untapped opportunities," Valiyev added.

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The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, is convinced that NATO military personnel providing support to Ukraines Army directly on Ukrainian soil would not breach any international norms.

This was reported by Euractiv with reference to the Czech media, Ukrinform saw.

NATO troops could carry out support activities directly on Ukrainian territory as this would not violate any international rules, Czech President Petr Pavel said in an interview for Czech Television.

Pavel's remarks about further support for Ukraine came just a few days after his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently broached the issue of sending Western troops to Ukraine.

According to Pavel, there should be a clear distinction between the deployment of combat units and the possible involvement of troops in certain "support" activities with which NATO already has experience.

It should be remembered that after the annexation of Crimea and the occupation of part of Donbas, which was essentially an aggression, albeit on a much smaller scale than today, a NATO training mission was operating on Ukrainian territory, which at one time included more than 15 countries and numbered around 1,000 people, the former head of NATOs Military Committee, recalled.

From the point of view of international law and the UN Charter, there would be nothing to prevent NATO member states troops  as well as civilians, for example  from assisting in the work in Ukraine, Pavel noted.

Asked whether he would support the involvement of NATO troops in direct support of Ukraine on its territory, Pavel did not say no.

I would certainly not reject a debate on this issue. If we could agree with the allies that, for example, instead of training Ukrainian soldiers on the territory of NATO member states and transporting thousands of troops to, say, Poland or the Czech Republic, it would make much more sense to transport a few dozen instructors to Ukrainian territory and train Ukrainian soldiers there, he said.

He also recalled that after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow declared that anyone providing any assistance to Ukraine would become a legitimate target.

Today, we are not only supplying Ukraine with small arms, we are supplying it with tanks, we may soon supply it with aircraft, we are supplying it with medium-range cruise missiles, and yet there has been no attack on NATO territory. Russia knows full well that this would be a violation of the law of a much greater calibre than what it is doing now, Pavel said, adding that Russia is aware of NATOs strength.

According to Pavel, Western allies should have the courage to defend their activities legally, "because helping to train and maintain equipment in a sovereign country is not combat," he explained.

Last week, at a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, Pavel said Europe should not limit its opportunities to support Ukraine, which is fighting against Russian aggression.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said on February 26 he did not rule out deploying Western troops to Ukraine.

French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said there were currently no plans in the works to send troops to Ukraine, adding that Ukraine's allies may consider launching special training or demining missions on Ukrainian soil.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, called on partners to have their training missions returned the territory of Ukraine, recalling that in 2014-2022, the wide range of such missions were deployed in the country.
Ukraine counts on the active participation of Belgian companies in various reconstruction projects.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said this in a message on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"I am grateful to the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, for his important visit to Ukraine on this day. Ukraine's stability and success today, in particular, depends on the strong support of its partners. Both military and financial. In this context, we discussed financial initiatives with the Prime Minister of Belgium, who currently holds the presidency of the EU Council. We discussed the EUR 1.7 billion Fund for Ukraine created by Belgium, as well as the EUR 50 billion Ukraine Facility program," the statement said.

Shmyhal emphasized the importance of using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's needs.

"During the meeting, we discussed the development of a confiscation mechanism. Alexander De Croo will cooperate with the G7 countries in this area. We have to make Russia pay. Belgium is also providing significant assistance in the restoration of our country. We look forward to the active participation of Belgian companies in various reconstruction projects. We discussed steps to strengthen our defense capabilities. We appreciate the support for Ukraine's European integration aspirations," the Prime Minister said.

As reported, the Prime Ministers of Italy, Canada and Belgium, George Meloni, Justin Trudeau, Alexander De Croo, as well as the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Kyiv on February 24 to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine on the second anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Photo: Denys Shmyhal/Telegram
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, Azernews 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. South Korea is interested in increasing imports from Azerbaijan, chairman of the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) Kim Byung Kwan told reporters during the event dedicated to the visit of a purchasing mission from South Korea to Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"I am heading the KOIMA delegation and really hope to expand the exports of Azerbaijani products to Korea. I believe that my delegation will do its best to stimulate imports of products made in Azerbaijan," he emphasized.

He noted that he expects many Azerbaijani exporters to take part in the Korea Import Expo from July 4-6.

"This will strengthen relations between Korean importers and Azerbaijani exporters. I believe economic and business ties between our countries will expand," he added.

To note, Yusif Abdullayev, executive director of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), stated at the event that trade turnover between Azerbaijan and South Korea last year amounted to about $430 million.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. The Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan aims to finalize a public-private partnership (PPP) this year for a pilot project in Sumgayit, focusing on the desalination of seawater at a specialized installation to produce drinking water, Trend reports, referring to the ministry.

"Improving the use of water resources, increasing the availability of drinking water to the population, and incorporating innovative technology in this area are critical for Azerbaijan's socioeconomic development.

The Ministry of Economy has organized a Working Group made up of officials from key ministries and consultants to carry out the head of state's directive to launch a pilot project for desalinating sea water to produce drinking water. This group successfully completed the first step of competitive selection for the implementation of this crucial project, demanding global expertise in the technical, financial, and legal realms," the press release said.

The first round of the competition, which began on February 8 of this year, focused on obtaining investors for the design, construction, financing, and operation of a facility dedicated to generating drinking water by saltwater desalination under a public-private partnership framework.



This stage involved eight firms, with five picked after a qualification assessment. The Ministry of Economy has since supplied this chosen group with a set of terms and conditions for the next round of competition.

"In the subsequent phase, companies are required to develop and submit proposals by July 1, 2024, following which the Working Group will assess these submissions for the implementation of the pilot project. Following the evaluation of project proposals, the competition winner will be announced, and a public-private partnership agreement will be formalized with the selected entity," the ministry said.

The proposals from bidders should consider factors such as water quality, infrastructure condition, and ecological considerations.

"The projected water desalination facility in Sumgayit is designed to have an annual production capacity of 100 million cubic meters," the report said.

The Ministry of Economy emphasized that, considering the requirements of the population and the economy, along with the outcomes of the country's water forecasts, the demand for drinking water is expected to rise in the upcoming years.

"Several countries worldwide are undertaking projects to produce drinking water through the desalination of seawater. Factors such as global warming, inefficient water resource utilization, and growing droughts globally have driven the extensive adoption of desalination plants for drinking water production. Many countries are executing these projects through a public-private partnership model, a trend particularly prevalent in Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel. Azerbaijan is considering global experiences in this regard," the press release says.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. Amid the global chaos, wars, and conflicts, having genuine strategic partners takes center stage. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan stand out as a prime example, demonstrating a truly friendly bond between the two nations.

The leaders of both countries reinforce their close ties through consistent contacts and visits. The upcoming visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Azerbaijan on March 11 is poised to be another pivotal move in advancing collaborative efforts across various domains.

Kazakhstan, standing by Azerbaijan in its endeavors to restore territories freed from Armenian occupation, has already pitched in with a pivotal project. President Tokayev's upcoming visit will mark the grand opening of this initiative - the Kurmangazy creativity center for children in the city of Fuzuli. Fostering cultural connections between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan has consistently been a cornerstone of the multifaceted cooperation. This particular project is set to forge stronger bonds between two nations tied together by a shared Turkic legacy.

Over the past few years, Baku and Astana have taken their economic partnership to a whole new level. In 2023, the trade between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan reached a total of $529.4 million, marking a significant 14.2-percent increase compared to the same period in 2022, which stood at $463.3 million. Since 2020, the trade between the two countries has seen an almost fivefold increase, skyrocketing from $109 million. The Kazakh side emphasizes that Azerbaijan's market is a major focal point for exporting processed goods from the country. Astana is all set to deliver over 100 non-raw commodity items to Azerbaijan, totaling around $300 million.

A major aspect of this collaboration revolves around the shipment of Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan, destined for further transport to Europe. In 2023, Kazakhstan moved a substantial 1.39 million tons of oil through Baku, with all this oil coursing through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline.

Furthermore, back in 2022, Azerbaijan proposed the idea to Kazakhstan of tapping into the Baku-Supsa pipeline, reserving a stake of up to 1.5 million tons in the pipeline. Presently, Kazakhstan is weighing the option of making use of the Baku-Supsa pipeline. Both Baku and Astana stay in the loop on this matter, and both sides are keen on exploring avenues to boost the transit of Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan.

Additionally, Azerbaijan serves as a crucial transit hub for Kazakhstan's uranium exports to Europe. Given that Central Asia boasts some of the world's largest uranium deposits and is keen on expanding its production and processing capabilities for this resource, coupled with the renewed interest in nuclear power development by several European countries, Azerbaijan plays a pivotal role in facilitating supply routes, ensuring mutual benefits for both sides.

Azerbaijan is now in the league of the top 15 significant investors in the Kazakh economy. In the latest business mission of Kazakh entrepreneurs to Azerbaijan, 8 contracts totaling $55 million were inked. In addition to the thriving Turkic Investment Fund, which has been operating successfully since May 2023 with an initial capital of $500 million and includes both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan as members, there are also discussions about ramping up investment in a bilateral format. Currently, talks are ongoing about the potential formation of a Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan Investment Fund between Samruk-Kazyna, the National Welfare Fund, and the Azerbaijani Investment Holding. One key goal for the future fund is to foster the development of port infrastructure on the both sides of the Caspian.

Here, it is important to highlight one of the most crucial projects, a cornerstone in the collaboration not just between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan but also bridging the East and the West  the Middle Corridor. In this context, both Baku and Astana play pivotal roles, serving as the primary architects on opposite sides of the Caspian Sea.

To enhance cargo transportation volumes via the route, the railway organizations of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and also Georgia established a joint venture called Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd., streamlining services in a single-window format. The route is set to leverage state-of-the-art digital technologies, and in pursuit of this, the Kazakh side has partnered with the transnational Singaporean company PSA, which developed the blueprint for a seamless digital corridor. It is worth noting that our European partners are just as keen on growing this transportation route. In fact, they have recently backed it up with 10 billion euros for infrastructure development along the Middle Corridor.

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan kicked off a solid friendship ages ago, laying the groundwork for a long-lasting system that is still going strong. Despite facing hurdles, both countries stuck together, and their partnership has only leveled up. All of this would not have been possible without the dedication and focus that President Ilham Aliyev and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev personally poured into developing these relations. The significant strides taken by the leaders of both nations in recent years have not only shaped the bilateral landscape but also propelled key initiatives throughout the broader region. Sure, considerable untappedpotential is still waiting to be uncovered in the future. Looking back at the history of the both nations, it is pretty clear  Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are on track to keep the cooperation alive, with the stage set for even bigger things ahead.
In a move that has stirred controversy and debate, New College of Florida recently announced the appointment of Dr. Bruce Gilley as a Presidential Scholar in Residence. Dr. Gilley's past advocacy for colonialism has sparked discussions both within and outside academic circles.

The Backdrop of Conservative Overhaul

The hiring of Dr. Gilley comes amidst a broader wave of conservative changes at New College of Florida, driven by the influence of Governor Ron DeSantis's appointed trustees. These changes have prompted concerns about the direction of the institution and its implications for academic freedom and diversity.

The decision to bring Dr. Gilley on board has ignited a fierce debate about the limits of academic freedom and the responsibility of educational institutions to uphold diverse perspectives. While some argue that Dr. Gilley's views should be welcomed as part of an open exchange of ideas, others contend that his defense of colonialism is deeply troubling and incompatible with the values of inclusivity and tolerance.

READ ALSO: University of Florida Closes All DEI Positions To Abide by State Law

Controversy and Criticism

Critics of Dr. Gilley's appointment point to the troubling implications of his past writings, particularly his advocacy for the return of colonial governance in certain regions. They argue that such views are not only historically inaccurate but also perpetuate harmful narratives of domination and oppression.

Furthermore, opponents of Dr. Gilley's appointment express concern about the message it sends to marginalized communities on campus. They worry that welcoming a scholar who defends colonialism could alienate students and faculty members who have been historically marginalized by colonial practices.

However, supporters of Dr. Gilley's appointment defend it as a necessary step towards promoting intellectual diversity and freedom of expression. They argue that academic institutions have a responsibility to engage with challenging ideas, even if they are controversial or unpopular.

Looking Ahead

As Dr. Gilley assumes his role at New College of Florida, the campus community braces for continued debate and discussion surrounding his presence. The controversy surrounding his appointment underscores broader tensions within academia regarding the boundaries of academic freedom and the responsibility of institutions to foster inclusive environments.

Moving forward, New College will face important decisions about how to navigate the competing interests at play. Balancing the principles of academic freedom with the need to promote diversity and inclusion will be crucial as the institution seeks to maintain its reputation as a center for rigorous scholarship and intellectual inquiry.

The hiring of Dr. Bruce Gilley at New College of Florida has reignited debates about academic freedom, diversity, and the role of controversial scholarship in higher education. As the campus community grapples with these issues, it must confront the complexities of balancing competing values and priorities while upholding its commitment to fostering open dialogue and critical inquiry.

RELATED ARTICLE: Indiana Bill Threatens Academic Freedom by Linking Tenure and Diversity to "Intellectual Diversity" Standards
The Kansas House Committee on Higher Education Budget approved a bill Thursday that would charge public colleges and universities up to $10,000 in penalties if they were to require prospective students or employees to pledge allegiance to what the bill called the political ideologies of diversity, equity [and] inclusion.

This legislationHouse Bill 2460was approved along party lines, igniting debates about academic freedom and the role of diversity initiatives in educational institutions. It adds Kansas to a growing list of states where lawmakers are trying to end the use of so-called DEI litmus tests in recruiting and hiring faculty members or admitting students.

Key Provisions and Amendments

The bill underwent several amendments in the committee meeting, reflecting both support and criticism from lawmakers. Key provisions include reducing the penalty from $100,000 to $10,000 per instance of using a diversity requirement and giving an institution multiple opportunities to correct its wrong before being fined.

Representative Steven Howe, the Republican who sponsored the bill and chairs the committee, clarified that the intention was not punitive but aimed at addressing what he deemed a discriminatory practice. He emphasized that while the bill discourages mandatory allegiance to DEI principles, it does not seek to eliminate DEI programs entirely. The bill also exempts staff directly engaged in DEI programming and ensures that discussions about diversity remain unrestricted in the classroom.

This nuanced approach attempts to balance concerns about potential discrimination against political ideology with the importance of fostering inclusive environments on college campuses.

READ ALSO: Republicans Attack DEI Practices in Public Colleges and Medical Schools In Congressional Hearing

Political Response and Debate

Introduced last year after Governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat, vetoed a budget directive with similar aims, the bill has sparked partisan debates. While Republicans argue for protecting individual rights and preventing ideological discrimination, Democrats express concerns about undermining efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.

One of three Democrats who voted against the bill, Representative Tom Sawyer, proposed an amendment to limit its scope to discrimination based solely on political ideology, removing references to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Sawyer highlighted the universal values of equity and inclusivity while acknowledging the sensitivity surrounding political beliefs.

However, the amendment failed, underscoring the polarizing nature of the issue and the complex considerations involved in crafting legislation that balances competing interests.

Future Implications and Uncertainties

As the bill moves to a vote before the full House, its prospects for becoming law remain uncertain. If passed, it could have far-reaching implications for higher education institutions in Kansas and potentially set a precedent for similar legislative actions in other states.

The debate surrounding HB 2460 reflects broader societal tensions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, highlighting the ongoing struggle to reconcile competing values and priorities in contemporary discourse. As lawmakers and stakeholders continue to grapple with these complex issues, the outcome of this bill will shape the landscape of academic freedom and diversity initiatives in Kansas and beyond.

RELATED ARTICLE: University of Florida Closes All DEI Positions To Abide by State Law
Senate Democrats are intensifying their efforts to address a critical flaw in the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), pressing the Education Department for a permanent fix. The issue stems from a requirement that prevents some students from completing the form if their parents lack a Social Security number.

Persistent Concerns Over Temporary Measures

Despite the Education Department's introduction of a temporary workaround to assist affected students, senators argue that a lasting solution is urgently needed. While they acknowledge the department's interim efforts, they stress the importance of a permanent fix to ensure equitable access to financial aid for all eligible students, irrespective of their parents' immigration status or documentation.

The temporary measures, while providing short-term relief, are viewed as insufficient to address the underlying issue effectively. Senators are concerned that without a permanent solution, students from marginalized communities may face ongoing barriers in accessing essential financial aid resources.

READ ALSO: Education Department Offers Temporary Fix for FAFSA Glitch Affecting Students Without SSNs

Bipartisan Pressure and Call for Clarity

The letter sent by Senate Democrats reflects bipartisan pressure on the Education Department to rectify the FAFSA issue promptly. Both Democrats and Republicans have criticized the department over the flawed rollout of the revised FAFSA.

In their correspondence, senators seek clarity on various aspects of the department's plans, including the timeline for implementing a permanent solution, communication strategies to inform students, and resources allocated to assist families in completing the application. The bipartisan effort underscores the urgency of addressing systemic challenges in the federal student aid application process.

Urgent Need for Resolution

The senators highlight the frustration and confusion experienced by students, parents, and financial aid officers nationwide due to the FAFSA glitch. They emphasize concerns about misinformation, long wait times at call centers, and significant barriers to access. Without clear guidance from the Education Department, students risk missing out on crucial financial aid opportunities necessary for financing their higher education.

Moving forward, stakeholders will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for solutions that prioritize accessibility, fairness, and transparency in the financial aid application process. The bipartisan call for action underscores the importance of effective communication and timely solutions to support students' educational pursuits.

In response to the senators' letter, the Education Department has pledged to provide additional information and updates on its efforts to address the FAFSA issue. However, concerns persist about the potential impact of delays and uncertainties on students' ability to plan for and afford their college education.

As discussions continue, stakeholders remain committed to advocating for measures that address the root causes of inequities in the financial aid system. By prioritizing accessibility and fairness, policymakers and education officials aim to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to pursue their educational goals.

RELATED ARTICLE: Glitches in New FAFSA Form Pose Barriers for Undocumented Students and Families
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Monday decided to include seminaries (Deeni Madaris) in the project regarding solarization of mosques and worship places in the province

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2024) Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Monday decided to include seminaries (Deeni Madaris) in the project regarding solarization of mosques and worship places in the province.

He directed the authorities concerned to take necessary steps for this purpose and to ensure that all the registered seminaries of settled and merged districts are included in the solarization project.

It is inevitable to convert these seminaries to solar energy for facilitating thousands of students studying and residing there. Under this initiative, solarization of 1000 to 1500 seminaries would be carried out across the province.

He was presiding over a meeting of Energy & Power Department held here at Chief Ministers House.

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Amjad Ali Khan, Secretary Energy & Power Nisar Ahmad and other officials concerned attended the meeting. The meeting was briefed in details about the development projects, administrative and financial affairs and other related matters of the department.

The chief minister has directed the quarters concerned to ensure appointment of Chief Executive Officer and Executive Committee Members of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) as soon as possible.

He termed the timely completion of ongoing Hydel Power Development Projects as of vital importance and directed the authorities concerned to ensure that the projects are completed within the stipulated timelines.

He further directed them to fix the priorities in this regard and added that revenue generating projects be funded on priority basis.

Meanwhile, chairing a meeting of the Local Government Department, the Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to release special funds for the payment of salaries and pensions to the employees of financially weak Tehsil Municipal Administrations.

He directed them to immediately release Rs. 1.5 billion for the purpose, adding that all those employees should be provided with two months salary and pension, so they do not face any kind of financial problem during the month of holy Ramazan and on upcoming Eid-ul-Fitre as well.

He said that the TMAs have been suffering from the issue of salaries and pensions for the last several months, due to which employees are faced with severe financial problems.

The chief minister on this occasion, was also briefed and details about the administrative and financial matters of the department and development projects with special focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cities Improvement Project. Provincial Minister for Local Government Arshad Ayub, Secretary Local Government Dawood Khan and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

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KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2024) The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) Karachi Police conducted an operation near Super Highway Toll Plaza, apprehending a drug trafficking gang of 5 members.

The gang comprises one man and four women, according to the SSP SIU on Monday.

The arrested drug traffickers are identified as Arshad Hussain, Saima wife of Tariq, Nasima wife of Muhammad Ali, Rashida wife of Inayat Hussain, and Safiya wife of Shahid.

From the arrested drug trafficking gang, 22 kilograms and 770 grams of hashish were seized.

The apprehended suspects are linked to an inter-provincial drug trafficking gang operating in Sindh and Balochistan.

During the initial investigation, the suspects revealed that they used to transport drugs from Quetta and Gwadar to Karachi, where they would sell them in Karachi, Thatta, Gharo, and other areas.

The apprehended gang was in the process of drug transportation when the SIU conducted the operation based on actionable intelligence, leading to their arrest.

A case has been registered against the suspects at the SIU Police Station for drug trafficking. Further investigation is ongoing.
BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2024) China attaches high importance to promote its relations with Pakistan and stands ready to jointly work to carry forward traditional friendship and advance practical cooperation between the two countries, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

"We send our warm congratulations to Mr. Zardari on assumption as president," Wang Wenbin said in his regular briefing while commenting on oath-taking of Asif Ali Zardari as President of Pakistan.

The spokesperson remarked that President Xi Jinping has already sent a congratulatory message to President Zardari on his oath-taking as the 14th President of Pakistan.

He reiterated that China attached high importance to promote its relations with Pakistan and stands ready to work with Pakistan to carry forward traditional friendship, advance practical cooperation in various fields and upgrade China Pakistan All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership to building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

On March 10, Asif Ali Zardari, the Co-Chairman of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), took oath for the second time as the president after securing majority in the presidential elections held on March 9.

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Sion, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2024) Five of six cross-country skiers who went missing in the Swiss Alps over the weekend have been found dead, police said Monday, with the search still on for the last person.

The group of skiers, aged 21 to 58 and including five members of the same family, left the luxury ski resort town of Zermatt Saturday with the goal of reaching the tiny village of Arolla later that day, but never arrived.

As a storm set in, the skiers went missing in the vicinity of the Tete-Blanche mountain, at an altitude of over 3,500 metres (11,480 feet) above sea level.

The weather conditions were "catastrophic", with freezing temperatures and a significant avalanche risk, Christian Varone, head of Wallis cantonal police told reporters.

A person who had gone to pick up the group in Arolla sounded the alarm shortly after 4 pm (1500 GMT) on Saturday.

An hour later, a member of the missing group managed to reach the rescue services by mobile phone, allowing them to pinpoint where to search for the skiers.

Varone said rescue workers had pulled out all the stops to try to reach them, but that the dire weather conditions had long prevented helicopters and teams of expert skiers and mountaineers from reaching the area.

"We were trying the impossible," he said, adding that the mission had pushed its efforts "to the extreme, extreme limit", but were forced to turn around to avoid "seriously endangering the lives of the rescue workers".

"Sometimes you have to bow before nature."

On Sunday, a team consisting of two rescue workers, a doctor and a mountain police officer, was finally able to be dropped off by helicopter nearby, police said.

"At around 9:20 pm, it reached the Tete Blanche sector, where it discovered the bodies of five of the six people who were missing," it said in a statement.

The search is meanwhile continuing for the last member of the group.

"As long as there is hope we will keep going... while remaining realistic in view of the conditions this person has been in for the past 48 hours," Varone said.

Police have yet to reveal the identities of those involved, only saying that the five family members were from Wallis canton and the sixth person from the canton of Fribourg.

Wallis lead prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud told reporters that an investigation had been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2024) President Emmanuel Macron on Monday faced criticism from French medical workers and the Catholic Church over a draft bill his government plans to present to parliament in May that would allow assisted dying for certain terminally-ill patients.

The centrist leader announced the plan to submit the bill in newspaper interviews published on Sunday, insisting there would be "strict conditions" on allowing people to self-administer a lethal substance, or call on a relative or medical worker if they are incapable.

The move comes after France's parliament last week enshrined the right to abortion in the constitution, a widely-popular move championed by the president and a world first.

"There are cases we can't humanly accept," Macron told Catholic newspaper La Croix and left-wing Liberation, saying the "brotherly" law "looks death in the face".

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal wrote on X that the bill would be presented to the French parliament from May 27. "Death can no longer be a taboo issue and subject to silence," he added.

But several health workers' groups declared their "consternation, anger and sadness" at the plan.

Macron "has with great violence announced a system far removed from patients' needs and health workers' daily reality, which could have grave consequences on the care relationship," the associations for palliative care, cancer support and specialist nurses said in a joint statement.

Accusing the government of aiming to save money with the plan, they said that greater resources for palliative care, rather than assisted dying, would fulfil patients' demands to "die with dignity".

At present, French law allows for "deep and continuous sedation" of patients who would otherwise endure great suffering and with a short life expectancy.

But updating the rules was one of Macron's presidential campaign promises, and he gathered an assembly of randomly-selected citizens to deliberate.

They issued a non-binding decision in 2023 that assisted dying should be allowed under certain conditions.

The draft law he has now proposed would open assisted dying to adults "fully capable of discernment" -- ruling out psychiatric and Alzheimer's patients, for example.

They would have to be suffering from an "incurable" condition likely to be fatal in the "short or medium term", causing suffering that is "resistant to treatment".

Patients' request for assisted dying would be ruled on by their medical team within two weeks. If approved, they would get a prescription for a lethal substance that could be self-administered.

People suffering from certain conditions, such as motor neurone disease, would be able to nominate someone to administer the lethal dose or get help from a health worker.

Beyond assisted dying, the law would also pump a billion Euros ($1.1 billion) into palliative care over 10 years, Macron told the newspapers, also vowing to open 21 new centres in under-served areas.

"France is finally emerging from the dilly-dallying of the last few months," the Association for the Right to Die in Dignity (ADMD) said in a statement.

The group hailed the "relatively precise timetable" for the law to come before parliament.

But ADMD also objected to some provisions, such as the choice to rule out requests in advance from Alzheimer's sufferers.

"I hope (the law) will allow us to find what we wish for when we're close to the end, which is calm," assisted dying campaigner Loic Resibois, who suffers from motor neurone disease, told broadcaster France Inter.

"Knowing that French law will finally allow us to avoid a situation where we're not yet dead, but not really alive any more, is very important," he added.

Meanwhile France's Catholic bishops categorically rejected the bill.

"A law like this, whatever its aim, will bend our whole health system towards death as a solution," bishops' conference chief Eric de Moulins-Beaufort told La Croix.

Macron was offering "a perfectly wrapped up text on what he calls 'assisted dying', but on palliative care it's vague promises with very rough numbers," he added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. An official welcome ceremony has been held for President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev who arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan for a state visit, Trend reports.

A guard of honor was arranged for the Kazakh President in the square decorated with the national flags of the two countries.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to the Kazakh President.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev saluted the Azerbaijani soldiers.

The heads of state reviewed the guard of honor.

The state anthems of the Republics of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan were played.

The delegation of Azerbaijan was introduced to the President of Kazakhstan, while the delegation of Kazakhstan was introduced to the President of Azerbaijan.

The guard of honor marched in front of the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the accompaniment of a military march.

The presidents posed for official photos.
Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2024) The latest violence in Haiti underscores the powerful sway of armed gangs, which have profited from collusion with the authorities, institutional negligence and political chaos since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.

The gangs sowing terror in the impoverished Caribbean island have morphed into de facto overlords. Now they are demanding the ouster of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, whose successor would have been sworn in on February 7 if elections scheduled for 2023 had taken place.

Here is a look at the chokehold the gangs have on this country of 11 million inhabitants.

- How did gangs grow so powerful? -

Gangs have existed in Haiti for decades, and have been particularly active since the mid-1990s, when the government disbanded the army, fearing military coups.

But a tipping point came in 2018, experts say, when the government turned to the gangs to quell a vast popular uprising demanding political change and an end to corruption.

Subsequent massacres by the gangs revealed their "instrumentation by the powers that be," Frederic Thomas, a researcher at the Tricontinental Centre (CETRI) in Belgium, told AFP.

Haiti has become a "narco-state," said Jean-Marie Theodat, a geographer at the Pantheon-Sorbonne University in Paris. He believes Henry has been "objectively complicit in the takeover of the country by bandits" like influential gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, a former policeman who took the lead in the latest violence.

- Why can't they be controlled? -

For Theodat, "'Barbecue' is a Frankenstein who has broken free from his master."

He said the gangs have become more powerful than the country's political and security institutions, becoming "autonomous" power centers.

Armed with weapons often smuggled from the United States, gangs have proliferated, thriving on drug trafficking, racketeering, kidnapping and extortion.

They now exercise control over 80 percent of capital city Port-au-Prince, and their nearly unchecked criminality led to "the collapse of public institutions, culminating in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise."

- What do gangs want? -

"Even if Jimmy Cherizier uses political -- even revolutionary -- rhetoric, (the gangs) don't have a political or social plan," Thomas said.

"What interests them is power and territorial control."

They have no interest in "legitimate power" under an institutional framework, he said.

The gangs want Henry gone but that doesn't mean someone like "Barbecue" aspires to political office, Theodat said.

Rather, the gangs want to ensure their domination while continuing to profit from their lucrative illegal activities.

- What alternatives exist? -

In the long term, Haiti needs to mobilize more young people, particularly through conscription, to strengthen the police and armed forces, Theodat said.

On the political front, Henry's return would be "another step into chaos -- a total denial of the disorder caused by his usurpation" of power, he said, adding that Haitians ought to be able to choose their own leaders.

But "the government doesn't want to make any concessions," Pierre Esperance, executive director of the Haitian National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), told AFP.

"The international community can help and facilitate a political agreement," Esperance said, while adding that it should listen more closely to civil society and end its support for a government that has led the nation into gang hands.

- What is the global response? -

Both the United Nations and the United States support a multinational mission led by Kenya to combat the gangs, while calling for an urgent political transition.

But Washington continues to back a "very unpopular" political class, strengthening it to fight the very gangs it relies on, which is "completely contradictory," Thomas said.

For Theodat, "any foreign mission that can help us deal with these bandits is welcome," but it must "inspire confidence."

"The Haitian people have not really chosen the hand that will come to their aid," he said, noting that Kenya has "no experience" in the Caribbean.

And, he added, "what can a thousand Kenyan policemen, even aided by a few hundred soldiers from other countries, do against thousands of gangsters armed to the teeth?"
Ukraine on Sunday angrily rejected 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"

Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2024) Ukraine on Sunday angrily rejected 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 row over his comments came as officials in Ukraine said Russian shelling in the east had killed three people Sunday. A strike on a residential building in the eastern town of Myrnograd wounded a dozen more people, said Kyiv.

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.

The pope's comments this weekend 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.

"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 conducted in early February and broadcast on Saturday.

- WWII comparisons -

Ukrainian officials compared the statement to some of the Catholic church collaborating with Nazi Germany 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, calling on the Holy See to "avoid repeating the mistakes of the past".

Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican, Andrii Yurash, went further, 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 aired, Francis offered fresh prayers for "martyred Ukraine", as Vatican officials said his call was simply intended to end fierce fighting.

But in his evening address Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed Ukraine's criticism.

Ukrainians of all faiths stood up to defend their country when Russia invaded, he said.

"Christians, Muslims, Jews -- everyone... They support us with prayer, conversation, and deeds.

"This is what the church is -- with 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."

- Kyiv hopes Francis will visit -

Some Western diplomats joined the criticism.

"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.

Later Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron's office said he would visit Ukraine "in the coming weeks", after a telephone call with Zelensky to "rapidly" pursue international munitions and aid efforts for Kyiv.

Macron raised eyebrows late last month by refusing to rule out the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine, a proposal widely denounced by US and European allies.

In Ukraine itself, officials reported the latest deaths.

"Three people died as a result of today's shelling in the Donetsk region," said the head of the embattled region, Vadym Filashkin, 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. Myrnograd lies in the Donetsk region around 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the frontline with Russian forces.

Kyiv also said it had shot down more than two dozen Iranian-made Shahed attack drones launched by Russia across central and southern regions, including the Kyiv region.

Russia on Sunday said Ukrainian shelling killed a woman in the border village of Kulbaki, 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.
Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Mar, 2024) Ukraine on Monday summoned the Vatican's envoy to Kyiv after Pope Francis suggested the country should consider raising "the white flag" against Russia, causing fury in Kyiv.

Ukraine has angrily rejected Pope Francis's suggestion to negotiate with Russia two years after its invasion, vowing "never" to surrender to Moscow.

"Due to the statements of Pope Francis the Apostolic Nuncio was invited to the ministry of foreign affairs of Ukraine," the ministry said on social media, using the term for a Vatican diplomat.

It added that the envoy, Visvaldas Kulbodas, was told Kyiv was "disappointed with the words of the Pontiff regarding the 'white flag'."

The ministry said the Catholic leader's words "encourage them (Russia) to further disregard international law.

"

"The head of the Holy See should have sent signals to the international community about the need to immediately unite forces to ensure the victory of good over evil, as well as appealed to the attacker, not the victim," it added.

The 87-year-old pontiff had said in an interview aired over the weekend: "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."

The comments fuelled anger in Kyiv -- not the first time the country has been angered by the Pope's comments during Russia's two-year invasion.
(@FahadShabbir)

Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2024) A sensational story about the Israeli prime minister's "psychiatrist" exploded online, but it was AI-generated, originating on one of hundreds of websites researchers warn are churning out tech-enabled fiction masquerading as news.

Propaganda-spewing websites have typically relied on armies of writers, but generative artificial intelligence tools now offer a significantly cheaper and faster way to fabricate content that is often hard to decipher from authentic information.

Hundreds of AI-powered sites mimicking news outlets have cropped up in recent months, fueling an explosion of false narratives -- about everything from war to politicians -- that researchers say is stoking alarm in a year of high-stake elections around the world.

"Israeli Prime Minister's psychiatrist commits suicide," still tops the list of "popular articles" highlighted on Global Village Space, a Pakistani digital outlet, after it made an online splash in November with baseless claims about a suicide note blaming Netanyahu.

A "substantial portion" of the site's content, including this article, appears to be scraped from mainstream sources using AI tools, according to an analysis by NewsGuard, a US-based research organization that tracks misinformation.

After scanning the site for error messages specific to content produced by AI chatbots, NewsGuard said it found significant similarities between the yarn about Netanyahu's "psychiatrist" to a fictitious 2010 article on a satirical website.

NewsGuard analyst McKenzie Sadeghi said when she prompted ChatGPT, from Microsoft-backed OpenAI, to rewrite the original article for a general news audience, the result was "very similar" to the article on Global Village Space.

"The exponential growth in AI-generated news and information sources is alarming because these sites can be perceived by the average user as legitimate, trustworthy sources of information," Sadeghi told AFP.
USMs Tuuri Takes Reins as President of Mississippi Historical Society

Mon, 03/11/2024 - 03:50pm | By: David Tisdale

Outgoing Mississippi Historical Society President Will Bowlin passes the gavel to Dr. Rebecca Tuuri, who will lead the organization for the next year (submitted photo).

Dr. Rebecca Tuuri, associate professor of history and interim associate dean of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Honors College, was introduced as president of the Mississippi Historical Society (MHS) at the organizations annual meeting in February. She will serve in the post through March 7, 2025.

According to the MHS website, the organization has for more than a century provided programs and produced books, maps, brochures, and other materials aimed toward the education of the public. MHS also provides annual grants in support of Mississippi History Day for junior high and senior high school students. Its annual meetings feature distinguished speakers, tours of historic sites, and special events.

I'm honored to be the president of this dynamic organization that celebrates local and statewide history projects that uplift a more honest historical narrative that can serve as an inspiration to our state and nation, Dr. Tuuri said.

A member of the USM faculty since 2013, Dr. Tuuri has served the MHS as executive board member since 2018. She is co-director for USMs Center for the Study of the Gulf South and is a faculty affiliate of the Universitys Center for Black Studies and Center for Womens and Gender Studies with expertise in women in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Tuuri has previously served as the Southern regional coordinator for Mississippi History Day - the state level contest for National History Day - which teaches middle and high school students critical thinking, historical research, and writing skills.

Dr. Tuuri is the author of Strategic Sisterhood: The National Council of Negro Women in the Black Freedom Struggle (UNC Press, 2018), which won the 2019 prize for best book in Southern women's history from the Southern Association of Women Historians. She is also the winner of the 2023 Mississippi Humanities Council Humanities Scholar Award and the 2019 USM College of Arts and Sciences Junior Faculty of the Year Award.

Learn more about the MHS. For information about the USM History Program, visit the USM School of Humanities.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. President of Lao People's Democratic Republic Thongloun Sisoulith has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on his confident victory in the presidential election, Trend reports.

Will be updated
Vietnams New Real Estate Business Law

Vietnams new Real Estate Business Law, set to come into force in 2025, enforces stricter regulations on real estate transactions. This includes setting deposit caps, defining property eligibility criteria, and enhancing documentation requirements.

On November 28, 2023, the National Assembly of Vietnam approved the new Law No. 29/2023/QH15 on Real Estate Business. Scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025, the new law will supplant the 2014 Law on Real Estate Business. Its primary aim is to bring clarity and transparency into Vietnams real estate industry.

The new law ushers in a series of provisions that are set to reshape how Vietnam manages real estate transactions. These include: Stricter conditions for off-the-plan real estate sales: Properties must be part of formally approved projects for constructing houses and other structures, ensuring transaction transparency and legality.

Properties must be part of formally approved projects for constructing houses and other structures, ensuring transaction transparency and legality. Clear guidelines on deposit amounts: The maximum deposit for off-the-plan purchases is capped at 5 percent of the purchase price, aiming to safeguard both buyers and sellers and enhance financial transparency.

The maximum deposit for off-the-plan purchases is capped at 5 percent of the purchase price, aiming to safeguard both buyers and sellers and enhance financial transparency. Buyer empowerment regarding bank guarantees: While sellers are still obligated to secure a bank guarantee for off-the-plan projects, the new law empowers buyers to decide whether a specific guarantee for the purchase is necessary, simplifying administrative procedures.

While sellers are still obligated to secure a bank guarantee for off-the-plan projects, the new law empowers buyers to decide whether a specific guarantee for the purchase is necessary, simplifying administrative procedures. Minimum investment requirements for investors: Investors must contribute a minimum of 20 percent of the total capital for projects under 20 hectares of land, and at least 15 percent for larger projects, ensuring financial stability and accountability.

Investors must contribute a minimum of 20 percent of the total capital for projects under 20 hectares of land, and at least 15 percent for larger projects, ensuring financial stability and accountability. Provision for deferred payments: The new law formalizes a provision allowing real estate buyers to defer 5 percent of the total payment until they receive the ownership certificate, offering added flexibility and assurance throughout the transaction process.

These changes collectively aim to mitigate risks and enhance confidence in Vietnams real estate market.

Key changes introduced in the new law

Real estate business scope for foreign-invested enterprises

The new law introduces significant changes that may impact business operations in Vietnam, particularly those of foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs). All FIEs, irrespective of their foreign capital, currently encounter strict limitations on engaging in real estate activities compared to domestic companies. This situation has generally deterred FIEs from participating in real estate investments.

Things are about to change with the new law, which will categorize FIEs into two distinct groups:

FIEs subject to conditions and procedures outlined in the Law on Investment for foreign investors: This group likely comprises companies where foreign investors hold more than 50 percent ownership, directly or through subsidiaries, as defined by Article 23 of the Law on Investment.

This group likely comprises companies where foreign investors hold more than 50 percent ownership, directly or through subsidiaries, as defined by Article 23 of the Law on Investment. Other FIEs falling outside the aforementioned group: This category includes primarily FIEs with 50 percent or less foreign ownership, either directly of through their subsidiaries.

Under the new classification, FIEs with 50 percent or less foreign ownership will now receive similar treatment as domestic entities in matters concerning real estate business. This means they will have fewer restrictions and more opportunities to engage in real estate activities, and shall be subject to the regulations applicable to domestic companies.

Deposits for the sale and lease of properties

The new real estate law introduces, for the first time, regulations regarding deposits for property sales and lease-purchases. Property developers are now restricted to collecting a maximum deposit of 5 percent of the contract price from customers, provided the property meets all trading requirements outlined in the new law. The deposit agreement must detail the contract price and the trading construction floor area in cases of sale or lease-purchase of construction area.

This provision aims to deter developers from raising funds from customers through deposits or reservations for projects ineligible for trading, thus mitigating potential disputes.

Properties and real estate projects eligible for trading

The new law identifies properties in three categories:

Construction works;

Floor area of construction works; and

Land use rights relating to a land with existing technical infrastructure in a real estate projects.

Accordingly, the properties and real estate projects available for trading are:

Residential properties and houses to be formed in the future;

Construction works and construction works to be formed in the future;

The floor area of construction works and construction works to be formed in the future;

Land use rights relating to a land with existing technical infrastructure in a real estate projects; and

Real estate projects.

The new classification of applicable properties suggests that the new law has adopted a more flexible and extended approach to also include mixed-use properties such as condotels or shophouses, which are well available in Vietnams real estate market.

Prohibition of land use rights trading in certain urban class areas

The new law introduces new conditions on land use rights trading for property construction, aligning with the New Housing Law.

Land intended for trading must not be located in special class, class I, class II, or class III urban areas. This expands the circumstances under which land use rights trading is prohibited compared to the current legislation.

Trading of land in other urban classes (class IV and V) is subject to specific conditions set by relevant local authorities.

Eligibility for the market

Prior to the circulation of real estate in the market, the new law mandates the provision of specific information and documents to verify ownership, precise location, project execution capabilities, and financial obligations for each real estate type. This includes off-plan properties, existing apartments, buildings, and infrastructure construction within a real estate project.

To ensure the viability of real estate operations, FIEs must mitigate bankruptcy or insolvency risks, maintain a secure ratio of outstanding loans and bonds to equity, and contribute a minimum investment proportion for each project. Typically, a 20 percent share per project is established as the foundational threshold for each area.

Transfer of real estate projects

In the new law, the term real estate project refers to an investment endeavor associated with construction activities. Real estate project transfers are only mandated when theres actual construction involved; otherwise, the transfer procedure outlined in the new law isnt required.

Moreover, the new regulations enhance the requisite documents for real estate project transfers. These include approval of investment projects, detailed plan approval, completion of compensation and resettlement support, land use rights, absence of project suspension or termination decisions, and fulfillment of administrative sanctions decisions.

In cases where only a portion of the real estate project is transferred, the components or their utilization must be distinct from the remainder of the project in terms of operational autonomy or business objectives.

Additional conditions for organizations engaged in Vietnams real estate business

The new law introduces two additional conditions for organizations involved in real estate activities, which were not part of the 2014 Real Estate Business Law:

Organizations must maintain a balanced ratio of outstanding credit debt and corporate bonds to equity.

Entities engaged in real estate ventures through projects must uphold a minimum equity level of 20 percent of total investment capital for projects covering less than 20 hectares of land, and not less than 15 percent for projects spanning 20 hectares or more. Developers are required to demonstrate their capability to raise capital for project execution. If an organization handles multiple projects simultaneously, it must ensure adequate equity for each project to meet the prescribed ratio.

The primary objective of the first condition is to enhance developers financial resilience, while the second condition reinforces existing regulatory standards, now reiterated in the new law.

Conditions for real estate brokerage

The new law brings significant changes to the landscape of real estate brokerage in Vietnam. Individuals are now mandated to conduct their real estate brokerage activities through licensed entities such as a registered real estate brokerage or an exchange company, rather than operating under their individual names.

Furthermore, the law introduces key stipulations that aim to enhance the standards and accountability within the real estate brokerage industry:

Personnel requirements : The law has revised the minimum number of required brokers from two to one. This adjustment streamlines the operational aspect of real estate agencies while ensuring that they can efficiently provide brokerage services.

: The law has revised the minimum number of required brokers from two to one. This adjustment streamlines the operational aspect of real estate agencies while ensuring that they can efficiently provide brokerage services. Regulatory compliance: Real estate agencies are now obligated to adhere to government regulations and implement specific operational protocols for their services. This includes maintaining both adequate physical infrastructure and up-to-date technical facilities to facilitate smooth transactions and enhance service delivery.

These stringent requirements are poised to elevate the professionalism and transparency of Vietnams real estate brokerage sector. By setting clear standards and enhancing regulatory oversight, the law seeks to instill greater confidence among stakeholders and foster a more robust and trustworthy real estate market.

Conclusion

With the impending enforcement of the new law, a stronger legal framework is poised to shape Vietnams real estate market, offering enhanced protection to customers and potentially catalyzing market growth.
Many prominent U.S. universities made the ACT and SAT admissions tests optional for undergraduate applicants during the pandemic.

Now, Dartmouth is bringing the SAT back, saying it helps build diverse student cohorts.

Read the story from Susan Svrluga in The Washington Post. (February 2024)


A look at childrens lives in Gaza as a ship carrying supplies to build an aid delivery pier in the Mediterranean Sea departs the US. Anger in Ukraine over the Popes choice of words and the US evacuates its embassy in Haiti. Plus an injection that can prevent HIV is rolled out in Zambia.
U.S. President Joe Biden laid out his 2025 government spending priorities on Monday in a $7.3 trillion plan that has little chance of being enacted by the politically divided Congress.

Biden touted the proposal as he traveled to New Hampshire to sell Americans on his plan to increase taxes on the wealthy and to highlight his values and priorities to woo voters in a key swing state.

During a visit to Goffstown, Biden pulled a line from last weeks State of the Union address to show how he is different from his main rival, former President Donald Trump. Speaking Monday at the YMCA, at a charity-run community center, he kicked a particularly sensitive political football once again  health care and pensions for the elderly.

Even this morning, Donald Trump said cuts to Social Security and Medicare are on the table again, he said, adding, I'm never going to allow that to happen.

Bidens budget for the fiscal year starting October 1 calls for a liberal wish list of policies favored by many Democrats  sharply higher taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals and more assistance for low- and middle-income earners to help them pay for high housing and child care costs.

The presidents plan would raise the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%, impose a rate increase on individuals earning more than $400,000 a year, and force those with more than $100 million in wealth to pay at least a 25% income tax.

I'm a capitalist, man, Biden said Monday in New Hampshire. Make all the money you want  just begin to pay your fair share of taxes.

At the same time, Biden wants to increase the governments authority to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to lower the cost of drug prices. In the United States, people who need to fill medical prescriptions often pay more for their pills than patients in other countries for the same medications. He also called for reinstating a child tax credit for low- and middle-income earners that has lapsed.

White House budget officials say the spending proposal would cut the governments chronic annual deficit spending by $3 trillion over the next decade, slowing but not halting the growth of the burgeoning national debt that has reached $34.5 trillion.

The budget, said Shalanda Young, director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, has a stated goal of "lowering costs for families growing the economy from the middle out and bottom up, by investing in all America to make sure the middle class has a fair shot. And we leave no one behind, she told reporters on a Monday morning call.

The largest item in the national budget is defense. But defense officials say the numbers arent as big as they sound, with a senior defense official telling reporters during the budget rollout process that it is not enough of an increase to cover inflation."

Consumer advocates disagree with that characterization. Lisa Gilbert, executive vice president of Public Citizen, argues that priorities are misplaced.

The Pentagon is a three-quarters-of-a-trillion-dollar agency that has never once passed an audit. Its infamous for waste, fraud and bankrolling defense corporations, Gilbert said.

Its impossible not to comment on the $895 billion defense top line, she said. War hawks squealing that a 1% increase to defense spending is meager or catastrophic lack perspective altogether. The true catastrophe is the existing scale of U.S. military spending.

Biden again called for funding tighter immigration controls at the U.S.-Mexico border and more aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Funding for the border restrictions and foreign assistance is currently stalled in a lengthy congressional debate over how tough the migration restrictions should be and to what extent the U.S. should continue to fund Ukraine in its fight against Russias two-year invasion.

Bidens budget proposal echoed some of the themes he offered at his State of the Union address last week.

Imagine a future with affordable child care. ... Imagine a future with paid leave, because no one should have to choose between working and taking care of a sick family member. Imagine a future of home care and elder care and people living with disabilities so they can stay in their homes, and family caregivers can finally get the pay they deserve.

Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Biden ally, also highlighted the difference between Bidens vision and Trumps in a statement about the budget proposal. Lawmakers in this deeply divided Congress are responsible for passing the annual budget.

The contrast couldnt be starker, and the stakes couldnt be higher, said Whitehouse, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. I look forward to working with the White House and Democrats in Congress to make the Presidents vision a reality.

That contrast has turned off Republicans, who on Monday panned Bidens budget for its reckless spending.

Republicans traditionally favor tax reductions and lower government spending  as House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Republican conference chair Elise Stefanik noted in a joint statement on Monday.

Bidens budget doesnt just miss the mark  it is a road map to accelerate Americas decline, they said. While hardworking Americans struggle with crushing inflation and mounting national debt, the President would increase their pain to spend trillions of additional taxpayer dollars to advance his left-wing agenda.

The political disputes this year have been even more protracted than usual, with spending levels not yet set for more than half the government for the 2024 fiscal year that started October 1. Just last week, Congress approved funding for not quite half the government agencies and is facing a March 22 deadline to set spending levels for the rest.

Last Thursday, Republicans in the House of Representatives issued a plan to balance the federal budget within the next 10 years by cutting $14 trillion in federal spending, including two Biden favorites  green energy subsidies and student loan forgiveness.

The White House called the plan unworkable.

Trump, virtually assured of the Republican presidential nomination to face Biden again after losing to him in 2020, offered some of his economic proposals Monday in an interview on CNBC.

He called for his 2017 tax cuts that greatly benefited wealthy wage earners to be extended beyond their scheduled 2025 expiration date.

"I think taxes could be cut. I think other things could happen to more than adjust that. But I'm a big believer in tariffs," Trump said.

He said the imposition of new tariffs on imports helps American businesses when they are "being taken advantage of" by China and other nations.

"Beyond the economics, it gives you power in dealing with other countries," Trump said.

He said he was not concerned about any possible retaliatory tariffs from other countries.

Democrats generally say the higher tariffs that Trump advocates hurt consumers, because companies importing foreign goods often add the tariff costs to the cost of consumer goods sold in the U.S.

On bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies, Trump said he has "seen that there has been a lot of use of that. And I'm not sure that I'd want to take it away."
China concluded its week-long annual parliamentary meetings in Beijing Monday, passing amendments that will further consolidate Chinese President Xi Jinpings power and vowing to adopt several new pieces of legislation that aim to safeguard Chinas sovereignty and security interests.

Chinas rubber-stamp parliament passed revisions to the Organic Law of the State Council on Monday, which include clauses stipulating that the council shall uphold the leadership of the ruling Chinese Communist Party and safeguard the centralized leadership of the Communist Partys Central Committee led by Xi.

Under the strong leadership of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as our guide and unswervingly push forward the Chinese-style modernization, Zhao Leji, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, said at the closing ceremony of the week-long meeting.

The amendments come after the Chinese Communist Party announced an abrupt cancellation of Premier Li Qiangs annual press conference at the end of the week-long parliamentary meetings.

Some analysts told VOA that the latest amendments and Beijings decision to cancel the premiers press conference, which had been part of the annual parliamentary meeting Two Sessions for more than three decades, are part of the Chinese leaderships effort to redefine the state councils role.

As Xi tries to strengthen his power, the state council has been downgraded to an organization focusing on implementing policies, Liu Dongshu, an expert on Chinese politics at the City University of Hong Kong, told VOA by phone.

He said the development would make the state council less influential in the Communist Partys decision-making process and serve as a big step for Xi to consolidate his power. In the past, the premier, who is the head of the state council, was seen as another big political figure in China, but now, it will no longer be the case, Liu said.

Since most decision-making power is now concentrated in Xi under the newly adjusted political structure, some experts say this could affect the Chinese leaderships decision-making efficiency.

[The Communist Partys] decision-making could become slower because everything needs to pass through Xi, but I suppose policy implementation might become faster since once an order gets into the hands of someone at the state council, they dont have to think about it other than how to implement the order, Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, told VOA by phone.

As China faces persistent economic headwinds, Liu in Hong Kong said Beijings attempt to consolidate Xis power may hurt the quality of its policies and be counterproductive to its efforts to boost foreign investors confidence in the Chinese economy.

I cant imagine a very robust discussion about policymaking [taking place within the Communist Party since] Xi has such a dominant power, he told VOA, adding that this development may reduce foreign investors confidence in China. People will feel like China becomes more untransparent, Liu said.

Doubling down on national security

In addition to consolidating Xis power by adjusting the role of the state council, Chinas rubber-stamp parliament also vowed to adopt several security-related laws in 2024, which follows the trend in recent years.

Chinas top lawmaker Zhao Leji said last Friday that Beijing would enact an emergency management law and an energy law while revising the National Defense Education Law and Cybersecurity Law.

The announcement comes after Beijing adopted revisions to the Law on Guarding State Secrets last month, which broadened the scope of information deemed as work secrets. Last year, China also revised the anti-espionage law, which gives Chinese authorities more power to punish what it views as threats to national security.

Some academics say the plan to adopt more security-related legislation follows Beijings efforts to expand the scope of national security since Xi Jinping came to power more than a decade ago, and it reflects lawmakers attempts to cope with the rising economic and social challenges.

Very soon after Xi became general secretary, he pushed the idea of overall national security, [which means that] national security would encompass a full gamut of issues, from politics to social and economic affairs, Dali Yang, an expert on Chinese politics at the University of Chicago, told VOA in a video interview.

He said the Chinese government has become very security conscious due to the economic headwinds and social challenges. This past year, the Communist Party leadership decided to introduce a society work department into the Partys Central Committee, [which reflects the governments] increasing effort to be conscious of the challenges facing Chinas society and economy, Yang added.

Chong in Singapore said the Chinese governments plan to double down on national security may have negative consequences for Chinas sluggish economy and the looming demographic crisis. The thing to remember is that securitization is not cost-free, he told VOA.

Someone must pay for it, and right now, it seems that the heavy securitization is putting a drain on the Chinese economy and innovation while discouraging investors, Chong said, adding that the governments growing emphasis on national security may also deter Chinese citizens from getting married or having children.

Since the wide range of challenges facing China will likely persist, Chong said its important to observe how the tension between the economy and Beijings emphasis on security plays out.

Adjustment has to come from one direction or another if he [Xi] wants to achieve some of his plans because there is a risk that he could be stuck in a situation where he doesnt fully realize either plan, he told VOA.
China, Russia and Iran are holding joint naval exercises this week near the Gulf of Oman, according to the Chinese defense ministry.

According to a ministry statement Monday, the exercises, dubbed Security Bond-2024, will take place from Monday to Friday and aims to strengthen maritime cooperation and jointly safeguard regional maritime security.

A similar round of drills was held last year in the same area between the three countries.

According to Irans state news agency, IRNA, the drills are set to start Tuesday with naval representatives from Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman, India and South Africa also set to observe the exercises.

Iranian state media added that the purpose of the drills is to consolidate security and its foundations in the region and expand multilateral cooperation among the participating countries.

In a statement published Monday, Beijing announced that China will be sending the guided missile destroyer Urumqi, guided missile frigate Linyi and comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu.

According to Russian news agencies, Moscows defense ministry said, The practical part of the exercise will take place in the waters of the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea. Moscow also added that the drills would facilitate maritime safety.

Russian state media reported ahead of this weeks drills that ships from Russias Pacific Fleet arrived at Irans Chah Bahar port Monday, led by the Varyag cruiser.

The maritime drills come as tensions are high in the region due to the war in Gaza and ongoing attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Last week, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said that since October 19 of last year, rebels have launched 403 missiles or drones against 61 ships, causing disruptions to international trade.

The Houthi leader has previously pledged that attacks will further escalate if what he calls the barbaric and brutal aggression against Gaza does not stop.

Some U.S. officials have previously expressed concern over growing military ties between the three countries. Last year, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said that China, Russia and Iran would be a problem for many years to come for Washington.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. People's writer of Kazakhstan, outstanding poet and public figure Olzhas Suleimenov has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of a confident victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports.

Will be updated
The cruel realities of war and drought seem to have merged for Tinseu Hiluf, a widow living in the arid depths of Ethiopia's Tigray region who is raising four children left behind by her sister's 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 region's drought has left the youngest of the children she is raising malnourished.

She tries to forage seeds among the scarce greenery of the desert's 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 war's 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 region's 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 Tigray's 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 Tigray's 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 town's 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 isn't 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 can't even feed ourselves."

"The war took everything," he said. There's 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 region's 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 aren't 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 plowing usually doesn't 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, it's either as bad as the 1980s, or even worse."
Less than a week after West Africas three military led countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger said they are forming a joint counterterrorism force, experts are voicing concerns about the arrangement.

The security situation in the Sahel region has deteriorated since the militaries overthrew their respective civilian-led governments due to insecurity and threats from jihadist groups. But some experts say the latest move could do more harm than good as the countries struggle with bad governance and a suspension of international support.

After hosting his counterparts from Burkina Faso and Mali in Niamey last week, Nigeran General Moussa Salaou Barmou, chief of armed forces, said the three West African nations will be better positioned to create conditions for region security by officially combining counterterrorism efforts.

Millions have been displaced by terror threats and attacks throughout all three countries.

Oluwole Ojewale, a regional coordinator at the Senegal-based Institute of Security Studies, calls the tripartite deal to fight terror along shared borders a significant development.

The criminals, the terrorist groups, the jihadists, the bandits that are operating in those three areas, particularly in their border areas, they have safe havens across those countries, Ojewale said. They are recruiting from those countries, and they are perpetrating their attacks in those three countries. I think it's a welcome development that they want to collaborate in terms of providing a military solution to the crisis.

Military leaders in Bamako, Niamey and Ouagadougou say they toppled their civilian-led governments for failing to deal with insecurity, particularly emanating from terror groups.

Since taking power, however, all three nations have seen conflict fatalities from political violence increase by 38% and civilian deaths by over 18%, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

All three military leaders have been at odds with other leaders in the Economic Community of West African States, a regional economic bloc, about how to return democratically elected civilian governments to power.

Western economic support and security backing has been suspended for all three countries since the military juntas came to power.

David Otto, head of security and defense analysis with the Geneva Center for Africa Security and Strategic Studies, says good governance and popular support is needed to defeat the terrorist threat.

The success of any operational or any security or defense pact often is tied to economic stability, he said. [And] it is also tied to people's support. If the people in these countries do not have daily bread and the governance structure becomes weak, then that could also have a direct impact on the successes of these operations.

Ojewale says a lack of international support may hinder their shared security goals. With the main support coming from Russia, he said, there might be a question of how much support is available because of the war in Ukraine.

But, he added, if the alliance can gather intelligence and be proactive in addressing the counterinsurgency operation and potential attacks, Maybe they might be able to gain some mileage, but its yet to be seen.

Experts note that given the current insecurity situation in these countries, their militarized approach to counterterrorism is likely to continue to escalate and increase violence within the community.
Democrat Kayla Young and Republican Patricia Rucker frequently clash on abortion rights and just about everything else in West Virginia's Legislature, but they agree on one thing: Too few of their colleagues are women, and it's hurting the state.

"There are exceptions to every single rule, but I think in general, men do kind of see this as their field," said Rucker, part of the GOP's Senate supermajority that passed one of the nation's strictest abortion bans while Young  the lone Democratic woman elected to the House  opposed it.

Nearly 130 years since the first three women were elected to state legislative offices in the U.S., women remain massively underrepresented in state legislatures.

In 10 states, women make up less than 25% of their state legislatures, according to Rutgers' Center for American Women in Politics. West Virginia is at the very bottom of that list, having just 16 women in its 134-member Legislature, or just under 12%. That's compared with Nevada, where women occupy just over 60% of state legislative seats. Similarly low numbers can be found in the nearby southern states of Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Louisiana.

"It's absolutely wild to know that more than 50 percent of the population of West Virginia are women, and sometimes I'm the only woman that's on a committee, period," said Young, currently the only woman on the House Artificial Intelligence Committee and was one of just two on the House Judiciary Committee when it greenlighted the state's near total abortion ban.

The numbers of women filling legislative seats across the U.S. have remained low despite women registering and voting at higher rates than men in every presidential election since 1980  and across virtually every demographic, including race, education level and socioeconomic status.

For the last three decades, voters have demonstrated a willingness to cast ballots for women. But they didn't have the opportunity to do so because women weren't running, said Jennifer Lawless, chair of the politics department at the University of Virginia.

"The gender gap in political ambition is just as large now as it was then," said Lawless, adding that women are much less likely to get recruited to run for office or think they're qualified to run in what they perceive as a hostile political environment.

And those running in southern, conservative states  still mostly Democratic women, data show  aren't winning as those states continue to overwhelmingly elect Republicans.

In 2022, 39 women ran as their party's nominee for state legislative seats in West Virginia, and 26 were Democrats. Only two of the Democratic candidates won, compared to 11 out of 13 of the Republicans.

Debbie Walsh, director of Rutgers' Center for American Women in Politics, said there's more money, infrastructure and support for recruiting and running Democratic female candidates. The Republican Party often shies away from talking about what is labeled or dismissed as "identity politics,'" she said.

"It's a belief in a kind of meritocracy and, 'the best candidate will rise. And if it's a woman, great.' They don't say, 'We don't want women, but if it's a man, that's fine, too,'" she said. "There's no sort of value in and of itself seen in the diversity."

Larissa Martinez, founder and president of Women's Public Leadership Network, one of only a few right-leaning U.S. organizations solely supporting female candidates, said identity politics within the GOP is a big hurdle to her work. Part of her organization's slogan is, "we are pro-women without being anti-man."

In 2020, small-town public school teacher Amy Grady pulled off a huge political upset when she defeated then-Senate President Mitch Carmichael in West Virginia's Republican primary, following back-to-back years of strikes in which school employees packed into the state Capitol.

Carmichael took in more than $127,000 in contributions compared to Grady's self-funded war chest of just over $2,000. Still, Grady won by fewer than 1,000 votes.

"It's just you're told constantly, 'You can't, you can't, you can't do it,'" said Grady, who has now risen through the ranks to become chair of the Senate Education Committee. "And it's just like, why give it a shot?"

Tennessee state Sen. Charlane Oliver says she didn't have many resources when she first raised her hand to run for political office. She had to rely on grassroots activism and organizing to win her 2022 election.

Yet securing the seat was just part of the battle. Oliver, a 41-year-old Black Democratic woman, is frequently tasked with providing the only outside perspective inside for the Republican supermajority Legislature.

"They don't have any incentive to listen to me, but I view my seat as disruption and give you a perspective that you may not have heard before," she said.

Many male-dominant statehouses have enacted strict abortion bans in GOP-controlled states since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. For many female lawmakers, this trend has meant sharing deeply personal stories surrounding abortion and childbirth.

In South Carolina, the abortion debate resulted in an unlikely coalition of women banding together to filibuster a near-total abortion ban. The five female senators  three Republicans, two Democrats and one independent  quickly became known as the "sister senators" as they took turns describing pregnancy complications, the dangers surrounding limited access to contraceptives and the reproductive system.

Their actions were met with praise from national leaders, but at home, the consequences have been swift. The Republican women received censures and promises of primary challenges in this year's elections.

Women also have championed gun policy, education, health care, and housing proposals.

Recently, some states have allowed candidates to make childcare an allowable expense for campaign finance purposes. Young was the sponsor of her state's law  one of her priorities during her first session in the Capitol in the minority party.

During Young's first term in office, she relied on a family member who would care for her two young children while he was at the state Capitol. But she was left without a solution last year when that caregiver passed away unexpectedly days before the session. Her husband, who works in television production, had to stay home and didn't work for two months, meaning the family lost out on his income.

Young's bill won the vote of Rucker, the first Hispanic woman elected to the West Virginia Senate. She too has had to juggle the challenges of being a working mom. She left her job as a teacher to homeschool her five children, and the family relied on her husband's salary as a pediatric nurse to make ends meet.

"I ran for office because I feel like having that voice is actually really important  someone who lives paycheck to paycheck," said Rucker, a first-generation U.S. citizen who made the difficult decision to pull her kids. "I'm not here because of a title, I'm not here because of a position, I'm here to do my job, and I want to do the best I can."
Europe is facing growing climate risks and is unprepared for them, the European Environment Agency said in its first-ever risk assessment for the bloc Monday.

The agency said Europe is prone to more frequent and more punishing weather extremes  including increasing wildfires, drought, more unusual rainfall patterns and flooding  and it needs to immediately address them to protect its energy, food security, water and health.

These climate risks are growing faster than our societal preparedness, Leena Yla-Mononen, the EEA's executive director, said in a statement.

The report identified 36 major climate risks for the continent, such as threats to ecosystems, economies, health and food systems, and found that more than half demand greater action now. It classified eight as needing urgent attention  like conserving ecosystems, protecting people against heat, protecting people and infrastructure from floods and wildfires, and securing relief funds for disasters.

The report said Europe is the worlds fastest-warming continent and has been heating up twice as fast as other regions since the 1980s. The heat has been linked to more intense rains and floods, and the report predicts rainfall decline and more severe droughts in southern Europe.

Without urgent and decisive action, it warns, many of the climate risks it identified could become catastrophic. To reduce climate risks and improve adaptation to warming, it recommends that the EU and its member states collaborate with regional and local bodies.

The report is a huge wake-up call for the continent, said Manon Dufour, Brussels director for climate think tank E3G, and could have implications for climate policy at both the European and national levels.

At the European level, Dufour said the report could "open the eyes of European leaders who are currently most focused on security issues, as climate can affect economic and energy security.

On a national level, Dufour said finance ministers should be spurred by the report to make economic and social resilience the key priority. She pointed to the report's finding that economic losses from heat waves and floods could reach 1 trillion euros ($1.1 trillion) a year by the end of the century.

Its clearly in our best interest to adapt to changing risks we can no longer avoid, including preparedness for bigger extremes and surprises, and to avoid the risks from getting further out of hand by reducing greenhouse gases, said Maarten van Aalst, director-general at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute.

Sven Harmeling, head of climate at Climate Action Network Europe, said Europe can do more, even by 2030, to slash emissions from the burning of coal, oil and gas, and can also step up its investments in adapting to climate change, particularly by preserving ecosystems like wetlands and forests that can both absorb carbon and act as natural extreme weather barriers.

He urged that any efforts to reduce the impact of warming must deliver this in a way that provides social and economic benefits for all.

Greenpeace EU climate campaigner Silvia Pastorelli agreed, adding that the bloc should focus any resilience programs, like retrofitting homes to help with heating in winter and cooling in summer, on the most vulnerable communities. Fairness in the climate response is essential, Pastorelli said.

The report says the EU and its member states have made considerable progress in understanding their climate risks and preparing for them.

For example, Europe has done well in relation to coastal flooding, according to Julie Berckmans, an EEA climate risk expert. She said there have been no catastrophic storm floods on the continent in 60 years, and some progress has also been made in managing the health risks from heat and large river floods.

But more action is needed in all these areas because the risks are increasing rapidly, she said. As a case in point, heat stress to populations is at critical levels, Berckmans said. One solution, she said, is countries and cities can improve their spatial planning to be more fit for the future health risk from heat.

The European Commission will present its plan of action Tuesday in response to the report.

EU Commission spokesperson Tim McPhie said EEAs report has given a very clear warning and a very clear call to action of whats to come.
India has signed a free trade pact with a group of four European nations that aims at drawing in investment of $100 billion over the next 15 years.

The deal announced Sunday with the European Free Trade Association, whose members are Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, comes weeks ahead of Indias national elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made economic growth a key poll plank as he seeks a third term in office.

The trade deal is one of several New Delhi is pursuing as it steps up efforts to grow its exports and take advantage of geopolitical shifts that are seeing many Western countries trying to reduce trade dependence on China.

The pact was sealed after about 16 years of negotiations. The pact is significant because it is Indias first with developed countries, according to Biswajit Dhar, trade analyst and Distinguished Professor at the Council for Social Development in New Delhi. So far India, which has many protectionist barriers, only had such agreements with developing countries.

To ease access to its vast market of 1.4 billion people, India will reduce tariffs on goods ranging from industrial imports to processed foods, beverages and items such as Swiss watches. New Delhi hopes to boost its exports in areas such as information technology and business services.

India is the European Free Trade Associations fifth-largest trading partner after the European Union, the United States, Britain and China with two-way trade adding up to $18.65 billion in 2022-23.

The investment pledge by the four European countries will create one million jobs, according to Indian Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal.

Its for the first time that we are inking a free trade agreement with a binding commitment to invest $100 billion in India, Goyal said. "It is a modern trade agreement, fair, equitable and win-win for all five countries."

European officials said pledging the investment made it a balanced deal for both sides. If you look at the different market sizes, India offers 1.4bn population, plus its a door to the global world, Helene Budliger Artieda, Swiss state secretary for economic affairs, told reporters.

However, trade analyst Dhar said that it remains to be seen how the investment promise translates on the ground. These four countries had invested just $10 billion in the last 23 years. So taking this up to up to $100 billion in 15 years is a tall order, it does not seem realistic, he said.

In recent years, India has stepped up efforts to pursue trade agreements to boost its fast-growing economy. In the last two years, it has concluded a free trade pact with the UAE and a preliminary agreement with Australia. Officials are also trying to finalize deals with Britain and Oman.

This landmark pact underlines our commitment to boosting economic progress and create opportunities for our youth, Modi said in a post on X after the deal with the European countries was concluded.

Modi is promising to make India, which is a lower middle-income country, a developed nation by 2047.

Bucking the trend of slowing growth in many countries, the Indian economy is growing briskly. It is expected to grow at more than 7% in the financial year that ends in March  the fastest growth among major economies.
In a message posted to social media Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his nation has successfully tested its first domestically-produced missile capable of carrying multiple warheads.

From his account on X, formerly known as Twitter, Modi said he was Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.

DRDO is the acronym for Indias Defense Research & Development Organisation. Defense officials said the test flight, named Mission Divyastra, was carried out from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha state.

The island, named for a former Indian president, is home to the nations top missile testing range.

A statement said the test missile was tracked by various telemetry and radar stations, and reported the mission accomplished the designed parameters.

Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States are among the nations that use MIRV technology, while Pakistan tested it in 2017, according to the Washington-based advocacy group Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.

MIRV technology can deliver multiple warheads from a single missile.

India has been developing its medium- and long-range missile systems for several decades. Its Agni-5 missile, first successfully tested in 2021, has a range of 5,000 kilometers and is Indias first intercontinental ballistic missile, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Children in Gaza havent been to school since the Israel-Hamas war began, but parents here say, right now, this is the least of their problems.

The United Nations says more than 12,000 children have died in the war, and 20 of starvation in recent weeks. Another 17,000 children have lost or been separated from their parents.

Most children in Gaza have been forced to flee their homes, and parents say even the best cared-for are traumatized.

[My son] is constantly awake at night, crying, says Hekmat Almasri, the mother of 12-year-old Abed Alrazeq Almasri. Since the war began, her husband, a doctor, has lived at the hospital where he works. His small family fled to a makeshift camp in Rafah, in Gazas south, where they live in a tent near the border with Egypt.

[My son] says, I miss my father. I wish we could go back home, adds Hekmat Almasri. I want to live the normal life that we used to live.

More than 31,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Gaza ministry of health. The war began October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages.

Most of Gazas 2 million-plus population is now crowded into emergency shelters in Rafah, but hundreds of thousands of people are living in the north, where hunger has reached catastrophic levels, according to the U.N.

But even in the south, where the population of Rafah has increased six-fold in recent months as people await what Israel says is a coming assault, the food crisis has become an emergency. Pediatricians in the south say every child they see is suffering from noticeable psychological and physical trauma, and the consequences of hunger.

All of them are having problems growing, says Dr. Saeed Abdulrahman Mahmoud Marouf, a doctor at Abu Yousef Al Najjar Hospital. All of them are sick. Even the mothers dont have milk to feed their babies. They say, I cant make milk to give them and how could I possibly buy it?

Psychological damage

Some children, says Marouf, can clearly identify bombs, planes and who among their family or neighbors have died. Other children wail and cling to their parents nearly all the time. Many have started to hallucinate.

Despite the suffering, there are children who have hope that they will be reunited with loved ones, adds Almasri, the mother.

I wish to go home, says her son, Abed Alrazeq Almasri, when asked what he would ask for if he had one wish. He now spends his days searching for food and counting the days since he last saw his father in October. I used to go to school, but now I don't go to school. I used to play with my friends.

His mother says watching the children learn and relearn the depth of the crisis is heartbreaking.

The mothers cannot answer their childrens questions, she explains. They cant answer their needs even for food. Children will ask for meat, or fish, or chocolate or sweets that they used to eat. But we cant get it now.

Hunger disaster approaching

Israel says it places no restrictions on the amount of aid that can get into Gaza, but it does inspect all deliveries to make sure they dont carry weapons or other items meant for use by Hamas.

Israel blames the U.N. for the slow distribution of food aid, but the organization says distribution problems are caused by the ongoing conflict and Israeli military checkpoints.

Amnesty International accuses Israel of blocking and impeding the passage of sufficient aid into the Gaza Strip, in particular to the north which is virtually inaccessible.

The U.N. says widespread starvation is imminent if access does not improve dramatically. Efforts to bring in aid via air or sea, they say, can provide only a fraction of the massive influx of food that is needed.

Airdrops are a last resort and will not avert famine, said Carl Skau, the World Food Programs deputy executive director in a March 5 statement. We need entry points to northern Gaza that will allow us to deliver enough food for half a million people in desperate need.

Nedal Hamdouna and Amjed Tantesh contributed to this report.
As Sweden officially joined the NATO alliance Monday, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said it shows every nation has the right to, in his words, choose the path of freedom and democracy. He added that Ukraine is currently fighting for those values. Henry Ridgwell reports.
Swedens flag was raised in a ceremony Monday at NATOs headquarters in Brussels after it officially joined the Western defensive alliance last week, ending its long-held policy of military nonalignment.

We are now an ally among allies. After more than 200 years of military nonalignment, this is a historic step but also a very natural step. We've been preparing for decades and in details for the last two years, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at a news conference ahead of the ceremony.

With this membership, Sweden has come home. Home to the security cooperation of democracies. Home to the security cooperation of our good neighbors. Today, I'd like to say thank you to all of our allies. We have chosen you, and you have chosen us. All for one, one for all, Kristersson added.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the alliances 32nd member.

Sweden's accession shows again that NATO's door remains open. No one can close it. Every nation has the right to choose its own path, and we all choose the path of freedom and democracy. The brave people of Ukraine are fighting for these values as we speak, Stoltenberg said.

Ratification delay

Sweden and Finland simultaneously applied to join NATO in May 2022, three months after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Finland  which shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia  joined NATO relatively quickly, in April 2023.

However, Swedens bid was delayed by NATO members Turkey and Hungary. Ankara accused Sweden of harboring Kurdish separatists, whom it considers terrorists. The passing of a new anti-terrorism law in Sweden persuaded Turkey to ratify its accession to the alliance.

Budapest appeared to object to Swedish criticisms of a perceived democratic backsliding in Hungary. A meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Swedish counterpart last month in Budapest, and a new bilateral defense deal, overcame those differences  and Hungarian lawmakers approved Swedens application on February 26.

Strategic change

After two centuries of military nonalignment, NATO membership marks a significant change for Sweden and its people. Opinion polls show most Swedes approve of the change.

A couple years ago, I was really against Sweden joining NATO, because I was really for this neutrality policy that we have. But now ... I guess we had to take a stance, really, 24-year-old Stockholm student Carl Fredrik Aspegren told Reuters.

Information technology worker Hakan Yucel, 54, agreed.

I think it feels much safer now. Before, we were outside and felt a little bit alone, he said.

Baltic defense

Sweden is due to launch a fleet of new submarines by 2028 designed to protect vulnerable subsea infrastructure in the Baltic. Its accession brings valuable military capabilities to NATO, according to Barbara Kunz, a senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

With all Nordic countries now being members of NATO and also the Baltic states being members of NATO, that allows for real holistic planning of the defense of Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea area. Sweden is particularly qualified to operate in the Baltic Sea, which is a very special region. It's like shallow waters in which you can't really see that well, so Sweden is very good at that, Kunz told Reuters.

NATO exercises

Swedish forces are already training in the Norwegian Arctic with NATO allies, part of the military exercise Steadfast Defender 2024, the alliances largest military drills since the Cold War, with some 90,000 troops taking part.

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he intends to strengthen his countrys military presence along its western borders to, in his words, neutralize threats associated with the next expansion of NATO.

NATO said it is a defensive alliance and highlights that it was Russias unprovoked, illegal invasion of Ukraine that prompted Sweden and Finland to seek membership.
The U.S. military airlifted nonessential embassy personnel from Haiti. Israel promises access to the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during Ramadan. And, a son of Korean immigrants has become the interim chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. He is the first Asian American to hold this position.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. President of the Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of a confident victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports.

Will be updated
Israel said Monday that an airstrike in Gaza over the weekend targeted a senior Hamas military leader, but it was still trying to determine whether he had been killed.

The strike on the presumed hideout of Marwan Issa took place "between Saturday and Sunday, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a news briefing Monday.

He said the compound in central Gaza was used by two senior members of Hamas, including Issa, who Israel accuses of being one of the key planners behind Hamas October 7 terror attack on Israel.

Issa is second in command of Hamas' military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades.

"We are still examining the results of the strike, and final confirmation has yet to be received," Hagari said.

The comments come as Palestinians marked the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Monday.

Fighting continued despite efforts to secure a new cease-fire between Israel and Hamas during Ramadan.

Israel reported carrying out attacks across the Gaza Strip on Monday, including conducting airstrikes and ground attacks in Khan Younis and other areas of southern Gaza, as well as in central Gaza.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza said Monday that 67 people had been killed in Israels offensive during the past day, with at least 31,112 killed since war began in October.

The violence followed weeks of negotiations that included Egypt, the United States and Qatar to secure a new cease-fire before Ramadan that would have included a release of hostages held by militants in Gaza and Israel setting free Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas negotiators said in departing talks in Cairo last week that cease-fire negotiations would resume this week.

In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his appeal for a cease-fire for the Muslim holy month to speed adequate aid to Palestinians in Gaza and secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas.

The eyes of the world are watching. The eyes of history are watching, Guterres told reporters. We cannot look away. We must act to avoid more preventable deaths.

He said desperate civilians need immediate action.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Monday that an important step now would be a cease-fire that lasts longer, ideally during Ramadan already.

During a news briefing in Berlin alongside Malaysias prime minister, he said, More humanitarian aid must reach Gaza, and that is our clear call to Israel, which has every right to defend itself against Hamas.

A U.S. Army ship is on its way to the Mediterranean Sea to start construction of a temporary pier on the Gaza coastline to provide passage for more truckloads of humanitarian aid to famished Palestinians. Officials, however, said it could be two months before the facility is built and operating.

The eventual plan is for more food and medical supplies to be dispatched to the temporary pier in Gaza from nearby Cyprus after Israeli forces inspect the cargo to make sure no weaponry is included for Hamas militants.

The temporary pier is needed because 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.

A Spanish charity ship carrying food aid was expected to soon set sail from Cyprus. The nongovernmental group Open Arms said its vessel would carry 200 tons of food, which its partner, the U.S. charity World Central Kitchen, would then unload on the shores of Gaza where it had constructed a basic dock.

The October 7 terror attack on Israel killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages.

The United Nations has warned that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are starving, and that the daily number of aid trucks entering Gaza by land over the past five months has been far below the 500 that entered daily before the war because of Israeli restrictions and security issues.

The U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into northern Gaza on Sunday, dropping more than 11,500 meal equivalents, as well as other items including rice, flour, pasta and canned food into the territory.

Officials say the airdrops are insufficient to cover the vast food needs in Gaza. Five people were also killed days ago when a food pallet hit them after its parachute failed to deploy correctly.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Poland's president on Monday called on other members of the NATO alliance to raise their spending on defense to 3% of their gross domestic product as Russia puts its economy on a war footing and pushes forward with its invasion of Ukraine.

President Andrzej Duda made his call in remarks directed at home and abroad. His appeal came on the eve of a visit to the White House, where U.S. President Joe Biden will receive both Duda and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday.

In the face of the war in Ukraine and Russias growing imperial aspirations, the countries making up NATO must act boldly and uncompromisingly, Duda said in a Monday evening address to his nation.

His appeal comes as Poland marks the 25th anniversary of its accession to NATO, along with the Czech Republic and Hungary, on March 12, 1999. And Duda's remarks came on the same day that Swedens flag was raised at NATO headquarters in Brussels to cement its place as the 32nd member of the alliance.

Poland is proud to have been a part of it for 25 years, he said. There has been and there is no better guarantor of security than the North Atlantic Alliance."

The war in Ukraine has clearly shown that the United States is and should remain the leader in security issues in Europe and the world, Duda said in his speech to his nation. However, other NATO countries must also take greater responsibility for the security of the entire alliance and intensively modernize and strengthen their troops.

NATO members agreed in 2014 to boost their defense spending to 2% of GDP after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, but most members, including Germany, still fall short of that benchmark.

Poland, however, now spends 4% of its GDP on defense, making it the member to spend the most in percentage terms as it modernizes its military, while the U.S. is well above 3%.

Russias imperialistic ambitions and aggressive revisionism are pushing Moscow toward a direct confrontation with NATO, with the West and, ultimately, with the whole free world, Duda said in an op-ed published in The Washington Post.

Duda said that puts the United States and Poland in a position to lead by example and provide an inspiration for others.

The Russian Federation has switched its economy to war mode. It is allocating close to 30 percent of its annual budget to arm itself," Duda argued in the newspaper op-ed. This figure and other data coming out of Russia are alarming. Vladimir Putins regime poses the biggest threat to global peace since the end of the Cold War.

The Biden administration suggested Dudas call to raise the defense spending target for NATO countries may be, at least for now, overly ambitious.

I think the first step is to get every country meeting the 2% threshold, and weve seen improvement of that, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. But I think thats the first step before we start talking about an additional proposal.

Duda will visit Brussels for a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg after his visit to the U.S.
Russias military said Monday it thwarted multiple Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory.

The Russian defense ministry said its air defenses destroyed four drones over the Bryansk region, two over the Oryol region and another Ukrainian drone over the Belgorod area.

Ukraines defense ministry issued alerts Monday warning of Russian aerial attacks in the Donetsk, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized indirectly the recent comment by Pope Francis that Ukraine should have the courage to negotiate with Russia two years into the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In his nightly video address Sunday, 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.

Francis was asked in an interview last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI about the debate between those advocating for Ukraine to engage in peace talks and those who say those negotiations would legitimize Russias act of aggression.

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.

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.

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 Ukraine.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
Six African countries have received Russia's contribution of 200,000 tons of grain, fulfilling a pledge the Russian government made to the continent last July.

Russia's TASS state news agency on February 20 reported the country's agriculture minister, Dmitry Patrushev, said Burkina Faso, Mali, Eritrea and Zimbabwe each received 25,000 tons of grain, while the Central African Republic and Somalia got 50,000 tons each.

Russian President Vladimir Putin promised free shipments of grain to six African countries last July during a summit with 17 African heads of state and leaders in St. Petersburg.

On January 26, Burkina Faso confirmed it had received 25,000 tons of free wheat from Russia. Burkina's minister for solidarity and humanitarian action, Nandy Some Diallo, described the grain as a "priceless gift" that would help internally displaced and vulnerable people.

Mali, Eritrea, Somalia, Zimbabwe and the Central African Republic have also confirmed receiving "free wheat" from Russia.

On March 6, Sprinter, a content creator on X, wrote:

''Free supplies of Russian grain to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea, and the Central African Republic have made a significant contribution to the fight against hunger in Africa.''

That is misleading

Africa is the world's second-largest continent, made up of 54 countries with a combined population of 1.4 billion people, 20% of whom face food insecurity.

Last October, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that a record 149 million people in Africa were facing "acute food shortages," 82% of whom were "in conflict-affected countries, underscoring that conflict continues to be the primary driver of Africa's food crisis."

In three of the African countries that received free Russian grain  Burkina Faso, Mali and the Central African Republic  mercenaries from Wagner, a private Russian military force, are accused of destabilizing governments.

Those three countries are ruled by military juntas supported by Russia.

Russia did not ship grain to Sudan, where, the U.N.'s World Food Program (WFP) said on March 6, the "world's largest hunger crisis is looming."

The situation is deteriorating in Sudan, where at least 25 million people need food.

Nine in 10 people across Sudan are facing "emergency levels of hunger" and are in areas "largely inaccessible" due to "relentless violence and interference by the warring parties," the WFP said.

Since 2017, Wagner mercenaries have supported the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in their fight against the Sudanese army.

Sprinter also failed to mention that Russia's decision to back out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, reached after it invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, has deepened the hunger crisis in Africa.

That deal, reached in July 2022 and brokered by the U.N. and Turkey, allowed Ukraine to access Black Sea ports that Russia had blockaded, in return for an agreement to minimize the impact of sanctions on exporting Russian food and fertilizer.

Under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which lasted only a year, Ukraine shipped 33 million metric tons of grain to global markets, improving food security and prices. Poor countries like Africa were the biggest beneficiaries of the agreement.

Somalia received 84,000 metric tons of wheat from Ukraine in 2022. As of last December, it had received only 25,000 tons of the 50,000 tons of grain that Russia had promised it.

According to the World Food Program, more than 6 million people in Somalia are in urgent need of food and 1.8 million children are malnourished. The situation continues to worsen due to drought and conflict.

The 200,000 metric tons of grain from Russia can barely feed Africa's hungry population for a week.

According to the WFP, "1 metric ton of food, typically including cereals, pulses and oil, is sufficient for approximately 1,660 people for one day."

The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization wrote in its report "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2022" that 278 million Africans were affected by hunger in 2021.

The war in Ukraine was one of the main projected causes of a hunger crisis in Africa, the FAO said in its 2022 report:

"Another crisis is unfolding as this report is being written with potentially sobering implications for global food security and nutrition: the war in Ukraine."

In an interview with Voice of America's Russian Service last July 27, John Kirby, director of strategic communications for the U.S. National Security Council, dismissed Putin's promise of free Russian grain to six African countries.

Kirby said Putin and Russia were to blame for volatile food prices and that African countries were "going to have more problems with starvation, and with access to food and grain."

He called on Russia to return to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which had allowed Ukraine to ship grain from its Black Sea ports.
Huddled in the back of a van, Rebin Pishtiwan carefully scans one yellowed page after another, as part of his mission to digitize historic Kurdish books at risk of disappearing.

Seen as the world's largest stateless people, the Kurds are an ethnic group of between 25 million and 35 million mostly spread across modern-day Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey.

In Iraq, the Kurds are a sizeable minority who have been persecuted, with thousands killed under the rule of late dictator Saddam Hussein and many of their historic documents lost or destroyed.

"Preserving the culture and history of Kurdistan is a sacred job," said Pishtiwan, perusing volumes and manuscripts from Dohuk city's public library in Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdistan region.

"We aim to digitize old books that are rare and vulnerable, so they don't vanish," the 23-year-old added, a torn memoir of a Kurdish teacher published in 1960 in hand.

In Iraq, the Kurdish language was mostly marginalized until the Kurds' autonomous region in the north won greater freedom after Saddam Hussein's defeat in the 1990-1991 Gulf War.

After the U.S.-led invasion of 2003 toppled the dictator, remaining documents were scattered among libraries and universities or held in private collections.

Once a week, Pishtiwan and his two colleagues journey in their small white van from the regional capital Irbil to other Kurdish towns and cities to find "rare and old" books.

They seek texts that offer insights into Kurdish life, spanning centuries and dialects.

In Dohuk's library, the archiving team scours the wooden bookshelves for hidden gems.

With the help of the library's manager, they carefully gather an assortment of more than 35 books of poetry, politics, language and history, written in several Kurdish dialects and some in Arabic.

Pishtiwan holds up a book of old Kurdish folk stories named after 16th-century Kurdish princess Xanzad, before gently flipping through the fragile pages of another religious volume, tracing the calligraphy with his fingers.

Back in the van, equipped with two devices connected to a screen, the small team starts the hourslong scanning process before returning the books to the library.

In the absence of an online archive, the Kurdistan Center for Arts and Culture, a nonprofit founded by the nephew of regional President Nechirvan Barzani, launched the digitization project in July.

They hope to make the texts available to the public for free on the KCAC's new website in April.

More than 950 items have been archived so far, including a collection of manuscripts from the Kurdish Baban principality in today's Sulaimaniyah region that dates back to the 1800s.

"The aim is to provide primary sources for Kurdish readers and researchers," KCAC executive director Mohammed Fatih said. "This archive will be the property of all Kurds to use and to help advance our understanding of ourselves."

Dohuk library manager Masoud Khalid gave the KCAC team access to the manuscripts and documents gathering dust on its shelves, but the team was unable to secure permission from the owners of some of the documents to digitize them immediately.

"We have books that were printed a long time ago  their owners or writers passed away  and publishing houses will not reprint them," Khalid said.

Digitizing the collection means that "if we want to open an electronic library, our books will be ready," the 55-year-old added.

Hana Kaki Hirane, imam at a mosque in the town of Hiran, unveiled a treasure to the KCAC team  several generations-old manuscripts from a religious school established in the 1700s.

Since its founding, the school has collected manuscripts, but many were destroyed during the first war pitting the Kurds against the Iraqi state between 1961 and 1970, said Hirane.

"Only 20 manuscripts remain today," including centuries-old poems, said the imam.

He is now waiting for the KCAC website launch in April to refer people to view the manuscripts.

"It is time to take them out and make them available for everyone, he said.
The Swedish flag was raised for the first time over NATO headquarters in Brussels Monday ahead of the formal ceremony welcoming the Nordic country as the 32nd member of the alliance.

At a news conference immediately after, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson joined NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in touting a stronger, more unified NATO.

The security situation in our region has not been this serious since the Second World War, and Russia will stay a threat to Euro-Atlantic security for a foreseeable future, Kristersson said. It was in this light Sweden applied to join the NATO defense alliance to gain security, but also to provide security."

Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted both Sweden and Finland to seek membership in NATO after years in which both countries maintained military neutrality. Stoltenberg said, once again, that Russian President Vladimir Putins goals when he began the invasion have backfired.

He wanted less NATO and more control over his neighbors. He wanted to destroy Ukraine as a sovereign state, but he failed, Stoltenberg said. NATO is bigger and stronger. Ukraine is closer to NATO membership than ever before.

Sweden was formally welcomed into NATO last Thursday by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. About 20,000 Swedish military personnel participated in NATO exercises alongside Finnish and Norwegian troops last week in Norway and Finland.

After months of delay, Turkey ratified Sweden's admission earlier this year, and Hungary did so in recent days.

Turkey had expressed concern that Sweden was harboring and not taking enough action against Kurdish groups that it regards as terrorists, and Hungary's populist President Viktor Orban has shown pro-Russian sentiment.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Donald Trump on Monday asked the New York judge overseeing his criminal case on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star to delay the trial until the U.S. Supreme Court finishes reviewing his claim of presidential immunity in a separate case.

The first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president is set to begin on March 25 in a New York state court in Manhattan.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsification of business records.

Prosecutors say he directed his former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, to pay porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she says they had a decade earlier, and then falsely recorded his reimbursement to Cohen as legal expenses.

Trump denies the encounter with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

The move was the latest by Trump seeking to delay the four upcoming criminal trials he faces until closer to, or even after, his expected Nov. 5 election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments April 25, a month after the scheduled start of jury selection in Trumps hush money case. It is the first of his four criminal cases slated to go to trial.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in all criminal cases, which he has termed "election interference."

In their court filing on Monday, Trump's lawyers said the outcome of the Supreme Court's review was relevant to the hush money case because prosecutors were seeking to present evidence of statements Trump made while he was president.

Last month, prosecutors said they planned to introduce evidence of a "pressure campaign" by Trump in 2018 to ensure Cohen did not cooperate with a federal investigation into the payment to Daniels. Cohen pleaded guilty that year to violating campaign finance law.

In their court filing on Monday, Trump's lawyers called prosecutors' claim of a pressure campaign "fictitious." They said Trump's social media posts about Cohen were "official communications" about "matters of public concern" and thus immune from state prosecution.

"Without immunity from criminal prosecution based on official acts, the President's political opponents will seek to influence and control his or her decisions via de facto extortion," Trump's lawyers wrote.

A spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney's office, which brought the charges, declined to comment.

Last year, Trump made a similar argument as part of an unsuccessful push to move the hush money case from state court to federal court. In denying Trump's request in July 2023, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein wrote that the payment to Daniels "was a purely personal item."

"Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a President's official acts," Hellerstein wrote.
Former President Donald Trump said Monday that he still believes TikTok poses a national security risk but is opposed to banning the hugely popular app because doing so would help its rival, Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss.

Trump, in a call-in interview with CNBC's "Squawk Box," was asked about his comments last week that seemed to voice opposition to a bill being advanced by Congress that would effectively ban TikTok and other ByteDance apps from the Apple and Google app stores as well as U.S. web hosting services.

"Frankly, there are a lot of people on TikTok that love it. There are a lot of young kids on TikTok who will go crazy without it," Trump told the hosts. "There's a lot of good and there's a lot of bad with TikTok. But the thing I don't like is that without TikTok you're going to make Facebook bigger, and I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people, along with a lot of the media."

"When I look at it, I'm not looking to make Facebook double the size," he added. "I think Facebook has been very bad for our country, especially when it comes to elections."

Trump has repeatedly complained about Facebook's role during the 2020 election, which he still refuses to concede he lost to President Joe Biden. That includes at least $400 million that its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, and his wife donated to two nonprofit organizations that distributed grants to state and local governments to help them conduct the 2020 election at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The donations  which were fully permitted under campaign finance law  went to pay for things like equipment to process mail ballots and drive-thru voting locations.

TikTok, a video-sharing app, has emerged as a major issue in the 2024 presidential campaign. The platform has about 170 million users in the U.S., most of whom skew younger  a demographic that both parties are desperately trying to court ahead of November's general election. Younger voters have become especially hard for campaigns to reach as they gravitate away from traditional platforms like cable television.

Biden's 2024 campaign officially joined TikTok last month, even though he has expressed his own national security concerns over the platform, banned it on federal devices and on Friday endorsed the legislation that could lead to its ban.

The bill passed unanimously by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee calls on China's ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok or effectively face a U.S. ban. Top Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, support the bill. Johnson has indicated it will soon come up for a full vote in the House.

As president, Trump attempted to ban TikTok through an executive order that called "the spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by companies in the People's Republic of China (China)" a threat to "the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States." The courts, however, blocked the action after TikTok sued, arguing such actions would violate free speech and due process rights.

Pressed on whether he still believed the app posed a national security risk, Trump said Monday: "I do believe it. And we have to very much go into privacy and make sure that we are protecting the American people's privacy and data rights."

"But," he went on to say, "you have that problem with Facebook and lots of other companies, too." Some American companies, he charged, are "not so American. They deal in China. And if China wants anything from them they will give it. So that's a national security risk also."

Biden in 2022 banned the use of TikTok by the federal government's nearly 4 million employees on devices owned by its agencies, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, national security and security research purposes.

He also recently signed an executive order that allows 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.

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 China's authoritarian government. TikTok said it has never done that and wouldn't do so if asked. The U.S. government also hasn't provided evidence of that happening.

Trump had first voiced support for the app in a post on his Truth Social site last week. "If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business. I don't want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better," he wrote. "They are a true Enemy of the People!"

Trump, in the interview, said he had not discussed the company with Jeff Yass, a TikTok investor and a major GOP donor. Trump said the two had recently met "very briefly" but that Yass "never mentioned TikTok."

Trump also confirmed he met last week with Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX who has increasingly aligned himself with conservative politics. Trump said he didn't know whether Musk would end up supporting his campaign, noting they "obviously have opposing views on a minor subject called electric cars," which Trump has railed against.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday that women and girls around the world are suffering a rollback in rights, while millions more are bearing the brunt of wars and conflict.

Hard-fought progress is being reversed, Guterres told hundreds of womens rights advocates, officials and activists at the opening of the annual two-week session of the Commission on the Status of Women at U.N. headquarters in New York.

He said womens rights are essentially a question of power and he is worried by negative trends.

First, despite enormous progress that all of you have helped realize  the patriarchy is far from vanquished. It is regaining ground, said the secretary-general. Autocrats and populists are attacking womens freedoms and their sexual and reproductive rights. They promote what they call traditional values.

He said discrimination against women goes back thousands of years and it is not something that should be brought back, it should be turned back.

We cannot accept a world in which grandmothers fear their granddaughters will enjoy fewer rights than they had, he said. We must speak out, loud and clear: Not on our watch.

Female poverty

Over the next two weeks, delegates will review how to speed up achieving gender equality, with a focus on addressing poverty and investing in women and girls. U.N. Women says more than 100 million women and girls could be lifted out of poverty if governments prioritize education and family planning, fair and equal pay, and expanded social benefits.

The U.N. chief told the meeting that poverty has a female face, because women have less access to land, natural resources and other financial assets. They earn just 51 cents for every dollar men earn, and they are more likely to be food insecure. The U.N. says more than 10% of the worlds women are living in extreme poverty  on less than $2.15 a day.

Today, one in 10 women lives in extreme poverty. And at the current rate of progress, as many as 342 million women will still be living in poverty in or by 2030, said Sima Bahous, the executive director of U.N. Women. This makes a mockery of our 2030 [development] agenda.

Women also suffer more when it comes to conflict. The U.N. chief noted that more than two-thirds of the people killed and injured in Israels military operations in Gaza are reportedly women and children.

Families seeking shelter from Israeli bombardment are struggling to survive, as hunger and malnutrition take hold. This is heartbreaking and utterly unacceptable, he said of the war against Hamas. Once again, I call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, and a massive increase in humanitarian aid.

He also repeated an appeal for a cease-fire in Sudan, where thousands have been killed in 11 months of fighting between rival generals, and rape has widely been used as weapon of war.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned 16 entities and individuals Monday for their role in fundraising and money laundering for the terrorist group al-Shabab.

Al-Shabab, which operates in Somalia, is an Islamist insurgency group with connections to al-Qaida.

Those sanctioned in connection with them were operating throughout the Horn of Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus, according to a Treasury statement.

Those sanctioned will have all U.S. assets frozen, and Americans will be barred from working with them.

In 2022, similar sanctions were imposed by the United States on other individuals connected with al-Shabab.

The U.S.-designated terror group has been waging an insurgency against the Somali government since 2006 and has controlled parts of the country, carrying out deadly terrorist attacks in the capital, Mogadishu.

Al-Shabab has funded itself by extorting businesses in Mogadishu and collecting taxes in the areas under its control.

In January 2023, the Somali government said it had shut down the financial infrastructure that supported al-Shabab. At the time, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said his government had closed every known account connected with the militants.

However, the group has continued to function by taking cash from businesses in government-controlled areas.

Washington says al-Shabab brings in more than $100 million each year from their financial network and through extorting local businesses and people.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement Monday the terror groups threat is not limited to Somalia.

He added al-Shabab funds other al-Qaida-linked groups, which helps their global ambitions to commit acts of terrorism and undermine good governance.

Some information for this report came from Reuters. VOAs Mohamed Olad Hassan contributed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has today visited the Alley of Martyrs in Baku, Trend reports.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev commemorated Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the countrys independence and territorial integrity. The Kazakh President laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev then enjoyed a panoramic view of Baku as he was informed about the history of the Alley of Martyrs and the redevelopment works carried out in the city.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude Monday to the team of the Oscar-winning film Sunday 20 Days in Mariupol, on the early horrors of Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Zelenskyy said that the coveted award in the Best Documentary category is important for our entire country.

The horrors of Mariupol must never be forgotten. The entire world must see and remember what the inhumane Russian invasion brought to our people, he wrote.

Cities and villages were destroyed, homes were burned, and entire families were killed by Russian shells and buried in their own backyards. We still do not know entirely how many people died in Mariupol. However, satellite images show graveyards around the city with thousands and thousands of graves, Zelenskyy added.

Directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov, the documentary chronicles Russias brutal attack and relentless bombardment of the southern port city of Mariupol in the first days of Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The film, Zelenskyy said, depicts the truth about Russian terrorism."

After nearly a decade covering international conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war for The Associated Press, Chernovs first feature film is a harrowing first-person account. A joint production of The Associated Press and PBSs Frontline, the film follows Chernov, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka and producer Vasilisa Stepanenko as they record from inside the besieged city.

The team arrived there an hour before Russia began bombing. Two weeks later, they were the last journalists there working for an international outlet, sending crucial dispatches to the outside world showing civilian casualties of all ages, the digging of mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital and the sheer extent of the devastation.

We were reporting inside the hospital when gunmen began stalking the corridors. Surgeons gave us white scrubs to wear as camouflage, Chernov said.

Ukrainian-born Chernov narrated the documentary. He and his team won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for public service.

While accepting the Academy Award, an emotional Chernov said, This is the first Oscar in Ukrainian history, and Im honored. He continued, probably I will be the first director on this stage to say I wish Id never made this film, I wish to be able to exchange this to Russia never attacking Ukraine.

He called on Russia to cease aggression in Ukraine. I wish for them to release all the hostages, all the soldiers who are protecting their land, all the civilians who are in their jails, he said.

The city of Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov, was almost completely destroyed by Russian attacks that Kyiv says killed tens of thousands of civilians.

The award comes as the Ukrainian army is struggling to repel Russian forces on the front lines and a $60 billion U.S. aid package is being stalled by political wrangling in Congress.

This documentary serves as a reminder of why international assistance  without delays or interruptions  is so critical to Ukraine, Zelenskyy said on X. The Russian evil does not pause and does not seek peace. They want to inflict the same fate on every city that they can reach as they did on Mariupol, Bucha, and our other cities that suffered under Russian occupation. Together, we must prevent Russia from destroying life.

Zelenskyy thanked everyone who is telling the truth about Russia's war crimes.

When asked about the films success, the Kremlin declined to comment. Russia has denied targeting civilians in Ukraine.

Some information is from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
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Ricardo Berris, head of the Atlanta Black Chambers delegation, attending the Zimbabwe-USA Business Summit in Harare organized by CEO Africa Round Table speaking on the sidelines of a conference focusing on investment opportunities in Zimbabwe. (Video: VOA)
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As U.S. voters prepare for a new round of primaries Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden and his Republican political rival Donald Trump traveled to the swing state of Georgia over the weekend to hold parallel campaign events. VOAs Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL  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.
A U.S. Army ship was on its way to the Mediterranean Sea on Sunday to start construction of a temporary pier on the Gaza coastline to provide passage for more truckloads of humanitarian aid to famished Palestinians, but officials say it could be as long as two months before the facility is built and operating.

The militarys Central Command said the General Frank S. Besson vessel sailed from a mid-Atlantic U.S. base in Virginia less than 36 hours after President Joe Biden announced the humanitarian effort during his Thursday night State of the Union address.

The eventual plan is for more food and medical supplies to be dispatched to the temporary pier in Gaza from nearby Cyprus after Israeli forces inspect the cargo to make sure no weaponry is included for Hamas militants, now in the sixth month of their war against Israel.

The temporary pier is needed because Gaza has no port infrastructure and 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.

A Spanish charity ship carrying food aid was expected to soon set sail from Cyprus. The nongovernmental group Open Arms said its vessel would carry 200 tons of food, which its partner, the U.S. charity World Central Kitchen, would then unload on the shores of Gaza where it had constructed a basic dock.

Meanwhile, no cease-fire has been agreed to as had been hoped for by the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, which starts at the first sighting of the crescent moon Sunday and Monday.

Hamas negotiators left Cairo talks last week but said negotiations would resume in the coming days on a possible six-week halt in Gaza fighting. In addition, the release of some of the remaining 100 or so hostages held by the militants in exchange for dozens of Palestinians jailed by Israel and a big increase in humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza were some of the terms discussed.

Both Hamas and Israel blamed each other for the failure to reach a cease-fire, with Israel demanding the names of hostages held by Hamas and the militants pushing their call for a full end to the war even as Israel vows to erase any vestige of Hamas rule in Gaza.

The conflict started October 7 with the shock Hamas terror attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 240 hostages. Israels counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas controlled Palestinian Health ministry, the big majority of those killed are women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed thousands of militants.

The United Nations has warned that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are starving and that 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.

The U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on Sunday, dropping more than 11,500 meal equivalents, as well as other food including rice, flour, pasta, and canned food into the territory.

But officials say the airdrops are insufficient to cover the vast food needs in Gaza. Five people were also killed days ago when a food pallet hit them.

As the war rages on, U.S. President Biden, has stepped up his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus oversight of the war, even as Biden has maintained his support for Israels right to defend itself against Hamas.

SEE ALSO:

In an interview on MSNBC on Saturday, Biden said he believes Netanyahu is "hurting Israel more than helping Israel" because of the high death toll of Palestinian civilians.

The U.S. leader said 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 mount. Gaza officials 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 15 people, including women and children, were taken to the main hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah on Sunday, according to The Associated Press.

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.

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.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
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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.
President Biden affectionately welcomed Giorgia Meloni to the White House and, after thanking her for Italys unwavering support for Ukraine, spoke with her about the situation in Gaza, where the loss of human life is heartbreaking.

He then declared that we will carry out food airdrops and supplies into Ukraine and we will try to open other access routes into Ukraine to help the population of Gaza, a Freudian slip that was left in the official video on the Italian Government website, and displayed by thousands of government and parliament members, local administrators and journalists from the major media.

Evidently whatever the President of the United States says cannot be doubted.

Nor can the political-media mainstream allow official data on US military supplies to Israel to be published. As soon as Israel began the war in Gaza, the United States supplied it with 10,000 tons of weapons transported by 244 cargo planes and 20 ships in just over a month. Among these were over 15,000 bombs, including one-ton bombs, and 50,000 artillery shells.

The Biden administration then gave Israel more than $14 billion to buy more US weapons.

This means that the bulk of the 70,000 tons of bombs that razed residential neighbourhoods in Gaza, killing Palestinian civilians, was supplied to Israel by the United States.

They also provided it with armoured Caterpillar bulldozers which advanced along with the tanks demolishing everything in their path with their 64 tons weight.

The figures of the ongoing genocide in Gaza speak for themselves: up to date 37,534 people were murdered or missing; 13,430 children murdered; 8,900 women killed; 364 medical personnel killed; 269 were kidnapped; 132 journalists murdered; 71,920 injured; 17,000 children left without their parents; 32 hospitals out of service; 53 health centres out of service; 700,000 patients with infectious diseases; 350,000 patients with chronic diseases left without treatment; 270,000 homes destroyed; 400 schools and universities destroyed; 500 mosques destroyed; 290 archaeological sites destroyed.

While continuing to militarily and politically support the genocide that Israel is committing in Palestine, President Biden announced in his State of the Union address that he has ordered the US Armed Forces to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary dock in the Mediterranean on the coast of Gaza, capable of accommodating large ships carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelter.

The United States  he assures  leads international efforts to bring more humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
My job is to convince the audience that Oppenheimer knows what hes doing. I really spent most of the time working on his psychology. Photo: Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pic/Melinda Sue Gordon

This article was originally published on July 28, 2023. At the 2024 Oscars, Cillian Murphy won the award for Best Actor for his performance in Oppenheimer.

Cillian, Im making a movie. Its called Oppenheimer and Id like you to play Oppenheimer. With those words, Christopher Nolan introduced Cillian Murphy to the role that may wind up defining the Irish actors career. After having made five previous films with Nolan, Murphy now plays the lead in the atomic-age drama Oppenheimer. Its a historical biopic turned on its head  the story of the brilliant man who created a doomsday weapon and spent much of the rest of his life stewing in regret and shame. The part requires so much of Murphy, because the characters emotional journey happens less through dialogue exchanges and more through subtle changes on his face and the way he moves, through the intimate spectacle of a man torturing himself in his own mind. When I interviewed the cast and crew about the film, just about everybody was full of gushing praise for Murphy, and its easy to see why. He has certainly given some staggering performances in the past, but he is particularly riveting and moving in Oppenheimer. Back in June, before the SAG-AFTRA strike, we spoke about this life-changing part.

When did Christopher Nolan approach you about doing this film?

Out of the blue, in typical Chris fashion. He gave me no preparation. There was no preamble. He just called me in September of 2021, I think. And he said in his very understated, low-key manner, Cillian, Im making a movie. Its called Oppenheimer and Id like you to play Oppenheimer.

How much did you know about J. Robert Oppenheimer at that point?

Honestly, not a lot. I knew vaguely about the Manhattan Project and I knew he was the father of the atomic bomb, as they say. But other than that, he was pretty sketchy, so I had to dive in straight away.

Did Nolan have any initial guidance that he gave you? After you said yes to the role, what were your initial conversations like?

Oh, they were long and manifold. He came to Dublin to meet me and I went over to Los Angeles many times during prep, and we talked and talked and talked. Obviously, I read the book American Prometheus as well, and then I dove into all the archival material thats available. But I leaned on Chris a lot because we have known each other for so long and because I have such great admiration for him and trust in him.

With real-life characters, it seems theres often a fine line between accuracy and impersonation. There are the needs of the script, and the historical record, but then I imagine theres a certain amount of imagination and creativity that you have to bring to this character, in order to inhabit the role.

We were very clear from the beginning that it wasnt an impression or impersonation. It was a synthesis of Chriss script and all the stuff that I had in my head. Chris creates a really safe space or environment for actors to create and to contribute. Because of our history, I felt I could really bring things to him and try stuff out. As the cast list grew, these incredible actors who I admire immensely became attached to the project, and it got more and more exciting. But it was very much a relationship between myself and Chris in developing the character. I would call him and I would do the voice for him, or we would be in L.A. and we would figure out how the clothes fit. He would send me pictures of David Bowie.

Why David Bowie?

Well, it was the silhouette. Do you remember that Bowie period, like the Thin White Duke or maybe Young Americans, when he was so skinny and kind of emaciated but he had these wonderful tailored suits with the trousers? If you look at some of the costuming in the movie, you can see these wide balloon pants and these beautifully tailored suits. That was the Oppenheimer silhouette. Oppenheimer was incredibly physically frail, but just so intellectually robust and strong.

I am a very big fan of your performance in Dunkirk, particularly the physicality of it, because you dont get a lot of lines; nobody gets a lot of lines in that movie. But the way you carry yourself at different points in that film says so much about the emotions of the character and the journey hes on. When early on, hes so in charge and calm, and then after hes rescued by the boat, how he tries to assert himself, but hes falling apart, hes almost concave.

I come from theater, and I love acting with my body. You get to do that an awful lot in theater, but you dont get to do it as much in film because film is about the close-up generally. And theater is always by necessity in a wide shot.

The book was very useful for Oppenheimer  with firsthand accounts of how he carried himself, his kind of energy, how he smoked a cigarette. I lost a lot of weight. And then immediately, that does something to the way you walk, the way you hold yourself, the way clothes fall on you. So that was an unpleasant but useful exercise. Sometimes you can build a character from the outside in, or sometimes the sort of superficial appearance can help with the interior landscape. Because a lot of the movie is kind of his interior landscape.

Lets talk about that. In the film, after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Oppenheimer doesnt really express regret or shame, but its clear that he feels them. So much of the film becomes about his face and his bearing, not so much the dialogue. As a performance, that seems like itd be incredibly difficult.

For me, theyre the performances Im always attracted to  almost inexpressible, kind of beyond language. Theyre the richest ones. And the film actors that Ive always loved are the ones that if they think it, you can feel it. I guess thats kind of what I tried to do with him. A scene that is a beautiful combination of what I was trying to do and what Chris does so brilliantly was that scene where he is trying to give the speech after Hiroshima and theres all these kids in the bleachers, and he just cant speak. He goes into this fugue state. That was us trying to communicate to the audience what he was actually struggling with in a nonverbal way.

That scene, the way its cut and sound-edited, is very similar to the Trinity scene. Everythings quiet, all we hear is Oppenheimers breathing, and then theres the blast of sound that comes in  in one case, the explosion, and in the other, the belated roar of the crowd. Was it that way in the script? Did you know it was going to be put together that way?

Oh, a hundred percent. Everything is stage-directed in the script, everything is there. In Chriss films, the script is the film. It doesnt get moved around or experimented with much in the edit. So yes, it was all there.

The film also gives us just enough of the science to make sure that were not lost, but not so much that were suddenly confused. Thats obviously the script, too. But, as the guy who has to be the guy who knows everything, or pretend to be the guy who knows everything, how did you approach that?

Well, Ive actually played a physicist before in a movie for Danny Boyle years ago called Sunshine. So I must have resting physicists face. I did an awful lot of research there. What became clear to me really quickly was that theres no point in me wasting time trying to understand quantum mechanics. I dont have the intellectual capability to do that. You have to study your whole life and theres only a tiny fraction of the population that can understand it. My job is to go after the humanity. I spoke to Kip Thorne, who is the Oppenheimer science adviser, and I have a vague conceptual grasp on what the physicists were experimenting on. But thats not my job. My job is to convince the audience that Oppenheimer knows what hes doing. I really spent most of the time working on his psychology.

Were there any specific notes that Chris gave you during production that were particularly helpful or insightful?

It was probably in our first week of shooting in Los Alamos, and I was doing a scene with Groves, Matt Damon. I think I came in pretty hard on the scene a couple of times. A little more aggressive than was necessary, because Oppenheimer would use his intellect rather than his physical presence in these situations. I remember Chris took me aside, and he said, Hes not a boxer, hes a chess player. All of a sudden, the whole scene made complete sense. With a note that concise and brilliant, thats why hes such a magnificent director.

Damons Groves, Robert Downey Jr.s Strauss, Emily Blunts Kitty  I feel like those are characters who serve as foils for Oppenheimer. Groves is so certain of who he is and where he stands on these issues. In a way, Strauss is too. And Kitty is the one whos always telling Robert to fight. Shes frustrated that hes not. Can you describe that dynamic with them?

Groves needed Oppenheimer and Oppenheimer needed Groves to become the man that he became. The relationship with Kitty is so dysfunctional. It shouldnt work, yet it does. It sustains and they both need each other again. I suppose the most complex one is with Strauss. I remember talking with Downey and Chris about that, and we used the Amadeus dynamic between Salieri and Mozart; that Strauss wants to be the genius, but he will never be the genius, and he sees the true genius in someone else, so he feels compelled to derail it.

In an interview with Downey  and I dont know how tongue-in-cheek he was being  he said, Well, Strauss is really the hero of the movie. Thats a great thing to hear from an actor because they have to believe that to a certain extent to perform the part.

I dont think theres anyone in this movie thats a clear-cut antagonist. I dont think Downey fulfills that. Its far more complex. I love the fact that he feels slighted at one point, and that is enough for him to take down an individual. History can turn on one man feeling slighted by another.

Donald Trump probably doesnt run for president if Barack Obama doesnt make fun of him at the White House Correspondents Dinner 

I love that. Thats a great analogy. I think history is littered with that, with vanity and narcissism.

The film takes place over quite a long period of time, and there are flashes to Oppenheimers youth as a student. What did you have to do to embody him as a young man in his 20s, and then as a much older man?

That was a lot of testing hair and makeup stuff. We all know that Chris doesnt use CGI, so we had an amazing hair and makeup team, and we worked a lot on that. It was all done really through me and hair and makeup. That was it.

So much of the film happens in close-up, and so much of the film is shot in Imax. I know Imax cameras are huge and loud. I imagine its different than just having an ordinary camera in your face?

Its vastly different, but Ive worked with Chris on a number of projects that he shot on Imax, so Im kind of used to it. The thing about Chriss films, despite the format that hes using, it does feel like a small independent movie because on set its just Chris, the focus-puller, the boom operator, and the actors. Theres no monitors. Hes not away in a tent somewhere. Hes right there beside you. So it feels very intimate. I should pay tribute to Hoyte van Hoytema, our DP, whos phenomenally talented and also a kind, calm, gentle presence on the floor.

One thing editor Jennifer Lame told me was that Chris was obsessed with images of droplets and ripples and things like that while shooting and editing the film. Was that something you talked about?

Chris has always been kind of haunted with this stuff. And he has incredible luck with weather. We needed it to rain specifically in that scene between Einstein and Oppenheimer, for the ripples and the droplets. And it rained! It was otherwise a beautiful blue-sky day, and then all of a sudden it rained exactly when it needed to. Similarly, when the storm kicks up before the Trinity test. An actual storm kicked up when Im climbing up the tower.

What do you recall about shooting the films final scene with Einstein?

We shot that in one day. I remember it was me and Tom Conti and Downey. We shot that all in a day or two in Princeton. We shot in Oppenheimers office and in Einsteins office, and then we went out onto the green and down to the pond. So it was all a real location. I absolutely think the ending of this film is extraordinary. I remember reading the script going, Wow, thats one of the greatest endings. And I think its where many, many feature films fail is in the third act.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are two brotherly states, President Ilham Aliyev said at the first meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan High-Level Intergovernmental Council, Trend reports.

For many centuries, our peoples have lived in peace, brotherhood and cooperation, regardless of socio-political formations. As two independent states, for over 30 years, we have been actively cooperating both within international institutions and in a bilateral format. Recently, the dynamics of our mutual visits have been very illustrative, indicating that our relations have gained new momentum, President Ilham Aliyev underlined.
Photo: Universal Pictures

This article was originally published on July 25, 2023. At the 2024 Oscars, for Robert Downey Jr. won the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Oppenheimer.

Robert Downey Jr. is one of the most successful performers of the past couple of decades, having starred as Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes in two huge film franchises. But it does feel like its been a while since hes had a deep, layered role of the kind that once marked him as a staggering acting talent. Now hes back in Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, playing Admiral Lewis Strauss, the businessman turned government official who locked horns with the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer in the years following World War II. The director says that the push-pull between Oppenheimer and Strauss reminded him of the relationship between Mozart and Antonio Salieri in Amadeus.

And you could even say that Downey is the films second lead: The movies framing device interweaves Oppenheimers 1954 security-clearance hearing and Strausss 1959 Senate confirmation hearing, flashing back to show how the physicists growing concerns about the nuclear arms race set him on a collision course with the U.S. security apparatus. It turns out Downey himself, as a student of American history, was familiar with Strauss even before Nolan asked him to do the part. Maybe thats why his performance, which goes from chummy to snakelike over the course of the film, is one of the movies most fascinating and riveting elements. Last month (before the SAG-AFTRA strike), we talked about what drew Downey to the role and what it was like working on Nolans film.

What were your initial conversations with Christopher Nolan about this project and this role?

He asked if Id like to come over to his house and read a script. There is no version of an answer to that question that doesnt start with a y, and I dont mean why with a question mark. Then he asked me if I was at all familiar with the character or the subject matter. It has been a longtime contemplation, verging on obsession, of mine: mid-century Cold War and all the characters involved. I had a previous fair understanding of Strauss because I was fascinated with the mechanics of warfare, particularly in the Pacific theater in World War II. The first time I saw his name in print was regarding the proximity fuze and its development.

Then I challenged a little bit the Mozart-Salieri of it all. I said, Im not sure in some ways that Strauss isnt a bit the hero here, which kind of raised an eyebrow on Chris. I half-jokingly challenged him on whether Admiral Strauss hadnt done everything that any patriotic American wouldve done. And he said, Well, this will be a wonderful ongoing dialogue. So, will you do the film? And hes Chris Nolan, so hes not asking your fricking agent.

So you knew beforehand about Strauss. How do you approach research and preparation? Obviously, theres the guy on the page, theres the historical record, but then theres a certain amount of imaginative creative work you have to bring to it, I assume?

Technically it wasnt really about what to add on; it was about what to remove so that aspect of all of us can emerge  a nose-to-the-grindstone public servant. Someone who is conservative for all the right reasons. One who has a very strong moral psychology, but also someone who is human and does not like to be slighted, does not like to be taken lightly, does not wish to be unnecessarily embarrassed, even if were in the presence of a genius.

In terms of stripping away, what wasnt necessary?

In a time when there were a lot of dynamic figures, all kind of battling to be a voice of their generation and/or binding together to overcome the darkest forms of fascism, we still want to be thought of in a favorable light. Someone like Strauss really was the American Dream incarnate  putting himself through school, being an assistant to President Hoover. The many, many things he did were behind the scenes. It reminded me a little bit in a strange way of my wifes experience working with me where shes the one on the other side of the camera, making sure that Mr. Smartypants doesnt blow himself up while hes charming the chrome off the bumper in the parking lot.

Oftentimes Chris would just come in and say, Robert, great. Now next time just do nothing. I was like, Nothing? Okay! And sometimes that was the one hed print. Sometimes he liked what happened in the takes before or after that. There was just this ongoing dialogue between a master filmmaker and someone who is open to a new experience. Sometimes  and Im sure we can all relate to this  by the time youre looking at the back nine, youre in your mid- to late 50s, youre wondering, How many more new experiences am I likely to have? And this was exactly that in practical terms, while still having all the fundamentals of making a film that youre proud of.

I feel like Strauss in some ways has the broadest and most pronounced character arc in the movie. He seems to change more than just about anybody, at least in our eyes.

Ill take it. [Laughs] I mean, look, the arc is Oppenheimers. I was really pleased because in being Salieri to his Mozart, its cool to see what happens when theres that turn and were finally in a position to make a statement and change the status of someone that you feel has wronged you. Its a very dangerous threshold to cross. I think that as much as I admire Strauss for everything he did right, I think like many of us hes also a cautionary tale.

In some ways, he becomes a symbol of the politicization of nuclear technology and science. Theres this push-pull between science and conscience and ego. I thought that was a fascinating note to end it on: These forces are going to keep fighting each other and were all going to get killed as a result.

Its that thing when there is either too liberal or too conservative a disposition, its us, the citizens, that wind up paying the price for these frictions. Lewis  consciously or not, solely or not, maybe just as a sign of the times  succeeded in getting Oppenheimer canceled. Then, those who felt Oppenheimer was wronged waited for the perfect moment to cancel Strauss, right when he was about to be at the precipice of his lifes achievement. Obviously, Oppenheimers achievement was global. Strausss achievement had been personal. And still, to this day, many will never know all the earlier contributions that Admiral Strauss made that were significant and have made this a better, safer world. But there you have it, buddy. Nothing new under the sun.

Nolan told me that the actors really got into their roles. It sounds like it was very rewarding for him to put everybody in a room together and let them interact almost as their characters. Can you describe that vibe on set?

Theres a scene where Cillian is particularly haunted as its being understood that he may not have had all the data on the hydrogen bomb proliferating via espionage. And youve got Matthew Modine, youve got Josh Hartnett knocking it out of the park. Youve got Cillian as our lead, really, really sticking to his guns and becoming more and more haunted, this iconic character. Youve got David Krumholtz nailing it. And it seemed like an entire generation  actually, several generations of actors  were coming together at the top of their game. We all knew that this was a critical moment. And now that were talking about it and people are starting to see it and really feel affected by it, I go, Wow, that was kind of a profound little film shoot we had. Turned out pretty darn well.

The film is very dense; theres a lot of information, a lot of characters. But its also very fast. Its never boring. Its almost like an action movie about people talking. Were you guys trying to accelerate or do things faster? Was that ever a concern?

No, because the crazy dichotomy is Nolan is not about control. Hes about experience. So you look down, theres no marks on the floor. You wonder if you shouldnt pace it up. And he says, Dont worry about that. Thats my problem. If I didnt write it correctly, then its going to be a problem later. I think sub-intentionally, some directors can burden the situation with their own neurosis, and that is not him.

What were your impressions of the final cut?

Im experiencing it, of course, as a more than occasionally self-centered guy watching it: Oh, there I am. Wait. I was looking at Susan Downey quite a bit because she actually went to film school. And we were just having this kind of crazy ride together. I need to see it again. I have a feeling this is going to be like one of those yearly watch films. When they come on, you dont change the channel. Or you want to share this with other folks. I intend to try to sneak into as many Imax theaters as I can over the summer and beyond, and just experience other people experiencing it.
Photo-Illustration: Vulture. Photos: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images, Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Tan France is denying that he gave the Queer Eye lineup a makeover. On February 27, Netflix announced that Jeremiah Brent  who is also Frances friend  would be replacing Bobby Berk as the shows new interior designer. Rolling Stone later published a report on March 5, claiming that France (with alleged support from Antoni Porowski) had campaigned for the Berk-Brent switch, with one source describing what happened as mean-girl antics. Three days later, France took to Instagram to respond via video. I just want to address one point real quick, he said on March 8. My former colleague getting fired had nothing to do with me trying to get my friend hired. France denied swaying Netflixs decision, noting that Brent was chosen as the best person for the job after a full casting process. I didnt get [Brent] hired by getting rid of somebody else, he concluded. Heres all the gossip we can spill so far, below:

Was Bobby Berk fired from Queer Eye?

Frances Instagram video was a bit dramatic vis-a-vis the fired allegations. The interior designer left the show on his own volition, Berk explained in a January interview with Vanity Fair. According to him, the Fab Five had all mentally prepared to leave after their contract expired in September 2022. But with content running low due to last years Hollywood strikes, Netflix offered the Fab Five a new deal for four more cycles. Berk declined; hed already started planning multiple other projects. He thought his co-stars were going to follow suit, but right before the deadline, he said they all decided to sign. And with only one of us not coming back, Netflix felt [it] could recast one person, Berk explained. Though he admitted to being mad for a second, he vaguely said that each one of us had our reasons why we did what we did.

How did the feud between Tan France and Bobby Berk begin?

Queer Eye fans have been constructing theories of behind-the-scenes beef ever since news broke last fall that Berk would be leaving the Fab Five (which also includes France, Karamo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness, and Porowski) after the upcoming eighth season of the reality show. Naturally, the speculation continued when Berk unfollowed co-star Tan France on Instagram shortly after announcing his exit in November 2023. Tan and I had a moment, Berk confirmed in a January interview with Vanity Fair. There was a situation, and thats between Tan and I, and it has nothing to do with the show. It was something personal that had been brewing  and nothing romantic, just to clarify that.

Looking back, Berk said he shouldnt have unfollowed France, and maybe just needed to mute his account. But that day, I was angry, and thats the end of it, Berk said. We became like siblingsand siblings are always going to fight. He noted that he and France hugged and congratulated each other at the Emmy Awards earlier this month, which he described as the first bandage on that wound. In six months to a year, he said he could see himself and France at each others house being good.

Do Jonathan Van Ness and Antoni Porowski have anything to do with Berks exit?

Yes and no. Multiple production sources alleged the Fab Five were decidedly not close and simply maintained a veneer of friendliness to appease the public eye, according to a Rolling Stone report published March 5. Worse, anonymous insiders claimed Van Ness, arguably the breakout star of Queer Eye, contributed to a toxic workplace, using words like monster, nightmare, and demeaning to describe his presence on set. Berk would allegedly quarrel with France and Van Ness over his larger workload while filming, and grew to feel that his small screen time didnt match the amount of effort he put into rebuilding a subjects room and furniture in four days. He checked out during the last season, sources alleged.

As for the Porowski of it all, France and the Chopped protege are friends outside the series. Based on that fact, it was easy to speculate that Porowski stood behind his friend when advocating for Brent as a replacement. The fifth member of the Fab Five, Karamo Brown, cant be factored in to the mess at this point. When Berk left, Brown loudly begged for Netflix to bring him back in an Instagram comment on Berks original goodbye post in November. We are #ForeverTheFab5 no matter what, he wrote. Im about to be at Netflixs door & e-mails telling them you cant leave! Who is coming with me? At least someone knows silly lukewarm drama like this could be bad business.

This post has been updated.
Photo: Getty Images

DaVine Joy Randolph capped off an awards season with an incredible win  and were not just talking about her literally winning an Oscar. The actress, who has now won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and SAG and Critics Choice awards, all for her performance in The Holdovers, gave a stunning speech (no surprise given shes had months to practice). Randolph celebrated God, her mother, and her publicist, who, Jimmy Kimmel pointed out, she forgot to name. (Vulture can confirm her name is Marla Farrell.) I pray to God that I get to do this more than once, Randolph said at the end of her speech. Get ready, Hollywood. Shell be back.

But Randolph also won in another way. As part of this years actor tributes by former winners portion, a bespectacled Lupita Nyongo paid tribute to Randolph. DaVine, my friend, your performance is tribute to those who have helped others heal in spite of their own pain, she said. Its also a tribute to your grandmother, whose glasses you wear in the film. What an honor to see the world through her eyes and yours. Ummm  Theyre friends? Make that movie (is it a buddy comedy? A drama? A romcom?!), Hollywood.
Kate Middleton? Photo: Stephen Pond/Getty Images

Kensington Palaces assertions that Kate Middleton is chill and fine arent being received quite as it would like. First, people started meme-ing her disappearance from public life. Then she was photographed in a car, which also got memed to hell. Now, the Princess of Waless Mothers Day portrait has been pulled from major news outlets due to blatant Photoshopping. In response, the social-media account for the Prince and Princess of Wales put out a statement, purportedly from Kate herself. Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing, she (apparently) said. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mothers Day. Notably, this does not include a direct statement that the picture is real. Instead, it is two separate statements, one about photography in general and one an apology that does not clarify why the photo was edited.

According to Deadline, the Associated Press, Getty Images, Reuters, and AFP have all pulled the picture from their libraries because theyre concerned it has been manipulated. AP sent out a kill notification that claimed the source, meaning Kensington Palace, had manipulated the image. Social-media users pointed out the evidence of Photoshopping  which included blurred spots, sharp lines, weird hands on the kids, and something going on with Princess Charlottes sleeve. Not exactly the kind of thing thats gonna stop the meme in its tracks.

not really kept up with this whole conspiracy theory, but this photo is SOO DODGY



two of their hands look very weird as if they're AI generated, and the girls arm has 100% been photoshopped and her skirt also looks weird as fuck as well? https://t.co/wB20kb0L6P pic.twitter.com/EeXHhmEtM5  marc (@feelingsplain) March 10, 2024

Ive never been much of a conspiracy theorist but if @AP @AFP @Reuters & other picture agencies are concerned enough to remove it and ask clients to delete it, there are serious questions for Kensington Palace - which was the source of the photo.

These appears to be the issues  https://t.co/ifcSB9mUzu pic.twitter.com/bH5gN9fJtJ  Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) March 10, 2024

Kensington Palace has released the first official photo of Kate Middleton since her abdominal surgery. pic.twitter.com/rX1aIUZ8iT  Nonna Charts Brazil (@MonopolyPhonic) March 10, 2024

the royal family social media manager thinking they did a good job on the Kate Middleton photo editspic.twitter.com/kxjItUTSbG  T (@teewatterss) March 10, 2024

the royal family: happy mothers day to Kate Middleton



the internet:pic.twitter.com/kuB8YRws5n  T (@teewatterss) March 10, 2024

Kensington Palace trying to stop the Kate Middleton conspiracy theories https://t.co/94wRW5tERH pic.twitter.com/Eg8OSSYTl1  Matt Jones (@MattJSport) March 10, 2024

This post has been updated throughout.
Two different women visit Rick Grimess apartment in the third episode of The Ones Who Live, and neither of them is Michonne. Thats unacceptable, folks! Threats circle Rick as he finds himself in one of his biggest pickles ever, while Michonne starts to doubt that her husband really is the same after all these years. Michonne is in observer mode throughout Bye and narrates via letters to Judith. What has the CRM done to her husband? Why is he acting so out of sorts? We see glimpses of the old Rick when hes yelling at Jadis or admiring Michonne from afar, but Michonne sees something very wrong.

The episode starts with flashbacks that fill in some story gaps. In the first flashback, years before Rick and Michonne reunited and before Rick joined the military, we see Jadis run into Rick while hes on consignee leave in Philadelphia. She explains how the Scavengers, her group of survivors who first appeared in The Walking Dead season seven, started recruiting for the CRM. Rick figures out that she traded his life for a position of power. (Is this the arrangement they spoke of before? Unclear.) In the second flashback, hours before Jadis confronted Rick in the previous episode, we see him beg Pearl to make sure Dana Bethune, a.k.a. Michonne, makes it through the CRMs screening. Shes an A, he says, but she saved his life, and he wants to return the favor.

Then, immediately following the end of episode two, the aforementioned confrontation continues. Rick pleads that Michonne doesnt belong there with a mean vibrato. Why does Jadis care so much about Rick and Michonne escaping? Jadis claims that all three of their fates are intertwined, and Rick and Michonne are an atomic force that could threaten everything the CRM has built. Plus, the CRM has a no-tolerance policy regarding secrecy. She promises that she will never stop looking for them if they leave and that if they try to kill her, shes already prepared a file with everything the CRM needs to know about them and their family as insurance. Rick and Michonne are well and truly fucked.

Meanwhile, Michonne pretends to be Dana. Shes all smiles with her fellow consignees and shrugs off the idea that she can take care of herself. But they arent buying it. She cant help but save people and show off a little. You radiate shit-knowing, grins one woman.

Rick attends a funeral for Okafor led by Major General Beale. He summarizes Okafors backstory  how he went off mission and bombed the Marines stationed in Lincoln Field instead of Philadelphia, saving hundreds of people but killing his own wife. Beale then shows off his antique sword, which belonged to a Revolutionary War figure named General Hugh Mercer, salvaged from a museum in Philadelphia. Like Okafor, he believes Mercer fought for different sides and died on the right one. (I know I referenced Hamilton last week, and I pinkie swear I know other musicals, but Burr mentions Mercers death in The Room Where It Happens, a villain song about political ambition and compromise. Just something to think about.)

On the way out, Pearl wonders if Okafor was right to spare her life. Maybe it wasnt worth it. As if Beale could sense Pearls faith wavering, he rides up in an armored jeep and whisks Pearl away to speak privately. He also tells Rick that hes not sure about him and then gifts him a book, Martial Arts: The Book of Family Traditions, by Japanese writer and warrior Yagyu Munenori. Thats suspicious to give to a man whose secret wife carries a katana and calls their daughter the shoto (little sword) to her daito (long sword), dont you think? Maybe Im paranoid.

Pearl returns from her conversation with Beale later that night and tells Rick that shes been promoted and given the elusive Echelon Briefing that Okafor said was reserved for the inner circle. She is, for all intents and purposes, in the room where it happens. She also tells him that Dana has caught Beales eye (paranoia justified?), which could jeopardize Pearls new position. Rick promises that wont happen.

With Oceans Eleven precision, Rick plans an escape  hell fake Michonnes death so she can escape while he stays behind. He passes her a note on her lunch break, like a friggin teenager, with instructions that lead her to a locker with a key to let her out of the building, a map that will lead her to a canoe, and her katana. When she reaches the canoe Rick hid in the brush, he isnt there. Hes left a dead body meant to look like Michonnes and another note explaining that the only way for her to get to Judith is if he stays. He ends the note saying he loves her forever and begging her to leave him behind. Michonnes understandably devastated

The next morning, Rick tells Jadis that he staged Michonnes death, and she will keep that lie for him. You say you did it for her, Jadis says. Im sure that thats true. But I wonder if there isnt something else thats keeping you here? I think were all wondering that. But all Rick does in response is make fun of Jadis hair. He may be trapped, but that doesnt mean he cant be sassy.

And, of course, Michonne didnt actually leave. Shes on the consignment crew later that day. Shes pissed at Rick for trying to trick her into escaping without him. When he tries to explain his rationale for staying, being her someone on the inside, she gives him a look as sharp as her katana. And now shes no longer trying to pose as a breezy, meek follower. She takes zombies out with true vengeance, and Pearls upset that her strength is showing. It is wild to see an organization so seriously concerned with personality types that arent, like, Hogwarts or Divergent.

Later, when Michonne gets to tour the market in Philly, she discovers the portrait artist who drew her and Judith on iPhone canvasses for Rick  the one who gave both of them the mantra believe a little bit longer. Benjiro (Julian Cihi), the artist, recognizes Michonne from Ricks description. He tells her that Rick asked for a portrait of his late son Carl, too, but he couldnt get it right. Their conversation is a little bit saccharine, but Michonne needs to have her faith restored, just like Pearl.

Benjiro says that Michonne is open compared to Rick, who wouldnt say her or Judiths name for three years. If you told someone watching season three of The Walking Dead when Michonne was the stoic and silent one, they would be shocked. The Ones Who Live keeps referencing how Rick was more or less mute for long periods. Its one of the more upsetting revelations in this series.

When Michonne returns to work, Pearl pulls her and takes her to the ruins of Lincoln Field to ask why she saved Ricks life. Michonne says its because Rick seemed helpless, which Pearl finds hard to believe. From a dynamic standpoint, its fun to see Pearl act as if shes the one who really gets Rick. But we know better, and when Michonne looks directly at Rick and says, Well, I dont know him, we know its an insult. Pearl explains As and Bs and says she wants Michonne to enlist in the Civic Republic Military, mirroring Okafors pitch in the first episode. But she doesnt want to change the CRM from within like Okafor did. She says that Michonne wont be content as a civilian and will forever want to fight injustice and question authority. With the CRM, shell get in that room and have those answers  so she says yes.

Michonne flies across the continental United States in the helicopter with a small group of CRM soldiers to a mission in the Cascade Mountains. As the group clears the area of walkers, Pearl barks at Michonne to stand aside, but when Pearl cant move an RDIM, a wheeled explosive device, that is stuck in the mud Michonne takes it upon herself to move it into position despite Pearls orders to stand down. Rick assists her, and everything seems back to normal for a moment. They still make a good zombie-slaying team. After the device detonates, they even steal a kiss or five behind a tree. Come on, Michonne pleads. They should just start running! Rick refuses, likely thinking of Jadis, who he still hasnt told Michonne about, by the way. Communication is key, Richard!

Rick and Michonne rejoin the action and start mowing down walkers. Pearl watches them working together and looks  envious? She slowly aims her rifle at Michonne. Ex-squeeze me? Rick notices and intervenes in time to redirect Pearls attention elsewhere, but its still troubling  was Pearls plan to recruit Michonne just to kill her during the mission? Thats so cruel. At the base, Pearl chastises Rick for breaking protocol and says that Beale wants to brief him. How can the CRM restore the world if its officers are more concerned with their ambitions than the people they serve? I wonder. Still, Ricks about to be in the room himself. And as if there werent enough walls closing around him, Jadis appears, flirts with Rick, and ensures that Michonne sees it.

Rick runs to Michonne, and his demeanor is now amped up to an eleven. Im getting you the hell out of here if I have to knock you out and put you on that goddamn boat myself, he growls. I belong here. You dont. And you will never change that. Its over. Everything we had is broken, you hear me? Sure, Rick. I dont believe that little unhinged outburst for a second. You think I cant smell a break your heart to save you trope a mile away? And Im willing to bet that Michonne can too.

Because Michonnes next move is arguably more unhinged, but maybe its her only choice. Either way, I respect it. She yeets herself and Rick out of a helicopter while theyre flying over water in the middle of a storm. Welp. Guess thats why the episode title is Bye. Whether Rick wanted to or not, theyve escaped the CRM now! The next episode is written by Danai Gurira, Michonne herself, in case you have any doubts about whos in charge. Lets fucking go.

Sweet Nothings

 Did you notice that the first three episodes are titled Years, Gone, and Bye yet? Thats a reference to the pilot of The Walking Dead and the first arc of the comics, Days Gone Bye.

 I know some people online have theorized that Rick and Jadis had a sexual relationship, and I would rather not go there. But Jadis was definitely hitting on him at the end when she invited him to check out the view from her quarters, right? Michonne was around the corner! Girl 

 Beale says that Rick makes him think of the Greek word pharmakon, which means both poison and the cure and is prevalent in critical theory and philosophy. (It also means scapegoat, as something that is blamed for poisoning the community and removing it, thereby curing the community.)

 While Im being academic, I wonder if Michonne chose Bethune after Mary McLeod Bethune, a civil-rights activist known as the First Lady of the Struggle who started a girls school in Florida that became the HBCU Bethune-Cookman.

 Never once have I wanted to be in a position where I had to kill zombies in real life, but the CRMs twisty trident killsticks make it look kind of satisfying. Am I okay?
Yvonne McGuinness (right of Cillian Murphy), my new friend. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

I experience my first Academy Awards weekend in 4K, as a delightfully immersive and occasionally destabilizing multisensory experience. It starts on Friday, when I attend a pre-Oscars party at a mansion on a hilltop, hosted by Vanity Fair and Yves Saint Laurent to celebrate Oppenheimer, a film about that time the United States dropped two nuclear bombs on Japan. Every single person is wearing black and smoking, perhaps as some kind of light homage. They often ask each other if they are wearing YSL and mostly the answer is yes; nobody eats the cheeseburgers being passed around. I see Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy chatting with people, but then I see Josh Hartnett and decide I need to pay off a long-standing psychic debt to my 12-year-old self and speak to him first. Hes chatting with Alex Wolff, who pulls a small box out of his suit jacket to reveal two tiny mints, explaining that they are from Japan and not drugs. I eat one  I trust him, he was in Hereditary and knows why Ari Aster is like that about moms and turn to Josh to say something about Pearl Harbor, realizing that he has actively participated in fictional World War II from multiple (2) angles. I also bring up The Faculty and he says, Yeah, wow, that was in like, 1998.

The interior of the hilltop mansion looks like a preserved Mad Men set, complete with actual Jon Hamm walking around with a wife, except Hailey Bieber is also there, which sort of cancels out the period-perfect effect. I head for a bathroom attached to one of the bedrooms, which is empty save for Sharon Stone sitting casually on a bed with a friend, wearing glasses, looking absolutely amazing. She compliments my shoes, which are dirty, and we discuss how hard it is to wear heels for more than a few minutes. Keegan Michael Key walks in and remarks on the floors (they are good) and leaves. Other party attendees include Zoe Kravitz and Channing Tatum and dozens of women I vaguely recognize from Instagram, who wander around flammably near heat lamps and fire pits. Dominic Sessa of The Holdovers talks to Billie Eilishs brother. I see Lottie from Yellowjackets and feel relieved to see a friend but then have to keep reminding myself I dont actually know her. Back in Sharon Stones adopted bedroom, I volunteer to take photos for a woman I soon learn is Cillian Murphys wife and her friends, who are having more fun than anyone else here.

On Saturday I run around to various expensive hotels across Los Angeles to pick up the tickets necessary for me to attend the Academy Awards, including a wristband that allows me to leave my floor at the Oscars to visit other, more famous floors. When Im done, I meet a luxury artisan at my hotel pool and we end up in her hotel room perusing her wares, which run upwards of $200,000, and then I somehow end up buying her oat milk at Erehwon. Soon thereafter I am standing completely naked with my arms bent downward like a broken marionette getting a last minute $250 spray tan in Beverly Hills. The Oscars will do things like this to you and you must accept it, there is no point in resistance.

A picture of Jimmy Kimmel, Oscars host, that captures the approximate distance between my seat and the stage. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

On the day of the awards, Hazel and Wendy, the housekeeping staff at the Short Stories Hotel, agree to zip me into my dress. I carry my bricklike mobile charger necessary to power my crucial observations in my hand because it doesnt fit in my purse. To physically get into Hollywoods Dolby Theater, where the Oscars are held every year, is a Zelda-esque vision quest; my Uber driver and I fail over and over at deciphering the riddle-like directions for cars approaching the event and I end up staggering many city blocks by foot in already painful heels. Several people on the way pump me for ceremony tickets and many L.A. private and public security officers compliment my outfit as I hobble. I arrive at 2:30 p.m., the same time as Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, but am unable to pause and look at them due to a giant hedge eventually separating my red carpet (for normies) from their red carpet (the real one).

Once inside the Dolby, I wander down endless red carpeted halls like I am Danny in The Shining. Everyone is trying to take the same selfie with a giant Oscar statue and the same group selfie at the bottom of some red stairs. I hide behind a large column at the top of those stairs and clock the celebs who are an hour-plus early to the event: Nicolas Cage, Matt Bomer, Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer, who sneaks by most people unnoticed, as does my good friend Josh Hartnett (in sunglasses) and his wife Tamsin Egerton; we dont speak because we have said all we needed to say. Another reporter tells me that I dont actually need to be in my assigned seat inside the theater by 3:30 (even though the Academy told me that I did) and also that everyone is now getting micro facelifts. Diana Nyad and Bonnie Stoll stop to chat with a group of fans. Diana is raving about Bradley Cooper and stressing about the camera angle that might hit her if shes sitting in the balcony. Ke Huy Quan and Colman Domingo hold each others hands intensely and tell each other they look stunning.

Once I am finally in my balcony seat one minute before the ceremony begins, the actor and comedian David Alan Grier warms up the crowd and calls himself a zaddy. Dont fuck this up, he warns the nominees, vaguely. Ariana Grande floofs into the audience below me in Barbie pink; her dress fills her entire seat and its surrounding area like a gay emergency parachute. She is one of the only famous people I can see from my perch. I will report on her reactions to stuff when possible  for example, she really liked ceremony host Jimmy Kimmels monologue joke about the heavy themes in German movies, and she nodded heavily at his remark about members of the Screen Actors Guild not wanting to be replaced by AI. She, Cynthia Erivo, and Lena Waithe chat excitedly at commercial breaks in between looking intently at their phones.

Back in the hallway, at a bar that will prove very popular as the night drags on, is Annette Bening. Can we take the drinks in? she asks the bartender, gesturing to the theater. She can. I dont know if I can do gin and tonic on an empty stomach, she adds, and orders a white wine. Florence Pugh asks for two olives in a cup and eats one, then hands the cup back. I cant finish that one, she says apologetically, and orders a Chardonnay before running back to chat intently with Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons. I nervously rub my tourist wristband, which allows me access to this bar to mill among the celebrities but with a gigantic visual reminder that I am not one of them.

Commercial breaks induce madness. By the second one, Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo race out of the theater to pee and Emma gets caught up in a convo with Kirsten Dunst, whos still haunting the area in a very chic way. In the process, Emma misses a Poor Things win for production design: Oh my god! She watches the speech, visibly emotional, on the monitors near the bar. Florence, now drinking a vodka soda, hugs her. They poke at each others dresses. Were missing Cena naked, observes Florence when she returns to the monitors. What is happening? asks a nearby Eva Longoria. John Cena is naked, reiterates Emma. Poor Things continues to win and Emma screams. Florence rubs her back, Oh, babe, she says as her friend tears up. Wheres Mark? Where the fuck is Mark? asks Emma.

Kens. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Greta Gerwig suddenly appears and orders a drink while her husband Noah Baumbach goes to the bathroom with a child (his own?); they reconvene at the bar as a family. I feel like I fucked it up, says Greta, about something mysterious. I just feel like Im not doing the Oscars well, she jokingly announces to the people surrounding her. I see a woman carrying what appears to be Ariana Grandes dress like a corpse into the elevators. Ava DuVernay walks by in a pin calling for ceasefire, one of the only people I see wearing one. Florence reappears. She realizes she is missing Im Just Ken; this girl cant catch a break. I end up watching Ryan Goslings Best Song performance standing next to her by the monitors. Are you Best Dressed? someone on her team asks her, showing her a cell phone where someone has ostensibly named her as such. She giggles and everyone says congratulations.

The bar cheers raucously as the cowboy Kens flood the lobby after the song. A Ken! chant spontaneously begins. Emma returns to the bar again and this time gets ensnared in a convo with Grace Gummer; a publicist reminds Emma to re-enter the ceremony lest she miss her movies category again. A trickle of blood leaves my shoe as I notice Danielle Brooks has changed into sparkly sneakers. The room is increasingly filling with people from TikTok. On the monitors, I watch my personal friend (Cillian Murphys wife) kiss him sensually as he wins Best Actor and feel thrilled for her. I thought Oppenheimer was mediocre, says a man behind me. It goes on to win Best Picture.

The celebrities pour out after the Best Picture acceptance speech  The Rock first, JLaw tanly clutching her art husbands hand. Several people hug the hot lawyer from Anatomy of a Fall. Ryan Gosling and Greta Gerwig stand and receive admirers at the end of the ramp to the theaters bar and lobby. Lily Gladstone stands away from the hullabaloo near the door of the theater, in bright yellow star sunglasses, looking a little bummed after her Best Actress loss but gorgeous. Greta Gerwig yells at her parents on the phone to meet her at the elevators, where they all ascend to the Governors Ball. The lobby empties, but Messi the dog wanders in. Its his time now.

His. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Over the course of the weekend, multiple people ask me what outfit I will be changing into for the Vanity Fair party, as it is celebrity custom to swap clothes after the Oscars ceremony. My personal stylist (me) only provided me with one outfit and my driver (UberX) does not have the bandwidth to take me back to my hotel. Maybe youll see Will Smith, says my Uber driver as he drops me off at the Annenberg Center. Oh wait. Hes banned.

Sandra Huller is at the entrance to the party, trying to exit. We have to go through to exit, her assistant says several times, which becomes a kind of Zen koan for me. Suddenly we are trapped in another Kubrickian hallway with Greta Lee, and she and Sandra take photos together. Once inside the party, held in a massive room with a DJ booth and an outdoor deck where people are making bespoke pizzas, someone hands me a shot glass made out of chocolate and filled with tequila. Steven Spielberg smiles at Haim, who are dancing to Usher, as are the Bailey sisters nearby, who dont let go of each others hands. Demi Moore and a considerable portion of her daughters stand near Ted Danson, who is hugging Elizabeth Banks. Lindsay Lohan side-hugs Flava Flav (hes a big fan, he tells me). Transparent siblings Gaby Hoffmann and Josh Duplass are continuously requesting songs from the DJ  Gaby tells me shes asked several times for Whitney Houston. Jodie Foster, her wife Alexandra Hedison, and Brandi Carlile form a small chatty circle near Renee Rapp and Towa Bird, creating what is briefly my dream lesbian cabal. Jodie Turner-Smith joyfully screams, Florence, you cunt! at Florence Pugh near the bathrooms and they hug passionately.

Ive never been at a party with more famous people grouped into more random pairings, each more surreal than the last. Nicole Richie and Maggie Rogers. Kathryn Hahn and Jason Ritter. Cynthia Erivo and Tan France. Camila Cabello and Nicholas Galitzine. Lupita Nyongo and Joe Keery. Hannah Einbinder and Julia Fox. Ice Spice and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Jeffrey Wright and John Waters. Cardi B and Jodie Foster. Josh Hartnett, my leitmotif, and an In-N-Out Burger.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. We rejoice in the successes of Kazakhstan, President Ilham Aliyev said at the first meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan High-Level Intergovernmental Council, Trend reports.

Congratulating President Tokayev and the fraternal people of Kazakhstan on the impressive achievements in socio-economic development and innovative progress, the head of state emphasized: The economic growth and the increase in Kazakhstan's gross domestic product indicate a sound and well-calibrated economic policy. We also fully support your reforms aimed at modernizing the country and diversifying the economy, which have already made significant progress.
Marsilio win is boost for Meloni's right-wing coalition.

The right-wing incumbent governor of Italy's central Abruzzo region has been returned to office, election results showed on Monday, in a boost for the 'centro-destra' coalition government.

Marco Marsilio, of the right-wing Fratelli d'Italia party led by premier Giorgia Meloni, secured 53.5 per cent of the vote, while the centre-left candidate, Luciano D'Amico of the leftwing populist Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S), took 46.5 per cent.

Hailing the election outcome as a source of "great pride", Meloni said in a social media post that Marsilio "is the first president in Abruzzo's history to be reconfirmed for a second term."

The result was a boost to Meloni and her right-wing allies after their candidate was narrowly beaten in recent elections in Sardinia, however it is a blow to the opposition centre-left bloc.

Meloni's party gained the highest number of votes (24 per cent) in the Abruzzo elections, followed by the centre-left Partito Democratico, led by Elly Schlein, with 20 per cent.

In third place was the centre-right Forza Italia, led by Antonio Tajani, which secured more than 13 per cent, while the right-wing Lega took 7.6 per cent, reflecting a recent slide by the party led by Matteo Salvini.

M5S, headed by former premier Giuseppe Conte, took 7 per cent.

Photo ANSA
The Affordable Care Act, a law once derided and demonized by Republicans as a big government power grab, is becoming a politically untouchable part of the American safety net, with more than 45 million people now relying on its provisions for health coverage.
The inauguration of the digital exhibition titled "Shusha: The Dance of Symbols" has been held in one of Europe's premier art galleries in Milan, Italy, Azernews reports, citing Azertag.

Co-organized by MezoDigitalArt, MEET Digital Culture Center of Italy, and the Cariplo Foundation, the event marks a significant milestone in showcasing Azerbaijan's cultural richness to the world.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Maria Grazia Mattei, the founder of the MEET Digital Culture Centre, and Julie Walsh, a renowned Chicago-based curator specializing in Contemporary Asian & Immersive technology art and the founder of Walsh Projects, stressed the importance of the IDAF 24  Istanbul Digital Art Festival. They highlighted how the exhibition digitizes Azerbaijan's vibrant cultural heritage, offering a unique experience for art enthusiasts.

Nabat Garakhanova, a digital transformation expert and the creator of Shusha artificial intelligence project, provided valuable insights into the creation of the project. She lauded its role in transcending mere technological innovation, serving as a platform for Azerbaijan's historical and cultural legacy. She underlined that by digitizing traditional Azerbaijani art forms and echoing the cultural exchanges along the Silk Road, the exhibition bridges the past with the future, ensuring the preservation and transmission of Azerbaijan's artistic heritage to future generations.

The event saw the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including representatives from the Azerbaijani Embassy in Italy, the Consulate General of Turkiye in Milan, as well as members of Italy`s cultural, press, and academic communities, alongside Azerbaijanis residing in Italy.

The special screening, running until March 9, showcases digital artworks generated by the AI project "Shusha", focusing on Azerbaijan`s rich and diverse cultural heritage, with a particular emphasis on kelaghayi adorned with national motifs.

The creation of Shusha, Azerbaijan's first artificial intelligence artist, was a collaborative effort between Azerbaijani and Turkish artists and engineers from the Mezo Art Digital Art Group, under the leadership of Nabat Garakhanova. Their collective vision aimed to revitalize the ancient art of Shusha, the cradle of Azerbaijan's culture, through the use of cutting-edge technologies.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. We are grateful to Kazakhstan for its continued support of Azerbaijan in restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in a joint press conference with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Trend reports.

Today we discussed in detail the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. I informed my colleague about the current stage of the negotiations and prospects for reaching a peace agreement. Azerbaijan is interested in this, and, in fact, it was Azerbaijan that initiated the start of the process of negotiations on a peace agreement, the head of state added.
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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. Azerbaijani-Kazakh relations, which have deep roots, are successfully developing, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.

He noted that historical, cultural, and religious ties between Azerbaijani and Kazakh peoples are the basis of relations between the two countries.

"Traditional friendly and brotherly ties of our countries go back to the depths of centuries. The close relations of the heads of state make an important contribution to the relations between the two countries, serve the development and further strengthening of bilateral cooperation on an ascending line," the political scientist added.

Garayev stressed that the Kurmangazy Children's Creativity Center was built in the Azerbaijani town of Fuzuli liberated from occupation by the government of Kazakhstan.

"This step is highly appreciated by the President and the people of Azerbaijan. Cooperation between the two countries successfully continues both bilaterally and multilaterally, and in particular within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States. Both countries are interested in expanding and developing areas of cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States. President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev stated at the inauguration ceremony after the election: "We have no other family. Our family is the Turkic world". This is one of the issues that Azerbaijan considers a priority today," the political scientist said.

Garayev noted that the work on opening of transportation and communication lines within the framework of new realities in the region, the Zangezur corridor creates new opportunities for the Central Asian region, including Kazakhstan.

"The interests of our countries also coincide in this issue. Ties between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are successfully developing in all spheres, including the energy sector. The roadmap signed between SOCAR and KazMunayGas last year has created ample opportunities to expand ties," he said.

The political scientist expressed confidence that relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan will continue to develop and expand in the interests of both nations.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. Member of the Western Azerbaijan Community, civil society activist Parvana Valiyeva made a speech on the right of Azerbaijanis to return to Western Azerbaijan at the high-level meeting on migration at the UN Office in Geneva ("Second Regional Review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration"), Trend reports.

In her speech, Valiyeva noted that the right to return is an integral part of international human rights.

She emphasized that in the current global refugee crisis, this right is becoming more and more relevant as the best solution. The representative of the Community emphasized that within the agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it is necessary to pay attention also to the right to return.

Valiyeva informed about the ethnic cleansing committed by Armenia against Azerbaijanis, including the example of her family about the forced expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from their native places, including her native Vedibasar in 1988, and the difficulties of the refugees' life. She noted that the Western Azerbaijan Community has proposed to start a dialog with Armenia on the topic of return, but the Armenian government still leaves this call unanswered.

Valiyeva added that the return of Azerbaijanis exiled from Armenia to their native lands will make a great contribution to the solution of the global problem of refugees and IDPs and the establishment of lasting peace in the region, emphasizing the necessity for the international community to support this process.

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Around 200 people gathered in Westport at the weekend to protest over a controversial proposed greenway route.

Local landowners have been left angered over proposals to build the greenway route from Westport to Murrisk through their lands.

Two proposed routes for the greenway have been published.

Option one involves the construction of a roadside greenway next to the R335 Louisburgh Road while option two involves the construction of an elevated greenway located away from the R335 that will traverse through land and hills.

Landowners in the area fear that they are at risk of having their fields cut in half to facilitate the greenway if the second route is approved.

Approximately 40 landowners are likely to be impacted if the preferred route through their lands is approved.

Peter Shanley, chair of the local landowners' group, said the proposed route will go through a major floodplain, cut farmers' fields in half and could cost up to 10 million to construct. Environmental concerns have also been aired.

"The only beneficiaries of the proposed route will be the handful of people who decide to cycle it, said Mr Shanley. "Option one is the preferred route for the people who live here because it makes sense.

"There is an existing walkway and cycleway there, and by upgrading the road, all of the community will benefit from it, he added.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Mayo County Council have come under fire for the lack of consultation with local landowners.

They have broken the guidelines, they havent consulted with us, said Mr Shanley.

Gerry Loftus, leader of the Rural Ireland Organisation (RIO), also expressed opposition

Previous greenway projects were done with proper consultation and the route would be walked with farmers. This has completely changed, Its not essential to put a greenway through somebodys farm, he added.
BEIJING (AP)  Chinas national legislature wrapped up its annual session Monday with the usual show of near-unanimous support for plans designed to carry out ruling Communist Party leader Xi Jinping's vision for the nation.

The weeklong event, replete with meetings carefully scripted to allow no surprises, has highlighted how Chinas politics have become ever more calibrated to elevate Xi.

Mondays agenda lacked the usual closing news conference by the premier, the party's No. 2 leader. The news conference has been held most years since 1988 and was the one time when journalists could directly question a top Chinese leader.

The decision to scrap it emphasizes Premier Li Qiang's relatively weak status. His predecessors played a much larger role in leading key economic policies such as modernizing state companies, coping with economic crises and leading housing reforms that transformed China into a nation of homeowners.

The nearly 3,000-member National People's Congress approved a revised State Council law that directs Chinas version of the cabinet to follow Xis vision. The vote was 2,883 to eight, with nine abstentions. Other measures passed by similarly wide margins. The most nays were recorded for the annual report of the supreme court, which was approved by a 2,834 to 44 vote.

In brief closing remarks, Zhao Leji, the legislature's top official, urged the people to unite more closely under the Communist Party's leadership with comrade Xi Jinping at its core."

The party leaders who run the State Council used to have a much freer hand in setting economic policy, Neil Thomas, a Chinese politics fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said in an emailed comment.

Xi has been astonishingly successful in consolidating his personal hold over the party, which has allowed him to become the key decisionmaker in all policy domains, he said.

As the party champions innovation and self-reliance in technology to build a modern, wealthy economy, it is leaning heavily on more overtly communist ideology that harkens to past eras. Xi has fortified the partys role across the spectrum, from culture and education to corporate management and economic planning.

Greater centralization of power has arguably helped Xi to improve central government effectiveness, Thomas said, but the benefits may be outweighed by the costs of stifling political discussion, disincentivizing local innovation and more sudden policy shifts.

Along with following the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought and other party directives, developing new quality productive forces  a term coined by Xi last September  emerged as a catchphrase at this years congress.

The term suggests a prioritizing of science and technology as China confronts trade sanctions and curbs on access to advanced know-how in computer chips and other areas that the U.S. and other countries deem to be national security risks.

On the diplomatic front, China kept Wang Yi as foreign minister. He had stepped back into the post last summer after his successor, Qin Gang, was abruptly dismissed without explanation after a half-year on the job.

Analysts thought the Communist Party might use the annual congress to appoint a new foreign minister and close the book on an unusual spate of political mishaps last year that also saw the firing of a new defense minister after a few months on the job.

The Organic Law of the State Council was revised for the first time since its adoption in 1982. The revision calls for the State Council to uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China." It also adds the governor of China's central bank to the body.

Echoing words seen in just about every proposal, law or speech made in China these days, it spells out that China's highest governing officials must adhere to the party's guiding ideology, which refers back to Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought and culminates in Xi's philosophy on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Alfred Wu, an expert on Chinese governance at the National University of Singapore, said the revision institutionalizes previously made changes, making it harder to reverse them. He described the congress as a one-man show that shows Xi's determination to create a system in which the party leads on policy, diminishing the role of the State Council and the legislature.

His determination is very clear, Wu said. He is willing to change everything.

During this year's congress, many provincial meetings were opened to the media for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, though they were carefully scripted with prepared remarks and none of the spontaneity once glimpsed in decades past.

The contrast with polarized politics in the U.S. and robust debate in other democracies could not be more stark: China's political rituals, void of any overt dissent, put unity above all.

Marching orders endorsed by the congress include calls to ensure national security and social stability at a time when job losses and underpayment of wages have sparked a growing number of protests.

Associated Press researchers Wanqing Chen and Yu Bing contributed to this report.

Follow AP's Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

The nicest day of the forecast, with an egg-cellent Easter Sunday expected with partly sunny skies and mild highs near the 60-degree mark. .

Tonight

Clouding up with a bit of rain arriving late...after midnight.
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. - A man pleaded no contest Monday in a Lehigh County crash that left two people dead.

Christian Joel Gonzalez Santiago, 28, of Allentown, pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree misdemeanor, according to a news release from the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.

The DA's office says all remaining charges against Gonzalez Santiago were withdrawn at Monday's hearing.

The involuntary manslaughter charge carries a possible maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to the news release. Sentencing was deferred to April 12.

At 6:45 p.m. on July 31, 2022, Whitehall Township Police were called to a crash on MacArthur Road at Mechanicsville Road. The posted speed limit for that stretch of roadway is 40 mph and at the time the crash happened, the weather was clear, the DA's office said.

The crash involved an SUV driven by a 17-year-old juvenile and a motorcycle driven by 42-year-old Jose Estrada-Estrada of Reading. Both Estrada-Estrada and 16-year-old Mia G. Due, who was a passenger in the SUV, were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the DA's office.

Authorities say both died from multiple blunt force trauma and their deaths were ruled accidental by the Lehigh County Coroner.

The DA's office says video from surveillance cameras along MacArthur Road show that just prior to the crash, Estrada-Estrada and Gonzalez Santiago were driving in excess of 80 mph. The investigation revealed that both motorcycles appeared to be engaged in an exhibition of speed or acceleration, i.e., racing on highways, according to the news release.

The Commonwealth alleges that the crash happened as a direct result of the motorcycles racing on MacArthur Road and that if they had not been racing each other, the crash would not have happened and neither victim would have died.
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.
PALMER TWP., Pa. -- The convenience store wars in the Lehigh Valley may gain another combatant.

Rutter's will present a preliminary plan Tuesday to the Palmer Township Planning Commission for a store at 1280 Main St., off the Route 33 exit, a location that would serve the Chrin Commerce Center and commuters.

There is a Sheetz store nearby, and throughout eastern Pennsylvania, Wawa has been adding stores with gas pumps.

Rutter's is based in York, Pennsylvania. The Rutter family started a farm in York in 1747, started a dairy in 1921 and later added stores.

In 2022, Rutter's added a third Berks County location at Route 222 and Long Lane in Maxatawny Township, near Kutztown. That store has 14 fuel stations and five lanes for diesel fuel, and a Rutter's Beer Cave.

In 2023, Rutter's opened its 85th store off Route 61 in West Brunswick Township, near Orwigsburg.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. Azerbaijan will import 100 electric buses this year, and plans to increase their number in the coming years, the Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rahman Gummatov said at the parliamentary hearing themed "Innovations and challenges in transport management", Trend reports.

Today public transport fleet in Baku numbers 2,000 buses, half of which don't meet the requirements,and are outdated. We need 2,500 buses in public transport, he said.

The deputy minister noted that state support will be provided in this matter.

Meanwhile, a project to replace buses in Baku with electric ones is scheduled for implementation this year. The inaugural electric bus, introduced in September 2023, is currently operational on Route No. 5 in Baku.

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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.
HARRISBURG, Pa.  Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt is reminding Pennsylvanians that the deadline to register to vote in the April 23 primary is four weeks away.

It takes only a few minutes to register to vote, and I urge every eligible Pennsylvanian who is not yet registered to do so before the April 8 deadline, Schmidt said. Once you are registered, you can then exercise your fundamental right to vote and let your voice be heard in the upcoming primary election.

To be eligible to vote in the April 23 primary, a person must be:

A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the primary.

A resident of the election district in which the person plans to register for at least 30 days before the primary.

At least 18 years of age on or before the date of the primary.

Pennsylvanians who are already registered to vote can check their registration status online, according to a news release from the Pennsylvania Department of State. They can also update their voter record with any name, address, or party affiliation changes online.

Because Pennsylvania has a closed primary, only voters registered as Democrats or Republicans can vote for their partys nominees in the primary election to appear on the ballot in the Nov. 5, 2024, general election, according to the news release.

Eligible voters will have the opportunity to cast a ballot for their parties nominees for president, U.S. Representative, one U.S. Senate seat, state Attorney General, Auditor General, State Treasurer, all Pennsylvania House seats, and Pennsylvania Senate seats in odd-numbered districts, according to the news release.

The departments candidate database lists all candidates currently on the ballot in the primary.

In addition to registering online, eligible Pennsylvanians can register by mail or in person at the following locations:

their county voter registration office,

county assistance offices,

Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program offices,

Armed Forces recruitment centers,

county clerk of orphans courts or marriage license offices,

area agencies on aging,

county mental health and intellectual disabilities offices,

student disability services offices of the State System of Higher Education,

offices of special education in high schools,

Americans with Disabilities Act-mandated complementary paratransit providers, and

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation photo and driver license centers.

In September, the Shapiro Administration launched automatic voter registration. All PennDOT photo and driver license centers offer automatic voter registration, which provides eligible Pennsylvanians with an integrated method for applying to register to vote or update their registration when they obtain a new driver's license or ID card or renew their existing identification, the Pennsylvania Department of State said.

Registered voters can also request a no-excuse mail-in or absentee ballot online. Mail-in and absentee ballot applications must be received by a voters county elections board by 5 p.m. April 16, according to the news release. Voted mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by county election offices by 8 p.m. April 23.

The departments voter information website, vote.pa.gov, is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese and offers voter registration applications, a polling place locator, and contact information for county elections offices. It also includes tips for first-time voters, mail-in and absentee voters, elderly and disabled voters, and members of the military.

For information on how to register or to make a plan to vote, visit vote.pa.gov.
POHATCONG TWP., N.J. -- A New York man is dead after a crash on Interstate 78 in Warren County, New Jersey on Sunday.

Carmen Berretta, 64, of Albany, was pronounced dead around 10 p.m. Sunday at St. Luke's University Hospital in Bethlehem, said the Lehigh County coroner in a news release.

He was driving a vehicle that crashed with another vehicle around 5:45 p.m. on I-78 East in Pohatcong Township, just a few miles past the Pennsylvania state line into New Jersey, the coroner said.

Berretta died of multiple blunt force injuries and his death was ruled an accident.

New Jersey State Police from the Perryville barracks are investigating the crash.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Christopher Nolan fulfilled his award show frontrunner status, winning his first Oscar on Sunday night for directing Oppenheimer and then another for best picture.

The 53-year-old British visionary has garnered critical acclaim throughout his career, but had never won at the Oscars until now. He was nominated for directing Dunkirk in 2017 and for original screenplay in 2010 for Inception and in 2001 for Memento.

Winning this recognition from my peers is the icing on the cake, he said backstage. Its very important to me. Its a wonderful finish to whats been an incredible year.

Nolan quickly added a second statue when Oppenheimer closed the evening by winning best picture, one of seven Oscars it earned, including best actor for Cillian Murphy and supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. The film earned a leading 13 nominations and has earned nearly $1 billion worldwide.

It means I can do curls, Nolan joked, with an Oscar in each hand. Theyre very heavy.

Onstage, Nolan noted that movies are just a little over 100 years old and thanked the Academy for the honor. We dont know where this incredible journey is going from here, he said. But to know that you think I am a meaningful part of it means the world to me.

Nolan beat out Jonathan Glazer of The Zone of Interest, Yorgos Lanthimos of Poor Things, Martin Scorsese of Killers of the Flower Moon, and Justine Triet of Anatomy of a Fall.At 81, Scorsese was the oldest directing nominee.

Nolan was cheered on by his wife, Emma Thomas, who twice shared best picture nominations with her husband for producing Dunkirk and Inception. The college sweethearts have been producing partners on all of his films since 1997.

The couple planned to celebrate with their children, starting at the Governors Ball, the Academy's official post-show celebration.

Nolan had been the frontrunner throughout awards season, earning the top prize from the Directors Guild of America along with directing honors at the BAFTA Film Awards and Golden Globes.

Besides directing, Nolan earned nominations for adapted screenplay and best picture for Oppenheimer, the three-hour, ambitious, R-rated epic about the American physicist who developed the atomic bomb.

Starting with the response of audiences around the world to Oppenheimer, which far exceeded our expectations, there were so many things that came together for us on this film, Nolan said.

The auteur filmmaker is known for a style that favors documentary-style lighting, hand-held cameras and on-location shooting rather than indoor studios. He has been regularly praised by many of his contemporaries, including Scorsese, who has hailed Nolan for creating beautifully made films on a big scale.

Among his other credits are Tenet, Interstellar and the Batman trilogy of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight" and The Dark Knight Rises."

For more coverage of the 2024 Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP)  The parents of a Michigan school shooter declined to take their son home hours before the attack, leaving instead with a list of mental health providers after being presented with his violent drawing and disturbing messages, a counselor testified Monday.

A security camera image of James Crumbley with papers in his hand at Oxford High School was displayed for the jury.

My hope was that they were going to take him," Shawn Hopkins testified, "either take him to get help or even just, 'Let's have a good day. Lets have a day where we just spend time with you.'

I didn't want him left alone, the counselor added.

James Crumbley, 47, is on trial for involuntary manslaughter. He is accused of failing to secure a gun at home and ignoring signs of Ethan Crumbley's mental distress.

No one opened the 15-year-old's backpack, and he later pulled out the handgun and shot up the school, killing four students and wounding more on Nov. 30, 2021.

On the trial's third day, prosecutors focused on the morning of the shooting before shifting to the teen's proficiency with a firearm.

The Crumbleys had met with school staff who gave them a drawing on Ethan's math assignment showing a gun, blood, and a wounded person, along with anguished phrases: The thoughts wont stop. Help me. My life is useless.

Hopkins said he arranged for the Crumbleys to come to the school and met with Ethan before they arrived, trying to understand his mindset. The boy told him: I can see why this looks bad. Im not going to do anything.

I wanted him to get help as soon as possible, today if possible," Hopkins said. I was told it wasnt possible.

Hopkins testified that he told the parents that he wanted movement within 48 hours, and thought to himself that he would call Michigans child welfare agency if they didnt take action.

Just a day earlier, Jennifer Crumbley had been called when a teacher saw Ethan looking up bullets on his phone, the counselor said.

Hopkins said Ethan wanted to stay in school. The counselor believed it was a better place for him, especially if he might be alone even if the Crumbleys took him home but left for work.

I made the decision I made based on the information I had. I had 90 minutes of information, Hopkins said.

Hopkins said James Crumbley never objected when his wife said they couldn't take Ethan home. And he said no one disclosed that a new gun had been purchased just four days earlier  one described by Ethan on social media as my beauty.

Hopkins said the father seemed interested in his son's welfare when they discussed the drawing.

He was talking to his son and mentioned, You have people you can talk to. You can talk to your counselor, you have your journal. We talk,'" Hopkins recalled. It felt appropriate at that time, but my concern at that point was there wasn't any action.

Jurors heard how, in hindsight, a simple step could have prevented the shooting. Nick Ejak, who was in charge of student discipline, said he joked to a teacher about the heavy weight of the shooter's backpack when he retrieved it from a classroom. If he had opened the bag, he would have discovered the gun and ammunition.

Ejak said Ethan's mental health was a concern  not discipline issues  and he believed he had no grounds to unzip the bag.

That's a fair statement, Ejak replied when defense attorney Mariell Lehman asked if he believed the boy was not a threat to others.

Ethan had made multiple visits to shooting ranges with a parent in 2021, including one just three days before the school massacre. A security camera at the range recorded him instructing his mother when she appeared to struggle with the newly purchased Sig Sauer 9 mm, according to video played for the jury.

His new Xmas present, she wrote on social media.

Federal agent Brett Brandon said a cable to lock the Sig Sauer gun case was unused and still sealed in plastic when authorities searched the Crumbley home.

When the boy surrendered at school, he took the magazine out of the firearm and placed it on top of a trash bin, which I found unique, Brandon testified. Not something someone would do if they committed a mass shooting.

The Crumbleys are the first U.S. parents to be charged with having criminal responsibility for a mass school shooting committed by a child. Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty of the same involuntary manslaughter charges last month.

Ethan, now 17, is serving a life prison sentence for murder and terrorism.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. The wanted persons arrested at the request of the Republic of Uzbekistan have been extradited to this country, Trend reports, referring to Azerbaijan's General Prosecutor's Office.

Additionally, it was noted that the requests of the General Prosecutor's Office of Uzbekistan regarding the citizens of this country Shodiyev Shakhboz, born in 1989, and Satymboyev Shakhboz, born in 1997, were satisfied.

Accused in Uzbekistan of fraud, misappropriation of funds, forgery of official documents, and willful use of forged documents, Shodiyev, as well as Satymboyev, accused of committing fraud, illegally obtaining a passport and other important personal documents, were placed on an international wanted list. These persons were identified in 2023 in Azerbaijan and a measure of restraint in the form of remand in custody was chosen against them.

According to several international documents, decisions were taken on the extradition of the accused. Accompanied by a Special Convoy of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice, they were handed over to the requesting country.

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One of the pioneer scholar-activists at Wits

Edward Webster: South African intellectual, teacher, activist, a man of great energy and integrity, and the life and soul of any party.

Eddie Webster (82), sociologist and emeritus professor at the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, who died on 5 March 2024, lived a huge life, applying himself to many different arenas with great energy and insight.

His achievements are quite extraordinary. He was an intellectual, a teacher, a leader, an activist for social change, a builder of institutions, a rugby player and jogger, a man of great energy and integrity, and the life and soul of any party.

As an intellectual and activist he was always independent and critical, and always engaged, whether working with trade unions or with South Africas new democratic government. It was important to get your hands dirty working for change, he always said, but as important to retain your autonomy and intellectual integrity. This held for the university itself, an institution to which he was wholly committed but at the same time found deeply disappointing when it came to social justice. His life was shaped by these kinds of tensions.

Eddie was one of that pioneering generation of scholar-activists at the university, white academics who identified with and supported the black resistance movement, and who saw the world in new ways and pioneered the production of new knowledge: his close colleague, feminist and environmental sociologist Jacklyn Cock, anthropologist and democratic activist David Webster (assassinated in 1989), and distinguished historian Phil Bonner.

Eddie inspired generations of us with his vision and practice of critically engaged scholarship  not only in South Africa, but across the world.

Independent streak

In 1986, believing that the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) was out of touch with the majority of South Africans, he drove an investigation called the Perspectives on Wits with his colleagues. They explored the views of trade unionists and community activists about the university. The university had agreed to fund this investigation. But it was unhappy with the results. These revealed that the institutions own narrative about its liberal opposition to apartheid was not shared by black South Africans, who saw it as serving white and corporate interests.

A few years earlier, at a time of great repression of unions, he and Phil Bonner had attempted to set up a worker education programme on campus. But the university refused to let it happen. The universitys main funders, such as Anglo American, would have been greatly displeased by such a programme  a nice illustration of the point made in the Perspectives document.

A decade later the indomitable Eddie was able to establish a branch of the Global Labour University at Wits, and bring trade unionists into the heart of the institution. He was not someone to give up easily.

Insatiable curiosity

Eddie worked closely with South Africas emerging trade union movement in the mid-1970s. At the time black workers were a tightly controlled source of cheap labour for South Africas booming industrial economy, and the unions were not recognised legally and suffered severe repression by employers and the state together. Eddie believed that a strong trade union movement democratically controlled by workers would be a powerful force for change.

He contributed to educational programmes for trade unionists, advocating for the recognition of the unions whenever he could. He co-founded the South African Labour Bulletin, which served as a forum for the interaction between academics and trade unionists, and the Industrial Education Institute with his comrade Rick Turner and others. Turner was assassinated by the apartheid government in 1978.

Eddie went on to support the unions, and conduct research with and for them, his entire life. Generations of union shop stewards and organisers knew him through his support, teaching and research, and he was widely loved and revered as comrade Prof.

As an intellectual Eddie was insatiably curious about the world and how it worked and about new possibilities emerging for progressive change. While the sociology classics were a foundation for his thinking, he kept up to date with new literature and ideas.

He founded Industrial Sociology at Wits and established the Sociology of Work Unit (now the Society, Work and Politics Institute SWOP) as a research unit in the early 1980s as a way of stimulating labour research and deepening his work with unions. The unit organised and financed research, held seminars and workshops, provided a home for students, and increasingly collaborated with colleagues at other universities and overseas.

Eddie loved working with others, whether students or colleagues or trade unionists. He knew that ideas arose from wide reading, discussions and interactions, and frequently said there is no such thing as an original idea. For its students, staff, colleagues and associates SWOP stood out as a place of vibrant intellectual exchange and curiosity about each others work: it was an intellectual home and a place of comradeship and critique that felt unique in the university.

Academic and teaching legacy

Eddie was also a great teacher, bringing all of his passion for ideas and his vivid sense of history and change and struggle into the classroom, exciting students about the life of the intellect and the life of struggle. At SWOP he established the first internship programme for black postgraduate students to support and encourage them in what they often experienced as a hostile environment.

Eddie regularly undertook large-scale research projects and recruited numbers of students to participate in field research. This was another learning opportunity, where students immersed themselves in the collective quest for knowledge and began to see themselves as researchers.

In the midst of a multitude of projects, Eddie remained committed to his academic work, publishing a great volume and range of articles and books, and achieving honours and recognition globally.

His first book, Cast in a Racial Mould, based on his PhD, provided the intellectual foundation for the new discipline of industrial sociology in South Africa, developing an analysis of changing workplace technology and its impact on trade unionism  specifically the workings of race and class. This provided a material basis for understanding the emergence of the new black mass unionism.

His co-authored book Grounding Globalisation provided a new account of globalisation and trade unions through a comparison of South Africa, Korea and Australia. Global scholars were inspired by it and it won a major prize from the American Sociological Association.

His most recent book, Recasting Workers Power, written with Lynford Dor, returns full cycle to the themes of his first book, exploring the impact of technological change on the nature of work in the gig economy, and drawing lessons from forms of worker organisation and collective action that have been emerging across Africa.

Each of these books extends the boundaries of our knowledge by exploring the cutting edge of social change  in a sense helping us see the future and, indeed, helping to make it.

A great love for life

It is impossible to think about Eddie without thinking about Luli Callinicos, historian and biographer, and the great love of his life. Indeed, she was the rock on which he built his achievements. I remember with great fondness the Greek Easter feasts shared at their home, and the many other gatherings with family, friends and colleagues.

Michael Burawoy, the great American sociologist and lifelong friend of Eddie, once told me that he had never laughed as much as he did when he was with Eddie and his colleagues from SWOP. Eddie enjoyed people and was deeply generous; he was a great raconteur, he loved being alive. Three weeks ago he was celebrated for his 200th Park Run in one of Johannesburgs large parks. Whatever he did he did fully, heart and soul. He was not bigger than life, he was big with life.

In later years he introduced himself as a living ancestor. Now he is simply our ancestor, one who has given us a huge legacy, a living legacy. It is time for us to reflect on his inspiration, burn imphepho, slaughter a cow and pour out the wine.

Karl von Holdt, Senior Researcher, Society Work and Politics Institute, University of the Witwatersrand. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
OBITUARY: The Sociology Madala who shaped the way we think about the world

Eddie Webster was the ultimate socially engaged academic who played a key role in the labour movement

I heard of Eddie Websters passing shortly after 5pm on Tuesday March 5. Until that moment, though he was at almost 82 by far the oldest member of the staff at the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS) at Wits University, it had not once crossed my mind that he would not be with us forever. He was that sort of person: always effervescent, always intellectually curious, always engaged in the university, always engaged in social change, never quiet.

Edward Webster was born on March 29 1942 and spent his early childhood at the famous Methodist school, Healdtown, in the Eastern Cape, where both his parents taught just after World War 2. Healdtown is the school where Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe, Archie Mafeje and other luminaries of the struggle were educated. Eddies father resigned from Healdtown in the early 1950s, but this upbringing influenced his own trajectory into education and liberation politics.

My own connection to Eddie, indirectly, goes back to my childhood, and another intellectual giant  Rick Turner. Foszia Fisher, Rick Turners then partner, is my cousin. I have vivid memories, as a young child, of Turner being at the Valodia family home in Greyville, Durban. In the early 1970s, a white man at our Indian family home was not an everyday occurrence.

My dad had a very special relationship with Foszia and Turners murder by the apartheid state in 1978 had a huge effect on our family. However, it was only when I was a student in the early 1980s, and drawn into supporting workers struggles in Durban, that I began to fully understand the significance of Turners work and the importance to SAs future trajectory of the intellectual group that cohered around him and Foszia.

Eddie was a key player in that milieu, which not only saw the possibilities for challenging apartheid and creating a new society, but also acted on the imperative to build organisations of workers to reshape the workplace, and the social and economic fabric of SA. Eddie and I spoke endlessly about the importance of what he called the Durban moment.

The 1973 Durban strikes, the rise of the trade union movement and, somewhat associated with it, the connections to Steve Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement, were important turning points in SA history. It was a period in which Eddie was a key actor, and which he brilliantly captured in his writings.

My first real engagement with Eddie was in the late 1980s, when I worked at the Trade Union Research Project (TURP) at the University of Natal. TURP and the Sociology of Work Programme (SWOP), which Eddie had formed and led with distinction at Wits University, provided research and other technical support to the nascent trade union movement. I was at the time doing some work for the unions on the casualisation of work in the retail industry. Extended and Sunday shopping had just been introduced and the unions were grappling with retailers use of casual labour for extended and Sunday shopping hours (yes, there was a time when retailers closed at 1pm on Saturdays and only opened at 8am on Monday!).

Being a young economist, I presented my research, emphasising the empirical data. Eddie, whose task it was to comment on my paper, reprimanded me for not having a theory and promptly drew a sketch on the chalkboard to give me one. Its a lesson I have never forgotten and one which I am sure all his students will identify with.

One of Eddies greatest and most consistent contributions is his insight into power  not just who has it and who does not, but more important, how it may be possible for those without power to reshape the balance of power by collective organisation and action. This goes all the way back to his first book, Cast in a Racial Mould, on deskilling in SAs metal industry. It goes all the way forward to his last book, Recasting Workers Power: Work and Inequality in the Shadow of the Digital Age. And its found in all of his work outside the university too  from the early formation of trade unions to working with Uber drivers in the digital age.

It was a lifes work that not only sought to understand how politics, economics, technology and skills shape the workplace, but also how collective action by workers can shape and reshape wider economic and social trajectories.

A second hallmark of his work was his ability to use our context in SA and in what has become known as the Global South to understand social and economic power in our world, and to shape how others, including the North, understand power in the global economy. For Eddie, academic research was not about replicating work done in the leading institutions in the North, and adapting it to our context. Rather it was to use insights from our own context to shape global challenges.

A third feature of his lifes work was his deep appreciation of the university, and the links between academic rigour and advancing economic and social rights. He was the absolute exemplar of a socially engaged academic.

All of these features of Eddies work and intellectual leadership, shaped the formation and research agenda of SCIS, where he spent the last nine years of his more than five decades at Wits.

Eddie, who on social media had taken on the title Sociology Madala, had a highly productive 82 years. But, sadly, two projects remain uncompleted. First, his next intellectual project was to deal with how we understand the SA nation. In his usual provocative way, it was to answer the question: when does a settler stop being a settler? Second, he stopped working full-time in December 2023 to spend more time with his beloved life partner and collaborator Luli Callinicos. That was just two months ago. He left us much too soon. Hambe Kahle Sociology Madala.

A memorial service will be held in the Wits Great Hall at 10am on March 16.

 Prof Imraan Valodia is pro-vice chancellor and director of the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies at Wits University

This article first appeared on the Business Day.
AMTD Digital Inc. (NYSE:HKD  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low on Monday . The company traded as low as $3.63 and last traded at $3.69, with a volume of 247425 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $3.67.

AMTD Digital Price Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $3.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $4.53.

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Institutional Trading of AMTD Digital

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Powell Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in AMTD Digital in the 3rd quarter worth $57,000. XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of AMTD Digital during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $129,000. Shay Capital LLC raised its position in AMTD Digital by 121.7% in the second quarter. Shay Capital LLC now owns 51,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $329,000 after purchasing an additional 28,000 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AMTD Digital during the first quarter worth $170,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in shares of AMTD Digital by 6,283.5% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 29,875 shares of the companys stock worth $209,000 after acquiring an additional 29,407 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 0.43% of the companys stock.

AMTD Digital Company Profile

AMTD Digital Inc, through its subsidiaries, designs and develops a digital platform to provide financial, media, content and marketing, and investment solutions in Asia. The company operates through Digital Solutions ServicesFinancial Services, Digital Solutions ServicesNon Financial Services, Digital Media, Content, and Marketing Services, and Digital Investments segments.

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Bank of America upgraded shares of Textron (NYSE:TXT  Free Report) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Friday, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage currently has $105.00 price objective on the aerospace companys stock, up from their previous price objective of $85.00.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $98.00 target price on shares of Textron in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Textron from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Textron from $84.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Textron from $102.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Textron from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $90.00.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Textron

Textron Stock Up 2.0 %

TXT opened at $92.13 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $17.77 billion, a PE ratio of 20.16, a P/E/G ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Textron has a 52 week low of $61.27 and a 52 week high of $93.45. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $84.16 and its 200 day simple moving average is $79.79.

Textron (NYSE:TXT  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The aerospace company reported $1.60 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $3.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.97 billion. Textron had a return on equity of 16.05% and a net margin of 6.73%. The firms revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.07 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Textron will post 6.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Textron Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.02 dividend. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.09%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Textrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 1.75%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Textron

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Textron by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,503,096 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,748,161,000 after purchasing an additional 177,502 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of Textron by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 18,231,026 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,287,657,000 after acquiring an additional 519,468 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Textron by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 9,564,040 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $711,561,000 after acquiring an additional 47,344 shares during the period. Boston Partners lifted its stake in shares of Textron by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 7,016,363 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $564,235,000 after buying an additional 139,927 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Textron by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 6,756,439 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $527,948,000 after buying an additional 220,891 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 85.92% of the companys stock.

Textron Company Profile

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Textron Inc operates in the aircraft, defense, industrial, and finance businesses worldwide. It operates through six segments: Textron Aviation, Bell, Textron Systems, Industrial, Textron eAviation, and Finance. The Textron Aviation segment manufactures, sells, and services business jets, turboprop and piston engine aircraft, and military trainer and defense aircraft; and offers maintenance, inspection, and repair services, as well as sells commercial parts.

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Barclays assumed coverage on shares of BankUnited (NYSE:BKU  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Friday, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage issued an equal weight rating and a $29.00 target price on the financial services providers stock.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Wedbush dropped their price objective on BankUnited from $34.00 to $31.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on BankUnited from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. UBS Group cut BankUnited from a neutral rating to a sell rating and set a $29.00 target price for the company. in a report on Monday, January 8th. Citigroup decreased their price target on BankUnited from $34.00 to $33.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $33.00 price target on shares of BankUnited in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, BankUnited presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $30.33.

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BankUnited Stock Performance

BankUnited stock opened at $27.54 on Friday. BankUnited has a 52-week low of $15.83 and a 52-week high of $34.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.57 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $28.31 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $26.56.

BankUnited (NYSE:BKU  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.69 by ($0.42). The business had revenue of $500.30 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $244.11 million. BankUnited had a net margin of 9.19% and a return on equity of 8.38%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.82 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that BankUnited will post 2.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

BankUnited Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 12th will be issued a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 11th. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.21%. This is a positive change from BankUniteds previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. BankUniteds dividend payout ratio is presently 48.74%.

Insider Activity at BankUnited

In other news, insider Kevin A. Malcolm sold 2,285 shares of BankUnited stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.18, for a total value of $62,106.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,750 shares in the company, valued at $319,365. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 1.09% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BankUnited

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FMR LLC grew its holdings in shares of BankUnited by 23.2% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,539,176 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $34,939,000 after acquiring an additional 290,232 shares during the period. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of BankUnited by 84.6% during the 3rd quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 262,741 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,964,000 after buying an additional 120,441 shares during the period. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of BankUnited by 129.1% in the 3rd quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 70,116 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,592,000 after purchasing an additional 39,507 shares in the last quarter. Virginia Retirement Systems ET AL purchased a new stake in shares of BankUnited in the 2nd quarter worth $1,166,000. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of BankUnited in the 3rd quarter worth $387,000. Institutional investors own 99.70% of the companys stock.

BankUnited Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

BankUnited, Inc operates as the bank holding company for BankUnited, a national banking association that provides a range of banking services in the United States. The company offers deposit products, such as checking, money market deposit, and savings accounts; certificates of deposit; and treasury, commercial payment, and cash management services.

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Banque Pictet & Cie SA lowered its stake in The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 17.5% 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 152,630 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after selling 32,418 shares during the period. Banque Pictet & Cie SAs holdings in TJX Companies were worth $13,566,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. EP Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in TJX Companies by 1.9% in the third quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 49,332 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $4,385,000 after purchasing an additional 923 shares during the last quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P. lifted its stake in TJX Companies by 148.7% in the third quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P. now owns 146,916 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $13,058,000 after purchasing an additional 87,853 shares during the last quarter. Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in TJX Companies in the third quarter worth about $202,000. Braun Stacey Associates Inc. bought a new stake in TJX Companies in the third quarter worth about $14,478,000. Finally, Tompkins Financial Corp lifted its stake in TJX Companies by 6.5% in the third quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 92,239 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $8,198,000 after purchasing an additional 5,613 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.28% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TJX has been the subject of several analyst reports. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $95.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Redburn Atlantic downgraded shares of TJX Companies from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $100.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $105.00 price target on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of TJX Companies from $95.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of TJX Companies from $99.00 to $101.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, November 16th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $102.19.

TJX Companies Stock Up 0.6 %

NYSE TJX traded up $0.54 on Monday, hitting $96.45. The stock had a trading volume of 2,064,773 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,925,171. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $96.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $92.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $72.92 and a 52-week high of $102.84. The stock has a market cap of $109.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.86.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.12 by $0.10. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.25% and a return on equity of 64.18%. The business had revenue of $16.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.20 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.89 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.06 earnings per share for the current year.

TJX Companies announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, February 28th that authorizes the company to buyback $2.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the apparel and home fashions retailer to purchase up to 2.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Louise Greenlees sold 2,694 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.83, for a total transaction of $266,248.02. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 50,273 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,968,480.59. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

About TJX Companies

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The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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Banque Pictet & Cie SA decreased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 4.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 403,115 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 18,503 shares during the period. Banque Pictet & Cie SAs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $39,042,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. EP Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3,313.1% in the 3rd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 59,558 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $5,768,000 after purchasing an additional 57,813 shares in the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 35.7% in the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 996,123 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $96,475,000 after purchasing an additional 262,262 shares in the last quarter. Carlson Capital Management boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Carlson Capital Management now owns 13,261 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,284,000 after purchasing an additional 375 shares in the last quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 8.4% in the 3rd quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 92,440 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $8,953,000 after purchasing an additional 7,181 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Resources Management Corp CT ADV boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV now owns 64,912 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $6,287,000 after purchasing an additional 738 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.70% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have weighed in on ABT. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Raymond James upped their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $128.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $120.00.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ABT traded down $1.07 during trading on Monday, reaching $119.89. 1,622,328 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,051,733. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $114.56 and a 200-day simple moving average of $105.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $208.03 billion, a PE ratio of 37.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.75. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $89.67 and a 52-week high of $121.64.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.19. The company had revenue of $10.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.19 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 14.27% and a return on equity of 20.65%. The firms revenue was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.03 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 earnings per share for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 15th will be issued a $0.55 dividend. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 67.48%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP John A. Jr. Mccoy sold 472 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.50, for a total value of $55,932.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 18,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,223,060. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Abbott Laboratories news, VP John A. Jr. Mccoy sold 472 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.50, for a total transaction of $55,932.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 18,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,223,060. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Daniel Gesua Sive Salvadori sold 963 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.50, for a total transaction of $114,115.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 125,697 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,895,094.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 71,435 shares of company stock valued at $8,071,298. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Banque Pictet & Cie SA lowered its position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 28.4% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 125,228 shares of the companys stock after selling 49,633 shares during the period. Banque Pictet & Cie SAs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $11,594,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in PM. Cornerstone Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 12,807.4% in the second quarter. Cornerstone Advisors LLC now owns 26,485,964 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,449,000 after acquiring an additional 26,280,764 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 100,700.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 15,640,144 shares of the companys stock worth $1,582,939,000 after buying an additional 15,624,628 shares during the period. Capital World Investors increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 116,185,273 shares of the companys stock worth $11,342,014,000 after buying an additional 4,368,323 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 33.5% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 17,147,790 shares of the companys stock worth $1,587,542,000 after buying an additional 4,304,089 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 1,225.5% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,568,402 shares of the companys stock worth $348,046,000 after buying an additional 3,299,188 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.70% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PM has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Argus reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. Societe Generale raised shares of Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. UBS Group downgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $105.00 to $86.50 in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a neutral rating and a $95.00 target price on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $105.40.

Philip Morris International Stock Performance

Philip Morris International stock traded up $1.34 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $94.02. 2,052,670 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,835,234. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12 month low of $87.23 and a 12 month high of $101.92. The company has a market cap of $145.96 billion, a PE ratio of 18.46, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.61. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $91.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $92.61.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly 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). Philip Morris International had a net margin of 8.53% and a negative return on equity of 116.29%. The firm had revenue of $9.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.99 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.39 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.39 earnings per share for the current year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 21st will be issued a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.53%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 20th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 103.59%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Werner Barth sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.46, for a total value of $457,300.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 102,918 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,412,880.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock.

About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Belpointe Asset Management LLC raised its position in Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE:CLDT  Free Report) by 12.1% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 32,694 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 3,526 shares during the quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLCs holdings in Chatham Lodging Trust were worth $313,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of CLDT. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Chatham Lodging Trust by 10.2% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 9,471,592 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $99,357,000 after buying an additional 874,031 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in Chatham Lodging Trust by 275.5% in the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 890,825 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $9,309,000 after buying an additional 653,584 shares during the period. Neuberger Berman Group LLC lifted its stake in Chatham Lodging Trust by 85.8% in the first quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 965,283 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $13,311,000 after buying an additional 445,640 shares during the period. Nuveen Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Chatham Lodging Trust by 84.5% during the second quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 598,455 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $5,602,000 after buying an additional 274,018 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Donald Smith & CO. Inc. grew its position in shares of Chatham Lodging Trust by 25.3% during the 2nd quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. now owns 1,265,200 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $11,842,000 after buying an additional 255,306 shares during the period. 92.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Chatham Lodging Trust from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th.

Chatham Lodging Trust Trading Up 2.1 %

Shares of CLDT stock opened at $10.21 on Monday. Chatham Lodging Trust has a 12-month low of $8.92 and a 12-month high of $12.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 3.08 and a quick ratio of 3.08. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $10.54 and a 200-day moving average of $10.12.

Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE:CLDT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.15 by ($0.38). Chatham Lodging Trust had a net margin of 0.85% and a return on equity of 0.33%. The firm had revenue of $72.28 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $70.46 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.20 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Chatham Lodging Trust will post 1.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Chatham Lodging Trust Profile

(Free Report)

Chatham Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) focused primarily on investing in upscale, extended-stay hotels and premium-branded, select-service hotels. The company owns 39 hotels totaling 5,915 rooms/suites in 16 states and the District of Columbia.

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Shares of Boston Properties, Inc. (NYSE:BXP  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Hold from the seventeen brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eleven have given a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $69.63.

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on BXP. StockNews.com raised shares of Boston Properties from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Boston Properties from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $57.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Boston Properties from $64.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Boston Properties from $60.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Boston Properties in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a hold rating and a $74.00 target price on the stock.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on BXP

Insider Activity at Boston Properties

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Boston Properties

In related news, EVP Raymond A. Ritchey sold 14,150 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.84, for a total value of $889,186.00. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . 1.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in BXP. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Boston Properties during the 4th quarter valued at about $890,848,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Boston Properties by 107,870.0% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,991,255 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $404,889,000 after purchasing an additional 5,985,706 shares in the last quarter. Senvest Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Boston Properties by 57.1% during the 2nd quarter. Senvest Management LLC now owns 2,856,340 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $164,497,000 after purchasing an additional 1,038,284 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in shares of Boston Properties by 527.6% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,150,133 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $77,726,000 after purchasing an additional 966,887 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of Boston Properties by 86.2% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,957,055 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $112,977,000 after purchasing an additional 906,069 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.58% of the companys stock.

Boston Properties Stock Performance

NYSE:BXP opened at $63.94 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $67.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of $62.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99, a current ratio of 5.40 and a quick ratio of 5.40. The firm has a market cap of $10.04 billion, a PE ratio of 52.84 and a beta of 1.15. Boston Properties has a 1-year low of $46.18 and a 1-year high of $73.97.

Boston Properties (NYSE:BXP  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.76 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.81 by ($1.05). The firm had revenue of $828.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $811.59 million. Boston Properties had a net margin of 5.81% and a return on equity of 2.32%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.86 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Boston Properties will post 7.12 EPS for the current year.

Boston Properties Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 30th. Investors of record on Friday, December 29th were given a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 28th. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.13%. Boston Propertiess dividend payout ratio is presently 323.97%.

About Boston Properties

(Get Free Report

Boston Properties, Inc (NYSE: BXP) (BXP or the Company) is the largest publicly traded developer, owner, and manager of premier workplaces in the United States, concentrated in six dynamic gateway markets  Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC. BXP has delivered places that power progress for our clients and communities for more than 50 years.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. South Korea expresses interest in importing a variety of products from Azerbaijan, including iron and aluminum, chairman of the Korean Importers Association (KOIMA) Kim Byung Kwan said, Trend reports.

He made a remark during the event within the purchasing mission from South Korea to Azerbaijan.

According to him, Azerbaijan has great potential to increase its presence in the Korean market as a supplier of products, considering that South Korea is one of the largest importers in the world.

"We are interested in strengthening partnerships with companies from Azerbaijan and organizing business trips to promote Azerbaijani goods in the South Korean market," he noted.

Additionally, the KOIMA chairman mentioned that an exhibition will be held in South Korea this year, where Azerbaijani companies can exhibit their products and start developing the local market.

"Azerbaijan is a country with extensive natural resources, including valuable minerals such as oil, gas, and other useful resources. Azerbaijan and South Korea have strong relations based on friendship and cooperation and both countries are making efforts to maintain and strengthen them," he added.

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Deutsche Bank AG reduced its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 11.3% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 15,875,540 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 2,028,553 shares during the period. Bristol-Myers Squibb accounts for approximately 0.6% of Deutsche Bank AGs holdings, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Deutsche Bank AGs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $921,416,000 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 BMY. Herold Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% during the third 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 during the period. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 69.6% in the second quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,049 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $323,000 after buying an additional 2,072 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC raised its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 9.5% during the 3rd quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 139,811 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $8,115,000 after purchasing an additional 12,121 shares during the period. Metis Global Partners LLC raised its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 14.8% during the 3rd quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 101,772 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $5,907,000 after purchasing an additional 13,122 shares during the period. Finally, Jmac Enterprises LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 11.4% during the 3rd quarter. Jmac Enterprises LLC now owns 12,171 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $706,000 after acquiring an additional 1,245 shares in the last quarter. 74.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

NYSE:BMY traded up $0.38 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $54.17. The companys stock had a trading volume of 8,237,450 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,074,332. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a fifty-two week low of $47.58 and a fifty-two week high of $71.07. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The company has a market capitalization of $109.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.38. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $50.43 and a 200-day moving average of $53.18.

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $11.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.19 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.83% and a return on equity of 50.95%. The companys revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.82 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to repurchase up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.43%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is 62.18%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently commented on BMY. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $58.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Cantor Fitzgerald cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the company from $68.00 to $55.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 15th. Societe Generale cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Redburn Atlantic cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the company from $77.00 to $54.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $61.12.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Bristol-Myers Squibb

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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Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (NYSE:HR  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Hold from the ten brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $17.30.

A number of brokerages recently commented on HR. Wedbush downgraded shares of Healthcare Realty Trust from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $19.00 to $15.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Healthcare Realty Trust from $17.00 to $16.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 13th. Stifel Nicolaus cut shares of Healthcare Realty Trust from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their target price for the company from $19.00 to $15.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Healthcare Realty Trust from $19.00 to $17.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Healthcare Realty Trust in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $18.00 target price for the company.

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Read Our Latest Report on HR

Insider Activity at Healthcare Realty Trust

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Healthcare Realty Trust

In related news, EVP Julie F. Wilson sold 4,100 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.30, for a total transaction of $70,930.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 116,233 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,010,830.90. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Corporate insiders own 0.49% of the companys stock.

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of HR. Provence Wealth Management Group acquired a new position in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its stake in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust by 122.9% in the 3rd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,716 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 946 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust by 106.0% in the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 1,854 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 954 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quent Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust by 47.4% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 1,933 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 622 shares in the last quarter.

Healthcare Realty Trust Stock Performance

Shares of HR opened at $13.57 on Monday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $15.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $15.62. Healthcare Realty Trust has a 52 week low of $13.06 and a 52 week high of $20.32. The company has a market capitalization of $5.17 billion, a PE ratio of -18.34 and a beta of 0.79.

Healthcare Realty Trust (NYSE:HR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 16th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.11) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by ($0.51). Healthcare Realty Trust had a negative net margin of 20.71% and a negative return on equity of 3.87%. The company had revenue of $330.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $334.32 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.42 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Healthcare Realty Trust will post 1.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Healthcare Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 14th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.31 per share. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.14%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 23rd. Healthcare Realty Trusts payout ratio is currently -167.57%.

Healthcare Realty Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Healthcare Realty (NYSE: HR) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates medical outpatient buildings primarily located around market-leading hospital campuses. The Company selectively grows its portfolio through property acquisition and development. As the first and largest REIT to specialize in medical outpatient buildings, Healthcare Realty's portfolio includes more than 700 properties totaling over 40 million square feet concentrated in 15 growth markets.

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Brown Shipley& Co Ltd lowered its stake in Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD  Free Report) by 45.7% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 50 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 42 shares during the period. Brown Shipley& Co Ltds holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $55,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MTD. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,534,104 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $3,479,806,000 after purchasing an additional 17,826 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 0.4% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 961,574 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,261,239,000 after buying an additional 4,248 shares during the period. Capital International Investors boosted its position in Mettler-Toledo International by 10.4% during the second quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 660,610 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $866,482,000 after acquiring an additional 62,487 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 514,524 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $673,428,000 after acquiring an additional 14,397 shares during the period. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 5.6% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 488,953 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $641,330,000 after purchasing an additional 25,877 shares during the period. 93.11% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Christian Magloth sold 400 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,278.73, for a total value of $511,492.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 734 shares in the company, valued at approximately $938,587.82. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, insider Christian Magloth sold 400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,278.73, for a total transaction of $511,492.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 734 shares in the company, valued at approximately $938,587.82. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,210.83, for a total transaction of $363,249.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 4,914 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,950,018.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 951 shares of company stock valued at $1,170,256 over the last 90 days. 2.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Mettler-Toledo International Stock Performance

Shares of MTD stock traded down $13.70 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $1,300.15. 25,237 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 149,763. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $928.49 and a fifty-two week high of $1,615.97. The company has a market capitalization of $27.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.61, a P/E/G ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 1.15. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $1,208.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1,140.64.

Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 9th. The medical instruments supplier reported $9.40 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $10.32 by ($0.92). The company had revenue of $934.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $959.45 million. Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 904.59% and a net margin of 20.82%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $12.10 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 39.91 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on MTD shares. Citigroup restated a sell rating and issued a $975.00 price target (down previously from $1,050.00) on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a report on Monday, December 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,185.00 to $1,030.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 13th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Mettler-Toledo International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, February 19th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,520.00 to $1,300.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 13th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,425.00 to $1,270.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Mettler-Toledo International currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $1,223.71.

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Mettler-Toledo International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The company's laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, real-time analytics, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments.Its industrial instruments comprise industrial weighing instruments and related terminals, automatic dimensional measurement and data capture solutions, vehicle scale systems, industrial software, metal detection equipment, x-ray systems, check weighing equipment, camera-based imaging equipment, track-and-trace solutions, and product inspection systems.

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Cannell Capital LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW  Free Report) by 6.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,038,944 shares of the specialty retailers stock after selling 70,426 shares during the quarter. Build-A-Bear Workshop accounts for 7.0% of Cannell Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its largest position. Cannell Capital LLC owned 0.07% of Build-A-Bear Workshop worth $30,555,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of BBW. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. acquired a new stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in the 1st quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 190.9% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,200 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 2,100 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.73% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Build-A-Bear Workshop news, CEO Sharon Price John sold 17,596 shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.90, for a total transaction of $402,948.40. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 602,781 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,803,684.90. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 121,060 shares of company stock valued at $2,697,244. Insiders own 11.40% of the companys stock.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Price Performance

Analyst Ratings Changes

Shares of NYSE BBW traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $24.18. The company had a trading volume of 49,821 shares, compared to its average volume of 200,219. The stock has a market cap of $346.02 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.97 and a beta of 1.66. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. has a 12 month low of $17.85 and a 12 month high of $30.49. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $22.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $24.77.

Several research analysts have recently commented on BBW shares. DA Davidson decreased their target price on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $42.00 to $38.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 1st. StockNews.com lowered Build-A-Bear Workshop from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BBW

Build-A-Bear Workshop Profile

(Free Report)

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc operates as a multi-channel retailer of plush animals and related products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Direct-to-Consumer, Commercial, and International Franchising. Its merchandise comprises various styles of plush products to be stuffed, pre-stuffed plush products, and sounds and scents that can be added to the stuffed animals, as well as range of clothing, shoes and accessories, and other toy and novelty items, including family sleepwear.

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Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. raised its stake in California Resources Co. (NYSE:CRC  Free Report) by 6.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 798,909 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after purchasing an additional 51,683 shares during the quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. owned about 1.16% of California Resources worth $44,747,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cambria Investment Management L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of California Resources by 8.5% in the 3rd quarter. Cambria Investment Management L.P. now owns 167,856 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $9,402,000 after purchasing an additional 13,104 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in California Resources during the second quarter worth approximately $252,000. Xponance Inc. purchased a new stake in California Resources during the third quarter worth approximately $241,000. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in California Resources by 16.5% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 696,923 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $39,035,000 after buying an additional 98,595 shares during the period. Finally, LSV Asset Management grew its stake in California Resources by 102.0% during the third quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 2,943,220 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $164,850,000 after buying an additional 1,485,970 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.79% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CRC has been the subject of several research reports. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of California Resources from $63.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Bank of America downgraded shares of California Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $64.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $70.00 price objective on shares of California Resources in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of California Resources from $68.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $65.33.

California Resources Price Performance

Shares of CRC stock opened at $48.34 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.35 billion, a PE ratio of 6.26 and a beta of 1.02. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $51.78 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. California Resources Co. has a twelve month low of $34.02 and a twelve month high of $58.44.

California Resources (NYSE:CRC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.01 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $726.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $553.47 million. California Resources had a net margin of 20.14% and a return on equity of 17.57%. California Resourcess revenue for the quarter was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.24 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that California Resources Co. will post 5.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

California Resources Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be issued a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 5th. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.57%. California Resourcess dividend payout ratio is presently 16.06%.

About California Resources

(Free Report)

California Resources Corporation operates as an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company in the United States. The company explores, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids for marketers, California refineries, and other purchasers that have access to transportation and storage facilities.

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Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Free Report) (TSE:CM) by 177.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 990,605 shares of the banks stock after purchasing an additional 633,770 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Boards holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce were worth $38,415,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 277.9% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 1,126 shares of the banks stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 828 shares in the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co lifted its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 77.8% during the 3rd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,600 shares of the banks stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 22.7% during the 3rd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,420 shares of the banks stock worth $93,000 after acquiring an additional 448 shares in the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $106,000. Finally, Atlas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $124,000. 43.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently commented on CM shares. Scotiabank raised Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. StockNews.com raised Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Bank of America upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 18th. National Bank Financial upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. They set a buy rating on the stock. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $63.00.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE CM traded up $0.12 during trading on Monday, reaching $49.72. The stock had a trading volume of 501,933 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,955,411. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a one year low of $34.35 and a one year high of $49.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.05. The stock has a market cap of $46.33 billion, a PE ratio of 10.25, a P/E/G ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 1.05. The firms 50 day moving average price is $46.44 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $42.30.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be issued a $0.6634 dividend. This represents a $2.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.34%. This is an increase from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces payout ratio is 39.46%.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Profile

(Free Report)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S.

Further Reading

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StockNews.com cut shares of Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note released on Thursday.

Several other research firms have also recently commented on SCHW. UBS Group boosted their target price on Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut Charles Schwab from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Citigroup cut Charles Schwab from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. TD Cowen assumed coverage on Charles Schwab in a report on Thursday, January 4th. They issued a market perform rating and a $77.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $64.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $69.92.

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Charles Schwab Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SCHW opened at $67.17 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $119.12 billion, a PE ratio of 26.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.00. Charles Schwab has a fifty-two week low of $45.00 and a fifty-two week high of $73.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.43. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $64.91 and a 200-day moving average of $60.36.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.04. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 21.33% and a net margin of 26.90%. The company had revenue of $4.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.49 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.07 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 18.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Charles Schwab will post 3.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 39.37%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Charles Schwab

In other Charles Schwab news, insider Nigel J. Murtagh sold 29,991 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.80, for a total transaction of $2,033,389.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 81,446 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,522,038.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, insider Nigel J. Murtagh sold 29,991 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.80, for a total value of $2,033,389.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 81,446 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,522,038.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 5,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.71, for a total value of $361,405.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 24,111 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,584,333.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 202,607 shares of company stock valued at $13,214,499 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Charles Schwab

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Main Street Group LTD purchased a new stake in Charles Schwab during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 60.0% during the 4th quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC now owns 440 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 165 shares during the period. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Hall Laurie J Trustee bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. 81.61% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Charles Schwab Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Shares of Chart Industries, Inc. (NYSE:GTLS  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the thirteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eight have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $193.54.

A number of analysts have issued reports on GTLS shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Chart Industries from $155.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Chart Industries from $230.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Raymond James raised Chart Industries from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and set a $190.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on Chart Industries from $167.00 to $149.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 14th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and set a $224.00 price target on shares of Chart Industries in a report on Wednesday, November 29th.

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View Our Latest Research Report on Chart Industries

Insider Transactions at Chart Industries

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Chart Industries

In other news, Director Linda S. Harty bought 500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $134.44 per share, with a total value of $67,220.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,310 shares in the company, valued at $982,756.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock.

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in GTLS. Eagle Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Chart Industries by 238.2% during the 4th quarter. Eagle Asset Management Inc. now owns 952,804 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $109,505,000 after acquiring an additional 671,103 shares during the period. Capital World Investors lifted its holdings in shares of Chart Industries by 16.1% during the first quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 4,402,819 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $756,272,000 after purchasing an additional 609,148 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in Chart Industries by 63.1% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,339,412 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $230,071,000 after buying an additional 517,951 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Chart Industries in the 4th quarter valued at $57,415,000. Finally, Millennium Management LLC raised its position in Chart Industries by 576.4% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 404,454 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $46,605,000 after buying an additional 344,662 shares during the last quarter.

Chart Industries Price Performance

Shares of GTLS opened at $143.42 on Monday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $129.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $140.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 0.88. Chart Industries has a 1-year low of $101.44 and a 1-year high of $184.65. The stock has a market cap of $6.06 billion, a PE ratio of 377.42, a P/E/G ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.69.

Chart Industries (NYSE:GTLS  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The industrial products company reported $2.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.13 by $0.12. Chart Industries had a net margin of 1.00% and a return on equity of 9.27%. The firm had revenue of $1.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.09 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.67 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 130.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Chart Industries will post 11.46 EPS for the current year.

Chart Industries Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Chart Industries, Inc engages in the designing, engineering, and manufacturing of process technologies and equipment for the gas and liquid molecules in the United States and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Cryo Tank Solutions, Heat Transfer Systems, Specialty Products, and Repair, Service & Leasing.

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Comerica Bank reduced its position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 31.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 894,033 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 414,921 shares during the period. Comerica Bank owned about 0.05% of Abbott Laboratories worth $86,587,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in ABT. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Halpern Financial Inc. bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. CGC Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, FWL Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.70% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

ABT has been the topic of several research reports. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $128.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. TheStreet raised shares of Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Raymond James upped their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Four equities 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, Abbott Laboratories has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $120.00.

Abbott Laboratories Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of ABT traded down $0.86 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $120.10. 924,865 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,037,067. The stock has a market cap of $208.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.75. The stocks 50-day moving average is $114.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $105.36. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $89.67 and a 12 month high of $121.64. 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 (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.19. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.65% and a net margin of 14.27%. The company had revenue of $10.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.03 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be given a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.83%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 67.48%.

Insider Activity at Abbott Laboratories

In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total value of $4,781,250.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,315,537.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total value of $4,781,250.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,315,537.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 12,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 78,704 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,444,480. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 71,435 shares of company stock worth $8,071,298. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The 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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Comstock Resources (NYSE:CRK  Free Report) had its price target cut by Piper Sandler from $9.00 to $8.00 in a report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the oil and gas producers stock.

CRK has been the subject of several other reports. Johnson Rice cut Comstock Resources from an accumulate rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. StockNews.com upgraded Comstock Resources to a sell rating in a report on Monday, November 13th. Siebert Williams Shank initiated coverage on Comstock Resources in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. They issued a hold rating and a $10.00 target price for the company. Truist Financial decreased their price target on Comstock Resources from $10.00 to $9.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, Mizuho lowered Comstock Resources from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Two 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, Comstock Resources currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $11.00.

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Comstock Resources Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE:CRK opened at $8.49 on Thursday. Comstock Resources has a 12-month low of $7.07 and a 12-month high of $13.39. The company has a market capitalization of $2.36 billion, a PE ratio of 11.17 and a beta of 0.69. The business has a 50 day moving average of $8.18 and a two-hundred day moving average of $10.01. The company has a current ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11.

Comstock Resources (NYSE:CRK  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.16 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $410.58 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $401.97 million. Comstock Resources had a return on equity of 5.65% and a net margin of 13.49%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 55.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.05 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Comstock Resources will post 0.46 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Comstock Resources

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in Comstock Resources by 17.9% in the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,466,851 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $12,982,000 after purchasing an additional 222,803 shares in the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Comstock Resources by 537.8% in the 4th quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 64,197 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $568,000 after acquiring an additional 54,132 shares during the last quarter. Readystate Asset Management LP increased its holdings in shares of Comstock Resources by 718.7% in the 4th quarter. Readystate Asset Management LP now owns 603,846 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $5,344,000 after acquiring an additional 530,090 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC increased its holdings in shares of Comstock Resources by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 339,960 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $3,009,000 after acquiring an additional 13,474 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Comstock Resources by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,829,100 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $95,838,000 after acquiring an additional 34,231 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 32.58% of the companys stock.

Comstock Resources Company Profile

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Comstock Resources, Inc, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas primarily in North Louisiana and East Texas, the United States. The company was incorporated in 1919 and is based in Frisco, Texas.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. Importers arriving from South Korea will hold multiple meetings with Azerbaijani exporters and product manufacturers, Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev told reporters, Trend reports.

He made remark on the sidelines of an event as part of a purchasing mission from South Korea to Azerbaijan.

"A purchasing mission from South Korea arrived in Baku on March 11, and during this week South Korean importers will hold meetings with local exporters and manufacturers. The mission will visit a number of large local companies, covering various economic regions of Azerbaijan, where many meetings will be held," he noted.

According to Abdullayev, these meetings will be beneficial in terms of increasing exports of Azerbaijani goods to South Korea.

"The trade turnover between South Korea and Azerbaijan is increasing, but this is at the expense of South Korea's export growth. Our main aim is to increase the share of Azerbaijan's exports to South Korea, focusing on the non-oil and gas sector," he added.

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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 contrast to its rivals? We will compare Knife River to related businesses based on the strength of its dividends, valuation, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and risk.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Knife River and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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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 rivals. Knife River 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

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%

Analyst Ratings

This table compares Knife River and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Knife River and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.

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 presently has a consensus price target 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 10.50%. Given Knife Rivers rivals higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Knife River has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

67.1% of Knife River shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.6% of shares of all Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies are held by institutional investors. 7.3% of shares of all Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Knife River Company Profile

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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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Diversified Trust Co decreased its holdings in shares of Linde plc (NYSE:LIN  Free Report) by 1.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,806 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 126 shares during the quarter. Diversified Trust Cos holdings in Linde were worth $2,534,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Stifel Financial Corp raised its stake in Linde by 0.9% during the second quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 1,692,463 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $644,986,000 after purchasing an additional 14,969 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Europe London LLP purchased a new stake in Linde during the second quarter valued at $23,044,000. Czech National Bank raised its stake in Linde by 47.1% during the third quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 85,283 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $31,755,000 after purchasing an additional 27,324 shares in the last quarter. West Tower Group LLC purchased a new stake in Linde during the second quarter valued at $64,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. raised its stake in Linde by 5.8% during the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 722,939 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $275,498,000 after purchasing an additional 39,823 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.98% of the companys stock.

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Linde Stock Up 1.3 %

NYSE:LIN opened at $468.76 on Monday. Linde plc has a fifty-two week low of $324.11 and a fifty-two week high of $473.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $225.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.71, a P/E/G ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.80. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $422.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $402.11.

Linde Increases Dividend

Linde ( NYSE:LIN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The basic materials company reported $3.59 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.49 by $0.10. Linde had a net margin of 18.87% and a return on equity of 17.06%. The business had revenue of $8.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.04 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.16 EPS. The companys revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Linde plc will post 15.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 14th will be given a $1.39 dividend. This is a positive change from Lindes previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. This represents a $5.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.19%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 13th. Lindes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.13%.

Insider Activity at Linde

In related news, CEO Sanjiv Lamba sold 8,306 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $462.04, for a total value of $3,837,704.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 56,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $26,058,131.92. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Linde news, SVP Oliver Pfann sold 300 shares of Linde stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $414.61, for a total transaction of $124,383.00. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Sanjiv Lamba sold 8,306 shares of Linde stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $462.04, for a total transaction of $3,837,704.24. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 56,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,058,131.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 72,971 shares of company stock valued at $33,345,571 in the last three months. 0.70% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

LIN has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Linde from $395.00 to $455.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Linde from $470.00 to $480.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Seaport Res Ptn downgraded shares of Linde from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 8th. HSBC increased their target price on shares of Linde from $440.00 to $447.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 24th. Finally, Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Linde in a report on Friday, March 1st. They issued a peer perform rating on the stock. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $443.79.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on LIN

About Linde

(Free Report)

Linde plc operates as an industrial gas company in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and South Pacific. It offers atmospheric gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and rare gases; and process gases, such as carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, electronic gases, specialty gases, and acetylene.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Easterly Government Properties (NYSE:DEA  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning.

Easterly Government Properties Price Performance

Shares of Easterly Government Properties stock opened at $11.80 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $1.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 62.11 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 4.65 and a current ratio of 4.65. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $12.40 and a 200-day moving average price of $12.20. Easterly Government Properties has a one year low of $10.27 and a one year high of $15.21.

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Easterly Government Properties Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.265 per share. This represents a $1.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 5th. Easterly Government Propertiess dividend payout ratio is currently 557.92%.

Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Easterly Government Properties

In other Easterly Government Properties news, Chairman Darrell W. Crate purchased 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $13.14 per share, with a total value of $105,120.00. Following the purchase, the chairman now owns 92,174 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,211,166.36. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . 8.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of DEA. Foresight Group Ltd Liability Partnership bought a new stake in Easterly Government Properties during the 4th quarter valued at $39,948,000. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in Easterly Government Properties by 60.6% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,741,816 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $23,410,000 after purchasing an additional 656,983 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in Easterly Government Properties by 12.7% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,465,836 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $115,548,000 after purchasing an additional 614,888 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in Easterly Government Properties by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,482,804 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $253,501,000 after purchasing an additional 508,729 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Intrinsic Edge Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Easterly Government Properties during the 4th quarter valued at $6,720,000. 84.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Easterly Government Properties

(Get Free Report)

Easterly Government Properties, Inc (NYSE: DEA) is based in Washington, DC, and focuses primarily on the acquisition, development and management of Class A commercial properties that are leased to the U.S. Government. Easterly's experienced management team brings specialized insight into the strategy and needs of mission-critical U.S.

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Converge Technology Solutions (TSE:CTS  Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by Echelon Wealth Partners from C$5.80 to C$6.25 in a research note published on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the stock. Echelon Wealth Partners also issued estimates for Converge Technology Solutions Q1 2024 earnings at $0.09 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $0.14 EPS and Q4 2024 earnings at $0.16 EPS.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. CIBC lifted their price objective on shares of Converge Technology Solutions from C$4.00 to C$4.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their price target on shares of Converge Technology Solutions from C$6.00 to C$5.00 and set a speculative buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Eight Capital boosted their price target on shares of Converge Technology Solutions from C$7.00 to C$9.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday. Cormark raised their price objective on Converge Technology Solutions from C$4.50 to C$5.50 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Finally, Desjardins boosted their target price on Converge Technology Solutions from C$5.00 to C$6.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$6.43.

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Converge Technology Solutions Price Performance

Converge Technology Solutions Announces Dividend

Shares of CTS opened at C$5.42 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of C$1.11 billion, a P/E ratio of -108.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.14 and a beta of 1.91. Converge Technology Solutions has a 1 year low of C$2.24 and a 1 year high of C$5.44. The stocks 50-day moving average price is C$4.43 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$3.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 75.63.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 26th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 26th will be paid a $0.01 dividend. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 11th. Converge Technology Solutionss payout ratio is presently -80.00%.

About Converge Technology Solutions

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Converge Technology Solutions Corp. provides software-enabled IT and cloud solutions in the United States and Canada. Its solutions approach delivers advanced analytics, application modernization, cloud, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and digital workplace offerings to clients across various industries.

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EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the ten analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $48.55.

Several analysts recently issued reports on EPR shares. JMP Securities cut EPR Properties from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of EPR Properties from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on EPR Properties from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Raymond James raised their price target on EPR Properties from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of EPR Properties from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $51.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, December 18th.

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EPR Properties Trading Up 0.5 %

EPR Properties Increases Dividend

NYSE:EPR opened at $42.61 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.70 and a beta of 1.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 7.53 and a quick ratio of 7.53. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $44.23 and a 200-day moving average price of $44.23. EPR Properties has a one year low of $33.92 and a one year high of $49.10.

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a $0.285 dividend. This represents a $3.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.03%. This is an increase from EPR Propertiess previous monthly dividend of $0.28. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. EPR Propertiess dividend payout ratio is presently 167.51%.

Insider Activity at EPR Properties

In related news, CAO Tonya L. Mater sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.50, for a total transaction of $72,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 41,223 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,999,315.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, Director Peter C. Brown sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.68, for a total transaction of $121,700.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 18,094 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $880,815.92. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Tonya L. Mater sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.50, for a total value of $72,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 41,223 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,999,315.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.89% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EPR Properties

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Swiss National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of EPR Properties by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 163,888 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $7,670,000 after purchasing an additional 2,000 shares during the last quarter. Ballast Asset Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of EPR Properties in the third quarter valued at about $1,861,000. Jump Financial LLC acquired a new stake in EPR Properties during the third quarter worth about $1,165,000. Citigroup Inc. raised its stake in EPR Properties by 52.0% during the third quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 32,990 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,370,000 after purchasing an additional 11,283 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in EPR Properties by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,227,642 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $50,996,000 after purchasing an additional 38,937 shares during the last quarter. 76.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

EPR Properties Company Profile

(Get Free Report

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) is the leading diversified experiential net lease real estate investment trust (REIT), specializing in select enduring experiential properties in the real estate industry. We focus on real estate venues that create value by facilitating out of home leisure and recreation experiences where consumers choose to spend their discretionary time and money.

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Glaukos Co. (NYSE:GKOS  Get Free Report) Director Gilbert H. Kliman sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.25, for a total transaction of $441,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 30,620 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,702,215. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Glaukos Trading Down 1.6 %

Shares of GKOS stock opened at $87.46 on Monday. Glaukos Co. has a fifty-two week low of $44.26 and a fifty-two week high of $97.24. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $89.54 and a 200 day moving average price of $77.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.33 billion, a P/E ratio of -31.46 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 4.78 and a current ratio of 5.34.

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Glaukos (NYSE:GKOS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 21st. The medical instruments supplier reported ($0.63) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.56) by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $82.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $81.00 million. Glaukos had a negative return on equity of 22.67% and a negative net margin of 42.79%. The firms revenue was up 15.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.53) EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Glaukos Co. will post -2.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

GKOS has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Glaukos from $90.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 22nd. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Glaukos in a report on Monday, December 4th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $65.00 target price for the company. TheStreet lowered Glaukos from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a report on Friday, November 24th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Glaukos from $83.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Glaukos from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $91.80.

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Institutional Trading of Glaukos

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in Glaukos by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 481,228 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $27,825,000 after acquiring an additional 2,843 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Glaukos during the first quarter worth approximately $208,000. Natixis Advisors L.P. acquired a new position in Glaukos in the first quarter valued at approximately $674,000. Bank of Montreal Can increased its stake in Glaukos by 14.2% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 20,031 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,164,000 after purchasing an additional 2,485 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Glaukos by 54.8% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 25,057 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,449,000 after buying an additional 8,866 shares during the last quarter. 99.04% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Glaukos

(Get Free Report)

Glaukos Corporation, an ophthalmic medical technology and pharmaceutical company, focuses on the development of novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases. It offers iStent, iStent inject, iStent inject W micro-bypass stents that enhance aqueous humor outflow inserted in cataract surgery to treat mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma.

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Graham Capital Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of Boyd Gaming Co. (NYSE:BYD  Free Report) by 13.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 94,810 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 11,099 shares during the period. Graham Capital Management L.P. owned approximately 0.10% of Boyd Gaming worth $5,767,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Boyd Gaming by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,030,684 shares of the companys stock valued at $594,039,000 after purchasing an additional 359,698 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Boyd Gaming by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 8,049,436 shares of the companys stock valued at $558,389,000 after purchasing an additional 289,372 shares in the last quarter. Ariel Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Boyd Gaming by 63.4% in the 1st quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 2,629,438 shares of the companys stock valued at $172,965,000 after purchasing an additional 1,020,515 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Boyd Gaming by 45.2% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,382,418 shares of the companys stock valued at $156,715,000 after purchasing an additional 741,156 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HG Vora Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Boyd Gaming by 12.5% in the 3rd quarter. HG Vora Capital Management LLC now owns 2,250,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $136,868,000 after purchasing an additional 250,000 shares in the last quarter. 67.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Boyd Gaming Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:BYD traded up $0.53 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $63.69. The company had a trading volume of 163,017 shares, compared to its average volume of 728,338. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $63.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $61.74. The company has a market capitalization of $6.18 billion, a PE ratio of 10.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.85. Boyd Gaming Co. has a one year low of $52.42 and a one year high of $73.00.

Boyd Gaming Increases Dividend

Boyd Gaming ( NYSE:BYD Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.43 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $954.41 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $928.04 million. Boyd Gaming had a net margin of 16.58% and a return on equity of 36.97%. Boyd Gamings revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.72 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Boyd Gaming Co. will post 6.19 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.07%. This is a positive change from Boyd Gamings previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. Boyd Gamings payout ratio is currently 11.15%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus reiterated a hold rating and issued a $69.00 price objective on shares of Boyd Gaming in a report on Friday, January 5th. Susquehanna reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $75.00 price objective (down previously from $84.00) on shares of Boyd Gaming in a report on Monday, February 12th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of Boyd Gaming from $76.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Boyd Gaming from $70.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Boyd Gaming from $66.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $75.78.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BYD

Insider Activity at Boyd Gaming

In related news, major shareholder William S. Boyd sold 125,000 shares of Boyd Gaming stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.77, for a total value of $7,971,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 9,358,913 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $596,817,882.01. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Boyd Gaming news, COO Ted Bogich sold 41,631 shares of Boyd Gaming stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.79, for a total transaction of $2,697,272.49. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 66,803 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,328,166.37. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder William S. Boyd sold 125,000 shares of Boyd Gaming stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.77, for a total transaction of $7,971,250.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 9,358,913 shares in the company, valued at $596,817,882.01. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 519,446 shares of company stock valued at $33,293,613. 27.94% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Boyd Gaming Company Profile

(Free Report)

Boyd Gaming Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-jurisdictional gaming company in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The company operates through Las Vegas Locals, Downtown Las Vegas, Midwest & South, and Online segments.

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Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 11.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 23,797 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 2,429 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $972,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of WFC. Defender Capital LLC. acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the first quarter valued at approximately $246,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the first quarter worth approximately $124,000. Dakota Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the first quarter worth approximately $222,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. grew its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 0.3% during the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 273,936 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,274,000 after buying an additional 770 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 24.5% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 9,630 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $467,000 after buying an additional 1,895 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.47% of the companys stock.

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Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

WFC stock opened at $57.07 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $204.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.84, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.19. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1 year low of $35.25 and a 1 year high of $57.68. The stocks fifty day moving average is $50.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $45.59.

Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by ($0.30). Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 12.40%. The company had revenue of $20.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.30 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.67 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.72 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 1st. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 29.05%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WFC has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $51.00 to $50.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Raymond James raised their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and set a $51.00 price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. Ten equities 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 stock. According to MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $51.43.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company

Wells Fargo & Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.

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Hohimer Wealth Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 1.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 48,504 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 706 shares during the quarter. Hohimer Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $2,663,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Providence Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Charles Schwab during the third quarter valued at $28,000. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Charles Schwab during the first quarter valued at $32,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Charles Schwab during the third quarter valued at $34,000. State of Wyoming increased its position in Charles Schwab by 71.0% during the second quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 624 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in Charles Schwab during the second quarter valued at $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.61% of the companys stock.

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Charles Schwab Stock Performance

NYSE:SCHW traded down $0.24 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $66.93. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,286,220 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,564,488. The Charles Schwab Co. has a fifty-two week low of $45.00 and a fifty-two week high of $71.40. The firms 50 day moving average is $64.91 and its 200-day moving average is $60.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.43 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The firm has a market cap of $118.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.44, a P/E/G ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.00.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $4.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.49 billion. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 21.33%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.07 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.37%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut shares of Charles Schwab from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and cut their price objective for the company from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $64.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Friday, December 1st. They issued a sell rating and a $52.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Charles Schwab from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $69.92.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Charles Schwab

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Nigel J. Murtagh sold 29,991 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.80, for a total value of $2,033,389.80. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 81,446 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,522,038.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Nigel J. Murtagh sold 29,991 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.80, for a total value of $2,033,389.80. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 81,446 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,522,038.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.49, for a total transaction of $257,960.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 37,611 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,425,533.39. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 202,607 shares of company stock valued at $13,214,499 in the last three months. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Charles Schwab Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Integrated Advisors Network LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM  Free Report) by 1.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,465 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 40 shares during the quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLCs holdings in Humana were worth $1,199,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new position in shares of Humana during the first quarter worth about $28,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in Humana during the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. Baystate Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Humana by 84.1% during the second quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 81 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the period. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new stake in Humana during the third quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Nvwm LLC grew its stake in Humana by 41.0% during the third quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 86 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. 91.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on HUM. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut Humana from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $595.00 to $360.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on Humana from $515.00 to $450.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Argus upgraded Humana from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $550.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Humana from $593.00 to $575.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Truist Financial reiterated a hold rating and set a $550.00 price objective on shares of Humana in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Humana has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $494.00.

Humana Trading Down 0.5 %

NYSE HUM opened at $337.50 on Monday. Humana Inc. has a 1-year low of $334.54 and a 1-year high of $541.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $390.28 and a 200-day moving average of $453.74. The firm has a market cap of $40.72 billion, a PE ratio of 17.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.45.

Humana (NYSE:HUM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The insurance provider reported ($0.11) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.76 by ($0.87). Humana had a net margin of 2.34% and a return on equity of 19.44%. The company had revenue of $26.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.47 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.62 EPS. The companys revenue was up 17.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Humana Inc. will post 16.05 EPS for the current year.

Humana Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be given a dividend of $0.885 per share. This represents a $3.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.05%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Humanas payout ratio is 17.86%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Humana

In other Humana news, Director Jorge S. Mesquita purchased 545 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $367.09 per share, with a total value of $200,064.05. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,578 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $946,358.02. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.32% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Humana Company Profile

(Free Report)

Humana Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a health and well-being company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Insurance and CenterWell. The company offers medical and supplemental benefit plans to individuals. It also has a contract with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to administer the Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition prescription drug plan program; and contracts with various states to provide Medicaid, dual eligible, and long-term support services benefits.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 this autumn holds particular significance for the country's global standing, political expert Turab Rzayev told Trend.

"Azerbaijan views this event as a key opportunity to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Rzayev said.

He emphasized that transforming the Azerbaijani lands liberated from Armenian occupation into a green energy zone is a primary focus.

"A strategic vision has been proposed to establish a green energy zone in these territories, leveraging significant potential for renewable energy production. The signing of agreements with foreign companies for the creation of a green energy zone indicates substantial progress in this endeavor," Rzayev said.

The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023.



Besides Azerbaijan, both Armenia and Bulgaria nominated their candidatures. However, after direct negotiations between the Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia on December 7, 2023, Armenia decided to withdraw its candidacy in favor of Azerbaijan. Bulgaria followed suit and also withdrew its candidacy.



On January 4, 2024, Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, was appointed as President of COP29.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its stake in International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM  Free Report) by 830.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,151 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 5,490 shares during the quarter. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in International Business Machines were worth $863,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of IBM. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of International Business Machines by 98,797.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 11,029,001 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,553,876,000 after purchasing an additional 11,017,849 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of International Business Machines in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $876,014,000. Morgan Stanley raised its position in shares of International Business Machines by 22.8% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 16,592,094 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,337,660,000 after purchasing an additional 3,084,458 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of International Business Machines by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 74,044,855 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $9,907,942,000 after purchasing an additional 2,483,682 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in shares of International Business Machines by 286.7% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 2,602,786 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $348,279,000 after purchasing an additional 1,929,661 shares during the last quarter. 56.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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International Business Machines Price Performance

International Business Machines stock opened at $195.95 on Monday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $179.07 and its 200 day moving average price is $160.13. International Business Machines Co. has a 1 year low of $120.55 and a 1 year high of $198.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $179.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.10, a P/E/G ratio of 3.84 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.22, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 0.96.

International Business Machines Dividend Announcement

International Business Machines ( NYSE:IBM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The technology company reported $3.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.78 by $0.09. International Business Machines had a net margin of 12.13% and a return on equity of 39.55%. The firm had revenue of $17.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.29 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.60 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that International Business Machines Co. will post 10.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, March 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were issued a dividend of $1.66 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $6.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.39%. International Business Machiness dividend payout ratio is presently 81.67%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on IBM shares. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $165.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday. Wedbush reissued a neutral rating and set a $140.00 price target on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Monday, November 13th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $179.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Evercore raised shares of International Business Machines from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the stock from $165.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Friday, January 19th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of International Business Machines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $173.00.

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International Business Machines Company Profile

(Free Report)

International Business Machines Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. The company operates through four business segments: Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing. The Software segment offers hybrid cloud platform and software solutions; software for business automation, AIOps and management, integration, and application servers; data and artificial intelligence solutions; and security software and services for threat, data, and identity.

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Trust Co. of Vermont grew its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 3.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,290 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 394 shares during the quarter. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $4,848,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. CGC Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Pacific Center for Financial Services grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 134.4% during the second quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services now owns 75 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN acquired a new stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $41,000.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:IVV traded down $0.81 during trading on Monday, reaching $513.48. The company had a trading volume of 2,554,175 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,309,659. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a fifty-two week low of $382.37 and a fifty-two week high of $520.78. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $493.85 and its 200 day moving average price is $463.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $397.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00.

About iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $184.50 and last traded at $183.19, with a volume of 1678232 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $185.66.

iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $170.68 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $154.77. The company has a market cap of $11.39 billion, a PE ratio of 19.35 and a beta of 0.91.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Able Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 1,428.6% during the 2nd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 214 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000.

About iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years.

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Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT  Free Report) by 6.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 499,746 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 32,572 shares during the period. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. owned 0.47% of Camden Property Trust worth $47,266,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale raised its stake in shares of Camden Property Trust by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 97,859 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $9,272,000 after purchasing an additional 317 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Camden Property Trust by 11.3% in the second quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 156,338 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $17,021,000 after acquiring an additional 15,851 shares in the last quarter. MBB Public Markets I LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Camden Property Trust by 201.2% in the third quarter. MBB Public Markets I LLC now owns 235,013 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $22,228,000 after acquiring an additional 156,985 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia lifted its stake in Camden Property Trust by 13.8% during the third quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 10,519 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $995,000 after purchasing an additional 1,277 shares during the last quarter. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System lifted its stake in Camden Property Trust by 7.2% during the second quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 306,937 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $33,416,000 after purchasing an additional 20,622 shares during the last quarter. 95.04% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CPT has been the subject of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Camden Property Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Camden Property Trust from $111.50 to $110.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Camden Property Trust in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $90.00 target price on the stock. Barclays lowered shares of Camden Property Trust from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $138.00 to $100.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Camden Property Trust from $95.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $104.12.

Insider Buying and Selling at Camden Property Trust

In other Camden Property Trust news, CEO Richard J. Campo sold 38,336 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.22, for a total value of $3,765,361.92. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 267,132 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,237,705.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Richard J. Campo sold 38,336 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.22, for a total value of $3,765,361.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 267,132 shares in the company, valued at $26,237,705.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Heather J. Brunner sold 1,325 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.21, for a total transaction of $130,128.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 10,230 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,004,688.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 55,957 shares of company stock valued at $5,495,920. Corporate insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock.

Camden Property Trust Trading Up 2.5 %

CPT opened at $101.17 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.82 billion, a PE ratio of 27.34, a PEG ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 0.83. Camden Property Trust has a 1-year low of $82.81 and a 1-year high of $114.04. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $96.47 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $95.88.

Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The real estate investment trust reported $2.03 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.72 by $0.31. Camden Property Trust had a net margin of 26.15% and a return on equity of 8.07%. The company had revenue of $387.59 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $387.33 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.74 EPS. Camden Property Trusts revenue was up 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Camden Property Trust will post 6.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Camden Property Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a $1.03 dividend. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This is an increase from Camden Property Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. Camden Property Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 108.11%.

Camden Property Trust Company Profile

(Free Report)

Camden Property Trust, an S&P 500 Company, is a real estate company primarily engaged in the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, acquisition, and construction of multifamily apartment communities. Camden owns and operates 172 properties containing 58,634 apartment homes across the United States.

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Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. raised its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 20.5% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 645,662 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 109,676 shares during the quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $37,474,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Creative Planning grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 363,032 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $21,070,000 after purchasing an additional 18,243 shares in the last quarter. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the third quarter valued at approximately $361,000. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the third quarter valued at approximately $148,000. Monograph Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the third quarter worth $3,084,000. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 8.5% in the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 1,252,735 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $72,709,000 after purchasing an additional 98,243 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

BMY stock opened at $53.70 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $50.43 and a 200-day moving average of $53.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $108.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.38. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12 month low of $47.58 and a 12 month high of $71.07. 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 Announces Dividend

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $11.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.19 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.83% and a return on equity of 50.95%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.82 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.47%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 62.18%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Thursday, December 7th that allows the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the biopharmaceutical company to reacquire up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BMY has been the subject of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com raised Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $58.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the company from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Redburn Atlantic lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $77.00 to $54.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Bank of America downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $68.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $61.12.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BMY

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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Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR  Free Report) had its price objective lifted by Wells Fargo & Company from $73.00 to $76.00 in a research report report published on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. Wells Fargo & Company currently has an overweight rating on the energy companys stock.

A number of other research firms have also weighed in on MTDR. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Matador Resources from $83.00 to $67.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. KeyCorp lowered their price objective on shares of Matador Resources from $76.00 to $71.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Raymond James decreased their target price on shares of Matador Resources from $76.00 to $70.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Benchmark decreased their target price on shares of Matador Resources from $71.00 to $62.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Matador Resources from $64.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Matador Resources has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $70.89.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on MTDR

Matador Resources Stock Performance

NYSE:MTDR opened at $64.47 on Thursday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $57.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $58.62. Matador Resources has a 1-year low of $42.04 and a 1-year high of $67.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.98. The firm has a market cap of $7.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.14 and a beta of 3.33.

Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 21st. The energy company reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.04 by ($0.05). Matador Resources had a net margin of 30.14% and a return on equity of 21.54%. The firm had revenue of $836.13 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $842.96 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.08 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 18.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Matador Resources will post 6.87 EPS for the current year.

Matador Resources Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.24%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. Matador Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 11.35%.

Insider Transactions at Matador Resources

In other news, Director Timothy E. Parker purchased 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 12th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $52.13 per share, with a total value of $260,650.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 79,257 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,131,667.41. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 6.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its stake in Matador Resources by 82.0% in the 3rd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 444 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Oakworth Capital Inc. acquired a new position in Matador Resources in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in Matador Resources in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Matador Resources in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Money Concepts Capital Corp raised its stake in Matador Resources by 202.6% in the 4th quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 690 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 462 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.23% of the companys stock.

Matador Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Matador Resources Company, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, production, and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States. It operates through two segments, Exploration and Production; and Midstream. The company primarily holds interests in the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

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OLD National Bancorp IN lifted its stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 100,305 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,870 shares during the quarter. OLD National Bancorp INs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $9,286,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. increased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 26,141 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,456,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 35.6% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,939 shares of the companys stock valued at $463,000 after purchasing an additional 1,296 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P increased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 24.7% during the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 3,065 shares of the companys stock valued at $288,000 after purchasing an additional 608 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 54.9% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 525 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. increased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 14.7% during the 1st quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 8,987 shares of the companys stock valued at $844,000 after purchasing an additional 1,154 shares in the last quarter. 79.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Philip Morris International Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of PM opened at $93.53 on Monday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $87.23 and a 52-week high of $101.92. The firms fifty day moving average is $91.98 and its two-hundred day moving average is $92.61. The stock has a market cap of $145.20 billion, a PE ratio of 18.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.61.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $9.05 billion for 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 companys revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.39 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.39 earnings per share for the current year.

The company 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 20th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.56%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 103.59%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. UBS Group lowered shares of Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and cut their price target for the stock from $105.00 to $86.50 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, November 16th. They issued a neutral rating and a $95.00 price target for the company. Societe Generale raised shares of Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, Argus reissued a hold rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $105.40.

View Our Latest Report on Philip Morris International

Philip Morris International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Penserra Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 16,912 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $831,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its stake in Unum Group by 40.3% in the 3rd quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 42,749 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,103,000 after purchasing an additional 12,282 shares during the last quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Unum Group by 13.7% during the 3rd quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 6,533 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $321,000 after acquiring an additional 788 shares during the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV increased its stake in shares of Unum Group by 7.8% during the 3rd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 14,373 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $707,000 after acquiring an additional 1,045 shares during the last quarter. Toroso Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unum Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $273,000. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its stake in shares of Unum Group by 7.0% during the 3rd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 443,869 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $21,834,000 after acquiring an additional 28,938 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.37% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on UNM shares. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $61.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $47.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Unum Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $55.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. StockNews.com raised shares of Unum Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Unum Group from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $55.44.

Unum Group Stock Down 1.9 %

NYSE UNM opened at $50.40 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $9.65 billion, a PE ratio of 7.77, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 0.86. Unum Group has a fifty-two week low of $36.27 and a fifty-two week high of $52.15. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $47.63 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $46.92. The company has a quick ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.79 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.86 by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $3.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.14 billion. Unum Group had a return on equity of 16.03% and a net margin of 10.36%. The firms revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.43 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Unum Group will post 8.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Unum Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 26th were issued a $0.365 dividend. This represents a $1.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 25th. Unum Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 22.50%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Unum Group news, EVP Lisa G. Iglesias sold 16,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total value of $800,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 40,840 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,042,000. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Lisa G. Iglesias sold 16,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $800,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 40,840 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,042,000. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Elizabeth Claire Ahmed sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total value of $250,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 55,450 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,772,500. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 71,000 shares of company stock worth $3,507,500 in the last 90 days. 0.77% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Unum Group

(Free Report)

Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block and Corporate segments. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products.

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Bank of America cut shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras (NYSE:PBR  Free Report) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note released on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has $16.00 price objective on the oil and gas exploration companys stock.

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $15.96.

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Read Our Latest Report on Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras Stock Performance

Institutional Trading of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras

Shares of NYSE PBR opened at $14.78 on Friday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $16.71 and its 200 day simple moving average is $15.72. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras has a 12-month low of $9.56 and a 12-month high of $17.91.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PBR. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership bought a new stake in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras during the 4th quarter worth about $218,758,000. SPX Gestao de Recursos Ltda increased its stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras by 109,540.6% in the 2nd quarter. SPX Gestao de Recursos Ltda now owns 6,964,368 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $96,317,000 after acquiring an additional 6,958,016 shares during the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras in the 3rd quarter valued at about $62,049,000. RWC Asset Advisors US LLC increased its stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras by 117.2% in the 3rd quarter. RWC Asset Advisors US LLC now owns 5,666,762 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $84,945,000 after acquiring an additional 3,057,798 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras by 9.7% in the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 29,221,292 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $404,130,000 after acquiring an additional 2,582,327 shares during the last quarter. 11.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras

(Get Free Report)

Petroleo Brasileiro SA  Petrobras explores, produces, and sells oil and gas in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Exploration and Production; Refining, Transportation and Marketing; and Gas and Power. It also engages in prospecting, drilling, refining, processing, trading, and transporting crude oil from producing onshore and offshore oil fields, and shale or other rocks, as well as oil products, natural gas, and other liquid hydrocarbons.

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Phoenix New Media (NYSE:FENG  Get Free Report) will be posting its quarterly earnings results after the market closes on Tuesday, March 12th.

Phoenix New Media Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:FENG opened at $1.78 on Monday. Phoenix New Media has a twelve month low of $1.10 and a twelve month high of $4.14. The company has a current ratio of 2.72, a quick ratio of 2.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The company has a market cap of $21.59 million, a PE ratio of -2.25 and a beta of 0.68. The companys 50 day moving average is $1.47 and its 200 day moving average is $1.36.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Phoenix New Media in a report on Monday. They set a hold rating for the company.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Phoenix New Media

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Phoenix New Media stock. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Phoenix New Media Limited (NYSE:FENG  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 21,805 shares of the information services providers stock, valued at approximately $58,000. 6.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Phoenix New Media Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Phoenix New Media Limited provides content on an integrated Internet platform in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through two segments, Net Advertising Services and Paid Services. It offers content and services through PC channel, mobile channel, and telecom operators, as well as transmits content to TV viewers, primarily through Phoenix TV.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. COP29 will mark Azerbaijan's leadership in promoting climate change-related activities in the international arena, Chief Executive Officer at the AfriHealth Optonet Association (AHOA), Nigeria, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje told Trend.

He underscored the country's and the president's commitment to promote dialogue, cooperation, and innovation at COP29.



The association's president underlined that the evaluation of the event, which is taking place in Baku, should be based on critical and significant decisions made regarding the climate catastrophe.

"AHOA's assessment should take into account COP29's emphasis on tackling climate challenges caused by chemical pollution, industrial waste, and military waste. Chemical pollution harms both human health and the environment by contaminating air, water, soil, and food sources. As a result, we emphasize the significance of implementing pollution control measures, promoting sustainable practices, and lobbying for legislation that prioritizes public health and environmental protection," he said.

AHOA, focusing on health, environment, and climate change issues and uniting 2,300 NGOs from 106 countries, previously expressed support for Azerbaijan regarding COP29.

The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023, enabling Azerbaijan to host the above event in November.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lessened its position in shares of DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE  Free Report) by 9.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 86,371 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 9,362 shares during the quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohios holdings in DTE Energy were worth $8,575,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DTE. Retirement Income Solutions Inc grew its stake in shares of DTE Energy by 6.8% in the 1st quarter. Retirement Income Solutions Inc now owns 2,498 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $330,000 after purchasing an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC acquired a new position in DTE Energy during the first quarter worth $1,710,000. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its holdings in DTE Energy by 4.3% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 7,094 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $938,000 after purchasing an additional 290 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. acquired a new position in DTE Energy during the first quarter worth $280,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in DTE Energy by 6.6% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,028,699 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,044,624,000 after purchasing an additional 1,420,586 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.72% of the companys stock.

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DTE Energy Price Performance

DTE stock opened at $112.82 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $107.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $104.52. DTE Energy has a 12-month low of $90.14 and a 12-month high of $116.73. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. The company has a market cap of $23.29 billion, a PE ratio of 16.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.64.

DTE Energy Dividend Announcement

DTE Energy ( NYSE:DTE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.96 by $0.01. DTE Energy had a return on equity of 11.00% and a net margin of 10.96%. The firm had revenue of $3.39 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.97 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.31 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that DTE Energy will post 6.7 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 18th will be given a $1.02 dividend. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.62%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 15th. DTE Energys payout ratio is 60.36%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on DTE Energy from $113.00 to $111.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 12th. KeyCorp boosted their price target on DTE Energy from $106.00 to $117.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Wolfe Research cut DTE Energy from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on DTE Energy from $108.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on DTE Energy from $113.00 to $112.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, DTE Energy has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $114.33.

View Our Latest Stock Report on DTE Energy

Insider Transactions at DTE Energy

In related news, COO Matthew T. Paul sold 5,850 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.92, for a total value of $625,482.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 6,951 shares in the company, valued at $743,200.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, COO Matthew T. Paul sold 5,850 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.92, for a total value of $625,482.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 6,951 shares in the company, valued at $743,200.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Tracy J. Myrick sold 600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.04, for a total value of $64,224.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 3,462 shares in the company, valued at approximately $370,572.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 20,095 shares of company stock valued at $2,168,183 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.23% of the companys stock.

DTE Energy Profile

(Free Report)

DTE Energy Company engages in the utility operations. The company's Electric segment generates, purchases, distributes, and sells electricity to various residential, commercial, and industrial customers in southeastern Michigan. It generates electricity through coal-fired plants, hydroelectric pumped storage, and nuclear plants, as well as wind and solar assets.

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Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lessened its holdings in SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. (NYSE:SITE  Free Report) by 2.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 55,283 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 1,206 shares during the quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio owned 0.12% of SiteOne Landscape Supply worth $9,036,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in SITE. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply by 15.4% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 4,436 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $717,000 after purchasing an additional 593 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC increased its holdings in shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply by 186.3% in the first quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 2,525 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $408,000 after purchasing an additional 1,643 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. increased its holdings in shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply by 14.8% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 10,831 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,751,000 after purchasing an additional 1,398 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply in the first quarter valued at $410,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply in the first quarter valued at $309,000.

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Insider Transactions at SiteOne Landscape Supply

In related news, CEO Doug Black sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.29, for a total value of $1,532,900.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 580,886 shares in the company, valued at approximately $89,044,014.94. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 2.70% of the companys stock.

SiteOne Landscape Supply Stock Performance

NYSE:SITE opened at $182.16 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $8.22 billion, a PE ratio of 48.19 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $161.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $154.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 2.43. SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $116.81 and a fifty-two week high of $183.93.

SiteOne Landscape Supply (NYSE:SITE  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The industrial products company reported ($0.08) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.15) by $0.07. The business had revenue of $965.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $942.21 million. SiteOne Landscape Supply had a net margin of 4.03% and a return on equity of 12.13%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.02) EPS. Research analysts anticipate that SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. will post 4.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently commented on SITE. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. Loop Capital downgraded shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Stifel Nicolaus downgraded shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply from a buy rating to a hold rating and upped their price target for the company from $150.00 to $167.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply from $121.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a sell rating and set a $120.00 price objective (down previously from $123.00) on shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $172.88.

Read Our Latest Report on SiteOne Landscape Supply

SiteOne Landscape Supply Profile

(Free Report)

SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the wholesale distribution of landscape supplies in the United States and Canada. The company provides irrigation products, including controllers, valves, sprinkler heads, irrigation pipes, micro irrigation, and drip products; fertilizer, grass seed, and ice melt products; control products, such as herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, and other pesticides; landscape accessories that include mulches, soil amendments, drainage pipes, tools, and sods; nursery goods, which consist of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, ornamental, shade, evergreen trees, field grown and container-grown nursery stock, roses, perennials, annuals, bulbs, and plant species and cultivars; hardscapes, such as pavers, natural stones, blocks, and other durable materials; and outdoor lighting products that include lighting fixtures, LED lamps, wires, transformers, and accessories.

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Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio cut its holdings in WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC  Free Report) by 10.0% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 131,586 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 14,657 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohios holdings in WEC Energy Group were worth $10,599,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of WEC. Annex Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in WEC Energy Group by 13.8% during the third quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 205,489 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $16,552,000 after acquiring an additional 24,892 shares during the period. 1832 Asset Management L.P. boosted its holdings in WEC Energy Group by 14.1% during the second quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 779,497 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $68,783,000 after acquiring an additional 96,512 shares during the period. Great Lakes Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in WEC Energy Group by 2.3% during the third quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 44,471 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,582,000 after acquiring an additional 1,010 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its holdings in WEC Energy Group by 9.6% during the third quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 14,679 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,184,000 after acquiring an additional 1,287 shares during the period. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of WEC Energy Group by 5.1% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 370,199 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $29,820,000 after buying an additional 17,960 shares during the last quarter. 75.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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WEC Energy Group Price Performance

Shares of WEC Energy Group stock opened at $81.68 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.40. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $75.13 and a 1-year high of $99.26. The firms 50-day moving average price is $80.42 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $82.04.

WEC Energy Group Increases Dividend

WEC Energy Group ( NYSE:WEC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.02. WEC Energy Group had a net margin of 14.98% and a return on equity of 12.17%. The business had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.82 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.80 earnings per share. WEC Energy Groups revenue was down 13.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 4.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th were paid a dividend of $0.835 per share. This is a boost from WEC Energy Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.09%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 13th. WEC Energy Groups dividend payout ratio is 79.15%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Scott J. Lauber sold 2,830 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.89, for a total transaction of $223,258.70. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 43,125 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,402,131.25. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other WEC Energy Group news, CEO Scott J. Lauber sold 2,830 shares of WEC Energy Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.89, for a total transaction of $223,258.70. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 43,125 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,402,131.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Gale E. Klappa sold 37,180 shares of WEC Energy Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.69, for a total transaction of $2,925,694.20. Following the sale, the chairman now directly owns 274,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,622,595.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.34% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WEC has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of WEC Energy Group from $79.00 to $75.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Bank of America reaffirmed an underperform rating and set a $78.00 price objective (down previously from $84.00) on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of WEC Energy Group from $93.00 to $91.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of WEC Energy Group from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, KeyCorp increased their price target on shares of WEC Energy Group from $94.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $86.17.

Read Our Latest Analysis on WEC Energy Group

WEC Energy Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

WEC Energy Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. The company operates through six segments: Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure, and Corporate and Other.

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StockNews.com downgraded shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials (NYSE:RYAM  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Stock Up 3.2 %

Shares of NYSE RYAM opened at $3.92 on Thursday. Rayonier Advanced Materials has a 1 year low of $2.66 and a 1 year high of $8.02. The firms 50 day moving average price is $4.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.62. The firm has a market cap of $256.37 million, a P/E ratio of -2.50 and a beta of 2.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.53.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rayonier Advanced Materials

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 9,971,477 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $65,513,000 after purchasing an additional 28,169 shares during the last quarter. Condire Management LP boosted its holdings in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Condire Management LP now owns 6,356,130 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $25,742,000 after purchasing an additional 31,710 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,535,440 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $28,437,000 after acquiring an additional 342,630 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 6.2% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,347,799 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $13,696,000 after acquiring an additional 253,960 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 27.7% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,304,887 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $21,713,000 after acquiring an additional 717,466 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.68% of the companys stock.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Company Profile

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc manufactures and sells cellulose specialty products in the United States, China, Canada, Japan, Europe, Latin America, other Asian countries, and internationally. The company operates through High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard, and High-Yield Pulp segments. Its products include cellulose specialties, which are natural polymers that are used as raw materials to manufacture a range of consumer-oriented products, such as liquid crystal displays, impact-resistant plastics, thickeners for food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cigarette filters, high-tenacity rayon yarn for tires and industrial hoses, food casings, paints, and lacquers.

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Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO  Get Free Report)s share price gapped down before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $62.69, but opened at $61.08. Rio Tinto Group shares last traded at $61.36, with a volume of 810,363 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have weighed in on RIO. BNP Paribas raised Rio Tinto Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, December 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Friday, January 12th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Liberum Capital reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. Two equities research 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 stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $72.00.

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Rio Tinto Group Stock Performance

Rio Tinto Group Increases Dividend

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $68.35 and a 200-day moving average of $66.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.69.

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 18th. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th will be paid a dividend of $2.58 per share. This represents a yield of 6.6%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. This is an increase from Rio Tinto Groups previous semi-annual dividend of $1.77.

Institutional Trading of Rio Tinto Group

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 7.1% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 24,838,524 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,849,476,000 after buying an additional 1,644,751 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 16,045,541 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,194,751,000 after acquiring an additional 475,329 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 58.9% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 12,899,694 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,037,135,000 after acquiring an additional 4,783,488 shares during the period. Capital World Investors boosted its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 8.0% during the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 9,207,412 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $587,801,000 after acquiring an additional 683,010 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in Rio Tinto Group by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 6,379,660 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $407,277,000 after purchasing an additional 23,071 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 10.03% of the companys stock.

About Rio Tinto Group

(Get Free Report)

Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. It offers aluminum, copper, iron ore, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, silver, molybdenum, and lithium. The company also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, refineries, smelters, and concentrator facilities, as well as power stations, research, and service facilities.

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Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio trimmed its stake in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL  Free Report) by 10.0% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 95,378 shares of the companys stock after selling 10,566 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohios holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises were worth $8,788,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in RCL. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. lifted its position in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 65.0% during the 3rd quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 330 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares during the period. Hollencrest Capital Management lifted its position in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 494.2% during the 2nd quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 309 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 257 shares during the period. Hanseatic Management Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. HM Payson & Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 38.5% in the 4th quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 928 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 258 shares during the period. 75.64% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Michael W. Bayley sold 11,753 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.01, for a total transaction of $1,363,465.53. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 166,537 shares in the company, valued at $19,319,957.37. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Michael W. Bayley sold 11,753 shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.01, for a total value of $1,363,465.53. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 166,537 shares in the company, valued at $19,319,957.37. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Arne Alexander Wilhelmsen sold 284,766 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.73, for a total value of $34,664,565.18. Following the transaction, the director now owns 19,167,507 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,333,260,627.11. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 611,753 shares of company stock valued at $73,916,005. Corporate insiders own 8.70% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Argus raised their price target on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $95.00 to $142.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Barclays raised their price target on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 19th. TheStreet raised Royal Caribbean Cruises from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a report on Tuesday, December 5th. Susquehanna raised their price target on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $120.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and issued a $134.00 price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in a report on Monday, December 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Royal Caribbean Cruises currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $130.79.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean Cruises Stock Performance

Royal Caribbean Cruises stock opened at $127.47 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.03, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a current ratio of 0.19. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $122.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of $108.35. The company has a market capitalization of $32.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.49, a PEG ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 2.51. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has a fifty-two week low of $59.37 and a fifty-two week high of $133.77.

Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.25 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.36 billion. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a return on equity of 45.55% and a net margin of 12.22%. Royal Caribbean Cruisess revenue was up 28.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($1.12) earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will post 10.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Profile

(Free Report)

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. operates as a cruise company worldwide. The company operates cruises under the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises brands, which comprise a range of itineraries. As of February 21, 2024, it operated 65 ships. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

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EP Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Sempra (NYSE:SRE  Free Report) by 75.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 501,835 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 215,438 shares during the quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC owned about 0.08% of Sempra worth $34,140,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SRE. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Sempra in the 2nd quarter valued at about $645,000. West Tower Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sempra in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Sempra by 842.9% in the 2nd quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 264 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares in the last quarter. PrairieView Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Sempra by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. PrairieView Partners LLC now owns 376 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Optimum Investment Advisors increased its stake in shares of Sempra by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors now owns 380 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.83% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Sempra

In other news, insider Diana L. Day sold 3,937 shares of Sempra stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.21, for a total transaction of $280,353.77. Following the sale, the insider now owns 18,145 shares in the company, valued at $1,292,105.45. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Karen L. Sedgwick sold 5,158 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.21, for a total transaction of $367,301.18. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 43,024 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,063,739.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Diana L. Day sold 3,937 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.21, for a total value of $280,353.77. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 18,145 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,292,105.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 156,622 shares of company stock worth $11,089,713. Corporate insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Sempra from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the company from $76.00 to $84.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Sempra from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the company from $78.00 to $86.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. StockNews.com lowered Sempra from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Barclays boosted their price objective on Sempra from $76.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Mizuho cut 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 given a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $81.83.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Sempra

Sempra Stock Up 1.4 %

Sempra stock traded up $0.96 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $72.03. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,500,659 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,797,824. Sempra has a fifty-two week low of $63.75 and a fifty-two week 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 company has a market cap of $45.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.84, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.71. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $72.09 and a 200-day simple moving average of $71.66.

Sempra (NYSE:SRE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The utilities provider reported $1.13 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.02. Sempra had a return on equity of 9.45% and a net margin of 18.26%. The business had revenue of $3.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.01 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.17 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Sempra will post 4.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sempra Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 21st will be given a dividend of $0.62 per share. 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 3.44%. This is a boost from Sempras previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. Sempras payout ratio is 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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UBS Group upgraded shares of Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW  Free Report) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report released on Thursday, MarketBeat reports. UBS Group currently has $402.00 target price on the specialty chemicals companys stock, up from their previous target price of $312.00.

Several other research firms have also commented on SHW. Argus raised their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $330.00 to $378.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. StockNews.com cut Sherwin-Williams from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Seaport Res Ptn cut Sherwin-Williams from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on Sherwin-Williams from $346.00 to $341.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Sherwin-Williams from $295.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $318.72.

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Read Our Latest Report on Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams Stock Performance

NYSE:SHW opened at $340.69 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $86.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.83, a PEG ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $311.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $283.53. Sherwin-Williams has a fifty-two week low of $205.43 and a fifty-two week high of $347.71.

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.01. Sherwin-Williams had a net margin of 10.36% and a return on equity of 74.72%. The firm had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.23 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.89 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Sherwin-Williams will post 11.39 EPS for the current year.

Sherwin-Williams Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th were given a $0.715 dividend. This is an increase from Sherwin-Williamss previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $2.86 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.84%. Sherwin-Williamss dividend payout ratio is 30.92%.

Insider Activity at Sherwin-Williams

In other news, insider Todd D. Rea sold 2,449 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $313.54, for a total transaction of $767,859.46. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 9,329 shares in the company, valued at $2,925,014.66. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, SVP Mary L. Garceau sold 923 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $292.65, for a total value of $270,115.95. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 21,363 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,251,881.95. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Todd D. Rea sold 2,449 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $313.54, for a total value of $767,859.46. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 9,329 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,925,014.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 31,410 shares of company stock worth $10,080,699 in the last 90 days. 0.55% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sherwin-Williams

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Roundview Capital LLC increased its stake in Sherwin-Williams by 8.1% in the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 8,065 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,013,000 after purchasing an additional 607 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. increased its stake in Sherwin-Williams by 189.1% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 10,409 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,598,000 after purchasing an additional 6,808 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in Sherwin-Williams by 26.5% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 118,763 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $29,956,000 after purchasing an additional 24,884 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC purchased a new position in Sherwin-Williams in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,231,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers increased its stake in Sherwin-Williams by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 11,387 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,842,000 after purchasing an additional 287 shares in the last quarter. 75.87% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Sherwin-Williams

(Get Free Report)

The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Signet Jewelers (NYSE:SIG  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Friday.

SIG has been the topic of several other reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Signet Jewelers from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 22nd. Citigroup raised Signet Jewelers from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $93.00 to $119.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group upped their target price on Signet Jewelers from $82.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $101.00.

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Signet Jewelers Price Performance

Insider Activity

Shares of NYSE SIG opened at $96.99 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 2.13. Signet Jewelers has a 1-year low of $57.10 and a 1-year high of $108.79. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $101.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $87.25.

In other news, CEO Virginia Drosos sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.17, for a total value of $1,031,700.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 967,740 shares of the companys stock, valued at $99,841,735.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider Joan M. Hilson sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.00, for a total transaction of $792,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 207,733 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,565,567. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Virginia Drosos sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.17, for a total value of $1,031,700.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 967,740 shares in the company, valued at $99,841,735.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 91,886 shares of company stock valued at $9,102,544. Company insiders own 4.54% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Signet Jewelers

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund purchased a new position in Signet Jewelers during the third quarter worth approximately $1,905,000. William Blair Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Signet Jewelers by 7.2% in the third quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 585,383 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,036,000 after acquiring an additional 39,316 shares in the last quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Signet Jewelers in the third quarter valued at approximately $2,671,000. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Signet Jewelers by 8.6% in the third quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 174,573 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,536,000 after acquiring an additional 13,821 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Signet Jewelers in the third quarter valued at approximately $2,650,000.

Signet Jewelers Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Signet Jewelers Limited operates as a diamond jewelry retailer. It operates through three segments: North America, International, and Other. The North America segment operates jewelry stores in jewelry stores in malls, mall-based kiosks, and off-mall locations in the United States and Canada primarily under the Kay Jewelers, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, Jared Vault, Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Diamonds Direct, James Allen, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, and Peoples Jewellers names, as well as operates online through its digital banners, James Allen and Blue Nile.

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SIR Royalty Income Fund (TSE:SRV.UN  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The company traded as low as C$14.62 and last traded at C$14.77, with a volume of 5076 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$15.00.

SIR Royalty Income Fund Stock Down 1.3 %

The business has a 50-day moving average price of C$15.90 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$16.18. The company has a market capitalization of C$124.02 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.43 and a beta of 2.59.

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SIR Royalty Income Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th were issued a dividend of $0.095 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $1.14 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.70%. SIR Royalty Income Funds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 64.04%.

About SIR Royalty Income Fund

SIR Royalty Income Fund, through SIR Royalty Limited Partnership, owns SIR's restaurants in Canada. The company operates concept restaurants under the Jack Astor's Bar and Grill, Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar, and Canyon Creek Chop House; and signature restaurant brands under the Reds Wine Tavern, Reds Midtown Tavern, Reds Square One, and The Loose Moose brands.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. President of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) Mukhtar Babayev and UN High-Level Climate Leader Nigar Arpadarai have held a meeting with the head of the Swedish delegation Mattias Frumerie, the official page of COP29 says on X, Trend reports.

During the conversation, the sides noted the importance of climate diplomacy and taking urgent measures.

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Equities researchers at StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) in a research note issued to investors on Saturday. The brokerage set a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on the company. Citigroup boosted their target price on Discover Financial Services from $127.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. Bank of America raised Discover Financial Services from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $94.00 to $116.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on Discover Financial Services from $140.00 to $111.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Discover Financial Services from $117.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Finally, Stephens restated an equal weight rating and set a $98.00 price target on shares of Discover Financial Services in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Eleven investment 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 currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $119.78.

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Discover Financial Services Price Performance

Discover Financial Services stock opened at $121.26 on Friday. Discover Financial Services has a 52 week low of $79.04 and a 52 week high of $127.34. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $111.55 and a 200 day simple moving average of $98.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49. The stock has a market cap of $30.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.78, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.45.

Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 18th. The financial services provider reported $1.54 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.50 by ($0.96). Discover Financial Services had a return on equity of 22.24% and a net margin of 14.30%. The business had revenue of $4.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.77 earnings per share. Discover Financial Servicess quarterly revenue was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Discover Financial Services will post 11.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO John Greene sold 35,191 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.51, for a total value of $3,748,193.41. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 18,592 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,980,233.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.69% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Discover Financial Services

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. SageView Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $250,000. Willner & Heller LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $294,000. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. lifted its position in Discover Financial Services by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 100,103 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $11,252,000 after acquiring an additional 3,041 shares in the last quarter. Syon Capital LLC lifted its position in Discover Financial Services by 8.4% in the 4th quarter. Syon Capital LLC now owns 3,180 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $357,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky lifted its position in Discover Financial Services by 896.6% in the 4th quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 241,998 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $27,201,000 after acquiring an additional 217,716 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.63% of the companys stock.

About Discover Financial Services

(Get Free Report)

Discover Financial Services, through its subsidiaries, provides digital banking products and services, and payment services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Digital Banking and Payment Services. The Digital Banking segment offers Discover-branded credit cards to individuals; private student loans, personal loans, home loans, and other consumer lending; and direct-to-consumer deposit products comprising savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, IRA certificates of deposit, IRA savings accounts and checking accounts, and sweep accounts.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Juniper Networks (NYSE:JNPR  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the network equipment providers stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on JNPR. Rosenblatt Securities upped their price target on Juniper Networks from $31.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Barclays restated an equal weight rating on shares of Juniper Networks in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a hold rating and issued a $40.00 price target (up previously from $35.00) on shares of Juniper Networks in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Needham & Company LLC restated a hold rating on shares of Juniper Networks in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, KeyCorp reiterated a sector weight rating on shares of Juniper Networks in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Juniper Networks presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $34.58.

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Juniper Networks Stock Up 0.0 %

JNPR opened at $37.36 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $36.30 and a 200 day moving average price of $30.77. The company has a market cap of $12.03 billion, a PE ratio of 39.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.64 and a beta of 0.98. Juniper Networks has a 1 year low of $24.87 and a 1 year high of $38.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a current ratio of 1.80.

Juniper Networks (NYSE:JNPR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The network equipment provider reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $1.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.41 billion. Juniper Networks had a return on equity of 11.72% and a net margin of 5.57%. Sell-side analysts expect that Juniper Networks will post 1.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Juniper Networks Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. Juniper Networkss dividend payout ratio is currently 92.63%.

Insider Activity at Juniper Networks

In related news, SVP Robert Mobassaly sold 5,496 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.35, for a total transaction of $199,779.60. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 30,888 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,122,778.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Juniper Networks news, SVP Robert Mobassaly sold 5,496 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.35, for a total value of $199,779.60. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 30,888 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,122,778.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, COO Manoj Leelanivas sold 98,530 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.00, for a total value of $3,645,610.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 73,684 shares in the company, valued at $2,726,308. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 221,800 shares of company stock valued at $8,122,949. Corporate insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Juniper Networks

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC increased its position in Juniper Networks by 4.8% in the third quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 46,266 shares of the network equipment providers stock worth $1,286,000 after buying an additional 2,134 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Juniper Networks by 3.4% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 35,586,752 shares of the network equipment providers stock valued at $1,114,933,000 after purchasing an additional 1,160,174 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in shares of Juniper Networks by 71.8% during the third quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 324,954 shares of the network equipment providers stock valued at $9,030,000 after purchasing an additional 135,823 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its holdings in shares of Juniper Networks by 112.1% during the third quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 181,032 shares of the network equipment providers stock valued at $5,031,000 after purchasing an additional 95,672 shares during the period. Finally, Retirement Systems of Alabama increased its holdings in shares of Juniper Networks by 37.2% during the third quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 1,657,664 shares of the network equipment providers stock valued at $46,066,000 after purchasing an additional 449,575 shares during the period. 87.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Juniper Networks Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Juniper Networks, Inc designs, develops, and sells network products and services worldwide. The company offers routing products, such as ACX series universal access routers to deploy high-bandwidth services; MX series Ethernet routers that function as a universal edge platform; PTX series packet transport routers; wide-area network SDN controllers; and session smart routers.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas (NYSE:CCU  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Friday.

Separately, Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $15.22 price target for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $13.71.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on CCU

Compania Cervecerias Unidas Stock Performance

Compania Cervecerias Unidas Cuts Dividend

CCU opened at $11.75 on Friday. Compania Cervecerias Unidas has a 12-month low of $10.82 and a 12-month high of $17.74. The company has a current ratio of 2.33, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.17 billion, a PE ratio of 17.80, a P/E/G ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.90. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $11.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.36.

The company also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 7th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.102 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 23rd. Compania Cervecerias Unidass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.73%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Compania Cervecerias Unidas

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CCU. First Eagle Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 15,102,801 shares of the companys stock valued at $190,295,000 after acquiring an additional 193,876 shares during the period. AdvisorShares Investments LLC grew its stake in Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 7.9% in the 2nd quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC now owns 29,465 shares of the companys stock valued at $478,000 after acquiring an additional 2,165 shares during the period. Quantinno Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Compania Cervecerias Unidas in the 2nd quarter valued at $174,000. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. grew its stake in Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 33.1% in the 3rd quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 160,488 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,022,000 after acquiring an additional 39,945 shares during the period. Finally, Perpetual Ltd grew its stake in Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 61.7% in the 3rd quarter. Perpetual Ltd now owns 106,205 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,338,000 after acquiring an additional 40,508 shares during the period. 18.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Compania Cervecerias Unidas

(Get Free Report)

Compania Cervecerias Unidas SA operates as a beverage company in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The company operates through three segments: Chile, International Business, and Wine. It produces and sells alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer under proprietary and licensed brands, as well as distributes Pernod Ricard products in non-supermarket retail stores.

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TimesSquare Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BOOT  Free Report) by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 266,135 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 12,085 shares during the quarter. TimesSquare Capital Management LLC owned 0.88% of Boot Barn worth $21,608,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. boosted its holdings in Boot Barn by 5.8% during the 2nd quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 2,458 shares of the companys stock worth $208,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System raised its stake in Boot Barn by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 8,516 shares of the companys stock valued at $691,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE increased its position in shares of Boot Barn by 3.7% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,478 shares of the companys stock valued at $425,000 after buying an additional 161 shares during the period. Mariner LLC increased its position in shares of Boot Barn by 5.5% during the third quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 3,516 shares of the companys stock valued at $285,000 after buying an additional 184 shares during the period. Finally, State of Wyoming increased its position in shares of Boot Barn by 57.3% in the second quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 552 shares of the companys stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 201 shares during the last quarter.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Boot Barn

In related news, Director Gene Eddie Burt sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.03, for a total transaction of $85,030.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 1,542 shares of the companys stock, valued at $131,116.26. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Gene Eddie Burt sold 1,000 shares of Boot Barn stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.03, for a total value of $85,030.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,542 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $131,116.26. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO James Grant Conroy sold 19,478 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.38, for a total transaction of $1,799,377.64. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 46,273 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,274,699.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 26,339 shares of company stock worth $2,413,715 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on BOOT shares. KeyCorp assumed coverage on Boot Barn in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. They issued a sector weight rating for the company. B. Riley dropped their target price on Boot Barn from $92.00 to $83.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. StockNews.com cut Boot Barn from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, January 19th. BTIG Research decreased their target price on Boot Barn from $102.00 to $100.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on Boot Barn from $99.00 to $94.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Boot Barn presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $101.56.

Read Our Latest Report on BOOT

Boot Barn Stock Performance

Boot Barn stock opened at $88.71 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $81.22 and a 200-day simple moving average of $79.41. The company has a market capitalization of $2.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.63 and a beta of 2.20. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $64.33 and a fifty-two week high of $104.91.

Boot Barn (NYSE:BOOT  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $1.81 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $520.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $520.34 million. Boot Barn had a return on equity of 19.52% and a net margin of 9.62%. As a group, analysts forecast that Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. will post 4.72 earnings per share for the current year.

About Boot Barn

(Free Report)

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc, a lifestyle retail chain, operates specialty retail stores in the United States. The company's specialty retail stores offer western and work-related footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and kids. It offers boots, shirts, jackets, hats, belts and belt buckles, handbags, western-style jewelry, rugged footwear, outerwear, overalls, denim, and flame-resistant and high-visibility clothing.

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Tompkins Financial Corp increased its position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 39,236 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 1,594 shares during the quarter. Tompkins Financial Corps holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,301,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of PFE. Front Street Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Pfizer by 4.3% during the first quarter. Front Street Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,168 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $268,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc. increased its holdings in Pfizer by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc. now owns 19,863 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $729,000 after acquiring an additional 281 shares during the period. V Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. V Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 31,001 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,137,000 after buying an additional 282 shares during the last quarter. Infrastructure Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter. Infrastructure Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,751 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 284 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Castleview Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Castleview Partners LLC now owns 12,207 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $498,000 after purchasing an additional 287 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.05% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Pfizer from $34.00 to $28.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $45.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a report on Friday, March 1st. Guggenheim began coverage on shares of Pfizer in a report on Friday, February 23rd. They set a buy rating and a $36.00 price target on the stock. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Pfizer from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Finally, TD Cowen downgraded shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $32.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Eleven research 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, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $36.88.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Pfizer news, Director Scott Gottlieb purchased 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The shares were bought at an average price of $26.47 per share, for a total transaction of $79,410.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 9,000 shares in the company, valued at $238,230. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.05% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Pfizer Stock Up 1.5 %

Shares of PFE traded up $0.42 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $27.64. 10,805,921 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 44,356,902. Pfizer Inc. has a 1-year low of $25.61 and a 1-year high of $42.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $156.08 billion, a PE ratio of 75.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.61. The business has a 50 day moving average of $27.77 and a 200 day moving average of $30.12.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.19) by $0.29. Pfizer had a net margin of 3.62% and a return on equity of 10.88%. The firm had revenue of $14.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.37 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.14 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 41.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.22 EPS for the current year.

Pfizer Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 26th were issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.08%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 25th. This is an increase from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is 466.67%.

About Pfizer

(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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Trust Co. of Vermont grew its holdings in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 71,943 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,600 shares during the period. Accenture makes up about 1.5% of Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in Accenture were worth $22,094,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of ACN. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new stake in shares of Accenture during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Accenture during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. RVW Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Accenture in the third quarter worth approximately $33,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of Accenture in the second quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Canton Hathaway LLC bought a new position in shares of Accenture in the third quarter worth approximately $37,000. Institutional investors own 70.42% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on ACN. Redburn Atlantic began 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. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Accenture from $350.00 to $385.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Wedbush upped their price target on shares of Accenture from $330.00 to $360.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Accenture from $369.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Mizuho assumed coverage on shares of Accenture in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a buy rating and a $426.00 price target on the stock. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Accenture presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $368.85.

Insider Activity at Accenture

In other Accenture news, CAO Melissa A. Burgum sold 3,010 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $371.80, for a total transaction of $1,119,118.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 9,193 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,417,957.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, Director Paula A. Price sold 551 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 owns 6,583 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,273,504.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Melissa A. Burgum sold 3,010 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $371.80, for a total transaction of $1,119,118.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 9,193 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,417,957.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 26,551 shares of company stock valued at $9,739,791 in the last three months. 0.07% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Accenture Price Performance

Shares of ACN stock traded down $5.85 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $372.32. 1,284,438 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,931,068. The stock has a market cap of $233.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.05, a P/E/G ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 1.20. The stocks fifty day moving average is $365.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $336.97. Accenture plc has a 52-week low of $242.80 and a 52-week high of $387.51.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 19th. The information technology services provider reported $3.27 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.14 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $16.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.17 billion. Accenture had a net margin of 10.65% and a return on equity of 29.08%. Accentures revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.08 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Accenture plc will post 12.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Accenture Profile

(Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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Trust Co. of Vermont raised its holdings in shares of McDonalds Co. (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) by 7.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 43,915 shares of the fast-food giants stock after buying an additional 3,009 shares during the quarter. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in McDonalds were worth $11,569,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. EP Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of McDonalds by 337.4% during the 3rd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 53,487 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $14,091,000 after acquiring an additional 41,259 shares during the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its position in shares of McDonalds by 11.7% during the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 78,063 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $20,565,000 after acquiring an additional 8,152 shares during the last quarter. Connors Investor Services Inc. boosted its position in shares of McDonalds by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Connors Investor Services Inc. now owns 44,433 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $11,692,000 after acquiring an additional 456 shares during the last quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of McDonalds by 971.1% during the 3rd quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P. now owns 110,495 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $29,109,000 after acquiring an additional 100,179 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invst LLC boosted its position in shares of McDonalds by 49.2% during the 3rd quarter. Invst LLC now owns 1,401 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $369,000 after acquiring an additional 462 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.60% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on MCD shares. Stephens reissued an overweight rating and set a $320.00 price target on shares of McDonalds in a research report on Monday, February 5th. StockNews.com lowered shares of McDonalds from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of McDonalds from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of McDonalds from $285.00 to $322.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, HSBC started coverage on shares of McDonalds in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a buy rating and a $317.00 target price for the company. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $320.10.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other McDonalds news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 4,583 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.70, for a total transaction of $1,332,278.10. Following the sale, the insider now owns 8,187 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,379,960.90. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.18% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

McDonalds Trading Up 0.9 %

NYSE:MCD traded up $2.68 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $295.23. The stock had a trading volume of 1,300,840 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,070,944. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $293.13 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $280.72. The company has a market capitalization of $213.17 billion, a PE ratio of 25.24, a PEG ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.72. McDonalds Co. has a twelve month low of $245.73 and a twelve month high of $302.39.

McDonalds (NYSE:MCD  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The fast-food giant reported $2.95 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.83 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $6.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.45 billion. McDonalds had a net margin of 33.22% and a negative return on equity of 171.96%. The firms revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.59 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that McDonalds Co. will post 12.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonalds Announces 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 $1.67 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $6.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.26%. McDonaldss payout ratio is currently 57.74%.

About McDonalds

(Free Report)

McDonald's Corporation operates and franchises restaurants under the McDonald's brand in the United States and internationally. It offers food and beverages, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, various chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, desserts, sundaes, cookies, pies, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages; and full or limited breakfast, as well as sells various other products during limited-time promotions.

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USA Financial Formulas decreased its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW  Free Report) by 13.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,067 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 172 shares during the quarter. W.W. Grainger comprises about 1.1% of USA Financial Formulas investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest holding. USA Financial Formulas holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $738,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new stake in shares of W.W. Grainger in the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of W.W. Grainger in the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. Clear Street Markets LLC bought a new stake in shares of W.W. Grainger in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of W.W. Grainger in the 2nd quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Retirement Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 2,450.0% in the 4th quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 51 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.24% of the companys stock.

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W.W. Grainger Stock Performance

NYSE:GWW traded down $8.51 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $961.81. 79,521 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 244,598. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $908.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $805.82. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a one year low of $625.97 and a one year high of $999.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 2.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The firm has a market cap of $47.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.14.

W.W. Grainger Dividend Announcement

W.W. Grainger ( NYSE:GWW Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The industrial products company reported $8.33 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.05 by $0.28. W.W. Grainger had a return on equity of 56.54% and a net margin of 11.10%. The business had revenue of $4 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.04 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $7.14 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 39.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 0.77%. W.W. Graingers payout ratio is 20.55%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,813 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $968.88, for a total value of $3,694,339.44. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 4,909 shares in the company, valued at $4,756,231.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other W.W. Grainger news, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,122 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $950.22, for a total transaction of $2,966,586.84. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 4,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,664,629.98. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,813 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $968.88, for a total value of $3,694,339.44. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 4,909 shares in the company, valued at $4,756,231.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 9.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have commented on GWW. StockNews.com lowered W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $800.00 to $925.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $825.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Loop Capital lowered W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $925.00 to $1,000.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $1,075.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $886.11.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on W.W. Grainger

About W.W. Grainger

(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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Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE  Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $13.19, but opened at $12.84. Vale shares last traded at $12.88, with a volume of 7,448,210 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on VALE shares. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $19.00 price objective on shares of Vale in a report on Monday, February 12th. Bank of America upgraded Vale from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $20.00 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, November 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Vale from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $18.00 to $17.00 in a report on Thursday, November 16th. StockNews.com upgraded Vale from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on Vale from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $16.98.

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Vale Stock Performance

The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.93 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $14.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The firm has a market cap of $57.79 billion, a PE ratio of 7.21 and a beta of 0.98.

Vale (NYSE:VALE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The basic materials company reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.04 by ($0.48). Vale had a return on equity of 20.00% and a net margin of 19.10%. The business had revenue of $13.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.95 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.82 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Vale S.A. will post 2.6 earnings per share for the current year.

Vale Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 13th will be given a dividend of $0.3182 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 12th. This represents a dividend yield of 9.7%. Vales dividend payout ratio is presently 54.10%.

Institutional Trading of Vale

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VALE. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC lifted its holdings in Vale by 125.7% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 24,417 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $488,000 after purchasing an additional 13,600 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Vale by 7.9% in the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 39,446 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $789,000 after acquiring an additional 2,899 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its stake in Vale by 28.3% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 30,966 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $619,000 after acquiring an additional 6,829 shares during the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its stake in Vale by 55.5% in the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 151,722 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,033,000 after acquiring an additional 54,151 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in Vale in the 1st quarter worth about $277,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.90% of the companys stock.

About Vale

(Get Free Report)

Vale SA, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells iron ore and iron ore pellets for use as raw materials in steelmaking in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Iron Solutions and Energy Transition Materials segments. The Iron Solutions segment produces and extracts iron ore and pellets, manganese, and other ferrous products; and provides related logistic services.

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Walleye Capital LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI  Free Report) by 17.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 217,056 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 44,773 shares during the period. Sun Communities accounts for about 0.1% of Walleye Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position. Walleye Capital LLC owned 0.17% of Sun Communities worth $25,686,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Sun Communities in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Sun Communities by 120.2% in the 3rd quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 229 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management grew its position in shares of Sun Communities by 102.2% in the 3rd quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 465 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $55,000 after buying an additional 235 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd grew its position in shares of Sun Communities by 25.8% in the 2nd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 503 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $66,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Manhattan Co. purchased a new position in shares of Sun Communities in the 1st quarter worth approximately $131,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.79% of the companys stock.

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Sun Communities Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SUI traded down $0.47 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $133.09. The companys stock had a trading volume of 128,257 shares, compared to its average volume of 920,699. Sun Communities, Inc. has a 1-year low of $102.74 and a 1-year high of $143.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 117.16, a P/E/G ratio of 8.51 and a beta of 0.81. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $129.93 and a two-hundred day moving average of $124.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a current ratio of 1.66.

Sun Communities Increases Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling at Sun Communities

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 29th will be given a dividend of $0.94 per share. This is a boost from Sun Communitiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.93. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.83%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Sun Communitiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 326.32%.

In other Sun Communities news, Director Clunet R. Lewis sold 500 shares of Sun Communities stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.13, for a total transaction of $65,565.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 28,400 shares in the company, valued at $3,724,092. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 2.06% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Truist Financial downgraded shares of Sun Communities from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $130.00 to $143.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Sun Communities from $128.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, November 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Sun Communities in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a hold rating and a $129.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Sun Communities from $129.00 to $123.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 13th. Finally, JMP Securities restated a market outperform rating and set a $150.00 price objective on shares of Sun Communities in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $141.00.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on SUI

About Sun Communities

(Free Report)

Established in 1975, Sun Communities, Inc became a publicly owned corporation in December 1993. The Company is a fully integrated REIT listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: SUI. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned, operated, or had an interest in a portfolio of 667 developed MH, RV and Marina properties comprising 179,310 developed sites and approximately 48,030 wet slips and dry storage spaces in the U.S., the UK and Canada.

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Armenia is the first country where Islamophobia spread systematically, Azernews reports, citing Spokesperson of the Western Azerbaijan Community, Ulviyya Zulfugar, telling at the Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024 international conference in Baku.

"Today, we stand at a crossroads in our collective journey toward 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.

Among the earliest victims of such targeted Islamophobia are the Azerbaijanis from the territory of todays Armenia, whom I represent.

Historical records and events bear witness whereby Armenia emerged as the pioneer in institutionalizing religious and ethnic intolerance against Muslims as a matter of state policy. Essentially, Armenia is the birthplace of systematic Islamophobia.

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 Zangazur 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.

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 our traditional music, dance, cuisine, and the art of ashiq. It epitomizes the extent of cultural genocide we have endured. The destruction of monuments, such as the Ashig Alasgar monument, 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 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."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan "Atameken" is ready to provide all possible support to Azerbaijani investors in the country, head of the secretariat of the presidium of "Atameken", Chairman of the Board of the Kazakh Foreign Trade Chamber Murat Karimsakov told reporters, Trend reports.

He made the remark during the second meeting of the Azerbaijani-Kazakh Business Council in Baku.

"We warmly welcome all Azerbaijani entrepreneurs and investors operating in Kazakhstan. There are thousands of companies. On our end, we are prepared to give comprehensive support for the facilitation of their investment initiatives, consultation, assistance in overcoming administrative impediments, and more," Karimsakov said.

According to him, "Atameken" has a wide branch network, covering almost the entire territory of the country.

"Azerbaijani companies operating in various parts of the country will receive full support from us," he noted.

Karimsakov pointed out that since 2020, the trade turnover between the two countries has increased fivefold.

"Today, our brotherly countries are realizing the enormous potential that exists. As our ambassadors stressed today, transporting oil and oil products through Azerbaijan opens up significant potential and chances. We have agreed that at the next council meeting, we will invite the presidents of our respective countries to elevate our council to even higher stature.

The heads and co-chairs of the business councils of our countries have been invited to become participants and members of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission. This will undoubtedly provide additional opportunities and an additional impetus to solving specific tasks," the chamber's representative said.

According to him, more than 100 companies applied to be part of the business council's inaugural meeting.

"Unfortunately, some could not attend. However, I can say that over 60 companies have arrived to participate," he added.

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Walleye Capital LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI  Free Report) by 17.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 217,056 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 44,773 shares during the period. Sun Communities accounts for about 0.1% of Walleye Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position. Walleye Capital LLC owned 0.17% of Sun Communities worth $25,686,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Sun Communities in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Sun Communities by 120.2% in the 3rd quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 229 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management grew its position in shares of Sun Communities by 102.2% in the 3rd quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 465 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $55,000 after buying an additional 235 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd grew its position in shares of Sun Communities by 25.8% in the 2nd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 503 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $66,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Manhattan Co. purchased a new position in shares of Sun Communities in the 1st quarter worth approximately $131,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.79% of the companys stock.

Get Sun Communities alerts:

Sun Communities Stock Performance

NYSE SUI traded down $0.47 on Monday, hitting $133.09. 128,257 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 920,699. The company has a current ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. Sun Communities, Inc. has a 1-year low of $102.74 and a 1-year high of $143.99. The firms 50-day moving average price is $129.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $124.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.56 billion, a PE ratio of 117.16, a P/E/G ratio of 8.51 and a beta of 0.81.

Sun Communities Increases Dividend

Insider Activity at Sun Communities

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a $0.94 dividend. This is a boost from Sun Communitiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.93. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.83%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Sun Communitiess payout ratio is currently 326.32%.

In related news, Director Clunet R. Lewis sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.13, for a total value of $65,565.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 28,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,724,092. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 2.06% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Sun Communities in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a hold rating and a $129.00 target price on the stock. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Sun Communities from $157.00 to $155.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 26th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Sun Communities from $143.00 to $140.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Truist Financial downgraded shares of Sun Communities from a buy rating to a hold rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $130.00 to $143.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and set a $150.00 target price on shares of Sun Communities in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $141.00.

Read Our Latest Report on Sun Communities

Sun Communities Profile

(Free Report)

Established in 1975, Sun Communities, Inc became a publicly owned corporation in December 1993. The Company is a fully integrated REIT listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: SUI. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned, operated, or had an interest in a portfolio of 667 developed MH, RV and Marina properties comprising 179,310 developed sites and approximately 48,030 wet slips and dry storage spaces in the U.S., the UK and Canada.

Further Reading

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Will Rhosddu lose yet another historic landmark?  St James Church set for final service in six weeks time

A church in the heart of a local community is set to close its doors for the final time next month.

The Church in Wales has proposed to close St James Church in Rhosddu, Wrexham after almost 150 years of continuous worship, with members expressing their concern about the decision.

The wider announcement has now been made on the Church Facebook page, with a final church service will be on Sunday 21st April at 11:00am.

A church member told Wrexham.com, I am appalled at the way that this decision has been arrived at and how the wishes of the Church Committee have been over-ruled by the Archdeacon.

It appears that the congregation and people of Rhosddu have not been given the opportunity to fight this decision, due to the speed and lack of consultation with which the decision was made.

Many feel that the people of St James and Rhosddu have been let down

Another long standing church member said: St James has been left to cope by themselves by the church authorities, over the years, to manage the church during the many inter-Regnums, when clergy have moved on.

This time, when we need the support from Church hierarchy to take the church forward, and to reach out to the community, the opposite has happened, with the very worst outcome.

Before the church closes, there is also an Open Day at St James Church between 10:00am and 2:00pm for people to come in, share memories, look around, light a candle and enjoy refreshments.

However, before then, according to the church Herald Newsletter, there is the Church Annual Congregational Meeting, or AGM after a short service at 11:00am on Sunday 17 March.

A church member added: The church members in St James regard themselves as a family.

If their church were to close, they want to continue to worship together, rather than be disbanded, or disbursed. They are still praying for a reversal of this closure decision.

They added In the event of the closure of St James church, it is not known what will become of this beautiful historical Grade 2 listed building. Rhosddu has already lost one landmark building next door.

Will Rhosddu lose yet another historic landmark? Where generations of Wrexham folk have celebrated life milestones, many of whom will not be aware of the proposed closure of this most loved building?

It looks as if St James church may be lost without a fight. Would residents of Rhosddu protest at losing one of its other institutions, like say, Rhosddu School?

It will be a sad day indeed if the proposed closure goes ahead.

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Wrexham Council aware of malfeasance in public office by councillors report

Wrexham Council are remaining tight lipped over a mystery investigation reported by a highly respected journal for local authority business.

The Municipal Journal has been publishing for over 100 years and describes themselves as the UKs leading weekly magazine for council chief executives and their teams of decision-makers in local authorities and allied sectors. It offers an insiders view of whats going on and what people are thinking in todays ever changing and challenging world of local politics.

The Municipal Journal reported as of last month:

Separately, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has confirmed it had started an investigation into Wrexham members while North Wales Police said it was in the process of assessing information relating to the judicial review after an allegation of malfeasance in public office by councillors. It is understood the Welsh Government is active in the case via an informal intervention in support of senior officers.

Last month North Wales Police told us: We have received information relating to the Judicial Review which we are in the process of assessing, we are unable to make any further comment at this time, the same comment provided to us in November  and did not confirm the allegation made as reported by the Municipal Journal.

The Law Commission explains: The criminal offence of misconduct in public office may be committed by a public office holder who, while acting as a public office holder, wilfully neglects to perform his or her duty or wilfully misconducts him or herself, to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the publics trust in that office.

It is a common law offence which has existed for hundreds of years.

Despite falling largely into disuse in the 20th century, there has been a revival in the prosecution of the offence in recent decades, with annual prosecution numbers rising from single figures in the early 2000s, to averaging more than 80 per year since 2006.

On Tuesday mornings Wrexham Council Executive Board media brief we pointed to the report of a very serious allegation in the Municipal Journal, noting it referred to councillors plural.

As that could be a number between 2-56 we pointed to historic precedent where members of the Board stepped down pending investigations, and asked if the allegations referenced by the Municipal Journal involved the Executive Board would members be expected to step down in a similar way.

Council Leader Mark Pritchard said: I am aware of it. I cant comment on it at this time. I have spoked to Ian (Chief Executive Ian Bancroft) on it, he is aware of it, and I will leave it at that.

Deputy Leader Cllr David A Bithell had not seen the Municipal Journal report, so we supplied a copy, and he then said: Speaking on behalf politically, as Deputy Leader, we are not making any comment on that.

With the lack of comment we asked if there was any issue from Wrexham Councils view on the Municipal Journal article, that had been published and active for a month, or if there had been any objections to the content.

The Council Leader said: No, I disagree, there is a challenge. I have spoke to the Chief Executive on it. I will leave it at that.

Cllr Bithell added: Politically, there is no comment from the council. I am saying that as Deputy Leader.

Wrexham.com spoke with the Municipal Journal, who were more than comfortable with their report, and had received no complaints.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 11. Kazakhstan's Almaty will host the B5+1 forum with the participation of representatives of governments and business communities of Central Asian countries and the US, said Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aibek Smadiyarov during a briefing, Trend reports.

From March 13 to 15, 2024, a B5+1 forum is scheduled to take place in Almaty, involving representatives from the governments and business communities of Central Asian countries and the US. The B5+1 initiative aims to foster active collaboration between governments and the business community, providing a platform for discussions on crucial economic matters in the Central Asian region and outlining specific steps to address them," he said.

Furthermore, he mentioned that the occasion will mark the official inauguration of the B5+1 platform, proposed during the Summit of Heads of State in New York in September 2023.

The decision to establish a dedicated business platform was reached during the C5+1 summit of Central Asian and US leaders in New York in September. This platform is anticipated to complement the C5+1 initiative and enhance economic cooperation between Central Asia and the US.

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The Caribbean Community (Caricom) regional trade bloc convened an emergency meeting in Jamaica on Monday to address the rapidly worsening social and political crisis in Haiti.

However, the key players at the meeting were the representatives of the United States, France, and Canadathe imperialist powers that have historically dominated Haiti through occupation, repression, and regime-change operations. Underscoring, the gravity of the crisis, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has been playing a key role in Washingtons increasingly frantic efforts to escalate NATOs war on Russia and its enabling of Israels genocidal assault on the Palestinians, was reported to be traveling to Jamaica. Canadas UN Ambassador Bob Rae and representatives of Brazil and the United Nations were also expected to attend.

Haiti's Ariel Henry with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last year [Photo: Haitis regjering]

The discussion proceeded after a weekend in which US military forces flew into Port-au-Prince by helicopter to strengthen security at Washingtons embassy, and the US, Germany, and European Union rushed to extricate their non-essential diplomatic staffs amid a continuing surge in gang violence.

Washington with Canada and Frances support are trying to cobble together a new transitional government supported by all the warring factions of Haitis corrupt oligarchy and political elite to provide a fig-leaf of national unity and legality for another foreign military intervention aimed at enforcing bourgeois order in the western hemispheres most impoverished country.

The meeting took place just days after the US effectively kidnapped Haitis un-elected Prime Minister, Ariel Henry. Hitherto, it had staunchly backed Henry, as he refused to call presidential or parliamentary elections and imposed brutal IMF austerity measures.

Henry is currently stranded in Puerto Rico, where US officials are browbeating him to assist their efforts to establish a more broadly based government, then step aside. Henry was prevented from reentering the country on his return from a diplomatic trip to Kenya, where a US- and Canada-sponsored deal was signed to send a paramilitary force of 1,000 Kenyan military police officers to Haiti in order to help stabilize the crumbling state and restore law and order.

As usual, these interventions are said to be motivated by humanitarian concerns. In reality, the well-being of the Haitian people is the least of the imperialist powers worries.

It is the US and its allies who are principally responsible for the situation in Haiti, which is the result of over a century of bloody occupation and interventions since 1915. In 2004, the US and Canada deployed troops to oust Haitis elected president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Following a devastating earthquake in 2010 that claimed well over a quarter of a million lives, the imperialists claims of post-disaster rebuilding and humanitarian aid proved to be a cruel hoax as virtually none of the donated funds reached their targets, while a small handful of Haitian oligarchs and international companies made a killing.

Haiti is currently engulfed in a massive social crisis fueled by want and pervasive gang violence which is paralyzing the country. Gangs have closed the countrys main international airport and released over 4,000 inmates from its main prisons. Schools are closed, hospitals are being looted, buildings are being set on fire (including attempts to set alight Haitis Interior Ministry and the Canadian Embassy), and the streets are strewn with victims of shootings whose bodies are being burned as a way to dispose of them.

A BBC reporter described a scene at the State University of Haiti Hospital in Port-au-Prince: There is no sign of any medical staff at all. A dead body, covered by a sheet and swarming with flies, lies in a bed next to patients waiting in vain for treatment. Despite the overpowering stench, no-one has come to remove the body. It is rapidly decomposing in the Caribbean heat.

With 80 percent of the countrys capital under the control of gangs, the US military deployed Marines to bolster the security at its embassy and to evacuate non-essential staff Saturday night. This operation, conducted by helicopter under the cover of darkness, was carried out at the behest of the State Department. Two hastily organized helicopter flights across the border to a dirt landing strip at a military airfield in the Dominican Republic went ahead Sunday to evacuate a dozen officials, including the German and European Union ambassadors.

The escalation of gang violence has exacerbated the Haitian populations already all-pervasive plight. As they dodge stray bullets, Haitians have to deal with severe shortages caused by the gangs control of roads leading out of the ports and their exaction of tolls on the transport of essential goods. Almost half of all Haitians are in need of humanitarian assistance, and over a million of them already face undernourishment. Hundreds of thousands are without refuge and stay in makeshift shelters or roam the streets.

Thousands have desperately sought to cross the heavily guarded 375-kilometre border with the Dominican Republic to the east, where armed gangs aligned with the military have whipped up anti-Haitian chauvinism. A Le Monde correspondent witnessed armed gangs made up of hooded men kidnapping, beating, and threatening dozens of Haitians in a Dominican border town. According to an immigration official, approximately 1,000 Haitians are deported every day from the Dominican Republic, which uses trucks fitted with animal cages for the purpose.

Henry was placed in power by Washington, with the support of Canada and France, and in defiance of the overwhelming opposition from Haitis impoverished majority after the July 2021 assassination of the countrys right-wing president, Jovenel Moise. Since then, the US-led Core Group of countries had maintained its support for Henry, despite his lack of popular or legal-constitutional legitimacy and his failure to conduct elections, even though the terms of all elected officials have long expired.

Pedestrians run past an armored police car in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, March 7, 2024. [AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph]

Henry is suspected of having ties to the gangs, which are backed by rival factions of the Haitian elite. In November 2022, it was revealed that Senate President Joseph Lambert, and former president of the chamber Youri Latortue, both collaborated with gang networks in drug trafficking. While the imperialist powers have now retracted their support for Henry, all sections of Haitis political establishment are tainted by its association with one form of criminality or another.

Gang leaders, the most vocal among them being Jimmy Cherizier, are seizing upon the popular opposition to the current government and another military intervention by the imperialist powers to demagogically provide their activities with a veneer of political legitimacy. That gang leaders of this sort have become the face of Haitis opposition to the government testifies to the states profound crisis and the bankruptcy of Haitis bourgeois opposition. The latter has always been characterized by its fear of the countrys impoverished masses and cravenness before the imperialist vampires that have ravaged Haiti, once the worlds most lucrative colony.

The resurgence of the fascist leader and criminal Guy Philippe among political contenders to replace Henry provides yet further confirmation of the reactionary character of the US imperialist-led efforts to concoct a new interim regime. Along with ex-presidential candidate and Senator Moise Jean Charles, Philippe has formed a new political alliance, creating a three-person council which aims to lead the country. Philippe, who was pivotal in the 2004 US-backed coup against former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and served time in the US for money laundering and drug trafficking, has been advocating for the resignation of the current government since his return to Haiti in November. Interviewed by Le Monde, he declared, Henry is illegitimate, he was not elected by the Haitian people and should resign. Thats the solution. He cant stay in power.

Whatever the composition of the new regime that the US and its imperialist allies concoct and seek to impose on the Haitian people, it will inevitably help perpetuate Haitis crisis. At present, the US and Canada calculate that a direct military intervention under their flags would be too risky and too costly, in terms of both imperialist treasure and lives, in the face of the challenges posed by gang warfare and massive opposition among Haitians to foreign intervention, and to Washington and Ottawa in particular.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated late last week that there are no current plans to send US forces to Haiti, highlighting instead Kenyas agreement to dispatch its notoriously corrupt and violent military police for a security mission in the country.

The imperialist powers main concerns include preventing the situation in Haiti from triggering a large-scale exodus of refugees to the US and Canada and avoiding destabilization of the Caribbean region, which they consider to be their backyard. Additionally, Washington perceives the apparent collapse of a nation within its traditional sphere of influence, an assumed ally of the US, as damaging to its worldwide reputation.

In remarks from a 1994 TV appearance, Joe Biden summarized American imperialisms traditional attitude of mercenary calculation and indifference and hostility to the Haitian people which prevails to this day: If Haitia god-awful thing to sayjust quietly sunk into the Caribbean, or rose up 300 feet, it wouldnt matter a whole lot in terms of our interests, said Biden, then a leading member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. If the United States of America allows a chaotic circumstance to exist that close to our shore, notwithstanding the fact that it is not going to fundamentally alter our position in the world no matter what happens in Haiti, it does have effects on our ability to generate consensus on much more important issues throughout Latin America.
Less than a day after NBC aired a rare one-on-one interview with President Joe Biden in which the president unequivocally declared that the US would impose no red lines on the Israeli government as it continues its genocidal campaign against Palestinians in Gaza, top Biden surrogate Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders appeared on Face the Nation to reaffirm his support.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and President Joe Biden, in a Democratic presidential primary debate in Charleston, South Carolina. [AP Photo/Matt Rourke]

Sanders public affirmation of Bidens flagging presidential campaign comes as the death toll in Gaza continues to climb. In what is surely an underestimate, the Palestinian Ministry of Health documented at least 31,045 people killed in Gaza as of March 10. Of the confirmed dead, about 12,500 are children, while another 8,400 are women. At least 72,654 people have been injured, and more than 8,000 people are missing.



Assuming the missing are dead, roughly 40,000 Palestinians, or nearly 2 percent of the entire population of Gaza, has been killed in roughly 155 days.

A Palestinian child, injured from the US-backed Israeli bombardment, sits in a hospital in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. [AP Photo/Hatem Ali]

In his interview with Margaret Brennan, Sanders expressed sorrow for the thousands killed by US supplied bombs and bullets, and increasingly by starvation due to the Israeli blockade. Thirty thousand people, two-thirds of them ... women and children had been killed, but, as he does in every public appearance, Sanders refused to characterize the Israeli governments actions as a genocide or genocidal.



Sanders falsely presented the war as solely the product of the right-wing extremist government under [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu. In doing so, Sanders completely whitewashes 75 years of US support for Israel and the direct involvement of the Biden administration in arming, financing and politically supporting Netanyahus actions.



By presenting the current government in Israel as somehow an aberration from decades of joint Israel-US policy, Sanders postured as an opponent of the Israeli military and declared his opposition to providing another $10.1 billion to Netanyahu, though he indicated he would support the funding if Israel let in more aid trucks.

Sanders opposition to providing additional military funding to Israel is not across-the-board. As he wrote in a December 2023 press release, Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. ... Therefore, I believe it is appropriate to support defensive systems that will protect Israeli civilians against incoming missile and rocket attacks...



Sanders then reaffirmed his backing for the military campaign against Hamas after a temporary ceasefire.



Hamas is dedicated to destroying Israel said Sanders, adding, I think at the end of the day, Hamas cannot be continuing to run Gaza, though he added the caveat that the Netanyahu government would also have to go.



Turning to Bidens recent interview, Brennan played a clip in which Jonathan Capehart asked Biden if it would be a red line if Israel invaded Rafah after Biden had urged him not to.



Biden replied, It is a red line, but Im never gonna leave Israel. Biden said, The defense of Israel is still critical. So theres no red line. He added that he would not cut off all weapons so they dont have the Iron Dome to protect them.



Asked by Brennan to comment on Bidens red line statement, Sanders replied that an invasion in Rafah would be an unmitigated disaster but that the bottom line is, though, Netanyahu has got to be told no more money for his war machine, unless there is humanitarian aid coming in to feed the people. (emphasis added)



In other words, as long as there is some humanitarian aid coming in, Netanyahu, and his US-funded war machine can continue their campaign.



Finally, Brennan turned to the Uncommitted campaign and the large protest votes against Biden in the primary elections. Given your moral objections, Brennan asked the senator, can you, in good conscience, ask your supporters to vote for Mr. Biden?



Without hesitation, Sanders replied in the affirmative. If you believe that climate change is real, youve got to vote for President Biden. ... If you think that at a time of massive income and wealth inequality, you dont give trillions of dollars in tax cuts to the one percent ... If you believe in democracy ... you have to vote for Biden.

Joseph Kishore, the Socialist Equality Party candidate for president issued a statement on X/Twitter responding to Sanders statement.

Sanders, Kishore wrote, is insisting that young people and workers outraged by genocide in Gaza should vote for the person who is responsible for it. The claim that a government and a party that is supporting the genocide is going to defend democracy and oppose inequality is a lie.

The Democratic Party is a party of Wall Street and the military-intelligence agencies, Kishore continued. The Biden administrations support for the genocide in Gaza is part of an expanding global war, including the escalation of the US-NATO war against Russia, which risks nuclear annihilation.

Millions of workers and young people voted for Sanders in 2016 and 2020 because he claimed to be leading a political revolution against the billionaire class. His current role as chief campaigner for Biden exposes him as the left wing of genocide and imperialism. It exposes as well the futility of all efforts to pressure the Democratic Party.

The Democrats and Republicans represent two intersecting paths to barbarism, Kishore said, concluding, The real alternative for the working class and youth is the fight for international socialism. In this election campaign, Jerry White and I are fighting to build a socialist leadership in the working class.

Sanders boosting of Biden should dispel any lingering doubts workers and youth may have about the political role the senator from Vermont occupies in US politics. Far from the vanguard of a political revolution, Sanders unwavering support for Bidens election campaign, even as Israel continues to starve and massacre Palestinians after over 155 days of ethnic cleansing, exposes him as a booster of the Democratic Party and apologist for genocide.




Over the last month, members of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) have campaigned at 11 university campuses across Australia and New Zealand during the beginning-of-academic-year orientation events.

Among them were universities in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, and Wellington and Dunedin in New Zealand.

The IYSSE stall at the University of Melbourne 2024 orientation week.

Thousands of copies of the IYSSEs beginning of year statement, Capitalism leads to genocide and waryouth and students must fight for world socialism! were distributed.

The IYSSE was alone at the orientation events in advancing a way forward for youth who, under capitalism, are presented with war, climate catastrophe, mass poverty, illness and death from pandemics, and dictatorship.

It presented the case that, for humanity and the planet to have a future, youth and students must turn to the only social force which can end the capitalist system which is the cause of these great historic problems: the world working class.

Orientation events took place amid the continuation and deepening of Israels imperialist-backed genocide against Gaza. The official death toll from Israels onslaught is now 30,000mostly women and children. Another 70,000 Palestinians are missing or injured. Most of the Gaza strips infrastructure has been destroyed, and disease, hunger and malnutrition are rife.

Many students expressed hostility to the open support given to the fascistic Israeli Zionist regime by the imperialist powers including in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The IYSSE saw widespread enthusiasm for its fight to end the genocide in Gaza based on a revolutionary socialist, internationalist perspective. Nearly 500 students left their contact details and more than 200 signed up as members of the IYSSE clubs.

This included at the University of Otago in New Zealand where the IYSSE campaigned for the first time and held a successful meeting to establish a new club on campus.

At Western Sydney University, a campus in the working-class suburbs of Sydneys west, the IYSSE was hugely popular, attracting more than 120 contacts and nearly 50 members over just two days. The campus has a large cohort of students of Middle Eastern descent.

The IYSSE stall at Western Sydney University during the 2024 orientation week.

IYSSE members warned students that the pseudo-left organisations left on the campusesincluding Socialist Alternative, Socialist Alliance and Solidarityhave nothing to do with socialism or the interests of youth and workers. For the last five months, the pseudo-left have sought to wear down the mass opposition to the genocide by promoting the illusion that endless protest and appeals to the genocide supporting capitalist parties could push governments to support a ceasefire.

University students were keen to learn more about the IYSSEs perspective and take up a historical study, highlighted by the IYSSEs selling of nearly $150 of literature at its stalls during orientation events.

The IYSSE received comments from students at the orientation events about the genocide in Gaza, the broader threat of world war, and the IYSSEs socialist perspective. The first group of interviews was published on the WSWS last month. Below, we are publishing more comments.

At Macquarie University in Sydney, Rafia, a student of Law and Psychology, said: Therere people dying in Palestine and theres somehow still people who are being ignorant and turning a blind eye to everything thats happening, and still calling it a war with Israel and Hamas.

She denounced the role of the imperialist powers, including Australia, in aiding and abetting the genocide. Theyve killed so many people in Palestine and the governments are just doing nothing about it, in fact theyre supporting Israel and theyre giving their money to Israel, the IDF and all. I think the majority of it is happening because of money and trade and all of that. The Security Council of the UN, the major five countries, theyre using this situation to their advantage to get whatever they want.

Basically America just wants to take over the Middle East, because they have oil and all that. They want to take advantage of all of this. Therere people dying and theyre putting prices on human lives, just to get their hands on some money. They dont give a damn about the people, they just want your money. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, the student said.

Rafia was asked why she joined the IYSSE. Because you guys are right. You see everything thats happening in the world. How can you not think its because of money? What else are you gonna think? Racism? Yeah, theres an element of that too, but theyre literally killing people, and why? All the major corporations are supporting Israel. Theyre getting money from them.

At the end of the day, its people who are controlling the country, the ones with the money, that can control us and our beliefs.

Harris, a student at Western Sydney University, told IYSSE campaigners: Whats happening in Gaza right now is a clear genocide. Whats happening is clearly a violation of human rights. You dont need to be Muslim or from any faith to accept that. The people who are casualties of this genocide are civilians, and it shouldnt be like that.

The protests are happening, and its definitely making an impact, but in the western media theyve been ignored. They know its thereeven Israel knows its there, but they just ignore them, the student added.

At the University of Melbourne, the IYSSE spoke with a Chinese international student who asked to remain anonymous. He agreed with the IYSSEs assessment that the genocide in Gaza is bound up with the drive of US imperialism to maintain its global hegemony. Yes, why Gaza has the war is because the USA needs to reinforce their power, their dominance in the whole world. And Gaza and the whole country is paying the cost of this.

He also spoke against the US war drive against China. I think the war is very unnecessary for the world. The governments of Biden and Xi fight for their power, and the cost is to the people of the countries. So, it is very unnecessary and they waste a lot of the Earths resources.

I am very worried about [aggression against China] because I have a part-time job in a Chinese university and I can say that the block [on collaborative research] has already had a huge impact on Chinese universities and Chinese research. China has the highest population in the world, and we know that teamwork is better than individual work, so it is a huge loss for the whole world, for all humans, he said.

In China the government spends a lot of money for the preparation of war, and also in the USA they are preparing for war. They spend a lot of money to support Israel and Ukraine, so tax has really increased.

On the IYSSEs fight for a socialist, anti-war movement among youth and students, the student said, I think this is very valuable work, and I think university students, especially those in social science, need to at least support, or say something to make the social hurt lessen.
The governments of New Zealand and Australia are taking forward discussions to expand the AUKUS security pact currently involving Australia, the US and UK, which is part of the US-led build-up for war against China. A promise by Australias Defence Minister Richard Marles to send officials to Wellington for briefings was fulfilled late last month.

According to the New Zealand Herald on February 26, a secretive fly in, fly out visit from Canberra had taken place. New Zealand Ministry of Defence deputy secretary Anton Youngman confirmed that Australian officials visited Wellington to brief their local counterparts. Officials will now continue regular engagement with the AUKUS partners, as we build our understanding of pillar two, Youngman said.

New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins (left) with US State Department Undersecretary Bonnie Jenkins, who visited Wellington for talks on AUKUS in January 2024 [Photo: X @JudithCollinsMP]

The discussions follow a meeting between the two countries Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministers in Melbourne in January. New Zealands recently installed far-right government is seeking to join pillar two of the agreement, which includes sharing non-nuclear technology in areas such as cyber and aeronautics.

A joint statement from the talks falsely declared that AUKUS makes a positive contribution toward maintaining peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. NZ Defence Minister Judith Collins made it clear the government was considering what benefits AUKUS could provide and what New Zealand could bring to the table.

AUKUS is an aggressive alliance, part of the US-led architecture established to prepare for war against China. It has met considerable opposition in the Pacific. During NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters trip to the region last month, Samoas Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa voiced concerns about AUKUS, saying We dont want the Pacific to be seen as an area that people will take licence of nuclear arrangements. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed that Pacific leaders were all in agreement.

Involvement by New Zealand in pillar one of AUKUS, which provides for Australia to buy nuclear-powered submarines from the US and UK, was initially ruled out by the previous Labour-led government, given its implications for the countrys nuclear-free policies which remain widely supported within New Zealand and around the Pacific.

The National Party, now leading the governing coalition, was critical of AUKUS while in opposition. Its foreign affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee last year said the deal would not make the country safer. Now, National and its far-right partners ACT and NZ First are drawing New Zealand closer to Washington and Canberra on every geo-strategic and military front. The government fully supports the US-NATO war in Ukraine against Russia, Israels genocidal assault on Gaza, and has sent military personnel to support the US bombing of Yemen.

The previous Labour government left the door open for collaboration on pillar two, saying it was separate from the nuclear submarine deal and that New Zealand did not want to see the militarisation of the Pacific. Conscious of not getting offside with the countrys major trading partner, China, Labours Foreign Minister Nania Mahuta bluntly asserted in mid-2023: Were not part of the AUKUS arrangements.

Papers released to media, however, showed the Labour government strove to recalibrate the key message to show it agreed with the rationale behind AUKUS. Then Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said New Zealand agrees with the AUKUS partners that the collective objective needs to be the delivery of peace and stability and preservation of an international rules-based system in our region.

Now in opposition, Labour is seeking to contain rising anti-war sentiment in the working class and among young people by making limited and thoroughly hypocritical criticisms of AUKUS. Although the party has not finalised its position, associate foreign affairs spokesperson Phil Twyford last month called AUKUS an offensive warfighting alliance against China, rhetorically asking parliament: If theres a war in the South China Sea ... is it this governments intention to be dragged into that conflict on the side of the US?

In fact, Labours former defence minister Andrew Little had already spelled out exactly that. At the launch of a major Defence Policy Review last August Little declared: If, for example, conflict does break out in the South China Sea, where $20 billion of our exports flows through every year, we have a stake in that, and we may be called on to play a role should conflict break out. We need to be equipped for that and prepared for it.

Labours current Foreign Affairs spokesperson David Parker told Radio NZ last month the visiting Australian officials would probably be trying to sell AUKUS. Labour would not be privy to those talks, he said, but the benefits and disadvantages must be looked at. Parker stopped short of saying the new government should not be exploring pillar two. Were questioning its utility and whether it is wise, he declared.

Labours hypocritical posturing is a desperate attempt to recover popular support following its drubbing in last Octobers election, which saw its share of the vote drop from 50 percent in 2020 to 26.9 percent amid widespread anger over its attacks on living standards at home and militarism abroad.

In a sign of the contempt with which Labour is now held, both Parker and Twyford have been booed at recent anti-genocide rallies where they feigned sympathy with the people of Gaza, while asserting that Israel has the right to defend itself.

Over the past six years, Labour strengthened New Zealands military and intelligence alliance with US imperialism, the main backer of the Zionist state. It also sent troops to Europe to assist in training Ukrainian conscripts for NATOs proxy war against Russia; and maintained New Zealands troop presence in Bahrain, embedded with US forces, which are widening the war in the Middle East.

Sections of the ruling class meanwhile remain concerned that involvement with AUKUS is aligning the country too openly with the US.

Last month former Labour Prime Minister Helen Clark teamed up with her 2005 election rival, then-National leader Don Brash, to criticise the pact. In a joint opinion piece in the New Zealand Herald on February 12 they wrote that the government had decided to throw in our lot with Americas attempt to slow Chinas economic rise and keep it tightly hemmed in by American forces in the region and appealed to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to reverse course.

However, as a minor imperialist power in the Pacific and a member of the US-led Five Eyes intelligence network, New Zealand is already deeply integrated into the US war plans. Clark herself, as prime minister from 1999-2008, strengthened New Zealands alliance with Washington by committing troops to the criminal US-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Biden administration is deeply involved in the current Australia-New Zealand discussions. Last week, Bonnie Jenkins, the US Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, a senior official leading the State Departments work on AUKUS implementation, visited Wellington and met with Defence Minister Collins and officials.

Jenkins was due to deliver a speech on Friday hosted by Victoria University of Wellingtons Centre for Strategic Studies, titled Meeting 21st Century Security Challenges Together, which had to be abandoned. Pro-Palestine student groups and other protesters disrupted the event, with one asking the audience to bow their heads in silence to think about all the Palestinians who have died from US-funded weapons in the last few months. Repeated interruptions by protesters forced the talks cancellation.
As reported by the World Socialist Web Site, this years Munich Security Conference exacerbated ongoing wars and geopolitical tensions. It included discussions on the need to place research and teaching at universities even more strongly at the service of German militarism. In addition to ideological preparation for war, the focus is increasingly to be placed on concrete weapons development. To this end, the so-called civilian clausethe ban on military research at universitiesis to be abolished.

At the Conversation on Research Security panel discussion on February 16, Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (Free Democratic Party, FDP) emphasised two points: Research was a geopolitical factor and therefore relevant to security, and the strong wall between civilian and military research had to be broken down.

New technologies created new economic dependencies, and states demonstrated their power through them, Stark-Watzinger declared.

Pointing to developments in Israel and the US, and the general wave of rearmament, she concluded that militarism and ideological warfare had to be brought back into the universities.

The education minister ended her speech by citing the European Unions Open Science principle: As open as possible, as closed as necessary.

Since the Munich Conference, Stark-Watzinger has outlined the governments views in more detail in a number of interviews.

As federal research minister, I would like to encourage greater cooperation between civilian and military research in suitable areas, she told the DPA press agency. She continued:

This is about leveraging synergies and strengthening our innovative power. Other valued partners such as Israel and the US are successfully showing us how to do this. We can no longer do without them. In any case, the boundaries between civilian and military research are becoming increasingly blurred as technology advances.

The valued partners Israel and the US, which are currently committing genocide against the Palestinian population in Gaza, with Germanys support, were not chosen as role models by chance. According to a report by the governments Expert Commission on Research and Innovation (EFI) for 2023 and 2024, Germany should model itself on the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Israeli militarys Unit 8200.

DARPA was founded in 1958 in response to the Sputnik shock, when the USSR became the first nation to put a satellite into space. Equipped with an annual budget of $4.1 billion, it serves to develop new high-risk and cost-intensive military technologies. This amounts to approximately 3.7 billion, which is almost three times the current German federal budget for environmental protection and nature conservation.

The Israeli militarys Unit 8200 is considered a central factor in the IT sector in Israel, as many ex-soldiers work in the civilian tech sector. The unit is trained in the fields of information and communication technologies, computer science and cyber security, and is primarily active in secret military operations, e.g., counterintelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, cyber warfare and code decryption.

The German government has plans to establish and expand such projects.

The EFI report particularly praises the Agency for Innovation in Cybersecurity, founded in 2020. Based in Halle (Saxony-Anhalt), it already violates the separation of civilian and military research. The Expert Commission is calling on the federal government to expand the agencys scope.

The Bundeswehr (armed forces) 100 billion special fund is to provide resources for the areas of cyber security and artificial intelligence (AI). Under the guise of digital transformation, this is intended to strengthen German imperialism.

With China and the US at the head of international rankings in the field of AI development, the EFI warns that Germany and Europe are becoming unilaterally dependent, and can no longer be sovereign in terms of technology. In the EFI Report 2023, which served as the basis for the discussions at the Munich Security Conference, numerous anti-Chinese measures were proposed, following on from the China strategy published last year by the coalition government.

The EU is to serve as an instrument for Germany to improve its technological expertise. Key technologies as well as standardisation activities are to be developed in cooperation with EU partners.

In order to prevent a so-called knowledge drain to China, high requirements are being demanded for joint projects with Chinese players, and even the establishment of a separate China Competence Centre for German-Chinese cooperation.

The civilian clause has long been a thorn in the side of the ruling class, and especially now given its monstrous rearmament plans. As before the First and Second World Wars, universities are once again to become centres of militarism.

The civilian clause is a self-imposed obligation to conduct research at German universities for peaceful purposes only. This excludes, among other things, the acceptance of third-party funding from the armaments industry.

As a reaction to the Cold War arms race, a civilian clause first came into force at the University of Bremen in 1986. Since then, around 70 universities have adopted it. The clause follows the strong conviction of the German population that after the Second World War and the Holocaust, war and mass destruction should never again emanate from German soil.

The EFI, on the other hand, concludes: The strict separation that has been practised in Germany for decades needs to be fundamentally reconsidered andwhere appropriateabolished.

It continues:

The Commission of Experts already pointed out in its last report that as a result of this separation, the scarce resources for research and innovation to solve socially important problems, such as securing data networks and critical infrastructure, are not being used efficiently.

This is a cover for clearing the way for the return of German militarism at universities.

In autumn of 2023, Federal Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (Social Democratic Party, SPD) called for Germany to change its mentality. For the coalition government of the SPD, FDP and Greens it is not only about the unprecedented military build-up of ammunition and war equipment, but also about calling on the German university landscape to place itself at the service of German imperialism.

As Pistorius declared:

We have to get used to the idea again that there could be a threat of war in Europe, and that means we have to become fit for war, we have to be ready to defend ourselves and prepare the Bundeswehr and society for it.

These developments confirm the warnings of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), which has been fighting for over 10 years against the transformation of universities into centres of militarism.

In 2014, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), a central think tank of the German bourgeoisie, in cooperation with the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), published the document New powernew responsibilities. Elements of a German Foreign and Security Policy for a World in Transition. On the role of universities, it stated:

A more complex environment with shortened response times also requires better cognitive skills and knowledge. Knowledge, perception, understanding, judgment and strategic foresight: all these skills can be taught and trained. But that requires investmentson the part of the state, but also on the part of universities, research institutions, foundations, and foreign policy institutions. The goal must be to establish an intellectual environment that not only enables and nurtures political creativity, but is also able to develop policy options quickly and in formats that can be operationalised.

Since then, militarist and right-wing ideology has been systematically made socially acceptable at universities. Shortly after the German government announced the end of foreign policy restraint in 2014, professors Herfried Munkler and Jorg Baberowski began proclaiming far-right, revisionist theses in their lectures at Humboldt University. According to Munkler, Germany must lead as the taskmaster in Europe.

This policy requires a relativisation of Nazi crimes. This is because the most serious vulnerability, according to Munkler, is that caused by German history, the reference to the rise of National Socialism [Nazism], together with its racial ideology, the policy of extortion and annexations pursued by Hitler after 1938, the wars of aggression after September 1939, the crimes of the Wehrmacht, especially in the war against the Soviet Union, and finally the murder of the European Jews.

While Munkler tried to play down Germanys role in the First World War, Baberowskis task was to justify and relativise the worst crimes in the history of mankind, carried out by the fascist Nazi regimethe Holocaust and the war of extermination against the Soviet Union. This culminated at the time in the infamous report in the leading news weekly Der Spiegel, titled World War Guilt: Culpability Question Divides Historians Today, in which Baberowski asserted that Hitler was not vicious.

When the IYSSE criticised this falsification of history, it was savagely attacked by the university administration, as well as representatives of all the establishment parties and most of the media, but it gained great support among students and workers.

Now the universities are to be converted to war not only ideologically, but also practically. Although the civilian clause has long been circumvented and military cooperation with universities has been carried out, the new plans go far beyond this. If the government has its way, universities will operate not as institutions that impart education and knowledge, but rather to make Germany fit for war.

The IYSSE is calling on all students to prevent this from taking place. The only way to stop the madness of a world war and its preparation at universities is to mobilise the working class against capitalism on the basis of an international socialist programme. Students must fight for this orientation and perspective.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a criminal investigation into the blowout of a door plug on a Boeing 737 MAX plane operated by Alaska Airlines that departed from Portland, Oregon, bound for Ontario, California, on January 5.

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 on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Portland, Ore. [AP Photo/National Transportation Safety Board]

The plane was climbing and had reached 15,000 feet when the panel in an unused door opening in the fuselage was sucked out of the aircraft, causing the cabin to depressurize and oxygen masks to drop, before the crew turned the plane around and made a remarkable emergency landing at Portland International Airport.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the DOJ investigation on Saturday, based on documents and statements provided by unnamed individuals. The report said investigators had contacted passengers and crew members, including pilots and flight attendants, who were on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on January 5.

A statement from Alaska Airlines on the matter said: 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 Journal report said that investigators with the Transportation Departments Inspector Generals office in recent weeks have been seeking to interview Federal Aviation Administration officials in the Seattle area who oversee Boeings manufacturing. It also said that Alaska Airlines passengers, who were on board during the January 5 door plug accident, are being notified that they are potential crime victims in the case.

The new criminal investigation will inform the DOJs review of whether Boeing had complied with an earlier settlement that resolved a federal investigation following two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, the Journal report said. Two Boeing 737 MAX planes suddenly nosedived and crashedLion Air Flight 610 in Indonesia on October 29, 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019and killed a combined total of 346 people.

In this March 11, 2019, file photo, Boeing 737 Max wreckage is piled at the crash scene of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 near Bishoftu, Ethiopia. [AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene]

In its investigation into these disasters, the DOJ held Boeing responsible for how it communicated with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about a new 737 MAX flight control system that caused the fatal nosedives. Boeing said during the investigation that two former employees had misled the FAA about the training pilots would need to be able to properly operate the planes automated Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS).

In January 2021, Boeing reached a $2.5 billion settlement with the DOJ in which the largest plane manufacturer in the US was permitted to avoid prosecution on a criminal charge of defrauding the US government in exchange for cooperation with ongoing federal investigations of the companys operations.

The Journal report says:

If the Justice Department finds that Boeing violated the terms of the 2021 settlement, the company could face prosecution on the original count of defrauding the US. Alternatively, the government could seek to extend the probationary, three-year agreement that requires Boeing to update the Justice Department on its compliance improvements.

As the DOJs criminal investigation proceeds, it is likely that Boeing will stop cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the investigation into the technical cause of the door plug blowout incident. This is precisely what happened during the investigation into the 2018 and 2019 fatal nosedive crashes. The company was then permitted to leverage its refusal to cooperate with the FAA and NTSB investigations as a bargaining chip in negotiations over the non-prosecution deal with the DOJ.

As the Journal reported, Criminal probes can complicate parallel aviation safety investigations. Last Wednesday, the NTSB expressed worry that the DOJs involvement could chill cooperation with its probe into the door plug blowout.

A day later, the NTSB said that Boeing had not turned over critical records that show the specific steps in the assembly line for the 737 MAX-9 last fall when employees removed bolts that hold the door plug in place. NTSB investigators believe that these bolts were not reinstalled before the plane left the Boeing factory in October 2023.

The plane in question flew 150 commercial flights without incident before the midair blowout occurred. During testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee on March 6, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said:

Boeing has not provided us with the documents and information that we have requested numerous times over the past few months, specifically with respect to opening, closing and removal of the door and the team that does that work at the Renton [Washington] facility.

Boeing has said it is cooperating fully with the investigation and the documentation in question has not been provided to the NTSB because it does not exist. Responding to Homendys congressional testimony, Boeing issued a statement saying, if the door plug removal was undocumented there would be no documentation to share.

However, Homendy also said that NTSB efforts to interview the Boeing employees involved in the door plug removal, who would have been handling the bolts required to reinstall it, have been blocked by the company. She said, There is one teamone teamthat deals with the doors and called it absurd and really disappointing that the NTSB still does not have the names of 25 employees and a manager on the team.

The midair blowout in January was the start of a series of non-fatal airline accidents in recent weeks:

On Sunday, media outlets reported that two pilots of an Indonesian aircraft carrying 157 people fell asleep midflight, causing the plane to veer off its designated path, according to a preliminary report by the countrys transportation safety authority. The pilots were operating a Batik Air flight on January 25 when they both fell asleep for approximately 28 minutes. The report said, 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.

On Friday, United Airlines Flight 2477 ran off the taxiway into a grassy area in Houston, Texas. Shortly after landing at 8:00 a.m., the 737 MAX plane veered into the grass on a turn. No one was hurt, and the passengers deplaned onto a set of mobile stairs. They were transported by bus to the airport terminal.

On Thursday, a tire flew off of a United Boeing 777-200 plane just after take-off from San Francisco on a flight to Osaka, Japan. The 777 plane had 249 people on board. It diverted to Los Angeles International Airport and landed without incident. The falling tire damaged at least one car in an airport parking lot.

On Monday, an engine failed on a United Airlines flight from Houston to Fort Myers, Florida. Flames shot out from the jet engine shortly after takeoff, forcing the crew to turn the plane around for an emergency landing in Houston. Passengers reported that the plane shuddered and shook, and popping noises could be heard inside the cabin. It was later determined that the engine ingested bubble wrap that had been left on the runway.
Polish and other NATO troops take part in Steadfast Defender 24 military maneuvers in Korzeniewo, Poland, Monday, March 4, 2024. [AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski]

On Sunday, the New York Times published an article by David Sanger titled Bidens Armageddon Moment: When Nuclear Detonation Seemed Possible in Ukraine. The article documents extensive and far-reaching discussions within the Biden administration in late 2022 regarding the possibility of the war with Russia turning into a nuclear conflict.

Sanger reports that the Central Intelligence Agency told Biden that under a singular scenario in which Ukrainian forces decimated Russian defensive lines and looked as if they might try to retake Crimeaa possibility that seemed imaginable that fallthe likelihood of nuclear use might rise to 50 percent or even higher.

He reported that the Biden administration was making urgent preparations... for a US reaction to a Russian nuclear detonation.

An article written by Sanger, a longtime mouthpiece for the US military and intelligence agencies, is less a news article than a controlled release of information by the US intelligence agencies.

The purpose of this article is to acclimate the public to the possibility of the war becoming nuclear. It is also an attempt to place the onus on Russia, when it is, in fact, the US and NATO powers that are engaged in a massive escalation of the war, potentially involving the direct deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine.

Over the past two weeks, four NATO countriesFrance, Canada, Lithuania and the Netherlandshave stated their openness to sending NATO troops to fight Russia in Ukraine. On Saturday, they were joined by Poland, whose foreign minister, Radek Sikorski, declared that sending troops to Ukraine was not unthinkable.

These statements were accompanied by the release of a recording of a discussion by members of the German military of the prospect of using German long-range weapons to carry out strikes on Russian territory.

The immediate context for these actions is a series of disastrous setbacks for the Ukrainian war effort, raising the prospect of the total collapse of the Ukrainian army without direct NATO intervention.

As a recent article in Foreign Affairs warns, Without a surge in Western military aid and major changes to Kyivs strategy, Ukraines battlefield position will continue to worsen until it reaches a tipping point, possibly by this summer. In other words, NATO has a window of just a few months to avoid a precipitous collapse of the Ukrainian military.

Sangers article admits that in 2022, under conditions where the Russian military was facing a series of setbacks, the US evaluated that it was entirely possible for Russia to use nuclear weapons to improve its military position.

But it is NATO and the United States that now find themselves on the backfoot, suffering serious defeats. If the Biden administration believed that Russia would use nuclear weapons in order to forestall military defeat, is that any less true for the US and NATO?

In a critical passage, Sanger writes:

The wargaming at the Pentagon and at think tanks around Washington imagined that Mr. Putins use of a tactical weapon ... involved a demand from Moscow that the West halt all military support for the Ukrainians: no more tanks, no more missiles, no more ammunition.

But this is precisely the position that NATO is driving Russia to take by planning to deploy NATO troops to Ukraine. Every escalation by NATO raises the pressure for the Russian government to set an explicit red line, to be enforced by the threat to strike NATO territory or use nuclear weapons.

The NATO powers recognize the very real danger that the conflict in Ukraine could develop into a nuclear war, but they are taking no measures to avoid escalation. Instead of discussing negotiations that could avert this catastrophe, they are continuing to pursue a policy that could well result in a nuclear conflict with Russia.

Having feared that a nuclear apocalypse could break out in 2022, the Biden administration and its NATO allies are now escalating the war to the point where that scenario becomes more likely than ever.

It is urgently necessary for the working class to intervene and stop the relentless escalation of the Ukraine war. The growing global strike movement by workers around the world must be fused with the movement against war and armed with a socialist perspective. This movement must demand the immediate end of the war and the withdrawal of all NATO forces from Ukraine.
On February 29, the Adelaide Convention Centre was the site of an episode that summed up the complicity of Australias unions in Israels barbaric onslaught against the Palestinian people.

Outside the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Quadrennial National Conference, protesters rallied against the genocide and denounced Australias federal Labor government for supporting it.

Protesters outside Maritime Union of Australia conference. [Photo: Free Palestine Adelaide]

Inside, the union leadership welcomed the head of that government, Anthony Albanese, to the stage to discuss the Maritime Strategic Fleet (MSF), which will further integrate maritime workers into the war plans of Australian and US imperialism.

Covering over the reality of this union-government love-fest, MUA Sydney Branch Secretary Paul Keating claimed in a press release last week that the National Conference re-confirmed our decades long commitment to fight the genocide in Gaza, and stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

The only honest word in this statement is re-confirmed. That is, the MUA will continue to do precisely what it has done since October 7: Posture on occasion as supporters of block the dock protests while ensuring that waterfront workers continue to handle cargo for Israeli shipping lines on a daily basis.

In the same press release, Christy Cain, a long-standing MUA leader and the national secretary of its parent organisation, the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union, declared, the Albanese government is complicit in genocide. He offered no explanation for why the organisation he leads invited an accomplice to war crimes to speak at its national conference.

Cain continued: We call on the Albanese government to immediately implement sanctions on Israel, beginning with refusing Zim shipping access to Australian ports.

Cain knows full well that the Labor government, which continues to expand its support for the Zionist regime, will do no such thing. He is promoting illusions in an appeal to parliament as a substitute for concrete action against the genocide by workers, which the union is doing everything it can to prevent.

Since the Palestinian trade unions urgent call in October for solidarity actions by workers overseas, the MUA has not called a single strike or industrial action aimed at blocking Israels supply chain or profits.

The MUA bureaucracys opposition to such action has been clear from the outset. At a November 3 meeting of Trade Unionists for Palestine, when a Socialist Equality Party member asked Keating if strikes would be called, he was forcibly ejected from the unions Sussex Street headquarters.

The MUA leaders, and their pseudo-left cheer squad continually justify their refusal to call political strikes on the grounds that it would be illegal under Australias draconian industrial relations legislation. This claim is exposed as a total fraud by the MUAs embrace at its conference of the prime minister, who is ultimately responsible for the continued existence of the so-called Fair Work Act. In fact, the three sets of industrial relations reform introduced since 2022 by the Albanese government have only strengthened the anti-strike powers of the pro-business Fair Work Commission.

The unions hostility to action by workers against the genocide was starkly expressed at a community picket at Webb Dock, Melbourne, in January. Over several days, protesters resisted repeated attempts by pepper-spray-wielding police to break up the demonstration. Initially, union officials allowed workers to refuse to cross the picket, on health and safety grounds. But when management arranged a bus to transport workers across the picket with a police escort, the MUA urged organisers to shut down the protest, even though workers were refusing to board the bus.

The episode was a clear example of Cains comment last week: There has never been an issue where the political elite have been so starkly opposed to the view of the great mass of working people. The critical part he left unsaid was on which side of that divide the MUA bureaucracy stands.

Albanese had no such reservations when addressing the MUA conference. He effusively praised the work of MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlina good and loyal friendand Assistant National Secretary Mich-Elle Myersalso, he noted, a national vice president of the Australian Labor Party.

Anthony Albanese with MUA secretary Paddy Crumlin in October 2022, celebrating 150 years since the union was established. [Photo: Maritime Union of Australia website]

To this list of allies, Albanese added Philippine President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr, who, earlier that day had told parliament the two countries must join forces, together with our partners, in the face of threats to the rule of law, to stability, and to peace. This was a thinly-veiled statement of total commitment to the US-led war drive against China.

These war preparations are central to what was the main component of the prime ministers address, the establishment of the MSF. Its purpose is to channel vast sums of public funds into the hands of major shipping companies in the form of subsidies and tax breaks if they agree to register their vessels in Australia.

These ships will then be available to be commandeered by the government for military purposes, with compensation paid to ensure that corporate profits are not impacted by the defence of the national interest. The composition of the fleet will be carefully designed to suit Australian imperialisms military needs in the Indo-Pacific.

The MSF has been promoted by Labor and the MUA under the phoney pretext that it will provide secure, well-paid jobs for Australian seafarers. The reality is that whatever government handouts and concessions are granted to the corporate owners of these vessels, workers will be subjected to the same cost-cutting measures carried out by the major shipping lines over decades and enforced by the MUA.

Continuing attacks on workers wages and conditions is not the end of the story. A key element of the union-backed MSF plan is the capacity for civilian seafarers to be dragooned into military operations. The MSF Taskforces December final report urges the government to address the limited scope of the existing Defence Act which only provides for the Government to compel owners to provide (and furnish) vessels, but not crew.

All of this has been worked out through the closest collaboration of the union, big business and the Labor government. Crumlin serves on the Taskforce with corporate representatives of the logistics, communications, maritime and mining industries, as well as the Department of Defence.

These are the interests that the MUA represents, not those of the working class, whether in Australia, Palestine or anywhere else. It functions as an industrial police force, enforcing the demands of corporations and governments, suppressing strikes and ramming through one sell-out enterprise agreement after another.

This is not an aberration, but the result of an international process that took place primarily in the 1980s and 1990s. In an earlier period of nationally regulated economies, the unions were able to extract limited concessions from employers as a means of heading off the development of organised opposition among workers to capitalism.

The globalisation of production rendered such national-reformist programs unviable, with corporations increasingly free to shift production around the world to minimise labour costs. The unions were compelled by their nationalist, pro-capitalist orientation to defend the so-called national interest by enforcing ever-greater attacks on workers wages and conditions to ensure that local business remained internationally competitive.

The logical extension of this is the unions increasingly open support of imperialism, which now extends to blocking pro-Palestinian strikes and protests, as well as promoting the integration of workers into the war machine through initiatives like the MSF.

The MUAs tacit complicity in the Gaza genocide and its active collaboration in preparations for war in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere are intimately connected. Both represent the subordination of the interests of seafarers and the broader working class to the demands of Australian and US imperialism.

The union bureaucracy is not merely an ally of the political establishment, but an essential component of it. Any claim by the bureaucrats to present themselves as a separate entity to the government, issuing appeals and critical demands on behalf of workers, is a fraud.

The top layers of the union apparatuslike Albaneses good and loyal friendare the major powerbrokers in the Labor Party, with the capacity to bring down state premiers and even prime ministers. The union leaders, far from challenging government policy, are instrumental in writing it.

Twenty-two successive weeks of mass protests around the country against the genocide shows clearly that there is mass opposition among Australian workers and young people to Labors program of war, but this finds no expression in the MUA or other trade unions, which, determined to defend the capitalist establishment, continue to block strikes, discourage workers from protesting, and refuse to defend workers who have been persecuted for speaking up.

Albaneses appearance at the MUA conference is also a damning indictment of the pseudo-left organisations that have promoted the union as a leading force in the Palestinian struggle. Solidarity, at least one leading member of which attended the conference, has been especially forthright in defending the MUAs strike-breaking and insisting that the only way forward for those determined to keep Israeli ships out of Australian ports is to appeal to the bureaucracy.

This is consciously directed at blocking what is actually needed for the working class to stop genocide and war: A fight to build new organisations, rank-and-file committees run by workers themselves, not privileged bureaucrats, to wage a struggle for a new, socialist and internationalist, political perspective. Neither imperialist war, nor the assault on working-class living and working conditions through which it is financed, can be defeated within the nationalist framework of the unions.

What is required is a unified struggle by the international working class against the root cause of warabroad and at homethe capitalist profit system.
The Ukrainian government under Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to draft convicts into the armed forces. A bill is expected to be registered in the Verkhovna Rada next week, and Ukrainian Justice Minister Denys Maliuska indicated that he expected the bill to be approved this spring.

Soldiers of Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade shout right-wing slogans at a military base close to Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, September 25, 2023. [AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky]

The NATO-armed and -backed Ukrainian Armed Forces are currently struggling to maintain territory against advancing Russian forces in the Donbass region amid a severe manpower and ammunition shortage. Following Ukraines loss of the strategic city of Avdeevka on February 17, Russian forces have pushed three miles farther west.

As the Washington Post admitted in an article titled Zelensky in bind over how to draft more troops as Russian troops advance, the issue of mobilization has fueled deep divisions in Ukraines parliament and more broadly in Ukrainian society.

In August of last year, a military recruitment scandal made headlines when it was revealed that regional recruiting stations were accepting bribes of approximately $10,000 to evade military service, an unreachable amount for many in what is officially Europes poorest country. Such divisions, which are ultimately class-based, will be exacerbated by the continued deterioration of the situation at the front.

Confronting a severe shortage of men at the front throughout the past year, the Ukrainian military has resorted to kidnapping people off the streets, grabbing them at shopping malls and other public places and forcibly drafting them into the army. In his year-end address in December 2023, Zelensky announced a proposal to conscript another 500,000 Ukrainian soldiers at a cost of $13.3 billion in 2024 to replenish the massive losses at the front, which have been hidden from both the Ukrainian people and the international public.

A new draft mobilization bill was passed in February but was subsequently held up in parliament due to over 4,000 revisions and widespread opposition to aspects of the bill, including provisions that would block draft dodgers from buying real estate and revoke their passports to force their return to the country.

The measures to further expand the draft follow protests that erupted last fall against the often years-long deployment of men to the front. This marked the first outbreak of mass discontent over the war. Frequent protests have also been held in the capital city of Kiev, as well in smaller cities such as Ternopil, Odessa and Dnipro.

In a clear attempt to appease growing popular opposition to conscription, Zelensky signed a decree on Thursday authorizing the demobilization of a limited number of conscripts who were forced to remain in the armed forces following the outbreak of full-scale war in February 2022 and the imposition of martial law.

The decree is deceptive in that it applies only to conscripts between the ages of 18 and 27 who generally do not serve on the front lines, and it does not apply to the huge number of soldiers called up following the declaration of martial law and general mobilization in February 2022. The term of conscription in Ukraine ranges from 12 to 18 months, and the last conscription was held in October 2021. Ukrainian authorities declined to reveal how many conscripts would actually be demobilized as a result of the decree.

Speaking of the decree in his daily address, Zelensky stated that conscripts would begin to be sent home in a few weeks, starting in April. He ludicrously claimed that the demobilized soldiers would be eager to sign up for another deployment in the NATO-provoked war that has already killed untold hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers.

As BBC Ukraine reported in November, 650,000 Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 years old have left Ukraine for Europe since the start of the war. Zelenskys former adviser Alexey Arestovich recently claimed that 4.5 million Ukrainian men, nearly half of the Ukrainian male population, had fled abroad to avoid military service, and that 30 to 70 percent of military units consist of refuseniks, who have gone absent without official leave (AWOL).

Following the initial announcement of Zelenskys plan to draft another half million men, Ukrainians across Europe were seen waiting in line at consular offices to renew their passports before a new mobilization law could take effect. In Valencia, Spain, 550 people reportedly waited in line for hours to renew their passports and ensure their legal status for the upcoming year.

Despite the obvious recruitment crisis, Zelensky continues to absurdly claim that just 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed so far in over two years of bloody fighting, while simultaneously claiming that just 300,000 of the 1 million soldiers have seen combat on the front lines. Even the pro-war Washington Post noted the wildly illogical line being propagated by the Zelensky government, writing that no one in the Ukrainian military leadership or presidential office is able to explain the whereabouts of the 700,000 missing soldiers, or what they have dedicated themselves to.

As David North, chairman of the WSWS International Editorial Board, noted on X/Twitter in response to the Washington Post article on the crisis:

It would appear that the government cannot account for the whereabouts of 700,000 mobilized soldiers. What has happened to them? Zelensky claims that only 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed. But the fact that the Ukrainian regime cannot explain what has happened to 700,000 out of 1 million soldiers strongly indicates that the number of military deaths is a substantial multiple of the official KIA figure claimed by Zelensky. NATO has bled Ukraine white.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 11. A meeting of agriculture ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will be held in Kazakhstan from March 17 to 19, the official representative of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry Aibek Smadiarov said during a briefing, Trend reports.

"The 3rd meeting of agriculture ministers of member and observer countries of the Organization of Turkic States and the Turkic Agrarian Business Forum will be held in the city of Taraz from March 17 to 19, 2024," he said.

According to him, the event will be attended by the ministers of agriculture of the member and observer countries of the Organization of Turkic States, as well as representatives of interested business communities.

"The ministers are expected to adopt a joint communique on the development of agriculture in the OTS countries following the meeting," Smadiarov said.

To note, the OTS include Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, and Uzbekistan while Hungary, Northern Cyprus, and Turkmenistan are observer states in the organization.

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Sweden joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Thursday, officially becoming its 32nd member. Stockholms succession to the military alliance completes the encirclement of Russias Western border with hostile states and effectively turns the Baltic Sea into a NATO-dominated lake.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, poses for a photo with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson holding Sweden's NATO Instruments of Accession in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the State Department, Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Washington. [AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel]

The accession last year of Finland, which shares a 1,000-kilometre border with Russia, and now Sweden to NATO was aggressively pushed by the imperialist powers, above all the United States, Britain, and Germany. They seized on the US-incited Russian invasion of Ukraine to open a northern front against Moscow, which is seen as critical in the imperialists war to subordinate Russia to the status of a semi-colony and plunder its natural resources.

Underlining Washingtons leading role in NATOs expansion, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson flew not to NATO headquarters in Brussels, but to Washington DC to deposit Swedens official instrument of accession and participate in a joining ceremony. During the State of the Union Thursday evening, President Joe Biden singled out Kristersson in the audience, asking him to stand as he argued for an intensification of the conflict with Russia. One day earlier, the United States Air Force flew a B-1 and B-52 bomber at low altitude over the downtown of Swedens capital, Stockholm. The two bombers are capable of dropping a combined payload of 64 nuclear bombs and missiles, enough to destroy every major population center in Western Russia.

Sweden is joining NATO at an inflection point in the war in Ukraine. In late February, French President Emmanuel Macron publicly declared that NATO is considering sending ground troops to Ukraine, a move that would result in a direct war with Russia and risk a catastrophic nuclear conflagration. Four other NATO statesCanada, Lithuania, the Netherlands and most recently Polandindicated they would be ready to send ground forces. On Friday, March 1, a leaked conversation between top German generals exposed advanced discussion and planning on supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons that could strike several hundred kilometers into Russian territory. The leak also revealed that Britain already has a small number of troops on the ground, which London later admitted.

As Kristersson left for Washington, a massive NATO exercise involving some 20,000 ground troops, more than 100 warplanes, and over 50 frigates and submarines got started in the Arctic regions of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Nordic Response 2024 is an expansion of the long-standing Cold Response exercise organised by the Norwegian military into a regional war game made possible by Finland and Swedens NATO membership. Nordic Response is a component of NATOs Steadfast Defender, which amounts to a massive mobilisation of 90,000 troops throughout the Nordic and Baltic regions, as well as Germany and Poland in the coming months.

The USS Gunston Hall prepares to conduct well deck operations with Swedish CB90-class fast assault craft during "Steadfast Defender" in the Norwegian Sea, Feb. 28, 2024. [Photo: US Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Danielle Serocki ]

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who has recently declared the necessity for Germany to be ready to fight a war with Russia in five to eight years, was in northern Norway as the maneuvers began. He proposed a stronger German military presence along Norways 198-kilometre Arctic border with Russia. Its actually clear that here in the Arcticthe northern seathe threads come together, so to speak, he said, pointing to the presence of extensive Russian freight traffic and military submarines.

These developments make clear that American imperialism and its European allies are determined to escalate the war with Russia, a process triggered by a deepening crisis of the Ukrainian armed forces. Ukrainian forces have retreated from Avdiivka. Amid massive casualties endured by Ukraine, with some estimates as high as 500,000 fatalities, the Zelensky government is having difficulty finding more troops to fight off a Russian advance.

More fundamentally, however, the war with Russia arises out of the irreconcilable contradictions of crisis-ridden capitalism, which are driving the major powers to engage in another redivision of the world. The subjugation of Russia is seen as essential by Washington and its European allies to secure dominance over the Eurasian landmass and prepare for military conflict with China.

During the ceremony and short press conference in Washington, Kristersson repeatedly described Sweden joining NATO as coming home. Indirectly, Kristersson was alluding to the fact that for the entire post-war period the small, but economically powerful country remained formally neutral, despite being closely integrated into the US-led economic and geopolitical order.

For decades, the Swedish ruling class has desired to join NATOworking closely with US and European military and intelligence services despite not being a member. However, widespread opposition to war, including US imperialism, in the Swedish population, prevented it. In 2014, only 28 percent of the Swedish population was in favor of joining NATO. But at the beginning of 2024, 63 percent of the population approved of joining NATO, according to the polling company Ipsos. This shift was largely due to a hysterical anti-Russia campaign embraced by all major parties that reached its high point in early 2022 when Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in response to Western provocations.

In an address to the nation from Washington broadcast Thursday evening, Kristersson went out of his way to applaud the consensus across the entire political establishment for Swedens NATO membership, ranging from the Social Democrats to the fascistic Sweden Democrats. He praised his predecessor Magdalena Andersson, who headed a Social Democrat-led government when Sweden formally applied for NATO membership in May 2022. Kristerssons conservative Moderate Party and the Social Democrats had worked together at every step along the way, he commented.

Swedens accession to NATO came almost a year after Finland joined in April 2023. The delay was primarily due to opposition from Hungary and Turkey, with the latter seeking to extort concessions from Stockholm over the repatriation of Kurdish nationalists, and from Washington on the supply of military equipment. Hungarys President, Tams Sulyok, signed the bill approving Swedens ascension to NATO on Tuesday.

Kristerssons praise for Andersson and former Social Democrat prime minister of Finland Sanna Marin as key players in both countries NATO membership, was entirely justified. While Kristerssons signature confirmed Swedens NATO membership, political responsibility for transforming Sweden into a frontline state in the imperialist powers war on Russia rests squarely with the Social Democrats and ex-Stalinist Left Party.

Like their counterparts internationally, Swedens nominal left-wing parties have moved sharply to the right over the past four decades. When in power between 2014 and 2022, the Social Democrats, backed by the Greens and Left party, initiated a sharp increase in military spending, reintroduced military service, enacted budget cuts and privatizations, championed let it rip COVID policies, and clamped down on immigration.

In his national address, Kristersson noted that it has been 30 years since Sweden joined NATOs Partnership for Peace programme and 15 years since the country obtained permanent representation at NATOs Brussels headquarters. Social Democrat-led governments backed by the Left Party during this period oversaw the deployment of Swedish troops on NATO interventions, including the neocolonial occupation of Afghanistan, and in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar, while not openly voting for NATO, for fear of retribution from her membership, essentially stated her agreement in 2022. She said that if Sweden joined NATO, it was important that we do this together as one people and one nation. I dont often agree with Carl Bildt [former conservative prime-minister and NATO advocate], but on this question I do. Theres the left-wing and theres the right-wing, but the Swedish military is all Swedes together. Such pro-militarist and nationalist perspectives have nothing to do with left, let alone, genuine socialist politics.

Sweden is rapidly increasing its military budget. Kristersson bragged during the ceremony in Washington, that Sweden has doubled its defense budget to spend the NATO requirement of 2 percent of GDP on defence this year. His government has announced an increase in the military budget by 64 percent between 2022 and 2028. Sweden has likewise sent over a billion dollars worth of arms to Ukraine and hosted major military exercises.

Kristersson also noted that Sweden was increasing its numbers of conscripts and reintroducing civilian service, noting, we have prepared for this task for quite a while. New advertisements for the military have become a common sight in major Swedish cities, like Stockholm and Gothenburg, over the past two years.
Zara [an alias], a dedicated English teacher for over 20 years, contacted the World Socialist Web Site to speak about her dismissal as a supply teacher for speaking to her pupils about the situation in Gaza during a class debate on propaganda and the power of words. Her comments are posted below.

Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli airstrike on the El-Remal aera in Gaza City on October 9, 2023. [Photo by Palestinian News & Information Agency (Wafa) in contract with APAimages / CC BY 3.0

***

A key part of teaching English is helping students to develop the skill of reading between the lines. We must teach those skills in the English Language paper 1 and 2 and the English Literature paper. They are analytical skills. A large part of what the exam boards ask in their questions is basically recognising bias in text, which includes looking at propaganda and tone.

The background of an author and their own views and what they went througha lot of that seeps through in the writing. Pupils must be able to recognise what message the writer is trying to get across. There are the hidden meanings to recognise, such as satire or bias. Context is a key part, whether it is a Shakespearian text or Victorian, to truly understand the characters and events in their time. And if it is a modern text too, followed by how you can make links to what is happening now.

You are getting pupils to think and be critical and analytical so they can express their views and opinions on what is happening to them and around the world. It is a vital skill, and they are supposed to be quite open and explore that and discuss that. This is what encourages them to be open minded and critical.

For 20 or so years, it has been fine. Whether it was teaching [George Orwells] Animal Farm, dealing with Stalin and Russia, Lord of the Flies or works related to World War One or Two, such as The Diary of Anne Frank, and the Holocaust. I never thought there would come a time where we are not allowed to talk about things as openly as we once did.

I started at a school I had worked at before and with a good relationship with the students. In the second week we were looking at The Book Thief and how Jews were being treated by the Nazis, rounded up, starving in chains, and paraded through the streets. So much of this was resonating with what is happening in real timehow Palestinians are being treated in Gaza and the West Bank.

In one lesson about propaganda and the power of words, part of the lesson was for pupils to think about and express their ideas on Hitlers propaganda. We had a discussion on climate change protests and someone asked about the Gaza protests in London.

Hundreds of thousands of people march through central London in protest at the genocide on Gaza and UK involvement in the bombing of Yemen, January 14, 2024

It reminded me that when the war in Ukraine broke out, we had to change a whole scheme of work to involve todays politics. Why should we suddenly glorify Ukraine? It seemed like there was an agenda.

Ironically the lesson I was challenged over was about the power of words and propaganda. A pupil asked whether Hamas was a terrorist organisation. I was totally neutral and explained this and did not express a personal view.

Some of the children were discussing about how the Palestinians are trying to defend their land. My job is not to engage in a political discussion with them, so I drew things to a close and we finished reading the chapter. I encouraged them at the end to not argue, but to listen to each others differing views and to understand each other.

Weve not been given any guidance about how to talk about this. We are expected to teach about things like the Holocaust, which are political, and now we are expected us to keep our lips sealed on Gaza. Why?

On the day after the discussion, I had just arrived in the classroom and was asked to have a word with the safeguarding officer, with a replacement teacher staying with the pupils. When I got to the office, management started to question me about what happened in the lesson. I was asked, Did you draw a map? I said, If you call that squiggle on the board to explain where Gaza and the West Bank is, then yes, I did draw a bit of a map.

They responded, So you told them to educate themselves? Did you tell them where to go and educate themselves?

They then asked why didnt you go straight to safeguarding when this happened? I said it was at the end of the day and I did write a text, but I didnt send it and so I showed it to them.

They said this would be discussed with the deputy head and they didnt want me to be around the kids as I was still under investigation. I felt so upset as they were making out that I was a criminal.

The safeguarding officer said they were going to have to let me go as parents had complained about the lesson.

I couldnt believe what I was hearing and said, Surely by you doing this now, you are encouraging that child and his family to think what he said was right. Thats the message you are sending out. Effectively, you have shown that the pro-Palestinian peoples voices will be silenced.

They were not bothered because I was only a supply teacher, otherwise they would have had to go through lengthy procedures.

The school have encouraged something, and others can see what has happened, i.e., do not talk about Palestine. The directives are coming from the top.

The point has been reached where they only want you to teach what the system is prepared to allow, hiding what doesnt suit them politically. Its all biased. Theres a massive crisis in the Middle East, which is probably going to filter out to us. They dont want children to know that and ask us to keep pushing a false narrative.

A lot of pupils can see this because they are working-class and can see that the Palestinians are struggling. They may not be aware of the millions being spent on war, but they talk about the state of the National Health Service and how health care has been broken down. The whole system is broken. There is the housing crisis, the rising cost of food and many are having to go to foodbanks. They cant even keep themselves warm. They talk about being allowed one hour of heating and then blankets only.

Youve got children that can tell you all this. Some tell you they barely see their mum as shes working two jobs.

Then when they learn that the government is spending billions on weapons, they say, Miss, they always tell us they havent got any money. So how have they got so much to spend there?

I think Im done with the whole parliament and the main parties. Somehow you are always coerced into making the same decisions. Theres nothing progressive happening and no real help. Those in parliament are for the elite and rich. How have they got the right to make judgments and decisions for the masses?

The few shouldnt be making the decisions for the majority, so for me the whole parliament thing is rubbish, as is the system. This system is not working and money is being squeezed by our leaders, like Scrooge, and people are in dire straits. We need something socialist for working-class people.

Gaza is a huge warning to the working class. If people do not stand up today collectively, then they will be forever silenced and be slaves to capitalist exploiters.
World Socialist Web Site reporters spoke to some of the hundreds of thousands attending Saturdays protest in London against Israels genocidal onslaught on Gaza. Further interviews from London, Manchester and Inverness are posted below.

London

Katie said, I have friends in Gaza. I know people who are in tents now whove lost members of their family. Aid cant get through and its creating a famine situation. Its deeply wrong and we are watching it unfold in front of our eyes. Its deeply disappointing that Labour have allowed it to continue.

Katie opposed Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks slander of anti-genocide protests as the work of extremists. Ive been to many protests and I havent seen any [extremism]. People just want to stand on the right side of history and to demand justice. That doesnt mean theyre inciting hate. This is supposed to be a democracy and we have to speak out.

Journalist Gary said, If you think this all started on October 7, you just need to do a little bit of research. Just go back a little bit in history and youll understand why were all here.

Im dressed like this [in the protective gear worn by media workers in warzones] to honour the journalists who risk their lives to show us whats going on in Gaza. Its all in Americas hands. Theyre the force behind it.

Sunaks speech was disgusting. Ive never heard anything as stupid in my life. Saying Jewish kids are walking down the street and feeling scared. How are Palestinian kids feeling?

Haxhi said, The Palestinians have nothing to eat! The government is shameful. They want to shut down protests. Where is our freedom? As for [Labour leader] Keir Starmer, he is doing nothing.

Manchester

Kris, a 30-year-old graduate said, Ive been aware of the Palestinian struggles for a few years. It seemed very obscure when I was growing up, and then on October 7 the incursion into Israel has led to the oppression of the Palestinian people that I havent seen in my lifetime.

In 2006 [during Israeli army raids into Gaza and the West Bank] I was a kid and couldnt do much about it, but this time Im older and aware, and I dont want my tax money spent on funding genocide. I dont want to feel that I did nothing. In times of history like slavery, I wouldnt want to be on the side of the slave owners then and the genocide now.

Kris

We can all see the threats to the democratic process, and its not about George Galloway personally [Galloway won the Rochdale by-election on a platform of opposition to the Gaza genocide]. Do I agree with George Galloway? No. But do I think its a good thing to see the establishment getting knocked back. Whoevers knocking Labour and Tory party members out of their seats at the next election Im all for it.

The only people getting heard are [party] donors, but when we want to get our voices heard, they say thats a threat to the democratic process. In this system my voice doesnt get heardbut the corporations which fund the parties get heard. Thats capitalism, and that doesnt work for us. I think people will start to wake up to that. There will be more threats about how were upsetting the democratic process, but it shows how afraid they are of a popular movement.

The Labour Party wont get my vote in the next election. They havent represented my interests, my values for a long time. Keir Starmer is a regeneration of Tony Blair. All the same rhetoric from the Tories comes out of the mouths of Labour. Theyre effectively the same party. Theyre talking all the same points on austerity, on law and order and being tougher on the working class, being tougher on people already in desperate situations.

Whenever theres a real popular global movement they will try to quell it with acts of war. They will try to get us to all fight a war against the Russians, the Chinese, the Iranians, then we are not going to mobilise at home. This rhetoric of warmongering were hearing, if we look back in history, we can see it was the same before World War I against the popular womens movement and more rights for children and men. They said lets go and fight a needless war over land conquest.

Were in the final throes of capitalism, its getting to the stage where the inequality is worse than ever. Once you could get onto the home ownership ladder but that doesnt exist anymore. The opportunities we get are less and less, and more people are going to turn towards socialism. They wont let it go easily, but were not going to give up fighting either.

Kris expressed interest in the upcoming public meeting in Manchester to outline a strategy to fight for the freedom of Julian Assange. I fully support freedom of the press. Its a damning indictment of the western governments of supposedly having democracy and free speech that someone who criticises them and reveals information that they didnt want is treated like Julian Assange. If the Russian government treated journalists that way, then all the western governments would be up in arms.

The hypocrisy is far from limited to Julian Assangethe condemning by imperialism of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan only to invade it themselves later. Look at the Israel/Palestine situation and compare it to the Ukraine/Russia situation and see how differently self-determination, self-defence is seen when its an ally than when its not your ally.

Yes, Free Julian Assange!

Teaching assistant Zeeshan said he joined the Manchester protest because I stand for truth, and what is a truly global issue affecting everyone. We are entering a period where human life is increasingly devalued. Its something we should all stand up against, in our thought, our speech and our action.

Its sad to see whats happening, but at the same time its also heartening to see that protests are happening every week to show there are people out there who are awake, who are willing to say no and are offering an alternative.

Zeeshan

The Labour party is part of the establishment. The two-party system is really a one-party system. Im from Rochdale so I campaigned for George Galloway. That was a turning point in showing how many people are dissatisfied with not only Labour but with British politics.

What really needs to happen is a campaign across the board that posits a unifying vision that changes not only Britain but the world.

I do agree with what you say about Jeremy Corbyn, he cant seem to let go of the Labour Party. In regard to the workers movement being Trotskyist, and global, I agree 100 percent. Palestine is a global issue, so is the working class.

In a time of mass austerity, of political repression increasing day-by-day, standing on a global platform and workers struggles are the way to go.

Inverness

Jana, a 23-year-old student, said, The police state that Sunak is making is trying to scare people to not speak up, not look into whats going on. They are trying to keep people ignorant of whats going on in Palestine, trying to limit or criminalise the information we can receive. Ignorance is not bliss, ignorance kills and I think we should all be as informed as possible about whats going on.

They are trying to take away our democratic rights like freedom of speech, they attack our right to protest. The attack on Assange should serve as a warning to us of what they are capable of. But we shouldnt be scared away. This should make us fight harder.

Jana (left) and Ella

We have a duty to defend those who cannot defend themselves. I dont have to flee into the desert tomorrow just to stay alive, and as long as people are suffering I will come to as many protests as I can, regardless of what Sunak says. The dead cannot speak, but we can.

I dont think there is a sustainable future for our generation under capitalism. We shouldnt expect the oppressed just to lie down and take it. But we also shouldnt expect the oppressor to sit still either! We should take action.

There are so many of us that if we all band together, if we knew our power, we could stop this. We all need to protest and all need to bring them down. Powers like the UK and US are 100 percent complicit in the genocide of the Palestinians.

These protests are not antisemitic. The government are playing on the horrors of World War II and what happened to the Jews to justify genocide. The support for Palestine has nothing to do with race, religion, gender. This is about humanity, letting people live their lives, opposing war and defending life. There are children in Palestine who will never have a childhood. This has nothing to do with antisemitism.

They have been putting the prices up on everything, bringing wages down, but all of our public money is being spent on war. Without the working class, they are nothing. Thats why we should band together. We will not roll over and take this.

Ella, aged 16, said, Its so hypocritical for Sunak to say the protests are antisemitic or bigoted. Sunak deliberately incites bigotry all the time with his raft of Islamophobic comments and his support for anti-trans bills! Workers might face huge repercussions for speaking out and be branded antisemitic.

I support the Socialist Equality Partys call for workers to bring down the Sunak government. They dont speak for me; they only defend their own interests. The government are trying to make an example out of Julian Assange because they are preparing more crimes and they dont want us to speak out.

Capitalism doesnt offer an alternative anywhere. Even here, people reach 16 or 18 and find themselves in really difficult situations. If we can find work then its not good-paying work, it grinds you down, over-works you and then replaces you like a piece of machinery. Thats not a way to live a life, its exploitation.

They only offer the bare necessities and sometimes not even that. Our generations should have better prospects than genocide and poverty. One of the things that make humans special and unique is our creativity, our art, our ability to produce and create and our knowledge. With the way our society is run, we dont have avenues to express this, grow this. Were not allowed to have this.

People shouldnt feel frightened to speak out against the genocide. Dont let their threats intimidate you.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 11. A business visit of Kazakhstan's Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev to China will take place from March 18 through 24, 2024, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Aibek Smadiarov said during the briefing, Trend reports.

"Arman Shakkaliev, Kazakhstan's Minister of Trade and Integration, will undertake a working visit to China, specifically to Urumqi, Chengdu, and Beijing, from March 18 through 24, 2024. During the visit, meetings will be held with the leaders of several Chinese regions (XUAR, Sichuan) and leading local firms," he said.

According to him, a key purpose of the visit will be to enhance commercial and economic links between Kazakhstan and China, as well as to examine opportunities for collaboration in a variety of sectors such as trade, investment, technology, and scientific research.

"In addition, a significant B2B forum in Chengdu will be a venue for representatives of Kazakh and Chinese firms to discuss prospective joint projects, expand collaborations, and seek out new prospects," Smadiyarov said.

To note, China is Kazakhstan's largest trading partner. Thus, at the end of last year, Kazakh-Chinese trade turnover was $31.4 billion. This is 30 percent more than the same period in 2022 ($24.2 billion).

Meanwhile, within the framework of trade turnover, exports to China during the period were $14.7 billion, 14.7 percent more than in JanuaryDecember 2022 ($13 billion).



Furthermore, imports from China surged by 50.5 percent from January through December 2023, reaching $16.7 billion. Imports for 2022 totaled $11.1 billion.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 11. Trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Italy amounted to $90.729 million in 2023 (0.6 percent of Kyrgyzstans total trade), which is 92.9 percent more than in 2022 ($47.042 million), Trend reports.

According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the countrys exports to Italy totaled $1.815 million (0.1 percent of the countrys total exports). This figure increased by 7.9 times compared to 2022 ($228,400).

Kyrgyzstans imports from Italy totaled $88.914 million last year, which is an increase of 90 percent compared to 2022 ($46.814 million). This accounted for 0.7 percent of Kyrgyzstans total imports.

Overall, Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover reached $15.660 billion in 2023, which is a 29.9 percent increase compared to 2022 ($12.057 billion). The country's exports totaled $3.308 billion, rising by 46.8 percent year-on-year ($2.254 billion in 2022). Imports to Kyrgyzstan amounted to $12.352 billion, which is 26 percent higher than $9.803 billion in 2022.
In addition to his Oscars Best Picture announcement, theres something else combining Al Pacino and reading on the way  his memoir.

Pacino has announced that his memoir, Sonny Boy, will be published this fall by Penguin Press.

More from Deadline

I wrote Sonny Boy to express what Ive seen and been through in my life, Pacino said to People. It has been an incredibly personal and revealing experience to reflect on this journey and what acting has allowed me to do and the worlds it has opened up.

Pacino will discuss his childhood in the Bronx, including his days at the High School of Performing Arts in New York.

Sonny Boy will also detail Pacinos career, from avant-garde New York theater to his most famous roles and collaborations.

The memoir will be published in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats, with Pacino narrating the audiobook.

Pacino has been nominated for the Academy Award nine times, for films like The Godfather, Dog Day Afternoon and The Irishman. He won an Oscar in 1992 for his role as Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in Scent of a Woman.

Sonny Boy: A Memoir will be published on Oct. 8 and is now available for pre-order.

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The pair opened up to PEOPLE on Sunday about the negativity they've experienced since going public with their romance

Amanda Edwards/Getty Alexis Bellino and John Janssen attend the DIRECTV 'Streaming with the Stars' Oscars event at Spago on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.

Alexis Bellino and John Janssen aren't listening to the noise surrounding their romance.

On Sunday, The Real Housewives of Orange County duo made their red carpet couple debut at the DIRECTV Streaming with the Stars Oscars Viewing Party  a milestone they tell PEOPLE they were happily celebrating.

"We're finally at a point where we feel comfortable enough to be like, 'Here we are,' " says Bellino, noting how their romance was first made public when fans shared photos of their date nights. "Those were all by other people, this was our choice to come out tonight. And we couldn't be happier or more in love."

They certainly were inseparable at the event, holding hands all night at Spago in Beverly Hills, California, and posing for photographers with their arms around one another. Bellino, 47, wore a yellow and silver sequin mini dress with a plunging neckline and chain details, while Janssen, 61, kept it classic and monochromatic in a grey suit with light grey shirt.



Amanda Edwards/Getty Alexis Bellino and John Janssen attend the DIRECTV 'Streaming with the Stars' Oscars event at Spago on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California

Related: Alexis Bellino Dating John Janssen, Shannon Beador's Ex, amid Rumored RHOC Return (Exclusive)

Bravo fans have been abuzz about their pairing since the two met through mutual friends in November 2023. PEOPLE confirmed the two were dating that December, sharing an exclusive photo of them posing arm in arm.

Bellino and Janssen's romance come after they both experience heartbreak.

In September, PEOPLE confirmed Bellino and her fiance Andy Bohn had split, ending their engagement three years after he proposed in December 2020.

Meanwhile, Janssen previously dated RHOC star Shannon Storms Beador for three and a half years. He pulled the plug on their romance in November 2022, a week after filming wrapped on season 17 of the hit Bravo series. The two remained friends but stopped speaking in late September, not long after her she was arrested for a DUI.

Nydia Alvarez Alexis Bellino and John Janssen, in a photo shared exclusively with PEOPLE in December 2023

It's Janssen's previous relationship with Storms Beador, 59, that has placed controversy on his romance with Bellino.

After news broke they were dating, RHOC fans questioned their coupling on social media. Storms Beador even slammed Janssen in the press for dating Bellino, telling E! News in December that she's "hurt" and still trying to figure out "how to process" the romance after Janssen told her he didn't want to be in the public eye anymore.

Other RHOC stars, including Storms Beador's friend Vicki Gunvalson, have also come out against Bellino and Janssen.

None of the remarks are phasing the happy couple now  though Bellino admits to PEOPLE on Sunday they "crawled in a hole" at first. "I would say it's been bad, but at some point you get numb and then you make the decision just to not look at it," says Janssen. "You have to not look at it. We're focused on each other."

"A hundred percent, I couldn't have said it better," adds Bellino. "We did take it kind of slow, as far as wanting America to know exactly where we stood. And now we're at the point where it's like, we're focused on the future and we're moving forward. You either take us or leave us; you either accept that we're dating or you hate it. But if you don't want us to be together, then swipe left on the Instagram  don't follow my page. Turn the other way if you don't like it, because here we are."

Alexis Bellino/Instagram Alexis Bellino and John Janssen

Related: Alexis Bellino Returning to RHOC as a Friend amid Relationship with Costar Shannon Beador's Ex

Bellino is returning to RHOC for season 18 as a Friend of the show, after departing the series in season 8.

That's put her face to face with Storms Beador and Gunvalson, with whom she says she's already filmed. "You'll just have to wait to see what happens," Bellino teases.

Gunvalson, 61, was also at Sunday's DIRECTV party  though the couple kept their distance from "The OG of the OC."

"I don't mind seeing Vicki, but I don't appreciate the characterization she'd made about Alexis and myself and our relationship," notes Janssen. "Not appreciated and inaccurate."



As for Storms Beador's claim that Janssen is dating Bellino for fame, he denies that. "I've been accused of wanting to be in front of the camera, but you'll have to watch the show and see if that's true," says Janssen, Bellino noting that "You won't really see him."

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.



Past seasons of The Real Housewives of Orange County can be streamed on Peacock.

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A vegan market in New York says the baked goods they ordered came decorated with the chain's signature "D" sprinkles

Getty Stock image of donuts

The owners of a Long Island, New York-based vegan market are claiming that the donuts they ordered from a local vegan bakery were actually from Dunkin  and a state agency is investigating.

The evidence for the accusation? Dunkin's signature "D" sprinkles.

Cindysnacks co-owners John Stengel and Indiana Cindy Kay first posted on Instagram on March 3. They said the items they purchased from The Savory Fig were delivered by baker Michelle Siriana on Feb. 23.

I (John) immediately became concerned as to why this one donut was decorated differently than all the others and in such a strikingly similar way to a recognizable chain, Stengel wrote on the social media platform.

The accompanying carousel begins with a photo of a donut with a pale pink glaze and orange and magenta sprinkles that appear to be in a D shape, similar to those found on Dunkins donuts.

I pulled all of the items delivered out of our racks immediately and stored them in the back out of precaution until I could confirm what was or wasnt happening here, Stengel continued.

Related: Dunkin Drops New Winter Menu  Including the Return of the Pink Velvet Macchiato

In the next slide, Stengel showed correspondence allegedly between him and Siriana.

"These are definitely not Dunkin' Donuts! If you don't wanna put them out, don't. But they are not Dunkin' Donuts!" reads one text.

In another exchange, Stengel asks to see the container that the "D" sprinkles allegedly came from and a reply reads, "I could send you the picture later. I made a bunch of donuts for someone's birthday."

When Stengel responds that he's seen the same sprinkles at Dunkin', the response says, "I would never do that!"

The following morning, Stengel appears to get a follow-up message that includes an Amazon link and reads, "I'm still out in Montauk visiting my boyfriend. I won't be back till this afternoon. These are the sprinkles that I bought for the kids birthday party."

I raised my concerns respectfully, hoping a simple explanation with confirming evidence would clear this up, Stengel wrote. We (Cindy and I) were not given satisfactory answers nor evidence and in that moment knew deep down how bad this was. Still trying to hold out hope that our trusted fellow vegan small business wasnt doing something so horrific, we scoured the internet for possible sprinkle dupes that would make it make sense.

Stengel says they bought the colored sprinkles that Siriana identified as the ones she used, which he claims are not labeled vegan, nor do they match the sprinkles on the donut he received.

The market owners then ordered an at-home gluten test, which they say found that the donut in question contained substantial amounts of gluten.

We can only assume, given this recognizable logo design, where these donuts really came from and what other ingredients they might contain, Stengel wrote. We have cut all personal and business ties with this person effective immediately. We are mortified that we provided any of her products to our customers and our own family.

Neither Cindysnacks owners nor Siriana have responded to PEOPLEs request for comment. The Savory Figs Instagram account appears to have been deactivated.

Related: See All of Ben Affleck's Hilarious Dunkin' Commercials (Including His 2024 Super Bowl Ad)

Cindysnacks posted an update on Instagram on March 6 saying the company had contacted the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Food Safety and Inspection, which was launching an investigation into the matter.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The post also said that Cindysnacks had alerted the Suffolk County Department of Health about what happened and was looking into other avenues to ensure accountability is met.

A New York State Department of Agriculture spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement, "Ensuring the safety and proper labeling of our food supply is a critical function of the Department, which includes overseeing home processors in New York State. The Department has received several complaints regarding this home processing business and is conducting a full investigation."

The spokesperson added that even though Savory Fig is registered as a "home processor," and thus exempt from certain licensing requirements, it still must clearly identify all allergens in products.

PEOPLE also reached out to the Suffolk County Department of Health, and was told that if Cindysnacks filed an official complaint, they would have been referred to New York State Agriculture & Markets, which oversees home processors.

While Cindysnacks said they wont be issuing further statements on the situation, they explained on Instagram that they shared the initial post with the safety of the vegan community in mind.

We want to make it clear that we came forward with this information to keep our community of local vegans and those with food allergies safe from future harm, the post added.



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Read the original article on People.
Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.

Off the Record is an episode of Death by Fame that will be aired on ID on Monday, March 11, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET. It will revolve around the 2002 killing of Run DMCs Jam Master Jay. The murder remained unsolved for over 20 years before two men were convicted of the murder in 2024.

Jam Master Jay was a disc jockey of Run-DMC who was shot dead in his recording studio in Queens on October 30, 2002. Born as Jason Mizell, Jay was raised on the 203rd street. His mother was a school teacher, and his father was a social worker. He was one of three siblings. According to NBC News, Darren Big D Jordan was his closest friend who lived across the street from him.

Darren Jordan and Jam Master Jays families were well-acquainted with each other. Jay was even the godfather of Karl Jordan Jr., Jordans son. When Jays family moved to Hollis, he got carried away by a group of people who were burglarizing homes. He then had to serve time in juvenile detention. When he got out, he became one of the founding members of Run-DMC.

After the fatal shooting that resulted in Jam Master Jays death on October 30, 2002, no arrests were made until Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington were arrested in 2020. They were charged with the murder almost two decades after the murder. Ronald Washington was Jam Master Jays childhood friend, while Karl Jordan Jr. was reportedly his godson. They alleged that the accused were armed when they entered the 24/7 recording studio on Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens. They entered at around 7:30 p.m. on the day of the killing, per ABC News.

Who was convicted of Jam Master Jays murder?

Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington were both found guilty of the 2002 killing of Jam Master Jay. Ronal Washington, aka Tinard, and Karl Jordan Jr., who is popularly known as Little D and Noid, were found guilty of one count of murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking. They were also found guilty of one count of firearm-related murder for the shooting of Jam Master Jay, ABC News reported.

Prosecutors alleged that the murder followed after Jam Master Jay decided he was going to cut both Washington and Jordan out of a cocaine distribution deal. The deal involved around 10 kilograms of cocaine that were procured from a narcotics supplier in the Midwest.

As per CNN, the verdict came after a series of witnesses came forward to give testimonies against Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington. For nearly two decades since the shooting, not a single arrest has been made about the case.

According to the prosecutors, Jam Master Jay was involved in managing the sale of large quantities of cocaine between the 1990s and 2000s. Among the many deals, a drug deal worth almost $200,000 led to a dispute that led to his murder.

The Death by Fame episode Off the Record will air on ID on Monday, March 11, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET. It will reportedly delve into the secret double life of Jam Master Jay, who apparently advocated against substance abuse. It will also explore the circumstances that surrounded his mysterious murder.

The post Death by Fame: What Happened to Jam Master Jay? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
A suspected drug overdose and the forces of nature soured the 2024 Pitch Music & Arts festival, a long-weekend camping festival in Victoria, Australia which wrapped its seventh edition.

Pill-testing is back in the national headlines after a 23-year-old man, who is understood to have consumed black-market drugs, died after being airlifted to The Alfred hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning.

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Our thoughts are with their family and friends. 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, reads a statement from organizers.

The identity of the man, from Niddrie in Melbournes northwest, has not been disclosed. We cannot comment further at this time given the necessity to protect the privacy of those affected, the statement continues.

As party-goers and their families absorbed the news of a suspected drug fatality, Greens spokesperson Aiv Puglielli called on the state government to shift gears and finally set up pill-testing at music events.

While this Labor government continues to stall, Puglielli adds in a statement young Victorian lives are being put at risk. Even with pure MDMA weve seen how extreme heat can deal a deadly blow. So with untested drugs circulating, this was truly a disaster waiting to happen.

According to the Guardian, two other men, aged in their 30s and 40s, were taken to East Grampians Health Service suffering suspected overdoses, and are said to be in a stable condition.

Pill testing was trialed at Canberras Spilt Milk festival in 2018, paving the way for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government launching the countrys first fixed-site health and drug checking service as a six-month pilot in July 2022. That service has now been extended to December 2024.

Victorias leadership, however, has no current plans to trial pill testing in the state, though a spokesperson told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation earlier in the year that $21 million of taxpayers money is spent each year on harm reduction activities, which include engaging with attendees at festivals and nightclubs.

Pitch is produced by Untitled Group, the largest independent music and events company in Australia, whose festival brands include Beyond The Valley, Sun Cycle NYD, Grapevine Gathering, Wildlands, Ability Fest and more.

Earlier, Untitled scrubbed the final day of Pitch, set for Monday, March 11, as extreme heat swept through the state. Through consultation with authorities, reads a statement issued by organizers Sunday afternoon, we have been directed to cancel the remainder of Pitch Music & Arts 2024 in light of an updated extreme fire danger warning issued this afternoon for tomorrow.

The message continues, we have consistently followed the guidance of relevant authorities throughout the entire process.

Though guests werent in immediate danger, the statement continues, everyone on site was encouraged to calmly pack-up and move along.

The climate crisis is real, its here, and its ruined many festivals in this part of the world. According to Green Music Australia, the lobby body for music and the environment in Australia, over 45 music festivals in Australia have been partially or fully cancelled due to weather impacts since 2015. On top of that, notes CEO Berish Bilander, other cultural events have cited rising insurance premiums due to weather as a cause for cancelation.

Add Moomba Festival to that list; organizers scrapped Mondays parade, due to hazardous conditions.

Following two consecutive sold-out events in 2023 and 2022, Pitch, a celebration of music, arts, and community, brought back a ballot system for 2024.

The event was slated for March 8-12 in Moyston, about 140 miles west of Melbourne, coinciding with Victorias Labour Day long weekend.

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Fox News host Mark Levin tore into his colleague Kellyanne Conway for her appalling advocacy on behalf of TikTok as Congress looks to advance a bill that the social media company says would effectively ban it from the United States.

The conservative firebrands broadside against Conway is hardly the first time hes fired shots within the Fox News tent. Levin, who hosts a syndicated daily radio show alongside his weekend Fox News program, has regularly criticized other network personalities in the past when theyve run afoul of his hardline right-wing politics.

Politico reported over the weekend that Conway, a former senior Trump aide and longtime GOP pollster, is being paid by the conservative Club for Growth to lobby for TikTok on Capitol Hill. Jeff Yass, a billionaire Club for Growth donor, holds a 15 percent stake in TikToks parent company ByteDance, which has been accused by conservatives of taking its orders from the Chinese Communist Party.

TikTokers Came to D.C. to Lobby Congress. It Got Kinda Weird.

While the Club for Growth has been one of the rare vocal opponents on the right of Congress attempt to banish TikTok, many Republicans and China hawks have continued to stick to their guns, calling TikTok a national security threat. Levin reiterated his disdain for the site while taking aim at Conway this weekend.

This is not just appalling and disappointing, it is shocking, Levin tweeted on Saturday evening while sharing the Politico article about Conways lobbying.

Conways attempt to whip up Congressional support for TikTok comes as the House quickly moves to vote on a bill that would force the Beijing-based ByteDance to sell TikTok or face bans in American app stores. While GOP leadership remains enthusiastic about the legislation, former President Donald Trump suddenly reversed his stance on TikTok after the bill was unanimously advanced out of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Trump, who issued a court-halted executive order in August 2020 prohibiting transactions between ByteDance and American customers, defended TikTok in a Truth Social post on Thursday. Claiming the bill would only strengthen Facebook, Trump said I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people and that a TikTok ban would increase business for Facebook and Zuckerschmuck.

The ex-presidents about-face came shortly after he met with Yass while trying to shore up donations from the ultra-wealthy amid severe money woes for his campaign. During the Club for Growth meeting, Trump reportedly described Yass as fantastic while saying that hes back in love with the conservative group after a lengthy estrangement. Yass, meanwhile, is allegedly threatening to cut off donations to GOP lawmakers who support the bill.

Yass threat has prompted some MAGA supporters, including Trumps former chief strategist Steve Bannon, to suggest that the billionaire has bought the cash-strapped ex-president. Though former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and X owner Elon Musk have backed Trumps position, other Trump allies on Capitol Hill have continued to voice support for the bill.

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Senicar confirmed the couple were expecting their second baby at the beginning of March

Amy Sussman/Getty Nina Senicar and Jay Ellis attend the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Jay Ellis and his wife, Nina Senicar, have another baby on the way!

On Sunday, the Insecure actor, 42, and Senicar, 38, attended the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California, where the model proudly showed off her baby bump while posing for photographers.

Amy Sussman/Getty Nina Senicar attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Related: 'Top Gun: Maverick' Star Jay Ellis Says He Flew Tom Cruise's Christmas Cake to His Mexico Vacation

"Baby bump on the carpet ," Senicar wrote on Instagram alongside multiple photos of her and Ellis outside the event.

The Deadline actress also dressed to impress for the event, looking stunning in a floor-length black strapless Mach & Mach gown featuring ties down the front. She accessorized the glam look with glittering David Yurman jewelry and some red lipstick.

Meanwhile, Ellis looked dapper in a black suit and bow tie as he posed proudly beside his wife of nearly two years.

Stefanie Keenan/VF24/WireImage Jay Ellis and Nina Senicar attend the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Related: Jay Ellis Is Unaware of a 'Top Gun: Maverick' Sequel, but Says 'I'm Sure Every One of Us Would' Sign On

The couple, who tied the knot in Italy on July 9, 2022, are already parents to daughter Nora Grace, 4.

Ahead of the 2024 Oscars, on March 2, Senicar revealed on Instagram that they are expecting their second baby alongside some snaps of herself wearing a brown jumpsuit. "And just like that Baby Nr. 2 loading! ," she wrote.

Prior to getting married, the couple dated for five years. In January 2019, Ellis proposed during a trip to Bali.

They eventually tied the knot in Tuscany just over three years later after postponing their big day twice due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"We just really wanted everybody to have a good time and get to know each other. And most importantly, dance," Senicar told Vogue about their long-awaited wedding day.

"We come from two completely different sides of the world, different cultures, and backgrounds, and it was magical to see how all of that got mixed together in such a beautiful and spontaneous way with the people we love the most," she added.

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"I just feel like we need a vacation after throwing the craziest three-day party ever. But it was amazing. After everything that everyone has been through over the last few years to bring over 190 people together for three days in Tuscany and celebrate was surreal," Ellis said of the nuptials, per Vogue.

"Seeing all of our friends from different parts of our lives together smiling and laughing, connecting, forming their own friendships was such a huge part of what we wanted out of the weekend and the celebration. We wanted to create moments and memories that would last the rest of our lives," he continued.



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John Oliver slammed North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson on Sunday night, outing the 55-year-oldwho won the GOP nomination Tuesday for the states upcoming gubernatorial electionas a prime example of how Republicans have radicalized over social media.

It was just a matter of time before online trolls crossed over from ranting about policy to writing it, Oliver said on Last Week Tonight.

Oliver pointed out that Donald Trump boosted Robinsons political ambitions by calling him Martin Luther King on steroids at a rally earlier this month. The former president also described him as Martin Luther King times two and decided that Robinson should like the comparison. Do you know how racist you have to be to give a Black person a compliment that starts by quantifying their human value, and then ends with a demand? Oliver said Sunday in response. Its a lot.

Oliver had nothing complimentary to offer about Robinson, noting that his own feelings on MLK are at best, complicated, after the politician expressed skepticism about the aims of the civil rights movement.

Thats genuinely shocking. Not so much that someone is making controversial, inaccurate claims about the civil rights movement on a podcast, but that its happening without Joe Rogan occasionally popping in to say Thats wild, bro before pivoting to an ad for a protein supplement that promises to make your dick veinier, Oliver said.

Robinsons position that the sit-in protests at a Greensboro lunch counter in 1960 were counterproductive to free-market capitalism is not just the argument of an asshole, but an asshole on steroids, Oliver said. An asshole times two.

Oliver also criticized Robinson for supporting book bans and his outspoken opposition to gay rights, as seen in a 2021 speech at the Upper Room Church of God in Christ in Raleigh, where Robinson claimed that schools shouldnt recognize gay rights because there aint but two genders. He added: Two plus two dont equal transgender. It equals four.

Oliver countered: Its actually a great discursive tactic. Finish an incomprehensibly offensive rant with one incontrovertible fact.

On other issues, Robinson has supported an abortion ban at six weeks, and told at least one audience that our culture tells women to have sex and get an abortion to get out of trouble. Its all right to murder someone to get out of it, he said in 2021. Once you make a baby, its not your body anymore. Its yalls body.

To which Oliver replied: I will say, if the women of this country do think its all right to murder someone to get out of trouble, they are currently showing incredible restraint.

Restraint that Robinson apparently lacks, Oliver learned, after digging into Robinsons 2022 memoir, We Are The Majority!.

Oliver discovered that the current lieutenant governor joined Facebook in 2007 solely intending to write about pro wrestling, only to find that, much like pro wrestling, people feed off of outrage and fake drama. As Robinson wrote: I wanted people to read my page and go, What did he say? Did he really say that? And thats what happened.

Cut to last year, where Raleigh TV station WRAL uncovered Robinsons Facebook statements about Jewish people, which he subsequently walked back by calling them poorly worded.

Poorly worded is something like, You have been broken up with by me, Oliver replied.

I think the main issue there was his flagrant antisemitism being worded at all. This guy clearly isnt Martin Luther King on steroids. If anything, hes much more like your shittiest uncle on Ambien.

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With the conflict in Gaza looming large over Sunday's Oscars ceremony and sparking a pro-Palestinian protest outside the venue, director Jonathan Glazer gave the evening's most politically charged speech on the subject when he took the stage to accept the international film award for his Holocaust drama "The Zone of Interest."

Glazer, who is Jewish, directly linked his film's chilling depiction of a Nazi commandant's family blithely living just outside the walls of Auschwitz to the current crisis unfolding in Israel and Gaza.

All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present, not to say, Look what they did then; rather, what we do now,' Glazer said, reading a prepared speech. Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst. Its shaped all of our past and present.

Read more: The 2024 Oscar winners list

Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people, Glazer continued. Whether the victims of October 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims of this dehumanization  how do we resist?

As a kind of answer to that question, Glazer concluded by dedicating his Oscar to the memory of the real-life Polish woman depicted in the film who sneaked into the concentration camp at night to leave food for prisoners.

While Glazer's speech was met with applause inside the Dolby Theatre, where several Oscar attendees, including nominees Mark Ruffalo and Billie Eilish, wore pins supporting a cease-fire, the reaction on social media was far more polarized, with Glazer's comments drawing swift and blistering condemnation from supporters of Israel and several Jewish organizations.

Some, taking Glazer's words out of their full context, blasted Glazer for refuting his Jewishness itself, as opposed to rejecting its usage as a justification for the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

By saying he refutes his Jewishness on the biggest stage in the world five months after the attack on Israel, Jonathan Glazer has instantly made himself into one of Judaisms historical villains, Commentary editor John Podhoretz wrote on Twitter.

"I simply cannot fathom the moral rot in someone's soul that leads them to win an award for a movie about the Holocaust and with the platform given to them, to accept that award by saying, 'We stand here as men who refute their Jewishness,'" Newsweek opinion editor Batya Ungar-Sargon wrote on Twitter.

Read more: How the Oscars addressed wars in Ukraine and Gaza and the Hollywood strikes

Meghan McCain criticized the applause that the speech received, writing: "Lotta people in Hollywood showing their ass when a man gets on stage to 'refute his Jewishness' and half the room claps."

Others criticized Glazer for creating what they regard as a false moral equivalence between the extermination of 6 million Jews by the Nazis and the conflict between Israel and Hamas, arguing that it was the filmmaker who was hijacking the Holocaust.

In a statement posted Monday morning on X (formerly Twitter), the Anti-Defamation League wrote: "Israel is not hijacking Judaism or the Holocaust by defending itself against genocidal terrorists. Glazer's comments at the Oscars are both factually incorrect & morally reprehensible. They minimize the Shoah & excuse terrorism of the most heinous kind."

A spokesperson for the World Jewish Congress called Glazer's comments "an affront to the memory of those who endured the horrors of the Holocaust. There is no comparison between the Nazis' attempt to annihilate the Jewish people and the defensive war that Israel is waging in response to the October 7th attacks carried out by Hamas.

Read more: The top 5 takeaways from the 2024 Oscars, according to those who were there

Writing on X, Michael Freund, a former advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, called Glazer a self-hating Jew of the worst sort who exploits the Holocaust to attack Israel in public at the Oscars ceremony.

Speaking with The Times about "The Zone of Interest" earlier this year, Glazer said the film's depiction of the banality of evil that led to the Holocaust was intended as a kind of urgent wake-up call to those who think such horrors are only in the past.

Of course it speaks to this moment, he said. Of course it does. But its about who we are as a species and what we are capable of. I think the film has alarm in it. It certainly was made with that intention. Were trying to ring a warning.

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DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 11. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have discussed expanding cooperation in industry, agriculture, and energy sectors, including the production of "green energy," and the development of the "green economy," Trend reports.

According to the press service of the Tajik president, these topics were on the agenda during a meeting between Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon and Uzbekistan's Prime Minister, Abdulla Aripov. The Uzbek Prime Minister arrived in Tajikistan to participate in the regular session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, which will commence its work in Dushanbe.

The meeting addressed a range of issues related to the current state and prospects of the friendly, cooperative, and partnership relations between the two countries.

With mention of the growth in bilateral trade, which exceeded $504 million last year, it was emphasized that there are opportunities and resources for significantly increasing this figure.

Another major topic of discussion was exploring ways to expand scientific, technical, and cultural-educational ties.
The pair have been spotted in New York City several times in recent months

Amy Sussman/Getty Nicole Brydon Bloom and Justin Theroux at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars party in Los Angeles on March 10, 2024

Justin Theroux and Nicole Brydon Bloom stepped out together for the first time on the red carpet at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars party on Sunday.

Theroux, 52, and Bloom, 29, made for a dashing couple, wearing all-black at the illustrious bash in Los Angeles as they made their relationship public.

The pair have been spotted in New York City several times in recent months. In October, they were photographed leaving a gym together, dressed in casual attire. Theroux and Bloom also dined with another couple at Altro Paradiso restaurant in August, sharing a kiss, laughing and making a stop at Ray's Bar, which Theroux co-owns with Nicholas Braun.

A New York-based actress, Bloom portrayed Caroline Stuyvesant in season 2 of The Gilded Age. She has also appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and 1BR.

Related: Justin Theroux and Actress Nicole Brydon Bloom Step Out Together in New York City

Amy Sussman/Getty Nicole Brydon Bloom and Justin Theroux

Theroux was previously married to Jennifer Aniston from 2015 until their divorce in February 2018. The actor discussed his discomfort with being in a "public relationship" during an interview with Esquire in May 2023



"There's something to, once you're out of that, where I want all of my relationships to exist within the four walls of whatever room we're in," he explained.

"I'm not trying to be evasive, but I talk to Jen  I don't talk about Jen," he continued. "People will always want to gossip and say things, but you have to find that balance. And having been in a public relationship, it's much more fun not being in a public relationship."

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The 96th Academy Awards are airing live on ABC Sunday from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.



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The King recorded a message for the annual church service thanking people for their good wishes during his cancer

Royal Household King Charles photographed during the recording of his Commonwealth Day message at Windsor Castle in February

King Charles is thanking people across the world for their good wishes amid his cancer treatment.

The King, 75, recorded a special message as representatives from 56 nations gather in London on the eve of Commonwealth Day.

"I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth, King Charles says.

The address will be played at the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on Monday. It is the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth  the family of nations, most of which were linked to the U.K. through the British empire. As well as the U.K., Charles is King of 14 of the nations, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The monarch, who is undergoing cancer treatment and has canceled most public duties, will be represented at the service on Monday by his wife, Queen Camilla, while Prince William and other members of the royal family will also be there.

Unlike last year, Kate Middleton wont be part of the contingent. The Princess of Wales, 42, continues her private recovery following abdominal surgery in January, and Kensington Palace said she was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.

Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty Images King Charles and Queen Camilla in London on February 13

Related: Was Kate Middleton's Return to Royal Duty Following Her Surgery Recovery Just Revealed?

The event will celebrate the global network of 56 countries with the 2024 theme One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Commonwealth," and 2,000 guests are expected to attend.

In his address, which will be played at the service on Monday, King Charles makes the link with his own lifetime, as he is as old as the institution.

"It warms my heart to reflect on the way the Commonwealth has been a constant throughout my own life  a precious source of strength, inspiration and pride," he says.

Urging people to work together to understand each others perspectives, including the inequalities and injustices which still resonate to this day, he adds that our diversity is our greatest strength.

King Charles says in his address, The Commonwealth represents a third of humanity, from all regions of the world, with all the different experiences, knowledge, and aspirations that this brings. Wherever we live, we are united by the many challenges we face  whether it be climate change, the loss of nature or the social and economic changes that new technologies are bringing.

JORDAN PETTITT/POOL/AFP via Getty King Charles with Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family, at the Commonwealth Day service in 2023

Our diversity means that these challenges affect us all differently and that we experience their impacts in different ways," he says. "Their seriousness, however, is common to each one of us.

The monarch reflects on the different journeys the more than 50 nations have taken since the beginning of the Commonwealth in 1949. "Last year, The Bahamas celebrated its 50th anniversary of Independence, as Grenada has this year, and Papua New Guinea will next year. Each of these milestones  and many others like them  represent the fulfillment of countless aspirations and the achievement of such remarkable potential.

And the Commonwealths growth, with new members continuing to join our family of nations, demonstrates clearly that whilst we may not all have a shared history, we have common ambitions for a better future  working together to build resilience and respond to global challenges," he says.

The King adds, "The Commonwealth family is strongest when we are connected, through friendship. As I have said before, the Commonwealth is like the wiring of a house, and its people, our energy and our ideas are the current that runs through those wires. Together and individually, we are strengthened by sharing perspectives and experiences, and by offering and borrowing the myriad ways we have each tackled the challenges of our time. This is true both at the level of nations and, indeed, at the local level."

Related: Prince Harry and King Charles Have Taken 'Baby Steps' Toward Mending Relationship, Source Says (Exclusive)

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla at Sandringham, Norfolk in February

King Charles virtual participation in the Commonwealth Day Service this week aligns with the latest guidance around his health. On Feb. 5, Buckingham Palace announced that the King was diagnosed with cancer and was advised by his doctors to postpone public-facing duties while receiving treatment. The palace said the diagnosis came after a separate issue of concern was noted during the monarchs treatment for benign prostate enlargement in January, though a spokesman confirmed it is not prostate cancer.

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Last week, King Charles held audiences at Buckingham Palace, including one with the U.K. finance chief, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, and another via video link with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada.

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King Charles III is expressing his gratitude to the people of the Commonwealth for both their achievements and their support as he undergoes treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

The United Kingdom's annual Commonwealth Day celebrates the connection, however under threat, between the monarchy and the various nations it remains linked to, such as Australia, India and several Caribbean islands and African countries.

To commemorate the day, Charles released a videotaped speech on Monday, which was recorded last month in Windsor Castle.

"In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth," he said. "My belief in our shared endeavors and in the potential of our people remains as sure and strong as it has ever been. I have no doubt that we will continue to support one another across the Commonwealth as, together, we continue this vital journey."

The 2024 theme of Commonwealth is "One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Commonwealth," according to Buckingham Palace.

King Charles III addressed the Commonwealth amid his treatment for cancer.

"The 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey that our unique family of free and independent nations has made since 1949," Charles said at the start of his speech.

The monarch said the Commonwealth remains strong "through friendship," adding, "the Commonwealth is like the wiring of a house, and its people, our energy and our ideas are the current that runs through those wires. Together and individually, we are strengthened by sharing perspectives and experiences, and by offering and borrowing the myriad ways we have each tackled the challenges of our time."

Charles praised the "diversity" of the Commonwealth as its "greatest strength" because it brings "different experiences, knowledge, and aspirations."

"Wherever we live, we are united by the many challenges we face  whether it be climate change, the loss of nature, or the social and economic changes that new technologies are bringing," he continued. "All of this means that we must work together to understand each others perspectives, including the inequalities and injustices which still resonate to this day."

The British leader added: "We must find ways of healing, and to support each other to pursue solutions."

Charles concluded his speech by emphasizing the importance of the youth "who make up two-thirds of the entire Commonwealth population."

"Whether in Kenya or Malaysia, Vanuatu or Dominica, Malta, or Canada, I never cease to be impressed by their creativity, innovative skills and hard work, often in the most challenging circumstances," he said.

Prince William, Queen Camilla to co-host Commonwealth Day amid King Charles' absence

Charles is notably absent from making a physical appearance during Commonwealth Day.

Prince William, Camilla are taking lead amid King Charles' absence. Is it sustainable?

On March 3, Buckingham Palace announced that Camilla and William will helm responsibilities for the day at Westminster Abbey alongside other royals.

Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Queen Elizabeth II's cousins Prince Richard and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, are among the working royals to be in attendance.

The public will be paying extra attention to how the family is coping and will be a key indicator if Britons still have faith in the monarchy.

"There will be increased scrutiny of the royal family at the Commonwealth Day service as this is an occasion that brings the working members of the royal family together," Carolyn Harris, co-editor of "English Consorts: Power, Influence and Dynasty" and a professor at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, previously told USA TODAY.

Contributing: Jay Stahl and Marco della Cava, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

Related: Why King Charles has been 'reduced to tears' following cancer diagnosis

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: King Charles thanks Commonwealth for 'good wishes' amid cancer
Lance Reddick, Treat Williams and Suzanne Somers Among Stars Left Out of Main In Memoriam Segment at 2024 Oscars

Ron Cephas Jones, Norman Lear, Terence Davies and Burt Young were also omitted from Sunday's main memorial segment, though their names appeared on a slide at the end

Leon Bennett/WireImage; Cindy Ord/Getty; Paul Archuleta/Getty From left: Lance Reddick, Treat Williams and Suzanne Somers

The 2024 Oscars had a powerful In Memoriam segment on Sunday, but not every late star got their full moment of recognition.

During Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony, the actors, filmmakers and Hollywood-industry individuals who died over the past year were honored during the moving portion of the show.

However, fans noticed that some stars were left out of the main segment, which included an individual slide with their photo, name and title. Instead, a group of stars were listed at the end on one collective slide.

Among those people were actors Lance Reddick, Treat Williams, Ron Cephas Jones, Suzanne Somers, and Burt Young, legendary screenwriter and producer Norman Lear, and British filmmaker Terence Davies.

Related: Oscars 2024 In Memoriam Honors Late Matthew Perry, Chita Rivera, Ryan O'Neal and More

Reddick was found dead in his home on March 17, 2023, one week before his film John Wick: Chapter 4 came out. The 60-year-old actor  best known for his roles in The Wire, Bosch, Netflix's Resident Evil  died of ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, per his death certificate obtained by PEOPLE.

Williams, whose decades-long career included roles in Hair, Everwood and Chesapeake Shores, died on June 12, 2023 at age 71 following a motorcycle accident in Dorset, Vermont.

Leon Bennett/WireImage; Cindy Ord/Getty; Paul Archuleta/Getty From left: Lance Reddick, Treat Williams and Suzanne Somers

Somers, best known for her roles on Three's Company and Step by Step, died at age 76 in October 2023 following a journey with breast cancer.



Related: Oscars 2024 Winners List: Oppenheimer Leads with 7 Awards Followed by Emma Stone's Poor Things

Set to a live performance of "Time to Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo Bocelli, the In Memoriam segment remembered late stars like Matthew Perry, Chita Rivera, Ryan O'Neal and Tina Turner.

Celebrities like Paul Reubens, Alan Arkin, Andre Braugher, Sinead O'Connor and Tony Bennett were remembered for their contributions to the screen.



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The 96th Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, aired live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.

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Rangers and park biologists are continuing to investigate the incident and monitor the suspected crocodile," officials said

Getty Stock photo of a crocodile

A man was trying to swim to shore after his sailboat capsized when the incident occurred

The victim was reportedly in stable condition as he was transferred to the hospital

"Rangers and park biologists are continuing to investigate the incident and monitor the suspected crocodile, which is easily identifiable," officials said

Florida authorities reported that a man was rushed to the hospital after an apparent crocodile attack in Everglades National Park over the weekend.

The National Park Service (NPS) in a news release said that around 4:45 p.m. local time on Sunday, park rangers responded to the Flamingo Marina following a report of a crocodile bite.

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A 68-year-old man capsized his sailboat in the marina basin and tried to swim to shore with the boat when he was seen going under water, according to the NPS.

The man was treated for a laceration in his leg, the NPS added.

Related: Daughter Speaks Out After Her Mom Is Spotted in Gator's Jaws: 'No One Deserves to Die Like This'

Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue told PEOPLE in an email Monday that the victim was airlifted to a medical facility. Authorities said that the victim was stable as he was transferred to EMS responders.

Rangers and park biologists are continuing to investigate the incident and monitor the suspected crocodile, which is easily identifiable, read the NPS news release.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the American crocodile is a federally threatened species. It is different from the alligator through its grayish green color, narrowly tapered snout and a fourth tooth on the lower jaw exposed when [its] mouth is closed.

Related: Australian Man Survives Crocodile Attack by Biting Back: Report

The FWC added that conflicts between crocodiles and humans are very rare in Florida because of the crocodiles shy and reclusive nature. The Miami Herald reported that crocodile attacks on humans are also infrequent because crocodiles are found in isolated areas such as the southern Everglades.

To ensure that both humans and crocodiles safely coexist, the commission recommends that people swim only in posted swimming areas and during daylight hours. It also advises that people do not feed crocodiles.

Related: Man Killed, Woman Injured After Attack by Shark or Crocodile at Mexico Resort, Officials Say

In response to this particular incident in Everglades National Park, the NPS said in its statement: While the park is a safe place to visit, we remind visitors to stay alert and exercise caution, especially around wildlife. Swimming or wading is prohibited in all canals, ponds, freshwater lakes, marked channels and boat basins in Everglades National Park.

The NPS also said it is working with the FWC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assess the situation.



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Starring Mark Prin Suparat and Yaya Urassaya Sperbund, Love at First Night has finally revealed its release date in a new trailer. The upcoming Thai Drama is a highly anticipated project this year, as it stars two famous Thai actors. Mark and Yaya reunite in Love at First Night after starring in Kleun Cheewit in 2017.

Love at First Night is directed by Nok Nuntaporn Kaewamporn and produced by Art Palangtham Kromthongsuk. It follows the story of Mueang (Mark) and Apo (Yaya) and their chance encounter when they share a romantic night. The rom-com gets complicated when Mueang discovers that Apo is his fathers fiancee.

Love at First Night: Release date, cast & everything you need to know

Love at First Night will premiere on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. ICT on Channel 3 in Thailand. The drama will have 16 episodes and air every week on Monday and Tuesday.

Here is the release time of Love at First Night premiere in various regions:

Monday, March 25, 2024, 7 p.m. IST

Monday, March 25, 2024, 10:30 p.m. KST

Monday, March 25, 2024, 8:30 a.m. ET

Monday, March 25, 2024, 5:30 a.m. PT

Monday, March 25, 2024, 1:30 p.m. GMT

Aside from Mark Prin and Yaya Urassaya, the cast includes Ball Kummun Klomkaew, Willie Ruengrit McIntosh, Ae Maneerat Kam-Uan. They are joined by Pear Pitchapa Phanthumchinda, Mean Phiravich Attachitsataporn, and Palm Supachai Suwanon, among others.

The early trailers for Love at First Night teased a chaotic plotline for the upcoming drama. It shows Mueang and Apo being constantly at odds with each other as they are unwillingly put under a roof together. The lead actorsMark and Yayaare known for their incredible on-screen chemistry. Therefore, fans are eager to see how this confusing relationship will turn out.

The post Mark Prin and Yaya Urassayas Upcoming Thai Drama Love at First Night Trailer Reveals Release Date appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
The speech was accidentally linked to the personal YouTube account of the Palace's Head of Digital Engagement, Emma Goodey

Chris Jackson/Getty King Charles during a ceremonial welcome at The Arc De Triomphe on September 20, 2023 in Paris, France

King Charles' Commonwealth Day celebrations came with a snafu.

Although the King, 75, did not attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday amid his ongoing cancer treatment, he gave a speech that was played for the congregation, which included Queen Camilla, Prince William and other members of the royal family.

A video of his speech was then shared on YouTube, but Gert's Royals noted on X (formerly Twitter) that the royal family's official social media accounts shared the wrong link. Instead of the royals' official YouTube channel, the speech was linked to the personal YouTube account of the Palace's Head of Digital Engagement, Emma Goodey.

Shortly after, the post was removed and replaced with the correct link. The video was also taken down from Goodey's page.

Related: Prince William Steps Out Hours After Kate Middleton's Mother's Day Photo Apology

In his speech, King Charles conveyed a heartfelt message as representatives from 56 Commonwealth nations convened in London.

During his address, he emphasized the significance of the Commonwealth, referring to it as a family of nations, many of which have historical ties to the U.K. through the British Empire. Additionally, Charles holds sovereign status in 14 of these nations, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

"I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth, King Charles said in the video.

HENRY NICHOLLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince William arrives for the Commonwealth Day service ceremony at Westminster Abbey on March 11, 2024

Related: Kate Middleton Seen Leaving Windsor with Prince William for Private Appointment After Issuing Photo Apology

The accidental mix-up came hours after Kate Middleton issued an apology for the controversy over the editing of an official family photo. The image, which was released on Sunday to mark Mother's Day in the U.K., was the first official photograph of the Princess of Wales since her abdominal surgery on Jan. 16.

However, the photo led to the palace facing questions after established photo agencies, including the AP and Reuters, withdrew the photo citing concerns over manipulation.

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Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images Kate Middleton celebrates the Windrush generation on Oct. 3, 2023

On Monday morning, Princess Kate, 42, said she was sorry for "any confusion" about the picture. In a statement shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales' social media pages, she wrote, "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day." She signed the note with a "C" for Catherine, indicating the personal nature of the message.

Mark Borkowski, a London-based public relations and crisis communications expert, tells PEOPLE that in trying to release a new photo of the royal, the palace has made recent concerns over Princess Kate's health "worse."

"Now some people are asking if it is all generated by AI or is it a Photoshop of a photo taken. Its not something you'd want the royal brand to be aligned with," he says.



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John Cena wasnt actually fully naked onstage at the Oscars on Sunday night like his appearance led many to believe.

The Ricky Stanicky actor and professional wrestler sidestepped onto the stage, covering his nether regions with the Best Costume Design winner envelope after being prompted by Jimmy Kimmels recollection of a streaker at the awards ceremony 50 years ago.

John Cena at the 2024 Oscars (Getty Images)

The Barbie and Argylle actor wore a modesty pouch backstage before nearly baring it all for the sake of the ceremony. Photos of his stance in front of the microphone reveal the garment peaking out from behind the envelope.

Costumes they are so important. Maybe the most important thing there is, Cena said in reference to both designers and his lack of attire.

Some version of the accessory is often used for intimacy scenes in films and television. In Cenas case, it obscured both his frontal privates and back. The actor faux hesitated to even walk out onstage for the bit, telling Kimmel, You should feel shame right now for suggesting such a tasteless idea.

John Cena backstage before his naked bit at the 2024 Oscars (Getty Images)

Perhaps the segment was also inspired by Barry Keoghans nude scene at the end of Emerald Fennells sophomore film Saltburn, for which Keoghan posed in a similar way to Cena on a video magazine cover for Vanity Fair.

Kimmel tried to persuade Cena on the grounds that he wrestles naked, but Cena immediately objected, saying he wrestles in jorts  jean shorts. Kimmel argued thats actually worse. Cena added, The male body is not a joke!

When the wrestler refused to open the envelope because it would involve revealing his package, Kimmel procured a beige curtain to tie around Cena like a toga.

Holly Waddington won the Oscar for her work seen in Yorgos Lanthimos Poor Things. Cena can currently be seen in the Prime Video comedy Ricky Stanicky alongside Zac Efron, Andrew Santino and Jermaine Fowler.

See Cenas not-quite-full monty moment at the Oscars below:

The post Oscars: How John Cena Pulled Off That Naked Presenter Bit  Without Going Fully Nude appeared first on TheWrap.
In so many ways, Christopher Nolans intricate, making-of-the-bomb biopic Oppenheimer and Japanese director Takashi Yamazakis monster blockbuster Godzilla Minus One couldnt be more different. But as the two films made their way through awards season this year, many fans began to comment on some of the two titles surprising thematic similarities  chiefly, a guilt-ridden meditation on nuclear war and its devastating aftermath.

Before Nolan walked away with the Oscars for best director and best picture Sunday night, Yamazaki made history by giving the Godzilla franchise  which began over 70 years ago in Japan  its very first Oscar win, beating out four Hollywood tentpoles in the best visual effects category.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

After his acceptance speech, Yamazaki was asked in the press room backstage at the Academy Awards about his thoughts on his films similarities with Oppenheimer and the significance of these two stories achieving such success in the same year.

Of course, the relationship or the juxtaposition was not intentional, Yamazaki said. As we were making the film, the state of the world and the geopolitical scene has changed quite a bit. It almost feels fated that both of these films were released in the same year.

Yamazaki has previously spoken of his admiration for Oppenheimer, famously saying that he flew from Tokyo to Taiwan to watch the movie after its release in Japan was delayed amid local backlash to the Barbenheimer marketing phenomenon.

Warner Bros. issued a formal apology last summer after the Twitter account for the Barbie movie sparked controversy by retweeting lighthearted memes that depicted Barbie surrounded in atomic blast imagery from Oppenheimer. Promoting the depiction of WWII nuclear devastation as an element in a fun marketing campaign for a pair of summer blockbusters offended many in Japan, where between 129,000 and 226,000 people were killed in the 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, most of them civilians.

Oppenheimer is finally getting a release in Japan on March 29, but the film will be distributed by indie company Bitters End rather than local studio giant Toho, which typically handles all of Universal Pictures major releases. In a statement, Bitters End said it had decided to release the movie only after months of thoughtful dialogue associated with the subject and acknowledging the particular sensitivity for us Japanese.

Asked again backstage at the Oscars about his thoughts on Oppenheimer, Yamazaki suggested that he hopes to one day make a film about the dropping of the bomb on Japan and that such a work would serve as his proper response to Oppenheimer.

As a person of Japanese ancestry and descent, my response to Oppenheimer [is that] I would like to dedicate a different film to that when that day comes, Yamazaki said.

Godzilla Minus One is a period film that takes the giant kaiju back to his roots, showing the creature emerging just as Japan is struggling to recover from the ravages of World War II. U.S. critics unanimously praised the film for the remarkable visual mileage Yamazaki got out of the projects relatively small budget, as well as the storys moving human drama and canonical use of the kaiju as a metaphor for social critique.

Yamazaki also spoke about the inspiration for his visual depiction of Godzilla Sunday night, saying: We looked at a lot of different Godzillas throughout the years and as a team we wanted to get the essence of what we thought most actually represented what Godzilla is about. Godzilla, if you trace back to its origins, is a symbol of terror, war and nuclear power. I wanted to make sure that when audiences saw Godzilla, that fear would be instilled on them.

Ryan Gajewski contributed to this report.

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Kensington Palace released a photo Sunday that it described as a new photo of the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, in honor of Mothers Day, showing her with her three children: Princes George, Louis and Princess Charlotte. Within hours of its release, photo agencies including the Associated Press and the Agence France-Presse had issued kill notices on the image and banned their online services from sharing the royal photogrpah.

The photo caused a stir online, coming as Kate Middletons health and whereabouts have been the subject of intense scrutiny since January when she underwent surgery. The photo appears to show signs of digital manipulation.

ITV News royals editor Chris Ship tweeted of the situation, No comment from Kensington Palace tonight after at least 3 international pictures agencies refuse to distribute this mornings photo of Kate and her children. Some of them (@AP) have claimed the source [the palace] has manipulated the image.

No comment from Kensington Palace tonight after at least 3 international pictures agencies refuse to distribute this mornings photo of Kate and her children. Some of them (@AP ) have claimed the source [the palace] has manipulated the image. pic.twitter.com/ppOwDtPr9P  Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) March 10, 2024

He soon added, And now this from @AFP. MANDATORY KILL-DUE TO AN EDITORIAL ISSUE THIS PHOTO NUMBER 000_34L82NW BRITAIN-ROYALS BY PRINCE OF WALES HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM AFP SYSTEMS AND MAY NO LONGER BE USED IN ANY MANNER. PLEASE IMMEDIATELY REMOVE IT FROM ALL YOUR ONLINE SERVICES, STOP USING.'

Ship also noted that the kill notice will likely result in more people seeing the photo.

Mandatory Kill Notice from @AFP  a huge international picture agency which says there is an editorial issue with Kensington Palaces photo and has told clients to remove it (I suspect more people will see it as a result). pic.twitter.com/Ovs91bTAOt  Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) March 10, 2024

The photos release fanned the flames of conspiracy theories that have run rampant for weeks. On Jan. 17, Kensington Palace explained that Middleton underwent a planned abdominal surgery the day before and added, The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery.

Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.

The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private. Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness progress when there is significant new information to share.

Since then, royalists have questioned Middletons prolonged absence from the public eye, the lack of photos of anyone in her family visiting her at the hospital and the nature of the surgery she underwent. But after Prince William unexpectedly canceled a planned appearance at a memorial service for his godfather, speculation about his wife surged.

At the same time, King Charles announced his own health battle and underwent surgery for prostate cancer at the beginning of February. Unlike his daughter-in-law, Charles was photographed after the procedure and has largely resumed royal duties, such as welcoming foreign dignitaries to Buckingham Palace.

On Monday, TMZ published a grainy photo that appeared to show Middleton and her mother, Carole, driving together. While many British photo agencies didnt publish the photo, American agencies did, which prompted plenty of people to wonder if her sister, Pippa, was playing body double  and noting her likeness in the photo to Katie Holmes.

Responses to the photo released Sunday have ranged from acceptance to full incredulity to obsession. One person tweeted, can we postpone the oscars pls i cant do outfit appreciation rn im busy with kate middleton conspiracy theories.

can we postpone the oscars pls i cant do outfit appreciation rn im busy with kate middleton conspiracy theories  ellie middleton (@elliemidds) March 10, 2024

A second person added, Im not generally into conspiracy theories but this Kate Middleton photo has got me feeling like a flat earther.

Im not generally into conspiracy theories but this Kate Middleton photo has got me feeling like a flat earther  Cara Lisette (@CaraLisette) March 10, 2024

As a third person put it, things didnt have to get so complicated. They wrote, I was just rolling with the Kate Middleton conspiracy theories for jokes but shit is actually very weird. Body double car ride, photoshopped pictures.. like this was very easy to clear up and they keep making it weirder?

I was just rolling with the Kate Middleton conspiracy theories for jokes but shit is actually very weird. Body double car ride, photoshopped pictures.. like this was very easy to clear up and they keep making it weirder? pic.twitter.com/Q4NNYMEAyM  (@_monalisavito_) March 10, 2024

The post Photo Agencies Refuse to Run Kate Middleton Image, Citing Digital Manipulation appeared first on TheWrap.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 11. Uzbekistan and the founder of the Uzbek-Egyptian Arab Nihol Investors joint venture, businessman Ahmed Zeidan, discussed the project of the construction of a tourist complex, Trend reports.

A tourist complex worth $100 million is planned to be constructed on 42 hectares of land in the foothills of Urgut district in Uzbekistan's Samarkand region. The Egyptian investor expressed high interest in participating in this project.

During the first stage of the project, it is planned to construct a ropeway worth $18 million; the second stage is the construction of a modern hotel for 100 beds worth $32 million; and the third stage is the construction of a sanatorium for 100 beds worth $50 million. Another 1,000 hectares of land will be required for the full realization of the project. Investors from abroad, including Egypt and Oman, will be attracted to the project. The project will create 500 new permanent jobs.

The sides discussed matters related to the project and additional proposals from the foreign investor.

As a result of the meeting, an agreement was reached to organize regular communication between the investor and official organizations and departments of Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, another Egyptian Arma company is interested in establishing cooperation with Uzbekistans companies and producers.

the company noted that it pays special attention to increasing exports of its products abroad, entering new markets and expanding the number of foreign partners. At the same time, the company is interested in the markets of Central Asian countries, primarily Uzbekistan.

An agreement was signed to establish links with Uzbekistani firms.
Riley Strain, 22, was last seen Friday night at a bar on Broadway, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

A student from the University of Missouri was reported missing Saturday after he was reportedly kicked out of Luke Bryan's bar in Nashville

Riley Strain was last seen by friends that night on Broadway, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

Members of the young man's family have since traveled to Nashville to help search for their missing loved one

Authorities in Tennessee are looking for a student from Missouri who went missing during a trip to Nashville.

Riley Strain, 22, was last seen by friends Friday night at a bar on Broadway, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

The Delta Chi fraternity member, who attends the University of Missouri, had traveled to Tennessee with the group for their annual spring formal, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Friends said they last saw him around 10 p.m. local time after he was kicked out of Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink, Luke Bryan's restaurant and bar, per the Post Dispatch, FOX affiliate WZTV and NBC affiliate WSMV-TV.

Metro Nashville PD

Related: Missing 16-Year-Old Found Dead in Virginia Woods After 3-Day Search, Foul Play Not Suspected

His stepfather, Christopher Whiteid, said Strain contacted his fraternity brothers after leaving the bar and said he was returning to their hotel, Whiteid said, the Post Dispatch reported.

However, friends were unable to find Strains location using Snapchat and phone calls went directly to voicemail, according to WZTV and NBC affiliate WSMV-TV.

A fraternity brother reported Strain missing on Saturday, and told authorities about his attempts to contact his friend, per the Post Dispatch.

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According to his family, Strains last cellphone location was between Gay Street and James Robertson Parkway, less than a mile from the bar, reported ABC affiliate WKRN-TV.

Police have since attempted to ping Strains phone, but with no luck, per WZTV and WSMV-TV. Police have also checked local hospitals and jails for Strain to no avail, as well.

Surveillance footage showed Strain may have taken a wrong turn when returning to the hotel, Whiteid said, per the Post Dispatch.

Metro Nashville PD Riley Strain, the University of Missouri student who disappeared in Nashville

Michelle Whiteid, Strains mother, described her son as a great kid, according to WKRN-TV. We miss him and we want him back so bad, she told the station.

The mother also told WKRN-TV that she is regularly in contact with her son, but has not heard from Strain since her call with him hours before he disappeared.

Hes always texting me, calling me, FaceTiming me, Michelle explained. Hes always in touch with me. Hes very communicative.

Related: Human Remains Found in Okla. Park Identified as Man Missing for Nearly 1 Year: 'Profound Sadness'

On Monday, University of Missouri officials released a statement, saying they've been "in touch with the family and authorities in Nashville who are working to find Strain."



The safety of our community is our highest priority, said Angela King Taylor, interim vice chancellor for Student Affairs. Our thoughts are with Rileys family as the search continues. We will be offering any support to them that we can, and we encourage anyone who needs help to reach out to our counseling resources.

Strain is 6-foot-5 with a thin build, blue eyes and light brown hair, according to the MNPD. Police said he was last seen wearing a black/brown button-up shirt with a black chest pocket, blue jeans, brown boots and a black Apple watch.

Anyone with information about his disappearance is asked to call police at 615-862-8600.



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The acclaimed filmmaker has not been present the two times he's won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

At the 96th Oscars on Sunday night, The Boy and the Heron became the second film directed by Hayao Miyazaki to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature  and for the second time, Miyazaki wasn't there to accept the award in person.

When Spirited Away won at the 75th Oscars in 2003, Miyazaki wasn't present because, as he explained a few years later, he was protesting the invasion of Iraq that the United States had commenced that same year. "I didn't want to visit a country that was bombing Iraq," he told the Los Angeles Times in 2009.



Michael Tran/FilmMagic Hayao Miyazaki in 2009

This year, some people speculated that Miyazaki's absence from the Oscars might have been for similar political reasons  say, as another protest against the ongoing bombing of Gaza  but EW can confirm that it had more to do with the filmmaker's advanced age. Miyazaki is 83, around the same age that Anthony Hopkins was when he declined to attend the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony that awarded him his second Best Actor statue, for The Father. Miyazaki did attend the sixth annual Governors Awards and accepted his Academy Honorary Award in person in 2014.

The Boy and the Heron is Miyazaki's 12th feature film, and the first to be described as "semi-autobiographical." (Most of his movies are fairy tales, or in the case of The Wind Rises, a biopic of someone else.) In an interview with EW last year, Miyazaki's longtime producer Toshio Suzuki (who also didn't make Sunday's ceremony), explained what that meant.

Although it's easy to assume that the wise old Granduncle character is Miyazaki's self-insert in The Boy and the Heron, given his aforementioned age, Suzuki said that character reflects the director's admiration for his late mentor and Studio Ghibli co-founder, Isao Takahata. The young protagonist, Mahito Maki, is based on the young Miyazaki, while the Parakeet King is his older self. The other characters are homages to important people in the filmmaker's life.

Studio Ghibli 'The Boy and the Heron'

"Because this is semi-autobiographical, the protagonist is himself and there are all these other characters that appear in the film who are based on people he has worked with over the years," Suzuki told EW. "He wanted to pay tribute to them and express his gratitude for their support throughout his career."

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Shalanda Young, a small-town Louisiana native, has earned bipartisan respect for her budgeting finesse  and with all eyes on the economy, her ability to fight for everyday Americans is more crucial than ever

Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, holds a press briefing on May 4, 2023

When Shalanda Young talks about her duty to craft the national budget, she's quick to cite one of President Joe Biden's mantras: Don't tell me what you value. Show me your budget and I'll tell you what you value.

For the rural Louisiana native  who has seen how entire U.S. populations can be misunderstood by suits in Washington  it's become a guiding principle as she pieces together a values-based spending plan that aims to do the most good for the largest number of Americans.

"All that we do, especially through the budget and economic framework, is about this ethos: middle out, bottom up," says Young, director of Biden's Office of Management and Budget. "We tried to trickle it down, and it didn't work. Giving tax breaks to the 1% and 2% did not find its way to workers in this country."

Related: Joe Biden Gets Groundbreaking Health, Tax and Climate Bill Passed, Proving What Congress Is Capable Of

Official White House Photo by Carlos Fyfe Shalanda Young speaks in the White House State Dining Room on March 28, 2022, before President Joe Biden announces the 2023 budget

The president's 2025 budget plan  set for release on Monday  addresses several issues that Young has seen and felt firsthand. Americans can expect her office to propose a wide range of solutions that would ease the financial burden on parents, minimize inequities and better serve rural communities.

"If you're from the city, it's hard for you to appreciate how difficult it can be, especially in communities like I'm from that don't have a strong economic base in town," Young, 46, tells PEOPLE. Her hometown of Clinton, Louisiana, doesn't have factories or agriculture to help drive the economy, and in turn, locals lack some of the necessary resources that others take for granted, like close access to medical care.

Young recently lost a loved one back home after he had to be medevaced out of town to the nearest hospital, and her family will always be left wondering if having nearby care options could have saved him. It's just one example she provides of the "extreme challenges" people all over the country face when it comes to economic and health care security.

Related: $580 Billion and a 'Huge' Amount of Potential Changes: What Biden's Infrastructure Deal Means

"When we have regulations that impact our health care system or our economic system, we have people in the room who are diverse, not just from a racial perspective, but also from a location perspective," she explains of her staff. "Like, 'Hey guys, that doesn't work in a rural community. ... We don't have that infrastructure.'"

In a D.C. bubble that can easily lose touch with the nation it serves, those unique lived experiences play a key role in shrinking blind spots as Young's office establishes the administration's funding goals.

Related: President Biden's Energetic State of the Union Brings Him Best Fundraising Hours of 2024 Campaign

Bonnie Cash-Pool/Getty Images Shalanda Young compiles the president's budget each year after months of hearing federal agencies' pitches

A president's budget touches on every aspect of American life, and Young is plenty aware of what needs improved. "I come from a family that does not mind telling me if they think prices are too high and give me some thoughts about what Joe Biden needs to work on," she admits with a smile. When she needs a temperature check, she picks up the phone and calls her 95-year-old grandmother in Clinton to hear it straight.

"She does not pull any punches, including what she thinks could be improved on by my boss," Young says. "She is more up on the news than most other people and has a lot of opinions on what we should be talking about in this country. And that's important for all of us [in Washington], to maintain that connection ... People here have to remember how regular people behave and shop and think and feel."

Young has also come to understand, as the mother of a 2-year-old daughter, that paying for child care you trust is not as simple a task as it should be, and parenting often requires people to sacrifice their own needs in order to provide for their kids. "I say every day, 'I don't know how people do it,'" she shares. "It is incumbent upon us to have government policies that help those families do the best they can for their children."

Related: Working Moms in the White House on How They're Confronting the COVID 'Caregiving Crisis'

Felicia Brumfield Gathe/Sweet Sunshine Photography Shalanda Young (third from left) stands with her mother, grandmother and daughter

With these priorities in mind, her office's budget proposal calls for raising taxes on corporations and billionaires in order to lower taxes for others and trim the deficit by $3 trillion. It puts a lot of weight on reducing the cost of raising children, including making child care and Head Start programs more accessible. It has plans to boost U.S. manufacturing and create clean jobs, which would have the added benefit of helping to revitalize small towns.

It also aims to grow the Pell Grant program, expand free community college access and limit student debt. It pushes to continue reducing prescription costs and junk fees, and make housing, utilities and high-speed internet more attainable. And it would protect cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

Related: Joe Biden Announces New Plan to Aid with Student Debt Relief After SCOTUS Axed First Attempt

But in a hyper-partisan Congress, where House Republicans are still fighting over 2024 funding, it's a tall ask.

"President's budgets, the way the United States process works, are never adopted fully. They are a starting place to spark discussion, especially on programs. You want Congress to start having hearings and really give it some substantive thought," Young says. "Some of it won't get enacted, but I've seen things that have been introduced, and it might take three years, it might take four years, but we get there. And it is worth starting that dialogue."

Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz President Biden signs a memorandum on women's health research in the Oval Office on Nov. 13, 2023. OMB Director Shalanda Young stands just behind him, on the left

Young is the first woman of color to lead the Office of Management of Budget, following a long line of directors that are overwhelmingly White and male. When Biden nominated her for the role, she already had 15 years of experience under her belt working with the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for pushing final budget legislation through Congress.

"I have a unique perspective in that I've had to receive [spending plans] and I know the reactions that this is going to have," she says of the 2025 budget proposal. Fortunately, even as she anticipates pushback from Republicans, she earned bipartisan respect during her time on the congressional side by proving she's willing to meet in the middle  including when she helped end the nation's longest government shutdown in 2019.

Related: Trump Says He 'Can Relate' to Government Workers with No Pay in Shutdown: 'They'll Make Adjustments'

Even for a Democrat, she's got this fantastic understanding of how House Republicans think and operate, GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry told Time magazine in February, noting that they bonded over parenting young kids during tense negotiations to reach a spending deal last summer. "She knows the details of all the accounts you can possibly know in government, but more importantly, she understands what a deal looks like."

During a confirmation hearing after her initial appointment as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, even Sen. Lindsey Graham  then the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee  said, Everybody that deals with you on our side has nothing but good things to say. You might talk me out of voting for you, but I doubt it.



Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images President Joe Biden arrives at the U.S. Capitol for his State of the Union address on March 7, 2024

Young knows there could be a long road ahead before the Biden administration's goals are realized, but she insists that she's buckled up and ready to remind Americans "not just what we have in the works, but what we're fighting for."

"People want better for their children than what they have ... and they want their government to be there to make it a little bit easier. To make their money go further. To not put up roadblocks," she says. "It's on us as the government to make sure they can have that. And both parties have different perspectives on how to get there, but I also believe in working across the aisle and finding compromise."

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With the president's blessing to fight for communities like Clinton, Louisiana  who are waiting for more proof that an economic comeback is possible  she will now head to Capitol Hill and make her case.

"The budget is anything but a financial document. It's what the president should be judged by: where you put your next dollar," she says. "I'm lucky I get to work for a president whose values I share."



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Doctors discovered tapeworm eggs in the brain of a Florida man who liked to eat undercooked pork

Getty; American Journal of Case Reports Stock image of raw bacon alongside scan of tapeworm eggs in man's brain

Doctors discovered tapeworm eggs in the brain of a Florida man who complained of worsening migraines

The man told doctors he had long enjoyed eating soft, undercooked bacon, which doctors believe is the cause of his infection

The condition, called neurocysticercosis, can lead to seizures and even death, the CDC says

A Florida man seeking treatment for his chronic, worsening migraines discovered that he had worm eggs in his brain, which was causing his pain.

The unidentified man, 52, went to the hospital complaining that his migraines were now occurring weekly, and an CT scan showed a mass that doctors initially thought were congenital neuroglial cysts" according to a report published in the American Journal of Case Reports.

The patient was admitted to the hospital, where an MRI and other tests confirmed these masses werent cysts, but were the larvae of tapeworms.

Cysticercosis IgG Cysts antibody returned positive, confirming the suspicion of neurocysticercosis, the report said.

American Journal of Case Reports Scans from a Florida man who had worm eggs in his brain

Neurocysticercosis is a preventable parasitic infection caused by larval cysts (enclosed sacs containing the immature stage of a parasite) of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium), the CDC says.

The larval cysts can infect various parts of the body causing a condition known as cysticercosis. Larval cysts in the brain cause a form of cysticercosis called neurocysticercosis which can lead to seizures.

Related: Dad Pulls Botfly Larva from 5-Year-Old Son's Head During Trip to Botswana: 'Not for the Faint of Heart'

Neurocysticercosis, which affects the brain and is the most severe form of the disease, can be fatal, the CDC says.

The study noted that it is very rare for patients to contract neurocysticercosis outside of classic exposures or travel, and such cases in the United States were thought to be nonexistentIt is historically very unusual to encounter infected pork in the United States, and our case may have public health implications.

Related: California Woman Contracts Parasitic Worms in Her Eye After Going on a Trail Run

And while the man denied eating raw or street food " the report says he "admitted to a habit of eating lightly cooked, non-crispy bacon for most of his life  which doctors theorized was the source of his infection.

It can only be speculated, but given our patients predilection for undercooked pork and benign exposure history, we favor that his cysticercosis was transmitted via autoinfection after improper handwashing after he had contracted taeniasis himself from his eating habits.

Getty Stock image of uncooked bacon

The way the parasite ends up in the head after being ingested is as unpleasant as the concept of worm eggs in the brain, according to the CDC.

A person eats undercooked, infected pork and gets a tapeworm infection in the intestines. She passes tapeworm eggs in her feces. If she doesnt wash her hands properly after using the bathroom, she may contaminate food or surfaces with feces containing these eggs. These eggs may be swallowed by another person if they eat contaminated food. Once inside the body, the eggs hatch and become larvae that find their way to the brain. These larvae cause neurocysticercosis.

The man was treated with antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory medications, the report says, and instructed to follow up with an infectious diseases clinic.

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Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef and brother-sister duo Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell showed their support for a cease-fire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war at the 2024 Oscars on Sunday.

Ruffalo, Youssef, Eilish and O'Connell were among those who wore a pin from Artists Call for Ceasefire Now on the red carpet at the 96th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

MORE: Oscars 2024: Must-see red carpet looks on Hollywood's biggest night

PHOTO: Sunrise Coigney and Mark Ruffalo attend the 96th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, March 10, 2024. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)

PHOTO: Ramy Youssef attends the 96th Annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood. (Jc Olivera/Getty Images)

PHOTO: Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell attend the 96th Annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood. (Jc Olivera/Getty Images)

Numerous celebrities have worn the pins throughout the awards season.

Hundreds of artists signed an open letter in which they asked for President Joe Biden and Congress to "call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost."

"We believe all life is sacred, no matter faith or ethnicity and we condemn the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians," the letter reads, calling the loss of lives in both Israel and Gaza "devastating" and "catastrophic."

The current Israel-Hamas war began Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists carried out a surprise attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking more than 200 others hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

In response, Israel has carried out wide-scale counterattacks on the Gaza Strip over the past five months, killing more than 30,000 people and injuring more than 72,000 others  many of them women, children and the elderly  according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

MORE: Potential historic moments to watch for at the 2024 Oscars

There are estimated to be more than 100 hostages still in captivity in Gaza, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office and Israel Defense Forces.

The Gaza Strip is home to more than 2 million Palestinians who have lived under Hamas rule and an indefinite Israeli blockade since Hamas won legislative elections in 2007.

For more coverage of the 96th Academy Awards from "Good Morning America," click here.

For the latest on the Israel-Hamas war, click here.

Mark Ruffalo and more wear pins supporting Israel-Hamas cease-fire at 2024 Oscars originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
Get a taste of the world in Tokyo.

Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

Looking to sample all the global flavors in one trip? It's time to book a ticket straight to Japan.

Titan Travel compiled its list of the best foodie cities, first collecting a docket of the world's 30 most visited cities via World Atlas data. (The findings noted that both Medina and Mecca were not included in the list "due to the lack of non-religious tourism.") It then collated data on the number of child-friendly, vegetarian, vegan-option, and fine-dining restaurants using Tripadvisor, along with the number of different cuisines available to find the cities with the most diverse cuisines. The study also gathered the number of Michelin-star restaurants in each city via The Michelin Guide.

Then, it normalized every city to give a score out of 10. It then broke the findings out into the top foodie spots, the cities with the best fine dining, the cities with the most plant-based restaurants, and the cities with the most diverse cuisine.

And after examining all this information, the team named Tokyo as the most diverse.

Susmita Baral/Travel + Leisure

"Japans busiest capital, Tokyo, offers the world's most extensive variety of cuisines, scoring 8.67 out of 10," the findings revealed. "The most popular cuisines in the city are Chinese food (5,459 per km2) and Italian (4,852 per km2)." And, as Titan noted, while the city offers plenty of global cuisine, travelers should, of course, dig into a few local favorites, "like edomae tempura, ramen, and sushi, to name a few."



Susmita Baral/Travel + Leisure

As for the No. 1 overall spot as the best foodie city on Earth, that honor went to Paris.

"Paris has long been regarded as the culinary capital of Europe and, some may argue, the world," the findings stated. "Placing first in the ranking with a near-perfect score of 9.93, the city of Paris outshone any other city for its fine dining eateries (6.75 per km2) and Michelin-star establishments (4.65 per km2)." The findings added that Paris is also home to some of the "most luxurious" restaurants on the planet, including Guy Savoy's restaurant at La Monnaie de Paris.

Joining Paris on the list of top 10 best foodie cities includes Barcelona in second, followed by Miami, Amsterdam, and the Taiwanese capital Taipei, rounding out the top five. These were followed by Denpasar, Indonesia; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; New York City; London; and Las Vegas at No. 10.

Want to discover where else you can go for a great bite? Explore more of the world's food scene at titantravel.co.uk.



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Five people, including a child, were killed Sunday when a private jet crashed near an airport in Virginia, authorities said.

The IAI Astra 1125 smashed into a hillside and was engulfed in flames as it came down short of a runway at Ingalls Field Airport in Hot Springs at around 3 p.m. Among the dead was a child passenger likely between the ages of 5 and 7, according to WSLS.

Police said the pilot of the jet and its first officer were killed along with two adult passengers.

Jeff Ford, chairman of the Bath County Airport Authority, told the TV station that an emergency had occurred on board the aircraft before it attempted to land at Ingalls Field. The nature of the emergency has not been released.

The Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Virginia State Police are all now investigating the cause of the crash.

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Three Belgian climate activists who were previously sentenced to prison for a protest targeting Johannes Vermeers painting Girl with a Pearl Earring will no longer face any punishment for their actions, a Dutch court of appeal ruled on Monday.

The demonstrators, who are part of the campaign group Just Stop Oil Belgium, were originally given two-month jail sentences for their protest, which took place in October 2022 at the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, the Netherlands.

One man glued his head to the glass protecting the famous painting, while another threw tomato soup over the first man and then glued his own hand to the wall. A third man filmed the demonstration.

Johannes Vermeer's painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring" was targeted by climate activists in October 2022. - Lex Van Lieshout/ANP/AFP/Getty Images

The museum said after the incident that the 17th-century masterpiece was undamaged, and it was returned to public view the next day. The Netherlands Public Prosecution Service added that the 19th-century frame had, however, been damaged in the protest.

The men were convicted of causing destruction and damage to the painting, as well as public violence, a spokesperson for The Hague Court of Appeal told CNN, adding that the protestors spent 23 days in detention before the trial.

Given the length of time that the demonstrators spent in pre-trial detention, the court said, a prison sentence would have been excessive.

The court spokesperson told CNN that it also did not want to discourage others who wish to peacefully protest or exercise their right to freedom of expression. To punish these activists severely might have a chilling effect on others, the court said in a media statement.

CNN has reached out to the Mauritshuis museum for comment.

Just Stop Oil Belgium is not affiliated with its British namesake, environmental activist group Just Stop Oil. CNN was unable to contact the Belgian organization directly but has reached out to Extinction Rebellion Belgium for comment, as it has previously issued statements on behalf of Just Stop Oil Belgium.

CNNs Oscar Holland contributed to this report.

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March 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. military started airlifting embassy staff out of Haiti overnight as the Caribbean island descends further into chaos. Rival gangs have joined forces to overrun the country's capital, Port-au-Prince, in an attempt to force the resignation of the acting president, Ariel Henry.

The gang leader behind the violence, Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, has warned there will be a "civil war that will lead to genocide" if Henry does not step down.

Over the past week, Haiti's gangs have carried out a series of coordinated attacks on prisons and police stations, breaking more than 3,800 criminals out of Haiti's two biggest jails, while also laying siege to the country's port and airport.

Haiti is facing a humanitarian crisis. It is among the poorest countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, with 90% of the population living below the poverty line. And following the recent wave of violence, around 15,000 people who were housed in internal displacement camps have been forced to leave again.

Henry came to power in 2021 under a deal agreed with the opposition following the assassination of Haiti's president, Jovenel Moise. Henry is widely considered illegitimate by the Haitian public and was due to stand down by Feb. 7. But he seems to be extending his stay.

The country last went to the polls in 2016 and there is no timetable for new elections. Over the past six years, the Haitian parliament has ground to a halt: No major laws have been passed and only one budget was voted on.

The regime is weak and lacks control over the country's territories, leading to a situation where Haiti finds itself hostage to its criminal gangs. U.S. officials have said they will not pressure Henry to leave, but they are urging him to facilitate the transition to a democratic government.

Turbulent history

Violent gangs are not new to Haiti. Between 1957 and 1986, Haiti was ruled as a dictatorship by the Duvalier family. Following an unsuccessful military coup in 1958, Francois Duvalier sought to bypass the armed forces by creating a private and personal militia called the "Tonton Macoutes."

The Macoutes consisted of illiterate fanatics-turned-reckless gunmen acting as a paramiltary force. They were not accountable to any state body or court and were fully empowered to dispose of the paranoid president's enemies.

The group was dismantled in 1986, but its members continued to terrorize the population. Gangs have been involved in massacres, attacks on labor strikes or peasant uprisings, and politically motivated assassinations ever since.

Haiti took its first step toward a full democratic transition in 1990, electing Jean-Bertrand Aristide as president. But the Aristide government was overthrown by a military coup the following year and the Haitian army was subsequently dismantled. The Haitian army was a highly corrupt force, but doing away with it meant the country could no longer fight organized crime.

By that time, Haitian drug traffickers were working closely with Colombia's Medellin Cartel. They were corrupting officials and the police while shifting hundreds of tons of cocaine from Colombia to secluded docks in Haiti and onward to the United State. Drug trafficking became a little known, yet significant source of income for Haiti's political and business elites who provided protection and logistical support for drug traffickers.

Efforts aimed at disbanding certain armed groups and even the armed forces never fully succeeded. They never disarmed and have converted themselves into far-right vigilantes such as community defense groups and paramilitaries.

Haiti was then struck by an earthquake in 2010. This allowed thousands of inmates to escape from crumbling jails and take over these self-defense groups. These younger, less politically affiliated and loosely organized gangs are developing into the criminal organizations that are wreaking havoc across Haiti today.

State run by gangs

Gangs have grown rapidly in number over the past few years. An estimated 200 criminal gangs now exist in Haiti, and around 95 in the capital, Port-au-Prince, alone. This has resulted in massive insecurity, kidnappings and large-scale attacks on the police, politicians, journalists and civilians.

Gangs now tend to be affiliated to two groups. The most prevalent gang structure is that of "G-9 and Family," a federation of nine gangs led by alias "Barbecue." Founded in 2020, the G-9 has been linked to Moise and Henry's Haitian Tet Kale Party (Parti Haitien Tet Kale -- PHTK), for whom the federation is alleged to have ensured votes.

The G-9's focus is mostly on extortion and kidnappings. It has taken taken control of key economic activities, including the main entry and exit points of Port-au-Prince, and critical infrastructure such as ports and oil terminals, charging "protection payments" for any institutions that operate in these areas.

The recent jailbreaks were a joint operation with "G-Pep," another gang federation that was previously linked to PHTK's political opponents.

No end in sight

To bring this crisis to an end, Haiti needs an elected government. But holding elections in this climate won't be an easy task, nor will it solve the deep-rooted causes of lawlessness.

The conditions for free and fair elections do not exist, and the infrastructure that would make them possible is absent. Equally, any free and fair election should take place in a context where gangs do not intimidate voters to vote in a particular way.

In October, the U.N. Security Council voted to send a Kenyan-led multinational security force to Haiti to rein in the gangs and their spiraling violence. However, the peacekeeping mission has been delayed and no other countries have come forward to provide the resources required to restore peace.

The Conversation

But an election is long overdue, and the status quo will not solve anything.

Nicolas Forsans is a professor of management and co-director of the Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies at the University of Essex.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
At least 50 people were injured and about a dozen passengers hospitalized after a LATAM Airlines flight from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand experienced a "technical event" that resulted in a "sudden movement," causing the plane to momentarily plummet from the sky.

The incident occurred about two hours into the three-hour flight, and unfortunately, most passengers weren't wearing their seatbelts at the time. Witnesses say that people were violently thrown to the ceiling of the aircraft, which was reportedly splattered with blood. One passenger described the chaos to the CNN affiliate RNZ as a "mid-air drop." "People flew through the cabin," said the passenger, identified only as Jacinto. "People got pretty injured."

Another passenger, Brian Jokat, told the New Zealand news outlet Stuff that "all of a sudden the plane just dropped out of the sky." Jokat said he was awakened to see his seatmate on the ceiling.

"His back is on the ceiling and hes up in the air and then he drops down and hits his head on the armrest. The whole plane is screaming," he recalled. "The plane then started taking a nose dive and I was just thinking 'OK this is it, were done.'"

"The ceilings broken from peoples heads and bodies hitting it," he added. "Basically neck braces were being put on people, guys' heads were cut and they were bleeding. It was just crazy."



Jokat said that unlike normal turbulence, there was no warning from the pilot or crew to strap on seatbelts and that the incident came "whack out of nowhere." Even the pilot was apparently left in shock. When Jokat saw him after the flight, he said that his gauges "just blanked out" and he lost all of his ability to fly the plane.

When the plane eventually landed at Auckland International Airport, there were 14 units, including seven ambulances, waiting to treat injured passengers and transport them to the hospital. However, the airline has not released additional information or elaborated on the "technical event" that caused the disturbance.

"The plane landed at Auckland Airport as scheduled. As a result of the incident, some passengers and cabin crew were affected. They received immediate assistance and were evaluated or treated by medical staff at the airport as needed, a LATAM Airlines spokesperson told the New Zealand Herald.

"LATAM regrets the inconvenience and injury this situation may have caused its passengers, and reiterates its commitment to safety as a priority within the framework of its operational standards," the spokesperson added.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 11. Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan discussed the realization of joint investment projects in the leather and footwear industries with the use of Kyrgyz capital, Trend reports.

The discussion took place during a meeting between Uzbekistan's Uzcharmsanoat Association and a delegation of heads of agrarian, textile, and food industry enterprises in Kyrgyzstan on March 9, 2024.

The sides discussed matters of the realization of joint investment projects in the leather and footwear industries with the participation of Kyrgyz companies, as well as matters of the import and export of leather raw materials.

At the meeting, representatives of Uzbekistan presented their achievements in the leather industry as well as shared information on production, investment, and export indicators of the sector.

The Kyrgyz side noted Uzbekistan's successes in this field and expressed its intention to implement joint projects using the experience of the Uzbek side.

Kyrgyz entrepreneurs visited Uzbek production enterprises such as Hamkor Nur Savdo and Angren Charm Invest in the Tashkent region to familiarize themselves with production processes.

Special attention is paid to two areas of cooperation: launching a new investment project in Uzbekistan at the expense of Kyrgyz companies and creating a joint project in Kyrgyzstan with the participation of Uzbek leather processing enterprises.

The parties agreed to hold business tours and negotiations between enterprises in the two countries to establish cooperation and realize new projects.

Meanwhile, the volume of trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan amounted to $46.4 million in January 2024. The export volume reached $26.8 million, and the imports were $19.6 million.
For 80 consecutive days, nearly 500 workers from Ozak Tekstil, one of Turkeys largest apparel manufacturers, took to the streets of Urfa in Sanlurfa Province, first for the right to choose their union, then for the jobs from which they say they were unfairly dismissed. Day after day, they said they fended off verbal and physical intimidation, attacks by law enforcement and arrests and subsequent detention.

But the situation has gone beyond the oversimplified but somewhat typical narrative of bad factory, good workers or even bad brand. Ozak Tekstil, whose Urfa plant counts Levi Strauss & Co. as its sole buyer, has an existing union in the form of Oz Iplik-Is, an IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriALL European Trade Union affiliate that has brokered collective bargaining agreements for Ozak Tekstils 1,300 employees, of whom 400 remain in Urfa and 500 at a factory in Istanbul.

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In November, however, Birtek-Sen, a relatively upstart organization representing textile, weaving and leather workers unleashed a thunderous campaign, both online and off, blaming Ozak Tekstil, Oz Iplik-Is and Levis for ignoring workers struggles with excessive production pressures and the systematic and routine verbal abuse known as mobbing.

We did not work in humane conditions, said Funda Bakis, a five-year Ozak veteran and one of the Birtek-Sen defectors. Sometimes we had to work until 3 a.m. and then come into work the next day at 8 a.m., but if we complained about overtime, the boss would threaten to cut our compensation. We had no work safety whatsoever. There were nails, hair and worms in our food. When we discussed these issues with our union representative, she told us, Dont expect everything from us; we cant solve everything.

Disturbing the peace

Turkey isnt fertile ground for freedom of association to begin with. Nearly 85 percent of its 16 million workers lack union representation, according to data from its Ministry of Labour. In a country consistently rated by the International Trade Union Confederations Global Rights Index as one of the 10 worst places for working people because of systematic union busting and police crackdowns, Ozak Tekstil was considered progressive, if not for promoting collective bargaining then at least for not suppressing it. Oz Iplik-Is itself was viewed as one of the few groups fighting for effective social dialogue.

Fulya Pinar Ozcan, head of international relations and sustainability at Oz Iplik-Is, has vigorously pushed back against the demonstrators, whom she sees as disturbing a peace that her union has battled long and hard for. Due to its smaller roster, Birtek-Sen isnt able to negotiate the collective bargaining agreements that are the hard currency of improving workers circumstances, she said.

Ozcan said that Oz Iplik-Is had planned to ignore the so-called rabble-rousers and focus on doing its job, but the issue quickly blew up, with international media coverage and entreaties to the European Parliament that made letting the matter exhaust itself untenable.

We read them, she said of the worker statements to European lawmakers. There is no truth because our union is fighting against violence and harassment. And the problem is our union didnt get any complaints about any of the things that were there. I was shocked to see what they were talking about. Ozak Tekstil did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Not how a union should act

Workers say that the problems at Ozak Tekstil are longstandingthis isnt the first time theyve tried to change unionsbut that things came to a head after a pair of earthquakes shook southern and central Turkey in February 2023, leaving more than 50,000 people dead and 100,000 injured. They claim that the factory, enabled by additional pressure from Oz Iplik-Is, forced them to restart work within three days.

Months later, tired of dealing with what they disparaged as a yellow union controlled by their employer, disgruntled workers submitted their resignations from Oz Iplik-Is and signed up with Birtek-Sen. Even the collective bargaining agreement, which accords workers in Istanbul a better deal than those in Urfa, is a facade, they say.

Oz Iplik Is does not ask, inform or consult workers when it signs collective agreements, said Ozlem Temena, a representative from Birtek-Sen. Workers do not vote for or approve the collective agreement in any way.

Things got worse after workers made the switch, they say, with female employees singled out for harassment and interrogation. Women had always been an easy target, said Seyma Cavur, a four-year Ozak worker. Women were constantly insulted, being called blind, stupid or mentally challenged, she said. Once, they even called a male worker a bastard dog, and he left without taking compensation. When we complained, [Oz Iplik Is] said, Deal with your own problems. This is not how a union should act.

On a day in November, hundreds of workers marched out of the factory after a colleague, Seher Gulel, was fired, ostensibly for mistakes on the production floor but she says was the result of unlawful retaliation for her work with Birtek-Sen. Gulel said she was told to resign or have her reputation dragged through the mud, but she refused.

They chose me as a sacrifice, but I didnt remain silent, and my worker friends also stood by my side, she said in an emailed statement. This is not just our resistance; it is the resistance of all workers victimized by [their] employers. Workers keep a factory standing, but there was no union to keep the workers standing.

The resistance grows

By the following month, more than 80 percent of the Urfa plants workforce had transferred allegiances, allowing Birtek-Sen to achieve a majority that it says should give it the right of representation under international standards. Instead, what followed, according to workers, was an escalation in hostility, abuse and threats of violence and termination by both factory management and Oz Iplik-Is to leave their chosen union.

The throng of demonstrators swelled to 470, creating a blockade that led the local gendarmerie to use water cannons, pepper spray, riot shields and batons to dispel the crowd. At least 150 protestors, including several Birtek-Sen officials, wound up in custody as the strike wore on. Many also reported injuries. The Turkish Bar Association later declared law enforcements actions on the workers as unconstitutional.

The gendarmerie used pressurized water, said Mahmut Tahta, one of the demonstrators. One of our female colleagues was injured. The intervention seemed to be ordered from higher authorities. We took the injured to the hospital ourselves as the ambulance was busy attending to others.

A mass dismissal

Two weeks into the strike, Ozak Tekstil let all of them go, albeit with severance for those who qualified. The workers accepted it because they needed the money, said Mehmet Turkmen, head of Birtek-Sen. Protesting is expensive work and its for this reason that the physical Ozak resistance ended last month after a brief move to Istanbul with a smaller group of demonstrators. But the struggle continues, Turkmen said, and Birtek-Sens entreaties havent changed. In addition to recognizing the unions legitimacy, the factory should put workers back to work again, he said. He fears, however, that theyve been blacklisted from the garment trade, since some have expressed difficulties finding similar positions.

Ozcan questions if the workers want their jobs back, saying that you cant reinstate someone who doesnt want to work.

They were not dismissed because of the union choice, she said. They were dismissed because they didnt come to work. The employer said, Come to work, and they didnt come. If the employer wanted to dismiss the workers, they would never have made a call to them to come back to work.

Members of the international labor rights community have privately characterized the situation as delicate, to say the least. Most of the leading organizationsthe Clean Clothes Campaign, the Worker Rights Consortium, and IndustriALL Global Union, among themwork closely and in solidarity, and nobody wants to take a swing at an ally.

The Clean Clothes Campaign, which collaborated with Birtek-Sen on a report about the earthquakes aftermath on workers, has posted about the Ozak Tekstil protest on social media without mentioning Oz Iplik-Is or IndustriALL. A draft version of an upcoming report by the Worker Rights Consortium, or WRC, which concludes that Ozak Tekstil violated the legal rights of its Urfa employees and therefore Levis supplier code of conduct, names Oz Iplik Is without referencing IndustriALL. Its focus is on Ozak Tekstils behavior, Oz Iplik-Iss reported lapses in protecting workers interests and the legality of the worker dismissals under Turkish and international law. IndustriALL declined to comment.

WRCs forthcoming report will detail the working conditions and freedom of association violations we documented in the course of our investigation as well as our recommendations for adequate remedy, including the reinstatement of unlawfully terminated workers, said Liana Foxvog, director of supply chain strategies at the Washington, D.C.-based organization.

Levis big decision

All eyes are also on how Levis will act. The allegations leveled by Birtek-Sen violate several tenets of the jean juggernauts supplier code of conduct, including employing disciplinary action to punish workers for exercising their rights, paying severance to discourage workers from exercising those same rights, threatening the use of harmful physical contact, and preventing workers from joining organizations of their choosing.

Still, the denim giant hasnt offered much clarity to either Oz Iplik-Is or Birtek-Sen, both say, and there are genuine concerns that it might pull out of Ozak Tekstil after the publication of the WRCs report, which would be the Urfa facilitys undoing. Such a move could also precipitate an exodus of brands from the Istanbul plant, which counts Zara owner Inditex and Hugo Boss as buyers.

A Levis spokesperson would only say that it continue[s] to talk to Ozak management about what the future will look like. No word, so far, on what Inditex might do. A representative from Hugo Boss says the brand is monitoring the situation and will immediately take measures if it discovers its code of conduct is not being adhered to.

If Levis stopped production here, what will happen to 900 workers? They will be unemployed based on the accusations, based on this decision of the WRC, Ozcan said of the remaining Urfa and Istanbul employees. Levis never wanted to come to talk to us. And if Levis leaves, maybe the others will leave.

Turkmen said, however, that a Levis withdrawal is Ozak Tekstils problem and that workers only want to change their deplorable conditions. He said it is his understanding that Levis has, following an investigation, requested the rehiring of the sacked workers and engagement in dialogue with Birtek-Sen, with no success. A termination of Levis relationship with Ozak Tekstil is the last thing we want, he wrote in a letter to the Red Tab purveyors leadership in January.

We are in favor of this factory continuing its production, Turkmen continued. However, this production cannot continue by disregarding the most fundamental rights of workers, such as freedom of expression, freedom of association and the right to choose a union.

Severing ties, however, should be a last resort, he added.

Whos the yellow union?

Ozcan said that the furor was never about union choice and that Birtek-Sen was the one threatening workers with the disclosure of personal informationa dangerous move in what has been dubbed the Turkish capital of honor killingsto provoke them to strike. She thinks that any lingering demonstrators are staying because theyve been promised more money. Most of all, Ozcan thinks that a shutdown of Ozak Tekstils factories would be a blow to freedom of association in Turkey by creating a further fracturing of the union landscape.

An audit by the Ministry of Labour in December, she added, found no violation of freedom of association at the Urfa plant, that the work stoppage was against the law and that Birtek-Sen has no authority to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement. This legally published decision should be taken into account by brands and other stakeholders, Ozcan said.

If you want to call a union yellow you can call this small union yellow, she said. I mean, this is obviously a pressure [tactic] for Levis to sit down with a small union. This is an example of reducing union power as well.

Even so, the WRCs embargoed evidence, which is based on on-the-ground interviews and a review of factory documentation, is compelling. And one thing thats clear is the fact that Birtek-Sen will not be cowed. It wants the ousted Ozak workers to return to their old jobs, wages paid for every day of the protest, respect for employees right to choose a union, and the signing of a mutual protocol that guarantees those demands.

Our boss made a big mistake, Bakis said. He has to listen to us. He has to listen to our union.

Turkmen derided a recent trick by the manufacturer to transfer its assets to Kubrateks, another subsidiary of its parent company Ozak Global Holding, in a bid to shake off a tarnished name.

The owners are the same, they are just changing the name, Birtek-Sen wrote on its website. They want to improve the image of the factory and get orders from international brands in this way. However, this is a way to deceive both workers and brands.

Maybe Levis will exit Urfa, but maybe the resistance will redefine what true corporate responsibility looks like throughout the industry, Turkmen said. Its his unions job, he said, to ensure that its members are not harmed but engaged in an environment of mutual trust, respect and democracy.

What they have to understand is we have to change the workers conditions in Turkey, he added.
The popularity of the famous French delicacy of cuisses de grenouille, or frogs legs, is threatening the existence of certain frog species, a group of more than 500 environmental campaigners has warned French President Emmanuel Macron.

In an open letter written to Macron earlier this month, organized by French nonprofits Robin des Bois and Veterinaires pour la Biodiversite (Veterinarians for Biodiversity), and German charity Pro Wildlife, the 557 signatories said 4,070 tons of frozen frogs legs are imported into the European Union every year - equivalent to 80 million-200 million frogs, depending on the size of the species.

A joint study by Robin des Bois and Pro Wildlife found that France alone consumes more than 3,000 tons of frozen frogs legs a year.

Frogs stand in a pond in a frog farm in Pierrelatte, south of Lyon, on September 30, 2020. - Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images

The vast majority of these frogs come from wild populations in Indonesia, Turkey and Albania, the letter said, where some frog species are in significant decline. Vietnam is also a large exporter of frogs legs, but these frogs are typically farmed rather than wild, according to a media statement accompanying the letter.

The 557 signatories to the letter, who work in the fields of research, nature conservation and veterinary medicine, suggested France should shoulder the responsibility of protecting frog species, given that it is the country that consumes the most frogs legs in the EU.

According to the letter, recent studies have found that common species such as the crab-eating frog and the rice-field frog are in decline due to intense commercial harvests and exports for many years.

Fejervarya limnocharis, or rice-field frog, is one of the species in decline. - Arun Roisri/Moment RF/Getty Images

Though frog populations native to the EU are protected against commercial exploitation under the Habitats Directive, the letter says, this protection does not extend to species imported into the region.

Its absurd: the natural frog populations here in Europe are protected under EU law, Sandra Altherr, head of science at Pro Wildlife, said in the media statement. But the EU still tolerates the collection of millions of animals in other countries  even if this threatens the frog populations there. This is not at all in line with the EUs recent biodiversity strategy.

Alain Moussu, president of Veterinarians for Biodiversity, said vets joined this initiative because they are both sensitive to the cruelty that prevails in this market and concerned about the ecological imbalances caused by the collapse of amphibian populations. One of these imbalances, Moussu suggested, is an increase in mosquito populations, which could have a knock-on effect on human health.

The signatories called on France to develop proposals to protect declining frog species, and to ensure that the monitoring, regulation and sustainability of the trade in frogs legs is governed by international trade rules.

CNN has reached out to the Elysee Palace for comment.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The 2024 Formula 1 season, which started with the first practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix, held on February 29, and culminates with the checkered flag at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 8, is the longest in the history of the race series. The schedule presents 24 races at as many tracks. Since Formula 1s inception in 1950, with only six events in Europe (and the Indy 500 thrown in for good measure), the series has grown into a global spectacle, covering every continent except Africa and Antarctica.

If the cars represent the pinnacle of racing artistry, the tracks are their collective canvas, and are among the finest in the world. They range from the original circuits such as Silverstone and Monza to the modern street tracks of Miami and Las Vegas. And then, of course, theres Monaco. Add in the night race in Singapore, the day-to-night contest in Abu Dhabi, and the extreme heat of Singapore and Qatar, and these circuits provide the ultimate gauntlet for teams, cars, and drivers. Here, a summary of all the tracks, with their distinctive features and memorable moments.

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Forget your average travel influencer  Bao the Chihuahua is a seasoned world traveler! This pampered pup, alongside his owner Xa Thi Ngoc Tran, has journeyed on luxurious adventures across continents, soaking up the sights from Paris to Mexico. Despite getting Bao during the pandemic, their jet-setting lifestyle only began in 2022, proving that good things come to those who wait.

Watch Bao the Chihuahua looking fine in an all-Chanel look

Baos first journey took him on a four-hour flight to Lake Louise, Alberta. Since then, this six-pound pup and his owner have ventured much further on their travels, Fox News reported. Xa Thi Ngoc Tran revealed the influencer dog boasts an impressive wardrobe of over 75 pieces of clothing.

In an Instagram post shared a couple of weeks ago, Bao was dressed up in an all-Chanel look. Watch the dogs high-end look here:

According to Tran, Baos wardrobe is valued at $2,500, featuring luxurious items like a Chanel silk scarf, glitzy jackets, and cozy turtleneck sweaters. Since he was a puppy, Ive liked to match his clothes to my neutral aesthetic with trench coats and denim, the owner said. She also disclosed Bao prefers a Hawaiian shirt when he is vacationing.

While on a trip to Paris, the dog and his owner, who reside in Toronto, didnt hold back and stayed at the opulent Hotel Louvre Saint-Honore. Additionally, they enjoyed a decadent meal at the historic Cafe de Flore and, of course, visited the Eiffel Tower.

Tran acknowledges traveling with a pet involves additional expenses. However, she emphasizes its absolutely worth it for the unforgettable experiences they share.

Baos Instagram account (@baothechi) came into existence three years ago. Tran began posting about her furry friends fashion-forward ensembles with an eager audience.

Eventually, Baos jet-setting lifestyle garnered quite the following. Since accompanying Tran on their travels, Bao has amassed over 166,000 fans on social media. In addition, Tran shared that Bao thrives in the spotlight, and Tran herself cherishes the connection hes built with his online community.

The post Influencer Dog Bao the Chihuahua Owns $2500 Wardrobe & Travels the World appeared first on DogTime.
Table of Contents

Im going to level with you: being a design enthusiast is hard. Not only do you need keep up with the latest trends and have an encyclopedic knowledge of all the colors of the year, but its also useful to know the differences between all the biggest decorating styles.

Sounds easy, right? Well, not quite. The truth is, understanding every single distinction between various styles is easier said than done. After all, who really knows the difference between Scandinavian and minimalism? Traditional and transitional? To help, Im breaking down some of the biggest interior design styles out there.

Its worth mentioning that everyones definition might differ a little bit. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But the explainers below should help you appreciate the many nuances of interior design and get inspired to curate your own personal taste.

Credit: Julia Brenner Credit: Julia Brenner

Art Deco

Want to live the lap of luxury? Youre going to love Art Deco. Short for Arts Decoratifs, the style was all the rage in the 1920s to 1930s, and placed a heavy emphasis on all things glamorous: Rich colors, metallics, and, sure, the occasional animal print. But while Art Deco doesnt shy away from being extra, its commonly known for its bold, geometric shapes with sharp edges. So the next time you see a picture of the Chrysler Building  or even a cool, sunburst mirror (they were huge back then)  you can thank Art Deco for making these timeless marvels.

Bohemian

While the word bohemian is often associated with an artful and unconventional person, the interior design style has become more mainstream. But when it comes to infusing a bohemian spirit in your own home, throw out the rule book and focus on creating a relaxing space thats personal to you. Layer your bed with throw blankets from your local vintage shop. Take grandmas accent chair out of storage. Create a soulful shelfie with all the trinkets you purchased on a recent trip. Its all about creating a chill space thats packed with personality.

Every bohemian space is bound to be different, but most of them generally focus on worn-in textiles, as well as vintage furniture and accessories.

Coastal

Coastal is all blues, whites, and anchor motifs (aka nautical). When I hear the word coastal, I cant help but think of the oceanfront home in Grace & Frankie. Its inspired by natural elements, so while you may see a vase full of seashells, a driftwood coffee table, or a color palette of soothing blues, it also doesnt have to be as literal as youd think.

Colorful

This ones a no-brainer; colorful spaces daringly mix and match different hues, whether thats pastels, bright tones, or a combination of the two. Beyond paint and furniture, even small decor touches constitute a color-filled home, like bold gallery walls or patterned area rugs. Depending on the design, this home decor style can also draw parallels to eclectic, glam, or maximalist interiors.

Contemporary

Is it just me, or is practically every home considered contemporary? Well, thats because a lot of them are. The contemporary design style is ever-changing because its all about whats in at the moment. For example, if pewter and gunmetal hardware is trendy, its likely going to be considered contemporary.

That being said, theres more to a contemporary home than trends. Kita Marie Williams, interior designer and CEO of KMW Interiors, previously explained that the contemporary style aims to create a fashionable space without any superfluous fripperies.

Cottage

The cottage (or cottagecore) aesthetic initially blew up on social media early into the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to its cheery, cozy, and country-inspired influences. This charming look centers around soothing florals, vintage and antique elements, or anything that feels straight out of a rustic English home in the countryside. Its often conflated with shabby chic, but cottagecore tends to look more laid-back and natural.

Danish Pastel

Imagine Scandinavian style, but with tons of soft, muted colors, and you get Danish pastel. As the name implies, this Nordic-inspired trend plays up pretty light pinks, blues, greens, yellows, lilacs, and more. Expect fun, whimsical shapes, too, like mushroom lamps and squiggle mirrors, plus subtle checkerboard or floral patterns.

Eclectic

Some say that opposites attract, and no style better supports that theory than eclectic design. The style is associated with bringing two very different designs together. Want to mix traditionalism with Scandinavian style? What about minimalism with farmhouse? Eclecticism offers a blank slate to make all your wildest design dreams come true.

English Country

English country is a popular emerging aesthetic, and its like cottagecores moodier maximalist iteration. Its typically characterized by darker, more subdued colors and patterns, yet maintains an overall cozy-meets-lived-in feel that looks straight out of a quant European home. The key is layering a mix of timeless prints and pieces, like combining antique and modern furniture within the same room, or playing with different nature-inspired prints. Oh, and the more books, the merrier.

Farmhouse

No, farmhouse isnt all chicken-themed decor and fruit basket paintings. While the farmhouse style certainly veers more into traditionalism, its really all about creating a warm, cozy space. Common characteristics include light, airy spaces, wooden accessories, and exposed beams, and cushy couches. Translation? Pretty much the shining definition of Chip and Joanna Gaines. While many farmhouse design lovers have leaned into the rustic aesthetic, others are giving this style a makeover with modern touches.

Glam

Youll know a glam space when you see one; think mirrored or metallic finishes, marble details, faux fur, and velvet, just to name a few textbook motifs. Basically, any luxe-looking material or texture falls under glam design style. Its opulent and sophisticated, but not over the top.

Industrial

As the saying goes, one persons trash is another persons treasure. When industrial design was born in the 1700s, it was a purely utilitarian style that would outfit the growing factories. While industrialist design occasionally evolved to keep up with new safety regulations, it wasnt until the 60s and 70s that people started to convert abandoned factories into lofts, restaurants, and hip hotels.

While industrialism features pared-down materials like wood and brick, you can also expect to find sturdy iron and steel. To play off the masculine materials, many industrial homes feature a cooler, neutral color palette. Does Dan Humphreys loft in Gossip Girl ring any bells?

Maximalist

Think more is more? Well, youre going to love maximalism. A far cry from modernism or Scandinavian style, maximalism dares design enthusiasts to be bold. Similar to bohemian, you have the autonomy to make your space as maximalist as youd like. Start off slow with a controlled, symmetrical maximalist a la Wes Anderson, or channel your inner Austin Powers by dialing up the patterns, colors, and textures.

Mid-Century Modern

Rising to prominence after World War II  along with tract houses  mid-century modern style is a cool, pared-down alternative to the ornate pieces of yesteryear. Its been over 50 years since this first hit the design scene, and its showing no signs of losing its luster any time soon. In fact, its simple, boxy silhouette is almost more popular than ever before. If you want to learn more about mid-century modernism, heres a crash course on the styles most iconic pieces, plus where to shop for the look.

Minimalist

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but minimalism technically isnt an interior design style. Its easy to associate it with a neutral color palette, airy layout, and scarce details, but the phrase simply represents making your home less, well, extra. So technically, you could have a coastal or bohemian home thats also minimalist.

Modern

Rumor has it modernism and mid-century modernism arent as different as youd think. While modernism came before minimalism and contemporary design, most of the pieces considered modern  you know, simple shapes and muted hues  generally nod back to mid-century modern style.

Organic Modern

Organic modern also goes hand-in-hand with minimalist and mid-century modern styles, but relies on more natural textures and materials, organic shapes, clean lines, usually a neutral color palette, and lots of plants. The main differentiator from modern design is that this often incorporates boho elements as well.

Credit: Erin Derby Credit: Erin Derby

Parisian

You dont need a chateau to channel Parisian interior design. Airy French-inspired interiors typically strike a balance between luxurious and laid-back, with timeless, thoughtfully-curated decorations. Think vintage gold mirrors, ornate lighting, picture frame molding, and elegant French-pleated curtains. For more Parisian styling tips, check out how to make your space look tres chic on a budget, too.

Credit: Emily Sermons Credit: Emily Sermons

Regency

When it comes to channeling interiors reminiscent of the Regency era, between 1811 and 1820, lean into luxurious canopy beds, touches of chinoiserie, dramatic chandeliers, ornate seating, and ethereal drapes or shades. Pastel hues  like light pinks, blues, greens  are also hallmarks of this European-inspired style. For more sumptuous Regencycore inspiration, take a cue from the set design of Bridgerton.

Credit: www.saritarelis.com Credit: www.saritarelis.com

Rustic

So farmhouse and rustic are exactly the same, right? Think again. While the two styles share some similarities, many believe rustic is a little rougher around the edges. Here, youre bound to see rugged, unfinished woods like alder and hickory, as well as distressed chairs, fabrics, and other accessories. Its like farmhouse styles outdoorsy cousin.

Scandinavian

If you say you have a minimalist home, what you might mean is you have a Scandinavian home. Made popular in the 1950s by the three Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, this style emphasizes a minimalist aesthetic, a clean color palette (perhaps with the occasional pop of color), and functionality above all else. Fortunately, you can embrace a Scandinavian aesthetic on any continent, and design experts share how to nail the look.

Credit: Pinkystock / Shutterstock Credit: Pinkystock / Shutterstock

Shabby Chic

Interested in the bohemian aesthetic, but dont want to go all out? Give shabby chic a try. By definition, the style hits on a lot of the same elements as bohemian (think: prints and distressed materials) but is paired with more put-together pieces. Go ahead, embrace shabby chic by mixing an old quilt and a sleek, mid-century side table together.

Credit: Beau Marsaln Credit: Beau Marsaln

Credit: Kaela Elise Credit: Kaela Elise

Southwestern

Drawing from Indigenous and Spanish cultures, Southwestern-inspired spaces rely on earthy palettes, desert motifs, and bold patterns. Most typically have all-white walls, too, so the decor can take center stage. The beauty of this design style is that small touches can also go a long way: Think terracotta accents, textured pillows, or colorful geometric rugs and blankets to get the look, regardless of where you live.

Traditional

Traditionalism might be the OG style of interior design, but dont write it off as dusty or boring. While the style draws a lot of inspiration from the past with rich colors, beautiful prints, and ornate details, theres plenty of room to add some modern touches. Simultaneously elegant and cozy, traditional homes often integrate pieces from different eras and places (think baroque chairs with beautiful chinoiserie vases) in a clean, composed manner.

Transitional

Torn between modernism and traditionalism? Well, thanks to transitional style, you dont have to choose. If you ask me, traditionalism is like the best of both worlds: It focuses on a minimalist aesthetic and a muted color palette of grays, tans, and off-whites, but celebrates texture. As for the furniture? You can expect a mix of pieces with curved and straight lines.

What other design terms do you want us to define? Let us know in the comments below!
In business 20 years under his own label, Sam Edelman is expanding on multiple fronts as he looks to become a $1 billion brand at retail in the near future.

In addition to footwear  which accounts for 90 percent of Edelmans business  the Caleres-owned lifestyle brand spans such categories as dresses and outerwear, ready-to-wear, denim, handbags, kids shoes, hosiery and slippers.

More from WWD

Now, in a major moment for the brand, Edelman, cofounder and creative director, will feature Kylie Jenner in its spring advertising campaign, photographed by Chris Colls, with creative direction by David Lipman. The campaign breaks Monday.

Im honored to be a part of the Sam Edelman campaign as the brand celebrates their 20th anniversary. Mr. Edelmans designs are fashion-forward yet simple, and their quality and comfort allow any person wearing them to feel powerful and confident, said Kylie Jenner, the brands ambassador.

The ad campaign shoot, which took place in Los Angeles over a single day, took seven days of preparation. Edelman discovered Colls seven months ago when he saw his photographs in a feature in Elle France about Gisele Bundchen, and Edelman called his chief marketing officer and Lipman, and said, Im crazy about Chris, so they hired him for the campaign.

Kylie Jenner in Sam Edelmans spring campaign.

No stranger to the footwear business, Edelman got his start in the industry more than 45 years ago by launching the footwear division for Ralph Lauren and Esprit, holding an executive role at Candies and serving as cofounder of Kenneth Cole Productions. He went on to establish Sam & Libby in 1987, the Sam Edelman brand in 2004, and Circus NY by Sam Edelman in 2010.

We believe we have the potential to have the apparel, handbags, the perfume and all the things we are doing, to equal 50 percent of the business in the next two years, Edelman said in an exclusive interview with WWD. With Caleres backing, he has highly ambitious plans for the brand, which is simultaneously growing its international retail network, wholesale business, e-commerce site, licensed brands and its mainstay, footwear.

Working with our parent company, I believe well be a billion-dollar brand [at retail]. I dont think theres any limit, said Edelman, who declined to give an exact time frame. I would say soon, he added.

Were the number-one womens footwear business in many of the bellwether places in America, he said.

Turning to opportunities for the brand, Edelman said, Coming off the pandemic, the world was askew, it was hard to get a handle on things. We came off the pandemic, and we had a spectacular year. I think there was a huge pent-up demand for something new, something fun, something interesting and anything to get away from stretch [she was wearing stretch pants and an old pair of sneakers for two years]. And the year after the pandemic, we had our best year ever.

Libby [Edelman] and I have always been known for flats  ballets and sandals. Over the last eight years, weve become an incredibly formidable force in dress shoes, said Edelman. As a matter of fact, we have the number-one pump in America, maybe the number-one pump in the world  the Hazel pump.

He said the number-one and number-two shoes in their line are the pump and bit loafer.

Jay Schmidt, president and chief executive officer of Caleres, the Clayton, Mo.-based global footwear company, said, Im so excited for Sam, Libby and the entire Edelman team as they celebrate 20. When I think about what makes Sam a leader in the footwear space, its really his ability to design iconic shoes that his consumers love year after year. From his bow ballets to the Bay Sandal to the Hazel dress pump, hes that special talent that keeps delivering. The team has taken that same approach with sneakers recently, and Im impressed by the growth coming from that effort.

In his 20th year in business, we are seeing international expansion as well as sportswear and handbag growth from new licensed partners. And now with his latest marketing campaign with Kylie Jenner, its no wonder that Sam Edelman is a lead brand in the Caleres portfolio, said Schmidt.

Sam Edelman has seven licensing partners and remains on the lookout for licensees in the home category and costume jewelry, among others. We have a terrific group of partners and were having big successes in a couple of the areas right away, said Edelman.

He said hes done extremely well at Nordstrom with womens coats, licensed to S. Rothschild.

Theres a huge opportunity in mens for us. Were now in talks with a bunch of home people, and girls and boys is very interesting to us, said Edelman. He noted that hes launching a perfume with Parlux in about 10 months, and hopefully that will lead us into the beauty and skin care business.

Edelman launched an eau de parfum right at the start of the pandemic, but the timing was wrong and they had to take a break. It was called Sam Edelman. It was a tough time to launch, and we redesigned the bottle and the fragrance and have a new fragrance licensee, and were thrilled with the opportunity we have with Parlux, he said.

Last fall the company licensed fashion handbag firm HB Connections for a handbag line, which is launching in 134 Dillards stores.

Another key opportunity for Edelman is opening more freestanding stores in the U.S. He plans to aggressively pursue that again over the next several years. At present Edelman has four stores: two in New York City, one in Paramus, N.J., and one in Beverly Hills.

In a 50-50 partnership with Luen Thai Holdings in China, the company has 60 stores in China and seeks to grow to 100 units over the next 18 months. It also has five stores in the Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain), a store in Tel Aviv, Israel and one in Monterrey, Mexico. They are franchised.

Denim and rtw are growing substantially. Last year the company signed a licensing agreement with One Jeanswear Group, headed by CEO Jack Gross, and has orders from most department stores, said Edelman. Among the key ones carrying the apparel are Dillards, which is its number-one account; Belks; Nordstrom, and Macys. Apparel averages $160.

Generally, Sam Edelman apparel is housed on the contemporary floor.

The apparel is a great opportunity and its well-placed and its well-styled. I believe that Libby and I have done a terrific job working with our design teams, and it tells the Sam Edelman story, he said.

Asked who the Sam Edelman apparel customer is, he said its the same person as the footwear. They design for a 29-year-old woman, but the average age is much older. He noted that his wife, Libby, is their cofounder, muse and fashion director.

We use Libby as our muse and we use Libby for her aesthetic and her spirit, he said.

They are targeting the aspirational customer who understands runway and fashion. We find a way to interpret that for the American woman, he said. He said he offers her fit, comfort and quality, and of course, value. Edelmans footwear averages $140 at retail. Our shoes are equal quality and better fit than $900 shoes, he claimed.

The footwear is carried in stores such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Dillards and Macys. Edelman said theyve had the number-one shoe on the Macys floor for the last year, which is their Lorraine bit loafer.

Earlier this month Edelman and Nordstrom revealed they were partnering on the retailers yearlong Make Room for Shoes campaign. The partnership includes an exclusive capsule collection of sneakers designed by emerging talents at Savannah College of Art and Design. During the spring semester, select SCAD students had the opportunity to work alongside Edelman to create an assortment of sneakers offering a fresh perspective from todays youth. The sneakers are being offered exclusively at 33 select Nordstrom stores nationwide and on nordstrom.com.

Weve been proud to carry Sam Edelman since Sam and Libby started the brand in 2004, and the brand continues to be one of our customers favorites, said Tacey Powers, Nordstroms executive vice president and general merchandise manager for shoes. Theyve been great about working with us and going all in to offer trend-right footwear in key categories theyve become known for, like flats, sandals and boots. The combination of luxury sensibility and street inspiration at affordable price points really resonates with our customer, said Powers, adding that shes excited about the exclusive Sam Edelman capsule collection of sneakers designed by SCAD students.

Edelman plans to make personal appearances at Nordstrom on April 4 in Scottsdale, Arizona and April 6 in Dallas.

Explaining what prompted him to select the 26-year-old Jenner as the face of his brands spring ad campaign, as well as next fall, Edelman said, I thought it was a great time to do something cathartic for the brand. We started with Naomi Campbell about 18 months ago, and we saw this increase in sales. We tripled our online sales for about 60 days, he said.

Hes worked with David Lipman on and off for 20 years, and said he has been aggressively working with the team, himself and Libby trying to figure out what to do next. With the world changing very quickly, he wanted to do something dramatic.

Kylie represents something so special in todays world, he said, adding shes a successful entrepreneur and a mother, and family is important to his company. She represents an aspirational quality for women across the world today that is unparalleled. Her beauty emanates not only on the outsidethe camera brings it alive.

Behind-the-scenes at the shoot with Sam Edelman, David Lipman and Kylie Jenner.

The biggest thing that happened with Kylie was watching her emotional response to the product we designed. She fell in love with our shoes. She fell totally in love with them during the style-outs. She couldnt believe they could be as pretty as they are and as comfortable as they are, he said. Edelman said Jenner likes high heels and was excited she could wear the brands high heels for hours and feel no discomfort.

Asked what hero products Jenner is promoting in the campaign, Edelman replied its primarily the pumps, and then the ballet shoes. Were famous for ballets, and ballets are in fashion and theyre huge. Theyre on fire right now. And our mary jane ballerinas are driving our business. And Kylies wearing our mary jane ballets, studded.

The campaign and design process are centered around the word love. Edelman said when hes editing and going through the product, hell ask the team, Do you love it? If you dont, we just drop it, he said. The shoes look great on Kylie, he said, adding a viewer can tell her appreciation for the product from her expression.

There will be tons of shots of her wearing our shoes but in reality, its her eyes that tell the love for the brand, he said.

The campaign was styled by George Cortina, with makeup by Ariel Tejada and hair by Jesus Guerrero.

Out-of-home images will appear in Boston, Washington, D.C., Miami, Los Angeles and New York. Digital will also be a big component, as well as wholesale channels such as Nordstrom and Macys. There will also be extensive point-of-sale displays.

Lipman, founder of Lipman Studio, said he has known Edelman for 30 years, and they did the Naomi Campbell campaign together. Hes like a brother. This is a campaign that really speaks to Sam the man and the brand.

He chose Jenner because she has a soulful spirit, and that its not just a shoe campaign, but one about a woman who loves her shoes. Before the shoot, Jenner came to Lipman and said, I cant believe how good the shoes are and how good they feel. They [Edelman and Jenner] met and there was instant camaraderie.

For me, its become one of the most significant campaigns Ive done in 25 years, said Lipman.

Edelman said hes very appreciative of the support he receives from Caleres. This is Libbys and my third time at the rodeo, he said.

He recalled that he had big success at Esprit when the couple were in their 30s, and it became the number-one junior shoe business. In their late 30s and early 40s, they were successful with Sam & Libby, which became the number-one junior shoe business in the U.S. He came out of retirement to join forces with Caleres (formerly Brown Shoe Co.) and for the past 20 years theyve built a concrete foundation. Sam & Libby was a sensation and it is again, he said. The Sam & Libby brand is relaunching at retail this spring.

Sam Edelman

Sam & Libby is also owned by Caleres and is a less expensive footwear line geared toward such stores as Famous Footwear (owned by Caleres), Carnival, Belk and Macys. Sam and Libby Edelman serve as creative directors, and their son, Jesse Edelman, senior vice president, general manager of Sam Edelman, runs three divisions  Sam Edelman, Sam & Libby and Circus NY.

Caleres gave us the ability to have controlled growth with tremendous support, said Edelman.

The spring collections are available at samedelman.com and in retail stores worldwide.

The companys website represents a substantial portion of the Edelman business and is growing nicely, he noted. In 2025, they plan to renovate their flagship in SoHo at 109 Spring Street, which theyve had for 10 years. He said the store is a great location to tell their story, and on many Saturday afternoons, theyve had well over 800 people visit.

Eventually, apparel will take up a larger space, accounting for 20 to 25 percent in the store design.

One of the biggest challenges and opportunities is the tremendous growth in sport. Im growing sport dramatically in footwear first and then Ill do the same things in other product lines. Our sneakers are very popular right now, especially the Layla, which is our jogger, said Edelman. We would like to see sneakers double in the next year or two in the penetration of our business.

Theyve always done a small selection of sneakers, but its big now. Consumers are telling us she loves them. Over 50 percent of reorders last week were in sneakers, and thats February, he said. They are concentrating on denim, and eventually will enter active sportswear. He said tall boots were phenomenal this year. Sexy, low boots will be big in fall of 2024.

Launch Gallery: Behind The Scenes of Sam Edelman's New Campaign Staring Kylie Jenner

Best of WWD
Workers at a Patagonia store in Reno, Nev. have voted to unionize their store, becoming the first U.S. location in the outdoor chain to achieve this milestone.

Nine out of 15 eligible employees voted in favor of a union, representing a majority in the 14 total votes that were tallied. The unionized employees will be represented by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 711. According to data from the National Labor Relations Board, these Patagonia employees filed for an election earlier this year.

More from Footwear News

Americas love of the outdoors deserves to be met with an appreciation for the workers who make our adventures possible, said UFCW international president Marc Perrone in a statement. Whether in retail, rock climbing, or beyond, all workers deserve to have representation on the job. We are excited to welcome Patagonia workers to the UFCW and look forward to reaching a strong union contract that reflects their hard work and experience.

Patagonias vice president of communications and public policy Corley Kenna told FN in a statement that the company is committed to working with union representatives on next steps.

It was important to us that our approach to this process reflected Patagonias values, Kenna said. We have long used our brand and business to encourage participation in the democratic process, and in the same spirit, we wanted the Reno team to have a voice in this important decision. While this is new territory for us, well continue doing everything we can to help all team members feel supported and connected.

The news comes on the heels of a successful union organizing campaign at several REI stores across the country since 2022. UFCW has organized nine of these REI location with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).

Nick Helmreich, a retail team lead at the Reno Patagonia store, said in a statement that employees were inspired to pursue representation after seeing REIs unionization progress.

We are ready to fight for a contract that protects our rights and provides the wages and benefits weve earned making Patagonia the success that it is in Reno, Helmreich said.

Like REI, Patagonia has been vocal about social justice, sustainability and preserving the planet. Founder Yvon Chouinard in 2022 announced he would transfer ownership of the privately held business to a nonprofit and specially designated trust to inspire other businesses.

In 2020, the company took a firm stance on climate-denying politicians and shared with its consumers a message to Vote Climate Deniers Out of Office. In 2021, Gellert took the the companys Twitter account to encourage businesses to join the outdoor retailer in removing advertisements from Facebook as well as its subsidiary Instagram to protest the spread of hate speech and misinformation about climate change and our democracy on the platform. The company also made a public statement in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision regarding abortion in 2022.

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Check your refrigerator or freezer for this product.

Courtesy of Brand

Theres an active recall on turkey sausage products, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service. This is due to a foreign matter contamination.

Approximately 35,430 pounds of the Johnsonville branded Polish Kielbasa Turkey sausage were recalled after consumer complaints reported finding pieces of rubber in the product. The impacted kielbasa displays a best by date of either 05/17/24 or 05/18/24 on the side of the packaging as well as establishment number P-32009.

The ready-to-eat sausage was sold at retail locations nationwide, so check your refrigerator or freezer for this product. If it matches the above information, dispose of it immediately or return it to the place of purchase.

If you have experienced any illness or injury after consuming the recalled meat, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. For questions, contact Stephanie Schafer, Director of Global Corporate Communications for Johnsonville, at 888-556-2728 or email sschafer@johnsonville.com.

Related: Several Cinnamon Brands Recalled Nationwide Due to Excessive Lead

Read the original article on Eating Well.
Differences between sushi orders in North America compared to those rolled up in Japan are fairly easy to pinpoint. Ingredients, style of dishes, the etiquette surrounding how sushi is made and served, and the ways dishes are eaten are a few of the noticeable ones. While Japanese sushi is known for its simpler, traditional approach, Western-style recipes commonly add extra ingredients for pops of flavor and colorful presentations. You won't as easily find tempura, cream cheese, or mayo tucked into sushi bites in the East. Rice, too, can differ, as Western chefs look to pack flavors and colors into pieces. Yet what about from one coast of the United States to the other?

After entertainer Andy Milonakis took to the Food is the New Rock podcast to declare a line in the sand between sushi hailing from opposite coasts in America, declaring New York sushi to be better than that in L.A., we wanted to take a closer look at sushi made in North America and the ongoing debate that sushi found on the two opposing shores have sparked.

Read more: Restaurant Foods That Always Taste Better Than What You Make At Home

West Coast Beginnings

california rolls on plate - Andrei Iakhniuk/Shutterstock

West Coast sushi has history in its favor, as we have chefs on that side of the country to thank for the introduction and rise of sushi in the United States. When Japanese immigrants made their way across the Pacific, they brought their cuisine with them. In 1906, the first recorded sushi shop opened in Los Angeles. Socialities and themed parties helped push sushi recipes into mainstream culture, and creations such as the California roll encouraged the scene to grow. The California roll bridged the gap between familiar and unfamiliar, as it made some of the ingredients Americans were uncertain about a bit more palatable by its use of crab sticks rather than fresh raw fish. San Francisco, too, is home to some great sushi restaurants, thanks in part to it also becoming home to many Japanese immigrants in the early 20th century.

And Vancouver, with its water-focused culture, has also made a sushi name for itself, with hundreds of sushi restaurants running successful operations. It was even named sushi capital of the world outside Japan in 2022 by Chef's Pencil. Access to high-quality fish and seafood has offered chefs up and down North America's West Coast the ingredients needed to garner appreciative accolades from sushi lovers. And many sushi establishments run happy hour specials to make meals more affordable and accessible for those with persistent sushi cravings.

Sushi Experiences On The East Coast

sushi rolls in takeout container - Ong.thanaong/Shutterstock

On the East Coast of the United States, the sushi scene has earned reputation as a place in which some of the best quality seafood and sushi can be found. New Yorkers have their pick from sushi counters and orchestrated dining experiences, and with Michelin-starred recognition, some New York City sushi restaurants are giving Tokyo establishments a real run for their money.

From the 12-seater Shiki Omakase to Masa in Columbus Circle, East Coast sushi lovers certainly have options when it comes to finding exceptional sushi. But of course there are many more places to suit not only their palates but also their pocketbooks. Like California, New York City has lent its name to its own sushi roll that serves up sushi rice, seaweed, cucumber, and avocado in a cute package. Where the California roll includes crab in the recipe, the New York roll replaces the fish with shrimp.

Online Debates On Coastal Preferences

sushi rolls on black background - Kirienko Oleg/Shutterstock

The quality of sushi served on the East and West Coasts has sparked a lively debate online, with sushi lovers insisting the waters of the West Coast lend to the kind of dishes that are on par with what is tasted in Japan. Even The New York Times declared Los Angeles as "this country's glorious sushi capital," describing the region as home to one of the top flourishing sushi areas outside of Japan. There are certainly exceptional L.A. sushi restaurant options and many dedicated sushi chefs creating a continuum of beautifully plated dishes to packaged rolls served up in takeout containers.

"L.A. has things that will dance on New York's food scene," Jon Shook boldly told High Brow Magazine. While Shook points to the range of quality seafood available on the East Coast as a deciding factor, he suggests that L.A.'s proximity to Japan is key to settling the debate. He conceded that great fish is shipped from the East Coast to the West Coast. "Sushi [in L.A.] is a whole different level," he insists.

While quality seems to be the driver of these debates, the truth is that there isn't any real difference between what is served on either coast. And although here at Tasting Table, we are hesitant to name a favorite, weighing up the arguments on both sides, it seems that the happy truth is that there are sushi restaurants on both coasts that are well worth trying.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 11. Uzbekistan Airways has announced the launch of an additional flight between Tashkent and London, Trend reports.

According to the Airline, in addition to flights to Heathrow Airport, the carrier will launch flights to Gatwick.

Flights to Heathrow airport will continue on Tuesdays and Fridays. Flights from Tashkent to Gatwick will be operated from April 7 on Sundays.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan Airways will open new international flights this year.

According to the Airline, Uzbekistan Airways will start operating flights to Rome (Italy) on March 31. Flights to Mumbai (India) will be launched on April 1.

The airline will launch flights to Nha Trang (Vietnam) for the first time on May 4.
The Academy Awards might be a great American tradition, but in 96 years they still havent got around to honouring one of the locals. Had Lily Gladstone won Best Actress for her performance in Killers of the Flower Moon at last nights ceremony  or, further down the bill, had Scott George taken Best Original Song for Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People) from the same film  they would have become the first Native Americans to receive a competitive Oscar in the history of the event. Yet neither did. Instead, Emma Stone took home Best Actress and Billie Eilish won Best Original Song. Both already had Oscars on the shelf at home.

In a night that otherwise broadly ran as predicted, the Gladstone loss was a shock  not least because last month she won the equivalent prize at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, whose voters heavily overlap with the Oscars own. But this was stranger than a bookies favourite simply not coming good on the night. After all, Hollywood has spent the last decade obsessing over diversity. So why can it still not bring itself to tick this particular box?

The movie business was largely built on stories featuring their fair share of Native American characters. From the 1940s to the 1960s, westerns comprised around a quarter of Hollywoods total output. But both then and since, the studios have been notably reluctant to actually create any stars from that particular demographic.

Gladstone, who grew up on the Blackfeet reservation in Montana, was (and remains) an especially good candidate to buck the trend: as Mollie Burkhart in Killers of the Flower Moon, she holds her own on-screen opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, for goodness sake. But as an actress specifically, she would have also been well placed to help the Academy move past its most notorious entanglement with Native American culture to date.

That was the Sacheen Littlefeather debacle, which began at the 1973 Oscar ceremony when a 26-year-old woman in Native dress took to the stage of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. She was standing in for Marlon Brando, and had come to refuse the Best Actor award on his behalf  in protest both at Hollywoods cliched representations of Native Americans, and an ongoing siege between the US Marshals, the FBI and the American Indian Movement at the South Dakota town of Wounded Knee.

Sacheen Littlefeather collecting Marlon Brando's Oscar - Bettmann

The image of Littlefeather on stage as the beautiful, vulnerable uninvited guest was an unquestionably powerful one, and the stunt caused its fair share of outrage, for which the Academy later decided it had to atone. In 2022, the organisation wrote a formal letter of apology to Littlefeather for the reception to her appearance  The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified, it read  and later organised a solemn evening of reflection at the Academy Museum, at which Littlefeather was the guest of honour, and the apology was read aloud.

Following her death three months later, however, it came to light that Littlefeather, whose real name was Maria Louise Cruz, was in fact of white and Spanish-Mexican descent  and, according to her two sisters, her claims of Native American heritage had been bogus all along. In addition, a widely circulated anecdote  that the former western star John Wayne had had to be restrained from assaulting her in the wings at the 1973 ceremony  was also fairly conclusively debunked.

In a business that knows the value of good optics, voters must have realised that a Gladstone win would have done a lot to clean up this mess  at the very least, it would have finally put a Native American on the winners podium who was actually a) a winner and b) Native American. And because of the industrys broader ambivalence towards Native performers, such opportunities are rare.

Lily Gladstone and DiCaprio in Killers of the Flower Moon - Melinda Sue Gordon/Apple

Before last night, the closest they got was at the 2019 ceremony, when the veteran Cherokee actor Wes Studi was presented with an honorary Academy Award. Why honorary, rather than competitive? Because despite having worked regularly since his breakthrough appearance opposite Daniel Day-Lewis in 1992s The Last of the Mohicans, none of Studis individual roles had been prominent enough to make their members sit up and take notice.

For Native American actors, this is par for the course. A survey last year by the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative found that of the 1,600 most successful films released theatrically between 2007 and 2022, only one  2020s X-Men spin-off The New Mutants  had a Native American lead. (That was the 28-year-old part-Oglala Lakota actress Blu Hunt.) More broadly, only a quarter of one percent of speaking roles in all of those films were played by Native actors  which, compared to the wider US population, means the group was underrepresented by more than a factor of eight. (Native Americans make up roughly 2 per cent of American citizens.)

A Gladstone win might have helped shift the needle on this, although in recent times, the path from breakthrough Oscar to meaningful or even steady work hasnt been smooth. After all the rejoicing around Troy Kotsurs Best Supporting Actor win for Coda in 2022, the deaf star has, to date, been cast in just one more film: a psychological thriller due for release next year. Or take Yalitza Aparicio, who in 2019 became the first indigenous Mexican to be nominated for her performance in Roma. After dutifully pounding the circuit, she returned to work in her home country: Hollywood loved her, but not quite enough to offer her a job.

Lily Gladstone was expected by some to win best actress tonight and after #Oscers statue went lost to Emma Stone, Lily's Killers of the Flower Moon director Martin Scorsese was seen consoling his star and giving her a big hug. pic.twitter.com/C1pnmZQGDr  Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) March 11, 2024

This has not always been the case. Golden-age Hollywood may have been far from an equal-opportunities utopia, but in those days, Oscar-night trailblazers had a better hope of converting their wins into long-lived careers. In the decidedly un-woke 1950s, Jose Ferrer built a fruitful four-decade career on his nomination for his supporting turn in 1948s Joan of Arc. (Just two years after that, he won Best Actor outright for Cyrano de Bergerac.)

Then there was Hattie McDaniel, who in 1940 became the first black actress to win an Oscar for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind. True, in many of the 21 films she made in the decade that followed, she played servants and maids: for McDaniel, opportunity in Hollywood required pandering to stereotypes her own success theoretically defied. But like any actor, she was only able to work in the times in which she lived. Hell, Id rather play a maid than be one, she once told a friend.

The times in which Gladstone finds herself might feel a great deal more progressive than McDaniels. But its worth noting that even the best recent films to give a platform to Native American talent  Riley Keough and Gina Gammells War Pony, and Chloe Zhaos Songs My Brother Taught Me and The Rider  overwhelmingly tend to be small, independently made stories of reservation life.

Gladstone is a terrifically talented actress, who may now be doubly resolved to bring specifically Native characters to the screen. But even without an Oscar, theres no reason she couldnt also star in, say, a new Dungeons & Dragons film, or a Blumhouse horror about a haunted puppet. In awards season or out of it, thats the tricky thing about inclusion: the less obvious it is, the more genuine it tends to be.

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A smooth-faced border officer at the glossy Samarkand International airport was scrutinising my passport. Standing in his booth, wearing an oversized uniform, he inspected my photograph and asked where I was staying. He had already checked all of its 60-plus stamps and visas, and studied each of the security holograms, foil inlays and perforations; and he was now holding it up to a lamp, examining the watermarks on every page  much to the quiet, shuffling irritation of the long line of Uzbek citizens behind me. Finally, he waved me through.

I offered another European passenger a weak smile as I passed her. After similar scrutiny, her passport had been rejected until it could be seen by a senior official. But it wasnt Soviet-style bureaucracy slowing things down  it was naivety. The entirely redeveloped airport opened only in March 2022, and the young border officer had no idea if her document was genuine, having never seen a Norwegian passport before.

Home to some of the finest examples of 14th to 20th century Central Asian architecture, Samarkand is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Uzbekistan and among the most ancient in Central Asia, dating back to 1500 BC. Renowned for its craft production, it was one of the most important stops on the legendary Silk Road, a 4,000-mile jumble of trade routes that crossed Eurasia from as early as the 2nd century  running from the far east of present-day China to western Turkey  along which silks, spices and jade were transported. Attracting merchants from far and wide, Samarkand is recognised by Unesco as having been a crossroads of world cultures for more than two millennia.

Uzbekistan was one of the most important stops on the legendary Silk Road - James Draven

And then came the late 19th century. The Soviets invaded  controlling the country until 1991  after which Uzbekistan spent several decades under the isolationist rule of President Islam Karimov, notorious for human rights abuses and enforcing slave labour in the countrys ubiquitous cotton fields.

Although widely regarded as the jewel of the Silk Road, a shining beacon on innumerable bucket lists, during this time Uzbekistan and Samarkand became relative strangers to visitors from far-flung lands. To locals, Norway might as well have been Neptune.

But when Karimov died in 2016, all that changed. International isolation had resulted in youth unemployment and a collapsing economy, so Karimovs successor, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, made swift judicial reforms and opened up the country to tourism and foreign investment. By 2020, the number of countries granted visa-free travel to Uzbekistan had jumped from nine to 90. Accommodation options almost doubled, and the number of tour operators more than tripled. Foreign visitor numbers increased from two to 6.7 million as the country focused on attracting tourists from farther afield, and in early 2020, Uzbekistan was named the fourth-fastest-growing country for tourism by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

Links from the UK to Uzbekistan are about to grow, too. In March 2024, Uzbekistan Airways announced a new flight route from London Gatwick to Tashkent. Set to launch on April 7, 2024, this will increase the total seat capacity from London to Uzbekistan by 50 per cent (another Uzbekistan Airways service already operates from Heathrow).

Renowned for its craft production, the country is widely regarded as the jewel of the Silk Road - Getty/iStockphoto

Unsurprisingly, in a city long defined by the iron rule of dictators  captured by Alexander the Great in 329 BC, ravaged by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, capital of Tamerlanes Empire throughout the 14th  this thunderous surge into modernity is largely welcomed by Samarkands citizens, and by a government looking to the Gulf, and the glittering Emirates, for inspiration. But it is a blueprint that hasnt always treated the culture and traditions of historic places with kindness  just look at Dubais Old Town, and the likes of Chinese Lijiang, which now feel more like tribute bands than the real deal, forced to compete with the likes of Dubais Madinat Jumeirah, a modern reimagining of a traditional Arab village.

There are, at least, attempts to weave the past into the present in Uzbekistan. Samarkands airport terminal building itself is a nod to Ulugh Beg, the 15th-century astronomer who remains the citys most celebrated citizen, with the design intended to resemble an open book (his cosmological tome, the Zij-i Gurgani), all lamp-gilded pages fanning away from the central spine of the entrance hall, the roof twinkling with a star-map of spotlight constellations.

This impetus to carry past into present is evident, too, in the countrys newest  and most daring  foray into the future, the nearby Silk Road Samarkand development: a huge, futuristic tourism complex that became the largest in Central Asia when it opened in August 2022. With eight luxury hotels (1,200 rooms, increasing the citys offering by about 50 per cent), 20 miles of pavement, and a congress hall with the capacity to hold 3,000 people, this image of the new Samarkand cost more than 450 million to build and was, according to hotel management, the brainchild of President Mirziyoyev. There is even a four-star property, named in honour of the countrys favourite astronomer  the Lia! by Minyoun Stars of Ulugbek.

Samarkand is home to eight luxury hotels including the Samarkand Regency

Nevertheless, standing on the 20th floor of the neighbouring Samarkand Regency hotel, the sprawling estate laid out below me, it was hard not to feel that this is the kind of resort an extraterrestrial might create  a seemingly infinite liminal space, the grounds stretching on endlessly, illuminated at night by a galaxy of fairy lights spiralled around thousands of freshly planted saplings.

The mammoth resorts centrepiece is the 28-acre Eternal City: a brand-new tourism hub designed to mimic a medieval Silk Road town, mirroring the old citys mosaics, golden arabesques and ribbed, cobalt domes. Its shops and restaurants bustled with curious locals, despite being just 15 minutes from the architectural wonders of ancient Samarkand, among them the majolica-clad madrasas of Registan Square; the brilliant-blue tiles that adorn the avenue of 14th-century mausoleums at Shah-i-Zinda; the jade tomb of Tamerlane; and Ulugh Begs impressive 15th-century observatory. But that, apparently, is kind of the point.

The Eternal City is even better than Madinat Jumeirah, says Roland Obermeier, general manager of the Samarkand Regency hotel. Everybody goes to Registan Square, to these architectural monuments  but we have our own, so people can stay in the resort and not necessarily go to the Old City. He pauses, adding: People go to Paris just for Disneyland.

In 2020, Uzbekistan was named the fourth-fastest-growing country for tourism by UNWTO - James Draven

The Disneyfication of Samarkand is an ongoing debate, and one that is likely to rage on for some time. Clearly, tourists with culture in mind are not the focus of these efforts  the target markets are business travellers, conference stays, and medical tourists (Obermeier believes that, just as Istanbul is the global capital of hair transplants and Turkey teeth, so Samarkand might become the beating heart of cardiology holidays).

So where does the culture-hungry tourist fit into Uzbekistans future? It is certainly true that the push for modernity has made visiting the country easier and more comfortable than ever before. Equally, as long as its dreams of globalisation remain only half realised, the Uzbekistan of yesterday can continue to exist in tandem. 

Venture beyond the golden bathrooms and smoked-glass exteriors of the mega-complex and jump into one of the resorts fleet of cars (Chinese, all-electric hunks of chrome that resemble the love child of a Rolls-Royce and a Range Rover) and you can be in the foothills of the Fann Mountains or citys markets within minutes, where all ideas of Middle-Eastern ostentation are forgotten.

In the Fann Mountains, all ideas of Middle-Eastern ostentation are forgotten - James Draven

Friendly pottery pedlars slurp tea surrounded by teetering towers of china cups; roadside chefs give impromptu cookery lessons as they roast chickens in homemade, clay tandoor ovens; and gold-toothed women crack gleaming grins while selling sticks of crystallised sugar.

Perhaps now  while modern comforts beckon, but before a final facelift makes this Silk Road staple unrecognisable from its former self  is truly Uzbekistans moment to shine.

Essentials

James Draven travelled as a guest of Silk Road Samarkand (silkroad-samarkand.com) in 2023. The lowest-priced of its hotels, Wellness Park Hotel Turon, has rooms from 42 per night. Uzbekistan Airways new flights from Gatwick to Samarkand will cost 545 return. Turkish Airlines (turkishairlines.com) also operates flights via Istanbul from around 500 return.

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The Young and the Restless spoilers for Tuesday, March 12 prove that Victoria has completely accepted Claire as her firstborn daughter when she protects her from any and all outside attacks while Victor finally, at long last, reveals his master plan for Jordan.

Mother Knows Best

Victoria (Amelia Heinle) was never thrilled with Victors (Eric Braeden) plan to smoke Jordan (Colleen Zenk) out of hiding using Claire (Hayley Erin) as bait. She fought her dad and even fought Claire over it.

Now Victoria is ready to fight Jordan herself. This is the woman who stole Victorias baby, who raised her without love, and who brainwashed her into poisoning and trying to murder her family. Victoria will never let Jordan hurt Claire again. No matter who Victoria has to hurt in the process.

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

Luring Jordan out of hiding was only Step #1 in Victors plan to get revenge on Jordan. Hes got many more steps in mind. But hes also playing his cards close to the vest.

The last thing he needs is for Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) or Victoria to offer one of their unasked-for opinions on his brilliance. Who do they think they are? Women should be on a need-to-know basis. Hell let them know what he did and why he did it after hes succeeded. They can fawn all over him then. Its more efficient that way.

Here To Stay

While Victor obsesses over Nikki, Victoria, and Claire, Nick (Joshua Morrow) is at loose ends. Heck, hes so desperate for something to engage him that he allowed a kiss from Phyllis (Michelle Stafford).

Hopefully, hes smart enough to know thats a dead end. That could lead to actual death. And the bold move he decides to make has more to do with business than with any rash decision about his personal life.

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.
Gwinnett County police are investigating an accident that left a child dead on Sunday afternoon.

Just after 4 p.m. in Buford, police responded to a call of a person hit by a vehicle in the Mall of Georgia parking lot. Police said it happened in front of Dicks Sporting Goods.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

When officers arrived on the scene, they requested the accident investigation Unit. One child was taken to Childrens Hospital of Atlanta Egleston where the victim were pronounced dead.

Police said two other people were taken to Northside Hospital Lawrenceville with non-life-threatening injuries.

TRENDING STORIES

The driver of the vehicle remained on the scene to speak with police. At this time, police are not sure what led to the crash.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Its the second deadly crash that Gwinnett County police investigated on Sunday. Gwinnett County police told Channel 2 Action News they received a call just before 4 p.m. about an accident at Peachtree Corners Circle and Elmside Village Lane.

Gwinnett County Fire officials found three people dead from their injuries. Officials say an additional three people were taken to the hospital, with one listed as critical.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Authorities are investigating after a school bus carrying students crashed into a home in Bostons Dorchester neighborhood on Monday.

Boston Police say they received a call at 4:39 p.m. a Boston Public Schools bus slammed into the side of a house in the area of Claridge Terrace and Wentworth Street.

Two juveniles and two adults were transported to an area hospital with injuries not considered to be life-threatening, according to officials. All four patients were on the bus at the time of the crash.

A Wentworth Street homeowner says it felt like an earthquake when the bus collided with the home.

I just heard a big bang and the house like shook a little bit, said the man who asked not to be identified.

When he looked out front he tells Boston 25 he couldnt believe his eyes.

I seen a bus stuck up under my porch, he said.

His neighbor was home working.

One big crash and then I stood up and I heard an even bigger crash and when I looked and saw the bus had ran into my neighbors house, said Stacey Coplin King whose SUV was struck.

Her rental SUV out front was taken for a ride.

It was smashed all along the sides, the tire was off the rim and it was up on the sidewalk, said Coplin King.

The Boston Public School bus was carrying nine children and the accident left them in tears.

They were shook -they were shook some of them were crying, said Coplin King.

We were concerned the building could collapse it was a partial collapse as it is, said Paul Burke who is the Boston Fire Commissioner.

Neighbors are thankful the kids were not seriously injured.

So, I am extremely grateful that all the children were okay, said Coplin King.

And that is something this homeowner is happy about even if his recently renovated front porch may have to be rebuilt.

As long as everybody is safe and nobody is hurt, thats a good thing because buildings can be replaced, he said.

His family will not be able to stay in the home tonight because of the damage. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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10 of the best meals to make in an air fryer, according to chefs

Chefs shared their favorite easy meals to cook in the air fryer and how to make them.

Several recommended dishes with crunch, like chicken wings and cheese empanadas.

Vegan recipes like falafel and popcorn "chicken" also come out great.

French-toast sticks make for a sweet, air-fried breakfast.

French-toast sticks only need to cook in the air fryer for 10 minutes. Chelsea Davis

Certified master chef Sean Andrade of AWG Private Chefs told Business Insider that he loves making French-toast sticks in the air fryer.

"These sticks are a great easy meal for adults or kids, and they're just as fast as making them the old-fashioned way," Andrade said.

After lightly soaking strips of thick bread in a whisked mixture of sweetened milk, egg, and cinnamon, generously spray the air-fryer basket with nonstick oil and cook the pieces at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

You can serve this breakfast dish with maple syrup or jam for extra sweetness.

Patatas bravas are a spicy meal or side.

The air fryer helps to make this dish extra crispy. Lena Maximova/Shuttershock

Patatas bravas are Spanish-style fried potatoes.

"Air fryers do an amazing job at crisping and give the patatas bravas that soft, creamy inside with great crunch on the outside," Andrade said.

Simply toss chopped waxy potatoes in a little oil, garlic powder, and smoked paprika before frying them at 385 F for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Make sure to shake the basket every five minutes during the cooking process to ensure the potatoes are evenly crispy.

Salmon and vegetables can be cooked together in the air fryer.

This healthy combo is an easy weeknight dinner. New Africa/Shuttershock

Air-fried salmon and vegetables is an easy, low-mess meal that can be customized to your liking.

"I love making salmon and veggies in the air fryer because it's quick, healthy, and delicious," Andrade said. "Plus the only thing you need to clean afterward is the fryer basket."

Add a selection of seasoned vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts to the air-fryer basket, then place your marinated salmon skin-side down on top of the veggies and air fry for 20 minutes at 415 F.

Crusted pork tenderloin is a quick family meal.

Pork tenderloins gain a crispy crust in the air fryer, especially if breaded. David P. Smith/Shuttershock

Try pork tenderloin if you're looking for a quick weeknight meal that can feed a crowd.

"Crusted pork tenderloin done in the air fryer is a perfect easy meal for busy families," Andrade said. "It takes just a few minutes but tastes gourmet."

After rubbing a pork tenderloin with a mix of Dijon mustard, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, thyme, and 2 tablespoons of light-brown sugar, place the meat in the air-fryer basket and cook it at 400 F for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Make sure the basket is coated with oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Crispy pea falafel is a vegetarian-friendly meal.

Falafel works great with veggies in a toasted pita wrap. uniqueton/Shuttershock

Chef and entrepreneur Jason Lloyd told BI that crispy pea falafel is a breeze to make in the air fryer.

"I love using marrowfat peas instead of chickpeas for a twist on traditional falafel," Lloyd said. "These go really crispy and golden in the air fryer, too."

To make falafel, blend or mash marrowfat peas with chopped garlic, onion, and fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, and dill. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator and form it into patties before air-frying until golden.

Then serve the falafel in a toasted pita with greens and a generous dollop of tartar sauce, which you can easily make at home by combining mayonnaise with finely chopped capers, shallots, gherkins, and flat-leaf parsley.

Make crunchy potato-and-lentil samosas in the air fryer.

Air-fried samosas benefit from a crispy exterior. CursedLens/Shuttershock

Samosas are ideally suited for air frying, as the high heat keeps the filling soft and tender while the pastry develops a satisfying crunch.

"Potato-and-lentil samosas are delicious and can be customized with whatever spices you want," Lloyd said. "They're also an ideal party food for a crowd."

To make simple samosas, fill pastry-dough triangles with curry-spiced potatoes, chopped onions, and cooked lentils, then air fry until the edges are lightly browned.

Lloyd also recommended making a quick dipping or drizzling sauce by combining equal parts mango chutney and cranberry sauce with a pinch of nigella seeds.

Vegan popcorn "chicken" is a plant-based option.

This dish can be a fun, vegan alternative to fried chicken. Dolan Mbengi/Shuttershock

One of the air fryer's superpowers is its ability to draw out excess moisture, which can turn tofu cubes into chewy and crunchy faux popcorn "chicken."

"Vegan popcorn 'chicken' is actually firm, cubed tofu dipped in batter made with flour and plant milk, tossed in breadcrumbs, and fried until golden," Lloyd said.

Serve the tofu with sweet chili sauce and fresh greens for a light, protein-packed meal.

Cheese empanadas cook perfectly in the air fryer.

Air-fryer cheese empanadas can take less than 10 minutes to make. Andrea Skjold Mink/Shuttershock

Chef and Food Network personality Monti Carlo told BI that this appliance is ideal for making cheese empanadas.

"The air fryer is perfect for small batches of crispy homemade cheese empanadas," Carlo said. "They're vegetarian-friendly and can be on the table in less than 10 minutes."

To make this dish, add 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese to 6-inch empanada-dough rounds. Then fold the circles in half, seal the edges by pressing them with a fork's tines, and cook the savory pastries at 375 F until golden.

Crispy mozzarella sticks are easy to make.

You can buy mozzarella sticks from the store or make them yourself. Ezume Images/Shuttershock

Aubrey Babb, chef and founder of Aubrey's Kitchen, told BI that mozzarella sticks are one of her favorite easy meals to make in the air fryer.

"Air frying is the perfect way to crisp up frozen mozzarella sticks in small batches, or you can cook homemade sticks using cut mozzarella and breadcrumbs," Babb said.

Serve the sticks on a bed of fresh greens, basil, and sliced tomatoes for a delicious twist on a Caprese salad.

Air-fried chicken wings turn out extra crispy.

You can toss the wings in breadcrumbs for an extra-crispy meal. nymphoenix/Shutterstock

Making chicken wings in the air fryer lets you take advantage of the appliance's crisping power.

"The air fryer is the way to go for extra-crispy and delicious chicken wings," Babb said. "They're super easy and way less mess than deep frying."

To make this meal in an air fryer, season the wings with a blend of spices or sauce and pop them in to cook until they're golden.

If you prefer a crispier wing, toss the meat in breadcrumbs before cooking and serve the sauce on the side.

This story was originally published in February 2021 and most recently updated on March 11, 2024.

Best air fryers

Looking to get an air fryer of your own? We test and recommend the best air fryers:





Best overall: Philips Premium Digital Airfryer - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: Dash Compact Air Fryer - See at Amazon

Best multitasking: Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer - See at Amazon

Read the original article on Business Insider
A North Carolina child died while riding an all-terrain vehicle by himself, deputies told news outlets.

A family in Elizabeth City contacted deputies at about 4 p.m. on March 8 after they found the 11-year-old boy, who had gone out riding on an ATV before crashing in a field, according to a Pasquotank County Sheriffs Office news release, reported by WTKR. The boy was last seen on the ATV by his family at about 3 p.m., WAVY reported.

The family reported the child may be dead when they called deputies, WAVY reported.

When deputies arrived, they found the boy pinned underneath the ATV, WITN reported. First responders pulled the boy out from under the vehicle, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, the outlet reported.

Investigators found that the ATV flipped on its left side while the 11-year-old was driving, causing him to be pinned down when the vehicle tumbled, Sheriff Tommy Wooten said in the release, as reported by WITN.

The boy was not wearing a helmet or seatbelt at the time of the crash, WTKR reported.

Elizabeth City is about a 45-mile drive south of Norfolk.

ATV risks and how to stay safe

Ten states  including North Carolina  made up more than 42% of off-highway vehicle deaths between 2016 and 2018, according to a 2021 report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

In total, there were more than 2,200 deaths during that time period from OHV deaths nationally, according to the commission. Approximately 75% of those deaths involved ATVs, the commission said.

Of those killed, about 300 were children under 16, per the commission.

The commission recommends several tips to make sure people of all ages stay safe while riding off-highway vehicles like ATVs:

Always put on a helmet, as well as other gear such as boots, protective glasses and gloves.

Enroll in an ATV safety course with a qualified instructor.

Stay off public roads unless crossing the street.

Do not have additional passengers on ATV, because they are typically made for one person.

Riders under 16 should ride age-appropriate youth models.

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A spokesperson for Chile-based LATAM airlines said 'a technical event during the flight' had 'caused a strong movement' (Daniel SLIM)

Airline watchdogs were on Tuesday investigating why a Boeing-made plane bound for New Zealand violently lost altitude mid-flight, injuring a host of terrified passengers.

Passengers aboard the LATAM flight said the Boeing 787 Dreamliner plunged earthward while flying from Sydney to Auckland on Monday evening, slinging unrestrained travellers out of their seats and smashing them into the roof of the cabin.

The Chilean airline said Tuesday it was working with authorities to unravel the unspecified "technical event", the latest in a string of safety incidents to plague US airplane manufacturer Boeing.

"It was just a split second," said Auckland-based chef Lucas Ellwood, who was on board flight LA800.

"The crashing of people into the roof caused the tiling to be dislodged," he told AFP on Tuesday.

"The guy behind me was in the toilet when it happened, the poor guy. He told me he went through the roof," he added.

Emergency crews were notified shortly before the flight landed and a phalanx of more than a dozen ambulances and other medical vehicles rushed to the scene.

Paramedics said they treated about 50 patients after the flight touched down at Auckland Airport, with health officials telling AFP four people remained in hospital as of Tuesday morning.

LATAM said there were 263 passengers and nine cabin crew on board when the plane "experienced a strong movement".

"Only one passenger and one crew member have injuries that require additional care but are not life-threatening," LATAM said in a statement.

The flight arrived on time, the airline added.

New Zealand air safety investigators will lead the probe into the incident with the help of Chilean officials, the Chilean General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics said in a statement.

Air accident safety investigator Joe Hattley told AFP that technical problems were rare in modern aircraft.

"That flight record will be key to understanding this event. It will tell investigators if it was an atmospheric event or a technical problem with the aircraft," said Hattley, who also teaches at the University of New South Wales in Australia.

"Aviation is a safe method of transport. But these kinds of events highlight the absolute need for passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened."

Data from airline tracker FlightAware showed the plane lost altitude about two hours into the three-hour flight.

Brian Jokat, who was on board, said he saw a passenger strike the roof of the plane before falling back down and hitting his ribs on an armrest.

"He was on the roof of the plane on his back, looking down on me. It was like 'The Exorcist'," Jokat told national broadcaster Radio New Zealand.

Jokat said that after the plane landed, the pilot came to the back of the cabin.

"I asked him 'what happened?' and he said to me 'I lost my instrumentation briefly and then it just came back all of a sudden'," Jokat said.

- Safety issues -

US manufacturer Boeing has suffered a series of safety issues in recent years, including the fatal Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes of 737 MAX planes in 2018 and 2019 that killed more than 350 people.

"We are working to gather more information about the flight and will provide any support needed by our customer," Boeing said in a statement sent to AFP.

Boeing is still reeling from a near-catastrophic incident in January when a fuselage panel on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 Alaska Airlines jet blew off mid-flight in the United States.

US regulators earlier this month gave Boeing 90 days to come up with a plan addressing quality control issues, with the Federal Aviation Administration chief saying the company must "commit to real and profound improvements".

Last week, a Boeing 777 jetliner bound for Japan had to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff from San Francisco when a wheel fell off and plunged into an airport parking lot, damaging several cars.

LATAM said passengers destined for Santiago would now leave New Zealand on Tuesday evening.

bur-sft/arb/cwl
The designation of March 15 by the United Nations (UN) as the International Day to combat Islamophobia is a significant step in the fight against Islamophobia. We have a great responsibility in this fight, said Assistant Secretary-General of Political Affairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yousef M. Al-Dobeay as he addressed the international conference themed Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024 held in Baku.

He mentioned that during these years, Azerbaijan has hosted various high-level events dedicated to the fight against Islamophobia, taking exemplary steps. Todays event also reflects Azerbaijans strong commitment in this regard. "The OIC is looking forward to the results of today's conference," he added.

The OIC Assistant Secretary General drew attention to the fact that provocative acts continue to be committed around the world, noting that people are being targeted because of their religious beliefs.

Yousef M. Al-Dobeay stressed the need to take various measures to prevent oppression and discrimination against Muslims. The OIC calls on international organizations and civil societies to unite and mobilize their efforts against these cases," the Assistant Secretary General emphasized.
The New York Times reported that twelve Ukrainian pilots will be ready to fly F-16 fighter jets in combat this summer, but by the time they come back home from training, Ukraine will have received only six aircraft.

Source: NYT

Quote from the NYT: "Twelve pilots so far  fewer than a full squadron  are expected to be ready to fly F-16s in combat by this summer after 10 months of training in Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States.

But by the time the pilots return to Ukraine, as few as six F-16s will have been delivered out of about 45 of the fighter jets that European allies have promised."

Details: The New York Times noted that Ukrainian pilots were currently waiting for fighter jets and pilot instructors at a new training centre at the Fatesti airbase in southern Romania, which is to play a crucial role in training Ukrainians. But it is unclear when Ukrainian pilots will begin training at the centre.

In addition, several officials said that there remained a lot of uncertainty about when each country will send its planes, how many Ukraine will receive, how quickly the pilots can be trained and the number of people who can properly maintain the fighters.

The NYT emphasised that the training of Ukrainian pilots on modern Western aircraft is lightning fast, compressing years of training into a few months. Nevertheless, the process has been slower than Ukraine and its allies had hoped, as pilots have had to learn English and Western military practices to use the F-16s effectively.

The NYT reiterated that training for Ukrainian pilots began last August at an airbase in southern Denmark, but their language skills and knowledge of Western flight technology slowed down the process. According to Danish officials, the Ukrainian pilots were ready to fly only in January 2024.

The NYT also stated that Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium have pledged to send about 45 aircraft to Ukraine, enough for three small squadrons. Denmark will send the first six planes in late spring, with 13 more to arrive by the end of the year and in 2025.

Other countries have not yet set a delivery date for their F-16s. The Dutch Ministry of Defence, which has promised to deliver 24 fighter jets, has said it will hold them until Ukraine is ready to accept them.

There is also a need for fighter jet maintenance personnel. Currently, about 50 Ukrainian technicians are being trained in Denmark to maintain and repair the aircraft, as well as to work with the weapon systems. The NYT writes that the F-16s are so complex that each one typically requires eight to 14 people to maintain.

Officials have said that Western defence contractors will have to escort the planes to Ukraine and stay with them until there are enough Ukrainian crews to properly maintain them, a process that could take years.

In addition, the need to repair outdated and war-damaged military runways in Ukraine may also delay the F-16's entry into the war.

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Authorities in Licking County arrested a 13-year-old Sunday accused of making social media posts threatening violence at several schools in the county.

Licking County law enforcement arrested a 13-year-old Sunday accused of making social media posts threatening violence at several schools in the county.

The Newark Division of Police reported that schools including Newark High School, Heath High School and Lakewood High School received threats posted on social media Saturday,

Detectives with the Licking County Sheriffs Office and the Heath Police Department identified the 13-year-old suspect and took them into custody. Law enforcement deemed the threat not credible, Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said in a Facebook post.

Police did not disclose whether the teen taken into custody was a student at any of the schools that received threats. Police have not said whether the teen will face any criminal charges stemming from the threats.

Thorp added that detectives and the FBI would continue investigating the incident.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Licking County Ohio teen arrested for making threats at several schools
A 14-year-old subway surfer was injured on a Brooklyn subway train in the latest injury from the dangerous social media craze, police said.

The unidentified young daredevil fell from an elevated position on an F Train at the Fourth Avenue and Ninth Street subway station in Park Slope at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday, an NYPD spokesperson said.

Officers responding to a 911 call found a conscious, responsive 14-year-old boy inside the train who was suffering from a head laceration and chest and neck pain, cops said.

EMS workers brought him to New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, cops said.

Authorities brought the unidentified teen to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. Helayne Seidman

Subway surfing  or the practice of hopping on top of a moving train  has led to several deaths and serious injuries. Getty Images

The investigation is ongoing, the spokesperson said.
A 16-year-old has been charged with murder after a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools student was shot in west Charlotte last month.

Police said 17-year-old Melakah Corbette was shot multiple times around 1:15 a.m. on Feb. 1 on Pitts Drive near L.C. Coleman Park. He was a student at Julius L. Chambers High School.

PREVIOUS STORIES:

Corbettes aunt said the teenager had just signed to a modeling agency in New York and was interviewing for gigs days before he was killed.

On Monday, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said they charged a 16-year-old with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.

That suspect was arrested on Saturday and was put into the custody of the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

No further information was released.

(WATCH BELOW: Police investigating deadly shooting near South End)
A teenager is facing charges for a deadly crash in North Park in December.

Taylor Orlowski, 18, of Baden, and Jonathan Tourney, 14, of Gibsonia, died in a single-vehicle crash near Babcock Avenue in McCandless on Dec. 23. The four other people in the car had minor injuries. Soon after the crash, police said the driver was speeding when he lost control and hit a tree.

A criminal complaint states that when the car hit the tree, it split nearly in half, veered across Irwin Road and came to a rest on a wooded hillside.

>>> 2 teens killed in single-vehicle crash near North Park, police say

On Monday, the Allegheny County Police Department identified the driver as Aiden Saber, 18, of Richland Township. In a news release, police clarify the vehicle was traveling at least 72 mph when Saber lost control. Tests showed he also had a blood alcohol content of .047%.

Police spoke with a surviving passenger who said everyone in the car had been drinking before the crash, the complaint says. This passenger said the group left his house and walked trails at North Park. When they returned to the car to leave, Saber punched the vehicle and sped up while other people in the car told him to stop. The passenger claims Saber repeatedly said I got it, while they told him to slow down.

Saber is charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, three counts of aggravated assault by a vehicle and driving under the influence.

Jonathan Tourneys mom told Channel 11 over the phone she wasnt aware charges would be filed Monday, but says she wants Saber to be held accountable.

[Were] pleased with the investigation and that things are moving forward. Were all deeply saddened with everything that happened. We feel the driver should have to be accountable for his actions. We miss Jonathan very much and nothing will ever bring him back, Ellie Tourney said.

Taylors mom, Heather, also sent Channel 11 a statement, saying that although nothing will bring her daughter back, she hopes through the justice system a similar tragedy can be avoided. Her full statement reads:

There is no amount of justice that will ever bring my daughter back. A selfish person made a careless decision that ended the lives of two people with their entire lives ahead of them, far too soon. My hope is that something so avoidable like this tragedy doesnt happen again. That the outcome of this nightmare provides a lesson and gives greater responsibility to people when they have the lives of others at their fingertips. My daughters life was lost because of a poor choice made [by] someone else. I lost my best friend and my world. My daughter did not deserve this. My hope is that our justice systems can deliver what her memory deserves.

Defense attorney Casey White is representing Saber. Channel spoke to him shortly after Saber turned himself in.

Those kids were out there that night doing what teenage kids do. They all got in the car that night, and Aiden unfortunately was the driver that night. Some poor decisions were made, but ultimately, we need to determine what we can do as a defense team to help Aiden in this situation, White said.

Police say Sabers charges come after consultation with the district attorneys office. Saber has been denied bail.

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Princess Kate apologizes for confusion over photo that was recalled by news agencies Russell Wilson indicates he plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers Reserve Twp. police issue warning after reports of drivers sneaking through road closure VIDEO: 1 person injured when SUV crashes into building along West Liberty Avenue DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Two pets were found dead after a house fire, officials said.

At 7:45 p.m., units from Hall County Fire Rescue responded to a house fire in the 5000 block of Britt Whitmire Road in north Hall County.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Hall County fire officials said the call came in from a passerby.

When firefighters got to the scene, they found a single-wide trailer home with flames showing.

As the fire was being extinguished, a neighbor told personnel on the scene that there should be no one inside.

After a search, firefighters confirmed there was no one inside the burning structure.

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However, they did find a dog and cat dead inside the home.

The Red Cross was called to assist the two displaced residents.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
(NewsNation)  Two pilots fell asleep aboard a Batik Air flight, causing the plane to deviate from its intended route, according to a preliminary report by Indonesias National Transportation Safety Committee.

The flight, carrying 153 passengers and four crew members on Jan. 25, was en route from Kendari to Jakarta when the pilots, identified only as a 32-year-old Indonesian in command and a 28-year-old Indonesian as the second-in-command, dozed off simultaneously for approximately 28 minutes.

According to the report, the mishap happened about 30 minutes after departure when the aircraft reached its cruising altitude of 36,000 feet. The pilot in command requested rest, which was granted by the deputy. Subsequently, the first pilot fell asleep and woke up nearly an hour later.

Coolcations: The new travel trend to beat the heat

Following this, the first pilot offered the opportunity to rest to the second-in-command, who declined. However, the report stated that the second pilot unintentionally fell asleep while still in control of the aircraft, leading to a period of unresponsiveness to communication attempts from Jakartas area control center.

Upon awakening, the first pilot noticed the aircraft was off course. Corrective measures were taken, and the plane safely landed in Jakarta with no reported injuries or damage to the aircraft.

The report revealed that the second pilot, who had recently relocated and was caring for newborn twins, was struggling with sleep before the flight.

Indonesias civil aviation director, Maria Kristi Endah Murni, strongly criticized Batik Air over the incident and announced an investigation into the airlines night flight operations.

Batik Air, in response, temporarily suspended the two pilots involved.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Two women were found dead in an overturned car after a crash on a highway in Vermont over the weekend, authorities said.

Troopers responding to a report of a single-vehicle crash on the southbound side of Interstate 91 in Barnet on Saturday found four people in a wrecked Nissan Versa that had struck a tree and rolled over, according to Vermont State Police.

Two crash of the crash victims, 27-year-old Jessica Norrie and 28-year-old Bryana Gillis, both of St. Johnsbury, were pronounced dead at the scene. Christian Montandon, 44, of Bradford, was taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with serious injuries, while Richard Kendall III, 29, also of St. Johnsbury, suffered minor injuries.

State police said a preliminary investigation indicated that the driver of the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a large tree, and overturned.

Its not clear who was driving the car at the time of the crash but state police noted that all four occupants were not wearing seatbelts.

Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is asked to call Vermont State Police Trooper Jason Haley at 802-748-3111.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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New York State Trooper John M. Grassia III and New York National Guard pilot Casey Frankoski were among three killed in a U.S. military helicopter crash near the Mexico border. (New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association/ Troy Police Department)

TEXAS - Two members of the New York National Guard were killed in a helicopter crash in Texas while conducting border patrols along the US-Mexico border last Friday.

The two members have been identified as John Grassia III and Casey Frankosi, who lost their lives while on duty when the UH-72 Lakota helicopter crashed near Rio Grande City, Texas.

Grassia, 30, joined the New York State Police in April 2022 and was most recently assigned to Troop G.

"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," a Facebook post by the New York State Troopers PBA said.

His funeral arrangements are still pending.

Courtesy NYS troopers PBA (via Facebook)

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, 28, from Rensselaer, New York, was enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2016.

She has been serving in the New York Army National Guard since 2012.

Border Patrol agent, Chris Luna, 49, was also killed.

The UH-72 Lakota helicopter was assigned to the federal governments border security mission when it went down, according to a statement released by Joint Task Force North, a military unit that supports Customs and Border Protection.

The injured soldier was from the New York National Guard, according to the National Guard Bureau. The soldier, whose name isn't being released, was the aircraft crew chief. The soldier remained hospitalized, according to a release posted by the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs.

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, said in the release that they are "shocked and devastated" by the deaths of Frankoski and Grassia, and are "praying for the quick recovery" of the injured crew chief.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Troy Miller said in a statement that they were "heartbroken" by the death of Luna, who is survived by his wife and two children, parents and brother.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement that they are hoping for the injured national guardsman's "swift recovery," and said his thoughts and the "deepest condolences" of the department were with the families of those killed.

Grassia, who was a New York state trooper, was from Schenectady, New York, and he enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2013 as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter maintenance specialist, according to the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs. The release said that Frankoski, of Rensselaer, New York, enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2016 and she trained to become a UH-60 Black Hawk and UH-72 Lakota helicopter pilot.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement that she was "deeply saddened" by the deaths of Grassia and Frankoski.

"I am deeply saddened at the passing of two members of the New York National Guard and a member of the New York State Police during a federal deployment along our southern border. There is no greater calling than service to and defense of your country. I join the members of our National Guard and State Police, and the entire State of New York, in mourning this tragic loss. Our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends of those killed, and I remain incredibly grateful for the many service men and women who put themselves at risk every day to ensure the security of our state and our nation."

Frankoski and Grassia were assigned to Detachment 2, Company A, 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment. Luna was assigned to the Border Patrol's Rio Grande City Station.

The helicopter that crashed was assigned to the District of Columbia Army National Guard, according to the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs release.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The Associated Press and FOX News contributed to this report.
Mstyslav Chernov on the stage of the Oscars 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Ukraine's historic Oscar win for the documentary film 20 Days in Mariupol, directed by Mstyslav Chernov, on social media on March 11.

The film exposes the harsh realities of Russian terrorism and the devastating attack on Mariupol over two years ago.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the film's team for their significant achievement, emphasizing that the Oscar recognition provides an opportunity to loudly condemn Russia's war against Ukraine. He also took a moment to remember the defenders of Mariupol who are still held in Russian captivity under inhumane conditions.

"We must protect our country and all of our people in order to restore normal life free of fear," Zelensky said on X.

Read also: Ukrainian documentary 20 days in Mariupol wins Oscar 2024

Following the Oscar ceremony, Chernov expressed a poignant message, stating that he would willingly exchange the award and the film itself if it could prevent further Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.

The film becomes the first Ukrainian Oscar-winning production, with American producers Michelle Mizner and Renee Aronson-Rath contributing to its creation. Produced by Frontline, the movie is rooted in video footage captured by the Associated Press team. Videographer Chernov, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka, and producer Vasilisa Stepanenko documented the events in the besieged Mariupol, surrounded by Russian forces. Arriving just hours before the Russian invasion, the team left the city through a green corridor after 20 days, successfully bringing out all recorded material.



The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023.

Read also: Kyiv to host fundraiser screening of Oscar-nominated documentary 20 Days in Mariupol

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Raney Aronson-Rath, from left, Vasilisa Stepanenko, Mstyslav Chernov, Evgeniy Maloletka, Michelle Mizner, and Derl McCrudden accept the award for best documentary feature film for "20 Days in Mariupol" during the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Mstyslav Chernovs 20 Days in Mariupol, a harrowing first-person account of the early days of Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, won the best documentary Oscar on Sunday night.

A joint production of The Associated Press and PBS' Frontline, the Oscar  and nomination  was a first for both Chernov, an AP video journalist, and the 178-year-old news organization. This was the third nomination and first win for Frontline.

Chernov, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka and producer Vasilisa Stepanenko arrived an hour before Russia began bombing the port city. Two weeks later, they were the last journalists working for an international outlet in the city, sending crucial dispatches to the outside world showing civilian casualties of all ages, the digging of mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital and the sheer extent of the devastation.

This is the first Oscar in Ukrainian history, and Im honored, an emotional Chernov said. Probably I will be the first director on this stage to say I wish Id never made this film, I wish to be able to exchange this to Russia never attacking Ukraine.

He called on Russia to cease aggression in Ukraine. I wish for them to release all the hostages, all the soldiers who are protecting their land, all the civilians who are in their jails, he said.

We can make sure that the history record is set straight and the truth will prevail, and that the people of Mariupol, and those who have given their lives, will never be forgotten. Because cinema forms memories and memories form history.

Chernov ended his speech by switching to his native language, uttering his nations salute, Slava Ukraini, which means Glory to Ukraine.

Statuettes were awarded to Chernov, producer and editor Michelle Mizner and producer Raney Aronson-Rath; AP Vice President Derl McCrudden is also a credited producer on the film and was among those onstage to accept the award.

While reporting on the invasion, Chernov encountered quite a few different reactions to the team's presence on the ground. Some thanked the journalists for doing their jobs. Some called them prostitutes. Some doctors urged them to film graphic scenes of injured and dead children to show the world what had been done.

Only about 40 minutes of footage made it out to the world in real time because of poor connections, but when Chernov and his colleagues were finally able to leave, he decided he needed to do something with the 30-some hours they had on tape. Chernov, who was born in Ukraine, narrated the documentary as well.

The work of Chernov, Maloletka, Stepanenko and Lori Hinnant won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for public service and featured prominently that same year in a Pulitzer for breaking news photography.

20 Days in Mariupol debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won an audience award. It went on to claim best documentary from the Directors Guild and BAFTA and was considered a favorite for the Academy Award going into the night. It won the prize over a strong slate of documentary features, including Four Daughters,The Eternal Memory, Bobi Wine: The Peoples President and To Kill a Tiger. Last year, Navalny, about the Russian opposition leader who died just last month, won best documentary.

And while the awards run for Mariupol has come to a close, each new prize and platform has provided a stark reminder that, more than two years, later the war is still ongoing. On the same day Chernov learned he was nominated for an Oscar, he learned that his hometown of Kharkiv had just been subject to a deadly bombing by Russian forces.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in late February that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in action since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

The Last Repair Shop won for best documentary short. The film, co-directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers, profiles the craftspeople who fix thousands of musical instruments used by Los Angeles schoolchildren. Music education isnt just about creating incredible musicians, its about creating incredible humans, said Bowers.

___

For more on the 2024 Oscars, visit https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards. For more AP coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war, visit https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
The film "20 Days in Mariupol," directed by Ukrainian journalist Mstyslav Chernov, won the Oscar for Best Documentary at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10.

The documentary records the Russian siege of Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast from the perspective of Chernov and his crew during the first weeks of the full-scale invasion. It is the first Ukrainian film made by a Ukrainian director to ever win an Oscar.

Chernov acknowledged this landmark moment in Ukrainian cinema and said he was honored, but also wished he had never had to document the fighting in Mariupol.

"I wish I had never made this film," he said.

"I wish to be able to exchange this to Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities. I wish to give all the recognition for Russia not killing tens of thousands of my fellow citizens."

Chernov is a Ukrainian photographer, photojournalist, and filmmaker who was working for the Associated Press when Russia launched its all-out war against Ukraine.

The "20 Days in Mariupol" documentary comprised 30 hours of footage Chernov and his colleagues shot in Mariupol before the crew left the besieged city. Chernov and his AP colleague Vasylysa Stepanenko arrived in Mariupol one hour before the full-scale Russian invasion on Feb. 24.

Since its release in January 2023, "20 Days in Mariupol" has won audience prizes at the Sundance Film Festival, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, Hot Docs Canadian Documentary Festival, and DocuDaysUA.

Russia's months-long siege of Mariupol between February and May reduced the port city into a landscape of rubble and killed thousands.

"Cinema forms memories, and memories form history," Chernov said at the end of his speech.

"Thanks to Ukraine. Slava Ukraini."

Read also: 20 Days in Mariupol can win an Oscar. Will it make the world care about Russian war crimes in Ukraine?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Marriage is full of highs, lows and a whole bunch of ordinary moments in between. Somehow the married people on X, formerly known as Twitter, continue to find humor in the minutiae of wedded life.

Every week, we round up the funniest marriage tweets on the platform. Read on for 20 relatable ones that will have you laughing in agreement.

my husband thinks hes easy-going but also just complained that he has to use two hands because the toilet paper is hard to rip  nika (@nikalamity) March 6, 2024

my husband thinks hes easy-going but also just complained that he has to use two hands because the toilet paper is hard to rip  nika (@nikalamity)  nika (@nikalamity) March 6, 2024 ">

My husband thinks he knows how to argue with me because he is a lawyer but what he fails to account for is the fact that I am insane and cannot be reasoned with  Asia (@AsiaDNYC) March 7, 2024

My husband thinks he knows how to argue with me because he is a lawyer but what he fails to account for is the fact that I am insane and cannot be reasoned with  Asia (@AsiaDNYC)  Asia (@AsiaDNYC) March 7, 2024 ">

There's a coffee shop I go to several times a week. My husband goes to it once a month. Today we went together and they knew his order and started making it before he even said hi and then they looked at me like they had never seen me in their lives.



I'm just the backup dancer.  Eli McCann (@EliMcCann) March 10, 2024

There's a coffee shop I go to several times a week. My husband goes to it once a month. Today we went together and they knew his order and started making it before he even said hi and then they looked at me like they had never seen me in their lives.



I'm just the backup dancer.  Eli McCann (@EliMcCann)  Eli McCann (@EliMcCann) March 10, 2024 ">

Stages of marriage:



1. Get married

2. WHY ARE YOU BREATHING SO LOUD

3. Get divorced  Tracie Breaux (@traciebreaux) March 5, 2024

Stages of marriage:



1. Get married

2. WHY ARE YOU BREATHING SO LOUD

3. Get divorced  Tracie Breaux (@traciebreaux)  Tracie Breaux (@traciebreaux) March 5, 2024 ">

It's sad when our families don't appreciate all the things we moms do for them. For instance, my husband has not once thanked me today for providing him with up-to-the-minute coverage on the Kensington Palace photo conspiracy.  Amy Colleen (@sewistwrites) March 10, 2024

It's sad when our families don't appreciate all the things we moms do for them. For instance, my husband has not once thanked me today for providing him with up-to-the-minute coverage on the Kensington Palace photo conspiracy.  Amy Colleen (@sewistwrites)  Amy Colleen (@sewistwrites) March 10, 2024 ">

wife: you should go move the clocks

me: no problem

[three hours later]

wife: where the fuck are all the clocks?  Uncle Duke (@UncleDuke1969) March 10, 2024

wife: you should go move the clocks

me: no problem

[three hours later]

wife: where the fuck are all the clocks?  Uncle Duke (@UncleDuke1969)  Uncle Duke (@UncleDuke1969) March 10, 2024 ">

Having a wife and daughters means there's an 80% chance that any flat surface in your house has a hair tie on it.  Rodney Lacroix (@RodLacroix) March 7, 2024

Having a wife and daughters means there's an 80% chance that any flat surface in your house has a hair tie on it.  Rodney Lacroix (@RodLacroix)  Rodney Lacroix (@RodLacroix) March 7, 2024 ">

Wife: You can pick out the movie for tonight because its your birthday but no zombie shit.



Whats even the point  N.J. Gallegos wakes up and chooses violence (@DrSpooky_ER) March 10, 2024

Wife: You can pick out the movie for tonight because its your birthday but no zombie shit.



Whats even the point  N.J. Gallegos wakes up and chooses violence (@DrSpooky_ER)  N.J. Gallegos wakes up and chooses violence (@DrSpooky_ER) March 10, 2024 ">

I married the perfect man though because every time the kids have tried to stampede into the living room tonight he has intercepted them and sent them away and I just heard him say Your mother is watching the Oscars LET HER HAVE HER ONE THING.  Kristen Mulrooney (@missmulrooney) March 11, 2024

I married the perfect man though because every time the kids have tried to stampede into the living room tonight he has intercepted them and sent them away and I just heard him say Your mother is watching the Oscars LET HER HAVE HER ONE THING.  Kristen Mulrooney (@missmulrooney)  Kristen Mulrooney (@missmulrooney) March 11, 2024 ">

Me: *coughs*

*coughs again*



Husband: Are you ok?



Me: Yes.



*secretly opening the last sleeve of thin mints I dont want to share*  sixfootcandy (@sixfootcandy) March 6, 2024

Me: *coughs*

*coughs again*



Husband: Are you ok?



Me: Yes.



*secretly opening the last sleeve of thin mints I dont want to share*  sixfootcandy (@sixfootcandy)  sixfootcandy (@sixfootcandy) March 6, 2024 ">

My husband: When have I ever steered us wrong?



*Flashback to 2014*



My husband: Trust me, investing a huge chunk of our life savings in RadioShack is going to make us millionaires.  Hollie Harris (@allholls) March 7, 2024

My husband: When have I ever steered us wrong?



*Flashback to 2014*



My husband: Trust me, investing a huge chunk of our life savings in RadioShack is going to make us millionaires.  Hollie Harris (@allholls)  Hollie Harris (@allholls) March 7, 2024 ">

I married someone who doesn't laugh at the movie Airplane so don't talk to me about heartbreak.  live.laugh.toasterbath. (@KissabiX) March 7, 2024

I married someone who doesn't laugh at the movie Airplane so don't talk to me about heartbreak.  live.laugh.toasterbath. (@KissabiX)  live.laugh.toasterbath. (@KissabiX) March 7, 2024 ">

Introduced a new band to the hubs only for him to tell his co-workers he just discovered a new bandon the phone w/ a divorce lawyer as we speak  DonutHawk (@StruggleDisplay) March 11, 2024

Introduced a new band to the hubs only for him to tell his co-workers he just discovered a new bandon the phone w/ a divorce lawyer as we speak  DonutHawk (@StruggleDisplay)  DonutHawk (@StruggleDisplay) March 11, 2024 ">

The CDC now recommends the wife pick the restaurant.  My Life As Dad (@milifeasdad) March 8, 2024

The CDC now recommends the wife pick the restaurant.  My Life As Dad (@milifeasdad)  My Life As Dad (@milifeasdad) March 8, 2024 ">

Probably the saddest part of being a grownup is deciding with your wife that an air fryer will be your birthday gift to each other.  Simon Holland (@simoncholland) March 8, 2024

Probably the saddest part of being a grownup is deciding with your wife that an air fryer will be your birthday gift to each other.  Simon Holland (@simoncholland)  Simon Holland (@simoncholland) March 8, 2024 ">

Do I believe in gender roles? No. Do I believe in my right to say dont you worry your pretty little head, darlin after killing a roach bc my husband is afraid of them? Very much yes.  Asia (@AsiaDNYC) March 7, 2024

Do I believe in gender roles? No. Do I believe in my right to say dont you worry your pretty little head, darlin after killing a roach bc my husband is afraid of them? Very much yes.  Asia (@AsiaDNYC)  Asia (@AsiaDNYC) March 7, 2024 ">

When we pack for a trip my wife basically moves out.  Dan Regan (@DanRegan_Comedy) March 9, 2024

When we pack for a trip my wife basically moves out.  Dan Regan (@DanRegan_Comedy)  Dan Regan (@DanRegan_Comedy) March 9, 2024 ">

Me: *making a turkey sandwich and carefully cutting off the crust*



Husband: Its ok, hun. Ill eat the crust.



Me: This is for the dog.



Husband: Of course it is.  sixfootcandy (@sixfootcandy) March 8, 2024

Me: *making a turkey sandwich and carefully cutting off the crust*



Husband: Its ok, hun. Ill eat the crust.



Me: This is for the dog.



Husband: Of course it is.  sixfootcandy (@sixfootcandy)  sixfootcandy (@sixfootcandy) March 8, 2024 ">

My husband is very good at putting washing IN the washing machine  Late to the party Laura (@ericamorecambe) March 9, 2024

My husband is very good at putting washing IN the washing machine  Late to the party Laura (@ericamorecambe)  Late to the party Laura (@ericamorecambe) March 9, 2024 ">

The range of time between my wife saying "Why did you wake me up so early" and "Why did you let me sleep so late" is 7.5 minutes.  Dan Regan (@DanRegan_Comedy) March 6, 2024

The range of time between my wife saying "Why did you wake me up so early" and "Why did you let me sleep so late" is 7.5 minutes.  Dan Regan (@DanRegan_Comedy)  Dan Regan (@DanRegan_Comedy) March 6, 2024 ">

Related...
The Defense Department is looking to balance some of its personnel numbers next year, downsizing the active duty Army and Navy by several thousand, while adding some of those spots back in the Reserve and National Guard.

The fiscal year 2025 request asks for a drop of 7,800 authorized billets in the active component and an increase of 2,100 positions in the reserve component. Thats a 0.6% drop in overall end strength, Pentagon comptroller Mike McCord told reporters during a briefing Monday.

Many of you who cover this know that we have had some recruiting challenges, but strong retention, so a bit of a mixed picture on the manning side over the last couple of years, he said.

Here is the rundown:

The Army is hoping to shed 1,700 active duty billets, down from 445,000 to 442,300 soldiers, and shift 1,000 of them to the Army Reserve, for a total of 175,800 soldiers. This move follows last years request to cut 2,200 Army Reserve billets.

The Navy is also requesting to downsize its active force, by 5,500 sailors, but put 500 of those spots in the Navy Reserve, for a total of 390,000 sailors.

The active Marine Corps stay flat under the budget request, but grow their Reserve forces by 500, for 204,800 overall.

The active Air Force would also stay at 320,000 troops, but add 400 to the Reserve and 2,700 to the Air National Guard, for 494,700 airmen total.

The Space Force, which doesnt have a reserve component, would see the only active duty increase, growing from 9,400 to 9,800 guardians as the new service continues to fill its ranks.

The request drops the active force from 1,284,500 to 1,276,700, while growing the reserve component from 763,600 to 765,700.

This amounts to $182 billion in requested spending to cover pay and benefits for military personnel, with a 4.5 pay raise, down from last years historically high 5.2% bump.

The Pentagon is also requesting to increase the threshold for troops to receive the basic needs allowance, a special pay introduced in 2022 specifically for junior enlisted troops with families at more expensive duty stations. The proposal would raise income eligibility from 150% of the poverty level to 200%. For reference, the poverty threshold for a four-person household in the contiguous United States is $31,200.

Other personnel initiatives include $1.2 billion for the departments sexual assault prevention and response office, $651 million of that for implementing recommendations from a 2021 independent review commission into the militarys sexual assault problem. Much of that money will go to hiring professional educators to craft training programs.

Another $547 million would go to suicide prevention programs, including $261 million to to implement recommendations from another independent review commission. Chief of among those efforts is hiring more mental health professionals to tackle long wait times troops face when seeking counseling.

Undeterred by attacks from Republican lawmakers, the Pentagon is requesting $162 million for its diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs.

Leaders at all levels are responsible for fostering a climate of dignity and respect that supports diversity, is free from problematic behaviors, and does not tolerate retaliation or reprisal against those filing complaints, according to departments budget request summary.

And though the Pentagons top spokesman has said in recent weeks that leaders are not especially worried about the spate of service members leaking classified information in the past year, the budget specifically addresses insider threats, requesting $130 million.

That money will go to developing a better case management system to track reports, tools for analyzing data to pinpoint risks and a new hotline for troops and DOD civilians to report suspected espionage, terrorism, workplace violence, suicide, and domestic violence, according to the budget request summary.

The Pentagons wish list depends on Congress passing a budget. The Defense Department is operating under a continuing resolution currently, with funding levels capped to what Congress authorized for 2023.

So I cannot emphasize this enough: we need predictable, adequate, sustained and timely funding goals, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said Monday during a briefing. We cannot afford any more lost time time that we cannot buy back.
THIELLS  Firefighters put on their gear at times as gas fumes spew from idling trucks. Those trucks are packed feet apart in bays.

The Thiells Fire Department has outgrown its main firehouse along Route 202 as the department has grown with the community over the decades. The firehouse, built in 1960 on a half-acre site, doesn't meet some state codes.

As a result, a larger, more modern firehouse is being planned. The Thiells-Roseville Fire District commissioners will provide details and answer questions at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the firehouse, 99 Route 202.

Thiells--Roseville Fire House on Route 202 lacks space for equipment

The commissioners have scheduled a public vote for April 30 to ask residents to approve a $24 million bond for the purchase of land and construction of the firehouse.

"Guys don their gear sitting on the bumpers of the idling trucks," said Commissioner Robert Masiello, who chairs the committee overseeing the new firehouse. He's also a North Rockland Board of Education member.

"They are getting dressed breathing in fumes," he said. "The state code will eventually mandate separate dressing rooms. The trucks are parked four feet apart."

Robert Masiello, a commissioner with the Thiells-Roseville Fire District

Masiello said the department inadvertently backs up traffic for a mile when backing trucks into the firehouse, which was built in 1960 with two bays on a half-acre.

The department owns five trucks and a marine boat for its diving team. A 1,000-square-foot attic is used for storage and members use a ladder over the kitchen area, which he said violates the code.Monday's presentation will include the proposed location, the design, and anticipated costs. The district had hired architects.

Bond issue costs for land and construction

The fire district's bond issue would finance purchasing 4.8 acres some 500 yards from the current Route 202 site, which is near the police station.

The property would cost $3.25 million and is owned by the estate of the late Rockland Medical Examiner Dr. Frederick Zugibe. The district negotiated with his son, Thomas Zugibe, a former Rockland district attorney and now a Supreme Court justice.

"We showed him our plans," Masiello said. "Tom Zugibe wants the legacy of the family's property to be part of the fire district."

The plans call for a two-story firehouse of 23,000 square feet. The look will follow Haverstraw's history of brick manufacturing and the Palisades Interstate Parkway. The building will have five bays for trucks.

Masiello said the fire district's plan is modest and will not be a "Taj Mahal."

Masiello estimated the bond payoff would be cost-effective for the 30-year bond for the district's 2,229 homes and 70% cost for the district businesses. He said the average homeowner pays $185 per year.

The commissioners took $700,000 from the district's reserve fund of tax dollars and hope to sell the current firehouse property for $1.5 million.

"We're financially conservative," Masiello said.

Thiells Firehouse on Route 202

Thiells-Roseville Fire District spent years planning a firehouse

Since 2018, the fire commissioners have been exploring options to purchase property for a state-of-the-art fire station, while minimizing the costs for taxpayers.

Their focus has been on building a facility that would meet responses to increasing emergency calls and improve the safety and security of firefighters, according to a district release.

Additionally, the proposed firehouse would increase space to house the existing and future fleet of apparatus and ensure the fire station complies with all safety codes and protocols mandated by law.

The district had three earlier options that never came to pass, Masiello said.

Building upward on the current firehouse was not possible since the building is under high-powered electrical wires. He said Haverstraw officials gave the district four acres near the high school but the land had a stream, wetlands, and other environmental issues. Discussions with the Palisades Interstate Parks Commission would have involved negotiations with New Jersey.

The Thiells-Roseville Fire District encompasses the Thiells Fire Department and David B. Roche Fire Co. The district operates on a $1.3 million budget approved by voters.

The department operates sub-stations on Hammond Road near North Rockland High School and on Beach Road near the Bowline Power plant. The department has a 14-member dive team including staff that covers  one of three with Piermont and Stony Point - from bridge to bridge on the Hudson River, Thiells is one of 26 volunteer departments in Rockland, providing emergency, fire, and search and rescue services. The district covers Thiells, Garnerville, Pomona, and parts of West Haverstraw, Palisades Interstate Parkway, 214 acres in High Tor State Park, and 7,965 acres in Harriman State Park. The district also serves as a Community Crisis Center and provides other emergency response services.

At a time when departments need volunteers, Masiello said the district isn't facing major problems. The district's fire prevention programs at schools are ripe recruitment grounds.

"We're one of the few districts that doesn't have problems with retention and recruitment," Masiello said. "We get a lot of high-schoolers who stay or come back."

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com Twitter: @lohudlegal

Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Thiells-Roseville Fire District sets meeting for new $24M firehouse
Joshua Fitzgerald, 25, appeared in front of a Plymouth District Court judge Monday morning, facing 19 charges including four counts of assault to murder in connection to an early morning shooting Saturday.

Fitzgerald pleaded not guilty. He is being held without bail.

Prosecutors say Fitzgerald fired at least three shots into two separate homes on Plymouths North Spooner Street as a form of retaliation.

According to court documents obtained by Boston 25 News, Fitzgerald got into a physical altercation with a friend, Jacob Lippman, at a downtown bar Friday night. The fight began after Fitzgerald insulted Lippmans sister, Jordan.

Jordan and Jacob drove home from the bar, but both received multiple threatening text messages throughout the night from Fitzgerald.

The state prosecutor added, The defendant stated, Ill actually boom you, in reference to shooting the victims.

According to court documents, residents inside the North Spooner Street home reported hearing a gunshot and car speeding away around 12:30 am.

A second shot was reported around 12:45 am. 45 minutes later, one resident inside said another shot was fired  missing him by just four feet.

Police say they found Fitzgerald at his Plymouth home on his porch. Upon their arrival, he allegedly fled inside and into a second floor room. He eventually fled to a shed in the backyard, where police took him into custody at gunpoint. He reportedly dropped a magazine and handgun as police approached.

Live ammunition was found in Fitzgeralds car at his home, according to police. He was also found with a bag of cocaine in his sock.

Family of Fitzgerald declined to comment outside court Monday.

Residents on North Spooner Street were stunned to hear what happened.

Me or one of my kids or neighbors could have been shot in our sleep, one neighbor told Boston 25.

Another added, Our living room is 100 yards away from where it happened. So, Im just really thankful no one was hurt.

Police say they found two bullet holes at 14 North Spooner St. and one at 12 North Spooner St.

Fitzgeralds attorney said he has no prior criminal history.

He is also facing seven counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a firearm without a license, class B drug possession, and more.

He is set to appear in court again on March 15th.





This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  A host of government agencies and local businesses will be at the Topeka Job Fair on Tuesday.

A total of 33 employers are expected to be in attendance at the Crestview Community Center at 4801 SW Shunga Dr, according to Step Up Job Fairs.

There is no need to register but you can sign up for email reminders at www.stepupjobfairs.com. If you want some tips on getting hired, you can watch pointer videos made by Step Up Job Fairs by clicking here.

The following employers will be in attendance:

160 Driving Academy

Brewster Place

Briggs Kia

Butler & Associates

Cable Dahmer Automotive Group

Flint Hills Job Corps

Hills Pet

Home Instead

Interim Healthcare

Kansas Army National Guard

Kansas Bureau of Investigations

Kansas Department for Aging & Disability Services

Kansas Dept for Children & Families

Kansas Dept of Administration

Kansas Dept of Commerce

Kansas Dept of Corrections

Kansas Dept of Health & Environment

Kansas Dept of Labor

Kansas Dept of Revenue

Kansas Dept of Transportation (KDOT)

Kansas Dept. of Health & Environment

Kansas Neurological Institute

Kansas State Board of Healing Arts

Loving Hearts Training Center

Maximus

Mirror, Inc.

Prairie Band Casino & Resort

PTMW

Shawnee County Dept of Corrections

Shawnee County Sheriff

SLI

Stormont Vail Health

Topeka Public Schools

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
A SpaceX Crew Dragon ferry ship carrying four long-duration crew members undocked from the International Space Station on Monday, setting the stage for re-entry and splashdown early Tuesday to wrap up a 199-day mission.

NASA commander Jasmin Moghbeli, European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japanese flier Satoshi Furukawa and Russian cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov separated from the upper port of the station's forward Harmony module at 11:20 a.m. EDT as the two spacecraft sailed 265 miles above the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii.

From left, the Crew 7 astronauts pose for a group photo aboard the International Space Station: cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov, European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen, commander Jasmin Moghbeli and Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa. / Credit: NASA

"I'm very sad to be leaving the station, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone," Moghbeli, a Marine combat helicopter pilot, said Sunday. "You know, there are a few of us on board, but there's an entire international team on the ground throughout the world that makes this possible.

"To our friends and families, they bear the burden of what we do up here, leaving for half a year. So thank you to everyone."

The Crew Dragon was expected to follow a fiery northwest-to-southeast trajectory across the heartland of America, splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida, at 5:50 a.m. Tuesday. SpaceX recovery crews were deployed to the splashdown zone to await the arrival of Crew Dragon Endurance. Good weather was expected.

Launched last Aug. 26 from the Kennedy Space Center, Moghbeli's crew will have completed 3,184 orbits and traveled 84.4 million miles at splashdown. Along with a full slate of research, Moghbeli and Soyuz crewmate Loral O'Hara also carried out a spacewalk last November.

"This is something I've dreamed about since I was a child, and I was afraid I would get up here and might be disappointed and it wouldn't live up to my expectations, but the international partnership we have up here and the space station are just incredible. It's an indication of what we can do when we work together," Moghbeli said.

Borisov agreed that leaving the station was "a bittersweet moment."

"We have been here for over six months, but the time has flown very fast, and it's time to get back, and it's a little bit sad," he said. "But I'm really happy that we have done all the work which we planned to do. The station is working just fine, all the experiments are going and we know that we are handing over to a great team."

Crew 7's replacements  Crew 8 commander Matthew Dominick, co-pilot Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps and cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin  were launched to the station March 3, briefly boosting the lab crew to 11. With Crew 7's departure, the lab is now staffed with the four Crew 8 fliers along with Soyuz commander Oleg Kononenko, cosmonaut Nikolai Chub and NASA's O'Hara.

From left, NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, Soyuz MS-25 commander Oleg Novitskiy and Belarus guest cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya will deliver a fresh Soyuz spacecraft to the International space station later this month. Novitskiy, Vasilevskaya and NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara will return to Earth on April 2 aboard the older Soyuz MS-24 ferry ship while Dyson will remain in orbit for six months. She'll return to Earth in September with cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, who are midway through a yearlong mission. They'll come back to Earth aboard the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft. / Credit: NASA

Launched last September aboard the Soyuz MS-24/70S ferry ship, Kononenko and Chub are midway through a yearlong mission, and they will need a fresh Soyuz for the trip back to Earth next September.

On March 21, the Soyuz MS-25/71S spacecraft will be delivered to the space station by cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, Belarus guest cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya and NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson. Novitskiy, Vasilevskaya and O'Hara will return to Earth on April 2 using the same Soyuz that carried Kononenko, Chub and O'Hara to the station last year.

Kononenko, Chub and Dyson will use the Soyuz delivered by Novitskiy for their trip home in September.

During a change-of-command ceremony Sunday, Mogensen, the outgoing commander of Expedition 70, turned the station over to Kononenko. On April 2, when Novitskiy, Vasilevskaya and O'Hara depart, Expedition 71 will begin.

"We wish you the best of luck," Moghbeli radioed the station crew as Crew 7 departed. "For those staying on board on Expedition 71, we hope (it's as) filled with laughter and science as ours was. Loral, we'll see you in a couple of weeks. And we left you some peanut butter and tortillas in Node One."

"Congrats on the departure," O'Hara replied. "I miss you guys already, and thanks for that very generous gift! ... Enjoy the last few hours in orbit and soft landings. Can't wait to see you guys in a couple of weeks."

Kononenko now holds the record for most cumulative time spent in space over his four missions, moving past the previous record holder earlier this year.

"On my first mission in 2015, I had the pleasure of flying with Gennady Padalka, who at that time set the (multiflight endurance) record for 878 days in space," Mogensen said during the change-of-command ceremony.

"You've now surpassed that," he said to Kononenko, "and you are well on your way to reaching a thousand days in space, which is an incredible achievement. There is no one more experienced than you when it comes to the International Space Station. So I'll be leaving it in probably the best hands possible."

Kononenko will reach the 1,000-day mark on June 4. By the time he returns to Earth, he'll have spent more than three years in space.

Why the i's have it

The art of "Gruff," a film that's handmade

Jimmy Kimmel on hosting the Oscars
5 dead after flight from Florida crashes, bursts into flames in Virginia

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Five people died in a fiery plane crash in the Virginia woods after departing from Florida on Sunday.

The twin-engine IAI Astra 1125 went down amid trees along an airport road in Hot Springs, a community in the shadow of the Allegheny Mountains, killing the pilot and three other adults along with a child, Virginia State Police said in a statement.

Beached sperm whale in Venice has died, officials say

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the small private jet crashed on the approach to Hot Springs Airport at 3p.m. Jeff Ford, chairman of the Bath County Airport Authority, told NBC affiliate WSLS that there was an emergency on board, prompting the plane to land at Ingalls Field Airport.

The plane burst into flames upon impact.

(WSLS)

Small crash site, everything is burnt, meaning the tail numbers are unidentifiable, Sgt. Rick Garletts told the Associated Press in a statement.

Officials later determined the plane departed from Fort Lauderdale. The passengers were set to attend an event at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, the plane owners attorney and family friend told WSLS.

Transportation officials responded to the crash site on Monday to survey the wreckage. What remains of the plane will be removed from the area for investigation.

(WSLS)

According to WSLS, the five deaths were identified as the pilot, the first officer, and three passengers: a man, a woman and a boy around 5 to 7 years old. The remains were sent Virginia Office of the Medical Examiner, Western District to confirm their identities.

Hot Springs is located about 165 miles west of the Virginia capital city, Richmond.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Jimmy Kimmel and former President Trump have been engaged in a years-long feud. The late-night host frequently pokes fun at the former president, who targets him on social media.

On Sunday night, while hosting the Academy Awards, Kimmel fired back at Trump, saying that he wanted to share a review about his performance with the audience. He later revealed that Trump had written the review, having posted his criticism of Kimmel on Truth Social less than an hour before Kimmel read it out loud.

Has there ever been a worse host than Jimmy Kimmel at the Oscars? he said, reading Trumps post to the audience. His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be.

He then said he was surprised to see the former president still up and asked him, Isnt it past your jail time? in reference to Trumps numerous court cases.

Here are five of the other flashpoints from the ongoing Kimmel-Trump feud.

Trump appears on Kimmel in 2015

The former president made an appearance on ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2015  before he clinched the GOP presidential nomination for the 2016 election. He called for unity among the Republican Party while taking jabs at former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), who also made a bid for the White House in 2016.

Kimmel also unveiled a satirical childrens book that parodied Trumps campaign rhetoric at the time, noting that he put Trumps name as the author of the mock book, titled Winners Arent Losers.

Winners arent losers, theyre winners  like me! Kimmel read aloud. A losers a loser, which one will you be?

Kimmels emotional appeal against ObamaCare overhaul

Kimmel made several emotional pleas against Trumps and Republican lawmakers vows to overhaul Obamacare in 2017.

He revealed in May 2017 that his son was born with a rare heart defect. He emphasized in a tearful monologue that before ObamaCare, many people may not have been able to get health insurance if they had a preexisting health condition.

Later that year, he devoted many of his nightly monologues to urging lawmakers to vote against an overhaul of the heath care legislation, saying that Trump would sign anything if it meant getting rid of ObamaCare and suggesting that the then-president did not even know what was in the bill co-sponsored by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

After a week of emotional monologues in September 2017, Kimmel thanked then-Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for opposing the bill.

Kimmels mock trailer about Trump alert system

Kimmel released a mock Hollywood-style trailer poking fun at Trumps proposed national alert system in 2018. The late-night host said that the national alert system  which allows the administration to send a warning to all Americans in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist incident  was a bad idea.

The trailer focused on a family driving through the city when they notice what they assume are Trumps tweets alerting their cell phones. The parents appear confused, because they blocked Trump on Twitter.

This isnt a tweet, the man explains. This is a text message.

NO COLLUSION! the alert reads. WITCH HUNT!

The family later runs out of their car as other people in the city frantically react to the text messages. At one point, while chaos engulfs the streets, a man cuts off his hand to remove his smartwatch.

Kimmel rips Trump on gun control

Kimmel took aim at Trump for not taking action on gun violence after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Florida that left 17 people dead in 2018.

Children are being murdered, Kimmel said in a tearful monologue. Do something. We still havent even talked about it; you still havent done anything about it.

Kimmel flipped the argument from Trump and other Republicans that gun violence is a mental health problem, saying he agreed with them  because if you dont think we have to do something about it, youre obviously mentally ill.

Trump officials complain to Disney

Kimmel continued to criticize the former president throughout his time in the White House and after he left office in 2021, aiming at what he has said on the campaign trail and for his numerous legal battles.

It appears Kimmels repeated jabs got to the former president while in the White House. Rolling Stone reported last year that Trump directed his staff to complain to ABC parent company Disney about the comedians jokes about him on Jimmy Kimmel Live! while he was president in 2018.

Two former Trump officials confirmed to the magazine that two separate phone calls were made to Disney to convey Trumps anger over Kimmels jokes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukraine has brought back five more children from the territory that ended up occupied after Russias full-scale invasion began. The smallest child is only 2 years old.

Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "Families with five children, including an 18-year-old orphan, were able to return to Ukrainian-controlled territory. The smallest of the kids is two years old."

Details: According to Prokudin, children and adults are now safe. Doctors and psychologists are working with them. He also thanked the Save Ukraine organisation for their efforts.

Support UP or become our patron!
Emergency crew work at the site of a business jet crash in Hot Springs, Bath County, Virginia, U.S. March 10, 2024. The Recorder, Austin Hall/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT

A small plane crashed into a wooded area near Virginias western border on Sunday, bursting into flames and killing all five people on board, including a juvenile, authorities said.

The twin-engine IAI Astra 1125 crashed near Ingalls Field Airport in Hot Springs, Virginia, around 3 p.m. ET, the Federal Aviation Administration told CNN.

The flight originated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Virginia State Police said in a Monday update. According to the plane owners attorney and family friend, the occupants were attending an event at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, the state police said.

Hot Springs sits near Virginias border with West Virginia and is approximately 160 miles northwest of Richmond.

The plane was short on its approach to the runway, struck the trees and then the hillside, police said.

At this time, it appears there were four adults and one juvenile onboard the aircraft. All five, which includes the pilot, died at the scene, said Virginia State Police spokesperson Corinne Geller in a news release obtained by CNN affiliate WSLS Sunday.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating, with the NTSB in charge of the investigation, the FAA said in a statement.

According to police, the remains have been sent to the Virginia Office of the Medical Examiner for positive identification.

CNN has reached out to the medical examiners office and the Ingalls Field Airport for more information.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
At least 50 people were injured Monday after a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner "dipped so dramatically into a nose dive for a couple of seconds" during a flight to New Zealand, causing passengers to slam into the roof of the cabin, witnesses say.

LATAM Airlines says the plane traveling from Sydney, Australia, experienced "a technical event during the flight which caused a strong movement." Paramedics and more than 10 emergency vehicles were waiting for passengers when flight LA800 landed in Auckland.

"The plane dipped so dramatically into a nose dive for a couple of seconds and around 30 people hit the ceiling hard," said Daniel, one passenger onboard the aircraft, according to the New Zealand Herald.

"None of us knew what had happened until after the flight, I was just trying to keep everyone calm," he added. "We never heard any announcement from the captain."

DOJ OPENS PROBE INTO ALASKA AIRLINES PLANE BLOWOUT: REPORT

The newspaper reports that the incident happened with about an hour left into the flight.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"I had just dozed off and I luckily had my seatbelt on, and all of a sudden the plane just dropped," passenger Brian Jokat also told broadcaster RNZ. "It wasnt one of those things where you hit turbulence and you drop a few times ... we just dropped."

Jokat said one passenger two seats away from him wasnt wearing his seatbelt when the drop happened.

"I thought I was dreaming. I opened my eyes and he was on the roof of the plane on his back, looking down on me. It was like The Exorcist," he said.

Jokat also told RNZ that the incident occurred in seconds.

"I felt the plane take a nosedive  it felt like it was at the top of a rollercoaster, and then it flattened out again," he reportedly added, noting that people onboard and the flight crew tended to the injured until the plane landed.

FAMILY OF INDIANA MOM WHO DIED ON AA PLANE REMAIN WITH UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

About 50 people were treated at the scene for mostly mild injuries while 13 of them were transported to a hospital, an ambulance spokesperson told the Associated Press. One patient who was on the flight was reportedly in serious condition.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner's final destination was Santiago, Chile, but was landing at Auckland Airport in accordance with its normal flight path, according to Reuters. The flight to Santiago on Monday has been canceled and rescheduled for Tuesday, with the airline providing food and accommodation to travelers affected, according to RNZ.

"LATAM regrets the inconvenience and injury this situation may have caused its passengers, and reiterates its commitment to safety as a priority within the framework of its operational standards," the airline said.

Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Whitaker said Monday that the agency will "certainly" work with their counterparts in Australia, New Zealand and Chile to investigate the incident.

"It's obviously not a U.S. flight, but it is a 787. So we will certainly follow that closely," he added.

Jokat told RNZ the pilot of the plane came to the back of the cabin after landing in Auckland.

"I asked him what happened? and he said to me, I lost my instrumentation briefly and then it just came back all of a sudden," Jokat said.

The incident is the latest mishap involving a Boeing plane.

In January, a door plug blew off Alaska Airlines Flight 1282  a Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft  causing the cabin to depressurize and forcing it to make an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon. The Justice Department reportedly is opening an investigation into that incident and Whitaker said Monday that the FAA has increased its "oversight of Boeing pretty significantly."

Last week, a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 departing San Francisco lost a wheel during takeoff. The tire fell and proceeded to damage a few parked cars at the airport.

The next day, a Boeing 737 skidded off the runway after landing in Houston, Texas, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating an incident in February in which a Boeing 737 Max 8 operated by United Airlines "experienced stuck rudder pedals during the landing rollout at Newark Liberty International Airport" in New Jersey.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: 50 people injured by 'strong movement' on Boeing plane flying from Australia to New Zealand
BLUFFTON, S.C. (WSAV)  On Wednesday, March 6, the Bluffton Police Department asked the community if anyone had information about the shooting deaths of two Bluffton cats in Belfair Towne Village.

A feral cat, known as Stitch by caretakers, was shot and paralyzed by an unknown suspect. Although Stitch was taken to a local veterinarian, she had to be euthanized due to her injuries.

Another cat, Whitney, was found deceased on March 5 after the incident was reported to Beaufort County Animal Services. Investigators believe Whitney was killed with a BB gun.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

On Friday, March 8, the national animal welfare organization, PETA posted that it will be offering up to $5,000 for information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of person(s) responsible for the shooting deaths of the cats.

If anyone has information about the incidents, please contact the dispatch center at 843-524-2777.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Be the first to discover the captivating tale of Vera Dawn Walker, a local aviation trailblazer in the 1920s. Abilene Regional Airport is hosting a reception to unveil her personal artifacts and writings, offering the public an opportunity to enjoy them firsthand.

During the Roaring Twenties, Vera Dawn Walker left her home in Taylor County to be in the moving pictures of Hollywood. While working as a stand in for the Tom Mix picture Purple Sage, Mix invited her to accompany him on an aerial sightseeing tour. After much unsuccessful persuasion, she reluctantly relented on a dare. Walker expressed in a 1972 interview that Before we ever touched the ground I knew I HAD to learn to fly! She went up with that flier every day thereafter, until the picture was finished.

Achieving the goal of flight proved challenging for this daring 31-year-old woman. In 1928, she applied to numerous aviation schools, and was rejected by all but one: The Aerial Corporation of California. By 1929, she learned of an exciting Womens Air Derby promoted by The National Exchange Club, and was determined to participate. Vera Dawn was sponsored by Howard Hughes, and won the right to race in a plane from the Curtiss-Wright Flying Company, owned by Glenn Curtiss, of naval aviation fame, and the celebrated Wilbur and Orville Wright.

Vera Dawn, alongside her companion Amelia Earhart, played a pivotal role in propelling women forward in aviation during the 1920s. Renowned for her petite stature and courageous demeanor, she gained fame as the Tiny Texan.

Vera Dawn Walker, a whopping 411, 95 lb. media darling, made up for her small stature with gumption and grit. She was known as A Flying Flapper, Daring Dame, Tiny Texan, and Worlds Smallest Pilot. Vera Dawn astounded spectators and reporters alike when she propped herself up with pillows in her cockpit to reach the rudder pedals and off she flew in the nations first air race for women!

One of the Derby stops was in her hometown of Abilene, where she received a large reception of proud and curious members of our community. Oblivious to danger, her father, Irb Boggess Walker had led a pack of enthusiastic family members out to meet her still-running plane. Walker frantically shut down the engine, but that process was not instantaneous. Fortunately, an alert bystander grabbed Mr. Walker just as he was about to walk into her still-spinning propeller! Walker nearly fainted at almost having killed her own father.

Twenty pilots participated in the 1929 National Womens Air Race, the first ever race for women. Navigation equipment consisted of a hand held compass and a road map. They took off from Santa Monica, CA on August 18, in their propeller-driven airplanes headed for Cleveland, OH with 9 planned stops, one of which was Abilene, TX. The raced ended on August 26, with 15 finishing the grueling 2,759 mile course. Challenges included suspected sabotage attempts, sexist criticism of their flying ability as womenand crashes, one of which took the life of Marvel Crosson. Pilots flew solo, and were required to handle their own mechanical problems, so Vera Dawn learned to take apart and reassemble her planes engine.

In the spring of 1931, Vera Dawn Walker became a demonstration pilot for Panther McClatchie airplane motors. Following an adventurous flight from Denver to Guatemala, she contracted tuberculosis. Her poor health grounded her from flying, but she refused admission to a sanitarium to recover. Instead, the adventurer pitched a tent near Tucson and panned for gold while she waited for the dry air to heal her lungs.

In 1940, she brought her ill father to Arizona to live with her until his death. By the time her health returned and the Great Depression eased its grip on the aviation industry, her desire to fly had waned. Vera Dawn sold real estate and died in Maricopa County, Arizona in June 1978. She is buried in the Cope Cemetery near Lawn, Texas alongside both of her parents. Until 2018, her grave was marked only by a metal marker provided by the local funeral home. When the Ninety-Nines were made aware of the situation, they paid for a monument and a arranged a proper ceremony to honor her time on earth.

Breaking Barriers: Opening Exhibit Honoring Local Aviation Trailblazer Vera Dawn Walker

Abilene Regional Airport

2933 Airport Blvd. Ste. 200

Friday, March 15th

2:00 pm

Free admission and parking for 2 hours in the main parking lot. Must bring your parking ticket to be validated

Learn more here



For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Abortion-rights advocates stage a protest outside U.S. Associate Justice Samuel Alitos house on May 9, 2022, in Alexandria, Virginia. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

As a Colorado OB-GYN and abortion provider, every week I see patients who are fleeing states hostile to their autonomy, where politicians seek to control their individual choices and their bodies.

So as we celebrate Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, I want to extend my appreciation to the state of Colorado for continuing to support abortion care providers like myself.

I also want to express appreciation for my patients. It is the greatest privilege of my life to be trusted with their care and to learn from their stories. I became an abortion provider because I saw the difference it makes in somebodys life to access safe, compassionate and comprehensive reproductive health care.

Expressing gratitude for my patients is not just a gesture  it is a reaffirmation of their agency and humanity in a society that often seeks to diminish both. It is a declaration that their voices matter, their stories matter, and their decisions matter.

My patients come from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories, hopes and dreams. What they have in common is their thoughtfulness, love for their families, and courage to access the care they need, even in the face of social stigma and political barriers.

Whether they arrive with confidence or with understandable anxieties, I am committed to meeting them where they are, and providing them with the care and support they need to make the health care choices that are right for them.

For my patients who hold anxiety, its most often due to prevailing misinformation about abortion care and worry about being judged by their loved ones and community, or even by their health care providers. They sometimes feel compelled to justify their decisions to me, and explain how they are fleeing abusive relationships, pursuing their education, or striving to provide for their families.

I let my patients know that I trust them, and encourage them to trust themselves. I hope to validate their reasons for accessing care and remind them that they are the experts on their lives and their situations.

I let my patients know that I trust them, and encourage them to trust themselves.

I am proud to give this encouragement no matter what choice they are making for themselves and their pregnancy. However, trusting my patients does not mean leaving them to navigate their decisions alone. I always make sure my patients have access to accurate information and comprehensive support  whether its clarifying medical details or exploring all available options.

I am committed to empowering my patients to make decisions that align with their values and goals, whatever that choice may be. More and more over the past few years, I see the barriers and challenges faced by those who must travel across state lines or from overseas to access a safe and legal abortion.

Bans on care only serve to exacerbate the stigma surrounding abortion and infringe upon individuals rights to make personal medical decisions. When people have to leave their communities to obtain care, they experience added emotional stress, incur more expenses, and fear criminal penalties. I am so grateful to be in a state that trusts individuals to make informed decisions about their own bodies and lives, without arbitrary political interference.

Colorado has an amazing network of supportive doctors, practical support organizations, and community members that pull together to support these patients who experience the toughest circumstances.

So today, and every day, let us not only celebrate the work of providers but also uplift the resilience and courage of those who entrust us with their care. Your trust is the greatest gift, and it is an honor to stand by your side.

To the elected leaders, organizations, storytellers, and advocates who have helped make Colorado a safe place for abortion access, I extend my deepest gratitude for your ongoing work toward a future where every person can access the care they need, without fear or shame.

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The post On Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, I appreciate Colorado appeared first on Colorado Newsline.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. Groundless, non-technical statements of officials of various countries regarding Iran's nuclear program do not influence Iran's will, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani said during the press conference in Tehran, Trend reports.

According to Kanaani, the Board of Directors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) made accusations of uranium enrichment within the framework of Iran's nuclear program. However, Iran is fully cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency within the framework of the agreements reached.

Kanaani added that Iran continues its peaceful nuclear program under IAEA supervision.

"The US, which has abandoned the comprehensive plan of joint action (JCPOA) implemented between Iran and the 5+1 group (the US, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany), has no authority to make any statement about Iran's nuclear program," he noted.

Meanwhile, a comprehensive plan for joint action on Iran's nuclear program was implemented in January 2016 between Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France and Germany). The US announced in May 2018 that it was withdrawing from this plan and in November of the same year imposed sanctions on Iran. Iran announced in 2020 that there would be no restrictions on Iran in the nuclear deal.

To note, at the end of 2020, Iran's parliament, referring to the imposition of sanctions against Iran, decided to implement the Strategic Nuclear Plan to lift the sanctions. According to the decision of the Iranian parliament, Iran suspended the implementation of additional steps and Additional Protocol stipulated by the nuclear agreement on February 23. At the same time, the IAEA control mechanism has been reduced by 20-30 percent.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  An accused burglar is facing charges related to eight separate incidents over the past five weeks in St. Louis County.

According to the Normandy Police Departments probable cause statement, Dontae Henderson (age not provided) was arrested on March 10 while attempting to break into a Boost Mobile in the 8600 block of Natural Bridge Road. Police claim Henderson was armed with a gun. Hes prohibited from owning or possessing a gun due to an October 2021 burglary conviction.

Other law enforcement agencies have documented break-ins or thefts tied to Henderson.

The Chesterfield Police Department claims that on February 11, February 13, and February 18, Henderson stole several hundred dollars worth of merchandise from the Market by Macys store in the Chesterfield Commons shopping district.

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The Hazelwood Police Department claims that on February 6 and 29, Henderson broke into two car dealers for the purposes of stealing vehicles. No additional information has been released on those incidents.

On March 4, Henderson broke into a Toyota dealer on Dunn Road, Hazelwood police said. He broke into a Bommarito Ford dealership on Dunn Road on March 7 and stole a Ford Edge SUV.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Henderson with five counts of second-degree burglary, three counts of stealing  $750 or more, three counts of stealing a motor vehicle, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
NEWARK  He switched careers  to a labor of love.

My goal, even from childhood, was to work in the field of medicine, Dustin Polage said. While working my way through college in the restaurant industry, however, my goals and life plans changed. Through some of life's unusual twists and turns, I was eventually led to opening my own food service business.

Today, Polage is the owner and manager of Franks & Sammies.

After approximately 12 years in the restaurant industry, he said, from serving to bartending to management, I decided it was time to venture out on my own. In 2014 I started quite small, with a hotdog cart by the name of Wild Things. Within a few short months, I opened a brick-and-mortar location in downtown Newark by the name of Wild Things Sandwich Cafe. About four years later, after developing the menu considerably and remodeling the space, I rebranded the existing business and renamed it Franks & Sammies. And a few years after that, I added a full bar (Tap That Glass) and a game room to the mix.

Today, I still wear many hats in the business, he said. Im the sole owner and manager. And while I spend a good amount of time in the kitchen, most of my employees are cross-trained to work both in the bar and the kitchen. To say the least, I have a dedicated and hard working support staff. Theyre the ones who keep the wheels turning, for sure.

And in case youre wondering about the name Franks & Sammies, Franks (or frankfurters) is another way of saying hotdogs, and Sammies means sandwiches. So Franks & Sammies is just a hip way of saying hotdogs and sandwiches.

But after a quick visit to our establishment, Polage said, youll soon be thinking Rat Pack era music and drinks, with ample Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. decor along with an unmatched whiskey and bourbon selection.

Polage, 43, grew up in Licking County, graduated from Lakewood High School in 1999, attended Ohio State University, majoring in biology/pre-med, but within two years transferred to the Central Ohio Technical College nursing program, then decided to switch over to business management.

I give credence, he said, to the fact many of the concepts learned in the business management program have led me to a certain level of success in my own business today.

Sam Smith is a bartender at Franks & Sammies/Tap That Glass.

Ive known and worked with Dustin for many years now, Smith said. Theres no one I know whos more dedicated to serving and giving back to the community than he is. Its one of the main reasons why I continue to work with him. Hes always changing and updating his business to adapt to the current market and customer needs, which has allowed him to persevere through past hardships that have crippled other businesses. He started from nothing and has built a sustainable and respected business. Hes the most passionate, caring and honest person Ive ever worked for.

Ten years of growth and countless hours of sweat equity later, Polage said, it would be cliche to say that my business is a labor of love. But its definitely just that. Its almost like nurturing a child and helping it mature into a respectable adult. It doesn't come without its difficulties and emotional ups and downs. Still, a good parent or business owner never gives up. With a little bit of luck and a lot of resolve, the results are usually positive.

Franks and Sammies is located at 34 South 3rd St., Newark. For more information, visit www.franksandsammies.com.

Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs  whether theyre unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at advocate@newarkadvocate.com.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Aces of Trades: Franks & Sammies a labor of love for Dustin Polage
This story was updated March 11 at 10:18 p.m. with additional information on sustainment funding and the Space Force.

The Department of the Air Force is asking for $217.5 billion in its fiscal year 2025 budget request, released Monday, in an effort to largely maintain the departments status quo as its services juggle a manpower crunch and a surge in operational requirements.

The Air Force accounts for $188.1 billion of that pie  a 1.6% increase above the services request for fiscal year 2024, which Congress has not yet enacted. The Space Force hopes to receive $29.4 billion next fiscal year, a 2% dip below its previous request.

Here's how the Air Force's new task forces will reshape deployments

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters Friday that the budget request largely goes to taking care of the current force, including an acceptable level of spending on troop and civilian pay and readiness.

The Air Force wants $75.6 billion for operations and maintenance in its base budget next year, up from the $73.5 billion it sought in fiscal year 2024, plus another $5.9 billion to directly fund deployed operations. Its also seeking $41.7 billion for personnel costs for fiscal 2025, an increase from $40.9 billion in the current year.

The new ask would also fund a spike in the services modernization efforts, including a nearly $1 billion boost to pursue more advanced fighters and drone wingmen.

My priority is to get to a next generation of capabilities as quickly as we can because of what China is doing in terms of their modernization, Kendall said.

One of Kendalls biggest initiatives, a sweeping set of plans to better prepare the Air Force to outpace Chinas military ambitions, is not expected to significantly impact costs, he said.

US Air Force budget request leans toward R&D, trims fighter purchases

What were talking about with the reoptimization is creating some new organizations, but they will be created out of pieces that we already have, Kendall said. Were not talking about big manpower increases, and were going to minimize, the extent we can, the movement of people,  the acquisition of real estate, and so on.

The service may incur some costs associated with reconfiguring how it deploys, as it launches experimental air task forces this summer to develop deployable units of action, or combat wings that can deploy on a predictable schedule while leaving enough assets and personnel at home to avoid hamstringing their home base.

Were going to take a hard look at what we have in our units to ensure we have everything we actually need to go fight, Kendall said. I expect were going to find some shortfalls when we do that.

For the time being, the departments military workforce aims to largely plateau at its current level. The Department of the Air Force wants 504,500 enlisted and officer jobs across the active duty Air Force and Space Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve next year, down from the 512,100 personnel that leaders sought for 2024.

The newest request nearly matches end-strength numbers authorized by Congress in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

The active duty Air Force would account for 320,000 of those jobs, down from the 324,700 it sought in fiscal 2024. Congress opted to cut the total number of active duty Air Force billets to 320,000 for 2024, saying the services lackluster recruiting didnt warrant additional jobs.

Air Force unveils command changes, wing plans in bid to outpace China

The Air Force also seeks a total force of 107,700 jobs for the Air National Guard, slightly fewer than the 108,400 billets it wanted last year, but a boost over the 105,000 currently authorized by Congress. The Reserve would add 100 billets. The Space Force, the smallest of the military branches, would add 400 billets for 9,800 uniformed jobs in total.

The Air Force narrowly hit its active duty recruiting goal in 2022 before falling about 10% short in 2023. The fiscal 2025 budget ask will offer funds for the number of airmen we realistically believe we can bring into the Air Force this year, spokesperson Ann Stefanek said.

That could mean reassessing how many airmen the Air Force wants in each of its career fields for the year ahead. Air Force spokesperson Maj. Annabel Monroe told Air Force Times that the service is currently considering those impacts.

This is the first year that the 4-year-old Space Force wont absorb missions from the other services, the Air Forces uniformed budget chief Maj. Gen. Michael Greiner told reporters Monday. The service finished taking over the last of those missions  the Armys Joint Tactical Ground Station missile-warning program, which includes four ground systems overseas that gather and disseminate data from overhead sensors  in October. That mission now falls under Space Force Delta 4 at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado.

We think the growth of 400 [guardians] keeps us lean, keeps us agile, but also allows us the right number there to get after the mission set, Greiner said.

If enacted by Congress, airmen and guardians would see a 4.5% pay raise, a 4.2% increase in their housing allowance and a 4.5% subsistence allowance raise. It also includes $1.1 billion in bonuses and retention pay for 118,000 critical positions, including $327 million for aviation jobs and $21 million to retain cyber specialists.

The Air Force also plans to spend $9.2 billion, up from a projected $9 billion last year, to fund 1.1 million flying hours across the force. The slight uptick in flight time  about 37,000 hours over the 2024 request  comes amid a spike in operational requirements due to wars in Europe and the Middle East, as well as the Air Forces struggle to fully staff its pilot corps.

Kendall said he has promised aviators that he would not cut flying hours.

There was increasing risk if we did that, he said.

That comes as the service tries to strike the right balance between sustaining its aging fleet and bringing new equipment online. The Air Forces $18.8 billion funding request for weapon system sustainment would cover 87% of its maintenance needs in fiscal year 2025, according to the services budget documents.

The Air Force needs an additional $1 billion for weapons systems sustainment and flying hours to keep pace with fiscal year 2024, said Kristyn Jones, who is performing the duties of the Air Force undersecretary and also serves as its civilian budget chief. And the Air Force is already trying to gird against steep declines in the sustainment budget in the five years ahead.

Thats something that were looking at as were planning for [fiscal] 26, Jones said. How can we ramp back our readiness without too negatively impacting the modernization programs that we have?

The service expects to shrink its inventory from 5,032 aircraft to 4,903 by the end of September 2025 as it pursues plans to strike outdated platforms  including its A-10 Thunderbolt II attack plane, KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelers and more  from its rolls while bringing on airframes like the F-15EX Eagle II fighter, B-21 Raider bomber and the T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet. The Air Force hopes to spend $233 million to begin buying training-ready T-7s, which will replace the T-38 Talon jet, in fiscal 2025.

As the active duty Air Force looks to curb its perennial pilot shortage, Kendall on Friday said keeping the six-decade-old T-38s flying is one of the biggest impediments to fixing the aviator pipeline.

Were waiting for the T-7 to come online to replace it, he said.
Tony Fernandes said he posted the topless photo on LinkedIn to show his company's flexible work culture.

Fernandes said his PR team doesn't check what he posts on social media.

Previously, Elon Musk said CEOs should write their own tweets.

AirAsia's CEO Tony Fernandes said he doesn't regret posting his shirtless photo on LinkedIn as the viral post garnered him a lot of publicity.

Fernandes told CNBC in an article published on Sunday that he posted the controversial photo in October to illustrate the flexibility within the Malaysian airline's work culture.

"Initially I asked whether we could delay the meeting so that I could have a massage, I was in a lot of pain from a lot of flying. But the team said, we're okay, you know, nothing to hide. We'd rather not delay it. So I was actually posting to say, what an amazing culture we have," Fernandes said.

"Do I regret it? No. Got me a lot of publicity," he added.

The post, which has since been deleted, showed Fernandes getting massaged by a person in an apron, hairnet, and face mask. Fernandes appeared to be sitting topless in an office chair in a conference room.

"Was a stressful week and Veranita Yosephine suggested a massage," Fernandes wrote in the post, referencing AirAsia Indonesia CEO Veranita Yosephine. "Got to love Indonesia and AirAsia culture that I can have a massage and do a management meeting."

Fernandes posted a photo of himself on LinkedIn getting a massage during a business meeting. Tony Fernandes/LinkedIn

Fernandes' photo divided users, with some people commenting that he was promoting a friendly work culture while others criticized him for being unprofessional. In December, Fernandes made another controversial post on Instagram, where he said that he had to fly Singapore Airlines as AirAsia flights were full.

Fernandes told CNBC that he manages his own social media accounts and posts online without them getting reviewed by his PR team.

"I am transparent, and social media allows me to be very transparent. It has a disadvantage that people will misrepresent and misunderstand Tony Fernandes the persona," he said. Fernandes and AirAsia did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Fernandes is not the only CEO who sees the importance of leaders running their own social media accounts. At the 2023 World Government Summit, Elon Musk said CEOs should 'speak authentically' and write their own tweets.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An NHS boss has come under fire after saying it was "not realistic" to consider a free car park for staff in the blueprint for a new hospital.

The comments were made to North Yorkshire Council's health committee during a discussion about plans for the new Airedale General Hospital.

The hospital is set to be rebuilt as part of the New Hospital Programme.

Speaking at the meeting, councillor Rich Maw described it "deplorable" that staff could have to pay to park.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Maw said it was a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to be involved in the development of a new hospital before asking: "So, will we be taking this opportunity to provide enough car parking spaces to allow for free parking for NHS staff?"

Responding to the question an NHS representative said: "I can't say to you it's going to be free parking. I really don't think realistically that is going to happen, but we do need to be very conscious of charges that are made at the moment, both to staff and patients."

The new hospital in Keighley will be run by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust which is based in West and North Yorkshire.

Last year, after an outcry, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust revised its parking charges to provide staff on the lowest wages with a free permit if they lived a sufficient distance away,

UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Gary Cleaver said it was "incredibly disappointing" to hear senior managers say providing staff car parking was not realistic.

He said: "NHS workers carry out vital work, and their workplace is stressful enough without added pressures of finding somewhere to park their car for their shift.

"When the minimum wage increases in April, some staff will only be earning one pence an hour above that.

"Staff can't afford car parking, or public transport. I'd urge managers to reconsider how important a staff car park could prove to be."

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Akron's debut on Antiques Roadshow has been pushed back by a week.

The Akron episodes of the popular show on PBS will now air nationally on April 29, May 6 and May 13  a week later than previously announced.

The Akron stop was taped in June and is part of the show's 28th season of the show and features stops in other cities including Sturbridge, Mass.; Baton Rouge, La.; Raleigh, N.C.

Marilyn of Akron talks with "Antiques Roadshow" appraiser Eric Hanks about her Romare Bearden artwork during a filming of the show at Stan Hywet & Gardens on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Akron. (The show withholds people's last names to protect their privacy.)

Film crews used the scenic grounds of Akron's Stan Hywet as a backdrop for the appraisal of items brought in by fans of the show from near and far.

Show producers say a highlight of the Akron visit was a collection of postcards written by Fred Rogers to his family asking their thoughts on a show he was working on that would later become known as "Mister Rogers Neighborhood."

Some 29,038 people applied for the lottery for just 2,000 tickets that were available for the one-day taping in Akron.

The Akron stop marked the show's sixth visit to Ohio and the first in Northeast Ohio since the Cleveland stop in 2015.

As a part of the Akron visit, appraisers and film crews got a tour of the 64,500-square-foot Tudor estate that is chockful of antiques and original furnishings of Goodyear founder Frank F.A. Seiberling and his wife, Gertrude.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron episodes of 'Antiques Roadshow' will air on PBS in April, May
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  The leader of Yemens branch of al-Qaida is dead, the militant group announced late Sunday, without giving details.

Khalid al-Batarfi had a $5 million bounty on his head from the U.S. government over leading the group, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, through years that saw him imprisoned, freed in a jailbreak, and governing forces in Yemen amid that countrys grinding war.

Though believed to be weakened in recent years due to infighting and suspected U.S. drone strikes killing its leaders, the group known by the acronym AQAP has long been considered the most dangerous branch of the extremist group still operating after the killing of founder Osama bin Laden.

Al-Qaida released a video showing al-Batarfi wrapped in a white funeral shroud and al-Qaidas black-and-white flag.

Militants offered no details on the cause of his death and there was no clear sign of trauma visible on his face. Al-Batarfi was believed to be in his early 40s.

Allah took his soul while he patiently sought his reward and stood firm, immigrated, garrisoned, and waged jihad for His sake, the militants said in the video, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

The group made the announcement on the eve of Ramadan, the Muslim holy fasting month that Yemen will begin Monday.

In the announcement, the group said Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki would take over as its leader. The U.S. has a $6 million bounty on him, saying al-Awlaki has publicly called for attacks against the United States and its allies.

The Yemen branch of al-Qaida has been seen by Washington as the terror networks most dangerous branch ever since its attempt in 2009 to bomb a commercial airliner over the United States. It claimed responsibility for the 2015 deadly attack in Paris on the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo. But their overseas operations have waned in recent years.

Although in decline, AQAP remains the most effective terrorist group in Yemen with intent to conduct operations in the region and beyond, a recent United Nations report on al-Qaida said.

Estimates provided to the U.N. put AQAPs total forces as numbering between 3,000 and 4,000 active fighters and passive members. The group raises money by robbing banks and money exchange shops, as well as smuggling weapons, counterfeiting currencies and ransom operations, according to the U.N.

Al-Batarfi took over as the head of the branch in February 2020. He succeeded leader Qassim al-Rimi, who was killed by a U.S. drone strike ordered by then-President Donald Trump. Al-Rimi had claimed responsibility for the 2019 attack at the U.S. Naval Air Station Pensacola in which a Saudi aviation trainee killed three American sailors.

Under al-Batarfi, AQAP fell further under the influence of al-Qaida fighter Saif al-Adl, now believed to have led the militant group after the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri in a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan in 2022. That came as Yemen has been locked in a war between the Houthi rebels, who hold the capital, Sanaa, and a Saudi-led coalition backing the countrys exiled government based in Aden.

Since 2020, Saif al-Adel has been able to convince al-Batarfi of his strategic approach, focused on confronting Western states and their allies in Yemen  the Saudi-led coalition, the Aden-based government, the United Arab Emirates and its allies  rather than confronting the Iranian-backed Houthi movement, a 2023 report by the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies said.

Al-Adl is believed to be in Iran, part of a longtime al-Qaida presence in the Islamic Republic. Thats long been denied by Tehran but backed up by documents seized in the 2011 U.S. raid in Pakistan that killed bin Laden, who orchestrated the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S.

Al-Batarfis ties to al-Adl had strained relations in AQAP, experts say. However, it has seen the militants become armed with bomb-carrying drones  something the Houthis now use to target shipping in the Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

AQAP developed unmanned aerial systems capabilities, establishing a specialized drone unit, with operational training from the Houthis, a U.N. report from January says. It prioritizes liberating its prisoners to replenish ranks; in September, the Houthis released several AQAP members and explosives experts.

The Shiite Zaydi Houthis have previously denied working with AQAP, a Sunni extremist group. However, AQAP targeting of the Houthis has dropped in recent years while the militants continue to attack Saudi-led coalition forces.

Yemens history and tribal structure long has seen alliances rapidly shift, something its late strongman President Ali Abdullah Saleh referred to as dancing on the heads of snakes.

Al-Batarfi, born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, traveled to Afghanistan in 1999 and fought alongside the Taliban during the U.S.-led invasion. He joined AQAP in 2010 and led forces in taking over Yemens Abyan province, according to the U.S.

In 2015, he was freed after an AQAP raid that saw the militants capture Mukalla, the capital of Yemens largest province, Hadramawt, amid the chaos of the war. A photo at the time showed al-Awlaki with a Kalashnikov rifle, posing inside a government palace there.

AQAP was later pushed out of Mukalla but has continued attacks and been the target of a U.S. drone strike campaign since the administration of then-President George W. Bush.

In 2020, there had been claims that al-Bartafi had been detained, which later were denied. In 2021, he appeared in a militant video and referred to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol as only the tip of the iceberg of what will come to them, God willing.

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A crowd at the Alabama Statehouse listens to Corrin O'Brien of the Fight for Alabama Families Coalition speaker during a rally for protections for in vitro fertilization on Feb. 28, 2024 in Montgomery, Alabama. The rally took place prior to scheduled committee hearings in the Alabama Legislature on legislation to protect the procedure. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama Legislature passed a bill last week to restart in vitro fertilization (IVF) services in the state.

But the clinic at the center of the Alabama Supreme Court case that put IVF in jeopardy said its not clear that the law is enough.

At this time, we believe the law falls short of addressing the fertilized eggs currently stored across the state and leaves challenges for physicians and fertility clinics trying to help deserving families have children of their own, said Mobile Infirmary Health and the Center for Reproductive Medicine in a joint statement.

Both entities were sued after an unauthorized person destroyed frozen embryos at the clinic in 2020. The parents involved sued. On Feb. 16, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that the frozen embryos were persons and the case could move forward under an 1872 law allowing parents to claim civil damages for the deaths of their children. At least one other lawsuit has been filed against the organizations since the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling.

The court also cited a 2018 constitutional amendment that says it is the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children,including the right to life.

Two other programs that stopped IVF services have resumed them. The University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) is moving to promptly resume IVF treatments, [but they] will continue to assess developments and advocate for protections for IVF patients and providers.

Alabama Fertility, an IVF clinic with locations in Birmingham, Huntsville and Montgomery that was a frequent presence in the State House throughout the bill development, said in a Facebook post last week that they are resuming IVF treatment and praised lawmakers for understanding the importance of immediate access to IVF and for finding a solution in a complex issue.

The Supreme Court decision drew widespread criticism and led hundreds of patients and providers to Montgomery for a Feb. 28 protest.

Legal questions

A woman in a medical coat

Dr. Mamie McLean of Alabama Fertility Specialists in Homewood, Alabama finishes remarks at a rally at the Alabama Statehouse on Feb. 28, 2024 in Montgomery, Alabama. The rally in support of legislation to protect access to in vitro fertilization in the state took place ahead of scheduled committee meetings on the bills on Wednesday. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The bill passed on Wednesday and signed by Gov. Kay Ivey that evening extends criminal and civil immunity to IVF clinics for operations.

A House committee amended the legislation to include criminal immunity for manufacturers of products used in IVF treatment if embryos are destroyed, though not civil immunity. Manufacturers of goods used in IVF found responsible would be required to compensate for damages, based on the cost of the fertilization treatment paid by the family.

The legislation does not address when life begins, and Democrats argue that the courts reliance on the 2018 measure implies that the issue can only be resolved through another constitutional amendment. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, filed an amendment to address the issue, with support from all 28 Democratic House members. The bill has yet to be voted on in committee.

Dana Sussman, deputy executive director at Pregnancy Justice, a legal organization representing criminalized pregnant people, said that House Democrats, by trying to define when life begins through a constitutional amendment, are recognizing that Chief Justice Tom Parker said in his concurring opinion that any legislative fix wont be sufficient constitutionally.

The challenge then becomes, in a state like Alabama, is there any other way to define when life begins other than from the moment of conception  which is not an actual moment, its not a scientific or medical designation  can they make a determination that moves the needle in some way from where it is right now? And I dont know. I have strong doubts, Sussman said.

Juridical person

A woman speaking

Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, speaks at a rally in support of legislation protecting access to in vitro fertilization at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama on Feb. 28, 2024. The rally took place ahead of scheduled committee hearings on the legislation on Wednesday. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, who carried the legislation in the House, said that lawmakers are still trying to come up with a long-term solution, and a constitutional amendment is one of the potential solutions. She said they are also looking at the Louisiana model. The state considers an embryo a juridical person with limited rights.

In Louisiana, intentionally destroying viable embryos is prohibited, which means doctors are not allowed to dispose of any embryos that are still dividing. An embryo that fails to continue developing within a 36-hour period is deemed non-viable and loses its limited legal status as a person.

But as nola.com reported, Louisiana does not have a Sanctity of Life constitutional amendment, nor have the courts cited the state law in any decision.

Barbara Collura, president and CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, said in a statement after Gov. Kay Ivey signed the legislation into law that while they were relieved that clinics in Alabama can restart IVF treatment, this legislation does not address the underlying issue of the status of embryos as part of the IVF process.

There is more work to be done, the statement said.

A woman at a lectern

Barbara Collura, president and CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Organization, speaks at a rally in support of legislation to protect in vitro fertilization at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama on Feb. 28, 2024. The rally took place Wednesday ahead of committee hearings on the legislation. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Sussman said that there are real concerns around not permitting negligence or malpractice claims that might be available or might be necessary to ensure that there is a standard of care.

There have been multiple lawsuits around negligence and malpractice related to IVF treatment around the country, but Sussman said none of those lawsuits revolved around fetal personhood or conflicted with a state constitution.

She said that there are real concerns around not permitting negligence or malpractice claims that might be available or might be necessary to ensure that there is a standard of care and there should be legal recognition and accountability when something goes wrong.

But that cannot happen at the sacrifice of the rights of the of pregnant people, of people with the capacity for pregnancy, because thats what happens when you designate embryos as children, she said, adding that the rights of a pregnant person diminish when the embryos and fetuses are rights-bearing individuals.

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The post Alabama passed a new IVF law. But questions remain. appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
The first thing we hear Alex Jones say in The Truth vs. Alex Jones is, This is a kangaroo court. Then, hes shouting on his infamous InfoWars channel: This is a witch hunt! Immediately after, we see Jones giggling at a man crying over his dead son, who was brutally shot to death in a first grade bathroom during the 2012 Sandy Hook mass shooting.

What follows is more than two hours of footage indicting Jones of defamation damages stemming from the lies he spread that Sandy Hook was a hoax invented to spread gun pushback in America. Dan Reeds (Leaving Neverland) documentary, which premiered Monday at this years SXSW Film Festival, is a scathing portrait of Jones and the vile misinformation he spread about the Sandy Hook tragedy. On the plus side, its also gives the parents of the victims some much-deserved retribution against the man who sent their lives into a tizzy of death and rape threats, assault, and other vitriol online following the worst day of their lives.

The doc begins with Jones first lies, spread on InfoWars in late 1990s and early 2000s. Former members of the production team recount Jones drive to report on radiation spreading throughout California. After he sent a crew to the state to film themselves recording radiation levels, Jones grew irate with them for airing factual data that proved there was no radiation issue at all. He cut the crew off and reported inaccuracies about radiation levels rising instead. A few months later, Jones skyrocketed in fame after deeming 9/11 was carried out by the American government. All of this geopolitical news, former workers of Jones allege, was spread in order to gain attention and help sell Jones plethora of supplements on air.

Is 4chan Malicious or Misguided? The Antisocial Network Sees Both Sides

Then, the film recounts the horrors of Dec. 14, 2012, in which a gunman shot and killed 20 six- and seven-year-old students, as well as six staffers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. Parents of deceased students Daniel Bardin, Emilie Parker, and Jesse Lewis recall the day, remembering sending their kids to school even in a snowstorm because they were all so excited to celebrate the holidays in the days leading up to winter break. Daniel Jewiss, a lead investigator into the Sandy Hook tragedy, summarizes the events of the six-minute-long massacre, describing in detail the moment in which the gunman took out around a dozen children who were crammed into a bathroom. Later, one of Jones accomplices says it would be impossible to kill so many children at once. But it is possible, because they were pushed into the corner like sardines, Jewiss says, by their teacher in a last-minute attempt to save their lives.

The parents sob and whimper as they quietly talk about seeing their children, who are riddled with gunshots, cold, and distorted, and with fragments from their teachers body parts, who attempted to shield the kids from being shot. Theres around 20 minutes of heart-wrenching recollection of the tragedy, undercut directly after by Jones, who begins to claim that the shooting was staged the same day as those 26 souls lives were cut short. Robbie Parker, the father of slain six-year-old Emilie Parker, says he just wanted to be left alone by the media and particularly Jones, so he assembled a press conference. I had just wanted to share something about who my daughter was, Parker says in an interview. But as soon as the press conference wrapped, Jones and his team labeled Parker a crisis actor. This resulted in dozens and dozens of threats on Emilies memorial page on Facebook, calling the child a whore and claiming she was still alive.

After continuing to target Sandy Hook parents, Jones hired Wolfgang Halbig as an ultimate credible authority to continue to deny that Sandy hook actually happened. Halbig sat for an interview in the documentary, saying he still believes that the tragedy never happened because there were no trauma helicopters sent to retrieve the injured children. There were no trauma helicopters, one of the parents says bluntly, because the kids were dead.

A Group of Artists Built an Apartment Inside a Mall, and No One Noticed

Still, Halbig insists that hes right. In older interviews on InfoWars, Halbig claims that nobody died. Then, in this doc, he asserts that he never said that nobody died. Now he thinks that maybe, just maybe, a few people died. I just hope and pray that Im not wrong, Halbig says. If he is wrong, he adds, I probably need to go to a mental hospital. Kelley Watt, another vocal Sandy Hook denier, says in the doc that she is as convinced that no one died as Leonard Pozner is convinced that his son, the six-year-old Noah Pozner, died at Sandy Hook.

The doc then gets into the multiple trials held against Jones, which resulted in a $1.5 billion settlement in damages owed to the Sandy Hook families. Jones attorney F. Andino Reynal compares these lawsuits to lynch mobs, claiming thats why he found the case so appealing in the first place. Reynal calls Jones an American hero for speaking his mind. Hes not the best lawyerin the end, Reynal accidentally sends all of the data on Jones phone to the lawyers prosecuting Jones. Here, the lawyers find that Jones has lied multiple times, and that he could also be tried for perjury.

And yet, Jones persists, insisting that he has always told the truthor, at least, his version of the truth. The judge in Jones first suit, Maya Guerra Gamble, grows more and more irate with the InfoWars host. One line in particular from Gamble earned a flurry of laughs at the docs premiere screening: When you hear sustained you have to stop talking. Another: You must tell the truth while you testify. This is not your show. Tensions reach their peak when Jones spreads an image of this judge setting the statue of liberty on fire on InfoWars while the trial is still ongoing. He also says Sandy Hook parent Neil Heslin seems autistic while the trial is ongoing, but later apologizes to Heslin in person, saying, I think Im autistic too.

Homicidal Tamagotchi Hunt for Human Blood in Bogus Y2K

As of March 2024, the millions and millions of dollars Jones owes the Sandy Hook families remains unpaid. He has filed for bankruptcy. But The Truth vs. Alex Jones gives the Sandy Hook parents the final word: They have used this trial to drive home the importance of truth and authenticity, a vital message that the film successfully gets across. We end on a parent unpacking the backpack of her dead son, the homework he was supposed to be sent home with but never completed. He was cheated in life and cheated afterwards, says his mother, a powerful message that massive lies have massive repercussions.

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By Ayhan Uyanik and Louisa Off

KEMPTEN, Germany (Reuters) - An American man was sentenced to life in prison by a German court on Monday for the rape and murder of a tourist and the attempted murder of her friend, both from the U.S., in a brutal attack near the country's most famous tourist destination.

The attack in June attracted worldwide attention because of the presence of so many visitors at Neuschwanstein Castle, who photographed and streamed the scene as the women were taken by helicopter to hospital.

The man, a 31-year-old tourist from Michigan, identified by the court as Troy B., befriended the two women near the Maria Bridge, which offers a picture-postcard view of the fairytale castle in Bavaria, before luring them away from the public path with the promise of an even better vantage point.

There, in the rugged landscape near the castle, he throttled and raped the 21-year-old woman and threw her 22-year-old friend down a 100-metre ravine when she rushed to help her. The elder of the pair survived with severe injuries, after being caught on a tree branch.

The 21-year-old was also tossed over the ledge after Troy B. raped her. She died in hospital several hours later. The court found that the strangling alone would have been fatal.

At one point the man used his phone, which prosecutors found full of violent pornography, to film himself strangling her with his belt.

The man was caught later the same day after a massive police search.

"He used her as an object and threw her over the ledge like an object he no longer needed," said the prosecutor while summing up the case against Troy B., according to public broadcaster BR.

The judge at the court in Kempten, southern Germany, sentenced the man to life imprisonment, noting that the crime was one of "particular gravity" - a finding that means the perpetrator will not receive automatic parole after 15 years as is the case for non-aggravated murder.

The man did not contest the charge of murdering the 21-year-old, but did seek a finding that the murder was not aggravated.

The conviction can be appealed, and B. can apply to serve his sentence in the U.S., though his lawyer said he had advised the defendant not to do so, since conditions of detention in Germany were better.

Neuschwanstein Castle, about 105 km (65 miles) southwest of Munich, is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, attracting some 1.4 million visitors a year.

(Reporting by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Rachel More and Lucy Marks)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. If the opposing sides (the US, Britain, France, and Germany) demonstrate their will regarding Iran's nuclear program, it is possible to return to discussions and bring the negotiations to a conclusion, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani said during the press conference in Tehran, Trend reports.

According to Kanaani, Iran has repeatedly stated that it is interested in pursuing nuclear negotiations. In this direction, the European Union can play a role in lifting sanctions against Iran as a coordinator of the Joint Commission for a Comprehensive Plan of Joint Action (JCPOA). A country (the US) that unilaterally withdraws from the JCPOA can also return to the agreement and fulfill its commitments.

Kanaani added that Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri also met with EU Deputy High Representative Enrique Mora in Doha last week to discuss various bilateral issues and matters of interest to both sides.

To note, a comprehensive plan for joint action on Iran's nuclear program was implemented between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany) in January 2016. The US announced in May 2018 that it was withdrawing from this plan and in November of the same year imposed sanctions on Iran. Iran announced in 2020 that there would be no restrictions on Iran in the nuclear deal.

Meanwhile, at the end of 2020, the Iranian Parliament, referring to the imposition of sanctions against Iran, decided to implement the Nuclear Strategic Plan in order to lift the sanctions. According to the decision of the Iranian parliament, Iran suspended the implementation of additional steps and Additional Protocol stipulated by the nuclear agreement on February 23. At the same time, the IAEA control mechanism was reduced by 20-30 percent.

The media, quoting the IAEA, reported in February that Iran had increased its stockpile of enriched uranium 27 times more than stipulated in the comprehensive joint action plan. Since the IAEA report of September 4, 2023, the amount of uranium enriched by 60 percent in Iran has increased by 6.7 kilograms to about 128 kilograms.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The month of Ramadan feels heavier this year for 33-year-old Palestinian American Nadia Duwaik, than it has in the past.

Duwaik told CNN she ordinarily approaches Ramadan excited about the chance to celebrate and reflect during her familys rituals, such as gathering together every night for iftar.

But this year, as the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, Duwaik said her feelings about the holy month have been complicated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Since the October 7 Hamas attack, Israels siege of Gaza has killed more than 30,000 people and injured some 70,000 others, according to the Ministry of Health in the enclave.

As desperation grows, and Israels severe restrictions on aid entering Gaza continue to diminish supplies, humanitarian groups are sounding the alarm over the worsening conditions as the United Nations says hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are on the brink of famine.

On Friday, the European Union announced its opening an emergency maritime aid corridor from Cyprus to Gaza with allies including the US. The day prior, President Joe Biden announced the US Military is planning to build a temporary port along the Gaza coast to try to deliver much-needed humanitarian relief.

The international push for aid comes after more than 100 people were killed earlier this month, when Israeli soldiers opened fire while people were gathering around food aid trucks according to eyewitnesses and Palestinian officials, who said chaos subsequently erupted, causing many to be run over by the trucks, injured or trampled.

CNN previously reported Israel confirmed its forces fired on people, saying crowds had threatened their troops, but disputed the account given by eyewitnesses and Palestinian officials.

Palestinians, who are unable to meet their basic needs due to the Israeli army's obstruction of humanitarian aid, receive a bag of flour from an aid truck that arrived at al-Rashid Street in the west of Gaza City, Gaza. - Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Gazas entire population of roughly 2.2 million people are facing crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity, according to the World Food Programme, and the organization said child malnutrition in Gaza is higher than anywhere in the world.

As the crescent moon makes its appearance Monday to mark the first night of Ramadan, American Muslims, like Duwaik, tell CNN they feel a urgent need to fulfill a core tenant of Ramadan and their Islamic faith known as zakat, or giving to charity, to help provide Gaza relief.

Jad Shaheen, who is also Palestinian American, said the worsening humanitarian crisis and his family in the West Bank are never far from his mind.

People need more help than theyve needed in the past because the situation is obviously worse  theyre being actively starved, he said. Food and water are being blocked from people in Gaza to access, so its extra important to try and get those things to people who need it.

Duwaik said since the war began, shes donated to the Palestinian Childrens Relief Fund and the United Nations Agency for Palestine refugees. This year because her birthday falls during Ramadan, Duwaik said she will ask friends to donate to a nonprofit that supports relief efforts, instead of buying gifts.

In 2023, the nonprofit Islamic Relief raised more than $30 million in online donations during Ramadan, according to a spokesman for the organization.

Awrad Saleh, assistant director for international programs and partnerships at the nonprofit, said her organization has found people want to give during Ramadan more than any other time.

Islamic Reliefs goal this year, she said, is to have the food donations and aid available from the first day of Ramadan to the last in each of the countries where they provide assistance.

For Ramadan, for Gaza, were supporting them through hot meals, Saleh said.

She said they hope to reach 250,000 people and are working with partners in the region to distribute the meals to areas that include Khan Yunis and Rafah.

In addition to the hot meals, theyre also providing vegetables for suhoor, which is the time people typically consume a meal before fasting at dawn.

Its literally for anybody in the area who needs a hot meal, but in particular because this is specifically for Ramadan, its just to ensure that people who are fasting also have access to food that they need every day, she said.

The organization is guided by the passage from the Quran, according to its website, which states, Establish prayer and give zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves  you will find it with Allah. Surely Allah sees what you do.

Nasma Shehadeh, a Christian from Bethlehem who now lives in New York, said while she doesnt share their Islamic faith, shes donated to aid agencies like Islamic Relief, to help Muslims in need. Shehadeh said shes concerned for her friends in the region who are facing Ramadan with scant supplies.

Theres no food, and they have such strong faith, so surely theyre going to be fasting, Shehadeh said. The idea of them fasting and not having food is just crazy to me.

Shehadeh said shes focused on trying to help her friend in Gaza, who lives in a shelter after her home was destroyed and is now depending on donations to pay for herself and her family to flee to Egypt.

The charity, Human Appeal, has provided humanitarian relief in Gaza since 1991, according to Samina Taj, the organizations associate director of communications.

Since the start of the war in Gaza, Taj said their teams have mobilized to try to meet the desperate need for aid.

Taj said the charity is working to establish a mobile kitchen in Gaza to help feed fasting families during Ramadan so that people are nourished during this spiritual time.

Since October 7, donations made to Human Appeal have enabled the charity to deliver roughly $1.9 in medical supplies, medicine and winter clothes through the Rafah border crossing and into Gaza, according to a February 2024 report.

Since then, the charity has seen increasing donations and expect even more during Ramadan, Taj said.

Palestinians flock to receive flour distributed by The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza. - Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Noor Traina, a 24-year-old consultant in Washington, DC, who is originally from Libya, said while Ramadan is about giving, she knows donations will not be enough to bring about the much-needed end to this war.

Traina consistently donates to mosques during Ramadan in what constitutes sadaqa, a concept in Islam of voluntarily giving charity, a slight variation from the more obligatory zakat.

I just end up giving more, you know, its just a spiritual month, so I just have the intention of giving more, as well, she said.

But Traina worries whether her aid is actually getting to its destination.

We try to find the most reliable sources but, is there much hope its actually going to reach people? she said.

Negotiators had hoped to reach a deal for a ceasefire ahead of Ramadan, but talks fell apart last week. Traina said she and her fellow Muslims will continue to pressure lawmakers to take action.

This Ramadan, in addition to fasting and giving, while remembering the starving and wounded families and orphans of Gaza and Palestine, we will be worshipping by protesting and demanding a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Palestinians, she said.

Thats what Ramadan is about, but especially this Ramadan.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Nadia Duwaiks age. She is 33.

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This silver denarius, minted over 2,000 years ago, is hardly the most attractive Roman coin. And yet, the coin is vital evidence for the early stages of a political struggle that culminated in Caesars assassination and the fall of the Roman Republic.

I first encountered this coin while studying Roman history in graduate school. Its unusual design gave me pause  this one depicted figures walking across a narrow bridge and dropping something into a box. I moved on after learning it depicted voting, reasoning that Roman mint officials occasionally made idiosyncratic choices.

But as voting access evolves in the U.S., the political importance of this centuries-old coin seems more compelling. It turns out that efforts to regulate voting access go way back.

Roman voting

Voting was a core feature of the Roman Republic and a regular activity for politically active citizens. Men, and only men, could vote in multiple elections and legislative assemblies each year. So why would P. Licinius Nerva, the official responsible for this coin, choose to depict such a banal activity?

The answer lies in voting procedures that sometimes heavily favored elites.

The Roman Forum was a common site of political activities. BeBo86/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

In the comitia centuriata, the assembly that elected Romes chief magistrates, each citizen was a member of a voting unit based on wealth. Unit members voted to decide which candidates they collectively supported, like U.S. presidential elections where its not the popular vote but the number of Electoral College votes that determines the winner.

The wealthiest Romans controlled more than half of the voting units in this assembly. The poorest citizens had just one voting unit; since they voted last, and only during uncertain outcomes, they might not vote at all.

Furthermore, citizens voted orally and openly. Elites could directly observe and potentially intimidate poorer voters.

Regulating Roman electioneering

That all began to change in 139 BCE when the Roman politician Aulus Gabinius passed a law mandating written ballots for elections. Two further laws, both passed in the 130s, extended the use of written ballots to legislative voting and most trial juries.

These written ballots made it more difficult for elites to influence voting but not impossible. Each unit formed its own line leading to a bridge where voters received ballots to mark and place in a basket. Elites could station themselves or their allies on the bridge to encourage people to vote the right way.

The reverse of Nervas coin depicts the reception and deposit of the ballot, the first and last moments of a voters time on the bridge. The absence of nonvoter figures on the coin, apart from a poll worker, is key to understanding its message.

Reverse of a Roman silver coin minted by P. Nerva, circa 113 BCE. American Numismatic Society

In 119 BCE, a young politician named Gaius Marius passed a law that narrowed voting bridge widths, allowing voters to mark their ballots without elites looking over their shoulders. Nervas coin, minted six or seven years later, almost certainly refers back to this law. By showing only voters on the bridge, Nerva was celebrating an important voting rights victory and announcing his allegiance to Marius.

The aristocrats never managed to repeal the voting laws and were still grumbling about them even as the Republic collapsed.

The long Roman struggle over voting procedures provides a useful and perhaps even comforting reminder. Changing state voting laws and election lawsuits are nothing new. The fight over voter access to the ballot is an inevitable side effect of democracy.

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: David B. Hollander, Iowa State University

Read more:



David B. Hollander 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.
The defection of Lee Anderson MP to the Reform Party has echoes of the departures 10 years ago of Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless to Ukip, save in one key respect. They stepped down and fought (and won) by-elections.

Mr Anderson has decided not to follow suit, even though he once supported legislation that would have required MPs changing parties mid-parliament to face the voters, but it never made it into law. He said it would not be right to do so given we are close to a general election, though it would have tested Reforms support had he done so.

The MP for Ashfield had been Conservative Party vice-chairman before he resigned the post in order to vote against the Government over immigration. He was then suspended last month for refusing to apologise for suggesting that Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, was in thrall to Islamists.

His defection had been predicted ever since and came as no great surprise at Westminster, but it opened him up to merciless criticism from his erstwhile Tory colleagues. While ranks will be closed and wagons circled, however, his defection should not be so easily dismissed.

Mr Anderson was made vice-chairman for a reason: as the son of a miner, he appealed to disgruntled voters in traditional Labour areas who backed the Conservatives in 2019. Some of these are now moving across to Reform, which is consistently receiving the support of about 10 per cent of the electorate, enough in several recent by-elections to deny the Tories the seats.

Although Brexit was delivered, the Government has subsequently failed to address the issue that motivated millions of Leave voters in the 2016 referendum: immigration. Levels are far higher now than when Britain was in the EU.

The 2019 manifesto on which Boris Johnson won a majority of 80 promised to control the borders. The fact that this has not happened is behind the surge for Reform. Mr Anderson was forthright at his news conference announcing his desertion: I want my country back, he said.

In a party containing a range of opinions, Rishi Sunak has to perform a difficult balancing act to avoid alienating other Conservatives by tilting too far to the Right. However, getting a grip on immigration is not an extreme policy but a promise on which this Government was elected. Unless it starts to deliver the controls that people expect and does so soon, the advance of Reform will be hard to hold back.

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.
Angela Bassett Got Candid About Being Gobsmacked Over Losing 2023 Oscar: I Was Disappointed And I Handled It Like A Human Being | Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Angela Bassett is opening up about how she felt when she didnt win the Academy Award for Supporting Actress last year. Sitting down with Oprah Winfrey for the OWN Spotlight series, Bassett said she was gobsmacked when she lost the award after being nominated for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The 65-year-old actress added that she felt that she handled the situation very well as she watched the award go to Jamie Lee Curtis.

That was my intention, to handle it very well, Bassett told Winfrey. It was, of course, a supreme disappointment, and disappointment is human. So I thought, yes, I was disappointed and I handled it like a human being.

Oprah also revealed that she was shocked when Bassett didnt get the Oscar.

I just knew your name was going to be called, Winfrey said. I was beside myself [when it wasnt]. We were beside ourselves.

For Bassett, it was important to handle the disappointment with grace.

There are going to be these moments of disappointment that they are going to experience. But how do you handle yourself in the midst of them? Bassett said. Were going to smile, were going to be gracious, were going to be kind  we got to party anyway.

Bassett was only nominated for an Oscar once before her 2023 nod. That nomination came in 1994 when she received a nomination for Best Actress after portraying the late Tina Turner in Whats Love Got to Do With It, Variety reported. Bassett did, however, win a Golden Globe for her performance.

Bassett said she didnt even see the script for Black Panther when she agreed to take the role.

Some of these places are secretive with the scripts, but [director Ryan Coogler] said, Queen. For years, I had been saying  when they ask what else you want to play, Id say, I want to play a queen. I manifested it, evidently, Bassett said. Because I hadnt seen it. Its not queen for me, its queen for us. We are queens. My mother, my auntie, you. We all are. So often Black women are considered at the low end of the totem. No!

As Blavity reported, Bassett received an Honorary Oscar in January at the 14th Annual Governors Awards. Bassett paid tribute to some of her peers, including Halle Berry and Whoopi Goldberg, during her speech, saying she wants more recognition for more Black women.

Bassett referred to the stars as beacons of possibility and hope for little Black and brown girls who aspire to one day pursue the dream of becoming an actor.
A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britts epic flop of a State of the Union response had something that the previous pratfalls of Bobby Jindal and Marco Rubio couldnt match: It was built around a whopper of a lie.

By the following day, former AP foreign correspondent Jonathan M. Katz had unpacked the essential falsity of Britts human trafficking anecdote that she used to blast Bidens border policy. In a TikTok video that now has more than 2 million views, Katz showed how Britt twisted and misused the underlying episode, which actually happened in Mexico, nearly 20 years ago, when George W. Bush was president:

Britts star-crossed turn in the national spotlight went so poorly that she had to go on Fox News over the weekend to try to clean it up, and even there she got pushed.

Perhaps the most amusing aspect of this entire mini-scandal is the inept preening by the other Alabama senator, Tommy Tuberville, who for at least one news cycle wasnt his states worst senator.

Scarlett Johansson Was On Fire

A SNL performance for the ages:

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

Cant Get Enough Katie Britt?

Me either! Here ya go:

Fact checked : Katie Britts false linkage of a sex-trafficking case to Joe Biden

Harsh but fair : Katie Britt wasnt speaking in a baby voice but in the more particular Fundie Baby Voice, Jess Piper argues.

Stunned into silence: The reaction of the hosts of this right-wing show was the piece de resistance (start at the 2:26 mark):

An Absolute Must Read

TPMs Josh Kovensky with a big new piece on a far-right secret society with connections to the pro-Trump Claremont Institute that envisions a future Christian-run government after a cataclysmic national divorce. Its only for men and certain kinds of trinitarian Christians. Women, Jews, Muslims, and Mormons need not apply.

What sets the group apart from a lot of what we see on the far-right fringe is these seem to be people of means, with social capital and political connections. A Knights Templar of the country club, if you will.

For a bit more about the story behind the story, including the clever public records requests that Josh used to pull it together, I have you covered.

Trump Posts Appeal Bond In E. Jean Carroll Case

Donald Trump managed to come up with an appeal bond to cover E. Jean Carrolls $83.3 million defamation judgment against him. Carroll has until 11 a.m. ET today to oppose the bond. In light of some of the reaction to this news (a mix of disappointment and suspicion), a few cautionary notes:

An appeal bond is good news for Carroll, and she celebrated it.

The insurer that provided Trump with the bond is owned by the multinational insurance giant Chubb, a legit company that is unlikely to be doing Trump a favor that puts it at a financial disadvantage. Yes, it does business in Russia, but it also does business in dozens of other countries and has no special or unique Russia connection.

Trump pays the insurer a fee for the bond and posts collateral to secure his obligation to pay the insurer if it is forced to pay Carroll. Its a fair and reasonable question whether some other person or entity posted collateral or promised in some way to cover Trumps obligation, but Trump does have significant assets so its not a sure thing that he was forced to rely on a third party to bail him out.

The more interesting question is how Trump comes up with the appeal bond in the New York civil fraud case, where the judgment against him is a whopping $454.2 million.

Trump Accountability Miscellany

New book: Trump campaign insider recounts failed hunt for 2020 fraud

Ilya Somin: What the Supreme Court Got Wrong in the Trump Disqualification Clause Case

Trump Calls Journalists Criminals

How is Trump taking Bidens State of the Union tour de force? In the usual fashion:

The NYT summarizes the Rome, Georgia speech well:

Over nearly two hours, Mr. Trump lobbed sharp personal attacks at Mr. Bidens mental and physical health and revived a litany of grievances against political opponents, prosecutors and television executives. He used inflammatory language to stoke fears about immigration, called the press criminals and repeated his false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

On top of all that, Trump continued to defame E. Jean Carroll.

Trump Praises Orban

Trump continues to delight in strongman-ism:

Trump with Orban tonight:



Theres nobody thats better, smarter or a better leader than Viktor Orban. Hes fantasticHes a non-controversial figure because he says, This is the way its going to be, and thats the end of it. Right? Hes the boss. No, hes a great leader. pic.twitter.com/8A1bUjm9fF  Vaughn Hillyard (@VaughnHillyard) March 9, 2024

2024 Ephemera

Biden slams Trump-Orban meeting.

Semafor: How Project 2025 became the Biden campaigns favorite target

Biden says he regrets having referred to an undocumented immigrant as an illegal in his State of the Union address.

Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) re-ups his pledge not to support Donald Trump for president.

Cameron Joseph: How do you cover a candidate everyone knowsand no one remembers?

Eating Their Own

Not even Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) is wingnut enough for the MAGA hordes, who claim they will submit the required signatures today to force a recall vote against Vos for not being sufficiently onboard with the 2020 Big Lie.

How Senate GOP Leadership Races Stack Up

As things stand now, the contests for the GOP leadership are shaping up as:

Leader : John Thune (SD) v. John Cornyn (TX)

Whip : John Barrasso (WY)

Conference Chair : Joni Ernst (IA) v. Tom Cotton (AR)

Republican Policy Committee chair: TBD

Thune is the current whip, Barrasso is the current conference chair, and Ernst is the current Republican Policy Committee chair.

Status Check: Hunter Biden

Special Counsel David Weiss says Hunter Biden invented a conspiracy theory to try to get the tax case in California dismissed.

WaPo: FBI informant accused of smearing Bidens had past credibility issues

Not Our Best Or Brightest

A State of the Union anecdote that offers a telling glimpse into the House GOP Crazy Caucus:

Tim Burchett was asked what he and Biden were talking about last night. He says Gaetz challenged him to try and delay Biden as much as possible so he got him in a conversation about Corvettes and chocolate chip ice cream. pic.twitter.com/eWlZPxxKv2  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) March 9, 2024

Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know!
Vitaly Shabunin, head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center's executive board, said on March 9 that the State Investigation Bureau had launched criminal cases against him for alleged draft evasion and forgery.

Shabunin, who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a volunteer at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and has served since then, denied the accusations and said the cases were fabricated. He believes the cases to be a political vendetta against him by President Volodymyr Zelensky's deputy chief of staff Oleh Tatarov.

Shabunin has regularly criticized Tatarov, who was charged with bribery in 2020. The case against Tatarov has been obstructed by law enforcement agencies and closed.

Tatarov and the State Investigation Bureau were not available for comment.

The story first broke out on March 7, when journalist Volodymyr Boiko said the State Investigation Bureau had initiated two criminal investigations against Shabunin based on allegations of document forgery and military service evasion.

Shabunin posted a photo of his military ID card, which indicates that he joined the Ukrainian army on Feb. 25, 2022.

The request for an investigation came from Rostyslav Kravets, a journalist who has regularly lambasted Shabunin and other anti-corruption activists.

Attacks by media and law enforcement on those whom the President's Office considers its enemies will continue, Shabunin said in a Facebook post.

He added that those who attacked the home of anti-corruption journalist Yurii Nikolov and conducted illegal surveillance of journalists of Bigus.Info media investigative outlet have not been faced any charges so far.

Yurii Nikolov, one of Ukraine's prominent investigative journalists, said on Jan. 15 that he received a visit from unidentified people threatening him.

Ukrainian investigative media outlet Bihus.Info reported on Feb. 5 that the Security Service of Ukraine was behind illegal surveillance of the outlet's team, after which a video appeared online showing some staff members allegedly using drugs during a private party.

Read also: Judicial reform in limbo as only few tainted judges are fired or convicted

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ariana Grande has been laying low from the red carpet scene the past few years, but she did not disappoint during her return to one at the 2024 Oscars.

The star of the upcoming film "Wicked" walked the red carpet  her first in about four years  on March 10 at the annual Academy Awards in a voluminous pink gown.

Her dress was a custom Giambattista Valli look, featuring a giant off-the-shoulder cape with a train and ruched strapless column dress. Mimi Cuttrell styled her.

Image: 96th Annual Academy Awards - Roaming Red Carpet (Emma McIntyre / Getty Images)

Grande completed her ensemble with pink stone drop earrings and a pink pendant necklace.

Later during the show, she and her "Wicked" co-star Cynthia Erivo presented the award for best original song to Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas Baird O'Connell, for their hit "What Was I Made For?" from the "Barbie" film.

Erivo donned a tight green dress for the occasion, and the juxtaposition of the two actors was very reminiscent of their characters in "Wicked." Grande plays Glinda the Good Witch, and Erivo plays Elphaba, who becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West.

Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP - Getty Images)

Fans were loving Grande's Glinda-coded look.

"ariana grande stuns on the #oscars red carpet," one fan posted on X.

"I think I stopped breathing when Ariana Grande arrived at the #Oscars," the official @MTV account wrote on X.

Image: 96th Annual Academy Awards - Roaming Red Carpet (Emma McIntyre / Getty Images)

"Wicked" will be released in two parts, with the first coming out on Nov. 27, the day before Thanksgiving.

The second part is slated for release on Nov. 26, 2025, according to Deadline.

It's a big month for Grande, who just released a new album on International Women's Day called Eternal Sunshine.

Eternal sunshine is arianas dreamiest sounding album i cant explain, one fan wrote.

10/10 album like yall doubted Ariana but she prevailed, another fan said.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The U.S. Senate has approved a legislative package that will give millions of dollars to Arkansas infrastructure projects and the future pilot training center in Fort Smith.

Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) wrote the bill which will give $83 million to the pilot training center at the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith along with funds that will be allocated across the state.

Boozman released a statement in response to the approval of the funds.

Im proud to champion Arkansas priorities and support investment to enhance growth and development in communities across the state. This bill helps ensure Ebbing Air National Guard Base will become the premier pilot training center in the U.S. and reinforces our commitments to allies participating in the future pilot training mission in Fort Smith. Providing the necessary infrastructure and resources now will elevate the installation into a vital national security asset that enhances Americas deterrence posture well into the future. The repeated delays in advancing this critical funding across the finish line were unfortunate, but I appreciate the persistence of my colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives to find common ground and deliver certainty for several federal agencies in allocating taxpayer dollars more wisely and efficiently. Sen. John Boozman

The money is part of a package that will fund a range of Infrastructure issues such as:

Military Infrastructure and Veterans Programs

$54 million for the construction of a three-bay hanger supporting F-35 pilot training at Ebbing.

$22 million for constructing a special access program facility and aircrew flight equipment facility supporting F-35 pilot training at Ebbing.

$7 million for the planning and design of an academic training facility to support future missions at Ebbing.

$5 million to complete work on a new Arkansas National Guard Readiness Center at Fort Chaffee.

Funding to advance VA Medical Centers and university cancer centers partnerships.

Protection of rural veterans access to emergency medical transportation.

Increased funding for veterans health care and benefits including telehealth services, homelessness programs, specialty care for women veterans, and rural health initiatives.

Support for improvements to base housing for servicemembers and their families.

Fort Smith Air Base to host military pilot training

Transportation Infrastructure

$67 million for the construction of I-49 near Fort Smith.

$11.5 million to increase freight rail capacity at the Port of Little Rock.

$5 million for improvements to the Highway 82 corridor.

$6 million for the construction of a portion of Future I-57.

$8 million for improvements on the Highway 412 corridor.

$4 million to construct a covered canopy at Clinton National Airport in Little Rock.

$2.5 million for upgraded traffic infrastructure to improve Ebbing Air National Guard Base security access.

Delivers funding for research and development of improved transportation methods at U.S. Department of Transportation University Transportation Centers. The Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center at the University of Arkansas earned this designation in 1992.

Funds Department of Transportation discretionary grant programs such as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, Airport Improvement Program, Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program and the Port Infrastructure Development program that has helped support Arkansas infrastructure projects.

Maintains existing air service to rural communities through the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. Harrison, Hot Springs, El Dorado and Jonesboro participate in EAS.

Bolsters the aviation industry and advances research and innovation in air travel, safety and workforce.

Water Infrastructure, Management and Conservation

Funds multiple Arkansas projects including addressing the depletion and resiliency of the Alluvial and Sparta aquifers of the Bayou Meto and Grand Prairie water supply and providing a comprehensive water resource management strategy for the White River Basin.

$12 million for Fort Smith water transmission.

$11.8 million for water management improvements of water control structures, alternations and repairs of the levee structures at the Shirey Bay Rainey Brake Wildlife Management Area in Lawrence County.

$7.7 million for upgrades to the Bono wastewater treatment facility.

$5.5 million for improvements to wastewaters systems in Camden.

$4.8 million for water and sewer infrastructure improvements to support economic development in a growing area of North Little Rock.

$3.5 million for enhancements to Wilsons wastewater infrastructure.

$1 million for Mountain Home water improvements.

Delivers funds for critical conservation programs such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act that has resulted in the restoration of thousands of acres of wildlife habitat in Arkansas.

Promotes the importance of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) inland waterway deepening and invests in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-led Arkansas priorities.

Strengthens controls to prevent invasive carp in the Mississippi River and its sub-basins including the Arkansas-Red-White River sub-basin.

Natural State-Based Research

$77.5 million for the Food and Drug Administrations research promoting and protecting public health conducted at the National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson County.

Supports agricultural research programs funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including increases for Cooperative Extension and university research.

Secures funding for human nutrition research that will support healthy child development, including the valuable work conducted at Arkansas Childrens Hospital.

Funds the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program to reduce adverse ecological and economic impacts caused by feral swine across Arkansas and the nation.

$10 million to support the Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing at Arkansas State University to bolster research in advancing materials and steel manufacturing.

$5 million to support the University of Arkansas Center for Design and Materials Innovation to expand the use of Arkansas-sourced timber and wood through cutting-edge research and development.

$5 million for the University of Arkansas Center for Large-Scale Testing of Seismic Systems construction to provide advanced testing capabilities and innovative solutions to infrastructural challenges posed by seismic activity.

Rural Development and Public Safety

$1.5 million for a Fire and Public Safety Center in Wilson.

$1 million for the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Arkansas (UAMS) Digital Interventions for Care and Education telemedicine mental health program.

$1 million for UAMS Police Department equipment and technology upgrades.

$1 million each to implement a rapid DNA system pilot program for investigations for the Faulkner County Sheriffs Office and Saline County Sheriffs Office to reduce violent crime.

$500,000 for equipment upgrades for the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training to improve the training of Arkansas police officers.

Invests in rural utilities, electricity and connectivity.

Funds the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program to support Arkansas law enforcement agencies and provide tools to keep communities and officers safe.

Supports the Regional Information Sharing System which provides valuable criminal and intelligence information to Arkansas law enforcement agencies.

Physician Payment

Increases the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Conversion Factor by 1.68%, partially mitigating the 3.37% cut included in the Calendar Year 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule.

Womack, Hill join lawmakers to advocate renewed agreements with Pacific nations

Compacts of Free Association (COFA)

Strengthens national security by approving the negotiated COFA agreement with the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau to protect U.S. interests in the Pacific and block the Peoples Republic of Chinas efforts to expand its corrupting influence in the region.

Restores access to federal benefits, championed by Boozman, for COFA citizens legally present in the U.S. The largest population of Marshallese in the continental U.S. resides in Springdale.

Expands VA health care to veterans living in the freely associated states.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Police are investigating whether the operators of five unlicensed community homes in Tarrant County abused and exploited their clients, according to the Arlington Police Department.

Police and prosecutors are asking for the publics help in investigating the community homes, which were all operated by a company called Love and Caring for People LLC.

Police have arrested the companys owner, Regla Becquer, and charged her with one count of abandoning/endangering an individual imminent danger of bodily injury. Becquer, 49, is in custody at the Tarrant County Jail and is being held on a $750,000 bond. Becquers attorney, Joseph Bonney, declined to comment when reached by telephone.

Arlington police said they have investigated multiple allegations of abuse, neglect, theft and fraud at Becquers living homes. In a news release, law enforcement accused Becquer and her staff of failing to properly care for her clients, preventing them from seeking medical attention, trying to block communication between clients and their families, using clients debit cards, and using the phones and cars of clients after they had died.

Police have identified multiple potential victims, they said, and are aware of five properties where Love and Caring for People have operated:

1210 Woodbrook St., Arlington

7411 Lake Whitney Drive, Arlington

7419 Fossil Creek Drive, Arlington

2059 Turtle Cove Drive, Mansfield

1852 Hidden Brook Drive, Grand Prairie

Investigators with Arlington Police and the Tarrant County District Attorneys Office are asking for the publics help in identifying any additional victims or community living homes.

Current or past clients of these homes, or their family members, can call a tip line at 817-575-3230. Arlington police ask that those with information call the tip line and leave a voice message with their contact information, so investigators can follow up.

Weve learned about some very concerning things occurring within these homes and we want to ensure that no victims are falling through the cracks, Police Chief Al Jones said in a statement. If you or a loved one has spent any time in one of these homes  or knows of any other locations this company may be operating out of  we need to know. Fortunately, our investigation has resulted in multiple clients being pulled from the homes so they can receive the legitimate care they need. But there may be others we need to help.

Becquer is listed as the registered agent for Love and Caring for People, according to the Texas Secretary of States website. The company was formed in May 2022, but has forfeited its existence as of February 2024, according to the Secretary of State. A forfeited existence means that the LLC failed to file its franchise tax return or to pay the tax due thereunder, according to the Secretary of State.
The U.S. Army has released the names of two National Guard warrant officers killed in a recent helicopter crash near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, 28, of Rensselaer, New York, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia, 30, of Schenectady, New York, died when their UH-72 Lakota helicopter crashed near Rio Grande City, Texas, at 2:50 p.m. on March 8.

Both warrant officers were assigned to Detachment 2, Company A, 1st of the 224th Aviation Regiment, New York Army National Guard.

Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna, 49, also died in the crash.

A third New York Army National Guard member, the aircrafts crew chief, was injured in the crash and was being treated in a local hospital as of Sunday, according to a news release from the New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs. The soldier was not identified in the release.

The crash remains under investigation, according to a release from the National Guard Bureau of Public Affairs.

We are all shocked and devastated by the loss of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Grassia, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Frankoski, while serving along the U.S. border in Texas, said Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York.

New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officers 2 John Grassia (left) and Casey Frankoski. Both members of the New York National Guard died March 8, 2024 during a helicopter crash near the U.S.-Mexico border. (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs via AP)

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, Shields added in release.

The Lakota helicopter was assigned to the federal governments border security mission when it crashed during aviation operations, according to a statement released by Joint Task Force North, a military unit that supports Customs and Border Protection. No further details were provided.

Soldiers from the detachment deployed to Texas in October to support the federal military mission. They are not part of the Texas National Guards Operation Lone Star, according to the New York Guard release.

The border region is heavily patrolled by state and federal entities, to include routine aerial surveillance. National Guard soldiers under federal duty status have assisted such efforts at various points in recent decades. The mission now underway began during former President Donald Trumps tenure and has been highlighted by large numbers of migrant encounters.

The twin-engine, single-main-rotor Lakota helicopter is a variant of the commercial American Eurocopter EC-145. It has seating for two pilots and up to six passengers or two litters.

Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna. Luna was among those killed in the helicopter crash near Rio Grande City on March 8, 2024. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP)

The March 8 crash is the Guards third since Feb. 12, Army Times reported.

In February, the Guard temporarily grounded all flight crews after Apache helicopter crashes in Utah and Mississippi killed two troops and injured two more.

Detachment 2, which specializes in flying missions that support civilian agencies, is based at Army Aviation Flight Facility #3 at the Albany (New York) International Airport.

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.

She is a graduate of Columbia High School and Schenectady County Community College, where she attained an associates degree in social science.

Frankoski deployed to Kuwait from November 2018 to September 2019 with Detachment 5, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment. The unit flies the Armys C-12 transport aircraft.

Grassia, who was also a New York state trooper, enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2013 as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter maintenance specialist. He was appointed as a warrant officer in 2019 and trained as a UH-60 pilot. He was promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 in 2020.

He is a 2012 graduate of Schalmont High School in Schenectady.

Grassia 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.

Frankoskis 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.

Grassias 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, the Basic Aviator Badge.

The Assosciated Press and Army Times Senior Reporter Davis Winkie contributed to this article.
The famous Italian actress Ornella Muti, who is proud of her Russian roots and even dreamed of obtaining Russian citizenship, once again visited her ancestral homeland, but she did not visit the so-called Mariupol, according to Russian fake news. Propagandists "proved" the news that the actress posed against the backdrop of Mariupol houses with a photo from Sochi.

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However, this does not do honor to the Italian, who has already made it clear that she supports the war and genocide of Ukrainians. OBOZ.UA decided to find out where the rumors about the actress "in Mariupol" came from.

Ornella Muti had indeed arrived in Russia a week earlier, where she met with participants of the World Youth Festival in Sochi. There, street artist Jorit Ciro Cerullo painted a portrait of his fellow citizen on one of the buildings as a sign of the unity of the two cultures.

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This is not the first time the Italian has disgraced himself with his work by creating images in Russia and in occupied Ukrainian cities. One of them appeared in Mariupol, where the artist transferred a photo of a crying girl to the wall of a house without the author's permission.

By the way, the photo was taken by an Australian photographer who did not give permission for this, let alone share the Russians' opinion that the child was crying because of the "NATO shells" depicted in the mural.

After the scandal, Jorit Chiro stayed in Russia and continued to please the Kremlin, this time portraying an actress who confessed her love to Russia during a full-scale war.

ADVERTISIMENT

Notably, Ornella Muti herself confirmed on Instagram that the photo was taken in Sochi.

Probably, with fakes about the star's alleged "recognition" of Mariupol as part of the Russian Federation, propagandists decided to divert attention from this year's Oscars, where the film about Russia's crimes "20 Days in Mariupol" won one of the main awards.

At the end of 2023, Ornella Muti already came to Russia. She played in a Moscow theater. Interestingly, the star of the films The Taming of the Scoundrel and Madly in Love never managed to learn Russian, so Russians had to watch the performance with subtitles.

As OBOZ.UA previously wrote, Muti has already been punished for supporting war criminal Russian President Vladimir Putin. It happened many years ago because of a banquet with him.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
(KRON)  A suspect has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of a 78-year-old man who worked at a gas station, the San Leandro Police Department said Monday. San Leandro PD responded to the Speedway gas station located at 14880 E. 14th Street at 12:15 p.m. on Feb. 22 on a report of someone with head injuries.

At the scene, officers located the victim, 78-year-old Wadih Badran. Badran, an employee of the gas station, was pronounced dead by Alameda County Fire Department personnel.

Witness statements cited by SLPD indicate the suspect, 40-year-old Dennis Lee of Stockton, got into a verbal dispute with Badran. Lee was reportedly loitering behind the business.

FBI raids Dublin womens prison plagued by sexual abuse

As the confrontation escalated, Lee came up behind the victim and pushed him into a pole, causing head and neck trauma. This proved to be fatal, according to police.

The suspect was last seen fleeing into a nearby neighborhood. An extensive canvass of the area was conducted by patrol officers and detectives using surveillance footage and witness accounts.

Lees identity was determined by investigators through surveillance footage, Flock Public Safety footage and forensic evidence. Lee was arrested on Friday near his Stockton residence with the assistance of San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office deputies.

Police also executed search warrants at his home and at his parents residence in Castro Valley. Officers recovered clothing worn during the alleged homicide along with two illegally possessed firearms.

On Monday, the Alameda County District Attorney charged Lee with murder and weapons violations.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
A suspect is in custody following a shooting near the Walgreens on Yellow Bluff Road and New Berlin Road.

Jacksonville police said Eric Stallings, 61, was arrested at a nearby Gate gas station after calling police himself.

The shooting happened Sunday.

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Related: JSO confirms man was shot near Walgreens on Yellow Bluff Road on Sunday

According to an arrest report, it appears this was a case of road rage.

Charles Keen, 48, told police Stallings cut him off in traffic and was making hand gestures at him.

Keen said he thought the suspect was driving away, but Stallings slammed on his brakes, causing Keens truck to rear-end the suspects vehicle.

Read: JSO: Man dead after he was shot, crashes car into ditch in Jacksonville Heights

Keen told police he got out of his truck to exchange information with Stallings.

Moments later, he ran to Walgreens after having been shot in the face.

The victim was taken to the hospital. Hell be okay.

Whatever Stallings told police after the shooting was blacked out of his arrest report.

Stallings is now charged with attempted murder.

Read: JSO: Teen in critical condition after shooting in Normandy area

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NEW YORK  A New York City judge took the rare step of issuing an arrest warrant for one of the citys most infamous landlords for allegedly failing to correct hundreds of hazardous building violations at a pair of Washington Heights properties.

Daniel Ohebshalom, also known as Dan Shalom, figured at the top of the Public Advocates Worst Landlords watchlist for the second consecutive year in December. There were a record-breaking 3,293 open violations across 300 apartments in 15 buildings he owns. An agent of Ohebshalom, Jonathan Santana, is technically listed in the number one spot.

Manhattan Judge Jack Stoller found the notorious slumlord showed a sustained lack of seriousness in making the court-mandated fixes at 705 and 709 170 St. in upper Manhattan. Ohebshalom is now facing the prospect of up to 60 days in jail on Rikers unless he does so.

The citys Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced on Monday it helped secure the warrant after years of litigating against Ohebshalom alongside affected tenants. The two Washington Heights buildings alone have over 700 housing violations, including mold, peeling lead paint and rat infestations.

The most striking factor informing the Courts discretion is the duration of the contempt proceeding. The Court held Respondents in civil contempt as of February 2, 2023, more than thirteen months before this writing, Judge Stoller wrote. Moreover, the sheer volume of extant hazardous and immediately hazardous violations bespeaks the extent of Respondents contempt.

Stoller ordered the citys Sheriffs Department to collaborate with law enforcement in California to execute the warrant, as Ohebshalom is believed to reside in the Los Angeles area. He could either be extradited by California police or come to New York voluntarily, according to an HPD rep.

Commissioner Adolfo Carrion Jr. described the Washington Heights cases as a small portion of his portfolio at a budget hearing on Monday, where he touted the arrest warrant.

I want to be crystal clear, if you create unsafe, unhealthy, and unlivable conditions, we will hold you accountable. Let this be a message to all landlords that HPD will make certain the law is enforced to protect every New Yorker from dangerous housing conditions, he said in a statement.

Carrion repeatedly referred to Ohebshalom as a slumlord at the budget hearing.

The department said in December it was aggressively litigating against Ohebshalom and his company, Keystone Management, across the five boroughs. In October the city hit him with $4.2 million in penalties from three lawsuits over issues including allegedly running illegal hotels.

But Mondays arrest warrant was an unusually stringent step. An HPD spokesperson said the last time such a warrant was issued was in December 2022 against Aron Stark, whose Bushwick building had no heat and was infested with roaches. He spent eight days on Rikers.

Tenants, advocates and even elected officials have long criticized the city for not cracking down hard enough on irresponsible landlords, an issue that has come to the fore since the dramatic partial building collapse in the Bronx last year that did not result in any fatalities.

Stollers warrant initially called for a maximum of 180 days in civil jail, but the number was crossed out and replaced with 60.

Ohebshalom and his attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.

_____
HILLSBORO, Mo.  A Jefferson County Circuit Court judge signed an arrest warrant for a man accused of exposing himself to others at his apartment building.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriffs Offices probable cause statement, the incidents occurred from summer 2023 until Mar. 9, 2024, at an apartment complex just south of Fenton.

The victim told deputies that Timothy D. Dunn (age not provided) had been romantically pursuing them and, on several occasions, had exposed himself in various ways. The most recent incident occurred on March 9.

14-year-old boy stabbed and killed in Jennings

The victim provided deputies with a video showing Dunn walking through a common area of the apartment complex with his genitals exposed and making eye contact with the victim.

Deputies took Dunn into custody and claim he admitted to purposely exposing himself to the victim for sexual gratification.

The victim told investigators Dunn said hed sold his vehicles and was going to move to Canada. Deputies claim Dunn told them he was interested in starting a new life in the Netherlands.

The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Dunn with first-degree harassment and first-degree sexual misconduct. Upon arrest, Dunn will be held without bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
In an era characterized by rapid technological advancements, students are increasingly finding themselves at the forefront of innovation, particularly in harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance their learning experiences. As educational paradigms continue to evolve, AI has emerged as a transformative tool, offering students an array of benefits that extend far beyond traditional classroom boundaries. From personalized learning pathways to real-time feedback mechanisms, the integration of AI technologies holds the promise of revolutionizing how students engage with educational content and cultivate essential skills for the future.

Or that's what ChatGPT says, anyway.

The chatbot, developed by OpenAI and launched in late 2022, is just one AI program that students around the world have taken advantage of. With a simple prompt, the bot will write paragraphs of text. But it's not always accurate, it can be overly flowery and pedantic to the point of tedium, and generally, it doesn't count as original work.

At this point, Brevard Public Schools doesn't have any policies related to the use of AI. But that doesn't mean students are allowed to use it  ChatGPT is blocked from students on district networks, and teachers are allowed to use AI only in some instances. It's a topic the district plans to address in the 2024-2025 student code of conduct and is continuously monitoring as AI continues to evolve.

ChatGPT is a well-known example of generative artificial intelligence, which refers specifically to AI tools that use algorithms to generate outputs and create content that can include text, audio, code, images and more. (Credit: Olivier Morin, AFP via Getty Images)

While ChatGPT's popularity has thrust AI into the spotlight, artificial intelligence isn't new -- and for some students, it can make a huge impact in their learning.

Bethany Kulig's daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2010. Her son received the same diagnosis soon after.

Kulig, who has a background in communication disorders and runs a tutoring company for children with language-related disabilities in Brevard, said AI programs have provided immense support for the kids she tutors.

Various programs can read text out loud, highlight text or manipulate it in other ways to make it easier to read, answer questions and more.

"This allows them to have access to text that they might not be able to decode yet, but (is) at their interest level," she said.

How prevalent is AI in Brevard classrooms?

Among a list of states, Florida ranked at No. 4 for how likely students are to use ChatGPT to cheat, according to a study from EssayPro. The study analyzed Google search volume over the past year related to AI tools for writing essays and ranked states according to the number of searches each month per one million residents. Florida had an average of 241.7 searches every month per one million people.

At Brevard Public Schools, the intermittent access to AI is allowed by staff, according to Robert Klassen, a technology integrator at BPS. They can use programs like Microsoft CoPilot assistant, which is powered by ChatGPT.

Teachers and staff are allowed to use it but should not be entering any personally identifiable information for students or employees, he said.

BPS currently does not have any policies related to the use of AI. However, they're set to adopt an updated student code of conduct for the 2024-2025 school year that includes the use of AI in the definition of plagiarism.

AI, hate offenses, more: Brevard Schools is creating the 2024-2025 student code of conduct. Here are the big changes

Brevard preps: Measles has spread to Central Florida. What preparations has Brevard made?

How are Brevard students using AI?

According to a 2023 survey of 1,023 high school students conducted by the Center for Democracy and Technology, about 58% of students have used generative AI. 72% of students with an IEP or 504 plan have used generative AI, according to the survey.

Teachers perceived a higher rate of the use of AI, according to the survey, with 90% of 1,005 middle and high school teachers surveyed reporting that they believed students had used generative AI for school.

While ChatGPT is blocked for student use, its ever-evolving nature makes it difficult to stay on top of, said Russell Bruhn, spokesperson for BPS.

One of the aspects that makes this technology different from others is that it is designed to continuously learn and change, he said. This capability makes it difficult to ensure the protection and safety of the material presented to our students.

How AI can help disabled students

While AI is typically viewed as a way for students to cheat, it could also be used to tutor or provide therapy to students with dyslexia, a learning disability that impacts approximately one in five Americans, according to Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity.

When Kulig's daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2010, most AI programs didn't exist, she said.

"There was nothing," she said. "It took me forever to search and find even what reading program helps these kids, and technology just wasn't as advanced then."

But in the years since, AI has developed in a way that can help students with dyslexia and dysgraphia, a learning disability that impacts writing. These programs range from Amazon Alexa, which can read books aloud, to Google Read&Write, which can have a conversation with a user who may be struggling with what they are learning.

Using AI can help "level the playing field" for kids, she said.

"You've got a teacher who has 30 kids in the class, they can't spend all their time on remediation, especially if you've got 8th graders reading on the second grade level," Kulig said. "Let's give them access to speech-to-text or text-to-speech or all of these other things. Let them look up stuff, ask questions."

With a background in linguistics, Coral Hoh founded EduNational LLC in 2007, a company that served children with language difficulties and disorders. The company evolved into an AI firm with the launch of Dysolve in 2017, a program for dyslexia. The program identifies the source of students' difficulties and corrects them so a tutor isn't needed, Hoh said. It's a technique Hoh refers to as "AI-as-therapist."

"AI-as-tutor is compensatory, to help students cope with the difficulty," Hoh said, referring to programs that provide additional support to help students complete schoolwork. "AI-as-therapist is corrective, to get students out of that difficulty."

Kulig pointed out that AI can also address disabilities outside of dyslexia and dysgraphia, saying there's assistive technology that removed distracting items from pages, as well as AI that can provide image descriptions for people who are blind.

AI as a tool for Brevard teachers

One benefit of AI is that it can be helpful for teachers.

The positive possibilities that AI presents for teachers in the classroom is vast, Bruhn said. Simple document creation to complex sample questions for students are some of the many possible uses of AI in the classroom.

Klassen said AI can help teachers in many ways, from brainstorming new ideas to summarizing work.

In our professional development sessions, we give examples of using it to help plan lessons, generate problem sets and create sample responses at different levels on a rubric, he said.

You can feed it an article and have it summarize the main points, or reduce the text complexity to make it more appropriate for the reading level of your students. It's also really fun to ask it to take on the persona of historical or literary figures and interview them.

Hes tried other scenarios, like creating breakout room style lessons. The technology isnt perfect, but it provides a great jumping off point, he said. And its getting harder to avoid using.

Artificial intelligence systems such as ChatGPT can generate readable essays on nearly any topic in a matter of seconds. Local schools are developing guidelines to deal with the new technology in the classroom.

More and more web apps are also adding their own flavor of AI tools as well. I like to think of AI as an always-available collaborator," he said.

"You wont always agree with it or use everything it suggests, but it can give you some great ideas and help you build on your own thoughts faster than you could by yourself.

An imperfect system

Despite the ever-evolving things AI can do, it still has its limits. Klassen said the "No. 1 requested tool" from teachers is an AI detector to help prevent students from cheating. But those systems aren't perfect.

There isnt a viable option available," he said. "Most of the ones that claim to do this well still have issues."

At a March 5 board work session, changes to the student code of conduct were presented, including the added language related to plagiarism and AI. Chris Reed, director of student services, brought up the difficulties of trying to enforce a rule related to AI.

"We just really struggle with 'How are we going to know that that happened?'" he said. "We're just not sure how to enforce that, unless someone's bragging and posts that."

Board member Katye Campbell argued that having the language in the code of conduct was still important as the district works to navigates the evolving technology.

"To have the tool in the toolbox for as things move along, because the detection software is also growing  we already have it in place," she said.

Klassen said he hopes one day there's a way to allow students to use AI while keeping teachers in the know.

"My dream would be to have a product that enables us to unblock the sites for students, but alert and keep a history for teachers of how students are using them," he said.

Finch Walker is the education reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at 321-290-4744 or fwalker@floridatoday.com. X: @_finchwalker.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: No ChatGPT for Brevard students, but AI could be helpful for some
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The San Diego Public Library (SDPL) is celebrating a world-renowned architectural designer, sculptor, painter and stained-glass artist from March to August.

The exhibit is called James Hubbell: Architecture of Jubilation. The works of Hubbell  a San Diegan  will be on display at the following four SDPL locations:

Wildflower map: Pro tips to finding blooms at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Central Library Art Gallery : Exhibit featuring Hubbells 70-plus-year career as a contemporary master who expresses himself through nature-inspired art, architecture and functional objects and spaces.

Scripps Miramar Ranch Library: A Mountain Home & Studios exhibit features Hubbells studio and some of his most famous art.

Mission Valley Library : The Pacific Rim Project tells the story of Hubbells vision that nations located on the Pacific Rim can find common ground through art.

Otay MesaNestor Library: Lado a Lado focuses on Hubbells work in northern Baja California and his first experiment in community-built art parks.

According to SDPL, Hubbells art is influenced by the natural landscape of Southern California. Throughout his career, he has used stone, glass, paint, wood and steel to creature art on walls, roofs, floors and furnishings.

James Hubbell

The exhibition is an official community initiative of the World Design Capital San Diego/Tijuana 2024, which SDPL said was made possible by a collaboration between library, the San Diego Commission for Arts & Culture, the Library Foundation SD and the Ilan-Lael Foundation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Asif Sultan was first arrested in 2018 when he was working at a magazine called Kashmir Narrator

On 29 February, journalist Asif Sultan arrived at his home in Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir after being held on remand in jail for more than 2,000 days.

He barely spent five hours with his family before he was called to a local police station, where he was re-arrested.

"We had no idea that he would be arrested again," says Mohammad Sultan, his father.

Asif Sultan, 36, was first arrested in August 2018 and charged under an anti-terror law called the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) which makes it extremely difficult to get bail. Police accused him of helping and sheltering anti-India militants, which he denies.

His colleagues have alleged that he was targeted for writing an article in 2018 about Burhan Wani, a young militant leader whose death in a gun battle with government forces had sparked protests and deadly violence two years earlier.

Militancy is a sensitive issue in Muslim-majority Kashmir, which has been a flashpoint between neighbours India and Pakistan for more than 75 years. Both countries claim the region in full but control only parts of it.

Since 1989, an armed revolt has been waged against Indian rule in the region it controls, claiming tens of thousands of lives. India blames Pakistan for stirring the unrest by backing separatist militants in Kashmir - a charge Islamabad denies.

For decades, journalists in Kashmir have had to tread carefully between the administration and militant groups while doing their jobs. But they say the federal government's crackdown on press freedom has worsened since August 2019 - that's when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government revoked Jammu and Kashmir's partial autonomy and divided the state into two federally-administered territories.

Since the repeal of the state's special status in 2019, at least five journalists have been charged under the UAPA. Three others have been detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), which allows detention without charge for up to two years. Some, like Mr Sultan, have been charged and detained under both.

Activists say police use a tactic known as "revolving door arrests", whereby people granted bail in one case are promptly re-arrested under another, effectively prolonging their detention.

The BBC contacted police officials in Kashmir by email but they have yet to respond to our questions about why Asif Sultan was re-arrested, why other journalists have been detained or to allegations that the authorities are cracking down on media freedoms in the region.

A 2018 protest by journalists in Kashmir against Mr Sultan's arrest

Mr Sultan was in a Srinagar prison from August 2018 until April 2022, when a court granted him bail - in that case, the police's key witness against him had refused to identify him as an accused before the court.

But before he could be released, police detained him under the PSA, describing him as a "threat to peace".

He was then transferred to a jail in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, around 1,500km (932 miles) from his home.

In December 2023, a court in Srinagar quashed the detention under the PSA and ordered the authorities to release him. Despite that, it took 78 days to release him - prison authorities told online portal Newslaundry that the delay was because they had to get "clearance letters" from authorities in Kashmir.

Mr Sultan had just about reached home on 29 February when he was picked up again - this time, his lawyer says, a case had been filed against him under the UAPA related to an incident of rioting that took place in Srinagar's Central Jail in 2019, when prisoners allegedly ransacked the barracks after an argument with prison staff.

"There were around 600 prisoners and he [Mr Sultan] wasn't in the barrack which was allegedly set on fire by some inmates," says his lawyer, Adil Abdullah Pandit, adding that they would file a bail plea soon.

Asif Sultan is not the only local journalist currently jailed after being caught in the "revolving door" of arrests.

Sajad Gul was arrested in January 2022, on charges of "criminal conspiracy" and granted bail after nine days - but he was then detained under the PSA and transferred to a jail in Jammu, 300km from his home.

Despite a local court ordering him to be freed last November, he remains in police custody.

Kunal Majumder, India representative of the Committee to Protect Journalists, says that the pattern of targeting journalists in Kashmir with multiple cases sends a "concerning signal" about the government's stance on press freedom.

"By repeatedly arresting journalists on various charges, often after they've been granted bail on previous ones, it suggests a systematic effort to intimidate and suppress critical voices," he said.

Even though they have been living in despair for years, Mr Sultan's father says there is always "light at the end of the tunnel".

"There is nothing serious in the case. We are hopeful that we will see him again soon," he said.

Read more India stories from the BBC:
DENVER (KDVR)  Two skiers made it home safely on Saturday thanks to Mountain Rescue Aspen after the duo skied out of bounds below the Heros Lift on Ajax Mountain.

According to the Pitkin County Sheriffs Office, the regional emergency dispatch center received a 911 call reporting the two skiers were out of bounds at about 5:50 p.m. on Saturday at the Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort.

Colorado ski area closing dates for the 2023-24 season

Neither skier had adequate clothing or equipment for the hazardous terrain they found themselves on, and sunset was at about 6 p.m.

The sheriffs office requested aid from Mountain Rescue Aspen, and a team entered the field at approximately 6:30 p.m. with snowmobiles, extra clothing and headlamps.

A second team entered the field approximately 15 minutes later, and two more teams entered the field at about 7:15 p.m. One of those last two teams went with snowmobiles, the second launched drones to locate the skiers.

At 7:24 p.m., Mountain Rescue Aspen team members found the skiers. After outfitting the skiers with warm layers, avalanche beacons and headlamps, the rescue team began a slow and difficult descent with the two skiers.

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As the group descended the mountain, a second rescue team made a trail from Highway 82 in the area of the North Star Preserve to meet the group and get them to safety.

At 8:30 p.m., the two skiers and the rescue team members safely made it to the North Star Preserve parking area. A Pitkin County deputy transported the skiers safely to Aspen.

The sheriffs office reminds all skiers and snowboarders to obey all closures and ski boundary signs.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
VIRGINIA BEACH  Groundwater contaminated with high levels of iron and arsenic remains in the hole where a surf lagoon is being built at the Oceanfront, but the project developer is no longer waiting to see if the city will pay to treat and discharge it.

Venture Realty Group began testing a new method to remove the contaminants building up in Atlantic Parks surf lagoon last week, but more equipment will be needed, according to Mike Culpepper, a principal with the company.

He said Venture decided to advance the money for the water treatment process to keep work going. But the company plans to return to the city with a request for payment after the final cost has been determined.

The city is a partner with Venture on the $325 million project, which also has the backing of celebrity Pharrell Williams.

In January, Culpepper said the city, which owns the land and is leasing it to the developer, should bear the responsibility and pay the roughly $1 million to mitigate the water problem.

But attorneys working for the city disagreed, stating in a letter that construction of the surf park project had advanced beyond the point of city liability.

Treatment and disposal of groundwater removed during dewatering is the responsibility of the developer, city spokesperson Tiffany Russell wrote in an email Friday.

She added that the projects dewatering permit is in the developers name.

The developer is responsible for complying with its requirements, Russell said.

The extent of the environmental problem became apparent in the fall when a resident filed a complaint about observing brown water and a rusty film on a cove off Lake Holly, a few blocks south of the Atlantic Park site.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality inspected the cove and traced the elevated level of contaminants back to the surf lagoon excavation. The dewatering process stopped Dec. 22, slowing construction of the surf park.

Concrete work along the top edges of the lagoon is proceeding, Culpepper said. The 10-foot excavated area runs along the western side of Pacific Avenue between 18th and 20th streets.

The surf park is still scheduled to open in spring 2025.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
Audiences are split over Oscars' new way of presenting acting categories: 'I miss the clips'

A slight format change for the 2024 Oscars is upsetting some viewers and making others emotional.

On March 6, Raj Kapoor, an executive producer and showrunner for the 96th Academy Awards, revealed in a press conference that the show would bring back the Fab Five segment that was used for the 2009 Oscars, Billboard reported.

The Fab Five format features five former winners introducing the current nominees.

Mary Steenburgen, Lupita Nyong'o, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rita Moreno and Regina King (Chris Pizzello / AP)

So, we went back, we did a deep dive into Oscars history, and one of the best moments that we loved, and has not been repeated till this year, was the year that Bill Condon (screenwriter of Gods and Monsters and Chicago) did it, and it was this lovely storytelling. And, again, it came down to connection. It was past winners speaking to present nominees, and just that lovely connection and that human interaction, he said according to the publication.

He described the format as an opportunity for fans to hear the personal stories that connected past recipients to current nominees.

But while the change allowed movie fans to take a trip down memory lane, some viewers were irritated by the lack of clips showing the nominees performances on Sunday, March 10.

For the first category of the night, best supporting actress, Mary Steenburgen, Lupita Nyongo, Jamie Lee Curtis, Regina King and Rita Moreno graced the Dolby Theatre stage and gave short speeches about the five nominees before announcing DaVine Joy Randolph as the winner.

Viewers reacted to the inclusion of more speeches instead of clips on X.

I get the idea behind this format of presenting the acting awards im sorry but i HATE it! where are the clips! one person tweeted.

i get the idea behind this format of presenting the acting awards im sorry but i HATE it! where are the clips! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/bL1s2fwjKC   (@ludgatesfilm) March 10, 2024

Another requested, Show clips of the actors performances as youre announcing the nominees!

Show clips of the actors performances as youre announcing the nominees! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/wlTyWpmbEC  belakboy (@itsbelakboy) March 10, 2024

A third asked, No clips for the acting nominees? and included a clip of a woman taking her television off the wall and tossing it to the ground.

One viewer said, I miss the Oscar nominee clips, cant be doing with the damn monologues thing, and added a gif from 30 Rock of Tina Feys Liz Lemon saying No, thank you, please.

I miss the Oscar nominee clips, cant be doing with the damn monologues thing pic.twitter.com/31SgL07341  Stuad'dib (@stuface) March 10, 2024

Others appreciated the addition of the personal element to the ceremony.

The past winners of Best Supporting Actress honoring the present nominees for Best Supporting Actress has me in complete shambles. Whew, one X user said.

Another agreed, writing, Omg I love the way theyre doing this supportive actress category by having past winners tribute each nominee.

Omg I love the way theyre doing this supportive actress category by having past winners tribute each nominee  #Oscars  Sylvia (@SylviaObell) March 10, 2024

Although the acting categories dropped the clips, viewers can still enjoy snippets of the nominated flicks for best picture, best production and other categories.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
This year, Emma Stone won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Bella Baxter in the fantasy melodrama Poor Things. When the winner went on stage to receive the prestigious statuette, she discovered that her luxurious dress was torn at the back along the seams.

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Stone began her victory speech by saying that she had a "wardrobe malfunction" on the way to the stage. The excitement of the victory, though pleasant, was noticeably intensified by the small embarrassment with the dress. However, the star did not lose her cool and made a witty joke, "blaming" her colleague Ryan Gosling for the situation.

The fact is that shortly before the Best Actor winner was announced, Gosling was on stage with an impressive performance of Ken from the movie Barbie. He sang his now iconic song I'm Just Ken and did it, of course, in his typical Ken way, provoking incessant laughter in the audience.

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So Stone, turning her back to the audience to demonstrate her distress, said: "Oh, my God, my dress is ruined. I think it happened during I'm Just Ken. I'm pretty sure of it."

Stone also warned the audience that her voice was "a little off," which could have been the result of how she screamed while singing the lyrics to And So Am I! when Gosling handed her the microphone during his ballad.

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As you know, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are close friends who have a well-coordinated acting tandem. They have played partners in many films, including La La Land, for which the actress also won an Oscar in 2017.

As for this year's Best Actress, she chose a strapless jacquard dress with a stunning architectural canopy skirt for the Oscars. The outfit was custom-made for the Hollywood beauty by the luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton.

The actress' stylist Petra Flannery paired the dress with a 30-carat yellow diamond necklace, also by Louis Vuitton, and her hair stylist Mara Rozak was inspired by the "classic architecture" of her star client's dress.

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We also told you that the documentary 20 Days in Mariupol won the first Oscar for independent Ukraine.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Autonomous car companies need to do a better job of working with cities to avoid costly failures, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said Monday.

Watson added that moves last year by the state of Texas to preempt local control had hurt the citys ability to guarantee safety.

Last week, Waymo, an affiliate of Google parent company Alphabet, began field testing its driverless taxis in Austin  the first such initiative since the controversial failure of a GM-backed effort last year.

That company, Cruise, suspended its operations in the city after a wave of complaints and pedestrian injuries led to scrutiny from both local emergency officials and federal regulators.

Im all for profit margins and stuff, but ultimately the public good has to play a role in this, and it shouldnt be sacrificed, and it shouldnt be secondary to the profit of the private entity, Watson said.

Watson was speaking with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi at South by Southwest (SXSW), the citys signature technology and culture expo.

In my first six months, it felt like every week, there was some autonomous vehicle group that wanted to come in and meet with me to tell me how theyre going to change the world  right here, in River City, Watson said.

But even with all the promise, Watson said, Austin ran into problems.

Safety becomes the number one area we deal with, Watson said. Autonomous vehicles would stop in bike lanes or rights-of-way.

Emergency vehicles would come up behind the autonomous vehicle and with lights and sirens and nobody responded because  well, by definition, there was nobody there.

Watson said he was impressed with the safety of the AV, but is unsure whether to incentivize AVs over professional drivers.

Two historic shadows hung over Watsons conversation with Khosrowshahi, whose companys acrimonious 2016 divorce from Austin helped kick off the legislatures decade-long move toward clipping cities wings.

Watson referred to the citys complicated history  in 2015, the city council tried to make Uber drivers take criminal background checks.

In response Uber forced a referendum to try and make Austin withdraw the measures, aproposal that the company lost.

After that failure Uber and Lyft left Austin before lobbying the state legislature to pass legislation stripping Austin of the ability to set limits on rideshare companies.

I was in the Texas Senate when that went down, and I voted against Uber, Watson told Khosrowshahi. Just straight up.

Khosrowshahi defended the measure, arguing that because Uber operates in metro areas that sprawl across many cities, we need to regulate directly because our state.

But in hindsight too, we could have handled it differently. I think that was fine. The communication that we have with regulators, with our local constituents wasnt as strong as it could have been.

Khosrowshahi said Ubers autonomous vendors are setting a target to much better than a human driver.

Everyone agrees to how good you have to be to get a human drivers license, but how good you have to be to get a robot drivers license  thats still up for debate.

Watson said that companies that want to disrupt a citys life have to pay attention to that citys values.

Preemption always scares me  having legislature be an appellate court for decisions at the local level, he said.

My hope is always that the collaboration and the communication will lead to a better result in the cities that need the service.

Where that comes to autonomous vehicles, Watson said that the states preemption laws last year had in many ways tied the citys hands, but advised autonomous vehicle companies to work with the city voluntarily.

My answer is not to whine about [preemption]  well, except how I just did  but to say to companies: dont worry about preemption, but come help answer the questions of what we need to make this work and make it easier for companies themselves.

The second shadow doesnt concern Uber but the lawsuits against Project Connect, Austins signature $7 billion rail-and-public transit expansion plan.

That project is under legal attack by businesses in the path of the expansion, and Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has argued that the city cant use taxes for maintenance and operation to pay down project debt, a serious wrench in the citys ability to fund the project.

Watson said that mass transit faces serious headwinds in Texas  he joked that rail is a four letter word in the state  but said that preserving Project Connect was key to Austins ability to protect the environment and to keeping people able to afford to live here.

People arent gonna go where its ugly  where the air and water arent clean, and you cant get out on a nice hike and bike trail, he said.

Its becoming very clear that transportation is the hub of a multi-spoke wheel. If you do transportation right, you do environment right, and you do affordability right.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: A Chinese national flag waves outside Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court where Australian writer Yang Hengjun is expected to face trial on espionage charges, in Beijing

By Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY (Reuters) - China's ambassador to Australia said on Monday that the suspended death sentence given last month to imprisoned Australian writer Yang Hengjun may not be carried out if the former pro-democracy blogger commits no further crimes.

The suspended sentence from a Beijing court on espionage charges does not entail immediate execution for Yang, Ambassador Xiao Qian said at the Australian Financial Review Business Summit on Monday.

If Yang complies with the terms of his imprisonment and committed no further crimes "theoretically there is a chance he will not be executed," Xiao said.

His comments mark the first time a Chinese official has noted that Yang might not be executed.

Xiao also downplayed worries over Yang's health on Monday and said that although it was "not perfect," it was not as grave as described by his family.

A pro-democracy blogger and spy novelist, Yang is an Australian citizen born in China who was working in New York before his arrest at the Guangzhou airport in 2019.

A Beijing court last month handed him a suspended death sentence on espionage charges, shocking his family and supporters, after five years in detention in Beijing and three years after his closed-door trial.

Yang opted not to appeal the decision, his family said, so as not to delay urgently needed medical care for a serious kidney condition. Yang remains in prison.

Details of the case have not been officially released.

Yang has said he never worked as a spy for a foreign country, and in letters to his family from jail has denied any wrongdoing.

Yang worked for China's Ministry of State Security for a decade starting in 1989, including in Hong Kong and Washington, before quitting and moving to Australia.

A suspended death sentence in China gives the accused a two-year reprieve from being executed, after which the sentence is automatically converted to life imprisonment.

Yang's family has said he is a political prisoner and "the absurdity of the 30-year-old espionage accusations that have been dredged up against him speaks to the prosecution's failure to extract any kind of confession".

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Authorities in January seized dozens of deceased and neglected dogs and cats from the Topeka home of Charles Solomon and Desiree Therrien.

The couple's 2-year-old daughter wasn't taken into protective custody, however.

Court records say that girl was present Dec. 19 at 1415 S.W. Fillmore, where Solomon let Topeka police enter, so he could surrender one of his dogs.

The Humane Society of the United States said animal rescuers and Topeka police on Jan. 30 found animals "living in squalor, with floors and walls coated in layers of filth and feces, and no apparent access to clean water."

More than 90 neglected dogs and cats were seized from the Topeka home of Charles Solomon and Desiree Therrien, of Topeka. Their 2-year-old daughter wasn't taken into protective custody.

Topeka's city government has determined the 2-year-old is in the care of her "custodial guardian," The Capital-Journal was told by Rosie Nichols, co-interim communications director for the city.

"No additional information is available," she said last week.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay's office hasn't received any referrals identifying the 2-year-old as a potential child in need of care, said Katie Garceran, spokeswoman for his office.

"We are concerned for her well-being," Garceran said.

Here's what we know about Charles Solomon and Desiree Therrien

The 2-year-old's presence at 1415 S.W. Fillmore was among facts revealed in a charging affidavit The Capital-Journal acquired free of charge this past week using the Kansas Open Records Act.

Shawnee County District Court Judge Christopher Turner ordered Tuesday that the affidavit be made public, provided it included redactions requested by defense attorneys and Kagay's office. Those retractions were blacked out.

The affidavit told of how police tried to work with Solomon, 28, in the months before they removed animals from his house while arresting Solomon and Therrien, 30.

What do we know about the house?

Shawnee County Appraiser's Office records show the house where the pets were seized Jan. 30 at 1415 S.W. Fillmore is owned by Still Producing LLC, which is based at 2701 S.E. California Ave.

The building was then the site of a Feb. 5 house fire. Nichols said Friday that the investigation of the fire is ongoing and no further information was available for public release.

The property's value recently decreased from $65,210 for 2023 to $11,600 for 2024, the appraiser's office website said.

Dezyon Clark is the resident agent for Still Producing LLC, according to results of a Kansas Business Entity search. Calls to Still Producing weren't immediately returned Friday afternoon.

Charles Solomon first surrendered a dog he said had killed a cat

The charging affidavit, submitted by Topeka police detective Angela Widener, said animal control officers on July 31 received a complaint asking them to check the welfare of eight Great Danes and a large number of cats and chickens living at 1415 S.W. Fillmore.

A Topeka police animal control officer met there with Solomon, who said he owned the animals and showed them the dogs were in a fenced area in the backyard.

Police received a second complaint Oct. 27 asking them to check on the living conditions of animals at the house but were unable to contact the owner, the affidavit said.

It said police received a third complaint Dec. 6 saying about 40 cats and 20 dogs lived in the house; the house's floors were covered with urine and feces; chickens living outside were not being cared for; and an elderly man and a child were possibly living inside.

Police then met Solomon and another man on Dec. 19 at a Topeka community center, the affidavit said. Solomon said he had 13 dogs and six cats on the property and thanked police for giving him the chance to address the issues involved, it said.

Solomon said when he previously lived in Tennessee, animal control officers had seized all his animals "without giving him a chance to rectify animal problems first," the affidavit said. Solomon agreed Dec. 19 to surrender one of his dogs, whom he said had recently killed one of his cats.

Police invited officers to accompany him to 1415 S.W. Fillmore, where  seated on the front porch  they saw Solomon's girlfriend, Desiree Therrien; the couple's 2-year-old daughter; Therrien's mother, Sara Jane Therrien, and another man, the affidavit said. Solomon went inside for two to three minutes before allowing officers to enter, it said.

The affidavit said Solomon called animal control officers Dec. 27 to offer to surrender five more dogs, then told them Dec. 28 that he could only give up four of them, which he did that day. All four were underweight and showed signs of neglect and not being socialized, the affidavit said.

At that point, animal control officers decided to seize all animals from the house, it said. Police contacted the Humane Society of the United States for help and made plans to do that Jan. 30.

Widener then learned Jan. 26 that several deceased Great Danes had been found at a Miami County address associated with Desiree Therrien, and that a detective had asked Topeka police to check the welfare of animals at 1415 S.W. Fillmore and one other location here, the affidavit said.

It said Widener had dispatchers cancel plans to send officers to the Topeka homes, then contacted the Miami County detective, who told her his department's investigation was in its early stages.

"I explained that my investigation was much further along and we planned to make arrests and rescue all of the animals on Tuesday, Jan. 30," Widener's affidavit said.

Animal cruelty and neglect was alleged in Topeka home

The affidavit said Topeka police executed a search warrant Jan. 30 at 1415 S.W. Fillmore, where Solomon, Sara Therrien and another man were removed from the property. The affidavit gave no indication that any other people were present.

Police and volunteers found 18 dead cats and dogs as well as 70 cats and dogs "living in squalor, with floors and walls coated in layers of filth and feces, and no apparent access to clean water," the Humane Society of the U.S. said on its Facebook page.

HSUS posted a video on its Facebook page showing some of the rescued dogs and cats, as well as the conditions in which they were found.

"Several of the 70 dogs and cats at the alleged severe animal cruelty and neglect case in Topeka, KS are in truly shocking physical condition," HSUS said on Facebook. "Many of them are emaciated and sick with a variety of serious conditions, including upper respiratory problems and eye issues."

Miami County Undersheriff Matthew Kelly said the Topeka case was linked to the rescue the previous week of nine Great Danes and a shepherd mix from a property where 10 deceased Great Danes were found near Louisburg, 84 miles southeast of Topeka. Formal charges haven't been filed in that case.

Charles Solomon faces 26 criminal counts

Widener's affidavit asked that Solomon be booked into the Shawnee County Jail on 26 counts of animal cruelty, as that was the number of dogs he admitted to being in charge of caring for.

Kagay's office then charged Solomon with 26 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.

Solomon remains an inmate in the Shawnee County Jail.

Topeka police on Jan. 30 said they also arrested Desiree Therrien in connection with cruelty to animals.

No record could be found of formal charges having been filed against Therrien.

Therrien's LinkedIn page identifies her as being a "pet care associate" with "TDC Exotic Rescue."

TDC Exotic's Rescue's Facebook page indicates it is based in Abilene and owned by Therrien's mother, Sara Therrien. No posts have been made on that page since 2016.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Charging affidavit shares details about Topeka animal cruelty case
David Axelrod, former Obama aide and CNN senior political commentator, chastised former President Trump on Monday for mocking President Bidens stutter at a campaign rally in Georgia this weekend.

Mocking someones stutter for laughs is pathetic and small, the stuff of schoolyard bullies not grownups, Axelrod wrote early Monday morning on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Acting like a total jackass doesnt make you strong, he added.

Shortly before posting his statement, Axelrod shared a post describing Trumps comments as a sign of weakness, moral and otherwise, accompanied by a short clip of Trumps remarks.

In the clip, Trump feigned an impression of Biden saying hes going to bring the country t- t- t- t- together, apparently mocking Biden for struggling with a stutter. Trump continued the impression, slurring his words together and saying, Im going to bring it together.

The Washington Post noted transcripts of the original speech revealed that Biden did not actually say that in his speech Thursday. Still, the insult set off an online backlash from Trump critics as well as disability advocates.

Biden opened up about his lifelong struggle with a stutter during the 2020 campaign. An Atlantic profile catapulted the issue to the center of the national debate.

Biden and Trump are the sole candidates remaining in their respective parties, and the presumptive nominees headed into the general election in 2024. According to Decision Desk HQ/The Hills national polling average in head-to-head match-ups between Trump and Biden, Trump leads by 1.5 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An infant was killed and the childs parents injured in an apparent dog attack in New Jersey over the weekend (PA)

An infant was killed and the childs parents injured in an apparent dog attack in New Jersey over the weekend, authorities said.

Middlesex County prosecutors and Woodbridge police said a mother and child were found with serious injuries at an address in Woodbridge Township after officers responded to a report of an unresponsive baby believed to have been attacked by the family dog shortly before 6.30am on Saturday.

The baby was pronounced dead at the scene, while the mother and father were taken to a hospital for treatment. The names of the victims have not been released.

It is not clear what condition the parents are currently in.

Officials did not clarify the current status of the animal or the breed of the dog.

Under New Jersey law, any domestic animal that scratches or bites a human must be placed in a ten day quarantine at the owners expense.

At the end of the ten days, an animal control officer or health officer is required to evaluate the animal and determine if it is healthy.

If a dog is deemed to be vicious, it will be euthanized.

New Jersey law also states that the dogs owner can be held liable for damages resulting from the bite.

Authorities described the investigation as active and continuing and asked anyone with information to call Woodbridge police and county prosecutors.

Each year, according to Forbes, about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States, with 30 to 50 people killed due to dog bites. However, nearly 30 per cent of fatal dog attacks involve a victim between the ages of one and four.

Last June, an 11-month-old boy died in Michigan after he was attacked by the family dog while he playied in the backyard. Four months later, a four-year-old boy was killed by a dog in Detroit.

Meanwhile, in December, a six-year-old boy was mauled to death by two dogs who attacked him at a family friends house in Oregon.

The boy was preparing to head off to school from the house in Portland, which belonged to a friend of the victims grandmother, when two large Great Dane-mastiff mixes launched themselves onto the child, the Portland Police Bureau said.
Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said she was open to a deal in which London supplies Ukraine with additional Storm Shadow missiles in exchange for Germany backfilling British long-range missile stocks.

Baerbock's statement came after U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron proposed the idea of a so-called ring exchange in an interview with German Suddeutsche Zeitung on March 8.

"The ring exchange is a German invention, so to say. It would be an option. And we've already done it with other equipment some time ago," Baerbock told German public broadcaster ARD on March 10.

This way of transferring weapons has already taken place some time ago to avoid directly arming Ukraine, the minister said.

Taurus missiles, which have a range of up to 500 kilometers (310 miles), have been the subject of extensive discussion since Ukraine submitted a request to acquire the weapons in May 2023.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is reportedly against sending Taurus missiles to Kyiv because he fears the move will draw Germany into the war. Ukraine has received other long-range missiles, such as the Storm Shadow from the U.K. and the French-made SCALP.

U.K. officials have repeatedly made clear to Germany that Ukraine badly needs long-range missiles, Bloomberg reported.

Unlike Germany, both the U.K. and France have supplied Ukraine with its Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles with a range of over 250 kilometers (155 miles).

Germany's parliament supported a motion to deliver unspecified long-range weapons to Ukraine on Feb. 22, the same day it rejected sending Taurus missiles.

Read also: Ex-German president calls for Germany to deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Multiple bands and musicians scheduled to perform at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival are pulling out because of the U.S. Armys super sponsorship of the event, and Americas ongoing support of Israels war on Hamas.

The Belfast, Ireland-based rap trio Kneecap  the most recent departure  called the relationship depraved in light of the war in Gaza.

We cannot in good conscience attend an arts festival that has the U.S. Army as a super sponsor and is platforming RTX (formerly Raytheon), Collins Aerospace and BAE Systems, the very companies selling the weapons that have murdered 31,000 Palestinians, over 21,000 of them women and children, the group said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Kneecap joins other slated SXSW performers like Lambrini Girls, Scowl, Gel, Okay Shalom, Squirrel Flower and Sprints in pulling out of the event to protest.

The artists were set to perform at the festival in Austin, Texas from March 11-16. The festival typically attracts over 300,000 people each year, and Kneecap said backing out will have a significant financial impact on the group.

But it isnt an iota of hardship when compared to the unimaginable suffering being inflicted every minute, every day on the people of Gaza, Kneecap said.

Lily Macieira and Phoebe Lunny of Lambrini Girls, a Brighton-based band, said on social media that their boycott of SXSW was necessary to avoid becoming totally inauthentic in their claims of solidarity with Palestine.

We were considering going to the festival and protesting on stage, but there isnt a way to do that doesnt feel performative or inherently exploitative, they said.

Theres always a right thing to do and its almost never as complicated as the establishment wants you to believe. And sometimes it costs you a dream, but a dream is a dream and not a life, Brooklyn-based artist Okay Shalom said in a statement to social media announcing her departure from SXSW.

A music festival should not include war profiteers. I refuse to be complicit in this and withdraw my art and labor in protest, Ella Williams, also known as Squirrel Flower, said in her social media statement.

The U.S. is currently the foremost supplier of weapons to Israel, and several of those systems are being deployed in the conflict. President Biden has become increasingly critical of the civilian toll of the war, and said last week he expects a Come-to-Jesus meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The U.S. Army is also spearheading the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and will construct a seaport, as announced by Biden during his State of the Union address.

This war has taken a greater toll on innocent civilians than all previous wars in Gaza combined, Biden said during the address. Biden called on Israel to do its part to facilitate aid in the region.

The Hill has reached out to the U.S. Army for comment.

In a statement to BBC, the US Army said it was proud to be a sponsor of SXSW, and to have the opportunity to showcase Americas Army explore new ideas and insights, and create dynamic industry partnerships.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
LARGO  When she first proposed cellphone restrictions for Pinellas County students last summer, school board Chairperson Laura Hine had little doubt in her mind.

She was all in for a bell-to-bell ban from kindergarten through senior year.

As officials delved into the details, though, it became clear that easy sounding approaches often come with complications. Thats especially true for Florida school districts, which tend to be large, serving tens of thousands of families with varying expectations.

You have to come up with something that is realistic and able to be managed, Hine said after a recent workshop, where she and her colleagues discussed a recommended policy that did not match her early ideas.

Ive evolved with it, she said.

During their hourlong discussion, board members and administrators found that even the smallest details require careful consideration of all the possible repercussions that might send a well-intended policy awry.

Take, for example, the issue of whether high school students may use headphones and earbuds with their devices while shifting between classes. The draft proposal would not allow it.

Board member Stephanie Meyer questioned why the district would want to let teens use their phones during passing periods, but not their earbuds. Why not permit both? Or perhaps prohibit both?

My concern is just thinking about the instructional time. We have a very small amount of time to pass between classes, Meyer said.

Area Superintendent Dywayne Hinds, who oversees code of conduct revisions, explained that the proposal arose as a compromise after taking into account myriad viewpoints.

The idea of not allowing phones during passing periods was a nonstarter, Hinds said, because so many students use them to check messages from parents, employers and others throughout the day. Taking them away could lead to a surge of students coming to class late or asking to use the bathroom during class, he said.

Allowing quick access to phones while walking the halls to their next class eliminates much of that demand, Hinds said. It also takes into account school teacher and administrator concerns about having to police phones during those short passing times.

Headphones in the hallways pose a separate problem, Hinds added.

Students need to hear whats going on around them, he explained, including any alarms that might arise. The state commission on school security has advised schools to place limits on headphones for that reason.

The schools also want to avoid daily dealings with students who wear earphones in the hallways then take time to remove them  or keep them on but hidden  once lessons resume, Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said.

No one wants the technology to disrupt lessons, Hendrick said. Thats the point of requiring them to be off and out of sight during classes.

All these angles come into consideration when crafting a plan for the few minutes kids are walking from classroom to classroom, Hinds said. We were trying to find a delicate balance in that process.

Equally complicated is the seemingly simple concept of what it means to have a device in silent mode.

For instance, the policy would require elementary and middle school students to keep their phones in off position from bell to bell, and to use them after school. At the same time, they would be allowed to keep smartwatches on in silent mode.

High school students would be permitted to keep their phones in silent mode or off.

Questions arose about the reason for the difference.

Hinds explained that many elementary parents use smartwatches to keep track of where their children are. That cant happen if the watches are not on, he noted, adding that schools have not reported major problems of misuse.

By contrast, the proposal to keep phones off mirrors current practice in several elementary and middle schools, and the district does not want to create added confusion with changes, Hinds said.

Board member Caprice Edmond observed that the policy defines what off position means, but does not include a definition for silent mode. She and others said it would be important to clarify that silent is not the same as vibrate, which can be as distracting to students as having the ringer on.

Several aspects of the proposal involve similar close looks from multiple perspectives.

These include discussions about the big picture, such as whether to implement an outright ban for all grade levels. Board member Dawn Peters said she preferred that approach, suggesting students will adapt after a period of grumbling.

I dont think that school is a place where they need to be on their phones, Peters said, citing Orange County schools as an example.

Maybe not, Hinds said, but talks with Orange County educators have revealed that behind the public story of success is the private struggle to make it work: It is a fight in their schools, consistently, he said.

Having teachers and administrators buy in is critical, board Vice Chairperson Carol Cook said.

I think this is a good policy, Cook said. The piece that will cause it not to work is if teachers do not implement it.

Setting consequences for violations is another tough provision, Hendrick noted, as situations can vary.

Hine suggested the need for varying levels of penalties for students who refuse to put away phones, compared to those who use phones for malicious reasons.

Hendrick asked for more time before presenting a proposal on the penalties. Consistent enforcement will be critical, he said.

The reason its taking so long to come up with recommendations is because of all the twists that come up with each conversation thats taken place over six months, Hendrick added.

Its not perfect. Its not going to be perfect, he said of the overall proposal. But its our best recommendation based on all the feedback.
GREAT BEND, Kan. (KSNW)  First responders rushed to two separate drug overdoses in Barton County in the past two weeks and saved the victims. The sheriff believes both of the overdoses were because of fentanyl.

In both incidents, the individuals became unresponsive, and EMS as well as law enforcement were called, Sheriff Brian Bellendir said in a news release. In both cases, we have reason to believe suspected fentanyl had been ingested shortly prior to the individual becoming unconscious.

He said Kansas is just like the rest of the country, seeing an increase in fentanyl in the last two to three years. It is often disguised as a prescription pain medication.

Drug addiction: Where to find help

Bellendir says China ships the chemicals to Mexico, where they are turned into fentanyl and smuggled across the border.

Locally, we have seen far more fentanyl in the last two years than ever before, he said. All patrol units, as well as the jail, are equipped with Narcan in the event an officer is accidentally exposed, or we need to render aid to a citizen.

The sheriffs office is searching for the source of the drugs in the most recent overdose cases.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Ahead of the Oscars, Christopher Nolan also won top honors from the Directors Guild of America, his direct peers (Valerie MACON)

Christopher Nolan, the indisputable Hollywood hitmaker whose ambitious and challenging blockbusters entice mainstream audiences and cult followings alike, finally confirmed his artistic pre-eminence with the Oscar-sweeping "Oppenheimer."

The British-American filmmaker -- an obsessively punctual, tea-swilling perfectionist, who is known for combining inventive, intellectual playfulness with an emphasis on realism -- was named best director at the Academy Awards on Sunday.

"Movies are just a little bit over 100 years old," Nolan 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."

It is the high point -- so far -- of a career that has taken Nolan from arthouse darling ("Memento") to superhero savior (the "Dark Knight" films) to rare purveyor of original sci-fi ("Inception," "Interstellar") in a market dominated by sequels.

Nolan, 53, had come close to Oscars success in the past, most notably with his stunning 2017 war epic "Dunkirk."

But the director -- sometimes dismissed by critics as a masterful technician and genre-bound filmmaker rather than a true visionary auteur -- had never won an Oscar before "Oppenheimer," which dominated Sunday's gala, taking seven statuettes overall.

Born in 1970, the son of a British advertising copywriter and an American air hostess, Nolan had a distinctly trans-Atlantic childhood.

After watching "Star Wars" and a re-release of "2001: A Space Odyssey" in theaters at the age of seven, Nolan quickly began making films on his father's old Super 8 camera.

Nolan attended an austere boarding school before studying English literature at University College London -- which he chose in part for its filmmaking facitilities.

While there, he met and ran a movie society with his future wife and producer, Emma Thomas, who he followed to Los Angeles after graduating.

Nolan came to fame at age 30 with "Memento." A fiercely intelligent and twisty avant-garde noir with the non-linear narrative that has become his hallmark, it was a festival hit and earned the director his first Oscar nomination, for its screenplay.

- 'Proud' -

Nolan's big-budget directorial debut was 2002's "Insomnia," which starred Al Pacino as an LA cop sent to investigate a murder in Alaska.

Veteran director Steven Soderbergh recommended Nolan to Warner Bros, and later recounted a conversation he had with Pacino on the movie's set.

"I can tell you right now, at some point in the very near future, I'm going to be very proud to say I was in 'a Christopher Nolan movie,'" Pacino told Soderbergh.

The movie's success enabled Nolan to pitch Warner his gritty, realistic vision for the new Batman films the studio was planning.

The resulting "Batman Begins" kick-started a trilogy of Nolan-directed movies starring Christian Bale as the caped crusader.

Part two, "The Dark Knight," is often considered the greatest superhero film ever made. It was certainly the first to gross $1 billion, and the first to earn an acting Oscar, a posthumous prize for Heath Ledger as the villainous Joker.

The third, "The Dark Knight Rises," drew less critical acclaim, but remains the biggest commercial hit of Nolan's, in a career filmography that has grossed more than $6 billion.

In amongst those films, Nolan released "The Prestige," a period thriller about two duelling stage magicians, played by Bale and Hugh Jackman, and "Inception."

- Nuclear -

"Inception," a wildly ambitious heist movie in which Leonardo DiCaprio and Marion Cotillard hop between nested dream worlds, consolidated Nolan's reputation as a unique Hollywood filmmaker who could obtain big budgets and total creative control for original movies -- and still return a profit.

It won four Oscars, including for its stunning visual effects, and earned Nolan his first individual Academy Award nominations since "Memento."

His next original sci-fi, "Interstellar," claimed another visual effects Oscar, and kick-started Nolan's ongoing collaboration with esteemed theoretical physicist Kip Thorne.

Nolan then turned his attention to the past with "Dunkirk," a tense retelling of the storied World War II evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Allied troops from a beach in northern France.

The movie earned Nolan his first best director nomination, and its 1940s period setting foreshadowed "Oppenheimer."

Likewise, his next movie "Tenet" -- another ambitious, original sci-fi -- introduced Nolan's concern with nuclear armageddon.

But it was reading "American Prometheus" -- the 2005 Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb -- that launched Nolan on the path to a film that would finally bring him Oscar glory.

He bested Martin Scorsese ("Killers of the Flower Moon"), Jonathan Glazer ("The Zone of Interest"), Yorgos Lanthimos ("Poor Things") and Justine Triet ("Anatomy of a Fall") for the best director statuette.

amz/sst
The sister of Diesel Studio star Maryna Poplavska has publicly expressed her opinion on the scandal over the installation of a monument to the actress in the center of Zhytomyr. This idea was initiated by her colleagues after the actress' death, who ordered the sculpture, but the monument was not erected.

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Liudmyla Poplavska, who was accused of being the reason the monument was in the studio, gave her version of events in an interview with OBOZ.UA.

As a reminder, Maryna Poplavska passed away five years ago. Her life ended on October 20, 2018, as a result of an accident on a highway in the Kyiv region. There were 14 actors of Diesel Studio on the bus traveling from a tour in Lviv to Kyiv. At the time of the collision, Poplavska was sitting next to the driver, and she died on the spot.

As you know, after the death of Maryna Poplavska, Diesel Studio ordered a monument to be erected in her honor in the center of Zhytomyr, where Poplavska was from. This once caused a dispute between the team and Lyudmyla Poplavska. The Diesel team publicly accused the woman of forbidding them to honor the memory of their colleague.

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"We wanted to erect a monument. We did. Even two. We made a monument for the cemetery and also for the city  in Zhytomyr, but Maryna's sister does not allow us to put it up," said Yegor Krutogolov in an interview with blogger Slava Demin. Later, in a conversation with OBOZ.UA, Krutogolov complained that the situation has not changed: "The sculptural composition is still in the architect's studio. It is still gathering dust."

"How could I forbid it?" Lyudmyla wonders, "It was the city's decision. The Zhytomyr City Council held a public discussion. The majority of respondents did not support the placement of this composition in the city. What influence do I have on the public discussion? I am not against honoring the memory of my sister. But I am against this particular sculptural composition, which turned out to be far from the original and became the embodiment of bad taste."

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
On 11 March, the Belarusian Ministry of Defence announced a combat readiness test for military formations and units.

Source: Ministry of Defence of Belarus on Telegram

Quote: "The Armed Forces have begun checking the combat readiness of military formations and units."

Details: It is reported that the test will be fairly thorough. Personnel would conduct a series of exercises and training, particularly with live fire.

Furthermore, during the inspection, the movement of military equipment is planned, allowing local authorities to temporarily restrict civilian traffic.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A bench warrant was issued for Alfred Martin Lagunas Monday morning after he failed to make his initial appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Lagunas is accused of claiming to be a licensed contractor and performing work on an east Las Vegas valley home belonging to Barbara Ojito who cares for her special needs brother. Ojito told the 8 News Now Investigators, that she paid $8,000 to Lagunas to repair her back porch and roof but ended up with shoddy workmanship and an unfinished project.

I thought I could trust him: Las Vegas woman loses savings to unlicensed contractor

He took off with the money, Ojito said, and doubts she will ever get any money back from Lagunas.

Alfred Martin Lagunas faces charges of engaging in business without a contractor license  a gross misdemeanor that carries with it a penalty of one year in prison or a $10,000 fine, according to the Nevada State Contractors Board. (Credit: Barbara Ojito)

Lagunas was summoned to appear in court on a charge of engaging in business without a contractor license which is a gross misdemeanor and carries a penalty of one year in prison or a $10,000 fine, according to Randy Escamilla with the Nevada State Contractors Board.

Court records show that Lagunas is now facing a $10,000 bail after missing his court date. Lagunas faced the same charge in 2014 and was sentenced to 47 hours of community service and paid $585 in fees and restitution to the District Attorneys Victim Center instead of a fine. He also failed to appear for his arraignment in 2014.

On Monday, the Nevada State Contractors Board put Lagunas on Southern Nevadas most wanted contractors list.

The Nevada State Contractors Board advises residents to check if a contractor is licensed. That information can be found on its website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Benjamin Netanyahu has brought the U.S.-Israel relationship to the breaking point.

The tensions between the Biden administration and Netanyahus government have grown steadily worse since Israels invasion of Gaza. But until recently, the U.S. side was inclined to keep disagreements in the background, hoping to avoid a direct clash with the Israeli prime minister that could undercut U.S. leverage with its ally. In the past few days, however, the relationship has gone from bad to worse. Now neither side is making an effort to hide the divergence in their goals and views.

We have gone from leaks about President Joe Biden thinking Netanyahu was an asshole, to Biden publicly making his unhappiness over Israels Gaza war policy a centerpiece of his recent remarks. Then, over the weekend, Biden declared that if Israel went ahead with its planned operation in Rafah, it would be crossing a red line.

Biden and Netanyahu Both Hope the Other Is Out of Power Soon

Netanyahus public response was to say he would ignore the red line and that Israel would proceed with the Rafah operation. He argued that his red line was avoiding another Oct. 7-type attackimplying that further operations in Gaza would help ensure Israeli security, a statement that itself contradicted an earlier Biden observation that Israels Gaza operations were actually putting Israel at greater risk.

While Biden walked this back somewhat by saying, It is a red line but Im never going to leave Israel. He added that he would not cut off all weapons to Israel, and noted his intention to continue to provide defensive weapons, like support for Israels Iron Dome system. But this did leave open the possibility that some weapons or other forms of aid might be withheld.

Even though he qualified his point, the message therefore remained loud and clear. The president was, it seemed, finally considering using what many consider the only real leverage the U.S. has over the Israelisreducing the provision of the kinds of support that have thus far been useful to their war effort.

At the same time, Biden, in his State of the Union, committed the U.S. to helping to build a temporary port in Gaza to help enhance the flow of aid to the besieged citizens of the territory. The U.S. has also continued to airdrop food into Gaza to help relieve growing famine conditions that threaten as many as a quarter of the residents of the war-torn area.

Such efforts come as a direct result of U.S. dissatisfaction with Israeli support for humanitarian relief in Gaza and, of course, as a consequence of the horrific destruction wrought by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

In other words, Netanyahus government has rewarded the support Biden initially provided Israel with such contempt in its words and actions that Biden, one of the most stalwart supporters Israel has ever had in Washington, is now being forced into the awkward position of both backing Israels right to self-defense and trying to ameliorate the consequences of Israels wanton brutality.

(Even Netanyahus own dubious estimates of the civilian casualties in Gaza suggest that 1.5 Palestinian civilians have died for every Hamas terrorist killedwhich would put the civilian death total at 17,000. Other estimates suggest a much higher civilian casualty total including those referenced by Bidenwhich imply the number of just the women and children killed by Israelis alone is nearly 17,000.)

Trump Embraced an Authoritarian the Day After Biden Fiercely Defended Democracy

Netanyahu argues that the majority of Israelis support his policies, including his rejection of the two-state solution that the Biden administration has publicly stated is part of what it sees as essential to long-term stability in the region. However, even Israelis are showing unease with Netanyahu's policies, with a majority saying there was a low likelihood that his stated goal of eliminating Hamas could be achieved.

There are also growing divisions within the war cabinet about how to conduct the war. And families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have held large public protests in recent days, which have eaten away at Netanyahus already low public support.

Americas frustration with Netanyahu manifested itself last week in meetings with Benny Gantza political opponent of Netanyahus and a member of the war cabinetwho came to Washington on a visit without the permission or support of the Israeli prime minister. That too was seen as a way of publicly indicating frustration with Netanyahu.

The question at the moment is how will Biden avoid falling into the same trap as bedeviled his former boss President Obamawho declared a red line in the Middle East, in his case concerning Syrian President Assad, that he then did not follow through on, undermining his credibility.

What would a U.S. response to Netanyahu crossing the red line look like? Would some military support be stopped? Would the U.S. continue to back Israel, as it has in multilateral institutions?

The Biden Administrations Going All-In on Its Push for a Gaza Ceasefire

Further, if the civilian toll in Gaza gets much worse for reasons other than operations in Rafah, how would that impact the relationship, already dysfunctional?

What would an even more toxic relationship look like? Could steps finally be taken that would have a material impact on Israels ability to conduct its war, and what would be the consequences of such steps on the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship? On Bidens political support in the U.S.? On Netanyahus political support in Israel?

One thing is clear: the Biden-Netanyahu relationship has been deeply damaged and will likely never be the same. For an Israeli government to have a long-term positive or even constructive relationship with the current administration in Washington, one thing is clear: It will have to be an Israeli government without Netanyahu or the most extreme members of his cabinet.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday called on President Joe Biden to deny Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more U.S. funding for his war machine unless Israel allows for more humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

In an interview with CBSs Face The Nation, Sanders said the ongoing offensive, which has already killed over 31,000 Palestinians and displaced millions, according to local officials, cannot be allowed to continue with the blessing of the U.S.

We are looking at the possibility of hundreds of thousands of children starving to death, Sanders said. The United States of America cannot be complicit in this mass slaughter of children.

Health officials in Gaza have said 20 people, including children, have died of malnutrition, according to The Associated Press, with many warning the situation is likely to deteriorate even further.

Taking a harsher stance toward Netanyahu to pressure him to take into account the suffering of innocent Palestinians, Sanders added, would be both the moral thing to do and good politics for Biden.

The truth is, whether youre a conservative Republican or a progressive, you do not want to see children in Palestine starve to death, Sanders said.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu is planning to expand his countrys offensive to the southernmost city of Rafah, where millions of Palestinians have sought refuge during the conflict, appearing to ignore calls from the U.S. to back away from that plan.

Sanders warned attacking Rafah would be an unmitigated disaster.

My view is, of course, we cannot support an attack of that kind on Rafah, Sanders told CBSs Margaret Brennan. Bottom line is, though, Netanyahu has got to be told no more money for his war machine, unless there is humanitarian aid coming in to feed the people.

Biden has warned Netanyahu against going ahead with a Rafah offensive, but said ultimately even if Israel did proceed with its plans, he wouldnt pull U.S. funding for the country.

It is a red line, but Im never going to leave Israel, Biden told MSNBC. 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.

But Netanyahu told Axel Springer his only red line is to make sure Israel never goes through another attack like the one his country experienced on Oct. 7, when Hamas killed 1,200 people in Southern Israel and took hundreds of hostages, some of which still remain in its custody.

So far, cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. have stalled despite earlier hope for a pause to hostilities by the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.

Related...
Charles J. Whitman and his wife Kathleen are shown in these family album photos released by Whitman's father, Charles A. Whitman, Jr. The younger Whitman was shot down by police after he gunned down his wife, his mother, and 13 other persons in a wild shooting spree in Austin in 1966. Credit - Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

In January, the Department of Justice released its report assessing law enforcement failures in the horrific attack on Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The 2022 shooting caused the deaths of 19 children and two staff members, and law enforcement agencies have been widely criticized for lack of coordination and delays in response. The DOJ's 610-page Critical Incident Review documented a devastating lack of urgency overall at the scene.

As with this and other mass shooting tragedies, investigators may draw upon the accounts of the perpetrators family and friends to understand the attack and how to prevent future shootings like it. But those vital perspectives can sometimes be hidden from public view. The history of Kathy Leissner, the wife of University of Texas-Austin mass shooter Charles Whitman, reveals that Americans have much to learn from those who may share a household, a bank account, or a bedroom with a violent person before he turns his gun on the public.

Read More: Justice Department Report Finds 'Cascading Failures' and 'No Urgency' During Uvalde Shooting

The massacre at the University of Texas at Austin occurred in 1966, when student and ex-Marine Charles Whitman took his guns to the universitys clocktower and fired at people on the campus below, killing 14 and wounding 32 people (one person would die later of complications related to a gunshot wound). A week after the shooting took place, a Travis County Grand Jury declared that Whitman was an individual who had suddenly gone completely berserk, with no warning to his family or friends.

But the Travis County Grand Jury was missing crucial information. Although acknowledging that Whitman had first killed his mother and then murdered his 23-year-old wife in the hours leading up to the shooting, the jurylike most Americans even todaydid not recognize that domestic murders represent the far end of a continuum of ongoing abuse rather than a sudden or random incident. And there had been signs, even if they werent apparent to the jury. In 2015, I was granted access to a private archive, not publicly accessible to other researchers, containing roughly 600 personal letters between Charles Whitman and his wife Kathy Leissner, and between Leissner and other family members, which documents the years of abuse that Whitman inflicted on his wife behind closed doors. Leissners eldest surviving brother, Nelson, had protected and preserved these documents for five decades before allowing me permission to study them.

Read more: Why So Many Mass Shooters Have Domestic Violence in Their Past

Kathy Leissners history prior to her marriage reminds us that, even in the 1960s, there was no typical victim of abuse. Before entering the University of Texas in 1961, she had grown up in a small rural community southwest of Houston. She was the eldest child and cherished only daughter of prosperous working parents, both with college degreesher father a rice farmer and cattle rancher, her mother a teacher. Capable and diligent as a student, vibrant and socially intelligent as a friend, Leissner thrived in various high school activities from volleyball to the student newspaper, from band to the Honors Society. She learned to drive a rice truck, how to herd cattle, and how to spray them for bugs. From an early age, she was an avid documentarian, jotting notes, collecting mementos, and annotating photographs in a scrapbook to make a record of her joys and curiosities.

Leissner had known Charles Whitman for roughly nine months when they got married. Charmed by his good looks and a whirlwind courtship, she agreed to his proposal and they were wed in August 1962. But his superficial charms camouflaged his misogynistic attitudes and bullying tendencies. Her new husbands dominating treatment surfaced almost immediately.

By February 1963, after he lost a college scholarship, Whitman pressured Leissner to drop out of college herself and move away from Texas. Once theyd moved, he sought to isolate her from her friends and family, prohibiting her access to a telephone. However, with the assistance of her mother, Leissner managed to escape, return home, and re-enroll at UT on her own while her husband completed his military service. During their separation, letters show that he monitored her body obsessively, requiring she adhere to exacting physical standards, and when they were together during his leaves, he pressured her to get pregnant. He controlled his wifes spending even as he violated military rules against gambling. His letters, as well as hers, show that he was emotionally abusive and physically violent. When she spoke up, he gave rote apologies or blamed her for his actions, and his behaviors didnt change.

Read More: Misogyny Is a Precursor to Terrorism

In her short life, Leissner struggled to navigate common patterns of intimate partner abuse during a time before domestic violence was well understood. Her husband exploited her loyalty and her deep sense of personal responsibility. Phone hotlines for abuse survivors did not yet exist, and one of Texas first shelters for battered women, located in Austin, would not open until 1977. Without access to no-fault divorce, not legal in Texas until 1970, Kathy would have had to fight her controlling spouse in court to justify reasons for reclaiming her freedom.

Leissner wrote many letters to her husband to communicate her deepest needs and her hopes for the future. Her responses to him reveal a great deal about the violence she experienced and the survival strategies she used. Some letters communicated heart-wrenching despair. At one point, she struggled to reason with Whitman after he had attacked her for crying. What do you call a genuine reason for tears? she wrote. I cry when I need to, not to gain sympathy, my way, or your attention. From the relative safety of temporary distance, she also frequently challenged him. Upon learning of his arrest and pending court martial as a Marine in 1963 for threatening another serviceman, having an unauthorized firearm, and loan-sharking, she wrote: [I]f we are going to make anything out of our marriage, there are going to have to be some powerful changes as far as I can see.

Through her four years of marriage, Leissner fought to affirm her own agency and independence. She worked multiple jobs, eventually finishing her college degree. She earned a teaching credential and, then, a full-time position as a high school science teacher.

But despite every possible effort, Leissners once-bright spirit was worn down by Whitmans cruelty and the sense that, try as she might, she could never satisfy his ever-shifting demands and expectations. How do you apologize for something you cant name? she wrote in 1964, struggling to address one of her husbands tangled criticisms. Its something I didnt do and should have, and then again it is something I did.

When the couple was finally reunited in the last year of her life, Leissner began, tentatively, to break the seal of secrecy and shame that abusers rely on. Between 1965 and 1966, it seemed she was planning to escape the relationship for good. She asserted some private independence by opening a new bank account in her name (it is unknown whether Whitman knew about it). She also began acknowledging her fear and used the word divorce with her friends and parents, imagining the possibility of a new life.

But it would not be. Leissners future was brutally stolen away in the dark morning hours of Aug. 1, 1966, when Whitman stabbed her to death in her own bed.

And within hours, he would lug a trunk of weapons and supplies to the top of the Texas Tower and wreak mayhem on an unsuspecting community.

Read More: Supreme Court to Decide Whether Some Domestic Abusers Can Have Guns

Fifty years later, it is not much easier for witnesses in private pain to be heard and recorded. Stigma and fear of blame still lead many survivors to withhold their stories. Women who do sound the alarm are often not taken seriously, with harrowing consequences. Many learn to cope by downplaying the gravity of their experiences until it is too late to raise a red flag.

It is inadequate merely to acknowledge that most mass shooters harm or kill an intimate partner or family member prior toor as part oftheir public crime. On his way to murder 19 children and two adults at Robb Elementary School, the Uvalde killer shot his grandmother, Celia Sally Gonzalez, and left her for dead. Before that day, he had threatened female co-workers and had an extensive history of directing graphic and disturbing content at young women online.

Far from suddenly going berserk, perpetrators often rehearse their abuse in settings with people who are socially expected to endure it, as was the case with Kathy Leissner Whitman.

In an age when threat assessment experts emphasize the need for de-escalation, disruption, or even prevention of violent events, we must also make it possible for people to share, without shame, the abuse they witness or experience. Kathys voice, one among thousands of unheard victim-survivors, offers a prescient testimony about the price we pay for a lack of understanding. Together, we can become more educated about how to hear and recognize the signs hiding in plain sight.

Jo Scott-Coe, Professor of English at Riverside City College, is the author of Unheard Witness: The Life and Death of Kathy Leissner Whitman (University of Texas Press).

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.

Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com.
FILE PHOTO: Labels with the logo of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) are pictured in the kitchen of Wolfgang's Steakhouse restaurant, in Beijing

By Leah Douglas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday finalized a rule requiring meat, poultry, or eggs labeled as a U.S. product to come from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the country.

The rule, proposed last March, is a victory for U.S. ranchers who argued for years that use of the voluntary label by companies who raised animals abroad and only slaughtered or processed them in the U.S. was misleading and disadvantaged domestic producers.

"This final rule will ensure that when consumers see 'Product of USA' they can trust the authenticity of that label and know that every step involved, from birth to processing, was done here in America," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement.

Vilsack announced the final rule to cheers at the annual meeting of the National Farmers Union in Scottsdale, Arizona.

"The abuse of the 'Product of U.S.A.' label stripped America's cattle producers of a vital opportunity to market their USA beef while denying consumers the opportunity to support them," said Joe Maxwell, co-founder of the farm group Farm Action, in a statement.

Producers using "Product of USA" or "Made in the USDA" labels will need to comply with the rule by Jan. 1, 2026.

The USDA also announced $9.5 million in grants for 42 projects expanding small-scale local meat processing capacity.

The labeling rule and the processing funds are part of a broader suite of USDA actions to enhance competition in the meat industry.

Mexico, a key U.S. trading partner, expressed "disappointment and worry" after the rule announcement.

"This measure does not consider the nature of the deep integration of the North American livestock and meat sectors," Mexico's agriculture ministry said, adding Mexico exported $3 billion of beef, live cattle and derivatives to the U.S. in 2023.

Meat labeling has been a point of contention between the U.S. and Mexico in the past.

In 2012, the World Trade Organization sided with Mexico and Canada when it ruled that U.S. meat labeling regulations were not fully in line with international fair trading rules and unfairly discriminated against Canada and Mexico because they gave less favorable treatment to beef and pork imported from those countries than to U.S.

Mexico on Monday said the Biden administration's decision could create incentives for incompliance with the WTO's ruling.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas; Additional reporting by Brendan O'Boyle and Adriana Barrera in Mexico City; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Michael Perry)
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden proposed $38 million in new funding to protect federal judges through the Department of Justice, amid growing concerns about the safety of court officials.

The spending blueprint for the year starting Oct. 1  which Congress will debate for months and could change  calls for an additional $28 million for the U.S. Marshals Service to protect judges, including Supreme Court justices who are monitored around the clock.

Justices received a flood of threats that followed the release of a draft Supreme Court decision that eventually overturned the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade.

The budget proposal also calls for $10 million to fund a recently created grant program for state and local governments to provide security for active and retired federal judges and their relatives, after the 2020 shooting death of a federal judge's son by a lawyer with a case before the judge.

The Justice Department proposals would come on top of $19.4 million the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts requested for Supreme Court security.

"Securing these resources is critical to advancing that mission in service of the American people," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND - MAY 11: Police stand outside the home of U.S. Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh as abortion-rights advocates protest on May 11, 2022 in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

What's in the budget proposal for the U.S. Marshals Service?

The budget proposal for the Marshals Service would establish a new Office of Protective Services to provide continuing residential security for Supreme Court justices and monitoring of security cameras at residences. The money would fund 53 jobs, including 51 deputy U.S. marshals.

"The U.S. Marshals Service has $28 million to develop a program for protecting the federal judiciary including the Supreme and the families," and support the agency's judicial security command center, said Jolene Ann Lauria, the assistant attorney general for administration.

In 2022, Garland tapped the Marshals Services to provide 24-hour security for the justices amid a flood of threats and protests that followed a leaked draft of the opinion that would overturn the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade.

Protesters took the unprecedented step of marching to justices' homes in May 2022. Republicans have argued the protests threatened mob rule and were potentially illegal by aiming to influence the justices since the draft's release. Some Democrats have cheered the protests, but others condemned vigils held outside justices homes as outrageous and no way to plead the case.

Conservative protesters have also threatened judges. The federal judge's son was killed by a self-described "anti-feminist." State and federal judges in former President Donald Trump's criminal and civil cases have been threatened by his supporters.

What's in the budget proposal for state and local governments?

The grants could be used to remove or redact publicly available personal information about judges, expand privacy programs and prevent the release of information about judges.

The grant program is named for the 20-year-old son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, Daniel Anderl, who was shot and killed by a former litigant at their New Jersey home. The judge's husband, Mark Anderl, was also critically wounded.

Congress authorized the grant program in December 2022.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden proposes $38M for judicial security after Supreme Court protests
Left: President Biden speaking during a campaign rally at Pearson Community Center in Las Vegas on Feb. 4; right: former President Donald Trump speaking at a campaign event in Concord, N.H., on Jan. 19. (File photos)

President Biden and former President Donald Trump are both likely to clinch the nomination for president inside their respective parties Tuesday in the next round of state primary contests.

Trump knocked Nikki Haley out of the Republican race for the presidential nomination last week, winning 14 out of 15 states on Super Tuesday.

One week later, hell be the only competitive candidate still in the race, as Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi and Washington hold nominating contests. Trump is expected to win most or all of the 161 delegates up for grabs on Tuesday.

Trump has won 1,075 delegates so far and needs a total of 1,215 to claim the majority. If he wins all or most of the 161 delegates Tuesday, that would put him over the top.

The Democratic primary

President Biden is also on the ballot Tuesday, when 254 Democratic delegates will be available in five contests. Georgia, Mississippi and Washington are holding primaries, and there are also contests taking place in the Northern Mariana Islands  a U.S. territory  and among Democrats Abroad, an organization of U.S. voters living outside the U.S. who are registered as Democrats.

Author Marianne Williamson is on the ballot in the three state primaries and in the Democrats Abroad contest. Democrat Jason Palmer is competing in the Northern Mariana Islands contest. Palmer won three delegates last week in a 91-person contest in another U.S. territory, American Samoa.

There is an uncommitted slot on the ballot only in Washington state. Democratic voters in Michigan and Colorado have registered displeasure with Biden and his support for Israel by voting for that option in their state nominating contests. There are 20 uncommitted delegates so far heading into the Democratic convention this summer.

But Biden has 1,866 delegates and only needs 102 to reach the majority number of 1,968. He should reach that easily on Tuesday.

President Biden and first lady Jill Biden during a campaign event at Strath Haven Middle School in Wallingford, Pa., on March 8. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

Why delegates?

The rules of both political parties state that their nominations for president can only be won by the candidate who has the most delegates. The candidate who wins a majority of all the delegates formally becomes the nominee at the party's convention this summer.

The delegate process has, in the past, given parties huge power over who their candidate is, and that process remains in place even as control over the nomination is largely in the hands of the small number of voters who participate in a few primaries.

For decades, the nomination was decided at the convention by party insiders, and most states did not even hold primaries or caucuses before the convention. Now, candidates appeal to party activists and hardline voters who dominate the primary electorate.

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President Joe Biden released his $7.266 trillion budget request on Monday, March 11, 2024, as the annual budget and appropriations process begins in Congress and demonstrating White House priorities and values. Photo illustration by Getty images

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden released his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year Monday, calling on Congress to stick to the spending agreement brokered last year and to revamp tax laws so that the wealthy pay their fair share.

The $7.266 trillion budget request doesnt actually spend any money since Congress controls the power of the purse. But it contains details about what the president believes the federal government should change and how it should direct taxpayer dollars.

The fiscal 2025 budget request, which totals 188 pages, comes at an especially crucial time for Biden as he increasingly turns his attention toward winning reelection this fall, and follows by days his State of the Union speech. It reflects a budget year that would begin on Oct. 1.

The story of America is one of progress and resilience, of always moving forward and never giving up. It is a story unique among nations, Biden wrote in a message released alongside his latest budget request. We are the only nation that has emerged from every crisis we have entered stronger than we went in.

While my Administration has seen great progress since day one, there is still work to do, Biden added. My budget will help make that promise real.

That total spending level would go toward numerous budget categories, including $900 billion on defense discretionary and $1.029 trillion on domestic discretionary spending.

Mandatory programs, which are mostly funded outside the annual budget and appropriations process in line with the laws that created them, would take up the rest of the government spending, with Social Security accounting for $1.543 trillion, Medicare spending $936 billion and Medicaid requiring $589 billion.

Another $965 billion in government spending would go toward interest payments on the countrys debt.

The budget request proposes a $1.781 trillion deficit during fiscal 2025, which would decrease during the following four fiscal years before increasing again toward the end of the 10-year budget window.

The deficit would never drop below the $1 trillion mark.

Child tax credit, Medicare, Social Security

The budget calls on Congress to expand the child tax credit to the levels that were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped cut child poverty nearly in half in 2021 to its lowest level in history, the proposal says.

The Budget would expand the credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children six years old and above, and to $3,600 per child for children under six, the request says.

The budget calls on U.S. lawmakers to bolster Medicare by modestly increasing the Medicare tax rate on incomes above $400,000 and by closing loopholes in existing Medicare taxes.

The budget request says Biden remains committed to working with the Congress to protect Medicare and Social Security for this and future generations, but it doesnt include any concrete proposals for avoiding a nearly 25% drop off in Social Security benefits in a decade when the trust fund becomes insolvent.

Ukraine, Israel funding

Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young said on a call with reporters Monday morning the budget request calls on Congress to approve emergency spending for war efforts led by Ukraine and Israel.

It is very frustrating, Young said of the stalemate from House GOP leaders. We have been asking for support for Ukraine since September. If you can remember, after October 7, we asked for support for Israel.

The Senate voted 70-29 in February to send the House a $95 billion assistance package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, though House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, has so far refused to put the bill on the floor in that chamber for an up or down vote.

Biden also asked Congress, for the fourth time, to bolster spending on U.S. border security, she said.

Young is scheduled to testify before the Democratic-controlled Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday about the budget request.

She will testify in front of the House Budget Committee, which is controlled by Republicans on March 21, according to committee staff.

Those two hearings kick off the annual budget and appropriations process on Capitol Hill, though House GOP leaders upended the order of things last week when they debated and approved their budget resolution in committee.

Contrasts in Biden, GOP budget proposals

Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein said during the call with reporters Monday the difference between House GOPs budget resolution and the White House budget request is reality.

We think we have a realistic growth forecast. We defended it extensively in the budget. We explain how we got to where we are, Bernstein said, calling into question House Republicans optimistic prediction of 3% economic growth in order to balance their budget resolution.

So you can write down whatever you want to get whatever result you want, but if it doesnt match good, hard economic reality, its not useful, Bernstein said.

Young doubled down on criticism of House Republicans budget resolution, saying it doesnt tell you what they cut, who they harm.

Everything is detailed in the discretionary budget, mandatory proposals, tax proposals, Young said of the presidents budget request.

Congressional Republicans give us their top lines, which have rosy economic projections that dont fit reality, Young said. They also dont tell you theyre going to cut the National Institutes of Health. Theyre going to cut border security. Theyre going to cut child care. Theyre going to cut Head Start. Thats the only way you can do it.

Last years work still undone

Congress budget resolution is a tax and spending blueprint that lays out the partys vision for the 10-year budget window, but it doesnt actually spend any money. That is reserved for the dozen annual government spending bills.

The House and Senate took overwhelmingly bipartisan votes last week to approve six of those bills for the fiscal year that began back on Oct. 1. But they have yet to release or approve the other half of their work, which is due before March 22, under the latest stopgap spending law.

Bidens budget request for fiscal year 2025 should allow the House and Senate spending panels to move directly into next years process, drafting the 12 appropriations bills all over again sometime this spring.

But Congress will need to complete work on last years process, which is running more than five months behind schedule, before it can do that.

Republican reaction

Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota and Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York said in a joint statement released Monday that Bidens budget request doesnt just miss the mark  it is a roadmap to accelerate Americas decline.

House Republicans reject Bidens misguided budget proposal and have taken action to steer our nation back to a path of fiscal sanity, Johnson said. Our efforts to rein in the runaway spending spree from last years budget have already yielded results, lowering projected deficits by $2.6 trillion over the next decade.

The Houses budget plan for the next fiscal year, preceding the Presidents proposal, reflects the values of hardworking Americans who know that in tough economic times, fiscal discipline is non-negotiable, Johnson added. House Republicans understand the American people expect and deserve nothing less from their government.

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The post Biden calls for expanded child tax credit, taxes on wealthy in $7.3 trillion budget plan appeared first on Arizona Mirror.
President Joe Biden released his $7.266 trillion budget request on Monday, March 11, 2024, as the annual budget and appropriations process begins in Congress and demonstrating White House priorities and values. (Photo illustration by Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden released his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year Monday, calling on Congress to stick to the spending agreement brokered last year and to revamp tax laws so that the wealthy pay their fair share.

The $7.266 trillion budget request doesnt actually spend any money since Congress controls the power of the purse. But it contains details about what the president believes the federal government should change and how it should direct taxpayer dollars.

The fiscal 2025 budget request, which totals 188 pages, comes at an especially crucial time for Biden as he increasingly turns his attention toward winning reelection this fall, and follows by days his State of the Union speech. It reflects a budget year that would begin on Oct. 1.

The story of America is one of progress and resilience, of always moving forward and never giving up. It is a story unique among nations, Biden wrote in a message released alongside his latest budget request. We are the only nation that has emerged from every crisis we have entered stronger than we went in.

While my Administration has seen great progress since day one, there is still work to do, Biden added. My Budget will help make that promise real.

That total spending level would go toward numerous budget categories, including $900 billion on defense discretionary and $1.029 trillion on domestic discretionary spending.

Mandatory programs, which are mostly funded outside the annual budget and appropriations process in line with the laws that created them, would take up the rest of the government spending, with Social Security accounting for $1.543 trillion, Medicare spending $936 billion and Medicaid requiring $589 billion.

Another $965 billion in government spending would go toward interest payments on the countrys debt.

The budget request proposes a $1.781 trillion deficit during fiscal 2025, which would decrease during the following four fiscal years before increasing again toward the end of the 10-year budget window.

The deficit would never drop below the $1 trillion mark.

Child tax credit, Medicare, Social Security

The budget calls on Congress to expand the child tax credit to the levels that were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped cut child poverty nearly in half in 2021 to its lowest level in history, the proposal says.

The Budget would expand the credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children six years old and above, and to $3,600 per child for children under six, the request says.

The budget calls on U.S. lawmakers to bolster Medicare by modestly increasing the Medicare tax rate on incomes above $400,000 and by closing loopholes in existing Medicare taxes.

The budget request says Biden remains committed to working with the Congress to protect Medicare and Social Security for this and future generations, but it doesnt include any concrete proposals for avoiding a nearly 25% drop off in Social Security benefits in a decade when the trust fund becomes insolvent.

Ukraine, Israel funding

Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young said on a call with reporters Monday morning the budget request calls on Congress to approve emergency spending for war efforts led by Ukraine and Israel.

It is very frustrating, Young said of the stalemate from House GOP leaders. We have been asking for support for Ukraine since September. If you can remember, after October 7, we asked for support for Israel.

The Senate voted 70-29 in February to send the House a $95 billion assistance package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, though House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, has so far refused to put the bill on the floor in that chamber for an up or down vote.

Biden also asked Congress, for the fourth time, to bolster spending on U.S. border security, she said.

Young is scheduled to testify before the Democratic-controlled Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday about the budget request.

She will testify in front of the House Budget Committee, which is controlled by Republicans on March 21, according to committee staff.

Those two hearings kick off the annual budget and appropriations process on Capitol Hill, though House GOP leaders upended the order of things last week when they debated and approved their budget resolution in committee.

Contrasts in Biden, GOP budget proposals

Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein said during the call with reporters Monday the difference between House GOPs budget resolution and the White House budget request is reality.

We think we have a realistic growth forecast. We defended it extensively in the budget. We explain how we got to where we are, Bernstein said, calling into question House Republicans optimistic prediction of 3% economic growth in order to balance their budget resolution.

So you can write down whatever you want to get whatever result you want, but if it doesnt match good, hard economic reality, its not useful, Bernstein said.

Young doubled down on criticism of House Republicans budget resolution, saying it doesnt tell you what they cut, who they harm.

Everything is detailed in the discretionary budget, mandatory proposals, tax proposals, Young said of the presidents budget request.

Congressional Republicans give us their top lines, which have rosy economic projections that dont fit reality, Young said. They also dont tell you theyre going to cut the National Institutes of Health. Theyre going to cut border security. Theyre going to cut child care. Theyre going to cut Head Start. Thats the only way you can do it.

Last years work still undone

Congress budget resolution is a tax and spending blueprint that lays out the partys vision for the 10-year budget window, but it doesnt actually spend any money. That is reserved for the dozen annual government spending bills.

The House and Senate took overwhelmingly bipartisan votes last week to approve six of those bills for the fiscal year that began back on Oct. 1. But they have yet to release or approve the other half of their work, which is due before March 22, under the latest stopgap spending law.

Bidens budget request for fiscal year 2025 should allow the House and Senate spending panels to move directly into next years process, drafting the 12 appropriations bills all over again sometime this spring.

But Congress will need to complete work on last years process, which is running more than five months behind schedule, before it can do that.

Republican reaction

Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota and Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York said in a joint statement released Monday that Bidens budget request doesnt just miss the mark  it is a roadmap to accelerate Americas decline.

House Republicans reject Bidens misguided budget proposal and have taken action to steer our nation back to a path of fiscal sanity, Johnson said. Our efforts to rein in the runaway spending spree from last years budget have already yielded results, lowering projected deficits by $2.6 trillion over the next decade.

The Houses budget plan for the next fiscal year, preceding the Presidents proposal, reflects the values of hardworking Americans who know that in tough economic times, fiscal discipline is non-negotiable, Johnson added. House Republicans understand the American people expect and deserve nothing less from their government.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Biden calls for expanded child tax credit, taxes on wealthy in $7.2 trillion budget plan appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
The prestigious Miss World 2023 beauty pageant is underway in India, and while the winner has not yet been determined, the contestants are being awarded for related projects, where a Ukrainian woman won the first victory. Sofia Shamia, who made it to the top 10 charity projects, became the best among all European participants.

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She was joined by girls from Uganda, Brazil, and Nepal. Brazil presented the best project among all continents. OBOZ.UA learned about this during a live broadcast.

Sofia Shamia presented a video about working with children who have suffered from Russian aggression: they lost their parents, their homes, and some lost their arms or legs. The top ten were selected from 117 projects from each participant.

Before determining the winner of this contest, all the beauties paraded in evening gowns. The Ukrainian girl wore the "Steel Lady" outfit.

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The participant walked beautifully, fanning out the train behind her. Her steel outfit symbolized the resilience, character, and indestructibility of the entire Ukrainian people.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA told you about the national costume that Sofia Shamia presented especially for the Miss World 2023 contest. "Forest Song" is the name of the fragile green dress that was created under fire in Kharkiv.

Fortunately, the contestant from the terrorist country of Russia will not overshadow the pageant. As it became known after the scandal at Miss Europe, the Russians are no longer allowed to attend this beauty pageant.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
President Joe Biden released his $7.266 trillion budget request on Monday, March 11, 2024, as the annual budget and appropriations process begins in Congress and demonstrating White House priorities and values. (Photo illustration by Getty images)

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden released his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year Monday, calling on Congress to stick to the spending agreement brokered last year and to revamp tax laws so that the wealthy pay their fair share.

The $7.266 trillion budget request doesnt actually spend any money since Congress controls the power of the purse. But it contains details about what the president believes the federal government should change and how it should direct taxpayer dollars.

The fiscal 2025 budget request, which totals 188 pages, comes at an especially crucial time for Biden as he increasingly turns his attention toward winning reelection this fall, and follows by days his State of the Union speech. It reflects a budget year that would begin on Oct. 1.

The story of America is one of progress and resilience, of always moving forward and never giving up. It is a story unique among nations, Biden wrote in a message released alongside his latest budget request. We are the only nation that has emerged from every crisis we have entered stronger than we went in.

While my Administration has seen great progress since day one, there is still work to do, Biden added. My Budget will help make that promise real.

That total spending level would go toward numerous budget categories, including $900 billion on defense discretionary and $1.029 trillion on domestic discretionary spending.

Mandatory programs, which are mostly funded outside the annual budget and appropriations process in line with the laws that created them, would take up the rest of the government spending, with Social Security accounting for $1.543 trillion, Medicare spending $936 billion and Medicaid requiring $589 billion.

Another $965 billion in government spending would go toward interest payments on the countrys debt.

The budget request proposes a $1.781 trillion deficit during fiscal 2025, which would decrease during the following four fiscal years before increasing again toward the end of the 10-year budget window.

The deficit would never drop below the $1 trillion mark.

Child tax credit, Medicare, Social Security

The budget calls on Congress to expand the child tax credit to the levels that were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped cut child poverty nearly in half in 2021 to its lowest level in history, the proposal says.

The Budget would expand the credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children six years old and above, and to $3,600 per child for children under six, the request says.

The budget calls on U.S. lawmakers to bolster Medicare by modestly increasing the Medicare tax rate on incomes above $400,000 and by closing loopholes in existing Medicare taxes.

The budget request says Biden remains committed to working with the Congress to protect Medicare and Social Security for this and future generations, but it doesnt include any concrete proposals for avoiding a nearly 25% drop off in Social Security benefits in a decade when the trust fund becomes insolvent.

Ukraine, Israel funding

Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young said on a call with reporters Monday morning the budget request calls on Congress to approve emergency spending for war efforts led by Ukraine and Israel.

It is very frustrating, Young said of the stalemate from House GOP leaders. We have been asking for support for Ukraine since September. If you can remember, after October 7, we asked for support for Israel.

The Senate voted 70-29 in February to send the House a $95 billion assistance package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, though House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, has so far refused to put the bill on the floor in that chamber for an up or down vote.

Biden also asked Congress, for the fourth time, to bolster spending on U.S. border security, she said.

Young is scheduled to testify before the Democratic-controlled Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday about the budget request.

She will testify in front of the House Budget Committee, which is controlled by Republicans on March 21, according to committee staff.

Those two hearings kick off the annual budget and appropriations process on Capitol Hill, though House GOP leaders upended the order of things last week when they debated and approved their budget resolution in committee.

Contrasts in Biden, GOP budget proposals

Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein said during the call with reporters Monday the difference between House GOPs budget resolution and the White House budget request is reality.

We think we have a realistic growth forecast. We defended it extensively in the budget. We explain how we got to where we are, Bernstein said, calling into question House Republicans optimistic prediction of 3% economic growth in order to balance their budget resolution.

So you can write down whatever you want to get whatever result you want, but if it doesnt match good, hard economic reality, its not useful, Bernstein said.

Young doubled down on criticism of House Republicans budget resolution, saying it doesnt tell you what they cut, who they harm.

Everything is detailed in the discretionary budget, mandatory proposals, tax proposals, Young said of the presidents budget request.

Congressional Republicans give us their top lines, which have rosy economic projections that dont fit reality, Young said. They also dont tell you theyre going to cut the National Institutes of Health. Theyre going to cut border security. Theyre going to cut child care. Theyre going to cut Head Start. Thats the only way you can do it.

Last years work still undone

Congress budget resolution is a tax and spending blueprint that lays out the partys vision for the 10-year budget window, but it doesnt actually spend any money. That is reserved for the dozen annual government spending bills.

The House and Senate took overwhelmingly bipartisan votes last week to approve six of those bills for the fiscal year that began back on Oct. 1. But they have yet to release or approve the other half of their work, which is due before March 22, under the latest stopgap spending law.

Bidens budget request for fiscal year 2025 should allow the House and Senate spending panels to move directly into next years process, drafting the 12 appropriations bills all over again sometime this spring.

But Congress will need to complete work on last years process, which is running more than five months behind schedule, before it can do that.

Republican reaction

Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota and Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York said in a joint statement released Monday that Bidens budget request doesnt just miss the mark  it is a roadmap to accelerate Americas decline.

House Republicans reject Bidens misguided budget proposal and have taken action to steer our nation back to a path of fiscal sanity, Johnson said. Our efforts to rein in the runaway spending spree from last years budget have already yielded results, lowering projected deficits by $2.6 trillion over the next decade.

The Houses budget plan for the next fiscal year, preceding the Presidents proposal, reflects the values of hardworking Americans who know that in tough economic times, fiscal discipline is non-negotiable, Johnson added. House Republicans understand the American people expect and deserve nothing less from their government.

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The post Biden calls for expanded child tax credit, taxes on wealthy in $7.3 trillion budget plan appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
President Joe Biden released his $7.266 trillion budget request on Monday, March 11, 2024, as the annual budget and appropriations process begins in Congress and demonstrating White House priorities and values. (Photo illustration by Getty images)

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden released his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year Monday, calling on Congress to stick to the spending agreement brokered last year and to revamp tax laws so that the wealthy pay their fair share.

The $7.266 trillion budget request doesnt actually spend any money since Congress controls the power of the purse. But it contains details about what the president believes the federal government should change and how it should direct taxpayer dollars.

The fiscal 2025 budget request, which totals 188 pages, comes at an especially crucial time for Biden as he increasingly turns his attention toward winning reelection this fall, and follows by days his State of the Union speech. It reflects a budget year that would begin on Oct. 1.

The story of America is one of progress and resilience, of always moving forward and never giving up. It is a story unique among nations, Biden wrote in a message released alongside his latest budget request. We are the only nation that has emerged from every crisis we have entered stronger than we went in.

While my Administration has seen great progress since day one, there is still work to do, Biden added. My Budget will help make that promise real.

That total spending level would go toward numerous budget categories, including $900 billion on defense discretionary and $1.029 trillion on domestic discretionary spending.

Mandatory programs, which are mostly funded outside the annual budget and appropriations process in line with the laws that created them, would take up the rest of the government spending, with Social Security accounting for $1.543 trillion, Medicare spending $936 billion and Medicaid requiring $589 billion.

Another $965 billion in government spending would go toward interest payments on the countrys debt.

The budget request proposes a $1.781 trillion deficit during fiscal 2025, which would decrease during the following four fiscal years before increasing again toward the end of the 10-year budget window.

The deficit would never drop below the $1 trillion mark.

Child tax credit, Medicare, Social Security

The budget calls on Congress to expand the child tax credit to the levels that were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped cut child poverty nearly in half in 2021 to its lowest level in history, the proposal says.

The Budget would expand the credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children six years old and above, and to $3,600 per child for children under six, the request says.

The budget calls on U.S. lawmakers to bolster Medicare by modestly increasing the Medicare tax rate on incomes above $400,000 and by closing loopholes in existing Medicare taxes.

The budget request says Biden remains committed to working with the Congress to protect Medicare and Social Security for this and future generations, but it doesnt include any concrete proposals for avoiding a nearly 25% drop off in Social Security benefits in a decade when the trust fund becomes insolvent.

Ukraine, Israel funding

Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young said on a call with reporters Monday morning the budget request calls on Congress to approve emergency spending for war efforts led by Ukraine and Israel.

It is very frustrating, Young said of the stalemate from House GOP leaders. We have been asking for support for Ukraine since September. If you can remember, after October 7, we asked for support for Israel.

The Senate voted 70-29 in February to send the House a $95 billion assistance package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, though House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, has so far refused to put the bill on the floor in that chamber for an up or down vote.

Biden also asked Congress, for the fourth time, to bolster spending on U.S. border security, she said.

Young is scheduled to testify before the Democratic-controlled Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday about the budget request.

She will testify in front of the House Budget Committee, which is controlled by Republicans, on March 21, according to committee staff.

Those two hearings kick off the annual budget and appropriations process on Capitol Hill, though House GOP leaders upended the order of things last week when they debated and approved their budget resolution in committee.

Contrasts in Biden, GOP budget proposals

Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein said during the call with reporters Monday that the difference between House GOPs budget resolution and the White House budget request is reality.

We think we have a realistic growth forecast. We defended it extensively in the budget. We explain how we got to where we are, Bernstein said, calling into question House Republicans optimistic prediction of 3% economic growth in order to balance their budget resolution.

So you can write down whatever you want to get whatever result you want, but if it doesnt match good, hard economic reality, its not useful, Bernstein said.

Young doubled down on criticism of House Republicans budget resolution, saying it doesnt tell you what they cut, who they harm.

Everything is detailed in the discretionary budget, mandatory proposals, tax proposals, Young said of the presidents budget request.

Congressional Republicans give us their top lines, which have rosy economic projections that dont fit reality, Young said. They also dont tell you theyre going to cut the National Institutes of Health. Theyre going to cut border security. Theyre going to cut child care. Theyre going to cut Head Start. Thats the only way you can do it.

Last years work still undone

Congress budget resolution is a tax and spending blueprint that lays out the partys vision for the 10-year budget window, but it doesnt actually spend any money. That is reserved for the dozen annual government spending bills.

The House and Senate took overwhelmingly bipartisan votes last week to approve six of those bills for the fiscal year that began back on Oct. 1. But they have yet to release or approve the other half of their work, which is due before March 22, under the latest stopgap spending law.

Bidens budget request for fiscal year 2025 should allow the House and Senate spending panels to move directly into next years process, drafting the 12 appropriations bills all over again sometime this spring.

But Congress will need to complete work on last years process, which is running more than five months behind schedule, before it can do that.

Republican reaction

Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota and Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York said in a joint statement released Monday that Bidens budget request doesnt just miss the mark  it is a roadmap to accelerate Americas decline.

House Republicans reject Bidens misguided budget proposal and have taken action to steer our nation back to a path of fiscal sanity, Johnson said. Our efforts to rein in the runaway spending spree from last years budget have already yielded results, lowering projected deficits by $2.6 trillion over the next decade.

The Houses budget plan for the next fiscal year, preceding the Presidents proposal, reflects the values of hardworking Americans who know that in tough economic times, fiscal discipline is non-negotiable, Johnson added. House Republicans understand the American people expect and deserve nothing less from their government.

The post Biden calls for expanded child tax credit, taxes on wealthy in $7.3 trillion budget plan appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Photo illustration by Getty Images.

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden released his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year Monday, calling on Congress to stick to the spending agreement brokered last year and to revamp tax laws so that the wealthy pay their fair share.

The $7.266 trillion budget request doesnt actually spend any money since Congress controls the power of the purse. But it contains details about what the president believes the federal government should change and how it should direct taxpayer dollars.

The fiscal 2025 budget request, which totals 188 pages, comes at an especially crucial time for Biden as he increasingly turns his attention toward winning reelection this fall, and follows by days his State of the Union speech. It reflects a budget year that would begin on Oct. 1.

The story of America is one of progress and resilience, of always moving forward and never giving up. It is a story unique among nations, Biden wrote in a message released alongside his latest budget request. We are the only nation that has emerged from every crisis we have entered stronger than we went in.

While my administration has seen great progress since day one, there is still work to do, Biden added. My budget will help make that promise real.

That total spending level would go toward numerous budget categories, including $900 billion on defense discretionary and $1.029 trillion on domestic discretionary spending.

Mandatory programs, which are mostly funded outside the annual budget and appropriations process in line with the laws that created them, would take up the rest of the government spending, with Social Security accounting for $1.543 trillion, Medicare spending $936 billion and Medicaid requiring $589 billion.

Another $965 billion in government spending would go toward interest payments on the countrys debt.

The budget request proposes a $1.781 trillion deficit during fiscal 2025, which would decrease during the following four fiscal years before increasing again toward the end of the 10-year budget window.

The deficit would never drop below the $1 trillion mark.

Child tax credit, Medicare, Social Security

The budget calls on Congress to expand the child tax credit to the levels that were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped cut child poverty nearly in half in 2021 to its lowest level in history, the proposal says.

The budget would expand the credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children six years old and above, and to $3,600 per child for children under six, the request says.

The budget calls on U.S. lawmakers to bolster Medicare by modestly increasing the Medicare tax rate on incomes above $400,000 and by closing loopholes in existing Medicare taxes.

The budget request says Biden remains committed to working with the Congress to protect Medicare and Social Security for this and future generations, but it doesnt include any concrete proposals for avoiding a nearly 25% drop off in Social Security benefits in a decade when the trust fund becomes insolvent.

Ukraine, Israel funding

Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young said on a call with reporters Monday morning the budget request calls on Congress to approve emergency spending for war efforts led by Ukraine and Israel.

It is very frustrating, Young said of the stalemate from House GOP leaders. We have been asking for support for Ukraine since September. If you can remember, after October 7, we asked for support for Israel.

The Senate voted 70-29 in February to send the House a $95 billion assistance package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, though House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, has so far refused to put the bill on the floor in that chamber for an up or down vote.

Biden also asked Congress, for the fourth time, to bolster spending on U.S. border security, she said.

Young is scheduled to testify before the Democratic-controlled Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday about the budget request.

She will testify in front of the House Budget Committee, which is controlled by Republicans on March 21, according to committee staff.

Those two hearings kick off the annual budget and appropriations process on Capitol Hill, though House GOP leaders upended the order of things last week when they debated and approved their budget resolution in committee.

Contrasts in Biden, GOP budget proposals

Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein said during the call with reporters Monday the difference between House GOPs budget resolution and the White House budget request is reality.

We think we have a realistic growth forecast. We defended it extensively in the budget. We explain how we got to where we are, Bernstein said, calling into question House Republicans optimistic prediction of 3% economic growth in order to balance their budget resolution.

So you can write down whatever you want to get whatever result you want, but if it doesnt match good, hard economic reality, its not useful, Bernstein said.

Young doubled down on criticism of House Republicans budget resolution, saying it doesnt tell you what they cut, who they harm.

Everything is detailed in the discretionary budget, mandatory proposals, tax proposals, Young said of the presidents budget request.

Congressional Republicans give us their top lines, which have rosy economic projections that dont fit reality, Young said. They also dont tell you theyre going to cut the National Institutes of Health. Theyre going to cut border security. Theyre going to cut child care. Theyre going to cut Head Start. Thats the only way you can do it.

Last years work still undone

Congress budget resolution is a tax and spending blueprint that lays out the partys vision for the 10-year budget window, but it doesnt actually spend any money. That is reserved for the dozen annual government spending bills.

The House and Senate took overwhelmingly bipartisan votes last week to approve six of those bills for the fiscal year that began back on Oct. 1. But they have yet to release or approve the other half of their work, which is due before March 22, under the latest stopgap spending law.

Bidens budget request for fiscal year 2025 should allow the House and Senate spending panels to move directly into next years process, drafting the 12 appropriations bills all over again sometime this spring.

But Congress will need to complete work on last years process, which is running more than five months behind schedule, before it can do that.

Republican reaction

Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota and Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York said in a joint statement released Monday that Bidens budget request doesnt just miss the mark  it is a roadmap to accelerate Americas decline.

House Republicans reject Bidens misguided budget proposal and have taken action to steer our nation back to a path of fiscal sanity, Johnson said. Our efforts to rein in the runaway spending spree from last years budget have already yielded results, lowering projected deficits by $2.6 trillion over the next decade.

The Houses budget plan for the next fiscal year, preceding the Presidents proposal, reflects the values of hardworking Americans who know that in tough economic times, fiscal discipline is non-negotiable, Johnson added. House Republicans understand the American people expect and deserve nothing less from their government.

The post Biden calls for expanded child tax credit, taxes on wealthy in $7.3 trillion budget plan appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Asylum seekers board a bus en route to a shelter at Port Authority Bus Terminal on May 18, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Monday urged local officials to lobby their members of Congress to pass the bipartisan border security deal struck in the Senate that Republicans walked away from this year.

In a brief speech touting the administrations accomplishments to more than 2,000 mayors, city officials and other advocates in Washington for the National League of Cities Congressional Cities Conference, Biden said cities needed more federal support to deal with a surge of newly arrived migrants.

It has the funds that many of our cities badly need, Biden said of the bipartisan border security bill. Tell your members in Congress to show up, show a little spine, and pass the bipartisan border security bill.

Cities such as New York, Chicago and Denver have had their resources stretched following bus arrivals of migrants sent from GOP Texas Gov. Greg Abbott without warning to Democrat-led cities. Many local officials have pressed the administration for aid and supported that bipartisan bill that would have overhauled immigration policy, especially at the southern border.

At the behest of GOP presidential front-runner Donald J. Trump, who has campaigned on fears of immigration at the southern border and was against the bill, congressional Republicans last month dropped their initial support.

Bidens speech mainly focused on promoting the federal funding for state and local governments his administration championed in several major laws Congress passed since Biden took office. Those laws include the American Rescue Plan that provided pandemic-related economic assistance, the bipartisan infrastructure law and a law to spur investment in semiconductor manufacturing.

He rattled off a list of bridges that are being updated and repaired with funding from the infrastructure law, such as the Brent Spence Bridge that connects Kentucky and Ohio.

As the president gears up for the November election, he laid out to conference attendees how he wants to continue working in a bipartisan manner and strengthen the economy, including by building more housing.

Every family deserves a place to call home, a place to have your American dreams come true, Biden said.

The post Biden enlists local officials to revive immigration deal appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Asylum seekers board a bus en route to a shelter at Port Authority Bus Terminal on May 18, 2023, in New York City. President Joe Biden said Monday cities need more federal support to deal with an influx of migrants. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Monday urged local officials to lobby their members of Congress to pass the bipartisan border security deal struck in the Senate that Republicans walked away from this year.

In a brief speech touting the administrations accomplishments to more than 2,000 mayors, city officials and other advocates in Washington for the National League of Cities Congressional Cities Conference, Biden said cities needed more federal support to deal with a surge of newly arrived migrants.

It has the funds that many of our cities badly need, Biden said of the bipartisan border security bill. Tell your members in Congress to show up, show a little spine, and pass the bipartisan border security bill.

Cities such as New York, Chicago and Denver have had their resources stretched following bus arrivals of migrants sent from GOP Texas Gov. Greg Abbott without warning to Democrat-led cities. Many local officials have pressed the administration for aid and supported that bipartisan bill that would have overhauled immigration policy, especially at the southern border.

At the behest of GOP presidential front-runner Donald J. Trump, who has campaigned on fears of immigration at the southern border and was against the bill, congressional Republicans last month dropped their initial support.

Bidens speech mainly focused on promoting the federal funding for state and local governments his administration championed in several major laws Congress passed since Biden took office. Those laws include the American Rescue Plan that provided pandemic-related economic assistance, the bipartisan infrastructure law and a law to spur investment in semiconductor manufacturing.

He rattled off a list of bridges that are being updated and repaired with funding from the infrastructure law, such as the Brent Spence Bridge that connects Kentucky and Ohio.

As the president gears up for the November election, he laid out to conference attendees how he wants to continue working in a bipartisan manner and strengthen the economy, including by building more housing.

Every family deserves a place to call home, a place to have your American dreams come true, Biden said.

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GOFFSTOWN, New Hampshire  New Hampshire Democrats are putting party over petty.

When President Joe Biden touched down in New Hampshire on Monday for the first time in nearly two years, many of the states most prominent Democrats  including those who publicly berated the president for spurning their states storied primary  appeared by his side. And even the few elected Democrats here who backed Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) over Biden are starting to come around.

Its not about personalities and politics, its about the future of our country, former state House Speaker Steve Shurtleff said in an interview.

But after a prolonged feud between Biden and New Hampshire over the primary calendar, Shurtleff warned, there are still hard feelings among some people, even those that wrote in the presidents name [in the primary], about the way New Hampshire was treated.



Some of that lingering ill will may be quickly resolved if the Democratic National Committee agrees to seat the delegates Biden  and for that matter, Phillips  won in New Hampshires primary.

Biden told supporters at a private campaign event on Monday that while he wouldnt get ahead of the DNCs process, he expects that New Hampshires delegates will count, according to two people familiar with his remarks and granted anonymity to speak freely.

The DNC passed rules heading into this election cycle that could cost New Hampshire half its delegates for breaking with the partys nominating calendar. And when the state Democratic Party moved ahead with delegate-selection caucuses ahead of the January primary, the DNC derided the contest as meaningless. But the committee has backtracked on sanctions before  easing penalties on Florida and Michigan in 2008 after they broke party rules and held their primaries too early.

The decision ultimately rests with the DNCs Rules and Bylaws Committee, which is set to consider the matter at a meeting later this month. Committee co-chair Jim Roosevelt said that there is an openness among members about finding a way to seat the delegates, particularly after Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), a key Biden ally, publicly called for the DNC to do so.

And after listening to Biden on Monday, Rep. Ann Kuster (D-N.H.), said shes confident that we will get this resolved with the DNC.

Even as Biden skipped putting his name on the states primary ballot over the calendar spat, his team promised the president would campaign in New Hampshire ahead of the general election  a message he reiterated to the states congressional delegation in a post-primary meeting at the White House. Bidens campaign has already stationed eight staffers in the Granite State.

On Monday, Sen. Maggie Hassan  who, along with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, once pointedly skipped a White House ball to spite the president for stripping New Hampshire of its favored place in the presidential nominating process  introduced him at an event about lowering health care costs. Hassan, Kuster, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley and architects of the successful primary write-in campaign on Bidens behalf greeted the president at a campaign office in a Manchester strip mall shortly after.

In return, Biden called Hassen and Shaheen two of the best senators hes ever served with at the top of his speech in Goffstown. He described Shaheen, who was not in attendance, as a dear, dear friend, and a great ally. And Biden singled out her husband, who was among those who greeted him at the Manchester airport, for an ovation  even after Bill Shaheen hosted Phillips at his law firm last fall and accompanied him at a campaign stop in Dover.

Later, at the private campaign event packed with Democrats who ran the grassroots write-in campaign on his behalf, Biden expressed gratitude for their support and astonishment at the success of their effort. He also addressed concerns about his age and poor approval ratings and took questions from supporters.

Kathy Sullivan, a longtime New Hampshire Democratic operative who helmed a super PAC that supported the write-in effort, said Biden notching nearly 64 percent of the vote in the primary showed that as disappointed as we were at the attempt to change the calendar  hes our choice for president.

While Biden doesnt need New Hampshires delegates to lock up his partys nomination for the second consecutive cycle, he will need them in the general election  particularly if it's a close race. Biden beat Donald Trump in New Hampshire by 8 percentage points in 2020. And New Hampshire voters have picked the Democratic nominee in every presidential election since 2004.

Although we only have four electoral votes, theyre crucial. We like to remind people that if Al Gore had won New Hampshire, he wouldnt have needed Florida and he would have been president, Kuster said.

Were excited that [Biden] is here, she said. Hes always welcome in New Hampshire.
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP)  President Joe Biden on Monday released a budget proposal aimed at getting voters' attention: It would offer tax breaks for families, lower health care costs, smaller deficits and higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations.

Unlikely to pass the House and Senate to become law, the proposal for fiscal 2025 is an election year blueprint about what the future could hold if Biden and enough of his fellow Democrats win in November. The president and his aides previewed parts of his budget going into last week's State of the Union address, and they provided the fine print on Monday.

If the Biden budget became law, deficits could be pruned $3 trillion over a decade. It would raise tax revenues by a total of $4.9 trillion over that period and use roughly $1.9 trillion to fund various programs, with the rest going to deficit reduction.

The president traveled Monday to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he called on Congress to apply his $2,000 cap on drug costs and $35 insulin to everyone, not just people who have Medicare. He also advocated for making permanent some protections in the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire next year.

Im here in New Hampshire to talk about the budget I released today that would, I think, help in a big way," Biden said.

Biden aides said their budget was realistic and detailed while rival measures from Republicans were not financially viable.

Congressional Republicans dont tell you what they cut, who they harm," White House budget director Shalanda Young said. The president is transparent.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., issued a joint statement with other GOP leaders calling the Biden proposal a glaring reminder of this Administrations insatiable appetite for reckless spending.

Bidens budget doesnt just miss the mark  it is a roadmap to accelerate Americas decline, the House Republican leaders said.

Under the proposal, the government would spend $7.3 trillion next fiscal year and borrow $1.8 trillion to cover the shortfall from tax receipts. Biden's 188-page plan covers a decade's worth of spending, taxes and debt.

Parents could get an increased child tax credit in 2025, as payments would return briefly to the 2021 level funded by Biden's coronavirus pandemic relief package. Homebuyers could get a tax credit worth up to $10,000 and the plan includes $10 billion in down payment aid for first-generation buyers. Corporate taxes would jump upward, while billionaires would be charged a minimum tax of 25%.

Biden said in his State of the Union that Medicare should have the ability to negotiate prices on 500 prescription drugs, which could save $200 billion over 10 years. Aides said his budget does not specify how many drug prices would be subject to negotiations.

Biden's plan would permanently keep Medicare solvent, according to aides, but as noted by Maya MacGuineas, president of the fiscal group Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, it does not appear to fix Social Security, which projections say will be unable to pay full benefits starting in 2033.

The proposal would provide about $900 billion for defense in fiscal 2025, about $16 billion more than the baseline.

The Biden administration is still seeking money to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia and aid for Israel. His budget plan reiterates the supplemental funding request made last October for Ukraine, Israel and humanitarian relief for Palestinians.

It's also requesting funding to expand personnel and resources at the U.S. southern border. Still, military spending over 10 years would decline $146 billion to $9.57 trillion.

One key theme in the budget plan is an effort to help families afford their basic needs, as the impact of inflation hitting a four-decade high in 2022 continues to leave many voters feeling as though they're worse off under Biden.

The budget proposal includes $258 billion to help build or preserve 2 million homes, helping to address a national shortage that has kept housing prices high. Parents making under $200,000 annually would have access to child care, with most eligible families paying no more than $10 a day.

It would eliminate origination fees on government student loans, possibly saving borrowers $1,000 over the life of the debt. It also includes $12 billion to help universities develop strategies for reducing their costs.

All of this is a chance for Biden to try to define the race on his preferred terms, just as the all-but-certain Republican nominee, Donald Trump, wants to rally voters around his agenda.

Trump, for his part, would like to increase tariffs and pump out gushers of oil. He called for a second phase of tax cuts as parts of his 2017 overhaul of the income tax code would expire after 2025. The Republican has also said he would slash government regulations. He has also pledged to pay down the national debt, though it's unclear how without him detailing severe spending cuts.

In a Monday interview with CNBC, Trump indicated that he would be willing to reduce spending for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, though he did not offer a full policy.

"There is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting, Trump said.

The interview drew Biden's attention, prompting him to tell the audience in New Hampshire that cuts were off the table: The bottom line is hes still at it. Im never going to allow that to happen.

House Republicans on Thursday voted their own budget resolution for the next fiscal year out of committee, saying it would trim deficits by $14 trillion over 10 years. But their measure would depend on rosy economic forecasts and sharp spending cuts, reducing $8.7 trillion in Medicare and Medicaid expenditures. Biden has pledged to stop any cuts to Medicare.

Meanwhile, Congress is still working on a budget for the current fiscal year. On Saturday, Biden signed into law a $460 billion package to avoid a shutdown of several federal agencies, but lawmakers are only about halfway through addressing spending for this fiscal year.

___

Boak reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Colleen Long in Washington also contributed to this report.
President Biden marked the start of Ramadan on Sunday with a statement recognizing the moment of immense pain for many Muslim Americans and pledging to lead international efforts to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Tonightas the new crescent moon marks the beginning of the Islamic holy month of RamadanJill and I extend our best wishes and prayers to Muslims across our country and around the world, Biden wrote in the statement Sunday.

The sacred month is a time for reflection and renewal. This year, it comes at a moment of immense pain. The war in Gaza has inflicted terrible suffering on the Palestinian people, he added.

Biden recognized the more than 30,000 Palestinians estimated to have been killed during the operation in Gaza, which Israel launched in response to the Oct. 7 attach that left more than 1,100 Israelis dead and about 250 taken hostage.

Some of the Palestinians killed in Gaza are family members of American Muslims, who are deeply grieving their lost loved ones today, Biden wrote.

He also recognized the nearly 2 million Palestinians estimated to be displaced and in need of food, water, medicine and shelter, the statement read.

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, he said.

Biden  who has faced sharp criticism in some Muslim American communities over his response to Israels war in Gaza  highlighted the work his administration is doing to deliver aid to the territory, including working to establish a temporary pier and carrying out airdrops in coordination with other countries. Biden also pledged to continue working with Israel to expand deliveries by land, insisting that it facilitate more routes and open more crossings to get more aid to more people.

Biden reiterated his commitment to building toward a two-state solution, and he touched on the experience Muslim Americans face in the United States where there has been a resurgence of hate and violence toward their communities.

He addressed Muslim Americans directly.

To Muslims across our country, please know that you are deeply valued members of our American family, Biden wrote in the statement. To those who are grieving during this time of war, I hear you, I see you, and I pray you find solace in your faith, family, and community. And to all who are marking the beginning of Ramadan tonight, I wish you a safe, healthy, and blessed month. Ramadan kareem.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE - Planes are parked at a private jet terminal at Harry Reid International Airport ahead of the Super Bowl, Feb. 1, 2024, in Las Vegas. President Joe Biden is proposing a huge increase in fuel taxes for private jets, which his administration is pitching as a fairness issue compared with airline passengers, who pay special taxes on every ticket. The proposal was included in a $109.3 billion budget request for the U.S. Department of Transportation, which was released Monday, March 11, 2024. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

President Joe Biden is proposing a huge increase in fuel taxes for private jets, which his administration is pitching as a fairness issue compared with airline passengers, who pay special taxes on every ticket.

The proposal was included in a $109.3 billion budget request for the U.S. Department of Transportation, which was released Monday.

The fate of the proposal in Congress is unclear. Many of Biden's budget ideas will founder in the Republican-controlled House. The largest business-aviation trade group came out against the targeted fuel-tax increase, saying private jets help companies succeed and create jobs.

The White House earmarked nearly $22 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration, including funds to hire at least 2,000 new air traffic controllers, and replace aging FAA facilities, which FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said are 40 years old on average. Democrats and Republicans in Congress have supported more FAA hiring of air traffic controllers and safety inspectors.

The budget would also set aside $62 billion for roads and bridges and $3.2 billion for railroad infrastructure, inspections and the Amtrak passenger-rail system.

The budget would gradually raise the tax on fuel used by private jets from about 22 cents per gallon now to $1.06 per gallon in five years. The Transportation Department says the increase would help stabilize funding for FAA's management of the national airspace, which is mostly paid by airline passengers.

Airline passengers pay a 7.5% excise tax on tickets and a separate levy of up to $4.50 per flight to help pay for airport projects.

The administration says that private jets account for 7% of all flights handled by the FAA but less than 1% of taxes that fund the federal trust fund for aviation and airports. The Transportation Department said the proposal would raise $1.1 billion over five years.

Biden hinted at the proposal in last week's State of the Union address, right after he called for raising the minimum income tax on corporations.

I also want to end tax breaks for big pharma, big oil, private jets, massive executive pay, he told Congress.

Ed Bolen, president of the National Business Aviation Association, said Biden was being unfair.

Business aviation is an industry that is essential to Americas economy and transportation system, he said. It supports jobs, connects communities, helps companies succeed and provides humanitarian lift in times of crisis. This is an industry that should be promoted, not pilloried.
President Biden in a Saturday interview doubled down on his commitment to stand by Black Americans and pointed to his record of support for Black-owned small businesses and to strong job creation numbers.

You promised Black America that  youd have our back. Do you feel you have our backs? MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart asked Biden in a clip that aired Sunday.

I have your back, as much as any president has in American history since Lyndon Johnson, Biden responded. Black wealth has increased by 60 percent, across the board.

Biden said he has been meeting with Black business owners who are getting government loans and direct payments that have helped get their businesses off the ground.

Look, theres not a single thing they cant do given a shot. Just given a shot. Its not only Black, but Hispanic and Asian Americans. Thats why all three of these major organizations endorsed me today, Biden said, referring to a trio of endorsements from major political action committees representing Asian American, Black and Latino voters.

The AAPI Victory Fund, the Collective PAC and the Latino Victory Fund on Saturday rolled out their endorsements, along with a $30 million commitment to help mobilize communities of color to support Bidens reelection campaign.

Because weve done, weve kept them in business. Weve moved them along, more small businesses open than any time in 50 years, Biden said, adding that small businesses make up half the economy.

Biden also touted his efforts to build products in America, relying on American workers.

Well, thats what Im doing, Biden said. And I said, Im going to make sure that 20 percent of all that goes to minority businesses, to small businesses. Guess what? 21 percent has gone. Its growing the economy. Its bringing the nation together.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska joined the congratulations to the Ukrainian film crew of 20 Days in Mariupol, which won its first Oscar last night. The President's wife and public figure explained why this award is extremely important for Ukraine.

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According to Olena Zelenska, the golden statuette is, first of all, a symbol of truth that wins in the world. The first lady wrote about this on her Instagram.

"A few days ago, it was two years since the Russians dropped a bomb on a maternity hospital in Mariupol. Two years since they have been trying to disguise the terrible crime they committed against the entire city. Against humanity," the Ukrainian woman recalled.

She thanked the documentary filmmakers Mstyslav Chernov, Yevhen Malolitsa, and Vasylisa Stepanenko for their hard, emotional, and truthful work, which could have cost the authors their lives.

"We paid a terrible price for this award. However, today everyone in Ukraine is proud of you," the First Lady summarized.

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She was joined by film lovers, media figures and colleagues of the winners who reacted to the victory of the Ukrainian film. They noted how ambivalent they felt about the award.

We would like to remind you that Oppenheimer took the top honor for Best Picture.

This year's ceremony was emotional. Along with Mstislav Chernov's tear-jerking speech, the famous American actor John Cena took the stage completely naked, and Ryan Gosling rocked the stage with his hit song I'm Just Ken, almost making the audience laugh hysterically.

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There were also some embarrassments. Actress Emma Stone almost lost her dress on stage when she came out to receive the award.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that the network was impressed by the photo comparison of the 20 Days in Mariupol team and the family of the Russian so-called opposition leader Alexey Navalny, who received their Oscar a year ago.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
President Biden signed a spending bill Saturday that includes a record annual budget of just over $3 billion for the Hanford nuclear site in Eastern Washington and averted a partial government shutdown that would have included the Department of Energy.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, advocated for the record Hanford budget.

The money in the bill is essential for continued environmental cleanup progress at Hanford and cutting-edge research at the Department of Energys Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, said David Reeploeg, Tri-City Development Council vice president for federal programs.

Sen. Murrays role as the Senate Appropriations chair has been instrumental in ensuring that the federal government fulfills its responsibility towards the Hanford site and its workers, said Nickolas Bumpaous, business manager for United Association of Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 598.

Both organizations also called out others for their support of Hanford, including Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., along with the rest of the Washington delegation.

Hanford workers install a new high-pressure water jet to break up radioactive tank waste at the Eastern Washington nuclear reservation.

The bill was passed in the U.S. Senate on Friday by a vote of 75-22 and the U.S. House on Wednesday by a vote of 339-85.

The spending bill includes a year-over-year increase of $198 million for the Hanford nuclear reservation in fiscal 2024, which started in October.

The Biden administration had originally proposed a Hanford budget of almost $2.9 billion, and the U.S. House had proposed a budget of $2.8 billion.

The $3 billion in the bill is still below the nearly $3.8 billion the Washington state Department of Ecology has said is needed in fiscal 2024 to meet legal requirements for environmental cleanup in the Tri-Party Agreement and a federal court consent decree.

In recent years, significant strides have been made to adequately fund Hanford thanks to efforts by Congress and the administration, Ecology, a Hanford regulator, said in a fact sheet. While progress is being made, funding consistently falls hundreds of millions short of what is needed to meet cleanup milestones.

However, Ecology was still pleased that the Hanford budget could be increased to more than $3 billion this year.

Laura Watson, Department of Ecology director, called it a huge milestone and credited Murrays leadership.

Hanford was used to produce plutonium for the nations nuclear weapons program during World War II and the Cold War. Environmental cleanup is underway now.

This funding is urgently needed to keep our nations most complex radioactive cleanup on track  and its a recognition of the responsibility our nation has to restore the Hanford site, she said. Completing Hanford cleanup will take decades, but the investments we make today are needed to keep the work moving forward.

Hanford Challenge also credited Murrays leadership and tireless advocacy for the record budget.

As Hanford enters a critical cleanup phase, we welcome the $3.035 billion budget, said Nikolas Peterson, executive director of Hanford Challenge. Make no mistake, insufficient funds for Hanford cleanup now will lead to increased long-term costs and more delays.

Money for Hanford site

The spending bill includes almost $1.9 billion for one of two DOE Hanford offices, the Office of River Protection. It is an increase of almost $160 million for the office from fiscal 2023.

The Office of River Protection oversees the Hanford vitrification plant, which could start treating low-activity radioactive waste for disposal in 2025 after construction on it began in 2002.

The 65-acre Hanford vitrification plant in Eastern Washington state is shown from the air.

Work also must be done at the plant to prepare to start treating high-level radioactive waste by 2033 as required in a federal court consent decree.

The Hanford Office of River Protection also is responsible for 56 million gallons of radioactive and hazardous chemical waste in underground tanks, many of them prone to leaking, and preparations to separate out some low activity waste from the tanks for treatment at the vit plant.

In late February DOE awarded a 10-year contract, with some work that could extend five more years, valued at up to $45 billion for Hanford vitrification plant operation and management of the tank farms.

The 580-square-mile Hanford site adjoining Richland produced nearly two-thirds of the plutonium for the nations nuclear weapons program from World War II through the Cold War.

The bill includes just over $1 billion for the other work being done to clean up the nuclear reservation and to operate the site, including its roads, fire protection, utilities and information technology, which is under the Hanford Richland Operations Office.

The office will receive a little more than $35 million above fiscal 2023 spending.

Among the DOE offices environmental cleanup work is tearing down contaminated buildings, digging up sites where radioactive waste was buried, and cleaning up contaminated soil and groundwater.

Money to help PNNL

The spending bill also includes funding helpful for DOEs Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland.

It includes $65 million for the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory at PNNL and $10 million for construction of PNNLs new Microbial Molecular Phenotyping Capability project.

As a U.S. Department of Energy national scientific user facility, the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratorys scientific capabilities  people, instruments and facilities  are available for use by the global research community.

The DOE Office of Science, which supports research at PNNL and universities in Washington, will receive an increase of $140 million, according to Murrays staff.

The Water Power Technologies Office will receive a $21 million increase, which will support ongoing infrastructure improvement projects at PNNLs Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory in Sequim, Wash., and continue DOEs Powering the Blue Economy Initiative.

The bill includes money for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.

Still in negotiations is a second spending bill, which includes military spending. It must be passed by March 22.
US President Joe Biden speaks about the costs of living during an address at the YMCA Allard Center March 11, 2024, in Goffstown, New Hampshire (Brendan Smialowski)

Joe Biden clashed with rival Donald Trump over health care and social benefits on Monday as the US president visited another battleground state in November's election.

Republican former president Trump, who is seeking a historic comeback to the White House, said in an interview on Monday that he would back cuts to social spending.

"There is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements in terms of cutting," property tycoon Trump, 77, told CNBC.

He was asked about the possibility of cuts to the three pillars of US social welfare: Medicare, which provides health care for seniors; Medicaid, which gives health care for the less-well off; and Social Security, which gives welfare for seniors and the disabled.

Democrat Biden, 81, hit right back in an event in the northeastern state of New Hampshire, accusing Trump of backing measures that would favor wealthy Americans.

"The bottom line is, he's still at it," said Biden.

"I'm never gonna allow that to happen. I won't cut Social Security, I won't cut Medicare."

Biden's comments came after he published an ambitious 2025 budget proposal full of populist measures, including a tax hike on billionaires and plans to strengthen social spending programs.

The budget is almost certain to be dead on arrival in the sharply divided US Congress but was designed to highlight his policy differences ahead of his likely rematch with Trump.

In New Hampshire, Biden accused Trump of wanting to cut taxes on the rich and said his own economic and social policies had sparked an "American comeback."

"I believe we're moving into a future where health care is a right, not a privilege in America," said Biden.

Less than eight months out from the November 5 election, Biden and Trump have gone into full battle mode after they both dominated their parties' "Super Tuesday" primaries last week.

The Democrat is now embarking on a tour of battleground states, riding the momentum from a fiery and well received State of the Union speech on Thursday that zeroed in on Trump.

Biden branded Trump a threat to democracy, referring to the ex-president's refusal to acknowledge his 2020 election defeat and the January 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol by pro-Trump supporters.

Impeached twice while in office, Trump now faces four criminal indictments, including two for trying to overturn the election result four years ago.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The battle for the White House is picking up the pace as the U.S. faces a rematch between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump.

The presidential election is still several months away, but both leaders are rallying voters now.

In dueling rallies in Georgia, Biden and Trump both laid out why they think the 2024 election is so high stakes.

Folks, its not hyperbole to suggest our freedoms are literally on the ballot this November, Biden said.

At a campaign rally in Atlanta President Biden argued electing Trump would put the country in danger.

When he says he wants to be a dictator, I believe him, Biden said.

But on the same day, in the same state, former president Trump told supporters President Biden is hurting the U.S.

Joe Biden should not be shouting angrily at America, America should be shouting angrily at Joe Biden, Trump said.

Each leader took aim at the others policies, with the president making abortion rights a central focus.

MAGA Republicans and Donald Trump want to pass a national ban on the right to choose. Well, hear me loud and clear, not on my watch, Biden said.

While the former president blamed the Biden administration for the border crisis.

Maliciously eviscerated the borders of the United States and set loose thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals, said Trump.

Lawmakers are also jumping into the campaign fight.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) making the case for Trump.

Im not worried about Trump destroying democracy, Im worried about Joe Biden destroying the world. Graham said.

Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) argues Trump is the wrong choice.

Hes looking backward, Joe Biden is looking forward, said Warnock.

Four states will hold primary elections on Tuesday and both President Biden and former president Trump could win enough delegates to officially lock in their party nominations.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are kicking their campaigns into high gear to rally voters ahead of the November election.

President Biden has increased his travel schedule, campaigning in Georgia, D.C., and New Hampshire, as he and his political rival try to appeal to as many voters as possible.

Our freedoms are literally on the ballot this November, Biden said.

Over the weekend both candidates held their own rallies in Georgia. President Biden urged Americans to get out and vote in November to prevent another Trump presidency.

When he says he wants to be a dictator, I believe him, Biden said.

While Trump blamed Biden for problems at the southern border.

What Joe Biden has done on our border is a crime against humanity, Trump said.

Biden also accused Trump of going after womens rights.

Regulate guns, not women, said Biden.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders says Trump is not the way to go.

The election of Trump would be a disaster in this country, said Sanders.

Alabama Republican Senator Katie Britt said Biden doesnt know what Americans care about.

Republicans care about kitchen table issues, Britt said.

Georgia, Mississippi, Wisconsin and Hawaii will hold primary elections Tuesday giving both Biden and Trump the opportunity to lock in the nomination for their parties.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Biden administration said Monday it is seeking funding from Congress to hire another 2,000 air traffic controllers in the 2025 budget year after a series of near-miss incidents.

A persistent shortage of controllers has delayed flights and, at many facilities, controllers are working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks to cover staffing shortages. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants $43 million to accelerate the hiring and training of controllers.

"We need more air traffic controllers and we're hiring as many as we can," FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said.

Staffing issues forced the FAA to extend cuts to minimum flight requirements at congested New York City-area airports through October 2024 - allowing airlines to fly fewer flights without forfeiting take-off and landing slots.

The budget proposes spending $8 billion over the next five years - beginning with $1 billion in 2025 - to replace or modernize more than 20 aging air traffic control facilities and 377 critical radar systems.

An independent report in November listed FAA air traffic control facilities with leaking roofs, broken heating and air conditioning systems, and old surveillance radar systems that must soon be replaced at a cost of billions of dollars. It called for "urgent action" to bolster the FAA after a series of close calls involving passenger jets.

The FAA has about 10,700 certified controllers, up slightly from 10,578 in 2022, but down 10% since 2012 and about 3,000 below target.

The Transportation Department said in August it had hired 1,500 controllers for the 2023 budget year. Whitaker said Monday it expects to exceed its 2024 goal of hiring 1,800.

A USDOT inspector general's report in June found critical air traffic facilities facing significant staffing shortages, and posing risks to air traffic operations.

Whitaker said FAA facilities are "really old" and 21 centers are already 10 years past their expected 50-year service life, "so this work has to be done."

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
(Bloomberg) -- US President Joe Biden warned Israel against attacking the city of Rafah in southern Gaza as cease-fire talks with Hamas remained deadlocked at the beginning of Ramadan.

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The US hoped for a breakthrough before Islams holy month, which began after sundown on Sunday. A deal would probably lead to a six-week pause in fighting, the freeing of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Never miss an episode. Follow the Big Take podcast on iHeart, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen. Read the transcript.

Negotiations remain at an impasse, however, with Israel accusing Hamas of stalling in a bid to inflame violence across the region during Ramadan, and Hamas saying more Israeli hostages had died in captivity than earlier believed.

Israel has said that, barring a total surrender by Hamas, it has to launch an assault on Rafah because its the last bastion of the Iran-backed group. Israeli military officials estimate 5,000 to 8,000 Hamas fighters are holed up there. Israels indicated it would be prepared to move into the city during Ramadan if theres no truce.

More than a million Palestinian civilians are also sheltering in Rafah, most of them having fled from northern parts of Gaza at the start of the war in October.

In an interview with MSNBC on Saturday, Biden expressed hope that a cease-fire can still be reached and warned that an Israeli invasion of Rafah would represent a red line.

Read More: Why Rafah Is Raising Fears in Israel-Hamas War: QuickTake

Previously, he said an offensive couldnt happen until Israel allowed civilians to leave. Netanyahu has pledged that will happen. On Sunday, he reiterated that Israel plans to move forces in at some stage.

Well go there, he said in an interview with Axel Springer, Politicos parent company. I have a red line. You know what the red line is  that October 7 doesnt happen again.

The war has been raging since Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and abducted 250 during their Oct. 7 massacre in southern Israel.

More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israels retaliatory air and ground attacks, according to officials in the Hamas-run territory. Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union.

Bidens comments came as the US military began sending supplies to Gaza by sea and building a temporary dock to deliver large quantities of aid. Ships will carry food, water, medicine and other supplies to the Mediterranean enclave, which has been devastated by the war. In his State of the Union address on Thursday, Biden called the situation in Gaza heartbreaking.

Most aid has gone into Gaza on trucks through the Egyptian border. Some countries, including the US and Jordan, are carrying out air drops too.

The move to open a maritime corridor comes as the US and Arab states criticize Israel  which inspects all goods going into Gaza in case they include military supplies for Hamas  for not allowing trucks in quickly enough.

Read more: Hopes Fade of Gaza Cease-Fire Before Ramadan After Failed Talks

The president, in a statement released to mark the beginning of Ramadan, said the US will lead international efforts to get aid into Gaza.

Well continue to work with Israel to expand deliveries by land, insisting that it facilitate more routes and open more crossings to get more aid to more people, he said.

The only truce so far lasted a week and ended on Dec. 1. During that, dozens of hostages were released from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

We cannot have another 30,000 Palestinians dead, Biden said on MSNBC, adding that Netanyahu must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

He is hurting Israel more than helping Israel, Biden added, in some of the harshest criticism hes leveled against the Israeli leader.

I dont know exactly what the president meant, Netanyahu said in the Axel Springer interview. 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.

Biden said he would never cut off weapon supplies to Israel and affirmed Israels right to fight Hamas.

Israels Mossad intelligence agency, which is handling the cease-fire and hostage negotiations, said talks were ongoing to narrow the gaps with Hamas. Still, it sounded pessimistic a deal would be struck soon.

Hamas is holding to its position as if it was uninterested in a deal and is striving to ignite the region during Ramadan at the expense of the Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip, Mossad said in a statement.

Hamas is believed to be holding about 130 Israeli hostages. Its unclear how many are still alive.

In an interview with Bloomberg, a Hamas official called Husam Badran said at least 60 hostages had died because of Israels bombardment of Gaza. The claim couldnt be independently verified.

(Updates with Netanyahus comments on Rafah.)

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The Czech Republic may have bought the much discussed 800,000 artillery rounds for Ukraine from South Korea, South Africa, and Turkey, Bild reported on March 10.

The countries supplying the shells to Ukraine have not officially been named. The newspaper suggests that these may be states that have taken a neutral position on Russia's war against Ukraine or have not openly opposed Moscow.

Read also: France, Greece, Cyprus block plans to buy artillery shells outside EU  German MP

Czech President Petr Pavel announced the possibility of purchasing 800,000 shells for Ukraine for the first time on Feb. 17. He said that he had found 500,000 rounds of 155-millimeter caliber ammunition and 300,000 rounds of 122-millimeter caliber. Pavel did not name the countries that agreed to sell the shells. A number of European countries have joined his initiative.

Read also: NATO support work in Ukraine possible, in line with international rules, says Czech President Pavel

A representative of the Ukrainian security forces told NV that they plan to source the shells from South Korea and South Africa. The contract is worth about $2 billion.

It emerged on March 7 that the allies had raised the entire amount needed to purchase the shells.

Pavel announced on March 10 the purchase of 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine from third countries and says they could be delivered in the next few weeks.

Ukraine has faced a significant ammunition shortage due to the delay in U.S. aid and the inability to quickly ramp up ammunition production in the European Union.



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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
There are potential changes to the rules places of worship follow during a crisis.

The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a global pandemic four years ago on Monday.

Gov. Brian Kemp soon issued the first of several executive orders shutting down the state.

Now, one lawmaker wants to make it easier for Georgias houses of worship to stay open during states of emergency, like COVID-19.

In video from four years ago, Pastor Clayton Cowart from the Redeeming Love Church of God in Statesboro, Georgia defiantly refused to obey the pandemic state of emergency and met in person inside their church despite the health risk to his congregation.

Saint Mary Republican Steven Sainz still believes Georgia houses of worship should be closed during a general lockdown that affects every school or business, but his bill would allow those houses to reopen the very second any other entity is allowed to reopen like grocery stores.

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Theyre better off deciding what is right for their congregation than the government telling them what to do, Sainz said.

He thinks people need churches in times like those.

We know Georgians of all kinds of faiths need to, at some point, come in for physician worship and we want that to be done at the pastoral level and not the government level, Sainz said.

His bill passed the House with bipartisan support, but there are detractors.

Its not just what we want to do. Sometimes it is what we need to do to take care of ourselves and others, said Junction City Democrat Debbie Buckner, who is also a certified public health educator.

She worries that the bill undermines the authority of an agency trying to keep people alive during a pandemic.

It is the role and function of public health to issue guidance and saying we dont know how to take care of this right now. Were trying to figure that out. The best thing that we can do is have people separate, Buckner said.

That bill is now in a Senate committee where it is expected to pass and head to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Finneas O'Connell, left, and Billie Eilish accept the award for best original song for "What Was I Made For?" from "Barbie" during the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  What were Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell made for? Winning awards, apparently. The sibling duos Barbie blockbuster ballad What Was I Made For? won the Academy Award for best original song on Sunday night.

In doing so, Eilish, 22, has become the youngest person by far to have won two career Oscars.

That beats a very old record set by Luise Rainer, who won her second best actress Oscar at 28 in 1938.

The second youngest is now Eilishs 26-year-old brother and co-writer Finneas. The pair won their first Oscar for No Time to Die in 2021. That year, they beat out some impressive names, including Beyonce, Van Morrison, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Diane Warren.

Hilary Swank and Jodie Foster  a best supporting actor nominee this year  are the only others to win two before 30.

Thank you so much to the Academy. I feel like, I just didnt think this would happen, Eilish started her speech. Im so grateful for this song and for this movie and the way that it made me feel. And this goes out to everyone who was affected by the movie and how incredible it is. And I want to thank my team and my parents. I love you guys so much.

She continued, I want to thank my best friend Zoe for playing Barbies with me growing up, and being by my side forever," and was met with laughs from the audience. "I want to thank my, like, dance teachers growing up. I want to thank my choir teachers. Miss Brigham, thanks for believing in me. Mrs. T, you didnt like me, but you were good at your job.

Eilish and Finneas beat out another Barbie cut, Im Just Ken, as performed by Ryan Gosling and written by Barbie the Album executive producer Mark Ronson and his creative partner Andrew Wyatt. Jon Batiste and Dan Wilsons It Never Went Away from American Symphony, Warrens The Fire Inside from Flamin Hot and Scott Georges Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People) from Killers of the Flower Moon rounded out the category.

Eilish and O'Connell are no strangers to the Oscar stage. In addition to t aking home the trophy for their James Bond them No Time to Die, they performed during the in memorium segment in 2020.

In the months leading up to the Academy Awards, What Was I Made For? has raked in numerous trophies: In 2024 alone, theyve won a Golden Globe for best original song and two Grammys. Not bad for a song written about an 11.5-inch-tall plastic doll.

What Was I Made For? debuted at No. 34 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, eventually peaking at No. 14.

In the Barbie film, What Was I Made For? plays a key role  an instrumental version of the song pops up like a leitmotif, soundtracking introspective, existential moments for its protagonist. Eilishs voice isnt heard until the final scene, but at that point, the audience is well-prepared for its emotional impact.

Clearly, the duo excel at making music for movies. Before Barbie and Bond, three songs they wrote made it on Disneys Turning Red soundtrack, pulling heavily from the likes of (asterisk)NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys.

In another music category, Ludwig Goransson won the Academy Award for original score for his work on Oppenheimer. It is his second Oscar and third nomination, having previously won in the category in 2019 for Black Panther.

In doing so, Goransson beat John Williams (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) and three first-time nominees, Jerskin Fendrix (Poor Things) Laura Karpman (American Fiction) and the late Robbie Robertson (Killers of the Flower Moon).

Oppenheimer is director Christopher Nolan s own adaptation of Martin J. Sherwin and Kai Birds Pulitzer Prize-winning 2005 book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, chronicling the Manhattan Project and its fallout.

Christopher Nolan, it was your idea to use violin in the score, and it allowed me to work and collaborate with my wonderful wife and acclaimed violinist Serena Goransson. We (were) recording at night and we were rushing to go home to put our kids, Apollo, Romeo, to bed. But the result of that was amazing, he said in his speech.

And to my parents up there, thank you for giving me guitars and drum machines instead of video games. Thank you, he concluded.

The film starring Cillian Murphy is poised between the shock and aftershock of the terrible revelation, as one character calls it, of a divine power, AP Film Writer Jake Coyle assessed in his review. Naturally, the score accomplishes something similar: Goransson composing from a first-person perspective for the first time, using his characteristic plays with rhythm and tempo to make one mans history-altering endeavors feel larger than life.

To be recognized on this score especially, it was a very personal score, Goransson told The Associated Press when the nominations were announced in January. It was also obviously extremely challenging to achieve these emotions and to tell the story of this complicated mans feelings, his ambition and what hes going through in his journey and from his perspective because the only way to do that is, Ive had to go to some to some uncomfortable places.

He added that the way that Chris Nolan uses music in his storytelling is so unique and special and inspiring.

So, give all the music awards to Nolan and his collaborators, he said. Im just very grateful to be working with him, and this is our second film together.

Their first film together was the 2020 time-bending thriller Tenet.

___

For more coverage of the 2024 Oscars, visit https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards
Billionaire Marc Rowans war with the University of Pennsylvania continues to escalate, even after he helped lead a pressure campaign to oust former president Liz Magill in the fall.

On Thursday, the universitys chapter of the American Association of University Professors released a statement that implicitly decried Rowans attempt to influence academic policy, as The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Rather than rich outsiders or alumni like Rowan, they wrote, Penn faculty should hold the power to make academic decisions and evaluate the quality of scholarship within their areas of expertise.

The faculty group added that, for decades, it has stood by a mission of academic freedom, which includes preventing wealthy donors with no academic qualifications from seeking to suppress research and teaching that they found inconvenient to their business interests and political agendas.

Rowan, who succeeded embattled billionaire Leon Black as CEO of Apollo Global Managementa publicly traded private equity firmhad blasted Magill for allegedly failing to rein in hate speech and antisemitism on campus. Magill resigned in December.

Rowan is evidently still not satisfied. Last month, speaking at the Economic Club of Washington, he declared that faculty members at the Wharton business school, engineering department, med school, and Penn hospital are all interested in academic excellence and research. To the contrary, he said, if youre in our arts and sciences school, not so much.

No surprise, some faculty members didnt appreciate the dig. 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, the AAUP said, according to The Inquirer. We question whether someone so poorly informed and apparently committed to undermining our universitys mission should serve on Whartons Board of Advisors.

A representative for Rowan, who graduated from Penn in 1985, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Beast.

In his Economic Club conversation, Rowan recalled enrolling in the university almost serendipitously. He was accepted to a pre-law program at Cornell, but when the course materials arrived, he said, I finally realized I didnt want to be a lawyer.

I ended up calling Penn, sight unseen, and showed up at the Wharton School, he recalled. Hair down to my shoulders, [I] had no idea what business was.

Rowan asserted that some protestors at Penn are ignorant. Amid the onset of the Israel-Gaza war, demonstrators chanted from the river to the sea, he said, referring to the controversial phrase that some Jewish groups consider antisemitic. (Palestinian activists insist it is simply a cry for equality and justice.)

It certainly is [in] its own way antisemitic, Rowan said. But Im somewhat hopeful, because if you ask these kids what river and what sea, they dont know. Who lives between the river and the sea? They dont know. How did they get there? They dont know.

College campuses, he continued, are not specifically dealing with the problem of antisemitism. I think were fighting something else. Were fighting anti-Americanism. Were fighting anti-merit. Were fighting anti-power. Were fighting really for the soul of these institutions.

Rowan said he has received positive feedback for his public statements. He cited a recent incident in Houston, when a stranger came up to him as he exited a hotel elevator: All they did was hug me and say thank you. And that, by and large, is whats happening.

Some groups on campus see things differently. After Magills resignation, Rowan sent out a letter calling for academic change.

Subsequently, Harun Kucuk, an associate professor in the department of history and sociology of science, told The Daily Pennsylvanian that Rowans push for viewpoint diversity was merely a code word for Republican hires.

You can call it a hostile Republican takeover of a distressed institution, he added.

The AAUP, meanwhile, denounced the letter for its apparent advocacy to unilaterally close departments, impose McCarthyite speech codes clearly aimed at suppressing protest, and change hiring and admissions policies to turn back the clock on gains in diversity and racial justice.

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Ulviyya Shahin

The statue of Azerbaijani poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan was vandalized in France, said Elshad Iskandarov, an ambassador on special assignment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan during the panel discussions at the international conference themed Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024 held in Baku, Azernews reports.

Azerbaijans cultural centre objected to this and the monument was saved. This, unfortunately, is a manifestation of the bitter reality, he said.

He added that the world order is changing very quickly:

For 50 years, the concept of Islamophobia has expanded with the dominance of the West. As if Muslims are against liberal values, they are an obstacle to the world order. Of course, these are wrong and these opinions were thrown in the middle on purpose.
On the night of March 8, unknown drones attacked the territory of an ammunition arsenal in the village of Kotluban in the Volgograd region of the Russian Federation. According to preliminary data, two UAVs hit the facility.

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It is noteworthy that the Russian Defense Ministry traditionally reported on the "successful operation" of air defense. This was reported by Russian Telegram channels.

The terrorist agency said that on the night of March 8, 15 drones were allegedly shot down over the Volgograd region. However the network reported that two drones attacked the territory of military unit 57229/51 in the village of Kotluban.

According to open data, this settlement has a large arsenal of complex ammunition storage. In particular, it is the arsenal of the Main Missile Artillery Directorate of the Russian Defense Ministry.

The head of the Kotluban rural settlement, Ihor Davydenko, said that after the explosions, the military unit allegedly functioned as usual. The official also said that no evacuation of residents was carried out and that residential buildings were not damaged.

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At the same time, the governor of the Volgograd region, Andrey Bocharov, said that "a fire broke out" on the territory of one of the military units near the village of Kotluban. The official said that the fire was quickly localized and extinguished. At the same time, the local governor did not say what caused the explosions.

As a reminder, on the morning of March 10, a drone attacked an oil depot in Kursk, Russia. A siren was sounded in the city, and emergency services arrived to extinguish the fire.

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Earlier it was reported that on March 9, explosions were heard on the territory of the aggressor country, Russia. The situation was turbulent in Taganrog, Rostov region, and Kursk, as these cities were attacked by unknown UAVs.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the afternoon of March 6, Russia reported a new "pop". A powerful explosion occurred near an oil storage facility near Voronezh.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Actor Billy Bob Thornton was spotted chowing down local barbecue at a catered event while in town filming Landman, Taylor Sheridans latest television production.

Arlington-founded Hurtado Barbecue catered the event at Sheridans Bosque Ranch in Weatherford over the weekend, restaurant owner Brandon Hurtado told the Star-Telegram. Thornton was there for the event and later posed for a photo with Hurtado.

He was really down-to-earth and really cool to talk to in-person, Hurtado said.

Want me to fix you some sandwiches? pic.twitter.com/YXP8mMPKsn  Hurtado Barbecue (@HurtadoBBQ) March 9, 2024

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Hurtado referenced a famous line from Thorntons 2003 comedy Bad Santa.

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Hurtado said he and Thornton didnt talk much about barbecue, in fact, the conversation stayed on Mexican cuisine.

Thornton informed Hurtado that hes a big fan of Fort Worths Joe T. Garcias and has been going there for over 20 years. The Mexican restaurant documented Thorntons latest visit on social media just last month.

Now that Thornton has tried Hurtados, the next goal is to get the actors Landman co-star Jon Hamm, who has also frequented the local culinary scene, to stop by.

We gotta work on that, Hurtado said.

Hurtado Barbecue is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Sunday in Fort Worth at 1116 8th Ave. The flagship Arlington location is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Sunday in Arlington at 205 E. Front St. A new Mansfield location is now open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Sunday at 226 N. Walnut Creek Drive.

Why is Billy Bob Thornton hanging around Fort Worth?

Thornton is in town filming Landman, the latest series from North Texas native Taylor Sheridan.

The show began production in Fort Worth last month and is expected to film in and around North Texas for the next few months. Thornton stars in the show alongside Hamm, Demi Moore and Ali Larter.

Landman is co-created and executive produced by Sheridan and Christian Wallace, which is based on Texas Monthlys podcast Boomtown that Wallace wrote and hosted.

The shows synopsis reads, Landman is set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas and is a modern day tale of fortune seeking in the world of oil rigs.The series is an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, its reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics.

Landman will debut on Paramount+.
DENVER (KDVR)  Denver foodies get ready: Black Restaurant Week is back for its second year, and kickoff is on Friday.

The event celebrates the flavors of African American, African and Caribbean cuisine. In 2023, it was the first such event for Denver, and only three businesses signed up.

This year, that number has more than doubled with 11 restaurants, bakeries, caterers and more participating.

Menus launch for the 20th anniversary of Denver Restaurant Week

Known for specializing in seafood, TKs Surf and Turf Kitchen is banking on business for Black Restaurant Week.

This same time last year is when we kicked it off, said owner Tyler Kanwai. So of course, I signed up again.

Kanwai learned about the event when Black Restaurant Week organizers reached out to him last year.

It definitely helped boost business and increase awareness, said Kanwai.

He says participating in Black Restaurant Week helps to get exposure and future business.

Were bridging the gap between us and our community, said Kanwai. Not only the community here in Denver, Colorado but also our Black community across the nation.

Over on Colorado Boulevard, Black business owner LeDay Grant serves up delicious sweets at MyKings Ice Cream.

This year is my second year and I really love the fact someone is looking at us, said Grant. They give us a full week to get as much business as possible.

Denver foodie: How you can get paid to taste test food

She also uses social media to share her tasty treats and wishes Black Restaurant Week was here sooner.

When Black Restaurant Week was released, it allowed us to get exposure from whoever is following the Black Restaurant Week page, Grant said. People are traveling during BRW just to see which companies and organizations they can actually support.

Black Restaurant Week kicks off on March 15 and goes through March 24.

Some businesses like TKs Surf and Turf Kitchen are offering discounts for that week. The chef is offering 10% off his best-seller, The Works. It includes two crab clusters, 12 shrimp, a lobster tail, chopped beef sausage and the customers choice of two sides.

If you would like to sign up or find out more about the businesses participating, head over to the Black Restaurant Week website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Brothers Marichal and Rodney Brown follow in their fathers footsteps at their HAIRitage barbershop on Sacramentos Broadway.

Earlie D. Brown was a certified master barber in their Bay Area hometown who counted San Francisco Giants players among his clientele  he even named son Marichal for family hero and Giants Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal.

But their fathers shop was much more than a haircut and a shave. It was also a sanctuary with Earlie, known as a trusted ear. His shop featured a back room where he would sit with customers who wanted a more private conversation.

We as Black men, were taught not to show emotions, Marichal said. But, as Black men, we can talk to others who understand.

Marichal Brown, right, talks with customer Joe Chavarria with his brother Rodney Brown, left, at HAIRitage Salon on Feb. 29. They are part of a growing national network of Black barbers and stylists who have become frontline mental health advocates in their communities as part of the Confess Project. Paul Kitagaki Jr./pkitagaki@sacbee.com

Today, the Browns and their Sacramento shop are part of a growing national network of Black barbers and stylists who have become front-line mental health advocates in their communities as members of the Confess Project of America barber coalition.

The project capitalizes on the centrality of the barbershop in the lives of Black men and youth by becoming a conduit for care. The project is the brainchild of Lorenzo Lewis, the Atlanta-based behavioral health professional who founded Confess in 2016.

The projects vision: I am more than a pair of clippers; I am improving my community through the barber chair one client at a time.

The Confess Project to date has trained more than 4,000 barbers and stylists in 54 cities across the country since its inception. Barbers must be licensed, have access to social media and be willing to receive mental health training to become part of the coalition.

Cultural biases have caused so many problems  misdiagnoses in treatment, lack of understanding. Its important to advocate for ourselves, said Darnell Rice, one of the trainers who joined Lewis in Sacramento last month on the first stop of a multi-city tour for the Confess Projects Beyond the Shop program.

The program extends Confess mission by training and helping Black hair care and other workers to help be mental health advocates for Black men, boys and their families, connecting them with mental health services and helping to close the gap of mental health access and care. In Sacramento, Confess barbers and stylists work with Turning Point Community Programs.

We see people at their highest and at their lowest. They reveal everything that goes on with them, Marichal said. Since joining, he said hes helped customers with referrals to clinicians and has helped more than a dozen in the program.

Marichal Brown finishes fist bumps customer Joe Chavarria after his haircut at HAIRitage Salon on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Sacramento. Brothers Marichal and Rodney Brown are owners of HAIRitage Salon and their shop are also part of a growing national network of Black barbers and stylists who have become frontline mental health advocates in their communities as part of the Confess Project. The project trains and helps Black haircare and other workers to help be mental health advocates for Black men, boys and their families. Paul Kitagaki Jr./pkitagaki@sacbee.com

Ending a stigma from the barbershop

The August California Health Care Foundation study, Listening to Black Californians with Mental Health Conditions, showed how personal mental health struggles are for many Black Californians. Nearly one in four reported a mental health condition. Three in 10 Black women who responded reported mental health conditions, while about 20% of Black men reported a mental health condition.

But many more Black men fail to report their symptoms, reticent to talk about what theyre going through in their lives even as discussing mental health is shedding its taboo in the Black community.

Marichal Brown cuts the hair of customer Joe Chavarria at HAIRitage Salon last month. Paul Kitagaki Jr./pkitagaki@sacbee.com

Even when Black Californians seek out care, many leave the doctor feeling ignored, disrespected, disbelieved or blamed for what they were experiencing, the study showed.

Four in 10 with mental health conditions say they avoided care because they felt they would not be treated fairly or with respect and devised strategies to lessen poor treatment.

More troubling, suicide has become the third leading cause of death for Black male teens and young adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Black men and boys account for more than 80% of suicides among Black Americans, according to the CDC, while rates of death by suicide among Black men have increased 25% in the past two decades.

Marichal Brown finishes styling the hair of customer Joe Chavarria at HAIRitage Salon last month in Sacramento. Owners, brothers Marichal and Rodney Brown, are part of a growing national network of Black barbers and stylists who have become frontline mental health advocates for Black men, boys and their families. Paul Kitagaki Jr./pkitagaki@sacbee.com

Starting the conversations that stem that tide can begin in the barbers chair, Lewis said.

This is rooted in building community-based advocates, who can become active listeners, help to reduce the stigma in the Black community around discussing mental health and to navigate generational trauma, Lewis said.

When the conversation is about advocates, youre talking about real people who help these people navigate their (problems), he continued. This model is how were going to get out in front of the curve.

The barbershop was formative for Rice growing up and, he said, remains an important refuge for Black men and youth navigating their own struggles.

The barbershop is somewhere we can grow, where we can understand (how) to be men, to be ourselves  to authentically be ourselves; to not be judged, to open up and have those conversations with our barbers because we know how pivotal the barbershops and salons in our communities have been, Rice said.

For me, the barbershop has helped me become a better person, a better advocate and, most of all, a better man.

Wayne Paper Kutz Threets adds the final touches to Grant High School student Amiere Lewis shave at HAIRitage Salon last month in Sacramento. Paul Kitagaki Jr./pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Zola, #BlackGirlMagic, #ScandalThursday and moreTwitter would not be the same without Black Twitter. Black Twitter has become more than an online group; its become a mover of culture and has now become the subject of an upcoming Hulu docuseries.

With its premiere at SXSW this past weekend, Disneys Onyx Collective has announced Black Twitter: A Peoples History, directed by Prentice Penny. The three-part docuseries will premiere May 9 on Hulu. Based on Jason Parhams WIRED cover story A Peoples History of Black Twitter, the docuseries follows the rise, movements, voices and memes that made Black Twitter an influential and dominant force in nearly every aspect of American political and cultural life.

features several notables important to chronicling the oral history of a cultural phenomenon. TJ Adeshola, former head of global content partnerships at Twitter and Rembert Browne, journalist and Twitters former director of product and community, will be part of the subjects interviewed. The full list of subjects includes some of the biggest names on Black Twitter, podcasting and online comedy.

TJ Adeshola (former head of Global Content Partnerships, Twitter)

W. Kamau Bell (comedian; director, We Need to Talk About Cosby)

Dr. Andre Brock (communications professor; author, Distributed Blackness: African American Cybercultures)

Rembert Browne (journalist; former director of Product and Community, Twitter)

Dr. Meredith Clark (journalism professor; creator, Archiving Black Twitter)

Kid Fury (TV writer and host, The Read)

Roxane Gay (author; cultural critic, The New York Times)

Jemele Hill (author, journalist)

Sam Jay (comedian, writer)

Brad Jenkins (former associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, 2011-2015)

Brandon Jinx Jenkins (journalist, host, creative director)

Luvvie Ajayi Jones (New York Times bestselling author)

Shamika Klassen (researcher, scholar, Black Twitter Is Gold)

Van Lathan (cultural critic; host, Higher Learning)

Jamilah Lemieux (cultural critic, writer)

Wesley Lowery (journalist; author, American Whitelash)

Ira Madison III (TV writer; host, Keep It!)

Judnick Mayard (TV writer, producer)

Jason Parham (senior writer, WIRED)

April Reign (creative consultant; creator, #OscarsSoWhite)

God-is Rivera (former global director of Culture and Community, X)

Amanda Seales (comedian, activist, host Small Doses podcast)

Denver Sean (senior editor, LoveBScott.com)

Baratunde Thurston (comedian; host, How To Citizen with Baratunde)

Ashley Weatherspoon (producer; writer, DearYoungQueen.com)

Raquel Willis (author, activist, media strategist)

J Wortham (journalist, The New York Times Magazine)

Executive producers include Penny via A Penny For Your Thoughts, as well as A Penny For Your Thoughts Chris Pollack and Alex Soler. WIRED Studios Alex Soler, Sarah Amos, Helen Estabrook, Agnes Chu and Andrew Whitney also executive produce with Culture House Medias Raeshem Nijhon, Carri Twigg, Nicole Galovski, Joie Jacoby and Shawna Carroll. Jacoby serves as showrunner with Parham producing.
A New York commission that will recommend whether to give reparations for slavery and discrimination to black residents hasnt even met yet  but its already sparked a rift among black New Yorkers over who should be eligible for payouts.

A similar panel in California said monetary reparations should be limited only to descendants of chattel enslaved persons to the US  $360,000 per eligible person  but not for other black Americans who may have suffered from discrimination.

Even with that restriction, the pricetag for the proposal has been estimated at an eyewatering $800 billion.

A New York commission is now examining whether the descendants of slaves are entitled to reparations. Getty Images

However, a huge segment of New Yorks black residents are not descendants of US slavery. In New York City alone, well over 500,000 people are Afro-Caribbean or African immigrants  more than 25% of the black population, census figures show.

But some New York black activists said Californias reparations package was too restrictive.

Bertha Lewis, head of the Brooklyn-based Black Institute, told The Post that reparations must be considered for all black residents, because they have suffered from decades of systemic racism resulting from slavery  even if they are not direct descendants of slaves.

Thats a false narrative, Lewis said. I dont give a f**k what California did.

You cant just say, `only descendants of slaves from the South. Black people faced the effects of slavery  discrimination  simply because theyre black.

She said in many cases it will be extremely hard to document proof of ties to slavery given the scant records at the time.

A rift has grown over whether all black New Yorkers should receive a check. Getty Images

If youre going to talk about reparations, you have to talk about discrimination that has gone on a long time against black people in the white American system, Lewis said.

But others disagreed, saying any black people who moved to the US for better opportunities have no right to reparations for slavery in this country.

It was our choice to come here, said Mona Davids, a black South African who moved to New York as a child.

The only beneficiaries of reparations should be descendants of chattel slavery  not African immigrants or Afro-Caribbean descendants.

She added: Descendants of slaves didnt have a choice. White people benefited from slavery.

Davids, who publishes LittleAfrica News, which serves that African community in the US, said reparations advocates should also go after the African countries, where rulers rounded and sold people to slave traders.

In many cases it was black Africans who sold slaves. Ghana is rich. Nigeria is rich, she said.

Some believe African countries should foot the pricy bill. Getty Images

Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders recently appointed nine members to the Community Commission on Reparations Remedies. Hochul won a close election for governor in 2022, thanks to overwhelming support from black voters.

The commission, formed through a law approved in December 2023, is tasked with examining the horrific legacy of slavery, subsequent discrimination against black people and the impact it has to this day.

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, a sponsor of the law to study reparations, said public hearings will be held across the state to get input from New Yorkers as well as experts on the issue.

Solages said its up to the commission to recommend who should be eligible for reparations, but she believes the California model is not one New York should emulate.

We have a different history than California. Were looking at harm-based reparations. New York is not just looking at slavery but the vestiges of slavery, she said.

New York state records counted 21,193 enslaved people in the 1790 population. Slavery wasnt outlawed in New York until 1817  and some 4,600 enslaved people were freed when the law took full effect 10 years later, according to the New York Historical Society.

Solages mentioned systemic racism  such as discrimination and segregation in housing that impacts black residents even today  needs to be studied.

California is now tied up in knots over its recommendations, including the extraordinary cost of the program.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has eyes on the White House, backed the study but refused to commit to approving reparations checks.

The reports authors said the harm of slavery and its aftermath include racial terror, political disenfranchisement, housing segregation, separate and unequal education, stolen labor, an unjust legal system, damage to the black family, preventing control over creative and cultural life, mental and physical ills and the racial wealth gap.

Still, 59% of California voters oppose handing out cash payments as reparations to residents who are descendants of slaves, compared to 23% support and 13% who had no opinion, according to a survey conducted last September. Many voters said they dont believe they should have to pay for the sins of slavery.

As in California, the New York legislature and governor would decide on whether to accept, reject or amend the commissions recommendations.
Are Joe Biden and Donald Trump really the two best candidates for America's most demanding and important job? Of course not. Among other concerns, both men are well past their prime.

So why, then, are they now the two candidates to be president?

The answer is the two-party political system. While third parties occasionally make some noise, they never threaten the Democrat-Republican duopoly.

Just as the founders feared. George Washington warned against having only two political parties: The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. According to Washington, rival political parties serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party. John Adams, for his part, considered a two-party system a grave threat to the republic: a division of the republic into two great parties . . . is to be dreaded as the great political evil.

Indeed, the fewer tribes there are, the worse tribalism gets. And in America the two political tribes battle each otherand only each otherevery single day. This myopic rivalry amplifies bias, distorts the political debate, warps the marketplace of ideas, shunts policy platforms, fuels outrage, stifles compromise and negotiation, and leads to subpar and underqualified government officials.

A deeply backward approach now dominates American politics: hating the other side even more than you like your own. An October 2020 study published in Science Magazine titled Political Sectarianism in America, highlighted this new paradigm: Democrats and Republicansthe 85% of U.S. citizens who do not identify as pure independentshave grown more contemptuous of opposing partisans for decades, and at similar rates. Recently, the study continued, this aversion exceeded their affection for copartisans.

This explains a lot. When you hate Trump viscerally it makes his opponent, Biden, seem like a better candidate than he really is in comparison. And vice versa.

The problem with having only two political parties has gotten a lot worse over the last fifteen years. Lee Drutman, the author of Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America, explained in 2020 that although Americas two-party system goes back centuries, the threat today is new and different because the two parties are now truly distinct, a development that I date to the 2010 midterms. Until then the two parties contained enough overlapping multitudes within them that the sort of bargaining and coalition-building natural to multiparty democracy could work inside the two-party system. No more.

A more diverse set of political parties would soften this divide. It would invigorate mainstream political discourse with additional points of view, as today many important ideas dont make it onto the platforms of either side. The introduction of new ideas and coalitions would reduce rigid partisanship, help to calm bias and tribalism, and provide incentives for politicians to respect empirical reality and not just reflexively appease their constituencies. As Drutman put it, a multi-party system would be more fluid and responsive to Americans political preferences and help dissolve our binary partisanship.

Additional political parties wouldnt solve everything, of course. The new parties specific platforms would be centrally important. There would likely still be gridlock in Congress. Tribalism and social-media echo chambers wouldnt disappear. And other defects in the political system would remain.

But a vibrant multi-party system would directly address and materially reduce the biggest problem in US politics: tribal rivalry and irrational partisanship. A more diverse and rational political system would make elections more about individual merit and less about party loyalty. And, perhaps most importantly, it would likely generate talented and energetic presidential candidates who are a good fit for the job. A far cry from what we have now.

Cooper is the author of How America Works  and Why It Doesn't.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Our political system is broken. Blame the two-party system | Opinion
By Harold Isaac and Daphne Psaledakis

PORT-AU-PRINCE/KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters) -Haiti's unelected prime minister, Ariel Henry, will step down once a transition council and temporary replacement have been appointed, he said on Monday, after leading the Caribbean country since the 2021 assassination of its last president.

Armed gangs massively grew their wealth, influence and territory under his administration, prompting Henry to travel to Kenya in late February to secure its support for a United Nations-backed security mission to help police.

However, the conflict dramatically escalated in his absence and left the 74-year-old neurosurgeon stranded in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico while regional leaders called for a swift transition.

"The government that I am leading will resign immediately after the installation of (a transition) council," Henry said in a late night video address. "I want to thank the Haitian people for the opportunity I had been granted."

"I'm asking all Haitians to remain calm and do everything they can for peace and stability to come back as fast as possible," he added.

Videos distributed on Haitian social media appeared to show celebrations in the street, with people dancing to music in a party atmosphere and fireworks launched into the night sky.

A senior U.S. official said Henry was free to remain in Puerto Rico or travel elsewhere, though security in Haiti would need to improve for him to feel comfortable returning home. The official said the resignation had been decided on Friday.

PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL

Henry is set to be replaced by a presidential council that will have two observers and seven voting members, including representatives from a number of political coalitions, the business sector, civil society and one religious leader.

The council has been mandated to quickly appoint an interim prime minister; anyone who intends to run in Haiti's next elections will not be able participate.

Haiti has lacked elected representatives since early 2023 and its next elections will be the first since 2016. Henry, who many Haitians consider corrupt, had repeatedly postponed elections, saying security must first be restored.

Regional leaders met on Monday in nearby Jamaica to discuss the framework for a political transition, which the U.S. had urged last week to be "expedited" as armed gangs sought to topple his government.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had earlier Monday said the council would be tasked with meeting the "immediate needs" of Haitians, enabling the security mission's deployment and creating security conditions necessary for free elections.

Haiti declared a state of emergency early this month as clashes damaged communications and led to two prison breaks after Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier, a leader of an alliance of armed groups, said they would unite and overthrow Henry.

MORE MISSION FUNDS

Henry's resignation comes alongside regional talks over participation in an international force, which he had requested to help police fight the gangs, whose brutal turf wars have fueled a humanitarian crisis, cut off food supplies and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier Monday the United States would contribute an additional $100 million to this force and $33 million in humanitarian aid, bringing the U.S.' total pledge to the force to $300 million.

It was however unclear how long it will take the funding to be approved by lawmakers and transferred. A U.N. spokesperson said that as of Monday, less than $11 million had been deposited into the U.N.'s dedicated trust fund - with no new contributions since Haiti declared its state of emergency on March 3.

Mexico's foreign minister added that the country had contributed an unspecified amount of funds, and called for more action to stem the trafficking of arms to Haiti.

The U.N. believes Haitian gangs have amassed large arsenals of weapons trafficked largely from the United States.

The United Nations estimates over 362,000 people have been internally displaced, half of whom are children, and thousands have been killed in the overall conflict, with widespread reports of rape, torture and ransom kidnappings since 2021.

'A BLOODY REVOLUTION'

In Haiti, gang leader Cherizier has threatened to go after hotel owners hiding politicians or collaborating with Henry. He demanded that the country's next leader be chosen by the people and live in Haiti, alongside their families.

Many influential Haitian political figures live abroad.

"We're not in a peaceful revolution. We are making a bloody revolution in the country because this system is an apartheid system, a wicked system," Cherizier said.

Residents in the capital saw heavy gunfire over the weekend as armed men downtown surrounded the National Palace on Friday night and by Sunday the United States airlifted staff from its embassy. On Monday, authorities extended a nightly curfew until Thursday.

Washington said it was looking to expedite the deployment of the planned security mission.

Henry first requested an international security force in 2022, but countries have been slow to offer support, with some raising doubts over the legitimacy of Henry's unelected government amid widespread protests.

Many in Haitian communities and abroad are wary of international interventions after previous U.N. missions left behind a devastating cholera epidemic and sex abuse scandals, for which reparations were never made.

Mike Ballard, intelligence director at security firm Global Guardian, said if gangs take control of ports and airports, they would be in charge of humanitarian aid to the country, adding that he did not believe Kenyan forces would effectively police or maintain peace.

"Countries with actual stakes in the region will need to step up and help shore up security," he said, pointing to the United States, neighboring Dominican Republic and other CARICOM members.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis in Kingston; Harold Isaac, Steven Aristil and Ralph Tedy Erol in Port-au-Prince; Robertson S. Henry in Kingstown; Brendan O'Boyle and Sarah Morland in Mexico City; Additional reporting by Simon Lewis in Washington, Brendan O'Brien in Chicago and Michelle Nichols in New York; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Chizu Nomiyama, Aurora Ellis, Bill Berkrot, Richard Chang, Lincoln Feast and Gerry Doyle)
Police in Michigan have identified a woman whose body was found in a trash bag along a river bank.

On March 3, Genesee Township police were called to the Flint Motel, according to a news conference streamed by WEYI.

When officers arrived, they found a comforter soaked in blood lying outside the door of room 18. Inside, police found blood on the mattress, walls, sheets and in the bathroom, officials said.

After speaking with employees at the motel, investigators determined the room was rented out by Christina Elizabeth Barber.

Just a day earlier, police were called by some of Barbers coworkers asking them to do a welfare check on her, according to officials. The coworkers told officers that Barber hadnt been to work all week and she wasnt answering her phone.

They also told police she was having difficulties with her boyfriend, 34-year-old Christopher Astin Motry, and that he threatened to kill her, officials said.

Motry and Barber previously worked together at Burger King, until Motry lost his job because he had been violent at work, officials said.

Although Motry was married, he was having an affair with Barber, who wanted to end the relationship, officials said.

On March 4, police were called to Flint River after a man called 911 saying he was looking for a place to fish when he found a trash bag along the river banks with toes sticking out, according to officials.

Investigators pulled surveillance footage from the motel which they say showed Barber and Motry arrive to room 18 in a pickup truck around 1:20 a.m. Feb. 28. Then around 8 p.m., Feb. 29, Motry is seen coming out of the room with what looks like a body inside of a plastic bag, officials said.

Motry placed the bag in the truck and left. Officials said Barber was never seen on video again.

Officials say they believe Motry killed Barber in the motel room, then dumped her body near the Flint River.

Barber was a mother of seven, according to officials.

I miss you dearly and I will for the rest of my life, one of her daughters wrote on Facebook. I love you momma with all my heart.

Motry is being charged with first degree murder, tampering with evidence, concealing death of an individual and domestic violence.

An Attorney for Motry was not listed in court records.

If you are experiencing domestic violence and need someone to talk to, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

Woman shot and killed girlfriend, then left her body on the sidewalk, officials say

25-year-old son shoots and kills mother at their shared home, Missouri cops say

Woman goes to store for snacks, then family tracks phone and finds her dead, cops say
BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Police say a Bloomsburg man broke an infants bones and claimed to investigators that he had an addiction to cracking body parts.

Police arrested 21-year-old Christopher Nebroski, from Bloomsburg, on March 8 in connection to a child abuse investigation from the previous year.

On August 18, 2023, officials received a report related to bruising on the head and abdomen of a three-month-old child.

One dead after car crash in Carbon County

Investigators spoke with doctors who determined that the child had sustained several fractures including a rib fracture, a leg fracture, a growth plate lesion, and a left wrist fracture. Doctors told police the child could not have sustained the injuries on their own.

The release from the Bloomsburg Police Department states, Nebroski admitted to having an addiction to cracking body parts and has been cracking the childs back daily although he does not have any medical or specialized training to do this.

Nebroski is charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, and recklessly endangering another person.

Nebroski is being held in the Columbia County Prison on a $35,000 monetary bail. Nebroskis next court date is March 13.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
The search for the missing party involved helicopters in the Canton of Valais - AFP

Five cross-country skiers have died in the Swiss Alps as the mountains were hit with heavy snow and high winds.

Three of the dead are brothers, according to Swiss reports. Rescuers are searching for a sixth person who they hope may have survived.

The five dead were found on Sunday evening without any signs of life, police from the Swiss canton of Valais said.

It is not clear whether they were hit by an avalanche or got into trouble as a result of the extreme weather.

Rescuers had to battle heavy snow, strong winds, low visibility and the risk of avalanches.

The huge search and rescue operation included 11 helicopters and 35 rescue personnel, Swiss police said at a press conference on Monday. The helicopters included two Super Pumas from the Swiss armed forces.

Everything possible was done to save these six people, said Christian Varone, the head of police in the canton of Valais.

While five of the skiers were sadly found dead, searches were continuing for the missing sixth person, he said.

Conditions at high altitude were extreme, with very low temperatures and a lot of snow, he said.

An investigation has been launched into how the skiers died.

We want to understand the chronology of events which led to this drama, said Beatrice Pilloud, the procurator general of the canton. At the moment, the circumstances are not clear.

Christian Varone, head of police in the Valais canton, said the search continues for a sixth person - AFP/Fabrice Coffrini

The skiers were found near the Col de la Tete Blanche, at around 3,500m.

The group, all of whom are believed to be Swiss and aged between 21 and 58, had been missing since Saturday, sparking a huge search and rescue operation.

They had set off from the Swiss resort town of Zermatt and were on a ski tour heading for Arolla, which lies on the border between Switzerland and Italy.

The route they took is part of the Haute Route that leads from Zermatt to Chamonix.

Several of the group were said to be expert cross-country skiers and had been preparing for a race, Patrouille des Glaciers or the Patrol of the Glaciers, which takes place next month.

The alarm was raised by a relative who had been waiting for the group to arrive in Arolla on Saturday afternoon. A phone call made by a member of the group at around 5pm on Saturday enabled rescuers to pinpoint their location.

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The 96th Oscars will forever go down in the history of Ukraine as the day when our country won the first prestigious film award in the history of its independence. The film 20 Days in Mariupol won in the Best Documentary category, and its director, Mstislav Chernov, once again told the world about Russian terror and the devastating war in his homeland. Meanwhile, the network reminded that in 2006, Anatoliy Kokush, a Ukrainian from Kerch, received two engineering Oscars.

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"The Engineering Awards are presented for achievements that demonstrate a high level of engineering excellence and are important for the development of the industry. Anatoliy Kokush, who was born in Crimea and worked at the Dovzhenko Film Studio in Kyiv, received two such awards at once. OBOZ.UA will tell you about the outstanding compatriot.

Due to the unpopularity of the engineering Oscar, which awards slightly different statuettes than the classic ones we are used to, few people know about Anatoliy Kokush. And this is a huge omission, because the Ukrainian's inventions are not only in great demand in Hollywood, but they once contributed to the emergence of the most iconic films in the history of modern world cinema.

ADVERTISIMENT

Anatoliy Kokush is the creator of the Kaskad series of cranes and one of the developers of the Autorobot gyro-stabilized crane. It was for these cranes that the film engineer received two Oscars in 2006. As we mentioned above, Kokush started his career at Dovzhenko Film Studio.

The Ukrainian's equipment was used in such legendary films as Titanic, The Matrix, Troy, The Fast and the Furious, Ocean's Twelve, Batman, The Da Vinci Code, Mission Impossible 3, X-Men, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, and many other blockbusters.

In particular, thanks to Kokush, it was possible to shoot one of the most famous scenes in world cinema, when Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as Jack and Rose stood on the bow of the Titanic to Celine Dion's song My Heart Will Go On.

Of course, one cannot say that Kokush's Oscar is the first Oscar in the history of independent Ukraine. Still, this role remains with the movie 20 Days in Mariupol. Nevertheless, the engineer who made such a great contribution to the development of the global film industry is the pride of Ukraine, so his name should be heard and be a reason to be proud of the talented Ukrainian nation. In 2020, by the way, Anatoliy Kokush was included in the National Register of Records of Ukraine, and in 2021, the documentary Kokush. U.rane ("Obsession") directed by Svitlana Sokolenko and Andriy Zazharsky was released in 2021.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The exterior of a Body Shop store is seen, Monday, March 4, 2024, in Toronto. The Body Shop has ceased its U.S. operations on March 1, and is closing dozens of locations in Canada amid deepening financial struggles for the British beauty and cosmetics chain. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

NEW YORK (AP)  The Body Shop has ceased its U.S. operations and is closing dozens of locations in Canada amid deepening financial struggles for the British beauty and cosmetics chain.

The Body Shop's U.S. arm ceased operations on March 1, according to a company announcement from earlier this month. And the brand's Canadian subsidiary commenced liquidation of 33 closing stores as part of wider restructuring proceedings.

These closings arrive just weeks after the U.K.-based retailer appointed insolvency administrators set to consider all options to find a way forward after years of financial struggles.

A spokesperson for FRP, the administrators hired by The Body Shop International, told The Associated Press Monday that they have also announced plans to shutter 82 of 198 stores total in the U.K. Those closings are expected to occur over the next five weeks.

FRP does not oversee The Body Shop's U.S. or Canadian subsidiaries. A spokesperson for The Body Shop North America did not immediately respond Monday to requests for further information.

In its March 1 announcement, The Body Shop Canada said it had filed for a notice of intention pursuant to the country's Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act to obtain a stay of its parent's administration proceedings in the U.K.  and provide additional breathing room while it evaluates its strategic alternatives and implements certain restructuring initiatives.

At the time, The Body Shop Canada said its total 105 stores were still open  but that the 33 closings, and end of online sales via Canada's e-commerce platform, were set to arrive in the near term.

Specifics about the timing of closings and liquidation for U.S. locations were not immediately provided.

The Body Shop, which founded by Anita Roddick and her husband back in 1976, is often hailed as an early champion of ethical practices in business. The retailer of soaps, creams and makeup has promoted fair-trading practices and products that were not tested on animals.

The brand became hugely popular in the 1980s, when it listed on the London Stock Exchange, and grew to have stores in some 80 countries, including many operated through franchises.

In 2006, Roddick and her husband sold The Body Shop to beauty giant LOreal. The brand later was passed on to Brazilian cosmetics business Natura in 2017  and was then sold to Aurelius, a private equity firm that specializes in buying and turning around troubled companies, late last year in a deal valued at $261 million (207 million pounds).
Detectives with the Renton Police Department have confirmed a body found in Mexico is Reyna Hernandez, who disappeared on February 26.

Two days later, her friends reported her missing after she failed to return to her South Renton home from doing errands and didnt return to her hair salon business in the Renton Highlands.

According to Renton police, detectives were made aware of a news article on March 8 in Mexicali about an unidentified body found in a local cemetery on the Tijuana Highway.

After contacting Mexican authorities, Renton detectives were able to confirm her body of the weekend.

Law enforcement in Mexico arrested a 61-year-old Renton suspect on unrelated charges. He is currently in custody in Mexico.

Detectives have not been super clear on what (their) relationship is, this person has not yet been charged so once we get all of those facts together we will be able to give you more information, Meeghan Black of the Renton Police Department said.

Mexican authorities were also able to recover Hernandezs car.

According to Renton police, the crime is a domestic violence case.

This is the worst possible outcome, and our hearts go out to Reynas family and friends, said Investigations Commander Chandler Swain. We are working closely with Mexicali police and our U.S. Federal partners to determine when and where Reyna was killed.

At this time, detectives are working to confirm where Hernandez was killed. If she was killed in the United States and taken to Mexico, authorities would seek extradition for the suspect to face those charges.

To have this as the outcome is just devastating. Its now gone across country lines, not just state lines but country lines and we were working very well with Mexican officials and were getting the federal officials involved to try and figure out who takes jurisdiction when we figure out that timeline, Black said.
Nosedive

A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner "nosedived" while traveling from Australia to New Zealand, the Associated Press reports, resulting in at least 50 injuries. According to local authorities, 13 passengers were taken to a hospital and one is in serious condition.

The flight's operator, Chilean multinational airline LATAM Airlines, has since said that the plane nosedived due to a "technical event," but didn't elaborate further.

"The plane landed at Auckland Airport as scheduled," the company said in a statement.

But getting there was a nightmare for passengers. One circulating video shows a chaotic scene, with passengers being treated while lying in the center aisle.

"The ceiling's broken from people's heads and bodies hitting it," passenger Brian Jokat told ABC News. "Basically neck braces were being put on people, guys' heads were cut and they were bleeding. It was just crazy."

"I did think for a split second: 'This is it'," he told the BBC.

Hitting the Roof

It's yet another incident involving Boeing's airliners, adding to the company's already considerable woes following several technical issues plaguing the aerospace giant.

Over the weekend, a Boeing 737 had to make an emergency landing after an engine ingested some bubble wrap. Last week, a Boeing 777-200 lost a tire after takeoff, destroying a car.

And in January, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 lost a "door plug," triggering a "violent explosive decompression event." The pilots were forced to return to the Portland, Oregon, airport.

Boeing has issued a statement in light of the latest incident, noting that officials were still trying to work out what happened.

"We are working to gather more information about the flight and will provide any support needed by our customer," Boeing said.

LATAM Airlines has said that it "deeply regrets any inconvenience and discomfort this situation may have caused its passengers."

More on Boeing: Tire Falls Off Boeing Passenger Jet During Takeoff
A former Boeing employee known for raising concerns about the firm's production standards has been found dead in the US.

John Barnett worked for Boeing for more than 30 years before retiring in 2017.

In the days before his death, he had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company.

Boeing said it was saddened to hear of Mr Barnett's passing. The Charleston County coroner confirmed his death to the BBC on Monday.

It said the 62-year-old had died from a "self-inflicted" wound on 9 March and police were investigating.

Mr Barnett had worked for the US plane giant for more than 30 years, until his retirement in 2017 on health grounds.

From 2010, he worked as a quality manager at the North Charleston plant making the 787 Dreamliner, a state-of-the-art airliner used mainly on long-haul routes.

In 2019, Mr Barnett told the BBC that under-pressure workers had been deliberately fitting sub-standard parts to aircraft on the production line.

He also said he had uncovered serious problems with oxygen systems, which could mean one in four breathing masks would not work in an emergency.

He said soon after starting work in South Carolina he had become concerned that the push to get new aircraft built meant the assembly process was rushed and safety was compromised, something the company denied.

He later told the BBC that workers had failed to follow procedures intended to track components through the factory, allowing defective components to go missing.

He said in some cases, sub-standard parts had even been removed from scrap bins and fitted to planes that were being built to prevent delays on the production line.

He also claimed that tests on emergency oxygen systems due to be fitted to the 787 showed a failure rate of 25%, meaning that one in four could fail to deploy in a real-life emergency.

John Barnett was a former quality control manager at Boeing

Mr Barnett said he had alerted managers to his concerns, but no action had been taken.

Boeing denied his assertions. However, a 2017 review by the US regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), did uphold some of Mr Barnett's concerns.

It established that the location of at least 53 "non-conforming" parts in the factory was unknown, and that they were considered lost. Boeing was ordered to take remedial action.

On the oxygen cylinders issue, the company said that in 2017 it had "identified some oxygen bottles received from the supplier that were not deploying properly". But it denied that any of them were actually fitted on aircraft.

After retiring, he embarked on a long-running legal action against the company.

He accused it of denigrating his character and hampering his career because of the issues he pointed out - charges rejected by Boeing.

At the time of his death, Mr Barnett had been in Charleston for legal interviews linked to that case.

Last week, he gave a formal deposition in which he was questioned by Boeing's lawyers, before being cross-examined by his own counsel.

He had been due to undergo further questioning on Saturday. When he did not appear, enquiries were made at his hotel.

He was subsequently found dead in his truck in the hotel car park.

Speaking to the BBC, his lawyer described his death as "tragic".

In a statement Boeing said: "We are saddened by Mr. Barnett's passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends."

His death comes at a time when production standards at both Boeing and its key supplier Spirit Aerosystems are under intense scrutiny.

This follows an incident in early January when an unused emergency exit door blew off a brand-new Boeing 737 Max shortly after take-off from Portland International Airport.

A preliminary report from the US National Transportation Safety Board suggested that four key bolts, designed to hold the door securely in place, were not fitted.

Last week, the FAA said a six-week audit of the company had found "multiple instances where the company allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements".
LA PAZ (Reuters) -Heavy rain in Bolivia's capital, La Paz, prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency, a government document showed on Sunday, after overflowing rivers destroyed many houses over the weekend.

Bolivian President Luis Arce pledged to send heavy machinery and 3,000 troops to prevent further damage, according to the document.

Heavy rains caused flooding in several neighborhoods and isolated parts of the city by cutting water, electricity and roads.

"We are deeply concerned by the difficult situation that our municipality in La Paz is going through," Arce said in a post on social media platform X.

One person died over the weekend in La Paz because of the heavy rains, while nearly 50 people have died in deluges across the country since the rainy season began in January, according to official data.

(Reporting by Monica Machicao; Writing by Valentine HilaireEditing by Shri Navaratnam and Gerry Doyle)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11)  Books focused on LGBTQ+ characters, immigration and other themes were found discarded at a Staten Island school, prompting a city investigation, according to a representative of the Department of Education.

As first reported by Gothamist, a slew of books were found by the trash and in boxes labeled not approved at Staten Islands Henry M. Boehm School on Osborne Street  and many with sticky notes purportedly describing why they were tossed.

Wegmans denies East Village sushi shops fraud suit, moves to dismiss case

A DOE spokesperson confirmed to PIX11 the department was investigating why the books were discarded.

Our public schools do not shy away from books that teach students about the diverse people and communities that make up the fabric of our society, said Nicole Brownstein, Director of Media Relations for the education department.

We do not condone the messages found on these books and we are conducting an investigation to understand what happened in this situation.

The Staten Island school has affirmed it will follow proper procedures for the discharge of books and equipment moving forward, according to the DOE spokesperson.

Books that are formally challenged go through the departments Materials Evaluation Committee composed of a handful of different school representatives including: parents, a school librarian, classroom teacher, Central Library representative, school administrator, a student and a Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Learning representative.

Should a parent feel concerned about the literature in their childs classroom, they are encouraged to reach out to the teacher, principal, or superintendent, Brownstein said.

The incident comes just two weeks after city officials heard testimony on the rising tide of book bans across the country and what it could mean for New York City.

While New York City may seem like a safe haven for education, censorship in schools and libraries is never too far away, warned library officials at the February hearing.

I talk to dozens of libraries every week, dozens, and school libraries in New York City will absolutely tell you that efforts to ban and censor materials in school libraries is a problem in New York City, said Emily Drabinski, President of the American Library Association.

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.
Boston Police are seeking the publics help in finding a missing woman from Dracut.

Ashley Drehle, 33, was last seen at about 6 a.m. Friday in the area of 725 Albany St., police said Monday.

Police described Drehle as a white female, standing about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, with a thin build and brown hair. Police said she suffers from mental health issues.

Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Boston Police detectives at 617-343-5619.

People can also share information anonymously by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line AT 1-800 (494)-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463).

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Jennifer Vollstedt was pregnant for the second time in 2016, after her first pregnancy was diagnosed with a fatal chromosomal condition. Her son is now 6. (Courtesy of Jenn Vollstedt)

Jennifer Vollstedt and Ariel Cavanaugh-Okhah have never met, but they are connected by fatal chromosomal abnormalities that affected their wanted pregnancies, and the stress and heartbreak that comes with it.

Their experiences of needing to terminate their pregnancies were quite different. One took place before the Dobbs ruling overturned Roe and the federal right to abortion while the other occurred just a few months after.

The two women are separated by nearly 1,500 miles. Vollstedt lives in Wisconsin. Cavanaugh-Okhah is in southern Florida. In some states, like Wisconsin, abortion restrictions were already in place before Roe fell, but the procedure was still accessible.

After June 2022, patients and providers found themselves trying to navigate a patchwork of laws in 14 states that implemented strict or near-total abortion bans, some from any gestational age. Access suddenly became largely dependent on location, with some clinics in bordering states less than an hour away and others more than a 12-hour car ride.

Vollstedt got pregnant for the first time at 27 in December 2014, not long after her wedding. She couldnt wait to tell friends and family. She called her grandfather to share the news over FaceTime, just weeks before he died.

He was really excited, he loved babies, Vollstedt said.

Her doctor ordered standard blood work and other lab tests. But while she was on a family vacation in Florida a few days later, a geneticist called.

They said my results from the blood test were actually very concerning, she said.

Close-up of a pregnant woman's tummy.

Jennifer Vollstedt was 16 weeks pregnant when it was confirmed that her fetus had a triploidy, a rare condition that almost always ends in miscarriage or stillbirth. (Courtesy Jenn Vollstedt)

The test indicated her fetus could have a rare condition called triploidy, which means it has 69 chromosomes instead of the normal 46, and causes many developmental issues such as heart, kidney and neural tube defects. In almost all cases, the pregnancy ends in miscarriage or stillbirth. The few babies that make it to delivery die within hours or days.

I was just absolutely devastated, because I really wanted this pregnancy, Vollstedt said.

To confirm the diagnosis, Vollstedt had to wait until 16 weeks for an amniocentesis because of the position of her placenta. Although Roe was still in effect, that year then-Gov. Scott Walker signed a law scaling back abortion to 20 weeks. The clock was ticking.

I had no doubt that I would get an abortion for this pregnancy, that I did not have any interest in carrying it to term, Vollstedt said. I knew this baby, if she survived to term, would experience suffering and then pass away.

Now with confirmation of the diagnosis, and the termination appointment scheduled, Vollstedt said she avoided leaving the house.

People could see I was pregnant, and would comment on my belly, and that would just send me into instant tears, she said. Everything is going on with your body that you dont want to be going on, and its just really frustrating and disappointing.  I wanted to not be pregnant anymore, and I didnt have 100% control of when that happened.

For the abortion, she returned to the same hospital where she had already been receiving care for her pregnancy, where she was already familiar with the nurses and doctors.

I felt really cared for, and it felt really comfortable to be able to get my abortion in a hospital setting where I knew everybody, she said. It was just treated like regular, normal health care.

Memorial card for a fetus lost to a fatal genetic defect.

A card with the footprints of the fetus Jennifer Vollstedt lost in 2015 after it was diagnosed with triploidy, a fatal chromosomal condition. Vollstedt chose to terminate the pregnancy. (Courtesy of Jenn Vollstedt).

Diagnosis came after Floridas 15-week cutoff

Cavanaugh-Okhah learned she was pregnant in early October 2022, when her son was about 18 months old. That was the age gap she and her husband, Zachary Okhah, had hoped for.

We were at that time with my first child when you finally start to sleep, and thought, Okay, we can try again now, she said.

Everything went well at her first ultrasound, and she decided to go ahead with genetic testing. Her doctor told her that following the Dobbs ruling, if the test results flagged anything that might cause her to want to terminate the pregnancy, she would have to do it by 15 weeks according to the new Florida abortion law. He wrote the details on a sheet of paper with the name of a clinic and the deadline.

Blonde woman in coat and dress standing in front of a Christmas tree.

Ariel Cavanaugh-Okhah when she was 11 weeks pregnant in 2022, two weeks before genetic testing showed abnormalities with the fetus. (Courtesy of Ariel Cavanaugh-Okhah)

I remember thinking, Thank you for the information, but thats not a me problem, and just walking out the door, Cavanaugh-Okhah said.

The test results came back with a high risk of Trisomy 21, better known as Down syndrome. It is the most common chromosomal abnormality, affecting about 1 in every 700 pregnancies, and it has a higher survival rate than several other disorders. But it can come with other severe defects that decrease those odds.

At first, Cavanaugh-Okhah was in denial that the results were accurate. Her doctor seemed to indicate it was probably wrong, she said, and her husband was convinced they were part of the small percentage of people whose babies end up being perfectly fine.

That was a little too painful, to sit in that place of hope for weeks, she said.

The doctor ordered an additional diagnostic test just before Cavanaugh-Okhah and her husband left on a trip overseas  her dream vacation to Switzerland at Christmas. But they received the phone call not long after arriving confirming the condition.

I just fell into my husband, and I was weeping, she said.

Zach Okhah is a plastic surgeon, and he called in a favor with a friend in Germany who helped them schedule an appointment with an OB-GYN who was willing to perform another ultrasound. That doctor found fluid present in the fetus brain, a heart defect, and a gastrointestinal tract that was so poorly developed, the doctor said termination was worth discussing for that abnormality alone.

At that point, Cavanaugh-Okhah was right around 15 weeks, so she wouldnt be able to get an abortion at home. In Germany, they didnt offer the type of procedure she preferred to have. And if she wanted her husband to be able to come with her, it needed to happen within the next week. So on Dec. 23, 2022, Cavanaugh-Okhah first called an abortion hotline to figure out her options, then called as many clinics as she could back in the states to find an appointment.

Massachusetts was one of the options on the list, and since she met her husband in Boston, they still had family there who could offer support. But that meant disclosing the whole story to more people than she wanted to tell.

We hadnt told those family members we were pregnant, so (my husband) called them and said, Hey, were pregnant, and we need an abortion, a place to stay, and child care, Cavanaugh-Okhah said.

She contacted her doctor to get all of the ultrasound images and medical documents sent to the clinic, she said, because it felt like no one back home in Florida wanted to be involved with it at that point.

There was one appointment available. They changed their flights and flew straight from Stuttgart, Germany, to Boston.

Its so painful getting on an airplane knowing youre flying to end your pregnancy, she said. I kept on saying, I dont know that I can do this.

The hospital was calm and quiet the day of her appointment, and Cavanaugh-Okhah said the doctor who cared for her helped give her the emotional support she needed to make it through the procedure.

I wanted someone to tell me how many people go through this, because I couldnt find it anywhere, she said. Ill never forget, she just rolled her little chair closer to me and said, I dont have that number, but I can tell you theres a lot of you. And then I think she placed her hand on me and said, I know what youre doing today is done with absolute love and compassion for your child.

We can love that pregnancy  and still make that decision

By the end of 2016, Vollstedt was pregnant again with her son, who is now 6. To process her grief and start to move forward took more than a year, she said, and shes not sure if she ever would have wanted to get pregnant again if she had been forced to carry that pregnancy to term.

(When Roe fell) I just thought so much about where I wouldve been had all this happened after that, what other people who are going to be in my situation or similar situations are going to experience, Vollstedt said. If she had faced the same situation after the Dobbs decision, she would have been forced to look out of state for help, since Wisconsin had a full abortion ban in effect for more than a year.

To have to do that many extra steps to get to Illinois or Michigan is so challenging when youre already in this really fragile mental state, she said.

Cavanaugh-Okhah knows she was able to get the care she needed because she had the means to book a last-minute overseas flight, but that didnt make the experience any easier or less frightening. Even wealthy people can still lose their lives because care is too far away or otherwise inaccessible. As someone who had an ectopic pregnancy before her abortion and two miscarriages since, Cavanaugh-Okhah is all too familiar with potential complications.

The Florida Supreme Court has yet to decide whether the states 15-week ban should become a six-week ban after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law in 2023 to further restrict reproductive care.

Were in Miami, and if this thing passes and its a six-week ban, whats going to happen if something goes wrong? she said.

I really want for people to see the humanness of us women, and that we can love that pregnancy and have so much compassion and connection, and still make that decision. Both can exist at the same time. Were not heartless monsters.

The post Both of these women needed to end their pregnancies. Only one got to do it on her terms. appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
UPDATE: SUNDAY 03/10/24 7:15 p.m.

(COLORADO SPRINGS)  Fire agencies are currently working to contain a grass fire that started near Marksheffel and Drennan Road on Sunday afternoon.

NEW COVERAGE: CSFD provides update on Marksheffel fire

According to the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD), the fire has scorched over 500 acres according to initial estimates, resulting in the loss of one abandoned building. Crews have established a perimeter around the fire, which is gradually moving eastward. They will work through the night on the interior of the fire and search for any remaining hotspots.

There is a road closure on Marksheffel between Space Village Avenue and Drennan Road.

ORIGINAL STORY: BREAKING: grass fires near Marksheffel and Drennan Rd, CSFD responding

SUNDAY 3/10/2024 4:59 p.m.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) is responding to a grass fire near Marksheffel Road and Drennan Road.

CSFD said smoke is visible from some parts of the city. At least four grass fires are burning, and Marksheffel is closed in both directions. Fire officials are asking people to avoid the area.

Courtesy: Krista Witiak

Courtesy: Colorado Springs Fire Department

Courtesy: Colorado Springs Fire Department

Courtesy: Colorado Springs Fire Department

Ellicott and Cheyenne Mountain are assisting with resources, including water tenders and brush trucks, according to CSFDs X (Twitter) feed.

We will continue to provide updates as they become available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Brightline blew it on Stuart selection

As a longtime New York City commuter (out of Princeton, New Jersey), a vacationing train-traveler (throughout Europe) and now a resident of Floridas Treasure Coast (Vero Beach/Sebastian), weve been looking forward to using Brightlines trains between the Treasure Coast, where we live, and Coconut Grove/Miami, where our kids live.

But a station in downtown Stuart vs. a more accessible Port St. Lucie or Fort Pierce location won't help us.

Stuart has such awful traffic congestion. Getting in and out of its downtown/City Hall area and dealing with disastrous parking shortages, we stopped frequenting its restaurants and events.

Adding a Brightline station in downtown Stuart forces us to use Brightline's Palm Beach station and, since its already halfway to Miami, we might just as well continue to use Florida's Turnpike and Interstate 95 and drive.

To prove my disappointment, Id suggest Brightline officials try going out to dinner, visit Saturday's farmers market or attend a weekend downtown live concert along the waterfront in downtown Stuart.

Dennis Stone, Vero Beach

This artist's rendition contained in a joint plan from the city of Stuart and Martin County shows a proposed Brightline station at 500 SE Flagler Ave., Stuart

Save Ron DeSantis spot in Brightline Hall of Shame

As always, letter writer Susan Mehiel is right on about Brightline, but few Treasure Coast residents seem to care about the serious threats it poses to human lives and to the environment.

Most certainly our governor does not. He has totally ignored my certified letters since last August, which asked for him to stop Brightline from coming north until speed and other safety-regulations were in place while banning hazardous materials shipments.

Nowhere in the world is there such a lethal combination of higher-speed rail sharing the same tracks as freight trains carrying hazardous materials.

It is only a matter of time before we have a disaster that would make the one in East Palestine, Ohio, look pale by comparison.

There are several people in Brightline's 10-year history who deserve Hall of Shame recognition, going back to the Obama and Trump administrations, but if this madness is left unchecked, none deserve it more than Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Jack Preschlack, Indian River Shores

Indian River passengers out when it comes to Brightline

I agree with Laurence Reisman on Brightline's selection of Stuart for a Treasure Coast station.

I lived in south Indian River County from 2004 until I retired in 2015. I took the only feasible route, which Reisman stated in his column: Indrio Road to Interstate 95 to Florida's Turnpike.

On a good day, it took me 50 minutes. I have not driven to Stuart since. I guess with the time and cost, I will not be boarding the Brightline in Stuart.

Cathy McKenzie, Vero Beach

Facilities fee seems like excessive health-care cost

Vero Radiology, owned by Cleveland Clinic, is now charging a facility fee.

Many people on social media are complaining about having to pay for this fee since many insurance companies will not cover it. I was told by a representative in the billing department of Cleveland Clinic that this fee varies, depending on service.

For my upcoming mammogram, the fee is $120, which my insurance, Florida Blue, will not cover. I plan to find another imaging facility that does not charge the facility fee.

Some people on social media have commented they were not told when checking in at Vero Radiology about this new fee and only learned about it when insurance denied the amount, ultimately making the patient responsible.

It is my wish that you would research the details of facility fees in hopes of informing the community and holding Cleveland Clinic accountable for this excessive moneymaking fee.

Gwen Peace, Vero Beach

Hundreds gather for a protest rally for in vitro fertilization legislation in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday February 28, 2024.

Right-wing minority must be excited about Alabama ruling

If the decision by the Alabama Supreme Court that an in-vitro embryo is a baby is challenged and the U.S. Supreme Court upholds, this becomes the basis for determining all fetuses from conception forward are humans and therefore an abortion is murder from conception forward.

After all, if SCOTUS upholds that an ovum fertilized in vitro is at that moment a baby, then so are all other embryos, such as the natural kind. You know, the kind performed by that so-pleasant interaction, sexual intercourse, and that horridly unnatural interaction, rape.

To put it another way, if I'm an attorney for some right-to-life client arguing before the SCOTUS, I will argue stare decisis (the precedent set by the Alabama Supreme Court) and that the law of the land must be life begins at conception.

Any state laws such as after a certain date in pregnancy, such as six weeks in Florida, means performing an abortion at any point in pregnancy, before or after six weeks in Florida, for instance, is performing murder, and are therefore unconstitutional. And it will be interesting to see if precedent will hold here in the SCOTUS for this argument.

This outcome is exactly what the hypocritical, religious, right-wing minority wants.

Richard C. Silvestri, Fort Pierce

Why do politicians let uneducated immigrants in, keep educated ones out?

Every year, millions of illegal immigrants walk, swim and ride across our southern border and move into mostly the southern part of the country, but lately have been traveling north and putting a drain of the taxpayers nationwide.

I recently read that the mayor of New York City said its government will spend several billion dollars over the next couple of years to house, feed and support these individuals.

Yet Congress, for decades, has refused to rectify this situation or come to some kind of bipartisan legislation that is reasonable. It makes regulations about how many Canadian, English and European legal immigrants are allowed each year, for they have set quotas up to 15 years.

In fact, the Congress and administration will not grant even a tourist visa to a single female that is a university-educated professional from an Eastern European country unless she has substantial proof she will return home. Strange, isn't it? They allow millions to walk into Texas and Arizona with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and no way to legally make a living in this country in this country, but won't even allow an engineer to visit.

Why is that? Do Congress and the administration want only those that might be dependent on government support? Have certain parties within Congress decided we have enough white Europeans in this country? Why is there at least a seven- to nine-year wait for a university-educated, English-speaking Eastern European woman and child to come to the to the United States to join her mother while millions of uneducated are allowed to walk into the country?

Are they hoping to make them citizens dependent on government support and vote accordingly?

Edward Marasi, Port St. Lucie

Why do younger, older have differing political views?

In a recent commentary, Bruce Anderson contends that, for most young Americans, the relevance (for either presidential candidate) is just not there. The issues that stir the tired souls of older Americans just dont resonate with their children and grandchildren.

But theres another perspective to consider besides relevance for young peoples lack of interest in the upcoming presidential election. College-age young adults also are conflicted because their own views are in flux and their values arent moss-bound and concreted (in) the past as Anderson notes.

For many older Americans, it seems the longer they live, the more calcified their opinions become. Call this the ossification of bad habits. Many older folks believe, erroneously, hardened opinions are a mark of fidelity to tradition and a characteristic of wisdom. Thats shortsighted, stubborn and incorrect. And their kids know it.

The young are conflicted in part because theyre learning to see the world through their own eyes, not through the jaded lenses of their parents and grandparents. Such myopic viewpoints are stultifying, and young thinkers must puzzle their way out of these tired, worn-out perspectives.

Anderson notes todays presidential candidates cling to the same worn-out talking points  coupled with re-fighting a tired, irrelevant, 1960s-era culture war that lack significance for most young voters. Theyre over LGBTQ+ issues and equal rights for minority populations (though their parents might not be). They thought women had won freedom over their own bodies until hard-right conservative activists and their Christian fundamentalists brethren stuck their sanctimonious noses into womens lives.

For young voters, America is a pluralistic society their parents and grandparents want to rescind. Anderson says: Never has the elected class been so old, so pathetically out of touch with the reality of this new generation.

Fogies need to get over themselves  now!

Cray Little, Vero Beach

What kind of ties do you have to St. Lucie County?

To me, St. Lucie County consists of superb experiences in topophilia. Topophilia as defined by author Yi-Fu Tuan means, "the affective bond with one's environment  a person's mental, emotional and cognitive ties to a place."

The etymology of "topophilia" comes from the Greek topos (place) and philia (love of)." Tuan wrote "Topophilia: A Study of Environmental Perception, Attitudes, and Values," published in 1974.

Think of the libraries in Fort Pierce like the Kilmer branch on 101 Melody Lane or the Zora Neale Hurston branch on Avenue D. These spaces bring such excellent mental experiences, with excellent books to read.

What about walking along U.S. 1 in Fort Pierce to buy a bottle of water and take in some sunlight? When absorbed, sunlight transfers vitamin D into serotonin through the human eye.

The environmental preserves in St. Lucie County are great to take walks in. Walking, as exercise, helps to produce endorphins that help to make people happier, also. What about Oxbow EcoCenter in Port St. Lucie?

Houses of faith offer great experiences in topophilia. The spiritual memory of houses of faith are lovely to experience. Notre Dame Catholic Church consists of such meaningful sentiments.

The 111 Orange Arts/Art Mundo building in Fort Pierce is splendid. I recall the vivid green hues of tree drawings that Michael Nemschick paints upon ceramic plates. Such appreciative artwork is commendable.

What about some fresh fruit from the Downtown Farmers' Market on Melody Lane in Fort Pierce? Or a hot chocolate?

Oladele A. Ogunseitan surveyed 379 people in context with their relationship with "sense of place." He used these classifications: eco-diversity, synesthetic tendency, environmental familiarity and cognitive challenge.

Anna Santacroce, Fort Pierce

Between Biden, Trump, a lot is wrong

I feel obligated to share a couple interesting things in the news today.

The Trump campaign introduced its latest tax policy and other recommendations. There are lots of tax cuts to the wealthy and cuts to the IRS to help tax cheats.

One thing that stuck out should frighten every rational person in America. Maximizing the hiring of political appointees in statistical positions. Next Trump will demand his political appointees count the votes as well.

Meanwhile, the babbling old man is the most powerful man on Earth and the alleged stable genius is fighting prison and bankruptcy, all at the same time. If you woke up from a coma after 30 years and took a look around whats happening in the national politics, you would be very hard pressed to convince that coma survivor that Trump is the stable genius.

Yes, I know. Trump is the victim.

Don Whisman, Stuart

How'd Trump stack up to the Ten Commandments?

Recently, a number of MAGA (and is it Donald Trumps MAGA or Valdimir Putins MAGA?) interviewees spoke of the wonderfulness of Trump, insisting he is a good Christian. This prompted me to review the Ten Commandments and Trumps relationship to them:

There shall be no other gods before me  remember his I am the Chosen One?

2. You shall not make idols  hmm  Putin, Xi Jingping, Kim Jong Un?

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain  Could there be a politician who hasnt?

4. Remember the Sabbath Day  We know Joe Biden does. Does Trump attending Christian conferences count?

5. Honor your father and mother  Biden speaks of his parents often. Does Trump?

6. You shall not murder  how about, I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldnt lose any voters?

7. You shall not commit adultery  Has he? Whats the rationale?

8. You shall not steal  Does trying to steal an election count? How about fraud?

9. You shall not bear false witness  You mean like lying about it being Ukraine, not Russia, who interfered in our elections? Claiming the voting machines were rigged? Or his lies about anyone who stands up to him?

10. You shall not covet  Oh boy, does he ever want to have dictator power?

Or how about the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you? Not for DJT! Pretty sure Trump would call Jesus a loser, like others who sacrifice themselves for the good of others. (John McCain, Alexei Navalny, veterans who died serving our country).

And which is worse: The politicians who speak as believers when they know what he is or the susceptible citizens who really do believe him? Republicans following, obeying, believing Trump is reminiscent of Germans following Adolf Hitler.

Anne Brakman, Vero Beach

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: What are ties to St. Lucie? Brightline disses Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
Promoter Eddie Hearn has wished Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) a victory over Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) in a fight for the world heavyweight title. The success of the Gypsy King, as the Manchester native is called, will allow Hearn's client Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) to fight his compatriot.

ADVERTISIMENT

Hearn made the announcement immediately after Joshua's victory over Francis Ngannou (0-2, 2 KOs), talkSport reports. The British promoter, impressed by his boxer's brutal knockout, immediately declared him the strongest in the world, forgetting that the Cameroonian represents mixed martial arts.

"In the form that Joshua is in now, there is no one better than him in the heavyweight division. Tyson Fury, please beat Usyk, because then you will have the biggest fight in the history of sports. Joshua is unbeatable. It was one of the most devastating knockouts I've ever seen. What I said happened: he destroyed Ngannou, he's a savage, a beast, I can't wait to see him beat Tyson Fury," Hearn said.

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Fury himself is simply amazed at how Joshua knocked Ngannou out. The fight broadcast included Tyson's reaction to Anthony's punch. In addition, a video of Francis' fall from all angles was published.

As a reminder, Usyk and Fury will fight on May 18, after the fight in February had to be postponed due to the British fighter's cut. Afterward, Tyson spoke frankly about his injury. In addition, the Croatian heavyweight Agron Smakic (20-2, 18 KOs), who delivered the fatal blow, presented his version of the incident.

ADVERTISIMENT

Derek Chisora (34-14, 23 KOs), the former rival of the two boxers, gave his categorical forecast for the fight. In addition, the legendary Vitaliy Klychko gave original advice to the Gypsy King.

At the same time, the Ukrainian's team has already decided on a boxer who will replace Tyson if he refuses to enter the ring again. If the Briton does so, he will also face a multi-million dollar fine.

ADVERTISIMENT

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Tyson Fury's father John sharply attacked Oleksandr Usyk's team representatives after they questioned the British boxer's injury.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Body camera footage shows the moment a Maryland police officer responding to an alleged break-in opened fire at a man in his own apartment last month.

The Maryland Attorney Generals Office released a graphic video of the incident this week that took place in Suitland, about 10 miles from Washington, D.C.

On Feb. 1, the Prince Georges County Police Department received a call from an individual who claimed his neighbor notified him that someone was breaking into his unit at Windham Creek Apartments, per NBC Washington and Fox 5. The caller was not home when he placed the call.

Prince Georges County Officer Braxton Shelton has been placed on administrative leave for shooting a man inside his apartment in February. (Photos: Maryland OAG, YouTube screenshot/WUSA9)

Upon arriving at the scene around 5:25 p.m., Officer Braxton Shelton walked up the stairs to the specific apartment, pushed the already-ajar blue door open without warning or announcing himself, and immediately said: Show me your hands. Bring your a** over here. Show me your motherf***ing hands.

Video from the vantage point of the officers body camera shows Shelton pointed his weapon at 31-year-old Melvin Jay and fired Jay turned toward the sound of Sheltons voice. Struck in the head by the bullet, Jay fell to the floor by the kitchen entrance.

Shots fired, Shelton said.

Seconds later, another man came out of a room into the front area. Shelton ordered him to show his hands.

Who are you? the officer asked.

Im a visitor, the man said.

The man slowly walked toward the officer with his hands up and lay on the floor on his stomach. He informed Shelton that it was his cousins house and the person he shot was his brother.

Im staying with my cousin until I move into my own place, the man said.

Two other officers came into the apartment while Shelton checked the rest of the rooms. When he finished, officers attempted to provide medical aid to Jay, who officials confirmed lived at the apartment.

A gun was found and removed from his jacket pocket, and another one was later recovered from the kitchen. The attorneys representing Jays family argued that those findings are trivial, the outlet reported. Shelton was placed on administrative leave amid the ongoing probe.

We are hurt. We are just tormented by the video, the fact that we cannot hear him, hug him, say I love you, its just devastating to all of us, Jays cousin told Fox 5. We seek justice. We are going to allow this to unfold, allow the truth to come out, you know, and seek justice for my cousin. Because he deserves it. He did not deserve what happened to him.

Jays sister, Sharon Lily Joyner, hired civil rights attorney Andrew Clarke to help get accountability for his death. The family announced their plans to file a lawsuit against the police department, the Washington Post reported.

The boys in blue can no longer hide behind their credibility just for being the boys in blue, Clarke said at a news conference last week.

Bring Your A** Over Here: Maryland Cop Shoots Black Man Inside His Own Apartment While Responding to Burglary Call
The Pope has faced criticism for his claim that Ukraine should show the courage of the white flag to negotiate an end to Putins war (AFP via Getty Images)

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg flatly rejected the Popes suggestion that Ukraine should show the courage of the white flag and negotiate for a peace deal with Vladimir Putin.

Asked about the controversial remark, Mr Stoltenberg stressed: Its not the time to talk about surrender by the Ukrainians.

Britain gave its whole-hearted support to Ukraine to fight Putins invasion after the Popes intervention.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat stressed that the UK stands very firmly with Ukraine to defend itself against Putins war which has entered its third year.

Ukraine on Sunday rebuffed Pope Franciss call to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying the Pontiff was engaging in virtual mediation and his foreign minister saying Kyiv would never capitulate.

Mr Tugendhat declined to comment directly on the Popes comments but was clear where the UK stood.

He told GB News: Im not going to comment on the Popes views on this.

Im just going to say we stand very firmly with Ukraine and its right to defend itself, its right to defend its citizens against the Russians who have sadly murdered and brutalised a country over the last two years.

Britain has led the West in arming Ukraine, first with anti-tank weapons, then Challenger tanks and also long range Storm Shadow missiles.

It is urging other allies to do more to support Kyiv.

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg flatly rejected the Popes suggestion that Ukraine should show the courage of the white flag and negotiate for a peace deal with Vladimir Putin (AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Francis sparked controversy by saying 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 Pontiffs interview was believed to be the first time that he 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.

Mr Zelensky made no direct reference to the Pope 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, Ukraines president 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.

Mr 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 critics say he lacked the courage to speak out on information he had despite pleas from Allied powers fighting Germany.

The head of Ukraines five million-strong Eastern Rite Catholic Church, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, also rejected the popes comments.

Ukraine is wounded, but not conquered! Ukraine is exhausted, but it stands and will stand! the churchs website quoted Shevchuk as saying in New York.

Believe me, no one has any idea of aasurrendering.

Mr Zelensky has called for the withdrawal of all Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraines post-Soviet borders. The Kremlin rules out engaging in talks on terms set by Kyiv.

Western officials believe Putin is still seeking to capture the bulk, if not the whole, of Ukraine.

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 Putin as an example to justify his actions in Ukraine.

European nations supporting Ukraine in its efforts to evict Russian troops denounced the Popes 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.

But Russia said Pope Franciss call for talks with Moscow to end the war in Ukraine was a request to Kyivs Western allies to abandon their ambition to defeat Russia, Italys ANSA news agency reported.

The way I see it, the Pope is asking the West to put aside its ambitions and admit that it was wrong, it quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin declined on Monday to comment on a media report which said that Nikolai Yevmenov, the head of the Russian Navy, had been axed.

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he did not comment on decrees which were classified.

The Izvestia newspaper said that Alexander Moiseyev, who previously served as commander of Russia's Northern Fleet, had reportedly been appointed as acting Navy chief.

Putins Black Sea Fleet has suffered a series of losses and it has been forced to withdraw some ships from Crimea.

The flagship of the fleet, the warship Moskva, was sunk in spring 2022 and Ukraine is now using sea drones to successfully target other vessels.
James Cleverly wants to see the end of centre frauds across the world - PA/Stafan Rousseau

British police are to join with the FBI and US Secret Service agents to mount a crackdown on call centres scamming victims worldwide, as Interpol issued a global alert on the threat.

Writing in The Telegraph, James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, revealed the plans for the link-up with the National Crime Agency (NCA) amid growing concerns over the global spread of call-centres using trafficked victims to send out millions of scam texts or make fraudulent calls.

Interpol has classed it as a serious and imminent threat to public safety because of the industrial scale of scam calls and texts being sent out impersonating representatives from major companies like Microsoft, banks, utilities and HMRC to persuade victims to hand over money or personal data.

The international police agencys global Orange Notice to member countries follows evidence that the online scam centres which were concentrated in Cambodia have spread to multiple other Asian and African countries, with Britons being bombarded with an estimated 21 million scam calls a month, equivalent to eight a second.

I am excited to announce that our NCA, the FBI, US Secret Service and Americas Homeland Security Investigations will be working together to tackle call centre frauds across the world, sharing their world-class expertise and stepping up the fight back against fraudsters, writes Mr Cleverly.

This is the kind of co-operation we need to defeat a truly evil crime. And we know it works. We must do more to work together across the world.

We need to share more data and intelligence internationally, raise global standards, and make tackling fraud an international priority. Different countries law enforcement teams already collaborate, but we need to redouble our efforts.

Criminal gangs using large-scale human trafficking

It comes ahead of the worlds first global fraud summit on Monday hosted by the UK where ministers and officials from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea as well as the UK and US will discuss ways to boost international co-operation to combat fraud.

More than 200 representatives from banking, tech and telecommunications will attend the two-day summit, alongside leading civil society organisations to consider what the private sector can improve to prevent fraud and reimburse victims of scams.

Interpol said organised crime gangs were using large-scale human trafficking to lure victims with fake job ads to work in online scam centres and then forced to commit cyber-enabled financial crime on an industrial scale.

Victims at the centres were often extorted to cooperate through debt bondage where their low pay does not cover the cost of accommodation and food supplied by the gangs. It can be accompanied by beatings, torture, sexual exploitation and even alleged organ harvesting, according to Interpol.

The trafficked workers are used to perpetrate payment and investment impersonation frauds as well as romance and gambling scams.

Intelligence agencies on both sides of the Atlantic including GCHQ and MI6 and US Secret Service have been drafted in to bring their intelligence gathering expertise to tackle fraud, some 70 per cent of which originates from abroad.

Home Office sources said the US-UK cooperation over call centres would include intelligence sharing as well as joint operations using covert and technological investigative techniques to help local police disrupt and dismantle the crime gangs behind the frauds.

Jurgen Stock, Interpol general secretary, said: It is important that there are no safe havens for financial fraudsters to operate. We must close existing gaps and ensure information sharing between sectors and across borders is the norm, not the exception. This summit is both timely, and needed.

Graeme Biggar, the NCAs director general, said: Over 70 per cent of fraud has an international element, and it is clear that we need an efficient and effective joint response with partners across the globe.

Why the Government is taking the fight to the fraudsters like never before

By James Cleverly, Home Secretary

Fraud is a horrendous crime. Accounting for nearly 40 per cent of all crime, it is the most common in the country, with anyone being a potential victim.

Fraudsters not only go after innocent people, but can also cause colossal harm to our economy, and seriously damage trust in legitimate businesses.

Taking on them on, and winning, is vital.

We recently launched the Stop! Think Fraud campaign and you will see adverts offering advice on how to stop fraud, protect yourself, and what to do if you are targeted. There is a new special dedicated website to bring this advice together in one place. We have also set up a new National Fraud Squad with hundreds of special investigators.

Last year we signed the worlds first Online Fraud Charter with 12 of the worlds biggest tech companies. Moreover, social media companies can now be fined if fraud is committed on their platforms. And we have introduced a new offence when there is a failure to prevent fraud, along with giving the police greater powers to seize assets held in crypto currency.

Our plan to tackle fraud is working, and it is down by 13 per cent in England and Wales, but there is more to do. Fraudsters dont rest  with criminal gangs operate in multiple countries, using more and more sophisticated techniques  and neither will we.

This is a major moment in the fight against crime

We know that fraud is a global problem, with around 70 per cent of all offences in the UK having ties to overseas criminals, with 3 billion lost to overseas accounts last year. Reversing this trend is not possible without a united global community.

Thats why next week the UK is hosting the first ever Global Fraud Summit, bringing together governments, industry leaders, international organisations, and law enforcement and focusing the minds of the international community on how we can work better together to clamp down on fraud.

This a major moment in the international fight against this crime.

We must do more to work together across the world. We need to share more data and intelligence internationally, raise global standards, and make tackling fraud an international priority. Different countries law enforcement teams already collaborate, but we need to redouble our efforts.

I am excited to announce that our National Crime Agency, the FBI, United States Secret Service and Americas Homeland Security Investigations will be working together to tackle call centre frauds across the world, sharing their world-class expertise and stepping up the fight back against fraudsters. This is the kind of co-operation we need to defeat a truly evil crime. And we know it works.

The Global Fraud Summit will go further again by bring together government ministers and representatives from the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. More than 200 representatives from across the banking, tech and telecommunications sectors will be there too, along with civil society organisations such as Victim Support.

We are united in our commitment to take on and smash the fraudsters.

This is never a victimless crime. And we will not tolerate it. The UK is leading a global effort that will take the fight to the fraudsters like never before.

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It has been more than 50 years since Britain exited the Indo-UK trade agreement. It was one of many bilateral Commonwealth deals the country relinquished in the early 1970s  along with her global ambitions, some would argue. For the UK, it was a necessary requirement for joining the regional European Common Market. For India, it meant losing the most tangible element of its post-war Commonwealth membership.

To those of us who see Britains future based on the reinvigoration of Commonwealth ties, todays concerted effort to push a new India-UK free trade deal over the line is a welcome development. So too is the cross-party consensus on it, should agreement not be reached before the general election. This makes Britains direction of travel clear: a tilt to the east where global economic growth resides  and where much of the Commonwealth happens to be located.

Party-political agreement has not always been to Britains advantage. The established post-War view that Britain wasnt what it used to be led to extraordinary decision-making. The flight to Europe and its trade protectionism and the trimming world-wide Commonwealth ties could both be seen through this prism: Britain could afford nothing more. Yet the statistics never supported the sentiment. In 1913  when arguably at the zenith of its power  Britains economy was the 5th largest in the world. In 2023 it was 10th largest. Some decline.

Still, in the early 1970s, when the last trade deal with India was undone, there was some logic in looking to the Continent: it held an outsized share of global GDP. Today, when 85 per cent of the global economy is outside of Europe there is next to none.

As we mark this years Commonwealth Day, the shift eastward gathers pace: all the UKs major post-Brexit Free Trade Agreements  with Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the eleven-country Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)  are in Asia. So too is the Aukus submarine agreement with Australia and the sixth-generation fighter jet programme with Japan. Later this year, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be held in Samoa in the South Pacific. All of this, by design, leads Britain into the heart of the twenty-first centurys economy  but also by necessity into its geopolitics. And that means China.

Perhaps as much as free trade deals, this country holds the key to the revival of the Commonwealth. The Chinese challenge is equally one of trade and governance. Countries in Asia, but increasingly elsewhere, are pulled into its orbit through debt. A loan becomes ballast for a governments budget, then a lodestone on its geopolitical direction. It soon becomes a demand for a security presence. That in turn creates pro-Chinese and pro-western camps within a countrys political establishment.

Australia has been engaged in a geopolitical tug of war of containment for two decades over Chinas bid for a security presence in the Pacific. But easy yet opaque Chinese debt, offering obvious temptations for politicians, has greatly enhanced Chinas economic influence and security presence. It is a pattern that repeats again and again.

Through a revitalised Asian economic presence, it follows that Britain must prepare herself to engage more diplomatically. To misquote Dean Acheson, the US Secretary of State under Truman, here Britain can find a role. By refocusing development, security, and governance efforts on supporting Commonwealth members, Britain can buttress those facing Chinese pressure. It makes sense to focus with near-exclusivity on Commonwealth countries. Ties of language, culture and diaspora makes British influence surest to revive.

Notwithstanding recent aid budget cuts, the UK remains the third-largest provider of aid in the world. Some of it should be calibrated towards re-establishing diplomatic and security relations with Commonwealth members to reinforce trading ties. It is more than possible to make the UK an additional and powerful force for liberal values both in governance and economics across Asia, at a time when additional weight is welcome in the wests response to Chinas rise.

Just as the disbandment of the last UK-India deal represented Britains shrinking ambitions, the signing of a new one will be a statement of its expansion. Whether it comes before or after the election, a new Asian and Commonwealth consensus is forming. Thats to the benefit of Britain, her allies, and the world.

Alexander Downer is a former Australian foreign minister and high commissioner to the UK. Lord Jonathan Marland is Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, and was the prime ministers trade envoy 2011-14

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By Nichola Groom

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Britain's "The Zone of Interest," about a German officer's family living next door to the Auschwitz extermination camp during World War Two, won the Oscar for best international feature film on Sunday, with the director condemning the violence of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The movie centers on the commandant Rudolf Hoss and his family as they set up a life next to the Auschwitz death camp in occupied Poland, where more than 1.1 million people were murdered in the largest of the concentration camps and extermination centers built by the Nazis.

Accepting the award, director Jonathan Glazer said the film, which explored the capacity for violence in all people and was shot entirely at Auschwitz, was relevant to the global conflicts happening today.

"All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present, not to say look what they did then. Rather, look what we do now," Glazer said. "Our film shows where dehumanization leads, at its worst.

"Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people. Whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza. All the victims of this dehumanization. How do we resist?" he said to cheers and applause.

Glazer earlier made "Sexy Beast" and "Under the Skin."

The movie, based on a novel by the late Martin Amis, relies on sound, rather than on-screen violence, to convey the horror of the death camp, contrasted with the family's seemingly ordinary lives.

"The Zone of Interest," which also won the Grand Prix at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, is also nominated for best picture and best director Oscars.

Other nominees in the category were "Perfect Days" from Japan, Spain's "Society of the Snow," "The Teacher's Lounge" from Germany, and Italy's "Io Capitano."

(Reporting by Nichola Groom; Writing by Nick Zieminski; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Howard Goller)
Liam Trimmer who died at his own engagement party

A British man who moved to Australia and became a respected police officer has died in a freak accident at his engagement party after falling and cutting his neck.

Liam Trimmer, 29, and his fiancee, a nurse, threw a party on Sunday at their home in Western Australia to announce to family and friends that they were getting married.

But in a freak mishap, the constable slipped and fell to the ground. He reportedly cut his carotid artery and died from massive bleeding.

An inquest has been opened.

Mr Trimmer had emigrated around a decade ago to start a new life and joined the police in Western Australia.

He graduated from the states police academy, about 20 miles north of Perth, in 2013.

In 2017, he moved to the outback mining town of Kalgoorlie, 370 miles east of Perth, where he joined the local rugby team. He was a member of the police forces tactical response group.

He featured in the BBC programme Wanted Down Under, in which British families were given a taste of life in Australia and New Zealand before deciding whether to emigrate. He gave advice to a British teenager about what to expect if she moved to Australia.

Poster boy

He was described as a poster boy for police in Western Australia, encouraging other British officers to emigrate and join the force.

Everything was done to try and save him, but it wasnt to be, said Col Blanch, the commissioner of Western Australia police.

I know everyone that was involved are really, really hurting. I think they wish they could just wake up from this nightmare.

The commissioner described Mr Trimmer as an extraordinary officer and a very, very confident, capable young man with his whole life ahead of him. Thats how sad this is. Its such a tragedy.

Rita Saffioti, the deputy premier of the state, described the police officers death as an awful, awful tragedy.

She said: As I understand it, this police officer came over from the UK to start a new life in WA. My condolences go out to the family and friends of [the] officer.

Paul Gale, president of the Western Australian police union, said: Every time a death occurs for a police officer, it doesnt matter how, it really does rock the core of the police family.

Western Australia launched an international campaign last year to recruit British, Irish and New Zealand police officers.

The WA police force wants to attract 750 officers from abroad over a five-year period.

Im intent on stealing your best people. Unashamedly, said Paul Papalia, the states police minister. Western Australia is a great place to live and work. Compared to the UK, we have higher wages, a lower cost of living and the perfect climate.

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British businessman Sanjay Shah, seen in a courtroom sketch here, is accused of running a nine-billion-kroner ($1.32-billion) scam that enabled companies he controlled to fraudulently claim Danish tax refunds (Jesper ANDKJAER)

A British hedge fund trader accused of defrauding Danish tax authorities in a billion-dollar scam went on trial in Copenhagen on Monday, with the government hoping to recover the money in the blockbuster case.

Sanjay Shah, who was arrested in June 2022 in Dubai where he was living, is accused of running a nine-billion-kroner ($1.32-billion) scam that enabled companies he controlled to fraudulently claim Danish tax refunds between 2012 and 2015.

Shah, 53, on Monday pleaded not guilty and said he did not violate Danish law.

He faces up to 12 years in prison if the Glostrup district court in Copenhagen finds him guilty.

The United Arab Emirates extradited Shah to Denmark in December, after years of negotiations which included the signing of an extradition treaty between the two countries in March 2022.

The prosecution claims Shah "used a well-designed and organised fraud scheme to submit more than 3,000 applications to unlawfully receive more than nine billion kroner in dividend tax refunds from the Treasury."

In practice, foreign firms controlled by Shah pretended to own shares in Danish companies and fraudulently claimed dividend tax refunds.

The prosecution said it hoped to recover 7.2 billion kroner illegally acquired by Shah.

Describing the complexity of the case, prosecutor Marie Tullin told the court it involved more than 300,000 documents.

"It's not a secret to anyone that there are a lot of attachments," she joked.

One of Shah's defence lawyers, Kare Pihlmann, told AFP before the trial that it took almost 10 years for it to begin because of the "complexity of the case", its "international character" and "the problems in having Mr Shah handed over to Denmark".

Danish media have portrayed Shah as a father-of-three who flaunted his flashy lifestyle, while also raising money through charity concerts for an organisation he founded, "Autism Rocks".

- Dramatic turn of events -

Shah's former assistant, Anthony Mark Patterson, recently decided to plead guilty to being an accomplice.

On March 1, the Briton was sentenced to eight years in prison. The court may call him as a witness in Shah's case.

During his trial, Patterson said he was "thrown into deep water" as soon as he was recruited to Solo Capital, the investment fund Shah founded in 2013 and headed.

"By the autumn, when I fully understood the internal work processes, I became aware of the trading patterns when we had to plan the trades for 2014," Patterson told the court.

He expressed his "regret at having taken part" in the scheme.

Shah's lawyer told AFP his client was concerned about getting a fair trial in Denmark.

"Denmark has very, very good judges. Independent, professional. That's not the problem," Pihlmann said.

"The problem is that some government representatives, in particular cabinet ministers, have over the years made comments about the case, giving the impression that he is guilty of fraud," he said.

"That is a possible violation of the presumption of innocence."

The case has been widely covered by the media in Denmark, where the state is hoping to recover its money.

In January 2021, when the indictment was announced, the prosecution said it had managed to seize some three billion kroner, or about a third of the total.

"Generally ... it is very difficult or almost impossible to get the money back. And as a rule, all seized assets must be shared with the country which carried out the actual seizure," prosecutor Per Fiig said in a statement at the time.

Financial daily Borsen said Shah had "billions" in various bank accounts as well as properties in London -- including an apartment valued at around 125 million kroner -- that Danish authorities were eyeing.

In May 2023, a Dubai court ordered Shah to pay Denmark's tax authority over $1.2 billion, and another trial is also underway in Britain.

So-called "cum-ex" and "cum-cum" scams, which take advantage of a loophole in European tax laws, have been uncovered in several EU countries.

According to Bloomberg estimates, the scams have cost European taxpayers up to 150 billion euros.

cbw/po/lth
Editors Note: If you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, you can confidentially seek assistance via the Military/Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and dialing 1, via text at 838255 or chat at http://VeteransCrisisLine.net. You dont need to be a VA beneficiary to use the service.

To report on how suicide has impacted the Armys armor community, Army Times used the Freedom of Information Act to build a database of soldier deaths from 2019, 2020 and 2021. Heres how we did it.

Building the database

Every time a soldier dies, the installation-level human resources office that handles their final affairs fills out a Defense Department Form 1300, Report of Casualty. This document contains demographic information for the deceased service member, basic details on his or her death, and a record of the militarys assistance to their family or next of kin.

Army Times requested all such forms for non-combat soldier deaths between 2019 and 2021. Human Resources Command provided more than 1250 PDF documents with light redactions.

We used various programs to process the PDFs and pull the information from the casualty forms into spreadsheets.

We removed duplicates. We created  and triple checked  additional data fields that allowed us to analyze deaths by installation, unit type, career field, location and specific brigade combat teams. A pair of brigade combat teams converted types in 2019; we counted their transition period casualties as belonging to their eventual unit type.

For the Broken Track project, we limited our analysis to Regular Army (the services all-active duty component) casualties whose casualty forms identified their manner of death as self-inflicted. This excluded accidental deaths, homicides, illnesses and those whose manner could not be determined.

Reaching our findings

In order to calculate suicide rates within specific Army populations, we obtained reference data from a variety of sources.

Figures from the Congressional Budget Office allowed us to estimate the sizes of the three different types of Brigade Combat Teams. We combined the CBO data with publicly known force structure totals to estimate the total number of soldiers in the services 11 Armored Brigade Combat Teams, 13 Infantry Brigade Combat Teams and seven Stryker Brigade Combat Teams. The Army G-1 provided us with end-of-fiscal-year end strength figures covering the three-year period, broken out by military occupational specialty.

Using this data, we calculated unadjusted average annual suicide rates for each Army occupational specialty and for each type of brigade combat team. We also identified a number of suicide clusters, which public health experts define as an excessive number of suicides that occur in close time and/or organizational or geographical proximity.

We confirmed the statistical significance of our core findings  that 19K tankers were nearly three times as likely to die by suicide than other soldiers, and that ABCT members were more than twice as likely to kill themselves than other soldiers  using chi-square tests. (For the tankers, we also verified significance using Fischers Exact Test due to the relatively small sample size.) All tests yielded P-values less than 0.001, meaning that the differences in suicide rates were almost certainly not a statistical coincidence.

We presented our findings to the Army. Service data experts confirmed that enlisted tankers experienced the highest suicide rate of any large-population career field (defined as those with more than 3,000 soldiers, to ensure adequate sample size).

The Army also acknowledged that armor and Stryker brigades suffered a higher suicide rate than the rest of the Army, though their exact rates differed from our findings. Officials noted that their database was not configured to track deaths by unit type.

Our story focuses on armor units rather than Stryker units. Thats because Stryker brigades had wide variance in their suicide totals: the Armys two worst-hit brigades during the time period were the 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Cavazos, Texas, and the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division at Fort Wainwright, Alaska (now a light infantry brigade in the 11th Airborne Division), but the formation tied for the least suicides was the Stryker-equipped 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Germany. Every single armor unit, by contrast, experienced a higher suicide rate (relative to its authorized strength) than the portion of the active duty force not assigned to armor brigades.

To understand what may have contributed to the higher suicide rates among tank units, we consulted with suicide experts, retired senior leaders and more than 60 members of armor brigades that experienced suicides during the study period. We also obtained other documents, such as investigative records, for specific suicide deaths highlighted in our main story. Additionally, we asked Army officials about how they were responding to the suicides.

What we still dont know

The gap between our analysis and the Armys numbers may stem from how we built our database, as well as from the Armys internal access to privileged information detailing actual unit strength rather than the authorized troop levels upon which we relied. But because the Army refused to share their underlying suicide data with Army Times, we cannot confirm the accuracy of their rates.

Our case records may undercount suicides during the study period: the casualty forms list 457 active duty suicides, whereas the Defense Suicide Prevention Office, citing numbers provided by the Army, identified 494 confirmed or suspected suicides for the same period.

We cannot definitively determine the sources of this difference either without access to the Armys internal data. Potential sources could include submission failures by casualty center officials, extreme backlogs with servicing medical examiners, or an error by Human Resources Command during the FOIA release process.

We also recognize that our three-year data window is of limited scope. Apart from the unwieldy Freedom of Information Act process, such data is only available to academic researchers who partner with the Defense Department. Congress demanded similar numbers in the fiscal year 2023 defense policy bill.

Credits

Other outlets have used similar methods. The Washington Post  including former Army Times editor Kyle Rempfer  used casualty forms to map Army fentanyl overdoses in June 2023. Rolling Stone used casualty forms to report on drug overdoses at Fort Liberty, North Carolina in September 2022.

Senior reporter Davis Winkie led our data collection and analysis efforts for Broken Track. After he identified elevated suicides in the armor community, Winkie also reported and wrote the projects stories.

Former editorial fellow Jaime Moore-Carrillo (now a reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram) assisted with data cleaning. Editors Cary OReilly and Chris Martin conducted a data review. Editors James Clark and Mike Gruss edited and copy-edited the stories.
Editors Note: If you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, you can confidentially seek assistance via the Military/Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and dialing 1, via text at 838255 or chat at http://VeteransCrisisLine.net. You dont need to be a VA beneficiary to use the service.

Collin Pattan remembers the winter of 2020.

Before the first snow blanketed Fort Carson, Colorado, two members of the Iron Knight battalion were dead: Sgt. Larry Cook, a tanker, died by suicide in April, and Spc. Brian Seely, an intel analyst, killed himself in June.

In total, six soldiers from 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment died by suicide in 14 months.

Pattan, a combat medic, now screens soldiers medical records for his brigades upcoming deployment to Europe. He sees the scars from that winter. He reads about the struggles with mental health. He knows the toll the job can take.

More than three years later, he still cant answer unexpected calls. When the phone rings, hes gripped with fear: is another soldier dead?

The 27-year-old sergeant now faces a medical retirement for PTSD after his soldiers died, after he cleaned their blood from the carpet and after he interrogated himself over whether he could have done more.

Between 2019 and 2021, tank brigades experienced a suicide rate twice as high as the rest of the active duty force, according to an Army Times analysis of death records. At least 79 soldiers assigned to active duty Armored Brigade Combat Teams  units of approximately 4,000 soldiers that include support troops like cooks in addition to their tanks and Bradleys  killed themselves. Across all unit types, enlisted tankers were three times as likely to die by suicide than other soldiers. Sixteen died by suicide during that three-year period.

The battalion colors of 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment seen at Fort Carson, Colorado, April 5, 2022. The unit suffered one of the Army's highest suicide rates between 2019 and 2021. (Capt. Tobias Cukale/Army)

Retired Gen. Robert Abe Abrams, a career armor officer, said the suicide numbers hit him square in the gut.

The armor force needs to train hard to be ready, he said. But it cannot sustain that tempo indefinitely so that every 18 months, they can be gone for nine months. Thats whats crushing them.

In interviews with Army Times, more than 60 soldiers from tank brigades described a high operational tempo  a loosely defined term that encompasses time spent away from home for training or deployments. The soldiers said they endured countless late nights and early mornings maintaining vehicles only for them to break repeatedly amid training. And they said the unforgiving pace of work suffocated the spirit of those around them.

For a decade, U.S. tank brigades have been in high demand overseas, even though theyre not fighting.

Perhaps nowhere was the strain felt more than 1st Battalion, 66th Armor.

I just thought it was normal, growing up in this unit, said Staff Sgt. Colton Herzing, a tanker who has spent his entire seven-year career in the unit. I thought the OPTEMPO was normal. I thought the suicide rate was normal.

The Pentagons stated  but rarely enforced  goal is for soldiers to spend three months at home for every one month deployed. Abrams, whose fathers name adorns the militarys tanks, argued that armor units cannot indefinitely sustain their operational treadmill of two months at home for each month deployed unless the Army is willing to pour more resources than it already has into manning, equipment and support.

Randy Lane, who heads the Armys data work for suicide prevention and similar programs, confirmed that enlisted tankers suffered the worst suicide rate of any high-population career field during the three-year period. He also acknowledged higher suicide rates for members of armor and Stryker brigades, but added Army databases are not set up to account for brigade type.

BROKEN TRACK: How Army Times discovered high tank unit suicide rates

Army secretary Christine Wormuth said in a statement to Army Times that suicide prevention remains a challenge.

Gen. [Randy] George and I recognize there are several contributing factors to suicide and that we need to tailor our prevention efforts based on specific factors at the unit level, she said. Wormuth added that she and George review suicide prevention efforts with senior commanders on a nearly monthly basis  [to] assess progress and identify areas for improvement.

While Army leaders pointed to a series of suicide prevention programs in place, none are aimed specifically at the problems raised by tank units operational pace.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment push a Humvee on April 9, 2015 in Kuwait. This was the Iron Knights' first of five deployments in a 10 year span. (Spc. Gregory T. Summers/Army)

Sgt. Maj. Michael Perry, the top enlisted advisor to the Armys head of installations and quality of life programs, acknowledged that brigade combat teams have been deploying a lot despite the gradual end to the War on Terror.

There is no denying that OPTEMPO  [places] a significant strain on our force and on our families, Perry said, emphasizing the need for support resources to reduce suicides and other harmful behaviors.

An Army public affairs official did not allow Perry to answer a question about what the service was doing to address the problem specifically for armor units.

Doing so may require looking inward.

Abrams argued the problem is rooted both inside and beyond the Army, but he emphasized that the service can do more.

The retired general said armor units must meet strict requirements  called business rules  set by geographic combatant commands for units embarking on non-combat deployments to their theater. Among other criteria, units cannot have too many vacant positions, a certain percentage of their vehicles must be operational and they must be trained to a high standard.

To make the cut, senior commanders often shuffle soldiers and leaders between chronically undermanned units, harming their cohesion. Abrams added that the strain is compounded by constant backlogs on vehicle parts as well.

Its like trying to prepare the force with one arm tied behind your back, Abrams said. Despite Army efforts to mitigate the rules impact, we were still crushing people, the general added.

A growing vein of suicide prevention research suggests that baseline stress in a population  such as operational tempo for armor brigades  can raise the entire groups suicide risk. Mental health experts say the military has been slow to embrace this new approach.

Army expert Lane said the service requested a research study in spring 2023 about whether its new readiness and deployment model has increased suicide risk for armor units. But for nearly a year, the Army has struggled to find a partner for the study.

Lane also conceded that officials have neither enough data nor the agreed upon definition to analyze the relationship between operational tempo and suicide risk.

While Army headquarters struggles to pin down the problem, the soldiers on the line bear its consequences.

Members of 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment told Army Times that the unit's

The soldiers of 1st Battalion, 66th Armor said they didnt have a chance to pause and process the deaths from 2020 and 2021. Training never stopped. Maintenance never stopped.

Roughly every 18 months, the 4th Infantry Divisions 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, of which they were a part, had deployed for nine months. In 2015, it was Kuwait. In 2017, the Iron Brigade went to Europe. In 2019, Kuwait was the destination again. Another Europe deployment came in 2022, and the brigade will return to the continent this spring.

The soldiers were already bone-tired when the pandemic began, said Capt. Nick Bierwirth, who spent three-and-a-half years there as a lieutenant. He and other soldiers, such as former Sgt. Dan Lewis, described the relentless cycle.

I would bring my daughter in at night when she wouldnt sleep, because I wanted to see my family, recounted Capt. Dave Wright, an infantry officer who served four years in 1-66.

Because COVID took months away from their training calendar, the brigades soldiers were away from home more often than usual once restrictions were lifted. The Iron Knights described those months as the most difficult training cycle they had ever experienced, detailing how back-to-back field exercises took a toll on their tanks, their bodies, their families, their mental health and more.

Exhausted, frustrated and already shaken by two suicides (Cook, the tanker, and Seely, the intel analyst), the unit was on the brink when November 2020 began.

The winter was cruel.

The day Sgt. Aaron Pollitt died, the 28-year-old infantryman was doing what he did best: caring for those who mattered to him  his wife, his daughter and his soldiers.

A nine-year veteran, Pollitt came up in the battalions Bradley company before becoming a master gunner in the headquarters company.

On Nov. 6, 2020, Pollitt was driving a junior soldier home from work when he lost control of his SUV and careened across the median of Interstate 25 into a garbage truck.

Pollitt died. His passenger survived. The gregarious infantrymans death was not a suicide, but it sent shockwaves through the battalion.

That was definitely  where things became very difficult for our unit, Pattan said.

Five days later, the unit suffered its third suicide of the year. Sgt. Cody Kane, a 24-year-old infantryman and father, killed himself in his Fountain, Colorado home on Nov. 11, 2020.

Sgt. Cody Kane, seen in an undated photograph. Kane died by suicide on Nov. 11, 2020, in Fountain, Colorado. (Courtesy of Jessica Lane)

Kanes colleagues recalled the infantryman blaring Baby Shark to raise spirits before he and his tent-mates embarked on a long range day during the units 2019 Kuwait deployment.

I was his senior medic, Pattan recalled. I looked at it as my job to take care of these guys, and I had two people die in a week.

But training had to continue  Kanes Bradley company went to the field the day after his suicide. Pattan watched his company commander and first sergeant unsuccessfully fight against the decision.

Then, Spc. Wyatt Thyfault died on Nov. 22. His was the fourth suicide.

Thyfault, a 20-year-old combat medic who grew up northeast of Denver, was at a party at a fellow soldiers apartment when he died; his casualty form deemed it self-inflicted. Investigative records reveal he was intoxicated and had easy access to another soldiers unsecured firearm, though nobody faced charges.

The medics portrait still hangs in the company headquarters, Herzing said.

Pattan, who was Thyfaults squad leader, recalled his survivors guilt intensifying.

A portrait of Spc. Wyatt Thyfault hangs in the headquarters offices of Battle Company, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, at Fort Carson, Colorado. The trophy in the center-left of the Feb. 27, 2024 photograph is the Sullivan Cup trophy, which the company won in 2022 for having the Army's top tank crew. (Sgt. Collin Pattan/Army)

I got rid of the couch that he was sitting on. I cleaned the carpet. I repaired the bullet hole in the wall, Pattan said. The Pentagons suicide prevention committee later found that soldiers should not clean death scenes.

The battalions soldiers, after three deaths in three weeks, charged headlong into holiday block leave season.

But they returned to news of the fifth suicide since April. Pvt. Sean Teasley, who killed himself at his familys Maryland home on Dec. 29, 2020, still evokes mixed feelings from the soldiers of Battle Company.

The 21-year-old tanker was known as the kid of the company, Herzing recalled.

When the unit returned from leave, an officer said, their battalion and brigade surged resources to help them cope.

Then everyone learned that Teasley was under criminal investigation for alleged child sexual abuse  police interrogated him shortly before his death. Once the news broke, it was like, OK, go back to work, and people were still fucking struggling, the officer recalled.

Almost six months passed between Teasleys death and the sixth suicide.

Sgt. Bayaman Michael Barcus killed himself in front of his girlfriend after a violent outburst following a concert in San Antonio, Texas, on June 13, 2021.

Sgt. Bayaman Michael Barcus rides atop an M113 personnel carrier during 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment's May 2021 training rotation at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. (Sgt. Collin Pattan/Army)

A 24-year-old childhood immigrant from Kyrgyzstan, Barcus grew up in North Georgia. The young father, a sniper in the headquarters company, loved country music and drove a lifted Chevrolet K10.

After Barcus died, Pattan recalled that he shut down. He skipped his friends memorial, hellbent on avoiding the problem lest his own mental state deteriorate further.

Others were in a similar headspace.

I was at the point where driving off a cliff on the way to work would have been as good as showing up to work, said one officer. One noncommissioned officer said he called a suicide hotline.

Looking back  it was like surviving, Pattan said.

The stress from the units training tempo was compounded by their seemingly futile battle to keep their vehicles running, the Iron Knights said. Members of other armored units described similar struggles.

Soldiers regularly worked nights and weekends in the motorpool, they said. Former Spc. Garrett Shiemke, a Bradley mechanic, said the maintainers turned wrenches even on so-called mandatory fun days, when the rest of the unit would participate in morale-boosting and team-building activities.

Everything was secondary to making sure the vehicles are up  including personal health and physical fitness, said Wright, the infantry captain.

And as the battalions training reached a fever pitch in 2020, its vehicle crews and maintainers struggled to keep up. The longer the vehicles were in the field, the more they broke.

Maintenance can be grueling for members of armor brigades. In this May 12, 2015 photo, an enlisted tanker hammers in end connectors, a job known as walking track,

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Trevor Nelson, who at the time was a sergeant first class leading maintenance for 1-66s Bradley company, and other Iron Knights described parts backlogs that meant some tanks faced long delays before repair. That made the unit lean even harder on its functional vehicles and on its soldiers. Sometimes the burnt out maintainers would resort to visiting auto parts stores and buying common parts on their own dime.

Sometimes the soldiers designated hangar queen vehicles, which were awaiting major repairs with long lead times. If a part breaks on a tank, soldiers raid the hangar queen for parts, stressing the mechanics who must both swap the borrowed part and install the new one once it arrives. While Army regulations allow such swaps, unit leaders are directed to reduce such controlled exchanges between vehicles.

I remember the maintenance teams being exhausted 99% of the time and just having zero hope for a let up, said Shiemke, a Bradley maintainer. Everything seemed like an emergency. But if everythings an emergency, then nothing is an emergency.

Crews and officers responsible for overseeing maintenance also felt the strain.

A former company executive officer worked six consecutive Saturdays before a deployment in the maintenance bays, he said.

The two months [before deployment] where Im trying to spend as much time as I can with my wife, half of those weekends were robbed from me, the officer said.

Col. Roger Cabiness II, an Army spokesperson, acknowledged parts backlogs in a statement to Army Times. He said a working group between Army Materiel Command and other stakeholders aims to reduce such backorders. Cabiness also said that advanced manufacturing, data analytics and other innovative solutions will combine to ease the difficulty of getting the right parts at the right time.

A former 1-66 company executive officer said leaders directed him to play musical parts so training could continue, which he said took a psychological toll on the overburdened maintainers.

M1A2 Abrams tanks await loading at the Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait on Jan. 30, 2017. (Staff Sgt. Dalton Smith/Army)

It also discouraged the soldiers, who affectionately name their vehicles and emotionally bond with them. A crew unlucky enough to need major repairs would often sit back and watch the unit raid their beloved tank like a spare parts bazaar.

Military suicide prevention officials have trouble seeing the forest for the trees, some mental health experts argue.

In recent years, psychologist Craig Bryan of Ohio State University has critiqued the militarys traditional approach to suicide prevention: detecting and treating mental illness in individual service members, with a focus on crisis intervention. He and others have found that the majority of soldier suicides are not directly linked to mental illness.

We waste so much money on machine learning and predictive analytics, stuff  geared toward [identifying] whos going to kill themselves and when, but were never going to have an algorithm to do that, Bryan said.

The former Air Force psychologist argued in his 2022 book, Rethinking Suicide, that the militarys suicide prevention efforts have largely ignored how sustained stress in troops daily lives can increase their suicide risk.

Bryan was also a member of the Defense Departments 2022 Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee, which found that training demands and requirements  [are] primary sources of stress, burnout and demoralization. Other common stressors include shoddy computers, byzantine promotion policies, unsupportive leaders and poor housing.

For members of armor brigades, the operational tempo and long working hours in the maintenance bays add up, he said.

Craig Bryan, a psychologist and mental health researcher at Ohio State University, speaks about suicide prevention at Fort Drum, New York, on Feb. 23, 2022. His conception of systemic suicide risk is gaining influence in military circles. (Spc. Ethan Scofield/Army)

Its like death by 1,000 paper cuts, Bryan said. The damage starts to accumulate, and it becomes harder to resist bigger shocks to the system. When a soldier exceeds their stress threshold from daily difficulties and acute strains (such as finances, or the end of a relationship), they are then more vulnerable to sudden suicidal behavior.

Carrie Shult, the Armys suicide prevention program manager, said emerging research  including Bryans work for the Pentagon  recently led the service to begin studying systemic [suicide] risk factors and explore ways to reduce them. But she cautioned that chang[ing] the way we think about the problem takes some time.

Both she and Lane said their teams struggle to measure soldiers quality of life. Army headquarters officials cannot easily quantify how much time soldiers spend away from home (which the Armys top noncommissioned officer has also noted), whether their training schedules are predictable or how their work hours impact their relationships and sleep.

Cabiness detailed a series of Army headquarters-led suicide prevention initiatives, but none were focused specifically on armor units systemic risk factors. The list also included a patchwork of local efforts, such as a Fort Bliss brigade making soldiers pledge not to kill themselves.

Wormuth highlighted three division-level suicide prevention initiatives in her statement, including the Alaska-based 11th Airborne Divisions Mission 100 program. These efforts, the Army secretary said, are prioritizing engaged leadership and providing a range of resources [to] soldiers and their families.

A Bradley from Chaos Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division maneuvers in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Nov. 23, 2022. The Texas-based division is debuting new programs aimed to reduce maintenance stress for soldiers. (Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster/Army)

The Army is launching other efforts outside of the suicide prevention program. The 1st Cavalry Division recently developed training for new company command teams and battalion executive officers that includes instruction on how to run maintenance programs without running soldiers into the ground. Division commander Maj. Gen. Kevin Admiral said the effort, which begins this summer, aims to bring the stress down and add more predictability to our schedules for soldiers.

Between the deaths, the training pace and the maintenance, many soldiers from 1-66 struggled to maintain their personal relationships. Others lost faith in the Army and asked whether the peacetime mission was worth the cost.

Several Iron Knights divorced.

My wife at that time, she couldnt take  me being gone for 16 hours a day, Herzing, a tank commander, said. Id come home and wed fight because I wasnt spending time with her.

Ive never seen more burnout in a unit before, said Pattan, who also divorced. He said hes grateful to have worked for leaders who would die for their soldiers, but he believes the Army must confront the fundamental problems facing tank brigades. He described the armor brigade grind as more difficult than his time in the 82nd Airborne Division, which included a 2019 deployment to Afghanistan.

The medic resisted seeking mental health treatment until December 2021, when he first saw a Fort Carson therapist. Since then, he has kept weekly appointments, attending them via phone during the units 2022 deployment to Europe. He wants junior soldiers to see that its okay to need help for the stresses of Army life.

The Armys overall mission was readiness, recalled one officer. Well, after a few years  being ready isnt enough to keep you going.

Abrams, the retired four-star general, explained why the pace intensified. He retired in 2021 after stints leading Forces Command, which oversees most of the Armys combat units while they prepare for deployments, and U.S. Forces Korea, the standing American command in South Korea.

Now-retired Gen. Robert Abrams, then the commanding general of Army Forces Command, meets soldiers deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force  Operation Inherent Resolve, at Camp Taji, Iraq, Nov. 16, 2017. (Cpl. Rachel Diehm/Army)

He argued that the demand for armor brigades was enabled by budget-driven cuts to units stationed overseas, leading the service to deploy tank brigades to Korea on one-after-the-other rotations beginning in 2013. Then Russias aggression against Ukraine led policy makers to establish a similar ongoing armor deployment to Europe  Operation Atlantic Resolve  in 2016. Combined with consistent Central Command deployments, these requirements created a crushing cycle: a brigade would deploy for nine months, return home, and then immediately launch into 18 months of training for their next deployment.

Although the Army tried to reduce overseas requirements for tank brigades, the moves came after a surge in demand for armor units forced four of the services 11 active duty armored brigades to be deployed simultaneously. Two active duty tank brigades are currently overseas.

The path to reduce such stress is unclear. In the wake of Russias expanded invasion of Ukraine, countries such as Lithuania and Poland have reiterated their desire for permanently based U.S. tanks.

Returning to overseas basing, which Army experts have previously recommended, could end rotational deployments for good. But Cabiness, the Army spokesperson, cautioned that such a move would require a series of military and political approvals from the U.S. and possible host countries.

Thus the Iron Knights will deploy to Europe once again this spring.

Herzing and his new significant other will become parents during this rotation.

Pattan will stay stateside and expects he will receive a medical retirement this summer. I dont think that the battalion is healed, even though a lot of those people are no longer here, he said.

Some soldiers argued the mission may not be worth its cost.

Nelson, the former maintenance chief, said that when the suicides occurred, it never felt like their deaths were a priority for the unit.

We just kept chugging along, which I get were supposed to do as an Army, but we were just training, Nelson said. Not even training to go to war. We just trained to go to training exercises so we could train to go on training rotations.

A National Guard-crewed Bradley from the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment, fires at Camp Ripley Training Center, Minnesota, on Aug. 5, 2014. The Guard helped reduce operational tempo strain on active tank units by taking over the Operation Spartan Shield rotation to the Middle East beginning in late 2019. (Staff Sgt. Bill Boecker/Army)

Wright plans to leave the active duty force and return to the National Guard.

What is the mission that were killing ourselves for? he asked. The [armor brigades] werent at war. They were training in Europe, and they were training in Korea, and they were training in Kuwait, and they were babysitting [bases] in Iraq.

Leaders will talk about taking it personally when they make a decision [in combat] and it results in somebodys death. But were making decisions every single day that are resulting in people dying, and no one wants to take responsibility for it.

Meanwhile, tank brigades run a familiar treadmill, powered by a decades worth of decisions by the Army, the Defense Department and policymakers.

The Iron Knight battalion returned from an eight-month deployment to Poland in December 2022. If the Army met its dwell-to-deployment ratio goal, soldiers who completed that rotation would not deploy again until December 2024.

The battalions lead element deploys next week.
The head of the Brooklyn Democratic Party has accused a Dem former state lawmaker of engaging in white supremacy for allegedly discouraging members of the local Asian community from running for office.

But the targeted veteran ex-assemblyman, Peter Abbate, says accuser and Brooklyn Democratic Party Chairwoman Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn is only dividing Democrats and aiding Republicans with her claims involving the more conservative southern part of the borough, where the GOP has made inroads in recent elections.

Bichotte-Hermelyn kicked off the infighting by recently telling The Post that Abbate discouraged the partys backing of Pei Sanny Xia Chen Liu, the wife of slain NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu, for a Democratic district leader post.

Brooklyn Democratic Party Chairwoman Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn accused former state Assemblyman Peter Abbate of white supremacy.  Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY NETWORK

I got a text from Abbatte that said, Big mistake,' the party leader said.

Bichotte-Hermelyn said Abbate also talked Jimmy Li out of running for Assembly in the 49th District, the seat that Abbate held for three decades before losing to Republican Lester Change two years ago and is now seeking to reclaim again.

This white supremacy stuff has to stop, Bichotte-Hermelyn said.

Bichotte-Hermelyn claimed that Abbate has discouraged Asian-Americans from running for office in Brooklyn.

City Councilwoman Susan Zhuang also accused Abbate of verbally abusing her at a recent community event.

I was invited by a local community leader to a pre-Sabbath gathering inside a local Southern Brooklyn small business. Suddenly, former Assemblyman Peter Abbate stormed inside and immediately approached me up close, violating my personal space, and began to verbally assault me, Zhuang told The Post.

I dont think he will do that to a man or non-immigrant, she said. His sexist, misogynistic, and toxic intimidation tactics will not deter me from fully exercising my democratic rights.

Abbate allegedly called the party backing Pei Sanny Xia Chen Liu for district leader post a big mistake. Paul Martinka

Abbate denied verbally abusing Councilwoman Zhuang and dismissed Bichotte-Hermelyns accusations, saying she is sabotaging the Democratic Party in southern Brooklyn.

He noted that state Sen. Iwen Chu, the first Asian woman elected to that body, was his chief of staff before winning her seat, and that he is backing Jimmy Li as a Democratic district leader.

The former lawmaker also said he authored a law to boost benefits for Sanny and Wenjian Lius daughter, Angelina.

For her to say that is outrageous, Abbatte said of Bichotte-Hermelyns white supremacy claim.

City Councilwoman Susan Zhuang accused Abbate of verbally assaulting her at a community event. Friends of Susan Zhuang

All she is doing is dividing the Democratic Party, he said. She is a disgrace to the Democratic Party. The best thing she could do is resign.

He said the party leader was using Sanny Liu and other Asian residents for her own political ends.

Bichotte-Hermelyn is no stranger to controversy. This past fall, she dragged race and class into the citys migrant crisis, claiming the wealthier whiter neighborhoods in her borough were not shouldering their fair share of shelters.
Along with Ukrainians and the international film community, Russians also could not help but react to the victory of the documentary 20 Days in Mariupol at this year's Oscars 2024. Predictably, their reaction was violent and uncivilized, and in some places the film was simply ignored.

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Russian citizens who still believe in propaganda spat bile at everyone: Ukrainians, Americans, the creators of the award, judges, and viewers. Those Russians who are aware of and support their country's war crimes cynically stated that Ukrainians "exchanged the award for Mariupol." OBOZ.UA decided to remind who Ukraine is up against.

"20 Days in Mariupol" provoked a negative reaction from Russians, who called the film "fake news" and accused the team of editing, lying, photoshopping and everything else, just to avoid recognizing the terrorism of the occupiers.

"Oscars for documentaries are given out as part of propaganda," "Oscars are given for lies," "The Ukrainian film 20 Days in Mariupol, which was promoted in the United States and consists of selected fakes, won an Oscar," the Putinists wrote.

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Some users wrote that those resources that broadcast the ceremony in Russia cut out the part of the award presentation where Mstyslav Chernov gave a powerful speech.

Russian channels simply ignored this year's awards show, and Russian Presidential Secretary Dmitry Peskov said he had nothing to say about the Oscar for a Ukrainian film.

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Readers of Russian Telegram channels were more verbose. They hid their disappointment behind cynical jokes about the occupation. "They have an Oscar, but they don't have Mariupol," "Oscar for Mariupol is a worthy exchange," wrote residents of the country that killed and tortured thousands of Mariupol residents.

This is not the first award for Ukrainians at the Oscars. In 2006, Anatoliy Kokush, a Ukrainian from Kerch, won two engineering Oscars.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote about the mixed reaction of Ukrainians to this year's victory. First Lady Olena Zelenska also spoke out, explaining why this award is extremely important for Ukraine.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) and Brown University are the latest schools to reinstate SAT or ACT score requirements in their admissions process.

UT Austin announced Monday that standardized test scores will be required again, starting with applicants for the fall of 2025.

Our goals are to attract the best and brightest students and to make sure every student is successful once they are here. Standardized scores combined with high school GPA support this goal by improving early identification of students who demonstrated the greatest academic achievement, the most potential, and those who can most benefit from support through our student success programs, said President Jay Hartzell.

Brown University revealed last Tuesday it would also be going back to standardized test scores, which many universities dropped during the pandemic.

The requirement for test scores will accompany enhanced communications to students and school counselors emphasizing that test scores are interpreted in the context of a students background and educational opportunities, Browns announcement said.

In recent weeks, numerous high-profile schools decided to add the scores back, arguing it helps them get a fuller picture of applicants.

Dartmouth was the first Ivy League to recently embrace test scores for applicants again, with Yale University following soon after.

Opponents argue the scores disproportionately affect marginalized students and are not a good indicator of collegiate success.

Josef Durand, an expert admissions consultant at Quad Education Group, previously told The Hill that SAT scores are a notoriously poor predictor of student success and student potential in college.

It is well known by this point that GPA is a five times better  or at least a five times better  predictor of student success and student potential in terms of college and post-collegiate success, Durand said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Buckingham Palace's gates are boarded up after someone crashed a car into them, police say

London police said a car crashed into the gates of Buckingham Palace on Saturday morning.

A man was subsequently arrested and sectioned under the UK's Mental Health Act.

Footage on social media shows a damaged blue hatchback stopped at the royal property's gates.

An unnamed man was arrested early Saturday morning after a car crashed into the gates of Buckingham Palace, local police said.

The car "collided" with the gates of the royal property around 2:35 a.m. London time, after which officers arrested the man and took him to hospital, the Metropolitan police said.

He was assessed and sectioned under the UK's Mental Health Act, police added.

The detained man was suspected of criminal damage and has been released on bail.

No one was injured, and authorities are not investigating the case as a terror-related act, police said.

The UK's Mental Health Act allows police to detain a person for up to 36 hours if they are believed to have a mental disorder and there is a risk to themselves or others, or if said person is being treated at a hospital and there are concerns about their mental health.

Photos of Buckingham Palace on Sunday show its gates boarded up with scaffolding and wooden planks, while waist-high metal fencing shielded the entrance.

People walk past a set of boarded up gates to Buckingham Palace in London on March 10, 2024. JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

A photo posted on social media appeared to show a damaged blue hatchback at the property's gates later in the morning.

British news agency SWNS also published a video of a man kneeling outside the gates at night as officers shouted commands at him. A blue hatchback can be seen in the video.

Meanwhile, a portrait of Kate Middleton released by Kensington Palace stirred controversy over the weekend after photo agencies said they were refusing to distribute it.

The photo was the first official image of Middleton since she underwent abdominal surgery in January and was out of the public eye for months, but photo agencies said they were concerned the image was digitally manipulated.

Read the original article on Business Insider
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A new bus rapid transit line is coming to Bailey Avenue on Buffalos East Side, thanks to over $100 million in federal funding, announced Monday by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

The funding  $102,692,562, to be exact  will be received through the U.S. Department of Transportations Neighborhood Access and Equity Program to provide affordable transportation to the East Side.

According to a release from the senators, the goal of the investment is to modernize Bailey Avenue, make streets safer, increase walking and biking ability and improve traffic flow by adding dedicated bus lanes to help those who travel between University Station and South Park.

Bailey Avenue is the spine of the East Side and one of Buffalos busiest corridors, but ask anyone who has been stuck behind an NFTA bus while trying to get to work, it can also be one of its most frustrating for traffic and dangerous with dozens of collisions every year, Schumer said. This $100 million to create the new Bailey Avenue bus rapid transit line is how we can turn congestion and collisions into a smoother commute for Buffalonians.

Schumer highlighted the Clinton-Bailey farmers market and the VA hospital as major stops along the route, in addition to local pharmacies and community centers.

Senator Gillibrand vowed to continue fighting in Congress to deliver for the Queen City.

The release also cited Bailey Avenue as having some of the NFTAs strongest ridership with 2,600+ riders every weekday, but noted its need for upgrades.

According to an NFTA study, there have been over 2,500 collisions in the past 5 years on Bailey Avenue. The plan is for the new bus route to make the street safer.

Schumer is scheduled to speak on the funding at 2 p.m. News 4 plans to livestream his comments in the video player above.

Adam Duke is a digital contributor who joined the News 4 team in 2021. See more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Mayor Byron Brown appointed Lindsey Lauren Visser as City of Buffalo historian and Aitina Fareed-Cooke as the citys new poet laureate Monday.

Visser is a graduate of the University of Oxford and a historian specializing in the Western New York region. She serves as the executive director of the Niagara Aerospace Museum and has recently been featured on the American History Hit podcast with Don Wildman. Visser is the vice president of membership and outreach for the Niagara Frontier Council of Social Studies.

Fareed-Cooke is a creative arts strategist, national recording artist, and founder of media arts production company, Get Fokusd Productions. She earned a bachelors degree in English at Buffalo State University and currently serves there as a foundation board member. Fareed-Cooke will create poetry for Womens History Month and other such key moments in Buffalos timeline.

We are honoring two women who are very important to the culture of our city, said Mayor Brown. Both women are exceptional in their commitment to our community, and we couldnt have picked a better time than Womens History Month to honor them. I have every confidence that they will serve our city well and with compassion and dedication.

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 is a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
British film talent enjoyed a successful night at the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday night, led by film-maker Christopher Nolan who finally claimed an Oscar for best director.

Nolans biopic Oppenheimer claimed seven Oscars in total, including Best Picture. I have been dreaming about this moment for so long, said Emma Thomas, Nolans wife and producing partner, accepting the award.

Following Oppenheimer in the sweep was Poor Things, which claimed four Oscars.

Its leading lady, Emma Stone, who plays a young woman with an infants brain, took home her second Academy Award for Best Actress.

But it was the British technicians who helped the gothic comedy claim its other three awards.

Holly Waddington, the films costume designer, said it was a jigsaw puzzle creating the outfits for the adaptation of Alasdair Grays 1992 novel.

Holly Waddington, winner of Best Costume Design for Poor Things - SHUTTERSTOCK

Waddington has previously worked on Lincoln, War Horse, and Atonement.

She said her biggest test on Poor Things was telling the story of Stones character, Bella Baxter, and her development through the film.

It was a constant challenge to me, I had a big huge folder, it was like a jigsaw puzzle because she (Bella) had to move so rapidly through the stages, I had to tell that story through clothes.

In her acceptance speech, she called the film a rare opportunity and praised the cast for being a joy to work with.

Poor Things other two Academy Awards were for Production Design team Shona Heath, James Price and Zsuzsa Mihalek, and Makeup and Hairstyling for Josh Weston, Nadia Stacey, and Mark Coulier.

Meanwhile, British film hair and makeup designer Stacey praised her trusting relationship with Stone whom she previously worked with on The Favourite and Cruella.

Josh Weston, Nadia Stacey, and Mark Coulier win Best Makeup and Hairstyling for Poor Things - VARIETY

Speaking to reporters backstage, she said: She just lets me come up with lots of crazy ideas to try on her, adding Stone was particularly involved in this project as she served as a producer as well.

But Stacey added: I always think of us as, were not just makeup and prosthetics, were part of the storytelling process and that is a huge part of an actor getting into character.

So its incredible, and particularly on something like this film where we created this kind of whole new world and characters, so for us to be recognised for that is amazing.

Meanwhile, Britains The Zone of Interest, based on a novel by the late Martin Amis, claimed the Oscar for Best International Feature Film.

The movie is about a German officers family living next door to the Auschwitz death camp during World War Two.

In his acceptance speech, director, Jonathan Glazer, touched on the Israel-Hamas war, saying the films choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present  not to say, Look what they did then, rather, Look what we do now.

Glazer, who is Jewish, said he refuted Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.

The Zone Of Interest also won the best sound Oscar. Sound designer Johnnie Burn and production sound mixer Tarn Willers had already won a BAFTA for their work on the film.

The Animated Short category went to Dave Mullins, Brad Booker and Sean Ono Lennon for War Is Over! Inspired By The Music Of John & Yoko.

Sean Ono Lennon, the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, asked the audience to wish his mother, who turned 91 last month, a happy Mothers Day when he took the stage.

He said: Would everyone please say Happy Mothers Day, Yoko?

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.
CIA director Bill Burns said Monday that reaching a cease-fire and hostage deal in Gaza is critical to addressing the massive humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

The reality is that there are children who are starving, Burns said during the Senates worldwide threats hearing on Capitol Hill. They're malnourished as a result of the fact that humanitarian assistance can't get to them. It's very difficult to distribute humanitarian assistance effectively unless you have a ceasefire.

The remarks from Burns, who has been representing the U.S. in negotiations between Israel and Hamas to pause fighting and release the remaining hostages, were some of the strongest yet offered by intelligence officials since Hamas attacked Israel in October, prompting the counteroffensive. They come as the Biden administration is under increasing pressure to push Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, and after the Israels prime minister dismissed the idea that Gazans were starving in an interview this past weekend.

The aid world has for months warned of an impending famine in Gaza. And U.N. officials said last week that atleast one-quarter of Gazas population are one step away from reaching that grim milestone.Burns said a pause in fighting is critical to not only ensuring the swift delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza but also to securing the release of the hostages  something the director is actively working to address with officials in Israel, Egypt and Qatar.



The CIA director returned home from the region Saturday night  his eighth trip to try and negotiate an end to the fighting in Gaza. He said the parties are trying to broker a deal for a six-week cease-fire in Gaza that would allow for the release of 40 hostages as well as Palestinian prisoners being held in Israel.

Under intense questioning by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) about whether he believed Israel was exterminating the Palestinian people Burns said he understood Israels need to respond to the attack by Hamas.

But I think we all also have to be mindful of the enormous toll this has taken on innocent civilians in Gaza, he said.

The wide-ranging hearing Monday, which came in conjunction with the publishing of the Director of National Intelligences annual threats report, touched on some of the most critical national security issues facing U.S. policymakers.

It included multiple officials from the intelligence community, including Burns, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and Chris Wray, the director of the FBI.

In the hearing, intelligence community officials urged Congress to pass additional funding for Ukraine, warned about China, Russia, and Iran using artificial intelligence to interfere in U.S. elections and defended the use of a controversial digital surveillance authority to collect data on foreign individuals.

But the fighting in Gaza was touched on by multiple officials.

Haines said the conflict in Gaza will likely have a generational impact on terrorism. More than 1,200 Israelis were killed during the Oct. 7 attack. Since then, about 30,000 Gazans have been killed, according to the Hamas health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas.

Haines remarks echo those made by intelligence officials in the weeks after the attack.



National Counterterrorism Center director Christy Abizaid, told Congress in November that Oct. 7 was inspiring terrorists across the globe. While Abizaid said most of the threats posed by those groups were focused on U.S troops in the Middle East, the FBIs Wray noted in the same hearing he was also concerned about threats against the homeland.

Wray reiterated those warnings Monday.

Even before Oct. 7, I would have told this committee that we were at a heightened threat level from a terrorism perspective, Wray said, referring to the possibility of a terrorist attack in the U.S. Since Oct. 7, though, that threat has gone to a whole other level. And so this is a time I think for much greater vigilance.

Wray said he was particularly concerned about people entering the country and committing crimes after crossing, including violent crimes.

We are concerned about the terrorism implications from potential targeting of vulnerabilities at the border, he said.

In the hearing, officials also addressed the strikes by Iran-backed Houthis in the shipping vessels in the Red Sea  attacks the group says are in response to Israels offensive in Gaza.

Iran proxy militant groups in Iraq and Syria have largely stopped attacking U.S. troops in recent weeks in part, officials believe, because of U.S. counterstrikes. But Haines said despite U.S. and UK air bombardments in Yemen, the Houthis continue to launch shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

Intelligence officials have previously calculated that the Houthis would continue their campaign as long as the war continued in Gaza. But Israel has shown no indications that it is considering winding down its operations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the military would soon invade Rafah  where more than 1 million people are living  in an effort to target Hamas leadership and the groups tunnel network.


Its kind of hard not to be smitten with the burrowing owl.

Standing just 9 inches tall and weighing less than a cup of coffee, these owls prefer to live in the ground, where they feed mainly on insects and small rodents, rather than in trees. Their miniature size, feathery floof and comically big eyes give these birds of prey a charisma that captivates the lens of wildlife photographers and the hearts of even the most clinical environmental scientists.

Once you see a burrowing owl, you just fall in love, said Catherine Portman, president of the Burrowing Owl Preservation Society.

But their cuteness hasn't protected this grassland species from a dangerous decline in population. This month, several wildlife conservation groups petitioned the California Fish and Game Commission to list these owls as endangered or threatened under the California Endangered Species Act.

Their report cites a 2007 statewide survey that measured an 11% decline in burrowing owls since 1993; although no comprehensive population count has be done since, they point to regional studies that show troubling numbers. Researchers Robert L. Wilkerson and Rodney B. Siegel counted 6,408 burrowing owl pairs in the Imperial Valley from 2006-07, but according to another study done by Jeffrey Manning, more than 1 in 4 breeding pairs had disappeared.

Shani Kleinhaus, a resident of Santa Clara Valley and environmental advocate with the local Audubon Society, remembers a time when it was easy to spot these raptors bobbing their heads all across the Bay Area, even in their camouflaged plumage.

In 2009 we still had burrowing owls in the county that were very accessible to the public so people could see them, Kleinhaus shared. But now, she said, most if not all of these birds rely on local conservation efforts to help protect their dwindling habitat in the Bay Area and help them pair when they reach reproductive maturity.

Why are the owls disappearing?

According to the most recent census, 70% of burrowing owls in the state of California reside in the Imperial Valley and surrounding areas in Southern California. As housing developments push farther and farther out from the state's urban cores and wind and solar farms expand in rural areas, these owls have found themselves sometimes competing with humans for real estate.

But its a little more complicated than rapacious developers versus hapless birds; theres plenty of blame to spread around.

Burrowing owls rely on ground squirrels to help build their nests, but farmers often kill them as pests because they nibble on electrical wiring and feed on produce. Feral cats and roving hounds have been known to hunt them down. Invasive grasses brought by Spaniards during the late 1700s to feed their livestock have made grasslands less habitable for ground squirrels and burrowing owls alike.

There are mitigation fees that developers pay if they are encroaching on burrowing owl habitats. And the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the California Fish and Game Commission codes afford protections to burrowing owls, but advocates say it's not enough.

A burrowing owl in a busy park in Contra Costa County keeps watch as dozens of dogs explore just feet away. (Lauren Bettino)

The decline of the owl is 'death by a thousand cuts'

These environmentalists have petitioned to protect the burrowing owl before, most recently in 2003 when scientists like Lynne Trulio noticed a worrisome decline in the population of burrowing owls across the state. That petition was rejected because the state noted that the owls were flourishing in the Imperial Valley with the increase in agriculture in the 1990s.

[Burrowing owls] should have been listed back then, in my opinion, said Trulio, chair of the environmental studies department at San Jose State University. What's different 20 years on is that the trend that we saw in 2003 decline has steepened, and has gotten worse.

Esther Burkett, senior environmental scientist at California Department of Fish and Wildlife, admits there arent enough legal protections for the owls and that the state bureaucracy can make it difficult to act quickly. (Her department is not to be confused with the Fish and Game Commission; her team does the research that informs the policy and rules that the Fish and Game Commission decides.)

You got to know what you're looking for. So, ideally, for any species, the actual surveyor needs to be trained on how to do that, said Burkett. [If] you miss a review of that [California Environmental Quality Act] document you don't get another chance at it. And then we're gonna lose three [breeding] pairs and its just death by a thousand cuts over time.

Burkett manages a wide array of species in the state and said shes overwhelmed by the need and the lack of resources she has to address the problems facing many of these animals. The last time they put together a comprehensive report on burrowing owls was in 2012, and even that report took four years to put together. She likens the situation to a hospital where they're trying to address many patients  species tagged as "special interest" like the burrowing owl are in the ICU, but most of their resources are going toward endangered and threatened species in the emergency room.

Activists intervene on the owls' behalf

Portman spends a lot of her time teaching Californians how to apply the California Environmental Quality Act to protect burrowing owls. The statute, which Gov. Ronald Reagan signed into law in 1970, requires developers to gauge the environmental effects of their projects and plan how to mitigate them  and allows the public to challenge them. But its not always easy to make sure these agencies are doing their due diligence.

I don't put that on the developer. I put that on the land use jurisdictions, said Portman. The agency tasked with preparing the environmental impact report usually makes the developer bankroll it, and it's in the developer's interests to hurry the project toward completion. The city councils, the county Board of Supervisors, whoever the lead agency is, gets to decide how that land is used," Portman said, but they "do not take full advantage of the authority that they had.

Other scientists are working to increase the chances burrowing owls can survive and successfully reproduce. For example, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, which has been collaborating with agencies and municipalities to save the burrowing owl, recently released some owls that had been rescued from near-certain death as chicks.

Jeff Miller, senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, was author of both petitions; he's one of the few activists who remembers when biologists started sounding the alarm in the 1990s. Miller believes the outcome of this petition could be different because the priorities of the commission have shifted over time.

Back when the Fish and Game Commission began, Miller said, "everything was managed as to be fished or to be hunted." Today, more board members have expertise in environmental issues, he said, and "there's a lot more emphasis on conserving imperiled species." The commissioners did not respond to The Times' request for comment.

A burrowing owl in a busy park in Contra Costa County dozes off while devoutly standing guard outside his burrow. (Lauren Bettino)

Burrowing owls and Californias grasslands

Burrowing owl advocates said the goal of listing the bird as an endangered species is to eventually get it off the list. But Trulio thinks listing the bird under Californias Endangered Species Act could be the key to preserving the states grasslands.

Trulios speciality is urban species, and shes contributed to the research that underpins Santa Clara Countys habitat conservation plan on burrowing owls. But before that she was also the lead scientist for the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, one of the largest tidal wetland restoration projects on the West Coast.

One of the things that drove the effort was the fact that there were endangered species" in wetlands, said Trulio. She said it took years to change the perception of the wetlands as a dumping ground and to get a ballot measure to fund its preservation.

Where developers might look at grasslands as vast empty landscapes to build on, Trulio said, she sees their value to the public as spaces for outdoor recreation and sequestering carbon to fight climate change. Its not just about protecting this one species of bird, but the ecosystem they inhabit, Trulio said.

We need to protect burrowing owls before urbanization takes hold, Trulio stated. Once urbanization takes hold, what really happens is land values become so high that you can't protect them.

The double-edge nature of visibility

Lauren Bettino, a Bay Area wildlife photographer, had never seen a burrowing owl before she set out to Point Isabel Regional Shoreline to snap a photo of these rare birds.

Bettino was taking a break from her search and sat down on a rock only to realize she happened to share a perch with a burrowing owl. He was not concerned about me at all, Bettino recalled. I spent probably an hour and a half to two hours just sitting next to him and watching him.

Bettino tries not to advertise exact locations of where she photographs wildlife because it could attract over-zealous photographers who could disturb them. But she's believes sharing pictures of the burrowing owls is an important way to encourage people to care more about their natural neighbors; she knows most people are not field biologists.

The Audubon Societys Instagram page often features burrowing owls where they are liked by thousands of viewers. To Kleinhaus it makes sense why theres such an outpouring of love. Seeing an owl opens your eyes to something very mythical or primordial," she said. "It elicits emotion not just from me, but anyone who sees them."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
People are being tricked into buying homes on holiday parks where they have no right to live, the BBC has found.

Buyers told BBC One's Panorama they were cheated out of their life savings after being falsely promised they could live full-time on the sites.

An undercover reporter secretly filmed one salesperson falsely claiming year-round living was permitted on a holiday park in Lancashire.

Site owner David Welch says contracts clearly state it is a holiday park.

In the UK, there are more than 170,000 residents living permanently in mobile homes. The majority do so legally, as they are living on residential parks that have planning permission and residential licences.

However, thousands more people are thought to be living unofficially on holiday parks. It is usually a breach of planning laws for anyone to live full-time on a site that only has a holiday park licence.

'Heartbreaking'

Delivery driver Mike Chesworth, 59, found himself trapped in this situation when he bought a home on Wyre Country Park for 180,000.

Located on the banks of the River Wyre just outside Blackpool, Lancashire, it appealed to Mr Chesworth as a pleasant place to retire with his wife.

The contract they signed in 2019 says the caravan is for holiday use only. But they say the site owner, David Welch, promised them they could stay in the park permanently.

Now they're stuck in a home where they are not supposed to live.

The couple say they were threatened with eviction after complaining to Mr Welch. They could also be evicted by the local council for breaching planning rules and the site owner could face enforcement action.

Mr Chesworth says he is now working six days a week to save money as he believes he may have to fight Mr Welch in court.

"It's heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking, and that's why I want to raise money, and that's why I want to fight these people, because they've got to be stopped."

Panorama spoke to five other residents at Wyre Country Park who also said they had been falsely promised they could live on the site full-time by Mr Welch and then threatened with eviction when they later complained.

BBC iPlayer

Panorama, The Mobile Home Swindle

Reporter Rory Carson meets the caravan park residents who say they have been mis-sold their properties and falsely promised they could they could live in them all year round.

Watch now on BBC iPlayer (UK Only) or on BBC One at 20:00 on Monday 11 March (20:30 in Wales and Northern Ireland)

BBC iPlayer

Panorama sent an undercover reporter to Wyre Country Park to pose as a buyer. They made it clear they were looking for somewhere to live full-time.

The reporter first spoke to Mr Welch on the phone and was told the park had a "residential" area, where she could live all year round.

The reporter was later taken round the park by the sales manager, who said most of the residents lived on site full-time. "They've chosen probably, for this to be, potentially, their last home," she said.

Even when the reporter raised the issue of the holiday licence, the sales manager still insisted people could live on the site 12 months a year.

Consumer lawyer Dean Dunham, who viewed the footage, says buyers are being misled like this in parks around the UK.

"I think this is a really big issue because there are so many people who have fallen down this trap. I'm not saying I've heard from one or two people who have lost their life savings. I've heard from countless people who have lost their life savings."

Site owner David Welch denies misleading buyers, and says the site's signs and sales agreements clearly state that it is a holiday park.

"We have not received any formal complaints about how the park is managed. We totally reject any allegations of intimidation or threats to 'evict' holidaymakers," he said.

The sales manager did not respond.

Alfie Best - nicknamed the Gypsy Billionaire - owns 90 residential mobile home parks across Britain

Panorama has discovered that people can also be misled when buying mobile homes on residential parks.

Even when a park has a full residential licence - meaning people can live there all year round - the site owner may not have planning permission for all of the homes.

Alfie Best owns 90 residential parks through his company Wyldecrest Parks and he is the star of a TV documentary called Gypsy Billionaire.

He was ranked number 232 in last year's Sunday Times Rich List, which valued his wealth at 745m.

In 2015, one of his companies sold a mobile home without planning permission at Bayworth Park in Oxfordshire.

The local council started enforcement action over the planning breach in 2016.

Louise Hopkins discovered her home did not have planning permission shortly after she bought it

When the owners found out their home did not have the necessary permission, they took legal action and Alfie Best's company eventually bought it back in January 2020.

But that was not the end of it.

Louise Hopkins was looking for a new start and thought that Bayworth Park would be the perfect spot.

When she was shown the same mobile home on the same plot, Alfie Best's company did not say anything about the planning dispute.

She paid 165,000 in October 2020 and then discovered her home did not have planning permission.

"I was knowingly sold a home that did not have planning permission. I think it's fraud. I absolutely think it's fraud."

The following year Wyldecrest was fined 75,000 for breaching planning rules. The judges said the company's conduct had been dishonest and deceitful.

But Ms Hopkins could still lose her home as, without planning permission, she has got no right to live on the site.

"It sounds like madness now that I didn't engage a lawyer," she says. "I feel quite foolish, I feel quite angry. A very rich and influential man has treated me appallingly."

Alfie Best says what happened to Louise was not his fault, because Wyldecrest had sold the same home to another resident before it was sold on to her and site owners are not allowed to interfere in sales by residents.

"We did not sell Mrs Hopkins a home. She purchased the home from the previous owner of that home, not us."

Mr Best says he has offered to buy back the home from her. But a price has not been agreed with Louise.

The British Holiday and Home Parks Association, which represents site owners, says it is important that customers understand exactly what they can expect for their money.

It said: "Many thousands of people buy a holiday caravan or residential park home each year - the vast majority of whom have a positive experience, and go on to enjoy all the holiday and lifestyle benefits that come with ownership."
North Carolinas attorney general is suing a cancer charity accused of collecting millions in donations and only giving a fraction to patients.

AG Josh Stein and the secretary of state claim Cancer Recovery Foundation International, also known as the Womens Cancer Fund, is deceiving donors and violating consumer protection laws.

ALSO READ: Lawsuit filed against CMPD over police shooting can proceed to trial

The organization claims it provides financial help to women with cancer and their families.

The charity allegedly collected more than $18 million from donors between 2017 and 2022. Donors were told the money would help families with cancer patients pay for basic needs to keep a roof over their head and the lights on so they can survive cancer today.

Only about $194,000 -- about 1% -- went to help cancer patients, Stein said. The rest of the money went toward paying the owner, hosting for-profit fundraisers, and paying overhead costs.

(WATCH BELOW: NC Supreme Court lets MV Realty resume some operations amid lawsuit)
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) announced Monday she will run to serve as the next chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee (RPC), a post that will be vacated by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who is running to become Senate GOP conference chair.

The Republican Policy Committee plays a critical role as the policy and legislative ideas factory for our conference. I am going to ask for the support of my colleagues to chair the RPC in the next Congress, she announced on social media.

It is critical that our conference advance conservative principles that Senate Republicans, hopefully in the majority, can implement next year, she said.

Capito currently serves as vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference, and is the ranking member of the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Her negotiations with the White House laid out much of the foundation of the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, which Congress passed and President Biden signed into law in 2021.

Capito is a member of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnells (Ky.) leadership team and is known as a pragmatic and politically astute policymaker.

The West Virginia lawmaker likes to inject a little humor in the weekly Senate Republican leadership press conferences and last week publicly thanked McConnell for his 17 years of service as GOP leader.

As of now, Capito is running unopposed for the policy committee, which traditionally has served as a stepping stone to the upper ranks of leadership.

Senate Republican Conference Chair John Barrasso (Wyo.), who is running to become the next whip, served as Senate Republican policy chair from 2012 to 2018.

Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.), who is running against Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) to become the next Senate GOP leader, served as policy chair from 2009 to 2012.

Ernst is squaring off against Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) to become the next Senate GOP conference chair.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
It will take a lot of time and effort to bring passenger planes back to the Ukrainian skies. At the same time, the first flights of civil aviation in a country at war may be cargo flights rather than passenger flights. The reason is the rather complicated procedure for approving the safety of such flights. In the course of this procedure, Ukraine may receive a number of recommendations from its partners on what conditions should be provided for air carriers.

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This was told to OBOZ.UA by Bohdan Dolintse, an expert on aviation market development. He commented on the announcement of the start of official negotiations on the resumption of civil flights in Ukraine. According to the expert, it is too early to talk directly about the opening of airports.

"Today, we are not talking about the opening, but about the beginning of consultations. They are necessary for Ukraine to involve aviation regulators (those countries that could potentially start flying to Ukraine) in this process so that it is a multilateral solution," Dolintse said.

According to him, Ukraine currently has some information about the means and measures taken to ensure aviation and flight safety. And during the negotiations, this data will be provided to aviation regulators.

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The first step will be to assess the existing risks. "They (the regulators - Ed.) will issue certain recommendations and either say that these measures are sufficient to start resuming flights or make a list of necessary measures that Ukraine must implement for them to consider the Ukrainian space safe enough for their carriers to start flying," the expert said about the procedure.

It should also be borne in mind that it is not just about passenger flights. According to Dolintse, civilian air traffic as such is considered.

"The risk assessment considers the possibility of humanitarian flights, technical flights (distillation of empty boards), cargo, regular, irregular, and passenger flights in particular. Based on this analysis, a decision can be made on whether or not to allow a certain type of air transportation. From the point of view of cargo transportation, it may seem easier, as if the risks may be lower. But from the point of view of the aircraft itself, flight safety, whether a cargo plane or a civilian plane with passengers, they have, in principle, the same requirements for flying. Of course, given the potential number of victims, cargo transportation is more likely to resume faster and easier than, for example, passenger transportation," the expert warned.

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As OBOZ.UA previously reported, experts say that before resuming civilian air traffic, Ukraine needs to radically address security issues. After all, the war is ongoing, and airports can become desirable targets for the enemy.

It should also be borne in mind that Yurii Hnat, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, has previously made it clear that the only condition for resuming flights will be that the military has all the necessary means to protect the sky. He explained that currently, all Ukrainian airfields are "operational". And they are all under the control of the military.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Robert Hur, at the start of his special counsel probe into Joe Bidens handling of classified documents, was lauded as an experienced and fair federal prosecutor who was well-versed in handling high-profile and complex investigations.

Then, after a year of near-total public silence, he released a damning report detailing the presidents alleged previous mishandling of classified material. Hur, a former US attorney appointed by then-President Donald Trump, was met with resounding backlash from Democrats, including from Biden himself.

As Hur steps into the halls of Congress to testify Tuesday, his background  and how critics and allies of the president believe that may have seeped into his investigation  is once again going to be thrust into the spotlight.

And after finishing up his work last week, Hur is no longer with the Justice Department, according to a department spokesperson  meaning he will be testifying about his investigation as a private citizen.

In his few past public appearances, Hur has appeared personable and comfortable in front of friendly audiences.

At a farewell event for then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Hur cracked jokes to uproarious laughter. And during a 2017 White House press briefing, Hur spoke about investigating gang violence. At both events, he appeared to stick to prepared remarks and did not face any questions.

Rosenstein defended Hur, saying special counsel reports are often controversial.

Almost every investigation turns up adverse information about the suspect that normally remains confidential when charges are not pursued, Rosenstein told CNN. Public outcry about special counsel reports is inevitable because internal reports contain embarrassing details people would prefer not to make public and subjective opinions that anyone is free to question.

Prior to his time with the Justice Department, Hur was a law clerk for Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist and also clerked for a federal appellate judge, Alex Kozinski. He graduated from Stanford Law School in 2001.

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Hur as special counsel in January 2023. At the time, Hur, who had an extensive career at the Justice Department, had begun working in the private sector in Washington, DC.

In 2018, Hur was unanimously confirmed by the Senate to serve as US attorney in Maryland after being nominated by Trump. In the job, Hur played a key role in a number of high-profile cases, including a childrens book scandal involving then-Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh that resulted in Pugh being sentenced to three years in prison.

After his tenure as US attorney, Hur served as the principal associate deputy attorney general with the Justice Department. As one of his responsibilities at the department, Hur acted as a liaison for Rosenstein with special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Over the past year, Hur was tasked with investigating classified documents found at Bidens home and private office from his time as vice president. Hur was seen as a meticulous investigator during the probe, sources told CNN.

One lawyer who represented a witness in the investigation described Hurs process as being slow and methodical. This witness was interviewed, the lawyer told CNN, and then asked for additional documents months later.

US Attorney Robert Hur speaks to the press after former Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion in November 21, 2019. - Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service/Getty Images

They are certainly being sufficiently thorough and there is a temptation to think they are doing some things twice, the attorney told CNN.

Democrats echoed similar notions when Hur was first tapped as special counsel, holding up the former prosecutor as fair and thorough. But some in the party quickly changed their tune after Hur released his report, which painted Biden as doddering and feckless.

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, for example, described Hur in the days after he was appointed as trustworthy and able to get to the bottom of it.

After the reports public release, however, Raskin accused Hur of taking ridiculous cheap shots at Bidens age. Another ally of the president, CNN senior political commentator David Axelrod, referred to the report as a shiv the special counsel stuck into the Biden reelection campaign.

Biden himself fired back against Hurs depiction of him, saying in remarks after the report was released that I know what the hell Im doing. Ive been president  I put this country back on its feet. I dont need his recommendation.

Republican lawmakers have slammed Hur for declining to prosecute Biden, comparing his case to that of Trump, who is facing criminal charges over his handling of classified documents as part of a separate special counsel investigation  even though Hur made clear how different the two cases were.

Trump addressed the report in a campaign speech, saying that Biden got off scot-free. A pro-Trump super PAC claimed that the decision not to prosecute displayed a two-tiered justice system.

Rosenstein noted that public outcry over the special counsels report is inevitable and highlighted the robust analysis Hur put forward on whether Bidens actions warranted prosecution.

Many people mistakenly believe a prosecutors only job is to determine whether the evidence proves a suspects guilt, Rosenstein said. Robs report addresses that issue with a robust analysis of both the incriminating evidence and the exculpatory evidence. The report also grapples with the challenging question of whether the case warrants prosecution.

While the facts of Hurs report and the overall process of the investigation havent been challenged, Hur is still set to face difficult questions from members of Congress on both sides over whether his final determinations went too far or not far enough.

This story has been updated with additional details.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A protester in Jamaica holds a sign during a rally to demand that the United Kingdom make reparations for slavery - GILBERT BELLAMY/Reuters

Caribbean nations are set to demand that Britain make reparations for indentured labour in addition to slavery, in a major expansion of the campaign to address colonialism.

Countries that have pushed for payments on slavery are now planning to seek reparative justice surrounding the 500,000 indentured workers shipped from India to work on sugar plantations after African slaves were freed.

Under the indenture system, workers agreed to work for a set number of years in exchange for a pay-off at the end, such as land or a return passage to their place of origin, but most never returned after being duped into their bonded labour.

Exporting indentured labour to the Caribbean was pioneered by Sir John Gladstone, a 19th-century landowner in British Guiana, and father of William Gladstone, who would become prime minister.

Guyana, as it has been known since independence in 1966, received the most indentured labourers of any Caribbean colony, and its leaders are in favour of fresh action to secure reparations.

President Mohammad Irfaan Ali told The Telegraph: All those nations that benefited from abominable systems need to do the morally right thing and to accept their complicity in historical wrongs.

He said leaders were prepared to examine the issue of the atrocities committed under Indian indentured immigration.

History is on our side

Mr Ali believes the push for reparations will be successful, saying: There is a growing awareness in both Britain and in many European capitals about the need for reparative justice. History is on our side, and we are also on the right side of history.

He said his government would work with other Caribbean nations and continue to raise the issue of reparative justice whenever we are afforded the opportunity to do so.

While Mr Ali is convinced that there were grave atrocities committed under Indian indentured immigration, he made clear that these cannot be compared with the genocide against indigenous peoples and African enslavement, which was a crime against humanity and would remain the focus of Caribbean campaigning.

Guyana is one of 14 member states within the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which has sought reparations from Britain and other former colonial powers. It has recently pivoted to a plan to demand payments from businesses and institutions connected to slavery.

Caricom, which is chaired by Mr Ali, previously set out its formal demands in a 10-point plan detailing why and in what form slavery reparations should be given, from apologies to payments and debt cancellations.

In 2014, this was put to European governments that have not offered any redress to date. David Cameron ruled out reparations in a 2015 visit to Jamaica, highlighting Britains role in eliminating the slave trade, and Rishi Sunak rejected calls for reparative payments in 2023.

The Telegraph has learned that this list of demands is currently being updated to include indentured labour, with the formal document set to be put to Britain and other former colonial powers.

Heads of government in the Caribbean will then help to decide the best way to lobby Britain and other countries for reparations.

Indenture came with basic freedoms and pay, and pulled in labour from Portugal, Ireland and China as well as India.

The issue is distinct from chattel slavery, under which African slaves were treated as property with no rights, no pay and no prospect of freedom from their bondage.

Because of these differences, it has been suggested by some sources that using Caricoms existing infrastructure of slavery campaign groups may be inappropriate.

Indentured labourers were bound to agreements to work for a set amount of time, and while they were paid, the use of so-called coolies was brutal and known in the 19th century as a new system of slavery.

Sir John Gladstones aim was to replace slave labour following abolition taking effect in 1834.

Slaves faced a period of apprenticeship until 1838, during which time they remained tied to the land as a source of cheap labour for planters.

As this date approached, Gladstone wrote to friends in the Foreign Office in 1837 and obtained permission to recruit hill coolies from Bengal to work his land  a replacement for slave labour which was taken up by other planters across the Empire.

In 2023, his descendant Charles Gladstone travelled to Guyana to offer a formal apology for the practices of his great-great-great grandfather.

Indentured labourers were largely recruited from the illiterate Indian peasantry, often without knowing what they were signing up to, and shipped to the Caribbean where they faced years of hard labour, disease and a lack of basic rights.

More than 200,000 East Indian labourers went to Guyana under the indenture system, and the largest ethnic group of its modern population  39 per cent  is now of Indian descent.

Indentured labour was also used in other colonies, including South Africa, where young lawyer Mohandas Gandhi, later conferred with the honorific Mahatma, would first make his name campaigning successfully against the system which was officially abolished in 1917.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  The missing persons case of two San Juan County men last heard from two weeks ago has turned into a homicide investigation, according to the San Juan County Sheriffs Office, and the pairs roommate has been arrested in connection to the investigation.

Charles Youngkuom Yoo, 35, is charged with second-degree felony obstruction of justice in relation to the case. He was arrested Friday following the service of a search warrant on his Blanding home.

The investigation began Feb. 27 when officers responded to Yoos residence, located on the 300 East 800 South block of Blanding, Utah. Missing persons Christopher Topher Owens, 28, and William Drew Bull, 29, were both living with Yoo, the owner of the home, prior to their disappearance.

PREVIOUSLY: Search for two missing San Juan County men grows

A friend of Owens and Bull had gone to the home earlier to speak with Bull about business, according to a statement of probable cause, but neither Bull nor Owens were at the residence. The friend instead spoke with Yoo, reportedly the only person at the home at the time, informing Yoo that they had not heard from Bull, and that Bulls significant other hadnt heard from him either.

The friend had not been in contact with Bull since Feb. 25, when Bull and Owens were driving back from Moab. Shortly after the interaction, Bulls significant other reportedly received a text from Bulls phone stating, its always something with everyone i cant deal with this b******* from you kaitlyn texas colorado f*** it all you dont listen kids dont listen f*** u f**** everyone tell toph im sorry if hes alive your all ob your own, according to the affidavit.

This friend told the sheriffs office that the text seemed suspicious for several reasons. One  the text was reportedly sent shortly after their interaction with Yoo. Two  one of the reasons listed in the text is Bulls ex-wife, but her name is spelled incorrectly. And three  the text mentioned Bulls friend Owens, Toph, possibly not being alive, and no one had heard from Owens either since Bulls disappearance.

Additionally, detectives later learned that Bull had not been in contact with his ex-wife for around three years.

The friend also claimed no one had heard from Bull or Owens since Feb. 25 until that text message was received. This friend became even more concerned after Yoo, who owned a large collection of guns, claimed one of his guns was missing. They reportedly told Yoo to report the missing gun to police, but Yoo allegedly said he wanted to speak to an attorney before making a report.

Officers learned that Bull and Owens had, in fact, returned from a trip to Moab and were seen at a Maverik gas station in Blanding around 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 25. Police reportedly obtained video surveillance confirming they were there.

READ NEXT: Man arrested at West Valley City school for attempted kidnapping of 13-year-old girl

Yoo allegedly told police that he saw Bull and Owens around mid-morning on Feb. 26, and that the two had left the home in a black Dodge. However, Yoo did not provide any more information as to whether the Dodge was a truck, car, or SUV, or anything else that would have been apparent to someone with basic knowledge of a vehicle, the affidavit states.

Yoo is a vehicle mechanic and has substantial knowledge about vehicles, police said, making officers even more suspicious about Yoos statement.

Yoo also told police that Bull and Owens would have had access to his gun that was missing because it was just sitting out, and that the two had not returned home since he claimed to have last seen them on Feb. 26.

Officers conducted a video canvas of the area and did not find any black Dodge coming or going from the area on Feb. 26 during mid-morning, according to the affidavit.

Bulls significant other told police she and Bull shared their location data with each other, but that on the evening of Feb. 25, the day Bull had returned from Moab, Bulls location data stopped sharing. It was during this same period that Owens, an active social media user, stopped posting on social media.

When Owens friends tried to reach him, they were sent straight to voicemail. When Bulls significant other called Bull repeatedly, Bull did not answer. Police also said they checked both Bulls and Owens bank statements, and that there had not been any activity since Feb. 25.

Police conducted an emergency ping on Bulls and Owens phones, and while no location data came back for Owens phone, Bulls phone showed a location in an area around 700 yards from Yoos residence. Police checked the area, but did not find Bull nor a cellphone.

On Feb. 27, Yoo and the friend went to pick up Bulls significant other, who had reportedly recently had a baby. Upon returning to Yoos residence, Yoo, who has a military background, allegedly wanted to tactically clear the home for any possible threats. Yoo allegedly instructed the friend during the sweep of the home, and when the friend found a door that was locked from the inside, Yoo told them that he had not checked that room, and the friend repeatedly tried to gain entry, according to the affidavit.

However, Yoo allegedly then claimed that he had cleared the room, and that there was no reason to enter.

Yoo, Bull, and Bulls significant other reportedly all shared their locations together due to their good friendship, the affidavit states. Police said Yoo told Bulls significant other that he would be leaving town on March 1, and during this time, turned his location data off. However, when Yoo returned, he turned his location data back on, according to the affidavit.

Utah State Hospital staff member arrested for rape of patient

Police said they were able to get the location data of several locations Yoo had visited, and upon questioning Yoo, Yoo did not provide the correct information regarding where officers already knew he had traveled.

Police also obtained information on Bulls and Owens phones and found that both phones arrived to the Blanding residence on Feb. 25, but that neither phones left the area and are last seen after midnight on Feb. 26 when it appears both were powered off, the affidavit states.

The phones were turned back on Feb. 27 when the text to Bulls significant other was sent and then both were once again powered off, police said.

Cellphone data shows that the text was sent from the immediate area of Yoos residence.

On March 8, detectives conducted an interview with Yoo. When asked questions about the text message, Yoo reportedly nodded his head in the affirmative, indicating that he knew the text was sent from his residence, and that he knew how it was sent.

Charles was found to be the only person at the residence on 02/27/2024 when the text message was sent. Charles also provided confirmation the text was sent from the residence, and he knew how it was sent. [Bull] and [Owens] have no proof of life since 02/25/2024, with the exception of the text message sent from [Bulls] phone when [Yoo] claimed no one else was home, the affidavit states.

Due to evidence collected at the home, interviews with Yoo, investigative techniques and the lack of proof of life from Bull and Owens, the investigation is now considered a homicide investigation.

This case is ongoing at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case, or who has seen anything suspicious that could be related to this investigation, is asked to call the San Juan County Sheriffs Office at 435-587-2237.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The cause has been released in a deadly south Charlotte multi-vehicle crash that killed two South Mecklenburg high school students on Friday.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, officers were called to the 5400 block of Old Pineville Road at Tyvola Road just before 7 a.m. Friday, March 8, for reports of a serious crash.

As officers arrived at the scene they found a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta with heavy damage and a 2015 Western Star semi-truck in the intersection.

Two South Mecklenburg High School students, identified as Kaia Hodge, 18, and Jada Cousins, 17, were pronounced deceased at the scene by Medic. The 63-year-old driver of the semi-truck was transported to Atrium Health South Park with minor injuries, CMPD said.

Charlotte, NC (Queen City News)

Charlotte, NC (Queen City News)

Charlotte, NC (Queen City News)

Charlotte, NC (Queen City News)

Detectives with the Major Crash Investigation Unit said their preliminary investigation shows that 18-year-old Hodge was traveling south on Old Pineville Road when she collided with the semi-truck as it attempted to make a left turn onto Tyvola Road.

Statement released from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools:

Good Afternoon, South Mecklenburg High School Families, this is Principal Angerer. It is with great sadness that I share news about the deaths of two of our students. Seniors Kaia Hodge and Jada Cousins were involved in a fatal car accident Friday morning. We are heartbroken by this loss and grieve with Kaia and Jadas family and friends.

This type of sudden loss is difficult to process, and oftentimes we experience physical, mental and emotional reactions. Please take the time you need to process your feelings and remember to care for and support each other during this difficult time.

We are here for you. Grief counseling services are available for any student or staff member who may need support. We will have support in the E cafeteria on Monday morning.

We extend our sincere condolences to Kaia and Jadas families, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts as well.

So far, no charges have been filed in this case. The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to call CMPD Detective Sessoms at 704-432-2169, Ext. 3.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Fueled by a distrust of the CDCs handling of Covid-19 and the recommendations it made on measures like masking and vaccines, many conservatives want the agency dismantled  and hope a second Trump administration could make it happen.

Their proposed approach, outlined in the 2025 Presidential Transition Project offered by the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank, would drastically reduce the CDCs size by splitting it in two: One agency responsible for public health surveillance work, like data collection on outbreaks, and another responsible for limited public health recommendations  with a strict firewall between them.

We have to move away from social engineering and more towards good outcomes, Roger Severino, former director of HHS Office for Civil Rights under the Trump administration, told POLITICO.

He lambasted the Biden administrations focus on promoting health equity  particularly policies to protect transgender people from discrimination in health care  and doubling down on tackling Covid-19, by promoting masking and vaccination, for having a harmful effect on the reputation of the CDC, and the public health apparatus as a whole.



But such an agency reorganization could have far-reaching consequences on the CDCs ability to offer strategies to prevent or mitigate the spread of disease and, according to one former CDC director, slow down its coordination when tracking and stymieing an outbreak.

If you have different agencies, you're not going to make it easier to deal with an outbreak. You're going to make it harder to deal with an outbreak and you're going to reduce the likelihood that Americans will be resilient and healthy enough to withstand it, said Dr. Tom Frieden, who led the CDC under the Obama administration.

Mission drift

Conservative concerns about the CDC often focus on its scope. One expert at a conservative think tank, who was granted anonymity to speak about a conservative reform of the CDC, said the agency has had massive mission drift in the past 30 years and suggested a Trump administration would review all CDC functions to determine which programs could be moved to other departments.

One example, he said, is moving the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which makes recommendations to prevent work-related illness  and was behind recommendations for face masks during the pandemic  to the Department of Labor.

Severino suggested major changes to CDC functions, particularly its data collection. He wants the agency to get rid of its reporting networks related to vaccine safety, fund studies on the risks and complications of abortion, and end data collection related to gender identity.

Severino argued that research on gender identity is subjective."



The CDC collects this type of data now because it can help address health care disparities for LGBTQ+ people and, particularly for transgender patients, foster a more trusting provider-patient relationship.

Without this information, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients and their specific health care needs cannot be identified, the health disparities they experience cannot be addressed, and important health care services may not be delivered, the CDCs website says.

A second agency, Severino said, should cover public health, but must have a severely confined ability to make policy recommendations.

By statute or regulation, CDC guidance must be prohibited from taking on a prescriptive character, Severino wrote in the Heritage Foundation plan For example, never again should CDC officials be allowed to say in an official capacity that school children should be masked or vaccinated  Such decisions should be left to parents and medical providers.

The CDC, which is overhauling some of its operations and leaning on trusted communicators like doctors to spread public health messaging, did not respond to requests for comment.

Frieden said theres precedent for improving oversight of the agency but called the idea that the CDC should deal only with infectious diseases very dangerous and very wrong.

We don't split up the military because it's too big. We don't split up corporations because they're too big, he said. Big organization needs a big management structure and also flexibility.

Frieden pointed to his leadership during the 2016 outbreak of Zika, a disease transmitted via mosquitoes that can cause birth defects. To address Zika, I had to coordinate with our birth defect center, our environmental health center.  We couldnt have done that unless [CDC] was one agency, he said.

Frieden also pushed back on criticism from Republican circles that the agency makes recommendations for political reasons rather than for public health reasons.

We have to be really clear: CDC makes very limited recommendations to the public. The CDC says, Heres what the science shows, he said. CDC should be empowered to make those statements with no interference of any kind.

May take a little longer

Currently appointed directly by the president, CDC directors will need Senate confirmation starting in January, as Congress directed in a 2022 law.

Jennifer Kates, senior vice president at KFF, a health research group, said that will politicize the agency.

She also said she expects that a Trump-led CDC wont request funds for some of President Joe Bidens priorities, such as the agencys program examining the impact of climate change on health.

Still, splitting the agency would require legislation, said Bill Hoagland, senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a centrist think tank. So, it may take a little longer, he told POLITICO. But its clear their intent is to really look at the CDC  so I would expect some real efforts here.

If legislation doesnt move fast enough, Hoagland said he could see the return of an executive order that the Trump administration issued in its first term: It designated certain civil servants in policy-related positions as Schedule F employees. That allows the administration to fire them more easily.

If you can't legislatively move to split the CDC, you certainly can modify the staffing over there in such a way that you have political appointees, Hoagland said.

The nature of them

Other ways a Trump-led HHS could change the department is by proposing rules to narrow civil rights protections.

Severino has called for a shift toward restoring religious conscience rules. Those would make it easier for providers to refuse to provide abortions or dispense birth control, among other things.

Severino and other conservatives also oppose a 2022 Biden administration proposal to expand civil rights protections in health care, including a provision that says providers cannot discriminate against someone based on their gender identity.

If Biden doesnt finalize the rule by sometime this summer, it could become subject to the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to rescind recent rules. If Trump wins the election along with a GOP Congress, any rules finalized later this year will be vulnerable.

Rules, executive actions, and regulations can be changed: That is the nature of them, said Michael Linden, who served as executive associate director of OMB during the Biden administration and is now senior policy fellow at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, a grant-making group that promotes economic development.

But the courts could protect some.

The Biden administration, for example, has leaned on a 2020 Supreme Court decision upholding gender identity protections in the workplace.
A "creepy" doll which terrified shoppers after it went on display in an Edinburgh charity shop has been bought by celebrity psychic Deborah Davies.

The toy went viral after a picture of it in the window of the Morningside store was posted on social media.

The shop put up an "I'm not creepy" sign and halved the price of the doll, which it named Annabelle.

But now it has been bought by Deborah after the picture was shared by some of her social media followers.

The star of Unexplained: Caught on Camera paid 200 for the doll from the St Columba's Hospice shop and now plans to keep it at her home in Cheshire.

Deborah Davies with one of her celebrity friends boxer Tyson Fury

"This doll will be with me under 24 hour surveillance," she told BBC Scotland News.

"I'm actually going to keep it at my home, which I normally never do. I keep all my dolls in my office."

Deborah has about 70 dolls - some costing as much as 10,000 each - but she said Annabelle would be the most special because of the feeling it gave her.

She said she planned to speak to the doll and carry out an "investigation" because she believed it had a human soul attached to it.

Deborah, who starred in two series of The Real Housewives of Cheshire, said she had decided to keep the name Annabelle.

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Simone Varga, St Columba's Hospice charity shop manager, said one of her volunteers had originally donated the doll because she was moving away from Edinburgh.

"When I opened the box I saw its creepy long legs and real shoes and then saw its eyes had pupils and its nails had the white bits on it. I thought it looked very human," she said.

"Then I saw on the back of its neck that it was an Ashton-Drake Galleries doll, which are very expensive, so I priced it and put it in the window.

"But when everyone on social media started saying it was creepy, menacing and freaking out about it I thought it's not going to sell so I put the price down and put a sign on it saying: 'I'm not creepy."

The price of the doll was reduced from 180 to 90.

Simone Varga put a note on the doll in the window saying 'I am not creepy'

As the days went by, Ms Varga started wondering if the doll would come alive.

"It's been terrible, my mind started running away," she said.

"I kept thinking the shop door bell would ring and the doll would be standing there, so I kept looking over my shoulder."

When she received a call from Deborah asking to buy the doll, and offering to pay more than the original price, she was overjoyed.

"It's been absolutely mental all this," she added.

Ewa Well, 41, a customer who lives in Ratho, said she thought the doll was a real child when she entered the shop with her mother, Alice Drabarczyk.

"I had to have a peek closer because I thought it was real," Ms Well said.

Alice Drabarczyk with her daughter Ewa Well with the doll

Mrs Drabarczyk, 74, who is on holiday from Warsaw in Poland, said: "I remember having a special dress my uncle had sent me when I was seven from Bedford in England exactly the same as the one on this doll.

"I like the doll but I like old fashioned things. The face is too grey for a child though."

Another customer, 72-year-old Phil Canale, said: "It looks like something from an American film that could come alive. I wouldn't have it in my house."

Arne Strid, 82, from Morningside, added: "When I first saw the doll I thought it was striking and a bit creepy.

"It made me stop in my tracks then I saw the price and thought it must be special."

Ann Jones, 74, a customer, said: "It looks a bit different and makes me want to know how old it is. I think it has nice eyes and hair and looks cheery."
The CEO of a massive shipping company died when she accidentally backed her Tesla into a pond on her Texas property  a tragedy that already seems inextricably linked to the vehicle's unusual and increasingly controversial features.

As the Wall Street Journal reports, the late Angela Chao, who was CEO of the Chinese shipping firm Foremost Group and the youngest sister of Sen. Mitch McConnell's wife Elaine, experienced a harrowing demise that her friends witnessed as her Tesla Model X SUV sunk slowly into a small stock pond.

The unfortunate incident occurred in February's Lunar New Year, the report noted, when the 50-year-old Chao and a bevy of her female friends were enjoying a lavish retreat at her Texas ranch. Because it had been a cold and dark night in the Austin area, the shipping magnate decided to make the short drive from her property's guest house to her main home when she accidentally put the car in reverse instead of drive  a mistake she'd made before, apparently.

Almost immediately upon making that ill-fated miscalculation, Chao called her friends who were just steps away, asking them if they could help her as her car began swiftly to sink. One jumped into the pond to try to save her friend. Ultimately, despite calling paramedics and other emergency officials, it took hours to get the car, with the CEO in it, out of the pond.

According to experts, you have roughly 30-60 seconds to safely get out of a car when it starts sinking. With automatic windows like those used by Tesla and most other vehicle manufacturers, there are only a few seconds to push the button and roll down the windows before the water gets too high. After that, the only way to get out is to break the glass  and because Tesla uses laminated glass, one of the most durable types on the market, breaking it under the pressure of water would have been nearly impossible.

Because it took hours to retrieve both the car from the water and Chao from the vehicle, she was ruled dead on arrival and no autopsy was performed, the WSJ reported. Despite the circumstances, however, law enforcement in Blanco County where the CEO lived with her husband, venture capitalist Jim Breyer, are still investigating her death as a criminal matter.

As such, conspiracy theories have cropped up in the long month since Chao's death, including some who claim that there could have been foul play based on her status as CEO of a shipping conglomerate  especially from alleged bad actors in China, where her parents were from.

"Does the Blanco County Sheriff have the technical capacity to investigate the Tesla Logs to determine if the car was tampered with or even hacked?" Texas-based hedge fund manager and apparent China-hater Kyle Bass tweeted on March 1. "This case continues to become more and more suspicious."

Despite the conspiratorial attention, which has per the WSJ chagrined Chao's grieving family, it appears almost certain that her death was a tragic accident  and given that researchers say more than 400 people in North America die in vehicle submersions per year, it's definitely not without precedent.

More on Tesla accidents: Tesla Employee Who Loved Elon Musk Reportedly Killed by Full Self-Driving
(Bloomberg) -- Chads Prime Minister Succes Masra confirmed his candidacy for the countrys May 6 presidential election in front of supporters in the capital NDjamena on Sunday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Masra, a former opposition leader, will face interim President Mahamat Deby, whos contesting the vote under the banner of the newly-formed For a United Chad coalition.

Deby was sworn in as the partys candidate on March 2, three days after Yaya Dillo, his main challenger, was killed in a shootout with security forces that had surrounded the office of the Socialist Party Without Borders.

Chads already weak opposition has been violently suppressed during Debys three years in power. Masra fled Chad in late 2022 following nationwide protests that left scores dead and injured hundreds as security forces fired live ammunition at civilians, according to Chads National Human Rights Commission. Hundreds of others were arrested, including several members of the Transformers party.

Masra, once a fierce critique of Deby, joined the government following his return to Chad in November, after spending more than a year in exile.

After all the suffering, you choose reconciliation, Masra told supporters during a ceremony at his partys headquarters on Sunday. We need to put our personal interests aside and work for the common good, he said.

Deby, 39, seized power in 2021 after his father, former President Idriss Deby, was killed on the battlefield, and is widely expected to win the election. The elder Deby ruled the central African oil producer for three decades.

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DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  Prosecutors have dropped the charges against one of two sisters accused of abusing their elderly mother by physically stopping her from receiving medical treatment for an infection.

Ida Newby was set to go to trial Monday morning on elder abuse charges, but Judge Todd Derrick unexpectedly dismissed the case on Wednesday, March 6. The dismissal came on the same day Newbys attorneys were set to meet with Judge Derrick to give an update on their case.

Houston County Prosecutors have yet to give a reason why Newbys charges were dismissed.

The 45-year-old defendant was charged alongside her sister, 44-year-old Annie Newby.

The sisters were initially arrested in January 2020 after Dothan Police said they stopped their mother from receiving medical treatment, even physically pulling her wheelchair from an ambulance as medical workers were trying to take the elderly victim to a doctors appointment.

The sisters were arrested again in May 2023 after Judge Derrick claimed they missed a court hearing and issued fugitive warrants.

Annie Newby is held in the Houston County Jail with no bond. Her trial is expected to start next month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Jenni Muskett from Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre has questioned the council's priorities

A charity supporting people who have been sexually abused has criticised a council for investing more money in a city centre development whilst cutting its contract.

But Coventry City Council has now asked its cabinet to help meet a multi-million pound shortfall on its transformation plans for the site.

As part of its budget cuts, the council has ended a 200,000 contract with Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC), which has led the charity to question the council's spending priorities.

The council has said it cannot comment on the cost of transforming the furniture store, but it will be good for the city, and boost the region's economy.

Work to convert the former store into a cultural centre is set to start later in the year

Coventry City Council bought the Ikea building after it closed it in 2020, and the BBC has learnt it spent about 9m on the purchase.

It is thought the total cost of the scheme could be more than 55m but the council would not be drawn on a figure.

Coventry City councillor David Welsh (Lab) said the development will be good for the city

The Labour-run council has warned in recent months that it was at risk of being declared effectively bankrupt, and councillors voted to approve a plan to plug a 20m gap in its finances this year.

The budget includes a 4.99% rise in council tax, and cuts to street lighting and school bus routes.

Sexual abuse support charity CRASAC has also had its council contract ended.

The charity said that meant having to close its waiting lists to teenagers and adults seeking treatment.

"What we cost to run is very little, actually, in terms of a million pounds for a building, or 400,000 for the swimming baths,'' said Jenni Muskett from the centre.

"What is the value we are placing on children and adult's lives?"

'Flatpack fantasy'

Conservative councillor Gary Ridley said it was a "real plot twist" to learn that the council now wanted to borrow more money to complete the Ikea project, after recently warning about its financial situation and "slashing basic services."

"If this now needs more money, is this Ikea project viable, or is just a flatpack fantasy?," he added.

Coventry City Council claim that the scheme will generate more than 185m over ten years, and breathe new life into the city.

Labour councillor David Welsh said he could not comment on the total cost of the project

"I can't go into the figures, as there are commercial sensitivities around it," he said.

But the councillor insisted there was a "robust business case" and the development would be "good for the city."

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My dear friends, those who for some reason are outraged by the fact that Ukraine won the Oscar. And those who say, "I'd rather have a gun than that Oscar" and start making fun of money and recalling the round dances in front of the Kyiv City State Administration...

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All the world's leading media will discuss the event. Who exactly received the statuette and what is more important... the speech, the strong words said afterward!

Ukraine's information weapon worked last night for the whole world! And now the aggressor country has nothing to say!
The owner of a Plaza Midwood daycare who allegedly left children unsupervised in a park, and drove in a car without proper seating for the kids, was arrested and charged last week with six counts of misdemeanor child abuse.

Leslye Denise Torrence, 43, listed as the owner of Midwood Learning Academy on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website, was issued a $60,000 bond, according to the Mecklenburg County inmate search, and released on March 9.

The NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education suspended the license for the daycare, said Kelly Haight Connor, a department spokesperson.

An arrest warrant was issued on Friday, according to court documents obtained by the Observer.

Person observes unattended young children

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department incident report said that on Feb. 21, just after noon, a person observed several children unattended near the 2100 block of North Davidson Street. The children were ages 3 to 4.

The report also said the person observed that the children were in the care of daycare workers who did not have proper seats, and drove away recklessly with the children unsecured in the vehicle.

The report also says that when Torrence drove off, one of the back doors to here car was still open as she was driving the vehicle.

According to Observer news partner WSOC TV, a woman told the mother of one of the children that she saw two people sitting in a car nearby as kids played at Cordelia Park unsupervised, and that she claimed she could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle.

The report said surveillance video showed the woman confronting the two adults in the car, who began gathering the kids into the car before driving away.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
An inconsistency with Princess Charlottes hand was the detail that suggested to one picture agency that Kensington Palaces image of the Princess of Wales and her children had been manipulated.

Social media users claimed that part of her wrist was missing.

Others commented that the Princess of Wales was not wearing her wedding ring, while Prince Louis had his fingers crossed and a tree in the background appeared to have leaves in mid-March.

The picture, released by Kensington Palace with a Mothers Day message, was recalled by picture agencies Getty, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters, which put out a kill notice to halt distribution.

At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image, the AP notice said.

The agencies have a policy of not distributing photographs that have been overly edited. It is thought to be the first time a picture issued by the Royal family has been recalled in this way.

The controversial photograph is thought to feature as many as 16 inconsistencies according to eagle-eyed social media users.

The Princess apologised for any confusion after the manipulated image of her family, said to have been taken by Prince William in Windsor last week, was withdrawn.

The Telegraph had identified seven inconsistencies in the picture before the Princess took the blame in a tweet posted from the Kensington Royal Twitter/X account at 10.28am on Monday morning:

Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 11, 2024

But social media users claim to have spotted several more clues that demonstrate that the photograph had been significantly doctored.

They alleged that the window knob behind the family would not have a reflection on the glass and that Prince George was missing a foot.

Others added that Prince Louiss little finger on his left hand appeared longer than his index finger and that the wall he was leaning on was blurry in several places.

Suspicions were also raised about the Princesss and her daughter Princess Charlottes hair.

They claimed that part of the Princesss hair was blurred but that Prince Georges jumper behind it was not.

Others added that Princess Charlottes hair ended abruptly on her right shoulder and dipped in unnaturally further down.

They also said the corner of her skirt appeared unusually straight.

Dr Hany Farid, a professor of computer sciences at the University of California Berkeley, told the Telegraph that the issue with Princess Charlottes sleeve looked like a bad Photoshop job.

It looks like a bad Photoshop job, says one expert

I clearly see what is being referenced here, with respect to her sleeve. It looks like a bad Photoshop job, he said.

I know we talk a lot about AI lately but it is still possible to use traditional photo-editing tools, he added.

What you would be worried about here is if Kate wasnt in this photo and had been digitally inserted. This would be a dramatic manipulation.

There is no evidence to suggest that the Princess has been inserted into the photograph.

Dr Farid added: You see her hands around the kids on both sides, you see her hair is touching the boy. The contact between her and the boy is very good.

There are two likely stories. Perhaps there was something they didnt like on the girls hand or sleeve, so they airbrushed it and did a bad job.

Jake Moore, a former digital forensics officer for Dorset Police who now works as a global cyber security adviser for internet security company ESET, said clues of editing would lie in the lighting and direction of shadows in any picture.

He told the Telegraph: The clues would lie in the lighting on the face, in the light and shade and the shadows. In a true image, the shadows will all be in the same direction as the light.

For example, if in one image of four people, the light is all coming from one direction, the shadows will all match.

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.
This story about ourBridge for Kids was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter.

Starting at about 3 p.m. every day, buses line the driveway of this after-school program for immigrant and refugee children in Charlotte. Kids from kindergarten through eighth grade hop off the bus and stream into the building. Inside, they get a meal and a chance to relax before starting activities aimed at improving their English.

Enrollment in the program, ourBRIDGE for Kids, has bloomed over the last few years, from 35 students when it opened in 2014 to about 230 children in 2023, with more on wait lists. More than half the children speak Spanish, but its common to hear conversations in Dari, Pashto, Russian and other languages spoken in the hallways.

To attend ourBRIDGE for Kids, students need to meet one simple requirement  they must attend classes during the regular school day before arriving. But in 2020, when a growing number of children stopped showing up for classes during the pandemic, ourBRIDGE decided to expand its focus.

In addition to running its after-school program, staffers and volunteers started working with families to address the issues that prevented kids from logging into class online or showing up to school buildings. The school district noticed the impact: While other students in Charlotte were becoming chronically absent, children in ourBRIDGE were staying connected to school.

We realized before trying to address why your child isnt going to school, we needed to ask, Whats worrying you right now? That question really opened up all the reasons why going to school was not the first priority for many families: housing insecurity, food insecurity, job loss, said Sil Ganzo, the programs founder and executive director, who emigrated from Argentina two decades ago.

Before 2020, the school attendance rate for English-language learners across the country was high. In many schools, these students were more likely to show up to class than other groups.

But that changed when schools shut their doors and classes went virtual.

The number of students who are chronically absent  generally defined as missing 18 or more days in a school year  has swelled since the pandemic, and the problem is even more alarming among English-language learners.

In California, only 10% of English learners were chronically absent in 2019. By 2022, the rate had more than tripled to 34%. Other states reported similar trends: 40% of English learners in Colorado were chronically absent last year, 10 percentage points higher than the rate for the overall student population.

The problems are similar in Charlotte, a community with a fast-growing immigrant population and the largest share of English learners in North Carolina by a wide margin. Since before the pandemic, the rate of chronically absent English-language learners more than doubled, from 16% in 2019 to 36% in 2022.

OPINION: Creating better post-pandemic education for English learners

Those numbers improved slightly in 2023, but nearly 1 in 3 English learner students are still chronically absent from school, while the overall rate of absenteeism for students is down to 1 in 4.

Why are students missing from class?

About 230 refugee and immigrant students attend ourBRIDGE for Kids, an afterschool program in Charlotte thats been helping Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools find chronically absent students.

Many students are chronically absent now for the same reasons they were before the pandemic, such as illness, disengagement from school or unreliable housing and transportation, said Joshua Childs, an assistant professor at the University of Texas, Austin, who studies chronic absenteeism. But the pandemic intensified these problems.

It increased existing inequities around students attending schools, Childs said. Our schooling system wasnt adequately prepared for what a different model, or a disruption, in schooling would look like.

That lack of preparation was even more evident in instruction for English-language learners. Nationwide, schools struggled to provide a remote curriculum in other languages, and translation services faltered under the weight of virtual learning. And teachers had trouble explaining the logistics of remote learning through translators, a report from the Office of Civil Rights detailed.

One study out of Virginia found schools were also struggling to keep track of English learners during this time. And a report from a federal watchdog agency on the challenges English learners faced offered, as an example, a district that mailed a workbook home to students in English and Spanish, intending to help Spanish-speakers access the online learning curriculum. However, the effort did nothing to help students who spoke any of the other 90 languages used in the district.

How ourBRIDGE helped in Charlotte

A girl spells out the word beautiful in paint during a literacy activity at the afterschool program ourBRIDGE for Kids in Charlotte.

In the midst of the challenges, ourBRIDGE for Kids found it could fill some gaps.

The after-school program, which Ganzo started in 2014, now has more than three dozen employees and over 100 volunteers. The center rents its main campus from a Methodist retirement community for $1 and operates an additional program out of an elementary school.

Within the last couple of years, the group hired employees to lead its new family services program.

We realized we needed to help the families address those and provide some stability so that the kids can actually go to school, Ganzo said.

When parents lost their jobs, volunteers helped connect them to resources, delivered groceries to students homes and acted as a call center when families needed help navigating the online learning system.

Because of its success, the Charlotte school district hired ourBRIDGE to help track down English-language learners who havent been showing up to school. Charlotte uses a small portion of its federal COVID relief funds to help pay for the services, but the overwhelming majority of ourBRIDGEs funding comes from donations and grants. The services it provides to families and students are free.

Related: International newcomer academies offer lessons on how to quickly catch up

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools notices

The district contacted ourBRIDGE when staff noticed the positive effect the group had on students and their families, said Nadja Trez, director of learning and language acquisition in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

I took the initiative to reach out and say, I need your help, said Trez, who also partners with the nonprofit Latin American Coalition for similar services.

The districts English learner population has grown significantly in the past year, from 27,405 students to 30,151. And for the first time in years, the make-up of student languages is changing. In prior years, the top spoken languages in Charlotte schools were Spanish and Vietnamese, Trez said. Now, schools are welcoming a large proportion of Russian speakers, refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. Overall, students in the district speak 194 different languages.

But its hard for schools to track down families in every community, and families often have needs that go beyond the scope of what a school can offer.

Many of our multilingual students, especially at the high school level, have circumstances outside of their control, Trez said.

Why students were missing class

When ourBRIDGE reached out to one family whose student hadnt been attending class, the group learned the absences were due to a combination of setbacks: both parents were laid off from work, their youngest child recently had a medical emergency that required surgery and the owners of the apartment they lived in were filing to evict them.

The after-school program connected the family with an organization that provides crisis emergency funding for low-income families and attended court hearings with them to help translate. The family was able to raise the money they needed and stay in their home.

Another absent student ourBRIDGE located had a chronic illness, and the family didnt know how to submit a medical excuse on the online portal.

The biggest part of what we do is say, You have to speak up about things, said Yeferline Gomez, a family support manager who works at ourBRIDGE. Its your right to know these things. Its your right to ask questions, and its your right to have things translated in a way that you understand.

Related: Seeking asylum in a time of Covid

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has its own teams to knock on doors and try to find students who have been missing from class for long periods of time. But it can be difficult for schools to gain trust with families who speak another language and are new to the country, said Brian Harris, a social worker with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools who speaks Spanish.

When I show up to the door, I represent something to the Latino population that is not always good  Im a tall white guy. I look like immigration or police, and I sound like it, Harris said. Once you gain their trust, you have it. Youre in, its like youre family. And you can go knock on their door and theyll answer. But it takes a while to get there.

A small change made a big difference

Part of the reason for ourBRIDGEs success is a simple change the program made a few years ago  it doesnt communicate with families through translators. Instead, it hires staff and volunteers who are immigrants themselves and speak the same languages. When a new student arrives who speaks a language the current staff do not, the program makes an effort to hire someone who can talk to them.

It was day and night. Because parents have a trusting relationship with people from the same country and they have shared experiences, Ganzo said. They come to the events and we all have a relationship with them, but they know that person that speaks their language is going to be there, and its not a different person every time.

On a Thursday in December, third and fourth grade students sat at half a dozen tarp-covered tables at ourBRIDGEs main campus, paint up to their elbows: red, green, yellow, and a muddy combination of all three.

Some were talking to each other excitedly in Spanish, others were using their fingers to draw in the paint.

Flags from various countries are strung across the campus hall and classroom ceilings, large letters spelling out diversity sit in the entryway across from a painting of a woman in a hijab. Teaching English to students who are new to the country is just one goal of ourBRIDGE, another is to make them feel welcome and celebrate their heritage.

We want them to feel proud of their background and their cultures and their traditions and their language and their accents as they learn English and get used to living in the United States, Ganzo said.
Children in Need has been asking people to donate electronically after a number of cheques were intercepted in the post.

The Telegraph has spoken to two elderly donors who claim to have had thousands taken from their bank accounts after cheques were tampered with.

In both instances the cheques were seemingly intercepted in the post, before being altered and cashed into the fraudsters bank account.

It comes amid a rise in cheque fraud, with reported cases up 35pc between 2022 and 2023, figures from trade body UK Finance show.

The charity said it is aware of the issue and has reported cases to the police.

The annual Children In Need TV appeal, hosted by the BBC, was launched in 1980, and typically features a collection of sketches and celebrity appearances. The annual appeal normally takes place in November.

The 2023 appeal raised 33.5m and was supported by the Princess of Wales.

One Telegraph reader, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that 3,000 was taken from her Barclays account when she donated 50 to the charity last July.

The reader believes that the cheque was intercepted in the post. Feeling ashamed, she hid the loss from her family, but when her daughter found out she reported the fraud to the bank and Action Fraud.

Barclays refunded the lost money after they went into their local branch to talk to a customer service agent.

Her daughter said: Clearly this fraud needs to be investigated. It is particularly galling that charities are being targeted.

It should not be too difficult to track down the perpetrators, whether they are intercepting the post or working at the charity, since at some stage they have to present the doctored cheque to a bank to obtain the funds.

Another reader said that she had 2,000 stolen from her bank account when she sent 20 to the charity. She said: I am 89-years-old and this means I can no longer send cheques to charities, however careful I am in writing them.

A Katie Morley Telegraph Consumer Champion investigation last weekend found that a consumer who had sent 50 to Shelter had had 9,980 stolen from his Santander account.

The bank refunded the money, and offered him 400 in compensation, while the charity said that no one with the name on the altered cheque worked for them.

Royal Mail was forced to launch an investigation last year after thirty residents of a single road in Crystal Palace said that credit and debit cards had been failing to arrive.

One victim said criminals spent 1,000 on her debit card, and applied for another using her personal details, prompting fears of identity theft as well as fraud.

There are three main types of cheque fraud. Cheque frauds often see criminals intercept envelopes which they think contain money. Those that are addressed to charities or are from insurance companies are most likely to be targeted, as criminals know that they are likely to contain cheques.

The details on the cheque are then changed before it is cashed, meaning that fraudsters can take more money that the original cheque was for.

Other forms of the fraud include counterfeit cheques, where fakes are made, and forgeries, where criminals steal blank cheques and make them out as if they were sent from the bank account holder.

Banks recommend that those sending money using cheques should use a pen with indelible ink, and that a line should be drawn through all unused spaces.

Any missing cheques should be reported to the bank in question as soon as it is noticed that they havent got to where it was supposed to.

Cheque usage has fallen dramatically in the past 17 years, as electronic bank transfers become the norm. In 2007, one and a half billion transactions were made using cheques  by 2022, this had fallen to just 129 million.

But, as with cash use, there are millions of consumers who are still committed to the traditional payment method.

A BBC Children in Need spokesman said: We take fraudulent activity extremely seriously and can confirm we are aware of this issue and have reported it to the police and Action Fraud. Over our 2023 appeal season we solely promoted electronic donation mechanics across programming.

A Barclays spokesman said: We take the protection of customer funds and data extremely seriously. If a customer thinks they have been a victim of fraud or notices a transaction on their account that they do not recognise, we advise them to contact their bank immediately and report the case to the police through Action Fraud.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: We take the security of post very seriously and strongly encourage customers to report concerns to us.

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.
On April 20, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians plans to open the only dispensary in the state where you can legally buy marijuana, although weed is still illegal in North Carolina.

Heres what to know about the tribes cannabis superstore:

How can the tribe sell whats illegal in NC?

Anyone who possesses, sells or cultivates marijuana in North Carolina can be found guilty of violating state law, so how is the Cherokee marijuana operation legal?

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is a sovereign nation with its own set of laws.

An elected tribal council votes to enact laws much like elected governing boards in the U.S.

With adult-use marijuana, the tribal council let EBCI members decide the issue in a referendum  much like the school bond and liquor-by-the-drink referendums set by state, county and municipal governments in the U.S.

In a referendum on Sept. 7, 2023, tribal members overwhelmingly approved adult use of marijuana on tribal land. The tribe on the 57,000-acre Qualla Boundary in Western N.C. had already approved the use and controlled sale of medical cannabis.

Elder Cherokee women work together to trim leaves from dried cannabis stems for the flowers, so the remaining buds can be collected and used as product.

The tribe also established an EBCI Cannabis Control Board, with a purpose similar to the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission: To regulate and control the industry.

Who can buy cannabis at the dispensary?

Anyone 21 and older, including North Carolina residents, tribal officials said.

Can I take marijuana home from Cherokee lands?

Unless you want to break the law, no.

Thats because cannabis is still illegal under North Carolina and federal law.

Can I be arrested?

Sure you can  if you take products you buy at the dispensary into North Carolina, according to N.C. law.

Will law enforcement stop people leaving the boundary?

But will law enforcement stop everyone returning to NC after leaving the Qualla Boundary?

Through a spokesman, Sheriff Bill Wilke in neighboring Haywood County told the Observer last year that his office has no special enforcement plan that would target drivers leaving the Qualla Boundary with marijuana.

And nothing has changed in terms of how we respond to the sale and distribution of illegal drugs of any kind at the Haywood County Sheriffs Office, Wilke said in an email.

Haywood County includes the towns of Waynesville, Canton, Maggie Valley and Clyde.

Sheriff Curtis Cochran in neighboring Swain County has been publicly mum on the question.

Part of the road outside the Cherokee grow operation lies in the county.

A manager at the grow operation told visiting reporters from The Charlotte Observer last year that Swain County deputies, months earlier, conducted a license check stop at the grow operation entrance without explaining why to the Cherokee.

Cochran didnt reply to multiple phone messages from the Observer.

He told the Smoky Mountain News last year that marijuana on North Carolina roads remains illegal, but didnt say if his deputies would stop trucks hauling marijuana from the grow operation or stop buyers leaving the dispensary six miles away.

North Carolinas U.S. senators, Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, raised similar questions in a recent letter to eight top federal, state and county law enforcement officials.

Will marijuana laws be enforced if the cannabis is driven on a state road from the tribes grow operation to the dispensary? the senators asked.

And, they asked, at what point is the transportation of marijuana considered trafficking? Are federally recognized tribes immune from state and federal enforcement?

Can I smoke pot while driving on tribal roads?

Best to keep whatever pot you buy unopened in your trunk, just like with cans and bottles of alcohol, tribal prosecutor Cody White said during a Feb. 28 tribal council work session.

If tribal police spot a smoke-filled car or someone toking a joint while driving, thats reason enough to pull a car over, he said.

Thats similar to stopping a driver who has an open container of alcohol in the car, he said.

We still have marijuana-prohibited conduct (laws), White said.

No marijuana test exists like a Breathalyzer that determines a drivers blood/alcohol content, White said. So officers would rely on slurred speech and other factors in charging a driver, he said.

Whats the latest on legalization in NC?

On Feb. 14, N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger expressed interest in reexamining a medical marijuana bill but said the ball is in the Houses court, The News & Observer reported.

I am hopeful that we will see the House take that bill up, Berger said. I think the votes are there to pass it. I think its pretty clear from every survey that Ive seen of the voters in the state of North Carolina that (it) enjoys the support of well over 60 to 70% of the population.

With bipartisan support during the last legislative session, the Senate approved a medical marijuana bill that would have allowed medical marijuana use statewide for people with certain health ailments, according to the N&O. The House essentially killed the bill by not voting on it. When it might is unknown.

What else is legal on Cherokee land thats illegal in NC?

Casinos. Theyre legal only on Cherokee and Catawba tribal lands in the western part of the state.

Legislative efforts to legalize casinos in North Carolina remain stalled, The News & Observer reported last month.

Sports betting has been legal on tribal land in North Carolina since 2021. It will be legal across the state beginning Monday, just in time for March Madness.

Where is the planned Cherokee dispensary?

The dispensary is in the tribes refurbished old bingo hall along U.S. 19 near Harrahs Cherokee Casino Resort, 46 miles west of Asheville in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Great Smoky Cannabis Co. is the name of the dispensary. Qualla Enterprises LLC, the tribes cannabis subsidiary, will operate it.

NC Reality Check reflects the Charlotte Observers commitment to holding those in power to account, shining a light on public issues that affect our local readers and illuminating the stories that set the Charlotte area and North Carolina apart. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@charlotteobserver.com
A real estate investment firm based in Boca Raton, Florida, has bought the Chicago Ridge Mall from the Miami-based Starwood Capital Group in the latest change for a south suburban shopping center.

The 889,610-square-foot mall off of 95th Street and Ridgeland Avenue in Chicago Ridge has undergone changes since it was first built in 1981. The most notable recent alteration is a Dicks Sporting Goods which opened in 2021 in place of the large Carsons store, space that remained vacant for three years.

Despite some struggles by Starwood, including a failure to make a $76 million debt payment in 2023, according to Crains Chicago Business, the new owners said they are excited.

Our overall objective is to enhance Chicago Ridge Mall as a go-to retail destination, said Howard Levine, a managing partner and co-founder Second Horizon Capital, the malls new owner. We believe we can maintain and enhance the centers strong position in its community while at the same time strengthening its infrastructure and presence to support continued growth.

Although the company has its headquarters in Florida, Camilo Varela, who is also a managing partner and co-founder, used to work in Chicago and said his firm has had its eyes on the mall for years. He cited its importance to the community and retail success.

Starwood, which handed over management duties of the mall to JLL, declined to comment when asked about the sale.

Burt Odelson, an attorney for Chicago Ridge, said the mall has consistently had an occupancy rate of over 90%. He said while the village was not involved in the sale, Starwood did inform the village about its transfer plans. The new ownership group has been in close contact with Odelson, he said.

Mayor John Lind could not be reached, but Odelson said Lind and the village leadership are excited about plans for the mall.

They are going to invest a lot of capital into the mall to freshen it up and to make it even better than it already is, said Odelson.

Varela and Levine declined to give any specifics on the purchase price or how much they plan to spend upgrading the building. But they said their investment plan will be significant and will focus on cosmetic upgrades, increases to onsite staff and investment in management with the intention of bringing in more tenants.

Second Horizon has bought and invested in malls all over the country including in Massachusetts and Arkansas. Varela acknowledged shopping malls are not the most sure investment. A projection by Capital One shows up to 87% of large shopping malls may close over 10 years even after thousands of malls have closed in recent years because of online shopping and the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Varela said his company is only interested in malls that exhibit a unique ability to succeed.

We are not generically and broadly bullish on malls, he said. We are very bullish on specific properties.

JLL will continue to manage the property under the new ownership.

Chicago Ridge does not have a traditional downtown center, Odelson said. So when the new buyers connected with village leadership, Odelson said he told them he hopes the mall can further solidify itself as the village center with the investment that Second Horizon has pledged.

We have a really nice Village Hall and police station but you dont congregate there for really anything, Odelson said. I think these new owners are thinking in the right vein to make it even better than it already is.

hsanders@chicagotribune.com
Sara Herrera, 1, and Maoly Herrera, 17, were reportedly abducted from their West Chester, Ohio, foster home Monday, according to police.

A 22-year-old Akron man accused of kidnapping his 1-year-old daughter and her teenage mother from Southwest Ohio was arrested in Akron Monday afternoon, according to a Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Taskforce news release.

Akron police and task force members arrested Bayron Tejeda at a home in the 300 block of Gibbs Avene. The 1-year-old Sara Herrera and 17-year-old Maoly Toscana Herrera were found safe at the same location.

The mother and daughter were previously last seen at 4:30 a.m. Monday at a foster home in West Chester near Cincinnati, Assistant Police Chief Lt. Col. Brian Rebholz said. Officers were dispatched to the home after they received a call that the pair were abducted.

Tejeda will be held locally before being extradited to West Chester, according to the news release.

West Chester Police issue Amber Alert

An Amber Alert was issued for the mother and daughter around 1 p.m.

The mother and daughter were placed in the foster home following emergency circumstances from an Akron domestic violence situation on March 9, Rebholz said.

Anyone with information can call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip. Anyone can provide anonymous information by texting TIPSCO to 274637 or downloading the Akron PD app and messaging Tips411.

Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron man arrested in kidnapping of daughter, teen mother in Amber Alert
Delegates leave after the closing session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 11, 2024. (Jade Gao)

China's leaders on Monday wrapped up a week-long key conclave at which they admitted more was needed to revive a sluggish economy battered by an ailing housing market, poor domestic demand and record-high youth unemployment.

Top officials have been upfront about the myriad challenges China is facing, admitting that a modest five percent growth goal will not be easy and that "hidden risks" are dragging the economy down. But they have supplied few details about how they plan to tackle the problems.

Officials have also moved to strengthen powers to deal with threats to their rule and tightened a veil of secrecy around policymaking, scrapping a traditional annual press conference and vowing to include national security provisions in a raft of new laws.

Delegates to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, including leader Xi Jinping, gathered at Beijing's Great Hall of the People to rubber-stamp legislation at 3:00 pm local time (0700 GMT) as the conclave came to an end.

Among the pieces of legislation approved was a revision to the Organic Law of the State Council, China's cabinet, which state media has said will aim to deepen the "leadership" of the ruling Communist Party over the government.

Delegates also approved the country's state budget and the national economic and social development plan for 2024.

Only a handful of the body's almost 3,000 delegates voted against any of the motions.

Top lawmaker Zhao Leji declared the annual meeting closed.

- 'Go forward bravely' -

Speaking to media, representatives were uniform in their praise for the government.

Li Dexiang, representing southwestern Guizhou province, told AFP he believed the "government has a good grasp of reality".

Delegate from eastern Jiangsu province Lyu Caixia said the experience of the parliamentary meeting "pushes one to go forward bravely".

"We are accelerating high quality development... all the way to the highest levels (of government)," she added.

And Ling Youshi, a delegate from the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong, said she had experienced the "rigour of deliberating legislation" during her time at the so-called "Two Sessions".

The tightly choreographed event capped a week of high-level meetings that have been dominated by the economy, which last year posted some of its slowest growth in years.

On Saturday, ministers pledged to do more to boost employment and stabilise the country's troubled property market.

"Workers face some challenges and problems in employment, and more effort needs to be made to stabilise employment," Wang Xiaoping, minister of human resources and social security, told a press conference.

Housing minister Ni Hong added that fixing the property market -- which long accounted for around a quarter of China's economy -- remained "very difficult".

- More action needed -

Despite official pledges of fresh support, analysts say they are yet to see the kinds of big-ticket bailouts the flagging economy needs if it is to rebound.

"Reviving the economy requires boosting household wealth and income, something China's leaders clearly aren't yet ready to do," said analysts at Trivium, a research firm specialising in China, in a note.

And throughout the "Two Sessions", officials have appeared reluctant to face questioning about the economic headwinds China is confronting.

Last week, they broke a decades-long tradition by scrapping a press conference by the premier -- long a rare chance for foreign media to question the country's number-two official.

The topic was swiftly removed from search results on Chinese social media giant Weibo, as was a hashtag declaring "middle-class children have no future".

Lawmakers have also vowed to adopt wide-ranging security laws in 2024 to "resolutely safeguard" the country's sovereignty, further expanding the Communist Party's powers to punish threats to its rule.

bur-oho-tjx/tym
(Bloomberg) -- The Chinese legislature voted to change a four-decade-old law so it tightens the Communist Partys grip on the cabinet, underscoring President Xi Jinpings drive to give the party control over all the main levers of government.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Some 2,883 delegates to the annual National Peoples Congress gathering in Beijing voted in favor of the amendments to the State Council Organic Law on Monday. Eight voted against, and nine abstained.

The changes would emphasize the partys leadership over the cabinet and encourage it to follow certain ideologies including Xi Jinping Thought, Li Hongzhong, vice-chairman of the legislatures Standing Committee, said earlier. They would also subject the body to greater oversight from the legislature, which is packed with party members.

The exact wording of the amended law wasnt immediately available.

The first changes to the law since it was adopted in 1982 follow on from Xis campaign over his decade-plus in power to elevate the status of the Communist Party that he dominates. That desire has ensured the party is represented in all walks of life, from company boardrooms to university lecture halls.

Last year, Xi led a revamp of the party of 98 million members that included the creation of two separate financial bodies  one to take control of a financial stability committee that had been under the State Council.

The new law could help entrench Xis vision for party-led governance into the future by also making it easier for future leaders to keep the State Council in check, said Neil Thomas, a fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institutes Center for China Analysis.

Changhao Wei, a fellow at Yale Law Schools Paul Tsai China Center and a founder of the NPC Observer website, said the amendment was intended to modernize the law by codifying some of the newer principles and practices concerning the State Council and harmonizing the statute with later-enacted laws.

He added that the move to ensure the party had leadership of the cabinet has great symbolic value.

Read More: China Warns US Absurdity on Trade Curbs Will Harm America

The changes come as policymakers seek to transform the economy by moving production up the value chain, a change referred to in party terminology as high-quality development. That project is complicated by a slow economic recovery from the pandemic, which has faced headwinds including stubborn deflation, an unfolding property crisis and trade tensions with the US.

Li also said that the changes to the cabinet were important to safeguard the authority of the partys Central Committee led by comrade Xi Jinping and to make sure partys policies and decisions are being fully and effectively implemented in the work of state organs.

A meeting of the 24-member Politburo hosted by Xi in September provided scientific guidance to the process, Li added.

Those comments highlight the partys philosophy that it should handle all aspects of policy and that government officials are strictly limited to implementing their edicts. That may be a concern for investors given that Xi has elevated the significance of his ideology and national security matters.

In the 1980s as Chinas reform and opening kicked off, paramount leader Deng Xiaoping encouraged the clear separation of the party and state. That arrangement allowed State Council to have a certain degree of influence over decision making that was free of party priorities.

Read More: Chinas Deflation Reprieve Likely Temporary Due to Weak Demand

--With assistance from Shuiyu Jing and Luz Ding.

(Updates with details of the voting and an experts comments)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's top security official told parliament on Monday that China runs "joint combat readiness patrols" near the democratic island every 7-10 days on average, saying Chinese forces were trying to "normalise" drills near Taiwan.

China has in recent years stepped up military activities near Taiwan, with almost daily incursions into the island's air defence identification zones and regular "combat readiness patrols" that included drills by its air and naval forces.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, over the island's strong objections.

Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen said Beijing usually dispatches around 10 warplanes and 3 to 4 naval ships on joint patrols near Taiwan, calling them part of a "multi-front" effort that also includes economic coercions and misinformation campaign to pressure the island.

"They are tying to normalise their military activities," Tsai said, adding that the patrols were occasionally timed to coincide with diplomatic events such as visits to the island by foreign lawmakers.

Tsai said that Taipei had "close discussions" with international allies on whether a Chinese invasion is imminent and that tensions across the Taiwan Strait have not escalated sharply.

"We do not see any signal of a war in the Taiwan Strait breaking out," Tsai said.

Taipei urged Beijing last week not to change the "status quo" around waters near Taiwan's frontline islands by sending coast guard ships into restricted areas.

Last month Beijing began regular coast guard patrols around the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands, which hug the Chinese coast, after two Chinese fishermen died trying to flee Taiwan's coast guard.

Tsai said Beijing will probably continue its carrot and stick approach towards Taiwan ahead of the new president's inauguration speech in May, including boosting relations with Taiwanese who favour closer ties with China while stepping up displays of force.

"They play soft on one hand and hard on the other," he said.

Vice President Lai Ching-te, whom China views as a separatist, won the presidency in January and will take office on May 20.

(Reporting By Yimou Lee and Fabian Hamacher; Editing by Kim Coghill and Gerry Doyle)
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba believes that it is inappropriate to call the residents of the aggressor state of Russia slaves. He noted that even slaves have rebelled, and Russians "obediently listen" to everything that dictator Vladimir Putin imposes on them.

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Kuleba's words were quoted by Delfi on Sunday, March 10. At the same time, the Foreign Minister admitted that the situation in Russia could change under the influence of the events of the war that Moscow is waging against Ukraine if the army of our country receives enough weapons.

"Russian society is sometimes called a society of slaves - they obediently listen to everything that their slave master Putin imposes on them. But even slaves rebel. Therefore, I believe that it is inappropriate to call Russian society slaves," Kuleba said.

The minister emphasized that as of today, he does not see any "X" factor for Russians to rise up, take to the streets and try to overthrow Putin's regime. He drew attention to the fact that Russians "swallowed" the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

"But this may change if the situation at the front and inside Russia changes. However, in order for Ukraine to change the situation, we need weapons," Kuleba said.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, earlier Kuleba responded to Pope Francis' call for "white flag" negotiations in Russia's war in Ukraine. The official warned against repeating historical mistakes and reminded that the flag of our country is blue and yellow, and it will not raise any other.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Editors Note: Sign up for CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world.

As America bustled through key political moments last week, with voters casting Super Tuesday ballots and President Joe Biden laying out his national priorities in the State of the Union address, China was busy conducting the largest annual showing of its own political process.

In Beijing, where thousands of delegates from around the country convened for a largely ceremonial meeting to rubber stamp a yearly agenda set by the Communist Party-controlled government, the focus was on domestic concerns  from economic goals to hailing the leadership of Xi Jinping.

But looming over that gathering was also the near certainty that former President Donald Trump would run against Biden in November elections  and that either winner would continue to drive a tough China policy.

Senior Chinese leaders didnt publicly mention the American election as the Beijing event got underway. But a key strategy promoted there  to transform the country into a high-tech powerhouse  was widely seen as part of an urgent bid to safeguard the country in the face of Biden administration technology curbs and a fractious US-China relationship ahead.

Top diplomat Wang Yi flashed a clearer sign of the anxiety underlying that strategy during a press briefing on the sidelines of the gathering. There, he reached for some of his most dramatic language to date on US trade and tech controls targeting China, saying they had hit bewildering levels of unfathomable absurdity.

Behind closed doors, however, observers of elite Chinese politics say, the discussion about the upcoming elections themselves is likely much more direct  especially when it comes to the impact of the return of Trump, who is widely seen as a far more unpredictable force than Biden.

The former leader reshaped relations between the worlds two largest economies with massive trade tariffs while in office four years ago. Hes now threatening, if elected, to raise those to a level that experts say could trigger a de facto decoupling  a shock that would hit at a delicate time for the Chinese economy.

But a return of Trump to office also has the potential to upturn the current geopolitical balance, which has seen America and its allies increasingly united against Russia and the perceived threat of a rising China.

A US retreat from those partners under Trumps America First stance could take pressure off China and present a significant opportunity for Beijings own global ambitions.

Officials who are part of the ruling Communist Partys foreign affairs office have likely been tasked with scenario-planning and evidence-informed analyses of the implications of a Trump or Biden win, which would each pose different risks for Beijing, according to Brian Wong, a fellow at the University of Hong Kongs Centre on Contemporary China and the World.

Experts say Chinese policymakers will be considering how each administration would impact Chinas core goal of taking control of the self-ruling democracy of Taiwan, its drive to expand its global power and influence, and its efforts to stabilize and strengthen its already battered economy.

The priorities are to ensure China remains secure from foreign security and military interference, that it is financially and economically secure, Wong added.

Delegates at the opening of an annual meeting of China's rubber stamp national legislature in Beijing on March 5. - Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

The Trump effect

When Trump arrived in the White House in 2017 as a political newcomer, Xi appeared to see a potential opening to strengthen ties that were showing signs of strain during the previous Obama administration.

After being welcomed to Trumps oceanside Mar-a-Lago property in April that year, the Chinese leader hosted Trump and first lady Melania in Beijing for what was widely described at the time as a state visit plus. The president was given rare perks that seemed tailored to appeal to the businessman and former reality television star, including a televised welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People and a personal tour by Xi of imperial treasures at the Forbidden City.

Then, Trump lavished praised on his host, saying they had great chemistry, and calling the authoritarian leader a very special man.

But within a year the relationship had turned contentious as Trump unleashed a major tranche of tariffs  starting with 25% on $50 billion in Chinese goods  sparking an escalating trade war. Relations continued to spiral over a host of issues from US national security alarm over Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei to Chinas handling of the outbreak of Covid-19.

Then-US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at Beijing's Forbidden City in 2017. - Xie Huanchi/Xinhua/Getty Images

This time around, Trump, who is known for his penchant for authoritarian leaders, has continued to praise Xi along the campaign trail. But hes also drummed up speculation that to combat what he sees as unfair trade practices he could hit Chinese imports with a tariff upward of 60%  and revoke its fundamental permanent normalized trade relations status.

A move at that level would create a significant upheaval in trade ties  potentially dropping Chinas share in US imports from nearly one-fifth to around 3%, according to analysis by Oxford Economics.

If this decoupling is carried out by Trump 2.0 in a very forceful way, the impact on China is going to be very severe. But whether this will happen is unclear, nobody can say what Trump will do, and this is the problem, said Bala Ramasamy, a professor of economics at the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai.

Such controls would come at an extremely bad time for the Chinese economy, which is already facing flagging consumer demand and falling prices amid a host of other issues from high youth unemployment to a property sector scourge.

Economic hardship across China is fueling mounting public frustration  as well as concern about the direction set by the ruling Communist Party leaders, who have long linked their legitimacy to economic stability and growth.

China must be scared if Trump would return, said Shanghai-based foreign policy analyst Shen Dingli, pointing to the lack of demand within China to pick up the excess capacity from such a potentially significant drop in exports to the US.

Without enough to export, enough to be employed, enough to earn money to consume domestically, there would be more social challenges within China, he said.

Its unclear if Trump would follow through on such drastic measures, which would be highly controversial in the US and, analysts say, also have a sharp impact on the US economy and jobs, especially as Beijing would likely retaliate. But experts say Chinas business and official sectors are likely already considering contingency plans.

More Chinese firms could set up shop in places like Southeast Asia and Latin America to see their goods finished there to dodge the tax. Chinese leaders would likely look to cultivate deeper relationships with other markets  like Europe and their partners across the Belt and Road connectivity initiative  to fill the gap.

A new trade war would also likely see a ramping up of anti-US rhetoric within China  fanned by the government and its online moderators, who would seek to channel any discontent about the economic impact on the US.

Already some chatter can be seen on Chinese social media platforms, where users jeered reports of Trumps 60% tariff threat, with one writing the more you add, the better. Americans pay the bill themselves, and another saying, if youre going to decouple, just decouple  we dont like working 996 (long hours) producing for you anyway.

A container ship is loaded at a terminal in northeastern China's Qingdao Port earlier this month. - Costfoto/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Chinas bet?

But that doesnt mean Chinas leaders would welcome a Biden win.

The current president is widely seen in China as a more level-headed operator whose interest in global stability makes him willing to work with Beijing in some areas. Hes also a more familiar entity to Xi himself, who has met the president over the course of more than a decade, including when they were both vice presidents.

The two most recently sat down together in November for a summit that achieved the intended goal of stabilizing relations, including repairing a severed high-level military communications line  an outcome widely viewed by the international community as a positive for maintaining peace in a tense Indo-Pacific.

But Biden has sparked fierce disappointment among the foreign policy community in China after coming to office, observers say, as he largely kept the Trump-era tariffs in place  and then added a raft of policy aimed at preventing American high-tech and funding from being used to enhance Chinese military and technological capabilities. Analysts say these controls have, for now, significantly affected Chinas semiconductor ecosystem and its development.

The president highlighted those measures in his State of the Union address on Thursday, which came just days after Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered what is roughly Chinas equivalent, the government work report, emphasizing the need for China to boost its own high-tech development and self-reliance.

Chinas high-tech push stems from several factors, including Xis overarching goal of national rejuvenation to make China prosperous at home and a dominant power globally. But analysts say the impact of those Biden administration controls  and the prospect of more to come  have raised the urgency of this bid.

American aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and other US and South Korean ships participate in joint exercises in waters off South Korea's eastern coast in 2022. - South Korea Navy/Yonhap/AP

Meanwhile, Bidens careful nurturing of American alliances across Asia  seen in his efforts to bring Seoul and Tokyo closer together on regional security collaboration and military drills, despite their own historical frictions, and his backing of security groupings like AUKUS and the Quad  has made Beijing increasingly wary.

The same is true for the presidents tightening of the USs transatlantic relations in support of Ukraine against Russias invasion  and his success in bringing European partners onside in a bid to de-risk supply chains from Chinese goods.

Biden uses an alliance strategy to isolate China far more effectively than Trump, and while Biden would probably not increase tariffs on China, he could make Chinas ability to produce high tech products far less likely, said Shen in Shanghai, adding Biden may not be Chinas bet.

Trump sent shock waves through European capitals last month when he said he would not defend NATO allies that failed to spend enough on defense.

The former president has also shown himself willing to launch trade measures against Europe  a move that would be sure to sour relations with a bloc that already views him skeptically for his apparent deference to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and more recently his efforts to sink a US Congressional deal to fund Ukraines defense.

That could open a potentially major opportunity for Xi, whose close ties with Putin and refusal to condemn his invasion have damaged Chinas relationship with Europe and set back its longtime bid to drive a wedge between Europe and the United States.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin leave a reception following talks at the Kremlin in March 2023. - Pavel Byrkin/Spunik/AFP/Getty Images

Chinese academics have also noted that unilateralist Trump has shown little interest in maintaining an American position leading a global world order  a mantle Xi has been angling to pick up. Trump is also widely seen by Chinese foreign policy thinkers as a destabilizing force for the US domestically.

And in addition to comments about NATO, the former president has also criticized American defense pacts with Japan and South Korea  at several points appearing to threaten to pull US troops stationed in those allied countries.

Diminished American alliances in the region would play to Chinas benefit, including when it comes to its designs on the self-ruling democracy of Taiwan, analysts say. Chinas Communist Party claims the island as its own, despite never having controlled it, and has vowed to take it, by force if necessary.

Trump has supported Congressional efforts bolstering Americas unofficial relations and defense support for Taiwan. But his talk of a general reluctance to embroil America in costly wars and of diminishing US ties with regional allies has raised concerns among some observers that he could send a signal to Beijing that Washington is not focused on the fate of Taiwan.

The former presidents return to office, however, would make for less predictability and could pose greater tail-end risks when it comes to accidental kinetic escalation induced by posturing from either Beijing or Washington, according to Wong in Hong Kong.

A second Biden term, he noted, could see a more successful multi-lateral, concerted effort aimed at containing China, with a tacit agreement to not allow for unbridled escalation over Taiwan and the South China Sea, another pressure point in relations between the two.

Biden has appeared as a staunch backer of Taiwan, at times appearing to step away from Americas policy of strategic ambiguity to say the US would defend the island militarily if attacked (though such statements have quickly been walked back by White House staffers who say the policy remains.)

Together, all this raises a complicated picture for Chinese officials. But its also one with a clear bottom line, according to Wang Yiwei, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing.

Whoever wins  the structure of (US) confrontation, competition, pressure to China are still there, he said.

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By Colleen Howe, Laurie Chen and Liz Lee

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's National People's Congress has discussed everything from Taiwan to technology, but observers say the key message - both in substance and style - has been clear: more control for President Xi Jinping and a deeper focus on national security.

Nearly 3,000 delegates met over the last week in Beijing for the highly choreographed and closely watched annual event, a rare window into China's opaque political system. Wall-to-wall state media coverage means optics are as important as incoming laws.

Delegates vowed to enact bills to "modernise China's system and capacity for national security," and revise laws on national defence education after last month broadening state secrets law to include work secrets in restricted sensitive information.

"One of the primary tasks of the NPC is to further develop China's national security legal architecture," said Henry Gao, professor of law at Singapore Management University. "National security has become the 'raison d'etre' of the Chinese government and the Party."

China also broke with 30 years of tradition by scrapping one of the most widely followed events on its policy calendar, the premier's annual post-parliament news conference, and revised laws giving the Communist Party more control over the cabinet.

Thomas Kellogg, a professor of Asian law at Georgetown University, said the Communist Party under Xi "reverts in so many ways to a pre-1978 mode of governance."

The decision to cancel the premier's news conference was "another example of state governance institutions and traditions falling by the wayside, in part because they don't fit in with Xi's Party-dominated vision of governance," Kellog added.

NPC spokesperson Lou Qinjian said the premier's news conference was cancelled because there were more briefings by other ministers. Foreign ministry has said China is a responsible power that supports multilateralism and globalisation and have said other countries are hyping up the "China threat".

'TIGHTLY CONTROLLED'

Security in central Beijing was stepped up and some diplomats said they had less access than in the past.

Inside the Great Hall of the People reporters staked out officials mingling in high-ceiling rooms with Soviet-style decor, adorned with crimson carpets, marble pillars and crystal chandeliers.

And while access was easier than recent years for most journalists, interactions during some news conferences appeared highly choreographed.

During Foreign Minister Wang Yi's annual news conference, one foreign journalist from little known China Arab TV was called on to ask a question. After praising China's diplomacy he asked, "what role can foreign journalists play in telling China's story well?"

In response, the usually stern Wang mentioned the reporter's recent dance performance at the ministry's Lunar New Year party widely shared on Douyin, the Chinese counterpart of TikTok.

"I have seen one foreign journalist say that China is a place where the impossible is made possible, and that telling the story of China is not just a job for him, but a lifelong mission," Wang added.

The interaction was swiftly popularised on social media platforms through short videos created by several state media outlets, racking up glowing reviews and tens of millions of views.

Following the news conference, at which Wang also said Washington has a "wrong perception of China", state-run China Daily ran a segment titled "China's diplomacy impressed global reporters", featuring praise by reporters from Zanzibar, Iran and Venezuela.

Beyond plenary sessions, delegates from each province met across Beijing. At a meeting of delegates from Shanxi, known as one of China's "rust belt" provinces, there were moments that highlighted real challenges facing local policymakers.

Shanxi Vice Governor Wu Wei asked the central government to "further strengthen support for government bonds," citing financial problems facing local governments. A delegate who ran a nursing home described the struggles of caring for an aging population, after young people had moved elsewhere for work.

But delegate Zhang Linshan told journalists on the sidelines these interactions would have been agreed upon with the central government in advance.

Another delegate hurried away after a Reuters journalist approached him for an interview. He declined to add the reporter on networking app WeChat, explaining "our WeChat is rather tightly controlled," he said.

(Additional reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Writing by Antoni Slodkowski; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Johannes Neudecker/dpa

China is set to increase defence spending by more than 7%, the second such boost in a row, after delegates at the annual rubber-stamp National People's Congress in Beijing approved the boost on Monday.

As the one-week conference drew to a close, some 2,900 delegates approved the annual budget, which this year also foresees an increase in defence spending of 7.2% to 1.67 billion yuan ($232.4 million).

The renewed boost comes after the Communist leadership once again issued a stern warning for democratic Taiwan, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warning other countries last week not to interfere in Beijing's dispute with the self-governing island nation.

Those supporting Taiwan's independence will "get burned for playing with fire and taste the bitter fruit of their own doing," Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress on Thursday.

The minister described the recent parliamentary and presidential elections in Taiwan in mid-January as "just local elections in one part of China. The result does not change even in the slightest terms the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China."

The ruling Communist Party in Beijing counts Taiwan as Chinese territory, although the island with more than 23 million inhabitants has had an independent government since 1949.

Taiwan's recent election was won by Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Lai is due to be inaugurated on May 20, replacing President Tsai Ing-wen, who has held office for two terms.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Johannes Neudecker/dpa

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Johannes Neudecker/dpa
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Johannes Neudecker/dpa

China is set to increase defence spending by more than 7%, the second such boost in a row, after delegates at the annual rubber-stamp National People's Congress in Beijing approved the boost on Monday.

As the one-week conference drew to a close, some 2,900 delegates approved the annual budget, which this year also foresees an increase in defence spending of 7.2% to 1.67 billion yuan ($232.4 million).

The renewed boost comes after the Communist leadership once again issued a stern warning for democratic Taiwan, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warning other countries last week not to interfere in Beijing's dispute with the self-governing island nation.

Those supporting Taiwan's independence will "get burned for playing with fire and taste the bitter fruit of their own doing," Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress on Thursday.

The minister described the recent parliamentary and presidential elections in Taiwan in mid-January as "just local elections in one part of China. The result does not change even in the slightest terms the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China."

The ruling Communist Party in Beijing counts Taiwan as Chinese territory, although the island with more than 23 million inhabitants has had an independent government since 1949.

Taiwan's recent election was won by Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Lai is due to be inaugurated on May 20, replacing President Tsai Ing-wen, who has held office for two terms.

As expected, Communist delegates in Beijing also approved a 5% growth target for 2024, a goal deemed ambitions by some observers.

Premier Li Qiang announced the goal at the start of the National People's Congress on Tuesday, despite the world's second-largest economy struggling with slowing global demand for its exports, weak consumer spending at home, and a crisis in the property sector.

This year's congress ended without a press conference for the first time in more than three decades, normally a rare opportunity for the premier to address the press live on television.

Although the press briefing with Chinese and foreign journalists was increasingly orchestrated, and questions usually had to be submitted in advance, this closes yet another channel of information.

The National People's Congress is China's non-freely elected parliament under the sole rule of the Communist Party. At its annual session, delegates approve the plans and goals of the government of head of state and party leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li, without debating them, however.

The annual meeting of parliamentarians and the Consultative Conference, which is held at the same time and advises parliament, is therefore more ceremonial in nature.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Johannes Neudecker/dpa

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Johannes Neudecker/dpa
The brief closure of the Darien Gap  a perilous 66-mile jungle journey linking South American and Central America  in February 2024 temporarily halted one of the Western Hemispheres busiest migration routes. It also highlighted its importance to a small but growing group of people that depend on that pass to make it to the U.S.: Chinese migrants.

While a record 2.5 million migrants were detained at the United States southwestern land border in 2023, only about 37,000 were from China.

Im a scholar of migration and China. What I find most remarkable in these figures is the speed with which the number of Chinese migrants is growing. Nearly 10 times as many Chinese migrants crossed the southern border in 2023 as in 2022. In December 2023 alone, U.S. Border Patrol officials reported encounters with about 6,000 Chinese migrants, in contrast to the 900 they reported a year earlier in December 2022.

The dramatic uptick is the result of a confluence of factors that range from a slowing Chinese economy and tightening political control by President Xi Jinping to the easy access to online information on Chinese social media about how to make the trip.

Middle-class migrants

Journalists reporting from the border have generalized that Chinese migrants come largely from the self-employed middle class. They are not rich enough to use education or work opportunities as a means of entry, but they can afford to fly across the world.

According to a report from Reuters, in many cases those attempting to make the crossing are small-business owners who saw irreparable damage to their primary or sole source of income due to Chinas zero COVID policies. The migrants are women, men and, in some cases, children accompanying parents from all over China.

Chinese nationals have long made the journey to the United States seeking economic opportunity or political freedom. Based on recent media interviews with migrants coming by way of South America and the U.S.s southern border, the increase in numbers seems driven by two factors.

First, the most common path for immigration for Chinese nationals is through a student visa or H1-B visa for skilled workers. But travel restrictions during the early months of the pandemic temporarily stalled migration from China. Immigrant visas are out of reach for many Chinese nationals without family or vocation-based preferences, and tourist visas require a personal interview with a U.S. consulate to gauge the likelihood of the traveler returning to China.

Social media tutorials

Second, with the legal routes for immigration difficult to follow, social media accounts have outlined alternatives for Chinese who feel an urgent need to emigrate. Accounts on Douyin, the TikTok clone available in mainland China, document locations open for visa-free travel by Chinese passport holders. On TikTok itself, migrants could find information on where to cross the border, as well as information about transportation and smugglers, commonly known as snakeheads, who are experienced with bringing migrants on the journey north.

With virtual private networks, immigrants can also gather information from U.S. apps such as X, YouTube, Facebook and other sites that are otherwise blocked by Chinese censors.

Inspired by social media posts that both offer practical guides and celebrate the journey, thousands of Chinese migrants have been flying to Ecuador, which allows visa-free travel for Chinese citizens, and then making their way over land to the U.S.-Mexican border.

This journey involves trekking through the Darien Gap, which despite its notoriety as a dangerous crossing has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Venezuela, Colombia and all over the world.

In addition to information about crossing the Darien Gap, these social media posts highlight the best places to cross the border. This has led to a large share of Chinese asylum seekers following the same path to Mexicos Baja California to cross the border near San Diego.

Chinese migration to US is nothing new

The rapid increase in numbers and the ease of accessing information via social media on their smartphones are new innovations. But there is a longer history of Chinese migration to the U.S. over the southern border  and at the hands of smugglers.

From 1882 to 1943, the United States banned all immigration by male Chinese laborers and most Chinese women. A combination of economic competition and racist concerns about Chinese culture and assimilability ensured that the Chinese would be the first ethnic group to enter the United States illegally.

With legal options for arrival eliminated, some Chinese migrants took advantage of the relative ease of movement between the U.S. and Mexico during those years. While some migrants adopted Mexican names and spoke enough Spanish to pass as migrant workers, others used borrowed identities or paperwork from Chinese people with a right of entry, like U.S.-born citizens. Similarly to what we are seeing today, it was middle- and working-class Chinese who more frequently turned to illegal means. Those with money and education were able to circumvent the law by arriving as students or members of the merchant class, both exceptions to the exclusion law.

Though these Chinese exclusion laws officially ended in 1943, restrictions on migration from Asia continued until Congress revised U.S. immigration law in the Hart-Celler Act in 1965. New priorities for immigrant visas that stressed vocational skills as well as family reunification, alongside then Chinese leader Deng Xiaopings policies of reform and opening, helped many Chinese migrants make their way legally to the U.S. in the 1980s and 1990s.

Even after the restrictive immigration laws ended, Chinese migrants without the education or family connections often needed for U.S. visas continued to take dangerous routes with the help of snakeheads.

One notorious incident occurred in 1993, when a ship called the Golden Venture ran aground near New York, resulting in the drowning deaths of 10 Chinese migrants and the arrest and conviction of the snakeheads attempting to smuggle hundreds of Chinese migrants into the United States.

Existing tensions

Though there is plenty of precedent for Chinese migrants arriving without documentation, Chinese asylum seekers have better odds of success than many of the other migrants making the dangerous journey north.

An estimated 55% of Chinese asylum seekers are successful in making their claims, often citing political oppression and lack of religious freedom in China as motivations. By contrast, only 29% of Venezuelans seeking asylum in the U.S. have their claim granted, and the number is even lower for Colombians, at 19%.

The new halt on the migratory highway from the south has affected thousands of new migrants seeking refuge in the U.S. But the mix of push factors from their home country and encouragement on social media means that Chinese migrants will continue to seek routes to America.

And with both migration and the perceived threat from China likely to be features of the upcoming U.S. election, there is a risk that increased Chinese migration could become politicized, leaning further into existing tensions between Washington and Beijing.

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: Meredith Oyen, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

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Meredith Oyen 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.
Christopher Nolan accepts the award for best director for "Oppenheimer" during the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Christopher Nolan fulfilled his award show frontrunner status, winning his first Oscar on Sunday night for directing Oppenheimer and then another for best picture.

The 53-year-old British visionary has garnered critical acclaim throughout his career, but had never won at the Oscars until now. He was nominated for directing Dunkirk in 2017 and for original screenplay in 2010 for Inception and in 2001 for Memento.

Winning this recognition from my peers is the icing on the cake, he said backstage. Its very important to me. Its a wonderful finish to whats been an incredible year.

Nolan quickly added a second statue when Oppenheimer closed the evening by winning best picture, one of seven Oscars it earned, including best actor for Cillian Murphy and supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. The film earned a leading 13 nominations and has earned nearly $1 billion worldwide.

It means I can do curls, Nolan joked, with an Oscar in each hand. Theyre very heavy.

Onstage, Nolan noted that movies are just a little over 100 years old and thanked the Academy for the honor. We dont know where this incredible journey is going from here, he said. But to know that you think I am a meaningful part of it means the world to me.

Nolan beat out Jonathan Glazer of The Zone of Interest, Yorgos Lanthimos of Poor Things, Martin Scorsese of Killers of the Flower Moon, and Justine Triet of Anatomy of a Fall.At 81, Scorsese was the oldest directing nominee.

Nolan was cheered on by his wife, Emma Thomas, who twice shared best picture nominations with her husband for producing Dunkirk and Inception. The college sweethearts have been producing partners on all of his films since 1997.

The couple planned to celebrate with their children, starting at the Governors Ball, the Academy's official post-show celebration.

Nolan had been the frontrunner throughout awards season, earning the top prize from the Directors Guild of America along with directing honors at the BAFTA Film Awards and Golden Globes.

Besides directing, Nolan earned nominations for adapted screenplay and best picture for Oppenheimer, the three-hour, ambitious, R-rated epic about the American physicist who developed the atomic bomb.

Starting with the response of audiences around the world to Oppenheimer, which far exceeded our expectations, there were so many things that came together for us on this film, Nolan said.

The auteur filmmaker is known for a style that favors documentary-style lighting, hand-held cameras and on-location shooting rather than indoor studios. He has been regularly praised by many of his contemporaries, including Scorsese, who has hailed Nolan for creating beautifully made films on a big scale.

Among his other credits are Tenet, Interstellar and the Batman trilogy of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight" and The Dark Knight Rises."

___

For more coverage of the 2024 Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards
Cider Flights & Tasty Bites: A grown up fundraiser to benefit the Childrens Museum of New Hampshire

Visitors enjoying the Childrens Museum of New Hampshires 21-plus Cider Flights & Tasty Bites evening with sample pours from North Country Hard Cider and tasty nibbles from a variety of local restaurants. Tickets for this March 23, 2024 event on sale now online at www.childrens-museum.org.

DOVER  The Childrens Museum of New Hampshire is offering a unique, grown-up-only, fundraising event this spring. Tickets are on sale now for Cider Flights & Tasty Bites happening Saturday, March 23 from 7-9 p.m. (6:30 p.m. entry for VIP ticket holders) which is a special collaboration with North Country Hard Cider Company. The event, hosted at the Childrens Museum amongst its two floors of hands-on, interactive exhibits, will feature tasty four-ounce locally crafted cider pours from North Country Hard Cider paired with tasty bites from local restaurants. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit The Childrens Museum of New Hampshires exhibits and programs. To learn more, or to purchase tickets for this 21-plus event, visit www.childrens-museum.org.

Commerce and Industry on the Great Bay

STRATHAM  On Monday, March 11, at 7 p.m., in the Morgera Community Room, Stratham Fire Department, the Stratham Historical Society and Wiggin Memorial Library will jointly offer a program, Commerce and Industry on the Great Bay: 1600s through Early 20th Century. Free and open to the public.

Library Budget Revealed!

DOVER  On Monday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. Library Director Denise LaFrance will answer questions regarding the library budget for Fiscal Year 2024/2025.

Seabreeze Quit Guild event

EXETER  Seabreeze Quit Guild will meet Tuesday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Senior Center, Court St., Exeter. Doors will be open a little early for our UFO (unfinished Objects) sale. Many bargains will be available  patterns, fabric, quilting items and almost done quilt tops. Members are reminded to bring in bundled items to be purchased by those attending. Left over items not purchased will be taken by the comfort quilt committee.

Portsmouth Democratic Roundtable

PORTSMOUTH  The next monthly Portsmouth Democratic Roundtable will be on March 12, from 6:30-8 p.m. at a local restaurant in Portsmouth. Call or contact Peter Somssich for the location. The Roundtable is an opportunity to socialize with Democrats and other friends without any agenda or rigid structure. It is an opportunity for new residents of Portsmouth to meet those involved in the Portsmouth Democrats and learn of opportunities to get involved, suggest new ideas, or be supportive of planned initiatives. For information or questions contact Peter Somssich at 603-436-5382 (no texts) or peter.somssich@gmail.com.

Mush! Noggin the Sled Dog (and her Human)

DOVER  Join three-time Iditarod participant Karen Land and her sled dog Noggin at the Dover Public Library on Wednesday, March 13 at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit the librarys website at library.dover.nh.gov or call (603) 516-6050.

Elementary Exploration

DOVER  On Wednesday, March 13 at 3:30 p.m. kids in grades K - 4 are invited to join us after school for a fun, engaging STEM experiment! Registration is required: visit library.dover.nh.gov or call 603-516-6050.

Bottle Cap Pies

DOVER  On Thursday, March 14 at 5:30 p.m. teens in grades 6-12 are invited to celebrate Pi Day with us by crafting mini pies using bottle caps. All supplies will be provided, and no registration is required.

NH Homebuyers Fair

NEWINGTON  On Saturday, March 16 at the Mall at Fox Run ,50 Fox Run Road, Newington, get answers to your homebuying questions from industry pros  Lenders, Real Estate Professionals, and others  all gathered at the event to assist you in the homebuying process. Live seminars, free event, door prizes. Sessions: Intro to Homeownership from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Cracking Credit's Code from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. To register https://hbf.gonewhampshirehousing.com/seacoast. Call 603-766-3129 or email renee@housingpartnership.org for additional details.

Seed Swap

DOVER  On Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m. get your garden started early by starting some seeds indoors this year. Piscataqua Seed Project and Seacoast NH Permaculture are holding a seed swap at the library. PSP will have free seeds available, and attendees are encouraged to bring seeds saved from their own garden or unused seeds they have purchased.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Cider Flights & Tasty Bites, Sled dog, seed swap: Community events March 11-17
Actor Cillian Murphy has often fled the spotlight, and maintains an internet-free home (Ronny HARTMANN)

Self-effacing Irish actor Cillian Murphy is having to get used to red carpet glitz and acceptance speeches.

The 47-year-old Cork native won his first Oscar on Sunday -- on his first nomination -- for his leading role in Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer", capping a glittering awards season that saw him snare a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and other prizes.

He bested a stacked field that included four American rivals -- Paul Giamatti ("The Holdovers"), Jeffrey Wright ("American Fiction"), Bradley Cooper ("Maestro") and Colman Domingo ("Rustin").

"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", Murphy said as he received an ovation from the audience at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

"So I would really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers, everywhere."

Murphy's portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the US physicist who masterminded the atomic bomb, has been widely lauded, and is the culmination of years of fruitful collaboration with Nolan, which has included six films together.

"I knew the character was so much in his head and that the performance was so much interior, how you could transmit thought process through the face, the eyes," Murphy told the BBC.

After all the accolades for "Oppenheimer", the Irishman's thin face, trademark sculpted cheekbones and piercing blue eyes are likely to become even more globally recognisable.

The veteran performer's film career has already included standout roles in acclaimed epics like Nolan's "Dunkirk" and Ken Loach's Irish historical drama "The Wind That Shakes the Barley".

But for many fans, he is Birmingham gangland boss Tommy Shelby, from the wildly popular television drama "Peaky Blinders".

Murphy has not shied away from conflicted roles, playing the villainous Scarecrow in Nolan's "Batman" trilogy and a transgender woman in the 1970s-set "Breakfast on Pluto".

"I've always been interested in the melancholic, or the ambiguous, or the more transgressive -- that, to me, is drama, getting into those knotty places. I find it really stimulating," he told Esquire magazine for a 2022 profile.

- 'Analogue' -

Despite his burgeoning fame, Murphy is often described as humble -- a profile helped by an aversion to technology and social media that translates into maintaining an internet and telephone-free home.

"He's the most analogue individual you could possibly encounter," said "Oppenheimer" producer Emma Thomas, who is Nolan's wife.

Murphy is also known for trying to avoid excessive media attention.

"If you behave like a celebrity, then people will treat you like a celebrity, and if you don't, they won't," the actor told the Irish Times.

"There's not much to write about me in the tabloids."

Born to language teacher parents in Cork, Murphy played guitar as a teenager and formed an avant-garde rock band with school pals called "Son of Mr. Green Genes" after a Frank Zappa track.

"Music was what I wanted to do, and for a while, it looked like it would work out," Murphy told the BBC.

However, bowing to parental pressure, the band members turned down a record company deal.

With the door closed on one passion, another door opened in 1996 when, aged 20, he quit a law degree and set out on an acting career.

"I'd probably have been wealthier if I had stayed with law, but pretty miserable doing it," he confided in one interview.

- 'Chameleon' -

Murphy had dipped his toe into acting at both school and university in Cork, where an English teacher and early mentor William Wall described him as a "chameleon of an actor".

In 1996, after pestering a local director, Murphy landed a lead part in the frenetic "Disco Pigs", a play written by fellow Corkonian Enda Walsh.

The stage show was a critical success, going on an 18-month world tour, and Murphy never looked back.

His big cinema break came in 2002 when Scottish director Danny Boyle gave him the lead in post-apocalyptic London horror flick "28 Days Later".

Then in 2005, Nolan cast Murphy in "Batman Begins", the first chapter of the "Dark Knight" trilogy starring Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader.

Regular film appearances followed, but his work on "Peaky Blinders" from 2013 to 2022 -- which is set largely in the period between the two world wars.

Married to Irish artist Yvonne McGuinness for the past 20 years, the couple and their two sons moved back to Ireland in 2014 after more than a decade in London to reconnect with their homeland.

His latest film "Small Things Like These" about the country's mother and baby homes scandal -- which he produced as well as stars in -- opened last month at the Berlin film festival to stellar reviews.

Murphy still finds time to host the occasional late night BBC radio show, serving up an eclectic mix of his favourite tunes alongside commentary in a soothing Cork accent.

pmu/jj/sst
Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer won at the 96th annual Academy Awardsjust minutes after lead Cillian Murphy picked up the award for Best Actor at the 96th annual Academy Awards for his lauded performance as the ambitious, infamous physicist.

While Best Picture may have overshadowed Murphys win a bit, his moving speech was a great penultimate moment for the show.

Im a little overwhelmed, Murphy said as he accepted his award from last years Best Actor winner, Brendan Fraser (The Whale), at the Oscars on Sunday evening. Thank you to the academy. Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, its been the wildest, most exhilarating, most creatively satisfying journey youve taken me on over the past 20 years. I owe you more than I can say.

Murphy won the award for starring as J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, in Nolans three-hour blockbuster epic. Oppenheimer is also nominated for Best Picture and has picked up a number of awards like Best Supporting Actor and Best Director at the 2024 Oscar awards.

How Cillian Murphys Face Became the Internets Favorite Meme

Every single crew member, every single cast member on Oppenheimer, you guys carried me through, Murphy said. All my fellow nominees, I remain in awe of you guys, truly.

This win gives Murphy his very first Oscar. Along the 2023-24 awards path, Murphy has been going head-to-head with Paul Giamatti for his lead turn in The Holdovers. While Murphy picked up the award for Best Actor at the SAG and BAFTA Awards, Giamatti picked up a Critics Choice Award win earlier this year.

Murphy concluded, Im a very proud Irishman standing here tonight. We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb and, for better or for worse, were all living in Oppenheimer's world. So Id really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.

Murphy accepted the award from five of the former Best Actor winners, including Fraser, Ben Kingsley, Matthew McConaughey, Forest Whitaker, and Nicolas Cage. Kingsley was the former winner to announce Murphys nomination.

[Cillian] accepted the leading role of Oppenheimer before even reading the script, which mustve taken some courage and trust, also some chutzpah, Kingsley announced with a laugh ahead of Murphys win. Either way, the performance was masterful, endowing his character with layers of humanity, while he created something that was not.

Robert Downey, Jr. Thanks Terrible Childhood for His Oscar Win

Oppenheimer was up for 13 nominations at this years Oscars, the film with the most nods of 2024. Alongside Best Picture and Robert Downey, Jr.s win for Best Supporting Actor, Oppenheimer also won Best Cinematography, Best Director, and Best Visual Effects.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Cillian Murphy accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "Oppenheimer" during the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Cillian Murphy called himself a very proud Irishman after he trotted onstage to claim his first-ever Oscar for portraying the man who created the atomic bomb in Christopher Nolans blockbuster biopic Oppenheimer.

I'm a little overwhelmed, said Murphy, who won best actor for his stellar role as J. Robert Oppenheimer. The film tells the story of how Oppenheimer and his peers at Los Alamos would test the bomb on July 16, 1945, not knowing what was going to happen  and the ensuing fallout.

I'm very humbled, he said backstage. I'm very grateful.

Murphy, though a regular presence in Nolan films going back almost two decades, had always been a supporting player. This time, Nolan wanted him to lead.

Murphy thanked Nolan and the director's wife, Emma Thomas, a producer on the film.

It's been the wildest, most exhilarating, most creatively, satisfying journey you've taken me on over the last 20 years, Murphy said to Nolan. I owe you more than I can say.

The Irish actor said he did a screen test for Nolan as a kid and thought that would be his last opportunity with the director.

I thought that would be it, he said. I thought it would be just enough to be in a room with Chris for a couple hours. I'm thankful for this.

Murphy bested Colman Domingo for Rustin, Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, and Jeffrey Wright for American Fiction.

Oppenheimer won seven awards Sunday, including best picture, best director for Nolan and a supporting actor Oscar for Robert Downey Jr.

Murphy called Nolan the perfect director and an extraordinary writer and producer.

We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, Murphy said. For better or worse, were all living in Oppenheimers world, so I really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers. everywhere.

Ben Kingsley, a presenter, applauded Murphy's courage and trust in Nolan for agreeing to take on the role before reading the script.

Your performance is masterful, said Kingsley. He acknowledged that Murphys portrayal of Oppenheimer had layers of humanity whilst his character created something inhumane.

Kingsley added: Its riveting to watch.

Last year, Murphy told The Associated Press that when Nolan approached him to star as Oppenheimer, he called it was a great day.

Hes so understated and self-deprecating and, in his very English manner, just said, Listen, Ive written this script, its about Oppenheimer. Id like you to be my Oppenheimer, he said.

For Murphy, he knows there are some movies hes right for and some that he is not.

I have always said publicly and privately, to Chris, that if Im available and you want me to be in a movie, Im there. I dont really care about the size of the part, he said last year. But deep down, secretly, I was desperate to play a lead for him.

Murphy came into the Academy Awards a strong contender after picking up trophies at the Golden Globes, SAG Awards and BAFTA Film Awards.

___

For more coverage of the 2024 Oscars, visit https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards
Kyiv and its Western partners are organizing a peace summit: the goal is to find a common solution to calm down aggressive Russian imperialism. At the same time, friends of the Kremlin are trying to join the forum in order to turn the anti-Putin summit into an anti-Ukrainian one.

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The meeting of the heads of state, which is actively lobbied by Ukraine, forced Beijing to send its diplomats to world capitals. Their task is to voice Moscow's wishes as conditions for participation in the talks, according to the South China Morning Post.

First: The West stops supplying weapons to Ukraine.

Second: Zelenskyy cancels the decree signed in October 2022 banning negotiations with Putin.

Spoiler alert: South China Morning Post sources in various EU capitals said that "this will never happen" as long as Russia continues to attack on the front. In addition, the Europeans believe that Moscow will be "so demanding and rude at the summit that it will be over before the discussion begins."

Beijing does not give up hope of getting the Kremlin to attend the summit, so a fifth "column of blue helmets" followed China on the march: these are the same "peacekeepers with a grenade" who accompanied the previous "peace tour" of Beijing's special representative Li Hui: Orban, Fico, Erdogan and... the Pope. At that time, they called the bunker man a "good guy," and urged him to save face and sit down with him at the table.

ADVERTISIMENT

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently said that his country is ready to host a "peace summit" on its territory to end the war in Ukraine, but only if the aggressor country, Russia, also participates. The Hungarian and Slovak prime ministers shared the same opinion.

The situation with Switzerland is especially ridiculous: as a potential organizer of the summit, it insists on inviting Muscovy to the "peace forum," while at the same time a journalist from the Swiss television company RSI interviews the Pope and asks about a white flag for Ukraine. And the pontiff obsequiously plays along with the TV reporter, saying that Ukraine should find the courage to surrender by agreeing to negotiate. This is not a redemptive story at all.

The Vatican has already explained that the pontiff was misunderstood, and he was not talking about surrender... and in general, the Pope was framed by journalists.

ADVERTISIMENT

The Vatican is no stranger to apologizing for the Pope's words. Not long ago, the Holy See was also forced to say that the head of the church was misunderstood. Do you remember how Francis praised the greatness of the Russians: "Cruelty is not inherent in the Russian people... because the Russian people are a great people... I have great respect for the Russian people, for Russian humanism."

He also prayed for the "innocently murdered" Dugina, and was going to visit the Russian Federation in the spring of 2023, and visit Donbas from the Russian side.

The reason for pathological Russophilia is the Holy See's excessive sensitivity to China: The Vatican seeks to gain China's loyalty in exchange for the restoration of the Unitary Chinese Catholic Church in China, which means hundreds of millions of believers.

ADVERTISIMENT

That is why today the Vatican behaves as if Jesus Christ was a Chinese, and Xi has become his envoy on earth. Pope Francis is openly playing along with the world's great dictatorship: note that he does not call on Putin to be brave and withdraw the occupying army from Ukraine...

The democratic world needs to think carefully about whether the Vatican's prayers are harmful to democracy and security. And at the same time, find a common solution as to whether Putin can lose. The West has already decided that he cannot win, but this was not enough.
From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch

Happy Monday! We love losing an hour of sleep to daylight saving time as much as the next morning newsletter team, but what if instead the annual fast-forwarding took place at a less personally inconvenient time?

Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories

A 12-year-old boy looks at a smartphone screen displaying the TikTok logo on March 10, 2024, in Bath, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

The editors of this newsletter have been writing about the prospect of a TikTok ban for nearlylet us check our notesthree years. Maybe this time it will take.

We wrote that last March, and after another year of our TikTok ban watch, weve stopped trying to guess what will happen.

Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced legislationthe Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Actthat could lead to the ban of the popular video-sharing app TikTok, sparking another political maelstrom over the future of the platform and its alleged ties to the Chinese government.

The bill would require ByteDance, the TikTok parent company based in China, to divest its stake in TikTok or face removal from U.S. app stores. The legislation would enforce the ban by imposing severe civil penalties (e.g., $5,000 for every TikTok user in the United States) on app store owners and companies providing internet hosting services for the application. While TikTok and ByteDance are mentioned specifically in the proposal, the bill also provides authority to the president to designate additional foreign adversary controlled applications as falling under the stipulations of the act, requiring divesture or a ban.

Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), co-authored the bill with his Democratic counterpart on the committee, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois. Americas foremost adversary has no business controlling a dominant media platform in the United States, Gallagher said in a statement introducing the bill last week.

The bill picked up supporters quickly. Introduced on March 5, the Energy and Commerce Committee considered the legislation and passed it out of committee two days later by a unanimous 50-0 vote. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said hed bring the bill up for a vote on the House floor this week, and the White House has been working with lawmakers on the legislation. Although President Bidens campaign joined TikTok last month and the White House has frequently worked with TikTok influencers, Biden told reporters on Friday that hed sign the bill into law if Congress sends it to his desk.

How did TikTok get to the precipice of potentially losing its 170 million American users? The Trump administration attempted to ban the app via executive order in 2020 but was blocked in court, casting doubt on the governments ability to restrict the app through existing legal authority. The Biden administration reversed the executive order, but allowed the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)an interagency panel that reviews business transactions and investments for potential national security risksto continue its assessment of TikTok. Last year, CFIUS reportedly threatened to ban the app if it didnt sever ties with ByteDance. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said last month that the review is ongoing.

The federal government has banned the use of TikTok on government devicesas have at least 36 state governments. Dozens of colleges and universities have banned the app on their devices and campus Wi-Fi as well. Montana went a step further last year, passing a law that would ban the app for everyone in the state, but a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in November blocking the ban from taking effect. Judge Donald Molloy wrote in his decisionwhich the state is appealingthat the Montana law oversteps state power and likely violates the First Amendment. Internationally, India successfully outlawed TikTok for the entire country in 2020.

Data privacy and security concerns surrounding the app, given the CCPs access to and power over Chinese companies, have driven scrutiny of the platforms. Chinas sweeping national security laws require Chinese tech companies to turn over data to the government when requested. I have very significant security concerns about TikTok, FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress in January. Its a combination of the ability that the Chinese government would have, if they should choose to exercise it, to control the collection of the data, to control the recommendation algorithm, and if they wanted to, to be able to control and compromise devices. Theres no public evidence yet that the CCP has accessed U.S. user data, but there have been multiple troubling reports of TikTok employees misusing users personal information. One former ByteDance employee has alleged the CCP accessed TikTok to identify and monitor activists in Hong Kong during the pro-democracy protests of 2018.

Attempting to assuage data security concerns, TikTok created Project Texas, a $1.5 billion effort to separate U.S. user data, house it on Oracle servers located in the U.S., and create a government-approved oversight panel to monitor who has access to the data. All protected U.S. data will be under the protection of U.S. law and under the control of the U.S.-led security team, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew told the Energy and Commerce Committee last March. This eliminates the concern that some of you have shared with me that TikTok user data can be subject to Chinese law. TikTok argues its efforts to protect user data go far above other U.S. tech companies practices, although recent reports indicate that the company has not completely walled-off American data.

Lawmakers latest effort to force a divestment of TikTok has received sharp pushback from the company. This bill is an outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. 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. (China has banned American social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter for years.)

Critics of a TikTok ban argue that the concerns over data security are overblown and not worth the increase in government authority over a publishing platform. The TikTok bill recently advanced by the House would endanger the [First Amendment] and empower the federal [government] to ban social media platforms, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said last week, echoing arguments made by TikToks public policy team. Paul Matzko, a research fellow for media studies at the Cato Institute cited by Paul, argued that if the CCP wanted data on American users, it could easily buy the information from data brokers. This billshould it pass and should TikTok refuse to divestwould result in the largest removal of speech in U.S. history, he added.

Lawmakers have introduced multiple bills in the past few years that would either restrict or ban TikTok, but they have all stalled out. The speed and bipartisan backing of the latest effort, however, has raised more concern at the company than previous efforts, according to an internal source at ByteDance who requested anonymity to speak candidly. But there isnt fear the legislation would lead to an immediate ban, the source told TMD, noting the company could launch legal appeals if the bill passed.

Given that concern, TikTok has stepped up its lobbying and advocacy efforts against the legislation, sending out a push notification to U.S. users warning them that the bill would ban the platform. The notification gave users an option to directly appeal to their representatives, causing congressional offices to be inundated with thousands of calls. The advocacy campaign appears to have backfired, however, angering some lawmakers and convincing others of the danger the app poses. Multiple offices reported getting calls from children and teenagers threatening suicide if the law is passed. Some lawmakers believe TikToks targeted grassroots campaign against the ban illustrated their concern in real-time. The pressure campaign that TikTok put in place today where they forced a pop-up on the app  and also told a lie that we were forcing an outright ban, which this bill is not, proves the danger, Gallagher said last week.

But on Friday, another wrinkle arose when former President Donald Trump abruptly reversed his position on banning the app. If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business, Trump wrote on TruthSocial on Thursday, premiering a new nickname for Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. I dont want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. But preserving Facebooks competition might not be the only reason Trump changed his tunethe former president has ties to billionaire and GOP donor Jeff Yass, whose hedge fund holds a 15 percent stake in ByteDance, approximately $40 billion based on the most recent valuation.

Yass invited Trump to a retreat held earlier this month with the Club for Growth, a prominent conservative advocacy group lobbying against a TikTok ban. The former president attended the retreat and described Yasswho has donated more than $60 million to the group since 2010as fantastic. Whats more, Kellyanne Conway, a former senior aide in the Trump White House, is working with the Club for Growth and meeting with lawmakers to advocate in favor of TikTok.

Despite Trumps opposition, the bill is expected to pass the House later this week, but its path in the Senate is less clear. Im really conflicted here, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a noted China hawk, told NBC News on Sunday. Banning TikTok, maybe thats necessary to protect American data from China, but if you can find a way to avoid that, thatd be good too.

Worth Your Time

What are Gen Z workers missing out on by not going into the office? Friendship, according to Jeffrey Hall, a professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas. As work increasingly shifts remote, Hall argues that younger professionals are missing out on key relationships that benefit both personal and professional development. Having a close friend at work has well-established benefits for both careers and well-being, he wrote in the Wall Street Journal. Working people are less lonely and socially isolated than those who arent working. At the same time, close friendshipswherever they formboost happiness and life satisfaction. Around the office, workplace friends are advocates, mentors and confidantsa second set of eyes and ears. A friend at work is a source of support. But to state the obvious, to make friends at work, people have to go to work and stay at work. This is why remote work is a barrier to friendship. As my research has found, friendships require both time and a mutual liking and admiration. A lack of time to socialize at work, particularly face-to-face, decreases the likelihood of making friends or even getting to know ones co-workers. This means that both less face time and less job tenure decrease the chances that the newest employees will make friends at work.

Presented Without Comment

President Joe Biden, asked on Friday if he regretted describing the immigrant who allegedly murdered Laken Riley as an illegal.

Well, not probably, I dont regrettechnically, hes not supposed to be here.

President Joe Biden, asked on Saturday if he regretted describing the immigrant who allegedly murdered Laken Riley as an illegal.

Undocumented. Undocumented person. And I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented.

Also Presented Without Comment

Associated Press: First Photo of Princess of Wales Since Her Surgery is Retracted Because Image Appeared Manipulated

Also Also Presented Without Comment

Billboard: Madonna Apologizes After Accidentally Calling Out Fan in Wheelchair for Sitting at L.A. Concert

Toeing the Company Line

Alex fact-checked Bidens State of the Union address, debunking dubious claims about billionaires tax rates, inflation, the pandemic-related economic crisis, and more.

In the newsletters: The Dispatch Politics crew unpacked Bidens partisan State of the Union address, Jonah argued that antics at the annual speech are a sign of bipartisan failure, Nick responded to our fourth-ever Dispatch editorial, and Chris cautioned () against getting too invested in the extraordinarily general election campaign.

On the podcasts: Steve and Sarah checked in on () their High Steaks bet on the 2024 primary elections, Jonah reassured Remnant listeners that America as we know it will not end come January 2025. On todays episode of The Dispatch Podcast , human rights activist and former Israeli politician Natan Sharansky joins Jamie to discuss his letters to the late Alexei Navalny and the future of U.S.-Israel relations.

On the site over the weekend: Megan Dent explained what a British World War II novel can teach our post-truth media, Luis offered his 2024 Oscars predictions, and Bill Walsh explained why Jerusalem is considered Islams third holiest city.

On the site today: Charlotte reports on debates over who will govern Gaza after the war, and Robert VerBruggen looks into why standardized testing may be making a comeback in college admissions.

Let Us Know

Do you support restricting TikTok in the U.S.?

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  The co-owner of a Salt Lake City jiu-jitsu gym got in a fight on a highway nearby his gym on Sunday, leaving the man with a fractured skull, according to Utah Highway Patrol.

Nenad Shuput, 40, was arrested in Salt Lake County on one charge of aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury (second-degree felony).

At around 12 a.m. on March 10, police responded to a fight in progress on SR-201 near 3200 West. A witness had reportedly seen a man, identified as Shuput, hitting another man on the freeway.

Case of two missing San Juan County men turns into homicide investigation, roommate arrested

The witness said they saw a man lying on the ground not moving while Shuput continued to kick him, according to the statement of probable cause.

Police arrived at the scene and found one man lying on the ground, his face covered in blood. Shuput was reportedly standing next to him.

Police placed Shuput under arrest, whose fists were covered in blood, according to the statement. The victim was taken to Intermountain Medical Center where he was found to have sustained a fractured skull.

Another co-owner of the jiu-jitsu gym arrived on scene and informed police that Shuput is a black belt in jiu-jitsu.

Shuput refused to speak with police regarding the incident.

Shuput 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.
DENVER (KDVR)  One city in Colorado is rated as one of the most stressful cities for workers, based on a new study conducted by LLC.org.

The study looks into stress-related factors in 100 of the most populated cities in the U.S. These factors include work stress, like commute time and average hours worked, as well as financial stress, like the income growth rate.

NFL Draft: Players with best odds of replacing Russell Wilson on Denver Broncos

The study also includes health and safety factors like the percentage of employees without health insurance and the crime rate, as those can contribute to a stressful work environment.

Among the top cities for workers who are stressed out, Aurora ranks at No. 5 with the highest stress scores.

Workers in Aurora work about 38.9 hours a week, which is some of the most amount of hours compared to the other cities.

Almost 40% of those workers head out for work before 7 a.m., which is also some of the highest amount in the nation. During that commute, it takes almost a half hour for workers to get to their jobs.

Aurora also ranks high in the country for employees without insurance, crime rates and year-over-year income growth.

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Aurora just narrowly missed the top four, which are Detroit, Baltimore, Stockton, California and Houston.

While Aurora appears to be one of the top places for stressed-out workers in the country, no other Colorado cities are listed in the study.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
President Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom talk to the media during his visit to Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto in June. (Dai Sugano / MediaNews Group/San Jose Mercury News via Getty Images)

President Biden, in his State of the Union speech, reminded me of a cranky old grandpa emphatically telling his concerned adult offspring: Look, kids, Im not moving out of the house. So forget it.

In this case, it was the White House.

I wont walk away, Biden insisted. He was talking about not abandoning American values. But I also heard something else:

He wont be walking out onto the south lawn and climbing aboard Marine 1 to chopper off to a Delaware retirement home. Not this year anyway.

No one is probably more relieved than California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Newsom has been at the top of virtually every list of alternative Democratic candidates if the 81-year-old president were to voluntarily bow out amid growing anxiety about whether hes too doddering and weak to serve a second term. His fiery State of the Union address should have eased many viewers concerns.

Newsom never wanted to run this year anyway. Subzero interest, he long has insisted. And its perfectly believable.

Read more: Biden's big audition at State of the Union

If the job opened up now and Newsom seized the moment, hed surely need to run against his old San Francisco ally, Vice President Kamala Harris. That would make him a party pariah, especially among Black women, a core Democratic constituency, Newsom has said privately. So, hed defer to Harris.

Newsom, 56, but still youthful with his Hollywood looks, apparently is eyeing 2028 for a presidential bid as he maneuvers to become a national political player and better known. Hes an eager Biden surrogate constantly promoting the presidents reelection.

But if Biden wins reelection, Harris, 59, will be first in line to succeed him in 2028. Would Newsom again defer? No one knows, probably not even Newsom.

Newsom could angle for a cabinet post, perhaps Energy or Interior. There, he could press his favorite fight against global warming.

But Newson wont be going anywhere politically until he takes care of huge problems in California, most notably homelessness. He needs a record of achievement to sell battleground states where voters are instinctively suspicious of leftist California.

Newsom certainly got a wake-up call in last weeks primary election when his pet Proposition 1 fared much more poorly than expected. By weeks end, it was too close to call.

The measure included a $6.4-billion bond to build more treatment beds for homeless people who are mentally ill or substance abuse addicts. And it would redirect some existing funding away from preventative care and target people already homeless.

So Newsom is short on voter sway in his home state. And hes in no position to run for president, even if Biden dropped out.

Bidens bravo performance should reduce hounding of the governor by reporters inquiring about his desire to run for the presidency. Politicians are always pleased to be mentioned as a potential presidential candidate. But answering the same questions the same way repeatedly does become eye-rolling.

More broadly, the presidents speech should lower the volume on calls for Biden to step aside.

Clear, direct, powerful, Newsom said of the speech in a social media post.

Bidens State of the Union address actually was one of the best by any president in a long time. Forceful, full of energy and straightforward. No nuances. Lots of everyday common talk. Maybe a little shrill for some, but it fit the national moment.

He highlighted his record, looked to the future and even added some humor.

Read more: Why replacing Biden with Newsom or some mythical perfect Democrat is unlikely

In my career, Ive been told I was too young, Biden said to laughter, recalling that he was elected to the Senate at 29. And Ive been told I am too old, he added to more laughter.

The issue facing our nation isnt how old we are. Its how old are our ideas. Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are the oldest of ideas. But you cant lead America with ancient ideas that only take us back. You need a vision for the future and what can and should be done. Tonight, youve heard mine.

Democrats applauded. Republicans glared.

Thats pretty much how the speech ended and it was fine, although beforehand Id fantasized about different final words.

Im one of those wishful thinkers whom Times columnist Jackie Calmes referred to last week. Before the address, Id have preferred that Biden steal President Lyndon B. Johnsons classic line capping his 1968 nationally televised speech on the Vietnam war:

Accordingly, I shall not seek and I will not accept the nomination of my party for another term.

Johnson bowed out on March 31 because he figured he couldnt win against growing anti-war rebellion in the Democratic Party. New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy had just entered the race. And Minnesota Sen. Eugene McCarthy had been running for weeks. Johnson may also have foreseen health problems.

Unlike Johnson, Bidens main problem is age. Ive never believed hes too old to handle the job. But millions of Americans think he is. And many could withhold their votes in November, returning the White House key to the detestable Donald Trump.

Trump, 77, is almost as old as Biden. And he is a guy who does show signs of mental slippage. But that doesnt seem to bother the MAGA cult.

Polls show Biden trailing Trump  slightly but consistently.

Biden can reverse that by capitalizing on his State of the Union momentum and campaigning personally and aggressively among voters, showing his energy, warning of the Trump menace and displaying humor.

One things certain: The old grandpa wont be leaving the house unless shoved by voters. And Newsoms happy.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In a night of Oscar awards that seemed to mostly ricochet between the brilliant Oppenheimer and the bizarre Poor Things," the adapted screenplay award for American Fiction by Cord Jefferson was a moment of triumph for Black storytellers. The smart, compelling satire about a Black academic and frustrated writer who finally capitulates to the thirst for stereotypical novels by Black authors about gangs and ghetto life was based on the 2001 book "Erasure" by Percival Everett.

In his acceptance speech, Jefferson made a plea to Hollywood to take more chances: I understand that this is a risk-averse industry. I get it. But $200 million movies are also a risk, and it doesnt always work out, but you take the risk anyway. And instead of making one $200 million movie, try making 20 $10 million movies  or 50 $4 million movies, he said.

Read more: How Oscar-buzzy 'American Fiction' defangs Percival Everett's scathing novel 'Erasure'

After many others passed, someone took that chance on Jefferson  a first-time director. The result? A movie with a budget somewhere less than $10 million has earned more than $22 million so far and was nominated for five Oscars. In addition to Jeffersons nomination, the movie garnered a lead actor nomination for Jeffrey Wright, a supporting actor nomination for Sterling K. Brown, a score nomination for composer and musician Laura Karpman and a best picture nomination. Thats quite a critical haul.

The Times editorial board always told Hollywood to give more chances to women and people of color  particularly as directors, actors and writers. Here is another case where someone did give a chance to a Black writer and first-time film director and it succeeded without a kings ransom being spent in the process.

Read more: Granderson: Give stunt work its own category at the Oscars

And Jeffersons success has another lesson: Stories about Black people (or Latino people or any other people of color) dont have to be about guns, gangs and drugs in order to sell to Hollywood. Thats not what diverse storytelling is about.

Backstage, talking to reporters, Jefferson noted that films about Black people dont all have to take place on plantations or in projects, as he put it. There is a market for depictions of Black life that are as broad and deep as any other depictions of peoples lives. Does that make sense? he asked.

It absolutely makes sense. I have long resented that the universe of Black experience on the big screen (TV is much better) seems most often focused on poverty and violence. Dont get me wrong. Struggle is noble and makes for compelling stories. But why cant I watch Black people  particularly more Black women  playing complex characters in a multi-racial world struggling to run a company, struggling as journalists to uncover dark secrets about a company, church or government or struggling to figure out life post-divorce while living in a fabulous house in the Hamptons?

Hollywood is slowly broadening its vision of what kinds of stories nonwhite people can tell. Wright has had a long career of playing varied and rich characters, as have Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson and Viola Davis, among others. But its a slow process. Too slow. If more talented filmmakers like Jefferson are given a chance to prove themselves with smart, interesting films that go beyond predictable themes and tropes about what life is like for Black people, Hollywood and the audience will be better off for it.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Most Americans set their clocks forward one hour this weekend for daylight saving time, part of the twice-yearly time shift that has been happening since the 1960s.

Some members of Congress want to put an end to the biannual time change by cementing daylight saving time year-round, while some sleep experts have lobbied for the U.S. to ditch daylight saving time in favor of permanent standard time.

A bipartisan, bicameral bill called the Sunshine Protection Act that has been routinely reintroduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) would make daylight saving time permanent, ending the biannual ritual of springing forward in March for daylight saving time and falling back in November to standard time.

The Sunshine Protection Act would allow the states that currently observe permanent standard time  Hawaii, most of Arizona and the U.S. territories  to remain on year-round standard time.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans said they were in favor of ending the clock changes, according to an Economist/YouGov poll of 1,000 adults last March. Of those who favored ending the time change, half said they favored year-round daylight saving time as opposed to 31 percent who preferred standard time.

Federal law currently prevents states from unilaterally making daylight saving time permanent. However, 19 states have enacted legislation or passed resolutions to greenlight permanent daylight saving time if Congress approved the change, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Rubio has called the biannual clock change antiquated and consistently introduced the Sunshine Protection Act each Congress since 2018. The bill, which passed the Senate but died in the House last Congress, has stalled since it was introduced last spring following the start of the new Congress.

Proponents of permanent daylight saving time have pointed to research that shows the biannual ritual may not just be outdated, but could also have a negative impact on Americans health and safety.

Studies have linked changing times with an uptick in fatal car crashes, emergency room visits, missed appointments, heart attacks and strokes.

Traffic fatalities spiked 6 percent during the five workdays following the spring time change, according to a 2020 study of fatal motor vehicle accidents between 1996 and 2017 published by Current Biology. Heart attacks jumped 24 percent on the Monday after the spring shift to daylight saving time, according to a 2014 study published in Open Heart, which also found heart attacks dropped 21 percent following the fall shift to permanent standard time.

Research has shown that the populations that are most at risk during the transition to daylight saving time are people with insomnia, teens and students, night owls and sleep-deprived individuals  the latter accounting for one-third of the U.S. population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Its time to lock the clock. Floridians are sick of changing their clocks because we all want more sunshine. Its time for Congress to act, and Im proud to be leading the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act with Senator Rubio to get this done, said Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), one of the bills co-sponsors, ahead of this years time change.

There are 17 co-sponsors on the current version of the Senate bill, according to Congress.gov, including Sens. Scott, James Lankford (R-Okla.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) has also introduced a companion bill in the House. The House bill currently has 34 co-sponsors, including Democratic Reps. Brendan Boyle (Pa.), Dean Phillips (Minn.) and Steve Cohen (Tenn.).

Changing our clocks twice a year is inconvenient and entirely unnecessary. Its time to end this antiquated practice and pass my bill with [Rubio] to make daylight savings time permanent, Buchanan wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Both the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the National Sleep Foundation have advocated for the elimination of the biannual time changes, citing the impact of an abrupt time change on well-being.

But rather than backing the push for permanent daylight saving time, these sleep experts support a shift to permanent standard time.

While daylight saving came about to add an hour of sunshine to the end of the day, it does so at the expense of an hour of sunshine in the morning. Kin M. Yuen, an AASM spokesperson and sleep medicine specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, told The Hill that morning sunlight is quite important.

Lack of sunlight and the cues to tell us that this is morning, we should be wide awake is leading to undoubtedly a lot of difficulties that we have with motivation, with alertness, with cardiovascular outcomes, Yuen said.

The AASMs stated position, updated in January 2024, is that year-round standard time better aligns with the natural circadian rhythm, while delayed sunlight during daylight saving could lead to circadian misalignment.

It takes some people longer to adjust to daylight saving time, studies show. A 2021 study published in Scientific Reports found the body clocks of genetically predisposed evening-inclined individuals  i.e. night owls  slept significantly less on work nights following the transition and had not adjusted to daylight saving time one week after the shift.

The Sleep Research Society, American Medical Association (AMA) and other professional societies also called for an end to daylight saving time, echoing sleep experts who say the change would lead to better health and safety outcomes.

Eliminating the time changes in March and November would be a welcome change. But research shows permanent daylight saving time overlooks potential health risks that can be avoided by establishing permanent standard time instead, said AMA trustee Alexander Ding, a physician and associate vice president for physician strategy and medical affairs at Humana, ahead of this years clock change.

Sleep experts are alarmed. Issues other than patient health are driving this debate. Its time that we wake up to the health implications of clock setting.

Yuen also attributes the current push for year-round daylight saving time to national amnesia. Although the U.S. did previously adopt permanent daylight saving time in 1973, it was repealed following public pushback just one year later.

We tend to be rather short-sighted in gaining sunlight for an hour during the day in the spring and the summer months, Yuen said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An annual telethon helped raise money to make a difference in Fayette County.

The Heart to Hope telethon is put on by Connellsville Area Community Ministries and tackles a variety of causes.

We started this ministry 50 years ago, going strong, stronger than ever right now, said executive director Dana Check.

This years proceeds will help domestic violence victims and provide food for senior citizens.

According to the Heart to Hope Facebook page, this years event raised over $59,000.

Click here to learn more about Connellsville Area Ministries.

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BLUFFTON, S.C. (WSAV)  If you live in South Carolina and are 18 or older it just got easier for you to carry a loaded handgun in public. On Thursday, Gov. Henry McMaster signed the controversial constitutional carry bill into law.

Just because youre 18 and you dont have a criminal record and you can go buy a gun, then you should be able to carry it. Those things are concerning. An 18-year-old carrying a firearm is concerning, said Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner.

That new SC law gives the green light for anyone 18 or older and legally able to buy a handgun the right to carry it in public.

3594Download

However, it doesnt come without controversy and concern for both public safety and officer safety.

If youre in uniform or youve got a badge displayed and youve got a firearm. Again, it goes back to that confidence that at least that person is trained in, you know, how to deal and handle a firearm, Tanner said. But if youve got just Joe Citizen, you know, in there, you know, with a gun strapped on, right now, whats the proficiency test?

However, some gun store owners and firearm instructors arent as concerned.

Weve had, you know, younger kids in our academy that we train and its not really about age, but about confidence, said AJ Rossi. You know, Ive seen kids, even 16, 17, theyre out shooting and they have better firearms confidence than full grown adults. So its not really about age for us. Its about how much time you actually spend training and how serious you take it.

New NCAAM in-season tournament may change NIL deals

Rossi is a firearm instructor and co-owner of Warrior Guns and Range in Hardeeville. He said that even though the barrier to carrying a handgun is gone, most people still want to be properly trained.

So last year we have another training facility in Jacksonville and weve had constitutional carry over there and weve seen maybe a little bit of a dip in people actually signing up for classes, Rossi said. But the people still want to get training.

Guns will still be banned in places like schools and courthouses. However, some police worry their officers might not know the ins and outs of the law. Had they been given more time they could train them for the many new changes.

A gun could be on the dashboard of a car, it could be on the front seat, it could be basically, worn, anywhere in the vehicle, Tanner said. And, you know, it doesnt give us the ability to check the firearm to see if the firearm is legal. You know, if its legal in the sense that its not a fully automatic or, you know, semiautomatic or whatever the firearm and also doesnt give us the opportunity to check and see if a stolen.

Even though constitutional carry is legal in South Carolina you cant cross state lines with a loaded handgun. If you want to carry across state lines youll need a concealed weapons permit.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff, he announced on Telegram on March 11.

Read also: Ukraine to spend $450 million on battlefield fortifications

The Staff heard reports from commanders, including the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Anatoliy Barhylevych, on the situation on the battlefield, in particular on the Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Maryinka, and Southern fronts, as well as the operations of the Marines.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and the Minister of Strategic Industries, Alexander Kamyshin, spoke about the supply of the frontline units, "the actual and future supply of munitions, missiles and other weapons," and Ukrainian production.

Read also: Fortifications near Avdiivka form sprawling defensive network, not one wall, says Ukraine military

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported on the pace of construction of new fortifications at the Staff meeting.

"The defense of three 2,000-kilometer-long lanes is a major task, but the pace is good now. I look forward to a timely completion," Zelenskyy said.

Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhya Oblast Military Administration, announced earlier that the Cabinet of Ministers, on behalf of the President, had allocated a record-breaking 1.3 billion hryvnias ($33.9 million) for the construction of fortifications on the Zaporizhzhya front.

Denys Shmyhal said on Feb. 13 that the Cabinet of Ministers had already allocated 20 billion hryvnias ($520.8 million) for fortifications in 2024.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The 47-year-old Murphy won his first Oscar for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer (KEVIN WINTER)

There was a whiff of Hollywood glamour in the air on Monday at St. Anthony's, a primary school in the Irish city of Cork that counts Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy as a past pupil.

The day after Murphy won his first Oscar -- Best Actor for his role in "Oppenheimer" -- staff, parents, and children at his former school were basking in his success.

"When we woke up this morning there was such a buzz of excitement," Sean Lyons, principal of the all-boys Catholic school, told AFP.

The 47-year-old Murphy was a pupil at St. Anthony's, in the tidy Cork neighbourhood of Ballinlough, between 1982 and 1988.

He won his first Oscar Sunday for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the US physicist who masterminded the atomic bomb, capping a glittering awards season that saw him snare a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and other prizes.

"We thought can this be real, that this man from Ballinlough in Cork actually won the Oscar, a global award!" said the beaming bespectacled teacher.

"He has set the seed now for many students not just here in Ballinlough and St Anthony's but all around Ireland that they can achieve on the global stage," said Lyons.

- 'Super proud' -

A "Congratulations" banner referred to the actor's recent Golden Globe and BAFTA awards and wished him luck for the Oscars.

"That will have to be updated now," smiled Mary Harrington, a 68-year-old grandmother picking up her grandchild at the school gate.

"I got up early this morning to make sure he'd won -- I don't know why I did that as I knew he was going to win," she laughed.

"My brother was in secondary school with Cillian and here as well, and he remembers all the gigs that he played with his music," said Valerie Ni Cochlain, who was waiting for her child to come out from her school.

"Well done to Cillian and his family, it's great news for Cork and Ireland," she said.

Murphy had dipped his toe into acting at both school and university in Cork.

In 1996, after pestering a local director, Murphy landed a lead part in the frenetic "Disco Pigs", a play written by fellow Corkonian Enda Walsh.

The stage show was a critical success, going on an 18-month world tour, and proved a launchpad for his career.

"Cork is a small close-knit community, a small city, we're proud of everybody who achieves success and goes on to achieve great things," said Elaine Murphy, who is no relation.

"We are super proud and so are the children, it's a great boost for everybody to be proud of a local," she said alongside her two smiling children, seven-year-old Liam Eanna, and Holly, aged six.

- Homework-free day -

Displayed inside the school in a questionnaire filled out in 2015, Cilian Murphy advised current students on how to break into acting and film.

"Join a theatre group, start making films on our phone with your friends, edit them on your computer and put them on YouTube," wrote the actor, who now lives in Dublin after returning to Ireland from a decade in London.

According to the questionnaire his biggest challenge was "trying to understand the Cork accent" after moving to Cork as a child from Dublin, some 260 kilometres (160 miles) southwest of the Irish capital.

"One regret I have is that I didn't put money on him getting an Oscar back then," said Eddie Hogan O'Connell, a staff member who was a classmate of Murphy's.

"I'd say the odds would have been great, whereas now he is up there with the best in the world and congratulations to him," he said.

For the children at the school Murphy's win was reason for a surprise from the teachers: no homework.

"The kids are especially happy that the teachers let them off," said Phil Howard, a grandmother collecting her grandson, Colm.

"Cillian would be happy if he heard that I'm sure," she laughed.

pmu/rox
Opposition MPs in Germany have once again called on the government to provide the Ukrainian Defense Forces with long-range Taurus missiles. They believe that these weapons should be provided to Kyiv directly, and not as part of a "ring exchange" of missiles.

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According to the deputy head of the CDU/CSU opposition faction in the Bundestag, Johann Wadefuhl, Berlin must "do everything to prevent Ukraine's defeat." His words were quoted by DW on Sunday, March 10.

"This includes the supply of the best weapons systems, and the Taurus is just such a system. No circular exchange can replace it in terms of range, accuracy, and destructive power," he added.

Earlier, the heads of the CDU and its sister party, the CSU, Friedrich Merz and Markus Soder, called for the supply of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

Earlier, the UK announced that it was considering the possibility of supplying Ukraine with additional Storm Shadow missiles in exchange for Taurus missiles from Germany. London does not share the concerns of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that the supply of Taurus missiles could escalate the war, so it is proposing a "ring exchange" of missiles as an option.

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Earlier, Ukraine said it was ready to agree to the condition of not hitting targets in Russia with Taurus missiles if Berlin gave them to us. The fact that Ukraine strictly fulfills such obligations can be confirmed by countries that have already transferred weapons to the Ukrainian army with similar restrictive conditions.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Anton Hofreiter, a member of the Bundestag from the Greens, called on Scholz to support the British proposal for the Taurus. He called the proposed "ring exchange" an opportunity to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons.
BABYLON, Long Island (PIX11)  A man is accused of hiding his dead cousins body parts on Long Island, leading the victims family to lash out during his court appearance on Monday.

Steven Brown, 44, Amanda Wallace, 40, Jeffrey Mackey, 38, and Alexis Nieves, 33, were each charged with concealment of a human corpse, hindering prosecution, and tampering with physical evidence after two peoples body parts were found scattered on parts of Long Island on Feb. 29 and March 5, authorities said. None of the suspects have been charged with murder. However, sources expected the addition of murder charges soon, following a grand jury presentation.

The remains belonged to a 53-year-old man and Donna R. Conneely, 59. The man has not been identified, prosecutors said.

Brown, the male victims cousin, and Wallace are a couple and appeared in a Suffolk County court on Monday.

How could you? the male victims sister yelled at Brown in court.

Do the right thing, Steven, the mans brother shouted at Brown in the hallway.

Body parts belonging to the two victims were found at Southards Pond Park in Babylon on Feb. 29, authorities said. More of their remains were found on March 5 in a wooded area across from 103 Lakeway Dr. in West Babylon as well as at Bethpage State Park, according to police.

Investigators are waiting on an autopsy report to reveal more information on the cause of death of both victims. A motive in the case remained unclear.

All four suspects were released without bail after they were arraigned, which reignited the debate about bail reform in New York.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Will mobile drivers licenses become permanent in California?

Back in September, the California Department of Motor Vehicles first launched a pilot program for Californians to show their drivers licenses from their cellphones.

Heres an update from the DMV on the future of mobile drivers licenses in California:

The California DMVs process for getting a mobile drivers license or MDL can be completed in minutes. The app is available for iPhone and Android operating systems.

What is a mobile drivers license?





As part of a pilot program thats active through June 2026 from the DMV, the mobile drivers license  also called mDL  allows drivers to keep digital versions of their license on their smartphone.

During the pilot, drivers are still required to have their physical cards accessible when it is needed, the DMV website says.

Where can the mobile drivers license be used?

Anita Gore, a spokesperson for the DMVs Public Affairs Office, said the mDL can be used for identify verification at select locations, such as airports.

Currently, the mDL is accepted in California at most TSA terminals at San Francisco International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, San Jose Mineta International Airport and many other airports across the US, Gore wrote in an email to The Sacramento Bee. The mDL is also accepted at select retailers to purchase age-restricted products.

As the DMV continues working with airports, retail locations, state officials and federal entities, Gore said the DMV hopes to increase the mDLs acceptance across California.

The DMV anticipates the mDL will be accepted at more than 20 California airports in the near future, she wrote. The DMV also anticipates other use cases including government services, financial institutions and law enforcement to improve access and reduce identity fraud.

Can I still sign up to get a mobile drivers license?

Since the pilot is in effect until June 30, 2026, Gore said California residents can still download the California DMV Wallet App mDL.

There are currently about 325,000 Californians who have the mDL, she wrote. The DMV has authority to accept about 1.5 million (5% of card holders) residents into the pilot.

Could the mDL become a permanent thing in California?

While the pilot program continues to expand, Gore said legislative action is needed to make the mDL permanent.

There is no set time frame on when this will happen in California.

Expanding the number of places to accept the mDL continues to be an area of focus and DMV is focused on market adoption activities, she wrote.

Should the mDL program become permanent, Gore said the legislature would determine if California residents would still need to use a physical drivers license along with it.

The DMV anticipates that in the future the mDL will be accepted by all public and private entities that require identity or age verification, she wrote.

Have there been any issues with program thus far?

The purpose of the pilot is to determine useability, adoption and acceptance, she wrote.

Since the pilots launch, Gore said the mDL has evolved and is being continuously updated to address customer feedback on suggested enhancements and issues.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
A Cape Coral community still coping with Hurricane Ian's aftermath and slow insurance, is turning to one another as many still live without their condos.

They plan to host a bingo night on Saturday, to help alleviate costs for residents still facing repairs. There will be 10 total games with gift basket raffle items and special designer bags up for grabs.

The Courtyards of Cape Coral South, 1500 Southwest Courtyards Terrace, has 132 residents, and 18 months after Hurricane Ian hit the city on Sept. 28, 2022, is still waiting on insurance money to finish fixing a large portion of their units.

Over 30 residents of the Courtyards of Cape Coral South are will volunteer and host a bingo event in the communitys clubhouse.

Janet Correa, a part-time resident of eight years, said more than 50 seniors are homeless as their units have been stripped inside and out.

Those residents are living with family members.

"We are waiting on our depreciation, and they have approved it back in January, but they release checks so slowly," Correa said. "It's painful for the resident still not home."

The Courtyards of Cape Coral South and its 132 residents were hit hard by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022 as they experienced flooding that tore through many of their units as many residents continue with repairs to this day.

Correa said the residents remaining at the condo complex have been helping one another by doing things like landscaping, setting up wifi, and hanging their possessions in their fixed units.

"We are just restoring the community the best we can," Correa said.

As they work, residents such as Correa also take note of the future insurance assessments that will be levied.

Recent Cape Coral news Cape Coral approves steep increase in impact fees for new homes to fund utility projects

More Cape Coral news Demolition of Cape Coral's Yacht Club slated for April will cost almost $1 million

"Whatever is not enough is called an assessment, so they gave us money towards all this, but they never pay enough," Correa said. "When you have a loss, and, people don't understand that, they just think insurance is going to cover it (all)."

Because many of the residents are older and on fixed incomes, residents want to help lower some of those costs.

She hopes to raise $10,000 at the event, as she already helped raise $10,000 when she held a fundraiser in New York.

The Courtyards of Cape Coral South and its 132 residents were hit hard by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022 as they experienced flooding that tore through many of their units as many residents continue with repairs to this day.

The event will be held at 1500 Southwest Courtyards Terrace.

A pack of 10 cards, one per game, can be purchased for $25 at the door or via presale by emailing jacor1989@yahoo.com. Extra cards are available at the door for $4, or three for $10. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Seating may be limited, so parties of four or more can reserve a table with a presale card purchase.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cape Coral community sets bingo fundraiser for seniors affected by Ian
A person writes a message on The National Covid Memorial Wall, on national day of reflection to mark the two year anniversary of the United Kingdom going into national lockdown, in London, on March 23, 2022. Credit - Peter CziborraReuters

Today marks four years since I said the global outbreak of COVID-19 could be characterized as a pandemic.

My decision to use the p-word was not one I took lightly. Pandemic is a powerful word, evoking fear linked to plagues and pandemics throughout history that have claimed millions of lives and caused severe disruption to societies and economiesas COVID-19 did.

Many of WHOs critics have pointed to my use of pandemic on March 11, 2020 as evidence that WHO was late in taking the threat of COVID-19 seriously. By that stage, more than 118,000 cases had been reported in 114 countries, and more than 4,000 deaths. The horse had bolted.

However, the far more significant date was January 30, 2020, six weeks earlier, when I declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)the highest level of alarm under the International Health Regulations (IHR), an instrument of international law designed to govern the response to global health emergencies. At that time, fewer than 100 cases, and no deaths, had been reported outside China.

A PHEIC has legal and technical meaning; pandemic does notits a descriptor, rather than a technical designation.

I declared an end to COVID-19 as a PHEIC on May 5 of last year. Although the crisis has passed, the threat has not. The virus is still circulating, still changing, and still killing.

As countries learn to manage COVID-19 alongside other disease threats, and continue to grapple with the complications of Long COVID, they must also learn the painful lessons of COVID-19, and take corrective action to address deficiencies in the IHR and gaps in global health security that the pandemic exposed.

History teaches us that the next pandemic is not a matter of if, but when. It may be in our lifetime; it may not come for another 100 years or more. But it will come. And as things stand, the world remains unprepared.

Read More: Experts Can't Agree Whether We're Still in a Pandemic

Thats not to say nothing has been done. In the past two years, WHO, our Member States, and partners have established several initiatives to detect outbreaks earlier, strengthen sharing of biological samples and sequences, expand regional manufacturing of vaccines and other tools, improve equitable access to medical countermeasures, and strengthen financing of national preparedness and response capacities, especially in lower-income countries.

But there is still one key missing ingredient: an agreed framework between countries on how they will work together to counter the threat of a future pandemic.

The lack of coordination and cooperation between countries was one of the greatest failings of the global response to COVID-19. Countries became competitors, rather than cooperators, especially in seeking access to vaccines.

While the development of multiple safe and effective vaccines in such rapid time was an unprecedented triumph of science, before a single jab reached an arm, high-income countries had used their financial muscle to pre-order most of the worlds supplyoften ordering more than they might ever needleaving lower-income countries behind, waiting for scraps.

Of course, every sovereign government is responsible for protecting its people. But in a pandemic, no country can truly protect itself without working with other countriesespecially those with the least financial, technical, or political capitalto ensure they too are protected. A global threat demands a global coordinated response.

Countries have recognized that, which is why they decided to strengthen the IHR and, in December 2021, to develop an international agreement on pandemic preparedness and responsea legally-binding generational pact to work together to keep themselves and each other safe.

They set themselves a deadline of completing the agreement and the IHR amendments in time for adoption at the World Health Assembly in May 2024. Thats now just 10 weeks away.

Read More: Is There a 'COVID' Season Yet?

Countries are making good progress, and have agreed on significant elements of the draft agreement, although there are still some issues which require further negotiation. I remain confident they can and will find common ground.

A more pernicious problem is the avalanche of lies, fake news, and conspiracy theories about the pandemic agreement that are propagating on social and traditional media.

Just as the response to the pandemic itself was hampered by mis- and disinformation, so the agreements negotiators are operating amid a frenzy of falsehoods: That the agreement is a power grab by WHO; that it will give WHO power to impose lockdowns or vaccine mandates on countries; or that its an attack on freedom.

These claims are completely false. WHO does not have, and has never had, the power to impose anything on anyone. We dont want that power, and were not trying to get it.

The agreement is being written by countries, for countries, and will be implemented in countries in accordance with their own national laws. No country will be signing away its sovereignty to WHO. Why would it?

Legally-binding international agreements are not new. They are a tool that countries have used often since the end of the Second World War to meet common threats with a common response: the Geneva Conventions; the UN Charter; the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; the Paris Agreement; the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; and the WHO Constitution, to name a few.

All are binding agreements in international law, and none give UN staff, including me, power to dictate to sovereign states.

In his classic novel La Peste, Albert Camus wrote, There have been as many plagues as wars in history, yet always plagues and wars take people equally by surprise.

As the generation that lived through the COVID-19 crisis, we have a collective responsibility to protect future generations from the suffering we endured.

Because pathogens have no regard for the lines humans draw on maps, nor for the color of our politics, the size of our economies, or the strength of our militaries.

For everything that makes us different, we are one humanity, the same species, sharing the same DNA and the same planet.

We have no future but a common future.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
CHICAGO  A squad care was struck by gunfire when shots were fired in the direction of Chicago police officers overnight on the citys South Side.

According to police, officers assigned to the 5th District were driving in the 9400 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue, in the Chatham neighborhood, just before 3 a.m. Monday when shots were fired in their direction, hitting the rear window of their marked squad car.

Teen boy fatally shot in East Garfield Park

Police say the officers did not return fire and no officers were injured.

There is nobody in custody, according to police, and Area Two detectives are investigating.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Martin Smith was exposed to an infection which triggered a flare up of his Crohn's disease - Thompsons Solicitors / SWNS

A man with Crohns disease was forced to have part of his bowel removed after he caught a stomach bug in India on a work trip.

Martin Smith, 62, had to undergo two major surgeries resulting in the removal of his large bowel and have a stoma bag after he went to India with London-based company Primetals Technologies.

He had previously been diagnosed with Crohns disease and after taking some time off, he returned to the company part time and worked from home.

Three months later he was asked by his employer to go on a week-long work trip to India.

He took precautions while on the trip but became extremely unwell with abdominal cramps, sickness and diarrhoea after a few days.

Large bowel removed

The former site systems engineer received no treatment on site and was forced to return to the UK because of his illness.

Doctors at Poole Hospital then discovered he had been exposed to an infection that had triggered a flare-up of his Crohns disease.

Mr Smiths condition continued to deteriorate and in May 2019, he underwent a complex procedure which resulted in the removal of his large bowel.

Primetals Technologies has not admitted liability but Mr Smith has now been paid 800,000 in a compensation care package.

Mr Smith said: When I was first taken ill I was in so much pain that I was prepared to do anything to make that stop.

Afterwards though, the enormity of what had happened to me hit. My whole world had imploded. After the first operation I was seriously ill for months. My wound became infected and I was bedridden, relying on district nurses coming in to help look after me.

It has been extremely difficult to come to terms with what has happened and the way that I have been treated. I can no longer do the job I loved, and I need constant care and treatment to help me manage my condition. Thats not the life I had planned.

I worked for Primetals Technologies Ltd for more than 30 years, travelling all over the world and delivering on projects that helped contribute to the businesss success. But when I needed their help and support, I was hung out to dry.

Martin Smith says he can no longer do the job he loves

Solicitor Neil Richards said the case highlighted the need for companies to consider the health and safety of employees at all times.

In this case, Mr Smiths employer was fully aware of his pre-existing medical condition and how this would impact his situation were he to become ill in a remote part of India.

The case also demonstrated the importance of employers carefully considering the risks they are exposing their workforce to and then taking reasonable steps to mitigate against them.

These obligations do not merely exist when the employee is employed and working in England.

They have equal effect when an employer sends an employee out to work away from their principal place of work, which in this case was a remote area overseas.

Primetals Technologies has been contacted for a comment.

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Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the countrys migrant crisis a government blunder Sunday, taking aim at fellow Dems Gov. Hochul and President Biden during a speech at a Bronx church.

The 66-year-old scandal-scarred ex-gov  continuing his tiptoe back into the public spotlight two and a half years after resigning during a sex-harassment scandal  told congregants at the Grove Missionary Baptist Church it is wrong for New York City to have to shoulder the whole flood of migrants into the state because Albany politicians dont want the problem in the rest of New York.

New York state says the migrants can only go to New York City, not the Hudson Valley, not upstate New York, not Long Island  only New York City, Cuomo said.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo poses with a supporter in front of the Missionary Baptist Church at 1488 Hoe Ave. in the Bronx on Sunday. TOMAS E. GASTON

The scandal-scarred gov received a warm welcome from the Bronx church. TOMAS E. GASTON

Now New York City has over 100,000 migrants who have come to the city. New York City has to provide the housing and the education and the medical care. It makes no sense.

And then the check comes. You know, when you are in the restaurant, and then the check comes, and nobody moves, everybody just looks at it, everybody puts their hands in their pocket. [New York City] Mayor [Eric] Adams says, Federal government, you should pick up the tab, you started this, the federal government says, I left my wallet at home. 

Cuomo said the added costs to the city to assist migrants, the fact that the Big Apple has the highest taxes in the country, the upcoming new congestion toll to get into Midtown and continuing local struggles with crime and homelessness has made the situation unsustainable.

He warned that more people will leave the state and city and also said its ridiculous that many migrants cant easily get papers to work.

But the ex-governor, citing Scripture, said the state must also show compassion, opining that it is demeaning for migrants to be housed at Brooklyns remote Floyd Bennet Field, which he called a wind tunnel.

Forget how they got here. They are here. They are in our house. They are human beings. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, he said.

Cuomos appearance came as he is said to be weighing a political comeback. TOMAS E. GASTON

The speech  which came as budget talks are heating up in Albany  was the latest in a string of appearances at black city churches for Cuomo, who considers their congregants a friendly constituency as he weighs a possible political comeback.

Sundays church-goers were overwhelmingly supportive of Cuomos speech  and everyone who spoke with The Post said they wanted him back in office.

I like him, even though he has his ups and downs, said Lucious Peterson, 64.

I think he should run again. I like his spirit, Peterson said. If he gets back in there, it would be a big difference. I told him to run.

Congregation members Melinda Vaughn, 70, and Lisa Washington agreed.

I love him. It was a great speech. I feel like he is right, Vaughn said. Our voices do need to be heard, especially about this bit [the migrant crisis]. Federal government needs to pay their share.

Washington added, It was a beautiful speech.

He has been working for a long time for the city, and he helped so many people. He needs to get back in office.

Stephanie Tribble said she believes that Cuomo was treated unfairly over the allegations of sexual harassment that led to his stunning fall from power.

I support everything he said, I love him, Tribble said.

When you are moving up in life, there are people that will fight with you, and there people that will fight against you.

Cuomo continues to deny that he engaged in sexual misconduct or harassment against female staffers and other women, despite his resignation from office.
NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo and ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson clashed over the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack in Carlsons first national television appearance since his exit from Fox last year.

Cuomo confronted Carlson over his views of the insurrection and criticized his cherry-picked use of security footage from the Capitol that day that was exclusively released to him by then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

Your approach, and the approach of other people  Hey this was just, you know, these guys were in the wrong place, the wrong way, but thats all it was. I dont agree with that, Cuomo said. I think it was a riot. And I think they were way over the line, and I think they were motivated to go over the line in part by the president of the United States.

Carlson in reply said that parts of it obviously were a riot but said there is a lack of transparency around the number of federal agents in the crowd that day. The FBI has categorically denied any involvement in sparking the attack.

Cuomo agreed that transparency is the key to understanding.

[Transparency] is the opposite to what we have, and there are thousands of hours of tape and the release of which will not jeopardize the security in the Capitol, Carlson said.

You cherry-picked that tape by the way, Cuomo hit back. Carlson said he aired what they sent me.

The wide-ranging, one-on-one conversation between the two longtime media figures will air Monday at 8 p.m.

Carlson was ousted from Fox last spring shortly after the network agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787.5 million to settle a defamation case in connection with former President Trumps false claims of 2020 election fraud.

Cuomo was fired by CNN in December 2021 after revelations about his involvement in the harassment case against his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D). He has since joined NewsNation, a cable news channel that, like The Hill, is owned by Nexstar Media Group.

Their conversation is expected to touch on Carlsons departure from Fox, recent criticism for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Jan. 6, among other topics, NewsNation said in a press release.

Dominick Mastrangelo contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
US investment firm Elliott Advisors has walked away from making a takeover bid for Currys after being rejected by the retailer's board "multiple times".

It had initially proposed an offer that valued the electricals chain at 700m, and then raised it to 757m.

But Currys rebuffed the approaches, stating that they "significantly undervalued" the business.

Currys could still receive a bid from China's JD.com, which said last month it was mulling an offer for the firm.

Currys has more than 800 stores globally and employs 28,000 people. In the UK, it operates about 300 stores with 15,000 staff.

Elliott, which owns UK bookseller Waterstones, said on Monday that it had made attempts to engage with the board of Currys, but had now chosen to back off.

It said it was "not in an informed position to make an improved offer for Currys on the basis of the public information available to it".

"Elliott therefore confirms it does not intend to make an offer for Currys," a statement added.

The rising cost of living in the past couple of years has hit many retailers as consumers cut back on spending, and Currys said last month that underlying sales had fallen 3% over the key Christmas trading period.

Despite this, the company increased its profit forecast for the year, helped by cost cuts and higher profit margins on some of its services.

Analysts have also noted that Currys' share price appears low given its market share and profitability, which has made the firm attractive to investors.

Following the news that Elliott Advisors had called off its takeover interest, Curry's share price fell by 8% in early trading on Monday.

When JD.com confirmed its interest in Currys last month, the Chinese e-commerce group said it was "in the very preliminary stages" of evaluating a possible bid.

Under UK takeover rules, JD.com has until 18 March to make a formal offer or walk away from the deal.
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  Former Democratic Roanoke City Mayor, David Bowers, has announced he is again seeking reelection, now as a Republican.

Bowers has served as mayor twice as a Democrat, first from 1992 to 2000 and again from 2012 to 2016; as well as serving as an Independent from 2008 to 2012.

He says that his change to the Republican party underscores his belief in a bipartisan approach to governance and his desire to implement new and innovative solutions to the citys issues. -He says crime, the economy, tourism, and energy independence are among the most pressing issues currently facing the city.

Stephanie Moon Reynolds announces campaign for Mayor of Roanoke

At 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, Bowers is holding a press conference for the public to outline details of his republican campaign and his future vision for the City of Roanoke.

At a young age, Bowers moved from Central New York into the Raleigh Court neighborhood. After graduating from Patrick Henry High School, he graduated from Belmont Abbey College and then earned a law degree from Loyola University New Orleans. He also has a masters in liberal arts from Hollins University. Bowers began his legal career in Roanoke and then served on the City Council in 1984 and later as Mayor.

You can learn more about Bowers campaign on his website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
On the night of Monday, March 11, Russian occupation forces attacked Odesa region with Shahed-type attack drones. They hit an infrastructure facility, where a fire broke out - no people were injured.

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This was reported by the Southern Defense Forces. The defenders of the sky managed to shoot down 10 enemy kamikaze drones over the region, and the Ukrainian Navy showed the destruction of one of them on video.

The military emphasized that this time the enemy postponed the massive drone attack until the second half of the night. The air defense forces' combat work lasted an hour and a half.

Air defense units repelled heavy waves of Shaheds coming in from the Black Sea and complicated maneuvers between residential and industrial areas, which made the defenders' work difficult.

Some of the UAV strikes resulted in hits in Odesa district. An infrastructure facility was hit there, damaging administrative buildings. A fire broke out at the site of the attack, which rescuers quickly extinguished.

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The shock wave smashed out the windows of private houses around the area, and debris damaged outbuildings. According to preliminary reports, no one was injured.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the night of March 10, the defenders of the sky shot down 11 Shaheds in Odesa region. However, hits could not be avoided: enemy kamikaze drones struck an industrial facility in Odesa district, causing damage to the building and a fire.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The judge overseeing Georgia's election interference case against former President Donald Trump could rule any day on whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case over her romantic relationship with a special prosecutor.

After several days of extraordinary testimony, Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee heard arguments over whether Willis relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade amounts to a conflict of interest that should force them off one of four criminal cases against the former president.

At the end of the hearing, McAfee said that there are "several legal issues to sort through, several factual determinations that I have to make," adding that he "will be taking the time to make sure that I give this case the full consideration its due."

RELATED: Timeline of Fulton County DA Fani Willis - Nathan Wade relationship

Since then, multiple defense attorneys have asked the judge to allow two more witnesses to testify, saying that the witnesses dispute the statement by Willis and Wade that their relationship began in 2022.

In their motion filed on behalf of co-defendant David Shafer, attorneys want to present the testimony of attorney Cindi Lee Yeager, a co-chief deputy district attorney for Cobb County, who claims she had "numerous" in-person conversations with Terrence Bradley in which he alleged he had "personal knowledge" of Willis and Wade's relationship.

Defendant Cathy Latham has also filed a notice claiming that Manny Arora, who is a former adjunct professor at Georgia State School of Law, would also be able to provide testimony about conversations with Bradley.

According to the notice, Arora had "several" conversations with Bradley about the relationship between Willis and Wade between September and October 2023.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies in her disqualification hearing on Feb. 15, 2024. (FOX 5)

Wills-Wade conflict of interest allegations

McAfee is deliberating over arguments that Willis' relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade presents a conflict of interest, potentially jeopardizing the integrity of one of the four criminal cases against Trump.

Critics argue that the relationship undermines public confidence in the prosecution, while Willis' office counters that there is no evidence of professional or financial impropriety stemming from their personal connection.

The case has been marked by days of sensational testimony, focusing as much on the prosecutors' personal lives as on the allegations of election interference.

The defense has accused Willis and Wade of dishonesty regarding the timeline of their relationship, raising concerns about the message their continued involvement in the case might send.

This comes amid a backdrop of the former president and his allies using the situation to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the charges.

SEE ALL PREVIOUS STORIES AND LIVESTREAMS

Willis' potential removal could significantly impact the sprawling legal battle against Trump, though it wouldn't automatically lead to the dismissal of charges.

The proceedings have ventured into unexpected areas, including testimony from prominent political figures and discussions about personal vacations, highlighting the unusual nature of this legal challenge.

DA Fani Willis disqualification hearing: Legal perspective

With the 2024 presidential election approaching, the timing of the trial and its implications for Trump's candidacy loom large.

Darryl Cohen, a former Fulton County prosecutor, says its unclear if Judge McAfee will remove Willis from the case. "I put it at 50/50," Cohen said. "He has enough to keep her and enough to get rid of her."

"The defense has discredited her, she is certainly now under a microscope," Cohen said, adding that could hurt Willis in the minds of some potential jurors if she remains on the case. "Certainly, it could. Jurors dont live under a rock," Cohen said.

Tom Church, a trial lawyer, says he doesnt believe defense lawyers met the standard to get Willis removed. "I dont think Fani Willis and her office are going to be disqualified. Ultimately, the judge is going to deny the motion," Church said. "They didnt get the kind of bombshell testimony that they needed to win. But they did land some hard blows."

MOST RECENT STORIES

Church doesnt think defense lawyers attempts to discredit Willis will taint her image with potential jurors. "Is there always a risk? Possibly," Church said. "With some time, with some distance from these salacious hearings, there will be more attention to the actual facts of this case."

If McAfee removes Willis from the case, it will go to whats called the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia. They would decide which DA would be handed the election interference case.

It is unclear how a new prosecutor would handle it if that happens.

Attorneys running to unseat Fani Willis in Fulton County

In the last week, two attorneys have announced that they are running to unseat Willis as Fulton County district attorney.

Attorney Christian Wise Smith, a former prosecutor for the county and Atlanta city solicitor, announced on the social media platform X on Friday that he has qualified to run against Willis in the Democratic primary.

Today, I officially qualified for the office of Fulton County District Attorney. This decision was made with Fulton County residents at heart. In the coming weeks, I hope look forward to engaging the community and earning the vote in Fulton County.  Christian Wise Smith (@chriswisesmith) March 8, 2024

Smith previously lost to Willis in the 2020 election for the position.

Attorney Courtney Kramer, a Republican who said she previously worked for Trump's legal team, has also said she's running.

Willis filed her paperwork to run for reelection last week as well, telling reporters that her "heart is still in this work."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


UPDATE, BOND AMOUNT RAISED: Geronimo Kees bond has increased from $175,000 to $500,000, according to jail records on Tuesday.

He is charged with attempted first-degree murder, evading arrest, employment of a firearm in a felony and speeding.

The low bond amount had drawn criticism from several elected officials. See original story below.

*****

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Bizarre behavior in court Monday morning led to a mental evaluation to be ordered for the man charged with shooting a Memphis Police lieutenant during a traffic stop Friday.

Geronimo Kee, the suspected shooter, faced a judge Monday, along with three of the four people now charged as accessories after the fact.

MPD says Kee alerted his mother along with two others, telling them he was injured in the shooting during a traffic stop Friday on Interstate 240. A Memphis Police officer was left in critical condition.

Suspect captured after MPD officer shot during traffic stop on I-240

On Monday, the judge ordered a mental evaluation for Kee after he said he was being held against his will and he was not subject to maritime law when asked whether he could pay his bond.

Maritime law? Are we on a ship? Judge Christian Johnson asked.

The judge said Kee was speaking nonsense. Kee was ordered back to court on March 25.

Three of the four other defendants  Zaire Kee, the alleged shooters sister, Tezaree Pennington, his mother, and Malik Oliver  were ordered back to court on April 8 with an attorney.

According to court records, one of the four accessory defendants, Kennedy Williams, is the accused shooters girlfriend. Investigators say she set up an Uber ride for Kee after he told her he shot an officer.

She is set to face a judge on Tuesday.

Investigators say the group went to a Walgreens and gathered supplies to bandage his injury.

Kee was later arrested at his girlfriends apartment in Raleigh.

Five people facing charges in Memphis officer shooting

Kees bond was set to $175,000, despite Memphis Police recommending no bond for the 22-year-old.

The low bond amount drew responses from several elected officials, and from the Memphis Police Association, which said the group was stunned at the bond.

Setting low bonds for violent criminals, including those who commit acts of violence against police, not only poses a continued threat to public safety, but it also frustrated the brave men and women in blue who go out every single day and night and risk it all to protect and serve the citizens of this great city, MPA said in a news release.

Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor who has been a critic of the current bail system in Shelby County was not happy with the bond given.

It pisses me off. We are working really hard to try and bring about some law and order in this community and apparently what we have is lawlessness, said Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor.

Taylor was part of a discussion late last week among state senators proposing a constitutional amendment for judges to have the discretion in certain cases to deny bail for offenders. But there are questions about overburdening the already stretched-thin jails in the state.

Well we need to plan and commit ourselves that if were going to put these people away and deny them a bail, thats not the argument, then where are we going to put them, said Senator Todd Gardenhire of Chattanooga.

Also, questions about what accused crimes fall within the proposal as well as possible legal and financial ramifications.

Everybody in America should have the right to be innocent until proven guilty. Thats in our constitution. Theres a reason why this was put in place in 1796, said Senator Raumesh Akbari of Memphis.

But others had a different take altogether.

Senator Frank Niceley, from east of Knoxville, says while this bill needs a two-thirds vote to make it to the ballot, he claims they also only need those votes to remove a judge or DA.

So I propose that every year we pick a soft-on-crime judge or a soft-on-crime DA, vote him out of office, scare the rest of them, and before long, well have a judicial system that we can be proud of, Niceley said.

Criminal history is also taken into account when setting bonds. WREG checked and found nothing for Kee as an adult in Shelby County records.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB)  Two men have plead guilty to second-degree attempted robbery today, according to the Erie County district attorneys office.

Six people, including 22-year-old Andre A. Washington, Jr. of Buffalo and 20-year-old Makeigh A. Brown of Cheektowaga, approached a 75-year-old man last July in a Wegmans parking lot. According to West Seneca police, the man was walking to his Kia when the group approached him. The people attempted to carjack him by gunpoint as he placed his groceries inside of his vehicle, according to the district attorneys office.

The victim kicked one of the defendants who fell to the ground. The defendants then fled from the parking lot. West Seneca police said five suspects were taken into custody while the sixth remains on the run.

Washington and Brown will be sentenced on April 15, each facing a maximum of seven years in prison.

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 is a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Attorneys for Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan are asking a judge to order the release of all communications between Hennepin County prosecutors and a use-of-force expert, alleging in court documents that prosecutors stopped consulting with the expert after his opinion did not support their theory that Londregan acted criminally when he fatally shot motorist Ricky Cobb II last summer.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty's office denied the allegations, saying defense attorney Chris Madel used "cherry-picked" quotes in the court motion filed Monday that add up to an inaccurate description of the expert's statements.

"It is simply false that any expert engaged by the State came to any legal conclusion related to Mr. Londregan's conduct," office spokesman Nick Kimball said in a statement Monday. "In fact, the expert characterized the meeting as a preliminary discussion with the State. Once again the defense is abusing the legal process to initiate inaccurate pretrial publicity in this case."

The expert in question is Jeffrey Noble, a retired Irvine, Calif. deputy police chief hired by Moriarty's office to consult during the charging review process in the use-of-deadly-force case. Prosecutors have provided Londregan's defense team with some emails they exchanged with Noble, as well as a summary of an Oct. 13 video conference meeting. But the defense says there are more communications the prosecution must disclose.

According to Londregan's motion, last fall, Noble told Moriarty and six other members of the Hennepin County Attorney's Office that "a reasonable officer in Trooper Londregan's position would have perceived that [the other trooper on the scene] was in danger of death or great bodily harm, specifically from being dragged by the vehicle as it continued to accelerate."

"Noble also dismantled the HCAO's other theories of Trooper Londregan's fault in this case," the motion reads. "In sum, on October 13, 2023, Noble, the HCAO's handpicked expert, told the HCAO that Trooper Londregan committed no crime."

Kimball quickly countered the allegations in comments to the Star Tribune and a public statement, saying "the defense has selectively quoted a partial sentence of a lengthy document provided to them in the course of the confidential discovery process.

"The cherry-picked sentence excludes critical facts where the expert acknowledged information he would need to fully analyze the case. Specifically, he stated that he did not know the new use of force legal standard in Minnesota or how to interpret it and he did not have a statement from Trooper Londregan," Kimball said. "Additionally, [Noble] did not have the information from the three months of investigation that occurred after this initial conversation, including grand jury transcripts detailing the extensive training that Londregan received on how to effectively and safely handle traffic stops involving potential fleeing drivers."

Noble declined to comment when reached by phone Monday.

In light of the defense filing, Republicans in the Minnesota House called for Moriarty's resignation. House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, accused Moriarty of "putting her personal anti-law enforcement bias ahead of pursuit of facts and justice."

Londregan, 27, is facing second-degree murder, manslaughter and first-degree assault charges for shooting and killing Cobb during a traffic stop on the highway on July 31. Other troopers had pulled Cobb over for driving without lights on Interstate 94 in north Minneapolis. Troopers learned Cobb was wanted for violating a domestic order for protection, and the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office issued a 72-hour request to pick him up. Cobb ignored orders to step out of the car.

Trooper Brett Seide opened the driver's side door and Londregan opened the passenger door in an attempt to get Cobb out. Londregan shouted "Get out of the car now!" before shooting Cobb twice in the torso. The car lurched forward, knocking down both troopers, footage from squad's dashcam and troopers' body-worn cameras showed.

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office received the investigation into the fatal shooting from the Minnesota Bureau of of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) in September to consider charges against Londregan. At that time, Moriarty held a press conference saying her office had already identified a use-of-force expert to examine evidence. She didn't name the expert, but described the independent review as a "critical" piece of the process.

A month later, Noble provided his initial review in an Oct. 13 video conference with prosecutors.

"Mr. Noble offered that, if Trooper Londregan shot Mr. Cobb simply to prevent him from fleeing, he would deem the use of deadly force to be unreasonable," according to notes of the meeting provided by prosecutors to the defense attorneys and cited in court filings. "However, Mr. Noble stated that his opinion would change if Trooper Londregan shot Mr. Cobb because he feared for Trooper Seide's safety. Mr Noble stated that, given Trooper Seide's position in the vehicle at the time of the shooting; the likelihood that Trooper Londregan perceived that Mr. Cobb was attempting to drive away; and the likelihood that Trooper Londregan perceived that Mr. Cobb's vehicle was in motion, a reasonable office in Trooper Londregan's position would have perceived that Trooper Seide was in danger of great bodily harm, specifically from being dragged by the vehicle as is continued to accelerate."

Noble told prosecutors that he was prepared to opine that it was a "bad idea" for Seide to reach into the vehicle, but even if he Seide's actions were unreasonable, that does not necessarily make Lodrengan's use of deadly force unreasonable. "Trooper Londregan still was authorized to reasonably respond to the danger to Trooper Seide," according to notes from the Oct. 13 meeting.

According to court records, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office contract with Noble runs from Aug. 21, 2023 until Aug. 20, 2024. The agreement includes payment of $450 per hour, plus a flat rate of $3,000 for the first four hours of deposition and witness services and $650 for every additional hour. Prosecutors said in court filings last week that they stopped communicating with a "witness," and asked the unnamed person to hold off on any further work on the case.

The defense said in the filings this week that prosecutors "ignored Noble and charged Trooper Londregan." The motion says lead prosecutor Joshua Larson told Noble to to stop working on the case.

Londregran's defense is asking prosecutors to provide all Noble-related documents, per court rules that prosecutors must disclose any information that could aid in the defense of someone accused of a crime, known as the "Brady" doctrine. Moriarty's office said it provided relevant material already and that a report from Noble doesn't exist.

"The State has no knowledge that this witness drafted or finalized any report related to this case. The State has conveyed this information to the defense, and the defense also is aware that any draft or preliminary opinions held by this witness at any point during the developing investigation would be based on an incomplete record," prosecutors state in court filings last week.

On Monday afternoon, Madel sent an email to Moriarty and Larson suggesting he would publish the previously sealed documents in full.

"If your Office truly believes we 'cherrypicked' something, I am confident that you will have no objection to this publication. Alternatively, please be advised that the defense has no objection to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office publishing the entire October 13, 2023 Statement on its website."

The Star Tribune asked Madel and Kimball to provide the Oct. 13 meeting summary, but neither did so by time of publication.

Both parties are back in court next Thursday to argue over whether the state has to provide further Noble-related communications to defense.

Noble, who declined to say over the phone Monday whether he was still under contract with Moriarty's office, was previously consulted in other high profile use of force cases including, the police shooting of Philando Castile.

The Ramsey County Attorney's Office paid him about $20,000 to testify in the trial of St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez, who shot Castile during a 2016 traffic stop.

Noble found Yanez was not justified in shooting Castile, who was pulled over with his girlfriend Diamond Reynolds in the passenger seat and then 4-year-old daughter in the backseat. Yanez faced additional charges for endangering the passengers when he opened fire on Castile.

Despite Noble's expert testimony, a jury acquitted Yanez of all charges, including second-degree manslaughter.

Noble is frequently tapped on to serve as an expert witness with police on trial. He has also published various opinions on law enforcement, including that George Floyd's death was a foreseeable consequence of the officers' actions.

Star Tribune staff writer Ryan Faircloth contributed to this report.
Diversity, equity and inclusion programs have come under attack in boardrooms, state legislatures and college campuses across the country.

Since 2023, 81 anti-DEI bills that target programs at colleges have been introduced in 28 states and in Congress, according to a tally by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Eight have been signed into law, in states like Texas and Florida.

A 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 52% of employed U.S. adults say they have DEI trainings or meetings at work, and 33% say they have a designated staff member who promotes DEI.

But recently, some companies have slashed teams dedicated to DEI and wealthy corporate leaders such as Bill Ackman and Elon Musk have made posts on social media that decried diversity programs.

Critics say DEI programs are discriminatory and attempt to solve racial discrimination by disadvantaging other groups, particularly White Americans. But supporters and industry experts insist the decades-old practice has been politicized and is widely misunderstood.

What is DEI?

CNN interviewed seven DEI experts and industry leaders and asked each to define diversity, equity and inclusion. Although their responses varied slightly, most had a shared vision for what constitutes DEI:

Diversity is embracing the differences everyone brings to the table whether its someones race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability or other aspects of social identity.

Equity is treating everyone fairly and providing equal opportunities.

And inclusion is respecting everyones voice and creating a culture where people from all backgrounds feel encouraged to express their ideas and perspectives.

Daniel Oppong, founder of The Courage Collective, a consultancy that advises companies on DEI, said DEI was created because marginalized communities have not always had equal opportunities for jobs, or felt a sense of belonging in majority-White corporate settings.

That is the genesis of why some of these programs exist, he said. It was an attempt to try to create workplaces where more or all people can thrive.

President Lyndon Baines Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act on July 2, 1964. The law made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and barred unequal application of voter registration requirements. - AP

When did workplaces start embracing DEI?

The backlash against DEI may feel like a pendulum swing from 2020, but the DEI practice has been around for decades.

Dominique Hollins, founder of the DEI consulting firm WE360, said the origins of DEI programs date back to the civil rights movement, which played a pivotal role in accelerating efforts to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed employment discrimination based on race, religion, sex, color and national origin. It also banned segregation in public places, like public schools and libraries.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which works to eliminate employment discrimination.

In the 1960s and 70s, employees began filing discrimination lawsuits with the EEOC and many companies began incorporating diversity into their business strategies by providing diversity training, according to a 2008 report published in the Academy of Management Learning & Education.

These diversity training efforts emerged around the time that affirmative action began by executive order from President John F. Kennedy. Although the two concepts may seem similar, affirmative action is different from DEI because it required federal contractors by executive order from the president to treat all applicants and employees equally based on race, color, religion and sex.

Colleges and universities also used affirmative action to boost enrollment of students of color at majority-White schools. But last year, the Supreme Court gutted affirmative action, ruling that race-conscious college admissions were unconstitutional.

After President Ronald Reagan backed corporate deregulation policies that said companies should be addressing discrimination internally in the 1980s, Hollins said some of the diversity efforts lost momentum.

In the decades to follow, Hollins said many companies continued to push for DEI-focused jobs and training in a piecemeal fashion, instead of creating ongoing programs and dedicated teams.

Hollins said many companies didnt have the staffing or resources to sustain DEI efforts.

But the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May 2020 sparked a racial reckoning and a renewed push for creating DEI leadership roles and initiatives at major corporations.

Between 2019 and 2022, according to a LinkedIn analysis, chief diversity and inclusion officer roles grew by 168.9%.

Today, some of those efforts have been rolled back and people have left DEI roles because they didnt feel fully supported, Hollins said.

Companies were giving the appearance of commitment without actually doing the right work for that commitment to be sustainable, Hollins said.

Despite the backlash against DEI programs and initiatives, many companies are standing firm in their support for DEI.

A survey published in January by the polling firm Ipsos, found 67% of people surveyed said their employers require or offer trainings, lectures, webinars, or resources on DEI. And 71% of people surveyed said they think DEI training is important to creating a positive workplace culture.

What does DEI look like at work?

Today, studies show that many companies are prioritizing some form of DEI. According to a 2023 study by the Pew Research Center, 61% of U.S. adults say their workplace has policies that focus on fairness in hiring, promotions or pay. And 56% of U.S. adults say, focusing on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion at work is mainly a good thing.

Kelly Baker, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Thrivent, an organization that provides financial advice, said DEI in the workplace can be a mix of employee training, resource networks and recruiting practices.

Her company, for example, has resource groups for women in leadership, young professionals, Black employees, Hispanic employees, and military veterans, among others.

Their DEI training teaches employees how to understand and bridge cultural differences in the workplace, she said.

Thrivent also seeks job candidates with diversity in their race, geography, gender and industry background, Baker said.

Experts say many corporations tie DEI to their business strategies.

Diversity is related to our business growth strategy, Baker said. Its pragmatic and essential and critical for us to ensure that our client base reflects the world that we are in and the world that we are going to be in.

Adela Zhang of the Affirmative Action Coalition speaks to a diverse group of fellow students about race-conscious admissions to colleges as the Supreme Court weighs the issue, on the University of North Carolina campus in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 2023. - Jonathan Drake/Reuters/File

What does DEI look like in higher education?

College campuses have become ground zero for the DEI debate as state lawmakers across the country launch efforts to halt or limit DEI programs in public schools and universities.

Last week, the University of Florida eliminated the office of its Chief Diversity Officer to comply with regulations from the Florida Board of Governors that prohibit spending state funds on DEI programs.

Ella Washington, professor of practice at Georgetown Universitys McDonough School of Business, said she is concerned that efforts to ban DEI on college campuses will prevent students from being prepared for the real world.

I think a lot of it is short-sighted and politically motivated, Washington said. Its hard for me to believe that all of these lawmakers want exclusion be taught and to erase all of history.

Washington said while DEI looks different on every college campus, many schools focus efforts on recruitment and admissions, curriculum and special programs for underrepresented students.

Georgetowns Office of Student Equity & Inclusion oversees several DEI-centered programs including the Disability Cultural Center, Womens Center, LGBTQ Resource Center, and the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access, according to its website.

Washington said there is also a program for first-generation college students where they have a chance to build community.

Prioritizing and embracing a diverse student body allows students to interact with peers from different walks of life and learn new perspectives even outside of the classroom, Washington said.

Colleges are certainly a microcosm of the world, Washington said. So, having an experience where equity is centered, equality is considered, inclusion is at the forefront of peoples minds, those are things we are teaching the next generation about how they should be running the world.

What are critics saying?

In recent years, DEI has become a social and political lightning rod for lawmakers, corporate leaders and even conservative activists, who have sought to cast the initiatives as unfair and even racist.

Some were emboldened by the Supreme Courts decision to gut affirmative action last June.

Christopher Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and an outspoken critic of DEI, wrote in a New York Times op-ed last year that these are not neutral programs to increase demographic diversity; they are political programs that use taxpayer resources to advance a specific partisan orthodoxy.

The Claremont Institute, a conservative think tank, holds a similar position. Ryan P. Williams, president of the institute, previously told CNN he believes the ideology behind DEI is fundamentally anti-American.

The words that the acronym DEI represent sound nice, but it is nothing more than affirmative action and racial preferences by a different name, a system that features racial headcounts and arbitrarily assigned roles of oppressor and oppressed groups in America, Williams said in an emailed statement. If we continue to do democracy this way, it will only end in acrimony, strife, resentment, and American collapse.

Earlier this year, billionaire investor Bill Ackman posted a 4,000-word opus on X that criticized DEI as inherently a racist and illegal movement in its implementation even if it purports to work on behalf of the so-called oppressed. Ackmans lengthy thesis was later reposted by billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who now owns the social media platform.

DEI is just another word for racism. Shame on anyone who uses it, Musk wrote in his post.

In a follow-up post, Musk doubled down, adding, DEI, because it discriminates on the basis of race, gender and many other factors, is not merely immoral, it is also illegal.

Tesla, which is owned by Musk, has since omitted all language regarding minority workers and outreach to minority communities in its 10-K filing with the SEC made January 29, CNN previously reported.

But not every business leader agrees. Mark Cuban, billionaire businessman and minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, pushed back on Musks posts in a thread defending DEI as good for businesses and their workers.

The loss of DEI-Phobic companies is my gain, Cuban wrote. Having a workforce that is diverse and representative of your stakeholders is good for business.

In April 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 7, known as the "Stop WOKE' bill," in Hialeah Gardens. - Miami Herald/Miami Herald/TNS/Getty Images/File

Whats next in the fight over DEI?

Texas, North Dakota, North Carolina, Tennessee and Utah each have at least one anti-DEI bill that has been signed into law, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.

In Nebraska, Republican State Sen. Dave Murman proposed a bill in January that would prohibit state colleges and universities from dedicating public money and staff time to DEI efforts.

The bill is currently with the Nebraska legislatures education committee which will decide whether to move it to the full legislature.

Murmans office did not respond to a request for an interview.

Nebraska Democratic state Sen. Danielle Conrad told CNN she opposes the bill in part because the broader effort to ban DEI has become divisive. She said it also distracts from the real issues colleges are facing, such as families who cant afford tuition.

DEI, she said, is valuable to colleges and universities.

We absolutely know from common sense and research that when we have more diverse perspectives in discussion or as part of our education, it helps us to have more thoughtful results, Conrad said. It helps us to be more well-rounded, active and engaged citizens.

CNNs Athena Jones contributed to this story.

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Interim Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier speaks at a news conference Monday night following the arrest of murder suspect Dejan Belnavis.

WORCESTER  Dejan D. Belnavis, who police believe is one of two men who killed Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter, Zella, last week, was arrested Monday afternoon in San Diego, police say.

"This is a great moment for the city of Worcester, a great moment for the Police Department," City Manager Eric D. Batista said at a Monday night press conference. "This is a time of celebration for us because we've been hard at work collaborating with many partners to come to this moment."

Dejan Belnavis is taken into custody by authorities in San Diego on Monday.

Belnavis was apprehended during a traffic stop about 5:40 p.m. Eastern time, police say.

During the press conference at Worcester police headquarters, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said Belnavis was arrested near the San Diego Zoo.

Police allege that Belnavis, 27, and Karel Mangual, 28, opened fire on an SUV parked on Englewood Avenue around 3 p.m. March 5, killing 27-year-old Chasity Nunez and her daughter Zella.

Mangual was arrested Wednesday and arraigned Thursday in Central District Court on charges of armed assault with intent to murder and carrying a firearm without a license. Tuesday, those charges were upgraded to murder.

Early said Belnavis will be charged with murder when he returns to Massachusetts.

Belnavis, with a most recent address of Toronita Avenue, has a long criminal record, mostly for drugs and domestic violence. Like Mangual, he has been associated with gangs, court records show.

More: Karel Mangual, first man arrested in Worcester double homicide, now faces 2 murder charges

Karel Mangual was arrested by Worcester police after they stopped a car near the intersection of Main and Mill streets Wednesday afternoon.

A spokesperson for Early's office said Tuesday that Belnavis is expected to appear for an extradition hearing in front of a judge in California, but it is not clear when that will happen.

When he will be brought to Massachusetts also depends on whether Belnavis fights extradition, added the spokesperson.

Interim Police Chief Paul Saucier said the arrest was the result of many agencies collaborating including Worcester and state police; the U.S. Attorney's office in Massachusetts; Hartford, Connecticut, police; San Diego police and the U.S. Marshals offices in Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island.

"This is a great example of when local law enforcement, federal partners and state police come together," Saucier said.

The chief said Worcester is a safe community when stacked up against comparable cities. He said patrols increased in the area of the shooting.

"This isn't Worcester. This is not a violent city," Saucier said. "We have our challenges. Everyone does in the city. But besides that, the men and women of the Worcester Police Department are out there every day putting 110% so that we can live in a safe community."

Early said that although Belnavis was considered armed and dangerous, the arrest was made without any additional violence.

Authorities were tracking Belnavis for a week through law enforcement technology, Saucier said, and were able to pinpoint his location. Early said "boots and leather on the ground" police work and tips also contributed to the arrest.

At the time of the press conference, Saucier said interviews were not yet conducted to determine a motive for the shooting and why Belnavis had gone to California.

Worcester police Lt. David Doherty said Chasity and Zella Nunez's family members were notified of the arrest shortly before it was announced to the public around 6 p.m.

Early said the family is asking for privacy.

"(The family is) pretty worn out from all of this," Early said.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty said the arrest brings great relief to the family as well as to the Columbus Park neighborhood and Worcester Public Schools. Zella Nunez was a sixth grade student at Columbus Park Preparatory Academy.

Chasity Nunez was remembered as an exemplary member of the Connecticut National Guard and a beloved co-worker in her job as a clinical quality program coordinator at MIT Health.

According to an obituary for both Chasity and Zella Nunez, Chasity was a dependable daughter, mother, sister and friend.

Obituary Chasity and Zella Nunez

"Chasity was a force to be reckoned with; incredibly dependable. There wasn't anything she couldn't do, and if it couldn't be done immediately, you better believe she would strategize to make sure it got done," the obituary read. "As a best friend, Chasity was incomparable; all the perfect words in the world would not be able to encapsulate the honor of knowing her."

Zella was described as a "princess" who shared her mother's positive outlook and loved teaching the latest TikTok dances.

"Her benevolent nature won hearts easily. She was a brilliant child set up for success because of all the love and encouragement behind her," the obituary read.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Dejan Belnavis, Worcester double murder suspect, caught in California
Officers transport murder suspect Richard Allen during a hearing regarding sealed documents, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Carroll County Courthouse in Delphi, Ind.

DELPHI, Ind.  Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen's trial now begins May 13  a full five months earlier than his previously scheduled October trial date.

On March 6, Allen's attorneys filed for an earlier trial date. On March 7, Special Judge Frances Gull granted that motion with a signed order that was published Monday.

Allen is charged with two counts of murder, two counts of murder while kidnapping, and two counts of kidnapping.

He is accused of forcing Delphi teenagers Abby Williams and Libby German off the Monon High Bridge Trail on the afternoon of Feb. 13, 2017. Prosecutors accuse Allen of directing the girls to a spot about a quarter-of-a-mile from the bridge and killing them on the north banks of the Deer Creek.

Nearly six years after the girls' death, Allen was arrested in late October 2022 and charged with their killings.

Markings on an unfired semiautomatic bullet found at the crime scene matched tool markings from bullets ejected from Allen's pistol, according to prosecutors.

Allen's defense: Libby and Abby killed in Odinism ritual sacrifice

Allen's case has been a rollercoaster of legal sideshows, one of which is still scheduled to play out Monday in a contempt-of-court hearing in Fort Wayne to determine if Allen's attorneys should be sanctioned for their behavior during their defense of their client.

In October last year, Gull removed Allen's public defenders  Brad Rozzi and Andrew Baldwin  claiming they were grossly negligent in their defense of Allen. During a brief stint with new public defenders, Gull moved Allen's trial dates from January 2024 to October 2024.

But a review by the Indiana Supreme Court in January resulted in Rozzi and Baldwin being reinstated. They petitioned earlier this month to move up the court date.

The jury will be selected from Allen County, and then the jurors will be ferried to Delphi, where they will hear the case.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen's trial moved up to May
A Democrat seeking to unseat Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., was once accused of getting into a dispute with a taxi driver that turned physical, according to a police report obtained by Fox News Digital.

Nebraska state Sen. Tony Vargas, a former public school teacher, is running for the House of Representatives in the states Omaha-anchored 2nd Congressional district.

The newly uncovered documents describe an incident on the evening of May 10, 2013, when Vargas and his cab driver got into a dispute over payment and ended with the driver taking them both to the police station, where each filed a report. A representative for Vargas campaign denied wrongdoing on the candidates part.

NEBRASKA BILL WOULD STOP CORPORATIONS FROM BUYING UP HOUSES

Nebraska State Senator Tony Vargas got into a dispute over cab payment that wound up with both the driver and himself filing police reports against each other, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

According to the drivers report, Vargas "jumped from the back seat of the van into the front seat," and that his "left leg hit [the driver] in the head." The driver also claimed Vargas grabbed him by the shirt collar and "possibly damaged" his laptop computer.

The police officer who took the report said the driver was uninjured, and his laptop was not damaged, according to the document.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Vargas report claimed he asked the driver to stop several times but that he instead continued to the police station.

When the driver did stop, according to Vargas police report, he drove away quickly, causing Vargas to "hit his head on the ground." Vargas said he had a headache and was advised to seek medical attention by the officer, the report said.

NEBRASKA WOMAN ALLEGEDLY STABBED GUESTS WHO SAID HER HOUSE WAS DIRTY

Sen. Tony Vargas is challenging Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., pictured here.

Both reports noted that each accused the other of assault, though it does not appear that charges were ultimately filed.

A spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, Delanie Bomar, told Fox News Digital, "If Tony Vargas cant even pay a cab driver without a physical altercation occurring, theres no shot his violent temper could handle the difference of opinions that occur in Congress. Vargas is extreme and aggressive and radically out of line with commonsense Nebraskans."

Daniel Gutman, a lawyer representing Vargas congressional campaign, told Fox News Digital that the accusations against Vargas are "baseless."

NEBRASKA GOV. PILLEN'S REJECTION OF FEDERAL CHILD FOOD FUNDING SPARKS LEGISLATIVE ACTION

"This is a baseless claim contradicted by the Omaha Police Department in their report. As the officer at the scene found, there was 'absolutely no injury' to the cab driver or his property and no evidence to support the drivers claim. To the contrary, police records demonstrate that Senator Vargas was injured by the driver, who sped away while Vargas exited the vehicle, and police advised Senator Vargas to seek medical attention. Sen. Vargas was the clear victim in this encounter," Gutman said.

Nebraska's 2nd Congressional district is up for grabs.

The Omaha Police Department did not provide further comment.





Original article source: Dem candidate, taxi driver filed competing police reports after wild dispute over payment
A Dem fund-raiser who co-hosted a Marthas Vineyard gig for key New York pols has landed a coveted spot on the states powerful Board of Regents over other candidates with more local backing.

State Assembly Democrats, who have the most sway in the selection process, typically defer to local powerbrokers when it comes to Regents seats  but that tradition was broken when Hasoni Pratts was recently selected to serve as the Brooklyn rep with the education-policy-making body, said sources familiar with the deliberations.

Brooklyn Democrats said former city Councilman and lobbyist Ken Fisher had the most local support for the post followed by Evelyn Castro, a veteran educator who served in numerous leadership roles in the New York City public school system and currently is a senior adviser to the president of CUNYs Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn.

Hasoni Pratts was selected to serve on the Board of Regents by State Assembly Democrats. engineering.nyu.edu

But Assembly members said they were told by Assembly Speaker Carl Heasties staff that the two favored candidates had conflicts because of their jobs: Fisher because he is a lobbyist and Castro because of her leadership role at a CUNY college.

They were then disqualified from consideration, the lawmakers said.

A source familiar with the deliberations suggested Heastie put his thumb on the scale for Pratts, though Brooklyn lawmakers said there was no strong-arming by the speaker to back her.

Pratts is a senior adviser at National Urban League who served as a national engagement coordinator for Pete Buttigiegs 2020 presidential candidate and founded the Higher Heights Leadership PAC, whose mission is to elect progressive black women to office.

I thought Ken would be a great candidate to serve on the Board of Regents. Ive known him for years, said Assemblyman Erik Dilan, a Brooklyn Democrat. He would have brought a different perspective of not being a traditional educator.

Pratts co-sponsored a fundraiser for New York politicians on Marthas Vineyard in 2022. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Dilan backed Pratts after Fisher was disqualified.

Pratts told New York Magazine in August 2022 that she co-sponsored a fundraiser for Heastie in Marthas Vineyard.

Ive been trying to get [Assembly Speaker] Carl Heastie to come here for years. This is his first time, boasted Pratts, who has a summer home in Oak Bluffs.

She is listed in campaign records as making a $250 donation to Heasties campaign.

Pratts is a senior adviser at National Urban League. Hasoni Pratts/LinkedIn

Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx), who chairs the Assemblys educational panel and co-chaired the interview of the Regents candidates, said Fisher and Castro were the top two choices before they were knocked out of contention.

Ms. Castro was well-looked at and rightfully so, Benedetto said.

Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, also the Brooklyn Democratic Party chairwoman, said Assembly brass cited Section 202 of the Education Law governing the appointment of members of the Board of Regents to disqualify Fisher and Castro.

While serving on the Board of Regents, members are not permitted to also serve as a trustee, president, principal, or any other officer of an institution under the authority of the Board, the law states.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie pushed for Pratts to get the position, a source told The Post. Robert Miller

Bichotte-Hermelyn said Pratts, despite her deep political ties, is a very humble person and did not name-drop during the interview process.

During her interview, Castro was asked if she had a conflict for her current positions as a senior adviser to the Medgar Evers College president and dean of the School of Professional and Community Development. She insisted she did not because she was not in a policy-setting position.

Castros resume included serving as head of the city public school systems early childhood education program, principal of the Hunter College elementary school and superintendent of Brooklyns District 17.

Pratts, who resides in Prospect Heights and has five children, including two who currently attend city public schools, said during her interview that the voices of parents were important. She also helped raise money for scholarships for students in Syracuse when she lived there.

Heasties office declined to comment.

Pratts did not immediately respond to a Post request for comment.
WASHINGTON -- When former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov claimed President Joe Biden and his son Hunter took $5 million bribes from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, House Republicans deemed it a key piece of evidence against President Joe Biden in their ongoing impeachment investigation. Then Smirnov was indicted by a federal grand jury last month for lying to the FBI about the allegations just weeks before the 2020 presidential election.

So the House GOP quietly scrubbed a reference to Smirnov's alleged smear of Biden from their impeachment website.

But federal authorities also revealed that Smirnov, arrested Feb. 14 at a Las Vegas airport, got the false claim from his contacts in the upper echelons of Russian intelligence.

Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, center, leaves the courthouse on Feb. 20, 2024, in Las Vegas. Prosecutors say that Smirnov, who is charged with making up a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden, his son Hunter and a Ukrainian energy company, had contacts with Russian intelligence-affiliated officials.

Now, some House Democrats tell USA TODAY that the DOJ needs to investigate what leading Republican impeachment advocates like Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan and Rep. James Comer of Kentucky knew about Smirnovs false claims  and when they knew it  to determine whether they have been implicated in an ongoing Kremlin propaganda campaign.

Rep. Daniel Goldman, D-N.Y., a former federal prosecutor, said Smirnovs ties to Russian intelligence are especially concerning because they appear to be part of a Kremlin election-meddling operation that dates back to 2016, when efforts to smear Hillary Clinton by hacking her and her staff's emails helped Vladimir Putins favored candidate, Donald Trump in his campaign to win the White House.

I think it is imperative that given all of the different efforts that are confirmed by Russia to interfere in our election in 2016, our election in 2020 and now apparently our election in 2024 that the FBI needs to determine whether and to what extent members of Congress or the Senate knew about Russia's effort to meddle in our election for the benefit of Donald Trump, said Goldman, who also served as lead counsel in the first impeachment of former President Trump.

Federal investigators have concluded that Smirnov's effort to spread misinformation about a candidate of one of the two major parties in the United States continues  (and) is not confined to 2020, according to a Feb. 20 Justice Department detention memo, in which they argued successfully for keeping Smirnov in custody before trial.

He is actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials in November, federal prosecutors wrote. In light of that fact there is a serious risk he will flee in order to avoid accountability for his actions.

In the detention memo, prosecutors describe numerous occasions in recent months where Smirnov told his FBI handler about meetings with high-ranking Russian intelligence officials. In one instance, he related how Russian intelligence officials intercepted several calls placed by prominent US persons the Russian government may use as 'kompromat' in the 2024 election, depending on who the candidates will be. It did not provide any details, but kompromat is information used to blackmail a target.

'Like filing a police report'

Both Goldman and Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said in interviews that the Republicans were warned last fall that the information provided by Smirnov in an FBI interview form known as an FD-1023 hadnt been vetted.

We were told specifically by the FBI that there's no way they can vouch for the veracity of the allegations contained in a 1023, and that these are just unverified allegations that are written down by an FBI agent, Raskin told USA TODAY, citing a briefing lawmakers received.

It's like filing a police report. Anybody can go in and make any kind of allegations want, and then you need to go and check them out, Raskin said. And when the FBI checked out these allegations, it turns out that they were completely fraudulent, and they were part of a clear effort to deceive the FBI by someone connected to Russian intelligence.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., center, arrives for a private interview with James Biden, the brother of President Joe Biden, at Thomas P. O'Neill House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024.

Some lawmakers and former U.S. counter-intelligence officials  echoing Goldman and the Justice Department detention memo  say Smirnovs accusations against Biden bear all the hallmarks of being part of an ongoing and clandestine Kremlin effort to smear Biden and help Trump in the upcoming election, where he is the presumptive GOP nominee.

I have no idea whether they are witting collaborators, Raskin said of the GOP lawmakers pushing for Bidens impeachment. But by aggressively pushing Smirnov's falsehoods, "many of them have been active participants in what is essentially a Russian disinformation campaign.

On Monday, Raskin sent a letter to Comer requesting that he "now make public all information related to your decision last July to release a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Form FD-1023 containing unverified, uncorroborated, and unsubstantiated allegations."

Especially suspect timing

The timing of Smirnovs now-disproven Burisma allegations are especially suspect, Goldman said, because they initially occurred in October of 2020, just before the presidential election that Trump lost to Joe Biden.

Similar efforts by Russia to meddle in the 2016 election in favor of Trump were corroborated by DOJ Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation in 2019.

Republicans have downplayed the FBIs discrediting and arrest of Smirnov, saying their case is based on a broad array of information and that they will continue their effort. So far none of Smirnovs claims, or the broader impeachment probe, have implicated President Biden in any way in alleged wrongdoing by Hunter Biden in his dealings with Burisma and other international business firms.

All Im saying is you gotta ask the FBI about that, Jordan told reporters when asked about Smirnov. He may in fact have given false information, I dont know.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, (L) and House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., speaks to the media in the Rayburn House Office Building on December 13, 2023 in Washington, DC.

A false claim that went viral

In their indictment last month, prosecutors said Smirnov lied about Burisma executives telling him they paid $5 million apiece to then-Vice President Joe Biden and Hunter so that Hunter "will take care of all those issues through his dad."

Congressional Republicans found out about Smirnovs FD-1023 last summer and demanded a copy of it from the FBI, which initially refused in an effort to protect sources and methods of investigation. After the FBI agreed to let some lawmakers review it, Republicans began citing it repeatedly as evidence of wrongdoing by Joe Biden himself.

In ordering House committees to begin a formal impeachment inquiry into Biden last September, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters his party had uncovered called "serious and credible corruption allegations including bank records. Even a trusted FBI informant has alleged a bribe to the Biden family, McCarthy said.

McCarthy, R-Calif., wasnt the only one. Other Republicans cited Smirnov as a key witness on scores or even hundreds of occasions, often in appearances on GOP-friendly TV networks and social media.

McCarthy and Jordan did not respond to requests for comment through their spokespersons. In a statement released to USA TODAY, Comer said the impeachment inquiry is "not reliant" on the Smirnov FD-1023.

"It is based on a large record of evidence, including bank records and witness testimony, revealing that Joe Biden knew of and participated in his familys business dealings. Witnesses have confirmed Joe Biden was the brand being sold by the Bidens around the world," Comer said. "President Biden continues to lie to the American people about this matter and the American people demand the truth and accountability for any wrongdoing. We will continue to follow the facts to propose legislation to reform federal ethics laws and to determine whether articles of impeachment are warranted.

The White House -- and Biden -- flatly deny all of the GOP claims and say they have found no evidence to support any of it.

"Theyre up to like 20 witnesses who testified and 100,000 pages of financial records that show no involvement by President Biden in any wrongdoing," Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, posted on X on March 6 after Comer and others continued to push the "corrupt Biden family" narrative. "Its not that Americans dont already have the facts Its that Comer ignores them so he can keep going on Hannity to push his lies."

After Smirnov's arrest, Sams requested that Fox News retract all mentions of him and his claims of the $5 million bribes.

I would cite the number of times Jesse Watters and Sean Hannity promoted this allegation and made false statements about President Biden on primetime television throughout this time period, but the footnote citations would fill multiple pages, Sams, who is also a special assistant to the President and senior advisor to the White House Counsels Office said in his request. As you of course now know, the source of this allegation has been federally indicted for making the whole thing up. Despite this, Fox has taken no steps to retract, correct, or update its reporting on this false allegation from 2023.

Sams also took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to show how Comers House Oversight Committee had deleted this prominent bullet point: FBI Form 1023 alleging then-Vice President Joe Biden engaged in a bribery and extortion scheme and ultimately received $5 million from a Burisma executive.

Lol, look what key evidence just magically disappeared all the sudden from House Republicans impeachment inquiry website!, Sams posted on Feb. 22.

Claims at the heart of the GOP impeachment investigation

Smirnov, who is approximately 43, had served as a confidential FBI source for more than a decade before being arrested on charges of lying to the FBI. Prosecutors said they had concluded the dual U.S.-Israeli citizen had fabricated the claim at the heart of the GOP inquiry, that a Burisma executive told him around 2015 or 2016 that the company had paid bribes of $5 million each to members of Bidens family.

The federal grand jury in California specifically indicted Smirnov on two counts of making a false statement and creating a fictitious record, in reference to the FD-1023. Prosecutors alleged that Smirnov actually didnt meet the Ukrainian energy executive in question until 2017, or a year after he said the executive told him about the supposed bribes  and after Biden had left office as vice president in the Obama administration.

Hunter Biden departs after a closed door private deposition with House committees leading the President Biden impeachment inquiry, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Washington.

The charges against Smirnov were the result of the investigation into Hunter Biden led by special counsel and federal prosecutor David Weiss. Smirnov, who has pleaded not guilty to both charges, remains in custody.

Hallmarks of a Russian influence operation

Raskin, Goldman and a host of other Democrats have called for the Republicans to shut down the probe, citing Smirnovs connections to Russian intelligence, and testimony by Hunter Biden and the presidents brother James disputing the allegations.

Karen Greenaway, a retired FBI supervisory special agent specializing in Russian international corruption and crime, said Smirnovs activities  and the timing of them  looked like a typical Russian intelligence operation that is careful to camouflage its role.

It has the hallmarks of them putting out disinformation to sources that they know are intended to muddy the waters. When you start to look behind him, you can't support them, like the Hillary Clinton allegations in 2016, Greenaway said of Smirnov.

Greenaway said its critically important that the FBI investigate how the Smirnov allegations made their way to the heart of the GOP impeachment effort, in order to help the U.S. ward off future clandestine efforts to influence American politics, including the 2024 election.

Unfortunately, that will never happen, Greenaway said, citing what she said are FBI fears of investigating Russian interference in U.S. politics. The agency is hesitant, she said, because Trump ordered a special counsel investigation of the agents who had examined the 2016 Russian effort to help him.

That probe by Special Counsel John Durham took four years and $6.6 million to complete and targeted FBI and Justice officials for allegedly acting illegally in investigating Trump. Ultimately, Durham didn't find that, but he charged three people for peripheral violations. One pleaded guilty, and two won acquittals at trial.

John Durham testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee about the origins and justifications of the FBI Crossfire Hurricane investigation against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump on June 21, 2023. In a report released in May, Durham has sharply criticized the Department of Justice and FBI for the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election in his final report but said no policy changes were needed after the agencies overhauled their counterintelligence surveillance programs.

But because Durham and Republicans in Congress weaponized that special counsel investigation against agents and prosecutors, Greenaway said, The bottom line is, there's no way that the DOJ is going to touch that with a thousand-foot pole in the current case.

Greenaway confirmed that the FBI, per protocol, would have given congressional lawmakers ample warning about not using information in a Form 1023 as proof of anything. But she said she suspected that they likely continued using it because it helped the anti-Biden narrative they were pushing.

She said the lawmakers didn't care about what Russia was doing "as long as it helps them gain what they need politically to stay in office, Greenaway said. I think other Republicans have made that point to them, and theyre like, 'yeah, no, we dont care.'

GOP wants answers from the FBI too

Some Republicans who have pushed the Smirnov narrative are now trying to blame the FBI and Justice for not appropriately warning them.

In a letter to FBI Director Chris Wray last Friday, Jordan and Comer  the chairs of the House Judiciary and Oversight committees respectively  said the charges against Smirnov raise "even greater concerns about abuse and mismanagement in the FBI's [informant] program."

"Although the FBI and Justice Department received Mr. Smirnov's information in 2020, it was only after the FD-1023 was publicly released nearly three years later  implicating President Biden and his family  that the FBI apparently decided to conduct any review of Mr. Smirnov's credibility as a CHS," or confidential human source, wrote the two committee chairmen who are spearheading the Biden impeachment effort. "During the intervening period, the FBI represented to Congress that the CHS was 'highly credible' and that the release of his information would endanger Americans."

The two demanded that the FBI give their committees all documents involving criminal cases over the past 14 years that used information provided by Smirnov as an FBI informant. They also want to know how much he got paid by the FBI, and gave Wray until March 15 to provide it.

The FBI about-face, Comer and Jordan wrote, "is just another example of how the FBI is motivated by politics."

But Republican Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, said his colleagues were warned about using the unverified information from Smirnov, and went ahead and did it anyway.

We were warned at the time that we received the document outlining this witness's testimony, we were warned that the credibility of this statement was not known and yet people, my colleagues, went out and talked to the public about how this was credible and how it was damning and how it proved President Biden's  at the time Vice President Biden's  complicity in receiving bribes, Buck, a former prosecutor, said on CNN last month. It appears to absolutely be false.

So, James Comer and Jim Jordan, they knew that this was not corroborated information yet they still went public with it talked about it on television, used it to fuel these investigations regardless? Buck was asked by CNNs Kaitlan Collins.

"That's what it appears," Buck replied.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: GOP used Russian asset in Biden impeachment probe. Dems want answers.
The international community should increase pressure on France, Azernews reports, citing the managing director of the British organization CAGE International, Muhammad Abdur Rabbani, telling at the Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024 international conference in Baku.

According to him, France is afraid of international criticism: "Considering that France will host the Summer Olympic Games, we must put pressure on them, because this country is very sensitive to criticism."

It is worth noting that 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.
Russia has fallen to third place in the ranking of the largest arms exporters, giving second place to France. The largest exporter is still the United States, while Ukraine has become the largest importer of weapons in Europe and the fourth largest in the world.

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This is stated in a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). According to the study, from 2019 to 2023, arms exports from the Russian Federation fell by 53% compared to the period of 2014-2018.

According to analysts, in 2019, Moscow exported major types of weapons to 31 countries, and in 2023  to only 12 countries.

Arms exports by the United States, the largest exporter, have grown by 17% over the past five years, and its share of total world exports has increased from 34% to 42%. The United States supplied major weapons to 107 countries in the period 2019-2023, more than in any other five-year period and far more than any other arms exporter.

"The United States has strengthened its global role as an arms supplier, exporting more weapons to more countries than ever before, and this is an important aspect of its foreign policy. This comes at a time when U.S. economic and geopolitical dominance is being challenged by developing countries," said Matthew George, director of SIPRI's Arms Transfers Program.

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In turn, arms exports from France increased by 47% between 2019 and 2023 compared to the previous five-year period.

The largest share of France's exports (42%) went to Asia and Oceania, and another 34% to the Middle East. India became the largest importer, accounting for 30%.

"For the first time, France has become the second largest arms exporter, ahead of Russia," the report says, noting that Russia has taken third place for the first time.

Over the past five years, the United States and Western Europe have accounted for 72% of all arms exports, while in 2014-2018, it was 62%.

The SIPRI report also states that Ukraine became Europe's largest arms importer in 2019-2023 and the fourth largest in the world. This happened after at least 30 countries have provided Kyiv with major weapons as military aid since February 2022.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Haralson County Sheriffs Office is looking for a suspect connected to a theft.

On Feb. 1, deputies responded to Matt Dillon Road in the Buchanan Area, about a stolen Polaris Ranger.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The 2020 Polaris Ranger 1000, valued at $18,000, was turned over to the sheriffs office investigators.

On Mar. 7, the Cartersville Police Department assisted Haralson County investigators in a follow-up on the case at a location in Bartow County.

During that follow-up, they made a felony arrest that was unrelated to the theft.

However, they were able to develop a new lead that led them to a different location in Kingston.

When investigators arrived at that address, the Polaris was sitting in plain view. Bartow County Sheriffs Office was notified and the Polaris was checked.

Even though the primary VIN had been removed, investigators were still able to verify it as the one stolen from Haralson County and it was recovered.

TRENDING STORIES:

I appreciate the hard work and dedication by our Criminal Investigation Division in this theft investigation, states Sheriff Stacy Williams. It is always a good day when we can recover stolen property for the citizens of Haralson County and return that property back to them. A great way to be proactive is to make sure you have serial numbers and VIN numbers on any item that would be the target in a theft. We have a much higher chance of recovering property when we have these specific identifiers.

Deputies said a felony warrant has been issued for Patrick Ray Brown, originally from Bartow County, for Felony Theft by Taking.

If you know his whereabouts, deputies ask that you call 911 or contact the Haralson County Sheriffs Office at 770-646-2011.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
UPDATE: 3/11 at 11:04 A.M. BATH COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  The FAA and NTSB have launched an investigation after five people died in a plane crash at the Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County on Sunday afternoon.

The Virginia State Police have confirmed that a twin-engine IAI Astra 1125 originated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was scheduled to land at Ingalls Field Airport.

The victims have been taken to the Virginia Office of Medical Examiner, Western District for a positive identification. Their names will not be released until their family has been notified.

According to the plane owners attorney and family friend, the passengers were attending an event at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va. State police said the Pilot and first officer were both men and the three passengers were a man, a woman, and a male child.

(Photo Courtesy: Virginia State Police)



UPDATE: 7:15 P.M. BATH COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) In new details provided by Virginia State Police, its been learned that five people have died in the plane crash at the Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County.

According to VSP, the identities of the victims are currently unknown; however, its believed that one is a small child between the ages of five and seven. Police also believe the remaining victims were a first officer, a pilot, and two passengers.

No survivors have been reported found.

New River Valley Jail inmate apprehended after escaping

VSP says the plane fell short of the runway, went through a few trees, hit the hillside, and caught fire. They cannot confirm if the wind had any impact on this incident.

The investigation into what caused the plane to come to the airports runway and what the emergency was is still ongoing. However, they reported the plane had contacted the Washington Center before the events occurred.

Law enforcement has shut down the airport and is investigating the scene.

WFXR News will update this story as further information is released.



BATH COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  Officials report four people are dead after the plane crash at the Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County

According to Chairman of the Bath County Airport Authority Jeff Ford, a twin jet had to make an emergency landing. Authorities do not know what the emergency was at this time and say the jet did not belong to the airport.

Airport authorities tell WFXR emergency management crews are currently on the scene.

WFXR News will update this story as further information is released.



BATH COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  The Virginia State Police say a plane has reportedly crashed at the Ingalls Field Airport in Bath County.

Although details remain limited, VSP says the crash occurred at around 3:00 p.m. and officers are currently en route to the scene.

Officials with the Ingalls Field Airport told WFXR News that they are currently assessing the scene.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, all north and south lanes are closed on Rt. 703 near the airport.

WFXR News will continue to provide you with updated information as it becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Freight wagons are parked at the Maschen marshalling yard. The German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) has called for another 24-hour strike in the collective bargaining dispute at Deutsche Bahn in passenger and freight transport. Bodo Marks/dpa

The German rail operator Deutsche Bahn said it would appeal a Monday decision by the Frankfurt Labour court allowing a planned train drivers' strike to go ahead.

"The strike notice is far too short notice. There are also unlawful demands," said Florian Weh, managing director of the railway employers' association AGV Move, on Monday evening.

Deutsche Bahn's appeal will now be heard in the labour court in the state of Hesse on Tuesday.

The appeal came quickly after the Frankfurt court ruled that the strike was not disproportionate to the circumstances. It denied a temporary injunction against the strike.

The GDL union had already started its walkout on Monday evening in freight sector and is scheduled to expand the strike to passenger trains in the early morning hours on Tuesday.

A locomotive stands on the site of the Maschen marshalling yard. The German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) has called for another 24-hour strike in the collective bargaining dispute at Deutsche Bahn in passenger and freight transport. Bodo Marks/dpa
People walk in front of Berlin Central Station. In the wage dispute with Deutsche Bahn, the GDL union had called for 35-hour strikes in both passenger and freight transport. Even after the end of the strike, the basic timetable for long-distance services will continue to apply throughout Friday. Hannes P. Albert/dpa

Germany's state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn has applied for an injunction at Frankfurt's labour court in a bid to stop a renewed strike by train drivers' union GDL, the company said on Monday.

"Deutsche Bahn (DB) has criticized the GDL's actions in the strongest possible terms and has now filed a legal appeal to stop the strike," the company said.

"DB filed an urgent application for a temporary injunction with the Frankfurt am Main Labour Court this morning," it added.

On Sunday, the GDL called for a strike affecting long-distance, regional and freight transport for 24 hours.

In passenger transport, the strike is to begin on Tuesday at 2 am (0100 GMT) and last for 24 hours. The strike in freight transport is set to begin on Monday at 6 pm.

Deutsche Bahn criticized the "far too short lead time of only 22 hours," saying this is a "sheer imposition" for passengers.

It is the sixth strike in a months-long wage dispute between the state-owned rail operator and the GDL union and comes just days after the last industrial action.

The sticking point between the two continues to be the GDL's core demand for a reduction in weekly working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35, with full wage compensation.

The Deutsche Bahn logo hangs at the main station in Duisburg. Oliver Berg/dpa
Andrew Christenson, who got oil stuck to his feet, and his dog, Lola, check out tar balls at the high tide line Friday at Huntington Dog Beach in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

For the record:

2:24 p.m. March 11, 2024: An earlier version of this article stated that a Coast Guard official said the oil spill was caused by natural seepage from the ocean floor off Huntington Beach. Officials later announced the cause is still under investigation.



Coast Guard officials have not determined what caused an oil sheen that appeared off Huntington Beach last week, officials said Monday afternoon.

The sheen was first reported Thursday evening about 2.5 nautical miles off Huntington Beach near two oil platforms, Emmy and Eva. By Sunday morning, officials were no longer seeing a sheen in the water, according to the Coast Guard, but they had skimmed about 85 gallons of oil from the ocean and removed about 1,050 pounds of oily waste and tar balls from the shoreline.

Coast Guard spokesperson Richard Uranga said on Monday testing had revealed the oil was from a natural seep. Hours later, however, another Coast Guard official, Rick Brahm, told The Times that was not the case. Officials are still trying to determine what caused the spill.

Read more: Oil sheen confirmed off Huntington Beach; Coast Guard investigating

The location of the seep is not far from the site of a large spill in 2021 that occurred when a ship's anchor punctured an underwater oil pipeline in San Pedro Bay, sending 25,000 gallons of crude gushing into the waters off Huntington Beach. Cleanup from that spill spanned months and resulted in criminal charges and years of litigation.

"This situation isn't even remotely close to what we saw in 2021," said Jennifer Carey, a Huntington Beach spokesperson.

The Coast Guard and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife collected samples from the sheen and tar balls to help them determine whether the oil came from a platform, a pipeline or a vessel, or through a naturally occurring oil seep in which crude oil leaks from fractures in the seafloor.

The waters off Southern California are home to hundreds of naturally occurring oil and gas seeps. Such seeps account for nearly half the oil released into the ocean each year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Investigators are using a technology that enables them to basically fingerprint the oil they gather in the ocean and match it, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said.

"They have a database of all of the different kinds of crude and petroleum and oil generated from these different rigs and vessels," she said, "so they can pretty much match it to a particular operator."

The tests, however, have been unable to identify a source. The preliminary laboratory results show that the sheen is "lightly weathered crude oil" and not a refined material like gasoline or diesel, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The samples are consistent with local crude oil, rather than imported crude oil that could be carried by ship to California. The sheen did not match archived samples from nearby oil platforms, according to the agency.

Although the official cleanup effort has been completed, tar balls continued to wash up Monday on the sand in Huntington Beach, including at the popular dog beach. City officials do not have plans to close the beaches but advise visitors not to touch any tar that washes up along the shore.

One bird  a Brandt's cormorant  that had oil on it died over the weekend. An injured snowy plover that was captured did not have oil on it but also died. Officials are caring for a common loon and a western grebe that were recovered with oil on their bodies.

Neighboring beach cities have not reported any signs of oil residue on their shores.

Read more: The O.C. oil spill could have been a much bigger disaster. Here is what went right

When the oil sheen was first reported, there were some surfers who were hesitant to head into the water. Locals remember the months-long ordeal after the 2021 spill. But by Monday morning  with cleanup crews gone  the overall sense of concern had dissipated, said Jakob Sorensen, an employee at Katin Surf Shop.

"There are some people heading back in to test the waters," Sorensen said.

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.
The director of a Plaza Midwood daycare has been charged with six counts of child abuse after a video surfaced of kids piling into a car without car seats.

Midwood Learning Academy on Central Avenue was shut down by state health officials at the end of February. The North Carolina Department of Health of Human Services suspended the facilitys license saying it has, determined that emergency action is required to protect the health, safety and welfare of children.

Channel 9s Evan Donovan spoke to a mom who said one of the kids in that viral video was her daughter, who she had dropped off at the daycare. She said she got a call from her friend who saw her 3-year-old daughter at Cordelia Park that day playing with other kids her age. The child was seemingly without adult supervision until the friend noticed two people sitting in a car nearby.

Just sitting in a sedan not paying attention at all to these kids, the mom said. They remained in the car, kids were just playing on their own at the park without any supervision.

PREVIOUS: Plaza Midwood daycare shut down by state after child neglect allegations

Her friend claims she smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle.

Surveillance video shows her friend trying to confront the two adults as they began to gather the kids to leave. The friend took a Live Photo with her iPhone.

You can see the teachers driving off in the car with the back door wide open, no kids buckled in, my daughter splayed across all the kids laps and theyre peeling out, the mom said. And it looks like shes about to fall out of the car.

Surveillance video shows the car driving away moments later.

An arrest warrant issued Friday shows the daycare director, Leslye Denise Torrence, was charged with six counts of misdemeanor child abuse.

The defendant created a substantial risk by transporting the victim in a vehicle without a car seat or seatbelt and the rear drivers side door left open while the vehicle was in motion, the warrant reads.

(WATCH BELOW: The stats behind child abuse)
People with disabilities may receive draft notices if the Territorial Military Recruitment Center does not know about their health status, Operational Command North reported on Telegram on March 11.

The delivery of draft notices to men with disabilities is a common complaint against military commissariat staff.

If a man received a disability after being enlisted or is not registered with a military commissariat at all, the military may not be aware of his health status.

Read also: New draft law on mobilization must go through several stages before final adoption

Such cases are regulated by a decree of the Minister of Defense of 2022, which states that in case of changes in personal data, persons liable for military service must notify the military commissariat within seven days.

"That is, if men visited the military commissariat in time, there would be significantly fewer such cases," the military said.

By the way, military records are also kept in local councils, ASCs and enterprises where men work, so the information should be submitted there as well.

Read also: Ukrainian courts handed down almost 1300 cases of mobilization evasion in the past year

The government registered a new version of the bill on mobilization (No. 10449) in the Verkhovna Rada on Jan. 30. It proposes, among other things, to introduce draft summonses through the conscript's electronic office. Other innovations include lowering the conscription age to 25, setting the demobilization period at 36 months, introducing voluntary mobilization for convicts, restrictions on draft dodgers, banning civil service without military training, and more.

Bill No. 10449 on strengthening mobilization was passed in the first reading on Feb. 7.

The Rada's National Security Committee began considering the draft law on mobilization for the second reading on Feb. 27.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
GARY, Ind.  A Gary woman is accused of killing her girlfriend and manipulating her phone to distance herself from the murder, court documents reveal.

Officers found the body of Diamond Manning, 21, late in the night on March 2 on 30th Avenue just west of Broadway.

She died from six gunshot wounds to the head and torso. Detectives noted that her cell phone was not at the scene  something that reportedly helped them in the investigation later.

Detectives utilized interviews and surveillance footage to place the vehicle of Leveda Boyd, 40, near the scene that night.

According to police interviews, authorities were informed that Manning recently broke up with Boyd.

Man killed in road rage shooting on WB I-80/94 in NW Indiana

A search warrant was obtained for Boyds cell phone after she was interviewed by police.

Authorities believe Boyd sent text messages from Mannings phone after her murder and stopped sharing the phones location.

Boyd was charged on Tuesday and is being held without bail. She is facing one count of murder.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
A picture released by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales with her children had several inconsistencies - Prince of Wales/KENSINGTON PALACE/AFP/Prince of Wales/KENSINGTON PALACE/AFP/getty

In 2013, after the birth of Prince George, Kensington Palace released a family photograph taken by Michael Middleton and quietly changed royal history.

The amateur snap of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, their first-born son and their dog was endearingly candid. It also set the tone of a decade of royal coverage: pictures taken by the family, of the family, and sent out under their control.

While the young Prince William made countless walks in front of hundreds of camera lenses, his own children have been photographed under strict conditions, either by their mother or a friendly professional photographer allowed into their world at home.

In most ways it has worked, resulting in a photo album of wholesome images of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis growing up.

The pictures have all but ended the market for paparazzi snaps, spared the children the pressure of regularly posing for a press photographer, and struck the right balance between their public and private lives.

There has been little cause for complaint. Until now.

As the Royal family faces what can only be called a crisis  the King with cancer, the Princess of Wales recovering from surgery and the Prince of Wales mysteriously missing from an engagement without explanation  a Photoshop fail on Mothering Sunday is leaving the palace more exposed than it has been in years.

A doctored picture, pulled from distribution by the worlds major photographic agencies over accusations it had been manipulated, has caused chaos.

Showing the Princess of Wales with her three children, it was intended, in part, to reassure the public that she was safe and well, recovering nicely at home just as the palace has always said.

Instead, it has left the unfortunate impression that the conspiracy theorists may have had a point after all.

They may not have evidence for their more outlandish theories, including denied reports that the Princess has been in a coma or jokes about her having cosmetic surgery, but such a slip-up is succour to those who delight in seeing the Royal family on the back foot.

Minor adjustments

Kensington Palace has not yet confirmed specifically how the photograph has been edited, with a confession to minor adjustments raising more questions than answers over the extent to which the public can now believe what they see.

A personal statement from the Princess admitted that like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing, but does not reveal precisely was changed.

That anyone is even questioning the veracity of the photograph is the stuff of nightmares for the palace in a world where fake news is spinning out of control.

Disturbing questions over the Princesss health have now become harder to dismiss. Was the photograph really taken this week? Was she really there? Were all the three children smiling so perfectly for the camera?

It has given the perfect opportunity for republicans, critics and social media mischief-makers who delight in the misfortune of the Royal family to make their case.

Omid Scobie, Prince Harry and Meghans biographer  now one of the Royal familys most vocal critics  cited the episode as proof that its becoming increasingly difficult for the public to believe a word (and now photo) they [the palace] share.

Gaining that back at this point is an almost impossible task, he added.

Peter Hunt, former BBC royal correspondent, said the challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.

In all likelihood, the reality is closer to this: the Princess tweaked and tidied up the image to create the perfect comeback picture, in a high-pressure situation that is unique to this moment and this family.

It is not too much of a leap of the imagination to think of her at home, recuperating at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor with time to study photos taken by her husband before releasing them to a critical world in which the public is ready to spot any small blemish or change.

Public left baffled

But that a baffled public now wonders whether the entire picture has been fabricated should be cause for huge concern.

It speaks not only to a world of AI-generated fakes, in which the press and public must be on higher alert than ever for doctored pictures, but an era where trust in institutions is also at a low.

If the Covid lockdown encouraged greater palace control, allowing aides to vet all videos and pictures of the royals at home, this is the moment to return to a spirit of openness.

If there was ever a case for lessons being learned this is it.

A swift and personal apology from the Princess will have gone a long way to smoothing the waters, and the palace is surely duty bound to confirm the steps it is taking to prevent such manipulation happening again.

Queen Elizabeth II once said she had to be seen to be believed. Perhaps a more useful motto for the new generation: they have to be seen and be believed.

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The departments of defense and veterans affairs now provide in vitro fertilization services to all eligible beneficiaries regardless of their marital status, finalizing changes promised by the federal agencies earlier this year.

The new policies allow anyone who has service-connected infertility to use either departments program, lifting previous requirements that only married, heterosexual couples using their own sperm and eggs could participate.

Now, eligible troops and veterans can access IVF regardless of their martial status or sexual orientation, and they may use donor eggs or sperm  changing a policy that previously discriminated against those whose infertility affected their ability to produce gametes.

The reforms were spurred on by a lawsuit filed in August by the Yale Law School and the National Organization for Womens New York chapter.

We are grateful to the Defense Department and overjoyed for the service members who, through this policy change, will now be able to access the reproductive healthcare so desperately needed in order to build their families, Sonia Ossorio, executive director of NOW-NYC, said in a statement Monday.

DOD unveiled its new rules Friday, undoing restrictions that limited Tricare coverage of IVF to married couples only.

Troops can take three weeks off to travel for abortions, IVF treatment

We continue to identify ways to lean forward as much as we can in support of equity of access to reproductive health care for our service members, Kimberly Lahm, who directors oversight of the Pentagons health affairs office, said in a statement Monday.

Veterans Affairs followed suit shortly thereafter, amending their policies to include married, same-sex couples and unmarried veterans in their IVF program. Officials there said they expect to begin enrolling newly eligible individuals in IVF programs in coming weeks.

Raising a family is a wonderful thing, and Im proud that VA is helping more veterans to have that opportunity, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a statement. This expansion of care has long been a priority for us, and we are working urgently to make sure that unmarried veterans and veterans in same-sex marriages will have access to IVF in every part of the country as soon as possible.

But the moves dont address everything in the original lawsuit, which seeks to open IVF access to all troops and veterans, regardless of whether their fertility issues were caused by illness or injury suffered while serving.

This is substantial progress, Donovan Bendana, a Yale Law School student representing NOW-NYC and member of the Reproductive Rights and Justice Project, said in a Monday release. But the onerous requirement of linking infertility to a specific service injury will deny many service members the opportunity to build a family. This is especially arbitrary in light of the militarys decades-long disinterest in studying womens health, including the impact of service on fertility.

NOW-NYC intends to continue with the lawsuit, according to the release, seeking to remove all barriers to IVF for troops and veterans using federal health benefits.
Western partners promised to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters at the end of 2023, but the delivery date was constantly postponed. Now it is already July 2024.

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At the same time, the Ukrainian army can count on only 6 aircraft out of 45 promised by the middle of this year. This is stated in the article by The New York Times.

The F-16s are already ready at a new training center in Romania, created specifically to train Ukrainian pilots. However, the pilots have not yet arrived, despite Western statements in the summer of 2023 that the training center in Romania plays a crucial role in preparing F-16 pilots for combat operations in Ukraine.

It remains unclear when Ukrainian pilots will start training at the Fetesti air base in southeastern Romania, but this delay is already having a significant impact on the supply of F-16s to Ukraine. However, some Ukrainian pilots are still undergoing training in Denmark, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is expected that by the summer of 2024, only six F-16s out of the 45 units promised by European allies will be delivered to Ukraine.

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European officials state that there is still a great deal of uncertainty as to when each country will send its F-16s to Ukraine, how many will be sent, and how quickly pilots and maintenance personnel can be trained.

The timeline for training has been shortened as much as possible, but it is still moving more slowly than Ukraine and its allies had hoped. This is largely because pilots trained on Soviet-era aircraft have had to learn English and Western military practices to use the F-16s effectively.

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As a reminder, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said that Ukrainian pilots and engineers continue training on American F-16 fighters. The pilots are already practicing tactical techniques, including striking targets. The process of transition to new combat aircraft cannot be quick, but Ukraine is doing everything to speed it up.

Earlier, the British Air Force reported that six Ukrainian pilots had been trained by instructors on Tutor aircraft. They are now training on F-16s.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Danish Prime Minister Matt Frederiksen said that Ukraine has not yet received the promised American-made F-16 fighters solely because of technical issues. At the same time, she assured that the planes to be provided by Denmark would appear in the skies of Ukraine before the beginning of this summer.

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Former President Donald Trump asked to postpone his pending New York criminal trial on charges he falsified business records to pay hush money to alleged mistresses by pointing to his presidential immunity claim under consideration at the Supreme Court.

Trump argues he is shielded from some of the Manhattan district attorney's allegations because he was president at the time some of his actions took place. But legal experts said it would be difficult for Trump to argue that paying hush money to women was part of his official duties as president, to qualify for immunity.

Trump has already argued he is immune from criminal prosecution in his two federal cases, on charges he tried to steal the 2020 election and for allegedly mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House.

A federal judge and the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals each ruled Trump is not immune from federal charges. The Supreme Court will hear arguments about the issue April 25.

But the New York trial is scheduled to begin March 25.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Super Tuesday election night party Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump: holding NY trial 'unnecessary risk' while immunity is unresolved

Trump contends because the issue is unique  no former president has ever faced criminal charges before  that New York Judge Juan Merchan should postpone his case at least until the Supreme Court rules, to avoid having to hold the trial twice.

The adjournment would also avoid the unnecessary risk of inconsistent adjudications as to the defenses asserted by President Trump in state and federal courts relating to the presidential immunity doctrine, Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles wrote in their filing. Finally, the adjournment would mitigate the risk that an error in the application of this complex federal-law issue could require the Court, the parties, the State, the City, and the County to expend the resources necessary to re-try the case.

But legal experts said Trump already dropped his argument the New York case involves official acts when he decided not to appeal a rejection of moving his case from state to federal court. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein ruled that Trumps alleged conduct in the New York case does not reflect in any way the color of the Presidents official duties.

"Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a President's official acts," Hellerstein wrote.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. give a press conference detailing the charges against former President Donald Trump on April 4, 2023, in New York City.

What charges does Trump face in New York?

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg argued that Trump falsified the records to hide hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels, a pornographic actress, and Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model, before the 2016 election, to stop them from talking about allegations he had sex with them.

One of Braggs key witnesses is Michael Cohen, Trumps former personal lawyer, who arranged the payments. Cohen has already pleaded guilty and served time in prison on charges including a campaign finance violation for arranging the payments.

Trump criticized Cohen repeatedly as president. Based on pretrial motions, Trumps lawyers contend that prosecutors seem to be arguing that Trump pressured Cohen not to talk about the payments in 2018, when he was president. Trump contends his Twitter posts and broadcast statements about Cohen were part of his official duties as president and should be immune from prosecution.

On April 21, 2018, President Trump posted about Cohen on Twitter: Most people will flip if the Government lets them out of trouble, even if . . . it means lying or making up stories. Sorry, I dont see Michael doing that despite the horrible Witch Hunt and the dishonest media.

On May 3, 2018, Trump posted on Twitter that he paid Cohen a retainer and the lawyer reimbursed the two women through a private contract that had nothing to do with his presidential campaign.

Money from the campaign, or campaign contributions, played no rol[e] in this transaction, Trump posted.

Legal experts have said the payments could be considered an illegal campaign expenditure because the womens silence was expected to alter the election results.

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) exits the United States District Court Southern District of New York for a hearing related to Michael Cohen, President Trump's longtime personal attorney and confidante, April 16, 2018 in New York City.

What other courts are considering Trump's immunity claims?

At the federal level, Trump has argued Supreme Court precedents protect him from criminal charges.

Without immunity from criminal prosecution based on official acts, the Presidents political opponents will seek to influence and control his or her decisions via de facto extortion or blackmail with the threat, explicit or implicit, of indictment by a future, hostile Administration, for acts that do not warrant any such prosecution, his lawyers wrote.

But federal prosecutors and judges so far have ruled that Trump can be charged.

"For the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant," the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in his federal election case. "But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as President no longer protects him against this prosecution."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump claims immunity from NY charges
From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch

The sharpest criticism of Fridays newsletter, in-house and among the wider readership, was that it was thick with emotional appeals for preferring Joe Biden to Donald Trump but thin on policy arguments for doing so.

Its fine to say that conservatives should support Biden as revenge on MAGA for spoiling their party, one of our editors pointed out to me, but thats not the way most Americans approach voting. And realistically, anyone whos considering supporting Trump in the year of our Lord 2024 wont be swayed by yet another tut-tutting about how disgraceful he is.

If you werent put off by one of his impeachments, indictments, or coup plots when they happened, you wont be put off now. Assuming youre even aware of them.

To get conservatives motivated to vote for Biden, there needs to be a conservative policy case for the Democrat. Weve reached the stage of American decline in which smashing the constitutional order is just another issue in the upcoming election, something to be weighed alongside the candidates respective positions on taxes, say. Nikki Haley Republicans want to hear why a second Biden presidency would more closely resemble a Haley presidency than a second Trump presidency would.

And no, the fact that neither Biden nor Haley would attempt an autogolpe isnt enough, Im afraid.

Our friend David French took a stab at the conservative case for Biden in his latest column at the New York Times, which you should read in full. Some of his reasons are persuasive, even obvious. If youve followed the congressional debate over Ukraine, you know that Democrats are already more simpatico with the Reaganite view on containing Russia than Trumps party is. And only a fool would view Trumps GOP as clearly superior to the other party on federal spending after he ran gigantic deficits as president even before COVID arrived.

Other reasons are less compelling, like preferring Biden on crime, but those also have their merits. For instance, its not uncommon to find MAGA populists on social media citing the riots that followed George Floyds murder in 2020 as why we need a law-and-order figure like Trump in charge, never mind who was president when those riots occurred.

None of this is to say that conservatives should become Democrats, David makes clear, merely that if they intend to let policy guide their choice in November, they should consider the two platforms carefully and not take for granted that the GOP is a better fit. Reagan (and Haley) Republicans  have such profound differences with MAGA that it is genuinely debatable which party now better advances their preferred policies, he concludes.

I agree, and would go a step further. Its not clear anymore that Trump even has a firm position on most policy issues.

He fights! his fans insist. But what, at this point, is he fighting for?

Trumps policy preferences can usually be explained straightforwardly by ignorance, selfishness, or, in rarer cases, ideological nationalism.

None of which is a strong draw for conservative voters, I hope youll agree.

In a CNBC interview Monday he was asked about Americas debt crisis, an issue his party took seriously during the Tea Party era and has all but completely abandoned under his leadership. Cowardice is the default mode for American politicians whenever theyre pressed about the main drivers of that debt crisis, Medicare and Social Security, but seldom do they sound so unserious about it that they come off like Billy Madison talking about The Puppy Who Lost His Way.

Babbling about waste, fraud, and abuse is a dodge so cliched, and so wildly unequal to the task of making entitlements sustainable, that it fails to clear the political Mendoza line of a Kamala Harris interview.

Trump couldnt offer a more thoughtful answer because he cant muster interest in the debt crisis even though its plainly the greatest domestic obstacle to making America great again in the long run. With few exceptions, his curiosity about policy challenges appears to begin and end with how addressing them might affect his personal electoral interests. And so, on the substance of entitlements, hes ignorant. All he needs to know is not to touch the third rail.

Haley Republicans, who know better and crave conservative leadership on this issue, should accordingly note that they wont be receiving any from their party. He fights!but not for fiscal responsibility.

The greatest international obstacle to making America great again is Chinas expanding global influence, of course, and is recognized as such by most U.S. political factions. Right-wing populists tend to lead the charge rhetorically on containing Beijing, as its an opportunity to contrast their realism about foreign threats with the antiquated Reaganite obsession with Russia. As such, one would think the populist-in-chief would be pounding the table about Congress delay in banning TikTok, especially since he moved to ban it himself as president with an executive order.

One would be wrong. As of Friday, Donald Trump opposes the TikTok ban. And theres not even a pretense that hes doing so for principled reasons.

His reversal is a product of selfishness, although the particular strain of selfishness in this case is unclear. It might be a simple play for votes, recognizing that younger adults are disaffected with Biden because of Israels war in Gaza and might be receptive to an overture from the right that involves protecting their favorite Chinese spyware app.

Or it might be a play for revenge. If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business, Trump wrote on Truth Social recently. I dont want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People! Hes so naturally vindictive, and so incapable of distinguishing the public interest from his personal interest, that he really might oppose major federal legislation for no better reason than that passage of it would benefit Zuckerschmuck.

But one should never discount good ol venality as a possible motive. Many observers, including Steve Bannon, noticed that Trumps view of TikTok brightened after he met recently with a mega-rich conservative who owns a stake in the platforms parent company. Trump is facing a cash crunch at the moment too, as you may have heard, and the investor in question has been generous in the past to other Republicans willing to advocate on TikToks behalf.

Did money change hands, or will it? It wouldnt be the first time Trump has suddenly taken sides against his own base on a supposedly important cultural priority once a rich donor began dangling a checkbook at him.

Haley Republicans who support the TikTok ban might understandably wonder which other Trump policy positions, foreign or domestic, are for sale to the highest bidder. He fights!to let China propagandize to American citizens.

None of this is to imply, though, that all of Trumps positions are influenced by selfishness. Certainly, there are some matters on which his nationalist worldview will drive his preferences. Case in point:

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban: Donald Trump will not be giving "a single penny" to fight Russian aggression in Ukraine. That is his idea on how to end the war. pic.twitter.com/twB2EFI3Xc  Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) March 11, 2024

His absurd, abiding protectionist fondness for tariffs is another rare example, never mind that higher taxes on foreign goods would confound his efforts to bring down prices in a second term.

Good news and bad news for Haley Republicans, then. The good news is that there really are some policies on which Trumps view is firm and heartfelt and for which he fights! (Although fewer than you think.) The bad news is, er, that those policies tend to be ones that Reaganites like them despise.

With one important exception.

Im tempted to say that the only reason for conservatives to still strongly prefer the Republican Party on policy grounds is immigration.

That would be an exaggeration, but it isnt much of one. As David French notes in his column, even abortion isnt as compelling a difference as it might seem given the numbers since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Sooner or later, America will settle on a legal regime in which most abortions remain lawful, possibly with Donald Trump paving the way.

Immigration is the key difference between the parties in 2024. If Biden loses in November because most Haley Republicans cant bring themselves to cross over, thatll be why. In hindsight, his years-long neglect of the crisis and too-frequent pandering to progressive open-borders lunatics may be seen as a fatal, insuperable mistake.

Take it from me: Im a Haley independent and I cringed so hard I pulled a muscle while watching this clip over the weekend.

Biden says he regrets using the term illegalwhen talking about the undocumented immigrant who allegedly killed nursing student Laken Riley.



I shouldn't have used 'illegal.' It's undocumented."



pic.twitter.com/6tpd9xPmvg  Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) March 9, 2024

Prioritizing an apology to an illegal immigrant for unwoke terminology over an apology to the family of the American citizen who, authorities allege, was murdered by that illegal immigrant is the sort of thing youd normally see in a heavy-handed satire of Democratic politics on a right-wing blog. And they built the country adds insult to injury: An observer whos suspicious that Biden actually prefers uncontrolled immigration across the southern border would find nothing here to dissuade them.

But Im stuck with the guy anyway. Because, with the exception of immigration, Trumps Republican Party isnt really about policy anymore. Its about stuff like this:

Attendees at a Kansas Republican Party event on Friday paid to punched and kicked an effigy of President Biden on Friday.



This is not normal.

pic.twitter.com/IwnHMuzuZi  Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) March 11, 2024

And this:

Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars. His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be. Get rid of Kimmel and perhaps replace him with another washed up, but cheap, ABC talent,  Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) March 11, 2024

And this:

A populism that valued policy gains would have nominated Ron DeSantis for president and not nominated a figure like Kari Lake for Senate who plainly hasnt given a moment of serious thought to major policy questions. Lake, like Trump, has become a Republican star because the sort of fighting that Trumps populist movement prioritizes is the political equivalent of professional wrestling. It prizes theatrical pugnacity toward cultural enemies and threats of retribution toward the political establishment, not ingenuity and resolve in advancing a policy programagain, except for immigration. Its an uncomfortable fit for anyone, conservative or otherwise, who takes politics seriously.

The very idea of making great America great again obviates the need for a detailed agenda, in fact.

Democrats are forever prattling on about the future, partly because their voters skew younger and partly because progressives deride the past as one long unbroken atrocity. Even their nominee, despite having been born at the dawn of time, has taken lately to complaining about the ancient ideas of the other side. If, for demographic and historical reasons, youre committed as a party to being forward-looking, youll understandably face pressure from your base to flesh out what that forward will look like. (Hint: Scandinavia, except way more diverse.)

But if your voters skew older and feel nostalgic for Americas post-war glory days, they already know what they want the country to look like. Its enough to tell them that if youre elected, youll bring it back. And naturally the first priority of the restoration is to bring back what it looks like demographically, which means halting a gigantic population transfer of migrants at the southern border.

The closest Trump gets to being meaningfully forward-looking is when he obsesses about the recent, rather than distant, past.

My sense of Haley Republicans is that while they do want order at the border, they dont share the same fervent nostalgia for the past that populist Republicans do. Which makes sense: In several ways, Nikki Haley is the most forward-looking figure to emerge from the final years of the pre-Trump GOP. Her most memorable act as governor was removing a symbol of her states racist past from the statehouse grounds, and her most memorable act as an influencer was endorsing Marco Rubio in 2016 to signal her hope for the birth of a new, more diverse Republican Party.

Shes a nonwhite woman from South Carolina. Go figure that longing for the America of yore has never been a big part of her political message.

So heres the ultimate policy question for her and her fellow forward-looking Republican voters as they go about making up their minds this fall: Realistically, would their votes do more good policy-wise going to Trump or to Biden?

In theory, a strong conservative vote for Trump could steer him toward Reaganite positions on matters like Ukraine and spending. But in practice, conservatives have voted solidly for him in two consecutive elections (85 percent went his way in 2020) and  the GOP is now less conservative on policy than its been in more than 40 years.

Hes learned to take their votes for granted, so much so that he and his cronies have gotten in the habit of telling unhappy conservatives to get lost if they dont like the partys direction.

If, on the other hand, Haley Republicans swing toward Biden, that would provide Democrats with a centrist counterweight to the progressive vote. So long as the White House is forced to depend on the feckless fringe left to make the difference in tipping-point states like Michigan, theyre stuck having to placate fringe-left positions on issues like Gaza and the border.

But if suddenly there are 10 million center-right votes moving out of Trumps column and into Bidens, the president can focus on keeping the middle happy on policy instead of the left. Progressives wont go so far to spite him as to join forces with the populist right and support Trump in the aftermath. Uh, I think.

Biden would be reelected and hed owe Haley voters. How hed repay them would remain to be seen, but staunch support for further Ukraine aid, some long-overdue security measures at the border, and a de facto promise of no coup attempts during his second term would be a good start.

The alternative is a candidate who commands a party that now often moves at his beck and call on policy and whose administration will be staffed with figures loyal not to the Constitution or to a policy vision, conservative or populist, but to him. In 2024 a vote for Trump is a vote for just thatTrump and his daily ignorant, selfish, and/or nationalist political whims, nothing less and certainly nothing more. A conservatives vote is worth more than that. And it will do more good elsewhere.

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I've been following Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's increasing influence on the American far right for some time as he hosted the likes of former Fox News celebrity Tucker Carlson and held a CPAC meeting in Budapest. (They're doing it again in April with Orban once again doing the hosting duties.) He was the darling of a certain faction of the conservative coalition even before Donald Trump won and whose election in 2016 super-charged the "illiberal democracy" ideology here in the U.S. which we now know as MAGA. He likewise hopes to consolidate the European far-right into a MAGA-style movement throughout the continent.

Orban's CPAC appearance got a thunderous ovation last year and just last week he came to meet with members of the Heritage Foundation which is busily putting together "Project 2025" for the second Trump term. One imagines he had quite a few tips for them. He wrote the book on how to turn a modern country into a repressive autocracy without becoming a full-fledged police state.

Trump himself doesn't seem completely sold on that idea since he's pushing for mass round-ups and deportations of non-citizens by National Guard troops and a total lockdown of the country to keep foreigners who "don't like our religion" (or Israel) out of the country. And he's promised to root out the communists, Marxists, fascists, and the radical-left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country that lie and steal and cheat on elections" which leans more in the direction of Putin's Russia or Pinochet's Chile. But Orban's ideas about how to make the government bureaucracy into a patronage operation, gerrymander the legislature in ways that pretty much strangle real democracy while turning the independent media and academia into impotent irrelevancies are being observed very carefully by the Trump 2.0 planners and they will be implemented if they gain power. (It's also the case that Orban demonized migrants as a political strategy and even built a fence to keep them out, so they do have that in common as well.)

After the Heritage meeting, Orban made the pilgrimage down to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump. (Notably, he wasn't invited, nor did he ask, to meet with the actual president of the United States.) Trump was very impressed with his guest. He apparently feted him at the usual party that takes place every night at this social club and introduced him to the crowd of paying guests saying, "Hes a non-controversial figure because he says this is the way its going to be, and thats the end of it. Right? Hes the boss.

Trump honors Viktor Orban for being an autocrat: Theres nobody thats better, smarter or a better leader than Viktor Orban. He says, This is the way its gonna be, and thats the end of it. Hes the boss. pic.twitter.com/Fz91sbsHi1  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) March 9, 2024

I'm not sure why anyone questions Donald Trump's intentions when he says things like that. It's always been clear that he is an instinctive autocrat. He couldn't understand why the Department of Justice didn't act as his personal lawyer, for instance, or why he was constrained by the Constitution from exercising power over the entire government. He said repeatedly that he had "an Article II" which allowed him to "do whatever I want" and that the president has "total authority." Even today he argues that the president has "total immunity" which is now pending before the Supreme Court. Of course he admires dictators and autocrats and believes that's what the presidency should be.

It's pretty clear that Orban sees Trump as an important ally. He's even cutting campaign ads for him on that theme, calling Trump a "man of peace" which is so ludicrous it makes you dizzy:

President @realDonaldTrump was a president of peace. He commanded respect in the world, and created the conditions for peace. During his presidency there was peace in the Middle East and peace in Ukraine. We need him back more than ever! Thank you for the invitation, Mr. pic.twitter.com/4nSqwoYxMV  Orban Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) March 10, 2024

The truth is that Orban may need Trump more than Trump needs Orban. He's isolated in Europe and in order to fulfill his larger agenda he needs a friend in the White House, and Joe Biden will not be that. Over the past month, his party has been in turmoil with the resignation of the president and former justice minister over a pardon scandal involving a notorious child sex abuser. This has placed Orban in a difficult position since he has waged a Ron DeSantis-style crusade against LGBTQ rights and pedophilia (which he conflates for political purposes.)

He has been the last holdout in the European Union for Ukraine aid and allowing Sweden to Join NATO and both issues were finally resolved in the wake of the scandal just in the past couple of weeks. There's no sense that Orban is in serious trouble but cracks are beginning to show. It turns out that his Potemkin democracy still has some tiny life left in it, with some independent journalists able to use the internet to get the news out even though all the mainstream news sources have been coerced or co-opted into doing Orban's bidding. It's just possible that his hold is shakier than it has been in years.

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If Trump wins all that changes. Orban sees his friendship with Trump and Putin puts him right at the center of a major new alliance and it's not at all an unreasonable assumption. He and Trump, and his lackeys in the U.S. Congress, have, so far, successfully given Russia a major gift by refusing to authorize funding for the Ukraine war effort. Trump even went so far as to say that he would tell Putin to "do whatever he hell he wants" to any NATO country he deemed to be sufficiently "paid up." We have every reason to believe that if Trump wins, Ukraine will be gone and Putin will have prevailed. What happens to the Ukrainians if that happens is going to be a nightmare.

All of this is very peculiar in light of Orban's central thesis about "national sovereignty," which he spelled out in this video (featuring such luminaries as Steve Bannon and Vivek Ramaswamy) that he made after his meeting with the Heritage Foundation. Apparently, Ukraine is not entitled to that particular privilege nor is any NATO country  such as Hungary  if Putin or Trump decide otherwise.

The greatest fight in international politics is between the globalists and those who believe in national sovereignty. I was happy to see at the @Heritage Foundation that we sovereignists have many friends in the US as well. pic.twitter.com/Y32CQbyl6a  Orban Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) March 8, 2024

This alliance between Orban, Trump and the American right is very disturbing. It's easy to dismiss a Hungarian prime minister as just some guy from a small European country who is punching way above his weight and isn't really relevant. But this is one of those moments when you really have to wonder if you aren't watching the beginning of a tectonic shift in the world order. The movement to appease Putin and force Ukraine to surrender has taken hold on the right and the threat to Western Europe that flows from that is very real. If Trump wins, the chances of a major escalation are very high. Trump and Orban like to call that "peace" but it's actually just a demand for capitulation. That's what dictators do and that's what they are.
NEW YORK (AP)  Donald Trump is seeking to delay his March 25 hush money trial until the Supreme Court rules on the presidential immunity claims he raised in another of his criminal cases.

The Republican former presidents lawyers on Monday asked Manhattan Judge Juan Manuel Merchan to adjourn the New York criminal trial indefinitely until Trumps immunity claim in his Washington, D.C., election interference case is resolved.

Merchan did not immediately rule. In an order late Monday, he chided Trumps lawyers for missing a filing deadline, waiting until 2 weeks before jury selection to raise the immunity issue and failing to explain the reason for the late filing. Going forward, the judge said, Trumps lawyers and prosecutors must get his permission before making any other pretrial motions.

Trump contends he is immune from prosecution for conduct alleged to involve official acts during his tenure in office. His lawyers argue some of the evidence and alleged acts in the hush money case overlap with his time in the White House and constitute official acts.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments April 25, a month after the scheduled start of jury selection in Trumps hush money case. It is the first of his four criminal cases slated to go to trial as he closes in on the Republican presidential nomination in his quest to retake the White House.

The Manhattan district attorneys office declined to comment. Prosecutors are expected to respond to Trumps delay request in court papers later this week.

Trump first raised the immunity issue in his Washington, D.C., criminal case, which involves allegations that he worked to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The hush money case centers on allegations that Trump falsified his companys internal records to hide the true nature of payments to his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who helped Trump bury negative stories during his 2016 presidential campaign. Among other things, Cohen paid porn actor Stormy Daniels $130,000 to suppress her claims of an extramarital sexual encounter with Trump years earlier.

Trumps lawyers argue that some evidence Manhattan prosecutors plan to introduce at the hush money trial, including messages he posted on social media in 2018 about money paid to Cohen, were from his time as president and constituted official acts.

Trump pleaded not guilty last year to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels, and his lawyers argue the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses and not part of any cover-up.

A federal judge last year rejected Trumps claim that allegations in the hush money indictment involved official duties, nixing his bid to move the case from state court to federal court. Had the case been moved to federal court, Trumps lawyers couldve tried to get the charges dismissed on the grounds that federal officials have immunity from prosecution over actions taken as part of their official duties.

The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the President  a cover-up of an embarrassing event, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein wrote last July. Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a Presidents official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the Presidents official duties.

Trumps lawyers appealed Hellersteins ruling, but dropped the appeal in November. They said they were doing so with prejudice, meaning they couldnt change their minds.

The question of whether a former president is immune from federal prosecution for official acts taken in office is legally untested.

Prosecutors in the Washington, D.C., case have said no such immunity exists and that, in any event, none of the actions Trump is alleged to have taken in the indictment charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 presidential election after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden count as official acts.

The trial judge in Washington and a federal appeals court have both ruled against Trump, but the high court agreed last month to give the matter fresh consideration  a decision that delays the federal case in Washington and injects fresh uncertainty as to when it might reach trial.

___

Associated Press reporter Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.
Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Israel-Hamas war for Monday, March 11. For the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East, view our live updates file on the war for Tuesday, March 12.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday defended his plan to expand Israel's military offensive into the southern city of Rafah while his defense minister warned Hamas not to test Israel's resolve during Ramadan.

Netanyahu dismissed the objections of President Joe Biden and other world leaders over invading Rafah, saying he doesn't want to leave "a quarter of the Hamas terror army in place."

Netanyahu, speaking on Fox News' Fox and Friends, said Hamas must be defeated completely or the militant group will regroup, regain control of Gaza and repeat the Oct. 7 rampage that killed almost 1,200 people and saw about 250 hostages seized.

More than 1 million Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah, on the southern border with Egypt, as Israel storms through Gaza. Biden agrees Hamas must be destroyed but wants to ensure the safe departure of civilians from Rafah. "Before we go in, we agree with that," Netanyahu said.

"Look, it's either Israel or Hamas. There is no middle way," Netanyahu said. "We can't leave a quarter of the Hamas terror army in place. They're there in Rafah. This would be equivalent to saying, you know, after the Allies fought back, gone through Normandy, went through Germany, and you'd say, well, we'll leave a quarter of the Nazi army in place and we won't go into Berlin, the last stronghold."

Netanyahu rebuffs Biden: Says Israelis overwhelmingly back war

Developments:

 Mahjoob Zweiri, a professor at Qatar University, told Al Jazeera the U.S. pressured Israel not to tighten access restrictions at East Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest, in the West Bank during Ramadan. If the Israelis do not listen to the Americans, West Bank is likely to become another Gaza in a matter of months," Zweiri warned.

 Israeli troops and security forces arrested 20 wanted people in what was described as a counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank. The Israeli military said 3,500 suspects have been arrested in the West Bank since the war began, over 1,500 of them associated with Hamas.

 The U.S., France, Jordan, Egypt and Belgium conducted a total of seven airdrops of humanitarian assistance into Gaza on Monday, Reuters reported, including more than 27,000 meals and nearly 26,000 bottles of water by American forces into the devastated northern part of the territory.

 The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 25 people, mostly children, have died from malnutrition and dehydration in northern Gaza.

 Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani dismissed U.S. efforts to airdrop aid as merely symbolic" and part of the U.S. attempt to justify providing Israel with weapons being used in Gaza.

When is Ramadan 2024? What is it? Muslims set to mark a month of spirituality, reflection

Muslim worshippers perform "tarawih," a lengthy prayer held during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, next to the Dome of Rock at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem on March 10, 2024.

Israel touts 'successes,' hints at killing Hamas leaders

Israeli officials are hinting their forces have killed some of Hamas' top leaders, including two among the highest ranks.

The Israel Defense Forces said Monday it targeted Marwan Issa  Hamas' No. 2 military commander and one of the masterminds of the Oct. 7 attacks  in a Saturday airstrike on an underground compound he uses in central Gaza. "We are still assessing the results of the strike and will inform the public of them when we are certain,'' the IDF said in a statement.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant seemed to suggest the mission had been accomplished when he said Monday, There have been successes, including in recent days, and there will be more successes. The operations are persistent and headed in the right direction.

Also Monday, Netanyahu said Israel had killed Hamas No. 4 without naming him. It appeared to be an acknowledgement of the assassination of Saleh Arouri, the deputy political head of Hamas and a founder of the groups military wing, who was killed in an explosion in Beirut in January. Israel had not claimed responsibility for that attack.

Three, two, and one are on the way. They are all dead men,'' Netanyahu said. "We will reach them all.

Airstrikes kill 11 in Yemen days after deadly Houthi attack

Air attacks believed to be launched by U.S. and British forces killed at least 11 people and injured 14 Monday in port cities and small towns in western Yemen, Reuters reported, citing a spokesperson for the Yemeni government.

The airstrikes come five days after three crew members were killed in a Houthi missile strike on a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, the latest in a series of assaults on commercial shipping by the Yemen rebels and the first deadly one.

Previous joint military responses by the U.S. and U.K. have not deterred the Iran-backed Houthis, who say their attacks on vessels in the busy Red Sea corridor are meant to support Palestinians in battered Gaza.

The principal port city of Hodeidah was among those hit Monday in a barrage of at least 17 airstrikes, Reuters reported.

Israeli military issues warning as Ramadan begins

The beginning of the holy month of Ramadan prompted fasting and worship by Muslims around the world Monday, but it brought no end to the death and destruction caused by the war in the Gaza Strip despite intense efforts by the U.S. and other nations to broker a cease-fire.

Palestinians prayed amid rubble and fear after talks stalled over Israel's resolve to crush Hamas and the militant group's demands for an end to Israel's offensive and the withdrawal of all its troops from Gaza. Hamas has called for stepped-up resistance, drawing a warning from Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

"I say to everyone who is thinking of trying us this month  we are ready. Don't make mistakes," he said.

Biden issued a statement acknowledging that Ramadan has arrived "at a moment of immense pain" in the enclave as the death toll surpasses 31,000 while almost 2 million remain displaced. He said the U.S. will continue leading the effort to increase humanitarian aid while "working nonstop" to broker a peace agreement.

"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," Biden said. "It is front of mind for me."

Jordan warns of possible 'explosion' at Islamic holy site

Any restrictions imposed by Israel on Muslim worshippers access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the Muslim fasting month could result in an "explosion," Jordan Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi warned Monday. Video posted on social media Sunday night appeared to show Israeli border police clashing with worshippers, and police saying they were working to "enable freedom of worship (while) ensuring safety and security."

Israel announced last week it would not reduce the number of worshippers allowed to pray at the site, one of Islam's three holiest, for at least a week while monitoring security. The mosque is part of Temple Mount, the holiest place in Judaism where two biblical Temples once stood.

No damage reported from latest attack on Red Sea shipping

An explosion took place near a ship in the Red Sea on Monday, but the ship's master said no one was hurt, the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. The attack likely came from the Yemen-based Houthi rebels who have been targeting ships, claiming support for Palestinians in Gaza. The private security firm Ambrey said the incident may have involved a missile, but few details were available and the Houthis issued no immediate statement.

A Houthi missile struck the commercial ship True Confidence in the Gulf of Aden last week, killing three of its crew members and forcing survivors to abandon ship. It was the first fatal strike since the attacks began in November.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel war live updates: Netanyahu defends planned assault on Rafah
City Hall said time is needed to assess the latest data before it is released

Sadiq Khan has been accused of concealing the real impact of expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) from voters ahead of the mayoral election.

The zone was extended to outer London six months ago but Londoners will not see data on its effect on air quality before the May vote.

The Conservatives claimed he is hiding figures likely to show a negligible impact on pollution.

A spokesman for the mayor said it took time to "properly assess" the data.

The Liberal Democrats say Mr Khan is misleading Londoners by attributing benefits to Ulez that have come from other measures.

In a new report, the mayor claimed that since he was elected in 2016, air quality had improved faster in London than the rest of the country - with Ulez a big factor.

Mr Khan said he had cut nitrogen dioxide pollution in half and achieved the lowest annual levels on record - although the figures for the first half of last year were "provisional".

'Improvements came before Ulez'

But the Lib Dems said the report showed most of the improvements came before Ulez and resulted from cleaner lorries, modernising the capital's bus and taxi fleets, and people naturally replacing older, more polluting vehicles.

An emissions levy called the T-charge was introduced in 2017, buses had to comply with a separate Low Emission Zone by 2016 and the regulations on lorries were tightened in both 2012 and 2021.

Lib Dem mayoral candidate Rob Blackie said data in the report showed 77% of the drop in roadside nitrogen dioxide happened in 2016-17, two years before Ulez came in, and it had tailed off since.

"The mayor is making claims that are misleading, by confusing the impact of the Ulez with other policies and longer-term trends towards cleaner cars," he said.

"He has admitted that proper studies of the impact of Ulez won't be published before the election.

"The mayor can't have his cake and eat it. The data on the impact hasn't been published - so he can't take credit for it."

A spokesman for the mayor confirmed the first assessment of Ulez's effect on pollutants would come after the election, and said it took time to collect data and properly assess any changes.

"There has always been a gap between the launch of a scheme and the publication of a corresponding evaluation report," he said.

"For example, there was a nine-month period between the inner Ulez London expansion (October 2021) and the publication of the six-month on report (July 2022)."

The figures are likely to show a negligible impact on pollution, the Conservatives say

When Ulez was introduced in the central zone, there was a report after four months, which has not been done this time.

Without having access to comparisons of air quality before and after expansion, voters are left with official forecasts.

The key study carried out by consultants Jacobs in 2022 found that extending Ulez to outer London would have a "minor" impact on exposure to nitrogen dioxide pollution and a "negligible" impact on carbon emissions, one of the main agents of climate change.

Introducing Ulez to central and inner London reduced pollution in outer London well below legal limits - leading critics to question why it needed to be expanded.

The study said there would be a "moderate" reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel vehicles, and the health impacts were forecast to be small.

'Didn't listen'

Conservative mayoral candidate Susan Hall said Mr Khan had "decided to hide" the true impact until after the election.

"He was told from the beginning that it would have a negligible effect on air quality, but he didn't listen," she said.

"It is a joke but no-one is laughing. I will listen to Londoners and scrap Ulez expansion on day one."

The plan to extend Ulez was not in Mr Khan's 2019 manifesto and proved controversial.

Ahead of Ulez's implementation in August 2023, it prompted objections from some Labour MPs, a failed High Court challenge from five local councils and was held responsible for Labour's failure to win the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election last summer.

The plan to extend Ulez was not in Mr Khan's 2019 manifesto

The latest report from the mayor says 360 tonnes of nitrogen oxide emissions were eliminated by the Ulez expansion, equating to the annual emissions of commercial shipping on the River Thames, or a combination of the emissions of small private boats, rail transport in London and accidental fires.

Mr Khan also announced a fund of 5m for 17 borough-led projects to improve London's air quality in local communities.

Zoe Garbett, the Greens' mayoral candidate, said: "The mayor continues to build road projects that damage air quality, like the Silvertown Tunnel in east London.

"More traffic and more pollution damages people's health, and we cannot force more damage on to some communities while improving things for others."

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
Robert Downey, Jr won a slew of awards for 'Oppenheimer' in the run-up to the Oscars, including a Golden Globe (Robyn BECK)

Robert Downey, Jr on Sunday won his first Academy Award, a best supporting actor statuette for his villainous turn in "Oppenheimer" -- a golden moment in a decades-long career of highs and lows, on and off the screen.

The Oscar triumph for the 58-year-old American capped a glittering awards season, during which he snared a slew of prizes for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss, the jealous rival who orchestrated the blacklisting of the father of the atomic bomb.

"I'd like to thank my terrible childhood and the Academy -- in that order," Downey joked in his acceptance speech before turning serious and thanking director Christopher Nolan and his producer wife Emma Thomas.

"Here's my little secret. I needed this job more than it needed me. Chris knew it. Emma made sure that she surrounded me with one of the great casts and crews of all time... It was fantastic. And I stand here before you a better man because of it."

Downey bested a stacked field that included two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro ("Killers of the Flower Moon"), fan favorite Ryan Gosling ("Barbie"), Mark Ruffalo ("Poor Things") and Sterling K. Brown ("American Fiction").

The win came 31 years after Downey's first nomination, for his leading role in Richard Attenborough's Hollywood biopic "Chaplin," and 15 years after his second for a divisive turn in comedy "Tropic Thunder."

In a career defined by playing heroes (he is Iron Man, after all) and seductive leading men, Downey earned the industry's top honor by going against type.

As the film opens, Downey's Strauss -- who served with J. Robert Oppenheimer on the US Atomic Energy Commission that controlled the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos -- seems like just another bureaucrat.

But as the plot unfolds, he engineers a post-Hiroshima campaign to discredit Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), working behind the scenes to undermine him at every turn, especially by questioning his patriotism.

Little by little, Downey unveils his bitter arrogance, until his machinations are revealed at a Senate hearing he hopes would confirm his nomination as Dwight Eisenhower's secretary of commerce. Instead, his cabinet bid is left in tatters.

Nolan's taut epic came into Sunday night with 13 nominations, the most of any film.

- Rise and fall -

Born on April 4, 1965, and named after his actor father, Downey was always destined for a life in Hollywood.

He made his acting debut at just five years old in Robert Downey Sr's film "Pound."

He then became part of the 1980s "Brat Pack," starring in "Weird Science," "The Pick-Up Artist" opposite Molly Ringwald and "Less than Zero" with Andrew McCarthy and James Spader.

His career trajectory shifted in 1992downa when he stepped into the shoes of the iconic silent film star Charlie Chaplin, a role that earned him a BAFTA award.

But as he soared professionally, Downey was crashing in his personal life, in a spiral of drug addiction. He has said he first tried drugs as a child in the 1970s, thanks to his father, who was also an addict.

Downey was arrested various times between 1996 and 2001, and became tabloid fodder. After several failed rehab stints, he was sentenced to three years in a prison substance abuse treatment facility. He spent nearly a year in lock-up.

His personal problems cost him jobs, including a high-profile and well-received gig on television hit series "Ally McBeal."

Eventually, he bested his demons. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2004, he said his final arrest had given him pause.

"I said, 'You know what? I don't think I can continue doing this.' And I reached out for help, and I ran with it," he told the legendary talk show host and interviewer.

- Iron Man -

He returned to the big screen in 2003's "The Singing Detective" alongside Mel Gibson, with whom he had starred in "Air America" more than a decade before.

That same year, he starred in the thriller "Gothika" with Halle Berry.

His career slowly regained momentum.

Five years later, he starred in "Tropic Thunder," which would earn him a second Oscar nomination.

Along with acclaim came criticism, as Downey played an actor who darkens his skin to portray a Black character -- a decision he has repeatedly defended as a way to highlight how wrong blackface is.

But that same year, he would solidify his A-lister status as the beating heart of the Marvel cinematic universe in "Iron Man," playing genius inventor/businessman Tony Stark and his superhero alter ego.

His appearances in 10 Marvel films -- culminating (SPOILER ALERT) in Iron Man's heroic demise in 2019's "Avengers: Endgame" -- has helped fuel the multi-billion-dollar franchise for a generation.

Today, Downey is one of the highest-grossing actors in the industry.

Outside the superhero sphere in recent years, Downey has also starred in two high-energy "Sherlock Holmes" action films for British director Guy Ritchie, with Jude Law playing Watson. A third is in development with a new filmmaker.

Also in the pipeline is the HBO Vietnam War spy thriller "The Sympathizer," a limited series adaptation of a book by Viet Thanh Nguyen in which Downey plays a CIA agent.

Downey has been married for nearly 20 years to his film producer wife Susan, whom he has credited with helping him kick drugs and alcohol. The couple has two children.

Downey also has a son from his first marriage to Deborah Falconer, which broke up amid his battle with addiction.

pr/sst/st
Dozens of people were injured after a flight from Australia to New Zealand experienced a technical event that produced a sudden movement, according to the flights operator, with witnesses telling local media that passengers were suddenly thrown around the cabin.

Approximately 50 people were treated for injuries on arrival in Auckland, including one person in serious condition, emergency medical service provider Hato Hone St John Ambulance told CNN. It said 12 patients had been sent to hospital.

Affected passengers and cabin crew received immediate assistance and were evaluated or treated by medical staff at the airport as needed, according to a statement to CNN by LATAM Airlines.

Flight LA800, operating the Sydney  Auckland route today, had a technical event during the flight which caused a strong movement, the statement said, which added the plane landed as scheduled in Auckland on Monday.

The statement did not elaborate on what the technical event was.

Ambulances respond to an incident at Auckland International Airport on March 11, 2024. - Dean Purcell/AP

Aviation officials in Chile say investigators in New Zealand will probe the technical event on a Chilean Boeing 787 that injured 50 passengers.

We regret the situation experienced by passengers, while we reiterate our commitment to the safety of air operations, said a statement from Chiles Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics.

Chiles aviation agency is also appointing an accredited representative in New Zealand to participate in the investigation.

New Zealands equivalent to the National Transportation Safety Board is aware of the reported incident, Transport Accident Investigation Commission spokesperson Simon Pleasants previously told CNN. We are gathering further information to inform a decision as to whether to open an inquiry.

CNN has reached back out to authorities in New Zealand to confirm they will be investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, Boeing has confirmed that the incident happened on board one of its planes, adding that it is working to gather more information.

The plane was a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.

We are working to gather more information about the flight and will provide any support needed by our customer, a Boeing spokesperson said in a statement to CNN.

LATAM Airlines is Chiles flagship carrier and stops regularly in Auckland en route to Santiago.

St John Ambulance added that 14 units, including seven ambulances, responded to an incident at Auckland International Airport involving an in-bound aircraft.

A passenger on board the flight called Jacinto, who spoke with CNN affiliate RNZ, said there was a mid-air drop.

People flew through the cabin, he said. People got pretty injured.

Multiple passengers were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the sudden drop, he added.

People were really scared as well.

Another passenger, which RNZ named as Valentina, said that the plane just stopped, and that people were flying around.

Blood was on the ceiling, people [flew] and broke the ceiling of the plane, she said, adding that she was very scared to get on a plane again.

Valentina suffered minor injuries but was treated by medical crew once the plane landed.

CNNs Pete Muntean and Alex Stambaugh contributed to this report. This story has been updated.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
There is now no season when ticks are not a threat to you and your pets.

Dr. Cynthia Maro

Veterinarians across western Pennsylvania have seen ticks attached to pets through all seasons of the year, in part because of milder weather conditions and likely because wildlife and rodents have experienced infringement on their homes, causing them to move closer to housing developments.

Many people theorize that the ticks themselves are becoming more resistant to the chemicals used to control them and other insects, so their numbers may be increasing.

The numbers of infectious diseases, affecting humans and animals who have had tick attachments, have also increased over the past several years.

During the past 25-30 years, western Pa. veterinarians became increasingly used to diagnosing and treating dogs, horses and an occasional cat with Lyme disease. Now, we are diagnosing cases of other tick-borne or vector-borne (VBD) organisms, including Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Babesia, in addition to Lyme disease.

Pet owners need to be aware of the risks of these VBD for their pets and themselves.

All animals in the household should have tick control products given by mouth or topically.

Contrary to anecdotal posts on social media, most products prescribed by a vet have a much higher level of safety when compared to the consequences of developing life-threatening disorders as a result of Lyme and other vector-borne diseases.

And the consequences for human health are significant.

Consider that pets can bring ticks into your home and live there for many weeks. They may find their way into your bed, couch and other furnishings where you and your family spend time. People are often surprised to discover an attached tick, in spite of the fact that they have not been outdoors in recent days.

If you do find an attached tick on yourself or a pet, carefully remove the entire tick, including mouth parts. I recommend using a tick removal tool and carefully inserting it close to the skin, then twisting and applying gentle traction to lift and remove the tick.

Prior to and after removal, do not apply disinfectant to the tick itself. Place the tick in a ziplock plastic bag.

Create an account on ticklab.org and order all tests available for identifying VBD the tick could be carrying at the time of attachment. Then submit your info and mail the tick or ticks to ticklab.

Within a few days, you will receive a complete report to take to your vet or your MD (in cases of actual human exposure.)

If your pet had a tick attached, the vet can more accurately prescribe a preventive medication for treatment of one or more diseases the tick or ticks were carrying. In some cases, my clients have received reports with up to three different pathogens carried by a single tick. All those diseases required different treatments.

The doctors in my practice recommend treating before symptoms develop, rather than risking the consequences of Lyme disease, which can include blood disorders, arthritis and autoimmune illnesses.

One of the more serious effects in dogs is acute Lyme disease nephritis, which causes irreparable kidney damage and death from kidney failure. There are cases of Lyme nephritis in which pets do not develop a positive test for Lyme disease until weeks after they go into kidney failure, making diagnosis tricky.

In the cases of Ehrlichia, Babesia and Anaplasma infections, many symptoms mimic other diseases and often they are not specific for tick borne diseases.

Pets may show up at the vet office with occasional or persistent limping, with the affected limb shifting  sometimes the left front leg and a day later, a pet may limp on right rear leg. In other instances, anemia, low platelet counts, bruising or blood in the feces may be symptoms of VBD.

The best protection from VBD is for pets to use excellent tick preventives, based on your vets experience (check with the vet for what is working in your area).

To help prevent tick illnesses in yourself and your family, visit the CDC website for accurate information on tick illnesses and tips on avoiding the tiny parasites, including how to enjoy the outdoors and stay tick free.

Dr. Cynthia Maro is a veterinarian at the Ellwood Animal Hospital in Ellwood City and the Chippewa Animal Hospital in Chippewa Township. She writes a biweekly column on pet care and health issues. If you have a topic youd like to have addressed, email ellwoodvet@msn.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Dr. Maro: Beware of disease-carrying ticks now appearing in Pa.
A draft law recognising the Soviet authorities 1954 decision to return Crimea to Ukraine as "illegal" has been submitted to the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament.

Source: Russian media outlets Meduza and Interfax

Details: The draft law proposes that the decision to return Crimea to Ukraine should be deemed "illegal and contrary to the fundamental principles of a lawful state and international law".

Quote: "The decision to transfer Crimea Oblast from the Russian Soviet Federative Social Republic (RSFSR) to the Ukrainian Soviet Republic, adopted in 1954 on the basis of legal acts that had no legal force, in violation of the Constitution of the RSFSR and the Constitution of the USSR, shall be deemed illegal and contrary to the fundamental principles of a lawful state and international law."

Details: Members of the Russian Parliament believe that the transfer of Crimea should be recognised as "illegal" in order to "cut the ground from under the Ukrainian authorities propaganda regarding the occupation of Crimea in 2014".

The lawmakers believe that after the 1954 decision has been nullified, it will be "much harder" for Ukraines allies to "support [Kyivs] intention to take back Crimea".

The draft laws authors are Russian MP Konstantin Zatulin and Senator Sergei Tsekov from the United Russia party.

Background:

Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 after holding an illegal referendum there.

The international community, with the exception of a very few countries, continues to regard Crimea as part of Ukraine.

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The Russian authorities are developing a system of "re-education" and digital control over children illegally taken from Ukraine to Russia after the start of the large-scale invasion. Among other things, the occupiers convince little Ukrainians that their parents are dead.

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This is stated in the investigation of the Medusa publication. The "re-education" program is aimed at indoctrinating Ukrainian children and convincing them that they will not return to their native land.

Russian officials recognize that there is a risk that these children will retain a negative attitude toward Russia and may oppose the Russian authorities in the future.

In this regard, the Russian Ministry of Education has written a "document" that states the task assigned to Russian teachers to reorient and form the Russian identity of Ukrainian children who have been "evacuated" from the occupied territories of Ukraine. They are to be educated on the basis of Russian "spiritual and moral values" and freed from "destructive ideology."

The manual "Prevention of conflicts, extremism and terrorism in a multicultural educational environment" provides examples of statements considered by the Russian authorities to be a manifestation of nationalist ideology, including the greeting "Glory to Ukraine" and criticism of Russia and Russians.

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In addition, the supplementary manual "Supporting Adolescents Arriving from War Zone" describes possible reactions of children to the new environment, including protest and distrust, as well as tips for supporting children who have lost their parents.

"If you know that a child's family members were killed or went missing during the hostilities, [in your communication with them] focus not on people, but on events... Don't say 'it's okay', 'don't worry, they are in a better place', 'they are on a cloud watching you'... Talk honestly with the child about the fact that their loved ones were killed or their home was destroyed... Tell them directly that they died. Give your child the opportunity to experience emotions. For example, if he is angry, let him tear up the paper," the manual says in the original language.

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The very reasons for the abduction of children from Ukraine are justified by the "geopolitical situation".

According to the propaganda documents, schools are supposed to form children's "Russian identity". Learning should make them feel proud of the country and patriotic. The specific country for which one should feel pride is not specified.

However, not all teachers use these methods. According to one of the employees of the Ministry of Education, staff members discuss among themselves that Ukrainian children are potential terrorists.

The investigation also refers to a joint project of the Ministry of Education and the Center for the Study and Network Monitoring of the Youth Environment, which monitors the behavior of teenagers on social media, having the ability to de-anonymize their accounts. According to an official of the Ministry of Education, this center helps Russian authorities identify opponents of the Russian government.

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As a reminder, on March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Children's Ombudsman Lvova-Belova. They are suspected of committing an international crime  the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The warrant will be valid for the rest of the defendants' lives.

Earlier it became known that children were being taken from the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia to the "Russian hinterland" thousands of kilometers away from home. In Chuvashia and other remote regions of the Russian Federation, they are "brainwashed" by telling them about the "special operation" and its "veterans," the Melitopol city council said.

Instead, the occupiers plan to settle the occupied territories with Russians. In particular, according to the Civil Defense Center, they want to bring about 300,000 Russian citizens to Ukrainian Mariupol by 2035.

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According to Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine managed to return 517 children who were illegally deported by Russia to its territory.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the International Platform for the Release of Civilians Illegally Detained by the Russian Federation and stressed that all those involved in the forced deportation of Ukrainians should be brought to justice. Those who abuse our prisoners must also be held accountable.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The White House published a budget proposal for fiscal year 2025 on 11 March, which includes US$1.5 billion to counter the Kremlins aggression, along with US$482 million to help Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, US State Department

Out of the US$482 million, the majority (US$250 million) will be used "for economic and development assistance to support reforms in Ukraine, civil society, rule of law, and election integrity".

Another US$95 million will be allocated to the US Department of State's Foreign Military Operations (FMF) funding programme, US$71 million to health programmes, and US$66 million for other security assistance activities, including protection of civilians, mine clearance, and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The remaining US$1.5 billion in funding will be used to counter the malicious influence of Russia and China in Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia.

In particular, this money will be spent strengthening the resilience of US allies and partners, promoting democratic reforms, countering Russian disinformation, improving citizens' access to impartial media, strengthening energy and cybersecurity, and stabilising economies affected by the war in Ukraine.

According to the State Department, the funds to support Ukraine contained in US President Joe Bidens budget request complement the bill allocating additional assistance for national security  more than US$61 billion is provided for military, financial and other assistance to Kyiv.

This bipartisan support package for Ukraine was approved by the US Senate in February but was blocked by Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives. At the same time, he left the door open for a new bipartisan package of foreign aid.

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DALLAS - Dallas police have charged a man with manslaughter for a crash late Saturday night that resulted in the deaths of two people.

The wreck happened just before 11 p.m., near Centerville Road and Joaquin Drive.

Investigators said a car driven by Milena Wilske was stopped at a stop sign and tried to turn left, when a truck driven by Antonio Ortiz reportedly ran a stop sign and struck the car.

Another car then crashed into Ortizs truck, which ended up on its side.

A passenger in Wilskes car died at the scene. Wilske was taken to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

The driver of the third car involved was treated and released.

Police said Ortiz was taken to a hospital as a precaution, before being taken into custody and charged with two counts of manslaughter.
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  The driver of a vehicle involved in a crash that sent three to the hospital is facing several charges.

Trooper Rico Stephens of the N.C. State Highway Patrol told WNCTs Erin Jenkins that Monterry Demetrius, 44, of Greenville, was charged with reckless driving, driving with a revoked license and child abuse after a crash Saturday night at the intersection of Bs BBQ Road and the Speedway/Walmart.

Troopers and Greenville police responded at 7:30 p.m. to the site of the crash. An investigation revealed that Demetrius was traveling west on Statonsburg Road heading toward NC 587.

 Track issues along your commute with the QCN Traffic Interactive Map

Officials said he ran a red light and T-boned another vehicle. Power lines were knocked down and traffic was diverted from the area until the cleanup and investigation were complete.

Three people in the vehicle that was struck were sent to ECU Health Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. A child in the vehicle Demetrius was driving was treated and released at the scene.

The road was reopened around 8:50 p.m. on Saturday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The driver of former President Trumps car on Jan. 6 disputed bombshell testimony that he tried to take control of the car, even as the witness affirmed the former presidents insistence in joining his supporters at the Capitol.

The detail, released as part of a broader report from House Republicans that minimizes Trumps role in the destruction that day, takes aim at star witness Cassidy Hutchinsons testimony before the now-disbanded Jan. 6 committee.

Hutchinson told the public she heard Trump had lunged for the steering wheel following his speech near the White House in an apparent effort to veer toward the Capitol, a story that was relayed to her by others.

[President Trump] never grabbed the steering wheel. I didnt see him, you know, lunge to try to get into the front seat at all, the unnamed driver told the committees investigators.

A subcommittee on the House Committee of Administration, which drafted the report, did not release the full transcript with the driver, which has been requested by The Hill.

A copy reviewed by The New York Times, however, indicates the driver backed Hutchinsons details about Trumps insistence on joining supporters at the Capitol, making the demand to the driver as well as Bobby Engel, the head of former President Trumps security detail on Jan. 6.

The president was insistent on going to the Capitol, recounted the driver, whose name was not disclosed.

It was clear to me he wanted to go to the Capitol. He was not screaming at Mr. Engel. He was not screaming at me. Certainly his voice was raised, but it did not seem to me that he was irate  certainly not, certainly didnt seem as irritated or agitated as he had on the way to the Ellipse, the driver said, according to the transcript reviewed by the Times.

What stood out was the irritation in his voice, more than his physical presence.

At another point Trump also made clear he viewed the crowd as his supporters and therefore not a danger to himself.

I dont remember exactly what prompted it or how that portion of the conversation kind of grew organically, but he was pushing pretty hard to go, the agent testified.

The thing that sticks out most was he kept asking why we couldnt go, why we couldnt go, and that he wasnt concerned about the people that were there or referenced them being Trump people or Trump supporters, they added.

In her stunning appearance before the panel in the summer of 2022, Hutchinson described Trumps actions as they had been relayed by Tony Ornato, a former Secret Service agent who served as Trumps deputy chief of staff at the time. Ornato recounted the episode in front of Engel, who did not interject.

Im the effing president, take me up to the Capitol now, Trump said when Engel informed him they could not safely make the unscheduled journey, according to Hutchinsons testimony.

The president reached up towards the front of the vehicle to grab at the steering wheel. Mr. Engel grabbed his arm, said, Sir you need to take your hand off the steering wheel, were going back to the West Wing, were not going to the Capitol. Mr. Trump then used his free hand to lunge towards Bobby Engel, Hutchinson testified she had been told.

In the Jan. 6 committees final report, it described Trumps demand to go to the Capitol to join his supporters  as the undisputed key detail.

It is difficult to fully reconcile the accounts of several of the witnesses who provided information with what we heard from Engel and Ornato, the report states.

But the principal factual point here is clear and undisputed: President Trump specifically and repeatedly requested to be taken to the Capitol. He was insistent and angry, and continued to push to travel to the Capitol even after returning to the White House.

The driver was interviewed by the committee months after Hutchinsons explosive testimony, and the transcript was not released as part of the broader collection of records preserved by the committee.

House Administration Republicans have cast its exclusion as an effort to hide information that counters a star witness.

But a letter from the Department of Homeland Securitys general counsel referenced by the Times indicates the department was asked to review the transcript for needed redactions before it could be included in the record.

The transcript includes other details that back testimony given to the committee, including Trumps frustration with then-Vice President Mike Pence as well as his fixation on the size of the crowd during his speech at the Ellipse.

I dont remember exactly how he phrased it, but my recollection is that he was upset that the vice president was unwilling to not certify the Electoral College, the driver testified.

Probably within 30 seconds or so, if not less than that of getting in the car, after asking about crowd sizes, the driver added later.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
ISTANBUL  Turkeys Defence Ministry released its annual report on March 7, detailing activities it carried out in 2023 and its future goals.

The ministry listed 49 ongoing modernization and acquisition projects across the military. Here are some that stood out:

Land Forces

M60 tank: Two separate modernization projects are ongoing. The first will replace the existing fire control system with the new Volkan-M, as well as provide additional armor protection and protected crew seats to M60T tanks. The contract was signed in January 2023. The second bolsters the firepower, survivability and mobility of M60A3 tanks. Prototype development studies are continuing.

A Turkish M60 tank drives in the town of Sarmin, southeast of the city of Idlib in northwestern Syria, on Feb. 20, 2020. (Omar Haj Kadour/AFP via Getty Images)

Leopard 2 A4 tank: The platform variant is undergoing modernization work through a contract signed in 2022 between the governments defense program management agency SSB and local defense contractor BMC Otomotiv. Aselsan, another Turkish business, is providing the fire control systems; remote controlled weapon stations; command, control, communication and information systems; laser warning systems; driver vision systems; active protection systems; and close-range surveillance systems. BMC will integrate these systems into the tank and overhaul the chassis.

T-155 Firtina self-propelled howitzer: The next generation of the T-155 is under construction by BMC Otomotiv. The original contract covers the delivery of 130 units. As of the end of 2023, the company had delivered eight. BMC is also developing an engine for the weapon. Inspection and acceptance activities of the prototype engine concluded Feb. 24, 2023.

ACV-15 vehicle: Aselsan is modernizing the combat vehicle by providing the 25mm Nefer turret, among other systems. The Defence Ministrys 2nd Main Maintenance Factory Directorate is conducting the repair and overhaul of the engine and the transmission of the vehicles.

Naval Forces

Milden submarine project: The Naval Forces design office is working on the countrys first indigenous submarine program. Construction is to take place at Golcuk Shipyard Command. A test block is to undergo construction this year, and efforts to build the first submarine are scheduled to start in 2025.

Reis-class submarine program: Hizirreis, the second submarine of the Reis project, which includes the production of six submarines, began May 25, 2023. Golcuk Naval Shipyard is carrying out the work.

Preveze-class submarine: After integration and testing activities ended on the TCG Preveze submarine, which acted as a testbed for the early delivery of the systems, the Golcuk Naval Shipyard started midlife upgrades for the TCG Sakarya in July 2022. That platform is the first submarine to receive the modernization features, and work is ongoing. The plan is to modernize all Preveze-class subs during maintenance and overhaul periods until 2027.

Barbaros-class frigate: Turkey is working on a midlife modernization project focused on the sensors, weapons and combat management systems of Barbaros-class frigates. The first ship to receive upgrades, the TCG Barbaros, is currently performing acceptance tests.

Air Forces

F-16 fighter jet: There are two separate projects for the Turkish Air Forces. The first one is the procurement of new F-16 Block 70 aircraft and the application of Viper modernization to the existing F-16 Block 40/50 airframes in service. The second is meant to extend the structural service life of F-16C/D Block 40/50 aircraft currently in service to 2050, and to strengthen them structurally. This project will take place in facilities run by the 1st Air Maintenance Factory Directorate.

Akinci and Anka-S drones: There are ongoing efforts to buy various types of Akinci and Anka-S drones. For both of these projects, Turkey considers the extension of their range via satellite as critical.

Hurjet aircraft: The primary goal of this project is to design and produce a single-engine, tandem-seat jet trainer with performance features that will play a critical role in training pilots for modern fighter aircraft. The prototype made its maiden flight in April 2023.

Hurkus-B aircraft: This program for a new-generation basic jet trainer is meant to meet Air Force Commands need for additional training aircraft. Ultimately, this is to improve the quality of combat readiness training and the effectiveness of flight personnel training. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2025.
A South Carolina man is going to prison after he got assistance from a postal carrier to have drugs delivered in the mail, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Lemont Antwaun Darby, 37, was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a Monday news release.

Darby was a drug dealer who regularly received packages of marijuana through the U.S. Mail from California and elsewhere, according to the release.

In March 2022, Darby approached 31-year-old Chapin resident Mjaan Roland, who was a city carrier with the Columbia Main Post Office and Dutch Fork Station, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Darby asked Roland to facilitate the delivery of these packages of marijuana, as the address Darby used was on Rolands route, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Darby compensated Roland for some of the deliveries by paying him between $100 and $200, while on other occasions he gave him small amounts of drugs, according to the release.

Darby was sentenced to 46 months in prison, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. There is no parole in the federal system.

Roland previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, according to the release.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, Richland County Sheriffs Department, and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston D. Holliday Jr. is prosecuting the case.

Columbia attorney Michael Laubshire was previously listed as Darbys lawyer, and two state drug charges are still pending, Richland County court records show.

Roland, previously represented by Columbia attorney Seth Rose, was arrested but not indicted on a state criminal conspiracy charge that was disposed, according to court records.
THE HAGUE (Reuters) -Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders said on Monday he had met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and pledged his full support to Israel in fighting terrorism.

Wilders, who is aiming to lead a new government after his nationalist PVV party won elections in November, has long been a staunch supporter of Israel.

Wilders has unsuccessfully tried to form a government since the elections. The main parties trying to form a governing coalition will meet again on Monday in an effort to agree on what form a possible cooperation could have.

The Israeli president was in the Netherlands to attend the opening of a Holocaust museum in Amsterdam on Sunday. At the opening ceremony, Herzog called for prayers for peace and the immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel and still held by the Islamist militants.

Wilders posted a picture on X of his meeting with Herzog and wrote: "I told him I am proud that he visits the Netherlands and that Israel has, and always will have, my full support in its fight against terror".

(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
NEW YORK  Lawyers for E. Jean Carroll consented Monday to Donald Trumps bond application in his Manhattan defamation case, days after the former president once again apparently slandered the woman he was found liable for sexually assaulting.

Not 48 hours after informing the court he had secured the money for Carroll, the ex-president doubled down on his defamatory statements at a weekend rally in Rome, Georgia.

I just posted a $91 million bond, $91 million on a fake story, totally made-up story, Trump said, 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.

Trump added of the 80-year-old Carroll: This woman is not a believable person.

Asked if Carroll plans to bring more legal action in response to Trumps latest remarks, her lawyer noted she has time to decide.

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, E. Jean Carroll, Roberta Kaplan said in a statement to the Daily News.

Trump informed Manhattan Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan on Friday that had secured a bond for $91.6 million from Federal Insurance Co., in addition to filing a notice of appeal of the jurys January findings that Trump owed Carroll $83.3 million for defaming her while he was president when he denied her rape allegations. Judge Kaplan gave Carrolls side until Monday at 11 a.m. to oppose the appeal.

The money will remain in a court-controlled account until Trump has exhausted his appeals.

The damages a jury awarded Carroll in January added to the $5 million that another jury awarded her last May after determining Trump sexually assaulted her in the 1990s and defamed her as a complete con job on Truth Social following his presidency. Judge Kaplan found Trump liable for defaming Carroll when he was president not long after that verdict.

During emotional testimony at last years trial, Carroll described Trump violently assaulting her in a Bergdorf Goodman changing room after they ran into each other and he invited her to go shopping.

Trump continued to defame Carroll after the sexual assault verdict, disparaging the former Elle columnist as a wack job in a CNN town hall just a day after he was found liable for the defamation. In response to those remarks, Carroll added another claim in a second lawsuit, in addition to the mammoth damages returned in January.

In his weekend remarks, Trump also ridiculed Judge Kaplan as a Democrat Trump-deranged judge and the judge on his fraud case, Arthur Engoron, as a whacked-out judge.

Lawyers for Trump did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment.

The GOP front-runner for president is required to deposit an additional half-billion dollars by the end of the month in his civil fraud case. He has until around March 25  the day his hush money trial starts in Manhattan  to deposit more than $454 million awarded to state Attorney General Letitia James.

_____
South Carolinas Republican presidential primary is Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. Polling places open at 7 a.m. for in-person voting. (Kate Brindley | New Hampshire Bulletin)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Floridas presidential primary preference election takes place next week - though Democrats wont be voting  and early voting for the March 19 contest began over the weekend throughout the state.

For those who might not know: There will be no presidential primary election for Democratic voters next week. Thats because the Florida Democratic Party chose only President Joe Biden on the ballot when it convened last fall, though other candidates were in the race. The issue led to a federal lawsuit, which was dismissed in federal court in January.

As to the GOP, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley dropped out of the Republican presidential race last week, and Donald Trump will essentially run unopposed in his quest to become the GOP presidential nominee for the third straight election cycle.

That said, there are six other candidates still on the GOP ballot: Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, Asa Hutchinson, Vivek Ramaswamy and Ryan L. Binkley, all of whom (other than Haley) dropped out of the race well before last weeks Super Tuesday slate of contests. But some voters will still cast their votes.

Florida is a closed primary state, so only Republicans registered as of February 20 can participate in the presidential primary election.

Meanwhile, some municipal elections are taking place next week in a handful of Florida counties. Municipal elections are nonpartisan in Florida, and thus any registered voter can participate. Voters in four cities in Orange County, 22 cities in Palm Beach and ten cities in Pinellas County will be holding elections on March 19, according to the Florida Division of Elections. There will also be two special district elections taking place that day in Sarasota County.

The post Early voting has started for FLs presidential primary election  but only GOP will be voting appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Like a trio of canaries in a coal mine warbling at the top of their lungs, three recent studies warn of various ways that global warming is drastically changing the planet. Each study involves the cryosphere, or those regions on the planet where water freezes into ice or snow. Both the Arctic and the Antarctic are melting  and scientists are recording the consequences.

First is a study by researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and published in the journal Nature Reviews Earth & Environment. After creating models based on past data chronicling sea ice area shrinkage in the Arctic Ocean, the scientists determined that we will soon enter an unprecedented future... one where during the summer there is no sea ice at all. Notably, this will happen regardless of whether humanity meets the emissions targets set during the Paris climate accord.

"The earliest ice-free conditions (the first single occurrence of an ice-free Arctic) could occur in 20202030s under all emission trajectories and are likely to occur by 2050," the authors write. This does not mean that the ocean will have literally zero ice in it, but rather that it meets the scientific definition of being "ice-free": When the entire Arctic Ocean has less than 1 square kilometer (or 0.386 square miles) of ice.

At that point, the quantity of ice will be less than 20% of the Arctic seasonal minimum from the 1980s. Because this is unprecedented in recorded history, scientists whose disciplines involve Arctic work will have to encounter a very different environment. There is a nuance to how the region's wildlife will be impacted, and how weather overall will change, based on whether there is occasional daily ice-free conditions, frequent monthly ice-free conditions or even ice-free conditions that last for as long as nine months. Experts will need to understand each different scenario "to assess the true impact of what the transition of the Arctic sea ice cover into its new seasonal sea ice regime means in a warming world."

That last scenario  one in which humanity blows past its emissions goals and the region is ice-free for stretches of up to nine months  would be disastrous.

This would transform the Arctic into a completely different environment, from a white summer Arctic to a blue Arctic," Alexandra Jahn, associate professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences and fellow at CU Boulders Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research and co-author of the paper, said in a statement. "So even if ice-free conditions are unavoidable, we still need to keep our emissions as low as possible to avoid prolonged ice-free conditions.

Like the authors of the Nature Reviews Earth & Environment paper, the scientists behind a recent study for the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS) used decades of data about sea ice to project future conditions. This time, though, the authors focused on the Antarctic, and their goal is to anticipate the proliferation of polynyas, or pockets of open water that can exist within sea ice. Led by researchers from the University of Otago, the authors were surprised to discover a dramatic increase in the area of polynyas around Antarctica. At this rate, coastal animals and plants may one day move onto the continent itself.

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This is not entirely due to climate change. Some of it appears to be caused by cyclical factors, and could be fueled by phenomena such as the interactions between the Amundsen Sea Low and Southern Annular Mode. Yet the planet's ongoing warming  which is primarily caused by humans burning fossil fuels  is without question a factor too.

Recent record low Antarctic sea ice coverage has been linked with ocean warming, co-author Dr Ariaan Purich, a scientist at Monash University in Australia who studies ocean-atmosphere interactions, said in a press statement. In coastal environments, large-scale atmospheric variability and trends can interact with changing ocean conditions to shape the extent of sea ice. These findings give us exciting insights that will help us predict coastal sea ice coverage in the future.

In the study itself, the authors acknowledge that the "specific drivers remain unknown," yet emphasize that because climate change could put humanity in a "new age of Antarctic sea ice," advanced knowledge of both the cycle and the consequences of human activity "will, in turn, lead to more accurate predictions of environmental change, and its implications for Antarctic ecosystems."

Finally, there is another study from PNAS, this one about how Arctic sea life has responded to the loss of 1 million square kilometers of sea ice over the past 25 years. Specifically, the authors studied the seafloor for so-called "benthic primary producers (BPPs)," or the microalgae, macroalgae and seagrasses that are essential to Arctic ecosystems but were nonetheless previously poorly studied. "Primary production" is a term for the process through which some life forms create energy by absorbing organic compounds from the atmosphere, such as through sunlight. Although the scientists thought that the seafloor-dwelling primary producers might flourish in the warmer ocean waters caused by climate change, this did not prove to be the case.

"Microalgal benthic primary production has increased in only a few shelf regions despite substantial sea ice loss over the past 20 [years] as higher solar irradiance in the ice-free ocean is counterbalanced by reduced water transparency," the authors write. "This suggests complex impacts of climate change on Arctic light availability and marine primary production."

The reason they were surprised is that, although primary producers on the seafloor might theoretically benefit from climate change causing more heat, that is more than offset by how sediments, dissolved substances in the water and phytoplankton absorb all of that sunlight first. They can do this because the water is more transparent than before.

Our study suggests that the impacts of climate change on sunlight availability and primary production in the Arctic Ocean are complex," co-author Dr. Karl Attard, a marine scientist and Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology in the University of Southern Denmark, said in a press statement. "Additionally, as the Arctic Ocean continues to warm, we may witness more species migrating from lower latitudes, potentially leading to a more productive marine environment than what exists today  at the cost of losing what is special for the Arctic."
The combat missions of Ukrainian servicemen in the Black Sea and on the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea are preparations for a major operation on the Ukrainian peninsula. According to Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the defenders are currently checking the accuracy of the statements about the ways of approaching and leaving Crimea.

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In addition, in this way, the soldiers show Ukrainians in Crimea that they have not been betrayed or forgotten. Budanov spoke about this in the documentary "War for the Sea: From Dnipro to Crimea".

The Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine noted that the combat missions carried out by military intelligence units in the Black Sea and Crimea are of great importance. In addition to preparing for serious operations on the territory of the peninsula, the defenders are showing Ukrainians in Crimea that they have not been forgotten.

"These are all preparations for a serious operation in Crimea. This is a test of the correctness of our statements about the ways of approaching and leaving from there. In addition, this is a good message for the population that has been living under occupation for 10 years. Many believe that they have been forgotten. There are people who love Ukraine but believe they have been betrayed. There are a lot of such people, a lot of them stayed there," Budanov said.

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In the documentary, the reconnaissance men told about key operations in southern Ukraine in 2022-2023. In particular, the fighters of the "Shaman" Special Forces recalled how they took advantage of the occupants' inattention and crossed to the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson region.

The commander of the special unit with the call sign "Shaman" said that when the defenders realized that the enemy was not sufficiently aware of the situation, they transferred personnel to the left bank of the Kherson region.

"There were several intense clashes with enemy observation posts at once. Some observation posts were almost completely destroyed or captured," the soldier recalls.

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In addition, in the summer of 2023, Ukrainian soldiers returned the Ukraine oil and gas production platform to state control, and then participated in the Crimean operation "Awakening of Strength".

"The enemy will never have dominance in the sea, no matter what they think. This is our Black Sea, our "rigs", our Crimea, our Snake Island," said the commander of the DIU special forces.

As a reminder, on the night of March 5, Ukrainian defenders destroyed the patrol ship Sergey Kotov of the Russian Black Sea Fleet off the coast of occupied Crimea. The enemy vessel was targeted by naval drones, and new footage of the attack has been posted online.

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Earlier it was reported that Ukraine's constant attacks are pushing the Russian fleet to the east of the Black Sea, jeopardizing Moscow's control over the Crimean peninsula. Since February 2022, the Russian Black Sea Fleet has suffered huge losses.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
EAST LANSING  A Dearborn-based coffee house chain that specializes in Yemeni coffee drinks, pastries and desserts is poised to open its latest outlet on East Grand River Avenue, near Michigan State University's campus.

Haraz Coffee House, which has just over a dozen locations, will open a franchise in a 2,400-square-foot building on March 18. The storefront was previously home to Campus Corner, a retail store that carried MSU clothing and gifts.

Haraz is the second Yemeni coffee shop to open in East Lansing in the last six months. Moka & Co. opened in mid-December in a 2,700-square-foot space at 565 E. Grand River Ave.

Haraz has grown quickly since its first location opened three years ago, said Hamzah Nasser, the company's CEO. His family is originally from Yemen. Haraz Coffee House honors his heritage, Nasser said.

"I'm the third generation in America and so happy to be the first entrepreneur in the family," he said. "I really want to give back to, not only my community, but my ancestral home so this really drives me to do better and build something that will be a legacy one day to leave behind."

The franchise owner was a customer first

East Lansing franchise owner Dina Elhout, 37, became a loyal customer at the Dearborn location of Haraz Coffee House before she considered starting her own.

Elhout, a dentist, works near the coffee shop and instantly fell in love with Haraz Coffee House, despite not being a fan of coffee before visiting.

"I would actually go to pick up coffee for my husband on our way to work and then I could smell the place, how it smells," she said. "I mean, we've been to so many coffee shops, but this shop smells differently. The atmosphere, just the ambiance, is just different."

Once she tried the coffee, Elhout was hooked.

"I joked to my husband that I'm going to own this place one day and he would say, 'No you're not. You've got patients,'" and here we are," she said. "I just love it. I love it so much that I wanted my own. It brought me so much happiness."

Space near campus will cater to students, community

The future home of Harah Coffee House in downtown East Lansing, pictured Friday, March 8, 2024.

Nasser has wanted to expand the company to East Lansing since last year, even visiting the area to look for available spaces.

When he learned Campus Corner was closing last summer and the space would be available, it seemed like "a very nice coincidence."

Renovations at the property have been underway since August, he said. The interior includes "a green, ceramic tile wall to complement the MSU campus," Nasser said. And warm interior lighting throughout "to give the customers the perfect ambiance to sit and enjoy working and studying and socializing with family and friends."

Haraz Coffee House will offer a menu featuring traditional Yemeni coffee drinks, including Adeni, a drink that contains both tea and coffee, along with creations unique to the franchise, such as a pistachio latte and a Haraz latte, made with organic coffee and honey. Desserts on the menu will include milk cakes and pastries made at the company's bakery in Dearborn.

The coffee shop's dining room will seat 77 people, Elhout said. It's expected to employ about 15 people.

Learn more about the company at www.harazcoffeehouse.com or on Instagram at "harazcoffeehouse."

READ MORE:

HobNob Pizza and cookie bakery expected to open along East Michigan Avenue this spring

Gigis Cupcakes in East Lansing closes; owner urges customers to shop locally

Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ .

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Haraz Coffee House to open East Lansing location this month
On Saturday, March 9, 2024, Brighton police arrested a suspect in a January shooting that occurred in Eastpointe

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story had been updated to include information on the shooting.

BRIGHTON  Following a pursuit on Saturday, Brighton police arrested a man suspected in a January shooting that occurred in the Macomb County city of Eastpointe.

The shooting occurred at about 4:44 p.m. Jan. 17 at an Eastpointe business, Eastpointe police chief Corey Haines told The Daily Monday.

"Shots were fired at a local business here in Eastpointe in the 24000 block of Gratiot," Haines wrote in an email. "No one was injured as a result of this incident."

He did not identify the suspect, who is waiting arraignment in Eastpointe District Court.

At about 1:55 p.m., Brighton police attempted to pull over a vehicle near W. Grand River Ave. and Challis Road in Brighton.

"The reason for the stop was that the driver of the vehicle had multiple warrants for his arrest and was also wanted out of Eastpointe Police Department for a shooting that took place in January of 2024," Brighton police officials said in a release.

The suspect led police on a pursuit through the city until officers lost sight of the vehicle.

At about 2:05 p.m., police found an unoccupied vehicle parked off Advance Street. They conducted a search using drones and two K9 units.

A male suspect was arrested at about 3:41 p.m. following a pursuit on foot.

Police did not identify the suspect in the release.

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While the suspect was armed with a pistol, he was arrested without further incident and taken to the Livingston County Jail.

"At no point during this incident were shots fired by the suspect or the police. No injuries occurred to the officers, citizens or suspect during this incident," police officials said in the release.

Brighton police were assisted by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Michigan State Police, Hamburg Township Police Department, Green Oak Township Police Department and the Novi Police Department.

Brighton Police are not releasing more details at this time.

 Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Eastpointe shooting suspect arrested in Brighton
EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA)  The Effingham Police Department and Effingham County Coroner have released new information regarding a standoff on Friday at TA Truck Stop, including the name of the suspect who took his own life.

Police officials identified the man as Jamon S. Weaver, 33, of Georgia. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Kim Rhodes.

The series of events that ended in Effingham started in Shelby Township, Michigan, the previous day. Officials believe Weaver robbed a bank there and made his getaway in a semi-truck that was tracked to Effingham. The truck was found at TA Truck Stop with Weaver inside.

US man sentenced to life in prison for murder of UIUC graduate in Germany

Responding officers and agencies quickly located the suspects vehicle from the time of the initial call. Officers safely isolated the suspect and removed any threat of danger to the nearby public, said Effingham Police Chief Jason McFarland. Responding personnels training, patience, and professionalism was steadfast in the safety of both the officers and motoring public while attempting to resolve this incident.

Weaver is said to have resisted arrest and barricaded himself inside his truck for the next eight hours. Negotiations with him failed to convinve him to exit the truck.

The situation ended when Effingham Police found Weaver unresponsive inside his truck at 7:30 p.m. He had an apparent gunshot wound to the head.

Rhodes said an autopsy was performed on Sunday at the McLean County Coroners Office in Bloomington. Toxicology samples were taken to determine if Weaver had anything in his system that would have altered his decision-making. Results are expected in about 30 days.

McFarland praised the officers who found Weavers truck and extended his gratitude to all of the agencies that assisted, including the Effingham County Sheriffs Office, Illinois State Police, Effingham Fire Department and the Shelby Township Police Department in Michigan.

The investigation into the bank robbery, standoff and Weavers death is ongoing. Rhodes added that his family in Atlanta, Georgia, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have indicated that this incident is out of character for Weaver.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
The Winnetka Park District Board has decided not to pursue an intergovernmental agreement with the village saying the optics would appear less transparent than going through the entire special use permitting process.

Commissioners considered the idea during the March 7 committee of the whole meeting. Executive Director Shannon Nazzal read a memo from a March 4 meeting with village representatives to discuss the future of replacing a stormwater pipe on Elder Beach. Deciding whether the pipe needs to be replaced has slowed the Park District plans for revamping the beach.

During the March 4 meeting, village representatives said the agreement could help streamline this project through the new village permitting process for projects in the steep slope area of lake bluffs. Under the newly established process, the plans would be reviewed by the Design Review Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Plan Commission before going to Village Council for a final vote. The proposed agreement would have allowed the plans to bypass boards and only be reviewed by Village Council.

Commissioner James Hemmings opposed the idea, saying the community has stressed the need for transparency for years on the project and all discussions going forward should be out in the open.

I think going through the special use permit process and the zoning commission and the design and review board would provide the public with access into those conversations and make them public, Board Vice President Eric Lussen said. I think we need that at this time. Especially for such a potentially impactful project that weve been discussing for years  Its not a backroom deal but I just dont like the perception that it might be.

No commissioners spoke in favor of the agreement.

Village President Chris Rintz and Trustee Rob Apatoff informed the Park District the village is embarking on a stormwater study in April that would include the Elder pipe. Results of the study, including the necessary diameter of the Elder pipe, wont be available until July. The village did state it would like to relocate the stormwater outfall on Elder but did not say where it would be moved.

That is the villages timeline, Board President Christina Codo said. That gives the Elder plan less certainty in regards to the location although it was discussed and agreed that it was unlikely that the main outflow would move from Elder.

Codo said there will likely be another meeting with the village before the March 21 meeting where formal approval may be needed.

The board previously directed Park District staff to hold on plans for Elder and focus on Centennial for submission on March 18 when the villages lakefront construction moratorium ends. Codo said the village has asked for the plan to be presented for permits holistically

The pipe, put in place during the early twentieth century, is currently placed under a dilapidated pier on Elder Beach which was originally planned to be removed as part of the renovations. Previous plans also included the stormwater pipe being moved into the stone breakwater structure at the northern edge of Elder Beach. Plans have since opted to keep the pier, rebuilding it in hope the village and Park District can collaborate to either replace or repair the stormwater pipe.

Elder and Centennial beach renovations have been the center of controversy in the village for years. The Park District had hopes to combine the two beaches but were halted when billionaire Justin Ishbia purchased 261 Sheridan Road, a portion of land in between the two beaches.

A land swap agreement that would see 261 Sheridan given to the Park District in exchange for a similar sized parcel of land at the southern end of Centennial was signed in Oct. 2020. However, no deeds have been swapped and the deal has been deemed dormant by counsel for the Park District and Ishbia.

Plans for the ADA accessible walkway on Centennial have been altered as well in compliance with the villages steep slope ordinance. The walkway has been moved slightly landward off of bluff area to have less of an impact on the bluff. The retaining walls are also able to be lowered with the new design.

Director of Parks and Maintenance Costa Kutulas said the new design would be less invasive and leave more green space with negligible changes in project costs.
Back in 2012, an elections official in California witnessed an Election Day skirmish between two candidates at a polling place.

Two police officers arrived at the scene, but called the incident a civil matter, claiming that nobody had committed a crime, even if in reality, there had been a violation of the states election code.

And thats how Neal Kelley, who was the Registrar of Voters for Orange County at the time, came up with a simple idea: to create an elections pocket guide for law enforcement during elections, outlining the possible crimes, misdemeanors, and felonies that can be committed at a polling place, but are not necessarily in the penal code. It was a way for law enforcement to quickly get up to speed on an area that they might not necessarily know a lot about.

The incident highlighted to Kelley, a former police officer himself and now current chair of the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections, that there was a way for election officials to partner with law enforcement, by making it easy for law enforcement, who might not be familiar with election violations and election processes, to identify violations of a states election code.

For example, a California guide outlines that it is a criminal violation under the states Election Code to threaten or coerce voters in a polling place, or to falsely represent oneself as an election worker.

These pocket guides were quickly adopted in all 34 cities in Orange County. But after the 2020 election, following a barrage of violence, harassment, and intimidation to election workers, the guidebooks grew in popularity, and have now been adopted by elections departments in 30 different states.

The guidebooks serve as just one tool that elections officials are using to foster long-term relationships with law enforcement in the aftermath of 2020  a relationship that has at times been strained, but that has also increasingly become a priority for elections officials heading into the 2024 presidential election.

The threat environment for election officials right now is much more challenging than it was five years ago, and law enforcement might not have a full picture of what that threat environment looks like, David Becker, the executive director and founder of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research told TPM. And its always good to have good two-way communication going back and forth.

The challenge for election workers is figuring out how exactly election workers should foster a relationship with law enforcement.

Its difficult for experts to recommend that a single relationship with law enforcement be implemented in every state. In some states, for example, its illegal to have police officers at polling places, while in others, its mandatory.

And even in the jurisdictions where it is legal to have law enforcement present, its a delicate balance election officials need to strike between deterring criminal activity and intimidating voters.

This balance has been particularly challenging in places like the South, where law enforcement has a history of intimidating Black voters. A 2021 study from David Niven, professor of American politics at the University of Cincinnati, found that police presence at a polling place in Alabama was associated with a 32 percent reduction in Black voter turnout.

What you really want to prevent is anything that could be intimidating or violent or could obstruct the process, Becker said. And being able to have that communication with law enforcement so they understand what the ultimate goal is, which is that we want things to be safe and secure and convenient and welcoming.

Becker noted too that violence at a polling place is exceedingly rare, so creating a police state environment at polling places is not necessarily the answer. What is becoming less rare after 2020 is election worker violence and intimidation in the days and weeks following an election. In this case, Becker suggests that law enforcement should be ready to respond to threats and aware of when and where early voting or where ballot counting will take place, for example, so that if necessary, they can easily provide a perimeter and safety for workers.

Law enforcement, he added, should also be aware of how they will perform their duties in the case that there is a claim that an election was rigged or stolen.

Former Georgia elections director and current deputy director of Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council Chris Harvey, who received a death threat in the aftermath of the 2020 election similarly says its necessary for election officials to seek out a long-term relationship with law enforcement that extends beyond a particular election, whether law enforcement is allowed to be present at a polling place or not.

The relationship between law enforcement and elections should be a permanent one, he said. Its not something that they should just throw together a month before the election and station some cops at different places.

Shasta County Clerk and Registrar of Voters Cathy Darling Allen explained in an interview with TPM that developing stronger relationships with law enforcement is not to suggest that they have not been responsive up until this point, but rather, since 2020, a whole new array of clear and present threats has emerged.

Its not that there was a lack of anything at all, said Darling Allen. The relationship is there, but I think that it can always be deepened and improved and its really important.

If law enforcement understands just how present the threat to election workers is theyll be more likely to proactively respond to calls for violence or harassment, she said.

Election workers looking to foster these relationships should meet local law enforcement in-person, and develop what she calls casual familiarity with these folks.

You need to know your sheriff. You need to know the police chiefs of all the major cities within your county, she said. You need to know at least by sight the faces of the folks who are going to support you in law enforcement on election night and in the days after, she said.
TWO RIVERS  Elijah Vue remains missing in Two Rivers after another weekend of searching.

The 3-year-old was reported missing at 10:59 a.m. Feb. 20 from an apartment in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road in Two Rivers.

Two Rivers Police Capt. Andrew Raatz on Monday afternoon said police were continuing to follow up on leads and search local waterways and other rural areas for Elijah.

Elijah Vue, a 3-year-old boy missing in Two Rivers.

He also said the reward for information leading to the discovery of Elijah or the arrest and charging of anyone responsible for his disappearance has now grown to $40,000 total after $15,000 in funds were raised by donations set up through the City of Two Rivers. That $15,000 from the city is in addition to $15,000 offered by the FBI and $10,000 offered by Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers.

Raatz said search efforts will continue this week and anyone with tips or leads should contact the tip line at 844-267-6648 or use the P3 app.

People can donate to the City of Two Rivers reward fund at the police department or online at https://www.two-rivers.org/police/page/donate-elijah-vue or to the Crime Stoppers reward fund at the police department or by mail to Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers, Inc., 1025 S. Ninth St., Manitowoc, WI 54220.

Missing Wisconsin kids: Elijah Vue is one of more than 30 missing children in Wisconsin

Search of Calumet County landfill for evidence in Elijah Vue's disappearance has ended.

The search of a landfill in nearby Calumet County for evidence related to Elijah Vues disappearance has ended, Raatz said Friday.

Meanwhile, daily searches for Elijah since Feb. 20 have included local, state and federal law enforcement officers canvassing neighborhoods, searching rivers and shores, and checking and rechecking various areas, especially rural areas.

Police ask public to search security footage on Feb. 19 for a 1997 four-door Nissan Altima, biege in color, bearing Wisconsin registration beginning with "A" and end with "0."

Police have also been asking people and businesses in Manitowoc County and surrounding counties to check their surveillance video for a vehicle they recovered as part of the investigation  a 1997 four-door Nissan Altima, beige in color, bearing Wisconsin registration beginning with A and ending with 0.

Police previously said their interest in the vehicle "is not with the current owner of the vehicle, only in the camera footage captured between 2 and 9 p.m. Feb. 19.

Anyone with information about the vehicle is asked to call the tip line at 844-267-6648 or to upload their video of the vehicle at https://widoj.sharefile.com/remote/801a6dd5-12f7-4d63-95da-4d7db3ec2b85?fbclid=IwAR2MD1rP680oO6KWia0d8KWf3LWkP07-hbe8dHjpuTlEGeIT_vJ6VLE0Jq4.

Elijah Vues mother and her boyfriend Jesse Vang will return to court March 14.

Elijahs mother, 31-year-old Katrina B. Baur of Wisconsin Dells, and her boyfriend, 39-year-old Jesse Vang of Two Rivers, have been charged with child neglect in relation to Elijahs disappearance and remain in custody at Manitowoc County Jail on $15,000 bond and $20,000 bond, respectively.

Baur and Vang are due in court March 14 after their preliminary hearings were rescheduled from March 7.

Jesse Vang: What to know about Jesse Vang, the Two Rivers man charged with neglecting missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue

Baur's charges were amended during the March 7 court appearance to felony chronic neglect of a child, plus a second felony child neglect charge was added that involves a 6-year-old child.

A criminal complaint states that a photo was found on Baur's phone that was taken at approximately 3:13 a.m. Feb. 14 of Elijah lying down on a bed. The photo showed Elijah had a blindfold over his eyes and appeared to have bruising on his jawline, neck and upper arm on the left side. That photo was deleted an hour later.

An apartment complex in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road in Two Rivers was where 3-year-old Elijah Vue disappeared from, as seen Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Two Rivers, Wis.

According to the criminal complaint, Elijah was staying at Vang's Two Rivers residence at the apartment in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road for more than a week before he was reported missing.

Do you have information about Elijah Vue?

Police describe Elijah as being of Hmong and white ethnicity with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 3 feet tall and has a birthmark on his left knee. He was last seen wearing gray pants, a dark-colored, long-sleeve shirt and a pair of red-and-green dinosaur slip-on shoes. He may also be carrying a red-and-white plaid blanket.

If you have information that could help the Two Rivers Police Department find Vue, contact their tipline at 844-267-6648 or submit information via the Crime Stoppers app P3.

Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. She can be reached by email at aschafer@gannett.com. Brandon Reid is editor of the Herald Times Reporter. He can be contacted at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com, or follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @breidHTRNews.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Elijah Vue still missing in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, as search continues
An elderly woman, who was shot in the foot, lies in the street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Clarens SIFFROY)

Leaders at an emergency summit on Haiti's descent into anarchy voiced hope Monday at pushing through a political solution, as the United States ramped up aid for a Kenyan-led force aimed at restoring stability.

The Caribbean bloc CARICOM called the session in Jamaica after armed gangs that already control much of Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince unleashed a campaign of violence, with the Western hemisphere's poorest nation plunging into an orgy of killing and looting and fears rising of famine.

"It is clear that Haiti is now at a tipping point," said Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who invited leaders to the talks in Kingston.

Warning that Haiti could devolve into a full-out civil war, he urged "strong and decisive action" to "stem the sea of lawlessness and hopelessness before it is too late."

Diplomats said the Kingston meeting aimed to formalize a proposal for Prime Minister Ariel Henry -- who has stayed in power under a deal with the opposition -- to cede power to a transitional council that would include a wide spectrum of Haitian society.

Port-au-Prince and the surrounding region is under a month-long state of emergency, while a nighttime curfew has been extended through Thursday -- although it is unlikely overstretched police can enforce it.

Despite the grim scenes in Haiti, where AFP reporters saw bodies lying on the streets, CARICOM leaders -- who consulted virtually with Henry and other Haitians throughout the meeting -- voiced guarded optimism on reaching a political solution.

"I'm very optimistic based on all the discussions today," said President Irfaan Ali, the head of CARICOM.

"I'm very confident that we have found commonality, and we have found a common path, through which we can support a Haitian-led solution and Haitian-owned solution," Ali said.

He appealed for all Haitians to accept a solution and "come together for the greater good."

- US boosts security aid -

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised another $100 million to back an international stabilization force, bringing the total promised by the United States to $300 million since the crisis intensified several years ago.

Blinken also offered another $33 million in immediate humanitarian assistance.

Escalating violence "creates an untenable situation for the Haitian people, and we all know that urgent action is needed on both the political and security tracks," Blinken said.

"All of us know that only the Haitian people can, and only the Haitian people should, determine their own future -- not anyone else," Blinken said.

But he said the United States and its partners "can help restore foundational security" and address "the tremendous suffering" in Haiti.

Blinken said Washington supported the CARICOM plan for a "broad-based, inclusive, independent, presidential college" that would work to restore security and move to elections.

Henry has been in power without elections since the 2021 assassination of president Jovenel Moise, who himself had put off a vote, with the situation worsening despite international statements of concern.

President Joe Biden -- who ended the US war in Afghanistan -- has ruled out sending troops to Haiti, which the United States occupied for nearly two decades a century ago and where it has intervened since.

Eyes initially turned to Canada, but it also decided a Haiti mission was too dangerous with success uncertain.

Canada, however, has offered $91 million for Haiti, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised continued support as he addressed the Kingston summit remotely.

- Mission gathers steam -

Kenya stepped forward but was set back by a domestic court ruling against the deployment to Haiti.

The Kenyan deployment plan has again picked up steam after Henry visited Nairobi and agreed on a "reciprocal" exchange of forces between the two countries.

Henry was blocked from returning to Haiti by the intensifying violence. He is stranded in the US territory of Puerto Rico, with no outside power interested in helping him return.

The UN Security Council reiterated its support Monday for the international mission, while calling in a statement for all Haitian stakeholders to "engage constructively in meaningful negotiations" toward fresh elections.

With the situation deteriorating, the European Union said Monday that all of its diplomatic personnel had been evacuated from Haiti, a day after the United States announced it had airlifted non-essential US staff from its embassy.

The well-armed gangs recently have attacked key infrastructure, including two prisons, allowing most of the 3,800 inmates to escape.

burs-sct/mlm
Emma Stone, Lily Gladstone, and Annette Bening were seen embracing at the 2024 Oscars.

The trio, who were all nominated for Best Actress, shared an emotional group hug during a commercial break at the 96th Academy Awards. At one point, they were reportedly joined by Margot Robbie, who many felt had been snubbed by the awards ceremony for her leading performance in last years summer blockbuster Barbie.

The other Best Actress nominees  including Anatomy of a Falls Sandra Huller and Maestros Carey Mulligan  might have not been a part of the group hug, but they were at the ceremony.

Although Stone ultimately won the coveted award, there was no ill will between her and fellow nominee Killers of the Flower Moon star Lily Gladstone. The pair reportedly developed a strong bond throughout the awards season.

The two actors were often pitted against each other in the race for Best Actress, but as Gladstone revealed in Vanity Fairs 2024 Hollywood Issue, it turns out that the two of them became fast friends throughout the whole process. The actors even have matching friendship rings together that they dubbed their Infinity Stones, in a clever nod to their last names.

Then she sent me a picture of her wearing the same one, Gladstone revealed. Thats our thing. We call each other Infinity Stones. At the time, the actor jokingly added that the two of them were talking and planning on reaching out to Sharon Stone to join their Infinity Stones crew.

In another interview with the Washington Post, Gladstone elaborated on her friendship with the Poor Things actor. Amid all the success of Killers of the Flower Moon, she noted that Stone has been her sister in all this, often lending support or advice on how to deal with her rise in fame. Im getting all these sweet texts from her, she said to the outlet. Or were needing to vent about stuff. Its a very sweet friendship.

Gladstone made movie history as the first Native American woman ever to be nominated for Best Actress at the 2024 Oscars. Although she did not win the Oscar, she was in good company alongside fellow powerhouse performers Bening, Huller, and Mulligan.

However, she did nab the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama at the 2024 Golden Globes, with her nomination and win being a historic first for the awards ceremony. She accepted her award in speech spoken entirely in the Blackfeet language, an Algonquin language spoken by the native American Blackfoot or Niitsitapi people.

You can find all of the highlights from the Oscars as they happened here, and the best dressed stars on the red carpet here.
By Lisa Richwine

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Emma Stone claimed her second Academy Award on Sunday, winning the best actress trophy for her role as a woman revived from the dead in the dark comedy "Poor Things."

An emotional and flustered Stone began her speech by explaining that her mint green strapless gown had just ripped in the back.

"My dress is broken. I think it happened during 'I'm Just Ken.' I'm pretty sure," she joked, referring to Ryan Gosling's campy performance at the ceremony of the Oscar-nominated song from "Barbie."

"This is really overwhelming. My voice is also a little gone. Whatever," she said.

The 35-year-old actress went on to thank her fellow nominees, castmates and family. She scored her first Oscar for the 2016 musical "La La Land."

In the Frankenstein-inspired "Poor Things," Stone played Bella Baxter, a woman who is reanimated after suicide by a mad scientist (Willem Dafoe).

The movie chronicles Bella's dramatic self-discovery and liberation - much of it through sex - first with a flamboyant lawyer played by Mark Ruffalo, then with a succession of clients in a Paris brothel. Bella grows increasingly independent as she journeys through a surreal version of 19th-century Europe.

Stone has said the role was her favorite of her career. The actress said the admired Bella's curiosity and her appreciation for the good and the bad.

In "La La Land," Stone sang and danced in her role as a struggling actress opposite Gosling in a movie that celebrated old Hollywood.

She also was nominated for best supporting actress for the 2014 film "Birdman" and the 2018 drama "The Favourite."

Known for her red hair and wide eyes, Stone had a breakthrough role in 2007's raunchy comedy "Superbad." She also starred in "The Help" and "The Amazing Spider-Man."

"Poor Things" was released by Searchlight Pictures, a unit of Walt Disney.

(Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by Howard Goller)
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A stunned Emma Stone won the best actress Oscar for Poor Things, her second career victory in the category.

She triumphed over Lily Gladstone of Killers of the Flower Moon on Sunday night in a race most pundits said was too close to call. Gladstone would have been the first Native American to win a competitive Oscar.

Stone appeared shocked when last year's winner, Michelle Yeoh, announced her name. She hugged and kissed her husband, Dave McCary, before moving into the aisle to hug co-star Mark Ruffalo and director Yorgos Lanthimos.

I think I blacked out, she said backstage. Yes, I was very shocked. I still feel like Im spinning a little bit.

Stone hugged each of the five previous best actress winners who introduced the nominees.

Stone was honored for her tour-de-force performance as Bella Baxter, a childlike woman in Victorian London who comes to life through a brain transplant and begins a journey of self-discovery. The film is chock full of black humor set against steampunk visual design.

Its not about me. Its about a team that came together to make something greater than the sum of its parts and that is the great thing about making movies, Stone said onstage. I am so deeply honored to share this with every cast member and every crew member. Yorgos, thank you for the gift of a lifetime in Bella Baxter.

Stone pointed to the back of her dress as she came onstage and told the crowd that it was broken. By the time she came backstage to speak with media repairs had been made.

They sewed me back in, which was wonderful, she said. I genuinely do think I blew it during Im Just Ken, she said, referring to the original song nominee performed by actor Ryan Gosling. I was so amazed by Ryan and that number just blew my mind.

Stone is the 13th woman to win two best actress trophies. Her first came in 2017 for the romantic musical La La Land. She was nominated for supporting actress in 2015 and 2019.

She also was nominated this year in the best picture category for producing Poor Things, which lost to Oppenheimer. She was the second woman to be nominated for acting and best picture for the same film after Frances McDormand, who earned both trophies for Nomadland in 2021.

Stone and Gladstone traded wins on the way to an Oscar showdown. Stone won at the BAFTA Film Awards and the Golden Globes, while Gladstone scored at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and in a different category at the Globes.

Stone broke through in 2010 with a starring role in the teen comedy Easy A. The 35-year-old actor from Scottsdale, Arizona, went on to major roles in The Help, multiple Spider-Man movies, Birdman, The Battle of the Sexes and The Favourite.

The other leading actress nominees were Annette Bening for Nyad, Sandra Huller for Anatomy of a Fall and Carey Mulligan for Maestro.

___

For more on this years Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards
During the attack of enemy Shahed-136s on Kharkiv on the night of March 11, there were arrivals near the hotel building and near the airport terminal. There is no information about the victims (as of 11:00 a.m. on Monday).

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This was reported by the head of the Investigation Department of the National Police in Kharkiv region, Serhii Bolvinov. He shared photos of the aftermath of the Russian strikes on his Facebook page.

Bolvinov said that the Russians attacked the Sloboda district with kamikaze drones after 01:00 on Monday. There were three arrivals in the city.

"They hit a hotel building  it caught fire. Two more arrivals near the airport terminal  windows were smashed and doors damaged. Two cars and windows in two apartments in a building nearby were also damaged," said a police officer.

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The photos show that Russian troops attacked Kharkiv with a black Shahed UAV.

Earlier, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said that an air strike was recorded on a civilian infrastructure facility in the Sloboda district of Kharkiv. "The facility itself was partially damaged, as well as nearby residential buildings," the official wrote.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the night of March 11, the Air Defense Forces of Ukraine repelled another attack by Russian Shahed strike UAVs of Iranian design. In the skies over a number of regions, the defenders managed to shoot down 15 out of 25 targets.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
EMPORIA (KSNT)  After a quarter-million-dollar donation was made for improvements at the skateboard park in Emporia; one local business owner is looking to open shop.

In 2021, 13-year-old Maddox Gutierrez started a petition asking for improvements to be made to the Santa Fe Skateboard Park in Emporia. After 27 News covered the story, an anonymous local family donated a quarter-million dollars to the Kahola Lake Park Fund with the Emporia Community Foundation.

City Manager Trey Cocking said the city had to find a new location for the project. The new location will be at Whitter Park and will allow for more room and a better setup for the park. The American Ramp company was contracted to work on the park designs.

Local skateboarder Angel Franco has opened E-SK8 in anticipation of the new skate park.

Photos courtesy of Angel Franco.

Photos courtesy of Angel Franco.

Photos courtesy of Angel Franco.

Photos courtesy of Angel Franco.

Photos courtesy of Angel Franco.

Franco said hes lived in Emporia for 15 years after moving from Los Angeles, CA. Franco saw a gap in the market with the closest skateboard shop being more than 60 miles away in Topeka.

You have to go all the way to Wichita or wait a week and a half for the mail, Franco said. If a kid wants to custom build a deck [skateboard], you can do it all here. Either that or you have to go online, and risk a porch pirate, or have to drive all the way to Wichita and pay the gas and toll.

Nothing to do with KSGOP: GOP chair says of Biden effigy smackdown

Franco said he wants to set up a skateboarding competition for International Go Skate Day on June 21. He said he has bought 100 blank skateboards and will be having a design competition. Franco said the winning designer will have their artwork printed on skateboards and may earn commissions from the sales.

Franco said buying a blank skateboard for $20 will automatically enter you into the design competition. From there, you can create a graphic design, paint the board or use another medium for the artwork. An announcement for the competition is planned for March 29.

E-SK8 is now open after a grand opening was held on March 1. The shop is open Wednesday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 713 Commercial St.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Wildlife officials are sharing some good news this week as the endangered Mexican gray wolf population in the southwestern U.S. saw another year of growth.

According to the 2023 population survey, around 257 Mexican wolves were found distributed across Arizona and New Mexico. This increase marks the eighth consecutive year the species has grown in population, and the longest continuous streak since recovery efforts began, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) reports.

What do animals do during a total solar eclipse? Researchers plan to find out next month

The 2023 population has increased 6% since the 2022 survey.

In the aggregate, the 2023 data points out that Mexican wolf recovery has come a long way since the first release, said Jim deVos, the Arizona Game and Fish Department Mexican wolf coordinator. Each year, the free-roaming Mexican wolf population numbers increase and the areas they occupy expands.

He added, Genetic management using pups from captivity is also showing results. In total, 99 pups carefully selected for their genetic value have been placed in 40 wild dens since 2016, and some of these fosters have produced litters of their own. While recovery is in the future, examining the last decade of data certainly provides optimism that recovery will be achieved.

In order to determine the current wolf population, field teams conduct ground and aerial surveys using a variety of methods, including remote cameras, scat collection, and visual observation.

In 2023, researchers say they found 56 packs of the Mexican wolves  36 in New Mexico and 20 in Arizona  along with 26 breeding pairs 15 in New Mexico and 11 in Arizona.

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Researchers also found around 138 pups were born in 2023, with at least 86 surviving until the end of the year (a 62 percent survival rate).

Its encouraging to see success across the board with our recovery efforts, said Brady McGee, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mexican Wolf recovery coordinator. Having fostered Mexican wolves survive, disperse, pair up, breed, and start packs of their own tells us that fostering is working. These genetically diverse wolves, which came from captivity as pups and were placed into wild dens, play a vital role in boosting the genetic diversity of the wild population.

The Mexican Wolf population was nearly eliminated from the wild in the 1970s and reintroduced back to the wild in 1998 after a successful breeding program by the federal government.

Mexican wolves are the smallest, rarest, and most genetically distinct subspecies of gray wolf in North America, FWS says. They typically weigh around 50 to 80 pounds and are 5.5 feet from nose to tail.

Mountain lion spotted in downtown Oceanside suspected dead

In addition to the wild population, there are 350 Mexican wolves in more than 60 facilities throughout the United States and Mexico under the Mexican Wolf Saving Animals From Extinction program.

Partners in Mexican wolf recovery in the United States include the Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and the Saving Animals From Extinction program.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
By Kat Stafford and Jayla Whitfield-Anderson

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Much has changed since Wanda Mosley helped galvanize thousands of Black voters across the battleground state of Georgia to help clinch the 2020 general election for U.S. President Joe Biden.

Excited to head to the polls then, some Black voters now feel disillusioned by a surge in the cost of living and racial justice priorities they feel Biden's Democrats have yet to deliver on as promised, polls and interviews show.

"They want to understand that their issues are being heard, that their humanity is being acknowledged," said Mosley, national director of Black Voters Matter, a nonprofit group that works to increase turnout and registration among Black voters.

Massive voter drives backed by former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and other Black organizers delivered the state for Biden in 2020, and the Senate for Democrats.

But four years later, Biden's strength among Black voters nationwide is less certain, as they question Democrats' commitment to voting rights, tackling white supremacy and other issues dear to them. A Pew Research Center poll in January found Black Americans are divided over Biden's performance in office - about 49% of Black adults disapproved of it, while 48% approved.

Both Biden and his rival, Republican candidate Donald Trump, visited Georgia on Saturday in an effort to sway voters ahead of Tuesday's primaries. Results there could serve as an early bellwether of the tough road ahead for Biden before November's general election to reach Black voters, who historically are the most loyal voting bloc of the Democratic Party. According to Pew, 92% of Black voters backed Biden in 2020.

Opinion polls show the Nov. 5 election shaping up to be a close match between Biden and Trump, making turnout among Black Americans - who comprise sizable populations in key battleground states like Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania - a crucial aspect of Biden's path to victory.

But there are some early warning signs. Nearly a dozen voters, rights advocates and civil rights leaders interviewed by Reuters said Bidens campaign has a messaging disconnect on the ground in Black communities across the nation, including Georgia, where 33% of the population is Black.

They say some voters feel enough hasn't been done for them, while others are unaware of Biden's actions that directly benefited Black Americans like expanding access to healthcare coverage, economic gains that led to record low Black unemployment rates and the Child Tax Credit expansion, which helped cut childhood poverty in half in 2021.

Biden appeared on civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharptons syndicated radio show in January, touting several policies, including federal contracting guidelines and lead pipe removal, aimed at improving access to contracting opportunities for Black businesses and addressing decades of low or reduced infrastructure investment in areas with large Black populations.

After the call, Sharpton said his phone lines were flooded with callers who said it was the first time they heard of those actions. Sharpton said he has met with Bidens team about two or three times since last March and his message to them is simple - they need to deepen their ties to Black communities.

"I'm trying to tell them this is the feedback I'm getting and you need to fight aggressively on it, Sharpton told Reuters. This campaign is gonna be won in between the West Coast and the East Coast. Those people, the ones that I talk to on the radio every day, are not getting this information.

HEALTHCARE

Across Georgia, a myriad of issues are top of mind for Black voters. Access to healthcare is high on the list: Georgia has some of the worst health outcomes for Black Americans in the nation - it is among a handful of states with the highest Black maternal and infant mortality rates in the country.

Georgia voters are also frustrated by a lack of progress on eliminating roadblocks for Black Americans to vote and blocking efforts to redraw electoral maps that makes it harder for their vote to count, according to voting rights campaigners.

Democrats' efforts on the issue - including a comprehensive voting rights act to beef up legal protections against discriminatory voting practices - have largely been blocked or limited by Republicans in Congress during Biden's term.

"Folks are still frustrated by that," Mosley said. "They should have done what was necessary ... whatever it would take to protect our voting rights."

The Biden campaign said Black voters are a core constituency that the president is focused on winning through an advertising campaign and outreach programs to connect with voters. In Georgia, the campaign is working with local Black leaders and highlighting the president's actions directly to voters, said Jonae Wartel, senior adviser for the Biden campaign in Georgia.

"At the heart of the work of engaging Black voters in this election is making sure that they know what the president has done," Wartel told Reuters by phone.

Strategists say its unlikely Republicans will receive a significant share of votes from Black Americans. But the possibility that enough voters could switch to the Republican side or stay home altogether could influence the election's outcome. Republicans see the decline in enthusiasm for Democrats as an opportunity to grow support among Black voters.

A lot of them are not quite sure that Biden is the answer, said Georgia Black Republican Council Chairman Camilla Moore. What we're seeing in the Black community is a little bit more of a willingness in terms of Republicans being an option.

Trump's history of inflammatory rhetoric and comments that have been broadly denounced as racist - including reportedly calling immigrants from Africa and Haiti as coming from "shithole" countries - has alienated many Black voters over the years. Last month, he said Black voters were more drawn to him after his multiple indictments on criminal charges, drawing sharp rebukes from civil rights advocates and others.

WHITE SUPREMACY

Polls show Black voters also remain deeply alarmed by a rise in white supremacy and white nationalism over the past decade, a threat highlighted by the 2022 mass shooting by a white supremacist who killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo, New York, grocery store. Another killed three Black shoppers at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida, last year.

People are still deeply unsettled by racism and the way that racism continues to show up and be so present for them, said Adrienne Shropshire, executive director of BlackPAC, a left-leaning political action committee focused on mobilizing Black voters.

To be sure, some campaigners on the ground say the situation is far from dire for Biden. Nse Ufot, former chief executive of the New Georgia Project, a nonpartisan effort to register voters that was instrumental in helping Democrats win the state in 2020, said that while Biden's campaign has more work to do, robust outreach targeting Black voters is working.

"From the Biden campaigns perspective that there's already sort of an early indication of how important this state is," Ufot said. "I think they're doing fine.

Longtime Georgia resident Karl Booker is among those who plan to vote for Biden.

"I think the Black vote is going to be pretty powerful to move Biden over the edge again, said Booker, owner of the Off The Hook Barbershop in Atlanta. "People always talk about voting for the lesser of two evils. Right now, I feel like Biden is definitely the person to move the country forward for another four years."

(Reporting by Kat Stafford in Detroit and Jayla Whitfield-Anderson in Atlanta, Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, editing by Deepa Babington)
(Bloomberg) -- European Union countries reached a compromise Monday that breaks a logjam on planned rules over workers rights in the gig economy by keeping the most important decisions in the hands of member states.

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The agreement marks a turning point in the EUs years-long efforts to set clearer employment rights for millions of delivery couriers and drivers who get work from online platforms, such as those offered by Uber Technologies Inc. and Deliveroo Plc. The issue has pitted businesses and unions against each other in court battles around the world.

The latest proposal from Belgium, which holds the EUs rotating presidency, would allow individual countries to decide when a worker should count as an employee and qualify for benefits like sick pay, after a previous attempt that would have set bloc-wide employment criteria failed to get the necessary support in December.

EU jobs commissioner Nicolas Schmit hailed the agreement as a major step forward in an emailed statement, though businesses affected have criticized the planned rules.

Move EU, a trade group that represents Bolt, Uber and Free Now, said it regrets the decision, which fails to achieve a harmonized approach across the EU, creating even more legal uncertainty for ride-hailing drivers, according to a statement from the groups chair, Aurelien Pozzana.

A statement by Uber said the decision would maintain the status quo today, with platform worker status continuing to be decided country-to-country and court-to-court and also called for workers to maintain independence while receiving employment protections.

Unions, however, reacted more positively to the agreement. Ludovic Voet, of the European Trade Union Confederation, said in a statement that millions of people working through digital platforms will no longer be cheated out of minimum wages, sick pay, holiday pay and social security and called on EU countries to prepare for rapid implementation.

The regulation would impact how workers can be managed by digital platforms. It sets limits on the use of algorithms, banning the firing of workers based on decisions made by automated systems.

The so-called platform work directive still needs to be formally adopted by the European Parliament and EU member states, after which countries will have two years to incorporate the rules into their national legislation, according to a press release.

Read more: Industry Slams Provisional EU Deal on Gig Workers Labor Rights

(Updates with company, union and officials reactions from fourth paragraph)

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Participants in the rally organized by the association "Action against labor injustice" against poor working conditions at the food delivery service "Deliveroo" ride their bicycles on Oranienplatz. Jorg Carstensen/dpa

EU labour and social ministers agreed to regulations determining when workers on platforms like Uber and Deliveroo should be treated as employees.

"Better working conditions for those delivering your meal at home!" a post from the rotating Belgian EU presidency on X, formerly Twitter said. Belgian officials mediated talks to pass the legislation in a key meeting in Brussels on Monday.

The Platform Work Directive would classify workers on "gig-economy" apps as employees in cases where platforms control factors such as how much money workers are paid or their working hours, or supervise their performance electronically. This is to grant access to labour rights where applicable.

The regulations set "minimum standards to improve working conditions for millions of platform workers across the EU," a statement from the Belgian labour minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne said.

Under the legislation, algorithims used for staffing and human resources would be made more transparent to ensure automated systems are monitored by staff. Workers may also contest automated decisions.

Burden of proof will be on the digital platform to show there is no employment relationship.

The agreement comes after two failures in February to win sufficient support among the European Union's 27 member states. Belgium negotiated on behalf of EU governments.

Germany abstained on the legislation due to internal divisions within the coalition government. This made finding a majority to agree on the legislation difficult. France also opposed.

To pass, the law needed the support of enough member states to represent 65% of the EU population.

The regulation still needs to be passed by the European Parliament but this is considered likely.

A view of Uber's logo at the company's headquarters in San Francisco. Christoph Dernbach/dpa
The European Union has approved the establishment of the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI). Ukraine's Digital Transformation Ministry is taking part in the EU pilot project to test the cross-border interaction of the Diia app (a mobile app, a web portal and a brand of e-governance in Ukraine  ed.).

Source: Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraines Digital Transformation Minister, on Telegram

Details: Member states of the POTENTIAL consortium must present their national wallets to the EU within two years, and prototype testing must be completed by April 2025.

"Ukraine is the only country in the consortium that is not currently an EU member but is already actively involved in shaping the future of electronic identification in the EU. The team of the Ministry of Digital Transformation is participating in the EU pilot project to test the cross-border interaction of the Diia app," Fedorov noted.

The minister stressed that once the pilot project has been launched in the EU, Ukrainians will be able to use the Diia there, while Europeans will be able to use their digital wallets in Ukraine.

"The digital wallet will enable people to open a bank account online conveniently and securely, have immediate access to their driving licences on their phones, use electronic signatures and receive electronic medical prescriptions," he continued.

The European Commission is to release unified requirements for EUDI wallets by the end of the first quarter of this year.

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The EU marks its 20th remembrance day for victims of terrorism

The date of March 11 was selected as a day of remembrance for terrorism victims across the continent following the tragic train bombings in Madrid on March 11, 2004, orchestrated by Islamic extremists, killing 193 people.

Leading figures from the European Union, including Ylva Johansson, along with Spain's King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, attended the event honoring victims of terrorism across the EU.

Sanchez emphasised the principles of "democracy, rule of law, and social rights" as a sign of a unified Europe in the fight against extremism, affirming that these values are invincible.

"So may the values of peace, coexistence, truth, justice and reparation, guide us in this endeavour, always remembering the victims, whose memory we invoke every March 11 and every day of the year," he added.

Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, praised Spain as "a pioneer in support for victims, building on decades of tragic experience," and urged more action.

"So today let's remember with words, and tomorrow let's remember by taking action. Action to support victims and to fight terrorism," Johansson said.

King Felipe VI of Spain expressed profound respect for the victims of terror attacks and pledged unwavering commitment to ensuring they feel acknowledged, cared for, and shielded by all necessary means.
(Bloomberg) -- The European Unions executive arm will recommend that Bosnia-Herzegovina start accession talks, according to people familiar with the plan, in a major boost for the Balkan nations bid to join the bloc.

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The European Commission is expected to announce the decision on Tuesday, said the people, who asked not to be named because the matter isnt public yet.

The path to become an EU member is a long and arduous one, and requires the unanimous agreement of all the blocs leaders. Croatia was the last country to join and its application took 10 years before it was formally accepted in 2013.

The move will be a win for Bosnia, a fragile country comprised of two entities, Republika Srpska and a Muslim-Croat federation, linked by a weak central government in Sarajevo. Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who counts Russian President Vladimir Putin as an ally, has long threatened to secede from the rest of the country and has opposed an idea of membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The war-torn Balkan nation of 3.3 million applied for EU membership in 2016 and was granted candidate status last year. It will join neighbors Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia, as well as Ukraine and Moldova, that are all at various stages of entry negotiations.

The EU has been looking to accelerate its long-stagnant enlargement process to prevent neighbors from falling under the influence of nations that dont share its values, such as Russia and China.

Politico reported on the decision earlier Monday.

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The European Commission has stated that the EU is constantly monitoring the flow of agricultural products nto the EU, particularly from Ukraine and Russia.

Source: European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said this at a briefing in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "We assess what the impact of those flows are, both for our own agrimarkets, our farmers, and then for the wider question of global food security. As you know, we are taking great care at every stage to ensure that these flows do not lead to any adverse market impact," he said.

According to him, the EU will continue to "extremely carefully monitor" these trade flows and, in this context, determine what additional actions should be taken if needed.

In response to the clarifying question of whether the EU's position has changed in not imposing any restrictions on Russian grain and fertilisers in order to avoid raising global market prices, he stated that the EU will continue to study these influences and consider potential steps if necessary.

Agrarian protests have been ongoing for several weeks in the EU member states. Polish farmers, in particular, demand the rejection of the European Union's Green Deal rules, the closure of borders to prevent the influx of agri-food products from outside the EU, and the protection of livestock in Poland.

In February, farmers in Poland organised nationwide protests, blocking border checkpoints with Ukraine and disrupting ports and railways.

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Droughts like the one that has struck Spain are among the climate risks Europe faces (PAU BARRENA)

Europe could suffer "catastrophic" consequences from climate change if it fails to take urgent and decisive action to adapt to risks, a new EU analysis warned Monday.

Areas in southern Europe are most at risk, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said in its first report on the risks the continent faces from climate change, driven by human burning of fossil fuels.

The dangers include fires, water shortages and their effects on agricultural production, while low-lying coastal regions face threats of flooding, erosion and saltwater intrusion.

"Many of these risks have already reached critical levels and could become catastrophic without urgent and decisive action," the agency said.

That doesn't mean northern Europe is spared the negative impact, as floods in Germany and forest fires in Sweden have demonstrated in recent years.

"Extreme heat, drought, wildfires, and flooding, as experienced in recent years, will worsen in Europe even under optimistic global warming scenarios and affect living conditions throughout the continent," the EEA warned.

"These events are the new normal," EEA director Leena Yla-Mononen told a press briefing ahead of the report's release.

"It should be the wake-up call. The final wake-up call," she added.

The report lists 36 risks related to climate in Europe, 21 of which demand more immediate action and eight were "particularly urgent."

At the top of the list were risks to ecosystems, mainly relating to coastal and marine ones.

- Heatwaves -

For instance, the combination of heat waves as well as acidification and oxygen depletion of the seas and other human-caused factors such as pollution and eutrophication -- meaning an excess of nutrients which collapses aquatic ecosystems -- as well as fishing threaten marine ecosystems, the report noted.

"This can result in substantial biodiversity loss, including mass mortality events, and declines in ecosystem services," it said.

Hans-Martin Fussel, an expert on climate impacts at the EEA, pointed to specifically to the risk of recurring heatwaves, which can pose direct health risks and a threat to ecosystems.

"Often in Europe, they're combined with droughts. And this is a dangerous combination for infrastructure, for water supply," Fussel told AFP.

European governments and populations should unanimously recognise the risks and make it a priority to do more, faster, to prepare for them, according to the EEA.

"We need to do more, to have stronger policies," Yla-Mononen stressed.

Despite the alarm, the agency also acknowledged "considerable progress" made "in understanding the climate risks they are facing and preparing for them" among member states.

"However, implementing effective actions may have been hampered by things such as competing priorities, unclear risk ownership or insufficient investment funds," Fussel said.

On Tuesday, the European Commission is due to publish a report on climate risks in the EU.

"The timing is not a coincidence; indeed, we worked under considerable pressure to have our work finished as an input to their communication," Fussel said.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that Donald Trump allegedly has "quite detailed plans" to end the war started by Russia in Ukraine. According to him, Trump "will not give a single penny for the Russian-Ukrainian war" if he wins the US presidential election.

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The Hungarian prime minister said this in an interview with M1 TV channel on Sunday, March 10. The interview was recorded after Orban's visit to Florida, where he met with Trump.

The Hungarian prime minister called Trump "a president of peace who has a very clear vision that is hard to disagree with."

"He says: first, he will not give a penny in the Russian-Ukrainian war. That is why the war will end because it is obvious that Ukraine cannot stand on its own two feet," the Hungarian prime minister said.

According to Orban, "if the Americans do not give money and weapons along with the Europeans, the war will end" because Europe "is not able to finance this war by itself."

He suggested that if Europeans are afraid of the Russians, they should "pay for their security or strengthen their armed forces."

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On March 8, Trump hosted 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.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the Hungarian prime minister said that he did not want his country to have a common border with Russia. He "has bad memories" of this. It is obvious that Orban is referring to the last century, when Hungary bordered the USSR and when the Soviet authorities suppressed the Hungarian uprising in 1956.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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 thanks in part to its Rafale fighter jet (Giuseppe CACACE)

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.

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The European Commission has commented on Pope Francis' remarks that Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" for peace talks with Russia.

Source: Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European Commission, at a briefing in Brussels

Details: The official stressed that peace lies in the hands of one person, and that's Vladimir Putin, who continues to wage war every day.

"We want a just peace. A peace that takes into account the victim of war, and that is Ukraine," Stano emphasised.

Background:

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."

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.

Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba responded to Pope Franciss suggestion by saying that Ukraines flag is yellow and blue, not white.

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Eva Mendes is getting real about her acting career.

During a March 26 segment that aired on TODAY, Mendes said she "pretty much stopped acting" after she appeared in 2012's "The Place Beyond the Pines," where she acted alongside her partner, Ryan Gosling.

Mendes co-starred in the film with Gosling, and now, the couple shares two daughters, Esmeralda Amada, 9, and Amada Lee, 7, with.

Mendes told Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach she was very impressed with her beau's commitment to acting.

"Ive never experienced anything like that," she said. "The way he works, his commitment to his craft, how he wants to make everything as best as it can be, and that means making his co-stars as best as they could be."

"But unfortunately, or fortunately, theres only one Ryan," she laughed. "So, you know, I pretty much stopped acting after that."

After "The Place Beyond the Pines," Mendes appeared in a few more films, such as 2013's "Clear History" and 2014's "Lost River."

Read on for more details about Mendes and Gosling's relationship.

Are Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes married? Here's what they've said

Long story short, they have never confirmed their relationship status  but they have left hints.

During a 2022 interview with Australian podcast "The Kyle and Jackie O Show," Mendes evaded confirming the pair's marital status. "Who says we werent already?" she said. "I like to keep it all mysterious. Im a very mysterious woman."

A week later, during a June 22 appearance on Australias "Today" show on Channel 9, Mendes calls Gosling her husband.

Everyone is so welcoming here, and my husband, Ryan, is here, and we are having the best time, she said at the time.

Later that year, in November, Mendes posted a photo of a tattoo that also sent rumors flying. The delicate tattoo reads de Gosling." Directly translated from Spanish, the phrase means of Gosling. Regardless of whether or not the tattoo signals a secret marriage, it clearly reflects Mendes and Goslings long-term commitment to each other.

During the "Barbie" press tour, Gosling and Mendes continued to court marriage rumors.

On July 21, 2023, Mendes posted a clip of one of Goslings interviews on her Instagram. The version of the video refers to her as Goslings wife in the closed captioning.

They met on a movie set in 2011  or did they?

Gosling and Mendes co-starred in The Place Beyond the Pines" (2012), playing star-crossed couple Luke and Romina.

The Place Beyond the Pines. Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, 2012 (Everett Collection)

While they began dating in 2011, Mendes revealed in an Instagram on April 6, 2023, that the pair had actually met before "The Place Beyond The Pines."

She posted a video of her and Gosling in their roles to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the movie. "We did not meet on set," she wrote in the caption. "The magic started way before but heres a little magic captured on camera."

When asked about his on-screen connection with Mendes in an interview with Elle in 2013, Gosling said he would "like to say" it came down to their real-life "chemistry," but ultimately attributed it to director Derek Cianfrance.

Mendes and Gosling were photographed together off set in 2011, culminating with a New Year's Eve kiss in 2012.

Eva Mendes looked back at their 2012 red carpet debut: Trying to be very professional

In September 2012, Mendes and Gosling appeared together at the TIFF Awards to promote "The Place Beyond The Pines." At the time, the couple had not yet confirmed whether they were dating, though rumors abounded.

Mendes later revealed to Kelly Clarkson in a 2019 interview on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" that she struggled to remain professional during the red carpet appearance.

Thats literally me going, Im not in love with him. Im not in love with him. What? We were just trying to be very professional," Mendes said.

Bradley Cooper Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling 2012 Toronto International Film Festival - 'The Place Beyond Pines' - Premiere (Alamy Stock Photo)

After starring in 2 movies with him, Eva Mendes calls Ryan Gosling 'the greatest actor she's worked with'

Mendes and Gosling starred together again in the 2014 film "The Lost River," which was written and directed by Gosling and was partially based on his life.

Eva Mendes, Lost River, 2014. (Alamy )

Gosling praised Mendes' role in executing the film.

They know what is at stake for you personally, and all the work thats gone into getting there," he told the Daily Telegraph.

"She hates credit and shell even be mad that Im giving her that credit, Gosling added. But she was very helpful in so many ways.

In 2023, Mendes raved about her partner's acting skills. To say hes the greatest actor Ive ever worked with is an understatement, she wrote in the caption of a post alongside a praise about Gosling from Gerwig.

What they've said about their daughters, born in 2012 and 2014

The couple's firstborn daughter, Esmeralda Amada Gosling, arrived in September 2014.

They welcomed their second child, daughter Amada Lee Gosling, in April 2016. Amada was named after Mendes' grandmother.

Both Gosling and Mendes have opened up about their journey to parenthood.

Mendes spoke in 2020 about balancing her career and her family on Australian radio show "Fitzy and Wippa."

I was lucky enough to work my bum off for 20 years, she said in the interview. I never wanted babies before until I fell in love with Ryan, and it kind of worked out to where I was 40 and having my first baby. I think I was 42 for the second one, so it worked out in that way that I had a career and then I change my focus to my family.

She told TODAY in 2022 parenting is an act of creativity: Im an actress, Ive designed clothes, Ive done a number of different things. But this is the most creative thing, is to create life with them."

For Gosling, kids weren't on his to-do list, until he met Mendes.

"After I met Eva, I realized that I just didnt want to have kids without her," Gosling told GQ in 2023. "And 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."

Eva Mendes said she and Ryan Gosling are bulldozing parents

Mendes opened up to Kelly Clarkson about the challenges of parenting in a 2019 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Nobody told me it was gonna really be a job, and a job that I needed an incredible amount of skill for, in different areas: a chauffeur, a cook, a personal assistant to an abusive boss, she joked.

Were very controlling, she continued. I think what the term iswere always laughing at these terms  I think we would be bulldozing parents. Well, what else are we supposed to do? We have to be on top of them every second.

Want more of a glimpse into their home life? In February 2020, Mendes praised Goslings skills in the kitchen.

Ryan is an amazing chef AND baker, she said in an Instagram comment. For reals. Incredible. No joke. Im not sure that what I do is cooking. Its more like steaming veggies and juicing and making rice. He really cooks. I survive.

Ryan Gosling expressed gratitude to Eva Mendes in 2017 awards show speech

Gosling, who won the Golden Globe award for best actor in a comedy or musical in 2017, praised his wife's sacrifices in the speech and dedicated the award to Mendes late brother, Juan Carlos Mendes.

Ryan Gosling (NBC)

Theres just no time to thank everyone. I would just like to try and thank one person properly," he said. "While I was singing and dancing and playing piano and having one of the best experiences Ive ever had on a film, my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second and trying to help her brother fight his battle with cancer. If she hadnt taken all that on so I that could have this experience, there would surely be someone else up here other than me today.

He then addressed Mendes directly.

So sweetheart, thank you, to my daughters, Amada and Esmeralda, I love you. And if I may, Id like to dedicate this to the memory of her brother, Juan Carlos Mendes.

Juan Carlos Mendes passed away of throat cancer in 2016, just two weeks before Gosling and Mendes welcomed second daughter Amada.

Ryan Gosling calls Eva Mendes 'the girl of my dreams'

While accepting the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Jan. 13, Gosling reflected on how his movie career has also led to major achievements in his personal life.

Most importantly, I got to meet the girl of my dreams, Eva Mendes, and have two dream children," he said in his speech.

I dreamed of one day making movies, and now, movies have made my life a dream, he added.

Eva Mendes supports Ryan Gosling's 'I'm Just Ken' performance at the 2024 Oscars

On March 10, Gosling took the stage at the 2024 Oscars and performed his hit song Im Just Ken," from Greta Gerwigs Barbie" movie.

There, the actor dazzled the crowd in a sparkly pink suit with matching gloves and sunglasses.

Shortly after the performance, Mendes twinned with her partners Barbie look in a post she shared on Instagram.

You took Ken all the way to the Oscars, RG, she wrote. Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Electric cars have up to a third less range in reality than advertised, an investigation has found.

Official figures for how many miles an electric car can drive after one charge are based on a standardised test, done in warm conditions.

However, What Car magazine discovered that under real-world conditions, including at colder temperatures, cars perform much worse.

The magazine parked a dozen cars outside overnight to mimic how motorists use vehicles in the real world. Testers then drove them over a 60-mile loop on a test track in Bedfordshire until their batteries ran completely flat.

Steve Huntingford, the magazines editor, said its test schedule was a better representation of real-world EV range than official testing methods.

We do it every summer [and] every winter because there is obviously a sizable difference in how battery efficiency works depending on cold weather, he said.

We leave them outside in the cold conditions [overnight] for the ambient temperature so the batteries are subjected to falling down to a lower temperature and its the worst possible conditions to be tested in.

Across the dozen EVs What Car tested, range was on average 29.9 per cent less than the official Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) figure which car makers are legally required to publish.

One vehicles range was more than a third lower than official range figures. The 57,000 Lexus UX 300e Takumi recorded a range 100 miles shorter than its advertised figure of 273 miles.

Its sibling, the Lexus RZ 450e Takumi, had the second-highest shortfall, with a range 92 miles shorter than the advertised 251.

The third biggest gap between official and real-world ranges in the EVs What Car tested was from Volkswagens ID 7 Pro Match. The vehicles tested range came in at 254 miles, a third lower than the approved figure of 383 miles.

Edmund King, the president of the AA, told The Telegraph that shorter-than-advertised EV ranges come as no surprise to the public.

Motorists, he said, know that driving style and weather conditions can greatly affect range whether driving electric, petrol or diesel.

Most drivers are aware that the miles-per-gallon figures quoted for petrol and diesel cars fall short of real world driving by about 25 per cent, said Mr King.

Consumers should take these official figures with a pinch of salt as the most accurate test of charge or fuel efficiency is for drivers to take an extended test drive.

Standardised conditions

Speaking about the official WLTP test method, Mr Huntingford said that it helped achieve repeatable results that let different cars be compared with each other because of its standardised conditions.

However, he added, the downside is theyre conducted in completely unrealistic conditions for much of the year.

Manufacturers are required to test all electric cars to the same official standard, the EUs Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure which was introduced in 2017.

All new cars sold in Europe since 2018 have been subject to the laboratory test, which takes half an hour, runs the cars engine or motor for the equivalent of 14.4 miles and is carried out in temperatures of up to 23C.

Carmakers are legally obliged to publish range results obtained from the WLTP test.

A Lexus spokesman said a software update is being rolled out for its RZ 450e Takumi model to improve the content of its range display.

Were always improving and the software update is an example of that, said the spokesman.

Last year consumer organisation Which? suggested that the WLTP overstated EV ranges.

A spokesman told The Telegraph that the test has a strong tendency to overstate the efficiency and subsequent range of EVs, when compared to our own tests  and that figure can vary significantly.

Last year a pro-EV research organisation, New Automotive, found that EVs were typically being driven further than their petrol and diesel counterparts despite fears over range anxiety.

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.
Retired Gen. John Kelly, who served as White House chief of staff in the Trump administration, recounted several conversations where former President Trump spoke favorably about Adolf Hitler, saying the Nazi leader had done some good things and had inspired loyalty within his military.

Kelly spoke about the conversations in an interview with CNN anchor and chief national security analyst Jim Sciutto, who is publishing them as part of a new book, The Rise of Great Powers.

A preview of the book was published Monday.

He said, Well, but Hitler did some good things, Kelly said of one conversation with Trump.

I said, Well, what? And he said, Well, [Hitler] rebuilt the economy. But what did he do with that rebuilt economy? He turned it against his own people and against the world. And I said, Sir, you can never say anything good about the guy. Nothing, Kelly told Sciutto, going over how he has responded to this then-boss.

I mean, Mussolini was a great guy in comparison, Kelly said he had told Trump, referring to the Italian fascist leader and ally of Hitler.

According to Sciuttos book, Kelly and other former advisers to Trump believe the former presidents favorable words toward Hitler are a reflection of how he sees autocrats past and present.

Sciutto writes that Kelly and others told him they believe that the root of his admiration for these figures is that he envies their power.

John Bolton, the former national security adviser to Trump who fell out with the ex-president, told Sciutto that Trump views himself as a big guy, adding, He likes dealing with other big guys, and big guys like [President Recep Tayyip Erdogan] in Turkey get to put people in jail and you dont have to ask anybodys permission. He kind of likes that.

Trump has also come under scrutiny for a Friday meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban that was criticized by President Biden.

In a statement, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung ripped both Kelly and Bolton, who have each said critical things in the past about Trump.

John Kelly and John Bolton have completely beclowned themselves and are suffering from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. They need to seek professional help because their hatred is consuming their empty lives, he wrote in the statement.

Kelly told Sciutto it was hard to understand what he described as blind spots in how Trump thinks of Hitler.

Its pretty hard to believe he missed the Holocaust, though, and pretty hard to understand how he missed the 400,000 American GIs that were killed in the European theater, Kelly told Sciutto. But I think its more, again, the tough guy thing.

Kelly also said Trump admired Nazi officers loyalty to Hitler, lamenting that Trump himself was not able to maintain the same level of loyalty.

He would ask about the loyalty issues and about how, when I pointed out to him the German generals as a group were not loyal to him, and in fact tried to assassinate him a few times, and he didnt know that, Kelly said to Sciutto.

He truly believed, when he brought us generals in, that we would be loyal  that we would do anything he wanted us to do, Kelly added.

Kelly told Sciutto that Trump is not a tough guy by any means, but in fact quite the opposite, adding, but thats how he envisions himself.

Updated at 12:24 p.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal on Sunday suggested Donald Trump may have crossed the line once again with his latest verbal attack on E. Jean Carroll  and warned that the former president may now face a third defamation lawsuit from the writer.

Trump, during a campaign rally in Rome, Georgia, on Saturday, railed against having to post a nearly $92 million bond in his appeal of the $83.3 million in damages he was ordered to pay in January for defaming the columnist.

It followed Trump last year being ordered to pay Carroll $5 million after a jury believed her accusation that Trump raped her in the 1990s, finding him liable for sexual assault and also liable for defamation when he denied Carrolls claims and attacked her character.

Ninety-one million based on false accusations made about me by a woman that I knew nothing about, Trump raged, among other derogatory comments over the weekend.

MSNBC anchor Jen Psaki asked Katyal if Trump had defamed Carroll again.

It sure sounds like it, Katyal replied.

And, Jen, there are many days that I wish I was Roberta Kaplan, who is Jean Carrolls extraordinary lawyer. Shes just so phenomenal as a lawyer. But, boy, today is the day I wish I was, because Donald Trump is basically just writing the third lawsuit that shes going to file right now, he added.

Katyal, who was acting solicitor general in the Obama administration, said Carroll would be absolutely within her rights to bring a third lawsuit against Trump.

Remember, Trump lost in front of a jury of his peers on this question of whether he had defamed Jean Carroll, and now he is doing it again. And Im sure shes just sitting there scribbling it all down and ready to go.

Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann agreed with Katyals assessment, saying there could well be grounds for more legal action against the four-times-indicted ex-president.

Weissmann said Carroll could also seek an injunction against Trump.

Related...
Oleh Nikolenko, a former Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said on Facebook on March 11 that he had been appointed as Ukraine's consul general in Toronto.

Nikolenko, who had been a spokesperson for over three years, announced his resignation on March 8, saying he was about to start "a new diplomatic chapter."

"New responsibility. New opportunities to promote the interests of Ukraine and Ukrainians and bring the victory closer," Nikolenko wrote, thanking Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Nikolenko had previously worked as a spokesperson for the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations in New York and had been elected as a deputy chairman of the UN Committee on Information.

The reasons for the reshuffle are unknown, and no candidates for the position of a spokesperson for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry have been announced.

The ministry said on March 7 that Zelensky had approved Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former commander-in-chief, to be the next Ukrainian ambassador to the U.K. The embassy in London, one of Ukraine's key allies, has been without an appointed ambassador since the summer of 2023.

As of March 2023, Ukraine had no ambassadors in 21 countries across the world.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Priti Patel joined her two immediate predecessors as home secretary in signing an open letter urging Conservatives and Labour to work together on extremism

Three Conservative ex-home secretaries have warned the government against using extremism to score political points in a general election year.

Priti Patel, Sajid Javid and Amber Rudd said cross-party support is needed to defeat extremism, in an open letter published in the Guardian.

It comes as the government prepares to set out a new definition of extremism.

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said the UK must "confront" a rise in Islamist and far-right extremism.

The government's new anti-extremism plan is designed to update and increase the number of organisations that are classed as "extremist" and put new limits on their activities.

Subject to cross-government sign-off, the plan will see a change in the current definition of extremism of "vocal or active opposition to British values" - established by the Counter Extremism Strategy 2015.

But critics have warned a new definition could be so broad that it could worsen community tensions and expose ministers to legal challenges.

The three ex-home secretaries signed an open letter along with half a dozen senior counter-terror and extremism experts, urging Conservatives and Labour to work together on the issue.

Others who signed the statement include Brendan Cox, the widower of the MP Jo Cox and co-founder of Survivors Against Terror; Neil Basu, the former head of counter-terrorism policing, and Richard Dannatt, the former chief of the general staff.

The open letter said: "We urge the Labour party and the Conservative party to work together to build a shared understanding of extremism and a strategy to prevent it that can stand the test of time, no matter which party wins an election.

"In the run-up to a general election, it's particularly important that that consensus is maintained and that no political party uses the issue to seek short-term tactical advantage."

Responding to the letter Mr Tugendhat told BBC Breakfast: "I think they are absolutely right; I don't think we should and I don't think we are."

The new anti-extremism plan was "to make sure all those who are threatened by extremism are protected from it and what we need to make sure those who are particularly vulnerable do not the lure of radicalisation drawing them towards it," he added.

Mr Tugendhat said the prime minister had set out "a very, very clear and, I would argue, very inclusive agenda on keeping British people safe."

"Extremism in this country sadly has risen and we must take action to confront it," he added.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gave a speech outside Downing Street warning democracy was being targeted by extremists and there are "forces here at home trying to tear us apart".

He criticised regular mass protests and disruptive campaigns, claiming: "There is a growing consensus that mob rule is replacing democratic rule."

The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, endorsed Mr Sunak's comments, saying: "The prime minister is right to advocate unity and to condemn the unacceptable and intimidatory behaviour that we have seen recently."
Former prime minister John Major (left) and former prime minister Gordon Brown at the launch of the final report of the Institute for Government's (IfG) year-long Commission on the Centre of Government

Former prime minister Sir John Major has criticised some of his recent Conservative successors for their attitude to the civil service.

He suggested the turnover of Conservative MPs Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak since 2019 was "not conducive to good government".

Sir John was speaking alongside former Labour PM Gordon Brown at an Institute for Government (IfG) event.

The thinktank has launched a report on fixing the centre of government.

Responding to issues posed by Brexit and the Covid pandemic, the IfG has investigated "core weaknesses" in the relationships between Downing Street, the Treasury and the Cabinet Office.

Sir John, who was prime minister between 1990 and 1997, said there was a clear need for change to create "a far more effective and trusted system".

He attacked the merry-go-round of "three prime ministers in one parliament, with a few malcontents seeking a fourth", and criticised Mr Sunak's Rwanda policy and Ms Truss's sacking of top civil servant Sir Tom Scholar.

Sir John Major agreed civil service staffing had become "swollen"

Decision-making like this "does not help the perception" of politics, he said, adding: "Nor does a Supreme Court ruling that the government has broken the law.

"Nor is it a good optic when ministers indulge in public arguments, openly blame or, in one or two occasions, insult their civil servants, or when they favour the advice of often inexperienced political advisers over that of civil servants with years of specialist experience and knowledge.

"Or when they sack senior civil servants who offer candid advice, which simply did not suit the government's thinking."

The think tank proposed a shake-up of how the civil service operates around the prime minister in particular, and called for more strategic thinking from a smaller cabinet, with four ministers instead of the current 20 at the top decision-making table.

Sir John agreed with decision-making being led by cabinet, saying the UK is not a presidency and arguing "power is safest when it is spread around".

However, although he agreed the current cabinet is "too large and cumbersome", he suggested an inner cabinet of four was equally too small and exclusionary.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown said civil service staff numbers were "far higher" than when he was in No 10

Former prime minister Gordon Brown said both he and Sir John were "shocked" by the suggestion of an executive cabinet, which senior Labour figures have been discussing, adding they would be "surprised if that could ever work".

King Herod and the Gang of Four in Communist China had been historic examples of a cabinet that size, he said, with "inauspicious" results.

Mr Brown, a former Chancellor as well as PM between 2007-10 focused on Treasury reform, warning "we are in a make-or-break decade for our economy".

Calling for a turnaround strategy, he urged the Treasury not to retreat into its "comfort zone... simply being a finance department and simply managing debt and deficit reduction".

If the Treasury played an active role as an economic department and shared more power with the prime minister, he said, "we have a chance to break out of some of the difficulties that we've had in the past".

Mr Brown suggested the solution was a National Economic Council, jointly chaired by the prime minister and the chancellor with their civil servants, which "forces an interdepartmental collegiality about dealing with the problems that we face".
Former Conservative Party Vice-Chairman Lee Anderson has defected to Reform UK.

Mr Anderson was suspended as a Conservative MP after refusing to apologise for claims Islamists had "control" of London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The defection ends weeks of speculation about the Ashfield MP and TV presenter's future.

Mr Anderson said he had been given the chance to "speak out in Parliament on behalf of millions of people up and down the country" who support Reform.

He becomes Reform UK's first ever MP, representing a party polling around 10% of national voting intention.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Anderson said he was "prepared to gamble on myself" because he said he knew "how many people support Reform and what they have to say".

"All I want is my country back," he added.

Mr Anderson ruled out calling a by-election in his own seat, telling the BBC it "would be pretty reckless for me to suggest a by-election when we could have a general election in May".

Two years ago, Mr Anderson backed a failed bid to let constituents trigger a by-election when their MP changes parties.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said Mr Anderson had "made a real mistake" in defecting from the Conservatives.

"Reform is not the answer," he added.

Mr Cleverly said he agreed with Mr Anderson's comments from January this year, when he said a "vote for Reform will only let the Labour party in".

Mr Anderson was elected in 2019 to the Red Wall seat of Ashfield, having previously served as a Labour councillor for his home town.

The son of a coal miner, Mr Anderson belonged to Arthur Scargill's National Union of Mineworkers. His first job in politics was working in the office of local Labour MP Gloria De Piero, serving as district councillor at the same time.

After switching to the Conservative Party, the staunch Brexit supporter became an ally of former prime minister Boris Johnson.

Announcing Mr Anderson's defection, Reform UK Leader Richard Tice said his party had founds a "champion" for its plans to supplant the Conservatives in the Red Wall.

Mr Anderson was a "person of great integrity", Mr Tice added.

The Reform leader said: "I think millions of British people endorsed the concerns and sentiments of what Lee was saying, which is that we are sick and tired of our streets being taken over by these pro-Hamas, extremist, antisemitic people and Islamist extremists."

Ex-miner Lee Anderson joined the Conservative Party having previously worked for a Labour MP

Pat McFadden, Labour's National Campaign Coordinator, said Mr Anderson's defection showed "the Conservatives are falling apart".

"The truth is that the prime minister is too weak to lead a party too extreme to be led," he said.

Some of Mr Anderson's former colleagues criticised his defection - saying it made "a less conservative Britain more likely".

The New Conservatives, made up mostly of 2019 Tory Red Wall MPs like Mr Anderson, said "the responsibility for Lee's defection sits with the Conservative Party".

In a statement, the group argued the Tory party's failure to stick to the promises of the 2019 general election had led to split in the party.

Mr Anderson sparked a backlash after he claimed last month that the capital had been "taken over" amid the weekly pro-Palestinian protests over the war in Gaza.

In an interview with GB News, Mr Anderson said: "I don't actually believe that these Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is that they've got control of Khan, they've got control of London.

"He's actually given our capital city away to his mates."

Mr Anderson was stripped of the Tory whip after he refused to apologise for the remarks. He instead doubled down on his comments although conceded his phrasing was "clumsy".

Analysis by BBC chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman

Lee Anderson's decision to join Reform is unquestionably a significant blow for Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives.

Despite having no MPs and just a small handful of councillors, Reform are reliably polling around 10%. That is a high enough figure that some Conservative MPs believe it is as important for them to win back voters they are losing to Reform as it is those who are switching to Labour.

By giving Reform a parliamentary figurehead for the first time, Mr Anderson may make it harder for the Conservatives to reunite the right.

There are some important caveats. Most importantly, Mr Anderson is not making his defection from a position of strength. He is currently suspended from the Conservative ranks at Westminster after accusing Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, of being controlled by Islamists.

Mr Anderson refused to apologise for his comments, making his suspension all but inevitable. There was grumbling from some Conservatives who wanted Mr Anderson to be handed a clear path back into the fold - but any such route would almost certainly have required him to apologise, which he again refused to do today.

It's also worth noting that while Mr Anderson is well-known in Westminster for his pugnacious style, and has a show on GB News, he is not exactly a major national figure. Arguably a more worrying announcement for the Conservatives would have been the return of Nigel Farage to active campaigning duties.

Yet one person who definitely does rate Mr Anderson's ability to connect with a slice of the British public is the prime minister himself. Mr Sunak appointed Mr Anderson a deputy chairman of the Conservative Party in February last year. And as recently as January Mr Anderson starred with him in a campaign video about how "we should be so proud of our country".

Mr Sunak clearly thought Mr Anderson could prove an electoral asset. We will now find out whether he was right.
Peter Navarro, the former White House adviser to Donald Trump, has been ordered to report to a prison in Miami on March 19 at the latest after being handed a four-month sentence following his conviction on contempt of Congress charges.

Economist Navarro, who was convicted last year for defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6 select committee, could now become the first former Trump official to be imprisoned over crimes relating to efforts to overturn the result of the 2020 election. In a filing late Sunday to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, his attorneys have now revealed that he could be locked up by next Tuesday.

MAGA Loyalist Peter Navarro Gets 4 Months in Prison for Brazenly Defying Congress

Dr. Navarro has now been ordered to report to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, FCI Miami, on or before 2:00PM EDT on March 19, 2024, they wrote. Accordingly, Dr. Navarro respectfully reiterates his request for an administratively stay Should this Court deny Dr. Navarros motion, he respectfully requests an administrative stay so as to permit the Supreme Court review of this Courts denial.

Navarro, 74, was subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 committee in Feb. 2022, with the House panel seeking testimony about the events that led up to the Capitol riot. Navarro refused to comply, citing executive privilege. After being convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress in September, Navarro was sentenced to four months in prison in January and also ordered to pay a $9,500 fine.

Prosecutors had sought a six-month sentence, arguing that hed thumbed his nose at congressional authority and chose allegiance to former President Trump over the rule of law.

His conviction followed that of Steve Bannon, who became the first former Trump adviser to be found guilty on charges related to ignoring a subpoena from the Jan. 6 committee. Bannon was similarly sentenced to four months in prison, but a judge in his case allowed him to stay out of jail while he appeals his conviction.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who presided in Navarros case, has not granted a similar stay. Navarros lawyers are now asking an appeals court panel of judges to allow him to remain out of custody for his own appellate process.

During his sentencing, Navarro told Mehta that he had an honest belief that privilege had been invoked and that he was torn when he received the subpoena. He had claimed that former President Donald Trump told him not to testify and invoke privilege, but Mehta rejected the claim on the grounds that Navarro had not proved that the former president made such an instruction.

They had a job to do and you made it harder, Mehta said of Navarros refusal to comply with the subpoena. Its really that simple. The judge also said Navarros lawyers claim that he had accepted responsibility for what hed done was hard to reconcile with Navarros argument that he was being subjected to a political persecution.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Former US president Bill Clinton is due to take part in a security conference in Prague on Tuesday that marks the 25th anniversary of NATO's first eastward enlargement.

The former Eastern Bloc states of the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary joined the transatlantic defence alliance on March 12, 1999, after years of trying to get into the group.

Clinton was in the White House when the enlargement took place. He will give a keynote speech at the conference entitled "Our security cannot be taken for granted" on Tuesday at around 1:45 pm (1245 GMT).

Clinton, now 77, was the US leader from 1993 to 2001.

Czech President and former general Petr Pavel and former NATO secretary general George Robertson are also expected to take part in the conference.

For the three former Soviet bloc nations, being in NATO for 25 years is considered an important milestone.

Belonging to the western defence alliance, which now numbers 32 countries with Sweden's recent entry, is considered very important for many citizens in these nations, given Russia's all-out attack on Ukraine, which the Kremlin started more than two years ago.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (L) meets with former US President Bill Clinton. ihova Michaela/CTK/dpa
Russia appears on track to produce nearly three times more artillery munitions than the US and Europe, a key advantage ahead of what is expected to be another Russian offensive in Ukraine later this year.

Russia is producing about 250,000 artillery munitions per month, or about 3 million a year, according to NATO intelligence estimates of Russian defense production shared with CNN, as well as sources familiar with Western efforts to arm Ukraine. Collectively, the US and Europe have the capacity to generate only about 1.2 million munitions annually to send to Kyiv, a senior European intelligence official told CNN.

The US military set a goal to produce 100,000 rounds of artillery a month by the end of 2025  less than half of the Russian monthly output  and even that number is now out of reach with $60 billion in Ukraine funding stalled in Congress, a senior Army official told reporters last week.

What we are in now is a production war, a senior NATO official told CNN. The outcome in Ukraine depends on how each side is equipped to conduct this war.

Officials say Russia is currently firing around 10,000 shells a day, compared to just 2,000 a day from the Ukrainian side. The ratio is worse in some places along the 600-mile front, according to a European intelligence official.

The shortfall comes at perhaps the most perilous moment for Ukraines war effort since Russia first marched on Kyiv in February 2022. US money for arming Ukraine has run out and Republican opposition in Congress has effectively halted giving any more.

Meanwhile, Russia recently took the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka and is widely seen as having the initiative on the battlefield. Ukraine is struggling not just with ammunition but also growing manpower shortages on the front lines.

The US and its allies have given Ukraine a number of highly sophisticated systems, including the M-1 Abrams tank and, soon, F-16 fighter jets. But military analysts say the war will likely be won or lost based on who fires the most artillery shells.

The number one issue that were watching right now is the munitions, the NATO official said. Its those artillery shells, because thats where Russia really [is] mounting a significant production advantage and mounting a significant advantage on the battlefield.

Russian war machine in full gear

Russia is running artillery factories 24/7 on rotating 12-hour shifts, the NATO official said. About 3.5 million Russians now work in the defense sector, up from somewhere between 2 and 2.5 million before the war. Russia is also importing ammunition: Iran sent at least 300,000 artillery shells last year  probably more than that, the official said  and North Korea provided at least 6,700 containers of ammunition carrying millions of shells.

Russia has put everything they have in the game, the intelligence official said. Their war machine works in full gear.

A rough equivalent in the US would be if President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act, a US official said, which gives the president power to order companies to produce equipment expeditiously to support the nations national defense.

A Ukrainian serviceman holds an artillery shell near the town of Kreminna, Ukraine, March 4, 2024. - Inna Varenytsia/Reuters

Russias ramp-up is still not enough to meet its needs, US and Western officials say, and Western intelligence officials do not expect Russia to make major gains on the battlefield in the short term. There is also a limit to Russian production capacity, officials say: Russian factories will likely hit a peak sometime in the next year.

But its still far beyond what the US and Europe are producing for Ukraine  especially without additional US funding.

Competing with Putins managed economy

European nations are trying to make up the shortfall. A German defense company announced last month that it plans to open an ammunition factory in Ukraine that it said will produce hundreds of thousands of 155mm caliber bullets each year. In Germany, the same company broke ground on a new factory expected to eventually produce around 200,000 artillery shells per year.

US and Western officials insist that although Russia has been able to jump-start its factory lines, in part because it has the advantage of being a managed economy under the control of an autocrat, capitalist western nations will eventually catch up and produce better equipment.

If you can actually control the economy, then you can probably move a little bit faster than other countries out there, Lt. Gen. Steven Basham, the deputy commander of US European Command, told CNN in an interview last week. But, he said, the West will have more sustaining power.

The West is just starting their ramp-up of building the infrastructure to add in the munitions capability that is needed.

When the money was still flowing, the US Army expanded production of artillery shells in Pennsylvania, Iowa and Texas.

Russias output is 24/7. I mean, huge, immense, one European lawmaker said. We should not underestimate their will to outlast us with patience, and with resilience.

Intelligence officials believe that neither side is poised to make any large gains imminently, but the overall math favors Moscow in the long run  particularly if additional US aid does not materialize.

Its not going well, but it all depends, said one source familiar with Western intelligence. If aid restarts and comes quick, all is not lost.

Targeting Ukraines weapons production

Russia has also recently targeted Ukraines domestic defense production with its long-range weapons.

If we were talking about this last fall, we would have talked about how they were targeting critical infrastructure, the NATO official said. Now what we see is some critical infrastructure targeting, but also a lot of targeting the Ukrainian defense industrial base.

According to the senior NATO official, Russia is producing between 115 to 130 long-range missiles, and 300 to 350 one-way attack drones based on an Iranian model provided by Tehran, each month. Although before the war, Russia had a stockpile of thousands of long-range missiles in its arsenal, today it is hovering around 700, the official said.

The Russians have lately conserved those weapons to use in large volleys to try to overwhelm Ukrainian missile defenses. And they have compensated by increasing their use of drones, sending out on average four times as many drones per month as they did last winter.

Destroyed Russian tanks near the village of Bohorodychne in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on February 13, 2024. - Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto/Reuters

Perhaps Russias biggest challenge has been in tank and other armored vehicle production. It is churning out about 125 tanks a month, but the vast majority are older models that have been refurbished. About 86% of the main battle tanks Russia produced in 2023 were refurbished, the NATO official said. And although Russia has about 5,000 tanks in storage, probably a large percentage of those cant be refurbished and are only good for cannibalizing parts, the official said.

Moscow has lost at least 2,700 tanks, more than twice the total number that they deployed initially to Ukraine in February of 2022, when the invasion began.

Russias transformed economy

Officials are also closely watching Russias economy for signs of how the interplay between a super-charged defense sector, Western sanctions, and Putins efforts to gird his economy for war impact Russias ability to sustain the conflict.

The war has absolutely transformed Russias economy, the NATO official said, from the post-Soviet period when oil was the leading sector. Now, defense is the largest sector of the Russian economy, and oil is paying for it.

That creates some long-term imbalances that will likely be problematic for Russia, but for now, its working, the NATO official and Basham, the US European Command official, both said.

In the short term  say, the next 18 months or so  it may be unsophisticated, but its a durable economy, the NATO official said.

The Pentagon is weighing whether to tap into the last remaining source of funding it has  but it has previously been reluctant to spend any of that remaining money without assurances it would be reimbursed by Congress, because taking from DoD stockpiles with no plan to replenish that equipment could impact US military readiness, CNN has previously reported.

If no more US aid coming, do the Ukrainians change how they feel about negotiating? the source familiar with Western intelligence said.

CNNs Jennifer Hansler contributed reporting.

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One of the parklets in Exeter is in Fore Street

Urban seating areas with plants around them - called parklets - have met with a mixed reaction from the public.

Two parklets have been introduced in Exeter to offer the public a pleasant space to sit and socialise in the city.

Exeter's Business Improvement District (BID) got 50,000 from the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund to pay for the project.

Some people in Exeter said the parklets were "awesome" but others thought the money could have been better spent.

Patrick Sharkey thought the parklet was "awesome"

Patrick Sharkey came across the parklet on Musgrave Row, near the city's library, for the first time on Friday.

He said: "I think they're awesome. I think they're amazing for young people as well.

"Exeter's a beautiful place and the way they've done it is perfect."

Dorothy Tinsley said the parklet provided somewhere to sit and wait for her minibus

Dorothy Tinsley travels in and out of Exeter with friends on a community minibus and said the parklets were "a lovely idea".

She said: "It was such a wonderful surprise to see that it provided such wonderful seating where we waited for our bus."

Ms Tinsley said the parklets were "superbly planted" with "a huge variety of plants".

Christy Wool and Karen Dignam wondered whether the money could be better spent

Other people in the city were not convinced the parklets were such a good use of public money.

Karen Dignam said: "It does brighten up the area but it's lots of money to spend on beautification.

"It's possibly not the best thing we could have spent that amount of money on."

Christy Wool said: "It is a bit tucked away - I don't know how many people would actually know it's here."

The two parklets in Exeter cost 50,000

Another woman, who did not want to give her name, said: "I was just quite surprised that the two that have been installed cost 50,000 when Exeter has a lot more important things to do with its money.

"It would be nice to repair the potholes and do better upkeep on the parks we've already got.

"Whether anyone is going to use this and how long it will last before it's vandalised - it just seems to me it wasn't the best use of funds."

Nicola Wheeler from Exeter's BID said the parklets were part of a growing trend

Nicola Wheeler, chief executive of the Exeter BID, InExeter, said the funding was specifically available to improve public spaces and could not have been spent on other public services.

She said the parklets were "vibrant and attractive" and part of a growing trend to create "lovely urban seating spaces".

Ms Wheeler hoped the parklets would encourage people into the city and provide a space for people "to just pause, reflect and connect with their surroundings and other people".

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JERUSALEM  The scandal-plagued United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) claimed in a report that some of its workers were pressured by Israel to falsely admit their connections to the Oct. 7 mass murder carried out by Hamas.

According to a report reviewed by Reuters on Friday, "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."

When asked if UNRWA can provide Fox News Digital with a copy of the UNRWA report and the names of the alleged UNRWA workers, Juliette Touma, a UNRWA spokesperson, said, "I am not able to send it. The report was leaked to the media."

The UNRWA report claimed that Palestinian detainees described "allegations of abuse, including beatings, humiliation, threats, dog attacks, sexual violence, and deaths of detainees denied medical treatment."

UN APPOINTS INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF UNRWA AMID ALLEGATIONS ITS WORKERS JOINED HAMAS-LED ATTACK ON ISRAEL

UNRWA HQ in Gaza. Hamas terrorists in kibbutz on Oct. 7, and an Israeli civilian kidapped by terrorists.

When asked if UNRWA considers the U.S. and EU designated terrorist entity Hamas a terrorist organization. Touma said, "Its not listed by the United Nations as a terrorist organization." Hamas murdered 1,200 people on Oct. 7 in southern Israel, including over 30 Americans, and kidnapped more than 240 people.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Touma added "What I know is that we have written about the findings of the report on several occasions to the Israeli army and Israeli government."

Israels Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said last month that dozens of UNRWA employees participated in the Oct. 7 massacre. In November, Fox News Digital reported that UNRWA employees celebrated the Hamas terrorist attack.

Fox News Digital reached out to the IDF and Israels Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) about the UNRWA report for comments. The IDF spokesman referred Fox News Digital to the MFA. An MFA spokesman told Fox News Digital the ministry is reviewing if any branches of Israels government received the UNRWA report.

UN FINALLY RECOGNIZES THAT ISRAELI WOMEN WERE RAPED, SEXUALLY ATTACKED BY HAMAS TERRORISTS

Asked about the report and if in light of other nations refunding UNRWA, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "The United States made an independent decision to temporarily pause additional funding to UNRWA while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them. We continue to emphasize the critical role UNRWA plays in the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Gaza, and across the region, and do not want to see these allegations undermine efforts to provide life-saving humanitarian aid."

ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER: 'DOZENS' OF UNRWA STAFF TOOK PART IN HAMAS OCT 7 MASSACRE

The State Department spokesperson added, "We saw the announcements from the EU and Canada. UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza and plays a critical role for regional stability  it is critical it does not collapse."

Sweden and Canada announced last week that they plan to pump tens of millions of dollars into the coffers of UNRWA. The State Department spokesperson declined to specifically address the UNRWA report.

Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of UNRWA holds a press conference in Jerusalem on Oct. 27, 2023.

Peter Gallo, an international lawyer and former Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) investigator at the U.N., provided Fox News Digital with his detailed analysis of the UNRWA report based on the Reuters article and Toumas comments, calling them laughable.

Gallo said, "Even more hilarious is the statement by the UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma, who told Reuters that anyone with information on the allegations against UNRWA staff were encouraged to share it with the investigation. That has to be a contender for the best joke of the week."

JUDGE LETS LAWSUIT CLAIMING BIDEN ADMIN KNEW US FUNDS WERE AIDING PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS MOVE FORWARD

An Israeli soldier patrols near Kibbutz Beeri in southern Israel on Oct. 12, 2023, close to where 270 revellers were killed by terrorists during the Supernova music festival on Oct. 7.

Gallo said, "These people live in Gaza, where every aspect of their lives since 2006 has been controlled by Hamas, a terrorist organization that has no political opposition, because the penalty for opposing them is death and Juliette Touma thinks that ordinary Gazans should provide information  to an Organization that cannot protect them and that has been manipulated by Hamas for years  about individuals who, in the service of Hamas were involved in the murder, rape and mutilation over 1,400 unarmed civilians."

Jonathan Conricus, senior fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former IDF spokesperson, said, "UNRWA staff have been exposed as members of Hamas and other terror organization in Gaza, as well as active participants in the atrocities of October 7."

"As long as UNRWA exists in the Gaza Strip, there will be no peace, no Palestinian self-definition, no stability, but only poverty, despair, and a tremendous waste of human potential."

The former Israeli army spokesperson said, "UNRWA should be dismantled, and the international community should instead invest in building local organizations focused on the future prosperity of Palestinians in Gaza, instead of indoctrinating children to be terrorists, and forcing Palestinians to live in a perpetual state of victimhood and misery."

He added, "UNRWA has failed Palestinians in Gaza, has failed in its humanitarian mission, has failed to implement its mandate, and has been exposed to be little more than a facade for the continued rule of Hamas over the Gaza Strip."

According to Conricus, "UNWRA should be held accountable for the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, since UNRWA knowingly decided not to evacuate civilians and not to establish a humanitarian zone in southern Gaza when Israel requested it to do so. It has implemented a policy of prioritizing the continued oppressive rule of Hamas over the needs of the civilian population."

Debris of a home that was devastated during a Hamas terror attack in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Israel, on Oct. 7, 2023.

David Bedein, director of the Center for Near East Policy Research and an expert on UNRWA's curriculum, called the UNRWA report "ridiculous" in an interview with Fox News Digital. He cited a 2009 report on his organizations website that noted, "Since 1990 Hamas has dominated UNRWAs unions in the Gaza Strip. In the elections held in June 2003, the Islamic Block affiliated with Hamas won 23 of the 27 seats, Hamass fourth consecutive victory in the UNRWA elections. That gave Hamas complete control of education, since the Islamic Block won all 11 of the teachers seats."

Bedein claimed Hamas domination of UNRWAs unions in the Gaza Strip continued after 2009.

Reuters contributed to this article.





Original article source: Experts slam leaked UNRWA report claiming Israel coerced workers into making false statements: 'Ridiculous'
Donald Trump is flying increasingly close to the sun when speaking about writer E. Jean Carroll on the campaign trail  and a lawyer for the ex-Elle columnist suggested Monday he could get burned again.

During a Georgia campaign rally over the weekend, the former president repeated claims that Carroll "is not a believable person" and had pushed "false accusations" against him, despite his previous insistences of such resulting in multimillion-dollar judgments against him. The remarks came the day after Trump posted a $91.6 million bond to cover the $83.3 million awarded to Carroll for defamation earlier this year as he appeals the verdict.

I just posted a $91 million bond, $91 million on a fake story, totally made-up story, Trump told the crowd in Rome, Georgia, according to NBC News.

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, he continued.

She wrote a book, she said things, Trump added. And when I denied it, I said, Its so crazy. Its false. I get sued for defamation. Thats where it starts.

Carroll suing Trump again over his weekend remarks is "quite possible," Bennett Gershman, a professor of law at Pace University and former New York prosecutor, told Salon.

"Trumps accusation that Carroll is a liar is clearly defamatory and can result in further, and maybe a much larger monetary punishment against Trump, at least until he decides to end his vicious verbal assault on her," Gershman said.

Whether that lawsuit materializes depends on whether Carroll has the "fortitude" to endure "another public spectacle" that places her under increased scrutiny, Gershman explained. If the writer feels Trump "has not yet been sufficiently rebuked and punished" by the previous judgments against him  and if Trump continues to malign her  "she may not hesitate to sue him again and have another jury impose an even larger punitive damage award," he said.

The former president's Saturday remarks were a repeat of his longtime denial of Carroll's claims that he raped her in the dressing room of a New York City Bergdorf Goodman department store in the mid-1990s and then defamed her by dubbing her claims a "hoax" and "con job." Those comments earned him a $5 million judgment last May after a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation.

The separate case that yielded the $83.3 million damages, which concluded in January, revolved around similar remarks Trump made about Carroll while he served as president. Trump is appealing both cases.

He threw more attacks at Carroll during a Monday morning phone interview with CNBC, according to The New York Times, mocking Carroll as "Miss Bergdorf Goodman" and calling the judgments "ridiculous."

"These comments demonstrate that Trump just doesnt care and will continue to repeat the lies so long as it helps him with his political base," Laurie Levenson, a Loyola Marymount University law professor, told Salon. "He has utter disregard for the jurys verdict and rulings of the court. For him, this is just a business expense of being Donald Trump."

Trump appears "unhinged and out of control" in his reactions to Carroll's accusations and doesn't seem to understand he "cannot bully and defame everybody" or that people will hold him to political and legal account, Gershman added.

When asked on MSNBC if Trump had defamed Carroll again in his Saturday tirade, former Obama-administration acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal said Carroll would be "absolutely within her rights" to bring a third lawsuit against the former president, according to HuffPost.

Remember, Trump lost in front of a jury of his peers on this question of whether he had defamed E. Jean Carroll and now he is doing it again, Katyal added. And Im sure she is sitting there scribbling it all down and ready to go.

A lawyer for Carroll, Roberta Kaplan, suggested in a statement to The New York Times Monday that her client was considering bringing another defamation lawsuit against the former president.

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," Kaplan said, echoing a similar remark from another Carroll attorney earlier this year.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Kaplan's statement makes it seem far more likely a third lawsuit will follow, David Schultz, a professor of legal studies and political science at Hamline University, told Salon.

Schultz and Gershman expect that, should Carroll proceed with another complaint and trial, Trump will receive much steeper punitive damages than previously adjudged as the court attempts to further deter him from maligning her.

"Most normal people would see the futility of their continued resistance to court orders and vast punitive damage awards," Gershman said. "But Trump is not a normal litigant as we know from his numerous legal setbacks - bankruptcies, phony charities, fraudulent college initiatives, and of course the N.Y. civil fraud conviction.

"So continuing to attack Carroll stems from his need not to appear weak at the hands of a strong and determined woman," he continued.

Given Trump's previously reported financial peril amid his scrambles to ratchet up bonds for Carroll's award and his $454 million civil fraud judgment, plus his continued inflammatory commenting on the writer, Schultz doesn't believe another massive monetary punishment will actually work as a deterrent.

Instead, he suspects Trump's repeated jabs at the former columnist while campaigning  including arguments that the cases were "politically motivated"  are part of a greater strategy.

Trump wants to evoke a Federal Election Commission "but-for rule" on campaign donation uses by repeatedly claiming election interference so that the commission will allow him to use the funds to cover his legal bills, Schultz said.

"I think what he may be counting on is either, A, the Federal Election Commission rules in his favor when he says, 'Okay, I'm going to use campaign funds for this," he said. Alternatively, Trump could be aiming to install enough people to the FEC should he be elected in November that they will conclude his legal battles are campaign-related and relieve him of the payments.

It's possible Trump could be aiming for a similar result with the Republican National Committee after his friend and daughter-in-law ascended to leadership roles last week, Schultz speculated.

"If he can keep saying, 'This is all political,' he's laying the groundwork for him not to be personally responsible for this," he said.
By Andrew Osborn

(Reuters) -Russia will hold a presidential election on March 15-17 which President Vladimir Putin is certain to win, barring an unexpected development. That will give the longest serving Kremlin chief since Josef Stalin another six-year term in power.

Here is a list of the candidates taking part, and a list of those who wanted to run but could not:

VLADIMIR PUTIN

In charge of all the levers of state, incumbent Vladimir Putin, 71, is expected to easily win a landslide victory and another six-year term. Reviled by Kremlin critics as an autocratic war criminal who rules by fear, opinion polls at home indicate he is supported by a majority of Russians who view him as the kind of tough leader needed to stand up to what they regard as a meddling and expansionist West. A state pollster said in February that its research showed over 75% of Russians were ready to vote for Putin.

A former KGB lieutenant colonel, Putin was appointed acting president on the last day of 1999 by Boris Yeltsin. He then served two four-year terms from 2000-2008 before becoming prime minister from 2008-12. He returned to the presidency in 2012 once presidential terms had been extended to six years, and again in 2018. In 2020, changes to the constitution were made which allowed Putin to serve another two six-year terms from 2024. That means he could stay in power until 2036.

NIKOLAI KHARITONOV

A 75-year-old member of Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, Kharitonov is the official candidate of the Communist Party, whose candidates have finished a distant second to Putin at every election since 2000. Kharitonov, a Siberian, stood previously in 2004 and won 13.8% of the vote to Putin's 71.91%. A state pollster said in February that its research showed that around 4% of Russians were ready to vote for him. The state TASS news agency has quoted him as saying he would not find fault with the Kremlin leader. "He (Putin) is responsible for his own cycle of work, why would I criticise him?" it cited him as saying. Kharitonov supports what Putin calls Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, but has in the past opposed some of the ruling pro-Putin United Russia's party's domestic policies. He enjoys the backing of Gennady Zyuganov, the 79-year-old veteran Communist Party leader.

LEONID SLUTSKY

A senior member of the State Duma, Slutsky, 56, is the leader of the ultra-nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR). He took over as the party's permanent leader after the LDPR's veteran firebrand leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky died in 2022. Slutsky, a regular on state TV where he voices anti-Western views, is seeking to tap into his late predecessor's popularity among Russians by campaigning on the slogan "Zhirinovsky lives on." A state pollster said in February that its research showed that around 4% of Russians were ready to vote for him. Slutsky has long chaired the parliament's international affairs committee. He has spoken of the need for Russia to win the war in Ukraine and of the importance of keeping food prices down. In 2018, a group of female journalists accused Slutsky of sexual harassment. A parliamentary commission exonerated him; his accusers alleged a whitewash.

VLADISLAV DAVANKOV

Deputy chairman of the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, and a lawmaker for the New People political party, which his father, a businessman, helped to set up in 2020. Aged 40, Davankov is the youngest registered candidate and the recipient of various state awards, including one from Putin. He has said he won't criticise his political opponents. His main campaign slogans are "Yes to changes!" and "Time for new people!" Davankov has tried to position himself as someone opposed to excessive curbs on people's personal freedom and - in the context of Russian politics - as someone who is more liberal. Without mentioning Ukraine by name, he has said he favours "Peace and talks. But on our terms and with no roll-back." A state pollster said in February that its research showed that over 5% of Russians were ready to vote for him.

ALEXEI NAVALNY

Navalny, who died aged 47 in an Arctic prison colony in February, wanted to become president of Russia and was Putin's fiercest domestic critic. Navalny's supporters accuse Putin of having him murdered, something the Kremlin has rejected. In life, Navalny accused the Kremlin of keeping him out of politics by fabricating a slew of criminal cases against him - including for fraud and extremism - in order to jail him. Navalny accused Putin of also having him poisoned in 2020, something Putin denied. The Kremlin cast Navalny as a U.S.-backed extremist out to destabilise Russia who had committed real crimes. Navalny's main allies are either in jail or living outside Russia. Yulia, his widow, has called on Russians who support her late husband to show up at voting stations at midday on March 17 to make their feelings known. The Kremlin has in the past called such appeals "provocations."

BORIS NADEZHDIN

Nadezhdin, 60, had tried to run a long-shot campaign on an anti-war ticket, but the Central Election Commission (CEC) disqualified him in February. Nadezhdin had surprised some analysts with his criticism of what the Kremlin calls its special military operation in Ukraine, something he called "a fatal mistake" and has said he would try to end through negotiations. Kremlin critics say Nadezhdin would not have even been allowed to campaign and collect signatures without the authorities' blessing, something he rejected. The CEC said it had found flaws in signatures that he and his allies had collected in support of his candidacy, and that some were of deceased people. It said that Nadezhdin had therefore failed to gather the 100,000 authenticated signatures needed to become a candidate. He has since unsuccessfully challenged his disqualification in the Supreme Court.

YEKATERINA DUNTSOVA

Former TV journalist Yekaterina Duntsova, 40, had wanted to run for president and had called for an end to the conflict in Ukraine and the release of political prisoners. Not a household name inside Russia, election officials disqualified her in December, citing "numerous violations" in the papers she had submitted in support of her bid. Her attempts to challenge the decision were unsuccessful. When Duntsova announced in November that she had wanted to stand, commentators had variously described her as crazy, brave, or part of a Kremlin-scripted plan to create the appearance of competition.

(Reporting by Andrew OsbornEditing by Ros Russell)
By Rodrigo Campos

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Another attempt to streamline the resolution of sovereign debt restructurings is making its way through the New York State legislature, and Wall Street is again taking note.

Below are facts about the proposal and potential ramifications.

WHAT'S THE PROPOSAL?

The sovereign debt stability act blends two proposals that failed to get a floor vote last year and aims to "to provide effective mechanisms for restructuring sovereign and subnational debt".

The proposal aims to rewrite New York law that covers sovereign debt contracts and is estimated to affect over $850 billion in outstanding debt from emerging markets.

Sovereign defaults could become a bigger issue this year, with principal payments of emerging markets' sovereign Eurobonds rising to $78.4 billion from $43.6 billion last year, according to JPMorgan estimates.

For lower-rated emerging sovereigns alone, those payments will surge to over $65 billion for this year and next combined, up from just over $8 billion in 2023.

WHAT DOES IT AIM TO ACHIEVE?

Bill 5524A, sponsored by Democrat Gustavo Rivera, aims to strengthen "the role of New York State as a primary location for the issuing and trading of sovereign debt".

It seeks to reduce systemic risk to the financial system, creditor uncertainty, and lower the social cost of sovereign debt crises.

The bill will effectively limit the return to private creditors at the same level as the United States - if it were involved as an official bilateral creditor - in a pre-established sovereign debt restructuring mechanism, like the Group of 20's Common Framework.

Alternatively, the bill will allow for an "independent monitor" appointed by the New York Governor in consultation with the Treasury Department to streamline the process of getting creditors and debtors on the same page.

The debtor country could at any point, but only once, change from one option to the other.

WHAT IS THE BILL'S LIKELY PROGRESS?

Many voting procedures and steps lie ahead before the bill could become law.

It needs to be discussed and voted on it committees, smaller group of lawmakers in both chambers of the New York State legislature and - if approved - this process would be replicated by the full chambers. Again, depending on approval, the bill is sent to the governor who can sign or veto.

Any potential veto could be overturned by a two-thirds majority in both houses. Democrats hold such majorities, but both chambers are up for election on Nov. 5.

Neither of the two original proposals from last year made it to a full floor vote in either chamber.

THE BACKGROUND

Countries do not have the type of bankruptcy protections that corporations do, which can result in messy, lengthy restructurings when debt becomes unsustainable.

There have been many proposals to streamline sovereign default processes.

The IMF spearheaded the creation of a sovereign debt restructuring mechanism between 2001 and 2003, which was eventually scrapped.

In 2014, Collective Action Clauses (CACs) were introduced. They are widely considered to have improved the framework of restructurings by reducing the probability of holdout creditors, such as Elliot Management whose infamous 14-year battle concluded in a payday of over $2 billion from Argentina.

Most recently, the G20 pledged to streamline debt treatments through its Common Framework platform, that seeks comparable relief from bilateral creditors such as the Paris Club and China, as well as private creditors. But the initiative has so far failed to accelerate reworks, and private creditors are not formally included.

Similar laws or proposals to the New York state one have emerged in Britain, the other major hub for international debt issuance by emerging economies. However, the ruling Conservative government has rejected a legislative approach.

A law regulating the practices of private creditors dealing with sovereigns in distress is being discussed in Belgium.

THE CONCERNS

The banking trade group Institute of International Finance (IIF) said the passing of the bill could trigger litigation risks, given it would alter existing contracts.

The introduction of legal uncertainty would alter the rights of investors, who might decide to not lend to certain countries, limiting the sources of financing. That could raise borrowing costs, which would go against the spirit of the bill.

New York could also find itself losing business to other states or countries, weakening rather than strengthening its position as a hub for debt issuance. That would entail loss of revenues to the city and the state.

"Any legislation should address the potential adverse impacts on costs and access to finance for sovereign borrowers, as well as on creditor rights," the IMF said last year of the original proposal.

(Reporting by Rodrigo Campos; editing by Karin Strohecker and Barbara Lewis)
An explosion. Stock photo from social media

Explosions were heard in Khmelnytskyi Oblast during an air-raid warning on the night of 11-12 March.

Source: Suspilne Khmelnytskyi

Quote: "Sounds of explosions have been heard in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, according to Suspilne correspondents.

An air-raid warning has been issued in the oblast."

Previously: On the evening of 11 March, the Russian army launched attack UAVs on Ukraine.

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Ukraine is set to receive just six F-16 fighter jets out of the 45 promised by allies this summer, The New YorkTimes reported on March 11.

The aircraft are ready, and flight instructors await at a new training center in Romania, established to train Ukrainian pilots to operate the F-16s. However, despite previous statements last summer about the center's crucial role, Ukrainian pilots have not yet arrived.

The report notes uncertainty regarding when the Ukrainian pilots will commence their training at the Fetesti Air Base in southeastern Romania, a facility also used by NATO allies for fighter jet training. This delay reflects the challenges the military alliance faces in rushing the F-16s to Ukraine.

While Ukrainian pilots are indeed preparing, the expectation is that 12 pilots  a number less than a full squadron  will be combat-ready on the F-16s by this summer after a ten-month training period in Denmark, the UK, and the USA. However, only six F-16 jets out of the promised 45 will be delivered to Ukraine by then.

Read also: Ukrainian pilots already training on F-16s in the air with instructors, says Ukrainian Air Force

Officials acknowledge considerable uncertainty about when each contributing country will deliver its jets, the total number of aircraft, the pace of pilot training, and Ukraine's ability to sufficiently staff the maintenance and operation of these jets.

The training of Ukrainian pilots on sophisticated Western aircraft is progressing rapidly, yet slower than Ukraine and its allies hoped. Pilots accustomed to Soviet-era aircraft and tactics are facing the challenge of mastering English and Western military practices to effectively operate the F-16s.

NV

Key points about Ukraine's F-16 acquisition:

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that his country, along with the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark had agreed to participate in training Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter jets on May 19, 2023.

Read also: F-16 Coalition working to increase the number of F-16 fighter jets provided to Ukraine

On July 6, 2023, Romanian officials said that they were opening a regional training center for F-16 fighter pilots, which would be available to its allies and partners, including Ukraine.

The United States has authorized Denmark and the Netherlands to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. This was confirmed when the Netherlands and Denmark announced that they would provide Ukraine with 61 F-16 aircrafts  42 and 19, respectively, on Aug. 20.

Norway and Belgium have also confirmed their intentions to supply F-16 jets to Ukraine, with Belgium's contributions starting in 2025.

On Jan. 10, Ukraines Ministry of Defense reported that Ukrainian pilots are still being trained on F-16 fighters in different programs worldwide.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
On a Friday in February, before the Michigan primaries, I voted early in the North Carolina Democratic primary  as a first-time voter. Though I moved to the United States in 2009 as a college student, I only became a citizen last year. Never having politically belonged in this country before, I walked into the polls as a 33-year-old woman voting in any election for the first time in my life.

The first choice given to me: Joe Biden or no preference for president. No other options were given, and no write-ins permitted.

Aarushi Bhandari.

I faced a dilemma: I did have a preference, I preferred not to support a candidate who used my tax dollars to fund wars abroad. As a Nepali scholar of globalization, foreign policy is a key priority for me. After months of helplessly witnessing children in Gaza starving and dying across my social media feeds, I found myself in that one moment holding the tiniest unit of power.

I abstained from voting in the presidential race and focused down-ballot.

A few weeks later on March 5, the no preference option in North Carolina emerged as a symbol of collective action demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. North Carolinas vote came on the heels of the unexpected success of the uncommitted campaign in Michigan. In North Carolinas Democratic primary, 88,021 voters chose the no preference option over Biden.

Some early voters like me, who went to the polls before Michigans focused protest campaign, may have abstained from voting for president in the Democratic primary instead of choosing no preference. That means the actual number of protest voters in North Carolina may be even higher.

The no preference campaigns in Michigan and North Carolina were mounted by Arab and Muslim communities dissatisfied with the Biden administrations handling of the war in Gaza. A parallel protest campaign in Minnesota lead to uncommitted gaining an 18.9% share of the votes in that traditionally blue state.

Voters across North Carolina have become a part of a historic movement to put pressure on the Biden administration to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. In addition to calling for a ceasefire, these voters want Biden to immediately stop funding Benjamin Netanyahus government and redirect all U.S. efforts to providing humanitarian aid in Gaza.

In 2020, Donald Trump won North Carolina by 74,483 votes, substantially fewer that than the 88,021 who voted no preference in the N.C. Democratic primary.

As a key battleground state, North Carolina voting patterns have the power to sway the general elections in November. The 2024 statewide no-preference votes surpass the no-preference voting numbers from the 2020 and 2016 Democratic primaries.

These protest votes indicate a challenging general election ahead for Biden unless he pays attention to the segment of his base demanding peace and humanitarian aid in Gaza. While Vice President Kamala Harris called for a six-week ceasefire days after the Michigan campaign, the N.C. and Minnesota results demonstrate that protest voters in the Democratic Party will not be satisfied with temporary pauses. These voters are aware of their power to sway the general election and theyre using this power to hold Biden accountable. They continue to put pressure on the administration to make Middle East peace an immediate and permanent foreign policy priority.

How Biden responds to these pressures will determine the outcome in November 2024.

Dr. Aarushi Bhandari is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Davidson College, where she teaches courses on statistics, globalization, social media, global change and more.
Connecticut residents stage a protest outside Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, Conn., in July 2022 amid the hospitals discussions to be acquired by Covenant Healthcare, worried that a takeover by the Catholic health system would lead to cuts in reproductive care and other services. Proposed hospital deals in some states have fizzled as lawmakers turn up the regulatory heat amid intense pushback from organized labor and grassroots organizations. (Susan Haigh/The Associated Press)

Worried about hospitals closing and higher costs for patients, state lawmakers are increasingly tangling with hospitals over potential health care mergers, in some cases derailing deals they think dont serve the public interest.

Financially strapped hospitals often look to merge with or be acquired by other systems. After a pandemic-era slowdown, health care mergers and acquisitions have risen steadily over the past two years. But some proposed hospital deals in Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota and elsewhere have fizzled amid heavy pushback from lawmakers, organized labor and grassroots organizations.

At least 10 health care megadeals were called off or unwound just last year, due in part to increased oversight, reported Beckers Hospital Review, an industry publication.

We have seen situations nationally in certain health care transactions where a lot of promises were made, but when you look into it, clinics are closing, prices are going up, access is down, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, told Stateline.

Ellison was in the middle of campaigning for reelection in late 2022 when he learned that Minnesota-based Fairview Health Services intended to merge with Sanford Health, a larger South Dakota-based health care system.

The proposed deal drew intense criticism from Minnesotas Democratic legislators, from nurses unions, University of Minnesota leaders and community groups. Fairview owns the University of Minnesota Medical Center, which is funded by state taxpayers. If the systems merged, Minnesota tax dollars might be spent across state lines. Some legislators also argued the resulting system would create a local health care monopoly that could lead to fewer services and higher costs for patients.

We have seen situations nationally in certain health care transactions where a lot of promises were made, but when you look into it, clinics are closing, prices are going up, access is down.

 Minnesota Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison

As the Fairview-Sanford deal chugged along, Ellisons office held public listening sessions across the state. And while Fairview and Sanford officials said the merger would allow the systems to expand care and some residents expressed support for the deal, the overall sentiment from stakeholders was negative, Ellison recalled.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers passed a bill in May 2023 that bans anti-competitive health care mergers and strengthens state oversight of potential deals. It was signed into law that month.

Two months later, Sanford Health called off the merger due to lack of support from certain Minnesota stakeholders.

Financially struggling hospitals

In March 2023, Massachusetts-based Covenant Health called off its plan to purchase a smaller, struggling health care system in the rural northeast corner of Connecticut. More than a quarter of announced health care deals in the United States last year involved a financially distressed partner, according to consultancy KaufmanHall.

Community groups rallied against the deal, concerned that Covenants takeover would lead to cuts in reproductive care and other services. Covenant is a Catholic system and follows a set of rules called the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, which forbids the system from providing some types of health care. Those include emergency contraception, fertility services, gender-affirming care, abortion and some end-of-life care.

My concerns were really rooted in the fact that it was a Catholic-affiliated health care institution that follows Catholic directives, Connecticut state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, a Democrat, told Stateline. That region of the state already has limited health care options, and one of the Planned Parenthood clinics in that area had recently closed.

There was a concern that women in the northeast corner of Connecticut wouldnt have access to reproductive health care.

Some area residents worried theyd lose their hospital without Covenants takeover, but others formed a coalition that called on the state to deny the proposed acquisition. Gilchrest joined 15 other Democratic state legislators in signing a letter opposing the deal.

It fell through a few months later.

Covenant President/CEO Steve Grubbs said in a statement announcing the deals cancellation that the affiliation was no longer financially viable.

Day Kimball Healthcare CEO R. Kyle Kramer said the systems leadership was disappointed by Covenants decision not to acquire it, in a statement he released shortly after it was announced.

We are immediately pursuing the best path forward for Day Kimball and look forward to working with local and state officials as well as exploring discussions with other potential future partners to preserve essential hospital services in the northeastern Connecticut community, Kramers statement read.

Gilchrest said she hopes Connecticut lawmakers will do more to protect services being eliminated following some hospital mergers, particularly womens health services.

Unfortunately, I feel like we have not been able to go far enough yet, she told Stateline. As a result of many of these mergers, when it comes to womens reproductive health care, we continue to see the closure of services like labor and delivery units across Connecticut.

More pushback

This year in Louisiana, pushback from state lawmakers and community groups paused a proposed $2.5 billion sale of the nonprofit Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana to for-profit insurance giant Elevance Health. Blue Cross had defended the proposed sale by saying it would help the nonprofit insurer slow rising health care costs and better compete with its national rivals.

Last month, Louisiana state senators sent a report to the state insurance commissioner outlining dozens of concerns over the fairness of the deal, alleged attempts by Blue Cross to influence policyholders votes, and Elevances troubled history of fines, penalties, lawsuits and premium increases. The Louisiana Hospital Association, other medical groups and the state treasurer also opposed the deal.

Louisiana state Sen. Jeremy Stine, a Republican, said he plans to introduce a bill this legislative session that would prevent deals like the proposed Blue Cross sale from taking effect without meeting certain consumer protection standards.

The proposed Blue Cross Blue Shield sale to Elevance Health has raised concerns about the potential consequences for Louisianas healthcare landscape, Stine said in a statement sent to Stateline.

By implementing these safeguards, we aim to prevent any undue influence, personal gain, or hasty decision-making that may compromise the health and well-being of our community.

Back in Minnesota, the attorney generals office has reviewed nearly a dozen proposed health care transactions since the new law passed less than a year ago.

Before this law was passed, we did not get advance notice [of a merger or other transaction] unless the parties told us, said Elizabeth Odette, manager of the antitrust division at the Minnesota AGs office.

Sometimes that meant there was not a whole lot we could do, meaningfully, before the parties completed the transaction.

But the stronger law has allowed not only our office but the public and the [involved] parties to take a little more time to consider the implications of a proposed large merger, she said.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Facing public backlash, some health care companies are abandoning hospital deals appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw won his GOP primary in the states 2nd Congressional District, but supporters of his challenger, Jameson Ellis, are blaming potential voter fraud for the outcome. Ellis also lost to Crenshaw in a 2022 primary.

Real Time Election Fraud in Harris County TX!

Dan Crenshaw did NOT Win.

2 Precincts Totals Came In & NOT 1 vote in either of them for @thejamesonellis

That's STATISTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE!!!

Errors with machines, Drive through voting at every Harris County polling location. pic.twitter.com/fBhw201K4A  George Balloutine (@GBalloutine) March 6, 2024

Dan Crenshaw might as well be a democrat. Voter fraud? Wouldnt surprise me. I hope Jameson battles this and they can prove the fraud. Share far and wide patriots, especially the Texans. We need every seat with America First Patriots and not Rinos. https://t.co/WCzB4LgTGv  M-U-R-C-H (@TheEXECUTlONER_) March 6, 2024

It is true that Ellis received no votes in two of Harris Countys precincts. However, this is a normalif somewhat rareoccurrence in many elections and not proof of voter fraud.

One of the two precincts where Ellis received no votesPrecinct 1165is made up only of a segment of a creek with no residential or commercial properties. The otherPrecinct 1108covers a portion of land between Interstate 10 and Texas state highway Spur 330 containing predominantly commercial buildings as well as a 250-unit apartment complex and residential street with approximately five detached homes. A representative for the Harris County Clerks office, when asked by The Dispatch Fact Check, was unsure why such a precinct exists.

Precinct 1165

Zero votes were cast for either of the Republican House primary candidates in precinct 1165, and only a single vote was cast in precinct 1108, which went to Crenshaw. Sen. Ted Cruz and former President Donald Trump also each received a single vote in precinct 1108 in their respective primary races, meaning it is likely that only a single Republican ballot was cast in the precinct. Peter Fillerthe districts unchallenged Democratic primary candidatereceived zero votes in the same precinct.

It is also true that Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg was turned away from voting after poll workers informed her that a ballot had already been cast in her name. However, the issue was later resolved and was not caused by a systemic problem. The Harris County clerk revealed that Oggs longtime partnerOlivia Jordanwas registered to vote under the same address as Ogg and accidentally voted early under Oggs name instead of her own. We were able to assist DA Ogg with rectifying this voter error so that she can cast her ballot, Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth said in a statement. The vote that DA Oggs partner cast has been transferred to her own name.

Clarification: the poll book has been corrected to make it possible for DA Ogg to vote. It is NOT a transfer of a vote. https://t.co/amI4Y9F3mJ  Harris County Elections Department (@HarrisVotes) March 5, 2024

Ogg lost her Democratic primary race for the countys district attorney to Sean Teare, receiving approximately 42,000 votes to Teares 125,000 as of March 6.

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

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Members of the Jackson County Circuit Court will gather on Monday to honor the life of Drexel Mack, a civil process server who was killed during an eviction.

The public ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the 12th Street entrance of the Jackson County Courthouse at 415 E. 12th Street in downtown Kansas City.

Mack, who worked for the court for over a decade, was shot and killed Feb. 29 while serving a writ of possession at a home in northeast Independence.

Drexel Mack, a 41-year-old civil process officer with Jackson County courts, was shot and killed during an eviction Thursday. His family and friends remember him as a loving father, uncle and friend.

Independence police officer Cody Allen also was shot and killed in the mass shooting while responding to help Mack. Visitation and funeral services were held last week Thursday and Friday for Allen.

Two other police officers were shot and wounded, and were expected to recover.

At the ceremony on Monday, coworkers, friends and community members to pay tribute to Macks dedication and service, while reflecting on his life and the impact he made to the court.

The 41-year-old Mack worked for the courts for 12 years. Over his career, he was named the top employee during his third year and received glowing reviews from his coworkers, said Jack Foster, director of the courts civil process servers in a press conference after his death.

His sister, Carmon Mack, told The Star she had a close relationship with her brother. They grew up in the Bahama Islands and moved to the United States as children. Drexel Mack still has family in Florida, including his 19-year-old son Drexel Mack Jr.

He is survived by his fiance, Janelle Ruffin, who has three children, and his son. He also had a few other children he considered his own, his sister said.

Mack served in the U.S. Navy and worked as a corrections officer in Florida before moving to the Kansas City area in 2010. He worked as a corrections officer locally before being hired to work for Jackson County.

Charged in deaths of Mack, Allen

Prosecutors have charged Larry Acree, 69, with two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of Mack and Allen. Acree also is accused of first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

The shooting unfolded shortly after 1 p.m. Feb. 29 as Mack, along with another civil process server, was trying to carry out an eviction. Acree lost his home over back taxes, court records show.

Mack was shot after entering the front door. Police officers responded to the home and Allen was struck in the head by another round of gunfire from the home.

A verified GoFundMe has been set up by Macks family, which had raised more than $12,400 as of Friday afternoon.

The Stars Kendrick Calfee and Bill Lukitsch provided information for this story.
Thousands packed the streets of Corktown on Sunday for Detroit's annual St. Patrick's Day parade, celebrating the legacy of Irish culture in Detroit.

The 66th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Corktown Races brought hundreds to celebrate Irish culture despite the harsh winds and flurries filling the air.

At the peak of the 1850s, 15% of those in Detroit had immigrated from Ireland and nearly 45% settled in the Corktown neighborhood. United Irish Societies, a coalition of more than 35 local organizations, hosted the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1958 - and the event has since become a time-honored tradition.

More: Here's what you might not know about Corktown's history

Rose Stevenson and her partner Lisa Stevens have lived in Corktown for almost 15 years and said they enjoy the community spirit that erupts during cultural parades.

The crowd watches during the 66th Annual Detroit St. Patricks Parade in Detroit on March 10, 2024. (Nic Antaya, Special to The Detroit Free Press)

We love to make sure we get here early to grab a nice spot to watch and cheer along all the amazing groups who work so hard, Stevenson said. Its almost like a history lesson watching all the different groups come through.

Drawing hundreds of thousands each year, according to its website, the two-hour parade featured performances by the Ardan Academy of Irish Dance, Motor City Irish Dance, the Shannon Irish Dance Academy, the Metro Detroit Police and Fire Pipes and Drums and the Windsor Police Pipe Band.

The dozens of colorful, eccentric floats told the story of Irish legacy in Corktown and honored Irelands patron saint, St. Patrick.

This year's Grand Marshals were Norman and Maureen Root. Hometown Heros honored at the Parade were:

Executive Director of Detroit Dog Rescue Kristina Millman-Rinaldi

Metro Detroit Police and Fire Pipes & Drums Stacy Sanderson-Trott and Dave Wurtz

Michael Robes of Ann Arbor said his family chooses a different metro Detroit St. Patricks Day parade to participate in each year, but none beat Detroits.

We went to Ann Arbor last year and were going to Grand Rapids next week too, Robes said. (Between) the family-fun zone and the different performances in the parade - Detroit is our family favorite.

Prior to the parade, hundreds of runners of all ages sported bright green t-shirts for the 41st annual Corktown Races.

Monetary and canned good donations were collected for the St. Patrick's Senior Center, located at 58 Parsons Street. The senior center founded in 1983 is the only community-based health clinic for seniors in Detroit, according to its website.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Families flood Corktown for 66th annual St. Patrick's Day parade
Artist impression of Constance Marten being questioned by her barrister at the Old Bailey - Julia Quenzler/SWNS

Constance Martens family accused her of breeding children for the black market during a bitter family court dispute, she has told the Old Bailey.

The 36-year-old, who is on trial accused of the manslaughter of her baby daughter, Victoria, told jurors a family member tried to have her children removed in revenge after she spoke out about serious abuse.

In bad-tempered exchanges with Joel Smith, prosecuting, Ms Marten, who is under cross-examination, claimed her children had been stolen from her by that state.

The jury had previously heard how Ms Marten gave birth to Victoria in secret and then went on the run with her partner, Mark Gordon, and Victoria last winter, after her first four children were taken into care.

She told the jury: I had spoken out about serious abuse by that family member and as a way to get back at me they tried to take my children away from me.

A member of my family made an allegation that I was breeding children to sell on the black market and that I was a drug addict. It was completely outrageous.

My family have a lot of money, a lot of clout and a lot of connections and that is why they were able to do what they did.

She added: Our four children have been stolen under completely spurious circumstances. I have lost complete faith in the system.

Sleeping rough

The couple were sleeping rough in a tent on the South Downs last January when Victoria died. Her body was later discovered in a disused shed on an allotment.

Ms Marten explained she had gone on the run because she had no faith in the system and feared social services would remove Victoria.

She said her original plan had been to go abroad but Mr Gordons passport had been removed and she was subject to a travel ban as a result of previous wardship proceedings, when a family member had tried to get custody of her first four children.

Ms Marten said initially she and Mr Gordon had considered becoming reverse refugees and paying to get someone to smuggle them out of Britain to mainland Europe.

She said they had also thought about paying a professional to take baby Victoria for a period and then take her overseas to meet them once they had got settled.

But their plans went awry when the car they were travelling in caught fire on the M61 near Bolton on Jan 5 last year, resulting in the loss of much of their possessions and money.

GPS trackers

Ms Marten told the jury she believed the car might have been tampered with by people working on behalf of her family.

She said: Weve had lots of cars and I believe every one has been tampered with by members of my family. Every single one of our cars has just stopped in the middle of the motorway.

Ms Marten also claimed she and Mr Gordon had discovered GPS trackers on the vehicles which she believes were placed there by private detectives working for her family.

The couple are accused of manslaughter by gross negligence, concealing the birth of a child, cruelty to a person under 16, causing or allowing the death of a child and perverting the course of justice.

They deny all the charges and the trial continues.

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The incident took place in Manoa, a residential area of Honolulu.

Authorities in Hawaii are investigating the apparent murder-suicide of a family of five, including three children in a Honolulu home.

The father, who has not been identified, is believed to have stabbed to death his wife and three children - aged 10, 12 and 17 - before taking his own life, police said.

Witnesses reported an argument at the home on early Sunday morning.

The deaths mark Hawaii's worst mass killing in over two decades.

Police initially responded to a call at 08:30 local time (18:30GMT) but left when no one answered the door, authorities said at a press conference on Sunday.

After receiving a second call less than an hour later, officers entered the home and found four people fatally stabbed.

The husband also was found dead and the cause of death remains under investigation, police said.

Police are still investigating a motive.

Honolulu's police chief Joe Logan said that the crime scene would have an impact on the responding officers "as it would on any officer, for the rest of their lives".

Nearby residents told local media that the family had lived in the area for about a decade. The children would often be seen playing outside.

"They are like a typical festival family. They dress up the house for the holidays and it's all normal," neighbourhood man Hiro Izumo told Hawaii News Now.

In a statement, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said that the "inexplicable" tragedy had "shaken our community".

"Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends grappling with this profound loss," he said. "Let us stand together in support and solidarity during this difficult time."

Police said the killings represented one of the deadliest crimes in the state since the so-called "Xerox murders" of 1999, in which a suspect fatally shot dead seven co-workers.
Ordinarily, the days leading up to Ramadan, the holy month when Muslims give up food and drink from dawn to dusk, are exuberant. My younger children and I would prepare iftar jars and food baskets with Ramadan staples, such as dates, nuts and apricot paste, to hand out to neighbors. Wed decorate the house and send invitations for iftar, the meal when we break our fast, to friends and family.

But this year, as Palestinians with family in Gaza, our enthusiasm has been overshadowed with overwhelming grief. Ramadan begins this week. No decorations have made their way out of the basement and no baskets have been distributed.

Read more: Ramadan coverage: Faith, fasting, food and more

Israels war on Gaza, which the International Court of Justice and a U.S. federal court found could amount to genocide , has claimed the lives of my aunt, my three adult cousins and their families. It has also killed more than 100 members of my extended family along with more than 30,000 other Palestinians . I cannot begin to imagine what Ramadan will look like for them, as United Nations officials have said that more than half a million people in Gaza are a "step away" from famine, and Israel blocks the entry of aid trucks .

Thirteen years ago, while researching for my cookbook on Gaza cuisine , I observed Ramadan there. There was a heat wave amid power outages, the result of an Israeli attack on Gaza's power plant and restrictions on diesel fuel.

Read more: Opinion: I'm an American doctor who went to Gaza. What I saw wasn't war  it was annihilation

Despite it all, the air then was electric with excitement. Qatayif vendors popped up just around sunset, flipping and selling the traditional Ramadan pancakes ready to stuff with nuts, milk pudding or cheese. Children lighted the dark skyline with their fawanees , or lanterns, and men and women headed to the mosque for the evening taraweeh prayers, a fixture of the holy month. There will be none of that this year.

This Ramadan, I oscillate between a profound sense of loss and sadness and a feeling of urgency and obligation to do anything I can to help my family, to organize, to speak out. Sometimes, I feel broken and empty inside, as we face a cruel reality in which even our best efforts cannot seem to stop the slaughter, and all I can muster the energy to do is cry.

Read more: Opinion: How LGBTQ+ Muslims like me create  and find  community during Ramadan

In WhatsApp messages, my Gaza relatives tell me they have nothing left to go back to, no mosques to go pray in, no electricity, no fuel to cook with. What little food they find is purchased at incredibly inflated prices, cooked in a makeshift cob oven or in tin ovens, using wood or charcoal.

Eleven of my family members, including my uncle who has a heart condition, are currently in Rafah after fleeing their Gaza City home in the north. Now, they have nowhere left to hide, as they await an imminent Israeli invasion into Rafah.

Read more: Palestinian cookbooks help preserve a culture's identity

Dozens of other family members remain in Gaza City, cut off from those in the south, from the trickle of humanitarian aid entering the territory. They face looming starvation . We learn only whether they are alive or not through the occasional audio note. One cousin recently told me he hadnt tasted bread, fruit, vegetables or meat in months, surviving instead on hard-to-find canned food.

Despite all this, my cousins say they plan to honor Ramadan however they can, and to prepare traditional Palestinian meals for iftar, improvising with whatever ingredients are on hand. Stews with powdered chicken bouillon instead of protein. Wild greens and tinned meat or tuna if they are lucky. Animal feed instead of flour for making bread. For my relatives, observing Ramadan and cooking also serve as acts of resistance and sumood, or steadfastness, against a dehumanizing war.

Back in Maryland, Im left wondering how to talk to my children about what is happening, as we gather around our iftar tables. What meaning do we find in Ramadan given the situation back home? The conversations will be difficult, but necessary. And from these points of discomfort and angst, I hope we grow spiritually and mentally.

I am frustrated with the Biden administrations unwavering diplomatic, financial and military support of Israels bombardment, which has systematically destroyed much of Gaza, including its agricultural land and assets, and its local food systems. Human Rights Watch has said the Israeli government is employing starvation as a weapon of war. Instead of pressuring Israel to open land crossings , the U.S. has airdropped food aid into Gaza and plans to build a temporary port to bring in humanitarian assistance. These efforts are woefully insufficient and amount to a public relations stunt as our government continues to provide bombs and arms to Israel .

During Ramadan, feeding a fasting person or hungry people is highly recommended. Living in the U.S., all I can do is send money to friends in Gaza who have set up neighborhood soup kitchens , preparing simple vegetarian stews using foraged wild greens like common mallow, or khobeiza.

In the Quran, patience is described as jameel, which means beautiful. Patience, perseverance and prayer are all we have left now. But that doesnt make the hardship any easier.

In some ways, the horrific war has forced us to approach Ramadan in the spirit it was intended. To focus not on satisfying the self, but on purifying it of worldly desires, and in doing what we can to change an injustice around us.

These are the messages we will likely be sharing around our iftar tables this Ramadan, as our family struggles to find strength to make sense of the murderous catastrophe unfolding before our eyes.

Laila El-Haddad is a writer based in Clarksville, Md., and the co-author of The Gaza Kitchen: A Palestinian Culinary Journey. @gazamom

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- A family commemorated their son Sunday on what would have been Brayden Robinsons 20th Birthday.

December 19, 2022, 18-year-old Brayden Robinson and 19-year-old Devon Hill were found inside a vehicle located in the 800th block on 16th Street in North Little Rock; they had been shot and killed.

The family is still in unrest as there havent been any arrests made in the case in connection to the tragic day.

His mom, Brandie Mathew, remembers the call, saying it was already a strange day.

North Little Rock family looking for answers nearly one year after sons homicide

That day was just a very strange day but I never thought that Id get the phone call saying that it was my son that had been killed. Shot in the head a few times, it was very hard, still is hard its a daily struggle for me but Im still with God, Im making it, Mathew said.

Brayden Robinson had just graduated from high school and had high ambitions of continuing to play band in college.

Well, Brayden loved music. He loved the band. If you ever had time to meet Brayden Robinson, hes very anointed with his hands. Matter of fact, Jackson State was getting ready to give him a four-year scholarship in band, but this happened, and we are just seeking justice, Ulysses Robinson, Braydens father, said.

Little Rock Family mourns the loss of the 18-year-old loved one shot and killed last month

His mom saying their theme song was by Erin Knight and called I got Jesus on my side.

When Ulysses Robinson received the call, he said it was heartbreaking as he didnt live close at the time.

Well, it was so tragic because I live in Dallas, Texas, and when his mom called me at midnight to tell me that my son had been killed, that was very devastating for me, Ulysses Robinson said.

His family and friends remember him as a teddy bear who gave great bear hugs. Hugs that they miss.

North Little Rock police identify victims in December homicide

Happy Birthday and we pray Tank, you looking down on your dad and your mom and your bonus mother saying happy heavenly birthday. We love you and your truly missed, Ulysses Robinson said.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact North Little Rock Police Department.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
A recent column about the fatal shooting of Maximiliano Max Sosa Jr. by Fresno police in November 2023 posed a provocative question (Why wasnt a clinician called to the scene?) without providing the answers.

That bothered me, so I decided to learn more about what types of services besides the standard law enforcement response are available locally for people experiencing a mental health crisis. To better separate policy and political will from reality.

Then I wanted to determine why those resources werent deployed in Sosas case.

To do so, I interviewed Fresno police chief Paco Balderrama, a firm believer that mental-health experts should respond to those types of calls, as well as Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health deputy director Emma Rasmussen. (Assistant city attorney Tina Griffin sat in during my interview with Balderrama. Likely to ensure he didnt respond to questions about Sosa, whose family is suing the city for wrongful death.) I also reviewed a bevy of materials and studies related to mobile crisis response.

Opinion

Heres what I found: While the city of Fresno as well as Fresno County have contracted clinicians available for mental-health calls  even more of them since Jan. 1  they would not have been called to the scene during the law enforcement response that resulted in Sosas death.

Why not? Three primary reasons:

 Sosa was carrying kitchen shears, which police consider a weapon.

 The episode occurred inside the apartment of Sosas estranged wife with her present, meaning a third party may have been in danger.

 The initial 9-1-1 call came during the early morning hours on a Saturday.

Since 2018, Fresno police and the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health have co-sponsored a Crisis Intervention Team made up of a sergeant and four officers that have completed a 40-hour course on mental health response and de-escalation techniques. These officers work alongside clinicians provided by Kings View, the countys private contractor for such services.

However, due to the sheer volume of calls, these CIT officers are rarely involved in the initial response. Rather, they get called in after it is determined (usually by the first officer on scene) that the individual is experiencing a mental health crisis. It is then up to the CIT officer to summon a clinician.

They will not call the clinician there if theres a weapon or if its still an ongoing situation with the potential for a crime, Balderrama said. They cant put that clinician in danger. We have to render that scene safe before we can call them in.

Family members and supporters on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, hold signs during a news conference in which the decried the fatal shooting of Maximiliano Max Sosa Jr., 33, by Fresno police on Nov. 4, 2023.

The other aspect that applies to Sosas situation is that the CIT unit (both officers and clinicians) works Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to midnight. Meaning they werent on duty at 5 a.m. on a Saturday.

Why do CIT officers and clinicians work those hours? Because thats when the bulk of mental health-related calls come in, Balderrama and Rasmussen said.

Surprisingly, its true, said Rasmussen, who oversees the countys mental health services and mobile crisis response. Even I was surprised at that data. The volume of calls is higher in the daytime compared to the nighttime.

In 2023, according to Balderrama, Fresno police responded to 21,106 mental health calls when no crime was being committed and placed 5,036 people on 5150 holds. (Thats nearly 14 per day.)

Those are staggering figures. And with that much volume, the CIT unit ends up spending less time on initial responses and more on follow-up visits.

New service for non-violent situations

Starting Jan. 1, California counties have also been required to provide community-based mobile crisis services that dont involve law enforcement. Fresno Countys Mobile Crisis Response Team is staffed by Kings View clinicians and case managers and is available 24/7. The direct number is (559) 600-6000.

The Mobile Crisis Response Team is only for non-violent situations where theres no immediate threat of harm. To ensure that is the case, emergency dispatchers throughout Fresno County are being trained to ask specific questions to ensure the scene is safe for an unarmed clinician.

Were civilians and we have nothing on us besides our pen and paper, Rasmussen said. Its quite different from what were used to.

According to Rasmussen, counties that previously implemented mobile crisis response have achieved decreases in both emergency room visits as well as psychiatric hospitalizations.

Theres cases when law enforcement presence is necessary and there are cases when it isnt, she said. When it is determined that it isnt, we have different work that we can do.

Added Balderrama: If a person is going through a mental health crisis and needs a clinician, we dont want to add a gun to the situation.

In addition to mobile services, the county also has mental health professionals available via 988  the national suicide and crisis hotline  that provide a supportive voice and helpful connections.

In its first two months, Fresno Countys Mobile Crisis Response Team responded to 58 calls. Rasmussen expects that number to increase as more people become familiar with the new service.

Its going to take time for the community and for everyone involved to get used to the options we have and how to best utilize them, she said.

To be clear, this wasnt about whether Fresno police acted properly when they fatally shot Sosa, who told officers he was suicidal. Thats a different question altogether. This was about why no mental health professionals were called to the scene.

The answers (Sosa had scissors, his estranged wife could potentially have been in danger and the call came in at 5 a.m. on a Saturday when the CIT unit is off duty) arent great, nor entirely satisfactory. But at least we have them.
Something curious is happening in the vast digital world of music: millions of songs on streaming platforms like Spotify remain unplayed. Recently, the Swedish company and others have begun reconsidering their strategies to deal with this excess. A recent example is the case of several Spanish indie bands that were removed from Spotify and other applications by their digital distributor, Altafonte, due to low play counts.

This change in approach can be seen in Spotifys new policy: not paying royalties for songs with fewer than 1,000 streams in a year. A report from Luminate in 2023 revealed that 82.7% of songs were streamed less than 1,000 times, and that nearly 25% had no streams at all. With the constant growth of the music catalog, unstreamed songs are predicted to reach 100 million by 2028.

The cost of maintaining these platforms has increased dramatically, from $35 million in 2019 to more than $130 million in 2022. Even though Spotify finally reported profits in the last quarter of 2023, it faced significant challenges, including three rounds of layoffs and a hike in their rates. However, it remains the global leader with 226 million subscribers and 574 million monthly users.

These changes reflect pressure on streaming platforms due to their high operating costs, investor impatience with tech companies that do not generate consistent profits, and competition from giants such as Apple and Amazon, which support their streaming services with other lines of business.

The royalty payment system, known as pro rata, benefits the most popular artists like Taylor Swift, but leaves many others with millions of streams earning just a few dollars a year. Although Spotifys value has tripled since the pandemic, the proportion of revenue going to artists has not increased significantly.

Traditional record labels, on the other hand, continue to benefit from music rights accumulated over the years, making profits without needing to invest in new talent. Responding to this scenario, Universal Music and Warner in France have adopted a new model, initially proposed by Deezer, where royalties will only be paid to songs with a minimum of monthly reproductions and by at least 500 different users. In addition, tracks considered noise will be eliminated.

The main challenge for the survival of streaming is how to handle music generated by artificial intelligence and massive catalogs that seek to take advantage of royalties without focusing on quality. This situation threatens to displace thousands of artists struggling to stand out in a market dominated by algorithms.

Thus, streaming services, which promised to revolutionize access to music, now faces a crucial dilemma: how to balance offering an extensive catalog with the need to guarantee fair income for artists and maintain their own economic viability. Meanwhile, music lovers will do well to preserve their vinyl and CD collections, witnesses of a different era in the music industry.
A beloved father of 13 children who saved his family from a house fire started by their landlord was gunned down outside of a Brooklyn brownstone early Sunday morning in an apparent targeted attack.

Lavel Fraiser, 40, known by friends as Flip, was ambushed and fatally shot in the torso by a group of gunmen who were waiting for him, neighbors and police said.

Fraiser was found in the backyard of a building at 673 Sterling Place just after 1 a.m., police said.

He got shot outside in front. He staggered in all the way to the back. He was hiding back there, the buildings super, John Williams, 49, told The Post.

I dont know what the beef was. He was a nice guy.

A 40-year-old father was fatally shot in Brooklyn early Sunday morning. Gregory P. Mango

Williams, who said hed known Flip for about seven years, saw him being taken away on a stretcher by EMS and told him Please live!

The shooters were waiting for him. They came in a car here in front, Williams said. Everybody knows Flip. Hes a good guy.

Fraisers wife, Andriana, 28, said he was a superhero father to his 13 children  four of whom they share.

His wife recalled how he heroically saved their family from their previous apartment after their landlord allegedly set the building on fire over one tenants unpaid rent.

He saved me and my childrens lives. We were in a house fire last September, she said. He saved all of us, me and my six children.

Neighbors remembered the victim as being a good guy who didnt have problems with anyone. Robert Mecea

She added: He was good man. He was way humble. He was a vibe. He had his own business. He was very smart.

Neighbors said Fraiser was not one to get into trouble. According to Williams, he always kept the peace.

Fraiser died at the hospital, police said.

Christopher McCarthy, 46, who lives down the block, said hed been a friend of the victim and was the one who called 911.

One neighbor said he heard four shots ring out. Gregory P. Mango

He was in the back. Outside in the back. He was sitting on the ground. He was shot, McCarthy told The Post. So I said Flip are you OK and he said nothing.

Then another friend started yelling Call 911, come on call 911! So I called, he said.

McCarthy, who has lived on Sterling Place for the past 24 years, said he was sleeping at the time his friend was shot.

I came to get came out to get a bottle of water. And I just see Flip. I dont know what happened. I saw him earlier in the day, he was fine, McCarthy added.

Another neighbor, who asked to not be named, said he heard four shots ring out at the time of the shooting.

No arrests have been made in the shooting. Gregory P. Mango

Hes a good guy. Flip is a good guy. I cant believe that really happened. Im in shock, McCarthy said, noting he, Fraiser and others in the neighborhood would always hang out in the backyard.

Fraiser came to New York from Panama and had no problems with anyone, according to McCarthy.

No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation remains ongoing.
A few years ago, Kat Morris read a book titled A Dark Night in Aurora. It offered a forensic psychiatrists look at the man who opened fire on a crowd inside a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, on 20 July 2012, killing 12 people and wounding 58.

The books full title is longer than A Dark Night in Aurora. As is often the case with nonfiction, it includes a second part detailing its contents. That line includes the shooters name, which Morris hesitates to say during our call. When talking about mass shootings, she has developed a habit  deeply ingrained by now  of not naming perpetrators. During our conversation, she does so only once, for clarity, before further discussing the book and the impact it had on her.

It dissected [the perpetrators] brain and why he did things and the way he acted, and his friendships and his relationships and his family, and how all that came together, she says. And I was fascinated by it.

Morris had started to develop a taste for podcasts, even picking up work as a freelance researcher for a couple of shows. After reading A Dark Night in Aurora, she looked for a podcast that would enable her to explore the topic further.

There wasnt a single one, she says.

Morris resolved to create it herself. She recruited her best friend, Mari Cole, and a narrator, JT Hosack. Since September 2019, the trio has produced Active Shooter, a rare true-crime podcast with a focus on mass shootings.

Mass shootings have occupied a strangely remote corner of true-crime media. Other types of violence, such as serial murder, have entire swaths of the industry dedicated to them. Programs about disappearances, cults, and scams abound. But Active Shooter is one of very few podcasts dedicated specifically to covering mass shootings, looking at one instance per episode. (Another is Stop the Killing, by former FBI special agent Katherine Schweit.)

Some anthology true-crime podcasts, which look at different cases on a rolling basis, have discussed mass shootings, but those forays remain occasional and temporary.

Rachel Monroe, a contributing writer for the New Yorker whose reporting has often looked at violence and guns, and who devoted a chapter of her book about true-crime Savage Appetites to mass shootings, has noticed that they seem to occupy a different narrative space within true-crime.

If you think about classic true-crime  the serial killer or something like that  so much of it is grounded in this idea of the narrative, the whodunnit, the piecing together of the clues, something unfolding over time, she says.

A mass shooting, in contrast, is this explosion of violence, she says. When questions do arise, they are often straightforward (for example: How did they get the gun?), and their answers can be brutally simple. Often, its like, They bought it at the gun store, Monroe says.

Since 2019, Active Shooter has accrued around a million downloads, according to Morris. Those arent chart-topping numbers, but the podcasts audience has grown notably over the course of its 127 episodes.

One early ethical discussion was about how to publicly discuss mass shootings, and the team made a clear decision. The names of the perpetrators are never mentioned on Active Shooter. The team uses pseudonyms instead. Episodes are titled after the location of the shooting they examine (Robb Elementary School, Uvalde, Texas, Oxford High School, Oxford, Michigan, Planned Parenthood, Colorado Springs, Colorado).

Each episode also mentions a pledge started by No Notoriety, a campaign that promotes best practices for journalists and content creators whose work touches on mass shootings. No Notoriety was co-founded by Tom and Caren Teves, whose son Alex died in the Aurora shooting at the age of 24, while shielding his girlfriend from gunfire.

aAfter the shooting, Tom Teves was struck by how much of the media coverage of the shooting centered the perpetrator. We turned on the news and all we heard about was the murderer, the murderer, the murderer, he tells The Independent. Nothing about the victims.

It was also evident to him, looking at other mass shootings, that the desire for attention, or for fame, was present on the perpetrators side. They want their 15 minutes of fame or whatever, he says. And time and time again, the media gives it to them.

No Notoriety has published a media protocol that they recommend following to cover mass shootings without feeding into the dynamics of infamy. The campaign, for example, advises mentioning the name of the perpetrator once at most, as a reference point and never in the headlines. They ask for no photo [of the perpetrator] above the fold, and to refrain from publishing any self-serving material such as photos, videos, or manifestos. (Those manifestos, Monroe says, typically amount to this mundane, kind of paranoid, grandiose soup that is in no way illuminating or revealing.)

A memorial is made outside the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

When Morris she created Active Shooter, she knew right away that we were not going to give [perpetrators] any notoriety. At first, she thought mentioning the shooters names once at the beginning of each episode would be the way to go  but she eventually decided to go one step further.

I said, No,you know what? I dont even want to give them that, she says, At first we were going to refer to them just as the shooter, but it got to be a lot. So we came up with doing a pseudonym [instead].

Its hard to talk about mass shootings without talking about gun legislation  what a lot of people would call politics. That aspect traditionally fits into the mainstream media coverage, but its usually limited to news stories. The topic can be harder to handle for independent podcasters or content creators, who might feel that they risk alienating their audience if they take a position.

One of the things thats always struck me about true-crime as a genre is that for a long time and in many cases, it has tried to keep itself separate from politics, Monroe says. Thats certainly beginning to change, and people are handling true-crime in different ways than they used to. But I think it was the idea.

The idea of writing about violence without writing about politics, however, makes less and less sense to her.

I think increasingly, the idea that a shooter is politically motivated is at the forefront when there is a mass shooting, she says. If its not a disaffected teenager, then its like, What side were they on? What were their individual demographics and who were they like trying to kill?

When Morris started Active Shooter, she knew she didnt want the show to be about politics, because I hate that crap. But that doesnt mean the show steers entirely clear of mentions of policy. Well talk about how this could have been prevented, especially with new red-flag laws coming into play, she says. If a case wasnt followed-up on, or if warning signs were overlooked before the perpetrator obtained a firearm, we bring those up, she says.

Monroe and Teves both believe the coverage of mass shootings has improved over the years  though Teves says its still not where it needs to be.

I thought it would take six months to do this, he says. I never thought it would take 12 years  and its still not done.

As a reference point, Monroe uses the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, which is a focus of the chapter in her book that looks at mass shootings. In 2006, diaries kept by the two perpetrators were published and widely discussed, adding to a pre-existing library of materials, including photos and videos. Those materials contribute to an unfortunate mystique around the two shooters, Monroe says.

We just know so much about those two boys and what was going on in their heads and how they felt about prom and their bad poetry and all of that, she says. Theres content to project onto and tell stories about. Thats why they loom so large.

Such stories can feel like a trap for journalists and storytellers, Monroe says  and best practices exist precisely to avoid that effect.

I think we as the media have learned to be careful about giving that kind of attention, she says. Negative attention is still attention, right? Anybody whos hung out with a toddler knows that.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) issued a memo scolding firefighters it says brought "discredit" to the department after booing New York Attorney General Letitia James and cheering for former President Trump at a promotion ceremony last week, warning those who took part to protest on their own time, according to a report.

Following a New York Post report about the leaked memo, FDNY spokesman Jim Long confirmed to Fox News Digital on Monday morning that chief officers went to firehouses over the weekend to discuss the events of Thursday and speak to the concerns and disappointment with the behavior shown during James' remarks.

The chief officers also issued reminders that the behavior of FDNY members affects the department's reputation, Long said, adding that the ongoing process of speaking to firefighters and staff was productive, well-received and put the department on a path of moving forward with the community and its partners.

The New York Post reported Sunday that the department handed out a memo over the weekend at firehouses across New York City that said the FDNYs Bureau of Investigations and Trials (BITS) is combing through video to identify those who took part in the behavior.

FDNY LOOKING INTO STAFF WHO BOOED NY AG LETITIA JAMES, CHEERED FOR TRUMP AT CEREMONY

New York Attorney General Letitia James told the crowd to "simmer down" after receiving a volley of "Trump!" chants during an FDNY promotion ceremony on Thursday.

Firefighters "should understand that BITS is gathering video and identifying members that brought discredit  to the department," read the memo obtained by the Post. "We want the members to come forward. They will come to HQ to be educated [on] why their behavior is unacceptable."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The memo also advised firefighters not to express their political views while on duty.

FDNY LOOKING INTO STAFF WHO BOOED NY AG LETITIA JAMES, CHEERED FOR TRUMP AT CEREMONY

"When youre not on duty, feel however you want about politicians," the memo said. "Vote. Protest. Thats your right. But dont do it on the jobs time, on other members time, or on their families time. Do it on your own time."

The controversy began after booing erupted as James walked up to the podium to honor the swearing-in of the first Black female chaplain of the FDNY, the Rev. Pamela Holmes, as well as other first responders at a promotion ceremony on Thursday at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn.

"Oh, cmon, were in a house of God. Simmer down," James told the rowdy crowd. "Thank you for getting it out of your system."

As James continued her remarks, the crowd repeatedly chanted "Trump!"

New York Attorney General Letitia James spoke at the promotion ceremony, which saw 65 uniformed members from Fire Operations, EMS Operations and Bureau of Fire Investigation, along with 29 members of the Bureau of Fire Prevention and 34 civilian employees sworn in to their new roles.

James led the civil fraud case against Trump in New York City that resulted in Judge Arthur Engoron finding Trump liable for more than $350 million in damages and barring him from operating his business in New York for three years.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said she is "prepared" to ask the judge to seize former President Trump's assets if he cannot pay the $354 million judgment handed down in his civil fraud case.

Long also told Fox News Digital that the behavior on Thursday "fell short" of what the FDNY expects of its members, especially at an event that was meant to be a celebration of the work people have done to advance themselves in their careers.

FDNY Chief of Department John Hodges apologized to James immediately after the event and thanked her for coming to speak, Long said.

NEW YORK OFFICIAL FIRES BACK AT STATE AG AMID FIGHT OVER TRANS ATHLETE LAW: THIS IS NOT TRANSPHOBIC

The department also claimed in the memo obtained by the news outlet that it is at risk of losing the cultural center as a venue after the incident hurt its reputation with the host.

Long said that FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh spoke to the congregation at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn and apologized for the behavior shown during the event.

Long previously told Fox News Digital in a statement Sunday morning that the departments concerns were "about professionalism at an official event," and "has nothing to do with politics."

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"Nobody is hunting anyone down," Long said. "Were looking into those who clearly broke department regulations."





Original article source: FDNY tells firefighters to protest on your own time after booing NY AG Letitia James, cheering Trump: report
FDNY brass is turning up the heat on pro-Trump firefighters who showered state Attorney General Letitia James with boos at a raucous promotion ceremony, a memo obtained by The Post reveals.

The memo, handed out at Big Apple firehouses Sunday, warns firefighters that department investigators are reviewing video footage of the event in Brooklyn last week to ID those behind the grossly inappropriate conduct  and cautioned them to keep their politics at home.

When youre not on duty, feel however you want about politicians, the document said. Vote. Protest. Thats your right. But dont do it on the jobs time, on other members time, or on their families time. Do it on your own time.

The boo birds were out. Pro-Trump firefighters showed state AG Letitia James with boos at a promotion ceremony. BRIGITTE STELZER

Letitia James was showered with boos by pro-Trump firefighters at an FDNY promotion ceremony in Brooklyn last week. BRIGITTE STELZER

The memo also reinforced that the departments Bureau of Investigations and Trials was going after the offenders  echoing an email by Chief of Department John Hodges on Saturday.

Firefighters should understand that BITS is gathering video and identifying members that brought discredit  to the department, the Sunday memo said. We want the members to come forward. They will come to HQ to be educated [on] why their behavior is unacceptable.

The memo also said the departments reputation with the ceremonys host has also been damaged, and added that we may lose that venue now.

The controversy stems from a department ceremony Thursday at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, where the crowd  including the families of captains, battalion chiefs and civilians up for promotion  erupted in loud jeers as James walked to the podium.

Oh, come on, James told the crowd. Were in a house of God. First, simmer down.

Thank you for getting it out of your system.

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.

The AG famously won a $454 million civil fraud judgment against Trump last month, convincing a judge that the former president inflated the value of his New York State holdings to dupe banks and investors.

Trump is appealing the decision.

But the display at the ceremony ticked off Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, who launched an investigation to track down the offending firefighters.

FDNY brass said the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn may ban the department after a raucous promotion ceremony. BRIGITTE STELZER

Meanwhile, Andrew Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, called the outburst at the ceremony disappointing  but said the union will always stand behind its members.

Were all kind of disappointed with what happened. It wasnt a political event, Ansbro told The Post Sunday. Letitia James has always been a friend of the UFA. This was disappointing. It was in a church. Its not the place for it.

Some members took the opportunity to express their beliefs. It wasnt the time or place to do that.

But, Ansbro added, We will strongly defend any of our members who face discipline.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James tries to quiet the boos at an FDNY promotion ceremony in Brooklyn. NY Post

In another message, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, which represents lieutenants, firefighters and other ranking members, urged caution for any who may get grilled over the incident.

We advise all members to follow department rules and regulations during these visits and any subsequent inquiry that results from them, the message said.

However, should any member feel they are subject to an investigation due to the nature of specific questions, they should immediately notify the UFOA and request representation. Any additional inquiries should not continue until a UFOA representative is present.

FDNY spokesman Jim Long said Saturday that the departments investigation into the raucous ceremony wasnt about politics, but rather about professionalism at an official event.

Nobody is hunting anyone down, Long said.

However, at least one city politician thinks FDNY brass is out of line.

Everyone should be entitled to their First Amendment rights, city worker or not, city Councilwoman Joann Ariola, who chairs the Committee on Fire and Emergency Management, said Sunday.

I applaud the quick action of the UFOA on this matter, Ariola said. They did exactly what a union should do  they put the word out, and they are providing representation to anyone who needs it.

Kudos to them for stepping up to the plate and defending their members.
Early this month, a federal judge in Alabama held the Corporate Transparency Act unconstitutional and granted plaintiffs in a lawsuit summary judgment against enforcement of the wide-reaching law, which went into effect this year. For many Americans this raises the questions: "What in hell is the Corporate Transparency Act? Does it affect me?" The quick answer is that it's a big deal, and if you own an incorporated business, you'll probably still suffer its intrusive requirements even after the ruling.

Significant Regulatory Punch in a Small Package

"When Congress passed the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, it included a bill called the Corporate Transparency Act ('CTA'). Although the CTA made up just over 21 pages of the NDAA's nearly 1,500-page total, the law packs a significant regulatory punch, requiring most entities incorporated under State law to disclose personal stakeholder information to the Treasury Department's criminal enforcement arm," Judge Liles C. Burke of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama's Northeastern Division handily summarized in this month's ruling.

Large businesses are exempt; the law applies to companies with 20 or fewer employees.

Justifications for the law laid out in early versions of the legislation invoked a laundry list of alleged financial horribles including money laundering and tax evasion. The word terrorism appears, too, of course, because that has been the lazy, default justification for legislation for 20-plus years. Basically, the law is targeted at anything that might involve a modicum of financial privacy.

To that end, the U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) set up an online reporting system through which business owners "are required to report information to FinCEN about the individuals who ultimately own or control them." FinCEN started compiling reports for such "beneficial ownership information" (BOI) on January 1, 2024 with a deadline for compliance of January 1, 2025, or 30 days after creation for companies registered following that date.

A Regulation With a Nasty Sting

Is there a penalty for noncompliance? Of course there is. According to FinCEN, "a person who willfully violates the BOI reporting requirements may be subject to civil penalties of up to $500 for each day that the violation continues. That person may also be subject to criminal penalties of up to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000."

This might be a problem for those many Americans who have established corporations or limited liability companies for making a living, but don't keep track of the federal government's diligent efforts to stamp out the scourge of terroristic money launderers among retail storefronts and Etsy vendors. I received a heads-up from reader Rick Wakefield, who forwarded a memo from his accountant. I dug through my email and found a similar note from my own accountant, dated two days before Christmas. Another accountant with whom I work told me she'd been waiting on the outcome of litigation against the law.

Business Owners Strike Back

That litigation came in the form of National Small Business United v. Yellen, launched by the National Small Business Association and NSBA member Isaac Winkles against the federal government.

"The CTA will create a cumbersome reporting process for small businesses that are rarely equipped with compliance teams or staff attorneys," argues the organization. The group adds that the feds already have the relevant information supplied via bank due diligence rules, and the law adds a new layer of D.C.-based complexity. "The CTA lays the groundwork for a federal takeover of entity formation and self-governance practices."

Importantly, the plaintiffs argued that the reporting requirement is worse than cumbersome, it's unconstitutional. They say it allows the federal government to usurp roles reserved to the states, imposes unreasonable searches and seizures, and makes up vague terms such "beneficial owners" which are not normally used by businesses or state agencies.

Judge Burke agreed. In dismantling the government's claims that the CTA is justified as an exercise of federal authority over foreign policy, national security, and taxing power; and under the Commerce Clause, and Necessary and Proper Clause; he slapped Congress for sloppy drafting that doesn't even hand-wave a claim of a constitutional basis.

Law Cannot Be Justified Under the Constitution

"The text of the CTA is missing a crucial component of valid substantial effects legislation," Burke wrote. "It 'has no express jurisdictional element which might limit its reach to a discrete set of [activities] that additionally have an explicit connection with or effect on interstate commerce.'"

"So commonplace are these jurisdictional phrases," he commented while marveling at the oversight, "that, for purposes of statutory interpretation, courts assume that 'Congress uses different modifiers to the word "commerce" in the design and enactment of its statutes.'"

As a result, he concluded, "the Corporate Transparency Act is unconstitutional because it cannot be justified as an exercise of Congress' enumerated powers. This conclusion makes it unnecessary to decide whether the CTA violates the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments."

That's good newsbut so far, only for the plaintiffs in National Small Business United v. Yellen.

Unconstitutional, But Still Enforced

"The government is not currently enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act against the plaintiffs in that action: Isaac Winkles, reporting companies for which Isaac Winkles is the beneficial owner or applicant, the National Small Business Association, and members of the National Small Business Association (as of March 1, 2024)," concedes FinCEN. "Those individuals and entities are not required to report beneficial ownership information to FinCEN at this time."

That means the unconstitutional law is still being enforced against everybody who wasn't party to the lawsuit.

"When coupled with the fact that FinCEN put virtually no effort into informing the public about the obligations of small businesses under the CTA, FinCEN's unwillingness to suspend enforcement shows a clear disregard of America's small-business owners," warns NSBA President and CEO Todd McCracken. "FinCEN should immediately reverse course and suspend enforcement of the CTA for all until these issues are finally resolved."

The American Institute of CPAs also called for suspension of enforcement after the court decision. It had already raised concerns, saying "many remain broadly unaware of their reporting requirement."

For now, though, despite the federal court's finding that Congress had no constitutional authority to impose "beneficial ownership information" reporting requirements on the country's business owners, the rule remains in place, with a deadline of next January 1. You may want to check with an accountant and spread the word to those who haven't yet heard of this dangerous regulatory burden.

The post Feds Enforcing Unconstitutional Reporting Law Against Most Businesses appeared first on Reason.com.
Professor Katja Schlosser (l) with her colleagues in the operating theatre. More than half of medical students in Germany are women but only 20% of them go on to train as surgeons. A network of female surgeons is working to change that. Christian Lademann/dpa

A female doctor has visited her patient in their hospital room diligently every day post-surgery, yet the patient complains: "No doctor has been in all week!"

Katja Schlosser, medical director of the Agaplesion Mittelhessen hospital in Germany and president of the female surgeons' association, lists many examples of how the few women who work as surgeons fare on the job.

In her career, she has been "the first" or "the only" woman in most positions, she says.

Surgeons who are pregnant are no longer allowed to go into the operating theatre, and can only do administrative work, she says.

"The path to the top, where you can operate and make decisions independently, is still very rocky for women," says Schlosser. "The profession is patriarchal."

According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, about 70% of all students enrolled in human medicine are women. However, only some 20% of them are studying to become surgeons, the German Medical Association reports.

Three years ago, some women founded the female surgeons' association in Marburg, a town some 80 kilometres north of Frankfurt, to make sure it doesn't stay that way.

The first Zoom meeting was attended by 20 women, and the circle grew rapidly via word of mouth.

Soon there were too many participants for a WhatsApp group, so the women had an app built. Today, the association has almost 2,000 members.

The association hosts forums where female surgeons can exchange ideas, ask for advice, give tips, and network. There is also a mentoring programme and some scholarships are also offered.

There is a trouble-shooting team and a night shift chat. "I never expected it to go through the roof like this," says Schlosser.

The goal of the network is to "encourage women to dare to take chances," says the surgeon. Her own experience is, "It's no use accumulating more and more expertise. You also have to promote yourself."

She thinks that so few women make it to the top because there are too few role models for female surgeons.

Schlosser is convinced that women are great at networking in their private lives, but not so much at work.

Through the association, women can meet others whose life path is similar to theirs, she says.

The association's aim is also to get more women interested in surgery and motivate them to stick with it, even during crises or when they are having children.

Sometimes this leads to life-long friendships, Schlosser explains - like the two female surgeons who were matched as mentor and mentee via the network and then met for the first time in the delivery room.

The fact that women are specifically networking is nothing new. The German Medical Women's Association (DAB) is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. An enormous amount has changed for women in general and female doctors in Germany since then, it says.

For example, the DAB cites that part-time work is now recognized as part of official training. But many issues still remain.

In healthcare policy, the DAB calls for family-friendly working conditions in hospitals and private practices.

It is also calling for more women in leadership positions. According to a DAB study, only one in 10 management positions in university medical faculties is held by a woman.

The members of the female surgeons' association emphasize that they are not suggesting that women make better surgeons than men.

However, "women can do [it] just as well as men, and no one needs to be afraid to put themselves in the hands of a female surgeon," says Schlosser.

She says it's not only male colleagues but also some patients who have less confidence in female doctors.

To combat these beliefs, the association has had badges made that read: "I am on medical rounds."

The pins, a symbol of competence and inclusion, are so popular that they are constantly being reordered, she says.

Professor Katja Schlosser at her desk in the Agaplesion Mittelhessen hospital in Germany. Christian Lademann/dpa

Professor Katja Schlosser at the operating table. Christian Lademann/dpa
A sheriffs sergeant was escorting two people out of a casino in New York when he was attacked and died in a fight, authorities said.

Now, two people are charged in the death of Thomas Sanfratello, a 32-year veteran of the Genesee County Sheriffs Office.

On March 10, Sgt. Sanfratello was working a special assignment at the Batavia Downs casino in upstate New York, the Batavia Police Department said in a news release.

At about 12:45 a.m., the sergeant and casino security were called to an altercation inside the casinos bar area, and they began escorting a man and a woman out after a verbal altercation, police said.

The 39-yearold woman became physically combative with the sergeant, and he placed her under arrest, police said. But while he did so, the other patron interfered and attacked the sergeant, according to police.

A fight broke out as security and others in the casino got involved, leading to Sanfratello using a Taser on the 33-year-old man, police said.

During the fight, Sanfratello collapsed and became unresponsive. CPR was unsuccessful, and the 54-year-old died, Genesee County officials said.

Michael Elmore is charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, aggravated assault upon a police officer and burglary.

The woman, identified as Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, faces charges of attempted assault and burglary.

Police said Elmore was told to leave the casino with Wilcox and later returned with the intention of committing a crime.

Words cannot describe the loss our Office feels with the passing of Sergeant Sanfratello, the Genesee County Sheriffs Office wrote in a tribute. May he rest in peace.

Sanfratello joined the Genesee County Sheriffs Office in 1992 as a dispatcher. He became a deputy sheriff in 1996 and a sergeant in 2007, the office said.

I trained him when he came into dispatch in 92, a man wrote on Facebook. Always a smile and a laugh. A tragic loss to our sheriff family.

The sheriffs office conveyed a message from Sanfratellos family thanking the community for the outpouring of support theyve received.

This is truly heartbreaking, another Facebook user wrote. He was a positive face in our community, and he will be dearly missed.

Sanfratellos cause of death has not been released.

Batavia is in upstate New York, about a 45-mile drive east of Buffalo.

Deputy transporting inmate is killed in crash with big rig, Texas officials say

Beloved 21-year-old officer dies in crash weeks after joining the force, NC cops say

Deputy makes first arrest then disappears  now vehicle found in water, TN cops say

1 deputy killed, 1 wounded by driver at traffic stop, TN cops say. Suspect captured
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. (WKRG)  Walton County Fire Rescue firefighters have been busy. This morning, they reportedly responded to their second house fire in less than 24 hours.

I-10 East brought to a standstill

About 14 hours after finishing up at the scene of the first fire, in Mossy Head, WCFR said they received a report of another house fire  this one, south of DeFuniak Springs.

The Walton County Sheriffs Office received a 911 call around 2:51 a.m. alerting authorities to a structure fire on Chestnut Street.

According to reports, the caller said a mobile home was on fire and posed a danger to neighboring houses.

INCIDENT LOCATION:

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WCFR responded to the scene and found that a double-wide mobile home was up in flames.

The DeFuniak Springs Fire Department arrived to assist WCFR, according to a news release.

Volunteers with Liberty and Argyle volunteer districts also responded to the scene to provide water support.

Walton County Fire Rescue responded to a mobile home fire around 2:51 a.m. on Monday (Courtesy: Walton County Fire Rescue)

Walton County Fire Rescue responded to a mobile home fire around 2:51 a.m. on Monday (Courtesy: Walton County Fire Rescue)

According to the release, firefighters had cleared the fire within 15 minutes and prevented it from spreading to nearby homes.

Authorities say no one was home at the time of the fire.

The cause of the fire is unknown, according to reports.

Body recovered after car drives into river Sunday night: Mobile Police

The State Fire Marshals Office is investigating to determine the cause of the fire.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Monday marked two weeks since a series of deadly wildfires sparked in the Texas Panhandle, killing two people and thousands of cattle, ravaging more than a million acres and hundreds of structures.

Two fires are still burning going into the third week, including the largest wildfire in Texas history, while several others have been fully contained as firefighters made significant progress last week and into the weekend.

By 2 p.m. Monday, the Smokehouse Creek Fire had burned 1,058,482 acres and was 89% contained, according to the latest update from the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS). Firefighters were able to increase containment from 87% on Friday and 74% on Thursday. On Wednesday last week, the fire was only 44% contained.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Texas Panhandle is the largest wildfire in Texas history, spanning the size of Rhode Island. The fire is an estimated 1,058,482 acres and 87% contained. pic.twitter.com/RQtv8kjbL9  Texas A&M Forest Service (@TXForestService) March 8, 2024

Firefighters on Sunday worked to extinguish spots of burning vegetation on the inside of containment lines, TAMFS said, but there was no threat to containment of the fire.

On Feb. 29, the Smokehouse Creek Fire surpassed a million acres and became the largest wildfire ever to burn in the state of Texas. The fire, which started near Stinnett in Hutchinson County Feb. 26, has scorched about 90% of Roberts County, devastated Canadian and Hemphill County, and also burned portions of Carson, Gray and Wheeler counties in Texas and Ellis and Roger Mills counties in Oklahoma.

More: At least 7,000 cows have died in historic Texas wildfires, official says

Ranchers are utilizing the much-needed donated hay to keep their cattle fed after wildfires blackened the pastures that cattle would typically be grazing as spring arrives.

The second-largest fire still burning in the Texas Panhandle, the Windy Deuce Fire which started in Moore County and spread to Hutchinson, Potter and Carson counties, is 94% contained as of Monday afternoon, TAMFS said. Crews continue to mop up and check for hot spots near the containment lines of that fire, which has burned 144,045 acres.

Three smaller fires have been contained in the last week. Sunday afternoon, TAMFS announced the Grape Vine Creek Fire in Gray County south of Lefors was 100% contained, burning 34,883 acres. The Magenta Fire in Oldham County and the the Roughneck Fire in Hutchinson county were fully contained last Tuesday.

Panhandle wildfire containment numbers

Smokehouse Creek Fire  1,058,482 acres and 89% contained.

Windy Deuce  144,045 acres and 94% contained.

Grapevine Creek 34,883 acres and 100% contained.

Magenta  3,297 acres and 100% contained.

Roughneck  335 acres and 100% contained.

Gray 0375  40 acres and 100% contained.

These numbers are accurate as of 2 p.m. Monday.

Fire weather returns to Texas Panhandle

The Texas and Oklahoma panhandles experienced a resurgence of critical fire weather conditions on Monday, with extremely dry fuels, low relative humidities and gusty winds prevalent especially in the western panhandles, according to the National Weather Service in Amarillo.

Related: Xcel Energy confirms company's infrastructure likely started Smokehouse Creek fire

Critical fire weather conditions will continue into Tuesday for the southwestern Texas Panhandle, with extremely dry fuels, wind gusts up to 30 mph and relative humidities as low as 10% expected across Armstrong, Carson, Deaf Smith, Oldham, Potter and Randall counties, the NWS predicted.

The southwestern Panhandle, as well as the northwestern South Plains and portions of Eastern New Mexico, remain under a fire weather watch until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Panhandle wildfire update: Fires mostly contained after 2 weeks
HEBRON, Ohio (WCMH)  After a weekend that saw multiple traffic delays on central Ohio roadways, the first of two dozen super loads is set to arrive at its final destination.

The first of the oversized loads is expected to be delivered in Hebron on Monday, and it will cause multiple traffic delays across Fairfield and Licking counties, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

How parking is changing at John Glenn International Airport

ODOT said that the super load departed at 9 a.m. from Freedom Way and will head east on Tussing Road/State Route 204 towards State Route 310. Other roadways that should have delays from the route include:

U.S. 40 in Etna

State Route 79 in Hebron

Wrong-way on State Route 79 southbound ramp to U.S. 40

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To follow the latest traffic conditions, click here.

NBC4 Photo/Delaney Ruth

NBC4 Photo/Delaney Ruth

NBC4 Photo/Delaney Ruth

The load started in Adams County, and then moved through Lucasville, Chillicothe, and Pickaway County, before arriving at its resting point near Rickenbacker Airport on Friday.

On Saturday, the super load moved through the Groveport area before stopping near Bixby Road for the night. It continued its progress on Sunday through Franklin County before stopping on Freedom Way.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Opinion articles written in the style of their author." These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. shall feature, along with the author's name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed

The entire educational system is expectant, waiting for the changes that will be necessary to adapt to the impact that artificial intelligence will have on research, teaching and institutional management itself. Active participation of regulators is called for to limit the dangers that AI can represent, in case of misuse and abuse, especially for the most vulnerable sectors. Among them, minors stand out, but no one is immune from the negative consequences that may arise in certain circumstances. The Beijing Consensus, published by UNESCO in 2019, describes the guidelines that should be followed to prepare those who make the educational policies regarding AI; however, we do not yet have an analysis of how these recommendations have been implemented.

On the other hand, educational institutions are well aware of the cultural resistance to change. Fear of the unknown, fear of error, can paralyze or at least slow down the acceleration of technological and educational innovation. In the face of artificial intelligence, however, it is not worth focusing the debate on whether machines will wipe out the role of the teachers  something that seems unlikely  but rather on how they will transform it. The way teachers do their job must be completely redefined, and with it, the role that educators have to guide students in the proper use of a technology that is already inevitably present in all areas of society. Sensitizing and accompanying teaching and research staff in this digital transition, as well as the administration and services staff, is an essential condition for the success of AI in the educational system.

One example is the government of Spain, which last May approved the allocation of more than 1.3 billion ($1.4 billion) from the funds for recovery, transformation and resilience to the costs of this teacher preparation. However, channeling such an important investment and materializing it into results requires not only resources, but also time. A time that can be unnecessarily extended if people do not work collaboratively, with a constructive will and the coordinated participation of all the parties involved.

Despite these difficulties, the benefits can be much greater for optimizing research and making academic management more efficient. Some may harbor greater doubts about the advantages that AI can have in teaching practice, where the dizzying pace of change is unsustainable for rigid educational systems. Without going any further, according to the Global Education Monitoring 2023 report, technology is evolving at a faster rate than it is possible to evaluate, with educational technology products changing, on average, every 36 months.

However, tilting the balance of pros and cons of AI towards the positive side goes beyond simply training in its technical aspect, however necessary. It requires, above all, teaching how to use its full potential in an ethical, responsible manner. This commitment to use  not abuse  must be applied to the entire AI chain: from the programmer, who must make sure to minimize the biases that the technology can perpetuate and even intensify, to the companies that promote and apply it, where it is necessary to establish regulatory and moral limits that do not violate human rights for the sake of economic benefit.

We should also not overlook individual responsibility in our use of artificial intelligence, which begins with making an effort to learn how to handle this technology. The temptation to succumb to the convenience that AI represents in our lives in exchange for data may be legitimate, but this should be done with full awareness (exposing, or better yet, avoiding, any dark, malicious patterns) and protecting the most vulnerable.

Only if we  regulators, legislators, academic institutions, educators, students, professionals and citizens  put people at the center and educate ourselves in its responsible use, will it be possible to experience artificial intelligence in all its splendor.

Anna Bajo Sanjuan is global head of social impact for Santander Universities at Banco Santander.

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Five people have been hurt after a "suspicious" car crashed into traffic on the opposite side of the road while being chased by police.

It happened on the A666 in Bolton at about 20:30 GMT on Sunday.

Five people were treated at the scene with "a number taken to hospital with serious injuries", Greater Manchester Police said.

The force has referred itself to the police watchdog after the crash, in accordance with usual procedures.

Officers had spotted what they described as a "suspicious Skoda" in the Bury Road area of the town.

The vehicle entered the A666 slip road from St Peter's Way before veering on to the opposite side of the road and smashing into an oncoming BMW.

Three people were injured in the Skoda, with two from the BMW also hurt.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said the force was seeking information from witnesses or those with footage of the incident

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, they added.

Why not follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk
Florida is in the midst of a historic crisis. Thanks to devastating climate-fueled hurricanes over the last several years, the average cost of home insurance in the state is now more than triple the national averageand three times what Floridians themselves paid in 2018. Naturally, Floridas Republican-controlled government is taking action: to ban types of meat that arent for sale.

Last week, Floridas legislature passed a wide-ranging bill to ban the sale of lab-grown, or cultivated, meat products, making the sale or cultivation of such items a second-degree misdemeanor. Its the kind of culture-war red meat that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who will now sign the bill, has made his specialty. We are going to have meat in Florida, he said while supporting the legislation in recent weeks. We are not going to do that fake meat. Like that doesnt work.

The states insurance market doesnt work either: Companies have fled in droves following a series of billion-dollar disasters. But thats not a problem lawmakers managed to solve as the legislative session wound to a close on Friday.

Its worth emphasizing just how theoretical a concern so-called fake meat is for the Sunshine State. Created from real animal cells, cultivated meat products are biologically meat but made without animals, typically via fermentation. Though two California-based companies have now gotten approval from federal regulators to sell cultivated meat products, these products have never been widely available and arent for sale at all at the moment; prior sales have mostly been for limited-run menu items at high-priced restaurants in major cities like San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Growing animal-free meat remains an expensive and technically difficult process, owing to the high cost of certain feedstocks needed to cultivate cells as well as the challenge of mimicking the fat and muscle formations that animals create through movement. Widespread commercialization could be years or potentially decades away. Thats all to say that fake meat poses no threat to the agricultural industry policymakers vowed to defend in supporting the ban.

Rising property insurance rates, meanwhile, might be Floridas most pressing pocketbook issue. Lawmakers did pass a handful of reform measures to deal with the states mounting property insurance crisis this session. Those include a temporary pause on taxes and fees on flood and property insurance premiums, moving policies for second homes away from the states beleaguered public insurer onto the private market, and matching grants to homeowners who fortify their homes against storms. Yet GOP lawmakers have consistently blocked attempts by Democrats to pass more comprehensive policies.

Rising insurance rates arent the only way climate change is affecting Florida, though. Its also getting hotter. So while Republicans put Band-Aids on their states insurance crisis, they also took the time to ensure that workers struggling to pay skyrocketing rents and insurance premiums arent extended luxuries like a bottle of water or a sit in the shade: Following the example set last year by Texas Republicans, Floridas GOP also pushed forward a measure this session to curtail the power of local governments to mandate that employers offer workers rest, shade, and water breaks on especially hot days. The same bill prevents city and county governments from raising their minimum wage above the state or federal level.

Thanks to the GOP, as well, teenagers will now join the ranks of those toiling in the hot sun for little pay. Thats because lawmakers passed another bill on Friday allowing employees over the age of 16 to work more than 30 hours a week so long as they get approval from a parent, guardian, or school superintendent. It further specifies that there are no limits on the hours that teens the same age can work so long as theyre homeschooled or attend classes virtually. Unlike older workers, though, underage teens working more than eight hours a day are entitled to one 30-minute break every four hours. That might come in handy for teens wholl now be able to work in roofing and residential construction, provided that work is on structures that are six feet tall or shorter.

Incarcerated Floridians face even more dire conditions. Lawmakers refused to even hear a bill to guarantee ventilation, along with adequate meal time and health products, in the states prison, where 75 percent of housing is not air conditioned.

Florida is becoming a much harder place to live as temperatures rise. In the name of building a conservative paradise, the states Republicansneglecting real economic issues to prosecute culture wars and legalize child laborare doing everything in their power to make it hell on earth.
The state of Florida settled a multi-year suit Monday against the so-called Dont Say Gay law, which limits how LGBTQ topics can be discussed and presented in schools.

The settlement agreement clarifies language of the 2022 Parental Rights in Education Act, keeping it in place but toning down what LGBTQ advocates in the state warned could illegally limit their rights.

Gov. Ron DeSantiss (R-Fla.) office celebrated the settlement as a victory for his policy agenda.

We fought hard to ensure this law couldnt be maligned in court, as it was in the public arena by the media and large corporate actors, state general counsel Ryan Newman said in a statement. We are victorious, and Floridas classrooms will remain a safe place under the Parental Rights in Education Act.

The law prevented educators from discussing LGBTQ topics with elementary students and was later expanded to high school students, raising concerns over censorship and civil liberties due to its vague language. Multiple LGBTQ rights groups sued the state over the bill when it was signed into law.

The law sparked widespread backlash for DeSantis, including starting a feud with Disney that ultimately led to a legal fight over regulation.

A federal court ruled last month that the remaining two plaintiffs did not have the standing to continue to sue, leading to a settlement Monday that fixes the concerns about vague language.

The Florida Department of Education agreed to send a memo to Florida school districts specifying that the law does not completely ban all discussion of LGBTQ topics and figures in classrooms, and requires strict neutrality on the discussion of sexuality and gender identity.

Plaintiff Cecile Houry told the Tampa Bay Times the settlement avoids another multi-year appeals process and improves the state of the law.

Its going to make a huge difference because the law was so vague that people stayed away from everything, Houry said. Here it really defines what is not allowed, and everything else that is allowed. Its going to change students experience.

She said the settlements changes relieve fears for her 7-year-old daughter.

My kid is at an age that she doesnt stop talking about everything, she said. I feel better that I dont have to worry about everything that comes out of her mouth.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Mugshot of Eric Johnson - a Melbourne man accused of extorting $80,000 from his wife while posing as a member of a drug cartel | Photo Credit: Brevard County Sheriffs Office

MELBOURNE, Fla. - A Melbourne man who pretended he was involved in the drug cartel allegedly extorted his wife for over $81,000 in support of his drug habit, arrest records show.

Eric Paul Johnson, 29, was reported missing by his wife in December 2023 after he was allegedly being held for ransom by the Mexican Cartel. The woman said she returned home from work and received multiple messages from an unknown phone number demanding various sums of money, deputies said.

Johnson reportedly led the woman to believe they were being blackmailed, claiming a man named "Troy" was stepping in to help them.

The messages stated that Johnson would be hurt or would not come home if his wife did not send the money to Johnson's CashApp account.

Some of the messages read:

"I'm running from whoever your husband sent after me in our business it's only a matter of time before they catch me500 now for my family or again things will happen."

"500 now or buenas noches."

"Better send 500 now or he won't make it to the wedding."

This wasn't the first time Johnson allegedly disappeared for ransom.

Two months before the reported the kidnapping, Johnson began frequently disappearing because of the money he allegedly owed to the cartel.

As soon as she paid the ransom, Johnson would return home shortly after.

Florida man charged with first-degree murder in Melbourne: police

Johnson was also in possession of his wife's car when he was reported missing that day. His wife said she believed he returned to her house the day of the "kidnapping" because she saw the outfit she had previously seen him wearing in their bedroom, an affidavit shows.

The day after Johnson went missing, officers located him after he was captured on camera driving on US 192 in Melbourne.

During the interview, Johnson said he was the one who sent text messages from an unknown number to his wife alleging he was kidnapped because he had a cocaine problem. Johnson said he had never sold drugs before and was just a personal user, detectives said.

A search of Johnson's phone revealed that he went to visit a woman he was "sexting" when he was reported missing from his wife.

When the couple met in May 2020, Johnson disclosed that he used cocaine and marijuana and also worked for the drug cartel. He said he was running a "large quantity of cocaine, which was ultimately intercepted and resulted in a loss of $60,000." She helped him pay off the alleged debt.

The couple has been married for 11 months but have been dating since May 2020. About two years before the couple married, Johnson allegedly stole $9,000 from his wife after using her debit card at ATMs around Melbourne.

Between May 2020 and December 2023, Johnson's wife sent him $71,759.78 on CashApp.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine Visvaldas Kulbokas on March 11 concerning Pope Francis' recent call for Kyiv to "not be ashamed to negotiate" with Moscow.

In an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI that was partially released on March 9, Pope Francis said that Ukraine should have the "courage" to negotiate peace with Russia and raise the "white flag."

"Visvaldas Kulbokas was informed that Ukraine is disappointed by the Pontiff's words," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"The head of the Holy See would be expected to send signals to the world community about the need to immediately join forces to ensure the victory of good over evil."

Foreign Ministry said that Ukraine is a country that "like no other, strives for peace," but peace "must be fair and based on the principles of the UN Charter."

Andrii Yurash, the ambassador of Ukraine to the Vatican, told Radio Svoboda on March 11 that the comments reflected Pope Francis' personal views and "do not reflect the position" of the Vatican.

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded in his nightly address on March 10 without mentioning the Pope directly, instead praising the bravery of Ukraine's military chaplains.

Russia is "not moving further into Europe only because they are being held back by Ukrainians with weapons in their hands and under the blue and yellow flag," Zelensky said.

In an interview with French broadcaster BFMTV on March 11, Zelensky said that a break in the fighting is "oxygen" for Russian President Vladimir Putin. "It is not to negotiate, it is a way of restoring the military capabilities of his army and training his young conscripts."

Other leaders also reacted to the Pope's remarks. German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit told reporters on March 11 that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz "does not agree with the pope on this question," adding that "Ukraine is defending itself against an aggressor."

Read also: 20 Days in Mariupol wins Oscar for Best Documentary

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To Donald Trump, Hungarian strongman Viktor Orban is fantastic, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is brilliant, North Koreas Kim Jong Un is an OK guy, and, most alarmingly, he allegedly said Adolf Hitler did some good things, a worldview that would reverse decades-old US foreign policy in a second term should he win Novembers presidential election, multiple former senior advisers told CNN.

He thought Putin was an OK guy and Kim was an OK guy  that we had pushed North Korea into a corner, retired Gen. John Kelly, who served as Trumps chief of staff, told me. To him, it was like we were goading these guys. If we didnt have NATO, then Putin wouldnt be doing these things.

Trumps lavish praise for Hungarian Prime Minister Orban while hosting him at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, just days after all but sealing the Republican nomination on Super Tuesday, shows its a worldview hes doubling down on.

"The Return of Great Powers" by CNN's Jim Sciutto. - From Penguin Random House

Theres nobody thats better, smarter or a better leader than Viktor Orban, Trump said, adding, Hes the boss and hes a great leader, fantastic leader. In Europe and around the world, they respect him.

The former presidents admiration for autocrats has been reported on before, but in comments by Trump recounted to me for my new book, The Return of Great Powers, out Tuesday, Kelly and others who served under Trump give new insight into why they warn that a man who consistently praises autocratic leaders opposed to US interests is ill-suited to lead the country in the Great Power clashes that could be coming, telling me they believe that the root of his admiration for these figures is that he envies their power.

He views himself as a big guy, John Bolton, who served as national security adviser under Trump, told me. He likes dealing with other big guys, and big guys like Erdogan in Turkey get to put people in jail and you dont have to ask anybodys permission. He kind of likes that.

Hes not a tough guy by any means, but in fact quite the opposite, Kelly said. But thats how he envisions himself.

Alleged praise for Hitler

Trump allegedly reserved some of his most unnerving praise for Hitler, who led Nazi Germany during World War II.

He said, Well, but Hitler did some good things. I said, Well, what? And he said, Well, [Hitler] rebuilt the economy. But what did he do with that rebuilt economy? He turned it against his own people and against the world. And I said, Sir, you can never say anything good about the guy. Nothing, Kelly recounted. I mean, Mussolini was a great guy in comparison.

Its pretty hard to believe he missed the Holocaust, though, and pretty hard to understand how he missed the 400,000 American GIs that were killed in the European theater, Kelly told me. But I think its more, again, the tough guy thing.

Trumps admiration for Hitler went further than the German leaders economic policies, according to Kelly. Trump also expressed admiration for Hitlers hold on senior Nazi officers. Trump lamented that Hitler, as Kelly recounted, maintained his senior staffs loyalty, while Trump himself often did not.

He would ask about the loyalty issues and about how, when I pointed out to him the German generals as a group were not loyal to him, and in fact tried to assassinate him a few times, and he didnt know that, Kelly recalled. He truly believed, when he brought us generals in, that we would be loyal  that we would do anything he wanted us to do, Kelly told me.

When asked to respond to the allegations from the former Trump administration officials, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung did not comment on the substance of what they told me but stated, John Kelly and John Bolton have completely beclowned themselves and are suffering from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. They need to seek professional help because their hatred is consuming their empty lives.

In 2021, a spokeswoman for Trump denied allegations that the former president had praised Hitler.

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates responded to Trumps alleged praise for Hitler in a statement on Tuesday, saying that Biden has called the Nazi leader a demonic figure.

No American should ever praise the genocidal monster who committed the Holocaust. Just like it is incumbent on all leaders not to associate with Neo Nazis and Holocaust deniers. Hundreds of thousands of American service members  heroes, not suckers or losers  gave their lives to defeat that evil. Admiring Hitler is an insult to their memory. President Biden is committed to bringing all Americans together based on our shared values, Bates said.

Shocked that he didnt have dictatorial-type powers

Trumps former advisers say he most consistently lavished praise on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bolton recalled a comment from Trump during the 2018 NATO summit. Following sometimes tense encounters with NATO leaders, Trump said his meeting with Putin, the leader of Americas great power adversary, may be the easiest of them all. Who would think?

He says to the press as he goes out to the helicopter, I think the easiest meeting might be with Vladimir Putin. Who would ever think that? recalled Bolton. Theres an answer to that question. Only one person. You. You are the only person who would think that. The shrinks can make of that what they will, but I think it was Im a big guy. Theyre big guys. I wish I could act like they do.

My theory on why he likes the dictators so much is thats who he is, Kelly said. Every incoming president is shocked that they actually have so little power without going to the Congress, which is a good thing. Its Civics 101, separation of powers, three equal branches of government. But in his case, he was shocked that he didnt have dictatorial-type powers to send US forces places or to move money around within the budget. And he looked at Putin and Xi and that nutcase in North Korea as people who were like him in terms of being a tough guy.

Then-President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pose at a military demarcation line separating the two Koreas in Panmunjom, South Korea, on June 30, 2019. - KCNA/Reuters

Trump believed in the power of his personal charisma and diplomacy, recalled Matthew Pottinger, his deputy national security adviser, who was deeply involved in Trumps meetings with North Korean leader Kim and Chinese President Xi. He had almost unlimited faith in it. That was as true with Kim as it was with Xi  but also with allies too.

Trump has continued to praise authoritarians in his 2024 presidential campaign.

At a town hall organized by Fox News in July 2023, Trump said, Think of President Xi: central casting, brilliant guy. When I say hes brilliant, everyone says, Oh, thats terrible. He runs 1.4 billion people with an iron fist: smart, brilliant, everything perfect. There is nobody in Hollywood like this guy.

In an interview with Fox that same month, Trump lavished praise on Putin as well, describing him as smarter than President Joe Biden. These are smart people, including Macron of France. I could go through the whole list of people, including Putin . These people are sharp, tough, and generally vicious, Trump said. Theyre vicious, and theyre at the top of their game. We have a man that has no clue whats happening. Its the most dangerous time in the history of our country.

Then-President Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019. - Anadolu/Anadolu/Getty Images

Trumps affinity for authoritarians represents a defining issue for the US as the 2024 election approaches. Several of his own former advisers believe, in a second term, he would bring a fundamental shift in the US vision of itself and its role in the world, including potentially pulling the US out of NATO and reducing the US commitment to other defense alliances.

NATO would be in real jeopardy, Bolton told me. I think he would try to get out.

Many veterans of the Trump administration have a similar warning for Ukraine as it battles Russias invasion. US support for Ukraine would end, said a senior US official who served under Trump and Biden.

The point is, he saw absolutely no point in NATO, Kelly said. He was just dead set against having troops in South Korea, again, a deterrent force, or having troops in Japan, a deterrent force.

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CANADIAN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR)  A former Norman High School Assistant Principal was found guilty in a Canadian County courtroom Thursday of rape and sexual battery, according to court documents.

| READ PAST ARTICLE ON IT > Police: Norman educator arrested after being accused of drugging, raping woman >

A jury determined that Robert Brian Davis is guilty of rape and sexual battery after an incident from 2016 and another from 2017, per documents.

The crime occurred at Davis home in Yukon.

Davis was arrested in July 2019 after the first allegations came up. At the time he was the Assistant Principal at Norman High School. The district immediately suspended Davis and he was fired soon afterward.

This all stemmed from an incident when police say a woman went to Davis home where they said she was given something to drink that made her fall asleep.

The police report says the woman vaguely remembers waking up at some point to Davis sitting on the bed beside her.

| WHEN HE WAS SUSPENDED > Suspended Norman High School assistant principal accused of drugging, raping woman >

She says she then woke up again later to him calling her on the phone.

The police report says she answered the phone and said, You drugged me.

Documents detail that the other incident involved a 17-year-old victim who claimed Davis allegedly touched her in a lewd and lascivious manner.

The four-day jury trial ended with a suggested one-year prison sentence for sexual battery and two years for second-degree rape by instrumentation, according to court records.

Davis was booked last week again in the Canadian County Jail.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Its been a little more than one week since I returned from Israel. Sleep has been elusive since I stood with my fellow community leaders at the Gaza border inside Kibbutz Kfar Aza, an otherwise "peaceful" community where Hamas terrorized residents on Oct. 7 by murdering 63, kidnapping 90. The shoes that fell off feet running for their lives leaned motionless against a tree.

I put quotes on peaceful because these families have lived under a constant barrage of missile attacks for years. The Iron Dome is their lifeline. But they persevere, loyal to their faith and their homeland. They wish for nothing more than to be left alone to raise their families, their dreams no different than any other parent's. The only difference is, theyre Jewish. And too many of their neighbors want them dead because of it. Standing in Israel, this is clear.

More on Israel: 'Unprovoked and cowardly': County officials back Israel in aftermath of attack from Hamas

I was raised a Roman Catholic. Jewish teachings for me didnt expand much beyond knowing Jesus was a Jew and my middle school friends got to have Bar or Bat Mitzvahs. It was always cool to me that both faiths also loved the same homeland, Israel. This is why it was so important for me to accept the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach Countys invitation to visit Israel as part of a Community Leaders mission to learn about Israel, the history and to see firsthand the horrors of Oct. 7. I needed to learn.

War is brutal. And this one is no exception. Hamas started this one. Hamas raped, kidnapped and murdered innocent people because they were Jewish. Hamas continues to rape and murder hostages they took. Hamas controls when this war stops, by choosing to return all hostages.

More on Israel: Pro-Palestinian protests miss the point: Israel is fighting for its existence | Opinion

Israel and her allies do not want more war casualties but they are fighting to get hostages back home to their families, fighting to keep the enemy from exterminating Jews. It is no different than America and her allies going to war against Hitler to free Jews and others marked for extermination during the Holocaust. Because if it isnt stopped now, then that is the direction the world goes.

History repeats itself.

Tonight, I write this in a small inn up in Apalachicola. I am hoping a few nights in this quaint small town might help me find that sleep which eludes me. I pray when I close my eyes tonight that I dont see visions of women being stolen from their beds, children being murdered. I pray the silence I so desperately want is a sign the hostages are on their way home.

I, like so many, pray for an end to this that can only come when families are reunited and the world can stop hating people just because were different. Shalom.

Melissa McKinlay is vice president, government relations for WGI and a former Palm Beach County commissioner.

FILE - The site of a music festival near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel, Oct. 12, 2023. The U.N. envoy focusing on sexual violence in conflict said in a new report Monday, March 4, 2024, that there are reasonable grounds to believe Hamas committed rape, sexualized torture, and other cruel and inhumane treatment of women during its surprise attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Learning hard lessons from the pain brought by war in Israel
A man who headed the Russian occupation administration in Balakliya, spread Kremlin propaganda, and helped to suppress resistance movement during the seizure of KharkivOblast was sentenced to 14 years in prison, SBU reported in Telegram on March 11.

The report says that law enforcement officers detained the collaborator during the liberation of Kupiansk in 2022. He was hiding from justice there.

The convict was a former employee of a local unit of the militsiya, which was disbanded after police reforms in Ukraine. According to the SBU, the man was one of the first to support the occupiers in Balakliya.

Initially, the collaborator was "appointed" the head of the occupation "Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation" operating in the city at the time. The traitor was engaged in fabricating "criminal cases" against Ukrainians and organized the duty of his subordinates at checkpoints, the statement said.

Read also: SBU detains traitor who helped Russians evade Ukrainian air defenses in Dnipro

Subsequently, the occupiers made him the leader of the local community.

Upon being found guilty he was sentenced to 14 years in prison and deprived of the right to hold positions in law enforcement for 11 years.

The traitor's elite real estate and a luxury SUV were also confiscated.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Publicly available video evidence suggests that the Russian military has succeeded in destroying two Patriot SAM launchers in eastern Ukraine, although this is yet to be confirmed by Kyiv officials.

Read also: Ukraine may use its last Patriot and NASAMS missiles to wear down Russian aviation  Forbes

Ivan Stupak, a military expert and former officer of Ukraines SBU security service, told NV Radio on March 11 why Moscow focused on taking these assets out, nearly one year after Patriot air defense systems entered service with the Ukrainian military.

What is important to note: Russian drones can fly over a long distance into Ukrainian territory, said Stupak.

These are reconnaissance drones, not just Shaheds [kamikaze drones] that fly one-way missions to destroy something. They are the ones patrolling the territory of Zaporizhzhya and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. There were reports they fly 40-50 km deep, maybe a little more, i.e. theyre patrolling this location, this territory [where the launchers were operating].

Read also: Ukraine downs 151 Shaheds out of 175 since early March, more air defense systems on the way  Zelenskyy

According to Stupak, once Russian recon drones spotted the two parked launchers, the enemy quickly struck them with an Iskander ballistic missile.

The drone spotted [the Patriot launchers], the crew took aim, handed over the calculation to an Iskander unit, and a ballistic hit was scored literally in a minute or two. Its just a crazy weapon, we should keep that in mind, he said.

Degrading Ukrainian air defenses remains a priority for the Russian military, Stupak noted.

But these Patriots have become a big challenge for them since their planes are falling, he continues.

Read also: 10 Patriot missile systems would dramatically alter the situation at the front  Zelenskyy

Russian military pilot communities are already interspersed with the following chats: Why should we do it? Were being sent to slaughter. How come? Were just in the pipeline, we should do something about it.

This is war. You cant rest on your laurels and say oh, everything is great, we skewered them all, everything is super cool, they dont fly anymore. No, theyre trying to strike back.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The re-elected Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the Prime Minister of the Azerbaijan Republic for warm messages on his re-election as prime minister.

According to Azernews, PM Shehbaz Sharif has shared a post about this on his official X account.

I thank His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan for his warm message of felicitations on my election as Prime Minister of Pakistan. I also thank His Excellency Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of Azerbaijan for his letter of felicitations. Our two nations enjoy a unique bond of friendship that will grow from strength to strength.

Recall that on March 3 2024, Shehbaz Sharif was re-elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan for a second term, garnering 201 votes against 92 votes for PTI-backed Omar Ayub Khan.
Nick Sireau was about to change his newborn sons diapers when he discovered a large, dark reddish stain on them. It was a Sunday in October 2000, and the then-27-year-old aid workers life was about to change radically. The emergency doctor came, but he couldnt find anything. He said that maybe it was because of the color of the red cabbage my wife had eaten, that it could have passed into her breast milk and then into his urine. We didnt know until later that it was really alkaptonuria, he recalls. Sireaus second son also has this condition, a rare genetic disease that manifests itself in the darkening of certain tissues and arthritis in the spine.

Almost 20 years later, on September 17, 2020, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the first treatment for alkaptonuria, a drug called nitisinone. The medicine was not new; it had been used for many years to treat another condition (hereditary tyrosinemia type I). The research driven by Sireaus quest to find a cure for his children served to demonstrate to the EMA that the drug was also effective against alkaptonuria. It was a 20-year journey with ups and downs, but [its been] very rewarding. Along with other patients and doctors, we managed to mobilize 20 million and push for two clinical trials. Fortunately, all this has helped my children and others to live much better lives today, he observes.

The repurposing of drugs is the use of therapies already approved for other diseases to treat new ailments, something that the European Union plans to promote with the legislative reform it is carrying out in the pharmaceutical field. This is an area with enormous potential where it is essential to make progress. We have 7,000 rare diseases described, but fewer than 1,000 have a pharmacological treatment. Developing all these drugs from scratch would cost the equivalent of twice the GDP of Germany (about 8 billion), which is unaffordable. But if we take approved molecules, about which we already know a lot, and investigate their potential against other diseases, we can reach the target much sooner and for less money, sums up Adrian van den Hoven, the director of Medicines for Europe, an organization of generic and biosimilar manufacturers.

Last week, Van den Hoven and Sireau spoke at the international Bridging Boundaries conference in Barcelona, Spain. Organized by REMEDi4ALL  a consortium financed by the European Union  and other entities, the gathering brought together 240 specialists from all over the world at the Sant Pau Hospital Historic Site.

Nick Sireau during his speech at the Bridging Boundaries conference in Barcelona, Spain, last week. Adiva Koenigsberg

Prescribing drugs for ailments or indications other than those listed on the label  known as off-label use  is actually a standard practice in medicine. But experts agree that it is not ideal. Firstly, the knowledge on which the decision to use off-label drugs is based is not comparable to the precision in efficacy, dose and safety data obtained through the trials that agencies like the EMA require to approve a drug.

Secondly, it is also a question of equity, argues Donald Lo, the director of drug development at the European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine (EATRIS), a consortium of European research centers. Off-label use can be very socially unfair. To benefit from it, you depend on your doctor reading all the scientific literature and keeping up with the latest developments. And that happens more in large hospitals. Ninety percent of patients are not treated there, so many may go without the treatment they need. EMA approval is the best guarantee that medical advances reach everyone, adds Lo.

Although desirable, obtaining EMA approval is not easy, even when knowledge about a drugs benefits is well established in a specialty. Experts point to two reasons for this. [Drug approval] is a very technically demanding process. Evidence has to be produced under very strict and costly quality standards. This is something that pharmaceutical companies know how to do very well. But then we have a lot of excellent academic research [from universities, public hospitals, research centers...] that, when it comes down to it, is not helpful in getting that approval, says Anton Ussi, the chief operating officer at EATRIS.

The lack of incentive is the second major issue. Old drugs are no longer protected by a patent and generic companies sell them very cheaply, so what pharmaceutical company is going to invest millions of euros in clinical trials if they are only going to be paid a few cents per pill? asks Ussi.

In fact, European regulations do include some measures to encourage research in these cases, such as orphan drugs. The problem is that it is not applicable in many cases, and when it is, it has often been involved in abusive practices. A well-known example is what the Leadiant Biosciences pharmaceutical company did with chenodeoxycholic acid, a cheap drug with decades of history (the pill was sold for 14 cents). After obtaining exclusive marketing rights to the pill thanks to its status as an orphan drug, the company raised its price by 1,000-fold without having invested a single euro in new trials.

One possible solution for boosting research would be the creation of a third category of drugs. It would be something in between the new innovative therapies, which are much more expensive, and generics, which are very inexpensive. The main question is: How should repurposed drugs be priced to make it attractive to invest in them while also keeping them affordable? asks Zsuzsanna Petyko of the Syreon Reserach Institute, a Budapest-based research center.

But making investment more attractive to the industry is only part of the solution. The other is facilitating access to EMA approval for all the academic research from universities, hospitals and public research centers. We are not taking advantage of all this knowledge, and it is an unacceptable waste. Fortunately, new opportunities are opening up for us. The legislative reform being taken up by the European Union plans to create a framework for drug repurposing; in a way, it will allow the two worlds  industry and academia  to meet, says Van den Hoven.

Sini Eskola, the director of regulatory strategy at EFPIA (the European employers association for innovative pharmaceutical companies) insists that repurposing should not be seen as a substitute for developing new drugs, but rather as a new opportunity for drugs that are no longer patented and a [source of] hope for patients suffering from conditions for which there are few or no drugs.

Several repurposing success stories were presented at the conference in Barcelona. Rosie Lovett, the director of the drug repurposing program at the National Health Service (NHS) in England, discussed the example of anastrozole, a treatment with a 30-year history against breast cancer and therefore an expired patent. Clinical trials have shown that, if used as a preventive, the drug reduces the incidence of the disease in postmenopausal women at increased risk of developing it by almost 50%, which could prevent 2,000 cases a year.

Heather Stone, of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), highlighted the potential of nitroxoline  an antimicrobial that has been used for half a century in Europe and China but is not approved in the United States  against a rare type of encephalitis (caused by the amoeba Balamuthia mandrillaris) that is fatal in 75% to 90% of cases. She recounted that two patients with very poor prognoses recovered after being treated with the drug, which the agency had to import into the United States as an exception.

Stone, who works at the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, explains how candidate molecules are selected for repurposing: Potential treatments are often identified through so-called high-throughput screens, to which thousands of FDA- and EMA-approved drugs are subjected in pursuit of particular targets and mechanisms of action. But, unfortunately, there is a wealth of information that is hidden in clinical experience, scattered across many sources and formats that is difficult to aggregate, or in physician and patient experiences that are never made public. All of this is a valuable source of knowledge that should be tapped into, she says.

Claudia Fuchs, a neurobiologist who works at the EURORDIS alliance of patient organizations, offered another example: ketamine was originally an anesthetic but since 2019 it has also been used to treat severe depression. Drug repurposing can be very useful in all medical specialties, but perhaps cancer and rare diseases are [the areas] where there are more ailments for which there are no treatments available or where the ones that are available are no longer effective, she observes.

In the field of infectious diseases, the coronavirus pandemic  a new pathogen for which there were no approved drugs  showed that repurposing is sometimes the only option. That will continue to be the case because, as Denis Kainov of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology explains, it is very likely that viruses of animal origin will continue to be transmitted to humans. A key component of pandemic preparedness must be broad-spectrum antivirals, which are widely available to the population. According to Kainovs presentation, the repurpose of such antivirals against pathogens that are more or less similar to already known ones would buy time until vaccines and specific antivirals are developed.

As the EFPIAs Eskola argued, Although only a fraction of the drugs tested [in the early phases of the pandemic] proved effective, the efforts demonstrated the great speed with which repurposing can explore treatment options in uncharted territory. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, coupled with data-sharing platforms, improve the efficiency of drug repurposing.

Cesar Hernandez, the Spanish Ministry of Healths Director General of Pharmacy, who also attended the conference, warns of the risks of not repurposing a drug in time. One is that it disappears from the market when it still has a real value for patients; that has happened in the past with drugs like ketoconazole. Another risk is for old drugs to re-enter the system as if they were new [medicines] at prices that are difficult to justify, which is what happened in Europe with chenodeoxycholic acid.

Hernandez highlights initiatives like the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products project promoting, along with a small group of agencies and the EMA, a pilot plan at the European level that influenced the European Pharmaceutical Strategy, where Spain pushed for its inclusion, and the legislation now in progress. In this project, the EMA is working with non-profit organizations to repurpose 23 drugs.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ex-Donald Trump adviser Peter Navarro has been ordered to report to prison this month, his lawyers said in a court filing, which could make him the first senior member of the former president's administration to do so for efforts to overturn his 2020 defeat.

Navarro, who served as Trump's trade adviser, is due on March 19 to begin his four-month sentence for defying a subpoena from the U.S. House of Representatives committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, his lawyers revealed in a court filing late on Sunday.

They are asking a federal appeals court in Washington to pause the sentence while Navarro appeals his conviction. His defense team indicated they would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene if his request is denied.

Navarro, 74, was found guilty of contempt of Congress last September for refusing to turn over documents or sit for an interview with the Democratic-led House committee that investigated the Capitol riot, a failed attempt by Trump supporters to overturn Trumps defeat in the 2020 election. He was sentenced in January.

Navarro, a China hawk who also advised Trump on the response to the COVID pandemic, has claimed Trump invoked the legal doctrine of executive privilege, which shields some presidential records and communications from disclosure.

A federal judge found that Trump had not formerly invoked the privilege.

Steve Bannon, a onetime top strategist to Trump, was also sentenced to four months in prison for defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6 panel, but a judge has allowed him to remain free while he appeals.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; editing by Scott Malone and Mark Heinrich)
[In the player above, learn more about sobriety checkpoints.]

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio (WJW)  A former West Geauga Local Schools resource officer is accused of driving drunk with a loaded gun in the car.

Robert T. Rowland, 32, of Willowick, faces felony counts of carrying concealed weapons and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and misdemeanor counts of using weapons while intoxicated, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and other moving violations.

Cuyahoga Falls police stopped Rowlands SUV just before midnight on March 2 on state Route 8 near Howe Avenue, according to his citation.

Protest blocked highway ramps near Hopkins airport

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Court filings show Rowland was twice asked if he was carrying a weapon, and he said he wasnt. However, a loaded Ruger SR40c was found in the car.

Rowlands citation shows violations of marked lanes and turn signal laws and that he also refused a blood alcohol test. The citing officer also noted Rowland was rude, according to the ticket.

Infant killed, parents injured in apparent attack by family dog: New Jersey police

Rowland was formerly a Chester Township police officer and was assigned as West Geauga Schools resource officer. He resigned prior to his arrest on March 2, according to police Chief Craig Young.

What occurred in Summit County was not in any way related to his employment with our agency or his assignment as an SRO, Young wrote in an email to FOX 8 News on Monday. We have no further comment at this time.

Rowland was given a $5,000 personal recognizance bond in each case. The court ordered him to abstain from alcohol and drugs.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Suddenly, the most pressing question in the policy world is an issue barely on the radar a week ago: What happens to TikTok?

A forced sale or ban of the popular social media app is suddenly a serious agenda item as the House rushes to a fast-tracked vote expected on Wednesday this week.

The idea once seemed like a pipe dream for China hawks and rival American tech platforms. It gained sudden life with a new bill that passed through committee 50-0 on Thursday after the bill triggered a surprise protest tactic from TikTok itself, when the app tried to mobilize its users en masse.

This bill would force Beijing-based ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban on U.S. app stores. It looked like it was on rails, fast-tracked right into the floor. Then came a big complication in the form of a Truth Social post from former President Donald Trump.



Trump claimed the bill would only empower Facebook  potentially splitting Republican supporters and raising big questions about whats next. Trump doubled down Monday morning, telling CNBC I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people, and that a TikTok ban would help it.

TikTok calls the bill a defacto ban, and has said it dumped $1.5 billion into efforts to secure U.S. user data from the Chinese government to appease its critics. A major investor with strong conservative ties, Jeff Yass, has also been mobilizing support for TikTok, as has the Club for Growth, which has been a rare conservative voice against the TikTok ban for a year.

Enthusiasm from GOP leadership appears undimmed: Majority Leader Steve Scalise led his weekly planning email last night with a strongly worded attack on TikTok as a national security threat.

Heres a look at the biggest questions that are likely to be gripping Congress ahead of the vote.

How serious is Trump? Trumps opposition to the bill could be a litmus test of his sway on a party that hes largely recast in his image, if supporters begin to peel off and force a showdown with the Republicans driving the bill.

The former president used to be a TikTok hawk. In August 2020, Trump issued an executive order that prohibited any transactions between U.S. citizens and TikToks parent company ByteDance, which would have effectively banned the app (it was halted by the courts).

But Trump last Thursday suddenly came out in defense of TikTok, saying on Truth Social that getting rid of the app would give Facebook and Zuckerschmuck more business.

Trumps Truth Social post followed a meeting with investor Yass, who has a 15 percent stake in TikTok parent company ByteDance, and is a donor to the Club for Growth (which is paying former Trump aide Kellyanne Conway to advocate for TikTok on the Hill). The New York Post even reported that Yass has threatened to cut off donations to Republican lawmakers who support the bill, so the timing has led some people to suggest that Trumps sudden defense could be for cash.

Trump has already proven he has the political gravitas to kill a bill, even though hes not in office. Last month the former president successfully prevented Congress border security bill from passing, with just four Republicans voting for the measure following Trumps criticism of the deal. Even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who helped write the bill and called on his GOP colleagues to vote for it, backtracked and voted against the measure.

Does TikTok have other defenders?

Some prominent voices in GOP circles are holding firm on the bill.

Former Vice President Mike Pence penned a thread on Friday calling on Congress to pass the legislation as soon as possible, arguing TikTok poses national security risks. Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon appeared to suggest that Trumps shifting stance was due to Yasss money.

The bill is also co-sponsored by some Trump allies, including Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Kat Cammack (R-Fla.). Stefanik on Saturday again voiced support for the bill in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

But Trump also has an unusual set of allies on the left: Members of the Squad, who are usually opposed to almost everything he does. Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.), Summer Lee (Pa.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.) and Cori Bush (Mo.) have all raised serious concerns about banning TikTok in the past.

A spokesperson for Bush said she was leaning toward voting no on the bill this week, and that her opposition is rooted in a need to meaningfully safeguard peoples livelihoods and allow for the organic promotion of social movements and our ability to stay connected with our loved ones and communities, adding that Bush believes Congress should focus on passing a comprehensive data privacy law.

The members have cited slightly varying reasons why they were against attempts to ban the app, with Ocasio-Cortez using a TikTok video to say a ban would not protect Americans from egregious data harvesting, a theme Omar echoed. Last March, Bowman hosted a press conference with TikTok creators and said that those who are focused on TikTok seem to look the other way when Facebook enables right-wing and Russian disinformation to undermine our democracy.

Lee called the app an incredible organizing tactic. Starting last April, TikTok lobbyist Michael Hacker, a former senior Democratic leadership staffer who used to work for Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), has made three separate donations to Bowman, totaling $2,000 and also donated $250 to the Squads joint fundraising committee, Squad Victory Fund, according to Federal Election Commission records. Hacker declined to comment about the donation, while spokespeople for Bowman didnt respond a to request for comment.

Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (whose super PAC received donations from Yass) and Elon Musk (who recently met with Trump) have also publicly supported Trumps position.

TikTok has also enlisted former Obama advisers as consultants, though Biden himself  who recently joined TikTok  says hed sign the bill.

What about the Senate? Theres no companion measure in the Senate, which will be the next big hurdle if the bill passes the House this week.



Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), top lawmakers on the Senate Intelligence Committee, on Sunday seemed to support the bill, saying there are national security concerns with TikToks alleged ties to China.

Warner previously led efforts to give the administration the power to ban TikTok through his RESTRICT Act. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), though, said on Sunday that he wasnt sure how hed vote, saying hes more focused on broader regulation of social media companies.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement on Sunday that he was talking with my chairs and caucus about the legislation. I will listen to their views on the bill and determine the best path.

Will this fire up young voters? TikTok has roughly 170 million U.S. users, and its cult-like following has prompted politicians to use the app themselves to spread their messages and connect with younger voters (even politicians who believe TikTok is a national security threat).

TikTok issued a call to action to its users on Thursday, and theres a reason to believe it backfired. It certainly didnt slow Congress down, despite flooding offices with hundreds, possibly thousands of calls opposing the bill.

But TikTok users have lots of ways to make their feelings known, including by voting.

Trumps opposition, conceivably, could give him an in with this bloc of voters at a time when both candidates have been criticized for struggling to get traction with young people.

Daniel Lippman contributed to this report.
UTAH COUNTY (ABC4)  Four deer were illegally killed and left to waste in Utah County during last falls hunting season, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

DWR officers are seeking information about the four illegally killed buck deer. All four deer were reportedly killed sometime between October and November 2023 in the Woodland Hills area of Utah County, officials said.

In each instance, the heads were removed from the deer and the rest of the meat was left to waste. DWR officers believe the same individual may be responsible for all four killings.

Case of two missing San Juan County men turns into homicide investigation, roommate arrested

One of the poaching incidents is believe to have taken place between noon on Oct. 2 and 6:45 a.m. on Oct. 3, officials said. This deer was reportedly found near 11200 South Street, Woodland Hills.

Officials said a rifle was used to kill the buck deer in that incident. A muzzleloader hunt was reportedly happening during that time, making the use of a rifle illegal. Additionally, that particular area is closed to hunting, officials said.

Individuals who unlawfully kill big game animals and other wildlife are stealing opportunities from those who might otherwise harvest the animal lawfully in the future and who need the meat, DWR Conservation Officer Daniel Clancy said. We had some leads at the time we began investigating these incidents, but those have not yielded results. So we are asking for the publics help in providing any information about these four poaching incidents.

The killing of protected wildlife to be left to waste is illegal and can result in a class B misdemeanor. In 2023, DWR officers reportedly saw a total of 1,056 wild animals and fish illegally killed  a monetary value of over $619,000.

Anyone with information regarding these killings, or any other wildlife-related crimes in Utah, is asked to come forward to the DWR and report it to conservation officers in one of the following ways:

Call the UTiP Hotline at 800-662-3337

Access the UTDWR Law Enforcement App

Text 847411

Access the DWR website (contact with an officer may be limited with this option)

You can also contact Officer Clancy at 385-289-4023 regarding this specific case.

A reward may be available for information leading to the successful prosecution of those responsible. Requests for confidentiality are respected, the DWR states.

No further information is available at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Four people were injured in Russian bombardments of Kharkiv Oblast on the afternoon of 11 March.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, the Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Details: Russian troops struck the town of Vovchansk at around 13:30, injuring a woman, 70. The Russians also damaged 8 residential buildings.

Russian forces attacked the Kupiansk district after 13:00. Three men were injured in the village of Hlushkivka. They have been hospitalised and are currently receiving medical care.

Syniehubov further added that the Russians also attacked the village of Kutuzivka in the Kharkiv district with S-300 anti-aircraft missiles. No people were injured.

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Four years ago this week, more than half of the nations schools closed their doors as the threat of COVID-19 grew more serious by the day.

At the time, Susan Enfield was superintendent of the Highline Public Schools outside Seattle, close to the site of the first U.S. outbreak. Like her counterparts in neighboring districts, she was still in disbelief that sending students home was even an option.

Im not sure, at the end of the day, that that was the right decision, said Enfield, who recently shared her reflections with The 74. I dont think well know for a long time how that really impacted all of us.

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As the debate over reopening that fall intensified, Enfield was outspoken about the no-win situation leaders were in as they struggled to balance the needs of students with the demands and fears of parents and employees. To her, the predicament felt like having an enormous square peg that Im trying to squeeze into a microscopic round hole.

Like many families and educators over the months and years that followed, Enfield relocated, leaving Highline in 2022 for the larger Washoe County Public Schools in Nevada, which includes Reno. She described the move then as hitting the superintendent lottery, but ultimately, stayed just a year and a half. She resigned in December to return to the Seattle area.

Im really happy to be home, she said. Im taking this moment to breathe and figure out how I can contribute from a different vantage point.

In an interview, she reflected on the past 48 months and how the pandemic has  and has not  transformed the nations education system.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The 74: The Northshore School District, not far from Highline, was the first in the nation to close because of COVID. What comes to mind now as you recall those frantic early days of the pandemic?

Susan Enfield: Im really in awe of what educators across the country were able to do under really trying circumstances. Im proud of how we responded. If memory serves, we deployed over 13,000 devices within the first couple weeks of having to close schools. Theres a real sense of pride in how people came together in a time of serious uncertainty and stress and did what they could to take care of our kids.

For those of us that stayed closed for so long, I dont know if that was the right thing to do. Thousands of kids were out of school for so long, and we know thats had an impact on them.

In the Highline Public Schools, Enfield faced criticism from some teachers for reopening schools. (Highline Public Schools)

Moving from Highline to Washoe, what differences did you see in how the districts approached the closures?

How districts approached it was tied to local politics. The Puget Sound area is the bluest of the blue, whereas Washoe is really purple, politically. Washoe kids came back a year before Highline kids. That was probably the right thing to do.

What Highline was able to do that Washoe wasnt was device distribution. We had under 20,000 kids, but Washoe had over 60,000, so theres a magnitude issue. Washoe is a vast geographical area, so it was a challenge for them to distribute devices. Those differences speak to how every district responded as best they could based on their local political context and just the sheer makeup of their district.

X/@HighlineSchools

Was there anything you would have done differently?

We would all go back and probably do some things differently, but I also had to recognize what was within my control. Our governor mandated schools be closed. I didnt know at the time that keeping schools closed would be so detrimental. But there was so much fear and uncertainty around the virus, especially for a district like Highline. We have a lot of multifamily, multigenerational homes. The fears people had were very real, very legitimate.

How did the last four years change you personally as a leader?

It fortified my values as a leader. Ive always been a big proponent of health and family first, but that was really amplified  not just preaching it, but modeling it. I had to make sure that I was taking care of my people.

We have a saying out here when its a beautiful clear day: Mountains out. I remember one Saturday. I just tweeted out a beautiful photo of Mount Rainier and said, The mountains out and itll be out again tomorrow. For those of us in leadership roles, we really had to dig into who we were as people, what our values were. The pandemic had an impact, not just on our children, but our teachers and staff as well. They had to re-learn how to be in community with other people after being in isolation for so long.

Enfields father gave her the nickname Duck. She has a tradition of recognizing staff with Ducky Awards to show her appreciation. (X/@WashoeSchools)

What are the biggest lessons weve learned from the past four years?

During the pandemic, there was so much talk of Were not going back to normal and I was like, Well, I dont want to be the voice of doom and gloom, but the muscle memory of a bureaucracy as large as the public education system in the United States is very strong. I predicted that we would by and large go back to what we knew.

We learned some things and continue to do some things differently, like the option for virtual meetings. Family participation in [special education] meetings is up because now parents dont have to take time off work. On the flip side, we still have a digital divide. We still have too many kids that dont have access to the internet. Theres been some backsliding there.

One of the key lessons is that we cant focus on instruction without focusing on the overall well-being of our children. We have to make sure that our kids, and staff frankly, get the resources they need to be physically, emotionally and psychologically healthy. For all of the opportunities that technology brought, being in person matters  seeing that face, being hugged, having someone look you in the eye and sit down with you.

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There are various predictions about the chances of another pandemic in our lifetime. If that bears out, how do you think the system would respond?

Weve got some playbooks now. We are better prepared because we actually have some blueprints on the logistical part of it. I dont think it will be the scramble that it was before. And since many of us blessedly lived through the last one, Im hoping maybe there wont be the same level of fear and uncertainty that existed before.

I remember doing virtual happy hours with my family in California and a lot of them were literally wiping down their groceries and they werent going anywhere. Those of us in school districts couldnt do that. I dont think I ever felt that same level of panic and fear because I just couldnt afford to. I had to help hand out meals.

Do you think schools would close again?

Thats a really good question. As much as I think closing schools for the length of time we did wasnt the right thing to do, I know that officials in Washington state have pointed to the very low death rate that we had. I dont know what the perfect answer is.

I was pretty critical of a lot of our elected leaders during that time, but in hindsight, I have more empathy and compassion. I do believe everyone was doing the best they could with what they knew.
Emmanuel Macron said the goal of the bill was to 'reconcile an individual's autonomy with the nation's solidarity'

Emmanuel Macron will present a new aid in dying bill that will allow terminally ill people to end their lives at home using lethal medication.

The move towards legalising euthanasia follows a long consultation with a committee of French citizens on active assistance to dying and studies showing that most French citizens support such end-of-life options.

However, it has sparked ire among religious leaders in the traditionally Catholic country, along with many health workers.

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, Mr Macron told the La Croix and Liberation newspapers.

The change is necessary because there are situations you cannot humanely accept, said Mr Macron. The goal was to reconcile an individuals autonomy with the nations solidarity.

Mr Macron said: With this bill, we are facing up to death.

Last week, the president, oversaw the inscribing of the right to abortion in Frances Constitution. It became the first country in the world to do so.

The controversial aid in dying bill will be debated in parliament starting May 27, just two weeks before European Parliament elections, but is unlikely to be enacted until next year.

Detailing the law, Mr Macron said minors and patients suffering psychiatric or neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimers would not be eligible.

Patients who seek to enter the process will need to reconfirm their choice after 48 hours and they should then receive an answer from a medical team within two weeks maximum, said Mr Macron. A doctor will then deliver a prescription, valid for three months, for the lethal medication.

People will be able to take the medication at home, at a nursing home or health care facility, said the president.

If their physical condition does not allow them to do it alone, they will be allowed to get help from someone of their choice or by a doctor or a nurse.

Mr 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 patients consent is essential, with a role for medical opinion and precise criteria.

Several groups representing nurses and palliative care workers under the banner End of Life Collective said they were dismayed and saddened by Mr Macrons announcement.

With great violence, the president announces a system that is far removed from the needs of patients and the day-to-day realities of carers, with the prospect of serious consequences for the care relationship, they said in a press release.

For them, dying with dignity is a legitimate request, but it is precisely the mission of palliative care, which is notoriously under-resourced in France.

In short, this announcement is proposing to do away with the sick to do away with the problem at the lowest possible cost, which runs counter to the values of care and non-abandonment that underpin our French model of support at the end of life, they added.

Representatives of the Catholic Church were equally unhappy.

Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, the president of the French Bishops Conference, told La Croix: Such a law will steer our entire healthcare system towards death as a solution.

Matthieu Rouge, the bishop of Nanterre, said he was outraged that a lethal injection would be permitted not only at home but also in old peoples homes.

He said: What does that mean? That were going to massively open up the possibility [of] lethal acts in old peoples homes?

What strikes me is that you get the impression that in the start-up nation, people who are not productive no longer have the right to be there.

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 currently banned.

On Monday, the French Right and hard Right slammed Mr Macrons announcement as a diversion from a president taking refuge in social issues in the run-up to European elections.

Francois-Xavier Bellamy, the head of the Republicans list for the June 9 vote, said: No one is fooled by the timing.

Mr Macron no longer has a grip on anything and has decided to take refuge in social issues because that is perhaps the last place where he can make news, he added, without taking a position on the infinitely complex debate on the end of life.

Laurent Jacobelli, the spokesman for Marine Le Pens National Rally party, said: The president of the republic is creating a bit of a diversion by proposing societal debates.

The concerns of the French are purchasing power, security and immigration, areas in which the president and the government have failed, he insisted.

However, Sylvain Maillard, the parliamentary leader of Mr Macrons Renaissance group, insisted that this is not a political issue but an intimate issue that transcends political movements. For this reason, there will be freedom of vote within his group, he said.

Ellie Ball, of Dignity in Dying, which campaigns for a change in UK law to allow assisted dying as a choice for terminally ill, mentally competent adults said that France was just the latest in a series of countries in Europe that have taken the step.

Mr Macrons move underlined just how far Westminster is lagging behind, she told The Telegraph, adding: There are similarly high levels of support [in the UK] as in all these countries, so its a matter of MPs catching up with public opinion.

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France's LGBTQ+ activists have welcomed a decision by the National Assembly to approve a bill compensating people convicted of the "offence of homosexuality" between 1942 and 1982. Up to 400 victims could be eligible for reparations under the draft law, which must now be examined by the Senate.

France's Senate had already agreed to recognising the harm inflicted on people who were conviected of homosexuality when it was a crime - but it has so far resisted the idea of reparations.

Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti apologised of behalf of the state during the parliament session last week when the bill was approved by the lower house.

"Sorry. Sorry to the people, the homosexual people of France, who for 40 years suffered this totally unfair repression," he said.

Seventy-five-year-old Michel Chomarat, who was sentenced under the old legislation, said he was "very moved" by the news.

In 1977, Chomarat was among a group of men detained in a police raid on a gay bar in Paris called "Le Manhattan".

"I've been fighting for almost 50 years because I never accepted being arrested and sentenced," he told the French news agency AFP.

Decriminalisation

Although France was the first country in the world to decriminalise homosexuality  in 1791 during the French Revolution  the policy of discrimination was reintroduced under the Nazi-allied Vichy regime.

(with AFP)



Read more on RFI English



Read also:

Fight against anti-LGBT hate goes on, in France and around the world

Surge in anti-LGBTQ disinformation targets Pride in Europe

Cameroon says French ambassador for LGBT rights isn't welcome
Macron last week presided over inclusion of abortion rights in France's constitution (Michal Cizek)

President Emmanuel Macron on Monday faced criticism from French medical workers, political opponents and the Catholic Church over a draft bill, slated for debate in May, that would allow assisted dying for certain terminally-ill patients.

He told newspapers Sunday the bill would include "strict conditions" on allowing people to self-administer a lethal substance, or call on a relative or medical worker if they are incapable.

The move comes after France's parliament last week enshrined the right to abortion in the constitution, a widely-popular move championed by the president and a world first.

"There are cases we can't humanly accept," Macron told Catholic newspaper La Croix and left-wing Liberation, saying the "brotherly" law "looks death in the face".

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal wrote on X that the bill would be presented to the French parliament from May 27. "Death can no longer be a taboo issue and subject to silence," he added.

But several health workers' groups declared their "consternation, anger and sadness" at the plan.

Macron "has with great violence announced a system far removed from patients' needs and health workers' daily reality, which could have grave consequences on the care relationship," the associations for palliative care, cancer support and specialist nurses said in a joint statement.

Accusing the government of aiming to save money with the plan, they said that greater resources for palliative care, rather than assisted dying, would fulfil patients' demands to "die with dignity".

Political opponents accused Macron of hijacking the abortion and assisted dying debates as a diversion in his party's campaign for June 9 European Parliament elections.

"Purchasing power, security and immigration are the concerns of the French public," said Laurent Jacobelli, spokesman for the far-right National Rally (RN) currently leading the polls.

- Campaign promise -

The bill is unlikely to become law before 2025 after two readings in each of parliament's two houses.

At present, French law allows for "deep and continuous sedation" of patients who would otherwise endure great suffering and with a short life expectancy.

But updating the rules was one of Macron's presidential campaign promises, and he gathered an assembly of randomly-selected citizens to deliberate.

They issued a non-binding decision in 2023 that assisted dying should be allowed under certain conditions.

The draft law he has now proposed would open assisted dying to adults "fully capable of discernment" -- ruling out psychiatric and Alzheimer's patients, for example.

They would have to be suffering from an "incurable" condition likely to be fatal in the "short or medium term", causing suffering that is "resistant to treatment".

Patients' request for assisted dying would be ruled on by their medical team within two weeks. If approved, they would get a prescription for a lethal substance that could be self-administered.

People suffering from certain conditions, such as motor neurone disease, would be able to nominate someone to administer the lethal dose or get help from a health worker.

Beyond assisted dying, the law would also pump a billion euros ($1.1 billion) into palliative care over 10 years, Macron told the newspapers, also vowing to open 21 new centres in under-served areas.

- 'Towards death' -

"France is finally emerging from the dilly-dallying of the last few months," the Association for the Right to Die in Dignity (ADMD) said in a statement.

The group hailed the "relatively precise timetable" for the law to come before parliament.

But ADMD also objected to some provisions, such as the choice to rule out requests in advance from Alzheimer's sufferers.

"I hope (the law) will allow us to find what we wish for when we're close to the end, which is calm," assisted dying campaigner Loic Resibois, who suffers from motor neurone disease, told broadcaster France Inter.

"Knowing that French law will finally allow us to avoid a situation where we're not yet dead, but not really alive any more, is very important," he added.

Meanwhile France's Catholic bishops categorically rejected the bill.

"A law like this, whatever its aim, will bend our whole health system towards death as a solution," bishops' conference chief Eric de Moulins-Beaufort told La Croix.

"What helps people die in a fully human way is not a lethal drug, it's affection, esteem and attention," he added.

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A major Tory donor has apologised after reportedly saying MP Diane Abbott made him "want to hate all black women" and that she "should be shot".

The Guardian reports that Frank Hester made the remarks about the then-shadow home secretary during a 2019 meeting.

Mr Hester, who runs a health tech firm and gave the Tories 10m last year, admitted making "rude" comments about her.

But he said his remarks "had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin".

Energy Minister Graham Stuart said Mr Hester's comments were "clearly wrong", but warned against "cancelling anyone who has ever said anything".

When asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if the Conservatives should hand back Mr Hester's donations, Mr Stuart said he was not sure.

He said: "Diane Abbott has suffered horribly on social media. What we need is a politics which shows more kindness and understanding of each other, not the vile polarisation we've seen in which people are denigrated and attacked."

Speaking in the Commons, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: "This is utterly revolting, racist, and inciteful language. It has no place in our politics and public life."

Mr Hester is the founder and chief executive of TPP, a Leeds-based company that specialises in providing healthcare technology.

One of the Conservative Party's biggest donors, he donated 5m to the party last year, with a further 5m donated through his company.

In November, he gifted Prime Minister Rishi Sunak the use of a helicopter for a political visit, valued at 15,900, according to parliamentary records.

The Guardian reported that he had made remarks about Ms Abbott while criticising a female executive at another organisation during a meeting at TPP's headquarters in 2019.

The newspaper reported that he went on to say: "It's like trying not to be racist but you see Diane Abbott on the TV, and you're just like I hate, you just want to hate all black women because she's there, and I don't hate all black women at all, but I think she should be shot.

"[The executive] and Diane Abbott need to be shot."

At the time, Ms Abbott - who is currently suspended as a Labour MP - was shadow home secretary under former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The BBC has not heard a recording, or been able to independently verify the alleged remarks.

'Less safe'

In a statement, TPP said Mr Hester "accepts that he was rude about Diane Abbot in a private meeting several years ago but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin".

It added: "The Guardian is right when it quotes Frank saying he abhors racism, not least because he experienced it as the child of Irish immigrants in the 1970s.

"He rang Diane Abbott twice today to try to apologise directly for the hurt he has caused her, and is deeply sorry for his remarks.

"He wishes to make it clear that he regards racism as a poison which has no place in public life."

In response to a request by the BBC, a spokesperson for Mr Hester said the statement is not a confirmation of the alleged quotes in The Guardian.

Responding to the story on X, formerly Twitter, Ms Abbott said she was "quite upset" and felt "less safe".

Labour and the Liberal Democrats called on the Conservatives to return Mr Hester's donations.

A Conservative Party spokesperson said: "Mr Hester has made clear that while he was rude, his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor the colour of her skin. He has since apologised."

Ms Abbott, first elected in 1987, served in several shadow cabinet roles under former leader Mr Corbyn.

She was suspended as a Labour MP last year after saying Irish, Jewish and Traveller people were not subject to racism "all their lives". She withdrew her remarks and apologised "for any anguish caused".

The party withdrew the whip, meaning she now sits as an independent, pending an investigation.
Aid packages are seen left, 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, Sunday, March 10, 2024.

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.

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, but Hamas is holding out for assurances that a temporary truce will lead to an end of hostilities. 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.

CIA Director William Burns traveled among Doha, Cairo and Jordan through Saturday in a push by mediators for progress in the talks.

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The mum of a man who died after being hit with a single punch says his death has "turned my life upside down" as she joins an anti-violence campaign.

Freddie Fontete-Jones, 23, died three days after being punched in Salisbury Market Square on 22 February, 2022.

His mum Gifty Tetteh is backing a new campaign by Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner called Walk Away.

It aims to prevent serious injury or possible death caused by 'one punch' by encouraging people to walk away.

Ms Tetteh, 53, said: "I wish I could explain the impact. It has turned my life upside down, not only my life but all the siblings, all the friends - some of them are not doing well.

"I just feel like I'm having a dream, I'm watching a film that someone else is writing the story of and I'm living with it - it is so hard."

Gifty Tetteh has said she does not want any other mother to go through what she has

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: "Walk Away aims to prevent serious injury or possible death caused by a one punch.

"It aim to encourage perpetrators and bystanders to encourage their friends to 'walk away' from a potentially violent situation."

On the day of the fatal assault, Wiltshire Police officers were called to the Market Square at 03:00 BST, following two 999 calls reporting disorder.

When they arrived, Mr Fontete-Jones was unconscious and being given first aid by paramedics.

He was taken to hospital, but later died.

'He was a peacemaker'

Ms Tetteh said: "I just want to spread the message across to the young ones that it's not the way to live.

"It was a Saturday evening. My son went out and he didn't come back."

Ms Tetteh said that her son, who was a "very popular" character was playing a peacemaker role in an altercation when he was hit.

"He was not fighting anyone, he was trying to stop a fight. One punch took his life," she said.

Connor Pool, 26, of Salt Lane, Winterbourne Gunner, was sentenced to nine years in prison for killing Mr Fontete-Jones after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Mr Fontete-Jones was one of seven siblings - pictured here with his youngest sibling during lockdown

"I don't want any family to go through what we are going through or any mother to go through what I'm going through," said Ms Tetteh.

"So if you go out - I'm not saying don't go out - enjoy yourself but just walk away if someone is getting annoyed or someone is picking on you.

"Just walk away, just save a life. If I can save one person's life, one family's life, then I'll be happy."

'It can ruin lives'

Det Insp Phil Walker, of Wiltshire Police's major crime investigation team, said: "We want people to have a great time on nights out across the county.

"However, we know that assaults which happen during a night out can have serious consequences.

"A single punch can ruin lives and this campaign is aimed at changing behaviours and ensuring that nights out are safe for everyone.

"We have good relationships with our local venues and partners and some of these will be displaying messages as part of a range of measures to make nights out memorable for the right reasons."

Ms Tetteh paid tribute to her son, who she described as "very funny".

"We had so much fun when we were together, and now I don't have that," she said.

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Experts hope to understand why 'Il Cannone' became so famous (JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK)

French experts fired X-rays at a 18th-century violin worth millions this weekend hoping to discover the secret of its magical sound, they said Monday.

The violin, dubbed "Il Cannone" (the cannon) because of its powerful sound, was Italian composer and violin virtuoso Niccolo Paganini's favourite.

The maestro from the Italian city of Genoa played it for decades before it became the property of his home city after his death in 1840.

The violin, made by instrument maker Giuseppe Bartolomeo Guarneri del Gesu in 1743, is now only brought out from time to time for the world's best to play, including the winners of Genoa's Premio Paganini international violin competition.

The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), a particle accelerator in the southeastern city of Grenoble, scanned the instrument down to the cellular structure of its wood.

The idea is to create a 3D model of the violin in and out of which people can zoom, down to a micron, or millionth of a metre.

"The first goal is conservation," said Paul Tafforeau of the ESRF.

"If ever any flaws need repairing, we will have all the details."

But they also hoped the "non-destructive analysis" would help shed light on why it plays so beautifully.

"It's an exceptional instrument in terms of its sound qualities," Tafforeau said.

"With this data, we hope to better understand why."

The detailed analysis of the X-rays will take several months.

"Working on this violin is like a dream," Tafforeau said.

Luigi Paolasini, who was in charge of the project at the ESRF, said the violin had been insured for a value of 30 million euros ($32 million) to travel from Genoa to Grenoble.

"The logistics were very complicated because we're not a museum that would have experience in moving works of art around," Paolasini said.

Whatever the outcome of the analysis, the guiding principle for any restoration work on the instrument is "to exercise extreme caution, or abstain altogether", said Alberto Giordano, a curator of precious instruments in Genoa.

"I get older, but the violin stays the same, and that's the way it should be," he said.

"Just like the picture of Dorian Gray, it stays fresh as a rose," Giordano added in reference to a novel by Oscar Wilde in which a painting of a man ages in his stead in an attic, allowing him to remain eternally young.

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French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Ukraine, which was scheduled for February, was postponed because he wants to bring "tangible results" to Kyiv.

Source: officials from Macron's inner circle in a comment to reporters on Monday, 11 March, as reported by European Pravda, citing Politico

Details: An Elysee Palace official stressed that the planning of the French president's visit had nothing to do with security concerns, as "there are no worries" in this regard.

The French diplomat, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, added that Macron wants to "take the necessary time" to discuss with allies in order to visit Ukraine "with tangible results".

"A bit of time is needed to [conclude] the different coalitions and their operational commitments with our partners," he added.

Background:

On Monday, the Elysee Palace announced that French President Emmanuel Macron would visit Ukraine "in the coming weeks".

The French president had announced his intention to visit Ukraine in February to finalise the security guarantees agreement. The specific date of the visit was not mentioned at the time. However, the visit was later pushed back due to "security concerns".

On 16 February, during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Paris, Macron said he had not abandoned his plans to visit Ukraine and would do so shortly.

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The French President, Emmanuel Macron, will visit Ukraine "in the coming weeks."

Source: AFP, citing Elysee Palace, as reported by European Pravda

The corresponding statement was published after a conversation between Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The statement reads that the leaders of both countries "agreed to stay in close contact, particularly regarding the visit of the President of the French Republic to Ukraine, which is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks."

During the conversation, Macron also confirmed "his desire to continue efforts for the rapid establishment of a long-range weapons coalition, as well as support for the Czech initiative on ammunition," noted the Elysee Palace.

The French President "also confirmed the need to work together within the 'Artillery for Ukraine' coalition, created under the leadership of the United States and France."

Background:

The French President announced his intention to visit Ukraine in February to finalise the agreement on security guarantees. However, a specific date for the visit was not mentioned at that time.

However, the visit was later postponed due to "security concerns."

On 16 February, during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Paris, Macron stated that he had not decided against visiting Ukraine and would do so in the near future.

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The latest cyberattack to hit France follows a warning from Attal's defence adviser just last week that the Paris Olympics in July and European Parliament elections in June could be 'significant targets' (Geoffroy Van der Hasselt)

Cyberattacks of "unprecedented intensity" have targeted several French government institutions just months before the Paris Olympics but have been contained, the prime ministers office said Monday.

The latest cyberattack to hit France follows a warning from Attal's defence adviser just last week that the Olympics games in July and European Parliament elections in June could be "significant targets".

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal's office said several state bodies were targeted but did not provide details.

"Many ministerial services were targeted" from Sunday "using familiar technical means but of unprecedented intensity," Attal's office said.

A security source told AFP that the attacks "are not currently attributable to Russia," an obvious suspect for many given Paris' support for Kyiv since the invasion of Ukraine.

The PM's staff added that a "crisis cell has been activated to deploy countermeasures", meaning "the impact of these attacks has been reduced for most services and access to state websites restored."

Specialist services including information security agency ANSSI were "implementing filtering measures until the attacks are over".

Several hacker groups claimed responsibility for the attacks on Telegram, a messaging app, including one calling itself Anonymous Sudan which said it had launched a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack on French government network infrastructure.

"We have conducted a massive cyberattack... the damage will be widespread," said the group, which posts with an avatar of a hooded Guy Fawkes mask in front of a desert scene with pyramids.

Guy Fawkes is famous for his 1605 plot to blow up Britain's parliament, and his image has become a widespread symbol for revolutionary protest.

"A lot of different digital government sectors have been affected, including very important websites, with their respective subdomains," it said.

Anonymous Sudan is a known outfit that has carried out attacks in the past year against websites in countries including Sweden, Denmark and Israel.

Purportedly based in Sudan, it says it targets what it deems to be anti-Muslim activity with some signs that it is sympathetic to Russia.

Specialist website Numerama said Anonymous Sudan's exact motivations were "unclear", adding however that it had a track record of "targeting enemies designated by Moscow".

A DDoS attack involves using a computer or network of computers to make a massive number of requests of a target system, overwhelming its ability to respond to legitimate users.

According to US cybersecurity firm Cloudflare, Anonymous Sudan is one of many groups employing DDoS attacks and organisations can protect themselves against its methods.

The latest cyberattack also follows a call from Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu last month to step up protection against "sabotage and cyberattack" by Russia, in an internal note seen by AFP that said his ministry was top of Moscow's target list.

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Republican senators say the race to replace Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) could be decided by fundraising prowess, citing the more than $1.6 billion he helped raise through two outside groups for Senate Republican candidates since 2015.

GOP senators say the fundraising factor could give an advantage to Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R) in his race against Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) for the top job.

With Election Day rapidly approaching, many Republican senators are focusing on the fundraising responsibilities of the top GOP leadership job, something McConnell has mastered since becoming leader in 2007.

While Cornyn and Thune have both raised millions of dollars over the years and given generously to colleagues, Cornyn comes from one of the biggest Republican fundraising hubs in the country.

He has given away significantly more money to GOP candidates than Thune over the past decade.

It will be a factor, but I think John Thune has also done a lot over the years with the [National Republican Senatorial Committee], Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said of Cornyns advantage as the bigger fundraiser.

Asked who the front-runner in the race is, Tillis acknowledged its hard to say right now, reflecting the view of many GOP senators that the leadership race will be very close.

Cornyn has raised more than $14 million for Republican incumbents, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and Senate Republican nominees to date in the 2024 election cycle, according to a source familiar with Cornyns political operation.

The Texas senator has been the top Senate Republican fundraiser aside from McConnell since 2009 and formed a joint fundraising committee, the Cornyn Victory Committee, in 2021 to help Republicans directly.

Cornyn raised $20 million for Senate Republican incumbents and candidates in the last election cycle, more than any other Republican senator except for McConnell and then-NRSC Chair Rick Scott (Fla.).

One Republican senator who has received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Cornyns joint fundraising committee said that will be an important factor in the leadership race.

Obviously as the leader, fundraising is important, the senator said, adding its one of several critical factors in the race.

I think its extremely important, the senator added. Cornyn has shown he understands the importance of having a network set up, and he comes from a big state.

Cornyn developed his national donor network by chairing the Senate Republicans campaign fundraising committee from 2009-13.

The senator said the ability of the next leader to go on the Sunday morning talk shows and other national news programs to get the Senate Republican message out to voters is also important.

Cornyn, who has easy access to a television studio in Austin, has appeared recently on NBCs Meet the Press, CNNs State of the Union and CBSs Face the Nation.

The Cornyn Victory Committee has transferred $2.48 million to the NRSC, $668,000 to Senate Republican Conference Chair John Barrasso (Wyo.), $417,000 to Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), $417,000 to Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), $413,000 to Scott, $397,000 to Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), $394,000 to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), $386,000 to Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and $352,000 to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in this election cycle through Dec. 31, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group that tracks fundraising.

Senate Republicans say Thune has the advantage of now occupying the No. 2-ranking position in the Senate GOP leadership, which puts him in charge of running floor operations for Senate GOP colleagues.

Thune, 63, is also about nine years younger than Cornyn, who is 72.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said its important you that have a leader who has the ability to go out and raise money to help members get reelected.

Some of that comes from the fact that youre in that position, and some of it comes from the fact that its something youre good at and enjoy doing, he said.

Rubio, however, said he views both Cornyn and Thune as capable fundraisers and that campaign finance considerations wont solely determine how he votes.

Republican senators say Thune has stepped up his fundraising for colleagues since McConnell suffered a concussion and fractured rib in a fall at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., a year ago.

That accident kept McConnell away from the Capitol for weeks and raised the prospect he might retire from leadership sooner than GOP senators expected when they reelected him leader with a 37-10 vote in November 2022.

McConnell, who is 82, announced last month that he would step down from the Senate Republican leadership at the end of this year.

Thune has raised $8 million for the NRSC this election cycle, more than any senator other than NRSC Chair Steve Daines (Mont.).

And the South Dakota senator has raised $3.5 million directly for candidates through his joint fundraising committee  2024 Republican Senate Victory  spending significant time with candidates at events.

He filed the statement of organization setting up the new joint fundraising committee on April 10, a month after McConnell tripped and fell at a private dinner.

That accident sent McConnell to the hospital and then a rehab facility for weeks, sparking frenzied speculation about how much longer he would be able to hold the top job.

Thune has joined or plans to join 23 Senate Republican colleagues at fundraising events outside Washington this election cycle and has attended or has plans to attend events with 37 Senate GOP incumbents and candidates in D.C.

He has also headlined more than 50 events for Senate GOP incumbents and candidates this cycle. And he is sitting on more than $17 million in his Senate campaign account.

A source familiar with Thunes fundraising operation remarked that some people might be surprised Thune has managed to raise so much money, given he comes from a small state with many fewer high-dollar donors compared to Texas.

Some Republican senators who support Thunes bid predict hell be able to cultivate relationships with donors across the country and dramatically expand his fundraising operation if elected Senate GOP leader.

John Cornyn is a great member, and he was a very good whip, said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), who is backing Thune. Whoever becomes the next leader will inherit the title and also the responsibility for a lot of fundraising, and I think John Thune can more than match anyone in the Senate on that.

Rounds said he disagrees with colleagues who view Cornyn as the stronger fundraiser.

Once you become the leader, your ability to fundraise goes way, way up, he said. The role you play has as much to do as the personality involved.

Senate Republicans meanwhile are wrestling over what to do with McConnells powerful fundraising network after he relinquishes the powerful perch he has held over the past 17 years.

GOP senators are wondering whether the next Senate Republican leader  be it Cornyn or Thune  should take over affiliation to Senate Leadership Fund and One Nation, the two outside fundraising groups now aligned with McConnell. They have funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into Senate races over the past nine years.

Another possibility is the next Senate Republican leader would build out his own fundraising network on top of what he has already developed.

Steven Law, McConnells former chief of staff and president and CEO of the Senate Leadership Fund, said hes not thinking about who takes over McConnells fundraising operation.

Our team is busy working to win back the Senate majority. Thats our sole focus through November, he said.

Law last week praised McConnells historic legacy of fighting to elect and re-elect dozens of Republican senators who have transformed the federal judiciary.

He reported that Senate Leadership Fund and One Nation have raised $1.66 billion since being launched in 2015.

Updated at 9:12 a.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Gator bites man in Lake County

A Central Florida man is recovering after being bitten by an alligator.

The man was fishing at a Leesburg-area lake Sunday when the attack happened, Lake County Fire Rescue said.

It happened off Grand Vista Trail shortly before 4:30 p.m.

A witness reported seeing the gator attacking the man and reported bystanders trying to help him.

SEE: 9 of Floridas most dangerous animals

Tewa, a female alligator stolen from a zoo as a baby, has been return 20 years after her kidnapping.

Authorities said a woman died in an alligator attack on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

File photo. A 7 1/2-foot-long alligator attacked a snorkeler on Monday in a north-central Florida spring.

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the snakes that are native to Florida.

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the snakes that are native to Florida.

A Texas man who thought a few snakes were under his house called professionals to remove the reptiles -- and learned 45 rattlesnakes had made themselves at home!

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is the largest of the rattlesnake species, according to the University of Georgia. They are active all summer long, especially in the morning and evening. CONTRIBUTED BY SRELHERP.UGA.EDU

WHAT: Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes - An urban legend claims that a 15-foot Eastern Diamondback was found in Florida. Though later proven to be false, this deadly snake can grow to 8 feet in length.

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the snakes that are native to Florida.

Eastern Diamondback snakes are the largest of the 32 species of rattlesnakes, according to Snake Facts.

A bull shark tried to take a bite out of the back of a boat as fishermen attempted to catch cobia.

A bull shark, similar to one that apparently attacked a Texas man, is pictured here. Photo: Wikicommons

Stock photo of a bull shark. A Pennsylvania woman is dead after a shark attacked her during a snorkeling excursion in the Bahamas, officials said.

File photo. The family said that they believed the shark was an 8-foot-long bull shark.

Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) swims through deep water off Mexico Yucatan Peninsula.

Fire officials say they believe a man trying to get rid of black widow spiders used a blowtorch and caught a house on fire.

Black widow spider's body is about a third of an inch long but it has legs up to one and a third inches long. As dangerous as the name sounds, this spider is timid. Its first method of defense is to drop from its web and pretend to be dead.

GF Default - Firefighters ? Man Sets Home on Fire Trying to Kill Black Widow Spider with Blowtorch

(Photo) Black Widow spider

A Connecticut woman and her son had a close encounter with a black widow spider found crawling through a bunch of grapes. Photo: Pixabay

Cottonmouth snakes are found in every Florida county.

Cottonmouth moved out the street so it wouldnt get hit... dont kill snakes.

Western cottonmouth

This species loves water and can be found along stream banks, in swamps, on the margins of lakes and in tree-bordered marshes.

Cottonmouth snakes are found in every Florida county.

Cottonmouth snake captured in Lake Mary

When

WFTV reporter Jeff Levkulich reported live from Florida's Seminole County on Tuesday afternoon, he was joined by animal expert Bob Cross and a very big, angry water moccasin." height="720" width="1280"/>

FILE PHOTO: Florida wildlife officials removed an unwanted visitor from a home Tuesday -- a 12-foot crocodile.

A pier in Pompano Beach was a resting place for a crocodile on Monday morning.

File photo. A Florida-based wildlife photographer captured photographs and videos of

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 11: A crocodile is seen at the Dinner Key marina after hurricane Irma passed through the area on September 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm on Sunday, lashing the state with 130 mph winds as it moved up the coast. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

File photo of a crocodile

Stock photo of a black bear. A black bear appears to be making itself at home in a southwest Florida golf community.

FILE PHOTO

FILE PHOTO: A Florida man was on his porch Wednesday evening when he was attacked by a black bear, wildlife officials said.

A black bear wanders through its enclosure at the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society on Thursday, August 14, 2014 in West Palm Beach. The black bears are part of the Art Gone Wild program in which animals create paintings that are sold to raise money to take care of the zoo animals. (Madeline Gray / The Palm Beach Post)

FILE PHOTO: A yacht club in Florida had an unexpected visitor.

File photo. A wild boar tromping through a wetland in Florida.

WHAT: Wild boars - Wild boar can be aggressive when cornered and some have tusks up to 6-inches long.

Wild boars wreaking havoc, on the prowl for mates in Florida

Wild pig stock photo. Credit: DeAgostini / Getty Images

File photo.

Remote cameras operated by motion detectors captured these photos of wild boars.

Wild boars, like the one pictured in this file photo, reportedly have been destroying Lehigh Acres residents' lawns.

This Feb. 2022 photo provided by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida shows biologist Ian Bartoszek with a 15-foot female Burmese python captured by tracking a male scout snake in Picayune Strand State Forest. (Conservancy of Southwest Florida via AP)

This March 2022 photo provided by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida shows biologists Ian Easterling, left, and Ian Bartoszek with a 14-foot female Burmese python captured in mangrove habitat of southwestern Florida while tracking a male scout snake. (Conservancy of Southwest Florida via AP)

Stock photo of a Burmese python. Two mother pythons, several hatchlings and nearly two dozen unhatched eggs recently were removed from a southwest Florida wildlife preserve, officials said.

FILE PHOTO: A man in Utah is accused of not having permits to own 20 Burmese pythons.

File photo.

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 10: A python is seen as Robert Edman, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, gives a python-catching demonstration to potential snake hunters at the start of the Python Bowl 2020 on January 10, 2020 in Sunrise, Florida. The Florida Python Challenge 2020 Python Bowl taking place a few weeks before the Super Bowl being held in Miami Gardens, is a 10-day competition to remove Burmese pythons from the Florida Everglades due to the threat to the delicate ecosystem that they pose as they have no predators and reproduce rapidly. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

FILE PHOTO: A Florida man snared a nearly 17-foot python while hunting for the invasive snakes in the Everglades.

Read: Alligator or crocodile? Heres how Floridians can tell the difference

The man was able to get free of the animal and was rushed to the hospital.

Were told state wildlife officials may be working to locate the alligator.

Read: Woman in her 20s shot to death in Orange County

Monitor WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates to this story.

See a map of the scene below:

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Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

The pygmy rattlesnake, which is also known as the ground rattler, is found in every county in Florida.

The pygmy rattlesnake, which is also known as the ground rattler, is found in every county in Florida.

The pygmy rattlesnake, which is also known as the ground rattler, is found in every county in Florida.

Cottonmouth snakes are found in every Florida county.

Cottonmouth snakes are found in every Florida county.

Cottonmouth snakes are found in every Florida county.

This species loves water and can be found along stream banks, in swamps, on the margins of lakes and in tree-bordered marshes.

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the snakes that are native to Florida.

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the snakes that are native to Florida.

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the snakes that are native to Florida.

The canebrake snake can be distinguished by its grayish-brown or pinkish buff color, with dark bands across its body and a brown or black tail with a rattle at the end.

The canebrake snake can be distinguished by its grayish-brown or pinkish buff color, with dark bands across its body and a brown or black tail with a rattle at the end.

Florida is the southern boundary of where copperheads are found, which means it's rare to spot the snake in most of the state.

Florida is the southern boundary of where copperheads are found, which means it's rare to spot the snake in most of the state.

FWC officials say the coral snakes venom is the most potent of any snake in North America.

FWC officials say the coral snakes venom is the most potent of any snake in North America.
The ship is towing a barge loaded with dry and canned food for Gazans

A ship carrying humanitarian aid, that was expected to depart for Gaza on Sunday, is still docked in Cyprus.

A charity leading the mission told the BBC it is "a quickly evolving and fluid situation", but hopes the ship, Open Arms, will set sail soon.

On Sunday evening, the sighting of the new moon marked the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in Gaza.

Many had hoped for a ceasefire by now, but negotiations between Israel and Hamas have largely stalled.

President Joe Biden issued a Ramadan message on Sunday, and said the suffering of Palestinians would be in his "front of mind" as Ramadan arrived at "a moment of immense pain."

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also marked the beginning of the holy month with a video message of "solidarity and support to all those suffering from the horrors in Gaza."

The UN has previously warned a quarter of Gaza's population is on the brink of famine, and children are starving to death there.

The ship belongs to the Spanish charity of the same name, Open Arms.

Once it sets sail from Cyprus - the closest EU country to Gaza - the ship will tow a barge loaded with 200 tonnes of food, including rice, flour and cans of meat and fish, sourced by US charity World Central Kitchen (WCK).

It is expected to take about two days to reach an undisclosed location off the coast of Gaza, using a new sea route the EU said would be opened over the weekend.

A spokesperson for WCK told the BBC the charity has started building a jetty to safely get the food to shore. They added WCK has another 500 tonnes of aid in Cyprus ready to go on future boats.

Separately, a US military ship is sailing towards Gaza, with equipment on board to start building a floating dock to help get aid deliveries into the Strip by sea.

Aid deliveries into Gaza have been increasingly difficult and dangerous - the World Food Programme paused its deliveries to northern Gaza last month, after its convoys endured "complete chaos and violence", the organisation said.

With land deliveries near impossible, several nations have turned to air drops.

But the situation in Gaza is so dire, that the drops are an inefficient way of getting supplies to people who need them most.

And on Friday, there were reports that five people had been killed by a falling aid package north of Gaza City, when its parachute failed to open properly.

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 famine in Gaza is "almost inevitable", with an estimated 300,000 Palestinians are living there with little food or clean water.
A leader of the Working Family Party argued Monday that Democratic leaders are missing a key opportunity by ignoring demands from their base to pressure Israel into a cease-fire in Gaza.

The protests are a gift for Joe Biden,  if the president is willing to use it, party national director Maurice Mitchell said at a live taping of Toure Show at an off-SXSW (South by Southwest) event in Austin, Texas.

Rather than trying to suppress a ferment from the base, Biden should treat it as a source of information about where we need to go, Mitchell said.

He said that national Democrats support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government is at odds with a domestic campaign to block authoritarians, which is the MAGA movement.

If Joe Biden claims to be the leader of the pro-democracy forces, then it probably doesnt make sense for him to be in league with the ultra-right-wing authoritarians who are leading the state of Israel, right? Mitchell said.

Last week, more than 100,000 Democratic primary voters in Michigan marked their ballots uncommitted in a protest against U.S. support for the Israeli bombing and ground campaign in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of people, the majority of them civilians.

The benefit of social movements is to simplify things that are supposed to be complex, Mitchell argued.

Like the movement for Black Lives: Stop Killing Us. Or this movement for peace right now: People play this as complex, but its actually one of the most ethically or morally simple things in the world. The politics are complex, but the morals are simple: If its a choice between a baby and a bully, its always a baby, and everyone feels that.

Despite his opposition to Bidens policies, however, Mitchell framed the 2024 election as being about finding the right adversaries  arguing that politics isnt dating.

Look, if you want to fall in love, try Bumble, he said. Our politics shall not be about whether or not you can drink a beer with somebody, or if you like someone or you trust them. Political action should be a chess move, not a Valentine.

Compared to four years of either Trump or Biden, what chess moves are we going to be able to make to build our own independent power? And what is likely to happen under Trump and MAGA or under the Democrats? Right? Because ultimately, that is actually whats on the table.

Politics is a negotiation. he said. Who do you want to negotiate with?

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Conservative legal commentator George Conway said former President Trump libeled advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in a CNBC interview, in which he called her Miss Bergdorf Goodman and accused her of making false accusations against him.

In an interview on CNBCs Squawk Box on Monday, Trump avoided using Carrolls name directly, referring to her as Miss Bergdorf Goodman, a person I never  I never met, I have no idea who she is.

Trump also expressed frustration at the $91.63 million bond he had to post on Friday in Carrolls defamation lawsuit against him, adding, Except one thing. I got sued. 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.

In January, a federal jury sitting in New York ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million for defaming the advice columnist in 2019 by denying her claims that the former president sexually assaulted her decades earlier.

A separate jury last year ruled Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll, leading the former president to cough up $5.5 million in cash. Trumps reference to Bergdorf Goodman is a nod to the department store where Carroll said the sexual assault occurred decades ago.

Conway, in a Monday post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, underscored what he characterized as the significance of Trumps remarks being made on CNBC, which is anchored in New York.

The fact that Trump libeled @ejeancarroll on @CNBC @SquawkCNBC is highly significant for a procedural reason in addition to a substantive one, Conway wrote on X.

Were E. Jean to sue Trump just for the speech he gave in northwest Georgia the other day, she probably would have had to sue in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, he added, referring to similar accusations Trump made this past weekend at a rally in Georgia.

But now that he libeled her on Squawk Box, which is anchored in Manhattan, she likely may now sue in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Conway said. If she does that, the case would be assigned to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan as a case related to the earlier two cases that produced $88.3 million in damages awards.

Carrolls lawyer Robbie Kaplan issued a statement to The New York Times making it clear that they were carefully monitoring Trumps remarks and had not ruled out pursuing a new defamation suit.

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, E. Jean Carroll, the statement read.

Trump on Friday posted a bond of $91.63 million in Carrolls defamation lawsuit  110 percent of the damages, as is standard practice  hours after the judge rejected his latest attempt to delay a deadline he had faced on Monday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Over the past year in Spain, cocaine seizures have broken all historical records. Were going for 100,000 kilos more than double what was [intercepted] in 2022, affirm sources from the National Police and the Civil Guard, the organizations responsible for the fight against drug trafficking. The Ministry of Interior still hasnt released official reports related to that period of time. Spain  which is already the EUs biggest cannabis-producing country  is flooded with cocaine, like all of Europe, the same sources warn.

The consequences of the drug boom are beginning to be seen very clearly in neighboring countries such as Sweden, where the government put the army on the streets last September to stop the wave of murders linked to gang rivalries. Or in the Netherlands, where the 20-year-old Princess Catharina-Amalia  next in line to the throne  had to limit her movements. She received increased security after being threatened by known members of the Mocro Maffia, a vast network of criminal organizations whose reach has expanded globally.

A few weeks ago, two shootings in the center of Brussels left one man dead and a woman injured, when she was run over in the car in which some suspected drug traffickers were fleeing. Also, in the Spanish city of Barbate, the pilot of a drug boat  nicknamed El Cabra (the goat)  rammed a Civil Guard vessel, killing two agents and injuring four others on February 9.

Whether it be from local police reports or from international organizations such as the United Nations, those who are fighting this scourge, which threatens the stability of states, have made their message clear: Drug trafficking is stronger than ever and there are more drugs than ever. Or, as Spains Anti-Drug Prosecutor Rosana Moran stated in her 2023 report, in reference to the omnipresence of narcotics: Everywhere, everything, everyone.

To look for the reasons for the large amount of drugs that are entering Europe  and to understand what has led to the establishment of new, increasingly violent criminal groups  its necessary to look to the other side of the Atlantic. Thats where the mainly maritime routes begin, through which tons of cocaine are being trafficked.

Today, one of the hottest spots for drug trafficking on a global scale is Ecuador, which is experiencing a serious security crisis. On March 31, 2023, half-a-dozen armed men entered the vacation home of Ecuadorian businessman Ruben Cherres, in Santa Elena (in far western Ecuador). They tortured and killed him, along with his girlfriend, a friend and his security guard. At the time, Cherres was the target of an investigation by the Ecuadorian Prosecutors Office, which linked him to the brother-in-law of the then-president of the country, Guillermo Lasso, and to Albanian drug trafficking groups, which have operated in the Latin American country since 2009.

The Albanians saw a great business opportunity: instead of fighting with the cartels in the traditional coca leaf producing countries (Colombia, Bolivia and Peru), they chose to buy the drug directly from them and send it to Europe from the port closest to the border: Guayaquil, explains Antonio Martinez Duarte, head of the Drugs and Organized Crime Unit of Spains National Police (UDYCO). They acquired large banana and fruit export companies as a cover to ship tons of cocaine throughout Europe, he adds. Spain  specifically the cities of Valencia, Barcelona and Algeciras, where members of the so-called Balkan Clan have settled  is currently a major gateway for drugs.

In Europe, the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam are of concern: [theyre] the two main ports where cocaine arrives from Latin America. But Valencia is in third place, points out Moran.

Over the course of the year that shes been in office, Moran has promoted international cooperation measures, which are crucial when it comes to combating these transnational crimes. Given the backlog that these cases generate in the investigative courts of the small towns in which the unloading occurs, Moran has advocated for the creation of specialized courts in the provinces [of Spain] that bear the most pressure from drug trafficking, [as well as] the expansion of the powers of the National Court, as she outlines to EL PAIS by phone. This, she explains, will allow her to take on the bigger issues, which have complex ramifications. Moran points out how, at the moment, there are judges from small local courts who have to take on cases involving dozens of detainees linked to international organized crime while also overseeing matters such as divorce proceedings.

The success of the fight against drugs doesnt end with the increase in arrests and seizures [of illicit cargo], but with the convictions of the perpetrators and the recovery of the profits obtained, the prosecutor emphasizes. For Moran, the problem of drug trafficking also belongs to [the Ministry of] Justice. The number of detainees for narcotics charges hasnt stopped growing in Spain: 18,193 in 2018; 20,441 in 2019; 20,599 in 2020 (the main year of the coronavirus pandemic); 22,968 in 2021 and 24,117 in 2022, according to the latest records provided by the Ministry of the Interior.

Two weeks ago, the National Police dealt another blow to the Albanian mafia installed in Valencia, with 17 arrests and the seizure of 850 kilos of cocaine. In 2023, nearly 9,000 kilos were seized in the Valencian port from members of groups that are predominantly made up of Albanians, giving rise to unprecedented images of drugs being displayed in police stations. All of the cocaine in the latest raid came from Ecuador.

According to reports from the United Nations, Europol, the Spanish Prosecutors Office and the National Police, the port of Guayaquil  despite the fact that Ecuador isnt a cocaine-producing country  is now one of the main departure points for the tons of cocaine that are flooding Europe.

Two weeks ago  almost a year after those murders in Santa Elena  the Spanish National Police carried out Operation Pampa, alongside their Ecuadorian counterparts. Thirty-two people were arrested in total: 13 in Spain, 18 in Ecuador and one in the United Kingdom. At the moment, Ecuador requires visas for Albanian citizens, while most of the country lives under a curfew due to crime. This is after the assassination (in broad daylight) of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was shot dead on August 11, 2023, and the murder of anti-corruption Prosecutor Cesar Suarez this past January 17.

Among those arrested in the recent operation was a high value target named Dritan Gjitka, an Albanian national. Gjitkas main business partner  also detained  was an Argentine-Italian citizen living in Marbella, Spain. He was allegedly importing bananas from Ecuador in addition to 4,000 kilos of coca per month. The value of what was seized in the 22 searches carried out in Spain is striking: 500,000 in cash, an automatic pistol and 12 high-end vehicles. Additionally, 17 properties worth about 12 million ($13.2 million) were embargoed, according to a police report. Gjitka is a guy who, by phone, closed weekly 6,000-kilo shipments from Colombia to Ecuador, sources in the investigation point out.

The latest report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) spoke of a record production of pure cocaine in 2020: close to two million kilos. But researchers say that, in the last three years, this figure has grown exponentially.

The value of a kilo of coca placed in a Guayaquil container can be around $2,500-$3,000, says a Civil Guard official from the Organized Crime Unit. But that same kilo  in the container in Valencia or Algeciras  is already worth $30,000, he adds. The profit margin is huge. [We think] that a Galician boss sent 36 million ($39 million) to Cucuta (Colombia), which he must have stored somewhere, in suitcases, a UDYCO agent says, underlining the immense economic capacity that many drug lords have.

According to experts, the incessant production of coca plants in Colombia and other coca-producing countries  consented to by governments incapable of offering better alternatives to the millions of people (including both farmers and workers in all kinds of ad hoc service companies) who make a living from the crop  has generated this unprecedented surplus of cocaine on the market. The price per kilo in Europe has fallen from $43,000 to $32,500 over the last decade. Theres a lot of cocaine and its very cheap, experts point out. And crop output continues to expand, even at the cost of deforesting the Amazon with the consequent climate impact.

In 2020, the decryption of the drug traffickers mobile communication channels  such as Encrochat or Sky-Ecc  exposed their activities and modus operandi. It opened all of our eyes, National Police and Civil Guard officials agree. There were things that we intuited but we discovered the levels of cooperation and collaboration of the different organizations. [Theyre] truly multinational crime companies, with delegates halfway around the world and a network of contacts and services in each place, a Civil Guard commander sighs.

We also discovered the violence with which they operate: we saw the backs of trucks in the middle of a forest in Holland converted into torture centers: [they were engaged in] beheadings, burying people alive a National Police commander recalls. All of this information came from the massive surveillance operations, which the drug lords big law firms are now trying to nullify, arguing that said investigations constituted an invasion of personal privacy. So far, the defense isnt having much success.

The unloading of the ship that was carrying 200 kilos of cocaine. It arrived in Vigo, Spain, on February 28. It was boarded by the 'Petrel,' belonging to Spains Customs Surveillance Service. Salvador Sas (EFE)

These interventions also revealed corruption, with the ports as the main focus. The different [ways in] which containers serve to transport cocaine require complicity among port workers, which is a trigger for corruption. This also affects customs workers and state security forces and [institutional] bodies, Moran writes, in the report filed by the Prosecutors Office.

While the big bosses of criminal organizations hold their lavish business dinners everywhere from Dubai to Istanbul, they continue to use Spains Costa del Sol as a refuge or a rest stop with great possibilities for money laundering, according to experts. The National Police, Civil Guard and Prosecutors Office are working to create spaces for meeting and coordinating with their counterparts in Latin America, to adapt to the functioning of the international mafias.

There are already Joint Investigation Teams (JIT) within the National Police, with liaison agents who transfer information to other European countries. And the Anti-Drug Criminal Intelligence Center (CICA) has been launched, with financing from the European Commission, through the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), which has delegates from all Latin American countries affected by drug trafficking, as well as a representative from the UAE. For its part, the Spanish Prosecutors Office is attempting to expedite all procedures in coordination with the Network of Anti-Drug Prosecutors of Ibero-America (REFAI).

The fight is still too unbalanced, the agents acknowledge, many of whom confront drug traffickers in the same places where they live with their families. The pressure is brutal, say those who are stationed in hot areas, such as La Linea de la Concepcion in the Spanish province of Cadiz, or Punta Umbria, in the province of Huelva. If theres something that characterizes organized crime, its certainly the flexibility [and] its ability to adapt, researchers point out.

For this reason, hashish routes are no longer just for hashish: the logistics and infrastructure created are also used to introduce cocaine into the European markets. This is reflected in the 2023 data provided by the Prosecutors Office: Of the total number of drugs seized in [the region of] Andalusia in 2022, 50% were of hashish and 78% were of cocaine, seizures of which have increased by 78.4% in the region. The drug boats also move from Huelva to Portugal, taking advantage of the border and that these small vessels arent prohibited in the neighboring country. Just two weeks ago, the Civil Guard intercepted a drug boat that had set sail from Huelva, bound for a point on the high seas. Around 4,350 kilos of cocaine were seized, 500 miles from the Canary Islands, its final destination.

Concern is expanding as criminal groups gain ground. Sweden has gone from being a quiet country with an exemplary quality of life and enviable public education to enduring more than 50 executions each year in cities and towns, where children as young as 13 have been caught carrying large quantities of drugs in their school backpacks. The Netherlands has seen how drug traffickers corrupted the operators of its ports in Rotterdam and Antwerp, getting them to open and close containers at will, just by making a phone call. And, in Marseille, the so-called Mocro Maffia wreaks havoc on the streets, while traffickers are acting more impulsively and brutally in Spain.

The agents and institutions that fight against drug trafficking warn about the risk of reaching situations of violence similar to those in neighboring countries. They warn that the devastating fentanyl that travels along the drug routes that link Mexico with the United States will arrive [in Europe] sooner rather than later. Experts emphasize that this is a crime against public health, which overwhelmingly impacts mental health: The majority of young people who are [admitted to hospital] for psychiatric reasons have a history of drug consumption behind them.
Two brothers in Georgia were sentenced to decades in prison for attacking their roommate during a heated argument over Mexican politics and religion, prosecutors said Monday.

A Carroll County jury convicted Hector Rodriguez, 56, and Jesus Rodriguez Vicerra, 47, of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery. Hector Rodriguez was also found guilty of trying to flee from a police officer and driving under the influence.

Hector Rodriguez was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by 11 years on probation, and Jesus Rodriguez Vicerra to 30 years.

GEORGIA PREPAPRES FOR FIST LETHAL EXECUTION IN MORE THAN 4 YEARS

The incident began on March 11, 2023, in the house all three of them rented together, the Carrolton Police Department said.

Jesus Rodriguez Vicerra was mocking the victim's Christian faith and ripped a Saint Jude pendant from the victim's neck, prosecutors said. They had been arguing over religion and Mexican politics, authorities said.

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Following a first fight on the porch, the brothers followed the victim and a witness onto the driveway.

The victim said he tried to leave the home but that Hector Rodriguez gave his brother a knife and yelled "kill him." He tried to run but was caught and stabbed in the right arm, which lacerated an artery, authorities said.

The victim ran to a church parking lot where he collapsed. A University of West Georgia student witnessed what was happening and called 911.

First responders stopped the bleeding by applying a tourniquet and the victim was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta for emergency surgery.

The brothers fled the scene but were later stopped by police officers. Hector Rodriguez was under the influence of alcohol and Jesus Rodriguez was found with two knives, one of which tested positive for the victim's DNA, police said.

"This was essentially a hate crime that would have resulted in a murder if not for the quick action of Carrollton Police Department," Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney John Herbert Cranford said in a statement. "I am thankful that this victim will be able to practice his faith freely while these defendants spend decades in Georgias prison system."





Original article source: Georgia brothers convicted in roommate attack during argument over Mexican politics, religion
Dozens of cities along the coastlines of the United States are sinking at an alarming rate, according to a report published in the journal Nature last week.

Among those cities is Savannah.

The study also showed that much of the Gulf Coast is sinking rapidly, with Southern Louisiana especially threatened by rising water.

Climate scientists said these areas are now far more susceptible to devastating flooding from sea level rise than previously thought.

Up to 273,000 people and 171,000 properties in coastal regions around the U.S. could be impacted, according to the papers findings, ABC News reported.

The sinking is primarily due to excessive extraction of resources like groundwater, oil and gas.

What happens on the land really, really affects us, Leonard Ohenhen, a Ph.D. candidate at Virginia Tech University, told ABC. And so if you have a land sinking on one side and see rising on the other side, youre going to have areas that would be inundated in the future.

Other contributing factors include seismic activity and soil compaction -- which can occur naturally or come from the weight of heavy buildings.

TRENDING STORIES:

Large cities surrounded by water, such as Boston, New Orleans and San Francisco, will be among the areas that will experience flooding in the near future with the rise of the sea level.

Nearly 40% of the US population lives near the coasts, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

As climate change continues to worsen, we are going to see even more worsened effects in most coastal cities, Ohenhen said.

Parts of Florida, such as Miami, are already seeing what is called sunny day flooding, which happens with high tides.

Miami showed the greatest share of exposure to flooding, with up to 122,000 people and up to 81,000 properties that could be at risk of flooding by 2050, ABC reported.

ABC News contributed to this article.

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Georgia demands that Ukraine extradite members of the government of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, in particular, former Minister of Justice Zurab Adeishvili, reported Georgia Online on March 11.

The Georgian government hopes that "the Ukrainian authorities will reconsider decisions that grossly contradict the spirit of friendship between Georgia and Ukraine, the Georgian and Ukrainian peoples."

Read also: Will never be tolerated  Georgians will not allow a pro-Russian government  Georgian President

The statement said that the Ukrainian authorities "need to hand over" to Georgia "criminals" who currently hold high positions in the Ukrainian government.

The Georgian government said that after, Adeishvili's visit as part of Ukraine's official delegation to the EU and Germany, they express "concern over the attitude of the Ukrainian authorities towards a country friendly to Ukraine - Georgia and the Georgian people."

The Georgian authorities added that "special concern" is caused by the presence of Zurab Adeishvili as an adviser to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, as well as the presence of Giorgi Lortkipanidze as deputy head of the Counterintelligence Service of Ukraine.

Mikheil Saakashvili's imprisonment - what is known

In September 2021, Saakashvili returned to Georgia, where he was arrested by the Georgian authorities. Several cases have been opened against the politician, in which he was sentenced to six years in prison. In protest, the politician went on hunger strike several times, insisting that he was arrested on political charges.

Read also: Ukraines foreign ministry summons Georgian ambassador over Saakashvilis health

According to Saakashvili's lawyers, family, and supporters, the politician's health condition is extremely serious as a result of the hunger strike and ill-treatment, and he needs treatment abroad.

In November 2022, the politician's lawyer, Shalva Khachapuridze, said that Saakashvili was diagnosed with dementia and tuberculosis. According to the politician himself, he could have been poisoned by Russian agents.

In February 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Georgian government was killing Saakashvili and called for him to be released for treatment in Ukraine or another country.

In July, Saakashvili appeared in court for the first time in a long time. Opposition media in Georgia published a photo of him showing a significant weight loss.

On July 4, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported that Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine Giorgi Zakarashvili had been given a strong protest over the deteriorating condition of the imprisoned Saakashvili.

On July 12, after six months of delay, doctors from Poland were allowed to visit Saakashvili.



Read also: Georgia summons Polish diplomat after Polish doctors visit Saakashvili

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Georgia demands that the Ukrainian authorities extradite officials who served during rule of Mikheil Saakashvili, the ex-president of Georgia, who is imprisoned in this country, being a Ukrainian citizen. The Georgian government also demands that Ukraine extradite Zurab Adeishvili, Former Minister of Justice of Georgia, whom Tbilisi sought to place on an international wanted list.

Source: European Pravda, citing Georgian governments statement

"First and foremost, for the normalisation of [our] relations, it is extremely important and necessary for the Ukrainian authorities to extradite criminals to Georgia who currently hold high positions in its administration," the statement said, noting the need to express a position after Adeishvili was included in the official delegation of Ukraine to the EU and Germany.

The statement emphasises that individuals wanted or convicted for various charges in Georgia hold high positions in the Ukrainian government.

"In this regard, particular concern is caused by the fact that Zurab Adeishvili holds the position of advisor to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, and Giorgi Lortkipanidze is the deputy head of the Counter-intelligence Service of Ukraine," the incorrect name of the authority was mentioned, as no such service exists in Ukraine.

The Georgian government expressed hope that the Ukrainian authorities would reconsider decisions that "blatantly contradict the spirit of friendship between Georgia and Ukraine, as well as between the Georgian and Ukrainian nations."

"The Georgian government is surprised by the decisions taken by the Ukrainian authorities, which seem to artificially drive a wedge between two historically friendly countries and peoples," the statement said.

Background:

Earlier, the German Embassy in Georgia stated that there were no legal grounds to prevent former Georgian Minister of Justice Zurab Adeishvili from entering the German Bundestag.

Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, called it "disappointing" and "an immature attitude towards the Georgian people and their issues." He said hed like an explanation on this matter from German MPs.

Adeishvili faced a series of charges after a change in power in Georgia in 2012, which he considers politically motivated. He was sentenced to 2 to over 5 years in prison in three cases. In 2015, Adeishvili obtained political asylum in Romania, and in 2021, he renounced Georgian citizenship. In recent years, he has been working in Ukraine.

The Georgian authorities have repeatedly attempted to issue an international arrest warrant for Adeishvili.

Lortkipanidze is accused of being involved in aiding Saakashvili to illegally cross the state border. The Georgian prosecutor's office claims that Lortkipanidze developed the plan and route for Saakashvili's illegal return to his homeland.

Earlier, the speaker of the Georgian parliament demanded apologies from Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu for the "lies" about Saakashvili.

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FILE - Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga) yells as President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 7, 2024. Earlier this year, Greene was the target of a swatting incident.

A bill imposing harsher penalties against swatting in Georgia passed in the state House of Representatives with overwhelming support, as legislators sought to end a practice that has mostly targeted elected officials.

Swatting  or filing a false police report that leads first responders to believe they will be encountering a mass shooter, hostage situation, or some other extreme scenario  has impacted several lawmakers over the past several months, including state Sen. Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

This bill criminalizes swatting, and it will keep not only members of the public safe, but more importantly, it will keep members of law enforcement safe so that they wont get called out to these incidents, said state Rep. Matt Reeves (R-Duluth), who sponsored the bill in the House.

State Rep. Matt Reeves

The bill, SB 421, was introduced in the state Senate in January and passed in a unanimous vote on Feb. 27. The latest version of the bill, which passed in a House vote of 162-2, also contains a section heightening penalties for drive-by shootings.

Drive-by shootings are incredibly dangerous, certainly for the victim who the shooter maybe is intending to hurt, but also for bystanders, said Rep. Chuck Efstration (R-Auburn). We just saw that in the news recently with a 3-year-old murdered in Athens due to a drive-by shooting.

Kyron Zarco-Smith, 3, who died of a bullet wound to his chest during the incident mentioned by Efstration. One person has been arrested for the murder while two other suspects remained at large as of Monday afternoon.

Under the bill, perpetrators of swatting could be sentenced up to 10 years in prison for a first conviction. A second would result in a felony charge, as well as five to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of at least $5,000. The penalty for a drive-by shooting would be a prison sentence of five to 20 years.

The bill now returns to the Senate before heading to the governors desk.

Crossover Day: Georgia lawmakers tackle immigration, religious freedom protections, more

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Swatting: Georgia House approves harsher penalties
The leader of the Servant of the People (Sluha Narodu) party faction, Davyd Arakhamiia, has rejected a demand by the Georgian authorities for the extradition of officials from Mikheil Saakashvili's government who are now working in the Ukrainian government.

Source: European Pravda, citing Arakhamiia on Telegram

Details: "The pro-Kremlin Georgian authorities are putting forward some demands for the extradition of our citizens in order to 'normalise relations'," Arakhamiia said.

He added that for true "normalisation", Georgia must release Ukrainian citizen Mikheil Saakashvili from prison and return him to Ukraine; stop direct flights with Russia; and stop helping Russia evade sanctions.

"Then the normalisation of relations will be simple," Arakhamiia concluded.

The Georgian government said on Monday that the Ukrainian authorities should extradite "criminals who currently hold high positions in their administration" to Georgia in order to "normalise relations".

Among them, the Georgians mentioned Zurab Adeishvili, the former Georgian justice minister who is now Ukraine's Deputy Prosecutor General, and Giorgi Lortkipanidze, whom Tbilisi accuses of involvement in Mikheil Saakashvili's illegal crossing of the state border.

The Georgian authorities have repeatedly tried to put Adeishvili on the international wanted list. Recently, they were outraged by his presence in the German Bundestag as part of a delegation from Ukraine.

Earlier, the speaker of the Georgian Parliament demanded an apology from Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu for "lying" about Saakashvili.

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ATLANTA - Georgia, it's almost our turn. This Tuesday, voters will head to the polls for this year's presidential preference primary.

WATCH: TRUMP HOSTS LAKEN RILEY'S FAMILY AT ROME RALLY, BIDEN INTERRUPTED BY PROTESTER IN ATLANTA

Both presidential forerunners, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, acknowledge the Peach State is key in who is voted into the Oval Office.

Georgia has been taking the national stage by storm leading up to the 2024 presidential election between the recent Biden and Trump campaign rallies, the election interference RICO trial against Trump and his associates in Fulton County, to the motions to remove District Attorney Fani Willis from his case.

"This whole witch hunt should be put out of its misery and dismissed immediately," Trump said at his GOP rally in Rome on Saturday.

The killing of 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student Laken Hope Riley on UGA's campus has also taken center stage. Eyes from around the country have been on Georgia, wondering if Athens is considered a sanctuary city and how the topic of illegal immigration would play out for both candidates.

Riley's accused killer, Jose Antonio Ibarra, was confirmed to have entered the U.S. illegally in 2022.

"Laken Riley would be alive today if Joe Biden had not willfully and maliciously eviscerated the boarders of the United States and set loose thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals," Trump said.

President Biden addressed Riley's case during his State of Union Address on Thursday, but did not during Saturday's campaign rally at Pullman Yards. He did, however, speak about his efforts at the southern border.

"I introduced a comprehensive plan to fix our immigration system, secure our border, provide a pathway to citizenship for dreamers and their families, farmworkers, essential workers," he said.

FOX 5 spoke to Andra Gillespie, a political scientist from Emory University, about the efforts to get people out to the polls.

"Those get out the vote mobilization efforts start now as evidence by the fact they were both in the state over the weekend to try to rile up support and try to get people who are actually going to do the hard work knocking on doors and making phone calls for people excited about doing that job for the next eight months," Gillespie said.

"The presidential race is the top ticket race all of the time. That's the one race that people learned in civics class you were supposed to vote in," she said. "And we see lower voter participation in midterm elections. We see lower participation in off-cycle elections for state and local offices that are held in odd-numbered years."










Editors note: see macon.com and ledger-enquirer.com for updated election results following Tuesdays primary.

Tuesdays presidential preference primary in Georgia has become less about voters selecting their preferred candidate in each party and more about previewing a General Election rematch.

With President Joe Biden running as the Democratic nominee and former President Donald Trump standing as the lone remaining candidate in the Republican field, the results are all but final before Georgians go to the polls. The two candidates have already shifted their focus solely on each other following Nikki Haleys decision to end her campaign last week, leaving Trump alone on the GOP side.

Biden indirectly took aim at Trump during his State of the Union speech last week, not naming him but often referring to his predecessor.

Trump, meanwhile, has targeted Biden over immigration and the security of the U.S.-Mexico border, an issue which has thrust Georgia into the center of the election due to the death of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old University of Georgia nursing student. A Venezuelan man who authorities say was in the U.S. illegally has been charged with her murder, according to NPR.

Both Biden and Trump made appearances in Georgia over the weekend, according to multiple media reports. The New York Times reported that Trump, in Rome, spoke heavily about Rileys death.

Biden, making an appearance in Atlanta, accused Trump of wanting to be a dictator and criticized him for associating with Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican who has become one of the controversial stars of the GOP, according to the Associated Press.

The battle for Georgia in 2020 proved instrumental in Bidens win. A slim victory in the Peach State by the Democratic president four years ago ultimately prompted Trump to attempt overturn the results in the state. He repeatedly made claims that Bidens win in the state was fraudulent, and ultimately was indicted over his efforts to change the result.

Georgias elected officials weigh in

Some of Georgias elected officials at the federal level have audibly thrown their weight behind their partys candidate in recent days.

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) has advocated for economic progress made under Biden and says hes worked with the White House to make an impact.

Our economy is strong & getting strongerand lives are getting better for working families in Georgia & across the country, Warnock said in a post to X, formerly Twitter, Friday.

Republican congressmen representing parts of Macon and Columbus have struck a different tone  hammering Biden on immigration.

Rep. Austin Scott, representing the 8th District, blamed Biden for being directly responsible for issues at the border. Rep. Drew Ferguson, representing the 3rd District, more directly blamed Biden for Rileys death.

Bidens disastrous open border policies led to the death of Laken Riley & continue to bring serious national security implications to every community across GA - & our nation, Ferguson said in a post to X.

Georgia and two other states have primary elections Tuesday: Mississippi and Washington.
This image provided by the Georgia Department of Corrections shows inmate Willie James Pye. A judge on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, signed the order for the execution of Pye, who was convicted of murder and other crimes in the November 1993 killing of Alicia Lynn Yarbrough. The execution is set for March 20 at 7 p.m., after the judge set an execution window between noon that day and noon on March 27. (Georgia Department of Corrections via AP)

ATLANTA (AP)  An execution scheduled for next week would be the first in Georgia in more than four years. The state is trying to move past an agreement made amid the coronavirus pandemic that effectively halted lethal injections.

Willie James Pye, 59, is set to be put to death March 20. He was convicted of murder and other crimes in the November 1993 killing of his former girlfriend, Alicia Lynn Yarbrough.

Georgia last carried out an execution in January 2020. In April 2021, the state attorney general's office entered into an agreement with attorneys for death row prisoners to suspend executions for a certain group of prisoners and to establish conditions under which they could resume.

Here's a look at why it's been more than four years since Georgia has carried out an execution.

GEORGIA'S HISTORY OF EXECUTIONS

After the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, Georgia resumed executions in 1983. The four-year break in executions caused by the coronavirus pandemic and related agreement was the longest pause since then. From 2010 to 2020, the state executed 30 people, including nine in 2016 and five in 2015.

Unlike some other states, Georgia hasn't had problems obtaining the drug it uses for lethal injections. Prison officials have said they get the sedative pentobarbital from a compounding pharmacy whose identity is shielded by state law.

HOW THE PAUSE CAME ABOUT

Executions in Georgia stopped in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. But court proceedings continued, meaning people on death row continued to become eligible for execution as they exhausted their appeals.

In early 2021, a committee of a judicial task force on COVID instructed lawyers for death row prisoners and the state attorney general's office to determine terms under which executions could resume. After negotiations, they entered into the agreement in April 2021.

CONDITIONS FOR EXECUTIONS

Executions would not restart until six months after three conditions had been met, according to the agreement: the expiration of the states COVID-19 judicial emergency, the resumption of normal visitation at state prisons and the availability of a COVID vaccine to all members of the public. It also set minimum intervals for the spacing of executions once they resumed.

The agreement applied to death-sentenced prisoners whose requests to have their appeals reheard were denied by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals while the judicial emergency was in place. The agreement was to remain in effect through Aug. 1, 2022, or one year from the date on which the conditions were met  whichever was later.

EXECUTIONS KEPT ON HOLD

State officials obtained an execution order in April 2022 for Virgil Delano Presnell Jr., setting his execution for May 17, 2022. But Presnell's lawyers with the Federal Defender Program sued, saying the state had violated the agreement. The judicial emergency had expired in June 2021, but they argued the other conditions remained unmet.

A Fulton County Superior Court judge halted the execution less than 24 hours before it was to take place. The state Supreme Court did not immediately rule on the state's appeal, so the stay order remained in place until after the execution window expired.

The Georgia Supreme Court ruled in December 2022 that the agreement was a binding contract. In a concurring opinion, Justice Charlie Bethel wrote that everyone should be able to count on the state to honor its word.

The case returned to the lower court, and the two sides tried to reach a settlement. Lawyers for the state on Feb. 27 informed the lawyers for death row prisoners that further settlement negotiations were not worthwhile, a court filing by Pye's lawyers says.

IS PYE COVERED BY THE AGREEMENT?

On Feb. 28, the day before the state obtained an execution order for Pye, his lawyers filed a motion for him to join the litigation over the agreement. They argued that the visitation and COVID vaccine requirements in the agreement were not yet fulfilled.

We are beyond shocked and outraged by the fact that, in the midst of settlement discussions, the Attorney Generals office was simultaneously acting to pursue the execution of Willie Pye, one of our clients included in those talks, and doing so without informing us or the Court, said Nathan Potek, who represents death row prisoners for the Federal Defender Program.

Pye's appeal was decided by the 11th Circuit in April 2021, before the judicial emergency ended, and that's the relevant date, his lawyers argued. But the three-judge panel of the appeals court didn't reject his case, instead tossing out his death sentence. The case was reheard by the full appeals court and, ultimately, the 11th Circuit denied his appeal in March 2023, nearly two years after the judicial emergency ended.

Pyes lawyers wrote that it took more than 24 hours to arrange a phone call with him after the execution order was issued. They added: This is not normal or consistent with access to and availability to counsel that was previously possible, and it is unacceptable.

The state argued that the agreement was expressly limited to a small subgroup of death eligible inmates." Pye is not in that group and is thus not exempt from execution while the litigation over the agreement is pending, the state says.

The judge agreed with the state, writing that the timeline of Pye's case is undisputed and leaves him outside of the group covered by the agreement. Pye's lawyers are seeking to take that decision to the state Court of Appeals.

Pye's lawyers also filed a new lawsuit last week accusing the state of violating the contract. And on Monday, they filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the state has unconstitutionally created two classes of death row prisoners  those covered by the agreement's protections and those who are not.

A VICTIMS FAMILY WEIGHS IN

Family members of Lori Ann Smith, an 8-year-old girl who was abducted and killed by Presnell as she walked home from school in May 1976, were upset and disappointed in 2022 when Presnells execution didn't happen because of the litigation over the contract.

Now, nearly two years later, with executions set to resume but Presnell still shielded, they are discouraged and frustrated, sitting in some nightmare court limbo due to a civil case, they wrote in a statement. They wrote that it seems justice is further away than ever for Lori.
Georgia Department of Corrections officials announced that a man convicted of kidnapping, rape, robbery and murder will be executed on March 20.

Willie James Pye, from Spalding County, was convicted for the 1992 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Alicia Lynn Yarbrough.

According to court documents, Pye had been in an on-again-off-again relationship with Yarbrough. At the time of her murder, she was living with another man, Charles Puckett.

At the time, officials said Pye and two of his friends planned to rob Puckett because he had collected money from the settlement of a lawsuit. Pye was also angry because officials said Puckett had signed the birth certificate of a child whom Pye claimed was his.

The three men then drove to Griffin, where officials said Pye bought a large pistol and then went to a party. Witnesses told the court they heard Pye say as he left, Its time, lets do it. Then, the witness said all three men wore ski masks and gloves.

Court documents said as the men approached Pucketts house, they saw that Yarbrough and her baby were the only ones home. When Pye tried to open a window, officials said Yarbrough saw him and screamed. He then ran around to the front door, kicked it in, and held her at gunpoint.

After the men realized there was no money in the house, court records said they took a ring and a necklace from Yarbrough and abducted her, leaving the baby in the house. Officials said the men then drove to a nearby motel where Pye rented a room using an alias.

Once in the room, officials said the men raped Yarbrough at gunpoint.

Officials said the four then left the motel room and drove onto a dirt road where Pye shot and killed Yarbrough.

Police later recovered several items Pye left behind near Yarbroughs body, linking him to the crime, court documents said.

Pye was indicted in 1994 for malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, armed robbery, burglary, rape and aggravated sodomy. His trial began in 1996 where the jury found him guilty on all counts except felony murder and aggravated sodomy.

Since being convicted, Pye has tried multiple times to appeal his conviction, however the Georgia Supreme Court denied each appeal.

RELATED STORIES:

Executions in Georgia stopped in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. But court proceedings continued, meaning people on death row continued to become eligible for execution as they exhausted their appeals.

In early 2021, a committee of a judicial task force on COVID instructed lawyers for death row prisoners and the state attorney generals office to determine terms under which executions could resume. After negotiations, they entered into the agreement in April 2021.

Executions would not restart until six months after three conditions had been met, according to the agreement: the expiration of the states COVID-19 judicial emergency, the resumption of normal visitation at state prisons and the availability of a COVID vaccine to all members of the public. It also set minimum intervals for the spacing of executions once they resumed.

The agreement applied to death-sentenced prisoners whose requests to have their appeals reheard were denied by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals while the judicial emergency was in place. The agreement was to remain in effect through Aug. 1, 2022, or one year from the date on which the conditions were met  whichever was later.

Pyes appeal was decided by the 11th Circuit in April 2021, before the judicial emergency ended, and thats the relevant date, his lawyers argued. But the three-judge panel of the appeals court didnt reject his case, instead tossing out his death sentence. The case was reheard by the full appeals court and, ultimately, the 11th Circuit denied his appeal in March 2023, nearly two years after the judicial emergency ended.

Pyes lawyers wrote that it took more than 24 hours to arrange a phone call with him after the execution order was issued. They added: This is not normal or consistent with access to and availability to counsel that was previously possible, and it is unacceptable.

The state argued that the agreement was expressly limited to a small subgroup of death-eligible inmates. Pye is not in that group and is thus not exempt from execution while the litigation over the agreement is pending, the state says.

The judge agreed with the state, writing that the timeline of Pyes case is undisputed and leaves him outside of the group covered by the agreement. Pyes lawyers are seeking to take that decision to the state Court of Appeals.

Pyes lawyers also filed a new lawsuit last week accusing the state of violating the contract. And on Monday, they filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the state has unconstitutionally created two classes of death row prisoners  those covered by the agreements protections and those who are not.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Threats have followed Baran* for the six years shes worked in the media. But the challenges of working under Taliban rule have made the job almost impossible. Most female journalists have either stopped working or left the country altogether.

Baran, 24, says the situation is unbearable with female journalists facing blanket gender discrimination and misogyny from the de facto authorities.

Male journalists are members of social media groups with the officials from the local Taliban office, and they only cooperate with the men in most cases, she says.

But because we are women and we do not have a letter from the governors office, the officials do not want to meet and interview us, and even dont answer our calls.

The Kabul University graduate has worked for both foreign and local outlets, travelling to various locations for her work. But Taliban-imposed restrictions on womens movement have impacted the possibility of continuing this practice.

I need to do interviews and video reports. For that, I must be in the community and among the people and go to remote areas, but I cannot freely go to the districts or remote areas, Baran says.

Baran says her husband was detained by Taliban forces in the local police district and he was interrogated about her work, before he was made to sign a letter of commitment.

They called my husband to the police district and said that the reports I had made during the Republic government were not acceptable to them, and they made him promise I would not make any more reports against the Taliban government, she says.

Female journalists in the western region of Afghanistan say that Talibans Vice and Virtue department visit media offices at least once a month to check women are wearing clothed is according to their standards and that men and women colleagues are separated.

Samira* has been working as a reporter for four years since a media internship in the eleventh grade with a local media outlet.

She says that the arrival of the Taliban has drastically altered womens representation in the media and female journalists face a dark future.

In the last two years, the presence of women in the media has decreased and the presence of reporters, presenters and anchors in the local media has decreased, but the female reporters who have accepted the difficulties and continued their work are also afraid to encounter the detention for publishing news that is against the Talibans ideology, she says.

Samira goes to her office wearing a namaz chadar or all-covering hijab to adhere to the Taliban officials who come to her office to examine how women are dressed.

She says that most women journalists are not able to conduct field reports, and those who still work feel safer continuing their journalism from their homes.

Like 22-year-old Nasima*, who is still one of the few women hosting a radio program in the western region.

Due to the travel and segregation restrictions on women, she records her program at home every week and sends it to the local radio station for broadcast.

She is not allowed to have male guests for interviews. Furthermore, she says female journalists are also not allowed to participate in conferences, programs of Taliban members, and press meetings of the Talibans Vice and Virtue employees with media officials.

Muzhda*, a journalism graduate from Herat University says some of the journalists prefer not to reveal their profession to the de facto authorities.

There are restrictions for female reporters, anchors and presenters, and female reporters who work with foreign media are afraid of being arrested and imprisoned by the Taliban. Some dont even get a journalists card from the Department of Information and Culture, so they work as journalists secretly, and most of their work is not in the field, Muzhda says.

These restrictions also result in further discrimination from employers, she says.

The media officials take advantage of the current situation and when hiring, they prefer male reporters. If they hire female employees, they will be hired with a much lower salary than men.

Muzhda has attempted to cover meetings of Taliban officials with her male media colleagues, but says she is stopped at the entrance gate and not allowed to enter.

Within months of taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban began cracking down on women in the media.

In November 2021, the group released an eight-article instruction that banned women from acting in plays and television series. Afghan media chiefs were directed not to broadcast anything against Islamic Sharia, a far-reaching directive that would include foreign television shows and music. And female news presenters were required to wear face coverings.

Parwana, 25, worked for four years as an anchor and reporter in one of the local radio stations in Farah province. After the collapse of the Afghan government in 2021, she became home-bound.

Farah province is a remote province with a very traditional values. Before the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, security threats were the obstacle for women journalists, but during the last two years, womens media activities in Farah have stopped and no women or girls are working in the medias anchoring and reporting departments.

Parwana suspended her work in Farah for a while when the Taliban took power out of concern for her safety, but she wants to return to work when the situation improves.

I stayed at home because women were not allowed to work in the media. Not only me, but most of the women journalists in this province are unemployed and are facing mental and emotional problems, she says.

But like dozens of other female journalists, Parwana does not see herself returning to work as a journalist during Taliban rule and has started studying midwifery in one of the institutes.

I made a lot of effort in the media sector, but due to this situation, all my goals and dreams were lost, she says.

Sohaila Erfani, a professor at Journalism and Mass Communication at Herat University, says that during the republic, Herat province was a pioneer in the field of teaching journalistic skills to the young generation, which included students from most parts of the country.

Herat Journalism Faculty started in 2011 with two departments of Journalism and Public Communication, and before that operated as the Department of Literature and Human Resources from 2002-2011.

Ms Erfani says before the Taliban takeover, girls interest in working in the media had grown significantly and they soon made up about half of the students every year.

She is dismayed at the decimation of women in the media.

A female journalist can better communicate with her gender and express her pain and write from her point of view, but with the imposition of restrictions, the voices of all women have been silenced, she says.

According to Rukhshana Medias investigation, before the Taliban takeover there were at least 100 women working in the media in Herat province and at least 60 more women media workers in other western provinces of Farah, Badghis, Nimroz, and Ghor.

Today it is unclear how many are still working.

Atifa Ghafoori, former head of the womens department of the Committee for the Protection of Journalists in Afghanistans West Zone, says that the significant decrease in the activity of women in reporting and media activities indicates a fundamental crisis in this field.

A female journalist has felt the problems of women with flesh, skin, and bones and has raised their voices to womens rights organizations and the world, she says.

In the last 20 years, women journalists have been successful in fighting violence, but stopping the work of women journalists alone is a form of violence against women.

The people interviewed for this report did not want to disclose the province where they work.

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The Georgian government again demanded on March 11 the extradition of several ex-officials who work in Ukraine.

The request, which specifically mentioned the former Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili, was part of a larger statement by the Georgian government that expressed "deep concern regarding the attitude demonstrated by the Ukrainian authorities towards the friendly country of Georgia and its people."

Adeishvili is an ally of ex-Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, whose supporters consider the cases against the former president and his associates to be fabricated and politically motivated.

The latest diplomatic spat arose after Adeishvili visited Berlin and Brussels as part of a Ukrainian delegation, which the Georgian government said was yet another incident that "blatantly contradict(s) the traditional friendship established between our two countries and peoples."

Georgia's government, under the ruling Georgian Dream party, has taken an inconsistent position toward Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, declining to join sanctions or other international efforts to isolate Russia.

While condemning Russia's all-out war, Georgian officials have also criticized Ukraine.

The two countries have also been at odds over Saakashvili, who is currently imprisoned in Georgia. Saakashvili holds Ukrainian citizenship and previously was the governor of Odesa Oblast after serving as the Georgian president.

President Volodymyr Zelensky and other Ukrainian authorities have criticized Georgia over Saakashvili's alleged mistreatment in prison.

Adeishvili, who served in Saakashvili's administration, has been charged with several crimes in Georgia and has been on a wanted list since 2013. He left the country in 2012 and moved to Ukraine and is currently reportedly working as an advisor to Ukraine's Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin.

Ukraine has previously refused Georgia's request to extradite Adeishvili.

"It is crucial and imperative for the normalization of relations that the Ukrainian authorities extradite the criminals currently holding high positions in their administration to Georgia," the Georgian government's statement concluded.

Read also: Georgians likely rank first among foreign fighters killed fighting for Ukraine

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BERLIN (Reuters) - German Catholic bishops on Monday called on the Vatican to clarify remarks in which Pope Francis said Ukraine should have "the courage of the white flag" and negotiate an end to the conflict with Russia.

Francis' comments, made in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI that has yet to be aired but whose contents were revealed at the weekend, have been rebuffed by Ukraine and welcomed by Russia.

In a statement published on its website, the German Bishops' Conference said it was ultimately up to Ukraine to decide, "after careful consideration, when the moment has come for peace negotiations."

"The fact that Pope Francis did not address the points mentioned here in his interview caused irritation among many observers, which we can understand. It would be good if the Holy See communicated a substantive clarification of its position on these issues," German bishops said.

In the interview Francis was asked for his position on a debate between those who say Ukraine should give up, as it has not been able to repel Russian forces, and those who say doing so would legitimise actions by the strongest party. The interviewer used the term "white flag" in the question.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Saturday the pope had picked up on the term "white flag" and used it "to indicate a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations".

German bishops said it was "unfortunate" that Francis repeated the words "white flag", but also said it was "self-evident and widely proven to us that the Pope  like the German Bishops' Conference  is committed to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine."

(Reporting by Riham Alkousaa in Berlin and Alvise Armellini in Rome, Editing by William Maclean)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (Not Pictured) after their meeting at the Federal Chancellery. Hannes P. Albert/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again clearly refused to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

"My clarity is there. It is my job as chancellor, as head of the government, to be precise and not raise any misleading expectations. My answers are correspondingly clear," said Scholz at a press conference in Berlin on Monday. He was asked whether he, like Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, sees a missile swap with Britain instead of a direct delivery as an option.

Baerbock had previously described a swap, in which Germany would hand over Taurus cruise missiles to Britain and London would deliver more Storm Shadows from its stocks to Ukraine in return, as an "option." British Foreign Secretary David Cameron did not rule out such an approach, according to an interview with the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

Scholz emphasized that he did not consider the deployment of the Taurus to be justifiable, which is why this issue was "neither direct nor indirect."

Ukraine asked for the missiles with a range of 500 kilometres from Germany last May. Scholz first clearly refused the request in October and then again a fortnight ago.

He reiterated on Monday that he did not want to hand over the weapon system to the Ukrainians without German checks on the targeting system for which German soldiers are needed, he believes. That's why he denied the deployment, he said. Scholz has said he fears that Germany could otherwise be drawn into the war.
(L-R) Leader of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party Friedrich Merz, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European People's Party (EPP) Manfred Weber and Minister-President of the Free State of Bavaria Markus Soeder hold a joint press conference after the CDU/CSU Presidiums meeting ahead of the 2024 European Union parliamentary elections. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Germany's opposition conservative bloc has adopted its joint programme for the European elections on June 9.

The leadership of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), unanimously adopted the paper at a meeting in Berlin on Monday, participants told dpa.

The meeting at the CDU headquarters was attended by party leaders Friedrich Merz, CDU, and Markus Soder, CSU, as well as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, also a member of the CDU, and the chairman of the conservative European People's Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, Manfred Weber.

The four politicians plan to address the public after the meeting.

In the European election campaign, the CDU and CSU are focussing on a massive rearmament of the European Union, including aircraft carriers and its own missile shield. The parties are also calling for a separate EU commissioner for defence.

According to the election programme, the security situation in Europe has changed fundamentally in recent years, particularly as a result of the Russian war against Ukraine. Much more needs to be done for Europe's security and defence, the parties write.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen holds a press conference after the CDU/CSU Presidiums meeting ahead of the 2024 European Union parliamentary elections. Michael Kappeler/dpa

(L-R) Leader of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party Friedrich Merz, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European People's Party (EPP) Manfred Weber and Minister-President of the Free State of Bavaria Markus Soeder hold a joint press conference after the CDU/CSU Presidiums meeting ahead of the 2024 European Union parliamentary elections. Michael Kappeler/dpa
(L-R) Leader of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party Friedrich Merz, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European People's Party (EPP) Manfred Weber and Minister-President of the Free State of Bavaria Markus Soeder hold a joint press conference after the CDU/CSU Presidiums meeting ahead of the 2024 European Union parliamentary elections. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Germany's opposition conservative bloc has adopted its joint programme for the European elections on June 9.

The leadership of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), unanimously adopted the paper at a meeting in Berlin on Monday, participants told dpa.

The conservative bloc is sending a "clear message" for freedom, security, prosperity and competitiveness with its election programme, CDU leader Friedrich Merz said after the meeting.

He added that a "strong economy and competitive industry" are needed in Europe to "make a major contribution to climate change, to solving this major problem facing humanity."

In addition to Merz, the meeting at the CDU headquarters was attended by CSU leader Markus Soder as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, also a member of the CDU, and the chairman of the conservative European People's Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, Manfred Weber.

CSU leader Soder, who is also Bavaria's state premier, said the bloc is fighting to prevent a shift to the left in the European elections.

"We want a civic-conservative Europe," he said.

The programme refrains from "soft-edged formulaic compromises, but instead has many contours and clear edges," the CSU leader added.

He named the CDU/CSU's commitment to the future of the combustion engine and nuclear power, the reduction of bureaucracy, the strengthening of small- and medium-sized enterprises and a more restrictive migration policy as important issues.

In the European election campaign, the CDU and CSU are focussing on massively rearming the European Union, including aircraft carriers and its own missile shield. The parties are also calling for a separate European commissioner for defence.

According to the election programme, the security situation in Europe has changed fundamentally in recent years, particularly as a result of the Russian war against Ukraine. Much more needs to be done for Europe's security and defence, the parties write.

(L-R) Leader of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party Friedrich Merz, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European People's Party (EPP) Manfred Weber and Minister-President of the Free State of Bavaria Markus Soeder hold a joint press conference after the CDU/CSU Presidiums meeting ahead of the 2024 European Union parliamentary elections. Michael Kappeler/dpa

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen holds a press conference after the CDU/CSU Presidiums meeting ahead of the 2024 European Union parliamentary elections. Michael Kappeler/dpa
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has supported her UK counterpart David Cameron's proposal to swap cruise missiles as a way of providing Ukraine with long-range weapons.

Source: German newspaper Spiegel, citing Baerbock, as reported by European Pravda

Details: "It would be an option," the German minister said, commenting on Cameron's proposal.

The minister noted that such an exchange had been carried out with other equipment, although she gave no details on exactly what it had been for.

"The circular exchange is, so to speak, a German invention. It would be an option. And we have already done it with other equipment some time ago," the German Foreign Minister added.

Background:

Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron suggested that Germany swap Taurus missiles for British Storm Shadows so that Ukraine could be provided with long-range weapons.

Anton Hofreiter, a member of the German Bundestag from the Green Party, supported a UK proposal to swap German-made Taurus missiles for British Storm Shadows, while Johann Wadephul, a representative of the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union opposition centre-right Christian democratic political alliance in the Bundestag, opposes such an exchange, as he believes that it is Taurus missiles that Ukraine should receive.

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 UK proposal to exchange missiles.

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Germanys foreign minister has confirmed that Britain and Berlin are discussing a weapons rotation, or Ringtausch, which would allow more deliveries of long-range missiles to Ukraine.

Under the proposals, Storm Shadow missiles from a UK stockpile would be sent to Ukraine and then in turn replenished with Taurus missiles from a German stockpile.

Crucially, the arrangement would allow Germany to indirectly give Ukraine long-range missile support without breaking a key red line of Olaf Scholz, the chancellor, who is staunchly opposed to handing over the powerful Taurus system as he fears it would be used to strike Moscow.

Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, confirmed in a television interview over the weekend that Berlin was looking at the Ringtausch idea as an option, noting that similar deals had been done before to get supplies into Ukraine.

Ms Baerbock told ARDs political talkshow Caren Miosga: The Ringtausch was, so to say, a German invention. It would be an option. And we have previously done this with other material.

It comes two months after Handelsblatt, a German newspaper, reported that a Ringtausch was in the early stages of discussion between Britain and Germany, with the latter undecided on whether to proceed with it.

At the time, the German government declined to comment on those reports, though Handelsblatt suggested that the idea was attractive to Mr Scholz as it avoided direct shipments of Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

Britain is already sending Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, while France is providing Scalp missiles, but Germany continues to refuse provision of its Taurus system amid concerns it could drag Germany into the war.

Mr Scholz, who has repeatedly vowed that Germany will never be a Kriegspartei, or war party, is concerned about Kyiv using Taurus missiles to strike Vladimir Putin directly at the Kremlin in Moscow or the strategically important Kerch bridge.

Taurus missiles would have enough range to reach such targets, whereas Storm Shadows and Scalps have shorter range limits.

Unlike Britain and France, Germany has no nuclear weapons  though it hosts some, which are under full US control  which could explain Mr Scholzs concerns about provoking a strong response from Moscow.

Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, also addressed the Taurus missile debate in an interview with the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung over the weekend.

He said it was absolutely possible for Germany to set conditions on the use of the system in Ukraine to ensure that they do not in any way contribute to escalation.

Lars Klingbeil, a co-leader of Mr Scholzs SPD party, said on Monday that the debate about Taurus missiles was unhelpful as Berlin was totally focused on producing and delivering more ammunition, such as artillery shells, to Ukraine. Thats what everyone should focus on and no other debates, he said.

Germany has already played a role in several exchanges of weapons with Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Greece.

In the spring of 2022, Slovakia delivered an air defence system to Kyiv directly in return for receiving Patriot defence systems from Germany and the Netherlands.

Slovakia also sent 30 battle tanks to Ukraine the following summer, while the Czech Republic sent 40, and as part of the exchange both countries received German Leopard tanks. Slovenia also sent tanks to Ukraine in 2022, and in return was given military transport vehicles by Berlin.

In September 2022, Germany and Greece also agreed on a ring exchange that would send German Marder vehicles to Greece, which then would send BMP-1 fighting vehicles to Ukraine.

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(Reuters) -Germany will support a second term for International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Kristalina Georgieva, Finance Minister Christian Lindner said on Monday, adding to support for the Bulgarian economist after France gave her its backing.

"Kristalina Georgieva navigated the IMF through difficult times over the last years. I am convinced that she is exactly the right person to steer the institution through the challenges ahead and to strengthen the IMF as an advocate for structural reforms in our economies," Lindner said in a post on X.

Last month, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said he would support Georgieva for a second term, praising her for the "great job" she had done as managing director of the IMF.

On Friday, Georgieva, whose current term ends on Sept. 30, said she would be honored to serve a second five-year term at the helm of the global lender.

(Reporting by Christian Kraemer, writing by Bartosz Dabrowski, editing by Rachel More)
One of the most common but frustrating political trends involves legislators who pass sweeping laws in response to some troubling incident in the news  a reactive approach that places emotion over careful analysis. We see headline-driven proposals on both sides of the political aisle and on a wide array of issues (think gun control or crime policy), but they rarely lead to thoughtful and principled policymaking.

The latest example, here in Idaho, comes from Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, who is taking aim at the states safer syringe programs after the Idaho Statesman reported on last months police raid of a now-shuttered organization that provided needle exchanges, HIV testing and overdose-reversal medication to drug users. Police say they seized drug paraphernalia at the Boise and Caldwell offices of the Idaho Harm Reduction Project.

The details of the raid remain sketchy, but we fear that Vander Woudes response, which aims  to do away with the states needle exchange programs entirely, will derail an effort with proven success at helping reduce drug use and addiction-related harms. Whatever happened at the groups offices should be dealt with through proper law-enforcement and judicial channels, not by overreacting to one incident involving one privately run organization.

Idaho authorized this program in 2019 at the urging of sanitation workers who were concerned about needle-stick risks involved in cleaning up dirty syringes discarded by drug users. Public health advocates also supported the idea. House Bill 617 would totally repeal that measure rather than first analyze how the program is working or look at ways to address any persistent problems at how it is run. The House passed the repeal bill this week.

The bill language claims that needle exchanges have demonstrated little evidence they are conduits for substance abuse treatment and there is little evidence that needle exchanges have reduced the number of needle stick injuries in Idahos communities.

Yet by most accounts, the program is working as well as can be expected. As the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare explains on its website, Individuals who access a safer syringe program are taking steps to reduce harms associated with substance use by using sterile syringes, getting health exams and connecting to substance use disorder treatment providers.

In its latest report, the department estimates that, statewide, the programs averted 116 hepatitis C and 35 HIV infections. It notes that the centers naloxone distribution averted 628 overdose deaths. And while its admittedly hard to gather exact state data about needle-stick injuries, eight safer-syringe programs collected nearly 600,000 used syringes from 1,630 participants.

Thats a lot of needles not lying around in playgrounds and alleys.

Nationwide, the National Association of Counties cites Centers for Disease Control statistics showing that participants in syringe exchange programs are five times more likely to enter drug treatment programs and are 3.5 times more likely to stop injecting drugs. That reinforces that these programs dont promote drug use, while acknowledging the sad reality of addiction and attempting to minimize the harms caused to users and community members.

Idahos program is funded entirely with federal money, so shutting it down wont help the states taxpayers. In fact, it may cost them since the high price of infectious disease, wound infections and other health complications are often born by Medicaid. Although its hard to measure the exact healthcare and law-enforcement savings, rural Scott County, Indianas syringe program is estimated to have saved taxpayers more than $120 million.

We still dont know exactly what transpired at Idaho Harm Reduction Projects offices, and it might take months to ferret out. Instead of ditching a sensible statewide program based on one still-unclear incident, the Legislature should calm down, catch its breath and legislate based on facts rather than headline-driven emotion.

Steven Greenhut is Western director and Stacey McKenna is a senior fellow in harm reduction at the R Street Institute, a free-market think tank.
DURANGO, Colo. (KREX)  A GoFundMe is raising funds for a firefighter recovering after being crushed by a tree in Durango during a training exercise.

Durango firefighter Jim Meyer was knocked unconscious by a falling tree on Sunday, March 9 and remained so for several minutes, according to the GoFundMe page. He suffered major injuries including back and head injuries.

A GoFundMe page has been created to help pay for Meyers medical treatments. Click here to learn more or donate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Where there used to be wheat, corn, sugar beet, or sunflower, the Russians have planted mines. On the farm managed by Roman on the side of the road from Pokrovsk to Ocheretyne, six miles to the east and on the Donbas frontline, guided bombs of up to 500 kilos, cluster munitions, artillery fire of different calibers and even Tochka-U type missiles  capable of hitting a target at a range of up to 75 miles and with a warhead of up to 450 kilos of explosives  are constantly falling. Since February 17, when Ukrainian forces withdrew from Avdiivka, 16 miles away, Russian aviation has not stopped bombing the area in an attempt to pave the way for its infantry which, only a few miles further back, has advanced over the last few days. Is it that in Europe they dont see it? asks the 58-year-old farmer, who refuses to abandon the land of his ancestors despite the siege. We need weapons and ammunition. Please hurry up!

In recent days, Ukraine has managed to contain Russia on this part of the front which, since the withdrawal from Avdiivka  a suburb of the city of Donetsk, the Russian stronghold in occupied Ukraine  had been under heavy pressure. Kyivs new defensive strategy  handing the enemy the initiative and concentrating on defending its positions  was not bearing fruit. The Kremlins guided bombs were wreaking havoc in the rear, forcing its soldiers to retreat, but in recent days artillery units have received the ammunition and rockets that had been in short supply for months and have managed to slow down the invading troops. However, the orcs  as the Ukrainians call the Russians in reference to the bad guys in J.R.R. Tolkiens Lord of the Rings trilogy  have not stopped attacking in what they describe as a battle of flesh. Those who fall are replaced by others, and those who fall next are replaced by more. Thats their advantage, say soldiers from the 47th Ukrainian Brigade stationed in this area. They send their men in without caring how many they might lose.

The building at Roman's farm that houses Ukrainian soldiers, March 5. Manuel Altozano

This flashpoint on the front has once again brought the war to Romans doorstep, which he has refused to leave since the Donbas conflict broke out in 2014. Look what I found this morning, he says as he uncovers the dump truck parked next to his house. Inside are the wings, rear flaps, and nose of a Russian guided bomb that, fortunately, did not explode. In the same vehicle, he tours his fields to show how the war has affected his farm.

Dozens of Ukrainian tanks and armored vehicles hide camouflaged in narrow, elongated rows of trees surrounding vast expanses of crops, but the farmer, without apparent fear, goes into the open fields where one feels small and exposed. A perfect target for the invader. As he points out a crater caused by a bomb, a fighter plane roars overhead. Minutes later, a huge explosion is heard. A shell has landed barely 300 yards away. Nearby, a group of workers with yellow bulldozers dig hundreds of meters of trenches to head off a possible offensive.

Just yesterday I sent 75 pigs to a farm in Dnipro, Roman says as he points to his herd, where the remaining animals remain under a precarious roof punctured by impacts. If the Russians kill them, I want to keep some to start over, he says. Next to the shed, Roman opens the door to the little house where he keeps the tools and feed for the animals, but its contents are different today. The building has been transformed into a dormitory for soldiers with dozens of bunk beds strewn on the floor with sleeping bags, clotheslines, and a huge mess of leftover food, cigarette packs, rifles, and khaki-colored clothes. In the center, a wood-burning stove heats the large room. Each of the sheds on his farm, where machinery was once kept or grain stored, now serves to accommodate combatants, when they are not in their positions or in the trenches. In all, about 100 men conceal themselves from the enemy in every corner of his land.

The food is ready. On the kitchen table, two of the female employees working in this barracks farm arrange a dish of salo  traditional Ukrainian salted bacon  with garlic and onions and another with slices of fried fish caught in the surrounding lakes. Also three other huge platters with seasoned lard to spread on bread, potato salad, and another one based on beet. While the soldiers, who eat in shifts, begin to nibble, the women prepare a dish based on pasta with pork giblets that the men gobble up as if there were no tomorrow. They drink uvar, a cold infusion made of water, sugar, and different fruits and herbs. They also wash their clothes when they need to. All these kids have now become our children, says Roman. They lead a very hard life at the front and we try to make sure they rest well here and have everything they need.

A Russian Toshka-U missile that fell unexploded on Roman's farm. Manuel Altozano

Prepared to pack up

In the rooms that Roman and his wife Yulia occupy, everything is provisional. The suitcases are packed and their most valuable belongings are ready in case they have to leave in a hurry. Some of their things have already been sent to safer places. The little time the soldiers leave them is spent bottling food  tomato sauce, vegetables, pork stew  in large jars that they store on shelves under a trap door with jars of oil and other non-perishable products in the air-raid shelter they have built in the basement. Their two daughters, one an 18-year-old student and the other, 31, married to an army instructor, are safe in the town of Dnipro, 150 miles to the west, where the war barely reaches. For us thats the most important thing, that the girls are safe while we are still here, Roman assures his wife.

Yulia, with misty eyes, says that they call them every day asking them to get the hell out of there. It makes no sense to be in danger. That the Russians might come and get them. But this strong-looking woman soon pulls herself together. We live well here. We like to be with the soldiers and feed them homemade food every day so they feel at home. We are very grateful to them because they are fighting for us and what we want is to help them with everything we have, she says. We know perfectly well the danger we are in, but we are prepared in case [the Russians] come close. Just today we heard airplanes and there have been several explosions, but so what? Here we take care of the kids and we are in our home. Are we going to leave all this abandoned? No, for now, we are not going to leave.

After two years of heavy fighting, the life of the servicemen on the Avdiivka front is very precarious. Despite risking their lives every day for their country, those who are not lucky enough to be with people like Yulia and Roman have to rent their own accommodation, paid for with their salaries, if they do not want to live permanently in the trenches. The Starlink antennas provided by the army are now in short supply, and they have to pay for their own telephone and internet access. What little food they are provided with they supplement from their budget and cook for themselves. Even getting a new uniform is a pipe dream when the ones they have are worn out.

Sitting at his kitchen table, Roman, looking tired, rubs his face and head with his hands and reflects aloud. We have to win this war, we cant leave this problem to our children and grandchildren, he says. If our allies dont want to send us soldiers, let them at least give us the weapons and ammunition we need to keep fighting, but let them hurry, he continues. If they dont, sooner or later they will be the ones who will have to fight the Russians on the battlefield. Meanwhile, Yulia covers the last glass jars with food fresh from the oven. Tomorrow it will be back to feeding the pigs, tending the crops, fetching firewood, and preparing food for the soldiers. Protecting and caring for their farm. Defending their homeland.

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Good riddance to DEI at Florida universities

The Governor of Florida has struck diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) courses and programs from [public] college curricula. In addition they are dismissing DEI personnel from the positions they attained on campuses. So, while Harvard and the Ivies are drowning in an illegitimate pursuit, the University of Florida has polished its already lofty reputation among state schools. DEI has bullied its agenda into hundreds of schools across America. Erasing it from sight will allow colleges to focus more on critical courses and content than students and faculty being woke.

Richard Klitzberg, Boca Raton

What's hidden in those Epstein files?

Why are some politicians and now this Judge Luis DeLgado hellbent on not releasing the grand jury documents on Jeffrey Epstein? What are they trying to hide? The people should know all the sordid details about this very bad guy Epstein and all who were involved with him with these underage girls. The guilty ones should be known. If the DA's and prosecutors did something wrong, we should know.

Donald Coles, Boynton Beach

Judge holding up the release of Jeffrey Epstein grand jury documents only suggests there's something to hide.

More: Jeffrey Epstein case: Here are the main players in the early case and where they are now

Florida needs credible Black History museum

Recently, my husband and I had the privilege of visiting the new International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C. Kudos to former Charleston Mayor Joe P. Riley Jr. who initiated the idea. The city had sold the land to a restaurant owner but on-site construction revealed traces of Gadsdens Wharf, one of the most significant sites of the American slave trade. So Riley repurchased the land and began researching his plans for a museum that would portray a moving in-depth history of the curse of slavery in our country and a stunning presentation of the beauty and meaning of the African American culture. We couldnt help wondering though if our Florida Governor would be as supportive of this honest presentation of history. He insults our children if he thinks they are unable to grasp the meaning of this history when presented this way. It should be a part of required curriculum for students, just as the Holocaust is a required part of German students curriculum. Why? Two words: Never again.

Nancy Gau, Wellington

Cease fire needed for Florida's black bears

Once again Frank Cerabino nails it. Florida State Rep. Jason Shoaf, R- St. Joe, the sponsor of a bill permitting residents to shoot black bears, is making a play on the fears of an uninformed populace. Black bears are not predators; they are in search of food as their habitat shrinks as a result of human encroachment. The real point is not black bears, but cynical elected officials constantly trying out new ways of stoking the fears.

First it was buying guns to protect against imagined fears resulting from the election of Americas first Black president. Next, cracking down on gays, lesbians, queers and transgender individuals whose lifestyles threaten traditional families. Lastly, overturning Roe v. Wade and reclaiming control over womens bodies and health care. Will we continue to permit cynical politicians to play on our fears and prejudices rather than perform their duties as public servants to insure delivery of public services they were elected to provide? It is time to end the reign of cynical elected officials preying on our fears and prejudices to get elected and reelected.

Bill Morris, Palm Beach Gardens

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Beneficial diversity programs for Florida students disappears further.
What if Donald Trump defeats President Biden and takes control of the White House in 2025? He has already announced his plans to become the countrys first dictator, and to launch a reign of terror and revenge against his so-called enemies. As detailed in documents such as Project 2025, Agenda 47, and elsewhere, the infrastructure is being created right now to put Trump's neofascist plans to end multiracial pluralistic democracy in effect on day one." The so-called resistance will not have the courtesy of ramping up or mobilizing to stop Dictator Trumps onslaught. It will be a shock and awe campaign visited upon the American people.

Dictator Trumps reign of terror will be made even worse by the fact that as shown during recent speeches, interviews, and at other events he appears to be encountering severe difficulties in cognition, language, and memory.

In a series of recent conversations with me here at Salon, Dr. John Gartner, a prominent psychologist and contributor to the bestselling book "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President," has issued this warning: Not enough people are sounding the alarm, that based on his behavior, and in my opinion, Donald Trump is dangerously demented. In fact, we are seeing the opposite among too many in the news media, the political leaders and among the public. There is also this focus on Biden's gaffes or other things that are well within the normal limits of aging. By comparison, Trump appears to be showing gross signs of dementia. This is a tale of two brains. Biden's brain is aging. Trump's brain is dementing.

If Dr. Gartner and the other medical professionals I have spoken to, both here at Salon and off the record, about Trumps apparent mental and emotional challenges are in fact correct about how the corrupt ex-president will only get worse and not better, the American people will then be confronted by a horrible reality where Donald Trump will be both a dictator and a mad king. In total, there will be a horrific synergy between an American pathocracy and how the worst people seek political power and a leader who appears to have a diseased mind  which makes Trump easily manipulated by individuals and forces who are even more malevolent and dangerous than he is.

In an attempt to make better sense of Donald Trumps obvious cognitive challenges and related behavior in the context of the countrys democracy crisis and the 2024 election, and what may happen next, I recently asked a range of experts for their thoughts and suggestions.

Norm Ornstein is emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and contributing editor for the Atlantic. He is also co-author of the bestselling book "One Nation After Trump: A Guide for the Perplexed, the Disillusioned, the Desperate, and the Not-Yet Deported."

Of course, it is increasingly obvious that Trump is facing significant mental decline. And we know from those who were close to him but are no longer, that this is not a new problem. But that issue is eclipsed by the other reality: this is a narcissistic sociopath who will stop at nothing to create a vicious, dictatorship built on retribution, racism, corruption, and sadism.

He doesnt cushion it, or try to hide his motives, and neither do those he will clearly rely on if he were to assume the presidency. Invoke the Insurrection Act to put down demonstrations against him with violence and brutality. Blow up the federal government by firing tens of thousands of civil servants and replacing them with obedient flunkies. Create concentration camps to house millions before deporting them. Weaponize the Department Of Justice (DOJ), including the FBI, to go after his enemies and critics. Blow up every alliance and replace it with ties to the most vicious dictators in the world. What is especially unsettling, though, is how are key, mainstream, journalistic outlets, like the New York Times and the networks, shrug their shoulders at all of this, and treat him like he is a normal presidential candidate. It is no wonder that so many voters have no idea what a monster he is.

If this were a healthy democracy, we would have a healthy Supreme Court. We dont. It is corrupt and not to be trusted when it comes to Trump. If this were a healthy democracy, we would have a press corps that would put a spotlight on what is real and not both sides everything while focusing on the horse race instead of the consequences of the election. President Biden needs to use the power of his bully pulpit to focus, over and over and over again, on the consequences of electing this monster for our democracy and the fundamental health of our country.

That the media are focused on Bidens age, while ignoring Trumps infirmities is absolutely maddening. As James Fallows pointed out, in the New York Times there were headlines on Super Tuesdays outcomes that Trump romped and Biden has trouble while Biden got a significantly higher percentage of votes than did Trump, which tells us all too much about media bias. Mainstream media may not consciously want Trump to win, but you wouldnt know it from the frame of the coverage.

Darrin Bell is a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, creator of the syndicated comic strip Candorville, and author of the graphic novel The Talk." He is also a contributing cartoonist for the New Yorker.

Trump seems to be deteriorating quickly. Im old enough to have seen several loved ones overcome with dementia at around his age, and it seems obvious hes in the throes of that. The stress of the campaign, the court cases, and the civil judgments against him are compounding to make him a person dangerously unfit for office. Apparent dementia, plus sociopathy, plus a cult-like following, combined with vindictiveness, a persecution complex, a love of autocracy, and an entire far-right ecosystem bent on turning America into one, is a formula for the end of our democratic republic. That might sound hyperbolic if his cohorts hadnt been inviting right-wing dictators to the Conservative Political Action Conference and issuing a manifesto called Project 2025 that details their plans to turn us into something akin to Russia or Hungary.

If we were a healthy democracy and society, Congress would impeach Clarence Thomas, and impeach (for lying under oath) every Supreme Court justice who said Roe v. Wade was settled law or a super precedent, and then voted to overturn it. The DOJ would prosecute at least three Supreme Court justices for bribery and corruption, for accepting lavish gifts and vacations from billionaires, some of whom had business before the court. Gini Thomas and several members of the House would be indicted for their roles in the Jan. 6 insurrection. The courts would declare gerrymandering to be unconstitutional.

Wed pass an amendment declaring the right to vote shall not be abridged, and throw everyone involved in voter purging schemes in prison. Wed pass a federal law against book banning in libraries and school districts, wed make organizing to silence minority authors a hate crime, wed pass laws rescinding federal funding from any school district that whitewashes the history of race in this country, or that eliminates civics courses.

President Biden and the Democratic Senate would read the damn Constitution and, upon learning that it says nothing about Congress being allowed to set the size of the Supreme Court and nothing about the limit being nine (it doesnt even specify that a vacancy has to occur before a president can appoint a new justice), they would expand the Supreme Court to 15 members and appoint six new justices. We would eliminate every weakness in our system that contributed to the ability of an unhinged con man ever being in a position to overthrow our system of government. But because were NOT a healthy democracy and society, thats not at all what WILL happen.

The Supreme Court and Judge Cannon will delay two of the most consequential trials until after the election, and Republicans in Georgia may use the travesty we just witnessed in a Georgia courtroom to remove Fulton County DA Fani Willis from the Georgia case whether the judge does or not  and replace her with a MAGA DA wholl drop the charges or cut Trump a deal, avoiding a criminal conviction. Republicans will be energized, Democrats will be demoralized, some independents will begin to believe the lack of convictions means Democrats WERE persecuting Trump without good cause, and enough Democrats may stay home to hand Trump the election in November. At which point the insurrection and the documents cases will vanish, and Trumps transition team will prepare for Inauguration Day, where theyll be able to do what theyve promised to do: use their power to punish everyone whos wronged Donald Trump, from prosecutors to politicians to his critics in the media.

Eight years ago, Les Moonves said of Trumps run, "It may not be good for America, but it's damn good for CBS. Mainstream media is focused on Bidens age for two reasons: The race being a dead heat is good for ratings, and they have a fetish for bothsidesism. That fetish often leads them to exaggerate Democratic politicians foibles and minimize or normalize Republicans treasonous or downright crazy behavior. The Republican Party has been committing treason on a regular basis ever since Richard Nixon persuaded the South Vietnamese to walk away from the Paris Peace talks, so he could prolong the Vietnam War in order to harm Democrats politically. The partys been systematically denying Black people the vote for decades now, to maintain their power. Theyve bent the knee to a would-be tyrant with dementia, facilitated an attempted coup, became accomplices after the fact when they refused to convict Trump during his second impeachment and then promoted his Big Lie, and now theyre actively sabotaging Ukraine in its war against a tyrant they love, whos clearly trying to win now a Cold War we thought his nation had lost generations ago.

The Republican Party is doing all that, yet the media continues to cover them as if theyre a political party and not an organized crime syndicate infested with fifth columnists that poses an existential threat not just to our democracy, but to the entire Western world. But Biden is old is a quick and easy way to make sure the polls remain as tight as possible and their ratings remain as high as possible, because if they were to honestly cover whats going on, the race wouldnt even be close. 4. As always anything else you would like to add given your specific concerns. If the left stays home and lets Donald Trump win because were unhappy with Bidens failures, just wait until we see Donald Trumps version of successes.

Rich Logis is an ex-MAGA activist and Founder of Leaving MAGA.

The presidential election in November is near-literally life-or-death for Trump. The mythology of business genius he has cultivated for decades is unraveling, and he knows that attaining 270 electoral votes could be the difference between remaining a free man or dying in prison.

We are observing with Trump, in real-time, how life-or-death duress accelerates ones mental decline, and pushes one further into a nothing to lose corner.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Trump (allegedly) did what he did, on January 6, in Georgia and the purloining of classified information because he never (or minimally) feared legal consequences. He hedged a bet and lost; to keep up mythology appearances, he must continue to lie that he is innocent, has absolute immunity and, of course, that hes being persecuted by President Biden and Fani Williswhich means its MAGA Americans who are being persecuted. Trump dismisses his legal problems because it is how he compensates for the sheer quantity of self-inflicted stressstress that even the strongest-willed human being would rapidly wilt under.

Does Trump actually believe all this? Probably not. His lawyers are no legal eagles, but even they must know that their defenses are more than absurd. Deep down, Trump is more petrified than hes ever been; Im not qualified to make that assessment, admittedly, but Im virtually certain of it. Why? Because if I was guilty of the crimes hes alleged to have committed, my brain would overheat and go haywire, too; confusing Nancy Pelosi and Nikki Haley, middle-of-the-night rage tweets and continually delving deeper into conspiracy abysses are symptomatic of his life-or-death realization.

As an ex-MAGA activist, my team and I are building a community for the Trump remorseful, or are having doubts, called Leaving MAGA. I respect that some may disagree, but both parties share culpability in creating the opening for MAGA and Trump (although, the GOP is far more responsible); and I continue to emphasize that frustration with our two-party system, and sentiments of being left behind, were valid reasons for originally getting behind Trumps campaign. Those reasons, however, are no longer valid.

MAGA Americans are responsible for their own thoughts and actions; it would also behoove us to acknowledge that many of them have been exploited and manipulated into believing that Trumps last stand is also theirs. Trump and MAGA continue to politically traumatize millions into states of desperation and panicthat Trump is all who stands between losing, or preserving, their/our country. This is a toxic martyrdom unlike any seen in American history.

The majority of MAGA Americans are good people, who have allowed themselves to be led astray. I dont want to see them sacrifice themselves at the altar of the Trump golden calf. I try to avoid hyperbole; but when my personal and political epiphany resulted in leaving MAGA, I concluded that I permitted myself to become someone Im truly not. Trump would burn down our nation to rule over her ashes because that outcome is preferable to a jailed twilight of his life.

For all the public debates and discourse over whether Trump should be barred from running for office, what has, somewhat surprisingly, been overlooked is that its the GOP that should have barred Trump from appearing on the ballot. As a private entity, the Republican Party can prohibit anyone from receiving the nomination.

The potential constitutional crisis facing the nationa likely-imprisoned felon elected president who pardons himself, like a monarch, and is, possibly, affirmed in his decision by our U.S. Supreme Courtis a quagmire that the GOP is solely responsible for.

The Democratic Party would be well-served to asknot tellthe American people if a convicted felon president will put their careers, businesses, childrens education, economic mobility, quality of life and future entitlements on upward trajectories. And do you think the political party who nominates that convicted felon has your, and your familys, best interests in mind? People are moved and motivated by issues that affect their lives; MAGA is antithetical to a bruised and battered  but, I believe still alive American dream. The health of our democracy is gauged by how many of our fellow countrymen and women feel invested in it; the fewer, the likelier Trump is re-elected.

The liberal media mythology is gospel in MAGA. I believed it until I left MAGA; and everyone I knew in MAGA did, too. We also used to mock polls. Pollsters and our national pressincestuous in their relationshipswill never recover from the shock of so egregiously missing the 2016 grassroots appeal of Trump. Now that the national press has (as usual) been bullied by the right-wing into running myriad Bidens age reports and punditry, the media is in its own sunk-cost fallacy, and will only intensify efforts to cast doubts on Bidens ability to serve, with a well-meaning, but delusional, obsessive yearning to save the GOP. Stories about Trumps age and cognitive confusion are far fewer and between, compared to Biden stories.

Polls are as useless as a winning lotto ticket on a deserted island; but a quick glance of the liberal media will show that the press and pollsters have a vested interest in reactionary, horse-race coverage. While in MAGA, I knew well a paid political director for the 2016 Trump campaign. On many occasions, we discussed that polls were political pablum, buttressed by the press to shape public perception, drive traffic to news and opinion sites and generate contributions to political parties. This was true then and is true now. If Trump were to be re-elected, the national press would say that it listened more to Trump voters than in 2016 and 2020. To the credit of The New York Times, they ran a piece earlier this week that featured Biden voters reasons for supporting him.

In the five stages of GOP grief, anti-Trump Republicans are in bargaining/depression; soon theyll be at acceptancethe final stage. At acceptance, the vast majority of Nikki Haley voters will shuffle right back to Trump once hes nominated. Maybe, then, our national press will, finally, resign itself to the fact that there is no messiah arriving to salvage the GOP. I pay for much of the media I critique because I believe it still produces a net-positive. But the wish to be liked by those who refer to them as the enemedia needs to be retired.

The U.S. is undergoing another historical transformation. Weve undergone several in our history, ranging from our earliest days; our Civil War; womens suffrage; World War 2; the 1950s and 60s; Sept. 11; former President Obamas election and re-election; and, now, MAGA. The question is whether we continue our liberal democracy progressthe continued perfection of our Unionor, whether we regress illiberally. A second Trump presidency will irreparably damage our democracy; it will mean the right-wing has won. And reversing their win will not be so easy to do, democratically; I am not advocating for political violence, but right-wing tyranny has never, in world history, been diplomatically, and peacefully, resolved.

Americans must electorally mercy-kill the Republican Party; not because we should desire a one-party nation, but because one of Americas two major parties will nominate someone who helped orchestrate a coup d'etat against the Constitutionwhich Trump swore to defend and protectand the American peoplewhom he swore to defend and protectto remain in power. Yes, I admit: Im catastrophizing. I also did so in 2016, when I thought the Democrats and Hillary Clinton posed existential threats to our nation, and to my family, my livelihood and I. Ignorant I was; now, Im clearer-minded, and acutely understand MAGA because I actually lived it.

No civic savior is coming; we are the stewards of our republic.
Weeks after Republicans suffered major losses in the 2018 midterm elections because of their failed attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, then-conservative commentator Mark Robinson accused the law of attempting to enslave people.

Around two hours and 43 minutes into the YouTube program Politics and Prophecyas an image displaying Bloodlines of the Illuminati is shown on screenRobinson makes his declaration.

It is not just Black people, Robinson, who is Black, said on the YouTube show. It is a concentrated effort to, to, uh, to enslave everybody.

The image shown on the Politics and Prophecy YouTube show while Mark Robinson said Obamacare was an effort to "enslave everybody." Screenshot of Politics and Prophecy YouTube show

Robinsona flame-throwing conservative who has a history of trumpeting conspiracies, has referred to the Holocaust as hogwash, said he wants to go back to the America where women couldnt vote, and has falsely accused President Joe Biden of stealing the 2020 electionis now the Republican nominee for governor in North Carolina.

The race between Robinson and North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, the Democratic nominee to succeed Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, will be this cycles most closely watched gubernatorial campaign. And Democrats are eager to focus the race on health care in the Southern state, hoping to use Robinsons opposition to the Affordable Care Act and his more recent antipathy to the state expanding Medicaid as a focal point of attacks against the Republican, employing a similar strategy that worked for the party in 2018.

Robinsons particular complaint about the health-care law, signed by President Barack Obama in 2010, was against one of the most popular provisions: the ability for children to stay on their parents health-care plans until they turned 26 years old.

Thats not a child, a 26-year-old, said host Chris Levels, after just finishing a rant about fluoridated water.

Thats exactly right. Thats exactly right, Robinson replied, before accusing the law of trying to enslave everybody.

Soon after those comments, Robinson also disclosed that he was disgusted with a lot of churches because of their embrace of LGBTQ people.

You see homosexuals in leadership positions, you see people who are living in sin in leadership positions. Its disgusting. It really is disgusting, Robinson said.

Theres not supposed to be any political correctness in church, he added.

GOP Pick for North Carolina Guv Longs for the Days When Dames Couldnt Vote

Robinson, with his history of bombastic comments, has even argued for a more conservative position on health care than Trump, who made repealing Obamacare a focal point of his successful 2016 campaign and attempted to do just that when he took office in 2017. Trump, in a bid to assuage critics who worried that taking away health care with no replacement would be politically detrimental to Republicans, often said he would replace the Affordable Care Act with reforms that expand choice, freedom, affordability.

"Youre going to have such great health care at a tiny fraction of the cost. And its going to be so easy, Trump said during a rally in Florida in the final days of the 2016 campaign, rarely providing specifics to that promise.

He ultimately got on board with a Republican alternative that was projected to kick 23 million people off health insurance, significantly raise prices for people with pre-existing conditions, and send health insurance marketsaccording to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Officeinto an unsustainable spiral.

Robinson, however, advocated for full repeal of the Affordable Care Act with no replacementan even bleaker alternative.

"I just want REPEAL! When it comes to insurance/healthcare the federal government can kick rocks, he wrote on Facebook in 2017. Healthcare is neither a right or a privilege, its a RESPONSIBILITY that lies with the individual.

In another instance, he posted a photo on Facebook that showed Repeal and Replace but put a line through and replace.

The Federal Government DOES NOT Need To Be Involved With Health Insurance, he wrote to go along with the photo.

Trump failed to repeal Obamacare when the late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) cast the deciding vote to keep the health care law in place. But the political implications of Trumps work to repeal the law still propelled Democrats to the House majority, with Democrats making protecting health care a focal point of their campaigns in 2018.

Obamacares popularity is currently near record highs. While opposition to the law contributed to Democrats losing the House in 2010, public polling has shown a steady increase in support for the law in recent years. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey found last month that 59 percent of American adults approved of the Affordable Care Act, compared to 39 percent who did not.

This issue particularly resonates in North Carolina, a state that expanded Medicaid with bipartisan support late last year after a prolonged political fight, giving around 600,000 people additional access to the program.

Trump Revives Plan to Dismantle Obamacare if Elected in 2024

Democrats in North Carolina are hoping they can use Robinsons past comments on health care, coupled with the recent expansion of health-care coverage, in the same way the party did in 2018.

I can only imagine he will continue to double down on this stance. And our work is educating voters on the impacts of that, said Elisabeth Greenleaf, campaigns director for Progress North Carolina, one part of a coalition of groups opposing Robinsons candidacy. Its going to be a big issue in this race.

Predictably, Robinson opposed expanding Medicaid.

Im not in favor of Medicaid expansion, he told Business North Carolina in 2022. I hope that it fails because I dont want our health care in this state to be turned over to the federal government.

And in 2023, after Medicaid expansion passed, Robinson said he was dismayed that it was included in the budget.

Im still not in favor of that, he told a local radio host, a comment that Steins campaign has already jumped on.

Stein has used that opposition as a political cudgel against Robinson, with the Democratic campaign repeatedly branding the lieutenant governor as out of touch in his opposition.

Robinson, however, has tried to soften his position on Medicaid expansion. Asked about these comments on Friday, Mike Lonergan, communications director for Robinsons campaign, said, While the lieutenant governor did not support Medicaid expansion, he understands that it is now the law in North Carolina.

As governor, Mark Robinson will work tirelessly to ensure that the people of North Carolina get the absolute best results and care possible from our new Medicaid expansion program, Lonergan added.

Lonergan declined to comment on Robinsons past comments about repealing the Affordable Care Act or comparing it to enslavement.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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South Dakota Republican Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt pauses before entering the House of Representatives in the state Capitol in Pierre, S.D., on Feb. 21, 2024. Republican leaders are resisting calls to spell out in law the circumstances under which women can legally have abortions under life of the mother exceptions in states with strict bans. Rehfeldt, a nurse anesthetist, said she decided to sponsor the legislation after hearing from physicians about the ongoing confusion on when exactly they could intervene and provide a woman with an abortion under the state's ban. (AP Photo/Jack Dura, file)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  In Republican-led states across the U.S., conservative legislators are refusing to reevaluate abortion bans  even as doctors and patients insist the laws exceptions are dangerously unclear, resulting in denied treatment to some pregnant women in need.

Instead, GOP leaders accuse abortion rights advocates of deliberately spreading misinformation and doctors of intentionally denying services in an effort to undercut the bans and make a political point. At the same time, however, some states are taking steps that they say will provide more clarity about when abortions can be legally performed.

The Republican-controlled South Dakota Legislature wants to create a video in which medical experts  and the state's attorneys  would explain to doctors and patients when abortions can be legally performed. The measure was passed last month and is now awaiting the signature of Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, who has indicated she will sign it.

The first-in-the-nation idea is wholeheartedly supported by SBA Pro-Life, one of the country's largest anti-abortion groups, which says the video will help to combat confusion caused by the abortion industry.

South Dakota is showing the rest of the nation how to protect womens lives from the misinformation surrounding abortion laws, said the organization's public affairs director in South Dakota, Kelsey Pritchard.

Oklahoma and Kentucky are also taking steps to clarify their abortion bans, though in both states the attorneys general, not physicians, are the ones dictating the terms.

In Oklahoma, the AG sent out a memo in 2022 informing prosecutors and police that doctors should have substantial leeway to provide certain abortions. Last year, the office added that patients don't have to be septic, bleeding profusely, or otherwise close to death  but reiterated a past warning that doctors should be prosecuted if there's evidence they violated the law by providing an abortion when a woman's life wasn't actually in danger.

Kentucky's attorney general has stated that miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies  when a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus  are both exempted from the state's abortion ban, but has been silent on the majority of other pregnancy complications that physicians and patients have pointed out.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion in 2022, states have been free to enact their own restrictions. South Dakota is among the 14 that ban abortion at all stages of pregnancy. The law does allow an abortion exception to save the life of the mother, but like similar statutes in other states, it does not clearly define which pregnancy complications are considered life-threatening.

State Republican Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt, a nurse anesthetist, said she decided to propose the informational video after hearing from physicians about the ongoing confusion. She said the video offered the best solution because any attempt to tweak the abortion ban itself would provoke strong disagreement among her GOP colleagues.

It remains to be seen how much help the video will be to patients and doctors, however. It's not expected to specifically list pregnancy complications that would legally qualify women for abortions, and it's unclear if it will contain a legal disclaimer warning that anyone who watches the video may still face potential criminal charges.

Its not going to deal with hard calls, said Greer Donley, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law who is an expert on abortion law. They actually dont want to deal with the hard calls because their movement is not sure ... how those hard calls should be resolved.

South Dakota Republican state Sen. Erin Tobin, one of the measure's proponents, acknowledged to a Senate panel last month that the video will not contain specific examples.

Thats the problem with health care, is that there are so many different circumstances, that you have to allow doctors discretion, Tobin said.

As some states mull how to clarify  without weakening  their abortion bans, abortion rights advocates in several states continue to challenge the bans with lawsuits.

Twenty Texas women denied abortions are suing the state seeking clarification, while advocates filed a lawsuit in Tennessee arguing that the state ban's vaguely defined exceptions put pregnant women's lives at risk.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti pushed back. He argued that it wasn't the law, per se, that is harming women but rather other factors like doctors independent choices not to provide permissible abortions."

The lawsuit is ongoing, with attorneys expected to make their arguments before a three-judge panel next month on whether the state ban should be temporarily blocked as the legal battle continues or if the case should be dismissed entirely.

Donley spurned the idea that doctors bear the responsibility for endangering patients.

I completely reject any narrative that theres any sort of provider out there thats intentionally harming women and pregnant people for the sake of a news story, she said. Thats just not happening. But are mistakes being made because people are terrified? Yeah, probably.

In Texas, a pregnant woman whose fetus had a fatal condition went straight to the state supreme court last year to request an exemption from the Lone Star State's strict ban. The court denied Katie Cox's request  forcing her to go out of state to get an abortion  but did urge the Texas Medical Board to issue guidance to doctors on how to interpret the law.

While the judiciary cannot compel executive branch entities to do their part, it is obvious that the legal process works more smoothly when they do, the justices wrote.

And yet, the medical board, comprising 19 members appointed by the governor, has so far not offered any sort of guidance.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is a vocal abortion opponent.

Frustrated with the board's inaction, Amy and Steven Bresnen, a couple who are lawyers and lobbyists, filed a petition in January asking it to clarify what circumstances qualify as medical exceptions to the state's abortion ban.

"Pregnant females in life-threatening situations and the health care providers otherwise willing to save their lives simply cannot be required to stand idly in the void when the TMB (Texas Medical Board) has the authority to act and the duty to regulate medicine in this state in the public interest, the petition states.

The board is expected to meet later this month and will likely address the petition, Steven Bresnen said.

Nobody has put them on the spit to make them make a formal decision, he said. If they decline to, they have to explain why.
Acknowledging a shared desire to enhance economic cooperation between The State of Arkansas (hereafter referred to as the State) and the Hanam City Government (referred to as the City), both parties commit to taking the following steps:



1. Support and promote exchanges and visits by delegations and businesses between both entities, offering cooperation and assistance to visiting parties sponsored by the other.



2. Foster mutual understanding and collaboration between the business communities of the State and the City in areas such as trade and investment relations.



3. Inform one another of trade exhibitions and investment seminars happening in their respective territories, and provide appropriate assistance upon request.



4. Exchange and disseminate relevant economic information on goods and services that are available from the other state/city to their respective local businesses communities.



5. Sponsor and promote exchanges and visits by delegations and businesses of the two entities and extend cooperation and assistance to visitors so sponsored by the other party.



6. Advise each other of firms interested in joint ventures or investment in each partys respective state/city.



7. Given the specific cultural and economic importance of agriculture industry to both the Republic of Korea and the State of Arkansas, cooperate on trade and agricultural science and technology initiatives.





The points of contact for the parties are as follows:



a. For the State: Arkansas Economic Development Commission Asia Office



b. For the City: Corporate Support Division



The agreement will be executed on a good-faith basis and is not intended to create any legal or financial obligations for either institution.



Effective upon signature by representatives of both parties, this agreement is valid for ten (10) years, automatically renewing annually unless either party provides written notice of termination at least six months before the expiration date.



Either party may terminate this agreement with written notice ninety (90) days in advance.



Any future amendments require mutual written agreement.



Signed in duplicate in Seoul, Korea on the 8th day March 2024 with each party retaining one (1) original copy.
GRAND CHUTE  Voters will choose between challenger Tim Bantes and incumbent Jeff Ings for town supervisory seat No. 2 in the April 2 nonpartisan election.

In the three-way primary election, Bantes was the top finisher with 773 votes. Ings was second with 734 votes. Candidate June Johnson was a distant third with 239 votes and was eliminated from contention.

Bantes is making his second run for a seat on the Town Board. He lost to incumbent Ron Wolff last year. Bantes has been critical of the division and rancor that have entangled the board in the past two years, resulting in several lawsuits and ethics complaints.

One of the ethics complaints was filed against Ings by Grand Chute resident Connie Raether.

Ings contends the complaint is frivolous and politically motivated. He has served on the board since 2020 and voted with the majority of the board last year to eliminate special assessments for road improvements.

The winner of the election will earn a two-year term on the board.

As part of The Post-Crescent's election coverage, Bantes and Ings were asked to update a questionnaire to explain why they're running for office, what makes them the better candidate and how they would address the most important issues facing the town. Their answers are published below.

For information about registering to vote and polling locations, visit the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov/en-us.

Related: Grand Chute Supervisor Ron Wolff acquitted of charge he profited off public contract

Tim Bantes

Tim Bantes

Address: 217 E. Broadway Drive

Age: 62

Occupation: Retired Grand Chute fire chief

Highest education: Associate degree in fire science technology from Fox Valley Technical College; six credits away from completing a bachelor's degree in public administration from Silver Lake College.

Relevant experience: 38 years in fire and emergency services; elected to the governing board of the Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association and served as the association president in 2019; appointed to the Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services Board; elected president of the Outagamie County Fire Chiefs Association for four consecutive terms; member of the Grand Chute Lions Club.

Campaign websites: www.electtimbantes.com and www.facebook.com/electtimbantes

Jeff Ings

Jeff Ings

Address: 4650 N. Gillett St.

Age: 69

Occupation: Retired

Highest education: Bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Relevant experience: Four years as Grand Chute town supervisor; corporate planning analyst (AAL/Thrivent); small business developer (self-employed); treasurer/budget director (St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church).

Campaign website: ingsforgoodgovernment.com

Why are you running for office?

Bantes: I have served the town in a leadership capacity and successfully worked on town issues for 15 years. I'm seeking to serve our town with the same level of dedication, responsiveness and integrity that I demonstrated as fire chief. We don't need more unnecessary lawsuits costing taxpayers thousands of dollars.

Ings: I would like to continue the progress this board has made in returning a voice to our Grand Chute residents. Our government exists entirely to serve our people. Our residents wanted financially harmful special assessments stopped. We accomplished that goal without the need to raise taxes.

What makes you the better candidate in this race?

Bantes: I have lived and worked in the town for nearly 20 years. It is my desire to use my proven experience and successful track record in local government to ensure a safe, fiscally responsible, sustainable and excellent quality of life for all current and future generations of Grand Chute citizens.

Ings: I have a four-year track record of listening to residents, solving issues and accomplishing results that a strong majority of residents have wanted.

What are residents telling you are their most important issues, and how would you address them?

Bantes: Town residents are sharing concerns about the magnitude and financial implications of the many lawsuits and ethical investigations against some Town Board members. The possible illegal meetings with secret agendas currently under review by the Brown County District Attorney's Office could deprive town residents of their right to open, transparent government. We must establish a vision for the town's future, especially in areas such as land use, roads and development planning, and do so ethically, honestly with citizen input and without the negative personal agendas. My town experience and knowledge will help resolve issues with ample opportunities for citizen input.

Ings: The biggest concern of residents continues to be that special assessments will be brought back against their will. I am working to prevent that. There are better, more fair ways to fund our roads. In addition, residents want strong, cost-effective public safety (police and fire) programs; good stewardship of tax dollars; good road and facilities maintenance programs; the elimination of drainage and flooding problems related to new development; thoughtful ordinances that are fair, consistent and respect property owner rights; and help with questions and issues they encounter. I work with these important priorities in mind.

Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DukeBehnke.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Grand Chute election: Tim Bantes, Jeff Ings vie for seat on Town Board
The youngest Republican woman ever elected to the Senate, and the first from Alabama, chose a long-sleeved green blouse for the biggest speech of her political career. The centerpiece was the crucifix pendant hanging from her necklace, which would occasionally flicker when Sen. Katie Britt shifted her weight. This wasnt by accident: What better way to communicate trustworthiness to evangelical voters than a cross?

Britts melodramatic delivery of the State of the Union rebuttal last week was widely panned on social media and parodied on Saturday Night Live. And then, of course, there was Karla Jacinto.

When I first took office, I did something different, Britt recounted. I traveled to the Del Rio sector of Texas, where I spoke to a woman who shared her story with me. She had been sex-trafficked by the cartels starting at age 12. The senator suggested that this had happened in the United States and added, President Bidens border crisis is a disgrace. Its despicable. And its almost entirely preventable.

But Britt was not being completely honest about the story of that 12-year-old girl. Jacinto, an activist who has been sharing her story since long before Britt took office, said she met the Alabama senator in a group with other officials, not individually. She said she was trafficked in Mexico, far from the U.S. border. And she said this happened from 2004 to 2008.

Read more: Granderson: You can't compare Trump's record to Bidenomics

In other words, the woman sitting in the kitchen with the cross glittering on her neck lied.

After the truth came out, Britt hopped on Fox News to do damage control, still looking like a live-action Hallmark card and apparently hoping that the appearance of compassion could cover the tracks of her political miscalculation.

Premiering her one-woman show just before Oscar weekend was a bold choice by the senator. But misusing one womans personal horror as a prime-time political zinger is more than bold; its deeply disturbing.

Read more: Granderson: Past victories to protect queer kids at school didn't save Nex Benedict

The question for the evangelical voters who make up much of the Republican base is how much more politics can outweigh morals in the name of whatever conservatism even means anymore. Politico reported Monday that an evangelical group is spending north of $60 million to get a twice-impeached, repeatedly indicted former president back in the White House, so perhaps that is our answer.

The whole moral majority movement in conservative politics always involved theatrics and cosplay. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene took it to a new level by deploying Hunter Bidens sexting photos during a House committee hearing. And now the future of the Republican Party is sitting in a kitchen purporting to speak honestly with voters of faith while telling a lurid lie for political purposes.

I work as a spokesperson for many victims who have no voice, Jacinto told CNN . I really would like  all the governors, all the senators, to be empathetic with the issue of human trafficking because there are millions of girls and boys who disappear all the time  people who are really trafficked and abused, as she [Britt] mentioned. And I think she [Britt] should first take into account what really happens before telling a story of that magnitude.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was able to take repeated swigs from a bottle of water during another infamous State of the Union rebuttal because someone was on set to get it to him. Producers tell you what colors and patterns to wear. Camera operators remind you where to look. Nothing that happened during Britts rebuttal was happenstance.

Jacintos story was not hard to find. But it appears as if all those involved in the senators production didnt believe anyone would bother looking.

The fallout is an embarrassment and a setback for Britt, but it is ultimately unlikely to do her any grave political harm. The leader of her party is facing imminent trial for paying hush money to an adult film actress and has been found liable for sexual abuse so, yeah, Britt will probably be fine.

The same cant be said for her partys claim to any sort of true moral high ground.

@LZGranderson

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A local school district is closer to finding its new high school principal.

On Monday, Xenia Community Schools will recommend Todd M. Whalen for the position of Xenia High School Principal to the school board, according to a spokesperson from the district.

>> Police investigating reported shooting in Dayton

I am excited by the energy, enthusiasm, and extensive experience that Todd brings to the table for Xenia students and staff, said Dr. Gabriel Lofton, Superintendent. As our community knows, the high school experience is critical for student success, and I believe he is the right leader to help us move the district forward and improve outcomes for students.

The spokesperson said that Whalen graduated from Xenia High School in 2002 and is pleased to return to the district he grew up in.

I am honored by the confidence and trust shown in me by the district, and am incredibly excited to get started in my new role with Xenia Schools, Whalen said. I am truly looking forward to getting to know the staff and students at Xenia High School as we work together to build on and continue the proud traditions built over many years. After all, once a Buccaneer, always a Buccaneer!

Most recently, Whalen was assistant principal at Bellbrook High School until August 2019, then became the interim director of special education for Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District from 2020-2021.

The spokesperson said Whalen has also held leadership positions in districts in Waynesville, Missouri, as well as Charlotte, North Carolina, and Salisbury, North Carolina.

>> Crime labs across Ohio awarded thousands in funding

His resume also includes positions ranging from dean of students, assistant principal, director of student services, and principal.

Whalen has a B.S. in AYA Education from the University of Dayton, an M.A. in School Administration Management and Executive Leadership from Gardner-Webb University and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership-Superintendency from Arkansas State University.

The new principal will replace David Torrence, who will be retiring at the end of the school year, the spokesperson said.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg blocks the entrance of the Swedish Parliament during a protest in Stockholm

Climate activist Greta Thunberg blocks the entrance of the Swedish Parliament during a protest in Stockholm

By Ilze Filks

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Greta Thunberg and dozens of other environmental campaigners blocked the main entrances to Sweden's parliament on Monday in a sit-down protest against the effects of climate change and what they said was political inaction.

"We are a group of young people who are blocking entrances to the Swedish Parliament, the Riksdag, to protest against the ongoing destruction of our life-supporting systems and of people already being killed as a result of the climate crisis," Thunberg said.

"That needs to come to an end. We have had enough," she told Reuters in an interview, accusing politicians of inaction in the face of global warming.

Thunberg became the face of young climate activists as her weekly protests, starting in 2018, in front of the Swedish parliament quickly grew into a global youth movement with large rallies across continents.

However, her protests in Stockholm have not normally sought to block the entrances to parliament. Some entrances to the building, however, remained open on Monday.

"(The politicians) have not been acting. We are still moving in the wrong direction, the emissions are still increasing," she said. "Therefore we feel like we have no other choice but to try new, different methods in order to get our voices heard."

"We are staying here for now," she added.

Last year Thunberg was detained by police or removed from protests in several countries, including Sweden, Norway and Germany.

A British court last month acquitted her of charges of a public order offence as a judge ruled that police had no power to arrest her and others at a protest in London last year.

"The climate crisis is only going to get worse and so it is all our responsibilities, all of those who have an opportunity to act must do so. We encourage everyone who can to join us and to join the climate justice movement," Thunberg said on Monday.

(Reporting by Ilze Filks, writing by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Terje Solsvik and Gareth Jones)
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A man has been found guilty of murder in a 2021 deadly Topeka shooting case.

The Shawnee County District Attorneys Office announced in a press release on Monday, March 11 that Jeremy Volle has been found guilty of three counts following a five-day jury trial in Shawnee County. These include:

Murder in the first degree

Murder in the second degree

Criminal possession of a firearm.

Mugshot of Jeremy Volle. (Photo Courtesy/Shawnee County Department of Corrections)

These charges are connected to the 2021 killing of Aaron Shepherd, 49, of Topeka. Volle and another man were arrested in connection to the homicide case.

Shawnee County DA spokeswoman Katie Garceran said the Topeka Police Department (TPD) was called around 4:45 a.m. on May 27 to the 1100 block of SW 17th Street in response to a shooting. At the scene, officers found Shepherd in the road next to his car suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital where he was later declared dead.

Manhattan Fake Pattys Day arrests hit five-year high

Police later found video footage showing a vehicle connected to the shooting. It was later revealed that Volle was a passenger in that vehicle, leading police to arrest him.

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Europe is consolidating its commitment to rearmament. Arms imports by European states were 94% higher in 201923 than in 201418, while in the rest of the worlds regions purchases declined. Russias war in Ukraine has tested European security and the old continent, in addition to reinforcing its defense with the purchase of weapons, wants to boost its own defense industry to compensate for its dependence on the United States. On a global scale, the United States remains the worlds main arms supplier, while Russias arms exports halved and the country became for the first time the third largest arms exporter, just behind France.

The data published on Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) confirm that, despite the fact that the global volume of international arms transfers fell by 3.3% between the 201418 period and the 201923 period, Europe accelerated its rearmament drive. Europes demand for weapons has increased since 2014 [the year of the Russian invasion of Crimea and part of eastern Ukraine], but the sharp rise in recent years is explained because much of the weapons purchased have been donated to Ukraine and countries want to continue to be protected militarily, says Pieter Wezeman, co-author of the report and a senior researcher at SIPRI.

Europes main supplier continues to be the United States, with 55% of total imports in the last five-year period coming from that country. Wezeman explains that the United States has a significant advantage in military technology, especially when it comes to fighter aircraft. Eight of the 10 European countries that obtained aircraft in the last five years opted for the U.S.-produced F-16 and F-35, according to the report. Buying weapons from the United States is, of course, part of maintaining and even improving relations with that country, adds the expert.

One of the objectives that the European Commission has set itself, given the Russian threat, is to strengthen the European defense industry with more weapons distributed among all member states. Specifically, it seeks to urgently boost local production so that by 2030, 50% of military acquisitions will occur within the bloc, the high representative for EU Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced last week. The paradigm shift will also involve leaving behind decades of dependence on the United States, even more so now that there is a possibility that Donald Trump  who made controversial comments about NATOs funding  might return to the White House.

For Wezeman, this goal, although not impossible, is still very far from becoming a reality. Many orders have already been placed for weapons that will continue to arrive over the next few years. Furthermore, although the European defense industry is very complete, it does not have the capacity to produce at a sufficient rate to meet its own demand.

Ukraine is, by far, the European country where imports have grown the most in the last five-year period: 6,633% more than in the previous period. In addition, at least 30 states supplied major arms to Ukraine after the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. The report also notes that in order to broaden Ukraines military capabilities, suppliers began to deliver long-range systems in 2023: among others, Poland and Slovakia donated 27 surplus combat aircraft, and France and the U.K. supplied missiles with a range of 300 kilometers.

In addition to these deliveries to the Ukrainian army, European countries are also acquiring weapons to defend themselves in the event of a hypothetical escalation. Last year Poland, which shares a long border with Ukraine, ordered 12 air defense systems from the U.S., while Germany ordered a single but particularly high-value system from Israel. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland did the same with German, Israeli and Norwegian defense systems.

France overtakes Russia

Russian exports fell by 53% in the last five-year period compared with 2014-2018, deepening the gap with the United States in global arms influence. While Washington exported weapons to 107 countries on all continents, Russia did so to only 41. The decline has been even more evident since the invasion of Ukraine: in 2019, 31 countries received Russian weapons; in 2022, only 14 did, and in 2023, that number fell to 12. Europes sanctions on Moscow are not the only reason for this trend. We are seeing cases like China, Russias historic buyer, which is developing an industry of its own that is sufficient for its technological needs, notes Wezeman. The case of India is similar, although the United States can exert some pressure there with the threat of sanctions. The same goes for Egypt and Indonesia.

The weakening of Russias arms trade allowed France to take second place in the list of top exporters. French arms sales increased by 47% between 201418 and 201923. Of the 64 recipient countries, the main ones were India, Qatar and Egypt with just over 50% of the total. Greece was the largest European buyer from France, purchasing 17 Rafale combat aircraft, the main French military export product. Last year alone, 193 orders were placed for this aircraft, although most were going to Asia (Indonesia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates) or Africa (Egypt).

Unlike Europe, the rest of the world reduced its weapons imports between 201418 and 201923. In Asia and Oceania, the figure fell 12%, dragged down by China. Despite this, it remains the market with the largest volume of imports with giants such as India, Pakistan, Japan and Australia. The decline is similar in the Middle East, where the United States remains the main exporter due to purchases from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Israel. Many countries have reached their ceiling and that is why they matter less. Others have improved their production capacity, clarifies Wezeman. A drop was also recorded in America and Africa, of 7.2 and 52%, respectively. The calculation system used by SIPRI does not refer to real purchase and sale prices, but is based on the production costs of each item.

The report does not reflect, however, a great change in Israels imports in the last five-year period, with a marginal rise of 5.1% from 2014-2018, despite the offensive launched in October on Gaza in response to the attack by Hamas. The fact that Israel is able to mount a military operation of such scale in Gaza is based on the fact that it has been receiving substantial quantities of weaponry from the United States for many decades. The weapons that are being used today [on the Gaza Strip] were supplied in previous years, says Wezeman. Even so, SIPRI did record that at the end of 2023, the United States rapidly delivered thousands of guided bombs and missiles to Israel.
A man has pleaded guilty for the 2015 murder of a 16-year-old boy in Wilmington, a killing prosecutors have said spurred a shooting war between groups of teens in the city.

Oliver Henry, 25, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last week for the killing of Jordan Ellerbe in Wilmingtons Hilltop neighborhood in January 2015.

Prosecutors have said Ellerbe's killing was one of the first homicides in a string of shootings between the Shoot to Kill and Only My Brothers gangs: groups of teenage children that traded insults online and shot at each other on the street.

Ellerbe was never accused of being in a gang, but his name became a symbol: scrawled as graffiti on the citys streets, represented in hand gestures by his surviving friends and their rivals and typed in social media posts entered into evidence in a series of murder trials targeting the gangs.

A friend weeps at the memorial built to remember 16-year-old Jordan Ellerbe, who was fatally shot on a Friday night in January 2015 in Wilmington.

Those trials have seen dozens of city youths charged with murder, gang participation and other charges in the deaths of several teens with several other young men now sentenced to spend the rest of or most of their lives locked away in prison.

Henry was 16 years old at the time of Ellerbes murder.

Indictment: Man charged with teen's 2015 murder, a killing police say spurred a Wilmington gang war

Prosecutors have long said Ellerbe was not the target of the shooting. He was hit by an errant bullet fired at a group of teens sitting on the porch of a Hilltop home listening to music on a Friday night. Another teen was struck in the chest and another in the arm. They survived.

Two days later, people gathered at a memorial for Ellerbe on the same front porch and were again sprayed with bullets. More than a dozen shots were fired from a vehicle driving by the home, neighbors said at the time. The gunfire injured two teens and a 21-year-old who had gathered among teddy bears and candles to honor Ellerbe.

Jordan Ellerbe

The murder went unsolved for eight years before Henry was charged last year. In court Thursday, Deputy Attorney General Erika Flaschner told the judge that a person called Wilmington police with fresh information on the case in March 2022.

By then, the detective working the case had retired so a new detective reopened the investigation. Its unclear precisely what new evidence led to Henrys indictment the next year. Police records in Delaware are largely kept from public view, even when prosecutors use such records to bring murder charges.

Photos and messages for A.I. duPont freshman Jordon Ellerbe, 16, hang in front of his home on Rodney Street in Wilmington in 2015. He was killed when gunmen sprayed a front porch in Hilltop with bullets, injuring two others in the process.

In a brief summation for the judge, Flaschner said that prosecutors could have presented at trial testimony of some 13 different people regarding observations from the night of the murder or conversations in which Henry spoke about or bragged about the shooting.

In court, Henry answered affirmatively when Superior Court President Judge Jan Jurden asked a series of questions aimed at determining whether he understood his rights and was entering his guilty plea voluntarily.

During the litany, she asked: Did you commit this murder? He paused in silence for a while, briefly whispered something to his attorney and responded: Yes, your honor.

Youth shooting youth: 2 men already in prison sentenced for 2016 homicide of 15-year-old

He faces a minimum of 15 years in prison, and prosecutors agreed to cap their recommended sentence at 20 years in return for his guilty plea.

Jurden set his sentencing date for July.

Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Guilty plea in 2015 murder of 16-year-old A.I. du Pont High freshman
If youre a Charlotte resident who has experienced long-term symptoms after contracting COVID-19, researchers need your help  and your poop.

In an X thread on March 2, Marc Johnson, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the University of Missouri, revealed a new cryptic lineage his team found in Charlotte, at the Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.

A cryptic lineage is a unique evolutionarily advanced SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) lineage found in wastewater from an unknown source, Johnson said.

According to Johnson, the sample is most likely from a B.1 strain of COVID that circulated more than three years ago.

Those who have experienced persistent gastrointestinal issues since contracting COVID  people Johnson refers to as cryptic hosts  could be eligible for a study to find out more about the virus.

In all likelihood, it is one person, Johnson told The Charlotte Observer in an email, referring to the host of the new lineage. The simplest explanation (which fits with everything we have learned about these lineages) is that it is a single person that has been infected for a very long time who is shedding a TON of viral material.

How to participate in the study

Researchers at the University of Missouri are conducting a study to examine the characteristics of viruses, specifically persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections, in stool samples, Johnson said.

You must be at least 18 years old and have persistent gastrointestinal issues to participate in the study, Johnson said.

If you want to participate, you should send an email to gicovidstudy@missouri.edu.

Once you send an email, youll get a link a secure portal where you can complete a short survey. After completing the survey, youll be sent a kit for collecting a stool sample.

For more information about the study, you can call 573-884-5159.

What wastewater tells us about COVID in Charlotte

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wastewater can be an important tool for scientists who study SARS-CoV-2, since small changes in the level of virus in wastewater can be an early signal that the number of people with COVID-19 in a community is rising or falling.

COVID virus levels are trending downward at each of the four wastewater treatment plants in Charlotte, according to the most recent data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Those numbers coincide with weekly COVID hospitalization numbers in Mecklenburg County, which dropped from 7.1 to 6.3 admissions per 100,000 people between Feb. 17 and Feb. 24, according to CovidActNow, a nonprofit that provides data on COVID in the U.S.
As Haitis armed gangs, already in control of some of the countrys strategic assets, threaten to overtake the National Palace to install their own president, Caribbean leaders prepare to meet in Jamaica on Monday for a one-day emergency session on the escalating crisis.

They will confront the harsh reality of a country under siege and a deeply divided, polarized society confronting a political stalemate. And they will have to tackle a key question: Can a political accord stem the tide of gang violence that is threatening to topple whats left of the Haitian state? And would such an accord be workable if it excludes the leadership of the gangs?

Caribbean Community leaders in Jamaica on Monday, March 11, 2024 for a one-day emergency meeting on the crisis in Haiti. CARICOM heads of government from The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica and St Vincent and the Grenadines present in the room.

Seven Caribbean leaders will be attending the meeting in Jamaica along with eight partner countries and the United Nations. The United States will be represented by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. The State Department said Blinken will discuss a proposal to create a Haitian presidential panel to help move Haiti toward elections as well as the deployment of a Multinational Security Support mission to help police battle the gangs.

Haitis political and civic leaders have submitted seven different proposals to the 15-member Caribbean bloc known as CARICOM. None of the proposals advocate a place for any of the hundreds of armed gangs wreaking havoc in Port-au-Prince, or for former coup plotter Guy Philippe, the man some of the gangs want to install as president. But people close to the discussions say both topics have been raised during discussions about whether the presidential panel should reflect the current political and security reality of the streets.

Over the weekend, a gang chief known as Krisla warned police and employees of the National Palace over social media that on Monday the population will be in the streets. They will be occupying the area around the National Palace, he said, in order to install the power in the palace, Sen. Guy Philippe.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives to board a plane, Monday, March 11, 2024, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to Kingston, Jamaica for emergency talks with Caribbean leaders on Haitis crisis. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)

Political leader Line Balthazar said while he isnt lobbying for Philippe, who has been rallying support since returning to Haiti from a six-year stint in a U.S. prison on drug-related charges, or any gang leader to have a seat at the negotiating table, any transition has to reflect the people whose sentiments are being echoed by the gangs.

We cant reduce the country to just a small minority of people without taking into account the voices of the majority, said Balthazar, the head of the Haitian Tet Kale Party, PHTK. We have to pay attention to whats happening in the streets and in the provinces.

PHTK, the party of former President Michel Martelly, was initially involved in negotiations with a group that included the political parties En Avant, led by former lawmaker Jerry Tardieu, and Fanmi Lavalas, the political party of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Also taking part in those talks were members of a group known as the Montana Accord, a coalition of civic groups and political parties that has been waging a nearly three year effort in the U.S. and Canada to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry after challenging his legitimacy and governance.

After the talks broke down, PHTK joined an alliance with other political leaders and submitted their own separate proposal to CARICOM under the name January 30 Collective.

There is a mass of people, poor people, who are discouraged.... It is up to us to provide a political perspective to prevent these masses from taking to the streets and following just anyone, Balthazar said.

Another proposal, known as the March 9 Political Consensus, has been signed by representatives of the Montana Accord, the business community, religious leader and a member of the diaspora.

Haitis gangs could become arbiter

U.S. officials have asked CARICOM to take the lead in encouraging Haitians to find a consensus out of the chaos.

Behind the scenes, Washington has been quietly nudging some of Haitis politicians amid rising concerns that if Haitis political forces cannot quickly reach a consensus, the increasingly powerful gangs could emerge as the arbiter of the countrys future.

The March 9 proposal endorsed by the Montana Accord, which has the backing of several high-profile figures and of the Biden administration, includes the creation of a five-member council to lead a transition toward elections. The proposal says the members of that council have to meet certain requirements: Never having been charged with a criminal offense or sanctions for fraud or corruption, and never having supported or incited violence.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness arrives at the Jamaica Pegasus for an emergency summit with CARICOM Heads of government and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the crisis in Haiti. pic.twitter.com/IARjG4033r  Nationwide90FM (@NationwideRadio) March 11, 2024

Given the competing proposals and the inability of Haitians to decide on one path forward, a supporter of the March 9 proposal said he believes that at the end of the day, it will be up to the international community to do something.

The U.S., Canada and others have insisted on a Haitian-led solution. But its unclear if such a solution is possible, given the philosophical differences and distrust.

Claude Joseph, a former prime minister and foreign minister under President Jovenel Moise, said what emerges should be led by Haitians and any transition needs to be inclusive. He is proposing a seven-member presidential panel with representation from members of various alliances, Montana Accord/ Fanmi Lavalas and a group headed by the prime minister known as the December 21 Accord, which is currently left out of the March 9 Montana proposal. There is also a seat for Petit Dessalines, the political party of former senator and presidential candidate Jean Charles Moise. Also known as Moise Jean-Charles, the politician has created an alliance with Philippe, who is being backed by his party to lead a presidential transition.

Ours is a very inclusive proposal, said Joseph, who heads Engages pour le developpement, EDE, Committed to Development party. If the proposal is as inclusive as possible, it may stop the violence. But it cannot be a small group of people without popular support. However, we should not reward gang leaders. The gangs are strong because the state is weak.

Gangs have demanded Henrys resignation and threatened civil war if he doesnt step down. So far, Henry, who is in Puerto Rico and has been unable to return to Haiti, has not offered his resignation and it remains unclear if he will go to Jamaica. The U.S. has urged Henry to step down.

Members of the December 21 coalition Henry leads say they are willing to compromise and have called on the international community to assist Henry with returning to Haiti. They have offered two different proposals to CARICOM, said lawyer and political leader Andre Michel. If agreement cant be reached on a presidential college, then the head of the Supreme Court should be installed as president, he said.

Among the Caribbean leaders who flew to Jamaica for the meeting is Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Gonsalves said it is ultimately up to the Haitians to decide what their path forward will be. CARICOM is just a facilitator of the conversations. But it is unclear how the international community will agree on one plan, given the philosophical differences over how to deal with the gangs and opposition groups, and the overall lack of trust parties harbor toward one another.

I dont think anybody thinks theres going to be a silver bullet. Its a complicated situation; very complicated, Gonsalves said after arriving in Kingston on Sunday. But the political dimension is one important one and the security also. They have to go in tandem, and theres the humanitarian and developmental needs.

The divisions among the spectrum of Haitis political forces have made reaching a consensus difficult, Gonsalves said, adding that the countrys dire reality under Henry cant be ignored. The U.N. documented 8,400 victims of gang violence last year  a 122% rise from 2022  and the number of gangs has grown.

Some Caribbean leaders have suggested that Haitians should negotiate with the gangs, and others have asked whether there is a role for Philippe  a line of conversation that some diplomats familiar with Haiti find troubling.

If it is true that gangs control 80% of the capital city, surely it is common sense that you should have some conversation with them, said Gonsalves, who added he is not advocating that approach. Where that conversation would lead is a different story. But you think it makes sense to not talk to the people who can control 80% of the city?

The reality is complex. Despite the gangs united front of late, they are not truly unified, several Haitians observers say, predicting the leaders will soon be fighting one another for territory.

The groups pushing different versions of an accord admit that even if they were to come together, there is no guarantee that a political agreement will make a dent in the security crisis. For that to happen, a political leader backing one of the March 9 proposal said, the U.S. would need to provide muscle  in the form of troops.

Whatever we sign for, there needs to be a force to make it happen, he said. That is the only thing the gangs are afraid of is, U.S. troops.
An injured man is helped by colleagues during violence in Port-au-Prince this month

Haiti is fast descending into anarchy.

Over the weekend, the violence in the capital Port-au-Prince ramped up once again. Heavily armed gangs attacked the National Palace and set part of the Interior Ministry on fire with petrol bombs.

It comes after a sustained attack on the international airport, which remains closed to all flights - including one carrying Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

He tried to fly back to Haiti from the United States last week, but his plane was refused permission to land. He was then turned away from the neighbouring Dominican Republic too.

Mr Henry is now stuck in Puerto Rico, unable to set foot in the nation he ostensibly leads.

Among those who did manage to get into the stricken Caribbean nation, though, was a group of US military personnel.

Following a request from the US State Department, the Pentagon confirmed it had carried out an operation to, as it put it, "augment the security" of the US embassy in Port-au-Prince and airlift all non-essential staff to safety.

Soon after, the EU said it had evacuated all of its diplomats, fleeing a nation mired in violence and facing its biggest humanitarian crisis since the 2010 earthquake.

Millions of Haitians, however, simply don't have that luxury. They're trapped, no matter how bad things get.

Haiti: The basics

The Caribbean country shares a border with the Dominican Republic and has an estimated population of 11.5 million

It has a land area of 27,800 sq km, which is slightly smaller than Belgium and about the same size as the US state of Maryland

Chronic instability, dictatorships and natural disasters in recent decades have left Haiti the poorest nation in the Americas

An earthquake in 2010 killed more than 200,000 people and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and the economy

A UN peacekeeping force was put in place in 2004 to help stabilise the country and only withdrew in 2017

In July 2021, President Jovenel Moise was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in Port-au-Prince. Amid political stalemate, the country continues to be wracked by unrest and gang violence

Map of Haiti

The situation is dire at the State University of Haiti Hospital, known as the general hospital, in downtown Port-au-Prince. There is no sign of any medical staff at all.

A dead body, covered by a sheet and swarming with flies, lies in a bed next to patients waiting in vain for treatment.

Despite the overpowering stench, no-one has come to remove the body. It is rapidly decomposing in the Caribbean heat.

The situation at the general hospital in Port-au-Prince is particularly dire

"There are no doctors, they all fled last week," said Philippe a patient who didn't want to give his real name.

"We can't go outside. We hear the explosions and gunfire. So, we must have courage and stay here, we can't go anywhere."

With no prime minister and a government in disarray, the gangs' power over the capital is near absolute.

They control more than 80% of Port-au-Prince and the country's most notorious gang leader, Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier has again told the prime minister to resign.

"If Ariel Henry doesn't step down and the international community continues to support him," he said last week, "they will lead us directly to a civil war which will end in genocide."

Meanwhile, the police, outnumbered and demoralised, are struggling to keep looters at bay. The Salomon police station in Port-au-Prince was attacked and burnt out, and charred police vehicles lie outside the still-smouldering building.

Nevertheless, even in the face of the total collapse of law and order, people must still venture out to make a living.

At a nearby market, several street hawkers told the BBC they had no other option but to leave their homes, even with gunmen roaming the streets.

"I have three kids, and I'm all they have - I'm their mother and their father," said Jocelyn, a market trader who also didn't want to give her real name.

"So, I'm obliged to take to the streets. Yesterday gunmen came here and stole all our money. A lot of vendors lost all their money. But there's no way to stay at home when you have three mouths to feed."

"The anxiety is killing me when I'm in the street," echoed an older woman selling fruit. "I keep thinking what if I get shot dead? Who will take care of my children then? I have no family to support me."

To the west, in one of Haiti's nearest neighbours, Jamaica, the dignitaries, diplomats and heads of state of the Caricom regional group are gathering for an emergency summit.

Armed gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier and his men are seen in Port-au-Prince, on March 5,2024

The instability in Haiti is a problem for the entire Caribbean community, and for Washington too. The idea of a nation of some 11 million people being run by gangs is of huge concern, particularly the potential impact on outward migration during an election year in the US.

It's clear Caricom favours seeing Mr Henry resign as soon as possible, from outside of the country if necessary.

The Biden administration in the US has publicly said the unelected prime minister - who had promised to hold an election in February - should return to Haiti, but only in order to stand down and begin a transition to a new government.

Privately, though, US diplomats are increasingly aware that it might now be impossible for him to return, and that even attempting to do so could further destabilise Haiti.

A UN-backed plan for a Kenyan-led rapid reaction force to tackle the gangs is still far from becoming a reality.

To add to the lawlessness, a week ago, around 4,000 inmates escaped after the gangs attacked the main prison in Port-au-Prince.

Those prisoners are now back on the streets and bolstering the ranks of their gangs.

In the aftermath, the cell doors are now wide open, the facility is virtually abandoned and there are blood stains on the ground after gunmen overpowered the guards.

A prime minister unable to return, violent gangs in control of the capital and dead bodies piling up on the streets: Haiti is currently a nation about as close to a failed state as it's possible to be.

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Haiti is facing further turmoil as former Prime Minister Ariel Henry has said that only he can appoint the transitional council needed to take over leadership of the beleaguered Caribbean nation.

Ariel Henrys office told CNN that, under Haitis constitution, it is down to him and his cabinet to appoint the transitional leaders  as he vowed to follow constitutional procedures.

We will not deliver the country to just a group of people without following the procedure. We are in crisis as a country, but we must stay inside of the law and set a good example, his office said.

This further state of flux comes after a state of emergency was declared in the nation last week, prompting Caribbean leaders and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet in Jamaica to urgently discuss the crisis on Monday.

On 11 March, Mr Henry agreed to resign once a transitional presidential council is created.

The violence, which began on 29 February, has seen gang members burn down police stations and raid prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

Heavily armed criminal gangs also attacked major government assets across the capital Port-au-Prince and took control of the main international airports.

Key points

US forces deployed to protect US embassy in Haiti

US and EU embassies begin evacuating staff

Haiti prime minister resigns as criminal gangs plunge country into crisis

Kenya security mission on hold until a sitting government is established in Haiti

Tuesday 12 March 2024 17:09 , Graig Graziosi

The US pledged to spend $300m to help fund a Kenyan-led security mission to Haiti following increases in gang violence across the nation.

Prior to his resignation, Prime Minister Ariel Henry visited Kenya to ask for security assistance. That prompted a gang-led effort to remove him from office.

Hours after Mr Henry announced he was stepping down, Kenya announced it would not send a security team unless a sitting government was in place in Haiti.

The deal they signed with the president [William Ruto] still stands although the deployment will not happen now because definitely we will require a sitting government to also collaborate with, Salim Swaleh, Kenyas Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told The New York Times.

Barbecue Cherizier warned of anti-government violence earlier this month

Tuesday 12 March 2024 18:03 , Graig Graziosi

Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier, the leader of the G9 gang that allied with other Haitian gangs to force the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, warned on 5 March of the violence that would come if Mr Henry remained in power.

He previously said if the international community continues to support [Mr Henry], well be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide.

Either Haiti becomes a paradise or a hell for all of us. Its 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 neighborhoods, Mr Cherizier said.

Caricom leader says still a long way to go before plan for Haitian leadership is in place

Tuesday 12 March 2024 18:33 , Graig Graziosi

Leaders from several Caribbean nations have been working to solidify a transitional council to lead Haiti in the wake of Ariel Henrys resignation as Prime Minister.

The leaders called a meeting of Caricom, which represents 15 Caribbean countries, on Monday to discuss how to proceed.

Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the president of Guyana, said that we still have a long way to go before such a council is established.

Ariel Henry was not allowed to return to Haiti after asking for Kenyan aid

Tuesday 12 March 2024 19:05 , Graig Graziosi

Now-former Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry was not allowed to return to the nation after he left to ask for Kenya for help in the form of a security force to help stop gang uprisings.

Mr Henry took power in 2021 after the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise, ostensibly as an interim until a new election could be called. However, he continually delayed elections, citing security issues in the country.

One of the demands of the gangs that organised and attacked government facilities and ransacked neighborhoods in recent days was that Mr Henry step down.

After his resignation, Kenya said it would not send its security force to Haiti until a sitting government is in place to coordinate their efforts.

Haiti crisis: What we know about the gang takeover that has killed dozens and displaced 15,000

Tuesday 12 March 2024 19:50 , Graig Graziosi

Haiti is spiralling further into chaos after armed gang members freed thousands of prisoners, burned government buildings, and forced the prime minister to resign after he fled the country to seek help.

Dozens of people are dead and roughly 15,000 have been forced to flee their homes due to gang raids, according to The Associated Press, with many now facing dwindling supplies of food and water.

The violence escalated on 29 February when Haitis powerful criminal gangs, which already controlled large parts of the economy and most of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, launched a series of attacks on police stations, prisons, and other government buildings.

After all the capitals international airports were seized by gangs, prime minister Ariel Henry was trapped outside the country and faced both domestic and international pressure to resign.

On 5 March, the leader of the unified gangs Jimmy Cherizier  known by his childhood nickname, Barbecue  threatened continued violence if Mr Henry did not step down.

He said if the international community continues to support [Mr Henry], well be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide.

READ MORE:

Haiti crisis: What we know about the gang takeover that has paralysed the country

US embassy workers evacuate Haiti

Tuesday 12 March 2024 20:14 , Graig Graziosi

US embassy workers are being airlifted out of Haiti following widespread gang takeovers of the island and the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

The US said concerns over the conditions  and the potential for continued violence  drove the decision to remove staff from the nation.

US officials and members of Caricom, a group of leaders representing 15 Carribbean nations, have been meeting over the last several days to address the spiralling crisis in Haiti.

Haitian congresswoman called for Haiti prime minister to resign

Tuesday 12 March 2024 21:00 , Graig Graziosi

US Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, was one of the voices calling for Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.

We have to make sure that the Haitian people trust the process and that they feel that they are being protected and that the gangs will not be involved in any kind of transition government, the Haitian-American representative said on Monday. She added that Mr Henry should hand over his post to a transitional government, according to the Miami Herald.

She also insisted that gang members should not get amnesty. The gangs have consistently asked for amnesty. I believe that more people will be committed to working and fighting with the gangs if they think they are going to get amnesty, she said during a news conference. If we do that, I dont believe that the Haitian people will ever believe that the international community has their best interests at heart.

Haiti prime minister resigns as criminal gangs plunge country into crisis

Tuesday 12 March 2024 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

Haitis prime minister Ariel Henry has agreed to tender his resignation, regional Caribbean leaders said, amid weeks of spiralling violence in the country.

The prime minister has been under pressure to resign and has remained stranded outside the country in Puerto Rico due to surging violence and unrest in Haiti led by criminal gangs, who have taken control of much of the capital.

Mr Henry will stand down once a transitional government has been put in place, according to the chair of the Caribbean Community regional bloc Irfaan Ali, who is also president of Guyana.

READ MORE:

Haiti prime minister resigns as criminal gangs plunge country into crisis

Antony Blinken attended meeting in Jamaica regarding Haiti crisis

Tuesday 12 March 2024 23:00 , Graig Graziosi

Global leaders, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are expected to attend a meeting on Monday in Jamaica about Haitis future as it remains in a state of emergency following an attempted gang takeover.

Read more about the ongoing conflict here:

Haiti crisis: What we know about the gang takeover that has paralysed the country

Secretary Antony Blinkens statement on Monday Caricom meeting

Wednesday 13 March 2024 00:00 , Graig Graziosi

Today I'm in Jamaica to meet with leaders of the Caribbean region @CARICOMorg on the political and security crisis in Haiti. It is critical we work together to support the Haitian people, curb escalating violence and unrest, and expedite a political transition.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 11, 2024

Haitis crisis is prompting thousands of residents to flee to the Dominican Republic

Wednesday 13 March 2024 01:00 , Graig Graziosi

Fifteen thousand people have been displaced in Haiti since the end of last month, when the gang attacks began, according to Le Monde. This has led to some of the countrys residents attempting to cross into neighbouring Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

Despite the ongoing crisis, border officials in the Dominican Republic have been filmed deporting some of the residents back into Haiti, according to Al Jazeera.

Last year, the Dominican Republic closed its border with the country over the construction of a canal on the Massacre River, which lies in between the two countries. In October, the Dominican Republic partially reopened the border but maintained a ban on issuing visas to Haitian migrants.

Diplomatic tensions continue. After the gang attacks, Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry was denied entry into the Dominican Republic, forcing him to take shelter in nearby Puerto Rico.

US forces deployed to protect US embassy in Haiti

Wednesday 13 March 2024 02:00 , Graig Graziosi

Over the weekend, US military officials said they had flown in forces to Haiti to up security at the countrys Port-Au-Prince embassy. Authorities were careful to mention that no residents of the country were on the aircraft, amid rumours that senior Haitian officials might be attempting to flee the country as attacks worsen.

The aircraft landed at the embassy compound, meaning that helicopters were involved in the operation.

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 a statement released by the military. The military had previously ordered the departure of nonessential staff and all family members in July, according to the Associated Press.

ICYMI: PM Ariel Henry says no sacrifice too big for country

Wednesday 13 March 2024 03:00 , Graig Graziosi

Prime minister Ariel Henry released a video statement to announce his resignation after the Caribbean leaders confirmed he is stepping down.

In a videotaped statement, Mr Henry said: The government that Im running cannot remain insensitive in front of this situation. There is no sacrifice that is too big for our country.

The government Im running will remove itself immediately after the installation of the council, he said.

US officials called emergency talks on Haiti critical moment

Wednesday 13 March 2024 03:59 , Graig Graziosi

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters the meeting in Kingston, Jamaica was a critical moment for Haiti and also all of us. Meanwhile, he praised Jamaica for its leadership in the hemisphere that we share.

Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who chairs CARICOM, the trade bloc holding the talks, said the aim of the meeting was to bring stability and normalcy to Haiti, but that Haitian stakeholders are not where they need to be, according to AFP.

Time is not on their side, Ali warned in a video posted to social media, while describing reports out of Haiti as dire.

Ariel Henry: Haiti needs peace

Wednesday 13 March 2024 05:00 , Graig Graziosi

The unelected prime minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry, annocuned he will step down amid growing gang violence and nearing total social collapse in the Caribbean nation.

Mr Henry informed the nation of his intents in a video he shared late on Monday.

My government will leave immediately after the inauguration of the council. We will be a caretaker government until they name a prime minister and a new cabinet, he said. Haiti needs peace. Haiti needs stability.

Haitian leadership reliance on gangs may have laid the groundwork for collapse

Wednesday 13 March 2024 07:00 , Graig Graziosi

Haitian leaders using gangs to achieve their ends may have contributed to the current crisis facing the nation, according to one historian.

Michael Deibert, author of Notes From the Last Testament: The Struggle for Haiti, and Haiti Will Not Perish: A Recent History told the Associated Press that young, out of work men who organized into gangs were sometimes hired by the government as muscle.

Now, you have these different politicians that have been collaborating with these gangs for years, and  it blew up in their face, Mr Deibert said.

Kenya security mission on hold until a sitting government is established in Haiti

Wednesday 13 March 2024 09:00 , Graig Graziosi

The US pledged to spend $300m to help fund a Kenyan-led security mission to Haiti following increases in gang violence across the nation.

Prior to his resignation, Prime Minister Ariel Henry visited Kenya to ask for security assistance. That prompted a gang-led effort to remove him from office.

Hours after Mr Henry announced he was stepping down, Kenya announced it would not send a security team unless a sitting government was in place in Haiti.

The deal they signed with the president [William Ruto] still stands although the deployment will not happen now because definitely we will require a sitting government to also collaborate with, Salim Swaleh, Kenyas Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told The New York Times.

Ariel Henry was not allowed to return to Haiti after asking for Kenyan aid

Wednesday 13 March 2024 11:00 , Graig Graziosi

Now-former Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry was not allowed to return to the nation after he left to ask for Kenya for help in the form of a security force to help stop gang uprisings.

Mr Henry took power in 2021 after the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise, ostensibly as an interim until a new election could be called. However, he continually delayed elections, citing security issues in the country.

One of the demands of the gangs that organised and attacked government facilities and ransacked neighborhoods in recent days was that Mr Henry step down.

After his resignation, Kenya said it would not send its security force to Haiti until a sitting government is in place to coordinate their efforts.

US State Department warns Americans not to travel to Haiti

Wednesday 13 March 2024 11:10 , Rachel Sharp

The US State Department is warning Americans not to travel to Haiti as the Caribbean nation continues to grapple with spiralling gang violence.

Haiti is listed as a Level 4: Do Not Travel destination  an advisory level that was in place even before the assassination of President Jovenel MoiIse in 2021.

A state of emergency was declared in the nation last week, while the US Embassy in Haiti issued a security alert saying that the current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous.

Haiti crisis: What we know about the gang takeover that has killed dozens and displaced 15,000

Wednesday 13 March 2024 13:00 , Graig Graziosi

Haiti is spiralling further into chaos after armed gang members freed thousands of prisoners, burned government buildings, and forced the prime minister to resign after he fled the country to seek help.

Dozens of people are dead and roughly 15,000 have been forced to flee their homes due to gang raids, according to The Associated Press, with many now facing dwindling supplies of food and water.

The violence escalated on 29 February when Haitis powerful criminal gangs, which already controlled large parts of the economy and most of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, launched a series of attacks on police stations, prisons, and other government buildings.

After all the capitals international airports were seized by gangs, prime minister Ariel Henry was trapped outside the country and faced both domestic and international pressure to resign.

On 5 March, the leader of the unified gangs Jimmy Cherizier  known by his childhood nickname, Barbecue  threatened continued violence if Mr Henry did not step down.

He said if the international community continues to support [Mr Henry], well be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide.

READ MORE:

Haiti crisis: What we know about the gang takeover that has paralysed the country

US embassy workers evacuate Haiti

Wednesday 13 March 2024 14:00 , Graig Graziosi

US embassy workers are being airlifted out of Haiti following widespread gang takeovers of the island and the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

The US said concerns over the conditions  and the potential for continued violence  drove the decision to remove staff from the nation.

US officials and members of Caricom, a group of leaders representing 15 Carribbean nations, have been meeting over the last several days to address the spiralling crisis in Haiti.

Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier: The former cop-turned-gang leader bringing Haiti to its knees

Wednesday 13 March 2024 14:48 , Graig Graziosi

Haitis prime minister Ariel Henry said he was resigning amid mounting international pressure following gang violence that has pushed the capital to the brink of civil war.

Mr Henry faced calls to resign from Haitian gang leaders who have taken control of capital Port-au-Prince, keeping the prime minister stranded outside the country.

Heavily armed gangs have tried to seize control of Haitis main international airport, exchanging gunfire with police and soldiers in the latest attack on key government sites.

READ MORE:

Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier: Gang leader bringing Haiti to its knees

New York Mayor Eric Adams offers message of support for people of Haiti

Wednesday 13 March 2024 15:41 , Graig Graziosi

We call New York City the Port-Au-Prince of America. We feel the pain our Haitian neighbors feel as the situation grows dire.



To the people of Haiti and our own Haitian community here in New York City, know that we stand with you today and always.  Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) March 13, 2024

Haitis largest non-government hospital shares challenge of keeping up with escalating violence

Wednesday 13 March 2024 16:10 , Graig Graziosi

Zanmi Lasante, Haitis largest non-government healthcare provider says it is facing staffing and cost issues as it tries to keep up with the gang violence across the island.

The hospital offered the following statement:

Zanmi LasantePartners In Healths sister organization operating in Haitiis facing urgent challenges to maintain clinical services across the communities we serve. With roads and transportation blocked, it is difficult to get essential supplies to our sites; in the meantime, the costs and risks of doing so are rising. Zanmi Lasante is experiencing an increasing need among our staff for mental health support as well as access to food and safe housing in their communities. The ZL team remains steadfastly committed to identifying solutions and overcoming these barriers so we can continue to provide lifesaving care.As a social justice organization committed to advancing human rights, we refuse to accept that any life is worth less than another. We urge all parties involved to take measures to help stabilize the country to ensure Haitians can access health care and other fundamental rights.

Frances ambassador to Haiti has returned to the island

Wednesday 13 March 2024 17:17 , Graig Graziosi

The French ambassador to Haiti has reportedly returned to the capital after weeks of coordinated gang attacks on government facilities forced Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.

Message a la communaute francaise d'Haiti:



Chers compatriotes,

Lambassadeur @FabriceMauries, qui se trouvait en France au moment de la suspension des vols, a repris ce matin la direction du poste diplomatique a Port-au-Prince. (1/3)  La France en Haiti  (@ambafranceht) March 13, 2024

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sends state guard, law enforcement prepare for influx of fleeing Haitians

Wednesday 13 March 2024 17:40 , Graig Graziosi

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has sent state guard troops and state law enforcement officers to the states southern reaches  specifically the Keys  to stop Haitians from fleeing the island to the US.

NEW: @GovRonDeSantis sends state forces to the Keys, Southern Florida to stop potential invasion of illegal immigrants from Haiti, including:@fdlepio: 39 additional officers@MyFWC: 23 additional officers with eight additional sea craft@FLGuard: 48 additional Guardsmen pic.twitter.com/7B5A3i5HXT  Bryan Griffin (@BryanDGriffin) March 13, 2024

Coast Guard intercepts vessel carrying Haitian migrants

Wednesday 13 March 2024 18:00 , Graig Graziosi

The US Coast Guard Cutter Venturous intercepted 65 migrants from Haiti near Great Inagua, Bahamas, according to a statement.

A witness spotted a sailing vessel in distress on 7 March and notified the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guards primary mission as a member of the Homeland Security Task Force- Southeast is to preserve human life at sea, Captain Willie Carmichael, Incident Commander for Operation Vigilant Sentry, said in a statement . The maritime environment is inherently dangerous and can become deadly aboard crowded unseaworthy vessels. The Coast Guard will continue working with our HSTF-SE partners to rescue and repatriate anyone attempting irregular migration via sea routes, regardless of their nationality.

All of the migrants were given food, water, medical attention, and shelter before they were repatriated to Haiti.

US sends Marines to secure US Embassy and assist staff in evacuating

Wednesday 13 March 2024 18:36 , Graig Graziosi

US Southern Command issued a statement on Wednesday saying a group of Marines has been sent to secure the embassy in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

The statement can be found below:

At the request of the Department of State, the U.S. Southern Command deployed a U.S. Marine Fleet-Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) to maintain strong security capabilities at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and conduct relief in place for our current Marines, a common and routine practice worldwide -- and allow additional non-emergency personnel to depart. Our Marines in Haiti completed their assignment and were relieved by a secondary team of Marines. The U.S. Embassy remains open, and limited operations continue, focused on assistance to US citizens and supporting Haitian led efforts to secure a peaceful transition of power. This week, the Department of Defense doubled our funding for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, and we are working with Haitian, Kenyan, and other partners to expedite its deployment to support the Haitian National Police and to restore security in Haiti. The Department of Defense is postured to provide enabling support for the MSS, including planning assistance, information sharing, airlift, and medical support.

WATCH: Agape Flights still paused for aid to Haiti

Wednesday 13 March 2024 19:37 , Graig Graziosi

Why is Haiti so chaotic? Leaders used street gangs to gain power. Then the gangs got stronger

Wednesday 13 March 2024 20:16 , Graig Graziosi

Haitis prime minister was last seen in Puerto Rico, negotiating his return to a homeland gripped by violence and controlled by heavily armed gangsters. With his fate in the air and the situation in Haiti deteriorating by the day, the world has been left to wonder whether the country will fully descend into anarchy or whether some semblance of order will be restored.

What is going on in Haiti?

Its easy to blame this latest spasm of violence in the Wests 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.

READ MORE:

Why is Haiti so chaotic? Leaders used street gangs to gain power. Then the gangs got stronger

Haitian political alliance refuses Caricom plan to install a ruling council after Henrys resignation

Wednesday 13 March 2024 20:26 , Graig Graziosi

A pair of influential Haitain political figures have allied and have rejected a proposed ruling council developed by Caricom, a group representing 15 Caribbean nations.

Caricom planned to develop a council to step in and rule the island nation after the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

However, Jean Charles Moise, an ex-senator and presidential candidate and former rebel leader Guy Philippe, announced on Wednesday that they will not agree to that plan.

Mr Moise instead wants a three-person presidential council  which he created with Philippe and a Haitian judge  to rule instead.

We are not going to negotiate it, he said during the conference. We have to make them understand.

Haiti US Deported Senator (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

WATCH: Aid channels at risk as security risk heightens in Haiti

Wednesday 13 March 2024 21:00 , Graig Graziosi

US officials called emergency talks on Haiti critical moment

Wednesday 13 March 2024 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters a meeting in Kingston, Jamaica was a critical moment for Haiti and also all of us. Meanwhile, he praised Jamaica for its leadership in the hemisphere that we share.

Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who chairs CARICOM, the trade bloc holding the talks, said the aim of the meeting was to bring stability and normalcy to Haiti, but that Haitian stakeholders are not where they need to be, according to AFP.

Time is not on their side, Ali warned in a video posted to social media, while describing reports out of Haiti as dire.

WATCH: US deploys Marines to embassy in Haiti amid rising unrest

Wednesday 13 March 2024 23:00 , Graig Graziosi

Is it safe to travel to Haiti now amid gang takeover?

00:00 , Graig Graziosi

Several countries are advising their citizens against travelling to Haiti, including the US, UK, Ireland and Canada as gangs continue to take hold of the country.

Earlier this month, gangs attempted to take Haitis Toussaint Louverture International Airport, located in Port-Au-Prince, the countrys capital and broke into a nearby port services terminal. Armed men have also stormed police stations in the country and let thousands of prisoners loose from Haitis National Penitentiary.

Ariel Henry, who had been running the country as prime minister and acting president until he resigned on Tuesday amid international pressure, fled the country to Puerto Rico last week after he was refused entry into the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Dominican air, land and sea borders are closed to travellers.

READ MORE:

Is it safe to travel to Haiti now amid gang takeover?

Ariel Henry was not allowed to return to Haiti after asking for Kenyan aid

01:00 , Graig Graziosi

Now-former Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry was not allowed to return to the nation after he left to ask for Kenya for help in the form of a security force to help stop gang uprisings.

Mr Henry took power in 2021 after the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise, ostensibly as an interim until a new election could be called. However, he continually delayed elections, citing security issues in the country.

One of the demands of the gangs that organised and attacked government facilities and ransacked neighborhoods in recent days was that Mr Henry step down.

After his resignation, Kenya said it would not send its security force to Haiti until a sitting government is in place to coordinate their efforts.

Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier: The former cop-turned-gang leader bringing Haiti to its knees

02:00 , Graig Graziosi

Haitis prime minister Ariel Henry said he was resigning amid mounting international pressure following gang violence that has pushed the capital to the brink of civil war.

Mr Henry faced calls to resign from Haitian gang leaders who have taken control of capital Port-au-Prince, keeping the prime minister stranded outside the country.

Heavily armed gangs have tried to seize control of Haitis main international airport, exchanging gunfire with police and soldiers in the latest attack on key government sites.

READ MORE:

Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier: Gang leader bringing Haiti to its knees

Kenya security mission on hold until a sitting government is established in Haiti

03:00 , Graig Graziosi

The US pledged to spend $300m to help fund a Kenyan-led security mission to Haiti following increases in gang violence across the nation.

Prior to his resignation, Prime Minister Ariel Henry visited Kenya to ask for security assistance. That prompted a gang-led effort to remove him from office.

Hours after Mr Henry announced he was stepping down, Kenya announced it would not send a security team unless a sitting government was in place in Haiti.

The deal they signed with the president [William Ruto] still stands although the deployment will not happen now because definitely we will require a sitting government to also collaborate with, Salim Swaleh, Kenyas Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told The New York Times.

Haiti crisis: What we know about the gang takeover that has killed dozens and displaced 15,000

03:59 , Graig Graziosi

Haiti is spiralling further into chaos after armed gang members freed thousands of prisoners, burned government buildings, and forced the prime minister to resign after he fled the country to seek help.

Dozens of people are dead and roughly 15,000 have been forced to flee their homes due to gang raids, according to The Associated Press, with many now facing dwindling supplies of food and water.

The violence escalated on 29 February when Haitis powerful criminal gangs, which already controlled large parts of the economy and most of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, launched a series of attacks on police stations, prisons, and other government buildings.

After all the capitals international airports were seized by gangs, prime minister Ariel Henry was trapped outside the country and faced both domestic and international pressure to resign.

On 5 March, the leader of the unified gangs Jimmy Cherizier  known by his childhood nickname, Barbecue  threatened continued violence if Mr Henry did not step down.

He said if the international community continues to support [Mr Henry], well be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide.

READ MORE:

Haiti crisis: What we know about the gang takeover that has paralysed the country

WATCH: Haiti: Hundreds of inmates escape after armed gangs storm prison

05:00 , Graig Graziosi

Haitis largest non-government hospital shares challenge of keeping up with escalating violence

07:00 , Graig Graziosi

Zanmi Lasante, Haitis largest non-government healthcare provider says it is facing staffing and cost issues as it tries to keep up with the gang violence across the island.

The hospital offered the following statement:

Zanmi LasantePartners In Healths sister organization operating in Haitiis facing urgent challenges to maintain clinical services across the communities we serve. With roads and transportation blocked, it is difficult to get essential supplies to our sites; in the meantime, the costs and risks of doing so are rising. Zanmi Lasante is experiencing an increasing need among our staff for mental health support as well as access to food and safe housing in their communities. The ZL team remains steadfastly committed to identifying solutions and overcoming these barriers so we can continue to provide lifesaving care. As a social justice organization committed to advancing human rights, we refuse to accept that any life is worth less than another. We urge all parties involved to take measures to help stabilize the country to ensure Haitians can access health care and other fundamental rights.

09:00 , Graig Graziosi

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sends state guard, law enforcement prepare for influx of fleeing Haitians

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has sent state guard troops and state law enforcement officers to the states southern reaches  specifically the Keys  to stop Haitians from fleeing the island to the US.

NEW: @GovRonDeSantis sends state forces to the Keys, Southern Florida to stop potential invasion of illegal immigrants from Haiti, including:@fdlepio: 39 additional officers@MyFWC: 23 additional officers with eight additional sea craft@FLGuard: 48 additional Guardsmen with pic.twitter.com/d7APQC7wYK  Bryan Griffin (@BryanDGriffin) March 13, 2024

US sends Marines to secure US Embassy and assist staff in evacuating

11:00 , Graig Graziosi

US Southern Command issued a statement on Wednesday saying a group of Marines has been sent to secure the embassy in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

The statement can be found below:

At the request of the Department of State, the U.S. Southern Command deployed a U.S. Marine Fleet-Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) to maintain strong security capabilities at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and conduct relief in place for our current Marines, a common and routine practice worldwide -- and allow additional non-emergency personnel to depart. Our Marines in Haiti completed their assignment and were relieved by a secondary team of Marines. The U.S. Embassy remains open, and limited operations continue, focused on assistance to US citizens and supporting Haitian led efforts to secure a peaceful transition of power. This week, the Department of Defense doubled our funding for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, and we are working with Haitian, Kenyan, and other partners to expedite its deployment to support the Haitian National Police and to restore security in Haiti. The Department of Defense is postured to provide enabling support for the MSS, including planning assistance, information sharing, airlift, and medical support.

Haitian political alliance refuses Caricom plan to install a ruling council after Henrys resignation

13:00 , Graig Graziosi

A pair of influential Haitain political figures have allied and have rejected a proposed ruling council developed by Caricom, a group representing 15 Caribbean nations.

Caricom planned to develop a council to step in and rule the island nation after the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

However, Jean Charles Moise, an ex-senator and presidential candidate and former rebel leader Guy Philippe, announced on Wednesday that they will not agree to that plan.

Mr Moise instead wants a three-person presidential council  which he created with Philippe and a Haitian judge  to rule instead.

We are not going to negotiate it, he said during the conference. We have to make them understand.

Why is Haiti so chaotic? Leaders used street gangs to gain power. Then the gangs got stronger

13:30 , Graig Graziosi

Haitis prime minister was last seen in Puerto Rico, negotiating his return to a homeland gripped by violence and controlled by heavily armed gangsters. With his fate in the air and the situation in Haiti deteriorating by the day, the world has been left to wonder whether the country will fully descend into anarchy or whether some semblance of order will be restored.

What is going on in Haiti?

Its easy to blame this latest spasm of violence in the Wests 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.

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Why is Haiti so chaotic? Leaders used street gangs to gain power. Then the gangs got stronger

WATCH: Aid channels suffer as security risk heightens in Haiti

14:00 , Graig Graziosi

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14:38 , Graig Graziosi

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By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) - A Hamas-linked website on Monday warned Palestinian individuals or groups against co-operating with Israel to provide security for aid convoys amid the five-month-old war in the Gaza Strip.

Those who did would be treated as collaborators and be handled with an iron fist, the Hamas Al-Majd security website said, quoting a security official in Palestinian militant forces.

The warning came in response to Israeli media reports that Israel was considering arming some Palestinian individuals or clans in Gaza to provide security protection for aid convoys into the besieged enclave as part of wider planning for humanitarian supplies after the fighting ends.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office has declined to comment on the report, which came a week after dozens of Palestinians were killed in an incident in which crowds surrounded a convoy of aid trucks entering northern Gaza and troops opened fire.

"The occupation's attempt to communicate with the leaders and clans of some families to operate within the Gaza Strip is considered direct collaboration with the occupation and is a betrayal of the nation that we will not tolerate," the website said, quoting the official.

"The occupation's (Israel) efforts to establish bodies to manage Gaza are a 'failed conspiracy' that will not materialize."

With civil order increasingly strained in Hamas-run Gaza and police refusing to provide security to convoys because of the risk of being targeted by Israeli forces, the issue of secure distribution of desperately needed food and other supplies has become a major problem.

Gaza has several large traditional family clans, affiliated with political factions including Hamas and Fatah, the rival group that dominates the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank. Some of those clans are believed to be well-armed and there has been no indication that they would consider working with Israel.

Responding to plans by the European Union and the United States to create a sea corridor to send aid ships to the enclave, senior Hamas official Basem Naim said it was a "positive" step but the world should have rather acted to end the war.

"Ensuring all the needs of the population in the Gaza Strip are met is not a favour from anyone; it is a guaranteed right under international humanitarian law even during times of war," Naim told Reuters.

"If the US administration is serious about solving the humanitarian crisis, the easiest and shortest path is to stop using veto power to allow a ceasefire to be reached, and to compel Israel to open all land crossings and allow entry of all required aid," Naim said.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, has provided the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. (Getty Images)

Happy birthday, James Madison. Happy Sunshine Week/Freedom of Information Day to all the rest.

March 16, Madisons birthday, is celebrated as National Freedom of Information Day, honoring the man who wrote the First Amendment. The week of March 16 is celebrated as National Sunshine Week (this year March 10-16), calling for more transparency in government actions.

Each year, journalists and advocacy groups hold observances so citizens can better understand their rights under both the First Amendment and the two Federal Freedom of Information Acts (1966 which was limited to paper documents and 1996 which included electronic documents), plus state open records laws.

This year, there are multiple issues afoot which could lessen the ability of citizens to get government information. Some of the top concerns include the impact of artificial intelligence on information and public access to government records since there are many bills in state legislatures which would limit public access to information.

Despite Idaho statutes claiming all work in the state should be open to the people, the states Legislature currently has 49 bills which would impact open records, including House Bill 384 involving school libraries, House Bill 394 which would impact the sale of state administrative facilities, House Bill 395 addressing electioneering messages and government documents and HB 409 relating to the sale of surplus state property.

Idahos Open Records Act already has 40 exemptions, along with the usual excusing of ongoing criminal investigations and juvenile records, the exceptions have been expanded to include archaeological records, trade secrets including academic research, Idaho Housing and Finance Association records, voting registration records, and underwriting and claims of the Idaho Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund, among others.

In Washington, the 87 exemptions to the states Public Records Act include: employee files, some investigative records, volunteer records, drivers license records, agency mailing lists, policy drafts, employee hiring test questions and background checks, financial information obtained by the Clean Washington Center for services related to marketing recycled products, and real estate transactions, among other things.

Also, House Bill 2307 in the Washington Legislature would have changed the process of challenging a public records denial by modifying the administrative and judicial review process, affecting peoples access to state records.

If states and their agencies run using taxpayer dollars, then the records should be open and available to everyone. On the state and federal levels, anyone can use an open records or Freedom of Information request to gain information.

A sample FOI request is a letter to the open records officer of the agency which specifies what records are wanted under the state and/or federal laws. The request can include any document that gives direction or rules on employee responses to the media, including requests for interviews, or documents of a specific event or issue. The requests must be as specific as possible.

States do have the right to include a minimal charge for any documents, although the requestor can ask the fees to be waived.

But freedom of information can go beyond the actual documents.

One of the more pressing issues involves government agencies issuing gag orders on their employees. The Society of Professional Journalists recently compiled a list of federal and state agencies which have issued prohibitions of employees talking to the media. The list includes the federal departments of education and energy along with the Energy Regulatory Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration. Several cities and school boards across the country have also issued gag orders.

Federal agencies with vague or contradictory policies about talking to the news media include the National Park Service, the Department of Agriculture, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services along with several district attorney offices and cities.

These gag rules place a chilling effect on the release of information, some of which can be vital for the public to know and understand. An employee who might know of corruption or could better explain a process, they can be frozen out of talking due to the gag order.

How the peoples money is used should be something all citizens can know. Using freedom of information laws can help everyone not only better understand their government, it also helps state and federal agencies remain accountable to the people by letting the sunshine in.

The post Happy National Sunshine Week. We can all call for more transparency in government. appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun.
Legendary jeweler Harry Winston, according to his son, was a very kind person, very diplomatic, and naturally insightful.

He was a great guy, very personable, funny, nice, Ronald Winston said last year in an interview to promote his forthcoming book, King of Diamonds: Harry Winston, The Definitive Biography of an American Icon. He was an ideal father.

However, the 82-year-old scion was significantly less charitable about his fathers right-hand man of two decades, Serge The White Wolf Fradkoff.

Fradkoff was, in Ronalds words, a slick operator, drunk with the love of money, and a shifty sort who exuded a whiff of putrescence.

I sensed [he was] stealing my familys money, Ronald wrote, claiming that Harry, who died in 1978, had been outraged by [Fradkoffs] flamboyant narcissism.

When King of Diamonds was published last September, Fradkoff was not at all happy with what he saw between the pagestaking particular exception to the various excerpts that allege [he] committed serious crimes such as theft, states a $100 million lawsuit filed Monday in Manhattan federal court.

Defendants defamatory claims that Mr. Fradkoff is a thief are repeated numerous times in the book, where Defendants statewithout providing any factual evidencethat Mr. Fradkoff has committed high crimes and thievery, the lawsuit goes on, laying out further examples of similar passages insinuating Fradkoffs conduct constituted not only a high crime but a major disaster in the making.

On that same page Defendants double down, referring again to Plaintiffs conduct as thievery, the lawsuit alleges.

Ronald Winston has since refused to retract the explosive and unfounded statements, which Fradkoffs suit calls malicious and defamatory. The accusations in the book have caused Fradkoff substantial mental anguish, who, according to the lawsuit, has been struggling to repair his reputation following the maliciously false accusations.

In a statement provided to The Daily Beast via attorney Frank Salzano, Fradkoff said that trust and honesty have been the foundation of my professional life for the past 63 years.

Throughout my career, no one has ever questioned my honesty, which is legendary among my colleagues, Fradkoff said, adding that the only person to ever cast doubt on my integrity is Ronald Winston.

Mr. Winston's long-standing jealousy of Mr. Fradkoff, possibly fueled by a desire for sensationalism to boost book sales, appears to have motivated the baseless defamation of Mr. Fradkoff, Salzano said in an email. Mr. Fradkoff provided the defendants with an opportunity to rectify the situation, but they refused. Consequently, their actions carry both legal and financial repercussions.

A representative for Ronald Winston did not respond to a request for comment, and Winston did not reply to emails sent to his personal and business addresses.

A Harry Winston store on London's New Bond Street. Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

In his lawsuit, Fradkoff dubs himself a Renaissance man, and says he has established himself as a respected figure in several noteworthy fields.

Beyond the world of gems, Mr. Fradkoff's contributions span across arts, culture, film, medical innovation, and finance, the suit continues. Although Mr. Fradkoff is not a public figure, he is well known in private circles among high-net-worth individuals for his work as an exquisite jeweler, champion bridge player, art collector, horse-racing enthusiast, finance executive, and film producer.

Fradkoff was schooled in Switzerland, going to work for Harry Winston after earning the equivalent of an MBA, according to the suit. He spent the first five years learning the trade, and the next 15 exhibiting unmatched expertise in his ability to identify and acquire rare gems, it says. Among Fradkoffs important clients, the lawsuit notes, were shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos, as well as countless corporate executives, heads of state, royalty, and renowned collectors.

After 20 years with Harry Winston, Fradkoff established Serge Fradkoff SA Precious Stones, his lawsuit states. It says he became deeply involved in cultural pursuits, donating a Claude Monet painting to the Louvre, a 12.38-carat diamond to the French Museum of Natural History, and served as co-owner of venerable French magazine Connaissance des Arts.

His financial acumen is evident in his substantial stake (33%) and advisory role in Unigestion, a private bank, in Geneva, where he was the de facto advisor to the Chairman and CEO, the lawsuit contends. Fradkoff also acquired a 50 percent stake in Banca della Svizzera Italiana for $390 millionthe equivalent of $1 billion todaywithout any help whatsoever (investment banker or lawyer), according to the suit.

Fradkoff also has a passion for horses, having attained remarkable achievements in horse racing and thoroughbred breeding, the suit claims. In particular, he won a number of major races in France, Ireland and the United States, and one of his horses, Perrault, was nominated for the U.S. Champion Male Turf Horse in 1982, it says.

Ronald Winstons book, according to Fradkoff, contains a long list of false facts along with numerous defamatory statements and disparaging comments. On page 269, the book makes mention of two slick operators named Albano Bochatay and Serge Fradkoff, referring to the then-director of Harry Winston Inc.s European operations. A page later, the book says, The more successful [Fradkoff] got, the more he began to develop his style, which was a Jewish version of a Times Square pimp in Shaft, according to the lawsuit.

Ronald writes, on page 326, of a mission to fire Serge Fradkoff, who was about to destroy Harry Winston before I could even have a fair chance to run it, following passages on page 312 which claim Harry felt betrayed by Serge, outraged by his flamboyant narcissism, and that Fradkoff was the biggest disappointment of his life. Ronald also claims Fradkoff had a schtick that he was Harrys secret son with an unnamed paramour.

Nothing in his mind could have been more flattering, the book says.

Other lines make mention of Ronald demanding full restitution of our money from Fradkoff, threatening to go to the authorities, according to the lawsuit.

Taken together, the defamatory statements made by [Ronald Winston] in King of Diamonds include serious allegations that [Fradkoff] committed a crime, the lawsuit states. ... There is absolutely no evidence that Plaintiff has engaged in any criminal conduct, let alone theft, as Defendants allege in King of Diamonds.

Fradkoffs lawsuit also takes issue with Ronald Winstons co-author, attorney William Stadiem, who it says is known to be an author who collaborates on gossipy tell-alls. It cites a handful of less-than-positive reviews about Stadiems chatty memoir/history mashup formula, a preference for gossipy anecdote over smart analysis, and sketchy research. (Stadiem did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.)

As for a motivation behind the allegedly false claims, Fradkoffs suit says it is not difficult to discernmaking outrageous statements sells books.

Salzano, Fradkoffs lawyer, told The Daily Beast on Monday that, under New York law, King of Diamonds unquestionably crossed the line into defamation. Fradkoff, he said, eagerly awaits his chance in court to defend his impeccable reputation, built over a lifetime.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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An Oscar win two decades ago introduced the world to Japanese anime great Hayao Miyazaki, and now the Studio Ghibli co-founder, aged 83, has done it again.

Miyazaki's "The Boy and the Heron" -- potentially his last film -- took the Academy Award for best animated feature on Sunday, the same category won by Ghibli classic "Spirited Away" in 2003.

Enthralling viewers of all ages with his extraordinary imagination, the animator has built a cult following through films depicting nature and machinery in fantastical detail.

The beloved characters dreamt up by Miyazaki include cuddly yet mysterious spirit creature Totoro -- the mascot of his celebrated production house.

But despite becoming one of Japan's top cultural exports and helping take anime mainstream, he describes his work as an agonising struggle and has retired several times, albeit unsuccessfully.

Miyazaki's 1997 breakout feature "Princess Mononoke", the tale of a girl raised by wolves in a forest threatened by humans, set him apart from rivals such as Disney, who tend to focus on the battle between good and evil.

The director said at the time that he "didn't want to say what's right and what's wrong" in the film.

On another occasion, the aviation-loving pacifist said that making a film was not a logical process.

"I start to descend into the well of my unconscious. Then a lid at the bottom of the brain opens. This allows new directions to emerge, which were unimaginable when I was thinking with just the brain's surface," he told reporters in France.

"But it's better not to open it. It'll almost always pose problems to your family and social life."

- 'Fantasy is necessary' -

Born in 1941 to a well-heeled Tokyo family, Miyazaki grew up an avid fan of manga comics. He was at high school when Japan's first colour anime film came out, and said he was so moved by it he cried all night.

After studying politics and economics at university, he launched his career as a staff animator at Toei, a major studio.

His debut feature "The Castle of Cagliostro" was released in 1979, and told the story of the grandson of fictional French thief Arsene Lupin. Miyazaki's fame grew with "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" in 1984.

The following year, he and fellow animator Isao Takahata founded Studio Ghibli, which grew into Japan's premier anime studio, revered by fans worldwide.

The studio's name Ghibli is an Italian word derived from the Arabic for a hot Saharan wind. It is also the name of a type of military plane and was chosen to symbolise their desire to breathe new life into the animation world.

Miyazaki reached global stardom with "Spirited Away", about a girl who gets lost in a mysterious world and tries to save her parents who are turned into pigs.

Like many Miyazaki films, "Spirited Away" features a female protagonist, and blends themes of nostalgia, greed and interaction with the natural world.

"Fantasy is necessary for children in order to escape from the tough reality they face," he told the Asahi Shimbun that year.

- Perfectionist -

Miyazaki is a prominent liberal figure in Japan, and made headlines in 2015 when he criticised then-prime minister Shinzo Abe for saying future generations need not apologise for the country's war record.

He urged Japan's leaders "to say clearly that aggressive war was completely wrong, having brought enormous damage to the Chinese people".

The heavy smoker announced in 2013 he would no longer make feature-length films as he could not maintain the hectic intensity of his perfectionist approach to work, citing "various" health problems.

However, in an about-turn four years later, Miyazaki's production company said he was coming out of retirement to make "his final film, considering his age".

That movie -- "The Boy and the Heron", originally titled "How Do You Live?" in Japanese -- was released last year.

It tells the story of a boy who moves to a countryside during World War II after the death of his mother in the fire-bombing of Tokyo, and struggles to accept his new life with his father and pregnant stepmother, who goes missing.

Everything changes when he meets a heron and embarks on a journey to an alternate universe where the living and the dead appear to co-exist.

"The truth about life isn't shiny, or righteous. It contains everything, including the grotesque," Miyazaki said in a recent NHK documentary, in which he was visibly affected by the 2018 death of Ghibli co-founder Takahata.

"It's time to create a work by pulling up things hidden deep within myself."

nf/kaf/sst
CALLAHAN COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A fatal crash occurred Sunday morning in Callahan County.

At 4:09 a.m. on March 10, emergency crews were dispatched to a two-vehicle accident on I-20 four miles east of Abilene. According to a preliminary investigation, a Dodge Ram was traveling east in the westbound lanes of I-20. A Ford traveling west on I-20 was then struck by the Dodge head-on in the westbound lane.

The driver of the Ford was pronounced dead on the scene and has been identified as 18-year-old Aspen Blessing of Baird.

The driver of the Dodge was transported to a nearby hospital for serious incapacitating injuries.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
On February 29, Alan was driving his vehicle along Route Delmas, in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. This is one of the main roads between the upper and lower parts of the city. He had gone to the airport to drop off a client and was returning to his area of operations, near Petionville, in the upper part of the city  a neighborhood filled with embassies and banks. There, through Delmas, he explains by phone from the Haitian capital, I began to see that the situation was getting complicated. I saw bodies lying on the ground and everything. It was the beginning of the latest wave of violence in Haiti, which still hasnt ended.

Since the end of February, criminal gangs have indiscriminately attacked any trace of the state in Port-au-Prince, with special attention being paid to the National Police stations (the bandits have attacked at least nine). Other targets in the capital have included the National Police Academy, the prisons (more than 3,500 inmates have escaped), the Sylvio Cator Stadium, as well as the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, which closed and hasnt reopened.

On Friday night, a group of gang members shot at the doors of the National Palace and tried to set fire to the Ministry of the Interior, where agents finally managed to contain the revolt.

Political sources familiar with the situation indicate that the criminal groups have two principal reasons behind their actions. The first is to reject the announcement by Prime Minister Ariel Henry  who has led the country since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021  that he will call elections in August 2025, a date that many in Haiti consider too far away. The second reason is to reject the visit that Henry made to Kenya last week, to negotiate a police support mission under the U.N. umbrella. The criminal gangs  who dominate a good part of the capital  are opposed to this plan and have made their opinion clear.

Police patrol the streets of Port-au-Prince, on Friday, March 8, 2024. RALPH TEDY EROL (Reuters)

Videos of extreme cruelty have circulated on social media, where groups of armed boys  the de-facto power in the city  brutalize the corpses of murdered police officers, or stalk agents with drones as they try to contain the onslaught. At the same time, high-profile crime bosses  such as former police officer Jimmy Cherizier, alias Barbecue  give unhinged press conferences, in which they present themselves as social leaders, willing to do anything to see the government fall.

A worker in the private security industry, Alan (not his real name) spent the afternoon of February 29 taking people to their houses. Through the WhatsApp groups, we already saw that everything was very hot. My team and I were moving our clients to their homes. There were 15 in total. Then, everyone went their own way and we waited for all this to stop. The police have no capacity, he laments. Everyone is afraid: theyre waiting for help to arrive from abroad. Its the only possibility.

Possible foreign assistance is the talk these days in Haiti. For months, the U.N. has been trying to finalize the deployment of a police support mission to the country, which, with 11 million inhabitants, has fewer than 10,000 police officers. The government of Kenya had offered to lead the operation and has pledged to send at least 1,000 agents. Other nations  such as Spain  have also offered human and material support, all under the financial umbrella of the United States, which has promised a logistical investment of $200 million.

The dozens of criminal gangs operating in Port-au-Prince  with constantly changing leadership and alliances  are uncomfortable with the arrival of an international mission. Born in the heat of political fights, their dynamics have changed in recent years. During the first two decades of the century, they functioned as shock troops at the service of the elites, within a political context always linked to electoral cycles. But Haiti hasnt held elections since 2016 and the gangs began to look for resources elsewhere. Since then, extortion and kidnapping have become their main activities.

Protestors demand the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, in Port-au-Prince on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Johnson Sabin (EFE)

Romain Le Cour  a researcher at the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, a civil organization based in Switzerland  points out that the kidnapping industry operates on an industrial scale in Haiti. Le Cour  who left Port-au-Prince this past week on one of the last flights that took off from the airport  recalls the case of a victim he recently interviewed. He told me that he was in a safe house, with 70 other kidnapped people. He said they could keep you there for a month or a month-and-a-half. Do you see the logistics required [for such an operation]? In Port-au-Prince, everyone knows someone whos been kidnapped. And, if not, its only a matter of time, he adds.

A cornered prime minister

The figure of Ariel Henry embodies much of the chaos in Haiti. The acting prime minister hasnt even been able to come back to the country. His return flight from Kenya landed in Puerto Rico, where hes awaiting a solution to the crisis. A source who knows the political situation in the capital points out that criminal groups are targeting the airport precisely because of him. They dont want the airlines to operate again so as to prevent Henrys return, thus forcing his resignation.

Puerto Rican police officers stand guard at entrance to the hotel where Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry is staying, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 8, 2024. Ricardo Arduengo (REUTERS)

Henry [oversees] a transitional government and, generally, governments like this have lasted two years here, explains Haitian economist and sociologist Joseph Harold Pierre, by phone from the city of Cap-Haitien. By announcing elections for August 2025  with whatever delays there may be and so on  Henry would be in power for five years. A good part of the political class has been frustrated with this announcement, he explains. I believe that there are going to be profound changes in the government changes of ministers, at least. Im sure that there are negotiations, but in secret, Pierre tells EL PAIS.

These negotiations are aimed, in part, at containing the criminal gangs. Currently, there are two entities that have power in Haiti: the gangs and the international community. Any political group that wants power and that doesnt achieve legitimacy [in the eyes of] the two of them wont be able to do anything, Pierre continues. In that sense, the criminal leader Barbecue  who has emerged as spokesperson for a federation of the most powerful criminal gangs in the capital, which he calls Vivre Ensemble (Living together)  has been very clear: if Henry doesnt leave, he vows, there will be a civil war that will lead to genocide.

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As Oklahoma prepares for winter to end, many are crossing their fingers for warmer, mild weather.

However, if the Farmers' Almanac has predicted correctly, Oklahomans should prepare for colder temperatures, as well as thunder and snowstorms, this spring.

The almanac, which has been predicting weather (with varying accuracy) since 1818, recently released its extended weather forecast for the upcoming spring, titled "Polar Coaster Spring."

Here's what the Farmers' Almanac has predicted for the spring and how that could impact Oklahomans.

Tulips are seen at the first-ever Tulip Festival at the Myriad Botanical Gardens on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

What is the Farmers' Almanac predicting for Oklahoma's upcoming spring weather forecast?

"Ski-lovers rejoice," the almanac writes. "We're heading for a 'Polar Coaster Spring.' Farmers' Almanac long-range weather forecast calls for many days of cold temperatures."

The almanac's 200-year-old mathematical and astrological formula indicates the Great Plains will see plenty of cold temperatures and "occasional bouts of storminess," bringing widespread rains and snows.

March will bring wild swings in the thermometer, the almanac writes, so Oklahomans should expect March to go out like a lion, with similar "cool and stormy" conditions predicted for the majority of the United States into the spring.

The Farmers' Almanac predicts this upcoming spring will be "warm and thundery" in Oklahoma. Sunny to partly cloudy temperatures for Easter-weekend and the possibility of April snow are also in the almanac's forecast.

Over Easter weekend  Thursday, March 28 through Sunday, March 31  Oklahoma and the central US region should expect sun with some clouds...at least according to the almanac.

The almanac predicts cool temps and storms will continue into May.

Oklahoma should expect frequent showers, then cold, which would result in some thunderstorms with damaging winds.

How accurate is the Farmers' Almanac forecast?

The Farmers' Almanac has released extended weather forecasts every year since 1818, using the same forecast formula. The almanac states that its readers find its predictions to be accurate about 80-to-85 percent of the time. However, the Columbus Dispatch found that most analyses of the almanac's predictions have indicated an accuracy rate of 50 percent. If that's the case, you might as well flip a coin.

Last year, the almanac predicted a "cold and stormy" winter for Midwest states in its extended winter weather forecast for winter 2023-2024.

6:55pm - A cold front continues to push through Oklahoma and entering northern Texas. Behind the front, much cooler temps and gusty north winds.



In addition, plenty of smoke is trapped behind the front, so be prepared air quality issues and lower visibilities.#okwx @txwx pic.twitter.com/NRsLA6bnJn  NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) February 28, 2024

Northwestern Oklahoma saw a blizzard in early January, light snow continued to fall across the OKC metro and high winds moved into the area. The National Weather Service in Norman said "high winds and blizzard-like conditions" made it difficult to get accurate snowfall measurements throughout the state. Meteorologists encouraged members of the public to report snowfall amounts for their area.

Snow fell across Oklahoma Feb 11 with the highest snow accumulations occurring in Apache, just north of Lawton, where a heavy band of snow dropped more than eight inches. An estimated two to three inches of snow fell in Oklahoma City, Norman said.

So, while we don't know what March will look like yet, it's safe to say that the almanac's extended winter forecast has been relatively accurate so far.

Where can I find the Farmers' Almanac spring weather forecast?

The Farmers' Almanac "Polar Coaster Spring" spring 2024 extended weather forecast can be found online here.

Contributing: Claire Reid

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oklahoma weather: Farmer's Almanac predict 'cool, stormy' spring 2024
Heritage Action  the advocacy arm of the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank  revealed Monday it is backing a bill that would potentially ban TikTok in the United States.

Heritage Action SUPPORTS the bipartisan Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. This bill will protect Americans from the influence of the CCP through TikTok, the group wrote on social media, using an acronym for the Chinese Communist Party.

The House is set to vote on a bill this week that would force ByteDance  the China-based parent company of TikTok  to divest itself of the video app or face a ban on the platform in the U.S. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee with unanimous support on Thursday.

Heritage Actions support of the legislation comes as Republicans appear divided on whether they would support the bill.

This bill prioritizes addressing the uniquely threatening conduct, influence, and structure of TikTok  not the content posted by Americans that the application hosts. Members of Congress have a duty to safeguard Americas social fabric and protect citizens from the whims of an adversary nation  especially young people most vulnerable to manipulation, the group said in a statement.

H.R. 7521 represents an important step in limiting the CCPs growing infiltration and exploitation of Americans. A vote against this measure is a vote in support of continued Chinese surveillance of U.S. citizens, the group wrote.

Former President Trump said over the weekend that he opposed the bill despite previously supporting a ban on the video-sharing platform while he was in office. FreedomWorks, a political advocacy group aligned with the Freedom Caucus, said it opposed the bill in a statement earlier Monday.

Its also clear that some Americans have become addicted to the hits of dopamine that come with the instant gratification of social media, Adam Brandon, FreedomWorks president, said in a statement.

Were frustrated by the state of political discourse in the United States, but were also fortunate to live in a free society where we can express our views. Theres always going to be excess with freedom. We believe parents should police their kids online activity, including their exposure to social media, not Congress or regulators, Brandon said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
JENNINGS, La. (KLFY)  Two people were hospitalized Saturday after a high-speed chase led by a stolen car ended with a crash in Jeff Davis Parish, authorities said.

According to the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriffs Office, deputies were alerted Saturday by the Acadia Parish Sheriffs Office of a stolen green Dodge Charger westbound on I-10. JPSO said deputies observed the vehicle traveling at a high speed and began pursuit. Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the vehicle fled.

After several miles of pursuit, the vehicle was successfully spiked on La. 102 near La. 26. The vehicle continued on westbound La. 102 crossing La. 26 airborne over the roadway, then crashed into two parked vehicles near Hathaway High School.

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Both occupants were taken to the hospital and remain hospitalized, authorities said. Their names or conditions were not released.

Louisiana State Police assisted in the crash investigation. Charges are pending on both the driver and passenger.

Latest news

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A senior from Hillsboros St. Stephens Academy has been named Oregons 2024 Poetry Out Loud champion.

Katie Lineburg received the top score at Saturdays contest, organized by the Oregon Arts Commission in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts.

Katie exuded a confidence beyond her years, said Dr. S. Renee Mitchell, who served as one of the State Contest judges. As soon as she stepped on stage, her presence was magnetic. She had just the right mix of interpretation and emotional expression that made you want to lean in and pay attention. She didnt just interpret the poets words; she embodied them with a skill beyond her years of creative expression.

Pacific Northwest cities top best place to have happy, healthy dogs list

Lineburg memorized and performed The Pulley by George Herbert and Beginning by James Wright. She says she loves poetry because it allows her to connect with people and express emotions in a deeper way.

She even has a message for students who are finding their passion.

Maybe their teachers are encouraging them to do something they dont want to. Whether its poetry or choir or its a certain assignment, something they dont feel like is their thing, try it out, Lineburg suggested. Because your teachers have a lot of wisdom and you might find a passion that you didnt even know that you had.

Oregons new House speaker to talk results of short legislative session

She will now represent Oregon at the national Poetry Out Loud competition in Washington D.C. in April.

Brooklyn Carr Heuer, a West Linn High School sophomore, was named runner-up. She would be invited to represent Oregon in the national competition should Lineburg be unable to attend.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Around 140,000 people died in Hiroshima and 74,000 in Nagasaki when the United States dropped atomic bombs on the cities (Richard A. Brooks)

"Oppenheimer" had a glittering night at the Oscars but in Hiroshima, devastated by the first nuclear bomb in 1945, the film about the weapon's creator is harder to stomach.

"Is this really a movie that people in Hiroshima can bear to watch?" said Kyoko Heya, president of the Japanese city's international film festival, on Monday after the blockbuster won seven Academy Awards including best picture.

Christopher Nolan also picked up best director for the biopic, which was a huge hit worldwide last summer -- except in Japan, where it was absent from cinemas.

There was no official statement at the time, fuelling speculation that sensitivities around the subject matter had kept the film off Japanese screens.

Around 140,000 people died in Hiroshima and 74,000 in Nagasaki when the United States dropped atomic bombs on the cities, days before the end of World War II.

The mega-budget "Oppenheimer" will finally be released in Japan on March 29, but Heya has organised a special screening on Tuesday for high school students.

The 69-year-old told AFP in the city's Peace Memorial Park near the bomb's hypocentre that she had found Nolan's movie "very America-centric".

In the park, the ruins of a domed building stand as a stark reminder of the horrors of the attack, along with a museum and other sombre memorials.

Heya was at first "terrified" about the prospect of screening it in Hiroshima, today a thriving metropolis of 1.2 million people.

But eventually, she stopped questioning her decision.

"I now want many people to watch the movie, because I'd be happy to see Hiroshima, Nagasaki and atomic weapons become the subject of discussions thanks to this movie," she said.

- 'Not unaccountable' -

A screening will also be held in Nagasaki before the film's official release date.

Yu Sato, a 22-year-old student at Hiroshima City University, said she felt "a bit scared" about how bomb survivors and their families would react to the Oscar-winning film.

"I have mixed feelings, to be honest," said Sato, who works with the survivors through her studies.

"Oppenheimer created the atomic bomb, which means he made this world a very scary place," she said.

"Even if he did not intend to kill many people, he cannot be seen as completely unaccountable."

Director Nolan has said he was inspired to make "Oppenheimer" after stumbling upon a Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who oversaw the invention of the atomic bomb.

The film became a sensation last year when it was released on the same day as "Barbie", spawning countless viral memes about the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon.

But those jokes sparked anger online in Japan, the only country to have suffered a wartime nuclear attack, and social media users were also quick to react to the "Oppenheimer" Oscars sweep.

One user on X, formerly Twitter, called the movie's seven victories "overwhelming", asking: "What is this strength? It must be one heck of a masterpiece."

Another questioned its frame of reference.

"Maybe it's time someone made a film about atomic bombs from the perspective of Japan or a Japanese person."

oh-kaf/ssy
By Irene Wang

HIROSHIMA (Reuters) - Half a world away from Hollywood, citizens in Hiroshima, Japan, reacted to the best picture win for "Oppenheimer", the blockbuster that depicted the race to develop the atom bomb that devastated their city 78 years ago.

The biopic about physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer took in seven Oscars at Sunday night's Academy Awards after grossing $954 million worldwide. But the film has yet to screen in Japan, the only country to have suffered nuclear bombing, with U.S. strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki near the end of World War Two.

"I myself would definitely like to watch this movie," said Yasuhiro Akiyama, a 43-year-old teacher.

"I hope more people around the world who have seen the movie would want to visit Hiroshima and come to the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome," he added.

"Oppenheimer" will finally open in Japan on March 29, about eight months after its debut. The opening last summer came just weeks before memorials of the blasts that claimed more than 200,000 lives.

Controversies over the film's content, which some criticized as glossing over the human toll of the bombings, and marketing cast doubt on whether the film would get shown in Japan.

Many Japanese were offended by a fan-created "Barbenheimer" campaign online that linked the movie to "Barbie", another blockbuster that opened around the same time.

Teruko Yahata, a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing, last week told Reuters that she was eager see "Oppenheimer" and hoped it would reinvigorate debate over nuclear weapons.

That sentiment was echoed by several Hiroshima residents interviewed after the film reaped Oscar gold.

"I think it's important to have a peaceful world where people no longer fight each other, so I hope this movie will give everyone an opportunity to learn about peace," said Miyuki Hirano, a 44-year-old nurse.

Yoshito Ihara said he doubted nuclear-armed nations would ever let go of the weapons, but he hoped the movie could educate individuals and motivate them to press for change.

"I have not seen the movie, but I think it's a chance for ordinary Japanese people to learn (about the bombing)," said Iwata, a 63-year-old real estate agent. "I think it is an issue every single person in the world must continue to fight against."

(Reporting by Irene Wang in Hiroshima, Writing by Rocky Swift in Tokyo, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
BELMONT, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A historic home named for a prominent African American educator was sold in Belmont on Feb. 29.

According to Preservation North Carolina, Joseph and Panagiota Melchiors of Chicago purchased the Charles Bynum Reid House in the citys Lincoln Park neighborhood. The Raleigh-based organization says the house, at 301 Sacco St., is the last remnant of Reid High School, established by the namesake of the house.

2 men in stolen truck flee after breaking into cars at Belmont hotel: Police

We are thrilled this important African American property  is now protected and in the hands of the Melchiors, Preserve NC wrote. Were looking forward to seeing the revival of this significant property!

The 1,721-square-foot home was listed for $289,900. The 103-year-old house sits on a 0.35-acre lot adjacent to Reid Park and less than a mile from downtown.

Preserve NC says Reid was born in 1879 in the village of Lowell to Mag and John Reid, one of eight children born to his formerly enslaved parents. In 1918, at the age of 38, he married another Gaston County schoolteacher, Maude Herndon, and the couple built their craftsman bungalow in Belmont.

Reid commissioned a school to be built adjacent to their home, initially named the Reid School, which included instruction through the sixth grade. In time, the school was expanded to include grades 1-12 and was renamed Reid High School in 1932.

Reid died in 1940 and the school was closed in 1966 with the buildings on its campus quickly destroyed. Today, the site remains open to the public as a community park and features a sculpture entitled The Message to honor the role of the school in Belmonts Black community.

Preserve NC says the house will require a comprehensive rehabilitation that preserves original architectural features such as windows, molding, mantels and built-in cabinetry.

Ancestors of the Reid family pose with the new owners of the Charles Reid house in Belmont recently. (Photo courtesy of Kathleen Golding Boyce)

Give all the members credit

Oscar Reid, who was part of the locally based CJB Foundation, that worked to sell the old house, said he gives credit to Jack Thompson and Preservation NC for their efforts. Oscar Reid said his family worked to keep the house intact.

He said hes pleased with the Illinois family and after meeting with his new neighbors, called them down-to-earth and wonderful people.

Over time, Oscar Reid said his family hoped to keep the house from getting knocked down and rebuilt. After years of family members passing it down to him (Charles Reid and Vera Hailey died in the past few years), he worked with Preservation NC to find a new buyer.

Former Belmont Abbey hoopster recalls secret exhibition game against J.C. Smith

My brother Charles had taken care of it, Oscar Reid said. It was his dream to keep it going, but it didnt happen.

Oscar Reid said he hopes the Melchiors will be able to enjoy the house for years to come.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul banned the use of long guns by National Guardsmen she sent to check bags at Big Apple subway stations  as she continued to defend the controversial deployment.

Hochul issued the ban on military-grade rifles immediately after 750 troops were deployed to the subway system, a spokesperson told The Post Sunday.

After the deployment began last week, straphangers entering the subway were greeted by camouflaged and gun-toting soldiers at bag-search checkpoints in a sight reminiscent of the city after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

National Guard troops at bag search checkpoints in the NYC subway will no longer carry heavy assault weapons. Getty Images

The move led to complaints that state leaders were militarizing the subway system, and NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell accused Hochul of treating the subways like a war zone.

Stop the theater! wrote former Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik in a post on X, adding that the NYPD knows their job and should be left to do it.

Under Hochuls new directive, some guardsmen will still be armed with assault weapons at certain postings throughout the subway, but will not carry them at the actual bag checkpoints.

Commuters voiced support Sunday afternoon for the National Guard presence  but said they also agreed with Hochuls decision to leave the assault rifles behind.

Overall, I do approve of the National Guard on the subway. We all know there is violent crime on the subway and it needs to be stopped, Peter Luciano, 37, told The Post.

But the guns are unnecessary. To me, its just a display. They have no intention of using them. Its for fear. Its excessive and unnecessary.

Brooklyn teacher Jazmine Diggs, 26, also said the move by Hochul made her feel safer, but didnt think the firearms were needed.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has stood behind her deployment of the National Guard, saying commuters no longer feel safe. Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com

What if someone grabs it from them and starts shooting? Diggs said.

Daniella Pavon, 28, added: I dont think that kind of a weapon should be used in such a crowded space. I do like having them [National Guard] here, I feel more protected if anything happens.

Troops first appeared in the subways on Wednesday to conduct random bag checks in a major show of force that Hochul said would help solve the crisis of crime in the subways.

These brazen, heinous attacks on our subway system will not be tolerated, Hochul said.

No one heading to their job or to visit family or go to a doctor appointment should worry that the person sitting next to them possesses a deadly weapon, the governor added.

They shouldnt worry about whether someones going to brandish a knife or gun. Thats what were going to do with these checkpoints.

Hochul has hit back at critics, arguing the average commuter is feeling high levels of anxiety on the system and that the National Guard will help supplement the NYPDs efforts to keep the subway safe.

Straphangers are subject to random bag searches if they want to enter the subway system at some major stations. ZUMAPRESS.com

It is more of just a physical presence where you can see  if youre feeling anxious and you feel safer when you see someone that could protect you if you need help. If you need help, someone is there, the governor said in a WBLS 107.5 FM interview Sunday.

We had an unusual spike of crimes, high-profile crimes, frightening crimes, she went on. Everyones thinking, That could have been me. And they may be deterred from going on the trains and using the subway, and thats exactly the opposite of what we want to have happen. We want people to feel safe and be safe.

Subway crime spiked 45% in January compared to the same month a year prior  but dropped 15% in February, which Mayor Eric Adams credited to new NYPD patrols on the subway.

Crime on the subway is up 13% overall for the year, according to NYPD statistics.

Hochuls deployment of the National Guard is part of a larger five-point plan to make the subways safer, which includes:

Influx of 1,000 National Guardsmen, state and MTA cops.

Law to allow judges to ban transit assault perps from trains, buses.

Installation of CCTV cameras in all train cars, conductor cabins.

Better coordination between NYPD and district attorneys to thwart recidivists.

$20 million to expand Subway Co-Response Outreach mental health teams.

Additional reporting by Vaughn Golden and Carl Campanile
The Home Office is dysfunctional and in urgent need of reform, the recently-sacked independent borders inspector has told the BBC's Today Podcast.

David Neal said immigration failures went to the top of the department.

In one example, he said a lack of radios for border gate officers at Heathrow was "madness".

The Home Office said: "A programme of work is already well under way to reform and strengthen Border Force's capabilities."

Mr Neal is the most senior independent voice with detailed knowledge of the Home Office to publicly criticise its handling of migration in recent times.

The government sacked him last month, saying he had leaked confidential information, after he told journalists of his concerns that the Border Force was failing to carry out proper security checks on private jets.

The latest statement from the Home Office said Mr Neal had "had his appointment terminated after he had leaked sensitive information he was told was inaccurate and as a result lost the confidence of the home secretary".

At the time of his sacking, 15 of Mr Neal's reports were being withheld from publication by the Home Office, the oldest dating back almost 18 months. Thirteen have now been put online.

Speaking to the Today Podcast in his first broadcast interview since he was fired, Mr Neal said he had regularly found that failings within the immigration system came down to cock-up rather than conspiracy - and too few officials at the Home Office were prepared to take responsibility.

"This is just poor Home Office activity," he said.

"I think there is a culture within the Home Office that means that they [immigration officials] are 'blaming up' to ministers."

When he had raised his findings with senior officials, he said he had sometimes received a "rolls eyes" expression which he took to mean that civil servants felt their hands had been tied by "beastly" home secretaries.

"You can't get away with that in the army," said the former head of the Royal Military Police.

"You don't complain about the situation, you deal with the world as it is, not as you hope it to be."

He said he had seen "again and again, in so many areas, senior officials who just don't get it it comes down to this challenge in the Home Office of policy people versus operational people.

"And this doesn't cost a lot. We're not talking about, sort of, super postgrads here. We're talking about normal people who have experience of delivery.

"It goes right to the top if you're going to be responsible for a department, if you're going to be accountable for the outputs of your department, then clearly it goes right up to the Permanent Secretary."

One of his long-unpublished reports into e-Passport gates revealed that Heathrow Border Force officers tasked with roving around incoming passengers did not have radios to raise the alarm with colleagues.

"We're in this ridiculous position where the front line of defence at the eighth busiest airport in the world, the attention of officers... is attracted to their colleagues by whistling or waving - which is absolute madness," he said.

"I'm pretty sure that the public would think that is appalling."

The Home Office's published response to that report said it had "partially accepted" Mr Neal's recommendation for more radios - but it has not been clear whether all officers will get them.

Border Force at Heathrow Airport

Mr Neal said that over the course of 18 months, four different officials had been in charge of the Home Office's crisis-beset emergency asylum accommodation plans.

"That's absolute madness in terms of accountability."

Of his own role, he said: "It's a really important role of the independent inspector to bring to the attention of those in power what's going on.

"One of the frustrations that I've had is that I've not had access to ministers as quickly as I should have done."

When he inspected facilities for children brought ashore from English Channel small boats in 2021, his warning that the conditions were worse than facilities for detained Taliban terrorists in Afghanistan were taken seriously, but he said the then Home Secretary Priti Patel never found time to meet him - and her successor, Suella Braverman, only did so twice.

Mr Neal said that he had hoped to develop a better working relationship with James Cleverly, the current home secretary - and that evidence disclosed to an ongoing asylum court case showed the minister had approved his re-appointment from April, before it was then blocked by Downing Street. Those events had occurred before the row that led to his sacking, he said.

Mr Neal said: "The Home Office is dysfunctional. The Home Office needs reform. The prime minister, when he was running for leader of the [Conservative] Party, one of his 10 points was fundamental reform of Border Force.

"I've been sacked. So there'll be no scrutiny of small boats, there'll be no scrutiny of adults at risk in immigration detention, which is a controversial area. There will be no publishing of the Rwanda material."

The Home Office said: "It is the job of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration to identify challenges in our system, including those proposed by Border Force, so we can take action to address them."

Each of the reports by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration "will only be a snapshot" of what was happening and "will not reflect the changes we make as a result of their findings", the statement said.

It added the work the Home Office, Border Force and the NCA were doing with international partners to stop the boats was already having a return with small boat arrivals down by a third when Mr Neal was sacked.
Mario Fonseca, who has been homeless for 15 years, rests while pulling a cart with his belongings after he was removed in a sweep of a homeless encampment in Southeast Austin near East Slaughter Lane and Onion Creek, Monday March 4. (Credit: Jay Janner/American-Statesman)

Re: March 6 commentary: 'What good did that do?' Homeless people scramble after sudden camp demolition | Grumet'

With regard to the raid of the homeless camp at Brandt Road, whose idea was it to raid the camp and not afford those residents a chance to change their own life? Had to be someone who had no regard for humans or homeless persons, who are humans, regardless of what you might think of them.

Did someone believe that homelessness is a choice, or a decision to not make a choice? When we start to think that these people are vermin who need to be eradicated, we are no longer human.

Tomas Garza, Manchaca

As fentanyl devastates more families,

Forever 15 Project spreads awareness

Project aims to Every week we see media coverage of the evolving fentanyl crisis as it devastates families across Texas  including mine. I started the Forever 15 Project to spread awareness after losing my son in 2021 to fentanyl poisoning, and Im driven every day by my goal: to provide information and resources to the Central Texas community to prevent families from going through similar heartbreak.

The speed, duration and high potency of fentanyl is terrifying, and it makes up 96% of all opioid deaths in Texas. Im excited to partner with cities as we adapt to provide accessible solutions, like working toward the installation of boxes in public parks with opioid reversal agents. Innovation in the biopharmaceutical space to treat opioid overdose, particularly synthetic opioids, is welcome news, and I encourage our elected leaders to make all FDA-approved treatments available. We need all the tools we can get to save lives.

Janel Rodriguez, founder of The Forever 15 Project

Until St. Edward's acknowledges its

errors, there won't be improvement

Re: Feb. 29 article, 'We are here': St. Edward's University students call for pride flag to be reinstated'

After the reporting about the removal of the pride flag from the coffeehouse at St Edward's University, the president and the board sent out self-congratulatory messages about how wonderful the administrations policies are. That response is completely false and exhibits blind arrogance from the administration. Until the errors are acknowledged and sincere apologies are extended to the injured parties, conditions will not improve.

No matter how often the school uses its marketing and public relations power to misrepresent its actions, its behavior continues to show an intention to conceal its failures. As a neighbor, as an alumnus, and as a member of the community that pays to support this schools infrastructure, I am severely disappointed when the school fails to meet expectations. When errors are made in staffing and in specific actions, no improvement can be expected until the errors are acknowledged and corrected. Covering up the errors does not lead to improvement. A change in direction is needed.

Jon David Swann, Austin

There should be no doubt when

sentencing one to the death penalty

A call for Once again, in the case of Ivan Cantu last week, Texas may have executed an innocent man. Just as in the case of Rodney Reed condemned to death in Bastrop County, there are doubts of guilt.

This is why it makes so much sense to change the legal requirements for the death penalty: if guilt in a capital case cannot be proven beyond the 'shadow of a doubt' instead of 'reasonable doubt,' punishment should be life-without-parole. Sure, 'shadow' is subjective; so is 'reasonable.'

Eugene Czora, Cedar Creek

Schools face grim forecast as Abbott

spends taxpayer money on his projects

Re: March 5 article, 'School districts face grim budget season"

Why is Greg Abbott bankrupting our public schools? As stated in the March 5 Statesman article School Districts Face Grim Budget Season, our public schools will face budget deficits. Money seems to be no problem for Abbotts pet projects - Operation Lone Star and school vouchers, yet when it comes to educating our children and providing fair wages for our teachers, there is never any money.

Instead of playing tough guy, Abbott needs to reconsider his priorities and stop spending taxpayer dollars on projects that are not solving any problems.

Peggy Aschenbeck, Austin

A harsh ripple effect leads to a hike

in local taxes, all according to plan

This is playing out just exactly as Greg Abbott planned. Make local school districts pick up the funding because the state failed again to enact legislation for proper funding. This in turn causes local taxes to be raised, which creates a backlash toward public education. All according to Abbott's plan to make public education suffer because he didn't get his way with taxpayer dollars for private education.

Over 70% of the voters don't want his proposal  this shows how out of step (Abbott) is with public opinion on this topic. Any Texas public schoolteacher who voted for him needs to get out of the profession. You're delusional and not helping anybody.

Tip Giles, Austin

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Homeless people are human, too. They deserve better. | Letters
My name is Abdallah Aljazzar, I am 24 years old and I live in Gaza. Many of us are starting to plan our departure from here to start a new life in other countries. Im not sure where I will end up, but I know I have to get out. Aljazzar, an English literature graduate, has never set foot outside Gaza, like much of his generation. For weeks now he has been displaced with over a million other Palestinians in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip, and spends the day looking for food for his family.

Aljazzar has lost more than 30 relatives since the bombing began in October, and his house is a pile of rubble. He feels he cant go on any longer. He estimates he needs AUD$20,000 (about $13,230) to cross the border into Egypt, spend a few weeks in Cairo, fly to Australia and live there for the first three months. I belong to an organization of young writers in Gaza and I have a mentor who lives there, she will help me with the visa and will also give me an invitation so that it will be easier for me to be accepted by the authorities, he explains to this newspaper by WhatsApp. For now, he has only raised just over $2,500. I fear I have asked for too much. There is no deadline to get the money, but the war can kill me at a moments notice. If I manage to escape, I will be able to get the rest of my family out and we will start a new life somewhere else, he says.

The announcement a month ago by the Israeli authorities of a ground operation in Rafah that will force the evacuation of those already displaced in the area, increasing hunger in the absence of sufficient humanitarian aid, and the desperation generated by five months of war, have caused thousands of Gazans to attempt to leave the territory at any cost. Many hope to raise the money through crowdfunding campaigns, with desperate messages in English multiplying every week.

Abdallah Aljazzar, a 24-year-old Gazan, with his younger brothers. Cedida por Abdallah Aljazzar

The aim is to raise the amount demanded by opaque networks of intermediaries who facilitate their passage through Rafah, the border crossing with Egypt. This is the tansiq (coordination, in Arabic), as they call the operation that consists of a criminal group bribing the authorities to ensure that a specific name is included among the 250 on the daily list of the Egyptian police at the crossing. The list has existed for years, but getting on it used to cost between $300 and $600.

Since October, the vast majority of Palestinians who had a foreign passport or sufficient purchasing power to pay the facilitators themselves have fled Gaza through Rafah. Those that remain have no other choice and  in a territory where more than 50% of the population was poor before the war  the only solution to flee Gaza now to is to resort to collections and micro-patronage.

Paying this network of intermediaries does not automatically mean passage into Egypt, but the possibility of doing so in the days to come, explain Gazans who know the system. The more you pay, the faster the process. The amount demanded depends on who you are, how much of a hurry you are in, your contacts or political leanings, and other considerations. In January, the cost ranged from $4,500 to $11,000. Today, it is between $7,000 and $12,000, according to different testimonies. Aljazzar calculates that in his case, the payment of this bribe will be around $5,000. It is the cruelty of the law of supply and demand, under the threat of an imminent military invasion, as reiterated last Thursday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Whoever tells us not to operate in Rafah, is telling us to lose the war  and that will not happen.

Another challenge is payment. The Israeli blockade of the Strip, in place since 2007, and measures to prevent Hamas from endowing itself with funds make trade with Gaza difficult. The war has done the rest. At the moment, there are endless queues at the few ATMs still operating in Rafah and in front of the Western Union offices that are still active. As a result, those who organize the collections use family and friends overseas to get the money directly or indirectly to the intermediaries in Cairo.

More money, faster

Crowdfunding platforms are flooded with cases like Aljazzars: a photo, a brief history of the person explaining who they are, where they are and what their aspirations are, and a rundown of the expenses they have to meet. A simple search with the word Gaza on the largest one, GoFundMe, brings up more than 500 results. Every week more are added.

Asma Aldada is 27 and has a petition on GoFundMe: When the [Israeli ground] incursion into Rafah was announced, we understood that there was no place left for us. We dont want to be displaced again. Just to return to our homes that we know nothing about. At the beginning of the war, I was against those who left Gaza and abandoned the link to the land and the sumud [perseverance, an important value in Palestinian nationalism], but now I am afraid for my family and the war is not going to end. We dont want to end up in the street, thats why I decided to start this petition, she tells EL PAIS via WhatsApp messages.

There are six people in her family and they sleep in a plastic tent. When it rains, the water comes in from underneath and soaks the clothes that are on the floor, she says. Some of them fled from their house in the capital, Gaza City, with just two changes of clothes in their bag. Aldada has gone from flying to Jordan last year to represent Palestine with her handicraft project (Gaza handmade) to surviving on humanitarian aid and what her mother is able to cook in a clay oven, for lack of gas and electricity. We buy water to drink and to wash ourselves. We even drink salt water, she says. She is trying to raise almost $55,000 so that the six of them can leave. So far, she has raised $390.

Her WhatsApp messages contrast with her humor on Instagram, where she simulates the videos in which celebrities and influencers summarize their day. She narrates in first person her day in Gaza: she took daddys Land Rover (a cart pulled by a donkey), to the mall to buy Prada and Adidas (second-hand clothes on the streets of Rafah) and at Carrefour (the black market) she bought onions at 50 shekels a kilo (over $14 at prices inflated by the lack of food).

Asma Aldada, before the war, in an image provided by her.

Aldadas mention of the sumud refers to the dilemma posed by these initiatives: trying to save your life and that of your loved ones feeds the criminal groups that profit from desperation and turns the right to survive into a question of money, connections in foreign countries, or mastery of English. It also reinforces the Israeli far-rights idea of a Gaza empty of Palestinians and with Jewish settlements like those evacuated in 2005. In recent months, there has been talk in Israel of voluntary emigration, a euphemism for forcing Palestinians to leave Gaza, without expelling them directly. The Minister of Legacy, Amichai Eliyahu, has even provoked laughter by presenting it as a way for Gazans who wish to improve where they live and another, Shlomo Karhi, head of Communications, has pointed out that the war itself will make many Gazans want to leave.

Even when the war is over, its hard to imagine what life in Gaza will be like in the future, Aljazzar says, almost apologizing for wanting to flee. In recent weeks, most of the contacts made with Gazans end up on the financial issue. The distressed people ask for help with less and less modesty and insist that their plea for crowdfunding be spread.

Like Tamer Ashraf, 20. He is seeking to raise 100,000 Swiss francs (around $114,000) through a friend in Switzerland to get 11 members of his family out. Its a lot, but necessary to escape this genocide, especially before the land invasion of Rafah, he says.

Among the reasons he gives via WhatsApp for leaving, he cites treating wounds on a foot and a hand, and the foreseeable invasion of Rafah, but above all to save himself from what he considers certain death. I wouldnt leave my country and my homeland if it wasnt the only way to survive. And to survive, you need a lot of money, he sums up. Ashraf complains that the price to cross the border changes every day and can already exceed $10,000 per person.

This is also the case for Ibrahim. A medical student, he is asking for $27,000 to finish his degree overseas and since December he has raised $7,000. Im very tired. I wish someone I know would see my request and decide to support me with the rest of the money, he tells this newspaper in a faltering phone call from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

And that of Feras Alkhateeb, who explains via Instagram direct messages that he needs whatever it takes to leave with his family and, at the moment, for the rented accommodation he has found in Zawaida, also in central Gaza, after having to flee his home in the capital. The landlord is going to kick me out soon because I cant pay him, he laments.
(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kongs top security official sought to reassure lawmakers that business activities in the finance hub wont be affected by new external interference offenses included in security legislation being fast-tracked by the government.

Most Read from Bloomberg

When questioned about planned offenses related to external interference on Sunday, Secretary for Security Chris Tang said authorities would weigh a number of factors. These are collaborating with an external force, intent to cause interference and the use of improper means  including the knowing use of false representation or violence.

His comments came after lawmaker Jeffrey Lam asked if the draft law would implicate overseas companies criticizing government policy and working with local businesses. Regina Ip, another legislator, asked if cooperating with foreign think tanks would be problematic.

If were talking purely commercial collaboration, even if theres collaboration with an external force, as long as there is no intent to bring about an interference effect and use of improper means then it will be fine, Tang said.

An EU spokesperson on Friday criticized what it says are sweeping stipulations on external interference in the draft law. Such offenses come with a maximum penalty of 14 years under the bill.

The Q&A sessions are part of a series of bills committee meetings held to scrutinize the legislation, which was gazetted on Friday. The government is speeding up the process after Chinese leaders attending the National Peoples Congress in Beijing urged the laws passing.

Read more: Hong Kong Fast-Tracks New Security Law at Beijings Urging

By Monday evening, the lawmakers had gone through about half of the 181 clauses of the bill after three full days of hearings. Members of the legislature will vote on the proposal after the bills committee finishes going through the 212-page bill clause by clause. Further sessions have been scheduled for this week.

The bill reading came days after a month-long public consultation on the legislation concluded. Officials acknowledged concern by the public in feedback received during the consultation period and vowed to clearly define the offenses to ensure that they precisely target acts endangering national security.

Approval of the legislation isnt in doubt after authorities previously took steps to ensure only patriots could stand for elections. The new law will provide authorities with a wider range tools to minimize dissent in the city, following the imposition of a China-drafted security law in 2020 in the wake of pro-democracy protests.

Hong Kongs decision to pass its own security law risks inflaming geopolitical tensions with other major economies. The implementation of the 2020 law provoked a harsh backlash by Western leaders, with the US imposing sanctions on a number of Hong Kong officials, including the citys leader John Lee  who was then the security chief.

The British consulate in Hong Kong said Friday it is monitoring the bill closely and urged the citys authorities to allow time for proper legislative scrutiny. A spokesperson for the US consulate said the country will examine the final law to understand implications for US citizens, investments, and companies operating in Hong Kong.

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Terry Spidell, Bill Malcuit and Jim Ecenbarger, from left, at the New Philadelphia Airport after returning from a canoe trip from Dover to New Orleans. Charlie Jones is also pictured in the yellow polo shirt, as is Louie Dreher in white shirt at far right.

In the summer of 1964, three young men from Strasburg went on the adventure of a lifetime, taking a 2,000-mile canoe trip from Dover to New Orleans.

Along the way, they sparked an intensive search in Missouri when authorities thought they had drowned in the Mississippi River; were treated royally by tugboat captains; and got a frosty reception in one Southern town when residents thought they were civil rights workers.

The three  Terry Spidell and Bill Malcuit, then age 17; and Jim Ecenbarger, then age 20  left Dover on June 14, 1964.

"Bill Malcuit and I hung out together," said Spidell, who still lives in Strasburg. "We were talking about things to do during the summer between our junior and senior year in school. We really didn't come up with anything. His dad (contractor William 'Red' Malcuit) was the one that came up going to New Orleans with the canoe."

Jim Ecenbarger, left, Bill Malcuit and Terry Spidell pose for a picture before embarking for New Orleans from Dover by canoe.

The elder Malcuit outfitted them with a 20-foot aluminum canoe that weighed 117 pounds and would float in 4 inches of water.

Mishap on the Muskingum

They canoed down the Tuscarawas River to Coshocton, where they purchased a 6 horsepower motor that had a 360 swivel on it. It fit right on the side of the canoe. "We got to Coshocton and realized after the blisters on our hands, we weren't going to make it 2,000 miles," Spidell said.

From there, they traveled down the Muskingum River to Marietta. They portaged around most the dams on the river, but at one, they decided to go over the dam, recalled Ecenbarger, who now lives at Atwood Lake. The canoe crashed on the lip of the dam, buckling the watercraft.

Bill Malcuit, left, holds a turtle while Jim Ecenbarger holds a bird during their canoe trip from Dover to New Orleans.

"We had to pound out the sides of the canoe to keep going. We took stones and pounded it straight again and then took off," he said.

At Marietta, they entered the Ohio River, traveling down until it joined the Mississippi. They reached the Mississippi on July 4.

Authorities fear they had drowned

The trio created quite a stir during a stop outside Caruthersville, in what is known as the bootheel of southern Missouri.

It was rough and windy on the Mississippi, so the three young men decided to stay there all day, Spidell recalled. They unloaded the canoe, leaving their equipment on the riverbank, and headed back to Caruthersville to watch a movie, taking the canoe with them. Then they stayed all night at a motel in town. When they came back in the morning, all of their stuff was gone, including a .22 caliber pistol and sawed-off shotgun Ecenbarger had brought along.

A dam is successfully crossed by Bill Malcuit and Jim Ecenbarger during a canoe trip from Dover to New Orleans.

"A guy had a fish line down through that area, and he found our stuff on the bank. He picked it up and took it to the police station," Spidell said.

The Pemiscot County sheriff and the Coast Guard launched a search for the three, fearing that they had drowned. They also notified the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office on July 6. Later, the owner of the motel told authorities of their whereabouts after hearing about the searching.

The three continued their journey down the Mississippi, unaware of what was going on. "When we got to the next town, Malcuit was supposed to call his mom every so often. So, he called her, and she was in tears because the Missouri sheriff said we had drowned," Ecenbarger said.

He never got his weapons back.

Because the canoe was so small, they weren't allowed to travel through locks on the river by themselves. They had to wait for larger boats to show up. The tugboat captains would welcome them aboard and feed them.

They had some unusual occurrences along the way. "One night, we were camped in this field," Ecenbarger said. "It was pretty dark out. We slept close together. Malcuit reached over and tapped me, and said, 'There's something breathing on my face.' I got out the flashlight, and here it was a big old Brahma bull standing over top of him. We got out of that field and camped in another spot."

Stop in a Southern town

They stopped in one Southern community where they did not receive a warm welcome initially.

"We stopped in this town, and walked up into the town and went to a restaurant to eatWe went in and sat down," Ecenbarger recalled. "We sat there and sat there, never got waited on. People would come in. They would wait on them. They would eat and leave. We got up and left.

"Then there was an Army surplus store. We went into it. We walked around and looked at stuff. We saw that the guy who owned the place kept following us. So, when we went to leave, we decided we'd ask him what the problem was. He said, we don't like civil rights people. We didn't dress up. We had raggedy shorts on. After they found out what we were really doing, they were real happy."

Jim Ecenbarger and Bill Malcuit prepare to canoe down another dam on their trip from Dover, Ohio to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Shortly before this incident, three civil rights workers had been tortured and murdered in Mississippi by the Ku Klux Klan on June 21, 1964.

Arrival in New Orleans

Eventually, the three travelers arrived safely in New Orleans after a 31-day journey.

While they were making the trip, Malcuit's father, Red Malcuit, asked Chuck and Shirley Garber of Strasburg to drive to Louisiana to pick them up. The Garbers left their four children with Chuck's mother and headed south in their station wagon on July 16.

When the Garbers got to New Orleans, they went to the police station to ask about the trio. The police had no information on them. They then checked with the Coast Guard and found out the three had gone to a motel.

"So I go up to the front desk," Chuck Garber recalled. "I saw these two guys sitting on the floor, and I didn't think anything of it. I went over and I asked if they had Billy Malcuit, Terry Spidell and Jim Ecenbarger. And Billy said, 'Hey Chuck, who are you looking for?' I looked around, and it was Billy. He was sunburned, really bad. His hair was a different color because of being out in the sun all the time, and he had a beard. I didn't know him."

Traveling back to Ohio with a monkey

The drive back home also was an adventure, because the young men decided to buy a monkey while they were in New Orleans. They paid $19 for it. "He was wild. He'd bite the heck out of you," Spidell said. The monkey would get on the steering wheel of the car and look out the window while they were driving.

Jim Ecenbarger is pictured holding a monkey purchased by Terry Spidell in New Orleans for $19 after they, along with Bill Malcuit, successfully canoed from Dover to New Orleans.

"They left it loose in the car and it would crawl over my shoulders, and I would sit there with goose pimples. Get the monkey away from me," Shirley Garber recalled.

The group decided to stop at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky for a tour. They cracked the windows on the car for the monkey, but they neglected to remove its collar and leash. When they got back, they found that the monkey's leash got tangled up under the steering wheel and the monkey hung itself. They buried the animal somewhere in Kentucky.

A hero's welcome

When the trio got back to Tuscarawas County on July 21, they received a hero's welcome. They were met at Harry Clever Field in New Philadelphia and joined a caravan headed back to Strasburg. The caravan was made up of Strasburg's fire engine, sheriff's cruisers and around 50 cars.

John Studer, Mayor of Strasburg, at right, presents Terry Spidell, left, Jim Ecenbarger, center, and Bill Malcuit with the key to the city.

At the Strasburg fire station  which was decorated with a 50-foot sign prepared by several young people in the community  they received the key to the village from Mayor John Studer and an achievement plaque from William Dreher, president of the booster club.

Terry Spidell, left, Bill Malcuit, and Jim Ecenbarger are pictured after returning from their canoe trip from Dover to New Orleans.

Spidell said he no longer has the key to the village, and the canoe was stolen after their return.

Bill Malcuit died Dec. 28, 2019, at age 72.

Strasburg resident Terry Spidell talks about his experience canoeing to New Orleans from Dover with friends in 1964. Pictured at left is his wife.

"Looking back at that time, it didn't seem that daring," Spidell said. "But looking at it now, I'd never let my kid do that. It was Red Malcuit's idea, and I'm so glad we did it. I learned a lot."

Jon Baker is a reporter for The Times-Reporter and can be reached at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: 1964 canoe trip from Dover to New Orleans was filled with adventures
YORK  The York Land Trust and the Center for Wildlife recently held a sold-out Owl Prowl Night at Near Point Preserve.

Approximately two dozen adults and children enjoyed learning about owl adaptations and habitats and were introduced to two non-releasable Center for Wildlife ambassadors before the group set out to search for wild owls on the trails.

The Owl Prowl is exactly the type of programming the York Land Trust likes to provide for the local community, said Amelia Nadilo, executive director of the York Land Trust. Getting out on our scenic trails, learning about the wildlife that our seven preserves protect, and participating in an interactive learning experience is what makes our partnership with the Center for Wildlife so special.

Bob Dale Jr., of the Center for Wildlife, holds Fern the Barred Owl at the York Land Trust.

The Center for Wildlife experts Bob Dale Jr. and Taylor Phillips presented a slideshow on owls before bringing out a 5-year-old eastern Screech Owl named Lucy, who came to the center in 2018 as a fledgling after she was taken from the wild as a baby when her nest was destroyed. Next up was a 5-year-old Barred Owl named Fern, who also arrived in 2018 after being struck by a vehicle and sustaining a permanent head injury. Barred Owls like to live near wetlands where they hunt their favorite prey, amphibians, and Screech Owls nest in tree cavities and favor areas near water.

We are thrilled to partner with the York Land Trust and are grateful for the extensive trail network and wildlife habitats they support, said Bob Dale, Jr., marketing and outreach coordinator for the Center for Wildlife. The Owl Prowl series is one of our favorites as we have the opportunity to inform and educate about owls and the vital role they play in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

Eleven species of owls live in or visit Maine for all or a portion of the year. The three most common owls in the state are Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Northern Saw-whet Owls. Many owls call York Land Trust properties their home as they require large expanses of unfragmented habitat to live and breed successfully. One of the York Land Trusts most popular preserves, Highland Farm Preserves Barred Owl trail, is a great place for owl sightings due to its proximity to the York River watershed.

The York Land Trust and Center for Wildlife are able to continue their crucial work in protecting wildlife and conserving land in the greater York region due to their loyal members and charitable giving.

For information on future Owl Prowl nights, visit www.thecenterforwildlife.org/events.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York Land Trust, Center for Wildlife partner for Owl Prowl Night
Port Huron is the newest location for a course created by the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan.

The next 2,000 people who register for upcoming 12-week hospitality training courses in Michigan could receive a $500 stipend upon completion.

The Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan has added Port Huron as a location for its Hospitality Business Management courses. The course aims to teach jobs skills and provide four industry standard certificates to its participants.

The course is valued at $2,500, according to its organizers. It is being offered at no cost to the next 2,000 people that register at any location and start date, now including Port Huron. Those 2,000 registrants are also eligible for a $500 stipend upon completion of the course.

Registration is required to participate in the course. Registration is open until 5 p.m. on March 22 and can be found at www.htim.com/stepup. The course is scheduled to begin in April.

Each course is capped at 45 participants.

While the course is aimed at people within the hospitality industry, anyone is welcome to register for it.

Port Huron now joins 21 other locations the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan has for its courses.

Students from the Livonia and Sterling Heights class for the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan's Hospitality Business Management course. Port Huron is the newest location for a hybrid formatted course.

"We try to put our classes geographically where people are signing up from, and we saw that a lot of people were coming from Port Huron," said Chris Woodruff, an instructor for the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan.

Woodruff will be the instructor for the Port Huron course.

The course will be a hybrid format, with the first week taking place in-person at the DoubleTree Hotel and then going online for the second week. The course will then switch back and forth from there.

The hybrid format also offers more flexibility for its participants.

Certificates earned in the all-encompassing course include ServSafe Manager, ServSafe Alcohol, Hospitality Supervisor and Guest Service Gold, which are nationally recognized certifications within the hospitality industry. In addition to the certificates, participants will receive unconscious bias, mental health and sexual harassment trainings.

"There's a huge need in Michigan for good quality hospitality industry leaders, and this program was designed specifically for that," Woodruff said.

Michigans hospitality industry creates nearly $44.6 billion in annual sales and is the states second largest private employer of nearly half a million residents. Woodruff said he is looking forward to teaching the Port Huron course because with it being such a touristy area, it is the perfect location for this type of program.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com.

Subscribe: Follow more stories in the Blue Water Area. Subscribe to the Port Huron Times Herald.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Port Huron course by Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The U.S. House of Representatives is likely to pass a bill this week that threatens to delete TikTok from your smartphone.

The legislation, supported by Democrats, Republicans and the White House, would order the Chinese-based company, ByteDance, to sell TikTok if it wants to remain available to app users in the U.S.

The problem isnt TikTok, said U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, (R-Fla.). The problem is the algorithm that powers it is controlled by a company in China that must do whatever the Chinese Communist Party tells them to do.

During a Senate hearing Monday, top intelligence officials warned ByteDances ownership of TikTok threatens national security. FBI Director Christopher Wray said that includes influencing elections and promoting conspiracy theories.

The different kinds of influence operations youre describing are extraordinarily difficult to detect, Wray said.

A House committee unanimously passed the bill Thursday.

That is impressive in nature in any instance, but particularly as it relates to something in the social media space, said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, (D-N.Y.).

In another rare move, Republicans plan to move it forward Wednesday for a vote in the full House, despite former president Donald Trump opposing the legislation.

If they pass it, Ill sign it, President Joe Biden said.

President Biden supports the bill, and the White House even helped craft it. However, the presidents reelection campaign also recently got on TikTok.

If the House passes the legislation, the Senate would then have to decide whether to send it to President Bidens desk. Upon his signature, ByteDance would have roughly six months to sell TikTok.

Previous efforts in Congress to implement an outright ban on TikTok didnt have White House backing. Lawmakers have passed legislation that now bans the app from government phones.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
(FOX40.COM)  Between Saturday night and Sunday morning, multiple fire agencies were called upon to tend to structure fires in Placer, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin counties.

According to social media, the Roseville Fire Department, Modesto Fire Department, and Stockton Fire were all asked to put out residential fires between Saturday and Sunday morning.

The Stockton fire agency was called to a single-story, single-family home that was on fire early Saturday morning, the agency said on X. Video shows fire crews arriving at the fire and working quickly to extinguish the flames, but not before struggling to gain entry due to the fires intensity.

Firefighters stretched an attack line and attempted forcible entry, but were driven off the porch by heavy fire, Stockton Fire said. No injuries were reported in this incident.

Next, the Modesto Fire Department (MFD) said it responded to Boise Avenue in south Modesto early Sunday morning for a reported house on fire.

Modesto Engine 10 arrived and found a house with fire in the attic and garage. All residents were safely out of the home before firefighters arrived., Modesto Fire said on Facebook. The Modesto Fire Department and Modesto City Fire Fighters Local 1289 provided the residents with a $250 S.A.V.E. card to assist with their immediate needs.

Finally, the Roseville Fire Department was called to a home fire in the Sierra Vista neighborhood around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. According to the agency, no one was inside the one-story home at the time of the fire, but five dogs and a snake required rescuing.

Firefighters rendered aid to the dogs, two of which were transported to the vet by animal control officers. Sadly, only one of the dogs survived, the agency added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
House Republicans on Monday sought to undermine key testimony heard by the select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrectionspecifically, anecdotes relayed in 2022 by former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson about Donald Trumps actions that day.

The 81-page report included a transcript of testimony from a Secret Service agent who drove Donald Trumps armored vehicle on Jan. 6, 2021. That agent, who was not named, told investigators the ex-president never tried to grab his steering wheela bombshell claim Hutchinson revealed using admitted second- and third-hand information in 2022.

Hutchinson testified that Trump, after delivering his infamous speech on the morning of the Capitol riot, had cursed at and ordered Secret Service agents to drive him to the U.S. Capitol. When he was told no by his lead agent, Robert Engel, Hutchinson testified that she heard Trump tried to grab the vehicles steering wheel and lunged at another agent.

Im the f-ing presidenttake me up to the Capitol now, Trump said, according to Hutchinsons testimony.

In Mondays report, however, Republicans said Hutchinsons sensational story doesnt hold water.

I did not see him reach, the Secret Service driver told House investigators, according to the report. He never grabbed the steering wheel. I didnt see him, you know, lunge to try to get into the front seat at all. You know, what stood out was the irritation in his voice, more than his physical presence.

Whether Trump tried to grab the steering wheel or not has been one of the most scrutinized allegations concerning Trumps actions on Jan. 6, and Mondays report provided the first extensive on-the-record, first-hand testimony from inside the vehicle.

The transcript was part of interviews conducted with Secret Service agents about Trumps actions on that day. The Jan. 6 committee said itd kept the interviews private because they contained privacy information, for-official-use-only information, intelligence and law enforcement sensitive records and raw intelligence information.

Under fire from Republicans for the omission, the agency agreed last year to release redacted versions of several interviews with witnesses of Trumps actions that day.

Loyalists of the former president have skewered the committee over the sheltering of the interviews, calling the decision to forego publication a cover-up of information which contradicted key parts of Hutchinsons testimony.

Hutchinson, a former aide to Trumps Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, conceded in her 2022 testimony that none of the information she shared was witnessed by her personallysomething Republicans, including Trump, argued should have disqualified her as a reliable witness. Still, her surprise testimony in June 2022 pulled back the curtain for the first time of the mindsetand actionsof Trump on Jan. 6.

GOP Impeachment Witness Sues Ex-Trump Aide for Defamation

Mondays report gave an in-depth break down of what occurred in the armored vehicle that day. It claimed that Trump entered alongside Secret Service agents, first asking about what the crowd estimates were for his speech.

The report said Trump then asked Engel to take him to the U.S. Capitola request Engel rejected because the area wasnt secure, likely because it was unscheduled and because so many of Trumps supporters in the area were armed.

The president was insistent on going to the Capitol, the driver said, according to Mondays report. It was clear to me he wanted to go to the Capitol. He was not screaming at Mr. Engel. He was not screaming at me. Certainly his voice was raised, but it did not seem to me that he was iratecertainly not, certainly didnt seem as irritated or agitated as he had on the way to the (speech).

Since Republicans took back the majority in the House, theyve worked to discredit the findings of the Jan. 6 committee as Trump mounts his run at a return to the White House.

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), who led the House GOP effort to investigate the Jan. 6 committee for bias, has repeatedly accused the Jan. 6 committee of propping up Hutchinsons testimony more than that of other witnesses because it was most damaging to Trump.

The content of these witness transcripts makes clear why the Select Committee chose not to release these transcripts despite releasing nearly every other witness transcript, Mondays report said. These witnesses directly undermine claims made by Hutchinson and the Select Committee and underscore that the Select Committee only showed the public what it wanted them to see.

Jan. 6 Rioter Caught Bragging He Drank a Coors Lite Inside the Capitol

Hutchinsons lawyer, William H. Jordan, penned a letter to Loudermilk in January that said his client has always been truthful. He said Hutchinson should be praised for testifying in front of Congress while other men who occupied more senior roles refused.

Hutchinson will not succumb to a pressure campaign from those who seek to silence her and influence her testimony, even when done in the name of oversight, he added.

Hutchinson and Jordan did not comment on Mondays report, but leadership from the Jan. 6 committee spoke out against it, including Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), who led the Jan. 6 committee.

All the evidence points to the same conclusion: Donald Trump wanted to join his violent mob as it marched on the Capitol and he was irate when his security detail told him he couldnt go, he said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The House is steaming ahead with a bill that could ban TikTok despite vocal opposition from former President Trump, who once led the charge against the popular app.

The House will vote this week on the bipartisan Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, under a special rule that waives discussion of the bill and requires a two-third majority to pass, according to House Majority Leader Steve Scalises (R-La.) weekly schedule released Monday.

We must ensure the Chinese government cannot weaponize TikTok against American users and our government through data collection and propaganda, Scalise said.

The plan highlights the bipartisan momentum propelling the bill forward quickly through the House, even as Trump  the partys leader and likely presidential nominee  speaks out against it.

It advanced with rare unanimous support Thursday out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, just two days after it was introduced by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), the top lawmakers on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

The bill would force ByteDance, TikToks China-based parent company, to divest the app or face a ban within the U.S. The measure also lays out a process for banning other apps that are found to be controlled by U.S. adversaries.

Although the bill has broad bipartisan support, its also facing opposition on both sides of the aisle that could pose hurdles for lawmakers  along with a fierce opposition campaign launched by TikTok.

On the right, the most influential force bashing the bill is Trump, who is on track to clinch the 2024 Republican nomination for president.

Trump has flipped since his failed efforts to ban TikTok as president, arguing Monday that getting rid of the app would benefit Facebook.

The former president was banned from Facebook in 2021 after spreading false claims about voter fraud ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Trumps account was reinstated last year.

Theres a lot of good and a lot of bad with TikTok. But the thing I dont like is, without TikTok you can make Facebook bigger. And I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people, along with the media, Trump said Monday on CNBCs Squawk Box.

Trump said he still believes there are national security threats posed by the app, but that those threats also exist with American tech companies.

If you look at some of our American companies  theyre not so American, Trump said. They deal in which, and if China wants anything from them, they will give it. So thats a national security risk also.

The former president also bashed Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg in a post last week on Truth Social, Trumps social media website.

If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business, Trump said. I dont want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!

Supporters of the bill said that concerns about TikTok posing national security threats are at the heart of their push to pass the legislation. They also said that the bill is not an outright ban, as it gives TikToks parent company ByteDance 165 days to divest TikTok before facing a ban on U.S. app stores and web hosting services.

TikTok has denied accusations that it poses national security threats. The company also pushed back strongly on the latest effort, which it cast as a total ban of TikTok, and urged users to call Congress against supporting in a notification push campaign last week.

In response to Trumps comments, Gallagher said he agrees with the concerns raised by the former president, but thinks the bill put forward addresses them.

Trump was right about the national security problem posed by TikTok in 2020. And hes right today that just pushing TikTok users onto Facebook isnt the answer. Thats why our bill is the right path forwardit surgically removes [Chinese Communist Party] control and creates an opportunity to put TikTok in better hands, Gallagher said in a statement.

In addition to Trumps opposition, the conservative group FreedomWorks also bashed the bill as setting a dangerous precedent.

Trumps comments opposing a bill that could ban TikTok came after he confirmed he recently met with Jeff Yass, a major GOP donor and investor in TikTok. Trump said Yass did not bring up TikTok during the conversation.

Yass has also donated to FreedomWorks, according to non-profit lobbying tracker OpenSecrets. The conservative nonprofit Heritage Action, however, is supporting the bill and making it a key vote for House Republicans on their record with the political group.

Some other prominent Republicans are speaking out against the bill ahead of the vote.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said Friday he would not vote for the bill based on the power it gives the president to designate other foreign adversary controlled applications.

Next week, the House will vote to give Biden the power to decide which apps you can run on your phone, based on whether he deems them to be owned by a foreign adversary. Ive never used TikTok, but Im not voting to give the President new powers to ban it and other apps, Massie said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press he is conflicted about a possible TikTok ban.

Banning TikTok may be necessary to protect American data from China, but if you can find a way to avoid that, that would be good too, he said.

In 2020, Graham defended Trumps move to ban TikTok.

The House will also likely have votes against the bill on the left. Groups including the ACLU and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University have said the bill poses First Amendment risks by infringing on free speech rights.

Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) raised those concerns in a Friday post on X.

TikTok continues to serve as a network for organizing, growing small businesses, & building community. Congress should not ban it. Rather than target ONE company, Congress must pass comprehensive data privacy legislation, Bush said.

President Biden said he would sign the bill if it is passed by Congress.

It is not yet clear whether the legislation has a viable path forward in the Senate.

Last week, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), one of the more vocal lawmakers on the TikTok debate, said in a statement he has some concerns about the constitutionality of an approach that names specific companies, but I have tremendous respect for Congressman Gallagher and Im going to be taking a close look at this bill.

Last year, Warner introduced the bipartisan RESTRICT Act which would have created a process that could allow for TikTok or other apps to be banned, but did not name the company in the legislation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) on Monday subpoenaed a union over its vote to support a cease-fire in the ongoing war in Gaza  a resolution that Foxx calleddivisive and antisemitic.

The subpoena represents an escalation in months of legal and political pushback against the resolution, which a union of public defenders and social workers in New York approved by a large margin in December.

In late January, Foxx, who chairs the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, sent a letter to the union  the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, Local 2325 of the United Auto Workers  writing that the resolution alienated a sizeable portion of your members and that it had forced Jewish members of the union to take a position critical on their faith, Israel, and Israels sovereignty.

Though a handful of ALAA members had publicly objected to the resolution, several organizers in favor of the measure within the union were Jewish. More than 100 Jewish ALAA members have signed onto a statement rejecting the dishonest conflation of antisemitism and anti-Zionism and saying they stand with the Palestinian people because of our Jewish values, not despite them. The resolution ultimately passed by a nearly 2-to-1 margin on Dec. 19. Just a couple of weeks prior, United Auto Workers, ALAAs parent union, itself became the largest union to call for a cease-fire. Regional UAW director Brandon Mancilla called Foxxs letter McCarthyism plain and simple.

Foxx wrote Monday that she was formally subpoenaing information about the resolution after the union declined to respond to her January request for documents and information related to the vote. She said that the information sought would be used to help the Committee consider and develop potential legislation aimed at ensuring that bargaining unit members are aware of their rights and that unions respect the rights of their members.

ALAA president Lisa Ohta stood by the resolution in a statement to HuffPost Monday.

We stand by our resolution in support of a free Palestine, which was passed overwhelmingly after a full membership vote, Ohta wrote in an email. This is a transparent attack on our unions democratic processes and freedom of speech.

The subpoena is just the latest backlash against the unions resolution, which also endorses the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, calls for an end to Israeli apartheid, and opposes all current and future military aid to Israel.

Initially, union members faced a public relations battle with their employers, including the Legal Aid Society and the Bronx Defenders, organizations that employ defense attorneys to provide legal representation to indigent defendants.

After a standalone statement in October from Bronx Defenders employees that denounced Israels genocidal actions, management at the organization put out a press release saying the statement failed to recognize the humanity of both Palestinians and Israelis when commenting on the crisis. Later, ahead of the union-wide vote, management at the Legal Aid Society warned staff that the resolution could imperil funding, and characterized it as selfish and privileged.

The union was then blocked from voting on the resolution at all, after a Nassau County judge paused the vote following a legal challenge from four union members, who argued that the stench of extreme, rank antisemitism from the resolution would haunt their careers and prevent them from fairly representing Jewish clients. Attorneys for the union argued in response that the plaintiffs appear to be grasping at a rationale to justify suppressing speech they find offensive.

Ultimately, after the case was moved to federal court, a judge dissolved the temporary restraining order, and the union voted 1,067-570 to support the cease-fire resolution.

Dave Jamieson contributed reporting.

Related...
When you hop on TikTok, you can see influencers as young as 7 years old, like Cree Carroll.

DNA has nucleotides, which are read to make RNA, which make proteins, said Carroll during one of his TikTok videos.

Hes a science wiz who loves teaching lessons on his channel, Cree TV. Cree is one of the roughly 170 million Americans on TikTok, but that could be changing soon.

Were talking about foreign ownership and control of an app, said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R  Wisconsin.

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is on track to vote on a bill that would ban the social media platform over concerns about its connection to China.

If approved, TikToks parent company, ByteDance, would have 6 months to sell the app.

U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that Chinese intelligence laws make it possible for Beijing to collect user information data from ByteDance.

The editor in chief of ByteDance is himself the secretary of the very Chinese Communist Party cell embedded in the leadership of ByteDance, said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D  Illinois.

If ByteDance doesnt sell by the deadline, then the bill would block the social media platform from U.S. websites and app stores.

Last year, the companys CEO, Shou Chew, told lawmakers that the app poses no threat to Americans.

A TikTok spokesperson said the legislation threatens the right to free expression. In a statement, the spokesperson said, This will damage millions of businesses, deny artists an audience, and destroy the livelihoods of countless creators across the country.

The American Civil Liberties Union is also pushing back over concerns of First Amendment violations.

But some lawmakers argue this bill doesnt harm those protections.

Once that foreign ownership is addressed, not only will people be able to continue to say whatever they want on the app, youll also have freedom of thought, said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R  Wisconsin.

The House could vote on this measure as early as this Wednesday. If its approved by the House and the Senate, President Biden said he will sign it into law.
On the night of March 4, when Nayib Bukele was preparing to celebrate his electoral victory  in which together with his allies his Nuevas Ideas party secured control of most of El Salvadors municipalities  the controversial president also scored a more personal triumph: the collapse of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), the former Salvadoran guerrilla organization that suffered its worst political defeat since the dawn of democracy. Bukele has been working since his first mandate to eliminate the leftist organization  of which he was previously a member and that for him represents a complicated past  and he has made great strides in that endeavor. The FMLN did not win a single municipality in the elections of early March and has been left out of the Legislative Assembly, the Salvadoran parliamentary body. It represents a significant blow for a movement that once enjoyed the sympathy of half the world in its struggle against the military tyranny that Salvadorans suffered and that, after the peace accords of the early 1990s, was reconverted into a political party, laying down its arms to participate in electoral ballots.

The FMLN was created at the beginning of the 1980s to group together the different political-insurgent factions that fought against the Salvadoran army in a bloody 13-year civil war that left more than 75,000 people dead. The leftist groups had taken up arms to overthrow the military governments that responded to the interests of a conservative and backward oligarchy that feared a Cuban-style revolution. The Salvadoran guerrillas had the backing of Fidel Castros Cuba, which trained and helped finance them, while Washington applied pressured to avoid an insurgent triumph at all costs. The fear was that the guerrillas would come to power as had happened with the FSLN in Nicaragua. Leftist propaganda stated that if Nicaragua won, El Salvador will win.

The Chapultepec Peace Accords, signed on January 16, 1992 in Mexico City, marked a political change in El Salvador, putting an end to more than a decade of civil war and initiating the path to the strengthening of an electoral democracy. The FMLN laid down its arms and became the main leftist political force. In June 2009, it achieved its greatest political triumph when it came to power for the first time under the leadership of Mauricio Funes, a 49-year-old journalist who represented the desire for change in a country hit by inequality and violence sown by the so-called maras, the gangs that practically controlled El Salvador.

Salvadoran soldiers rest before fighting armed guerrillas of the People's Revolutionary Army, one of the factions of the FMLN, in the province of San Miguel, August 1983. Robert Nickelsberg (Getty Images)

Funes was followed in government by former guerrilla Salvador Sanchez Ceren, one of the main leaders of the FMLN and an incombustible politician who aroused the old fears of the business and conservative class. Both leftist governments failed to put an end to violence and poverty and are instead remembered for high levels of corruption and the eventual flight from the country of their heads: Ceren and Funes sought refuge in Nicaragua, converted into a dictatorship by Daniel Ortega. The FMLN made pacts with shady characters in the countrys political sphere in order to govern. It also made pacts with people accused of corruption, organized crime, and drug trafficking. In addition, its political project did not provide solutions that met the expectations of people who declared themselves leftists, which provoked a strong disenchantment among citizens, explains Salvadoran analyst Cesar Artiaga. People felt that revolutionary principles and leftist values were progressively betrayed by the partys leadership.

The dissatisfaction of the electorate with the corruption of the FMLN  but also of the right-wing Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), the two parties that for 25 years shared power in the country  created the basis for Bukele to take over in the 2019 presidential elections. The young president, who sells himself as a modern, efficient, and likeable man and who moves the masses through his effective use of social networks, made eliminating the historic FMLN one of his objectives. Bukele was part of the leftist movement during his early political career and under its wing he won the mayoralty of San Salvador, the capital. Bukeles is a story of opportunism, says Artiaga. His link to the Front was never because he was a leftist  in fact he has always been very conservative  but he saw in the FMLN the opportunity to carry out his ambition to be president. Artiaga recalls that Bukeles family has had a historical relationship with the FMLN and previously financed the guerrillas. When he achieved strong political capital, and upon learning that he could not run as a presidential candidate for the FMLN, Bukele provoked a rupture with the party to expel him and thus create his political movement.

Bukele began his vendetta by attacking the peace accords that gave political legitimacy to the FMLN, calling them a farce, a business of elites, and a pact between the corrupt. The president refused to commemorate the signing of the agreements and ordered a decree that the date would instead become a day to remember the victims of the armed conflict. What Bukele did was blame the problems on a political event that for Latin American and Central American democrats is almost sacred, which are the Peace Accords [] In Central America the enemy that populists point to are precisely those pacts, which they call agreements between elites that do not allow access to new actors who could presumably solve the countrys problems. And Bukele, with his attitude and way of presenting himself, embodies the possibility of a future that Salvadorans had been unable to find, explains Harry Brown, who has a doctorate in political science from the Complutense University of Madrid and is co-author of the book Populism in Central America.

Nayib Bukele delivers his inauguration speech in Plaza Barrios in San Salvador, June 2019. Above him, Salvador Sanchez Ceren, the outgoing president, and members of his cabinet. Salvador Melendez (AP)

Later Bukeles broadsides were focused against the FMLN, which he attacked for corruption and an inability to solve the countrys problems. Eliminating the FMLN is a matter of his ego, with the idea of erasing that past that links him to a leftist party, and being able to say that he was in charge of burying a past that, according to him, has done so much damage to the country, says Artiaga. His message permeated the Salvadoran electorate and the FMLN lost tens of thousands of votes. Since 2009, the Front has seen its support plummet from 33% to only 7% since Bukele came to power in 2019.

Does the FMLN have a chance of resuscitation in Salvadoran political life? Artiaga believes it does. The analyst describes Bukeles pretension that by finishing with the Front he will also fulminate the Salvadoran left as very clumsy. The left is represented in social, environmental, and feminist movements that end up providing a guarantee in the defense of human, institutional, and constitutional rights, he says. As for the FMLN, Artiaga believes the party has a new opportunity to restructure itself internally, with the election of new leaders. The analyst points to figures such as congresswoman Anabel Belloso, who can impose a change of course. Neither Belloso nor other FMLN representatives would give interviews for this report. There are leaders who can rescue the revolutionary principles of the party. Their electoral defeats are a serious blow and if they do not understand the message in the short term, I believe they face the threat of disappearing, warns Artiaga. It is a historic opportunity.

A supporter at a Nuevas Ideas rally carries fake coffins to represent the death of the FMLN, PDC, and ARENA parties, in San Salvador, 2021. FRED RAMOS
When you hop on TikTok you can see influencers as young as seven years old like Cree Carroll.

DNA has nucleotides which are read to make RNA which make proteins, said Carroll during one of his TikTok videos.

Hes a science wiz who loves teaching lessons on his channel, Cree TV. Cree is one of the roughly 170 million Americans on TikTok but that could be changing soon.

Were talking about foreign ownership and control of an app, said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R  Wisconsin.

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is on track to vote on a bill that would ban the social media platform over concerns about its connection to China.

If approved, TikToks parent company, ByteDance, would have 6 months to sell the app.

U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that Chinese intelligence laws make it possible for Beijing to collect user information data from ByteDance.

TOPSHOT - People gather for a press conference about their opposition to a TikTok ban on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on March 22, 2023. - The White House was reported on March 15, 2023, to have told the app TikTok that it will be banned in the US if it continues to be owned by the Beijing-based tech firm Bytedance. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

The editor in chief of ByteDance is himself the secretary of the very Chinese Communist Party cell embedded in the leadership of ByteDance, said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D  Illinois.

If ByteDance doesnt sell by the deadline, then he bill would block the social media platform from U.S. websites and app stores.

Last year, the companys CEO Shou Chew told lawmakers that the app poses no threat to Americans.

A TikTok spokesperson said the legislation threatens the right to free expression. In a statement, the spokesperson said This will damage millions of businesses, deny artists an audience, and destroy the livelihoods of countless creators across the country.

The American Civil Liberties Union is also pushing back concerns over first amendment violations.

But some lawmakers argue this bill doesnt harm those protections.

Once that foreign ownership is addressed, not only will people be able to continue to say whatever they want on the app, youll also have freedom of thought, said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R  Wisconsin.

The House could vote on this measure as early as this Wednesday. If its approved by the House and the Senate, President Biden said he will sign it into law.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
WASHINGTON  Marcia Fudge, who has served as the secretary of housing and urban development since March 2021, is leaving the Biden administration, the White House said Monday.

"When I took office, we inherited a broken housing system, with fair housing and civil rights protections badly dismantled under the prior administration," President Joe Biden said in a statement. "On Day One, Marcia got to work rebuilding the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and over the past three years she has been a strong voice for expanding efforts to build generational wealth through homeownership and lowering costs and promoting fairness for Americas renters."

Biden continued: "From her time as a mayor, to her years as a fierce advocate in the U.S. House of Representatives, Marcias vision, passion, and focus on increasing economic opportunity have been assets to our country. Im grateful for all of her contributions toward a housing system that works for all Americans, and I wish her well in her next chapter."

The White House said that after Fudge departs, Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman will serve as acting secretary.

In a statement, Fudge said she's resigning effective March 22, but didn't say whether she has other plans for her career.

"For the last three years, I have fully embraced HUD's mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all," she said, adding that as she transitions to life as a public citizen, "I will continue to do the work that I have been called to do."

Fudge is only the second Cabinet secretary to leave the administration during Biden's first term as president. The first was Marty Walsh, who left in March 2023 after serving as labor secretary for two years.

White House chief of staff Jeff Zients had said in an interview published last week by Politico that all current Cabinet members and senior White House staff would remain in their roles for the remainder of Biden's first term.

A White House official said they knew about Fudge's plans in advance and "Jeff was answering a question about whether we have the team in place this year at the Cabinet and at the White House."

In Biden's 2025 budget request released Monday, the Department of Housing and Urban Development requested from Congress a nearly $500 million increase in funding to its programs. It calls for an expansion in access to affordable rent through the Housing Choice Voucher Program and increasing the supply of affordable housing to reduce housing costs.

Before working in the Biden administration, Fudge represented an Ohio congressional district in the House from 2008 to 2021, serving at one point as chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
FIRST ON FOX  An international human rights commission is demanding a response from the Mexican government after a congressman and former presidential candidate was convicted of "political violence" for his post about gender made on X, formerly Twitter.

According to the Alliance Defending Freedom International (ADFI), Gabriel Quadri was convicted following a series of posts "expressing concern that seats in Mexicos Congress reserved for women were taken by men who identify as women, in addition to posts regarding biological reality, including in the area of womens sports."

Currently preparing to run for re-election, Quadri expects his political rights to be guaranteed and for his registration as a candidate not to be affected by his conviction.

Following a failed appeal to the Electoral Superior Chamber, all avenues for justice in Mexico were exhausted, requiring an appeal to the Inter-American Commission, which led ADFI to file the petition in December 2022.

FREE-SPEECH ADVOCATES PUSH ELON MUSK TO FIGHT 'STATE-SPONSORED CENSORSHIP': PETITION

Gabriel Quadri was convicted of "political violence" for a series of posts expressing concern that seats in Mexicos Congress reserved for women were taken by men who identify as women.

The commission has now notified the government of Mexico, which has up to four months to respond to the complaint regarding Quadris censorship as a human rights violation under the American Convention on Human Rights.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"I am committed to safeguarding every Mexicans fundamental right to speak freely. My career has been dedicated to a prosperous and free Mexico for all, which demands that our country abide by its human rights obligations. I look forward to the day when all in Mexico can share their beliefs and opinions without fear of censorship or reprimand". Quadri said in a statement.

The Inter-American Commission is one of the two international bodies that make up the regional human rights adjudication system. ADFI says that lengthy time frames take a heavy toll on the service of justice, as the Quadri case shows, with more than a year having passed from the original filing date.

LEFT-WING GROUP 'DEFRAUDING' CONSUMERS WITH 'PRO-NAZI' SMEAR OF ELON MUSK: REPUBLICAN STATE AG

Quadri is a former presidential candidate and current federal congressman in Mexico, representing the opposition National Action Party.

"What has happened to Congressman Quadri is a serious violation of his free speech rights, and will further violate his civil and political rights should he be barred from running for office on the basis of a sham conviction for violence.' Quadri peacefully expressed his convictions on Twitter/X standing up for the rights of women," said Julio Pohl, ADFI's lead lawyer for the case.

"We are pleased that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has demanded a response from the Mexican government. This is a pivotal moment for fundamental freedoms  if elected officials are not free to debate the issues of our time, what hope is there for everyone else? The Commission should work to reach a just resolution for the congressman, paving the way for greater free speech accountability in Mexico," Pohl added.

Quadri represents the opposition National Action Party in Mexico's Congress. He has been politically active since 2012.

As of 2019, Mexico has in place a law requiring 50/50 representation of men and women in all branches of government. In the 2021 elections, two congressional seats reserved for women were given to males who identify as women.

RELIGIOUS, HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS URGE BLINKEN TO PUNISH NIGERIA OVER MASS KILLINGS OF CHRISTIANS

Quadri tweeted about congressional seats, making the point that it is an injustice for males to take advantage of the law to gain access to political positions reserved for women.

Quadri tweeted that it is an injustice for males to take advantage of the law to gain access to political positions reserved for women. In March 2022, a member of Congress, Salma Luevano, who identifies as a transgender woman, filed a complaint accusing Quadri of "gender based political violence" for 11 of his tweets.

On April 21, the Superior Chamber of the Federal Electoral Tribunal unanimously found Quadri guilty of "gender based political violence."

The measures for punishment for the supposed crime included deleting the tweets, issuing a public apology drafted by the court and posting a summary of the decision on Twitter for 15 days at two set times per day, completing two courses on gender-based violence and transgender violence, and registering as a gender-based political violator for two years and nine months.

Former Mexican Congressman Rodrigo Ivan Cortes was also charged and convicted for "gender based political violence" for social media posts. His case is pending before the commission.

A representative for the government of Mexico did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.





Original article source: Human rights group demands response from Mexican gov after lawmaker charged with 'political violence'
The low murmurs grew louder as almost 300 residents from seven Columbus subdivisions filled a meeting hall in Wynnton Methodist Church this month.

The tension mounted as organizers asked people to sign in or add their names to petitions opposing a proposed a large development near their neighborhoods as they entered the room.

Local resident Karen Gaskins worked to find out more about the development coming to 5201 Macon Road. She first was alerted to the pending action after seeing a rezoning request sign on the side of the road indicating that a huge piece of vacation land that had been zoned for single family homes may be changed to planned unit development (PUD), or easier put, it allows for community-serving commercial development.

This is one the Notice to Rezone signs for a proposed development by Proterra Development that would require the rezoning of 115.56 acres of land at 5201 Macon Road in Columbus, Georgia.

Gaskins learned developers proposed a site plan with more than 600, mostly rental, residential units  more than twice the size of her subdivision, Sears Woods. The entrances and exits to the development could significantly impact traffic in seven subdivisions in east Columbus. Those subdivisions affected include:

Farmington

Windtree

Willow Bend

Shenandoah

Chatham Woods

Sheraton Forest

Sears Woods

In a matter of days, with the help of Columbus council member Jerry Pops Barnes, Gaskins organized a Feb. 29 meeting among community members, representatives from the developers and city officials.

I thought it was best to hear from (the developer) and from the city, Gaskins said. So we can dispel any rumors or any misinformation.

Hundreds of Columbus residents attended to voice concerns about traffic and the large number of planned rental units in the tense meeting vowing to organize and oppose the proposed development.

Karen Gaskins is a resident in the Sears Woods neighborhood in Columbus, Georgia.

The site plan

Carlos Arenas, a developer with ProTerra Development, which is based in metro Atlanta, said he had never seen so many people attend a public meeting.

Wed like to hear what you guys think  what you guys want from your neighborhood, Arenas told the room. At the end of the day, were coming here to your side of town, and we want to make sure were doing the best product.

ProTerras published site plan includes about 670 housing units across 115.56 acres broken down as follows:

33 Town Houses for sale

240 apartment units in 10 three-story buildings with 24 units per building

222 units in a four-story senior apartment building

136 Town Houses for rent

39 two-story single family homes

Carlos Arenas of Proterra Development in Marietta, Georgia, speaks with Columbus residents concerned about Proterras proposal to rezone and development 115.56 acres of land at 5201 Macon Rd. in Columbus, Georgia.

The topography of the area should cover the view of the apartment homes from the existing residential neighborhoods, Arenas said. Every housing unit that would border existing neighborhoods would be single-family housing, he said, whether it is attached or detached.

Along with housing, a neighborhood commercial center is planned near the front of the development.

One of the most pressing concerns for current residents were the entrances and exits to the development. Proterra planned a main entrance off Macon Road near the intersection with Woodruff Farm Road and several other connections with what are currently dead end roads in existing neighborhoods.

The dead end roads, which were built more than 50 years ago, most likely were already planned to connect into future neighborhoods, Arenas told the room.

A main road from Macon Road will lead straight to the multifamily units, he said, with the plan being that this new road would service most of the new housing. However, the other roads into the existing subdivisions must be connected because of safety requirements.

Most likely the other roads connected to the existing street will be used by the single family home residences, Arenas said. Which is going to be the same quality as your neighborhood.

Proterras rezoning request first has to be approved by the planning advisory commission before going before the Columbus Council. The PAC meeting is currently scheduled for March 20, according to the citys zoning checklist for the request.

Theres a reason We dont live in Atlanta

Matt Wyatt, a Columbus-based civil engineer, explained that developers conducted a preliminary traffic study. But the results are not available.

Attendees began interrupting Wyatts presentation with more questions about how much developers considered how connecting their streets into the development would impact traffic in their neighborhoods.

Gaskins attempted to settle the crowd, promising representatives for the neighborhood would ask submitted questions. Dr. Marlon Scott, a 20-year resident of Sears Woods, took issue with the proposal.

I thank you all for coming in from Atlanta and all that, Scott told Arenas. I dont know how they do stuff up there, but theres a reason we dont live up there.

The room burst into cheers. Scott continued to emphasize residents were worried about the increase in traffic because of the danger it could pose to pedestrians.

Were concerned because there are a lot of kids in our neighborhood, Scott said. There are a lot of elderly people in our neighborhood. There are a lot of buses that come through.

Dr. Marlon Scott speaks during a recent public meeting about Proterras proposal to rezone and development 115.56 acres of land at 5201 Macon Rd. in Columbus, Georgia.

City council member Charmaine Crabb, who represents District 5, said the majority of calls she receives relate to traffic. The traffic study the city would do as part of the rezoning process could result in more calming measures for the community.

Some of the potential calming measures include stop signs and traffic lights, Crabb said. Attendees began speaking out at the idea of these measures being added to their neighborhood, but Crabb urged residents to see how this could help them.

Theres all kinds of different traffic measures, she said. And I have no idea what they will be, but I think thats a benefit.

Plans for commercial and retail space factored into the opposition as well, 20-year Chatham Woods resident Gregory Foster spoke out during the meeting, because this creates more thru-traffic. With more entrances and exits to the neighborhoods and retail bringing in more traffic, it could increase security risks.

Chatham Woods has one way in and one way out, Foster said. I chose that for a reasonsecurity matters to me.

Transient Renters

Many questions residents asked the developer related to the large number of proposed rental units, including both the town houses and apartment buildings.

Developers are listing many of the town homes as rental properties at first to avoid flooding the housing market, Arenas said. But they ultimately hope to sell all the town homes.

They plan for a third party to take over the management of all the rental properties, Arenas told residents. Currently, its too early in the process to determine if any rentals would be affordable housing, he said. There are no city or state laws requiring affordable units in new developments, Columbus planning director Will Johnson told the Ledger-Enquirer.

Gregory Foster speaks during a recent public meeting about Proterras proposal to rezone and development 115.56 acres of land at 5201 Macon Rd. in Columbus, Georgia.

The planned upscale apartments might be rented for $1,400-$1,500 a month, Arenas said. Town houses are expected to sell for around $250,000 and the single-family homes might be priced between $400,000 - $500,000.

Residents concerns about the rental properties and new development isnt because they dont want new people coming in, Foster said. When other new neighborhoods were built, he said, people didnt complain.

We want homeowners, he said. We dont want a transient community moving in and out, and everything that comes with it.

A fact finding meeting

Organizers designated seven representatives to ask questions submitted from each of the neighborhoods impacted by the development. Gaskins hoped residents could find out more information about their plans for the neighborhood.

But some residents wanted the meeting to be a moment for them to have their voices heard. Foster, an Army veteran, wanted the opportunity to raise awareness.

Chatham Woods is one of the areas people bring their kids to trick-or-treat during Halloween, he said.

Its a close-knit community where people care about the neighborhood and make life enjoyable by decorating for the holidays, Foster said, even if they dont have kids to entertain. Ladies sit outside in their lawn chairs, kids play outside and during holidays, like Halloween, they play music for the community.

Looking at the topography of the area and the options developers have, Foster told the Ledger-Enquirer, the Macon Road development will have a negative impact on the neighborhoods and homeowners.

Karen Gaskins, at podium, a resident of the Sears Woods neighborhood in Columbus, Georgia, center, speaks during a recent meeting about a development proposed by Proterra Development that would require the rezoning of 115.56 acres of land at 5201 Macon Road in Columbus.

Fosters words during the meeting were directed to his neighbors, he said, but they were also directed to the rest of Muscogee County and decision makers.

Im letting them know that the people that live there, we dont want this, Foster said. This government is supposed to represent us. It is us, and we resoundingly do not want it.

Residents of all subdivisions affected are signing petitions asking that the rezoning request be denied, and Foster, along with other residents, are submitting rezone opposition letters to Barnes.

Proterra Development of Marietta, Georgia has proposed a development that would require the rezoning of 115.56 acres of land at 5201 Macon Road in Columbus, Georgia.

To the decision-making authorities, Im telling you right now if you do this against the will of the people, if you make them swallow this poison pill, theres going to be political repercussions, Foster said.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said Donald Trump would effectively end the war in Ukraine by cutting off funding to Kyiv, should the former US president return to power in November.

He (Trump) has a very clear vision, Orban said in an interview to Hungarian broadcaster M1 broadcast on Sunday. He says the following: first, he will not give a single penny for the Russo-Ukrainian war. Thats why the war will end, because its obvious that Ukraine cannot stand on its own two feet.

Orbans comments came after Trump hosted the Hungarian strongman at Mar-a-Lago on Friday. The former president and a small group of close advisers met with Orban at the Florida resort for roughly an hour Friday night, sources familiar with the matter told CNN, with one of the sources describing it as a social meeting with no agenda. A separate source called it friendly.

Orban has been a longstanding opponent to European Union and NATO efforts to assist Ukraine since Russias full-scale invasion two years ago. Hungary has consistently bogged down Western aid negotiations, though it did recently sign off on a 50 billion euro aid package for Kyiv and approve Swedens accession to NATO after holding out for months.

If the Americans dont give money and weapons, along with the Europeans, the war will end. And if the Americans dont give money, then the Europeans wont be able to fund this war alone. And then the war will end, Orban said.

CNN has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

Orban, one of Russian President Vladimir Putins few allies left in Europe, frames his position as pro-peace despite the fact that it would effectively reward Moscow for waging war against a weaker neighbor and allow it to sue for peace on its own terms.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and former US President Donald Trump are seen at the White House in 2019. - Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Trump, who last week effectively locked up the Republican nomination for president, has taken a similar isolationist approach as he campaigns to retake the White House in November. He has vowed to end the war in Ukraine, if hes elected, within 24 hours  a process that could happen only on Putins terms and reward his illegal invasion.

Orban and Trump, both far-right populists defined by anti-immigrant and demagogic rhetoric, have long expressed mutual admiration for each other  despite the fact that critics say Orban has weakened the countrys democratic institutions since returning to power in 2010.

Trumps lavish praise for Orban has sparked concern that he is doubling down on his support for autocrats as Western democracies struggle to stay united in their support for Ukraine.

He likes dealing with other big guys, and big guys like Erdogan in Turkey get to put people in jail and you dont have to ask anybodys permission. He kind of likes that, John Bolton, Trumps former national security adviser, told CNNs Jim Sciutto.

Trumps former advisers say he consistently lavished praise on Putin, and several of them believe that in a potential second term Trump would bring a fundamental shift in Americas vision of itself and its role in the world  including potentially pulling the US out of NATO and reducing its commitment to other defense alliances.

NATO would be in real jeopardy, Bolton said.

CNNs Jim Sciutto, Kristen Holmes and Andrew Millman contributed to this report

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Donald Trump will cut off all aid to Ukraine if hes elected president in 2024, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed Sunday.

The right-wing autocrat had only glowing reviews of the former U.S. president after meeting with him at Mar-a-Lago on Friday.

He will not give a penny in the Ukraine-Russia war, Orban said on Hungarian TV. Therefore, the war will end, because it is obvious that Ukraine can not stand on its own feet.

If the Americans dont give money and weapons, along with the Europeans, then the war is over. And if the Americans dont give money, the Europeans alone are unable to finance this war. And then the war is over, he said.

A Vote for Trump Is a Vote for Putinand a World in Danger

Hungary stands apart from its western allies in its refusal to give aid to Ukraine. Orban has drawn regular criticism for his closeness to Vladimir Putin even as the war rages, and he has professed many times that Ukraine cant win the war against a nuclear-armed Russia.

Orban said that Trump has a very detailed plan to bring the war to a close, but didnt specify what that plan might be. In the past, Trump has bragged about ending the war within 24 hours if given the chance, without specifying just how he intends to accomplish that.

Trump is also Putins favorite in the 2024 contest. Hes cultivated close ties with the Russian dictator over the past eight years, and some believe his open opposition to funding Ukraine emboldened Republicans in Congress to delay aid, jeopardizing the entire war effort.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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This week, a US House of Representatives committee will hold a hearing on a three-year unsolved mystery: The 6 January pipe bombs.

During the Capitol riots on 6 January 2021, authorities identified two pipe bombs in Washington DC: one outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) building, the other outside the Republican National Committee (RNC) building.

As of March 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) still has not released a suspects name.

Now, the House Administration Committees oversight subcommittee will conduct the hearing, titled Three Years Later: Assessing the Law Enforcement Response to Multiple Pipe Bombs on January 6, 2021, on 12 March.

The Republican-led subcommittee will call several witnesses, including a former FBI Master Bomb Technician, the CEO of the United States Bomb Technician Association, and a former K-9 Detection Trainer for the Washington, DC transportation authority.

Heres everything we know so far about the pipe bombs and the lawmakers investigating the response to the incident:

Two pipe bombs may have diverted resources from the Capitol on 6 January

Several months after the 6 January riots, the FBI released footage of a suspect placing one of the pipe bombs outside of the DNC on the evening of 5 January 2021. The FBI suspects the same individual placed the second bomb outside the RNC, located just minutes away.

The bombs were reportedly made with galvanised pipes, a kitchen timer and gunpowder.

Authorities first discovered the explosives just minutes before rioters stormed the Capitol, prompting concerns the bombs were planted as a distraction. The bomb near the RNC headquarters was first spotted by Karlin Younger of Wisconsin, who was walking by the site and noticed the explosive.

Donald Trump supporters scale the US Capitol scaffolding on 6 January 2021 (Getty Images)

Around the same time, a suspicious package  the pipe bomb  had been discovered at the DNC headquarters, prompting an evacuation.

Where does the investigation into the pipe bombs stand?

Now, more than three years later, the FBI has yet to release any information on a suspect. In 2023, authorities raised the reward for information regarding the bombs from $100,000 to $500,000  in January, they released a statement that the award remains in effect.

Although these bombs did not detonate, it is important to remember the suspect walked along residential and commercial areas in Capitol Hill just blocks from the U.S. Capitol with viable pipe bombs that could have seriously injured or killed innocent bystanders, the FBI said in a statement earlier this year. Moreover, the suspect may still pose a danger to the public or themselves.

John Iannarelli, a retired FBI agent, previously told The Independent the footage indicates the suspect went to great lengths to conceal their identity.

This person also, as evidenced by their planning, went to pretty good lengths to conceal themselves. I mean, it was cold at night, but yet you see other people out and their faces arent completely covered. Theyre not wearing glasses, sunglasses at nighttime, he told The Independent.

Last year, conspiracy theories circulated suggesting that Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene  a staunch Trump-ally and MAGA-aligned Republican  could be the suspect.

Marjorie Taylor Greene pictured at the State of the Union 2024 (AP)

Ms Greene  who has spread her fair share of unfounded theories, including the baseless claim that a Jewish space laser caused a California wildfire  called the claims pathetic.

Here is a perfect example of one of many absolutely stupid conspiracy theories about me, Ms Greene said. You have to be a completely delusional moron to believe this.

Laughable and pathetic, she continued. The FBI never followed up on the video footage of the pipe bomber, even though they have the license plate and car identified.

Mr Iannarelli also said that the lack of an arrest does not indicate this case is a low priority for the FBI.

Everything that could be done was being done, Im sure. That includes obtaining surveillance video. It wasnt uncommon that I would knock on doors looking for people who had cameras that we could pull footage from, he previously told The Independent. Im certain all of that was done at the time.

Who is leading the hearing on the 6 January pipe bombs?

Representative Barry Loudermilk, a Republican from Georgia, is the chair of the committee and will lead Tuesdays hearing.

Mr Loudermilk is best known for giving a not typical tour of the US Capitol on 5 January 2021, which some lawmakers on the committee investigating the riots said raised concerns about the attendees activity and intent.

These allegations arose after video footage captured the tour group taking photos of areas of the complex not typically of interest to tourists, including hallways, staircases, and security checkpoints. The Congressman, meanwhile, said the tour attendees were photographing childrens artwork. However, the 6 January committee presented evidence that one of the tour attendees marched to the Capitol and recorded a threatening video related to the riots; meanwhile, US Capitol Police reviewed the footage and wrote, We do not consider any of the activities we observed as suspicious.

The Georgia Representative later targeted the Democrat-led committee that investigated 6 January, calling for an investigation into the members soon after they released the 5 January tour footage.

Mr Loudermilk made it clear in a statement Tuesday that his goal is to scrutinize the findings of the investigation under Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the last Congress.

The Subcommittee on Oversight isinvestigating the security failures of January 6th which House Democrats failed to investigate in the 117th Congress, a statement from the House Administratino Subcomittee on Oversight read. We are focused on identifying and reviewing the numeroussecurity failures on and leading up to, January 6, 2021, and reviewing the creation, operation, and claims made by Speaker Nancy Pelosis Select Committee to investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.
By Mike Stone

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Castelion, a startup trying to build a hypersonic weapon for the Pentagon, tested its system for the first time, it told Reuters on Monday, as a growing group of small hypersonic arms makers challenge large defense contractors with less expensive, rapidly produced products.

The United States and China are engaged in an arms race to develop the most lethal hypersonic weapons, which travel in the upper atmosphere at more than five times the speed of sound and are designed to evade traditional defenses.

"This test flight, this first of many planned for this year, demonstrates our rapid development approach and is a major milestone for the company. We now have a low-cost hypersonic test platform ready to launch on demand," Bryon Hargis, Castelion's CEO and co-founder, told Reuters in a statement.

U.S. companies like Castelion, RTX's Raytheon unit and Lockheed Martin are all working to develop the new class of weapon, which will translate to large contracts if production can be scaled.

Private U.S. company Stratolaunch on Saturday said it had successfully completed the first powered flight of its Talon-A reusable hypersonic test vehicle.

Castelion already has contracts with the U.S. Air Force and the Navy, the company told Reuters in a statement regarding the test, which did not include an explosive device, which it said took place on Saturday.

Backed by $14.2 million in funding co-led by investors Andreessen Horowitz and Lavrock Ventures, the tiny startup has secretly conducted dozens of component tests since June 2023.

The company has set a goal of designing and building a complete weapons system that includes a hypersonic missile, a control station and a data link.

Saturday's successful test of the missile system raises the stakes for rivals RTX and Lockheed Martin - Pentagon weapons contractors vying for billions of funds to build hypersonic weapons.

China and Russia both have competitive hypersonic weapons programs in what has become a geopolitical race to develop and field missiles that can change direction while traveling at several times the speed of sound.

(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Leslie Adler)
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  One person is dead and three others were injured after a fight in central Fresno between two groups that started while a birthday was being celebrated nearby, according to the Fresno Police Department.

Police say around 10:30 p.m. Friday officers responded to 941 West Dakota Avenue after receiving three consecutive ShotSpotter activations about shootings in the area.

When officers arrived, they found three gunshot victims: 25-year-old Raymond Martinez, a 20-year-old man, and an 18-year-old man.

Police say Martinez died at the scene. The two surviving men were transported to a local hospital and were listed in stable condition.

Detectives say they determined that a birthday party was being celebrated at a nearby apartment when a fight started between two groups. The incident escalated to the point where gunshots were fired, resulting in the three victims being shot.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Fresno Police Department at (559) 621-7000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
British actor Idris Elba, best known for roles including Stringer Bell from The Wire and John Luther from the eponymous TV show, has ambitions beyond the screen. For his latest role, he wants to build a smart eco-city that runs off wind power on an island off the West African country of Sierra Leone.

Sherbro Island is known for its pristine beaches that are a nesting ground for green sea turtles. Sherbro Alliance Partners, co-founded by Elba in 2019, is collaborating with the government to develop a special economic zone on the island to attract people from around the world to live, work, invest and play.

The actor was brought up in London, but his mom is from Ghana and his dad from Sierra Leone. He has acted as a brand ambassador for the latter country and is a strong advocate for building up the African creative arts economy.

Last week, during a talk at the Investopia investment conference in Abu Dhabi, Elba championed the creative industries and called for more investment to support innovation and growth. There, he spoke with CNNs Becky Anderson about his big ideas for the future, and looked back at some big hits from his past.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

CNN: You have a project, Sherbro Island, tell me about it.

Elba: First of all, its a beautiful little island off the coast of Sierra Leone. Its about the same size as Chicago, theres about 40,000 inhabitants on it in different regions across the island. And Sherbro Island used to historically be the point of no return in the slave trade. It was where England had their capital city of Sierra Leone [when it was a colony], in a city called Bonthe, which is still there. And the relics of the city are still there: the grid system, road system, the old houses, the churches. Its an incredibly historically rich part of Sierra Leone. Theres 19 miles of beachfront there.

Sherbro Island, off the coast of Sierra Leone. - Sherbro Alliance Partners

At some junction, my business partner Siaka Stevens, who is the grandson of the former president [of the same name who served from 1971 to 1985], said: Look, someone needs to cultivate Sherbro Island for tourism. That was seven years ago. Where we are now is that we partnered with the government to figure out a plan of how we can bring in tourism. Well, it started as tourism  now were building a smart, eco dynamic city.

Obviously, this is Sierra Leone: its one of the poorest countries in the world, so investment isnt rushing through the door. So what we needed to do is understand how to package an investment opportunity around this beautiful island without destroying it, being climate conscious, and being conscious that there is a youth culture across Africa of the average age of about 20, that wants something.

Ive suddenly found myself in the middle of trying to figure out how to pull this together, and what I did was get the best-in-class thinkers on how to build a robust investment framework for the international players to look at Africa in a different way. And thats what Sherbro Island is. Thats a very long-winded way of saying its my retirement plan.

CNN: Whats the appetite been, as far as interest is concerned, from investors?

Elba: Huge amounts of curiosity, huge amounts of goodwill. Theres no doubt, everyone understands that the opportunity of Africa is incredible. Theres a leapfrog opportunity with Africa when it considers the emerging economies, the emergence of tech, the emergence of the populace: 1.4 billion people across a land span that big, has room and space to grow.

CNN: I know that you are massively eager to better promote the creative industry pillar across Africa. Explain where you see the gaps and where you see the opportunities.

Elba: The opportunity for Africa is to reframe how not only Africans see themselves via telling stories, but the opportunity is to have the world see Africa in a different way. And thats where the creative industries can play a pivotal role.

The fulcrum of the creative arts is that every single type of industry falls within it. You and I are speaking from microphones that are manufactured somewhere and based on their use in this industry, the cameras we are being shot on, the makeup that were both wearing. This is such a massive intersection of industries that create jobs and create opportunities. If we look at the creative industries as just singing, dancing and telling stories, were limiting what it actually is. It is an incredible opportunity for engineering, creativity, storytelling and heritage and propaganda.

We need support from governments saying the creative arts industry does need support and an incentive for it to grow. Ive made nine films in Africa, nine or eight films. Each time Im there, I see the opportunitys growing, I see the quality of the work growing, and I just want to contribute more.

Idris Elba sat down with CNN's Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. - CNN

CNN: Take me back through your career to date. What are the standout moments?

Elba: I was on Absolutely Fabulous when I was a wee lad and that was definitely a standout moment because it was my first bit of comedy, but it was with the legends.

CNN: How did you get the job in The Wire?

Elba: I auditioned extensively over four weeks. I auditioned in New York. It was a tough gig to do. Alexa Fogel is an amazing casting director. She always has an eye for an amazing talent and she gave me an opportunity to audition for it, but she told me: Whatever you do, dont walk in there with your English accent. This is about Baltimore, theyre not interested in East London. And that was it, I auditioned amongst some amazing young actors, and on my last audition, I got the job.

CNN: Do you look back on The Wire? Its one of the original box series, its going to go down in history for a whole load of reasons  first of all, it was epic.

Elba: No, I havent watched most of The Wire. Its just because its an incredible time of my life. I cant watch it through that lens.

Ive racked up some box sets. Ive got The Wire to get through. Ive got Luther season one to five to get to.

CNN: What was your experience of living in the United States and is it somewhere you go back to?

Elba: My experience has been positive. I mean, moving to the States as a young actor was like, Youre doing what? Youre going to Hollywood? Its more commonplace now. For the most part, when I got there, it was really tough. That was a struggle. But it was positive. I grew in confidence. I went through a very tough time; at one point I was homeless. In my early years, The Wire changed my life completely, and my daughter was born at the same time. So that really changed my life. Im always in and out of America. I live in England now, closer to my mum. My dads passed and so Im home in England now, but Im always there.

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Woke is not what it used to be. For some years, the term was used to describe those who are sensitive and involved in the struggle against social injustice, especially in U.S. politics, but also in the politics of other countries following suit perhaps to a lesser degree. Woke was a label proudly worn by activists in pursuit of social and climate justice: from Black Lives Matter to the #MeToo movement and the fight against global warming. Woke seemed to advocate a new era of equality and justice.

Now, however, the concept is being turned on its head by a growing anti-woke contingent that, according to the laws of action and reaction, has imbued the term with the kind of contempt that discredits those progressive causes. What began as a kneejerk reaction from the right has now spread to encompass an element of the left that is dissatisfied with wokes current prominence, is concerned by what they consider its excesses, and its lack of universality. Woke is now used as an insult. The growing criticism of the woke from some members of the left is generating tensions, as reflected by authors and philosophers such as Susan Neiman, Umut Ozkirimli and Stephanie Roza, not to mention the exuberance of right-wing critics within the field.

By subverting the word woke, the ultraconservative sector of the U.S. Republican Party managed to turn it into a kind of catch-all to criticize any progressive aspect of the political spectrum, be it education on racism, feminism, identity politics or even books they consider inappropriate, explains journalist and writer Lucia Lijtmaer, author of Ofendiditos. Sobre la criminalizacion de la protesta (Anagrama, 2019). Today, anti-woke, especially among the U.S. right, could be considered a movement in itself.

The response to wokeness is complex and varies according to political sensitivities. The ultra-right has long used the term to attack identity policies and environmental movements in general, painting them in terms of dictatorships: the woke dictatorship, or the environmental dictatorship, or simply the dictatorship of political correctness, also encompassing gender ideology, the gay lobby and all things queer. In its fearmongering, it warns of the advent of a kind of cultural Marxism, which will destroy white, Christian, capitalist, heterosexual civilization. There is a manic compulsion to discover the woke everywhere; they are like hyper-motivated Pokemon hunters, says writer Gonzalo Torne, author of La cancelacion y sus enemigos (Anagrama, 2022), who points out that attempts at censorship have generally come from conservatives in the past.

The International Womens Day demonstration, which was not transinclusive, as it passes through Madrids Gran Via on March 8. Claudio Alvarez

The U.S. anti-woke right has pushed the conservative political agenda into ever more extreme reactionary positions, which have succeeded in banning sex education in schools and abortion in several states. In Florida, for example, the Stop Woke Act has been used by the states conservative governor, Ron DeSantis, to try to prohibit companies and educational institutions from spreading anti-sexism and anti-racism content. Parts of that act have just been declared unconstitutional, after an appeals court found that they could violate freedom of speech. In a bid to become the presidential candidate, DeSantis had said he was leading the war on woke and that Florida is where woke goes to die.

Woke capitalism

So-called woke capitalism has also been criticized across the political spectrum; for example, wokeness in film with the feminism implicit in Barbie or the choice of Black actors for roles considered the domain of their white counterparts; advertising employing a more diverse range of actors or touching on environmental concerns  at times mere greenwashing; and inclusive policies in large corporations. The fact that some large corporations have adopted an agenda of inclusion and social justice, especially if it has no negative impact on economic results, is seen by some as progress; by others, it is viewed as the advance of the radical left and by others, simply as a matter of mega companies promoting a more woke image for their own ends: in other words, pure opportunism.

From more centrist positions, the legitimacy of feminist, LGBTQI+ and environmental struggles is recognized, but the excesses of wokeness are rejected  excesses such as the so-called cancel culture, the outbursts of puritanism and the condemnation of historical injustices, which has led to a wave of attacks on statues and monuments to colonizers and slave traders. Within feminism, a gap has opened up between traditional feminism, with its conservative views on the trans issue and the abolition of prostitution, and another more inclined to queer theory and the regulation of sex work  a divide apparent in some March 8 International Womens Day demonstrations.

In some quarters of the left, it is thought that mere engagement in the woke debate is to buy into the rights stance on wokeness. In other quarters, aside from wondering whether certain struggles have gone too far, it is also considered valid to call into question the essence of identity, thereby reclaiming a universalist left that focuses on the human being in general and less on certain oppressed minorities. In other words, one that deals with what we have in common rather than our differences.

The anti-woke left

The first book that questioned identity politics from the left in Spain was La trampa de la diversidad (Akal, 2018), by Daniel Bernabe, which caused a stir by declaring that woke policies were a product of neoliberalism that fragmented the working class with its individualist focus on identity and that distracted from its struggles with symbolism far removed from anything material or labor-oriented  considered the main struggle, due to its transversality. In her recent book Left is not Woke (Debate, 2024), the American philosopher Susan Neiman defends this universalist character of the left against the woke, which she sees as focused on minorities, and considers a form of tribalism.

Wokeness, according to Neiman, is based on emotions common to all members of the progressive left, who in general advocate the defense of the oppressed and the vindication of historical injustice. But, at the same time, it is influenced by philosophical theories that are right-wing, and even reactionary: tribalism, for example, or the belief that all claims to justice are covert claims to power, she says. She condemns how the right uses the caricature of wokeness to discredit the global left, to the point of almost making woke synonymous with left  hence the title of her book. The right uses woke as an insult to discredit anyone who fights racism, sexism or homophobia. Its dangerous, because those evils have yet to be fought. But the way the woke fight them often leads to outright rejection. It also leads many on the left to feel alienated because they dont agree with all their demands, she says.

The current malaise reflects to a degree the criticism during the 20th century directed at modernity, based on the Enlightenment. The attacks came from different philosophical contingents, such as the Frankfurt School (for example, Adorno and Horkheimer) and postmodern thinkers (such as the ubiquitous Foucault and Deleuze), which blamed Enlightenment for using reason to produce colonialism, domination, homogenization, destruction of nature, and even concentration camps and nuclear bombs. Enlightened humanism, says the philosopher Rosi Braidotti, put the human center stage, but not just any human  specifically a white, European, male, heterosexual, thereby marginalizing the rest.

To pursue the goals of emancipation, which are noble, Neiman proposes a return to concepts pertaining to the Enlightenment. What unites most woke individuals and postcolonialists is the rejection of any ideas derived from the Enlightenment, she says. If they were to look at the theories, they would find that some important woke concepts, such as that the world should not only be seen from European perspectives, come directly from the 18th century movement they think they despise. Neiman also criticizes the effectiveness of wokeness in developing policies that seem to get lost in symbolism and policing language.

Neiman is not the only one to criticize the wokes hostility towards the Enlightenment. French philosopher Stephanie Roza, in the recent La Gauche contre les Lumieres?, points out that the criticism of rationalism, progressivism and universalism is becoming increasingly fierce. Contemporary debates are heirs to this declaration of war on the Enlightenment, she writes.

Roza does not believe this opposition leads to any progress in intellectual, moral or political emancipation, but rather represents a regression to the arguments and theses of the old conservative and counter-revolutionary anti-Enlightenment critique. Awareness of this situation is necessary for the ideological rearmament of the left in the face of contemporary challenges.

The so-called cancel culture is another trigger point. Some consider it to be an attack on freedom of expression; others, quite the opposite  believing it to be the voice of those who never had one, who can now express their disagreement through what they choose to consume or via social media. I would say that the [criticism of] the cancel culture is a smokescreen used by public figures to try to avoid the criticism that may come to them from a public that has found its voice on social networks, says Gonzalo Torne, who points out that, in general, those who complain about the cancel culture usually do so, paradoxically, from powerful public platforms. It is playing the victim to curtail the legitimate freedom of expression of audiences, he adds.

According to leftist critic of the woke, Umut Ozkirimli, in his book Cancelled. The Left Way Back from Woke (Paidos, 2023), When I try to explain wokeness to my older friends and family, I tell them to think of Stalinism. It all fits. Instead of gulags, we have social death, cancellation. Of course, the old Stalinism is worse, but not much different. Ozkirimli thinks that wokeness pertains to the most extreme versions of identity politics, but he also thinks that identity politics today is extreme. Wokeness is a distortion and betrayal of the original identity politics, which were open to coalition building, concerned with all sorts of inequalities, and unabashedly socialist, he says. Major social advances, such as gay marriage in some countries and other rights for the LGBTQI community, were won before the eruption of wokeness.

Wokeness is, according to Ozkirimli, narcissistic; it is more interested in perceived individual slights than in structural historical injustices, and prioritizes individual empowerment over systemic change, and symbolic resistance over collective struggle. He also says it focuses on the specific as opposed to the universal, which, according to the woke, is restricted to the dominant classes and used as a generator of oppression. Therefore, it is argued, difference must be included in order to broaden the range of human representation.

There are those who, observing the debate from a global perspective, think that the confrontation between material and identity politics generates a schism on the left that only benefits the right, sowing discord by pitting class against race, gender or sexual orientation. This contingent believes the left must reject the confrontation. What arises is a false dilemma: minorities are overrepresented among the working classes, and, conversely, the proportion of working classes is higher among racial minorities, Eric Fassin, professor of Sociology and Gender Studies at the University of Paris 8, told EL PAIS. Theres no reason to oppose recognition and redistribution policies.

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(Bloomberg) -- Kristalina Georgieva is exactly the right person to steer the International Monetary Fund, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said, openly acknowledging his countrys backing for a second term.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Commenting in a X post, Lindner said that Georgieva navigated the IMF through difficult times over the last years.

I am convinced that she is exactly the right person to steer the institution through the challenges ahead and to strengthen the IMF as an advocate for structural reforms in our economies, he said Monday.

Georgievas current term ends in September, and she said Friday that she would be honored to serve for longer. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said in late February that shes doing a great job and his country would back her if she decided to seek another term. Bloomberg reported last week that shed also won German backing.

Should Georgieva have refrained from standing again, Eurogroup chief Paschal Donohoe  who also is Irelands minister of public expenditure  may have been a potential successor.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Monday, he acknowledge the Bloombergs December report on the topic, but said that any such prospect hinged on there being a vacancy, which now no longer looked likely.

Kristalina has steered the IMF through a pandemic, a war  and has done so in an incredibly inclusive way, he said. Im very lucky to have two jobs as it is, I plan to see both of them out.

--With assistance from Viktoria Dendrinou and Jorge Valero.

(Updates with Donohoe starting in fifth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Incumbent Doug Weisenauer aims to keep his position as a Crawford County commissioner in the March 19 primary election.

The Republican candidate says he's a firm believer in American liberties and plans to work on improving the quality of life in Crawford County.

He faces Republican Jeff Price in the primary race.

Weisenauer grew up in Crawford County on a dairy farm in Lykens Township and graduated from Wynford High School. He drove a Wynford school bus for 12 years, founded his own trucking business and served as a Lykens Township trustee before becoming a commissioner.

His first term as commissioner began in 2009. He said he got his first supporters through his involvement with the Bucyrus Kiwanis Club.

So, I had a lot of friends in the community, Weisenauer said.

He decided to run because at that time he knew one of the commissioners was retiring, and he thought someone with a good business background and good morals and principles was what it took to do the job.

I didn't run for Commissioner with a goal as an agenda, Weisenauer said. I just knew that many issues come through this office and affect the people.

Doug Weisenauer in his office.

Challenges and victories of the first terms

When Weisenauer took his seat, an economic downturn had just gripped the nation, and finances were tight, whereas the commissioners No. 1 responsibility was to provide elected officials with the finances they needed to run their departments.

We had to provide finances for the county, said Weisenaier. We are the taxing authority for the county and trying to balance budgets.

At that time, Weisenhauer said, to get the county out of a financial crisis, the commissioners had to be conservative about spending and select the programs they wanted to support with double caution.

We had to tell a lot of people no, Weisenauer said. We had to really tighten our belt for the expenditure.

Within five years, the conservative fiscal policy bore its fruits, said Weisenauer, and in February 2014 Weisenauer felt financially comfortable as a commissioner. Since then, his priority changed from making sure the basic needs are ensured to better serving the projects that come up.

I've never had an agenda, Wiesenauer said. Whatever issues come up, those are the ones that I have to deal with.

One of the victories for Weisenauer was helping to overcome drug overdose problems that arose in Crawford County, causing family break-ups and children being sent to foster care.

Weisenauer was one of the first Ohio commissioners who filed a lawsuit against the drug manufacturers in 2017.

I myself and some other folks we met with Governor [John] Kasich at the time, said Weisenauer. We told him that something needs to be done with the drug problem.

More: Crawford County voters uphold ban on industrial wind farm

In September 2021, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced an $808 million settlement with three large pharmaceutical companies to provide compensation to communities impacted by the opioid crisis.

Another issue Weisenauer took a firm approach to was the matter of windmills. The issue started with the Apex Clean Energy proposal for a 300-megawatt windfarm, the Honey Creek Wind project.

The project was predicted to generate up to $2.7 million in annual revenue for the county, with the money going to schools, infrastructure and government services. The windmills would have been placed on farmland Apex Clean Energy leased from farmers.

The preliminary project development started in 2011, but in 2021 Gov. Mike DiWine signed Senate Bill 52 stating county commissioners could reject particular wind turbines or solar farms, ban the projects entirely or carve out portions of the county where the facilities couldn't be built.

The residents in Crawford County have long disliked the fact their farmland would have been used for turbines, and following the popular sentiments in 2022 the commissioners voted to restrict wind farm development on unincorporated areas of the county.

More: Wind farm opponents celebrate commissioners' vote

Commissioners Tim Ley and Larry Schmidt voted for the restriction; Weisenauer voted against it. A referendum vote in November 2022 upheld a 10-year ban on industrial wind development in Crawford County.

Weisenauer, who faced criticism from the community for his position on windmills, said his stance was based on a conviction that commissioners, just as any other elected officials, do not have the right to tell voters what they can and cant do.

Not everybody can be happy, but this is a democracy, said Weisenauer. I am not going to tell people how to live.

Priorities for the future

Should he be elected to a new term, Weisenauer said his priorities would include improving the quality of life in Crawford County through delivering better Internet access and attracting more residents and jobs.

Weisenauer said after people started to work remotely during COVID, providing Internet access to every home through working on zoning and permits is the first thing to ensure the influx of residents to Crawford County.

The technology is changing so fast, that if we support one type of industry, another one's going to emerge that we didn't even know was possible, Weisenauer said. We don't want to hold anything up if it's going to help people.

Housing is another priority on Weisenauers list because jobs and housing are the two things needed to attract young professionals.

To improve the housing situation, Wesenauer said, a housing study was completed in the summer of 2019, an initiative of Crawford Partnership. The data determined the need for single family and multi-unit housing throughout the county.

Weisenauer pointed out there are some construction companies that might be interested in Crawford County projects, but they are busy elsewhere. The reason for this is that while the costs of construction of a subdivision might be about the same in Bucyrus and in Columbus, the profit will be significantly higher in the states capital.

A construction company can build a whole subdivision in Columbus and that's going to cost them basically the same to build that house whether it's in Bucyrus or Columbus, but when it's done, they can sell it for twice as much money as it's worth, Weisenauer said. That's one of the obstacles.

Despite the challenges Weisenauer said he is committed to Crawford County. He said what attracts people is the quality of life and recreation opportunities, such as parks and restaurants within driving distance, as well as the cost of living that is cheaper than in big cities.

We need to make Crawford County an attractive place, Weisenauer said.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Doug Weisenauer running for fifth term as Crawford commissoner
Hindu people in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are among those who will be able to seek citizenship

India's government has announced plans to enact a controversial citizenship law that has been criticised for being anti-Muslim.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will allow non-Muslim religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to seek citizenship.

The authorities say it will help those facing persecution.

The law was passed in 2019 - sparking mass protests in which scores of people died and many more were arrested.

Rules for it were not drawn up in the wake of the unrest but have now been, according to the country's home affairs minister Amit Shah.

He made the announcement on Monday, writing on social media that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "delivered on another commitment and realised the promise of the makers of our constitution to the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians living in those countries".

India's home ministry in a statement said that those eligible can now apply online for Indian citizenship. An online portal for receiving applications has already been set up.

The ministry said that there have been "many misconceptions" about the law and its implementation was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This act is only for those who have suffered persecution for years and have no other shelter in the world except India," it added.

The implementation of the CAA has been one of the key poll promises of Mr Modi's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the run-up to general elections this year.

It amends the 64-year-old Indian Citizenship law, which currently prevents illegal migrants from becoming Indian citizens.

Under the new law, those seeking citizenship will have to prove that they arrived in India from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Afghanistan by 31 December 2014.

Monday's announcement did not come as a surprise to many, as BJP leaders have been dropping hints over the past few months that the law could be implemented before the elections. After the notification was issued, BJP handles trended hashtags like "Jo Kaha So Kiya" (We did what we said) online.

In the meantime, protests against the CAA have started in some states, including Assam, where the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) - which spearheaded the 2019 protests in the north-eastern state - has given a call for a shutdown on Tuesday.

In the southern state of Kerala, the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) party has called for state-wide protests. "This [the law] is to divide the people, incite communal sentiments and undermine the fundamental principles of the Constitution," Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, adding that the law would not be implemented in his state.

The country witnessed massive protests against the law in 2019

Critics of the CAA say it is exclusionary and violates the secular principles enshrined in the constitution, which prohibits discrimination against citizens on religious grounds.

For example, the new law does not cover those fleeing persecution in non-Muslim majority countries, including Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka.

It also does not make provision for Rohingya Muslim refugees from neighbouring Myanmar.

There is concern that, when harnessed in tandem with a proposed national register of citizens, the CAA could be used as a way to persecute the country's 200 million Muslims.

Some Indians, including those who live close to India's borders, are also worried that implementing the law will lead to an influx of immigrants.

Monday's announcement has not gone down well with the opposition, who accuse the government of trying to influence the upcoming election.

This is expected to be held by May and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking re-election for a third term in a row.

"After multiple extensions in four years, its [the law's] implementation two to three days before the election announcement shows that it is being done for political reasons," said All India Trinamool Congress party leader, Mamata Banerjee, at a press conference.

Jairam Ramesh, the communication head of the Indian National Congress, wrote on social media that "the time taken to notify the rules for the CAA is yet another demonstration of the Prime Minister's blatant lies".

Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen party, questioned the timing of the move.

"CAA is meant to only target Muslims, it serves no other purpose," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Read more India stories from the BBC:
(Bloomberg) -- Indias election commissioner Arun Goel resigned on Saturday, just weeks before the crucial national polls, sparking allegations of a lack of transparency in the countrys constitutional body.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Indias President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Goel with effect from March 9, 2024, a law ministry notification said, without specifying the reason for him stepping down. Goel had tenure until Dec. 5, 2027, and was next in line to become the chief election commissioner in February next year.

With Goels departure, the poll panel  a constitutional body comprising three members  is now down to just its chief, Rajiv Kumar. The other member, Anup Chandra Pandey, retired last month.

A spokesperson for the election commission could not be reached for comment.

Coming days before the expected announcement of the election schedule, the development has caused concern among the opposition.

Lawmaker Saket Gokhale, the national spokesperson of opposition party All India Trinamool Congress, said in a social media post on X that the vacancies in the poll panel were a cause of concern.

According to a new law, election commissioners are selected by a panel headed by the prime minister, along with a federal minister and the leader of the opposition.

The panel to select new commissioners will meet on March 15, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, leader of the opposition Congress party in the lower house and member of the panel, told Bloomberg News.

His resignation will not impact the election process because you need one member to conduct the election and chief election commissioner is there so they can conduct the Lok Sabha election, Sunil Fernandes, senior advocate Supreme Court of India said referring to Goels departure. Still, there should have been three members to conduct an exercise of this magnitude, he added.

This is the second resignation by an election commissioner under Prime Minister Narendra Modis government. In 2020, Ashok Lavasa resigned as election commissioner to join the Asian Development Bank.

He had courted controversy for dissenting against the clean chits given to Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in some of the complaints of violation of model code of conduct in 2019 general elections.

--With assistance from Swati Gupta and Ruchi Bhatia.

(Updates with comment in 9th paragraph.)

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
The deal will see Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein invest in India

India has signed a free-trade agreement (FTA) with a group of four European countries that are not members of the European Union.

The deal with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will see investments in India of $100bn (77.8bn), the country's trade minister says.

The EFTA is made up of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

The announcement comes as the UK and India have been holding negotiations over an FTA for the last two years.

"This landmark pact underlines our commitment to boosting economic progress and creating opportunities for our youth," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement.

"The times ahead will bring more prosperity and mutual growth as we strengthen our bonds with EFTA nations," he added.

The agreement comes after almost 16 years of negotiations. Under this deal, India will lift most import tariffs on industrial goods from the four countries in return for investments over 15 years.

The investments are expected to be made across a range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, machinery and manufacturing.

"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 EFTA said in a statement.

India and the four EFTA nations now need to ratify the agreement before it can take effect, with Switzerland planning to do so by next year.

India is due to hold general elections this year as Mr Modi seeks a record third term in office.

In the last two years, India has signed trade deals with Australia and the United Arab Emirates.

Last week, the UK's trade minister Kemi Badenoch suggested that it was possible that Britain could sign a free trade deal before India held its elections but said it would be "challenging" .

"I suspect that that is not necessarily going to be the case because I don't want to use any election as a deadline," she added.
(Bloomberg) -- Sign up for the India Edition newsletter by Menaka Doshi  an insider's guide to the emerging economic powerhouse, and the billionaires and businesses behind its rise, delivered weekly.

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Indias Supreme Court ordered the government-controlled State Bank of India to disclose data related to political funding made through the controversial and now-banned electoral bonds by Tuesday.

Chiding the countrys biggest lender for stalling, and missing the court-set deadline of March 6 for disclosing the details of these bonds, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud put SBI on notice. The court may consider proceeding against the bank for willful disobedience if it fails to comply with this new deadline, he said.

In a significant ruling last month, the top court had banned all political funding through the opaque instruments, called electoral bonds, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modis government. The court called the funding mechanism unconstitutional and said the bonds that protected the identity of donors making contributions to political parties violated the right to information of citizens.

The court also asked the Election Commission of India to publish the data from SBI by March 15. Meanwhile, the data that the poll panel already possesses should be published immediately, the court ordered.

The ban on electoral bonds landed a big blow to political parties in India as the country readies for a national election. Modis Bharatiya Janata Party was the biggest beneficiary of donations through this mechanism. SBI did not immediately respond to an email seeking response on the order, while the election commission declined to comment.

SBI was the only bank authorized to issue electoral bonds. The supreme court had ordered it to furnish by March 6, details of donations made between April 2019 and February 2024. However, the bank approached the court shortly before the deadline to seek an extension until June 30, after the national polls are set to be completed.

The bank maintained details of donors and redemptions made by parties in two distinct sets, SBIs advocate Harish Salve told the court on Monday. Collating the data to match the details of donations and redemptions was a time consuming process and needed extra time, he said. A five-judge bench of the court refused to entertain the argument.

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
We know lawmaking is imperfect and that the quality of the end result is in the eye of the beholder.

But in a system that balances on the backs of interest groups and constituents vying for influence, there are some easily identifiable winners and losers at the end of these nine weeks.

What was promised to be a quick and uncontroversial session had no shortage of emotional peaks and climactic ends. And now, a small percentage of introduced legislation waits for Gov. Eric Holcombs signature.

Here are some of the winners, losers and toss ups of the 2024 session.

Winners:

Gun industry

Garys lawsuit against major firearms manufacturers is the last hold-out from the 1990s, when dozens of cities filed similar lawsuits in an effort to hold the gun industry liable for crimes committed with their products.

Together with the Republican-dominated Statehouse, the industry won  for now.

More: Is the effort to kill a lawsuit against gunmakers a Pandoras box? Holcomb holds the key

House Bill 1235 prohibits cities from suing gun manufacturers, retroactive to days before Gary filed its lawsuit. If Holcomb signs the bill and voids Garys lawsuit, the gun industry is likely safe from turning over internal documents advocates say could contain damning evidence. If the industry attempts to throw out the lawsuit based on the new law, it would likely be challenged by the plaintiffs.

Other gun legislation also succeeded this year, including House Bill 1084 that prohibits credit card companies from assigning transactions in different categories than other retailers or outdoor businesses. Additionally, language that allows the attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer to carry guns at the Statehouse was resurrected and added to this bill.

Indiana Apartment Association

The Indiana Apartment Association was the largest lobbying force supporting the repeal of Indianapolis special taxing district, the economic enhancement district, which planned to raise $5.5 million a year to pay for homeless outreach, cleanliness and security downtown.

The proposal to eliminate the district didn't cross the finish line, but the end result sure sounds like a win for the apartment association: apartment owners would be exempt from the tax.

Fans congregate Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, near a large NBA All-Star sign sitting along Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.

State employee retirees

On the last day of session, Hoosier public retirees had a reason to celebrate: They'll get more money. Lawmakers revived language providing retirees with a 13th paycheck this year  something that did not come to fruition last year.

The compromise language marries the Houses ad-hoc approach to providing 13th checks through one-time legislation, with the Senates preference for a longer-term solution for these cost-of-living adjustments.

House Republicans and Democrats on Friday celebrated the win as well as the Retired Indiana Public Employees Association, which said the extra money this year will give retirees vital financial support.

Gov. Eric Holcomb

Holcomb's legislative goals at the start of the year lined up well with priorities of Statehouse Republicans. Once the gavels came down on Friday, Holcomb had reasons to be pleased with the last session of his career as governor.

Lawmakers addressed the demand for child care, established procedures to elevate third grade reading scores and required computer science courses for Hoosier students to graduate from high school starting in 2029.

"The legislative successes provide a game plan to ensure that progress continues for affordable and accessible child care, improved literacy rates and increased access to post-secondary degree programs to better prepare Hoosiers for jobs of the future," Holcomb said in a statement Friday.

Gov. Eric Holcomb leaves the House of Representatives chambers on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, after his final State of the State address at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis.

Hoosiers who like to drink

Alcohol lobbyists often chafe at how complex, outdated or sometimes silly Indianas liquor laws are.

Its usually a shock for new Hoosiers to learn that happy hour has been illegal here for many years. Raise your glasses, because that will change this year if Holcomb signs House Bill 1086.

Plus, restaurants would be able to sell their specialty cocktails to-go  a boon to post-COVID business.

State Rep. Chris Jeter

Rep. Chris Jeter has two feathers in his cap as he returns to the campaign trail seeking reelection in Hamilton County. Both bills authored by the Fishers Republican this session were sent to Gov. Holcomb.

Jeter not only carried the bill that would void Garys gun lawsuit, but he also more notably helped negotiate the antisemitism discrimination bill to a place that seemed to satisfy all stakeholders interested in House Bill 1002, which passed with bipartisan support on the last day.

Lawmakers often jest that they've succeeded if those on both sides of a controversial issue are unhappy. So his success with what was once such a divisive bill is a win for Jeter, who carried a similar bill in 2023, which died in the Senate.

Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers, stands up at the end of a session in the house chambers, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis.

Speaker Todd Huston

House Republicans, led by House Speaker Todd Huston, managed to pass every one of their top priorities this session: Bills to tweak last years major workforce-training bill, define antisemitism, provide a 13th check and support the Senates efforts to address third-grade reading.

And even in the case of a bill that was less of a priority but nonetheless took up immense emotional bandwidth at the Statehouse  Senate Bill 52, this years IndyGo bill  Huston still came out the hero.

His 11th hour negotiations brought a climactic end to a wrought debate over dedicated bus lanes, and in the various statements from city leaders praising the outcome, Huston got the lions share of the credit.

Toss ups:

City of Indianapolis

Indianapolis had two major fights this session that some advocacy groups considered existential to the citys future. Supporters of both IndyGos Blue Line and the downtown tax district came out in droves, overwhelmingly tipping the scales of public opinion toward their side. And in the end, the city survived both those fights, mostly playing defense and collecting some bruises.

Indianapolis can have its economic enhancement district, but it has to start over with rallying support for a new ordinance  and from a very different tax base. The districts boundaries can be larger, but it exempts pretty much any building where people live, thus relying almost exclusively on the business community.

The Blue Line can proceed as planned, thanks to a compromise worked out behind closed doors between the city and legislative leaders. They dropped Senate Bill 52, the bill banning dedicated bus lanes in Indianapolis, but in exchange, IndyGo will have to adjust its Blue Line plans and have fewer dedicated lanes than planned.

On the other hand, though, Indy lost its ban on dog sales in retail pet stores after Holcomb signed House Bill 1412 into law.

Children

Were not going to say children are losers. But asked who lost out this session, Democratic Leader Sen. Greg Taylor said it: Theyre the losers.

Hes referring to the bills that loosened up regulations on child labor, from House Bill 1093 to Senate Bill 146.

Im scared to say this, but I think a lot of our children are in danger, he said.

Meanwhile, a separate Senate bill that sought to hold vehicle owners accountable for going around school buses with stop arms extended  another child safety issue  failed to make it across the finish line this year.

More: These 2024 session bills would ease Indiana's child labor laws

Democrats are also largely disapproving of the marquee third-grade literacy legislation, Senate Bill 1, because it could lead to schools holding back more students. Republicans, meanwhile, celebrate it, because the bill also incorporates more testing and supports leading up to third grade.

That 20% number thats not getting there by third grade is not acceptable to us, and we want to move the needle there," Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray said, referring to last years one in five third graders not passing the IREAD, "and I'm hopeful that that is going to make a big difference."

Families with medically complex needs

Legislative leaders were hesitant to step on the executive branchs shoes with respect to Family and Social Services Administrations billion-dollar accounting error and the resultant decision to transition families off an attendant care program.

Toward the end of session, a bipartisan cohort passed a slew of amendments onto a fiscal bill that would require a lot of data from FSSA about this transition, but also carve out some opportunities for impacted families to get more compensation than they can now.

More: Indiana lawmakers are done asking. Instead, they're legislating the FSSA attendant care problem.

What made it across the finish line in House Bill 1120 was a softened version of these proposals; measures focused mostly on data and reporting, and dont deliver financial relief to the families. The families havent lost, but they havent gained much, either.

Even Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch expressed ambivalence, saying the end result will help a little bit, but I am disappointed we fell short of what needs to be done.

Losers:

Transparency

Despite hours and hours of public testimony during committees throughout the first two months of the year, many bills were finalized during the last week behind closed doors.

State lawmakers can use a process called conference committees if a bill passes both chambers but the original author is unsatisfied with the final product. The conference committee has to hold one public meeting, but they sometimes last less than a minute and there is often little discussion about what is going on behind the scenes.

More: Last day of 2024 session: Bills get resurrected and gaming language rouses concern

When lawmakers wrapped up Friday, conference committees resurrected language from dead bills, including some that did not passed one chamber but not the other. Just a few examples of those proposals include: a research fund for psychedelic mushrooms, some language about tort claims against commercial vehicle operators, and heavily criticized language requiring the Indiana Gaming Commission to go to the legislator-led state budget committee if the commission needs more money.

Indianas public access counselor

Luke Britt is Indianas longest-serving public access counselor, but lawmakers sent a proposal to Holcomb that essentially strips one of the main parts of his job.

An amendment tacked onto a House bill about disruptive conduct at local government meetings would require the public access counselor to only consider plain text of the states public access laws or applicable court cases.

Republican lawmakers said they disagreed with many of Britts opinions, citing a case last year in Hamilton County as an example. Democrats decried the bill as a step backward for public access.

Britt has declined to speak publicly on pending legislation, but advocates for government accountability say it creates a chilling effect for a role designed to help regular Hoosiers understand whether their governments are following state laws.

Indiana wetlands

The very first bill Holcomb signed from the 2024 session stripped protections for Indiana wetlands. The proposal zipped through both chambers before the halfway point despite criticism that it was shoved through to prevent public outcry. The Hoosier Environmental Council and even state water regulators decried the bill saying it is not good for wetlands or water quality.

House Enrolled Act 1383 followed the 2021 Senate Enrolled Act 389. More than 250 acres of wetlands were completely lost in the two years following that bill due to the state no longer requiring mitigation.

Hoosiers who want legal weed

Hoosiers hoping for more progress on marijuana legalization saw momentum burn out in the Statehouse this year.

In this file photo, a worker trims leaves from a marijuana plant at Grow Ohios East Fultonham facility. [Chris Crook/Times Recorder]

There were signs of potential leading up to January. A bill on cannabis decriminalization actually got a hearing in 2023 and Ohio voters in November chose to legalize recreational marijuana.

But Republican leadership doused out any hope, as annual bills on regulation, decriminalization and medical marijuana died without hearings.

Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.

Contact IndyStar's state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Winners, Losers and Toss ups of the 2024 Indiana legislative session
WEST LAFAYTTE, Ind.  The Indiana General Assembly passed a bill last week that expands womens access to birth control in the state, all it is waiting for now is a signature from the states governor.

The Indiana House of Representatives passed House Bill 1426, which authored by Rep. Rita Fleming (D-Jeffersonville), will increase the availability of long-acting reversible contraceptives for postpartum Medicaid patients.

Prior to the bills passage, doctors were required to wait until a patients six-week check-up before being allowed to discuss the idea of subdermal implant contraceptives with their patients.

Doctors now are able to have those conversations with their patients prior to a patient being discharged from the hospital, if the bill becomes law.

The Indiana House of Representatives begins session after a two-hour recess, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis.

The bill expands these services to Medicaid recipients or individuals eligible for Medicaid, by requiring the state to reimburse hospitals for the cost of these services.

West Lafayettes state Rep. Chris Campbell, a Democrat, applauded the positive step forward for Hoosier mothers.

This bill is about being proactive and improving our maternal health outcomes," Campbell said. "Indiana is the third highest in the nation for maternal mortality. We have a lack of access to obstetric care, and our state has enacted an abortion ban.

Expanding access to long-acting reversible contraceptives, specifically the implant, is a way we can provide our Hoosier women with more options. It's a small way for Hoosier women to have better control over their bodies and family planning.

And although Campbell viewed this bill positively, she still noted that theres more work to be done in Indiana to ensure that women receive the postpartum care that they may need.

This bill was specifically designed to help our mothers who are facing difficult circumstances. Sometimes when youre in crisis  whether it's substance-use disorder, homelessness or any other personal hardship  it can be difficult to focus on your health, Campbell said.

We want women to return for postpartum care, but the reality is that a significant amount of Hoosier women dont return. This bill ensures that birth control is discussed after labor before hospital discharge.

The discussion isnt limited solely to the subdermal implant. Its a way for doctors to get their foot in the door and provide women with more information. Progress is made inch by inch, and I think this bill is the start of a vital discussion surrounding birth control access.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Indiana passes HB 1426, which expands women's access to birth control
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.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Batik Air plane briefly veered off course but was able to land safely

Indonesia is investigating local carrier Batik Air after both pilots were found to have fallen asleep for 28 minutes mid-flight.

The two men - who have both been temporarily suspended - fell asleep during a flight on 25 January from Sulawesi to the capital Jakarta.

One of them was reportedly tired from helping care for his newborn twins.

The Airbus A320 briefly veered off course but landed safely, with all 153 passengers and crew members unharmed.

The 32-year-old pilot had told his co-pilot to take control of the aircraft about half an hour after take off, saying he needed to rest. The 28-year-old co-pilot agreed, according to a report from the transport ministry.

But the co-pilot inadvertently fell asleep as well. According to the report, he had been helping his wife look after their one-month-old twin babies.

Jakarta air traffic control tried contacting the cockpit of the Batik Air A320 after their last recorded transmission but received no response.

That radio silence lasted 28 minutes until the lead pilot woke up and realised that his co-pilot had also fallen asleep. He also found that the aircraft had briefly veered off course.

The pilots then responded to calls from Jakarta and landed the plane safely.

Medical tests before the flight deemed that the men were fit to fly. Their blood pressure and heart rate were normal and alcohol tests came back negative.

But while the pilots appeared to be fully rested, the tests failed to determine whether the quality of their rest was good, aviation expert Alvin Lie told BBC Indonesian.

Authorities have now "strongly reprimanded" Batik Air over the incident, with Indonesia's head of air transport, M Kristi Endah Murni, saying that Batik Air should pay more attention to their crew's rest time.

Batik Air has said it "operates with adequate rest policy" and that it was "committed to implement all safety recommendations".

In 2019, the same airline was forced to have an emergency landing after the pilot fainted.

Aviation regulations in most countries require at least two pilots to be present in the cockpit of commercial airliners.

Additional reporting from BBC Indonesian
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, Azernews 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.
Facebook groups in which women warn each other of mens toxic behavior on dating apps were born from the risks to which these networks have given rise, but they are also places where defamation can run rampant.

Dating and hookup apps have changed the way that we look for sexual and affective relationships, but theyve also opened up new avenues for the kinds of toxic behavior that are as old as love and lust. Its not just so-called ghosting, the practice of disappearing with no explanation from one day to the next (according to a study by the University of Western Ontario, 72% of respondents had experienced this), but also identity fraud and dishonesty when it comes to seeing other people. One response to modern-day fears that can pop up before going on a date with a stranger is the enormous popularity of Facebook groups called Are We Dating The Same Guy?

Such groups exist in countries around the world. They are organized by city (there are versions from New York to Bogota, from Barcelona to Madrid). The online spaces were born from a simple goal: users upload images of the men they date on Tinder to make sure theyre not dating anyone else, a quick way to check that theyre not wasting their time trying for a relationship. But the groups quickly expanded into a place where one can warn others of certain mens red flags: warning signs of problematic attitudes or behaviors.

The groups are private. To join, one must fill out a survey and wait the verdict of their administrators. They have several rules, including a prohibition on giving out mens personal information or exposing their last names or addresses, as well as (a la Fight Club) not taking screenshots people outside the group that show what is being talked about.

Nuria Moreno, a lawyer who specializes in privacy, pointed out to EL PAIS that the first legal error (at least, in Spain) that is committed by these groups starts with their most elemental practice: sharing an image that a person has uploaded to a dating app. Legally in Spain, under European regulations, even if someone has posted a photo to a social network and therefore, expressly authorized its terms of use, that image is only approved for use on that particular platform. You cant take a photo and do whatever you want with it without express authorization, Moreno says. That would be violating a fundamental right. Although these groups are private, they still use individuals data. Moreno points out that Spain is a better guarantor of privacy protection than the United States, where there is no federal law that regulates data privacy.

The dark corners of loves TripAdvisor

This type of affective TripAdvisor was initially well-received. Last year, The Guardian said that these groups can offer a sense of camaraderie in a confusing and often lonely landscape. There are just as many posts thanking other women for their support and trying to organize Galentines meet-ups as there are horror stories and red flag emojis. The British publication did mention an interesting caveat: As it stands, all of the groups serve women dating men. To gender-flip the issue would obfuscate the reality of whos most at risk, but theres no question that groups of men posting details about women would be far more controversial.

That same year publications like The New York Times heralded their rise, saying, These groups provide the women with a sense of security. The posts act as endorsements  like Yelp reviews for potential mates. Although, that article did sound the alarm that they have become increasingly criticized for divisiveness, toxicity, defamation and privacy issues.

Tinder has become a popular way to find a mate, but it has also given rise to negative consequences. Getty / Collage: Blanca Lopez

Rules of these groups are strict. The description of a chapter in New York reads, This group is to protect women, not judge men. Of course, men are barred from taking part. Nonetheless, one must only sign in to a group to see that it is common for them to gain access under false pretenses to protest being judged.

The man who sued a group

On certain occasions, some of those men turn to the legal system for justice, as is the case with Nikko DAmbrosio, who on January 11, at the Illinois Northern District Court, became the first man to sue one of these groups. DAmbrosio sued 27 women, a man, Meta and other social media business for more than $75,000 in damage, alleging that his was the object of defamation, doxing and invasion of privacy, saying that the statements made by the Facebook group have affected his reputation, according to judicial documents that were obtained by Today.

Thousands of men have been potentially defamed by members of the group via these online publications, and remain entirely unaware of the attacks on their character as a result of the social media groups private status and heavily moderated members list, the suit says. His lawyer Marc Trent, of Trent Law Firm, tells EL PAIS via a Zoom call that he has been receiving calls from men from different parts of the world whose lives are being destroyed. He goes on to explain the injustice being visited upon his client: A woman uploaded a post to the group in which she called him a psychopath. This is not defamatory per se, it is freedom of speech, so you cannot sue. However, other people commented on that same post stating that our client is a sexual predator, and uploaded a news item referencing the conviction of a completely different man. They posted this news item below our clients image, with the police photo of this sexual predator, who has been convicted, claiming that they are the same person. That is defamation, he says.

Men arent the only ones who feel that these groups arent fulfilling their original, legitimate goals. A message from a woman who calls herself Erin says that she is dating one of the men who is being bombarded in one of these groups and alleges that absolutely none of the accusations fit his actual personality. I joined the group because they told me that they were talking about a man I was dating, Erin explains to EL PAIS. I wanted to see what they were saying about him. At first, I was scared, but then I realized I was believing people I didnt know instead of trusting the man I was getting to know. Then I looked at the posted information objectively and I realized that most of the things that they said were misrepresented. Erin says that these groups are no longer fulfilling the initial purpose for which they were formed. We need to start differentiating facts from opinions, recognize that not everyone is perfect and that just because a relationship doesnt work out, that doesnt make someone a bad person.

What happens on the app doesnt stay on the app

But in addition to fear of toxic behavior, fears of violence have found their way onto dating apps. According to a study by the Spanish Federacion de Mujeres Jovenes (Young Womens Federation), 60% of users have felt pressured to keep a relationship going and up to 21.7% say they have suffered sexual assault with violence. Even if these groups have been criticized, their enormous popularity does demonstrate a growing concern when it comes to safety in online dating.

Alba Duran, Spanish marketing director for Bumble, confirms that the platform is aware of these groups existence, but that, at the moment, we do not proactively monitor private social media groups where discussions about behavior on our platform may occur. However, people who have suffered harm can report it to Bumble through the app or our online form, regardless of whether or not they have an account with us.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  For Utah filmmakers Jared and Jerusha Hess, 2024 marks two decades of their cult classic Napoleon Dynamite  but 2024 is also the year of their first Oscar nomination.

The animated short Ninety-Five Senses was one of the five nominees for Best Animated Short Film at the 96th Academy Awards. It was directed by Jared and Jerusha Hess, and co-written by Hubbel Palmer  a professor at the University of Utah  and Chris Bowman.

PREVIOUS: U of U professor earns Oscar nomination for work on short film

While the Oscar ultimately went to War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko, the nomination itself still felt like a win to the team who worked on Ninety-Five Senses.

Some of the shorts artists, filmmakers and crew are local to Utah, and ABC4.com spoke with Palmer and the films producer, Tori Baker of the Salt Lake Film Society, ahead of the big night. Baker is also the President and CEO of the Salt Lake Film Society.

The animated short Ninety-Five Senses is described as an ode to the bodys five senses as told by a man with little time left to enjoy them. It features the work of six different teams of animators  each of which used its own style to illustrate the final regrets of a death-row inmate.

A lightbulb went off, and we were like, What if we were to take a character like that and have him reminisce about his life, but sort of through the lens of his five senses, co-writer Palmer said.

The Salt Lake Film Societys MAST program  a project aimed at mentoring post-graduate, emerging filmmakers  produced the animated short. The MAST program particularly focuses on animation.

We did have an animation emphasis, so we really wanted to take our animators and give them the opportunity to work with those seasoned people in the industry and build a network, Baker said. And what the result was of was Ninety-Five Senses.

Another result of that was the Oscar nomination, which Baker says already feels like a win.

Thats telling us all the peers within the world of animation have recognized this in this way, Baker said. Now its open to the entire Academy who will sort of hold the gold statue, but this has been a really great ride.

Ninety-Five Senses was the recipient of several awards, and had appeared in dozens of film festivals before the Oscar nomination, according to the U.

They said hundreds of films started on the film festival circuit along with Ninety-Five Senses, with that list eventually dwindling to a 15-film shortlist. Then the film was just one of five nominated for an Oscar.

We never dreamed it would end up here, Palmer said in January. Its been amazing to watch this simple story touch people in a deep way.

But, with humans having just five senses, where does the title come from?

Thats a question that is best answered by watching the Oscar-winning animated short film yourself. The short is available on Documentary+, which provides access to free documentaries and other films.

The short film is less than 14 minutes long, including the credits, and is narrated in its entirety by Tim Blake Nelson. Each team of animators used its own art style for the sense that they animated during the short film.

Dominica Harrison and Scott McHenry animated the sequence for the sense of sight, Jared Mathews and Dallin Penman animated the sense of smell, Michael Grover animated the sense of hearing and KC Tobey animated the sense of taste.

The sense of touch was animated by Gabrielle Badillo with Adriana Arvisu, Tamara Cruz, Melissa Lopez, Cristina Luao, Ruben Morales and Enrique Sanudo. Daniel Bruson is credited for animating Coy, who is the character credited to Tim Blake Nelson.

The short film is less than 14 minutes long, including the credits, and is narrated in its entirety by Tim Blake Nelson. The short is available on Documentary+, which provides access to free documentaries and other films.

We were blown away just to get on the short list, we did not expect this, Palmer said. This was a complete surprise to us, and then the day of nominations is just like this is too much!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
In the first couple of moments she heard knocking at her front door, Kim Pastore tried to convince herself it was a predawn weekend Amazon delivery.

When she peered out to see a small group of grim-faced police officers, she told herself that her husband must have been in a serious accident. She could not allow herself to consider that he had been killed.

I opened the door, and I saw the chief's face, and she said, Im so sorry, Pastore recalled through tears. I think I shut the door, not wanting to believe it.

The shooting death of Austin police SWAT officer Jorge Pastore in the early hours of Nov. 11 brought collective community grief, drawing crowds to the street to honor his service during a cross-city procession days later and thousands of mourners at his memorial service.

His death marked the first time in more than a decade that an Austin officer died in a shooting.

Kim Pastore, the wife of slain police officer Jorge Pastore, looks at photos of her late husband as she speaks about the new foundation she is creating in his honor. Jorge Pastore was gunned down during a SWAT standoff in November.

Jorge Pastore and other officers were called to a home on Bernoulli Drive in South Austin after a woman called 911 to report that a heavily armed man inside the house had stabbed family members. She told police that she had escaped but feared for the lives of two other victims inside.

When Pastore and the SWAT team entered the limestone brick home, the gunman opened fire, killing Pastore in a spray of bullets and wounding a second officer. Two family members of the gunman were dead inside, and the shooter was killed when police returned fire.

That no one else was killed was truly a miracle, Kim Pastore said.

Four months later, Kim Pastore spoke publicly for the first time to the American-Statesman, recounting her loss, her grief and her efforts to keep her husbands memory alive.

She said she hopes the newly created Jorge Pastore Foundation will provide supplemental funds to help send officers to additional tactical training, and, one day, she wants to help build a new training facility in his honor.

Jorge was very well trained, and training was a passion for him, she said.

As part of the effort, she also wants to prioritize overall officer wellness.

Pastore said that through the nonprofit, she wants to cement her husbands community service legacy.

I want to continue to honor his ultimate sacrifice and keep his passions alive, she said. I just want him to be an inspiration for people forever.

Kim Pastore wears her wedding ring and has a couple's tattoo on her ring finger along with late husband Jorge, signifying they were king and queen of each other's hearts.

From Florida to Texas

Jorge and Kim Pastore first met about 20 years ago in their native Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Kim Pastore said her husband had a constant desire to help others.

Hes going to be that guy who is the first one in, she said. He cant help himself. If someone needs help opening a door, or he sees a lady  way across the street, who is trying to pick something up  Im like, There he goes. He is going to go help her.

The couple married in 2017 as Jorge Pastore built a decadelong career working for the Seminole Tribe of Florida's fire department, rising to the rank of lieutenant.

But in 2019, Kim Pastore said her husband decided to take another step forward in his career to pursue another dream. He still had an interest in working in a high-intensity tactical position, she said.

I want to continue to honor his ultimate sacrifice and keep his passions alive, Kim Pastore says of the Jorge Pastore Foundation, which will aim to enhance the lives and careers of law enforcement professionals through training opportunities, wellness programs and community engagement. I just want him to be an inspiration for people forever.

He was making great money, he had a great schedule, and we all know everybody loves firefighters, she said. To go from firefighting to law enforcement is not common.

While visiting friends in Austin over the years, Jorge Pastore became interested in working for the Austin Police Department, and, in particular, joining the SWAT team. At the time, the team was heralded for its heroic takedown of a serial bomber months earlier.

In his first year on the force, Pastore navigated the pandemic as a rookie and was assigned to help patrol the protests outside the Police Department's headquarters.

We left a town where we knew a lot of people and had a lot of connections, she said. It was fun, exciting and fresh, but a little scary. But I 100% supported him.

Within four years on the force, Pastore was chosen as the newest member of the SWAT team. Kim Pastore said she often considered the dangers of her husbands job, especially when he worked as a solo patrol officer.

I never worried about SWAT, she said. He was with the best of the best, highly trained. Everything is tactically thought through.

Kim Pastore displays one of her tattoos honoring late husband Jorge. The tattoo was made with some of Jorge's ashes.

Community support 'gave me such hope.'

On the morning of his death, Jorge Pastore arrived home soon after midnight after a late-night patrol shift. The two spent about a half-hour watching TV before falling asleep. A couple of hours later, his pager chimed with the SWAT call-out.

He always says, See you in a bit. He never said goodbye, and that was just his thing, she said.

Kim Pastore has hazy memories of the first week after her husbands death, but she vividly recalls the outpouring of support from Austin residents and his police colleagues.

To see there is love out there, she said. There is support. It gave me such hope, and it filled my heart. I was in shock honestly.

Austin honor guard carries fallen officer Jorge Pastore's flag-draped casket to the armored SWAT vehicle leading the procession Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes in Austin. Pastore, 38, was killed by a gunman on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Kim Pastore has slowly begun what she said she knows will be a long journey of grief and recovery. She has returned to her work in new home sales.

I still wake up every morning to that same pounding in my heart of hearing that knock on the door, she said.

Kim Pastore takes comfort knowing that her husband died doing what he loved and helping others.

It couldnt be more beautiful for him, except we are all left here at a great loss, she said. The only part of this that would not be perfect for Jorge is that he could not save those hostages, unfortunately.

Inside the Pastore home, pictures of their lives together line the walls, and she has created a photo board of candid shots of her husband with friends and on patrol. She displays multiple awards in a separate room.

Pastore said her new effort with the Jorge Pastore Foundation has given her new momentum that will propel her through the months and years.

It is really filling my heart, she said. I have always been so incredibly proud of him. He was such an amazing human being. I am so lucky and grateful to have had the time I had with him and to be loved by him.

For more information

Visit the Jorge Pastore Foundation at www.jpastorefoundation.com.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: APD officer Jorge Pastore's widow talks about grief, new foundation
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence will receive testimony from top officials of several agencies Monday in a hearing on the broad subject of global threats.

The various department heads are likely to express concerns about potential actions by Russia, Iran and China.

Containing potential spill-over effects from Russias continued assault on Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war remain top agenda items for foreign policy.

Adapting to risks posed by advances in AI and other cyber security threats are likely to be priorities for all of the agencies.

Witnesses will include Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, CIA Director Bill Burns, and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

The hearing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EDT.

Watch the live video above.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Content warning: The video attached to this story may not be suitable for some viewers. The footage depicts the sights and sounds of gunfire.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Body camera footage shows the moment deputies with the Broward Sheriffs Office got into an intense shootout with a Broward County Transit employee accused of fatally shooting a coworker in Pompano Beach.

The video, released by the Broward Sheriffs Office on Friday, shows deputies exchanging gunfire with the suspect at a Broward Transit maintenance facility on Wednesday night.

4 arrested on narcotics charges in Citrus County: sheriffs office

Authorities said the suspect, Transit employee Rafael A. Molina, shot and killed his coworker, Warren Chambers, following an argument. The sheriffs office said surveillance video showed Molina waiting outside while his coworker changed clothes at the facility.

Once Chambers left the locker room, Molina removed a gun from a lunch box and executed him, according to Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony.

Its crystal clear hes waiting, he waited for quite some time for his colleague to change out and come out in his clothes and then he shot and executed him, Tony said.

Sheriff Tony also said Molina used a hammer to smash a cell phone before positioning himself in an ambush position inside of a bus before the shootout.

We witnessed him walk and strategically place himself in an ambush position inside of a bus that was vacant and being prepared in waiting for our deputies or the next victim to cross his path, Tony said.

The sheriffs office said Molina fired six shots at deputies, who fired nearly 50 times at Molina between the three deputies involved.

The deputies have been identified as 44-year-old Sgt. Noel Mercado, 31-year-old Deputy Joseph Sherbo, and 30-year-old Deputy Richard Delgaudio.

I intend to put the Medal of Honor around all three of them, its the most courageous thing Ive seen, Tony said.

All three deputies have been on administrative assignment as the investigation continues.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
The nine-day long event will run from 24 May to 1 June, with only individual events ticketed

Organisers of a major whisky festival have warned it would be "inexcusable" for CalMac not to run extra ferry services.

The Islay Festival is requesting additional sailings throughout the event, which runs from 24 May to 1 June.

Festival chairwoman Florence Grey said many potential visitors were unable to book a sailing.

But CalMac said its service was "completely stretched" and additional services may not be possible without restricting other routes.

Ms Grey told BBC Scotland News: "The majority of our visitors who can get over, cannot bring their vehicles, which is in turn going to lead to a transport crisis on the island."

She added that many people won't make the start of the festival, which is a "disaster" for the distillery open days.

The festival committee have been campaigning since early February for additional sailings to the island.

The event attracts around 15,000 visitors a year and, according to the festival committee, it is worth 10m to the local economy.

About 45% of its visitors are from the UK, with the rest coming from Europe, the USA and Asia.

The festival has been volunteer-run since the inaugural event in 1986.

But it is only accessible by plane or ferry from mainland Scotland, with CalMac ferries sailing from Kennacraig to Islay.

Organisers fear the lack of sailings will impact the local economy and lead to accommodation cancellations.

The festival is a mix of whisky, music and cultural events

Islay has no freight ferry so island distillers have agreed to move their freight requirements, to avoid the festival wherever possible and free up some capacity.

In a statement, the committee said: "We find it inexcusable that the Tiree Music Festival and Eilean Dorcha Festivals both have had their additional sailings announced, but there is nothing for Islay, which brings in more to the local economy than both festivals combined, as well as so much to the wider Scottish economy."

Ben Shakespeare is a committee member who has been campaigning on this issue.

He said: "We've got a situation where we have a lot of visitors who can't be there in time for the accommodation they've booked.

"To have accommodation for the festival, you often have to book it two years in advance."

Ben Shakespeare is a Committee Member at the Islay festival

Mr Shakespeare said he had concerns about the whole summer timetable.

He added: "It's not just about the festival, but it's a crunch point if you will, when the extra capacity is really needed and it's not there.

"The problem is now, the problem is 2024 and the problem actually needs a solution."

By next year Islay will have two new ferries.

But the committee warn that if a solution isn't found soon, it will have a detrimental impact on the island's economy.

Robbie Drummond, chief executive of CalMac, said the festival was an important event for Islay and recognised the operator played a vital role in supporting it.

He confirmed that the island would be served by a two-vessel service this summer, following the delayed dry dock for MV Caledonian Isles and recent community consultations.

Mr Drummond added: "We have also been working with the Scottish Whisky Association and their members to explore options to best manage capacity across the week."

He said that timing for the deferred dry dock for MV Finlaggan was "carefully planned" to avoid Easter and the festival.

CalMac said it would continue to monitor demand on capacity for Islay and would consider extra sailings for the festival nearer the time.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: The Scottish government knows the importance of Feis Ile for the Islay economy and has asked CalMac to work with local stakeholders to ensure there is sufficient capacity for the event."

They added that they understand the "frustration" of Islay and island communities after recent disruption to ferry services.

The spokesperson said: "Ministers are aware of requests from communities and business for business support as a result of the ongoing disruption."

They said advice was being sought across the Scottish government, but any such scheme would need to be "carefully considered".

More on this story
By Maayan Lubell and Nidal al-Mughrabi

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) - Israel was checking on Monday whether it had killed Hamas's deputy military leader in an airstrike in Gaza, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said, as prospects faded for a ceasefire to coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

If his death is confirmed, Marwan Issa will be the highest-ranking official from the Islamist militant movement killed by Israel in five months of war that has pulverised the coastal enclave and killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Issa, known as the 'Shadow Man' for his ability to stay out of sight, was one of three top Hamas leaders who planned the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war and who are believed to have been directing Hamas's military operations since then.

Speaking at a briefing with reporters, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Israel had bombed the Al-Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on Saturday night following intelligence about the location of Issa, second-in-command of Hamas's military wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades.

Two Hamas leaders -- Issa and another commander responsible for Hamas weapons in Gaza -- used the underground compound that Israeli jets struck in a joint operation with Israel's Shin Bet security service, Hagari said.

"Beside them in the tunnel there were other terrorists," he said but added that it was still not clear whether Issa had been killed.

A Palestinian source said the Israelis had hit a place where they thought Issa was hiding, but could give no details of his fate.

"There still aren't indications with certainty," Chili Tropper, an Israeli cabinet minister, told Israel's Channel 13 television on Monday.

"If indeed Marwan Issa was eliminated, who in many ways is Hamas' military chief of staff, it's a great achievement by the IDF and Shin Bet, he said.

Fighters from Hamas, which administers Gaza, killed 1,200 people in the Oct. 7 attack and took 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies, an assault that sparked one of the bloodiest wars in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel's retaliatory military campaign on the densely populated enclave has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza authorities, while infrastructure has been obliterated and hundreds of thousands are now close to famine.

ISSA ON ISRAEL'S 'MOST WANTED' LIST

Issa is on Israel's "most wanted" list, together with Mohammed Deif, commander of the al-Qassam Brigades, and Hamas's Gaza leader, Yahya Sinwar.

Issa's death, if confirmed, could also complicate efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages, although Israel says talks are continuing through Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

Hamas blames Israel for refusing to give guarantees to end the war and withdraw troops. Israel wants a temporary truce to secure the release of hostages in return for letting some Palestinians prisoners go free, but has said it will not stop its war until it has defeated Hamas.

Negotiators had wanted a halt in hostilities for Ramadan, which began on Monday, but an Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza City killed 16 people and wounded several others, Palestinian health officials said.

Israel also killed two Palestinians in an airstrike on a house in the southern city of Khan Younis as residents were breaking the first day of the Ramadan fast, Gaza health officials said.

The IDF did not immediately comment on those incidents. But it said its forces had killed about 15 militants in close combat and airstrikes in central Gaza and that commandos had targeted sites believed to be used by Hamas militants in Khan Younis.

Pro-Palestinian groups elsewhere continued to make their presence felt. Lebanon's Hezbollah said it had launched several drones at an outpost in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Monday, and two other incidents were reported in Red Sea waters where Yemen's Houthis have been attacking ships.

At least one civilian has been killed and several others injured after Israel launched four strikes on eastern Lebanon's city of Baalbek on Monday, two security sources and the Baalbek governor, Bashir Khader, told Reuters.

Israeli strikes had been mostly limited to the southern border region of Lebanon, although they have edged further north in recent weeks, a broadening of Israel's campaign, a Lebanese security source told Reuters.

GUTERRES APPEALS FOR TRUCE, HOSTAGE RELEASE, AID

The conflict has displaced most of Gaza's 2.3 million people, with many cramped into makeshift tents with little in the way of food or basic medical supplies in the southern city of Rafah.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres appealed for a truce in Gaza, the release of hostages and the removal of obstacles to life-saving aid. He said a threatened Israeli assault on Rafah could put the people of Gaza in "an even deeper circle of hell."

The U.N. estimates a quarter of the population are at risk of starvation, and is barely scratching the surface of daily needs. Aid agencies are now focusing on delivering aid by sea and through air drops. The U.N. has previously accused Israel of blocking aid to Gaza.

Jordanian state media said there had been seven humanitarian air drops on Monday, with Jordan, the U.S., Egypt, France and Belgium participating. Morocco was also scheduled to join the effort, Israeli media reported.

The U.S. military said it had parachuted more than 27,600 meals and 25,900 bottles of water into northern Gaza.

A government source in Cyprus said a vessel carrying 200 tonnes of aid was scheduled to set sail on Monday. The U.S. military said its vessel, the General Frank S. Besson, was also en route to provide humanitarian relief to Gaza by sea.

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim welcomed the aid corridor but urged the U.S. to work to end the war.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo, Maayan Lubell and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem, and Samia Nakhoul in Dubai; writing by Sharon Singleton, Timothy Heritage and Humeyra Pamuk; editing by Andrew Cawthorne, Kevin Liffey, Josie Kao and Michael Perry)
Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure over his hard-Right stance - REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Benjamin Netanyahu could be ousted from office over public distrust of his strategy in Gaza, US intelligence agencies have said.

A joint report by 18 agencies on the global threat level, published on Monday, found that the Israeli prime minister was facing significant opposition to his hard-line policies on Palestinian and security issues.

Mr Netanyahu is under pressure to maintain control of his coalition government, which relies on support from seven parties, amid public anger over the Oct 7 attacks.

Protesters have gathered across Israel to demand the prime ministers resignation and the release of hostages from Gaza, with some opposition politicians calling for fresh elections.

On Saturday, protesters clashed with police in Tel Aviv in two separate demonstrations calling on Mr Netanyahu to do more to secure the hostages release.

Israel may prefer more moderate leader

The annual threat assessment by the US director of national intelligence said that the opposition to Mr Netanyahu may have the power to topple his government in favour of a more moderate leader.

Netanyahus viability as leader as well as his governing coalition of far-Right and ultra orthodox parties that pursued hard-line policies on Palestinian and security issues may be in jeopardy, the report said.

Distrust of Netanyahus ability to rule has deepened and broadened across the public from its already high levels before the war, and we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections.

A different, more moderate government is a possibility.

The warning came as Israel launched an investigation into whether a top Hamas leader, the elusive deputy commander of its armed wing, was killed in an air strike over the weekend.

A strike on a building in the Nuseirat refugee camp early on Sunday targeted Marwan Issa, one of the suspected masterminds of the Oct 7 attack on Israel, Israeli media reported.

Reports said five Palestinians were killed in the strike, although it is unclear if Issa was among them.

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TEL AVIV, IsraelPresident Joe Biden used his State of the Union Address last week to reiterate the U.S. commitment to eventual Palestinian statehood. There is no other path that guarantees Israels security and democracy. There is no other path that guarantees Palestinians can live with peace and dignity, he said. There is no other path that guarantees peace between Israel and all of its Arab neighbors, including Saudi Arabia.

But as Israels military campaign against Hamas drives out Gazas terrorist sovereigns, the American and Israeli governments have yet to agree on the first step to any such solution: how to govern the Gaza Strip and its civilian population amid a growing power vacuum. A broader consensus on who will take the reins after the conflict ends appears even further afield, even as the U.S. and its Arab allies throw their weight behind an eventual unified Palestinian state.

U.S. officials have repeatedly put forth the idea of a revamped Palestinian Authority (PA) as the long-term solutionan idea with backing from its Arab partners in the region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other oil-rich Gulf states are now linking their financial support for Gazas reconstruction to a more sweeping peace deal in the hopes that a viable pathway to Palestinian statehood and a technocratic Palestinian government will prevent future outbreaks of fighting in the Strip. Parallel with that guarantee, Saudi Arabia would move ahead to normalize relations with Israel.

But the makeup of such a government remains foggy. In its current form, the PAwhich governs the West Bankis wildly unpopular among its own constituents. The governing body is riddled with corruption and, even more damning in the eyes of many in the West Bank, seen by Palestinians as in cahoots with the Israeli government. Armed groups in the Palestinian territory, including Hamas, have grown in popularity and consolidated their support in various cities and refugee camps.

Meanwhile, the PAs president, 87-year-old Mahmoud Abbas, refuses to give up power despite behind-the-scenes U.S. efforts to reform the government in Ramallah. In a recent survey, 92 percent of West Bank respondents said Abbas should resign. Nearly 45 percent said they supported Hamas. PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and his government announced their resignation last month, but Abbas seems unlikely to follow suit, to the great frustration of many Palestinian factions. (Shtayyehs replacement has not yet been named and elections, which were last held in 2006, do not appear imminent.)

Abbas doesnt have control over Nablus, Dimitri Diliani, spokesman for Fatahs Democratic Reformist faction, referring to a city in the West Bank during an interview with The Dispatch. Do you think he will have control over Gaza? It would be ridiculous to entertain such a thought.  Abbas has a problem with controlling and servicing areas under his direct jurisdiction.

But opposition to the PAs current leadership isnt only from the Palestinian side. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vocally opposed a PA takeover in Gaza following the defeat of Hamas, specifically criticizing the bodys pay-for-slay policies, which provides monthly salaries to the families of imprisoned or slain terrorists.

Netanyahu presented a one-page plan to his Cabinet outlining his own vision for the postwar Gaza last month, but it doesnt appear to have won over the Biden administration. The document, which mainly addresses immediate-term plans, called for empowering local officials with prior administrative experience and without any ties to terrorist groups or terror-supporting countries. Its unclear whether the PA would fall under that disqualifier or not. The prime minister also outlined the Strips complete demilitarization and open-ended Israeli security control, as well as deradicalization in schools, mosques, and other institutions.

Whether Israel will succeed in this ambitious restructuring of Gazan society now largely depends on the success of its military campaign. Israeli forces have made sweeping gains across the Gaza Strip, but Hamas now appears poised to either wage a bloody insurgency or absorb its former administrative roles in the areas its lost. Neither Israel nor the U.S. have committed to a long-term plan to prevent the groups eventual resurgence.

In the unfolding chaos, Hamas sees an opening. The terrorist group reportedly prioritized the return of Gazans to the northern part of the Strip in recent, failed negotiations to reach a temporary ceasefire and hostage deal, indicating that it may seek to reestablish some sort of governance over the area. In a recent interview with Israeli newspaper Ynet, a Hamas security official claimed that the groups police force had regained control over most areas in northern Gaza while wearing civilian clothing.

Difficulties distributing aid and maintaining law and order in recent weeks have laid bare the long road ahead for Israel. As aid groups suspend operations in northern Gaza due to the breakdown in civil order, including recent attempts by gunmen to commandeer aid trucks, Israel has sought to work with local businessmen to facilitate the distribution of food and other supplies. But when large crowds of Gazans swarmed aid convoys earlier this month, resulting in the deaths of dozens, it cast doubt on the Israeli militarys ability to guarantee the safety of local administrators and the civilians theyre serving.

The Biden administration has warned Israel that, in the absence of a clear administrative plan, the situation could devolve further. And the challenges of governing Gaza are bound to outlast the war.

How do you make sure that Hamas doesnt regain power and attack Israel again? What you need here is a very practical plan. You need people who are willing to be on the ground, Nadav Eyal, a Middle East political commentator at Israeli news outlets Yediot and Ynet, said in an interview. You need to make sure that Gaza will not fall into the hands of Hamas. These are huge challenges.

Read more at The Dispatch

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Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to kill all of Hamas's top leaders - Amos Ben Gershom/Israel Gpo/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to kill all of Hamass top leaders as he says Israel has eliminated the groups number four.

In a video statement, the Israeli prime minister said: We are on the way to total victory. On the way to this victory, we already eliminated number four in Hamas. Three, two, and one are on the way.

Number four is understood to refer to Hamass deputy political leader, Saleh al-Arouri.

Mr Netanyahus comments come amid an investigation into the fate of Hamass number three, Marwan Issa, the deputy head of the terror groups military wing, who was reportedly targeted in an airstrike early on Sunday.

They are all dead men, we will reach them all, Mr Netanyahu added.

03:59 PM GMT

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our coverage. The latest updates were:

Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to kill all of Hamass top leaders as he says Israel has eliminated the groups number four.

Hamass second-highest military leader may have been killed in a strike over the weekend, with both the terrorist organisation and IDF seeking to confirm his death.

The US military conducted another airdrop of humanitarian aid into northern Gaza on Monday afternoon local time.

Israels defence minister said that authorities would respect freedom of worship during Ramadan but were ready for anyone who might try us.

The representative leading a United Nations investigation into allegations against its relief agency in Gaza arrived in Israel.

An explosion that took place near a ship in the Red Sea on Monday is suspected to have been an attack by Yemens Houthi rebels, though the blast caused no damage.

Lebanons pro-Iranian Hezbollah group said it launched a multi-drone attack on an Israeli air defence outpost across the border in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with an invasion of Rafah, resisting pressure from US president Joe Biden who warned such an offensive would be a red line.

03:43 PM GMT

Pictured: Humanitarian aid packages dropped in Gaza

Aid packages dropped in northern Gaza by a military aircraft - REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

03:39 PM GMT

Gallant says Iran seeking to promote major terror attacks

Israels defense minister Yoav Gallant has claimed Iran is seeking to promote major terror attacks by smuggling weapons into the West Bank.

We must prepare for an increase in terror during Ramadan, Mr Gallant told troops of the elite Duvdevan unit.

Iran is working to up the severity of attacks by smuggling in many weapons, he says, describing the arms as high-quality.

03:04 PM GMT

US conducts additional humanitarian aid drop into Gaza

The US military conducted another airdrop into northern Gaza on Monday afternoon local time, US Central Command said.

March 11 USCENTCOM Conducts Humanitarian Airdrops into Gaza



U.S. Central Command conducted a humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on March 11, 2024, at 2:17 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.



The joint pic.twitter.com/ThKcwMX5Uq  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 11, 2024

02:43 PM GMT

Perceived disagreements with US make it harder to defeat Hamas, says Netanyahu

In an interview with Fox News, Benjamin Netanyahu said that perceived disagreements between the US and Israel make it harder to defeat Hamas.

To the extent that Hamas believes that theres daylight between us, that doesnt help, Mr Netanyahu said, after intensified criticism from US president Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris over the weekend.

He said that agreement, on the hand, helps the war effort, and it helps our efforts to achieve victory and obviously the release of the hostages.

02:01 PM GMT

Pictures of Gaza on March 11

Smoke billows after Israeli bombardment on Khan Yunis as seen from Rafah - SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip on March 11 - IDF Via Reuters

01:51 PM GMT

Hamas second-highest military leader suspected dead

Hamass second-highest military leader may have been killed in a strike over the weekend, with both the terrorist organisation and IDF seeking to confirm his death.

The Israeli military reportedly attempted to assassinate Marwan Issa, the deputy head of Hamass military wing, in a recent airstrike in the central Gaza Strip.

According to local media reports, Issa was hiding in the Nuseirat camp. Overnight between Saturday and Sunday, the IDF carried out an airstrike on a building where he was believed to be.

Reports say five Palestinians were killed in the strike.

01:47 PM GMT

UN chief calls for Gaza truce

United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has called for a truce in the Israel-Hamas war as the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan begins.

He also called for the release of hostages held by Hamas and the removal of all obstacles to ensure the delivery of lifesaving aid at the speed and massive scale required to Gaza, where the UN has warned that a quarter of the population are on the brink of famine.

International humanitarian law lies in tatters, he told reporters. And a threatened Israeli assault on Rafah could plummet the people of Gaza into an even deeper circle of hell.

01:44 PM GMT

Israel says dont try us as Ramadan begins

Israels defence minister said that authorities would respect freedom of worship during Ramadan but were ready for anyone who might try us.

The State of Israel respects the freedom of worship at Al-Aqsa and all holy places, Yoav Gallant said in a video message, referring to the third-holiest site in Islam, located in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

The month of Ramadan may be a month of jihad, and we say to everyone not to try us  we are ready, dont make mistakes, he said in the clip posted on his Telegram channel.

His comments came amid concerns about tensions during Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, a flashpoint for violence during the Muslim fasting month in past years. The compound is also Judaisms most sacred site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

During Ramadan, Muslims in their tens and even hundreds of thousands pray at the compound.

On Friday a spokesman for the armed wing of the Hamas militant group called on our people to mobilise and head towards Al-Aqsa.

01:01 PM GMT

UN special envoy arrives in Israel to investigate allegations against Gaza aid agency

The representative leading a United Nations investigation into allegations against its relief agency in Gaza has arrived in Israel, the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.

Catherine Colonna will lead the investigation into conduct by the United Nations Works and Relief Agency (UNRWA) after Israel claimed 13 members of the group were directly involved in the Oct 7 attack on Israel, and hundreds more are connected to Hamas.

Following Israels allegations, UNRWAs main donor, the United States, along with countries including Britain, Germany and Australia, paused funding to the organisation.

12:35 PM GMT

Gallant says Israel respects the freedom of worship at al-Aqsa Mosque

Israels defence minister Yoav Gallant has said in a video address that his country respects the freedom of worship at al-Aqsa [Mosque complex] and all the holy places.

His comments come after Israel limited access to Muslim worshippers during Ramadan, citing security needs with war raging in Gaza.

12:05 PM GMT

More on the Red Sea explosion

An explosion that took place near a ship in the Red Sea on Monday is suspected to have been an attack by Yemens Houthi rebels, though the blast caused no damage, authorities said.

The master of the vessel reported the explosion and said no one was hurt, the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said.

The private security firm Ambrey say the incident may have involved a missile, but information remained scarce.

The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack, though it typically takes the rebels several hours to acknowledge their strikes.

The blast comes after a Houthi missile struck a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden last week, killing three of its crew members and forcing survivors to abandon the vessel.

11:50 AM GMT

Pictures from March 11

The Open Arms vessel, carrying two-hundred tonnes of food aid to Gaza Strip, remains docked in the Cypriot port of Larnaca on March 11 - IAKOVOS HATZISTAVROU/AFP via Getty Images

Palestinians collect the remaining belongings from their destroyed house after Israeli attacks in Rafah - Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images

An elderly Palestinian man sits in his makeshift tenr in Rafah - Abed Zagout/Anadolu via Getty Images

11:39 AM GMT

Jordan says Israels Al-Aqsa mosque restrictions are pushing towards explosion

Jordans foreign minister Ayman Safadi said that restrictions imposed by Israel on Muslim worshippers access to Jerusalems Al-Aqsa mosque compound during the Muslim fasting month was pushing the situation towards an explosion.

In remarks on state media, reported by Reuters, Safadi said his country rejected Israels announced move to limit access to the holy site during Ramadan, citing security needs with war raging in Gaza.

Jordan echoes the Palestinian view that such restrictions were an attack on freedom of worship, he said.

11:37 AM GMT

More on suspected death of Hamas top commander

More on reports that Hamass senior military leader may have died in an air strike.

If his death is confirmed, Marwan Issa would be the highest-ranking official from the terrorist organisation taken out by Israel in the more than five-month war.

Israeli Army Radio said Israel had bombed the Al-Nusseirat camp in central Gaza on Saturday night, where it had intelligence about the location of Issa.

The attack killed five people, the report said.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Israel was checking if the fatalities included Issa.

Neither the Israeli military nor Hamas officials immediately commented on the media reports.

11:18 AM GMT

Israeli officials say an offensive into Rafah is not imminent

An Israeli offensive into Rafah is not imminent, multiple Israeli officials told CNN on Monday.

According to the report, the Israeli military has not yet built up the forces needed to proceed with a Rafah offensive.

It has also not finalised plans for a civilian evacuation, which is expected to take at least two weeks, the officials said.

11:14 AM GMT

Missile-related incident reported off Yemens Hodeidah

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency also said it had received a report of an incident 71 nautical miles southwest of Yemens port of Saleef.

10:53 AM GMT

Ambrey says it is aware of a missile-related incident west of Yemens Hodeidah

British maritime security firm Ambrey said it was aware of a missile-related incident west of Yemens Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

Yemens Iran-aligned Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November in what they say is a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians during Israels war against Hamas in Gaza.

10:39 AM GMT

Hezbollah stages multi-drone strike on Israeli outpost in Golan Heights

Lebanons pro-Iranian Hezbollah group said it launched a multi-drone attack on an Israeli air defence outpost across the border in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

It said the rare attack, in which it deployed four drones, hit their target with accuracy in what it said was another operation in support of Palestinian militant groups in Gaza.

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967.

10:30 AM GMT

Netanyahu vows to resist US pressure and launch Rafah assault

Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with an invasion of Rafah, resisting pressure from US president Joe Biden who warned such an offensive would be a red line.

Mr Biden said on Saturday that he opposed an escalation into Rafah  a city in the south and now a refuge for approximately half of the 2.3 million population  and that he could not accept 30,000 more Palestinians dead.

Israeli prime mnister Benjamin Netanyahu - REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

But on Sunday, Mr Neyanyahu retorted: Well go there. Were not going to leave them. You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is? That October 7 doesnt happen again. Never happens again.

The Israeli prime minister also dismissed suggestions of a ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, saying he did not see any breakthrough in the negotiations.

Weve destroyed three-quarters of Hamas fighting terrorism battalions. And were close to finishing the last part in warfare, he said, adding that fighting would not take more than two months.

09:57 AM GMT

Gaza aid ship yet to leave Cyprus

A ship carrying humanitarian aid, that was expected to depart for Gaza on Sunday, is still docked in Cyprus.

A charity leading the mission told the BBC it is a quickly evolving and fluid situation, but hopes the ship, Open Arms, will set sail soon.

09:49 AM GMT

Hamas-linked website warns Palestinians not to work with Israel

A Hamas-linked website has warned Palestinians against co-operating with Israel to provide security for aid convoys.

Those involved would be treated as collaborators and be handled with an iron fist, the Hamas Al-Majd security website said, quoting a security official in Palestinian militant forces.

The warning came in response to Israeli media reports that Israel was considering arming some Palestinian individuals or clans in Gaza to provide security protection for aid convoys into the besieged enclave as part of wider planning for humanitarian supplies after the fighting ends.

The occupations attempt to communicate with the leaders and clans of some families to operate within the Gaza Strip is considered direct collaboration with the occupation and is a betrayal of the nation that we will not tolerate, the website said, quoting the official.

The occupations (Israel) efforts to establish bodies to manage Gaza are a failed conspiracy that will not materialise.

09:25 AM GMT

Pictured: Destruction in Rafah

Tthe rubble of a residential building hit in an overnight Israeli air strike in Rafah - SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images

A Palestinian searches for his belongings amid the rubble of houses destroyed by Israeli bombardment in Rafah - SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images

09:15 AM GMT

IDF investigates after commander destroyed university without approval

The Israel Defence Forces has issued a disciplinary note to a top commander after he ordered the destruction of a university in southern Gaza City, without the approval of his superior, according to Haaretz.

Al-Asraa university building was destroyed in January.

The IDF claimed that its investigation revealed that Hamas used the building and its surroundings for military activity against our forces, but the process of collapsing the building was done without the required approvals.

08:55 AM GMT

Hamas checking if senior Hamas leader killed

Hamas is reportedly checking if its second-highest military leader was killed in a strike over the weekend.

The Israeli military reportedly attempted to assassinate Marwan Issa, the deputy head of the of Hamass military wing, in a recent airstrike in the central Gaza Strip.

According to Hebrew-language media reports, Issa was hiding in the Nuseirat camp. Overnight between Saturday and Sunday, the IDF carried out an airstrike on a building where he was believed to be.

Reports say five Palestinians were killed in the strike, although it is unknown if Issa is among them. According to the local reports, Hamas is checking if Issa was killed in the strike.

08:39 AM GMT

ICYMI: Holocaust being hijakced: Political Oscar speech condemns Israel-Gaza conflict

08:34 AM GMT

Dutch election winner meets Israeli president and pledges full support

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders said he had met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog and pledged his full support to Israel in its fight against terror.

Mr Wilders, who is aiming to lead a new government after his nationalist PVV party won elections in November, has long been a staunch supporter of Israel.

Mr Wilders posted a picture of his meeting with Herzog online and wrote: I told him I am proud that he visits the Netherlands and that Israel has, and always will have, my full support in its fight against terror.

I just had a great meeting in Amsterdam with the President of Israel @Isaac_Herzog. I told him I am proud that he visits the Netherlands and that Israel has, and always will have, my full support in its fight against terror. #Israel #Herzog pic.twitter.com/LBft3ieYlG  Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) March 11, 2024

08:28 AM GMT

UK announces 117 million security funding for Muslim sites

The British government has pledged 117 million pounds towards protecting Muslim communities amid a rise in Islamophobia as it promises more action to tackle extremism.

The new funding, announced just over a week after extra cash was promised to enhance security for Jewish groups amid soaring anti-Semitism, will be used to protect mosques, Muslim faith schools and other community centres, the government said.

The pledge by the Home Office comes amid a surge in anti-Muslim hate incidents in the UK since the outbreak of the war between Israel and the Hamas militant group in Gaza last October.

Tell Mama, a group which monitors anti-Muslim incidents, said last month there had been a 335 per cent increase in cases since the Oct 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.

Anti-Muslim hatred has absolutely no place in our society. We will not let events in the Middle East be used as an excuse to justify abuse against British Muslims, James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, said.

The security measures will include technology such as CCTV, alarm systems and perimeter fencing.

08:23 AM GMT

Health ministry says war death toll at 31,112

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Monday that at least 31,112 people have been killed in the territory during more than five months of war between Israel and Palestinian militants.

The latest toll includes 67 fatalities over the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said, adding that 72,760 people have been wounded in Gaza since the war began on October 7 when Hamas militants attacked Israel.

08:21 AM GMT

Saudi king calls for end to heinous crimes in Gaza

Saudi Arabias King Salman has called in his Ramadan message for the international community to bring an end to the heinous crimes taking place in Gaza.

Speaking as custodian of Islams two holiest sites, King Salman saif the war in besieged Gaza would cast a shadow over the holy 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.

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A fight between two students led to an employee being hurt at an Issaquah school Monday morning.

Shortly before 9 a.m., two brothers began fighting at Issaquah High School, and an employee was inadvertently hurt while they were breaking up the altercation, according to Issaquah Police Chief Paula Schwan.

The school was locked down as a precaution during the incident.

The boys involved were released to their parents.

Schwan said video of the fight was reviewed and no weapons were involved.

An ambulance was dispatched to the school, but no one was seriously hurt, and the aid unit left with no patients inside, Issaquah School District spokesperson Lesha Ingalls said.




























Kensington Palaces botched communications strategy has had a boomerang effect that has only further fueled conspiracy theories surrounding the whereabouts and health of Kate Middleton. On Sunday, the Princess of Wales posted a photo of herself surrounded by her three children on social media to mark Mothers Day in the United Kingdom. It was an effort to nip speculation about her health, which has been circulating since January 17 when she disappeared from the public eye after undergoing planned abdominal surgery, in the bud.

More information Kate Middleton apologizes for manipulated Mothers Day photo and admits she edited it herself

Millions of people began to scrutinize the photo down to the smallest detail, and pointed out obvious Photoshop manipulations. At the end of the day, the most important media agencies in the world  Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse and Getty  pulled the image from their servers, citing concerns that the photo had been altered.

At least one detail  the end of the right cuff of little Charlottes cardigan  is evidence that the photo has been manipulated. The girls wrist appears displaced, while part of the sleeve is missing.

Detail of the photo distributed by Kensington Palace, in which you can see that the red sleeve of Charlotte's cardigan has been altered. Prince of Wales/Kensington Palac (via REUTERS)

The Princess of Wales is fond of photography and for many years has been the one responsible for taking photos of her family, which she then distributes to the press or posts on social media. In this case, Kensington Palace said the image was taken by Prince William. It is now under pressure to explain the photo, which was made public early Sunday.

News organizations follow strict guidelines on the use of manipulated photos, and did not wish to take responsibility for an image they suspected of being digitally manipulated.

Prince Williams communications team said that the photo had been taken in Windsor earlier this week. It was an obvious attempt to try to stop the rumors and speculation that have been circulating about Kate Middleton. Kensington Palace resisted providing more details about the operation, out of respect for the privacy of the princess.

Last week, the U.S. gossip website TMZ published an unauthorized photo of Middleton sitting in the passenger seat of an Audi 4x4 driven by her mother around Windsor. Kate was wearing dark glasses and the image was blurry. The British media decided against publishing it to preserve the familys wish for privacy. When the image of the princess with her children came to light on Sunday, every British newspaper and television station led with it. The idea that the media was actually given a manipulated image may hurt the Prince and Princess of Wales communications team even more, fueling more social media theories about the true whereabouts and health of Kate Middleton.

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Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has expressed his opposition to the idea of deploying Western troops to Ukraine, saying that such a move would hinder diplomatic efforts, the Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on March 10.

The comments came after French President Emmanuel Macron recently said that Western military presence in Ukraine cannot be ruled out in the future. The U.S. and multiple European allies, as well as NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, have distanced themselves from Macrons statement.

Crosetto told the Italian parliament that the Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2023 did not achieve the intended outcome, emphasizing the need for a realistic assessment of the military situation.

From this perspective... it would seem that the time has come for incisive diplomacy, alongside military support, because there are a number of important signals coming from both sides, Crosetto said, as cited by Reuters.

In a March 10 interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, Crosetto also said that sending troops to Ukraine would represent a unilateral escalation, which could impede diplomatic solutions.

He argued against considering this option after two years of war, highlighting the need to explore alternatives.

No to the military in Ukraine. France should not speak for NATO, Crosetto told La Stampa.

Crosetto noted that statements suggesting the possibility of deploying Western troops to Ukraine made by France and Poland do not represent NATO's collective position.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on March 8 that he did not rule out the potential presence of NATO troops in Ukraine.

While acknowledging the efforts of Western countries to supply weapons to Ukraine, Crosetto admitted that production levels still fall short of Russia's capabilities. He also talked about the importance of providing comprehensive support to Kyiv while advocating for a more robust activation of diplomatic channels to help Ukraine regain its freedom, territory, and security.

Read also: Wests response to Macron comments on troops to Ukraine reveal discord, weakness, experts say

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(Bloomberg) -- Ivory Coasts ex-President Laurent Gbagbo could again run for office next year, more than a decade after his refusal to concede election defeat sparked a civil war which left at least 3,000 people dead or missing.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Gbagbos African Peoples Party wants the former leader to be officially sworn in as its presidential candidate for the 2025 vote, according to a statement.

The 78-year-old Gbagbo returned to Ivory Coast three years ago after he was acquitted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity committed during the five-month conflict that started in 2010. Hes since been pardoned by President Alassane Ouattara, but has yet to see his civic rights restored, a necessary step to vote and to run for office.

Gbagbo, together with Ouattara, 82, and Henri Konan Bedie, another former president who passed away in 2023, have dominated politics in the worlds top cocoa producer for decades. Tidjane Thiam, the former chief executive officer of Credit Suisse, is widely expected to contest the 2025 vote after securing the leadership of Bedies former party.

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[Source]

Dragon Ball, which will mark its 40th anniversary later this year, traces its roots back to the inspiration of the iconic action star Jackie Chan.

The kung-fu manga: In a 1995 interview with Japan's Bird Land Press, manga artist Akira Toriyama expressed his admiration for Jackie Chans movies, particularly citing the film series Drunken Master as his favorite. When Toriyamas successful manga series Dr. Slump was completed in 1984, his editor at the time suggested he create a kung-fu shonen manga, eventually leading him to develop the Dragon Boy one-shot, which served as a prototype for Dragon Ball.

Chans influence on Toriyama: Chan's dynamic, death-defying stunts in films like Dragon Fist and Dragon Lord served as a crucial influence on Toriyama, shaping his series signature kung-fu essence. Toriyama also paid playful homage to the martial arts master through the character Jackie Chun, an alter ego of Master Roshi. Toriyama said that the action star's impact on Dragon Ball underscores both the series inception and its subsequent success.

Toriyamas influence on Chan: As for Chan, he also confessed to drawing inspiration from Toriyamas Dr. Slump for his films. In fact, in his 1985 film My Lucky Stars, Chan wears the attire of the series protagonist, Arale Norimaki, in a notable scene. This reciprocal exchange of creative inspiration shows the mutual admiration between Toriyama and Chan, highlighting the interconnectedness across different mediums and cultures.

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When their paths crossed: Chan and Toriyama decided to meet in Japan while the martial artist was there to film the aforementioned scene in My Lucky Stars. Toriyama published details and photos of the serendipitous occasion in the December 1986 issue of Bird Land Press.

Chan as Goku: In 2013, Toriyama reportedly told Fuji TV that he wanted a younger Chan to play Goku in real life. The first official live-action adaptation of the franchise came in 2009's "Dragon Ball Evolution," which was received poorly by critics and fans alike. Chan, on the other hand, expressed his desire to play the character as early as 1995 in a Shenlong Times interview in "Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 1: Complete Illustrations."

Chans farewell: Toriyama, who was born in 1955 in Nagoya, died at the age of 68 on March 1 from acute subdural hematoma, which involves bleeding near the brain after a head injury. After the news was announced, Chan shared his final goodbye to the creator on Weibo.

Trending on NextShark: How Jackie Chan and late Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama inspired each other

Akira Toriyama-sensei, thank you for creating so many classic works, they will last forever. Farewell, Chan wrote along with a photo of the two of them.

Far-reaching influence: Toriyama's far-reaching influence is also evident in the expressions of grief from fans, fellow manga creators Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto) and Eiichiro Oda (One Piece) and China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, who extended condolences and recognized the creators renowned status and the popularity of his work in China. Toriyamas legacy lives on through Dragon Ball, which continues to inspire generations of fans worldwide.

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Laws mandating arrests or financial penalties for camping outdoors or standing on a roadway criminalize poverty, advocates say, and that disproportionately affects Black people, who are 40% of the homeless population in the US.

In Tennessee, camping under an interstate can be as criminal as being a statutory rapist. Or stealing a gun. Or promoting prostitution. So if people who are broke, freezing and hungry take shelter under a tarp beneath an interstate ramp, police can arrest them, and prosecutors can charge them. If convicted, theyd face a minimum of one year in prison for that class E felony and a maximum fine of $3,000. Thats the same sentence a rapist or a pimp could get.

The enmity toward and criminalization of people without shelter is no better in Florida, Washington, New York or Georgia. States are setting up people without a place to live to become criminals and, in some cases, lose their right to vote.

Black people make up 40% of the homeless community in America, despite being just 13% of the countrys population, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Consequently, the punitive effects of being homeless, disproportionately fall on their shoulders.

This is the state of the homeless crisis in America. Many cities and lawmakers are focused on criminalizing rather than helping the most vulnerable people in American cities. And that approach places more pressure on advocates and volunteers who want to help those who have nowhere to sleep, feel safe or take care of basic necessities.

An unhoused resident sleeps on a corner in Austin, Texas, last December. Many cities and lawmakers are focused on criminalizing rather than helping the most vulnerable people in U.S. cities. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Jeff Stills, a New York electrician, sees lawmakers shifting attitudes about people who are unsheltered, and hes aware of the pressure to help humans facing indignity after indignity. Hes one of the thousands of volunteers and outreach workers in New York City who participate in the yearly Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE) survey.

The count is a federal requirement from the Department of Housing and Development (HUD) to determine where resources are needed to help unhoused people. That tally must be completed any time during the last 10 days of January.

For the last five years, Stills, a Brooklyn native who volunteers at soup kitchens throughout the year, has helped in the counting efforts.

I spent a lot of my childhood homeless. This is a way for me to help us understand how serious this problem is in our city and neighborhoods. He said his mother struggled to provide for him and his siblings, and he bounced around several shelters before moving in with his grandparents.

Stills and the others traversed New York City to conduct the survey on Jan. 23, a rainy and cold night. He worked in the Crown Heights neighborhood and found several unhoused people in some of the parks and commercial areas.

One woman lying on a park bench told Stills she tried to spend the night at a nearby motel, but it was full. She was already on a waiting list for a local shelter. Stills used an app to tally the number of people he found, which was about 7. The citys final tally will be released in the summer.

According to Stills, the perspective around the homeless community has felt different, with the influx of migrants in the city and a perception of more targeting by the police. Hes more concerned than usual about people left on the streets. The mindset [from lawmakers] seems to be more hostile towards the [homeless population], Stills said. I dont know when that changed.

Thats a perspective some experiencing homelessness share. Freddie Hart, whos now at a shelter in Brooklyn, has been living on the streets for several months after relatives kicked him out of his grandmothers house. The police dont even ask you questions or ask if they can help; theyll just lock you up if youre in the wrong spot, Hart said.

New York City has a Homeless Bill of Rights that allows people to sleep outside, but the state is one of 16 that restricts loitering, loafing and vagrancy and one of 24 that has those restrictions in public places.

One Black woman, 34, (who requested anonymity), said she and her elementary school-aged son lost their Brooklyn apartment due to a fire and have been in a shelter for a few months. She said shes in between jobs and had no renters insurance for her apartment The landlord offered no housing help, she said

Shes heard horror stories about people who are homeless getting arrested when they have nowhere to go. Im doing everything I can to find a home for me and my son, she said. We shouldnt be in jail for our situation.

More people are finding themselves in the same situation as that mother. According to HUD, from January 2022 to January 2023, theres been a 12% increase in the number of homeless people. There are overall 650,000 homeless people in the country, which is the highest number since 2007. The number increased by 70,000 from 2022 to 2023.

We have seen some growth in the numbers, unprecedented growth as a matter of fact, said Donald Whitehead, the executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. Weve seen growth in people entering homelessness for the first time. Weve also seen a pretty substantial growth in seniors and a continued, overrepresentation of people of color.

People gather at a homeless encampment in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles in September 2023. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Half of U.S. renters pay 30% or more of their income toward rent and utilities. According to a recent Harvard University study, thats considered unaffordable. Advocates say that a drastic rise in rent prices throughout the country along with an end to much of the COVID-19 assistance contribute to the rising number of people who are unhoused. Still, experts believe the racial angle makes the problem persistent.

Racism is both a cause of homelessness, and it is the reason that we perpetuate homelessness in the country, Barbara DiPietro, the senior director of policy at the National Health Care for the Homeless Council said. Part of that has to do with income levels. According to BlackRock, an American investment company, 37% of Americans dont have $400 in liquid savings. For Black households, that number is 72%.

The criminalization of homelessness and the draconian punishment for being unable to afford shelter look different in each state but they have the same effect: to get poor (mainly Black) people out of sight without addressing the systemic causes. In 2022, Tennessee made it a felony for someone to camp on public grounds. Those charged could face six years in jail, a $3,000 fine, and the loss of their right to vote.

Earlier this year, the Kentucky House passed the Safer Kentucky Act, a sweeping anti-crime bill that includes banning street camping in the state. A person could be fined up to $250 for camping illegally under the law. It also states that property owners can use force to remove someone who is camped on private property. The bill is stalled in the state Senate.

In Washington state and Atlanta, officials with the state Departments of Transportation use large rocks to stop people who are homeless from gathering in certain areas. In Miami Beach, Florida, there is a ban on people sleeping outdoors, and the police can arrest those on the streets who refuse to go to a shelter or who are offered a bed and refuse it. Those arrested could get 60 days in prison and a $500 fine if convicted.

In Oklahoma, barriers and rocks block a recently cleared encampment under the I-44 bridge over North Pennsylvania Avenue in December, an attempt to keep homeless people from returning. (Photo by Doug Hoke/USA Today Network).

Overall 48 states have laws that restrict the regular behavior of people who are homeless. That includes panhandling and sleeping outside.

These tactics  according to experts and advocates  perpetuate the cycle and make it harder for advocacy groups to help unhoused people. It exacerbates their outreach cause in ways that are absolutely unfathomable, Whitehead said. When people are put in jail it makes them ineligible for certain programs. If they have medicine, it can get thrown away. It can have some deadly consequences.

The criminalization trend from lawmakers and city leaders has become so prevalent that the Supreme Court is deciding whether or not some anti-homelessness laws in place constitute cruel and unusual punishment, exploring a case out of Grants Pass, Oregon.

A federal court in the state said that the city could not enforce a law against people without shelter for sleeping outside or in a car when they have nowhere else to go. That decision came after two people who are unhoused challenged the law.

Aside from the Supreme Court case, there are pushes in various states to provide more resources for those experiencing homelessness. Milwaukee has had no families living on the streets since 2020. Between 2021 and 2022, the number of families living in shelters decreased by 72%.

These numbers result from coordination across various agencies and organizations with shelters, rehousing providers and eviction lawyers. This includes a fund of $9 million for a landlord-tenant mediation program that can be used to help families struggling with rent, utilities, car repairs and more.

Last year, Houston cut its homeless population by 17% compared with 2022. Over the past decade or so, the population has decreased by over 60%. City and county agencies along with nonprofits have worked together to address and invest in the systemic issues that drive homelessness, like a lack of affordable housing. The priority for them is housing, not over-criminalizing.

Experts believe other cities and regions can learn from the work in places like Milwaukee and Houston. There are tens of thousands of abandoned buildings in every community, Whitehead said. We could easily transform some of those units into affordable housing and itd be less costly and quicker than trying to build something from the ground up.

Stills would love to see that in his neighborhood. He hopes that as he continues to participate in the homeless survey every year, the numbers will eventually decrease not because more homeless people are in jail but because they received help.

We need more compassion for people, Stills said. A homeless person is still a person.

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The post Jail time, fines become solutions as states make actions practiced by people who are homeless a crime appeared first on TheGrio.
James Crumbley told mass shooter son there were people you can talk to in meeting hours before school shooting

James Crumbley appeared to show concern for his sons mental well-being when he told him there were people you can talk to during a meeting just hours before the teen opened fire at a Michigan high school, a school counsellor testified on Monday.

Mr Crumbley, 47, is on trial for involuntary manslaughter over the November 2021 Oxford High School shooting, in which his then-15-year-old son Ethan Crumbley shot and killed four students.

He is accused of failing to secure a gun at home and ignoring signs of Ethans mental distress.

Oxford High School counsellor Shawn Hopkins testified on Monday about a meeting he had with the parents just hours before the shooting. He said he insisted they take Ethan home, but they refused.

Mr Hopkins testified that on the surface level it appeared James Crumbley was showing the appropriate level of care for Ethan because of the comments he heard him saying at the meeting.

He was talking to his son and mentioned, You have people you can talk to. You can talk to your counsellor, you have your journal. We talk, Mr Hopkins recalled. It felt appropriate at that time, but my concern at that point was there wasnt any action.

Instead of taking the teen home, however, the parents left with a list of mental health providers after being presented with his violent drawings and disturbing messages.

James Crumbley is on trial for involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 Oxford High School shooting (AP)

My hope was that they were going to take him, Mr Hopkins testified. Either take him to get help or even just, Lets have a good day. Lets have a day where we just spend time with you.

I didnt want him left alone, the counsellor added, as he made the decision that the student would be better staying in class with the students rather than going home and being alone.

The testimony came on day three of the trial. Judge Cheryl Matthews said the case could head to the jury by Wednesday.

Prosecutors focused on the morning of the shooting before shifting to the teens proficiency with a firearm.

The Crumbleys had met with school staff who gave them a drawing on Ethans math assignment showing a gun, blood, and a wounded person, along with anguished phrases: The thoughts wont stop. Help me. My life is useless.

Mr Hopkins said he met with Ethan before they arrived, trying to understand his mindset. The boy told him: I can see why this looks bad. Im not going to do anything.

I wanted him to get help as soon as possible, today if possible, Mr Hopkins said. I was told it wasnt possible.

Hopkins testified that he told the parents that he wanted movement within 48 hours, and thought to himself that he would call Michigans child welfare agency if they didnt take action.

Oxford High School counselor Shawn Hopkins recalled a meeting he had with Ethans parents hours before the shooting (AP)

Just a day earlier, Jennifer Crumbley had been called when a teacher saw Ethan looking up bullets on his phone, the counsellor said.

On the stand on Monday, Mr Hopkins said James Crumbley never objected when his wife said they couldnt take Ethan home.

He also said that no one disclosed that a new gun had been purchased just four days earlier  one described by Ethan on social media as my beauty.

The court heard how Ethan had made multiple visits to shooting ranges with a parent in 2021, including one just three days before the school massacre.

A security camera at the range recorded him instructing his mother when she appeared to struggle with the newly purchased Sig Sauer 9 mm, according to a video played for the jury.

His new Xmas present, she wrote on social media.

An Instagram post is entered into evidence of Ethan Crumbley showing off the murder weapon during the trial of his father James Crumbley (AP)

Federal agent Brett Brandon said Monday that a cable to lock the Sig Sauer gun case was unused and still sealed in plastic when authorities searched the Crumbley home.

When the boy surrendered at school, he took the magazine out of the firearm and placed it on top of a trash bin, which I found unique, Mr Brandon testified on Monday. Not something someone would do if they committed a mass shooting.

Ethans mother Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty of the same involuntary manslaughter charges last month.

The Crumbleys are the first US parents to be charged with having criminal responsibility for a mass school shooting committed by a child.

Ethan, now 17, is serving a life prison sentence for murder and terrorism.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The will of Ukraine should be respected, Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said, commenting on the Pope's words about the "white flag" of Ukraine, Nikkei reported on March 11.

"How we approach negotiations that will determine the future of Ukraine, including the nature of ceasefire negotiations, must depend on the will of the Ukrainian people," he said.

Read also: Polish FM to Pope: 'No need for Ukraine talks If Putin withdraws troops'

The Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary also condemned the start of early voting in the Russian Presidential election in the occupied territories of Ukraine, saying that "holding elections based on illegal annexation is never acceptable."

In a recent interview with the Swiss broadcaster RSI, Pope Francis said that "the strongest will be the one who has the courage to raise the white flag" and that "negotiating is courageous." He also called for negotiations "before it is too late."

Read also: Kremlin reminds that Putins stance echoes Pope's call for Ukraine to negotiate

After Francis' words caused outcry, 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.

Francis' scandalous statement also sparked a reaction from Poland and Latvia, among others.

In response to the Pope's words, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukraine's flag is blue and yellow, and "we will not raise other flags."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Pope Francis' calls. He said that the white walls of houses and churches in Ukraine destroyed by Russian munitions "speak very eloquently about who should stop" to end the war.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The trial of former JEA executives Aaron Zahn and Ryan Wannemacher headed into the homestretch Monday after the government rested its case and defense attorneys began calling their own witnesses in the federal courtroom where jurors have been hearing evidence since opening arguments on Feb. 28.

Zahn, the former CEO of JEA, and Wannemacher, the utility's former chief financial officer, then started their defense later Monday as they face charges of conspiracy and fraud in connection with an employee incentive plan that prosecutors said would have delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in payouts to JEA employees if the city has sold the utility.

An expert witness for Zahn testified Monday afternoon his own analysis of the plan showed it would have resulted in a much smaller payment of about $31 million to JEA employees. Ernest Dixon of Berkley Research Group sharply disagreed with computations done in November 2019 by a City Council Auditor's Office that showed astronomical returns to employees.

"It was hypothetical," Dixon said of the council auditor's report. "There were many assumptions."

Back in 2019, JEA officials who devised and approved the employee incentive plan did not counter the City Council Auditor's report by making the kind of critique outlined by Dixon in his testimony. The auditor's report contributed to the demise of the attempt to negotiate a sale of JEA and also sparked the criminal investigations that brought charges against Zahn and Wannemacher.

Timeline: Conspiracy trial of Aaron Zahn and Ryan Wannemacher caps tumultuous years for city and JEA

Meet the defendants: Former JEA executives Aaron Zahn and Ryan Wannemacher are on trial: How they got there

No photos, no videos: In ex-JEA executives' trials, these are rules for reporters, spectators

The final witness called Monday morning by the federal government for its case was Herschel Vinyard, a former secretary for the state Department of Environmental Protection who later joined JEA in April 2019 as its chief financial officer.

Vinyard's testimony reprised his appearance Friday without the jury in court when U.S. District Judge Brian Davis ruled the government could add Vinyard to its witness list.

The government also was able to add former JEA human resources vice president Jon Kendrick to the witness list and he testified before Vinyard took the stand.

Vinyard and Kendrick were the latest in a string of JEA executives and board members called by the government who told the jury they did not know how an incentive plan would have translated to enormous payoffs to JEA employees when the board approved the performance unit plan in July 2019.

The charges against Zahn and Wannemacher allege they created an incentive plan that would steal money from taxpayers by enriching themselves from the proceeds of a sale. The government alleges they kept the true value of the plan concealed from board members and almost all other executives. Former chief operating officer Melissa Dykes is the only witness who has testified about understanding the value of the incentive plan when the board approved it.

Vinyard said that while he did not know how the mathematical calculations worked, he was concerned from the get-go about the performance unit plan, or PUP, because the concept of selling units to employees that they could later redeem based on JEA's financial performance sounded like a stock plan that couldn't be legally done in a government entity.

He testified he wanted to go outside Jacksonville and the law firms retained by JEA for a review of the plan. After the board approved it in July 2019, he told Zahn he wanted to get an opinion from the state Attorney General and then go to the Florida Commission on Ethics for its review.

Asked by Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Tysen Duval how he would have reacted if he'd known at the July 23, 2019 board meeting that the plan could have resulted in "tens of millions of dollars" of bonus payments to JEA employees in the event of a sale that netted $4 billion to $6 billion for the city, Vinyard said such information would have made it even more important to vet whether Florida law allowed such a plan.

Duva then had Vinyard read to the jury from the transcript of his testimony on Friday when Vinyard said he "probably would have left JEA" if he'd known the plan could have had those kinds of payouts.

Money & Power: Inside the campaign to privatize JEA

More big cases: Before Aaron Zahn's JEA trial, Jacksonville had lots of scandals in court. Remember these?

Vinyard, who testified he told Zahn in early July 2019 that the public would "light themselves on fire" if Zahn got even $1 from the PUP, said Monday that beyond the legal questions about the incentive plan, "I did not think it would work politically."

Under cross-examination by Eddie Suarez, a defense attorney for Zahn, Vinyard said he viewed his push to get opinions from the state Attorney General and from the Florida Commission on Ethics as "circuit-breakers" that could kill the plan if they objected to it.

He also said that based on the schedule JEA was operating under to negotiate bids with companies interested in buying JEA, he thought there was no way the incentive plan could be coupled with a sale of JEA because the negotiations were moving on a faster track than the Attorney General or ethics commission could provide their responses.

He said Zahn did not block him from setting up a process that required review by the Attorney General and the ethics commission.

"He could have stopped me but he didn't," Vinyard said.

While lawyers were examining the plan, the City Council Auditor's Office was doing it own digging into the financial side of the PUP plan.

A memo released by then City Council Auditor Kyle Billy in November 2019 showed if JEA employees bought 100,000 of the performance units at a cost of $10 apiece, employees would pay a total of $1 million for the units and stood to gain hurt returns if the city sold JEA.

A JEA sale that netted $4 billion for the city after taking care of several billion dollars of obligations would have caused the redemption value of the units to soar to a total of $315 million, the memo said.

The payout amount would climb even higher to $636 million off an initial $1 million investment if the JEA sale netted $5 billion, the memo said.

Dixon, who was hired by Zhan's defense, testified Monday he applied the provisions of the PUP plan to what would have happened if the city had sold JEA for $11.05 billion, which was the highest offer submitted during the negotiations.

Dixon said that based on applying governmental accounting standards, the specific terms of the PUP plan, and a sale of 30,000 units, the payout would have been about $31 million to employees. His assessment included accounting for several billion dollars of obligations for purchasing high-priced power from the Plant Vogtle nuclear plant that wasn't in the auditor's analysis.

The PUP plan allowed for the sale of 100,000 units but the JEA board authorized 30,000 units so Dixon used the lower figure in crunching his numbers.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: JEA trial: Government rests its case in conspiracy trial
A New Jersey resident who was detained in Nigeria for four years was reunited with his family in Haworth over the weekend.

Omoyele Yele Sowore had been jailed since August 2019 after running for president and organizing a protest in the West African nation.

I stand today to declare that I am unbowed, Sowore wrote in a tweet ahead of a celebratory gathering on Saturday.

Sowore lived with his family in Haworth and traveled back and forth to Nigeria prior to his arrest in August 2019. He also operated an independent news site, Sahara Reporters, that criticized corruption in the country.

In 2019, Sowore ran a long-shot presidential campaign in Nigeria and called for a protest following the election. Before the demonstration could occur, Sowore was arrested and charged with treason.

As his legal case took several twists and turns, Sowores family spread the word in New Jersey and organized calls for his return.

During these difficult years, the entire Haworth community has united around the Sowore family and demonstrated what it means to live with Jersey Values, selflessly lending a hand to those in your community who needed help, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) said in a statement.

Sowore said despite his triumphant return, he still plans to return to Nigeria and continue fighting corruption.

My trip today to reunite with my children and courageous and supportive wife is only for a short while, he tweeted. I will return to Nigeria to continue my struggle for the total liberation of our people from the shackles of the current corrupt, self-serving political class.
A New Jersey family suffered an unthinkable tragedy over the weekend when their infant child was viciously mauled to death by their own dog in their family home.

In the early hours of the morning on March 9, Woodbridge Township police responded to the familys home after receiving a call about an unresponsive baby, according to police and Middlesex County prosecutors. When they arrived, they discovered the child dead at the scene with serious injuries from the dog, which had also attacked the parents when they tried to fight it off.

Both parents sustained injuries and were treated at a local hospital, then released later that day. The names of the family havent been officially released.

A spokeswoman for the Middlesex County Prosecutor said Monday that the infant was a 3-month-old boy. She added that the dog was a pit bull and had been euthanized after the attack.

In a joint statement, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Woodbridge Police Department Director Robert Hubner announced that the investigation into the incident was ongoing.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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New Jersey state Sen. Paul Sarlo, beneath the state flag, the Democratic chairman of the budget committee, listens to testimony during a hearing Monday, Monday, March 11, 2024, over his legislation, in Trenton, N.J. New Jersey Lawmakers voted Monday to advance a measure that could make it easier for government agencies to withhold documents under the state's open records law, casting it as a modernizing bill that would cut back on profiteering businesses. Critics say the bill will upend the state's open records act. (AP Photo/Mike Catalini)

TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  New Jersey lawmakers voted Monday to advance a measure that could make it easier for government agencies to withhold documents under the state's open records law, casting it as a modernizing bill that would cut back on profiteering businesses.

Committees in the Democratic-led Senate and Assembly approved the fast-tracked legislation that comes months after members were up for election and amid a swirl of protest from transparency advocates who say the bill will make getting information from government more difficult.

Those opposed included two leading Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate, first lady Tammy Murphy and Rep. Andy Kim, along with the state's office of the public defender, the League of Women Voters and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Testimony in the Senate Budget Committee went on for hours on Monday, overwhelmingly from those opposed to the measure, though there were supporters.

This is an attack on transparency and part of a disturbing trend in the New Jersey Legislature, where lawmakers decrease public access to information under the guise of transparency, according to a letter from the League of Women Voters, the ACLU and the Working Families Party to legislative leaders.

The measure makes a number of changes to New Jersey's Open Public Records Act, which dates from 1975 and aims to make records created and maintained by state and local agencies available to the public.

A major thrust of the bill is the prohibition of disclosure of any records to so-called data brokers, or commercial interests that collect and sell information provided by government agencies. Examples supporters of the bill gave included those seeking dog licensees or real estate information.

Among the changes are a requirement that custodians of records redact identifying information that they believe may result in harassment," a requirement that critics say is vague and could provide for unnecessary redactions; it explicitly relieves agencies of any obligation to convert records to an electronic medium; removes immediate access to records if they're older than one year, where under current law custodians must ordinarily grant immediate access to budgets, contracts and payment vouchers showing how public funds were used; requires that requesters use a form created by the agency they're seeking documents from, compared with the current situation in which agencies routinely acknowledge emailed requests for documents; and limits the disclosure of public officials' emails and correspondence unless a specific subject and time frame are delineated.

The bill's sponsors pushed back at the notion that it was aimed at limiting access to public records.

They said the legislation is a necessary update to the law that hasn't been overhauled in more than two decades. It's also aimed at reducing a wave of requests inundating local governments, particularly by commercial interests, according to the sponsors.

I look at this as a modernization of OPRA, state Sen. Paul Sarlo, the bill's sponsor and budget committee chairman, said. We want to stop people from profiteering from OPRA on the backs of of the taxpayers.

In some cases, town officials get overwhelmed by the number of records requests they face, taking over their entire shifts, according to Lori Buckelew, the director of government affairs for the influential League of Municipalities, which represents the state's towns. Processing and redacting one hour of police body cam footage, for instance, could take three hours, she said.

The bill's passage comes during Sunshine Week, a time when journalism, civic and other groups spotlight the importance of public records and open government, and just a year after Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and the Democratic-controlled Legislature upended state campaign finance laws to allow for higher contribution and spending limits.

Former state Senate majority leader Loretta Weinberg called the bill an embarrassment and urged lawmakers to oppose it.

This is a complete gut of OPRA, she said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. It should be stopped! Please do not turn NJ backwards.

Access to officials' emails and other public records regularly results in news stories aimed at shedding light on how the government works.

In 2018, for instance, the records law resulted in the disclosure of emails showing the then-governor's administration working with the executives of a utility company lobbying lawmakers for a $300 million bailout for its nuclear plants.

The measure also includes $8 million to provide for making records available electronically and for the state's Government Records Council, which hears disputes over publicizing records.
In 1997, former U.S. national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski published The Grand Chessboard. The book argued that, to remain a world leader, the U.S. only needed to do three things: strengthen its ties with Europe through NATO; preserve its military bases in Asia to contain China; and prevent any assertive entity such as Beijing or Moscow from gaining influence in the key regions of the Middle East and Central Asia.

The U.S. presidential elections on November 5  when President Joe Biden is set to face off against Republican Donald Trump  appears to put this policy at a dramatic crossroads: the Democrat is offering to follow Brzezinskis recipe to the letter, while the Republican is pledging to destroy it.

Biden  who boasts international experience and decades of relations with other leaders  has spoken of his commitment to NATO, strengthened or created new alliances in Asia and insisted on sending more military aid to Ukraine. Despite his support for Israel in the Gaza war, he defends the two-state solution for Palestine.

Trump is not particularly interested in international politics, but during his term as president, he turned it upside down. Trump reneged on international agreements on climate change, troop deployment, trade and nuclear weapons. He formed closer relations with autocrats such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un  We fell in love, he once said of the latter  while attacking leaders of allied countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom. He also banned citizens of Arab countries from traveling to the U.S.; threatened to withdraw U.S. bases from South Korea; and described Haiti and El Salvador as shithole countries.

Three weeks ago, Trump said that if he returned to the White House, he would end NATOs raison detre  the mutual defense pledge  and allow Russia to do whatever the hell they want to members that do not invest at least 2% of GDP in defense. He also hinted that he would convert foreign aid into mere loans. Previously, he claimed that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours.

In view of these statements, the possibility of Trump returning to the White House has sounded alarm bells among Washingtons European and Asian partners. There are eight months to go until the elections  a long time in politics where anything could change  but recent polls give Trump a lead over Biden. While the prospect of a Trump victory is of concern to U.S. allies, it is welcomed by other governments, from Israel to Moscow.

According to Grant Davis Reeher, director of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, Trumps return to the White House would mark a radical change from Bidens multilateralism. [There would be] an emphasis on bilateral rather than multilateral relations, and a general reduction in American involvement in international affairs, the expert explains by email. Among other things, Trump has already assured that he would once again withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement on climate change.

If his first four years were bad, a second four will be worse, says John Bolton, Trumps former national security advisor, who is now one of his biggest critics, in the foreword to his memoir The Room. Where It Happened.

According to Bolton, Trump would surround himself with a team characterized less by its training than by its absolute obedience to the president. Given he is unable to run for a third term, the magnate would not be limited by the need to please voters and could inflict irreparable damage on the United States and its allies, says the conservative hawk.

It is a close contest between Putin and Xi Jinping who would be happiest to see Trump back in office, Bolton writes.

Here is a review of how the world may be affected by Trump 2.0, based on his statements, the analysis of experts and the comments of those who know him.

Europe and the Ukrainian war

We could see a withdrawal of support for Ukraine, although it is also possible that, once Trump returns to the White House, he would see this problem differently, says Reeher. Of the conflict, the former president has said: I think the biggest thing that the U.S. should be doing right now is making peace  getting Russia and Ukraine together and making peace.

In this academics opinion, Trumps re-election would do nothing but damage relations with our European allies. While it is true that European nations were not contributing to NATO at the level they were supposed to, the damage that the former presidents stance supposes is quite real, argues Reeher. He believes it is unlikely that the magnate would seriously consider leaving NATO, or fail to fulfill the commitment to defend the countries of the Alliance  whether or not they have paid their part. But, he adds, Trump has made comments to those two effects, so we have to take him seriously.

In a second term, Trump may launch a trade war against European automakers. The former president has proposed a 10% tariff on all imports and has hinted that he may raise them even higher on Chinese products, which faced heavy taxes during his first term.

Asia and China

If re-elected, Trump would probably adopt an even more aggressive position towards China with respect to trade: he has even suggested tariffs of over 60% on Chinese goods  a move that would damage relations between the two superpowers.

The big unknown is what position Trump would take on Taiwan. In past statements, he has appeared unwilling to defend the island  Bolton said while in office, Trump likened the island to his fountain pen, and China to his office desk. If China invades Taiwan, it would trigger a significant international crisis, says Reeher, and both a Democratic and Republican administration would do everything possible to avoid it. According to the expert, unlike with his moves towards Putin, Trump has made it clear that he does not love the Chinese leadership.

The former U.S. president could renew pressure on South Korea and, as he did in his first term, threaten to withdraw troops protecting the country unless Seoul bears a greater proportion of the costs. It also remains to be seen whether he would renew his failed nuclear negotiations with North Korea.

Middle East and Gaza

Trump has not made any major statements regarding the war in Gaza. But during his term, he ordered the U.S. Embassy to be moved to Jerusalem and was permissive toward extremist Jewish settlers. Israels Minister of National Security, the far-right leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, recently said that Biden has not given Israel his full backing. If Trump was in power, the U.S. conduct would be completely different, he told The Wall Street Journal.

During the presidential primaries, progressive Democrats and the Arab-American community backed a protest vote to pressure Biden to change his pro-Israel position in the war and support a permanent ceasefire. But, Reeher warns, if Trump returned to the White House, he would be less aligned with those interests, and that is one of the ironies of the situation.

Latin America

In all likelihood, the former president  who convinced Republicans to block a bilateral immigration security bill after four months of laborious negotiations, and promised to build a wall on the southern border of the United States in his first term will exert much more pressure on Mexico and Latin America to stop the flow of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, says Reeher.

But the president of Argentina, the ultra-liberal Javier Milei, can expect a closer relationship. The real estate magnate has spoken in glowing terms about Milei and has promised to visit Argentina. Under Trump, the U.S. would likely become more hostile towards Cuba. During his term, Trump ended former president Barack Obamas policy of rapprochement.

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GOFFSTOWN  President Joe Biden attacked Donald Trump and congressional Republicans Monday as he shared his plan to lower health care costs at his first campaign event in New Hampshire since 2022.

He took verbal jabs at former President Donald Trump, who earlier in the day mentioned there are options for cutting spending on Social Security and Medicare during a CNBC interview.

Republicans will cut Social Security and Medicare and give more tax cuts to the wealthy, Biden said. Even this morning, Donald Trump said cuts to Social Security and Medicare are on the table. Im never gonna allow that to happen.

A Trump campaign official later told the Washington Post Trump was referring to cutting wasteful spending.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on lowering prices for American families during an event at the YMCA Allard Center, Monday, March 11, 2024, in Goffstown, N.H.

Biden attacked Republican elected officials for having locked arms with Big Pharma and for wanting to reduce Medicare and Social Security, something he has repeatedly accused GOP leaders of doing.

Biden said the $2,000 cap on prescription drug costs and $35 on insulin provided on Medicare should be applied to everyone. He also called for allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for at least 50 drugs per year and to make permanent improvements to the Affordable Care Act, which is set to expire in the fall of 2025.

Twenty-one million Americans have signed up for health care on the ACA, including 65,000 folks right here in New Hampshire, Biden said. Those tax credits expire next year, and Im calling on Congress to expand the Affordable Care Act tax credits and make them permanent.

Bidens new budget proposal

Biden also discussed the new federal budget plan he released before his appearance Monday that looks to raise taxes on corporations and the wealthiest .01% of Americans, USA TODAY reported.

The budget would be $7.3 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year, which is a 4.6% increase over the current budget. It would bolster spending for Medicare, Social Security, border control, and other programs aimed at cost-cutting for families, like the child tax credit.

It also aims to reduce the deficit by $3 trillion over a decade. He said hes already reduced it by $160 billion.

The budget will be the starting point for negotiations between Congress and the White House. It has likely no chance of passing the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, but it establishes Bidens priorities for the 2024 presidential campaign and distinguishes his agenda from Trump.

Biden visit to NH part of tour of key election states

President Joe Biden is greeted as he arrives at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport Monday, March 11, 2024, in Manchester, N.H.

Bidens stop was the third state hes visiting on a six-week battleground state tour that began with Pennsylvania on Friday and Georgia over the weekend.

The 2024 campaign is kicking off after Bidens State of the Union address last week, where he attacked his likely election opponent, Trump, without naming him and addressed a wide range of issues from abortion rights to Israel.

Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, spoke in advance of the president. Biden was introduced by Rose Keller, a 22-year-old woman who was born with cystic fibrosis, who said she and her family have struggled with the high cost of the drug that keeps her alive.

Protest and next steps in campaign

Across the street from the venue, a small group of protesters chanted against Biden and waved Trump signs.

After the speech, Biden went to Manchester to celebrate the opening of a new campaign office. During the next six weeks, the campaign is expected to open more than 100 offices across the country.

Reporting by Joey Garrison and Michael Collins of USA TODAY is included in this report.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Biden in New Hampshire attacks Trump on social security, Medicare cuts
Professional wrestler-turned-actor John Cena made quite a splash at the Academy Awards on Sunday evening when he appeared onstage nearly-nude to present the award for Costume Design, covering his package only with the card containing the winning name.

WTF IS JOHN CENA DOING ??!? pic.twitter.com/j098cHFBKO  juju  (@ayeejuju) March 11, 2024

Cena shuffled sideways onto the stage, wearing only Birkenstocks, to raucous applause and laughter. Costumes, he intoned, are so important. Maybe the most important thing there is.

Complaining to host Jimmy Kimmel that he couldnt open the envelope without exposing himself, Cena was then quick-change cinched into a Sound of Music-style gown fashioned out of a large curtain before presenting the Costume Design award to Poor Things, making it the third win of the night at that point for the Yorgos Lanthimos film.

John Cena is now Americas Ass pic.twitter.com/qUhH2u9jnr  Meech (@MediumSizeMeech) March 11, 2024

That being said, close-watchers on X still managed to sneak screenshots of Cenas bare posterior.

JOHN CENA PUSSY OUT  Harry Hill (@veryharryhill) March 11, 2024

John Cenas singled-handedly bringing back penis cleavage like circa 2000 DAngelo, another commented.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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In todays newsletter: Oppenheimer won 7 awards at the 96th Academy Awards, including best picture and directing. Conservatives are furious about the recently passed government funding bill, but theyre not threatening to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson. And Kensington Palace issued an apology for editing a photo of Kate, Princess of Wales, after photo agencies issue a removal notice for the image.

Heres what to know today.

Oppenheimer dominates Oscars, collecting trio of major awards among its 7 wins

a compilation of images from the oscars on march 10, 2024. (Getty Images; AFP; ABC)

Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, an epic biographical thriller about the dawn of the atomic era, won big at the 96th Academy Awards, winning seven prizes, including best director and the top prize of best picture. Cillian Murphy won best actor for his role as J. Robert Oppeheimer and Robert Downey Jr. won his first Oscar for best supporting actor as Lewis Strauss in the film. The film also won awards for best film editing, cinematography, and best original score.

Emma Stone won best actress for her leading role in Poor Things, which snagged three other awards for best costume design, production design, and makeup and hairstyling. DaVine Joy Randolph won best supporting actress for The Holdovers.

Plus, a Kenergetic performance and spectacle: Ryan Gosling, in a pink sparkly suit and sunglasses, received a standing ovation after performing Im Just Ken from the movie Barbie. And in a memorable presenters bit, John Cena presented an award nearly naked.

Read our coverage from last nights ceremony and a list of full winners here.

Conservatives are furious, but theyre not threatening Speaker Johnsons job

Mike Johnson at the U.S. Capitol (Kent Nishimura / Getty Images)

House conservatives are angry about the government funding bill negotiated by Speaker Mike Johnson that passed through Congress last week, calling it a betrayal of Republican promises to reshape the federal budget. House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good, R-Va., has blasted the first of two funding packages and said he doesnt expect a better deal in the second one, which must pass by March 22 to avoid a partial government shutdown. Because the speaker doesnt want to do that. He just wants to pass what the Senate wants so that we avoid any conflict, Good told NBC News, saying that Johnson, R-La., wants to join hands with the Dems to increase spending and yield no policy wins.

But in a twist, they arent threatening to oust Johnson from his Speaker position. And Democrats are happy to see Johnson side with the majority of his conference and against the far right on funding the government.

The shift in mindset indicates that reality is setting in for those who came into the new GOP majority with expectations of bending Congress to their will. But theyre recognizing that many of their Republican colleagues dont support the spending cuts they want, and are beginning to doubt that any speaker can change that.

Palace says Princess Kate edited photo with her three children and apologizes for any confusion caused

Image: MANDATORY KILL-BRITAIN-ROYALS (Prince of Wales / Kensington Palace / AFP - Getty Images)

Kate, Britains Princess of Wales, has issued an apology for any confusion caused by an edited photograph which was issued by her office, Kensington Palace, on Sunday.

Photo agencies had yesterday put out notices not to use the first photo of Kate that Kensington Palace released since she had an unspecified abdominal surgery back in January over concerns it had been digitally altered. The agencies said the source may have manipulated the image.

In the photo, which the palace said was taken by Prince William, Kate is seen smiling while posing with their children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.

Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing, said a statement on Monday which was signed C, apparently denoting that it was written by Kate, whose full name is Catherine. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.

The rollout for over-the-counter Narcan is inconsistent

Photo illustration of Narcan nasal spray next to a map of the United States with plot points of where Narcan was found in pharmacies. (Chelsea Stahl / NBC News)

It was a glimmer of hope amid Americas raging opioid epidemic. Narcan, the nasal spray that can almost instantaneously reverse a potentially deadly opioid overdose, was going to be available over the counter in stores, easy to find and easy to buy.

In a long-awaited move, the Food and Drug Administration cleared the antidote for over-the-counter use in March 2023, and in September the $45 two-dose boxes were shipped across the country. Prior to that, Narcan, or naloxone nasal spray, was distributed for free at community health centers and was also available via prescription.

NBC News visited 64 stores in 15 states and Washington, D.C., over three weeks in February looking for over-the-counter Narcan, including major chain drug stores, independent pharmacies, supermarkets, big-box chains, convenience stores and gas stations. Our reporters found that despite the initiative, buying Narcan isnt always easy.

Young men say they were drugged, kidnapped and robbed at Atlanta bars

Jace Curry poses for a portrait next to a mirror reflecting him (Kendrick Brinson for NBC News)

Eight men in a wealthy Atlanta neighborhood say they lost consciousness and were robbed of thousands of dollars while out at bars from November 2021 to last month, according to two conversations with six of the men and police reports filed by two others.

They say they believe they were drugged before their phones were used to transfer sums of money out of their bank accounts and their credit cards were used to make fraudulent purchases, according to information the victims shared with NBC News and police records.

After NBC News reported about an incident at the same bar, Fives Paces Inn, in February, additional alleged victims reached out with similar accounts. NBC News found other alleged victims through social media and public records requests to the Atlanta Police Department focusing on several local bars.

In one case, Chandler Rebel, said he was robbed of about $13,000 after visiting Five Paces Inn with friends. The last thing he remembers at the bar was ordering drinks before briefly coming to in the back seat of a vehicle while being restrained by an unknown person. Rebel and the five men who spoke with NBC News described blackouts on the nights of their incidents that they said did not resemble the effects of alcohol.

U.S. forces add security at embassy in Haiti and evacuate nonessential personnel

The U.S military said that it has flown in forces to amp up security in the U.S. Embassy in Haiti to allow non essential personnel to leave. The neighborhood around the embassy in the capital, Port-au-Prince, is largely controlled by gangs. Haitis 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 that such a deployment would be unconstitutional. Henry, who faces calls to resign, remains unable to return home.

It was careful to point out that no Haitians were on board the military aircraft, in the statement released by the U.S. Southern Command. That seemed aimed at quashing speculation that senior government officials might be leaving as the gang attacks in Haiti worsened. The gang attacks have left the country with dwindling supplies of basic goods.

Politics in Brief

Israel-Hamas war: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects President Joe Bidens criticism that hes hurting Israel, says that his policies have most Israelis support.

Meet the Press: Sen. Lindsey Graham said during an interview on NBCs Meet the Press that President Joe Biden has perpetuated broken borders and that the worlds on fire. Graham also questioned Bidens mental fitness, calling on him to get in a room with Donald Trump and debate.

Supreme Court: Some critics say that the Supreme Court is selectively invoking a conservative originalist approach after they ruled that states cannot disqualify Donald Trump from the ballot for his role in Jan. 6.

Bidens re-election campaign: President Joe Bidens re-election machine brought in $10 million in 24 hours following his State of the Union address.

Staff Pick: Former campers describe harsh introduction to Trails Carolina

Photo illustration of a cut-out silhouette of a young boy on a photo of the Blue Ridge mountains area in North Carolina. (Chelsea Stahl / NBC News)

Its still unclear how a 12-year-old boy died last month on his first night at a wilderness camp for troubled youth called Trails Carolina. But when my colleague Elizabeth Chuck and I spoke with over a dozen former campers, they made one thing clear: their first 24 hours were some of the most traumatic. They said they were strip searched, had to read humiliating letters about themselves and were overwhelmed by the odor of the other unshowered campers. I know if I had died on my first night, one former camper told us, I would have died believing that I was unloved and unwanted.

 Tyler Kingkade, national investigative reporter

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John Kelly,Donald Trumps former White House chief of staff, discussed the former presidents apparent dictatorial aspirations for a new book by CNNs Jim Sciutto.

My theory on why he likes the dictators so much is thats who he is, Kelly said, according to an article published Monday about the forthcoming book by the CNN anchor and chief national security analyst.

Kelly told Sciutto, Every incoming president is shocked that they actually have so little power without going to the Congress, which is a good thing. Its Civics 101, separation of powers, three equal branches of government.

But in his case, he was shocked that he didnt have dictatorial-type powers to send U.S. forces places or to move money around within the budget, the quote continued. And he looked at Putin and Xi and that nutcase in North Korea as people who were like him in terms of being a tough guy.

Kelly was one of several former Trump administration officials who spoke to Sciutto for his book, The Return of Great Powers, reportedly warning that Trump is ill-prepared to lead the country in the current global climate, and that they believe that the root of his admiration for these figures is that he envies their power.

The book also revisits previously reported allegations that Trump praised Adolf Hitler, including Kellys claim that the former president lamented that his senior staff were not as loyal to him as the Nazi leaders officers were.

He truly believed, when he brought us generals in, that we would be loyal  that we would do anything he wanted us to do, Kelly told Sciutto.

Reached for comment by Sciutto, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung did not address the allegations but slammed Kelly and John Bolton, Trumps former national security adviser who also comments in the book, as suffering from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

In 2021, after Kelly recounted Trumps praise for Hitler to a different journalist, a Trump spokesperson said the allegation was totally false.

Trumps increasingly authoritarian language has prompted alarm ahead of the 2024 election, with many experts and former allies among the chorus of voices warning about the risks a second Trump term poses to democracy.

The Return of Great Powers examines a new, more uncertain global order with reporting on the frontlines of power from existing wars to looming ones across the globe, according to a synopsis. Its out Tuesday.

Related...
British filmmaker Jonathan Glazer, accepting the Academy Award for best international feature on Sunday, denounced the bloodshed in the Middle East and asked the audience to consider how it could "resist" the "dehumanization" of the war in Gaza.

Glazer received the Oscar for "The Zone of Interest," a drama that follows Nazi commandant Rudolf Hoss and his family as they attempt to build an idyllic life right outside the walls of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland during the Holocaust.

The film, a co-production of the United Kingdom and Poland, pointedly avoids showing the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime inside Auschwitz, instead focusing on the day-to-day domestic routines of the Hoss family.

"All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present  not to say, 'Look what we did then,' rather, 'Look what we do now.' Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst," Glazer said, reading from prepared remarks. "It shaped all of our past and present."

Glazer, who is Jewish, then said: "Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation, which has led to conflict for so many people."

Inside the Dolby Theatre, many in the audience could be seen cheering and applauding. Sandra Huller, the German actor who portrayed Hoss' wife, Hedwig, appeared to be crying and put her hand to her chest.

Glazer went on to say: "Whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack in Gaza, all the victims of this dehumanization, how do we resist?"

96th Academy Awards Live Telecast (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

He dedicated his Oscar to Aleksandra Bystron-Koodziejczyk, a Polish member of the World War II resistance. In the film, a young girl inspired by Bystron-Koodziejczyk secretly transports apples to starving Jewish prisoners at Auschwitz.

Glazer's comments represented the most direct commentary on the war in the Middle East during the awards ceremony.

In recent months, most presenters and winners at other Hollywood award shows have not explicitly referred to the conflict. However, Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo and Ramy Youssef wore red pins on the Oscars red carpet symbolizing calls for a cease-fire.

James Wilson, a producer of "The Zone of Interest," addressed the violence during an acceptance speech at the 77th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) in London last month.

In his speech, Wilson said in part that "it seems stark right now that we should care about innocent people being killed in Gaza or Yemen in the same way we think about innocent people being killed in Mariupol or in Israel."

Glazer's comments on Sunday immediately stirred debate online, where some social media users objected to his message, misquoted him or accused him of having refuted his Jewish identity.

The video of Glazer's speech was not available on the verified YouTube channel for the Oscars, though it was uploaded to the channel run by ABC, the network that aired the telecast.

"The Zone of Interest," loosely based on a novel by Martin Amis, drew international acclaim when it was released in theaters last year. It was up for five Oscars, including best picture and best director, and it won two: best international feature and best sound.

Glazer's previous feature films are "Under the Skin" (2013), "Birth" (2004), and "Sexy Beast" (2000). He is also known for directing stylish music videos for artists such as Radiohead, Massive Attack and Blur.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi

AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Monday restrictions imposed by Israel on Muslim worshippers' access to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the Muslim fasting month was pushing the situation towards an "explosion".

In remarks on state media, Safadi said his country, which overviews the holy site, rejected Israel's announced move to limit access during Ramadan, citing security needs with war raging in Gaza.

"We warn that desecrating the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque is playing with fire," Safadi said in a joint news conference with the Vatican's foreign minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

The compound, the third holiest shrine in Islam, is also the site of the most sacred place for Jews who know it as Temple Mount. It has been a longstanding flashpoint for trouble.

Jordan echoes the Palestinian view that such restrictions on Muslim worshippers, already facing war and hunger in Gaza, were an attack on freedom of worship.

After hard-right Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said recently he wanted tougher restrictions, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the numbers admitted would be similar to last year.

"Not allowing worshippers to perform their religious duties and their rituals in this holy month and restricting freedom to enter the Aqsa mosque, all that pushes torwards an explosive situation which is what we are warning about," Safadi added.

Israel was also risking wider violence in the Israeli occupied West Bank by what Safadi said were unilateral Israeli measures to change the status quo citing accelerated Jewish settlement building on Arab land and what he termed as stepped up "terror attacks by armed settlers on Palestinian villagers.

"The West Bank is boiling," Safadi added.

The Israeli-occupied West Bank has since the Gaza war seen a surge of confrontations, with around 400 Palestinians killed in clashes with security forces or Jewish settlers.

Most world powers view as illegal settlements Israel has built on land it captured in a 1967 war with Arab powers.

The holy month of Ramadan came at a time when Palestinians in the enclave were dying of hunger with Israel using food as a weapon of war, Safadi said.

"Ramadan comes with Gaza bombed by Israel and women unable to find food for their children and five months that have passed with the world failing to preserve human digintiy," Safadi said.

Israel's relentless campaign in Gaza has caused increasing alarm across the world as the growing risk of famine threatens to add to a death toll that has already passed 31,000.

Israel denies it is responsible for the wider hunger or waging war on civilians.

(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Alex Richardson)
New York Yankees' Juan Soto celebrates after hitting a home run in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)  Aaron Boone likes what he sees from a lineup the New York Yankees manager says will closely resemble what the club fields on opening day.

New star right fielder Juan Soto hit his fourth homer of spring training and catcher Jose Trevino went deep in his spring debut coming off a calf injury as the Yankees rallied for a 9-8 victory over Atlanta on Sunday.

The primary missing piece was shortstop Anthony Volpe, who is having another strong spring after playing his way into the opening day lineup in Florida last year and having a solid rookie season.

One through six against the Braves matched what New York has done when regulars have played this spring: third baseman DJ LeMahieu, Soto, center fielder Aaron Judge, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, second baseman Gleyber Torres and DH Giancarlo Stanton.

We get these guys out there consistently, we should have an offense that has a chance to be really, really good, Boone said. Its a talented group of hitters, we just have to keep them healthy and going. If we do that, I do feel were going to score a lot.

The Yankees added Soto in an offseason trade with San Diego, putting a three-time All-Star who is just 25 in front of the 2022 AL MVP in Judge.

So dynamic, Judge said of Soto. Hits the ball all over the field, works a walk, hits for power. It just elevates everybodys game.

Injuries will be a key.

Judge missed 42 games last year after tearing a ligament in his right big toe when he crashed into the right-field fence at Dodger Stadium. Stanton, the 2017 NL MVP, has averaged just 78 games over the past five seasons because of injuries.

But everybody's healthy right now.

When youve got that one through five, one through six, it just keeps going, Judge said. Thats the thing Im noticing with this lineup, it just doesnt stop after the first couple innings. Pretty excited about what this lineup is capable of, and everybodys just kind of ready to get rolling.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
The judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) elected Tomoko Akane as ICC president at a plenary session on 11 March.

Source: ICC

Quote: "Today, 11 March 2024, the judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in a plenary session, elected Judge Tomoko Akane as President of the Court. Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala was elected First Vice-President and Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou Second Vice-President. The members of the Presidency are elected for a three-year term with immediate effect."

Details: In her speech, Akane said she would focus on promoting dialogue between the judiciary, defence and victims' representatives, as well as strengthening dialogue with states parties and states that have not yet ratified the Rome Statute.

Background: In March 2023, Tomoko Akane issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian Interior Ministry put Akane on the wanted list.

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International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Tomoko Akane, who was placed on a Russian wanted list after issuing an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2023, was elected president of the ICC on March 11.

The ICC issued arrest warrants on March 17, 2023, for Putin and Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for the forced deportations of more than 16,000 Ukrainian children to Russia.

Within days, Russia's Investigative Committee said that it had opened a case against ICC prosecutor Karim Khan and judges Tomoko Akane, Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godinez, and Rosario Salvatore Aitala.

All three judges and Khan are included on the Russian Internal Ministry's wanted persons list.

The ICC also elected Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala as first vice president on March 11.

According to the court, the president and two vice presidents play "a key role in providing strategic leadership to the ICC as a whole." The court elected Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou as the second vice president.

Akane said that one of her priorities as president will be "the security and well-being of the Court's personnel," and she will focus on "reinforcing the dialogue with States Parties and States that have not yet ratified the Rome Statute."

Russia withdrew from the ICC in 2016 following its criticism of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea.

The newest state party is Armenia, which formally joined the ICC in February 2024, making it the 124th country that is obliged to arrest Putin if he enters its territory.

"At this challenging time for the Court, stable, collaborative, and unified leadership is required," Akane said.

Read also: International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Russian military commanders

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Paula OConnor and Rhonda Cegelski are seen in this undated photo. The women were victims of a double homicide on Jan. 29, 2023, in the 1600 block of Elkay Lane in Green Bay.

GREEN BAY  After a four-day trial, a jury found a Green Bay man guilty of intentionally killing two women in January 2023.

The verdict came exactly one hour after the jury began deliberating.

Overnight between Jan. 28 and Jan. 29, 2023, Richard Sotka, 49, killed Rhonda Cegelski, 58, of Green Bay, and Paula O'Connor, 53, of Bellevue, in the 1600 block of Elkay Lane in Green Bay.

At trial, neither side disputed that Sotka, who admitted to the homicides after his arrest, was guilty of killing Cegelski and O'Connor. Defense attorney Kirk Obear instead asked the jury to land on the lesser included offense of first-degree reckless homicide, rather than first-degree intentional homicide.

In addition to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide with the use of a dangerous weapon, one of which also had a domestic abuse modifier, Sotka was convicted of all other charges against him in the case: one count of criminal damage to property, three counts of felony bail jumping, and two counts of misdemeanor bail jumping.

Sotka's sentencing is scheduled for 3 p.m. May 20.

The trial, which started Wednesday, wrapped up its closing arguments Monday afternoon.

In the prosecution's closing arguments, Brown County Deputy District Attorney Dana Johnson recapped the facts of the case:

Cegelski and O'Connor were good friends who worked together as hairstylists.

On the morning of Jan. 29, 2023, Cegelski and O'Connor were found dead in the residence where Cegelski lived with Sotka. Cegelski's daughter and a friend contacted police after they walked in and found O'Connor dead, with a knife in her neck.

When law enforcement arrived, they found Cegelski dead in the kitchen.

At the time Sotka killed the two women, he was out on bond for charges in three cases in Oconto County related to stalking, violating a restraining order, domestic abuse battery and disorderly conduct.

Investigators tracked Sotka's GPS monitor, which he was required to wear as part of his bond conditions in the Oconto County cases. Sotka's GPS last showed him moving in the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2023. Investigators found the monitor in a ditch between southbound Interstate 41 and the Freedom Road exit ramp in Lawrence. The criminal damage to property charge against Sotka comes from this.

Sotka was driving a truck that belonged to his employer, which had its own location tracking abilities. Law enforcement found Sotka was driving in Arkansas, and local law enforcement in Arkansas arrested him. Sotka had a passport and $4,000 in cash on him at the time of his arrest.

In a police interview after his arrest, Sotka admitted to killing Cegelski and O'Connor. He said the three of them were at the house drinking heavily, and he "just snapped" after getting jealous and humiliated when he saw the two women kissing.

Sotka also told investigators said he similarly snapped when he assaulted a woman he was dating about 20 years ago, sending her to the hospital with a broken leg, fractured skull and knocked-out teeth. The woman testified during the trial.

Richard Sotka talks to defense attorney Stephanie Rock on March 6 at the Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay. Sotka was convicted Monday of two counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the January 2023 deaths of his girlfriend, Rhonda Cegelski, and her friend, Paula O'Connor.

To demonstrate the intent to kill, Johnson shared PowerPoint slides of graphic images taken of the women's injuries and discussed findings from the medical examiner. Both women suffered numerous knife wounds, believed to have come from the knife with an 8-inch blade found at the scene.

To be convicted of intentional homicide, Johnson said, Wisconsin law says a person had to have formed the intent to kill at some point  which can include the instant before the crime  or knew that their actions were "practically certain" to cause death.

For defense's closing arguments, Obear told the jury the state did not show enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Sotka displayed intent to kill.

"This case is really about one thing," Obear said. "We're not contesting that Richard Sotka caused the death of Rhonda and Paula."

Obear pointed to how Sotka was remorseful during his police interview and was confused about what happened, even asking if the two women had died.

"He cried, he was in pain himself over what happened," Obear said. "He was asking out loud while he was crying, 'How could this have happened? What happened?'"

In the prosecution's rebuttal arguments, Johnson said a reckless homicide charge would be appropriate for a case where someone was "swinging a knife" and killed someone  not this case, where each woman was repeatedly stabbed in the face and neck with an 8-inch blade.

The trial consisted of about three days of prosecution testimony. The defense presented no witnesses.

Sotka was also charged with assaulting a prison guard in November 2023 after the guard confiscated items Sotka wasn't supposed to have in his jail cell. Sotka has an adjourned initial appearance in that case scheduled for April 3.

RELATED: 'He did it, absolutely': Trial begins for Green Bay man accused of stabbing to death girlfriend, her best friend

RELATED: Green Bay man pleads not guilty to charges he stabbed to death 2 women; he has previous domestic violence cases

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Jury finds Green Bay man Richard Sotka guilty in fatal 2023 stabbings
"Anatomy of a Fall" has propelled Justine Triet to international fame, winning a string of awards for the French director, culminating in an Oscar for best original screenplay on Sunday.

Triet, 45, made waves last year when "Anatomy" won the top prize at the Cannes film festival and she used her acceptance speech to lash out at the government of President Emmanuel Macron.

She accused France, one of the most generous countries in the world to artists, of moving towards a "commercialisation" of the movie industry, while also slamming pension reforms that had sparked weeks of protests.

Macron pointedly failed to congratulate her on her victory at Cannes, and the movie was not France's official selection for the Oscar for best international film.

But Triet became increasingly difficult to ignore, scooping up prizes around the world for the film, and ending up alongside Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan in the running for five Oscars including best picture and best director.

"It will help me through my mid-life crisis, I think," a breathless Triet quipped as she accepted her prize alongside his partner and co-writer Arthur Harari.

"Anatomy of a Fall", the tale of a woman (Oscar nominee Sandra Hueller) accused of killing her husband, struck a chord with its subtle take on gender issues.

"I wanted to overturn gender norms," she said in a recent interview.

"As a spectator, I hadn't seen many films where the woman is so unapologetic about owning her space, not asking permission from her partner to be that way."

Triet's previous features have also centred on portraits of women and relations between the sexes.

Her debut, "Age of Panic", mixed acerbic relationship comedy with documentary-style filming during the French presidential election of 2012.

She followed it with "Victoria" in 2016, a light-hearted romcom starring Virginie Efira that addressed the difficulty of juggling work, love and family life.

She worked with Efira again three years later on "Sibyl" about a writer who becomes a psychologist.

- 'Didn't wait for #MeToo' -

"For a very long time when I watched films, I identified with the male role," Triet said, referring to the lack of options for women in the industry when she was young.

For Triet, who has two children with Harari, her views on gender politics start at home.

"I didn't wait for #MeToo to make sure the person who lives with me works just as hard to raise the children in our house," she told AFP in her Paris apartment last year just before her Cannes success turned her life upside down.

"I organise myself so that I don't sacrifice my ambitions."

Born on July 17, 1978, Triet grew up in Paris and studied arts in the French capital.

"My mother had a fairly complex life, worked and raised three children, two of whom were not her own. My father was very absent," she told AFP.

She ditched her studies after a few years to devote herself to film and made her first documentary in 2007 about student protests that were taking place at the time.

"Justine doesn't work like the others. She makes filming into a collective art form," said her long-time producer Marie-Ange Luciani.

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Vice President Kamala Harris sits for a roundtable discussion on reproductive rights in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Feb. 22, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Vice President Kamala Harris is coming to Broward County to discuss the gun violence epidemic in the U.S.

The White House announced Monday that Harris will visit Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Saturday, March 23, to meet with family members who lost loved ones in the 2018 mass shooting at the Parkland school, where 17 people were killed. The campus is slated to be demolished later this year.

Harris oversees the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, created by President Joe Biden last September. In his State of the Union address last week, Biden boasted that we beat the NRA when Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022. That measure strengthened background checks for purchasers under the age of 21 and individuals convicted of domestic abuse, helped states put red flag laws in place (removing guns from people deemed dangerous), and added thousands of mental health counselors.

Biden also called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in his speech. Those proposals arent moving anywhere in a divided Congress, however.

In Florida, in the immediate aftermath of the Parkland shootings the Legislature approved the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act to impose new restrictions. But in the just-concluded legislative session in Tallahassee, the GOP-controlled state House of Representatives moved to repeal two key provisions of that groundbreaking law, voting to shorten the mandatory waiting period to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer and to reduce the age to buy a long gun from 21 to 18.

But those bills wont become law, because they lacked any support in the Senate. The bill to shorten the mandatory waiting period to purchase a gun never was heard in any committee in that chamber, while there was never even a companion bill filed in the Senate to lower the age to purchase a long gun.

This will be Harris 11th trip to the Sunshine State since being sworn into office in January 2021, according to the White House. She came to Florida several times last year, including in September to speak with college students at Florida International University in Miami, and to Orlando last summer, where she blasted Gov. Ron DeSantis administration over the states African-American history standards for K-12 students.

The post Kamala Harris to appear in Parkland later this month to discuss gun violence appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to South Florida next week to visit Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to continue to raise awareness about gun safety policies.

On March 23, Harris will visit the Parkland high school to talk about the efforts that she and President Joe Biden have pushed forward to combat gun violence and what they hope to achieve on that front if they are re-elected. She will also be using the visit to meet with the families of the victims of the mass shooting that took place at the school in 2018.

The shooting resulted in the death of 14 students and three faculty members, and left 17 others injured. Last February marked the six-year anniversary of the shooting as families gathered at the school to remember the lives of the victims.

With the aim to prevent similar tragedies from occurring, the Biden administration pushed forward the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022, which strengthened background checks for gun buyers under the age of 21 and provided funds for mental health services and school safety programming. Biden also created the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, an initiative launched last September with Harris as its leader.

The building where the shooting occurred is set to be demolished this summer, as it has been mainly preserved for legal proceedings and visits by politicians over the past few years. In January, U.S Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona met with Parkland families and toured the building, and in August 2023 a group of U.S representatives also went inside.
Brian Platt, the city manager in Kansas City, Mo., has decided to remain in that job rather than continue as a candidate to run Austin's city government.

Five days after Austin Mayor Kirk Watson announced three finalists for Austin's next city manager, one dropped out of the running.

Brian Platt, the city manager of Kansas City, Mo., withdrew Sunday afternoon, according a statement from Platt provided by Kansas City press secretary Sherae Honeycutt.

The other two finalists for the top-level executive position in Austin are T.C. Broadnax, the city manager of Dallas, and Sara Hensley, the city manager of Denton.

After some Kansas City news outlets reported that Platt planned to withdraw, Watson posted to the Austin City Council message board Friday: "We have been in contact with Mr. Platt through our search firm. He has not withdrawn from consideration for the Austin job."

Platt's formal withdraw came over the weekend.

More: Austin City Council announces 3 finalists for city manager

Platt was hired by Kansas City less than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic. He has worked in executive level city management since 2018, holding the position of city manager in Jersey City, N.J., before moving to Missouri.

Platt did not reply to the American-Statesman's requests for comment or an interview on his candidacy last week or questions related to his application status Friday.

Watson said last Tuesday that candidates will participate in city meetings March 25 and will attend a public town hall that evening. The next day, the mayor and City Council will interview the candidates in executive session. The plan is to have a candidate selected by early April.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Kansas City manager withdraws from Austin city manager search
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Kansas City Manager Brian Platt has withdrawn from consideration for the Austin city manager position.

I formally withdrew from consideration from Austins City Manager search as of this afternoon, Platt said in a statement on Sunday afternoon.

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He also stated that more details were coming soon.

Last week, Platt was listed as one of three finalists for the position. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said the city would work to keep Platt in Kansas City.

Platt has been the city manager in Kansas City since December 2020.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Transgender Kansans will continue to be denied gender marker changes to their drivers licenses after a judge in Topeka sided with Attorney General Kris Kobach.

Shawnee County District Court Judge Teresa Watson issued a ruling on Monday granting Kobach's request for a temporary injunction against Gov. Laura Kelly's administration.

Monday's order is a formalization of a temporary restraining order that has been in place since July blocking the Kansas Department of Revenue from changing gender markers on drivers licenses.

Watson wrote, "There is a substantial likelihood the Attorney General will prevail in his effort to enforce" a new law, known as Senate Bill 180, that strictly defines sex based on reproductive anatomy at birth. The so-called "women's bill of rights" was passed by the Republican-led Legislature last session over the veto of Kelly, a Democrat.

"This decision is a victory for the rule of law and common sense," Kobach, a Republican, said in a statement. "The Legislature wisely stated that state agencies should record biological sex at birth, and today the court held that the meaning of the law is clear."

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach sued Gov. Laura Kelly's administration over SB 180, and a Shawnee County judge on Monday sided with Kobach.

The decision could presumably be appealed by the governor's administration or the ACLU of Kansas, which represented several transgender people involved in the case.

"We are reviewing the courts decision to determine potential next steps," said Grace Hoge, a Kelly spokesperson, in an email.

D.C. Hiegert, the ACLU's LGBTQ+ legal fellow, said in a statement that the organization is also considering its next steps.

Hiegert said the ruling "will result in transgender people experiencing harassment, denial of services, or worse."

"We will continue working toward a vision of our state that allows all of us to live in peace, free from government persecution and impositions on our core identities," Hiegert said. "We remain unconvinced that the imaginary injury to the state could ever outweigh the enormous harm our clients and other transgender Kansans have and will continue to experience by being forced to carry inaccurate identification documents, in violation of their rights under the state constitution."

Watson said the intervenors "demonstrated no constitutional infirmity" with their arguments that the law violates the Kansas Constitution's bill of rights protections, including personal autonomy. She said it would be "an unreasonable stretch" to apply the Kansas Supreme Court's landmark 2019 ruling on abortion rights.

More: Will transgender Kansans be able to change gender markers? Kris Kobach and ACLU square off

The decision comes two months after the court held oral arguments.

Kobach based much of his case on asserting an injury to law enforcement. He put Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill on the stand, as well as an employee of the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, to argue that law enforcement use the sex designated on state-issued IDs to identify suspects and house jail inmates.

"Compliance with stated legal requirements for identifying license holders is a public safety concern," Watson wrote.

Watson was dismissive of testimony from transgender Kansans about their personal experiences with IDs before and after they matched their gender identities. Watson said they talked about "feeling embarrassed, humiliated, or unsafe" but not about "any actual threat to their personal safety." She also described the threat of lawsuits against KDOR as "speculative at best."

The governor's administration had argued that the law should be interpreted in a way where it would not apply to driver's licenses, but Watson sided with the attorney general.

"In sum, the language of the statute is clear," Watson wrote. "K.S.A. 77-207 applies to require the sex designation on driver's licenses and the corresponding information in the KDOR database to identify the licensee's biological sex as male or female at birth."

More: Kansas Republicans want to ban transgender youths from getting gender-affirming care

Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Transgender Kansans can't change gender markers on drivers licenses
Kanye Wests daughter North West has announced she is planning to release her debut album, aged 10.

The daughter of West and his ex-wife Kim Kardashian shared the news over the weekend (10 March) at an Arizona-based listening party for her fathers forthcoming record, Vultures 2.

Ive been working on an album, North told the crowd as she stood next to her father. And its called Elementary School Dropout.

The albums title is an homage to the rappers own debut album, The College Dropout, which he released in 2004.

The record remains instantly iconic and sonically fresh, The Independents Nadine Smith wrote in a feature around its 20th anniversary, while acknowledging the string of controversies West has been involved in in recent years.

In December 2022, the All Falls Down rapper, 46, appeared on right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Joness show, where he claimed that he liked Hitler and said people should stop dissing the Nazis.

A year later, he posted an apology to the Jewish community written in Hebrew.

It was not my intention to offend or disrespect and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused, he said. Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.

Then, last month, he released his latest collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign, titled Vultures 1. In the albums title track, Vultures, he referenced his offensive views, rapping: How Im antisemitic? I just f***ed a Jewish b****.

During the albums release party in December, Kanye was spotted wearing a KKK-style hood while on stage.

Ahead of the records release, Kanye dropped the music video for his two-part track TALKING / ONCE AGAIN, which featured North rapping.

In the video, shared on the embattled artists Instagram and Twiter/X, North is shown having her hair done and smiling with her dad while also rapping the first verse: Its your bestie, miss miss Westie / Dont try to test me / Its gonna get messy / Its gonna get messy / Just, just bless me.

Kanye and North West (ye/Instagram)

Vultures is far from great, The Independents music editor Roisin OConnor wrote in an analysis of the album. Its not as bad as Donda, mind you, Wests 2021 album that stumbled between everything from trap to drill, gospel to boom-bap, while wrestling with his (ultimately performative) new religious mission statement.

Nor is it worse than 2019s Jesus is King, the gospel record that failed to gather his views on faith in any meaningful, cohesive way. Vultures at least has a few decent hooks  namely on the summery Burn in which he hits out at being burnt by those who cashed a check off his name, and on Do It, which samples the synth-strings on Juveniles Back That Azz Up.

She continued: Now, West seems less inclined to put in the work, apparently under the impression that cheap shots at his enemies and quickfire, chaotic stunts will generate the attention he craves far quicker... Vultures unequivocally lacks the kind of world-dominating, money-spinning hit that might just tempt the music industry to welcome him back into the fold.

North is the oldest of Kanye and Kardashians four children. The former couple also share Saint, eight; Chicago, six; and Psalm, four.
Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake (R) doubled down on false claims that the 2020 election was stolen in a CNN interview Sunday, and she refused to answer whether former Vice President Mike Pence should have certified the elections results.

Lake, who lost a 2022 Arizona gubernatorial bid and unsuccessfully challenged the election results in court alleging fraud, sat down with CNNs Melanie Zanona on Inside Politics Sunday.

If you had been vice president, would you have certified the 2020 election result? Zanona asked.

These are crazy  this is like a hypothetical going forward, and a hypothetical going backward, Lake said. Im not going to entertain that.

Multiple GOP politicians, including Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) said last month that they did not agree with Pences decision to certify the election results, despite no evidence of any election fraud.

Lake backed off previous claims that her gubernatorial election was stolen, saying only that there were major problems, but made clear her thoughts on the 2020 race.

2020 election, I think it was a rigged election, she said. I believe it was.

The former television news anchor will face off against Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) for the Senate seat currently held by Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.). Sinema announced she will not run for reelection last week, after previously leaving the Democratic Party last year.

The race is expected to be one of the closest in the country as Democrats hope to hold their razor-thin margin in the Senate. Early polls show Gallego with a slight lead over Lake.

Lake has picked up multiple high-profile endorsements in recent days, including from over a dozen Senators after a Capitol Hill blitz last week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Catherine, Princess of Wales arrives at the Shaping Us National Symposium at the Design Museum on November 15, 2023 in London, England. Credit - Max MumbyIndigo/Getty Images

For weeks, rumors have abounded over the whereabouts and overall health of Kate Middleton (more formally known as Catherine, Princess of Wales), who until the publication of a recent paparazzi photo hadnt been seen in public since attending a Christmas Day church service with family. Kensington Palacewhich represents the Prince and Princess of Walesannounced that the royal had undergone a planned abdominal surgery on Jan. 17 and would not return to public duties until after Easter. A drip-feed of information followed: on Feb. 27, the Palace issued a statement that William would unexpectedly pull out of a memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, due to a personal matter, without elaborating further. These moves only intensified the curiosity of the public, which in the absence of new information, began to invent some theories of their own, ranging from the whimsical (perhaps shes waiting for a disastrous haircut to grow out?) to the absurd (could she be recovering from a Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL, procedure?).

On Sunday, Kensington Palace released a photo of the Princess of Wales and her children to mark Mothers Day in Britaina rather standard affair for the Windsors (who regularly post family photos taken by Kate, an amateur photographer, to mark holidays and special occasions), and one that they perhaps had hoped would quell some of the online concern. But it only did the opposite. Before long, eagle-eyed users began to notice some irregularities that suggested the image had been altered, such as a missing part of her daughter Princess Charlottes sleeve and Kates mysteriously blurred right hand. Later that day, international news agencies including the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France Press, and Getty all took the rare decision to remove the photo from circulation, citing its apparent manipulation. That Kensington Palace failed to respond by Sunday night only added fuel to the fire. By the time the Palace issued a statement from Kate on Monday morning apologizing for the confusion, which she attributed to her own experiment with editing, it appeared to be too late. Despite prompting from many media outlets, the Palace has made it known that they will not be releasing the original image of the princess and her children.

Read More: Kate Middleton Admits to Editing Family Photo After Wires Flagged Manipulation Concerns

They were obviously keen to dampen speculation and, of course, its done the reverse, Richard Fitzwilliams, a royals expert, tells TIME of the photo. Its very embarrassing. It also, crucially, reflected a failure of the palaces public-relations team to quell the conspiratorial storm. The photo editing smacks more of a cack-handed PR job rather than anything particularly sinister, Fitzwilliams says.

But some online theorists believe otherwise. While fevered speculation and rumor-mongering about the Royal Family is hardly a new phenomenon (just ask the Princess Diana truthers), this latest controversy highlights the role that the internet has in fueling itand the monarchy public-relations machines own inability to keep up with it. As curiosity over Kates whereabouts has mounted, the Palace has been forced to issue a handful of statementswhich have tended to raise more questions than theyve answered. The first, made by Kensington Palace on Jan. 29, confirmed that the Princess of Wales had returned to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery and that she is making good progress. Another was made in the form of an on-the-record denial of a Spanish journalists claim that Kate was in a medically-induced coma, which an unnamed Kensington Palace spokesperson dubbed total nonsense. Similar statements reiterating the Palaces stated timeline of the princess recovery appeared in other outlets, noting that the princess is doing well. Most recently, a spokesperson for William told People Magazine that his focus is on his work and not on social media.

Read More: A Timeline of Recent Events Involving Kate Middleton and the Royal Family

Longtime royal observers have pointed out how unusual it is for the Royal Family to address rumors in this way. So averse are the royals to responding to any online speculation that when rumors of Queen Elizabeth IIs death began to circulate in Feb. 22, the palace refused to comment on the record, according to former Buzzfeed royal correspondent Ellie Hall, for fear of establishing a precedent. That practice fits within the Royal Familys long-standing approach to the press: never complain, never explain. This rule hasnt always been applied consistently, however. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle publicly criticized the palace for going out of its way to protect some royals over others in the press.

Never complain, never explain was the policy of the late Queen, and of course it worked wonderfully well, Fitzwilliams says. But the Queen also had another motto: You have to be seen to be believed. By pulling back from public view, the countrys future king and queenwho also happen to be the most popular members of the familyviolated that cardinal rule. In their absenceand fueled by the Palaces inadequate explanationsconspiracies have thrived.

While the public tend to treat the British royals more like pandas than people (as the late British author Hilary Mantel famously observed, both are expensive to conserve and ill-suited to the modern world), they are entitled to some level of privacy. And its perhaps because the Royal Family has faced a series of health scares in recent months (last month, the palace announced that King Charles III would undergo treatment for an unspecified type of cancer; Sarah, Duchess of York, was also revealed to be diagnosed with malignant melanoma) that more attention is being paid to them than usual. But what has made Kates absence more stark is that, unlike Charles, who has continued to make some (albeit limited) public appearances, the Princess of Wales had all but disappeared from view. Had they [issued] a single instance of a photograph or a message or something, I think it would have been very good, Fitzwilliams says. That's the sort of thing people wanted because, as the future queen, theyre naturally concerned. (And of course, the photograph they ultimately issued has failed to quell rumors.)

How soon the Princess of Wales returns to the public eye and how the palaces PR machine handles any further speculation about her whereabouts in the interim will ultimately determine how long this current crisis lasts. But if it has underscored anything thus far, its that the PR playbook that may have worked for the royal family in the pre-social media age may no longer be fit for purpose now.

Read More: Kate Middletons Mothers Day Pic Is Not the First Royal Family Photo to Come Under Scrutiny

When shes back doing royal duties, which will hopefully be after Easter, this will largely be history, Fitzwilliams says, noting that no exact dates for her return have been articulated. (A statement by the U.K. Ministry of Defense announcing that Kate will attend the annual Trooping the Colour event in London on June 8 has since been removed.) Until then, her absence stokes all sorts of fears, Fitzwilliams says, before adding: Anything you say is not going to influence crazies online.

Write to Yasmeen Serhan at yasmeen.serhan@time.com.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, listens during a news conference on border security at the U.S. Capitol Building on September 27, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Imagine if Alabama politicians started treating geothermal energy as a crisis.

And not just criticizing particular practices or businesses. Were talking about a heat pump apocalypse.

Introducing legislation to criminalize steam. Storming library board meetings and demanding the removal of any book with the phrase hot springs. Using Hot Springs, Arkansas as a snickering shorthand for everything wrong with the country. Putting on flak jackets and filming television ads outside Icelands geysers, vowing that Alabama will not become Reykjavik.

Watching these convulsions over evaporated water, you might ask yourself: Is this an Alabama thing? And: Is this an Alabama problem?

Its not, and its not. Alabamas geothermal industry is, in effect, non-existent. But whatever problems may come with it, having a more diverse energy sector would, on balance, benefit us.

And yet, this is how state Republicans talk about immigration.

Its certainly how U.S. Sen. Katie Britt has talked about it. She filmed an ad for her 2022 campaign on the U.S.-Mexico border. She boasted about all the immigration measures she introduced in her first three months in office.

On Thursday night, during her widely-gaped-at response to President Joe Bidens State of the Union speech, she told a disturbing story about Karla Jacinto Romero, a woman who, as a 12-year-old girl, had been trafficked and sexually assaulted for four years. Britt left the impression that this was a result of Bidens immigration policies.

We wouldnt be OK with this happening in a third-world country, Britt said. This is the United States of America, and its past time we start acting like it.

Journalist Jonathan Katz investigated the claims. Romero experienced horrors at the hands of human traffickers. But they took place from 2004 to 2008, during George W. Bushs term in office. And not in the United States or on the U.S.-Mexico border, but in Mexico.

A Britt spokesman later confirmed to the Washington Post that she was referring to Romero.

Going on Fox News on Sunday morning to restore, restart or quit, Britt repeated her talking points, claiming she was trying to illustrate what was happening while making a semantic argument about what she meant. (The senator also said Bidens policies were acting as a magnet for immigrants, which doesnt sound like someone who wants to help people fleeing violence of the kind she described.)

But this attitude isnt unique to Britt. It reflects the stern unreality of how Alabama Republicans talk about immigration.

Gov. Kay Ivey deploys the National Guard to the border and expresses terror of learning Spanish if Joe Biden keeps shipping illegal immigrants into our states. Parts of a vicious 2011 state law attacking immigrants are still on the books. Conservative media pumps up any terrible thing involving an immigrant. Britt and other members of the delegation demand action on the border, over anything else.

Listening to all this, youd think Alabama is a border state struggling to handle high rates of immigration.

Its not.

One, Mexico is about 1,000 miles from Montgomery. Canada is about 1,300 miles away. Unless there was an annexation Im not aware of, Alabama is not on either boundary.

Two, crime rates among undocumented immigrants are far lower than those of native-born Americans.

Three, immigrants by and large skip Alabama. There are growing immigrant communities in the state, particularly in north Alabama. But its nowhere near what we see in other parts of the country. Fewer than 4% of the states population is foreign-born, compared to 14% nationwide. Fewer than 6% of Alabamians speak a language other than English in their home. Its 22% in the country as a whole.

Now, we need more immigration to Alabama. The states population is aging; the Black Belt is in the throes of a decades-long population collapse and the states workforce participation rate is pretty bad. It would be great to grow like Florida (22% foreign born) or Georgia (11% foreign born) and having more immigrants would do that.

But by and large, its not happening.

The standard Republican response to these facts is the border is everywhere. Thats true in the sense that its in the head of every GOP official from Wyoming to South Carolina. They nod vigorously at whatever Donald Trump says about immigrants at any millisecond in time.

Yet given the chance to address the border issues they work themselves into tears over, Britt and her colleagues refused because Trump told them to walk away.

Theyre serious about obeying the former president. Not immigration.

But they keep talking about it.

Maybe because its easier to rail against something happening 1,000 miles away than to face actual problems in Alabama.

Like gun violence, aided and abetted by public policies enacted by the Alabama Legislature. Like appalling rates of infant mortality. And maternal mortality. Or our high poverty rate, which gets still higher when you look at children.

You hope its not because our leaders think undocumented immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country, like Trump does. Alabama carries the wounds from 200 years of that kind of rhetoric.

But whatever the reason, Alabamas Republican leaders arent responding to something thats affecting the state. Theyre attacking Fox News headlines. Doing Trumps bidding. Distorting reality to create fear.

Katie Britt may be misleading people on immigration. But shes one of many Alabama Republicans blind to the realities of the issue.

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The post Katie Britt and the unreality of Alabama immigration rhetoric appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
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
Footage of Kuandyk Bishimbayev's trial is watched by reporters outside the courtroom in Astana - STRINGER/AFP/getty/STRINGER/AFP

Kazakhstan has opened a trial against a former minister accused of killing his wife in a restaurant  shining the spotlight on violence against women in the central Asian country.

Kuandyk Bishimbayev, a former aide to autocrat Nursultan Nazarbayev, is accused of beating Saltanat Nukenova to death in November last year.

Journalists were barred from the courtroom in the capital, Astana, but they were allowed to watch live footage of the case broadcast to a press room.

The 43-year-old faces up to 15 years in prison if he is found guilty of killing his 31-year-old wife.

Kuandyk Bishimbayev is accused of beating his wife to death in their restaurant which was closed to the public at the time

Azhan Aymaganova, a female prosecutor, told the court how Mr Bishimbayev, a former economy minister, killed Nukenova in a restaurant owned by the couple which was closed on the night of the alleged murder.

She said Bishimbayev had begun to show aggression in his relationship with Nukenova and forbade her to communicate and meet her relatives and friends, controlled all her phone calls and movements.

She said the couple had been drinking in the restaurant and that during the argument Nukenova told Bishimbayev that she was tired of the relationship and that she had decided to leave him.

The prosecutor said he then began punching her in the head before Nukenova, fearing for her life, locked herself in the lavatory. Around dawn, Bishimbayev broke the door down and beat her to death, it is claimed.

Bishimbayev has denied the allegations

In 2018, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for corruption but he was freed a year later after an amnesty.

The case has led to a renewed campaign to combat spousal abuse in Kazakhstan, where the UN estimated that about 400 women a year are killed in femicides.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on authorities to strengthen legal mechanisms to punish domestic violence after the Bishimbayev case.

Feminist organisations have urged the government to do more.

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KANSAS CITY, Kan.  Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is changing the start and dismissal times for high schools due to the multiple snow days this school year.

KCKPS said the inclement weather days impacted the required 1,116 school hours at the high school level and in collaboration with the Kansas National Education Association it has made some adjustments to meet the requirements.

North Kansas City automotive students fixing car for Maui fire victim

Beginning Monday, March 18, KCKPS will be adding 20 minutes to each school day. As a result of this, there will be no school on April 19 for both staff and students at all levels, according to the school district.

Alfred Fairfax Academy, J.C. Harmon, F.L. Schlagle, Washington and Wyandotte high school hours will take place 7:10 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 7:10 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday.

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Sumner Academys schedule will be 7:50 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 7:50 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. on Wednesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission is gearing up to kick off cleanup efforts throughout the state in preparation for the 2024 eclipse.

The commission is calling on the state to participate in its Great American Cleanup by registering and hosting cleanups from March 1 through May 31.

Hundreds gather for Keep Little Rock Beautiful cleanup Saturday

Since the April 8 eclipse is expected to bring tourists into Arkansas, commission and state officials are reminding residents that this is a great opportunity to contribute to the spring cleanup.

As we gear up to welcome visitors from across the country for the 2024 Eclipse event, KABs spring cleanup initiative offers a unique opportunity to present Arkansas at its finest, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis said. By participating in the Great American Cleanup, we can ensure that our communities are clean and welcoming to all who come to experience the state and help restore our communities to their best after this special event concludes.

Keep Arkansas Beautiful awards grants for school recycling programs

Commission officials said that organizers can use its available resources and supplies to host a cleanup. Supplies include disposable gloves, trash bags and fluorescent safety vests, officials said.

The commission called its 2023 Great Arkansas Cleanup a success, stating that thousands of volunteers gathered nearly 200 tons of litter throughout the state.

Keep Arkansas Beautiful calls statewide Great Cleanup a success, 7,000-plus volunteers give time in 2023

To get involved in this years cleanup efforts, organizers and volunteers can sign up for a local event at KeepArkansasBeautiful.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
A zookeeper was surprised one day to find two baby monkeys clinging to their parents backs at an Iowa zoo  because no one realized the mom was pregnant.

The Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines has now welcomed twin members of an incredibly rare species: cotton-top tamarins.

In 2023, parents Kida and Eddie were brought to the zoo as part of a species survival plan to encourage the mating of the critically endangered monkeys. They became first-time parents on Feb. 22, also marking the first cotton-top tamarins born at the zoo, the facility announced March 8.

We were very hopeful that they would have babies this year, Ryan Bickel with the Blank Park Zoo told McClatchy News.

Zookeepers said they had been familiarizing Kida with ultrasound and radiography technology for when she would eventually become pregnant, but the day came sooner than expected.

As it turns out, she had lost weight during her pregnancy and other veterinary tests led us to believe she was not pregnant, Bickel said. So yes, we were surprised when she gave birth.

Zoe Wilson, a small mammal keeper at the zoo, came in one morning to do her routine check on the tamarins. She didnt think anything of it when she saw them in their nest box, likely grooming each other.

I came back about 20 minutes later, and I saw something crawling on the back of Kida, Wilson said in a video shared by the zoo. Honestly at first I thought it was a lizard. Dont know why, but it was like the size of a lizard.

Tamarins are small primates, typically weighing less than a pound, according to researchers.

When Wilson realized what she was looking at, she called the veterinarian staff in. She described the twins births as the happiest moment the team has had in a long time.

We havent had a birth on the small mammal team in four years, Wilson said. And especially not really knowing that it was going to happen at all, and you just come to work and you have a nice little surprise gift waiting for you when you get there.

Cotton-top tamarins get their name from the distinctive white patches of fur on top of their heads, according to Zoo New England. Theyre native to northwestern Colombia but face increasing threats, primarily habitat loss, that have led to a smaller population over time.

Deforestation has been a major cause in their decline, chief animal officer Jay Tetzloff said in a news release. We hope that guests will learn steps they can take in Iowa to reduce the demand for products that cause deforestation.

Roughly 7,400 tamarins are alive today, according to estimates from the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

Cotton top tamarins co-parent, so guests can look forward to seeing the twins sometimes both being on one parent or each parent holding a baby, zookeepers said.

The tamarin parents have been so attentive to their babies that the team hasnt been able to do a neonatal assessment.

The babies constantly attached to their parents for the first few weeks of life, according to Wilson. When the twins are around 5 weeks old, animal care staff will do full exam.

The parents are doing such a good job taking care of them, Bickel said. Thats exactly the way we want it.

Adorably fluffy  and rare  triplets make debut at Florida zoo. See their first steps

Baby koala  rescued at 6.7 ounces  reunites with mom after her illness, video shows

A beloved, endangered giraffe  with important role at Florida zoo  dies at age 22

Fuzzy bundle of joy born at Louisiana aquarium. Why its extremely important
A Kentucky state senator has been criticized after she speculated over whether child sex dolls could be used by paedophiles to reduce child sexual abuse.

Democrat state senator Karen Berg suggested at a senate judiciary committee on 29 February that dolls for MAPs (minor-attracted persons) could give them a release.

There are what they call MAPs  minor-attracted persons  and the limited amount of research thats done on these dolls suggests that they actually, for people who are attracted to minors, that these dolls actually decrease their proclivity to go out and attack children, Ms Berg said.

That it actually gives them a release that makes them less likely to go outside of their home, she added.

Following criticism, Ms Berg released a statement on 1 March to clarify her remarks.

As a mom and a physician, I am, of course, deeply concerned with the harm of paedophilia, and I regret if my question in committee didnt convey that, she posted on X, formerly Twitter.

I voted in favour of House Bill 207 to outlaw child-sex dolls, a stance that aligns with my commitment to safeguarding the well-being of our youth and holding perpetrators accountable, she added.

Ms Bergs comments were made during the committees discussion of House Bill 207 which sought a legal definition of "child sex doll," and other items, in order to make it illegal to possess, traffic or import a child sex doll.

During the committee hearing, Ms Berg said that she was unfamiliar with child sex dolls and had done a Google search the previous night, which showed her that research on child sex dolls for MAPs could decrease the chances of child sex abuse. She added that the research did not support the same conclusions for adult-attracted people.

Ms Berg voted in favour of the bill to make child sex dolls illegal in Kentucky.

On 2nd March, the Kentucky Republican Party criticized Ms Berg on X, and questioned why Governor Andy Beshear had not yet condemned remarks by a Democrat suggesting child sex dolls have a place in our society?

Are those views parts of his Team Kentucky? He ought to take a strong stance against such rhetoric to safeguard Kentuckys children, the GOP account wrote.

Governor Beshear addressed Ms Bergs comments on 5 March.

I disagree with her comments. I think this is a good law, he said. Its a necessary law for a lot of reasons, and itll ultimately make our kids safer.

The governor said that he will sign the bill into law when it reaches his desk.

The Independent has contacted state senator Karen Berg for comment.
Kenyas William Ruto Raila Odinga President Yoweri Museveni political rivals Presidentand opposition leaderwere pictured together having a meeting within Uganda in late February. Shortly afterward, social media users shared an image purporting to show the frontpage of Kenyas Star newspaper reporting an imminent cabinet reshuffle in favour of opposition figures. However, the claim is false: a search through the newspaper's online archive revealed the alleged article was a hoax. The media company also denied publishing it.

The frontpage, posted on X by former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko on February 29, 2024, features pictures of six of Odingas close allies alongside the headline Raila Odinga allies tipped for cabinet.

Screenshot showing the false post, taken on March 7, 2024

The purported frontpage, which is dated February 29, 2024, has been shared more than 250 times and attracted over 180,000 likes.

Notable figures featured in the picture include two of Odingas deputies in the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) --- former governors Ali Joho and Wyclif Oparanya.

Joho Oparanya to join govt. in new Ruto-Raila deal (sic), reads the subheading.

The cover was also shared on Instagram and elsewhere on X.

Museveni, Ruto and Odinga meeting

On February 26, pictures of Ruto, Odinga and Museveni meeting at the latters country home in Uganda stirred debate in Kenya (archived here).

The three East African leaders could be seen talking while holding walking sticks while long-horned Ankole cows grazed in the background.

Odinga has been lobbying neighbouring countries like Uganda to support him in his bid to become the next chairman of the African Union Commission (AUC) and to succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad who is serving his second and final term in office after having been re-elected in 2021 (archived here).

Ruto, Odinga rivalry

In August 2022, Odinga marginally lost his fifth bid for the presidency to Ruto and claimed he was cheated of victory (archived here).

Now bitter adversaries, the pair were once close allies.

Ruto and Odinga were founding members of the ODM party between 2005 and 2007. They worked together during the 2005 referendum campaigns to defeat revisions suggested in a draft constitution by the administration of then-Kenyan president, the late Mwai Kibaki (archived here).

Ruto backed Odingas candidacy for the presidency in fiercely contested polls that resulted in post-election violence in 2007 (archived here).

Ruto, Museveni tiff

Ruto and Museveni were also long-time political allies, but tensions have surfaced over oil imports, resulting in Uganda suing Kenya at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) in January 2024.

But following the three-way meeting in Uganda, Museveni issued a statement, saying the leaders had discussed matters of mutual benefit and the East African community in general (archived here).

Screenshot showing Museveni's statement, taken on March 10, 2024

Fabricated cover

The frontpage shared on social media posts does not show an authentic cover of The Star newspaper.

The original cover was fabricated by replacing the splash headline and main photo with an unrelated text and image.

AFP Fact Check found the authentic February 29 frontpage in the papers archive website. It reads: Wage crisis: Ruto team push for 55 more female MPs.
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4)  Kevin Costner is planting his roots in the American Southwest and building a state-of-the-art film studio in St. George.

The first two parts of Costners new film Horizon were filmed in southern Utah. While the first part of the movie wont be on the big screen until late June, the benefits of that movie have already started to impact southern Utah in positive ways.

READ NEXT: An inside look at Oscar-nominated animated short film Ninety-Five Senses, co-written by Utah professor

ABC4.com spoke with the City of St. George about how this is positively making an economic impact.

If you look at just the Horizon film, he shot two parts here in St. George. He had about 400 crew that were here. The economic impact was estimated to be about $90 million, David Cordero, who works in communications and marketing in St. George, said.

So, think about it  for that short amount of time that they were here, $90 million was infused into our economy, Cordero said. Just imagine when they are operating a full-time studio down here.

It wasnt just the city that benefitted from Costner being in southern Utah  local fire and rescue agencies were hired to help assist and be on standby.

For my department in particular, we were there for about a week. We provided medical standby and then water rescue consultation work and stuff like that for him, Ryan DAmbrosio said. I know some of the local departments were doing the same as well. So, it fed a lot of our emergency services.

Crews from Santa Clara-Ivins, Hurricane and Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue were hired by Costner with this standby work, and that allowed Dammeron Valley to purchase much-needed gear.

That went into buying a lot of our turnout gear, that, at the time, had expired, DAmbrosio said.

Ryan hopes Costner comes back because of how this helped his crew.

I know some of my employees were hired off duty to do other jobs on set. So, I know personally people it impacted and it was a great thing, DAmbrosio said. I truly hope he comes back and he does other films.

Costner is expected to return to southern Utah for part three of Horizon, and he is already helping students who are in the digital film program at Utah Tech.

We had a handful of students on the set. It was such a transformative experience for them, Utah Tech Digital Film Program Director Patrick Smith said. They brought that experience back into the classroom, and it has been informing to how we teach. So already, we have seen the impact of somebody like that shooting out here.

Smith said he hopes that some of these students will be able to work at the new studio set. This way, more people in the film industry are here to help build a workforce in southern Utah instead of New York or Los Angeles.

Now that we have businesses in town that actually need video work, they are hiring our students consistently the second they graduate, Smith said. And they are out there making work. So, yeah, they are sticking around, which is what we want, so that we can build a workforce here that stays.

While there is no set date on when this new studio will be open, groundwork has already begun.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Monday marked a key cutoff time by which Colorado River states had been tasked with proposing a consensus-based plant for long-term water conservation in the overtaxed system.

But with the arrival of that deadline, set by the Department of the Interiors Bureau of Reclamation, no such agreement was on the table. Instead, the river systems two main contingents  the Upper and Lower basins  submitted their own competing plans.

The proposals pertained to an upcoming update of the rules  known as the 2007 Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages  that govern where, when and how much the seven basin states must conserve water from the 1,450-mile river.

While those rules only apply to the domestic parties, the Colorado River serves as the lifeblood for about 40 million people in the U.S. and Mexico, and the two countries are currently renegotiating international conservation commitments at the same time.

The history of the Colorado River systems water consumption is complex, with a century-old agreement allocating parties with more water than is reasonably available today.

That 1922 compact allotted 7.5 million acre-feet of water annually to each of the two U.S. basins, while a 1944 treaty then granted another 1.5 million acre-feet to Mexico. For reference, suburban U.S. households tend to use about an acre-foot each year.

As the rules governing the river have come up for renegotiation, matters have grown increasingly complicated on the domestic front, where the Upper Basin states  Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico  have starkly different perspectives from their Lower Basin peers  Arizona, California and Nevada.

Their differences revolve around a few key points of contention, including the Upper Basins assertion that future plans should reflect real-time hydrology and acknowledge that water supplies for its states depend on annual snowpack conditions.

The Lower Basin, on the other hand, withdraws its water from the Lake Powell and Lake Mead reservoirs, while holding some of the most senior water rights  the historical relic of a first-come, first-serve priority-based system.

The two contingents sent separate submissions on Wednesday to the Bureau of Reclamation, which is overseeing the update of the guidelines via the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). As part of the NEPA process, the agency must analyze proposed alternatives within an environmental impact statement (EIS).

The bureau had warned the parties that if they did not file a consensus-backed alternative by Monday, federal officials could proceed independently, with the intention of publishing an EIS by December.

The seven states were previously able to reach an agreement on short-term measures to sustain the system until 2026 after a year of disagreements, which the bureau announced it would support last Tuesday.

As far as last weeks long-term submissions are concerned, one of the key differences between the basins competing plans involves precisely which reservoirs in the system would contribute to basin-wide storage availability calculations.

The Lower Basin proposed the inclusion of not only Lake Powell and Lake Mead  the largest reservoirs and the only ones involved in the 2007 guidelines  but also five other smaller units in storage assessments. Three of those five reservoirs are located in the Upper Basin.

Altogether, the seven reservoirs could provide more than 58 million-acre feet of possible system storage, according to the Lower Basin plan.

While the Upper Basin offered to consider new storage initiatives in some of these reservoirs, it did so as part of possible parallel activities and not through the official NEPA process.

Another point of tension between the opposing parties relates to the release of water from Lake Powell to Lake Mead. The former, an Upper Basin storage facility, delivers water via the Glen Canyon Dam into Lake Mead, the reservoir from which Lower Basin states make their withdrawals.

Lower Basin officials proposed that releases from Lake Powell to Lake Mead should be based on their combined volumes, with the amount discharged declining at lower content levels.

But Upper Basin parties called for determining releases for each reservoir separately, with the amount discharged or withheld from each evolving with individual water levels and accounting for supply-demand imbalances.

Although the two basins are currently at an impasse and have failed to meet a federally-mandated cutoff, it is still possible that they could come to a consensus  and that the Bureau of Reclamation could accept it, despite the missed deadline.

Jennifer Pitt, Colorado River program director for the Audubon Society, emphasized how the states also initially had no consensus when formulating the short-term conservation plans that the Bureau of Reclamation approved last week.

I am disheartened that theres not a seven-state proposal going into this, but I dont believe this is the last chance we have to get there, Pitt told The Hill in an interview prior to filings.

I do believe that theres time  but theres not infinite time, she added.

On a press call a day before the separate submissions, Interior Department action Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis stressed that the agency is not expecting every single issue to be smoothed out between the Upper and Lower basin tomorrow.

Well continue to work with all parties throughout the spring and summer, to achieve as much consensus as possible, she said. Were undertaking this process because failure is not an option.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The NGO Save Ukraine has returned five children and an 18-year-old orphan from Russian-occupied territories, Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported on March 11.

Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated part of Kherson Oblast on the west bank of the Dnipro River in the fall 2022 counteroffensive. Russian troops continue to occupy the river's east bank, separating thousands of families.

At least 19,500 children have been confirmed as abducted by Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and less than 400 of them have been returned home, according to the Children of War database.

The 18-year-old and the five children, the youngest of whom is two years old, left Russian-controlled territory and are now safe, Prokudin said. They are receiving support from psychologists and doctors.

The work to return children from Russian-occupied territories is "work that does not stop for a moment," Prokudin said.

Read also: NGO returns 3 children from Russian-occupied territory

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
An 11-month-old baby kidnapped in upstate New York and later found alive in a shed at a sprawling electrical plant campus has since died at the hospital, law enforcement announced.



The Schenectady Police Department at about 10 a.m. Sunday activated an Amber Alert for Halo Branton, saying the 23-pound girl was last seen at 12th Street at Campbell Ave. at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Saturday wearing white sweatpants with brown and tan flowers, a long sleeve, light pint shirt with a butterfly design and with a Minnie Mouse blanket.

The girl had been reported missing from a home in the citys Bellevue neighborhood at approximately 11 p.m. Saturday, Schenectady police officer Ryan Macherone later said at a press conference, according to the New York Daily News. Officers responded to the residence and began searching for the 11-month-old.



The baby was described as a Black child, with black hair and hazel eyes and more than two-feet-eight-inches tall.

MISSING FLORIDA MOM FOUND TRAPPED INSIDE SHIPPING CONTAINER: POLICE

The Amber Alert for Halo Branton was canceled Sunday.

Sources reportedly told the Albany Times Union that the baby was found in a shed on the massive General Electric campus in Schenectady.

After the child was located, the department canceled the Amber Alert and said Branton was found "safe and in good health."

Schenectady Police later updated the post to provide information on where Halo was found, and to say they did "not have an update" on her medical condition.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

At the press conference, Macherone said that first responders had immediately rushed the girl to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

MISSING WISCONSIN 3-YEAR-OLD'S MOTHER HIT WITH MORE CHARGES AS POLICE ASK FOR VIDEO OF CAR IN DISAPPEARANCE

Cars on Edison Ave. drive past the General Electric plant on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Schenectady, N.Y. A missing infant was found on the campus Sunday.

What began as a missing persons case has since transitioned into a criminal investigation, Macherone said.

As of Sunday evening, no one had been arrested in connection to the case, but investigators were "interviewing multiple people," he added.



"We asked for the publics assistance, and we have received it," he said.

The Schenectady Police Department asked those that live in the area of Campbell Avenue to check any Ring Doorbell cameras or any outside surveillance for a female, possibly wearing black pants and black sneakers, walking in the area with a baby under a blanket after 9:00 p.m. on Saturday. Police shared a QR code where the public could upload any related footage.

The exterior of General Electric seen on Friday, July 20, 2018, in Schenectady, N.Y. An abducted baby girl, Halo Branton, was found on the property Sunday.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP



Overnight Saturday and Sunday morning, the department said Schenectady police were joined by personnel from the New York State Police, Schenectady County Sheriffs Department, Albany County Sheriffs Department, New York State Forret Rangers, New York State Fire, General Electric Security, and the Schenectady Fire Department in the search efforts.





Original article source: Kidnapped baby Halo Branton found at New York electric plant dies at hospital; no arrests announced
By Mie Sakamoto, KYODO NEWS - Mar 11, 2024 - 08:21 | Arts, Feature, 3/11 Fukushima, All, Japan

A new documentary that questions whether it is right to sacrifice a community's way of life for the betterment of the wider public has revealed the turmoil and hardships faced by those who were displaced in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster.

"Tsushima -- Fukushima Speaks Part 2 --," directed by freelance journalist Toshikuni Doi, features the testimonies of people seeking the return of their hometown, which was deemed uninhabitable for a century after the world's worst nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl meltdown occurred.

The documentary explores the story of a minority group that must endure suffering for the happiness and convenience of others, a theme of global resonance, with Doi, 71, explaining that the film focuses on the impact the accident had on the daily lives of people forced to leave their homes.

Their hometown, Tsushima district in Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, is some 30 kilometers from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was crippled by the massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. Most of its 1,400 former residents remain unable to return due to the contamination left behind by radioactive materials.

The 187-minute film, whose version with English subtitles will be available online for one week from March 11 for audiences outside Japan, delves into people's memories of their hometown, with many expressing deep affection for their tight-knit community, where the rural setting meant residents were close to each other.

"Many people don't care much about nuclear issues," Doi said in an interview with Kyodo News. "But if the film can show the impact the accident had on people's lives and what they thought about being driven away and losing their hometown, the audience will be drawn to it, even if they are not deeply interested in such issues."

Many of the film's 18 interviewees -- who took part in Doi's project of preserving disaster victims' testimonies for future generations -- have special feelings for their hometown. Some shed tears as they spoke about their personal histories and how their lives were changed irrevocably following the disaster.

The film begins with Yoshito Konno, who was among those told by officials of the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc., and the central government in the fall of 2011 that people from Tsushima would likely be unable to return "for the next 100 years."

"People were speechless," Konno, 79, says in the film, continuing to say that it made him think there would be "no one left after 100 years," which prompted him to start compiling records on the histories of families who had lived in the area.

Kano Sudo, 72, lived in poverty with three children after she divorced her estranged husband. She worked hard at local factories to support her children, but even buying daily rice was a struggle.

"I had even thought about (suicide) with my three children," she admits in the film, adding that she was only able to get through those times "because of the help of those around us."

Her neighbors, she says, would routinely feed her kids and watch over them, to prevent them from being led astray as they grew up.

"I had no money, but there was the joy of being alive," she says. "I hit rock bottom in Tsushima, but it was the people of Tsushima who helped me get back on my feet."

Stressing how frustrated she felt after evacuating to the city of Fukushima, Sudo shares how lonely it felt to have no one to talk to, and how she would often end up remaining at home by herself during the day.

Her grandsons' lives were also dramatically changed for the worse after the nuclear disaster, with two of them facing discrimination and bullying after they were transferred to a new elementary school.

"They didn't see me as a human being," Hayato Sudo, 21, says in the film, noting that not only the other students but also the teachers refrained from approaching evacuees at the school. "They looked at me like I was something dirty because of the radiation," he explains.

One day in school, Hayato found the word "stupid" scribbled on his notebook, but his teacher told him he probably wrote it himself.

"I couldn't speak about (my experiences) to anyone, because no one would help me," Hayato says, adding that he did not want to go to school while his health continued to deteriorate. "I want to forget what happened, but I also feel I want to hold on to my memories."

Known for his extensive coverage of Palestinian issues, Doi spent around 10 months documenting people's testimonies from the spring of 2021, capturing Tsushima throughout the four seasons and its abandoned houses surrounded by pockets of nature. It was the sequel to his previous documentary, "Fukushima Speaks," which covered a larger segment of the prefecture's population.

The new film also shows how people used to live in Tsushima before the disaster -- families working in rice fields or holding festivals together -- and includes footage of a traditional rice-planting dance passed down through generations.

"This is not a film that avoids nuclear power," Doi said. "I hope people get a sense of the impact the nuclear accident had through the loss of these people's precious things, as well as why they were forced to live like this."

Referring to the sacrifices made by the former residents of Tsushima, Doi suggested it is analogous to those in Okinawa Prefecture shouldering the burden of hosting the bulk of U.S. military facilities for the sake of Japan's security.

During the film, Hidenori Konno, the 76-year-old leader of a group of plaintiffs who sought damages from TEPCO and the state, and the restoration of their hometown to its original condition, calls into question the justification for upending the lives of a few for the greater economic benefit of the many.

In July 2021, a district court ordered the government and TEPCO to pay compensation totaling some 1 billion yen ($7 million) to 634 plaintiffs, while rejecting calls for their hometown's restoration. The plaintiffs have appealed the ruling.

"From an economic utility standpoint, the best policy would be to transfer us to another place and set up a compensation system so that we can make a living," rather than spending massive amounts of the state's budget so that some hundreds of Tsushima residents can return home, Konno says.

But he goes on to argue it is wrong to sever the local residents' ties to their former community while denying their basic rights to joy and fulfillment as human beings -- in effect, turning a blind eye to the damage done to each individual whose life was upended.

"It is not only about Tsushima," Konno says. "This issue should be common to all of Japan and the whole world."

The film was released in Tokyo on March 2 and will be followed by screenings in other major cities, including Osaka and Aichi prefectures.

Related coverage:

FEATURE: Japan team using James Webb telescope to unlock secrets of cosmos

FEATURE: Renewed attention on Edo-era artist offers window into Japan's past

FEATURE: Japan feminist Ueno's books resonate with struggling Chinese women
Kimmel fires back at Trump criticism from Oscars stage: Isnt it past your jail time?

Jimmy Kimmel hit back at former President Trump live from the Oscars stage Sunday after the former president panned his hosting skills, cracking, Isnt it past your jail time?

The ABC late-night TV host took to the stage at the 96th annual Academy Awards, quipping to the audience that he wanted to share a review about his job as the shows host.

Has there ever been a worse host than Jimmy Kimmel at the Oscars? he read to the audience.

His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be, Kimmel deadpanned.

Get rid of Kimmel and perhaps replace him with another washed up, but cheap, ABC talent, George Slopanopoulos, Kimmel continued, in an apparent reference to This Week host George Stephanopoulos.

Blah, blah, blah Make America Great Again, Kimmel said, as he revealed the author of the review as Trump, to wild applause.

The real message was posted by the ex-commander in chief on his Truth Social site less than an hour before Kimmel read it at the Oscars.

Well, thank you, President Trump, Kimmel said.

Thank you for watching. Im surprised youre still up  isnt it past your jail time? Kimmel retorted to Trump, whos facing multiple legal cases.

Kimmel and Trump have been fiercely critical of each other over the years.

Rolling Stone reported last year that while president in 2018, Trump directed his staff to complain to ABC parent company Disney about the comedians jokes about him on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

In an interview with CNN ahead of his fourth turn as Oscars host, Kimmel called poking fun at Trump one of the most fun parts of his job.

Knowing that he hates being made fun of and making fun of him, Kimmel said of Trump.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jimmy Kimmel is taking a knock at Sen. Katie Britt at the Academy Awards for the Alabama Republicans much-mocked State of the Union rebuttal.

The late-night TV host took to the stage at the 96th annual Oscars on Sunday with a series of rapid-fire wisecracks mostly aimed at the Hollywood stars in attendance at the Los Angeles ceremony.

But in an otherwise politics-free monologue, Kimmel took a dig at Britt, without mentioning the lawmaker by name.

Speaking about Emma Stones Oscar-nominated role in the film, Poor Things, Kimmel said that the actor plays an adult woman with the brain of a child.

Like the lady who gave the rebuttal to the State of the Union, Kimmel quipped, to laughs from the audience.

Britt was widely criticized on social media  and skewered on Saturday Night Live with Scarlett Johansson impersonating her  for what detractors dubbed a melodramatic rebuttal to President Bidens State of the Union address on Thursday.

Kimmel, a frequent critic of former President Trump, had told CNN ahead of his Oscars hosting gig that he might add a political barb to his monologue at the last minute at the awards show, depending on the news cycle.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Kingston man who has been held without bail on gun charges since a dangerousness hearing in November is set to be released on cash bail on Monday.

Charles Santos bail was set at $2,500, with conditions for his release to include GPS monitoring and a curfew so he can work, according to the court.

Santos, who is prohibited from possessing firearms, was arrested on gun charges in November after police said they found an AR-style rifle, various firearm accessories and other items in his home.

Police in November charged Santos with unlawful possession of a large capacity firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and possession of a Class E drug. He has been held without bail for 119 days.

Kingston Police arrested Santos on Nov. 4, 2023 after detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Howlands Lane.

The suspect, based on his history, is prohibited from possessing firearms, police said in a statement at the time.

Police allege that Santos possessed a firearm, various firearms parts or ammunition, and was using a 3D printer to manufacture firearms.

During their search, investigators found Santos in possession of a fully operational AR-style rifle, various firearms accessories, a 3D printer, 3D printed firearms parts, body armor, Class E substances (steroids) and additional evidence, police said. A photograph of the items seized by police shows only a portion of the evidence, police said in November.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst had an adorable moment at their first Oscars since getting married.

Dunst made room for Plemons on the red carpet, seen in a Variety video. Looking at him intead of what was ahead of her, Dunst accidentally bumped into a large Oscar statuette.

Kirsten Dunst accidentally bumps into an Oscar statuette before taking photos on the carpet with Jesse Plemons. https://t.co/qxqSOgif3j pic.twitter.com/iTMEYL3bn3  Variety (@Variety) March 10, 2024

After dating for six years, the couple wed in July 2022. According to the New York Times, they met on the set of a TV show in 2015, and in 2022, they became recognized for their work when they played a married couple in Jane Campions best picture-nominated film, The Power of the Dog.

Dunst and Plemons were among the first-time nominees at the 94th Academy Awards, held in March 2022. Although Dunst lost in her category to Ariana DeBose in "West Side Story" and Plemons to Troy Kotsur in "CODA," Dunst said that being nominated with her beau felt like a fairy tale" to her.

"Its like a storybook, like a fairy tale. It feels very special," she said in a statement, per AP.

Now that they're husband and wife, find out more about the couple and how they got this far in their relationship.

Actors Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst pose at the premiere for

Plemons is Dunst's "favorite actor to work with"

"The Power of the Dog" marks the second time Plemons and Dunst have played a married couple in a project. Plemons and Dunst first met on the set of season two of the FX show Fargo in 2015.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Dunst said their connection began with mutual admiration. We kind of fell in love creatively first and fell in love as actors, she said.

Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst (Donato Sardella / Getty Images)

Dunst told Kimmel that Plemons is her "favorite actor." She looks forward to collaborating with him again. "Jesse and I definitely want (to) do another project. Hes my favorite actor to work with, she told the New York Times.

Plemons similarly admires Dunsts work as an actor. Somehow, Ive had the ridiculous good fortune of getting to work with you as an actor and getting to witness how unbelievably good you are at what you do, Plemons told Dunst in a 2019 speech as Dunst accepted a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

They consider each other "creative soulmates"

Speaking to Access in 2021, Dunst said she and Plemons are "creative soulmates."

As for whether there's any evidence of the real "soulmates" in the characters they play in "The Power of the Dog?" Not so much.

"We've known each other longer than George and Rose in (The Power of the Dog), and are very different people. There's a lot of our relationship that works, but there's a lot that doesn't really work for the film," Plemons told Access.

Plemons and Dunst had the same first impression of each other

After meeting while filming "Fargo," Plemons had a feeling of Dunst's significance in his life. "I knew that she would be in my life for a long time, Plemons told the New York Times.

Dunst, speaking to the L.A. Times, had the same impression. "I didnt remember saying this, but one of my best friends told me that I said to her that I will know this man for the rest of my life. I just know it, she recalled.

Actor Kirsten Dunst receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles (Mario Anzuoni / Reuters)

Technically, they met at an airport

Plemons and Dunst were cast alongside each other in "Fargo" back in 2015. But the first time they met wasn't on set  it was in the airport on the way to Calgary, where the show was filmed.

Plemons recalled the exact moment of their first meeting during his speech at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was thumbing through magazines at the airport, feeling slightly nervous for the upcoming part. Then, he heard Dunst called his name.

"I turn to see Kirsten. Immediately, without too many words being exchanged, I looked into her eyes and saw the beautiful, sweet, unguarded, welcoming human being that she is. And it was truly in an instant. Immediately, my nerves and anxiety dissolved, and I knew everything was going to be alright," Plemons said.

They have two children

Today, they're keeping busy with two sons: Ennis, born in 2018, and James, born in 2021. "They are so sweet, and totally different," Plemons told Access. "Aside from being tired, it's the best."

Dunst announced both pregnancies in style  literally. She confirmed her pregnancy in 2018 in a photo shoot for Rodartes 2018 Fall/Winter lookbook, and her second on the cover of W Magazine.

The couple called each other "husband and wife" before they got married

Dunst and Plemons got engaged in 2017, per the L.A. Times and they later got married in July 2022.

Although it took them six years to walk down the aisle, Dunst told Access in 2021 that she'd "get married to Jesse right now."

Plemons, in the same interview, cited the pandemic and their two children as reasons for the wedding's delay. But he told the news outlet that he still saw Dunst as his wife even though they didn't get married as yet.

"We say we're married because it feels like we're married. Eventually, we'll get married," Plemons said at the time.

Dunst, speaking to the L.A. Times, agreed with her beau. We call each other husband and wife. But we have to get married at this point. Its ridiculous."

After six years of being together, the couple can now say that they're officially husband and wife.

Actors Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst pose at the premiere for

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Northeast Kansas astronomers are hosting several talks in the coming days to prepare locals for the upcoming total solar eclipse set to blanket much of the U.S. in darkness.

A total solar eclipse is due to appear on Monday, April 8. Kansans can expect to see much of the event as it will be crossing over near the Sunflower State. Astronomers associated with NASA and local science centers will be holding informational presentations to help locals get prepped for the stunning celestial event.

Topeka

Brenda Culbertson, a Solar System Ambassador with NASA, said she will be at Topekas Gage Park to inform people about the eclipse. She will also be handing out eclipse safety glasses to attendees at one per person on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can find her at 4330 SW Conservatory Drive in the park from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 30.

Culbertson recently spoke with 27 News about what people can expect to see during the upcoming eclipse. You can find that interview by clicking here.

What to do if you see a mountain lion in Kansas

Manhattan

Professor Chris Sorensen with Kansas State University will be at the Flint Hills Discovery Center (FHDC) in Manhattan to give What to Expect lectures for the eclipse. Guests can expect to learn the basics about eclipses, where and when the upcoming eclipse will occur and more. His two lectures are free and open to the public.

The first presentation will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 14 on the FHDCs first floor. The second will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3 in the same location.

The FHDC will also hole a Make-It! Workshop: Solar Viewer from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. This costs $5 per youth and adult pair. Guests will learn how to build a solar viewer with help from the K-State Physics Department. You will need to pre-register to be able to attend this event.

For more information on eclipse learning opportunities coming up at the FHDC, click here.

Alma

The Volland Foundation based out of Alma will be holding an eclipse presentation and stargazing opportunity later this month. The presentation will be led by Kansas Astronomical Observers Outreach Coordinator and NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassador Jerelyn Ramirez with a stargazing/camping event to follow.

Manhattan Fake Pattys Day arrests hit five-year high

The event starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 16 in Vollands gallery where Ramirez will talk about the science behind the eclipse and inform attendees about how to stay safe during the event. The presentation is expected to last an hour with Ramirez offering eclipse viewing glasses for $1 apiece.

Ramirez will then guide guests through stargazing and have telescopes on hand to use. People are invited to bring camping gear for the night with coffee and pastries being offered in the morning from the Alma Bakery. To make camping reservations, click here. For directions on how to reach Volland, click here.

Quick Eclipse Rundown

The total solar eclipse will only be viewable in its entirety from select areas in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. States in the U.S. that will be in the direct path of the eclipse include Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine.

(Photo Courtesy/NASA)

The eclipse will reach its peak around 1:50 p.m. and end at around 3 p.m. on Monday, April 8. While Kansas is not in the direct path of the eclipse, many people living in the Sunflower State can expect to see upwards of 90% of it. Those living in the southeast corner of the state can expect to see much more of the event than those living in the northwest corner.

Kansas cash crop named after Bill Snyder

Looking directly at an eclipse can pose a serious health hazard to people. It is recommended to view the eclipse with the assistance of special equipment such as eclipse glasses to avoid going blind or suffering eye damage.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
This photo from the US Justice Department shows boxes of classified documents stored in a bathroom and shower in the Mar-a-Lago Club. - US Department of Justice

A longtime Mar-a-Lago employee who is a central witness in the investigation into former President Donald Trumps handling of classified documents, aka  Trump Employee 5  spoke publicly for the first time in an exclusive interview with CNN.

The classified documents case is one of four criminal cases Trump is facing, although its unclear when it will go to trial.

Here are some basic facts about the case:

Whats the case about?

The case centers around Trumps handling of classified documents after his presidency and his resistance to the governments attempts to retrieve the materials he took to Mar-a-Lago from the White House.

Trumps personal aide, Walt Nauta, and Carlos de Oliveira, Mar-a-Lagos property manager, have also been charged. All three have pleaded not guilty.

What happened before charges were brought?

Before the initial charges against Trump were brought in June 2023, officials had tried  and failed  throughout 2021 and 2022 to get back the documents in Trumps possession. The National Archives, charged with collecting and sorting presidential material, said in early 2022 that at least 15 boxes of White House records were recovered from the estate, including some that were classified.

The governments efforts culminated in the FBIs execution of a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago in August 2022, in which federal agents seized thousands of documents, about 100 of which were marked as classified.

Jack Smith was made special counsel to oversee the Justice Departments investigation into both the documents matter and Trumps efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 election.

What charges are the defendants facing?

Trump was initially charged with 37 felony counts, alleging he illegally retained national defense information and that he concealed documents in violation of witness-tampering laws. At the same time, Nauta was charged with six counts, including several obstruction- and concealment-related charges stemming from his alleged conduct.

Weeks later, Smith brought several new charges against both men and also charged de Oliveira for the first time. The property manager was charged with four counts, with Smith accusing him of working alongside Trump and Nauta to obstruct the investigation by attempting to delete Mar-a-Lago security footage sought through a grand jury subpoena.

What did the documents at issue concern?

The indictment unveiled in June claims that Trump retained documents related to national defense that were classified at the highest levels and some so sensitive that they required special handling.

DOJ has singled out 31 documents  one for each of the 31 willful retention counts that Trump is facing. Several of the records concern the military capabilities of various countries, prosecutors say.

Where does the case stand now?

The case is at a critical juncture.

Judge Aileen Cannon is reconsidering the trial start date, which was initially set for late May. At a hearing earlier this month, attorneys for Trump told the judge that the case should wait until after the 2024 election. Part of Trumps strategy in his federal criminal cases has included attempting to delay trials until after the election. If he wins the presidency, he could order DOJ to drop the federal charges.

For their part, prosecutors want Trump to go to trial on July 8.

Meanwhile, Trump is attempting to get the entire documents case tossed out. His lawyers are pushing a series of arguments for why Cannon should order the case to be dismissed, including that hes shielded by presidential immunity and that his handling of the classified material is allowed under the Presidential Records Act.

Prosecutors have pushed back forcefully on all of his arguments, and Cannon is set to consider some of those so-called motions to dismiss during a hearing later this week.

What other criminal cases does Trump face?

Trump is facing three other criminal cases. Smith separately charged the former president last August with four crimes over his efforts to reverse the 2020 election results. That case is currently on hold as the Supreme Court weighs Trumps claims of presidential immunity in the matter. The justices will hear oral arguments in the case next month.

A similar election subversion case has been brought against Trump and others by state prosecutors in Georgia. A trial date has not yet been set in that case, which is also in limbo while Trump and several of his co-defendants try to disqualify the Atlanta-area district attorney who brought the charges.

The former presidents first criminal trial is scheduled to take place later this month in New York, where he faces state charges stemming from his alleged falsification of business records with the intent to conceal illegal conduct connected to his 2016 presidential campaign.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to every charge in these cases.

CNNs Hannah Rabinowitz, Holmes Lybrand and Tierney Sneed contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Greenville Chamber Presents Annual Awards

The Greenville Chambers 135th annual meeting was recently presented by TD Bank. The theme was Betting Big for Greenville and included the presentation of annual awards.

Carlos Phillips at the Greenville Chambers 135th annual meeting.

Greenville Chamber President/CEO Carlos Phillips urged attendees to work collaboratively to meet the evolving needs of a growing Greenville.

A panel discussion, Legacy and Emerging Greenville Leaders featured Judge Merl Code, Of Counsel at Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.; Minor Shaw, President of MICCO LLC; Carl Sobocinski, President of the Table 301 Restaurant Group; and Ebony Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer of Cassy Electric.

Awards were presented to the following Upstate leaders.

The Ambassador of the Year Award recognizes an individual for outstanding service in their role as a Greenville Chamber Ambassador. The award went to Ashley Cowper, Director of Business Development for Craft Axe Throwing and an active Greenville Chamber Ambassador.

The ATHENA Leadership Award, sponsored by Hughes Agency, honors individuals who help women to reach their leadership potential; demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession; and devote time to improve the quality of life for others in the community. The award was presented to Dr. Marjorie Jenkins, Dean of the USC School of Medicine Greenville.

The Buck Mickel Leadership Award, sponsored by Duke Energy, honors those who have played a leadership role in solving critical community issues, strengthening the community, or providing vision to a major development project. The award went to Stewart Spinks for his philanthropy and professional accomplishments over the past 51 years of The Spinx Company.

The 2023 Chairmans Award, sponsored by Ogletree Deakins, was presented to Tami Miller, former Leadership Development Director at the Greenville Chamber. Miller was recognized for her 15 years of service in developing Greenvilles current and future leaders.

The F. Ben Haskew Collaboration Award, sponsored by Furman University, recognizes Upstate leaders who display progressive visions and a partnership approach to responsible growth. The award was presented to Dave Edwards, in recognition of his leadership of the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District and his role in community and economic development.

The Leadership Greenville Distinguished Alumni Award, sponsored by Prisma Health, recognizes an alum who has made outstanding contributions. The award was presented to Brian Albers and Mario Brown, graduates of Leadership Greenville Class 43 and co-founders of Affordable Upstate. After meeting in Leadership Greenville, Albers and Brown were inspired to support neighbors in need.

The Max Heller Neighborhood Improvement Award, sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, is given to an organization or individual that has shown exemplary efforts toward improving the lives of Greenville residents. The award is named in honor of former Greenville Mayor Max Heller. The award was presented to Upstate Circle of Friends in honor of their work to help at-risk youth and their families.

The Minority Business of the Year Award is presented to a local, independent, and minority-owned company that has been in business for at least three years and is a graduate of the Minority Business Accelerator program. The award was presented to 360clean. Owner Lorenzo Bates has become an innovative leader in the janitorial service industry.

The Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Greenville Triumph and Greenville Liberty, was presented to Cassy Electric. Under the leadership of Chief Operating Officer Ebony Sullivan, Cassy Electric is a woman-owned, minority-owned, family-owned electrical contractor.

The Young Professional of the Year Award, sponsored by Michelin North America, recognizes an individual between the ages of 22 and 39 for his or her involvement in the community. The award was presented to Jessica McCoy, a Client Experience Manager at Brasfield and Gorrie who also works in the community.

The Greenville Chamber is the largest business organization in the Upstate with 1,900 investors supporting the vision of a globally competitive economy where businesses succeed and people prosper.

Lowes Grants $15,000 To Habitat Greenville

Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County received a $15,000 grant Wednesday from Lowes. The funds will be used to help repair four homes in Greenville.

The grant is part of Lowe's two-year, $6 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International to support home repair and preservation efforts in owner-occupied homes. More than 75 Habitat affiliates will complete 480 projects this year to address health and safety issues in homes across the United States.

Since 2003, Lowes and Habitat have worked together to help more than 18,000 people build or improve homes.

Habitat Greenville will use the grant to conduct critical repairs, including ADA improvements that create accessibility and safety, at low-income owner-occupied homes.

Habitats Home Preservation Program means a better quality of life for people who have lived in their homes for years, but maintenance is too much for them, said Monroe Free, President and CEO of Habitat Greenville. This partnership between Lowes and Habitat Greenville is helping people stay in their homes.

Grant To Clemson Will Help Create Black Heritage Trail

Mellon Foundations Monuments Project has awarded a $3.4 million grant to Clemson University to support the creation of a Black Heritage Trail on campus and in the cities of Seneca and Clemson.

The Black Heritage walking trails will explain local Black history and South Carolina history with interactive signs, artwork and digital content.

Godshall Recruiting Wins 2024 Best Of Staffing Award

Godshall Recruiting, a recruiting agency in Greenville, has won the Best of Staffing Client Five-Year Diamond Award.

The ClearlyRated Best of Staffing Award is presented in partnership with sponsor ClearEdge Marketing. The award recognizes superior service to clients for at least five consecutive years.

Awards are based on ratings by clients. On average, clients of winning agencies are 60% more likely to be completely satisfied with the services than agencies that have not won the award. Godshall Recruiting received a score of 90.5%.

Our company is committed to providing the perfect fit for both our clients and candidates we serve, said Julie Godshall Brown, President of Godshall Recruiting.

Founded in 1968, Godshall provides a range of direct hire, contract and temporary services. It works in the fields of professional, finance, information technology, health care, and technical/engineering. The company is a certified 100% woman-owned business by the Womens Business Enterprise National Council.

Leadership Golden Strip Begins Fourth Class

Leadership Golden Strip, a year-long, collaborative leadership program of the Greater Mauldin, Simpsonville Area, and Fountain Inn Chambers of Commerce, has launched its fourth class.

Members of The fourth class of Leadership Golden Strip

The mission of Leadership Golden Strip is to educate and inspire a diverse group of current and emerging leaders to create collaborations and partnerships to impact the needs of the Upstate.

Members of the fourth Leadership Golden Strip class are Erin Bauer, Prisma Health Family YMCA; Justin Campbell, City of Simpsonville; Cindy Glaser, City of Fountain Inn; Casey Kozlov, PIP Marketing, Print, Signs; Lynda Lamkin, Que Lynda Designs; Mike Lee, Golden Strip Landscaping; Jack Lucas, Countybank; Elizabeth Mauldin, Fitesa; Dean Miller, City of Fountain Inn; Bridget Nesbett, Simpsonville Area Chamber; Jerrick Palmer, Founders Federal Credit Union; Christopher Smith, Simpsonville Rotary Club; and Melissa Thomas, Hammond Law LLC.

Northwestern Mutual Opens Near Mauldin, Simpsonville

Northwestern Mutual, a financial security company, is opening a third Upstate office in Greenville County.

The new office is located at 126 Millport Circle, Suite 201, in Greenville. It is intended to be convenient for Simpsonville and Mauldin residents.

Tony Allen, Growth and Development Director for Northwestern Mutual, will manage the office, which is under the direction of Greenville/Spartanburg Managing Director John Tripoli.

Allen is a top-producing financial advisor who joined Northwestern Mutual in 2014. He has served in several leadership roles.

Northwestern Mutual currently serves 19,155 clients in the Upstate, with 41 financial representatives. Northwestern Mutual has been helping individuals and businesses achieve financial goals for 165 years. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.

Countybank Reorganizes Staff In Insurance Division

Countybank will make staffing changes within its insurance division. Jennifer Hincapie will transition to Insurance Division Executive, and Rudy Painter will transition to Chief Relationship Officer.

Jennifer Hincapie - Countybank

Hincapie joined the Countybanc Insurance team in August and has 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. In her new role, she will be responsible for the overall operations of the insurance division.

Painter, who has served in a leadership role with Countybanc Insurance since its inception, will be responsible for insurance sales and marketing.

Rudy Painter - Countybank

Countybanc Insurance offers both personal and business insurance, including group health and life insurance plans.

Founded in 1933, Countybank has locations in Greenwood, Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer and Anderson. In addition to deposit and loan products, Countybank provides products and services through Countybanc Insurance Services Inc., Countybanc Investment Services Inc., Countybank Mortgage, Countybank Trust Services, and its affiliate, Greenwood Capital.

March Well Walkers Dates

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System and the Bon Secours Wellness Arena have announced March dates for their Well Walkers program.

Dates are March 12, March 19, March 26 and March 28. On these dates, the concourse will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each loop around the concourse is a quarter-mile. Well Walkers is free; no registration is required. Free parking for Well Walkers participants is available in the VIP lot at the arena, located off Church Street.

Women Leaders Gather To Optimize Health

USC School of Medicine Greenville recently hosted its first Day of the Woman Conference. More than 100 local health, community and business leaders gathered to discuss optimal health care for women.

Day of Women - From left, co-authors Dr. Alyson McGregor, Associate Dean of Clinical Faculty Affairs and Development at USC School of Medicine Greenville; Anca Griffiths, CEO of OM Health Hub; Dr. Marjorie Jenkins, Dean of the USC School of Medicine Greenville, Associate Provost and Chief Academic Officer for Prisma Health Upstate; and Bryna Haynes, founder and CEO of World Changers Media, which published the book, "Why Women Aren't Winning at Health (But Can)."

Dr. Marjorie Jenkins, Dean of the USC School of Medicine Greenville, delivered the keynote address and discussed Disadvantages and Dangers of One-Size-Fits-All Medicine.

Jenkins was joined for a panel discussion about Why Women Arent Winning at Health (But Can), written by Jenkins, Dr. Alyson McGregor, Associate Dean of Clinical Faculty Affairs and Development at the medical school, and Anca Griffiths, CEO of OM Health Hub.

During breakout sessions, attendees delved into health issues and brainstormed solutions. At the community health fair, participants connected with organizations to engage resources to make the changes they discussed.

Robert Wilson, chair of the Sargent Foundation, provided opening remarks and recognized his mother, Ruth Wilson Nicholson, a pioneer of educational opportunities for female nurse practitioners in South Carolina.

A recording of the conference is available on the USC School of Medicine website.

Recruiting Firm Hires

Greenville-based Forge Search + Consulting has hired Emily Bruce as a recruiter.

Forge - Emily Bruce

Bruce began her career in marketing and advertising. She started as an intern and ultimately became an account supervisor.

Forge Search is a professional recruiting firm that primarily works in the fields of marketing and sales, accounting and finance, and human resources. Rhiannon Poore is CEO and founder of Forge Search.

Hughes Agency Adds Account Executive

Hughes Agency, a full-service public relations, marketing, advertising and event management firm in Greenville, has added Teresa Buzzoni as an account executive.

Teresa Buzzoni

Buzzoni supports account management and the execution of client initiatives. She previously worked at Lockheed Martin, where she coordinated employee and executive communications, community relations, media relations and brand strategy.

Hughes Agency has more than 30 years of marketing and communications expertise for local, regional, national, and international clients.

Tom Marchant Named To Real Estate Masters Circle

Tom Marchant of Marchant Bateman & Co., an affiliate of global luxury real estate network Christies International Real Estate, has been named to the Christies International Real Estate 2024 Masters Circle.

The Masters Circle designation is awarded to top-performing agents in the Christies network. Each agent is nominated by their brokerage and must meet criteria for luxury sales volume, client service, and a commitment to professional excellence.

The Masters Circle class of 2024 includes over 300 agents that represent more than $9 billion in annual sales.

Christies International Real Estate has marketed high-value real estate around the world for more than 30 years. The invitation-only affiliate network spans 50 countries and territories.

Tom Marchant is a partner in Marchant Bateman & Co., a real estate team at Blackstream | Christie's International Real Estate in Greenville.

Joan Herlong, Sothebys Leaders Named To Real Estate Boards

Several members of the leadership team from Joan Herlong & Associates Sothebys International Realty have been named to statewide boards overseeing the real estate industry; an associate has been named to a local board.

Patrick Furman has been appointed to a three-year term on the Greater Greenville Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service Committee. He previously served on the Ethics/Grievance Committee.

Company CEO, Joan Herlong, and Chief Operating Officer and Broker-In-Charge of the Greenville office, William Herlong, have been named to the Professional Standards Committee for South Carolina Realtors.

The companys Chief Strategy Officer and Broker-In-Charge of the Clemson/Lakes office, Jackson Herlong, also serves on the committee.

For the second consecutive year, William Herlong will serve on the S.C. Real Estate Commission's Investigative Review Committee, which hears licensing complaints from the public.

Joan Herlong & Associates Sothebys International Realty was founded by Joan Herlong as augustaroad.com realty in 2011. In 2017, the company affiliated with Sothebys International Realty, becoming Joan Herlong & Associates Sothebys International Realty.

Joan Herlong, Sothebys Announces Award Winners

Joan Herlong & Associates Sothebys International Realty in Greenville has honored its Top Associates.

Lisa Vogel was the company-wide top producer and also the top producer in the Clemson/Lakes office. Grace Herlong Loveless was the top producer for the Downtown Greenville office. Jessica Kilcoyne was the Rookie Of The Year; Michael McGreevey received the F. Reid Hipp Award.

This is the second year in a row Vogel has been the Clemson/Lakes office's top producer. It is the second consecutive year that Loveless has been the top producer in the Greenville office.

In addition, Joan Herlong & Associates Sothebys International Realty announced its Chairmans Circle award winners, associates who achieve at least $10 million in annual volume: Patrick Furman, Loveless, Diane Bostrom, and Vogel.

Presidents Circle award winners, associates who did more than $5 million in sales: McGreevey, Matt Crider, Drew Torres, Matt Nocks, Jeff Inman, Morgan Coleman, Caroline Allison, Beth Nichols, Samantha Snyder, Kilcoyne, and Christy Henderson.

The Skyrocket Award, agents who grew their sales volume by 50% or more year-over-year: Furman, Bostrom, Nichols, Henderson, Jacob Glodde, Kim Crain, and Brittney Bolt.

Greenville County Council Protects Water Banks

The Greenville County Council recently passed an amendment to strengthen protections for riparian buffers in Greenville County. At least a 50-foot-wide buffer is now required for new development along rivers and streams in unincorporated portions of the county.

Upstate Forever and its partners that comprise the Reedy River Water Quality Group and other clean water advocates have championed the adoption of stronger regulation of buffers along waterways.

Riparian buffers are areas of vegetation next to streams and rivers. The buffers protect the water from adjacent land uses. They are a cost-effective way to protect Greenville Countys rivers and streams, according to a statement from Upstate Forever.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits
From becoming a character on the Netflix hit "The Crown" to serving as a maid of honor at a royal wedding, Pippa Middleton Matthews has had her own moments in the spotlight as the sister of British royalty.

The younger sibling of Catherine, Princess of Wales, Pippa has often found herself in the public eye since her sister, the former Kate Middleton, married Prince William in 2011.

It's been Kate, however, who has found herself at the center of online conspiracy theories and speculation about her well-being since undergoing abdominal surgery in January. She has been recovering with her family by her side but has not made an appearance at a public event since late December 2023.

Here's what to know about Pippa Middleton Matthews.

Pippa Middleton made a splash as Kate's maid of honor

Pippa Middleton, 40, appeared at Kate's 2011 royal wedding to Prince William and became a paparazzi obsession with her Alexander McQueen-designed bridesmaid dress.

You know, I think the plan was not really for it to be a significant dress. Really just to sort of blend in with the train, she told TODAY in 2014.

Catherine Middleton waves to the crowds as her sister and Maid of Honour Pippa Middleton holds her dress (Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images)

She later joked that the dress fit "a little too well" after her form-fitting look generated headlines.

Its a bit startling to achieve global recognition (if thats the right word) before the age of 30, on account of your sister, your brother-in-law and your bottom, she wrote in a 2012 book about party planning.

"One day I might be able to make sense of this. In the meantime I think its fair to say that it has its upside and its downside.

Pippa Middleton is married to a billionaire

Pippa Middleton is married to James Matthews, a former race car driver who became a billionaire hedge fund manager.

Matthews first met Middleton in the mid-2000s when her family vacationed in the Caribbean island of St. Barts, where his family owns a resort. They started dating in 2012, but only for a few months, before they got together for good in 2015.

James Matthews and Pippa Middleton (Max Mumby / Getty Images)

She had previously dated Thomas Kingston, who went on to marry Lady Gabriella, the daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, whose first cousin was Queen Elizabeth II. Thomas Kingston died at 45 on Feb. 25, according to Britain's Press Association.

Middleton also dated stockbroker Nico Jackson for three years before they split in 2015.

She eventually married Matthews in 2017 in a ceremony at St. Marks, a 12th-century church located on a private Berkshire estate in England. Two of Kate's children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, served in the ceremony as a page boy and bridesmaid, respectively.

The wedding reception was held in a glass enclosure set up at the 18-acre manor belonging to Middletons parents in the nearby community of Bucklebury.

Pippa Middleton is a mother of three

Just like her sister, Pippa also has three children.

She and Matthews welcomed their first child, Arthur, in 2018.

Leading up to Arthur's birth, Pippa wrote a column for the British supermarket chain Waitrose in which she talked about the effects of pregnancy on her body and how stretching, meditating and walking were helping her prepare to give birth.

The couple have since welcomed daughters Grace, who was born in March 2021, and Rose, who was born in June 2022.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
President Joe Biden delivered the annual State of the Union address on Thursday. Speaking for roughly one hour in front of Congress and a variety of top-ranking government officials, the president laid out a series of accomplishments, contrasted himself with his predecessor and argued with Republicans about issues from Jan. 6 to border control.

Voting Rights and Foreign Aid

Throughout Bidens speech, he touted his administrations accomplishments, such as economic recovery, while setting an agenda going forward. Domestically, Biden yet again pushed for passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; failure to pass the law has been seen by Black voters as one of the administrations major failures. Biden spoke of the late Congressman Lewis as a friend and noted the recent anniversary of the 1965 March in Selma in which Lewis and others  including Bettie May Fikes, the Voice of Selma, who was in the audience  were beaten by police; the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed later that year. In terms of international policy, Biden renewed his call for Congress to approve new aid for Ukraine in its war against Russia. He also criticized Israel for the high civilian death toll and suffering in its war in Gaza and announced new efforts by the U.S. to deliver aid to Gazans, though Biden did not call for a permanent ceasefire as some had hoped.

Calling out my predecessor

This years State of the Union comes as Biden prepares for a rematch against former President Trump in Novembers election. Although Biden never called out Donald Trump by name, he made multiple references throughout the speech to my predecessor. He called out Trump as a threat to democracy who caused the January 6 insurrection, blamed him for the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and painted Trump as an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden blamed the former president for the lack of border patrol  noting that Trump reportedly called Republicans in Congress and got them to refuse to vote for the tough bipartisan border policies that they had helped to write  and Biden urged Trump to cooperate with him to get the legislation passed. Overall, Biden painted a sharp contrast between himself and Trump, who he painted as a threat to the country who used hateful rhetoric and lies to divide the nation.

Heated exchanges with Republicans

In addition to calling out Trump, Biden also sparred with Republicans in the room, often calling them out or taking over their boos and heckling. At one point, Biden was interrupted by Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who shouted at him about Laken Riley, a young woman who was murdered by an undocumented immigrant who has become a symbol for conservative criticism of the administrations immigration policies, who have coopted the #SayHerName campaign, created to highlight Black women victims of violence, for the Riley case. Biden responded by holding up one of the Republicans Say Her Name Laken Riley pins while expressing sympathy to the murdered womens family. The president also stated that she was killed by an illegal, a turn of phrase that brought him criticism from progressive who object to dehumanize language against immigrants.

Overall, Bidens speech was fiery and passionate, at times optimistic about finding unity and at times combative as he painted sharp differences between himself and Republicans. The speech set the agenda for the Biden administration going forward and gave a preview of the Biden campaigns message as we get closer to Election Day.
WATERFORD  The sound of machinery and the thump-thump of potatoes tumbling from one conveyer to the next filled the air Wednesday at Troyer Growers in Waterford Township.

This new $1.7 million computerized washing and sorting machine  capable of handling 100,000 pounds of potatoes an hour  solves more than one problem for the Troyer family, which produces millions of pounds of potatoes each year on more than 600 acres.

It's faster and more efficient than sorting by hand and keeps employees warm and dry on cold or rainy days.

Potatoes are rinsed after being washed at Troyer Growers in Waterford Township.

It also fits neatly into the family's plan for its next venture.

More: Erie County is losing farms and farmland. What report says about future of agriculture in region.

The Troyer family, which owned Troyer Farms snack food company from 1967 until 2008, hopes to launch a new potato-processing plant by this fall.

This time around, they plan to make organic frozen French fries.

The family-owned company is one of 19 Erie County applicants that are seeking grants through the state's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program often called RACP.

Decisions on grant requests have not yet been announced.

Mark Troyer, president of Troyer Growers, is shown Wednesday outside the potato-processing plant in Waterford Township.

The business is asking for a $3 million grant to help fund a $6.8 million facility to produce, freeze and store frozen organic French fries and potato puffs, commonly known as tater tots.

The initiative could create as many as 50 jobs.

According to the company's grant application, "We plan to build upon entrepreneurial success by not only growing our own organic potatoes but also teaching regional farmers to grow organic vegetables. They would benefit from transitioning some acreage to organic potatoes, increasing their potential revenue by providing products that are not commodity products where pricing is often volatile, and markets are very competitive."

The organic trend

Mark Troyer, president of Troyer Growers, which is launching this project in partnership with his sons Zack and Colton Troyer, wants to be clear on one point.

Other RACP applicants: Owner of Erie's tallest building plans a $50 million facelift to include upscale hotel

"I am adamant that we are growing safe, healthy food in the conventional way," he said.

But Troyer, who continues to grow potatoes for Shearer's Foods, which now owns the former Troyer Farms plant, recognizes something else. Demand for organic foods is growing.

Potatoes, like many foods, can produce larger yields and be grown at a lower cost using nonorganic methods.

But Zack Troyer, who holds a Penn State degree in agronomy and serves as farm manager for Troyer Growers, doesn't think it will always be that way.

Troyer Growers farm manager and agronomist Zack Troyer checks settings on a potato sorter at the plant in Waterford Township on Wednesday. Troyer said the machine scans potatoes with two laser cameras and mechanically removes unusable produce with a high degree of accuracy.

"Good farmers are going to figure this out," he said, predicting that eventually yields from organic crops will improve to align with those grown by conventional means.

While he's confident in the safety of potatoes produced using chemicals, Zack Troyer said he would prefer that neither he nor employees were exposed to chemicals.

"If everyone had a choice and the price was the same, what would you choose?" he said.

But there are reasons that farmers earn more for organic products.

After being cleaned and sorted, potatoes move into a hopper, right, then transferred into trucks, back left, for shipment from Troyer Growers in Waterford Township on Wednesday. Owner Mark Troyer said the mostly-digital system removes unusable produce with a high degree of accuracy, making it better for customers and suppliers with tight quality standards.

Growing without chemicals can be challenging, Mark Troyer said. Farmers face challenges from Colorado potato beetles, leaf hoppers and blight.

"Blight is what the Irish potato famine was all about," he said. "That can devastate you. With organic farming, you don't have the tool chest to combat those things."

More: Erie Events awarded $3 million state grant for year-round bayfront market

Something new in the East

Mark Troyer said a limited amount of organic frozen French fries are available in the United States and that none are produced in the eastern part of the country.

Zack Troyer said his family is excited about changing that.

"I think it's pretty clear to us that organic food is gaining traction and it's what people really want," he said. "We are trying to provide a product that really isn't available in this region. We would love to produce healthier food close to the people who are eating it."

After producing a test organic crop last growing season, Mark Troyer said he expects to be making French fries from organic potatoes this fall.

At some point, he said, one farm in Erie County won't be able to keep up with demand. They hope to help other farmers learn how to grow organically and then provide a market for their products.

Market trends aren't the only reason the Troyer family is returning to the business of transforming raw, dug-from-the-ground potatoes into a finished product.

The family misses the business, Mark Troyer said.

"The boys and I, we have a pretty strong heritage and connection to our past," he said, a reference to his father Clifford Troyer and uncle, Cletus Troyer, who began growing potatoes in the 1950s.

"My father was a visionary and they want to carry on in his footsteps," he said.

Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Organic French fries: Troyers seeks RACP grant for Waterford PA plant
KYODO NEWS - Mar 11, 2024 - 21:07 | Arts, Feature

"Oppenheimer," a biopic based on the life of the "father of the atomic bomb," the man who helped develop the nuclear weapons used by the United States against Japan at the end of World War II, won the Oscar for best picture and other U.S. Academy awards Sunday.

The Christopher Nolan-directed film, which achieved blockbuster status in the United States, depicts the physicist Robert Oppenheimer as he rises from student to key figure in the top-secret Manhattan Project amid the war and eventually opposes the development of nuclear weapons.

Survivors of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki expressed their appreciation for the Oscar wins, hoping that the movie will generate momentum toward the abolition of nuclear weapons. They also hope the film will draw attention to nuclear issues, especially among younger generations.

Cillian Murphy plays Oppenheimer, who helps develop the atomic bomb and, in the process, comes into contact with some of the most prominent theoretical physicists of the era, including Albert Einstein.

After Oppenheimer leads the first test of an atomic bomb at a site called Trinity in New Mexico in July 1945, the new technology is put to use the following month against Japan.

While the film presents no imagery of the devastation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, the protagonist is seen to be haunted by his country's use of nuclear weapons, even as the U.S. public celebrates him.

Nolan also portrays Oppenheimer's frustration and agony as he opposes the postwar development of the hydrogen bomb in the Cold War against the Soviet Union.

"I hope the movie will be a major force in urging the world to abolish nuclear weapons," said Toshiyuki Mimaki, the 81-year-old head of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations.

Although he said it was disappointing that the movie did not show images of the devastation caused by the bombings, "It is significant that a movie on atomic bombings has won" the awards.

Masao Tomonaga, the 80-year-old honorary director of the Japanese Red Cross Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Hospital, commented that the movie portrays the proliferation of nuclear arms and the inhumanity of atomic weapons. He sees the film as a "warning" regarding the stagnant efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.

The film took Oscars in seven categories including best director and best leading actor.

The three-hour film, described in the U.S. media as one of the highest-grossing World War II-related movies following its release in July, had already swept major awards at the U.S. Golden Globes in January and the British Academy competition last month.

"Oppenheimer" will hit theaters in Japan on March 29.

Related coverage:

"Oppenheimer" film coming to theaters in Japan in 2024

Anime giant Hayao Miyazaki wins 2nd Oscar, Godzilla visual effects winner
Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, stated that whilst the Kremlin had noted the Pope's call for negotiations, Ukraine "absolutely and categorically rejects" the possibility of talks with Russia.

Source: Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti

Quote from Peskov: "As far as I understand, the Pontiffs statements have to be viewed within a broader context, but overall... he expressed support for negotiations. You know, our President has repeatedly spoken about our openness to discussion and readiness to resolve our issues [the "issues" in question being Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine and the subsequent bloody war waged against it for 10 years  ed.] through negotiations. This is the better way."

Details: At the same time, he mentioned that Ukraine does not want to address "Russian issues."

Quote from Peskov: "You know, both the Popes statements and those repeatedly made by other parties, including us, are met with nothing but vehement rejection by the Kyiv regime, which absolutely refuses to entertain the possibility of engaging in any negotiations."

Details: He associates this with Kyiv feeling supported by European countries that declare they will "do everything to condemn Russia to an inevitable strategic defeat."

"This is a grave mistake fostered by serious deception, and the course of events on the battlefield vividly attests to this," said Peskov, without clarifying which specific events he was referring to.

He also stated that Paris's efforts to "assemble a coalition" of countries potentially prepared to put boots on the ground in Ukraine is a "direct route to the further escalation of tensions."

"Escalating tensions on the Ukrainian front could potentially have very undesirable consequences," Peskov reiterated, as an attempted threat.

The key facts: Russia invaded and occupied the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in 2014. In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, attacking peaceful settlements across the country with rockets and bombs during the night. It was telling that Russian propagandists actively spread claims in the first days that "Russia will take Kyiv in three days," with Russian soldiers advancing on Kyiv carrying ceremonial uniforms to be worn in the victory parade in Khreshchatyk Street "three days later".

However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to drive the Russians out of Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy oblasts. They continue to resist the Russians on other fronts. Sensing that victory was unattainable, Russia began promoting the idea of so-called peaceful negotiations, which in reality would require Ukraine to capitulate and surrender claims to all territories Russia has already succeeded in occupying. Meanwhile, Russians continue to terrorise Ukraine by targeting energy infrastructure, civilian facilities and residential buildings, often under cover of nightfall.

Despite its vast reserves of weapons and equipment, the Russian army sustains significant losses. As of early March  after more than 10 years of conflict and 2 years of full-scale war  the Russians have failed to achieve a strategic victory in any sense of the word, such as expanding their so-called Donetsk and Luhansk peoples republics to control the entirety of their respective oblasts. Battles over the control of individual streets and buildings persist in cities and villages in eastern Ukraine. The Russians are attempting to obtain weapons and recruit mercenaries from other countries.

Ukraine considers the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from its territory, the restoration of borders to their 1991 definitions, the return of all prisoners, payment of reparations, and serving of justice for war criminals as prerequisites for negotiations. All of these conditions are outlined in the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

Background:

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.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to this that "the killers are not walking through Europe, because Ukrainians are deterring them under their blue and yellow flag."

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Dmitry Peskov, the Press Secretary for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, commented on Pope Francis' scandalous suggestion for Ukraine to "raise the white flag," nothing the Kremlin favors the same stance, Russian propaganda agency RIA Novosti said on Telegram on March 11.

Peskov claimed that Putin has consistently advocated for negotiations, despite Ukraine allegedly vehemently denying such a possibility. He criticized Ukraine for relying on statements from European countries about Russia's strategic defeat, deeming it a "deep mistake."

Read also: Evil must be fought and defeated, Latvian President responds to Popes outrageous white flag statement

Pope Francis said that those who have the courage to raise the white flag and to negotiate are stronger," in a recent interview with the Swiss radio and television company RSI. He called for negotiations "before it's too late."

Matteo Bruni, head of the Vatican press service, clarified the Pope's statement, indicating that he used the image of a "white flag" to symbolize the cessation of hostilities, calling for a truce achieved through the courage to negotiate. Bruni asserted the Pope's alleged deep attachment to the Ukrainian people.

Pope Francis's statement prompted reactions, especially in Poland and Latvia.

"How about we encourage Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine for balance? Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said.

Read also: Lithuania summons Vatican ambassador after Pope Francis praises Russian Empire

Peace would immediately come without the need for negotiations"

My Sunday morning take:  one must fight it [evil] and defeat it, so that the evil raises the white flag and capitulates, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, in response to the words of Pope Francis, said that the flag of Ukraine is blue and yellow, and "we shall never raise any other flags"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the calls of Pope Francis.

There used to be many white walls of houses and churches in Ukraine, but they have now been burned and damaged by Russian shells, Zelenskyy said.

This speaks volumes about who needs to stop for the war to end.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Kremlin commented on Trump's "peace plan" regarding the war in Ukraine

The Kremlin has seen the information regarding former U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called "peace plan" for the war in Ukraine, but lacks details pf its content, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, told Russian propaganda agency RIA Novosti on March 11.

Read also: I Know Putin and Zelenskyy well: Trump claims he can quickly end war in Ukraine

"Yes, we have seen it, but we are unable to say anything about it because no details are provided, Peskov said.

Without knowing what the plan entails, it is impossible to comment on anything specific."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, following his meeting with Donald Trump, earlier claimed that the former president has "quite detailed plans" for ending the war in Ukraine, including cutting off all aid to Ukraine and allowing Russia to keep annexed territory.

Read also: Trump will 'encourage' Russia to attack NATO allies not meeting financial obligations

Trump has no intention of allocating "a penny" to fight Russian aggression in Ukraine, Orban said.

He has a clear viewpoint that is hard to dispute, the Hungarian Prime Minister said.

He says that he won't give a penny for the Russian-Ukrainian war, believing this will lead to the war's end because it's obvious that Ukraine cannot stand on its own feet. If Americans don't provide money and weapons along with Europeans, the war will end. And if Americans don't provide money, Europeans alone cannot finance this war. And then the war will end."

Read also:

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
Krispy Kreme is introducing four new doughnuts and bringing back the popular O'riginial Glazed Doughnut in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

You don't have to wait until St. Patrick's Day March 17 to enjoy the luck of the Irish.

Krispy Kreme has brought out four new colorful doughnuts, and they're available starting Monday, March 11.

And if that's not enough to celebrate, Krispy Kreme ramped up its holiday game by offering a free doughnut March 15 through March 17 to all customers who wear green.

Want a free Krispy Kreme - green - doughnut?

Krispy Kreme is introducing four new doughnuts and bringing back the popular O'riginial Glazed Doughnut in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

Here's how to get your free Krispy Kreme doughnut.

On March 15, 16 and 17, customers who wear green can receive a free O'riginal Glazed Doughnut. No purchase is necessary.

The Original Glazed Doughnut is "an Original Glazed Doughnut gone green."

The offer is available to anyone wearing green both in the store and ordering at the drive-thru.

What is in the Krispy Kreme St. Patrick's Day collection?

Get ready to sham-rock your taste buds!  Were here to share the luck this golden season by introducing our limited-time, ALL-NEW St. Patrick's Day collection: Luck of the Rainbow, Shamrock Cookie N Kreme, Plaid Party & Shooting Shamrock pic.twitter.com/EAheIeO3yE  Krispy Kreme (@krispykreme) March 11, 2024

Find that pot of sweet, glazed goodness with Krispy Kreme's colorful St. Patrick's Day doughnuts.

Beginning March 11, at participating locations, you'll find:

Luck of the Rainbow Doughnut: an Original Glazed Doughnut dipped in green icing, rainbow explosion sprinkle blend and topped with a buttercream cloud.

Shamrock Cookies 'N Kreme: Made With Oreo cookies, an unglazed shell filled with cookies and Kreme filling made with Oreo cookies, dipped in white icing with green drizzles and St. Patrick's fusion sprinkles.

Plaid Party Doughnut : An unglazed shell filled with white Kreme filling, dipped in chocolate icing and drizzled with green icing.

Shooting Shamrock Doughnut: An Original Glazed doughnut dipped in light green icing with a green icing swirl, topped with a shamrock sugar piece.

Luck is meant to be shared, and our colorful, fun, all-new St. Patricks Day doughnuts will make everyone feel like theyve found a pot of gold, said Dave Skena, gobal chief brand officer for Krispy Kreme.

How many Krispy Kreme locations are there in Florida?

According to Krispy Kreme's website, there are 32 locations in Florida.

Don't live near a Krispy Kreme location? Here's where to find St. Patrick's Day doughnuts

Krispy Kremes St. Patricks Day collection is available not only in its stores but via delivery on its app and website.

You might also find the four new holiday doughnuts in six packs delivered fresh daily to select grocery stores.

Visit krispykreme.com/locate to find a shop or grocery store near you.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Krispy Kreme free doughnut: St. Patrick's Day flavors. Florida locations
Kentucky lawmakers are moving bills this legislative session to crack down on businesses illegally selling vape and tobacco products to youths.

The minimum legal age to buy smoking products is 21. But the Herald-Leader reported in December that over a recent 21-month period, state regulators cited at least 114 Kentucky retailers two or more times for selling smoking products to minors, usually issuing only small fines or warning letters.

And the problem is likely worse than that.

Unlike most states, Kentucky does not require tobacco and vape retailers to be licensed, so there is no list on file in Frankfort. Many newer stores in particular are unknown to regulators who are supposed to catch illegal sales to minors by sending in undercover, under-aged agents.

Its easy for kids to get their hands on vape and tobacco products in this environment, as evidenced by the large number of vapes confiscated in elementary, middle and high schools around the state, witnesses have testified to legislative committees.

Vape products confiscated from students in Kenton County public schools.

More than one in every four high school seniors said they vaped in the past year, despite the harmful effects of nicotine on their developing brains and the substances inhaled into their lungs from the vape aerosol, according to a 2021 statewide health survey by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Word gets around where you can buy these products illegally and it spreads like a domino effect, Mallory Jones, a junior at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester, told the House Health Services Committee on Thursday.

As unhealthy as smoking tobacco is, children are immediately sickened from vaping dangerous substances in flavors that are marketed directly to them, including cotton candy and strawberry, Commonwealths Attorney Jackie Steele of London told the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee last week.

Were taking kids out of the schools in ambulances and on gurneys because theyre catatonic and they dont even know what they smoked and what they took, Steele said.

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Tracking store names and addresses

The legislatures efforts are taking shape in the form of two bills.

House Bill 11, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Raymer, R-Morgantown, is headed to the House floor following committee approval Thursday.

Rep. Rebecca Raymer spoke in favor of her House Bill 11 to the House Health Services Committee.

Raymers bill would not license tobacco and vape retailers. But it would do something very similar by requiring the secretary of states office  which handles annual business registrations  to create a list of businesses that report selling smoking products, including store names and addresses.

That list would be sent to inspectors at the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which regulates tobacco and vape sales. The ABC, in turn, would create and post online a database of scofflaw retailers who were caught four or more times in a two-year period selling smoking products to minors.

Fines for selling smoking products to minors would be $100 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second offense and $5,000 for third and subsequent offenses.

State regulators repeatedly have cited the Popular Smoke and Vape store on Euclid Avenue in Lexington for selling smoking products to minors. The companys stores in Louisville have been cited for the same violation.

More significant, a retailer in the database would be placed off-limits to smoking product wholesalers, effectively ending their supply.

Finally, the only vape products that could be sold under Raymers bill would be those approved or exempted for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In 2016, the FDA designated vape products to be tobacco products, just like cigarettes, and therefore subject to its regulatory power under the federal Tobacco Control Act. The FDA said manufacturers must apply for its approval in order to continue selling vape products.

However, the FDA so far has rejected more than a million vape product applications and approved only 23. That has been controversial. A federal appeals court in New Orleans criticized the FDAs approval process as arbitrary and capricious in January, ruling for the makers of flavored liquids for vape products who submitted applications.

Vape shops say theyll close

Its this part of Raymers bill, the requirement for FDA approval, that worries Kentuckys vape retail industry, which has opened hundreds of stores over the last 20 years that employ thousands of people.

Vape retailers are warning lawmakers that limiting them to FDA-authorized products would wipe most of the stock off their shelves and force them to close.

Realistically, vape retailers say, the FDA is not targeting the many vape products that have an application pending in its staggering backlog, which numbers in the millions. (An inspector generals report last year faulted the FDA for moving too slowly on that backlog.) When the FDA goes after a vape product, it pursues those that either never submitted an application or those that were rejected but continue to be sold, they say.

And as it happens, they add, the 23 vape products currently authorized by the FDA are owned by Big Tobacco: RJ Reynolds, Japan Tobacco International and Altria, parent company of Philip Morris.

Tony Florence, founding board member of the Kentucky Smoke Free Association, noted that most retailers cited by the state of Kentucky in recent years for selling smoking products to minors were convenience stores, groceries, gas stations and discount stores  not vape shops.

Tony Florence at his shop, 723 Vapor, in Lexington, Ky., on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.

His group believes lawmakers should increase the fines for selling to minors to make them as painful as possible, because legitimate vape shops dont allow anyone under age 21 onto their premises, said Florence, president of the 723 Vapor chain of vape shops in Lexington, Nicholasville and Louisville.

But Kentucky wont protect children by banning vape products that have not yet won FDA authorization, Florence said. It only will guarantee a bigger market share for RJ Reynolds and Altria, he said.

Its government overreach. Big Tobacco wants to use the Kentucky legislature and the safe harbor process to eliminate the competition, Florence told the Herald-Leader. If this bill passes, all of my stores will shut down. Well end our seven leases around Central Kentucky.

No cake, candy or pie

The other measure is Senate Bill 344, awaiting action in the Senate. Its sponsored by Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London.

Storms bill focuses on vape products, not tobacco. Manufacturers would have to certify information about the vape products sold in Kentucky, including their brand names, product category and flavor. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control would post this product information on its website.

Like Raymers bill, only vape products authorized by the FDA would be permitted for sale, raising the same protests from vape retailers, who say this would deny them access to most of their current products.

Sen. Brandon Storm is sponsor of Senate Bill 344, which would regulate the sale of vape products.

Storms bill would ban vape products in Kentucky from using specific marketing aimed at children, including use of the words cake, candy, pie and cupcake and images of cookies, ice cream, unicorns, school supplies or cartoon characters, among others.

Retailers who sold vape products in violation of the conditions of the bill would face a range of penalties. Under a Senate floor amendment that Storm has filed, a first offense would be a $250 daily fine for each product offered for sale in violation of the law; a second offense within 12 months would be a $500 fine; and a third offense would be a $1,000 fine.

Its illegal to sell tobacco and vape products to minors. Many KY stores do it anyway

While Kentucky debates licensing for smoking retailers, Louisville already is doing it
Kyoto is cracking down after locals complained that Instagram-obsessed tourist "paparazzi" are harassing the Japanese city's famous, immaculately dressed geisha.

Real-life geisha, or "geiko" ("women of art") as they are known locally, work for a living -- as they have for centuries -- in teahouses in Kyoto's picturesque Gion district where they perform traditional Japanese dance, music and games.

However, like other major tourist attractions around the world such as Bruges in Belgium, Venice in Italy, or Rio de Janeiro's Sugarloaf Mountain, locals are fuming.

Residents are fed up with visitors sometimes rudely demanding selfies with or otherwise bothering the geiko, who wear smart kimonos and white make-up, with their hair styled in an elaborate bun.

Signs will go up in the coming weeks asking tourists to refrain from entering privately run alleyways in Gion, although the area's main public streets will remain open.

"We don't want to do this, but we're desperate," Isokazu Ota, an executive member of a residents' council, said last week, comparing tourists who crowd around geisha emerging from the narrow alleys to "paparazzi".

Jane Stafford from Australia told AFP in Gion at the weekend that she and her travel companions had been advised by a family member not to take photos there.

But she also questioned restricting movement in the bustling district lined with old-style wooden buildings.

"To me, this is a unique heritage area that people want to enjoy, and we'd like to photograph the architecture," she said.

"It's a shame that people can't enjoy it in smaller groups," she said, suggesting that big tours be broken up.

- 'Not a theme park' -

Tourism to Japan has been booming since pandemic-era border restrictions were lifted and other attractions are also taking steps against overcrowding.

This summer, hikers using the most popular route to climb Mount Fuji will be charged $13 each, with numbers capped to ease congestion and improve safety.

The mayor of the western metropolis Osaka has also said he is considering charging a new fee to foreign tourists, separate to an existing tax on hotel stays.

The residents' council in Gion -- the setting of the hit Netflix show "The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House" -- urged Kyoto City in December to tackle the issue, saying their neighbourhood "is not a theme park".

They have put up signs since 2019 banning photography in the private alleys, warning of fines of up to 10,000 yen ($68).

One council member also told Japanese media about an instance of the kimono of a geisha's apprentice being torn and another who had a cigarette butt put in her collar.

- 'Don't be 'that guy'' -

Dutch tourists Anna and Mark Van Diggenen said they were in favour of the policy.

"You have to respect the women" and their privacy, Anna said.

But Mark said the new restrictions would be difficult to police. "You can make rules, but you can't keep them," he said.

Resident Tetsuo Nishizawa, who owns a bar and event space, said he thought the new rules were "a good thing".

"It is important to clarify what is allowed and what is not," he told AFP.

Dressing up in brightly coloured kimonos is popular among tourists excited to get the perfect Kyoto shot.

But one user on a Facebook group called "Japan Travel Tips & Planning" pleaded with visitors to Gion not to behave badly.

"I've been going to Japan for more than half a century and as the rest of the world increasingly discovers its charms, those charms are forced to become less accessible," wrote the user, Doug Burckhard.

"Please don't be 'that guy'," he said.

str-kaf/stu/
RedBird IMI, a fund 75 per cent financed by the UAE, is trying to gain control of The Telegraph

Labour has come out against a UAE-backed takeover of The Telegraph.

Thangam Debbonaire, the shadow culture secretary, told The Spectator that the view of the party is that foreign governments should not own national newspapers. This is a bid by a foreign power, funded by the deputy prime minister of the UAE, and as such this bid should not pass.

It comes as the Government is understood to be considering an overhaul of Britains media ownership laws to restrict foreign state influence.

RedBird IMI, a fund 75 per cent financed by the UAE, is trying to gain control of The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and The Spectator magazine.

The attempted takeover is stuck in limbo as the Culture Department waits for the media regulator Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to complete investigations.



Ofcom is scheduled to deliver its report to Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary, on Monday. She would then be able to block the deal following further investigation by the CMA of its potential threat to press freedom.

Ms Debbonaire told The Spectator: My view  and the view of the Labour party  is that foreign governments should not own national newspapers. This is a bid by a foreign power, funded by the deputy prime minister of the UAE, and as such this bid should not pass. Labour is unequivocal and unambiguous on this point: ownership by a foreign power is incompatible with press freedom, which is essential in a democracy.

Past concerns about foreign bids

Meanwhile Tom Tugendhat, the security minister who attends Cabinet, said the Government shouldnt be shy about standing up for ourselves on foreign state ownership bids.

Mr Tugendhat said: Youll understand that I cant comment on the RedBird deal specifically and I just wouldnt want to prejudge it. It wouldnt be right.

However, more broadly, Ive expressed concerns in the past about foreign bids of strategically important British assets. Whether that be Newport Wafer Fab or Arm or Deep Mind, Ive already made my views clear.

Before selling these kinds of assets we should ask whether its in the long-term interests of the United Kingdom. And if the answers no, we shouldnt be shy about standing up for ourselves and saying so.

In a significant intervention by a minister as the Government weighs up its options, Mr Tugendhat added later in his LBC interview: This is a really important aspect of our national security and weve always made it very clear that when decisions need to be taken, well take them and well make the right decision for the United Kingdom.

The Government has issued a write-round to ministers, proposing either giving Parliament a veto over any proposed foreign state ownership of UK newspapers, or determining a threshold for the Government to intervene in foreign state ownership bids based on the level or type of investment.

It comes after Baroness Stowell, the Tory chairman of the Communications and Digital Committee, tabled an amendment to the Digital Markets Bill which would give Parliament a veto on foreign states taking over UK news organisations.

It is due to be debated and voted on this Wednesday.

More than 100 MPs, led by Robert Jenrick, the former Tory immigration minister, have announced their support for the amendment from Lady Stowell, who was Tory leader of the Lords when Lord Cameron was prime minister.

However, Mr Sunaks decision on what action the Government will take is expected to be made before the debate on Wednesday. Any government amendment would likely be made to the Enterprise Act.

It is understood that once the Government has decided upon its intervention, ministers would encourage Lady Stowell to withdraw her amendment.

Right across party lines

On Monday morning, Bridget Phillipson, Labours shadow education secretary, suggested that Labour would work with the Government on measures to protect newspapers and media organisations from undue influence.

Asked about the proposed takeover of The Telegraph and Lady Stowells amendment, Ms Phillipson said that right across the party lines politicians want to protect the freedom of the press.

Ms Phillipson told BBC Radio Fours Today programme: Of course, questions of ownership are important. I think what all of us would want to see right across party lines is a free and fair press, and where we dont have undue influence and we would want to look carefully at any proposals about that.

The party had indicated that it would give its peers a free vote on Lady Stowells amendment, rather than instructing them to back it.

Lady Stowell had written to the 170 Labour peers seeking their support.

The scale of concern about the proposed UAE-backed takeover of The Telegraph emerged in a House of Commons debate in January, when MPs from across the political spectrum criticised the deal.

Alicia Kearns, the Tory MP for Rutland and Melton, who heads up the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said in that debate: We are dealing with something that will make us vulnerable not for five or 10 years, but for the rest of our lives, and we cannot afford for our media to be undermined.

John Nicolson, the SNP MP, said allowing the UAE to take over The Telegraph would be unhealthy in principle for our democracy.

Jamie Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP, said: The message should be passed back to the Secretary of State and to the Government that we will not wear this.

Labour has moved the dial

Commenting on the Labour announcement, Fraser Nelson, the editor of the Spectator, told the Today programme: This is the first time weve had a principled statement from a frontbencher. I think Labour has moved the dial now to say this is whats at stake here, lets not pretend as RedBird do that the Emiratis are acting in a private capacity.

This is a fund run by the Emirati deputy prime minister, hes not using his own money, and this shouldnt be allowed. Its illegal in many democracies, but not yet in ours.

Asked about private individuals owning newspapers more generally, Mr Nelson replied: Newspapers have always been owned by publishers and freedom of press has always been defined for 300 years as freedom from government.

He added: I dont think anybody thinks The Times reflects Rupert Murdochs view, and the other newspapers he owns. But newspapers only work if they have a relationship with the readers, if readers dont buy them, they stop. Thats where the power lies, the power doesnt come from up high.

What the Emiratis understand is there are lots of British ministers wanting lots of their money right now. No autocracy in the world has managed to buy a newspaper in a democracy, its never been the case. Theyve managed to buy wind farms and airports and what have you but never, never a newspaper. So a line could be crossed here.

This could be the point where Britain thinks that, actually, press freedom cannot be defended in the era of rising rich autocracies and that its okay to let governments own newspapers.

Asked what he thought would happen to The Spectator, Mr Nelson said it would not become an Arab Pravda but it would become [a tool] of influence, be seen as a tool of influence, that would lower confidence in the publication... This is a line that no other democracy has ever crossed for good reason, Britain has kept on the right side of the line for three centuries. I think we can still manage it now.

Lord Moore, a former editor of The Telegraph, said he would likely quit his role as a columnist at the newspaper if the takeover went ahead.

He told the Today programme: It wouldnt be a problem if it was owned by someone connected to the UAE. It would be a problem if its owned by what is in effect, the government of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi. The problem is not foreignness, its a foreign state owning a national newspaper.

I dont think theres any country in the world in which a foreign state is allowed to own a national newspaper. And as soon as you have a government owning a national newspaper, its bound to lose independence and cant be trusted anymore. And that seems to me to be, I think any journalist would recognise that as a red line.

The peer said the UK Government could not conceivably own The Telegraph, adding: Why would it be allowable that it should be owned by a foreign power?

And asked if he would continue writing his Telegraph column if the RedBird sale went ahead, Lord Moore replied: Oh no, I dont think so.

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.
Large amount of rage: Polk County man accused of infants manslaughter to stay jailed

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  The 22-year old man accused of causing the death of his 4-month old daughter is set to remain behind bars until his trial.

The defendant poses a threat of harm to the community, said Judge Dana Moore in court Monday.

At a pre-trial detention hearing Monday, a prosecutor painted Jacob Kubai as a man who could not be trusted around other people.

Danger to the community: Sex offender accused of trying to kidnap girl in Polk County to remain in jail

The fact that he has no history shows we dont know if hes going to do it again, when its going to happen again. It shows a large amount of rage, said prosecutor Tim Coleman with the state attorneys office in the 10th Judicial Circuit.

Authorities allege a 4-month old girl named Willow sustained fatal injuries while home with her father, Kubai, in Bartow in late February.

Her injuries included a spinal hemorrhage, rib fractures in various stages of healing inconsistent with CPR and multiple strikes to the head.

According to authorities, Kubai took the baby to a hospital in Bartow with no brain activity.

She died after she was life-flighted to St. Josephs Hospital in Tampa.

Her cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head and was ruled a homicide.

Four months old, it doesnt get much more vulnerable and innocent than that type of victim, said Colemn.

Prosecutors also presented evidence Kubai had ties outside of Florida, in Minnesota and California.

Caught on camera: Woman apparently abducted at Circle K gas station

According to his affidavit, in January, Kubai left the infant home alone, sitting on a corner of a chair, and went to Georgia during a mental health crisis.

The baby was home alone for up to 15 minutes before her mother got home.

If he gets out and hes ever left in that position again with any children, I would be afraid of what would happen, said Coleman.

Kubais defense attorney, Al Tirella, pointed out the baby was also in the care of a babysitter for two days in January and neither parent could say how the baby got hurt before she died.

The state alleges the babys mother was at work at the time.

The defense is asking that a reasonable bond be set. Thats the extent of our argument, Your Honor, thank you, said Tirella.

The judge granted the states motion for Kubai to be held while awaiting trial.

He is facing several charges, including aggravated manslaughter of a child.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  At least five teens have died on Las Vegas valley roads in the past two weeks. However, this past weekend, driving instructors at the Las Vegas Speedway were teaching teens defensive driving skills.

They did emphasize breathing and staying calm during situations, and also where you look is where youre going to go, Xander Luber-Decena, 17, said. He was participating in Drivers Edge.

Teen girl struck by SUV identified by coroners office

This program offers a safe place where cars can screech and hydroplane without the consequences of a bad wreck, or worse, losing ones life.

That appealed to Luber-Decenas father Ralph.

I think we need to get the word out to more people, have more of our young drivers to participate, Ralph Decena said.

Jeff Payne is the founder and chief executive officer of Drivers Edge and says he would love to expand it.

They need to know the dangers of speeding, Las Vegas family identifies teen killed in car crash caused by racing

Payne added that he had around 800 children on a waiting list for this weekends sessions, which started on Friday and ended on Sunday.

Everyone thinks theyre a good driver, no one takes it as seriously as they should, Payne said. A vehicle is a weapon. We kill over 40,000 people a year in car crashes.

Drivers Edge is in its 22nd year but seems more important than before.

Data from the Nevada Department of Public Safety shows 47 people died as of Feb. 29 on Clark County roads.

On Saturday, two teens were killed in a four-car wreck on Pecos and Hacienda, making them the 36th and 37th traffic-related death in Metros jurisdiction so far this year.

2 teenagers killed in crash after running red light in southeast Las Vegas valley: police

If you look at this scene, its utter devastation. The vehicle is completely split in half, LVMPD Sgt. Stuart Richmond said in a video posted on X Saturday. This vehicle ran a red light and collided with another vehicle. They werent seat belted in and once it collided with the pole here, this is the result.

A few of the things that organizers wanted to emphasize to participants are to be fully present behind the wheel, and to eliminate any and all distractions, which means ignoring cell phones.

My job is to look and steer where I want the entire car to go, Andrew Shoen, an instructor, demonstrated.

Im looking and Im steering, and then I straighten my wheel out. My hands are told where to go precisely by my eyes looking there, Shoen said as he showed an example of what one should do if a car skids.

Drivers Edge will return on April 5th for those who missed out this weekend.

Click here to register for Drivers Edge.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Investing in Kids is accepting applications for the Take Stock in Children St. Johns County scholarship and mentoring program.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Families of current 8th and 9th-grade public school students who meet the program criteria can apply online at apply.ink-stjohns.org by March 11 for 30 different scholarship opportunities.

Take Stock in Children is a statewide non-profit organization established in 1995 that offers high-potential, low-income, underrepresented students the resources they need to graduate from high school, complete post-secondary education and succeed in their careers.

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Students accepted into the Take Stock program agree to maintain a 2.5 GPA, stay in high school through graduation, and remain drug and crime-free.

Each student is paired with a volunteer mentor who offers support, guidance and encouragement throughout the students high school years. Students and mentors meet regularly during the school year.

Upon graduation and the completion of the Take Stock program, a student will earn a scholarship equal to 2 years (60 credit hours) at a Florida state college or post-secondary technical school worth approximately $6,500. To date, more than 41,850 students throughout Florida have earned a scholarship through the Take Stock in Children program.

Since 2007, more than 98% of Take Stock St. Johns County students have enrolled in a post-secondary institution in the fall semester following high school graduation.

Read: Golf fever hits Northeast Florida as THE PLAYERS Championship begins

Interested families can submit their applications online, by paper copy to INK! or through public school guidance counselors by March 11.

For more information or to request a paper application, contact Jim Wheeler, INK!s director of operations and students programs, at 904-547-7121, email James.Wheeler@stjohns.k12.fl.us or visit the website www.takestockinchildrensjc.org.

Read: JSO: Man dead after he was shot, crashes car into ditch in Jacksonville Heights

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KYODO NEWS - Mar 11, 2024 - 23:00 | All, Japan, World

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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Anime giant Hayao Miyazaki wins 2nd Oscar, Godzilla visual effects winner

LOS ANGELES - Japanese anime giant Hayao Miyazaki won a U.S. Academy Award for "The Boy and the Heron" on Sunday, claiming one of the industry's top honors for the second time with his long-awaited comeback release, while the latest Godzilla film won the award for best visual effects, a first for Japan in the category.

Miyazaki's 124-minute fantasy, which was selected in the Academy's animated feature category, also won top prizes for the genre at the Golden Globes in January and the British Academy competition last month after its release in Japan last year.

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Japan marks 13 years since quake-tsunami, Fukushima nuclear disaster

SENDAI - 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.

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Japan averts recession in October-December period with 0.4% economic growth

TOKYO - Japan escaped a recession in the October-December quarter and instead grew at a revised annualized rate of 0.4 percent on strong capital spending, but weak private consumption is clouding the economic outlook, government data showed Monday.

Real gross domestic product, adjusted for inflation, was revised upward from an earlier reported 0.4 percent drop, a positive development for the Bank of Japan as financial markets expect it to end its negative interest rate policy this month or in April.

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China revises law to articulate Communist control over Cabinet

BEIJING - China's parliament, at the end of its annual session Monday, revised a law to articulate the ruling Communist Party's control over the country's Cabinet, further cementing the power of President Xi Jinping, who heads the party.

The approval of the amended Organic Law of the State Council during the National People's Congress session suggests a diminishing role for Premier Li Qiang, who heads the Cabinet and holds the No. 2 position in the Communist Party.

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2 dead after avalanche hits backcountry skiers in Japan's Hokkaido

SAPPORO - An avalanche hit a group of backcountry skiers, believed to be foreigners, on a mountain in Japan's Hokkaido on Monday, leaving two of them dead, police said.

Rescue authorities received an emergency call around 11 a.m. reporting that individuals had been struck by an avalanche on Mt. Yotei, which stands at 1,898 meters and spans towns including Kutchan and Niseko.

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"Oppenheimer" wins best picture at U.S. Academy Awards

LOS ANGELES - "Oppenheimer," a biopic based on the life of the "father of the atomic bomb," the man who helped develop the nuclear weapons used by the United States against Japan at the end of World War II, won the Oscar for best picture and other U.S. Academy awards Sunday.

The Christopher Nolan-directed film, which achieved blockbuster status in the United States, depicts the physicist Robert Oppenheimer as he rises from student to key figure in the top-secret Manhattan Project amid the war.

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Couple sent to prosecutors after unvaccinated dog injures 7 in Japan

MAEBASHI, Japan - A couple was referred to prosecutors Monday after their dog, which was not vaccinated for rabies, bit and injured seven people including elementary school pupils in a park in a city northwest of Tokyo last month, police said.

The 62-year-old man and his 57-year-old wife are suspected of failing to keep the dog under control, allowing it to run off and injure the people at the park in Isesaki in Gunma Prefecture on Feb. 7, police said.

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Tokyo stocks plunge on tech selling, weak exporters on strong yen

TOKYO - Tokyo stocks tumbled Monday with selling led by semiconductor heavyweights tracking falls in their U.S. counterparts and exporters hurt by a stronger yen.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 868.45 points, or 2.19 percent, from Friday at 38,820.49, its largest single-day point drop since June 2021. The broader Topix index finished 59.97 points, or 2.20 percent, lower at 2,666.83.

Video: 79th anniversary U.S. air raid on Tokyo
Activists of the climate protection group Last Generation hold hands during a street blockade on Mehringdamm. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

Climate activism group Last Generation is calling on people to join a new form of demonstration in 10 German cities on Saturday, to kick off a season of protest.

"Disobedient assemblies" are planned in Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Leipzig, Karlsruhe, Freiburg, Stuttgart, Regensburg, Munich and Rugen, the group said on Monday.

This new protests will take the form of crowds of people blocking pavements and roads. These gatherings should be "significantly more disobedient" than organized demonstrations, but "absolutely peaceful," the group said.

It was unclear exactly how the gatherings were to look and how long they should last.

The group began protesting by blockading streets more than two years ago in order to draw attention to the climate crisis and demand countermeasures.

In the past, activists glued themselves to highways so police could not easily remove them. But Last Generation said in January that members would no longer stick themselves to road surfaces - a disruptive tactic that drew attention to their cause even as it frayed the tempers of motorists, air travellers and police.

They also staged protests in museums, stadiums and ministries. The Berlin police alone counted 550 protests last year.

But many of the activists have faced trial and the public prosecutor's office in Neuruppin is investigating the group for the formation of a criminal organization.

The group also demanded that German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier address the climate crisis in an address to the nation and initiate a debate on immediate measures, including the immediate phase-out of all fossil fuels.

The group also demanded a wealth tax to finance climate protection and "fair rationing that puts a limit on the overconsumption of the rich," at a press conference near his official residence in Berlin.
A passenger has described the moment people hit the roof of a plane travelling from Australia to New Zealand during what was described as a mid-air "technical event".

Brian Jokat said a number of people suffered head injuries after the Latam Airlines jet dropped unexpectedly, throwing some out of their seats.

Fifty were hurt and 12 were taken to hospital on landing in Auckland.

Emergency services said one person was in a serious condition.

In total, New Zealand's St John ambulance service said it had "assessed and treated approximately" 50 patients who had been travelling on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which had taken off from Sydney.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Jokat revealed that people had hit the ceiling with such force "some of the roof panels were broken" while others had been thrown down the aisles after the plane "dropped unlike anything" he had ever experienced before.

The person next to him, he added, appeared to be "glued to the ceiling".

"I did think for a split second: 'This is it'," he said.

"There was blood coming from several people's heads and people were yelling and screaming and it was chaos," Mr Jokat added.

Another passenger told Radio New Zealand they saw people "flying around" and leaving traces of their blood on the ceiling.

Some were not wearing their seatbelts, Radio New Zealand reported, quoting one of those on board.

Further details about the "technical event" or what caused it are still not known. FlightAware, an airline tracker, shows the aircraft losing altitude about two hours into the three-hour flight between the two cities.

Chilean-Brazilian carrier Latam Airlines said it "deeply" regretted "any inconvenience and discomfort this situation may have caused its passengers".

It said "a technical event during the flight" had "caused a strong movement" but provided no further information.

"The plane landed at Auckland Airport as scheduled," it added.

The aircraft was scheduled to fly on from Auckland to Santiago, the capital of Chile.

The departure was cancelled and a new flight scheduled for Tuesday, RNZ reported.
John Cena, left, and Jimmy Kimmel speak during the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Welcome to the 96th Oscars. The Associated Press is bringing you the most memorable moments and notable quotes from Sunday's Academy Awards.

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Follow the 2024 Oscars live

See this year's best red carpet looks

Find the full list of winners

Watch on the AP's YouTube channel

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Queueing is humbling

The great equalizer after the Oscars? The car line.

Following the show, nominees like Lily Gladstone and previous winners including Nicolas Cage joined the rest of the crowd to wait for their cars. Some huddled by heaters that dotted the red carpet and recapped the night.

Ticket 1221! You win a ride to wherever youre going. Have a blast, an announcer called out to a lucky group that headed to their waiting car. ___

Best in show

Dressed in a big bowtie, Messi the dog got his own seat at the awards. "Even though hes a dog, he may have given the performance of a year in Anatomy of a Fall," host Jimmy Kimmel said in the opening monologue.

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Wardrobe malfunctions

Emma Stone looked genuinely surprised when she won best actress for her starring role in Poor Things." On stage she revealed part of that surprise: a faulty zipper. My dress is broken! she exclaimed. Im pretty sure it happened during 'Im Just Ken.

Backstage after the show, Stone gave an update. They sewed me back in, she said.

Meanwhile, at least one person tripped on the red carpet, but nothing nearly as dramatic as Jennifer Lawrence's history-making fall in 2013.

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Stars and their families

Bradley Cooper brought his mom to the Oscars, and Ryan Gosling brought his sister. With first-time Oscar winners Billie Eilish and Finneas OConnell, it's hard to say who brought whom.

Stars  they have families, just like us!

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Pink, pink, pink

Neon pink lights shone on Ryan Gosling as he performed Im Just Ken," a huge 80s power ballad, in a glittering pink suit. Perhaps tired of the all-pink wardrobe required of her titular character, Margot Robbie laid the color to rest and instead went with a subdued brown Versace dress for the event.

Still, pink lives on! America Ferrara carried the torch by wearing a Barbie pink gown by Atelier Versace.

Wrapped in light pink taffeta, Ariana Grande presented an award in a statement look.

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Notable no-shows

Neither Hayao Miyazaki or Wes Anderson were in attendance to claim their prize. The beloved filmmakers marked historic wins  Miyazaki for best animated film for "The Boy and the Heron," and Anderson for The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar," his first Oscar.

Studio Ghiblis Kiyofumi Nakajima apologized backstage for Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki missing the awards show. Please forgive them. Theyre kind of up in the age bracket, he joked while delivering his statement through a translator. ___

Barbenheimer? More like Oscanheimer

 Oppenheimer  has won seven awards, including best picture, director and actor.

It was director Christopher Nolan's first Oscar  and then second and third.

Meanwhile, Barbie only took the prize of one Oscar, which went to Billie Eilish and Finneas for best song.

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Pomp and politics

About a mile from the red carpet, protesters shut down a section of Hollywoods Sunset Boulevard calling for an end to the violence in Rafah, a dense city on Gazas border with Egypt.

Meanwhile on the red carpet, Mark Ruffalo, Billie Eilish, Ramy Youssef, Ava DuVernay and others donned red pins in support for a cease-fire in Gaza. The bold design features a single hand holding a heart and was organized by the group Artists4Ceasefire.

Our film shows where dehumanization leads, at its worst, writer-director Jonathan Glazer said in accepting the Oscar for best international feature for The Zone of Interest," a film about the Holocaust. He spoke out against the war in Gaza.

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Novelty props on the red carpet

The crew of Godzilla Minus One carried monster figurines and wore matching, spiked shoes. Meanwhile, The Boy and the Heron filmmakers brought plush versions of the characters. The film won best animated feature, but Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki werent at the Oscars to accept their statuette.

Elsewhere on the red carpet, "American Fiction composer Laura Karpman, tossed Cadbury eggs to several lucky onlookers. Oscars, they're full of surprises.

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For more on this years Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards
U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-Pearl River, allies himself closely with law enforcement. He regularly rails on social media about crime. At his Town Hall meetings, he typically applauds the police for protecting the community. Hes pictured with a uniformed female officer in a recent political flyer.

Nevertheless, the 2024 federal budget bill he voted for last week included cuts of $1 billion to the U.S. Justice Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Lawlers colleagues in the GOP House majority, such as Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, said the cuts were needed to restrain law enforcement agencies that had overreached into the lives of Americans. House conservatives say the DOJ has targeted parents while others say the agency has meddled in the censorship practices of social media companies.

Rep. Mike Lawler talks with his constituents during his Mobile Office Hours event at Haverstraw Village Hall Feb. 22, 2024.

After all, it's U.S. Justice Department Special Council Jack Smith who has two cases pending against former President Donald Trump, who appears likely to be the GOP standard-bearer in this years presidential election.

More: Mike Lawler loses bid for vote on his SALT tax reduction reform bill for married couples

Lawler was among 132 of 221 House Republicans who joined House Democrats to pass the $460 billion spending plan and avoid a partial government shutdown. His spokesman, Nate Soule, said that in a split Congress, with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats in charge in the Senate, you need to compromise.

In a divided government, everyone isnt going to get everything they want in every piece of legislation, Soule said. But his bill, negotiated with President Biden, Sen. Schumer and Speaker Johnson, represented a win for NY-17 and Congressman Lawlers constituents.

A large chunk of the Department of Justice cut - $622 million - came from elimination of construction funding for the FBI in Alabama, the New York Times reported.

Opposing takes on supporting law enforcement

Lawler took the vote as he gears up his reelection campaign in the 17th District, which comprises Rockland and Putnam counties, Westchester County north of White Plains, and a sliver of southern Dutchess County.

Lawlers likely opponent in November, former Rep. Mondaire Jones, D-Sleepy Hollow, said Lawlers vote to cut the federal law enforcement budget was the third time in Lawlers first term that he has voted to cut law enforcement funding as part of the budget impasse, which has dragged on since the federal fiscal year began on Oct. 1.

Jones cited FBI warnings that the cuts would reduce the agency's ability to combat illegal drugs, gangs and violent crime. He noted that the cuts in the bill voted on Wednesday were insisted upon by Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, who was intent on slashing spending while backing Trumps calls to cut Department of Justice funding.

Former Rep. Mondaire Jones said the House GOP majority has become a "wholly owned subsidiary of the Trump legal team.

Under Mike Lawler and the extreme MAGA Republicans, Congress has gone from being the Peoples House to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trump legal team, Jones said. Mike Lawler does all these things while pretending to Back the Blue in photo ops.

Lawlers campaign spokesman Chris Russell maintained Jones, who served in Congress from 2021 to 2023, lacked credibility to criticize the incumbent.

"Mondaire Jones is a 'defund the police', open borders radical who has zero credibility on the issue of law enforcement and public safety, Russell said. Congressman Lawler has - and will continue to have - strong backing from law enforcement in this campaign because the last thing we need representing the Hudson Valley in Congress is a Hochul-Adams clone like Mondaire Jones.

Jones, however, stands by his record in Congress.

When I was in Congress, I never voted to cut funding for police, he said. When the Democrats had the gavel, we never included provisions to cut law enforcement. We funded at record levels. Its all smoke and mirrors with the Republicans. Every allegation of theirs is an admission.

What Lawler likes about budget bill

For Lawler, the vote on the budget bills was an opportunity to showcase how he can work in a bipartisan fashion on Capitol Hill. The vote also avoided an unpopular government shutdown, which some of his GOP colleagues wanted. Another deadline looms on March 22 for the remaining government agencies.

More: Mike Lawler wants to keep Social Security solvent, but won't say how he'll pay for it

Lawler said the spending bills provided crucial funding for programs he supports: expanded military construction, food programs for the poor, Amtrak train service, services for veterans as well as Social Security and Medicare.

On policy issues, the funding compromise preserved access to contraception, which members of the far-right GOP Freedom Caucus sought to cut, and extended for seven years the Undetectable Firearms Act, one of Lawler's legislative priorities, which outlaws the manufacture or possession of firearms not detectable by metal detectors.

The bill included $36 million in community projects within Lawler's district, including $2 million to the town of Carmel for its long-delayed Swan Cove park project on Lake Mahopac, and $7.5 million for pedestrian infrastructure projects in Putnam County.

Those community projects also included $815,000 for upgrades to the communications system for the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

Russell said Lawler did what he had to do to keep the government open.

The bottom line is that this bill has earned strong bipartisan support - including every New York Democrat in Congress - and includes gun safety measures, protects Medicare and Social Security, and avoids a government shutdown," he said.

Sign up for Wilson's weekly newsletter for insights into his Tax Watch columns.

David McKay Wilson writes about tax issues and government accountability. Follow him on Twitter @davidmckay415 or email him at dwilson3@lohud.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rep. Mike Lawler backs budget deal with $36 million for 17th district
Heres a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.

Along with this weeks roll call votes, the House also passed these measures: the Securing the Cities Improvement Act (H.R. 4403), to make improvements to the Securing the Cities program; the Improving Travel for Families Act (H.R. 5969), to revise certain regulations to permit certain children to accompany their parents or legal guardians through Global Entry airport lanes; the 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act (H.R. 498), to secure the suicide prevention lifeline from cybersecurity incidents; and the DiasporaLink Act (H.R. 3385), to require a report on the value, cost, and feasibility of developing a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Ghana.

HOUSE

CHILDHOOD DISEASES: The House has passed the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 (H.R. 3391), sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., to reauthorize through fiscal 2028 a National Institutes of Health program for research into pediatric cancer and diseases. Wexton said the reauthorization was needed because there is still a long fight ahead to better understand, treat, and ultimately cure childhood cancer. The vote, on March 5, was 384 yeas to 4 nays.

YEAS: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick R-Bucks; Mike Kelly, R-Butler; Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia; Chrissy Houlahan, D-Chester; Madeleine Dean, D-Montgomery; Scott Perry, R-York; Brendan Boyle, D-Philadelphia; Matt Cartwright, D-Lackawanna; Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster; John Joyce, R-Blair; Guy Reschenthaler, R-Washington; Glenn Thompson, R-Howard; Dan Meuser, R-Luzerne; Susan Wild, D-Lehigh; Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Delaware; Summer Lee, D-Allegheny; Chris Deluzio, D-Allegheny

MATERNAL DEATHS: The House has passed the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3838), sponsored by Rep. Michael C. Burgess, R-Texas, to reauthorize federal programs that fund state maternal health care programs. Burgess said the bill will help to ensure that resources are directed where they will have the most positive impact. The vote, on March 5, was 382 yeas to 12 nays.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Perry, Boyle, Cartwright, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio

CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT SPENDING: The House has passed an amendment to the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 4366), sponsored by Rep. John R. Carter, R-Texas, to provide fiscal 2024 funding for various federal departments, including Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs. A supporter, Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, said the bill honors our commitment to our veterans, strengthens our energy security, holds agencies accountable, supports our farmers and ranchers, and makes our transportation systems safer. An opponent, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, criticized the bill for excessive spending that went beyond previously legislated limits for 2024, and for failing to secure the border with Mexico. The vote, on March 6, was 339 yeas to 85 nays.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio

NAYS: Perry

CANCER AND FIREFIGHTERS: The House has passed the Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3821), sponsored by Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-N.J., to reauthorize through fiscal 2028 the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Healths registry of nationwide information about firefighters and cancer. Pascrell said the registry could lead to more knowledge of the ties between career-long exposure to dangerous fumes and toxins and the incidence of firefighter cancer. The vote, on March 6, was 413 yeas to 7 nays.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Perry, Boyle, Cartwright, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio

ILLEGAL ALIENS AND CRIME: The House has passed the Laken Riley Act (H.R. 7511), sponsored by Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., to require the Homeland Security Department to apprehend illegal aliens who are facing charges for theft in the U.S. Collins called the requirement a key piece in our fight to restore the rule of law and get criminal illegal aliens off our street by removing illegal aliens from the U.S. before they commit worse crimes than theft. An opponent, Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., said Congress did not have the authority to set such a requirement. The vote, on March 7, was 251 yeas to 170 nays.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Perry, Cartwright, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Wild, Deluzio

NAYS: Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Scanlon, Lee

EXPANDING DENTAL WORKFORCE: The House passed the Action for Dental Health Act (H.R. 3843), sponsored by Rep. Robin L. Kelly, D-Ill., to reauthorize, through fiscal 2028, a program for issuing grants to states for resolving local shortages of dental health providers. Kelly said: By prioritizing early diagnosis, intervention, and preventive dental treatments, we can significantly improve the well-being of patients and alleviate strain on our healthcare system. The vote, on March 7, was 391 yeas to 32 nays.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio

NAYS: Perry

SENATE

MILITARY STAFFING: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Ronald Keohane to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Keohane, currently a partner at the veterans-focused Blue Rose consultancy, was previously a Clinton and Obama administration official in the Defense Department and the National Guard. A supporter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Keohane understands the value of caring for our servicemembers and their families. The vote, on March 6, was 69 yeas to 30 nays.

YEAS: Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa.; John Fetterman, D-Pa.

REGULATING COAL, OTHER MINES: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Moshe Z. Marvit to be a member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission for a term ending in 2028. Marvit has been a lawyer at the Commission for a decade, and has been a law professor and a private practice lawyer representing the United Steelworkers union and other workers. A supporter, Sen. Bernie Sanders, ID-Vt., called Marvit a well-qualified nominee strongly supported by the United Mine Workers of America and the United Steelworkers. The vote, on March 6, was 50 yeas to 49 nays.

YEAS: Casey, Fetterman

MERIT SYSTEMS FOR GOVERNMENT WORKERS: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Cathy Harris to be chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Harris is a lawyer at a private practice Washington, D.C., law firm, specializing in federal government employment law. The vote, on March 6, was 51 yeas to 48 nays.

YEAS: Casey, Fetterman

NUCLEAR RADIATION COMPENSATION: The Senate has passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act (S. 3853), sponsored by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. The bill would extend the deadline for filing compensation claims for exposure to radioactive waste from the 1940s Manhattan Project to develop a nuclear bomb and from working in uranium mines. Hawley said the extension is about doing basic justice for the working people of this nation whom their own government has poisoned. The vote, on March 7, was 69 yeas to 30 nays.

YEAS: Casey, Fetterman

WASHINGTON, D.C., JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Adrienne Jennings Noti to be a judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Noti has been a magistrate judge on the Superior Court for a decade, and before that was a law professor and a lawyer specializing in family law. A supporter, Sen. Gary C. Peters, D-Mich., said Noti has proven herself to be fair and effective and has shown a deep commitment to the local community. The vote, on March 7, was 51 yeas to 45 nays.

YEAS: Casey, Fetterman
Special counsel Robert Hur is set to testify on Capitol Hill this week, roughly one month after he published a controversial report that stopped short of bringing charges against President Biden for willfully retaining classified documents but raised questions about his mental state and memory.

The report sparked outrage on both sides of the aisle: Republicans seized on the description of Bidens memory, using it as fodder to argue that he should not be reelected to the White House, while Democrats slammed Hur for writing a gratuitous report that, they said, inappropriately commented on the presidents mental state.

Those reactions will collide Tuesday, when some of Bidens fiercest critics and most loyal defenders grill Hur during a hearing that will dive into the presidents biggest vulnerability  his age  heading into the November general election.

Also this week, the House will vote on a bipartisan bill that will force ByteDance, the China-based parent company of TikTok, to divest from the app or face a ban in the U.S.

And Republicans in both chambers are headed on their annual retreats, as House Republicans look to reset after a chaotic year and the Senate GOP conference prepares for a high-stakes leadership race.

Hur to discuss controversial report before House panel

Robert Hur, the special counsel who investigated Bidens handling of classified documents, will discuss his report on Capitol Hill this week during a highly anticipated hearing that is sure to focus on the presidents age, which has emerged as the incumbents top weak spot ahead of the November presidential election.

Hur is scheduled to appear before the House Judiciary Committee at 10 a.m.

The hearing comes after Hur released a nearly 400-page report last month that declined to charge Biden for willfully retaining classified documents in part because, he argued, it would be difficult for a jury to convict him because he would likely have presented himself as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.

Republicans pounced on the body of work, arguing that it is evidence of their claim that Biden is not mentally fit to occupy the White House for another four years. They also criticized Hur for declining to pursue charges because of his concerns over Bidens memory, juxtaposing it with the charges former President Trump is facing for his retention of classified documents  despite the key differences between the two cases.

Having a poor memory does not absolve you from violating the Espionage Act. Being old and elderly does not absolve you from violating the Espionage Act, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said on Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures.

Democrats, meanwhile, have denounced Hur for including commentary about Bidens mental state in his report, and they have argued that the president is up for the job of commander in chief. Biden himself told reporters my memory is fine during a fiery press conference hours after Hurs work was released.

That message resurfaced last week after Biden delivered his State of the Union address that, many said, was a strong speech for the president at a crucial moment in the 2024 campaign.

And Democrats once again took aim at Hur.

President @JoeBiden at SOTU showed in real time that he was sharp, agile and strong. You know who really looks like a fool and a total partisan hack? Dr. Robert Hur, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), a member of the Judiciary Committee, wrote on social media last week.

Bidens age has emerged as a key issue in the 2024 presidential election. A New York Times/Siena College poll released earlier this month found that 61 percent of voters who supported the president in 2020 strongly or somewhat agree that he is just too old to serve effectively. Of the respondents who said they plan to back Biden in 2024, 59 percent said he is too old to be an effective president.

House to weigh in on TikTok ban

The House this week will vote on a bipartisan bill that could ban the popular app TikTok in the U.S., as lawmakers sound the alarm about China being able to access information about Americans.

The measure  titled the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act  would require ByteDance, the China-based parent company of TikTok, to divest from the application or face a ban in the U.S.

Consideration of the legislation comes as lawmakers raise national security concerns about whether the Chinese government is able to access data of Americans who use TikTok. The video sharing app, for its part, has pushed back on the allegations pertaining to national security.

The ban effort has sparked intense opposition from the platform and its users. Last week, the platform urged users to call their lawmakers and voice opposition to the bill that could lead to a ban of the app, prompting swarms of calls on Capitol Hill.

The legislation, sponsored by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in a unanimous vote last week, teeing up a referendum in the full chamber.

The House is scheduled to consider the measure under suspension of the rules, a fast-track process that is used for bills that have bipartisan support. The legislation requires a two-thirds vote for passage.

Biden told reporters last week that if Congress passes the TikTok bill, he would sign it.

If they pass it, Ill sign it, he said.

House, Senate Republicans embark on annual retreat

House and Senate Republicans are set to attend their annual retreats this week as the conferences look to reset  and prepare for the future  after a chaotic year on Capitol Hill.

The House GOP retreat  taking place in West Virginia from Wednesday through Friday  comes after a year of intense infighting for the conference, which led to the successful ousting of their Speaker, prompted a number of shutdown showdowns and brought lawmakers to the brink of what would have been the first-ever economic default.

The House GOP conference has also seen its razor-thin majority slim even further over the past year, making it difficult for Republicans to pass various pieces of legislation on the floor.

This weeks retreat will be the first for House Republicans with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) at the helm of the conference.

The Senate GOP retreat, meanwhile, comes as Republicans are getting ready to select a new leader of their conference for the first time in nearly two decades, as Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) prepares to step down from the top job after a long tenure in the position.

Senate GOP Whip John Thune (S.D.) and Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), who previously served as whip, are both in the race to succeed McConnell. Some other Republicans, however, are mulling runs.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Want to make a social media account? If you live in Utah, you soon may have to hand over your ID. Or maybe not.

The Utah Social Media Regulation Act, which was originally set to go into effect in March 2024, aims to restrict minors' access to social media and the kind of content they can encounter once online.

The law would require all social media users to verify their age through privacy-invading methods such as uploading their driver's license, submitting to a facial scan, or providing the last four digits of their Social Security number. Minors must also obtain parental permission before they can create a social media account. Once online, the law would force social media companies to restrict minors' ability to find new content and other accounts and to limit when they can message others on the platforms.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a First Amendment nonprofit, launched a lawsuit challenging the law.

FIRE's suit argues that the law violates the First Amendment, pointing out that it forces social media companies to restrict users' access to protected expression. Additionally, FIRE argues the law's age verification requirements amount to an unconstitutional prior restraint on free expression.

"What Utah has done, and what other states are doing, is to try to impose sort of a magic bullet solution to the whole question of youth mental health," says Robert Corn-Revere, chief counsel at FIRE. "In its rush to address what really is the latest moral panic, the state brushes aside what is a nuanced problem and chooses censorship as the presumptive solution to how it addresses these issues, ignoring the individual differences and the diverse needs of families in the state."

Following FIRE's suit and other legal challenges, Utah's Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, delayed the law's implementation until October 2024. In a legal filing from January 19, the state noted that the Utah State Legislature "is likely to repeal and replace the law." Less than three weeks later, state legislators introduced two bills that proposed minor changes to the law while keeping the considerable restrictions on accounts held by minors and required age verification in order to create an account.

Utah's law is part of a larger trendTexas, California, Louisiana, Arkansas, Virginia, Florida, and Montana have all passed similar legislation designed to restrict minors' access to social media or sexually explicit content online. Federal courts have already blocked many of these statutes.

Utah's law is "much like the whole litany of ineffective and unconstitutional measures that courts have consigned to history, including things like protecting young people from movies or comic books, rock music, racy novels, or, most recently, video games," says Corn-Revere. "Laws like this don't solve the problems they try to address but only make them worse. And in the process, it violates everybody's constitutional rights."

The post Lawsuit Hobbles Utah's Plan To Mandate Age Verification Online appeared first on Reason.com.
A man indicted on rape charges while working as a contracted driver for a Metro Nashville program providing rides for people with disabilities has been accused in a lawsuit of sexually assaulting a woman with Down Syndrome.

Abdirashid Elmi was indicted on Jan. 31 on two counts of rape and three counts of sexual battery.

At the time of the alleged crimes, Elmi, 56, worked as a driver for Mobility Solutions, which contracts with Metro's transit authority, WeGo, to provide rides for people with mental and physical disabilities across Davidson County.

A lawsuit filed in Davidson County Circuit Court alleges that Elmi sexually assaulted a woman with Down Syndrome while transporting her on March 17, 2023.

Outside the Justice A. A. Birch Building is pictured on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.

The Tennessean does not identify victims of sexual assault, but the name of the woman in the lawsuit is consistent with the initials of the victim in the indictment, as are the dates of the incidents given in each document.

Elmi was arrested on Feb. 8. He was freed last week from the Downtown Detention Center on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear for his next court date on April 10.

The lawsuit was filed Feb. 9 by the woman and her parents. In it, they say that she is unable to provide consent because of her mental handicap.

According to the lawsuit, the woman's mother overheard Elmi make "several sexual comments" to her daughter during a phone call two days after the alleged assault. The woman told her mother it was her boyfriend, but after further questions, "admitted to the sexual assault" two days prior.

The woman's mother filed a complaint with WeGo the same day, the lawsuit says. When she asked WeGo and the Davidson Transit Organization, a private nonprofit which manages much of the Nashville transit system's workforce, to preserve footage from the vehicle from that day, they responded that the equipment in the vehicle was not working, according to the lawsuit.

Mobility Solutions CEO Abdulkadir Mohamed confirmed that Elmi was employed as a driver at the time of the alleged assaults. Mohamed said he fired Elmi shortly after he received the complaint against him. He could not recall an exact date when reached by phone but said that Elmi was fired last spring, at which point he had worked for the company for more than a year.

Mohamed said that was the first complaint of its kind he had received against Elmi.

The lawsuit incorrectly identifies Elmi as an employee of the Davidson Transit Organization (DTO). WeGo spokesperson Eric Melcher confirmed that Elmi was not employed by DTO or WeGo, but Mohamed explained his company contracts with WeGo.

"The safety of our riders is our top priority. Our Safety Department investigates all complaints and incidents involving contractors and works closely with the contractor and law enforcement in a criminal investigation," a WeGo spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The lawsuit brings a host of claims against the defendants. The plaintiffs are suing Elmi alone for sexual battery, battery and assault; and suing Elmi, WeGo and DTO for negligence and outrageous conduct/intentional infliction of emotional distress. They also bring a claim of professional liability against WeGo and DTO.

Metro Nashville is listed as a defendant but no specific claims are brought against it.

The plaintiffs are seeking a judgment of $300,000 from WeGo and Metro; $3 million from DTO; $3 million from Elmi; as well as no less than $5 million in punitive damages against DTO and Elmi.

The Tennessean was unable to reach Elmi at a phone number found through an online database. The Tennessean was unable to reach Elmi's attorney at her office.

Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com or follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EvanMealins.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville transit driver for disabled people charged with rape
Chris Beason has been named president of NAI Ruhl Commercial Company.

He has been leading the residential company, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors, as its president, and extends his leadership to encompass the commercial division, according to a Monday release from the company.

Chris Beason now heads NAI Ruhl Commercial Company, as well as Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors.

He joins John G. Ruhl, who will continue as a principal and on the leadership team in his new role as managing director, focusing on key strategy initiatives for company growth and direction, chairman of the leadership board, brokerage for clients as well as management of his investment portfolio.

Pete Hadjis has been named as sales manager/vice president for NAI Ruhl Commercial Company.

I am honored to take on the role of president at NAI Ruhl Commercial. My focus will be on driving innovation and collaboration across our diverse sectors, ensuring we continue to provide exceptional service and value to our clients, Beason said in Mondays release. I look forward to working closely with our talented team to build on our strong foundation and embrace future opportunities.

John G. Ruhl expressed his support for the new direction, saying, I fully support Chriss leadership and his vision for harnessing the unified strength of our residential and commercial operations. I am excited to see the company thrive under his guidance and to have the time to focus on higher level initiatives to plot the future success of the commercial team.

Pete Hadjis is sales manager/vice president for NAI Ruhl Commercial Company.

I am thrilled to join the leadership team at NAI Ruhl Commercial. I will strive to enhance operational efficiency, nurture the development of our new agents, work side by side with our exceptional seasoned agents, and uphold the unparalleled standards of service that define our company, Hadjis said.

I am committed to working closely with Chris, John, and the entire team as we forge ahead with our strategic goals and continue our tradition of excellence in the commercial real estate sector.

2023 Award Winners

NAI Ruhl Commercial Company celebrated a year of success on Feb. 29, 2024. Annual awards were given to these individuals for their accomplishments in 2023:

Top Listers  Shawn Langan and Pete Hadjis, Langan & Hadjis

Top Producer s  Shawn Langan and Pete Hadjis, Langan & Hadjis

Associate of the Year  Richard J. Schaefer, Vice President/Director

Rising Star  Ethan Simons, Commercial Sales Associate

Employee of the Year  Julie Billings, Client Services Coordinator

Shining Star  Annette Hallam, Accounting Specialist

You Da Bomb! Award  Jeff Fenner, Field Maintenance Specialist

Million Dollar Club Recipients: Charlie Armstrong, SIOR; John Corelis, Thomas Dalton, Jake Eikenberry, Pete Hadjis, Diana Haubenstricker, Alex Kelly, Shawn Langan, Ray Oczak, Megan Pieper, John G. Ruhl, Richard J. Schaefer, Ethan Simons, Pete Stopulos, Rick Weinstein

Excellence in Customer Service: John Corelis, Thomas Dalton, Jake Eikenberry, Pete Hadjis, Alex Kelly, Shawn Langan, Megan Pieper, Richard J. Schaefer, Ethan Simons, Rick Weinstein

NAI Ruhl Commercial Company is the regions leading commercial real estate firm specializing in commercial real estate brokerage, consulting, corporate services, property management, development, and maintenance services with offices in the Quad-Cities region, and serving Eastern Iowa, Western Illinois, and Southwest Wisconsin.

NAI Ruhl Commercial reaches markets worldwide with their partnership with NAI Global, the worlds only managed network of commercial real estate firms. For more information and property listings, visit its website HERE.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
In this image made from video, a man attempts to remove logs that block a street following a flash flood in Langgai, West Sumatra, Indonesia, Sunday, March 10, 2024. Torrential rains have triggered flash floods and a landslide on Indonesia's Sumatra island leaving a number of people dead and missing, officials said Sunday. (AP Photo)

PADANG, Indonesia (AP)  Rescuers recovered more bodies as waters began to recede after flash floods and landslides caused by torrential rains on Indonesias Sumatra island, which have killed at least 26 people and left 11 missing, officials said Monday.

Monsoon rains and rising rivers have submerged nine districts and cities in West Sumatra province since Thursday. Late Friday, a major mudslide caused a river to breach its banks and tear through mountainside villages in Pesisir Selatan district.

Relief efforts for have been hampered by power outages, damaged bridges and roads blocked by thick mud and debris, the National Disaster Management Agency said.

Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said rescuers recovered more bodies, mostly in the worst-hit villages in Pesisir Selatan and its neighboring Padang Pariaman district, bringing the death toll rose to 26.

Landslides buried at least 14 houses, he said. At least two villagers were injured and rescuers were still searching for 11 people reportedly missing.

Monsoon rains in West Sumatra province have submerged more than 37,000 houses and buildings, Muhari said. At least three houses were swept away by flash floods and 666 others were damaged.

Floods also damaged 26 bridges, 45 mosques and 25 schools; and destroyed 13 roads, two irrigation system units, which in turn submerged 113 hectares (279 acres) of rice fields and 300 square meters (3,220 square feet) of plantation, the agency said.

Heavy rains cause frequent landslides and flash floods in Indonesia, an archipelago nation of more than 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near floodplains.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 11, 2024 - 20:45 | Arts, All, Japan

Japanese anime giant Hayao Miyazaki won a U.S. Academy Award for "The Boy and the Heron" on Sunday, claiming one of the industry's top honors for the second time with his long-awaited comeback release, while the latest Godzilla film became the first title from Japan and Asia to win best visual effects.

Miyazaki's 124-minute fantasy, which was selected in the Academy's animated feature category, also won top prizes for the genre at the Golden Globes in January and the British Academy competition last month after its release in Japan last year.

The latest work by Miyazaki, 83, is a fictional story set during World War II. Its protagonist, a Japanese boy named Mahito, moves to a new town after the death of his mother and meets a talking heron that leads him to a fantasy world.

The film, created at Studio Ghibli in Tokyo, beat four other features in the Academy awards category, including Walt Disney's "Elemental" and U.S. superhero movie "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."

"We are just extremely grateful. Miyazaki was very happy," Toshio Suzuki, a producer and co-founder of Studio Ghibli Inc., Miyazaki's production company, said at a press conference in Tokyo. Miyazaki did not attend the press conference.

Although Miyazaki had announced his retirement in 2013 after producing "The Wind Rises," another of his Oscar-nominated films, he began his latest work in 2017.

Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" won an Oscar in 2003, after being awarded the Golden Bear, the top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, the previous year.

Around 50 people gathered at the studio in western Tokyo, cheering after hearing the announcement.

Fans of the film also applauded the win as they watched a live broadcast of the ceremony at a movie theater complex in Tokyo.

"I grew up with Miyazaki's anime and was also given the hope to live by 'The Boy and the Heron,'" said Seiji Machida, 46, from Chiba Prefecture. "I'm very happy that (Miyazaki) returned, and that he won an award."

Meanwhile, Takashi Yamazaki's "Godzilla Minus One," set in postwar Japan, is the latest installment in the long-running franchise about a fire-breathing, city-stomping monster.

The film follows the story of a Japanese pilot burdened with guilt for surviving a kamikaze mission who joins forces with others to battle Godzilla, a giant reptilian monster that emerges in Tokyo and which threatens the city, already devastated by U.S. air raids during the war, with new destruction.

"To someone so far from Hollywood, even the possibility of standing on this stage seemed out of reach," Yamazaki said upon receiving the award in Los Angeles.

"This award is proof that everyone has a chance," the 59-year-old added.

The director had earlier described the film as a combination of "the newest digital technologies and classic methods from Japanese cinema" that created "the warmth of something handmade."

The movie was made with a limited budget and utilized the traditional "tokusatsu" technique for Japanese monster films, a method that uses composite images and miniature sets.

The Godzilla franchise is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year since the first film was released in 1954, inspired by the U.S. nuclear bomb testing in Bikini Atoll.

Speaking at a press conference after winning the award, Yamazaki sought to draw a connection between the film and the current global situation, saying that the movie was about "subduing Godzilla" -- a symbol of war and nuclear weapons.

"Maybe the world is desiring this sense of subduing," he said.

"Godzilla Minus One" was rolled out in U.S. theaters in December, becoming the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film in the country, according to its distributor Toho Co.

Related coverage:

Miyazaki's Ghibli anime "The Boy and the Heron" wins British Academy award

Miyazaki fantasy anime, Godzilla film among Oscar nominees from Japan

Japan anime giant Miyazaki's latest fantasy wins Golden Globe
Lee Anderson joining Reform UK is a huge development on the right of British politics  as big as Douglas Carswell defecting from the Conservatives to Ukip a decade ago.

Much of the Tory establishment will seek to play down the significance of what is a very major coup for Reform leader Richard Tice. Some of its members will try and depict Anderson as a preposterous figure not cut out for serious politics. But neither charge will ring true.

After all, Anderson is the Red Wall Rottweiler appointed by Rishi Sunak as a deputy chairman of the Conservatives precisely to try and help keep together the partys winning 2019 electoral coalition.

He must now rank as one of Britains twenty or so best-known politicians following the row over his remarks criticising London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for being allegedly controlled by Islamists.

The suspension of Anderson from the Conservative parliamentary party during the ensuing row is now looking like a catastrophic own goal by the Prime Minister.

Many voters agreed with the broad thrust of what Anderson was saying about the need to stand up to the Islamist threat, even if he admitted himself that his words were clumsy.

And many of those voters will have seen the Sunak administrations response to the growing Islamist threat and marked it down for appearing to adopt a posture of appeasement. Not only did it suspend Anderson, but it exaggerated the threat posed by the far Right and recruited a new tsar to tackle a supposed wave of Islamophobia.

Reform has not only added a very well-known new name to its top team, but now also has a parliamentary spokesman with a proven track record of being able to make headlines and connect with a substantial swathe of voters.

Andersons impact is only going to grow over coming weeks. Already he has a substantial social media footprint, having 134,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter) at the time of writing. That compares, for example, to the 38,000 following Education Secretary Gillian Keegan.

Hitching his wagon to Reform implies Anderson now thinks he has a better chance of holding his Ashfield parliamentary seat in its colours than either as an independent or as a Tory in the event of him apologising for his attacks on Khan and Starmer.

I have found that champion of the Red Wall for Reform UK, said Mr Tice, who is often criticised for being too posh to push his party as far as it might go.

Nobody will be able to say that of Anderson, whose own mother and father urged him to join Reform.

I might not know a lot of these long words some of these people in Parliament [use], I know a few short ones, he declared at his unveiling press conference. One was put in mind of the comedian Harry Enfields Yorkshireman character whose motto was: I say what I like and I like what I bloody well say. Anderson is a man from the old Nottinghamshire coalfields, rather than the broad acres, but that would be a pretty fair summary of him as well.

When Rishi Sunak sacked Suella Braverman and brought David Cameron into the Cabinet, the Reform poll rating increased by around five points. If Andersons switch results in the same there is every chance of the insurgent party drawing level with the Tories in opinion polls.

Public opinion across the western world is in a febrile state, with rising anxiety about the volume and sources of immigration causing a loss of trust in many establishment political parties. The weekends landslide referendum defeat for the political establishment in Ireland should be seen in this context.

Ultimately, David Cameron contained the Ukip threat by giving the challenger party what it wanted  a referendum on EU membership. Containing the Reform threat would require Sunak to adopt a whole swathe of new right-wing policies and convince voters that he really believed in them.

It is difficult to see that happening. It is now much easier to see Reform surging and attracting new parliamentary defectors in the run-up to a general election in which millions of non-aligned voters will be up for grabs.

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Lee Anderson has announced his defection to Reform UK, declaring I want my country back.

The former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party was suspended from the Tories last month over his refusal to apologise for his claims that Islamists had got control of Sadiq Khan and London.

Mr Anderson accused the Conservative Party of stifling free speech by forcing him to retract the remarks, as he insisted that he was speaking on behalf of millions of people up and down the country who agree with me.

He revealed that his elderly parents had pleaded with him over the weekend to quit the Tories, saying they could only vote for him if he joined Reform UK.

Announcing the defection at a press conference in Westminster on Monday morning, Richard Tice, the Reform UK leader, said Mr Anderson would be the partys first MP.

Mr Anderson would also be the Reform partys Red Wall champion, Mr Tice said, as he vowed to replace the Tories as the main alternative to Starmageddon.

Mr Anderson told the press conference: I will start by saying I want my country back. Over the last year or so Ive had to do a lot of soul-searching on my political journey. I dont expect much in politics other than to be able to speak my mind.

He said that led him to be labelled as controversial, but argued it was not controversial to be concerned about immigration or to fight back in a culture war.

Both Mr Anderson and Richard Tice predicted more defections would follow in the weeks and months running up to the general election - HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images

Mr Anderson continued: It is no secret that Ive been talking to my friends in Reform for a while. And Reform UK has offered me the chance to speak out in Parliament on behalf of millions of people up and down the country who feel that theyre not being listened to.

People will say that Ive [taken] a gamble. And Im prepared to gamble on myself, as I know from my mailbag how many people in this country support Reform UK and what they have to say. And like millions of people up and down the country, all I want is my country back.

Later, in a huddle with print journalists, Mr Anderson said he had been umming and ahhing about the move for some time, while trying to throw you lot off the scent.

Asked if that was his intention when he told The Telegraph in January that there was no conceivable world in which he would join Reform, he said: Thats just politics, darling.

He added that he was not bothered about if you can trust me.

Its politics. Were all grown-ups in this room, arent we? Im not going to play my full hand. Im not going to play a full hand, Im not going to reveal my full hand to you, he said.

Both Mr Anderson and Mr Tice predicted more defections would follow in the weeks and months running up to the general election.

Mr Tice said he expected more Tory MPs to follow the Ashfield MP in joining Reform, while Mr Anderson said: Its a sad day that Im leaving my colleagues. But if Im honest, this time next year theyll be sat on the same benches as me.

In a swipe at Rishi Sunak, the Ashfield MP said nothings changing under the Conservatives apart from words, adding: People want more than words, they want action.

You sort of live in hope that things are going to get better and theyve not got better. The Conservative Party is, what, 25 points behind, probably, in the polls. We keep saying thats going to close nearer the election, well every days nearer the election we drop a point every week, he said.

Mr Anderson said there have been several tipping points for him over the past few months, including his unpalatable suspension for speaking my mind.

But he insisted he would have defected even if had not lost the Tory whip, adding: My parents have been saying to me for weeks now, you cannot win, we cant vote for you for being in the Conservative Party. If my parents are saying that, what chance have I got?

Mr Anderson also ruled out resigning and triggering a by-election, when asked about Mark Reckless and Douglas Carswell doing the same when they quit the Tories for Ukip.

Itd be pretty reckless of me to suggest a by-election when we could have a general election in May, Mr Anderson said. It costs a fortune.

The defection, which will be a blow to Mr Sunak, follows weeks of speculation about the Ashfield MPs next moves.

As news of Mr Andersons defection to Reform spread throughout Westminster on Monday morning, one senior Tory backbencher captured the mood by saying that disbelief is the feeling amongst colleagues.

The New Conservatives group on the Right of the party have said Mr Sunak must change course urgently as they insisted responsibility for Mr Andersons defection sits with the Conservative Party.

In a statement on behalf of the group  a collection of 20 or so MPs who mostly represent seats in the North and the Midlands  Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates, its co-chairmen, said: We regret Lees decision. Supporting Reform makes a less conservative Britain more likely. A Labour government would raise taxes, increase immigration, undo Brexit and divide our society.

But the responsibility for Lees defection sits with the Conservative Party. We have failed to hold together the coalition of voters who gave us an 80 seat majority in 2019.

Those voters  in our traditional heartlands and in the Red Wall seats like Ashfield  backed us because we offered an optimistic, patriotic, no-nonsense Conservatism. They voted for lower immigration, for a better NHS, for a rebalanced economy, and for pride in our country.

Our poll numbers show what the public think of our record since 2019. We cannot pretend any longer that the plan is working. We need to change course urgently.

They added: We urge our colleagues to work with us to develop a bold new offer, consistent with the spirit of 2019, that will convince our lost voters that we present a genuine alternative to Labour and the best hope for Britain.

Meanwhile, Daisy Cooper MP, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader said Mr Andersons defection shows that Mr Sunaks authority lies in tatters.

She said: The man he personally appointed to be deputy chairman of the Conservatives has defected to another party. This is a prime minister who cannot govern his own party let alone the country.

Even now Sunak is too weak to rule out Nigel Farage joining the Conservative Party. It just shows that there is now hardly a cigarette paper between the Conservative Party and Reform.

A Conservative spokesman said: Lee himself said he fully accepted that the Chief Whip had no option but to suspend the whip in these circumstances. We regret hes made this decision.

Voting for Reform cant deliver anything apart from a Keir Starmer-led Labour Government that would take us back to square one  which means higher taxes, higher energy costs, no action on channel crossings, and uncontrolled immigration.

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Lee Anderson peeks out from behind one of the flags positioned in front of the makeshift lectern - Sky News

Lee Anderson joining Reform UK is a bigger moment than the rise of Ukip, Nigel Farage has said.

Mr Anderson, the former vice-chairman of the Conservative Party was suspended from the Tories last month over his refusal to apologise for his claims that Islamists had got control of Sadiq Khan and London.

Mr Farage, who led Ukip and now has a backseat role as the honorary president of Reform, said the MP for Ashfield joining Richard Tices party was bigger than Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless defecting from the Tories to Ukip in 2014.

Carswell and Reckless were about re-establishing national sovereignty against a political class, that included a Tory Party, which didnt want that to happen, Mr Farage said.

This is about a much bigger issue on how were governed, how nothing works anymore, how Britain is broken and our political class and media class in Westminster speak an entirely different language to those who live in the real world. This is seismic, its enormous.

It came as the New Conservatives urged Rishi Sunak to change course urgently as they insisted responsibility for Mr Andersons defection sits with the Conservative Party.

Recap on how the day unfolded below, and join the conversation in the comments section here.

04:05 PM GMT

Thats all for today...

Thank you for joining us on a dramatic day in Westminster as Lee Anderson, a former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, defected to Reform UK and became the partys first ever MP.

Addressing a press conference in Westminster, Mr Anderson told reporters: I want my country back. Over the last year or so Ive had to do a lot of soul-searching on my political journey and I dont expect much in politics other than to be able to speak my mind and speak on behalf of my friends, family and my constituents.

A poll at the end of last week had Reform just five percentage points behind the Conservatives, with Labour on track to sweep to a majority some Tory MPs fear could be bigger than the 1997 Blair landslide.

Richard Tice this morning unveiled Lee Anderson as the first ever Reform MP - Henry Nicholls/AFP

Now that Reform has a man in the Commons, Mr Anderson will give Richard Tices party a significant profile boost as it seeks to outflank the Conservatives on the Right over net zero, immigration and taxes.

Mr Sunak faces losing out on four fronts at the ballot box  those who are prepared to Labour another chance under Sir Keir Starmer, disaffected Conservatives fed up with both major parties and ready for Reform, liberal Tories in the shires minded to back the Lib Dems, and those who wont bother voting at all.

How much the events of today will shift the dial remains to be seen. But with Mr Tice confident that further defections are likely to follow, plenty more salt could be rubbed into Tory wounds in these coming weeks  with Mr Sunak needing to convince voters that he can turn things around, and fast.

My colleague Jack Maidment will be back early tomorrow to guide you through another day.

04:03 PM GMT

I thought Id put my sword-wielding days behind me!

Penny Mordaunt, the Leader of the Commons, surprised shoppers in the Portsmouth suburb of Cosham in newly-released photographs as she paid tribute to her sword-carrying duties at the Coronation.

On a visit to a branch of Barnardos, Ms Mordaunt said: I thought Id put my sword-wielding days behind me, but I was delighted to make an exception for Barnardos.

Charities like Barnardos provide a lifeline for children and young people across the country, and I was honoured to meet so many of their committed staff and volunteers.

Penny Mordaunt

Penny Mordaunt

03:54 PM GMT

Keir Starmer: Anderson defection shows the Government has run out of road

Lee Andersons defection shows the Government has run out of road, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

Speaking to Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge on Sky, the Labour leader said No 10 was arguing amongst itself and the public was more concerned about a general election than a by-election:

'This is not just about Anderson - it's about 14 years of failure'



Sir Keir Starmer has given his reaction to Lee Anderson's defection from the Tory party in an exclusive interview with @SophyRidgeSky.



 Watch the full interview from 7pm https://t.co/NfCpjZ3X7j pic.twitter.com/M43zmPHZzd  Sky News (@SkyNews) March 11, 2024

03:43 PM GMT

Welsh First Minister frontrunner admits embarrassment over lost Covid WhatsApps

The frontrunner to become the next First Minister of Wales has admitted it is a real embarrassment that his Covid WhatsApps were deleted.

Vaughan Gething, the Health Minister during the pandemic, told the Covid Inquiry it was a matter of regret his messages had not been kept.

Mr Gething is vying to replace Mark Drakeford, the current Labour First Minister of Wales who announced his resignation in December, and will find out on Saturday if he has secured the leadership in a contest against Jeremy Miles.

On the final week of the Inquirys Welsh phase Mr Gething, who is now the Minister for the Economy, defended the use of mobile phone messages.

Neil Johnston has the full story here

03:28 PM GMT

Farage: Lee Anderson joining Reform a much bigger moment than rise of Ukip

Nigel Farage, the honorary life president of Reform, told The Telegraph: Ive been comparing this to Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless and I think this is bigger.

Carswell and Reckless were about re-establishing national sovereignty against a political class, that included a Tory Party, which didnt want that to happen.

This is about a much bigger issue on how were governed, how nothing works anymore, how Britain is broken and our political class and media class in Westminster speak an entirely different language to those who live in the real world. This is seismic, its enormous.

Mr Farage added: The sense that something is going wrong, the sense were losing our country, the sense our country is being destroyed and we are being bullied by a minority, is now a majority view in Britain that nobody in Britain even dares to express.

Asked whether he was tempted to return to frontline politics, the former MEP replied: Im just a broadcaster and the honorary president of the party. Im a very innocent soul.

03:23 PM GMT

We must grip immigration to win back Reform supporters, says Rees-Mogg

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a former business secretary, told The Telegraph: Im sorry to see Lee go, Im always sorry to see people leave the Conservative Party and I hope he will come back.

I think its a great pity that we are losing supporters and able people to Reform. We need to win them back and we need to win them back by governing effectively.

I think there are obvious issues at the moment that voters wish to see tackled. These include migration which is an area of great concern and the Government is trying to tackle that, theres a bill stuck in the Lords. We need to tackle legal migration as well and to be fair the Government is also trying to do something about that but there is not a lot of time between now and a general election.

Frankly, it was a mistake to take the whip away from Lee Anderson, he admitted that he phrased himself clumsily and Lee has not defected from the Conservative Party, he was expelled and has now joined another party. I think it was an error to have expelled him.

03:10 PM GMT

Labour questions Rishi Sunaks judgment

Last year, Rishi Sunak promoted Lee Anderson to Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party.



What does this say about Rishi Sunak's judgement? pic.twitter.com/evAw2XeJIX  The Labour Party (@UKLabour) March 11, 2024

02:53 PM GMT

The Conservatives need to be Conservative again

Dame Andrea Jenkyns, one of just two Tory MPs who has publicly called for Rishi Sunak to go, urged her colleagues on the backbenches to wake up in the wake of Mr Andersons defection.

The Conservatives need to be Conservative again, she wrote on X. You all sat around as Rome started burning.

Its our last chance to get a grip of our party and get a new leader or its game over and the socialists are in.

It is understood Dame Andrea is not planning to follow Mr Anderson to Reform.

02:29 PM GMT

Who are Reform UK? The partys history and its vision under Richard Tice

Founded in 2021 as a relaunch of the Brexit Party, Reform UK has surged to as high as 14 percentage points in the opinion polls and is costing the Conservatives significant support among voters on the political Right.

It now has its first MP in the House of Commons after Lee Anderson, a former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, defected on March 11 after his suspension over a row about Sadiq Khan, insisting Reform will allow him to speak my mind.

Richard Tice and Nigel Farage announced the Brexit Party would become Reform on November 1, 2020 in an article for The Telegraph published at the start of the second Covid lockdown.

Mr Tice and Mr Farage used the joint article to declare lockdowns dont work and instead advocated a policy of focused protection for the most vulnerable. They also called for sweeping reform of major institutions beyond the pandemic.

Read more on Reforms history and vision here

02:01 PM GMT

No religion has a right not to be offended, says security minister

No religion has a right to be exempt from criticism, the security minister has said ahead of a crackdown on extremism.

Tom Tugendhat said no faith had a right not to be challenged amid concerns that some extremists have used intimidation and threats of violence against those perceived to have insulted Islam.



It follows the case of a teacher in Batley, West Yorkshire, who received death threats after showing pupils a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed during a religious education lesson almost two years ago and has remained in hiding ever since as he fears for his life.



Mr Tugendhat declined to comment on individual cases but he said: There is absolutely no right for any religion to be offended, if we accepted that then wed still be Catholic.

Charles Hymas, our Home Affairs Editor, has more here

01:52 PM GMT

Analysis: The Tories lose their Red Wall Rottweiler

Nicknamed the Red Wall Rottweiler for his forthright opinions, Lee Anderson was brought into the Tory fold as deputy chairman just over a year ago in an attempt to appeal to the millions of largely working-class voters won by the party at the 2019 election.

As deputy chairman, Mr Anderson took part in light-hearted social media videos with Rishi Sunak in which they ridiculed examples of wokery going too far.

And in response to his 30p Lee nickname which sprung out of a row about food bank use, Penny Mordaunt, the Commons leader, hailed him as he stands up for me, Lee:

Penny Mordaunt - 'I'm sorry she didn't welcome the appointment of Lee Anderson to his new position... many refer to him as 30p Lee, but many people across the whole of the UK refer to him as he stands up for me Lee.. '  pic.twitter.com/x8YO5UlngW  Haggis_UK   (@Haggis_UK) February 9, 2023

Anderson will now be standing against a party that is fundamentally split on both his style and substance. His Khan comments appalled the centrist One Nation group of Tory MPs, but many of his Red Wall colleagues deeply regretted his suspension.

His remarks on the Tories failings over illegal migration and the promises made in 2019 are surely food for thought for Red Wallers who, if the polls are to be believed, face electoral oblivion later this year on a Tory ticket.

01:32 PM GMT

Reform UKs pledges, at a glance

Reform UK is on course to cost the Conservatives dearly at the next general election as it refuses to stand down its candidates to help Rishi Sunaks party.

Richard Tices insurgent Right-of-centre party scored double-digit vote shares in Wellingborough and Kingswood on Feb 15, matching its national polling levels and depriving the Tories of victory in the latter contest.

Richard Tice walking through Doncaster Racecourse during Reform UK's spring rally last month - Christopher Furlong

Mr Tice has said unlike the Brexit Party in 2019, he will not step aside for the Tories at the next national poll, even if his refusal to do so would result in a Labour government. He insisted that Mr Sunaks administration should be punished.

There is also speculation about the role that Nigel Farage, Reforms honorary president, could play at the election. He has declined to rule out a return to frontline politics. The party has, in the meantime, unveiled a draft manifesto titled Our Contract with You.

Here is a summary of its pledges

01:26 PM GMT

Lee Andersons defection will damage the Tories more than they realise

Lee Anderson joining Reform UK is a huge development on the right of British politics  as big as Douglas Carswell defecting from the Conservatives to Ukip a decade ago, writes Patrick OFlynn.

Much of the Tory establishment will seek to play down the significance of what is a very major coup for Reform leader Richard Tice. Some of its members will try and depict Anderson as a preposterous figure not cut out for serious politics. But neither charge will ring true.

Lee Anderson and Rishi Sunak in somewhat happier times for the governing party - Jacob King

After all, Anderson is the Red Wall Rottweiler appointed by Rishi Sunak as a deputy chairman of the Conservatives precisely to try and help keep together the partys winning 2019 electoral coalition.



He must now rank as one of Britains twenty or so best-known politicians following the row over his remarks criticising London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for being allegedly controlled by Islamists.

Patrick OFlynn: Rishi Sunak has scored a catastrophic own goal

01:09 PM GMT

Lee Anderson on why he left the Tories

I cannot be a part of an organisation which stifles free speech, and many of my colleagues in that place, in the Conservative Party, do back me on this privately.

12:56 PM GMT

Andersons defection is on the Tory Party, say New Conservatives

The New Conservatives have said Rishi Sunak must change course urgently as they insisted responsibility for Lee Andersons defection sits with the Conservative Party.

In a statement on behalf of the group  a collection of 20 or so MPs who mostly represent seats in the North and the Midlands  Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates, its co-chairmen, said: We regret Lees decision. Supporting Reform makes a less conservative Britain more likely. A Labour government would raise taxes, increase immigration, undo Brexit and divide our society.

But the responsibility for Lees defection sits with the Conservative Party. We have failed to hold together the coalition of voters who gave us an 80 seat majority in 2019.

Those voters - in our traditional heartlands and in the Red Wall seats like Ashfield - backed us because we offered an optimistic, patriotic, no-nonsense Conservatism. They voted for lower immigration, for a better NHS, for a rebalanced economy, and for pride in our country.

Our poll numbers show what the public think of our record since 2019. We cannot pretend any longer that the plan is working. We need to change course urgently.

They added: We urge our colleagues to work with us to develop a bold new offer, consistent with the spirit of 2019, that will convince our lost voters that we present a genuine alternative to Labour and the best hope for Britain.

12:45 PM GMT

Lee Anderson: I have been cast aside by Tory Party

Lee Anderson, who this morning became the first Reform MP, said he was cast aside by the Conservatives in the wake of his suspension over remarks about Sadiq Khan.

In a statement on social media, Mr Anderson wrote: Following what has been a turbulent few weeks for me, in which I have felt unsupported and cast aside by by own party, I have been left to feel politically isolated for representing the common voice of my loyal constituents in Ashfield.

I have been asked to reverse comments I have made and the stance I have taken, which I have refused to do. It is the people of Ashfield that have put me into Westminster and it is their voice I will continue to represent, regardless of party line or consequences to myself or my career.

Lee Anderson means Reform now has its first MP in the Commons - Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

He added: The situation I find myself in today is that I am no longer part of the Conservative Party, the party have moved me aside and removed the whip as a result of me speaking the truth of the people, which will never change.

I therefore today announced that I have joined the Reform Party. Richard Tice is fully aware of the values and the needs of Britain and the people of Ashfield, and he has agreed to support my message and the voices of my constituents which is the most important thing to me as not just a politician, but as a decent and proud British citizen who wants nothing more than to take Britain back and give our country the leadership it deserves.

12:34 PM GMT

Tory MP calls Anderson big girls blouse

Course he didn't inform the Prime Minister. Big girls blouse https://t.co/YiPAIHXizC  Jackie Doyle-Price MP (@JackieDP) March 11, 2024

12:11 PM GMT

Lee Anderson: Im not bothered about if you can trust me

Asked in January by my colleague Amy Gibbons if there was any conceivable world in which he would join Reform, Lee Anderson said: No. Like I said, I have got a debt of gratitude to the Conservative Party, even though I dont agree with everything we do.

It was them that gave me the job, gave me the chance to represent my own town. It was them that financially backed me. Its them thats protected me. Its them thats given me a political home. So why would I knife them in the back?

Claiming it was an attempt to throw journalists off the scent, Mr Anderson said today: Thats just politics, darling.

Its politics. Were all grown-ups in this room, arent we? Im not going to play my full hand. Im not going to play a full hand, Im not going to reveal my full hand to you.

Challenged on whether he could still be trusted to tell the truth, he said: Im not bothered about if you can trust me. Let me tell you this, and print this, nobody trusts any of you lot in this room, journalists, they dont trust you full stop, so my conscience is clear.

12:03 PM GMT

Watch: Lee Anderson defects from the Tories to Reform

11:52 AM GMT

Reform leader Richard Tice welcomes his first MP

Welcome to Reform UK, Lee Anderson MP! pic.twitter.com/ZK0Yk27So6  Richard Tice  (@TiceRichard) March 11, 2024

11:45 AM GMT

Labour: Tory Party is too extreme to be led

Pat McFadden, Labours campaign coordinator, has reacted to Lee Andersons defection to Reform.

While the Conservatives are falling apart, Labour is focussed on turning the page on 14 year of Tory failure, Mr McFadden said.

What does it say about Rishi Sunaks judgement that he promoted Lee Anderson in the first place?

The truth is that the Prime Minister is too weak to lead a party too extreme to be led, and if the Tories got another five years it would all just get worse.

11:37 AM GMT

Have your say: Has Lee Anderson made the right call?

11:19 AM GMT

Tories: We regret hes made this decision

A Conservative spokesman said: Lee himself said he fully accepted that the Chief Whip had no option but to suspend the whip in these circumstances. We regret hes made this decision.

Voting for Reform cant deliver anything apart from a Keir Starmer-led Labour Government that would take us back to square one - which means higher taxes, higher energy costs, no action on channel crossings, and uncontrolled immigration.

11:05 AM GMT

I would expect some more to follow

On the prospect of further defections, Richard Tice added: Lets wait and see, but unless theres an election called in the next few days, and if it is, Prime Minister, were ready, then I would expect some more to follow.

11:04 AM GMT

Lee Anderson: Its my objective to win, not obliterate the Tories

Asked if he shared Reforms objective of wanting to obliterate the Tories at the next general election, Lee Anderson responded: Its not an objective at the top of my agenda. My priority is winning Ashfield and places like Ashfield, places that I think have been let down by my old party.

Boris said in 2019 that people in places like Ashfield had been lent the vote, my family, my friends voted Conservative for the very first time with high expectations. And the promises have not been delivered.

You have to be with a party that puts this country first, rather than their mates at the tea parties, clinking their champagne glasses, scared to upset people.

Asked who had control of the country at the moment and how he intended to get it back, Mr Anderson said: When I see hundreds of people, an angry baying mob, flashing graphics onto Big Ben, Elizabeth Tower, which says from the river to the sea, we have not got control of our streets. This is a murderous, vile, sort of wicked thing that we see on our streets. And the police have not got control.

Mr Tice said you could trust the police, you could trust the Government and you could trust the Post Office... trust in all three of those entities and institutions has now completely collapsed.

11:00 AM GMT

Lee Anderson: Were not doing enough to counter extremism

Richard Tice said all extremism and all hate is bad when asked if he was as concerned about anti-Muslim hatred and anti-Semitism, before adding the biggest threats at the moment were to the Jewish community.

Lee Anderson added: Words are all well and good, I agree with pretty much everything the PM had to say on the steps of Downing Street a few weeks back but we dont want words anymore, we want action.

Were seeing MPs attacked, were seeing council meetings or political meetings ambushed... Were not doing enough. I dont feel safe, sometimes on a Wednesday night I have to use a different exit.

10:58 AM GMT

Vote Tory, get Starmer

Asked if he had just helped Keir Starmer win the next election, Lee Anderson replied: Somebody has to make a stand.

I said it last week, theres 650 MPs in that country over there. If not one of them can speak up for this country, whats the point in being there?

Richard Tice interjected: Ive got a very simple message. Vote Tory, get Starmer, vote Reform, get Reform.

10:56 AM GMT

Tice: Millions endorse Andersons Sadiq Khan comments

Richard Tice said millions of people endorse the sentiments of Lee Andersons criticisms of Sadiq Khan.

Asked what had changed since he described Mr Tice as a poundshop Nigel Farage in January, Mr Anderson told The Suns Harry Cole: Also on that point, Harry, someone described you as a poundshop Glen Owen.

Challenged on how long he planned to remain in Reform, Mr Anderson said: My political beliefs have never changed at all. I think politics is quite simple, you listen to what people have to say then you go to that place and you carry it out. And its that simple and were not doing that.

I think this party will allow me not just to speak on behalf of my constituents, who are furious, but millions of people... We are giving this country away and its got to stop.

Mr Tice said: I would be surprised if there were not other MPs from other parties who dont join Reform before the general election. I could be wrong if its called a week on Friday but otherwise Id be surprised.

10:53 AM GMT

Anderson refuses to trigger by-election

Lee Anderson refused to resign to trigger a by-election when asked about Mark Reckless and Douglas Carswell doing the same when they quit the Tories for Ukip.

Itd be pretty reckless of me to suggest a by-election when we could have a general election in May, Mr Anderson said. It costs a fortune!

Richard Tice added: Millions of people are sick of parliamentarians wasting taxpayers cash. Weve got a general election within weeks or months. Weve got to focus on getting the message out to the British people.

10:52 AM GMT

Anderson and Tice pictured together for the first time

Lee Anderson and Richard Tice

10:51 AM GMT

Country, constituency, and then party

Pressed by Sky News on whether he was attention-seeking and being disloyal to Rishi Sunak after the Prime Minister made him deputy Tory chairman, Lee Anderson replied: Country, constituency, and then party. Next question.

He refused to take further questions from Skys Beth Rigby, who protested he hasnt answered my question.

Mr Anderson answered a separate query: When my friends and my family and my staff are telling me to join the Reform party, then I have to listen. My country comes first, then my constituency, then my party.

10:49 AM GMT

A massive, massive wake-up call

Asked how voters could trust him and what had changed since his claims in January Reform was not the answer, Lee Anderson replied: One big thing changed last week and that was [George] Galloway coming into Parliament, and we have to fight back against that as a country, and the only party thats offering that fightback which I can see is Reform UK.

This is a big problem, its worrying my constituents and constituents up and down the country... We have to fight back and unfortunately the Conservative and the Labour Party wont fight back.

Richard Tice added he was proved right about Britain entering a recession.

Thats whats changed, its a massive, massive wake-up call.

10:46 AM GMT

Anderson: I wont apologise to Sadiq Khan

On his comments about Sadiq Khan, Lee Anderson insisted I will not apologise and said he had been talking to my friends in Reform for a while.

People will say that Ive took a gamble and Im prepared to gamble on myself as I know from my mailbag how many people in this country support Reform UK and what they have to say. And like millions of people up and down the country, all I want is my country back.

Now this may sound offensive to the liberal elite but its not offensive to my friends, my family, my constituents and some of my donors. Constituents like my mum and dad who told me they could not vote for me unless I joined Reform UK. Both of my parents are nearly 80 and they get it. And I must not let them down. As I said at the beginning, I want my country back.

10:44 AM GMT

Lee Anderson: I want my country back

Lee Anderson told reporters: I want my country back. Over the last year or so Ive had to do a lot of soul-searching on my political journey and I dont expect much in politics other than to be able to speak my mind and speak on behalf of my friends, family and my constituents.

Now I might not know a lot of these long words some of these people in Parliament, I know a few short ones, but sometimes this leaves me to be controversial, controversial in my opinions. But my opinions are not controversial, they are opinions that are shared by millions of people up and down the country.

Its not controversial to be concerned about illegal immigration. Its not controversial to be concerned about legal migration. Its not controversial to be worried, concerned, about the Metropolitan Police and a failing London Mayor and the hate marches and the street crime and the shoplifters literally getting away with ruining businesses on a daily basis.

Its not controversial to fight back in a culture war, a culture war that is sweeping our nation. I am proud of our great country and the gifts it has given to the world over hundreds of years, gifts like the Industrial Revolution, railways, culture, sports, medicine such as medicines which have saved hundreds of millions of lives, and we defeated fascism in two world wars.

We have always punched above our weight on the international stage but now like millions of people of people in this country I feel that we are slowly giving our country away. We are giving away our way of life, we are allowing people to erase our history, we have given up our streets to a minority of people who literally hate our way of life. We are allowing people into our country that will never integrate and adopt our British values.

10:40 AM GMT

Breaking: Lee Anderson becomes Reforms first MP

Richard Tice has unveiled Lee Anderson as Reforms first MP.

In the Red Wall this election we want to replace the Tories as the main alternative to Starmergeddon, thats what it is, a nightmare, coming to everyone near you in 2024. So were going to replace the Tories in the Red Wall.

Which we means we need a champion, of course, of the Red Wall, someone who completely understands it, who is trusted by voters to tell it as it is, no nonsense, no waffle, clear, basic, common sense. And Im delighted to announce that I have found that champion of the Red Wall for Reform UK. Hes also coincidentally going to be Reform UKs first Member of Parliament in the House of Commons.

He is of course a person of great integrity, no nonsense, and is the Member of Parliament in the county of Nottinghamshire for Ashfield. Please welcome Lee Anderson.

10:37 AM GMT

A buzz in the room at Reforms press conference

There is a definite buzz in the air at Reforms press conference in central London, where we are expecting to hear that a certain Red Wall Rottweiler is defecting to the party, writes my colleague Amy Gibbons.

Lee Anderson is not in the room, but a huddle of photographers are ready to pounce on the door at any moment.

Speeches are now underway, with Reform leader Richard Tice centre stage.

10:37 AM GMT

Richard Tice: The Westminster establishment has never been more out-of-touch

Richard Tice has taken to the stage at the Reform UK press conference.

People are getting poorer, that recession almost two years per person. If thats their plan, well its not the plan of the British people to get poorer, Mr Tice said in the wake of the Budget.

Something significant has changed in recent months. Ive noticed peoples concerns and anxiety has turned to anger and fury. Because nothing works, Britain is broken, and we all know who broke it. There are so many areas where its broken.

He added: Theyve imposed on us mass immigration that we can see from the data is making us poorer, no question whatsoever. People also separately are appalled at whats going on in our streets, our towns and our cities with these anti-Semitic, hate-filled pro-Hamas marches that is leading to genuine fear. The Jewish community in London, afraid to go out at the weekend...

What a shocking indicment of the performance of the boss of the Met Police, of the person in charge of security in London, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, of the Home Secretary and of the Prime Minister, that the Jewish community are terrified. Absolutely appalling.

Separately, people are horrified that this gender ideology is infecting our schools, poisoning the minds of our children... And also people are waking up to the absurd multi-trillion pound cost of this obsession with net zero. But any of us who want to talk about it, oh no, were a bigot! We must be smeared, we must be labelled, were -phobic in some way. No were not, were just talking common sense, the genuine concerns of tens of millions of people up and down the country. I think the Westminster establishment has never been more out-of-touch.

10:33 AM GMT

A significant day for Reform UK

Paul Oakden, the chief executive of Reform UK, said a small group of us started a journey four years ago to do something that hadnt been done for decades - to start a political movement that wasnt based on a single policy, but was based on values and ideas.

Mr Oakden hailed today as a significant day in the history of the party.

10:18 AM GMT

Have your say on defence spending

In the wake of Tom Tugendhats comments this morning, have your say on whether the Prime Minister should raise defence spending below:

10:09 AM GMT

Reform press conference in 20 minutes

We will be bringing you all the latest on this live blog as Lee Anderson is expected to become Reform UKs first MP.

10:03 AM GMT

Rishi Sunaks authority lies in tatters

Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, said there was hardly a cigarette paper between the Tories and Reform.

Rishi Sunaks authority lies in tatters after the man he personally appointed to be Deputy Chairman of the Conservatives has defected to another party. This is a Prime Minister that cannot govern his own party let alone the country, Ms Cooper said.

Even now Sunak is too weak to rule out Nigel Farage joining the Conservative Party. It just shows that there is now hardly a cigarette paper between the Conservative Party and Reform.

09:55 AM GMT

Tory MPs in disbelief over Anderson

Lee Andersons defection to Reform is already rattling Conservative cages this morning.

A senior Tory backbencher says: Disbelief is the feeling amongst colleagues.

09:54 AM GMT

Analysis: A massive moment for Reform UK

As Reform UK gathered for its spring conference in Doncaster last month, Richard Tice and cos big day out in Doncaster was overshadowed by red wall Rottweiler Lee Anderson losing the Tory whip.

Mr Anderson, a deputy chairman of the Conservative Party until January, has been sitting as an independent MP after he refused to apologise for claiming Islamists had got control of Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London.

It did not take long for Mr Tice to say that the MP for Ashfield spoke for millions of people, and the pair soon held secret talks about a potential defection at a Holiday Inn hotel at junction 28 of the M1 in Derbyshire.

Reform is currently riding high at around 10 per cent in the polls but has never had any representatives in the House of Commons since its inception three years ago. That changes today - and only adds to Rishi Sunaks headache ahead of the general election this year.

09:39 AM GMT

Breaking: Lee Anderson expected to defect from Conservatives to Reform UK

Lee Anderson is set to defect to Reform UK, my colleague Camilla Turner can exclusively reveal.

The former vice-chairman of the Conservative Party was suspended from the Tories over his refusal to apologise for his claims that Islamists had got control of Sadiq Khan and of London.

The defection, which will be a blow to Rishi Sunak, follows weeks of speculation about the Ashfield MPs next moves.

Read the full story here

09:26 AM GMT

Tugendhat refuses to say if defence article was cleared by No10

Tom Tugendhat declined to confirm whether Downing Street cleared his LinkedIn article with Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a Foreign Office minister, calling for greater defence spending in the wake of the Budget.

When asked by Good Morning Britain host Ed Balls if No 10 signed off on his piece, Mr Tugendhat said: Ed, did you have to clear everything through Labour? You probably did, actually, have to clear everything through Peter Mandelson, didnt you?

Probably how your Labour Party worked, where everything was so tightly controlled.

Pressed by Mr Balls, Mr Tugendhat replied: We trust ministers to argue Government policy and to make the context available to people so we understand why were spending all this money.

This is public money that we need to keep spending because weve seen autocracies around the world challenging us in new and different ways.

09:19 AM GMT

The elephant in the room that risks exposing Britains net zero agenda

Its one of the Governments proudest boasts. Britain, it claims, has almost halved its greenhouse gas emissions from 800m tonnes in 1990 to just 417m tonnes in 2022, writes our Energy Editor Jonathan Leake.

Its a staggering decrease  a faster decline than almost any other advanced nation. And it is a fact that is used regularly by politicians to trumpet the UKs progress.



Were far ahead of every other country in the world, Rishi Sunak said in September. Weve had the fastest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the G7. Down almost 50pc since 1990. France? 22pc. The US? No change at all. China? Up by over 300pc.



But can a nation whose population has grown by several million in the past two decades, with each citizen consuming more than ever, really have cut emissions by such a massive amount?

Jonathan Leake: UKs hidden emissions fail to show the big picture

09:09 AM GMT

Richard Tice to make major announcement at 10.30am

This from the Reform UK Twitter feed:

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT from Party Leader Richard Tice at 10:30am.



Tune in live on X, YouTube and Facebook. pic.twitter.com/mWjY4Nj4Qc  Reform UK (@reformparty_uk) March 11, 2024

09:06 AM GMT

Name extremist groups or your crackdown will fail, Gove told

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.

Charles Hymas: Government warned it may be seen as weak

08:49 AM GMT

Labour declines to say how it would now fund breakfast clubs

Bridget Phillipson, Labours shadow education secretary, declined to say where the money for school breakfast clubs would come from after Jeremy Hunt abolished non-dom tax status in last weeks Budget.

Labour had previously planned to fund the breakfast clubs by ending tax breaks for non-doms.

In an interview with LBC, Ms Phillipson said Rachel Reeves would look at additional changes to the partys plans in the wake of the Budget.

Every commitment that we set out in our manifesto will be fully-costed and fully-funded.

08:43 AM GMT

Tugendhat on mob rule comments: We all speak in our own way

Tom Tugendhat declined to echo Rishi Sunak in referring to the risk of mob rule in the UK, adding we all speak in our own way and about various different issues.

Mr Tugendhat told BBC Breakfast: I wasnt talking about that, I was talking about the challenge within the Muslim community, and the point I made on Friday was that I have many Muslim parents who have approached me in recent months pointing out quite correctly, very sadly that it isnt my children who are likely to be lured down the path to extremism by Islamists, its theirs.

Today on the first day of Ramadan of all days, this is a day when many, many Muslims across the United Kingdom are going to be celebrating the holy month and they have a place right here in the United Kingdom and we need to make sure they are protected from those extremists who would try to tell them that they dont belong or that they have no place here. Its completely untrue. They absolutely do.

08:36 AM GMT

Met Police accused of emboldening the mob

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.

Neil Johnston and Charles Hymas have the story

08:30 AM GMT

Government has never had the spine to take on Islamists or far-Right

Fiyaz Mughal, who was said to have been chosen as Michael Goves tsar to counter anti-Muslim hatred, has quit the role before it even started as he accused the Government of leaking his name.

In a series of interviews overnight, Mr Mughal questioned the veracity of how seriously it is taking the issue.

The campaigner against extremism told The Telegraph he withdrew his application at the weekend amid a torrent of abuse and threats on social media from Islamists and the far-Right.

Speaking to my colleague Charles Hymas, he said: 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.

He also told The Times there are people in Whitehall who are sympathetic towards Islamists, adding: They have civil servants who have sympathies to these groups.

08:26 AM GMT

Charles Moore: Id quit The Telegraph if UAE-backed sale went ahead

Baron Moore, a former editor of The Telegraph, said he would likely quit his role as a columnist at the newspaper if a UAE-backed takeover of this newspaper went ahead.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: It wouldnt be a problem if it was owned by someone connected to the UAE. It would be a problem if its owned by what is in effect, the government of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi. The problem is not foreignness, its a foreign state owning a national newspaper.

I dont think theres any country in the world in which a foreign state is allowed to own a national newspaper. And as soon as you have a government owning a national newspaper, its bound to lose independence and cant be trusted anymore. And that seems to me to be, I think any journalist would recognise that as a red line.

The Tory peer said the UK Government could not conceivably own The Daily Telegraph, adding: Why would it be allowable that it should be owned by a foreign power?

And asked if he would continue writing his Telegraph column if the RedBird sale went ahead, Baron Moore replied: Oh no, I dont think so.

08:24 AM GMT

Labour comes out against a UAE-backed takeover of The Telegraph

Labour has come out against a UAE-backed takeover of The Telegraph, writes Ben Riley-Smith.

Thangam Debbonaire, the Shadow Culture Secretary, told The Spectator that the view of the party is that foreign governments should not own national newspapers. This is a bid by a foreign power, funded by the deputy prime minister of the UAE, and as such this bid should not pass.

It comes as the Government is understood to be considering an overhaul of Britains media ownership laws to restrict foreign state influence.

RedBird IMI, a fund 75 per cent financed by the UAE, is trying to gain control of The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and the Spectator magazine.

You can read the full story here

08:11 AM GMT

Tom Tugendhat: No religion has the right not to be offended

No religion has the right not to be offended, the security minister has said ahead of a planned crackdown on extremism.

In an interview with GB News, Tom Tugendhat said: There is absolutely no right for any religion to be offended, if we accepted that then wed still be Catholic.

Every religion has the right to be challenged and there is no religion that has the right to be immune from that for any reason at all.

Asked about the case of a teacher at Batley Grammar School who was forced to flee his home after showing pupils a drawing taken from French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, Mr Tugendhat replied: Im not going to comment on individual cases, but you wouldnt expect me to. There is no right at all, in any religion, not to be offended.

Anybody can challenge any article of any faith, it is absolutely fundamental, and there is no right to be immune from that. You know very well because its the fundamental tenet of your job as a journalist to have freedom of speech.

08:08 AM GMT

Good morning

Dominic Penna here, The Telegraphs Political Correspondent, guiding you through what is likely to be a busy day in Westminster.

Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, has urged Rishi Sunak to raise defence spending now, as soon as possible to 2.5 per cent.

What weve got to do is weve got to achieve the 2.5 per cent as soon as possible, thats exactly what we need to do, Mr Tugendhat told Sky News.

We must see that increase in defence and thats exactly why we need to have the boost in growth that Jeremy set out but why we need the economic prosperity that is underpinned by security.

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Lee Anderson (right) and Richard Tice, leader of Reform UK, answer questions following a press conference to announce Mr Anderson's defection from the Conservative party to Reform - HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images

In another dramatic change of allegiances, Labour councillor turned Tory MP Lee Anderson will now bat for Reform in the Red Wall.

The controversial MP has had a tumultuous few months, first resigning as deputy Tory chairman over the Rwanda Bill and then being sacked from the party altogether over an Islamophobia row.

One of the most prominent of the Right-wing Red Wallers elected in 2019, his defection to the insurgent party founded by Nigel Farage poses a serious problem for Rishi Sunak.

Downing Street advisers had seen him as a secret weapon in their bid to win the Conservatives a fifth successive election victory.

Now the Red Wall Rottweiler has joined the party that he once warned presents a bigger risk to the Tories and to the country than Labour, and is now polling at around 10 per cent.

Mr Anderson, a former coal miner and Labour councillor, defected to the Tories in 2018 and a year later was elected as Conservative MP for the Nottinghamshire seat of Ashfield.

Lee Anderson was one of the most prominent of the Right-wing 'Red Wallers' elected in 2019 - Jeff Gilbert

He quickly became one of the most recognisable Red Wall MPs, with a reputation for saying the unsayable.

In July 2021 he stated that he would not watch any England matches in the Euros tournament in protest at the players decision to take the knee.

Later he accused travellers in Ashfield of thievery, claimed the majority of those crossing the Channel in small boats were economic migrants, and told the poor they could cook meals for 30p a day rather than having to visit food banks.

He cemented his position in the party by replacing Esther McVey as chair of the Blue Collar Conservatives, where he urged leaders to put tax cuts first.

It was therefore seen as a surprise in February 2023 when Mr Sunak, a few months after becoming prime minister, made him one of the Tory Partys vice chairs.

This did not stop him being controversial: he said migrants who disliked being housed in barges should f--k off back to France.

In February 2023 Rishi Sunak, a few months after becoming prime minister, made Lee Anderson one of the Tory Party's vice chairs - Jacob King/PA

Mr Anderson later called on Mr Sunak to ignore the Supreme Court and send migrants to Rwanda, adding: We should just get the planes in the air right now.

Number 10 insiders told The Telegraph that they had been lining him up as a secret weapon for the election.

Conservative headquarters was busy building up his social media profile to ensure that his views were amplified just as much as the Prime Ministers.

Tory strategists know that although he supported Brexit, Mr Sunak is seen by many potential Conservatives - particularly those in the Red Wall - as too centrist and not strong enough on issues like immigration.

They hoped that Mr Andersons strident views would help retain many of these voters, particularly former Labour Leave voters who supported the Conservatives in 2019 for the first time.

Now, that is less likely to be the case, increasing the concern that many of these voters could be attracted to parties such as Reform.

Mr Anderson at the announcement that he has defected to Reform UK - Jamie Lorriman

His father was a coal miner and as a young man, he was a member of Arthur Scargills National Union of Mineworkers and campaigned for the Labour Partys Michael Foot in the 1983 general election.

After switching allegiances to the Conservative Party, he became a staunch ally of former prime minister Boris Johnson, and was a well-liked figure among fellow Tory MPs.

Mr Anderson has also been popular among grassroots Tories and he spent weekends touring the country, speaking at association meetings and events.

A petition to reinstate Mr Anderson as a Tory MP, run by the Conservative Post website, amassed over 20,000 signatures.

He was made vice-chairman of the Conservative party in February last year, but resigned in January to rebel against Mr Sunaks Rwanda bill.

As news of Mr Andersons defection to Reform spread throughout Westminster on Monday morning, one senior Tory backbencher captured the mood by saying that disbelief is the feeling amongst colleagues.

Meanwhile, Daisy Cooper MP, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader, said Mr Andersons defection shows that Mr Sunaks authority lies in tatters.

She said: The man he personally appointed to be deputy chairman of the Conservatives has defected to another party. This is a Prime Minister that cannot govern his own party let alone the country.

Even now Sunak is too weak to rule out Nigel Farage joining the Conservative Party. It just shows that there is now hardly a cigarette paper between the Conservative Party and Reform.

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U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who is overseeing Donald Trumps classified documents case, set a hearing for Thursday to address the former presidents motions to dismiss the case.

The hearing will focus on Trump's motion to dismiss classified docs counts 1-32 on unconstitutional vagueness claims and Trump+Nauta motion to dismiss superseding indictment on the Presidential Records Act, The Guardians Hugo Lowell reported, noting that it suggests Cannon may want to figure out whether to grant subsequent evidentiary hearings as requested by Trump and opposed by Special Counsel.

Special counsel Jack Smith on Thursday rejected Trumps claim that he was allowed to deem government records as personal under the Presidential Records Act.

The documents marked classified "are indisputably presidential, not personal, Smith argued. "Trump was not authorized to possess classified records at all. Smiths filing also rejected

MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin on Sunday questioned why Cannon selected the Presidential Records Act motion as well as another on the constitutional vagueness of the first 32 counts in the indictment out of the seven motions Trumps team submitted.

Why did she choose those? Rubin questioned. "One possibility is she's looking to toss the case, and she's looking to toss it on something other than constitutional immunity grounds, because there is a fear that if the Supreme Court were to uphold, for example, the DC Circuit, she can't go against that. She'll be overturned.

"So, she's looking for, potentially, another reason to throw out the case," Rubin continued. "The Presidential Records Act argument is entirely frivolous. Trump is very fond of comparing it to, what he calls, the 'Clinton socks case'. That's a case involving audio tapes that Bill Clinton made with a biographer. And the reasoning in that case turns on the fact that the judge considered those more akin to diaries, which, by the way, are exempt from the President Records Act. So, it's not analogous at all. Curious to see how that argument goes on Thursday, but why those two motions in particular?"
After more than four decades at WDSU-TV, chief meteorologist Margaret Orr plans to retire at the end of March, the station announced Monday.

Orr, 70, had hinted at her impending retirement last year. In an interview in September, she said she wanted more time to read more, paint more, garden more.

She wants more quality time with her three young grandchildren and her 14-year-old rescue border collie, Bleu.

With this kind of job, I dont have a lot of time, she said last September. We have ice, extreme heat, hurricanes and now tornadoes  two in 2022 and one in 2017. That did not used to happen.

All in all, shes enjoyed a great run of more than 40 years of forecasting.

What a remarkable ride. This is what I wanted to do. I wanted to be in my hometown. A lot of people will move around to make more money. Why? There is something to being with your people.

Orrs path to chief was not direct.

Orr smiles at the adoring crowd while serving as the Honorary Muse for the Krewe of Muses parade in New Orleans earlier this year.

After graduating from the all-girls Louise S. McGehee School in 1971, she enrolled at LSU. She spent a summer working at TV and radio stations in Waco, Texas, and loved it. An English major, she added classes on broadcast journalism and meteorology to her schedule.

English degree in hand, she followed a boyfriend to Charleston, South Carolina, and became a radio station general managers secretary. She took a 9-to-5 job as a receptionist at a Charleston TV station on the condition that she could also be a news intern from 5 to 11 p.m.

She started filing stories and got her foot in the door of the broadcast news business. After three years in South Carolina, she landed back in Louisiana as a general assignment reporter at WBRZ in Baton Rouge who also filled in on weather.

Eleven months later, in 1979, WDSU hired her for the same role: reporter who could also do the weather. She co-hosted WDSUs morning show, The Breakfast Edition, arriving at an empty station at 3 a.m. and turning on the lights. She co-hosted The Worlds Fair Show, broadcast daily from the grounds of the Worlds Fair.

Orr poses at her home in New Orleans.

She did weather for the noon and 5 oclock newscasts. When WDSU took her off the evening news, she added weekend shifts. Working seven days a week while raising two daughters and a son with her husband, Bill, was rough. But being on-air every day was, she says, the smartest thing I ever did, because I became so well-known.

Along the way she took remote classes from Mississippi State University to earn a meteorology certification. In 2008, WDSU promoted her to chief meteorologist following Dan Milhams retirement.

Shes held the post ever since, bearing all the responsibility that comes with it.

Mondays announcement via social media made her retirement official.
Pressmen at The Times' Olympic plant in downtown L.A. look over one of the final issues they printed March 8. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

To the editor: I have looked forward to reading the Los Angeles Times nearly every day since I first arrived at LAX decades ago. While I was waiting for my ride to pick me up at the airport, another traveler said to me, "Here, I'm done with this," and dropped the L.A. Times in my lap. ("Storied presses print L.A. Times for the last time as production moves to Riverside," March 10)

I had never seen a paper full of such great content and so many wide-ranging views. That was December 1976.

Since then, I have not always agreed with your editorial opinions. But I have seen your reporting change to some of the finest in any national newspaper.

Your paper (that is, my paper) has always been very important to me. Nearly every news story in Southern California begins with reporting in The Times. Only a print newspaper has the editorial power to enforce accuracy and other such standards in its reporting.

Some of my favorite sections of the newspaper have disappeared over the years, and I miss them dearly. I still look forward to my digital Los Angeles Times every day.

I wish the paper the best of luck, despite having to move out of its longtime Olympic printing plant in downtown L.A.

George Cowie, Orange

..

To the editor: It was a coincidence Sunday's print newspaper contained the story of the closure of the Olympic printing plant. The previous day, I overheard the following conversation in my local grocery store:

A worker probably in his mid-30s asked an older worker what type of jobs he had done before. The older worker said that he had been in the newspaper distribution business  to which the younger worker sincerely asked, "Are they still around?"

The older employee listed several local papers where he had worked; among them was The Times.

Newspapers that have already closed may never be resurrected, but the importance of local papers to our communities cannot be overstated. Just look at the coverage of the multitude of local elections and how that journalism affects our communities.

We ignore this young worker's lack of knowledge about newspapers still existing at great peril.

Paula Schaefer, Huntington Beach

..

To the editor: Here at age 71, I doubt there were many my age who didn't get a high school tour of The Times' Olympic plant to see how a newspaper was put together.

My friends and I would even go to the loading dock at 9 p.m. to buy editions off the truck to get the Santa Anita horse racing results in the pre-internet days.

I was at the Olympic Plant grand opening and also toured the Orange County presses. No one ever imagined The Times would leave its newsroom and administrative offices at Times Mirror Square in downtown L.A. or the incredible Olympic plant.

A sincere thank-you to the men and women who stayed up all night to print and pack The Times.

Jeff Prescott, La Jolla

..

To the editor: With no money, no office or even a computer, I gathered a dozen high school students around my kitchen table and told them we were launching a newspaper.

L.A. Youth, the newspaper by and about Los Angeles teens, gave young people a place to tell their stories. In our first year, 1988, we published just two issues, circulation 2,500.

By 1992 we had grown beyond our wildest dreams. The Los Angeles Times started to donate printing and distribution. Twenty-five years later, we were publishing six issues annually with a press run of 70,000 and an estimated readership of 400,000 per issue.

In 2013, I closed the door. Foundation grants were hard to secure, and The Times could no longer donate printing. I was devastated. We took on issues such as racial discrimination, life on the streets and foster care.

The Times' staff  reporters, photographers, production, truck drivers and executives  kept the presses rolling for us. We wouldn't have had this success without The Times, which gave teens the power of the press.

Donna Myrow, Palm Springs

..

To the editor: My wife and I were greatly saddened to learn of the closure of the Olympic printing plant. Weve held the daily edition in our hands pretty much every morning since moving here in 1975.

But, we were happy to read about the people working in the plant. We wish them well and are full of gratitude for their labor of love all these years.

Steve Tarzynski, Santa Monica

..

To the editor: My first job after graduating college was at the Independent, a daily Long Beach Press-Telegram newspaper. It was 1970.

The printing presses were in the basement, big as locomotives. At the start of every shift the pressmen would tear off a sheet of newsprint and fold it into an origami-like square hat. I was given one when I toured the place on my first day of work. Wish I still had it.

The newspaper put out five editions a day. The whole enterprise, from the basement to the executive offices on the top floor, felt purposeful and important.

It was. I'm grateful to have experienced that time and place.

David Boule, Torrance

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SIR  In response to a question about Lee Andersons defection from the Conservatives to Reform UK, James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, came out with the old cliche  that a vote for Reform is a vote for Labour.

Do these people who are supposedly running the country not realise that it is because of their incompetence that Reform even exists?



The Tories failed to keep their 2019 manifesto pledges. When Rishi Sunak became the unelected Prime Minister, these were followed by yet more empty promises.



The Government has already handed power to Labour  and taken the public for granted for too long.



Andrew Ash

Market Harborough, Leicestershire

SIR  Im unaware of any award for ironic political statement of the year, but if one exists then we already have a clear winner: the Conservative Party spokesman who, commenting on Lee Andersons defection, claimed that voting for Reform cant deliver anything apart from a Keir Starmer-led Labour government that would take us back to square one  which means higher taxes, higher energy costs, no action on Channel crossings, and uncontrolled immigration.



Im sure many voters had a wry chuckle over that claim.



Richard Scott

Kirkbride, Cumbria



SIR  The defection of Lee Anderson to Reform UK is no loss to the Conservative Party.



Politicians who cannot engage their brains before opening their mouths are always going to be a major political liability at some point, and Mr Anderson has been an all too obvious example.



Kim Potter

Lambourn, Berkshire

SIR  The Conservatives loss is Reforms gain. However, Im not convinced that Rishi Sunak understands what his party has lost or why Reform has gained.



Andy Bebbington

Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire

SIR  There is no political party more adept at self-harm than the Conservatives, and Lee Andersons defection sums it all up.



The Tories are in government but not in control. I despair.



Jonathan W A Hall

Oaksey, Wiltshire

SIR  On the basis that people generally vote for a party rather than a candidate, MPs should not be able change their party, as this shows gross contempt for those who elected them.



If Lee Anderson wishes to change party then he should resign and stand again for election under the Reform UK banner, or wait for the forthcoming general election.



Chris Barmby

Tonbridge, Kent



Balfours portrait

SIR  As Arthur Balfours nearest descendant, I was scandalised by the wanton vandalism of his portrait at Trinity College, Cambridge (Pro-Palestinian protester slashes portrait of Jewish homeland architect Lord Balfour, report, March 9).

Two other factors have shocked me almost more. The first is the plain ignorance of the history of the Middle East among these extremists.



Secondly, the college said it was offering support to anyone affected  but shouldnt the priority be to leave no stone unturned to find the perpetrators, who in cowardly fashion execute these acts and post them anonymously on social media?

In recent weeks many of your journalists have demanded that the authorities and leaders of institutions have a change of approach. Instead, they remain supine and woke. Like fish, the body politic rots from the head down. Who will rescue us?



The Earl of Balfour

London SW3

SIR  The Metropolitan Police say that a courageous counter-protester in London was not arrested because of the message on his banner  Hamas is terrorist  but for his own safety (report, March 10).



The truth is that he was at risk because of the message. That shows who controls our streets these days  namely those who are potentially violent, do not respect the right of others to speak freely, and in some cases support the proscribed terrorist organisation that engaged in the savagery of October 7. Although he has since been de-arrested, the counter-protester was manhandled by officers, thrown to the ground and handcuffed. Rather than pursuing those who exercise their right to oppose the protesters narrative, why dont the police deal with those who are a threat to that freedom?



Derrick Gillingham

London SW1

Faithful friends

SIR  Of course dogs should be welcome in church, as Christopher Howse declares (Sacred Mysteries, March 9). We were much disappointed on holiday in Wales recently when our black labrador, Pilot, was not allowed into St Davids Cathedral. A 13-year-old retired gundog with impeccable manners and an enthusiastic greeting for everyone (well, they might have a biscuit in a pocket), he often accompanies us to services at St Marys, Buscot, in Oxfordshire, where his presence is applauded.



Only once has he merited a frown, albeit with a measure of amusement. He snored during the sermon.



Ian Morton

Highworth, Wiltshire

SIR  Cats, too, may have long been welcomed in churches. Exeter Cathedral has a door with a hole (below) that was cut in the 16th century to encourage mousing cats to enter. In the 19th century, Robert Hawker, vicar of Morwenstow, Cornwall, took his nine cats to his own services, though he reputedly excommunicated one for mousing on the Sabbath.



Peter Saunders

Salisbury, Wiltshire

A cat was paid a penny a week in the 15th century to keep down the rats and mice in the north tower - MARK PASSMORE/APEX

Royal family photos

SIR  How the Princess of Wales edits photographs of herself and her family is entirely up to her.



Im an angler and quite often take photos of fish Ive caught; if I knew how to Photoshop, crop or alter parts of the images, I probably would.



Max Coventry

Compton Abdale, Gloucestershire

SIR  Talk about mountains and molehills. What is the fuss about?



Philip Everall

Crewe, Cheshire

Net zero in perspective

SIR  I agree with the sentiments in Annabel Denhams article (We must scrap net zero before its too late, Comment, March 11).



I have been in India for three weeks and have seen first-hand a country that is closer, in terms of its pollution, to the Industrial Revolution than the 21st century.



Emissions from Britain have halved since 1990, but they continue to grow at an increasing rate elsewhere in the world. Achieving net zero in this country will make no difference to the bigger picture and will come at significant cost to us all. We would be better off helping other countries to make reductions in their emissions.



Roger Gentry

Weavering, Kent

Mouthfuls of mustard

SIR  My husband is crazy about mustard (Letters, March 11)  he even licks the spoon after he has helped himself to an enormous portion.



Robyn Maitland

Sherborne, Dorset

SIR  While I was on leave at my parental home a few years ago, my mother prepared me a steak dinner.

My query as to whether she had any mustard led to much rummaging in the larder before a tube of Colmans was produced.

When I examined it I saw that the price label said 1s/6d. I suppose it might still have been all right.



Lt Cdr Geoffrey Carr RN (retd)

Melksham, Wiltshire

SIR  I suffered from a weak chest as a child and my grandmother prescribed a Colmans mustard poultice. Apparently when my uncle had TB the local remedy of inhaling tar fumes hadnt worked, so it was hoped this one would be better.



Fred Deeks

Waterlooville, Hampshire



The folly of disowning two great sons of Devon

A sign on Plymouth Hoe. Drake is said to have been bowling as the Armada neared - Justin Kase RF / Alamy

SIR  The headteacher of Exeter School, Louise Simpson, appears to find that Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh no longer represent the schools values and inclusive nature, and are thus unworthy to have houses named after them (report, March 5). She proposes woodlands or topographical features as substitutes. Wistlandpound comes to mind.



I do wonder if the headteacher has done her homework when she says that Raleigh doesnt fit the schools values. Not only was he a competent sailor, but he also wrote good poetry. And he died well. On feeling the axe at his execution, he is said to have remarked: Tis a sharp remedy, but a sure one for all ills.



Drake, apart from seeing off the Spaniards, was instrumental in giving Plymouth a water supply. A poet and a plumber seem pretty inclusive to me.



Rohaise Thomas-Everard

Dulverton, Somerset

SIR  I attended Exeter School between 1969 and 1974, and was a member of Raleigh House.

Renaming it after, say, Captain Pugwash would not have made it any pleasanter or more inclusive to a shy 13-year-old who found it difficult to fit in.



I have in past years communicated several times with Louise Simpson, and am convinced that she is a strong, caring and excellent headteacher. Were I 13 again, I should feel happy to be joining her school, whatever the names of the houses.



Tom Stubbs

Surbiton, Surrey

SIR  Stowes 16 houses are not only named after members of the Temple-Grenville family, later the dukes of Buckingham (Out with Churchill, in with Greta: Why schools are modernising their house names, March 7). This tradition ended in 2007 when Elizabeth II visited Stowe to open Queens House.



More recently, the children of Sir Nicholas Winton and Group Captain Leonard, Baron Cheshire, opened Winton and Cheshire houses in 2019 to celebrate two of our most illustrious Old Stoics. Last year, the family of Colonel Andrew Croft, Old Stoic soldier, explorer, and reforming head of The Infantry Boys Battalion in Plymouth and the Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps in Hendon, opened a 16th house, Croft.



While it is true that Richard, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos (17761839), opposed William Wilberforces Bill for the abolition of slavery, his uncle, William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville (17591834), and prime minister from 1806 to 1807, proposed and managed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act of 1807, arguably the most important legislative act of the 19th century, which abolished the slave trade in the British Empire.



Dr Anthony Wallersteiner

Headmaster, Stowe School

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Leverkusen's Borja Iglesias (C) and Wolfsburg's Ridle Baku (R) battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg at BayArena. Federico Gambarini/dpa

Bayer Leverkusen are further closing in on a maiden Bundesliga title but may have a hard time celebrating in style if it becomes reality because they could become a victim of their own vast success.

Bayer beat Wolfsburg 2-0 on Sunday to retain a 10-point lead over Bayern Munich with nine matchdays left, and their unbeaten record all season reached 36 games in all competitions.

Xabi Alonso's men were undeterred by Bayern's 8-1 thrashing of Mainz the previous day, and keeping their feet on the ground as much as possible.

"We deserve to be where we are because we are only looking at ourselves. And as long as we just continue doing our job the other results don't interest us," playmaker Granit Xhaka said.

"The fewer games there are, the better it is for us."

Asked when he would consider talking about the title, Alonso simply said: "April."

If Bayer keep their current advantage over Bayern, the title would come on matchday 31 which is set for April 26-28 and in which they host third-placed VfB Stuttgart.

But celebrations could be kept to a minimum because they may be facing a Europa League semi-final first leg match a few days later on May 2.

Bayer will reach the quarter-finals on Thursday if they defeat Qarabag at home, after drawing 2-2 in Azerbaijan last week.

Bayer are also in the German Cup semi-finals, and a title treble is not out of question given their long unbeaten run.

As a result, they could be playing two finals within eight days after the final Bundesliga matchday May 18, the Europa League finale in Dublin on May 22 and the German Cup final in Berlin on May 25.

Leverkusen will hope to celebrate this term and avoid a repeat of the scenes from 22 years ago when they squandered a five-point Bundesliga lead on the last three matchdays, and then also lost the German Cup and Champions League finals.

Should they reach the Europa League quarters this could also open up a scenario that they could celebrate the Bundesliga title without playing as they would most like have four more Sunday fixtures, with two already confirmed.

Bayern would not necessarily play the same day but a day earlier, especially if they go far in the Champions League, and any slip-up could hand the trophy to Leverkusen.

On the other hand, Bayern can put pressure on Leverkusen with earlier games by reducing the gap, and their midfielder Leon Goretzka said that "we must be there should Leverkusen stumble."

But the weekend showed that Leverkusen appear undeterred, as Alonso said: "We know what we have to do. We have a clear idea and a clear plan."

Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg at BayArena. Marius Becker/dpa

Leverkusen's Nathan Tella (R) and Wolfsburg's Kevin Paredes battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg at BayArena. Federico Gambarini/dpa
Mstyslav Chernov, Director of the film 20 Days in Mariupol, and his team. Photo: Getty Images

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has praised the Ukrainian film 20 Days in Mariupol, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Source: Landsbergis on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda

The best documentary this year, and compulsory viewing for anyone who wants to know what Russian "peace" looks like. Watch it and understand why Ukraine will never give up. pic.twitter.com/95RSgWaq1H  Gabrielius Landsbergis (@GLandsbergis) March 11, 2024

He said this film is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand what Russian "peace" looks like.

Quote: "Watch it and understand why Ukraine will never give up," Landsbergis said.

Details: On the night of 10-11 March, Los Angeles hosted the award ceremony for the world's most prestigious film award, the Oscar 2024.

The film 20 Days in Mariupol won the nomination For Best full-length documentary. The documentary, directed by Mstyslav Chernov, became the third Ukrainian film to be nominated for an Academy Award in its 96-year history.

The film was created by director Mstyslav Chernov, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka and producer Vasylisa Stepanenko. They were the last journalists to stay in the city of Mariupol at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and they recorded the early stages of Russia's devastation of the Ukrainian city. They later won the Pulitzer Prize for their work.

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.

Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba responded to Pope Franciss suggestion by saying that Ukraines flag is yellow and blue, not white.

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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)

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, started its closing meeting on Sunday morning.

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 have 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 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/Zhai Jianlan)

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/Chen Yehua)

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/Wang Jianhua)

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/Shen Hong)

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/Chen Yehua)





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/Gao Jie)

Members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) attend 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. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) leave the Great Hall of the People after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)
Traders have previously claimed they cannot afford the rent demanded by the council

A city's market, which was founded in 1822, has been forced to shut after a rent dispute.

Liverpool City Council said it had been left with "no option" but to close St John's Market "with immediate effect" because there was more than 1.7m of unpaid rent and service charges.

The authority said it had attempted to recover the money from 43 tenancies, with bills dating back to August 2020.

Traders said they were in "complete and utter shock".

Legal letters were sent to tenants in October demanding market traders pay three years worth of rent and other arrears, which they told the BBC they could not afford to pay.

The council said the market costs 1m a year to subsidise, making it "unviable".

Traders said they were in "complete and utter shock" at the news of the market's closure

It said it had offered traders negotiations over the repayment of the debt, but did not receive a meaningful response.

'Collect stock'

A reminder letter was sent in January, which also asked non-paying businesses to enter meaningful negotiations.

The authority said no plausible offer was forthcoming.

An offer it had received - repayment and future rent costs to be set at 33% - was "unviable", given the scale of the debts owed, it added.

Colin Laphan, chairman of St John's Market traders association, told BBC Radio Merseyside: "We have been in what we believed to be serious negotiations with the council as a group through our solicitors.

He said traders had sent some proposed offers in seven days ago, adding: "Altogether we have made four offers of payment.".

Traders were given a break from paying rent after the market's refurbishment in 2016

Mr Laphan said his family had been connected to the market and paying rent there for more than 200 years and traders were in "utter shock".

The closure of the market hall does not impact St John's Shopping Centre, which remains fully open.

Councillor Nick Small, cabinet member for city development, said: "In our view the traders haven't made a meaningful offer.

"Regrettably... the council has been left with no option but to close St John's Market.

"Business owners have now been informed of the situation and will be invited to collect their stock."

He added: "The council has also offered assistance to help find alternative retail locations for those who wish to continue to operate in the city centre.

"Each non-paying business owner owes tens of thousands of pounds to the council and we cannot continue to subsidise their businesses."

St John's Shopping Centre remains open and is unaffected, the council says

The market's 2.5m refurbishment in 2016 faced considerable criticism, with traders at the time branding it "drab".

That led to former mayor Joe Anderson agreeing to waive traders' rent for a few years.

A 2022 council report, the Future of Markets, said: "St John's Market was once one of the most advanced in Europe but is now largely vacant with low footfall, despite the area around continuing to thrive.

"It is restricted by poor signage and advertising. The refurbishment in 2016 has not worked as hoped, and footfall has reduced."

The council said it would now "review all feasible options" for the site and remained committed to a "sustainable future".

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Yukon Deputy Fire Chief, John Stants is now facing four new felony charges out of Westmoreland County, in addition to the felony charges hes facing out of Fayette County. All of the charges are related to services he was paid for as a contractor that allegedly were never completed.

Detectives say Stants entered into a contract with the Rostraver/West Newton Ambulance Company on Aug. 9, 2021, to replace two garage doors and put in one, large, single door instead. Court documents say Stants asked for an $8,500 deposit for the $9,820 project and he was paid.

Court documents say as of January 2024, no work had been done and no materials had been purchased for the work at the station. Detectives say they talked to Stants, who agreed on Jan. 22, 2024, to pay back the money within 30 days. Detectives say the money was never repaid.

On March 7, Stants was booked into the Westmoreland County Prison. His lawyer, Jill Devine, said her client was under the impression he had until the end of March to pay back the $8,500.

One of the reasons there has been a delay in the case is that when he inspected the property, he noticed that the trusses of the building were sagging, meaning the walls would bow out, Devine said. So why put a garage door in when you cant do that? To do it right, you want to fix the underlying issues before you can do that work.

Devine said shes not ruling politics out in this case. She also believes detectives in Westmoreland County are using Stants case out of Fayette County against him.

$25,000 straight bail for $8,500 contract - that seems a little high to me, Devine said. He had to put up his house to stay out of jail.

In Washington Township, Fayette County, police say Stants was hired to build a home on Hoffman Street. Instead of completing the work, police say Stants accepted $57,000. According to court documents, Stants eventually paid for the foundation to be poured, leaving the victim out over $26,000. The victim had to find someone else to build his home and according to court documents, hes since defaulted on his loan.

Devine says she expects this case, and the one out of Westmoreland County will never make it to trial.

John is going to take full responsibility, Devine said. Theyre going to resolve it to the satisfaction of both sides - thats not an admission of guilt, thats good business.

Devine added that her client has been a businessman and contractor for 30 years and has no criminal history.

He knows what hes doing, hes never had any problems, hes not a fly by the night contractor, Devine added.

We did reach out to the Yukon Volunteer Fire Department to see Stants status with the department as Deputy Chief. Our calls and emails were not returned.

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TRI-CITIES, Tenn. (WJHL)  Several local Tennessee rescue squads and emergency services will receive $3 million through the Rescue Squad Grant Program.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshals Office (SFMO) announced on Monday that 104 rescue squads across the state will receive the grants, 10 of which are in the Tri-Cities area.

The $3 million in grants will be distributed among the rescue squads across the state.

The following local units were accepted into the grant program:

Unicoi PD: Man charged with aggravated child abuse after child sustained severe trauma

Church Hill Rescue Squad

Bluff City Rescue Squad

Carter County Emergency & Rescue Squad

Hawkins County Rescue Squad

Johnson County EMS and Ambulance Service

Unicoi County Emergency Management

Unicoi Volunteer Fire Department

Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad

Kingsport Lifesaving Crew

Unicoi County Search and Rescue

Funds awarded through the grant can go towards the purchase of lifesaving equipment.

Tennessee rescue squads provide valuable lifesaving services in their communities, and it is crucial that they have the equipment they need to safely complete their missions, Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention Gary Farley said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Two of the four people charged in connection with a pair of dismembered corpses discovered scattered over Long Island's South Shore have been freed again.

Steven Brown, 44, and Amanda Wallace, 40, appeared briefly in a Suffolk County court Monday, days after their arrests in connection with two sets of chopped up human remains recovered in separate locations.

On Friday, two other people charged in the body parts case, Alexis Nieves, 33, and Jeffrey Mackey, 38, also walked free for the second time.

Steven Brown and Amanda Wallace leave Suffolk's First District Criminal Court in Central Islip, New York on Monday, March 11, 2024.

Two people who said they are the siblings of one of the two victims told reporters at the court he was Brown's cousin, Malcolm Brown, 53. Separately, Suffolk County police identified the other victim as Yonkers resident Donna Conneely, 59.

GILGO PROSECUTOR SLAMS NY GOV HOCHUL CRIME POLICY AS LAUGHABLY INADEQUATE AFTER BODY PARTS SUSPECTS FREED

All four suspects face charges of evidence tampering, hindering prosecution and concealing human remains after a child found a severed arm in Babylon recently on her way home from school.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The grim discovery led police to numerous other body parts from two different victims in multiple places in western Suffolk County.

Under New York's bail reform laws, passed in 2019, charges of merely chopping up and disposing of dead bodies aren't eligible for bail, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

Jeffrey Mackey sits at a bus shelter on Friday, March 8, 2024, after an appearance in Suffolk's First District Criminal Court in Central Islip, New York.

OFFICIALS RAIL AGAINST BAIL REFORM AS 4 SUSPECTS CHARGED, THEN LET GO IN NY BODY MUTILATIONS CASE

"This situation, with these four defendants being released, would have never happened if the prosecution would have been able to argue dangerousness," he told reporters during a news briefing Thursday afternoon.

Alexis Nieves leaves Suffolk's First District Criminal Court in Central Islip, New York on Friday, March 8, 2024.

According to the Justice Department, "dangerousness is an unpredictable and untreatable tendency to inflict or risk serious, irreversible injure or destruction, or to induce others to do so."

"In New York state, we cannot argue dangerousness as a factor in our bail applications," Tierney said. "That is contrary to the federal system."

The DA has previously appealed to state lawmakers to make "common sense" fixes to the state's bail system.

If the suspects are indicted on more serious charges, such as murder in connection with the deaths, they could be held without bail.





Original article source: Long Island body parts suspects freed again under New York bail rules
Lafayette is now added as a destination spot for Grammy winner, Lauren Daigle's "The Kaleidoscope Tour".

Performing in the Cajun dome June 12th, the Louisiana native Lauren Daigle announced in a Facebook post, "My people, my people! Time for the get down!!! Im coming home!"

Tickets went on sale to the public March 8th at the Cajundome Box Office and Ticketmaster, ranging from $80-$400. Tickets for the VIP packages include a pre-show with questions and answers, backstage tour, merchandise, photo opportunity and much more.

Contemporary Christian singer Lauren Daigle opens the Iowa State Fair as the first Grandstand act in 2024.

Daigle was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and grew up in Lafayette, where she absorbed the local zydeco, blues and Cajun music. With parents that loved everything from Led Zeppelin to Christian sounds, Daigle grew up surrounded by music.

Dreams of a stage career were put on hold for Daigle, when she turned 15. A devastating virus left her with an immune deficiency diagnosis.

As her health improved, Daigle started attending Lafayette Charter School and took singing lessons with teacher Nancy Tabb Marcantel. Things continued to work out in her favor, as she caught the ear of Centricity, who signed her to the label in 2013.

In 2016 her third self-titled album was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, with one of the songs on the album, Thank God I Do, nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. Daigle's 2018 studio album, Look Up Child, won Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. The album featured the song You Say, which also won her a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.

Now returning to her roots, Daigle stated on Facebook, "Lafayette, Ill be seeing you this summer for the very last hoorah on The Kaleidoscope Tour!"

"So ready to celebrate this record with the place that made me!!! All the love!! Lets bring all dat Cajun to da dome," Daigle added.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: "Im coming home!" said Lauren Daigle as she adds Lafayette to the tour dates
French president Emmanuel Macron has said there are no limits to Frances support for Ukraine, urging allies not to be cowards and implying that French soldiers could join the conflict directly in some circumstances. That would in effect mean the start of World War 3.

The threat of nuclear war has hovered over the Ukrainian conflict since its outbreak. Just this weekend, we learned that the US was preparing for Russia using tactical nuclear weapons in late 2022 as Moscow repeatedly threatened escalation. Senior Russian generals, meanwhile, are musing on the prospects of a full scale conflict with the rest of Europe.

The question must be whether Macrons approach will make this more or less likely. It is my view that if Putin prevails in Ukraine, war with Nato will follow rapidly. We must therefore ensure he does not. Macrons idea of looking at Nato boots on the ground is therefore the right one. If were unwilling to consider this, were handing critical initiative to Moscow.

The issue is that the Kremlin may well not believe a word coming from the Elysee. There is all too high a chance that Macron is simply sabre-rattling for his domestic audience in a horrifically callous attempt to boost his vote share. This interpretation is lent weight by his Jeckel and Hyde performances on Russia, switching between appeasement and aggression with public opinion. Its all but impossible to tell which mood hell wake up in tomorrow.

With this in mind, the first priority must be to ensure Ukraine prevails, holds the Russians, and then sends them back from whence they came. This is what Macron should focus on. Rather than muse on troop deployments that would be months away, he should focus on getting Kyiv ammunition  and lots of it. The Ukrainian Armed Forces could certainly do with more Storm Shadow and HIMARS long range precision missiles; Macron should try and persuade Germany to unlock its vast and hugely significant Taurus missiles stockpile, which could put a significant dent in Putins war effort.

Secondly, the Ukrainians need air superiority in order to enable their armoured formations to break through the Surovkin defensive line and get behind the numerous, but static Russians. This is how we broke through Saddam Husseins defence line in 1991 and routed his massive and static army in 4 days. It was enabled by overwhelming air power. As a young tank commander back then, I did not see a single Iraqi jet in the air to constrain my movements. The F-16s are coming and will hopefully be in the air soon, but if Ukraines air force is truly to change the balance it will need more.

If Macron does want to put boots on the ground, however, the most useful thing he could do is send over military advisers. There is no shortage of fighting spirit in the Ukrainian soldiers but we must enable them to fight as combined armed manoeuvre formations. This will take training and tactical nous. At present, I hear individual and isolated tank battles are being fought, with the Challenger 2 being used as long-range artillery or to attack trenches alone. This did not work for tanks in the first engagements of WW1 and it wont work here. But when tanks were used in a combined arms fashion, with air power, infantry and artillery, they overwhelmed the Germans at the battle of Cambrai on 20 Nov 1917 and made the greatest gains of the war. We should give Ukraine the benefit of our expertise and training to enable this sort of success.

So, President Macron: a little less of the high flying language, and a few more high flying jets, if you please. Some ammunition wouldnt go amiss either. Youre right that Nato and Europe must be prepared to fight Russia as a last resort, but first we should exhaust the other options open to us.

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French President Emmanuel Macron has postponed his visit to Ukraine for the third time, French authorities said, as reported by Reuters.

He is now expected to visit in the next few weeks, French authorities announced.

Read also: President Zelenskyy discusses Ukraine's defense needs with Macron

Initially expected in mid-February for signing a bilateral security agreement, President Macron's visit was then rescheduled. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Paris instead, where the treaty was signed.

The second date for his visit, originally set for early March according to diplomats, was pushed back by a few days.

Read also: Will be soon  Zelenskyy announces Macron's visit to Ukraine

Macron is expected to visit Ukraine in the coming weeks.

The rescheduling of Macron's visit to Ukraine for the third time comes soon after a Russian missile fell near the Ukrainian President and the Greek Prime Minister during their visit to Odesa. Macron was also scheduled to visit this city during his trip to Ukraine, Reuters wrote.

The French President is considering traveling to Ukraine with other Western leaders to show unity among allies and solidarity with Ukraine, diplomats sources said.

Zelenskyy had a phone call with Macron on March 10, where they discussed expectations for an upcoming meeting in Ukraine soon.

Read also:

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron delayed his visit to Ukraine amid tensions with allies following his strong statements about Russia, reported Politico on Monday, March 11.

The visit has been postponed several times, and on March 10, the Elysee Palace announced it would take place "in the next few weeks." The Palace denied speculations that Macron's trip was delayed due to security concerns after Russian forces launched a missile strike near Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during his visit to Odesa with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Macron has upped anti-Russia rhetoric in recent weeks, ruffling feathers among allies, particularly in Germany, Politico said.

Instead of rushing to Kyiv, Macron expressed the desire to "take the necessary time" for discussions with allies and visit Ukraine "with tangible results," said a French diplomat.

"A bit of time is needed to [conclude] the different coalitions and their operational commitments with our partners," said the diplomat.

Read also: Macron postpones Ukraine visit for third time, believed to be coordinating visit with other leaders

Reuters earlier reported that Macron postponed his visit to Ukraine for the third time. Initially expected in mid-February for the signing of a bilateral security agreement, Zelenskyy later traveled to Paris to sign the treaty.

The second date for his visit, originally set for early March according to diplomats, was pushed back by a few days.

Macron previously urged Ukraine's allies to intensify and "not be cowards." After a conference on supporting Ukraine held in Paris on Feb. 26, Macron said that Ukraine's Western allies would create a coalition to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with long-range weapons and that sending Western troops to Ukraine in the future could not be ruled out.



In response to Macron's statements, several NATO countries publicly rejected the idea of sending troops to Ukraine. Among them are Poland, the United States, Germany, the Czech Republic, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Read also: France builds alliance of countries open to possible Western troop deployment in Ukraine

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Things were simpler when there was one hero on TV and in the movies, one TV in the house  and just one TV station in the state.

Roy Rogers was the king of cowboys, defying all dangers in his action-packed Western films. Every kid in the 50s had his back.

READ NEXT: Boy, did they draw the crowds: A look back on McCulloughs Arena

People would eat his cookies out of their Roy Rogers lunchbox and drink hot chocolate out of Roys thermos. They would leave for school when Roys clock said it was time and do their school work out of his pencil case. They would play with Roys trick lasso and record everything on his cameras.

And, of course, people would be glued to their screens to watch Roy Rogers and Dale Evans on TV.

Every Saturday, people would watch one of his 100 movies at the theater.

His San Fernando Valley was playing at the Murray, The Yellow Rose of Texas in Bountiful, while Rainbow over Texas was at the Uinta.

Along the Navajo Trail played in Holladay, My Pal Trigger followed in Bountiful and the Tower was playing Utah  which was a fan favorite in the state.

Roy Rogers was so big that it made news when a kid from Lehi actually got to meet him. And another Utah kid named Craig Wirth actually got to meet him, too.

Even though Wirth and Rogers looked different than they did in the 50s, Rogers horse Trigger looked the same. According to legend, Trigger was stuffed.

He was something else and I was so lucky, Rogers said of Trigger in a 1990 interview. I guess the luckiest cowboy.

And the king of the cowboys, of course, needed a car for him and his horse. It was what they needed on the ranch. As a kid of the 50s, Craig Wirth was able to touch Roys car.

Well in that flashy era of the television cowboy, it just didnt get any better than this, Wirth said in 1990, while leaning up against Roy Rogerss car.

Even though the West outside the windows in Utah didnt look like the West in the movies, everyone lived on ranches and sang songs in the TV West. But not all was swell in the West  there was always a bad guy or two who wanted to take on the king of cowboys.

Case of two missing San Juan County men turns into homicide investigation, roommate arrested

We had good fights in em, Rogers said in 1990. The thing is, I wouldnt even want Trigger to watch.

There was just something about Roy. Kids of the 50s would flock to Apple Valley to see Roy Rogers long into the 1980s  and to look at his life. It was an unbelievable story about the old shoemaker from Ohio who grew up with the name Leonard Slye and became Roy Rogers.

We got up one morning and Dad says, Son, lets quit our jobs and go to California,' Rogers told Wirth in 1990.

And, from California came the movies  even the one called Utah, which was, of course, shot in California.

If you didnt grow up in the 50s or carry a Roy Rogers flashlight, or if you didnt know who was the king of cowboys, just ask your parents or grandparents about it. Even if it was just during a Saturday matinee, you had to come West.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
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.
COLOMBO, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka will deploy 4,500 development officers to support elephant conservation efforts, a minister told a news conference held at the Presidential Media Center on Monday.

Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Pavithra Wanniarachchi said that the main tasks of these officials would be to protect the elephant fences that have been built by the government.

The ministry of finance has approved the deployment of these officials, she said.

Wanniarachchi said the International Day of Forests falls on March 21, and they have organized an initiative where a plant will be distributed to each household across the island.

She added that the demarcation of forest boundaries is to be completed in 2024.

The above activity is a part of the project aimed at increasing the country's forest coverage to 32 percent of the total land area, she said.

According to official data, about 400 elephants have died in 2023, and about half of the deaths have occurred due to human-elephant conflicts. 
It was just a month ago that Frances president, Emmanuel Macron, hosted a dinner party at the Elysee Palace to talk to doctors, scientists, faith leaders and what the French call penseurs  deep thinkers and intellectuals. This was no evening of chit chat. Instead on the agenda was the contentious topic of assisted dying. During the course of the conversation, Macron told his dinner guests that the subject intimidated him. One of them, Pastor Christian Krieger, head of the Protestant Federation, was later reported as saying that Macron was walking a philosophical ridge. Now it seems that Macron has toppled over to one side of that ridge. In an interview with two French newspapers at the weekend, he announced that a bill on assisted dying has now been drafted and will be put before parliament in May.

That Macron admitted to being intimidated highlights just how ethically difficult he thinks the issue. One reason might be that both Macrons parents are doctors and he will be well aware of the fraught life and death decisions that medics have to take. No doubt they will be even more fraught if doctors have to get involved in killing patients, given all the instincts of a doctor are surely to save lives. His invitation to faith leaders to the debate is also telling, given the devotion of the French to the concept of laicite  keeping the state secular and religion out of its affairs. But Macron, educated at a Jesuit school, may well have thought that in this instance, it was as well to consult those who think all the time about life  and death.

Ever the politician, though, Macron no doubt also wished to be seen as consulting as much as possible, in order to slough off future criticism. Realpolitik will have played its part too in his legislative timetable: putting the bill before parliament in May means he can present himself as a president of social reform just as France prepares for EU elections; the presidential party, Renaissance, is currently behind in the polls.

Macron will also be aware that France is now surrounded by neighbouring nations that have already gone down the assisted dying path. Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland have all legalised forms of euthanasia. If the Belgians and the Dutch can die when they choose, no doubt some French people will say, why cant we? Indeed some of them may well say  as weve heard people in the UK argue  why must I go to Switzerland to end my life?

Experience in these other countries should count as a warning to Macron. His plan is for an assisted dying law that is highly restrictive. Children, people with Alzheimers and people suffering from psychiatric disorders or psychodegenerative conditions will not be eligible, he said. Only those who will never recover from their illness will be helped to die, and for them there will be strict conditions about administering it  although patients can self-administer.

Once assisting dying is legalised, though, it opens the floodgates. In the Netherlands, for example, people with neurodegenerative disorders can use the law to die  and no doubt French campaigners will urge the same for France. More disturbingly, in recent years, people with autism, including several under 30, were helped to die, while the Dutch government has indicated that it will expand the law to include terminally ill children  something that is already legal in neighbouring Belgium.

But assisted dying remains, above all, an issue for those who are older and fear illness will bring terrible pain. And in France, the very people who can help control such pain  the palliative care specialists  are hard to find. The TV channel France 24 reported that residents of 26 of Frances 101 administrative departments have no access to palliative care whatsoever, and in three departments only one palliative care bed is available for every 100,000 inhabitants. Expanding that medical care would surely be the vote-winner Macron craves  and would please his doctor parents.

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.
VANCOUVER, Canada (WJW)  National headlines and social media are all abuzz with what TMZ describes as Madonnas cringe moment.

Multiple news agencies across the country, including TMZ, posted cell phone videos showing Madonna pointing at a concertgoer then asking her over the arena speakers, What are you doing sitting down over there?

Madonna then asks the question again, this time she puts both of her hands up and drops them to her side.

Awkward? Theres more.

Madonna then grabs the microphone out of its stand and walks briskly across the stage right toward the seated woman. Madonna looks straight down at the womanhesitates as she sees the woman is in a wheelchair then Madonna said, Oh, okay. Politically incorrect. Sorry about that. Im glad youre here.

Social media blew up with seemingly countless comments about the moment that happened during a recent concert in Vancouver. One person posted,

One person posted, WHATS HER ISSUE, getting 16,000 likes.

Id want every cent of my money back if it was me, another person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

One person suggested in a post, No see clearly was going to do something like bring them onstage or something and realized she couldnt, way to make a big deal out of nothing burger.

TMZ posted the video to their website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Irish actor and global gadfly Malachy McCourt, the last surviving sibling of a family chronicled by his brothers memoir about poverty and pain, died Monday in Manhattan. He was 92.

His wife, Diana McCourt, confirmed his death.

Though he long stood in the shadow of his brother Frank, who penned the acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning autobiography Angelas Ashes, Malachy McCourt became an accomplished memoirist in his own right, producing best-selling books filled with humor and wit, including one entitled Death Need Not Be Fatal.

In that book, McCourt waxes poetically on life, sharing his views on what would or would not happen after he would take his last breath.

I would like to blame my ensuing behavior over the next decade or so of my life on my brush with death, McCourt wrote in the 2017 book, during which he described an encounter with an armed robber.

I didnt need a reason to drink as if it were Paris before the war, however. The holdup was one of a thousand justifications, but as my friends in church basements say, there is never a reason to drink, only excuses.

McCourt, the actor, regularly appeared on soap operas, including All My Children and Ryans Hope, where he had a recurring role as a barkeep.

He was well prepared for the role. In the 1950s, he opened what was known as Manhattans original singles bar, Malachys, on the Upper East Side.

In 2006, he ran for governor of New York on the Green Party ticket, losing out to Democratic candidate Eliot Spitzer.

In 1985, when his father died. McCourt stopped drinking.

He admitted that he spent many years thinking about his own death. After President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, McCourt said he thought about his own mortality.

And yet there was something in Kennedys death that made the eternal sleep viable for any of us, McCourt wrote. Even me, and even in those days and nights when I thought I was bulletproof, I began to ponder what death was like.

And for a while, he even cheated it. In 2022, McCourt, then 90, entered hospice care, but was released when he exceeded the doctors expectations.

Every day I wake up at 91, I am happy without a coffin over my head, he told the New York Times.

McCourt, one of seven siblings, was born in Brooklyn and moved with his family to Limerick, Ireland as a boy.

He returned to America in 1952, at the age of 20, with a $200 ticket sent by his older brother, Frank, who had emigrated earlier and was working as a public school English teacher.

McCourt is survived by his wife, four children and a stepdaughter.
Fewer than 250 spaces are left in mens jails in England and Wales, The Telegraph can reveal, as the Justice Secretary sanctioned the biggest early release scheme from prisons in nearly 20 years.

Alex Chalk announced emergency measures to release hundreds of burglars, shoplifters and violent criminals up to 60 days early to tackle the crisis.

He also unveiled plans to slash the number of foreign prisoners  now standing at over 10,000  by refusing tourist visa applications from countries that fail to take back their criminals earmarked for deportation.

He also confirmed plans to allow foreign shoplifters, thieves and drug dealers to be deported rather than prosecuted.

The moves came as internal figures obtained by The Telegraph showed male prisons were 99.7 per cent full, with just 238 spaces left out of an operational capacity of 85,000. Womens jails are 96.9 per cent full with just 118 spaces left.

It is dire

A prison service source said: It is dire. It means the prison system could not handle an incident that put a lot of people in custody or if there was a riot in a jail. Who knows whether it can sustain the normal operation of the courts sending offenders to jail?

As revealed by The Telegraph last week, Mr Chalk has approved the release of prisoners up to 35 days before they were scheduled to be freed, doubling the current time of 18 days.

However, ministers have accepted the overcrowding crisis is so serious and the prospect of prisons overflowing so great that prisons will have an option to increase it to 60 days, and potentially more.

The last big early release scheme, introduced in 2007 by the then Labour government, was limited to 18 days but lasted three years during which time some 80,000 prisoners were freed.

It is estimated that some 40,000 prisoners are eligible under the current early release scheme, which covers offenders on fixed sentences who would normally be released automatically halfway through their jail terms.

However, it is restricted to full prisons at the discretion of governors, meaning it is likely to be hundreds, rather than thousands, who are released early.

Sex offenders, convicted terrorists, category A prisoners and all violent offenders serving four or more years are excluded.

However, violent offenders serving under four years are eligible, as are burglars, thieves, shoplifters and fraudsters serving any length of fixed-term sentence.

It follows internal warnings that prison places could run out within weeks as courts ramp up cases and prosecutions are set to increase following the uplift of 20,000 police officers.

Prisoner deportations

To help speed up deportations of foreign prisoners, the Home Office will allocate an extra 400 caseworkers to process removals.

Legislation will also be amended to enable foreign criminals handed suspended sentences of six months or more to be deported. At present, it is limited to those given 12-month suspended sentences.

It follows the controversy over Abdul Ezedi, the Clapham chemical attacker, who remained in the UK despite being handed a two-year suspended sentence for sexual assault and exposure.

As revealed by The Telegraph last month, lower level foreign offenders will be spared jail and instead given conditional cautions under which they will be expelled and banned from returning to Britain. The scheme aims to reduce the 3,300 foreign prisoners on remand who have been charged but not yet convicted.

Shabana Mahmood MP, Labours shadow justice secretary, said the public would be rightly alarmed by the early release scheme.

The Government has been releasing prisoners in secret, including domestic abusers  and has activated a supposedly temporary scheme indefinitely. This is completely unacceptable and the Justice Secretary has a duty to be candid with the public, she said.

After 14 years of the Tories, prison violence is still rocketing, staff are leaving in droves, and high reoffending rates mean prison leavers often end up back in custody. With population projections showing even more pressure in years to come, it paints a stark picture of how the Tories have lost control of jails.

A Labour government would get these new prisons built to ease the capacity crisis. And well make prisons work as part of our mission to make Britains streets safe.

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.
Maluma is officially a dad!

The rapper shared on Instagram March 10 that he and his girlfriend, Susana Gomez, welcomed their first child, posting pictures of the newborn's tiny hand gripping a finger.

Their child was born March 9 at 8:23 a.m., he shared in the caption of the post, written in Spanish. They named their daughter Paris Londono Gomez.

Thank you all for your birthday messages and well wishes. Susana.. Love: Thank you for fulfilling my biggest dream of being a Father, I will never forget that moment, a translation of Malumas caption reads.

Maluma announced that he was going to be a father through the music video for his song Procura, which featured scenes of the couple looking at an ultrasound and counting down at a gender reveal party. A stream of pink light revealed that the couple was having a baby girl.

Maluma later confirmed the news in an interview with NPR that aired Oct. 20, 2023.

Its such a big dream. I always dreamed about this, Maluma said at the time. Its perfect timing. I mean, all the beautiful things that Im living."

Even before she was born, the Chantaje rapper said his daughter was everything to him.

Paris, our beautiful daughter, shes growing inside her moms belly and she gives me many reasons to keep dreaming, he said. Its like she made a reset on my mind. Shes everything to me right now. Its crazy. Its a crazy feeling that only parents are going to understand.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
SANTEE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A man is dead after a trailer at a Santee mobile home park erupted in flames early Monday morning.

The fire was reported just before 2:30 a.m. at 10800 Woodside Ave, the San Diego Sheriffs Department said.

Fire crews arrived on scene minutes later to find the home engulfed in flames. According to City of Santee Fire Department (SFD) battalion chief Kyle Moyneur, one resident, who was already outside the home, told crews his father was trapped inside.

Goats are helping SDG&E prevent wildfires. Heres how

Despite multiple attempts, the heavy flames made it difficult for crews to get inside to locate the residents father until much later, Moyneur said.

Very quickly the fire fully involved the mobile home and made our effort just extra challenging, he added. By the time SFD crews made it inside, the father, identified as a 57-year-old man, had succumbed to injuries sustained in the fire.

No additional injuries were reported to the other residents or fire crews in the incident.

The incident remains under investigation by SDSOs Bomb/Arson Unit. According to Moyneur, it appears the flames originated from the center of the mobile home, but it remains unclear what ignited it at this time. SDSO says it does not appear to be suspicious.

Based on the recollection from the resident, Moyneur said he awoke to the fire after his father shouted out his name  no smoke alarms went off. He then looked down the hallway to find the home was on fire, prompting him to run outside.

Mira Mesa neighbors look to increase security after string of home burglaries

However, Moyneur said he returned back inside to grab his phone to attempt to contact his father, but was pushed back outside due to the volume of the flames.

Its very challenging, Moyneur said. I think the urgency is as high as it gets for us in these instances and it is a little frustrating knowing that we want to do more, but are limited with the conditions.

According to Santee Fire, SDSO Bomb/Arson investigators will be surveying the home over the next few hours to determine the suspected cause of the fire.

No additional details about the fire are available at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
LOWER MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  A man accused of shoving his girlfriend onto subway tracks in Manhattan over the weekend pleaded not guilty during his arraignment, according to officials.

Brooklyn resident Christian Valdez, 35, was charged with attempted murder and felony assault. He allegedly got into a fight with his girlfriend at the Fulton-William Streets subway station on Saturday morning when he pushed her onto the tracks as a southbound No. 3 train pulled in, police said.

The woman was struck by the train and rushed to the hospital, according to authorities. Doctors amputated the womans right leg below the knee and her left leg above the knee, according to the criminal complaint. She also suffered from multiple rib fractures and a blood clot in her lungs, per the complaint.

Man dead, another injured in separate Crown Heights shootings: NYPD

Valdez was remanded without bail. He was out on parole since January 2023 after being convicted for a previous assault, according to authorities.

His next court appearance is March 15.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A man threatened to stab and kill several Jews in a three-day rampage in Sunny Isles Beach, including threatening a group with a pointed object after they had left a temple, authorities and witnesses said.

Mohammad Ali Alsaccal, 39, held a silver blunt object close to the face of a man walking his dog around 11 p.m. Thursday near 17000 North Bay Road, the man told Sunny Isles Beach police. He said Alsaccal then began to shake the object close to his face vigorously.

The dog walker said he moved away and called the police.

But that was not the end of Alsaccals crime spree, according to authorities.

Around 7:30 p.m. Friday, a group of Orthodox Jews left a temple and were walking near 18900 Collins Ave. when they spotted Alsaccal pointing an object toward them, police said.

After Alsaccal walked past them, he turned around and ran toward them with the object raised in his hand, yelling: Get out of my way. Im going to stab you, witnesses told investigators.

The group ran away and asked a person nearby to call the police.

The next day, around 7:30 a.m. Saturday, two Orthodox Jews were reading the Torah and walking toward a synagogue, crossing Collins Avenue at 174th Street, when Alsaccal pulled a silver-colored object out of his pocket and began spewing antisemitic insults.

Alsaccal also said Jews must die, according to his arrest report.

The two ran toward Samson Park, 17425 Collins Ave., and called the police. After officers got a description of the man, they found him near 18600 Collins Ave., police said. When the two confirmed Alsaccal was the one who had threatened them, he was arrested.

Officers say they found a silver pen in a pocket in Alsaccals pants. Alsaccal denied making the threats or arming himself with the pen, police said.

He remained at Miami-Dade Countys Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $32,500 bond as of Monday. According to jail records, Alsaccal, a Sunny Isles Beach resident, is being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He was born in Jordan, said a report in the Jerusalem Post.

Alsaccal is charged with nine counts of threatening or harassing someone because of their religious or ethnic heritage and two counts of attempted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Frederick County Sherriffs Office (FSCO) said a Baltimore man was arrested in connection to the murder of a 65-year-old man on January 10.

At about 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, deputies arrested 20-year-old Keon Wilson-Hawkins, of Baltimore for the murder of 65-year-old Brice Wendell Boots from Pikesville, Maryland.

Our detectives have gone above and beyond to pull the facts and evidence together and build the case for indictment and prosecution, and successfully and without incident arrested Wilson-Hawkins this morning, said Frederick County Sherriff Chuck Jenkins.

Man found dead after hotel fire in Prince Georges County

Deputies said that on January 10 at about 1:30 p.m., they responded to the 8200 block of Crum Road in Walkersville for the report of a suspicious car in a field.

The caller said the car had its flashers on and had been there since 7:00 a.m.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they found Boots inside the car.

This very disturbing murder has been a non-stop priority for our agency since it occurred in early January. This crime is another example of individuals from outside of this county committing violent crimes locally and somehow believing their crimes wont be solved, said Jenkins.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
HANOI, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's public debt-to-GDP ratio decreased from 43.1 percent in 2021 to 37 percent by early 2024 while the ratio approved by National Assembly or the parliament stands at 60 percent, Vietnam News reported Monday, citing Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc.

Ho said the country's public debts had been kept at a sustainable and stable level, which has given room for the country to implement reasonable and expansionary fiscal policies when necessary, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the current low debt-to-GDP level compared to the cap rate and the favorable debt structure, Vietnam still has large room to mobilize public debt to finance essential and key infrastructure projects for future development, he said.

According to the report, in the meantime, outstanding domestic debt has increased, accounting for about 71 percent of the government's outstanding debt. 
UPDATE 3/10/24, 9:51 p.m.  The Fairfax County Police Department said the suspect was in custody and the barricade was resolved as of 9:50 p.m. on Sunday.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Police in Fairfax County were on the scene of a barricade at a home in Falls Church on Sunday night.

In a post at 7:33 p.m. on X, formerly Twitter, the Fairfax County Police Department said officers were at the home in the 6700 block of Chestnut Ave. in Mosby. There, they say a wanted man  who was possibly armed  refused to leave his home.

14 dogs rescued from Southeast DC house find new homes

Police say he abducted and assaulted a victim, who has since been safely removed from the home.

Negotiators are still at the scene.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
A man who was allegedly bitten by a Sacramento Sheriff K9 so hard he needed surgery has sued the county.

The incident occurred on Jan. 14, 2023, when Citrus Heights police officers and Sheriffs deputies responded to a call for service at an Citrus Heights apartment complex.

Officers ordered Joshua Cozac out of his apartment and he exited as instructed with his hands raised in the air, alleges the lawsuit against the county and the city of Citrus Heights, filed in Sacramento Superior Court last month.

Cozacs hands were empty and he had no weapons on his person, the lawsuit alleges. Officers then ordered him to lay on his stomach. As he began to lay down, an unknown Sheriffs deputy released his canine.

The canine bit Cozac multiple times on his arm and body, causing severe nerve and tissue damage that required surgery, the lawsuit alleges.

Asked for comment, Sheriffs Office spokesman Sgt. Amar Gandhi said in an email that he could not comment on pending litigation.

A Citrus Heights Police Department news release the morning after the incident recounted the events differently than the version in the lawsuit as it called Cozac uncooperative.

The release said officers responded to 911 calls reporting a shooting at a Sunrise East Way complex. When officers arrived they saw Cozac indiscriminately pointing a handgun equipped with a weapon mounted light.

Cozac then went into his apartment. After several hours, during which time police attempted negotiations, he exited the apartment along with two other people who were not involved.

While attempting to take him into custody, he resisted officers and a police K9 was utilized, resulting in a dog bite, the release states.

Officers never located a gunshot victim.

The body camera video would likely illuminate whether Cozac was uncooperative. But 14 months after the incident its still not released.

Although the incident occurred over a year ago, Cozac still has not been sentenced, and his criminal charge is still active. Therefore the Sheriffs Office is not yet required to publicly release internal affairs documents regarding the incident.

Senate Bill 1421 requires law enforcement agencies to release records for incidents in which officers caused death or severe injury, which would include a K9 bite requiring surgery. But it includes an exemption for cases that are the subject of an active criminal case.

The video and documents regarding the K9 bite will eventually be released on the Sheriffs Offices transparency web page, Gandhi said.

Citrus Heights Police Department declined comment due to pending litigation, said spokesman Lt. Wesley Herman.

The lawsuit claims negligence, civil assault and battery.
MIAMI - A boater was airlifted to the hospital after he was reportedly bitten by a crocodile in Everglades National Park.



According to the National Park Service, on Sunday the 68-year-old man capsized his sailboat in the basin of the Flamingo Marina just before 5 p.m.



As he was attempting to swim to shore with his boat, he was observed going underwater.



A report was called in and park rangers in the area treated him for a laceration on his leg.



The man was then airlifted to the Jackson South Medical Center where he was listed as stable.



"Rangers and park biologists are continuing to investigate the incident and monitor the suspected crocodile, which is easily identifiable," according to a statement from the National Park Service.



Closely resembling the American alligator, the American crocodile is a federally threatened species.



"The National Park Service is coordinating closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to evaluate the situation and follow the American Crocodile-Human Interaction Response Plan," according to the statement.



Visitors to the park are reminded to stay alert and exercise caution, especially around wildlife. Swimming or wading is prohibited in all canals, ponds, freshwater lakes, marked channels, and boat basins in Everglades National Park.

Two pilots fall asleep while flying plane with more than 150 on board in Indonesia

Watch: Rep. Schiff has testy exchange with Robert Hur over Biden classified document probe

Watch: Robert Hur gives opening statement about Biden documents probe
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  The St. Petersburg Police Department said an 89-year-old man died and three others were hurt after a crash on the Pinellas Bayway on Sunday.

Police said a Hyundai Tucson driver was on the Pinellas Bayway and trying to turn left onto Bahia Del Mar Boulevard South around 7:15 p.m. when she collided with a Toyota Corolla in the middle of the intersection.

The Hyundai then hit a Buick Enclave stopped at a stop sign on Bahia Del Mar Boulevard South, officers said.

Three people in the Hyundai, including the 89-year-old passenger, and the Toyota driver were taken to a hospital. The Buick driver was not hurt.

St. Pete police said the 89-year-old man, identified as Philip Rose of Nova Scotia, Canada, died at the hospital.

The investigation is ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A man involved in a violent crash early Sunday morning in Los Angeles County that sent his entire family, including a 5-month-old child, to the hospital was arrested after attempting to flee the scene, authorities confirmed to KTLA.

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and 52nd Street in Hyde Park at just before 2 a.m. on reports of several people sustaining injuries during the accident, police said.

Video footage of what appears to be a head-on, single-vehicle crash into a power pole near area train tracks showed heavy damage to the familys dark-colored four-door sedan.

A pool of blood was also visible on the ground just outside the front passenger door.

Man abandons family after violent crash in Hyde Park

Authorities say the father, who was reportedly behind the wheel during the crash, attempted to flee the scene, leaving an adult female and her 5-month-old child who both sustained serious injuries, along with her 7-year-old child, inside the vehicle.

Medical personnel with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and transported the 5-month-old child to the hospital in critical condition, along with the mother, whose condition was not immediately available.

The 7-year-old, who was also taken to the hospital, was complaining of body pain, authorities said.

Man abandons family after violent crash in Hyde Park

It is unclear if alcohol or drugs may have been a factor in the crash, but the father, who police say also suffered serious injuries in the crash, was later arrested.

Boy, 15, shot and killed by deputies in Southern California

No further details about the mans condition or the charges he may be facing were provided.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A fourth man has been convicted of the murder of a student who was attacked after being mistaken for a gang member.

Russell Jones, 23, was shot with a 12-bore shotgun and stabbed in South Street, Enfield, on 17 March 2018.

Kyle Gordon, 24, from Enfield, was found guilty by an Old Bailey jury that deliberated for more than 37 hours.

Three other men - Bilkan Bilkaner, Duke Quainoo and Sherome Williams - all from Enfield - have already been convicted of the student's murder.

Gordon, who will be sentenced on Thursday, was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to another man and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

'Held to account'

Mr Jones, from Enfield, was a student at the University of Hertfordshire.

As he stood chatting with friends outside a shop, he was attacked without warning by men wearing dark clothing and masks, the trial heard.

He was stabbed a dozen times in the attack and shot in the abdomen by a group of four men and died at the scene. His friend, Karun Singh, was stabbed in the back.

Police said Mr Jones was a victim of a gang that had set out in search of rivals, but that he and his friends had no links with any gang.

Williams was convicted of his murder following a trial in June 2023 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 25 years in prison. Bilkaner and Quainoo were convicted in 2019 and sentenced to a minimum of 29 years.

Det Sgt Joanne Donoghue, from the Met's Specialist Crime North Homicide Team, said: "Russell's family has endured years of court proceedings with patience and dignity.

"I hope they find comfort in today's conviction and in knowing that those responsible for Russell's death have been held to account."

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
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A man was injured in a drive-by shooting early Sunday morning in north Minneapolis.

According to Minneapolis police, around 12:20 a.m., officers responded to the 700 block of Queen Avenue North on reports of a shooting. At the scene, officers found a man in his 40s with an apparent non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

Officers gave the man medical care until he was taken to the hospital, law enforcement said.

Police say the man was standing outside when shots were fired from a car. A vehicle was also damaged by the gunfire.

Minneapolis police are currently investigating, and no arrests have been made.
State police at Rockview troopers yelled conflicting commands that were sometimes impossible to obey as they arrested a Tennessee man they said led them on a high-speed chase in Centre County.

What followed was what Dereck L. Raimeys public defender described as a sustained and brutal assault that amounted to an extreme indifference to the value of human life.

The Pennsylvania State Police initiated an internal investigation shortly after Raimeys arrest in December, spokesman Lt. Adam Reed wrote in an email to the Centre Daily Times. The probe is ongoing.

Its unclear if any of the troopers were placed on any form of leave or restricted duty. Reed declined comment Friday, writing the department does not speak publicly about personnel matters.

Dashcam video obtained by the CDT shows Raimey, 46, held both of his hands out of a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe he stopped on a local road in rural Boggs Township. He appeared to be boxed in on least three of four sides; a police vehicle was behind and in front of him, while a guardrail was on his left.

At least two troopers approached Raimey with their handgun drawn. Almost simultaneously, one trooper told Raimey to get the f--- out of the car, while another yelled hands up, mother------.

Two troopers attempted to pull Raimey from the SUV, but were initially unable. It appeared he was held in place by his seat belt. As they worked to lift the seat belt over Raimeys head, one trooper appeared to punch him in the face.

He was then roughly pulled to the pavement, where a trooper landed four more punches. Raimeys mugshot appeared to show his left eye swollen shut. In all, Centre County Deputy Public Defender Patrick Klena wrote Raimey was punched in the head and face at least nine times.

Trooper Shane Eichelberger, who has been with the department for about five years, testified during a December preliminary hearing that Raimey passively resisted. He also rejected a question that asked if Raimey was slammed to the ground, instead testifying he was pulled to the ground.

The punches, Eichelberger testified, were thrown by trooper Joshua Yaworski. He enlisted with the state police in March 2017, communications Director Myles Snyder wrote in an email Monday to the CDT.

While handcuffed on the pavement, one trooper asked Raimey why he led them on a chase that reached more than 100 mph, covered about 20 miles and lasted nearly as long.

I aint from here, said Raimey, who is Black. Ive seen so many people get shot.

Yeah, youre full of s---, one trooper responded. Were cool, man. Were not those guys, responded another.

Eichelberger wrote in an affidavit of probable cause that he and Yaworski tried to stop Raimey on Interstate 80 for following a semitrailer too closely. Instead, he took off and the troopers said he drove recklessly and nearly crashed into several other drivers.

Raimey told troopers he snorted a small bag of cocaine during the pursuit. The vehicle was registered in Mississippi.

You saw two Black men in an out-of-state ..., Klena began to ask Eichelberger during the preliminary hearing, before the trooper cut him off.

I dont recall seeing their race, Eichelberger testified.

Raimey was charged with one felony count of fleeing, as well as a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also charged with four summary traffic violations.

Klena asked a Centre County judge to suppress all of the evidence collected as a result of the illegal activity of Eichelberger and Yaworski. Raimeys consent to have his blood drawn at Mount Nittany Medical Center was not voluntary, Klena wrote, due to his assault and fear of further physical attack if he refused.

A hearing is scheduled for April 4. A Centre County prosecutor has not yet responded to Klenas request. A call to Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna was not answered Monday.

Raimey, who posted $50,000 bail through a bondsman, remains free.

His arrest was captured through a camera mounted in the troopers vehicle. Troopers stationed at Rockview were outfitted with body cameras in the first quarter of this year, Snyder wrote.

The state police were the last department in Centre County to equip their officers with body cameras.
ST. LOUIS  Rather than face trial, a St. Louis man agreed to plead guilty on Monday to sodomizing a former co-worker in September 2022.

Prosecutors with the St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office reached a plea deal with Cyrano Jones, 34, and his attorney.

The circuit attorneys office initially charged Jones with first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, and tampering with a witness in a felony prosecution. The prosecution withdrew the rape and tampering charges to secure a guilty plea.

Jones had surveillance video in his home in the 700 block of North 21st Street, which captured parts of the crime.

14-year-old boy stabbed and killed in Jennings

The victim gave a statement in court on Monday.

The presiding judge said he considered rejecting the plea deal, stating that it was too lenient. He believed Jones would have been convicted if the case went to trial and could have faced life imprisonment.

However, the judge ultimately agreed to it to spare the victim the trauma of going through with a trial, as well as sparing his staff from having to watch the video of the incident in court.

Jones was sentenced to 15 years in state prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth police said a man shot his brother Sunday morning and left the scene in a vehicle that had his two small children inside.

The shooting happened just after 10 a.m. in the 400 block of Millbrook Lane.

Responding officers found a man with a gunshot wound. He was treated by first responders.

Investigators identified the shooter as 27-year-old Zjvon Packer, the victim's brother.

Police put out the vehicles description, and a police sergeant reported he was behind the suspects vehicle near FM 1187.

The suspect didnt stop for police and continued into Burleson.

The chase ended when the suspect pulled into a church near John Jones and W. County Road 714.

"It wasn't closer until the very end when the children started moving around as the vehicle started slowing down that we noticed two kids inside the vehicle and that just changed everything," said Buddy Calzada, a spokesman for the Fort Worth Police Department.

Packer was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault causing serious injury of a family member and evading arrest. His bond has not yet been set.

The two children were not hurt and are now safe with another family member.

Packer's brother is expected to recover.
BEIJING, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The cultural and tourism industries in China saw strong recovery and vigorous growth in 2023, Sun Yeli, minister of culture and tourism, said on Monday.

"The tourism boom has played a crucial role in stimulating domestic demand, promoting employment, invigorating the market and bolstering confidence," Sun remarked while meeting the press after the closing of China's annual national legislative session.

During the past winter season, China witnessed an ice-and-snow tourism boom in its northeastern regions. In Heilongjiang Province alone, from November last year to February, the number of tourists reached 120 million, generating tourism revenue of 170 billion yuan (about 23.95 billion U.S. dollars), according to Sun.

The entire country also experienced a tourism boom last year. Domestic tourists made nearly 4.9 billion trips in 2023, with total tourism expenditure approaching 5 trillion yuan, he said.

The market for performing arts also thrived last year. Approximately 440,000 commercial offline shows were staged, generating revenue of over 50 billion yuan. Meanwhile, online performing activities proved to be even more popular, with revenues roughly surpassing 200 billion yuan and 770 million participants, Sun said. 
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Police are looking for a man accused of attacking another man on New Years Eve in Manhattan, according to the NYPD.

The assault happened around 10:20 a.m. on Amsterdam Avenue. The suspect allegedly approached the 52-year-old victim from behind and struck him with a bottle, punched and slashed him across his right eye with a box cutter, according to authorities.

The victim was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center with a laceration to his right eye and bruising, police said.

Man accused of pushing girlfriend onto Manhattan subway tracks pleads not guilty

Police describe the suspect as being around age 40 to 50, last seen wearing a black jacket, blue ripped jeans, multi-color sneakers, black hat with the letters VA in the front and carrying a black book bag.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A man who allegedly threatened to commit a mass shooting at an Orange County courthouse has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

Byrom Zuniga Sanchez, 32, faces two counts of threats by interstate and foreign communication for threatening to kill a judge in his family law case, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.

He was taken into custody in San Diego last month and remains in federal custody there, though he will be arraigned in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the next few weeks, the DOJ said.

Zuniga, a former Laguna Niguel resident, had moved to Mexico, and authorities believe he sent his threats from there.

Man accused of threatening mass shooting at O.C. courthouse taken into custody

Last year, a criminal complaint filed against Zuniga alleged he threatened a shooting on Oct. 13, 2023, because I like to make moments feel special, and unforgettable. That complaint was first reported by Seamus Hughes Court Watch.

He further made the following threats, the complaint stated:

I am more committed to murdering you than I am to being present as a father. Nothing will change course and nothing will stop the guaranteed accountability requiring your life as payment.

Nothing can save you, and nothing can protect you. Pelosis husband got hammered in the presence of police. What makes you think anyone is going to spare your life?

Youre already dead. The remainder of my life will be dedicated to assassinating judges, attorneys, and a police stations entire shift staff.

Zuniga could be sentenced to up to five years in federal prison on each count.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge is stepping down next week, according to an email she wrote to staff on Monday.

Serving as HUD secretary was the ideal opportunity to culminate a career focused on doing the most good for the most people, including those who have often been left behind or left out, Fudge wrote. With mixed emotions, I am announcing my retirement and resignation from the position of Secretary of HUD, effective March 22, 2024.

Fudges retirement represents a surprising departure from President Joe Bidens otherwise stable Cabinet just eight months before the election. It also comes just days after White House chief of staff Jeff Zients told POLITICO Playbook that the Cabinet has people who are committed to this president.

So, Zients added, yes, we have the team in place.

Bidens Cabinet has been remarkably stable. Fudges departure would mark only the second in the administration, following former Labor Secretary Marty Walsh leaving his post last year.

Eric Lander, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, a post that was recently elevated to Cabinet status, stepped down in 2022 amid reports of bullying staff.

In a statement, Biden praised Fudges transformational leadership.

We have worked hard to lower housing costs and increase supply. Weve proposed the largest investment in affordable housing in U.S. history. Weve taken steps to aggressively combat racial discrimination in housing by ensuring home appraisals are more fair and by strengthening programs to redress the negative impacts of redlining, he wrote. Thanks to Secretary Fudge, weve helped first-time homebuyers, and we are working to cut the cost of renting. And there are more housing units under construction right now than at any time in the last 50 years.

Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman will serve as acting secretary, according to the White House.

White House spokesperson Olivia Dalton said certainly the president will nominate a replacement.

The struggle to confirm a successor to Walsh in the closely divided Senate could serve as a warning for the Biden administration. Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su has been serving indefinitely in her acting capacity since it became clear she couldnt get support from all Senate Democrats and the independents who caucus with them.

Fudge told USA Today, which first reported the news, that she plans to retire from public office.

Dont look for me to ever be on another ballot or another appointee or anything like that, she said. I really do look forward to being a private citizen.

Housing advocates praised Fudges tenure.

Secretary Fudge consistently  and rightfully  says housing is a human right, and her actions at HUD have utilized all administrative levers to make it so, said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Her signature initiatives at HUD have been addressing homelessness, engaging with and supporting tenant leaders, and reducing the racial wealth gap in homeownership, Yentel added. On each initiative, she has left an indelible mark, moving our nation closer to achieving housing justice.

The news of Fudges departure came as the White House released a budget request Monday full of housing funding, amid a historic shortage of affordable options.

The budget calls for an expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which facilitates the construction of affordable housing, and the establishment of a new Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit to spur the construction and preservation of affordable housing in distressed neighborhoods.

The White House is also proposing new tax credits to boost homeownership. A $10,000 mortgage relief credit for middle-class, first-time homebuyers, taken over two years, would help more than 3.5 million middle-class families purchase their first homes, according to the White House.

Fudge  who represented Ohio in Congress from 2008 until 2021, serving as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus for two of those years  took over a housing department hollowed out by years of cuts.

Before running for Congress in 2008 to fill the seat of her former boss and mentor, the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Fudge was mayor of Warrensville Heights, an Ohio city of about 13,000 people, for eight years.

Fudge had initially wanted to lead the Department of Agriculture. She lamented to POLITICO shortly after Bidens election in 2020 that Black policymakers have traditionally been relegated to just a handful of Cabinet positions, including HUD secretary.

As this country becomes more and more diverse, were going to have to stop looking at only certain agencies as those that people like me fit in. You know, its always, we want to put the Black person in Labor or HUD, she said then.


As the Marine Corps moves out on a sweeping series of experiments designed to make jarheads more effective combat shooters, leaders are making a few immediate changes they believe will move the service in the right direction.

Effective right away, Marines will no longer be able to duck out of annual rifle qualification early unless they shoot expert in prequalification, according to a Marine administrative message published on Monday. Previously, Marines could submit their prequalification score as their classification regardless of how they performed.

This relatively small change underscores a plan from Training and Education Command to raise Marine Corps shooting standards, according to Col. Gregory Jones, head of Weapons Training Battalion at Quantico, Virginia.

Jones told Marine Corps Times that a policy established in 2023 allowed Marines to prequalify and leave the range in two days instead of the full three. This change, made in the name of efficiency, had allowed some troops to coast after shooting marksman, the lowest classification.

How an unprecedented shooting study may shake up Marine marksmanship

At the fiscal 2024 Combat Marksmanship Symposium, held in October 2023, Marine Corps gunners  senior warrant officer weapons experts  reported some Marines were taking a pizza box and leaving, Jones said, using the colloquial name for the marksman badge. And thats just not who we are as Marines. So that was an easy change.

Another shift announced in the new message will allow Marine recruits and student officers to use a shooting stance that had been largely banned: the magazine-supported prone position.

Marines can use the position, in which the shooter lies flat and rests the magazine of his or her rifle on the ground for balance, for the entirety of Table One, the known distance range, according to the new rules.

Previously, the magazine-supported prone position could only be used for zeroing, or adjusting sights to the desired aimpoint for various distances.

This change, Jones said, kills one of the sacred cows of the former Annual Rifle Training, which the annual rifle qualification replaced.

Barring Marines from resting their magazine on the deck, he said, made sense when the service used older metal magazines, which fit poorly into the rifles magazine wells, he said, and could cause a double feed or wear out the spring mechanism if pressure was applied. With the current polymer magazines used for all Marine rifles, including those at boot camp, that issue disappears, he said.

IfI can rest my magazine on the deck and put full weight pressure into my rifle, I can take an accurate shot and be ready to take an accurate follow-on shot because my position is stable, Jones said. So basically, were just trying to train Marines now to shoot more accurately and efficiently.

Iiams, Jones said, was leaning into a fundamental shift in marksmanship for the Marine Corps that drew a line between the Olympic-style competitive shooting standards that had long informed the services protocols, and the practical needs and demands of combat shooting.

Its part of a larger shift for the Corps: a 2018 internal marksmanship assessment that exposed glaring gaps in marksmanship training and the ability to measure range performance has been driving an extensive reevaluation of what it means to excel as a shooter, as Marine Corps Times has previously reported.

A Naval Health Research Center marksmanship study is now ongoing, and the service is investing in advanced marksmanship simulators that promise to deliver better data on how Marines shoot and how they can improve.

In the case of the magazine-supported prone position, Jones said, the Marines were being instructed to embrace a time-saving and practical practice rather than hewing tightly to tradition.

Its a proven practice in the military and civilian shooting sports, Jones said of the position. Why not let [Marines] do it at boot camp? Just train them the right way from Day One.

The final of the immediate changes approved the use of the rifle marksmanship assessment, a derivative of the newly developed infantry marksmanship assessment, at Marine Corps secondary training locations including Marine Combat Training Battalion, Schools of InfantryEast and West, and The Basic School.

The the rifle marksmanship assessment will replace Tables 3 through 6, the legacy training for shooting in various day and night combat conditions. Its a change, according to the Marine message, that will better prepare non-infantry Marines for the rigors of the annual rifle qualification early and combat.

Both the rifle marksmanship assessment and the annual rifle qualification early emphasize realistic shooting challenges with movement and emphasis on multiple factors contributing to lethality, rather than measuring a single variable at a time.

With the recently developed Joint Marksmanship Assessment Package, or JMAP, providing a digital score sheet and allowing evaluators to assess speed in shooting as well as accuracy. Thats a departure from the legacy shooting assessment methods that rewarded bulls-eye.

We would argue, and the science would suggest, that youre more lethal if you shoot someone in the lung in half-a-second than that perfect shot in two seconds, Jones said.

The steel targets used in the rifle marksmanship assessment also add a level of challenge with movement and audible recoil and impacts, Jones said.

All of these changes are just the start of what Training and Education Command leaders expect to be a significant overhaul of the Corps approach to marksmanship and what it means to be an effective shooter on the battlefield.

Weapons Training Battalion is working with the Naval Health Research Center and training hubs including Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.; the School of InfantryEast and School of InfantryWest; Stone Bay, North Carolina and The Basic School to run a range of experiments and trials that help demonstrate how well entry-level training transitions to training and assessments in the fleet.

The service aims to finish collecting data by the end of the summer, according to the Marine message, enabling discussions and further decisions at the next Combat Marksmanship Symposium.

The goal, Jones said, is to have data at every yard line to back up recommendations for change.

Weve got to put our money where our mouth is, Jones said, and show that were increasing lethality.
BALTIMORE -- Building an audience on TikTok has been a way for Cam Barrett to reclaim part of her identity after spending much of her childhood as an unwitting social media influencer.

As early as she can remember, her adoptive mom posted about her on platforms like Facebook and MySpace. From intimate details about her adoption to her first period, the private information made public without her permission has had a lasting impact on the now 25-year-old. Barrett, who uses she/they pronouns, said that finally being able to be herself online helped them decide to become an activist for protecting child influencers.

I didnt have anyone to speak up or do anything when I was that age going through this, and I think we have to start somewhere, said Barrett, who last month testified in favor of Maryland legislation that would give child influencers special rights. Marylands House Bill 645 and Senate Bill 1162, modeled after a first-of-its-kind law in Barretts home state of Illinois, entitle certain young influencers to a share of the earnings from video content theyre featured in, to be set aside in a trust.

Maryland is among at least nine states entertaining laws like the one in Illinois that takes effect in July. Here, it goes a step further by allowing children, upon turning 18, to request that a social media platform delete video content in which they were featured as minors  and would hold social media platforms accountable to take all reasonable steps to comply.

When Illinois passed the bill without having that in the bill, it was a very bittersweet moment, Barrett told The Baltimore Sun. I know what it would mean to have the option to  work with social media companies to have the content removed, but its also just part of claiming your identity back.

The proposed Maryland legislation also includes qualifying minors in the states child labor law, which otherwise excludes children who work at parent-owned businesses.

Family vlogging, short for video blogging, has become widely popular on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. The effort can be lucrative. A YouTube account with a million subscribers posting weekly could make $936,000 a year just from ads, according to Influencer Marketing Hub.

Del. Jazz Lewis, whos worked on other youth issues such as restricting prisons from placing minors in solitary confinement, said he introduced the House version of the vlogging bill after hearing from advocates and influencers. Much like child actor laws, the proposed legislation aims to safeguard kids featured in content consumed by millions of viewers.

I think theres this national campaign afoot of how do we protect the children of social media influencers as well as child influencers themselves? the Prince Georges County Democrat said. They came to me and started sharing their stories, and I just kind of got [convinced] that we needed to do more.

One of the most well-known instances of family vlogging gone wrong in Maryland occurred in Frederick County, where the couple behind the YouTube channel DaddyOFive were sentenced to five years of probation on child neglect charges in 2017. Two of the children in the videos were placed into the custody of their biological mother.

As of this month, the Martins three other children were part of a channel called The Martin Family whose bio says that their parents were wrongfully, accused of things they did not do but made the best choices they could for all of us at the time.

Amendments to HB645 are being discussed, mostly around the right to be forgotten provision, according to Lewis chief of staff Henry Snurr.

The bill targets accounts making significant money and consistently featuring kids, said Chris McCarty, the student founder and executive director of advocacy organization Quit Clicking Kids.

Under the proposed law, a parent vlogger would be required to compensate their minor child featured in their video content if, at any point within a year, they either qualify for compensation from a social media platform or earn 10 cents or more per view of video content. In either instance, their child must also be featured in at least 30% of content posted during any monthlong period in the previous year.

A parent vlogger required to compensate a child influencer would be obligated to place into a trust a share of their earnings commensurate with the childs presence in the content. If multiple children are eligible to be paid, the percentage of screen time where at least one child is featured is used, and money is divided evenly between the children and put into separate trusts. A child could access the trust when they turn 18. If not properly paid, a child could sue their parents/guardians for the money they are owed under the bill, according to Snurr.

The bill considers only revenue generated by the video content itself right now, Snurr said in an email, even though there are ways for influencers to make money apart from videos. These gray spaces are being explored, said McCarty, who helped draft Marylands legislation and testified for it.

The majority of your money is going to be made from affiliate links or from brand deals.  It still should fall into [the proposed legislation], because youre only getting it because youre posting it on social media, said Baltimore County resident Lisa Summers, who rounds up activities for families and adults on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

Summers has surpassed 144,000 followers combined and made money from brand deals including with Chuck E. Cheese. Though her Instagram and TikTok accounts are eligible for monetization, Summers said shes not receiving any payout from the platforms themselves linked to views.

She said her and her husband Tony Summers two children  Journey, 6 and Apollo, 4  only sometimes appear in her videos.

Anyone that works should get paid for their job, Summers said of kids who would be impacted by the proposed legislation, drawing a comparison to child actors. Although theyre getting  free trips and free fun, thats not enough. Because 10 years from now, theyll still be on the internet.

Summers kids receive an allowance and also have savings accounts, she said. HB645 and SB1162 ought to allow for more flexibility regarding where money is funneled away for children, she said, like allowing for a Roth IRA retirement account or a 529 college saving plan in lieu of establishing a trust.

Heather Aranda, the Montgomery County mom behind The Family Arcade, an Instagram account with 140,000 followers, suggested some children will want a say in how they are compensated.

If we were to tell our almost 13-year-old boy, Honey, wed like to put the money that youre going to receive  away for you.  Our son would say, Dont I get a choice? said Aranda, whose videos frequently feature some of her and husband Jaime Arandas eight children.

The familys account made up to around 10 cents per view as part of Instagrams Reels trial a few years ago, she said. Today, the family sometimes receives free products and small payments from working with brands or via affiliate links.

Both Aranda and Summers support a persons right to request that videos they appear in as a minor are deleted. So does Jill Smokler, the Baltimore County mom behind Scary Mommy, a blog she started in 2008 to write and share photos of her experience raising a family.

But Smokler notes that on the internet, it isnt always easy to ensure that every trace of a video or social media post is erased.

Its so hard to get anything off of the internet, because [content] doesnt live in one place anymore. So how could you possibly find all the places where something lives? Smokler said.

Margaret Durkin, executive director of the trade associationTechNet, voiced concern at HB645s February hearing in the Economic Matters Committee about the right to be forgotten aspect of the bill as originally written. She noted, for instance, that theres no mechanism for removing content individuals publish outside a centralized platform.

Smokler said she stopped writing about her kids as her oldest became a tween, and sold Scary Mommy in 2015 to a New York-based media company. Its such a different climate, Smokler said. I would be very hesitant to put my kids out there now.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Julia Fernandez was born in Honduras but moved to the United States when she was about 14 years old.

I was a resident since 1978, said Fernandez.

Fernandez said that for a long time, she felt like she didnt need to get her citizenship and was comfortable only having a green card.

Now at almost 60 years old, she felt it was finally time.

Fernandez said her kids, who were all born in the United States, also encouraged her to become a citizen so she could vote.

Now, I see the changes in this country, said Fernandez.

Strong winds cause power outages throughout DC, Maryland

She thought the process was going to be difficult, but Fernandez said that she received assistance from We Are Casa, a Latino and immigration advocacy and assistance organization based in Maryland to prepare for the the naturalization interview and test.

In my mind, I was like, Oh wow, this is going to be hard, I got nervous. But it was easy. To me, the experience was nice, it was easy, said Fernandez.

Fernandez said she had a virtual interview with a USCIS officer, who asked her questions about all the documents and information she provided.

She said she also had to take a test thats divided into two parts: An English test and a civics test.

The civics questions It wasnt all that easy but I did my class, learned my work, and I passed the test with flying colors, said Fernandez.

Fernandez said she learned that same day that she had passed.

[They] said congratulations, you passed your civil, your grammar, and your English test, said Fernandez.

14 dogs rescued from Southeast DC house find new homes

On February 16, she was sworn in as a U.S. citizen.

It felt great. I was like, Wow. Emotions came, said Fernandez.

Fernandez said one of the things she is looking forward to the most is voting.

Whats happening now in this country, I did not see in the past So, I feel the need to vote, I feel the need to be counted for, said Fernandez.

She says to anyone trying to get their citizenship to keep fighting and never give up.

Its not [an] easy process, especially for the newcomers They might fail on the first try, but keep trying, said Fernandez.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Johannesburg  "In the past 10 years we have seen more than 17 mass kidnappings. It's a bad record for any country and government, a total breakdown of the social contract," regional security expert David Otto told CBS News over the weekend about the situation in Nigeria. "Most of the victims are women in these attacks, and when you attack women you have attacked society. The attacks of the last week  when 200-plus people are just taken  show after two decades of fighting insurgency, the government is still unable to protect society from terrorist groups."

Otto spoke as the parents of more than 280 children voiced their anger over a mass abduction in Nigeria's northern Kaduna state. The students, boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 15, were seized by armed men from the elementary and secondary schools in the town of Kuriga on Thursday.

A screengrab taken from video shows families of abducted pupils gathering during the visit of Kaduna state Gov. Uba Sani on March 7, 2024, after gunmen kidnapped more than 280 pupils from a school in Kuriga, Kaduna, northern Nigeria. / Credit: AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images

The parents told local media outlets that bandits, as kidnap gangs in the region are commonly called, had taken their children and they implored Nigeria's government to pay any ransom being demanded to secure their safe return.

Before the sun came up on Saturday, gunmen abducted another group of children from a school in Sokoto, a town in northwest Nigeria.

That was a smaller kidnapping, with about 15 children said to be missing, but it was the third incident reported in just a week, following reports that as many as 300 internally displaced people had gone missing near a camp in the northeast state of Borno.

Abducted, or just a "return to Boko Haram"?

On March 1, United Nations and local officials said close to 200 people, mainly young women, were abducted while collecting firewood outside a camp for displaced people near the town of Ngala, in Borno state. Many reports suggested it was a mass abduction carried out by the Islamic militant group Boko Haram, but in the days since the group vanished, that claim has been called into question.

In Borno state's capital Maidaguri, Gov. Babagana Zulum, during a meeting with visiting European diplomats, vowed to ensure that his state would be free of terrorism and safe for displaced people. But he urged caution on the number of displaced people who went missing from the Ngala camp, saying the situation was not quite what had been initially reported.

Otto, a defense and counterterrorism expert who serves as the director of the Geneva Center for Africa Security and Strategic Studies, said multiple sources in the region had confirmed to him that what happened near the Ngala camp was actually a classic case of recidivism.

"The situation in the IDP camp is so dire, I am told, that a large number of women and some young men did not return to the camp and instead chose to return to the bush, to live with their husbands fighting for Boko Haram," he told CBS News during a visit over the weekend to the Nigerian capital Abuja. "The whole kidnapping story is untrue, it was not a Boko Haram attack."

Otto said the government didn't want to admit that displaced people living in camps "are in a worse situation than they would be in the bushes, living off the land."

An April 27, 2017, photo shows the internally displaced persons camp in Ngala, in northeast Nigeria's Borno state, where more than 140,000 displaced people, most coming from the surrounding villages, had arrived at the time. / Credit: Jane Hahn for the Washington Post

Nigeria's relatively new President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who campaigned on promises of restoring security across the country, released a statement Friday condemning the incidents in Borno and Kaduna.

"I have received briefings from security chiefs on the two incidents, and I am confident the victims will be rescued," he said. "Nothing else is acceptable to me and waiting family members. Justice will be administered."

He did not mention the most recent abduction, in Sokoto, which happened the day he spoke.

Shehu Sani, a former senator for the Kaduna area, told CBS News he was confident the children taken from the schools in Kuriga would be released soon.

A general view of Kuriga school, in northern Nigeria's Kaduna state, March 8, 2024, after more than 280 pupils were kidnapped by gunmen. / Credit: Haidar Umar/AFP via Getty Images

"Knowing these are little children in a public school, the government will feel immense pressure and pay the ransom and get them out," he predicted. He would not comment on whether any ransom demand had been made, and said the government would not disclose any negotiations.

"It's very difficult to maneuver over 200 people, so my guess is the kidnappers will divide them up into smaller clusters to avoid airstrikes and then start negotiating quickly, as there is limited space for them to travel with so many people in the Kaduna area," he said.

A map and infographic shows the location of the town of Kuriga, in northern Nigeria's Kaduna state, where more than 280 schoolchildren were said to have been abducted on March 7, 2024. / Credit: Omar Zaghloul/Anadolu via Getty Images

Mass abductions of schoolchildren have been a major security challenge across northern Nigeria for a decade, continuing despite promises of security in the wake of the highly publicized 2014 abduction of hundreds of girls from their school dormitory in Chibok, in Borno state. About 100 of those girls remain missing a decade later.

Kaduna state alone has had four large kidnapping attacks on schools in the last four years. Sani said terrorist groups target schools to use ransom payments as quick sources of cash to buy weapons or expand operations.

During a recent visit to the area, Gov. Zulum said he'd seen a number of women protesting their treatment at camps for displaced people and warning that if conditions in the camps didn't improve, they would leave the camps.

"Ngala is one of the worst IDP camps in Borno, with over 70,000 households receiving minimal food assistance," the governor said. "We must facilitate their access to livelihoods, otherwise there is a risk they will return to Boko Haram."

Dr. Barkindo Mohammed Saidu, director-general of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, said Sunday that nine of 102 displaced females who had vanished had since returned to the Ngala camp.

"We don't believe they were abducted. We believe they only lost their way back home," he said. "If they were abducted, there would have been a ransom demand, but no one has called."

"These three recent incidents have shown the government cannot protect children at school, improve the lives of women at IDP camps, and ultimately that the state does not have control over the country's security," Otto said, adding that all of Nigeria had been "taken aback" by the recent events in the north.

CBS News partner network BBC News, along with many Nigerian outlets, reported Monday, meanwhile, that the country's federal government had identified an unspecified number of schools in at least 14 different states and the capital Abuja as being vulnerable to attacks.

Hajia Halima Iliya, national coordinator of the state-run Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria program, said it had collected data to guide an intervention. The agency was formed after the 2014 abduction in Chibok.

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Massachusetts police release new images in hunt for suspect wanted in double murder of servicemember, daughter

Police in Massachusetts have released new images in the manhunt for a fugitive following the double-murder of a servicewoman and her 11-year-old daughter.

The U.S. Marshals Service is now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Dejan Belnavis, a 27-year-old being sought by the Worcester Police Department in connection to the deaths of Chastity Nunez and her child Zella.

Nunez, a Connecticut Army National Guard member, was found shot and killed alongside her daughter while they were sitting in a car in Worcester last Tuesday.

"Belnavis is to be considered armed and dangerous," police wrote in a wanted poster after city officials decried the violence as "senseless."

MASSACHUSETTS SERVICEWOMAN WHO WAS SHOT, KILLED ALONGSIDE DAUGHTER IS REMEMBERED FOR HER DEDICATION OF DUTY

Police said Thursday that a second suspect linked to the homicide, 28-year-old Karel Mangual, has been taken into custody.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"He is charged with Armed Assault to Murder and Carrying a Firearm without a License," Worcester Police said. "He also had a preexisting arrest warrant. He will be arraigned in court."

Belnavis, who is being sought on the same charges, is described as being 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

National Guard spokesperson Maj. David Pytlik told Fox News Digital that Nunez was "incredibly resilient, brilliantly intelligent, destined for success."

"I'd describe Chasity as incredibly resilient, brilliantly intelligent, destined for success in her civilian and military careers, and more full of compassion than anyone I know," Pytlik said.

MASSACHUSETTS POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT FOR SUSPECT LINKED TO DOUBLE MURDER OF MOTHER, DAUGHTER

Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter Zella were shot and killed while sitting inside a parked SUV in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Nunez had been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Army Achievement Medal since joining the service in 2020, Pytlik said.

"Her wit, social nature and dedication to duty made her one of the best soldiers in our unit. I cannot begin to make sense of why this happened and why her family, friends, co-workers and fellow soldiers have been robbed of her and Zella," Pytlik added. "What we can, and must do now, is support one another as we grieve, process this profound loss and honor their memory."

Nunez's daughter Zella was remembered as a good student who was well liked.

Dejan Belnavis, 27, is "to be considered armed and dangerous," the Worcester Police Department said.

"At the school Zella attended, she was known as a high-achieving sixth-grade student who had many friends and was well respected by her teachers," a spokesperson from the Worcester Public Schools told Fox News Digital.

Fox News Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.





Original article source: Massachusetts police release new images in hunt for suspect wanted in double murder of servicemember, daughter
Russian forces launched a massive drone attack against the city of Odesa overnight on March 11, causing damage to infrastructure and homes, Ukraine's Southern Operational Command reported.

Air defense units were at work for an hour and a half, repelling waves of Shahed drones approaching the city from the Black Sea. Ukrainian air defense shot down 10 attack drones during the night, the military said.

According to preliminary reports, there are no casualties.

The attack hit an infrastructure facility in Odesa and caused a fire, which emergency workers extinguished. The attack also damaged administrative buildings in the city and smashed the windows of multiple homes. Debris from fallen drones damaged outbuildings in the area.

Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sergiy Kyslytsya, said on March 8 that Russia is trying to disrupt Ukraine's maritime corridor by making constant strikes on Odesa.

A Russian missile attack on Odesa on March 6 killed five people. The attack coincided with President Volodymyr Zelensky's and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' joint visit to the city.

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.
Earlier this year, the Federal Highway Administration urged states to refrain from using humor on highway signs. While not an outright ban, the FAA said sternly that witty signs like Use your blink-ah in Massachusetts and Turn signals: the original instant message in Utah are a safety risk.

For those who are disappointed, at least we still have the National Park Services social media accounts.

Run by longtime park service employee Matt Turner, the agencys feeds are a refreshing antidote to the anger and derision that compromise so much of social media. Turner, 41, has a droll wit and an encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture that he uses to great effect on humorous posts that lead viewers to learn more about parks and wildlife, whether they want to or not. The jokes and puns, combined with cute animal photos, make the park services X account one of the most popular government accounts, with 1.3 million followers.(Admittedly, its hard to top NASA, which has 79.5 million followers on X.)

When you decide to lie down for a few minutes, but then wake up at 3 a.m. with ruffled feathers and the lights still on. pic.twitter.com/UCtRjKPnSI  National Park Service (@NatlParkService) February 22, 2024

Turner didnt set out to be the official pundit of the National Park Service. A Texas native, he joined the park service at age 22 and his first job was at Fort Pulaski National Monument in Georgia, where he handed out brochures to visitors and conducted tours. It was a far cry from social media, he said.

He earned a masters degree in history, which was useful as he moved on to other national parks, including the Abraham Lincoln National Historic Site in Illinois and the Harry S Truman National Historic Site in Missouri. In these and other jobs, when I wasnt giving tours or working at the desk, I was working on websites or social media, helping to tell stories about the sites, he told me. That work accelerated when Turner was assigned to work at the Midwest regional office in Omaha, Nebraska, as the park service geared up for its centennial celebration in 2016. Turner moved to the Washington, D.C., area in 2018 for his current position, in which he manages the park services Facebook, Instagram and X accounts, and helps other social media managers in government with their messaging.

While the job is mostly based in an office and he hasnt traveled much in the past few years, Turner said he has visited more than 65 national parks and historic sites across the country, including Zion and Capitol Reef in Utah.

Why the National Park Service uses humor in social media

The National Park Service is, of course, a government agency with a predictably dry mission statement for its social media accounts; it involves reaching new audiences and cultivating a community of park advocates. As such, Turner has to balance his humorous content with respect for the agency and its history. We want to use our social media in a meaningful way, he said.

But hes also aware that its a combination of humor and personality that is causing people to view and share his posts, and that the quirkiness of the feeds drives media attention. Last year, for example, The Washington Post shared 8 Hilarious but True Wildlife Trips from the National Park Service. (One tip was dont pet the fluffy cows  accompanied by an image of a bison.) Its unlikely that this article would have been written without the hilarious part.

Other agencies are using the same tactic, Turner said, adding, The TSA was an early adapter in being personality driven (in its social media account). And Turner said he is impressed with what the Washington (state) Department of National Resources and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife are doing with their social media accounts.

As we learned from the recent crackdown on highway signs, however, not everyone appreciates humor in government enterprises.

Theres always going to be those people you wouldnt want to stand next to at a party, right? Or prefer their government agencies to be by the book and very stoic, Turner said. But I think, for the most part, the positivity outweighs (the complaints of) any people who are critical of the style or the tone.

Another challenge is when people dont get the jokes  for example the second pinecone punchline on a post about deer would be lost on anyone who doesnt know about the eating schedule of J.R.R. Tolkiens hobbits.

Friend: You already had a pinecone.

Me: But what about second pinecone? pic.twitter.com/GJJYiPRuSC  National Park Service (@NatlParkService) December 8, 2023

And a post about an otter sliding down a hill wouldnt be as funny for people unfamiliar with the music of Adele.

Also, some posts dont land exactly as Turner thought they would. On Halloween of 2022, for example, he posted a black and white image of a Sonoran desert toad with glowing eyes, calling it toad-ally terrifying and suggesting that people should refrain from licking it. Some news outlets reported on the post seriously, suggesting that toad licking in national parks was becoming a problem. The website of Smithsonian Magazine, for example, published an article saying the park service had posted an unusual request and delving into why a demand for toad secretions is bad for the species. (Full disclosure: Deseret published a piece on toad licking, too.) You never know whats going to be picked up, so you have to prepare for almost anything, Turner said.

His favorite posts have been ones about crocheted fish  just for the halibut was the tagline  and funny posts about staying safe in national parks are always popular, even when they dont include photos.

Most posts are educational, but others are just plain fun.

Youre so vain. You probably think this sign is about you.  pic.twitter.com/GMwOJBLCcB  National Park Service (@NatlParkService) November 24, 2023

Turner, who met his wife at a national historic site, said that because of the nature of his job, hes pretty much always checking social media, looking for ideas and seeing how posts are performing, even after business hours. Because of this, he doesnt put much time into his personal accounts, preferring to focus his attention on Americas parks.

There are so many unique sites  429 national park units that range from everything from Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty and Gettysburg, he said. And its the parks, not Matt Turner, that he hopes people will remember when they see one of his posts. Its not about me. The National Park Service is the brand that is speaking.

And, also, occasionally a bear.

When you get your DNA results and find out youre 3% frog.



 pic.twitter.com/Oo9BFk32T0  National Park Service (@NatlParkService) March 6, 2024
People visit the 2024 Toronto Bicycle Show and E-Bike Expo in Mississauga, the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, March 10, 2024. This annual event was held here from March 8 to 10, showcasing the latest products of more than 170 exhibitors. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People visit the 2024 Toronto Bicycle Show and E-Bike Expo in Mississauga, the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, March 10, 2024. This annual event was held here from March 8 to 10, showcasing the latest products of more than 170 exhibitors. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A man checks a wheel rim during the 2024 Toronto Bicycle Show and E-Bike Expo in Mississauga, the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, March 10, 2024. This annual event was held here from March 8 to 10, showcasing the latest products of more than 170 exhibitors. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People visit the 2024 Toronto Bicycle Show and E-Bike Expo in Mississauga, the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, March 10, 2024. This annual event was held here from March 8 to 10, showcasing the latest products of more than 170 exhibitors. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People take test rides during the 2024 Toronto Bicycle Show and E-Bike Expo in Mississauga, the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, March 10, 2024. This annual event was held here from March 8 to 10, showcasing the latest products of more than 170 exhibitors. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves always dress to impress on the red carpet, but the couple looked particularly dashing at the 2024 Oscars on March 10.

McConaughey, 54, looked sharp in a brown tuxedo and matching vest, and he added some star power to his ensemble with sunglasses.

Alves, 41, also turned heads in a black gown that hugged her curves and featured a bejeweled bustier peeping out of the otherwise all-black frock. She paired the look with a stunning choker necklace, black gloves and beachy waves.

Image: 96th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

After meeting in 2006, McConaughey and Alves tied the knot in 2012 and they have three children together.

In 2020, the actor told People that he and his wife have a "love that we never question.

Ready to learn more about the couple's love story? Here's their relationship timeline.

2019 Texas Medal of Arts - Arrivals (Rick Kern / WireImage)

2006: McConaughey meets Alves at a club

During an interview with Howard Stern in 2017, McConaughey recalled how he was out at a club in 2006 when he saw his future wife pass by.

I cant get my eyes off her, and Im waving, trying to get (her attention), Hey, over there! Finally, catch her eye, he said during an interview with Howard Stern in 2017.

After introducing himself, the actor invited Alves and her friends over to hang out with his group of friends. At the end of the night, she left the club with McConaughey and his pals, he said.

We go back to the house and continue to party for a while, and Im trying to extend the time. Now shes like, OK, Im gonna go, Im gonna get a cab. Im like, No, no, no, dont do that, its way too late. Take the guest bedroom. (I) talk her into that, he recalled. I did sneak down to the guest bedroom twice that night and got booted out.

The next morning, McConaughey drove her to pick up her car and he said they both felt comfortable sitting in silence listening to music. The actor asked her out two times in a row afterwards and she rejected him, but eventually agreed to go on a date with him.

2008: McConaughey and Alves make their red carpet debut

The couple made their red carpet debut at the premiere of McConaugheys film Fools Gold in 2008. Alves recalled the moment in an Instagram post in 2021.

I was so nervous ! I had already gone to events and premieres together but I always went in the background to save our privacy. This was the first thing we talked about. Lets face it?! she captioned the post.

Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures 'Fool's Gold' - Arrivals (David Livingston / Getty Images)

Alves also revealed that she experienced an embarrassing moment during the outing.

The minute I stepped on the carpet a ruckus started and my knee-high dress went up to my belly!!! Nice.. Smiling here because if theres no way to fix the agent, you have to laugh, right!!" she wrote.

2008: McConaughey and Alves welcome their first baby

McConaughey and Alves welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Levi Alves McConaughey, in 2008.

While talking with TODAY in 2023, McConaughey spoke about the "big lesson" his son has taught him over the years.

My eldest child teaches me daily about consideration. Hes extremely considerate, he said.

While celebrating Levi's birthday in 2019, Alves sent a sweet message to her son on Instagram.

"You changed our lives forever our young man!! We love you beyond words, and as Matthews mom says: 'We need more Levis in this world!!!'" she wrote.

2010: The couple adds a second child to the family

McConaughey and Alves welcomed their first and only daughter, Vida Alves McConaughey in 2010. While talking with TODAY.com in 2023, the proud dad said his little girl has taught him leniency and forgiveness.

Shell put you in jail, but shell also give you the key to get out of the cell when she puts you in, he joked.

When his daughter turned 14 in January 2024, McConaughey shared several photos of her on Instagram, along with a sweet message.

"To Vida, who never passed a flower she didnt pick, Happy Birthday," he wrote.

2012: McConaughey and Alves are married

Six years after they initially met, McConaughey and Alves tied the knot in a ceremony at their home in Austin, Texas, in 2012.

Two years later, McConaughey told GQ that Alves gave him an ultimatum before they got engaged.

It took her going, Cmon, Big Boy, Mr. Easygoing-Well-Get-to-It-When-We-Get-to-It. Either (expletive) or get off the pot, he said.

Matthew McConaughey Camila Alves (Michael Tran / AFP via Getty Images)

The actor also said a series of conversations he had with other people helped him realize that he wanted to get married.

I had to get to the point where I saw it as more than just the thing to do, he explained. I wanted to really want to. ... So I spent a lot of time with her. We talked about it spiritually. We did a lot of reading and talked to a lot of people that had been divorced, a lot of people that had been happily married. We talked to our pastor.

"In the end, our understanding was, Lets go make a covenant, with you, me and God. And lets understand that this is not a destination, this is the beginning of an adventure that were taking together.

2012: The couple welcomes a third child

In 2012, McConaughey and Alves welcomed their third child, a son named Livingston Alves McConaughey.

While talking with TODAY.com in 2023, McConaughey said his youngest child has a tunnel vision focus on achievement.

He gets extremely focused, the star said. And when I see that look in his eye, I already know that today hes going to play great or hes going to nail this, and he does.

When Livingston turned 10 in 2023, Alves shared a photo from his birthday celebration and a loving message for her son.

"All he wanted to do was go to Altitude, the trampoline park in Austin, and eat an ice cream cake! May your heart, my son, maintain its simplicity as you grow in this complicated world!! You challenge and teach me daily and for that I am grateful! What a blessing you are!" she wrote.

2014: McConaughey's family supports him as he receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Matthew McConaughey Honored With Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame (Michael Tran / FilmMagic)

When he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014, McConaughey was showered with lots of love from his wife and three children.

The family appeared together at the ceremony and posed for several photos in front of the actor's star.

2015: McConaughey celebrates Alves as she becomes a U.S. citizen

Alves was born in Brazil, but became a U.S. citizen in 2015. Her husband and children were by her side for the momentous occasion, which she chronicled on Instagram.

"It is with great pride and honor that I am happy to say I now hold an American passport! I have so much respect and appreciation for this country...," she wrote.

2022: The couple sets up a relief fund after a school shooting in Texas

Following the Uvalde, Texas school shooting in 2022, the couple felt compelled to give back to the community where McConaughey grew up. In June 2022, they launched a relief fund for the families and community affected by the shooting.

Matthew McConaughey holds a picture made by Alithia Ramirez (Evan Vucci / AP)

McConaughey also spoke about the tragedy during a press briefing at the White House.

2023: McConaughey and Alves launch their own tequila brand

McConaughey and Alves each have successful careers of their own, but they teamed up to create something together and unveiled their new tequila line in 2023. To kick off the product launch, they went pantless in a cheeky advertisement for the brand.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
We are threatened by external and internal dangers. We see and feel them. Politicians, generals and diplomats sound the alarm. Our defences are weak. Our enemies are emboldened. Our streets are disorderly. What follows the stark warnings? Not much. Words do not announce action but cover inaction.

Rishi Sunak appeals for calm and urges the police to do their job: and they arrest an anti-terrorist demonstrator. Is the Prime Minister just a spectator? The Budget ignores national defence, which both parties say is inadequate. Does Jeremy Hunt disagree? Michael Gove seeks a new definition of extremism to enable the Government and the Civil Service to decide who are beyond the pale as partners and recipients of public money. Do they not know?

We could ascribe this to the tail end of an exhausted government, in office but not in power. But recent by-elections show little confidence that Labour would do better. I keep remembering a well-known Foreign Office minister saying privately that the problem with British foreign policy was that those responsible for it did not think it mattered. We have relied on the Americans, but soon they may not be there. Perhaps our foreign policy will soon matter more than is comfortable.

If we look round the world we see the same failings, and worse. The German government promises to transform its own defences, and nothing happens. Emmanuel Macron jumps from appeasing Putin to threatening him  a pantomime for his domestic audience. Donald Trump blusters that he would tell the Russians to do whatever the hell they want. Frivolity and cynicism mark this low, dishonest decade. Is any politician willing to tell their voters honestly what needs to be done? Would they now be believed?

Mr Goves struggle to define extremism (something like active opposition to fundamental British values) is a sign that politicians have lost control of the public sector in all its ramifications. The extremism at issue is within organisations that are part of or have been co-opted as partners by the state itself, sponsored by officials and subsidised by the taxpayer.

For centuries, liberals feared the over-mighty state, and tried to restrain it by putting legal limitations on its actions, by protecting the autonomy and privileges of great institutions (universities, churches, museums, the BBC, professional associations, charities) and by decentralising power to arms-length bodies to regulate, take decisions and spend money on the governments behalf.

This may be the ideal for a free country. But only if there is a broad consensus as to what is in the common interest and what is publicly acceptable. Such a consensus no longer exists. Many institutions have been taken over by activists who behave as if they are theirs to dispose of. Trustees wink at the pursuit of ideological goals without popular consent.

They have power without responsibility, while politicians have accountability without authority. Genteel corruption is becoming rife, as in the shameful Post Office scandal.

So many little concessions have been made, so many seemingly innocuous acts of appeasement, so much paying of danegeld that the accumulated backlog is mountainous. Who would be bold enough to take power now if they truly wanted to change things? Where would they start? How many years would it take?

The shoplifting epidemic is a depressing metaphor for our wider condition. Once we were told there would be zero tolerance towards petty criminality and antisocial behaviour, on the principle that once ill-intentioned people find they can get away with small things, they will try bigger things. But that was too difficult. Instead we have a total tolerance policy, with a police force failing, courts overwhelmed and prisons full.

The underlying reasons go back decades, and apply far beyond Britain. The utopian years of globalisation saw politicians across the Western world eagerly handing over powers to quangos, multilateral bodies and both domestic and international law courts. Power was gone, and may never come back, even in fundamentals such as the protection of borders and the deportation of criminals.

Politicians were for a time shielded by being part of an international consensus of the enlightened. Voters everywhere reacted by losing interest in mainstream politics. Turnout at elections fell. Loyalty to parties melted away. Respect for politicians and even for democracy itself declined.

Occasionally voters got their say when politicians were complacent enough to permit referendums. Australia and Ireland are the latest countries whose voters have spurned liberal orthodoxy. But when the vote goes the wrong way, it is often ignored or  as nearly happened with the Brexit vote, and may still  neutralised.

When voting to take back control has no effect on those in power, the consequence is evident: increasingly angry voters choose increasingly extreme options  in Germany, in Italy, in the Netherlands and almost certainly soon in France. We see it above all in America, where it endangers us all.

In the 18th century, scientists got excited by galvanism, stimulating bodily movements by electric shocks. But they failed to galvanise a corpse. Are we and most of the West so fragmented and leaderless that we remain inert in the face of danger, however many shocks we receive? George Orwell wrote of the 1930s that like the mass of the people [the government] did not want to pay the price either of peace or of war. Here we are again, hoping it will all go away.

But Orwell added that a universal bedrock of patriotism meant that in an emergency the whole nation suddenly swings together  like a herd of cattle facing a wolf. We can no longer be confident of that. We have allowed a patriotic consensus to be undermined. We have encouraged distorted or fake accusations against ourselves under the pretext of inclusion, and rewarded the accusers. National institutions seem at best indifferent to the nation that sustains them.

How to reintegrate the country is what Conservatives should think about during their coming period in opposition. They should plan a radical reform of the state and public institutions to ensure that accountable politicians are really in charge. Their first step must be to bring their own party closer to its supporters, if it is not already too late. Mistakes in politics can be forgiven, but betrayal is fatal.

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MBTA Transit Police are searching for a man who allegedly pepper-sprayed several passengers aboard a Green Line trolley in Cambridge on Saturday, officials said.

The incident occurred just before 2:30 p.m. at Lechmere station, according to police.

The man police are looking for allegedly sprayed numerous passengers with OC spray, also known as pepper spray, and is being treated as an assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, Transit Police said.

Police released a photo of the suspect holding a spray canister and wearing a gray Boston Celtics cap, black sweatshirt and sweatpants, a black and white plaid scarf, and gray Nike sneakers.

Anyone with information can contact the MBTA Transit Police Criminal Investigation Unit at 617-222-1050 and can remain anonymous, officials said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Two Muslim women walk in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque at Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalem. Israeli police have prevented hundreds of young Palestinians from entering a contested holy site in Jerusalem for the first prayer in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Israeli media reported on Monday. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Israeli police have prevented hundreds of young Palestinians from entering a contested holy site in Jerusalem for the first prayer in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Israeli media reported on Monday.

A video clip filmed no Sunday and published by Haaretz newspaper showed uniformed police using batons to drive people back along a narrow passageway. Media reports spoke of crowds and isolated clashes in Jerusalem.

Some young people did manage to gain access to the holy site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, "when they arrived with their parents or in cases where the police opened the barriers due to pressure created by the gatherings, and let anyone who wanted to enter without being checked," Haaretz reported.

Last week, the Israeli government said Muslims would be allowed to pray at the site, which houses al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock shrine, during the month of Ramadan.

The security situation is to be constantly monitored during the month, amid concerns expressed by Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence agency, that Hamas will seek to "inflame the region during Ramadan."

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA citing eyewitnesses reported on Monday that Israeli forces had refused entry to the al-Aqsa Mosque, detaining several people. The eyewitnesses said that young men had been blocked from entering, while women from the age of 40 had been allowed to enter.

The Israeli police did not initially respond to a request for information.

For Muslims, the site is Islam's third holiest, but it is also sacred to Jews as it has the ruins of the Biblical Jewish Temple. It lies in Jerusalem's Old City, which was seized by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War.

The Muslim sites are administered by a Jordanian foundation, but Israeli security forces control all access points.

Jerusalem Grand Mufti Muhammad Ahmad Hussein announced on Sunday evening that Ramadan would begin in the Palestinian areas on Monday.
Madalyn Palmquist and Jaime Sparkes will compete for the District 8 seat on the Wisconsin Rapids City Council in the April 2 election. The seat is currently held by Donald Jay Bemke, who is not seeking reelection.

Wisconsin Rapids alderpersons serve two-year terms. The even-numbered districts on the City Council are up for election this spring.

To learn more about registering to vote and to find your polling place, visit My Vote Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the city and why they are running for the position.

Madalyn Palmquist

Madalyn Palmquist

Residence: Wisconsin Rapids

Occupation and education: I am a project manager for Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, overseeing research projects, administrative programs, budgets, and a portfolio of grants and contracts from federal, state, and private agencies. I completed much of my education through the University of Wisconsin System attending UW-Platteville, UW-Milwaukee and UW-Wood County. Through the UW System, I received a master's degree in project management, bachelor's degrees in sociology and psychology, an associate degree, and graduate certificates in human resources management and advanced project. I also received technical diplomas from Mid-State Technical College for emergency medical technician basic and nursing assistant.

Relevant experience: Experience that I have related to this position include my education, professional skills, and personal qualities. First, my multifaceted education provides the foundational knowledge for variety of topics. It also gave me the confidence and advanced training to streamline workflows as well as the ability to work with a diverse customer base. Second, my professional experience provides translatable skills in process and procedure development, administrative management, budget planning and monitoring, and grant administration. Last, I am passionate about our community, personable, detail oriented, and excited to become involved with our local government.

Jaime Sparkes

Jaime Sparkes

Age: 29

Residence: Wisconsin Rapids

Occupation and education: CCLC site director at the South Wood County YMCA

Relevant experience: I have been on numerous boards and committees in Wisconsin Rapids and Wood County.

Why are you running for office?

Palmquist: I am running for office because I am invested, as many city residents are, in seeing progressive forward change for our community. My integrity, tenacity, and honest nature paired with my education and skills make me the best choice for this position. I am enthusiastic about becoming involved with local politics and rebuilding community engagement to make decisions that safeguard our citys prosperity. I am motivated to thrive in this position with endorsements from District 8 Alderperson Jay Bemke, former Chief of Police Kurt Heuer, former Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Mary Jo Carson and the Fire Fighters IAFF Local 425.

Sparkes: Being born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids and now raising my family here, I have seen this town change over the years. I want to make Wisconsin Rapids a great place for people to raise their family. I hope to represent District 8 on a city level, and we can move Wisconsin Rapids forward.

What makes Wisconsin Rapids a destination for visitors and new residents, and how would you make attracting people to the community a priority if you were elected to the City Council?

Palmquist: Historically, Wisconsin Rapids has relied on the paper mill industry to support the local economy, but we are not just a paper mill town. We are a city filled with natural beauty, abundant resources, and a community with a relentless drive to create and achieve. If elected, it would be a priority to capitalize on our recreational assets, historic features, and family-friendly events, to begin to become a destination for visitors and residents. It also is a priority to effectively promote the economic profile of our city and streamline processes to ensure all businesses have tools and resources to be successful.

Sparkes: Wisconsin Rapids has a abundance of natural resources. Wisconsin Rapids has an opportunity to become a recreational hub. From the ski show to easy access to the snowmobile trails, Wisconsin Rapids has relied on outdoor recreational activities to bring in visitors. I will continue to work with council members and the city to bring in larger outdoor statewide events to show what Wisconsin Rapids has to offer.

What role do you think city government should play in redeveloping the former Verso mill site?

Palmquist: Our city government must be realistic about the future of the Verso mill. The site is owned by a publicly held company, Billerud. It is impractical to expect that this company would sell their property knowing that it would create direct competition in the paper and packing materials industry. As a result, the role that the city government plays is to focus on stimulating a new purpose for the site. This is identical to the role that should be played for all business in our area, we need to draw businesses in and make establishing and being successful here effortless.

Sparkes: The city of Wisconsin Rapids has a large opportunity to include all citizens in the redevelopment of the mill. As representatives of the districts, aldermen should be included to raise the concerns of their constituents, as we owe it to the citizens of Wisconsin Rapids. City Council and the mayor's office need to partner with local and state representatives to redevelop the Verso mill.

Residents often talk about bringing new businesses and jobs to Wisconsin Rapids as a top priority. How would you help facilitate that process if you were elected to the Council?

Palmquist: City government involvement is critical to bringing new businesses and jobs to our area and to the success of our city. The community, council, committees, and city staff and departments must work together to ensure we have the tools and resources needed to strengthen our community and promote prosperity. This includes creating materials that highlight the positive features of our community that attract business and tools that streamline processes, transparently communicate requirements, and establish a pathway to entrepreneurial success. If elected, I would facilitate though addressing delays and challenges related to zoning, ordinances, and policy.

Sparkes: Wisconsin Rapids has long struggled with business development. As alderman, I will strive to make the city an active place for residents to start their own businesses and for other businesses to move in. I will facilitate this process by raising the voices of the residents I represent to the city level, to get the needed businesses in Wisconsin Rapids.

Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA-TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Reach him at epfantz@gannett.com or connect with him on X (formerly Twitter) @ErikPfantz.

This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: April 2024 election: Wisconsin Rapids City Council District 8
Incumbent Jeremy Walz and challenger Brittany Wohlfeil are running for Menomonee Falls village president in the April 2, 2024, election.

The village president's seat is for a three-year term.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talked to each of the candidates about the issues that are the most important to their campaign.

Jeremy Walz (Inc.)

Jeremy Walz

Background: The Menomonee Falls village board approved Jeremy Walz as village president in 2022 to replace Dave Glasgow when Glasgow moved out of the area. Walz was a village trustee from 2013 to 2022 and has been a Waukesha County supervisor for District 6 since 2014. He has been on the library board from 2013 to 2016, is a member of the Republican Party and has been a liaison of the historical society since 2013. He has been an employee of a Menomonee Falls business for 20 years and has served in the Army National Guard and achieved the rank of sergeant. Walz also has two children, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old.

Supporters: Walz said he is supported by the Republican Party of Waukesha County. Other supporters include the current trustees (Ann Lessila, Paul Tadda, Joel Stueland, Brad Jubber, Katie Kress and Steve Taggart) and vice-president of the Menomonee Falls Board of Education Chris Stueland. Walz said he received official support from the chair of the Waukesha County Board Paul Decker and the Vice Chair Keith Hammitt.

Website: www.walz4falls.com and find Walz4Falls on Facebook.

Why Walz is running again for Menomonee Falls village president

Walz said he is running because he served the community since 2013 as a board member and on the Waukesha County Board and has served through the Army National Guard. He said he has always served the community in different capacities.

"That is what my priorities are in life," he said.

Emphasizing excellent public safety, firefighters and police officers

Walz said in the last year as village president, many new firefighters and police officers were hired. He said he wants to continue supporting these departments. He said that many municipalities are facing a shortage of police officers, and it is a challenge for municipalities to recruit, maintain and retain good officers.

"It is more than just wages; it is a positive work environment," said Walz.

Supporting and upgrading the village infrastructure

Walz said that in the last year the village fixed twice as many roads. He said that he also wants to concentrate on continuing to upgrade the infrastructure of the village, especially with improved roads and construction projects that are necessary.

Continuing to build on making Menomonee Falls a good place to live

Walz said that he wants to support plans to continue making Menomonee Falls a good place to live and work. He said that the village has entry-level to executive-level jobs, and the housing is diverse and attractive. He added that it is a great place to raise a family. He wants to support these initiatives.

"I want to make sure everyone feels welcome here," said Walz.

Brittany Wohlfeil

Brittany Wohlfeil

Background: Wohlfeil is a newcomer, and this is her first time running for office. She is one of the owners of Batter & Mac, a bakery business she runs with her mother and sister. She is the founding Milwaukee chapter leader of For Goodness Cakes, a national nonprofit that hand-delivers birthday & graduation cakes to children in foster care and youth overcoming adversity. She and her husband have a 5-year-old and a 1-year-old. She is also a family nurse practitioner.

Websites: https://www.brittanywohlfeil.com and Brittany Wohlfeil for Menomonee Falls Village President on Facebook.

Supporters: Wohlfeil said that her donors are individuals who are contributing. She also said that she is being supported by the Democratic Party for canvassing, and she considers herself a moderate. She also said that Grassroots Menomonee Falls has been canvassing for her, but the group is not allowed to donate to a candidate.

Why Wohlfeil is running for village president

Wohlfeil said when she was looking at where to start her bakery business, the village was so supportive and positive. She said the customers became regulars and very supportive. "The village did so much for me when I had a crazy dream. I feel a sense that I should be giving back, and this is a good way to do it," she said.

Wohlfeil wants more transparency in the village

Wohlfeil said the village needs more transparency. "We need to be doing everything to protect the services of Menomonee Falls such as the police department, and the library and embracing all the growth in a responsible way, she said. She said she believes the village board is "hyperpartisan" and that they can do things with no transparency.

Preserving the charm and first-class services while embracing the growth of the village

Wohlfeil said she wants to preserve the village's charm and services such as the library and the historical society. She said she also wants to keep the charm of the downtown and small businesses while making it easier to bring new businesses into the village.

"There is so much opportunity to get more unique businesses. We have to have the right PR campaign that this is a great place to raise your family and have a business or restaurant," she said.

The village needs to focus on accessibility and public safety

Wohlfeil said the sidewalks and roads must be well-maintained so people with different mobility issues or physical limitations can get around the village safely.

"Currently, we don't do as good a job on that," she said. She said it is important for the police and fire department to be "well-staffed to do this work."

For more information on voting or about the spring elections

To get more information about voting or information about all the elections, visit myvote.wi.gov/en-us.

Voter identification is required to vote in Wisconsin. Acceptable identification includes a Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued driver's license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended; a Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card; a Wisconsin DOT-issued identification/military identification card issued by a United States uniformed services; a U.S. passport or a photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin state university or college that contains date of issuance, signature of student and a date no later than two years after date of issuance.

The DMV can issue identification cards for voters who do not have one. For more information, call the Voter ID hotline at 844-588-1069. For other voter identification questions, call 608-264-7447 or visit bit.ly/idinformation.

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Newcomer challenging incumbent for Menomonee Falls village president
Melania Trump read the room.

After inquiring minds yet again began speculating about the state of her marriage to Donald Trump because she hasnt been seen around Mar a Lago during key public moments in his campaign, she showed up.

The reason? A visit by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Friday night.

Seems the rare outing was worth her trouble.

On his Instagram, the leader shared a number of pictures from the formal dinner at the Palm Beach property. In one, the former first lady, rocking a sleek white pant suit, beams as she holds a massive bouquet of flowers from Orban.

His (translated) caption: Pure America!

READ MORE: Can Donald Trump finally win over Miami-Dade County?

Its unclear if well see more of Melania now as her husbands presidential campaign ramps up. As the myriad Wheres Melania? chanters are already well aware, the 52-year-old former model has been glaringly absent during many of Trumps pivotal appearances.

Last April, the native Slovenian skipped out on Trumps fiery speech after he was arraigned on 34 felony charges in New York City.

Perhaps her most striking absence was during the holidays when Trumps so called secret weapon skipped out on the family photo. We later learned Melania was tending to her sick mother, Amalija Knavs, who died a few weeks later.

READ MORE: Barron Trump makes rare appearance at grandmothers funeral

But when she again went MIA after the ex POTUS swept Super Tuesday last week, some gossip watchers predicted it could be the death knell of their 19-year marriage.

At least one individual in the know had an explanation  former aide Stephanie Winston Wilkoff.

Melania Trump was NOT at Donalds victory party because she did NOT have to be, the Melania and Me author wrote. His supporters do NOT care if she is by his side or NOT, so now she does NOT have to be. NOThing more, NOThing less.
(Bloomberg) -- Brothers of Italys Marco Marsilio was reelected as governor of Abruzzo, handing a win to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and averting a second defeat in a regional vote in quick succession.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Marsilio, a close friend of Melonis, beat center-left candidate Luciano dAmico with 53.5% of the votes, according to results published early Monday.

Sundays election in Abruzzo, which stretches from rugged mountains to the Adriatic coast, gained nationwide prominence after Melonis coalition lost last months ballot in Sardinia, the first sign of a slip in popularity since it took power at the end of 2022.

The premier personally campaigned for Marsilio last week in Pescara, the largest city in the region of around 1.3 million people.

The defeat in Sardinia, where Melonis candidate lost to Alessandra Todde, who was backed by both the Democrats and the Five Star Movement, was followed by a small drop in support for the ruling coalition in nationwide polls. Still, Brothers of Italy remains by far the most popular party.

Elected in 2019, Marsilio was the first Brothers of Italy candidate to become governor of an Italian region, at a time the party still was a minority group without any role in government. Hes been close to Meloni since well before she founded her party.

Hes been criticized while governor for his frequent travel back and forth to Rome, and has been perceived as insufficiently focused on the regions issues, including a lack of investment in health care and addressing the high risk of earthquakes.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and his wife on Monday pleaded not guilty to a dozen new charges accusing them of obstruction of justice while being investigated over allegations they accepted bribes.

Once again, not guilty your honor, Menendez said after Judge Sidney H. Stein asked him to enter a plea, according to The Associated Press.

Menendez and his wife were newly accused of conspiring to cover up alleged bribery schemes with three New Jersey businessmen as the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York investigated the criminal case.

It came on top of charges the former Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair agreed to and accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to enrich the businessmen and the government of Egypt, acted as an agent of the Egyptian government and accepted gifts from the Qatari government.

Menendez now faces 16 counts and his wife, Nadine, faces 15 counts. The slew of new charges followed the recent guilty plea of their co-defendant, businessman Jose Uribe.

Last week, Uribe admitted to attempting to bribe the Menendez couple with a Mercedes-Benz in exchange for the powerful senators political sway. Under his deal, the businessman must testify truthfully if called upon at any future proceedings  including Menendezs trial, which is scheduled to begin May 6.

After flipping Uribe, prosecutors alleged Menendez falsely characterized his knowledge of the convertible payment and a more than $23,000 payment another businessman, Wael Hana, made toward Nadine Menendezs mortgage.

Prosecutors also alleged the New Jersey Democrat urged his counsel to tell the government at first that he did not know about the payments until 2022, and later, that in 2022 he learned the funds were loans.

In truth and in fact, and as Menendez well knew, Menendez had learned of both the mortgage company payment and the car payments prior to 2022, and they were not loans, but bribe payments, prosecutors wrote in the updated indictment.

Nadine Menendez was similarly accused of telling her lawyers to inform prosecutors the payments from Uribe and Hana were loans. The latest indictment exposed a previously unknown meeting between the senators wife and Uribe, where they agreed to describe the convertible payment as a loan if law enforcement asked.

After his first indictment in September, Menendez stepped down from his position as chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, in line with Democratic Conference rules.

He previously told The Hill in a statement through his lawyers the latest indictment is a flagrant abuse of power and maintained his innocence.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
TOKYO, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Two people died on Monday after an avalanche stroke a group of backcountry skiers, believed to be foreign nationals, in Hokkaido, Japan, according to the police.

According to local authorities, the incident occurred on Monday when rescue teams were alerted around 11 a.m. about the avalanche hitting individuals on Mt. Yotei, a mountain towering at 1,898 meters and covering towns such as Kutchan and Niseko.

The snowslide affected three members, believed to be New Zealand nationals, of the six-person party on the northern slope, slightly above the midpoint between the mountain's peak and its base, local media reports showed.

According to the police, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s were transported to a hospital in cardiac arrest, but their deaths were later confirmed at the hospital.

A survivor, experiencing pain around his shoulder, managed to make it back along with the remaining three members by approximately 1:30 p.m. local time. They informed authorities that the avalanche had struck around 10 a.m.

There was no avalanche warning in place for Mt. Yotei during the time of the incident, as confirmed by the Japan Meteorological Agency's Sapporo Regional Headquarters. 
Niyak Ghorbani was pulled to the ground and handcuffed by officers during Saturday's march through central London - @IncMonocle

Sir Mark Rowley has attacked armchair commentators who criticise the police, as he defended officers who arrested an anti-Hamas protester.

The Met Commissioner said policing was complex, challenging and messy and officers were often forced to act quickly and decisively without the benefit of seeing a full incident unfold.

He said they were also forced to do their job in the glare of hundreds of people who were ready to film their every moment and then were quick to criticise them on social media.

His comments came in the wake of a row at the weekend over the arrest of a man carrying an anti-Hamas placard at a pro-Palestinian rally.

Niyak Ghorbani, 38, an Iranian man who was carrying a sign reading Hamas is terrorist, was pulled to the ground and handcuffed by officers during Saturdays march through central London.

He was arrested over an allegation of assault but was later de-arrested after officers reviewed footage of the incident.

The incident has led to criticism of the Met, with Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, accusing the force of failing to tackle the mob and putting free speech at risk.

He said: 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.

Its a chilling inversion of what law enforcement is about. Two-tier policing must end.

But in a lengthy statement, first published on the LinkedIn website, Sir Mark hit out at what he called armchair commentators.

He said: The reality is that policing is complex, challenging and can look messy. We expect officers to arrive on the scene quickly and act with limited information based on what they see.

They dont have the benefit of being able to watch a full incident unfold before deciding what to do, they have to be decisive and act quickly. And they do so in the glare of hundreds of people ready to film their every moment.

There arent many professions where from the minute you arrive at an incident to the minute you leave, you are filmed and then critiqued by an army of armchair commentators.

Yet this is what happens to our officers and they still come back to work the next day.

Sir Mark said the Met would always support its officers and criticised those who attacked the police for 'point scoring' - Leon Neal/Getty Images

Sir Mark also warned of the impact this was having on his officers, claiming it could put people off remaining in or joining the police.

He said the Met would always support its officers and criticised those who attacked the police for point scoring.

No police officer should be subject to abuse just for doing the job that the public and senior leaders ask and expect of them. We wont accept it, and where it crosses the line into criminality we will take action.

It is right that we are accountable and we will continue to explain ourselves in reasoned discourse and debate. But I will always stand up for my officers when they are abused or used for point scoring.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
In Papantla, vanilla used to dominate daily life and helped Mexico becoming the world's leading supplier of the aromatic spice more than a century ago. The rise of artificial vanilla contributed to the decline of Mexican production but Papantla is looking to reassert its profile. picture alliance / dpa

Long gone are the days when heaps of green vanilla pods were drawn into town by mules and laid out on woven mats to dry in the sun, perfuming the streets before being packed up and sold abroad.

In this corner of eastern Mexico, known as "the city that perfumed the world," the aromatic spice once dominated daily life and contributed to Mexico becoming the world's leading supplier of vanilla more than a century ago.

Markets have long since shifted and artificial vanilla is now the global norm. But in Papantla, a city in Veracruz state where the spice is still strongly tied to people's identity, scientists, chefs and farmers are actively pushing to reassert its profile.

Could a vanilla renaissance finally bloom in Mexico?

In this city of 160,000, artisans make figurines with vanilla's shiny dark brown stems. Restaurants serve vanilla-infused dishes. And a prominent plaque by the town square tells the "Legend of Vanilla," the tale of how vanilla originally grew from the blood of a beautiful Indigenous princess who was decapitated by priests for having a romantic affair.

"If you have bad thoughts, they disappear, if you're angry, it disappears, because the aroma has an effect of high relaxation," said Lucio Olmos Morales, a local artisan who often works at a table on his porch weaving vanilla pods into crowns, rosary beads and flowers.

The indigenous Totonac discovered the vanilla vines that once grew wild in this rainy region, naming the orchids Xanat. They used it for fragrance - women perfumed their hair with the pods - but there's no record of the Totonac using vanilla in cooking, according to Tim Ecott, author of the book "Vanilla: Travels in Search of the Ice Cream Orchid."

Later, the Aztecs are said to have used it to flavour a chocolate beverage, served in golden goblets to Emperor Moctezuma.

The Spanish colonizers eventually took Mexico's vanilla to Europe, where it was consumed by the aristocracy and fed a growing craving for hot chocolate. Vanilla was naturally pollinated by bees in Mexico, and when Europeans attempted to grow the plant back home they rarely got it to produce pods.

But in the mid 19th century, a slave on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion discovered how to efficiently hand-pollinate vanilla. With French plantations there and elsewhere in the Indian Ocean adopting the technique, by the second half of the 19th century, Mexico lost its spot as the leading producer. Vanilla production in Papantla still boomed, however, in the late 1800s, fueled by the popularity of ice cream in the United States.

In the following decades, the growth of artificial vanilla and competition with Madagascar, the current market leader, contributed to the decline of Mexico's vanilla production.

"The market turned to a massified cheap product and Mexico competed for a while but couldn't really keep up with that," said Emilio Kouri, a historian and director of the Katz Center for Mexican Studies at the University of Chicago. "People would say, 'I don't care, for my Twinkies I'll just use artificial vanilla.'"

Cycles of boom and bust in the market today swing the cured spice from about $300 to $7 a pound, said Josephine Lochhead, the chief executive of the California-based Cook Flavoring Co., which buys most of its vanilla from Madagascar.

Mexico is the world's third-largest natural vanilla producer, behind No. 2 Indonesia, according to 2022 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization. Most of the green vanilla Mexico produced in 2022 - 515 tons, according to the Mexican government - was sold locally.

Although California consumers could be interested in Mexican vanilla, the product is too expensive compared with the spice that comes from impoverished Madagascar, where farmers earn less than $2 a day, Lochhead said. Craig Nielsen, co-owner of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, based in Illinois, said that he sells Mexico's vanilla to buyers who prefer its "spicy note," which he compared to clove or nutmeg.

These days, those tied to Mexico's natural vanilla industry are working to increase the spice's local consumption and production, saying that Mexicans should be encouraged to help small-scale farmers and uphold their vanilla heritage.

Jose Merced Mejia Munoz, an Agriculture Ministry official responsible for coordinating with Mexico's vanilla producers, said that the country hopes to reach 8,000 acres of vanilla in 2030 with more efficient production. In 2022, farmers - mostly in Veracruz state - grew about 800 acres.

One hurdle is that producing vanilla, an orchid that grows on a vine, requires intense labour.

Only hours to pollinate by hand

A newly planted orchid can take three years to bear fruit, and when the flowers blossom in the spring, growers have only a few hours to pollinate each one by hand.

The fruit that ultimately emerges is a pod that looks like a long, thick string bean and contains black seeds. In Mexico, it's picked around November while still green and fragrance-less, and then must be cured. Farmers lay the vanilla pods out on mats to dry in the sun for several months in order to transform the fruit into aroma-producing thin dark stems.

Most of Veracruz's 3,200 vanilla growers, who usually plant it as a side hustle alongside other crops such as citrus, sell the green pods to companies that turn the fruit into products such as cooking extract, liqueur and perfume, according to Crispin Perez Garcia, head of the state's vanilla producers council.

Farmers have faced disastrous periods where hurricanes and storms have destroyed a season's crop. They also face theft and low market prices caused by companies willing to buy vanilla that's been picked before the fruit matures fully. The lower quality hurts Mexican vanilla's reputation overseas, said Perez.

Much of Mexico's vanilla fails to meet the quality standards to be sold abroad because the fruit suffers from fungus, poor weather or early harvest to avoid theft, said Angelica Hernandez Avila, the Papantla-based director of the center that supports agricultural innovation at the National Polytechnic Institute.

But the biggest challenge is artificial vanilla. Gaya, the leading producer of vanilla in Veracruz, sells a 4-ounce bottle of real vanilla extract for about $5 - several times the cost of artificial vanilla.

"In Mexico, people don't consume natural vanilla, it's that simple," said its director, Norma Gaya.

Her family-run company, which grows vanilla pods and also buys the fruit from farmers across Mexico, works with university scientists to produce healthier plants, improve cultivation techniques and offer classes to local growers. A lab on its property in Gutierrez Zamora, a city near Papantla, contains jars of vanilla plants that have been cloned to match varieties that are disease-resistant and have attractive smells.

Gaya said that the government needs to better enforce the proper labeling of vanilla products, so that artificial vanilla is not passed off as natural. In the meantime, she and others have tried to ramp up interest in the orchid, holding a local vanilla festival and conferences to bring together vanilla experts. Hernandez's center offers growers lessons in customer service for English-speaking tourists who visit their plantations.

But even Gaya, which exports most of its vanilla to the United States, several years ago supplemented its natural vanilla products with an artificial vanilla line.

Some producers, such as Juan Salazar Garcia, come from families that have grown vanilla for generations. Salazar runs Vainilla El Ojital, a company in Papantla with an acre of 30,000 vanilla plants.

Vanilla farmers have long grappled with theft. Sitting on a chair outside his house by the family's vanilla orchards, Salazar's father described how farmers in the 1940s made traps for thieves by placing stakes in a pit hidden with leaves. Salazar gradually made his way into the business, learning at age 10 how to pollinate flowers with a finger.

Every spring, Salazar and his employees have only a few hours a day to move as quickly as possible among the orchids to pollinate the flowers after they bloom. It takes about 10 seconds to pollinate each one, he said.

"Some days we do feel stressed," he said. "But we don't despair."

Salazar has worked with a chemist to help sell natural vanilla liqueur, extract and perfume, as well as an artificial vanilla air freshener after requests from customers.

Clients ask him why his vanilla extract is expensive, pointing to cheaper products they find online that are falsely advertised as natural. But Salazar hesitates to expand his artificial line.

"As a producer, where would be the value in what I do?" he said. "I need to defend my work."

The farming brings him an annual income of about $47,000 a year, which he uses to maintain his plantation, and he hopes to grow the business with his three sons. He admits he barely consumed natural vanilla growing up - only in horchata water - but believes he can expand locals' interest "at least a little bit."

Chefs have tried to do that through vanilla-infused dishes.

In the 1990s, Mexican chefs began creating recipes with vanilla that went beyond its traditional use in desserts, said Ricardo Munoz Zurita, a renowned chef in Mexico City.

Vanilla, Munoz said, goes well with subtle flavours and must be used carefully with strong spices such as chile that could overtake the vanilla. More than two dozen chefs contributed recipes to his 2008 cookbook, "La Vainilla Mexicana," many combining the ingredient with seafood. Among the dishes: avocado soup with vanilla, apple salad with a vanilla vinaigrette, and duck with a chocolate and vanilla sauce.

"Of course we'd have vanilla ice cream and custard, but most of the plates were gourmet and all were made not just with the excuse of using vanilla but with vanilla as a protagonist," he said.

In Papantla, tourists who want to try vanilla dishes visit the restaurant Naku, which translates to "heart" in the Totonac language.

The open-air restaurant, which displays and sells vanilla products, spends about $900 a month on four gallons of vanilla extract and about 125 vanilla pods. Patrons can order shrimp served with a creamy sauce made with vanilla extract, a chayote squash soup with vanilla seeds, a vanilla liqueur drink called Papenteco Kiss and plantains flambeed with vanilla ice cream.

"The identity of our town is vanilla, like tequila in Jalisco, like the tulips in the Netherlands," said Naku owner Lorenzo Collado.

Papantla's vanilla history also lives on through art. The local Ancestral Knowledge of Vanilla restaurant and museum displays a 2.4-foot vanilla-woven Virgin Mary made with 13 pounds of vanilla - which is paraded through the streets every December - and a photograph of a 7.5-foot pyramid made with 33,000 vanilla pods and weighing 264 pounds.

In the summer last year, Lucio Olmos Morales, the artisan who weaves vanilla on his porch, received a special order. The local church, along with Totonac authorities, had selected Juanita Olarte, a 24-year-old preschool teacher, to be ceremoniously named a protector of Totonac culture at a Mass commemorating the 100th anniversary of the diocese. Olmos was commissioned to make a vanilla headdress to distinguish Olarte in her new role.

He used 130 vanilla pods, high-quality stems carrying enough oil so they could be bent into shapes without breaking. The headdress' elements included a sun with a gem at its centre to represent Christ, corn leaves and flowers.

As it was placed on Olarte's head in August at the front of the church, she smelled its strong sweet scent. The vanilla reminds Olarte of her grandfather, who taught her as a small child to pollinate the vanilla plants he grew.

"It's feeling closer to my loved ones," she said of wearing the vanilla headdress. "I feel their embrace. Although they're not with me, they feel present."
A New Mexico man contracted and died of plague in the states first recorded fatality from the disease since 2020, its public health agency announced Friday.

The Lincoln County man, whose name was not released, succumbed to the illness after being hospitalized, the New Mexico Department of Health said in a statement. His was the first reported case of the rodent-origin bacterial disease since 2021.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of the Lincoln County man who succumbed to plague, Erin Phipps, the state veterinarian, said.

The bacterial disease, typically spread through infected flea bites, can be transferred to people through a chain of animal interactions. Outdoor dogs and cats who roam freely can bring back the infected fleas who feasted on dead rodents.

New Mexicos health department focused on outreach and prevention in its announcement, advising residents to avoid wild animal nests and protect pets from infection by using flea control products and keeping them from roaming or hunting.

This tragic incident serves as a clear reminder of the threat posed by this ancient disease and emphasizes the need for heightened community awareness and proactive measures to prevent its spread, Phipps said.

David Morgan, the departments public information officer, said New Mexicos small and mostly rural population and patient privacy laws made it difficult to release details relating to the case, such as the mans age, how the man became sick and where in Lincoln County he contracted the disease.

The department said it would conduct an environmental assessment in the community to evaluate risk in its announcement.

U.S. cases of plague occur almost exclusively in the West, with more than half of all recorded cases between 1970-2020 developing in New Mexico alone. According to the CDC, there are about 1-17 reported cases per year across the entire U.S.

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A Republican running for Congress in New Mexico who once boasted of her anti-abortion credentials has cut all references to abortion from her website and campaign materials.

Yvette Herrell previously represented New Mexicos 2nd Congressional District for a single term before being defeated by Democrat Gabe Vasquez in 2022 after the states Democrats drew districts that are more favorable to their party.

That year, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the legal precedent that made abortion a constitutional right nationwide. Herrells loss was one of several disappointments for Republicans, who wound up winning the House by a slimmer margin than expected, and they could lose it this year thanks again to voters repulsed by state abortion bans.

Before elections in 2020 and 2022, Herrells campaign website prominently featured her anti-abortion stance on a shared values page.

With a consistent Pro-Life record in the New Mexico House of Representatives, Yvette will be a tireless advocate for the unborn in Congress, the website said, according to cached versions accessed via the Internet Archive. 100% Pro-Life, Yvette believes life starts at conception and will never waiver in her beliefs.

Now Herrells website doesnt mention abortion at all. The shared values page talks about parental rights in the classroom and stopping government overreach into our lives.

Its a small example of how the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that created a national right to abortion, has made being anti-abortion a problem for Republicans. In the 2022 midterm elections, protecting abortion rights played a key role in Democratic wins up and down the ballot in Michigan and Pennsylvania, as well as the reelection of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D). Concerns about abortion rights were likewise central in a host of Democratic victories in 2023, including the Kentucky gubernatorial race and key judicial races in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Now, as Republicans seek to retake the Senate and maintain their narrow hold on the House, many GOP candidates in tough races are trying to downplay their past support for abortion restrictions.

Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-N.M.) holds a news conference on Jan. 20, 2022, with Republican members of Congress on President Joe Biden's first year in office. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

In previous election cycles, Herrell, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2018 before unseating then-Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D) in 2020, routinely touted her anti-abortion views on social media.

When New Mexicos 2nd District had a more conservative electorate, Herrell evidently thought her anti-abortion views were a selling point. The unborn continue to be a target of the radical left, she posted on Twitter in May 2020. My opponent, Xochitl Torres Small recently used her position to help raise funds for the abortion lobby. These are not New Mexico values!

Herrell also applauded the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision in June 2022 that led to the overturning of the national right to an abortion. Today, Life wins, she tweeted. In 1973, the Supreme Court disregarded the Constitution, ignored science, & defied the will of the American people by imposing abortion on demand across the country. Our nation has lost over 63 million of her most vulnerable citizens to this tragic practice.

Herrell had the support of the Susan B. Anthony List PAC, an influential anti-abortion group, for three straight election cycles, in 2018, 2020, and 2022. During her single term in Congress, Herrell co-sponsored nearly 30 pieces of legislation aimed at restricting abortion.

The Susan B. Anthony List supports a national abortion ban, and the group chastised Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for wavering on the issue while running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

A pro-life president has a duty to protect the lives of all Americans, SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement in July. He should be the National Defender of Life.

An Alabama Supreme Court ruling on Feb. 16 that effectively blocked in vitro fertilization in the state, a result that was reversed by state-level legislation, has Democrats champing at the bit and Republicans eager to proclaim their support for IVF.

In late February, Senate Democrats introduced a bill protecting IVF at the federal level, but Republican senators blocked it.

Herrell herself co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act in 2021, a bill declaring that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual comes into being. (The bill did make clear that it did not want women who end their pregnancies to be subject to criminal prosecution.)

That legislation raises obvious questions about where Herrell stands on IVF, a process that sometimes involves creating embryos that go unused  presumably contrary to the Life at Conception Act.

Last month, Vasquez said on social media that Herrell is in lockstep with Alabamas Supreme Court. A spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee pushed back, saying Herrell opposes federal restrictions on IVF.

HuffPost reached out to Herrells campaign about her position on national abortion restrictions and IVF, as well as her reasons for cutting her anti-abortion position from her 2024 campaign website.

Yvette is and always will be pro-life. Given the Supreme Courts Dobbs ruling, she believes this is no longer a federal issue and should be left to the states, Paul Smith, a campaign spokesperson, said in a statement. She also fully supports maintaining access to pro-family fertility treatments like IVF.

Herrells campaign did not explicitly say whether she supports Democrats bill to protect IVF in federal law.Vasquez barely defeated Herrell in 2022, winning by only about 1,200 votes in a district that President Joe Biden carried by 6 percentage points in 2020. His campaign website makes his pro-choice politics clear on the front page: Gabe is a fighter for womens access to reproductive health care, immigration reform, and organized labor.
On Ocean Drive this past weekend, it seemed everyone had seen the video.

Young visitors may not have read about Miami Beachs spring break crackdown in the local newspaper. They certainly hadnt watched the City Commission meetings where elected officials voted for draconian measures, including $100 parking fees and 6 p.m. beach closures. But the viral video in which the city announced it was breaking up with spring break had come across their timelines on TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms.

Of course we did, Josh Pryor, 21, a senior at Georgia State University visiting for spring break, said Friday when asked if he and his friends had seen the video. Its everywhere.

Melissa Berthier, the citys marketing and communications director, said the broad spring break breakup campaign, including the video, had an estimated 220 million social media impressions. The city collaborated with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau on the campaign, which also included the purchase of two billboards in the Miami area.

So far, the citys messaging  along with measures like a DUI checkpoint and license-plate readers on major causeways  seems to be having the desired effect.

Unlike in past years on weekends around the same time in March, large crowds havent gathered on the beach during the day and flooded Ocean Drive at night. There havent been impromptu parties along side streets. The iconic South Beach strip was still buzzing with activity this past weekend  but aside from the spring break restrictions and massive police presence, it felt much like a typical weekend in South Beach.

City Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who pushed for the city to preemptively announce this years spring break measures, like parking restrictions and the possibility of curfews, said the messaging campaign is working.

Thats the big difference, Fernandez said in an interview. A lot of the things we had already done in the past, but they were just not communicated in the robust, proactive way we did now.

On Monday morning, Fernandez sent an email to constituents celebrating the calm start to spring break this past weekend, the first weekend in which the citys strictest measures were in place. They will be enacted again next weekend.

No shootings. No stampedes. No fatalities. What a difference! Fernandez wrote.

An unprecedented law enforcement presence, with dozens of officers from 18 local, state and federal agencies, is patrolling the area this month. Among them are police from Miami Beach, Miami and Miami-Dade County, Florida Highway Patrol troopers provided by Gov. Ron DeSantis, and even FBI officers.

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, who was elected in November on a law and order platform, greeted officers on Ocean Drive Saturday night.

Safety is our top priority and were extremely grateful for law enforcements presence, Meiner wrote that night on Facebook.

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner visits with police officers along Ocean Drive during spring break in Miami Beach, Florida, on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Al Diaz/adiaz@miamiherald.com

But not everyone has been supportive of the citys messaging. At a March 5 meeting, members of the citys Black Affairs Advisory Committee said that, while they appreciated efforts by police and volunteer goodwill ambassadors to keep spring breakers safe, they hadnt been consulted on the media campaign, which they believe sends an unwelcoming message to Black visitors. The group asked one of its members, attorney and former Miami-Dade State Attorney candidate Melba Pearson, to draft an op-ed on behalf of the committee to express its opposition.

Glendon Hall, who leads the committee, said Sunday in an interview with WPLG that he believes the messaging is toxic and negative, rather than encouraging people to visit Miami Beach in a safe way.

If you want to encourage people to come and do things safely, that has to be part of the mix, he said. You cant have the message be negative and then not emphasize safety. We want to make sure everyone is safe. That should have been the message.

Third weekend in March has caused problems

Miami Beach officials know its too soon to declare their breakup with spring break a success.

In each of the past three years, the city has implemented curfews during the third weekend in March to quell large, unruly crowds. Last year and the year before, those curfews were prompted by shootings on Ocean Drive.

Still, Fernandez said, the relative quiet of this past weekend is a good sign for the days to come.

Usually when weve had issues during the third weekend in the past, the problems started the second weekend, he said. I am cautiously optimistic that the very controlled environment of heightened public safety will continue into the third weekend.

Miami Beach police spokesperson Christopher Bess said Monday that, since March 1, police have made 153 arrests related to spring break activities. By the same time last year, he said, police had made 178 such arrests.

Bess said officers check a box in the departments reporting system to indicate whether an arrest was related to spring break. It wasnt immediately clear what factors go into that determination.

A report summarizing the arrest data through this past Saturday indicated that about 80% of arrests deemed spring break-related have been of Miami-Dade County residents. That number was around 70% at the same time last year. The city has also impounded 22 guns and issued 148 boating citations.

The arrests included one aggravated assault. On Friday night, a 37-year-old man faced that charge after he allegedly pointed a gun at someone during an argument at a Burger King on Washington Avenue and 11th Street, according to WSVN. It wasnt clear whether the incident was included in the citys spring break arrest data.

Last week, a Miami Beach police officer shot a fellow officer on the Venetian Causeway during a scuffle with an unarmed man who appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Police said the incident was unrelated to spring break.

Meanwhile, a DUI checkpoint on Fifth Street and license-plate readers on the eastbound Julia Tuttle and MacArthur causeways  which caused lane closures and significant traffic backups entering Miami Beach this past weekend  have resulted in hundreds of traffic citations, according to the summary report. On Saturday night alone, police said those measures led to more than 500 citations, 59 of which were criminal.

At a press conference last month, Meiner, the citys mayor, said a successful spring break would mean having a March without violence.

A city of Miami Beach police patrol vehicle is seen driving along the beach during spring break in Miami Beach, Florida, on Sunday, March 10, 2024. PEDRO PORTAL/pportal@miamiherald.com

Complications for residents, business owners

The citys parking restrictions and other efforts to keep spring breakers away have caused headaches for locals.

Most public parking garages and lots below 42nd Street were closed entirely this past weekend, except for Miami Beach residents and employees in the area who were able to show identification. One public garage on 42nd Street charged a $100 flat fee.

The measures led to complications for some people with appointments in the Mid-Beach neighborhood. A dermatologist with an office on 41st Street wrote to the citys parking director Thursday morning, when the rules took effect, to say that his patients, including those scheduled for urgent skin cancer surgeries, rely almost exclusively on the 42nd Street garage.

I understand the Citys objective to reduce Spring Break malfeasance, wrote Dr. Edward Gross. However, there is no reason that extending the exception to the $100 fee to medical patients would conflict with that objective.

The same measures will be in place next weekend.

Smaller crowds in South Beach this past weekend meant a loss of business for some bar and nightclub owners, although some of them are on board with the citys approach anyway. Fernandez said one business owner on Washington Avenue messaged him this past weekend to say that business was down 50%, but if this is what it takes to finally rid ourselves of the violence, then it was well worth it.

Another city commissioner, Laura Dominguez, said she had received positive feedback from multiple Ocean Drive business owners who understand it could be a couple-year sacrifice to bring order in the future.

She noted that the owners of Palace, known for its popular drag brunches that spill onto the sidewalk, were worried the citys temporary ban on sidewalk tables and chairs would hurt their business.

But overall, Dominguez said, the citys approach seems to be working. A decision to keep Ocean Drive open to cars prevented the block party atmosphere of years past, she said. And abandoning concerts and other programming during spring break has allowed police to focus squarely on the partying in South Beach.

I was very pleased with the outcome of this past weekend, Dominguez said, and I am hopeful for the upcoming weekend, as well.

Joshua Wallack, chief operating officer of Mangos Tropical Cafe on Ocean Drive, said business may be down from typical spring break weekends, but its preferable to violence and curfews that shut down nightlife entirely.

People are seeing a much safer and quieter South Beach, Wallack said. Were open and not in the middle of an emergency situation.

At the same time, he noted that the measures enacted this spring break have all been defensive and are not long-term solutions.

Its no silver bullet, but its a start, Wallack said. Wed like to see a plan that makes March the best month of the year in Miami Beach.

Miami Herald staff writers Vinod Sreeharsha and Omar Rodriguez Ortiz contributed to this report.
Miami Beach tried to 'break up' with spring break. Some people are celebrating anyway: Im still going

Many college students have descended on Florida and its many beaches for spring break this month, but Miami Beach  one of the top destinations  is trying to keep those visitors at a minimum.

On March 1, the City of Miami Beach released a commercial saying it would be breaking up with Spring Break. Its part of a $250,000 campaign that also includes billboards.

This isnt working anymore, an actor says in the advertisement. And its not us. Its you.

Melissa Berthier, director of communications for the city of Miami Beach, told Yahoo News in an email that this decision came after years of lawless behavior and a string of violent acts in recent years. In the last two years, police made over 1,000 arrests and confiscated over 100 guns, and the city suffered two fatal shootings during spring break last year.

The message is clear that Miami Beach is no longer a place for raucous behavior and that our laws and regulations will be fully enforced, Berthier said. There may be trade-offs, but we cannot tolerate another year like the last few, which threatens Miami Beach.

What are the spring break rules in Miami Beach?

The city is implementing curfews, raising parking prices on Miami Beach and imposing fines on many short-term rentals such as those on Airbnb and Vrbo. Every weekend (Thursday to Sunday) in March, the nonresident towing rate will also be doubled to $516, a set traffic plan will be in place starting at 6 p.m. and parking garages on South Beach will be closed.

The city has already seen some results in the early part of the month, with some beaches looking emptier than usual.

The Miami spring break breakup is real, wrote Ava (@avadaniellea) in her TikTok post on March 6.

Some spring breakers still want to visit Miami Beach

Even with the restrictions, many people are still planning to flock to the popular South Beach area of Miami Beach to spend their spring break.

Miami Spring Break is not cancelled, @cashtvofficial wrote in his post explaining why the restrictions wouldnt affect his itinerary. Yall just needa have a plan.

Cash TV wasnt the only person ready to head to Miami Beach and figure out how to work around the restrictions.

Even if it was canceled Im still going, replied @e.w_yiana.

For some people, the choice to go simply came down to money and convenience. They didn't want to cancel flights and hotels that had already been booked.

Let me just cancel my flight, hotel, and all my clothes i spent months saving for, Xav (@xavsw1rd) wrote in his post.

Yes I leave next Wednesday so I just have to deal with it, replied @day.breezy1.

Staff from Miami Spring Break (@miamispringbreak), an app that provides information and access to parties during the week, posted a video on TikTok responding to the rumors that spring break would be shut down.

"New rules had everyone questioning if Miami SB [spring break] was still a thing! We say nothing changing," the company wrote in the caption.

We aint never breaking up, a woman told WPLG Local 10 Miami. Were staying together forever.

Some locals welcome the restrictions for visitors

The city said locals wont be subject to many of these restrictions, such as flat-fee parking rates. Parking garage closures and traffic plans will be made with residents in mind. Knowing this, some residents are welcoming the changes with open arms.

I am glad that the local government is taking the initiative to protect residents, Michael Stevenson (@thisisnotmws), a 15-year Miami-area resident and attorney, told Yahoo News. The atmosphere is nothing short of chaos. It looks like a literal riot.

He also noted that most locals see spring break as nightmarish. He added that it doesnt fulfill its normal duty to the Miami-area economy.

Regular tourism is great. It's critical to our economy, Stevenson said. But this isn't regular tourism by any stretch of the imagination. Spring break has, unfortunately, become a public safety concern.

Although the new laws are intended to protect the city and local residents, Valeria Guzman (@notvaleriaguzman) and other residents are upset about the inconveniences it will bring them.

Now me, person that lives in Miami, Guzman says in a TikTok video from March 6, now I cant go to the local beach because of your chaos.
Miamis booming high-rise utopia Edgewater has attracted something beyond a residential developer  its third car dealership on a key site.

The Raleigh-based Johnson Automotive Dealership Group acquired the Staples office supply store on the corner lot at 2121 Biscayne Blvd., according to C. David Johnson Jr., founder, CEO and chairman of the family-owned dealership.

The $25 million transaction closed in early March for the single-story building. Besides a new Kia dealership, Johnson Jr. said a taller and bigger building will surely rise on the one-acre site.

Johnson Automotive can build up to a 36-story tower, and Johnson Jr. said hes weighing options of possibly adding residential or workspace above his new sales center. Although the sale just occurred this month and project details are being ironed out, Johnson Jr. said he wants to open his new Kia sales center in the next two years.

Why Kia is opening in Edgewater

The new dealership will open across the street from Braman Miami, owned by automotive tycoon, art collector and philanthropist Norman Braman. Another dealership is four blocks away  Ferrari of Miami, a flagship of The Collection based in Coral Gables.

Johnson Jr. said one key aspect drove him to expand into South Florida  Population, he said. The whole area is growing in population. People deserve to be served.

Floridas population growth boomed during and after the pandemic, making it the third-largest state.

Car magnate Braman is excited about the new neighbor, saying in a statement, We welcome competition, which is healthy for the consumer and the dealer. Competition always brings improvement.

Ferrari of Miami did not respond to a request for comment.

The new project will replace the existing Staples store that has been at the same location since 2008. Although it has an ongoing lease for the site, Johnson Jr. declined to comment on any terms or agreements moving forward.

Johnson Automotive has 16 dealerships spread across North Carolina, Maryland, and one location in Stuart, Florida. South Florida felt like the natural next choice given corporate inquiries from Kia manufacturers.

An ongoing transformation in Edgewater

Edgewater continues to boom with new projects, developers transforming empty property or sparsely used lots into massive towers. A new dealership fits right in, said Rani Hussami, executive director at the commercial real estate brokerage firm Apex Capital Realty. Hussami represented Johnson Automotive in the deal.

The area, Hussami said, is very high traffic. Edgewater has been booming for several years. It is close to Wynwood, close to the Design District, and close to downtown.

So far, the neighborhood has about 5,000 news apartments or condos packed within several new rising towers, according to the Biscayne Neighborhood Association. New high-rises include a 462-unit apartment building by Key International, close to 800 condos split between twin residential towers by Melo Group, and an exclusive condominium with 60 residences by Major Food Group, One Thousand Group, and Terra.





The associations president, Rick Madan, said he welcomes new dealership but hopes that the plans fit the neighborhood.

We want to see development, but we want to see responsible development, he said. Auto centers are opening at residential buildings. They tend to be more muted. We dont want to see what you see in Doral or West Palm Beach these giant sales centers ... over there you see these big flags, people dressed up spinning signs  we dont want to see that in Edgewater, because it doesnt fit the developments going on.
German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius speaks to the media after the Bundestag Defense Committee's special session. Michael Kappeler/dpa

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius confronted leading officers whose conversation was intercepted by Russia after a special defence meeting on Monday, and also revealed the air force chief had also joined the call on an insecure line.

A discussion of senior air force officers discussing the possibilities of a deployment of German Taurus cruise missiles in Ukraine was published by a Russian media outlet earlier this month.

Russian intelligence services intercepted the call that at least one of the officers joined using an unencrypted connection.

Pistorius on Monday said that Air Force Inspector Ingo Gerhartz was the second of the four officials on the call to join the discussion using a non-secure line.

Discussion of any consequences of this is premature however, he said as further investigations are under way.

But, he added, "I am not willing, and I want to make this clear once again, to take [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's bait here and fire my best officers, whether they made a mistake or not."

"That would be exactly what Vladimir Putin expects from us," Pistorius said after the meeting of the defence committee.

During the call, the officers discussed deployment scenarios for the German cruise missile if the Taurus were to be delivered to Ukraine after all.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly ruled out the supply of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, despite several requests by Kiev, arguing that he fears Germany could be drawn more deeply into the war launched by the Kremlin in February 2022.

The minister's comments come as German lawmakers hotly debate the question of supplying cruise missiles to Ukraine, with not all those in the governing three-way coalition in agreement on the matter.

German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius speaks to the media after the Bundestag Defense Committee's special session. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Ukraine has officially started negotiations on the restoration of air travel with American and European safety regulators, Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine published on March 11.

The sky over Ukraine has been closed since the start of the all-out war in 2022 due to Russia's consistent aerial attacks across the country.

Kyiv is waiting for the first round of official feedback from regulators and is currently in talks with three Ukrainian companies that have confirmed they "want to fly," according to Kubrakov.

The Ukrainian side is already sharing its vision with regulators of how the market will operate under martial law, as well as its risk assessment, Kubrakov told RBC.

He did not elaborate on specific terms or airports that could potentially resume operations, but said Ukraine has "several (different) options."

Low cost airline Ryanair last year announced its plans to return to the Ukrainian market "once the skies over Ukraine have reopened for commercial aviation." Kubrakov confirmed that the company is planning to return once the airspace is open.

The minister said that Ukraine is also in consultation with the civil aviation administration of Israel, a country that he said is "the most successful example" of how airports can operate amid the threat of missile or drone attacks.

In late February, Andriy Yermak, the head of the Presidential Office, said that Ukrainian authorities were working to restore operations at one of the country's airports once security issues were addressed, without specifying which one.

Kubrakov said in September 2022 that the first city to resume flights could be Lviv, a major regional center in Ukraine's west. Some of the past discussions mentioned Uzhhorod, a city lying at the border with Slovakia, as a potential candidate.

Read also: Ukraine to prioritize restoring air travel

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Thelma & Louise are saying good-bye to Sabathani Community Center.

The twin gas boilers that heat the nearly 100-year-old building are on their last legs, and the center and its backers are hoping the DFL-controlled Legislature will help pay for a more climate-friendly replacement.

Sabathani is hoping to replace the boilers with a $21 million geothermal heat pump system, but it needs help with the funding.

"Our goal is to push Thelma & Louise over the cliff," Sabathani CEO Scott Redd said during a state Senate committee hearing in late February. "Each year we spend $27,000 on maintenance and pray that the boilers will survive another winter."

Redd and Sabathani supporters are hoping to get $10 million for the project from the Legislature this year, even though state lawmakers are unlikely to fund much more after passing massive energy spending in 2023. Center leaders failed to get state money last year, but two hearings early this legislative session signal the bill could be one of the few energy initiatives to get legislative cash.

Though there is no bubbling volcanic activity below Sabathani like the kind that fuels widespread geothermal use in Iceland, the large community center that hosts a food shelf, advocacy work and events is nevertheless a potential location for subterranean heating and cooling that could slash carbon emissions and help clean energy job training efforts.

The bid for the heat pump system comes while Xcel Energy and the city of Minneapolis are separately working to make Sabathani one of three sites in the "Resilient Minneapolis" project by installing battery systems to operate independently from the power grid and serve as backup power sources and emergency sites during outages.

Redd's $10 million request has raised eyebrows among Republican lawmakers. In a bill sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Tou Xiong, DFL-Maplewood, and in the House by Rep. Athena Hollins, DFL-St. Paul, the money would come indirectly from Xcel and its customers rather than taxpayer dollars.

It would be sourced from fees the Minneapolis-based utility pays to the state for storing nuclear waste at its Monticello and Prairie Island plants. That money, which is paid by Xcel customers, is used by lawmakers for clean energy initiatives.

Redd said the plan for a geothermal heat pump system at the 188,000-square-foot building came from an engineering study that looked at 12 different potential systems to replace the gas boilers. The project qualifies for tax breaks and Sabathani is looking for other funds as well, including by applying for a federal grant.

But, for Sabathani, the venture is not only about having a heating operation that makes economic sense.

Redd said the new system would reduce gas costs by $61,000 a year and be cheap to run and maintain. It could serve a 72-unit multifamily housing project planned at the site. It also would help a clean energy job training program.

Geothermal would also reduce emissions from the building in an area with high asthma rates, another draw for an organization with a desire to take environmental justice measures and to address climate change.

"We care and we want to make a difference and this is our way of doing that," Redd said, during a tour last week.

Brown said Sabathani would likely install a backup gas boiler for the coldest days from CenterPoint Energy as part of a gas innovation law.

GOP lawmakers wondered if the request was too much for an organization of Sabathani's size, or if it should be some kind of loan rather than a grant.

Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, said in a House hearing last week the project would eat up much of the available money in the Xcel nuclear waste fund.

"This is a real cost to ratepayers," Garofalo said. "Ratepayers are paying a higher cost on their electric (bill) for projects like this."

Hollins said it was a large ask, but she also said it's small organizations like Sabathani that need the state help. Xcel supports the proposal as well.

"When we're talking about communities that are really working with disadvantaged individuals and historically unrepresented individuals, it makes a lot of sense that we as a state and entities like Xcel can come together and help to support them," Hollins said.
TRIPOLI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Minister of Social Affairs Wafaa Al-Kilani stressed on Sunday the need to consolidate the concept of social security by caring for all segments of society to combat all kinds of crimes, especially terrorism.

She made the remarks during the First International Legal Conference for Military Justice, under the slogan "the Path to Peace under the Rule of Law", said a statement issued by the Libyan Ministry of Social Affairs.

She also affirmed the ministry's keenness to help support Libyan families economically and socially by providing financial assistance and by opening a number of centers and institutions for social services, the statement added.

Expressing gratitude for the efforts of women in Libya in general, especially those working in the military and security fields, she stressed the importance of supporting and empowering women to engage further in work within security and military institutions to contribute to building and stabilizing the society, said the statement.

The conference, which was held in the capital Tripoli and attended by a number of senior security and military officials and foreign ambassadors to Libya, aimed to discuss laws and legislation related to security and military agencies, among other topics. 
Minnesota mother accused of drowning child because she could not enjoy her bath

A Lino Lakes, Minnesota mother faces murder charges after allegedly drowning her child in a bathtub then throwing the childs body into a dumpster at a hotel, according to court records.

Esperanza Rae Harding, 20, has been charged with second-degree murder and murder in Hennepin County for the death of her child, though authorities have not located the body nor indicated how old the child was.

Court records allege that on March 6, 2024, officers with the Minneapolis Police Department responded to reports of a missing child call at the Childrens Hospital.

When officers arrived, they spoke with Harding, who claimed her child died of natural causes in the hospital on March 1.

MINNESOTA WOMAN SURVIVES AFTER 25 MINUTES WITHOUT PULSE, WARNS OTHERS ABOUT SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST

Esperanza Rae Harding allegedly drowned her child on Feb. 28, 2024, in a hotel bath tub.

Hospital officials told police there was no record of the child being admitted or dying at the hospital, and the Medical Examiners Office did not have record of the victim, court documents allege.

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Police said Harding eventually admitted that her child died at a hotel in Bloomington on Feb. 28, 2024, not at the hospital.

She allegedly said her child died in the bathtub, and afterward, she wrapped the body up and threw it in a dumpster.

SMALL-TOWN MINNESOTA HOTEL SHOOTER DIDN'T KNOW EITHER OF HIS VICTIMS, POLICE SAY

Edwin Trudeau allegedly helped Esperanza Ray Harding get rid of a child's body after she allegedly drowned the child in a hotel bathroom on Feb. 28, 2024.

Bloomington police officers also interviewed Harding after being brought into the case because of the location of the crime.

During the interview, police claim, Harding told investigators she was dating 18-year-old Edwin Trudeau, who did not like the child, telling her to put the child up for adoption.

Harding told officers Trudeau wanted her to put the child up for adoption to prove he was her top priority, not the child, court documents allege.

MINNESOTA SHOOTER WHO KILLED 2 POLICE OFFICERS AND A PARAMEDIC IDD, HAD LOST RIGHT TO OWN GUNS

On Feb. 28, Harding was alone in a hotel room in Bloomington and taking a bath when her child, who was in the other room, started crying.

Harding told police she became upset because she was unable to enjoy the bath. So, she went into the other room, picked up the child and drowned the child in the bathtub.

She then took a picture of the child floating face down in the tub, police said, which has since been recovered from her phone.

Harding allegedly texted with Trudeau during the incident, and police said the texts have since been recovered.

During the texts, Harding allegedly told Trudeau she was about to do something bad, adding her child would not be there much longer.

MINNESOTA SHOOTING: 2 POLICE OFFICERS, PARAMEDIC KILLED RESPONDING TO BURNSVILLE DOMESTIC CALL IDENTIFIED

A little bit later, she allegedly told Trudeau her child was going to die, then two minutes later, she said her child was dead.

Police said Harding sent additional texts in which she referred to herself as "a monster" for what she did, while also asking Trudeau how to get away with the crime.

Trudeau went to the hotel room once the child was dead, Harding told investigators, and after failing to resuscitate the child with CPR, the two had sex in the other room while the childs motionless body was on the floor of the bathroom.

Afterward, she allegedly told investigators, Harding wrapped the child up, placed the body in a backpack and threw the child into a dumpster at the hotel.

The body has yet to be recovered.

Harding also allegedly told investigators Trudeau kept telling her to keep her mouth shut and that they had to get out of the situation.

"If you go down, I go down, no matter what," Trudeau allegedly told Harding. "It is always going to be us, Bonnie and Clyde."

Trudeau was charged with murder and aiding an offender after the fact.

Harding and Trudeau have both been booked into the Hennepin County Jail. Harding is being held on $1,500,000 bond, while Trudeau is being held on $500,000 bond.





Original article source: Minnesota mother accused of drowning child because she could not enjoy her bath
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has updated a lawsuit against the Fleet Farm retail chain to include allegations that the retailer violated the state's gun control law by repeatedly selling firearms to "straw purchasers" who funneled the guns to felons barred from owning them.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John Docherty last week allowed the state to amend its original lawsuit, first filed in 2022, to include the new charge after the Minnesota Supreme Court clarified the scope of Ellison's investigation and enforcement authority in a ruling in an unrelated case.

In a memo to the court, Assistant Attorney General Eric Maloney wrote that Fleet Farm violated the Minnesota Gun Control Act "by transferring firearms to straw purchasers Fleet Farm knew or had reason to know were buying firearms for others, because each of the straw buyers falsely represented that they were the actual buyer in connection with each individual sale."

Minnesota is now seeking civil penalties for each violation of the gun control act and the state's public nuisance statute. Penalties can range as high as $25,000 per violation.

Attorneys for Fleet Farm opposed the change and unsuccessfully argued that Ellison is not empowered to civilly enforce a criminal penalty that is unrelated to consumer protection.

In an unrelated case in December, the state Supreme Court clarified that the attorney general can enforce a broad scope of laws concerning "unfair, discriminatory, and other unlawful practices in business, commerce, or trade." Maloney argued that the state's gun control act "regulates the relationship and duties among businesses, their customers and the general public, so as to fall under the umbrella of laws" that Ellison's office can enforce.

"That is precisely what is alleged here by the state: That Fleet Farm had an affirmative obligation to detect and prevent straw purchasers that Fleet Farm violated when it sold at least 37 guns in a 16-month span to persons Fleet Farm knew or should have known were straw purchasers," Maloney wrote.

The new allegations join existing claims that Fleet Farm acted negligently.

Todd Noteboom, an attorney representing Fleet Farm, argued in filings that Ellison has not alleged that a Fleet Farm store ever failed to require a customer to complete federally required paperwork for firearm transactions, nor did it claim Fleet Farm sold any firearms without receiving the go-ahead from the FBI's background check system.

"In fact, plaintiff alleges nothing about Fleet Farm's firearm policies in either the operative complaint or the proposed amended complaint," Noteboom wrote. "Instead, plaintiff contends Fleet Farm should be held civilly liable for unspecified societal harms based on the unforeseeable criminal conduct that purportedly followed from firearm sales to two individuals: Sarah Elwood and Jerome Horton."

Elwood and Horton since have been convicted in federal criminal cases. One firearm bought by Horton was used in an October 2021 mass shooting at the Seventh Street Truck Park bar in St. Paul, leaving one woman dead and more than a dozen people injured.

Noteboom argued that both Elwood and Horton admitted in guilty pleas that they knowingly deceived Fleet Farm when they bought the guns. Noteboom added that personnel with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told Fleet Farm that "in no way did [Fleet Farm] do anything wrong by selling [Horton] the firearms" because "[t]here was nothing in [Horton's] background that would have rendered a denied response" from the FBI's instant criminal background check system.

In a ruling last week, Docherty concluded that Minnesota's new claim was "plausible on its face and does not fall outside the scope of the Minnesota Attorney General's authority." Docherty added that Ellison's authority is not limited only to matters of consumer protection.

Brian Evans, a spokesman for Ellison's office, said that Docherty's ruling "confirms that firearm sellers like Fleet Farm can be held accountable under Minnesota law for unlawful sales to straw purchasers."

Messages were left seeking comment from Fleet Farm's attorneys. The parties are due in court Tuesday for a hearing on a motion from Ellison's office asking that Fleet Farm be compelled to produce evidence including firearms transaction records, internal communications about the lawsuit, and employee evaluations and disciplinary actions about firearms sales.
MOUNT VERNON, Ala. (WKRG)  Deputies with the Mobile County Sheriffs Office are searching for a 16-year-old last seen on March 6.

2 Lucedale men arrested after deadly bar shooting: JCSD

A flyer from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Teddy Weaver left the area of Mack Byrd Drive on March 6 and has not returned.

Teddy was last seen wearing a blue shirt, black hoodie, black jeans and black shoes.

Photo provided by ALEA.

Teddy is described as being 6 feet tall, 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Body recovered after car drives into river Sunday night: Mobile Police

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact MCSO at 251-574-8633.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
A Missouri girl is in critical condition and the teen accused of sending her to the hospital after slamming her head into the pavement near their high school has been arrested.

Officers with the St. Louis County Police Department responded to a fight in progress at an intersection near Hazelwood East High School on Friday.

Responding officers found a juvenile female suffering a "severe head injury." The girl was transported to an area hospital where she remains in "critical condition," St. Louis County police told Fox News Digital on Sunday.

Police arrested a 15-year-old female suspect on Saturday. Shes currently being held by St. Louis County Family Court on assault charges.

Friday's brawl took place near the intersection of Norgate and Claudine drives, which is near Hazelwood East High School.

Video footage of the incident shows a fight breaking out among a group of young people. One of the girls, who is Black, pulls another one, who appears to be White, to the ground before wailing on her and slamming her skull into the pavement. The victim can be seen lying on the ground in shock as the bedlam continues around her.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Hazelwood School District for comment. The district told FOX 2 in a statement: "It is a tragedy anytime children are hurt."

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MO CHRISTIAN BOARDING SCHOOL EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF MAKING STUDENT BLEED AFTER OWNERS CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING

"Bullying and fighting in the community is an issue for which we all need to take ownership and work towards a resolution for the sake of our children. The Hazelwood School District offers our sincerest condolences to everyone involved, and will offer additional emotional support from our support and crisis team to those in need," HSD said in a statement.

"We look forward to continuing to partner with our community for the sake of our children. Please be kind and respectful of the families involved during this difficult time and pledge to help work toward the betterment of our entire community."

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should call the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210.





Original article source: Missouri girl in critical condition after teen brutally assaulted her near high school
The late sister-in-law of Mitch McConnell drowned after accidentally reversing her Tesla Model X into a pond at her Texas ranch,

Angela Chao, 50, reportedly called a friend in a panic before her car was completely submerged in the pond on the sprawling ranch outside of Austin.

The death of Chao, the chair and chief executive of the Chao family business, the Foremost Group shipping company, was reported last month, but details about the fatal accident were slow to emerge.

Chaos may have been caused by her putting the electric vehicle into reverse causing it to slam into the pond and sink, with first responders unable to get it out in time to save her life, reported The Wall Street Journal.

The outlet spoke to friends of Chao, her family and county officials who were at the scene or briefed on the incident, as well as reviewing law enforcement documents to establish the course of events that led to her death.

Chao had invited friends from Harvard Business School to the 900-acre ranch outside of Austin, Texas to spend a weekend with her, stated the report.

At around 11.30pm on 10 February, after spending time with her friends in the guest house, she went to head back to the ranchs main house in a Tesla Model X SUV.

Minutes later Chao called one of her friends in a panic, the outlet reported. During a three-point turn, she put her car into reverse instead of into drive. As the vehicle went backwards, it tipped over an embankment and into a pond.

After the alarm was raised, Chaos friends, the ranch manager, first responders, and sheriffs deputies tried to break the vehicles windows or find an escape hatch. One of her friends even jumped into the pond, the outlet reported.

An emergency unit for Blanco County arrived around 24 minutes after getting a call, the fire department incident report said, per the Wall Street Journal.

Some first responders had got out of their vehicles and walked to the scene due to the terrain and accessibility.

Angela Chao and her husband Jim Breyer, an American venture capitalist (Getty Images for Breakthrough PR)

In the attempts to rescue Chao from her vehicle in the pond, one responder recalled the Tesla as being completely submerged, with deputies standing on it as they tried to save the businesswoman.

As a dive team was not available, an emergency service worker and a firefighter entered the water with rescue tools. A tow truck turned up, but with a cable too short to retrieve the vehicle; eventually, responders found a longer cable.

The outlet said that once the car was out of the water and the doors were opened, hundreds of gallons of water rushed out.

Chao was unresponsive when the car resurfaced, and attempts were made to resuscitate her, but this was unsuccessful. She was deceased at the scene.

A person familiar with the situation told the Wall Street Journal that no one in the family blames Tesla.

The Blanco Sheriffs Office told NBC in a statement on 16 February that emergency measures were taken, but Chao succumbed from being under the water.

Our preliminary investigation has determined this to be an unfortunate accident. The investigation is ongoing at this time, the statement said.

However, the sheriffs office then reportedly wrote in a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on 29 February, according to NBC, that it was not a typical accident and that the office is investigating it as a criminal matter until they have sufficient evidence to rule out criminal activity.

Chao was the sister of Elaine Chao, who served as secretary of transportation under Donald Trump and is also married to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Weeks after Chaos death, Mr McConnell announced on the Senate floor that he would step down from his leadership position, bringing an end to his position as the US Senates longest-serving party leader.

His senate term expires in 2027, and he plans to remain in Congress until then.

As some of you may know, this has been a particularly difficult time for my family," Mr McConnell said in his announcement on 28 February, speaking of his sister-in-law.

"When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, there is a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process. Perhaps it is Gods way of reminding you of your own lifes journey to reprioritise the impact on the world that we will all inevitably leave behind," he added.

The Independent has contacted Tesla, Blanco County Emergency Services, Blanco County Sheriffs Office and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons Office for comment.
The Modesto Police Department has undergone training to better its interaction with the citys autistic community, recently announcing that it is now Californias first Autism Certified Police Department.

MPDs new certification comes from IBCCES, a Florida-based company that gives credentials on criteria approved by its board. That board is made up of a variety of specialists and experts, including clinical experts, therapists, special education professionals, and autistic self-advocates, according to its website.

Lt. Joseph Bottoms, who spearheaded the effort, said IBCCES required that at least 80% of the department engage in a few-hours long web-based training program in order to be certified. Bottoms said that between sworn officers and additional staff, 300 MPD employees have been trained so far.

Its super easy and modern. It was very convenient, working with them, said Bottoms. Once you sign up, then they basically get all your email addresses from all your employees and they shoot out a mass email to register at (their) site, and then take the training on your own.

Bottoms said the training included body-cam footage examples of what to do and what not to do when encountering someone on the autism spectrum  including tips such as using a solid red light instead of bright LEDs or flashing red and blue lights.

One of the things that we found really fascinating was, if a person with autism, a child with autism is missing, oftentimes, theyre drawn to large bodies of water. ... Things like that, little tools that we took away, will help us do our job better and serve the community better, said Bottoms.

While MPD is working to improve its encounters with those already identified as being on the autism spectrum, there isnt a way for personnel to initially know if people are  barring a few exceptions. An obvious exception is when a caller asking for police response tells the dispatcher that a subject is on the spectrum.

Bottoms said the new training provided some insights on how to identify a person on the autism spectrum, such as being aware of a persons physical reactions to the bright lights and sounds of a patrol vehicle.

Noting the persons reactions, officers then can adjust our tactics and adjust the things we do in order to ... have a better outcome, Bottoms said.

There is no way within the MPD that loved ones of people on the spectrum can register them so officers have that information going into a situation like a routine traffic stop, according to Bottoms. This is a system thats been adopted by other agencies, including the Sonora Police Department.

He doesnt look autistic

(He) can communicate with you and people say, Well, he doesnt look autistic. Well, you know, theres no such thing as looking autistic unless you are extremely low on a spectrum, said Michele Smith, whose son is on the spectrum.

Smiths son, Bryan Smith, was arrested on suspicion of assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon and attempted animal cruelty in 2008, according to court documents. The complaint against him read that he used his vehicle to assault a police officer and attempted to kill or maim a police K-9 unit. Smith rejects that account of events.

Michele Smith said an officer with a K-9 demanded Bryan get out of his car after hed dropped a friend off. He froze, was confused and frightened by the barking dog. He then put the car in drive, Smith said. As the vehicle rolled forward, the officer took this as him fleeing. He was then taken into custody.

He didnt know what he had done. He was petrified, you know, and he couldnt communicate with them. ... It could have easily been avoided if they had just approached him in a calm way, asked him to roll his window down or step out of the car quietly or whatever, Smith said. The way they approached him, it scared him, and his first reaction was to run and flee.

How can MPD measure the success of its new training?

MPD currently cannot accurately quantify the efficacy of its new training anc certification. Bottoms said data on the outcomes of those on the spectrum before and after the training, or how many encounters they have with people who are autistic, would be very, very hard to collect.

I think its just measured in, in the publics perception of  how we can better serve them. As far as numbers and things like that, theres no real accurate number saying we deal with this many autistic individuals on an annual basis, he said.

While there still are questions and concerns on the future of contact between police and those on the autism spectrum, for a parent like Smith, its a step in the right direction.

The training is one of the first steps in acknowledging that there are people that are semi-functioning or functioning, but when they come into a situation where theyre put on the spot, they dont think on their feet, they react physically and emotionally to it, she said. We as full-functioning adults need to understand that and make allowances for it.
Moldova's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai Popsoi, has stated that the country faces numerous threats from Russia on its path to EU membership.

Source: European Pravda, citing Popsoi in an interview with AP

"The Russians are learning and adapting, and theyre trying to use the democratic process against us  to topple the democratic government in Moldova," noted Popsoi.

He said that Chisinau knows that the Kremlin plans to invest "a lot of energy and financial resources" into their efforts to achieve their goals, including through the bribery of Moldovan citizens, via their proxies.

The minister also acknowledged that the situation in unrecognised Transnistria remains tense, and he fears that speculations about the regions stability could negatively impact investments in the country.

At the same time, he highlighted Moldova's progress in ensuring energy security, where the country is "quite independent or has alternatives and can choose where to buy gas and electricity."

Popsoi also emphasised that a significant number of Moldovans still live under the influence of Russian propaganda, which made "a bogeyman out of NATO."

"But that doesnt stop us from cooperating with our NATO partners and building resilience in our armed forces," Popsoi pointed out.

Background:

Earlier, Alexandru Musteata, Director of Moldovas Security and Intelligence Service (SIS), stated that Russia would attempt to interfere in the presidential and parliamentary elections and provoke social conflicts in Gagauzia and Transnistria to compromise Moldova's EU accession.

At the same time, Mihai Popsoi warned that Russia would continue its hybrid warfare in 2024 on the eve of the presidential elections and the referendum on the country's accession to the European Union.

Prior to this, it was reported that European states were discussing how to strengthen military support for Moldova, which is facing destabilisation by Russia.

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The Lyerly Agency, headed up by Elaine (left) and Melia Lyerly, won the Business of Year award.

A glass-ceiling-shattering marketing, branding and public relations business, a technology entrepreneur and a couple who have dedicated their lives to saving the lives of others will be honored by the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce at its 64th Annual Celebration on March 21.

The reception, silent auction, dinner and program will be in the Grand Hall at the Mount Holly Municipal Complex from 5:30 until 8 p.m. For more information and to register, go to montcrrossareachamber.com.

The chamber annually presents a Business of the Year Award, an EPIC Award to an outstanding entrepreneur and the Harley B. Gaston, Jr. Public Service Award to recognize extraordinary community service. The award is named for an attorney and judge who was a founder of the Chamber in 1960.

Business of the Year: Receiving the Business of the Year Award will be Lyerly Agency, which was Charlottes first female-owned advertising, marketing, branding and public relations agency when it launched as Eve Communication Services in 1977 and went on to become one of the citys leading agencies.

Sisters Elaine and Melia Lyerly of Cramerton moved their business to downtown Belmont in 2012, purchased and renovated a historic building on North Main Street and later bought and updated an adjoining building.

Both Elaine and Melia immediately became engaged in community service projects, dedicating their time and expertise to many organizations including Holy Angels, the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce and others.

CEO Elaine Lyerly has been for many years a major supporter and project leader on a national and international level with the American Red Cross.

COO Melia Lyerly has been a volunteer leader of the chamber, serving as a board member, board chair, membership campaign director and in many other capacities.

Lyerly Agency has won many state, national and international awards and was for many years the contracted marketing firm for the Belmont Tourism Authority, working to attract visitors to stay in local hotels and spend their money in local shops and restaurants.

Marc Burns

EPIC Award: This award is presented annually to recognize one who is Entrepreneurial, Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative, and it goes this year to Marc Burns of Techtheon.

After working 15 years in Fortune 1000 IT consulting for IBM and other global IT services companies, Marc founded Techtheon in 2012, providing IT support and management for businesses from one employee to hundreds.

Marc has been a dedicated supporter of the chamber for many years serving multiple terms on the chamber board of directors, including on the executive committee as treasurer.

He conceived, researched and managed the technical requirements and installation of the chambers popular Belmont webcam, which has been viewed almost 10 million times on EarthCam.

Marcs commitment to entrepreneurship includes helping others become entrepreneurs and working to create an environment in which entrepreneurs can thrive.

He served on a Small Business and Entrepreneur Committee the work of which resulted in the formation of the Gaston Innovation Group and establishment of TechWorks of Gaston County.

Working within the chamber, he developed several programs to promote entrepreneurship and to support entrepreneurs, including an Entrepreneur Roundtable, an Entrepreneur Summit and a LaunchPad competition in which aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of judges.

Tammy and Nazrul Chowdhury won the Public Service award.

Public Service Award: Tammy and Nazrul Chowdhury of Cramerton lost their 24-year-old son, Austin, to an accidental overdose of the synthetic opioid fentanyl in 2017.

Since that tragedy, which occurred at their home in their sons bedroom, they have worked tirelessly to prevent other young people and adults from dying in the same way.

For their diligent work to save lives in a community where opioid overdoses and deaths are rapidly rising, Tammy and Nazrul Chowdhury will receive the chambers Harley B. Gaston, Jr. Public Service Award.

The Chowdhurys formed a non-profit organization and a website called Remembering Austin. On the site is information about Austins addiction and death, about the drug that took his life and about how parents can recognize the signs if their children are in danger of a similar fate.

Working closely with the Gaston Controlled Substance Coalition, the Chowdhurys have done much more. Tammy and Nazrul do what her son no longer can by telling his story to as many students and adults as possible.

In classrooms, gymnasiums, auditoriums, civic club assembly rooms, church fellowship halls, anywhere they can gather an audience, they tell Austins story. They tell it in tears, their hearts breaking again with each recounting, as listeners sit in stunned silence, many also shedding tears.

An estimated 64,000 people die each year from a drug overdose, and fentanyl deaths are soaring across the country. Gaston County has one of the highest rates of opioid overdoses in North Carolina.

There is no more important story to be told here and across the country than the heart-rending story of Austin Chowdhury, and his parents are telling it over and over again. And by doing so, saving lives. Hear Austins story at: RememberingAustin.org.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Montcross Area Chamber celebrate personal, professional achievements
(Reality Check is a Telegraph series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email mynews@macon.com.)

Last year, four inmates escaped the Bibb County jail in Macon. The four men, one of whom was charged with murder, were gone for approximately three hours before officials realized they were missing.

The men took advantage of a damaged window and a cut in the fencing at the jail, and they may have been aided in the escape, authorities said.

Nearly five months since the escape, what have authorities done to address it? Bibb County Sheriff David Davis says significant steps have been taken to address the issue: more than $1 million has been spent making improvements to the jail and training staff. Travaris Freeman, a jailer who had worked for the Bibb County Sheriffs Office since June 2020, was fired over the incident.

We have taken several measures to ensure this does not happen again, Davis said. Magnetic locks have been updated and added to cell doors, new security camera systems have been added, and the fencing around the jail has been repaired and new security wires have been added for an extra measure of security, among other things.

Davis said there have also been measures taken with jail personnel.

Lieutenants have gone through jailer school, all jail protocols have been reinforced, reemphasizing training in policy and inmate movement, he said. We are also implementing inmate management, meaning two inmates being moved at a time through the facility at all times, and there will be a captain or lieutenant on facility grounds at all times.

How the escape happened

In the early hours of Oct. 16, Joey Fournier, 52, Marc Kerry Anderson, 24, Johnifer Dernard Barnwell, 37, and Chavis Demaryo Stokes, 29, escaped through a damaged window in an interview room and a cut in a fence at the Bibb County Detention Center, according to the sheriffs office.

Authorities said someone driving a blue Dodge Challenger in the parking lot near the fence appeared to aid in their escape.

The men began their breakout in the oldest part of the 43-year-old facility and at a time when fewer than 10 jail personnel were on duty, according to Bibb County Sheriff David Davis.

Fournier was charged with killing his former girlfriend in 2022. He evaded police at the time, fleeing to northwest Georgia before police arrested him.

All inmates were captured and returned to the jail by mid-November.

Sheriff reiterates support for staff

Davis said his number one priority is to improve the conditions of the jail and the safety of staff, inmates and the community.

I am very proud of how the members of the sheriffs office came together after the escape to capture the escapees and to address the underlying issues which allowed the jailbreak to happen, he said. The sheriffs office is in a much better place now than before this event happened.
The Dec. 6 search was intended as a narcotics crackdown, concluding a long investigation involving a home nestled in the woods just south of Ridgeland town limits. Jasper County police arrested their target in the drug bust, but the warrant also led to the discovery of more than a dozen dogs in distress.

In and around the mobile home on Stellars Jay Road, officers found 16 dogs in total  some in crates, some free-roaming and some tied up in the backyard. All of the animals appeared to be mistreated, with some suffering from malnourishment or experiencing skin issues, said Chief Deputy Jeff Crosby, a spokesperson for the Jasper County Sheriffs Office.

Animal control officers had to make multiple trips back and forth from the home to transport the animals. They were taken to a local veterinarian, Crosby said, where staff would monitor their health to determine whether they had been neglected.

Romoan Chester, 48, also known as Miami, turned himself in to police two days after the search. He was charged with 11 misdemeanor counts for ill treatment of animals, five felony counts of animal torture, six firearm offenses and trafficking cocaine.

In early March, three months after the arrest of Chester, police arrested 35-year-old Ridgeland woman Katie Williams, who reportedly lived in the home with Chester. In addition to a single drug possession offense, she was charged with the same 16 misdemeanor and felony counts of ill-treatment of animals.

As of Monday, judicial records showed Williams was still in custody at the Jasper County Detention Center on a $25,500 cash bond. Similar information for Chester was not immediately available.

In 2016, Chester was found guilty of misdemeanor charge for shoplifting at Ridgelands Dollar General. He also pleaded guilty to felony assault in 2018.

A new home

Following their discharge from the veterinarians office, the 16 canines were taken to the Jasper County Animal Rescue Mission (JARM), a county-owned shelter in Ridgeland. One of the dogs gave birth while in their care, bringing the total to 18 new faces in the facility.

The animals were initially placed on hold and could not be adopted during court proceedings, said Caitlyn Schake, executive director of the rescue mission. That hold was lifted in the second week of March, she said, leading to the first adoption of the bunch on March 5.

Not all of the remaining animals were up for adoption as of Monday due to ongoing medical issues, Schake said. Photos of the dogs were not available due to the still-pending criminal investigation, but the shelters adoptable pets can be found on their website.

In a case like this, the shelter on Carters Mill Road likely serves as a refuge from the dogs former home. The same might be said for many of the two to 15 animals the mission takes in daily.

Even still, JARM faced backlash in the latter half of 2023 for unsanitary conditions at the facility, with critics speaking to county council and citing examples of algae in water bowls, animals left in their own feces and a rat infestation within the walls.

Shortages in staff and resources have made it difficult to keep up with the bursting population of animals, shelter leadership has said. The mission is unable to turn away cats and dogs brought in by county animal control officers.

National and local animal advocates convened at the facility in November, offering temporary volunteer help and discussing long-term solutions for funding. The building will be re-assessed as changes are made, officials said.
JERUSALEM, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Monday the Israeli army was responsible for the killing of Saleh al-Arouri, deputy chairman of the political bureau of Hamas, in a controversial cross-border airstrike in Lebanon in January.

Arouri's death prompted wide criticism from Lebanon and regional countries but Israel has never officially acknowledged the assassination.

"We have killed number four in Hamas," the Israeli prime minister said in a video statement on Monday, apparently referring to Arouri.

"Three, two, and one are on the way (to be killed). They are all dead men, we will reach them all," Netanyahu said.

He also reiterated his stance that Israel will continue the attacks in Gaza until "a total victory" over Hamas.

Earlier on Monday, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that Israel was checking to see if Marwan Issa, Hamas' deputy military commander in the Gaza Strip and "No. 3" in the hierarchy of Hamas, died in an airstrike overnight in the refugee camp of Al-Nusseirat in the central Gaza Strip.

According to Kan, five militants were killed in the attack, and ten others were injured. 
ST. LUCIE COUNTY  The Legislature has concluded its session in Tallahassee, and as part of the final budget approved Friday more than $7.85 million is set aside for projects here.

Between now and the budget taking effect next fiscal year, Gov. Ron DeSantis will have the opportunity to veto items from the budget, which passed overwhelmingly in both chambers Friday  105-3 in the House and 39-0 in the Senate.

Gov. Ron DeSantis gives brief remarks at the end of the 2024 Florida Legislative Session on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Here's a breakdown of what each St. Lucie County locality asked for from the state budget, and what they each got:

Port St. Lucie

The sixth largest city in Florida asked the state for over $12.5 million in funding for multiple projects this year.

That included $5 million for improvements at the Westport Wastewater Treatment Facility, $5 million for a deep injection well at the Prineville Water Treatment Facility, $2 million for constructing the city's new police training facility and $525,000 for removal and replacement of the A-14 Water Control Structure.

The final budget has nearly $1.8 million for Port St. Lucie. It included $1.5 million for the Westport facility improvements and $262,500 for the water control structure.

Just because it is not included in the budget does not mean the city cannot receive state funding through grants or other means. For example, as the session was still ongoing the city received a grant for the well at Prineville, which city officials said made it less of a priority in the budget.

More: Legislature enters home stretch; see what Port St. Lucie is asking the state to fund this year

St. Lucie County

St. Lucie County had asked for $5 million to help construct a new data center.

The new facility would be a backup, intended to keep operations up and running in the event the main center goes down. Such an event occurred last year, after county systems were taken offline by a data breach.

The budget passed by the Senate earlier in the session had included $350,000 for the project, but the House version contained no funding. Ultimately, as the two chambers negotiated the final budget, funding for the data center did not make it.

More: $5 million for new data center tops St. Lucie County's requests from new state budget

Fort Pierce

Fort Pierce asked the state for $2 million for a major road revitalization project.

The project, on a half-mile section of 13th Street between Georgia Avenue and Virginia Avenue, would be phase two of a revitalization project there. A stretch between Orange Avenue and Avenue E has already been completed, without using state funds.

Fort Pierce got what it asked for in the state budget, with a $2 million appropriation earmarked for the project.

While the city government's request to the state was limited to $2 million, other entities in the city are slated to receive funds as well.

The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority's ongoing project to relocate the wastewater treatment plant from South Hutchinson Island gained state support, to the tune of $2.5 million.

A $1 million appropriation was also made for phase three of a seagrass restoration project in the Sunrise City.

More: Fort Pierce seeking $2 million from state budget for major road project, other projects

St. Lucie Village

The town of St. Lucie Village was also included in the state budget, with $293,670 for ongoing septic-to-sewer projects.

Wicker Perlis is TCPalm's Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at wicker.perlis@tcpalm.com and 504-331-0516.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, St. Lucie Village all set to get FL funds
Boardrooms are becoming more ethnically diverse but more still needs to be done, according to a review of the UK's largest 350 businesses.

The Parker Review said there were now 12 ethnic minority chief executives in the FTSE 100, up from seven in 2022.

But overall only 13% of senior management at the top 100 firms were ethnically diverse.

In the 2021 census 18% of people identified as being from a non-white ethnic group.

Originally commissioned by the government in 2015, the first Parker Review found the proportion of ethnically diverse personnel in UK boardrooms to be "disproportionately low".

This latest 2023 review has found considerable change within the top 350 companies.

It said that within the FTSE 100 - the UK's biggest firms - people with ethnic minority backgrounds now hold 19% of all director positions, a rise of one percentage point from last year.

The data also showed an increase in the number of companies with more than one ethnic minority director from 49 in 2022 to 56 in 2023.

It also found 96 of the largest firms met the target of having at least one minority ethnic director on their boards, in line with last year.

The Parker Review said of the remaining FTSE 250 companies, 175 had ethnic representation on their boards, compared to 148 companies in December 2022. They were "making progress" it said.

David Tyler, chair of the review's committee, told the BBC's Today programme companies were taking the issue seriously as it was having a positive impact on their bottom line.

"There's a benefit to them, in terms of their own profitability, of having a wide, much higher quality of debate," he said

"You get that by having diverse members of your team both at the board and at the senior management level."

But Michael Barrington Hibbert, an ethnic minority recruitment specialist, said new initiatives such as diverse shortlists were not working, claiming there was a "mistrust" in the process.

"More women, more ethnic minorities are being called and being approached by executive search firms to go on shortlists where they know they do not have a chance of being successful," he told the BBC.

Mr Tyler said he accepted "those issues do exist".

"I don't defend them in the slightest," he told the BBC. "But step by step companies in this country are making progress in this area."

The review said as many as 48 of the top firms set an average 17% target for ethnic minority representation within their senior management by December 2027, a four percentage point rise from current levels.

However, the range of targets was broad - from 5% to 45% - influenced by the wide variation in the share of ethnic minorities in the wider population within the UK and internationally, the review said.

There was more to be done, Mr Tyler said, but added: "You don't build Rome in a day."
Three people were arrested in connection with what the sheriff's department called a scheme to smuggle drugs into a Riverside County jail in Murrieta.

The county sheriff's department announced Friday night that it intercepted two attempts to smuggle methamphetamine into the Cois Byrd Detention Center.

Deputies served a search warrant on a residence in Yucca Valley and arrested Maritza Hernandez, 43, on suspicion of conspiring to furnish narcotics to a person in a correctional facility.

Two men who were already in custody at the Murrieta facility were also accused in the scheme: Jose Martinez, 35, and Richard Carrasco, 28.

The department previously announced two other similar operations: one in January in which four people were arrested, accused of trying to smuggle narcotics into a jail, and another in December in which nine were arrested. All three of the cases involved the jail in Murrieta, and the December arrests also involved the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.

The arrests come after the sheriff's department reported in 2022 the highest number of deaths in its jails since such records were made public decades ago. Sheriff Chad Bianco has publicly blamed most of those 19 deaths, and many since, on a surge of drugs smuggled into the jails. But the department has not publicly released complete coroner's reports detailing the causes of death for all the deceased.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta opened an ongoing civil rights investigation of the department after the surge of jail deaths and other in-custody deaths was reported.

And several deputies have been arrested or convicted on criminal charges recently. One former deputy was charged with possessing a hallucinogenic for sale at the Murrieta jail. Another is charged with being in possession of more than 500,000 fentanyl pills. And a former deputy was sentenced last week to five years in prison after pleading guilty to an extortion scheme in which he compelled women on the department's house arrest program to send him sexually explicit photos or videos.

Christopher Damien covers public safety and the criminal justice system. He can be reached at christopher.damien@desertsun.com or follow him at @chris_a_damien.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Sheriff: Inmates tried to smuggle meth into Riverside County jail
Karla Benzl of Mission Viejo holds her 15-month-old son, Marcus, as medical assistant Shellee Rayl gives him his vaccinations at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates in Ladera Ranch on Feb. 28. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

As measles cases pop up across the country this winter  including several in California  one group of children is stirring deep concerns among pediatricians: the babies and toddlers of vaccine-hesitant parents who are delaying their child's measles-mumps-rubella shots.

Pediatricians across the state say they have seen a sharp increase recently in the number of parents with concerns about routine childhood vaccinations who are demanding their own inoculation schedules for their babies, creating a worrisome pool of very young children who may be at risk of contracting measles, a potentially deadly yet preventable disease.

"Especially early on, when a parent is already feeling really vulnerable and doesn't want to give something to their beautiful baby who was just born if they don't need it, it makes them think, 'Maybe I'll just delay it and wait and see.'" said Dr. Whitney Casares, a pediatrician and author who has written on vaccination for the American Academy of Pediatrics. "What they don't realize is if they don't vaccinate according to the recommended schedule, that can really set their child up for a whole lot of risks."

It is difficult to know how widespread such delays have become. California keeps careful track of the rate of kindergartners who have been vaccinated against measles, but does not have comprehensive data for children at younger ages.

Dr. Eric Ball has seen the shift firsthand. At his Orange County pediatric practice, Ball said, he has noticed an increase in parents asking about delays since the COVID-19 pandemic, as politicization of and misinformation about that vaccine has seeped into discussions about routine childhood vaccinations, including measles-mumps-rubella, known as MMR.

Dr. Eric Ball examines 9-month-old Noah at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates in Ladera Ranch on Feb. 28. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Rather than an outright refusal, however, these vaccine-hesitant parents express a softer kind of reluctance, asking if its possible to use an "alternative schedule" of vaccines, rather than sticking to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations. Sometimes they seek to delay the shots by a few months, and sometimes by several years.

I have patients who have three kids, and they vaccinated the first two kids on schedule. And then since COVID, with their third kid, they are like, I don't know if this is safe. I want to wait until the kids are older, or instead of doing two shots today, I want to do one shot, said Ball. It just prolongs the time where you have a child who's unprotected and potentially can get sick from these diseases.

Read more: Hours on hold, limited appointments: Why California babies arent going to the doctor

He tries his best to explain to parents the importance and safety of vaccines, including MMR. He even brings out his own children's vaccine records to prove his point, and he is often successful. But not always.

At Children's Hospital Los Angeles, attending pediatrician Dr. Colleen Kraft said about half of parents are questioning the CDC's recommended vaccine schedule  a significant increase since the pandemic.

"Even my most reasonable parents ask questions. So it's definitely in the mainstream," she said. She also worries about her patients who are behind on vaccines because they missed so many appointments during the pandemic and are only now returning to her office.

Karla Benzl holds her son, 15-month-old Marcus, before he gets vaccinated at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates in Ladera Ranch on Feb. 28. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

In Marin County, parents' requests to delay vaccinations have become so frequent that Dr. Nelson Branco said last month his practice decided to tighten vaccine requirements as cases of both measles and pertussis have spread. Babies seen by doctors in the practice will need to have their first set of vaccines completed by 4 months of age. The primary series of vaccines against the most serious and common diseases, including measles, must be completed by 24 months.

If parents don't agree, they must leave the practice.

"Kids are doing a lot of things that are high risk before they're 5 and are required to be vaccinated to attend kindergarten, said Branco. "Theyre getting on international flights, theyre going to Disneyland where there are lots of kids," leaving young children vulnerable to measles when they could be protected.

The CDC recommends that the first dose of MMR be given when a baby is 12 to 15 months old. Usually this happens at a childs 12-month well visit. A second dose is then given at 4 to 6 years of age.

At least 95% of people in a community must be vaccinated to achieve a level of herd immunity that protects everyone in a community, including those who cannot get the vaccine because they are too young or are immunocompromised, according to the World Health Organization.

Low vaccination rates have led to measles outbreaks in several states over the last decade, most recently in Florida.

Nationally, the rate of kindergartners fully immunized against the measles dropped from 95% in the 2019-20 school year to 93% in 2022-23, according to the CDC.

But there is overall good news in California. Since the state's 2015 ban on parents' personal beliefs as a reason to skip vaccinating children before school, the measles vaccination rate for kindergartners has grown from 92% in the 2013-2014 school year to 96.5% in 2022-2023.

But those postponing vaccinations have created a potential vulnerability gap in a child's first four years.

One in 5 unvaccinated people who get measles in the U.S. will be hospitalized. Since there is no good treatment for measles, doctors can often do little more than offer supportive care. One in 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling that can leave a child deaf or with an intellectual disability; 1 to 3 children in 1,000 will die, according to the CDC.

Measles is so contagious that 90% of people close to an infected person will catch it if they are not immune, according to the CDC. The virus can remain contagious in a room or on a surface for up to two hours after the infected person has left.

In the Children's Hospital Orange County primary care network, which has more than 130 pediatricians, the share of 15-month-olds with an MMR vaccine has been dropping consistently over the past last few years, from 98% in 2019, down to 93.5% in 2023.

For years in the early 2000s, anti-vaccine sentiment was at an all-time high after the publication of a now-debunked and retracted study that falsely tied the MMR vaccine to autism. In December 2014, an unvaccinated 11-year-old was hospitalized with measles following a visit to Disneyland. Over the next few months, measles spread to 125 people across seven states.

The outbreak helped galvanize support for vaccination nationwide. A year after the Disneyland outbreak, California passed its ban on personal exemption.

"The pendulum swung back the other way, and we had a few years where vaccination rates were really high," said Ball. But the rumors and rhetoric surrounding the COVID vaccines have caused the pendulum to swing in the other direction. "We're back to dealing with conspiracy theories, things that people heard on the internet, or something that their cousin's neighbor's roommate said. It's really hard."

Noah, who is 9 months old, gets his measurements taken by medical assistant Shellee Rayl at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates in Ladera Ranch on Feb. 28. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

A Pew Research poll conducted in March 2023 found that 88% of Americans are confident that the benefits of an MMR vaccine outweigh the risks, a percentage that has remained fairly consistent since before the pandemic.

But support for all school-based vaccine mandates has fallen; 28% now say that parents should be able to decide not to vaccinate their children, even if it causes health risks for others, up from 16% in October 2019. Among Republicans, the share has more than doubled, from 20% in 2019 to 42% in 2023.

Support for the MMR vaccine was lower among parents with young children, the poll found. About 65% of parents with children under age 5 reported that the preventative health benefits of MMR were high  compared to 88% of all adults  and 39% said the risk of side effects was either medium or high; half said they worried about whether all childhood vaccines are necessary.

Read more: California kids have some of the worst teeth in the nation. Here's why

Tara Larson, a former ER nurse who lives in Santa Monica, said she became concerned about childhood vaccination when she was pregnant last year. She started watching anti-vaccine documentaries, reading vaccine safety inserts, and following several social media accounts "to make us an informed vaxxer. We're not anti-vax," she said.

Larson decided that she wanted to delay vaccinating her son until he was 3 months old, to limit him to just three vaccines in his first year that she felt were essential, and to spread them out so that he would only get one shot per month. "By the time he starts playing on the playground and goes to school, hell need to start his course of Hep B, but why overload his course of vaccines right now? she said.

The first pediatrician she saw refused to follow her requested schedule. But, Larson said, "in my gut, I just felt like this is the right thing to be doing for our baby, and I left. After weeks of searching, she found a holistic provider who charges a $250 monthly fee and agreed with her approach.

She said she hasn't yet decided whether to give her son, who is now 8 months old, the MMR vaccine when he becomes eligible. "I think some doctors will say to wait until they're 3, but that was when there wasn't a resurgence of measles," she said. "That's my next thing to dive into."

Karla Benzl of Mission Viejo comforts her 15-month-old son, Marcus, after he received his vaccinations. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

But theres no scientific basis and no known benefits to delaying vaccines except in very rare medical circumstances, said Casares, whose pediatric practice is in Oregon.

Casares said the problem is that parents have an "exposure bias." They often consume an onslaught of information on social media about the risks, but very little about the benefits of vaccines or the enormous risks of the diseases themselves. She said in a country such as the United States, where vaccination rates are fairly high, most people don't see the ravages that the diseases can cause if rates fall.

This article is part of The Times early childhood education initiative, focusing on the learning and development of California children from birth to age 5. For more information about the initiative and its philanthropic funders, go to latimes.com/earlyed.

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.
Moscow sees Pope Francis' controversial comments on the war in Ukraine not as a call for Ukraine to capitulate, rather as a plea for negotiation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, according to Russian media.

In Pope Francis comments, which were made during a February interview with Swiss public television that came to light on Sunday, he said the "strongest actor was the one that "thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

The comments were widely criticized on Sunday by numerous leaders including those from Ukraine, Poland and Latvia.

On Monday German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, through his spokesman, chimed in against the pope.

"As you can imagine, the federal chancellor does not agree with the pope on this issue," government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in Berlin on Monday. "It is true that Ukraine is defending itself against an aggressor."

Kiev is also receiving a great deal of international support in order to be able to defend itself against the war of aggression, which violates international law, Hebestreit added.

Kremlin spokesman Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly expressed willingness to negotiate. "That is the preferred path."

The pope did not name Ukraine or Russia in his remarks, which will be fully broadcast on March 20.

Peskov accused the West of exacerbating the conflict, referring in particular to a comment last month by French President Emmanuel Macron in which he did not rule out sending ground troops to Ukraine.

"That is a dangerous line, a very dangerous line," Peskov said. He added that Russia was following the situation closely and that Moscow had information that there were people in Ukraine who were described as advisors but who were directly linked to NATO.

He may have been referring to a recent call among German military officials that Russia was able to intercept as an unsecured cell phone line was used. The officers spoke about British soldiers being on the ground in Ukraine to help Ukraine's military with long-range Storm Shadow missiles, which London has sent to Kiev.

Peskov did not directly mention the phone call.

Meanwhile on the ground on Monday, one person was killed in Ukrainian shelling of the western Russian region of Kursk on the border with Ukraine, local authorities said.

Another woman suffered injuries as a result of the attack by the Ukrainian armed forces, the governor of the Kursk region, Roman Starovoit, wrote on Telegram.

He said that the village of Goncharovka in the Sudzha district just a few kilometres from the border with Ukraine had come under fire in the morning, presumably from artillery.

The village of Vnesapnoye was also shelled, damaging a gas pipeline and a power line, the governor said. Four villages were without power as a result of the attacks, he added.

The Russian Defence Ministry did not comment on the attacks, but said six Ukrainian drones had been shot down.

Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago and occupies large parts of the neighbouring country, also regularly fires at targets far behind the front line. During the night, Ukraine reported attacks on the Kharkiv and Odessa regions in particular, with damage to residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure.

Russian border regions close to Ukraine are also increasingly complaining of shelling from the neighbouring country. However, the number of victims and the extent of the damage cannot be compared with the scale of the destruction caused by the Russian military.
Moscow sees Pope Francis' controversial comments on the war in Ukraine not as a call for Ukraine to capitulate, rather as a plea for negotiation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, according to Russian media.

President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly expressed willingness to negotiate, Peskov said. "That is the preferred path."

In an interview with Swiss public television recorded in early February, Francis said the strongest actor was the one that "thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

He did not name Ukraine or Russia in his remarks, which came to light only over the weekend. The full interview is to be broadcast on March 20.

The pope's comments drew sharp criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Peskov accused the West of exacerbating the conflict, referring in particular to a comment last month from Emmanuel Macron in which the French president did not rule out sending ground troops to Ukraine.

"That is a dangerous line, a very dangerous line," Peskov said. He added that Russia was following the situation closely and that Moscow had information that there were people in Ukraine who were described as advisors but who were directly linked to NATO.
The biological mother of Harmony Montgomery, who police believe was killed nearly two years before she was reported missing in 2021 and whose body was never found, asked a judge on Monday to officially declare her daughter dead.

A hearing on the estate of Harmony was held in probate court in Nashua, where Crystal Sorey petitioned the court to declare Harmony legally dead and to be appointed as administrator of her estate.

Sorey believes Harmony should be considered dead because the little girls father, Adam Montgomery, was convicted of second-degree murder in her death and admitted to abusing her corpse.

Sorey informed the court that she wants her daughter declared legally dead because she plans to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit on Harmonys behalf.

Sorey hopes a wrongful death lawsuit will help bring justice for Harmony.

Im just Harmonys voice. Im her warrior, basically, Sorey said outside court. I cant let people forget and I cant only let those two people be held accountable. Its not fair, its not true. The truth needs to be out there and it will eventually.

The judge didnt issue an immediate ruling on Soreys request, calling on her attorney to submit additional paperwork, including the jurys certified guilty verdict from Adams trial and a surety bond.

Its hard to come and have to say that shes legally deceased. Its hard to come to terms with it, Sorey said of the legal death declaration request. Justice is only halfway there and were still focused on looking for her.

Adam refused to participate in the hearing from the New Hampshire prison where hes incarcerated. He also refused to appear in court during his murder trial.

He didnt show up to anything. So, its only right he shows up to find out how long hes getting, Sorey told reporters after the hearing. You think he would do one good thing for Harmony.

A new bill introduced by New Hampshire lawmakers aims at requiring Adam, and other offenders like him, to be in the courtroom for sentencing to face a judge and the victims loved ones.

Adam and Sorey were not in a relationship when their daughter was born in 2014. Adam was later awarded custody of Harmony in 2019. During Adams trial, Sorey testified that she last saw Harmony during a Facetime call around Easter of that year.

According to court testimony from his murder trial, Adam Montgomery fatally beat his daughter Harmony in the backseat of a car as he was driving the family to a Burger King restaurant in Manchester

Sorey said Adam likely dumped Harmony in one of the biggest, most difficult places to look and that shes reached out to Adventures With Purpose for help in the search for her daughters remains in the Rumney Marsh Reservation in Revere.

Prosecutor Benjamin Agati said after Adams conviction that the search for Harmonys remains would continue.

Agati revealed that after analyzing the mileage Adam Montgomery took with the rental truck into Massachusetts, there are about 26 miles that he could have covered where her remains might be.

Kayla Montgomery, Harmonys stepmother, was granted parole from her New Hampshire State Prison sentence last week after she reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in 2022 to testify against her estranged husband.

In August 2022, investigators announced that they believed Harmony was dead and that her case was being treated as a homicide.

In probate court in Nashua where #HarmonyMontgomerys biological mother, Crystal is seeking to have Harmony officially declared dead. #AdamMontgomery has refused to participate from NH prison where he is incarcerated. @boston25  Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) March 11, 2024

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Eli Lilly & Co. produces the diabetes drug Mounjaro, as well as the weight loss version of the drug called Zepbound.

Drug manufacturer Eli Lilly is still struggling to meet demand for their type 2 diabetes drug Mounjaro.

Mounjaro, the name brand for the drug tirzepatide, saw an increase in popularity alongside fellow diabetes drug Ozempic (semaglutide) in recent years as celebrities, influencers and normal people alike began using both off-label drugs for weight loss. Eli Lilly has since received FDA approval for Zepbound, a version of tirzepatide used specifically for weight loss and not diabetes management.

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, also has a version of semaglutide approved for weight loss separate from their diabetes drug called Wegovy.

Despite the availability of these alternatives intended for use in weight management, diabetics have faced ongoing issues with securing their necessary medications thanks to the increased demand. In many cases, insurance does not cover these medications when used solely for weight loss without a diagnosis of diabetes, leading many to continue using the original drugs off-label.

Those who rely on Mounjaro are currently facing shortages and backorders and may be for the foreseeable future, according to the company and the FDA. Here's the latest on the status of Mounjaro stock and availability.

A closeup of a beam scale is seen in New York on April 3, 2018.

Mounjaro shortage and stock update

Tirzepatide injections are "currently in shortage" as of the latest March 5 update, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Eli Lilly routinely reports and confirms the availability of its drugs on the FDA Drug Shortages list and has been since its shortage report in December 2022.

As of the beginning of March, only certain Mounjaro injection doses are currently in short supply. All of those listed as having limited availability will remain that way through March 2024. These include:

Mounjaro, Injection, 10 mg/.5 mL (NDC 0002-1471-80)

Mounjaro, Injection, 12.5 mg/.5 mL (NDC 0002-1460-80)

Mounjaro, Injection, 15 mg/.5 mL (NDC 0002-1457-80)

All three drugs listed say the reason for the disruption in stock is "demand increase for the drug."

Other doses that have previously been in short supply are currently available in March, including the 5 mg/.5 mL, 2.5 mg/.5 mL, and 7.5 mg/.5 mL Mounjaro Injections.

Is Mounjaro on backorder?

According to a statement sent to USA TODAY by Eli Lilly, the manufacturer anticipates ongoing intermittent backorders on certain doses of Mounjaro. In March, the doses listed above will likely be on backorder at distributors across the country.

For those who use tirzepatide for weight loss and not diabetes management, all doses of Zepbound are available for pharmacies across the U.S. to order from their wholesaler.

When will Mounjaro be back in stock?

Eli Lilly pointed USA TODAY back to the FDA drug shortage website for monitoring and updates on the ongoing availability of their drugs. They will periodically release doses of the drugs on backorder as they are manufactured.

"Due to continued dynamic patient demand across doses, Lilly anticipates intermittent backorders on certain doses of Mounjaro," the company said in a statement. "We recognize this situation may cause a disruption in peoples treatment regimens and we are moving with urgency to address it."

The company went on to say that it continues to "invest and add manufacturing and supply capacity around the world."

"The addition of our manufacturing facility in North Carolina, coupled with additional actions and expansions at other sites, will allow us to substantially expand manufacturing over the coming years," Ely Lilly said.

Eli Lilly cracks down on celebs, people using Mounjaro for 'vanity'

Eli Lilly has said it's looking to crack down on who gets access to their drugs, specifically Mounjaro. The company released a commercial on Feb. 23 in advance of the Academy Awards. The ad is set against the background of a celebrity award show.

"Some people have been using medicine never meant for them," a voiceover says. "For the smaller dress or tux. For a big night. For vanity. But that's not the point, People whose health is affected by obesity are the reason we work on these medications ... It matters who gets them."

Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks later told CNN the drugs were developed for people struggling with health issues and not "just to have someone who's famous look a little bit better."

"We're a long way from being able to supply a billion people with these medications with obesity, let alone the people who may want to lose some weight cosmetically," he told the outlet. "So we need to prioritize, and that's what this ad's about, is prioritizing those who need it most."

'Let's get serious': Eli Lilly slams Hollywood's Ozempic obsession ahead of Oscars

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: is Mounjaro on backorder and when will diabetes drug be in stock?
Lily Gladstone of Mountlake Terrace is in Hollywood Sunday night at the 96th Academy Awards, where she was up for an Oscar for Best Actress.

Gladstone was up for her performance as Mollie Burkhart in Killers of the Flower Moon, the epic western crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese.

Her nomination was the first ever from an Indigenous American tribe.

Gladstone lost to Emma Stone, star of Poor Things. Other nominees included Annette Bening, Sandra Huller, and Carey Mulligan.

Vanity Fair released its 30th annual Hollywood issue in Feb., featuring 11 stars, including Mountlake Terrace High Schools Lily Gladstone.

In the Vanity Fair article, Gladstone discusses how shes rekindled friendships with members of her Mountlake Terrace High School crew.

She said her high school friends are planning an Oscars watch party.

Lets all celebrate @lily_gladstone! So proud to watch a fellow small town Montana artist grow in to such a force of talent, passion and grace. Native stories and storytellers are finally beginning to receive the recognition they deserve. Well done Lily and congrats to pic.twitter.com/0Gxqo9CXHn  Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) March 11, 2024
GAZA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Israel released 56 Palestinians on Monday who were detained during the recent ground operation in Gaza, according to the General Authority for Crossings and Borders in Gaza.

The Palestinians were released through the Kerem Shalom crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, the Authority said in a press statement.

The statement claimed that traces of torture were observed on the bodies of the released individuals.

Local sources and Palestinian human rights organizations reported that the Israeli army had arrested dozens of Palestinians during the operation and transferred them to undisclosed locations. 
A 27-year-old homeless man suspected of beating a friend to death with a claw hammer told officers he stayed with the man for several days, playing video games and smoking marijuana, but had "no issues" with him before leaving.

Chasemichael Wilson Smith was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree premeditated murder in connection with the Feb. 24 discovery of 32-year-old Kenneth Johnsons body at his residence.

Melbourne police still searching for motive in killing of a 32-year-old man found beaten to death with a hammer in his home last month.

Melbourne detectives reported that the two men apparently knew each other from school and fishing trips in Sebastian, but provided no direct motive for the deadly attack.

Investigators noted that Melbourne police had gone to Johnsons home in the 700 block of McDermott Avenue on an unrelated call and met with both Johnson and Smith. The suspect  in a moment captured on bodycam  told police during that Feb. 20 contact that he had been at the residence for five days.

Before that, Smith was asked to leave a rehab facility because of his behavior, police reported.

Friday, a day after his arrest, Brevard County judge ordered Smith  who had several arrests for violent episodes on record  held without bond at the Brevard County Jail Complex.

Police were called to Johnsons home on Feb. 24. Inside the home, officers found Johnsons body lying bloodied on the living room floor, an arrest warrant shows. Officers reported Johnson had severe head injuries and located a hammer and several partial, bloody shoe impressions in the area.

More: Suspect in Melbourne homicide faces judge in first hearing at Brevard jail

Officers later learned that Johnsons pickup was missing and that Smith had been seen in Indian River County several days before the body was discovered. Detectives had put out an alert earlier on the missing vehicle and were told by Fellsmere Police that an unlocked pickup belonging to Johnson was found in their jurisdiction. Several items, including a baby bag for Smiths daughter, were found in the truck, police reported.

Detectives later talked with Smith about the last time he saw Johnson.

Smith, who told the detectives that he last saw Johnson on Feb. 23, instead began asking questions.

He got robbed or something, Smith said. Did he get beat up and robbed?

Police took Smith into custody and transported him to the Brevard County Jail in Sharpes. No trial date has been set.

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: No bond for Melbourne man suspected in deadly hammer attack on friend
(Bloomberg) -- Two US House Democrats are probing whether terrorist organizations and sanctioned individuals are using and even monetizing their paid premium-service accounts on Elon Musks X social media platform.

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Representatives Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Daniel Goldman of New York point to recent news reports that senior leaders of Hezbollah, Iranian news outlets, and Russian state media have been among subscribers to such X.com Inc. services.

If true, this raises significant concerns that X may be violating US sanctions law by facilitating financial transactions from terrorist organizations and other entities sanctioned by the US Treasury, they wrote in a letter Monday to Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer.

The two Democratic lawmakers want Comer to commit to swiftly holding a hearing on the matter.

A spokesperson for X responded by pointing to a statement released following a February investigation by the Tech Transparency Project, which identified more than a dozen X accounts for US-sanctioned entities with a blue checkmark.

The company said in the statement it has a a robust and secure approach to complying with legal obligations, including sanctions. Several of the accounts listed in the Tech Transparency Report are not directly named on sanction lists, while some others may have visible account check marks without receiving any services that would be subject to sanctions, the company added in the statement.

Those who pay for premium X subscriptions can receive several perks and benefits, including the blue checkmark verification status on their profiles. Other benefits include the ability to post longer text and videos, broader amplification or visibility for posts, and even a chance to receive a share of Xs advertising revenue.

Raskin and Goldman assert X may have broken US law if the platform has sold such premium service to groups, individuals and countries under US sanction, or even potentially sharing in advertising revenue.

Included among those premium accounts, according to the report, were those of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist groups deputy Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qasem. Both are listed as Specially Designated Nationals, under the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control, Raskin and Goldman write.

Transactions with so-called SDNs are prohibited absent a license granted from OFAC.

The lawmakers also note that the X account for Nasrallah was reportedly ID verified, which would have required him to send an image of a government-issued ID and a selfie to X, confirming that the X user was in fact Nasrallah.

Following the February report, X removed Nasrallahs blue check, according to TTP, and suspended multiple accounts.

Raskin and Goldman also raise questions about X accounts of other US-sanctioned entities, such as those belonging to Irans Press TV and Russias Tinkoff Bank, with gold checkmarks  a signifier of Xs Verified Organization status.

They also point to reports that some sanctioned entities may have received advertising revenue from X. Users who pay for Xs Premium services can receive a share of the revenue generated from advertisements displayed in replies to that users posts.

Doing so would have violated U.S. law by conducting financial transactions with sanctioned entities, the lawmakers wrote.

Raskin and Goldman note they already wrote to Musk and X Chief Executive Officer Linda Yaccarino in November about the use of the X platform to spread misinformation, hate and harmful ideas.

They said they demanded answers, specifically, for a failure to abide by the companys own policies governing the promotion of violent and terroristic Hamas videos, including in the weeks and months following the groups October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

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Muslims across Texas will focus on prayer and fasting this month for what they call the holiest time of the year, Ramadan, a celebration for the reveal of the Quran, a book Muslims believe is the source of guidance and truth.

Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran were given to the last prophets of Islam directly from God during Ramadan, so they use the time for spiritual reflection. Ramadan occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is commemorated by fasting from food and drink, smoking, and sexual relations from sunrise until sunset.

During the time of fasting, Muslims read the Quran, practice special prayers, and give to charity. The fast is required to show self control and strengthen their relationship with God, according to Islamic Networks Group. Followers of the faith break the fast in the evening with family members by eating a meal called Iftar. Some people are exempt from fasting including pregnant women, youth who havent reached puberty, and those who are ill.

The first crescent Moon sighting over Middle East countries is what determines the start and end times of the month of Ramadan. In 2024, It began at sunset March 10 and is expected to end around April 9.

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The end of Ramadan is marked by a festival called Eid Al-Fitr, which will be celebrated on April 10 this year. Eid Al-Fidr also starts at the first sighting of a new moon and is celebrated by attending morning prayer at mosques.

For a full list of prayer times or to get involved in local Ramadan activities, visit IslamicAssociationofNorthTexas.com .
Jewish communities feeling under siege and threatened because they are Jews and targeted because of the actions of Israel in Gaza. Muslim communities (and particularly visible Muslim women), being abused simply because they are Muslim. Members of Parliament, such as Mike Freer MP, stepping down because of threats and the potentially deadly firebombing of his office.

What is happening in our country that leaves people feeling threatened, intimidated, racially abused and made to feel that their emotional, mental and physical well-being is at stake? How have we reached this dark point?

Well, partly it is because social media platforms have been the driver of hate and these corporations have a strategy of using their algorithms to push for more engagement and to get more eyeballs on inflammatory comments. Their business model is to promote social media influencers, some of whom have an agenda of whipping up tensions and conflicts between our communities. However, we cannot leave out the impacts of the Gaza and Israel conflict, the activities of far-Right, far-Left and Islamist extremist groups and those who have an axe to grind in pitting communities against each other.

I have stepped down from the role of government adviser for anti-Muslim hatred after a torrent of racial, anti-Muslim and threatening abuse. I spent over a decade of my life setting up Tell Mama, the nationally recognised anti-Muslim hate crime reporting project that supports victims of anti-Muslim hate and which measures and monitors it across England.

It works with numerous police forces across the country, government departments, Muslim communities and voluntary and community groups up and down the country. Its director, Iman Atta OBE, tirelessly works day and night for the victims of anti-Muslim hate, because she and her team seek to get justice for victims.

Just this year  2023/2024  it will have assisted over 6,000 British Muslims on a casework and one-to-one basis, giving help and assistance that no group within British Muslim communities can match in terms of work measuring, monitoring and assisting victims of anti-Muslim hate. It is a trailblazer project, yet it is interesting to note that some of the very groups shouting about Islamophobia on a daily basis seek to attack it. Why? Because there is an ideology at play here. Why attack a group doing the work of tackling anti-Muslim hate, whilst shouting about anti-Muslim hate? Scratch the surface, and the ideology is based on dividing communities, rather than resolving issues  something that Tell Mama does.

I have never been naive and our nation faces a real and ongoing threat from Islamist extremist groups and we need to always make a distinction between the law-abiding, peaceful and productive majority of British Muslim citizens who simply want to live their lives in peace, and the ideologically driven, politicised and organised Islamist groups who want to change, adapt and ultimately corrode the secular democratic nature of our countrys institutions.

These Islamist groups have touted Islamophobia training to police forces, local authorities and other statutory bodies who have in good faith engaged with them. Such training on understanding anti-Muslim hatred is essential work in supporting victims of it and in countering it, but the nature of these groups has been to position themselves into structures and promote a view of Islam that does not include or respect liberal or non-practising Muslims, minorities within Islam or those who are deeply secular and who are culturally Muslim.

You see, for these Islamist groups, there is only one type of Muslim  those who agree with their viewpoints, who are subservient to their dominant Islamist ideology and those who accept their toxic narratives that Britain is against Islam and Muslims and Muslims are under threat and risk or Zionists (read British Jews in this context) are in control of the British media and that they have greater influence in the Government.

The latter highlights the toxic menace of anti-Semitic rhetoric that runs right through the backbone of Islamist groups. It is these groups that I have stood against for over 15 years and who have used every opportunity to twist my words, smear and threaten me with social media mobbing from their array of social media followers. It has been relentless.

This is why, when my name was leaked by someone in Government to GB News, the social media and directed threats that I received from the far-Right, Islamist groups and their sympathisers led me to the point of withdrawing from the role of government adviser on anti-Muslim hate. The area of countering anti-Muslim hate that I had developed detailed work on and which I had suffered years of far-Right abuse for  including the jailing of a far-Right activist who harassed me for six years  was something that I could not take any more. Some of the very groups that the Government will name and shame this week in a revised counter-extremism strategy, were the same ones smearing and attacking me on social media.

This led to racialised abuse, abuse that as a heretic to Islam I would meet hellfire, (read into that what you will) and abuse that I was not British but a black b-----d were just some of the targeted abuse that I got. After years of trauma and abuse, I could not allow myself or my mental health to be treated like this. I made clear to government civil servants that I could not continue.

The sad reality is that the Government has known for over a decade who these extremist groups are and, in particular, it is no secret within the Government who the Islamist extremist groups are. It has taken a decade and the Government has not been able to actively challenge, call out or reduce the social media footprint of such groups, many of whom have expanded their social media follower base after Gaza, drawing in people who have legitimate concerns about what is happening over there, but being unaware that they had joined and become associated with deeply toxic and divisive Islamist groups.

Furthermore, the sad fact is that many British Muslims want the Government to really take on the issue of anti-Muslim hate and they have every right to call for that.

We have had three British Muslim grandfathers who have been murdered since 2013, just because they were Muslim. We have had the Finsbury Park mosque attack when a car was driven into worshippers mingling outside the mosque during Ramadan prayers and we continue to see cases of far-Right extremists planning attacks against mosques and Islamic institutions.

The indicators of a terrorist attack on British Muslims are all flashing red and we have gone well past the amber point. British Muslims therefore have every right to be concerned about their safety and we should be taking it seriously. Are they not our fellow citizens, members of our local communities, our lovers, our wives and relatives or our friends?

Yet, we also have to be concerned about Islamist groups who use these legitimate concerns and who paint a picture of constant conflict, where the state is against Muslims and where the state is trying to change Islam. Such rhetoric is dangerous and divisive and it plays into an extremist ideology that can easily draw people in to believe a worldview where conflict is the only way.

We all have a duty, therefore, to challenge far-Right, far-Left and Islamist extremists, ensuring that our Muslim and Jewish, faith and non-faith, black and white communities and the diverse and beautiful nature of our society are defended and protected.

I for one, will try and hang onto these ideals, while working away from Government.

Fiyaz Mughal OBE was the founder of Faith Matters, Tell Mama and Muslims Against Anti-Semitism

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Marine researchers on a mission to record life hidden in the worlds oceans have reported they found about 100 potential new species  including one mystery starlike creature.

The expedition team focused its investigation on the 500-mile (800-kilometer) long Bounty Trough, a little-explored part of the ocean off the coast of New Zealand, east of South Island. The scientists three-week voyage aboard the research vessel Tangaroa, which belongs to the countrys National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, occurred in February.

Two mystery specimens could be a new species of octocoral or a whole other new group entirely, according to Dr. Michela Mitchell, a taxonomist at the Queensland Museum Network. - Ocean Census/NIWA

The team collected almost 1,800 samples from depths as far down as 3 miles (4,800 meters), finding species of fish, squid, mollusk and coral that they believe are new to science.

Youve got this big area off the east coast of New Zealand where theres just an absolutely paucity of data points. We dont know anything about it, said Dr. Daniel Moore, expedition science manager of Ocean Census, a new alliance launched in April 2023 that aims to identify 100,000 unknown species in the next 10 years. It was true exploration, very exciting.

For the next three weeks, a team of scientists will sort and describe the deep-sea finds to confirm whether they are newfound species.

The teams scientists have been puzzled by one find, which they initially thought was a type of sea star or sea anemone.

It is still a mystery. We cant even describe it to family. We dont know where it is in the tree (of life) as of yet, so thatll be interesting, Moore said.

Two eelpouts that could be new to science were captured in a fish trap set 1.7 miles (2,700 meters) below the ocean's surface at the Bounty Trough. - Ocean Census/NIWA

Dr. Michela Mitchell, a taxonomist at the Queensland Museum Network, said in a statement released by Ocean Census it could be a type of deep-sea coral called octocoral.

Even more excitingly, it could be a whole new group outside of the octocoral. If it is, that is a significant find for the deep sea and gives us a much clearer picture of the planets unique biodiversity, she said in the statement.

Researchers search and sort a sample collected from the ocean floor on board the research vessel Tangaroa. - Ocean Census/NIWA

Moore said he was surprised that the team found a new species of fish known as an eelpout that was instantly recognized as being different to the others.

Finding new vertebrates is rare. Theres hundreds of thousands of invertebrates in the sea that we still dont know. Vertebrates, we like to think that we know whats out there, but the reality is, we just dont, he said.

The researchers provisionally assigned a potential new genus of black coral to the family Stylopathidae. - Ocean Census/NIWA

To collect the samples, the vessel towed three different types of sleds depending on the terrain. These included a traditional beam trawl that towed a net to collect samples, a heavy-duty seamount sled for rocky surfaces and another device that sampled the water just above the seafloor, as well as a towed underwater camera.

Huge gaps remain in scientific knowledge of the ocean depths. Of the 2.2 million species believed to exist in Earths oceans, only 240,000 have been described by scientists, according to Ocean Census.

Editors Note: Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolexs Perpetual Planet initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A naked man broke into an Austin home last week and assaulted a resident there, prompting an hours-long standoff with the police.

Officers with the Austin Police Department (APD) responded to a burglary call from a residence in the 4400 block of Merle Drive just before noon last Thursday.

The home belonged to an employee of Michael Cargill, owner of Central Texas Gun Works, FOX 7 reported. The employees wife, a stay-at-home mom, was at the home at the time of the intrusion.

Cargill told the channel that the woman was "shaken up" but "shes a fighter.

Larry Robinson is charged with burglary of habitation, APD said.

"She had to fight him off," said Cargill. "Luckily she had a dog. The dog actually attacked the guy as well, bit the guy. They were able to get him in a room, fight him into the room, and lock him in."

Thats when she reportedly ran from the house and called 911. According to Cargill, the victim had to call twice after the first call taker "hung up on her."

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BRUTAL DOG ATTACK IN NEBRASKA LEAVES 4-YEAR-OLD GIRL SEVERELY INJURED, SCALP NEARLY RIPPED OFF

Responding officers located a victim who said that a male suspect had entered her home. The victim said there were multiple firearms inside the house.

Officers tried to make contact with the suspect  later identified as Larry Robinson  but they were unsuccessful.

A SWAT team arrived on the scene. Several hours later, Robinson responded to APD negotiators and exited the residence without incident.

Robinson was arrested and booked into the Travis County Jail. Hes charged with burglary of habitation, APD said. More charges are likely in the coming days.





Original article source: Naked man breaks into Austin home, assaults resident, prompting hours-long standoff with police
Republican US Rep Nancy Mace of South Carolina defended her support for Donald Trump after she was pressed about her endorsement despite a federal jury finding him liable for sexual abuse and defamation in an $83m verdict.

In an interview with ABC News on Sunday, the congresswoman was repeatedly asked to square her support for Mr Trump against the jurys findings, while she argued she was being shamed for her political choices as a rape survivor herself.

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, ABCs This Week host George Stephanopoulos told Ms Mace on Sunday.

If you want to go ahead and defend a woman who made a mockery out of rape, then you go ahead and do that, Ms Mace said at one point.

Well, actually what youre doing is defending a man who has been found liable for rape, Mr Stephanopoulos replied. I dont understand how you can do that.

Ms Mace said the case of E Jean Carroll should not be seen as the same as a criminal conviction.

The federal judge overseeing that case, however, wrote last year that any finding that states Ms Carroll had failed to prove that she was raped within the meaning of the New York Penal Law does not mean that she failed to prove that Mr Trump raped her as many people commonly understand the word rape.

Indeed, as the evidence at trial recounted below makes clear, the jury found that Mr Trump in fact did exactly that, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan wrote.

Two separate juries in 2023 and in 2024 found Mr Trump liable for defaming Ms Carroll after he repeatedly called her a liar for speaking publicly about allegations that he assaulted her inthe 1990s.

It was not a criminal court case, No 1. No. 2, I live with shame. And youre asking me a question about my political choices trying to shame me as a rape victim, Ms Mace told Mr Stephanopoulos on Sunday.

He said his question is not about shaming you but about Donald Trump.

Im not shaming you at all. I called you courageous, he said. Im asking you a very simple question.

Ms Mace recounted her testimony during debate in South Carolinas state legislature surrounding a bill to ban abortion care at roughly six weeks of pregnancy without exceptions for survivors of rape or incest.

I had to tell my story because no other woman was coming forward for us, she said. No rape victims were represented, and youre trying to shame me this morning. And I find it offensive, and this is why women wont come forward.

She said Ms Carrolls post-trial comments make it harder for women to come forward when they make a mockery out of rape, when they joke about it.

Doesnt it make it harder for women to come forward when theyre defamed by presidential candidates? Mr Stephanopoulos asked.

In a statement on X, Ms Carroll thanked the host for valiantly defending me.

I wish [Ms Mace] well, she added. And I salute all survivors for their strength, endurance, and holding on to their sanity.

Following the interview, Ms Mace continued to criticise Mr Stephanopoulos, labelling him disgusting and as disgusting as he is dishonest and sharing posts that call him a piece of s***.

Thank you, @GStephanopoulos for valiantly defending me.



I wish Representative @RepNancyMace well.

And I salute all survivors for their strength, endurance, and holding on to their sanity. https://t.co/0GTOwGIXkE  E. Jean Carroll (@ejeancarroll) March 10, 2024

Mr Trump continues to deny the allegations central to the jury findings against him.

Last week, he posted a $91.6m bond to appeal the $83m judgment against him.

But on Saturday, he once again repeated statements that were previously found to be defamatory.

I just posted a $91m bond on a fake story. Totally made up story, Mr Trump said at a rally in Georgia. 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.

He called the lawsuit against him a politically motivated stunt from Democratic operatives, echoing his baseless conspiracy theory surrounding the mountain of litigation against him.

In another statement, on MSNBCs Squawk Box on Monday, Mr Trump called Ms Carroll Ms Bergdorf Goodman, a person Id never met, referring to the department store where she said Mr Trump had assaulted her in the 1990s.

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.

The verdict in Ms Carrolls case adds to Mr Trumps growing financial burden as he campaigns for the presidency against President Joe Biden.

A separate judgment in a civil fraud case in New York has ordered him to pay $454m, plus daily interest, after a judge found him liable for a decade-long fraud scheme to deceive banks and investors to gain favourable financing terms for his brand-building properties.

A New York appellate judge denied Mr Trumps request to halt enforcement of the monetary judgment against him in that case, but he will still be allowed to lead his real estate empire and apply for loans to be able to afford the bond to appeal the ruling against him.

Mr Trump offered up a $100m bond to stall that judgment.
It can be hard to predict where U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace stands on any given day. The South Carolina congresswoman has garnered a reputation as a Grade A flip-flopper for her constantly vacillating stances on the issues of the moment. She emerges as a fierce critic of Republican-backed bills only to vote for them in the end. She criticizes Donald Trump only to later endorse him. It can be hard to keep up.

But the proof that shes decided to sell out completely for Trump came Sunday in an appearance on ABCs This Week with George Stephanopoulos.

Stephanopoulos asked Mace a perfectly legitimate  and necessary  question about how she can support a presidential candidate whom a jury found liable of sexual abuse. That candidate is, of course, Donald Trump, who was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. Carroll is one of about two dozen women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct since the 1970s. Mace endorsed Trump earlier this year.

You dont find it offensive that Donald Trump has been found liable for rape? Stephanopoulos asked Mace.

Mace, notably, is a victim of sexual assault herself. She was raped at age 16  something thats also quite difficult to square with her enthusiastic support of Trump.

Its a fair question, and its one that should be asked of more Republicans who have chosen to stand firmly behind the former president. But Mace didnt seem to want to answer it, and she tried awfully hard to sidestep it.

First, she suggested that the verdicts against Trump do not matter because they occurred in civil, not criminal, court. Really?

Then, she repeatedly accused Stephanopoulos of attempting to shame her for her political choices as a rape victim. She seemed to think that this argument was especially compelling, because she repeated various versions of it at least 17 times on social media Sunday, including in one post that said Stephanopoulos looked like a horses ass who hates women, especially rape victims.

Mace told Stephanopoulos that his disgusting questioning would discourage more women from coming forward to speak about rape.

Frankly, what seems more likely to discourage women from coming forward to talk about rape is the behavior of men like Trump who use their platforms to smear and defame those who accuse them of it. Or seeing voters elect an abuser ascend to the highest office in the land despite the very public mountain of accusations against him. Thats exactly the kind of impunity and vitriol that leads survivors to choose silence, and its the kind of behavior Mace seems willing to overlook or tolerate in a president.

Besides, what makes Maces support of Trump particularly ludicrous isnt the fact that shes a victim of rape herself. Its the fact that, as an elected official, she has repeatedly portrayed herself as an advocate for women. She has been a strong voice pushing her party to do better on womens issues, including access to birth control, saying, as a party, I think we come across like a--holes sometimes on womens issues. She also courageously shared her experience as a rape survivor to advocate for exceptions for rape and incest in a proposed South Carolina abortion ban.

All of that is admirable. But by supporting a presidential candidate who shows so little respect for women, Mace has made herself part of the problem shes spent so much time rebuking. When the Republican candidate for president is someone who brags about being able to do anything to women, then the GOP is going to keep coming across like a--holes on womens issues, no matter how much people like Mace try to shore up its image.

We should all empathize that Mace experienced something horrible as a teenager, and that she has surely faced a great deal of shame and stigma as an adult because of it. It is certainly never appropriate to shame a rape victim about their political choices, but thats not what happened Sunday. As a politician, Mace can and should be pressed about her political choices. The fact that she is a rape victim does not give her a free pass, and as an elected official, she has to answer tough questions. She never actually gave Stephanopoulos a direct answer to his question Sunday, but her lack of one told us all we needed to know.
NASAs reduced budget for fiscal year 2024 was only approved by Congress last week, and its limitations play into the Biden Administrations ask for the next fiscal year, which was announced Monday.

While NASA had originally asked for $27.2 billion for this year, that total was shaved to just $24.9 billion by the congressional deal struck and passed more than five months into the 12-month budget cycle. The deal limits discretionary spending across the federal budget, including NASA, for both fiscal 2024 and 2025.

Its no secret that NASA obviously gets great and strong support from both Republicans and Democrats, said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during his annual State of NASA speech from Washington. We are as I say, not only bipartisan, we are nonpartisan. But what happened last year was this small group in the House of Representatives held up the passage (of a bill to avoid defaulting on national debt) in order to get their way to have lower spending.

The 2024 funds ended up being about 2% less than what NASA was allocated in 2023, and the first time since 2013 that Congress didnt increase NASAs funding from the previous year.

The 2025 budget request for NASA, limited with the congressional deal in play, calls for just $25.4 billion, which is still $500 million more and a 2% increase from 2024.

Of all the deals that we could have gotten during the two years of the capped budgets, this is a good one, Nelson said. NASA fared better than other agencies and departments.

He also noted the proposed 2025 budget is still 9% higher than what NASA was funded at through the end of the Trump Administration. It remains less than 0.5% of overall federal spending.

One thing that isnt taking a hit is NASAs moon-to-Mars efforts, including support for the next three Artemis missions, taking over the highest line item among all of NASAs mission directorates. It seeks more than $7.6 billion, up more than $150 million from 2023 and 2024s budgets.

Artemis II is still on track to fly with humans around the moon by September 2025 and Artemis III aims to partner with SpaceX to bring humans including the first woman to the moons surface targeting September 2026. The program also funds new spacesuits and a second lunar lander partner Blue Origin for future Artemis missions, although its first mission, Artemis V, has now been pushed from 2029 to 2030.

The big hit to the budget comes from the Science Mission Directorate, with a request of just less than $7.6 billion, which is already $230 million less than what it had to work with in 2023.

Of that total, the planetary science division has a cap of $2.7 billion. Just where that money is allocated depends on a review of the Mars Sample Return mission, which has seen ballooning cost estimates and already led to more than 500 layoffs at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory earlier this year under the congressional budget cut threat. In the end, Congress gave NASA the choice to fund the mission within a range of at least $300 million, but as much as $949 million.

NASAs Nicky Fox, head of the Science Mission Directorate said the review will lead to NASAs decision expected next month on how much the Mars mission will actually be funded for both 2024 and 2025. But no matter what the Mars mission gets, the overall planetary science budget cannot increase.

Well have to make some pretty tough choices, she said. Obviously we have to maintain a balanced portfolio overall.

For now, NASA has set aside funding to support summer 2028 launch targets for both the Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor and Dragonfly rotorcraft mission to Saturns moon Titan. That has meant delaying new potential mission announcements such as New Frontiers until at least 2026. Within astrophysics NASA has reduced the Explorer Future missions budget as well, so its skipping over any Missions of Opportunity announcements until after 2025.

Support for the Hubble and Chandra observatories will take a budget hit as well. Within heliophysics, NASA wants to kill the Geospace Dynamics Constellation mission.

Among other sections of NASA, Space Operations, which includes support of the International Space Station, is asking for just under $4.4 billion, nearly $150 million more than 2023 and 2024.

Space Technology remains about the same just under $1.2 billion. Already killed in the 2024 budget was the On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (OSAM-1) project. The 2025 budget looks to carve out Space Nuclear Propulsion Technology, which will be needed to support quicker missions to Mars, as a standalone program.

Aeronautics, including progress on the new X-59 supersonic craft to reduce sonic booms, increases slightly from $935 million to $965 million.

For NASAs aging infrastructure, the budget holds at about $425 million, including $33 million set aside for Kennedy Space Centers support of the Space Launch System rocket launches for the Artemis program. Apart from that and across all of NASAs facilities, it looks to spend $293 million for repairs and construction.

We know that theres always a tremendous return on NASA investment, Nelson said. Weve seen that ripple throughout not only the American economy but also for the betterment of people around the world. In almost every discipline  science, technology, aeronautics, medicine  the whole bit. Bottom line, the American economy is boosted.
The closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, concluded its second session Monday.

Chinese leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended the closing meeting of the session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Zhao Leji, executive chairperson of the session's presidium, presided over the meeting attended by 2,900 NPC deputies.

Lawmakers adopted a revised Organic Law of the State Council. President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order to promulgate the law.

Lawmakers approved the government work report and the work reports of the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

They approved a report on the implementation of the 2023 plan for national economic and social development and on the draft plan for 2024, as well as the 2024 plan.

They also approved a report on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2023 and on the draft central and local budgets for 2024, and approved the central budget for 2024.

Addressing the meeting, Zhao Leji said that the annual session has successfully completed its agenda. The outcomes of the session have demonstrated the great strengths of China's whole-process people's democracy and the country's foundational political system, he said.

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Zhao urged lawmakers to act in line with the people-centered philosophy of development, develop whole-process people's democracy, and contribute to Chinese modernization.

Zhao, also chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over a presidium meeting and an executive chairpersons meeting on Monday before the closing meeting. 
March 10 (UPI) -- Authorities released the identities Sunday of two National Guard members and a U.S. Border Patrol agent killed in a helicopter crash near the U.S.-Mexico border last week.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, 28, of Rensselaer, New York, the pilot, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia, 30, of Schenectady, a New York state trooper, died in the crash, the National Guard Bureau said. The identity of the injured soldier was not released.

The National Guard Lakota UH-72 helicopter crashed just before 4 p.m. local time Friday along the border near Rio Grande City, Texas, while on a routine training mission, the Department of Defense's Joint Task Force North said. A third National Guardsman was injured in the crash, officials said, but the identity of that soldier was not released.

The group had been "providing monitoring and detecting capabilities along that sector of the border," said Maj. Ryan Wierzbicki, a spokesman for the task force.

Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna also died in the crash, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said.

"Every single day, our Border Patrol Agents place themselves in harm's way so that the rest of us can be safe and secure," Mayorkas said Sunday. "My thoughts, and the deepest condolences of our Department, are with Agent Luna's family, loved ones and colleagues, and with those of the National Guardsmen who lost their lives."

The cause of the crash is under investigation, officials said.

The chopper was assigned to the federal Southwest border support mission, officials said. Army investigators arrived at the site over the weekend to search the wreckage for the helicopter's black box. The Lakota UH-72 is a light-duty National Guard workhorse for the service.

Saturday, President Joe Biden honored those who were killed, saying in a statement, "Their sacrifice will never be forgotten."

"These brave Americans dedicated their lives to protecting our nation," Biden said. "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 president added, "We extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones, as well as their colleagues in the National Guard and U.S. Border Patrol. We pray for the injured Guardsman's swift recovery."
Every now and then, an elected official will suggest bringing in the National Guard to deal with violence that seems out of control.

A city council member in Washington suggested doing so in 2023 to combat the citys rising violence. So did a Pennsylvania representative concerned about violence in Philadelphia in 2022.

In February 2024, officials in Massachusetts requested the National Guard be deployed to a more unexpected location  to a high school.

Brockton High School has been struggling with student fights, drug use and disrespect toward staff. One school staffer said she was trampled by a crowd rushing to see a fight. Many teachers call in sick to work each day, leaving the school understaffed.

As a researcher who studies school discipline, I know Brocktons situation is part of a national trend of principals and teachers who have been struggling to deal with perceived increases in student misbehavior since the pandemic.

A review of how the National Guard has been deployed to schools in the past shows the guard can provide service to schools in cases of exceptional need. Yet, doing so does not always end well.

How have schools used the National Guard before?

In 1957, the National Guard blocked nine Black students attempts to desegregate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. While the governor claimed this was for safety, the National Guard effectively delayed desegregation of the school  as did the mobs of white individuals outside. Ironically, weeks later, the National Guard and the U.S. Army would enforce integration and the safety of the Little Rock Nine on orders from President Dwight Eisenhower.

Three men from the mob around Little Rocks Central High School are driven from the area at bayonet-point by soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division on Sept. 25, 1957. The presence of the troops permitted the nine Black students to enter the school with only minor background incidents. Bettmann via Getty Images

One of the most tragic cases of the National Guard in an educational setting came in 1970 at Kent State University. The National Guard was brought to campus to respond to protests over American involvement in the Vietnam War. The guardsmen fatally shot four students.

In 2012, then-Sen. Barbara Boxer, a Democrat from California, proposed funding to use the National Guard to provide school security in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting. The bill was not passed.

More recently, the National Guard filled teacher shortages in New Mexicos K-12 schools during the quarantines and sickness of the pandemic. While the idea did not catch on nationally, teachers and school personnel in New Mexico generally reported positive experiences.

Can the National Guard address school discipline?

The National Guards mission includes responding to domestic emergencies. Members of the guard are part-time service members who maintain civilian lives. Some are students themselves in colleges and universities. Does this mission and training position the National Guard to respond to incidents of student misbehavior and school violence?

On the one hand, New Mexicos pandemic experience shows the National Guard could be a stopgap to staffing shortages in unusual circumstances. Similarly, the guards eventual role in ensuring student safety during school desegregation in Arkansas demonstrates their potential to address exceptional cases in schools, such as racially motivated mob violence. And, of course, many schools have had military personnel teaching and mentoring through Junior ROTC programs for years.

Those seeking to bring the National Guard to Brockton High School have made similar arguments. They note that staffing shortages have contributed to behavior problems.

One school board member stated: I know that the first thought that comes to mind when you hear National Guard is uniform and arms, and thats not the case. Theyre people like us. Theyre educated. Theyre trained, and we just need their assistance right now.  We need more staff to support our staff and help the students learn (and) have a safe environment.

Yet, there are reasons to question whether calls for the National Guard are the best way to address school misconduct and behavior. First, the National Guard is a temporary measure that does little to address the underlying causes of student misbehavior and school violence.

Research has shown that students benefit from effective teaching, meaningful and sustained relationships with school personnel and positive school environments. Such educative and supportive environments have been linked to safer schools. National Guard members are not trained as educators or counselors and, as a temporary measure, would not remain in the school to establish durable relationships with students.

What is more, a military presence  particularly if uniformed or armed  may make students feel less welcome at school or escalate situations.

Schools have already seen an increase in militarization. For example, school police departments have gone so far as to acquire grenade launchers and mine-resistant armored vehicles.

Research has found that school police make students more likely to be suspended and to be arrested. Similarly, while a National Guard presence may address misbehavior temporarily, their presence could similarly result in students experiencing punitive or exclusionary responses to behavior.

Students deserve a solution other than the guard

School violence and disruptions are serious problems that can harm students. Unfortunately, schools and educators have increasingly viewed student misbehavior as a problem to be dealt with through suspensions and police involvement.

A number of people  from the NAACP to the local mayor and other members of the school board  have criticized Brocktons request for the National Guard. Governor Maura Healey has said she will not deploy the guard to the school.

However, the case of Brockton High School points to real needs. Educators there, like in other schools nationally, are facing a tough situation and perceive a lack of support and resources.

Many schools need more teachers and staff. Students need access to mentors and counselors. With these resources, schools can better ensure educators are able to do their jobs without military intervention.

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: F. Chris Curran, University of Florida

Read more:



F. Chris Curran has received funding from the US Department of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the American Civil Liberties Union for work on school safety and discipline.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (Not Pictured) after a ceremony to mark the accession of Sweden to NATO at NATO headquarters. -/NATO/dpa

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg defended Ukraine's right to defend itself and welcomed French and British shipments of long-range weapons to Ukraine, which to date Germany has not provided.

It is important to remember what is happening with Russia's war against Ukraine, the NATO chief said. Ukraine's right to defend itself is enshrined in the United Nations Charter, Stoltenberg said on Monday on the sidelines of a ceremony to welcome Sweden into NATO.

NATO states have the right to help Ukraine protect its right to self-defence and continued military support for Ukraine is the only way to make clear to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he will not achieve his goals on the battlefield, Stoltenberg told Deutschlandfunk radio.

Stoltenberg rejected comments on the weekend from Pope Francis, who told a Swiss public broadcaster that the "strongest actor was the one that "thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

Giving up would not mean peace for Ukraine, the NATO chief said, but Russian occupation. The aim of negotiations must be a solution that preserves Ukraine as a sovereign, independent country.

It must be made clear to Putin that it is not worth breaking international law and conquering other countries.

Stoltenberg welcomed the fact that several allies were already supplying Ukraine with far-reaching weapons systems. He cited the Storm Shadow and Scalp cruise missiles by the United Kingdom and France as examples.

Germany has to date not supplied its long-range Taurus cruise missiles, although there is a major debate over sending the high-tech weapons.

Stoltenberg praised Germany's contribution to supporting Ukraine to date and referred to the delivery of air defence systems and battle tanks, for example. Germany is a leading nation when it comes to military support, he said.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is against sending the Taurus missiles, which have a range of 500 kilometres, because he fears that Germany could be drawn into the war if they are sent.

Leading politicians from the conservative oppposition are now calling on members of Scholz's coalition to show where they stand by pushing a vote on the matter this Thursday.

"Large parts of the coalition, especially the Greens and FDP (the Free Democrats), are in favour. And I simply expect them to show their colours here in the German Bundestag this week," said Christian Democratic Union (CDU) member of parliament Jens Spahn on Monday as he arrived in Berlin for a joint meeting of the CDU and its sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) on their European election programme.

"Ukraine no longer has time to wait for these internal... games," he added.

(L-R) Swedish Chief of Defence General Micael Byden, Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and NATO Permanent Representative Axel Wernhoff speak during a press conference during a ceremony to mark the accession of Sweden to NATO at NATO headquarters. -/NATO/dpa
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (R) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson speak during a press conference after a ceremony to mark the accession of Sweden to NATO at NATO headquarters. -/NATO/dpa

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg defended Ukraine's right to defend itself and welcomed French and British shipments of long-range weapons to Ukraine, which to date Germany has not provided.

It is important to remember what is happening with Russia's war against Ukraine, the NATO chief said. Ukraine's right to defend itself is enshrined in the United Nations Charter, Stoltenberg said on Monday on the sidelines of a ceremony to welcome Sweden into NATO.

NATO states have the right to help Ukraine protect its right to self-defence and continued military support for Ukraine is the only way to make clear to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he will not achieve his goals on the battlefield, Stoltenberg told Deutschlandfunk radio.

Stoltenberg rejected comments on the weekend from Pope Francis, who told a Swiss public broadcaster that the "strongest actor was the one that "thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

Giving up would not mean peace for Ukraine, the NATO chief said, but Russian occupation. The aim of negotiations must be a solution that preserves Ukraine as a sovereign, independent country.

It must be made clear to Putin that it is not worth breaking international law and conquering other countries.

Stoltenberg welcomed the fact that several allies were already supplying Ukraine with far-reaching weapons systems. He cited the Storm Shadow and Scalp cruise missiles by the United Kingdom and France as examples.

Germany has to date not supplied its long-range Taurus cruise missiles, although there is a major debate over sending the high-tech weapons.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (Not Pictured) after a ceremony to mark the accession of Sweden to NATO at NATO headquarters. -/NATO/dpa

(L-R) Swedish Chief of Defence General Micael Byden, Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and NATO Permanent Representative Axel Wernhoff speak during a press conference during a ceremony to mark the accession of Sweden to NATO at NATO headquarters. -/NATO/dpa
NATO troops can carry out support activities directly on the territory of Ukraine, as this does not violate any international rules, Czech President Petr Pavel has said, Euractiv reported on March 11.

A clear distinction should be made between the deployment of combat troops and the possible involvement of troops in some "support" activities in which NATO already has experience, said the Czech leader.

Read also: NATO countries consider sending troops to Ukraine, Slovakia opts out  Slovak PM Fico

"It should be remembered that after the annexation of Crimea and the occupation of part of Donbas, which was essentially an aggression, albeit on a much smaller scale than today, a NATO training mission was operating on Ukrainian territory, which at one time included more than 15 countries and numbered around 1,000 people," said Pavel, who previously served as chair of the NATO Military Committee.

When asked whether he would support the participation of NATO troops in direct support of Ukraine on its territory, Pavel did not say "no."

"I would certainly not reject a debate on this issue," he said.

"If we could agree with the allies that, for example, instead of training Ukrainian soldiers on the territory of NATO member states and transporting thousands of troops to, say, Poland or the Czech Republic, it would make much more sense to transport a few dozen instructors to Ukrainian territory and train Ukrainian soldiers there."

He also recalled that after the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moscow declared that anyone who provides Kyiv with any kind of assistance will be a legitimate target.

Read also: Discussions on deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine should be stopped  Pistorius

"Today, we are not only supplying Ukraine with small arms, we are supplying it with tanks, we may soon supply it with aircraft, we are supplying it with medium-range cruise missiles, and yet there has been no attack on NATO territory," he stated.

"Russia knows full well that this would be a violation of the law of a much greater caliber than what it is doing now."

Pavel added that Russia is aware of NATO's strength.

The President said that Western allies must have the courage to defend their activities legally, "because helping to train and maintain equipment in a sovereign country is not combat."

After a conference in support of Ukraine held in Paris on Feb. 26, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's Western allies would create a coalition to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with long-range weapons, and that sending Western troops to Ukraine in the future should not be ruled out.

In response to Macron's statements, a number of NATO countries publicly rejected the idea of sending troops to Ukraine. Among them are Poland, the United States, Germany, the Czech Republic, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas did not reject the possibility of sending NATO troops, but clarified that it was only a training mission. General Onno Eichelsheim, Chief of Defense of the Dutch Army, said that "all options should be kept open."

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.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on Feb. 29 that French troops could participate in the war on the side of Ukraine to protect certain frontiers, and take part in exercises or ground air defense. He also ruled out the participation of French soldiers in battles "directly on the front line."

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The U.S. Navy will postpone most of its planned development and purchases of large unmanned systems and next-generation ships and planes in fiscal 2025, citing spending caps.

The Navy in its FY25 budget request seeks six ships instead of the previously planned seven in the proposal  including one attack submarine, compared to the planned two  and will trim its research and development budget by 2.7% and military construction spending by 26.1%.

The service said it wants to instead prioritize current operations and personnel, along with small unmanned systems and the Pentagon-led Replicator program, which could yield results for the fleet on a much shorter timeline.

The Department of the Navy is seeking $257.6 billion for FY25 for the Navy and Marine Corps, up 0.7% from the FY24 request Congress has not passed more than five months into the fiscal year. The Defense Departments overall spending plan is capped at a 1% increase compared to FY24 under the Fiscal Responsibility Act that dictates FY24 and FY25 spending levels.

Under Secretary Erik Raven told reporters Friday the department fully funded the sea-based portions of the nuclear deterrence triad, including the Columbia-class ballistic submarine, the Trident nuclear missile and the TACAMO command and control aircraft system  leaving insufficient money to cover other shipbuilding and modernization needs.

Our guidance directs us to take risk in future modernization when there are hard choices to be made, Raven told reporters ahead of the budgets release.

So if you look at F/A-XX, or the other X [next-generation] programs, we knowingly took risk in the schedule for development of those programs in order to prioritize those key investments  whether thats readiness, or investing in our people, or undersea, to make sure that we make those programs whole, he added.

Re-phased modernization plans

The Navy today is quickly using up missiles and ship readiness in the Middle East, as Houthi forces ashore in Yemen continue to lob missiles and attack drones at warships, merchant ships and other targets throughout the region.

As a result, the Navy is already facing a bill it hadnt anticipated when building the FY25 budget. Raven said the Navy, through the Office of the Secretary of Defense, would likely ask Congress for a supplemental spending bill sometime in FY25 because the 25 budget that is being presented does not anticipate the current expenditure of missiles in the Red Sea or those additional operations costs.

But the Navy is also worried about the next few years. It considers the 2020s to be a decade of concern, due to experts believing 2027 could be a likely time for China to invade Taiwan.

Because of the cost associated with ongoing operations and the push to be ready for a tougher fight within the next few years, the Navy postponed a number of big-ticket items that wouldnt come to fruition this decade and doubled down on smaller systems that could.

In this Sept. 3, 2015, file photo provided by the U.S. Navy, F-35C Lightning IIs, attached to the Grim Reapers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets attached to the Naval Aviation Warfighter Development Center (NAWDC) fly over Naval Air Station Fallon's (NASF) Range Training Complex near Fallon, Nev. (Lt. Cmdr. Darin Russell/U.S. Navy via AP)

The Navys next-generation fighter, the F/A-XX, is one example. Whereas the FY24 budget sought $1.5 billion to develop and design the plane and its enabling technology, the Navy in FY25 only wants a third of that.

Rear Adm. Ben Reynolds, the deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for budget, said that was one of the hard choices resulting from the limited top line. The delay also gives industry more time to mature technology, he added, saying the Navy is still committed to this piece of its Next-Generation Air Dominance family of systems.

The Navy asked for $586.9 million for SSN(X) next-generation attack submarine design and development efforts, up slightly from the $544.7 million it requested in FY24.

The sea service also seeks $102.7 million for its DDG(X) next-generation destroyer, down from FY24s $187.4 million request.

Budget documents released Monday do not address potential resulting delays.

The Navy previously said it would buy its first Large Unmanned Surface Vessel  a key part of its distributed maritime operations concept, serving as remote missile launchers to supplement manned ships operating elsewhere in theater  in FY25, followed by two in FY26 and three each in FY27 and FY28.

That procurement schedule is now pushed back two years, budget books show.

Reynolds characterized it as experiencing  technical difficulty, making the program an easy target for rephasing, or delaying to later in the five-year defense spending program when the Pentagon wont be subject to spending caps.

The Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vessel, which would lay mines and conduct other covert missions, was meant to begin one-a-year procurement in FY26 and appears to still be on track despite Reynolds also referring to rephasing its funding.

The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) leads the formation in a photo exercise with the unmanned surface vessels Ranger and the USV Mariner during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2, Sep. 7, 2023. (MC2 Jesse Monford/US Navy)

But, even as some bigger unmanned programs are delayed, Reynolds said the Navy is moving quickly with some of its smaller unmanned systems. Several are moving from research and development into procurement, and from fabrication into testing, he said. Both the Medium USV and Medium UUV are both funded in the budget and advancing toward fielding, he added.

Reynolds also noted the Navy will fund its contribution to the OSD-led Replicator program, which intends to flood the Indo-Pacific theater with thousands of drones to deter a war or help win it. However, he declined to detail what that money would buy, and the Navy did not disclose how much it will put towards the effort.

Raven noted the budget funds the newly formed Disruptive Capabilities Office, which will rapidly bring innovative technologies, including but not limited to unmanned systems, into the fleet.

We continue to see unmanned as a feature of so many important naval capabilities, and we are making those investments in this budget, the undersecretary said.

Deferred buys, early decommissionings

The Navy asks for $32.4 billion to buy six ships in the FY25 budget request, compared to the seven it previously planned for the year.

These include two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, one Constellation-class frigate, one Virginia-class attack submarine, one San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, and one landing ship medium.

This is one fewer submarine than previously planned, and the budget nixes a T-AGOS ocean surveillance ship the Navy previously planned to buy in FY25.

It does, though, add in the San Antonio-class LPD, a shipbuilding line the Pentagon had tried to truncate two years ago.

The continuation of the LPD line allows the Navy to adhere to a law that requires the Navy to maintain a fleet of 31 amphibious ships to support Marine Corps operations, Raven said.

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) participates in a simulated straits transit in 2015 (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher B. Janik/U.S. Navy)

That the landing ship medium program will begin acquisition in FY25 is welcome news for the Marine Corps, which says it needs those ships to move small groups of Marines within a theater  from shore to shore to conduct missions while evading enemy detection. The program was previously slated for a FY22 start, but was delayed due to lack of funding.

Because these ships are already three years late, the Marine Corps was eyeing a number of other ship types in the fleet that could support Marine Corps maneuver. Many of those, however, are on the chopping block in FY25.

Reynolds said the Navy will request to retire 10 ships before the end of their planned service life, including two Independence-variant LCSs; the four oldest Expeditionary Fast Transports; an Expeditionary Transfer Dock the Marines could leverage; and one Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship that counts towards the 31-amphib fleet.

Reynolds told reporters these 10 ships would each require a substantial amount of funding to get to the requirements, to get to the modernization, the lethality, that they need to be part of the fight.

Due to these and other planned retirements, the fleet will decline to 287 ships in FY25, compared to 293 today.

The budget also postpones the Navys plans to buy its next aircraft carriers. Its still building and paying for the future Enterprise and Doris Miller, hulls 80 and 81, that were put on contract in a two-ship buy in 2019.

Reynolds confirmed the Navy is delaying the next carrier, CVN-82, from a planned FY28 buy to FY30.

Other procurement and readiness

The Navy also intends to spend $16.2 billion to buy 75 manned and unmanned aircraft.

This includes 13 F-35B and 13 F-35C Joint Strike Fighters, 27 Multi-Engine Advanced Training System trainers, 19 CH-53K heavy lift helicopters for the Marine Corps and three MQ-25 Stingray unmanned carrier-based refueling aircraft.

The Marine Corps would spend $4.2 billion for procurement under the budget request, to cover ground vehicles, weapons and more.

The budget requests $6.6 billion for Navy weapons procurement, down slightly from FY24s historic high of $6.9 billion.

The budget also includes $227 million to support the weapons industrial base, in an effort to increase missile production and strengthen the suppliers of critical components.

The Navy asked for $380 million for these efforts in the FY24 budget.

Artist rendering of Conventional Prompt Strike weapon system from destroyer USS Zumwalt. (Lockheed Martin image)

Raven previously told reporters the Navy intends to sign multiyear procurement contracts for four key weapons programs: the Standard Missile, the Naval Strike Missile, the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile and the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.

While Congress approved these in the defense authorization bill for FY24, the Navy still doesnt have the money to sign those contracts. The FY25 plan assumes those contracts are in place and that the hundreds of millions in investment dollars to increase supplier output is taking effect.

One key munition program does face a budget cut and a delay. The Conventional Prompt Strike, the Navys portion of the hypersonic missile program alongside the Army, is being pushed back as the test and development program is behind schedule, Reynolds said. The Army, too, is delaying the procurement.

Despite the delay, the Navy is devoting $904 million to the program.

The FY25 budget also includes $2.8 billion for dry dock repairs and upgrades at the four public ship repair yards for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, under the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program. And it includes $407 million for a similar modernization and optimization effort at the Fleet Readiness Centers that maintain aircraft.

These initiatives are meant to increase ready players on the field, one of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchettis calls to action since taking over as the Navys top officer in November.
A Nash County sweet potato farm has been fined over $187,000 following the death of one of its workers last year, the N.C. Department of Labor reported Monday.

The DOL began an inspection of state Occupational Safety and Health standards on Sept. 6, 2023, after Jose Alberto Gonzalez Mendoza died. The 30-year-old had passed out from apparent heat exhaustion while picking sweet potatoes the day before.

Barnes Farming Corp., located in Spring Hope, was cited with the maximum penalties for three serious violations  one of them designated as willful  of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina, according to a news release. The total penalty is $187,509.

Through an attorney, the company said Tuesday that it plans to appeal the citations, which it said are based on merely allegations.

Barnes Farming defended its workplace protections, saying in a statement that it takes the health and safety of each one of its team members extremely seriously, has prioritized health and safety since the farm started, and continues to do so.

The OSHA citation and penalty documents detail that the alleged willful serious violation was due to the following reasons:

Workers were exposed to heat-related hazards, including working in 91-degree heat without an established work/rest schedule for high-heat conditions.

Workers were only allowed to take one five-minute break in a six-hour workday.

There was not an adequate supply of drinking water for workers.

The employer did not allow the migrant H-2A workers an acclimatization period so that they could get used to the heat.

Workers were not trained on reporting emergencies, first-aid procedures and procedures for dealing with symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

Gonzalez Mendoza came to the farm from Mexico with a seasonal H-2A visa less than 14 days before his death, according to Barnes Farming. He died at the farm before EMS could arrive, according to the DOL.

He and other workers worked a full shift on their first day of work without an acclimatization process.

Money was raised last year through a GoFundMe to repatriate Gonzalez Mendozas body to his home in the state of Guanajuato.

On the morning of Sept. 5, Gonzalez Mendoza and others were working on a hot day. Both the days high temperature of 94 degrees and the average temperature that day were the highest recorded for Sept. 5 since 2000, The News & Observer reported previously. These numbers topped the averages by about 9 degrees and 6 degrees, respectively, according to the National Weather Service.

Barnes Farming, about 40 miles east of Raleigh, said in a statement last year that it makes every effort to comply with all regulatory requirements and we follow well-established policies concerning workplace safety and environmental conditions.

The company also said through an attorney that workers were empowered to take breaks when needed, and [the company] does not limit these breaks to specific times.

Barnes Farming cited by Labor Department

A willful serious violation has a maximum penalty of $156,259. The maximum penalty for each serious violation is $15,625, the department said.

The two other citations for serious violations were due to the following conditions:

No first aid or professional health care services were summoned when Gonzalez Mendoza first reported feeling ill and showed signs of heat-related illness.





Another worker called 911 50 minutes after he first reported feeling ill.

There was a lack of drinking cups provided to 32 workers harvesting sweet potatoes and cutting tobacco in high-heat conditions.





In an audio recording from a 911 call requesting an ambulance after Gonzalez Mendoza passed out, a worker told the dispatcher I have a guy that ... he just passed out. Were picking sweet potatoes, and its hot out here, according to records previously requested by The N&O.

The Labor Department has to consider various factors, such as the size of a company, employer violation history, and the gravity of the violations, when issuing citations.

The penalties are in no way designed to make up for the loss of life, DOL spokeswoman Erin Wilson said in a statement.

Farm owned by Sen. Barnes family

The family of North Carolina Sen. Lisa Barnes, a Nash County Republican, owns and operates the company. Its president is her husband, Johnny Barnes.

The N&O has reached out to the office of Sen. Barnes for comment.

Barnes Farming has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal and contest the findings of the DOLs OSHA inspection, or pay the penalty.

The appeal would be heard by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission of North Carolina, an independent board appointed by the governor.

The civil penalties collected by the DOL are eventually distributed to the public school system.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  The necropsies for the two juvenile humpback whales that washed up in Virginia Beach have been completed, but a cause of death has yet to be determined.

Two dead whales wash ashore in Virginia Beach

The necropsy, performed by the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Centers Stranding Response team, found that both whales had abnormal skin lesions, with evidence of healed scars from previous entanglements.

Both whales were determined to be immature males.

The first whale, found on March 3 at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, measured 32 feet in length and weighed in at approximately 32,000 pounds. The second whale, found on March 4 at False Cape State Park, measured 27 feet in length and weighed in at approximately 21,800 pounds.

The cause of death for the two whales is still under investigation.

Photo courtesy: Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Photo courtesy: Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Photo courtesy: Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Photo courtesy: Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Photo courtesy: Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Photo courtesy: Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Photo courtesy: Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Photo courtesy: Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Photo courtesy: Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Two more beached whales were also found washed up in the Outer Banks. No cause of death has been determined for these whales as well.

Minke whale washes ashore in OBX, third in Hampton Roads, OBX region

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Not Suspending Disbelief

Famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson once again has a scientific bone to pick with a motion picture.

This time, per The Hollywood Reporter, Tyson's qualms are with the second installation of Dennis Villineuve's "Dune" series  a film in which a superhuman cohort of women use a special voice to perform mind control and a very bald Stellan Skarsgard floats through the air. But as the scientist explained an appearance on the "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" last week, his issues aren't with the superhuman magic of it all. Instead, they lie in issues like sand physics.

"Somebody didn't do the research on that," Tyson told the talk show host, making the case that if you pound your fist into a sand dune, it wouldn't actually produce a thumping sound the way it does in the film. "You can't thump sand."

Colbert pushed back, positing that perhaps the giant sandworms in Dune  which the Fremen, the indigenous people of the fictional planet Arrakis, call by pounding sand dunes with special gadgets  might "hear things differently" than humans do. But Tyson stuck to his guns.

"If you wanted to insulate yourself acoustically from your surroundings, fill the volume with sand," the astrophysicist responded. "No one will hear you." But, he added, "I've got to let it go because there's no movie without it."

According to online forum discussions and a 2017 study, Tyson's right: sand is pretty good at absorbing noise. But, hey, they don't call it science fiction for nothing.

Wiggle It

The sand thumping wasn't the astrophysicist's only concern with Arrakian physics. When the planet's massive sandworms move, they barrel forward in a straight line. But as Tyson points out, pretty much all legless, worm or snake-like creatures on Earth have to slither in S-shaped lines if they want to move forward.

"Have you ever seen a snake chase you as a straight snake? No!" Tyson exclaimed. "They've got to curl, and they push off the curl."

Colbert and Tyson then went back and forth with some worm movement theories; the former offered that perhaps they have some sort of propellant system on their underbellies, while the latter wondered whether they might simply be "pooping really fast." Why not! (Slate also questioned the movements of the worms, with a biologist effectively coming to the conclusion that the hulking beasts are less like worms, and more like burrowing snakes.)

At the end of the day, though, it's often these not-so-science-bound details that make science fiction so fun. What we're really dying to know? What Tyson thinks of AMC's worm popcorn buckets.

More on Neil deGrasse Tyson going to movies: Neil Degrasse Tyson Is Fighting with a Retired Astronaut about "Top Gun: Maverick"
Property owners are increasingly being exposed to an underworld of unscrupulous net zero traders, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has warned.

Thousands of complaints were logged by Citizens Advice last year due to shoddy solar panel installations and faulty insulation products  but experts say this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Between October 2022 and September last year, 2,171 complaints were logged by Citizens Advice relating to solar installations. A further 1,526 were recorded about insulation products, and another 274 about heat pumps.

After the Governments 2bn Green Homes Grant first launched four years ago, which offered homeowners and landlords up to 10,000 to make energy efficiency improvements, hundreds of firms started to appear on Companies House trying to capitalise on a probable surge in trader demand.

But with no regulation or certification required to carry out the work, its almost impossible for homeowners to tell which firms are just rogue traders.

The grant was withdrawn in 2021, but later replaced by similar government incentives, the 4bn ECO4 grant scheme and the 1bn Great British Installation Scheme (GBIS), which are still running.

This week, the CTSI is calling on the Government to introduce regulation to weed out rogue traders trying to use these programmes to make a quick buck at the expense of Britains homeowners.

Steve Playle, CTSIs officer for net zero, said: If ever there was a time to regulate this industry, its now. The Government needs to get this by the scruff of the neck.

Even when consumers have done their research, they are still left in the clutches of lots of unscrupulous traders who arent regulated by a central licensing scheme.

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Failure to ensure energy efficiency improvements are installed properly could spell disaster for the Governments net zero plans.

In a few years time, Mr Playle fears complaints about heat pumps will go through the roof. He added: The Government is pinning all its hopes on air source and ground source heat pumps. But they only work if homes are insulated properly first.

Previous Telegraph investigations have also found vulnerable homeowners left with unmortgageable homes due to incorrectly installed spray foam insulation, and pensioners who had been promised false returns from solar panels after being persuaded to take out loans to cover the upfront installation costs.

Last year, the Government increased the air source heat pump grant from 5,000 to 7,500, and raised the ground source heat pump grant from 6,000 to 7,500. This was after the National Infrastructure Commission said the rate of heat pump installations was not cutting the mustard.

As Britain moves further towards net zero, Mr Playle  who is also the City of Londons trading standards boss  said it is inevitable that these kinds of complaints will rise.

He added: Consumers who are looking to have green heating installations carried out are very vulnerable. These are complex products, they are very expensive and the people selling them make a myriad of confusing claims about their performance.

If a homeowner thinks they have been a victim of a rogue trader, they can lodge a complaint with Citizens Advice. This is then passed on to the local trading standards team where the complainant lives, or where the rogue trader is based.

The CTSI can stop businesses from trading, even if they arent members. But by this point, the damage has usually already been done. The not-for-profit organisation said the introduction of a licensing scheme could help homeowners spot unlicensed rogue traders from the start.

If refunds are not forthcoming, wronged homeowners can seek redress through an alternative dispute resolution scheme which avoids the courts  but this option is rendered useless if the business refuses to participate.

Claims management firms also operate in the space, but Mr Playle said the public shouldnt touch claims firms with a barge pole. He recalled a lady who had cavity wall insulation installed. Afterwards, he said she got a knock on the door from a claims firm and ended up with an 8,000 bill because it filed an indefensible civil court claim and had no insurance.

The Government is currently backing at least three retrofit schemes  ECO4, the GBIS and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. ECO4, which will end in 2026, takes a whole house approach to retrofit energy-efficiency solutions, whereas the latter two focus on insulation and heat pumps.

The GBIS was intended to insulate 100,000 homes a year but so far just 3,000 properties have benefited from it. Labour MP Kate Hollern told the Commons last month that at the current rate it would take 60 years before the target is hit.

The Telegraph approached the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for comment.

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Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. Zhao delivered a speech at the meeting on Monday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, on Monday delivered a speech at the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC. 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his intention to lead the country to "total victory" in the war against the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, despite efforts to organize a ceasefire.

"We are on the way to total victory. On the way to this victory, we already eliminated number four in Hamas. Three, two and one are on the way," he said in a video message on Monday. "They are all dead men, we will reach them all," he added.

Number four in the Hamas hierarchy is likely top Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri, who was killed in an airstrike in the Lebanese capital Beirut in early January.

The targeted killing was attributed to Israel at the time, which has not yet commented on it. With Netanyahu's video message, Israel is likely to have admitted responsibility for the attack for the first time.

Al-Arouri was responsible within Hamas for maintaining close relations with the pro-Iranian Shiite militia Hezbollah in Lebanon. He was therefore also of central importance for the procurement of weapons for the Islamists in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu's comments came a few hours after Israeli media reported on the possible killing of the third most senior Hamas official in the Gaza Strip, Marwan Issa.

According to the report, the Israeli Air Force bombed a building in the Nuseirat refugee camp on Saturday night, where Issa was said to have been staying at the time. The Israeli forces are still investigating whether the top Hamas leader was actually among the victims of the airstrike.

Netanyahu was using the numbers one and two to designate the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yehya al-Sinwar, and the head of the al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif.

The Gaza war was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history, when terrorists from Hamas and other extremist Palestinian organizations killed 1,200 in Israel on October 7.

According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, 31,112 people have died as a result of Israel's war in the Gaza Strip and a further 72,760 have been injured.

Earlier, Israel's army said its soldiers killed around 15 "terrorists" in the centre of Gaza during fighting the previous day.

During raids on homes in a neighbourhood in the southern city of Khan Younis, the military also arrested members of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement and seized weapons.

A rocket was fired at the Israeli soldiers during the operation. According to the army, there were no casualties. None of the information could initially be independently verified.

Israeli media reported that the military had officially reprimanded a commander for destroying a university in the city of Gaza in January without authorization, citing the army.

Hamas is said to have used the facility. However, the commander reportedly blew up the building without the required authorization from his superior. The incident is still being investigated.

Israel's overwhelming air and ground offensive is leading to growing international criticism, given the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Amid the destruction, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his call for a ceasefire at the start of Ramadan, a particularly holy time for Muslims.

"My strongest appeal today is to honour the spirit of Ramadan by silencing the guns  and removing all obstacles to ensure the delivery of lifesaving aid at the speed and massive scale required," Guterres said in New York.

At the same time, he called for the release of all hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

Guterres also warned Israel against attacking the region around Rafah, in the very south of the strip, where more than 1 million people have fled the fighting elsewhere in the strip.

Such an attack could "plunge the people of Gaza even deeper into hell," he said.

Washington has been pressing for a ceasefire by the start of Ramadan and the release of hostages but the talks remain deadlocked despite weeks of efforts.

Given the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, despite hopes that relief might be imminent, a ship due to bring aid from Cyprus was further delayed on Monday.

It remains unclear when the Open Arms ship would leave the Larnaca harbour though it was originally due to leave on Sunday evening.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on the radio that the delay is related to issues concerning the unloading and distribution of the aid supplies. "There have been problems with some of these issues," he said.

A second shipment of humanitarian aid is waiting at the port of Larnaca and could be delivered to Gaza in the next few days.

Professor of political science and head of the Cyprus Research Centre (KYKEM), Christos Iakovou, said on Cypriot television that the ship's repeatedly postponed departure is due to Israel wanting to ensure the aid is not accepted and distributed by Hamas or other extremist organizations.

The Cypriot government says, Open Arms, which is set to tow a cargo platform, has 200 tons of drinking water, medicine and food on board.

Larnaca is 400 kilometres from Gaza and the journey could take 48 to 60 hours. It is unclear where and how the ship will unload its cargo after arriving off the Gaza coast.

Supplying goods to Gaza is considered a major challenge because there is only a small fishing port that is not deep enough for cargo ships.

The US military wants to set up a temporary pier with international partners, but Washington says building it will take some two months.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not abide President Joe Bidens red line warning not to invade Rafah in Gaza, where more than a million Palestinians have sought refuge from the ongoing assault.

Well go there. Were not going to leave. You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is, that Oct. 7 doesnt happen again. Never happens again, Netanyahu said Sunday, according to Politico.

Biden and his administration have urged Israel not to invade or launch a major offensive on Rafah at least until civilians have been allowed the opportunity to evacuate. Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have called for a temporary ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan, but Israel and Hamas have not reached an agreement in negotiations.

Many Palestinians ended up in Rafah after being forced from their homes by Israels air strikes and invasion of Gaza cities. When asked on Saturday whether Rafah was a red line he was setting for Netanyahu, the president made contradictory comments. It is a red line, but Im never going to leave Israel, Biden said during an MSNBC interview. The defense of Israel is still critical. So theres no red line [in which] Im going to cut off all weapons so they dont have the Iron Dome to protect them.

Following his State of the Union address, Biden was overheard on a hot mic telling a Democratic senator, I told him, Bibi, and dont repeat this, but you and I are going to have a come to Jesus meeting.

Bibi knows what I meant, Biden said of the comment during the MSNBC interview. He added that Netanyahu must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

The Israeli military has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, the Gaza Ministry of Health has reported, although that is likely an undercount. The assault on Gaza is in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped more than 100 hostages. Hamas still holds many Israeli hostages, although some have been released. On Thursday, Netanyahu called Rafah the last Hamas stronghold.

Because Israel has refused to allow much humanitarian aid into Gaza due to onerous inspections, conditions have severely deteriorated to the point that many lack access to food and fresh water. Gazans are suffering from malnutrition, and at least 20 have died from starvation, including children, according to a Wednesday statement by Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health. In late February, at least 118 Palestinians were killed and 780 were injured when Israels troops opened fire while they attempted to collect food aid in Gaza City, causing a stampede.

Every time, people come under fire while attempting to get food aid, one survivor told French newspaper Le Monde.

United Nations experts have warned that famine is imminent, and UN medics said an invasion of Rafah would be a disaster beyond imagination. The UNs top humanitarian official, Martin Griffiths, said last month that an assault on Rafah could lead to a slaughter and could also leave an already fragile humanitarian operation at deaths door.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his intention to lead the country to "total victory" in the war against the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip.

"We are on the way to total victory. On the way to this victory, we already eliminated number four in Hamas. Three, two and one are on the way," he said in a video message on Monday. "They are all dead men, we will reach them all," he added.

Number four in the Hamas hierarchy is likely top Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri, who was killed in an airstrike in the Lebanese capital Beirut in early January.

The targeted killing was attributed to Israel at the time, which has not yet commented on it. With Netanyahu's video message, Israel is likely to have admitted responsibility for the attack for the first time.

Al-Arouri was responsible within Hamas for maintaining close relations with the pro-Iranian Shiite militia Hezbollah in Lebanon. He was therefore also of central importance for the procurement of weapons for the Islamists in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu's comments came a few hours after Israeli media reported on the possible killing of the third most senior Hamas official in the Gaza Strip, Marwan Issa.

According to the report, the Israeli Air Force bombed a building in the Nuseirat refugee camp on Saturday night, where Issa was said to have been staying at the time. The Israeli forces are still investigating whether the top Hamas leader was actually among the victims of the airstrike.

Netanyahu was using the numbers one and two to designate the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yehya al-Sinwar, and the head of the al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif.
The Associated Press and other news agencies issued mandatory kill notices Sunday on the first photo released in months of Kate, the Princess of Wales, citing concerns that the photo was manipulated.

The photo, released by Kensington Palace earlier Sunday, featured the princess surrounded by her three children, while Kate sat in a chair. The photo was credited to Prince William of Wales and was reported to have been taken in Windsor earlier in the week.

The photo marked the first time the public got to see the former Kate Middleton since she had abdominal surgery in January. Her absence from public appearances has led to far-fetched conspiracy theories about her whereabouts and provoked concerns about her wellbeing.

The AP initially published the photo but later retracted the image because at closer inspection, it appeared the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet APs photo standards, according to the AP.

The AP pointed to an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlottes left hand, in describing the apparent manipulation.

The AP was one of several major news agencies to demand news outlets not publish the image. According to various screenshots and media reports, Getty Images, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse (AFP) have all issued mandatory kill notices on the photo.

At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image, read the official AP kill notification. Please remove it from all platforms, including social, where it may still be visible.

Royal reporter Chris Ship reported that the AFP agency cited an editorial issue with the photo in its kill notice. AFP ordered that the photo no longer be used in any manner.

A spokesperson for Getty Images said in a statement to The Hill that the photo was removed after it was identified as problematic.

Earlier today our Picture Desk identified a problematic image provided to Getty Images by Kensington Palace. We can confirm the image in question was removed from our site in accordance with our editorial policy.

Updated at 10:03 p.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MANILA, Philippines  The results of Indonesias recent presidential election could be a boon for military modernization programs, as the current defense minister is in the lead, an expert told Defense News.

The Feb. 14 presidential election saw Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto garner nearly 60% of the votes, as of March 5. Since assuming the post in 2019, Prabowo has pushed for large-scale military modernization and increases in defense spending, despite the COVID-19 pandemic hitting Indonesias economy and partially reversing poverty-reduction measures, according to the World Bank.

Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the Singapore-based S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said Indonesia has consistently built up its defense since the term of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, first elected in 2004. And given Prabowos background, he will likely support continued military modernization efforts, Koh added.

In some ways, one may argue that he might be more enthusiastic about it, he said.

But given the countrys fiscal state and the scale of modernization the military requires, Prabowo might only be able to complete programs already in the works rather than start new ones, Koh added.

Prabowo was a lieutenant general and commander of the special forces known as Kopassus that were blamed for human rights abuses, including the torture of 22 activists who had opposed Suharto, the authoritarian leader whose 1998 downfall amid massive protests restored democracy in Indonesia.

Human rights groups have claimed that Prabowo was also involved in a series of human rights violations in Timor-Leste in the 1980s and 1990s, when Indonesia occupied the now-independent nation. Prabowo has denied those allegations. The alleged human rights abuses led to Prabowo being forced out of the military, and he was dishonorably discharged in 1998.

Orders and hiccups

Indonesia has pivoted toward naval and air modernization efforts. In 2021, it signed a deal with Airbus realted to A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft, anti-submarine and transport helicopters, and A400M transport planes. The helicopters are already in service, and the Defense Ministry finalized orders for two A400M aircraft in January. The A330 acquisition remains under discussion, company officials told Defense News.

In 2022, the government ordered 42 Dassault Rafale fighter jets for $8.1 billion, and it most recently completed orders for the last 18 jets in January 2024.

In August 2023, the government signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing to acquire 24 F-15EX jets, and it also placed orders for Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk helicopters.

The Defense Ministry also signed a contract to buy a $100 million submarine rescue vessel from the United Kingdom, and its reportedly in talks for two more Scorpene submarines from Frances Naval Group.

While President Joko Widodo last year approved approximately 139.3 trillion rupiahs (U.S. $8.9 billion) in defense spending for 2024  a 20% increase from the prior budget  the government still needs more to meet its military modernization goals.

And the country appears to be falling behind. Under its Minimum Essential Force policy, the government is to complete a list of military upgrades and asset procurements the end of the presidential term, which is October 2024.

As of September 2023, the Air Force had met 51% of its goals, the Army 60% and the Navy 76%, according to Evan Laksmana, Southeast Asia military expert with the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank.

The problem, Koh said, is that while Indonesia did list specific assets and capabilities under its policy, it had not provided enough specifications for planners to further the countrys goals.

Furthermore, Indonesias pivot to naval and air modernization might cause an uproar in the Army, which has traditionally received the lions share of the budget pie. The Army has been clamoring for artillery and land systems amid Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Koh said.

The Air Force will have a tougher time these days and in the future when it comes to competing with funding with the Army, he explained.

For example, Indonesia reportedly scrapped a deal to buy 12 used Dassault Mirage 2000-5 jets from Qatar to replace its retiring F-5 fleet. Public backlash pushed the government to abandon the plan days ahead of the Feb. 14 presidential election.

Indonesia is also behind on payments for a joint program with South Korea. The countries agreed to co-fund the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet program.

When asked for an update, Sangshin Park, a regional manager for KF-21 manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries, told Defense News: We also dont know whats going to happen, and were still waiting.

Edna Tarigan and Achmad Ibrahim with The Associated Press contributed to this story.
A boy holds a sign to protest against, what a teacher, local councilor and parents said, the kidnapping of hundreds school pupils by gunmen after the Friday prayer, in Kaduna

By Garba Muhammad and Hamza Ibrahim

KADUNA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigerian soldiers were on Monday hunting for armed kidnappers who seized nearly 300 school pupils in Kaduna state last week, a security source said, as distraught parents sought answers on when they would be reunited with their children.

The source said the army's Kaduna-based One Division was leading the operation and "will soon have the bandits in their sights".

The soldiers were backed by the local police, intelligence agency and air force, as well as the Kaduna state vigilance service, a vigilante group that knows the local terrain, the source added.

"The security agencies and the state government are working tirelessly to ensure the freedom of all the abducted students and pupils. We are making progress," said Muhammad Shehu Lawal, a spokesperson for Kaduna state governor, without giving details.

The Nigerian army did not respond to requests for comment.

The mass kidnapping last Thursday, the first since July 2021, shattered the dusty town of Kuriga, 90 km from Kaduna state capital, with parents waiting for answers from authorities.

Kidnappings at schools in Nigeria were first carried out by jihadist group Boko Haram, who seized more than 200 students from a girls' school in Chibok in Borno state a decade ago. Some of the girls have never been released.

But the tactic has since been adopted by criminal gangs without any ideological affiliation seeking ransom payments, with authorities seemingly powerless to stop them.

The kidnappings are tearing apart families and communities who have to pool their meagre savings to pay the ransoms, often forcing parents to sell their most prized possessions like land, cattle and grains to secure their children's release.

In Nigeria, news of kidnappings often fades quickly as abductions have become an almost daily occurrence. One of the top items on news bulletins on Monday was President Bola Tinubu visiting northwestern Niger state, where an airport was being renamed after him.

But in Kuriga, anxious parents were growing weary.

Bala Ibrahim, whose son is among the missing children, said there was no update from local authorities on the whereabouts of the pupils.

"The only thing we know for sure has happened since the abduction is that soldiers have been deployed and have blocked all routes linking Birnin-Gwari and Zamfara (state) forest," Ibrahim told Reuters by phone.

"The soldiers are in the bush going after the kidnappers."

According to Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence 4,500 people have been kidnapped throughout Nigeria since Tinubu took office last May.

Security analysts say the president, who has promised to tackle widespread insecurity, has yet to lay out a clear policy on how he intends to make Nigeria safer.

"This may continue for much of the year," said Ikemesit Effiong, partner and head of research at SBM Intelligence.

(Additional reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe in Lagos; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
(Bloomberg) -- US Senator Robert Menendez pleaded not guilty Monday to expanded bribery charges that accuse him of accepting gold bars, cash and a Mercedes Benz in exchange for helping three businessmen.

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The New Jersey Democrat entered his plea in New York federal court, where US District Judge Sidney Stein rejected Menendezs request to delay the May 6 trial date. Menendez, who has served in the Senate since 2006, declined to say after the hearing whether he will seek reelection.

Menendez, 70, has seen his popularity plummet since he was first indicted in September and stepped down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Tammy Snyder Murphy, wife of Governor Phil Murphy, is running in the Democratic primary in June for his seat against US Representative Andy Kim. The New York Post reported last week that Menendez wont seek reelection, citing a person close to him.

I wouldnt be announcing it in a courtroom, Menendez told reporters in the hallway.

The senator was charged March 5 for a fourth time in a revised indictment that added obstruction of justice and other charges. He was charged with his wife, Nadine, and two New Jersey businessmen, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, who also entered not guilty pleas on Monday.

Read More: US Senator Bob Menendez Indicted Again in US Bribery Case

The new charges followed the guilty plea of a businessman originally indicted with them, Jose Uribe, who is now helping prosecutors in a bid for leniency. Uribe said he bribed the senator with a Mercedes-Benz convertible for help in resolving two legal matters.

Menendez and his wife are accused in the new indictment of directing their lawyers to make false statements to prosecutors about the payments. Prosecutors said Menendez knew they were not loans, but bribe payments. Last week, Menendez called the latest indictment a flagrant abuse of power by overzealous prosecutors.

While the judge said he wont delay the May 6 trial date, as the defendants requested, he still must rule on the senators request that the Speech or Debate Clause of the US Constitution protects members of Congress from prosecution for routine legislative acts.

If Stein rejects Menendezs motion, he will likely appeal, which would delay the trial. In 2015, he was indicted on corruption charges and unsuccessfully sought dismissal based on speech or debate grounds. Menendez lost an appeal and the US Supreme Court declined to hear the case, but the process took 18 months. At trial, jurors deadlocked and the US later dropped the case.

16 Counts

Under the new indictment, Menendez now faces 16 counts, including bribery, fraud, extortion, obstruction and acting as a foreign agent of Egypt. His wife is charged with 15 counts.

Prosecutors accused Menendez of secretly working on behalf of Egypt by giving Egyptian officials highly sensitive information about personnel at the US embassy in Cairo; ghostwriting a letter on Egypts behalf urging his Senate colleagues to release a hold on US aid; and pushing the US State Department to get involved in stalled talks on a Nile River dam project.

Menendez allegedly pressed a US Department of Agriculture official to protect the exclusive right Egypt gave to Hanas company, EG Halal Certified Inc., to certify US food exports as compliant with halal standards.

Menendez also accepted cash and gold bars from Daibes, who sought an investment from a Qatari fund for a real estate project, the US alleges. In exchange, Menendez made multiple public statements supporting the government of Qatar, prosecutors allege. The new indictment charges Daibes with paying bribes to benefit Qatar.

The case is US v. Menendez, 23-cr-490, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

--With assistance from Bob Van Voris.

(Adds case caption and counts Nadine Menendez faces at bottom. An earlier version of this story corrected committee from which Robert Menendez stepped down as chairman.)

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Paulina Klimek, spokeswoman for the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs, claims that buses are not being blocked at the border

The are no passenger buses being prevented from crossing the border between Poland and Ukraine, PAP news agency reported on March 11, citing Polish police.

Read also: Polish farmers to temporarily unblock key Ukraine border crossing  UA Border Guard

WARSAW, Poland  Polish police have stated that there are no blocked buses with passengers at the Polish-Ukrainian border, according to the Polish Press Agency (PAP) citing the acting head of the Polish police Katarzyna Nowak.

The acting head of the Polish police Katarzyna Nowak denied reports of the police working with protesting Polish farmers to impede traffic across the border with Ukraine.

This is false; nothing like that is happening, said Nowak.

As the police, we do not control the humanitarian, military, medical assistance, or buses transporting people.

Read also: Bus carrying 34 draft dodgers detained at Ukrainian-Romanian border

According to her, buses are crossing the border without any issues.

Paulina Klimek, spokesperson for Poland's Interior Ministry, also claimed that there were no obstructions of passenger traffic at the border.

Read also: Ukrainian consul rushes to Polish border as protestors impede passenger traffic

Aid and passenger buses are passing through the border with Ukraine without any problems, she said.

Earlier, Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov reported that Polish protestors are stopping buses from Ukraine headed to Poland and back, detaining passengers without explaining the reasons.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The claim: Nike custom-made Israeli shoes, other companies backed Israel amid war with Hamas

A March 5 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) makes claims about how several businesses responded to the Israel-Hamas war.

Nike custom made Israeli shoes for a settler to show their support of Israeli colonialism, the post says in part.

It also claims McDonalds donated food to Israeli Defense Forces soldiers, that Starbucks sued its union employees for supporting Palestinians, that Chanel donated $4 million to Israel and that the U.S. government has given more than $150 billion in aid to Israel since 1946.

The post received more than 30,000 likes in less than a week.

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Our rating: Partly false

The shoes in question were a pair of Nikes hand-painted by a third-party business unaffiliated with Nike. The post's claims about Starbucks suing its union, Chanel donating money to support Israel and McDonalds giving free meals to Israeli Defense Forces soldiers are accurate. The U.S. aid number in the claim is actually understated  the U.S. has given significantly more than $150 billion in aid to Israel since 1946.

Business unaffiliated with Nike painted Israeli flag on its shoes

The Nike claim is a reference to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that shows a person opening a box holding a pair of Nike shoes with an Israeli flag design.

A label on the packaging says PNT by Ray, a business that customizes shoes. In one of its Facebook posts featuring a different pair of hand-painted Nike shoes, the business said it is not affiliated with Nike, nor does the brand have authorization to use its artwork on Nike products.

The artist behind PNT by Ray, who declined to be named due to fear of harassment said customers send in a pair of shoes or other product that the business then paints on and returns.

"The pair in the video is one I made for Michael Dickson because I am a fan of his and appreciate his advocacy for Israel during this turbulent time for Jews," the artist said, referring to the executive director for StandWithUs Israel, a pro-Israel organization that fights antisemitism.

The sneakers with the Israeli flag design do not appear on Nikes website or social media pages.

Other elements of the post line up with prior reporting.

The post's claim that the U.S. has sent over $150 billion to Israel since 1946 is true, though the actual figure is well above that. The Council on Foreign Relations, for example, reported the U.S. has given Israel about $300 billion between 1946 and 2023, adjusted for inflation. U.S. News and World Report said the figure was at more than $260 billion since World War II.

Fact check: Pepsi can design predates Israel-Hamas war, unrelated to ongoing conflict

People wave Israeli flags as a helicopter carrying hostages released from Gaza by Hamas arrives at the helipad of the Schneider Children's Medical Center in Petah Tikva, Israel, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) ORG XMIT: DV533

McDonalds Israel announced in October 2023 it had given thousands of free meals to Israeli Defense Forces soldiers in a move that prompted backlash from other McDonalds franchises in the Middle East, Reuters reported.

Starbucks filed a lawsuit against Starbucks Workers United after the union posted a pro-Palestinian statement on social media amid the Israel-Hamas war, USA TODAY reported. Starbucks alleged that the post damaged its reputation and led to threatening phone calls and hostile customers at its locations.

A leaked internal memo from Chanel said the company was donating $4 million to humanitarian relief efforts in Israel amid the war, as reported by Womens Wear Daily, an online fashion magazine.

USA TODAY has debunked an array of false claims surrounding corporate stances on the Israel-Hamas war, including that McDonalds changed its wrappers to support Israel, that Starbucks released a watermelon mug in support of Palestinians and that Starbucks was closing stores in Morocco and San Francisco because of pro-Palestinian boycotts.

USA TODAY reached out to Chanel and the user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Nike declined to comment.

Logically also debunked the Nike claim.

Our fact-check sources:

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Small business customized Nike shoes to add Israeli flag | Fact check
The ceremony of signing Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan documents has been held with the participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the Decision of the First Meeting of High-Level Intergovernmental Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan Orkhan Mammadov and Chairman of the Board of the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund of the Republic of Kazakhstan Gaukhar Buribayeva signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBIA) and the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund JSC.

Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ahmad Ismayilov and Director of the Central Communications Service under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askar Umarov signed the Memorandum on Cooperation between the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republican State Institution Central Communications Service under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

President of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic Rovshan Najaf and Chairman of the Management Board of National Company KazMunayGaz of the Republic of Kazakhstan Magzum Mirzagaliyev signed the Memorandum on Strategic Cooperation between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic and KazMunayGas National Company JSC in the field of purchase and sale of Kazakh oil and the Agreement between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic and KazMunayGas National Company JSC on the staged increase of volumes of Kazakh oil transported through the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Chief Executive Officer of the Azerbaijan Investment Holding Ruslan Alikhanov and Chief Executive Officer of Samruk-Kazyna JSC Nurlan Zhakupov signed the Agreement on Strategic Partnership between the Azerbaijan Investment Holding and Samruk-Kazyna Joint-Stock Company.

Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli and Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva signed the Action Plan for 2024-2025 between Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ministry of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan Rashad Nabiyev and Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bagdat Musin signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Emin Amrullayev and Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek signed the Protocol on Amendments to the Agreement on Cooperation of April 3, 2017 in the field of education between the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan Rashad Nabiyev and Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan Marat Karabayev signed the Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Diplomas of Specialization of Ship Crews between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Robots weld bodyshells of cars at a workshop of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Li Auto Inc. in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Promoting the new quality productive forces is "a very laudable move," said an expert, expressing his confidence that China will make more breakthroughs in science and technology to spur high-quality development.

ACCRA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- China's innovation-oriented development strategy has injected more vitality into its economy and will drive high-quality economic growth in the long run, a Ghanaian media executive has said.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Roger Agana, managing director of News Ghana, a leading news website in Ghana, described China's innovation-oriented development strategy as a driving force for growth, saying that the approach has proved to be dynamic and resilient.

Promoting the new quality productive forces is "a very laudable move," Agana said, adding he is upbeat that China will make more breakthroughs in science and technology to spur high-quality development.

His view on China's economy was bolstered during his first visit to China last December when he visited some high-tech firms in southern China's Guangdong Province. He was struck by the Chinese-made new energy vehicles, which he believed would be much more prevalent in the future.

"With new technologies, you can easily charge a car within 30 minutes; it's environmentally friendly and more efficient, which makes life much easier," he said, adding the new energy vehicle industry is simply the tip of the iceberg among the cluster of China's emerging industries.

This photo shows an exhibit of the Superfast Charging Battery Shenxing displayed at the booth of Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) during the 2023 International Motor Show, officially known as the IAA MOBILITY 2023, in Munich, Germany, Sept. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

Agana expressed confidence in China's efforts to strengthen reforms in the sci-tech sector to further unlock the potential for innovation with a view to high-quality development.

"I believe that also offers useful lessons to Ghana and the whole of Africa," he added.

Speaking of China's economic performance in 2023, Agana said it was "impressive."

"The world's second-largest economy has seen a GDP growth of 5.2 percent in 2023, which is a very impressive performance considering what is going on in the world right now. While a lot of countries' economies went negative, China was still growing," said Agana.

China has contributed a lot to the global economy, which is still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and regional crises, Agana said, adding that China's economic growth has boosted demand for exports from other countries, which is beneficial to its trade partners.

China's economic growth shows the vitality of its economy and the Chinese government's capacity to handle external pressure from the volatile global market while dealing with domestic issues, Agana said.

Highlighting the positive impact that China's economic recovery exerts on Ghana and Africa, Agana said it may drive more Chinese investment in the continent's infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative, enabling a more robust development in many sectors in Africa.
Tom Tugendhat has laid the Government position on extremism and religion ahead of a new official definition of extremism - Jamie Lorriman

No religion has a right to be exempt from criticism, the security minister has said ahead of a crackdown on extremism.

Tom Tugendhat said no faith had a right not to be challenged amid concerns that some extremists have used intimidation and threats of violence against those perceived to have insulted Islam.

It follows the case of a teacher in Batley, West Yorks, who received death threats after showing pupils a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed during a religious education lesson almost two years ago and has remained in hiding ever since as he fears for his life.

Mr Tugendhat declined to comment on individual cases but he said: There is absolutely no right for any religion to be offended, if we accepted that then wed still be Catholic.

Every religion has the right to be challenged and there is no religion that has the right to be immune from that for any reason at all.

Speaking on GB News, he added: Anybody can challenge any article of any faith, it is absolutely fundamental, and there is no right to be immune from that.

You know very well, because its the fundamental tenet of your job as a journalist to have freedom of speech.

New definition of extremism to be announced

His comments come 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.

The definition, to be unveiled by Michael Gove, the Communities Secretary, will replace the existing Prevent counter-terror programmes 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.

Protests condemning acts of apparent blasphemy have become more frequent and radicalised, according to independent research commissioned by the Governments counter-extremism chief.

The report exposes links between activists at the forefront of recent protests in the UK and an extremist Islamist political party in Pakistan whose members have regularly called for blasphemers to be beheaded.

Robin Simcox, the Governments counter-extremism tsar, commissioned the research after three blasphemy flashpoints in the UK.

These included the 2021 protests against the Batley teacher; Birmingham protests over the screening of the film The Lady in Heaven, which depicted Mohammeds daughter; and last years controversy in Wakefield after a copy of the Quran was slightly damaged at a high school.

Government hasnt had the spine to take them on

It comes as the Government faced criticism from Fiyaz Mughal, a campaigner against extremism, who 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.

Along with senior MPs, he is urging Mr Gove to publish a list of the extremist groups that would be caught by the new definition.

Mr Mughal 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.

He also alleged some officials in Whitehall were sympathetic to Islamists, which, he said, was part of the problem. He added: They have civil servants who have sympathies to these groups.

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SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea's Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Myong Ho held talks in Mongolia with his counterpart Amartuvshin Gombosuren on Monday, Mongolia's foreign ministry said, marking a rare foreign trip by a diplomatic delegation from the isolated state.

The trip comes as Pyongyang appears to be starting to expand diplomatic engagement after keeping its borders tightly shut during the pandemic. The last such visit by North Korean officials to Mongolia was in 2019 when members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea made the journey.

The vice ministers discussed the "steady development of the friendly relationship" between the countries as well as international and regional cooperation, a press release posted on the Mongolian foreign ministry's website said.

Pak, who was due to stay in Mongolia until Wednesday, also met with Mongolia's foreign minister Battsetseg Batmunkh on Sunday.

North Korea was invited to send representatives to the 9th International Conference on Northeast Asian Security "Ulaanbaatar Dialogue" as well as the World Women's Forum later this year, the ministry's website said.

The two sides agreed to take "practical action measures" to resume collaboration in various sectors, including education and culture, it said.

North Korean state media KCNA reported on Sunday that a delegation led by Pak left North Korea on Saturday to visit Mongolia without giving further details.

Pak emphasized the importance of Pyongyang's relations with Mongolia, the foreign ministry statement said.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by Ed Davies and Ros Russell)
Green Hill Solar Farm said its proposed site would have a maximum power output of 500MW

A councillor has launched a petition protesting over the size of a proposed solar farm.

A developer wants to build the project on roughly 950 hectares of land in Northamptonshire.

Martin Griffiths, an independent councillor on North Northamptonshire Council, said he wanted "a reduction in the sheer scale of these plans".

The company Green Hill Solar Farm says the scheme is necessary to help the UK reach its net zero targets.

Mr Griffiths pointed out the proposed size would make it the largest solar farm in the UK.

"Please sign this petition if you believe in balanced progress towards sustainable living and a reduction in the sheer scale of these plans," said Mr Griffiths.

"Let us work together towards a solution that benefits everyone - one that embraces clean energy without compromising the integrity of our local environment."

The firm has started a pre-application consultation with local people, but is not expected to submit a formal planning application until 2025.

Green Hill Solar Farm said the site would have a maximum power output of 500MW.

Several sites located south and west of Wellingborough, and north of Northampton, were being assessed - the firm said.

The Planning Inspectorate usually makes decisions and recommendations to government on very large projects such as this, rather than the local planning authority.

Martin Griffiths said he wanted a solution that "embraces clean energy without compromising the integrity of our local environment"

In a statement, Green Hill Solar Farm said: "We are already consulting locally with the planning authorities on the application and would encourage people to engage with the consultation process."

The company said it was undertaking initial surveys, assessments and public engagement, "to determine where within these areas might be suitable for the solar panels and other components required, and how these could be laid out".

According to its website, the firm wants to provide electricity to people's homes by 2029.

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Valerii Bezehuvenko describes Brenda and Brian Dinsdale as his English family

When the war began in Ukraine in February 2022, Brenda and Brian Dinsdale knew they wanted to help.

Mrs Dinsdale's grandparents came to the UK from Eastern Europe as Jewish refugees and she speaks Russian.

So Valerii Bezehuvenko, 69, came to live with them in Cramlington, in Northumberland, in April 2022.

"We saw a television report of an elderly lady being pushed in a supermarket trolley and we decided to take an older person," Mrs Dinsdale explained.

"We'd run a charity in the past which had helped children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the same region," Mr Dinsdale said.

"It just seemed the right thing to do."

Although Mr Bezehuvenko now has his own flat he still regularly visits Mr and Mrs Dinsdale

Mr Bezehuvenko is among more than 200,000 Ukrainians who have come to the UK since the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme began two years ago.

He is from the Donbas area of eastern Ukraine, which has seen heavy fighting following the Russian invasion.

His wife is Russian and moved with one of their children to Moscow. His other two children remain in Ukraine.

He is now in a rented flat but still keeps in close contact with Mr and Mrs Dinsdale.

"Brian and Brenda are my English family - my new family," he said.

"They are so good, just marvellous, wonderful."

Illia, pictured with Samantha and Caleb Rees, has gone back to Ukraine but is still a huge Newcastle fan.

Three visa schemes were set up following the invasion: the Homes for Ukraine scheme, the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

Samantha Rees, 57, from Hayden Bridge, Northumberland, was one of the first to take advantage of them.

Her son's Ukrainian girlfriend, Dasha Hohu, was already in the UK so her mother, grandmother and cousin came on the Ukraine Family Scheme.

"It was so difficult to sort the paperwork," Mrs Rees remembered.

"But finally they got out of Ukraine and into Moldova and from there they flew to Edinburgh where we met them in March 2022."

Their first Sunday lunch after Dasha Hohu's family arrived in Northumberland from Ukraine

One of the three, Illia, 16, has gone back to Ukraine, but Natalie Khomenko, 47, and her mother Valynta Khomenko, 72, are still here and are renting their own house.

"They were just so lovely," Mrs Rees said.

"Communication was a problem but they were always cleaning and cooking for me.

"I did it for Dasha but I'd like to think I'd have done it anyway."

Vova Belei has now completed more than a year of his apprenticeship

Ukrainians who have been granted visas have rights to access work, benefits, healthcare and education.

Chris Green, who owns R. Green & Son Butchers in Longframlington, Northumberland, took on Volodmyr Belei, or Vova as he is also known, as an apprentice butcher in January last year.

The 36-year-old had followed his wife and family to Rothbury where they were taken in by a sponsor.

"He's done his first year, with another year and half to go," Mr Green explained.

"He's working really well, his work ethic's excellent, he fits in with the team really well so they'll always be a job here with us for him."

Mr Belei said he was "very grateful" to Mr Green and the people of Northumberland.

"It is a very peaceful place, I would like to stay if possible," he said.

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The Princess of Wales has admitted she edited her image herself - The Prince of Wales

It was no doubt intended to silence the wagging tongues and conspiracy theorists. But a photograph released by Kensington Palace on Mothering Sunday, showing the Princess of Wales looking happy and healthy with her children after a period of absence from the public eye, had the opposite effect.

On Sunday night, the image was recalled by five of the worlds biggest picture agencies because of fears it had been manipulated. Eagle-eyed critics claimed Princess Charlottes sleeve and wrist appeared to be partially missing. Others noticed an apparent inconsistency with the zip on Kates jacket. There were further questions over the shading around Prince Louiss jumper. And, among other oddities, the Princesss wedding ring was missing.

Breaking with the favoured maxim never apologise, never explain, she did both on Monday, admitting she had edited the photograph herself.

None of which is likely to quell speculation about what on earths going on with the Princess following her abdominal operation.

But while this is thought to be the first time the picture agencies have publicly recalled an official photograph issued by the Palace, manipulation of royal pictures is hardly unprecedented.

Cecil Beaton, who photographed the Royal family in the mid-20th century, was the master of retouching, says his biographer Hugo Vickers, a royal historian.

In those days they had to do it with white paint, and he would hive off bits of shoulders, tidy up peoples hair and so on, he says.

Nor was Beaton the only one at it. We want our royals picture perfect, and if hairs are out of place, or spots of dirt visible on cuffs, the image is shattered. They arent meant to be like the rest of us, after all.

And so, sometimes, images are manipulated. Its to make them into perfect photographs, says Vickers. You expect them to be tidied up. You want them to look good, he adds, suggesting this does not necessarily amount to us being lied to.

On some occasions, changes are made not by the photographers or the royals themselves, but by others, acting for their own reasons  which, if you rifle the juicy back catalogue of ancient royal portraiture, become rather more obvious, whether its Henry VIII showing off his enormous codpiece/virility, or Charles I pretending that hes taller than 5ft 4. Read on for our veritable rogues gallery of royal images that have been manipulated in the past:

Too many limbs, too few fingers

Christmas card

The Wales monochrome Christmas card from 2023 has it all: everyone looking stylish and elegant in coordinated crisp white shirts; Prince Louis on best behaviour; Kate and Charlotte in casual-not-casual jeans. But wait, hang on  look a little closer and doesnt it actually have more than everything you would hope to see?

What is that extra foot doing to the right of Charlottes chair? And isnt that another extra human leg positioned just behind it? Bizarrely, this went unnoticed by many at the time, though inevitably some social media users wondered where the extra legs had come from. Some also wondered why Louis appeared to be missing a finger on his left hand, and where Kates second foot was. A royal source told the Daily Mail the image by photographer Josh Shinner had not been photoshopped.

Ten children smiling?

In a photograph released last April on what would have been her 97th birthday, Queen Elizabeth II is surrounded by an assortment of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The snap, taken by the Princess of Wales during a family trip to Balmoral in summer 2022, is a triumph: almost all the children are smiling and looking at the camera  a rare feat for anyone attempting to photograph 10 youngsters at once. But tech entrepreneur Christopher Bouzy said he believed the portrait had been photoshopped, suggesting you could see where two sides of the sofa were spliced together.

Yes, they Photoshopped it, and so what? he wrote on Twitter/X. It isnt easy to get the perfect photo with 10 children. It appears they took multiple shots and then edited the photo to make it perfect. I wouldve done the same.

He suggested that the Queen was probably exhausted and didnt want to sit through a long photoshoot.

Clunky hand

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip

Buckingham Palace released this photo of Queen Elizabeth II beside the Duke of Edinburgh to mark his 99th birthday in 2020.

But on social media, some suggested the image had been photoshopped. The shadow on Elizabeth IIs unnaturally shaped right hand  which looks like a bad cutout  aroused particular suspicion.

A knights (untrue) tale

Jeffrey Wong Su En's fake image

Its understandable that Malaysian politician Jeffrey Wong Su En would be proud of this image of him being knighted by Elizabeth II in 2010. Theres only one problem: he was never knighted by her at all.

Instead, his head was superimposed on to a picture of the Queen distributing honours. This didnt stop him issuing a press release announcing his alleged award.

Mystery man in white

Prince William in Montserrat

Here, Prince William and his crew are pictured during Royal Navy manoeuvres in the seas of Montserrat in July 2008. But in a version of this picture published in the print edition of The Sun, there was someone missing: the man dressed in white at the back of the boat.

He wasnt entirely missing though: his knee and lower leg remained un-airbrushed from the shot. Its not clear why the rest of him was removed.

William too unhappy to put on a show

The wedding photo

When Sir Geoffrey Shakerley attempted to capture the Royal familys joy on the occasion of the 1999 marriage of Prince Edward to Sophie, now Duchess of Edinburgh, it seems he was thwarted by one relative in attendance: Prince William apparently didnt look sufficiently happy.

Since Prince Edward felt his nephew was not looking absolutely his best, the photo was digitally altered to replace Williams face with one from another picture where he was smiling, Sir Geoffrey told ITN News afterwards. [D]igitally we were able to put in another picture of Prince William from one of the other shots where he is smiling and laughing, he explained.

The photo above, taken from a contemporaneous BBC report, does not include William. The doctored photo could not be published online since the couple wanted the funds raised from their wedding coverage to go to charity.

The disappearing King George VI

Now you see him, now you dont. In the original photograph Queen Elizabeth (mother of the late Elizabeth II) stands between King George VI and the then Canadian prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King in the grounds of the Banff Springs Hotel in Canada in 1939.

As in a laughably easy spot-the-difference, King George VI was removed in a version of the picture used on an election poster for Lyon Mackenzie King. It has been suggested the removal of the King made the prime minister look more powerful.

Towering Charles I

Equestrian Portrait of Charles I by Anthony van Dyck

If its manifestly untrue to say the camera never lies, its also the case that royal portraits never quite tell the truth. As with any painting, these can only ever give us a version of reality. And when it comes to royal portraiture, this version will always be a favourable one. As Telegraph art critic Alastair Sooke notes: To some extent all royal portraiture is, inevitably, a flattering, edited version of reality.

Charles I was very short, but youd never know it from looking at Van Dycks equestrian portraits of him, he points out. The gold Order of The Garter chain, the baton and the grip on the reins of an extraordinary muscular horse in this picture from 1637-38 all suggest the command he had over his kingdom.

Until, of course, he was executed a decade later.

Henry VIIIs spectacular codpiece

Portrait of King Henry VIII of England, 1537-1541. Found in the Collection of Walker Art Gallery

Hans Holbein the Younger was equally flattering in his portrait of Henry VIII, not least in the codpiece department. We can be in little doubt about what the agenda is here in this portrait dated between 1540 and 1547. As historian Lucy Worsley has written: Henrys enormous codpiece emphasises his virility, and hence his capacity for providing England with heirs to the throne.

Zhuzhed-up Anne of Cleves?

Anne of Cleves (1515-1557) , ca 1539. Artist Holbein, Hans, the Younger (1497-1543

Holbein is thought to have sent this 1539 portrait of Anne of Cleves to Henry VIII when the monarch was choosing his fourth bride.

Some historians have suggested he exaggerated her beauty, with Henry himself complaining Anne was nothing so fair as hath been reported. He had their marriage annulled just over six months after they had wed.

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The woman at the center of the sex trafficking story Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., discussed in her State of the Union response criticized the senator on Sunday.

Britt last week came under fire for seeming to blame President Joe Biden for a harrowing tale of child sex trafficking that occurred in Mexico during the George W. Bush administration. The victim, Karla Jacinto Romero, shared her story in a congressional hearing in 2015.

We wouldnt be OK with this happening in a third-world country, Britt said in her rebuttal to Bidens speech last week. This is the United States of America, and it is past time, in my opinion, that we start acting like it. President Bidens border policies are a disgrace. This crisis is despicable.

Fox News host Shannon Bream pressed Britt on Sunday about whether she intended to imply that this horrible story happened on President Bidens watch.

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 replied.

And so listening to her story, she is a victims rights advocate who is telling this is what drug cartels are doing, this is how theyre profiting off of women, and it is disgusting, Britt continued. And 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.

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

Jacinto on Sunday told CNN that lawmakers lack empathy when they discuss sex 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 said.

Jacinto told the outlet that Mexican politicians exploited her story for political purposes and not it is happening again in the United States.

I work as a spokesperson for many victims who have no voice, and I really would like them to be empathetic: all the governors, all the senators, to be empathetic with the issue of human trafficking because there are millions of girls and boys who disappear all the time, she said. People who are really trafficked and abused, as she [Britt] mentioned. And I think she [Britt] should first take into account what really happens before telling a story of that magnitude.

Jacinto told CNN that she met Britt at an event at the southern border with other officials, not during a one-on-one as Britt had stated. Jacinto said she was never trafficking in the U.S. as the senator appeared to suggest. And she said she was not trafficked by cartels but by a pimp who entrapped vulnerable girls and forced them into sex work.

WOW!



Sex Trafficking victim Karla Jacinto has some very harsh words for Republican Senator Katie Britt.



Britt, who used Jacintos story in the GOP response to the State of the Union Address, not only seems to have gotten facts wrong, but she also didnt ask Jacinto permission pic.twitter.com/2UohWXKhfi  Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) March 11, 2024

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The White House on Sunday accused Britt of sharing debunked lies.

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.
Benjamin Netanyahu said Israels military is not getting off the gas with its assault in southern Gaza where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering, despite President Joe Bidens warning that an attack on Rafah is a red line in its war on Hamas.

Ultimately, its Israel that has to decide, Israels prime minister told Fox & Friends on Fox News on Monday.

Im telling you that were not getting off the gas, he added. Im telling you that we have to take care of Israels security and our future and that requires eliminating the terrorist army. Thats a prerequisite for victory.

Mr Netanyahus remarks, on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, follow more public criticism from President Biden within the last week, including the presidents message to Israel for humanitarian assistance during his State of the Union address and recent remarks that his ally is hurting Israel more than helping by disregarding innocent lives being lost in Gaza.

After months of international demands for US support for a ceasefire, the Biden administration has now supported a six-week pause in fighting to allow for the flow of aid. The president has also proposed an emergency seaport to expedite aid delivery that could take up to two months to construct.

US military planes have air-dropped more than 27,000 meals and more than 25,000 bottles of water into northern Gaza in recent days, according to US Central Command.

Palestinians walk past kiosks set up next to destroyed buildings along a street on the first day of Ramadan in Al Nusairat refugee camp in Gaza on 11 March (EPA)

Israels government has not presented its most powerful ally  supplying tens of billions of dollars in military support  with any plan for allowing humanitarian assistance or for an attack of Rafah, according to US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Mr Miller told reporters on Monday that the US has made clear both in the private conversations and publicly that it is our judgment that they cannot or should not go into Rafah without a humanitarian assistance plan that is credible.

In an interview with MSNBC on Saturday, President Biden said an operation in Rafah constitutes a red line but insisted that the US will continue to support Israel. Neither the administration nor Congress has placed any apparent conditions on its ongoing military support for Israel despite pressure from progressive lawmakers and global aid groups.

Asked what a red line means for the president, White House deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton said it would not be productive to assign a red line sort of terminology to what is a very complex set of policies.

The last time the two leaders last spoke was in mid-February, Ms Dalton told reporters on Monday.

She told reporters on Monday that their relationship remains clear and consistent and allows them to be direct and honest when needed.

Israels right to protect itself needs to be in a manner that is consistent with the laws of war and must pay greater attention to the level of humanitarian suffering and the unacceptably higher number of civilian casualties that were seeing, she said.

No military operation should take place in Rafah, if there is not a credible and implementable plan to take care of the safety and security needs of the more than 1 million civilians who are sheltering there, and weve seen no such plan, she added.

More than 30,000 Palestinians, including 14,000 children, have been killed in Gaza since the launch of Israels retaliatory campaign in the wake of Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 on October 7.On Monday, the head of the United Nations once again called for a ceasefire in Gaza and to allow for aid to flow into the strip.

In the spirit of Ramadan, I appeal to all those involved in conflict everywhere to silence the guns and return to the peace table, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday.

I call on political, religious and community leaders everywhere to do everything in their power to make this holy period a time for empathy, action and peace, he said.
First things first: I know quite well both Humza Yousaf, Scotlands First Minister, and Stephen Kerr, the Tory MSP who has been prominent in asking questions about how the Scottish government decided to make a donation to an organisation working in Gaza.

While we dont agree on much politically, I dont think that Mr Yousaf disagrees with the UK Governments belief that Hamas is a terrorist organisation. Indeed, he condemned the groups October 7 atrocities. But nor do I think that Mr Kerr is Islamophobic  as Mr Yousafs supporters have heavily implied.

The First Minister does have robust views about the situation in Gaza; how could it be otherwise given that his in-laws were marooned there for several weeks at the start of the conflict? Hes entitled to those opinions, just as he is entitled to his views about which organisations his government should support with hard cash.

Except in one respect: the cash is not his. It is ours. It belongs to the taxpayers. And so how he chooses to spend it, particularly when accused of doing so in a different direction to that suggested to him by his civil servants (and, by the way, I think hes entitled to make such an executive decision), he should say why hes doing that.

This is the essence of Mr Kerrs demand  namely that the First Minister should explain why, when his officials were reported to have recommended that the Scottish government should donate to Unicef, Mr Yousaf decided to give to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) instead.

Perhaps because of the overcharged political atmosphere enveloping the country, however, what was a fairly bog standard demand by an opposition politician for a minister to answer a question brought forth astonishing expressions of outrage. Mr Kerr was denounced, while Mr Yousaf hit out at the story, calling it an outrageous smear, Islamophobic, and an attempt to link the First Minister to terrorism.

For his part, the Tory MSP said that the First Minister had failed to explain why he was reported to have overruled officials when deciding that the Scottish government should donate 250,000 to UNRWA. The UK Government has subsequently suspended donations to the organisation because alleged links with Hamas have since emerged.

Consequently, its difficult to argue with Mr Kerrs belief that his questions were not an unreasonable ask. However, it is also clear that the First Minister and his party are determined to make this an issue of alleged bigotry rather than just an apparent change of direction for a sizable sum of taxpayers money.

This was nowhere more evident than in a completely over-the-top intervention by the SNPs deputy leader Keith Brown, who, in a radio interview, dredged up words like despicable and hate in his attack. The normally placid Mr Brown, who served with the Royal Marines in the Falklands War, even demanded that the Prime Minister ban Mr Kerr from standing as a Conservative candidate in the forthcoming general election.

It was all a ridiculously overblown distraction from what is the bounden duty of politicians everywhere. This is to hold to account those ministers whose cavalier attitudes too often see them treat taxpayers money as their own  to do with it what they will, no matter the cause. Have the nationalists protested too much on this? You bet they have.

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UPDATE: Kansas GOP spokesman, Dakotah Parshall, provided the following statement at 1:14pm on Monday.

The Johnson County Republican Party hosted a fundraiser on Friday, March 8th. After the event took place, it was brought to the attention of the KSGOP that an outside exhibitor in the karate/self-defense space rented a booth at the event. A disgruntled former member of the state party, who did not attend the event, saw an opportunity to capitalize on the poor judgement of the outside exhibitor. No one from KSGOP leadership or staff attended the event or had input on exhibitors. Its unfortunate the events took place, and even more so the former state party member created a false narrative in order to spew rhetoric and capitalize on continued attempts to divide the party. The internal fighting and false narratives within the Republican Party risk 2024 election outcomes in Kansas and across America and they must end. Dakotah Parshall, Kansas GOP Executive Director

JOHNSON COUNTY, KS. (KSNT)  Controversy has emerged in the wake of a Johnson County Republican Party fundraiser that took place on March 8.

Video online of the Overland Park event shows attendees punching, kicking and swinging a bat at a mannequin dressed as President Joe Biden.

27 News spoke to former Kansas GOP chairman, Mike Kuckelman, regarding the incident.

Taking a bat and beating an effigy or mannequin of President Biden I found very disturbing and troubling, Kuckelman said. I hope the public realizes most rank and file republicans abhor this conduct.

Kuckelman was not at the event but says he received phone calls about it and immediately took to Facebook to condemn the behavior.

This is not acceptable, he said. Violence in any form is not acceptable. What are we teaching children when we have adults who will take a bat and beat the head of a mannequin dressed up and with a mask making it appear to be President Biden?

Current Kansas GOP chairman Mike Brown tells 27 News, the event Friday had nothing to do with KSGOP.

Sen. Cindy Holscher (D) of Overland Park and Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins (R) also weighed in on the event in statements given to 27 News:

As an elected official who has received dozens of threats over the past few years from Trump supporters via social media, as well as to my email and voicemail, I cant say Im surprised by this display. This type of behavior is not only juvenile, but dangerous and has no place in politics or our society. This continuing growth of extremism in the GOP is why I left the party several years ago. The few remaining members with integrity have condemned these actions, yet, sadly, they are the ones who keep getting pushed out of the party. Sen. Cindy Holscher, (D) Overland Park

I did not attend this event and cant speak to the specifics but as a rule, I condemn political violence. Ive personally received death threats in the past and was one of over 100 Republican lawmakers in Kansas who last year received terroristic letters containing white powder. In recent memory, Republican Steve Scalise and Democrat Gabby Gifford both suffered severe injuries as a result of deranged gunmen. In light of these events and those like them, its important that we use good judgment. Whether its Kathy Griffin infamously posing for a photo holding what appears to be President Trumps severed head or pounding on a mannequin of President Biden, what may seem like a joke for many will be seen by some as an expansion of acceptable behavior with potentially tragic consequences. The people of our state have real issues that need resolved and these distractions only interfere with that process. Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins

Johnson County Republican Party chairwoman, Maria Holiday, did not reply to a request for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
STOCKHOLM, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Arms imports to Europe surged 94 percent in 2019-2023 from 2014-2018, said the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on Monday.

In its latest report, SIPRI said Ukraine emerged as the largest arms importer in Europe and the fourth in the world over the past five years, as at least 30 countries supplied weapons to it since February 2022.

"With many high-value arms on order, including nearly 800 combat aircraft and combat helicopters, European arms imports are likely to remain at a high level," said Pieter Wezeman, a senior researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.

Wezeman added that in the past two years Europe has also seen a much greater demand for air defence systems due to the Ukraine crisis.

Meanwhile, the SIPRI report showed that around 55 percent of arms imports by European states in the 2019-2023 period were from the United States.

"Many factors shape European NATO states' decisions to import from the USA, including the goal of maintaining trans-Atlantic relations," said SIPRI Director Dan Smith.

"If trans-Atlantic relations change in the coming years, European states' arms procurement policies may also be modified," Smith added.

SIPRI, founded in 1966, provides data, analysis and recommendations for military expenditure, arms trade, disarmament and arms control, among others. 
An Upper East Side veterinarian office is responsible for the "murder" of a tiny Maltese that received "piecemeal" dental work there and later died of kidney failure, the pup's owner claims in a $3 million lawsuit.

An Upper East Side veterinarian office is responsible for the murder of a tiny Maltese that received piecemeal dental work there and later died of kidney failure, the pups owner claims in a $3 million lawsuit.

Devastated pet owner and plaintiff Kathryn Corkery says in recent court papers that Lenox Hill Veterinarians added insult to injury by asking her if she did drugs or had narcotics in her apartment while her dog Oliver suffered in the days before his death  a blatant attempt to shift blame away from the clinics screw-up.

Ms. Corkery experienced nightmares every night, reliving the suffering that Oliver experienced, her February lawsuit states. The images of Olivers suffering and his death are locked in Ms. Corkerys memories.

Oliver, 12, had three teeth pulled on three separate occasions, which the lawsuit claims ultimately led to the dogs death.

Oliver, 12, had three teeth pulled on three separate occasions, which the lawsuit claims ultimately led to the dogs fatal health woes.

After Olivers first extraction in August 2022, Corkery took him back to the vet for another tooth-yanking in February 2023 and then again for his third in May 2023.

Corkery insists in her suit that the vet, Dr. Manuel Sanchez, could have minimized the risks tied to the oral procedures if he had just yanked Olivers last two teeth needing extraction on the same day in February, when the potential problem with the third tooth came up.

But nothing was done with third tooth at the time, and she was told to come back in six months.

When she brought the dog back three months later because of issues, it became clear the third tooth needed to be extracted, the lawsuit states.

Plaintiff blew up at Dr. Sanchez about the mistake they made by not pulling that tooth out in February 3, 2023 when the other tooth was extracted, the lawsuit states, also alleging that no pre-surgical exam and no blood or urine work was done during the May 25 visit before the extraction to check for any increased risks, as had been before the first two procedures.

A lawsuit claims the Lenox Hill Veterinarians office is responsible for the murder of a tiny Maltese that received piecemeal dental work there and later died of kidney failure. John Roca

Five days later, Oliver began vomiting water and stumbling when he walked, but Sanchez dismissed any concern during a June 7 appointment, even though the dog hadnt had problems after the previous teeth extractions, the lawsuit claims.

Finally, Lenox Hill Veterinarians informed Corkery on July 1 that her dog had kidney failure, which led Sanchez to tell her he had to ask her some uncomfortable questions.

Dr. Sanchez proceeded to ask Plaintiff questions, such as, do you have plants? Do you have something toxic in your apartment? Do you do drugs? Are there drugs in your apartment? The answer to all of those questions was no, the lawsuit says. Dr. Sanchez was clearly attempting to blame Plaintiff for Olivers failing health, instead of holding himself accountable for causing Oliver to suffer from kidney failure.

The lawsuit claims the piecemeal dental work opened the dog to increased possible side effects from excessive anesthesia and bacteria. John Roca

Oliver died a little more than two weeks after that phone call. The lawsuit claims the piecemeal dental work opened the dog to increased possible side effects from excessive anesthesia and bacteria.

Ms. Corkery has suffered severe emotional distress as a result of Defendants murder of Oliver, the suit claims.

Sanchez, office owner Dr. Lawrence Putter and the practice are named defendants in the legal action, which was first reported by the local outlet Upper East Site.

Oliver, 12, had three teeth pulled on three separate occasions, which the lawsuit claims ultimately led to the dogs fatal health woes.

Lenox Hill Veterinarian declined to comment to The Post on the allegations in the suit, but practice manager Luke Lowry said the plaintiffs lawyer, Peggy Collen, requested $10,000 from the clinic in December, which was declined.

The lawsuit is now seeking more than $3 million in damages, he noted.

I think we can sort of figure out whats going on there, Lowry said.

Collen called Lowrys assertion not true and stressed her client is entitled to a multimillion-dollar payout because of the defendants reckless and malicious actions.

Lowry noted the clinic, located on Second Avenue between East 78th and East 79th streets, has been serving the Upper East Side for 51 years and that the plaintiff had been coming to the clinic for several years before Olivers death.

We are dedicated to providing the highest level of veterinary medicine along with friendly, compassionate service, the vet office says on its website.
Calling all animal lovers! The Worcester County Humane Society's 23rd annual Boardwalkin' for Pets will return to Ocean City's historic Boardwalk this spring.

Here's everything you need to know about the pet-friendly event.

DOG PLAYGROUND: Ocean City's Dog Playground will reopen soon after improvements, and here's what to expect

When will Boardwalkin' for Pets take place?

The Worcester County Humane Society had its 16th Annual Boardwalkin for Pets with over 300 dogs walking to raise money for the shelter.

Boardwalkin' for Pets is set to kick off on Saturday, April 27. Registration will open to all participants and pets at 8:30 a.m.

The walk will begin at 9 a.m. at the south end of Ocean Citys historic Boardwalk, traveling all the way up to 28th Street and back. Participants may start fundraising today by signing up online. The more money participants raise, the greater their chance of winning a great prize.

This year's event will include a special Doggie Dig, Scavenger Hunt and After-Pawty with an array of prizes and giveaways.

OCEAN BOWL SKATE PARK: Two murals now coming to Ocean City skate park, the oldest continuously run one in the US

What is the Worcester County Humane Society?

Forrest Tewey with Diesel and Julie Bel Claire with Jo Jo attended the Worcester County Humane Society had its 16th Annual Boardwalkin for Pets with over 300 dogs walking to raise money for the shelter.

The Worcester County Humane Society is a no-kill animal shelter located at 12330 Eagles Nest Road in Berlin, Maryland. The animal shelter was initially formed in 1976 with the intent of optimizing pets health and welfare.

According to the Worcester County Humane Society's official website, its mission is to provide compassionate sheltering with a focus on animal well-being while providing adoption services, low-cost spay/neuter and comprehensive humane programming for local pets and pet owners.

The animal shelter, a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization, is funded mainly by its thrift store, private donors, fundraisers and grants. Boardwalkin for Pets is the Worcester County Humane Society's largest fundraiser held each year.

2024 OCEANS CALLING LINEUP: Ocean City's 2024 Oceans Calling to host Blink-182, Dave Matthews Band: Here's the lineup

What's the weather forecast?

The weather will be updated as the 23rd Annual Boardwalkin' for Pets draws near.

Dogs showed off their costumes to be judged for the Best Costume Contest at the Worcester County Humane Society had its 16th Annual Boardwalkin for Pets with over 300 dogs walking to raise money for the shelter.

OC ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE: Attending the 2024 Ocean City St. Patrick's Day Parade? Here's everything you need to know

If you go:

WHAT: 23rd Annual Boardwalkin' for Pets

WHEN: Saturday, April 27, 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: From the South end of Ocean City's Boardwalk to 28th Street and back

INFO: https://www.facebook.com/WorCoHumaneSociety

2024 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE: Total solar eclipse will cross 13 U.S. states on April 8: Is Maryland in its path?

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: All to know about Ocean City's 23rd annual Boardwalkin' for Pets
UPDATE, Tuesday: Sarah Skriver, the suspects girlfriend, has been charged with being an Accessory After the Fact, officials announced Tuesday.

According to the District Attorney of Desoto Countys Public Information Officer, Skriver is set to appear in court on Tuesday.

UPDATE: Colby Alan Towles was captured by US Marshals near the Bass Pro Anglers Lodge Hotel in Springfield, Missouri Monday right before 5 p.m., according to our sister station KOLR.

Towles also had a child with him. The child is now safe.

The city of Olive Branch says detectives with the Olive Branch Police Department are en route to begin the process of having Towles extradited to face charges in regard to the officer-involved shooting.

***

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Olive Branch Police are searching for a motorcyclist who they say opened fire on officers during a traffic stop, officials say.

Police identified the suspect as Colby Alan Towles, 34, of Olive Branch. As of 1:30 p.m., he had not been captured.

Warrants have been issued for Towles on two counts of aggravated assault against a police officer.

Police say he was riding a dark gray Harley Davidson Road Glide, and he may be in a silver Ford F-250 pickup. If you have information, call police at 662-892-9400 or 662-895-4111.

Colby Towles (photos from Olive Branch PD)



According to reports, a little before 1:45 a.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop on Highway 302 near the intersection of Craft-Goodman Frontage Road.

Five people facing charges in Memphis officer shooting

During the interaction, an unknown person on a motorcycle approached the stop and began yelling at officers. They then left the scene heading west on Highway 302.

Shortly after, the motorcyclist made a U-turn and opened fire on the officers. Officials say one officer returned fire and the suspect fled the scene.

No officers were injured.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
17-year-old Maoly Toscano was reported missing Monday, March 11 with her daughter, 1-year-old Sara Tejeda.

A 17-year-old girl and her 1-year-old daughter have been found safe after an Amber Alert was issued Monday morning, according to West Chester police.

Maoly Hererra Toscano and her daughter, Sara Herrera, were located near Akron, officials said Monday afternoon.

Police said the pair were believed to be with Sara's father, 22-year-old Bayron Tejeda. They were previously seen at 4:30 a.m. Monday in West Chester in the area of Foxview Place.

Police said Maoly Toscano and her daughter were believed to be in danger due to "an alleged history of severe domestic violence by Bayron Tejeda."

Bayron Tejeda

Officials have yet to say whether Tejeda has been apprehended.

According to a 911 call, Toscano is from the Akron area and was staying in West Chester as a foster youth. The caller said she doesn't speak English and communicated using a tablet.

The caller said Toscano jumped into a white SUV with her baby and luggage.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing and that additional details are forthcoming.

1-year-old Sara Tejeda was reported missing Monday, March 11 with her mother, 17-year-old Maoly Toscano.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Amber Alert cancelled: Police find 17-year-old, 1-year-old daughter
The president of a catholic high school in Ohio was arrested after allegedly harassing women and trespassing at a Nashville bar over the weekend.

Archbishop Moeller High Schools president James Marshall Hyzdu, 45, was arrested late Saturday night in Nashville and charged with criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct, and public intoxication, according to our news partners at WCPO in Cincinnati.

>> Missing 1-year-old, mother found safe after statewide Amber Alert

According to court documents shared with News Center 7, police were called to a bar on Nashvilles busy Broadway Street late Saturday night on reports of a man, later identified as Hyzdu, following women around and making them feel uncomfortable and causing them to become annoyed with him.

Security escorted Hyzdu out of the bar, but he allegedly returned. Once they found out he was back, security again escorted him out, but he returned. This happened approximately six times. He even allegedly tried changing his clothes to change his appearance, according to an affidavit.

Hyzdu was told he was no longer allowed on the property but entered one more time.

When police arrived, they noted he was highly intoxicated. Police deemed Hyzdu to be a danger to himself and others and took him into custody.

>> Man killed in weekend shooting at Dayton bar identified

Hyzdu was booked into jail overnight on Sunday, but records show he was released just before 8 a.m. on Sunday.

In a statement sent out to district families, Principal Carl Kremer said Hyzdu has been placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, effective immediately. The schools administration is working with the Pastoral Center of the Archdioceses and Moeller Board to handle the next steps.

I want to assure you that we are committed to maintaining our integrity and values as we work through this situation. Moeller faculty and staff remain focused on their work and the education of your sons. We ask for your prayers and partnership during this time, Kremer said.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) endorsed state Sen. Matt Dolan for the GOP Senate primary on Monday, putting him in opposition to former President Trump, who backed a different candidate.

The Buckeye States GOP primary is a three-way race between Dolan, Secretary of State Frank LaRose and the Trump-backed businessman Bernie Moreno.

Dolan has aligned himself with more moderate GOP voices in Ohio, choosing not to fully back former President Trump during his 2022 Senate race for the states other seat, eventually won by Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).

In his endorsement, DeWine held up Dolan as the best shot for Republicans to defeat Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).

Matts service, experience, and integrity will make him the most effective voice for Ohios interests on the national stage, the governor said in a statement. Matt Dolan has a vision for the future. He listens. He fights. And he knows how to get results for Ohio.

Dolan also received the endorsement of former Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) on Friday, the moderate who garnered a reputation for bipartisan dealmaking. Dolan has attempted to take up Portmans mantle as the moderate candidate in the 2024 race.

Early polls show Moreno with a slight edge over Dolan, though Dolan has tended to perform better in general election polls against Brown than the more conservative Moreno.

Dolans support is strongest in his native Cleveland, where his family owns the Cleveland Guardians.

Brown has fundraised well as Democrats eye his seat as critical in order to keep a razor-thin majority in the Senate. According to year-end Federal Election Commission filings, Brown ended last year with more than $14 million in the bank, dwarfing LaRoses $771,000, Morenos $2 million and Dolans $4.8 million.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Ca.  Multiple agencies in Southern California are responding to an oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach, including the care of oil-covered wildlife.

The U.S. Coast Guard Los Angeles-Long Beach Command Center received a report March 7th of a substance more than 2 miles off the coast of Huntington Beach. Teams with the Coast Guard Pollution Responders completed a flight over the area and discovered an oil sheen in the Pacific Ocean spanning 2.5 miles long and half a mile wide.

The oil is located between the oil processing platforms known as Emmy and Eva, according to the Coast Guard.

NEW SATELLITE IMAGERY REVEALS EXPANSE OF OIL SPILL IN CARIBBEAN

Reuters reported on Friday that Amplify Emergy Corp. subsidiary Beta Offshore reported a spill of produced water from its offshore Platform Elly, causing the company to shut down the pipeline. According to Reuters, the same platform caused a large oil spill disaster in October 2021, shutting down area beaches.

Coast Guard officials said a discharge of produced water was released from Platform Elly on March 8. However, the "characteristics of the produced water from Platform Elly do not align with what was observed from the sheen. At this time, we do not believe the sheen and the discharge are related."

The Coast Guard continues to investigate the source of the oil.

There are no beach or fishery closures because of the spill. California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment does not believe a public health threat exists.

ECOLOGICAL DISASTER DECLARED AFTER TSUNAMI WAVES CAUSE LARGE OIL SPILL IN PERU

The Oiled Wildlife Care Network has been surveying the shoreline and recovering any wildlife affected by the oil. As of Saturday, four live birds were taken in for care, and three were covered in oil. Another injured snowy plover, which was not covered in oil, was also taken in for care.

Anyone who sees oil-affected wildlife should contact 877-UCD-OWCN (823-6926) to report it.

California's Department of Fish and Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response and the Orange County Sheriff's Office are responding to the oil spill along with the Coast Guard.





Original article source: Oil cleanup underway off Southern California coast
A Thompson Submachine gun is pictured Feb. 7 at the Oklahoma County sheriff's office in Oklahoma City.

On a recent Wednesday afternoon inside the sheriffs office, Staff Sgt. Bradley Wynn pored over the pages of a century-old ledger listing crimes, criminals, jail time and fines.

So, theres a lot of murder, Wynn said.

Indeed. The ledgers date back to 1890. Wynn estimates there are more than two tons of history in the thick volumes, which contain all manner of crime, from petty theft to homicide.

But the ledgers are only part of a wide array of sheriffs office history Wynn has collected since 2013. The aim is to curate the artifacts in a remodeled sheriffs office that is set for work later this year.

That means criminal justice enthusiasts and those with a general interest in history will be able to visit a one-stop shop filled with local law enforcement trinkets and lore  including old sheriffs badges and handcuffs, deputy weapons and even a Tommy gun from the Prohibition Era.

They were forced to arm up to match the firepower the gangsters had at the time, Wynn said.

The booking card for Theodore Cole is pictured Feb. 7 at the Oklahoma County sheriff's office.

Well-known Oklahoma outlaws, stories and more will be available

The collection includes photographs and stories of local law enforcement officers, and well-known outlaws.

There is Leona McMullen Paine, who in 1942 was the first woman to be deputized by the sheriffs office. She was given a badge, but not a gun. Paine worked as a general secretary.

There is Theodore Cole, who was held in the county jail in 1935 for kidnapping and a murder sentence. Notes on his case say he was transferred to Alcatraz in October 1935, but escaped the San Francisco Bay prison in 1937, never to be seen again.

There is George Kelly Barnes  Machine Gun Kelly  seen being escorted into town by Sheriff Stanley Rogers on Oct. 2, 1933, as he faced a kidnapping case.

Found in one of the ledgers, there is a photo of President Theodore Roosevelt in Oklahoma City. The photo is believed to have been taken near the Skirvin Hotel during a 1912 campaign stop.

Theres a lot of interesting history within our walls that were still learning about, Wynn said.

Sheriff Tommie Johnson III praised Wynn's efforts.

"Here at the Oklahoma County sheriff's office, we are truly blessed to have someone like Staff Sgt. Wynn who is so passionate about the history of this agency," Johnson said. "He donates hundreds of hours of his own time to maintain that history. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and we only know the stories of their accomplishments because of Brad's commitment."

Staff Sgt. Bradley Wynn talks about artifacts Feb 7 at the Oklahoma County sheriff's office.

Wynn sometimes receives unique requests related to the sheriff's office history collection.

Those seeking to know about their genealogy sometimes contact Wynn. They include a man from Ireland who thought his grandfather might have been gunned down locally.

Wynn helped the man discover that his grandfather was involved with a woman addicted to morphine. He shot and killed her at a house near what is now Devon Tower. Wynn and the man found his grandfathers local grave.

At least one ledger has several Native Americans listed, which can be a powerful tool for families conducting research.

I think that by sharing these stories, whether it be a tour or whatever, is to connect people, Wynn said. I think thats important. And to connect them to their communities, because these are things that affected them and thats why things are the way that they are.

The jail log for George Kelley Barnes "Machine Gun Kelley" and his wife, Kathryn, are pictured Feb. 7 at the Oklahoma County sheriff's office.

Wynn continues to connect communities by collecting pieces of history as it passes. That includes heartbreaking pieces like the patrol car door panel with bullet holes in it.

Sgt. Bobby Swartz, a 58-year-old deputy used to drive the car. Swartz was shot to death in 2022 while serving an eviction notice in southwest Oklahoma City.

Looking at the door panel, Wynn said: It is part of our story.

A historic Oklahoma County deputy badge is pictured Feb. 7 at the Oklahoma County sheriff's office.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Crimes, famous outlaws recorded in Oklahoma County ledger history
Gaia is a Husky with a story to tell about how when one life ends, sometimes an even better one begins.

In Dallas, Texas, Gaia's life was confined to a tiny backyard, because her loyal owner, Sandra, was hospitalized. Sandra's next door neighbor, Lisa Kanarek, noticed that the nine-year old female looked lonely, so she offered to walk her.

"I walked in and then Gaia came up to me very slowly," Kanarek recalled. "And then I said, 'Oh, hi.'"

Gaia, a nine-year-old Husky. / Credit: CBS News

One walk turned into three weeks of walks. Then, the question Kanarek wasn't expecting came from Sandra's dear friend, Gilda Levy. "Two weeks before Sandra died, [Levy] said, 'I don't know if you've thought about this, but would you like to take her?'

Kanarek's response? "Sure. I would love to."

So, when the time came, Kanarek was summoned to Sandra's home. The 80-year-old neighbor she barely knew was gone. "She had just died," Kanarek said. She clipped Gaia's leash on and walked the husky out of Sandra's home, and into hers.

And from that moment on, Gaia's life changed.

Kanarek wanted to get Gaia out more, and she noticed, on walks around the neighborhood, that Gaia was so calm around children. So, she and Gaia enrolled in, and passed, a pet therapy program.

"I can tell, when I put on her vest, she's ready to go," Kanarek said.

Their first assignment was Children's Medical Center Dallas.

Here was an elderly dog, who rarely ever left Sandra's home, now finding a home with Kanarek, and in the hearts of young children.

Gaia making friends at Children's Medical Center Dallas. / Credit: CBS News

Brooklyn, an 18-year-old patient, said, "Dogs are, like, the best thing that ever happened to me, like, in this hospital."

Kanarek thought the piercing blue-eyed beauty was just right for another kind of therapy: hospice. It just so happened that when Gaia's owner died, Kanarek was finishing her training to be an end-of-life doula.

Today, she and Gaia minister to the terminally ill.

Asked whether she was doing all of this for Gaia's benefit, or for herself, Kanarek replied, "I think I'm doing this for both of us. I think it benefits both of us. She gets to go out and see people, and I get to see the response that she gets when she's out. There's just nothing better than that."

Lisa Kanarek and Gaia, who has trained as a therapy dog. / Credit: CBS News

Gaia has brought the writer out of her shell, so much so that Kanarek wrote about their life together in an essay for the Washington Post:

"Gaia's life changed when she became part of our family. She interacts with the kids down the street (her fan club) during our walks, and she provides laughter and levity to sick children, all with her tail wagging. She goes with us on road trips and to outdoor festivals where she knows that people will stop to run their hands down her fluffy back or ask her for a high-five.

"My life is different too. Meeting dozens of people during our visits has brought out the extrovert tendencies I lost during the pandemic. Before I knock on each patient's door, I breathe in, then greet families with confidence, knowing the reaction my sidekick will receive. "

"As we pass through the halls of children's hospital, I think of Sandra and hope she's smiling, knowing how much joy Gaia brings to everyone she meets."

"I'm trying not to cry," Kanarek said, describing her new life with Gaia. "I don't know. It's just knowing the effect she has on people. It makes me happy; it makes me sad, because I wish I had known Sandra better, but I think this is the way that I'm helping keep her memory alive."

Why the i's have it

The art of "Gruff," a film that's handmade

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MOGADISHU, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) vowed on Monday to beef up security across the country during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began worldwide this week.

African Union Special Representative for Somalia Mohamed El-Amine Souef called on the public to work with the Somali security forces and ATMIS to ensure public safety.

Cooperation between the security forces and the public will be crucial in averting any disruptions of peace by al-Shabab, he said.

"During this Holy Month of Ramadan, ATMIS pledges to continue to fulfill its mandate of supporting the Somali Security Forces to ensure the safety and security of the Somali people and their property within our areas of responsibility," the AU mission said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

In the past, al-Shabab extremists usually stage attacks during Ramadan, mainly targeting urban centers, military bases and other public places such as hotels, markets and busy restaurants. 
Excerpt from Under the Java Moon: A Novel of World War II, Shadow Mountain (2023).

Will I ever see Papa again? Marie Vischer asked her mother, while perched on the wilting fence in front of the house shed been sharing with over 100 other women and children, in the heart of the Tjideng Womens Camp on Java Island, Indonesia.

It had been three years since Marie and her pregnant mother, toddler brother and elderly grandmother were forced into an internment camp by the invading Japanese army. Three years since shed had a full meal. Three years since her father left to join the conflict with a group of Dutch Navy officers and their small warship was torpedoed by a Japanese destroyer.

The war had finally ended, but the Dutch prisoners werent allowed to leave the camp yet. And the Japanese soldiers had remained to protect them from civil unrest outside the camp.

We have to keep faith, Rita, Mother murmured, using her childhood nickname.

But Marie heard the crack of her voice, edged with grief that loomed dark with each day passing without Papa. Marie examined the faces of the men and boys hobbling and limping into camp, their gaunt faces mapped with three years of war, skeletons of their former selves.

Would she even recognize Papa? Would he recognize her?

Could she hope that he was still alive? Every day she checked the list that the British Red Cross sent to the internment camps throughout the island of Java.

His name had yet to be on it.

A man with scarecrow-thin legs and brown eyes like her father embraced a different woman, a different child. Weeping. Not her father, then.

George and Marie Vischer as children.

Theyd made it this far. Marie, Mama, Georgie and Robbie. Defying all odds against diseases like malaria, the mumps, dysentery, measles, whooping cough and tropical sores. Not to mention the hourslong roll calls beneath the weight of the merciless sun and suffocating heat, as they paid obeisance to the Japanese commander twice a day. Even then, Marie hadnt broken.

But never seeing Papa again would be unimaginable.

Another day dragged on without Papa. Another day of endless worry.

Nearly 80 years have passed since Marie and her family were freed from the prisoner of war camps on Java Island. When the Japanese Imperial army invaded Indonesia (then called the Dutch East Indies) in early 1942, over 100,000 Dutch men, women and children were funneled into prison camps throughout the archipelago. The Dutch plight during World War II in the European arena is well-known as the Netherlands were defeated and subsequently occupied by Nazi forces in May 1940. Lesser-known is what the Dutch people living throughout Indonesia endured for three long years.

In the late 1700s, the Dutch government took over the Dutch East Indies Company  a multinational trading empire  and in the process, Dutch families moved to the islands, seeking private enterprises and dominating economic and political power. When the Mataram empire collapsed, the Dutch officially gained control over the Indonesian islands. Over the next 150 years, more Dutch immigrants arrived in colonial Indonesia, building an infrastructure of industries such as sugar production.

Although Maries parents, George and Mary Vischer, were originally from the Netherlands, they lived on Java island as George was stationed there working for the Royal Packet Navigation Company, or KPM. In 1939, at the beginning of WWII, Maries father, George Vischer, a chief engineer officer for KPM, was mobilized into the Dutch Navy. Yet their island remained peaceful for the most part over the next couple of years.

George and Mary Vischer

Born in Indonesia, Maries early childhood was filled with trips to the market with her Oma, climbing mango trees, carting around her teddy bear and playing with her little brother Georgie. Her next childhood memories took a darker turn.

Marie was only 5 years old when bombs began to drop on her Laan Trivelli neighborhood. What I remember most is the living with fear constantly, seeing the bombs fall, getting into the waterlogged miserable dungeon bomb shelter and then fearing we could get bombed anyway.

The date? December 1941.

When the Japanese military bombed Pearl Harbor, every Allied country declared war on Japan, including Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands while in exile in London. A half a world away, Dutch citizens throughout the Dutch East Indies ages 18 and up were asked to join the navy, army or air force, entering accelerated military training to defend against Japans impending invasion.

Once war was declared between the two nations of Japan and the Netherlands, the Imperial Japanese Army advanced upon the Dutch East Indies. The vulnerable islands were no match for the highly trained Japanese army and their superior battleships and bombers. Within a matter of weeks, after bombing the islands and defeating Allied forces in the Battle of the Java Sea, Japanese soldiers marched onto Java Island.

Marie will never forget seeing the Japanese army arrive, and the beatings and screaming of the enemy. She recalls my very dear mother being beaten up, the constant hunger and hurt stomach, and being locked up in a prison.

Sworn declaration required of prisoners at Tjideng Camp during WWII in Indonesia.

Despite such crippling childhood memories, Maries mother never wanted to talk about the war after the family was repatriated back to the Netherlands. The war was over, and there was no use dwelling on a past that couldnt be changed.

But in recent years, Marie began to slowly change her resolve. I never thought it was important to share my war experiences, she said in a recent interview. My mother said it was best to forget and leave alone. The past is the past, and who wants to read, hear, and know about war and its atrocities? I certainly did not and neither did anyone else who went through it. In my golden years, I realized the world needs to know and hear from real people who survived wars, not history books. First, that war is terrible, secondly that those who are free need to be more grateful, and realize freedom comes with a price tag, and at a great cost.

In early 1942, with the Japanese invasion underway, Maries father had been sent off the island with a group of Dutch officers with the hopes that they could reach Australia and join the Allied forces in a plan of capturing back the islands. But George Vischer and his fellow officers never made it. On the night they escaped on the minesweeper ship Endeh, they were spotted and torpedoed by a Japanese destroyer. George recalled working in the engineering room when all of a sudden, the orders came through the 1 Main Circuit, Stop the engines! This is not a drill!

The minesweeper ship Endeh, which was torpedoed by a Japanese destroyer in WWII.

In the next moment, as the alarm continued to clang, everything disappeared. The engine room. The men around George. The walls. The floor.

George smelled the smoke, heard the flames and saw the burning wreckage of his comrades. Somehow he came away alive with only bruises and a shrapnel injury to his foot. George and the remaining survivors jumped into the Java Sea as torpedoes exploded around them. Soon the minesweeper sunk, leaving the men to grapple over a single dinghy, while floating in an endless stretch of undulating water, among small groups of islands which had been overrun by their enemy. If George and his men werent able to get to Australia, theyd be captured, imprisoned and forced into helpless surrender.

George and his crew spent five days stranded on the Java Sea, seeking an island where they wouldnt be turned in. But their luck ran out, and they were captured when Indonesian fishermen alerted the Japanese army. We were not treated badly by the Japanese troops, George remembered. We were given food, drink and cigarettes. Then, the following day, they were taken to the Kempetai in Batavia and, after interrogation, put in a cell in the Glodok prison with two civilians.

While George sat huddled in Glodok prison, wondering what had happened to his pregnant wife, mother-in-law and two children, news of all kinds reached him. From the official surrender of the Dutch East Indies government to the Japanese, to the arrest of all European officers, and finally, the rounding up of Dutch women and children.

George would learn that many Indonesians welcomed the Japanese liberators since Japan promised independence to the Indonesians once the war concluded. What George couldnt know was that millions of Indonesians would be recruited into forced labor. And by the end of the war, 4 million people would die in the Dutch East Indies as a result of famine and forced labor during the Japanese occupation, including 30,000 European civilian deaths.

Also, unbeknownst to George, his family was interned not far from him  at the Tjideng Womens Camp. The Japanese army had cordoned off neighborhoods and crammed dozens of people into homes. The numbers increased by the month. In early 1942, Tjideng Camp housed 2,600 internees, but by August 1945, more than 10,300 women and children lived at the camp. Living conditions were bleak. The sewer system completely failed, and electricity was nonexistent. Red Cross supplies delivered to the camps rarely made it past the guards, and the food supply quickly dwindled.

Marie recalled, In the beginning, we received a little rice and seaweed and bread made from starch (or tapioca). You could see through it, and it was hard as a rock. We were only able to chop little pieces at the time and soak it to eat it. My mother made us eat everything we got, no matter how awful it was. The bread and seaweed didnt last very long, and thereafter we ate one dessert spoonful of rice.

Tjideng Camp and Glodok Prison Camp were only two camps among the dozens that were scattered across the islands and throughout the Pacific Rim. Conditions and level of work duties varied in the camps. Unfortunately for the young Vischer family, Tjideng Camp was ruled over by the notoriously cruel army commander, Captain Kenichi Sonei, a man who would later be tried and executed for war crimes of exercising systematic terror and mistreating civilian internees.

It was common for work parties to be organized throughout the camps, such as kitchen duty, street sweeping and washing linens for the medical clinic. At Tjideng Camp, crews of children cleared out the sewer trenches and transported the sludge to the ditch that ran beneath the main gate. The teenaged girls at Tjideng were considered to be the strongest group, and they were assigned as pallbearers for the deceased, which meant they transported coffins to the delivery truck that had brought in food to the camp. When the delivery of the coffins stopped, the women built the new coffins from the bamboo poles and tikar panels.

After the Japanese imperial army officially surrendered in September 1945, the soldiers were asked to stay in the camps to protect the Dutch from the rebellions that had risen all over the island as the Indonesians fought for their independence, kicking off the Indonesian National Revolution. Neither the Japanese nor the Dutch were safe outside the camp walls that had once kept the Dutch inside. Now those same walls were protecting the Dutch from the Bersiap uprising.

Months later, in December 1945, Maries family secured a spot on the first ship, the Staffordshire, that was transporting civilians out of Indonesia. She fled with her family from Tjideng Camp to the ship docked at Tanjung Priok harbor. I remember getting on an army truck with canvas over the top with armed guards and hearing shooting with bullets flying everywhere, Marie said. Again, I was petrified and did not think we would get to the ship alive. Occasionally I went to lie flat on the truck floor, as I was extremely scared and didnt want to be shot. For some reason the truck dropped us off quite a long way from the ship. We had to run to the gangway and up the gangway away from the snipers while the guards had their guns ready.

But her fears didnt end there. After safely arriving on board the ship, fear still followed me as I worried about being blown to pieces by the many sea mines that could explode.

Illness pursued the small family and plagued the thousands of malnourished children as they crowded onto ships transporting them straight into the bitter winter weather on the other side of the world.

Surviving the three years at the internment camp had been no small miracle, and Maries grandmother died in camp in 1944. But now the family faced an ocean crossing that was uniquely difficult. Marie and her family arrived along with thousands of refugees in war-torn Holland, seriously ill, and no place to live.

Difficulties continued, and tragedy followed her family with the loss of little Georgie due to pneumonia. Marie was devastated over her brothers death and spent the next years leading into adulthood seeking answers as to why. ... Why had she survived, why had so many endured so much, and how could she find any happiness with such soul-crushing trauma weighing heavy? Yet slowly, and surely, she discovered peace.

Another family move took Marie to South Africa where she finished school and married Bob Elliott. She and Bob became friends with a couple who invited them to learn more about their faith. Soon, Marie and her husband met with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Finally, her questions were answered, and she understood that Heavenly Father loves all of His children, including Marie. She realized that she did matter to God and that He knew her and loved her. Marie knew shed found the truth and was baptized a member of the church in 1971. Her husband Bob wouldnt get baptized for another seven years, but that didnt deter Marie. She took her children to church every week, despite the 20-mile distance.

Two years after Bob joined the church, their family traveled to the London temple, where they were sealed together as an eternal family. The joy and happiness that Marie had sought for her entire life became sweeter than she could have ever imagined.

Heather B. Moore, author of "Under the Java Moon," with Marie Vischer Elliott (Rita).

Now, at the age of 86, as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Marie concedes, There are no winners in a war. We all face hard things in our lives, some of those things may feel insurmountable. In those moments, Ive learned that happiness comes from within, it cannot be found elsewhere. And, most importantly, I have come to believe what my sweet Oma and wonderful mother lived by  that this life is not the end. That God is real, and Ive learned to put my trust in Him.

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today award-winning author of more than 90 publications, including The Paper Daughters of Chinatown.
(KRON)  One of two men accused of stealing from a Colma business was arrested on Friday, according to the Colma Police Department.

Colma officers were dispatched to a business in the 5000 block of Junipero Serra Boulevard on a report of a theft at 9:45 p.m. on Friday. Responding officers learned two men stole merchandise and subsequently fled through a rear emergency exit door.

Over $3,800 worth of Target merchandise recovered in Cupertino

Upon arrival, one of the officers located the men walking eastbound on Serramonte Boulevard. A foot pursuit of the suspects ensued. The subjects continued to run in different directions. The officer was able to detain one of the suspects.

Subsequently, the suspect was identified by the businesss loss prevention as one of the suspects and placed under arrest.

The suspect was identified as 20-year-old San Francisco resident Benjamin Garcia. He was arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail for petty theft, conspiracy to commit a crime and resisting arrest.

Police said the other officer canvassed the area but was unable to find the suspect. The suspect remains unidentified.

According to the police investigation, the men stole approximately $623.38 worth of merchandise.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information or who can identify the suspect is encouraged to contact the Colma Police Department Detective Bureau at (650) 997-8321.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Only 372 or 10% of global companies have completely withdrawn from the Russian market

Despite loud promises at the start of the Russian full-scale invasion in Ukraine, only 372, or 10%, of global companies have completely left the Russian market, the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) reported on March 7.

Eighteen more were added to this list in February 2024. These include Inditex, which owns the brands Zara, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Oysho, Pull & Bear, and Stradivarius, KSE Institute monitoring results suggest.

Read also: Zaras owner Inditex set to reopen stores in Ukraine after two-year hiatus

KSE Institute experts identified several other international companies besides Inditex that have completely left the Russian market.

Brands that left Russia through liquidation include:

Drees & Sommer

GE Digital

Gett

Idexx Labs

Lindt & Sprungli

ON Semiconductor

Others, which left Russia through selling their assets include:

AGC

Equifax

Hempel

Holcim Group

Hydroscand

Ikea (Invest Plus becomes the new founder of the organization, but Ikea continued to register its trademark for one of four applications until August 2033)

LeasePlan

Leoni AG

Polymetal

Sephora

Wienerberger

Read also: EU drafts mini-sanctions against Russia for symbolic war anniversary, no major items included

Leroy Merlin and Playrix had their statuses changed to "remaining," technically resulting in 18 exits identified, though the actual difference is 16. During the investigation, Leroy Merlin, despite announcing the sale of its business in Russia, was revealed to have signed only a formal agreement without changing its CEO and still actively cooperates with Russian state entities, including the Defense Ministry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The company continued to register trademarks and brands with Rospatent, the Russian governmental agency in charge of intellectual property, until 2031.

Playrix, despite liquidation processes, retains the former owner and has been renamed ITdev Lab. In February, KSE experts combined groups of companies with the statuses "waiting" and "remaining", since more than enough time has passed since Feb. 24, 2022 to make a decision on a final exit from Russia.

Zara reportedly plans to reopen stores in Ukraine that closed after the start of the Russian invasion. The Spanish retailer Inditex, the owner of Zara, informed local landlords about plans to reopen in early April 2024, starting with 50 stores out of more than 80. Inditex has already informed its landlords that it will start reopening with 20 stores, including in shopping centers in Kyiv.

Some Ukrainian employees have already been sent to Poland for training to prepare for their return to work.

Before the full-scale Russian invasion, there were 84 stores of Inditex brands in Ukraine: Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, and Bershka. All of them closed on Feb. 24, 2022, and have not been working since then. The company retained lease agreements with landlords and continued to pay salaries to its Ukrainian employees.

Read also: PepsiCo bans Ukraine references in ads to stay in lucrative Russian market  media

Inditex left the Russian market but didn't rule out a return if the situation changes. Russian media reported plans for the return of some stores as early as 2023, with changed names for brands like Bershka, Pull&Bear, and Zara.

In April 2023, news emerged about the return of Bershka, Zara, and Pull&Bear stores to Russia. However, these well-known brands opted for a name change. Russian media reported that Bershka would come back to Russia under the name Ecru, Pull&Bear would be renamed DUB, and Zara would adopt the name Maag. Reports also mentioned that these companies were actively recruiting staff for their reopened stores.

Ukraines Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed the return of global brands to Ukraine on March 9.

Ukraines National Agency on Corruption Prevention reportedly invited CEOs of international companies still operating in Russia to Ukraine.

Find a list of international sponsors of the war here.

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
In my District of Columbia neighborhood, everything pretty much ground to a halt on Friday, March 13, 2020. My kid won the schools bilingual spelling bee in a crowded auditorium buzzing with speculation that the school probably wasnt reopening next week. Hours later, an announcement from administrators confirmed it: our pandemic had begun.

By March 20, Id realized that this was one of Those Moments, a historical signpost when your choices and behavior will echo back at you later, whenever someone asks, Where were you when? By the middle of that summer, though, as my social world filled with people shocked that their vacations and family reunions had become superspreader events, Id also realized that we were collectively going to spend most of this catastrophe wishcasting it away.

The rest, as they sort of say, became history. The pandemics consequences were  are  too dire to ignore, but also too inconvenient to fully acknowledge. Four years later, were also at an awkward remove from its most dramatic moments: The pandemic is largely concluded as an historical event, yet were not yet far enough out to have anything like a clear view of whats happened. Most of us are still too battered from the burdens we carried to pause and genuinely reflect. Weve all spent so many hours of the past four years jabbering into webcams at screenfuls of tiled faces. March 2020 was so many pixels ago.

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Thats why this anniversary should also be an invitation to extend a modicum of grace to ourselves, our peers and our schools. These were four punishing years. Pretending they can be quickly shaken off is yet another effort to shuffle the pandemic away without really grappling with it. Both individually and collectively, Americans have not yet accepted the scope of the tragedy and were taking it out on our schools.

This odd unwillingness to recognize the pandemic as an unavoidable calamity is part of why were still endlessly relitigating pandemic mitigation measures in schools  closures, masks, quarantine policies, and the like. If, in 2019, wed conducted a thought experiment, asking folks to predict the educational impact of a then-hypothetical viral pandemic that would be transmitted via breathing and would kill nearly 1.2 million Americans, most of us would agree that kids wouldnt steam forth making the usual academic progress.

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When a School Reopening Risk Ends With Your Child Getting Sick With COVID

And indeed, the real pandemic unquestionably harmed U.S. students academic trajectories, even if they appear to have weathered it better than their peers in most other countries. Yet here on the other side of that disaster, were determined to assign blame for dips in U.S. students academic achievement, as if learning loss could have  should have  been avoided in a moment of widespread viral transmission and mass death. Say it plain: There was no educational and public health playbook that could have wholly averted the pandemics impacts on kids. As The New York Timess David Wallace Wells put it in 2022, [T]he declines, all told, strike me as relatively small, given the context: a brutal pandemic that terrified the country and killed more than a million of its citizens, upending nearly every aspect of our lives along the way.

But because we cant face that, were now in an educational One Weird Trick era, as the field floods with quick-fix solutions to reversing the pandemics impacts (particularly with federal pandemic recovery ESSER funds sunsetting). While its always appropriate to prioritize high-quality learning opportunities for children, its a short step from lets help kids accelerate their learning to if we do enough now, we can  yet again  banish the pandemics impacts from kids lives (particularly if we just buy the right new ed tech product).

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The Pandemics Virtual Learning is Now a Permanent Fixture of Americas Schools

The reality is much harsher. Researchers have known for years that its much tougher to shift students academic trajectories later in their careers. Thats why children who miss early literacy benchmarks so rarely catch up in later grades. Its also why investments in high-quality early learning  like universal pre-K programs  are such a good policy idea. Now, we have a country of children who, again, inevitably, faced years of disrupted learning. Evidence suggests that closures contributed to lost learning, but only as one of many, interrelated variables, and  as noted above  students academic achievement in the U.S. appears to have suffered less than it did for students in peer countries that reopened on different timelines and with different COVID mitigation strategies.

Furthermore, the educational story of the past few years is far more complicated and painful than wed like to admit and its aftereffects wont vanish because we invest in some limited tutoring programs. Nor could they have been averted if only schools had found some magic mitigations formula to maintain normalcy for kids even as a whole lot of us repeatedly exempted ourselves from responsibility for flattening the curve.

Why are we so resistant to facing this fact of the pandemic, even now that its mostly receded from daily life? Its flatly impossible to look back at these four years without seeing how national leaders rhetoric drove this attitude: real and massive suffering coupled with willful self-deception and disinformation. The Trump administration flailed through COVIDs early stages, insisting it would be over in a few days or weeks, then dabbling in pseudoscience  remember hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, and light and/or disinfectant injected into peoples lungs?

That deadly unseriousness was contagious and collectively punishing. Well never know how the country would have behaved under less erratic leadership, but this band of feckless incompetents convinced masses of Americans that the pandemic could be largely ignored if we just wanted it badly enough. Their glib irresponsibility built the narrative that still plagues U.S. public education today  this notion that schools could somehow persist as normal when absolutely nothing around them was. It seems obvious that the ungainly federal response damaged Americans trust in public institutions and the social strains it caused ripped deeper holes in our shared social fabric.

American pandemic flounderings were also personally crushing for many of us. Looking back, I feel a flat, dull, full-body weight settle back into my spine, that familiar 2020-vintage exhaustion. And thats why, I know this for certain: whatever we all think now about the precise sequence of school closures, reopenings, mitigations, learning loss, and so forth, the past four years ripped a chunk out of the well-being of U.S. parents, caregivers, and teachers.

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Back to School  After 18 Months of COVID: Before Kids Can Learn They Must Heal

Thats probably the clearest reason that the countrys still so determined to shift the pandemic out of mind and/or erase its impacts. No one wants to accept how far it knocked us  and our children  off the trajectories we hoped we were following. I remember reaching a point in the endless work-life-kids-panic pandemic juggle where I developed this yearning to just sit quietly on a rocky beach somewhere and watch the waves roll in. To just meditate and let my mind unspool from the tension of masks and ambulances.

I kept telling my wife, I bet I could sit there and stare for days before my head finally got back to something like normal.
Over two years into Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and Europe is still addicted to Russian fossil fuels. In spite of 13 sanctions packages against Russia and endless words of solidarity for Ukraine, recent data has revealed that many European Union countries continue to import massive amounts of liquified natural gas (LNG), propping up Russian President Vladimir Putins genocidal regime.

The European Union has taken steps to break free from Russian fossil fuels in the wake of the full-scale invasion, having launched the REPowerEU plan in May 2022 to mitigate Russias energy blackmail and banned the import of Russian oil. But while there has been a decline in imported pipeline gas from Russia, the inflow of Russian LNG to European ports has been on the rise, justifiably raising eyebrows about the efficacy of existing sanctions against Russias energy sector and the Kremlins primary source of income.

For instance, Germany ceased direct imports of Russian gas in the summer of 2022, but fresh data from the environmental non-profits Urgewald and Bond Beter Leefmilieu revealed that significant amounts of Russian LNG enters the country via the Netherlands and Belgium. Bond Beter Leefmilieu found that up to 11% of the gas sent to Germany from Belgium originated as Russian LNG in 2022.

Meanwhile, Spain and Belgium were the second and third largest importers of Russian LNG in 2023, respectively. LNG originating from Russias Arctic gas fields is regularly shipped to European ports, including Zeebrugge in Belgium and Montoir-de-Bretagne in France. Taken together, Belgium, France, and Spain account for a staggering 80% of imports. Its clear that, despite European officials outward support for restricting the flow of Russian LNG to the European Union, the reality on the ground tells a very different story.

Read also: Opinion: The threat to American hegemony is real

The problem becomes more alarming when we consider that European Union countries collectively import around $1 billion worth of Russian LNG per month. Russias 2024 federal budget, which reflects the staggering growth of its military-industrial complex, should tell the European Union all it needs to know about where its contributions to Russian LNG are going.

While sanctions have resulted in small strides toward reducing countries reliance on Russian fossil fuels, the battle is clearly far from won. More decisive actions are required to halt the flow of funds fuelling Russias war. The European Unions recent commitment of 50 billion euros ($54 billion), while commendable, represents only 27% of their total fossil fuel imports from Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion, estimated at 189 billion euros ($205.3 billion).

Clean, renewable energy sources have proven to be the most economical and effective solutions for weaning off of fossil fuels. As European Union governments consider their energy strategies, its crucial to acknowledge that fossil fuels have no place in a world grappling with costly climate disruption and the fight against petro-dictators like Putin.

To truly support Ukraine and dismantle financial support for Russias war, the European Union must ban all Russian-shipped and pipeline gas, as well as intensify sanctions against Russian fossil fuel exports.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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Editors Note: Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney, is the host of SiriusXM radios daily program The Dean Obeidallah Show. Follow him on Threads. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama delivered the GOP response last week to President Joe Bidens State of the Union, and America has been ruthlessly delivering its response to Britt ever since.

Social media exploded with brutal reviews of Thursdays speech, mocking everything from Britts acting class energy to her decision to deliver the address from her kitchen (suggesting, perhaps, that some in the GOP think thats where women belong), as well as her breathless delivery.

Dean Obeidallah - CNN

Saturday Night Live piled on this weekend, with Scarlett Johansson making a surprise appearance portraying the senator in the shows opening sketch, overperforming every line including tonight Ill be auditioning for the part of scary mom and Ill be performing an original monologue called this country is hell.

At least one person truly loved Britts speech: Former President Donald Trump praised Britt for delivering what he called a GREAT speech that was compassionate and caring. His accolades should not come as a surprise. After all, Britt took a page from his playbook by baselessly ratcheting up fears about an influx of migrants to scare voters into supporting the GOP.

In her address, Britt blamed Biden for the border crisis, claiming he invited it with his executive actions. During the speech, she told the harrowing story of a woman she said shed met on the Texas side of the southern border who told her about having been sex trafficked by the cartels starting at the age of 12.

She told me not just that she was raped every day, but how many times a day she was raped, Britt said. After sharing additional details of the womans story, the senator declared, 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 policies are a disgrace.

The senators words might have led some listeners to conclude that Bidens border policies resulted in this child being sex trafficked beginning at the age of 12. However, that was not even close to the truth.

As fact checkers detailed  and Britts own staff admitted after strong pushback by critics of the speech  this sex trafficking did not happen during Bidens presidency. And contrary to what Britt seemed to imply, the vile abuse didnt occur on US soil. It took place in Mexico.

SNL mocked the speech and its speaker, with Johansson-as-Britt declaring, Im going to do a pivot out of nowhere into a shockingly violent story about sex trafficking. She quickly added, to big laughs, Rest assured, every detail about it is real  except the year, where it took place and who was president when it happened.

Amid the uproar over the storys accuracy, Britts spokesperson defended it as 100% correct, but conceded that the individual at the center of the account was Karla Jacinto Romero, who testified to Congress years ago about having been forced by traffickers to work in Mexican brothels between 2004 and 2008  during the George W. Bush administration.

Britts border narrative was grossly misleading, but exaggerated stories designed to gin up fears of non-white migrants are exactly what Trump has been delivering from the day he descended the gilded elevator in Trump Tower and kicked off his 2016 presidential run. Trump launched that campaign by falsely telling voters that Mexico was sending people to the United States who were bringing crime and were rapists. Britts story conjures up the very same theme  one that the former president and his supporters have returned to repeatedly since his election.

During the 2018 midterm elections, for example, Trump and the Republican establishment put out a message that caravans filled with thugs and bringing crime were heading to the United States. After the election, however, when voters rejected the GOP scare tactics and flipped control of the House of Representatives to the Democrats, the GOP suddenly became suspiciously quiet about migrant caravans.

Despite that election loss, scaring people about immigrants is still a major part of Trumps playbook. In December, he invoked the dangerous language of Adolph Hitler, claiming that immigrants were poisoning the blood of America. (Trump has said he was unaware that the quote had been uttered by Hitler.) Last month, while visiting the southern border, Trump lied that jails throughout the world were being emptied so that former inmates could migrate to the US.

And just last week, after the Super Tuesday primaries, Trump claimed, Our cities are being overrun with migrant crime, and thats Biden migrant crime. The data does not support the assertion that migrants are responsible for higher rates of crime  quite the contrary, in fact. But facts dont seem to matter when you are trying to scare voters.

The Republican Party was not always associated with racist, anti-immigrant rhetoric. GOP President Ronald Reagan in 1989 declared that immigrants were making our nation forever young, forever bursting with energy and new ideas. The 40th US President added, If we ever closed the door to new Americans, our leadership in the world would soon be lost.

But that GOP is dead. Its now the party of Trump. Thats why Britts misleading statements about crime and migrants are applauded by Trump. So, laugh at Britt as much as you want. As long as she stokes fear about migrants, she will be beloved by Trump and the MAGA base.

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More than 1,200 bills were filed in the Washington state Legislature this year, buy only a small percentage of those made it over the final hurdles to pass before the adjournment of the 60-day session.

The 2024 Washington state Legislature adjourned last Thursday after passing 384 bills as well as state supplemental operating, capital and transportation budgets for the 2023-25 biennium.

Lawmakers also passed three controversial and widely-talked about Lets Go Washington initiatives this year.

You can find the full list of bills that were introduced and passed this year online, but here are some of the key bills that passed. The governor must sign them for them to become law.

Employee protections

Senate Bill 5578  Delivered to the governor on March 8, this bill prevents employers from firing or disciplining an employee who refuses to participate in or attend meetings where the main purpose of the meeting is to communicate the employers opinion concerning religious or political matters. The bill will become law on June 5.

Opioids

Senate Bill 5804  This legislation goes into effect June 5 and requires all school districts, Tribal schools and charter schools to keep opioid reversal medication, such as Naloxone, on hand. The bill only requires one set to be kept on the premises, and directs schools to adopt policies around overdoses by September of this year.

Senate Bill 5906  Passed unanimously by both chambers, this legislation requires the state Department of Health to implement a drug overdose prevention campaign, and requires the agency to provide outreach to youth and adults. The law goes into effect on July 1.

Tribal warrants

Senate Bill 6146  Under this bill delivered to the governor on March 8, Washington state law enforcement officers will be able to enforce warrants issued by Tribal police, even if the individual being issued a warrant is no longer on Tribal land.

Encouraging pollinators

Senate Bill 5934  This bill allows cities and counties in the state to encourage pollinator-friendly plants in any landscaped areas. Additionally, the bill prevents cities and counties from banning beehives while still allowing some restrictions.

HIV prevention

Senate Bill 6127  This legislation will require hospitals across Washington to adopt policies on medications to prevent HIV infections, as well as requirie emergency rooms to keep the medication on site. A combination of medications referred to as HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, can prevent HIV infections if a person takes the medications within 72 hours of exposure, and will be required at hospitals by June 5.

Extended foster care services

Senate Bill 5908  Under this bill, foster care services are expanded to include foster youth up to age 21 instead of age 18. The legislation was delivered to the governor March 8 and will go into effect on June 5.

Co-living

House Bill 1998  To open up more housing options for people in the state, this legislation legalizes co-living, or housing where residents share common rooms but maintain their own sleeping quarters, after some cities in the state previously outlawed the arrangement. Passed by both chambers with near-unanimous support, this bill goes into effect June 5.

Guns

House Bill 2118  This legislation creates several new requirements for gun dealers in the state. First, the bill mandates that gun dealers must be 21 or older, and must be able to pass a background check. The bill also requires dealers to have specified security features, alarms and safe storage. Additionally, dealers are required to report and respond to trace requests within 24 hours, and dealers are required to have an insurance policy that provides $1 million in coverage per incident. The bill goes into effect on July 1, 2025.

Senate Bill 5444  This bill prohibits individuals from possessing weapons at zoos, aquariums, libraries and transit stations in Washington after June 5. The prohibitions in the bill do not apply to those with a concealed pistol license. Violations of the law are a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.

Longevity bonus for Washington State Patrol

House Bill 2357  Washington State Patrol employees who achieve 26 years or more of service are entitled to a $15,000 bonus under this bill. Passed unanimously by both chambers, this bill goes into effect on June 5, but is set to expire by June 30, 2029.

Cannabis tax exemption

House Bill 1453  Medical cannabis patients purchasing cannabis products that are Department of Health compliant are eligible for a tax exemption on cannabis products in the state under this bill. The states tax on cannabis is 37%, and the exemption is set to expire by June 30, 2029.

Increasing special education funding

House Bill 2180  This bill increases the states special education enrollment funding cap from 15% to 16%, effectively increasing the amount of money the state will provide per student.
Christopher Nolan, winner of the awards for best director and best picture for "Oppenheimer," left, and Emma Thomas, winner of the award for best picture for "Oppenheimer" pose at the Governors Ball after the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP)  Christopher Nolan stood as staid and nonchalant as ever as crowds surrounded him and music pulsed.

His celebration was limited to casually holding a best directing Oscar, his first, and one of seven on the night for his film.

The Oppenheimer crowd were hardly the hardest partiers at the Vanity Fair post- Oscars party on Sunday night, but they hardly needed to be, their hardware did all the preening for them.

Nolan's wife, Oppenheimer producer Emma Thomas, held her own statuette, for best picture, and did most of the talking as waves of well-wishers descended on the couple.

They found a couch near the dance floor with their two children and were immediately met by a woman bearing a tray of In-N-Out burgers, the signature food at the signature Oscars after-party where end-of-award-season decadence is the norm.

Nolan did have the relax-its-all-over vibe down pat.

Billie Eilish soon strode by with two friends, her best original song Oscar slung in one arm. It was the lone Oscar won by the film that has stood opposite Oppenheimer since their simultaneous release in July, but it's already the second for Eilish at age 22.

The Nolan clan left early, as the party was just getting started.

The annual affair is hosted by Vanity Fair editor Radhika Jones and held at a space built between Beverly Hills City Hall and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

It's one of several Oscar parties held across the city after the show. The first stop of the night for most winners, including Nolan and Thomas on Sunday night, is the Governor's Ball, the official after-party just a few escalators away from the Dolby where they get their statuette engraved on the spot.

Greta Gerwig was headed there after the show but first had to find her parents. She stood in the lobby of the Dolby trying to look up to the different balconies. Finally she just decided to call dad, dad, are you up or are you down?

A few minutes later she ran into one of her Kens (Kingsley Ben-Adir) and had to recap the Im Just Ken performance once more, while inside the party Noah Baumbach and his son searched for some food.

Over by the engraving station, best actress winner Emma Stone got to share a moment with some of the Poor Things crafts winners, like costume designer Holly Waddington. They posed joyously with their statuettes and Stone laughed again about her dress.

Anatomy of a Fall director Justine Triet went straight from getting her original screenplay Oscar engraved to the nearby caviar and filet station. Soon most stars and winners were on the way out to check out the Vanity Fair party.

Across town, Universal Chairman Donna Langley also celebrated their companys triumphant night for Oppenheimer and The Holdovers (a Focus release) at the Soho House, a private, members-only club with panoramic views of the clear Los Angeles night. Even Steven Spielberg made a lengthy appearance to give congratulations (hed earlier on the broadcast handed the best director Oscar to Nolan).

Emily Blunt, John Krasinski and best actor winner Cillian Murphy huddled together in a corner to enjoy the evening, while the Oppenhomies like Jack Quaid, Josh Hartnett and David Krumholtz mingled. Also around was supporting actress winner DaVine Joy Randolph, still in her stunning Louis Vuitton gown, and who everyone wanted to talk to about her memorable speech, and her co-star Dominic Sessa who had changed into a sequin black jacket.

Such sequins abounded at the Vanity Fair party, where the dress code might be called loosened black tie. Many still wear their tuxes and gowns from the ceremony. Some come in more casual, but no less ornate, outfits.

Usher wore a white, sequined jacket over a bare chest. Barry Keoghan sported a similarly spangled jacket over a mesh tank top, looking not too different than his Saltburn character did when he ingratiated himself with the nobility.

The party's guest list always extends well beyond Hollywood into music, fashion, literature and sports.

Serena Williams and LeBron James, who both have had a hand in producing in recent years, each hung out on the party's patio.

The 6-foot-9 James was a star among stars as he towered over the crowd in a white tuxedo jacket and sunglasses while holding a glass of champagne. He became an instant magnet for photos.

At the entrance, where many walk their final awards season red carpet, Anya Taylor-Joy greeted Matteo Bocelli, who sang during the in memoriam segment with his father, the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

Were you nervous to sing? You did such a beautiful job, she said.

Grazie, he answered.

Along with the ubiquitous In-N-Out burgers, servers circulated with fried, cheese-stuffed squash blossoms and quattro formaggio pizza. Ke Huy Quan, last year's best supporting actor winner for Everything Everywhere All at Once and one of the men who presented it to Robert Downey Jr. for Oppenheimer this year, grabbed a slice of the pie after walking the carpet and scarfed it down like he hadn't eaten all day.

As Earth, Wind and Fire's September" blasted, Jon Hamm stood sipping a cocktail at the nearest bar, half-dancing along as he hugged Brett Goldstein of Ted Lasso and chatted with Schitt's Creek star Catherine O'Hara. Hamm later talked and laughed at length with John Mulaney, a presenter during the show. The two exchanged cheek kisses as they parted ways.

Nearby, Jeffrey Wright, best actor nominee for American Fiction, talked intently to director John Waters.

Near them, Anyone but You and Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney stood in a white gown with fiance Jonathan Davino at her side.

At least one Oppenheimer winner got a little rowdy. As midnight approached, Ludwig Goransson, who won his own second musical Oscar for writing the films score, tore up the dance floor, shimmying and moonwalking with his statuette in one hand.

His wasnt the only Oscar on the floor. Other lesser-known faces danced alongside him, celebrating the instant invitation a win gets you, regardless of the category or your fame, to the absurdly star-studded party where the tiny statues are the real celebrities.
It was the year of Oppenheimer at the Oscars, and the final prize was no surprise.

Oppenheimer won best picture, the last statuette awarded during the show and capping a seven-Oscar haul for the story of a theoretical physicist who oversaw the Manhattan Project and the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.

I think any of us who make movies know you kind of dream of this moment  but it seemed so unlikely that it would ever happen, producer Emma Thomas said.

Oppenheimer also won for best director (Thomas husband Christopher Nolan), best actor (Cillian Murphy), best supporting actor (Robert Downey Jr.), best cinematography (Hoyte van Hoytema), best film editing (Jennifer Lame) and best original score (Ludwig Goransson).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said former President Trump would not give a penny to support Ukraine in its war against Russia after the two met at Trumps Florida estate Mar-a-Lago last week.

Orban told Hungarian news channel M1 that Trump wants peace in the Russian war against Ukraine, and the Hungarian leader said he backed his vision to achieve that.

I dont see any other person as determined and strong as Donald Trump, Orban told M1, saying Trump will not give a single penny to the Ukrainian-Russian war, therefore the war will end.

Trump has yet to publicly comment on the claims. In a Truth Social post, the former president praised Orban for the meeting.

Viktor is a Great Leader, respected all over the World, Trump wrote.

Trump has repeatedly criticized spending on Ukraine, part of growing skepticism in the Republican Party. More conservative lawmakers in Congress have blocked Ukraine aid for more than a year.

Trump has said he would end the war between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours, though he has remained ambiguous on how that would be achieved, sparking concerns that he would cede Ukrainian territory taken by Russian forces in the war.

Orban added in the interview with M1 that Trump has detailed plans for how to end the war, and they coincide with Hungarys interests.

Trump has also made a number of controversial comments about Russia. Shortly after the war began in 2022, Trump called Russian President Vladimir Putin savvy, echoing his often warm remarks for the Russian leader during his time at the White House.

And this year, Trump said he would let Russia do whatever the hell they want to members of NATO that did not pay enough in defense spending.

Still, Trump, who has no major challenger left in the Republican primaries and is headed toward a general election rematch with President Biden, has not publicly said he would avoid giving money to Ukraine.

Orban, a far-right leader who has also received criticism for his close relations with Putin, met Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday and Saturday in a high-stakes visit.

Biden slammed Trump for meeting with Orban, who he criticized as a leader looking for dictatorship.

Hungary, a NATO member, has not provided any arms to Ukraine throughout the war. Orban, who has frequently called for an end to the Ukraine war and met Putin in October, also said it would be bad if Biden were to win the election in November.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press outside the Security Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York on March 11, 2024.

Guterres on Monday called for ceasefires in Gaza and Sudan during the holy month of Ramadan. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, March 11 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for ceasefires in Gaza and Sudan during the holy month of Ramadan.

As Monday marks the start of the holy month of Ramadan, it is a period when Muslims around the world celebrate and spread the values of peace, reconciliation and solidarity. Yet the killing, bombing and bloodshed continue in Gaza, he said.

"My strongest appeal today is to honor the spirit of Ramadan by silencing the guns -- and removing all obstacles to ensure the delivery of life-saving aid at the speed and massive scale required," he told reporters.

The civilian killing and destruction have been at a level that is unprecedented in his years as UN secretary-general. Meanwhile, life-saving relief for Palestinians in Gaza is coming in trickles -- if it comes at all, said Guterres.

International humanitarian law lies in tatters. And a threatened Israeli assault on Rafah could plummet the people of Gaza into an even deeper circle of hell, he warned.

Guterres also called for a Ramadan cessation of hostilities in Sudan.

"The fighting there must end for the sake of the Sudanese people who face hunger, horrors and untold hardships," he said.

"In Gaza, in Sudan, and beyond, it is time for peace. I call on political, religious and community leaders everywhere to do everything in their power to make this holy period a time for empathy, action and peace," said Guterres. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press outside the Security Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York on March 11, 2024.

Guterres on Monday called for ceasefires in Gaza and Sudan during the holy month of Ramadan. (Xinhua/Xie E)
This handout photograph taken and released on March 8, 2024, by the Press Office of the Hungarian Prime Minister, shows Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and former US President and Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump during their meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. (ZOLTAN FISCHER)

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has asserted former US president Donald Trump told him during a meeting that he would "not give a penny" to the war in Ukraine -- a claim Trump's team did not comment on.

Orban -- the only EU leader to have maintained ties with the Kremlin since Russia invaded Ukraine -- travelled to Florida on Friday to meet his "good friend" Trump. He has frequently expressed hope for the Republican's return to power.

Speaking about his visit to public broadcaster M1 late Sunday, Orban said the two men spoke about the war in Ukraine during their Friday meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence.

"He has a very clear vision, which is hard not to agree with. He says the following: first of all, he will not give a penny in the Ukraine-Russia war," Orban said.

"That is why the war will end, because it is obvious that Ukraine cannot stand on its own feet... If the Americans do not give money, the Europeans alone will not be able to finance this war. And then the war is over," he added.

When contacted by AFP, Trump's team did not comment.

Trump however returned the praise for Orban in an interview Monday, describing him as a "tough man" and saying the Hungarian leader believed Russia would not have invaded had Trump been president.

"All of those dead people in blown-up cities because Ukraine is now just like a demolition site, what they've done to Ukraine -- none of that would have happened," Trump told CNBC.

- 'Dictators' -

US President Joe Biden reiterated his criticism of election rival Trump for meeting Orban.

"He was with Viktor Orban, who talked about democracy being the problem, and telling how much he understood and agreed with him. Come on. I mean, this is not who we are," Biden told a campaign event Monday in New Hampshire.

Last week in a fiery State of the Union speech Biden accused Trump of "bowing down" to Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine.

Biden's campaign added Monday that Orban had "rigged his political system to keep himself in power".

"President Biden stands up to dictators and defends freedom," campaign spokesman Ammar Moussa said in a statement. "Donald Trump consistently praises authoritarian leaders and dictators."

Orban meanwhile angered fellow EU leaders by meeting Putin in September and has previously spoken out against Western sanctions on Moscow.

The Hungarian also told M1 that Trump had "quite detailed plans on how to end this war", declining to elaborate.

Orban regularly advocates for immediate ceasefire and peace talks, arguing Trump is best qualified to find a way out of the conflict.

Trump has previously expressed admiration for Putin and said he would end the war in Ukraine "in 24 hours" if he was elected.

Trump and his Republican allies have also opposed sending more aid to Ukraine, and Republicans in Congress are blocking Biden's request for a multi-billion-dollar package of vital military assistance for Kyiv.

The first of Trump's two impeachments while in office was for allegedly threatening to hold up aid for Ukraine, unless President Volodymyr Zelensky dug up political dirt on the Ukrainian business dealings of Biden's son Hunter.

burs-dk/mlm
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban praised former U.S. President Donald Trump as "a man of peace" in an interview on March 10, two days after the leaders' meeting in Florida.

Trump hosted Orban at his Mar-a-Lago residence on March 8, referring to the Hungarian Prime Minister as "a fantastic leader." Orban has a long-standing relationship with conservatives in the U.S. and is the only European leader who is openly friendly toward the Kremlin.

In Florida, the leaders 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," according to a statement from Trumps campaign.

"(W)e know from (Trump's) presidency that he is a man of peace," Orban said on Hungarian television, as reported by the news outlet Magyar Nemzet.

"And he is not hiding his views now, he has made it clear that his aim is to bring peace to the Russian-Ukrainian war. We want nothing less than peace, a ceasefire as soon as possible. We want an end as soon as possible to this war, which is slowly drawing to a close. I don't see anyone else with the determination and strength to do that besides Donald Trump."

Both Orban and Trump share a vision of "peace" in Ukraine that entails withdrawing international military support for Kyiv. Trump has long criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine, and as the presumptive Republican nominee in the 2024 U.S. elections, his sway over the party has contributed to the continuing deadlock in Congress over U.S. aid to Ukraine.

Orban has also leveraged his position in the EU to block aid to Ukraine and oppose sanctions against Russia.

Orban said in the interview that Trump's plans for an end to the war "are quite detailed" and align with Hungary's national interests.

Trump has notably claimed that he could negotiate peace in Ukraine within 24 hours, although he has not described the concrete steps he would take to achieve this.

Orban also said that while in the U.S. he gave a speech at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. He described Hungary as a conservative island in the "progressive, liberal ocean" of Europe, and said this appeals to Republicans in the U.S. He went on to lambast immigrants and LGBT rights.

Read also: Opinion: Orban is plain wrong on Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump will "not give a penny into the Ukraine-Russia war" if elected again, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on state television on March 10.

Trump hosted Orban at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on March 8, referring to the Hungarian Prime Minister as "a fantastic leader." Orban has a long-standing relationship with conservatives in the U.S. and is one of the only European leaders to be openly friendly toward the Kremlin.

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," according to a statement from Trump's campaign.

Echoing previous comments by the former president about his plans to negotiate peace in Ukraine within 24 hours, Orban said that Trump would end the supply of weapons from the U.S., a move that he claims would mark the end of the war.

"It is obvious that Ukraine on its own cannot stand on its feet," Orban said.

Trump's plan for a proposed peace negotiation in Ukraine remains vague, and it is unclear if it would be able to garner enough support even within his own party.

While the proportion of Republicans who think the U.S. is providing too much aid to Ukraine is higher than the corresponding number of Democrats, a poll released in December 2023 found that it was less than a majority (48%).

Trump's sway over the Republican party has contributed to the continuing deadlock in Congress over U.S. aid to Ukraine. The Senate passed a funding bill containing $60 billion in aid for Ukraine earlier in February, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has so far declined to bring it to a vote.

The former president further raised concern in the West after he said that he would encourage Russia to do "whatever the hell it wants" to NATO members that do not meet the 2% defense spending mark.

Read also: Opinion: Orban is plain wrong on Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The 83-year-old also won the Golden Globe for the same film last January.

More than two decades after winning his first Oscar, Japan's revered animator Hayao Miyazaki has done it again.

The Boy and the Heron beat Disney's Elemental and Spider-Man Across the Spider-verse to win the Best Animated Feature Film prize.

The 83-year-old also won the Golden Globe for the same film last January.

Set during World War Two, the semi-autobiographical film is about a boy who meets a mysterious speaking heron after losing his mother.

Mr Miyazaki's family was displaced by the war, like Mahito's. His mother was also a strong influence on his work, as seen in the strong female characters in his films.

The co-founder of Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli won his first Oscar in 2003 for Spirited Away, about a girl who tries to save her parents who are turned into pigs - making it the first non-English animated film to win the title.

Spirited Away went on to become Japan's highest grossing movie of all time and held the record for 19 years. My Neighbor Totoro, a film about two sisters and their mystical animal friend is also among Japan's most popular and has become the mascot of the production house.

In 2014, Miyazaki - who has been dubbed the godfather of animation - received an honorary Oscar in recognition of his storytelling.

"My wife tells me that I'm a very lucky man," Miyazaki said in his speech accepting that award.

"And I think I've been lucky because I've been able to participate in the last era when we can make films with paper, pencil and film," he said through a translator.

The Boy and the Heron took about a decade to make, as Mr Miyazaki's animation is hand-drawn. Many of its competitors were produced using computer-generated images.

He was not present during Sunday night's Oscar ceremony in the US to accept his second award. He has been nominated in the Best Animated Feature category four times in total.

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In a poignant speech, director Mstyslav Chernov (centres) said the people of Mariupol should not be forgotten

President Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed Ukraine's first-ever Oscar won by 20 Days In Mariupol - a documentary about Russia's brutal siege of the port city.

The film "shows the truth about Russian terrorism" Mr Zelensky said.

The film provides rare testimony of the suffering of Mariupol's residents while their city is being destroyed.

Accepting the award for best documentary feature, director Mstyslav Chernov said he was "honoured" to be Ukraine's first Oscar winner.

"Probably I would be the first director on this stage who will say I wish I would never have made this film," he said in his acceptance speech at the ceremony in Los Angels.

"I wish to be able to exchange this [for] Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities," he said, adding that Russia has killed "tens of thousands of my fellow Ukrainians".

Mr Chernov urged everyone to make sure that "the history record is set straight, and that truth will prevail, and that the people of Mariupol and those who have given their lives will never be forgotten.

"Because cinema forms memories, and memories form history."

The director finished his speech by saying "Slava Ukraini!" (Glory to Ukraine!) - a historic rallying cry that is now being used by millions of Ukrainians in the country and across the world.

Mariupol was completely destroyed during months of fierce fighting in 2022

The film's recognition is being celebrated across Ukrainian social media, with one news channel calling it a "historic victory", says the BBC's James Waterhouse in Kyiv.

Mr Chernov's team of three journalists documented the gradual encirclement of Mariupol by Russian forces in the first months of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, and their film is a searing snapshot of what was inflicted on the people who lived there, our correspondent adds.

The team risked their lives filming there, and later somehow managed to leave the city by going through numerous Russian checkpoints with the filmed material hidden the car seat.

Mariupol - the southern Ukrainian port on the Sea of Azov - was almost completely destroyed by Russian troops after months of fierce fighting.

Russia describes its capture in late May 2022 as "liberation".

More on the Oscars
The employer of a worker who died after being crushed by a forklift at Logan International Airport in August has been cited and fined thousands in penalties in connection with his death.

Oxford Airport Technical Services of Rochester, New York now faces four serious citations with $46,096 in proposed penalties for failing to ensure safeguards, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a statement on Monday.

Every workplace fatality is tragic, especially when there are well-known safety measures that could have prevented the loss of a persons life, OSHA Area Director James Mulligan said in a statement. In this case, the employer failed to train and certify their forklift operators on critical safety requirements. Its simply inexcusable.

On Aug. 29, 2023, an Oxford Airport Technical Services employee was attempting to drive a forklift into a building at Logan Airport when the vehicles forks and mast struck the overhang of the entrance, causing the forklift to tip over, according to OSHA. The operator, who was not wearing a seatbelt, fell to the ground, and the tipping vehicle fatally struck him.

The employee, a 51-year-old Winthrop resident, was taken to a Boston hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials said at the time.

OSHA inspectors found that the company failed to ensure the worker wore a seat belt while operating the forklift, exposing him to rollover and crushing hazards. The agency also determined the following:

 The forklifts forks and mast were not raised only as far as necessary to clear the road surface.

 All forklift operators were not properly trained and certified.

 A damaged forklift was not examined before being placed in service.

 A damaged forklift was not taken out of service.

According to OSHA, the mans death may have been prevented if his employer, a Rochester, New York-based maintenance firm, had ensured proper safeguards for operating and maintaining forklifts.

Oxford Airport Technical Services has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHAs area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Arkansans without access to high-speed internet will soon be able to apply for grants from a program fund of more than $1 billion.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration said Monday that Arkansas would soon begin a survey of Arkansas homes and businesses that do not have internet access. NTIA officials said people without access will be eligible for grants from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, or BEAD.

Dept. of Commerce sending more than $1 billion to Arkansas for high-speed internet infrastructure

The BEAD program in Arkansas is currently funded at $1,024,303,993 as part of the government Internet for All initiative. The Arkansas funding is part of a $42.45 billion funding for the United States and its territories.

The grants will be made to internet service providers, cooperatives, and others who bid to build or upgrade internet networks.

U.S. Dept. of Treasury approves millions for Arkansas broadband, rural access emphasis

The Arkansas Broadband Office lists information on the timeline, administration, eligibility, and application for BEAD in the Natural State at Broadband.Arkansas.gov.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
While Guernsey does not have a banned breeds list, 27 breeds can only be brought to the island with an import licence

Two people have denied bringing animals, including two American XL bully crosses, into Guernsey without a licence.

Charles William Blackler, 27, and Laurelle Christen Mae De Bourgonniere, 24, both pleaded not guilty to three counts of importing prohibited items.

Guernsey Magistrate's Court heard the alleged offences took place in December and January.

Two dogs, identified as a mix between a Staffordshire bull terrier and an American XL bully, were alleged to have been illegally imported on 16 December.

Three French bulldogs and a Bengal cat were alleged to have been imported on 25 January and another French bulldog and Bengal cat on 26 January.

Mr Blackler, of Flat 4, 1 Back Street, St Peter Port, has also been charged with possession of Class A MDNA and Class B cannabis at a St Martin's address on 26 January.

Ms De Bourgonniere, of Lincoln Place, Back Street, St Peter Port, also faces a charge of possession of Class C drug tramadol at her home address.

The pair were released on unconditional bail until a pre-trial hearing set for 22 May.

Guernsey does not have a banned list of breeds like the UK but there are 27 breeds that are subject to a strict import licence, which must be obtained from the States Vet.

That includes the American bulldog, American bully, Japanese tosa, the Dogo Argentinos and the Fila Brazileiro.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.

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"I believe they will embrace a very promising future." A Spanish auto industry insider has voiced strong confidence in the allure of Chinese NEVs in the European market.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




Two men have been jailed for life for murdering an 18-year-old who was killed in front of town centre shoppers in a gang-related "retribution" stabbing.

Raymond James Quigley, known as James, of Wymondham, Norfolk, was stabbed to death in Ipswich on 17 January 2023.

Alfie Hammett, 19, has been jailed for a minimum of 24 years. Joshua Howell, 18, was jailed for at least 20 years.

Mr Quigley was attacked at about 15:30 GMT on Westgate Street. He ran into a card shop, but died from his wounds.

Both defendants, who are from the Ipswich area, were also convicted of possession of an offensive weapon, following a trial at Ipswich Crown Court which lasted for more than a month.

Mr Quigley was set upon outside the former Debenhams building in revenge for the murder of 18-year-old Joe Dix in Norwich in January 2022, the prosecution said.

He died from stab wounds to his torso, back and chest.

Hammett, of Larkhill Rise, Rushmere St Andrew, near Ipswich, was said to have delivered the fatal blows while Howell, of Wellington Street, Ipswich, threatened Mr Quigley's friends with a machete.

"This was a murder committed in context of gang rivalry and retribution stemming from the murder of Joe Dix," prosecutor Andrew Jackson told the trial.

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PALATINE, Ill. - A Palatine man is in custody after deputies say he sexually abused a young woman at her apartment Saturday morning.

Juan Ramirez-Perez, 40, is charged with one count of criminal sexual abuse with force, a Class 4 felony, following an incident on March 9, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives were called just before 7 a.m. to an apartment complex in the 1200 block of Long Valley Drive.

A 26-year-old woman who lived in the apartment told officers that Ramirez-Perez had inappropriately touched her without her consent and threatened her to stay silent, as "he knew where she worked," according to the CCSO.

He left the apartment before officers arrived.

During the investigation, a male witness who also lives in the woman's apartment told detectives that Ramirez-Perez was a guest the night before the incident.

When he stayed over, the witness said Ramirez-Perez slept inside the bathtub of the bathroom where the incident happened.

The witness also gave detectives a photo of Ramirez-Perez and told them where he lived.

A short time later, Ramirez-Perez was found and taken into custody.

On Sunday, he appeared in court for an initial hearing. He was ordered by a judge to be held in the Cook County Jail until his next hearing on March 12.
People walk in front of the Damascus gate in the Old City of Jerusalem, on the first day of Ramadan, Monday, March 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  Palestinians began fasting for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Monday with cease-fire talks at a standstill, hunger worsening across the Gaza Strip and no end in sight to the war between Israel and Hamas.

Prayers were held outside amid the rubble of demolished buildings. Fairy lights and decorations were hung in packed tent camps, and a video from a U.N.-school-turned-shelter showed children dancing and spraying foam in celebration as a man sang into a loudspeaker.

But there was little to celebrate after five months of war that has killed over 30,000 Palestinians and left much of Gaza in ruins. Families would ordinarily break the daily sunrise-to-sundown fast with holiday feasts, but even where food is available, there is little beyond canned goods, and the prices are too high for many.

You don't see anyone with joy in their eyes," said Sabah al-Hendi, who was shopping for food Sunday in the southernmost city of Rafah. Every family is sad. Every family has a martyr."

The United States, Qatar and Egypt had hoped to broker a cease-fire ahead of the normally joyous holiday that would include the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of a large amount of humanitarian aid, but the talks have stalled.

Hamas is demanding guarantees that any such agreement will lead to an end to the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected that demand, vowing to continue the offensive until total victory against the militant group and the release of all the remaining hostages held in Gaza.

Netanyahu said Monday that Israel had killed Hamas number four leader and added that more targeted killings were to come.

Three, two, and one are on the way. They are all dead men. We will reach them all," he said.

Netanyahu was likely referencing the assassination of Saleh Arouri, the deputy political head of Hamas and a founder of the groups military wing, who was killed in a blast in Beirut in January. Israel was widely believed to be behind the blast, although it did not take responsibility.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Hamas to honor the spirit of Ramadan by silencing the guns and releasing all the hostages.

The eyes of the world are watching. The eyes of history are watching. We cannot look away, he said. We must act to avoid more preventable deaths.  Desperate civilians need action  immediate action.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostage. Hamas is still believed to be holding around 100 captives and the remains of 30 others following an exchange last year.

The war has driven around 80% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people from their homes and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine. Health officials say at least 25 people, mostly children, have died from malnutrition and dehydration in northern Gaza.

Israeli forces have largely sealed off the north since October, and aid groups say Israeli restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of law and order have made it nearly impossible to safely deliver desperately needed food in much of the territory.

Israel has vowed to expand its offensive to the southern city of Rafah, where half of Gazas population has sought refuge, without saying where civilians would go to escape the onslaught. President Joe Biden has said an attack on Rafah would be a red line for him, but that the United States would continue to provide military aid to Israel.

Biden acknowledged in his annual Ramadan message that the holy month comes at a moment of intense pain."

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, he said.

The United States and other countries have begun airdropping aid, but humanitarian groups say such efforts are costly and insufficient. The U.S. military has also begun transporting equipment to build a sea bridge to deliver aid, but it will likely be several weeks before it is operational.

A ship belonging to Spanish aid group Open Arms was expected to make a pilot voyage to Gaza from nearby Cyprus, though it was not clear when it would depart.

The United States has provided crucial military support to Israel and shielded it from international calls for a cease-fire while urging it to do more to avoid harming civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid.

Gaza's Health Ministry said Monday that at least 31,112 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, including 67 bodies brought to hospitals in the past 24 hours. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

Israel blames the civilian death toll on Hamas because the militants fight in dense, residential areas and position fighters, tunnels and rocket launchers near homes, schools and mosques. The military has said it has killed 13,000 Hamas fighters, without providing evidence.

Speaking on Saturday to MSNBC, Biden said Israel had the right to respond to the Oct. 7 attack but that Netanyahu must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost. He added that you cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo. AP journalist Edith Lederer contributed reporting from the United Nations.

___

Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
A Hamas-linked website warned Palestinians who assist Israel in providing aid to Gaza that their actions will not be tolerated.

Those who did would be treated as collaborators and be handled with an iron fist, the Hamas Al-Majd security website said on Monday, quoting a security official in Palestinian militant forces.

The warning came in response to reports that Israel was considering arming some Palestinian individuals or clans in Gaza to provide security protection for aid convoys into the besieged enclave as part of wider planning for humanitarian supplies after the fighting ends.

Police in Gaza are refusing to provide security to convoys - EYAD BABA/AFP VIA Getty Images

The Israeli prime ministers office has declined to comment on the report, which came a week after dozens of Palestinians were killed in an incident in which crowds surrounded a convoy of aid trucks entering northern Gaza and troops opened fire.

The occupations attempt to communicate with the leaders and clans of some families to operate within the Gaza Strip is considered direct collaboration with the occupation and is a betrayal of the nation that we will not tolerate, the website said, quoting the official.

The occupations [Israels] efforts to establish bodies to manage Gaza are a failed conspiracy that will not materialise.

With civil order increasingly strained in Hamas-run Gaza and police refusing to provide security to convoys because of the risk of being targeted by Israeli forces, the issue of secure distribution of desperately needed food and other supplies has become a big problem.

Compel Israel to open all land crossings

Gaza has several large traditional family clans, affiliated with political factions including Hamas and Fatah, the rival group that dominates the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank. Some of those clans are believed to be well armed and there has been no indication that they would consider working with Israel.

Responding to plans by the European Union and the United States to create a sea corridor to send aid ships to the enclave, Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, said it was a positive step but the world should have rather acted to end the war.

Ensuring all the needs of the population in the Gaza Strip are met is not a favour from anyone; it is a guaranteed right under international humanitarian law even during times of war, Naim told Reuters.

If the US administration is serious about solving the humanitarian crisis, the easiest and shortest path is to stop using veto power to allow a ceasefire to be reached, and to compel Israel to open all land crossings and allow entry of all required aid, Naim said.

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GRANDVILLE, Mich. (WOOD)  A West Michigan couple whose son was mauled to death by dogs while jogging a decade ago are renewing their push for a new law targeting the owners of dangerous dogs.

In my mind, it would have never happened if something like this was in place, Richard Sytsma said of the attack in July 2014 that killed his son, Craig Sytsma, in Lapeer County.

An undated courtesy photo of Craig Sytsma.

Craig Sytsma, a 46-year-old father of three and a native of Grandville, was a cancer survivor who had vowed to stay in shape.

Everybody loved Craig, his mother Jacque Sytsma said. He was just the kind of man that people were attracted to. He was very good-looking and he was kind.

Bills aim to prevent dog attacks in Michigan

He was jogging the same route he ran every day on a gravel road in Metamora Township when the massive cane corsos with a history of biting escaped from their pen and attacked. Their son was wearing earbuds.

He didnt hear them coming, his father said. They came up from behind him. He lifted his hands to protect his face, and after that it was over.

They try not to think about what their son went through.

They were in attack mode, and they didnt quit, his father said.

Their son begged for his life while a neighbor tried to save him. Another neighbor fired shots to scare away the animals.

You cant forgive the sin, but you can forgive the sinner, and were kind of at that point now, Richard Sytsma said. The sin was horrible, the way it happened, the evil that came out of that pen.

In court a year after the death, the Sytsmas addressed the couple who owned the dogs.

It could have been prevented, Richard Sytsma said in court. You, sir, are the age of what our son was when he died. You chose not to properly house your animals. The end result was the death of our son.

The dogs owners, Sebastiano Quagliata, then 46, and Valbona Lucaj, 45, were charged at first with second-degree murder but served 4.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. They were then deported, the woman to Albania, the man to Italy. The dogs were euthanized.

A still image taken from file video shows Sebastiano Quagliata and Valbona Lucaj.

A file image of one of the dogs that attacked and killed Craig Sytsma.

A file image of one of the dogs that attacked and killed Craig Sytsma.

The judge gave Sytsmas father some advice.

The last time I was in his court, he specifically looked at me and said, Richard, if you want to do something, you go out and change the law,' he recalled.

A short time later, Richard Sytsma started working with then-state Rep. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo.

I kind of took it up as my cause to try to put something in place that would prevent this from happening to anybody else in the state of Michigan, Sytsma said. Thats what Ive been working on for the last eight and a half, nine years.

Come forward: Boy attacked by dog hopes for answers

McCann started working on dangerous dog legislation in 2014, but it went nowhere. Now a state senator, he reintroduced it in January.

We do need to do something about those bad owners that are not cognizant of protecting people in the general public, McCann said.

In Kent County alone, animal control responded to 610 dog bites in 2021, the last year for which complete figures are available. In the U.S., dogs bit more than 5,300 postal workers in 2022. Michigan ranked eighth in the nation, with 206 postal worker dog bites.

Richard Sytsma delivered mail for 40 years.

Id been bit three times, and each time I was bit, the owner of the animal said, He wont bite, and as I walked away I got bit. And Im one of thousands nationwide that get bit all the time: UPS drivers, FedEx people, postal workers, he said.

The senator says the legislation is about prevention: identifying and tracking dangerous dogs and requiring owners through court orders to take steps  from restraints to muzzles  to keep them from attacking. The most dangerous dogs could be put down.

Take action before the problem tips over into an actual attack, or an actual tragedy, he said.

The law wouldnt cover guard dogs, hunting dogs, dogs that bite owners or family members, or those that bite trespassers, lawbreakers or somebody tormenting the dogs.

Our central reference point here is the situation with Mr. Sytsma and his son, McCann said. Its a terrible tragedy, and I think the more he tells his story, I think the more that that hopefully will persuade my colleagues to say that this is something that deserves action.

Portage DPS: 4-year-old boy attacked by family dogs

Our son would be alive if this bill had been in place, and I think theres others that would be alive in Michigan that have been killed by dogs, if something like this had been in place, Jacque Sytsma said.

I would like to see all the lawmakers in Lansing get on board. This is good law for all the citizens in Michigan. Its something that we really need, Richard Sytsma added.

The package of bills has been referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Imagine that you have lived with an illness for years. The suffering this illness has caused is devastating  so much that you wish to die. You no longer feel like the person you were before. You have been to see specialists, have tried the best treatments, but nothing works.

This is many peoples reality, and not only because of physical disorders and disease. Chronic mental illness can be just as crushing. Starting in March 2024, Canada planned to make medical assistance in death, or MAID, available to people with mental illness  expanding a program already available to patients with terminal or chronic physical illness. In 2022, more than 13,000 people in Canada died with medical assistance, according to a government report.

In February, however, the government announced a three-year delay for the controversial program, saying the health care system needs more time to prepare.

When it is enacted in March 2027, this new provision will make Canada one of the few countries that allow MAID for mental illness. These include the Netherlands and Switzerland. Only a minority of U.S. states, such as Maine and Oregon, allow any kind of MAID, though many others have debated it  and none allow it for mental illness.

Critics say there are inadequate safeguards and a dearth of health care coverage for psychiatric and psychological issues, which could prompt people to view MAID as their only alternative. They also point to the difficulty of predicting whether or not someones mental illness will eventually get better.

MAID activists believe that access to this choice for patients with mental illness is morally required. But even people not opposed to Canadas new provision are concerned about whether the system is ready.

As a philosopher who specializes in end of life ethics and physician-assisted death, I research a distinction that is at the heart of this debate. There is a subtle but crucial difference between being acutely suicidal  an experience that may pass  and, after long consideration, desiring death in the face of suffering.

My body, my decision?

Plenty of people oppose MAID  often called physician-assisted death  under any circumstances, including terminal physical illness. Some believe it violates the sanctity of human life.

Others have qualms about asking doctors, who are normally concerned about the preservation of human life, to participate in ending it. In other words, they emphasize nonmaleficence, the obligation to do no harm  one of the core tenets of medical ethics.

Many proponents, on the other hand, base their arguments on two other core tenets: beneficence  the obligation to benefit the patient  and autonomy. Autonomy arguments usually assume that a government is only justified in restricting citizens liberty if exercising that liberty would cause harm to other people.

Advocates of physician-assisted death emphasize that ending ones own life does not harm other people, suggesting that the government has no business curtailing the patients choices. Legalization ensures that citizens can make their own decisions about one of the most personal and value-laden times of life.

In medical ethicists view, in order for a person to be considered autonomous, they must be able to act intentionally and with an understanding of the potential consequences of their actions. Additionally, an autonomous person is reasonably free from undue influence  such as family members pressuring them or financial considerations that restrict their choices.

When it comes to physical illness, ethicists who argue that physician-assisted death is morally permissible view patients as free actors exercising their autonomy if they meet several criteria: they are terminally and chronically ill, have worked with medical professionals over time and have established an unchanging desire to end their suffering.

Thorny issues

Experiences of mental illness, however, raise serious questions about patients autonomy.

Mental illnesses often limit a persons ability to govern their own lives free from the effects of their illness. For instance, a patient with bipolar I disorder is not fully autonomous during the middle of a manic episode. Were it not for their disease, they would be less likely to engage in the types of behaviors that characterize a manic episode, such as reckless spending or risky sexual encounters.

Yet this is not true for all mental illnesses, or at all times. A person with well-treated bipolar 1 disorder will have periods in which their symptoms are under control. In fact, it is in these periods of lucidity when some bipolar patients decide their own death would be preferable to the suffering they endure.

Moreover, proponents of extending physician-assisted death to mental illness believe that the approval process can protect people who request it when acutely suicidal or who have not yet received adequate treatment.

In Canadas proposed system, a mentally ill person requesting MAID must have been informed of all reasonable treatment options. They must also demonstrate a sustained desire to receive MAID, including waiting for 90 days after their application. Finally, the patient must have two doctors certify that their suffering is grievous and irremediable in any way the patient finds acceptable.

One key issue in preparing Canadas health care system is whether providers have received enough training to differentiate someone who is acutely suicidal from someone who is in a frame of mind to make this decision thoughtfully. If someone is experiencing an acute desire to die that may be a symptom of their illness, most ethicists would find MAID morally impermissible. If, however, a mentally ill person has spent years suffering, has exhausted reasonable treatment and has maintained a desire to die for some time, some ethicists believe MAID is appropriate.

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: Maria Kulp, Gonzaga University

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Maria Kulp 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.
The citys currently spending more money on housing and services per migrant than it did last summer, despite projections from Mayor Adams showing the overall price-tag for the crisis is dropping thanks to reductions in the number of asylum seekers in the citys care.

Molly Wasow Park, Adams commissioner of the Department of Social Services, revealed in a City Council hearing Monday that the citys current average per-night cost for caring for a single migrant household  known as the per diem rate  is $388. That price-tag is inclusive of all expense categories related to migrant care, including shelter and food.

The figure disclosed by Wasow Park is $5 higher than the $383 migrant per diem rate Adams cited last August. After the Mondays Council hearing, Adams spokesman Charles Lutvak noted that the per diem rate hit a peak of $394 on Oct. 10, indicating it has since come down slightly, though still higher than August.

In November, Adams ordered his administration to figure out a way to reduce overall projected migrant spending by 20% in the current 2024 fiscal year, using the projection from August that included the $383 per diem rate as the starting point for that savings target.

Last month, City Hall said the administration had been successful in formulating a plan to achieve the 20% cut, putting its new projected total price-tag for the crisis at $10.4 billion through the end of the 2025 fiscal year, down from the previously forecasted $12.6 billion. The lowered projection prompted Adams to reverse some budget cuts hed enacted months earlier to offset spending on the migrant crisis.

The mayor said last month that his administration was able to lower the projected spending because of a push to reduce the migrant shelter census. The administrations main mechanism for doing so has been to limit consecutive shelter stays for migrant adults to 30 days and migrant families with children to 60 days. The policies appear to have had an impact, as there are currently about 65,000 migrants in the citys care, down from about 68,000 in August.

The other component that the mayor said last month would help bring down migrant costs was for the city to shift away from for-profit migrant shelter contractors in favor of relying on more cost-friendly nonprofit providers.

Its unclear how much progress the administration has made on replacing for-profit contractors with nonprofit providers. The citys Health + Hospitals Corp., which has helped oversee the migrant response, advanced multiple new for-profit migrant services contracts just this past December, including one for DocGo, a controversial medical firm that has come under scrutiny by State Attorney General Letitia James.

Asked at Mondays Council hearing whether she anticipates the migrant per diem rate will start going down, Wasow Park suggested theres still work to do on that front.

I absolutely think that we will see changes in the asylum number as there is a push to manage costs down, she testified.

The $388 per diem rate comprises costs associated with housing migrants in the citys network of Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers, known as HERRCs, as well as in its traditional Department of Homeless Services shelters.

In the traditional DHS system, the per diem rate is far lower. For a single adult, its $145.13 and $232.40 for families with children, Wasow Park testified, indicating the elevated migrant per diem rate is being driven by HERRC spending. Its unclear, however, what the per-diem rate is at a HERRC facility.

Lutvak, Adams spokesman, wouldnt say whether the newly-disclosed elevated migrant per diem rate could impact the mayors savings directives. He also did not say what has caused the fluctuations in the rate.

According to the latest data from Adams office, the city has spent just over $4 billion on housing and services for the tens of thousands of mostly Latin American migrants who have arrived since spring 2022.

The mayor has in recent weeks said driving down city migrant costs is especially important as it appears unlikely the federal government will provide any additional meaningful financial relief anytime soon.

The 60-day policy that the mayor credits as a cost-saving measure has so far only been impacting migrant families with kids staying in the citys HERRCs. In Mondays hearing, Wasow Park said there is a potential possibility that the Adams administration will seek to subject migrant families in the DHS system to 60-day limits, too, though she conceded that would likely need state approval.
BEIJING, March 11 (Xinhua) -- China has pledged to stabilize and expand employment and improve people's livelihoods as a priority of its overall socio-economic development efforts.

How to promote employment, particularly for young job-seekers, is a hot topic widely discussed by national lawmakers and political advisors during this year's "two sessions."

The current employment situation has generally improved with the stabilization and improvement of the economy, said Mo Rong, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body.

The number of young job-seekers keeps growing, making competition in the job market steeper. However, there are many positive factors available to boost the job market, such as economic growth and policy support, added Mo, president of the Chinese Academy of Labor and Social Security.

Over 11.7 million students are expected to graduate from college this year. More efforts should be made to promote employment for young people and provide better guidance and services to help them secure jobs or start businesses, according to this year's government work report unveiled last week for deliberation.

Wang Jinsong, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, said keys to enlarging the job market include accelerating industrial restructuring and high-quality development, cultivating advanced manufacturing, modern agriculture and service industries, and creating more intellectual and technical posts for college students.

"Many new jobs and occupations will emerge, providing young people with more new career choices and new space for development," said Wang, also dean of the Graduate School of Tianjin University of Technology.

The government work report puts forward a slew of measures, such as making traditional industries higher-end, smarter and more eco-friendly, fostering emerging industries and future-oriented industries, and opening up new fields such as quantum technology and life sciences.

According to Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping, there is already strong demand from the job market for talent in fields such as artificial intelligence and big data.

After emerging industries create new job opportunities, reform of education and training can help young people meet such job demand.

The government work report said China will enhance vocational skills training to meet job demand in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, modern services and elderly care.

Wu De, an NPC deputy and president of Sichuan Agricultural University, said that to improve the quality of student education and training, the university has since 2020 been cutting or optimizing majors that are difficult for students to find a job.

The university has also been improving its curriculum based on its own characteristics, and is placing greater emphasis on practical training in cultivating talent, Wu added.

"It is obvious that our graduates now have a wider range of job opportunities, and they are more adaptive," Wu said. 
Former Trump White House aide Peter Navarro has been ordered to report to a Miami prison on March 19 to begin serving a four month sentence for defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6 select committee.

Navarro, who is urging a federal appeals court to stay the sentence while he attempts to overturn his conviction, faces the prospect of becoming the first top adviser to Donald Trump to serve jail time for an offense related to the effort to subvert the 2020 election.

Navarro, 74, was convicted last year on two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to provide documents and testimony to congressional investigators probing the root causes of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The committee subpoenaed Navarro in February 2022, and he quickly indicated he would refuse to comply, citing executive privilege. The House held Navarro in contempt two months later, and the Justice Department soon followed suit with criminal charges.

Navarro, an economist who advised Trump on trade issues, was the second former Trump aide convicted for refusing to cooperate with the Jan. 6 panel. Steve Bannon was convicted by a jury in July 2022 for similarly blowing off a subpoena from the committee.



However, the judge in Bannons case, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, agreed not to enforce Bannons four-month sentence while he appeals his conviction to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Navarros judge, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, rejected Navarros attempt for a similar stay, and Navarro is now asking a three-judge appeals court panel to stave off imminent jail time.

Dr. Navarro has now been ordered to report to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, FCI Miami, on or before 2:00PM EDT on March 19, 2024, his attorney revealed in court papers late Sunday. Accordingly, Dr. Navarro respectfully reiterates his request for an administrative stay  Should this Court deny Dr. Navarros motion, he respectfully requests an administrative stay so as to permit the Supreme Court review of this Courts denial.

The Jan. 6 committee subpoenaed Navarro for testimony primarily about his efforts to work with Bannon on a strategy aimed at forcing delays in the Jan. 6, 2021 session of Congress where lawmakers were tasked with certifying Joe Bidens victory in the election. Navarro also compiled a series of three election-related reports touting largely discredited claims of fraud, one of which Trump cited in a now infamous tweet calling his supporters to Washington for a wild protest.

Courts rarely permit convicted defendants to remain free while they appeal. However, Navarro contends that, like Bannon, his case presents unusual circumstances because of the complex intersection of his refusal to testify with executive privilege and immunity principles that have rarely been tested in court.

Navarro has claimed that Trump ordered him not to testify and instead to invoke executive privilege, but Mehta rejected this claim as well, noting that Navarro had offered no evidence that Trump in fact gave such an order. Trump had been far more explicit in ordering other former aides to assert the privilege.

Navarro is also fighting a civil lawsuit brought by the Justice Department demanding he return hundreds of records the government claims he improperly declined to deliver to the National Archives after leaving office. Some of those records pertain to the 2020 election.


[Source]

The Chinatown Stitch project is receiving a $158 million federal grant to reunite the long-divided Chinatown neighborhood in Philadelphia.

The grant: On Monday, Pennsylvania Democratic politicians, including U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, U.S. Reps. Brendan Boyle and Dwight Evans, along with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, joined Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) Executive Director John Chin to announce the substantial federal funding award from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

We're here today to announce funding to reconnect Chinatown decades after Chinatown residents suffered the consequences of harmful infrastructure decisions that divided their neighborhood, Casey said at the press conference.

About the project: In December, PCDC and PennDOT unveiled the design plan to mend the disconnected parts of Chinatown by creating an inviting green space and implementing safe street designs, prioritizing the well-being of the elderly, young and individuals with disabilities. The project involves capping two and a half blocks between 10th and 13th streets along the Vine Street Expressway.

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Community support: The initiative received support from the community, with residents expressing hope for positive change. Preliminary design and engineering are projected to occur over the next few years. If successful, construction could commence in 2027.

76ers arena: The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about a proposed Philadelphia 76ers arena near Chinatown, with stakeholders awaiting the citys impact report on that project. The arena proposal, announced in July 2022, was immediately met with fierce criticism from the members of Chinatown, who are worried about limited parking, traffic congestion, gentrification, displacement and the loss of Chinese culture in the area. Despite concerns, officials emphasize that The Chinatown Stitch and the arena development are unrelated.

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One person was killed Sunday night when a pickup truck crashed, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Easly resident Randall Davenport was identified as the man who died in the accident, the Pickens County Coroners Office said.

The single-vehicle collision happened in Pickens County, said Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway of the Highway Patrol.

At about 7:45 p.m., a 2005 GMC pickup was driving south on Childress Road, according to Ridgeway. Near the intersection with Old Dacusville Road, the pickup ran off the right side of the road and hit a culvert and a mailbox before veering back across the road and off the left side, where it crashed into two trees, Ridgeway said.

Davenport, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene, according to the coroners office.

No other injuries were reported.

Information about what caused the pickup to originally veer off the road was not available, but the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol, coroners office and Pickens County Sheriffs Office.

Through Tuesday, 143 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 999 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At least four people have died in Pickens County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were 18 deaths reported in the county in 2023, DPS reported.
Camouflaged troops from Norway made their way across the pebbled beach - Jonathan Nackstrand/APF

Camouflaged troops from several Nato-member states have been spotted completing training drills in Norway as part of the organisations largest exercise series in decades.

Marines from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Italy and France were seen taking aim along a pebbled beach on Sunday for the Nordic Response 24 military exercise, part of Natos Steadfast Defender training series.

Norwegian troops camouflaged to the climate at Sorstraumen, above the Arctic Circle in Norway, with snowy camouflaged mesh covering their uniforms and guns.

Italian soldiers were also seen in position, crouching on the frosted ground.

Norweigan marines were in action during the amphibious assault demonstration - Jonathan Nackstrand/APF

Italian marines taking place in the training operation near Sorstraumen - Jonathan Nackstrand/APF

Steadfast Defender is a training operation involving air, sea, and land forces, with over 100 fighter jets and 50 ships practising defensive manoeuvres in cold and harsh weather conditions.

The exercise is explicitly designed to prepare the alliance for a Russian invasion, with Britain having committed around 20,000 soldiers, as well as tanks, artillery and fighter jets to the drills.

A Swedish CB90-class fast assault craft was pictured travelling on water after being boarded by Finnish marines.

A Swedish CB90-class fast assault craft in action - Jonathan Nackstrand/APF

Finnish marines prepare to board the Swedish sea craft - Jonathan Nackstrand/APF

According to Nato, the training exercises will run from mid-January to June and will be a clear demonstration of our unity, strength and determination to protect each other.

In mid-February, HMS Prince of Wales set sail to join the operation  Natos biggest since the Cold War  throughout the transatlantic region after being delayed at the last minute.

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Some Pittsburgh residents gathered in Squirrel Hill to call for the immediate release of hostages being held by Hamas.

The Israeli community of Pittsburgh organized the event. People in attendance prayed for the 134 people who have been held captive in the Gaza Strip since early October.

Local rabbis, students and community leaders gathered in the cold, which organizers emphasized was a sign of strength.

I find it very heartening that the community here, 6K miles away...is showing support for the folks who were taken captive in October 7th attacks in Israel from Hamas, said Allegheny County Councilman Sam DeMarco.

DeMarco says he has been coming to similar vigils for weeks to show support.

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About 50 people needed medical treatment after being thrown from their seats by severe turbulence during a flight from Sydney to Auckland on Monday.

The plane, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, was operated by LATAM Airlines which said it had suffered a technical event during the flight which caused a strong movement.

Thirteen of the injured passengers and crew were taken to hospital with one person in a serious condition.

Brian Jokat, a passenger, recalled how all of a sudden the plane just dropped out of the sky, just over half way through the three-hour flight.

Mr Jokat told New Zealand news outlet Stuff that he woke up from a nap to see the man from the seat next to him thrown violently into the ceiling of the plane.

His back is on the ceiling and hes up in the air and then he drops down and hits his head on the armrest, said Mr Jokat.

The whole plane is screaming. The plane then started taking a nosedive and I was just thinking, OK this is it, were done.

No emergency landing required

The planes trajectory was quickly stabilised and no emergency landing was required.

Mr Jokat said he witnessed injured passengers and crew being treated in the aisles of the cabin.

The ceilings broken from peoples heads and bodies hitting it, he said. Basically neck braces were being put on people, heads were cut and there was bleeding. It was just crazy.

Mr Jokat, who had been wearing his seatbelt so did not suffer any injury, said there was no turbulence after the incident.

After landing safely in Auckland, he said the pilot came to the back of the plane in shock.

Mr Jokat added: I asked, What happened? and he said: My gauges just blanked out, I lost all of my ability to fly the plane.

Another passenger told Radio New Zealand that some people who were not wearing seatbelts flew through the cabin and others hit the roof.

One of the crew members got hit really badly on his head, said the passenger. He was sitting right behind me because there was an empty seat and they were asking us to not let him fall asleep.

The flight began in Australia with the plane due to stop over in Auckland before heading on to Santiago, Chile.

In a statement, LATAM Airlines said: As a result of the incident, some passengers and cabin crew were affected. They received immediate assistance and were evaluated or treated by medical staff at the airport as needed.

The airline added that it deeply regrets any inconvenience and discomfort this situation may have caused.

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The quilt was left on a Southern Rail train to London Victoria

A woman who left a handmade quilt on a train is hoping "eagle-eyed" people will help find it.

The quilt, which Lucie Dawkins made for her friend's daughter, was accidentally left on a Southern Rail train to London Victoria on Saturday.

A viral post attempting to track it down was viewed more than 2.7m times on X, formerly Twitter.

Ms Dawkins was on her way to deliver the gift, which she had spent nine months making for her friend's daughter Calliope.

She told BBC Radio Sussex: "I'm hoping with everyone's eagle eyes and good faith it might return to Calliope."

A friend shared a post on X with a picture of the quilt.

Her post said: "Today was the day Lucie was due to meet Calliope and present her with her quilt.

"However, tragedy has struck: owing to a combination of tiredness and excitement, Lucie left the quilt she has worked on for months in the luggage rack on the train to London Victoria."

Are you travelling by @SouthernRailUK this weekend? My friend Lucie desperately needs your help. She has spent nine months hand making this beautiful quilt out of disused kimono silk for her oldest friend's brand new baby: pic.twitter.com/SC8xwAHlyV  Verity Bell (@verityebell) March 9, 2024

The quilt, in a blue tote bag, is made out of kimono silk and is blue, pink and gold.

Ms Dawkins confirmed the quilt had not yet been tracked down, but described the reaction as "the most wholesome thing" she had seen happen online.

She was continuing to contact stations along the route to ask if it had been handed in.

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(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden said there was no need for additional US troops to bolster Polands border ahead of a request from that countrys head of state for more personnel and military equipment to ease worries over Russian aggression on NATOs eastern flank.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Theres no need for more troops at the Polish border, but Im meeting with the prime minister tomorrow, Biden told reporters on Monday.

President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk will meet Biden at the White House on Tuesday at a moment when Russia appears to be gaining the upper hand in its war in Ukraine, Polands eastern neighbor.

Since the invasion two years ago, Poland has become the gateway for around 80% of Western humanitarian and military aid to Kyiv and has seen an increase in the alliances presence on its territory. The US last year set up a garrison in the western Polish city of Poznan and has 10,000 troops stationed in the country. The meeting with Biden coincides with the 25th anniversary of Polands membership in NATO.

Duda, who is also the head of the countrys armed forces, will combine his appeal for more troops with a request for the US to speed up deliveries of military equipment and sell more advanced arms to Poland, according to a person familiar with his thinking, who declined to be named because the talks are private.

The visit takes place at a pivotal moment in Polish politics, in which Duda and Tusk are adversaries. Since coming to power in December, Tusks government has sought to pry former ruling nationalists, who backed Duda in his two terms as president, away from state institutions including the public broadcaster and judiciary.

Tusk suggested on Monday that, when it comes to defense, the two are aligned.

I differ politically with President Andrzej Duda in almost everything, but when it comes to the security of our homeland, we must and will act together, he said in a post on the X social-media platform. Not only during a visit to the USA.

The push comes as Poland is gearing up to spend around 4% of its economic output on defense this year, part of an effort to deter Russian aggression and replace gear donated to Ukraine. A significant share of the orders is going to US industry.

Last year alone, Washington approved a planned sale to Poland of Apache helicopters and related equipment worth an estimated $12 billion as well as about $10 billion in weapons including 18 precision HIMARS rocket launchers. Thats on top of additional purchases, including Abrams tanks and Patriot missiles.

Duda preempted the visit, telling a meeting with Tusks government and party leaders on Monday that hell propose NATO member states raise the minimum level of defense spending to 3% of output in his talks with Biden and with alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday.

The proposal follows comments by former President Donald Trump, who is making another White House bid, saying that he told a NATO ally during his presidency that he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to countries that didnt meet the alliances defense spending obligations.

Duda famously asked the then-president during a White House visit in 2018 to set up a permanent US military base, offering to call it Fort Trump. Both men are still in touch.

(Updates with Biden remarks in first two paragraphs)

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NATO allies in Europe must bolster their defense spending to respond to Russias war mode economy, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Monday, calling Russias enduring incursion in Ukraine the biggest threat to global peace since the end of the Cold War.

A return to the status quo ante is not possible. Russias imperialistic ambitions and aggressive revisionism are pushing Moscow toward a direct confrontation with NATO, with the West and, ultimately, with the whole free world, Duda said in an op-ed in the Washington Post.

Duda called on member states to raise defense spending to 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Members of NATO previously agreed to a 2 percent increase because of Russias annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has told President Biden that members across the alliance will sustain and step up defense spending, as theyve historically fallen short of 2 percent.

Duda said Poland will use the presidency of the European Union  which it holds for the first half of 2025  to push a stronger NATO and a more active U.S. presence across the military, economic and political domains in Europe.

Presidency of the EU means that a nation is able to determine the major issues and overall agenda of the body throughout its 18-month program.

Duda is set to meet with Biden to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Poland joining NATO and to signal commitment to the alliance and to continued support of Ukraine.

Duda said he will propose to Biden that NATO members raise the requirement on defense spending, and said that the U.S. and Poland  which has regularly surpassed 4 percent in its spending  will lead by example.

The leaders will also discuss bolstering Polands eastward defenses against Russia. Poland shares a border with both Russia and Ukraine.

Dudas belief in the power of NATO and the importance of U.S. support comes as former President Trump has said Russia can do whatever the hell they want with NATO allies that do not meet defense spending obligations.

Trump met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. Orban said the former president will not give a single penny to Ukraine, and that a lack of U.S. support will end the conflict.

Trump has previously claimed that he will end the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours, and some concern that Trump would cede Ukrainian territory to Russia to do so.

Poland has been one of the most energetic supporters of the Ukrainian resistance, becoming the first NATO member to provide fighter jets in 2023, for example. There must be a common strategy of support for Ukraine, whose invasion has been the most serious challenge to the rules-based international order, Duda said.

Poland believes that NATO is the main global pillar of security, a community of free nations founded on universal values, he said. Poland believes that this strength, stemming from unity, cannot be matched by any aggressive power.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk will visit the United States on March 12, the 25th anniversary of Poland's NATO accession, to advocate for continued U.S. military aid to Ukraine.

Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, despite ongoing tensions related to agricultural trade disputes.

Both Duda and Tusk will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden in the White House on March 12.

"The leaders will reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine's defense against Russia's brutal war of conquest," according to a White House press briefing.

Duda will then meet with top lawmakers in Congress, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

A partisan impasse in Congress has stalled $61 billion in U.S. aid to Ukraine for months as front-line troops face ammunition shortages and Russian forces advance.

The Senate approved a supplemental funding package after prolonged negotiations and concessions to Republican demands on immigration policy, but Johnson immediately derailed the bill when it came to the House.

House Republicans are now reportedly working on an alternative version of the bill that may include treating some forms of aid to Ukraine as a loan.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on Feb. 27 urged Congress to approve military support to Ukraine, saying Western allies need to "invest in our security."

With Russian aggression drawing closer to its borders, Poland has pledged to significantly increase the size of its own armed forces. Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said in September 2023 that he believed Poland would soon amass a force of 300,000 soldiers, making it the largest land army in Europe.

A survey published on Feb. 22 by the Polish media outlet RMF24 revealed that nearly 50% of Poles believe a Russian attack on Poland is "likely."

After his meetings in Washington, Duda will visit the cities of Savannah, Waynesboro, and Fort Stewart in the U.S. state of Georgia on March 13. He will fly to Brussels, Belgium for a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on March 14.

Read also: Belarus Weekly: Warsaw calls for EU sanctions on Belarusian, Russian agricultural imports following Ukrainian investigation

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Students leave a high school after a final matriculation exam for the academic year 2023-24 in Yangon, Myanmar, March 11, 2024. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)

Students leave a high school after a final matriculation exam for the academic year 2023-24 in Yangon, Myanmar, March 11, 2024. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)

Students enter a high school for the matriculation exam for the academic year 2023-24 in Yangon, Myanmar, March 11, 2024. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)

Students leave a high school after a final matriculation exam for the academic year 2023-24 in Yangon, Myanmar, March 11, 2024. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)

Students enter a high school for the matriculation exam for the academic year 2023-24 in Yangon, Myanmar, March 11, 2024. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)
Polish protesters and police at border checkpoints are halting buses traveling to and from Ukraine, detaining passengers without explanation, Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister reported on X on March 11.

There is unpleasant news from the blocked Polish border, he said.

Protesters and police are stopping buses going to and from Poland. Passengers are being held without any explanation.

Read also: Polish farmers stand down, reopen key Lithuania border crossing after almost week-long protest

These actions against Ukrainian citizens are unacceptable, Kubrakov said. Bus passengers during the war might include women with young children, socially vulnerable individuals, military personnel returning or heading to training, and people in transit.

"An attempt to make them hostages to a protest seems inappropriate for the civilized world," he said.

Polish protesters began to restrict traffic on the border with Ukraine on Feb. 20. Trucks were blocked at the Medyka-Shehyni, Dohobyczow-Uhryniv, Zosin-Ustyluh, Korczowa-Krakovets, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yahodyn checkpoints.

The farmers expressed numerous demands, including two main ones: the abolition of duty-free trade with Ukraine and the complete closure of the Ukrainian-Polish border for trucks.

Read also: Warsaw shouldnt close Ukrainian border  Polish politician

Protesters threw grain out of eight railroad cars carrying Ukrainian agricultural products overnight on Feb. 24-25. This was the fourth incident in recent days. Poland said it was unable to collect all the Ukrainian grain that had fallen out of the railroad cars.

The Ukrainian and Polish sides held talks on the possibility of unblocking the border and taking into account the interests of farmers on Feb. 28.

The European Parliament Committee supported the extension of duty-free trade for Ukraine on March 7. Ukraine announced on the same day that it was ready to go for trade restrictions with the EU, but on its own terms.

Polish farmers temporarily stopped blocking traffic at the Krakovets checkpoint with Ukraine on March 10. The protesters are to resume the strike at this checkpoint on March 13.

Polish farmers announced on March 11 that they would not allow any trucks to leave Ukraine through the Zosin-Ustyluh checkpoint.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
JK Rowling, left, was accused of committing an offence by repeatedly referring to India Willoughby, right, as a male and using male pronouns

Police broke freedom of speech rules by recording a misgendering complaint against JK Rowling as a hate incident, a womans group has said.

India Willoughby has claimed that Northumbria Police had formerly logged a non-crime hate incident (NCHI) over an online row in which the transgender TV personality was publicly called a male by the Harry Potter author.

While Northumbria Police deemed that Rowling had not committed a criminal offence, Willoughby leapt on the forces response to suggest they had officially backed up her view that Rowling is transphobic.

However, police were accused of breaching new rules on NCHIs, published last year, designed to protect freedom of expression and ensure hate incidents were not recorded just because someone was offended.

The new code of practice was issued in response to a retired police officer, Harry Miller, winning a freedom of speech legal battle after an NCHI was logged against him and he was visited by police for expressing the view online that trans women were not women.

The updated guidance states that members of the public have the right to express personally held views in a lawful manner and that police must consider freedom of expression protections when deciding whether to log NCHIs.

Maya Forstater, executive director of the Sex Matters campaign group, won a landmark legal case in 2023 which is referenced in the rules. It established that so-called gender-critical beliefs  that men cannot become women  are protected in law.

Protections for freedom of expression

Guidance issued last year makes it clear that a non-crime hate incident should not be recorded for saying that sex matters, Ms Forstater said.

That guidance reinforced protections for freedom of expression and expressly stated that a non-crime hate incident should not be recorded on the basis of someone being offended.

JK Rowlings comments clearly dont meet the threshold for a non-crime hate incident.

If they have been recorded as such, Northumbria Police should be required to defend its decision to record a woman speaking in factual terms about a man who has persistently hounded her as a hate incident.

Rowling was accused of committing an offence by repeatedly referring to Willoughby as a male and using male pronouns. Willoughby was born male but identifies as female and holds a gender recognition certificate.

The writer expressed the view that Willoughby was a classic example of the male narcissist who lives in a state of perpetual rage that he cant compel women to take him at his own valuation.

Willoughby claimed to have been told by police the incident had met the threshold to be logged as an NCHI and ensured an official record had been made of Rowlings horrendous comments, which are putting the trans community in danger.

Under the new guidance issued last year, police forces were told NCHIs should only be recorded in cases which were motivated by intentional hostility to an individual and pose a real risk of escalating into significant harm or a future criminal offence.

Accurately sexing trans-identified men not discrimination

The rules state that forces should utilise judgment and common sense when deciding whether to formally log incidents and ensure doing so would not conflict with freedom of expression protections.

Rowling has regularly denied being transphobic but has expressed the view that accepting that trans women are literally women and therefore granting biological men unfettered access to female spaces poses a risk to womens rights and safety.

She has said that no law compels people to pretend to believe that India is a woman and that accurately sexing trans-identified men is not discrimination.

The latest row between the pair erupted after Willoughby gave an interview in which the former newsreader revealed the police complaint and claimed Rowling had caused putrid online pile-ons with her comments.

The 58-year-old said: I am a woman regardless of what JK Rowling says. To deliberately misgender me is grossly offensive, it is a hate crime, and it should be treated [in the same way as] calling a black person the n-word.

Northumbria Police said it had nothing to add to its statement last week in which it acknowledged Willoughbys potential upset but said comments did not meet the criminal threshold.

The force declined to confirm whether or not Willoughbys claim that an NCHI had been recorded was accurate.

Asked about claims it had breached rules over logging of incidents, the force said it had no further comment.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  One teen remains hospitalized and another is being held in St. Louis County Family Court following a fight last Friday near Hazelwood East High School.

According to Vera Clay, a spokeswoman for the St. Louis County Police Department, officers received word of a fight in progress just after 2:30 p.m. near the intersection of Norgate and Claudine drives, just north of the campus.

Police arrived to find one teen girl suffering from a severe head injury. She was taken to the hospital and is listed in critical condition.

4-year-old struck and killed in south St. Louis

On Saturday, police arrested a 15-year-old girl. Shes being held on assault charges, Clay said.

The Hazelwood School District shared the following statement on the incident:

It is a tragedy anytime children are hurt. Bullying and fighting in the community is an issue for which we all need to take ownership and work towards a resolution for the sake of our children. The Hazelwood School District offers our sincerest condolences to everyone involved, and will offer additional emotional support from our support and crisis team to those in need. We look forward to continuing to partner with our community for the sake of our children. Please be kind and respectful of the families involved during this difficult time and pledge to help work toward the betterment of our entire community.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Law enforcement officials have released new photos of a man wanted in connection with the murders of a mother and daughter who were found shot in a bullet-riddled SUV in Worcester last week, while the United States Marshals Service double the reward for information leading to his capture on Monday.

The Worcester Police Department and Massachusetts State Police shared three new photos of 27-year-old Dejan Dante Belnavis, who is wanted on charges of armed assault with intent to murder and carrying a firearm without a license in connection with the killings of 27-year-old Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter, Zella, on Tuesday, March 5.

Belnavis is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall, about 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Authorities say he should be considered armed and dangerous.

The USMS Boston announced over the weekend they were offering a $5,000 reward for anyone who has information about Belnavis whereabouts. On Monday, the USMS increased the reward to $10,000.

The USMS REWARD has been INCREASED from $5,000 to $10,000. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dejan Dante Belnavis (27), please contact @WorcesterPD Text a Tip 274637 or the @MassStatePolice Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS) 1-800-Kapture (1-800-527-8873). pic.twitter.com/rdjISD3b7T  U.S. Marshals Service Boston (@USMS_Boston) March 11, 2024

A second suspect in the murders, 28-year-old Karel Mangual, was arraigned Thursday on charges of armed assault to murder and carrying a firearm without a license.

Both Belnavis and Mangual have lengthy criminal histories, court documents showed.

Destined for success: Mom killed in Worcester was decorated National Guard member, healthcare pro

The bodies of Chasity and Zella were discovered in a white SUV that was parked in the area of Englewood Avenue in the Columbus Park neighborhood of Worcester. Court documents indicated that neither was breathing or had a pulse when police arrived.

Sgt. Sean Murtha, Public Information Officer for the Worcester Police Department, said a fairly high number of shots were fired into the vehicle.

Chastity Nunez was a member of the Connecticut National Guard and received honors like the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Army Achievement Medal. Nunez also served as a Patient Safety & Clinical Quality Program Coordinator at MIT Health since July 2023.

Chasity was beloved by her fellow Soldiers in the 142nd Medical Company. Her wit, social nature, and dedication to duty made her one of the best Soldiers in our unit, National Guard spokesperson Major David Pytlik told Boston 25. I cannot begin to make sense of why this happened and why her family, friends, co-workers and fellow Soldiers have been robbed of her and Zella. What we can, and must do now, is support one another as we grieve, process this profound loss and honor their memory.

Zella was a student at Worcester Public Schools.

Mangual is being held without bail and will reappear in court for a dangerousness hearing later this month.

Anyone with information on Belnavis whereabouts is urged to contact the Worcester Police Detective Bureau at 508-799-8651. Anonymous tips can also be texted to 274637 TIPWPD or sent via web-based message at http://worcesterma.gov/police.

An investigation into the shooting deaths remains ongoing.

Additional photos of fugitive DEJAN BELNAVIS. If you have info on his whereabouts, please contact our Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-Kapture (1-800-527-8873) or text Worcester Police at 274637 TIPWPD plus your info. https://t.co/9l7ICn0r7x pic.twitter.com/MnjYMqumeu  Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) March 11, 2024

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  Police are at the scene of a crash on Monday in west Topeka.

The Topeka Police Department (TPD) and Topeka Fire Department (TFD) is at the scene of a crash at 1:30 p.m. on March 11 at the intersection of SW Sixth Avenue and SW Gage Boulevard. One vehicle appears to be on its side.

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City of Topeka spokeswoman Rosie Nichols told 27 News the crash was first reported at 12:45 p.m. after two vehicles wrecked in the intersection. No injuries were reported in connection to this crash. The area has since been cleared of the crash.

(Photo Courtesy/Alyssa Storm)

What to know for Kansas next total solar eclipse

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
CHICAGO  Police are asking for help in the search for a man who officers say may have been involved in robberies at two downtown businesses in February.

According to Chicago police, both robberies unfolded in the Loop on Sunday, Feb. 18, between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

Officers say during both incidents, a man entered the business and announced the robbery while implying that he was armed with a weapon.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headline

Police say during one of the robberies, the man forced a restaurant employee to stay inside a restroom in the business.

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Chicago police provided the following list of times and locations of the two robberies:

6:30 a.m. in the 200 block of West Madison Street.

7:10 a.m. in the 100 block of West Lake Street.

On Monday, Chicago police provided videos taken by surveillance cameras that captured one of the alleged robberies. Police also shared photos of the person who is believed to be responsible.

Photos provided by Chicago police show a man who officers say may have been involved in robberies at two downtown businesses in February.

Officers say they believe the person responsible is a man between 28 and 35 years of age.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

At the time of the incidents, the man was spotted wearing a black jacket, dark-colored pants, a black ski mask and white gym shoes. Photos provided by officers indicate that the man had black or dark brown hair and a beard.

Police advise the public to remain aware of their surroundings and stay free from distractions. According to officers, anyone who is confronted by an assailant should try to remain calm.

Authorities warn the public never to pursue a fleeing assailant and instead work to remember any unique physical characteristics of the offenders.

Community alert issued after 3 armed robberies in Logan Square

Police say those who fall victim or witness a crime should call 911 immediately and provide authorities with a detailed description of the offenders.

Anyone with information is asked to contact CPD Area Three Detectives at 312-744-8263 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help detectives in their investigation 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.
Henry County police want to identify two men who they say stole items from a storage unit in McDonough.

On October 21, 2023, the suspects broke into a storage unit in the 10 Federal Self Storage, located at 930 Dailey Mill Road and stole the contents from the unit.

The owner of the items discovered the theft on March 1, 2024 and reported it to police.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Anyone who recognizes the men is asked to call Detective D. Green at 770-288-8394, the Henry County non-emergency dispatch at 770-957-9121, or text tips, photos, or videos to 770-220-7009.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Czeslaw Siekierski, Poland's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has stated at the ninth meeting of the Polish-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation in the Ukrainian city of Lviv that Poland aims to protect itself from negative consequences of the import of agricultural goods from Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the Polish government

Details: Siekierski raised the question of Ukrainian agricultural import and expressed hope that a mechanism of mutual export licensing would be developed.

"We strive to come up with a mutually acceptable way to protect ourselves from negative consequences of the import of agricultural products from Ukraine," Siekierski stressed.

He noted that Poland was ready to share its knowledge and experience on how to adjust the Ukrainian agricultural sector to the EU requirements.

Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration, reported separately that the parties at the Polish-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission had discussed the blockade of the Ukrainian-Polish border.

"Ukraine has called upon the Poles to work out mechanisms and tools of influence in order not to allow any traffic disruptions at the checkpoints and to facilitate free access to roads leading to the checkpoints," Kozytskyi stated.

Separately, Siekierski met with his Ukrainian counterpart Mykola Solskyi and Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine. They have agreed to resume the negotiations on 18 March in Warsaw.

"This meeting will be held to prepare for Polish-Ukrainian intergovernmental consultations, planned to be held on 28 March 2024 in Warsaw," the Polish government reported.

Last year the Polish government banned the import of Ukrainian agricultural products explaining it with the distortion of the local market despite the European Commission being against this step.

In addition to this, Polish farmers started all-national protest actions in February, blocking checkpoints on the border with Ukraine and violating the operation of ports and roads. On 1 March, Polish hauliers joined the protests.

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Irelands rugby team were not the only losers from the Emerald Isle at the weekend. Leo Varadkars government was trounced in a referendum about changing the countrys constitution to make it more inclusive.

Proposals to alter wording to include families not based on marriage were defeated with 68 per cent voting no. There was an even more resounding rejection of a second proposition to reword a section referring to the role of women in the home.

The result was greeted with the usual anguish in progressive circles that always assume everyone else thinks as they do. We saw it with Brexit here and with the election of Trump in America in 2016. It happened in Australia with a referendum aimed at giving native Aborigines more rights than other citizens, which many voters felt would be divisive.

One Left-wing newspaper responded to the Irish vote with the headline Where did it go wrong? as though the obvious result should have been in favour. The usual excuses were trotted out  misinformation, internet trolls, a failure to explain properly and the rest. Only the old anti-democratic adage that we would have done better with a different electorate was missing.

There is another explanation: people dont like being told what to think by their political and cultural elites. Most people in Ireland probably subscribe to the view that stable families outside marriage should be treated equally and that a womans place is no longer in the home. These were not especially contentious. Moreover that they should be followed by the government without changing the constitution, as they are in countries where it is not written down, like the UK.

It should by now have become apparent to the political establishment everywhere that voters will see through virtue-signalling exercises designed to make politicians feel better about themselves.

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HARBIN, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Jiang Shumei learned the first Chinese character at the age of 60.

Now, at the age of 87, the granny in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province is a proud author of six books.

"I never imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that I, who received no education in my childhood years, would one day publish a book," said the writer in Suihua City. In her published books, the wartime chaos, the hardship during the famine, and anecdotes throughout the decades were recounted vividly.

Born in 1937, Jiang left her hometown in east China's Shandong Province at a young age and migrated to northeast China, spending most of her life scraping a living in a brick factory.

She learned the first Chinese character in 1996, when her husband died after a car accident. To appease her devastated mom, Jiang's daughter Zhang Ailing suggested that she learn reading as a distraction from loneliness and sorrow.

Zhang recalled that, unlike other beginners, her mom "drew" every single character like drawing pictures.

In fact, the elderly lady had her own way of learning. She composed lyrics for songs, and asked children to write them down, so that she could recognize each character while singing the songs again and again. Whenever she saw characters she didn't know on pamphlets, bus stop signs, or shop plaques, she would find someone to ask.

As Jiang learned enough characters, Zhang started giving her literary works to read. Attracted by the stories in the books, Jiang told her daughter that she wished to share her own stories with a pen.

"It sounded unbelievable, and my brother used to laugh at my 'daydreaming'," the granny recalled.

She began to put pen to paper in 2012, at 75.

It was not easy. Sometimes completing one sentence would take a day, Jiang said. As a writer herself and a college teacher, Zhang gave her a lot of words of encouragement and help. She told her mother that, while writing, she could imagine herself telling stories to an audience, so that her stories could be easier to understand with interesting details.

The educated loving daughter was also the "first editor" for her dearest mother. Every time Jiang finished her writing, Zhang would discuss and check the manuscript with her, before transcribing it with the computer.

"Mom's writing is always concise and straight to the point, so I only need to correct the grammar and improper words, preserving the originality of the work," Zhang said.

The support from her daughter became a strong motivation for Jiang. She usually started writing at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., and revised the pieces several times until she was satisfied. She also traveled back to her hometown in Shandong to conduct interviews with other senior citizens.

Zhang first published her mother's stories on social media platforms in 2013, before they drew attention from her writer friends. Therefore, Zhang and Jiang made a bold decision: to publish them.

The first book, titled "Time of Trouble, Time of Poverty," was published later that year, which proved to be a success. Some critics even hailed it as the "live history of the nation plagued by war, death, and hunger."

With the book, Jiang garnered lots of fans, to whom the writer said: "don't feel sorry for me. The hardship as mentioned in the book is now the past. Without all the hardship, I could never have finished this book."

So far the old lady has published six books, with 600,000 plus characters in total. In her spare time, she is also learning painting and calligraphy. "I would like to be a writer, a painter, and a calligrapher," said Jiang, adding that her dream now is to have her own art exhibition at the age of 90.

She illustrated a book written by her daughter which was published in June last year. In the book, titled "My Mom is Eight and A Half," Zhang wrote: "I taught my mom the skills of writing, while she taught me the wisdom of life."

Jiang said: "It is never too late. The knack is not to be lazy."

The granny is now living a healthy life, doing exercise every day, drinking milk and soy milk, as well as having massages regularly. "If I could live as old as 130, would you still say it is too late for me to start after 60?" she asked, jokingly. 
In his recent controversial interview, Pope Francis was merely suggesting Ukraine should be open to negotiations with Russia, as opposed to capitulating to Moscows demands, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Visvaldas Kulbokas, said in an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica on March 11.

Read also: Lithuania summons Vatican ambassador after Pope Francis praises Russian Empire

Commenting on the Pope's interview, Archbishop Kulbokas said that the Pontiff "should have been given the chance to elaborate."

According to the archbishop, "the Pope's heart aches for the numerous casualties of the war in Ukraine, starting with the children."

In order to stop the war, the Pope is the first to raise a white flag  in the sense that he invites everyone to dialogue, because the continuation of bloodshed pains him, said Kulbokas.

Moreover, if the journalist wanted to have an objective conversation, he should have first asked the Pope what he thinks Russia should do. It's simply a matter of opening one's eyes  where did the missiles, armored vehicles, and soldiers come from two years ago? From Ukraine or from Russia?

When asked what Moscow should do, Kulbokas said it must stop killing and sending its military, missiles, drones, etc., into Ukrainian territory.

...my main task is to pray for everyone, for both the aggressor and the victim of aggression, the archbishop added.

Read also: Ukraine chastises Pope Francis for Russian imperial apologia speech

When I pray, I ask for Russia to stop the killings and for Ukraine to find the wisest way to cope with this aggression and unbearable pain.

Read also: Europe not seeking creative approaches to peace in Ukraine  Pope Francis

The interviewer also asked Kulbokas how to interpret the Pope's invitation to "negotiations."

Should we try to fight back in this war or surrender? Ukrainians know their history; they've seen it happen before, the Apostolic Nuncio answers.

Read also: Pope Francis reflects on the Holodomor tragedy amidst ongoing war

They know from history that the cost of submission to such power has been much higher  not just in casualties, but also in suffering, including mass atrocities like the Holodomor. Thus, the question arises: what will bring more casualties - resisting the aggressor or reaching some kind of agreement? And what should that agreement look like? It cannot be a capitulation.

In a recent interview with the Swiss Italian-language broadcaster RSI, Pope Francis suggested that "the stronger one is the one who has the courage of the white flag" and that "negotiating is brave." He also urged negotiations "before things get worse" for Ukraine.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
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, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reacted with bewilderment.

"I really wonder what he was thinking," Baerbock said in an interview on German broadcaster ARD on Sunday evening. "I don't understand it."

Baerbock recalled seeing first-hand the devastation wrought by Russia's invasion, including the aftermath of an attack on a kindergarten, and also pointed to Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children.

"I ask myself: Where is the pope? The pope must know about this," the minister said.

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."

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."
A photo of a 19th-century Indian ruler has been shared repeatedly in posts that falsely claim it shows Mumtaz Mahal Shah Jahan Shah Jahan Begum

"Mumtaz of Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal for her," reads the Bengali-language caption alongside the photo of a regal-looking woman published on Facebook here on February 20, 2024.

Arjumand Banu Begum -- who was bestowed the title of Mumtaz Mahal -- became the third wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1612. She died of postpartum haemorrhage in 1631 (archived link).

In her memory, the emperor commissioned the construction of Taj Mahal -- a mausoleum complex -- on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in 1632.

According to the Taj Mahal's official website, Mumtaz Mahal was eventually laid to rest there, as was Shah Jahan after he died in 1666 (archived link).

Screenshot of the false post, taken on March 2, 2024

The portrait was shared alongside a similar false claim in Bangladesh on Facebook here and here; and on social media platform X here.

It was also shared alongside the same false claim in Hindi-language posts here and here on Facebook in neighbouring India.

Indian leader

A reverse image search on Google found the photo was published by the UK's Royal Collection Trust (archived link).

According to the caption, it shows Sultan Shahjahan Begum (1838-1901) who was the ruler of the then-Islamic principality of Bhopal in central India.

It was taken between 1875-6 during a royal tour of the Indian subcontinent by the Prince of Wales -- Queen Victoria's eldest son -- when he visited parts of modern-day India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal.

The tour was intended to "strengthen diplomatic relations between the Indian rulers and the British Crown," according to the Royal Collection Trust's website.

Below is a screenshot comparison of the photo shared in a false post (left) and the portrait on the trust's website (right):

Screenshot comparison of the photo shared in a false post (left) and the portrait found in the Royal Collection Trusts website (right)

The same photo of the Indian ruler was published by Indian media organisations here and here; and by UK-based media outlet Alamy (archived links here, here and here).

Shahjahan Begum ruled Bhopal between 1868 and 1901, having served as head of state from 1844 to 1860 with her mother acting as regent (archived link).

She commissioned the construction of the Taj-ul-Masjid, one of the largest mosques in Asia, according to the official website for Bhopal district.

Ashar Kidwai, a professor of history at Bhopal's Saifia College, told AFP the photo shows Shahjahan Begum.

"Like the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan, (Shahjahan Begum) was also very fond of architecture," he said. "She built many historical buildings in Bhopal which still exist today."
The leader of Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance, Luis Montenegro, could struggle to pass legislation in the new parliament (MIGUEL RIOPA)

Portugal looked set Monday for a period of political uncertainty after no party won a majority in a general election over the weekend, which saw the far right surge into the role of potential kingmaker.

The centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), which won the most seats in Sunday's vote, is expected to be tapped in coming days to try to form a government.

AD beat the incumbent Socialist Party (PS) but took just 79 seats, far short of a majority in the 230-seat parliament.

Even with the backing of the tiny business-friendly Liberal Initiative (IL) party, the AD would still need the support of anti-immigration party Chega to reach a majority of 116 seats in the assembly.

Chega posted the biggest gains, winning 48 seats after just 12 in the last election in 2022, cementing its position in Portugal's political landscape.

It has demanded to be part of a right-wing coalition government in exchange for its parliamentary support, but AD leader Luis Montenegro has repeatedly ruled out any post-election agreement with the party branded as xenophobic by its critics.

"Given the distribution of seats, we should not expect much stability," Filipa Raimundo, a professor of political science at Lisbon's ISCTE university, told AFP.

- 'Challenge is great' -

Javier Rouillet of the ratings agency Morningstar DBRS said passage of the 2025 budget would likely be "the first major test" for an AD minority government, which "could face significant obstacles to legislating over time and require support on a case-by-case basis".

"If the new government is unable to pass legislation, this could raise the prospect of another round of elections later this year or early next year," he added.

While Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos has said his party would refrain from bringing down a centre-right minority government, he warned it would vote against its first budget.

"We will be the opposition, we will renovate the party and we will seek to win back the Portuguese who are dissatisfied with the PS," he said early Monday after the results were out.

Faustino Lopes Baiao, a 70-year-old newspaper vendor in Lisbon, said the election results showed that voters were "fed up" with Portugal's two mainstream parties.

Maybe this will change things a bit for the better, he told AFP.

The AD campaigned on promises to bolster economic growth by cutting taxes, which the Socialists had warned would require cuts to pensions and other social spending.

"We know the challenge is great. It is going demand a great sense of responsibility, a great capacity for dialogue," Montenegro said in his victory speech.

- Far-right advance -

The election results mark another advance for the far right in Europe, where populist and nationalist parties are either already govern -- often in coalition -- in countries such as Italy, Hungary and Slovakia, or are steadily gaining as in France and Germany.

Chega, which means "Enough", calls for stricter controls over immigration, tougher measures to fight corruption and chemical castration for some sex offenders.

Formed just five years ago, Chega picked up its first seat in Portugal's parliament in 2019, making it the first far-right party to win representation in the assembly since a military coup in 1974 toppled a decades-long right-wing dictatorship.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will meet parties represented in parliament starting Tuesday and through March 20 as part of the process of naming a new prime minister, his office said Monday.

The winners of four seats representing Portuguese voters living abroad are still to be determined, so he will name the new premier only once those results are known, it said.

The election was called after Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa, 62, unexpectedly resigned in November following an influence-peddling probe that involved a search of his official residence and the arrest of his chief of staff.

Though Costa himself was not accused of any crime, he decided not to run again.

bur-ds/js
Chega leader Andre Ventura addresses supporters at Marriot Hotel, where the party holds the election night event, in Lisbon on March 10, 2024. ANDRE DIAS NOBRE via Getty Images

Portugals far right is set to take on its biggest role in governing the country since the fall of the fascist Estado Novo regime 50 years ago after quadrupling its bloc of lawmakers in the national Parliament.

The results of Sundays election are not yet final, but by Monday morning showed the hardline party Chega had won at least 48 of the parliaments 230 seats, up from 12. The center-right Democratic Alliance  led by the Social Democrats with a couple of tiny conservative parties  secured 79 seats. The Socialists claimed 77.

Chega  Portuguese for enough  formed just five years ago as a right-wing faction of the traditional center-right Social Democrats split off under the leadership of Andre Ventura, a charismatic former sportscaster who gained notoriety by attacking gay rights and Portugals tiny Roma minority.

Its rise to power over the last few elections shocked many in a country that had seemed immune to the strain of bombastic populism animating the political right in France, the Netherlands and Germany, inoculated by such recent memories of authoritarian rule.

But Chegas anti-establishment rhetoric found new purchase among Portuguese voters after the long-ruling Socialist Party government collapsed in November amid a corruption scandal involving alleged backroom deals for major green infrastructure projects.

Portugal's Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Democratic Alliance (AD) leader Luis Montenegro speaks following the result of a general election in Lisbon, Portugal, March 11. Anadolu via Getty Images

Ahead of Sundays snap election, Chega papered the countrys traffic circles with billboards pitching Ventura as the man to cleanse Portugals political class, which the far-right blamed for everything from stagnant wages to high housing costs.

Luis Montenegro, leader of the Social Democratic Party, had previously ruled out a coalition with the far right. Without Chega, however, the Democratic Alliance does not have enough votes to command a parliamentary majority.

While Montenegros chief rival, Pedro Nuno Santos, conceded defeat after his center-left Socialist Partys nine-year run came to an end, he refused to support the center-right coalitions agenda, including across-the-board tax cuts, according to Reuters.

Ventura told reporters that Sundays vote clearly showed Portuguese voters wanted a Democratic Alliance that includes Chega. If the center-right refuses to work with Chega and cannot govern, Ventura said the blame will fall on Montenegro.

If Montenegro is unable to form a government, he could end up resigning, clearing the way for a party leader with a different view of Chega.

The new [Social Democrat] leader may feel differently about the opportunity of governing along with Chega, said Jose Santana Pereira, an associate professor of political science at the University Institute of Lisbon.

Its difficult to tell what Chegas priorities would be in a government. Unlike its allied far-right movements elsewhere in Europe, the Portuguese hardliners support the European Union and take relatively moderate positions on immigration. While the partys nostalgia for Portugals imperial past has attracted conservative Catholics, Ventura has said Chega would not reopen the debate on the legality of abortion.

Socialist Party leader Pedro Nuno Santos delivers a speech during the election campaign closing rally in Almada, south of Lisbon, Friday, March 8. via Associated Press

Chega doesnt present a clear political program, so its very difficult to see, Antonio Costa Pinto, a research professor at the University of Lisbons Institute of Social Sciences, told HuffPost ahead of the election. Chega is changing its position every day. Its like Donald Trump.

The election notches another victory for Europes far right.

Italys Giorgia Meloni, who grew up as part of a youth group descended from dictator Benito Mussolinis political machine, took power in late 2022 and just survived a major electoral test in a local vote.

Despite extremist statements vowing to ban Muslim houses of worship, the Netherlands Geert Wilders won a stunning upset in Novembers election just weeks after Portugals corruption scandal erupted.

The radical Alternative for Germany party made major gains in last years election, and polls show the far-right movement in second place ahead of next years vote.

Related...
By Patricia Vicente Rua and Catarina Demony

LISBON (Reuters) -Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) won Sunday's general election by a slim margin and is preparing to govern without an outright majority as the far-right Chega warned of instability if it is not included in government.

With 99.1% of the vote counted, the AD won 79 seats in the 230-seat legislature, followed by the Socialists with 77 seats, prompting the latter to concede defeat.

Chega, meaning "enough", came third, quadrupling its parliamentary representation to 48 lawmakers after campaigning on a clean governance and anti-immigration platform.

Chega voters said before the poll that Portugal was in a bad way and they wanted changes in housing, education, healthcare and justice in Western Europe's poorest country.

AD leader Luis Montenegro told reporters on Sunday that he expected President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to formally invite him to form a government.

Rebelo de Sousa, who will meet with political parties from Tuesday until March 20, told Expresso newspaper on Friday he would do everything he could to prevent Chega from gaining power. Those remarks drew criticism as the head of state is mandated to remain neutral.

Chega's leader Andre Ventura told reporters the vote clearly showed that the country wants a government of the AD with Chega.

Ventura said in an interview with TVI broadcaster that he would vote against the state budget if the AD does not negotiate it with his party.

"If there is no negotiation, that would be a humiliation for Chega and I would vote against it," Ventura said.

The outcome was broadly in line with pre-election opinion polls but the AD's victory was significantly smaller and Chega's growth was larger than predicted, political scientist Andre Azevedo Alves told Reuters.

Alves, a professor at Lisbon's Catolica University and St. Mary's University in London, added that the fragility of an AD government due to its reliance on either the PS or Chega to pass legislation made it unlikely to last for several years.

Javier Rouillet from rating agency DBRS Morningstar warned that if the new government was unable to pass legislation, another round of elections could be held later this year or in early 2025.

Chega's surge was boosted by Ventura's communication skills and widespread dissatisfaction with the mainstream parties, he said, factors that could help it garner even better results in the European Parliament (EP) elections.

"Political disaffection was brewing for a very long time," said political scientist Pedro Magalhaes, at Lisbon's Institute of Social Sciences (ICS). "But there was no political supply to address this political demand."

Marina Costa Lobo, who heads ICS, said she believed Montenegro would keep his word and not strike a formal deal with Chega but there might be "piecemeal" agreements between the two going forward.

"It's difficult to predict Chega's behaviour because they're an anti-system party," she said, adding the far-right's success in Portugal was a harbinger of what can be expected in the EP election in June.

'OUT OF THE SYSTEM'

Eurointelligence consultants said the result marked a new political chapter in Portugal after alternate governance by two mainstream parties for the past 50 years.

"We don't know who'll be in charge of the country; the far-right has little or nothing to offer," PhD student Jorge Catanheira, 29, told Reuters.

The election result underscored a political tilt to the far right across Europe and a dwindling of Socialist governance.

Chega has since 2020 been part of the European Parliament's Identity & Democracy group, which is expected to see gains in June.

Spain's far-right VOX and Matteo Salvini, who leads Italy's co-ruling party Lega, congratulated Ventura.

Portugal's PSI stock index fell 0.3% at open, in line with a decline by European peers, before flattening out.

"The impact of the elections on the market turned out to be nil," XTB analysts said in a note.

Under Socialist leadership since 2015, Portugal has grown at solid annual rates above 2%, except for the pandemic-induced slump of 2020, but many struggle to make ends meet due to low salaries and a housing crisis.

Voter turnout was 66.23%, the highest in nearly three decades.

Magalhaes said it was possible turnout reached such levels because voters who had been "out of the system" came back to support the radical right.

(Reporting by Patricia Vicente Rua, Catarina Demony and Elena Rodriguez; Additional reporting by Sergio Goncalves; Writing by David Latona and Catarina Demony; Editing by Aislinn Laing, Ed Osmond and Jonathan Oatis)
Semafor Signals

Insights from UnHerd and Renascenca

The News

Portugals center-right Democratic Alliance won the most seats in parliamentary elections on Sunday, but it was the far-right Chega party that celebrated victory.

The Democratic Alliance won 79 seats overall, but failed to get a majority in Parliament, meaning it will either have to operate as a minority government or form an alliance. Chega meanwhile won at least 48 seats, quadrupling its representation.

DA leader Luis Montenegro said he would refuse to form a government with Chega, disavowing the partys populist rhetoric. But experts worry that an unstable coalition will further fuel far-right politics in Portugal, which had so far been a rare European Union country untouched by the continents far-right movement.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Chegas rise is a warning to European centrists

Source: UnHerd

The DA can either strike a deal with its center-left opponents, or break its promise and join forces with Chega. Compromise between the left and the right, however, comes at a price, journalist Peter Franklin argued for UnHerd: In these coalitions, elections become less meaningful and governing establishments become calcified. The left-right centrism designed to exclude populists could backfire if the coalition fails to tackle Portugals ongoing crises, including high levels of migration and soaring rents. The challenges mirror those that drove the rise of the AfD in Germany and Geert Wilders victory in the Netherlands. In both countries, centrist coalitions left problems to fester and voter frustrations build up, Franklin wrote.

Chegas calmer rhetoric doesnt mean it has become more moderate

Source: Renascenca

Chega and party leader Andre Ventura used a well-trodden populist playbook to gain their footing, according to Portuguese radio outlet Renascenca. The party shocked voters by saying things that many people probably already felt  but did not say openly, one University of Oxford populism researcher told the station, with Chega becoming known for its anti-Roma sentiment many opponents have labeled as racist. That branding helped put Chega on the map, but Renascenca noted that Roma issues never made the debate stage: Venturas rhetoric became more subdued while talking on issues like migration as a whole. This more moderate approach ultimately helped draw voters from the center-right, but the station warned that old flags have fallen into oblivion. Ventura was likely moderating his voice, Renascenca said, until he gained power.
The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, is convinced that if NATO forces provide support directly on the territory of Ukraine, it will not violate any international norms.

Source: Euractiv, citing Pavel in an interview with Czech television, as reported by European Pravda

Pavel said that it is necessary to clearly distinguish between the deployment of combat troops and the potential involvement of troops in certain "support" activities, in which NATO already has experience.

"It should be remembered that after the annexation of Crimea and the occupation of part of Donbas, which was essentially an [act of] aggression, albeit on a much smaller scale than today, a NATO training mission was operating on Ukrainian territory, which at one time included more than 15 countries and numbered around 1,000 people," Pavel reminded.

He emphasised that from the perspective of international law and the UN Charter, "there would be nothing to prevent NATO member states troops" from assisting in operations in Ukraine.

Asked whether he would support the deployment of NATO troops for direct support on Ukrainian territory, Pavel said that he wouldnt rule out discussing the matter further.

"I would certainly not reject a debate on this issue. If we could agree with the allies that, for example, instead of training Ukrainian soldiers on the territory of NATO member states and transporting thousands of troops to, say, Poland or the Czech Republic, it would make much more sense to transport a few dozen instructors to Ukrainian territory and train Ukrainian soldiers there," he said.

Background:

Last week, at the press conference with Emmanuel Macron, President of France, Petr Pavel said there should be no limits imposed upon efforts to provide support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

Earlier, Macron stated that putting western boots on the ground in Ukraine "should not be ruled out". Later he added that his remarks, which have caused a stir, were carefully thought through.

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HEFEI, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The total import and export of goods in Anhui Province, east China, grew 12.8 percent year on year to 122.51 billion yuan (17.26 billion U.S. dollars) in the first two months of 2024, hitting a record high, according to the local authorities.

The province's exports grew 17.5 percent year on year to 81.46 billion yuan, while imports rose 4.5 percent from the same period of 2023 to 41.05 billion yuan, according to Hefei Customs.

Private enterprises have become important contributors to the province's foreign trade growth. During the period, the import and export volume of private enterprises reached 63.51 billion yuan, accounting for 51.8 percent of the province's total foreign trade volume.

Trade between Anhui and Belt and Road partner countries increased to 63.05 billion yuan in the first two months, up 14 percent year on year, amounting to 51.5 percent of the province's total foreign trade volume. 
President Joe Biden will travel to New Hampshire on Monday, marking his first visit to the Granite State in nearly two years.

Biden is slated to attend a campaign event in Manchester to deliver remarks on lowering costs for American families.

During the visit, Biden is expected to call for a $2,000 prescription cap for all Americans, a $35 insulin cap, expanded medicare price negotiation, and permanent Affordable Care Act improvements.

Biden last traveled to New Hampshire in April 2022.

He didnt appear on the New Hampshire primary election ballot because the state refused to give its spot on the primary calendar to South Carolina.

Biden ultimately won the states largely symbolic Democratic primary, prevailing in an unusual write-in effort after he refused to campaign or appear on the ballot in the state.

Manchester police warned the public of traffic delays in and around the city on Monday afternoon.

President Joe Biden will be visiting the state today - please expect traffic delays in areas around the city in the afternoon. pic.twitter.com/j0QGDnTOt9  Manchester NH Police (@mht_nh_police) March 11, 2024

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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It was 1972; a hot and humid summer in Karachi. The adults were asleep but we children could never nap this time of day. My younger cousin Ayesha and I played as quietly as six year olds could, the diaphanous red veil magical and mysterious to our childish hands. I placed the veil on her head and announced now you have become a bride! She smiled at me through the red gossamer scarf, at once transformed. I looked at her with my childs imagination.

We could not have imagined that afternoon in Pakistan the veiling of Muslim girls and women would come to become an exploited, polarising force of subjugation. Later in Spring of 1975 I was in Iran and Afghanistan travelling with my parents, unknowingly taking a final glimpse before both civilisations would be condemned for almost half a century to an Islamism which would submerge women and girls under suffocating misogyny. Living in Riyadh in the 1990s, when it was a land of invisible women governed then under the yoke of reactionary Wahabi clerics of the 1990s, I was forced to veil in public and wore an abaya for the first time in my life as a Muslim woman.

And I was in Saudi Arabia - now liberated from Islamist fundamentalism - when I watched the September 2022 anti-veil protests ignite in Iran. Womens bodies have been co-opted by the state, which has targeted them with deliberate injuries to the breasts and genitalia. The doctors who treat these poor women do so in fear for their own safety.

The death of Mahsa Jina Amini - the Kurdish Iranian woman arrested for allegedly inadequate veiling and fatally beaten while in the custody of the Iranian authorities - also triggered protests across the West. But, less than two years later, the world has moved on. The plight of these women, locus of so much of suffering in the country, has been eclipsed by pro-Palestinian protests in which some marchers overtly support Hamas, a terrorist organisation propped up by the Iranian regime. What ran through the minds of marchers this weekend, just one day after International Womens Day? Did they consider the plight of women in these oppressive regimes?

The Israel-Hamas war has unmasked the extraordinary radicalisation of some armchair commentators in the West. Modern day progressives almost seem to celebrate terrorist groups, lionise Palestinian Islamists and neglect those Iranians who challenge extremism, whether in Tehran or Gaza.

Professor Gabriel Brahm of the Telos-Paul Piccone Institute in Tel Aviv has launched a long-term investigation into critical theory and how it has contributed to the near-adulation of Hamas. Intersectionality now means that woke Westerners will always view Jews as first-world colonial oppressors, and stand with their opponents, and overlook the many instances where Jewish people have been atrociously persecuted. Even Irans Islamists are accorded near-victim status, portrayed as subject to the whims of Western hegemony. To do so disregards the Islamist theocracys repression of women and homosexuals, because race must always trump all else.

Where is the woke West when Iranian women need its support? Why is it so reticent to condemn the treatment of women in Islamist nations?

Here is a reminder for those who appear determined to forget. Hamas infringes on the freedoms of women and girls in ways which echo Islamisms brutal footprint in other nations. In the Palestinian territories, many women are deprived of the opportunity to work, particularly in Gaza. Even in the West Bank just 18 per cent of adult women work outside of the home. Early marriage is prevalent and data from UN Women shows that 15 per cent of Palestinian married women in Gaza are sexually abused by their husbands.

Women can be beaten arbitrarily: when prominent Gazan journalist Rewaa Mershid was seen without a headscarf by the Hamas border patrol in May 2021, they reported her to the female Gaza police unit, who tore down a branch from a nearby lemon tree and thrashed her publicly with it. In 2021, a Hamas-run Islamic court ruled that women require the permission of a male guardian to travel.

This is the true nature of Hamas, and its Islamist ideology denuded of leftist branding. These are the liberators who are launching a resistance to empower the Palestinian people. It is shameful that overprivileged, ill-educated Western liberals who claim to be feminists believe them. The truest form of pro-Palestinian protest is the universal condemnation of Hamas and Islamism.

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James Price and Shona Heath won the Oscar for Best Production Design for Poor Things

Winning an Oscar for best production design was surreal, wonderful, and probably a one time thing, Shona Heath said.

Ms Heath and James Price, from Worcestershire and Herefordshire respectively, took the award for their work in creating the Victorian sci-fi world of Poor Things, for which Emma Stone took best actress.

Ms Heath said waiting for the announcement was nerve wracking and she had thought Barbie was going to win.

"It's completely surreal and wonderful and I can't explain it because I suppose it doesn't have a category in your life - this is a one time thing probably," she said.

James Price and Shona Heath accepting their Oscars

"It isn't like anything else so I can't explain it."

'Love and custard tarts'

Price and Heath have already won an Art Directors Guild Award, as well as accolades from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) and the Set Decorators Society of America alongside the films set decorator, Zsuzsa Mihalek.

They said the last few weeks had been a bit crazy.

"So this is crazy. I feel in the mood for love and custard tarts really," Mr Price said accepting the award.

The former Wigmore School pupil thanked his "partner-in-crime" Ms Heath, calling her the "art department Bella", referring to the film's protagonist, Bella Baxter.

Speaking to the BBC afterwards Ms Heath thanked her mum and everyone she went to The Alice Ottley School with in Worcester.

She also said she had an Oscars chocolate in her bag which she was going to give to her son.

Speaking from a limousine on the way to the Searchlight Pictures after party, Ms Heath said she and Mr Price had prepared a speech, but decided they wanted to ad-lib it instead.

"James started to go off-piste with custard tarts so I think we both got a bit thrown, but I don't even know what I said. It all goes blank up there," she said.

Poor Things, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, tells the story of Bella Baxter, a woman who is brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist.

The film had been nominated for 11 awards inclouding one for Shropshire composer Jerskin Fendrix for best music (original score).

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Progressive groups are launching a coalition to defend lawmakers targeted by Americas top pro-Israel lobby and counter its sway in Congress.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, is a powerhouse Washington influence machine. Bankrolled in large part by Republican megadonors, the group has the resources to tip elections, spends millions on lobbying, and wields its supporters as a potent grassroots activist army in Congress.

This year, AIPAC is reportedly prepared to spend $100 million to defeat candidates who are insufficiently supportive of Israel, as Politico put it. That doesnt just mean targeting progressive lawmakers who oppose Israels brutal war in Gaza. AIPAC recently spent $5 million unsuccessfully opposing a Democratic candidate who had criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and settlement expansion in the West Bank.

Now, progressives are banding together and fighting back. On Monday, two dozen progressive organizations announced they are launching the Reject AIPAC coalition.

The coalition said it will lead a seven-figure electoral defense campaign across paid media and field organizing efforts to defend members of Congress targeted by AIPAC. The group said it plans to counter AIPACs lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill to defend Palestinian lives and human rights, building on the mass-scale grassroots mobilizations across the country calling for a cease-fire in Gaza and ending Congress unconditional political and financial support for the Israeli government.

Israel has led an unprecedented siege in Gaza since Oct. 7, when Hamas killed 1,139 Israelis and kidnapped more than 200. More than 31,000 Palestinians have been killed. The death toll includes countless civilian deaths, and Israels ongoing resource blockade against the territory has created a staggering humanitarian crisis within Gaza.

President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress have faced growing pressure from activists and constituents to support a cease-fire in Gaza. Ahead of Bidens State of the Union speech last week, protesters blockaded the presidents path from the White House to the Capitol, forcing his motorcade to take an alternative route and delaying his speech. On Super Tuesday, demonstrators calling for a cease-fire shut down Rep. Adam Schiffs victory speech after he won Californias Democratic Senate primary.

We have watched as AIPAC has done everything it can to silence growing dissent in Congress against Netanyahus assault on Gaza  which has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians  even as Democratic voters overwhelmingly support a cease-fire and oppose sending more blank checks to the Israeli military, the coalition said in a statement, adding: Now is the time for the whole of the Democratic Party to Reject AIPAC once and for all.

Organizations in the coalition include Justice Democrats, which helped elect the young, progressive lawmakers of color in the Squad, some of whom are likely AIPAC targets this election cycle; the Working Families Party, the small but growing progressive political party; and the Democratic Socialists of America, the nations largest socialist organization.

Other coalition members include the MPower Change Action Fund, a Muslim-led digital advocacy group, and the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action, a pro-Palestine advocacy group. Jewish Voice for Peace Action and the IfNotNow Movement, two Jewish activist groups that have been leading pro-Palestine protests around the country, are also in the coalition.

The overwhelming influence of corporate super PACs on our democracy and elections has expanded the gap between voters and their elected leaders into a canyon that has been exploited by every special interest and corporate lobby, said the coalition. Rejecting AIPAC is a crucial step in putting voters back at the center of our democracy.

According to the coalition, AIPAC has endorsed 213 federal Republican lawmakers and 129 Democrats this year; last cycle, the lobby endorsed 109 Republicans who backed former President Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

If Democratic Party leadership agrees that abortion rights and democracy are on the ballot this cycle, said Usamah Andrabi, communications director for Justice Democrats, then there should be no place for AIPAC  whose super PAC takes millions from Donald Trumps donors to attack progressives while endorsing hundreds of Republican anti-abortion extremists and election-denying insurrectionists  in the Democratic Party.

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Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

The growth and economic momentum of The Villages  Central Floridas mega-retirement community  continues to attract new projects to its periphery, with an Orlando-based homebuilder the latest to ramp up plans for a new development.

Park Square Homes has site work underway for its new Highfield at Twisted Oaks community, which will bring 130 new homes to the Wildwood area just west of The Villages, near the intersection Sumter County Road 462 East and Sumpter County Road 205.

Nicole Stanton, Park Squares vice president of sales and marketing, told Orlando Business Journal vertical construction on homes will begin by the end of the second quarter, and homes in the community will be priced in the low-$300,000s.

Photos: What will the 2024 hurricane names be?

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




LOS ANGELES (AP)  An election-year Academy Awards got underway Sunday with protests for Gaza raging outside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, a few cutting remarks from host Jimmy Kimmel and an Oscar for DaVine Joy Randolph for her performance in The Holdovers.

Kimmel, emceeing the ABC telecast for the fourth time, opened the 96th Academy Awards with an opening monologue that drew a few cold looks (from Robert Downey Jr., Sandra Huller and Messi, the dog from best-picture nominee Anatomy of a Fall).

But Kimmel, emphasizing Hollywood as a union town following 2023s actor and writer strikes, drew a standing ovation for bringing out teamsters and behind-the-scenes workers  who are now entering their own labor negotiations.

Oscars 2024: Heres what to know and how to watch

Accepting the nights first award, an emotional Randolph was accompanied to the stage by her Holdovers co-star Paul Giamatti.

For so long Ive always wanted to be different, said Randolph. And now I realize I just need to be myself.

Protests over over Israels war in Gaza snarled traffic around the Academy Awards, slowing stars arrival at the red carpet and turning the Oscar spotlight toward the ongoing conflict.

A protester reacts during a demonstration in support of Palestinians calling for a ceasefire in Gaza as the 96th Academy Awards Oscars ceremony is held nearby, Sunday, March 10, 2024, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

A protester holds a poster during a demonstration in support of Palestinians calling for a ceasefire in Gaza as the 96th Academy Awards Oscars ceremony is held nearby, Sunday, March 10, 2024, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Protesters line up holding letters and symbols reading Eyes on Rafah, during a demonstration in support of Palestinians calling for a ceasefire in Gaza as the 96th Academy Awards Oscars ceremony is held nearby, Sunday, March 10, 2024, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Protesters gather during a demonstration in support of Palestinians calling for a ceasefire in Gaza as the 96th Academy Awards Oscars ceremony is held nearby, Sunday, March 10, 2024, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Scattered demonstrations were held in the vicinity around the Oscars on Sunday. Los Angeles police, which had expected protests, beefed up their already extensive presence. The Dolby Theatre and the red carpet leading into it are cordoned off for several blocks in every direction.

But protesters carrying signs and chanting for ceasefire disrupted traffic near security checkpoints on Sunset Blvd. Some arrivals were slowed by as much as an hour. Some protesters shouted Shame! at those trying to reach the Oscars. Police in helmets and wielding batons declared an unlawful assembly and threatened arrest.

Several attendees, including Billie Eilish and Finneas, best song nominees for What Was I Made For? from Barbie, wore pins for Gaza. Ava DuVernay and Ramy Youssef were also among those wearing pins.

The Oscars kicked off an hour early, due to daylight savings time. But aside from the time shift, this years show went for tried-and-true Academy Awards traditions. Kimmel is back as host. Past winners flocked back as presenters. And a big studio epic wass poised for a major awards haul.

Oppenheimer, 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.

Photos: Hollywoods finest hit the red carpet for 96th Academy Awards

Still, much is circling around this years show. Aside from the Israel-Hamas war, the war in Ukraine will be on some attendees minds, particularly those of the journalist filmmakers behind the documentary favorite, 20 Days in Mariupol.

Our hearts are in Ukraine, said Mstyslav Chernov, the Ukrainian filmmaker and AP journalist who directed 20 Days in Mariupol.

And with the presidential election in full swing, politics could be an unavoidable topic despite an awards season thats played out largely in a vacuum.

Kimmel didnt mention either candidate in his opening monologue, but did take one jab at Republican Sen. Katie Britt, who gave the response to President Joe Bidens State of the Union address. Kimmel mentioned the much-nominated Poor Things, as the story about an adult woman with the brain of a child.

Like the lady who gave the rebuttal for the state of the union, said Kimmel.

Hollywood also has plenty of its own storm clouds to concern itself with.

The 2023 movie year was defined by a prolonged strike over the future of an industry thats reckoning with the onset of streaming, artificial intelligence and shifting moviegoer tastes that have tested even the most bankable brands. The academy, while also widely nominating films like Killers of the Flower Moon and Poor Things, embraced both Oppenheimer, the lead nominee with 13 nods, and Greta Gerwigs Barbie, the years biggest hit with more than $1.4 billion in ticket sales and eight nominations.

With the forecasted Oppenheimer romp, the nights biggest drama is in the best actress category. Emma Stone (Poor Things) and Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon) are nearly even-odds to win. While an Oscar for Stone, who won for her performance La La Land, would be her second statuette, an win for Gladstone would make Academy Awards history. No Native American has ever won a competitive Oscar.

While Barbie bested (and helped lift) Oppenheimer at the box office, it appears likely it will take a back seat to Nolans film at the Oscars. Gerwig was notably overlooked for best director, sparking an outcry that some, even Hillary Clinton, said mimicked the patriarchy parodied in the film.

Historically, having big movies in the mix for the Oscars top awards has been good for broadcast ratings. The Academy Awards largest audience ever came when James Camerons Titanic swept the 1998 Oscars.

Last years ceremony, where a very different best-picture contender in Everything Everywhere All at Once triumphed, was watched by 18.7 million people, up 12% from the year prior. ABC and the academy are hoping to continue the upward trend after a nadir in 2021, when 9.85 million watched a pandemic-diminished telecast relocated to Los Angeles Union Station.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

Journalists work during an interview attended by ministers after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Yu Jianhua, head of the General Administration of Customs (GAC) of China, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Yu Jianhua, head of the General Administration of Customs (GAC) of China, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Li Yunze, head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration of China, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Li Yunze, head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration of China, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Gao Zhidan, director of China's General Administration of Sport, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Gao Zhidan, director of China's General Administration of Sport, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Yu Jianhua, head of the General Administration of Customs (GAC) of China, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Gao Zhidan, director of China's General Administration of Sport, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Shen Changyu, head of the National Intellectual Property Administration of China, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Li Yunze, head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration of China, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Shen Changyu, head of the National Intellectual Property Administration of China, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Shen Changyu, head of the National Intellectual Property Administration of China, gives an interview after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

A journalist asks a question during an interview attended by ministers after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

A journalist asks a question during an interview attended by ministers after the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)
LOS ANGELES  Protests over over Israels war in Gaza snarled traffic around the Academy Awards on Sunday, slowing stars arrival at the red carpet and turning the Oscar spotlight toward the ongoing conflict.

Scattered demonstrations were held in the vicinity around the Oscars on Sunday. Los Angeles police, which had expected protests, beefed up their already extensive presence. The Dolby Theatre and the red carpet leading into it are cordoned off for several blocks in every direction.

But protesters carrying signs and chanting for ceasefire disrupted traffic near security checkpoints on Sunset Blvd. Some arrivals were slowed by as much as an hour. Some protesters shouted Shame! at those trying to reach the Oscars. Police in helmets and wielding batons declared an unlawful assembly and threatened arrest.

Several attendees, including Billie Eilish and Finneas, best song nominees for What Was I Made For? from Barbie, wore pins for Gaza. Ava DuVernay and Ramy Youssef were also among those wearing pins.

The Oscars kicked off on ABC at 7 p.m. EDT Sunday.
The students raised over $24,000 so James, one of the nicest people you will ever meet, could take a trip home to Nigeria to visit the family he hasnt seen in 11 years, including his son.

A security guard recently got the surprise of a lifetime when university students in Rhode Island raised thousands of dollars so he could see his family.

According to WCVB 5 News, Providence College students online effort raised nearly $3,000 within 24 hours so their favorite person, James, could take a trip home to Nigeria to visit his family, including his son.

You told us a while ago that you wanted to see your family in Nigeria that you havent seen in a long time, so we came together and spread the word, and we started a GoFundMe because we take care of our own because thats what we do at Providence College, said sophomore Daniel Singh. Theyve done that for me, weve done that for each other, so now were doing it for you. Youre of the family, so our gift to you is a trip to Nigeria.

A Nigerian security guard at Providence College in Rhode Island, (above) received the surprise of a lifetime when students raised money for a gift trip home to see his family. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/Amy Bencomo)

Singh and first-year student Brandon Reichart, who helped organize the GoFundMe, said raising funds for James was a no-brainer after they learned he hadnt seen his family in 11 years.

The GoFundMe describes him as the best security guard at Providence and one of the nicest people you will ever meet, sharing that he works four overnight shifts weekly and does so with a smile.

He does not know how much we appreciate him, and hope that this shows to him how much he means to our community, the GoFundMe read, adding that the Providence College and Raymond Hall experience would be utterly different without James presence.

As of Monday afternoon, the GoFundMe  looking to raise $3,500  had garnered nearly $25,000.

The grateful students are now on a mission to raise as much money as possible so their beloved security guard doesnt have to wait nearly a decade to revisit his family in his home nation.

Hes just the kindest soul anyone has ever met in this building. He means so much to us hes so important, said Reichert, WCVB-TV reported. It was amazing how fast everyone connected and were able to put it together for him.

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The post Providence College students raise thousands to surprise best security guard on campus with trip to Nigeria appeared first on TheGrio.
Russian President Vladimir Putin could receive 82% of the vote in the upcoming election, according to pollsters loyal to the Kremlin on Monday.

Russians are due to head to the polls for a presidential election that concludes on Sunday, with Putin seeking a further six-year term.

His election is seen as a foregone conclusion in the absence of any serious challenger, but the authorities are doing their utmost to present the poll as convincing.

Three rival candidates, who either openly support Putin or who follow the Kremlin's line, are seen as having no chance, with between 5% and 6% of the vote each, according to the survey of eligible voters by opinion research institute VCIOM.

The central election commission did not authorize any opposing candidates to run in the election that is scheduled for Friday to Sunday.

Russia's opinion polls are a key instrument for the government to assess the effectiveness of Kremlin propaganda, for example in state media.

Kremlin-controlled state television, mainly viewed by elderly Russians in rural areas, portrays Putin as having no alternative.

Putin, who has held power for almost a quarter of a century and who launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, claims the election is a vote on "Russia's future."

He frames the Ukraine war as a fight against Western hegemony, which resonates with many Russians.

If Putin receives more than 80% of the vote, it would be his best result in a presidential election, and could be interpreted as an indication of the confidence of the governing powers.

In the 2018 elections, he received 76.7% of the vote with a turnout of 67.5%.

The electoral commission puts the number of eligible voters in Russia at 112 million. A further 2 million Russians live abroad.

The team that worked for dissident Alexei Navalny, who died in prison last month, has called for a protest vote on Sunday. They have called on Putin's opponents to turn up at polling stations exactly at noon to show that they are against the Russian president.
President Vladimir Putin has no doubt he will secure another term in Russia's election. The vote that leaves him in suspense, and could do more to change his policies, will occur eight months later in the United States.

Putin has publicly said he prefers US President Joe Biden to his predecessor and aspiring successor Donald Trump, a remark widely interpreted to mean exactly the opposite, as the former KGB man hopes his notoriety will boost the Republican mogul.

Trump has voiced admiration for Putin, raged against NATO, the alliance founded to defend against Moscow, and boasted that he within one day would end the war in Ukraine, which Russia invaded two years ago.

Trump supporters in Congress, seizing on an unrelated dispute over migration, have held up approval of $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine, whose troops have faced the first battlefield setbacks in months as ammunition runs scarce.

Biden in his annual State of the Union address lashed out at Trump for saying he would encourage Putin to "do whatever the hell you want" if a NATO member does not spend enough.

"My message to President Putin, who I've known for a long time, is simple," Biden said. "I will not bow down."

Leon Aron, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who studies US-Russia relations, expected Putin to wait for the US election before any significant new move, militarily or diplomatically, on Ukraine.

"I don't expect any Russian attempt at some sort of major offensive in Ukraine which would cost them several hundred thousand men. The reason is that Putin is waiting to get a good deal on the cheap," Aron said.

He said Trump in a new term could block arms to Ukraine and "the only question-mark then would be how much Europe has been scared" into stepping up its own support to Kyiv.

- Trump psychology -

In one of his most widely criticized moments as president, Trump, appearing awestruck at a meeting in Helsinki, took at face value Putin's denial of US intelligence findings that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to back Trump over Hillary Clinton.

Fiona Hill, a former White House adviser who has said she was so alarmed by the news conference that she considered faking a medical emergency to stop it, said Trump saw Putin as "an iconic figure."

"He's somebody who's able to get his way and he looks like the ultimate strongman," Hill, who testified in Trump's first impeachment, told a recent conference of conservatives opposed to Trump.

But Hill acknowledged that Trump did not block many measures against Russia. She said his psychology was more that he did not want to feel "humiliated" in person by a "peer."

Asked about the recent death in prison of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, which Trump has made light of, Hill said that Trump's reaction if Navalny had died during his administration would depend "if it reflected on him or not."

"If somebody had actually said that this was a sign of American weakness, that we couldn't keep Navalny safe," she said, "that would have changed Trump's perception."

"It's just as capricious as that, I'm afraid."

- Admirers -

Russia has turned into a partisan dividing line in the United States, a development unthinkable in an earlier era when most Americans viewed the Soviet Union as a top threat.

Some conservatives have embraced Putin as a guardian of what they see as traditional Christian values including opposing LGBTQ rights.

Tucker Carlson, a talk-show host close to Trump, in February interviewed Putin and showed viewers a Moscow subway station which he said was "nicer than anything in our country" with no graffiti or "foul smells."

His interview was widely criticized for lacking tough questions, with even Putin saying he expected Carlson to be more aggressive.

On the policy side, figures including Senator J.D. Vance and Trump-era Pentagon official Elbridge Colby have argued that Russia and Ukraine are a distraction from a greater threat from China.

Senator Mitch McConnell, a strong backer of Ukraine, recently announced he would step down as Republican leader, acknowledging his party has shifted.

But John Herbst, a former US ambassador to Ukraine and now senior director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, said it was ultimately a "tiny group" within the Republican Party that supported Putin.

He noted that Trump approved Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, a step resisted by his predecessor Barack Obama, and that Trump has not explicitly opposed new aid to Kyiv.

"There is some difference between things Trump has said and things his most fervent acolytes have said. So the Russians could be disappointed were Trump to win," Herbst said.

sct/mlm/dw
Que Pasa: What to do in the Borderland this week

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  In this weeks Que Pasa segment, Lauren Falco with Destination El Paso and KTSMs Karla Draksler visit The Reagan to discuss the upcoming events in town.

The Reagan has become a staple bar and restaurant in the Downtown area offering various cocktails and food options.

This bar and restaurant is open for brunch as well during the week and the weekend.

You can stumble upon different events such as DJ performances and karaoke night. Still, recently they have put their focus into developing a vinyl-friendly spot that will feature local vinyl DJs.

You can find more information on The Reagans website and social media.

In this episode of Que Pasa Destination El Pasos Lauren Falco featured several events you can attend on the week of March 11:

Comedian Ralph Barbosa

March 15, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

At Plaza Theatre

Comedian Sofia Nino de Rivera

March 16, 8:00 p.m.

At Plaza Theatre

Neepalooza St Patricks Day

March 16, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

At Neep Collective

First ever Asian night market

March 16, 4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

At Economy Grocers,

Kansas

March 17, 7:30 p.m.

At Plaza Theatre

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY  The August Republican primary race is heating up as a third Republican candidate has announced her campaign for Michigan's 50th District, a seat currently held by former sheriff and commissioner Bob Bezotte.

Kristina Lyke, of Fowlerville, announced in a release on Monday her intention to run for the state House seat.

Lyke is a criminal and divorce lawyer at Lyke Law in East Lansing and describes herself as "a constitutional attorney."

"Kristina is the only candidate who has been able to defend individuals who have been wrongfully charged and restored individuals their Second Amendment rights," according to the release. "Kristina has made a mission to serve Veterans, Christians and Families in her practice and has been an advocate for children, both born and unborn, over the last 17 years in law and the community."

Republicans Dominic Restuccia of Howell, Jason Woolford of Marion Township and Democrat Austin Breuer of Howell Township have already announced runs for the seat, which represents Howell, Fowlerville, Cohoctah, Conway, Deerfield, Handy, Hartland, Howell, Iosco, Marion, Oceola and Unadilla Townships  as well as parts of Tyrone Township and Putnam Township.

Lyke's priorities include addressing increases in opioids, including fentanyl, and sex trafficking in the state. Fiscal responsibility in state spending, protecting constitutional rights and local control of zoning for solar and wind farms are among her top priorities.

"Quality education for our next generation ensuring capable citizens and leaders in our community and making our schools first instead of near last place in the Nation," is also on her list, according to the release.

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Lyke is a member of the Livingston County Republicans and National Rifle Association. She ran for Michigan's 8th Congressional District in 2020 and lost in the Republican primary.

Bezotte, R-Marion Township, is not seeking re-election and has endorsed Woolford.

It's been a tense couple of months for Bezotte, whose wife alleged physical and emotional abuse in divorce documents filed in December in 44th Circuit Court. Bezotte denied the allegation in his response. He successfully ran for state office in 2020 and was re-elected in 2022.

 Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Race for the 50th District heats up with third Republican candidate
Maryland Sheriff Jeff Gahler, who is investigating the August 2023 murder of Rachel Morin, suggested pedestrians "break" their routines following the Feb. 22 killing of Augusta University student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus.

Both women  Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five, and Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student  were murdered while jogging on popular pedestrian trails.

"We put out a lot of recommendations following Rachel's case. Break your routine. Don't be a creature of habit. Don't be on the trail at that location at the same time every single day," Harford County Sheriff Gahler told Fox News Digital. "Always, if you can, be with a friend. Go out when the trails or the parks are more crowded.

"I live on a section of the mine trail here in our county where Rachel was killed. The same trail. And I'll pass by younger ladies, older ladies and they'll have their headsets in, and they won't know someone's beside them until you're beside them."

MARYLAND SHERIFF'S GUT TELLS HIM RACHEL MORIN WAS STALKED BEFORE HER MURDER

A photo of Rachel Morin is posted to a tree by her family along the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland, Aug. 10, 2023. The 37-year-old was murdered earlier that week while exercising on the trail.

Morin was running along the Ma and Pa Trail, a pedestrian trail in Bel Air, a quiet and typically safe town about 28 miles northeast of Baltimore, on Aug. 5, 2023, when she vanished. Authorities found her body the next day in what Gahler previously described as a "horrific" criminal homicide.

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In February, the Harford County Sheriff's Office released a composite sketch of the suspect in Morin's case, described as a Hispanic male based on witness accounts and video footage of the suspect from a March 2023 incident in Los Angeles described as a home invasion.

RACHEL MORIN MURDER: MARYLAND SHERIFF'S OFFICE RELEASES NEW SKETCHES OF SUSPECT

Just 11 days after authorities found Morin's body, the sheriff's office announced a link between evidence found at the scene of Morin's murder to evidence found at the scene of the LA home invasion using the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), leading them to a single DNA match for an unidentified Hispanic male.

The Harford County Sheriff's Office in Maryland released two sketches of a suspect in connection to the murder of Rachel Morin.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) collected a hat left behind at the scene of the March 2023 home invasion that turned violent and injured people, including children.

The suspect allegedly broke into the home in the middle of the night and assaulted the family inside before he was chased out. Surveillance video footage captured the man leaving, shirtless, through the front door.

RACHEL MORIN MURDER: MARYLAND POLICE TIE CRIME SCENE DNA TO LOS ANGELES ASSAULT, HOME INVASION

Suspect in Rachel Morin's murder. Police described him as Hispanic, 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds.

Social media users have compared the two cases due to not only the similar circumstances under which both victims were found dead, but also because Riley's alleged killer somewhat matches the description of the unidentified suspect in Morin's case.

RACHEL MORIN MURDER: MARYLAND SHERIFF SAYS SUSPECT ON LOOSE COULD STRIKE AGAIN

Gahler, however, does not believe the two murders are related based on evidence his office has investigated so far.

Laken Riley smiles for a photo while running. Riley, a nursing student, was found dead near a lake on the University of Georgia campus on Feb. 22, 2024.

"Sadly, we're monitoring cases from across the country anytime there's something tragic. And, this one, because of some of the parallels you have a young woman out on a very safe trail jogging, as it was in our case with Rachel Morin, mother of five who went out for a jog in a very safe area and was brutally killed," Gahler said. "And, much like what we're hearing out of the Georgia case, our suspect is known to be Hispanic based on some of the DNA evidence that we've collected."

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When Georgia authorities announced the arrest of Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela, the Harford County Sheriff's Office received "a lot of tips" from people speculating about a possible connection between the two cases, Gahler explained.

University of Georgia murder suspect Jose Ibarra lived within a five-minute walk of the approximate scene where he allegedly murdered 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on Feb. 22.

"People believe the images that we have been able to release, including a sketch in the last few weeks, that the suspect looks somewhat similar [to Ibarra]," the sheriff said. "So, certainly since [Feb. 22], when we heard about this case a horrible case like we had here in Harford County our investigators have been in contact with our federal partners and the investigating agency down there. And we're looking at that case. But right now, we don't have any reason to believe the two are related."

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The Harford County Sheriff's Office does not know what brought the suspect from LA to Maryland, but they do know he was in Bel Air prior to Morin's murder. And they are asking members of the public who may have seen or communicated with the suspect during the summer of 2023 to come forward. Authorities believe he still poses a threat to the public.

Authorities are offering a $35,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Morin's case. Anyone with information is asked to contact RMTips@harfordsheriff.org .





Original article source: Rachel Morin murder: Maryland sheriff suggests joggers 'break' routines following Laken Riley killing
Semafor Signals

Insights from the Financial Times, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, The Los Angeles Times, and Alex de Waal

The News

Huge numbers of Palestinians in Gaza are suffering from worsening hunger as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan gets underway  a period typically celebrated with lavish family feasts following the daily fast.

Food and water shortages have caused the death of at least 25 people in the north of the enclave in recent days, most of them children, Hamas-run authorities said. Nearly 60,000 pregnant women are suffering from malnutrition and dehydration, putting their and their babies health at risk.

Hunger has reached catastrophic levels, the Financial Times reported Jamie McGoldrick, the UNs humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territories, as saying.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Food aid distribution has been disorganized and at times catastrophic

Sources: The Financial Times, CNN, Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The delivery of food aid to northern Gaza has been disorganized and opaque, to catastrophic effect.

Israel has sent private aid convoys to the north of the enclave  where hunger is especially acute  instead of working with the United Nations on deliveries, and information about them is scarce, the Financial Times reported. The UNs World Food Programme attempted to send a 14-truck convoy of aid to northern Gaza last week, but was turned away by the Israeli military, the Financial Times reported.

The United States is building a floating pier off Gaza to enable a huge increase in humanitarian supplies  but the dock will take up to 60 days to build. The move follows U.S. efforts to airdrop aid into the enclave  which humanitarian agencies say is insufficient to meet the scale of need. The airdrops too have met with disaster: At least 5 people in Gaza have been killed by airdropped packages, representatives of Gazas Al Shifa hospital told CNN, with one journalist on the ground telling the network that packages did not include essential food supplies. Humanitarian workers always complain that airdrops are good photo opportunities but a lousy way to deliver aid, the International Crisis Groups UN director told CNN.

Meanwhile, a group of around 40 Israelis have held protests at two border crossings between Israel and Gaza in an attempt to stop aid from entering the enclave as long as Hamas continues to hold Israeli hostages, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. We must strangle them so that they return my brothers, one protester said.

For the Palestinian diaspora, this years Ramadan is overshadowed with grief

Sources: The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal

This Ramadan, I oscillate between a profound sense of loss and sadness and a feeling of urgency and obligation to do anything I can to help my family, to organize, to speak out, Laila El-Haddad, a U.S.-based Palestinian cookbook author, wrote in an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times, describing this years holiday as being overshadowed with overwhelming grief. El-Haddad has lost more than 100 extended family members in Gaza since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks prompted a massive retaliatory operation by Israel. Others in her family live in the southern city of Rafah, where an attack from Israel is believed to be imminent, despite warnings of a red line from the Biden administration. Her relatives who have access to limited food are paying hugely inflated prices, she wrote, and are forced to improvise with whatever ingredients are on hand.

The era of famines was once thought to be over  now tens of millions face extreme hunger

Source: Alex de Waal

A few years ago it looked as though the world may have moved beyond large-scale famines, but today widespread food crises in Africa and the Middle East put millions at risk of extreme hunger.

A decades-long effort to improve world nutrition has stalled, wrote Alex de Waal, the executive director of Tufts Universitys World Peace Foundation, in a guest essay for The New York Times, arguing that he underestimated the cruel resolve of some war leaders to use starvation as a weapon, while also overestimating the capabilities of largest humanitarian donors to feed those in conflict zones. While Gaza is at the forefront of places where the population risks starvation, an urgent crisis is unfolding around the Red Sea, where more than 90 million people across Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen are descending toward mass starvation, de Waal wrote  mostly as a result of war and violence.

Rising food prices and partisan disputes over aid budgets are also to blame for the worsening crisis, de Waal argued. American leaders should not be bickering over stopping famine, he wrote. They should be leading the world in delivering help.
Khalid El-Estal returned to Ireland after his wife and other family members were killed in Gaza

"We do fasting during Ramadan, now they're not fasting, they're starving, they're dying."

A Belfast-born man whose wife and other family members were killed in Gaza has said he cannot celebrate one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar.

Khalid El-Estal was reunited with his two children after they fled Gaza in November.

He said the situation is "desperate" for his father, two brothers and friends who remain in the territory.

"It is getting worse, every day is worse than the day before it," he told BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster.

"It's unbelievable what's happening, everyone's desperate, everyone's begging... They feel like I can change everything, everyone is calling me wanting to take them out of Gaza."

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 famine in Gaza is "almost inevitable", with an estimated 300,000 Palestinians living there with little food or clean water.

'It's totally different'

Mr El-Estal has said he cannot contemplate celebrating Ramadan this year while the war continues in Gaza.

"It's the most important thing... It's like Christmas," he explained. "It's normally very special days for us but now it's totally different with what's happening in Gaza."

In normal circumstances, Mr El-Estal would have spent the day before Ramadan shopping with his wife and decorating his home with lights.

This year, he did not leave the house.

"I can't think about doing anything now, it will be like normal days. It's very painful when you think about what's happening," he said.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the Arabic name for the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It falls on a different date every year, because of the cycles of the moon.

In 2024, Ramadan started on Monday 11 March.

It is considered one of the holiest months for Muslims and is marked by a period of fasting, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

These are five principles which Muslims believe are compulsory acts ordered by God: the other pillars are faith, prayer, charity and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.

Muslims believe that some of the first verses of the Islamic holy book, the Qu'ran, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan.

Extra emphasis is therefore placed on reciting the Qu'ran at this time.

Muslims are also encouraged to give to charity, strengthen their relationship with God, and show kindness and patience.

Born in Belfast, Mr El-Estal attended primary school in the Botanic area while his father worked as a lecturer at Queen's University.

When he was aged eight, the family relocated to Gaza, where he met his wife Ashwak at university.

He was working in Saudi Arabia when his wife was killed and he appealed for help to be reunited with his four-year-old son Ali and one-year-old daughter Sara.

The children left Gaza via Egypt in November with assistance from the Irish government.

'Everyday is a struggle'

Mr El-Estal said the children, who are living with him in Dublin, are "getting better every day" after arriving "traumatised".

His son, Ali, has started pre-school and is beginning to learn English.

"They are the reason I'm doing everything now," he said.

Khalid El-Estal, his four year old son Ali and one year old daughter Sara in Dublin Airport with their uncle Mohammed Jendia

"It was Mother's Day yesterday. Every day is a struggle, during the day you're living a good life, you're not thinking, but at night you're thinking all the time about everything, about your family, about what's happened with my wife," Mr El-Estal continued.

He said he feels "pressured" when he talks to family and friends remaining in Gaza as he is helpless to their situation.

"I think about everyone," he added. "I'm thinking about these people. Sometimes you just sleep all the day to forget, to ignore what's happening."
By Azernews

Fatime Letifova

For a long time, Spain was one of the countries that supported Azerbaijan on the issue of Garabagh and condemned the Armenian occupation.

For example, in 1993, Spain voted in favour of 4 resolutions of the UN Security Council No. 822, 853, 874, and 884 regarding the Garabagh war. According to these resolutions, Armenian armed units had to leave the occupied Kalbajar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli, Zangilan, and other territories of Azerbaijan. That is, Spain voted in favour of the resolutions demanding that Armenia withdraw from the occupied Azerbaijani lands.

In the "Madrid principles" proposed by the Minsk Group in 2007 regarding the settlement of the Garabagh conflict, the withdrawal of Armenia and the so-called "Nagorno-Garabagh armed forces" from all the occupied territories around Garabagh was emphasised.

The support of this format by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain showed that the country supports the withdrawal of aggressive forces from the territory of Azerbaijan.

The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement published on May 1, 2015, about the unrecognised Nagorno-Garabagh that Spain does not consider the parliamentary elections scheduled to be held in Nagorno-Garabagh on May 3 as legitimate. The ministry stated that those elections have no validity.

"The separation of this territory is the result of the use of force, it is against international law and is not recognised by Azerbaijan," the statement added.

On May 25, 2016, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Ignacio Ibanez, spoke about the Garabagh conflict during his meeting with Azerbaijan Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov in Spain. He said that Spain supports the format of the OSCE Minsk Group aimed at resolving the conflict.

Thus, Spain made many announcements and statements about the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands.

However, in recent years, especially after the 44-day war, the liberation of Azerbaijani lands has caused a 180-degree change in Spain's position towards Azerbaijan.

In December 2021, an agreement was signed between Azerbaijan and Spain in Madrid, providing for the exchange of confidential information and the protection of this information.

The lower house of the Spanish Parliament (Congress) had not ratified the international agreement concluded with Azerbaijan and described Azerbaijan as an aggressor country.

This step by Spain created a shock effect on relations between the two countries. Spain, which has always expressed its support for Azerbaijan, seems to have betrayed its friend by falling prey to Armenian manipulations.

But we should not forget that after the declaration of independence of Catalonia, it was Spain that started the legal procedure against them, called this step separatism against the territorial integrity of the country, and succeeded in arresting and prosecuting the leader of Catalonia, Carlos Puchtemon.

But now it is the same Spain that ignores the attempt of the separatists in Garabagh on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the genocide against the Azerbaijanis, and the trampling of the UN Charter and resolutions.

John Inarritu, a member of the parliament, offered to show solidarity with the Armenian people, who faced "Azerbaijan's aggression".

It seems that John Inarritu has been working on this plan for a long time, thus, the very next day he rushed to the leader of the separatist-terrorist regime, Arayik Harutyunyan, and was awarded the "Mkhitar Gosh" medal of the so-called state.

After that, the deputy said, "It was an honour for me to receive the Mkhitar Gosh medal from the republic of "artsakh". We will continue to support the right of Armenians to live in Artsakh, as well as the need for international recognition."

He knew very well how he hit the relations between Spain and Azerbaijan.

And now, the Spanish deputy, clearly showing his pro-Armenian position, declares that the international community should impose targeted sanctions or other punishments against the persons or organisations responsible for the destruction of the Armenian historical and cultural heritage of "Nagorno-Garabagh".

It is interesting that the Spanish government ignores the condition of Shusha Castle, Garabagh Khan's Palace, Sisernavang Monastery, Natavan Palace, and many other historical and cultural monuments destroyed by Armenians in Garabagh, worrying about the fake monuments of a so-called regime.

The fact that the Spanish deputy was awarded a medal by the so-called regime after his pro-Armenian speeches and clearly took a position against Azerbaijan is either a betrayal of the policy pursued by his country for many years, or he is a tool of the Spanish government to break friendly relations with Azerbaijan.

In both cases, it is unfortunate that Spain is trying to destroy relations with Azerbaijan in this way.
SANAA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Warplanes of the United States and Britain conducted nine airstrikes on Monday against Houthi military targets in Yemen's Hodeidah province on the Red Sea, local residents and Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported.

Four airstrikes hit the area of Ras Issa in the northwestern district of al-Salif, three airstrikes hit in al-Arj area of the eastern district of Bajil, and two airstrikes hit in al-Taif area in the southern district of Durayhimi.

Hodeidah's residents described the explosions in Houthi sites as very powerful.

There were no comments yet from the coalition. In the meantime, the British maritime trade operations agency reported a new missile attack against a cargo ship in the international waters off Yemen's Hodeidah port city.

The coalition's navy forces stationing in the Red Sea have been striking Houthi military targets since this January to deter the Houthis from attacking commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The Houthis have been attacking cargo ships since mid-November last year in protest against the Israeli offensive against Hamas in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip.

Last week, the Houthi missile attack caused large damage to a U.S. cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden. In the week before, a British oil tanker struck by Houthi missiles sank to the bottom of the Red Sea.

The Houthis have said their attacks will not stop until Israel stops its war and lifts the blockade on the Palestinian people in Gaza.

The Houthi rebels have been controlling several northern cities since the Yemeni civil war broke out in late 2014.

The group has tightened its grip on the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah since the 2018 UN-sponsored Stockholm Truce Agreement, which was backed by the United States and Britain, forcing the Yemeni internationally recognized government out. 
Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett confirmed that his office is reviewing criminal cases involving Rankin Countys Goon Squad, but he wont divulge details, including how many cases have been dismissed and how far back his review will go.

In August, five deputies for the Rankin County Sheriffs Department and a Richland police officer pleaded guilty to state and federal charges in a Goon Squad operation. Seven months earlier, they broke into a house without a warrant, tortured two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, threatened to use a sex toy on them and shoved a gun in Jenkins mouth and shot him. To conceal their crimes, they destroyed surveillance footage, planted false evidence and lied to investigators.

What these six officers did violated the public trust and shook the foundation of our justice system, Bramlett told Mississippi Today in a statement.

After learning of these crimes, my office immediately conducted an extensive review to identify any and all cases in which these officers were involved, he said. We then reviewed each of those identified cases to determine if their testimony would be essential in the prosecution of that case.

Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett

As a result, my office moved to dismiss those indicted cases and declined those cases which were not yet indicted, wherein the integrity of the investigation may have been compromised. This is an ongoing process in which we will continue to review and identify cases involving those officers and act accordingly.

An investigation by the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting at Mississippi Today and The New York Times uncovered allegations that torture, coerced statements and false incident reports involving these six officers and more than a dozen others may stretch back two decades. Some of those interviewed alleged that deputies also planted evidence and filed false charges against them.

On March 19-21, five former Rankin County deputies and one former Richland police officer are slated to be sentenced in federal court for their roles in the torture of Jenkins and Parker.

When Mississippi Today asked the district attorney how many cases have been dismissed so far, whose charges were dismissed and how far back prosecutors plan to go in examining cases, he declined to answer those questions.

Since last August, prosecutors have asked judges to dismiss 25 drug indictments in Rankin County Circuit Court.

Seven dismissals dont appear connected to Goon Squad actions. In two cases, co-defendants took the blame for crimes. In another two, defendants died. In three cases, indictments were dismissed because defendants pleaded guilty in other cases or because of speedy trial issues.

One dismissal cited the involvement of a Goon Squad member: The State has learned that former Rankin County Deputy Christian Dedmons involvement in this case would make a prosecution of this matter untenable.

One mentions the unavailability of an essential witness, and another cites new evidence. One dismissal discusses the discovery of facts that make a prosecution of this matter untenable.

In the dismissal of 14 indictments, prosecutors gave no reason other than it was in the interest of justice.

Steven Drizin, co-director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University.

Steven Drizin, co-director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University School of Law, said a systematic review must take place of all cases involving these officers.

It will be painful because it may require that many convictions are vacated, and many old wounds of victims will be reopened, he said, but it is necessary to restore the publics faith in law enforcement and, in many instances, the district attorneys office who relied on these officers for years and may have ignored warning signs.

Drizin said the problem with prosecutors reviewing these cases is they will have to judge some of their own colleagues and police officers who they may have worked with. Any review that they do will be subject to bias.

Matt Steffey, professor of law at the Mississippi College School of Law, questioned why the district attorney limited his review to whether Goon Squad officers testimony was essential when these same officers have admitted they planted false evidence on innocent people.

He recommended that someone do the tough work of looking at all cases and that whoever does it, there must be transparency. Declining to say how far back prosecutors plan to go in looking at cases is certainly not transparent, he said.

Matt Steffey, professor of law at the Mississippi College School of Law

He noted that a review by prosecutors could be questioned because of potential conflicts. The sheriffs daughter, Alexis Bailey Smith, works as an administrative assistant-paralegal in the district attorneys office and earns $56,000 a year, according to the minutes of the Rankin County Board of Supervisors.

Steffey said Mississippi could model its approach after other states that have done systematic reviews.

In Chicago, a police detective and commander named Jon Graham Burge led a group of police known as the Midnight Crew and Burges Ass-Kickers. These detectives tortured more than 120 people, most of them Black men, between 1972 and 1991. The officers squeezed genitals, shoved guns in peoples mouths, beat them, suffocated them with plastic bags, burned them with cigarette lighters and used electrical shocks through a device Burge dubbed the n----- box to force false confessions.

In 1993, a decade after allegations of torture began to be exposed, Chicago police fired Burge, but it wasnt until 2002 that a special prosecutor began to examine these allegations.

He conducted a four-year investigation that concluded these officers had likely committed torture but that their crimes couldnt be prosecuted because they fell outside the statute of limitations.

Afterward, the governor stepped up and pardoned four of Burges victims, all of them on death row, after concluding they were innocent. Concluding the death penalty system was fraught with error, he also commuted the death sentences of the 167 others to life sentences.

In 2010, Burge was finally convicted of obstruction of justice and perjury and sentenced to more than four years in federal prison.

The freedom that we treasure most of all in this country is the right to live free of governmental abuse of power, U.S. District Judge Joan Humphrey Lefkow told him. When a confession is coerced, the truth of the confession is called into question. When this becomes widespread , the administration of justice is undermined irreparably. How can one trust that justice will be served when the justice system has been so defiled?

In the wake of these revelations, the state of Illinois established a Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission for victims. So far, 211 people have filed claims.

Lawyers say a full review of Rankin County cases is needed. Its very clear there have been an untold number of convictions that were substantially procured through fraud, coercion or the planting of false evidence, which all these guys admitted to on some level, said civil rights lawyer Trent Walker, who represents Jenkins and Parker.

Defense lawyer John Colette, who has represented many clients in Rankin County, said every case the Goon Squad members worked on could be called into question and that an independent review is needed to ensure integrity.

State Public Defender Andre de Gruy said to address this, the Legislature could provide extra funding to the Capital Post-Conviction Counsel to hire some temporary lawyers and investigators to accept requests for case review from anyone convicted in Rankin County during the period.

If lawyers reviewing each case found a basis for a post-conviction relief motion, they could file it, he said.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Briggs Hopson said he hasnt talked to de Gruy about this idea, but his off-the-cuff reaction is that the U.S. attorneys office or the Mississippi attorney generals office would handle such claims.

If wrongful convictions are proven, people are entitled to back pay, he said.. State law provides $50,000 for each year of wrongful incarceration with a ceiling of $500,000.

Tucker Carrington, executive director of the Mississippi Innocence Project, called on state officials to review all the cases involving any member of the Goon Squad.

After Innocence Project officials uncovered evidence that two men had been wrongly convicted of murder because of the testimony of bite expert Michael West and pathologist Dr. Steven Hayne, Carrington said then-Attorney General Jim Hood promised to review all of their cases.

But that never happened, he said, and the courts are still dealing with those cases, some of which have been overturned.

As a part of their cooperation with authorities, Goon Squad members should be required to tell all of the cases they messed around with, Carrington said. It should be like these serial killers, who have to tell everything they did.

J. Cliff Johnson, director of the University of Mississippis MacArthur Justice Center, said the state could follow the lead of Illinois in creating an independent commission, made up of those in law enforcement, the judiciary and the community, to examine these cases.

When you have widely known and outrageous acts by officers over a 20-year period of time, you have a duty to the victims to right their wrongs, he said. The other obligation is to the community. An important part of that is to be absolutely transparent in providing a remedy so that the public can once again trust the process.

Any efforts undertaken must recognize the injustice of what happened, identify victims and provide remedies, he said, because our system already struggles with credibility and respect.

Brian Howey and Nate Rosenfield contributed to this report. This article was supported in part by a grant from the Pulitzer Center.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Ray Rays Hog Pit, a fleet of barbeque eateries featured on the Food Networks Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, has renovated and again moved one of its central Ohio trucks to a new location.

One of the brands walk-up food trucks will be parked outside The Bottle Shop at 237 King Ave. in Victorian Village beginning on March 19, Ray Rays announced on social media. Named Ray Rays Reload, the truck had been parked outside Nocterra Brewing Co. in Powell and has been refurbished with a new paint job.

Mini donut truck to expand with shop at Polaris Fashion Place

Ray Rays Reload aims to play off our strengths. By blending our traditional approach to BBQ and service, the care and quality remain front and center as we re-imagine the fundamentals of BBQ, the brand said.

(Courtesy Photo/Ray Rays Hog Pit)

Chef and owner James Anderson was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2017, praised for his succulent smoked offerings at the one-of-a-kind barbecue truck. During the episode, Guy Fieri tried Ray Rays Mangalitsa Brat Burger and St. Louis Spare Ribs.

The relocation of the brands Powell truck comes after another Ray Rays truck parked outside Worthingtons historic Flint Station bar was moved in January to Aardvark Wine & Beer at 2355 W. Dublin Granville Road in Linworth.

Coast Wine House to open new restaurant inside historic Dublin home

The brand operates four other central Ohio locations, including at Ace of Cups in Clintonville, Land-Grant Brewing in Franklinton and a drive-thru in Westerville. Ray Rays is also home to a dine-in location in Granville.

Ray Rays Reload at The Bottle Shop will be open Tuesday through Saturday.

To our good friends at Nocterra and the Powell community as a whole  its been an absolute blast and we couldnt be more appreciative of your time and support, said Ray Rays.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Coney Island cant handle what a casino brings

Brooklyn: I am a resident of the Coney Island/Brighton Beach community. I am against the casino coming into Coney Island for many reasons, but I will concentrate my objection on one issue.

Coney Island is a peninsula  one way in, one way out. Ive lived in both Seagate and Brighton Beach for more than 50 years. There has always been a problem with parking and increased density of vehicle traffic. It can take more than an hour for residents of Seagate to get to the Belt Parkway during the summer months. Emergency vehicles are hindered in getting to people who need life-saving services. During the July 4 weekend, it is impossible to go anywhere. If the casino is in Coney Island, it will be like July 4 year-round.

One of the proposals brought forth by Thor Equities is a parking facility inside the hotel for more than 1,200 cars, and outside, another parking facility for 1,000 cars. This is without tour buses.

During the summer months, Coney Island gets a detail of an average of 80 more cops to deal with more than 5 million visitors. There arent enough police resources to address the public safety issues that will incur if the casino is allowed to be built. There will be more crime, traffic problems, etc. in the communities of Coney Island and Brighton Beach. I therefore ask that the New York State Gaming Commission not grant the gambling license to Thor Equities and its partners. Jeffrey Sanoff

Says who?

Birmingham, Mich.: I recently read Gov declares war on crime in subway (March 7) and was curious about the source of the statistic that crime has risen 15.5% on subways and platforms in NYC. When I clicked on the link, it took me to another article documenting an instance of subway violence. This article had the same claim and linked to yet another article, which notably did not claim that subway crime had risen. What is the origin of this claim? What evidence or source does this claim come from? Nick Confer

Emergent emergency

Cornwall, N.Y.: So, our governor decides to bring the National Guard in to fix the subway. I thought the National Guard was for states of emergency. When cities were burning down recently, they didnt use them. So why are we putting them in the prison yard now? By prison yard I mean the subway. Mayor Adams and his liberal friends in the City Council are the reason the subway is the mess it is. Lets not forget the big guy, Alvin Bragg, who is the bigger problem. The governor should have fired Bragg, then added more cops and paid overtime. Bringing the Guard in is going to be a lot more money the city has to spend. Raymond Grosskopf

Caused by policy

Hillsdale, N.Y.: Now we have our military and state police patrolling the subways, which only pushes crime back to the streets. Whats next, a soldier or a state police officer on every corner of NYC? People need to understand that liberal policies and liberal-thinking politicians are the cause of repeat criminals repeating crimes. New Yorkers need to change their voting practices and vote not by party but by who represents their concerns and safety issues. Remember the famous expression: You get what you vote for! Phil Antico

Dysfunction

Middletown, Conn.: Thank you, Voicer Linda Carlson: You are right  where are the parents? What about the men and women who push people onto the train tracks? Where are their families? All we hear is that they have mental problems. Why care when the families know we will take care of them? All they do is go on TV and cry. How about take care of your family? No, its better to let someone else do it for them. Gerard Winzer

Detect and disrupt

Richmond Hill: Has anyone tried to train dogs to sniff out fentanyl? It might cut down the body count of drug users. Robert Clolery

Stretched finances

Yonkers: When Texas became inundated with migrants, Mayor Adams announced that NYC is a sanctuary city and invited the migrants to experience the American dream. Now it is being reported that the migrant crisis is projected to cost the N.Y. taxpayer $10 billion for the next fiscal year. If Adams had any common sense, he would have used this money to house the homeless, treat the mentally ill and feed the multitude of American children who go to bed hungry every night. Nicholas Maffei

Song is safe

Carle Place, L.I.: As Don Henley returns to (Hotel) California (Prisoners of their own device, March 7), may I suggest he Take it Easy and enjoy a Tequila Sunrise. Rudy Rosenberg

Maravichs merits

Opelika, Ala.: Re Shes a pistol (March 4): Caitlin Clarks pell-mell dashes up court, employing behind-the-back dribbles, conjure images of Pete Maravich, she splashes threes from Steph Curry range, plays with a Cheryl Miller-like fire, all mixed with Magic Johnsons exuberance. Last season during the Final Four, Clark became the first player to compile a triple-double while scoring 40 or more points. However, as one who watched Maravich during his college career, its incomprehensible that you minimized his greatness because he played in the segregated Southeastern Conference. Maravichs long-distance scoring, passing artistry and his ability to shoot on the move would have flourished in any conference, as it did in the Black player-dominated NBA. Lets remember, Maravich averaged 44.2 points per game. In fairness, the NCAA should honor Maravich as the greatest three-season scorer, and Clark as the greatest four-scorer. Marc D. Greenwood

Fed by critics

Staten Island: As the new year goes on and we read more and more about how terrible Donald Trump is, it seems to me that the more they attack, the more followers he gains. If this doesnt speak in volumes, I dont know what does. The American people are tired of being lied to and duped. If you really look at history, what president hasnt done something that was illegal, immoral or corrupt? Just about everyone is guilty. With all the pushback on Trump, it is just making his followership stronger. People believe this is a witch hunt, and it certainly seems to be to me. Keep trying to make this guy look like the worst president who ever lived and in eight months, youll see  Trump will be president again. Joseph Dohner

Toe to toe

Bronx: The White House press secretary was asked by a reporter if President Biden would be willing to debate Donald Trump (face to face). She refused to give a yes or no, just some double-talk as she always does when asked the hard-to-answer questions. I think it would be great for the American people to see a debate between these two. It would give the people great input to watch their answers and how both men handle themselves under stress  and truth and lies. People will be able to choose who they think would be right for the job. Jimmy Durda

Dont stop now

Gambier, Ohio: Voicer Oren Spieglers heart is in the right place, but not his head. He wants to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians and is afraid that Israel carrying on what he wrongly calls Netanyahus war( when it is Hamas) will create bitterness and more war in the future. In fact, the only chance for peace in the future is to eliminate the Islamist death cult that is Hamas once and for all as the ruler of Gaza. A ceasefire now would allow Hamas to attack Israel again and again and force Israel to respond. Given that Hamas fights behind civilian shields in its tunnels, that would mean more dead Palestinians and Israelis and, yes, more bitterness. The main-force war is over, except for Rafah. To give Hamas a chance to revive at this point would be madness. Fred Baumann

Tastes great

Brooklyn: To Voicer Mary Caggiano: Heres the scoop (and my scoop is usually pistachio): Ketchup on my fries, mustard on my dog, syrup on my pancakes. Im going to blow your mind: Veggie cream cheese on an everything bagel. Lifes simple food pleasures. Mariann Tepedino
Winnie the peregrine falcon, a familiar sight in Winchester since 2011, has been found dead after a clash with a rival younger bird - Keith Betton/WESSEX NEWS AGENCY

For the past seven years, an imperious matriarch has presided over the ancient spires of Winchester Cathedral. Possessing an impeccable white and black mottled plumage, gleaming talons as gold as the 11th-century cathedrals ornate interiors and a fierce unblinking gaze, Winnie the peregrine falcon has ruled the rooftops with an unchallenged authority.

Since arriving at the cathedral in 2017, she has also amassed a devoted following of her own, with tens of thousands following her progress via the web cameras positioned upon her nesting site beneath the rose window on the cathedrals north facade.

Partners have come and gone. First there was Chester, with whom she nested between 2017 and 2021, then a feckless young male she evicted after he started stealing food, and finally William, named after the deep sea diver William Walker who, in the early 20th century, used his deep-water training to help shore up the cathedrals foundations which were sinking into peat and groundwater, and at risk of collapse.

Winnie with Chester, one of the male peregrines she partnered with, on Winchester Cathedral - SOLENT NEWS & PHOTO AGENCY

Such was the longevity of her reign, it was presumed nothing could topple her from her perch. But a few days ago, tragedy struck. After a mid-air tussle with another female eyeing up her nesting site, Winnies body was recovered from the grass underneath the spot where she had successfully bred several generations of chicks.

Winchester Cathedral, home to Winnie the peregrine falcon since 2017 - WESSEX NEWS AGENCY

Keith Betton, the 63-year-old chairman of the Hampshire Ornithological Society who has monitored Winnie for 14 years dating back to when she was previously nesting on the now demolished Winchester Police headquarters, retrieved her body from its final resting place.

Previously, he admits he has been reduced to tears at the mere prospect of losing Winnie, but rather than succumbing to grief he prefers to reflect instead on her extraordinary life. Having reared in the region of 27 chicks and outlived most other wild peregrines who typically make it to around 10-years-old, she was, he said after announcing her death, an ambassador for her species.

What also cushions the blow is that she is far from alone. Across Hampshire, Betton and his colleagues have recorded 25 peregrine breeding sites (of which 20 are regularly in use). Nationally, there are now in excess of 1,750 breeding pairs. Since the turn of the Millennium their numbers have increased by more than 22 per cent, with peregrines now having moved into the heart of our cities.

The birds have an eye for gothic grandeur  a pair now reside on the Palace of Westminster as well as a host of churches, cathedrals and university buildings across the country, from Salisbury to Sheffield.

Peregrines are equally at home on brutalist tower blocks such as Londons Charing Cross hospital where a pair called Tom and Azina are currently guarding two eggs. Out in the countryside, you will find them occupying electricity pylons, abandoned quarries and sea cliffs. With an effortless swish of their razor-blade wings, falcons now soar over every corner of the British Isles.

Winnie in previous years, staying close to her nest of eggs on Winchester Cathedral - SOLENT NEWS & PHOTO AGENCY

Peregrine falcons are the worlds fastest animal. When stooping (the name for when the birds dive after their prey) they have been recorded reaching speeds approaching 200mph. Over the course of the 20th century, their decline was similarly swift.

The birds have long been plagued by egg collectors pilfering their nests, then during the Second World War a bounty was placed upon their heads. Due to the predilection of the falcons for pigeon (among their favourite prey), it was feared they would destroy whole legions of carrier pigeons which were used to disseminate secret messages. In 1940, the wartime government imposed the Destruction of Peregrine Falcons Order, which encouraged the outright eradication of falcons, particularly along Englands south coast.

Their decline sharpened following the war. Industrial farming methods and, in particular, the now banned pesticide DDT, had a deleterious impact on peregrine populations by thinning the shells of their eggs. By 1963, around the time J A Baker wrote his seminal book, The Peregrine, around 80 per cent of the UK population had been lost.

However, greater protection for the birds under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act has led to a remarkable resurgence.

When Keith Betton started out birdwatching as a boy in southwest London, the only peregrines he would ever encounter were winter migrants from Scandinavia. Until 1993, when a pair nested on the now demolished Fawley Power station on the western shore of Southampton Water, they were not recorded breeding anywhere in Hampshire. It is a bird that has made its own way back, he says. Its had a bit of assistance but mostly it has done so by itself, on its own terms, without help from us.

Certainly, peregrines have proven themselves to be incredibly adaptable. In cities, the birds have been found to now hunt by street light, even catching bats. Meanwhile during lockdown, a dearth of urban pigeons who relocated due to the lack of food, meant the falcons started hunting invasive ring-necked parakeets instead.

Similarly back in Winchester, Winnies throne has already been occupied. In recent days a new female has settled in. Mel (named after Melesina Trench, eighteenth century Irish writer, diarist, poet and social campaigner whos Latin epitaph is still visible opposite the North Transept), has been sighted mating with William and is expected to lay a first clutch of eggs in the coming weeks.

A new dynasty is beginning in this ancient Hampshire seat, but the peregrines continue to rule the skies.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A repeat identity thief was sentenced to 79 months in prison, officials said.

According to the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office, Sarah Rebecca Salo, 46, committed numerous crimes involving identity theft and account takeovers where she impersonated people to steal from their bank accounts.

On February 15th, Salo was sentenced to 36 months for aggravated identity theft, 30 months served consecutively for unauthorized use of a vehicle, 13 months served consecutively for first-degree theft and two counts of identity theft, and 364 days served concurrently for giving false information to an officer in connection with a warrant.

Salo is also facing pending charges in Columbia County and the state of Washington.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
A woman stands on a platform at Berlin Central Station. In the wage dispute with Deutsche Bahn, the GDL union had called for 35-hour strikes in both passenger and freight transport. Even after the end of the strike, the basic timetable for long-distance services will continue to apply throughout Friday. Hannes P. Albert/dpa

Germany's chemical industry is warning of the economic consequences of the repeated strikes by the train drivers' union GDL in an ongoing dispute with state-owned railway operator Deutsche Bahn.

"Such actions will put a further heavy burden on Germany's already ailing economy. We simply can no longer afford a standstill on the railways," Wolfgang Groe Entrup, head of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), told dpa on Monday.

He appealed to those involved to "finally find a workable compromise after months of negotiations."

On Sunday, the GDL called for a strike affecting long-distance, regional and freight transport for 24 hours.

In passenger transport, the strike is to begin on Tuesday at 2 am (0100 GMT) and last for 24 hours. The strike in freight transport is set to begin on Monday at 6 pm.

For the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, the rail strikes announced "without sufficient warning" once again represent a major logistical challenge, the VCI head said.

"The restrictions and delays in rail logistics caused by the strike are difficult to compensate for," said Groe Entrup.

The railways are very important for the industry when it comes to supplying raw materials and shipping intermediate and finished products.

On a daily average, German chemical companies transport around 155,000 tons of chemicals, 23,000 tons of which is transported by rail, the VCI said based on figures for 2022.

The Deutsche Bahn logo hangs at the main station in Duisburg. Oliver Berg/dpa
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW)  The reward offered for the safe return of a missing violin has been increased to $2,500.

The beloved instrument, owned by Alan Choo, who is a member of the Cleveland group Apollos Fire Baroque Orchestra, was reported stolen during a daytime rehearsal last Friday. A book bag that had the mans ID and credit cards was also reported as taken.

JOANN Inc., fabric and craft company, files for bankruptcy

Reward offered for safe return of local violinist's missing instrument

According to a Cleveland Heights police report, Choo and his fellow group members left for lunch, leaving their gear in a rehearsal room at St. Pauls Episcopal Church on Fairmount Boulevard. Upon returning just before 1 p.m., Choo discovered his violin, bow, violin case and book bag were all missing from where he left them.

A church receptionist told police there were few people inside the building that day and that there was only way in and out of the building at that time.

Wireless earbuds left in the book bag (which Choo pinged) were able to lead investigators to an area on South Taylor Road at about 6 p.m. Friday. Officers reportedly checked a vehicle there, which matched a description of a car seen by a witness in the church parking lot, but found nothing. A search of a nearby apartment complex also came up short.

500-pound ball of pythons found in Florida marsh

Choo initially offered a $400 cash reward for the return of his violin and said he is not pursuing legal action.

The instrument holds significant emotional and artistic value to the owner, the reward flier reads.

Anyone with information is asked to call or text 347-722-1734.

In a post on Instagram, Choo said he remains hopeful hell get his instrument back, and is borrowing a violin for the time being.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
KHARTOUM, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The prolonged conflict in Sudan and its economic fallout have significantly impacted traditional Ramadan customs.

Many families in the capital, Khartoum, have been unable to engage in customary festivities, such as the preparation of Hulu-murr, a popular Sudanese beverage essential for breaking the fast.

This year, the absence of women's gatherings to craft Hulu-murr has been notable, reflecting broader societal disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict. Despite these challenges, some households in Khartoum have tried to maintain the tradition, albeit facing steep rises in the prices of Hulu-murr ingredients.

Hulu-murr, a mixture primarily made of sorghum flour and various spices, holds significant cultural importance during Ramadan.

Nawal Haroun, a 46-year-old housewife from the Al-Inqaz neighborhood, emphasized the cultural significance of Hulu-murr.

"Despite the adversities of war and economic strain, we have tried to produce limited quantities of the drink," she said.

Dawlat Omar, a 42-year-old resident of the Al-Nahda neighborhood, echoed similar sentiments, lamenting the subdued atmosphere this Ramadan, marked by the absence of customary gatherings. "The war, displacement, and the absence of neighbors have dimmed the usual vibrancy of Ramadan," she remarked.

Sudan has been mired in deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15, 2023. Recent estimates by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs suggest that more than 13,000 lives have been lost since the outbreak of violence. 
Have an event or announcement you would like featured in THE DIGEST? Its welcome! Please send an email to lbordelon@gannett.com. Time sensitive announcements should be sent a week ahead of time.

Stauntons Rodney Rhodes promoted

STAUNTON  A familiar face in Stauntons government has a new role.

Senior Planner Rodney Rhodes led the Planning and Zoning Division for the past seven years. On March 7, Rhodes was promoted to Director of Community Development, overseeing Planning and Zoning, Building Services, Environmental Programs, and Housing Programs.

I am excited for the opportunity to lead the great group of team members that have been assembled in the Community Development Department, said Rhodes. It is time to take the training wheels off the seven-year-old department and work towards a common vision and goals. Implementation of the various action items in the City Council adopted plans and studies will be a priority.

Rhodes has worked on a wide variety of projects for the city, giving a presentation on one subject or another in nearly every City Council meeting. These projects include the comprehensive plan, the Uniontown Neighborhood Action Plan, Staunton Crossing, and the West End Revitalization Strategy Plan.

The City and City Council have a much-needed focus on development, and hiring a full-time Director of Community Development is a key step, stated City Manager Leslie Beauregard. Rodney has already proved that he is a leader within our team and I look forward to seeing what else he can accomplish in this new role.

Rhodes regularly presents topics to the Staunton City Council.

Modine to expand, offer over 200 jobs in Rockbridge

Thermal management solutions leader to invest $18.1 million to increase capacity in Rockbridge County, creating 211 new jobs

RICHMOND  Governor Glenn Youngkin announced in a March 7 press release that Modine, a diversified global leader in innovative thermal management solutions, will invest $18.1 million to expand its Rockbridge County operation to increase capacity for the production of data center cooling equipment. The project will create 211 new jobs.

Virginia continues to be the epicenter for the data center industry, which makes it the perfect location for Modine to expand manufacturing capacity, said Governor Glenn Youngkin. Modines increased production of data center cooling equipment will meet the growing demand of this vital sector in the Commonwealth while creating high-quality 21st century jobs.

Modine has thrived in Rockbridge County for more than 60 years and continues to reinvest in the Commonwealth  the strongest testament to Virginias advantages, said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick.We encourage interested applicants to visit www.modineva.com to apply.

Modine is a global company headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin, with operations in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Rockbridge County and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $470,000 grant from the Commonwealths Opportunity Fund to assist Rockbridge County with this project.

Support for Modines job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners, with funding support from the Governors administration and the Virginia General Assembly. Launched in 2019, the program accelerates new facility start-ups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a companys unique products, processes, equipment, standards, and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.

Staunton Books and Tea planning soft opening

Staunton Books and Tea

Staunton Books and Tea announced on Facebook that it will hold a soft opening Sunday, March 17 at 34 E. Beverley St.

"We will share a cake to celebrate the Bronte's patriarchs 246th birthday and host a books sale and signing by Rachel Cantor, the author of 'Half-Life of a Stolen Sister.'"

The book signing is part of the 2024 Virginia Festival of the Book. Cantor will read from her book at 11 a.m. at the American Shakespeare Center before the signing at Staunton Books and Tea.

Owner Julia Sabin told the News Leader that the event is just a soft opening and they will continue building the business, with plans to start serving drinks and light desserts this fall.

The News Leader will be talking more with Sabin soon and will have more information on the new book store.

Shenandoah National Park plans prescribed burn

LURAY  Fire managers at Shenandoah National Park plan to burn approximately 88 acres of Big Meadows sometime between March 11 and April 15, weather permitting, according to a press release.

A notice will be posted on social media when a date is finalized. A portion of Big Meadows (mile 51 on Skyline Drive), the open area across from Byrd Visitor Center, is burned each year for the purpose of maintaining the open vista by preventing encroachment from small trees and shrubs.

Fire managers anticipate one day of operations to complete the project. Prescribed burns are ignited by fire managers under a pre-determined set of conditions, including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, fuel moisture and resource availability. Prescribed burns will be conducted as interagency projects, with local support, under the guidance and direction of trained and experienced National Park Service personnel.

Smoke from the burn may be visible in and around the Big Meadows area, the release said. Visitors driving in areas of smoke should take additional care by slowing down and ensuring their headlights are on. All park facilities will remain open during the prescribed burn. Access to Big Meadows will be restricted during the burn.

Virginia Festival of the Book comes to Staunton

STAUNTON  Two Virginia Festival of the Book authors are passing up the main Charlottesville location to come to Staunton this week.

Weve had folks asking about it again, if were going to have any festival preview events, so were really excited to be able to say, Yes we are. says Ali McCue, Public Services Librarian at the Staunton Public Library.

First, Mojgan Ghazirad will read from her autobiographical novel The House on Sun Street at the Staunton Public Library on Tuesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. The press release explains, Her novel explores the experience of a young girl and her family during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, a period that marked a cataclysmic change in the rights of women.

Second, Rachel Cantor will read from her novel, Half-Life of a Stolen Sister, at the American Shakespeare Center on Sunday, March 17, at 11 a.m. The press release reads, Cantors book reimagines the lives of 19th-century poets and novelists, the Bronte sisters. This reading will be interspersed with performances of Wuthering Heights by local actors from Staunton organization The Off Center. This will be followed by a book signing.

Details on all 2024 Virginia Festival of the Book events are available at VaBook.org.

For more information on the Staunton Public Library, go to www.StauntonLibrary.org.

Contest calls for Virginia photographers

VIRGINIA  Virginia photographers are eligible to join the Chesapeake Bay Foundations annual Save The Bay Photo Contest.

Photographers from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. are eligible to enter the competition with photos illustrating the plants, animals, and people that rely on the the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The beauty of the Bay is captured best by our everyday interactions with it, said Jennifer Wallace, CBFs senior creative project manager and contest organizer. That is proven to me every year when submissions for the photo contest roll in. I am always amazed by the talent of each contestant and the benefits these photos have for our mission to save the bay.

The winners will receive a one-year membership to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and cash prizes ranging from $100 to $500. The deadline for submissions is March 29. After a foundation panel narrows down the entries, the public will vote on the winners in the Viewers Choice Gallery from April 8 to April 30.

More information and submission instructions can be found at cbf.org/photocontest.

Waynesboro announces Hopeman Bridge traffic delays

WAYNESBORO  Hopeman Bridge construction on Ivy Street will cause traffic delays throughout the March 11 week, until March 15.

Traffic delays are a necessary but frustrating part of road projects, reads the citys announcement. Drive carefully and be on the lookout for flaggers or traffic signage indicating traffic pattern changes. Please pay attention to flaggers and avoid the area if at all possible. Thank you for your patience.

VDOT traffic alert for March 11 to March 15

STAUNTON  The following is a list of highway work that may affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks. Scheduled work is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. When traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.

AUGUSTA COUNTY

INTERSTATE 64

*NEW* Mile marker 90 to 93, eastbound and westbound  Overnight single lane closures for inspection of Route 285 overpass bridge, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday night (March 17).

INTERSTATE 81

*NEW* Mile marker 206 to 205, southbound  No lane closures but survey work in right of way, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Mile marker 212 to 214, northbound  Overnight single lane closures for maintenance to Route 11 bridge, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Wednesday night.

*UPDATE* Mile marker 221 to 227, northbound and southbound  Overnight right lane and shoulder closures for shoulder strengthening and moving equipment, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through night of March 25. Daytime shoulder closures for tree removal and maintenance operations, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Thursday. Work is related to I-81 widening project.

PRIMARY ROADS

Route 11 (Lee Highway)  Northbound right lane closures between Route 940 (Dick Huff Lane) and Staunton city limits for sidewalk installation, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through May 24.

Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway)  Eastbound and westbound left shoulder closures due to widening project in the area of the Route 252 (Middlebrook Avenue) interchange, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. through April 30.

*NEW* Route 340 (Stuarts Draft Highway)  Flagger traffic control between Route 831 (Old White Hill Road) and Route 655 (Walnut Hills Road) for tree removal operations, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

*NEW* Route 340 (East Side Highway)  Flagger traffic control between Route 778 (Harriston Road) and Route 1343 (Northwood Drive) for tree removal operations, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SECONDARY ROADS

*NEW* Route 602 (Summerdean Road)  Utility work in right of way between Route 682 (McKinley Road) and Route 677 (Shemariah Road), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 11  March 28.

Route 624 (South Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro)  Shoulder closures between South Oak Lane and Chinquapin Drive for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through May 30, 2025.

Route 635 (Barterbrook Road)  Closed between I-81 frontage roads (FR-217 and FR-218) for bridge replacement as part of I-81 southbound auxiliary lane project. Follow posted detour. Expected completion summer 2025.

Route 664 (Mount Torrey Road)  Shoulder closures and occasional flagger traffic control between Route 624 (Lyndhurst Road) and Route 894 (Mount Torrey Road) for water line installation, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 29. Estimated completion summer 2024.

Route 664 (Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro)  Shoulder closures between Miami Avenue and Purdue Street for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through June 30, 2025.

Route 675 (Broadhead School Road)  Flagger traffic control between Route 11 (Lee-Jackson Highway) and Route 604 (McClures Mill Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.

Route 778 (Knightly Mill Road)  Middle River bridge closed beginning Wednesday, February 28. Traffic can use nearby Route 774 (Cline River Road) bridge.

Route 795 (Entry School Road)  Flagger traffic control between Route 608 (Long Meadow Road) and Route 640 (Old White Bridge Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.

Route 796 (Kiddsville Road)  Flagger traffic control between Route 797 (Miller Road) and Route 608 (Long Meadow Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.

Various roads  Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for drainage work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Rhodes promoted, company to invest $18 million in Rockbridge: THE DIGEST
On Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the deployment of 1,000 state personnel to conduct mandatory baggage checks at subway stations around New York City.

She made the announcement as part of a new, five-point plan aimed at shoring up safety in the subway system. Hochul said these measures were being implemented, in part, due to recent assaults on the subway, referencing one incident where a subway employee was "slashed in the neck," and another incident where a rider was pushed onto the tracks.

"These brazen, heinous attacks on our subway system will not be tolerated," she said.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 6: New York State Police, MTAPD and New York National Guard patrol and conduct container inspections at Grand Central Station on March 6, 2024 in New York City. Hochul announced that 1,000 New York State Police, MTAPD and the New York National Guard will be used to support the NYPD in conducting bag checks. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)

In 2024 so far, crime is up 13% in the New York City transit system compared to the same time period last year, according to statistics provided by the New York City Police Department. This, as crime in most other major categories has either fallen or risen to a much lesser extent: Housing-related crime is down 5% and retail theft is up only 4%.

But the widespread implementation of bag searches in the subway system is raising concerns about rider privacy. In general, people are protected from government searches by the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The current system for searching riders' bags was devised by the NYPD in the years following the 9/11 terror attacks.

At the time, the New York Civil Liberties Union sued the city, claiming that the program's indiscriminate use of bag searches was unconstitutional. However, in 2006 a federal appeals court upheld the NYPD's program, which appears to be the model for this week's announcement.

We spoke with Christopher Dunn, NYCLU's legal director, and Ricardo Bascuas, a professor at the University of Miami School of Law, to understand more about your rights as a New Yorker and a subway rider if you encounter a bag search checkpoint.

Can I refuse a bag search?

Under the NYPD's program, riders are absolutely allowed to refuse a search. If they do so, they must exit the subway system.

"Under the terms of the program, you are free to leave and they can take no action," said Dunn.

The appeals court opined in 2006 that riders may not re-enter the system in order to evade the search, or they could be arrested. But it remains unclear how and when a rider is allowed to re-enter the subway after refusing a search.

More: New York City police have to track the race of people they stop. Will others follow suit?

More: NYC councilman Yusef Salaam was pulled over by NYPD  while on a call about police stops

What are police allowed to search for?

The appeals court upheld the NYPD's search program because it only permitted officers to search large compartments, and only to discover explosive devices. Clearly, Hochul's announcement was not meant to target explosive devices but weapons and other dangerous implements.

Dunn nevertheless argues that the bounds of any search must adhere to the terms of the program that was upheld in 2006.

"Under the terms of the program that was endorsed by the court, all they were allowed to do... was search containers that might have explosives," Dunn explained. "Nothing in the prior litigation endorses them going into people's small bags, handbags, wallets and small pouches."

If a police officer attempts to engage in a search that is more invasive than what is allowed, a rider can object to the officer's conduct. Ultimately, the rider may have to leave the subway system and voice their concerns after the fact.

Part of the reason why the appeals court upheld the NYPD's program was because officers could not "intentionally look for other contraband" beyond what was being targeted by the search. However, officers could arrest an individual if they "incidentally" discovered unrelated contraband.

Bascuas explained that the NYPD should not be using the random searches as an excuse to detect drugs or other contraband.

"As long as there's no evidence that they're using these searches pretextually to target people for low-level crimes, like things that don't involve weapons or assaults, then it's very much in line with what we do at airports everyday," he said.

But because we do not know precisely what the NYPD is targeting with these new searches, it is difficult to know when they are stepping out of the bounds of what is legally permissible.

Do I have to identify myself?

"Nobody is required to have an ID in New York. That's not a lawful request," Dunn said. "You certainly can't have any law enforcement action taken against you for not having ID, and there's no requirement to produce ID."

Further, Dunn explained that you do not have to identify yourself to a police officer conducting the search.

What if I believe I am being targeted by the police?

Under the terms of the program, police "exercise no discretion in selecting whom to search," according to the 2006 court case. The randomness of the searches and lack of discretion of individual officers are key reasons why the search program is constitutional, according to Bascuas.

But New York has been ensnared in allegations that it illegally targets certain people for police activity. In 2013, a federal judge declared the NYPD's notorious "stop and frisk" program unconstitutional because it illegally targeted Black and Hispanic New Yorkers.

And NYCLU did end up suing the NYPD over claims that its client, Jangir Sultan, had his bag searched 21 times over three years under the original bag search program. According to the group, the odds that Sultan would have been chosen at random that many times is around 1 in 165 million.

Bascuas explained that the only way to know whether the NYPD is illegally targeting individuals is to keep a statistical eye on the kinds of criminal cases that are referred from the search program.

"I think you just have to look at the kinds of crimes they are prosecuting as a result of these searches," he said.

Can I record my encounters with the police?

You have a right under the First Amendment and the New York State Civil Rights Law to record your interactions with the police. In addition, New York City law requires that police officers identify themselves, if requested, during a bag search.

According to Dunn, the right to record police encounters does not disappear when entering the subway system.

What can I do if I was treated unfairly?

If you believe the police are conducting an illegal search or are targeting you based on a protected characteristic, you can voice your objection during the search or withdraw your consent and leave the subway.

After the fact, you can file a complaint with the Civilian Complaint Review Board regarding an NYPD officer's conduct. If the officer involved is a state trooper or national guardsman, you can file a civilian complaint with those respective agencies.

Additionally, you can consult an attorney and consider filing a lawsuit against the officer and agency responsible for the search. You can also file a civil action if the police illegally confiscate an item you are permitted to own and possess.

If you believe the police have acted improperly during a bag search, you can contact this reporter at astockler@lohud.com for further investigation.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NYC subway bag search: Can I refuse? What are my rights to privacy?
PROVIDENCE  Alongside Route 146 and its on-ramp from Douglas Avenue, a collection of squat white buildings has appeared, with a new road leading down to the 4-acre clearing on state land where Echo Village is rising.

The boxy buildings off Victor Street sit on a gravel pad built up from the grassy area around it, buffeted by the sounds of the highway.

These "pallet shelters" should, in the spring, become 45 temporary homes to Providence's, and the state's, ever-swelling unhoused and unsheltered population. The number of people living outside ("unsheltered") is up 370% over 2019, according to the 2023 point-in-time count.

House of Hope is running the project, having been awarded a state contract.

A view from afar of the pallet-shelter Echo Village taking shape on state land off Route 146 in Providence.

Pallet shelters are a long time coming

While it was still in the planning phase in January, Echo Village appears nearly ready now, even if there is more construction to be done.

The company that manufactures the shelters deployed a team a month ago to set up all of the housing structures. There will be additional office structures on the site  a community room and sanitary facilities, including bathrooms, showers and laundry units, House of Hope executive director Laura Jaworski said.

She said she has been working with company representatives for the past 3 years, trying to get the shelters into Rhode Island. In that time, the shelter designs have evolved and become more adaptable to climate extremes, both hot and cold. She has also been talking to communities that have used the shelters in the United States and Canada.

Burlington, Vermont, has set up the same type of units, called "pod shelters."

"At the end of the day, we're building a dignified space that supports giving humanity back to people who've had it stripped away," Jaworski said.

A closer view of the pallet shelters, at 70 square feet each roughly the size of a small cabin tent, showing the air conditioners high on the walls.

The complex will add 45 units to a shelter system that is badly strained, and those who do get beds will be the people with the greatest need.

The state had 1,417 shelter beds as of January, up from 1,125 in October 2023. Of those beds, 91% are being utilized, according to the latest data provided by the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness.

At the same time, the number of people on the waiting list grew to 830 grouped into 519 households, including 60 households with children, 134 households without children, 323 singles and two households still to be determined.

While the number of people in households with children seeking shelter has decreased, the total number of people seeking shelter has gone up 31% since October.

Will it ease homelessness? State chooses Providence site for village of 45 pallet shelters.

In an old neighborhood, sewer connections should be easy

The 4-acre area of land was once a neighborhood that was taken down to build Route 146. As crews prepared the site, they found the sewer lines are intact and should be easy to connect to.

Clean soil had to be brought into the site because the soil had a low level of contamination, about the same found anywhere in Providence, Jaworski said.

Recent storms gave crews a perfect opportunity to see what happens to the site in heavy rain, and it appears to have good drainage. The clean fill was used to built the site up. The state also built an access road down to the site from Victor Street, behind the Foxy Lady, an area with a few homes and lots of vehicle-repair shops.

Power has not been run to the site yet.

What is required before the site can open?

"We're working through the approval process with fire and building code officials so we can move to the next phase and start to get the site prepared, connected and move closer to occupancy," Jaworski said.

Engineers, state officials, local officials and contractors have been working toward getting the site, and the shelters, approved. Part of the problem is that both are a new type of facility that hasn't been presented before in the state, and they are figuring out how fire and other safety codes accommodate them, she said.

"The question is, how do we, in essence, fit a round peg in a square hole?" she said.

What's in the shelters?

Each shelter, 70 square feet, is equipped with:

Electrical outlets

An AC unit

A heating unit

A bed, with linens provided by House of Hope

Windows

Shelving

A door that locks

"One of the really important pieces is a door that locks," she said. "The folks we've been working with have not had the ability to create their own safety or manage their agency, so that's a big factor."

How much is the contract for?

The contract through the state Office of Housing is for $3 million. Of that, $1 million is budgeted for the shelters and the site, including the housing structures ($15,000 per unit), and the showers, bathrooms, community room, laundry spaces and office spaces, and the cost of shipping them to the site.

Another chunk of money is budgeted for construction at the site, including the road.

A smaller portion of the money is budgeted for operations, including 24-hour onsite staffing, toiletries, meals and utilities.

Meeting people where they are

The program was created with the people it is serving in mind, Jaworski said, and intended to lower the barrier to entry. That means allowing couples to live there, each with their own unit, and allowing pets. That also means there will be a dog run. There will be rules in the space, she said.

"When we hear all these things being repeated as barriers  dogs, partners or people who have significant respiratory illness and if they get exposed, they can die, so they can't be in a room with 100 other people, or people who can't plug in their CPAP machine because it's not near an outlet in the shelter," Jaworski said.

Throughout her work, Jaworski said, she has found that once people transition from living outdoors to their own safe shelter space, they sleep for days because they are finally living somewhere safe.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Providence Journal subscription. Here's our latest offer.

Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com or follow him on Twitter @WheelerReporter.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI's first pallet shelter neighborhood will open in Providence this spring
A gang member will spend 30 years in prison for a deadly shooting in downtown Kennewick two years ago.

Judge Sam Swanberg handed down the sentence for Ramon Candido, 28, late last week following a December trial. The jury found Candido guilty of second-degree murder and illegally gun possession.

Candido opened fire on two rival gang members at the intersection of First Avenue and Dayton Street in April 2022, killing Ezekiel Sanchez, 25.

The sentence had an extra year beyond the maximum Washington sentencing guidelines because the jury found Candido showed an egregious lack of remorse, according to court documents.

Deputy Prosecutor Brittnie Roehm had asked for three additional years to be added to the 29-year maximum. The maximum included an additional five years for using a gun in his crime.

Prosecutors argued during the 2-week trial that Candido was gang member who took an opportunity to kill a rival.

Sanchez, who was tied to the 2019 murder of a pregnant woman, had problems, but relatives said he still is missed daily. They said during the sentencing that Sanchezs death had left an immeasurable loss in their lives, Roehm told the Herald.

Defense attorneys and Candido tried to say he was attempting to defend himself and his family from the two rivals who were looking to harm them.

Candidos now wife, Beatriz Terrazas, blamed the driver of the other car, Alexis Talavera-Gonzalez, whom she said triggered the confrontation.

Downtown Kennewick shooting

Candidos trial focused on what happened when the two cars arrived at the intersection of First Avenue and Dayton Street in Kennewick.

Talavera-Gonzalez was driving a Kia Sorrento with Sanchez in the passenger seat after theyd spent the afternoon at Coyote Bobs casino.

Candido was driving a Chrysler Pacifica. His then girlfriend, now wife, Beatriz Terrazas, was in the passenger seat, and her 4-year-old daughter was in back.

When they crossed paths, Candido fired a shot that hit and killed Sanchez, Deputy Prosecutor Tyler Grandgeorge said during the trial.

Candido took off and fired another shot at the men. Talavera-Gonzalez initially chased after him before heading toward an emergency room on Highway 395 and 19th Avenue, but Sanchez couldnt be saved.

Self-defense claim

Terrazas and Candido testified at the trial that Sanchez and Talavera-Gonzalez were yelling and threatening them.

She testified that while she didnt see the other men with guns, she saw them reaching for something.

She crawled into the backseat to protect her daughter, she testified, and heard the shot, but didnt see anyone get hit.

Defense attorney Hayden Sebald pointed out during opening statements that the three men used to be part of the same gang until Candido split off to join a rival group.

Sanchez was part of a group caught on camera stalking and fatally shooting a 20-year-old woman walking with her boyfriend in an east Kennewick neighborhood.

According to one person initially accused in the shooting, Sanchez fired shots at 20-year-old Andrea Nunez but he was never charged with the crime.
TechCrunch Mobility is a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things transportation. Sign up here  just click TechCrunch Mobility  to receive the newsletter every weekend in your inbox. Subscribe for free.

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility  your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation.

This week, it was all about Rivian and its splashy reveal of not one, but three future EVs. I attended the event to see the vehicles up close. Perhaps, more importantly, I also went to talk to executives, investors and customers to get a better understanding of where Rivian is headed and how folks are feeling about this EV upstart that is still far from turning a profit. I even ran into former Waymo CEO and now Rivian board member John Krafcik who was in attendance and cast a positive tone about the company's future.

I also interviewed founder and CEO RJ Scaringe after the event. Much of our conversation centered around the R2 and a big and hopefully fruitful bet to shift production to its existing factory in Normal, Illinois instead of a yet-to-be-built plant in Georgia. Stay tuned in the next day or so for a complete rundown of the interview. I will give you one teaser: relevancy was a theme.

Check out our coverage of the R2 reveal, the surprise R3 and R3x, how reservations are going and a fun cinematic feature found in one of the many R2 "adventure" accessories.

This week's news also includes articles about GM resuming sales of Chevrolet Blazer, a financial update from Turo, another EV reveal that showed a little muscle and more!

One more thing ... I'll be in Austin for SXSW this coming week.

I am moderating two panels, and I hope to see your smiling faces in the audience. The first panel, at 4 p.m. March 12, is entitled How Sustainable Mobility is Transforming the Last-Mile of Delivery and will feature Shawn Xu of Lowercarbon Capital, Anjali Naik of Cartken and Abby Wheeler of Uber.

The following day, and also at 4 p.m., I will moderate a panel called Mobility at the Speed of Trust: AV Purpose, Policy, and Performance with Darran Anderson, who is director of strategy and innovation at Texas DOT, Jay Blazek Crossley of Farm&City and Katrin Lohmann, who is president of Volkswagen ADMT.

Please say hi if you're in town!

A little bird

blinky cat bird green

No little birds this week  at least ones that provided verifiable information I could share. Y'all have shared lots of spicy rumors though! Please keep reaching out; no tip is too small.

What I can share is an overview of the conversations I overheard at the Rivian R2 reveal, which was held March 7 at the South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach, California. (Rivian bought and restored the theater last year).

Among staff, from the lowly to the higher ups, there was a mix of excitement and relief once the event was over. The mood was positive, but some employees were clearly still processing the layoffs that occurred recently. I heard from a few folks that upper execs had underestimated the buzz around the R3 and R3X  the two surprise reveals. Importantly, the R3 and R3x vehicles don't have a production date. (At least not a public one.)

The guests I spoke to or overheard talking  a combination of media, loyal customers and investors  were overwhelming positive about what they saw. There were a few grumbles about the location of the charging port and I heard more than a few wonder if Rivian could hold on financially through 2026, when the company is expected to begin production of the R2.

Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or Sean O'Kane sean.okane@techcrunch.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, click here to contact us, which includes SecureDrop (instructions here) and various encrypted messaging apps.

Deal of the week

money the station

Will Turo ever IPO? Fellow TechCrunch reporter Alex Wilhelm and I have a running joke about the company's long-delayed IPO; the company first filed an S-1 to go public in early 2022, and continues to update the document quarterly in preparation for an eventual offering. Alas, the venture-backed, peer-to-peer car rental service updated the S-1 once again with its fourth-quarter and full-year financial performance.

That suggests, as Wilhelm notes, that a public offering is still a key priority for Turo. Why else bother with the added paperwork?

While this isn't a deal, per se, I do think it's worth highlighting how the company is faring, per its latest financial reporting.

Turo saw an 18% uptick in year-over-year revenue to $879.8 million. That seems like good news until you look at Turo's growth rate, which has dramatically declined in the last two years. Revenue growth did perk up a bit in Q4 2023 compared to the same quarter the previous year, a data point that could help it argue to public-market investors that its deceleration is not necessarily irreversible, Wilhelm wrote.

Also, Turo is actually profitable, which is no small thing. Gross margins did devolve from 54.3% in 2022 to 51.4% in 2023 and the company posted its smallest operating profit since 2020 last year. However, Turo is still in the black and that has me betting that an IPO is coming in 2024.

Other deals that got my attention ...

REE, an automotive technology company and makes full by-wire electric trucks and platforms, closed its public offering of 2.3 million Class A ordinary shares, raising about $14.95 million. Multiple investors participated in the round, led by M&G Investment Management, REE's largest shareholder.

Serve Robotics, an autonomous sidewalk delivery company, qualified to trade on the OTCQB Venture Market operated by the OTC Markets Group Inc. The company's common shares are now trading on the OTCQB under the ticker symbol "SBOT."

Notable reads and other tidbits

Apps

Uber Eats has added a live location-sharing capability to help couriers find customers in difficult-to-find locations, including public places such as campus courtyards, parks and playgrounds.

Waze launched a few new features to help users navigate tricky roundabouts, get alerts when a speed limit is about to change and get warnings about speed bumps and sharp curves. Question for readers: Am I the only one surprised that Google hasn't killed off Waze?

Autonomous vehicles

Baidu's autonomous ride hailing platform Apollo Go is now offering 24/7 autonomous driving rides in selected areas of Wuhan, China. This is the third major operational expansion of Baidu's robotaxi service in 2024. The company was recently approved for robotaxi pilot operation on highways to Beijing Daxing Airport.

Waymo said it will start letting its autonomous vehicles traverse Austin without a safety operator behind the wheel, a crucial step before the company opens the program up to the public. The announcement comes less than a week after the Alphabet-owned company received a critical permit that allows it to charge for robotaxi rides in Los Angeles, San Francisco highways and the greater SF Peninsula.

Electric vehicles, batteries & charging

Faraday Future hit a new not-so-desirable milestone. The troubled EV company issued its first recall that covers all 11 vehicles  yes less than a dozen  it built last year. The recall centers around a problem with the warning light for the airbags in the company's FF91 SUV.

General Motors resumed sales of the Chevrolet Blazer EV -- and at a cheaper price -- more than two months after the automaker pulled the vehicle over software problems.

Rad Power Bikes launched four new e-bikes and a newly engineered battery equipped with thermal resistant technology to prevent overheating or fires. The new batteries are potted with a heat-absorbing resin that protects against corrosion and overheating, according to the company. It encapsulates each battery cell, and if overheating occurs, the resin is supposed to stop the thermal event from spreading.

Stellantis introduced two all-electric versions of the Dodge Charger packed with the kind of features muscle car fans have come to expect -- right down to a system that tries to mimic the rumble of a Hemi V-8 engine. Will the performance benefits in the all-electric Dodge Charger be enough to woo customers who are emotionally attached to the grumbling gas-powered version? I'm not so sure.

Tesla's factory outside Berlin, Germany was forced to shut down after a suspected arson attack on the local power grid. The shutdown, which was expected to last at least a week, could cost the company an estimated $100 million.

This week's wheels

Rivian R1S EV charging

Image Credits: Kirsten Korosec

What better way to get to the Rivian R2 event than to drive a Rivian R1S SUV? The company offered up one of the vehicles from its press fleet and I jumped at the opportunity. Why? I haven't driven a Rivian in more than a year, I wanted to test the Rivian EV charging network and see how recent software updates have changed the vehicle experience. Plus, I wanted to spend time in the third-row R1S ahead of the company's reveal of the R2, which is a smaller, more affordable SUV.

Quick thoughts:

I applaud a recent software update that added a new vehicle icon on the upper-left corner of the infotainment screen, and gives users quick access to some controls like opening the charge port or front truck as well as other shortcuts for car wash and pet mode.

I still and will always loathe the lack of a physical toggle to move the HVAC vents. This is my hill to die on.

The advanced driver assistance system is better, but still needs improvement. The vehicle still slightly ping pongs within the lane when the lane keeping feature is on and the torque sensor on the steering wheel is far too sensitive to my liking. I accidentally disengaged the ADAS several times. I did appreciate that the lane keeping and adaptive cruise control stayed on and did not disengage when I put my indicator on and moved into another lane. Neat!

The Rivian EV charger, or "adventure network" as it is branded, was easy to use and went smoothly. It was not the fastest charge; I pulled up to 120 kw. However, I was able to park and plug without the hassle of using a credit card or app. I am curious to test what the experience is like for non-Rivian owners. Unsurprisingly, I had some issues at my next stop, where I powered up the vehicle using an Electrify America charger. Two of the charging ports were not working, the app wouldn't communicate with the charger and I ended up just using my credit card instead.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  A man was stabbed and seven e-bikes were stolen by an armed robbery crew that was targeting delivery workers in Manhattan last month, authorities said Monday.

The crew is sought in nine incidents from Feb. 19 to Feb. 29, including four in one day, according to the NYPD. The suspects threatened the workers with either a knife, gun, or razor blades before robbing them in the area of West 119th to West 130th streets in Manhattan, police said.

Man accused of pushing girlfriend onto Manhattan subway tracks pleads not guilty

In one of the incidents, the suspects stabbed a 41-year-old delivery worker in the back near 107 West 119th St. at around 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 29, according to the NYPD. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The crew didnt steal anything from the man but stole three e-bikes from three other delivery workers on the same day, police said. Those workers were not attacked, police said.

The suspects, who are still at large, were also connected to four additional e-bike thefts in Upper Manhattan, police said.

The NYPD released photos of the suspects sought in the incidents.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Robert Downey Jr. has accomplished many things during his acting career, and now he can add Oscar winner to his list.

The 58-year-old won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Christopher Nolans blockbuster, Oppenheimer.

When Downey hit the stage to accept his award, he gave the audience plenty of laughs.

Id like to thank my terrible childhood, and The Academy, Downey said, drawing laughter from the audience. In that order.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA  MARCH 10: Robert Downey Jr. accepts the Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Oppenheimer during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA  MARCH 10: Robert Downey Jr. accepts the Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Oppenheimer onstage during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

The Hollywood icon then went on to praise his wife for everything she has done for him.

Id like to thank my veterinarian, I meant wife, Downey joked. Susan Downey over there, she found me a snarling rescue pet, and you loved me back to life. Thats why Im here.

Downey said the work actors do is important and he also thanked many of the cast and crew from Oppenheimer.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Robert Hur, the former Trump-appointed US Attorney who declined to prosecute President Joe Biden after classified materials were found in his Delaware home and a former office in Washington, DC, will appear before the House Judiciary Committee as a private citizen who has surrounded himself with Republican partisans and notorious figures linked to former president Donald Trump as he prepares for his Tuesday appearance before the House Judiciary Committee.

According to multiple sources familiar with Mr Hurs plans, the special counsel, who is appearing before the Judiciary Committee at the request of the Republican majority led by Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, has arranged his departure from the Department of Justice to be official as of Monday 11 March, one day before he is scheduled to appear on Capitol Hill.

Instead of appearing as a DOJ employee who is bound by the ethical guidelines which govern the behaviour of federal prosecutors, he will appear as a private citizen with no constraints on his testimony.

A Judiciary Committee source said Mr Hurs departure from government service the day before he testifies is a major red flag for Democrats on the panel.

That makes it even more problematic from our perspective ... if he was still a federal employee, DOJ would have to approve his testimony and theyd be involved in his appearance tomorrow, they said.

In addition to the timing of his departure raising alarms among the Judiciary Committee minority, sources have also been alarmed by Mr Hurs choice of associates during the lead-up to his appearance.

In preparing for the hearing, Mr Hur has turned to William Burck, a veteran Washington lawyer with deep ties to the Republican political establishment to serve as his counsel during his testimony before the committee.

Mr Burck is a former federal prosecutor who served on the team responsible for prosecuting media personality Martha Stewart during his tenure as an Assistant US Attorney in the Southern District of New York. But he left the department in 2005 for a position in the White House, where he served as a Deputy Counsel to then-president George W Bush, then later as a Special Counsel to Mr Bush and a deputy White House Staff Secretary.

Though he has been in private practice since Mr Bush left office in 2009, Mr Burck has retained ties to the former president and remains well-connected in Republican political circles.

During the DOJ probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election led by former FBI director Robert Mueller, Mr Burck represented three Trump White House officials, Mr Trumps first White House counsel, Don McGahn, his first chief of staff, Reince Priebus, and his 2016 campaign chairman and White House chief strategist, Steve Bannon. And he has served as a board member of the Fox Corporation, operator of the right-wing, Republican-aligned Fox News Channel, since 2021.

Upon Mr Bushs departure from the White House he designated Mr Burck as one of his official representatives to the National Archives and Records Administration. He has retained that position to this day, and he gained a measure of notoriety in the role in mid to late 2018, when he was put in charge of reviewing more than 100,000 pages of Bush-era records related to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs work in the Bush White House as a deputy White House counsel.

Mr Burck, as Mr Bushs representative, advised the Trump White House to invoke executive privilege to prevent Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee from reviewing the documents during Mr Kavanaughs confirmation process after Mr Trump nominated him to serve on the Supreme Court.

At the time, he said in a letter explaining the decision that the records which were withheld from the Senate reflect deliberations and candid advice concerning the selection and nomination of judicial candidates, the confidentiality of which is critical to any presidents ability to carry out this core constitutional executive function.

Mr Hur and Mr Burck do not appear to have ever worked together directly, but on Mr Burcks LinkedIn page, Mr Hur is listed as having endorsed his litigation skills.

A Judiciary Committee source noted that both men have long histories as Republican partisans, citing Mr Hurs work as Principle Associate Deputy Attorney General at a time when then-Attorney General William Barr was working to minimise political damage to Mr Trump from the report produced by the Mueller investigation and Mr Burcks efforts to block Senate Democrats from viewing the Bush-era documents related to now-Justice Kavanaugh.

The source told The Independent that Mr Hurs legal team has not been particularly communicative with the Democratic side of the panel during the run-up to the former special counsels testimony.

Hannah Muldavin, a spokesperson for the Congressional Integrity Project, told The Independent in a statement that Mr Hurs choice of associates marks him as a player on Mr Trumps team instead of the nonpartisan prosecutor he is supposed to be.

Despite recommending no criminal charges against Joe Biden, Robert Hur decided to make unnecessary, partisan, political attacks against the President in his report. The partisan political operatives Hur has enlisted to help him prepare for his testimony only underscores how this Trump-appointed, lifelong Republican is yet another player in the MAGA effort to aide Donald Trump and hurt Joe Biden in the 2024 election, she said.

Another source told The Independent that committee members have taken note of Mr Hurs team and are expecting him to attempt to inflict as much political harm on Mr Biden as he possibly can.

Where people like .... Bill Burck come in is to help him weaponise the report he wrote in order to damage the president, they said.

Someone like Bob Muller, like probably didn't do a ton of prep, and he certainly didn't do prep with, you know, partisan operatives.

The person added that committee members expect Mr Hur to double down on his descriptions of Mr Biden as a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory even though former prosecutors and legal ethics experts have said his comments about Mr Biden violated Justice Department guidelines on disparaging persons who were not to be charged with crimes.

He's gonna try to defend all that stuff. He's gonna find every opportunity to smear the president as incompetent, they said.

An earlier version of this story said Mr Hur had been working with former Trump Justice Department official Sarah Isgur to prepare for his appearance. Ms Isgur, now a senior editor for The Dispatch, was approached by Mr Hur but declined to assist him in any way. We regret the error.
TRIPOLI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, on Sunday voiced concern over the country's political stalemate, urging the formation of a unified government to pave the way for holding elections.

Bathily had a meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah here, during which they examined Libya's political, security, and economic situation, and discussed ways to move the political process forward through a political settlement.

"I reiterated my concern regarding the current political stalemate and its consequences on the security and economic situation of ordinary Libyans and renewed my call on all Libyan leaders to rise to the challenge and agree on a unified government to lead the country to elections," said Bathily on X.

During a meeting with members of the High Council of State on Saturday, Bathily emphasized the urgent need to implement the election laws and form a unified government.

Libya failed to hold general elections in December 2021 as scheduled due to disagreements over election laws among Libyan parties. 
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  After eight years of serving the City of Bakersfield, K9 officer Rocco is set to retire Monday, according to a social media post.

According to police, Rocco joined the department in April of 2016.

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The navies of Russia, China, and Iran will hold joint exercises in the Gulf of Oman, the countries' defense ministries said on March 11.

The three countries have conducted similar joint naval exercises in the past, including in 2023.

The exercises, dubbed "Maritime Security Belt - 2024," will involve ships and planes.

"The main purpose of the maneuvers is to work out the safety of maritime economic activity," Russia's Defense Ministry said.

Beijing has maintained close ties with Moscow during its full-scale war against Ukraine, increasing economic cooperation and disrupting Western attempts at isolating Russia. It has nonetheless refrained from openly supporting Russia's war against Ukraine.

Despite promises to remain neutral, the Telegraph and other media have reported that China has been secretly sending weapons to Russia.

Iran and Russia have deepened their military and political cooperation since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Iran has provided Russia with thousands of Shahed-type drones used in airstrikes against Ukraine and is helping Moscow build a drone factory in Russia.

Read also: Opinion: Europe has a Russian fossil fuel addiction

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Russia, Iran, and China will conduct naval and aerial exercises in the Indian Ocean.

Source: Reuters

Details: Russia's Defence Ministry on Monday released a statement announcing the joint exercise, known as Maritime Security Belt  2024. It will include warships and aircraft, Russian state media report.

Russian ships have reportedly arrived in Iran to participate in exercises in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The primary goal is to "work out the safety of maritime economic activity".

Representatives of Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman, India, and South Africa's naval forces will be present to watch the three countries' exercises.

On 15-19 March 2023, Russia, Iran, and China conducted naval exercises called Maritime Security Belt  2023 in the Gulf of Oman. Russia was represented by a Northern Fleet detachment, which included the frigate Admiral Gorshkov and the medium-sized sea tanker Kama.

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Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said that providing military aid to Ukraine was the best option to push towards a peaceful solution (Getty)

Russia has launched dozens of Iranian-made drones in its sixth attack in a month on the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa  as the head of Nato became the latest ally of Kyiv to reject a call from Pope Francis to have the courage of the white flag and negotiate an end to Russias invasion.

Oleh Kiper, governor of Odesa Oblast, which runs along the Black Sea, said Russia fired at least 25 Shahed kamikaze drones at the region, with air defences active for almost two hours in the early morning of yesterday. Mr Kiper said roughly 15 were shot down and infrastructure was damaged as a result.

Another massive night-time drone attack by the Russians in the Odesa region, Mr Kiper said on the Telegram messenger service.

Unfortunately, it was not possible to avoid the hits. In the Odesa district, an infrastructure facility was damaged, administrative buildings were damaged. A fire broke out on the spot, which was promptly extinguished. The shock wave knocked out the glazing of private houses around, the debris caused destruction to commercial buildings.

Russia had already launched 175 drones in March prior to the attack, according to an update from president Volodymyr Zelensky late on Sunday, meaning that the total for the month is now 200. Roughly 165 have been downed, according to Ukrainian estimates.

It came as the Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said that Pope Francis was wrong to suggest that Kyiv should raise the white flag and enter peace talks with Russia. Asked about the pontiffs remarks, Mr Stoltenberg told Reuters: If we want a negotiated peaceful lasting solution, the way to get there is to provide military support to Ukraine.

Its not the time to talk about surrender by the Ukrainians. That will be a tragedy for the Ukrainians. It will also be dangerous for all of us, he added. What happens around a negotiating table is inextricably linked to the strength on the battlefield.

Odesa has faced a number of strikes from Russia in recent weeks (Getty)

Ukraine has consistently rejected the suggestion that it should negotiate a peace deal with Russia, calling for the Kremlin to withdraw its forces back to the 1991 borders. Russia currently occupies nearly 20 per cent of Ukraine.

President Zelensky accused the pontiff of engaging in virtual mediation, while his foreign minister said Kyiv would never capitulate.

In Ukraine, there were many once-white walls of houses and churches that are now scorched and ruined by Russian shells, Mr Zelensky said. This speaks very eloquently about who has to stop for the war to end.

Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said: 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.

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.

Pope Franciss comments have angered Ukrainian politicians and others in Europe (Reuters)

Russia has intensified bombardments of Ukrainian ports, including Odesa, and grain infrastructure after Moscow last summer pulled out of a United Nations-brokered deal that allowed some food exports to flow, despite the war, now in its third year. Ukraine is a major agricultural producer and exporter and Kyiv has since set up an alternative corridor to ship its products via its Black Sea ports near Odesa. Ukrainian officials have said that exports of different cargo  including grains and metal  from Ukrainian Black Sea ports reached nearly pre-invasion levels last month.

Ukrlandfarming, one of Ukraines largest agrarian holdings, said that a Russian missile attack on the eastern Ukrainian Dnipro region over the weekend had destroyed a large grain silo. On the evening of 9 March 2024, the enemy launched a missile attack on the Dnipro region. A 58-year-old man, our employee, was injured. The production facilities of our company were completely destroyed, the company said in a statement.

Analysts from the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) said last month the Ukrainian agricultural sector has suffered almost $80bn (62bn) in direct and indirect losses linked to Russias invasion.

The figure included losses of $5.8bn from the destruction of equipment, $1.8bn from damage to silos and almost $2bn from ruined agricultural products. At the beginning of January 2023, analysts estimated such losses at $38bn.

Meanwhile, Ukraines intelligence services released an hour-long video discussing their various attacks on occupied Ukraine, saying it amounted to preparation for a serious operation in Crimea.

The peninsula has been under Russian occupation since Moscow illegally annexed it in 2014 following the pro-European Maidan revolution in Kyiv saw the ousting of the pro-Kremlin regime in the capital.

Ukraines intelligence agency has been repeatedly attacking Russian ships and enemy forces in Crimea and around the occupied south.

These are all preparatory measures for a serious operation in Crimea, said Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraines intelligence chief. This is a test of the correctness of our statements about the ways of approach and departure from there. In addition, it is a good message for the population that has been living under occupation for 10 years. Many of them believe that they have been forgotten.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have suggested that Russia will pursue mass production of advanced guided glide bombs (GGBs) to expand their use across the entire war theatre in Ukraine.

Source: ISW

Details: A Ukrainian military official has confirmed that Russian forces are targeting Ukraine with advanced GGBs.

Captain Dmytro Lykhovii, spokesperson for the Tavriia Operational and Strategic Group of Ukrainian Forces (OSGF), reported on 10 March that Russian troops had struck the town of Myrnohrad (Donetsk Oblast) with three universal interspecific glide munitions (UMPB D-30SN), which the Ukrainian prosecutors office had initially misidentified as S-300 missiles.

Lykhovii added that the UMPB D-30SN advanced GGBs are essentially a retrofitted version of the Soviet-era FAB unguided bombs.

The report noted that Russian troops had previously used unguided glide bombs back in January 2024.

Furthermore, ISW has recently observed Russian military bloggers claiming that Russian forces have started to use FAB UMPB bombs, as opposed to using unguided gliders with unified planning and correction modules (UMPCs), in certain areas of Ukraine.

These bloggers also claimed that Russian forces could launch UMPB guided glide bombs from aircraft and ground-based multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) such as the Tornado-S and Smerch.

Therefore, analysts believe Russian forces are likely to pursue mass production of UMPB GGBs and expand their use throughout the entire war zone in Ukraine.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 10 March:

A Ukrainian military official confirmed that Russian forces are conducting strikes in Ukraine with improved guided glide bombs.

Russian sources reported that the Russian military command has replaced Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov with Northern Fleet Commander Admiral Alexander Moiseev as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy.

Russian occupation authorities opened early voting in occupied Ukraine for Russias presidential election on 10 March that will last until 14 March.

Chechen officials organised a march in Grozny, Chechnya, on 10 March in support of Russian President Vladimir Putins candidacy in the upcoming March presidential election.

Over 1,000 civilian ships have transited Ukraines "grain corridor" in the Black Sea despite persistent Russian efforts to undermine international confidence in the corridor.

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded a state honour to a prominent Russian ultranationalist  who is an active supporter of imprisoned former officer and ardent ultranationalist Igor Girkin  likely as part of an ongoing Kremlin campaign to coopt the critical military blogger community.

Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Bakhmut and Avdiivka amid continued positional engagements along the entire frontline on 10 March.

Prominent Russian ultranationalists praised Russian volunteers and mobilised personnel on 10 March, likely to assuage continued concerns among these personnel in spite of their improper and inequal treatment in the Russian military.

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Russia produces almost three times more artillery munitions than the United States and Europe combined can supply to Ukraine, CNN reported, citing NATO Intelligence estimates.

NATO intelligence estimates Russian defense production to be 250,000 artillery munitions per month, or about 3 million per year.

The US and Europe at the same time have the capacity to generate only about 1.2 million munitions annually to send to Kyiv, a senior European intelligence official told CNN.

The US military set a goal to produce 100,000 rounds of artillery a month by the end of 2025  less than half of the Russian monthly output  and even that number is now unattainable with $60 billion in Ukraine funding stalled in Congress, a senior Army official told reporters last week.



Read also: Russia has received millions of artillery shells from North Korea

What we're in right now is a manufacturing war, a senior NATO official told CNN.

The outcome in Ukraine depends on how each side is equipped to conduct this war.

Russia currently reportedly produces about 10,000 shells per day, while Ukraine produces only 2,000. European intelligence even believes that the ratio is even worse in some places along the 600-mile front.

Russias artillery factories work around the clock, rotating 12-hour shifts, the NATO official said. About 3.5 million Russians now work in the defense sector, up from somewhere between 2 and 2.5 million before the war. Russia is also importing ammunition: Iran sent at least 300,000 artillery shells last year  probably more than that, the official said  and North Korea provided at least 6,700 containers of ammunition carrying millions of shells.

Read also: Ukraine to receive first shipment of Czech-contracted ammunition in coming weeks  Prague

Russias ramp-up is still not enough to meet its needs, US and Western officials say.

Western intelligence officials do not expect Russia to make major gains on the battlefield in the short term.



Czech President Petr Pavel said on Feb. 17 that the country had found hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds abroad that it could transfer to Ukraine if it could find the funding.

Latvia decided to join the Czech initiative to purchase 800,000 artillery ammunition for Ukraine on March 6. France, Lithuania, Belgium, the Netherlands and other countries joined the initiative earlier.

Ukraine's allies collected all the money needed to hand over 800,000 artillery shells to Ukrainian defenders, Pavel said on March 7.

The EU will only supply Ukraine with 52% of the 1 million artillery shells promised by March 2024, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on Jan. 31, adding that they will only be able to fulfil the commitment by winter 2024.

Read also: Russia ramps up arms production, prepares for extended war  The Telegraph

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russia produces 250,000 shells per month, nearly three times what the United States and Europe produce for delivery to Ukraine combined.

Source: CNN, citing NATO intelligence data.

Quote: "Russia is producing about 250,000 artillery munitions per month, or about 3 million a year. Collectively, the US and Europe have the capacity to generate only about 1.2 million munitions annually to send to Kyiv," CNN reports.

The United States Army plans to produce 100,000 artillery shells per month by the end of 2025, which is less than half of Russia's monthly production. However, even that figure is now out of reach, with US$60 billion in aid for Ukraine stuck in Congress, according to a senior US Army official last week.

"What we are in now is a production war. The outcome in Ukraine depends on how each side is equipped to conduct this war," a senior NATO official told CNN.

According to officials, Russia is currently firing approximately 10,000 shells per day, compared to 2,000 from Ukraine. According to a European intelligence official, the ratio is even worse in some areas along the 600-mile front line.

The ammunition shortage comes at perhaps the most critical point in Ukraine's military effort since Russia's first invasion of Kyiv in February 2022. American funds for arming Ukraine dried up, and Republican opposition in Congress effectively halted further funding.

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Today, we bring you the latest news from the battlefront, react to the Popes call for Ukraine to negotiate with Russia, and talk about 20 Days in Mariupols Oscar win.

Listen to Ukraine: the Latest, The Telegraphs daily podcast, using the audio player at the top of this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app.

War in Ukraine is reshaping our world. Every weekday The Telegraphs top journalists analyse the invasion from all angles - military, humanitarian, political, economic, historical - and tell you what you need to know to stay updated.

With over 70 million listens, our Ukraine: The Latest podcast is your go-to source for all the latest analysis, live reaction and correspondents reporting on the ground. We have been broadcasting ever since the full-scale invasion began.

Ukraine: The Latests regular contributors are:

David Knowles

David is Head of Audio Development at The Telegraph, where he has worked for nearly three years. He has reported from across Ukraine during the full-scale invasion.

Dominic Nicholls

Dom is Associate Editor (Defence) at The Telegraph, having joined in 2018. He previously served for 23 years in the British Army, in tank and helicopter units. He had operational deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland.

Francis Dearnley

Francis is Assistant Comment Editor at The Telegraph. Prior to working as a journalist, he was chief of staff to the Chair of the Prime Ministers Policy Board at the Houses of Parliament in London. He studied History at Cambridge University and on the podcast explores how the past shines a light on the latest diplomatic, political, and strategic developments.

They are also regularly joined by Telegraph reporters and correspondents around the world, including Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent), James Kilner, (Foreign Correspondent and Editor of the Central Asia & the South Caucasus Bulletin), Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent), Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent), Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent), Colin Freeman (Foreign Correspondent), Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor), and Tony Diver (US Editor).

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.
WINDHOEK, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The Namibian government has issued a warning to farmers in the country's northern regions about the presence of African migratory red locusts, which have been spotted in the area and are causing significant damage to maize crops.

Farmers in Zambezi Region and Ohangwena Region should be vigilant and report any locust sightings promptly, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, executive director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, said in a statement issued Monday.

As of Feb. 29, the destructive locusts have been sighted in Zambezi Region, particularly at Lake Liambezi and old Masokotwani, wreaking havoc on maize crops, she said.

The locusts, currently in the hopper and flying stages, have already destroyed about 10 hectares of farmland, she added. The ministry has deployed officials to monitor the situation and is advising farmers to cooperate with spraying campaigns to control the locusts' spread.

This outbreak is the latest in a series of pest invasions that have affected communities in several regions of Namibia, threatening food security and livelihoods. 
By Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew Gray

MOSCOW/BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The Kremlin on Monday said a call by Pope Francis for talks to end the Ukraine war was "quite understandable", but NATO's boss said now was not the time to talk about "surrender".

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned the Vatican ambassador, known as the papal nuncio, to express its "disappointment" with Francis' comments in an interview recorded last month that Ukraine should have "the courage of the white flag" to negotiate an end to the conflict.

The ministry said the pope's comments "legalise the right of might and encourage further disregard for the norms of international law".

In an attempt to defuse the situation and clarify Francis' remarks, his second in command at the Vatican said in a newspaper interview on Tuesday that the first condition for any negotiations is that Russia should halt its aggression.

As the West grapples with how to support Ukraine and the prospect of a sharp change in U.S. policy if Donald Trump wins November's presidential election, Putin has essentially offered to freeze the battlefield along its current front lines, a premise Ukraine rejects.

"It is quite understandable that he (the pope) spoke in favour of negotiations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He said President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly said Russia was open to peace talks.

"Unfortunately, both the statements of the pope and the repeated statements of other parties, including ours, have recently received absolutely harsh refusals," Peskov said.

Russia says it sent its troops into Ukraine in February 2022 in a "special military operation" to ensure its own security. Kyiv and the West decry it as a colonial-style war of conquest.

Moscow's offers to negotiate have invariably been predicated on Kyiv giving up the territory that Moscow has seized and declared part of Russia - more than a sixth of Ukraine.

THE KREMLIN: A WESTERN MISCONCEPTION

Peskov said Western hopes of inflicting a "strategic defeat" on Russia were "the deepest misconception", adding: "The course of events, primarily on the battlefield, is the clearest evidence of this."

But NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said negotiations that would preserve Ukraine as a sovereign and independent nation would only come when Putin realised that he would not win on the battlefield.

"If we want a negotiated, peaceful, lasting solution, the way to get there is to provide military support to Ukraine," he told Reuters at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Asked if this meant now was not the time to talk about a white flag, he said: "It's not the time to talk about surrender by the Ukrainians. That will be a tragedy for the Ukrainians."

He added: "It will also be dangerous for all of us. Because then the lesson learned in Moscow is that when they use military force, when they kill thousands of people, when they invade another country, they get what they want."

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said the nuncio, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, had been told the pope "would be expected to send signals to the world community about the need to immediately join forces to ensure the victory of good over evil."

Ukraine wanted peace, it said, but one that was fair and based on U.N. principles and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's peace plan.

Zelenskiy said on Sunday the pontiff was engaging in "virtual mediation" and his foreign minister said Kyiv would never capitulate.

Zelenskiy, who signed a decree in 2022 ruling out talks with Putin, said last week Russia will not be invited to a peace summit due to be held in Switzerland.

Zelenskiy's peace plan calls for a withdrawal of Russian troops, a return to Ukraine's 1991 borders, and due process to hold Russia accountable for its actions. Russia says it cannot hold any talks under such a premise.

(Reporting by Reuters;Editing by Andrew Osborn, Kevin Liffey, Ron Popeski and Lincoln Feast.)
Russian forces attacked border areas and settlements of Sumy Oblast on March 10, firing 32 times and causing at least 184 explosions, the local military administration reported via Telegram.

The communities of Yunakivka, Khotin, Bilopillia, Miropilia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Esman, Seredyno-Buda, Nova Sloboda, and Shalyhyne came under attack.

Throughout the day the border region was assailed with various weapons including drones, mines, and mortar, according to the military administration.

No casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure were reported.

The communities along the Sumy Oblast border have been subject to near-daily attacks since Ukrainian troops liberated Russian-occupied areas of the region in April 2022.

A Russian missile strike on the city of Sumy on March 7 killed two people and injured 26 others, six of whom had to be hospitalized. It was the first missile attack against the regional capital since July.

Read also: After 10 years of war, Krasnohorivka in new danger as Russia advances in the east

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On March 11, Russia struck the city of Dergachi, Kharkiv Oblast, as well as Zaporizhzhya, city officials said in their Telegram channels on March 11.

The head of the Dergachi Military Administration, Vyacheslav Zadorenko, said that the occupiers struck twice on the outskirts of Dergachi, while his colleague Ivan Fedorov noted that the Russians missiles struck twice in Zaporizhzhya.

They noted that the hits occurred outside the cities. According to preliminary information, there were no casualties or damage as a result of the enemy strikes.

Earlier, Suspilne correspondents reported explosions in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhya.

The Ukrainian Air Force warned of the threat of ballistic missile attacks from the southern and northeastern directions.

Read also: Aftermath of Russian mass missile strike  photo report

An air alert was declared in a number of regions of Ukraine.

At 1:08 PM, the Air Force announced that the threat of ballistic missile use in the regions had been averted.

On March 11, the Russian military attacked Kharkiv with kamikaze drones. They hit a civilian infrastructure facility. The facility itself was partially damaged, as well as nearby residential buildings.

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Russian attacks against Kharkiv Oblast during the afternoon injured four people, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram on March 11.

Kharkiv Oblast is bordered by both Russia to the north and the front line to the east. Civilians living in the region are killed and injured by Russian attacks on a near-daily basis.

A 70-year-old woman was injured in Vovchansk, a town some 60 kilometers northeast of Kharkiv and less than 10 kilometers from the border with Russia, Syniehubov said.

The town came under Russian fire at around 1:30 p.m. local time, damaging eight homes, according to Syniehubov.

The village of Hlushkivka in Kupiansk district also came under fire, injuring three civilian men, Syniehubov reported. All three were hospitalized.

The same afternoon, Russian forces targeted the village of Kutuzivka, located just outside of Kharkiv, with S-300 guided missiles, though no casaulties were reported. The village lies 25 kilometers from the Russian border.

Read also: After 10 years of war, Krasnohorivka in new danger as Russia advances in the east

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The Russian authorities have developed a "re-education" system for children abducted from Ukraine, attempting to instil in them a "Russian identity", convince them that their parents have died and label them "potential terrorists".

Source: An investigation by Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza

Quote: "The exact number of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia during the war is unknown. Ukrainian authorities state that it is nearly 20,000. Russian officials persuade Ukrainians to forget about their homeland and convince them that their parents will never come back to take them home. The authorities are confident they can 're-educate' the abducted children."

Details: Meduza said the Russian Ministry of Education is the main agency responsible for the "indoctrination" [the process of systematic and organised influence on an individual to instil certain ideas, beliefs or views] of abducted Ukrainian children.

In a dictionary developed in 2022 for teachers in Russia, words and phrases deemed to be "signs of nationalist extremism", which could be used by abducted Ukrainian children, were listed. These include phrases like "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!", "Racism", "Orcs", and others.

Additionally, the methodological guide "Prevention of Conflicts, Manifestations of Extremism and Terrorism in a Multicultural Educational Environment" states that the use of "specific slang" or even the mere discussion of "political topics" may be a sign that a given child espouses a "destructive ideology".

The Ministry of Education mentioned that abducted children were supposedly "influenced" by this ideology simply because they lived in Ukraine. However, the driving force behind this "influence" was not specified.

According to documents reviewed by Meduza, Russian teachers are tasked with the "reorientation [of] and establishment of Russian identity" in the younger generation of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics [unrecognised puppet states and terrorist organisations], as well as those from Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts.

Furthermore, those who developed the manual "Support for Adolescents Arriving from Zones of Conflict" caution that abducted children may "protest", be "petulant", show a "distrust of adults", behave aggressively, express "ideas of personal preference" as well as generally "experienc[ing] difficulties in viewing situations from the perspective of a neutral observer".

Russian teachers are also advised to directly state that the parents of abducted children have died, even if this cannot be confirmed. "Do not say 'there is nothing to worry about,' 'don't be afraid, they are in a better place,' 'they are watching you from the clouds'... Speak plainly to the child about the fact that their loved ones have died, or their home has been destroyed... Tell them in no uncertain terms that they have died," the guidelines state.

At the same time, the guidelines of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation tell teachers to describe the war, the sole reason Ukrainian children ended up in Russia, as follows: "complications in the geopolitical situation that... compel families... to [submit to] forced migration."

In addition, communication with Ukrainian children is conducted only in the Russian language. "Everyone making decisions openly admits that communication with Ukrainian children should be in Russian  everyone there is fluent in it, and if they are not, they should learn it," a source in the department reveals. "They say that the Constitution states that Russian is the state language: if you come to Russia, speak Russian," the source points out.

Meduzas sources say there is fear within the Ministry of Education about the children abducted from Ukraine. Among themselves, employees of the Russian ministry, even at the leadership level, sometimes refer to these teenagers as "potential terrorists" who "may resist" the Russian authorities.

Maria Lvova-Belova, Children's Rights Commissioner for the President of the Russian Federation, against whom the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant, insists that Russians cannot adopt a child from the "new regions." "Only guardianship or foster care" (to facilitate the child's return to their relatives)", she assures. However, as noted by Meduza, this is untrue.

The publication notes that within the structure of the Ministry of Education, there is a Federal Youth Center that coordinates ideological work with teenagers outside of schools. The expenses for the business trips of the centre's employees alone amount to millions of rubles, and these funds are used for "integration intensives" for teenagers.

The Center for the Study and Network Monitoring of the Youth Environment is an IT company established at Putin's request, which has received billions of rubles from the state budget. It monitors Ukrainian children online. Its developments presumably allow the "deanonymization" of any child's page and to find out who liked their social media posts  based on this, the child is assigned a "destructiveness coefficient" and an "opposition coefficient."

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A Russian drone attack in the early hours of March 10 damaged civilian infrastruacture and residential buildings in Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported via Telegram.

Russian forces launched Shahed drones overnight at a densely populated area of the city, Terekhov said. The attack partially damaged a civilian infrastructure facility and nearby apartment buildings.

There were no casualties, according to the mayor. Terekhov said emergency services were at work at the site of the attack.

Earlier in the evening, Ukraine's Air Force had warned that groups of Shahed drones were flying toward Kharkiv.

Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, is located about 30 kilometers from the Russian border.

Due to its proximity to the border, Kharkiv Oblast and the regional capital have faced near-daily attacks since the start of the full-scale invasion. Part of the region was also occupied in early February 2022 before its liberation in early September.

More than 20,000 buildings have been destroyed in Kharkiv since Feb. 24, 2022, according to Ukrainian government figures. An overnight attack on the city on March 2 destroyed four cars and damaged the windows of at least 10 residential buildings.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: US reportedly prepared for potential Russian nuclear strike in Ukraine in 2022

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A rescuer extinguishes a fire after one of the shellings in Odesa district

Russian forces launched a concentrated one-and-half hour drone attack on Odesa Oblast from the Black Sea, Ukraines Operational Command South spokesperson, Natalia Humeniuk, reported on March 11.

"The enemy attempted to deliver an exeptionally powerful strike on a targeted area, Humeniuk said.

Once again, it was Odesa. Drones were launched in a concentrated effort from the Black Sea for 1.5 hours."

Read also: Ukraines SBU Security Service detains Russian agent planning missile attack in Odesa

Russians attempted to navigate routes through residential and industrial districts.

"There was a lot of maneuvering among residential buildings," Humeniuk said.

This tactic of terrorizing the civilian population has become a recent strategy of the enemy, said Humeniuk.

Read also: Recreational facility, gas pipeline, and residential buildings damaged in Russian attack in Odesa Oblast

"In Odesa, there has been damage to an infrastructure facility, and administrative buildings have been affected. Based on preliminary data, there are no reports of casualties, she said.

We hope it remains that way.

Russian invasion forces massively attacked Odesa Oblast with drones on the night of March 11, the Southern Defense Forces reported.

Air defense units shot down ten Shahed drones.

Drones hit an infrastructure facility, damaging administrative buildings and private homes near Odesa.

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(Reuters) - The Russian embassy in Washington is in "close contact" with the U.S. State Department ahead of the presidential election in Russia this week to ensure the security of the diplomatic mission, ambassador Anatoly Antonov said on Monday.

President Vladimir Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago, is set to win a new six-year term in the March 15-17 vote. This would enable him to overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia's longest-serving leader for more than 200 years.

"In the conditions of constant provocations, the embassy works calmly. We are dealing with issues related to the organization of the upcoming elections in a business-like manner," Antonov was cited as saying on the embassy's Telegram messaging channel. "We are in close contact with the secret service of the State Department. We expect that the Americans will fulfil their obligations to ensure the security of the diplomatic mission."

Antonov did not specify what provocations he was referring to, saying only that the "degree of Russophobic rhetoric" of President Joe Biden's administration "is off the chart."

Last week, Russia had summoned the U.S. ambassador in Moscow to warn her it would expel U.S. diplomats it deems to be interfering in its internal affairs through "subversive actions and the spread of information" related to the election.

In late February, Biden called Putin a "crazy SOB" and during his State of the Union address last week the U.S. president said in remarks directed at Putin that he "will not bow down."

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Russian forces became more active in the vicinity of Novomykhailivka and near the Vremivka Bulge on Monday, 11 March. Russia appears to be deploying reserve forces in this area.

Source: Dmytro Lykhovii, spokesman for the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group of Forces, on Ukraines national 24/7 newscast

Quote from Lykhovii: "Since the beginning of Monday [11 March], enemy forces started to undertake somewhat more active operations in the vicinity of Novomykhailivka (the Novopavlivka front) and along the Vremivka Bulge (the villages of Urozhaine and Staromaiorske).

Territories along this bulge were liberated during the Ukrainian counteroffensive last summer [...]

Enemy forces want to advance and to continue pressing on the villages of Novomykhailivka and Heorhiivka and near the city of Krasnohorivka. As for today, no positions have been lost, and enemy forces have seen no success."

Details: Lykhovii said that Russia has deployed reserve forces to the Novopavlivka front, with a tank regiment being transferred from another front.

As before, the Novopavlivka and Avdiivka fronts remain the most active, and the line of contact is constantly shifting: "Yesterday we lost one position but recovered two others."

Lykhovii also said that 60% of all clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces are occurring within the area of responsibility of the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group of Forces (OSG).

On 10 March, Russian and Ukrainian forces clashed 45 times within the Tavriia OSGs area of responsibility, with Russian forces carrying out 25 airstrikes, 3 missile strikes and 90 drone attacks, and shelling Ukrainian forces 1,053 times.

Russian forces also made 25 attempts to conduct assault operations on the Novopavlivka front, 17 on the Avdiivka front and 3 on the Orikhiv front.

Over the course of the past day, Russian forces lost 392 military personnel and 47 units of weapons and equipment within the Tavriia OSGs area of responsibility.

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TRIPOLI, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Monday that 521 illegal migrants had been rescued off the coast of Libya over the past week.

Between March 3 and March 9, 521 migrants were intercepted and subsequently returned to Libya, the IOM said in a statement, adding among those rescued were 16 women and 28 children. It said that the bodies of two illegal migrants were also retrieved off the Libyan coast.

So far this year, a total of 1,915 illegal migrants have been rescued, while 80 illegal migrants died and 126 others went missing off the Libyan coast.

Because of the insecurity and chaos in the country since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, many migrants, mostly Africans, chose to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from Libya. 
Members of Russia's lower house of parliament attend a session to consider constitutional changes in Moscow

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian lawmakers have submitted a draft bill to the State Duma that would rewrite a chapter of history by nullifying the Soviet decision in 1954 to transfer Crimea from Russia to Ukraine.

The move appears aimed at establishing a legal basis for Russia to argue that Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula which it claims to have annexed from Ukraine in 2014, was never really part of Ukraine to begin with.

The draft, submitted by a lawmaker from each of Russia's two houses of parliament, describes the 1954 handover as arbitrary and illegal because no referendum was held and Soviet authorities had no right to transfer territory from one constituent republic to another without consent.

There was no announcement of when it would be debated by lawmakers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced the 1954 handover of Crimea under then Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev as a violation of legal norms in place at the time.

Crimea residents voted in favour of independence along with the rest of Ukraine in a referendum when the Soviet Union broke up, and Russia and Ukraine subsequently recognised each other's borders. But Moscow seized military control of Crimea in 2014 and annexed it after a referendum that Ukraine and Western governments declared illegal.

Russia used Crimea as a launchpad for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and has since proclaimed its annexation of four other Ukrainian provinces. Ukraine has staged frequent attacks on Russian targets in Crimea and vows to recapture all of its Russian-occupied territory.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Peter Graff)
A bill to recognize the transfer of Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR in 1954 as invalid was registered with the Russian Duma (parliament) on March 11.

The document seeks to declare the corresponding decree of the Supreme Council of the Soviet Union as null and void. It claims that the decision to transfer Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR was allegedly made in violation of the constitutions of the RSFSR (Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic) and the Soviet Union. Moreover, the authors of the bill contend that the decree did not comply with the principles of the rule of law and international law.

Read also: ATESH reports that Russia is trying to increase the number of air defense systems in Crimea

Russian Senator Sergey Tsekov, one of the bill's sponsors, stated that the proposed law would enable Moscow "to communicate with reasonable countries, which regard Russia with respect, and explain what actually happened with Crimea in 1954."

Read also: Budanov on the actions of UA Intel in the Black Sea: a serious operation in the Crimea is under preparation

On Feb. 19, 1954, the Supreme Council of the Soviet Union transferred Crimea from the RSFSR to the Ukrainian SSR. The decree's rationale was explained by the "shared economy, territorial proximity, and close economic and cultural ties between the Crimean region and the Ukrainian SSR."

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The Russians fired 32 times at the territories of Sumy Oblast over the past 24 hours, carried out airstrikes and missile strikes, and dropped 24 bombs on one of the hromadas [an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.].

Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "In the Velyka Pysarivka hromada, there has been artillery shelling (31 explosions), rocket attack (2 explosions), MLRS attac (23 explosions), airstrike by an aerial guided bomb (3 explosions), mortar attack (4 explosions) and airstrike by an FPV drone (2 explosions)."

Details: The hromadas of Yunakivka, Khotin, Bilopillia, Myropillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Nova Sloboda, Shalyhyne, Esman and Seredyna-Buda came under Russian fire.

A total of 184 explosions were recorded.

The Russians attacked Myropillia hromada 16 times with mortars and twice with artillery.

Three mortar and three artillery attacks were recorded in Krasnopillia hromada.

The Russians fired four mortars at Khotin hromada.

The Russians dropped 24 bombs on the territory of Seredyna-Buda hromada.

An RBK-500 cluster bomb airstrike was carried out on Esman hromada, and one explosion occurred there. Two artillery shells also hit.

Bilopillia hromada was hit by one drone-dropped bomb, two mortars, 15 launched grenades, and six artillery shells.

The Russians attacked Yunakivka hromada with two mortars and two drone-dropped bombs, one from a UAV and the other from an FPV drone.

Nova Sloboda hromada was attacked 13 times with multiple-launch rocket systems and 12 times with artillery shells.

The Russians fired 11 artillery shells at Shalyhyne hromada.

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The Russians conducted a missile strike on the production facilities of the Ukrainian agricultural company Ukrlandfarming, owned by Ukrainian entrepreneur Oleh Bakhmatiuk, in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the evening of 9 March.

Source: Ukrlandfarming press service

Details: A 58-year-old employee was injured as a result of the attack. In addition, the production facilities, including the grain elevator, were completely destroyed.

Under the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office's procedural guidance, a pre-trial investigation into criminal proceedings has been initiated regarding the violation of laws and customs of war.

Law enforcement agency representatives are assessing the scale of the destruction and amount of damage.

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Russian authorities set up a brutal re-education system for forcibly transferred Ukrainian children to Russia to integrate them into Russian society, the Russian outlet Meduza revealed in a shocking investigation on March 11.

The exact number of kidnapped children remains unclear, but estimates from Kyiv suggest it to be approximately 20,000. These children are pressured to abandon their homeland and forget about their families, as Russian officials believe they can successfully "re-educate" them, Meduza said.

Read also: Bohdan, 11, tells about his life in Russia-devastated Izyum

The program is spearheaded by the Russian Education Ministry, which developed a special dictionary for Russian teachers in 2022. This dictionary contains words and phrases deemed "extremist" based on nationalism, including expressions like "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!", "rashism," and "orcs"  terms commonly used by Ukrainians to resist the Russian invasion.

The program goes beyond language, as a manual titled "Preventing Conflicts, Extremism, and Terrorism in a Multicultural Educational Environment" suggests that even using "specific slang" or discussing "political topics" could be signs of "destructive ideology." The Ministry claims that these children were somehow "influenced" by such ideology simply for living in Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine returns two more children from occupied territories to their parents

Documents obtained by Meduza reveal that Russian teachers are tasked with "reorienting" these children and instilling a Russian identity in the youth of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson oblasts  in Russian-occupied territories.

Another manual, titled "Supporting Adolescents Arriving from Combat Zones," outlines how these abducted children might react, showing "protest," "moodiness," "distrust of adults," or even acting aggressively.

The manual downplays the war itself  the only reason these children are in Russia  as a mere "complication of the geopolitical situation" that forces families to "relocate."

Read also: Russia reportedly militarizing teenagers in occupied Crimea's schools, colleges

The Education Ministry reportedly fears these children, referring to them internally as "potential terrorists" who could "oppose" Russian authorities, Meduza sources said. Communication with them is solely in Russian.

"As in, the Constitution says that the Russian language is the state language: if you come to Russia, speak Russian," the source said.

Russian ombudsperson Maria Lvova-Belova insists that Russians cannot adopt children from these "new regions." However, Meduza's investigation uncovered evidence of a large-scale program for the mass adoption of Ukrainian children.

Adding to the horror, the Center for the Study and Network Monitoring of the Youth Environment  an NGO founded at the behalf of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin  is actively monitoring these children online. This company can reportedly "deanonymize" any teenager's social media page and analyze everything from comments to likes. Based on this analysis, each child is assigned a "coefficient of destructiveness" and a "coefficient of opposition."

The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued arrest warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova on March 17, 2023. They are accused of illegally abducting children from Ukraine to Russia since Feb. 24, 2022.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
J. Robert Oppenheimer may have split the atom, but it was Ryan Gosling who brought the Kenergy to Sundays Academy Awards. While Barbie departed the Oscars largely empty-handed, Goslings performance of its anthem, Im Just Ken, was the gift that kept giving  a glitzy musical goodie bag that delivered an irresistible mid-show pick-me-up.

We knew Im Just Ken was coming. Even so, it hit like a jolt of pure escapism. Amid an increasingly predictable ceremony  who would have thought it, Oscar voters love Oppenheimer  Goslings ludicrously enjoyable turn brought to the awards something that felt absent from the rest of the night: old-school Hollywood glamour.

Given the bleakness of the movies in contention for the major gongs, a po-faced evening was inevitable. Whether it was The Zone of Interest winning Best Sound Design for its atonal conjuring of the dread of the gas chambers or Christopher Nolan claiming Best Director for his meditation on the dawning of the nuclear age, it got a little grim.

There is nothing wrong with that. These are dark times, and it is right for the Oscars to reflect this. But it did it feel like wed all been suddenly given the day off from school when Gosling, resplendent in pink, burst into the opening line of Im Just Ken from his seat in the auditorium.

On one level, Im Just Ken didnt tell us anything we didnt already know. Gosling is charm on a stick. Barbie  in addition to having profound things to say about gender and toxic masculinity  was a hoot for the ages. Those feel-good qualities were beautifully conjured at the Dolby Theatre. You wished the Oscars awarded accolades for fabulousness in the line of duty. If they did, Gosling would have left with an armful.

What a lark it was. Gosling rose slowly from his seat behind a giggling Margot Robbie, enshrouded in hot pink adorned with rhinestones and glowing socks (pink), leather gloves (pink) and sunglasses (not pink but dazzling all the same). It was clear we were in for something a great deal more memorable than another zinger from presenter Jimmy Kimmel about Madame Web/Christopher Nolans porn addiction/ the hard c in Cillian Murphys name.

Was Kens glorious start to the performance Kenough to banish our mid-Oscars blues? Yes! But Gosling was only getting started. Leaping up onto the stage, he pretend-punched super producer Mark Ronson (who produced the whole Barbie album) on guitar, and then descended a staircase where he was joined by a troupe of Kens in striped ties and cowboy hats. Gosling was then hoisted into the air and whizzed around, face to the ceiling, along with a small army of inflatable Barbie faces.

Students of Hollywood glitz may have recognised the outfits. They were a callback to Marilyn Monroe and Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend from 1953s Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Everybody preferred blondes at the Oscars on Sunday as Gosling ripped it up and then plunged back into the crowd, leading Barbie director Greta Gerwig and fellow A-listers Margot Robbie and America Ferrera in a rousing singalong of the chorus while Slash  of all people  rocked out on guitar. Beat that, Oppenheimer.

Of course, Oppenheimer could not beat that, which is why Barbie has emerged as the peoples champion at the Oscars. Yes, it received just one accolade  for the Billie Eilish theme song, What Was I Made For?, ironically a downer of a tune that has none of the movies vivacity  but it brought life to the ceremony and created the years one true moment of joy.

Watching at home, you could feel the electricity in the room  it was the only time during the ceremony that those at the Dolby Theatre and the rest of us on our couches were equally entertained. Long after the glow has gone from Oppenheimer and we have lost interest in The Zone of Interest, we will fondly remember that Goslings Ken really tickled us pink.

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Sacked borders chief David Neal has said he will be absolutely vindicated over his decision to speak out over failings by the Home Office and its agencies.

Mr Neal, who was sacked from his role as the Governments borders watchdog in February, said he stood by his actions and that the failings in the immigration system go right to the top of the organisation.

He said the Home Office was dysfunctional and urgently needed complete reform but this was being hampered by a blaming up culture.

There are sometimes rolled eyes expressions from senior people you encounter, which actually is not good enough. You cant get away with that in the Army, the former head of the Royal Military Police told BBC Radio 4s Today podcast.

You dont complain about the situation, you deal with the world, as it is, not as you hope it to be.

David Neal has said he will be 'absolutely vindicated' over his decision to speak out

Mr Neal was sacked as the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration (ICIBI) by Home Secretary James Cleverly after he spoke to the media about sensitive border security failures at London City Airport, which the Home Office said were inaccurate.

Mr Neal insists that he was sacked for doing my job.

It followed a long-running row over the alleged suppression of his reports dating back to April last year. Mr Cleverly subsequently published 13 of the 15, which was welcomed by Mr Neal.

Gates sometimes left unmanned

They included disclosures that border protections at UK airports were neither effective nor efficient as e-Passport gates were sometimes left unmanned.

Mr Neal said he paid the price for speaking out but his position would be absolutely vindicated.

Having the moral courage to speak out is a rare thing in public life and Ive paid the price.

No one wants to have sacked on their CV. I think Ive done the right thing, I know Ive done the right thing, my conscience is absolutely clear.

Mr Neal said his departure and the fact he has not yet been replaced would mean there would be a loss of public confidence.

Ive been sacked. So there will be no scrutiny of small boats, there will be no scrutiny of adults at risk in detention which is a controversial area, there will be no publishing of the Rwanda material, he said.

When asked about the potential implications for people arriving, Mr Neal said there would be no one independent carrying out inspections to get out there, lift up stones and then be able to communicate to the Home Secretary and ministers, that will be absent.

Incomplete investigations

Mr Neals rushed exit means that he leaves several incomplete investigations including inquiries into conditions in Rwanda, and asylum accommodation such as the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset and Wethersfield in Mr Cleverlys Essex constituency.

With no independent chief inspector to publish the reports, and my ability to comment gagged by the continued binding terms of my contract, these critical areas of inspection remain open, unsatisfied and unresolved, he said.

He also warned that other planned inquiries such as immigration detention, the processing of asylum seekers arriving in small boats across the Channel and the Home Offices methods for assessing asylum seekers ages will not be launched.

Asked about the security risk, Mr Neal added: Much of the debate is dominated by asylum, but actually the protection of our borders is a 24/7 activity that affects every person in this country and thats why its so critical.

Asked about the e-Passport gates, Mr Neal said the failure not to give radios to officers monitoring the border at Heathrow Airport was absolute madness, describing how officers were left whistling or waving to colleagues to get their attention.

Im pretty sure the public would think thats appalling.

A Home Office spokesperson said: It is the job of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration to identify challenges in our system, including those proposed by Border Force, so we can take action to address them. But by their nature, each of the ICIBI reports will only be a snapshot of what is going on and will not reflect the changes we make as a result of their findings.

A programme of work is already well underway to reform and strengthen Border Forces capabilities. This is delivering on the Prime Ministers pledge to make our structures and resources as strong as possible.

The work the Home Office, Border Force and the NCA is doing with international partners to stop the boats is another part of our Border Force reform, and is already having a return with small boat arrivals down by a third when Mr Neal was sacked for leaking sensitive information he was told was inaccurate.

Home Office sources said the roving Border Force officers at eGates were an additional safeguarding measure. They maintained all security checks were fully undertaken by eGates and the security of the border is not compromised by a roving officer not being present.

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TRIPOLI, March 11 (Xinhua) -- UN envoys on Monday stressed the need for Libya to establish "a coordinated national platform" for the reconstruction of the areas hit by storm Daniel and the ensuing deadly floods that claimed thousands of lives in September last year.

In a joint statement issued by Abdoulaye Bathily, the special representative of the UN secretary-general for Libya, and Georgette Gagnon, the deputy special representative of the UN secretary-general, resident and humanitarian coordinator for Libya, the two officials highlighted "the release of funds for long-term reconstruction efforts, and for their transparent management and distribution with effective oversight and accountability to the Libyan people."

Mediterranean storm Daniel hit the city of Derna and its surrounding areas in eastern Libya on Sept. 10, 2023, triggering Libya's worst floods in decades that claimed the lives of thousands of people and inflicted extensive damage upon the region's infrastructure, especially water supply and sewage systems.

"We call on Libyan authorities and actors to collectively take forward reconstruction that focuses on the needs and best interests of the people whose lives were so severely affected by the floods," the statement said.

It noted that the emergency assistance provided by the UN in Libya and its humanitarian partners have so far reached 247,000 people, including shelter, clean water, food, educational support, medical and psycho-social support.

"We will continue to work closely with local and international partners to assist in rebuilding lives and communities, promoting sustainable development, and advocating for the rights and well-being of all affected people," the statement said. 
State colleges and universities looking to freeze tuition for in-state students wont receive as much as they hoped for under a House budget plan being debated this week.

House budget writers only approved $57.5 million for tuition mitigation for colleges and universities as part of a $13.2 billion spending plan under debate this week.

The states colleges and universities, along with technical colleges collectively asked for $128 million. Last year, budget writers gave colleges and universities gave $1.1 billion in annual dollars, which included an additional $124 million for tuition mitigation.

Tuition mitigation is used to in order to freeze tuition rates for in-state students at public colleges an universities. This is the sixth straight year budget writers have included money to freeze college tuition. The mitigation money allows schools to keep up with the cost to run their operations without raising tuition on students.

If schools take the tuition mitigation money, they have to freeze tuition for the upcoming year.

The House budget plan is more in line with what Gov. Henry McMaster proposed in his executive budget when he suggested schools receive $49.8 million, using a higher education public index, an index his office has used for several years.

Part of the limitation comes from having less new annual dollars to allocate than in recent years.

Lawmakers only have $662 million available, and millions is eaten up by raises for teachers, state employees, state health insurance premiums and increased Medicaid costs. Budget writers had choose among $1.7 billion in annual requests.

I hope theyll honor their commitment and not raise tuition, said state Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Richland, who oversees higher education spending on the Ways and Means Committee. I feel confident that they wont do that. So Im more concerned about the research universities. I mean, the funding that we gave them, I mean, if you look look at their requests versus what they got. I know theres needs and theres wants but theres a lot of needs there that we still couldnt meet.

Ballentine added during the House debate that budget writers were able to give universities what they could with the limited dollars available.

I thought this job was going to be a fun job. Its not a fun job. I say no way more than I say yes,  Ballentine said. Well see how next year looks, but were in good fiscal shape.

Much of the universities requests were in line with the increases they received during last years budget process.

The money set aside for tuition mitigation was distributed based on in-state student population.

The budget still needs to go to the Senate and be signed off by the governor.

The University of South Carolina system collectively requested $38.8 million for tuition mitigation. House budget writers proposed $21.6 million.

Were grateful that both the Governor and the House Ways and Means Committee recognize the importance of the tuition mitigation program, which has played an essential role in keeping tuition affordable for South Carolina students, said U.S.C. spokesman Jeff Stensland. USC is now entering its sixth year without raising tuition prices for South Carolinians. This is a process; and were optimistic that members of House and the Senate will continue to prioritize college affordability.

Clemson University requested $21.1 million for tuition mitigation in this years budget process. House Budget writers included $10.2 million.

This is just the beginning of the budget process, said Clemson Director of Communications Alex Brooks in an email to The State. We look forward to continued collaboration with our partners in the legislature in the coming weeks.

House budget writers did not include any money for tuition mitigation dollars for the technical colleges, but want to send more money through other avenues.

Technical colleges would receive $95 million for SC WINS scholarships, $5 million for SC Ready through the lottery, and $30 million for training in high demand areas, under the House budget proposal.

Were going back to sort of normal budget levels and with the requests, this actually ends up being a pretty tight budget year, said House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville.

However, members of the ultra conservative Freedom Caucus wanted to almost eliminate all of the money proposed for tuition mitigation.

The Freedom Caucus proposed taking out $54 million proposed for tuition mitigation and use $50 million toward increased dollars for bridge repairs.

The big schools already get hundreds of millions in tax dollars, said state Rep. Jordan Pace, R-Berkeley. Blue collar workers shouldnt be further subsidizing liberal arts bachelors degrees when we have (more than) 500 bridges in dangerous disrepair.

The House budget does include $200 million for bridge repairs, which is the amount requested by the Department of Transportation.

Pace said if USCs Columbia, Upstate and Beaufort campuses, along with Clemson, College of Charleston, Coastal Carolina, Francis Marion, Lander, Winthrop and the Medical University of South Carolina, did not receive tuition mitigation money this year, then 25% more bridges could be addressed.

Its a matter of priorities, Pace said.

Ballentine argued the state is still behind neighboring states in providing money to public universities and years ago funding to state universities was cut.

I would present that we are catching up, Ballentine said. We are way behind in funding higher education.
Scarlett Johansson poked fun at Sen. Katie Britt during this weeks 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.

Scarlett Johansson parodies Sen. Katie Britt (Saturday Night Live / NBC)

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.

This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Steffen Hebestreit, spokesperson for the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has indicated that the latter does not share the opinion of Pope Francis I, who suggested that Ukraine should "have the courage of the white flag".

Source: dpa-AFX, citing the spokesperson, as reported by European Pravda

Details: "As you can guess, the Federal Chancellor does not agree with the Pope on this issue. The fact is that Ukraine is defending itself against an aggressor," German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said.

In addition, Ukraine receives extensive international support to be able to defend itself against Russia's war of aggression that violates international law, the spokesperson added.

Background:

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."

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. The European Commission's spokesperson for foreign affairs noted that peace is "in the hands of one person", Russian President Vladimir Putin, because he started the war and is the one who continues to wage it.

Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba responded to Pope Franciss suggestion by saying that Ukraines flag is yellow and blue, not white.

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People visit the Huawei booth at a digital technology expo in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on March 11, 2024.

Several Chinese tech companies on Monday showcased their latest products at a digital technology expo here in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, attracting crowds of tech enthusiasts.(Photo by Van Pov/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Several Chinese tech companies on Monday showcased their latest products at a digital technology expo here in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, attracting crowds of tech enthusiasts.

Sien Soklida, marketing director of Huawei in Cambodia, said a variety of Huawei's latest products such as tablets and laptops, among others, have been displayed at the expo.

"Huawei has brought new technology to the expo like our new tablet that is the latest one in the global market," he told Xinhua. "We also showcase MateBook series, or Huawei laptops, that their keyboards are water-resistant."

Soklida said Huawei brand is very popular in Cambodia thanks to its high-quality products, with very competitive prices.

"Huawei brand always focuses on quality, and most of the consumers trust our products because we offer a standard warranty and we have service centers here," he said.

He said the expo gave a great opportunity to Huawei to introduce its latest products to all tech lovers.

Son Karona, a second-year student in the major of Information Technology at the Norton University in Phnom Penh, said the expo gave her a great opportunity to gain insights into the latest developments of digital technology in the world.

"For technological equipment and devices made by Chinese companies, I am interested in laptop computers, which are thinner and more intelligent than before," she told Xinhua while visiting the expo.

"Those laptops are Huawei products. For me, I think Huawei products have been updated well from year to year," the 19-year-old student said.

Held back-to-back with a digital government forum organized by Cambodia's Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the digital technology expo, which will last till Wednesday, has brought together 120 institutions and technological companies.

"It is a platform to boost the development of digital technology and to share the latest evolution of digital technology around the world," Cambodian Minister of Post and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth said at the event. 
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected Pope Francis' statement on the raising of the "white flag" in the Ukraine war.

"As you can imagine, the federal chancellor does not agree with the pope on this issue," government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in Berlin on Monday. "It is true that Ukraine is defending itself against an aggressor."

Kiev is also receiving a great deal of international support in order to be able to defend itself against the war of aggression, which violates international law, Hebestreit added.

However, Hebestreit also pointed out that the clarification by a Vatican spokesman regarding the pope's statements had been noted: Spokesman Matteo Bruni contradicted reports that the pope had called on Ukraine to surrender in an interview on Swiss television.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A serial car dealer thief has pleaded guilty to 15 felony counts as well as three more misdemeanor counts in connection to stealing cars at several different dealerships across Erie County in 2023, the Erie County District Attorneys Office announced Monday.

21-year-old Richard E. Lucas, III, of Cheektowaga, admitted to stealing cars from dealerships in Orchard Park, Amherst, Tonawanda, Grand Island, Clarence as well as Rochester between March 1 and Sep. 3, 2023.

All of the cars stolen were high-end cars that included Dodge Challengers, a Corvette, an Aston Martin, a Chevrolet Camaro, BMW M8, a Mercedes-Benz and a Bentley Continental. Nearly all were recovered locally, but one car stolen out of a dealership in Amherst was found crashed and abandoned in Washington, D.C.

Car stolen from Mercedes-Benz in Clarence recovered, one arrested

In total, Lucas, III pleaded guilty to the following charges:

five counts, second-degree grand larceny

two counts, second-degree criminal possession of stolen property

two counts, third-degree burglary

three counts, second-degree criminal mischief

one count, third-degree criminal mischief

one count, second-degree attempted assault

one count, second-degree criminal possession of cannabis

two counts, third-degree unauthorized use of a motor vehicle

one count, third-degree unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle

He faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 19. He is being held without bail.

Latest Local News

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
KABUL, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Acting Prime Minister of the Afghan caretaker government Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund has called upon the nation's well-off people to help the needy families during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan which commenced on Monday.

According to a report by the state-run Bakhtar news agency, in his congratulatory message on the occasion of the Islamic holy month, Akhund called upon government officials and rich people to extend their support to the needy and impoverished Muslims including the quake-affected families across the war-torn country.

During the month of Ramadan, adult Muslims observe fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from all food and drink throughout the day before the fast-breaking meal in the evening called iftar. 
Ukraines Air Force has reported a Russian drone attack on Odesa Oblast on the night of 10-11 March.

Source: Ukraines Air Force

Quote: "Several groups of attack UAVs are flying from the Black Sea towards Odesa Oblast!

Residents of Odesa, proceed to shelters!"

Details: Local news outlets reported later that air defence systems were responding in Odesa.

The Air Force gave the all-clear for Odesa Oblast at 04:02.

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A sex trafficking survivor whose story was used by Sen. Katie Britt during her disastrous State of the Union rebuttal called the senators characterization of her story unfair.

On Thursday, Britt said in her State of the Union rebuttal that during a recent visit to the southern border, she spoke to a woman who was sex trafficked by the cartels starting at age 12. Britt blamed President Joe Biden for the womans plight. President Bidens border crisis is a disgrace. Its despicable. And its almost entirely preventable, she said.

Shortly after the speech aired, independent journalist Jonathan M. Katz identified the woman in Britts story as Karla Jacinto, who was trafficked in Mexico, not the U.S., between 2004 and 2008  more than a decade before Biden assumed the presidency.

During a Sunday interview with CNN, Jacinto, whom Britts office confirmed was the woman referenced in the story, said that she rarely chooses to 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. Jacinto, whos become a prominent anti-sex trafficking activist, has also stated that she was not trafficked by the drug cartels, but by a man who acted as a professional pimp.

I work as a spokesperson for many victims who have no voice, and I really would like them to be empathetic: all the governors, all the senators, to be empathetic with the issue of human trafficking because there are millions of girls and boys who disappear all the time, Jacinto added. People who are really trafficked and abused, as she [Britt] mentioned. And I think she [Britt] should first take into account what really happens before telling a story of that magnitude.

Britt insisted to Fox News earlier on Sunday that she had not misrepresented Jacintos story, telling host Shannon Bream that she 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, after being pressed multiple times regarding the veracity of her story.

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

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 added.

The White House itself hit back at Britts false claims, stating on Sunday that 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.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone
The sex trafficking survivor who was mentioned by Republican Senator Katie Britt in the State of the Union rebuttal says her story was totally warped by the senator as part of an attack on Joe Bidens immigration policies.

I hardly ever cooperate with politicians, because it seems to me that they only want an image. They only want a photoand that to me is not fair, Karla Jacinto Romero told CNN on Sunday. Jacinto Romero also confirmed that no one from Britts team had reached out to her asking to share her story.

In her widely criticized State of the Union response, Britt shared the graphic story of a woman who was raped by human traffickers for years.



When I first took office, I did something different. I traveled to the Del Rio sector of Texas, where I spoke to a woman who shared her story with me. She had been sex trafficked by the cartels starting at age 12, Britt said in her speech, seeming to imply that this happened in the United States during Bidens presidency.



Britts communications director has already stated that the woman in the story was Jacinto Romero. And Jacinto Romero, in her interview with CNN, is confirming a viral TikTok that Britt got all the datesand some other detailswrong.

In reality, Jacinto Romero was kept in captivity in Mexico from 2004 to 2008, when President George W. Bush was president. She was not trafficked in the United States, nor was she trafficked by drug cartels as Britt alleged in her speech, but by a pimp who kidnapped young girls.

Jacinto Romero also disputes Britts version of the story, which made it seem like the two women met in a private meeting.

Jacinto Romero told CNN that she actually met Britt at an anti-trafficking event last year at the southern border, with several other government officials in attendance, including Republican Senators Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi.

As these clarifications have come to light, how has Britt responded? Well, shes doubling down of course.



When Fox News host Shannon Bream asked Britt Sunday if she meant to imply that this all happened during Bidens presidency, Britt responded, No. I very specifically said, This is what President Biden did during his first 100 days. He stopped all deportations, he halted construction of the border wall and he said, Im going to give amnesty to millions. Those types of things act as a magnet to help more and more people here.



She followed up that sentence with the statement, President Bidens border crisis is a disgrace. Its despicable. And its almost entirely preventable.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  San Francisco resident Jeremy Rene Reyes was charged in connection to claims of sexually abusing a child, the San Francisco District Attorneys Office announced on Monday.

Reyes was charged with multiple sex abuse felonies, including three counts of committing a lewd act upon a child and contacting a minor with knowledge and intent to commit a sexual offense.

I would like to thank the school staff for promptly reporting to law enforcement allegations of inappropriate contact between an adult and a minor, said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. We will now work diligently to pursue justice in this case and support this minor and their family throughout their healing process. My office will do everything in our power to ensure that children are safe in our schools and in our city.

FBI raids Dublin womens prison plagued by sexual abuse

On March 5, the suspect was arrested due to a report from a middle school that a student was involved in a sexual relationship with an adult. Reyes, 20, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Reyes preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 22. The court granted the District Attorneys Office to detain Reyes until trial as he poses a safety risk.

Despite the filed charges, this remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department Tip Line at (415) 575-4444.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
The Sheboygan Area School District Administrative building as seen, Wednesday, November 16, 2022, in Sheboygan, Wis.

SHEBOYGAN  Sheboygan Area School District will not accept any special education students who live outside the district to attend its schools during the 2024-2025 school year.

The decision was made based on calculations that found the projected special education seats for the year match or exceed seat capacity across all district schools and programs.

During the curriculum and instruction meeting where members voted to send the decision to the board of education, Jacob Konrath, assistant superintendent of student and instructional services, said the district is stretched thin.

What we really want to do there is make sure that were serving our students first in a world where its hard to find special ed teachers, Konrath said. And that teacher shortage is so real, we want to make sure that were serving our resident students first.

Jacob Konrath

The board of education voted unanimously to approve the cap during its Jan. 23 meeting.

When the district reviewed the number of students enrolled in special education, their individualized education program, and how those needs relate to current staffing, cross categorically all elementary, middle and high schools were beyond their capacity.

Elementary cross categorical seat capacity is 337 and the projected seats for next school year are 372.

Middle school capacity is currently 286 with projections reaching 292.

And high school cross categorical also has a jump with capacity at 368 and projections totaling 407.

Konrath said having the district stretched thin does make him wonder about whats coming, a thought he said is shared by many districts across the state. There are no answers, he said.

Its the one thing that everyone is losing sleep over, he said.

Shipwreck gets historic status: Century-old shipwreck off Sheboygan coast named historic place, protected by law

With funding from the state fairly low and the current density of students, providing for students with IEPs is a big financial priority for the district, he said.

We are obviously so proud of the services that we offer our special education students, but its getting more and more difficult when were not given the resources we need there, Konrath said.

Despite the cap on special education open enrollment, all students living in the district with IEPs will be accepted and provided for.

While open enrollment for special education will be closed, regular education open enrollment will remain open. The distinction between the programs comes from Wisconsin Act 55, which requires districts set space availability numbers for both regular and special education open enrollment.

The board votes on open enrollment based on capacity every January, Konrath said.

If a traditional education student living outside of the district wishes to attend SASD, they will be able to. However, this does not necessarily mean they will attend the school of their choice.

African heritage conference: 'It truly was amazing:' Sheboygan student leaders attend African heritage conference

If a students school of choice doesnt have any availability next year, parents will be given options of other schools in the district their child can attend, and it will be their decision whether they wish to attend another school or continue education outside of the district.

Last year, out of the more than 9,500 students enrolled in the district, 79 students came through open enrollment, according to Nicole Sondalle, SASD marketing and communications coordinator. Two special education students were denied.

For the 2024-2025 school year, there are currently about 30 applications for open enrollment students and one is special education.

Have a story tip or public interest concern? Contact Sam Bailey at sgbailey@gannett.com or 573-256-9937. To stay up to date on her stories and other news, follow her on X (Twitter) @SamarahBailey.

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan Area School District special education enrollment capped
Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb searched the Pacific seafloor last year in search of meteor debris.

He said he found metal spherules that "may reflect an extraterrestrial technological origin."

A new study now suggests Loeb may have been looking for the meteor debris in the wrong place.

Yet another study is calling into question a Harvard professor's claims that metallic balls discovered under the ocean may have been made by aliens .

Last year, Avi Loeb, the director of a computational astrophysics center at Harvard, said metal spherules found in the Pacific Ocean were left behind by a meteor that exploded near Earth in 2014.

He said their bizarre chemical composition "may reflect an extraterrestrial technological origin."

His claims were criticized by parts of the scientific community that believed Loeb was making wild assertions without enough evidence to back them up.

Now researchers believe Loeb's costly expedition looking for evidence of extraterrestrial technology on the sea floor might have been more than 100 miles off of its mark because it was misled by seismic data.

Johns Hopkins University-led (JHU-led) research said a blip on the seismometer that Loeb used to pinpoint the crash site may simply have been caused by the vibrations of a passing truck.

If correct, that means exotic metal balls recovered from the sea floor may be unrelated to the outer-worldly rock, Ben Fernando, a postdoctoral researcher at JHU and lead author on the analysis, told Business Insider in an interview.

"It seems highly likely that the place they were searching on the sea floor was incorrect. Therefore, whatever they recovered from the sea floor and thought was from this media actually had nothing to do with it whatsoever," he said.

Pinpointing the crash site

In 2019, Loeb and his team searched databases for unusual meteors that were moving rapidly. That's when they came across a meteoric fireball that arrived in Earth's atmosphere in 2014.

The meteor, dubbed by Loeb's team IM1, was first spotted by the Department of Defense's (DoD) sensors. These said it hit the atmosphere at 27 miles per second, a high speed that suggests the meteor came from outside the solar system.

This left Loeb wondering whether the 2014 object was an extraterrestrial probe. Loeb wanted to recover debris from the object to test his theory.

The DoD suggested a location for the meteor's impact site, which Loeb and his team used as a baseline to track down a 46 square-mile zone where it may have crashed.

Readings from a nearby seismometer were then used to further narrow down their search area to a 6-square-mile area of interest off the coast of Papua new Guinea.

This is where the expedition carried out its search for spherules, characteristic metal balls often left behind by meteors that crash in the atmosphere.

Loeb's team recovered 805 spherules. A 10th of these, according to their analysis, contained unusual levels of three metal elements  beryllium, lanthanum, uranium  and atypical isotopes. This, they said, could point to an interstellar origin.

One hypothesis is that the meteor came from a planet's crust outside the solar system. Loeb went one step further in the paper, stating that it's possible that the bizarre composition means the meteor may be made up of extraterrestrial tech.

A close up of the tiny spherules, seen here in an electron microscope. The bar scale is about 100 micrometers. Loeb et all, arXiv:2401.09882 [astro-ph.EP] https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2401.09882 CC-BY

Another theory

The JHU-led research, which has not been validated by peers, suggested Loeb and his colleagues misread the seismic readings taken from Papua New Guinea.

They said it could be explained by nearby city noises, rather than shockwaves let off by a meteor crashing nearby.

"It's probably the signal of a truck driving by the seismometer," Fernando said.

Fernando added that the DoD's measurements are notoriously inaccurate when it comes to pinpointing the speed and location of near-Earth objects.

To firm up its theory, the JHU-led team tracked down data from acoustical measuring devices placed in the area. These car-sized microphones are typically used to detect illicit nuclear tests and are finely tuned to detect explosions in the atmosphere, Fernando said.

This analysis, they said, places the location for the meteor about 120 miles from the area Loeb investigated.

"Fundamentally, I think the big difference is that our team has people who study sound waves, people who are seismologists, and people who study fireballs," said Fernando.

"And as far as I know, they don't have any of those three on their team, which it's not to say that they're not entitled to publish on this, but it may have led them to misinterpret or misunderstand the data that they were downloading," he said.

Loeb disagrees with JHU analysis, stating that the seismic readings were only used to confirm data from other sources.

"What arrives at Earth from outside the solar system should be studied by scientists who are serious about paying attention to new data, and not ridiculed by ill-motivated debunkers," he said in a Medium post on Sunday.

The findings will be presented at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston on Tuesday.

No stranger to controversy

This isn't Loeb's first foray with controversy. The professor first made headlines when he said it was reasonable to assume 'Oumuamua, an interstellar meteor that cruised past the Earth in 2017, might be a wayward piece of alien technology.

The professor's hypotheses have been ruffling feathers among the scientific community, many of whom believe scientists should only put forward theories if they have a solid basis of evidence.

While Loeb has been attracting critiques from peers, he has gained in popularity among tech tycoons and billionaires, who are backing the Galileo Project, Loeb's new alien tech-tracking research institute. The expedition to recover the spherule was fully funded by crypto entrepreneur Charles Hoskinson.

Nevertheless, the JHU analysis adds to a body of criticism raised against the science behind Loeb's expedition.

Some have questioned whether the meteor was interstellar  US Space Force has weighed in to confirm that they believe it was, but not everybody agrees with that analysis.

Others have also suggested that contamination of coal ash runoff from nearby industrial processes could be behind the spherules' peculiar composition.

Loeb disagrees vehemently with these rebuttals and has put forward arguments against each.

Regarding the truck hypothesis, Loeb said he disagreed with the analysis.

"We found that data from other seismometers farther away, does not provide meaningful constraints, whereas the new preprint uses the large uncertainties from these other seismometers to claim that the fireball could have been anywhere across a large region if we were to ignore the DoD localization data," he said.

"There is nothing one could say to people who choose to dismiss reliable DoD information," he said.

Undeterred, Loeb and his team are planning another expedition to detect fragments from interstellar meteors.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Des Moines wants a homeowner to pay for a sinkhole that formed in his street  but he and his neighbor believe the repairs should be the city's responsibility since the damage is on a public right-of-way.

Don Burgmaier has filed an appeal in Polk County District Court to Des Moines' claims that he and his neighbor are responsible for causing the sinkhole in the Drake neighborhood potentially related to an underground utility line. Burgmaier argues the city is acting illegally and unconstitutionally by saying that the property owners are responsible for the cost to fix it, and says, instead, the city should pay to repair the damage because the hole is in the street.

The city did not provide an estimate on the size of the sinkhole, but the metal plate covering it is roughly 12 feet long and 8 feet wide. Burgmaier described it as "big enough for a car tire to fall into."

More: What caused the 40-foot-wide sinkhole near Knoxville? Officials think they have the answer

Sinkholes happen when the ground below the land surface cannot support itself. They can occur naturally or be caused by things like sewage issues, water main breaks and, in some cases, abandoned coal mines.

A Des Moines resident is appealing the city of Des Moines' claims that he and his neighbor are responsible for causing a sinkhole in the Drake neighborhood.

According to the court filing, Burgmaier reached out to Des Moines in June 2023 to report the hole in the road on 21st Street near the corner of Drake Park Avenue. He estimates the hole is about 2 feet from the curb in front of his home.

He and his neighbor, John Walter, also a petitioner in the filing, heard back from the city six months later via a letter. The letter acknowledged the sinkhole exists and declared it a public nuisance. It also said that Burgmaier and Walter were responsible for repairing it.

Burgmaier told the Des Moines Register the letter didn't say how much they owed, but believes it could cost as much as $10,000 to repair the damage.

Des Moines did not immediately have a comment on the issue.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Burgmaier argues that he and his neighbor shouldn't be responsible for paying for repairs since it's in the city's right of way, and instead the cost should be covered by property taxes, the court filing says.

"It's in the street, they should be fixing it themselves with our taxpayer money, federal money ... they get money from all over," he told the Register last week.

Burgmaier said he requested an administrative hearing to contest the letter from the city, but a judge ruled against him and his neighbor. He also hired a plumber who said he has a "good, clean sewer line from his house to the street," according to the court filing.

Burgmaier alleged the city's testimony during the administrative hearing was "hearsay" because a city employee who testified could not answer where the sinkhole was located or how the problem exists.

In the meantime, the city put a metal plate over the hole to protect cars that pass over.

How does the city usually handle sinkhole cases related to sewer lines?

When city officials get reports of sinkholes, they will send a crew to look into the cause.

If the sinkhole occurs near a sewer utility, crews will investigate sewer lines to determine if that's the cause. This type of occurrence is referred to as a cavity, where there's an absence of soil under the road, according to public works officials.

A Des Moines resident is appealing the city of Des Moines' claims that he and his neighbor are responsible for causing a sinkhole in the Drake neighborhood.

If the city suspects a resident's sewer is causing the cavity, the city might ask the person's permission to use cameras or a dye test to confirm. A dye test is a plumbing procedure designed to determine how sewer lines are connected and where water is running to and from.

A homeowner is responsible for the sewer and water line connections from their homes to the mains in the street.

More: Do you really need a water or sewer line protection plan? Heres what you should know

If the issue is pinpointed to the homeowner's line, the city sends a letter to the resident noting the problem. It typically gives the resident three options: hire a plumber to fix the issues; ask the city to fix the issue and then pay the bill; or to ask the city for an administrative hearing to contest the issue.

If the judge rules in favor of the city, the resident also can file with the court of appeals.

Alternatively, if the issue is found on a public line, it's the city's responsibility to pay for repairs.

How often do sinkholes happen in Des Moines?

Though not common in Des Moines, the city has seen its share of sinkholes, sometimes due to abandoned coal mines.

In 2016, an abandoned underground coal mine likely contributed to a 30-foot wide and 25-foot deep sinkhole that opened up in the front yard of a south side Des Moines home.

More: 17-foot sinkhole on Des Moines south side likely will keep street closed for a week

Historical mining maps show the South Des Moines Coal Co. operated a 203-acre mine beneath where the south side neighborhood now sits. It was one of more than 200 mines that operated in the Des Moines area during the late 19th century and early 20th century.

If youre in the Des Moines area, theres a good chance theres a coal mine beneath you, Calvin Wolter, a geographic information systems analyst with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, told the Register at the time.

The Iowa Geological Survey estimates that as many as 6,000 underground coal mines are scattered across 38 counties and could potentially affect 80,000 acres of Iowa land.

Many of these mines are located in central Iowa.

Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines homeowner appeals city requirement to fix street sinkhole
This year's Oscars brought more than three hours of glamour, tears, and full-frontal nudity. Here are some of the best moments from the biggest night in Hollywood.

It was Kenough

Diamonds are a Ken's best friend?

We all knew it was coming but Ryan Gosling's full-throated rendition of the Barbie movie's hit I'm Just Ken was even better than we could have hoped for.

He started out the Oscar-nominated original song sitting just behind Barbie co-star Margot Robbie, who could not seem to control her laughter as Gosling crooned into her ear.

Carrying on in his all-pink tuxedo, Gosling made his way to the stage where he danced a choreographed routine with a dozen accompanying cowboy-hat-wearing Kens transforming the sometimes stuffy evening into a rousing concert. And, if that wasn't enough, Slash appeared to lend his talents for a guitar solo.

There were even suggestions the choreography was a homage to Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend.

The Kenergy was infectious - Gosling solicited energetic singalongs from the star-studded front row, including best actress winner Emma Stone and Barbie's director, Greta Gerwig.

Stone even had a wardrobe malfunction due to all the excitement - as she walked up to the stage to collect her best actress nomination, she was struggling with the back of her dress.

Appearing backstage, she said: "They sewed me back in! I genuinely think I busted it during I'm Just Ken. I was so amazed by Ryan and that number just blew my mind. I was just going for it and things just happen!"

Kimmel - tried and tested

Kimmel had presented the Oscars on three previous occasions

Jimmy Kimmel returned to the Dolby Theatre for his fourth turn as Oscars' host.

He's had some practice and it showed. Kimmel nodded to the months-long strikes that brought Hollywood (nearly) to a halt in his tone-setting monologue, celebrating the actors and writers who had pushed for a deal.

"As a result, actors no longer have to worry about getting replaced by AI," he said. "Thanks to this historic agreement, actors are now able to go back to worrying about being replaced by younger, more attractive people."

Kimmel also got into a spat with Donald Trump that went viral. In response to the former US President posting on Truth Social: "Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel?", the comic quipped back on stage: "Isn't it past your jail time?"

But not all his jokes landed. A jab at Robert Downey Jr and his history of substance abuse drew some blank stares from the crowd, and a "wrap it up" from Downey Jr himself.

Downey Jr was the only winner who didn't come to the winners' room to speak to the press later. Although he skipped it at the Baftas too. Maybe he's just too cool for skool.

Israel-Gaza war remains ever-present

The streets of Hollywood were flooded with demonstrators protesting Israel's war in Gaza, snarling traffic and slowing the arrival of several stars.

Protesters chanting "ceasefire now" walked down Sunset Boulevard to the sound of honking horns, while Los Angeles police stood by in riot gear.

Siblings and Oscar winners Finneas O'Connell and Billie Eilish wore red pins in support of a ceasefire in Gaza

There were reminders of the conflict inside the ceremony too, with several big-name stars including Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo and Ramy Youssef sporting red pins in support of a ceasefire (Artists4Ceasefire) between Israel and Hamas.

The pins were from Artists4Ceasefire, a group of stars and others who work in the entertainment industry who signed an open letter urging President Biden to call for a ceasefire.

Israeli-American founder of Marvel Entertainment, Avi Arad, wore a yellow ribbon, to raise awareness of the hostages who are still being held by Hamas since the 7 October attack on Israel.

And the war was noted from the Oscars stage itself, as the British director Jonathan Glazer accepted the best international film statue for his film The Zone of Interest, which follows the domestic life of a Nazi officer and his family.

Glazer, who is Jewish, said he rejected his "Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people".

"Whether the victims of October 7th in Israel, or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims of this dehumanisation, how do we resist?"

Da'Vine Joy Randolph moves us to tears

The first winner of the night, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, told the audience: "Thank you for seeing me"

The Oscars made lots of super-fans happy this year by returning to an old presenting format, with past winners announcing the nominees for the four acting categories. The personal tributes gave us some nice moments of real emotion from the stars.

This was especially true for Da'Vine Joy Randolph who was moved to tears by a heart-felt introduction from Lupita Nyong'o.

Randolph had us crying ourselves moments later when she accepted the trophy for best supporting actress - her first win after her first nomination.

"I didn't think I was supposed to do this as a career," she said in her speech. "For so long, I've always wanted to be different, and now I realise I just need to be myself. And I thank you. I thank you for seeing me."

Backstage, she spoke about encouraging creatives from under-represented backgrounds to keep going: "The beautiful thing that erupts is your imagination and creativity because you don't have much. Something I think as black people, we are very good at, is making a lot out of very little. It's our superpower."

John Cena (nearly) bared it all this year

The award for costume design won't be easily forgotten this year, thanks to the presentation by John Cena.

Prompted by Kimmel, Cena - a wrestler and actor - appeared on stage entirely naked, save for a pair of Birkenstocks and a strategically placed envelope carrying the name of the winner.

Cena shuffled on stage to the sound of roaring laughter, before a quick exchange with Kimmel - one of the better sketches of the evening.

"The male body is not supposed to be funny," Cena said.

"Mine is," Kimmel replied.

Al Pacino and an awkward announcement

Al Pacino didn't even bother to read out all the best picture nominees

It wasn't the only moment of the night that had people sitting up in their chairs. Al Pacino nearly gave us a panic attack right at the end of the ceremony.

We still haven't recovered from the Moonlight/La La Land mix-up back in 2017. So when Pacino hesitated before announcing Oppenheimer as the best picture winner - and then uttered his announcement so casually - there was a sharp intake of breath in the auditorium. Thankfully, no-one rushed on to the stage to correct him. Phew.

Best supporting dog

Messi the dog put his paws together

The best picture-nominated Anatomy of a Fall boasted a four-legged break-out star: Messi, the black-and-white border collie who plays Snoop the dog in the French courtroom drama.

Following days of speculation over whether he would show, Messi appeared at the ceremony, sitting in a plush red seat with a black bow-tie around his neck.

Messi even got some screen time later in the evening. The camera panned to him to show his paws up in applause for Robert Downey Jr's best supporting actor win.

Gosling also looked delighted to see Messi again, having previously made his acquaintance at the Oscars Luncheon last month.

More on the Oscars
Robert Kalinak, Slovakia's Defence Minister, has said that instead of discussing deployment of Western troops to Ukraine, ally states should rather discuss repatriation of Ukrainian men subject to mobilisation.

Source: Kalinak on the air of the TA3 TV channel, European Pravda reports

The Slovak defence minister made the statement in the context of discussing French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to send Western troops to Ukraine. Kalinak noted that discussions on this issue have spilled over into the open.

Quote: "We want to send [Western] troops to Ukraine instead of thinking about all the refugees from Ukraine whom we are protecting, whom we are giving a place to live, work, etc. There are people that are subject to the Ukrainian law on mobilisation," Kalinak said.

"I think that having enough people would be the biggest help to the Ukrainian military," he added.

According to Kalinak, about 300,000 Ukrainians who went abroad after the start of the full-scale war are subject to the Ukrainian law on mobilisation  the Slovak defence minister did not specify where he got this number from.

"We should actually allow these young Ukrainian guys who are within the perimeter of the law  that is, not younger or older, not children, mothers and all the rest, but those who can  to serve in the Ukrainian army," Kalinak said.

For reference: Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said that deployment of Western troops to Ukraine "should not be ruled out". Later he added that his controversial remarks were carefully thought through.

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by Pankaj Yadav

NEW DELHI, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government on Monday implemented the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, or CAA, which was passed by the country's parliament more than four years ago.

The Federal Home (Internal Security) Ministry issued an official notification in this regard during the day.

The notification came just days ahead of the announcement of general elections soon to be made by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Though dates are yet to be announced, the polls are expected to be held in April-May.

Passed in December 2019, the CAA mainly aims at providing citizenship to migrants belonging to six communities, namely Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, who had entered the country before Dec. 31, 2014 for religious reasons.

Those aspiring to get citizenship under the CAA will have to apply for it online through a web portal, said a post by the federal government's Press Information Bureau on X (erstwhile Twitter).

Passing of the CAA in December 2019 attracted widespread protests by people belonging to the Muslim community living in many parts of the country, mainly Delhi. It also witnessed violence at some places leading to deaths of several protesters.

The protesters argued that the CAA would result in religious discrimination, and isolation of Muslims and they also opposed the National Register of Citizen and the National Population Register, which they called "anti-Muslims".

Fearing protests once again, heavy security was deployed in some parts of Delhi and the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh after the implementation of the CAA on Monday, said media reports. 
According to Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak, instead of sending NATO troops, Ukraine should return combat-ready men who have gone abroad, reported the press service of the country's ruling SMER-SSD on Facebook on March 11.

According to Kalinak, the deployment of troops from NATO member states to Ukraine is "a thick red line, crossing which will significantly increase the risk of global conflict."

"If our warmongers were serious about supporting Ukraine and defeating Russia, they would call for allowing combat-ready Ukrainians to return to their homeland," the Slovak DM said.

At the same time, he noted that the world "has seen the results of the war 'to the last Ukrainian'", so, according to him, it is time to "look for peaceful solutions".

Read also: Slovak deputy parliamentary speaker defends Russian aggression against Ukraine

"Only by immediately ending hostilities will we be able to prevent further bloodshed and restore Ukraine's sovereignty," Kalinak added.

In November 2023, during a visit to Brussels, Robert Kalinak told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that the new Slovak government had decided to stop transferring military aid to Ukraine from its stockpiles.

On March 8, 2024, Andrej Danko, Deputy Speaker of the Slovak Parliament and leader of the pro-Russian Slovak National Party, said that Russia "is not an aggressor, but only defends its interests" in the war against Ukraine.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has also repeatedly spread Russian narratives about the war in Ukraine. He claimed that the war in 2014 allegedly began because of "Ukrainian Nazis." He is convinced that Russia "will never leave Crimea and the territories it controls."

Read also: Czech-Slovak joint cabinet meetings axed over Russia policy discord

In January, the Slovak prime minister also said that Ukraine "must give" Russia part of its territory to end the war.

Fico also argues that "it is better for Ukraine and Russia to negotiate over the next ten years than to kill each other."

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
Will Smith Supports Janet Hubert At Her Book Reading Event | Photo: Max

Will Smith is getting wide praise for showing love to his fellow The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star, Janet Hubert. Smith, who has had conflicts with Smith over their careers before their public reconciliation a few years ago, showed support when Hubert was reading her new childrens book at the Embrace Girl Power event.

Smith expressed utter joy for Hubert when he went to Instagram to share a clip from the event.

WOW!! Thank U to my dear friend, Smith wrote. For inviting me to help you bring your amazing project JG and the BC Kids to the world! It was a blast and a pleasure to be able to show 200 students from @embracegirlpower a taste of your genius, Janet!! Ok  who we showing the project to next??

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

The video also captured Huberts excitement as she shared the stage with Smith at her event.

Thank you for coming, baby, Hubert said in the clip.

Smith continued to smile from ear to ear while dishing out more praise the Hollywood star.

You look beautiful, Smith told his former co-star.

There was plenty more love exchanged as the two stars enjoyed their reunion.

You havent changed a bit, Hubert said to Smith, rubbing his beard and hair.

Smith of course responded with the same type of humor that made him a popular figure on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.

This aint nothing but just the finest nuts and berries, he said.

The audience continued to laugh with the pair as Hubert asked whats the secret to Smiths radiating looks. The children in particular appeared to be having a great time, reading along with the Hollywood stars.

Huberts book, The J.G. and the B.C.Kids, is based on the animated film she released by the same name in 2020. The producers of the book state that the story focuses on bringing street smart kids and book smart kids together, the Atlanta Black-Star reported.

Smith and Hubert, who starred as Aunt Viv on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, had disagreements during their time working together. However, the two put their differences aside during The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion special on Max in 2020. In 2023, Hubert said Will Smith has been supporting her with JC and BC Kids since the beginning.

Youll be happy to know that hes helping me. Hes helping me get JG out there and giving me support, Hubert said according to the Atlanta Black Star.

Smith challenged the children at the reading event to be embrace being different.

At different times in our childhood even when we were your age, we had struggles with feeling like we were different, he said. Dare to be different.
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio  As many people are celebrating springing ahead for more sunshine, snowbelt counties are digging out from another round of winter weather.

Pond Skimming event at Boston Mills: Watch this!

When snow is forecasted in March, you never really know what will accumulate. For example, downtown Cleveland received a light dusting that didnt amount to much. But just to the east in Chagrin Falls residents easily saw more than four inches of snow come down.

While some may have used the snowfall as an excuse for a self-care Sunday, staying indoors and relaxing, others view the snow as a welcome sight.

Enjoying the weather, Randy Rohde said. We havent had a lot of snow, so its always kind of fun to get out and jump in the snow a little bit. Dog loves the snow banks so, the weathers not that bad. Its not that cold.

Rohde and his dog Bailey went for not one, but two long walks through the snow. Rhode said you cant be mad about a little snow in March.

You know, we live in Ohio and its March, so you never know what youre going to get, he said. The great thing, and what I always tell my kids is that it can snow today, so tomorrow its going to be 50 and sunny so it wont last long.

Kathleen Miller and her daughter Mary Panetto also made a trip to the Chagrin Falls Waterfall. Miller said she did not fall for fools spring.

Take note if your trash is picked up on Mondays

I did not, Miller said. It has to snow three times on the daffodils.

Miller said a little snow wont stand in the way of a great Sunday.

We actually came out to roller skate, but it was so busy at the rink that we instead walked around Chagrin Falls and got some food down the street, Miller said. And were having a great time.

But not everything was picturesque for residents in the snowbelt. Many woke up to a tougher-than-expected commute with near white-out conditions in Geauga County.

Continued snowfall accumulations and high winds of up to 40 piles per hour created poor visibility for drivers. But nearly 300 ODOT snowplows were out working around the clock to get roads back to safe levels for drivers. Roads remained passable through the day.

ODOT Northeast Public Information Officer Amanda McFarland said this may not be the last round of snow.

With this snow, were Northeast Ohioans, we know to expect snow probably through April. You know, thats just how it works here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
YANGON, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's authorities have seized 5 million stimulant tablets in central Myanmar's Mandalay region, according to the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) late Monday.

Acting on a tip-off, anti-narcotic police searched two boats at an irrigation canal in Madaya township of Mandalay region on March 6 and confiscated the drugs which were carried under charcoal sacks in the two boats, the CCDAC said.

The seized drugs had a street value of about 7.5 billion kyats (about 3.57 million U.S. dollars), it said.

Eight suspects, who were arrested for the case, were charged under the country's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, the CCDAC said. 
Spelman College announced the expansion of its STEM programs to include cosmetics studies. Students majoring in chemistry will now have the option to choose a concentration in cosmetic chemistry, while all students will have the opportunity to minor in cosmetic science.

The option will debut next fall. It is the first HBCU to offer such a program.

This expansion of our curriculum speaks to Spelmans innovation and commitment to giving voice that empowers Black women, Spelman Provost Dr. Pamela Scott-Johnson said in a press release. The program will be far-reaching and will support our students and faculty in making a difference in a field that caters to Black women as consumers, fueled by the scientific expertise in this area. We are thrilled to continue this evolution of creating new academic offerings that address industry demands.

Spelman College wants to address the lack of representation in the beauty industry, despite Black women being substantial consumers. In 2021, Black Americans spent $6.6 billion on beauty, according to a study conducted by McKinsey. At the same time, Black-owned brands make up for only 2.5 percent of revenue in the beauty industry.

I am excited that we now offer a course of study that connects students Spelman experience to the beauty and personal care industry. The new major concentration and minor will ensure our students competitiveness for advanced study and careers in the field, Dr. Leyte Winfield, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and division chair for the Natural Sciences and Mathematics, said. I am equally excited that this endeavor positions us to offer a culturally relevant perspective that is needed in the conversation on black hair and skin care and the development of cosmetics.

The program aims at promoting careers in the beauty industry by keeping people of color in mind. It will focus on the molecular sciences related to product formulation and development.

The HBCU is expecting the program to be popular among students.

Dr. Michelle Gaines, an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Spelman, says that many students are already interested in working with her on her study of the chemical properties of curly hair.

We believe this exciting new venture will lead to many new research opportunities and collaborations with leaders in the beauty care field, she said. Im looking forward to growing this research within the new program.

Spelman College already started offering a cosmetic science curriculum as a remote study option in January 2023. The program grew from 150 to 750 applications since it was introduced.
Authorities were working to assist beached sperm whale stranded on a sandbar off Florida's Gulf Coast on Sunday morning.

Authorities were working to assist beached sperm whale stranded on a sandbar off Florida's Gulf Coast on Sunday morning. Photograph: AP

A sperm whale who became stranded on a Florida beach over the weekend has died, states fish and wildlife conservation commission said in a statement on Monday.

The case was an urgent one for animal preservationists because sperm whales are classified as an endangered species.

Police and wildlife officials had tried to free the male whale from a shallow sandbar off Floridas Gulf Coast in the city of Venice  59 miles (95km) from Tampa  since Sunday morning. But officials said they were unable to rescue the animal because of high winds and surf in Gulf of Mexico waters off Venices coast, and they had to euthanize the animal.

Rescuers had hoped conditions would be more favorable on Monday, allowing them to save the whale. But it became clear on Sunday evening that the whale was experiencing labored breathing and suffering, officials said.

The animal died about 3am Monday.

Police said they maintained a presence near the whale throughout its final night. The animal beached on a sandbar about 50 yards (45m) from Service Club Park in Venice, Florida, the local police department said in posts on Facebook.

Authorities estimated that the whale weighed between 50,000 and 70,000lb. Though many might be struck by that number of pounds, the whale was actually considered to be severely underweight and therefore was struggling to survive.

A branch chief with the marine mammal division at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), Laura Engleby, told local television news outlet WTVT that a sperm whale getting stranded on shores near the Gulf of Mexico was a real rare event.

Its really unusual, Engleby said. The last one I remember being at was in 2008. We get about two sperm whales stranded a year in the south-eastern US along the Gulf Coast  [which is] not as frequently.

Agencies planned to conduct a necropsy  essentially, an animal autopsy  to determine the whales official cause of death.

Sperm whales have a typical lifespan of 70 years and are among the marine mammal species with the widest distributions because they are found in all deep oceans. They are usually found from the equator to the edge of the pack ice in the Arctic and Antarctic, according to Noaa.
While baleen species of whales such as the right whale are not uncommon for Florida's coasts, massive toothed mammals  like the endangered sperm whale that died after beaching itself near Sarasota  are spotted much less often.

Officials said the whale measured around 44 feet long and 70,000 pounds died Monday after becoming stranded on a sandbar off the coast of Venice, Florida. Although that number sounds big, a sperm whale that size is considered underweight.

Since Herman Melville penned the novel that cemented the sperm whale's particular place in the American popular imagination, the huge, deep sea-hunting mammal has rebounded from the whaling industry that killed off many of Moby Dick's compatriots of the sea. Baleen whales, like the right whale, can typically typically be spotted off Florida's east coast between November and April, but reports of sperm whales, the species Melville assigned a sort of "intelligent malignity" in Moby Dick are less common.

Here's what we know about sperm whales in Florida.

Are sperm whales common in Florida?

While many different species of whales are prevalent along Florida's east and Gulf coasts, sperm whales are far more common in the Gulf of Mexico, where a population of the species has maintained a home. One estimate from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that there are as many as 763 sperm whales who live in the Gulf of Mexico with a minimum population estimate of 560 sperm whales.

An interactive map from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows sperm whale populations in the Gulf of Mexico.

While it can be common for sperm whales to migrate from the North Atlantic around Florida to the Gulf of Mexico, the large mammals are not known for stopping along the way to the warm gulf waters where they're known to nest.

How many sperm whales are left in the wild?

Only around 300,000 sperm whales are estimated to be left in the wild worldwide. Compare that to the 1.1 million estimated population prior to the advent of the whaling industry, according to the National Wildlife Federation.

Mote Marine Laboratory scientists and local law enforcement marine units respond to a sperm whale that was found Sunday stranded off of Service Club Park in Venice.

Is it common for sperm whales to beach?

One research paper from NOAA showed that there were eight sperm whale strandings in the northern Gulf of Mexico between 2009 and 2013.

The most recent report of a Florida sperm whale death was in 2022, according to NOAA. In a similar event, a 47-foot male sperm whale was found dead near the Florida Keys. In that event, biologists found fishing line, net and plastic bag material in the whale's stomach, which they believe inhibited its ability to get nutrients and led to its "emaciated condition and subsequent stranding."

The whale found stranded in Venice this week was also reportedly underweight.

What causes sperm whale strandings?

Sperm whales are used to hunting for prey like giant squid in deep waters, using echolocation and soundwaves as their guide. In shallow water, sandbanks and other land formations can interfere with this method of navigation.

Malnutrition has also been linked to sperm whales beaching. In 2021, scientists found that a sperm whale stranded in Mobile Bay in Alabama that had likely not eaten for weeks or months.

A string of sperm whales that stranded themselves around the North Sea in 2015 were found with plastic waste, fishing nets, car engine parts and other debris in their stomachs, according to Wadden Sea National Park of Denmark. Noise pollution is another common cause of whale strandings. Ships and underwater drilling can disorient whales' natural ability to navigate via echolocation.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Dead whale beached in Sarasota, what to know about sperm whales in Florida
VENICE, Fla. (WFLA)  A sperm whale caused quite a commotion in Sarasota County after it washed up off the coast of Venice Sunday morning.

While crews were unable to get the whale back to sea before it died, researchers are working to understand what happened to the 44-foot creature.

Beached sperm whale in Venice has died, officials say

According to experts, the endangered sperm whales typically live in deep waters across the worlds oceans, including the Gulf of Mexico. A sperm whale is capable of spending 60 minutes in 10,000-foot water while hunting for squid, sharks, skates, and deep-water fish  consuming about 3% of their body weight each day.

Because of this, sperm whales are rarely seen near the coast.

Laura Engleby, chief of marine mammal branch NOAA fisheries, Southeast Region, said the 70,000-pound adult male was thin and appeared to have marks from what appeared to be attacks from other male sperm whales.









Obviously this whale wasnt feeling very well and wasnt doing very well to be this close to shore and in this kind of condition, she said.

The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida states there are about 2,000 whale and dolphin beaching incidents across the world every year. Usually, a live cetacean stranding is caused by sickness or injury.

According to Engleby, researchers see about two sperm whales per year in the southeast United States. The last one spotted in the Gulf Coast was in 2008, but in 2022, an emaciated 47-foot male sperm whale beached itself in the Keys, having ingested trash that kept it from eating normal food.

As much of a predator as these toothed whales are, sperm whales face multiple threats, many of them human. NOAA states that these can include vessel strikes, entanglement in fishing line, ocean noise, marine debris, and even climate change.

Previously, sperm whales were targets for whalers who wanted to use the waxy substances in the whales heads, called spermaceti, for oil. Now that whaling is no longer a major threats, the population of these whales is recovering, according to NOAA.

Engleby said a necropsy was planned after the whale is brought to shore. However, it could take the whole day to determine what happened to the whale.

The branch chief also stated that the incident will allow researchers to learn as much as they can about sperm whales but emphasized that this was a somber event.

Its a really sad opportunity, she said.

After the necropsy, crews will tow the whale out to sea to return it to nature. Whale carcasses provide a significant amount of nutrition to life in deep waters, with the phenomena being referred to as whale falls.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Germany, Sweden, Canada and South Korea have called on their citizens to leave Russia due to possible terrorist attacks in the next 48 hours, Azernews reports.

Note that Latvias Foreign Ministry on Friday urged its citizens to leave Russia as soon as possible after the US Embassy in Moscow issued a warning about possible terrorist attacks in the next 48 hours.

On Thursday, the US Embassy said that it was monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow. Following the warning, the UK issued a similar warning recommending that UK citizens refrain from traveling to Russia citing the risks and terrorist threats.

The British Foreign Office advised against all travel to Russia.
Electric vehicles of China's MG brand are displayed at an MG sales center in Istanbul, Turkiye, March 4, 2024.

Over the past four years, the Turkish market has witnessed a steady surge in the presence of Chinese electric car brands, garnering increasing attention from Turkish consumers.(Photo by Safar Rajabov/Xinhua)

ISTANBUL, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Over the past four years, the Turkish market has witnessed a steady surge in the presence of Chinese electric car brands, garnering increasing attention from Turkish consumers.

Industry insiders attribute this growing interest to the allure of high-quality, high-performance vehicles offered at affordable prices, coupled with comprehensive service offerings and energy-efficient features.

Since MG's introduction to Turkiye in 2021, a slew of other Chinese brands swiftly followed suit, bringing the total count to 12 by February, as disclosed by the Automotive Distributors' and Mobility Association (ODMD) in its latest sales report.

MG's brand awareness skyrocketed to 79 percent last year, earning MG Turkiye the "Fastest Growing Brand" accolade from ODMD.

BYD Atto 3 and the MG 4, both Chinese EV models, ranked third and fourth in the best-selling electric car list in February in the country, according to the ODMD.

The ODMD, one of the leading sectoral associations in Turkiye, has 32 members representing 52 international brands as of the beginning of 2024.

Semih Eryukseldi, an industry veteran with nearly 14 years of experience in the automobile sector in Istanbul, attributes the burgeoning interest of Turkish consumers in Chinese cars to their attractive price-performance ratio.

"Chinese manufacturers have effectively conveyed to Turkish consumers that affordable electric cars are within reach," he remarked during an interview with Xinhua at a Chery brand showroom on Istanbul's Asian side.

"Turkish consumers have come to realize that they can acquire well-equipped, high-performance electric cars at reasonable prices," he added.

Gursel Berberoglu, an Istanbul resident who has been driving an MG electric car for the past eight months, commended the substantial support provided by Chinese brands, particularly in terms of fuel efficiency and affordable maintenance services.

"Amidst escalating petrol prices, Chinese electric vehicles have significantly enhanced fuel efficiency," he noted. "Moreover, they offer cost-effective maintenance."

Industry insiders predict that the market share of Chinese brands in the Turkish market, which surpassed 4.5 percent in 2023, is likely to reach 10 percent this year.

"If Chinese brands maintain their current pricing strategies and continue offering high-quality products in Turkiye, they are poised to secure a substantial market share in the near future," Eryukseldi said.

Echoing Eryukseldi's sentiments, Dilara Cuhadaroglu, an MG Turkiye product manager said, "China has indeed emerged as a powerhouse in the electric car sector."

"With major manufacturers boasting cutting-edge technology and visionary approaches, they are setting the pace for global trends," she added. 

An MG 4, a Chinese electric vehicle model, is connected to a charging port in Istanbul, Turkiye, March 6, 2024.

Over the past four years, the Turkish market has witnessed a steady surge in the presence of Chinese electric car brands, garnering increasing attention from Turkish consumers.

(Photo by Safar Rajabov/Xinhua)
The UK government has given details of money being reallocated as part of the financial package which accompanied the return of Stormont.

The 3.3bn package included around 620m of central government funds which had previously been allocated for specific purposes in Northern Ireland.

Under the terms of the deal, the Executive can now decide how the majority of those funds will be used.

The largest reallocation, 203m, comes from the New Deal for Northern Ireland.

The New Deal, announced in 2020, was a 400m package largely aimed at mitigating the economic impacts of Brexit on Northern Ireland.

The other reallocations are a combination of money attached to earlier political deals and 'levelling up' funding.

They are:

New Decade, New Approach - 64.6m

Fresh Start/Stormont House - 150m

Levelling Up Fund Round 3 - 30m

A portion of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund - 22.6m

In addition, there is 153m which flows from funding streams announced in the Chancellor's 2023 autumn statement and 85m of new money.

From that total of 708m, 235m must be used for public service transformation and its release is subject to the establishment of a public service transformation board.

There was controversy last month when it emerged that the 150m reallocation of Fresh Start money would mean 10 shared or integrated education projects would lose out.

It is not yet clear if the other reallocations could have similar impacts.
Trace a radius, fill the spreadsheet.

Amy Wasserman figured she would tackle her child-care search as she does work: Organize the data. Their baby girl was just a few months old when she and her husband moved back to Delaware in late 2019, zeroing a search for childhood centers around their Wilmington-area home.

Perched at the computer, they watched rows and columns grow with price quotes and waitlists, time estimates and reminders, who to call and who to call again. Several pushed out of price range, while others didnt have room anyway.

It was like, do they have availability? Yes, No. If no, what's the waitlist look like? When would they have availability? When would we know? How far is the distance? Wasserman recalled. It's just, it's crazy.

The couple found a spot by January 2020, just in time for pandemic shutdown to send them back home. Then, they started over. They found early childhood care they could trust for their just-over-1-year-old by 2021.

Only, it comes nearly equal to the monthly payment on their mortgage.

Middle-income families are struggling to afford child care in Delaware, while providers themselves cite continued burnout, staffing shortages and their own struggle to provide it.

Some 44% of families said they can't find a program with room, can't find a program that fits their schedules or simply cannot afford it, according to a 2023 survey released by Rodel Foundation and a coalition of partners. Providers and advocates alike are asking Delaware to lower the guardrails, supporting them to help more families access subsidized child care.

The state has found ways to respond.

In the draft budget for next year, Purchase of Care  with $83 million dog-eared for the child-care subsidy  would see family eligibility expanded to 200% of the federal poverty level, up from 185%. According to the state, this would expand access to subsidized care to over 600 more children.

A $3.5 million increase for Delaware's Early Childhood Assistance Program, or state-funded pre-K, would also add at least 200 seats for early care and education. This proposed budget would mark more than doubled investments in both buckets since 2017 figures, while last year came with its own renewed investments.

Some say these increases in a complicated system just arent keeping up.

How can we stop nickel-and-diming this industry? posed Sen. Laura Sturgeon, in a budget hearing late last month. Isn't that really what will move the needle in terms of helping to bolster this industry that is much needed  and in a bit of crisis?

Package: Meet Delaware's Most Influential People 2024 in education

'We're just spinning wheels

A classroom usually buzzing with students sits empty at St. Michael's in Wilmington. The school and nursery temporarily closed to children in March of 2020 due to the spread of coronavirus.

Toni Dickerson remembers jumping on a statewide call with Delaware providers earlier this year. She logged on from her office with Sussex County Preschools, finding a break in another draining day.

But there, shed be met with tears, yelling and frustration radiating between Zoom tiles.

There are programs that don't know how they're going to make it to the end of 2024, said the administrator back in January. We're all exhausted. All of us leaders went through the pandemic and there was enough going on in that in those couple of years  but that same level of exhaustion is still here because we're just spinning wheels.

Theres been talk of strikes. Leaders feel they're working as teachers, as family social workers, as budget acrobats. Staffing ratios are balancing acts, profit margins gaunt.

Dickerson relies on state programs to keep four program doors open for about 300 kids, as she estimated roughly 90% of her families receive state subsidies. That figure wasn't uncommon. She still has families helping with filing systems, another with housekeeping, in lieu of child-care tuition or copays.

In the heart of Wilmington, Lucinda Ross said St. Michaels has always looked after the city's most vulnerable. And it's getting harder.

Some providers caring for the most high-poverty areas in the state say some recent increases in funding have been lost in agency reshuffling. Purchase of Care funds were boosted in 2023, while the Redding Consortium was folded into the new state-funded pre-K. For some, it resulted in their overall state reimbursements declining from promised rates.

Its a shame, because what would look like two and three steps forward, for many of us on the provider side, it's like three steps backward, said Ross, executive director of St. Michaels School and Nursery.

Lucinda Ross, executive director of St. Micheal's School and Nursery, sits in her office in 2020.

Regardless, impact for providers also changes by ZIP code.

Providers like Dickerson in Sussex and Kent counties still receive around 27% less in Purchase of Care funding per-child than New Castle County neighbors, per Rodel projections. Thats based on a market-rate survey providers say hasnt been updated in about 30 years.

"It's defeating," said Brittany Zimmermann, director of another center in Millsboro. "I have a bachelor's degree, halfway through finishing my master's... I just wish that early education was viewed as important as K through 12."

This year, Department of Health and Social Services told the Joint Finance Committee that two surveys are underway  the typical market rate, now joined by a new cost-focused study.

State Senator Laura Sturgeon delivers remarks during a Chinese New Year celebration event on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at the Chinese American Community Center in Hockessin.

It meets concerns of low pay plaguing workers in the industry, struggling to attract the best possible employees. Early childhood providers are not state employees, like teachers, whose salaries are rising by legislative effort.

"We have to bring the cost down for the people who use child care, but we have to make sure we're paying the workforce more," Sturgeon (D-West Brandywine Hundred) told Delaware Online/The News Journal. "And doing both of those things obviously means there has to be government investment into this industry."

Next read: 'We cannot normalize failure': Wilmington Learning Collaborative eyes lofty goals ahead

Families struggle, by the numbers

Arando Cinto Juarez, with her 8-month old son, Isac Juarez, takes a photo after her English class at Milton Elementary School in Milton, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.

Child-care costs are already some 10% of a married couples median annual income per child, on average, per Rodel research. That's on par with housing costs for many, or some in-state university tuition.

In Delaware now, a family of four must earn less than $55,000 to be eligible for publicly funded child care, according to the same research. That cutoff will likely rise to about $60,000 by next fiscal year, if the current proposal of 200% of federal poverty level holds.

Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland offer such assistance to families earning up to 250 or 300%  while some states reach 575%.

But someone smarter than I crunched the numbers and found that this would exclude a family where each parent only makes minimum wage, said Sturgeon, back in the same budget hearing. Two parents making minimum wage would not qualify for the subsidized child care  and that just seems like we arent doing enough.

During the hearing, many speakers and lawmakers alike returned to 250%.

DHSS leaders said they dont believe theres enough data yet on demand at that percentage, but more fiscal study could be done.

The department must prepare to weather other costs that stand to impact families. Copays will soon be rolled back, department leaders told lawmakers. Whats now up to 9% of a familys income, may be 7%, while the most vulnerable families will likely no longer face fees.

Many providers said a thorough review of the system is long overdue.

Some lawmakers agree, in so many words.

Highlighting paraprofessionals: These roles are growing like never before in Delaware schools. And they arent the teachers

Hopes for change continue

A hearing of the Joint Finance Committee, back in 2017.

The system of early childhood education can get complicated. The sector has come up in a few budget hearings.

Purchase of Care is seen as a workforce development program, under Delawares Department of Health and Social Services, while Delaware's Early Childhood Assistance Program, or State Funded pre-K, falls under the states Department of Education.

In the latter hearing, Redding Consortium says the bulk of its $10.2 million in funding will go to wraparound services and state-funded, full-day pre-K. Increases for both state programs have remained unchanged in the draft spending plan, as of yet.

Sturgeon, for one, hopes to resurface these issues by final budget markup, if forecasts allow.

If there's a rosier next forecast for state revenue, "Then we could take the monies that are forecast to come in and apply them where we need most," the senator said. "And I would say child care is at the top of that list."

Some lawmakers seemingly expressed hesitation.

This committee has made double-digit increases over the last five years, said state Sen. Trey Paradee, JFC chairman, of state programs during another hearing. The Democrat noted that subsidized providers come in all different sizes, shapes, flavors and colors, from home care to early childhood centers.

He said many providers are clearly doing great work, providing early education, allowing kids to get a jump on reading comprehension. My fear, is that you have some providers that are simply plopping kids in front of the television and are really nothing more than glorified babysitting, he said. Paradee (D-Dover) nodded to both possible standardized curriculum and collecting better data.

All committee members agreed safety needs to be prioritized. And Paradee said future lawmakers should be able to see whats really working after this body makes decisions.

Sen. Trey Paradee, a Democrat from Dover

But from advocates to providers, to guardians and parents like Amy Wasserman, something certainly doesnt feel like its working.

People just aren't aware, Wasserman said, having also spoken at JFC.

The mom remembers a young woman joking with her recently, saying providers must be rolling in profits given how expensive child care seems today.

And I was like: Actually, they're not. They're really, really struggling. They can't pay their employees, they can't staff, she continued. I think there's this misunderstanding in the public, unless you're in it, that yes, we're paying a lot for child care  but it's because it costs a lot to take care of a child. And the people that are doing this work really aren't being paid.

Education roundup: High school, state programs honored as 'Superstars' in Delaware

Got a story? Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for Delaware Online/The News Journal and USA TODAY Network Northeast, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware child care: Families strain to afford it, so do providers
Since its "soft launch" in December, the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form has proved to be a logistical nightmare for millions of families who rely on the financial aid form to obtain federal grants and loans. While the streamlined form was intended to simplify the financial aid process, it has instead been plagued by glitches that have made it literally impossible for students whose parents don't have social security numbers to complete the form.

"It's just draining and exhausting," Aaron Dominguez, a high school senior whose immigrant mother doesn't have a Social Security Number told The Chronicle of Higher Education. "I know I have the right to ask for federal aid. But they've just made things so much harder for people like me. It's unfair. The government clearly just sees us like an afterthought."

FAFSA is the most popular tool for college students and families seeking financial aid. The form is necessary to obtain federal grants and loans, and most colleges use the form when deciding how much institutional aid to give students.

In 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which required the Education Department to develop a new, simpler FAFSA form. The updated form, first made available on December 30, cut down the number of questions families had to answer by more than half and relies on data directly from the IRS to further streamline the process.

While the idea of simplifying the FAFSA form was a good one, the Education Department's execution of the legally mandated update has been marred by technical issues and delays. Months into the form's availability, the FAFSA website still lists more than a dozen active issues preventing students from filling out the form, though most list some kind of workaround.

However, students whose parents don't have a social security numbertypically because their parent isn't a U.S. citizen or is undocumentedare still completely unable to complete the form. While the website promises a fix to the form sometime during the "first half of March," as of March 11th, the problem persists.

While students can technically submit the form if their parent doesn't have a social security number, the submitted form would be lacking key information collegesand the governmentneed to estimate families' expected costs to send their child to college.

Despite technical issues, the Education Department has not extended the June 30 deadline for submitting the form.

Making a popular financial aid form more accessible for students and families is a no-brainer. But the disastrous rollout of the new FAFSA form shows just how badly things can go wrong when the government bungles something as important as college financial aidand just how easy it is for vulnerable prospective students and their families to get left behind.

The post Students With an Undocumented Parent Still Can't Fill Out the FAFSA Form appeared first on Reason.com.
(KLFY)  During the past five decades, the U.S. has resettled over 3 million refugees, making it one of the leading countries for finding new homes for people fleeing violence, persecution, and war.

In 2021, then-President Donald Trump lowered the annual cap of refugees that could be admitted into the country to 15,000. Even as the Biden administration has raised the ceiling to 125,000, the annual number of refugees arriving in the U.S. didnt immediately bounce back to pre-Trump administration levels. The numbers are increasing though, with over 25,000 refugees arriving in the U.S. in the 2022 fiscal year, twice the 2021 total.

Refugee arrivals during the 2023 fiscal year dramatically outpaced the prior two years, reaching over 60,000 from October 2022 to September 2023.

In February 2024, the greatest number of refugees admitted by the U.S. came from Congo, Syria, and Afghanistan. Each nation faces a unique set of circumstances that can make their citizens unsafe if they stay in their home country.

Many Christian voters in US see immigration as a crisis. How to address it is where they differ

For the last three decades, Congo, also called the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been struggling with a series of civil wars and internal battles that have left millions of people displaced, both internally and externally, with many people fleeing to neighboring countries. Syria has seen more than 5 million refugees flee to neighboring nations since 2011 while a longstanding civil war rages, with an additional 6.8 million people forced from their homes and seeking refuge elsewhere in the country. Afghan refugees have been fleeing to neighboring countries for decades, especially to Pakistan and Iran, which combined host over 8 million Afghans.

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Stacker referenced data from The Refugee Processing Center to compile statistics on the number of refugees and their countries of origin resettled in Louisiana in February 2024.

February refugee statistics

Countries where refugees arrived from in February

To Louisiana:

1. Venezuela: 10 2. Nicaragua: 4 3. Congo: 3 4. Guatemala: 1

To the U.S. as a whole:

1. Congo: 2,426 2. Afghanistan: 1,299 3. Venezuela: 1,230 4. Syria: 981 5. Myanmar: 826

States that accepted the most refugees in February:

1. Texas: 1,062 2. California: 572 3. Florida: 554 4. New York: 507 5. Arizona: 450

Read on to see the countries from which Louisiana has accepted the most refugees since the start of the fiscal year in October 2023.

1. Nicaragua

Refugees that arrived from Nicaragua since October 2023

To Louisiana: 14

To the U.S. as a whole: 786

Top states receiving refugees from Nicaragua: 1. Florida: 151 2. California: 60 3. Texas: 48 4. Minnesota: 44 5. North Carolina: 40

2. Honduras

Refugees that arrived from Honduras since October 2023

To Louisiana: 10

To the U.S. as a whole: 505

Top states receiving refugees from Honduras: 1. Texas: 87 2. Florida: 65 3. California: 33 4. Georgia: 32 4. New York: 32

2. Venezuela

Refugees that arrived from Venezuela since October 2023

To Louisiana: 10

To the U.S. as a whole: 2,504

Top states receiving refugees from Venezuela: 1. Florida: 501 2. Texas: 304 3. Georgia: 146 4. Illinois: 143 5. Tennessee: 110

4. Syria

Refugees that arrived from Syria since October 2023

To Louisiana: 6

To the U.S. as a whole: 6,818

Top states receiving refugees from Syria: 1. New York: 673 2. Michigan: 655 3. Pennsylvania: 465 4. Texas: 375 5. California: 361

5. Congo

Refugees that arrived from Congo since October 2023

To Louisiana: 3

To the U.S. as a whole: 9,929

Top states receiving refugees from Congo: 1. Kentucky: 893 2. Texas: 804 3. Arizona: 747 4. Ohio: 645 5. New York: 600

6. Central African Republic

Refugees that arrived from Central African Republic since October 2023

To Louisiana: 2

To the U.S. as a whole: 395

Top states receiving refugees from Central African Republic: 1. Texas: 45 2. Missouri: 38 3. Georgia: 31 4. Michigan: 24 4. Massachusetts: 24

6. Guatemala

Refugees that arrived from Guatemala since October 2023

To Louisiana: 2

To the U.S. as a whole: 1,920

Top states receiving refugees from Guatemala: 1. California: 270 2. Texas: 172 3. North Carolina: 148 4. Florida: 113 5. New York: 87

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 46 states.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
The Supreme Court appears ready to limit the Biden administration's ability to protect the environment once again.

This time, several justices expressed skepticism of a proposed rule from the Environmental Protection Agency meant to reduce harmful cross-state air pollution, according to the New York Times's Adam Liptak. A decision is expected by June.

What's happening?

The Biden administration has proposed a "good neighbor" rule directing 23 states to cut ozone pollution from factories and power plants that drifts into eastern states. The smog-causing pollutants are linked to asthma, lung disease, and premature deaths.

However, after a wave of litigation, the rule currently only applies to 11 states. Three of those states  Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia  along with energy companies, are now asking the Supreme Court to block the rule entirely while lower court challenges proceed.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the EPA "didn't have an explanation" for why the more limited rule still made sense, calling the justification a "goose egg."

Why is air pollution concerning?

Air pollution doesn't respect state borders. Ozone and smog from power plants and factories can drift hundreds of miles, impacting the health of people in downwind states, especially those with asthma and COPD.

Judith Vale, a lawyer for states supporting the plan, perfectly explains the issue at hand: "In the good neighbor provision, Congress protected downwind states from pollution emitted in upwind states.

"A stay of the good neighbor rule would undermine that statutory goal and the public interest by sending ozone pollution into downwind states, including Connecticut, Wisconsin, and New York, that receive substantial pollution from the particular upwind states that are currently in the rule, including Ohio and Indiana."

What's being done about cross-state air pollution?

The EPA is using its authority under the Clean Air Act to require upwind states to reduce pollution that contributes to downwind states' air quality problems. While the Supreme Court appears poised to block this particular rule, for now, the underlying policy of making upwind polluters take responsibility is important.

"It would delay efforts to control pollution that contributes to unhealthy air in downwind states, which is contrary to Congress's express directive that sources in upwind states must assume responsibility for their contributions to emissions levels in downwind states," the EPA said in its brief to the court.

As the Supreme Court deliberates, we the people can take precautions to protect our health. On windy days, limit outdoor activities to protect yourself from drifting ozone and smog, and pay attention to daily air quality alerts to keep your children from playing outside during dangerous periods.

We can also support clean energy efforts in our states, which prevent harmful pollution at the source  and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
High-voltage grid facilities are pictured in suburban Berlin, Germany, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

The security of the power supply in Germany is jeopardized and the federal government is unable to comprehensively assess the impact of the energy transition on the landscape, nature and the environment, report said.



FRANKFURT, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Germany's green energy transition is facing challenges as a review report of its progress over the past three years showed that the government lags far behind its targets. However, the economic minister argued that the government is making progress.

The report released by the German Federal Court of Auditors (Bundesrechnungshof) on Thursday said that the security of the power supply in Germany is jeopardized, electricity is expensive, and the federal government is unable to comprehensively assess the impact of the energy transition on the landscape, nature and the environment.

The German government has set a goal of covering around 80 percent of electricity consumption with wind, water and solar energy by 2030, which was approved by the German parliament in 2022.

But in the past three years, the expansion of renewable energies and the electricity grids are progressing very slowly and there isn't enough additional generation capacity to meet the demand, said the report.

The report noted that Germany urgently needs to expand its grid by 6,000 km, seven years behind schedule.

This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2023 shows wind turbines in Brandenburg, Germany. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

In particular, the targets for the expansion of onshore wind energy will not be achieved in the foreseeable future, said the report. In 2023, only half of the onshore wind projects required were awarded, it is therefore not realistic to expect the backlog to be made up this year, said Kay Scheller, president of the Federal Court of Auditors.

He also underscored the deficiency of monitoring mechanisms to track the consequences of the energy transition for land, biodiversity and other environmental damage.

Dismissing the findings of the review, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said the report "does not reflect reality," according to German media outlet Focus Online. Germany may not have completed the transition, but progress is being made, and "the expansion has gained momentum," Habeck said.

The report also slammed the federal government for failing to reduce subsidies for fossil fuel products, which are believed to be counterproductive to the energy transition strategy in Germany and the European Union (EU).

A train runs among autumn leaves in the urban area of Berlin, Germany, Nov. 3, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

Given that Germany's economy is caught in stagnation and a robust recovery remains at large, subsidies in the energy sector are widely considered a forceful tool to keep the threat of industrial exodus at bay.

Habeck has recently warned again that the German economy is in bad shape. As a strong advocate for energy subsidies, Habeck has complained about the elevated energy prices that could force companies in Germany to shift production to lower-cost destinations.

The federal government has approved a subsidy plan worth 5.5 billion euros as grid fees in 2024 to keep electricity prices in check.

This photo taken on Jan. 10, 2024 shows empty platforms at Berlin Central Train Station in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Zeitz/Xinhua)

Germany emerged as one of the worst performers in terms of economic growth in the EU last year. Germany's economy shrank by 0.3 percent in 2023, in contrast to the 0.5 percent growth in the euro area.

Habeck said last month that the economic growth forecast for Germany will be slashed down to 0.2 percent in 2024, notably lower than the previous projection of 1.3 percent. 
Americans are currently bracing themselves for the 2024 presidential election this November, which will now almost certainly be a rematch of the race that was already run four years ago between President Joe Biden and then-President Donald Trump. Some elected officials, however, have begun to think even further ahead. Their thoughts bring little comfort.

Florida Representative Byron Donalds, a staunch Trump ally, is reportedly on the former presidents shortlist for vice president for the upcoming election. If he and Trump were elected this fall and Donalds served a full term, he would be vice president on January 6, 2029, when Congress counts the electoral votes for the 2028 presidential election. Donalds told Axios last week that he might refuse to certify electoral votes from certain states in that role. Keep in mind, in this scenario, he might be his partys candidate.

If you have state officials who are violating the election law in their states ... then no, I would not, he reportedly said. After the last presidential election, Trump infamously pressured Mike Pence, the vice president at the time, to throw out electoral votes from states that elected Biden under the false claim that they were illegally or improperly tabulated. When Pence refused to do so on January 6, 2021, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to try to stop the votes from being counted.

Donaldss apparent willingness to do what Pence wouldnt underscores a major problem for American democracy: The constitutional crisis that began on January 6 four years ago never truly ended. Half of the nations political infrastructurethe entire GOP, it seemsremains as willing as Trump was to ignore the Constitution to seize power. And thanks to the Supreme Court, the options to stop them have dwindled.

Consider, for example, last weeks ruling in Trump v. Anderson. Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment disqualifies participants in insurrection or rebellion from holding future political office. Congress can waive that disqualification by a two-thirds vote in each chamber. A group of voters sued the Colorado secretary of state last year to disqualify Trump from that states primary ballot for his role in the January 6 attack on the Capitol. The Colorado Supreme Court ruled in their favor in December.

Last week, the Supreme Court overturned that decision on federalism grounds. Former President Trump challenges that decision on several grounds, the court wrote in its unsigned opinion. Because the Constitution makes Congress, rather than the states, responsible for enforcing Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates, we reverse.

What the Supreme Court did not decide could be as important as what it did decide. The justices did not address the merits of the Colorado voters claim against Trump about the former presidents participation in an insurrection. Nor did they rule in Trumps favor on grounds that would immunize him from Section 3s reach. The justices did not address, for example, Trumps claim that presidents dont fall under Section 3.

By only ruling that states had no power to disqualify federal candidates, the court punted on whether Trump is actually qualified or disqualified from office under Section 3. Congress could pass legislation to allow states to determine that before November, at least in theory. But the GOPs control of the House, along with the need to secure a 60-vote majority in the Senate, means it wont. As a result, Trumps disqualification wont become a live legal issue again until and unless he wins more than 270 electoral votes in November.

So if Trump wins a majority of electoral votes on election night, what happens next? Its doubtful that state legislatures could block electors from formally casting those votes under Trump v. Anderson; the court was pretty emphatic that states have no role in disqualifying federal officers. Nor would there be any apparent avenue for judicial review. The Supreme Court suggested:

An evolving electoral map could dramatically change the behavior of voters, parties, and States across the country, in different ways and at different times. The disruption would be all the more acuteand could nullify the votes of millions and change the election resultif Section 3 enforcement were attempted after the nation has voted. Nothing in the Constitution requires that we endure such chaosarriving at any time or different times, up to and perhaps beyond the Inauguration.

Some legal scholars have warned that the Supreme Courts ruling could lead to further chaos down the road. If Trump prevails in the November election, for example, Congress will be charged with counting the electoral votes on January 6 once again. This time, however, it might be Democratic lawmakers who argue that votes for a candidate shouldnt be counted. Unlike some of their Republican counterparts four years earlier, they would also have a strong argument to do so.

This is an area of high uncertainty for me, Derek Muller, a University of Notre Dame law professor, told The Washington Post this week. I think theres no question the mood from the court is to discourage Congress from refusing to count electoral votes on January 6. But its far from clear to me that that is foreclosed from Congresss power.

In response to January 6, Congress passed a law in 2022 to reform the Electoral Count Act of 1887, which governs the process for disputed presidential elections. The new law raised the number of lawmakers needed to make an objection, clarified that the vice president cannot unilaterally throw out votes, and established a more straightforward process for certifying and challenging disputed electoral votes in the states and the courts. Those reforms fixed many of the gaps that Trumpworlds fake-elector plot sought to exploit.

But Congress still theoretically retains the power to exclude invalid votes under the Twelfth Amendment. If Democrats control both chambers of Congress on January 6, 2025, could they potentially vote to exclude Trumps electoral votes by citing Section 3? The Supreme Courts ruling in Trump v. Anderson is unclear on that matter. Congress has powers beyond its ability to write legislation where it could theoretically disqualify a federal candidate or officeholder.

Rick Hasen, a UCLA law professor who specializes in election law, also expressed concern about the courts approach. In a column for Slate, he characterized the decision as an own goal by Chief Justice John Roberts, who is typically seen as a capable manager of the courts decision-making process when he is in a majority. Leading scholars and lawyers reading the opinion already disagree over what Congress can do and how, keeping the door open to potential chaos, Hasen noted. Its a rare miss by a usually strategic and savvy [Roberts].

Despite the majoritys apparent efforts to provide a final answer on most disqualification questions, their decision raised just as many questions as the majority attempted to answer. Hasen summarized them as follows:

The majority did not explain how far its holding goes. Is congressional legislation always required to enforce Section 3? Theres not a mention of the elephant in the room, which is what happens on January 6, 2025, when Congress counts electoral votes. Can Democrats opt to not count votes for Trump on the grounds that hes an insurrectionist? Would that require a prior statute? Or is the power to disqualify when counting Electoral College votes something within Congress powers under the Twelfth Amendment, separate from the rules on statutes? If its under the Twelfth Amendment, is it not subject to judicial review? Could Congress by statute otherwise disqualify Trump after the election?

The courts three liberal justices parted ways with the majority on how federal officials could handle disqualification. (Justice Amy Coney Barrett also disagreed with the majority on that point, but did not join the liberals opinion.) They suggested that the court had resolved some of these ambiguities. Ultimately, under the guise of providing a more complete explanation for the judgment, the majority resolves many unsettled questions about Section 3, the three justices wrote. It forecloses judicial enforcement of that provision, such as might occur when a party is prosecuted by an insurrectionist and raises a defense on that score.

They also suggested that the majoritys ruling might mean that Congress must pass legislation to disqualify federal officials. The majority further holds that any legislation to enforce this provision must prescribe certain procedures tailor[ed] to Section 3, ruling out enforcement under general federal statutes requiring the government to comply with the law, the justices continued. By resolving these and other questions, the majority attempts to insulate all alleged insurrectionists from future challenges to their holding federal office.

But a concurring opinion is not binding precedent on the lower courts, nor does it necessarily carry any special weight with the high court going forward. (The liberals opinion reads like a dissent, but it is functionally not one because the three justices agreed with the courts ultimate holding.) Nor is it clear if it matters if it would. As Hasen noted, Congresss role in counting electoral votes comes from the Twelfth Amendment, not from legislation, and the courts do not have an explicit role in that process.

The Supreme Courts ruling last week solved what the justices perceived as an immediate problem for themselves. There will be no further disqualification cases before the election, and they may be harder to bring if Trump wins in November. This may have been a relief to a court that perhaps wanted to avoid the perception that it was deciding the outcome of a presidential election.

But their decision also leaves untouched the wound that was opened on January 6. Trump meets the terms of the disqualification clause. He tried to overthrow the American constitutional order to keep himself in power four years ago. The Fourteenth Amendment says that he cannot be president again. The Supreme Court does not dispute this conclusion; it has only dodged it.

By doing so, the justices have not avoided chaos, as the majority suggested in its ruling. They have only changed the form that chaos will take. Based on Donaldss comments and those of Trump, who has pitched himself as a dictator on day one, the courts ruling ahead of the 2024 election could have dire consequences for every election after that.


ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A woman accused of hitting an Abilene police cruiser with her vehicle then fleeing the scene has been arrested.

Rebecca Sells, of Clyde, was taken into custody Monday on warrants for Evading Arrest and Accident Involving Damage, in connection to the incident, which took place in April 2023.

Court documents state an officer reported Sells struck his vehicle, and instead of stopping when he turned on his overhead lights, she drove away.

Sells was located a short time later after she crashed into a wall, according to the documents.

The documents also claims officers met with a passenger in the vehicle who identified Sells as the driver and said Sells told her, she could not go to prison as she drove away.

Officers then learned Sells license has been suspended for years.

Sells was released from jail after posting bonds totaling $21,000. No further information is available at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
(Bloomberg) -- China is likely to increase its campaign of pressure on Taiwan both before and after the islands handover of power to a new government in May, a senior national security official in Taipei warned Monday.

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Taiwan expects China to continue its push and pull tactics in the coming months, National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen told lawmakers in Taipei. He warned Beijing is likely to maintain its military and political intimidation against the government in Taipei while also offering economic incentives to those who help further its goal of unifying with the island.

The Chinese tactics are likely to intensify in the weeks leading up to the May 20 inauguration of President-elect Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and may continue afterward, the national security official said. Lai will succeed President Tsai Ing-wen, who is also of the DPP, following a January election which saw China-friendly presidential candidates defeated.

Taiwans intelligence agencies have also noted Chinas moves to normalize military drills near Taiwan, running joint combat readiness patrols every seven-to-10 days on average.

This trend of normalizing these patrols is related to Taiwans exchanges with foreign countries, the NSBs Tsai said Monday. We found that whenever other countries pass resolutions friendly to Taiwan, or foreign vessels pass through the Taiwan Strait, or when foreign dignitaries visit Taiwan, China will coordinate their existing regular patrols to coincide with these diplomatic events.

China views Taiwan as part of its territory, a claim the government in Taipei rejects, asserting the island is already a de facto independent nation.

While noting that China poses an increasingly strong threat to Taiwan, intelligence indicates a war with the giant neighbor across the strait is not imminent, Tsai said.

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The $117 billion state budget Florida lawmakers approved Friday to end their annual session boosts the capital region with a major construction project and provides tens of millions of dollars for social services, health care, and environmental protection programs.

Theres $201 million in state spending for Senate District 3, which includes Tallahassee, Leon County and 12 rural, sparsely populated counties, taking in much of the Big Bend.

A big chunk of that total includes $80 million to build a new headquarters for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and another $50 million for school construction, leaving the rest to go towards local projects.

When the Legislature spends money, local interests are represented by a four-member delegation of Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, and Democratic state representatives Allison Tant and Gallop Franklin, both of Tallahassee.

Their top priority is a pay raise for the 20,000 state workers in Gadsden and Leon counties. This years 3% increase could translate into an additional $26 million into the regional economy.

Rep. Allison Tant represents Leon, Jefferson and Madison counties

The group also secured money to renovate a kitchen to double the number of people Elder Cares meals-on-wheels program serves. There's money to build schools in Wakulla and Gadsden counties, and continue improvements and protection of Lake Jackson, Munson Slough and Wakulla Springs.

The hard-working folks of Big Bend contribute their fair share and deserve a return on their investment, Simon said. I promised the people of Senate District 3 that wed have the seat at the table theyve long been denied, and Im proud to say that this year, weve delivered on that promise.

The Agriculture building is a state project, but after it is removed from the total, the delegation with new members Simon and Franklin followed up last years $96 million for local projects with $131 million this year, plus the pay raise for state workers.

Sen. Corey Simon on the right and Rep. Jason Shoaf at a Taylor County delegation meeting October of 2023

Shoaf was able to steer more than $4 million to buy land to protect Wakulla Springs and research its unique geological features and hydrology.

With a better understanding about all the factors that contribute to the springs current cloudiness, we can begin to restore our beloved gem to its original and clear natural beauty, Shoaf said.

Leon County is in line for $250,000 to clear Munson Slough of debris and sediment and make improvements along its embankment so water can be cleansed by a slow drain into Lake Munson.

Tant said she was enthusiastic about the budget because of the pay raise for state workers and expansion of meals-on-wheels.

Rep. Gallop Franklin, D-Tallahassee, waves to the crowd of Florida A&M University alumni and students gathered at the Florida Capitol, Feb. 21, 2024.

We have the largest number of state employees here and were the seat of government. (The state) is basically our economy, Tant said when asked about her 'yes' vote on the budget.

Of course, this is all subject to review by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has line-item veto authority. Tant and the others were guarded when discussion turned to specific projects, wanting not to draw attention to them while DeSantis decided what gets the red pen.

Were going to work really hard and advocate with the governors office to talk about the impact our projects have in our communities, said Franklin. Weve been in communication with his office throughout the budget process ... were hopeful.

Here's a list of items in next years state budget for Tallahassee, Leon County, and the rest of Senate District 3.

Big Bend budget boosters

Tallahassee

Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Trauma Center Readiness: $750,000

Well tanks security cameras: $401,400

Renovations at Florida Department of Law Enforcement Capital Circle complex and restrooms at the J. Edwin Larson and Duncan U. Fletcher buildings: $1,530,257

Apalachee Ridge Neighborhood Technology Center: $350,000

Independence Landing: RedEye Coffee Workforce training: $200,000

Independence Landing: Workforce Development for Persons with Disabilities: $500,000

Conner Complex Center construction: $80,000,000

Total: $83,731,657

Leon County

Adult with Disabilities Program: $225,000

Fords Arm of Lake Jackson Restoration: $250,000

Lake Munson Slough Embankments: $250,000

Network Cybersecurity Assessment: $100,000

Generators for branch libraries and community centers: $250,000

Leon County School District Nursing Education Pipeline: $651,106

Student Success Technical Education Incentive Fund: $65,050

Career Expo and Junior Apprenticeship: $50,000

Total: $1,841,156

Gadsden County

Construction (school buildings, preK-8, year 2 of 2): $32,794,471

AMIkids Prevention Programs - Leon and Gadsden: $350,000

Midway Volunteer Fire and Hazmat vehicle: $1,000,000

Gadsden County EOC: $3,505,251

Gretna Fire Rescue: $235,000

Greensboro street signs: $12,600

Total: $37,897,322

Wakulla County

Wakulla Springs research: $750,000

Chips Hole site acquisition: $3,782,000

Wakulla County well sites: $875,00

Community Center Shelter: $225,000

St. Marks Fire Rescue Facility: $2,100,000

Shell Point-US 98 Fire Rescue Facility: $2,100,000

Wakulla High (year 1 of 3): $21,949,527

Adults with Disabilities Program: $42,500

Total: $29,724,027

Taylor County

Taylor County Development Authority: $125,000

Taylor County Public Safety Complex: $2,500,000

Taylor County Public Works generator: $10,500

Taylor County 911 communications equipment: $525,000

Total: $2,635,500

Elsewhere in Senate District 3

Elder Care (Meals on Wheels): $990,000

Aucilla Research Institute Archaeological Education: $400,000

Feeding Rural North Florida (13 counties) Hurricane Response: $1,000,000

Madison County Emergency Operations Center: $650,000

Madison County Fire Rescue Station #4: $850,000

Port St. Joe Workforce Housing access road: $1,000,000

Dixie County middle school chiller: $2,100,000

North Florida College (Madison) Industrial Workforce education: $3,103,000

Apalachee Center - Forensic treatment services: $1,401,600

Apalachee Center - Civil treatment services: $1,593,853

Apalachee Center (general): $2,739,126

Apalachee Center, Lifestream and Gracepoint: $3,750,000

Apalachee Center, Lifestream, and Gracepoint Program 2: $4,000,000

School readiness programs: $24,302,732

Voluntary pre-kindergarten programs: $7,138,868

Madison County schools workforce training: $88,061

Dixie County flood/stormwater mitigation: $1,500,000

Dixie County highway safety resilience project: $1,000,000

Dixie County first responder communications: $1,600,000

Ruth Rains Middle School roof replacement: $5,349,000

Franklin County bear-resistant refuse containers: $683,500

St. James/Lanark EMS substation: $600,000

Gulf County Water System: $1,000,000

Suwannee County Regional Shelter: $2,500,000

Suwannee County Critical 911 Communications Equipment: $550,000

Suwannee County Emergency Communications System: $1,500,000

Suwannee School District School Door Barricades: $172,500

Total: $74,613,741

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James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on him Twitter: @CallTallahassee

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Big Bend secures $85 million in state budget for local projects
A man on trial in Tarrant County on an indictment that alleged that he sexually assaulted a girl during acts over two and a half years killed himself last week at his Fort Worth house.

The precise status of the trial at the time of the defendants death is not clear.

Closing arguments in the guilt-innocence phase of Gabriel Gomezs trial on continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 were to begin in Criminal District Court No. 2 on March 4 at 9:30 a.m.

Fourteen minutes earlier, at 9:16 a.m., Gomez was pronounced dead at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth. He was 50.

The cause of Gomezs death was hanging, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office.

A document the court filed with the district clerk notes that the case was submitted to the jury on March 4 at 10:28 a.m., and the panel was discharged at 11 a.m. due to the death of the defendant.

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Evidence presentation in the trial began on Feb. 28.

Defense attorneys Clark Birdsall and Carlos Gomez represented Gabriel Gomez. Carlos Gomez and Gabriel Gomez are brothers.

State disclosure of a cellphone used by the girl who the state alleged was the victim was the basis of a motion for continuance the defense filed while the trial was underway. The phone might hold evidence that would help the defense, Gomezs attorneys argued.

Now that we are in trial, it is too late to get this phone extracted while this jury is in the box, especially since the state will want to concern itself with the potential presence of child porn, Birdsall wrote.

Judge Scott Wisch denied the motion.

Birdsall did not return a telephone message seeking an interview. The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office did not respond to questions about the case.

The indictment alleged that the sexual abuse occurred between May 2016 and January 2019. A grand jury indicted Gabriel Gomez in April 2021.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis, call 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or chat online at 988lifeline.org.

Victims of sexual assault can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline for confidential support at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat at online.rainn.org.
Get a taste of local life in the Maldives with these community-led tourism initiatives

The Maldives is renowned as a luxurious, fly-and-flop destination. Located 500 km from the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka, it's a serene string of 1,190 low-lying coral islands scattered across the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. Here, you'll find white, sun-kissed beaches and warm, azure blue lagoons studded with colourful corals that are home to exotic marine life.

This tropical archipelago is also lined with swanky water bungalows and upscale resorts, which have made it synonymous with luxury travel and exclusivity.

It hasnt always been this way, though. Heres how to get a taste of Maldivian life beyond the five-star tourist trail.

How the Maldives went from sleepy archipelago to travel hotspot

The Maldives wasn't always a renowned tourism hub awash with opulent resorts. As a remote and largely uninhabited archipelago, it was long considered unsuitable for tourism due to a lack of infrastructure and commercial airports.

This all changed when Kurumba, the first resort in the Maldives, opened in 1972. Kurumba kick-started the tourism industry, which has since seen rapid growth. A swathe of luxurious private holiday resorts now inhabit the islands.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Maldives experienced steady growth in tourism arrivals as more resorts were established across the archipelago.

These properties, often built on palm-fringed uninhabited islands and owned by foreign investors, offered travellers a secluded and luxurious retreat with overwater bungalows, pristine beaches and world-class amenities.

By the 1990s, tourism had become the backbone of the Maldivian economy, accounting for a significant portion of the country's GDP and providing employment opportunities for thousands of Maldivians.

In the 2000s and beyond, the government continued to invest in tourism infrastructure, including expanding airports, developing new resorts, and promoting the Maldives as a premier destination for luxury travel for high-end tourists.

The Maldives is renowned as a luxurious, fly-and-flop destination - Canva

How is the Maldives pushing sustainable tourism?

The push for rapid tourism development in the Maldives has created several inevitable environmental and social issues for the idyllic archipelago.

A million visitors a year landing on its pristine shores has led to environmental degradation, increased tourism leakage (where foreign investors and multinational corporations control tourism profits), and social change within local communities.

This prompted a call for change in response to mass, resort-based tourism and environmental damage, to protect the island's natural beauty and residents.

The Maldivian government and tourism industry have started to address some of tourism's negative impacts with new regulations and guidelines for sustainable tourism practices and environmental protection measures.

These measures also include promoting local participation in the tourism industry, focusing on sustainability in resorts, and more holistic cultural experiences that connect travellers to local projects and activities.

As a result, travellers looking for affordable and culturally rich experiences in the Maldives can stay on 'local islands' rather than expensive resorts.

Why you should consider visiting a local island in the Maldives

The push for rapid tourism development in the Maldives has created several inevitable environmental and social issues for the idyllic archipelag - Canva

In 2009, non-resort islands, known as 'local islands' in the Maldives, were permitted to operate guesthouses and tourist facilities, which increased job prospects for local people and allowed them to benefit financially from the tourism industry.

This led to guest houses, coffee shops and restaurants appearing on local islands, and a cohort of curious travellers headed to them, searching for a more authentic slice of tropical paradise.

Islands like Maafushi, Guraidhoo and Hulhumale also offer a range of guesthouses, restaurants and neighbourhood cafes to enjoy island cuisine at affordable prices.

By staying outside of multinational resorts and eating in locally owned restaurants, the money you spend on your Maldives holiday will likely stay within the community. This community-led tourism approach is becoming popular with more mindful travellers considering their impact on destinations.

"Every year, we see growth in local tourism, and we have seen growth in community tourism," says Sameeu Imad, Vice President of the National Hotels and Guesthouses Association of Maldives.

Imad adds that engaging the communities and "understanding and listening to their cultures" should be a focus of the local tourism experience. He also believes visitors should 'island hop' to meet local people and "hear their stories".

Get a unique insight into Maldivian culture

For visitors looking to embrace this form of community-led tourism, staying in a local and affordable guesthouse gives them a unique insight into Maldivian culture and customs and directly supports local families' livelihoods.

Several guesthouses on 'local islands' are owned and operated by community members who take pride in sharing their heritage and hospitality with visitors.

For travellers wishing to support sustainable tourism practices, community tourism in the Maldives also provides a way to minimise environmental impact while supporting local conservation efforts.

Many community-based initiatives, from marine conservation projects to sustainable agriculture and waste management initiatives, focus on preserving the island's raw beauty and fragile biodiversity.

In addition to staying in local guesthouses, visitors can also book community-based activities and experiences that offer insight into Maldivian culture and traditions and provide locals with additional income.

Connect with locals over food and handicrafts

There are plenty of opportunities to connect with locals and help keep tourism cash in Maldivian communities - Canva

There are plenty of opportunities to connect with locals and help keep tourism cash in Maldivian communities, including guided tours of fishing villages, visits to local markets, and hands-on workshops in traditional crafts and cooking.

Another highlight of community tourism in the Maldives is the chance to engage with local artisans and entrepreneurs who produce a wide range of traditional handicrafts and handmade products.

From intricate lacquerware and handwoven textiles to locally grown spices and homemade snacks, shopping at local markets and artisanal shops allows travellers to financially support small-scale producers and take home unique souvenirs and gifts.

By fully embracing community tourism in the Maldives, you can experience the islands beyond the confines of luxury resorts and tourist hotspots and contribute to a better future for this fragile, tropical paradise.
WISCONSIN (WVNS)An Amish family with ties in Tazewell County have all died after a car crash in Wisconsin on Saturday.

The family of nine was in a van on Interstate 95 when a tractor trailer heading in the opposition direction collided into them.

Man sought in Tazewell County investigation

Members of the Thompson Valley Fire and Rescue are asking for donations to help the Amish community in this time of need.

Trash bags, paper plates and plasticware can all be donated at the Thompson Valley Fire and Rescue.

For more information on donations needed, please call 276-970-4489.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Movable bridges, also known as drawbridges or bascule bridges, are marvels of engineering that have been integral to transportation and navigation for centuries. These structures are designed to accommodate maritime traffic by lifting, rotating, or swinging open to allow boats and ships to pass through. Let's explore five iconic movable bridges from around the world that have become landmarks in their own right.

1. Tower Bridge - London, England

Tower Bridge, located in London over the River Thames, is one of the most famous bridges globally, renowned for its iconic twin towers and suspended drawbridge mechanism. Built between 1886 and 1894, this Victorian marvel features a bascule design that allows its central span to be raised to accommodate tall ships. Tower Bridge is not only a vital transportation link but also a significant tourist attraction, offering stunning views of the city from its elevated walkways.

Design and Engineering

The design of Tower Bridge incorporates hydraulic power to raise its bascules, with counterweights balancing the spans as they are lifted. Its distinctive Gothic Revival architecture and intricate detailing make it a symbol of London's rich history and engineering prowess.

2. Bosphorus Bridge - Istanbul, Turkey

Spanning the Bosphorus Strait and connecting the continents of Europe and Asia, the Bosphorus Bridge is a vital transportation link in Istanbul, Turkey. While not a traditional movable bridge, it features a unique design that allows for the suspension of traffic during maritime passage. Completed in 1973, it was the world's fourth-longest suspension bridge at the time of its construction.

Strategic Importance

The Bosphorus Bridge holds strategic significance, serving as a key conduit for both vehicular and maritime traffic between the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. Its sweeping silhouette against the city skyline has made it an iconic symbol of Istanbul's cultural and geographical significance.

3. Sydney Harbour Bridge - Sydney, Australia

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, affectionately known as the "Coathanger," is an architectural marvel that spans Sydney Harbour, connecting the central business district with the North Shore. While primarily a vehicular bridge, it features a high clearance that allows tall ships to pass underneath, making it a crucial transportation artery for maritime traffic.

Iconic Landmark

Opened in 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an enduring symbol of Australia's industrial and engineering heritage. Its steel arch design and majestic presence have made it one of the most photographed landmarks in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year.

4. Pont Jacques-Cartier - Montreal, Canada

Pont Jacques-Cartier, spanning the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal, Canada, is a stunning example of a truss bridge with a movable section. Opened in 1930, it features a central span that can be raised to accommodate ship traffic, allowing vessels to navigate between Montreal and the Atlantic Ocean.

Cultural Icon

Named after the explorer Jacques Cartier, this bridge is not only a critical transportation link but also a cultural icon in Montreal. Its illuminated structure provides a breathtaking backdrop for the city's skyline, especially during events like the Montreal International Fireworks Competition.

5. Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco, USA

The Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate Strait in San Francisco, is a masterpiece of engineering and design. While not a movable bridge in the traditional sense, it boasts a high clearance that allows large vessels to pass underneath its towering orange towers.

Engineering Marvel

Opened in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is renowned for its Art Deco styling, vibrant color, and graceful silhouette against the San Francisco Bay. Its robust construction and seismic retrofitting have ensured its resilience in the face of earthquakes and inclement weather, making it a symbol of strength and endurance.

These five iconic movable bridges not only facilitate transportation but also serve as symbols of human ingenuity, connecting communities and cultures across waterways around the world. Movable bridges are more than just functional structures; they are feats of engineering and design that blend seamlessly into their surroundings while facilitating maritime navigation. From the historic Tower Bridge in London to the modern marvel of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, each bridge tells a story of innovation, perseverance, and the human desire to overcome geographical barriers.

People of this zodiac sign should control their emotions today, know what your horoscope says

People of this zodiac sign may remain busy in professional work today, know your horoscope

Something like this is going to happen today for people of these zodiac signs, know your horoscope....
This article was originally published in The Texas Tribune.

Texas largest charter school network has been placed under conservatorship by the Texas Education Agency after a years-long investigation into improper spending within the system of 143 schools.

The arrangement, announced Wednesday, is part of a settlement agreement between IDEA Public Schools and the TEA. IDEA had been under investigation since 2021 following numerous allegations of financial and operational misconduct.

It was revealed that IDEA officials used public dollars to purchase luxury driver services as well as $15 million to lease a private jet, just two weeks after promising TEA it would be strictly enforcing new fiscal responsibility policies put in place in response to ongoing investigations, as reported by San Antonio Express-News.

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The revelations led the district to conduct an internal investigation, resulting in the firing of JoAnn Gama, former superintendent and co-founder of IDEA. Gama later filed a lawsuit against IDEA claiming wrongful termination. IDEA came to a $475,000 settlement with Gama in January. This followed co-founder and CEO Tom Torkelsons departure in 2020; he was given a $900,000 severance package.

The charter school district serves about 80,000 students in K-12. The schools are independently run but publicly funded with state dollars, having received about $821 million in state funding in 2023-2024 school year.

Under conservatorship, the conservators will have the authority to oversee and direct any action of the district, facilitate a needs assessment, conduct onsite inspections and support the creation of a plan to address corrective action concerns. They will also report back to the agency regarding the districts progress in completing necessary corrective activities.

The conservators will not fully take over the governance of the district. But if the district doesnt make the necessary corrective measures that the conservators outline for them, a takeover could be possible in the future.

In a statement, IDEA said that its pleased to have reached a settlement agreement  to resolve compliance issues our organization self-reported to regulators after an internal investigation in 2021.

The district also stated that it would be returning $28.7 million in grant and formula funding to the U.S. Department of Education, stating that these funds were reserved in a prior fiscal year to ensure repayment has a negligible impact on IDEAs students and staff.

The news follows the TEA takeover of Houston Independent School District in June following years of poor academic performance at a single campus within the district, among other factors.

Marlin Independent School District recently began the process of resuming local governance after seven years of state oversight due to five consecutive years of failing accountability ratings.

Austin Independent School District avoided being placed under conservatorship last year after the TEA and the district agreed on an alternative plan to respond to a report that found the district had repeatedly failed to serve the needs of students receiving special education.

Disclosure: IDEA Public Schools has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/06/idea-schools-conservatorship-texas/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
WALTON COUNTY, Fla (WDHN)  A 16-year-old visiting from Texas for spring break has been arrested and is facing child abuse, among other charges, after Florida deputies say he shot three kids with a BB pistol this past weekend.

According to the Walton County Sheriffs Office, on the evening of Saturday, March 9, deputies rushed to the Adagio Condos in Santa Rosa Beach after receiving a report that someone in a black Audi rolled down a passenger window and fired around 20 rounds from a BB gun at a family walking home from dinner.

Deputies say the BBs hit three different kids, ages 10, 15, and 17.

A release from the WCSO says deputies found the black Audi parked near Seaside School with a Glock-19, Co2 style BB gun lying in the rear passenger floorboard and waited near the car until two people returned.

After questioning the two people who returned to the car, investigators say they identified a 16-year-old from Texas as the main suspect and were able to find the teen by his Snapchat locator.

Deputies claim the 16-year-old teen later admitted he shot BBs at the family walking on the sidewalk and was charged with aggravated battery, shooting deadly missiles from a vehicle, and child abuse.

The 16-year-old was transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Crestview.

This is not the first such instance of this happening during Spring Break in Walton County. BBs can cause serious harm to those on the receiving end. This type of behavior is not a game. Not only is it dangerous for those being shot at, but a weapon of this kind can be mistaken for a real gun, putting others in fear for their lives. Anyone shooting one of these runs the risk of being shot at in return  possibly with a real weapon. Walton County Sheriffs Office Press Release

Courtesy of the Walton County Sheriffs Office

Courtesy of the Walton County Sheriffs Office

Courtesy of the Walton County Sheriffs Office

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Ministers understood to be disappointed in decision not to contribute to the new fund - Maureen McLean/Alamy

Thames Water has declined to support a new industry-wide fund to tackle sewage pollution, amid concern over its financial health.

The countrys biggest water company turned down a request to join a 180 million investment drive to prevent sewage spills, announced by the Government on Monday.

All nine water and sewerage companies were asked to contribute to the fund, which the Government said would stop 8,000 sewage spills over the next year, it is understood.

But Thames Water is understood to have told officials it was unable to offer more funding at this point, as it struggles under its 14 billion debt pile. The refusal was first reported in The Guardian.

The company has lobbied for the Government and regulator Ofwat to allow it to increase bills and face lower penalties, according to a recent report in the Financial Times.

Ministers disappointed

Ministers are understood to be disappointed in the decision by Thames Water, as well as Northumbria and Yorkshire Water, not to bring forward new investment.

The Government said Northumbria and Yorkshire have previously announced plans for tens of millions in investment worth around 129 million between them.

Water bills are expected to rise 6 per cent by April as the industry tries to improve creaking infrastructure that leads to regular sewage discharges into rivers and seas and widespread leaks.

The Government said the 180 million of funding would be spent on new AI systems that could help manage storm loads by automatically adjusting water levels in storage tanks.

Steve Barclay, the Environment Secretary, said: The amount of sewage being spilled into our rivers is completely unacceptable and the public rightly expects action.

This accelerated investment is a welcome step forward as we continue to push for better performance from water companies and hold them to account.

Thames Water declined to 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.
In this article, we will take a look at 13 Countries with the Best Citizenship by Investment Program in the World. You can skip our detailed analysis and go directly to the 5 Countries with the Best Citizenship by Investment Program in the World.

The growing trend of increased international mobility has fueled the desire to expand not only one's cultural experiences but also financial ones. With the evolving dynamics of dual citizenship, the appeal for acquiring a second citizenship has intensified, prompting individuals to explore viable options. This is particularly true for investors and high-net-worth individuals. Citizenship-by-investment programs offer one such method, creating a win-win situation for all parties involved. By investing in the host country's economy, investors can secure a second citizenship and passport, while the host country benefits from the influx of foreign direct investment, thereby strengthening its economy.

Citizenship By Investment Programs: Host Country Advantages

Citizenship-through-investment programs have experienced increasing popularity over time. According to the Investment Migration Council, approximately 5,000 individuals are granted citizenship through investment, annually. It is estimated that citizenship and residence by investment programs contribute between 2% and 30% to the GDP of the host country. The European Parliament Research Service reported earnings of 9.2 billion euros from 2008 to 2018 through investment programs. Similarly, other regions have also reported impressive revenue generation. For instance, Vanuatu earned $40.5 million from citizenship-by-investment programs from January 2022 to June 2022.

In 2022, approximately 1,375 applications were submitted for citizenship through investment programs in the three most sought-after Caribbean IslandsAntigua & Barbuda, Saint Lucia, and Grenada. While the 2019 pandemic initially dampened the upward trend, its reversal led to a subsequent revival. However, even in the face of the pandemic, revenues from the investment programs in 2019 exceeded those of 2018 for most countries. Notably, Turkey's citizenship-by-investment program generated US $1,343 million in 2019, compared to $106 million in 2018, and the country issued the highest number of passports in citizenship-by-investment programs9,962. Similarly, revenues for other countries, such as Vanuatu ($105 million), Antigua and Barbuda ($99 million), and Grenada ($61 million), also surpassed their 2018 figures in 2019.

Story continues

Citizenship By Investment Programs: Financial Allure for Investors

In contemporary times, acquiring second citizenship offers numerous benefits. One key advantage is the enhanced sense of security that comes with being a national of two or more states. Additionally, the concept of visa-free global mobility has taken on new significance, proving to be particularly advantageous for investors. Beyond that, individuals can enjoy various tax benefits and increased opportunities for business advancement, as well as personal development through an improved quality of life, encompassing education and healthcare.

It is, therefore, unsurprising that a growing number of millionaires are seizing this opportunity. According to Henley & Partner, the number of millionaires relocating to another country reached 128,000 by 2024, a substantial increase from 51,000 in 2013. Notably, 6,705 Americans renounced their citizenship in 2020 to move to other countries, with tax avoidance emerging as a primary motivation for some of these millionaires.

Given this need for better finances, it is not surprising that companies like Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) and Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) have gained significance for entrepreneurs. Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) is a multinational business software company that provides top-notch financial software services. Heres what Baron Fintech Fund had to say about Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) in their fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:

Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) is the leading provider of accounting software for small businesses and tax preparation software for individuals and tax professionals. Shares increased after the company reported quarterly financial results that exceeded Street expectations, with 15% revenue growth and 49% EPS growth. Intuit is benefiting from the sale of higher-value services and is well positioned to capitalize on increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) given its vast data sets. The company recently launched Intuit Assist, a generative AI-powered digital assistant that improves productivity and unlocks valuable insights for customers. We continue to own the stock due to Intuits strong competitive position and numerous growth opportunities.

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) is a leading provider of investor communication and helps financial services firms by providing technology-driven solutions, including tax reporting services. Continuously upgrading their solutions, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) has recently introduced NYFIX Fill Matching platform, aimed at helping high asset managers with high volumes.

13 Countries with the Best Citizenship by Investment Program in the World

Methodology

In order to compile our list for 13 Countries with the Best Citizenship by Investment Program in the World, we start off by scouring through various sources to extract citizenship by investment programs being offered around the world. We then used our article 10 Cheapest Residency or Citizenship by Investment Programs in Europe, as well as other sources, to find and rank these countries according to the minimum required investment and the time to citizenship. We then further check their political stability and absence of violence/terrorism percentile rank from The World Bank databank, 2022 and rank our selected countries according to those scores. We also use Human Development Index Ranking, 2022. To present a consolidated final ranking, we average the ranks for the four metrics on the weighted-average concept, with cost awarded the highest rank (0.5), followed by time (0.3) and then equal values for the other two metrics (0.1 each). We also talk about The Henley Citizenship Program Index, 2024 scores and rankings for these countries.

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Now that we have made a thorough analysis, we present to you 13 Countries with the Best Citizenship by Investment Program in the World.

13. Austria

Minimum Investment Rank: 13

Time to Citizenship Rank: 6

Political Stability Rank: 6

Human Development Index Rank: 2

Insider Monkey Weighted-Average Ranking: 9.4

Austria's citizenship-by-investment program stands out as one of the initiatives requiring a significant investment in either joint ventures or direct business investments, with the goal of creating jobs and fostering new export sales. The selected businesses are expected to possess an international reputation and demonstrate growth potential. Under this citizenship program, the minimum required investment is 2 million, with the possibility to invest up to 10 million. The application process typically takes 24 to 36 months.

While the investment required is indeed substantial, the benefits of obtaining Austrian citizenship are manifold. Austria, being a politically stable, safe, and developed nation, offers a high quality of life to its citizens. Austrian passport holders enjoy the privilege of visa-free travel to approximately 190 countries and the freedom to reside anywhere within the European Union and Switzerland. Notably, Austria holds the 2nd position on the Henley and Partner Citizenship Program Index for 2024, achieving top scores in attributes such as quality of life, visa-free travel, residence requirements, and relocation flexibility. It's essential to note, however, that except for certain specific cases, acquiring Austrian citizenship entails renouncing one's previous nationality.

12. Jordan

Minimum Investment Rank: 12

Time to Citizenship Rank: 4

Political Stability Rank: 3

Human Development Index Rank: 9

Insider Monkey Weighted-Average Ranking: 8.4

As a Middle-Eastern nation offering citizenship through investment, Jordan presents a unique opportunity for investors seeking to establish strong ties with the country and capitalize on lucrative economic prospects. Geographically situated between Asia, Africa, and Europe, Jordan provides a secure, politically stable, and business-friendly environment for potential investors. The minimum investment required is US $750,000, directed towards a productive economic sector project located outside of Amman, which should generate at least 10 jobs for Jordanians. Citizenship is typically granted within a span of 3 to 6 months, with a higher likelihood of approval within the shorter timeframe. The program extends to the individual investor and their immediate family members, encompassing children under 18, widowed or divorced daughters, as well as parents.

The citizenship of this Middle-Eastern country opens doors to numerous opportunities, particularly as it grants citizenship in a region known for its stability and safety, coupled with visa-free travel to 50 destinations. According to the Henley and Partner's Citizenship Program Index for 2024, the country is ranked 6th overall. The program received a higher score for processing time, residence requirements, and physical visit requirements. In summary, Jordan emerges as one of the countries offering one of the best citizenship programs in the world.

11. Malta

Minimum Investment Rank: 11

Time to Citizenship Rank: 7

Political Stability Rank: 8

Human Development Index Rank: 1

Insider Monkey Weighted-Average Ranking: 8.2

Citizenship through investment in Europe has become increasingly common in contemporary times. While the aforementioned Austrian citizenship is also European, the high associated costs can sometimes be beyond the reach of certain individuals. Malta, however, offers an alternative with a slightly more accessible investment requirement. The process involves a minimum donation of 600,000 to the National Development and Social Fund, securing a minimum residence of 36 months through the Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment program. Additionally, applicants have the flexibility to include family members, extending eligibility to include grandparents.

Ranked among the top 25 countries on the Human Development Index and recognized for its political stability, Malta offers a high quality of life for its residents. With the privilege of visa-free travel to over 180 destinations, Malta stands at the pinnacle of Henley & Partner's Citizenship Index, boasting the highest scores in various aspects, including visa-free travel, compliance, and relocation flexibility.

10. Cambodia

Minimum Investment Rank: 9

Time to Citizenship Rank: 3

Political Stability Rank: 9

Human Development Index Rank: 5

Insider Monkey Weighted-Average Ranking: 7.1

As one of the rapid citizenship programs, Cambodia offers investors the opportunity to acquire citizenship by making a minimum donation of approximately US $320,000, including fees, to the Royal Government. The country boasts beautiful scenery, rich heritage, and friendly people. Citizenship can be obtained in a relatively short period, typically within 3-4 months. While passport holders from Cambodia enjoy visa-free travel to 53 countries, the nation maintains a politically stable environment. Notably, Cambodia secures the 9th position in the Henley & Partner Citizenship Index, earning high scores for residence and physical visit requirements. It also makes to the 10th position in our list of countries with the best citizenship by investment program in the world.

9. Turkey

Minimum Investment Rank: 10

Time to Citizenship Rank: 4

Political Stability Rank: 1

Human Development Index Rank: 3

Insider Monkey Weighted-Average Ranking: 6.6

Turkey's citizenship-by-investment program stands as one of the most renowned programs globally. Since the reduction of their minimum investment requirements in 2018, over 13,000 investors and their families have seized this opportunity. The program offers a diverse range of options, with the minimum required investment set at $400,000 in real estate. This investment must be maintained for a minimum of three years after obtaining citizenship. The citizenship application process typically takes 3-6 months and extends to family members, including children below 18 years or children of any age with disabilities.

This citizenship offers numerous benefits, including visa-free travel to over 110 countries and access to a financially sound, stable, and safe country with a high quality of life. The investors can also become eligible for E-2 Investor Visa for the US after being domiciled in Turkey for three years. Turkey holds the 5th position on the Henley & Partner Citizenship Index, boasting high scores in physical visit and residence requirement rules.

8. Saint Kitts and Nevis

Minimum Investment Rank: 7

Time to Citizenship Rank: 4

Political Stability Rank: 9

Human Development Index Rank: 6

Insider Monkey Weighted-Average Ranking: 6.2

As the world's first formal citizenship-through-investment program, Saint Kitts and Nevis has welcomed numerous investors since its establishment in 1984, offering them the opportunity to become residents of one of the most beautiful Caribbean Islands. The program remains a top choice for many investors, naturalizing over 1,000 investors and their families annually. Among its two investment options, the minimum-cost route involves a US $250,000 investment in a Sustainable Island State Contribution. Citizenship can be attained in approximately 3-6 months.

Citizenship in Saint Kitts and Nevis offers a multitude of benefits, including visa-free travel to approximately 157 destinations, the inclusion of family members such as parents and dependents, and the option of citizenship by descent for future generations. The country holds the 4th position in the Henley & Partner Index, earning high scores in the physical visit and residence requirement categories.

7. Egypt

Minimum Investment Rank: 7

Time to Citizenship Rank: 5

Political Stability Rank: 1

Human Development Index Rank: 8

Insider Monkey Weighted-Average Ranking: 5.9

Considered one of the world's newest citizenship-through-investment programs, Egypt offers investors five different options. The option with the minimum investment involves making a non-refundable contribution to the CIU account in the central bank of the country, totaling US $250,000. The process for obtaining citizenship typically takes 6-9 months.

Ranking high on the political stability index, Egypt offers a rich cultural experience within the Middle East. Residents can enjoy visa-free travel to 51 destinations. The country secures the 6th place in the Henley & Partner Index, scoring notably high on various attributes, including travel destinations, compliance, process time, and physical visit, as well as residence requirements. It is thus, no surprise that Egypt is one of the countries with the best citizenship by investment program in the world.

6. Grenada

Minimum Investment Rank: 5

Time to Citizenship Rank: 4

Political Stability Rank: 12

Human Development Index Rank: 4

Insider Monkey Weighted-Average Ranking: 5.3

Grenada has emerged as a popular choice among investors seeking citizenship through investment programs. With a stable economy and political environment, the country offers lucrative options for investors. The minimum investment entails a donation of US $150,000 to the National Transformation Fund for a single applicant, with citizenship available in 3-6 months.

This investment option in Grenada comes with various benefits. Investors have the opportunity for an E2 visa for the US, thanks to the country being a signatory to the United States E2 Treaty. Grenadian citizens can also enjoy visa-free travel to over 140 countries, transfer their citizenship to future generations, and include family members such as parents and grandparents. The program's appeal is reflected in Grenada's 3rd position on the Henley & Partner Index, where it scored high on various attributes.

Click to continue reading and see our 5 Countries with the Best Citizenship by Investment Program in the World.

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Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on April 9, 2023 in Windsor, England. Credit - Max Mumby/Getty Images

Amidst Kate Middletons monthslong absence from royal duties following a planned abdominal surgery, rumors about the Princess of Wales whereabouts have been flying.

On Sunday, speculation about Kate intensified after the first official photo of Catherine, the Princess of Wales, since her surgery was postedand media wire agencies like the Associated Press pulled the photo from circulation because the image looked to be manipulated.

Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months, the caption signed by Kate said. The post was joined with a message congratulating women on Mothers Day, which was celebrated in the U.K. on March 10.

The royals social media page later released a statement from Kate where she admitted to editing the photo and apologized for any confusion the photograph caused.

Read more: Kate Middleton Admits to Editing Family Photo After Wires Flagged Manipulation Concerns

The controversy around the photo marked just the latest inflection point on social media as conspiracy theories about the royal family have swirled since early this year. Here is a timeline of the events since Kates last official public appearance:

December 25: Christmas Day marks Kates last public appearance She is seen leaving church services at Sandringham, the familys country residence north of London.

January 17: Kensington Palace announces that Kate underwent a planned abdominal surgery and will be hospitalized for 10 to 14 days. The Palace adds that it is unlikely Kate will participate in any public engagements until after Easter, which falls on March 31.

January 18: Prince William visits Kate at the hospital.

January 29: Following a nearly two-week hospital stay, Kensington Palace shares that Kate will return home to Windsor Castle to continue her recovery. She is making good progress, Kensington Palace said in a statement.

February 29: A spokesperson releases a statement to news outlets including Page Six and NBC News. "Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess recovery and wed only be providing significant updates," they said. "That guidance stands.

Read more: Kate Middleton's Mother's Day Pic Is Not the First Royal Family Photo to Come Under Scrutiny

March 4: Kate is photographed in the passenger seat of a car alongside her mother, Carole Middleton, as the two drive near Windsor Castle, according to images published by TMZ. The photo is not released or authorized by Kensington Palace, but marks the first time the Princess of Wales had been seen publicly since December.

No major U.K. outlet publishes the photo. Royals reporter Emily Andrews claims in a post on X that Kensington Palace, exerted huge pressure on the British media NOT to publish the pic.

March 5: The British Army posts and removes its claim that the Princess of Wales will be attending their annual Trooping the Colour event on June 8, leading to further speculation about Kates health.

March 10: In honor of Mothers Day in the U.K., Kensington Palace shares a photo of Kate and her children, which the Palace says was taken by her husband earlier in the week at Kensington Palace. Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day, the caption said.

By Sunday evening, multiple major news agencies, including AP and Reuters, pull the image from circulation due to apparent manipulation. While there was no suggestion the image was fake, AP pulled the photograph from circulation because it did not meet its photo standards, the Associated Press explained following the retraction. APs editorial standards state that images must be accurate. AP does not use altered or digitally manipulated images.

March 11: Kate issues an apology for sharing the edited image. In a statement released through Kensington Palace, she wrote: Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.

Hours later, she is photographed in a car leaving Windsor Castle alongside Prince William, though she did not join the Prince of Wales at the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

Write to Simmone Shah at simmone.shah@time.com.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the 13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics. You can also take a detailed look at the 5 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics.

The logistics industry plays a critical role in facilitating global trade and commerce, encompassing the planning, implementation, and control of the movement and storage of goods and services. A comprehensive market analysis of the logistics industry worldwide involves examining key trends, drivers, challenges, and opportunities shaping the sector's landscape.

Logistics Industry - Market Analysis

According to Precedence Research, the global logistics market size stood at $7.98 trillion in 2022 and it is expected to be reach a value of $18.23 trillion by 2030 with a CAGR of 10.7% from 2023 to 2030. North America logistics market was valued at $1.9 trillion in 2022. Their report highlights that not only is Asia-Pacific the largest logistics market ($3.4 trillion in 2022), but its also the fastest-growing one (CAGR 11.9% over the forecast period).

The rise of e-commerce has revolutionized the logistics landscape, leading to a surge in demand for last-mile delivery services. In 2020 alone, global e-commerce sales amounted to approximately $4.28 trillion, representing a 27.6% increase compared to the previous year. Companies like Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) have played a pivotal role in driving this growth, with its Prime program offering fast and reliable delivery to millions of customers worldwide. To meet the rising demand for last-mile delivery, logistics companies are investing in innovative solutions such as electric delivery vans, drones, and autonomous vehicles.

Moreover, technological innovations are transforming the logistics industry, enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience. Deutsche Post AG (XETRA:DHL.DE) leverages IoT sensors to monitor temperature-sensitive shipments in real-time, ensuring the integrity of pharmaceutical and perishable goods during transit. Similarly, FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) uses AI-powered route optimization algorithms to minimize delivery times and fuel consumption. The global logistics automation market is expected to reach $95.9 billion by 2027, driven by increased adoption of automation solutions across warehouses, distribution centers, and transportation fleets.

Story continues

Plus, environmental sustainability has become a top priority for the logistics industry, with companies implementing green initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and minimize environmental impact. For example, FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) has adopted a "Reduce, Replace, Revolutionize" strategy to mitigate its environmental impact. This approach focuses on reducing emissions through fuel-efficient aircraft and vehicles, replacing traditional fuel with alternative fuels like biofuels and electricity, and revolutionizing the logistics industry through innovation and technology adoption. FedEx aims to achieve carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040.

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, prompting companies to reassess their supply chain strategies and invest in resilience measures. According to a survey by the Institute for Supply Management, 75% of companies experienced supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic. To enhance supply chain resilience, companies are adopting technologies such as blockchain and AI to improve visibility and mitigate risks. For example, Deutsche Post AG (XETRA:DHL.DE) uses AI-based fraud detection algorithms to identify and prevent fraudulent activities, such as identity theft, credit card fraud, and cargo theft, within the logistics supply chain. By analyzing transactional data, behavioral patterns, and anomalies, AI algorithms can detect suspicious activities and alert security personnel to take appropriate action promptly. This proactive approach helps mitigate the risk of financial losses, reputational damage, and security breaches in logistics operations.

The logistics industry operates within a complex regulatory environment influenced by trade agreements, customs regulations, and geopolitical factors. For example, the implementation of the European Union's Union Customs Code aims to modernize and streamline customs procedures, facilitating trade flows within the EU. Additionally, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) introduced new rules for trade between the three countries, impacting logistics operations and supply chain strategies.

Emerging markets present lucrative opportunities for logistics companies seeking to expand their global footprint. According to the World Economic Forum, Africa's logistics market is projected to reach $19.9 billion by 2023, driven by rapid urbanization and infrastructure development. Companies like Deutsche Post AG (XETRA:DHL.DE) and FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) are investing in expanding their presence in these markets to capitalize on growing consumer demand. Moreover, the rise of digital platforms and on-demand logistics services presents new avenues for innovation and market disruption, offering opportunities for startups and established players alike to transform the industry landscape.

13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics

Methodology

To shortlist the 13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics, we consulted credible sources like Conception Etude Realization Logistique and World Bank to learn about the Logistics Performance Index of different countries and to explore the 13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics. We used Conception Etude Realization Logistiques latest list (from 2023) to determine rankings of all the countries on the basis of their Logistics Performance Index. The list of 13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics has been ranked in ascending order - from countries with lowest LPI score to the highest.

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. Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders  check details here.

13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics

13. France

Logistics Performance Index: 3.9

France shows a strong logistical infrastructure supported by its central location in Europe, extensive transportation networks, and diverse economy. Its strategic position as a gateway to Europe, combined with its well-developed road, rail, and waterway networks, facilitates the smooth movement of goods domestically and internationally. Major ports like Marseille and Le Havre serve as key maritime hubs, while airports such as Charles de Gaulle International Airport handle significant air cargo traffic. France's efficient customs procedures and commitment to digitalization streamline cross-border trade, contributing to its role as a major player in global logistics. Moreover, France's focus on innovation, sustainability, and investment in green logistics initiatives ensures continuous improvement and competitiveness in the logistics sector.

12. United Arab Emirates

Logistics Performance Index: 4.0

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerges as a prominent logistics hub in the Middle East, leveraging its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. Situated among the major trade routes between Asia, Europe, and Africa, the UAE serves as a pivotal link in global supply chains. The country's world-class logistics infrastructure, including ports like Jebel Ali Port, one of the busiest in the world, and Dubai International Airport, a major air cargo hub, facilitates seamless trade and connectivity with international markets. Additionally, the UAE's efficient customs procedures, supported by digitalization and automation, streamline cross-border trade and enhance supply chain efficiency. The country's commitment to innovation and technology adoption in logistics, exemplified by initiatives such as Dubai's Smart City vision and investments in blockchain and artificial intelligence, ensures continuous improvement and competitiveness in the sector. Furthermore, the UAE's business-friendly regulatory environment, tax incentives, and free trade zones attract international businesses and foster a thriving logistics industry.

11. Sweden

Logistics Performance Index: 4.0

Sweden demonstrates excellence in logistics efficiency and innovation, supported by its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability. Situated in Northern Europe, Sweden serves as a vital logistics gateway to the region, connecting Scandinavia with the rest of Europe and beyond. Its well-developed transportation networks, including modern ports like Gothenburg and efficient rail and road systems, enable seamless connectivity and efficient movement of goods domestically and internationally. Sweden's efficient customs procedures and commitment to digitalization contribute to streamlined cross-border trade, enhancing supply chain efficiency. Moreover, Sweden's focus on sustainability in logistics, evidenced by initiatives such as the promotion of eco-friendly transport modes and green logistics practices, aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. At large, Sweden's strategic positioning, advanced infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability and innovation position it as a key logistics hub in Northern Europe, facilitating efficient and reliable trade flows across the region and beyond.

10. Hong Kong

Logistics Performance Index: 4.0

Hong Kong emerges as a key player in global logistics, owing to its strategic location, efficient infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. Situated at the heart of Asia, Hong Kong serves as a vital gateway for trade between East and West. The city's world-class facilities, including the Port of Hong Kong and Hong Kong International Airport, facilitate the seamless movement of goods across the globe. Hong Kong's streamlined customs procedures and advanced logistics technologies ensure swift and efficient clearance processes, contributing to its reputation for reliability and speed in logistics operations. Additionally, Hong Kong's strong financial and legal frameworks, coupled with its status as a major financial center, attract international businesses and facilitate smooth transactions within the logistics sector. Overall, Hong Kong's commitment to excellence, innovation, and connectivity reinforces its position as a leading logistics hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

9. Canada

Logistics Performance Index: 4.0

Canada showcases a robust logistics ecosystem supported by its vast geography, modern infrastructure, and strong trade relationships. As one of the world's largest countries, Canada's extensive network of roads, railways, and ports facilitates the movement of goods domestically and internationally. Ports such as Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax serve as critical gateways for maritime trade, while major airports like Toronto Pearson International Airport facilitate air cargo operations. Canada's efficient customs procedures, bolstered by initiatives such as the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) electronic clearance system, streamline cross-border trade with the United States and other trading partners. Furthermore, Canada's commitment to sustainability and innovation in logistics, including investments in green transportation technologies and supply chain optimisation, enhances the country's competitiveness on the global stage.

8. Belgium

Logistics Performance Index: 4.0

Belgium stands out as a logistical hub in Europe, leveraging its central location, advanced infrastructure, and efficient customs procedures. Situated at the crossroads of major European trade routes, Belgium serves as a crucial link connecting Northern and Southern Europe. Ports such as Antwerp and Zeebrugge are among the busiest in Europe, facilitating maritime trade with global partners. Belgium's extensive rail and road networks further enhance connectivity, enabling seamless transportation of goods within Europe and beyond. Moreover, Belgium's business-friendly environment, supported by transparent regulations and strong governance, attracts international businesses and fosters a thriving logistics sector. Overall, Belgium's strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and focus on innovation position it as a key logistics hub in Europe, facilitating the smooth flow of goods across the continent and beyond.

7. Austria

Logistics Performance Index: 4.0

Austria demonstrates excellence in logistics efficiency, underpinned by its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and strong commitment to sustainability. Situated at the crossroads of major European trade routes, Austria serves as a vital link connecting Eastern and Western Europe. The country's efficient transport networks, including well-developed road and rail systems, facilitate the seamless movement of goods within Europe and beyond. Additionally, Austria's central location and efficient customs procedures contribute to its role as a key logistics gateway for international trade. Austria's dedication to sustainability in logistics is evident through initiatives such as the expansion of eco-friendly transport modes and the adoption of green logistics practices, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Furthermore, Austria's strategic positioning, advanced infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability reinforce its status as a leading logistics hub in Europe, facilitating efficient and sustainable trade flows across the continent.

6. Switzerland

Logistics Performance Index: 4.1

Switzerland demonstrates excellence in logistics efficiency and innovation, supported by its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and strong business environment. Despite being landlocked, Switzerland's central location in Europe positions it as a crucial logistics hub, facilitating trade between major European markets. The country's efficient transport networks, including well-developed roads, railways, and access to major European ports, enable seamless connectivity and efficient movement of goods. Switzerland's efficient customs procedures, supported by digitalization and automation, further streamline cross-border trade and enhance supply chain efficiency. Additionally, Switzerland's commitment to innovation and technology adoption in logistics, including investments in areas such as blockchain and digitalization, ensures continuous improvement and competitiveness.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics.

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Tom Horne, a Republican, is state superintendent of public instruction.

Score one for parental choice and for state superintendents staying in their own lane.

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has dismissed state Superintendent Tom Hornes lawsuit seeking to shut down a dual language program for children who havent yet mastered English.

Oh, the horror. That kids might get to spend a portion of their day actually mastering math and science in a language they can understand.

The judge, in tossing out the lawsuit, took the Horne to school.

Simply put, no Arizona statute grants the Superintendent an open-ended general grant of authority to sue, Maricopa County Superior Court Katherine Cooper wrote in her Friday ruling.

Horne naturally chooses to keep up the fight

In other words: Butt out, Senor Superintendent.

Naturally, Horne has no intention of doing so.

The (school) districts that opposed our position will regret this development, he said in a statement.

I picture him gnashing his teeth and shaking his fist.

Dual-language immersion programs have become increasingly popular in recent years, an alternative to English-only programs that require children who are not proficient in English to spend all day being taught in English.

He apparently hasn't paid attention since 2019

Horne contends offering instruction in both English and Spanish violates a voter-approved law passed in 2000, requiring non-English speakers to be taught only in English.

That law, Proposition 203, envisioned an intensive one-year English immersion program.

But one year became multiple years as kids didnt become quickly proficient as hoped. Meanwhile, the kids became isolated from their English speaking peers and fell behind in every academic subject.

Finally, in 2019, alarmed that these children were falling behind academically and at the request of immigrant parents, the Legislature unanimously passed and then-Gov. Doug Ducey signed a law directing the state Board of Education to adopt alternative English instruction models that are based on evidence and research.

The board adopted four new models for the states 93,000 English language learners  one of them the dual language approach that allows children to be taught for half the day in English and half in Spanish or some other language.

Horne sues the wrong people to boot

The program has become popular, with more than two dozen school districts and 100 schools now offering that alternative to parents.

Horne, however, doesnt approve.

Last year, he threatened to defund any school district that offered dual language immersion, but Attorney General Kris Mayes slapped him down, pointing out that he doesnt have the authority to defund anything.

So he sued Mayes, Gov. Katie Hobbs and 10 school districts, hoping to kill dual language instruction.

Now Judge Cooper has slapped him down, pointing out that not only does Horne not have the authority to sue but he didnt even sue the right people.

Superintendent without a clue threatens a new lawsuit

Only the state Board of Education can decide how to teach English language learners. Not Hobbs, who plays no role in education policy, and not Mayes, who merely issued an advisory opinion about what the law requires.

The judge ordered Horne to pay everybodys legal expenses  which, of course, means that we will (once again) pay everybodys legal expenses.

Meanwhile, Horne says hell appeal (also on our dime) and he plans to recruit a parent to refile his lawsuit.

And this will have much worse consequences for the districts, Horne warned.

If such a lawsuit is successful, the school board members and superintendent of a district found to be in violation of the law are removed from their positions and cannot run for any public office in education for five years. There are parents prepared to file such a suit 

Presumably, parents who dont have children in the program but, like Horne, would like to dictate to those who do.

He needs a lesson on meaning of parental choice

Horne claims to be all about parental choice. Its why this superintendent of public instruction markets the states universal voucher program to help parents get their kids out of public schools.

It's why he spent $10 million to market Empowerment Scholarship Accounts to Spanish-speaking families.

Those families could chose to take a taxpayer-funded voucher and spend it on a private school that teaches in Spanish, in Swahili or even in Klingon, if thats what they want.

And Horne would cheer them on.

Its the parents choice, after all.

Unless they choose a public school program in which they believe their children will actually learn something, in which case 

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @LaurieRoberts or on Threads at laurierobertsaz.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tom Horne's crusade against dual language classes is about ego  his
The Prime Minister met with the executive of the 1922 committee of backbenchers on Monday evening - DANIEL LEAL/REUTERS

Tory MPs demanded that Rishi Sunak change course urgently on Monday after Lee Anderson defected to Reform UK and the party claimed it was discussing a similar move with at least 10 Conservatives.

The leaders of the New Conservative group said the blame for the former Tory deputy chairman switching allegiance lay with the Tory party itself.

Our poll numbers show what the public think of our record since 2019, said Miriam Cates and Danny Kruger, who represent MPs on the Right of the party. We cannot pretend any longer that the plan is working. We need to change course urgently.

It came as a Reform UK source claimed that the number of Tory MPs in talks about possible defections was low double figures.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister met with the executive of the 1922 committee of backbenchers on Monday evening. The meeting, which had been in the diary prior to Mondays events, comes amid mounting pressure on Mr Sunak as his party continues to trail in the polls.

Announcing his defection to Reform UK at a hastily arranged press conference on Monday morning, Mr Anderson declared: I want my country back.

The Ashfield MP lost the Tory whip last month over his refusal to apologise for his claims that Islamists had got control of Sadiq Khan and London.

Mr Khan said on Monday: This is a man who more than two weeks ago, said things that were clearly Islamophobic, anti-Muslim and racist.

The leader of his [former] party, the Prime Minister, hasnt got the guts and the backbone to call them what they are, cant utter the word Islamophobia.

He had previously dismissed Mr Andersons comments as wrong and unacceptable, saying they had left him angered and heartbroken.

Mr Anderson accused the Conservative Party of stifling free speech by forcing him to retract the remarks, as he insisted that he was speaking on behalf of millions of people up and down the country who agree with me.

He revealed that his elderly parents had pleaded with him over the weekend to quit the Tories, saying they could only vote for him if he joined Reform UK.

Mr Anderson, who will become Reform UKs first MP, ruled out resigning and triggering a by-election.

Nigel Farage, the honorary president of Reform UK, hailed the defection as a bigger moment than the rise of Ukip.

He said it was a more significant moment than Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless defecting from the Tories to Ukip in 2014 as this is about a much bigger issue on how were governed, how nothing works anymore, how Britain is broken.

Blame game in Whitehall

Mr Andersons defection sparked a blame game across Whitehall.

On Monday, Downing Street was forced to deny that there had been a split in Mr Sunaks team about how to handle Mr Andersons suspension. The denial came after reports emerged that his chief of staff Liam Booth Smith had let it be known that he urged caution against removing the whip.

One senior Tory backbencher said that disbelief is the feeling amongst colleagues while Sir Jacob Rees Mogg, the former business secretary, said it was an error to have expelled Mr Anderson in the first place.

Meanwhile Dame Andrea Jenkyns, one of just two Tory MPs who has publicly called for Mr Sunak to go, urged her colleagues on the backbenches to wake up in the wake of Mr Andersons defection.

The Conservatives need to be conservative again, she said. You all sat around as Rome started burning. Its our last chance to get a grip of our party and get a new leader or its game over and the socialists are in.

Sir Keir Starmer said that Mr Andersons defection showed the Government had ultimately run out of road, as he repeated calls for Mr Sunak to call a general election.

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A shocking video has been making rounds online of dozens of straphangers in fear ducking for cover during a shooting at a New York City subway station.

The footage went viral just over a week after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced her safety initiative to stymie crime on the citys subways and protect passengers.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a press conference to announce new subway safety measures at NYCTA Rail Control Center on March 6, 2024, in New York City. Hochul announced that 1,000 New York State Police, MTAPD and the New York National Guard will be used to support the NYPD in conducting bag checks. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)

Hochul, a Democrat, recently a five-point subway safety plan following several recent attacks on March 6. The viral video shows passengers praying and crying, holding their heads down, kneeling and huddling on the train.

Where is the NYPD? Oh my God, one woman is heard saying in the video. Close the door!

Reports show that the chaos erupted on the A train at around 4:45 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the Nostrand Avenue station that left a 36-year-old male shooting victim in critical condition. The shooting was a result of a dispute between the 36-year-old, another man and a woman.

Hochuls plan is to add police overtime pay and deploy the National Guard and mental illness outreach programs. It has been met with unexpected criticism from some Democrats and officials who feel her plan is counterproductive.

In a press release, she touted the plan will rid our subways of violent offenders and protect all commuters and transit workers, noting that since taking office, I have been laser-focused on driving down subway crime and protecting New Yorkers.

However, a top New York Police official has said Hochuls plan, which also involves deploying 1,000 officers from the New York State Police, doesnt address the root causes of crime in the subway system.

John Chell, the departments chief of patrol, posted a lengthy message on X following Hochuls announcement, claiming transit crime is down 12 percent in the last five weeks because of extra cops deployed, a planned commitment by his department and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Just last week, Adams announced an order to boost security protocols to keep weapons and guns off of trains, including adding more police officers and re-instituting bag checks. Our transit system is not a war zone! Chell said, adding that the governors idea to implement bag checks wasnt anything new and has been around since 2005.

Chell proposed his own solution, advocating for state leaders to focus on repealing or revising criminal justice laws. These laws, he says, hinder the ability to mandate bail for offenders.

Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn Democrat, opined that Hochuls plan is a ham-fisted and authoritarian response to several terrible incidents (even as the crime rate is falling) that does nothing to foster real public safety but validates GOP propaganda about urban lawlessness in an election year.

In other words, a predictable move by this Governor, Gallagher said via X.

Although the overall index crime in New York slightly increased by 0.1 percent in 2021, with 344,171 crimes reported, overall crime has remained near historic lows. In fact, there were 343,870 index crimes reported in 2020, according to the New York State Crime Report. The states crime rate declined by 24.9 percent when comparing 2012 and 2021.

State officials and the FBI use seven index crime categories as indicators of overall crime trends, including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, and property crimes, like burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.

Still, Hochul plans to deploy 250 officers from the New York State Police and the MTA Police Department in support of the NYPD. Additionally, 750 National Guard members will be made available under law enforcement supervision.

She noted in her plan that a proposed bill seeks to give judges the power to ban individuals convicted of assault within the transit system from using MTA services. Other measures include installing new cameras for security, enhancing coordination between district attorneys and law enforcement, while expanding the Subway Co-Response Outreach (SCOUT) teams.

SCOUT teams are used to address the most severe cases of mental health crisis within the subway system, according to a press release from the governors office.

Meanwhile, the mayor and the governor appear to be at odds when it comes to addressing crime.

Mayor Adams, who sought additional state funds for police overtime to boost subway security, was absent during Gov. Hochuls announcement of an alternative plan, The New York Times reported. Despite Hochuls prior commitment of tens of millions of dollars to police overtime, Adams skipped the announcement, citing a conflict.

Hochuls announcement comes amid an ongoing issue with crime on public transportation across the nation.

A new study released in August showed the United States leads in the number of attacks and fatalities on public transportation passengers and employees in a group of economically advanced countries, according to the report from the Mineta Transportation Institute. The trend is a relatively recent phenomenon, the study stated.

In Philadelphia, there has been a surge in crime on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority system, in which violent assaults and robberies have increased by 80 percent since 2019.

According to another study, CBS New York Investigates found that the busiest stations, such as Times Square, Columbus Circle, and Penn Station, have consistently experienced a high number of felony assaults over the past six years.

Where is the NYPD?: Terrifying Video Shows Passengers Pleading for Cops Help During Shooting In NYC Subway Station Days After New York Governor Kathy Hochul Announces Safety Plan
I dont live in New Jersey, but one of its cities wants to make me a long-term resident against my will  by demanding that I be sent to jail. Why? Because I asked for public records. And now state lawmakers are trying to make it even harder to ask for records.

Several years ago, officials in Irvington Township were fed up with transparency. Eighty-two-year-old resident Elouise McDaniel had asked for one too many public records and complained when they wouldnt hand them over, as the states Open Public Records Act requires. So Irvingtons officials tried to take Elouise to court, complaining that she had bullied and annoyed them. When the public found out, Irvington became a national laughingstock and its officials sheepishly abandoned their thin-skinned lawsuit.

As a First Amendment lawyer, I was curious about how much that lawsuit had cost Irvingtons taxpayers. So I asked Irvington for records myself. When I complained to state officials that Irvington had blown off my request, Irvington  as is tradition  beclowned itself. It demanded that my perjury must be reported to law enforcement for prosecution because Irvington believed (incorrectly) that only New Jersey residents can request records  and I live in Philadelphia, on the wrong side of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

Irvingtons antics are New Jerseys future if state lawmakers have their way. They are considering legislation that would gut the Open Public Records Act. The changes would make it even harder to get public records in a timely manner  or at all.

Under SB2930, Irvingtons abusive lawsuit against Elouise McDaniel wouldn't be just a man-bites-dog embarrassment; it would be standard operating procedure statewide. The bill would allow state and local officials to sue any resident if they decide a records request is intended to harass a public agency. Worse, officials could simply refuse to share records they think might result in harassment  an open invitation to hide embarrassing records when officials view public criticism as harassment.

The press conference room in the newly-renovated New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

And thats not all. Requests must be on an official form. If you want to see an email, you must already know who sent or received it, the time period in which it was sent or received, and what it was about. If the agency ignores you, you have only 45 days to hire a lawyer to sue  if you can find one willing to work for free.

Freedom of information: NJ Legislature is once again taking aim at OPRA, seeking 'reforms' to transparency law

Opinion: NJ labor leaders: OPRA 'reform' is 'severly limiting,' wrong  and foolishly rushed

Today, the law incentivizes attorneys to take on public records cases, which are not lucrative, by requiring a losing public agency to pay their fees. Under the new bill, that would be optional.

The net effect of this proposal would be to make it nigh-impossible for the public to request records. Public records are already difficult to obtain, thanks to agencies disinterest in providing adequate staffing or, for others, in complying with the law at all. (Two years later, Im still waiting for a conclusion to my Irvington records request.) But instead of fixing the laws problems, New Jersey legislators are compounding them.

This isnt transparency. Its the opposite. And its a thumb in the eye of anyone interested in knowing what New Jerseys public officials are up to  good luck finding out how much your town is spending on red tape.

Adam Steinbaugh is an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a nonprofit organization that defends First Amendment rights.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Open Public Records Act under assault by Trenton lawmakers
Tri-Cities high school students will be able to get a jump on two new careers thanks to $45 million approved by the Washington Legislature this session.

The money will create hands-on learning in the fields of pre-pharmacy and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems (HVAC-R).

And the Kennewick School Districts aging 43-year-old facility will undergo a major modernization project.

Tri-Tech Skills Center is a tuition-free technical and professional training academy that serves all Tri-City students ages 16-20 who have yet to receive their high school diploma. About 1,000 students are enrolled in the school, spending half their days at the center and the other half taking classes at their high schools.

Students at Tri-Tech are paired with instructors with years of industry experience and knowledge, and are regularly placed in job shadows, internships and clinics throughout their time in the program. The goal is to graduate students with work-place relevant skills that give them a leg up in the job market.

The campus offers 20 different career-connected programs, including auto body and systems technology, broadcasting, computer science, construction trades, culinary arts, cosmetology, pre-nursing, early childhood education, digital arts and film making.

A culinary arts student at Tri-Tech Skills Center concentrates on carving flower in a melon during a 2019 presentation.

School officials told the Herald in a statement that the 66,000-square-foot facility needs energy and safety code upgrades and to be reorganized to serve current programs.

Maintenance costs over the last decade have required significant investments from the Kennewick School District, and they continue to rise. Since 2016, more than $375,000 has been spent on HVAC repairs, roof patches and fire sprinkler system repairs alone.

These dollars, while necessary, are resources Tri-Tech Skills Center is not able to spend on program development  limiting equipment replacement, technology and furnishing upgrades, Kennewick staff wrote in their capital project request to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Tri-Tech Skills Center is at 5929 W. Metaline Ave. in Kennewick and partners with area high schools to offer advanced technical and professional training to students ages 16-20.

Modernization of Tri-Techs main building is part of a larger multi-year effort by the district to expand the campus as interest in non-traditional classwork grows.

In September, the school opened a new 9,500-square-foot, single-story building that included two new classrooms, a shop, lab, exam room and a kennel for pre-veterinary and pre-electrical programs.

Between 2027-29, construction of two 16,000-square-foot buildings will begin on the east side of campus, according to previous Herald reporting.

The money for Tri-Tech was included in the 2024 supplemental capital budget passed by the Washington Legislature last week.

The budget allocates $1.3 billion in new construction spending for projects all over the state, including investments in the Housing Trust Fund, grants for community behavioral health projects and investments to expand affordable childcare access.

A student prepares dental instruments for sterilizing during a dental assistant class at Tri-Tech Skill Center in Kennewick.

The schools $45 million was the largest single allocation passed for the 8th Legislative District this session.

Other projects include $235,000 for an emergency communications radio microwave, $240,000 to the Port of Benton, $174,000 to renovate the Childrens Developmental Center and $3 million for the HAPO Center in Pasco.
British businessman Sanjay Shah (left) is seen next to Danish police officers as he arrives at Kastrup Airport in Copenhagen in December 2023

The fraud trial of a British hedge fund trader renowned for throwing extravagant parties and hosting stars such as Prince at charity concerts has begun.

Sanjay Shah is one of nine British and US nationals accused of defrauding Denmark out of $1.8bn (1.4bn) through major tax evasion and avoidance schemes.

The so-called cum-ex schemes were designed to exploit weaknesses in national tax laws and focused on huge share trades, which were carried out with the sole purpose of generating multiple refunds of a tax that had only been paid once.

Mr Shah, the founder of London-based hedge fund Solo Capital Partners, denies any wrongdoing.

He has been held in custody in Denmark since being extradited to the country following his arrest in Dubai in 2022.

Prosecutors alleged that Mr Shah, the main suspect in the case, fraudulently obtained a dividend tax refund from the Danish treasury via the trading schemes that flourished following the 2008 financial crisis, Reuters reported.

So-called cum-ex trades involved the sale of shares from one investor to another immediately before the payment of a dividend to shareholders (cum, or with, dividend), while they were delivered after the dividend date (ex-dividend).

The practice enabled both parties to claim refunds of withholding tax - even though the tax itself, charged on the dividend at source, would only have been paid once.

In order to maximise the potential gains, elaborate structures were built which allowed huge quantities of shares, often borrowed, to be passed in a circular manner between a number of different parties. The structures were designed to remove market risk and to disguise what was going on.

The scam began to gather momentum in Germany in the early 2000s, until the authorities there clamped down on the practice.

It later spread to other jurisdictions, notably Denmark. The UK was not a major target for the scam but many of the trades themselves were orchestrated from London.

The Denmark government has said cum-ex schemes have cost it more than 12.7bn Danish crowns ($1.8bn) between 2012 and 2015.

At the opening of Mr Shah's trial, prosecutor Marie Tullin asked the court to confiscate assets belonging to him worth 7.2bn Danish crowns, which included a list of properties mostly in the UK.

He became renowned for throwing extravagant parties, while celebrities such as Prince and Ricky Martin agreed to perform at concerts for an autism charity he founded.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The trial of two men charged in the death of a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation counselor was postponed Monday, and will likely be pushed back even further, due to defense counsel being involved in other cases.

Deputy Public Defender Gordon Lake, who represents Robert Pernell Roberts, said hes currently in trial. Timothy Hennessy, defense counsel for Sebastian Parra, wont be ready until April 1, according to a representative from his law firm.

Centennial Corridor flyover opens after several delays

Sebastian Parra, file image

Judge Eric Bradshaw scheduled a hearing next week for an update.

Roberts, 30, and Parra, 24, are charged with murder in the Aug. 24, 2022, shooting death of Benny Alcala Jr.

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Roberts was charged in early September 2022; Parra served as the prosecutions key witness during Roberts preliminary hearing.

Parra testified Roberts targeted Alcala, 43, believing the counselor had money because he was charging an electric vehicle near the Target on Stockdale Highway. A grand jury indicted Parra months later.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  Muslims across the country are marking the beginning of Ramadan, the holiest month of the year in Islam. Families gathered at the Islamic Association of Raleigh Sunday to celebrate the holiday.

To signal the start of Ramadan, green and gold lights were lit outside the mosque, and more lights were lit inside. Organizers say events like the mosque lighting are a chance for people to come together and pray as a community.

A night of solidarity, a night of unity, said Asma Khan, president of the Triangle Association of Muslim American Mothers (TAMAM). We all gather today to welcome Ramadan.

Ramadan marks the month the Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad. To honor that, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for 30 days. It is a time to focus on spirituality and grow closer to God.

Palestinians in Gaza begin Ramadan with hunger worsening and no end in sight to the Israel-Hamas war

Families at the Islamic Association Sunday enjoyed halal food trucks, a bazaar with more food and Ramadan decorations and prayer.

The mosque is a central place for us to come together, to be together in good times and bad times and sad times and trying times, Khan said.

Khan helped organize the event. She says the celebration this year is a little more somber.

Right now, our hearts are with our Palestinian brothers and sisters and what theyre suffering through, she said, adding many vendors are donating proceeds to organizations helping Palestinians and refugees.

Typically, there is also a countdown to the mosque lighting and fireworks. Khan said organizers decided to skip those more celebratory parts of the event, but for many, this is still a special time.

I actually really like it because it gets people excited for Ramadan, to make them excited for fasting, said Dania Moinuddin.

Friends Moinuddin and Rayhana Abdul-Hakim say this is a chance to spend time with their community.

Foot to foot, shoulder to shoulder, its the best type of prayer you can ever do, Abdul-Hakim said.

Moinuddin added, Its so warm, its so unconditional.

Muslims spot Ramadan crescent moon in Saudi Arabia, meaning month of fasting starts Monday for many

This is also a reminder of why Ramadan is so important.

One of the parts of the fasting is to get the feeling and appreciate that not many people get the privileges of eating like [we] do, Abdul-Hakim said. The fact that were all walking here today and not in our grave is a blessing.

Ramadan is expected to end in April with Eid al-Fitr on April 10. Eid usually means a day of prayer and feasting, marking the culmination of a successful month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
In this article, we are going to discuss the 15 countries with the most beautiful nature in Europe. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global tourism industry, the largest travel company in the world, and the need for sustainable tourism, and go directly to the 5 Countries With the Most Beautiful Nature in Europe.

There's simply no better place to take a break and let go of everyday stress than out in nature. Being surrounded by this planets raw, enchanting beauty can help us relax and rejuvenate our soul, reminding us to pay attention and be in the moment. The sights, sounds, and smells of Mother Earth are sometimes far too alluring for us biophiles, and so when the vast outdoors call, we make sure to answer.

The Global Tourism Industry:

Tourism has evolved into a massive industry with time, encompassing several other sectors, such as hospitality, transport, entertainment etc. In 1950, at the dawn of the jet age, just 25 million people took foreign trips, and by 2019, that number had reached a mammoth 1.5 billion. As we mentioned in our article  15 Countries with the Most Beautiful Culture in the World  the global Travel & Tourism (T&T) industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% between 2021 and 2026, to be worth an estimated $8.9 trillion by the end of the forecast period.

The World Tourism and Travel Council has reported that the T&T sector contributed 7.6% to the global GDP in 2022, an increase of 22% from 2021 and only 23% below the pre-pandemic 2019 levels.

Largest Travel Company in the World:

With a market cap of over $119 billion as of the writing of this piece, Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) holds the title of being the largest travel company in the world. Operating in over 220 countries and 40 different languages, there are more than 28 million global listings available between hotels, homes, and apartments under the Booking travel sites.

The Connecticut-based travel technology company also strongly felt the shocks of the pandemic when its revenue fell by almost 55%, from $15.06 billion in 2019, to $6.8 billion in 2020. However, Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) bounced back strongly and boasted a revenue of $17.09 billion in 2022 after the revival of international tourism, even higher than its pre-pandemic levels. The platform has also recently started conversational trip planning with ChatGPT.

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Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) is ranked among the 13 Best Major Stocks to Buy Right Now.

The Need for Sustainable Tourism:

Sustainable tourism can be defined as a kind of tourism that has more positive than negative impacts, especially relating to the environment, the economy, and communities. The popularity of beaches/forests/mountains etc as ideal getaways leads to overflowing masses of tourists every year, putting these unique yet fragile environments at risk.

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) is among the most recognizable names in the hospitality industry. The Virginia-based company manages and franchises a broad portfolio of the best beach resorts and eco-hotels, steps away from some of the most picturesque natural environments in the world. Hiltons global Travel with Purpose strategy aims to reduce the operational environmental footprint of the groups hotels worldwide, enabling guests to travel more sustainably and paving the way towards a net-zero future for the hospitality industry. From preserving mangroves in Curacao to restoring the United Kingdoms woodland areas through exceptional conservation, ecotourism is already the way of the future for Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT).

Hilton Worldwide plans to open 24 new hotels globally in 2024, including company debuts in Asia-Pacific and Europe, and brand debuts in the United States, the company announced in November 2023. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) ranks among the Most Valuable Hotel Companies in the World.

WIth that said, here are the European Countries with the Best Nature.

15 Countries With the Most Beautiful Nature in Europe

186PIX/Shutterstock.com

Methodology:

To collect data for this article, we have referred to sources such as Travel + Leisure, Forbes, Conde Nast Traveler, Reddit etc., looking for the European Countries with the Most Beautiful Nature. To make sure we give you the best of the best, we only shortlisted countries that appeared multiple times in the aforementioned sources, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. When two or more countries had the same score, we ranked them by the number of foreign tourists they received in 2022 instead.

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. Montenegro

Insider Monkey Score: 7

This small Balkan country is a must-see destination to visit an incredible combination of wild nature, rich culture, and magnificent beaches. With the Bay of Kotor on one side and mountains on the other, the tiny picturesque town of Kotor is truly a sight to behold. Brimming with breathtaking mountain sceneries, gleaming lakes, and magical towns, Montenegro proves that good things do indeed come in small packages.

14. Ireland

Insider Monkey Score: 8

A land of unparalleled natural beauty, it is impossible to visit Ireland and not helplessly and hopelessly fall in love with it. A lush green land of rolling hills, dramatic coastline, windswept isles, and incredible, natural scenery, Ireland is a paradise for a lover of the outdoors.

Home to more than 30,000 castles and ruins, most dating from the 12th to 16th centuries, The Emerald Isle is also included among the Countries with the Most Beautiful Castles in the World.

13. Slovenia

Insider Monkey Score: 9

The small yet mighty country of Slovenia is a land of plenty, offering travelers the perfect combination of natural wonders and cultural attractions. This Scenic European Country really does have an almost absurd number of astonishingly beautiful places to visit; from the towering peaks of the Julian Alps in the north to the immense cave systems in the south, Slovenia is a fairy tale come to life.

12. Sweden

Insider Monkey Score: 9

Home to 29 national parks and over 100,000 lakes, this Scandinavian beauty makes for a fine escape to anyone looking for a natural wonderland. The sense of well-being that one feels, the peace and the calm, the exquisite nature, and the quiet, unassuming people, undoubtedly make Sweden one of the Most Beautiful Countries in Europe.

11. Portugal

Insider Monkey Score: 11

Portugal is raw, real, and natural. Its awe-inspiring mix of terrains, panoramic vistas, and Mediterranean climate can accommodate a myriad of activities and excursions. Famed novelist and Nobel laureate Jose Saramago even went so far as to declare the hypnotic terraces of the countrys northern Douro Valley, with their winding waterways and green landscapes, as the eighth wonder of the world.

Tourism is a key driver of the Portuguese economy, accounting for almost 15% of the national GDP before the pandemic.

10. Scotland

Insider Monkey Score: 13

Scotland is an amazing destination that tourists always find enthralling. You can find idyllic sites all over the country, from the southeast coast of East Lothian to the far reaches of the Outer Hebrides.

Tourism is one of the seven growth industries in Scotland, contributing more than $4.9 billion to the economy each year. The country received around 3.2 million foreign visitors in the year 2022.

9. Croatia

Insider Monkey Score: 13

Croatia is among the best ecologically preserved countries in Europe; offering around 1,100 miles of coastline along the Adriatic, over 1,200 islands, 26 rivers, 7 protected marine areas, and 8 national parks. Simply put, Croatia is undoubtedly one of the Most Magical Places in the World.

8. Greece

Insider Monkey Score: 14

The Greek islands have long been a sun worshipers paradise. Besides the heavenly sands and turquoise waters, the country offers a wealth of mountains, forests, gorges, rivers, lakes, caves, volcanoes, and lagoons,

The Greek tourism sector stands to gain from the total $54 billion in funding from the countrys national recovery and resilience plan. Investments in tourism with particular focus on health and wellness as well as spa tourism, gastronomy and diving tourism, port upgrades, beach accessibility, and special training and upskilling programs for tourism sector employees are areas expected to receive funding under the national recovery plan.

Greece is included among the Top 10 Beautiful Countries in Europe.

7. Austria

Insider Monkey Score: 15

Austria certainly has no shortage of stunning natural attractions, providing excellent scenery and a serene environment where you and your family can relax. With its majestic Alpine ranges and crystal clear lakes, youre never far away from beautiful scenery in Austria.

6. Switzerland

Insider Monkey Score: 16

Switzerland is truly the epitome of idyllic. With the statuesque Swiss Alps covering more than 60% of the country, Switzerland seduces visitors all year round with some of the best and most astonishing natural scenery not only in Europe, but the whole world. Boasting glacial waterfalls, hiking trails, ski slopes, dramatic cliffs and quaint villages, Lauterbrunnen is easily ranked among the Most Beautiful Places in Europe.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Countries With the Most Beautiful Nature in Europe.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Countries With the Most Beautiful Nature in Europe is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ruled the idea of any truce in response to Pope Francis' remarks that Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" and negotiate an end to the war caused by Russia's full-scale invasion.

Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with French BFM TV

Quote: "For Putin, a ceasefire would be a breath of fresh air. This would not be [peace] negotiations, but a way to restore the combat capability of the army and train young conscripts."

Details: Zelenskyy also believes that the truce will allow Russia to produce more ammunition.

Quote: "We find North Korean shells and missiles, which indicates that [Russia] has a shortage of certain weapons."

Details: Despite this, Zelenskyy spoke out in favour of a peace plan that can be drawn up in Switzerland during the Peace Summit. Countries that support this plan could then "hand it over to representatives of the Russian Federation".

Background:

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."

The statement caused a stir and was met with a lot of criticism.

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. Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European Commission, stressed that peace lies in the hands of one person, and that's Vladimir Putin, who continues to wage war every day.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba responded to Pope Franciss suggestion by saying that Ukraines flag is yellow and blue, not white.

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In this piece, we are going to look at 15 Highest Quality Coffee Chains in the US. If you want to skip our detailed industry analysis of the coffee industry, you can go directly to 5 Highest Quality Coffee Chains in the US.

Isn't coffee just the best? Made from beans grown in Africa and Asia, it's a classic go-to drink all over the world. After those beans go through the drying, roasting, and grinding process, we get that amazing cup we can't get enough of.

In 2023, the coffee beans market was valued at around $35.23 billion, and it's expected to grow by 6.10% until 2032, hitting a whopping $60.07 billion. And get this: coffee isn't just delicious, it also packs some health perks like lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease. That's probably why more and more people are jumping on the coffee bandwagon worldwide, and the trend is only going to get bigger in the future. Cheers to coffee and its awesome benefits!

The US coffee market is set to hit a whopping $33.64 billion by 2029, chugging along at a solid 3.69% growth rate. Coffee chains are go-to spots for us busy bees  super convenient for those "get-up-and-go" coffee lovers. We Americans sure dig our top-quality java, and we're all about finding those perfect coffee spots that serve good vibes along with our daily brew.

Instant coffee gets a high-five too for being a quick and easy fix when we need that caffeine hit fast. Artisanal coffee is all the rage, especially those single-origin blends that win over hearts (and wallets!). People are splurging more on unique coffee experiences, and Starbucks is even rolling out special roasteries for the single-origin coffee crowd.

And hey, here's a neat twist: More folks are getting into certified coffee these days, caring about where their brew comes from. Those certifications promise quality coffee sourced sustainably, focusing on transparency, eco-friendly farming practices, and maintaining top-notch quality throughout the coffee-making journey. It's not just about the taste, it's about feeling good knowing you're sipping on the real deal from start to finish! So, let's raise a cup to great coffee and the journey to enjoy every sip!

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Amidst the realm of coffee, lets also see some of the biggest companies sitting amongst the players at the top of charts before we jump to 15 Highest Quality Coffee Chains in the US; namely, The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQGS:KHC), Nestle S.A. (Other OTC:NSRGY), Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQGS:SBUX) are going to be discussed.

The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQGS:KHC)

The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQGS:KHC) Maxwell House came out swinging with their instant iced lattes with foam, shaking things up in July 2023. It's their first big launch in almost a decade, and they're looking to attract the younger crowd while battling it out with heavyweights like Starbucks and Dunkin'.

Looks like their plan is working out as their net sales bumped up by 0.6% to $26.6 billion and net income shot up by a whopping 20.2% to $2.8 billion for the year 2023. It's clear Maxwell House is brewing up some serious success!

Nestle S.A. (Other OTC:NSRGY)

Nestle S.A. (Other OTC:NSRGY), one of the big players in the coffee world, had a pretty solid year in 2023. Their growth game was on point with organic growth at 7.2% and pricing at 7.5%. They did see a tiny dip in real internal growth, though, at -0.3%.

They spread that success far and wide, rocking it in different spots and categories. Sales-wise, they raked in $105.61 billion, a tad lower than the previous year at $107.2 billion. Tough break, though, as foreign exchange hit them with a 7.8% blow and net divestitures chipped away at sales by 0.9%.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQGS:SBUX)

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQGS:SBUX), another big player in the coffee world, kicked off the year like a boss! In Q1, which ended on 31 December 2023, they smashed records with consolidated net revenues hitting $9.4 billion, an 8% jump from the same quarter previous year.

Moreover, their comparable store sales also went up by 5% globally, with both North America and International regions seeing a nice boost of 5% and 7%, respectively. And let's not forget the U.S. Starbucks Rewards gang  they hit a whopping 34.3 million members during the quarter.

15 Highest Quality Coffee Chains in the US

Photo by nathan-dumlao-6VhPY27jdps-unsplash

Methodology

To construct our list of 15 Highest Quality Coffee Chains in the US, we first relied upon sources across that listed best coffee chains in America to curate initial list of coffee chains. From here, we noted down the ratings for each of the best high quality coffee chains from various sources (Tripadvisor, Yelp, Google etc.), that we got out of our consensus approach. Based on both, the ratings and number of ratings, we then ranked the coffee chains and now present to you this list of ours: 15 Highest Quality Coffee Chains 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. Dutch Bros. Coffee

Rating: 4.5

Number of Ratings: 98

Oh, Dutch Bros Coffee's origin story is so cool! From a humble pushcart on railroad tracks to a thriving coffee empire, their creamy brews are a must-try for coffee lovers. The white mocha cold brew and the Golden Eagle breve are definitely fan favorites, allowing Dutch Bros. Coffee grab a place in our list of Highest Quality Coffee Chains in the US.

14. Alfred Coffee

Rating: 4.5

Number of Ratings: 100

Alfred Coffee is the bomb diggity with its eye-catching cafe designs and killer menu. And who can resist their iconic "But first, coffee" logo? They've got locations in LA, San Francisco, Austin, and even all the way to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia! The World Famous Iced Vanilla Latte is a must-try; it's like a party in your mouth.

13. Ziggis Coffee

Rating: 4.5

Number of Ratings: 100

Ziggi's Coffee is all about keeping it local with their coffee and food ingredients sourced from nearby vendors. Their menu is a dream with a variety of coffee options, alternatives, frozen treats, and fruit smoothies, along with some tasty food items. They've got different store setups, but the double drive-thru is the real MVP. Started by the dynamic duo, Brandon and Camrin Knudsen, in Longmont, Colorado back in 2004, they've been on a roll with locations popping up like daisies. From six spots in 2016 to a total of 76, as of 2023, they're making their mark.

12. Ellianos Coffee

Rating: 4.6

Number of Ratings: 98

Ellianos Coffee is like the drive-thru king of specialty coffee chains, rocking that double-sided action for speedy service without compromising quality, and making it into our list of Highest Quality Coffee Chains in the US. Their motto screams Italian quality at Americas pace, and they're all about dazzling their customers with top-notch drinks. Their menu is a flavor fiesta, with signature sips like Caffe Dolce, Milan Mint Mocha, Tuscany Toffee... you get the idea. Add in hot coffees, teas, smoothies galore, and even some tasty food treats like breakfast sandwiches and cookies.

Founded in sunny Lake City, Florida, by the power couple Scott and Pam Stewart in 2002, Ellianos has blossomed into 26 locations across the US, as of 2023.

11. Classic Rock Coffee Company and Kitchen

Rating: 4.5

Number of Ratings: 119

Classic Rock Coffee Company and Kitchen draws inspiration from the Hard Rock Cafe but carves out its own niche in the market by targeting a Millennial-friendly hipster audience. The ambiance is enhanced by the constant soundtrack of upbeat classic rock music, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for customers to indulge in a variety of offerings such as coffee, frappes, smoothies, protein shakes, pastries, sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, and more. The interior is adorned with electric guitars, album covers, and collections of classic rock albums for patrons to peruse.

Established in Springfield, Missouri in 2011, the company operates in eight locations worldwide, including six in the US, one in Egypt, and one in India, as of 2023.

10. Caribou Coffee

Rating: 4.5

Number of Ratings: 122

Number 10th on our list of Highest Quality Coffee Chains in the US is Caribou Coffee . Caribou Coffee prides itself on offering high-quality, handcrafted coffee-centric beverages with the slogan Life is short. Stay awake for it. Their menu features a wide array of classic and signature coffee drinks, along with tea, cocoa, and other beverages, as well as all-day breakfast items such as sandwiches, bagels, and baked goods. The company emphasizes sustainability by achieving various US coffeehouse milestones, such as obtaining 100% Rainforest Alliance certification and serving 100% Clean Label beverages. Caribou also sources its primary egg supply from cage-free sources for its breakfast items.

Operating as part of the Panera Brands portfolio, along with Panera Bread and Bagel Brands, Caribou Coffee was founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1992 by John and Kim Puckett. While international franchising has been ongoing, the company officially launched its domestic franchising program in 2021. As of 2023, Caribou Coffee has over 750 locations globally, consisting of 339 company-owned, 144 non-traditional, and 288 franchised coffeehouses spanning 11 countries.

9. Its a Grind Coffee House

Rating: 4.4

Number of Ratings: 141

9th on our list of Highest Quality Coffee Chains in the US is Its a Grind Coffee House is all about serving up top-notch gourmet coffee, heavenly espresso drinks, and hip, healthy cold bevvies alongside some fresh-baked goodies in a cozy, community-centric vibe. Picture blues and jazz vibes paired with plush wingback chairs for that ultimate chill-out session. Started by the awesome duo Marty Cox and Louise Montgomery in Long Beach, California, back in 1995, Its a Grind has been spreading the coffee love. With 81 locations and some on international soil, they're definitely making waves.

8. Dunkin

Rating: 4.4

Number of Ratings: 174

Dunkin', formerly known as Dunkin' Donuts, has rebranded to focus more on coffee and sandwiches, moving away from its original image. Renowned for its slogan "America Runs on Dunkin'," the franchise is a dominant player in the coffee industry worldwide. Dunkin' Brands, the parent company, also owns the Baskin-Robbins ice cream brand. Established in the mid-1940s by William Rosenberg as Open Kettle, the business transitioned to Dunkin' Donuts in 1950. Undergoing a significant refresh, the brand now offers a wider range of options, including espresso machines and cold-brew beverages on tap. Having begun franchising in 1955, Dunkin' experienced steady growth over the past decade, reaching a peak of 12,957 locations in 2020. While the number has slightly decreased since then, Dunkin' operates globally, with 3,713 outlets in almost 40 countries outside the US, all of which are franchised.

7. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Rating: 4.5

Number of Ratings: 171

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is devoted to ethically sourcing its coffee and tea, establishing direct partnerships with farmers and growers. Through its "impacting lives from seed to cup" philosophy, the company's initiatives, such as the Caring Cup program, aim to support local schoolchildren in the US, promote employee development, and enhance the well-being of coffee and tea producers. Recently, in 2019, the chain was acquired by Jollibee Foods Corp., the largest restaurant company in the Philippines, for $350 million.

Founded by Herb Hyman in 1963 in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf boasts a global presence with more than 1,000 locations worldwide. The chain operates in dozen US states and the District of Columbia, as well as in 40 other countries internationally.

6. Aroma Joes Coffee

Rating: 4.6

Number of Ratings: 165

Aroma Joes Coffee distinguishes itself as a drive-thru chain guided by three principles: No intercoms, No mistakes, No attitudes. Targeting a younger demographic, the chain offers a variety of hot and cold coffee beverages, along with its own branded Rush energy drink. Aroma Joe's signature coffee blend, sourced from the best Arabica beans, is sustainably and ethically produced in Maine, where it is craft roasted by award-winning roasters and holds a 100% Rainforest Alliance Certification.

Established in New Hampshire in 2000 by brothers Marty and Tim McKenna, and cousins Brian and Mike Sillon, Aroma Joes Coffee commenced franchising in 2013. The chain has expanded its footprint in recent years, growing from 42 locations in 2016 to the current total of 100+ outlets, all located in the US, with none being company-owned.

Click to continue reading and find out about the 5 Highest Quality Coffee Chains in the US.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Highest Quality Coffee Chains in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis during a hearing in the Georgia election interference case in Atlanta on March 1. (Alex Slitz/AP)

Nathan Wade resigns as special prosecutor after a Georgia judge rules that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can continue prosecuting her racketeering case against former President Donald Trump if Wade  with whom she had a secret romantic relationship  is removed from the case. And a New York judge agrees to delay the start of Trumps hush-money trial from March 25 until mid-April after the former presidents lawyers complained that they were not given enough time to review more than 100,000 pages of recently disclosed documents.

Georgia election interference

Judge rules Fani Willis can stay on  if Wade leaves

Key players: Judge Scott McAfee, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, special prosecutor Nathan Wade

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee found there was no actual conflict brought about by the relationship, but that it created the appearance of impropriety.

As a result, McAfee ruled that either Willis or Wade must be removed from the case for it to continue. Wade submitted a formal letter of resignation to Willis on Friday afternoon.

Trump and 18 others were indicted by a grand jury in Georgia on criminal charges stemming from Williss long-running investigation into their attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in that state.

Trump co-defendant Michael Roman accused Willis of misconduct because of her clandestine relationship with Nathan Wade, whom she appointed as special counsel.

Roman alleged that Willis and Wade did not disclose their relationship while benefitting financially from their prosecution of Trump and his allies. McAfee disagreed.

Without sufficient evidence that the District Attorney acquired a personal stake in the prosecution, or that her financial arrangements had any impact on the case, the Defendants claims of an actual conflict must be denied, the judge wrote.

Why it matters: The case had been on hold for more than two months due to the saga brought on by Willis and Wades tryst. Willis can continue her prosecution of Trump and his associates in Georgia.

Also see: A timeline of how we got here

New York hush money

Judge agrees to a 30-day trial delay to resolve key questions about newly disclosed documents.

Key players: Judge Juan Merchan, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, adult film star Stormy Daniels, former Playboy model Karen McDougal

In his ruling Friday, Merchan said the trial  which was scheduled to start March 25  is now adjourned for 30 days from the date of this letter after Trumps lawyers complained that they had only just started to receive more than 100,000 pages of potential evidence from a previous Justice Department investigation into Trumps alleged hush-money payments during the 2016 campaign.

The delay will push the new trial date to mid-April at the earliest. Until now, this had been the only one of Trumps trials not to face significant delays.

In the meantime, Merchan has scheduled a hearing for March 25 to resolve significant questions of fact" regarding who, if anyone, is at fault for the late production of the documents and whether any sanctions are warranted.

Trumps lawyers have accused Bragg of flouting his obligation to disclose the documents in a timely manner. Merchan has demanded a full timeline of events and all correspondence between Braggs office and federal prosecutors.

Previously, prosecutors in Braggs office told Merchan that they would not oppose a 30-day delay. The U.S. attorney's office [USAO] in Manhattan produced approximately 31,000 pages of additional records [on Wednesday] and represented that there will be another production of documents by next week," prosecutors wrote to Merchan on Thursday. "Those records appear to contain materials related to the subject matter of this case, including materials that the People requested from the USAO more than a year ago and that the USAO previously declined to provide."

Trumps lawyers had sought a 90-day delay to review the new evidence.

Trump is accused of violating New York state tax and campaign finance laws when he paid off Daniels and McDougal in 2016, allegedly to hide his extramarital affairs with both women.

Why it matters: Trumps lawyers have been effective in their strategy of attempting to delay the start of the four criminal trials facing the former president until after the 2024 election. But according to the latest Yahoo News/YouGov poll, nearly two-thirds of Americans (63%) say it is very or somewhat important that voters get a verdict in Trumps trials before the 2024 election  and less than a third (32%) would approve of delaying Trumps federal trials until after the election, making it possible for him to dismiss them if he wins.

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Thursday, March 14

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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Judge Aileen Cannon denies a motion by former President Donald Trump to dismiss the classified documents case against him on the grounds that the Espionage Act contains unconstitutional vagueness. Here are the latest developments.

Classified documents

Judge Cannon denies Trumps motion to dismiss case on unconstitutional vagueness grounds

Key players: Judge Aileen Cannon, special counsel Jack Smith

After hearing arguments Thursday from prosecutors and Trumps lawyers on the question of whether to dismiss the charges against the former president on the grounds that the Espionage Act contains unconstitutional vagueness, Cannon ruled to dismiss Trumps motion, the Associated Press reported.

The argument put forth by Trumps lawyers depends too greatly on contested instructional questions about still-fluctuating definitions of statutory terms/phrases as charged, along with at least some disputed factual issues as raised in the motion, Cannon wrote, adding that a jury would be left to decide those issues.

Cannon has yet to rule on the second motion Trumps lawyers filed to try to get her to dismiss all of the charges in the indictment filed by Smith. That motion contends that the Presidential Records Act protected Trump from prosecution over his hoarding of classified documents after leaving the White House.

Prosecutors say the opposite is true.

Cannon appeared skeptical during Thursdays hearing on that question, saying it would be "difficult to see" how she might dismiss the charges on those grounds.

Trump was in court Thursday to witness the hearing.

Why it matters: A Trump appointee, Cannon has been criticized often regarding her rulings in the case so far. Thursdays ruling showed, however, that not every Trump argument will go his way in her courtroom.

Recommended reading

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Wednesday, March 13

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Former President Donald Trump is expected to attend a Thursday hearing in Judge Aileen Cannons Florida courtroom on whether to dismiss the felony charges against him brought by special counsel Jack Smith stemming from his handling of classified documents. In a blow to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Judge Scott McAfee dismisses six of the felony counts against Trump and some of his co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case. Trump still faces 10 criminal counts in the state, and the judge said that Willis could go back to the grand jury to seek to have the six dismissed charges restored. Here are the latest legal developments facing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024.

Classified documents

Trump expected to attend classified documents hearing on Thursday

Key players: Judge Aileen Cannon, special counsel Jack Smith

Trump is expected to attend Thursdays hearing at which Cannon, a Trump appointee, will hear arguments on whether the Presidential Records Act enabled Trump to designate classified documents as personal items upon leaving the White House at the end of his term, ABC News reported.

President Trump was still the President of the United States when, for example, many of the documents at issue were packed (presumably by the GSA), transported, and delivered to Mar-A-Lago, Trumps attorneys wrote in a filing to Cannon.

Smiths team countered in their own filing that Trumps argument is simply that he is above the law.

Trumps claims rest on three fundamental errors, all of which reflect his view that, as a former President, the Nations laws and principles of accountability that govern every other citizen do not apply to him, prosecutors wrote.

Also at issue is Trumps contention that the Espionage Act is too vaguely written to be used to prosecute him.

There is far too much indeterminacy around the meaning of unauthorized possession with respect to President Trump and the types of documents at issue, his lawyers wrote in a filing to Cannon.

In their response to that argument, prosecutors said that Trump could not have failed to understand the paramount importance of protecting the Nations national-security and military secrets, including the obligations not to take unauthorized possession of, or willfully retain, national defense information.

Why it matters: Cannon has already issued rulings in the case that have been overturned by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Legal experts have criticized her delays in the trial schedule and her willingness to schedule Thursdays hearing to dismiss the charges altogether.

Georgia election interference

Judge dismisses six of 41 charges in Georgia case

Key players: Judge Scott McAfee, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, pro-Trump lawyers John Eastman, Ray Smith and Robert Cheeley, Trump lawyer Steve Sadow, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis

McAfee issued a ruling Wednesday dismissing six of the 41 felony charges made by Willis in her indictments of Trump and 18 others involving their efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, the Associated Press reported.

McAfee did not dismiss the case outright, however, as lawyers for the defendants have sought. The judge said prosecutors had not provided sufficient detail in the indictment regarding the effort by the defendants to pressure lawmakers in the Georgia legislature to appoint an alternate slate of presidential electors.

The lack of detail concerning an essential legal element is, in the undersigned's opinion, fatal, McAfee wrote. They do not give the Defendants enough information to prepare their defenses intelligently."

Trumps lawyer praised the decision: The ruling is a correct application of the law, as the prosecution failed to make specific allegations of any alleged wrongdoing on those counts.

But McAfee gave Willis and her team six months to come up with supplemental information regarding the six charges and resubmit the case to a grand jury.

The judges dismissal of the six charges means that Trump, Giuliani, Meadows, Eastman, Smith and Cheeley now face fewer felony counts. Trump, the driving force behind the effort to overturn Georgias election results, now faces 10 criminal counts in the state, down from 13 originally filed against him.

McAfee is also expected to rule this week on whether to disqualify Willis from prosecuting the case against Trump and the remaining defendants (four of whom have already pleaded guilty in the case).

Why it matters: While prosecutors could opt to go back to a grand jury to present the detail sought by McAfee to secure new indictments on the six dismissed charges, doing so would push the timetable for the start of a trial back significantly.

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Tuesday, March 12

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Prosecutors with New York Attorney General Letitia Jamess office submit a court filing asking Judge Anil Singh to make former President Donald Trump pay the full $464 million bond amount as he appeals the judgment in his financial fraud trial. Singh has already rejected Trumps request to pay just $100 million of that amount. Here are the latest legal developments involving the Republican presidential frontrunner for 2024.

New York financial fraud

Prosecutors tell judge Trump should pay full $464 million bond

Key players: Senior Assistant Solicitor of New York Dennis Fan, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Appellate Judge Anil Singh, Judge Arthur Engoron

On Monday, Jamess team submitted a court filing to Singh arguing that Trump should be made to pay the full $464 million bond ordered by Engoron in the New York financial fraud trial while he appeals that staggering judgment, ABC News reported.

Fan wrote that Trump might seek to avoid paying the full bond amount, which includes nearly $355 million in penalties and roughly $100 million in interest.

"That requirement applies to defendant Donald J. Trump and his co-defendants, just as it applies to any other appellant," Fan wrote in the filing.

Trumps lawyers offered to pay just $100 million of the total bond, telling Singh that he would have to sell off some real estate assets to raise the full amount.

Singh denied that proposal, but stayed Engorons ruling that prevented Trump from obtaining loans in New York to raise the full bond. Singh also gave prosecutors until yesterday to issue their response.

The full appeals court will weigh in on the bond amount and hear Trumps appeal of Engorons ruling, but Fan, in Mondays filing, said the chances of Trump winning were slim.

"Defendants are exceedingly unlikely to succeed on the merits of their appeal. Defendants engaged in brazen fraud and illegality to enrich themselves through the use of Mr. Trumps false and misleading Statements of Financial Condition," the filing said.

Trump has already secured a loan from the Federal Insurance Company, a subsidiary of the Chubb Corporation, to pay the $91.6 million bond in the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial into an escrow account as he pursues an appeal in that case.

Under Engorons order, Trump has until March 24 to post bond.

Why it matters: If Trump is compelled to pay the full bond amount in the fraud trial, he could be forced to begin selling off his New York real estate holdings. But if he refuses or is unable to secure another loan to raise that amount, James could begin to seize some of his assets.

Recommended reading

____________________

Monday, March 11

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After posting a $91.6 million bond on Friday, former president Donald Trump continues to do the thing that resulted in the judgment against him: defame columnist E. Jean Carroll. Carrolls attorney Roberta Kaplan responds to remarks Trump made at a Georgia rally and during an interview with CNBC by noting that the statute of limitations has not expired. Trumps attorneys file a motion to delay the March 25 start date of his hush money trial, saying the judge should allow for the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in first on the question of whether presidential immunity protects him from prosecution. Here are the latest legal developments involving the Republican presidential frontrunner.

E. Jean Carroll defamation

Trump continues to call E. Jean Carroll a liar  and Carrolls lawyer is listening

Key players: columnist E. Jean Carroll, Carrolls lawyer Roberta Kaplan, Judge Lewis Kaplan

Days after posting a nearly $92 million bond for defaming Carroll by denying he met or sexually assaulted her in a department store changing room in 1996, Trump continued to accuse Carroll of lying, the New York Daily News reported.

I just posted a $91 million bond, $91 million on a fake story, totally made-up story, Trump said at a rally on Saturday in Rome, Ga., 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.

On Monday, during an interview on CNBC , Trump continued to cast doubt on Carroll, calling her Ms. Bergdorf Goodman and describing her as a person Id never met.

In May a jury found that Trump had not only known Carroll, but had sexually assaulted and later defamed her, and awarded her $5 million in damages.

In January, a second jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million, in part due to Trumps repeated denials and attacks.

Kaplan, Carrolls attorney, warned that Trumps latest remarks could result in yet another lawsuit.

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, E. Jean Carroll, Kaplan said in a statement.

On Friday, Trump posted notice that he would appeal the second jurys $88.3 million judgment with the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Why it matters: Trump is betting that his appeal will be successful in knocking down the amount a jury has ordered to pay Carroll, but two juries have already ruled against him, finding there was ample evidence to disprove his claims he never met her.

New York hush money

Trump asks court to delay start of hush money case until Supreme Court rules on presidential immunity

Key players: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, adult film actress Stormy Daniels, former Playboy model Karen McDougal, Judge Juan Merchan, U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein

On Monday, Trumps lawyers filed a motion with Merchan to delay the March 25 start of his criminal trial on charges he violated New York state tax and campaign finance laws when he made payments to Daniels and McDougal in 2016 to hide extramarital affairs, Reuters reported.

The grounds for the delay, they wrote, was to give the Supreme Court time to decide whether presidential immunity protects Trump from being prosecuted.

"Without immunity from criminal prosecution based on official acts, the President's political opponents will seek to influence and control his or her decisions via de facto extortion," Trump's attorneys wrote.

The problem with that argument, however, was that Trump was not president when he arranged the payments to the two women.

Trump has asked the Supreme Court to find that presidential immunity protects him from prosecution in the Jan. 6 election interference case because, he claims, challenging the election results was part of his official duties as president.

Last year, however, Hallerstein denied a similar line of argument used by Trumps lawyers when they unsuccessfully tried to have the hush money case moved from state to federal court.

"Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a President's official acts," the judge wrote.

Why it matters: Trump is hoping to delay the hush money case as long as he can, and seems to be testing the limits of the protections that presidential immunity might offer him.
[Source]

Despite previously advocating for restrictions on TikTok, former President Donald Trump has reversed his position on bipartisan legislation threatening ByteDance's ownership of the app.

Congress drive to ban TikTok: Bipartisan legislation spearheaded by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R, WI-8) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D, IL-8) aims to compel ByteDance, the Beijing-based company that owns TikTok, to divest from it within a tight deadline or have the popular video sharing app be inaccessible to U.S.-based users. The bill, titled the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, is expected for a vote on the House floor this week after being voted out of the US House Energy and Commerce Committee by a 50-0 vote on Thursday.

What Trump is saying: Trump, who previously advocated for curbing TikTok over national security concerns, took to Truth Social on Thursday to express his opposition to the bipartisan bill. If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business, he wrote. I don't want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!"

The big picture: Trumps comments purportedly came following a meeting with Jeff Yass, a conservative hedge fund manager with a significant financial stake in TikTok that is reportedly worth $33 billion. Yass has reportedly been pressuring Republican lawmakers to oppose the upcoming bi-partisan bill.

Trending on NextShark: AirAsia CEO says he has no regrets over viral topless photo

Trumps former adviser Steve Bannon has spoken out on Gettr regarding the motives behind Trump's reversal on TikTok, writing: "Simple: Yass Coin.

Koticks plans: Reports indicate that former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick is exploring options to potentially purchase TikTok amid the legislative push to force ByteDance's divestment. Citing sources privy to the conversations, the Wall Street Journal reported that Kotick expressed interest in buying TikTok to both ByteDance co-founder Zhang Yiming and OpenAI's Sam Altman.

Trending on NextShark: How Jackie Chan and late Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama inspired each other

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In this article, we will look at the 20 highest paying countries for bankers. We have also discussed the global financial services market along with the developments in the banking sector in the US. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 5 Highest Paying Countries for Bankers.

The global financial services market is experiencing significant growth, with its size reaching $25.51 trillion in 2022 and projected to exceed $58.69 trillion by 2031,with a 9.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period of 20232031. This expansion is fueled by the widespread adoption of digitalization among banks and financial institutions, coupled with the rapid growth of commercial lending activities such as loans.

A plethora of factors contribute to the market's growth such as the proliferation of digital financial services, particularly in developing countries, and the increasing demand for financial solutions across different sectors, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations and government institutions. Despite these growth drivers, challenges such as privacy concerns and the need for strong and reliable regulatory frameworks persist, influencing market dynamics. Nevertheless, the financial services market offers abundant opportunities for both established players and emerging entrants, with innovations such as big data analytics and secure payment methods driving further advancements and enhancing consumer experiences, ultimately shaping the future trajectory of the industry.

While the CAGR paints a picture of tremendous growth in the sector, in 2023, global banks axed over 60,000 jobs, making it one of the worst years for layoffs since the financial crisis. Investment banks, struggling with dwindling fees within a slump in dealmaking, scrambled to safeguard profit margins by slashing staff. The merger of Credit Suisse by UBS Group AG alone resulted in at least 13,000 job cuts, with more anticipated in the near future. Major institutions globally cut over 61,905 positions, a figure reminiscent of the 2007-08 financial crisis.

Story continues

Wall Street bore the brunt, with European lenders also feeling the heat. UBS Group AG (NYSE:UBS), undertaking a major restructuring, led the charge, followed by Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC). Big names like Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C), Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC), Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS), and JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM) collectively shed 30,000 jobs. Factors driving the cuts were majorly the revenue declines, overexpansion, and political pressure for cost reduction. It is interesting to note that despite optimism for a rebound in dealmaking, banks brace for a challenging 2024, signaling that the trend of job cuts is likely to continue in the banking sector. To read more about banks, see 25 Largest Banks in the World by Assets.

Interesting, in recent reports, Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC) and Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) diverge from the trend of declining bonuses, making headlines with their generous employee rewards. Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC) is granting a one-time $1,000 bonus to select employees, while Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) plans to distribute restricted stock bonuses totaling $800 million among approximately 97% of its workforce. This is in contrast to findings that year-end bonuses decreased in 2023 compared to the previous years, with figures ranging from 3.8% to 36.2% decline depending on industry.

Both financial institutions attach conditions to their bonuses. Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC)s $1,000 special cash awards target US employees earning less than $75,000 annually, with total compensation not exceeding $85,000. Similarly, Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC)s restricted stock bonuses are for those earning under $500,000 in total annual pay.

While the recent bonuses have been a positive sign, the looming end of the Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) in March 2024 has sparked concerns among investors about the potential for another banking crisis in the United States. The BTFP was initiated by the Federal Reserve in response to the failures of regional banks like Signature, Silvergate, and Silicon Valley and aimed to stabilize the banking system by allowing banks to borrow from the central bank using their bonds as collateral. This program effectively mitigated the panic triggered by mass withdrawals and declining bond values, preventing widespread bank collapses. However, as the BTFP comes to a close, banks may face increased borrowing costs, leading to reduced profit margins and possibly tighter lending conditions, which could weaken the economy.

In addition to the closure of the BTFP, the unwinding of quantitative easing (QE) poses another risk to the banking sector. Central banks' QE programs, initiated in response to the global financial crisis, involved injecting liquidity into the financial system by purchasing government bonds. The subsequent reversal, known as quantitative tightening (QT), could further strain banks by reducing liquidity and potentially increasing borrowing costs. Combined with other challenges such as heightened interest rates and geopolitical tensions, the end of the BTFP and QE programs could contribute to a scenario where banks become more risk-averse and the economy faces the threat of another liquidity crisis reminiscent of 2008.

20 Highest Paying Countries for Bankers

An iconic financial building in the background, with silhouettes of busy bankers walking past in the foreground.

Our Methodology

To list the highest paying countries for bankers, we made a list for 35 high-paying countries with the average salaries for banker managers by country. Of those 35, the 20 with the highest average salaries were selected and have been ranked. We acquired the data for the average salaries of bank managers by country from the ERI Economic Research Institute and World Salaries. 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.

20. Spain

Average Salary: $62,509

The Bank of Spain recently warned of potential repercussions from wage increases surpassing collective bargaining rates due to challenges in filling specialized job vacancies. With vacancies requiring high levels of training or specific expertise, salaries are escalating at a yearly rate of 6%, contrasting the 3.4% increase agreed upon through collective bargaining.

Spain is one of the best countries for finance.

19. United Arab Emirates

Average Salary: $63,711

Demand for professionals have increased in the UAE's banking sector post-pandemic. Hundreds of positions are open, offering lucrative monthly salaries ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh7,000 ($1497-$1905). Candidates with 2 to 5 years' experience are specifically sought after, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.

18. Italy

Average Salary: $66,749

Italy is one of the highest paying countries for finance jobs. Milan, particularly, is a hub for high-paying banking jobs due to its status as a financial center. Milan hosts the Italian Stock Exchange and numerous multinational banks' headquarters. Italy's banking sector is vital to its economy, offering competitive salaries to attract top talent.

17. Denmark

Average Salary: $68,587

Denmark has a highly stable economy and well-developed financial sector that create a demand for skilled banking professionals. Additionally, Denmark's high standard of living and generous social welfare system necessitate competitive salaries to attract and retain talent. It is also considered one of the best countries for investment banking.

16. New Zealand

Average Salary: $70,467

Bankers should consider New Zealand for career opportunities due to its stable economy, sound regulatory framework, and growing financial sector. The banking industry is highly demanded globally due to its pivotal role in facilitating economic activities, managing financial risks, and providing essential services such as loans and investments.

Owing to the high work-life balance in the country, New Zealand is one of the best countries for bankers.

15. France

Average Salary: $73,056

While France is one of highest paying countries for bankers in Europe, it is not immune to job cuts in the sector.

In 2024, French bank Societe Generale plans to cut 900 jobs, representing a 5% reduction at its head office. This move is part of a cost-cutting strategy aiming to save 1.7 billion by 2026. The bank intends to achieve these reductions through internal transfers, support at year-end, or voluntary departures. Societe Generale currently employs 117,500 globally, with 56,000 in France.

14. Austria

Average Salary: $75,440

Austria offers high salaries for bankers due to its stable economy, strong financial sector, and high cost of living. Vienna, its capital, hosts numerous multinational banks, leading to intense competition for skilled professionals, driving up salaries to attract the most talented professionals in the field.

13. Finland

Average Salary: $76,230

Finland's economy is heavily reliant on technology and innovation, leading to complex financial needs for companies in these sectors. Additionally, the country's aging population requires sophisticated retirement planning and wealth management services.

12. Singapore

Average Salary:$77,496

Bankers are highly demanded in Singapore owing to its reputation as a global financial hub. The country's robust economy and strategic location attract numerous multinational corporations, driving the need for financial services. Additionally, Singapore has a stable regulatory environment and strong rule of law, fostering confidence in its banking sector. Two important banks in Singapore are DBS Bank and United Overseas Bank (UOB).

11. Norway

Average Salary: $78,766

Norway's banking industry plays a pivotal role in managing the country's significant oil wealth and diversified economy. With a stable political environment and strong emphasis on innovation, Norwegian banks require skilled professionals to navigate complex financial landscapes, manage investments, and facilitate economic growth.

10. Netherlands

Average Salary: $79,796

The Netherlands serves as a prominent financial hub in Europe, attracting businesses and investors worldwide. Dutch banks play crucial roles in facilitating international trade, investment banking, and wealth management services.

9. Canada

Average Salary: $82,765

The demand for banking jobs is expected to remain relatively balanced over the period 2022-2031, according to projections from the Canadian Occupational Projections System. With 23,700 new job openings anticipated, primarily due to expansion and replacement demand, and 22,600 new job seekers entering the market, including school leavers, immigrants, and those changing positions, the supply and demand dynamics are projected to be closely aligned.

8. Australia

Average Salary: $85,709

Australia's ANZ Group plans to slash 170 jobs in its commercial banking sector, as confirmed by a workers' union. Banks nationwide are automating operations, leading to layoffs. While ANZ didn't verify the exact figure, it emphasized adapting to digital platforms.

Owing to the high quality education in the country, Australia is one of the best countries for finance students.

7. Ireland

Average Salary: $83,430

Ireland is among the highest paying countries for bankers owing to its strategic position as a global financial hub, particularly in Dublin. The presence of major international banks such as Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks contributes to the competitive compensation packages offered to bankers.

Dublin is also globally known as one of the best cities for finance jobs in the world.

6. Belgium

Average Salary: $84,714

Belgium's strong financial sector, centered in Brussels, offers high-paying opportunities for bankers due to its stability, global connections, and regulatory environment. The country hosts numerous multinational corporations, EU institutions, and headquarters of major financial entities.

With an average salary of $84,714 for bank managers, Belgium is one of the countries that pay the highest salary to banking sector.

Canada is also one of the countries with shortage of finance professionals.

Click here to see the 5 Highest Paying Countries for Bankers.

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Disclosure: None. 20 Highest Paying Countries for Bankers is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Donald Trump struggled Monday to give a coherent answer on whether he thought the United States should actually ban TikTok.

The House of Representatives is poised to pass a bill this week that would ban TikTok from U.S. app stores unless ByteDance, the apps Chinese parent company, sells TikTok to an American company. Trump was one of the original arbiters of anti-TikTok sentiment on Capitol Hill.

But last week, Trump advocated against banning TikTok. His reasoning? He doesnt want Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to reap any unintended benefits in the fallout.

If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business. They are a true Enemy of the People! Trump warned on TruthSocial.

When asked Monday about his apparent flip on banning TikTok, Trump insisted, I had it done.

And then Congress said, well, they never, they ultimately, usually fail, he continued on CNBCs Squawk Box. They are a goochlike, extremely political, and theyre extremely subject to people called lobbyists who happen to be very, very talented, very good and very rich.

I could have banned TikTok. I had it banned just about, I could have got that done. But I said, You know what? But Ill leave it up to you. I didnt push them too hard because, you know, let them do their own research and development, and they decided not to do it. But as you know, I was at the point where I could have gotten it done if I wanted to. I sort of said, You guys decide, you make that decision. Because its a tough decision to make.

While he was in office, Trump made banning TikTok a pet project. In 2020, he signed an executive order prohibiting any transactions between ByteDance and U.S. citizens, citing national security concerns. The order was eventually blocked in court.

Trump admitted Monday that his main incentive for keeping TikTok around is preventing Facebook from expandingand he threw in some election fraud conspiracy for good measure.



I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people, along with a lot of the media. What Facebah-book did with lock boxes, with a $500 million, Zuckerbergs, lock boxes that he put in. I mean, I considered illegal, Trump said, referring to a conspiracy he started that Facebook had paid for lock boxes of fraudulent ballots that made up 96 percent of votes for Joe Biden.

Trump told CNBC that he still believes TikTok poses a threat to national security. We have to very much go into privacy and make sure that we are protecting the American peoples privacy and data rights, he said. But, you know, we also have that problem with other, you have that problem with Facebook and lots of other companies too.

I mean, they get the information, they get plenty of information, and they deal with China and theyll do whatever China wants. You know, if you look at, some of our American companies, when you talk about, highly sophisticated companies that you think are American, theyre not so American. They deal in China, and China, if China wants anything from them, they will give it. So thats a national security risk also.

TikTok is one of the few issues that unites Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill. A company associated with the Chinese government owns a 1 percent stake in TikTok parent company Bytedance. With both political parties eager to seem tough on China, cracking down on TikTok is an easy move. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has testified twice before Congress and has faced far tougher, and sometimes more racist, grilling than any of his American tech CEO counterparts.

Republicans also regularly use TikTok as a scapegoat because the platform is popular with young people, the majority of whom tend to lean left. Many lawmakers say they want to ban TikTok to protect both national security and childrens privacy and well-being.

Bizarrely, Trump got one thing right during his weird rant: When it comes to security, both national and personal, TikTok is far from the only bad actor.



Google and YouTube have violated childrens privacy. Livestreaming platform Twitch is rife with sexual harassment and child predators. Apple and Google parent Alphabet design their products to be addictive to teenagers.

Facebook parent company Meta knew its products were destroying teens mental health, particularly teenage girls, but made no changes to its platform. Zuckerberg was aware of this but lied to Congress under oath about it.

Meanwhile, the United States has no overarching data security legislation. Instead, data privacy and security is regulated by a patchwork of state laws. Congress has repeatedly failed to pass laws that would actually protect children online. In fact, in the past decade, Congress passed just one narrow childrens online safety law.
(FOX40.COM)  The Tuolumne County Sheriff issued a statement on Friday afternoon following the publication of an article by the Union Democrat covering six deputies involved in internal affairs investigations.

According to the Union Democrat article, six deputies between 2018 and 2022 are alleged to be involved in a series of crimes that resulted in terminations, resignations and suspensions.

As your Sheriff, I will not make excuses or deflect responsibility; I take ownership that the facts outlined in our internal affairs investigations did take place, Sheriff David Vasquez wrote in a news release on Friday. I can also attest that when these allegations of misconduct were reported to the Professional Standards Division, they were addressed without delay

In his statement, Vasquez explained why these internal investigations were shared with the public when previously they were prohibited from public release.

Lodi Police tracking series of similar commercial robberies

Senate Bill 1421 amended the California Public Records Act Request to include certain sustained findings of peace officer misconduct, Vasquez said.

Vasquez wrote that he will be holding a series of town halls across the county to address questions from the public.

In closing, I want to thank you for your continued trust and confidence, and I want to thank my staff that continues our noble cause of serving you with professionalism and pride, Vasquez said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
In this article, we will look at the 20 highest paying countries for business analysts. We have also discussed the demand and importance of business analysts. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 5 Highest Paying Countries for Business Analysts.

Why Are Business Analysts Important?

By 2025, IDC forecasts a high growth in worldwide data, projecting it to reach a mind-boggling 175 zettabytes, with a 61% increase from the current 33 zettabytes. This exponential increase confirms the monumental challenge of managing such colossal volumes, with data dispersed across three key domains: the core, edge, and endpoints.

IDC's "Data Age 2025" report, sponsored by Seagate, highlights the transformative impact of this data explosion. Notably, the storage industry is set to ship 42 zettabytes of capacity within the next seven years, while IoT devices are projected to generate 90 zettabytes of data by 2025. With nearly half of this data expected to reside in public cloud environments and around 30% consumed in real-time, the landscape of data management and utilization is undergoing a seismic shift, demanding innovative solutions to navigate this data deluge.

Therefore, in todays day and age, business analysts are indispensable to modern enterprises as they navigate the ever-expanding sea of data. In 2024, when decision-making heavily relies on data-driven insights, business analysts serve as the linchpin. They translate complex datasets into actionable information, guiding strategic choices that shape the trajectory of organizations. Despite the abundance of data, the challenge lies in extracting meaningful insights efficiently. Here, artificial intelligence (AI) has proven to be a crucial ally, empowering analysts to sift through vast datasets rapidly, identify patterns, and predict future trends.

Moreover, AI democratizes data accessibility, enabling non-analytical stakeholders to comprehend insights effectively. By capitalizing on AI, analysts can focus more on strategic analysis rather than mundane tasks, thus maximizing their potential impact.

Story continues

In addition, in today's tumultuous retail landscape, the importance of analytics cannot be overstated. Facing challenges like labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and the threat of climate change, retailers are turning to data-driven insights for guidance. These analytics come in various forms, from descriptive and diagnostic to predictive and prescriptive, helping retailers understand consumer behavior, manage inventory efficiently, and empower their associates. For instance, by leveraging cloud-based analytics, retailers can optimize inventory placement across hundreds of stores, enhancing sales and customer satisfaction. Additionally, innovative approaches like using AI-powered robots to monitor inventory levels offer practical solutions to the supply-and-demand puzzle. Owing to the growing importance of business analysts, it is also one of the highest paying jobs for the future.

Top Skills for Business Analysts to Learn in 2024

In the 2023, State of Social Media report, we discovered some interetesing findings: 80% of businesses expect a social media budget increase within three years, with 44% predicting a rise of over 50%. 90% emphasize the importance of capitalizing on social data for strategic decision-making. Moreover, 97% recognize the role of AI and ML in efficient data analysis. Leaders are gearing up to harness emerging technologies to maximize social media's impact. As social platforms evolve into indispensable business tools, adept utilization of data and AI has become paramount for competitive advantage. From these stats, we infer that it is high time business analysts learn machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to harness data-driven insights, predict trends, and optimize business processes. ML and AI empower analysts to extract valuable patterns from vast datasets, enabling informed decision-making and competitive advantage.

To read more about skills in demand, see the most In Demand Skills for Freelancers.

Highest Paying Companies for Business Analysts

NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:NVDA) and Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) are two of the highest paying companies for business analysts in 2024 with average annual salaries of $171,988 and $169.015 respectively, according to Glassdoor.com.

Speaking on NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:NVDA), the companys ascension to the third most valuable US company has confirmed the growing prominence of artificial intelligence in investment circles. With a market capitalization of $1.8 trillion as of Thursday morning, NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:NVDA) has outpaced tech titans like Alphabet, inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) achieving this milestone propelled by a 51% increase in share value year-to-date. This rapid rise has solidified its position behind Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT), valued at over $3 trillion, and Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) at $2.81 trillion. Notably, NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:NVDA)s growth trajectory reflects investor optimism, with projected revenue increases of 120% in fiscal 2024 and another 60% in the following year. Moreover, with continued demand for its chips in the AI sector, NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:NVDA) also remains a top performer in the Nasdaq 100 Index.

On the other hand, for Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META), business analysts play a crucial role in understanding user behavior patterns, such as engagement metrics, demographics, and preferences. For instance, they might analyze user interactions with ads to identify which demographics respond most positively, allowing Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) to tailor its advertising strategies accordingly. Additionally, business analysts can evaluate the performance of new features or products by tracking user feedback and usage statistics, helping Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) refine its offerings to better meet user needs and preferences.

Furthermore, business analysts at Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) are instrumental in identifying emerging trends and opportunities within the digital ecosystem. By analyzing market trends, competitor strategies, and user feedback, they provide valuable insights for product development and innovation. For example, they may analyze user engagement with virtual reality (VR) content to gauge its popularity and potential for growth, informing Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META)s investment decisions in VR technology.

20 Highest Paying Countries for Business Analysts

A business executive confidently presenting a financial research report to a boardroom.

Our Methodology

To list the highest paying countries for business analysts we identified the countries with the highest demand for business analysts and then made a list for 30 countries with the average salaries for business analysts. Of those 30, the 20 with the highest average salaries were selected and have been ranked. We acquired the data for average salaries of business analysts for each country from the Economic Research Institute (ERI). 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.

20. United Arab Emirates

Average Salary: $71,288

Dubai and Abu Dhabi, major business hubs within the UAE, offer a dynamic and rapidly growing economy, with abundant opportunities for professionals in different sectors. The strategic geographical location of the UAE serves as a gateway between East and West, attracting multinational corporations and facilitating diverse business environments. This leads to highly competitive wages for business analysts in the country.

19. Singapore

Average Salary: $71,298

With numerous multinational corporations and financial institutions establishing their regional headquarters in Singapore, there's a constant need for professionals who can analyze market trends, optimize operations, and drive strategic decision-making. Consequently, the competitive demand for their expertise translates into higher salaries, reflecting the value they bring to organizations like DBS Bank, Singtel, and Temasek Holdings

It is one of the highest paying countries for business analysts in Asia.

18. New Zealand

Average Salary: $72,577

The country's strong economy, driven by industries like technology, finance, and agriculture, creates demand for skilled professionals. Additionally, New Zealand's focus on innovation and efficiency drives the need for effective business analysis. Owing to the high work-life balance, it is one of the best countries to work as business analysts.

17. Italy

Average Salary: $72,681

Italys strategic location, strong manufacturing sector, and emphasis on craftsmanship have fostered a dynamic business environment. Hence, career opportunities for business analysts are plenty as they help Italian businesses optimize operations, identify growth opportunities, and navigate complex markets. With an average annual salary of $72,681, the country definitely offers a competitive business analyst salary in Europe.

16. Japan

Average Salary: $77,143

Tokyo, being the financial epicenter, attracts excellent candidates for business roles and fosters innovation in sectors like finance, technology, and manufacturing. Major corporations like Toyota, Sony, and Mitsubishi continuously drive demand for skilled business analysts, further confirming Japan's position as a global hub in this domain.

15. Canada

Average Salary: $80,090

Between 2022-2031, Economists, economic policy researchers, analysts, and Business development officers, marketing researchers, and consultants anticipate 20,400 job openings in the country. Hence, Canada is one of the countries where business analysts are in high demand.

14. Finland

Average Salary: $84,870

Finland offers a conducive environment for business analysts led by companies like Nokia and Rovio, and a strong emphasis on education and research supported by institutions like Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre. The country's advanced digital infrastructure, high-quality healthcare system, and efficient government services enhance the analytical process.

13. Netherlands

Average Salary: $85,163

The Netherlands provides an optimal setting for business analysts due to its dynamic economy buoyed by multinational giants like Philips, Shell, and Unilever. Esteemed academic institutions such as the University of Amsterdam and Erasmus University Rotterdam cultivate skilled workforce in business analytics.

12. United Kingdom

Average Salary: $85,656

The UK offers a fertile ground for business analysts due to its dynamic economic landscape, featuring prominent industries such as finance (e.g., London Stock Exchange), technology (e.g., Silicon Roundabout), and healthcare (e.g., NHS). Major cities like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh host a plethora of corporations, startups, and governmental bodies, creating abundant opportunities for business analysts. It is one of the best countries for business analysis jobs.

11. Australia

Average Salary: $86,472

The demand for ICT Business Analysts in Australia is strong, with 13,500 individuals currently employed in the field. The majority (90%) work full-time, reflecting a high level of commitment. Industries such as Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Financial and Insurance Services, and Public Administration and Safety are major employers, with a notable presence in Information Media and Telecommunications. Demand is concentrated in capital cities, particularly Melbourne, Sydney, and the Australian Capital Territory.

Australia is also one of the highest paying countries for mechanical engineers.

10. France

Average Salary: $89,579

With an average annual salary of $89,579, France ranks 10th in our list of the top paying countries for business analysts. France offers ample opportunities for professionals to engage with multinational corporations, innovative startups, and established businesses across different sectors.

9. Ireland

Average Salary: $91,720

Ireland has a favorable business climate, low corporate tax rates, and strong government support for innovation that attract numerous companies. Such an environment naturally offers an increasing demand for business analysts.

Ireland is also one of the highest paying countries for data scientists.

8. Austria

Average Salary: $94,365

Vienna, the capital, serves as a hub for multinational corporations and international organizations with ample opportunities for networking and career growth for business analysts. The country has a skilled workforce, advanced infrastructure, and a strong emphasis on innovation, making it an ideal destination for professionals in any field. Business analytics is one of the highest paying english-speaking jobs in Austria.

7. Germany

Average Salary: $95,434

Cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich are home to several numerous multinational corporations, providing abundant opportunities for career growth in business analysis fields. Moreover, the country's strong emphasis on education ensures a skilled workforce adept at data analysis and strategic planning. It is one of the top 10 highest paying countries for business analysts.

It is also one of the highest paying countries for software engineers.

6. Norway

Average Salary: $99,364

Norway is one of the highest paying countries for business analysts in Europe. The country offers compelling prospects for business analysts due to its stable economy, high standard of living, and commitment to innovation. Oslo, the capital, serves as a vibrant business hub, attracting international companies across various sectors.

Click here to see the 5 Highest Paying Countries for Business Analysts.

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Disclosure: None. 20 Highest Paying Countries for Business Analysts is originally published on Insider Monkey.
A Fort Myers pair faces charges after authorities arrested them in connection with a fatal stabbing over the weekend.

Domingo Rudy Velasco Ostuma, 25, and Jacinto Lopez-Sanchez, 24, both of Fort Myers, face charges of second-degree murder and battery.

Domingo Rudy Velasco Ostuma, 25, of Fort Myers, is charged with second-degree murder and battery in a Sunday, March 10, 2024 fatal stabbing at El Patron Restaurante, 3639 Palm Beach Blvd., in Fort Myers.

Fort Myers police say that shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to El Patron Restaurante, 3639 Palm Beach Blvd., in reference to a stabbing. The restaurant also has a bar and serves as a late-hours nightclub.

School paraprofessional arrested: School employee sent 4,000 texts, including nudes, to student, police say

Police said officers found a man suffering from life-threatening injuries, who was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

Officers assisted a security guard, who had detained one of the men believed involved in the stabbing, and they began searching for a second perpetrator who had fled on foot.

Jacinto Lopez-Sanchez, 24, of Fort Myers, is charged with second-degree murder and battery in a Sunday, March 10, 2024 fatal stabbing at El Patron Restaurante, 3639 Palm Beach Blvd., in Fort Myers.

Homicide detectives arrived, and through witness statements, found the other suspect at a home.

Both remained at the Lee County Jail on Monday morning without bond set. They're due in court April 8 for their arraignments.

Officer Kristin Capuzzi, spokesperson for Fort Myers police, said the city recorded 10 homicides last year. This is at least the city's second homicide of 2024.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Fort Myers police: Pair arrested after fatal nightclub stabbing
(KRON)  Two minors were charged with carrying a loaded firearm on Saturday, the Santa Rosa Police Department said.

Santa Rosa Special Enforcement Team officers were patrolling Motel 6 South, where officers located several juveniles standing outside of room #109. Police said they could smell the order of freshly burnt marijuana in the room. Officers were familiar with the minors from previous contacts, according to police.

Vallejo car detailer dragged 20 feet as woman stole vehicle

Officers contacted the minors and conducted a pat search of each of the subjects for concealed weapons. Police said they located a loaded and concealed Colt 38 special revolver on one of the subjects. The other suspect was found to be in possession of a loaded and concealed Smith and Wesson 38 special revolver.

The minors were charged with carrying a loaded firearm in a public place and carrying a concealed weapon.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Two Lucedale men charged with killing a man in a Jackson County bar Saturday night are headed to court.

Initial hearings are scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Monday with Judge Mark Watts in county court.

Charles Ike Mason IV, 21, is charged with first degree murder and Jesse Donavan Holifield, 22, is charged with accessory after the fact following the shooting at the County Line Bar on Mississippi 613.

The two are being held in the Jackson County jail without bond until the hearing.

Deputies responded to a call of a shooting around 10:30 p.m. Saturday at County Line Bar, said Sheriff John Ledbetter.

When they arrived at the bar, which is just south of the George County line, they found Richard Allen Davis, 28, shot in the chest. The George County man was treated, but died on the scene.

Mason allegedly shot a rifle several times toward people in the bar, the sheriff said, and Davis was hit.

Following the shooting, Mason allegedly left the scene in a vehicle driven by Holifield. Officials said both suspects surrendered without incident.
MIAMI, Okla.  Two Ottawa County men who threw several defunct Molotov Cocktails at the sheriffs office in anger over a previous arrest pleaded guilty in federal court to federal bomb-related charges.

Emilio Miguel Gallardo, 20, and Dakota Samuel Johns, 22, both of Miami, were indicted on possession of an unregistered destructive device, malicious damage to federal property and manufacturing an unregistered destructive device.

Two Ottawa County men charged with throwing Molotov cocktails at sheriffs office

Johns pleaded guilty on Feb. 2 and Gallardo pleaded guilty on March 6 to possessing an unregistered destructive device. Gallardo also pleaded guilty to manufacturing an unregistered destructive device. The other federal charges were dismissed, according to their plea agreements.

johnsplea-1Download

gallardoplea-1Download

No sentencing date has been set.

According to their plea agreements, each man could face up to a 10-year sentence on each indictment they entered a guilty plea to and a fine of up to $250,000.

The men pleaded guilty to taking several Molotov cocktails to the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office on Nov. 26 and throwing them at the state building, according to their plea agreements.

The cocktails did not ignite or hit the building; their plea agreements state.

In Johns plea agreement, he states they threw the Molotov cocktails at the sheriffs office because the men were angry about being charged with a felony in Ottawa County District Court.

Both men were charged in Ottawa County for malicious injury to property over $1,000. They are accused of destroying landscape plants, overturning picnic tables and breaking windows at several Miami businesses.

In the federal arrest warrant, a broken glass Jack Daniels bottle top with a black sock or rag sticking out of it was found near the entrance of the Sheriffs Office.

Federal agents retrieved a Jack Daniels Southern Peach bottle, burnt pieces of cloth, and a fluid smelling like gasoline from the scene. Surveillance footage shows two men, later identified as Gallardo and Johns, stopped in front of the Sheriffs Office. The surveillance camera footage shows the two men approach the front of the Sheriffs Office, attempt to ignite the bottles and throw them at the front door. The affidavit states the bottle appeared to break but failed to ignite fully.

Gallardo told agents that he doesnt like explosions and that he does like playing with fire.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Premier Li Qiang - right, with President Xi Jinping - will not be giving this year's closing speech

As China's annual parliamentary sitting came to a close after a hectic week of meetings, a glaring void loomed on Monday's final agenda.

The National People's Congress is usually capped off by the premier's press conference. But this year, and for the rest of the term, the tradition was mysteriously nixed.

Officials said there was no need for it given there were other opportunities for journalists to ask questions. But many observers saw it as another sign of consolidation and control, in what became a running theme for the congress, even as top officials preached openness.

The cancellation of the press conference - for the first time in 30 years - effectively diminishes Premier Li Qiang's profile. Though the event was scripted, it was a rare chance for foreign journalists to ask questions and gave the country's second-in-command some room to flex his muscles.

In years past, it even yielded some unexpected moments. In 2020 then-premier Li Keqiang disclosed figures that stoked debate over a government claim that it had eradicated poverty.

The dimming of the spotlight on the premier, along with a shorter congress this year, are all signs of ongoing structural change within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) where President Xi Jinping is increasingly accumulating power at the expense of other individuals and institutions, noted Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore who studies Chinese governance.

On Monday, congress delegates also passed a law that effectively tightens the party's control of the State Council, which is China's cabinet helmed by Mr Li.

But to the outside world, the party is keen on projecting a different kind of image as it battles dwindling foreign investor confidence and a general malaise in its economy.

Addressing international journalists last week, foreign minister Wang Yi insisted China was still an attractive place to invest in and do business.

"China remains strong as an engine for growth. The 'next China' is still China," he said, before citing ways in which "China is opening its door wider".

This year's economic blueprint, delivered by Mr Li at the start of the session, laid out plans to open up more areas to foreign investment and reducing market access restrictions in sectors such as manufacturing and services.

These moves come after foreign investors were spooked by recent anti-espionage and data protection laws, as well as several sudden high-profile detentions of Chinese and foreign businessmen. Foreign direct investment in China recently fell to a 30-year low.

"There are fewer political checks and balances, there is no transparency. This is the bigger concern for investors you cannot predict what's going to happen, so you avoid the risk," said Dr Wu.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared China was "opening its doors wider"

But last week Mr Wang dismissed such concerns. "Spreading pessimistic views on China will end up harming oneself. Misjudging China will result in missed opportunities," he said, as he focused on talking up China's prospects.

Both Mr Wang and Mr Li repeatedly used buzzwords like "high quality development" and "new productive forces" to signal a new stage in China's development, though neither fully explained what they meant. China is aiming to hit an ambitious goal of around 5% GDP growth this year.

"Beijing is changing how it opens to the world," said Neil Thomas, a fellow in Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

He said it is now focused on attracting high-end foreign technology and advanced manufacturing operations to help Chinese companies in key future industries.

"Foreign investment and trade are less important for China's economy than they once were, but Beijing still wants to avoid a rush to the exits that could further shake its growth prospects."

China is focusing on boosting its high-end technology sector

At the same time, officials were keen to emphasise the government's ultimate goal.

"Stability is of overall importance, as it is the basis for everything we do," said Mr Li. Elsewhere in his report, he made it clear that while China pursues growth, it would also prioritise greater national security.

Some may question how successfully China can achieve a thriving open economy while increasing control.

But "from Beijing's perspective, there is no contradiction between high-quality development, especially with foreign investment, and greater security needs," said Jacob Gunter, lead analyst with Merics specialising in China's economy.

For instance, when it comes to critical technologies where Chinese firms have yet to catch up, it would want to ensure as much of it as possible is produced within its borders, pointed out Mr Gunter. This reduces the risk of rivals - such as the US and its allies - stealing the technology or blocking their exports to China.

Beijing also signalled it would continue to clamp down on problematic areas in its economy, such as the floundering real estate sector and ballooning local government debts.

Mr Li promised more measures to defuse financial risks and improve supervision, and pledged to crack down on illegal financial activities.

While these problems have existed for several years, "the debt levels and size of the property bubble have gotten big enough that they have to solve it now and can't back off", said Mr Gunter.

"The economy is performing really poorly right now. The fact that they haven't gone back to kicking this can down the road signals this is a longer term priority and not something they will back off on."
Two years on, can we truly afford to forget Ukraine?

Two years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine. It anticipated rapidly overthrowing the Ukrainian government, but the brave Ukrainians had other ideas.

Russia subsequently decided that it would rather destroy the country than allow it to exist independently.

Since then, it has launched thousands of missiles, drones, and ballistic rockets at civilian infrastructure. It has starved, beaten, castrated, and murdered Ukrainian prisoners of war.

In places like Bucha and elsewhere, it has tortured, raped, and murdered Ukrainian citizens.

Marking the second anniversary, Ukraines new commander-in-chief, General Oleksandr Syrsky, said: When thousands of columns of Russian invaders moved from all directions into Ukraine, when thousands of rockets and bombs fell in our land, no one in the world believed that we would stand. No one believed, but Ukraine did.

For many in the West though, memories are short and others simply quickly tire of conflict, even if this means surrendering to tyrants like Russia's Vladimir Putin.

The world is now dilly-dallying

The recent murder of the dissident Alexei Navalny is a reminder of the evil we are facing, but unless there is a serious course correction, this is likely to be only a brief shot in the arm for those demanding greater Western support of the embattled country.

In the United States, the Republican House speaker Mike Johnson refuses to take the Senate-approved $95 billion (86.8bn) bill, most of which is meant to assist Ukraine, to the House, where it would probably pass.

His excuse? The mandate of national-security supplemental legislation was to secure Americas own border before sending additional foreign aid. Now, in the absence of having received any single border policy change from the Senate, the House will have to continue to work its own will.

Petty internal politics over an issue that has remained unresolved for years is preventing the delivery of urgently needed assistance to Ukraine. Putin is surely watching with delight.

Firefighters extinguish a fire after a Russian attack on a residential neighbourhood in Kharkiv, March 2024 - AP Photo/Yevhen Titov

In other words, petty internal politics over an issue that has remained unresolved for years is preventing the delivery of urgently needed assistance to Ukraine. Putin is surely watching with delight.

In Europe, there is greater support for assisting Ukraine, but there are practical issues still to be resolved. Europe sends more total aid for near-term delivery than the US, but less military equipment.

By March, the EU will only have delivered around half of the one million artillery shells it has promised the Ukrainians. Russia is currently producing more shells than Western countries, and it also receives ammunition from the North Koreans.

Despite it all, Ukrainians keep resisting

Given these circumstances, it is unsurprising that Ukrainians are despondent. They still believe they can win, but they acknowledge it might take years, or as journalist and former senior official Oleksandr Martynenko recently said: We will be holding off the Russians all this year. The only question is whether we can.

Russia, meanwhile, is massively increasing its defence production. As the Ukrainian proverb goes, While the fat man shrinks, the thin man disappears.

Yet, with the right support, the Ukrainians can win. By late January 2023, with Western weapons, Ukraine had liberated more than half the territory illegally captured by Russia since February 2022.

The Ukrainians have demonstrated qualities that many in the West have forgotten: steadfastness, will, commitment, and bravery ... All they ask is for the military support they need to win this war.

A Ukrainian officer from The 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Mariupol Brigade fires a multiple launch rocket system, near Bakhmut, March 2024 - AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky

It has developed cheap and effective drones, including long-distance devices that can now take the fight into Russian territory. In the air, it has recently shot down two Russian A-50 early warning and control aircraft, relieving pressure on frontline troops.

Ukraine has also sunk one-fifth of the Russian Black Sea fleet, forcing Russias remaining vessels to keep their distance from Ukraines coast, creating a strategic corridor for grain and other exports.

To boot, Ukraine is taking the fight to Russia, as seen for example in a recent drone assault on one of Russias largest steel plants. Meanwhile, as of 31 December 2023, the Russian death toll from Putins pointless war was 66,000-88,000 and may be as high as 120,000.

The only thing Ukraine needs is support

The Ukrainians have demonstrated qualities that many in the West have forgotten: steadfastness, will, commitment, and bravery.

They are not asking the US or Europe to fight for them or to endanger themselves in any way. All they ask is for the military support they need to win this war.

If they believe they can, we all should be backing them all the way. Whatever the isolationists may think, it is not just Ukraine that is in danger.

If Ukraine loses, then the Baltics and beyond will also be at risk, and tyrants everywhere will be emboldened, jeopardising the way of life we take for granted.

The time for action is now: in the US, the bill to support Ukraine must pass the House, while Europe must ramp up its support to help Kyiv deal with a tough year.

Any evil can be defeated, and Russian aggression is no exception, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said to mark the second anniversary. The free world must now follow suit.

Ross Burley is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Centre for Information Resilience in the UK.

At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.
U.S. intelligence leaders warned Monday that the country faces an "increasingly fragile world order" as it navigates a range of global threats exacerbated by adversaries' use of emerging technologies like AI.

"The threat of malign actors exploiting these tools and technology to undercut U.S. interests and democracy is particularly potent as voters go to the polls in more than 60 elections around the globe this year," Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told the Senate Intelligence Committee at its annual hearing on the top threats to the nation.

U.S. intelligence agencies are focused on China's efforts to manipulate the 2024 presidential election and the potential for bad actors to use AI tools to create and amplify disinformation campaigns. The U.S. is facing "an ambitious but anxious China, a confrontational Russia, some regional powers such as Iran, and more capable non-state actors [who] are challenging longstanding rules of the international system as well as U.S. primacy within it," the intelligence community said in its new 40-page unclassified report on worldwide threats.

Read More: Why Spy Agencies May Lose Sweeping Surveillance Powers.

The hearing represents an annual opportunity for lawmakers to publicly question the countrys top intelligence chiefs. In addition to Haines, CIA Director William Burns, FBI Director Christopher Wray, State Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Brett Holmgren, National Security Agency Director Gen. Timothy Haugh, and the head of the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency, Lt. Gen Jeffrey Kruse, appeared before the Senate panel. Here are some of the threats covered in the hearing and report.

China may target the 2024 U.S. elections

Intelligence officials assess that China "may attempt to influence the U.S. elections in 2024 at some level because of its desire to sideline critics of China and magnify US societal divisions," according to the report.

Under President Xi Jinping, "Chinese leaders believe it is essential to project power globally in order to be able to resist U.S. pressure," Haines said. But she also noted that Xi's focus on boosting Chinas economy may temper any election interference, which would jeopardize the relationship with the U.S. and potentially damage Chinas ability to attract foreign investment.

TikTok under fire

Lawmakers from both parties raised concerns about the popular social-media app, which is mentioned briefly in the intelligence report. "It uses the data of Americans to basically read your mind and predict what videos you want to see," Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida said. "The problem is the algorithm that powers it is controlled by a company in China that must do whatever the Chinese Communist Party tells them to do."

In the report, U.S. spy chiefs note that China is demonstrating a higher degree of sophistication in its influence activity, including experimenting with generative Al. TikTok accounts run by a Chinese propaganda arm reportedly targeted both Democrat and Republican candidates from during the 2022 U.S. midterm elections.

There is bipartisan agreement that the video-sharing app, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, poses a national security threat. A bill that would require the company to divest from the massively popular platform, which has about 170 million U.S. users, or face a ban is expected to come to a vote in the House of Representatives this week. It would require ByteDance to sell TikTok within six months or be banned from Apple, Google, and other U.S. app stores and web-hosting services. The measure was sponsored by Republicans, but has significant bipartisan supportCK. President Joe Biden, whose campaign recently created its own TIkTok account, has told reporters: If they pass it, Ill sign it."

"High" risk of escalation in the Middle East

The war in Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crisis has galvanized Arab countries in the region, where there is rising "public sentiment against Israel and the United States for the death and destruction," U.S. intelligence officials say in their report.

"While it is too early to tell, it is likely that the Gaza conflict will have a generational impact on terrorism," Haines told lawmakers at the hearing, which was repeatedly interrupted by anti-war protestors. Inspired by Hamas, terrorist groups including al Qaeda and ISIS have directed supporters to conduct attacks against Israeli and American interests as the war drags on, Haines said.

Read More: Inside the Israel-Hamas Information War.

While the report states that the U.S. intelligence community assesses that Iranian leaders did not orchestrate nor had foreknowledge of Hamas Oct. 7 assault on Israel, attacks by Iranian-backed groups are threatening to destabilize Lebanon, Iraq, the Gulf, and the Red Sea. "The risk of escalation into direct interstate conflict, intended or otherwise, remains high," the intelligence report says.

U.S. support for Ukraine is critical

As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, U.S. intelligence chiefs emphasized the importance of continued U.S. military support. "The Ukrainians are not running out of courage and tenacity, they're running out of ammunition, Burns told lawmakers. And we're running out of time to help them."

If the U.S. is seen as walking away from support for Ukraine, not only is that going to feed doubts amongst our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, it's going to stoke the ambition of Chinese leadership, the U.S. spy chief said.

Intelligence leaders noted the challenge posed by Russia's strengthening ties with China, Iran, and North Korea, which they said was bolstering its defense production and economy. "Putin's strategic goals remain unchanged," Haines told the Senate panel. "He continues to see NATO enlargement and Western support for Ukraine as reinforcing his long-held belief that the United States and Europe seek to restrict Russian power and undermine him."

Read More: Russias Space-Based Weapon Raises Fresh Fears About an Old Threat

Intelligence chiefs also warned that Moscow could "put at risk long-standing global norms in the use of asymmetric or strategically destabilizing weapons, including in space and in the cyber domain." Last month, the White House said that Russia was pursuing a "space-based" anti-satellite capability that poses a serious national security concern.

Write to Vera Bergengruen at vera.bergengruen@time.com.
In this article, we will discuss the 20 most refugee-hosting countries in the world. If you want to skip our analysis, you can proceed to the section highlighting the 5 Most Refugee-Hosting Countries in the World.

According to the United Nations, a refugee is defined as an individual who is unable to seek shelter in their country of origin and faces serious life threats based on factors such as race, religion, war, conflicts, disasters, affiliation with a particular social group, or political beliefs. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), global trends report published in June 2023, 52% of all refugees came from wars and conflicts in Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan.

Global Defense Spending Reached $2.2 Trillion in 2023

Global defense expenditures rose substantially last year, reaching an all-time high of over $2.2 trillion, according to a February 2024 report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The sizable increase of nearly 9% was fueled by spending among NATO member states responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In Ukraine, Russian equipment losses continue on a large scale. Analysts assess that its full-scale invasion has cost Russia more than 3,000 military battle tanks.

The Russian Invasion of Ukraine: 2024 Updates

The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, forced 5.7 million Ukrainians to flee for their lives and cross into neighboring countries in search of shelter. Ukraine faces significant challenges in competing militarily with Russia, primarily due to a low defense budget that constrains Ukraine's ability to match Russias might. On March 3, Reuters reported that Russia's military destroyed 47 Ukrainian drones in the southern region of Rostov oblast, which is a strategic center for Russian forces to conduct operations in Ukraine.

Without substantial assistance from allies in the West, Ukraine struggles with military resources and capabilities. Western partners have become critical for Ukraine's armed forces. On March 8, Reuters reported that Ukraine expects to receive $17.51 billion from the European Union within the next two months, with $4.92 billion scheduled in March and $1.64 billion in April 2024.

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Following a meeting with the foreign ministers of France, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia in Vilnius, Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba appealed to the countrys Western allies to supply arms of all kinds without restrictions. Kuleba also said,

If things continue as they currently happen, its not going to end well for all of us, 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.

On March 8, Reuters reported that French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said that France is planning to have some of its arms manufacturers collaborate with Ukrainian companies to produce military equipment on Ukrainian soil to help the country in its war against Russia.

The Israel-Hamas Conflict

The conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups has been ongoing for several decades, however, escalation began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. Following the expulsion of Hamas militants from Israeli territory, the Israeli military initiated extensive aerial bombardments of the Gaza Strip, and a large-scale ground invasion commenced on October 27, 2023. As of February, UNFPA reports that over 2.2 million people in Gaza are internally displaced. The health system is significantly affected, and hunger is widespread among the population.

On March 3, the Associated Press reported that the United States carried out emergency humanitarian airdrops in Gaza to alleviate the severe crisis. Thousands of meals were dropped by the U.S. military, aiming to provide essential supplies to residents. On March 9, The Guardian reported that Sweden and Canada decided to resume aid to UNRWA for Palestinians, with Sweden announcing an initial funding of $20 million.

Demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, Houthi militants in Yemen attacked and seized various countries' merchant vessels in the Red Sea. In response, the United States on December 19, 2023, announced a coalition of 10 countries to combat Houthis and protect trade in the Red Sea. On January 12, Al Jazeera reported that the United States and the United Kingdom, aided by Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, have conducted multiple cruise missile strikes and airstrikes targeting over 30 locations in Yemen.

An Analysis of Global Defense Spending in 2024

The United States Department of Defense proposed a budget of $842 billion for 2024, up from $816 billion from the previous year. The UK also allocated an additional $6.34 billion to the defense budget 2024/25 in response to escalating global threats, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to Brown Universitys Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs report, more than 50% of the annual Department of Defense budget is spent on defense companies. Payments to contractors increased from around $140 billion in 2001 to approximately $370 billion in 2019, which represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.68%.

According to a report by Research and Markets, the global defense market has experienced rapid growth, rising from $575.33 billion in 2023 to $616.32 billion in 2024. It is anticipated to further expand to $772.49 billion in 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. This growth is fueled by governmental backing, military modernization initiatives, the adoption of lightweight materials, and increased usage of drones and military helicopters.

As ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Yemen, and Israel intensify, the demand for services and products of major defense companies continues to rise. Defense companies including Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX), and The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) are supplying a wide range of equipment, weaponry, and technology to countries across the globe.

During the financial year 2023, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) delivered a total of 124 aircraft and 69 helicopter programs. On March 1, contracts totaling over $1.09 billion were awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense to Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) for missile systems, logistics support, and modifications. Given the uncertainty in Ukraine, European nations near Russia are purchasing F-35 jets from Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), on January 29, Czechia signed a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for the acquisition of 24 F-35 aircraft. Lockheed Martin delivered the initial four S-70 Black Hawks to Romania in November 2023 and plans to deliver eight more in the next four years. Additionally, in July 2023, Israel approved the purchase of another 25 F-35 jets worth $3 billion, as reported by Reuters, on July 2, 2023.

RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX), previously known as Raytheon Technologies, is one of the world's largest defense companies. In January, RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) secured contracts valued at $345 million from the U.S. Air Force and contracts of $154 million from the U.S. Army. On February 12, the U.S. Army awarded another $75 million contract for 600 radar-guided Coyote 2C interceptors. Recent contracts from the Pentagon, funded by Ukraine security assistance funds, allocated $192 million for delivery of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles from RTX.

Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is one of the world's leading aerospace and defense corporations in the world. On January 31, Reuters reported that the company has supplied advanced ground-launched, GPS-guided bombs to Ukraine as part of the latest U.S. arms package. These new weapons, including the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB), aim to increase Ukraine's military capabilities with its 100-mile strike range. In February 2024, Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) secured significant contracts with the U.S. government, including a $405 million modification contract for the U.S. Air Force and a contract valued at $1.61 billion for providing guidance system support at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.

The refugee crisis has continued to escalate in both 2023 and 2024, as conflict, violence, and fear of persecution forced millions of people out of their homes. Wars and geopolitical conflicts have had a major role in global displacements and refugee crises over the ages. With this context, let's take a look at the 20 most refugee-hosting countries in the world.

20 Most Refugee-Hosting Countries in the World

Our Methodology

To make our list of the 20 most refugee-hosting countries in the world, we utilized the data provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in their Global Trends Report 2022. We cross-referenced this with data from the World Bank and statistics provided by the European Commission. We then compiled a list of the most refugee-hosting countries in the world. Here are the 20 most refugee-hosting countries in the world ranked in ascending order of their refugee population as of 2022, sourced from the World Bank.

Note: We have excluded Russia, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, Gaza and Sudan from our ranking.

20 Most Refugee-Hosting Countries in the World

20. Egypt

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 294,632

Egypt has been a leading example for hosting refugees. Egypt is the main recipient of people fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The Sudan crisis has prompted an emergency response at Egypts southern border.

19. Italy

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 296,181

Italy provides accommodation within reception facilities for immigrants. Additionally, they offer access to various services, including social and psychological assistance, healthcare, legal support, and language courses. Most of the refugees originate from Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine.

18. Spain

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 317,751

Spain has implemented several support programs for refugees. The government provides housing and accommodation facilities, refugees can stay in these facilities for up to 18 months. Refugees primarily come from Syria, Mali, and Venezuela.

17. United Kingdom

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 328,989

The United Kingdom has a proud history of offering safety and sanctuary to those in need. The United Kingdom hosts refugees fleeing from war-torn regions such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Refugees play a vital role in enriching local communities and contributing economically.

16. United States

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 363,059

The United States has welcomed vulnerable refugees, including those at risk due to violence, torture, or medical needs. Most of the refugees come from Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Syria. Refugees contribute positively to society, integrating into communities across all states.

15. Czechia

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 435,212

Czechia has seen an increase in the number of refugees seeking asylum, with many refugees coming from Ukraine. The government has received some criticism for its management of the refugee crisis however, it is now striving to offer support and opportunities for refugees.

14. Cameroon

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 473,887

Cameroon hosts around 473,887 refugees and asylum seekers. The refugees mostly come from the Central African Republic and Nigeria. Most refugees live in towns and villages along Cameroon's eastern border, with approximately 120,000 Nigerian refugees residing in the Far North Region of Cameroon.

13. Kenya

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 504,473

Kenya hosts refugees primarily originating from Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Burundi. Refugees cannot leave the camps due to the encampment policy, and their access to services and aid relies on international assistance.

12. Chad

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 592,764

Chad is also one of the least developed countries that hosts refugees. Chad accommodates refugees originating from conflicts in Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Cameroon. Additionally, more than 125,000 refugees and asylum seekers from the Central African Republic have sought refuge in Chad, fleeing various waves of violence since 2005.

11. France

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 612,934

France provides legal protection and assistance to refugees through various support programs. These refugees often face challenges such as language barriers, cultural adjustment, and accessing education and employment opportunities. The French law entitles asylum seekers to accommodation in a state reception center. The main countries of origin are Afghanistan, Syria, Sri Lanka, Russia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

10. Ethiopia

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 930,000

Ethiopia hosts over 930,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with the majority coming from South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea as of July 2023. Refugees across Ethiopia are suffering from an extreme lack of food and require international assistance.

9. Bangladesh

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 952,384

Bangladesh hosts Rohingya refugees from Myanmar who reside in 33 extremely congested camps in Coxs Bazar district and on Bhasan Char, an island located 60 km from the Bangladesh mainland.

8. Poland

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 971,129

Poland is the biggest country in central Europe, which borders Ukraine and Belarus. Following the invasion, over 900,000 Ukrainians sought refuge in Poland, while others were citizens of Russia and Belarus.

7. Lebanon

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 1,306,143

Lebanon is the worlds largest refugee-hosting country by number of refugees per capita and per square kilometer. Refugee communities in the country have been especially affected by rising poverty caused by a severe economic crisis. Disruptions across supply chains have led to constrained access to essential services such as food, healthcare, education, and basic necessities.

6. Uganda

Number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: 1,463,523

Uganda is the most refugee-hosting country in Africa. The majority of refugees originate from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and Burundi. These refugees predominantly reside in settlements spread across twelve districts, coexisting with host communities, which poses economic and environmental difficulties.

Click to continue reading 5 Most Refugee-Hosting Countries in the World.

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Disclosure: None. 20 Most Refugee-Hosting Countries in the World was originally published at Insider Monkey.
LONDON (Reuters) - A prominent former deputy chairman of Britain's governing Conservatives, who was suspended from the party over accusations of Islamophobia, on Monday defected to the small right-wing Reform UK party in a setback for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The move by Lee Anderson, a former miner who has courted controversy with his outspoken views, comes months before a national election in which Reform is expected to draw votes away from the Conservatives and in doing so threaten Sunak's re-election bid.

Anderson's defection to Reform, which has Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage as its honorary president and backs populist causes such as tougher immigration laws, gives the party its first member of parliament.

It also represents a blow to Sunak, given Anderson was appointed as the Conservatives' deputy chairman last year to appeal to voters in former Labour Party-voting heartlands known as the "Red Wall" that backed the Conservatives at the last election.

"I want my country back ... We are allowing people into our country that will never integrate and adopt our British values," Anderson said at a press conference alongside Reform leader Richard Tice, who predicted more lawmakers would join Reform.

"Reform UK has offered me the chance to speak out in parliament on behalf of millions of people up and down the country, who feel that they're not being listened to."

Last month the Conservatives suspended Anderson after he refused to apologise for saying London's first Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan, was under the control of Islamists.

While the Labour Party of opposition leader Keir Starmer is Sunak's biggest election challenge, Reform could win over some traditionally Conservative-leaning voters.

Last month Reform achieved its best result in one-off parliamentary contests known as by-elections, taking 13% of the vote in a constituency in central England, once considered a safe Conservative seat.

The party, founded in 2018 as the Brexit Party, has ruled out making any pre-election deals with the Conservatives.

Anderson quit his post as one of Conservative Party's deputy chairmen in January to vote for amendments to toughen up immigration legislation that would revive the government's plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The 57-year-old supports the return of capital punishment, wants asylum seekers to be immediately returned to their countries of origin, and earned the nickname "30p Lee" after claiming that decent meals could be made for that amount.

The row over Anderson's comments about London's mayor - for which he has repeatedly refused to apologise - comes at a sensitive time in British politics as the Israel-Hamas war exacerbates tensions in Jewish and Muslim communities that have spilled into parliament.

(Reporting by Sarah Young, Sachin Ravikumar and Muvija M; Editing by Andrew MacAskill, William James, Peter Graff)
A fighter jet, unclear whether Russian or Ukrainian, passed at a low altitude outside the frontline town of Soledar, Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine on Aug. 26, 2022. (Jim Huylebroek/The New York Times)

FETESTI, Romania  The jets are ready, and the flight instructors are waiting, at a new training center in Romania that was created to teach Ukraines pilots to fly the F-16 warplane. But theres a catch: The Ukrainian pilots have yet to arrive, despite declarations last summer that the center would play a crucial role in getting them into the air to defend their country from increasingly deadly Russian strikes.

Its still unclear when Ukrainian pilots will begin training at the center, at the Fetesti air base in southeast Romania, which NATO allies also are using to get schooled on the fighter jets. But the delay is a window into the confusion and chaos that has confronted the military alliances rush to supply the F-16s.

That is not to say that Ukraines pilots are not being prepared. Twelve pilots  fewer than a full squadron  are expected to be ready to fly F-16s in combat by this summer after 10 months of training in Denmark, Britain and the United States.

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But by the time the pilots return to Ukraine, as few as six F-16s will have been delivered out of about 45 of the fighter jets that European allies have promised.

Nevertheless, their highly anticipated arrival over the battlefield will come not a moment too soon. Russia has employed more aggressive air support to gain ground in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, using its warplanes to send guided glide bombs over long distances into the Ukrainian front lines.

And Ukraine is desperate for more weapons, of any kind, as it runs low on artillery rounds and other ammunition while Republicans in Congress hold up additional U.S. military aid. The F-16s would probably come armed with short- and medium-range missiles and bombs, partially making up for the shortage of ground-based munitions.

This year, new fighter jets will be in our skies, and we have to make this year an effective one in defending ourselves against Russian guided bombs, Russian aircraft and their missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said March 1.

Yet, officials agreed that much uncertainty remains about when each country will send its jets, how many will be sent, how fast pilots can be trained and how Ukraine will get enough people who can maintain the planes properly.

By normal standards, the training of Ukraines pilots on the sophisticated Western jets has proceeded at lightning speed, compressing years of classroom learning, simulations and flight exercises into months.

Even so, it is moving more slowly than Ukraine or its allies had hoped, as pilots trained on Soviet-era planes and tactics have had to get up to speed on the English language and Western military practices to make effective use of the F-16s.

Denmarks defense minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, said in an email exchange that the training is progressing well and noted that Ukraines pilots were already flying over Danish airspace. But he said their learning curve ultimately will decide the length of the training.

Denmark was at the forefront of a European push last spring to provide Ukraine with F-16s. Ukrainian officials who had overcome Western resistance to supplying a long series of advanced weapons  artillery, air defense missiles, tanks  said the fighter jet was the last major weapon their fighters needed to help them prevail.

The Biden administration reluctantly gave in to Ukraines demands, allowing allies to provide the F-16s. The jets are produced by Lockheed Martin and are being phased out in some European militaries in favor of newer F-35 warplanes.

But U.S. officials have warned that the F-16s alone would not be decisive in the war, and that, at any rate, the training would take a considerable amount of time.

There arent very many Ukrainian pilots to be able to pilot those aircraft, Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, told ABC News last month, defending the Biden administrations delay in approving plans to send F-16s to the war. Its not about whether or not F-16s could possibly have been on the battlefield in the spring of last year.

He said the United States and its allies were now trying to send Ukraine all of the tools and capabilities that it needs to be able to conduct this fight as rapidly and as efficiently as we possibly can.

The Ukrainian pilots training began in August at Skrydstrup Air Base, in southern Denmark, but their deficiencies in language skills and knowledge of Western flying techniques slowed things down. Not until January were the Ukrainian pilots ready to fly, Danish officials said.

Initially, officials said, the Ukrainians were sent to Denmark instead of the training center in Romania because it was not yet open when the pilots were ready to begin. The creation of the center at the Fetesti base was announced in July, at a NATO summit, and in November, its instructors began training Romanias own pilots for that countrys new F-16 squadron.

Last week, combat-ready Romanian and Turkish pilots guided their F-16s in Romanian airspace about 12 miles from the Black Sea, in a mock intercept of a military cargo plane, to demonstrate their ability to protect NATO air space. Later, they streaked across the sky in dramatic swooping maneuvers, showing off for journalists assembled at the Fetesti base below.

Like the Ukrainian pilots, Romanian trainees at the base were skilled at flying Soviet- and Russian-made jets when they began the Western courses in November. But unlike the Ukrainians, Romanias pilots already spoke English and were familiar with NATO operating standards.

So, the transition for us wasnt really all that difficult, said one of the Romanian pilots being trained, a major who would identify himself only by his call sign, Red. And were just excited to continue flying.

The next class of eight Ukrainian pilots is scheduled to arrive in Denmark at the end of the summer, but it is not clear when any of them will begin training at Fetesti.

Thats up to the governments and the contracts that support all that, said Col. Bill Thomas, a retired U.S. Air Force officer who is overseeing a Lockheed Martin training program for the Romanian pilots at the Fetesti base. Were still waiting on all the approvals.

Then there is the matter of the F-16s themselves.

Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium have committed to sending about 45 of the jets to Ukraine, enough for three small squadrons. Denmark is sending the first six in the late spring, with 13 more due to arrive over the rest of the year and into 2025.

The other countries have not set a delivery date for their F-16s. The Netherlands, which has pledged 24, will hold on to them until Ukraine is ready to receive them, said Jurriaan Esser, a spokesperson for the Dutch Defense Ministry.

About 50 Ukrainian technicians are being trained in Denmark to support and repair the jets and handle their weapons packages, given that the F-16 is so complex that it generally takes eight to 14 people to maintain each one. Officials said Western defense contractors would have to accompany the jets into Ukraine, and remain with them, until there were enough Ukrainian crews to maintain them properly  a process that could take years.

And the need to repair Ukraines aging and war-damaged military runways could further delay the F-16s entry into the war.

As eager as Ukraines leaders are to send F-16s into battle, they are at least as eager to get their hands on more artillery and munitions that are crucial for the ground war against Russia.

I dont think F-16s, to themselves, will be a game-changer, due to the technical characteristics and number of F-16 teams that are coming, said Yevgeniya Gaber, a former Ukrainian diplomat and foreign policy adviser.

But I think together with other ammo, and long-range missiles, they will be, said Gaber, now a professor at the George C. Marshall Center, a national security academy backed by the German and U.S. governments.

Poulsen, the Danish defense minister, sees the F-16s as not only supporting Ukraine but, by extension, ensuring security across Europe.

I strongly believe that Ukraines fight for freedom is our fight for freedom, he said, and that is why Denmark continues to help Ukraine as much as possible.

c.2024 The New York Times Company
The process of supplying F-16s to Turkiye has started, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is visiting the United States, told Turkish journalists in Washington, Azernews reports.

He said that the US authorities have expressed their will regarding this issue: "Congress has been informed about this issue. "After solving the technical issues, the defense ministers and relevant bodies will continue discussing future issues."

Fidan also said that the process related to F-35 fighters is also ongoing.

The Turkish minister also drew attention to the positive dynamics in relations with the United States: " Turkiye-US relations allow solving problems."

He also noted that there is a prospect of increasing the bilateral trade turnover from $30 billion to $100 billion: "We must evaluate the opportunities. This requires diplomatic efforts."
In this article, we take a look at 25 countries with education problems. If you would like to skip our detailed analysis of the economic impact of educational limitations, you can directly go to 5 Countries with Education Problems.

The Link Between Education and Employment

Quality education is intricately tied to economic growth, with the two having a profound connection. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the weekly median pay for someone with a doctoral or professional degree was around $2,080 in 2022. In contrast, for someone with just a high school diploma or a bachelors degree, it was $853 and $1,432, respectively. The income data showed a trend of positive growth with the attainment of a higher educational degree, whereas unemployment rates showcased a downward slope. According to data from the World Bank, around the globe, there was a 9% increase in hourly earnings for every extra year of schooling.

Because higher education is generally linked with higher productivity, creativity, and specialized skill sets, those with advanced degrees tend to be higher in demand and get paid better wages. For countries with significant education problems, a large percentage of the population may be kept from accessing the economic opportunities that come with professional degrees. It is because of this gap that the World Bank has invested millions of dollars in education projects in developing countries meant to enhance the overall state of the education sector.

Impact of Education on the Economy

The monetary benefits of better education are not just limited to individual lives; they also influence a country's economic growth as a whole. According to the OECD, adults with a master's or doctoral degree earn twice as much as those with just upper secondary education. Because educated citizens earn more, they also pay more in taxes and depend less on social welfare and entitlements, saving government money. This is why even though governments have to bear the cost of higher education, the public economic returns turn out to be positive at every level of education and the highest at tertiary.

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Furthermore, the impact of a sound education system is not just on the economic domain; the OECD also noted several social outcomes that were interlinked with the provision of education. The level of social tolerance exhibited by children tends to showcase a positive correlation with the education level of the mother. According to data from OECD, in 17 out of 30 countries, children with tertiary-educated mothers showed the most proclivity for supporting immigrant childrens right to education. Highly educated adults also showed a higher likeliness for participating in acts of civic engagement, such as volunteering for a cause or joining a public demonstration. In the countries that OECD surveyed, 10% of tertiary-educated adults had participated in a public demonstration in the last 12 months, whereas only 6% of those with upper-secondary education had done so.

A study on the link between education and the economy, conducted by the Centre for Economic Performance, found that bridging gaps in educational provision can also lead to improved economic performance. The study found that 24% of the GDP variation across countries could be credited to differences in education attainment. This data corroborates the fact that investing in the quality, as well as higher level, of education can offer prominent benefits to the nation as a whole.

Companies that are Bridging the Educational Gap

While government authorities and transnational organizations both work in collaboration to improve education issues within countries, the private sector has also played a role in this regard. Ed-tech companies such as Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR) and Udemy, Inc. (NASDAQ:UDMY) offer courses in diverse fields, especially beneficial for students who cannot find quality education in their own countries. Not only can individuals access several courses entirely free of cost, but they can also study from renowned institutes worldwide.

On December 9, 2023, Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR) announced that it will partner up with COP28 to release 5,000 free licenses for a unique program offering more than 100 climate-specific courses. Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR) has already received around 3,000 enrollments for the curated program.

Udemy, Inc. (NASDAQ:UDMY) has also been working to improve knowledge provision to its students. On February 1, the company announced the release of a new AI assistant that could facilitate students' skill development. According to Udemy, Inc. (NASDAQ:UDMY), the assistant will provide personalized recommendations on the most suitable content for the learner. It can also summarize course content to speed up the learning process and offer personalized feedback to aid learners' comprehension. Udemy, Inc. (NASDAQ:UDMY) also launched AI-driven features for the Udemy Business Leadership Academy, such as a thematic analysis option that could summarize discussions in order to aid the sharing of knowledge.

With this context, let's now look at the countries with education problems. You can also take a look at the 11 Best Education Stocks To Buy In 2024.

25 Countries with Education Problems

25 Countries with Education Problems

Our Methodology

To curate this list of 25 countries with education problems, we consulted three separate datasets: Adult literacy rates by the World Bank, government education expenditure as a percentage of GDP by the World Bank, and the World Bank's dataset on the percentage of female enrollment at a secondary education level. Our hypothesis is that a country with education issues has a low literacy rate, low female enrollment due to gender disparity, and low GDP spending on education.

For the purpose of this ranking, we shortlisted the 60 countries with the lowest ranking on each of these indices. Once we had that list, we calculated the average rank of each country and narrowed down our selection to the 25 countries with the lowest average ranks. The countries with education problems are listed below in descending order of their average ranks. We used literacy rates to break ties between two countries with the same average ranks. Moreover, we used data from UNICEF to provide further context into certain countries.

Please note that data from the World Bank has gaps due to the lack of transparent data from each country. Thus, there might be countries with significant education problems that do not get ranked on this list because of data discrepancies. Furthermore, the World Bank datasets list values from the most recent year of data availability. While some countries had updated values from 2022, others did not. We have mentioned the year along with each statistic as well.

25 Countries with Education Problems

25. Gabon

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2.2% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 70% (2019)

Literacy Rate: 86% (2022)

Average Ranking: 45.3

According to UNICEF data, most education issues in Gabon start around the secondary level, which is attained by only 50% of the total children. Social factors like drug abuse and crime keep pushing children out of school even as they grow further up and enter adolescence. This is why Gabon is one of the countries with the highest educational problems. Even though the country has a literacy rate of 86%, it is still slightly below the global average of 87%, as reported by the World Economic Forum.

24. Republic of the Congo

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 3% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 46% (2018)

Literacy Rate: 81% (2021)

Average Ranking: 42.3

Global Partnership for Education reports that only 61% of children attend secondary school in the Republic of Congo, many of them kept away by significant ethnic or geographical inequalities. Primary schools also struggle with high repetition rates and a large number of students in every class, which ultimately impacts the quality of education.

23. Democratic Republic of the Congo

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 3% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 44% (2021)

Literacy Rate: 81% (2022)

Average Ranking: 42

Due to ongoing conflicts in the area, UNICEF reports that the education of around 750,000 children has faced disruption. Overall, approximately 7.6 million children aged 5-17 are still out of school, half of which are girls. The secondary enrollment rate for girls is only 44%, whereas for boys, it goes up to 70%.

22. Tanzania

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 3.2% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 29% (2021)

Literacy Rate: 82% (2022)

Average Ranking: 40.3

The net secondary enrollment rate in Tanzania is just 27%, according to UNICEF, which means that 1.7 million children have never attended school in the country. In 2021, the World Bank introduced a new project to improve the quality of primary and pre-primary education for 12 million children. The $500 million BOOST Primary Student Learning Program for Results is aimed at making education more accessible, especially for children who hail from vulnerable and marginalized communities.

21. Cambodia

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 1.7% (2021)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 63% (2021)

Literacy Rate: 84% (2022)

Average Ranking: 37.3

Cambodia is one of the countries with education problems, mainly due to a lack of quality teachers and adequate infrastructure within educational institutions. Even though enrollment rates have increased over the years, progress has yet to be witnessed in terms of learning outcomes. According to UNICEF, 25% of primary school kids in Cambodia are unable to write a single word during dictation tests.

20. Madagascar

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 3.1% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 36% (2021)

Literacy Rate: 77% (2022)

Average Ranking: 37.3

Second enrollment for both girls and boys is under 40% in Madagascar, which showcases a significant issue in the country, making it one of the places with the worst education in the world. In 2022, the government spent only 3.1% of its GDP on education, which is lower than the world average. According to IMF data, over the last decade, the completion rates for secondary school have fallen to 35%.

19. Nigeria

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 3.1% (1975)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 47% (2021)

Literacy Rate: 62% (2018)

Average Ranking: 37.3

Nigeria is one of the countries with education problems, which is why its the site of the $75 million Edo Basic Education Sector and Skills Transformation Operation project by the World Bank, running from 2022 to 2024. The project aims to improve teaching and learning and covers 97% of the schools in the country, with its main focus being on equipping teachers with digital technologies.

18. Cameroon

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2.6% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 43% (2022)

Literacy Rate: 78% (2020)

Average Ranking: 36

In 2022, Cameroons expenditure on education was 2.6% of the total GDP, much below the global average of 4.3%. According to Reliefweb, violent attacks on schools are one of the leading causes behind the impaired education system. 3,285 schools are closed around the country, most of which are concentrated in the Northwest and Southwest regions. Around 1.4 million children are cramped in overcrowded classrooms, awaiting access to quality education.

17. Comoros

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2.4% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 65% (2018)

Literacy Rate: 62% (2022)

Average Ranking: 33

Comoros is one of the countries with severe education problems. As of 2022, the country has a literacy rate of 62%, whereas education spending is around 2.4% of the total GDP. According to a Global Partnership for Education survey from 2017, 3 out of 4 5th graders did not meet the minimum competence requirements in literacy and mathematics. Comoros has also received education grants from the World Bank to strengthen its overall education system.

16. Benin

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 3.2% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 42% (2022)

Literacy Rate: 47% (2022)

Average Ranking: 31.6

In 2022, Benin had a literacy rate of 47%. The high dropout rate is one of the biggest problems in Benins education system. Six out of ten children go to middle school, and only two manage to finish it. The Benin Secondary Education Support Project, supported by the French Development Agency, is the governments strategy for improving the quality of education.

15. Uganda

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2.6% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 23% (2017)

Literacy Rate: 81% (2022)

Average Ranking: 29

UNICEF reports that 6 out of 10 children leave school in Uganda due to affordability issues. The enrollment rate amongst the wealthiest segment of the population is 43.1%, whereas for the poorest, it is 8.2%. With only 2.6% of its GDP spent on education, Uganda is one of the countries with significant education problems.

14. Angola

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2.3% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 42% (2016)

Literacy Rate: 72% (2022)

Average Ranking: 28.6

In 2022, Angola spent 2.3% of its total GDP on the education sector. Looking at the countrys educational issues, the World Bank approved a ten-year tertiary education support program for Angola on December 3, 2023. The three-phase project will allocate a total of $550 million to the country for improving its tertiary education provisions. Around 150,000 students are expected to benefit from the program.

13. Sierra Leone

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 3% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 40% (2017)

Literacy Rate: 49% (2022)

Average Ranking: 27.6

The 2022 literacy rate in Sierra Leone was 49%, showcasing significant gaps in the education system. UNICEF has characterized the country as having a literary crisis, exemplified by the fact that only 6% of third graders were able to read a simple text in 2022. To improve learning outcomes, the World Bank is funding the Sierra Leone Free Education project from 2020-2027.

12. Eritrea

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2.1% (2006)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 40% (2019)

Literacy Rate: 77% (2018)

Average Ranking: 27

Even though Eritrea had a literacy rate of 77% in 2018, many of those children were unable to meet the mastery requirements expected of them. According to UNICEF, in 2018, only 38% of the children in grade 5 showcased the numeracy and literacy proficiency that was expected of them.

11. Sudan

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2% (2009)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 49% (2018)

Literacy Rate: 61% (2018)

Average Ranking: 25

UNICEF reports that 6.9 million Sudanese children are still out of school despite an increase in the number of educational establishments. Prolonged school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted almost 8.1 million children, undoing years of progress in the education sector. This is why Sudan is one of the countries with education problems at an all-time high.

10. Liberia

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2.6% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 37% (2020)

Literacy Rate: 48% (2017)

Average Ranking: 21

Liberias most recent literacy rate data is from 2017, placing the country at 48%. Not only is Liberia one of the countries with education problems, but it is also struggling with a lack of transparent data. In March 2023, the country signed new projects at the UN Doha Conference, under which it aims to enroll 785,060 out-of-school children between 2023 and 2027.

09. Papua New Guinea

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 1.9% (2018)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 40% (2018)

Literacy Rate: 62% (2010)

Average Ranking: 18

Based on UNICEF data, around 25% of children aged 6 to 18 are out of school in Papua New Guinea, whereas the transition rate from primary to lower secondary is only 56% for boys and 50% for girls. UNICEF runs several education projects in the country, such as the Education in Emergencies, which enables disaster-affected children to resume classes as soon as possible.

08. Pakistan

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 38% (2021)

Literacy Rate: 58% (2019)

Average Ranking: 16.6

In 2019, Pakistan had a literacy rate of 58%, and in 2022, the country spent 2% of its total GDP on the education sector. According to the World Bank, 75% of ten-year-old children in Pakistan are unable to read adequately, a number that may have worsened even further due to the impact of COVID-19 and the 2022 floods. Around 12 million girls are currently out of school, 2 million more than the number of boys, which emphasizes the gender disparity within the country.

07. Mauritania

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 1.3% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 36% (2020)

Literacy Rate: 67% (2021)

Average Ranking: 15.6

In 2022, the government of Mauritania spent only 1.3% of its total GDP on education, which is an alarmingly low amount. This is why Mauritania is one of the countries with the highest education issues. A new education law from 2022 made education compulsory from the ages of five to sixteen, which is a step towards improving the overall education system.

06. Chad

Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2.5% (2022)

Female Enrollment Percentage: 18% (2021)

Literacy Rate: 27% (2022)

Average Ranking: 12.6

Chad had a literacy rate of 27% in 2022, which is the lowest in the world. The education level of teachers is one of the biggest educational concerns in Chad. According to UNICEF data, three out of four students are supervised by teachers who have not studied beyond the secondary level. The humanitarian crises in Sudan, CAR, and Nigeria have imposed an enormous burden on Chads education system, with around 600,000 refugee children in need of schooling.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Countries with Education Problems.

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Disclosure: None. 25 Countries with Education Problems is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Key developments on March 9-10:

CNN: US prepared 'rigorously' for potential Russian nuclear strike in Ukraine in 2022

UK, Italy oppose deploying Western troops to Ukraine

UK Defense Ministry: Ukraine increasing fortifications along the front line

Zelensky denounces Pope Francis' proposal to negotiate peace with Russia

Air Force: Ukraine downs 47 drones in 2 days

NBC: House Republicans float idea of new Ukraine aid package as a loan

Ukraine's UN envoy: Russia trying to block maritime corridor through strikes on Odesa.

Washington was preparing rigorously for a possible Russian nuclear strike in Ukraine in late 2022, which would have been the first nuclear attack in a war since the Hiroshima and Nagasaki 1945 bombings, CNN reported on March 9, citing two unnamed U.S. officials.

Russia has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons in response to Western support for Ukraine, but the threats have so far failed to materialize. Russia continues to wage an all-out war in Ukraine without utilizing its nuclear arsenal.

The White House was particularly concerned Russia might use a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon in Ukraine, the officials told CNN.

The U.S. National Security Council held 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, said the first official.

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.

President Joe Bidens administration was led to such an assessment not by one indicator but by a combination of developments, analysis, and highly sensitive intelligence, CNN wrote.

The White Houses fear Russia might use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine was not just hypothetical  it was also based on some information that we picked up, the second official said.

We had to plan so that we were in the best possible position in case this nolonger unthinkable event actually took place.

One of the arguments in favor of Russian President Vladimir Putin's potential use of nuclear weapons at the time reportedly was Ukraines advance on then-occupied Kherson, which Putin claimed was a part of Russia.

The White House was worried that the loss of the city could be a potential trigger for Putin to launch a nuclear strike on Ukraine, according to CNN.

Read also: Russias Medvedev threatens to nuke US, UK, Germany, Ukraine if Russia loses occupied territories

UK, Italy oppose deploying Western troops to Ukraine

U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron opposed sending Western troops to Ukraine, including for training the Ukrainian military, in an interview with Suddeutsche Zeitung, published on March 9.

Meanwhile, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto emphasized that it is time for diplomacy to lead the path to peace between Russia and Ukraine. He underscored that strong Western support for Kyiv is essential to facilitate meaningful negotiations, according to Reuters.

Crosetto said in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, published on March 10, that France and Poland lack the authority to speak on behalf of NATO, and any involvement of the alliance in the dispute would "eliminate the path to diplomacy."

The comments came after French President Emmanuel Macron recently said that Western military presence in Ukraine cannot be "ruled out" in the future. The U.S. and multiple European allies, as well as NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, have distanced themselves from Macrons statement.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson said that there was a "small number of (British) personnel" in Ukraine who support the countrys military, but that there were no "plans for large-scale deployment" beyond the existing support.

Cameron said that it is better to conduct training missions abroad, adding that London has trained 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers this way.

According to Cameron, deploying foreign soldiers in Ukraine would create additional "targets" for Russia.

"We must avoid creating obvious targets for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Cameron noted.

French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on March 8 that while the deployment of combat troops was not currently being discussed, there was a possibility that Paris would send military personnel to Ukraine to train Ukrainian troops or participate in mine-clearing operations.

Earlier, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair also said Ottawa was ready to send a limited number of military personnel to Ukraine, but in "a clear non-combat role."

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski didn't exclude the potential presence of NATO troops in Ukraine.

During a two-hour State of the Nation address on Feb. 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened "tragic consequences" if NATO troops were sent to Ukraine, claiming the West's support for Kyiv "risks a conflict using nuclear weapons."

Russia has consistently threatened the West with nuclear strikes since it launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Read also: Wests response to Macron comments on troops to Ukraine reveal discord, weakness, experts say

Ukraine increases fortifications along the front line

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, according to the report.

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 our military leaders in other sectors concrete questions: Is this sufficient?... And why is this weaker than in Kharkiv Oblast? Zelensky said.



Zelensky said he had tasked the military with unifying 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 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?

Zelensky denounces Pope Francis' proposal to negotiate peace with Russia

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.

President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the Pope's proposal in his evening address on March 10. He thanked Ukrainian chaplains for their service, in contrast to those who engage in virtual intermediation from two and a half thousand kilometers away.

The Russian killers and torturers do not go further into Europe only because they are restrained by Ukrainians, men and women with weapons in their hands and under the blue and yellow flag. In Ukraine, there used to be many white walls of buildings and churches, which are now scorched and shattered by Russian shells. And this speaks volumes about who exactly should stop for the war to stop, said Zelensky.

During a visit to Turkey on March 8, 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

House Republicans reportedly float idea of new Ukraine aid package as a loan

House Republicans are working on their own version of an aid bill to Ukraine to speed up the delivery of assistance to the country, with one version including treating nonmilitary aid to Ukraine as a loan, NBC reported on March 9.

Another proposal on the table is the REPO Act which concerns utilizing seized Russian assets for Ukraine.

Using Russian assets, is a very popular idea in the House, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Mike McCaul, a Republican congressman from Texas, said.

The proposals are currently in the early stages of development, three sources told NBC, but pro-Ukraine Republicans in the house want something ready before March 22 when another government shutdown is on the line.

The U.S. Senate approved a $95 billion funding package on Feb. 13 that contained $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, but the House under Johnson's leadership has derailed the bill.

Ukraine is already in its third month of the year without any aid from the U.S. as Washington argues over the funding package. The consequences have already been felt, with President Joe Biden blaming Congress for the fall of Avdiivka on Feb. 17.

The idea of a loan may be more appealing to Republicans opposing further U.S. support for Ukraine.

But National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said last month that a loan isnt preferential for Ukraine, as it could only make the economic problems of that country worse, adding that a stable Ukraine is in Washingtons national security interest.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is one of the key figures backing the loan proposal. He claims that the idea came from presidential candidate Donald Trump who suggested a loan on his Truth Social account on Feb. 10.

I think President Trump when he mentioned a couple of weeks ago that lets make this stuff a loan, resonates with the taxpayer, Graham said last week, NBC reported.

And I think it will make it unlock the House. () You may have to add a little more humanitarian aid to get Democrats, but turn it into a loan and maybe we get this thing done.

Read also: Historian Jade McGlynn: Putin 100% believes Russias distorted history

Ukraine's UN envoy: Russia trying to block maritime corridor through strikes on Odesa

Russia is trying to disrupt Ukraine's maritime corridor through constant strikes on Odesa, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya said on March 8.

The Ukrainian Navy opened a temporary Black Sea corridor in August 2023, weeks after Russia's unilateral termination of the Black Sea grain deal threatened Ukraine's ability to ship out its grain.

Kyslytsya stated that in the time since the shipping route was created, close to 30 million tons of goods have been exported to 42 different countries from the ports of Odesa, Pivdennyi, and Chornomorsk. More than 8 million tons were exported in February alone.

Exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports have reached nearly pre-invasion levels, Kyslytsya stated.

The corridor was originally opened to allow the exit of vessels that had been docked at Ukraine's Black Sea ports since February 2022.

Since then, it has become a route for exporting Ukrainian goods such as grain and metal. Ukraine is a major agricultural producer, and its supplies play a major role in feeding countries across the world, namely in the Global South.

Despite successful Ukrainian strikes against Russian naval capabilities, Black Sea shipping continues to face risks wrought by the all-out war, namely floating mines.

"Russia's attempts to blackmail the international community by withdrawing from the initiative have failed," Kyslytsia stated. "However, Ukraine... despite the war, launched the maritime corridor and continues to strengthen its effectiveness."

Read also: Is Ukraines new Black Sea corridor working? Experts say it has potential

Ukraine downs 47 Russian drones in 2 days

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 drones launched at Ukraine.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
In this article, we are going to discuss the 25 highest quality whiskey brands in the US. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global whiskey market, the surge in American spirits exports, and sustainability in the American whiskey industry, and go directly to the 10 Highest Quality Whiskey Brands in the US.

Whiskey has been the drink of choice for many Americans since time immemorial, a constant companion as they have gone through life changing and trend setting phases throughout history. Its rise in the country was due in large part to the fact that it didnt have to be imported. Unlike rum, which was made from sugarcane and molasses shipped from British-controlled islands in the Caribbean to distilleries in New England, whiskey could be distilled anywhere in America from domestically sourced raw ingredients. Corn, in particular, was plentiful in the New World. In fact, during the time of Andrew Jackson, it was believed that God had made corn for America and Americans for corn. Thus, they naturally thought of whiskey as their national drink.

Global Whiskey Market:

Whiskey is one of the Most Consumed Alcohols in the World, with the global whiskey market valued at $64 billion in 2022 and expected to reach $91.3 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period.

The consumption of alcohol is shifting away from beer and wine and millennials are more likely to experiment with other alcoholic beverages, resulting in the growth of a cocktail culture. As a result of this tendency, the use of whiskey as a premium ingredient has increased. Product innovations, such as flavored whiskeys, and organic and sustainable options are also some of the major factors propelling the market.

2022 was also a great year for Scotch whisky, and exports of Scotlands native spirit hit $7.5 billion that year, the highest figures ever. Exports by volume rose substantially as well, with the number of 700 ml bottles shipped overseas up by 21%, to 1.67 billion.

Story continues

Similarly, as we mentioned in our article  20 Truly Extraordinary Whiskeys Under $75  Bourbon is a $9 billion signature industry in Kentucky that generates more than 22,500 jobs. And if were looking at production and consumption, the state receives more than $286 million in tax revenue each year from its iconic whiskey.

The positive economic impact of the beloved golden liquor is something we seldom consider when having a drink, but, given the facts, maybe its time we all raise a glass to it.

Record Year for American Spirits:

The U.S. spirits exports reached a record-high of $2.2 billion in 2023, up 8% compared to the previous year, according to an American Spirits Export Report released by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. American whiskey exports also increased by 9% over 2022 to reach a record $1.4 billion.

Exports are continuing to rebuild after plummeting from the devastating retaliatory tariffs on American spirits imposed by the E.U. and the U.K. These tariffs were suspended two years ago and as a result, American whiskey exports to the E.U. surged by more than 60%, climbing from $439 million in 2021 to $705 million in 2023. However, the European Union announced in December 2023 that it would continue the suspension of tariffs on American whiskeys in the steel and aluminum dispute for 15 months, until March 31st 2025. If no agreement is reached by then, the E.U. will reimpose its tariff on American Whiskeys at 50%, up from the previously imposed 25%.

Sustainability in the American Whiskey Industry:

The modern consumer has become increasingly aware of the climate emergency we unfortunately find ourselves in, and actively seeks out sustainable brands, even if it means paying extra. So, as American whiskey makers find themselves in an increasingly competitive market, committing psychologically and economically to reducing their impact on the planet may also be the only means to make their businesses sustainable in the long run.

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) announced in 2021 that it has opened its first carbon neutral distillery in Lebanon, KY, for its popular brand Bulleit Bourbon. The 72,000 square-foot facility has the capacity to produce up to 10 million proof gallons per year powered by 100% renewable electricity, and is expected to avoid more than 117,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually. Bulleit is the first and lead brand being produced at the Lebanon Distillery that supplements existing production at the nearby Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville, KY, for which the spirits giant invested $115 million in 2017.

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) announced a 10-year sustainability action plan in November 2020  titled Society 2030: Spirit of Progress  which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across direct operations and a 20% reduction in water used to produce every drink, while also working with suppliers in order to reduce indirect carbon emissions by 50%..

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) is placed among the Best Brewery and Distillery Stocks to Buy Now.

With that said, here are the Top Whiskey Brands in America.

25 Highest Quality Whiskey Brands in the US

Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com

Methodology:

To collect data for this article, we referred to a number of sources, such as Liquor, VinePair, Mens Journal, Reddit etc., looking for the Best Whiskey Brands in the US. To make sure we only give you the best of the best, we picked brands that appeared multiple times in the aforementioned sources, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly.

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.

25. Stranahans

Insider Monkey Score: 3

Composed of 100% malted barley and cut with Eldorado Spring water, Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey is the number-one-selling and most-awarded American single malt. The Colorado-based brands expressions include Original, Blue Peak, Sherry Cask, Diamond Peak, Mountain Angel 10 Year Old, and the much-anticipated, limited-edition annual release, Snowflake.

Founded in 2004, this pioneer of the American single malt was acquired by Proximo Spirits in 2010.

24. Angels Envy

Insider Monkey Score: 3

Handcrafted in small batches, Angels Envy is an award-winning Kentucky straight Bourbon finished in port wine barrels.

In 2022, the Kentucky-based craft distiller unveiled its completed $8.2 million Brand Home expansion at 500 E. Main St. in Louisville. The expansion, which adds 13,000 square feet to the facility, will allow Angels Envy to welcome an additional 64,000 visitors each year, doubling annual guest capacity.

23. Barrell

Insider Monkey Score: 3

Founded in 2013 by Joe Beatrice, Louisville-based Barrell Craft Spirits is the original, pre-eminent independent blender of unique, aged, cask strength whiskey and rum. Sold in 49 states around the country, Barrells small-batch and single-barrel releases have quickly become an influencing force in American whiskey.

22. WhistlePig

Insider Monkey Score: 4

Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig is crafted by a new generation of distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the potential of whiskey  Rye and beyond. Founded in 2008 by Raj Peter Bhakta, WhistlePig is now the most awarded rye whiskey maker in the world.

LVMHs Moet Hennessy acquired a minority stake in WhistlePig for an undisclosed amount in 2020.

21. Buffalo Trace

Insider Monkey Score: 4

Ancient buffalo carved paths through the wilderness that led American pioneers and explorers to new frontiers. One such trail led to the banks of the Kentucky River where Buffalo Trace Distillery has been making Bourbon whiskey the same way for more than 200 years.

Acquired by the Sazerac Company in 1992, Buffalo Trace is counted among the Most Popular American Whiskeys.

20. Evan Wiliams

Insider Monkey Score: 4

This smooth, easy-todrink Bourbon is among the largest-selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey in the U.S. The Even Williams brand is owned by the family-owned Heaven Hill Distillery.

19. Wild Turkey

Insider Monkey Score: 5

For over 60 years, Wild Turkey has been making 101 the same way, the right way! Aged in American White Oak barrels coated in the deepest alligator char, Wild Turkey 101 has an impossible-to-miss character.

In 1980, Wild Turkeys original owner, Austin Nichols & Co., was sold to the French spirits conglomerate Pernod Ricard for a reported $100 million. In 2009, the distillery changed hands again, when Italys Gruppo Campari acquired it for a staggering $575 million.

18. Bookers

Insider Monkey Score: 5

This Top American Whiskey is a fitting tribute to Booker Noe, legendary longtime master distiller for the Beam brands and founder of their Small Batch Bourbon Collection.

Distilled in early 2003, Bookers Rye is among the last barrels laid down by Noe in the final years of his life. Now ranked among the Best Bourbons in the World, the 136 uncut proof rye whiskey features heady oak and vanilla aromas with a nice finish of wintergreen and chocolate.

17. Eagle Rare

Insider Monkey Score: 5

Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is masterfully crafted and carefully aged for no less than ten years. The rareness of this great breed of Bourbon is evident in its complex aroma, as well as the smooth and lingering taste.

The Eagle Rare brand was acquired by The Sazerac Company in 1989, and is distilled and distributed by the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky.

Eagle Rare sits among the Best Quality Whiskey Brands in America.

16. Knob Creek

Insider Monkey Score: 6

Knob Creek is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey owned by Beam Suntory and produced at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont. In 2020, Beam Suntory released Knob Creek 12 Year Bourbon, a brand new addition to the Knob Creek lineup of ryes and Bourbons. Bottled at 100 proof with a robust 50% ABV, this full bodied Bourbon is a driving force in the Ultra-Premium Whiskey category.

15. Woodford Reserve

Insider Monkey Score: 6

The art of making fine Bourbon first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark, in 1812. Owned by The Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B), the perfectly balanced taste of this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey comprises more than 200 detectable flavor notes, from bold grain and wood, to sweet aromatics, spice, fruit, and floral notes.

With total sales of over $5 billion in 2022, The Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) ranks among the Largest Alcohol Companies in the World in 2023.

14. Jack Daniels

Insider Monkey Score: 6

This is a whiskey that needs no introduction. With only the finest grains, pristine water from the Cave Spring Hollow, and mellowed drop-by-drop through sugar maple charcoal, Jack Daniels is a premium Tennessee whiskey owned by The Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B).

With 5.43 million 9-liter cases sold in the U.S. in 2021, Jack Daniels is one of the Top-Selling Whiskey Brands in the US.

13. Old Forester

Insider Monkey Score: 7

A truly rare and distinctive occasion took place in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1870. When George Garvin Brown sealed Bourbon in a bottle for the very first time, he did so knowing it would guarantee quality and consistency for Bourbon lovers everywhere. And nearly 150 years later, the Brown-Forman Corporation still watches over the production of every drop of Old Forester with that same care.

Created in 1870, Old Forester is the only Bourbon continuously distilled and marketed by the founding family before, during, and after Prohibition.

12. Blantons

Insider Monkey Score: 7

Introduced in 1984, Albert Bacon Blantons namesake Bourbon was the first ever Single Barrel Bourbon sold commercially. Distilled at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY, this top quality whiskey is produced and marketed by the Sazerac Company.

11. Michters

Insider Monkey Score: 8

Michters only became a brand in the 1990s but is now, despite deliberately keeping stocks low and releases in small batches, the fourth-fastest rising brand in the Bourbon market. Recently, a bottle of Michters 20-Year-Old luxury whiskey went for $27,500 at auction.

Made from the highest quality American corn, the Michters US1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon sits among the Best Bourbon Whiskeys Under $50.

Michters ranks 11th in our list of Best American Whiskey Brands in 2024.

Click to continue reading and see the 10 Highest Quality Whiskey Brands in the US.

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Disclosure: None. 25 Highest Quality Whiskey Brands in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Protesters and police stop buses from Ukraine at checkpoints

The Ukrainian consul urgently traveled to the Yagodin-Dorohusk border crossing point following reports of Polish protesters stopping passenger buses, Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zvarych announced via Facebook on March 11.

"Due to reports of unjustified delays of passenger buses by Polish protesters at the Dorohusk checkpoint, the consul of the General Consulate of Ukraine in Lublin immediately departed for the location," he wrote.

Read also: Polish protesters temporarily block passenger train from Ukraine, police intervened  UZ

The consul will conduct "necessary talks to prevent any delays in the movement of passenger buses," Zvarych added. The ambassador insisted that the movement of cars and passenger buses across the Polish-Ukrainian border must proceed without any interference.

Read also: Polish protesters block all six border crossing points with Poland

Earlier, Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov reported that Polish protestors are stopping buses from Ukraine headed to Poland and back, detaining passengers without explaining the reasons.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Amid conflicting reports that Polish protesters had blocked passenger buses from crossing the Polish-Ukrainian border, Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zvarych said on March 11 that the consul in Lublin would visit the Dorohusk crossing to observe the situation firsthand.

Zvarych also said that the movement of passengers across the border should be able to continue without any unnecessary obstacles.

The protesters, led by Polish farmers, claim that the influx of Ukrainian agricultural products is of poor quality and undermines local businesses amid rising costs across Europe. They also oppose the EU's Green Deal policies.

Protesters began blocking border crossings with Ukraine in early February following a series of intermittent protests led by Polish truckers that began in November 2023.

Humanitarian aid and passenger vehicles have historically been exempt from the blockade, which Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson of Ukraine's State Border Guard Service, repeated on March 9.

Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said earlier on March 11 that "protesters and police are stopping buses going to and from Poland. Passengers are being held without any explanation."

Demchenko then said later in the day that the border service had not received any reports from the Polish side that protesters were preventing the passage of buses, but added that it "cannot be excluded that the passage of buses through these blockades may be difficult."

The Kyiv Independent also reported last month that some trucks carrying humanitarian and military aid were stuck in queues for days.

The ongoing dispute has led to deteriorating relations between Kyiv and Warsaw. Protesters spilled Ukrainian grain on several occasions, sparking outrage in Ukraine.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian consul in Poland Serhii Tsaruk visited the Dorohusk-Yahodyn border crossing on March 11 and reported that he did not see any blocked buses, following conflicting reports that Polish protesters were preventing buses from crossing the border.

The protesters, led by Polish farmers, claim that the influx of Ukrainian agricultural products is of poor quality and undermines local businesses amid rising costs across Europe. They also oppose the EU's Green Deal policies.

While passenger buses and humanitarian aid are not supposed to be blocked, Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said earlier on March 11 that "protesters and police are stopping buses going to and from Poland" and "passengers are being held without any explanation."

Tsaruk met with representatives of the local police and protesters to emphasize that passenger buses should not be delayed, the Ukrainian consulate in Lublin reported on Facebook.

The consulate also sent a letter to the regional police "with a request to ensure the unhindered movement of buses in the places of protests."

"The police denied the fact that protesters deliberately blocked passenger buses," and pointed to "technical reasons" why buses may be slowed down, the consulate said.

The Kyiv Independent reported in February that some trucks carrying humanitarian and military aid were stuck in queues for days.

The ongoing dispute has led to deteriorating relations between Kyiv and Warsaw. Protesters spilled Ukrainian grain on several occasions, sparking outrage in Ukraine.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
In this article, we list the 30 Unhappiest Cities in America. If you would like to skip our detailed analysis of the topic, you can go directly to the 10 Unhappiest Cities in America.

According to a 2022 report published by Oracle, 45% of people have not felt true happiness for more than two years, while 25% have forgotten what it means to feel truly happy. While happiness is subjective, several factors play a part in making people unhappy.

For instance, a research paper by NBER finds that the population density of an area and happiness in communities are closely linked. It finds that average population density in the 20% of most miserable communities in Canada was more than eight times greater than in the happiest 20% of communities. Therefore concluding that living in highly dense cities like metropolitan areas reduces average happiness levels.

Additionally, economic well-being has a major effect on happiness as well, especially in urban living. Although there is a common perception that cities offer amenities that lead to happiness, theres evidence that urban living does not necessarily mean more happiness in individuals.

According to the NIH study, happiness and well-being increase as income increases. In the study, the researchers decided to look at incomes above and below $100,000 per year. They found out that those American participants making less than $100,000 per year get unhappier as income decreases. On the contrary, those making more than $100,000 per year are less miserable, and once incomes cross $100,000 per year and people make more money, the level of peak happiness grows even faster.

However, while higher income does buy you happiness, other mental-health deteriorating factors in cities, like high costs of living, greater inequality, social isolation, noise, and pollution, can offset the benefits of higher incomes. But for many people, especially Gen Z and Millennials, emotional and physical well-being is more important than job perks such as high salary. According to the Securian Financial survey, 73% of Generation Z and 74% of Millennial employees have utilized the mental health benefits that their employers offered.

Story continues

People are realizing now more than ever before the importance of happiness and its effect on their emotional and physical well-being. Happiness brings out positive emotions, produces a pleasant mood, and makes your attitude soft towards yourself and others around you. Additionally, happiness protects the heart physically by lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormone levels. Safe to say, happiness is not only a state of mind but also a crucial component for maintaining physical health.

However, many cities in the United States lack factors that would make residents happy, such as pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. The lack of such infrastructure discourages physical activity among the residents, and further hurts the air quality of the area by promoting high use of vehicles. Moreover, the lack of affordable healthcare services is also a significant factor contributing to unhappiness among the residents. Some of the leading healthcare companies that are actively investing in urban areas include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO), UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ).

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) is one of the leading companies in investing in diagnostics, and healthcare solutions. It made huge investments at the peak of COVID-19, such as opening a new cGMP plasmid DNA manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, California, in 2021. Earlier in the same year, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) announced more than $600 million in capital investments to expand its bioprocessing production capabilities through 2022. Moreover, in 2022, the company announced a $59 million investment in Kentuckys healthcare sector, which will create 200 full-time jobs that will pay an average of $41 per hour.

Meanwhile, UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH), an American multinational health insurance and services company, made significant investments in cities in the United States, focusing on various initiatives to address community needs. One of the notable investments includes a $25 million commitment to the Healthy Neighborhoods Equity Fund II (HNEF II) in Boston to finance mixed-use developments that offer retail, housing, and social services. The aim behind this investment is to promote healthier communities. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) recognizes that access to affordable housing will improve community health outcomes and help people live healthier and happier lives.

On the other hand, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has a strong reputation for various initiatives and healthcare investments. A couple of days ago (March 7, 2024), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) announced a successful acquisition of a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, Ambrx Biopharma, Inc. The newly acquired company has a synthetic biology technology platform that will help design and develop next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). This acquisition is completed in an all-cash merger transaction for a total equity value of approximately $2.0 billion.

30 Unhappiest Cities in America

30 Unhappiest Cities in America

Our Methodology

For our list of 30 Unhappiest Cities in America, we have considered the emotional and physical well-being of residents, income, employment, community, and environment of each city. Sourcing our data from 8 different sources (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8), we assigned scores and weights to each of the above metrics. For emotional and physical well-being we assigned a weight of 70%, for income and employment, and for community and environment, we assigned a weight of 15% to each. We then averaged out the weighted scores and shortlisted the top thirty cities with the highest averages as they represented the cities with the highest rates of unhappiness.

For our scoring, we have also considered three of our own lists. Namely, 25 Poorest Cities In The US That Are Getting Poorer, 20 Cities With The Highest Cost of Living in the US, and 30 Most Crime Ridden Cities in America.

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.

30 Unhappiest Cities in America

30. Amarillo, TX

Population Density (people per square mile): 1,965

Average Income per Year: $24,904

Insider Monkey Average: 137.4

Ranked 30, Amarillo is a city in Texas with a density of population of 1,965 people per square mile. Note that, according to the World Banks most recent data, the USs average population density is only 94 people per square mile. Amarillo also has high levels of violent and property crimes, and while the cost of living is decent, the city struggles with a lack of green spaces and accessibility to nutritious food options.

29. Buffalo, NY

Population Density (people per square mile): 6,302

Average Income per Year: $20,726

Insider Monkey Average: 137.75

Buffalo, New York, has a population of 276,011 that battles with a concerning depression rate of 22%, exceeding the national average. Economic challenges, high cost of living, and high crime rates are some factors that contribute to the citys struggle with mental health.

28. Cincinnati, OH

Population Density (people per square mile): 3,909

Average Income per Year: $25,256

Insider Monkey Average: 137.95

Cincinnati, a city in the state of Ohio, faces a higher crime rate than the national average, with a rate of 46.8 per 100,000 people. The city also has an increasing growth and sprawl issue.

27. New Orleans, LA

Population Density (people per square mile): 2,299

Average Income per Year: $27,255

Insider Monkey Average: 138.2

Although New Orleans is known for its rich culture and carnivals, the city has high rates of violent and property crimes. New Orleans especially has a violent crime rate, which poses constant threats and safety concerns for its residents. The citys unique culture also contrasts with its high cost of living, which is 1.6% higher than the US average as of 2024. Also, New Orleans has an unemployment rate of 11% and higher tax rates than the national average.

26. Las Vegas, NV

Population Density (people per square mile): 4,478

Average Income per Year: $25,555

Insider Monkey Average: 138.3

While it may be known for its glitzy lifestyle and casinos, Las Vegas is the 26th unhappiest city in America, with a cost of living that's 10.6% higher than the national average as of writing this article. Unemployment, home prices, the costs of renting an apartment, and even sales tax  all of these are higher than the national average in Las Vegas. The city also has minimal green spaces and a high exposure to unhealthy habits such as gambling.

25. Corpus Christi, TX

Population Density (people per square mile): 2,049

Average Income per Year: $25,203

Insider Monkey Average: 138.7

While Corpus Christi has coastal beauty, it has a significantly higher crime rate than the average in the US. The citys 23.30% depression rate reminds us that even in scenic locales, mental health support remains important. While the city has a good cost of living, with an average monthly rent of $1,115 a month, it is an isolated location with many industrial landscapes and a high unemployment rate. Moreover, according to WorldHealths 2023 report, Corpus Christi is the tenth unhealthiest city in America.

24. Casper, WY

Population Density (people per square mile): 2,205

Average Income per Year: $30,624

Insider Monkey Average: 141

Ranked 24, Casper is a beautiful city in Wyoming with scenic hiking trails and a booming art scene. Despite the scenery, the city suffers from high unhappiness and suicide rates due to various reasons. Residents complain of cold and wind, isolation, and low ethnic diversity. While the violent crime rate is low in Casper, the property crime rates are still higher than the national average, with a rate of 42.2. Moreover, the residents have to work more hours than the majority of other cities in the States, but the city still has one of the lowest income growth rates in America.

23. North Las Vegas, NV

Population Density (people per square mile): 2,654

Average Income per Year: $21,003

Insider Monkey Average: 142.85

Economic struggles persist in North Las Vegas, with the cost of living being 10.6% higher than the national average. According to World Healths 2023 report, North Las Vegas is the thirteenth unhealthiest city in the US.

22. Tulsa, OK

Population Density (people per square mile): 2,041

Average Income per Year: $27,313

Insider Monkey Average: 143.25

Ranked 22 on the list of unhappiest cities in America, Tulsa is also one of the most dangerous cities in Oklahoma, with 72 murders occurring in the city in 2020 alone and an average of 16.39 crimes occurring per day. While there are plenty of green spaces in Tulsa, the city still deals with a high depression rate of 24%.

21. Fort Smith, AR

Population Density (people per square mile): 1,387

Average Income per Year: $23,452

Insider Monkey Average: 143.95

Fort Smith faces a crime rate that is 19% higher than the national average and was ranked as the twelfth unhealthiest city in WorldHealths 2023 report. Isolation persists in Fort Smith, and the city also has low educational attainment, and poor arts and culture amenities.

20. Lubbock, TX

Population Density (people per square mile): 2,056

Average Income per Year: $24,168

Insider Monkey Average: 145.1

Twentieth on the list, Lubbock is another city with rampant crime, which is 32% higher than the national average. While there are some positive aspects of living in Lubbock, like the low cost of living and a lively cultural scene, the city is one of the unhealthiest cities in America, has high rates of isolation, and lacks recreational facilities.

19. Baltimore, MD

Population Density (people per square mile): 7,241

Average Income per Year: $25,062

Insider Monkey Average: 146.5

Baltimore has staggering violent crime rates, which pose significant safety challenges for the residents. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Baltimore was Marylands poorest city, with a registered median household income growth of 3.76% in 2021. It ranked 16 in our list of the poorest cities in the US that are getting poorer. Growth and sprawl is also a major issue in the city.

18. Philadelphia, PA

Population Density (people per square mile): 11,759

Average Income per Year: $22,542

Insider Monkey Average: 150.15

Philadelphia is a culturally vibrant city with a depression rate of 22.60% and high levels of violent crimes. Not only does Philadelphia struggle with low economic growth, but the cost of living there is 4.3% higher than the US average. Philadelphia was also ranked #18 on our list of cities with the highest cost of living.

17. St. Louis, MO

Population Density (people per square mile): 4,821

Average Income per Year: $23,244

Insider Monkey Average: 151.25

Ranked 17, St. Louis faces a serious crime problem, with the violent crime rate being 86.8 and property crime rates being 85.1. The city also has a 22.50% rate of reported depression, high taxes, employment concerns, and an increasing growth and sprawl issue.

16. San Antonio, TX

Population Density (people per square mile): 3,234

Average Income per Year: $22,784

Insider Monkey Average: 153.35

With a population of over 1.4 million people, San Antonio, Texas, is the seventh-biggest city in the United States. While the population density is high in the city, it lacks a pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, which contributes to the overall unhappiness in the city. On top of that, San Antonio is seen as one of the dirtiest cities in the US, with litter and trash throughout the city.

Crime rates are also high in the city, and according to CertaPets list of the worst US cities for mental health, San Antonio is one of the top 5 worst states for mental health in the US. Note that the list analyzed the cities based on therapy session rates, prescription charges, mandatory treatment laws, criminalization of mental illness, number of residents per 1 mental health provider, overall community well-being, and poor mental health days by county. The city also ranked #2 in our list of most crime-ridden cities in the US.

15. Baton Rouge, LA

Population Density (people per square mile): 2,535

Average Income per Year: $23,990

Insider Monkey Average: 159.65

With a population of 225,539, Baton Rouge, Louisiana's capital, is a hot and humid city. Several factors contribute to the prevalence of unhappiness in the city. To start with, Baton offers a cost of living that is 6.8% cheaper than the US average, but the median income is also almost half (49.1%) of the US average. So, in effect, despite the low cost of living in the city, Baton Rouge is still expensive for its citizens.

Baton Rouge residents also have very little sense of safety, with the violent crime rate being more than double the US average and property crime rates being nearly twice as much as the national average. Healthcare is also more expensive than the national average in Baton Rouge, contributing further to the high levels of unhappiness among the population.

14. Columbus, GA

Population Density (people per square mile): 908

Average Income per Year: $23,209

Insider Monkey Average: 161.1

Located on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Columbus, GA, is a city that seems vibrant but is really home to unhappy citizens. While the city experiences a strong economy with ample job opportunities and offers an average annual income of $23,209, the violent and property crime in Columbus is significantly higher than the national average, threatening the safety of residents and hurting their mental peace. The city also has a depression rate of 21.90%, and according to WorldHealths report, it is the 4th unhealthiest city in the US.

13. Memphis, TN

Population Density (people per square mile): 2,047

Average Income per Year: $21,909

Insider Monkey Average: 161.6

Being the most populous city in Tennessee's state, Memphis is one of the unhappiest cities, with a population of 634,139 people. The violent crime rate in Memphis is nearly four times the US average, while property thefts and crime are over two times the national average.

12. Fayetteville, NC

Population Density (people per square mile): 1,432

Average Income per Year: $23,843

Insider Monkey Average: 163.7

Located in the Sandhills of North Carolina, Fayetteville is a prominent and populous city with a population density of 1,432 people per square mile. The city lacks pedestrian-friendly infrastructure with 87% of residents use vehicles to commute to work. Moreover, residents need an annual income of $37,200 to live comfortably in Fayetteville, but the annual average income of residents in Fayetteville is only $23,843. Additionally, healthcare is also 16.4% more expensive than the national average, and the crime rates are significantly higher than the national average.

11. Augusta, GA

Population Density (people per square mile): 653

Average Income per Year: $20,553

Insider Monkey Average: 164.2

Situated near the South Carolina border, Augusta is a city in Georgia with a population density of 653 people per square mile. While Augustas economy is progressing at a moderate speed with positive job growth, it has tax rates higher than the national average. Augusta is also one of the top five cities with the lowest sleep rates, and the 5th unhealthiest city in the US according to WorldHealths 2023 report.

Click to continue reading and see the top 10 Unhappiest Cities in America.

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Disclosure: None. 30 Unhappiest Cities in America is originally published on Insider Monkey.
The Ukrainian consul in Lublin is heading to the Yahodyn-Dorohusk border crossing point following reports of protesters stopping passenger buses there.

Source: Vasyl Zvarych, Ukraines Ambassador to Poland

Details: "Following emerging information about unreasonable delays of passenger buses by Polish protesters in front of the Dorohusk checkpoint, the consul of the Consulate General of Ukraine in Lublin immediately left for the site.

The consul will hold the necessary conversations on the spot to prevent any delays in the movement of passenger buses," the ambassador said.

The official added that cars and passenger buses should continue their movement without any obstacles, as it had been so far.

Background: Earlier, Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov stated that he had been informed about Polish protesters blocking passenger buses seeking to both enter and exit Poland from Ukraine. In his message, he gave no details as to what checkpoints these incidents occurred near and how widespread they were.

Kubrakov tagged a number of Polish officials and services in his post, but they have made no comments yet.

In a comment to Ukrainska Pravda, Andrii Demchenko, the spokesperson for Ukraine's State Border Guard Service, said Ukrainian border guards reported no incidents involving passenger vehicles crossing the border with Poland, although they did not rule out certain problems with their movement at some distance from the border, where Polish protesters are located.

Previously: Polish farmers continue to block the movement of goods on the Polish-Ukrainian border, and hauliers also resumed their protests on 1 March.

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In 2023, the courts handed out 1274 verdicts on mobilization evasion in Ukraine, while 60 criminal proceedings resulted in imprisonment, the Opendatabot platform reported in a press release on March 11.

The defendants received both suspended and real prison sentences, with the maximum term being five years in prison.

Read also: Bus carrying 34 draft dodgers detained at Ukrainian-Romanian border

Last year, the number of cases against tax evaders also increased fivefold, as courts handed down a total of 220 sentences in 2022.

In January 2024, according to Opendatabot, the courts had already handed down 120 sentences to evaders. Since the beginning of the war against Russia in 2014, Ukrainian courts have handed down 3,746 verdicts on military service evasion.

On Jan. 4, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that law enforcement officers had opened about 9,000 proceedings on draft evasion since the start of the full-scale war. 2600 of them have been referred to court.

In February, the National Police reported that persons liable for military service who received suspended sentences for evading military service were still subject to mobilization, but if they did the same thing again, they would receive a real sentence.



Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian medic says they 'rarely' evacuate wounded soldiers during the day to avoid Russian drone strikes

Ukraine's medics often operate at night to evade Russian drone strikes when evacuating wounded troops.

It's not always possible to get soldiers help during the 'golden hour' optimal for soldier survival.

Despite precautions, Russian attacks continue to make retrievals difficult at any time.

Ukraine's combat medics often move to get wounded soldiers off the battlefield at night to avoid becoming Russia's new drone strike targets, one said this week.

"Drones are a huge problem," Maksim, a combat medic with Ukraine's 59th Infantry Brigade, told CNN's Nick Paton Walsh. "We rarely evacuate during daylight."

Combat medics are routinely sent out in the middle of the night to retrieve injured soldiers, but Maksim said his team makes exceptions and sometimes evacuates the severely injured in the daytime.

In the daylight, first-person-view drones scour the battlefield hunting for troops, vehicles, and equipment. Many carry explosives and can quickly shift from reconnaissance to strike missions.

Maksim and other Ukrainian medics may be tasked with driving up to seven miles to pick up injured soldiers after waiting hours in underground shelters for a call via radio.

In this kind of war, it's not always possible to get soldiers help during the optimal "golden hour," a trauma care concept that says that seriously injured persons should receive assessment and treatment within 60 minutes of being wounded for the best chance of survival.

When US Army Gen. Mark Milley, then the Army Chief of Staff, spoke about the golden hour concept during a congressional hearing in 2019, he was uncertain as to whether this window would be sustainable in future high-intensity combat.

"Evacuating soldiers in high intensity combat against a potential adversary like the Russians or Chinese or even North Korea  first of all the scale and scope of casualties will be significant, really significant, and the ability to evacuate those casualties within sixty minutes," He said. "We'll try, but I'm not guaranteeing."

Even with precautions, getting caught in the middle of enemy fire is unavoidable even at night as Russia relentlessly continues its shelling. This makes medical pick-ups difficult to execute regardless of timing.

"The Russian's have more vehicles, more weapons, more men," said another Ukrainian combat medic, Artem. "And that's the biggest problem."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo Sports

Jason Fitz is joined by Senior NFL Reporters Charles Robinson and Jori Epstein to go behind the scenes on the latest rumors and news around the NFL. The trio start with takeaways from the NFL owner's meetings as Jori was on the ground in Orlando. The hosts discuss the fallout of the new kickoff rule (are rosters going to change because of it?), the two Christmas Day games and what the heck Jerry Jones was doodling in his notebook. Next, it's time to pull out the crystal ball as the hosts attempt to look into the future for some key quarterbacks, starting with Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy's draft stock has been skyrocketing lately as some rumors emerged that he could go as high as second overall. Charles gives his thoughts and what he's hearing from GMs around the league before moving onto Brock Purdy and whether San Francisco will be willing to pay him when the time comes. Charles dives deeper into the 2024 quarterback class and why every prospect has a massive red flag, and Jori gives us the latest on the Dak Prescott contract negotiations, which seem to be heading in the wrong direction. All signs are pointing towards Dak hitting free agency next offseason. Finally, Fitz wraps things up by asking about Deion Sanders' comments about choosing where his sons get drafted and whether or not player empowerment could be ascending to a new level with the emergence of NIL.
GENEVA (AP)  Five years after the Islamic State group lost the last sliver of land it controlled in Syria, nearly 30,000 children of militants and their supporters of various nationalities are suffering abuse in camps, prisons and rehabilitation centers in the war-torn countrys northwest, a U.N.-backed commission said Monday.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria said most of the children were brought by their parents to parts of Syria and Iraq after the extremists declared a caliphate there in 2014, and it urged all countries with children in Syria to repatriate them and integrate them into their societies.

The largest number of children are staying at al-Hol Camp, which is housing tens of thousands of people, mostly wives and children of IS fighters as well as supporters of the militant group. A smaller number of children are staying at Roj Camp, while teenage boys are kept in jails and rehabilitation run by the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

These children were already victimized during ISILs rule, only to be subjected to years of continued human rights violations and abuses, Commissioner Lynn Welchman said, using an acronym to refer to IS.

The commission said it has concluded that living conditions in heavily guarded al-Hol and Roj camps amount to cruel and inhuman treatment and outrages on personal dignity.

Roj is home to some 3,000 people, including Shamima Begum, who is now 24, and was 15 when she and two other girls fled from London in February 2015 to marry IS fighters in Syria. Begum married a Dutch man fighting for IS and had three children, who all died.

Last month, Begum lost her appeal against the British governments decision to revoke her U.K. citizenship, with judges saying that it wasnt for them to rule on whether it was harsh to do so.

At al-Hol Camp, that is in a town that carries the same name near the Iraqi borders, mostly former Soviet Republics and Iraq have been active in repatriating their citizens.

The facility was once home to 73,000 people, the vast majority of them Syrians and Iraqis. Over the past few years, the population dropped to nearly 45,000 as some countries have repatriated their citizens said Sheikhmous Ahmad, a Kurdish official overseeing camps for displaced in northeastern Syria.

Citizens from other nationalities live in a part of the camp known as the Annex, considered the home of the most die-hard IS supporters, many of whom came to Syria and Iraq starting in 2014.

Regrettably a small percentage of foreign countries are repatriating their citizens, Ahmad said. He added that some 600 Iraqi citizens were repatriated last week.

In February, the SDF concluded a dayslong security operation at al-Hol during which they detained 85 people, captured weapons and freed a Yazidi woman who was raped and forced to marry IS fighters.

These children were all only 12 years old or younger at the time of ISILs rule - what crimes could possibly justify their continued detention? End the inertia, now, Welchman said.

___

Mroue reported from Beirut.
Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, speaks at a press conference in Geneva. Syria is experiencing a wave of violence not seen since 2020, a UN commission of inquiry said in a report released in Geneva on Monday, stressing that a ceasefire was urgently needed. Jean Marc Ferre/UN Geneva /dpa

Syria is experiencing a wave of violence not seen since 2020, a UN commission of inquiry said in a report released in Geneva on Monday, stressing that a ceasefire was urgently needed.

"Since October, Syria has seen the largest escalation in fighting in four years. With the region in turmoil, a determined international effort to contain the fighting on Syrian soil is imperative," commission chair Paulo Pinheiro said.

"Syria, too, desperately needs a ceasefire," Pinheiro added against the backdrop of attempts to arrange a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Protests erupted in Syria in 2011 against the government of Bashar al-Assad. The regime cracked down violently, which later expanded into an all-out civil war in the country.

The commission pointed to an upsurge in fighting in Syria after explosions during a graduation ceremony at a military academy in the government-controlled city of Homs on October 5 killed at least 63 people, including 37 civilians, and injured scores more.

Syrian and Russian forces had responded with bombardments on areas held by the opposition, killing and injuring hundreds of civilians. These attacks, "which may amount to war crimes," hit hospitals, schools, markets and camps for internally displaced persons, the commission said.

Syrian forces had used cluster munitions in densely populated areas, "continuing devastating and unlawful patterns that we have documented in the past," commission member Hanny Megally reported. The October attacks had caused some 120,000 people to flee, many of them previously displaced, he said.

"It should be no surprise that the number of Syrians seeking asylum in Europe last October reached the highest level in seven years. Syria remains the world's largest displacement crisis with over 13 million Syrians unable to return to their homes," Megally added.

Tensions between the various forces in Syria had increased since war broke out in the Gaza Strip, the commission said.
whitebalance.oatt / iStock/Getty Images

If youre planning to move when you retire, youre not alone. Last year, nearly 340,000 U.S. residents moved when they retired. And while many people stay in the same area, others move to a completely different city or state.

Learn More: Americans Dont Put Enough Toward Retirement: Experts Say This Is the Magic Number

Try This: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy

As you plan your retirement, before you make the big move, its important to be prepared so that you dont end up spending money you didnt anticipate  or dont have.

Here are some common, but costly, mistakes people tend to make when they choose a place to retire.

Rockaa / iStock.com

Not Having a Tax Plan

Tax planning might not be fun, but its necessary if you want to ensure your retirement savings go as far as you need them to  and perhaps beyond. This isnt entirely location-dependent  though every state taxes income differently  but its still important to have a plan.

Saving money and investing can be relatively simple. Creating a tax plan for spending your money in retirement can be a challenge, said Jay Zigmont, Ph.D., CFP, founder of Childfree Wealth.

Check Out: I Retired at 65: Heres My Monthly Budget

Read Next: Owe Money to the IRS? Most People Dont Realize They Should Do This One Thing

Retirees need to have a plan for which accounts to pull from, and when, he continued. They need to figure out a plan for RMDs (required minimum distributions), IRMAA (income-related monthly adjustment amount) surcharges, Roth conversions, giving and more.

Tax planning is part of having a comprehensive retirement plan. If you have a relatively simple situation, you might be able to do it yourself. Otherwise, you might be better off working with a certified financial planner or CPA.

Sponsored: Credit card debt keeping you up at night? Find out if you can reduce your debt with these 3 steps

fstop123 / Getty Images

Not Planning for Healthcare

As you choose a new place to live, dont forget about the healthcare situation in that area.

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Are there good doctors and hospitals in the area that meet all of your needs? What about health insurance coverage? said Chris Urban, CFP, RICP, founder at Discovery Wealth Planning.

Be Aware: Im a Real Estate Agent: 7 Places Id Retire If I Had $1,000,000

Consider your current or future available plans, too.

If you are not yet eligible for Medicare, consider what plans are available in that area under the Affordable Care Act public marketplace and at what cost to you. If you are on Medicare, consider costs, risks and the network in the local area, depending on if you are on original Medicare or Medicare Advantage, Urban said. Understand your total out-of-pocket cost if you should unfortunately have a catastrophic situation.

PeopleImages / Getty Images

Forgetting About Long-Term Care

You already know the importance of having good health insurance, but if you havent thought about your long-term care options in your new area, this could end up costing you greatly.

Before you retire, you need a plan for long-term care. With the average cost of a year in a skilled nursing facility being $115K, it can be very pricey, said Zigmont. Long-term care becomes a challenge for couples without a plan, as the first person who goes into long-term care can spend down much of your retirement nest egg.

whyframestudio / iStock.com

Overlooking Taxation Policies

The taxes in your new area should be a major consideration when you retire. This includes retirement income tax, of course, but its not just that. Your new location might also have property, local and sales taxes that can eat into your retirement income.

When moving to another state, you may be moving into a state with a higher income tax or sales tax rate, said John Stevenson, CFF, an expert contributor for Annuity.org. Property taxes can be costly, too, in some areas of the country. When retiring, consider tax-friendly states that either reduce or eliminate taxes. Youve worked hard for it, so keep as much as you can!

staticnak1983 / iStock.com

Not Researching the Cost of Living

The cost of living includes taxes, healthcare and the like. But its more than that. Even the smallest things  like the cost of fuel  can eat into your retirement savings if youre not prepared.

Jake Falcon, CRPC, CEO at Falcon Wealth Advisors, suggested researching everything from the state taxes to the cost of utilities, clothes, food and transportation in your new retirement community. Run some calculations to determine if the new area is still affordable.

Explore More: Retired but Want To Work? Try These 10 Low-Stress Jobs for Seniors

Some places in the U.S. or even internationally can be very expensive to live, and even if you are paying cash outright for your retirement home, the property taxes over the years can come back to bite you and take a chunk out of your monthly budget, added Stevenson. You dont want to end up moving to your dream place only to find out the cost for living is 20%-30% higher than what you planned for.

Not Being Prepared for Local Disasters

You might not think about it when picking out your new retirement community, but natural disasters can cause a lot of financial hardship down the line.

Ignoring climate and natural disaster risks can disrupt retirement plans, said Cliff Ambrose, FRC, founder and wealth manager at Apex Wealth.

Make sure youre aware of these factors ahead of time so that you can ensure financial security  and sustain a good quality of life  during your retirement years.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Costly Mistakes To Avoid When Picking a Place To Retire
jessicaphoto / Getty Images

April Fools Day will bring good news to California fast-food workers through a higher minimum wage. Beginning April 1, 2024, all qualified fast-food workers in the Golden State must be paid at least $20 an hour, according to the California Department of Industrial Relations. That follows a new law that went into effect on January 1, raising the states minimum to $16 an hour across all industries.

Check Out: 7 Things You Must Do To Start Making $1K a Month in Passive Income

Read Next: 6 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work)

The new minimums were cheered by workers and workers rights advocates, mainly because pay raises can help affected employees deal with the states high consumer and housing prices. But the law has its critics as well.

Heres a look at six pros and cons of the $20 minimum wage for Californias fast-food workers.

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Pro: Workers Across Many Industries Will Get Needed Raises

Business Insider reported that the $20 minimum wage only applies to workers at larger chains with at least 60 locations  mainly employers like McDonalds, Burger King and Subway. However, when those companies pay higher wages, competing restaurants and retailers must also raise their wages to compete for labor. This could create a ripple effect, leading to higher pay for many other jobs.

Con: Some Workers Could be Replaced by Machines

Norm Miller, the Ernest W. Hahn Chair of Real Estate Finance at the University of San Diego, told the San Diego Union-Tribune last year that a higher minimum wage could replace some workers with more automation and customer self-service.

Pro: Greater Disposable Income for Many Workers

Although $20 an hour wont make you rich  especially in pricey California  some workers will get more financial breathing room to spend on discretionary purchases. This, in turn, will positively impact consumer spending and the economy at large.

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Con: Restaurant Prices Might Rise

Whenever a business or industry faces higher labor and operating costs, you can be pretty sure they will respond by hiking their prices. Dont be surprised if that cheeseburger or chicken dinner youre used to buying becomes more expensive in the not-too-distant future.

Pro: Chains Will Expand Their Talent Pool

Higher wages in the fast-food and retail sectors could lure more workers into those industries, which will help relieve labor shortages. This could lead to better customer service and more business.

Con: Hours Might be Cut

Another way businesses deal with higher costs is to reduce their operating hours simply. Combining shorter hours and higher prices lets them meet their profit margin targets. But this also means workers will cut their hours  and consumers will have fewer hours to visit the establishments.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Pros and Cons of Californias $20 Minimum Wage for Fast Food Workers on Americans Wallets
This post has been updated to include a statement from Rep. Joe Courtney and additional comments from Under Secretary Erik Raven.

The U.S. Navys fiscal 2025 budget request includes money for one Virginia-class attack submarine instead of the planned two, but still represents a prioritization and very significant investment in undersea warfare capabilities, the services undersecretary said Friday, arguing this is not contradictory.

The Navy has been buying its attack subs at a rate of two per year since FY11, but industry has not kept up in recent years, delivering closer to an average of 1.2 boats annually. The service spent $2.3 billion from FY18 to FY23 to change that, hoping to not only get industry up to an on-time delivery rate of two per year, but then to a rate between 2.3 and 2.5 to support the AUKUS submarine partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom.

The Navy, business leaders and lawmakers have all highlighted stable funding as a key to helping industry bolster its output. And yet, in a fiscal year with a top line capped by law and in which the Navy had to delay several major shipbuilding and modernization efforts, the sea service chose to save some $4 billion in the FY25 spending plan by nixing the second Virginia sub.

We did reduce the funding to one Virginia-class submarine in FY25. But we maintain the funding for nine out of the planned 10 Virginia class during the five-year Future Years Defense Program, or FYDP, Under Secretary Erik Raven told reporters.

The one FY25 boat will be the first of a new Block VI design. Navy budget books refer to seeking a nine-sub multiyear procurement contract for Block VI.

In addition, we make significant investments in the submarine-industrial base. During last years budget rollout, I talked about $2.4 billion in submarine-industrial base investments that were planned over the FYDP. In this years budget, we plan an additional $8.8 billion on top of what was already programmed across the FYDP, he added.

Raven said the FY25 budget also maintains its planned advance procurement for future submarines, which is incredibly important in terms of supporting the supplier base to set themselves up for the needed production rate for Virginia class.

And in the longer term, he explained, the Navy in last years long-range shipbuilding plan showed an intention to buy one boat a year in each of FY30 and FY31.

Now, the Navy believes it can buy two boats in each of those years, which will be reflected when the long-range shipbuilding plan comes out later this spring, he added.

So taken as a whole, this budget presents a significant investment in the undersea capability area, and we feel like these are absolutely the needed moves to make sure that were set up for the long term, for success in both Virginia and the Columbia program, he said, the latter being the ballistic missile submarine that the Navy still calls its top spending priority.

Rear Adm. Ben Reynolds, the deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for the budget, said Friday the total submarine-industrial base funding would be $3.9 billion in FY25 alone. That doesnt include the cost of buying actual submarines, but rather the funds being poured into the supply chain to help vendors hire and train workers, retool existing facilities and build new ones, invest in additive manufacturing, and more.

That one-year sum is $1.5 billion more than the Navy planned to spend across the entire five-year FYDP last year, showing how thorny a challenge this has been and how important it remains to future American and AUKUS alliance needs.

However, the Navy also asked for $3.3 billion more in the supplemental funding package that stalled in Congress. The package was meant to fund support to Ukraine and Israel, operations at the U.S.-Mexico border, and other emerging defense needs  including submarine-industrial base support, couched as pivotal to deterring China from attacking Taiwan.

Neither the FY24 defense spending bill nor the supplemental spending bill have passed Congress, so its unclear when or if any of that money will make it to the supply chain.

Reynolds said this massive spending for a targeted segment of the industrial base gets us up to that place where we can get to one-plus-two [Columbia and Virginia production rates] towards the end of the FYDP. That fund would total at least $16.8 billion by FY29 if everything, including the FY24 budget and supplemental, were to pass.

At least one member of Congress is pushing back. Rep. Joe Courtney, a Connecticut Democrat whose district includes the General Dynamics Electric Boat submarine construction yard, said Monday the reduced buy in FY25 demands the highest scrutiny by the Congress because it contradicts the Departments own National Defense [Industrial] Strategy issued January 11, 2024, which identified procurement stability as critical to achieve resilient supply chains.

Still, Raven, in a Monday afternoon briefing, maintained the Navys choice is best for industry.

We removed one Virginia-class out of concern for the industrial base ability to produce yet one more, while in a capped environment making headroom for these historic investments in the submarine-industrial base, he said.
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Southwest Airlines implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

The top 8 shareholders own 51% of the company

Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock

To get a sense of who is truly in control of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 81% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Southwest Airlines, beginning with the chart below.

See our latest analysis for Southwest Airlines

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Southwest Airlines?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

Southwest Airlines already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. 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 Southwest Airlines' historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

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Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Southwest Airlines. The Vanguard Group, Inc. is currently the largest shareholder, with 11% of shares outstanding. With 9.0% and 8.3% of the shares outstanding respectively, Capital Research and Management Company and PRIMECAP Management Company are the second and third largest shareholders.

We also observed that the top 8 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 are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Southwest Airlines

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

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 information suggests that Southwest Airlines Co. insiders own under 1% of the company. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own US$79m of stock. In this sort of situation, it can be more interesting to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 19% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Southwest Airlines (of which 1 is a bit concerning!) you should know about.

If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Why would a mother reject safe, potentially lifesaving vaccines for her child?

Popular writing on vaccine skepticism often denigrates white and middle-class mothers who reject some or all recommended vaccines as hysterical, misinformed, zealous or ignorant. Mainstream media and medical providers increasingly dismiss vaccine refusal as a hallmark of American fringe ideology, far-right radicalization or anti-intellectualism.

But vaccine skepticism, and the broader medical mistrust and far-reaching anxieties it reflects, is not just a fringe position.

Pediatric vaccination rates had already fallen sharply before the COVID-19 pandemic, ushering in the return of measles, mumps and chickenpox to the U.S. in 2019. Four years after the pandemics onset, a growing number of Americans doubt the safety, efficacy and necessity of routine vaccines. Childhood vaccination rates have declined substantially across the U.S., which public health officials attribute to a spillover effect from pandemic-related vaccine skepticism and blame for the recent measles outbreak. Almost half of American mothers rated the risk of side effects from the MMR vaccine as medium or high in a 2023 survey by Pew Research.

Recommended vaccines go through rigorous testing and evaluation, and the most infamous charges of vaccine-induced injury have been thoroughly debunked. How do so many mothers  primary caregivers and health care decision-makers for their families  become wary of U.S. health care and one of its most proven preventive technologies?

Im a cultural anthropologist who studies the ways feelings and beliefs circulate in American society. To investigate whats behind mothers vaccine skepticism, I interviewed vaccine-skeptical mothers about their perceptions of existing and novel vaccines. What they told me complicates sweeping and overly simplified portrayals of their misgivings by pointing to the U.S. health care system itself. The medical systems failures and harms against women gave rise to their pervasive vaccine skepticism and generalized medical mistrust.

The seeds of womens skepticism

I conducted this ethnographic research in Oregon from 2020 to 2021 with predominantly white mothers between the ages of 25 and 60. My findings reveal new insights about the origins of vaccine skepticism among this demographic. These women traced their distrust of vaccines, and of U.S. health care more generally, to ongoing and repeated instances of medical harm they experienced from childhood through childbirth.

A womans own childhood mistreatment by a doctor can shape her health care decisions for the next generation. FatCamera/E+ via Getty Images

As young girls in medical offices, they were touched without consent, yelled at, disbelieved or threatened. One mother, Susan, recalled her pediatrician abruptly lying her down and performing a rectal exam without her consent at the age of 12. Another mother, Luna, shared how a pediatrician once threatened to have her institutionalized when she voiced anxiety at a routine physical.

As women giving birth, they often felt managed, pressured or discounted. One mother, Meryl, told me, I felt like I was coerced under distress into Pitocin and induction during labor. Another mother, Hallie, shared, I really battled with my provider throughout the childbirth experience.

Together with the convoluted bureaucracy of for-profit health care, experiences of medical harm contributed to one million little touch points of information, in one mothers phrase, that underscored the untrustworthiness and harmful effects of U.S. health care writ large.

A system that doesnt serve them

Many mothers I interviewed rejected the premise that public health entities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration had their childrens best interests at heart. Instead, they tied childhood vaccination and the more recent development of COVID-19 vaccines to a bloated pharmaceutical industry and for-profit health care model. As one mother explained, The FDA is not looking out for our health. Theyre looking out for their wealth.

After ongoing negative medical encounters, the women I interviewed lost trust not only in providers but the medical system. Frustrating experiences prompted them to do their own research in the name of bodily autonomy. Such research often included books, articles and podcasts deeply critical of vaccines, public health care and drug companies.

These materials, which have proliferated since 2020, cast light on past vaccine trials gone awry, broader histories of medical harm and abuse, the rapid growth of the recommended vaccine schedule in the late 20th century and the massive profits reaped from drug development and for-profit health care. They confirmed and hardened womens suspicions about U.S. health care.

The number of recommended childhood vaccines has increased over time. Mike Adaskaveg/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images

The stories these women told me add nuance to existing academic research into vaccine skepticism. Most studies have considered vaccine skepticism among primarily white and middle-class parents to be an outgrowth of todays neoliberal parenting and intensive mothering. Researchers have theorized vaccine skepticism among white and well-off mothers to be an outcome of consumer health care and its emphasis on individual choice and risk reduction. Other researchers highlight vaccine skepticism as a collective identity that can provide mothers with a sense of belonging.

Seeing medical care as a threat to health

The perceptions mothers shared are far from isolated or fringe, and they are not unreasonable. Rather, they represent a growing population of Americans who hold the pervasive belief that U.S. health care harms more than it helps.

Data suggests that the number of Americans harmed in the course of treatment remains high, with incidents of medical error in the U.S. outnumbering those in peer countries, despite more money being spent per capita on health care. One 2023 study found that diagnostic error, one kind of medical error, accounted for 371,000 deaths and 424,000 permanent disabilities among Americans every year.

Studies reveal particularly high rates of medical error in the treatment of vulnerable communities, including women, people of color, disabled, poor, LGBTQ+ and gender-nonconforming individuals and the elderly. The number of U.S. women who have died because of pregnancy-related causes has increased substantially in recent years, with maternal death rates doubling between 1999 and 2019.

The prevalence of medical harm points to the relevance of philosopher Ivan Illichs manifesto against the disease of medical progress. In his 1982 book Medical Nemesis, he insisted that rather than being incidental, harm flows inevitably from the structure of institutionalized and for-profit health care itself. Illich wrote, The medical establishment has become a major threat to health, and has created its own epidemic of iatrogenic illness  that is, illness caused by a physician or the health care system itself.

Four decades later, medical mistrust among Americans remains alarmingly high. Only 23% of Americans express high confidence in the medical system. The United States ranks 24th out of 29 peer high-income countries for the level of public trust in medical providers.

For people like the mothers I interviewed, who have experienced real or perceived harm at the hands of medical providers; have felt belittled, dismissed or disbelieved in a doctors office; or spent countless hours fighting to pay for, understand or use health benefits, skepticism and distrust are rational responses to lived experience. These attitudes do not emerge solely from ignorance, conspiracy thinking, far-right extremism or hysteria, but rather the historical and ongoing harms endemic to the U.S. health care system itself.

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: Johanna Richlin, University of Maine

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Johanna Richlin 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.
[Source]

Vanessa Hudgens unveiled her pregnancy in stunning fashion by debuting her baby bump on the 96th Academy Awards red carpet.

Red carpet mom-to-be: At the event on March 10, the "High School Musical" star glowed in a sleek black Vera Wang turtleneck dress as she served as the pre-show host, alongside actress Julianne Hough.

In an Instagram post, Wang described Hudgens attire as a black stretch Italian cupro long sleeve turtleneck evening gown with a floor-length hand draped sash accent at the waist.

Trending on NextShark: AirAsia CEO says he has no regrets over viral topless photo

"One for the books": During the Oscars Red Carpet Show coverage, the 35-year-old mom-to-be was seen cradling her baby bump and thanking those who congratulated her. Hudgens took to Instagram to share several photos of herself on the red carpet with the caption: Oscars 2024! One for the books.

"Magical" wedding: The revelation comes three months after Hudgens married MLB player Cole Tucker, 27, in Dec. 2023 via a private ceremony in Tulum, Mexico. In an interview with Vogue, Hudgens described the event as "the most magical weekend of my life."

Trending on NextShark: How Jackie Chan and late Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama inspired each other

Whirlwind romance: The couple met on a Zoom meditation group in 2020, with Hudgens revealing she boldly "slid into his DMs" before they quickly became inseparable.

Trending on NextShark: Philadelphias Chinatown Stitch project gets $158 million federal grant

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.(WAVY) Virginia Beach Police have stated that missing 9-year-old Collin Michael Nice has been located and is considered safe.

Collin Nice was reported to have been last seen leaving his home near West Neck Road in the 2700 block of Indian River Road at 11:30 p.m. Sunday night. Overnight, police released an appeal for the publics help to find Collin. Just after 8 a.m. police reported that the child had been found and was safe.

UPDATE: The missing juvenile in Virginia Beach was located safe and returned to their parents. pic.twitter.com/AmsjXuLX0V  Virginia Beach Police Department (@VBPD) March 11, 2024

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Blood from a large sperm whale is carried in the current along the beach in Venice, Florida, on Monday afternoon, March 11, 2024. Biologists were strongly suggesting that people not swim in the water since they expect numerous sharks to be attracted to the area. Scientists were performing a necropsy on the whale which had beached itself a day earlier. The whale died of natural causes early Monday morning.

VENICE  A no swim advisory issued by the city of Venice's Emergency Management department on Monday while biologists conducted a necropsy on the beached sperm whale was expanded Tuesday afternoon, following a shift in wind and water direction.

The advisory, originally in effect for areas including Service Club Park, south through the beach along the Venice Municipal Fishing Pier to Caspersen Beach, now includes all of Venice Beach, from the South Jetty through Caspersen Beach.

The whale was first spotted Sunday morning and was reported dead at 3 a.m. Monday.

The city of Venice continues to coordinate with state partners to assess water conditions and safety.

The concern is that the presence of the whales bodily fluids in the Gulf of Mexico could prompt increased predation activity while the biologists work on the whale.

The Venice Pier remains open for fishing.

Venice Fire Chief Frank Giddens said, As long as the carcass is still there it will remain in effect.

The city is coordinating with multiple responding agencies and will continue to provide updates in its social media channels.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: No swimming expanded for waters off Venice near deceased whale
The Department of Veterans Affairs would get a nearly 13% boost in funding next fiscal year under a proposal unveiled by the White House Monday, with large increases for medical center construction projects and caregiver program support.

The $369.3 billion budget proposal for VA in fiscal 2025 comes just three days after congressional officials finalized spending for the current fiscal year, approving a $328.1 billion fiscal plan for department programs through Oct. 1.

In a statement, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said the budget plan for next year  to be debated and amended by lawmakers in coming months  will help his department to continue delivering more care and more benefits to more veterans than ever before in our nations history.

Despite repeated concerns from lawmakers about the size of the federal budget, VAs spending plans have grown substantially over the last two decades. The department has seen a funding bump of at least 7% in each of the last six fiscal years and in 17 of the last 23 years.

Budget deal includes VA funding hike, firearm ownership protections

In fiscal 2001, the entire VA budget amounted to $48 billion in spending. In fiscal 2017, it was $182.3 billion, still less than half the fiscal 2025 presidential request.

Much of that increase has been in mandatory health care and benefits spending for the department as presidential administrations and lawmakers have dramatically expanded the pool of veterans eligible for each.

Of the nearly $370 billion budget request, $24.5 billion is set aside for the Toxic Exposures Fund, an account specifically designed to deal with costs associated with implementing the 2022 PACT Act, legislation that expanded disability payouts and medical care options for troops who suffered injuries from chemicals and toxins they encountered while serving.

The VA budget plan includes a 6% increase in mental health care spending, to $17.2 billion corresponding with department leaders top stated priority of reducing veterans suicide. Health care programs specific to women veterans, another administration focus, would increase by 11% to $1.1 billion.

Caregivers support programs would see almost a 21% increase, to $2.9 billion. White House budget documents said the move recognizes the critical role family caregivers play in supporting the health and wellness of veterans.

White House officials are asking for $2.8 billion in major and minor construction funding  an increase of almost 65% from fiscal 2024  to cover a host of medical center projects across the country. That includes money to build a new critical care center in West Los Angeles and a gravesite expansion at Fort Logan in Colorado.

Homeless prevention programs would see a 3% increase, to $3.2 billion, under the presidents proposal. Information technology investments would drop by 3%, to roughly $6.2 billion, reflecting reduced spending on the departments stalled electronic health records modernization project.

The budget request now heads to Congress, where it will receive significant scrutiny over the next seven months. If lawmakers cannot pass a full-year budget for federal agencies by Oct. 1, the impasse would prompt a partial government shutdown.

However, most VA programs have been insulated from those funding threats in recent years because lawmakers approve advance appropriations for the department with each new budget deal. In the appropriations plan approved late last week, Congress already signed off on $308 billion in VA spending for fiscal 2025, to ensure benefits delivery and health care operations are not disrupted.
Vice President Kamala Harris will make her third trip to Minnesota with a stop in the Twin Cities on Thursday, the White House announced Sunday night.

Harris has been traveling across the country since January and will come to metro area as part of her "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour, the White House announcement said.

The specific details surrounding her visit have not been released.

Harris launched her tour in January in Wisconsin as part of a series of events to speak out against abortion bans following the Supreme Court decision to strike down Roe v Wade.

"I will continue to fight for our fundamental freedoms while bringing together those throughout America who agree that every woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body  not the government," Harris said in a statement at the time.

Harris last visited Minnesota last year when she toured a bus manufacturing plant in St. Cloud.
Former President Donald Trump faced fierce criticism for mocking President Joe Biden over his stutter.

Presumptive GOP nominee Trump fumed at what he described as Bidens angry, dark, hate-filled State of the Union address during a campaign rally in Rome, Georgia, on Saturday.

Four-times-indicted Trump said: Bring the country t-t-t-t-together? Im going to bring it together. No. No. Hes a threat to democracy. I will tell you. Hes a threat to democracy.

Critics on X (formerly Twitter) slammed Trumps taunting of Biden, who has worked to overcome his lifelong speech impediment. They also ripped the laughing response of Trumps supporters, who lapped the comment up.

The MeidasTouch Network drew a sharp comparison between Trumps attack and Bidens empathy for fellow stutterers, such as the now-viral moment he bonded with then-13-year-old Brayden Harrington and later helped him tackle his stutter. Watch the video here:

This tells you everything you need to know about these two individuals. pic.twitter.com/ebZ1ornWaQ  MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) March 10, 2024

Its not the first time Trump or his allies have mocked Biden over his stutter.

In 2020, Trumps daughter-in-law Lara Trump (and now the newly installed co-chair of the Republican National Committee) insisted she wasnt referring to Bidens stutter when she said of the then-Democratic hopeful: Im supposed to want him to fail at every turn, but every time he comes on stage or they turn to him, Im like, Joe, can you get it out? Lets get the words out, Joe. You kinda feel bad for him. The problem is thats their front-runner, guys, OK?

Former Trump White House press secretary-turned-Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) apologized and deleted her post after Biden himself called her out for writing: I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I hhhave absolutely no idea what Biden is talking about.

As a speech therapist (and frankly, as just a decent human being) this makes me sick.  Caroline Jones  (@bspiderstudio) March 9, 2024

Theres no bottom.  Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) March 10, 2024

Donald Trump is not just the most despicable person to ever be President, he is one of the most despicable people to ever be an American. #Classy  Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) March 9, 2024

He continues to show us who he is. And this is why I judge those who vote for him.   Mitch (@MicheleCarnahan) March 9, 2024

I'm appalled at Trump mocking Biden's stutter, and by those who found it hilarious, I spent 2 years unable to speak coherently due to radiation, it was the most profoundly humiliating experience , I fought so hard to get my speech back, the cruelty of this man knows no bounds.  Elizabeth West (@Limeylizzie) March 10, 2024

Whos more fucking disgusting, #Trump for making fun of people who stutter or the cultists laughing with him over it pic.twitter.com/m8teSTnE9i  Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) March 9, 2024

Watching Trump make fun of Biden's stutter has my fucking blood boiling. You have to be a sad fucking person to mock people with disabilities.  Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) March 10, 2024

Tonight Donald Trump mocked President Biden for his stutter.



Unlike Trump, Joe Biden lifts people up and leads with kindness pic.twitter.com/beelqKdzkj  Luke Beasley (@lukepbeasley) March 10, 2024

Trump is making fun of Bidens stutter.

10% of kids stutter. Biden has helped kids who stutter. Trump is pointing and laughing at those kids--YOUR kids--because he's just a vile, vicious bully. pic.twitter.com/padTuFtD1C  Victoria Brownworth (@VABVOX) March 10, 2024

Trump is a horrible, horrible person. He just mocked Joe Bidens lifelong stutter. Remember when he mocked a reporters disability? How anyone supports this disgusting monster is beyond me. They need to look within. pic.twitter.com/Ju61sYLk6l  Mike Sington (@MikeSington) March 10, 2024

He will make fun of anyone and anything. You can disagree with Bidens politics, his potential ability as Pres. for another 4 years, but his stutter??? Thats cruel and not surprising from Trump. He doesnt care about decency or mocking someone. If you laughed, look in the mirror https://t.co/zQ0j3sRXmw  Chad Hartman (@ChadHartmanShow) March 10, 2024

Related...
(Bloomberg) -- Abu Dhabi is setting up a technology investment firm targeting deals in artificial intelligence and semiconductors that could surpass $100 billion in assets under management in a few years, according to people familiar with the matter.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The company, called MGX, will count sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Co. and AI firm G42 as founding partners. Ahmed Yahia Al Idrissi, whos chief executive officer of Mubadalas direct investments platform, will serve as the new entitys CEO, according to a statement.

Mubadala and G42s portfolios will for now remain as they are, with MGX pursuing its own deals initially funded by Abu Dhabis government, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the matter is private. The entity will pursue the best partners across its three main verticals  AI infrastructure, semiconductors as well as AI core technologies and applications, they said.

The decision to set up MGX adds to the United Arab Emirates growing push into the sector. The Gulf country, of which Abu Dhabi is the capital, aims to become a global leader in testing and regulating AI technology, officials have said.

Read More: OpenAIs Altman Sees UAE as Worlds AI Regulatory Testing Ground

MGX will be chaired by UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with Mubadala CEO Khaldoon Al Mubarak acting as its vice chairman. Board members include UAE Central Bank Vice Chairman Jassem Al Zaabi, G42 CEO Peng Xiao and Al Idrissi.

Abu Dhabi Wealth Funds

The firm joins a constellation of wealth funds in Abu Dhabi, one of the few cities globally to manage about $1.5 trillion in sovereign wealth. Mubadala, with assets of $276 billion, is one of the emirates three state-backed investors.

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With the launch of MGX, we are entering a new era where Abu Dhabi is not only a global technology leader, but also shaping the AI roadmap of the world, Xiao said. Mubadala declined to comment.

G42, part of a $1.5 trillion empire controlled by Sheikh Tahnoon, has been at the forefront of the countrys AI efforts. Its partnerships include one with OpenAI, which is teaming up with the Gulf firm as part of an expansion within the UAE and the broader region. OpenAI has held discussions with G42 to raise funding for a new chip venture, Bloomberg reported last year.

Read More: Gulf Royals $1.5 Trillion Empire Draws Bankers and Billionaires

Its now paring back its presence in China and has pledged to invest in Western markets to assuage US concerns over ties to Beijing, CEO Xiao told Bloomberg News last month. G42 will focus on deploying capital in the US and other markets where its key AI partners operate, Xiao had said.

--With assistance from Kateryna Kadabashy.

(Updates with details on Abu Dhabis wealth funds)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Students make their way through Sproul Plaza on the UC Berkeley campus in 2022 in Berkeley. UC Berkeley leaders denounced a protest incited in February against an event organized by Jewish students that forced police to evacuate attendees and a speaker for their safety. (Eric Risberg / AP)

Federal authorities have added UC Berkeley to the growing list of colleges across the United States under investigation for alleged discrimination since the onset of the divisive Israel-Hamas war.

The investigation was launched March 5 after protesters violently shut down an event organized independently by Jewish student groups in February. A spokesman for the Education Department declined to comment further on the probe.

The federal probe is on top of an investigation by campus police, which Chancellor Carol Christ announced March 4. "We intend to gain a complete picture of what happened and hold accountable individuals or groups responsible for violations of the law and/or our policies," Christ said.

On Feb. 26, about 200 protesters gathered outside the on-campus Zellerbach Playhouse holding up signs that read, "Stop the genocide" and at times chanting, "Long live the intifida." The demonstrators targeted the event because the speaker was scheduled to be Ran Bar-Yoshafat, an Israeli attorney and former member of the Israeli military.

UC Berkeley police had to evacuate the event when the protest escalated, with demonstrators breaking open a door to the building and shattering a window.

Read more: Pro-Palestinian protesters shut down event organized by Pro-Israel student groups at UC Berkeley

The day after the protest, UC Berkeley officials issued a statement that expressed dismay about the disturbance but also talked about the university's commitment to the 1st Amendment and the principles of free expression.

The following week, Christ said that the university police department and its anti-harassment office received "reports that two of the Jewish students who organized the event, as well as some of the attendees, were subjected to overtly antisemitic expression."

Campus police are investigating these two accusations, which also included allegations of battery, as hate crimes, she said. "They are also investigating other reports of illegal conduct, including one additional allegation of physical battery upon a student. One criminal suspect has been identified to date, for trespassing."

The university is conducting interviews and reviewing video evidence.

It's also re-evaluating and modifying its security preparations in light of the current tensions over "issues that connect to the identities of many people in our campus communities," Christ said.

In her March 4 statement, Christ condemned the protest and said that what happened on Feb. 26 was not what university officials had in mind when they expressed their support for nonviolent political protest in alignment with 1st Amendment rights.

"Nor can we turn a blind eye towards the hatred and stereotyping at the heart of all forms of bias and discrimination," she said. "While hateful expression may be protected by the Constitution, we still have a responsibility to respond by working to protect and support targeted communities and by marshaling the educational resources of the university to confront the ignorance at the heart of bias."

Read more: Federal civil rights probes launched into UCLA, UC San Diego and other California campuses

Since Hamas' brutal surprise attack on Israel, the U.S. Department of Education launched civil rights investigations into several California campuses, including UCLA, UC San Diego, Stanford, San Diego and Santa Monica College. The department has declined to specify the nature of the complaints; instead, when it released its initial investigations list last November, it said the schools were under investigation for alleged "shared ancestry violations" of Title Vl of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That landmark act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, including harassment based on a person's shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics.

At the time the department said the investigations were part of "aggressive action to address the alarming nationwide rise in reports of antisemitism, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and other forms of discrimination and harassment."

UC Berkeley officials are asking anyone with information about the Feb. 26 incident to contact the campus police department by calling (510) 642-6760.

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.
Key Insights

Significantly high institutional ownership implies AEW UK REIT's stock price is sensitive to their trading actions

The top 25 shareholders own 50% of the company

Past performance of a company along with ownership data serve to give a strong idea about prospects for a business

Every investor in AEW UK REIT plc (LON:AEWU) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. With 60% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about AEW UK REIT.

View our latest analysis for AEW UK REIT

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About AEW UK REIT?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

AEW UK REIT already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of AEW UK REIT, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Hedge funds don't have many shares in AEW UK REIT. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is A J Bell Holdings Limited, Asset Management Arm with 6.1% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 4.9% and 4.5%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

Story continues

A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 25 shareholders have a combined ownership of 50% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. While there is some analyst coverage, the company is probably not widely covered. So it could gain more attention, down the track.

Insider Ownership Of AEW UK REIT

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. 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 most recent data indicates that insiders own less than 1% of AEW UK REIT plc. We do note, however, it is possible insiders have an indirect interest through a private company or other corporate structure. It has a market capitalization of just UK140m, and the board has only UK659k worth of shares in their own names. We generally like to see a board more invested. However it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying.

General Public Ownership

With a 36% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over AEW UK REIT. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand AEW UK REIT better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we've spotted with AEW UK REIT .

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The Airbus BelugaST cargo jet, seen here landing in Hamburg, Germany, on April, 17, 2018, can carry ultralarge shipments that most freighters cant handle. (Photo: Shutterstock/joerg joerns)

Airbus Beluga Transport, a new cargo airline established by the European aircraft manufacturer to carry oversize shipments, is open for business and prospecting for customers.

An ultralarge BelugaST freighter will arrive Monday afternoon at Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida with an Airbus-built Eutelsat E36D satellite, which will be trucked to the Kennedy Space Center for launch into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket later this month.

The delivery marks the inaugural North American flight of Airbus Beluga Transport following the U.S. Department of Transportations grant in January of a foreign carrier permit allowing the airline to conduct commercial charter service to, from or within the United States.

But this is no ordinary freighter aircraft. It resembles a beluga whale, a species with a distinctive white color and a prominent forehead found in Arctic coastal waters. The design is based on an A300 widebody jet that Airbus (CXE: AIR) adapted by lowering the cockpit and adding a bulbous fuselage shell to accommodate large aircraft sections so they could be moved from factories to assembly plants in Europe by its in-house airline.





Airbus two years ago decided to replace the BelugaST with a larger XL version and establish a stand-alone airline with its own operating certificate and pilots who could offer dedicated transport services to external shippers with unique loads that dont easily fit in traditional cargo jets. After occasionally renting out the supersize freighter on a trial basis, Airbus is now entering an airfreight niche that management says is underserved.

With the largest cross section of any transport aircraft in the world  50% higher and 10% wider than market alternatives such as the Antonov An-124 or Boeing 747-8  the Beluga is well suited for nonstandard shipments.

We strongly believe there is a big need in the market. There is not enough capacity, Benoit Lemonnier, managing director of Airbus Beluga Transport (AiBT), said Friday in a phone interview from the companys headquarters in Toulouse, France. Even if we cannot address the whole market due to the weight limitations, we are totally convinced that there is an opportunity to fill the capacity of these four aircraft over time.

Story continues

Airbus test loads a helicopter on a BelugaST transporter. (Photo: Airbus)

The Airbus subsidiary is currently allowed to fly in Europe, the U.S. and certain countries that dont require their own certifications.





AiBT has four Beluga STs. Three are in service and a fourth is held as a spare. The fifth aircraft, phased out of Airbus in-house airline, has been grounded since the beginning of COVID and wont be reactivated unless there is enough business.

A key factor in AiBTs favor is the drop in heavy-lift capacity resulting from Western sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, which cut off Russian carrier Volga-Dnepr and its fleet of Antonov An-124 and Ilyushin-76 mega freighters from a large portion of the global market.

Other aircraft competitors to the Beluga include military cargo jets such as the U.S.-built C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster, which in some circumstances are used for commercial missions.

AiBT still has a long way to go building up a client base because Airbus and other parties must qualify each type of unique load for carriage by the Beluga ST.

So far, the catalog of products eligible for transport includes certain types of satellites housed in special containers and some Airbus helicopters. Lemonnier told FreightWaves that AiBT is working with Boeing and Sikorsky Aircraft for certification to carry their large helicopters, such as the Chinook. The airline expects to gain approval soon to carry aircraft engines, which require the development of jigs to safely hold them in place. Other potential business opportunities could come from the oil and gas industry, unmanned aerial vehicles and small electric aircraft, and humanitarian aid organizations.

In addition to meeting customers requirements for safe carriage of sensitive equipment, Airbus aircraft design office must approve different types of payloads to make sure lashing systems and other systems will hold large shipments in place.

Technicians load a container holding a Eutelstat satellite onto an Airbus Beluga Transport freighter for delivery to Florida. (Photo: Airbus)

The Belugas massive girth is an advantage for helicopter shippers because the tail rotor, and sometimes the main rotor, dont need to be dismantled and reassembled on arrival, which can save many days of work, said Lemonnier.

While the Beluga ST can accommodate oversize loads, its not as versatile as the Antonov or 747 because it cant carry as much weight and needs special loading equipment. With a maximum payload of 44 tons, it isnt able, for example, to transport tanks, generators or other heavy industrial machinery, which can easily be rolled onto other freighters with ramps.





The loader is basically scaffolding with a built-in rail system that allows the plane to be loaded from a high point, above the cockpit. The platform can be assembled and taken apart in one day, put in containers, and transported to another point. And the loading process is cumbersome. It takes several hours to position the platform in front of the aircraft, connect it with the aircraft handling system and load/unload shipments, with the assistance of a crane.

Shipments up to 22 tons allow the Beluga to carry an onboard loader, which speeds up loading and off loading. The trade-off is that the superfreighter can carry one helicopter instead of two if an onboard loader is part of the payload. AiBT hopes to get the portable system certified this summer.

Meanwhile, Lemonnier said Airbus is testing an alternative solution with lifting capability in the platform.

We need to have a portfolio of solutions adapted to the need, the airline chief said. If its an urgent mission, we will use an onboard cargo loader. If we need to densify and fill the Beluga, we will use a fixed platform. And if its someplace we go to regularly, we could leave the platform permanently assembled.

AiBT opted to use Orlando Sanford airport instead of flying directly to Cape Canaveral because of the convenient parking and lack of time constraints so that the unloading wont be rushed, said Lemonnier. Orlando Sanford is a former U.S. naval air station and has a long runway.

Preparation and pilot training

Ramping up operations has been a major undertaking that has taken longer than expected. Before European and U.S. authorities signed off on operating certificates, AiBT had to write and submit voluminous operating manuals demonstrating the procedures in place for flight safety, flight operations, ground operations, technical controls and crew training. And the fleet registration also had to be transferred from the Airbus transport organization to AiBT.

To date, AiBT has hired about 60 people for various roles and operates from a base at Francazal airport near Toulouse, according to the company. It started with short-haul flights within Europe late last year under contract with Airbus to test internal procedures and train everyone, especially since planning and executing several flights per week takes more capability than operating random flights.

AiBT last May hired Olivier Schneider, a former captain and instructor with Air France Group who headed flight operations at one of the groups regional airline subsidiaries, to head its flight operations.

AiBT also has extra challenges building up its pool of pilots because flying the BelugaST is different from many other freighter aircraft. The independent airline is borrowing a dozen crew members from Airbus internal fleet for up to three years while it strives to hire about 36 permanent aviators and gets them type-rated. Lemonnier said AiBT is recruiting pilots experienced in steering conventional aircraft versus modern aircraft with fly-by-wire controls in which electronic signals are sent by computer from the flight control system to the elevators, rudders and ailerons instead of being controlled by mechanical means.

Pretty cool and rare sight at YYT this afternoon. #airbusbeluga pic.twitter.com/2h3MAVI7kf  Tony Woolridge (@TonyRWoolridge) March 10, 2024

We are looking for pilots of 747 or A300 or even sometimes 737 who like to feel the wheel, said Lemmonier. The A300/A310 family shares the same cockpit as the Beluga, but the training path to become a first officer and then be promoted to captain is extensive.

One notable difference, according to an Airbus blog post, is that crews will have to fly several legs to reach long-haul destinations. The Beluga fleet was built for Airbus European network, where flight sectors are about four hours maximum. Meanwhile, freighter pilots are used to flying between continents in eight to 13 hours without interruption. But a Beluga trip from Europe to Singapore, for example, will require four stops and take two days. The freighter arriving on Monday in Orlando made stops at Terceira Island in the Atlantic, stopped at St. Johns International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada.

Pilots will also need to fly some missions at 20,000 feet and Mach 0.7 speed, versus the typical cruising altitude of 35,000 feet and Mach 0.8 of traditional freighters. Thats because certain payloads, especially helicopters, arent usually certified for exposure to altitudes of more than 20,000 feet and the Belugas cargo hold isnt pressurized. The AiBT fleet can cruise at higher altitudes when carrying a space satellite since spacecraft are built to operate in the vacuum of space. At lower altitudes, pilots will experience different weather conditions than they would encounter higher up.

As a startup airline with limited business, AiBT pays pilots a differential to make up for reduced flight hours.

Planned upgrades for the BelugaST fleet include a new flight management system with a global navigation database, an onboard heater to protect sensitive cargo from rapid temperature changes and related condensation during ascent and descent, and a Class-E fire suppression system for the cargo hold that will increase the ability to carry items such as lithium ion batteries. Installation of the fire suppression system will be done by the end of the year, Airbus spokesperson Katharina Wambach said.

(Correction: Managing Director Benoit Lemonniers name was misspelled in a previous version of this story.)

Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.

Twitter: @ericreports / LinkedIn: Eric Kulisch / ekulisch@freightwaves.com

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Airbus markets specialized Beluga superfreighter to outsiders

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United Airlines reached a historic milestone with an all-women flight crew to celebrate Womens History Month.

According to ABC 7, the flight crew departed from Newark Airport, bound for Sarasota Bradenton International Airport in Florida.

Gabrielle Harding, one of two Black women working as line check pilots at United, was scheduled as captain of staffing flight 1215 from EWR to SRQ. Harding is the second Black woman in her position in the companys history.

I love everything about flying, Harding told ABC 7. It gives me the flexibility to be a mother as well as to be able to travel different places. I love every aspect of the job.

Captain Harding has had many firsts throughout her aviation career. She is the only Black woman flying a commercial airline who graduated from an HBCU pilot program, per ABC 7.

She is also a member of the Hampton 6, a cohort of Hampton graduates who are now captains at United Airlines, where she stands out as the sole woman among them.

Accompanying Harding in the cockpit is First Officer Julia Ewalefo, who flew her first flight with United following her career transition from a flight attendant.

For the girls and the future generations, just knowing that its possible for us, and just to be inspired in knowing that anything you want to do, just put your mind to it, Ewalefo said.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, fewer than 10% of all licensed pilots are women. While there are challenges along the way, Harding aims to pave the way for Ewalefo and other women with aspirations of becoming pilots.

Theres always going to be a little bit of negative feedback that comes with it, Harding explained to WABC. Thats what fuels the soul, and thats what makes you keeps on pushing.

She continued, Also, that was one of the things that made me want to become a line check pilot, so that I could help people like Julia get through those barriers so that they dont have to go through some of the pushback that I had to go through.
The Real Rosewood Foundation Inc. honored eight women who are living the lives a survivor of the Rosewood massacre of 1923 could not live.

The foundation honored the women during the Mahulda Gussie Brown Carrier Influential Women Award Celebration held Saturday at the UF Hilton Hotel at 1714 SW 34th St.

The award ceremony was created to honor Carrier, Jenkins aunt, who taught school in the cities of Meredith (1910-1915) and Rosewood (1915-1923), both in Levy County.

The reason I keep this going is to make sure our history is shared and preserved, Jenkins said. I never talked about her influence, and I wanted to bring women forward that she would have been like.

She first heard about the Rosewood massacre when she was five years old from her mother, Jenkins said.

Rosewood massacre: Keeping memories of the Rosewood massacre alive

I knew it was serious because of the expression on her face, she said. Somehow that story was attached to me.

The women honored during the ceremony were Alachua County School Board member Tina Certain, former Levy County Deputy Clerk Toni C. Collins, District 1 Gainesville City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker, Green Family Foundation President Kimberly Green, 220 Plus non-profit co-founder and Amigos Con Meldon founder Patricia Meldon, Caring and Sharing Learning School co-founder Verna Johnson, Ilene Silverman, vice-president of Budd Broadcasting Co. and executive producer and host of The Ilene Silverman Show and local Realtor Duarine Wehbe.

Remembering Rosewood: Remembering Rosewood: Descendants mark racial violence that razed Florida town 100 years ago

Carrier was born on May 5, 1894, in Archer, and graduated from all-Black Union Academy in Gainesville before going on to graduate from Florida Memorial College, a HBCU located in St. Augustine at the time, in 1910. FMC, now known as Florida Memorial University, is now located in Miami Gardens, Jenkins said in a video presentation during the ceremony.

Carrier spent the remainder of her life running from the Ku Klux Klan after the massacre that took place on Jan. 1, 1923, in Rosewood, a once thriving community along State Road 24, a few miles northeast of Cedar Key in Levy County.

Pictured here are the honorees of the Mahulda Gussie Brown Carrier Influential Women Award presented during a ceremony Saturday at the UF Hilton Hotel and Conference Center. From left are Verna Johnson, Ilene Silverman, Tina Certain, Amigos Con Meldon, Duarine Wehbe, Kimberly Greene, The Real Rosewood Foundation founder Lizzie Jenkins, who organized the event, and Toni C. Collins. (Credit: Photo by Voleer Thomas, Correspondent)

The massacre occurred after Fannie Coleman Taylor, a married white woman and homemaker of Sumner, a town nearby Rosewood, claimed a Black man assaulted her. For three days, the frenzied mob continued their hunt in Rosewood for any living being, killing, raping, pillaging and burning the town to the ground.

Its not an easy story to tell, Jenkins said. I know people dont like me to share it, but history is not going anywhere. History is who we are.

Bishop Leo Robinson of Power House Worship Center said a prayer after thanking his aunt, Lizzie Jenkins, for preserving Rosewoods history.

Aunty Lizzie is a non-stop trooper, Robinson said. Its amazing to see the work shes doing and her ability to bring the people together.

Jenkins recognized Rosewoods White visiting descendants Leigh Williams Walker Kitchens, former Levy County Sheriff Bob Walkers granddaughter; Shareen Burch, Mary Hall Wrights great niece and Moseley Ruark, former Florida Governor Cary Hardees great granddaughter.

I pray that we stand together and fight for justice and equality for all, Ruark said. My hope is that we dont repeat the same things in the past.

Silverman gave brief remarks speaking on behalf of all of the honorees.

I am honored to be among these talented women, Silverman said. Lizzie told me, I have selected all of you to represent my aunt tonight. She didnt get to be the woman she was meant to become. I am glad to help others in memory of Mahulda Gussie Brown Carrier and Lizzie Robinson Jenkins.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Rosewood foundation honors women of distinction at Gainesville ceremony
During the month of March, in recognition of Women's History Month, Native News Online will feature various Native American women who have contributed to the betterment of Indian Country.



Ingrid Washinawatok (July 31, 1957  February 22, 1999)

Ingrid Washinawatok, which translates to Flying Eagle Woman, left a mark on the world through her unwavering commitment to her people and their struggles.

Born in 1957, Washinawatok was a member of the Menominee Nation of Wisconsin. She grew up on the Menominee reservation during the era of Indian termination and witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of federal policies on Native communities.

The termination policy, which aimed to dissolve tribal nations and strip Indigenous peoples of their sovereignty, left a deep scar on tribal communities like the Menominee, putting them into poverty and social upheaval. During this time, Washinawatoks activism was ignited.

During her high school years, Washinawatok became actively involved in the Menominee Nations restoration efforts, rallying support from tribal nations and advocacy groups to repeal termination and reinstate federal recognition for affected nations.

Washinawatoks advocacy spanned various fronts, from education to environmental protection and Indigenous sovereignty. She believed in the power of education to uplift Indigenous communities and worked tirelessly to ensure that Indigenous youth had access to quality education that honored their cultural identity and history.

Washinawatoks contributions to Indigenous education were significant. She co-founded the Waswagoning (Lac du Flambeau) Ojibwe Language Immersion School in Wisconsin, which aimed to revitalize the Ojibwe language and culture among younger generations. Through her efforts, Washinawatok sought to combat the erosion of Indigenous languages and promote cultural revitalization.

Beyond education, Washinawatok was an advocate for Indigenous land rights and environmental conservation. She understood the intimate connection between Indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands, recognizing that the preservation of these lands was crucial for both cultural survival and environmental sustainability. Her work highlighted the importance of Indigenous knowledge and practices in stewarding the Earth.

Tragically, Washinawatoks life was cut short in 1999 when she was abducted and murdered by armed militants while working on a humanitarian mission in Colombia. Her untimely death sent shockwaves through the Indigenous rights community, underscoring the risks and dangers faced by activists working on the frontlines of social justice.

Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and the causes she championed. Her bravery, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice continue to inspire indigenous activists and advocates around the world. Despite the challenges and obstacles she faced, Washinawatok remained steadfast in her pursuit of a better future for indigenous peoples everywhere.

About the Author: "Kaili Berg (Aleut) is a member of the Alutiiq\/Sugpiaq Nation, and a shareholder of Koniag, Inc. She is a staff reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Berg, who is based in Wisconsin, previously reported for the Ho-Chunk Nation newspaper, Hocak Worak. She went to school originally for nursing, but changed her major after finding her passion in communications at Western Technical College in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. "

Contact: kberg@indiancountrymedia.com
Annalena Baerbock, the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, has noted that she "does not understand" what the Pope really meant when he said that Ukraine should have the "courage [to raise] the white flag" and engage in negotiations in a recent statement.

Source: European Pravda, citing Tagesschau

Quote from Baerbock: "I really wonder what he was thinking. I don't understand."

Details: Talking about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Baerbock noted that some things can only be understood when viewed firsthand.

"I ask myself: where is the Pope? The Pope should know about these things," she added.

The minister emphasised that the entire world must muster the courage to stand by the people of Ukraine and do everything possible to help the nation defend itself.

If there was even the slightest sign that the Russian regime was ready to commence negotiations in good faith, "then the whole world would be ready for them," Baerbock noted.

"Unfortunately, we see the opposite every day," added the German Foreign Minister.

Background:

On 9 March, Reuters reported that Pope Francis said in an interview this February that Ukraine should have what he called "the courage [to raise] 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 emphasised the Popes words that "Negotiation is never a surrender."

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.

Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba responded to the Pope, saying that the flag of Ukraine is not white, but blue and yellow.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Turkiye today, March 8. This was informed by the Office of the President of Ukraine.

According to Azernews, during the visit, the Ukraininian President will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and discuss the peace formula, peace summit, shipping in the Black Sea, food stability and the release of Ukrainian prisoners and political prisoners.

Also, special attention will be paid to general projects in the defense industry.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the shipyards where the construction of corvettes for the Ukrainian Navy is underway and will meet with representatives of Turkish defense companies, Ukraine President's Office said.
Letter to the institute's chief executive, Dr Jean Innes, and other leaders questioned their 'commitment to inclusivity'

The UKs national artificial intelligence (AI) institute has been riven by a diversity row after staff signed a letter questioning the appointment of four male senior scientists.

Employees and researchers at the Alan Turing Institute, Britains flagship data science and AI research organisation set up in 2015, questioned whether its commitment to inclusivity was being followed in its hiring process.

More than 180 people signed the letter, which was first reported by The Guardian, after four top male academics were appointed in February. The signatories said the hiring suggested a continuing trend of limited diversity within the institutes senior scientific leadership.

In the letter, addressed to chief executive Dr Jean Innes and its operations lead and chief scientist, the staff said: This is an excellent time to reflect on whether all voices are being heard and if the institutes commitment to inclusivity is being fully realised in our recruitment and decision-making practices.

The protest comes after the Government agreed to hand the institute a further 100m over the next five years for research focusing on grand challenges in the use of data and AI in healthcare, defence and sustainability.

Four new scientists, including experts from UCL and Imperial College London, were hired to help lead those efforts. All were men.

The staff who signed the letter to the Turing Institutes leadership said their intention was not to undermine the scientists credentials, but they added: Our aim is to highlight a broader issue within our institutes approach to diversity and inclusivity, particularly in scientific leadership roles, with a specific eye towards gender diversity.

Four of the 12 research programme directors at the institute are women.

Dr Innes, the chief executive of the Alan Turing Institute, said: Our appointments are made through free and fair competition and on the basis of merit. We recognise the critical importance of diverse leadership and welcome dialogue with our community about what more we can do.

Story continues

As the national institute for data science and AI we are committed to increasing the proportion of under-represented groups in these fields.

According to the institutes own research, 80pc of AI venture capital funding went to all-male led start-ups over the last decade, while just 0.3pc went to female-only founding teams.

Launched almost a decade ago under David Cameron, the research organisation is named for the mathematician famous for his work at Bletchley Park cracking German cyphers during World War II. Alan Turing, who died in 1954, designed a machine capable of deciphering Nazi Enigma messages.

Last year, the institute was criticised by figures in Britains AI sector for failing to anticipate the rise of ChatGPT. A report from the Tony Blair Institute claimed it had demonstrably not kept the UK at the cutting edge of international AI developments. It called for the institute to be wound down.

At the time, the Alan Turing Institute rejected the criticism and insisted it had been actively advising the Government on the rise of large language models, such as ChatGPT.

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An Amerijet Boeing 767 freighter is unloaded at Miami International Airport. Amerijet has 11 of the aircraft in its fleet, plus three more it flies for Maersk Air Cargo. (Photo: Eric Kulisch/FreightWaves)

Chief Commercial Officer Eric Wilson has left freighter operator Amerijet International Airlines amid shrinking cargo sales, adding to the turmoil that has engulfed the Miami-based airline for the past year.

Wilson resigned on Friday after three years to pursue other opportunities, Christine Richard, senior marketing director, confirmed in an email. But multiple sources familiar with Amerijets inner workings say Wilson was dismissed by new CEO Joe Mozzali, who is working hard to stabilize the company, when his contract expired.

Supporting the view that Wilson was pushed out is the fact that the company lost $33 million over 12 months ending with the third quarter of 2023, as reported last week by FreightWaves, and large contracts with the U.S. Postal Service and DHL. Publicly available financial data shows Amerijet revenues fell 10% during the year ending Sept. 30, but the ending of some large service contracts with two of its biggest customers since then has compounded top-line pressure. As chief commercial officer, Wilson was responsible for the sales department.

Wilson spoke with a reporter last week and gave no indication that he had tendered his resignation.





Furthermore, Wilson was hired by Tim Strauss, who abruptly left in October when his three-year contract was not renewed. Multiple sources close to the situation said Strauss did not leave voluntarily, as he and the company implied at the time. The board was unhappy about his management style and decisions to expand the fleet as the air cargo market underwent a rapid cooldown from record demand during the COVID crisis

Among the criticisms privately voiced about Strauss is that he hired several executives who had experience at passenger airlines but not running and marketing dedicated freighter operations. Wilson previously was managing director of cargo sales at Delta Air Lines.

Strauss, it should be noted, stepped into an unusual situation in which his predecessor continued to be involved in some management decisions from his role as executive chairman for safety reasons, leading Strauss to quit after one year on the job in a dispute over power before the then-board persuaded him to stay on.

Story continues

Some evaporation in business appears to be beyond Amerijets control. The Postal Service, for example, is actively working to shift as many parcels from air to ground transport as possible to save money and reduce carbon emissions.





Financial difficulties culminated in January with a rescue from a new investment group and the decision to return to lessors six Boeing 757-200 converted freighters that Strauss had acquired in the prior 18 months.

Since taking the helm, Mozzali has launched an extensive campaign to cut costs, including outsourcing next month the operations of a small road feeder terminal in Atlanta to a third party. The company has also temporarily parked some jets, deferred major maintenance on some aircraft, laid off a handful of workers and instituted a freeze on pilot hiring.

The Amerijet fleet is down to 14 cargo jets from a high of 22 in 2022. Eleven aircraft are under Amerijets control and three are owned by Maersk Air Cargo, which contracts with Amerijet for crews and other operational services.

Managements position to employees and the public is that the restructuring put Amerijet in a solid financial position that will allow it to meet customer expectations.

Richard said Amerijet will conduct an internal and external search for Wilsons replacement.

(This story was updated to reflect new information about Tim Strauss tenure.)

Click here for more FreightWaves stories by Eric Kulisch.

Sign up for the weekly American Shipper Air newsletter here.





RECOMMENDED READING:

Amerijet lost $33M in 12 months, downsizes Atlanta operation

Amerijet feels financial pinch as cargo business deteriorates

The post Amerijet Chief Commercial Officer Eric Wilson abruptly departs appeared first on FreightWaves.
Signs outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 8 made clear what that not everyone believes former President Trump should be on the ballot this fall.
Amplify Energy Corp.

HOUSTON, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amplify Energy Corp. (Amplify, the Company, us, we, or our) (NYSE: AMPY) continues to monitor the status of the oil sheen reported on March 7, 2024, off the coast of Huntington Beach, California. Amplify has the following updates to report:



Amplify remains confident that the sheen is not related to our operations. While Amplify reported a minor discharge of produced water from Platform Elly that occurred on the morning of March 8th, U.S. Coast Guard/Unified Command reported over the weekend that, the characteristics of the produced water from Platform Elly do not align with what was observed from the sheen. Currently, we do not believe the sheen and the discharge are related. The Coast Guard also noted that offshore recovery assets would be demobilized following a March 10th overflight that did not observe any sheen offshore. Amplifys Beta field operations and development program have not been disrupted.



We continue to cooperate with the Unified Command, U.S. Coast Guard and other relevant authorities and provide support in any way we can.

About Amplify Energy

Amplify Energy Corp. is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, development, exploitation and production of oil and natural gas properties. Amplifys operations are focused in Oklahoma, the Rockies (Bairoil), federal waters offshore Southern California (Beta), East Texas / North Louisiana, and the Eagle Ford (Non-op). For more information, visit www.amplifyenergy.com.

Investor Relations Contacts

Jim Frew -- SVP & Chief Financial Officer

(832) 219-9044

jim.frew@amplifyenergy.com

Michael Jordan -- Director, Finance and Treasurer

(832) 219-9051

michael.jordan@amplifyenergy.com








Today

Showers and a possible thunderstorm during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low 53F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%.

Tonight

Showers and a possible thunderstorm during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low 53F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%.

Tomorrow

Partly cloudy. High 71F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
FILE PHOTO: An AI (Artificial Intelligence) sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai

FILE PHOTO: An AI (Artificial Intelligence) sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai

By Martin Coulter

LONDON (Reuters) - An influx of artificial intelligence (AI) startups is heating up the battle for technical talent in Europe, leaving companies like Google DeepMind to choose between paying big or losing out on the region's best minds.

The runaway success of OpenAI's ChatGPT has energised investors, who have been pouring money into promising AI startups, eager to uncover the next overnight success.

Riding the investment wave, a crop of foreign AI firms - including Canada's Cohere and U.S.-based Anthropic and OpenAI - opened offices in Europe last year, adding to pressure on tech companies already trying to attract and retain talent in the region.

Founded in 2010 and acquired by Google in 2014, London-based DeepMind made its name applying AI to everything from board games to structural biology.

Now the firm faces a host of well-funded rivals flooding its territory, while a growing number of its employees have quit to launch their own ventures.

Recent high-profile exits include co-founder Mustafa Suleyman, who left to set up California-based Inflection AI alongside LinkedIn billionaire Reid Hoffman, and research scientist Arthur Mensch, now CEO of Mistral AI. Both companies have received multi-billion dollar valuations in the short time they have been active.

In an apparent effort to discourage staff from joining other companies or starting their own, DeepMind gave a handful of senior researchers access to restricted stock, worth millions of dollars, earlier this year, according to a source familiar with the matter.

"It's a competitive space for sure," a DeepMind spokesperson told Reuters, adding that the company "continues to do well in attracting and nurturing talent".

CLOSING THE GAP

According to executive search firm Avery Fairbank, there has been an "exponential increase" in pay for C-suite staff at AI companies in Britain over the last year.

"The entrance of foreign AI giants such as Anthropic and Cohere into London's market will further escalate the competition for AI talent," said Charlie Fairbank, the firm's managing director.

Story continues

Executives on base salaries of around 350,000 pounds have seen pay packets jump between 50,000 and 100,000 pounds, he said.

Cohere, which designs in-house chatbots and other tools for its customers, hired Phil Blunsom, a lead researcher at DeepMind for seven years, as its chief scientist in 2022.

Sebastian Ruder also joined Cohere from DeepMind in January.

"It's rare to find a company building a massive business from scratch, with many of the leading minds in the industry," he told Reuters. "When that kind of chance comes along, you take it."

Ruder declined to comment when asked about his salary.

Ekaterina Almasque, a general partner at venture capital firm OpenOcean, said DeepMind was no longer the "distant leader in the field".

"All these companies are competing for the same pool of talent, and with the AI skills shortage, that's increasingly more of a pond than an ocean."

Suleyman recently began recruiting London-based technical staff for Inflection AI, while Mensch's Mistral has fast become one of the buzziest startups on the continent, raising $415 million in venture funding in December.

Mistral declined to comment and Inflection did not respond to a request for comment.

MORE INFLUENCE

OpenAI opened its first international office in London last year followed swiftly by a second in Dublin - "just the first steps", said the company's Vice President of People Diane Yoon, as it plans to continue expanding into other countries.

Cohere opened its UK office last year and CEO Aidan Gomez told Reuters he is now splitting his time between his native Toronto and London, where the firm plans to double its headcount to 50.

"We go where the talent is, and there's a lot in London and across Europe," Gomez said.

The talent war means workers are increasingly well-placed to make demands of their prospective employers.

London-based AI audio firm ElevenLabs is offering new hires stock options, generous salaries and fully-remote working, although most advertised roles stipulate that employees should be based in Europe.

Having recently raised $80 million in funding from venture capital firms like a16z and Sequoia, the company told Reuters it would soon double its total headcount to 100.

Paris-based startup Bioptimus, also founded by former DeepMind staff, raised $35 million in February.

Thomas Clozel, an early investor in the company said startups were looking to recruit talent from Big Tech like Google by offering them more influence over a company's direction.

"Google is one of the best at what it does and produces some of the best talent," he said. "At a smaller startup, you have a unique opportunity to remain true to the work you are passionate about and have a stake in the success of the company."

(Reporting by Martin Coulter; Editing by Matt Scuffham, Kirsten Donovan)
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Copil in coma, dupa ce a mancat o bucata de branza infestata cu E-coli: Face 30 de crize pe zi

Un copil de doar patru ani a intrat in coma, dupa ce a mancat o bucata de branza infestata cu E-coli. Micutul este in coma deja de 7 ani, iar parintii sai au cerut retragerea imediata a marcii de [citeste mai departe]
The Szeklers, like other Hungarian communities in the Carpathian Basin, can count on the support of the Hungarian government, the state secretary for Hungarian communities abroad said, marking the Day of Szekler Freedom.

Arpad Janos Potapi said Hungarians today commemorated the Szekler martyrs who were executed in Targu Mures on March 10, 1854.



This day is a tribute to our Szekler compatriots fighting for national self-determination, Potapi said.







Szeklers demand for self-determination is not an unprecedented desire in the European Union, he said, citing the examples of the Austrians in South Tyrol and the Swedish-speaking residents of the Aland Islands in Finland.







If an ethnic community can freely practice its identity, culture and traditions, as well as operate its own institutions, not only does the given community benefit but so does the successor state too, Potapi said.







Territorial autonomy entailed protection, self-organisation and local legislation, he said, which was good for everyone and not directed against anyone.







Potapi urged as many people as possible to participate in the events commemorating the Day of Szekler Freedom, emphasising that this was a common cause of all Hungarians.







Click here to know more about Szekely Freedom Day here



MTI Photos: Gabor Kiss / Edit Katai



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The opposition Momentum partys refusal to take part in primary elections in the voting districts of Gyor, Szigetszentmiklos and Dunakeszi  where no agreement has been reached on a joint candidate  jeopardises the victory of the opposition, Laszlo Varju, an MP of the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK), told a press conference.

Varju called on Momentum not to boycott the primaries and let voters decide on the joint opposition candidates in the city and towns in question. In 2019, Fidesz was defeated in Budapest and a number of other cities precisely because the opposition fielded joints candidates everywhere, Varju said.



Meanwhile, LMP Calls for Guarantee for Hungary's GMO-Free Status

The green LMP party has submitted a political statement to parliament calling for a guarantee of Hungarys GMO-free status.



Maria Szendefy, a member of the partys national board, said genetic modification was a brutal intervention in the order of nature, the long-term effects of which were not yet known.



Genetically modified crops must not be allowed in the European Union and Hungarys GMO-free status must be guaranteed, she added.



Szendefy said her party had submitted a political statement on the issue to parliament but it was rejected by the Fidesz majority of the relevant parliamentary committee, so they were turning to the minister of agriculture, saying that Hungarys food safety and food sovereignty were at stake.



She noted that a united stance was important as the European Parliament had already approved significant exemptions in its new GMO regulation, allowing the release of such crops without a prior risk assessment, while GMO produce could be marketed without labelling or monitoring.



Kocsis: Parlt CTTEE to Investigate Momentum MP's Statement

The Fidesz parliamentary group leader has slammed Momentum MP Miklos Hajnal for lobbying in Brussels against the interests of his country and boasting about it, saying that parliaments European affairs committee should put the matter on its agenda as soon as possible and hold an extraordinary meeting.



Kocsis said on social media on Saturday that it was outrageous that Hajnal had openly and proudly attempted to prevent Hungary from receiving EU funds and to tie it up in legal procedures.



Whereas its not out of the ordinary for a Hungarian left-wing politician to lobby abroad against the interests of his country, the Momentum politicians boasts are truly outrageous, he said, adding that Hajnals actions were political and an attack on Hungarys sovereignty. He added that the opposition had been paid in dollars by foreign speculators in the past.



Fidesz MEP Tamas Deutsch earlier proposed holding an extraordinary meeting of the European affairs committee with a view to investigating political influence manoeuvres by the dollar left.



He said the Momentum board member had recently told commercial television channel ATV that party MEPs Anna Donath and Katalin Cseh had played a major role in the European Unions rule-of-law and infringement proceedings against Hungary, resulting in funds being withheld from Hungary.



Deutsch said the Momentum MEPs had betrayed their electorate and had seriously harmed millions of Hungarians.



He insisted that an elected representative must act in the interest of his country and its citizens under all circumstances.



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Serving the country and the nation is the greatest honour, President Tamas Sulyok said in his speech at his inauguration as head of state in front of Sandor Palace.

The president greeted Hungarians in the Carpathian Basic and in the wider world. I did not plan this service; I did not prepare for this task, the president said.



But if fate presents one with unexpected situations and calls one to serve, one should not shy away from it, he said.



My oath sanctifies my loyalty and commitment to my country, Sulyok said, adding he had always stood for enforcing the Fundamental Law which guaranteed the rule of law.



As president, Sulyok said, he would protect the dignity of Hungarians and follow the path of good examples paved by his predecessors while also paving my own path.



The law has been  the compass of my whole life, and I wish to work accordingly, the president said.







Sulyok said Hungary was a country with more than a thousand years of statehood, based on the principle of popular sovereignty, and the presidents task, he added, was to represent this state in his powers prescribed by the countrys Fundamental Law, adding that this law was the cornerstone, framework and standard of my work.



President Embodies Unity of the Nation



Tamas Sulyok, Hungarys new head of state, said the Fundamental Law precisely stated that the president of the republic embodied the unity of the nation and oversaw the democratic functioning of the state. This unity cannot and will not be broken he said.



Sulyok said he would not deviate from his predecessors excellent example of pursuing openness in international relations and maintaining close ties with the Hungarian diaspora.



Hungarys president, he emphasised, was not only responsible for compatriots in the homeland and beyond the border in a spiritual sense but also as a matter of public law. The president also said he considered the lives of Transcarpathian Hungarians in war-torn Ukraine with particular concern.





Sulyok said he considered it natural to support people in freely living according to their national and cultural identity.



Further, he highlighted the importance of pursuing good relations with neighbouring countries and close cooperation with Visegrad countries.



As between nations, mutual respect is also the standard between people, Sulyok said, adding that he and his wife would always stand with those who needed him most: those in need, the downtrodden and those fallen on hard times.



Christian culture, faith and values are inseparable from us; they are the basis of our thousand-year-old statehood, an integral part of our past and the factor that determines our present, Sulyok said.







As Hungarians, we have merged with the fate of Europe, enriching it with our uniqueness, he said, adding that as Hungarians, we can strengthen the continent.



The president said Europes future hinged not only on us but on each and every European nation and member of the community. This, he said, presented a difficult task ahead. He said this is why it was vitally important that, amid such uncertainty, Hungarians, at least, had a sure footing.



Our first and most sacred duty is to use all our strength and talent to ensure that Hungary remains Hungary and that its independence is maintained intact, Sulyok said.



The fulfilment of a good life, security, order, justice and freedom are possible if the citizens and the state have a common goal, Sulyok said. You cannot go against the will of the people; the state must serve its citizens.



Yet the state does not function flawlessly, he said, adding that it was the task of the remedial legal system, the courts and the Constitutional Court to eliminate any errors made.







Public trust must be the binding material of 21st century Hungary, President Sulyok said. Our democratic state cannot be conceived without it, he said. Without trust there can be no functioning state, economy or legal system, he added.



Without honesty, there is no trust, and honesty can be shown in the existence of a dialogue, he said, pledging to strive to strengthen mutual understanding instead of suspicion, to ensure respect instead of insults.



The inauguration ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his wife, Speaker of Parliament Laszlo Kover and his wife, Deputy Prime Minister Laszlo Semjen, former presidents Janos Ader and Pal Schmitt, Interior Minister Sandor Pinter, Chief Prosecutor Peter Polt and Minister of Defence Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, among others.



MTI Photos: Szilard Koszticsak / Levente Illyes



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No one is better, smarter or a better leader than Viktor Orban, former US President Donald Trump has said.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban published the video of Trumps remarks on his Facebook page on Saturday, together with a comment: Thank you, Mr President!



Orban met Trump on Friday in the former presidents Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Talks were followed by a dinner and concert. In the video recorded at the concert, Trump said: No one is better, smarter or a better leader than Viktor Orban. Hes fantastic.



Hes a non-controversial figure because he says: This is the way its gonna be, and thats the end of it. Right? Hes the boss. No, hes a great leader.



Viktor is a Great Leader, respected all over the World, Trump said in a post on his messaging platform.



Political Director: Hungary 'Has Many Friends in US'



Hungary has many friends in the United States, Balazs Orban, the prime ministers political director, said in an interview to public radio on Sunday, in connection with Viktor Orbans meeting with Donald Trump in the former US presidents residence Mar-a-Lago, in Florida.



He said it was an honour for the Hungarian delegation to be hosted by the Republican Partys presidential candidate in his own home. Peace had endured in many parts of the world while Trump was president, including in the Middle East and Ukraine, he said.



Hungary wants a ceasefire and peace talks, the political director said, adding that President Bidens liberal US administration thinks differently. He added that the world and Europe would be best served if Trump returned to the White House and then established peace.



US-Russia talks could end the war with the involvement of Europe and the Ukrainians as well as possible third parties. But Americas stance on the matter is decisive, he said.



Trump, he said, had warned about the mounting danger of nuclear confrontation, insisting that the US should try to do something radically different.



Orban said a ceasefire would open up an opportunity to resolve the security relationship between the West, NATO and Russia in the long run. While not easy, the sooner we start, the more lives we can save, he said.



The political director said the Biden administration had shown Hungary ideological hostility, even though Hungary was a good NATO ally which spent well above 2% of GDP on defence policy and contributed to numerous alliance missions.



He insisted that circles connected to the Democrats finance the Hungarian left, adding that Bidens administration was on the wrong side of the Hungarian government and Hungarian peoples opinion.



Many Republicans, on the other hand, saw Hungary as a model and an important European ally, he said. Europe, Orban said, should be an interlocutor to both the current and future leaders of the United States.



Western politicians, encouraged by Donald Trumps stance, were increasingly speaking in favour of peace, and this was in the interest of all Hungarians, he said.



Orban: Trump 'Is Name of Peace'



After meeting the former president of the United States, Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared Donald Trump the president of peace who commanded respect around the world and established conditions for peace.



Peace endured in the Middle East in Ukraine while Trump was president, Orban said in video released to MTI on Saturday.



If he were still the president of the United States, there would be no war today, he said, adding that peace would emerge when world leaders were around who wanted peace. Im proud that Hungary is among such countries.



The prime minister said opportunities abounded in US-Hungary economic relations, and while trade turnover has topped 9 billion US dollars, we dont want to stop there. He said when Trump returns to the White House, well reinvigorate US-Hungarian trade ties.



Orban noted that the election campaign in America was going full steam ahead, and it was up to Americans to come to their own decision, though Hungarians could honestly admit that it would be better for the world and Hungary if President Donald Trump were to return.



Szijjarto: 'Trump As Strong US President Would Guarantee Stability of Global Security'



Having a strong president in the White House always ensures a form of stability for global security, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Friday ahead of Prime Minister Viktor Orbans meeting with Donald Trump in Florida, adding that if Trump returned, the United States could again be led by a strong president.



Szijjarto said that the substantial lead Trump established in the Republican primaries this week practically guaranteed his nomination for the November election.



So we can say that our prime minister will soon be meeting the Republican challenger [to the Democratic presidential candidate], he said.



Szijjarto said he was convinced that had Donald Trump been elected US president in 2020, the war in Ukraine would not have happened, and the conflict in the Middle East could be resolved much faster.



He underscored that Hungary-US relations were at their peak when Trump was the president of the United States.



Meanwhile, Szijjarto said he looked forward to talks on boosting bilateral economic ties, underlining the importance of cooperation with Florida.



He said he was scheduled to meet the head of the recently established Hungarian Chamber of Business and Commerce in Florida as well as representatives of electronics maker Jabil, which employs 4,000 people in Hungary.



Other Florida-based businesses also have significant investments in Hungary, he said, adding that the Hungarian Chamber of Business and Commerce could be of help to the several Hungarian companies interested in entering the Florida market.



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Understanding Autoliv Inc's Upcoming Dividend in Light of Its Financial Health

Autoliv Inc (NYSE:ALV) recently announced a dividend of $0.68 per share, payable on 2024-03-27, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-03-11. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Autoliv Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Autoliv Inc Do?

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Autoliv is the global leader in passive safety components and systems for the auto industry. Products include seat belts, frontal air bags, side-impact air bags, air bag inflators, and steering wheels. The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance is the company's largest customer at 10% of 2023 revenue, with Stellantis accounting for 10% and Volkswagen 9%. At 34% of 2023 revenue, the Americas was Autoliv's largest geographic region, followed by Europe at 27%, China at 20%, and rest of world at 19%.

Autoliv Inc's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Autoliv Inc's Dividend History

Autoliv Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1997, with dividends currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Breaking Down Autoliv Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Autoliv Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.27% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 2.32%, suggesting an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, Autoliv Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 62.50%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 4.70% per year. And over the past decade, Autoliv Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at -0.80%.

Story continues

Based on Autoliv Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Autoliv Inc stock as of today is approximately 2.86%.

Autoliv Inc's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. As of 2023-12-31, Autoliv Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.32, suggesting a sustainable payout.

Autoliv Inc's profitability rank of 7 out of 10 as of 2023-12-31, indicates good profitability prospects, supported by a decade of positive net income.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

Autoliv Inc's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests a solid growth trajectory. Its revenue per share and 3-year revenue growth rate of approximately 13.00% per year outperform about 67.77% of global competitors.

Autoliv Inc's 3-year EPS growth rate at an average of 37.50% per year outperforms approximately 76.98% of global competitors. Additionally, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 1.70% outperforms about 44.89% of global competitors.

Next Steps

In conclusion, Autoliv Inc's upcoming dividend, alongside its historical dividend growth, moderate payout ratio, and strong profitability, present an attractive profile for value investors. The company's robust growth metrics further reinforce confidence in the sustainability of its dividends. Investors seeking to diversify their portfolios with dividend-yielding stocks may find Autoliv Inc to be a compelling option. As always, it is recommended to perform individual due diligence before making investment decisions. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


The following questions were asked recently on the Wonderline:

Q. Whats going on out at the Waco interchange? Theres a new building out there, is it a restaurant? Is it open?

A. The Wonderline is guessing the reader is wondering about the truck stop located at the Waco interchange. The truck stop is called Akal Travel Center and according to the manager, Bernie, it was purchased by the current owners about 5 years ago.

The new building the reader is asking about is the old Grants Restaurant that has been completely refurbished and is now the brand new convenience store which, according to Bernie, is much bigger and way nicer.

The travel center moved into its new digs on New Years Eve and have been open 24/7 ever since. Bernie stated that they would also be getting all new gas pumps in the near future. As of now the owner is unsure of what will happen with the old convenience store building but is hoping to refurbish it in some way.

Q. Im dreading Daylight Savings Time tonight. Who came up with that dumb idea anyway?

A. Well, most people would have you believe it was your next door neighbor Mr. Farmer who suggested the practice in order to get an extra hour of daylight to be in the fields, but the opposite is actually true.

According to A 2023 article written by Lizz Schumer for Good Houskeeping, Germany became the first country to implement Daylight Saving Time in May of 1916, as a way to conserve fuel during World War I. Then came the rumors about our friendly neighborhood farmer insisting on the change. But according to Michael Downing, author of Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time, farmers actually lobbied vocally against the practice. It caused them to lose an extra hour of light in the morning, meaning they had to rush their crops to market. And for dairy farmers, the time change throws off the cows, too. Because farmers so loudly opposed the shift, they became associated with it in the public memory, but over time, our memory of their collective position totally changed.

President Woodrow Wilson wanted to keep Daylight Saving Time after the first world war ended, arguing the extra light would help conserve energy. But those same farmers gave a resounding please no, and he abolished it as a result. When World War II began, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt re-established DST, this time dubbing the change War Time.

But when the war ended, the time change stuck. But because there werent yet any national regulations, each municipality could set their own rules. That led to a chaotic free-for-all and the Wonderline assumes a lot of missed appointments. Thats why Congress passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966, requiring all states that observed it to synchronize their watches, as it were. States can opt out, and some do: According to the Department of Transportation, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and most of Arizona dont recognize DST.

But to answer your original question, believe it or not, we have Benjamin Franklin to blame. Yes, the founding father famous for that whole flying-a-kite-in-a-lightning-storm incident is the one who came up with the idea of resetting our clocks in order to conserve energy. So thanks a lot Ben.

Q. I was at Mahoney State Park for a family gathering a while back and noticed that once again there is no restaurant at the main lodge. I thought the restaurant was supposed to be open again.

A. Finding a restaurant at Mahoney State Park near Ashland has been a bit hit or miss over the last few years. But.... according to Nebraska Game and Parks food and beverage service will be returning to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park later this month when Carls at Mahoney opens within Peter Kiewit Lodge.

Service will begin March 15-17 with a convenient Grab and Go format, where guests can purchase a variety of to-go food and drink items.

Carls also will host a St. Patricks Day Buffet featuring corned beef from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 17. It is the first of the weekly Sunday brunch buffets. The buffet will be $21.99 for adults and includes a drink and dessert; kids buffet is just $9.99.

A bar featuring local beers, cider and wine, and classic drinks also will open starting March 15. Hours are noon to 5 p.m., or by appointment, on Fridays and Saturdays. The bar will offer beer and wine from 10 a.m. to noon and will be full service from noon to 2 p.m. or by appointment on Sundays.

Grab and Go will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays for the immediate future. Offerings will include items such as hot and cold drinks, rolls, donuts, pizza, fruit, salad, wine, beer, chicken strips, and hot and cold sandwiches.

The business will continue opening in phases and expects to expand the Grab and Go section to seven days a week by peak park visitation season. It also will offer table service, with appetizers, entrees and desserts, and catering for events.

Carls is owned and operated by Carl and Diane Kucera, of Litchfield. The Kuceras are well-known for their catering business, Country Catering, which they have operated for 25 years, and for Carls Tavern in Ord, which opened in 2021. Carls at Mahoney will build upon those successes.

Nebraska State Parks is very excited to collaborate with the Kuceras and Carls at Mahoney to provide great dining options for our park guests, said Jeff Fields, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission parks division administrator. The Kuceras have a great reputation for making delicious American-style food and are committed to providing great food and excellent service to the growing operation at the park.

A vehicle park entry permit will be required to enter Mahoney State Park. Buy one in advance of your dinner out at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Q. My family and I recently saw Shrek: The Musical at the Leid Center and were wondering how many other musicals have been made from movies?

A. Actually, some of Broadways most popular musicals share a common theme: Theyre based on films. Whether based on a blockbuster hit or an independent film, Broadway musicals and plays based on movies often bring a new audience into the theatre, and they often showcase chart-topping hits on the stage, too.

Some of the more recent movies that have been adapted into Broadway musicals include: The Devil Wears Prada; The Notebook; The Time Travelers Wife; Back to the Future; Almost Famous; Mrs. Doubtfire; Mr. Saturday Night; Beetlejuice; Moulin Rouge; The Lion King; Pretty Woman; Frozen; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Mean Girls; Groundhog Day; Waitress; American Psycho; Legally Blonde; Sister Act; Billy Elliot and Newsies among many others.

In fact, the upcoming Broadway season at the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln features almost exclusively Broadway shows that originated as movies including: Back to the Future: The Musical, Oct. 8-13 (eight performances); Disneys The Little Mermaid, Nov. 12-17 (eight performances) and Beetlejuice, March 4  9 (eight performances).

Shows rounding out the Lied Center season were actually all Broadway shows that were later turned into movies: Dear Evan Hansen, Sept. 27  29 (five performances); Rent in Concert, Jan. 18 (one performance) and Annie, March 21- 22 (three performances).

For more information on these shows and others, visit https://liedcenter.org.
New Delhi: Embattled edtech company Byjus reportedly asked its employees to work from home indefinitely, giving up all the office spaces across the country. The cash-strapped company has however let people working at its 300-odd offline tuition centres out of the Work From Home set up.

Byju's has given up office spaces as the leases expired, keeping only its Bengaluru-based headquarters at IBC, Knowledge Park, people close to the development told news agency IANS on Monday.

The move to give up offices is part of Byju's India CEO Arjun Mohan's restructuring exercise to save cash as proceeds from the rights issue (around $250-$300 million) remain stuck amid its tussle with select investors, IANS has reported. The CapTable was the first to report the development.

Amid several cash crunch the company has somehow managed to disburse a portion of the pending salaries for over 20,000 employees for the month of February. It hhas promised to pay the remaining salaries 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 its latest letter to employees, reported IANS.

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.

The Bengaluru bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had directed Byjus 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.

With IANS Inputs
TANCET 2024: Anna University is set to release the answer key for TANCET 2024 on March 13, following the successful conduct of the Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET 2024) on March 9. This examination serves as the gateway for admission into MBA and MCA programs in state colleges. Aspiring candidates can access the answer key on the official website, tancet.annauniv.edu. The TANCET 2024 for MBA and MCA comprised 100 questions, each carrying one mark. However, a penalty of 0.25 marks will be imposed for each incorrect answer, and multiple shading will be considered as an erroneous response. To facilitate the admission process, successful candidates must present their scorecard. In the event of a lost scorecard, a duplicate copy can be obtained by submitting a written request along with a demand draft of Rs 100 to the secretary of TANCET at Anna University, Chennai.

TANCET Answer Key 2024: Steps To Download

- Visit the official website, tancet.annauniv.edu/tancet

- Click on the link TANCET 2024 answer key

- An answer key PDF will open in a new tab

- Download the answer key of TANCET MBA 2024 and save the file.

Candidates dissatisfied with the answer key have the option to raise objections. A panel of experts will then review these grievances, leading to the release of the final TANCET 2024 answer key. Importantly, no further grievances will be entertained once the final answer key is published. Subsequently, Anna University will declare the TANCET 2024 results and release the TANCET 2024 scorecards separately, marking the conclusion of this crucial phase in the admission process. As the university continues to uphold its commitment to transparency, candidates are encouraged to stay updated with official announcements on the website.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the State Bank of India's plea for an extension to provide details regarding electoral bonds on Monday, following the bank's inability to meet the court's March 6 deadline. The SBI's plea, seeking an extended time until June 30, will be reviewed by a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra. The session is set to commence at 10:30 am.

The bench had previously directed the national bank to provide details on each electoral bond encashed by political parties prior to the scheme's cancellation last month. The court will also address a separate plea filed by non-profits Association for Democratic Reforms and Common Cause, accusing the SBI of contempt for allegedly deliberately disregarding the court order to submit details by March 6.

SC Pronounced Electoral Bonds Unconstitutional

On February 15, the bench declared the Centre's electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional, citing violations of people's right to information, Article 14 of the Constitution ensuring equality, and the principles of free and fair elections. The judges had ordered the Election Commission to disclose donor details, donation amounts, and recipients on its website by March 13.

The court had also mandated the SBI to furnish details of bonds purchased since April 12, 2019, to the Commission by March 6. On March 4, the SBI requested the court to extend the deadline until June 30, due to the time-consuming nature of retrieving information while maintaining anonymity.

Congresss Accusations

The Congress party has accused the BJP of using the SBI as a shield and suggested that the extension request is a tactic to conceal data until the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Highlighting the SBI's extensive technological capabilities with 48 crore bank accounts, 66,000 ATMs, and nearly 23,000 branches, the Congress questioned the need for a five-month period to provide data on just 22,217 electoral bonds.
The notification of the Citizens Amendment Act 2019 by the Home Ministry has attracted a sharp reaction from the opposition parties. While the BJP leaders hailed the decision that came just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, opposition leaders including Congress party's Jairam Ramesh, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi termed it a political move aimed at torturing Muslim.

The Ministry of Home Affairs today announced the implementation of the Citizens Amendment Act 2019, enabling the expedited granting of citizenship to undocumented minority migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, except Muslims.

Congress, AIMIM Slam BJP

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh hit out at the Modi government for the false claim of working professionally. He questioned the timing of the notification which is yet another demonstration of the Prime Ministers blatant lies. "After seeking nine extensions for the notification of the rules, the timing right before the elections is designed to polarise the elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam. It also appears to be an attempt to manage the headlines after the Supreme Courts severe strictures on the Electoral Bonds Scandal," said Ramesh.

Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad Asaduddin Owaisi termed it a move against Muslims. "Understand the sequence, first comes the election season, then the CAA rules follow. Our objections to the CAA remain unchanged. The CAA is divisive and founded on the ideology of Godse, who aimed to relegate Muslims to second-class citizenship," Owaisi posted on X.

              CAA                            ,           CAA  



        Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 11, 2024

During a press conference, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee called it a publicity stunt by the BJP. "Let me see the rules first....If people are deprived of their rights under the rules, then we will fight against it. This is BJP's publicity for elections, it is nothing else," said Banerjee.

Former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav slammed the Modi government saying that while the citizens of India are fleeing abroad for jobs, bringing of 'citizenship law' for others will prove detrimental to the nation.

BJP Leaders Hail Move

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that this act will pave the way for a respectable life for minorities. "The decision to enact the Citizenship (Amendment) Act for the welfare of suffering humanity is historic. This has paved the way for a respectable life for the minority communities suffering from religious brutality in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan," said CM Yogi Adityanath.

Home Minister Amit Shah took a post on X and said, "PM Narendra Modi Ji has delivered on another commitment and realised the promise of the makers of our constitution to the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians living in those countries."

West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said that it will fulfil the long-pending demand of the Matua community. "The long-standing demand of the Matua Community will now be fulfilled and they will get Citizenship and no one can deny them their rights, not even Mamata Banerjee," said Adhikari while praising the central government for notifying the rules of CAA.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the State Bank Of India's plea seeking more time to furnish details regarding electoral bonds to the Election Commission (EC). SC has asked the bank to disclose the details by business hours of March 12. The apex court also directed the Election Commission to publish information shared by SBI by March 15. The SBI had failed to meet the courts March 6 deadline to provide the information and had sought an extension till June 30. The plea was heard by a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra.

The bench expressed its displeasure over the delay and asked the SBI to open the sealed cover containing the details of the electoral bonds and collate the information for the EC.

SBI has to just open sealed cover, collate details and give information to Election Commission, the bench said. The bench also questioned the SBI on what steps it had taken in the last 26 days to comply with the courts order.

In the last 26 days, what steps have you taken? Your application is silent on that, the bench told the SBI. The bench reminded the SBI that it had asked for a plain disclosure of the details as per its judgment. We have asked you to do plain disclosure as per our judgment, the bench said.
The Narendra Modi Government today announced the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 regulations. It was an integral part of the BJPs 2019 manifesto. With this notification, the persecuted migrants beloging to minority communities will be able to get citizenship of India. Following the passage of the CAA by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent Presidential assent, significant protests erupted in various parts of the country after which the Modi government had put the implementation of the law in an abeyance. On December 27, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had asserted that the implementation of the CAA cannot be halted as it stands as the law of the land.

What Is CAA?

The Citizenship Amendment Act aims to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants - including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians - who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. The government has set up an online portal for allowing the migrants to apply for the citizenship. Applicants will need to disclose the year of their entry into India without any travel documents. No additional documentation will be required from the applicants.

Enabling CAA Through District Magistrate

During the past two years, over 30 district magistrates and home secretaries across nine states have been authorized with the ability to confer Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians arriving from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan under the Citizenship Act of 1955. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs annual report for 2021-22, between April 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, a cumulative count of 1,414 individuals from non-Muslim minority communities originating from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan were granted Indian citizenship through registration or naturalization under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

West Bengal Government's Stand On CAA

The Mamata Banerjee government has been opposed to the CAA. "If people are deprived of their rights under the rules, then we will fight against it. This is BJP's publicity for elections, it is nothing else," said Banerjee today. Banerjee also said that she won't allow the government to implement the NRC as well. The Bengal CM added that everyone who live in Bengal are citizens of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced successful launch of Mission Divyastra. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi said that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists has achieved the first test flight of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile.

"Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology," said PM Modi.

Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. March 11, 2024

The announcement is a boost for the Indian defence forces who are facing challenges on the multiple fronts from the countries like Pakistan and China.

Agni-5 Ballistic Missile

The DRDO started a trial of Agni-V missiles around 2012. Since then, it has successfully developed Agni-V's multiple versions with upgraded capabilities. In 2021, the DRDO successfully launched the Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile, Agni-5, from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The missile, which uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine, is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometres with a very high degree of accuracy. In 2022, the DRDO carried out nigh-trial of the Agni-5 ballistic missile.

Indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle ( MIRV) technology successful tested as part of Mission Divyastra today https://t.co/6NVZgWoZ4z pic.twitter.com/zsotqZtLUq  DRDO (@DRDO_India) March 11, 2024

Despite the Agni-V, a nuclear-capable intercontinental range ballistic missile (ICBM), successfully completing around 10 test flights since 2012, the DRDO has been working to enhance the missile program further.

What Is Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle?

Unlike conventional missiles that carry a single warhead, Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs) have the capacity to transport multiple warheads. These warheads on MIRVed missiles can be released at varying speeds and directions. Some MIRVed missiles have the capability to strike targets as far as 1,500 kilometers apart. Land-based MIRVed missiles are considered notably destabilizing.

India Joins Elite List

With the successful test of Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, India has joined elite list of countries having this technology. India has joined the nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia after having developed the MIRV technology. Pakistan also reportedly tested a MIRVed missile named Ababeel in 2017, the present status of its MIRVed progress is not known.
Congresss Central Election Committee (CEC) will finalise candidates name for remaining seats on Monday. The CEC meet will take place around 6 pm at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi. This is the second time the committee is meeting since releasing its first list on Thursday last week. The meeting will be chaired by party national president Mallikarjun Kharge. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party MP Rahul Gandhi are also expected to attend the meeting.

As per ANI the discussion will focus the Lok Sabha seats for Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh. Earlier, the Congress party released its first roster of candidates for 39 Lok Sabha constituencies. Out of the entire list of 39 candidates disclosed, 16 are from Kerala, seven from Karnataka, six from Chhattisgarh, and four from Telangana. Two candidates hail from Meghalaya, while one each is from Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, and Lakshadweep.

The compilation of 39 candidates was declared following the inaugural meeting of the Central Election Committee on March 7. During a press briefing, KC Venugopal remarked that among these 39 candidates, 15 belong to the General category, while 24 represent SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities.

Meanwhile, the BJP has disclosed its initial roster comprising 195 candidates. Anticipated to take place in April-May this year, the Lok Sabha elections are on the horizon.
Prime Minister Modi is all set to virtually inaugurate the Dehradun-Lucknow Vande Bharat train on Tuesday, after which this train will run for the inaugural. The Express will leave from Dehradun at 9:30 am and reach Lucknow at 5.15 pm.

The distance between the capitals of the two states, Dehradun and Lucknow, is 545 kilometres, which is now going to be covered in just about 8 hours. The stoppage of the train is proposed at 3 stations which are Haridwar, Moradabad and Bareilly.

According to Rajkumar Singh, DRM, Moradabad Railway Division, this train is part of the 10 Vande Bharat trains which is going to be inaugurated by PM Modi on 12th March.

"There has been a demand for the Vande Bharat train from Dehradun to Lucknow for a long time, so keeping that demand in mind, its inaugural run will be held tomorrow. Since the train will run regularly, it will run from Lucknow in the morning, reach Dehradun in the afternoon and after one hour, it will return to Lucknow at night, and the purpose of running the Vande Bharat train is to return to its destination in a single day," DRM Rajkumar Singh said.

"This Vande Bharat train will run 6 days a week while the train will be kept closed on Monday. It will leave from Lucknow at 5.15 in the morning and will depart from Lucknow in the afternoon. Reached Dehradun at 1.35 pm, after which it will leave Dehradun at 2.25 pm and reach Lucknow at 10.25 pm," The DRM Muradabad further added.

Vande Bharat Express is India's first semi-high-speed train equipped with world-class passenger amenities. It can achieve high speeds due to faster acceleration and deceleration and will reduce journey time by 25 per cent to 45 per cent.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the Vande Bharat Express can run up to a maximum speed of 160 kmph and has travel classes like the Shatabdi Train but with better facilities.
Bengala Technologies

At the core of our partnership is a shared vision to transform the potential of digital ventures into tangible success.

West Palm Beach, Florida, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a groundbreaking move, Bengala Technologies, based out of West Palm Beach, USA, has forged a strategic alliance with Mempool Ventures, a premier Venture Capital Fund specializing in Digital Assets and Artificial Intelligence, located in Abu Dhabi. This partnership is not just a collaboration; it's a powerhouse designed to elevate businesses at any stage, from innovative startups to established entities with liquid tokens. Together, we are setting a new standard for business acceleration, leveraging our combined expertise, networks, and technologies to fuel unparalleled growth and success for projects worldwide.

A Fusion of Expertise and Innovation

At the core of our partnership is a shared vision to transform the potential of digital ventures into tangible success. Bengala Technologies brings to the table its robust experience in nurturing businesses from their nascent stages through to market realization and beyond. Mempool Ventures contributes its profound insight into the intricacies of digital assets and AI, backed by a formidable network of investment resources. This unique combination of technological prowess and financial acumen ensures that every project under our guidance is positioned for success in the highly competitive digital landscape.



Tailored Acceleration Programs: A Roadmap to Success

Understanding that each project is unique, we offer bespoke acceleration programs that meticulously cater to the specific needs and goals of your business. Our programs, ranging from 6-8 months, are comprehensive, covering every facet of business development, from the initial strategy and marketing to the final launch, listing, and investor relations. But our support doesn't end there; we provide ongoing assistance post-launch to ensure sustainable growth and success.

 Strategic Business Development: Leveraging our extensive experience and strategic insight, we guide projects through every step of the development process, ensuring a solid foundation for success.

 Innovative Marketing and Market Entry Strategies: Our expert teams design and implement cutting-edge marketing strategies, including bespoke go-to-market plans that ensure your project captures and retains the attention of your target audience.

 Access to a Vast Network of Investors: Through our partnership, projects gain exclusive access to an extensive network of over 250+ VC investors, opening doors to significant investment opportunities and strategic partnerships.

 Comprehensive Support Services: From token sale support and smart contract auditing to full tech development and ecosystem integration, our services are designed to cover every need, backed by a decade of Web3 experience.

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Elevating Standards, Pioneering Success

Choosing the Bengala Technologies and Mempool Ventures partnership means more than just gaining access to a range of services. It means becoming part of a vision that transcends traditional boundaries. Our commitment to excellence, innovation, and personalized support ensures that every project we undertake is not just launched but is set on a trajectory for extraordinary success.



Your Invitation to Unprecedented Growth

Embrace the partnership that redefines success in the digital age. Visit BengalaTech.io to discover how our combined strengths can elevate your business to new heights. With Bengala Technologies and Mempool Ventures, the future is not just bright; it's extraordinary.



About BengalaTech.io

Bengala Technologies combines deep industry knowledge and technical expertise to deliver tailored solutions that drive results. Their commitment to innovation, client-centric approach, and proven track record set them apart in the industry. Whether clients are looking to harness the power of blockchain, leverage AI capabilities, or tap into the potential of High-Performance Computing, Bengala Technologies is the partner they can trust to turn their vision into reality.



X (Twitter): https://x.com/bengalatech

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CONTACT: Arnaldo Detres info@bengalatech.io




The Delhi Police have increased security measures and deployment of its personnel across sensitive areas in Delhi after the Union Home Ministry today notified implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The CAA was brought in 2019 and was put on hold after massive protests against the law in many parts of the country especially in Delhi.

Protest In Jamia Millia Islamia

The Jamila Millia Islamia University had become an epicentre of the anti-CAA protest in 2019. Today again, Muslim Students Federation (MSF) and NSU(I) student organizations conducted protests inside the campus hours after the CAA was notified. After the news of the protest, Delhi Police swung into action by not only deploying a large number of personnel in the area but also around the campus to ensure peace and security measures.

Delhi Police Warn Of Action

The Delhi Police has already increased vigil in the national capital and it also conducted a flag march in the Jama Masjid area in view of Ramazan and the CAA. DCP Central Delhi M Harsha Vardhan said that the CAA has nothing to do with any Indian citizen and if someone is trying to spread rumours or mislead people, the the police will take strict actions against them.

North East Delhi DCP Joy Tirkey said that an unfortunate incident happened in February 2020 in the North East district after the CAA protests but they are ready to deal with miscreants. "We faced a lot of problems at that time...We had an idea that it (CAA) would be implemented and so we did some preparations...We have cleared it to the people that it is a progressive step," he said adding that the Police are also monitoring social media handles to keep a check on misinformation.
Famous scientist Sonam Wangchuk is on a 21-day climate fast demanding the Sixth Schedule and statehood for Ladakh. 57-year -old scientist commenced his 21-day climate fast last week on March 6 after talks between Ladakh leaders and the Home Ministry failed.

Political and social groups in Ladakh are demanding statehood and the Sixth Schedule to protect the fragile ecology and culture of the region. They are also advocating for separate Lok Sabha seats for Kargil and Leh districts. Sonam Wangchuk said that his 21-day fast was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. "By engaging in such a fast, we are hurting ourselves instead of harming anyone else," he stated.

Further elaborating, Wangchuk said, "The 21-day fast is the longest fast that the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, undertook for India's independence. I intend to follow the same peaceful path that Mahatma Gandhi pursued."

Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent social activist and leader from Ladakh, previously conducted a similar fast unto death last year, demanding the implementation of the Sixth Schedule in the region. Wangchuk has now initiated a 21-day climate fast once again, urging for the recognition of the Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh.

The Sixth Schedule, a provision of the Indian Constitution, grants special status and protection to tribal areas, safeguarding their distinct cultural and social identity. The people of Ladakh argue that the government must address their longstanding demands promptly.

"The region has grappled with issues of identity, autonomy, and development for decades, and the demand for the Sixth Schedule is viewed as a crucial step in addressing these concerns," Wangchuk expressed. The Sixth Schedule would empower Ladakh with greater autonomy in decision-making, particularly concerning land, resources, and cultural preservation.

As news of Wangchuk's fast spreads rapidly, it garners widespread support and solidarity from the people of Ladakh. Many recognize the significance of his sacrifice and stand in solidarity with him. Social media platforms overflow with messages of support, urging the government to heed Wangchuk's demands and promptly address the grievances of the people of Ladakh.

Last year, after a series of protests and even hunger strikes led by Sonam Wangchuk and others, the government was finally compelled to recognize the movement. Subsequently, after several days of intense discussions, officials consented to enter negotiations with representatives from Ladakh.

However, nearly a year of talks and meetings has failed to yield a resolution, prompting the people of Ladakh and Sonam Wangchuk to return to the streets in protest. Thousands join Wangchuk in protesting for the implementation of the Sixth Schedule in Ladakh.
New Delhi: Achieving success in the UPSC, which is widely regarded as India's most challenging examination, is a formidable task that requires unwavering dedication, immense sacrifice, relentless hard work, and steadfast consistency. This journey becomes even more arduous for individuals who lack access to the necessary study materials and resources due to financial constraints.

Yet, amidst these challenges, there exist stories of triumph against all odds. One such inspiring tale is that of IAS Ansar Shaikh, whose journey exemplifies resilience and determination. Born into humble beginnings in the Marathwada district of Maharashtra, Shaikh's father earned a living as an autorickshaw driver, while his mother toiled in the fields. With financial struggles looming large, his family prioritized earning over education, compelling his brother to forgo schooling to support the household.

Despite the odds stacked against him, Shaikh displayed academic brilliance from a young age. Driven by a desire to alter his family's fortunes, he harbored a steadfast ambition of becoming an IAS officer. Following his graduation, he embarked on his UPSC journey with unwavering resolve, dedicating an astounding 12 hours each day to his preparations.

Enduring numerous hurdles along the way, Shaikh persevered, undeterred by the challenges that beset him. Finally, his persistence bore fruit when he clinched the UPSC examination with an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 361, achieving the remarkable feat of becoming the youngest IAS officer at the age of 21 in 2016.

Shaikh's life saga serves as a poignant reminder of the power of hard work and resilience. It stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless UPSC aspirants who may find themselves grappling with self-doubt or adversity. His journey underscores the timeless adage that perseverance in the face of adversity ultimately paves the path to success, serving as a testament to the indomitable human spirit.
New Delhi: After completing his Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Shreyans Kumat found himself in a lucrative position at a renowned consulting firm. Despite the allure of a comfortable career path, his heart yearned for a different callingthe Civil Services Exam (CSE).

With unwavering determination, Shreyans bid farewell to his well-paying job, embarking on a journey towards his passion for public service. His relentless dedication and perseverance culminated in a remarkable achievementsecuring the 4th position in the highly competitive CSE, marking the beginning of his inspiring tenure as an IAS officer.

Originating from the serene landscapes of Rajasthan's Kishangarh in Ajmer, Shreyans' academic journey was marked by diligence and ambition. Following his 11th standard, he spent two rigorous years in Kota, preparing rigorously for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), eventually securing admission to the esteemed IIT Bombay for his Mechanical Engineering degree.

Although his career at Ernst & Young (EY) provided financial stability and professional fulfillment, Shreyans remained tethered to his grandfather's vision of serving society through the civil services. Thus, after a contemplative period, he chose to heed his familial legacy, redirecting his efforts towards UPSC CSE preparations.

His study regimen was intense, comprising rigorous offline sessions and exhaustive online coursework, often spanning ten hours a day. Immersing himself in the intricacies of the exam format, Shreyans left no stone unturned in his pursuit of success. His relentless commitment bore fruit as he conquered the formidable UPSC exam in his maiden attempt, earning widespread acclaim for his stellar achievement.

Beyond his academic prowess, Shreyans captivates audiences with his engaging presence on social media platforms. Boasting a substantial following of 46.9K on Instagram, he utilizes his platform to share glimpses of his daily life, offering inspiration and fostering connection with his admirers.
New Delhi: 'Pakistani Bhabhi' of India Seema Haidar thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Centre for intoducing Citizenship Amendmet Act, CAA in the country. In a video, Haider expressed gratitude, stating that Prime Minister Modi has fulfilled his promise. She believes that her issues regarding citizenship will also be resolved soon.

Watch Video

VIDEO | Seema Haider, the Pakistani woman who entered India illegally to marry a man she met online, celebrates with her family in UP's Noida after Centre announces implementation of CAA.



"We are very happy, we congratulate the Indian government. PM Modi has done what he pic.twitter.com/5Y9iTp7baS  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 11, 2024

Meanwhile, African-American actress and singer Mary Millben also hailed Indian government's decision to implement CAA rules and dubbed it as the true act of democracy. Taking to X Millben wrote, "This is a pathway towards peace. This is a true act of democracy. As a Christian, woman of faith, and global advocate for religious freedom, I applaud the Modi-led government announcing today the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act now granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Parsis from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan."

This is a pathway towards peace. This is a true act of democracy.



As a Christian, woman of faith, and global advocate for religious freedom, I applaud the Modi-led government announcing today the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act now granting Indian nationality pic.twitter.com/72Bmb6pX0c  Mary Millben (@MaryMillben) March 11, 2024

The government announced the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 regulations on Monday. With this notification, the persecuted migrants beloging to minority communities will be able to get citizenship of India.

The Citizenship Amendment Act aims to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants - including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians - who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. The government has set up an online portal for allowing the migrants to apply for the citizenship.
Fulfilling its long-pending poll promise of bringing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the BJP-led NDA government today notified rules for implementation of the CAA. This comes after multiple recent statements by Home Minister Amit Shah where he maintained that the CAA is the law of the land and no one can stop its implementation. Reacting to the CAA notification, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that CAA is divisive & based on Godses thought that wanted to reduce Muslims to second-class citizens.

"Give asylum to anyone who is persecuted but citizenship must not be based on religion or nationality. The govt should explain why it kept these rules pending for five years & why its implementing it now. Along with NPR-NRC, CAA is meant to only target Muslims, it serves no other purpose," said Owaisi.

Will Muslims Lose Indian Citizenship?

There were allegations that the CAA would snatch the citizenship of Muslims in India. However, the government has maintained that the CAA is a law to give citizenship and not to take back citizenship. Home Minister Amit Shah said that these rules will now enable minorities persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to acquire citizenship in our nation.

"The Constitution of India grants us the right to provide religious persecuted refugees with fundamental rights and to grant citizenship from a humanitarian perspective. The implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act was delayed due to the COVID pandemic," said the Ministry of Home Affairs. Therefore, the rule won't impact the Muslim citizens of India.

What Is CAA?

The CAA rules, introduced by the Narendra Modi government and passed by Parliament in 2019, aim to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants - including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians - who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

Will It Impact The Indian Job Market?

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the Modi government brought the CAA at a time when the youth of the country is struggling to get a job. "That means they want to bring people from neighbouring countries to India and settle them. Why? To create your vote bank. When our youth do not have employment then who will provide employment to the people coming from neighbouring countries?" asked Delhi CM Kejriwal.

However, as mentioned in the CAA rule, only those who have already come and settled in India before 2014 will get citizenship under the rule. Thus, the CAA doesn't invite fresh refugees from any of the neighbouring countries. Those who entered India before 2014 are already doing something to survive and Indian citizenship will end their refugee status giving them a chance to lead a respectable life. So, they won't make any immediate pressure on the Indian job market.
New Delhi: Director Surya Kiran, a well-known figure in the Telugu film industry, passed away at the age of 48 in Chennai. The reknowned director commenced his career as a child actor with the Malayalam film 'Snehikkhan Oru Pennu' in 1978.

The former child actor-turned-director is recognized for helming films like 'Satyam' and 'Dhana 51'. Sources report that he succumbed to jaundice following treatment at Chennai's GEM hospital. Apart from his directorial accomplishments, Surya Kiran was previously a participant in Bigg Boss Telugu.

Surya Kiran, a prominent figure in the Telugu film industry, initiated his career as a child actor in the 1978 Malayalam film 'Snehikkhan Oru Pennu'. Despite starting as a child actor, he went on to contribute to over 200 feature films. In addition to his acting career, Kiran made his directorial debut with the Telugu romantic drama 'Satyam'.

Subsequently, he directed various other films, including 'Brahmastram' (2006), 'Raju Bhai' (2007), and 'Chapter 6' (2010). Surya also participated in Bigg Boss Telugu season 4, where he became the first contestant to be eliminated from the reality show.

Kiran's upcoming film, titled 'Arasi', featuring Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in the lead role, is scheduled for release in theaters soon.
New Delhi: When Ranjit, who had been tending to his rice fields in a remote corner of Jharkhand, decided to stand up against his village and fight for his daughter following her gang rape in 2017, he was told, "You can't take down a tiger by yourself."

Recounting this exchange near the conclusion of the Oscar-nominated documentary feature 'To Kill A Tiger,' directed by Indian Canadian filmmaker Nisha Pahuja, Ranjit expressed determinedly, "But I responded, 'I'll demonstrate how to take down a tiger all on your own.' And indeed, I did."

While 'To Kill A Tiger' ultimately did not win, as anticipated, losing to '20 Days in Mariupol,' Ranjit experienced a moment he had never envisioned. Clad in the customary black tuxedo and bow tie, he attended the 96th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, immersing himself in the splendor of the most eagerly awaited event in global cinema.

The trauma of his daughter's rape may linger, but for Ranjit, it marked the conclusive validation of his solitary struggle against the challenges imposed by an indifferent system. His 20-year-old daughter, now distanced from her past, aspires to become a policewoman dedicated to safeguarding women like herself. Crafting 'To Kill A Tiger' required eight years of dedicated effort for Pahuja, whose prior documentary, 'The World Before Her,' earned an Emmy nomination.

Although the documentary garnered 19 awards, it fell short of the Oscar, yet it found a home on Netflix and received backing from prominent figures in the global Indian diaspora such as Dev Patel, Mindy Kaling, poet Rupi Kaur, Dr. Atul Gawande, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. As the Oscars conclude, Pahuja and Ranjit can momentarily revel in celebration, but both are acutely aware that their story echoes throughout the country every hour. The tiger remains elusive and challenging to subdue.
New Delhi: Today's Google Doodle celebrates the flat white coffee, a beloved beverage enjoyed by many worldwide. The doodle marks the anniversary of the addition of "flat white" to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2011, highlighting the cultural significance of this caffeinated delight.

The origins of the flat white coffee have sparked a heated debate, with both Australia and New Zealand laying claim to its invention in the 1980s. However, the true origin remains uncertain, and it is probable that the flat white developed independently in both countries. (Also Read: Nvidia Faces Lawsuit Over AI Copyright Infringement By Authors)

''Today's animated Doodle celebrates the flat white, a beloved coffee drink of steamed milk poured over a shot of espresso. 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,'' Google wrote on its website. (Also Read: Tech Showdown: Xiaomi 14 Ultra Goes Head to Head Against Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Which Smartphone Should You Buy?)

Furthermore, the company added Coffee culture has changed a lot over the years and so have ways to make the flat white. Made with whole milk back in the day, today its common to see Aussies and Kiwis ordering it with plant-based milk  oat milk is a rising favourite!.

Explaining further about the beverage, Google wrote, Traditionally served in a ceramic cup, a flat white is made up of an 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 thats a common sight in many cafes across Australia and New Zealand.

Google explained that a flat white is a coffee served in a ceramic cup, consisting of an espresso shot topped with steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam. Unlike cappuccinos or lattes, flat whites have less foam, making them appealing to coffee enthusiasts who prefer a smoother texture. Baristas often display their talent by creating artistic designs with the milk pour, a common practice in cafes throughout Australia and New Zealand.

What sets apart a flat white from a latte?

A flat white and a latte, despite both being espresso-based drinks have distinct differences. One key contrast is their size. The preferred serving size for a flat white is a 160-165ml tulip cup, which is considerably smaller than the glass typically used for lattes and cappuccinos, as stated on Nescafe's official website.
New Delhi: Nvidia, a leading provider of chips for artificial intelligence, finds itself embroiled in legal action as three authors Brian Keene, Abdi Nazemian, and Stewart O'Nan have filed a lawsuit against the company. The authors alleged that Nvidia used their copyrighted books without permission in the development of its NeMo platform, sparking a contentious legal battle over intellectual property rights.

The authors argue that their books were part of a dataset of 196,640 books used to train Nvidia's NeMo AI platform. They claim that the platform aimed to replicate everyday written language but was shut down in October following allegations of copyright infringement. The legal document suggests that Nvidia's action to remove the NeMo dataset implies acknowledgment of copyright violation. (Also Read: Google Wallet Will Auto-Add Movie Tickets And Boarding Passes From Gmail)

The authors are seeking unspecified compensation on behalf of people in the United States whose copyrighted works were used to train NeMo's large language models during the past three years, in the proposed class action. (Also Read: Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Which Smartphone Should You Buy?)

The lawsuit covers various types of literary works, such as Keene's novel "Ghost Walk" from 2008, Nazemian's novel "Like a Love Story" from 2019, and O'Nan's novella "Last Night at the Lobster" from 2007.

Nvidia chose not to provide a comment on Sunday, and lawyers representing the authors did not respond immediately to requests for further comment on Sunday. This lawsuit pulls Nvidia into a larger pool of legal disputes initiated by writers, as well as The New York Times, concerning generative AI. Generative AI generates new content using inputs like text, images, and sounds.

Other tech giants, including OpenAI, the developer of the AI platform ChatGPT, and its collaborator Microsoft, are also facing legal issues linked to generative AI.

In spite of facing legal hurdles, Nvidia continues to attract investors' favor, benefiting from the ongoing growth of AI technology. Since the close of 2022, the company's stock price has surged by nearly 600%, propelling Nvidia's market capitalization to nearly $2.2 trillion.

The lawsuit is identified as Nazemian et al v Nvidia Corp in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, under case number 24-01454.
GREENFIELD, Mass., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Better Fish brand produced by Australis Aquaculture reinforces its commitment to create a better world by celebrating three years of partnership with Fair Trade USA at the Seafood Expo North America (SENA) 2024. To highlight their partnership, Australis and Fair Trade USA hosted an event at Australis' booth #1733 on Monday, March 11. Additionally, at SENA's Featured Product Showcase, Australis and The Better Fish featured their standout Fair Trade Certified Barramundi products in the Wavemaker's Zone including Lemon Herb Butter Barramundi, Crispy Barramundi Fish Tenders, and Simply Skinless Barramundi Fillets.

"Our mission to create a better world with The Better Fish fuels everything we do, which is why we are proud to partner with Fair Trade USA to produce products held to the highest ethical standards," said Josh Goldman, CEO and Founder of Australis Aquaculture. "With the exceptional health benefits of The Better Fish, combined with our sustainable aquaculture practices and fully traceable product line, we offer the best seafood solution on the market to better the lives of consumers while bettering the planet."

The Better Fish is one of the first national brands to offer a full line of Fair Trade Certified barramundi products, along with being the first barramundi farmer and the first fish farm in Asia to claim the certification. Through its partnership with Fair Trade USA, The Better Fish is supporting the expansion of community-focused programs in Central Vietnam where its barramundi farms are located. With the company committing a portion of sales for every pound of fish sold to go toward community development projects, The Better Fish is making an impact on the global community and enriching the lives of people around the world.

Through its brand The Better Fish, Australis Aquaculture remains deeply committed to reducing the environmental impact of food production while maintaining the highest quality standards. With the company's farms being the first to be certified under Aquaculture Stewardship Council's Tropical Marine Finfish standard and barramundi being the first ocean-farmed fish to receive a Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Best Choice rating, The Better Fish remains a pioneer in the sustainable seafood space. The brand also holds a Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) 4-star certification  the highest ranking for BAP.

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The Better Fish continues to innovate and expand its product line, delivering on its promise to help consumers become healthier, better versions of themselves by making healthy, sustainable protein accessible to everyone. Barramundi is a great source of lean protein and omega-3s, with just half the calories of salmon. Its mild, clean, buttery taste makes it easy to pair with a variety of cuisines and seasonings. The Better Fish's corporate chef Kelly Armetta will be demonstrating the fish's incredible versatility throughout all three days at the SENA event, serving gourmet recipes at booth #1733. Event attendees also had the chance to sample two new seasoned barramundi dishes from The Better Fish  Mango Habanero Barramundi and Blackened Barramundi  at SENA's Sand Bar located in the Wavemaker's Zone (booth #3165) on Monday, March 11.

The Better Fish continues to innovate and expand its product line with the announcement of the world's first Fair Trade Certified pet product, Barra Barrk. Launched in January, this single-ingredient, human-grade pet treat made from hand-rolled Barramundi fish skins bring health benefits to a whole new group of furry friends. Barra Barrk is currently available at all BJ's Wholesale Club retail locations throughout the eastern United States.

About The Better Fish

The Better Fish Barramundi by Australis Aquaculture is a sustainably raised white fish known for its delicious flavor, versatility, and exceptional nutritional value. Carrying ASC, BAP and Fair Trade certifications, it's a fish that is thoughtfully nurtured in the pristine, tropical waters of Van Phong Bay, Vietnam. The company is committed to minimizing their carbon footprint and waste throughout the production process, helping to support Barramundi's status as the fastest growing fish species in the U.S. Their dedication to sustainability and social responsibility has been widely recognized by conservationists, governments, and the culinary community. By choosing The Better Fish, diners can enjoy delicious and responsible seafood that supports better food systems and builds climate resilience.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-better-fish-an-australis-aquaculture-brand-celebrates-three-years-of-partnership-with-fair-trade-usa-at-sena-302085901.html

SOURCE Australis Aquaculture LLC
New Delhi: For years, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi has been teasing its Ultra line of over-the-top flagship phones in the Indian market. Recently, Xiaomi has launched the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra smartphones. This Xiaomi 14 series comes with advanced features, including a Leica camera and many more.

On the other hand, the Korean smartphone maker launched the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra a few months back in January. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra includes a much more powerful processor, a brighter display, and generative AI-based features powered by Google's Gemini Pro language model.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra are two cutting-edge smartphones vying for the attention of tech enthusiasts. Choosing between the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra can be a daunting task for smartphone buyers.

Both offer advanced features and sleek designs, catering to diverse user preferences. From exceptional camera capabilities to lightning-fast processors, these devices promise top-notch performance. This comparison aims to simplify the decision-making process, helping users determine which phone best suits their needs and preferences. (Also Read: Infinix Smart 8 Plus Sales Goes On Live; Check Price, Camera, Display And Specs)

Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Specs

Display:

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features a stunning 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering immersive visuals with its 120Hz refresh rate. On the other hand, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra features a slightly smaller 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display, with adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, ensuring optimal viewing experiences.

Battery:

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with a sizable 5,000mAh battery, complemented by 45W wired charging capabilities. On the other hand, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra also features a 5,000mAh battery but offers faster charging speeds with 90W wired and 80W wireless charging options for uninterrupted usage.

Colour Option:

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra offers a sleek palette including Titanium Gray, Black, and Violet, along with exclusive Titanium Blue and Green editions. In contrast, Xiaomi 14 Ultra presents a minimalist choice with classic Black and White variants.

Camera:

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra packs a remarkable primary camera with a whopping 200MP resolution, delivering stunning clarity. For selfies, there is 12MP camera. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra impresses with a versatile setup, featuring 50MP lenses for main, telephoto, periscope, and ultrawide shots. For selfies and video chats, there is a 32MP for high-quality self-portraits and video chats. (Also Read: Poco X6 Neo Launch Date Confirmed In India; Check Availability, Expected Specs)

Processor:

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts an octa-core processor configuration, featuring varying clock speeds for optimal performance: 1x3.39GHz, 3x3.1GHz, 2x2.9GHz, and 2x2.2GHz. On the other hand, Xiaomi 14 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, offering a blend of high-speed cores: 1x3.3GHz, 3x3.2GHz, 2x3.0GHz, and 2x2.3GHz.

Storage Options:

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts impressive specs with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage, promising seamless performance and ample space for your files. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra steps up with 16GB RAM and the same generous 512GB storage, offering power and storage capacity for demanding users. Both devices set high standards in the smartphone market.

Price

Xiaomi 14 Ultra smartphone offers flagship features at a competitive Rs 99,999, challenging the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra priced at Rs 1,29,999.

Disclaimer: This comparison helps people choose smartphones wisely. It doesn't favour any brand or model, just gives facts to help consumers understand their options better.
Elevating Craftsmanship to Unprecedented Heights

RESTON, Va., March 11, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Brick Industry Association (BIA) has honored the 2023 Brick in Architecture Awards, the premier international design competition featuring fired-clay brick.

Judged by a jury of peers, the 2023 winning projects span the United States, Canada, China, Mexico and the first winner in the Russian Federation. The 44 winners include nine Best in Class, nine Gold, nine Silver, 16 Bronze plus an overall Craftsmanship Award.

"Brick is a versatile material that offers limitless design possibilities with inherent sustainability, unmatched durability, fire resistance and notable energy efficiency," said BIA President and CEO Ray Leonhard.

The Best in Class winners include:

COMMERCIAL (and CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARD WINNER)

Ace Hotel Toronto  Toronto, Ontario  Canada

Architect: Shim-Sutcliffe Architects

Brick Manufacturer: Endicott Clay Products Company

Mason Contractor: Limen Group

EDUCATION  COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

TCU Music Center  Fort Worth, Texas

Architect: Bora Architecture & Interiors

Brick Manufacturer: Acme Brick Company

Mason Contractor: Wilks Masonry LLC

EDUCATION  K-12

John Webb Elementary School  Arlington, Texas

Architect: BRW Architects

Brick Manufacturer: Cloud Ceramics

Brick Distributor: Blackson Brick Company

Mason Contractor: Accurate Masonry of Texas, Inc.

HISTORIC RENOVATION

Foundry 101  Cambridge, Massachusetts

Architect: CambridgeSeven

Brick Manufacturer: The Stiles & Hart Brick Company

Mason Contractor: Fernandes Masonry, Inc.

INTERNATONAL

TIC Art Center  Guangzhou, China

Architect: DOMANI Architectural Concepts

Brick Manufacturer: LOPO China

PAVING & LANDSCAPING

West End Square  Dallas, Texas

Architect: Field Operations

Brick Manufacturer: Whitacre-Greer

Brick Distributor: Blackson Brick Company

Mason Contractor: Paver Pro

RESIDENTIAL MULTIFAMILY

1 Boeurm Place  Brooklyn, New York

Architect: SLCE

Developer: Avery Hall Investments

Brick Manufacturer: Taylor Clay Products

Brick Distributor: Belden Tri-State Building Materials

Mason Contractor: HDK Construction

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RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY

Canvas House  Toronto, Ontario  Canada

Architect: PARTISANS

Brick Manufacturer: Taylor Clay Products

Brick Distributor: Thames Valley Brick

Mason Contractor: Finbarr Sheehan

THIN BRICK

345 North Morgan  Chicago, Illinois

Architect: Eckenhoff Saunders

Brick Manufacturer: Interstate Brick

Brick Distributor: Bricks Incorporated

Mason Contractor: Illinois Masonry Corporation

BIAs photo gallery includes all winning projects.

Now in its 90th year, the Brick Industry Association (BIA) is the nationally recognized authority on clay brick construction representing the nations distributors and manufacturers of clay brick and suppliers of related products. GoBrick.com, 703-620-0010.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311320335/en/

Contacts

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Lorelei Harloe, 703-362-2774

Email: LH@LKHComm.com
President Biden released a budget that offered a call for tax increases to shore up Social Security while Donald Trump suggested he would consider entitlement "cutting" if elected this fall.

The back-and-forth between the two candidates Monday showed how Social Security is likely to be a front-burner issue in the coming campaign. It will also be central in the next presidential term no matter who wins this November.

Insolvency  and across-the-board benefit cuts  loom as a possibility for the program in 2034.

The budget proposal released by Biden didnt offer a detailed plan for Social Security but called for congressional negotiations based on what Shalanda Young, Bidens budget director, called "the president's ironclad commitment" not to cut benefits at all.

She also made clear that the presidents position on the matter would be focused on an increase to payroll taxes to make up the coming shortfall.

"If you make a million dollars in this country, you are done paying into Social Security sometime in February," Young told reporters. "Is that fair? We don't think so."

President Joe Biden speaks to a crowd at a rally in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 9. (Kendrick Brinson for The Washington Post via Getty Images) (The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The topic also came up briefly during a wide-ranging CNBC interview with Trump. The former president  and Biden's presumptive rival this fall  responded to a question about Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the national debt by suggesting the problem could be solved with efficiencies.

"There is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting, and in terms of also the theft and the bad management of entitlements," he told the anchors without offering much in the way of additional details, including whether his proposed cuts would include benefit cuts for the program's participants.

Bidens plan

Bidens overall budget proposal for FY2025 comes as the FY2024 budget is still being debated and includes an array of tax increases on corporations and the richest Americans, new spending on social programs, and about $3 trillion in deficit reduction over a decade.

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The budget  as with all presidential budgets in recent years  has no chance of passage, Stifel chief Washington policy strategist Brian Gardner said in a note to clients, but it "will still be important for the political message it sends as the 2024 campaign revs up."

But the details on Social Security were again somewhat scarce.

It was one year ago that Biden released a budget that also offered opposition to any cuts to Social Security but gave no details of new investments in the program beyond an increase in the Social Security Administration's operating budget to do things like improve customer service.

It garnered criticism at the time and appears largely similar this time around.

Like last year, Bidens FY2025 budget is more focused on increasing solvency for Medicare, which is due to reach insolvency sooner.

The budget does propose a $1.3 billion increase in funding at the Social Security Administration itself for staffing, customer service, and other operational issues.

However, the larger issues appear to be on hold for now. Lawmakers debated ideas to increase solvency last year but those abruptly stopped as the election season heated up with a sense that no action is likely until 2025 at the earliest.

"Once the political season is over, I'm hoping that sanity returns," Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said in a recent Yahoo Finance interview.

The problems are only going to become more unavoidable in the coming years with a recent government trustees report finding that Social Security will be in financial peril within a decade if Congress takes no action.

The program only has the funds to continue paying out 100% of benefits through 2034. After that, benefits could be cut across the board by around 23%.

Trumps focus on 'tremendous bad management'

Trump floated the idea of cuts in response to a CNBC question about entitlements and debt, focused on what he described as mismanagement at the program.

"Tremendous bad management of entitlements, there is a tremendous number of things you can do," he said, adding a charge that Biden would weaken Social Security "because the country is weak" before quickly moving on to other topics such as his plan to use oil drilling to help pay off the national debt.

Former president and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event in Rome, Georgia, on March 9. (ELIJAH NOUVELAGE/AFP via Getty Images) (ELIJAH NOUVELAGE via Getty Images)

The "cutting" comment was one that Bidens campaign immediately clipped and highlighted with Bidens account reposting and promising "Not on my watch."

The back-and-forth comes as both the Social Security and Medicare trust funds are at risk. A key Medicare trust fund is likely to run low on funds as early as 2028, according to a recent government trustees report.

Biden's budget offered more details for the healthcare program for seniors, including a plan to implement a "permanent" solvency fix by using a combination of tax increases as well as what the administration hopes will be slowing growth in healthcare costs in the coming decades.

Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

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Global logistics powerhouse Kuehne+Nagel plans to build two facilities in Texas along the U.S.-Mexico border over the next two years. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Mexico cross-border trade is off to a good start in 2024. The country was the United States top trading partner in January, with two-way commerce totaling $64.5 billion, according to the most recent data from the Census Bureau.

Mexicos trade with the U.S. rose 1.1% year over year (y/y) compared to January 2023. Canada ranked No. 2 with $59.7 billion in trade with the U.S. in January, a 3% y/y decrease. China was the third-ranked U.S. trading partner in the month with $47.9 billion in trade, a 6.6% y/y decrease.

Port Laredo, Texas, was the No. 2-ranked U.S. trade gateway during January. Trade at the Laredo port of entry totaled $25.1 billion in January.

The Port of Los Angeles was the No. 1 international U.S. trade gateway last month, totaling $26.5 billion. Chicago OHare International Airport was the third-ranked U.S. gateway for international trade at $22.3 billion.





Port Laredo handled over $2 billion worth of auto parts imports during January. Other top imports included commercial vehicles at $816 million and passenger vehicles at $816 million. Top exports through Port Laredo in January included auto parts ($1.25 billion), gasoline ($279 million) and diesel engines ($260 million).

Trade experts at Kuehne+Nagel are bullish on the continued growth of cross-border commerce among the United States, Canada and Mexico.

North America is a very important region for us, Joachim Goller, Kuehne+Nagels senior vice president of road logistics for North America, told FreightWaves. A large percentage of our revenue is generated out of North America, and its one of the focus regions in our Roadmap 2026.

In February, Switzerland-based Kuehne+Nagel completed the acquisition of Ontario, Canada-based customs broker Farrow, which has 830 employees in 41 locations across Canada and the U.S. In 2022, Farrow managed over 1.5 million customs entries.





The acquisition of Farrow helps expand Kuehne+Nagels customs capabilities, especially at the Canadian and Mexican borders. Goller said Kuehne+Nagel is focused on cross-border trade because we see a lot of activity in northern Mexico.

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We see that many customers are changing their supply chains, Goller said. Were seeing Asia-based supply chains that are adding Mexico-based supply chains, as well.

Kuehne+Nagel has always had a significant footprint at the border, including Laredo and El Paso, Texas, and in the San Diego-Tijuana, Mexico, area, Goller said.

What were doing now is doubling down on those locations investments that we already made there in the past, Goller said. We are opening up a new warehouse in El Paso soon, and we are going to move into a new warehouse in Laredo next year.

The El Paso warehouse will be 363,000 square feet and is scheduled to open by the end of the year.

The new facilities are going to be more mobile. They are going to be more modern and state-of-the-art facilities, Goller said. We are seeing [nearshoring] across a couple of industries. Mexico is very important for the automotive industry, and theres a couple of things that contribute to it. Mexico has a really skilled labor force, as well as low labor costs. Mexico is geographically really well located. Its neighbor is the largest economy in the world. Mexico also has a large amount of free trade agreements with companies all over the world. This is why Mexico is not just important for the U.S., its important overall.

More articles by Noi Mahoney

Texas-based customs broker expands cross-border footprint





Shifting supply chains boost trade in California-Baja mega-region

Mass furloughs reported at BNSF Railway operations in 4 states

The post Borderlands Mexico: US-Mexico trade in January totaled $64.5B appeared first on FreightWaves.
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.
Xlinks is planning to build a vast solar and wind farm in Morocco equipped with batteries - Fadel Senna/AFP

The developer behind a flagship 16bn cable that will link Moroccan solar and wind farms to British homes has threatened to instead send electricity to Germany.

Planning documents published on the European transmission system operators website show that Xlinks, the company behind the project, has floated Germany as another end destination for its proposed undersea cable.

The move will ramp up pressure on the UK Government to throw its weight behind the project, which could prove critical for hitting net zero targets.

Xlinks is planning to build a vast solar and wind farm in Morocco equipped with batteries. The project is forecast to provide enough power for seven million British families.

It would send power through 3,800km subsea cables along the west coast of Iberia and France before crossing the channel and coming ashore in Devon.

However, in a development first reported by Bloomberg, Xlinks is now looking at options including Germany, according to chief executive Simon Morrish.

He told the newswire: Everything is a possibility.

Xlinks is preparing to commission the world's biggest cable-laying ship, a 700 ft vessel that will lay four parallel cables to link solar and wind farms in Morocco to Europe - XLCC

Xlinks could supply both countries with power, only connect to the UK or opt for Germany alone, although this is still an unlikely outcome.

The project is a private venture that was set up in 2019 and is based in Essex. Xlinks was founded by serial entrepreneur Simon Morrish and its chairman is former Tesco chief executive Sir Dave Lewis.

The scheme is still at the planning stage but has attracted millions of pounds of investment from major companies like British supplier Octopus Energy, Abu Dhabi National Energy and Frances TotalEnergies.

Xlinks has previously said it was in discussions about government backing from the UK.

The project has already been declared one of national significance by Claire Coutinho, the Energy Secretary, who has also set a team of civil servants to work on it.

The scheme aims to overcome the biggest challenge of going green for the UK  what to do on days when the sun is not shining and the wind not blowing.

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During such periods, wind and solar farms in Morocco would be experiencing near-constant sunshine during the day and strong winds during afternoons and evenings.

Xlinks is preparing to commission the worlds biggest cable-laying ship, a 700 ft vessel that will lay four parallel cables to link solar and wind farms in Morocco to Europe. At present, the plan is to connect to a substation in Alverdiscott, a tiny village near the coast of north Devon.

When complete, the scheme is predicted to deliver 3.6 gigawatts of electricity to the UKs National Grid, equivalent to around 8pc of all demand.

This is slightly more electricity than Hinkley Point C is expected to generate, even though the 46bn nuclear plant carries an expected price tag that is more than double Xlinkss.

A spokesman for Xlinks said: Xlinks was founded in order to promote the development of long-distance energy projects, with the Morocco  UK Power Project as primary target and priority for the group. We remain committed to delivering the Morocco  UK Power Project as our recent appointment of James Humfrey as CEO for Xlinks First Ltd to lead this project clearly demonstrates.

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Rendering of Island Breeze, a 6,100-square-foot home on Siesta Key designed by Nautilus Homes.

Ryan Perrone, Nautilus Homes president and co-founder, right, with his father, Richard Perrone, master luxury custom homebuilder, at the National Association of Home Builders Nationals Awards in Las Vegas.

Nautilus Homes, a luxury builder based in Sarasota, has received five awards from the National Association of Home Builders in recognition of its work on Island Breeze, a 6,100-square-foot residence on Siesta Key that balances style, craftsmanship, sustainability and low maintenance.

The accolades were presented at the NAHB Nationals Awards and Best in American Living Awards during the International Builders Show in Las Vegas Feb. 28-29. These national awards spotlight creativity and talent in the building industry and honor professionals for excellence in homebuilding across the United States and Canada.

Nautilus Homes secured the coveted BALA Platinum Award for Best Custom Home priced over $2 million. Island Breezes cabana received another platinum award for Specialty Room/Project in a custom home priced over $2 million.

The home also won a Gold Best Kitchen in a custom home priced over $2 million and silver Best Single-Family Custom Home within the category of 6,000 to 8,000 square feet for the NAHB Nationals Awards.

In addition, the team received a fifth bonus award the night of the awards for Best Room Overall.

Ryan Perrone, co-founder and president of Nautilus Homes, said the design of Island Breeze draws inspiration from the Abaco Islands and fuses historical elegance with modern simplicity.

The Zobrist Design Group served as the principal architectural firm for the project, collaborating with Jett Thompson Interiors, which provided its expertise for interior design.

Apply now for free CNA program

CareerEdge is partnering with Suncoast Technical College to offer a free CNA FastTrack program, beginning in April.

The deadline to apply is March 29 and the program is limited to 15 people.

A workforce development initiative of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, CareerEdge continuously seeks innovative programs and techniques to support local businesses. In this most recent partnership, CareerEdge and STC address a major national issue, the nursing shortage, in a local way.

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The curriculum will be a condensed version of STCs Certified Nursing Assistant program. The tuition-free FastTrack begins April 30, 2024, and runs through June 6, 2024, with classes held Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at STCs main campus, 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota.

Additionally, Sarasota Memorial Hospital will host the participants for clinical training during the last two weeks from 6:30 am to 1:30 pm.

Accepted applicants must attend an introductory session April 2.

Apply at https://careeredgefunders.org/bridges-to-careers/.

Cara Misiewicz, Lisa Grasso and Erin Sharp, of Grapevine Communications, celebrate the company's wins at AAF Suncoasts 2024 ADDY Awards. The ceremony was held Feb. 24 in Sarasota.

Grapevine takes 11 ADDYs

Grapevine Communications, of Sarasota, took home 11 ADDY Awards from the Suncoast Chapter of the American Advertising Federation, recognizing the creative spirit and excellence in advertising. The ceremony was held at the Ringling Sound Stages in Sarasota on Feb. 24.

The advertising, marketing and public relations agency won awards for print collateral, video, website design and development, ad design, events and digital marketing. Grapevine also earned an AMY Award, given to the highest scoring entry in each category.

Held annually by the AAF, the local awards event is the first phase of a three-tier, national competition. Across the country, local entrants vie to win recognition as the very best in their markets. At the second tier, local winners compete against winners from other local clubs in district competitions.

Grapevines gold entry will automatically advance to the District Awards, and those winners will compete in the third tier, the national stage of the American Advertising Awards.

S-One commits to sustainability

S-One Holdings Corp. has joined the United Nations Global Compact initiative, a voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices.

S-One Holdings is a global company headquartered in Sarasota with a focus on the digital imaging industry.

The UN Global Compact is a call to companies to align their operations and strategies with 10 universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption, and to act in support of UN goals and issues embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals.

Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world.

S-One is committed to sustainability across all companies and business practices to reduce our environmental footprint, said Art Lambert, co-founder of S-One Holdings.

With subsidiaries and brands dedicated to developing and selling products for the printing and graphics industry, sustainability is one of the ways S-One does business ethically and responsibly.

S-One designs and produces environmentally conscious printing products manufactured, used and recovered in a sustainable way that embraces a circular economy.

A better way to treat A-fib at SMH

Sarasota Memorial Hospital physicians are among the first in the nation performing pulsed field ablation, a breakthrough therapy to treat people with atrial fibrillation, or irregular heart rhythms.

Sarasota electrophysiologists Drs. Antonio Moretta and Smriti Banthia performed the first four procedures at SMH-Sarasota recently using Medtronics PulseSelect system, the first PFA device approved for commercial use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal (periodic) or persistent atrial fibrillation.

Traditionally, catheter ablation is a technique in which heart tissue is treated with extreme heat (radiofrequency ablation) or cold (cryotherapy) to destroy the tissue triggering A-fib. The breakthrough PFA delivers fast, controlled electrical pulses through a cardiac ablation catheter to achieve the same therapeutic effect on the heart tissue.

Studies suggest it could become a safer alternative to traditional catheter ablation because PFA does not use heat or freezing temperatures, which may reduce the risk of scarring to adjacent, healthy tissue.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Exceptional work on Siesta Key home brings Nautilus national awards
C-Bond Systems

This will be the first time the Company has reported quarterly revenue of more than $1 million

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- C-Bond Systems (the Company or C-Bond) (OTC: CBNT), a developer and marketer of glass strengthening solutions for enhanced safety, announced today it expects to report revenue in excess of $1 million for the first quarter of 2024. The Company also plans to file its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, no later than the deadline, April 1, 2024.



The Company is currently installing its forced entry-resistant and bullet-resistant window film system in two large projects, which has contributed to the revenue growth.

This will be a significant milestone for us, as we have never before reached quarterly revenue of $1 million, said Scott R. Silverman, Chairman and CEO of the Company. With what we expect to be a strong first quarter and our robust order backlog for 2024 overall, our team is busy and excited about the year ahead.

C-Bond, through its Patriot Glass Solutions subsidiary, markets C-Bond BRS, a ballistic-resistant film system that includes C-Bonds patented glass strengthening technology, which is applied onto glass prior to the application of window film. Multiple layers of security film on specified glass thickness are then applied to the glass, with the C-Bond chemical solution in between each layer of film, to help stop bullets from penetrating glass. C-Bond BRS is certified by third-party labs to meet National Institute of Justice Level I, Level IIA, Level II, and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 752 ballistic-resistant protection standards. C-Bond BRS is more affordable than bullet-resistant polycarbonate materials and is easy to install.

Patriot Glass Solutions also offers forced entry-resistant film, applied with its proprietary glass strengthener, called its C-Bond Secure product. When used in conjunction with security film, C-Bond Secure delays forced entry, which gives law enforcement or other security personnel more time to lead those inside a facility to safety and apprehend the perpetrator.

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Patriot Glass Solutions protects personal, commercial and government property from looting, smash-and-grabs, break-ins, and gunfire.

To see a demonstration of Patriot Glass Solutions security products, watch our video at: https://bit.ly/3l93oZV

For more information about Patriot Glass Solutions products, please call 844-602-2663 or email Michael Wanke at mike@patriotglasssolutions.com.

About C-Bond

C-Bond Systems, Inc. (OTC: CBNT) is a San Antonio-based nanotechnology company and marketer of the patented C-Bond technology, which is independently proven to strengthen glass in architectural applications. The Companys Patriot Glass Solutions subsidiary sells ballistic-resistant glass solutions and forced entry deterrent solutions to private enterprises, schools, and government agencies. For more information, please visit our websites: www.cbondsystems.com, www.patriotglasssolutions.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbondsys/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBondSys and https://twitter.com/Patriot_Glass.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release about our future expectations, including the likelihood that we expect to report revenue in excess of $1 million for the first quarter of 2024; the likelihood that we plan to file our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, no later than the deadline, April 1, 2024; the likelihood that this will be a significant milestone for us, as we have never before reached quarterly revenue of $1 million; the likelihood that we expect to be a strong first quarter; constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and our actual results could differ materially from expected results. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the Companys ability to successfully commercialize its products; the Companys and its customers ability to source materials; construction delays; film delays; the Companys ability to raise capital; regulatory risks; as well as other risks. Additional information about these and other factors may be described in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) including its Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2023, its Forms 10-Q filed on November 14, 2023, August 14, 2023, and May 15, 2023, and in future filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

CONTACT: Contact: Allison Tomek C-Bond Systems atomek@cbondsystems.com




Cathie Woods New Price Target for Bitcoin Well Above $1M

Cathie Wood, CEO of the investment firm ARK Invest, has significantly increased her bullish outlook on Bitcoin's price trajectory. In a recent interview, she revealed that ARK has "brought forward" its previous $1 million price target for Bitcoin by 2030. Wood attributes this shift to the recent approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States. The surge in interest and investment potential unlocked by these ETFs has prompted ARK to re-evaluate Bitcoin's future.

"That target...it was before the SEC gave us the green light," Wood explained, referring to the Securities and Exchange Commission's approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs. "And I think that was a major milestone, and it has pulled forward the timeline."

While Bitcoin has already seen significant price appreciation, Wood believes the party is just getting started. Major financial institutions, like Morgan Stanley or Bank of America, have yet to fully embrace Bitcoin, according to Wood. "No platform has approved Bitcoin yet," she said. "So all of this price action has happened before they approve it, and so we haven't even begun."

This lack of mainstream institutional involvement suggests even more significant price increases are on the horizon. Wood hinted at a revised price target "well above" $1 million by 2030, but declined to provide a specific figure.
GUANGZHOU, China, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In recent years, Chinese asset management companies are increasingly making their mark on the global stage by establishing overseas subsidiaries and engaging in collaborations with regional partners.

Against this backdrop, E Fund Management Co., Ltd. (E Fund), the largest fund manager in China recently entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BBL Asset Management Co., Ltd. (BBLAM), one of the largest asset managers in Thailand. This partnership aims to offer investors in Thailand and beyond enhanced access to Chinese capital market through an expanded portfolio of investment offerings and services.

The MoU Signing Ceremony at E Fund's Guangzhou Headquarter

Thailand has witnessed a growing interest for foreign investment opportunities during the past years. In particular, Thai investors have shown a high enthusiasm for China investment and the size of investments in China funds exceeded US$4.3 billion by February 2024. However, the presence of Chinese onshore managers is not yet significant in Thai market.

"China is an important market for Thai investors given its close ties with Thailand, as we expand our investment scope into China, we believe that now is the time to increase and bolster the relationship with local asset managers such as E Fund to improve and expand on product offerings and performances through a local perspective. China, now one of the most appealing markets in the world represent an investment opportunity through continuous technological innovation, and industrial upgrading that is too hard to ignore. The market itself is underrepresented in the global indices and we envision an increase percentages towards China in the global markets going forward" said by Mr. Anak Kittivat, VP, Global Investment Management from BBLAM, "the current valuation of Chinese equity market makes it much more appealing and with E Fund's extensive local investment expertise in the Chinese market we aim to leverage on our QFII license to access Chinese local funds and investment products directly, our objectives is to bring a wider and broader Chinese investment products to Thai investors and increase further collaboration with Chinese firms in this regards." He further adds.

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The MoU was signed by Dr. Natthapachara Chiarawongse, CEO of BBLAM and Mr. Shawn Xinrong Woo, Co-CEO of E Fund.

"We are pleased to partner with BBLAM," said Mr. Shawn Xinrong Woo, Co-CEO of E Fund, "This partnership signifies our commitment to advancing our global development strategy and underscores our dedication to providing better services for global investors. By forging this partnership, we will strengthen our presence in Thailand and the broader Southeast Asian region and provide Thai investors insight and access to the Chinese market. Looking forward, we would like to bring a wider suite of solutions to our global clients as the markets continue to open up."

BBLAM's CEO, Dr. Natthapachara Chiarawongse stated, "As a broadly-diversified investment management company, BBLAM offers Thai clients with a comprehensive global product lineup. Collaboration with the largest onshore fund house will certainly enhance our China product offering and our investors will benefit from E Fund's local insights and investment capabilities."

Both companies are confident that this cooperation will create synergies, and is well-positioned to broaden market access, deliver long-term and sustainable value to clients, and strengthen ties between the Chinese and Thai asset management industries.

About E Fund

Established in 2001, E Fund Management Co., Ltd. ("E Fund") is a leading comprehensive fund manager in China with close to RMB 3 trillion (USD 421 billion) under management. It offers investment solutions to onshore and offshore clients, helping clients achieve long-term sustainable investment performances. E Fund's clients include both individuals and institutions, ranging from central banks, sovereign wealth funds, social security funds, pension funds, insurance and reinsurance companies, to corporates and banks. Long-term oriented, it has been focusing on the investment management business since inception and believes in the power of in-depth research and time in investing. It is a pioneer and leading practitioner in responsible investments in China and is widely recognized as one of the most trusted and outstanding Chinese asset managers.

Source: E Fund. AuM is preliminary estimation and includes subsidiaries. Data as of Dec 31, 2023. FX rate is sourced from PBoC as at end of December, 2023

About BBLAM

BBL Asset Management Company Limited (BBLAM) is a broadly-diversified investment management company committed to offering investors superior performance. Founded in March 1992, the company has built its funds under management to approximately 865,578 million baht or 24 billion USD as of December 2023.

As an affiliated company of Bangkok Bank (BBL), the largest Thai commercial bank with 75% stake holding in BBLAM, BBLAM has received full support for fund raising though strong nationwide BBL's branch network.

BBLAM offers and manages various type of fund across equity, fixed income, asset allocation strategies and real estate for institutional and retail clients. BBLAM manages 6 property funds, REITs and Infrastructure funds. The market value was approximately 82,120 million baht or 2,317 million USD (as of 31 Jan 2024), which are invested in several types of assets such as office buildings, retails, transportation, info & communication technology, and energy.

BBLAM's success has been based on the core belief that active management delivers the best long-term returns. A distinctive stock selection approach seeking to generate alpha is central to BBLAM's investment philosophy. The company believes that experienced professionals and disciplined investment process can consistently add value to portfolio.

(PRNewsfoto/E Fund Management)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/chinas-e-fund--thailands-bblam-signed-a-mou-to-establish-partnership-to-expand-investor-reach-302085014.html

SOURCE E Fund Management
(Bloomberg) -- Chinas unceasing economic malaise threatens to ripple across rallying global markets, according to the latest Bloomberg Markets Live Pulse survey.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Global stocks are at records as US economic resilience, buzz around artificial intelligence and growth in places like India and Indonesia keep the rally going. Thats despite troubles in the worlds second-largest economy that include property-sector turmoil, entrenched deflation and geopolitical tensions with the US.

About three-quarters of 238 MLIV Pulse respondents are somewhat or very concerned about the countrys problems spilling into other major economies this year. This underscores the concerns among global investors that China's economic troubles and absence of effective policy response will hit global investment and consumption cycles.

This is a huge economy that is slowing down, said Redmond Wong, market strategist for Saxo Capital Markets HK Ltd. Slower growth in China is a risk to the global economy,

Chinas size and influence with other economies simply makes it difficult to ignore. Dong Chen, chief Asia strategist and head of Asia research for Pictet Wealth Management, warned that the country might export its deflation to the rest of the world. He cited areas like solar panels and electric vehicles where Chinese companies are slashing prices and said that may affect the industries globally.

It would be the same in reverse, too.

Any company in the region exporting to China toward areas that are soft in the economy will be affected, said Xin-Yao Ng, an investment director at abrdn.

This elevated concern about risks of contagion from Chinas troubles comes while countrys benchmark CSI 300 index is rebounding from three years of declines. A rally over the past month, likely with some help from the so-called national team, has sparked debate about whether the floor is in for the countrys stocks  but opinions are still divided. The MLIV Pulse survey shows about an equal number of investors planning to increase and decrease their exposure to the country over the next 12 months.

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The structural and cyclical problems facing the economy are still holding long-term global allocation money from adding positions on China, said Daisy Li, fund manager at EFG Asset Management HK Ltd. Heightened geopolitical tensions in a US election year and the absence of Big Bang stimulus will likely keep global capital at bay, she added.

While President Xi Jinping's government is seeking to break China's cycle of debt-driven growth and sustainably expand the economy, his 5% growth target and measures such as an issuance plan for ultra-long government bonds announced last week during the National Peoples Congress failed to assuage international investors. Instead, more than half of the MLIV Pulse survey participants expect the meeting will be seen as largely irrelevant within a month.

However, the views differ strongly, depending on whether respondents are planning to grow or cut their exposure to the country over the next year.

People were disappointed that the Congress didnt address in any depth the housing or local government debt issues, Wong said. I dont see any catalyst for a turn in the market to spark a big bull run until we see some fundamental change.

Additionally, many respondents see China stock market as likely to fall into an extended slump resembling the one that dogged Japan for decades beginning in the 1990s, when policymakers sought to rein in a credit bubble based on vastly inflated real-estate values and the financial system tumbled into crisis, roiling the equity market for decades.

Read full results: Japanese Yen Will Outperform Chinese Yuan

Without big policy catalysts, the stock market looks set for a choppy path. Morgan Stanley expects volatility to rise as the nations weaker-than-expected fiscal budget bodes ill for corporate earnings and major inflows are likely to be capped in the near-term due to ongoing macro uncertainty and the lagging effect of US yields peaking.

The Chinese equity market has to adjust to much lower economic growth than in the past, Saxos Wong said. Investors have to price in lower growth but at the same time increase the risk premium because the operating environment is more uncertain. Valuations have to be lower.

The MLIV Pulse survey is conducted weekly among Bloomberg readers on the terminal and online by Bloombergs Markets Live team, which also runs the MLIV blog. Respondents include portfolio managers, traders and retail investors around the world.

This story was produced with the assistance of Bloomberg Automation.

(Updates with third chart, link to full results)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
By Aishwarya Jain, Doyinsola Oladipo and Anirban Sen

(Reuters) -Choice Hotels International on Monday scrapped its nearly year-long pursuit of rival Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, after repeated rejections and failing to garner enough support from Wyndham's shareholders for its hostile bid.

Choice said its exchange offer to buy Wyndham's shares has expired and it is withdrawing its nominations of director candidates for Wyndham's board.

Choice first approached Wyndham in April last year and disclosed its cash-and-stock offer in October. Based on the closing share price of the companies on Friday, the offer was worth $89 per share, or about $7.2 billion.

In December, Choice appealed directly to Wyndham's shareholders to break a stalemate in the takeover battle, by unveiling an exchange offer for Wyndham's stock. Choice also nominated a slate of directors to replace Wyndham's eight-member board, Reuters reported.

Wyndham has repeatedly rebuffed Choice's bid as low-premium and fraught with antitrust risk. Wyndham, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, also raised concerns about the combined company carrying too much debt, and a slowdown in Choice's business.

A tie-up between Choice and Wyndham would have created a U.S. budget hotel giant, competing with upscale operators like Hilton Worldwide and Marriott International which have made a push in recent years to enter the budget segment.

Rockville, Maryland-based Choice operates nearly 7,500 hotels in 46 countries in the upper-midscale and upscale segments, including brands such as Radisson, Country Inn & Suites, and Cambria Hotels. Wyndham, which franchises about 9,100 hotels in more than 95 countries, operates budget brands such as Travelodge, Ramada, Days Inn and Microtel.

"While the support from Wyndham stockholders tendering into the exchange offer was significant considering the number of investors structurally prevented from participating at this stage, it was not sufficient for Choice to conclude ... that a path towards a transaction is available at this time," Choice said in a statement.

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Choice's exchange offer received the support of less than 20% of Wyndham's shareholders, people familiar with the matter said.

Choice said it will now focus on its standalone strategy and that its board had boosted the company's share buyback authorization by five million shares, or about $600 million.

Shares of Choice rose more than 4% in afternoon trade, while Wyndham gained more than 1%.

Wyndham has said that it could achieve a higher valuation on its own, projecting compounded annual growth in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of between 7% and 10% through 2026. Its adjusted EBITDA growth had reached 6%, the company recently said.

On Monday, Wyndham welcomed Choice's withdrawal of its tender offer and slate of directors.

"We are confident in Wyndham's standalone strategy and growth prospects under the leadership of our proven management team," said Wyndham Chairman Stephen Holmes.

Ending the takeover bid could benefit Choice, Jefferies analyst David Katz wrote in a note, upgrading the hotel operator to "buy" from "underperform."

"We do not see it completely impossible that CHH could come back in with another offer should WHs shares languish at these levels for another year," said Patrick Scholes, analyst at Truist Securities.

(Reporting by Aishwarya Jain in Bengaluru and Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar, Sriraj Kalluvila and Richard Chang)
Allied Analytics LLP

The coffee substitute market is driven by change in consumer preference toward healthier beverages alternatives. Rise in awareness regarding the benefits of coffee substitutes along with increase in number of key players entering the market has high potential to drive the market growth in coming years.

Wilmington, Delaware 19801, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Coffee Substitute Market By Product Type (Herbal Coffee Substitutes, Grain-based Coffee Substitutes, and Plant-based Substitutes), Packaging (Pouches and Cans), and Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets/Supermarkets, Departmental Stores, Convenience Stores, and Online Sales Channels): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20222032". According to the report, the global coffee substitute market was valued at $1,288.9 million in 2022, and is projected to reach $1,912.9 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2032.

Request Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5946

Prime determinants of growth

The rapid growth of coffee substitute is majorly driven due to rise in awareness regarding coffee substitute and its benefits, along with addition of functional ingredients and introduction of various substitute in coffee substitute products. There has been a growing availability of coffee substitutes, which has further made it easier for consumers to avail it with convenience. Moreover, upsurge in demand for organic and sustainable products and rise in concern of negative impact of coffee plantation on environment, have created demand for substitute in recent years.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20222032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $1,288.9 Million Market Size in 2032 $1,912.9 Million CAGR 4.2% No. of Pages in Report 275 Segments covered Product Type, Packaging, Distribution Channel, and Region. Drivers Rise in awareness regarding coffee substitute and its benefits Addition of functional ingredients and introduction of various substitute Growing availability of coffee substitutes Opportunities Upsurge in demand for organic and sustainable products Rise in concern of negative impact of coffee plantation on environment Restraints High prices of coffee substitutes High competition from coffee products Limited shelf life and perishable nature of goat cheese products







The herbal coffee substitute segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period

By product type, the herbal coffee substitute segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global coffee substitute market revenue and is estimated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. The use of ingredients such as dandelion roots, chicory, roasted barley, carob, cinnamon, and others provides many health benefits, which is an essential factor that drives the growth of this segment. Rise in consumer emphasis on health-conscious choices, caffeine sensitivity, and diverse flavor profiles has fueled the demand for dandelion, chicory, and roasted herbal coffee substitutes. These alternatives are considered as more health-friendly owing to their caffeine-free nature and potential digestive benefits. In addition, their unique roasting processes offer a coffee-like experience without the actual use of coffee beans. Thus, this segment is expected to grow in coming years.

Story continues

Buy This Report (289 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/4a3Rnfi

The pouches segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period

By packaging, the pouches segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than four-fifths of the global coffee substitute market and is estimated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Pouches offer convenience and portability, enabling consumers to easily transport single-serving pouches for on-the-go coffee substitute preparation. The resealable feature of many pouches preserves product freshness, which safeguards the flavor and aroma of the product. Single-serving pouches cater to the demand for quick, controlled servings, especially valuable for busy consumers. Sustainability is a growing concern, and eco-friendly pouch designs align with environmentally conscious consumers, which drives the demand for pouch packaging in the coffee substitute market.

The hypermarkets/supermarkets segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period

By distribution channel, the hypermarkets/supermarkets segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the global coffee substitute market and is estimated to maintain its dominace during the forecast period. Availability of different brands of coffee substitute products along with different packaging of products drives the growth of the segment significantly. In addition, increase in popularity of supermarkets due to the convenience provided for offering a wide range of products under one roof, along with arranging ample parking space with timeless operations makes it a favored option for shopping. In addition, the product arrangement is done by placing similar products near each other, so the consumer is able to compare them easily and have a smooth buying decision.

Europe to maintain its dominance by 2032

Region-wise, Europe held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022 and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. Coffee substitute consumption in North America has increased significantly in recent years, owing to the shift in preferences of people from regular coffee beverages to healthier options. In addition, rise in interest in herbal and natural beverages, coupled with increase in awareness of the health benefits associated with coffee substitutes, has contributed to its popularity in the region. North American consumers are fond of alternatives to traditional caffeinated beverages and are inclined toward coffee substitute for its caffeine-free and relaxation properties. As a result, coffee substitutes can be found in specialty coffee shops, supermarkets, and online platforms, which cater to the diverse tastes and preferences of consumers in North America. The key players are launching new products to expand their business operations across different countries in this region and increase their customer base.

Enquire Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/5946

Leading Market Players: -

Teeccino Caffe Inc.

Rasa, Inc.

Coffig for Life, LLC

Crio Bru LLC,

Caf-Lib

MediDate

Tattva's Herbs LLC

Choffy Inc.

Wooden Spoon Herbs

Dandy Blend

The report analyzes government regulations, policies, and patents to provide information on the current market trends and suggests future growth opportunities globally. Furthermore, the study highlights Porters five forces analysis to determine the factors affecting market growth.

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About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Company continues its momentum as one of the fastest growing cybersecurity companies in North America

NEW YORK, March 11, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Coro, the pioneer of the modular cybersecurity platform for the midmarket, today announced the opening of its London-based Research & Development Center, and the establishment of local data centers in both Canada and Germany. These investments build on Coros exceptional growth in 2023; the company grew 300% year-over-year for the fifth year in a row and was named to the prestigious Deloitte Technology Fast 500.

The opening of Coros second largest R&D Center allows the company to continue its product innovation and rapidly expand its presence in the UK and EMEA. Located in the heart of London, the Center takes advantage of the local product and research talent pool and will also serve as a sales and support center for Coros growing channel and customers in EMEA.

By opening Data Centers in both Germany and Canada, Coro is abiding by data residency regulatory requirements, enabling the company to rapidly expand its channel partnerships and secure the hundreds of thousands of midmarket and small businesses in these geographic regions as well.

The UK R&D Center and local data centers in Germany and Canada are key investments that support Coros global growth in both the EMEA and wider North American markets. Midmarket businesses in the UK and Europe are facing increasing cybersecurity threats, challenges and regulations, and Coros cost-effective and easy to use modular platform will help organizations rise to these challenges.

"This is a landmark announcement for Coro and represents a giant step forward in our mission to provide easy to use, modular security to midmarket companies around the globe," said Guy Moskowitz, CEO at Coro. "We have always strived to find the best talent globally, and thats why we opened our new research and development capabilities in London. Were equally excited to open our new German and Canadian data centers, which allow us to better service customers and forge new strategic partnerships in these regions. We will continue to expand and increase our investments globally as the leader in modular cybersecurity."

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Matt Heron, VP of International Sales at Telarus said of the expansion: "We are excited about Coros commitment to the Canadian market, and are eager to extend the strong relationship weve established with them in the US to our Canadian partners. The Canadian mid-market is woefully underserved, and in partnering with Coro, we are excited for our partners to help rectify that."

About Coro

Coro is the pioneer in modular cybersecurity platforms for SMEs. Coro empowers organizations to easily defend against malware, ransomware, phishing, data leakage, network threats, insider threats and email threats across devices, users, networks and cloud applications. Coros modular cybersecurity platform automatically detects and remediates the many security threats that todays distributed businesses face, without IT teams having to worry, investigate, or fix issues themselves. Ranked #38 on the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 500, Coro is one of the fastest growing cybersecurity companies in North America today. For more information, please visit Coro at coro.net, or via LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311963941/en/

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Biggest challenges are decarbonization, lack of domestic refining capacity, and raising capital, new KPMG in Canada survey finds

TORONTO, March 11, 2024 /CNW/ - Nine in 10 (91 per cent) Canadian mining leaders are optimistic that Canada can be a world leader in critical minerals, yet the overwhelming majority (98 per cent) say their companies require more investment, government commitment, and favourable tax policies to support its growth, finds a KPMG in Canada survey conducted last month.

KPMG Logo (CNW Group/KPMG LLP)

"Canada has put its stake in the ground on critical minerals, but it's clear the industry requires much more support before Canada can be a viable and sustainable global player in the transition to a green economy," says Heather Cheeseman, Partner, and National Mining Leader for KPMG in Canada. "While more than nine in 10 mining decision makers are optimistic about the potential for growth, mining companies are having to deal with many unique challenges, including permitting delays, reducing their carbon footprint, and the ongoing challenge of raising capital. Slumping commodity prices is making it all the more challenging."

Top challenges

Canadian mining and exploration companies agreed that their most-pressing challenges are: Identifying and mitigating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks, raising capital, reducing costs, and overcoming regulatory hurdles. Another pain point respondents specifically identified is permitting timelines, the time it takes to obtain the "right to operate".

Decarbonization is another challenge that the industry faces. Survey respondents say they expect increased scrutiny from investors this year on their decarbonization strategies.

The survey findings show that fewer than a quarter (23 per cent) have made formal commitments to achieve all scope-related carbon emission reductions by 2050 or earlier. About a quarter (24 per cent) have not yet made formal commitments but are working on a plan to reduce emissions, 10 per cent do not have either an ESG or carbon reduction strategy, and 7 per cent do not plan to have one or cannot reduce emissions at this time.

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Scope 1 covers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sources that they directly own or control and scope 2 are indirect emissions created by the production of the energy that an organization buys. Reducing scope 3 emissions are much more difficult than scope 1 and 2 to tackle because they encompass indirect emissions created up and down the company's value chain, which can be problematic for all companies, including mining, says Ms. Cheeseman.

"The pace of decarbonization depends on the company's size, carbon footprint, and resources," says Ms. Cheeseman. "But many in the industry face substantial hurdles to reducing scope 3 emissions in particular. Because Canada has relatively little smelting or refining capacity for most critical minerals, the intermediary minerals Canada produces are shipped to smelters around the world. Until Canada has the capacity to smelt or refine what's mined here, the miners will be limited in what they can do."

Key poll highlights:

98 per cent of 75 mining company decision-makers surveyed by KPMG last month agree the critical minerals sector requires more investment, government commitment, and favourable tax policies from governments (federal and provincial) to build the necessary infrastructure to fast-track exploration and mine development

91 per cent believe Canada has a growth opportunity to be a world leader in critical minerals development

23 per cent have made formal commitments to achieve scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emission reductions by 2050 or earlier

36 per cent have scope 1 and 2 formal commitments to reduce GHG emissions by 2050 or earlier

24 per cent have not yet made formal commitments but are working on a plan to reduce emissions

10 per cent do not have either an ESG or carbon reduction strategy

7 per cent do not plan to have one or cannot reduce emissions at this time

Incentivizing investment

Respondents were also asked for their opinions on the federal Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (CMETC), which provides investors in companies exploring for certain critical minerals a 30 per cent tax credit based on the amount invested.

Mining companies agree the CMETC has been successful in financing and advancing critical minerals exploration activities in Canada. However, many leaders expressed concern with the complication and conditions applicable to the credit.

The CMETC applies to only 15 of 31 critical minerals identified on Canada's critical minerals list, limiting its overall benefit, says Michael Long, a KPMG tax partner.

Further, there is concern in the industry that the 15 per cent federal Mineral Exploration Tax Credit, which incentivizes exploration targeting critical minerals that do not qualify for the CMETC and other minerals such as gold and silver, will not be renewed by the federal government in Budget 2024, he says.

"Canada has a long history of using unique tax mechanisms to encourage mineral exploration and development," says Mr. Long. "Flow-through shares continue to be an important source of mineral exploration financing. As the critical minerals industry evolves, innovative federal and provincial tax policies will be needed to spur domestic investment."

Additional poll findings:

76 per cent say the CMETC helped their company attract capital for mineral exploration

84 per cent agree the process of claiming CMETC is too complicated and too many conditions must be met before expenditures can qualify

83 per cent say tax measures like the CMETC create momentum for this specialized mining activity and are good for the industry

80 per cent want to see the flow-through shares tax credit extended to include other non-critical minerals

KPMG in Canada surveyed 36 owners of mining companies or mining executives as part of its Federal Budget 2024 Edition survey of 534 small-and-medium-sized Canadian companies participating on Sago's online premier business panel and 39 respondents from its own client list. The surveys were conducted between Feb. 3-28, 2024 and the findings have been combined.

About KPMG in Canada

KPMG LLP, a limited liability partnership, is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. For over 150 years, our professionals have provided consulting, accounting, auditing, and tax services to Canadians, inspiring confidence, empowering change, and driving innovation. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, For Better, KPMG employs more than 10,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada, serving private- and public-sector clients. KPMG is consistently ranked one of Canada's top employers and one of the best places to work in the country.

The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of KPMG's global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see kpmg.com/ca

For media inquiries:

Caroline Van Hasselt

National Communications and Media Relations

KPMG in Canada

(416)-777-3288

cvanhasselt@kpmg.ca

SOURCE KPMG LLP

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2024/11/c7874.html
US and coalition forces on Saturday destroyed at least 28 Houthi drones in the area of the Red Sea, said the US military's Central Command, its division responsible for the Middle East, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Safak.

Between 4 and 8.20 a.m. local time (0100-520GMT), U.S. and Coalition forces downed a total of at least 28 uncrewed aerial vehicles, said CENTCOM on X.

It added that the attack caused no damage to US or coalition navy vessels, and there were no reports from commercial ships indicating any harm.

Yemen's Houthis have been targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

Last December, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the creation of a multinational mission, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter the Houthi attacks.???????
(Bloomberg) -- A wave of investor interest is driving billions of dollars into cryptocurrency assets this year, pushing inflows to record-breaking levels, according to CoinShares International Ltd.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A record $2.7 billion flowed into crypto assets last week, according to a Monday report from the digital asset manager and crypto research firm. The bulk of the flows went toward Bitcoin, reads the report. Earlier on Monday, Bitcoin topped $72,000 for the first time ever, and has now notched six straight days of gains.

A combination of bullish events is helping drive the surge in inflows. These include the US Securities and Exchange Commissions approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in January and the upcoming halving event in April, which will cut the supply of new Bitcoin in half.

Since the start of this year, about $10.3 billion has flowed into crypto assets, close to the $10.6 billion of inflows recorded by the market over the entire course of 2021, according to the report by CoinShares head of research, James Butterfill. That was also the year Bitcoin hit its last all-time high near $69,000.

Spot Bitcoin ETF offerings, including from BlackRock Inc. and Fidelity Investments, have attracted a majority of the inflows to crypto markets in 2024. Theyve also helped offset outsized outflows from Grayscale Investments Bitcoin ETF since its conversion from a trust in January.

But as Bitcoin keeps setting new records, some investors appear to be hedging against a correction.

Despite recent price rises, the inflows into short Bitcoin continue wrote Butterfill, pointing to a further $11 million seen last week.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
(Reuters) -Delta Air Lines Inc anticipates that the deliveries of the Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft to the airline could be delayed until as late as 2027, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday, citing an interview with the company CEO Ed Bastian.

Boeing has faced increased scrutiny following a Jan. 5 incident in which a door plug blew off a 737 Max 9 plane mid-flight, sparking fresh concerns about the certification of the already delayed MAX 10 model.

The 737-10, Boeing's largest Max plane with a maximum seating capacity of 230 passengers, is pending certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

"We were already anticipating if it came in 25, it'd be late in the year," Bastian told Bloomberg in an interview Sunday. "My guess is it will be another year or two beyond that."

A Boeing 737 MAX-10 performs a flying display at the 54th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 20, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (REUTERS / Reuters)

Delta currently doesn't fly any of the MAX variants. The MAX 10 serves as Boeings response to Airbus highly successful A321 neo and constitutes more than a fifth of the outstanding MAX orders.

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, according to the report.

There are "several issues with the Boeing 737 Max "that need to be addressed," and the carrier is in ongoing discussions with Boeing, Bastion told Bloomberg.

Boeing declined to comment and Delta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The airline announced in July 2022 that it would buy 100 Boeing 737 Max 10 jets worth about $13.5 billion at list prices and has options to buy another 30 and was looking to begin receiving the planes in 2025.

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler, Aurora Ellis, Mrigank Dhaniwala and Dhanya Ann Thoppil)
(Bloomberg) -- Deutsche Bahn AG failed in its attempt to block another strike by Germanys train drivers union over wages and working hours.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A Frankfurt labor court ruled late Monday under fast-track proceedings that the Gewerkschaft Deutscher Lokomotivfuhrer union could go ahead with the stoppages, saying that they werent disproportionate.

Deutsche Bahn, which argued that the GDL hadnt given sufficient advanced warning, on Tuesday also lost its appeal against the judgment, newswire DPA reported. Germanys national railway operator already lost a similar legal bid in January.

Train drivers operating cargo trains halted work from Monday evening until Tuesday evening and on passenger services on Tuesday through early Wednesday.

The strike notice is far too short, Florian Weh, managing director of the DB employers association AGV MOVE, said in an emailed statement.

The company said it would still be providing around a fifth of its regular passenger services Tuesday.

Its the sixth walkout organized by the GDL in the latest dispute over wages and working hours and coincides with a separate two-day strike by Deutsche Lufthansa AG cabin crew.

GDL Chairman Claus Weselsky said in a statement on the unions website that the court had confirmed the strikes are proportionate, permissible, lawful and therefore suitable for pursuing the legitimate demands of railroad workers.

Read More: Labor Strikes May Push Back Lufthansas Profit Growth Goals

Travelers already faced delayed and canceled connections in Germany last week amid separate labor actions by Lufthansa ground crew and train drivers.

Several European Central Bank Governing Council members attended Thursdays monetary policy meeting in Frankfurt remotely because of the strikes.

Story continues

--With assistance from Zoe Schneeweiss.

(Updates with appeals court ruling in third paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
The dbForge for SQL Server product line showed 19.6% growth in new orders last year, followed by ODBC Drivers and dbForge Studio for MySQL.

Devart

The dbForge for SQL Server product line showed 19.6% growth in new orders last year, followed by ODBC Drivers and dbForge Studio for MySQL.

Prague, Czech Republic, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Devart, a leading provider of database management software, announces its most performing product lines of 2023.

In 2023, Devart launched a brand new strategy for all product lines, prioritizing the enhancement of product quality, customer experience, and international expansion. The companys revised strategy, which also includes a new approach to customer acquisition, has proven to be a competitive advantage.

The dbForge for SQL Server product line showed 19.6% growth in new orders last year, followed by ODBC Drivers and dbForge Studio for MySQL. Let's explore the functionality of these high-performing product lines and examine the features they offer to meet the demands of technical teams and software engineers in 2023.

Bestselling Product Line #1: dbForge for SQL Server

dbForge tools for SQL Server demonstrated a remarkable 19.6% growth in new orders last year. The reasons for exponential growth include a focus on customer experience, resulting in doubled industry recognitions, such as the prestigious 2023 DBTA award, G2 'SQL IDE' award, and others.

From small-scale apps to massive business solutions, SQL Server offers a wide range of capabilities and tools to meet diverse technical demands. Support for complex data types, transaction control, sophisticated indexing, data warehousing, high availability, and a range of security options are among its important characteristics that make SQL Server an indispensable tool for every software development team.

Bestselling Product Line #2: ODBC Drivers

Over the past year, Devart ODBC drivers experienced a 14.7% increase in new orders. This growth was catalyzed by the implementation of a new subscription model, which allows users to opt for a monthly fee payment instead of a one-time payment. Additionally, the product line has been rapidly expanding, providing users with fresh feature updates throughout 2023.

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ODBC data source connectors are in high demand due to their compatibility with numerous third-party solutions. When utilizing Devart's ODBC connectors, accessing databases using the native protocol does not require client software. Additionally, cloud data sources can be accessed over HTTPS. With Devart's ODBC connectors, users can access both cloud data sources over HTTPS and databases directly via the native protocol, eliminating the need for client software.

Bestselling Product Line #3: dbForge Studio for MySQL

In 2023, there was a 13.3% increase in new orders for the Enterprise edition of dbForge Studio for MySQL, attributed to the release of an updated studio version featuring groundbreaking source control and other robust features.

dbForge Studio for MySQL is an advanced and reliable GUI toolkit designed for professionals who work with MariaDB and MySQL databases. This tool provides all the essential features needed to configure and carry out tasks related to MySQL and MariaDB databases. Users of Devart dbForge Studio for MySQL have reported a notable 30% increase in productivity when handling daily routine tasks and coding.

Devart CEO Dmytro Nikolaenko comments: "The results demonstrate the effectiveness of Devart's diversified product portfolio and our ability to offer optimal solutions to our customers. Our strong focus on seizing growth opportunities, diversifying revenue streams, and expanding our product range has led to significant outcomes.

About Devart

Founded in 1997, Devart is one of the leading providers of database management software and ALM solutions for the most popular database servers. The company actively participates in integration programs and cooperates with a number of software providers and resellers in the database industry to unlock limitless potential for over 500K developers in 120 countries. Devart is the parent company of TMetric, a time-tracking and productivity solution, and Skyvia, an all-in-one cloud platform for data integration, backup, access, and management.

For more information, please visit: https://www.devart.com/

Media Contact

Company Name: Devart

Contact Person: Jordan Sanders

Email: jordan.sanders@devart.com

Website: https://www.devart.com/

Disclaimer: There is no offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to buy, and no recommendation of any security or any other product or service in this article. Moreover, nothing contained in this PR should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security, or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. It is your responsibility to determine whether any investment, investment strategy, security, or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. Consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax advisor regarding your specific business, legal, or tax situation. For more info, please contact brandnewsproject@gmail.com.

Attachment




Director James Gentilcore has executed a sale of 2,567 shares of Entegris Inc (NASDAQ:ENTG) on March 7, 2024, according to a recent SEC filing. The transaction was carried out at an average price of $145.03 per share, resulting in a total value of $372,305.01.

Entegris Inc is a global leader in materials science, with a focus on the semiconductor and other high-tech industries. The company specializes in the development, manufacturing, and supply of advanced materials and process solutions that enhance the performance and reliability of electronics and semiconductor devices.

Over the past year, the insider, James Gentilcore, has sold a total of 2,567 shares of Entegris Inc and has not made any purchases of the stock. The insider transaction history for the company shows a pattern of 12 insider sells and no insider buys over the same timeframe.

On the date of the insider's recent transaction, shares of Entegris Inc were trading at $145.03, giving the company a market capitalization of $20.96 billion. The price-earnings ratio of the stock stands at 117.12, which is significantly higher than the industry median of 29.225 and also above the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.

The stock's price-to-GF-Value ratio is 1.19, with a GF Value of $122.30, indicating that Entegris Inc is considered Modestly Overvalued according to GuruFocus's valuation analysis.

The GF Value is a proprietary intrinsic value estimate from GuruFocus, which is determined by historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.

Director James Gentilcore Sells Shares of Entegris Inc (ENTG)

The insider trend image above reflects the recent selling activity by insiders at Entegris Inc, which may be of interest to investors monitoring insider behaviors.

Director James Gentilcore Sells Shares of Entegris Inc (ENTG)

The GF Value image provides a visual representation of the stock's current valuation in relation to its intrinsic value, as estimated by GuruFocus.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


When you buy and hold a stock for the long term, you definitely want it to provide a positive return. Furthermore, you'd generally like to see the share price rise faster than the market. But Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) has fallen short of that second goal, with a share price rise of 65% over five years, which is below the market return. On a brighter note, more newer shareholders are probably rather content with the 24% share price gain over twelve months.

So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 5 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns.

Check out our latest analysis for Discover Financial Services

While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

Over half a decade, Discover Financial Services managed to grow its earnings per share at 7.9% a year. This EPS growth is lower than the 10% average annual increase in the share price. This suggests that market participants hold the company in higher regard, these days. That's not necessarily surprising considering the five-year track record of earnings growth.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

It is of course excellent to see how Discover Financial Services has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. If you are thinking of buying or selling Discover Financial Services stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Discover Financial Services the TSR over the last 5 years was 85%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

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A Different Perspective

Discover Financial Services shareholders are up 28% for the year (even including dividends). Unfortunately this falls short of the market return. On the bright side, that's still a gain, and it's actually better than the average return of 13% over half a decade This could indicate that the company is winning over new investors, as it pursues its strategy. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Discover Financial Services that you should be aware of before investing here.

But note: Discover Financial Services may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

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.
FedEx (NYSE:FDX) has created generational wealth for early investors following its 1978 initial public offering, but the high-growth days for the stock are in the rearview mirror. It also does not have a dividend yield that justifies owning it as a high-yield or income play, as its yield sits at just 2% at the time of this writing.

However, theres a hack you can use to earn a 5.8% dividend yield from FedEx, and thats by investing in one of its largest landlords.

Here's how.

Don't Miss:

Investing in real estate just got a whole lot simpler. This Dara Khosrowshahi-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, and you only need $100.

Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, but few investors have the capital or resources needed to invest in this asset class. A platform backed by industry giant Marcus & Millichap is changing that, allowing individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000.

Realty Income Corporation

Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O) is the 7th largest global REIT with over 13,250 commercial properties in its portfolio and a world-class tenant base that includes FedEx, as well as Walgreens, Dollar General, 7-Eleven, LA Fitness, CVS, Walmart, and Tractor Supply.

FedEx is listed as the seventh-largest client of Realty Income in its most recent investor presentation, equating to 2.2% of its annualized contractual rent.

So, by owning Realty Income, you can generate monthly income that is partially attributable to FedEx.

Realty Income currently pays a monthly dividend of $0.2565, equating to an annual dividend of $3.078 per share and giving it a yield of about 5.8% today.

In addition to being a high-yielding monthly income stock, Realty Income is a dividend-growth superstar. It has raised its annual dividend every year since 1994, putting it on pace for 2024 to mark the 30th consecutive year in which it has raised its dividend for investors.

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Read Next:

Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, but few investors have the capital or resources needed to invest in this asset class. A platform backed by industry giant Marcus & Millichap is changing that, allowing individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000.

Collecting passive income from real estate just got a whole lot simpler. A new real estate fund backed by Dara Khosrowshahi gives you instant access to a diversified portfolio of rental properties, and you only need $100 to get started.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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This article Earn a 5.8% Yield from FedEx Using This Hack originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
(Bloomberg) -- The European Central Bank is leaning against any immediate change in the amount of money lenders need to park with it interest-free, removing for now the threat of a hit to bank profitability.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Ahead of a crucial meeting on Wednesday on a revamp of the ECBs framework for implementing monetary policy, a push by some hawkish officials to increase the so-called Minimum Reserve Requirements, or MRR, from the current 1% has struggled to gain momentum, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

No decision has yet been taken, and even if that level is confirmed this week, officials havent excluded the prospect that it could be raised in the future, the people said, who asked not to be identified because discussions are confidential.

Banking stocks moved on the news, with Deutsche Bank AG rising as much as 1.95% and BNP Paribas SA up as much as 0.64%

President Christine Lagarde revealed last Thursday that the ECB is looking to reach consensus this week after months of reviewing its framework, adding that MRR will form part of the subsequent announcement. Observers are eagerly awaiting the decision, as some reckon the outcome could influence the flow of credit to the euro area.

Expectations have varied until now, with Commerzbank analysts predicting an increase to 2% and UniCredits economists foreseeing no change. Whatever is decided and announced on Wednesday, adjustments to the ratio are theoretically possible at any time.

An ECB spokesperson declined to comment on any prospective MRR decision.

Lenders currently need to hold 1% of certain liabilities  mostly customer deposits  at the ECB.

In July last year, policymakers decided to stop paying interest on those holdings. At the time, some wanted the central bank to also raise the amount required from banks, arguing that 2% had been the rule before 2011.

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Some officials still want to force banks to hold more cash at the ECB, arguing that this would reduce still-abundant liquidity in the financial system and also reduce losses incurred from the higher interest that the ECB and its 20 national central banks now pay on deposits.

Austrias Robert Holzmann last year floated the idea of increasing the ratio to something in a range of 5-10%. Bundesbanks Joachim Nagel has also indicated he would support a move higher.

Holzmanns proposal met with alarm from bank lobbyists, who argued that a tougher requirement would be equivalent to a tax and impair lending.

Bank of Spain Governor Pablo Hernandez de Cos has said in the past that further action doesnt seem obvious to me. Belgians Pierre Wunsch has also observed that he doesnt see any strong arguments in favor of a higher minimum reserve ratio.

--With assistance from Steven Arons.

(Updates with bank share moves in fourth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
BANGKOK, March 11, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Epicor, a global industry-specific enterprise software leader, celebrated a multitude of successes at the companys annual Asia Connect customer event, held in Bangkok, Thailand last week. The event marked 30 years of Epicor operating across North and Southeast Asia, and showcased how Epicor has supported customers and their ever-evolving needs in driving growth and operational success.

Vincent Tang, Epicor Vice President of Sales for Asia, said, "We did not want to let this milestone moment pass and as such celebrated our commitment and loyalty to this key region. As digitalisation continues to grow across Asia, we will support our customers by introducing initiatives in AI and enhancements to Industry 4.0, creating the digital connections to make work better. We are passionate about educating and attracting younger people into the manufacturing industry, with the purpose of providing them with the digital foundation that powers the growth of the make, move, and sell economy."

Epicor has seen significant SaaS growth over the past three years thanks to increased cloud adoption across Asia, with many regional businesses implementing or migrating to Epicor Kinetic in the cloud  a purpose-built, scalable platform that helps manufacturers better compete and grow their businesses.

Reflecting on the companys success, Epicor Executive Vice President, International, Andy Coussins commented, "The outstanding performance in cloud growth is a testament to the local Epicor team  their strong commitment to enabling customers to pivot to SaaS and helping them on their digital transformation journeys should not go unnoticed. We have made great strides in the last 30 years to expand our regional footprint; immerse ourselves into local markets, industries, and specialties; and drive significant investments to ensure our customers are receiving a first-class experience. We look forward to continuing this momentum in this vital region."

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The event celebrated customer innovation and excellence for those who have excelled in leveraging Epicor solutions to transform and accelerate their business ambitions.

The Epicor Champion Award winners included:

Manufacturing Champion: Essons Global Industrial Company had limited visibility on the shop floor and relied on manual data collection and entry. Utilising Epicor Kinetic and MES, Essons has seen processes reduce from 20 to 25 days down to just three to five days, and an 80 percent reduction in operational delays, freeing up management to focus on strategic goals.

Innovation Champion: Thong Guan Industries Berhad has been an Epicor customer since 2015, leveraging Epicor across their organisation including operations, finance, shop floor, and warehouse management. By using Epicor Kinetic, they are advancing towards their Net Zero initiatives and closely monitoring their material usage in production. This strategic approach has significantly reduced plastic wastes by minimising the amount of damaged goods and materials upon arrival, leading to a more sustainable solution for their customers.

Project Champion: Kenny Tang from Volex was recognised for his resilience and drive in progressing project milestones. Kenny helped to adopt a next generation global operating system, overseeing Epicor implementations across three factories in China, with 10 additional implementations planned over the next few years.

Executive Champion: NTN Medical Team, part of the Herbert Thailand Group, has evolved from a small workshop to a world-class player implementing Epicor Kinetic in the cloud to better focus on their business. The company has made great strides in automation, streamlining intercompany transactions and making significant financial savings.

About Epicor

Epicor equips hard-working businesses with enterprise solutions that keep the world turning. For 50 years, Epicor customers in the automotive, building supply, distribution, manufacturing, and retail industries have trusted Epicor to help them do business better. Innovative Epicor solution sets are carefully curated to fit customer needs and built to flexibly respond to their fast-changing reality. With deep industry knowledge and experience, Epicor accelerates its customers ambitions, whether to grow and transform, or simply become more productive and effective. Visit www.epicor.com for more information.

Epicor and the Epicor logo are trademarks of Epicor Software Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. Other trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners. The product and service offerings depicted in this document are produced by Epicor Software Corporation. Results are not guaranteed, and each users experience will vary.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240310393370/en/

Contacts

Media Contact:

Charlotte Stretton

International PR Lead

Charlotte.stretton@epicor.com
HONG KONG, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EquitiesFirst, global equity-backed financing specialist, today announced the appointment of Andrew Stevens as Principal Representative of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) of Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Ltd (DIFC Representative Office) in the Dubai International Financial Centre, United Arab Emirates with immediate effect. Based in the new representative office[1] in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in the United Arab Emirates, Andrew will oversee EquitiesFirst's marketing initiatives across MENA markets, marking a significant step in expanding the company's presence in this dynamic region.

EquitiesFirst today announced the appointment of Andrew Stevens as Principal Representative, MENA of Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Ltd (DIFC Representative Office) in the Dubai International Financial Centre, United Arab Emirates with immediate effect.

Andrew brings more than a decade of experience in global financial services to his new role, specializing in business development and complex financing solutions aligned to equity-based portfolios. Prior to joining EquitiesFirst, he held key management roles in the financial industry, providing strategic consultation on alternative financing solutions to wealth management professionals, high-net-worth individuals and brokerage firms. His seasoned expertise will play a pivotal role in shaping the development of EquitiesFirst's presence in the MENA market, further solidifying the company's position as a leader in equity financing.

Mr Al Christy Jr, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of EquitiesFirst said, "As EquitiesFirst embarks on its third decade, the opening of the Dubai office signals the new era of our global presence. This strategic move underscores our commitment in providing financing solutions for our partners to attain their business goals, while strengthening and fostering new collaborations in a region that is full of potential. We are delighted to welcome Andrew as EquitiesFirst's representative in MENA, as his wealth of experience aligns seamlessly with our vision for the region."

Mr Andrew Stevens said from Dubai, "It is an honor to be appointed to this exciting role and I look forward to spearheading EquitiesFirst's future development in the flourishing Dubai and MENA markets replete with opportunities. Drawing from my experience in the private credit and financial services sector, I am committed to leveraging our long-standing international network to deliver more innovative equity-backed financing solutions that contribute to the success of our partners in this vibrant market."

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[1] Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Ltd (DIFC Representative Office) is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) as a Representative Office and has received approvals from the Dubai Financial Market and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange as the first and only REPO Buyer in the region.

About Equities First Holdings

Founded in 2002, EquitiesFirst is a global investor specializing in long-term equities-based financing. EquitiesFirst's approach overcomes traditional limitations and redefines the financing experience through providing efficient access to capital for listed companies, entrepreneurs and investors against publicly traded securities. The total value of loans transacted is more than US$4.5 billion as of January 2024.

Headquartered in Indianapolis, USA, EquitiesFirst maintains an international footprint of 13 offices in eight countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, China (Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing), South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Australia (Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane) and the United Arab Emirates. EquitiesFirst is licensed and/or registered in all jurisdictions where required.

EquitiesFirst is the pioneer of Progressive Capital  a partnership approach to investment, rooted in respect, mutual interest and understanding. EquitiesFirst delivers liquidity solutions that are vital, transformative and move partners forward.

For more information, please visit www.equitiesfirst.com/.

Disclaimer

This Document is intended solely for accredited investors, sophisticated investors, professional investors, or otherwise qualified investors, as may be required by law or otherwise, and it is not intended for, and should not be used by, persons who do not meet the relevant requirements. The content provided herein is for informational purposes only and is general in nature and not targeted to any specific objective or financial need. The views and opinions expressed in this Document have been prepared by third parties and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of EquitiesFirst. EquitiesFirst has not independently examined or verified the information provided herein, and no representation is made that it is accurate or complete. Opinions and information herein are subject to change without notice. The content provided does not constitute an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to purchase) any securities, investments, or any financial products ("Offer"). Any such Offer shall only be made through a relevant offering or other documentation which sets forth its material terms and conditions. Nothing contained in this Document shall constitute a recommendation, solicitation, invitation, inducement, promotion, or offer for the purchase or sale of any investment product by First Holdings, LLC or its subsidiaries (collectively, "EquitiesFirst"), nor shall this Document be construed in any way as investment, legal, or tax advice, or as a recommendation, reference, or endorsement by EquitiesFirst. You should seek independent financial advice prior to making an investment decision about a financial product.

This Document contains the intellectual property of EquitiesFirst in the United States and other countries, including, without limitation, their respective logos and other registered and unregistered trademarks and service marks. EquitiesFirst reserves all rights in and to their intellectual property contained in this Document. The Document should not be distributed, published, reproduced or otherwise made available in whole or in part by recipients to any other person and, in particular, should not be distributed to persons in any country where such distribution may lead to a breach of any legal or regulatory requirement.

EquitiesFirst make no representation or warranty with respect to this Document and expressly disclaim any implied warranty under law. You acknowledge that EquitiesFirst is not liable under any circumstances for any direct, indirect, special, consequential, incidental, or punitive damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, any lost profits or lost opportunity, even if EquitiesFirst has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

EquitiesFirst makes the following further statements that may be applicable in the stated jurisdiction:

Dubai: Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Ltd (DIFC Representative Office) at Gate Precinct Building 4, 6th Floor, Office 7, Dubai International Financial Centre (commercial license number CL7354) is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority ("DFSA") as a Representative Office (DFSA Firm Reference No.: F008752). All rights reserved.

The information contained in this document is intended to be general in nature, and, to the extent that it is perceived as advice, any advice contained in this document is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation, suitability of the financial products or your needs.

The material contained in this document is for information purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice, including an offer or solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell financial products. The information contained in this document is intended to be general in nature and any advice contained in this document is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation, suitability of the financial products or your needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided and the nature of the relevant financial product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

This document relates to a financial product which is not subject to any form of regulation or approval by the DFSA. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with this financial product. Accordingly, the DFSA has not approved this document or any other associated documents nor taken any steps to verify the information set out in this document, and has no responsibility for it.

Australia: Equities First Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd (ACN: 142 644 399) holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number: 387079). All rights reserved.

The information contained on this Document is intended for persons located in Australia only and classified as a Wholesale Client only as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. The distribution of information to persons outside this criteria may be restricted by law and persons who come into possession of it should seek advice and observe any such restriction.

The material contained in this Document is for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell financial products.

The information contained in this Document is intended to be general in nature and is not personal financial product advice. Any advice contained in the Document is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided and the nature of the relevant financial product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. You should seek independent financial advice and read the relevant disclosure statements or other offer documents prior to making an investment decision about a financial product.

Hong Kong: Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Limited holds a Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Type 1 License and licensed in Hong Kong under the Money Lenders Ordinance (Money Lender's Licence No. 1681/2023). This Document has not been reviewed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. It is not intended as an offer to sell securities or a solicitation to buy any product managed or provided by Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Limited and is only intended for Professional Investors. This document is not directed to individuals or organizations for whom such offers or invitations would be unlawful or prohibited.

Korea: The foregoing is intended solely for professional financial consumers, professional investors or otherwise qualified investors who have sufficient knowledge and experience in entering into securities financing transactions. It is not intended for, and should not be used by, persons who do not meet that criteria.

United Kingdom: Equities First (London) Limited is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"). In the UK, this Document is only being distributed and made available to persons of the kind described in Article 19(5) (investment professionals) and Article 49(2) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.) of Part IV of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (''FPO'') and any investment activity to which this presentation relates is only available to, and will only be engaged in with, such persons. Persons who do not have professional experience in matters relating to investment or who are not persons to whom Article 49 of the FPO applies should not rely on this document. This Document is only prepared for and available to persons who qualify as Professional Investors under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive.

2024 Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Limited. All rights reserved.

Cision

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SOURCE EquitiesFirst
Lithuania banned cars with Russian license plates on Monday, except for diplomatic cars and vehicles transiting through Lithuania to and from Russias Kaliningrad region, according to the Customs Department, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

As of March 11, drivers with Russian license plates will be deemed in breach of the legislation and will in turn be liable under the Code of Administrative Offences, the Customs said.

There are still around 50 Russia-registered cars on Lithuanian territory, with their owners facing fines of 200-6,000 ($219-6,561), the authority said, adding these cars would be seized unless they departed from the country.

The Russian citizens who are heading to or from Russias Kaliningrad Oblast through Lithuania and have corresponding documentation are exempt from the ban, however, transit through Lithuania must not take longer than 24 hours, according to Customs.

Furthermore, cars will not be allowed to enter Lithuania without their owners being physically present in the car.

Lithuania initially banned cars with Russian license plates from entering its territory in September last year, following a recommendation from the European Commission.

All Baltic countries including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, have now banned the entry of vehicles with Russian number plates with Poland, Finland, Norway, and Bulgaria having introduced the bans.
Mark Kempa, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NYSE:NCLH), has sold 19,965 shares of the company on March 8, 2024, according to a recent SEC filing. The transaction was executed at an average price of $20.01 per share, resulting in a total value of $399,699.65.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd is a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. With a combined fleet of 28 ships with approximately 59,150 berths, these brands offer itineraries to more than 490 destinations worldwide. The company is also currently developing new ships that will further expand its fleet in the coming years.

Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 24,665 shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd and has not made any purchases of the stock. The recent sale by the insider is part of a series of transactions that have taken place over the last year, with 5 insider sells and 0 insider buys reported.

On the date of the insider's recent sale, shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd were trading at $20.01, giving the company a market capitalization of $8.428 billion.

The stock's price-earnings ratio stands at 70.71, which is above the industry median of 20.615 and also exceeds the company's historical median price-earnings ratio. This indicates that the stock is trading at a higher multiple compared to its peers and its own historical valuation.

According to the GuruFocus Value, with a share price of $20.01 and a GF Value of $67.71, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 0.3. This suggests that the stock is currently categorized as a Possible Value Trap, and investors should think twice before making an investment based on its GF Value.

The GF Value is a proprietary intrinsic value estimate from GuruFocus, which is calculated by considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.

Story continues

EVP & CFO Mark Kempa Sells 19,965 Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH)

The insider trend for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd indicates a pattern of selling among insiders, which could be a point of consideration for current and potential investors.

EVP & CFO Mark Kempa Sells 19,965 Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH)

Investors and analysts often monitor insider selling as it can provide insights into an insider's perspective on the value of the company's stock. However, insider transactions are not always indicative of future stock performance and may be influenced by various factors, including personal financial needs or portfolio diversification strategies.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


(Bloomberg) -- A former Credit Suisse executive will oversee investment firms for one of Europes oldest auto dynasties, joining a rising number of women in top roles at money managers for the ultra-rich.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Lucia Waldner, the former head of the Swiss banks internal research unit, was named chief executive officer and managing director of the billionaire Opel familys Hansa Aktiengesellschaft and GVO Asset Management, according to a statement Monday.

Shes scheduled to start in June and will be in charge of managing the companies operations and assets, with a focus on driving future growth, GVO Asset Management said in the statement. She replaces longtime executive Michael Kuessner, wholl continue as a consultant and will also join Hansas board.

Waldner declined to comment.

The family traces its fortune to 1862 when Adam Opel opened a bicycle and sewing-machine manufacturer in Germany that began making cars about four decades later. They sold the company about a century ago to General Motors Co., which continued to own the Opel brand until 2017 when it was bought by the maker of Peugeot, now part of Stellantis NV.

Read More: Why Billionaires Have Family Offices and What They Do: QuickTake

Adam Opels great-grandson, Georg, 57, helps to oversee both Hansa and GVO Asset Management, registry filings show. Hes a major shareholder in Athris AG, a Swiss investment firm with holdings of more than 1 billion Swiss francs ($1.1 billion) in equities, real estate and hedge funds, according to latest filings.

Waldner spent almost a decade at Credit Suisse  including a stint as chief of staff to former Chairman Urs Rohner  before leaving in 2018 to take on leadership roles at the family office for Swiss entrepreneur Claudio Cisullo, according to her LinkedIn profile.

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Shes among a group of women taking on senior roles in billionaires family offices. Former Foresite Capital executive Alisa Mall was hired in 2022 to oversee Michael Dells assets, while Suzi Kwon Cohen is chief investment officer of Mousse Partners, the multibillion-dollar investment firm for the dynasty behind Chanel. Sergey Brins family office recently hired Rachel Teo, the former head of sustainability for Singapores sovereign wealth fund, to manage green investments.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Awarded 51 Franchise Agreements Internationally

2023 Highlights

Revenues of $4.1 billion in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand

Office Count: 862

Employed 492,000 associates

Client Partners: 73,000

OKLAHOMA CITY, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Notching the third-best year for sales in the staffing company's more than 40-year history, Express Employment Professionals saw revenues of $4.1 billion in 2023, employing 492,000 associates at 862 franchise locations across the globe.

Express Employment International

Franchise expansion consisted of awarding 51 franchise development agreements, including locations in Ohio, Alabama, Texas, Maryland and South Africa.

"With the surge in demand for top talent over the past few years, Express franchise owners and their staff have risen to the occasion, propelling us to record-setting numbers once again," Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller said. "We are not only meeting but exceeding the needs of our clients, and I am humbled by the trust they have placed in us."

Express earned several recognitions throughout 2023, including designations on the following lists:

Entrepreneur: Franchise 500 List and Best in Category for the 12 th consecutive year, Franchise 500 Hall of Fame, Fastest Growing Franchises, Top Global Franchises, Top Franchises for less than $150,000, Best 150 Franchises for Multi-Unit Owners and Top Franchises for Veterans

Forbes: America's Best Professional Recruiting Firms and America's Best Temp Staffing Firms

Staffing Industry Analysts: Fifth-Largest U.S. Staffing Firm, Second-Largest U.S. Industrial Staffing Firm, Third-Largest U.S. Office/Clerical Staffing Firm, Largest U.S. Direct Hire Firms, Top 50 Providers of Direct Hire Services Globally and 13 th -Largest Global Staffing Firm

Franchise Business Review: Top Franchise Culture, Top Recession-Proof Franchises, Most Innovative Franchises, Most Profitable Franchises, Top Franchises for Veterans and Top Franchises

ClearlyRated: Best of Staffing Client Diamond Award

Franchise Direct: Top 100 Global Franchises

Franchise Times: Top 400 (#25)

Franchise Research Institute: World Class Franchise Since 2006

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Kicking off 2024, Forbes has already recognized Express as one of America's Best Large Employers, and Newsweek named the company one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women.

Express is also proud to announce the rebranding of its healthcare staffing entity, now known as Express Healthcare Staffing.

"As we navigate this year's opportunistic market conditions, our commitment remains unwavering: to bridge the gap between exceptional companies and quality job seekers," Stoller said. "Together, we continue to set new standards in the industry, and I am excited for the future as we build upon this foundation of success."

If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bill Stoller to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena Hollander, Director of Corporate Communications and PR, at (405) 717-5966.

About Bill Stoller

William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment International. Founded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing franchisor supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and related brands. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

About Express Employment Professionals

At Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 492,000 people globally in 2023 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.

Cision

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SOURCE Express Services dba Express Employment Professionals
FILE - Crowds fill Main Street USA in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Oct. 1, 2021. Almost a year after Florida lawmakers passed a law giving Floridas governor control over Walt Disney Worlds governing district, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, called the takeover a success, despite an exodus of workers, ongoing litigation and accusations of cronyism by the new leadership. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)/Orlando Sentinel via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  The court fight between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' appointees over control of Walt Disney World's government won't be decided until at least this summer, provided the two sides don't reach a settlement beforehand.

A hearing over whether the state court case should move forward or be decided without the need for a full trial was set last week for July 25 in Orlando.

Disney claims the Republican governor and his appointees took over the district, which provides government services like planning and firefighting at Disney World, in retaliation for the company opposing Florida's so-called Dont Say Gay law.

The 2022 law banned classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades and was championed by DeSantis, who had used Disney as a punching bag in speeches on the campaign trail until he suspended his campaign for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination earlier this year.

DeSantis and his appointees to the governing district had a first-round victory in the multiple court fights over the takeover when a federal judge in Tallahassee in January dismissed Disneys free speech lawsuit against them. Disney is appealing that decision.

___

Follow Mike Schneider on X: @MikeSchneiderAP.
A Nebraska-based grocery distribution company has big plans to take over an existing Colorado City warehouse and bring 40-50 new jobs to the community thanks to a Rural Jumpstart Program that will provide tax incentives for the business.

AMCON Distributing Company, which serves convenience stores, purchased the $10 million property on Feb. 13 at 4038 Dover Drive in Colorado City, according to the Pueblo County Assessor's website. The building was constructed in 1975 and used as a Columbia Records distribution center before being remodeled in 1986 and used by Kroger as a food distribution center.

"The building was phenomenally built and it is a very large facility, so we will be bringing 40 to 50 jobs in the early days and have the potential for growth beyond that. We are growing," said Chris Atayan, chief executive officer and chairman of AMCON.

AMCON Distributing Company will be opening a distribution center in Colorado City this summer where 40 to 50 new jobs will be available to start.

The company offers competitive wages and benefits. AMCON will be hiring workers in management, transportation and its warehouse.

Local workers can soon check for job openings on the company's AMCON.com website.

"We are a family-oriented company that takes our obligations to families and careers very seriously and we have people whose careers have lasted many decades with us," Atayan said.

The Colorado City facility is 249,200 square feet and is situated on 30 acres. It features significant refrigerated and frozen storage capability, refrigerated docks, extensive docks, parking and room for future expansion.

Some refrigeration and freezer expansion work is being done on the building before the distribution center can open, which will probably be sometime this summer, Atayan said.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based company is the third largest convenience store distribution company in the United States, serving 7,000 convenience stores in 32 states. It will be developing new customers in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, the Oklahoma Panhandle, western Kansas and western Nebraska thanks to the new distribution center in Colorado City, Atayan said.

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AMCON Distributing Company will be opening a Colorado City distribution center similar to this one this summer where 40 to 50 new jobs will be available to start.

How AMCON came to Colorado City

"We've been searching throughout the Rocky Mountain area for three years to find a facility, site and location that would work for us," Atayan said. "When this opportunity became available, we jumped on it and I got on the next plane to meet the owner, Ray Kasel."

As soon as he saw it, Atayan said he knew the facility would be ideal for AMCON's growth plan, thanks to its proximity to Interstate 25. The view of the Greenhorn Mountains was the icing on the cake, he said.

The Southern Colorado Economic Development District supported and partnered with AMCON to bring the company to rural Pueblo County as the sponsoring entity for the Rural Jumpstart Program. The program is a tax-incentive program created through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade that encourages companies to start businesses or move them to rural, economically distressed counties in Colorado and hire new employees.

We are pleased to partner with AMCON to bring this facility to Pueblo County and support both economic and workforce development for the region, said Leslie Mastroianni, executive director of the Southern Colorado Economic Development District.

"Rural Jumpstart Program is a tool not enough people know about and taking advantage of it was key to getting this business to Colorado City," Mastroianni said. "We hope the counties in our region will recognize it for the fantastic economic development tool that it is."

Counties eligible to participate in the Rural Jumpstart Program include Pueblo, Otero, Prowers, Huerfano, Lake and Kiowa, as they have already been approved and have a sponsoring entity like the Southern Colorado Economic Development District. Counties that are eligible to apply, but have not had any businesses do so yet include Baca, Bent, Crowley, and Custer, said Tracy Gutirrez, senior program manager for the economic development district.

Two other potential businesses could be coming to Pueblo County in the near future, thanks to the Rural Jumpstart Program, Gutirrez said.

To find out more about the Rural Jumpstart Program, visit the Southern Colorado Economic Development District website, email Tracy Gutierrez, senior program manager, at tracy@scedd.com, or visit the state's website at oedit.colorado.gov/rural-jump-start-program.

More grocery news: Colorado AG fighting proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger. Here's how it may impact Pueblo

Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Food distributor bringing 40-50 jobs to Colorado City, Pueblo County
Transparency Market Research

The food industry has been evolving substantially. Due to this, the demand for packaging foils and films is also increasing. The awareness about food leftovers is rising, which makes consumers pack the leftover food from restaurants. Hence, this acts as another driving force for the market under consideration.

Wilmington, Delaware, United States, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - The expected market valuation of the global food wrap films market is US $ 12.0 billion, which shall be achieved by the market by 2026. In the case of the current market valuation, the last measured value was in 2021, accounting for about US$ 10.8 billion. The advancement forecasted by the market is a sluggish progress at a CAGR of 2.0%.

As far as the fundamental market driver is concerned, it is evident from the rising demand for flexible wrapping and packaging solutions for the food industry that foils, wrappers, and films are frequently required. Therefore, it creates demand for the subject market. Additionally, this factor enables the transportation of the food with better handling and shelf-life. Due to this, demand from consumers is also increasing for the same.

Consumers demand more Cost-efficient and eco-friendly products so that food carrying becomes more convenient. These purposes are mainly served by aluminum foil. Apart from this, the weight of the foil is negligible, and hence, it proves to be another market driver for the subject market.

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The food service industry has been emerging in the modern business world. As a result, there is a rising demand for better food packaging and delivery. This is better served with the help of different foil and wrapping film materials. Hence, this is another market driver.

Key Findings from the Market Report



The global food wrap films market operates in limited market segments. From the perspective of the market segment of the material used, it is evident that aluminum is a widely used material. Aluminum foils find versatile applications; therefore, this market segment is vast.

Apart from this, plastic material is a crucial vertical in the market segment that is vastly used. Polyethylene film carry bags are widely used in the food industry.

From the industry's perspective using food wrapping films, the retail sector uses several food-covering films to cover items from the store.

Furthermore, meat shoppers, a food industry segment, use polyethylene films on a larger level.

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Regional Profile



Regarding the market share secured by different continents in the global food wrap films market, Europe is anticipated to have the largest share. This is due to the continent's availability of labor and cheaper production costs. Also, the sales points within different European countries are higher, easing the wrapping films sales.

Asia-Pacific is the following region, which shows significant growth in the subject market. It has been anticipated to progress with a CAGR of 2.3% from 2022 to 2026.

The Middle East and North America also contribute to the subject market.

Key Trends for the Food Wrap Films Market



In 2022, Georgia-Pacific LLC finalized an acquisition deal with Bakelite Synthetics. This shall diversify the market vertical for the business and help the organization collaborate with allied companies.

In 2023, Amcor Plc acquired Phoenix Flexibles, Moda, and MDK from India, New Zealand, and China, respectively. Due to this strategic move made by the key player in the global food wrap films market, international expansion has become possible. Due to this, the consumer base of the said business has increased.

In February 2024, Berry Global, Inc. introduced new circular stretch films due to innovation. Better load integrity can be achieved due to the said development.

Competitive Landscape



Georgia-Pacific LLC is one of the key competitors working in different verticals. It does not only produce cellulose products but also offers packaging services and products related to the same.

Berry Global, Inc. produces many plastic products, including plastic tubs, pots, bottles, bags, and more.

Lastly, Amcor Plc operates in different markets, including food and beverage, pet care, healthcare, etc.

Key Players



Amcor Plc

Berry Global Inc.

Georgia-Pacific LLC

Hindalco Industries Limited

Huhtamaki Oyj

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Limited

Mondi Group

Pactiv LLC

Thong Guan Industries Berhad

Tonesed Company RUSAL Plc

Speciality Polyfilms

Guangdong Xintianli Holdings Co. Ltd

Nan Ya Wrap Film

Dupont Teijin Films

KM Packaging

Cosmo Films Limited

Borealis

Indevco Plastics

Korpak

Sirane Group

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Market Segmentation



Material Type

Aluminum

Plastic

Polyethylene

Polyamide

Polypropylene

PVC

PVDC

Others (EVOH, Bioplastic, etc.)

End User

Food Processing

Bakery & Confectionery

Meat & Seafood

Dairy Product

Others

Food Service

Retail

Region

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

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Plastic Crates Market - The Plastic Crates Market is expected to grow by US$ 6.6 Bn, progressing at a CAGR of almost 6.7% during the forecast period.

Sustainable Packaging Market - The global sustainable packaging market was valued US$ 252.4 Bn in 2022 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2023 to 2030.

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques to gather and analyses information.

Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FWD Group Holdings Limited ("FWD Group" or "FWD") today announced the completion of an additional investment for a further 21 percent stake in FWD Takaful Berhad ("FWD Takaful").

(PRNewsfoto/FWD Group Holdings Limited)

FWD is now the majority shareholder in FWD Takaful, with a 70 percent holding. The remaining 30 percent is held by the Employees Provident Fund, while JAB Capital Berhad is no longer a shareholder after the transaction.

"We are delighted to increase our investment in FWD Takaful, after first entering the Malaysian market five years ago. Our commitment to changing the way people feel about takaful in Malaysia is all about building our presence in the local community over the long term," said Binayak Dutta, Managing Director of FWD Group.

FWD Takaful today offers a comprehensive family takaful product portfolio to customers in Malaysia, including term life, critical illness, cancer, hospital cash benefit and medical protection.

"With the continued commitment of FWD Group over the years to its development in Malaysia, we've created a full-service offering to provide both family takaful and life insurance solutions in a rapidly growing market with long-term potential," added Binayak Dutta.

Malaysia is the fourth largest life insurance market by premium in Southeast Asia[1]. Insurance penetration[2] is less than five percent alongside highly attractive macroeconomic fundamentals and favourable demographics.

FWD Group first entered the Malaysian market in 2019 as a provider of family takaful products with its acquisition of a 49 percent interest in FWD Takaful. Later that year, FWD Group established its regional technology and innovation hub in Kuala Lumpur, with a focus on delivering best-in-class technology and supporting innovation across the whole company.

In 2023, FWD Group created a full-service offering in Malaysia, with both family takaful and life insurance solutions with its establishment of FWD Insurance Berhad. This followed the completion of the company's investment, together with other investors, in the business formerly known as Gibraltar BSN, on 3 April 2023.

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The Southeast Asia region is strategically important for FWD Group, with more than half of its value of new business[3] contributed by its operations in the region. FWD Group is a top five insurer and top bancassurer within its Southeast Asia markets, on an annual premium equivalent[4] basis.

[1] NMG; Swiss Re [2] NMG [3] For the six months ended 30 June 2023 [4] For the nine months ended 30 September 2023

About FWD Group

FWD Group is a pan-Asian life insurance business with more than 11 million customers across 10 markets, including some of the fastest-growing insurance markets in the world. FWD reached its 10-year anniversary in 2023. The company is focused on making the insurance journey simpler, faster and smoother, with innovative propositions and easy-to-understand products, supported by digital technology. Through this customer-led approach, FWD is committed to changing the way people feel about insurance.

For more information, please visit www.fwd.com

Cision

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SOURCE FWD Group Holdings Limited
Assessing the Sustainability and Growth of Gildan Activewear Inc's Dividends

Gildan Activewear Inc (NYSE:GIL) recently announced a dividend of $0.21 per share, payable on 2024-04-08, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-03-12. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Gildan Activewear Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Gildan Activewear Inc Do?

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How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

Gildan is a vertically integrated designer and manufacturer of basic apparel, including T-shirts, underwear, socks, and hosiery. Its primary market is the sale of blank T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other apparel to wholesalers, major clothing brands, and printers (printwear). Gildan also sells branded clothing through retail and direct-to-consumer channels. Brands include Gildan, American Apparel, Comfort Colors, and Gold Toe. Gildan produces most of its clothing at factories in Latin America and recently began operating a new plant in Bangladesh. Incorporated in 1984, the Montreal-based company operates internationally but generates nearly 90% of its sales in the U.S.

Gildan Activewear Inc's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Gildan Activewear Inc's Dividend History

Gildan Activewear Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2011. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Gildan Activewear Inc's Dividend Analysis

Breaking Down Gildan Activewear Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Gildan Activewear Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.18% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 2.41%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Gildan Activewear Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 71.70%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 13.40% per year. And over the past decade, Gildan Activewear Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at an impressive 13.90%.

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Based on Gildan Activewear Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost for Gildan Activewear Inc stock as of today is approximately 4.09%.

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-12-31, Gildan Activewear Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.29.

Gildan Activewear Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Gildan Activewear Inc's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2023-12-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported net profit in 9 years out of the past 10 years.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Gildan Activewear Inc's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Gildan Activewear Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Gildan Activewear Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 23.90% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 88.44% of global competitors.

Engaging Conclusion

In conclusion, Gildan Activewear Inc's consistent dividend payments, impressive growth rate, and prudent payout ratio, paired with strong profitability and growth metrics, paint a picture of a company with a sustainable dividend policy. This is an attractive feature for value investors looking for steady income streams. However, as with any investment, it is essential to consider the broader economic environment and sector-specific challenges that could affect future payouts. Will Gildan Activewear Inc continue to deliver value to its shareholders in the form of dividends? That remains a question for investors to ponder as they assess the company's performance against their investment criteria. For those seeking high-dividend yield opportunities, GuruFocus Premium users can utilize the High Dividend Yield Screener to discover other potential investments.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued multiple recalls last week, including notices for nearly 820,000 GM Sierra and Silverado pickup trucks over a tailgate safety issue.

Are you looking to see if any recalls were issued on your vehicle? If the car isn't listed below, owners can check USA TODAYs automotive recall database or search NHTSAs database for new recalls. The NHTSA website allows you to search for recalls based on your vehicle identification number or VIN.

Here is what to know about the vehicle recalls published by NHTSA from March 3 to March 9.

GM recall: Nearly 820,000 Sierra, Silverado pickup trucks over tailgate safety issue

Chevrolet recall for wiring damage that can cause a fire

Isuzu is recalling 2,891 of its 2019-2024 FTR, 2020-2024 Chevrolet LCF 6500XD, 2022-2024 FVR, and 2023-2024 Chevrolet LCF 7500XD vehicles that are equipped with a Mobileye Collision Warning System. The company has reported that the Mobileye camera cable may have been routed improperly. As a result, the vehicle may experience wiring damage and an overloaded electrical circuit. When a circuit is overloaded, it can overheat, which increases the risk of a fire. A crash can occur when wiring damage is present. The vehicle will lose the collision system functions, hazard lights and turn signals, according a report from the NHTSA.

Mechanics will inspect and reroute or replace the Mobileye camera and T-harness for free. Notification letters will be mailed out on March 29. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. Isuzu's number for this recall is V2401.

Recalled vehicles:

2019-2024 FTR

2020-2024 Chevrolet LCF 6500XD

2022-2024 FVR

2023-2024 Chevrolet LCF 7500XD

Nissan recall over seat belt malfunction

Nov 16, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Nissan Rogue at the LA Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Nissan is recalling 9,720 of its 2023 Rogue vehicles. According to the recall report, both the driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioner may have been incorrectly manufactured. This seat belt malfunction can lead to failure of properly restraining passengers. If a seat belt issue is not corrected, it will increase the risks of an injury during a crash, the NHTSA said.

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The NHTSA also included in the report that these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies," and 210 "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Owners of the affected vehicles can visit their local dealers to replace the front seat belt assemblies for free. Notification letters are expected to be sent out on April 19. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PD105.

Recalled vehicles:

2023 Nissan Rogue

Nissan recall over seat lap belt pretensioner

Nissan is recalling 12,019 of its 2024 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. Due to a missing rivet, the lap belt pretensioner on the left-side front seat belt assembly may be improperly secured. If a lap belt pretensioner is not properly secured, it will fail to restrain an occupant during a crash, according to a report from the NHTSA.

According to the NHTSA report, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection," 209 "Seat Belt Assemblies," and 210 "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

For free, mechanics will inspect and replace the left-side front lap seat belt pretensioner assemblies as necessary. Notification letters will be delivered on April 18. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Owners may contact Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD106 and PD107.

Recalled vehicles:

2024 Infiniti QX60

2024 Nissan Pathfinder

Snow skills: Essential winter tips on how to drive in the snow from Bridgestone's winter driving school

Porsche recall for unsecured windows

Porsche is recalling 8,101 of its 2020-2024 911 vehicles. The front windshield and rear window may not be properly secured and can detach. An unsecured windshield will not support the pressure of an airbag when necessary. This will increase a risks of injury during a crash, the NHTSA report revealed.

For free, drivers can bring their vehicle to the dealer where a mechanic will inspect and replace the windshield and rear window. Recall letters are expected to be sent out April 26. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ARA3.

Recalled vehicles:

2020-2024 911 vehicles

Chrysler recall for incorrect weight capacity label

Chrysler is recalling 36,093 of its 2023-2024 Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles. The placard label displays an incorrect number for the maximum vehicle capacity weight value. If a vehicle has the wrong capacity weight value, the car may be overloaded, leading to a risk of a crash, according to the NHSTA report.

In addition, the NHTSA report states that these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Motorists can bring their SUV to their dealer where they will add an overlay label to the tire placard information for free. Notification letters will be delivered on April 24. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 28B.

Recalled vehicles:

2023-2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale

2023-2024 Dodge Hornet

Kia recall over risk of engine compartment fire

Kia is recalling 36,248 of its 2019-2020 K900, and 2018-2023 Stinger vehicles. The company has reported that the left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly may deteriorate and leak oil. When an oil leak occurs near a hot engine, an increase risk of a fire may occur while a diver is operating the vehicle, the NHSTA report states.

Owners of the affected vehicles can bring their cars to a local dealer. For free, mechanics will replace the left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly. Notification letters will be sent on April 26. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC300.

Recalled vehicles:

2018-2023 Stinger

2019-2020 K900

GM recall over tailgate safety issue

General Motors is recalling 819,566 more Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models sold between 2020 and 2024 over a safety issue involving the tailgate.

There are approximately 570,434 vehicles being recalled in the U.S. and 249,132 vehicles being recalled in Canada, according to the NHTSA and Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

This is an expanded recall as the NHTSA announced an initial recall of 323,232 trucks last month.

Recalled vehicles

Chevrolet Silverado, 2020-2023

Chevrolet Silverado HD, 2020-2024

GMC Sierra, 2020-2023

GMC Sierra HD 2020-2024

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund

Ahjane Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjane covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X @forbesfineest.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Check car recalls: GM, Chevrolet, Nissan, Porsche among 1.2M recalled
By Carolina Mandl

NEW YORK (Reuters) - GoldenTree Asset Management raised over $1.35 billion for its first pure private credit fund, the firm said in a statement on Monday, getting a strong foothold in a booming market.

The firm, with $53 billion in assets under management, has already invested $6 billion in private credit through its other fixed income funds for over the last ten years, but it had never launched a fund fully dedicated to an asset class that has benefited from banks pulling back from lending in recent years to preserve capital.

The fund, which started receiving contributions in 2022, has drawn almost half the capital raised, and posted a net return of 22%, according to the statement. The fund has extended loans to roughly 30 companies across ten industries so far.

A source familiar with the matter said GoldenTree's fund has been lending to large companies in the U.S. and in Europe, with annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) above $500 million, but without signing big checks to each of them individually.

Lee Kruter, partner and head of performing credit at GoldenTree, said in a statement the firm is more focused on transactions that can yield "differentiated risk-adjusted returns" than on "executing on a high volume of transactions."

An over $1.6 trillion industry, the private credit sector is expected to hit $2.8 trillion in assets by 2028, according to Preqin, luring more assets managers and investors to the industry.

"Private credit continues to experience the most innovation across credit asset classes," said Steve Tananbaum, GoldenTrees founder and Chief Investment Officer, in the statement.

(Reporting by Carolina Mandl, in New York; Editing by Megan Davies and Aurora Ellis)
By Azernews

Fatime Letifova

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyans interview with the TRT World TV channel was another proof of the hypocrisy of this country.

The Armenian government, which had been carrying out illegal operations on Azerbaijani lands for years and caused the displacement of more than 1 million Azerbaijanis from their homelands during the First Garabagh War, is now portraying itself as oppressed and Azerbaijan as an 'aggressor' after liberating its own lands.

We should not forget that Azerbaijan's peace talks with this country have been left unanswered or delayed since November 9, 2020.

Despite this, the Armenian government calls for peace at international conferences and meetings but engages in provocations on the Azerbajani border behind the scenes, especially in February this year, at the time of the inauguration ceremony of President Ilham Aliyev.

A Turkish political analyst, Husamettin Inac, a professor at Turkiyes Dumlupinar University who touched on the issue in a comment for Azernews, spoke about the main purpose of Mirzoyans speech.

He emphasised that after being defeated in 2020 in a 44-day war, Armenia must find a serious basis for an agreement and ensure a final peace treaty.

Armenia, after being defeated in 2020 and in the local anti-terror measures carried out in September 2023, should find a serious basis for an agreement with Azerbaijan and ensure final peace. However, we see a great imbalance in the Armenian government nowadays, he said.

The Turkish professor explained the main reason for Armenias blind policy acts. He added that European countries are filling the gap in Armenia, which Russia left behind.

Because the gap left by Russia in Armenia is currently being filled by European countries, France, and America. It is an example of Armenia's withdrawal from the CSTO and the demand for Russian soldiers' exit from the region.

The message they are trying to convey is this:

"We will give you all kinds of weapons, military equipment, etc. You just fight with Azerbaijan as much as you can, but do not conclude a definitive peace agreement."

Especially Pashinyan's contacts in Europe and America, Macron's visit to Armenia, and the signing of the military defence and cooperation agreement are among the initial factors that show this, he added.

Inac also talked about Armenian people. He noted that Armenians clearly understand what is happening today in the region. They know the normalisation process is in their own favour.

Most of the Armenian people know everything very well. They know very well that they will not be able to fight with Azerbaijan from now on, and even if they fight, they will not be able to win. On the other hand, normalisation of relations with both Azerbaijan and Turkiye will improve their daily lives and well-being.

The expert added that the Armenian diaspora undermines this normalisation process.

"When we look at the Armenian diaspora and their contacts and pressures in different places, we see that the defeated government is trying to reduce criticism against Pashinyan's party. Therefore, there are attempts to sell some fake hopes to the nation in Armenia," he underlined.

He drew attention to the European Union Parliament Assembly and its biased diplomacy. Inac said that Azerbaijan made the right decision by leaving the Assembly at that moment.

Similar allegations were raised in the European Parliament. A number of illogical and absurd claims have been put forward, such as fearing that Azerbaijan will attack Armenia or commit genocide against Armenians within its borders.

They are trying to create an international union that they want to be on Armenia's side. As a result, Azerbaijan gave the right answer and left the parliamentary assembly, the professor emphasised.

Husamettin Inac clarified the issue of international law that Ararat Mirzoyan voiced in his speech. He said that the Armenians have not got any punishment for any of the crimes they have committed so far.

We do not see that Armenia fulfils its obligations arising from international law in any matter. The biggest example of this is the war in Garabagh in 1991 and 1992, after Soviet Russia declared its economic and political bankruptcy and withdrew from the international scene.

For example, when we look at what happened in Khojaly, we see genocide, a terrible crime against humanity. We also see that Armenia was not punished in any way for the Khojaly massacre, he said.

Professor Inac linked Armenia's indifferent approach to the processes in the region and lack of enthusiasm for the peace process to its being a project state. He noted that these types of states always have special privileges not to abide by international law.
(Bloomberg) -- Goldman Sachs Group Inc is reshuffling the top ranks of its Asia Pacific ex-Japan financing group and rejigging its leadership in Korea, as part of broader changes within the bank globally.

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Korea country head David Chung will leave the firm, according to an internal memo, which was confirmed by a bank spokesman. Chung, who is also head of Korea investment banking, was at Goldman for more than 25 years. He joined the firm in 1999 as an analyst in corporate finance in Seoul, and became a managing director in 2008.

Jae Joon Choi, who is currently head of Korea fixed income currencies and commodities and equities, will become the country head of Korea, the memo said. Edward Byun, co-head of equity capital markets for Asia ex-Japan, will oversee the investment-banking franchise in Korea on an interim basis. He will work closely with Seok Yong Lee, who will become chief operating officer for investment banking in Korea.

Within the regions financing group, Nicola Dondi will lead Asia ex-Japan bond financing, in addition to his current role as head of Asia Pacific ex-Japan structured credit financing. Dondi also oversees Asia ex-Japan fixed income currency and commodities derivatives, according to a separate internal memo seen by Bloomberg News. A spokesman confirmed the contents of the memo.

Nelson Lo will lead Asia ex-Japan leveraged finance including origination, execution, syndicate and risk management. Jared Baker will provide oversight on the Australia and New Zealand bond financing business, in addition to his current role of heading Australia and New Zealand solutions business. Andrew Chan will become head of Asia ex-Japan bond syndicate, the memo said.

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Within equities, Christian Lhert and Stella Yu will co-lead an Asia Pacific ex-Japan structured equities group, according to the memo. Lhert will help to strengthen overall product offerings with a focus on ex-China and sponsor clients while Yu will expand coverage of convertible bond and so-called PIPE, or private investment in public equity products for select China clients, the memo said. She will retain primary focus on equity derivatives and equity-backed financing.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
New franchise owner to lead Canton, Georgia location

CANTON, Ga., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new center in Canton. Gotcha Covered of Canton is owned and operated by Eric Gitonga.

Gotcha Covered of Canton is owned and operated by Eric Gitonga (left).

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Cartersville, Canton, Holly Springs and Woodstock by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

"The center in Canton is our sixth location in the state of Georgia," said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. "We are excited to offer the Gotcha Covered experience to the homeowners and businesses in the community. We pride ourselves in providing first-class service, and we are confident Eric (Gitonga) will be an asset to our brand and the Canton community."

A five-year U.S. Navy veteran, Gitonga brings an attitude of hard work to the Gotcha Covered brand. He also brings over six years of experience as an electrician, earning his electrical journeyman certification.

It was Gitonga's desire to control his own destiny that inspired him to enter the franchising world.

"I wanted to own my own business so that I had the flexibility and freedom to determine how I wanted to run the company," said Gitonga. "That's why joining Gotcha Covered was a no-brainer. They give me the flexibility that allows me to control my own destiny."

When asked what he enjoys the most about the window treatment business, Gitonga replied, "turning dreams into reality."

"I use my problem-solving, communication and analytical skills to deliver high-quality, tailored services that meet the expectations of my customers. With the goal of providing an excellent customer experience, I aim to design and execute innovative projects that enhance the aesthetic and functionality of the spaces I work on. I want people to be in awe after I'm finished with a project."

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Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Canton, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/canton/.

About Gotcha Covered

Gotcha Covered is a leader in custom soft and hard window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada. Flying under their Gotcha Covered flag since 2009, they offer custom window treatments including blinds, draperies, shutters and much more. They offer end-to-end consultation with the customer's specific needs and goals in mind. The company currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada.

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Some of the losses seen by insiders who purchased AU$515.9k worth of NT Minerals Limited (ASX:NTM) shares over the past year were recovered after the stock increased by 40% over the past week. The purchase, however, has proven to be a pricey bet, with losses currently totalling AU$286k.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

View our latest analysis for NT Minerals

NT Minerals Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when insider Jason Peterson bought AU$358k worth of shares at a price of AU$0.039 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher than AU$0.007 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. 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.

NT Minerals insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. The average buy price was around AU$0.016. I'd consider this a positive as it suggests insiders see value at around the current price. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Insider Ownership Of NT Minerals

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. NT Minerals insiders own about AU$1.4m worth of shares. That equates to 23% of the company. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders.

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So What Does This Data Suggest About NT Minerals Insiders?

The fact that there have been no NT Minerals insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. Insiders own shares in NT Minerals and we see no evidence to suggest they are worried about the future. While we like knowing what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. At Simply Wall St, we've found that NT Minerals has 6 warning signs (5 shouldn't be ignored!) that deserve your attention before going any further with your analysis.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

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.
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 Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. (NASDAQ:MPAA), 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.

See our latest analysis for Motorcar Parts of America

Motorcar Parts of America Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

The Director Douglas Trussler made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for US$375k worth of shares at a price of US$7.50 each. Although we like to see insider buying, we note that this large purchase was at significantly below the recent price of US$8.53. While it does suggest insiders consider the stock undervalued at lower prices, this transaction doesn't tell us much about what they think of current prices.

In the last twelve months insiders purchased 107.45k shares for US$784k. On the other hand they divested 11.67k shares, for US$99k. Overall, Motorcar Parts of America insiders were net buyers during the last year. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

Motorcar Parts of America is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insiders At Motorcar Parts of America Have Sold Stock Recently

We've seen more insider selling than insider buying at Motorcar Parts of America recently. In total, Independent Director Rudolph Borneo sold US$63k worth of shares in that time. On the flip side, Independent Director David Bryan spent US$11k on purchasing shares. Because the selling vastly outweighs the buying, we'd say this is a somewhat bearish sign.

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Does Motorcar Parts of America Boast High Insider Ownership?

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by 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. From our data, it seems that Motorcar Parts of America insiders own 5.6% of the company, worth about US$9.4m. Whilst better than nothing, we're not overly impressed by these holdings.

What Might The Insider Transactions At Motorcar Parts of America Tell Us?

The stark truth for Motorcar Parts of America is that there has been more insider selling than insider buying in the last three months. But we take heart from prior transactions. But we'd like it if insiders owned more stock, overall. So overall it's hard to argue insiders are bullish. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Motorcar Parts of America. For example, Motorcar Parts of America has 2 warning signs (and 1 which is a bit unpleasant) 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.
DUBLIN, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Meat Processing in Ireland - Industry Market Research Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

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The Meat Processing industry has had a volatile performance over recent years. Irish meat processors derive the majority of their revenue from selling products abroad. Subdued export demand adversely impacted revenue over the two years through 2020.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.

The COVID-19 pandemic and closures of food service establishments in Ireland, the UK and Europe also constrained revenue in 2020 and the first half of 2021. The gradual lifting of restrictions from mid-2021 has fuelled a considerable rebound in exports, particularly over 2022. Despite this recovery, over the five years through 2023, the Irish Meat Processing industry's revenue is expected to tumble at a compound annual rate of 1.8% to 4.5 billion

Companies in the Meat Processing industry slaughter livestock to produce meat. These companies produce fresh, chilled or frozen meat as carcases, cuts and by-products like rendered lard, tallow and pulled wool. Processors also bone, preserve and pack meat. The industry excludes meats from non-mammal sources like fish and poultry and meat products, including sausages, bacon and pate.

Key Topics Covered:



ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY

Industry Definition

Main Activities

Similar Industries

Additional Resources

INDUSTRY AT A GLANCE



INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE

Executive Summary

Key External Drivers

Current Performance

Industry Outlook

Industry Life Cycle

PRODUCTS & MARKETS

Supply Chain

Products & Services

Demand Determinants

Major Markets

International Trade

Business Locations

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Market Share Concentration

Key Success Factors

Cost Structure Benchmarks

Basis of Competition

Barriers to Entry

Industry Globalization

Story continues

MAJOR COMPANIES

Dawn Meats Group

OPERATING CONDITIONS

Capital Intensity

Technology & Systems

Revenue Volatility

Regulation & Policy

Industry Assistance

KEY STATISTICS

Industry Data

Annual Change

Key Ratios

JARGON & GLOSSARY



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/b8k5gg

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



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(Bloomberg) -- Iron ore slumped more than 7%  dropping below the $110 a ton mark  after disappointing demand in China left the market lumbered with swelling inventories.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Iron ore has tumbled by around a quarter from a peak in early January as Chinas real estate and manufacturing activity remained under pressure. The annual National Peoples Congress in Beijing, which concluded Monday, offered few prospects of a demand boost, and iron ore stockpiles at ports have ballooned to the highest in a year.

The plunge in the steelmaking ingredient was the most since mid-2022 on an intraday basis, and it was headed for the lowest close since August last year.

Construction activity remains lackluster as Chinas years-long crackdown on property debt squeezes a vital source of steel demand, while Beijing has refrained from deploying the type of massive infrastructure stimulus that it has used in the past. There had been hopes for a stronger pick-up in construction after the Lunar New Year holiday that ended in mid-February, but that hasnt materialized.

The longer-term outlook is also looking shaky, as supply is eventually set to be boosted by a massive new iron ore mine in Guinea, while Chinese steel mills will become less dependent on mined ores as the country starts to develop larger volumes of steel scrap, according to Tom Price, senior commodities analyst at Liberum.

Its hard to build a bullish case for iron ore over any time horizon at the moment, Price said by phone by from London. Theres probably a speculative element at work today, with investors looking at what it will take for China to hit its growth targets for the year, and deciding that its just not going to happen.

Story continues

Read More: Chinas Big Policy Meet Offers Little to Excite Commodity Bulls

Over the weekend, Beijing reiterated its stance that homes are for residents to live in, and not for speculation, keeping to its longstanding position even as a property crisis weighs on demand. This clarification came after Premier Li Qiangs government work report draft omitted the slogan housing is for living in, not speculation for the first time since 2019.

Singapore iron ore futures fell as much as 7.3% to $106.80 a ton and were trading at $107.20 as of 11:43 a.m. in London. Futures in Dalian closed 5.3% lower, while steel contracts in Shanghai were also down. Non-ferrous metals edged higher on the London Metal Exchange, with copper adding 0.4% and zinc climbing 0.7%.

--With assistance from Mark Burton.

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Early filers are seeing slightly higher tax refunds in 2023, according to new IRS data through March 1.

The only thing fun about tax season is dreaming what you'll do with any tax refund. The good news for some is the average tax refund issued by the IRS so far is $3,182, which is up from last year.

As of March 1, the latest data available, the Internal Revenue Service reported that the average refund was up 5.1% from $3,028 during a similar timeframe through March 3, 2023. This year's data includes an extra day in February due to leap year.

The IRS received more than 54 million tax returns during the first five weeks of this tax season, which began Jan. 29. That's down 1.7% from a year ago. Last year's tax season began about a week earlier on Jan. 23.

The flipside: The number of tax refunds issued so far are down from a year ago. The IRS issued 36.28 million tax refunds through March 1, down 13.7% from a year ago.

The total amount refunded through March 1 was nearly $115.5 billion, down 9.3% from a year ago.

More: Tax refunds from Michigan, IRS: How to check status of state, federal returns in 2024

More: Why are Michigan taxpayers so upset about using the state's Where's My Refund? tool?

What's happening with Michigan tax refunds?

We've not heard of too many headaches with tax refunds issued by the IRS so far this tax season. The IRS stated that filing season statistics so far "continue to show a strong start to Filing Season 2024, with all systems running well."

.But some early filers in Michigan had complained about delays in February when it came to receiving their state refunds. Recently, some reported that their state tax refund cash has arrived by now.

As of March 6, the state of Michigan processed more than 1.56 million individual income tax returns for the 2023 tax year and issued $1.1 billion in refunds, according to Ron Leix, a Michigan Treasury spokesperson.

So far, Leix said, the average refund for the 2023 tax year was $865. Three major changes contributed to the large refunds: The potential for more money through the much-expanded state earned income tax credit for some working families in 2023; expanded eligibility for the homestead property tax credit; and a slight reduction in the state's income tax rate for 2023. The state's income tax rate is 4.05% for 2023; previously, it had been 4.25% in 2022.

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The state's lower income tax rate is likely to be temporary, even though it has triggered intense disagreements between the state's GOP and Democratic leadership. State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks has already announced the rate has returned to 4.25% for 2024.

In Michigan, some taxpayers complained about early headaches involving the Michigan "Where's My Refund?" tool. But some holdups involving the state's eServices platform apparently have calmed down by early March.

Many taxpayers in Michigan filed their 2023 returns earlier this year, according to the state. Many wanted to take advantage of a big change in the state tax rules involving a more generous earned income tax credit for lower- and middle-income households.

And naturally, people rushed to use the state "Where's My Refund?" tool to get both information about their 2023 tax refunds and a one-time supplemental check that is connected with the earned income tax credit for previously filed 2022 returns.

But the Michigan "Where's My Refund?" tool does not offer data on the supplemental checks involving a much-expanded earned income tax credit.

Previously, the state of Michigan offered extra money through a state earned income credit that amounted to 6% of the federal credit. That percentage jumped to 30% under the new law, which was passed in 2023 but retroactive to 2022.

The maximum earned income tax credit in Michigan is $2,229 for 2023 for those with three or more qualifying children. Before the law changed, the maximum Michigan credit on 2022 returns was $416 with three or more qualifying children. Smaller credits are available for smaller families.

This year, the Michigan Department of Treasury is tasked with sending out extra checks to families of modest means to make up the difference of what they received for the earned income tax credit last year when they filed 2022 returns and what they would have gotten under the expanded, retroactive credit.

Michigan has already sent out 636,000 extra checks

As of March 6, the state Treasury has issued more than 636,000 supplemental checks related to 2022 returns, which amounted to $393.2 million in refunds.

These supplemental checks for 2022  which will be an average of $618 per recipient  initially were sent out in batches beginning Feb. 13. Some 700,000 households are expected to receive these types of checks.

Everyone isn't getting the supplemental check at the same time. Instead, the checks are scheduled to arrive in the mail from mid-February through March.

The Michigan Treasury notes that tax filers should contact the Treasury if they qualify but have not received a supplemental check for the earned income tax credit by at least April 1.

Earlier, Leix told me that the state's eServices system was "experiencing synchronization delays due to high volumes" earlier in the tax season, which began Jan. 29. Many people were frustrated that they had trouble tracking their refund information.

But Leix said Thursday that eServices is up to date at this point. The Michigan Department of Treasury website notes that tax filers should allow three to four weeks from the date that they received confirmation that their e-filed state return was accepted before checking for information. Those filing a state tax return by paper should wait six to eight weeks before checking for information.

Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) @tompor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Average federal income tax refund is up 5.1% so far in 2024
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal local business news

Island cuisine will meet Lubbock soon, with a new fusion food truck operated by a former Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort chef.

Ziggy's Island Grill, a fusion food truck featuring global island cuisine, hopes to open by early April. The owner, Kirk DeLong, hopes to turn it into a unique experience.

"It's going to be an experience, and that sounds kind of cliche, but we're going to have a lot to offer," DeLong said. "We want it to be fun for everybody."

Others are reading: Lubbock's culinary scene spans more than 20 countries, regions. Here's what you can find

Along with fresh island flavors, the food truck will have a seating area set up. There will be island music, surfing videos and activities for children.

DeLong knew he wanted to be a chef when he was in high school. He joined the military to pay for his education at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco.

His career has taken him to:

Waldorf Astoria Resort Grand Wailea, in Wailea, Hawaii.

Bistro Molokini in Wailea.

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort in California.

The Fresh American in Lubbock, which opened in 2023.

During a visit with his sister, who lives in Tahoka, several years ago, DeLong "fell in love" with the area. His family found a house they liked and put in an offer.

More in business news: Comings and goings: Lubbock's openings, closings, confirmed rumors from February 2024

"We were driving back (to California), I think we were in Arizona and got a call that (the homeowners) were going to take us up on the offer," DeLong said. "We, as a family, collectively in the car said we're going to take a chance. We're going to move to Texas and uproot from California. The quality of life out here and people are so nice."

DeLong helped set up The Fresh American, 3715 114th St., and once he felt it was up and running, he decided to follow his dream.

"I decided to do what I always wanted to do, and start my own business," DeLong said. "I'm 51 years old, and I'm finally going to be my own boss. I'm pretty happy in the scope that I'm going to have the opportunity to kind of be my own shot caller and do some cuisine that is dear to my heart."

Story continues

That cuisine includes Hawaiian, Polynesian and Asian influences. The truck's menu could feature spring rolls, potstickers, grilled fish tacos and mochi.

"Come prepared for nice and delicious food, and have a good time," DeLong said.

DeLong also has his sight set on eventually opening more food trucks and a restaurant with a sand volleyball court. People can visit ziggysislandgrill.com or follow Ziggy's on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock chef to open dream food truck, Ziggy's Island Grill
(Bloomberg) -- US President Joe Biden warned Israel against attacking the city of Rafah in southern Gaza as cease-fire talks with Hamas remained deadlocked at the beginning of Ramadan.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The US hoped for a breakthrough before Islams holy month, which began after sundown on Sunday. A deal would probably lead to a six-week pause in fighting, the freeing of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Negotiations remain at an impasse, however, with Israel accusing Hamas of stalling in a bid to inflame violence across the region during Ramadan, and Hamas saying more Israeli hostages had died in captivity than earlier believed.

Israel has said that, barring a total surrender by Hamas, it has to launch an assault on Rafah because its the last bastion of the Iran-backed group. Israeli military officials estimate 5,000 to 8,000 Hamas fighters are holed up there. Israels indicated it would be prepared to move into the city during Ramadan if theres no truce.

More than a million Palestinian civilians are also sheltering in Rafah, most of them having fled from northern parts of Gaza at the start of the war in October.

In an interview with MSNBC on Saturday, Biden expressed hope that a cease-fire can still be reached and warned that an Israeli invasion of Rafah would represent a red line.

Read More: Why Rafah Is Raising Fears in Israel-Hamas War: QuickTake

Previously, he said an offensive couldnt happen until Israel allowed civilians to leave. Netanyahu has pledged that will happen. On Sunday, he reiterated that Israel plans to move forces in at some stage.

Well go there, he said in an interview with Axel Springer, Politicos parent company. I have a red line. You know what the red line is  that October 7 doesnt happen again.

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The war has been raging since Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and abducted 250 during their Oct. 7 massacre in southern Israel.

More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israels retaliatory air and ground attacks, according to officials in the Hamas-run territory. Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union.

Bidens comments came as the US military began sending supplies to Gaza by sea and building a temporary dock to deliver large quantities of aid. Ships will carry food, water, medicine and other supplies to the Mediterranean enclave, which has been devastated by the war. In his State of the Union address on Thursday, Biden called the situation in Gaza heartbreaking.

Most aid has gone into Gaza on trucks through the Egyptian border. Some countries, including the US and Jordan, are carrying out air drops too.

The move to open a maritime corridor comes as the US and Arab states criticize Israel  which inspects all goods going into Gaza in case they include military supplies for Hamas  for not allowing trucks in quickly enough.

Read more: Hopes Fade of Gaza Cease-Fire Before Ramadan After Failed Talks

The president, in a statement released to mark the beginning of Ramadan, said the US will lead international efforts to get aid into Gaza.

Well continue to work with Israel to expand deliveries by land, insisting that it facilitate more routes and open more crossings to get more aid to more people, he said.

The only truce so far lasted a week and ended on Dec. 1. During that, dozens of hostages were released from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

We cannot have another 30,000 Palestinians dead, Biden said on MSNBC, adding that Netanyahu must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

He is hurting Israel more than helping Israel, Biden added, in some of the harshest criticism hes leveled against the Israeli leader.

I dont know exactly what the president meant, Netanyahu said in the Axel Springer interview. 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.

Biden said he would never cut off weapon supplies to Israel and affirmed Israels right to fight Hamas.

Israels Mossad intelligence agency, which is handling the cease-fire and hostage negotiations, said talks were ongoing to narrow the gaps with Hamas. Still, it sounded pessimistic a deal would be struck soon.

Hamas is holding to its position as if it was uninterested in a deal and is striving to ignite the region during Ramadan at the expense of the Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip, Mossad said in a statement.

Hamas is believed to be holding about 130 Israeli hostages. Its unclear how many are still alive.

In an interview with Bloomberg, a Hamas official called Husam Badran said at least 60 hostages had died because of Israels bombardment of Gaza. The claim couldnt be independently verified.

(Updates with Netanyahus comments on Rafah.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Readers hoping to buy Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:BIMB) for its dividend will need to make their move shortly, as the stock is about to trade ex-dividend. Typically, the ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date which is the date on which a company determines the shareholders eligible to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is an important date to be aware of as any purchase of the stock made on or after this date might mean a late settlement that doesn't show on the record date. Meaning, you will need to purchase Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad's shares before the 15th of March to receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 5th of April.

The company's upcoming dividend is RM00.0422 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of RM0.16 per share to shareholders. Calculating the last year's worth of payments shows that Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad has a trailing yield of 6.5% on the current share price of RM02.57. Dividends are an important source of income to many shareholders, but the health of the business is crucial to maintaining those dividends. As a result, readers should always check whether Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad has been able to grow its dividends, or if the dividend might be cut.

View our latest analysis for Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad

Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned in profit, then the dividend could be unsustainable. Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad paid out more than half (68%) of its earnings last year, which is a regular payout ratio for most companies.

When a company paid out less in dividends than it earned in profit, this generally suggests its dividend is affordable. The lower the % of its profit that it pays out, the greater the margin of safety for the dividend if the business enters a downturn.

Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.

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Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Stocks with flat earnings can still be attractive dividend payers, but it is important to be more conservative with your approach and demand a greater margin for safety when it comes to dividend sustainability. If earnings decline and the company is forced to cut its dividend, investors could watch the value of their investment go up in smoke. It's not encouraging to see that Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad's earnings are effectively flat over the past five years. We'd take that over an earnings decline any day, but in the long run, the best dividend stocks all grow their earnings per share.

The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad has delivered 24% dividend growth per year on average over the past two years.

To Sum It Up

Should investors buy Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad for the upcoming dividend? Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad has been struggling to generate growth while also paying out more than half of its earnings to shareholders as dividends. At best we would put it on a watch-list to see if business conditions improve, as it doesn't look like a clear opportunity right now.

With that being said, if dividends aren't your biggest concern with Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, you should know about the other risks facing this business. For example, we've found 1 warning sign for Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad that we recommend you consider before investing in the business.

If you're in the market for strong dividend payers, we recommend checking our selection of top 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.
Strategies for creating a seamless logistics ecosystem in the face of geo-political disruptions were discussed at the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) RAME field meeting and conference.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Saeed Al Maktoum, Honorary patron of NAFL, the two-day conference under the theme 'Connectivity, Resilience, and Sustainability in Global Supply Chains and Trade', delved into the trade disruption due to geo-political issues and strategies for a burgeoning MEA logistics market, currently valued at $163.57 billion and forecast to reach $222.63 billion in 2029.

The event also hosted the FIATA RAME Official Meeting featuring FIATA RAME Chair Dr Juanita Maree; Dr Stephane Graber, FIATA Director General and FIATA global President Turgut Erkeskin.

Multimodal connectivity

In his opening remarks, Humaid Bin Salem, Chairman of the UAE International Chamber of Commerce, emphasised the UAE's commitment to facilitating and promoting global trade through seamless multimodal connectivity.

"In line with the UAE's goals to diversify the economy, the ICC shares FIATA's vision to facilitate global trade. In the face of global supply chain disruptions, whether due to natural disasters or geo-political events, it is imperative that we think globally and work as one cohesive team. The connectivity offered by the UAE, whether by air, land or sea, plays a crucial role. Beyond the UAE, the GCC region, particularly Qatar and Saudi Arabia, is very active, promoting trade and offering investment opportunities.

We are keen to learn from our peers and work together to improve the private sector. I would therefore encourage everyone to actively participate in the discussions and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Federal Chambers or the ICC. We are here to support the needs of the private sector," he said.

The opening ceremony was preceded by a welcome keynote by Erkeskin who delivered a comprehensive overview of the global challenges and evolving trends in the logistics sector.

Strategic platform

Highlighting the RAME region's strategic position as a hub connecting continents, he said: "In today's dynamic global landscape, the FIATA-RAME meeting stands as a strategic platform, offering pragmatic insights as we gather against the backdrop of unprecedented disruptions in the Red Sea, geo-political tensions and environmental concerns. As globalisation dynamics are shifting, global trade is impacted by geo-political developments anywhere. Yet, amidst these challenges lie opportunities for resilience and adaptation. Our mission transcends problem-solving; it advocates for an approach rooted in agility, creativity, and strategic planning."

"Our priority at this year's meeting is to explore collective solutions to regional challenges because nothing is local in today's world, especially logistics. We are hopeful as the RAME region holds tremendous potential with some of the most sophisticated ports and airports and a dynamic young workforce ready to strengthen and enhance business processes. We had over 400 FIATA specialised diploma graduates in 2023 from the Middle East region; there is no challenge that we cannot overcome when such qualified workforce and expertise exist in the region," added.

Erkisken concluded by saying that world trade and logistics flourish when there is peace, predictability and sustainability. "We hope that current uncertainties, end soon as we move into the future, strengthening existing trade routes will function while building regional corridors offering seamless global connectivity. With a focus on practical solutions and actionable insights, we strive not only to address challenges but also to forge a path towards a more resilient, sustainable, and interconnected future for all stakeholders in the global logistics arena."

600 delegates

Nadia Abdul Aziz welcomed over 600 delegates, representing 16 FIATA member associations, with 11 from the Arica & Middle East region from more than 29 countries. Emphasising the significance of UAE hosting the meeting, she said: "The UAE remains a global gateway for logistics and trade with investor-friendly policies and synchronisation with international markets. In the UAE, initiatives like the 10-year visa, pro-investment policies, and a robust sustainability plan to reduce carbon emissions by 2050 foster an environment ripe for growth. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our ranking as the top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) and the 7th place ranking on the global logistics index."

The event highlighted the latest initiatives, including advancements in digitalisation and implementing the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme undertaken by Dubai Customs. In the following presentations, Dubai Chamber highlighted its international services tailored for corporates and investors, with a particular focus on fostering business research and sustainability efforts. Meanwhile, Dubai South showcased its offerings encompassing e-commerce, logistics growth, and the Sea-Air Free Zone.

Evolving logistics sector

The panel discussions on day one highlighted the evolving logistics sector across the region under the theme "GCC Market Overview, Opportunities, and Growth Areas." Featured panelists at the session included Gopal R, Senior Vice President of the Supply Chain & Logistics Practice at Frost & Sullivan. Eng Ali Bin Abdulatif Al Mesned, Qatar Chamber Board Member and President of the Qatar Association of Freight and Logistics (QAFL) elaborated on Qatar's opportunities and economic growth prospects, providing an overview of the latest freight forwarding and trading ecosystem advancements.

Representing the Saudi Ministry of Investment Majed Alsaadi and Reem Abdul Aziz Hasanain, along with Amal Balghunaim from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services and Abdullah Daoud from the Ministry of Transport & Logistics, shed light on opportunities in logistics and trade sector within KSA. The session highlighted the National Industrial Development & Logistics Programme (NIDLP) and outlined the logistics strategy for KSA's transportation and logistics services sector.--TradeArabia News Service
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. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up.

In contrast to all that, many investors prefer to focus on companies like Keystone Law Group (LON:KEYS), which has not only revenues, but also profits. While this doesn't necessarily speak to whether it's undervalued, the profitability of the business is enough to warrant some appreciation - especially if its growing.

Check out our latest analysis for Keystone Law Group

Keystone Law Group's Earnings Per Share Are Growing

The market is a voting machine in the short term, but a weighing machine in the long term, so you'd expect share price to follow earnings per share (EPS) outcomes eventually. So it makes sense that experienced investors pay close attention to company EPS when undertaking investment research. It certainly is nice to see that Keystone Law Group has managed to grow EPS by 24% per year over three years. If growth like this continues on into the future, then shareholders will have plenty to smile about.

Top-line growth is a great indicator that growth is sustainable, and combined with a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin, it's a great way for a company to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. EBIT margins for Keystone Law Group remained fairly unchanged over the last year, however the company should be pleased to report its revenue growth for the period of 11% to UK81m. That's encouraging news for the company!

You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. For finer detail, click on the image.

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In investing, as in life, the future matters more than the past. So why not check out this free interactive visualization of Keystone Law Group's forecast profits?

Are Keystone Law Group Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

It's a necessity that company leaders act in the best interest of shareholders and so insider investment always comes as a reassurance to the market. So it is good to see that Keystone Law Group insiders have a significant amount of capital invested in the stock. Given insiders own a significant chunk of shares, currently valued at UK61m, they have plenty of motivation to push the business to succeed. That holding amounts to 31% of the stock on issue, thus making insiders influential owners of the business and aligned with the interests of shareholders.

It's good to see that insiders are invested in the company, but are remuneration levels reasonable? Our quick analysis into CEO remuneration would seem to indicate they are. For companies with market capitalisations between UK78m and UK311m, like Keystone Law Group, the median CEO pay is around UK583k.

The Keystone Law Group CEO received UK335k in compensation for the year ending January 2023. That seems pretty reasonable, especially given it's below the median for similar sized companies. CEO compensation is hardly the most important aspect of a company to consider, but when it's reasonable, that gives a little more confidence that leadership are looking out for shareholder interests. It can also be a sign of a culture of integrity, in a broader sense.

Should You Add Keystone Law Group To Your Watchlist?

You can't deny that Keystone Law Group has grown its earnings per share at a very impressive rate. That's attractive. If you need more convincing beyond that EPS growth rate, don't forget about the reasonable remuneration and the high insider ownership. The overarching message here is that Keystone Law Group has underlying strengths that make it worth a look at. Still, you should learn about the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Keystone Law Group.

Although Keystone Law Group certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see companies with insider buying, then check out this handpicked selection of British companies that not only boast of strong growth but have also seen recent insider buying..

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Krispy Kreme is introducing four new doughnuts and bringing back the popular O'riginial Glazed Doughnut in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

Doughnut fans might be feeling lucky this St. Patrick's Day.

That's because Krispy Kreme is introducing four new doughnuts and bringing back the popular O'riginial Glazed Doughnut in honor of the holiday.

Customers can get the new St. Patrick's Day-themed doughnuts beginning March 11 and for a limited time at participating shops across the U.S., Krispy Kreme said in a news release Monday.

Additionally, customers wearing green who visit Krispy Kreme in-shop or via drive-thru March 15-17 can receive one free O'riginal Glazed Doughnut, no purchase necessary. The O'riginal Glazed Doughnut is exactly what it sounds like  an original Krispy Kreme doughnut gone green.

Krispy Kreme is introducing four new doughnuts and bringing back the popular O'riginial Glazed Doughnut in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

St. Patrick's Day deals: Luck of Irish not needed to save some green on St. Patrick's Day food and drink deals

New Krispy Kreme doughnut flavors

The four new doughnut flavors include:

Luck of the Rainbow Doughnut: An Original Glazed Doughnut dipped in green icing, rainbow explosion sprinkle blend and topped with a buttercream cloud

Shamrock Cookies 'N Kreme made with Oreo Cookies: An unglazed shell filled with cookies & Kreme filling made with Oreo cookies, dripped in white icing with green drizzles and St. Patrick's fusion sprinkles

Plaid Party Doughnut: An unglazed shell filled with white Kreme filling, dipped in chocolate icing and drizzled with green icing

Shooting Shamrock Doughnut: An Original Glazed doughnut dipped in light green icing with a green icing swirl, topped with a shamrock sugar piece

The four new doughnut flavors are available in-shop and for pickup or delivery via Krispy Kreme's app and website, the company said. Customers can also find the collection in Krispy Kreme 6-packs delivered to select grocery stores.

"Luck is meant to be shared, and our colorful, fun, all-new St. Patricks Day doughnuts will makeeveryone feel like theyve found a pot of gold, said Dave Skena, global chief brand officer forKrispy Kreme, in a news release.

Customers can visit www.krispykreme.com/locate to find a shop or grocery store location near you.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Krispy Kreme offers free doughnuts, new flavors for St. Patrick's Day
Ideally, your overall portfolio should beat the market average. But every investor is virtually certain to have both over-performing and under-performing stocks. At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLSE:KLK), since the last five years saw the share price fall 12%.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

Check out our latest analysis for Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad

In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

Looking back five years, both Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad's share price and EPS declined; the latter at a rate of 0.8% per year. Readers should note that the share price has fallen faster than the EPS, at a rate of 2% per year, over the period. So it seems the market was too confident about the business, in the past.

You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).

Dive deeper into Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad's key metrics by checking this interactive graph of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad's TSR for the last 5 years was 3.1%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

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A Different Perspective

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad shareholders gained a total return of 9.4% during the year. But that was short of the market average. On the bright side, that's still a gain, and it's actually better than the average return of 0.6% over half a decade This could indicate that the company is winning over new investors, as it pursues its strategy. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (including 1 which makes us a bit uncomfortable) .

For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Key Insights

Occidental Petroleum's estimated fair value is US$65.50 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Occidental Petroleum's US$60.80 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

The US$65.95 analyst price target for OXYis comparable to our estimate of fair value.

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Occidental Petroleum

What's The Estimated Valuation?

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.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$4.56b US$6.29b US$6.69b US$4.42b US$4.42b US$4.00b US$3.77b US$3.64b US$3.57b US$3.56b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -9.42% Est @ -5.91% Est @ -3.45% Est @ -1.73% Est @ -0.52% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.4% US$4.2k US$5.4k US$5.3k US$3.2k US$3.0k US$2.5k US$2.1k US$1.9k US$1.7k US$1.6k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$31b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.3%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.4%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$3.6b (1 + 2.3%)  (8.4% 2.3%) = US$60b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$60b ( 1 + 8.4%)10= US$27b

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$58b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$60.8, the company appears about fair value at a 7.2% 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

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the 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 Occidental Petroleum as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.322. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Occidental Petroleum

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Oil and Gas market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the American market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Occidental Petroleum, we've put together three further factors you should assess:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Occidental Petroleum that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does OXY's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every 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.
(Bloomberg) -- President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will demand that Petrobras chief executive officer explain his handling of a dividends crisis that wiped out $11 billion of the state-owned oil companys market value last week, as well as its plans to accelerate investment projects he considers essential to boost Brazils economy.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Lula is holding a meeting with Jean Paul Prates at the presidential palace Monday afternoon, according to his official agenda. The president also invited Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, Chief of Staff Rui Costa and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira, according to different government officials.

The leftist leader will ask Prates why shareholders of Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as the company is formally known, were counting on the payment of extraordinary dividends even after he made it clear he wishes to invest oil profits into projects that can create jobs, one of the officials said. All of them spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are not public.

Haddad, who worried the non-payment of such dividends would raise prospects of government meddling in the company, intended to negotiate the distribution of at least part of them during Mondays meeting, but was told by Lula to stand down, according to a member of Brazils economic team. Local press reports that the dividend decision could be reviewed sent Petrobras shares 0.5% higher at 4:45 p.m. ET.

Read More: Lula Sets Up Petrobras Dividend Rejection, Roiling Markets

Lula wasnt happy about Prates decision to abstain from voting against the dividends proposal, which was eventually rejected by a majority of board members appointed by the government, the official said. He was even less happy about the chief executives failure to bring a discussion about fuel prices to the companys board, the person added. Since the election campaign, the president has said Petrobras shouldnt be tracking international prices, but should take into account its domestic costs into its pricing policy.

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Lulas office didnt immediately reply to a request for comment.

With his popularity dropping in opinion polls released last week, Lula is demanding that his ministers come up with a list of investment projects that can be accelerated to boost the economy. He considers Petrobras as a key part of his plan, and wants Prates to be on board, one of the officials said.

Another official said Prates intends to present an investment plan in the naval industry during the meeting.

--With assistance from Daniel Carvalho.

(Updates fifth paragraph with Petrobras shares rising on Haddads efforts to distribute part of the extraordinary dividends. A previous version of this story corrected the spelling of Lula in headline.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in M&T Bank implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

The top 11 shareholders own 51% of the company

Insiders have sold recently

Every investor in M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE:MTB) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 86% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of M&T Bank.

See our latest analysis for M&T Bank

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About M&T Bank?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

We can see that M&T Bank does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. 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 M&T Bank's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. M&T Bank is not owned by hedge funds. The Vanguard Group, Inc. is currently the company's largest shareholder with 12% of shares outstanding. Wellington Management Group LLP is the second largest shareholder owning 8.0% of common stock, and BlackRock, Inc. holds about 7.9% of the company stock.

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A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 11 shareholders have a combined ownership of 51% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of M&T Bank

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. 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.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of M&T Bank Corporation in their own names. As it is a large company, we'd only expect insiders to own a small percentage of it. But it's worth noting that they own US$125m worth of shares. Arguably recent buying and selling is just as important to consider. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 14% stake in M&T Bank. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important.

I like to dive deeper into how a company has performed in the past. You can access this interactive graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow, for free.

But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Trader Joe's canvas mini tote bags are being resold online for the same price as designer and high-end handbags due to social media hype causing the low-price item's market value to soar.

The viral Trader Joe's tote bags  available in blue, red, green and yellow  are being sold on eBay, Facebook and other e-commerce marketplaces for up to $500. Fanatics of the grocery store chain are clamoring for the bag and even waiting in long lines before doors open.

The mini tote bag retails for $2.99 and is "made of the same heavy-duty, 65% cotton/35% polyester blend" as Trader Joe's larger classic canvas bags, according to the grocer's website.

The most expensive sold listing on eBay was a set of four mini totes (all four colors), that went for $499.99, not including shipping. At least three other sets of four bags sold for over $100.

Trader Joe's canvas mini tote bags are being resold online for as much as $500 amid a social media craze.

Trader Joe's released a statement on March 2 about their products being sold by third-party resellers.

"At times, and more so recently, we have been aware of our products being resold, often at exorbitant prices, in various places (online and elsewhere)," the California-headquartered grocery chain's statement said. "This is done without our approval or authorization and outside the controls of our quality-minded supply chain."

Trader Joe's also said it only sells its products in its physical stores to focus on customers and "provide value through offering great quality products at outstanding prices."

"To be clear, we neither condone nor support the reselling of our products and do all we can to stop the practice," the company said in its statement.

Expect more Trader Joe's mini tote bags in the late summer

Nakia Rohde, public relations manager for Trader Joe's, told USA TODAY on Monday that its "mini canvas tote bags certainly sold more quickly than we anticipated."

"Before we had the opportunity to promote them in any way, customers across the country found them at their neighborhood Trader Joes," Rohde said.

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Rohde reiterated that Trader Joe's is focused on its customers and stores, so it does not "endorse the resale of any of our products, anywhere."

Customers unable to get a bag will get another chance when they hit stores again in late summer, according to Rohde.

Although the mini tote bags have recently gone viral, they have been available since at least Feb. 27, according to @traderjoeslist, an Instagram account highlighting notable products from the grocer.

The mini tote bags are "only available for a limited time," according to the product description on Trader Joe's website. It's unclear how limited they will be when they're back in stores in the summer.

'That was a little embarrassing,' TikToker says about waiting in line for Trader Joe's mini tote bags

TikToker @valeriak shared a video a week ago showing how much in demand the bags are and the process she underwent in securing the coveted item.

"There's so many people in line... oh my God," @valeriak said while arriving at her local Trader Joe's.

While in line, @valeriak videoed an employee saying the store was limiting customers to five bags per purchase. Once in the store, hundreds of bags appear stacked on a table for customers to grab.

"SO CUTEEE," @valeriak said while choosing her bags.

After leaving the store, @valeriak said, "Not gonna lie, that was a little embarrassing waiting in line for a tote bag." She also said "so many" bags were still at the store even after she bought four.

Trader Joe's food ranking: What's the best food from Trader Joe's? Shoppers' favorite items revealed in customer poll

'This was so scary,' TikToker says after seeing people scramble for Trader Joe's mini tote bags

While @valeriak bought her bags easily, some were not as lucky and may have to contemplate paying the exorbitant resell prices. TikTokers @angela.cisneros and @elinorxkim shared posts on March 4 showing people running into their local stores, swarming the mini tote bags and grabbing them in a frenzy.

"This was so scary, but I'm aware I'm a part of the problem," @elinorxkim captioned her post.

Elinor Kim told the New York Times she bought seven bags, adding, I wasnt really sure what I was going to use it for, but I felt like with everyone grabbing, it made me want to get it too.

"Trader Joes mini tote bag madness," @angela.cisneros captioned her post.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trader Joe's mini tote bags on sale for up to $500 on eBay
(Bloomberg) -- The ranks of Wall Street strategists playing down concerns around a bubble in US technology megacap stocks are growing.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The team at JPMorgan Chase & Co. was the latest to flag that valuations of the seven tech giants that have powered the record-breaking rally on Wall Street are currently lower relative to the rest of the S&P 500 than the average of the past five years.

There is a concern over the very strong outperformance of the Magnificent 7, but we note that the group is currently trading less stretched than a few years ago, given earnings delivery, strategist Mislav Matejka wrote in a note. This is not to say that the group is immune to profit disappointments ahead, but in the case of general earnings disappointment, these stocks could still hold out better than traditional cyclicals reliant on strength in the economy, he said.

Strategists at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. also said last week that while the US equity markets concentration is the highest in decades, the top stocks trade at much lower valuations than the largest names did at the peak of the tech bubble.

The Magnificent Seven stocks  comprising Apple Inc., Google parent Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc., Microsoft Corp., Nvidia Corp. and Tesla Inc.  had driven the biggest gains in the S&P 500 last year. The benchmark index has scaled all-time highs in 2024, but the performance of those mega-caps has diverged more recently.

While AI darling Nvidia has soared to a record high, Apple shares entered a technical correction this month amid concerns about the firms slumping iPhone sales and regulatory pressures.

A note from Bank of America Corp. last week showed technology funds suffered their biggest outflows on record. Still, strategist Michael Hartnett reiterated that technology stocks could have more room to rally.

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--With assistance from Kit Rees.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Allied Analytics LLP

Increase in the prevalence of infectious diseases, increase in awareness of food safety issues, and rise in technological advancements drive the growth of the global microbial identification market.

Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Microbial Identification Market by Product and Service (Instruments, Consumables, and Services), Method (Phenotypic Method, Genotypic Method, and Proteomic Method), Technology (Mass Spectrometry, PCR, Flow Cytometry, and Others), and End User (Food and Beverage Industry, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnological Industry, Environmental Water Industry, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global microbial identification industry generated $3.5 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to generate $6.4 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 6.2% from 2023 to 2032.



Request Sample of the Report on Microbial Identification Market Forecast 2032 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/856

Prime determinants of growth

Rise in infectious diseases globally, increase in awareness of food safety issues, and continuous advancements in technology are the factors that drive the growth of the global microbial identification market. However, lack of skilled personnel and limited accessibility in underdeveloped regions restrict the market growth. Moreover, the high growth potential in emerging countries is expected to present new opportunities in the coming years.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size In 2022 $3.5 Billion Market Size In 2032 $6.4 Billion CAGR 6.2% No. Of Pages In Report 296 Segments Covered Product And Service, Method, Technology, End User, and Region Drivers Increase In the Prevalence of Infectious Diseases Increase In Awareness of Food Safety Issues Rise In Technological Advancements Opportunity High Growth Potential in Emerging Countries Restraint Lack of Skilled Personnel and Limited Accessibility in Underdeveloped Regions

Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/856

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Recession Impact

During economic downturns, governments and individuals may cut back on healthcare spending to manage budgets more effectively. This impacts the purchasing power of healthcare institutions and may slow down the adoption of new technologies, including microbial identification solutions.

However, surge in the prevalence of foodborne diseases and rise in technological advancements. This can boost the need for microbial identification that is experiencing a moderately positive impact from the global recession.

The consumables segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

By product and service, the consumables segment held the largest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global microbial identification market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to the rise in need for rapid and accurate microbial identification to curb the spread of infectious diseases and drives an increased demand for consumables.

However, the instruments segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. This is attributed to the surge in demand for advanced and automated microbial identification technologies.

The phenotypic method segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

By method, the phenotypic method segment held the largest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global microbial identification market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to its versatility, widespread acceptance, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. However, the genotypic method segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. This is attributed to the precision, specificity, and technological advancements associated with these methods.

The phenotypic method segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

By technology, the mass spectrometry segment held the largest market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the global microbial identification market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to its speed, versatility, accuracy, and continuous technological advancements. However, the PCR segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period. This is attributed to the accuracy, versatility, real-time capabilities, technological advancements, and its integral role in addressing emerging challenges in microbiology and infectious diseases.

The food and beverage industry segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

By end user, the food and beverage industry segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than half of global microbial identification market revenue, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. This segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period. This is attributed to increased consumer awareness and demand for high-quality and safe food products that further propel the need for robust microbial identification solutions in the food and beverage industry.

North America to maintain its dominance by 2032

By region, North America held the largest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the microbial identification market revenue and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. This is attributed to its well-developed healthcare infrastructure, technological advancements in testing methodologies, and growth in emphasis on preventive healthcare practices in North America.

For Procurement Information - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/856

However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 7.6% from 2023 to 2032. This is attributed to rise in the prevalence of infectious diseases and rise in research and development activities in fields such as genomics, proteomics, and microbiology that contribute to the demand for cutting-edge microbial identification technologies.

Leading Market Players:

BIOMERIEUX

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc

Bruker Corporation

Charles River Laboratories

Danaher Corporation

Merck KGaA

QIAGEN

Shimadzu Corporation

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global microbial identification market. These players have adopted strategies such as acquisition, partnership, agreement, product approval, and product launch 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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Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access

About Allied Market Research:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domains. AMR offers its services across 11 industry verticals including Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Materials & Chemicals, Construction & Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, ICT & Media, Aerospace & Defense, and BFSI.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Mongolian Labour Minister in New York to Highlight Concerted Gender Equality Push

NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mongolia's minister for Labour and Social Protection will use UN events on the status of women tomorrow to pledge to keep her country in the forefront of global efforts to advance gender equality.

Mongolia Aiming For Lower Gender Pay Gap Than United States. (PRNewsfoto/Mongolian Ministry for Labour and Social Protection)

Bulgantuya Khurelbaatar will highlight her government's "robust enforcement of national legislation, increased allocation of technical and financial resources, challenging gender stereotypes, combating gender-based violence, promoting women's economic empowerment, ensuring workplace equality, fostering work-life balance, and enhancing women's political participation and leadership."

Ms. Khurelbaatar, a rising star in Mongolia's political scene and one of three women in the cabinet, is making a five-day visit to the United States to change perceptions of her country; a beacon of democracy and human rights sandwiched between Russia and China.

On Monday she's due to address a side event to the 68th session of the UN's Commission on the Status of Women on "Investing in the prevention of violence against women and girls" and speak at both its general discussion and roundtable gathering on Tuesday.

She will tackle the topics of violence against women, women's rights and the need to increase opportunities.

She will tell the general discussion that "while women represent the majority of [Mongolia's] tertiary education graduates, their labor force participation remains low, with an average salary significantly lower than that of men. The gender pay gap currently stands at 20.6 percent, and gender discrimination persists in the workplace." The Mongolian government has prioritized reducing the disparity and has segregated data by gender to bring the issue into sharper focus. In contrast the gender pay gap in the United States stands at 16%, according to the AAUW.

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Ms. Khurelbaatar will also be discussing concerns about children's rights, in particular changes to Mongolia's laws that aim to increase online child safety. The Minister will also highlight the economic challenges faced by landlocked countries like Mongolia and how geographical disadvantages can be overcome.

Minister Khurelbaatar, who took a Masters in International and Development Economics from Yale University, served as Mongolia's Deputy Finance Minister from 2016-2020 before being elected to Mongolia's national legislature in 2020. She joined the cabinet in April 2023.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2359397/Mongolian_Ministry.jpg

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mongolia-aiming-for-lower-gender-pay-gap-than-united-states-302085416.html

SOURCE Mongolian Ministry for Labour and Social Protection
The top 10 countries that Kuwaiti travellers are most searching for during Q1 of 2024 include Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines, the latest data from Wego has revealed.

Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in MENA (Middle East and North Africa), highlighted intriguing patterns in destination searches and preferences among Kuwaiti jetsetters, shedding light on their wanderlust and travel intent, as it unveiled the latest insights into the travel trends of Kuwaiti travellers for the first quarter of 2024.

Travel interest to Egypt itself makes up about half of all trip searches originating from Kuwait. In a further breakdown of the data, Wego also found that Cairo, Sohag, Assiut, Alexandria, and Luxor rank highly as cities Kuwait travellers are searching for in Q1 this year.

According to the travel experts at Wego, the popularity of Egyptian destinations among travellers flying from Kuwait can be attributed to several factors.

The significant Egyptian expat community in Kuwait may plan to return to Egypt for Ramadan or part of it. The searches may also include plans to celebrate Eid al Fitr at home.

Moreover, the favourable exchange rate between the Kuwaiti Dinar and the Egyptian Pound encourages Egyptians living abroad to return home for significant occasions like Ramadan. This economic advantage also presents Egypt as an affordable travel destination for Kuwaiti tourists.

While Egyptian cities steal the spotlight, other cities elsewhere also feature on most-searched destinations from Kuwait this quarter. Istanbul, for one, is a perennial favourite for its charm, affordability, and visa-free entry perk afforded to Kuwaiti passport holders.

The same no-visa-required arrangement similarly draws them to London, one of the most sought-after European destinations from Kuwait.

Wego also spotted accessible emerging destinations like Baku and Tbilisi down the list  both cities can be reached by flights within a 3-hour duration  hinting at a growing interest in unique cultural experiences among Kuwaiti travellers.  TradeArabia News Service
One of the most important retirement decisions you'll have to make is when to claim Social Security. You can sign up as early as 62, but that doesn't always give you the most money overall. The right claiming age varies by person, depending on their financial situation and life expectancy.

But one age stands out as the best for most people. A recent National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) paper found that 90% of Americans should claim at this age to maximize their benefits, but only 10% actually do. Here's why.

Image source: Getty Images.

How the government calculates your Social Security benefit

To understand why some Social Security claiming ages are more advantageous than others, you need to understand the three key factors that influence your benefits. They are:

The number of years you've worked

How much you earned during your working years

Your age when you sign up

You must work for at least 35 years if you hope to avoid zero-income years weighing down your benefit calculation. But there's nothing wrong with working longer. Many people earn more money later in their careers. Working additional years slowly pushes their earlier, lower-earning years out of their benefit calculation, boosting their Social Security checks.

The government looks at your average monthly income during your 35 highest-earning years to calculate your primary insurance amount (PIA). Paying more money in Social Security taxes over the years increases your PIA and your benefit checks. But since the government looks at average income, a single incredible year won't affect you as much as reporting consistently high earnings.

Your PIA is the benefit you're eligible for at your full retirement age (FRA). This is 66 to 67, depending on your birth year. You can apply as early as 62, but signing up then reduces your benefit by up to 30%. Every month you delay slowly increases your Social Security checks until you reach 70. That's when you qualify for your maximum benefit of 124% to 132% of your PIA per month.

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The best age to claim Social Security

The NBER paper found that virtually all workers between the ages of 45 and 62 should delay Social Security past 65 if they hope to squeeze as much as possible from the program. What's more, more than 90% should wait until 70 to sign up. Doing so could give the typical retired worker an extra $182,370 in discretionary income throughout their retirement. But only 10.2% of workers actually end up with their maximum Social Security check.

There could be a few reasons for this. First, waiting until 70 isn't the right move for everyone. If you have a terminal illness, for example, delaying Social Security until 70 could cause you to miss out on benefits altogether. Even those who live until their mid-to-late 70s may get more money overall by signing up earlier.

Second, some people simply cannot afford to delay benefits that long. Some may have lost their jobs or fallen ill and they don't have a large nest egg to rely on. Social Security is often the only way they can make ends meet. In this case, claiming Social Security early is a better option than taking on debt, but it might not be your only choice.

Those who are able to work could stay in the workforce long enough so they don't need Social Security to cover their bills right away. Retirees could seek out other government programs to help them with their everyday costs, like Medicare and Medicaid for healthcare and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for groceries.

But for some, waiting until 70 to claim Social Security isn't going to be feasible no matter what they do. It might be possible to compromise by delaying Social Security for a few months or years rather than waiting until 70. This could permanently increase your benefits without putting too much of a strain on your finances today.

It's ultimately your call. Delaying until 70 is certainly worth considering, but don't feel bad if you need to sign up for Social Security right away at 62 -- or if you just want to. Either way, you'll still get money from the program and it could add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.

The $22,924 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook

If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $22,924 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.

View the "Social Security secrets"

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More Than 90% of Seniors Should Do This to Maximize Their Social Security Benefit. Only 10% Pull It Off was originally published by The Motley Fool
2021 was the year of the space initial public offering (IPO). All sorts of brand new space stocks followed the trail first blazed by Virgin Galactic -- conducting special purpose acquisition company (SPAC)-sponsored IPOs, giving investors their proverbial chance to "dabble a little bit in a spaceship company, own a little bit of a spaceship company."

Many investors took that chance -- and paid the price in 2022 and 2023, as the stock market taught the dangers of investing in SPACs. Stocks that had come public at $10 a share, rocketing many times in value in the days after their IPOs, plummeted to mere fractions of their IPO prices.

Here's the thing: As recently as last year, a lot of these space stocks were still too expensive. But what about now?

Now that irrational exuberance has given way to investor regret and prices have finally returned to Earth, are there any values to be found in the space sector?

Image source: Getty Images.

How much is a space stock worth?

As space stock prices began to rightsize last year, I asked myself this very question. I ultimately concluded that, after surveying the prices that established space companies were paying to acquire upstarts over the past few years, it seemed the "right" price to acquire an unprofitable space start-up should be no more than 4x annual sales.

Granted, the cheaper a space stock gets below 4x sales, the more likely I'd be willing to buy it. But the most I'd pay is 4x sales -- tops. And it turns out Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) agrees with me.

Lockheed Martin will pay 4x sales for a space company

On Friday last week in a Scheduled 13G filing with the SEC, Lockheed Martin revealed that it has offered to acquire all outstanding shares of satellite manufacturer Terran Orbital (NYSE: LLAP). If you recall, Terran Orbital already has a significant relationship with the aerospace and defense giant -- it's Terran Orbital's biggest customer. What's more, in 2022, Lockheed arguably saved Terran from going bankrupt, investing $100 million to bring the satellite company into its own orbit.

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Now, Lockheed is ready to take the next logical step -- and swallow Terran Orbital whole. To accomplish this, Lockheed is offering to pay $1 per share for each of the 181 million shares of Terran Orbital stock that it doesn't already own. (Between participating in Terran's SPAC IPO and making its additional investment in 2022, Lockheed Martin already owns 13.5 million of Terran Orbital's 194.5 million shares outstanding, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence.)

Additionally, Lockheed will spend "over $70 million" to acquire all of Terran Orbital's outstanding warrants. And Lockheed will take on Terran Orbital's outstanding debt of $313 million.

Add up those three amounts -- $181 million plus $70 million plus $313 million -- and then subtract Terran Orbital's current cash reserves of $39 million, and you wind up with a total deal value of $525 million. Divide that sum by the $134.2 million in sales that Terran Orbital did over the past year, and Lockheed will be paying almost exactly 4x the final enterprise valuation of Terran Orbital -- or 3.9x sales to be precise.

Is this a good deal for Terran Orbital? For Lockheed Martin?

Notably, Terran Orbital doesn't appear 100% convinced that it wants to sell out to Lockheed Martin -- but it may not have much choice.

On Monday, Terran quickly swallowed a poison pill to give it some time to consider the offer. But Terran carries significant debt, has little cash with which to pay that debt down, and is burning cash at the rate of $150 million a year -- so the company could be out of cash as soon as one quarter from now. It also has a weak stock price that would make raising new cash from a stock offering unattractive.

On top of all this, Terran's biggest claim to financial independence from Lockheed Martin -- last year's $2.4 billion contract to build 300 satellites for "Rivada Space Networks" -- looks a whole lot like vaporware to me. I'm not at all convinced that anything's ever going to come of it.

For Lockheed, meanwhile, this deal looks like a no-brainer. For one thing, it needs Terran Orbital alive and financially healthy to build the satellites that Lockheed has ordered from it. For another, with $6.9 billion in annual profits and $1.4 billion in cash already, Lockheed can fund this acquisition with the loose change found between its couch cushions. It's offering Terran Orbital a fair price and a way to put questions about its financial solvency to bed once and for all.

This is a good deal for both parties. Terran Orbital should spit out its poison pill and take it.

Should you invest $1,000 in Lockheed Martin right now?

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Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

How Much Are Space Stocks Worth: The Lockheed Martin Edition was originally published by The Motley Fool
(Bloomberg) -- Rupert Murdochs News Corp. and the publisher of the UKs Daily Mail tabloid are weighing an offer for the company that owns the Telegraph newspaper and Spectator magazine, alongside United Arab Emirates-backed investment fund RedBird IMI, people familiar with the matter said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Such a bid would reduce RedBird IMIs ultimate stake in the Telegraph Media Group Ltd. and may ease UK government concerns over control of the legacy media outlet, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. Jonathan Harmsworths Daily Mail & General Trust Plc and News Corp.s News UK unit have held back-channel conversations on how to structure a deal, they said.

The discussions are preliminary and it isnt clear whether parties would reach an agreement and whether they could ultimately split up the assets, they said. Murdoch has coveted the Spectator for decades, and has previously bid for it, Bloomberg reported last year.

DMGT is not involved in any discussions with News Corp. about taking a stake in the Telegraph, a DMGT spokesperson said.

A representative for News UK declined to comment. A spokesperson for RedBird IMI said it isnt involved in the discussions and declined to comment further. RedBird IMI, fronted by former CNN chief Jeff Zucker, has been approached by a number of parties interested in teaming up, but is focused on buying the paper outright, one of the people said.

The nearly 170-year-old Telegraph newspaper and the Spectator magazine have out-sized influence in British politics, and are seen as a mouthpiece for the UKs governing Conservative Party. The potential for a foreign government to gain control over the assets  via UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansours majority holding in RedBird IMI  has caused an uproar in Westminster.

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Conversations about a bid began after a Conservative backlash to RedBird IMIs takeover offer, people familiar with the situation said. Mansours involvement sparked concerns from Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks cabinet, Bloomberg previously reported.

The UKs Department for Culture, Media and Sport is expected to make a decision on whether to refer RedBird IMIs offer for a more in-depth review in the coming days, and on Wednesday, the House of Lords will weigh an amendment that could give Parliament veto power over foreign state control of media properties.

RedBird IMI  a joint venture between a New York investment firm  had agreed last year to provide loans of about 600 million ($750 million) to gain control of the Telegraph and Spectator from the Barclay family. The titles, which form part of a complex ownership structure, were seized from the family after they fell behind on debt payments.

A fourth rival bidder, hedge fund manager Paul Marshall, may be excluded from the joint proposal, the people said. Marshall declined to comment. News UK is interested in the Spectator rather than the Telegraph titles, a person familiar with its thinking said, though at this early stage its not clear exactly what form the structure would take and who would control which assets.

While a joint bid could ease concerns about the UAEs involvement, it may raise new issues for media plurality and competition if Harmsworth and Murdoch took on more interest in UK news titles.

Under one scenario that has been discussed, RedBird IMI would take a stake as low as 25% in the Telegraph in an attempt to satisfy concerns about foreign state interference, the people familiar with the talks said. DMGT and News UK have previously proposed a joint venture to combine their printing operations.

Meanwhile, opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer is concerned about foreign state ownership of British news outlets but is not at this stage actively opposing the RedBird IMI bid, a person familiar with his thinking said, contradicting a statement that Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire made this weekend about the Labour partys plans to oppose the takeover.

(Updates with DMGT comment)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
John Cena appeared to be completely nude when he stepped onstage at the Oscars on Sunday night  but, thanks to a wee bit of Hollywood magic, he wasn't.

Behind the strategically placed envelope he held revealing the winner for best costume design, the professional wrestler and actor was wearing what's known in the trade as "modesty garment." The article of clothing, widely used in film, TV and theater productions, is used to cover actors' private parts when a scene calls for a performer to appear as if they're naked.

Such garments are often sourced from scrap materials, including yoga mats and leftover fabrics from other costumes. But with a spotlight on making what can be a vulnerable experience for performers feel safe, including formally in recent SAG-AFTRA contract negotiations, companies that specialize making modesty garments in different shapes, sizes and colors have sprouted up.

"A lot of times, costume departments source these things from the fashion industry or use strapless thongs, but recently with the rise of intimacy coordination as a job on set, we've seen the rise of more specialized development and design of modesty garments," Jessica Steinrock, an intimacy coordinator and CEO of Intimacy Directors and Coordinators, an organization that trains and certifies professionals who work with actors on scenes that feature sex and require nudity.

John Cena wore a

So-called intimacy coordinators are hired to supervise scenes involving nudity or simulated sex, and to liaise between actors and production staff.

Steinrock said an on-set intimacy coordinator told her she once resorted to using part of a padded dinosaur costume as a modesty garment in one sensitive scene. "They've been slapping things together, but in a vulnerable experience, to have part of a dinosaur costume attached can reflect a lack of care and dignity," she explained.

A few companies, including U.K.-based Intimask and The Modesty Shop in Canada now design garments exclusively to help actors feel comfortable in near-nude moments like Cena's at the Oscars. In the U.S., Covvier, founded by a pair of set costumers, sells a range of products, including strapless, adhesive thongs and padded pouches.

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Covvier co-founder Lucy Shapiro told CBS MoneyWatch that Cena was wearing a garment similar to the padded pouches her company makes and are designed specifically for contact sex scenes.

"I've been examining it, and it appears to be sideless underwear stuck on with tape to adhere the fabric to his skin," she said. "I'm guessing it's a spandex garment with a molded soft cup to make sure you don't see too much."

Shapiro added that her business has seen a recent uptick in orders that has coincided with production resuming following the end of the actors strike in November, and perhaps more films and television series depicting sex onscreen.

"We sell to productions  to costume departments and intimacy coordinators  and we were doing well before the strike, but we have been crazy busy since it ended," she said. "The culture around sex and film is changing, finally, and more intimacy coordinators are saying we need this kind of garment to be used."

Despite how little of the body they cover and little fabric they use, modesty garments are often pricey. That's because the industry is new, the businesses are small and the products are specialized, Steinrock noted. For example, a "padded pouch" similar to the one Cena wore costs $62. He was also wearing a type of butt cover, photos of the actor taken backstage reveal.

Eventually, Steinrock of IDC expects prices for such professional garments to come down.

"It's early and these are new companies, and it's exciting to see that there is a specialized market here to create products designed with high-quality fabrics to provide the protection and care these scenes require," she said.

Why the i's have it

Jimmy Kimmel on hosting the Oscars

Josh Seftel's mom on adjusting to fame
DALLAS & BOGOTA, Colombia, March 11, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Texas-based Nespon Solutions has acquired Latin American Cloudblue Services. As a result, Nespon Solutions will gain capabilities in Salesforce Industries for Financial Services, while expanding its presence in the Americas. Cloudblue Services customers will benefit from access to Nespons unique delivery model, global reach and partner network.

Umer Fazal, Nespon Solutions CEO believes this move will create a more significant value proposition for Nespon, offering deep industry expertise in Insurance and Finance to organizations expecting rapid time to value, quality and innovation.

For Daniel Mark, President of Nespon Latam, this acquisition will allow Nespon to greatly expand its presence in a growth market like Colombia.

For Ivan Hassig, Cloudblue Services Managing Director, becoming part of the Nespon family is a key move for portfolio expansion offered to current customers and a great opportunity for Cloudblues employees to thrive in a global environment and grow their career options. Ivan will serve as Nespon Country Manager for Colombia.

Nespon Solutions consultants help clients navigate the multi-cloud landscape for their organization. Whether automating complex business processes, integrating legacy systems, or streamlining existing services, Nespon provides consulting and implementation services to address business challenges.

The combined business will result in nearly 350 employees, hold over 500 Salesforce certifications and operate 4 global Centers of Excellence in North America, Latin America, Asia and Europe.

"Cloudblue Services is part of our strategy focused on acquiring companies with unique capabilities in growth markets that help Nespon attract new clients with our global reach and broad expertise," said Umer Fazal.

Salesforce is the world`s leading platform for Customer Relationship Management across industries, connecting companies and their customers in a cloud-based solution that has become the global standard when it comes to digital transformation.

Story continues

About Nespon Solutions

At Nespon Solutions, we are Industry experts guiding Clients to innovation. We specialize in delivering Salesforce, Data, AI and Digital Transformation solutions that drive measurable results and business value. Our scalable, cost-effective delivery model makes us a compelling partner for companies around the world. With hundreds of successful Salesforce and IT projects delivered across the globe, we bring expertise to every client engagement. For more information, visit nespon.com.

About Cloudblue Services S.A.S

We are an emerging business and technology consulting firm, with deep industry knowledge coming from Insurance, Health and Telco. We help companies to put customers at the center, easing the adoption of mobile-first and digital omnichannel strategies that transform customer experiences, leveraging Salesforce platform and Salesforce Industries (formerly Vlocity).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311019949/en/

Contacts

For media inquiries, contact Mike Bek, mike.bek@nespon.com, or +1 (214) 281-3869
RedBird IMI's deal is currently in limbo after Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer issued a Public Interest Intervention Notice - Geoff Pugh

Rupert Murdoch and the owner of The Daily Mail have reportedly held talks about a potential joint takeover of The Telegraph alongside UAE-backed RedBird IMI, as opposition to its solo bid hardens.

Mr Murdochs News UK and DMGT, which owns the Daily Mail, have held talks about putting money into the bid, Bloomberg reported, in a move that would dilute UAE money in the takeover.

It comes amid rising political hostility to RedBird IMIs bid, amid concerns about possible state interference. IMI, a state-owned Abu Dhabi fund, has provided 75pc of the 1.2bn used to buy The Telegraph and The Spectator from the Barclay family.

RedBird IMI, which is run by former CNN chief Jeff Zucker, has insisted that the UAE will have no input on operations and vowed to put in place protections for editorial independence.

However, the deal is currently in limbo after Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer issued a Public Interest Intervention Notice preventing a merger until the Competition and Markets Authority and Ofcom had investigated.

Both Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Monday delivered their reports into RedBird IMIs proposed acquisition of the Telegraph.

Ms Frazer must now decide whether to recommend an in-depth investigation, which could open the door to blocking the deal.

Pressure to do so is growing in Westminster. Over 100 MPs have written to the Prime Minister calling for the Government to block the takeover, describing it as a dangerous Rubicon.

Ministers are considering toughening up powers to intervene and block foreign ownership of UK newspapers. Shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire has signalled Labour will block the bid if it wins the next election and the issue is still live.

The pressure has forced RedBird IMI to consider rethinking the structure of the deal. Separately, The Telegraph reported last month that other interested parties were holding discussions about a possible onward sale of the newspaper should RedBird IMIs bid fail.

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While a restructuring of the bid to dilute the amount of UAE money and control involved would likely lessen concerns about freedom of the press, the addition of Mr Murdoch and DMGT are likely to raise fresh issues around market competition.

Mr Murdochs News UK owns The Times, The Sun and various other UK media assets including talkSport. DMGT owns The Daily Mail, Metro and i newspapers.

Sir Paul Marshall, the hedge fund backer of GB News, is also interested in buying The Telegraph and The Spectator but is understood to have not been involved in talks about joining the RedBird IMI bid.

Mr Zucker last week called Sir Paul unfit to own a newspaper after he was accused of endorsing social media posts espousing far-right ideologies, Islamophobia, and conspiracy narratives. The hedge fund chief has insisted he was misunderstood.

Sir Paul is understood to still retain an interest in buying The Telegraph if the RedBird IMI bid ultimately fails. A source close to Sir Paul said: If it comes up at the right price and at the right time, he will consider it.

On Monday night a source close to News UK denied that the publisher is in talks about investing in The Telegraph. RedBird IMI, News UK and a spokesman for Sir Paul declined to comment. DMGT was approached for comment.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Office vacancy in the Valley remains high, as in-person office work never fully rebounded from the shift to remote work that came with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some office experts said the future will show which buildings are the winners that remain useful and relevant, and losers that are no longer functional.

Office buildings could be going through the same cultural shift that large-scale retail buildings have gone through, making some of the older, larger buildings obsolete as working from home or splitting time between remote and in-office work has become more commonplace.

It is evolving, and maybe it is going to look different," Yesenia Felix, vice president of operations and designated broker for Cousins Properties Inc., said. Felix spoke on a panel at the Arizona chapter of the Urban Land Institutes Trends Day event, discussing the outlook for office real estate.

Office vacancy remains high

According to research from real estate firm CBRE, office vacancy in the Valley at the end of 2023 was close to 25%, a slight decrease from the previous quarter.

Office sales have also slowed. Steve Lindley, executive managing partner at Cushman & Wakefield, said a normal year in Phoenix can have about 65 to 75 office building sales, and there were only 23 in 2023.

Bryan Taute, executive vice president at CBRE, said a certain sector of office buildings is likely dead or dwindling, especially aging buildings that have few amenities. Some users, like call centers, have likely moved to remote work permanently, and could leave the buildings vacant, he said.

One Camelback, under construction at Camelback Road and Central Avenue, is converting an office into an apartment.

Adapting is complex and a hard thing to do, Taute said.

Angela Johnson, executive vice president with K-Star said office buildings that had previously been a call center or back-office use can be more difficult to lease to another office user.

There are going to be some losers and there are going to be a lot of them, she said.

Location, building quality can be critical

Newer buildings in desirable locations have held strong with leasing and bucking the vacancy trend, Taute said.

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Location has proven through the last few years to be even more important, Taute said. Areas like Camelback and Scottsdale are performing well.

Location and physical condition of the buildings have been some of the biggest determining factors to whether a building can remain viable as an office.

Conversions can be difficult

Taute said nationwide converting vacant office buildings into other uses like apartments has become a trend, but often it can be complicated.

Multifamily conversion is a big topic of conversation nationwide, Taute said. Its very expensive and the physical attributes are difficult.

Adding food and amenities can benefit a building

If an office building seems worth investing in, Taute said adding food and beverage options and upgrading meeting spaces can make the building more attractive to businesses that might want to lease space there.

Hayden Ferry Lakeside was the first development built on the lake.

Some office owners have taken creative approaches to incentivize workers to work in the office. Cousins installed a beehive on the top level of the parking lot of one of its Tempe properties so tenants can get fresh honey and see how honey is produced, Felix said.

Taute said he does not expect to see a large wave of conversions without some kind of government incentive. One high-profile office building in Phoenix, located at Central Avenue and Camelback Road, has been in the process of conversion into an apartment building for years.

One of Cousins Tempe properties, Hayden Ferry Lakeside, located at Tempe Town Lake, has a building that was left completely vacant when Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, Felix said. That building is the oldest one at Hayden Ferry Lakeside, she said, and is now undergoing a remodel of all common areas and conference space.

We are blending office with a little bit of hospitality, she said. Cousins has held rotating art exhibits in an empty office suite in one of its other Tempe properties, 100 Mill, and other activities like yoga classes.

Reach the reporter at cvanek@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @CorinaVanek.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The future of empty metro Phoenix offices: 'winners and losers'
Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) stock's outstanding surge in the past year has led to a massive jump in its market cap, and the semiconductor giant is now counted as one of the world's largest companies. More specifically, Nvidia's market cap of $2.22 trillion means it is now the third-biggest company globally, ranking just behind Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), which has a market cap of $2.61 trillion.

It is worth noting that these tech giants have experienced divergent fortunes on the stock market in 2024. While shares of Nvidia shot up 79% this year already, Apple stock has moved in the opposite direction, dipping 12% as of this writing. As a result, Nvidia is now within touching distance of Apple's market cap.

NVDA Market Cap Chart

But can Nvidia stock continue soaring and overtake Apple's market cap by next year? Let's find out.

Nvidia is set to grow at a much faster pace than Apple

A key reason Nvidia's market cap has grown while Apple's has declined is the different trajectories of the two companies. Nvidia is making the most of the artificial intelligence (AI) chip market, which is growing at a terrific pace. According to third-party estimates, the AI chip market is estimated to clock an annual growth rate of 38% through the end of the decade and generate $207 billion in annual revenue.

Nvidia's fiscal 2024 revenue increased 126% to $60.9 billion thanks to the lucrative AI data center graphics processing unit (GPU) market, where it dominates with an estimated market share of 98%, according to Wells Fargo. Nvidia is also enjoying terrific margins in AI GPUs as its chips are being sold for tens of thousands of dollars. This is reflected in the company's bottom-line performance, with its fiscal 2024 earnings jumping 288% to $12.96 per share.

On the other hand, the smartphone market is Apple's bread and butter. The iPhone produced 58% of its total revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 (which ended Dec. 31, 2023). However, Apple's top line increased just 2% year over year to $119.6 billion during the quarter, while earnings were up 16% to $2.18 per share. Its iPhone revenue increased 6% year over year during the quarter, while sales of iPads and wearables fell. Also, sales of Apple's MacBooks remained flat last quarter.

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A closer look at the end markets Apple serves tells us why it is growing more slowly than Nvidia. The smartphone market, for instance, is expected to grow by only 2.8% in 2024, as per IDC. The researcher estimates that smartphone sales will likely increase in the low single digits over the next five years. Tablet sales, meanwhile, are declining, while the personal computer (PC) market is forecast to turn around this year following steep declines in the past couple of years.

Additionally, Apple doesn't enjoy Nvidia-like dominance in the markets it serves. Though Apple was the top seller of smartphones in 2023, its market share stood at 20.1%. Last year, Samsung was the second-biggest smartphone company, with a 19.4% market share. Apple was the fourth-largest company in PCs last year by shipments, controlling just 8.5% of this market.

So, the bottom line is Nvidia is in pole position to capitalize on a fast-growing opportunity in the form of AI chips. Apple, however, is operating in mature markets where there are multiple contenders. As a result, it is unsurprising to see why Nvidia's revenue and earnings are forecast to increase much faster pace than Apple's.

Period Nvidia Revenue Rstimate (in $billion) Year-Over-Year Growth Apple Revenue Estimate (in $billion) Year-Over-Year Growth Current fiscal year $110.2 81% $388.3 1% Next fiscal year $130.7 19% $412.7 6% Two fiscal years ahead $150.0 15% $433.4 5%

Source: YCharts.

Also, Apple's earnings are expected to grow at a much slower annual rate of 11% over the next five years compared to the 36% annual earnings growth Nvidia is expected to deliver during the same period. As such, seeing the market reward Nvidia with more gains won't be surprising. Apple stock, on the other hand, could remain in the doghouse thanks to the slow-growing nature of the smartphone market and recent developments suggesting the company may be late to the AI game.

iPhone sales in China reportedly fell an alarming 24% in the first six weeks of 2024, according to Counterpoint Research. Huawei gained at Apple's expense and recorded a 64% spike in sales during the same period. Meanwhile, Apple's biggest smartphone competitor, Samsung, has already jumped onto the AI smartphone bandwagon with its latest Galaxy series of smartphones. The good news for Samsung is that it expects to sell more flagship phones than its original forecast, and AI seems to be playing a key role in driving this performance.

This gives Samsung an advantage over Apple, which is yet to launch an AI-focused smartphone.

Which one will be the bigger company next year?

Apple has already lost the title of the world's largest company by market cap to Microsoft. And now, it won't be surprising to see Nvidia displace Apple and climb up the rankings.

As shown in the table above, Nvidia's revenue is expected to jump to almost $131 billion in fiscal 2026 (which will coincide with the majority of calendar 2025). Nvidia is trading at 35 times sales right now. While that's expensive, Nvidia has been able to justify its expensive valuation with outstanding growth in recent quarters.

The solid opportunity in AI chips means the market could also reward Nvidia with a rich sales multiple in the future. Assuming Nvidia maintains a discounted sales multiple of 25 next year and generates $131 billion in revenue, its market cap could increase to $3.27 trillion.

Apple, for comparison, trades at 7 times sales, slightly higher than its five-year average sales multiple of 6. Giving Apple a higher sales multiple doesn't make sense, considering its slower growth. Assuming it generates $413 billion in revenue next year and maintains its current sales multiple, its market cap could go to $2.9 billion, indicating Nvidia seems set to become a bigger company than Apple by 2025.

That's why investors looking to buy one of these "Magnificent Seven" stocks have an easy choice about where to put their money.

Should you invest $1,000 in Nvidia right now?

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Will Nvidia Be Worth More Than Apple by 2025? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Art Wager / Getty Images

For many Americans, retirement is the light at the end of the long career tunnel  a reward for decades of hard work and a chance to finally relax and enjoy life without the constraints of a job. But achieving a comfortable retirement requires significant savings, especially if you have your sights set on spending your golden years in an island paradise like Hawaii.

Check Out: 8 Signs Youll Retire Wealthy

Read Next: 6 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money

In a recent analysis by GOBankingRates, we calculated the retirement costs for each state  doing so by analyzing the average annual expenditures for those 65 and older across major spending categories like housing, food, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. For the purposes of this study, Social Security payments were excluded. The average annual Social Security payment is $21,566.76, based on the most recent information provided by the Social Security Administration.

West Virginia is the most affordable at just $692,354 for 25 years of retirement, or $49,261 per year. Much of the South and Midwest offers relatively low costs as well, making those potential sweet spots for retirees on tighter budgets.

On the other end of the spectrum are Massachusetts at $85,571 per year, California at $78,864 per year, and New York at $73,140 per year.

Learn More: 8 Cheap Places To Retire in Europe Where Residents Speak English

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Retiring In Hawaii Not For the Faint of Financial Heart

But retiring in Hawaii requires a staggering minimum $2,051,077 in savings, at an average rate of expenditure of $103,610 a year for 25 years. For a 30-year retirement, that figure balloons to over $2.4 million. These totals are by far the highest in the nation.

The dream of swaying in a Hawaiian hammock may have to remain just that  a dream  for anyone without a multi-million dollar nest egg. But what makes the Aloha State so expensive for retirees?

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Hawaiis idyllic island setting is a key driver behind its exorbitant costs across several of these areas.

Hawaiis isolated geography means higher prices for everyday goods due to shipping costs. Groceries, utilities, gas, and other essentials all come at a premium on the islands compared to most states.

So for the majority of mainlanders, settling down for retirement in a Hawaiian paradise may unfortunately be out of reach unless youve been extremely diligent about squirreling away savings over the years.

Saving Now For Retirement Is Non-Negotiable

No matter where you hope to spend your retirement, these estimates highlight the necessity of diligent planning and saving from an early age. Contributing regularly to tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, reducing expenses where possible, and having a prudent investment strategy are all key.

While the $2 million price tag for retiring in Hawaii may seem beyond reasonable reach, theres no need to completely abandon your tropical retirement daydreams. Considering an extended vacation home or renting for part of each year could make this slice of paradise more affordable. Or you could always just stick to the occasional visit  those Hawaiian sunsets will still be breathtaking, even if just for a week or two.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: This Is the One Place You Cant Retire, Unless You Have $2 Million
Mannheim Business School

Full-time MBAs at Mannheim Business School in Germany visiting the Porshe headquarters. The business school is surrounded by a large number of German companies of all sizes and functions. Photo by Cheming Chang

So, youre shopping around for a premier MBA program. Youre looking for a program with a stellar reputation that will connect you with accomplished classmates and influential alumni. One that will lead to a great post MBA career in a preferred company and in-demand industry.

Look at the M7s, sure  the Stanfords, the Whartons, the Harvards, the Columbias.

But why stop there?

The world market for MBA programs is not just in the U.S. Germany is a very interesting market, says Jens Wustemann, president of Mannheim Business School. Its the largest economy in Europe, and now, again, the No. 3 economy in the world  after the U.S., after China, but before Japan.

Jens Wustemann, president of Mannheim Business School

Within a 70-mile radius of Mannheim Business School, youll find Europes leading software company, SAP; the largest chemical firm, BASF; and the worldwide headquarters of Mercedes Benz. It is also surrounded by several hidden champions, the most successful of Germanys small to medium-sized Mittelstands which also happen to be world market leaders in their niches.

This close proximity to Germanys diverse industry, in both size and function, helps Mannheim Business School attract one of the most international student bodies in the world. About 80% of its one-year, full-time MBA cohort comes from outside of Germany.

Its also part of the schools value proposition: About 20% of those studying in our MBA worked in Germany before the program, but 75% work in Germany after the program. So, in a way, our MBA program gets students from around the globe, but keeps them in Germany, Wustemann says.

A GERMAN B-SCHOOL WITH A GLOBAL REPUTATION

Mannheim Business School (MBS) is the umbrella organization for management education offered by the University of Mannheim. While the university is state owned, MBS is a privately organized non-profit with the university having a 25% stake and the Prechel Foundation having a 75% stake. (All full professors of the universitys business school are Prechel Foundation members.)

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The University of Mannheim has taught business courses and offered business degrees since 1907 when it was founded as the Municipal School of Commerce. However, it didnt establish an MBA program until 2002. MBS was founded in 2005 with one primary goal: To build an international reputation through top notch MBA programs, Masters degrees, and executive education programs.

In the U.S., I think theres an overabundance of MBA programs, but maybe too few Masters of Science programs. In Germany, it is the opposite, says Wustemann, who spent time in the U.S. as a visiting scholar at both The Wharton School and NYU Stern School of Business.

Germanys normal diploma is best translated into Master of Science. The MBA degree  requiring professional experience, a different type of teaching style, and so on and so forth  was not the tradition. That is why we founded Mannheim Business School.

Today, MBS enrolls more than 800 students across all its programs. It offers full- and part-time MBAs, an Executive MBA, and an EMBA in partnership with ESSEC Business School in France. It also offers masters degrees in Sustainability and Impact Management, Management Analytics & AI, and Accounting & Taxation, as well as a full roster of company and open executive education programs. (Other bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees are offered through the Business School of the University of Mannheim.)

MBS consistently ranks as the No. 1 business school and MBA program in Germany. It ranked No. 73 in the 2024 Global MBA Ranking by the Financial Times, and 17th in the magazines European Business Schools from 2023.

Full-time MBA students on a study trip earlier this year. The MBA class at Mannheim Business School is about 80% of international. While just 20% of the class typically works in Germany before completing the program, about 75% start their careers in the country after graduation. Courtesy photo

Q&A WITH JENS WUSTEMANN

A distinct feature of the Mannheim MBA experience is its small class sizes, especially compared to those of the premier U.S. programs which typically have cohorts in the hundreds. Its full-time MBA typically has between 50 and 60 students while its EMBA has classes of between 40 and 50. It also costs a fraction of the premier U.S. MBA at 42,500 (or about $46,000) and takes half the time.

Wustemann, a professor of accounting and auditing, joined the University of Mannheim in 2001 and became president of Mannheim Business School in 2010. During his tenure, the number of students enrolled at MBS has risen threefold, from about 280 to 840, mainly from the launch of several new programs.

Poets&Quants connected with Wustemann via Zoom to talk about the value proposition of a premier German MBA. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

What was your assessment of Mannheim Business School when you became president? What were your goals for it at the time?

When I took over in 2010, my main concern was to ensure that the strategy of Mannheim business education in general  which has this state-owned part but also this privately organized part  fulfilled what our stakeholders expect from us. That is, No. 1, to make or gain reputation.

Each year when my supervisors assess my performance, one of the key points is how did we perform in rankings? Not that thats our purpose in itself, but we know that rankings decide whether very good students apply or dont.

They also consider: Do we contribute to a fully fledged type of business school from bachelor to lifelong learning? I think we do very well, but I realize it can be in the eyes of the beholder.

I also wanted to grow Mannheim Business School in order to invest in infrastructure, in even better professors, and so on. I think it would be fair to say we at least tripled the number of participants in our programs during my presidency by introducing new programs like specialized masters, part-time MBA programs and the like.

What, in your opinion, are the distinguishing factors for Mannheim Business School?

You may not know that, in Mannheim, the automobile was invented by Karl Benz. The bicycle was invented in Mannheim by Mr. Drais. The agricultural tractor was also invented in Mannheim for a company called Lanz which was later acquired by John Deere. Its a city not very well known with some 400,000 inhabitants, but its innovation is quite outstanding.

To understand the environment in which we are working, if you make a circle around Mannheim, lets say 100 kilometers, you have the leading European software company, SAP. The largest chemical firm, BASF, which also has the largest chemical plant in the world, is about 30 kilometers away. The worldwide headquarters of Mercedes Benz is maybe 60 kilometers from Mannheim.

Around us we have several hidden champions. These are German companies youve probably never heard of, but potentially their products are in your car, in your pullover, or in your coffee. You never heard of them, but theyre making billions. Theyve been globalized for 40 to 50 years, and they are typically in our region.

So, the diversity in our class in regards to industry and the size of companies is quite astonishing. Students have a lot of things to tell each other. That is the ecosystem we work in.

In fact, a lot of schools from Asia in particular  in Singapore, Hong Kong, and mainland China, for example  like to come to us for residencies to understand the logic in how this ecosystem is organized.

So that comes to our DNA at Mannheim Business School. We have, from the beginning, some features which are today approaching mainstream, but were not at that time. ESG is an example. Now, no ranking or business school can go without ESG, but we embodied this in our curriculum years before it was mainstream.

We also have the Social Class Project. Nobody gets a degree from Mannheim Business School who didnt engage in a social project close to the community. This has been done since we started our first EMBA program in 2004, so it has a very long tradition. For me, when I was still academic director for our EMBA program, it was touching to see how much empathy managers who work for worldwide companies can develop towards those who are underprivileged. Its even better if its a sustainable project that continues.

Executive MBAs from Mannheim Business School must complete a social project that benefits a local community. Courtesy photo

What kind of class do you attract? Do you target more of a regional student population?

With the exception of the U.S., we are typically in the international rankings among the leading international student bodies in the world. That has to do with our value proposition: If you come to Mannheim, and if you do what we tell you should do, you not only get a very good education, but we give you mobility within the German labor market.

Take the classical Indian engineer who went to a superb school in India and who comes to us as an MBA. When we screen him or her at the moment of application, we ask, What is your future plan? They might say they want to work in the European Union, but its typically Germany. Typically they want to work for Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen or BASF and the like. We say, Look, we have the biggest network in Germany. We have the most successful alumni from the C-suites of the largest German companies. And thats our value proposition. Thats why they come.

Some 80% of our MBA classes are non-German. Whats also very astonishing is that we have a weekend Executive MBA Program, which we call the Mannheim EMBA, which is 50% non-German. Further, about 20% of those studying in our MBA worked in Germany before the program, but 75% work in Germany after the program. So, in a way, our MBA program gets students from around the globe but keeps them in Germany.

I recently read an article proclaiming that German business schools were on the rise. Would you say that is true?

I think overall, yes, and it has to do with the performance of the few very good business schools in Germany. Of course, there are MBA programs who would never be accredited as well. But a school like Mannheim Business School performs quite well in international rankings, so that is one of the components.

The second is that even though Germany at the moment has a recession, when youre talking about highly qualified people, the labor market is just huge. The companies are in demand. Again, not for the whole economy, but for that market which were serving.

So I would say, if you think about a student coming from outside the European Union who wants to work in Europe, Germany is an attractive option. Students who go to school in the UK cannot work in the European Union automatically anymore, so then you would need to decide between France, Italy or Germany. When you think about the companies, about the performance of industry, I think Germany typically would still be No. 1.

Finally, the market in terms of suppliers of MBAs is not that big in Germany. If you take the U.S., I mean, there are literally thousands of business schools offering MBA programs, whereas Germany has room to grow. So I would think that Germany is still relatively seen as a quite attractive MBA market, and also the demand for our programs is very, very high.

The Schloss, a baroque-era palace, is the heart of the University of Mannheim campus. Photo by Norbert Bach

Looking ahead, what are some of your goals for Mannheim Business School? Or, are there new initiatives that youre planning or considering?

Let me start with what may seem to be a little boring, but its very important: The maintenance of the program.

ESG, for example, is now somewhat mandatory in the Financial Times rankings, which Mannheim does well anyway. On the other side, a lot of stakeholders tell us they want to have artificial intelligence in the curriculum. Then there are companies that tell us they want to have a particular emphasis on, lets say, data mining, data analytics, coming from quantitative data to qualitative insights. MBA students also expect that we teach them corporate finance and marketing management and the like.

So, maintenance in the sense of keeping up with what stakeholders expect, what applicants expect, but still providing a coherent curriculum that doesnt just integrate the latest buzzword in order to help marketing efforts. I think thats something which is absolutely not so easy to implement.

A classroom at Mannheim Business School. Photo by Kirsten Bucher

In regards to new programs, we have started an initiative to increase the volume but also the quality of our firm programs (executive education). In our portfolio, the firms range from the largest German firms to those hidden champions, but we want to increase this as well as our open enrollment programs. The degree programs are very important, but we want to have a better balance between our efforts for degree programs and our efforts for non-degree programs.

Another big effort is in our infrastructure. If you look at our homepage, theres a video where you can actually fly over our palace and into our lecture halls. Our school is located in a baroque palace built roughly between the years 1720 and 1740.

We have very, very nice facilities in the palace, but we have made a clear decision that we see Mannheim Business School as an on-campus experience. Of course, we do have online modules, we have blended learning, thats very clear. So it doesnt mean that each and every type of learning outcome is done on campus.

But, we are convinced that if you bring people together physically in a room and let them work together, the learning outcome is just better. Corona was an eye opener because it showed what Zoom, for example, can do. But it also showed some limitations. And thats also what was reflected by our student body. They wanted to come back to campus.

In order to be competitive, we need to have very modern infrastructure. So, at the moment, we are developing a new campus very near our palace so that we can deliver the high quality MBA, Executive MBA and so on.

At what stage are you in the process?

Its very well developed. Its with the city of Mannheim, we have the architects, we have fantastic plans. The difficult part, and unfortunately that is also one of the main agenda points for the president of a business school, is to get the money. (Laughing)

What else do you want Poets&Quants readers to know about Mannheim Business School?

We have very diverse classes, which I think really sets us apart from any other programs in the world. We also have small classes. For example, for the full time MBA, its just about 50 to 60 students. This is something which is really totally different from what you experienced at Wharton, Stanford, or the Ivy League schools in the U.S. Its a very intense, very individualized learning experience and a very diverse experience. There are typically 20 to 25 nationalities per class.

Our diversity is not only a question of class composition, but of content as well. We dont have this one-size-fits-all curriculum where you work through 10,000 Harvard Business case studies  which are all excellent. We can afford to have a much more individualistic style of teaching and tutoring our students. That is something which I think you dont get at every business school when you have a thousand students.

Like I said at the beginning of our conversation, we decided early on that Mannheim Business School is about reputation. We could double our MBA cohort just with Indian students who want to study with us, and we could make much more money. But thats not the point.

Last but not least, the network is something very special in our case. Its a small network compared to the larger schools, but its a very exclusive one. There are many people working in really high positions in Germany.

DONT MISS: DREAM BIG, BE RESILIENT: HOW THIS BLIND MBA STUDENT FROM INDIA MADE IT TO COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL AND NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE MBA PROFESSOR FOR 2024S 40 UNDER 40

The post The P&Q Interview: Mannheims Jens Wustemann On The Value Proposition Of A German MBA appeared first on Poets&Quants.
China's top political advisory body concludes annual session, pooling strength for modernization

Xinhua) 08:13, March 11, 2024

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)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The ancient city of AlUla, nestled in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, has invited visitors to immerse themselves in the sacred tranquillity and contemplation of Ramadan while exploring the depth of the citys rich heritage and culture, its varied gastronomic experiences, and wholesome community activities.

Rami Almoallim, Vice President Destination Marketing & Management Office, said: The observance of Ramadan in AlUla has always held a unique significance, and this year's festivities coincide with a revitalised spirit of rejuvenation and an ever-thriving immersive cultural and heritage scene that will captivate every visitor and resident.

Ramadan in AlUla goes beyond sights and activities, as it presents a precious opportunity to authentically delve into the essence of the Holy Month, connect with the local community, embark on a journey of self-discovery, and share meaningful moments with our loved ones."

This year's Ramadan celebrations in AlUla promise an array of enchanting and enriching experiences, from traditional iftars featuring authentic local cuisines to captivating cultural displays that illuminate the historic Incense Road.

AlJadidah Iftar

AlJadidah Iftar (March 22, 6pm to 8.30pm): The iftar at AlJadidah Arts District aims to cultivate the community spirit of Ramadan, ensuring that each co-host of the iftar is a resident of AlJadidah, providing an authentic taste of the local cuisine. Accommodating up to 70 individuals, the iftar is free to attend, but tickets are mandatory.

Stargazing by Husaak

Iftar and Stargazing by Husaak (until April 8, 4pm to 10.15pm): To be held beneath the night sky of AlUla, the iftar will be held in th remote beauty of the Gharameel area, surrounded by the remnants of towering rock pillars. Adventurous stargazers will break their fast with traditional Saudi cuisine, gathered around a warm campfire.

Fawazer Ramadan

Fawazer Ramadan (every Thursday and Friday, 10pm to 12am): There is a chance to learn more about Ramadan and the unity it inspires through this unique activity held during the first three weekends of the Holy Month. A small stage will be set up for presenters to engage the audience with riddles, and rewarding those who answer correctly with culturally relevant gifts that reflect Ramadan themes and AlUla's identity.

Okto Harrat Viewpoint

Okto Harrat Viewpoint (daily, 1pm to 3am): The Holy Month can be celebrated amid natures beauty at Harrat Viewpoint, the summit of a volcanic mountain that overlooks canyons, the lush oasis and rock formations. Amidst enchanting decorations, vibrant lanterns and elegant motifs, Okto Restaurant at the Harrat Viewpoint will remain open until 3am daily, offering a delightful blend of traditional and international cuisine.

Elephant Rock

Elephant Rock (Saturday to Wednesday, 6pm to 2am; Thursday and Friday: 6pm to 3am): Ramadan festivities will be held at Elephant Rock with captivating decorations throughout. The site opens from iftar, providing ample time for visitors to immerse themselves in the celebratory atmosphere. Key Cafe, Jolt Qaws, and Salt will be open, serving their offerings.

Ramadan Carts

Ramadan Carts in AlJadidah (until April 9, 8pm to 2am): Discover a delightful array of food carts offering traditional Ramadan dishes meticulously prepared by local families. From savoury delights to sweet treats, these carts provide an authentic culinary experience, showcasing the rich and diverse flavours of Ramadan traditions.

Incense Road Celebration

Ramadan Incense Road Lights (Until April 9, 8pm to 3am): The revived Incense Road at the arts and culture hub will be adorned with sparkling lights, intricate lanterns, and fragrant incense. Decorative tapestries and local AlUla food carts will further enhance the cultural celebration of Ramadan.

Hotel Offers

Our Habitas AlUla: Experience complete rejuvenation with a one-night retreat and contemplation amidst picturesque canyons. The package includes one iftar and one suhoor, or breakfast and dinner for up to two guests.

Wellness and revitalisation also take centre stage at Our Habitas AlUla during Ramadan, with a special wellness-focused promotion at Thuraya Wellness Spa. For a serene late-night experience, indulge in a Candlelit Sound Bath under the stars.

In addition to accommodation and spa options, Our Habitas AlUla invites guests to savour wholesome iftar and suhoor experiences daily. Delight in an iftar at Tama Restaurant, nestled within the enchanting Ashar Valley, from March 15-April 12. Chef Sebestian will curate a menu inspired by Ramadan delicacies from the Levantine region.

Iftar Under the Stars, running from March 15 to April 12 on Fridays only offers a unique Matmoura iftar at Tama restaurant, features Chef Sebestian's Ramadan selection, which includes a delightful assortment of dates, refreshing beverages, traditional mezze, and delicacies cooked in handcrafted earth ovens.

Iftar options include Daily Iftar at Caravan by Habitas AlUla and a set menu for Suhoor at the Food Trucks.

Banyan Tree AlUla offers an exclusive Ramadan staycation, immersed in the serenity of the Ashar Valley beneath the enchanting starlit skies. Experience tranquillity in your private villa, where body and mind realign during this sacred month. For non-residents, Banyan Tree AlUla provides special offers on all spa treatments and wellbeing services between 10am to 5pm during Ramadan.

For a unique communal iftar experience, step into the the traditional Bedouin tent, every Friday from sunset to 9pm.

Celebrate Eid Al Fitr with a spectacular brunch at Harrat, where live music and stargazing activities await.

Cloud 7: The trendy AlUla hotel presents an exclusive offer from March 11 to April 9. As part of VIP in-room amenities, guests can indulge in a touch of sweetness with baklava, kunafa, and qatayef. All rooms will also include a mini basket with local AlUla dates from Al Hassa Oasis and laban in the minibar. A grand iftar buffet will feature a diverse menu with traditional dishes from various regions, including the Middle East, Thailand, Morocco, Indonesia, India, Egypt, Lebanon, and Senegal. There will also be live saj bread stations, Arabic sweets from AlUla, traditional desserts, a chocolate fountain, and an array of beverage options.

Shaden Resort offers relaxation amidst greenery and the towering mountain ranges. It showcases a variety of culinary delights.  TradeArabia News Service
Assessing the Sustainability of Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's Dividend

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PECGF) recently announced a dividend of $0.05 per share, payable on 2024-03-26, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-03-12. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 10 Warning Signs with PECGF.

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Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd manufactures and sells a variety of petrochemicals. The firm organizes itself into three segments based on product type: Olefins and Derivatives; Fertilizers and Methanol; and Specialties. The Olefins and Derivatives segment, which generates the majority of revenue, sells chemicals used in the production of acrylic acids, antifreeze, printing ink, dyes, gas treating solvents, personal care products, and plastics used in packaging films, wires, cables, and ducting. The Fertilizers and Methanol segment sells chemicals used in gasoline additives, plastic resins, ammonia, and fertilizers. The majority of revenue comes from Malaysia.

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's Dividend History

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2020. Dividends are currently distributed on a bi-annual basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Breaking Down Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 5.66% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 2.24%. This suggests an expectation of decreased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's annual dividend growth rate was 26.00%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 4.30% per year. And over the past decade, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 5.00%.

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Based on Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd stock as of today is approximately 6.99%.

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-12-31, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's dividend payout ratio is 1.13, which may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable.

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2023-12-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's revenue has increased by approximately 25.90% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 84.13% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's earnings increased by approximately 1.30% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 35.74% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of -3.50%, which outperforms approximately 21.82% of global competitors.

Engaging Conclusion

Considering Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's dividend payments, growth rate, payout ratio, profitability, and growth metrics, investors are presented with a multifaceted view of the company's financial health. While the payout ratio may raise questions about dividend sustainability, the company's strong profitability and growth rankings provide a counterbalance, indicating potential for continued dividend distributions. Value investors must weigh these factors to determine if Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd aligns with their investment goals. Will Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd continue to be a reliable source of dividends in the years to come?

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Generally, when a single insider buys stock, it is usually not a big deal. However, when several insiders are buying, like in the case of Northland Power Inc. (TSE:NPI), it sends a favourable 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 Northland Power

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Northland Power

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when President & CEO Mike Crawley bought CA$443k worth of shares at a price of CA$22.17 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, at around the current price, which is CA$23.72. Of course they may have changed their mind. But this suggests they are optimistic. If someone buys shares at well below current prices, it's a good sign on balance, but keep in mind they may no longer see value. In this case we're pleased to report that the insider purchases were made at close to current prices.

Northland Power insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Have Northland Power Insiders Traded Recently?

There was some insider buying at Northland Power over the last quarter. Independent Director Eckhardt Ruemmler bought CA$12k worth of shares in that time. We like it when there are only buyers, and no sellers. However, in this case the amount invested recently is quite small.

Insider Ownership

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Our data suggests Northland Power insiders own 0.05% of the company, worth about CA$2.7m. I generally like to see higher levels of ownership.

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What Might The Insider Transactions At Northland Power Tell Us?

We note a that there has been a bit of insider buying recently (but no selling). Overall the buying isn't worth writing home about. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. We'd like to see bigger individual holdings. However, we don't see anything to make us think Northland Power insiders are doubting 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. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for Northland Power you should be aware of, and 1 of these makes us a bit uncomfortable.

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.
FILE - Poland's President Andrzej Duda gives a statement to the media in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday Jan. 10, 2024, after the arrest of two politicians convicted of abuse of power who had taken refuge for hours in the presidential palace. Polands president is calling on other other members of the NATO alliance to raise their spending on defense to 3% of their GDP as Russia puts its economy on a war footing and pushes forward with its invasion of Ukraine. Duda made his call both in remarks in Warsaw and in a piece published by the Washington Post. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski, File)

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland's president on Monday called on other members of the NATO alliance to raise their spending on defense to 3% of their gross domestic product as Russia puts its economy on a war footing and pushes forward with its invasion of Ukraine.

President Andrzej Duda made his call in remarks directed at home and abroad. His appeal came on the eve of a visit to the White House, where U.S. President Joe Biden will receive both Duda and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday.

In the face of the war in Ukraine and Russias growing imperial aspirations, the countries making up NATO must act boldly and uncompromisingly, Duda said in a Monday evening address to his nation.

His appeal comes at Poland marks the 25th anniversary of its accession to NATO, along with the Czech Republic and Hungary, on March 12, 1999.

Poland is proud to have been a part of it for 25 years, he said. There has been and there is no better guarantor of security than the North Atlantic Alliance."

The war in Ukraine has clearly shown that the United States is and should remain the leader in security issues in Europe and the world, Duda said in his speech to his nation. However, other NATO countries must also take greater responsibility for the security of the entire alliance and intensively modernize and strengthen their troops.

Dudas remarks came on the same day that Swedens flag was raised at NATO headquarters in Brussels to cement its place as the 32nd member of the trans-Atlantic alliance. Finland joined NATO last year.

Today, NATO is sending a clear and strong signal by welcoming Finland and Sweden into its ranks, he said. This is a historic event. Countries that have so far maintained a neutral status for years are joining the alliance. NATO is therefore significantly strengthened. However, further bold decisions are needed.

NATO members agreed in 2014 to boost their defense spending to 2% of GDP after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula that year, but most members, including Germany, still fall short of that benchmark.

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Poland, however, now spends 4% of its GDP on defense, making it the member to spend the most in percentage terms as it modernizes its military, while the U.S. is well above 3%.

Russias imperialistic ambitions and aggressive revisionism are pushing Moscow toward a direct confrontation with NATO, with the West and, ultimately, with the whole free world, Duda said in an op-ed published in The Washington Post.

Duda said that puts the United States and Poland in a position to lead by example and provide an inspiration for others.

The Russian Federation has switched its economy to war mode. It is allocating close to 30 percent of its annual budget to arm itself," Duda argued in the newspaper op-ed. This figure and other data coming out of Russia are alarming. Vladimir Putins regime poses the biggest threat to global peace since the end of the Cold War.

The Biden administration suggested Dudas call to raise the defense spending target for NATO countries may be, at least for now, overly ambitious.

I think the first step is to get every country meeting the 2% threshold, and weve seen improvement of that, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. But I think thats the first step before we start talking about an additional proposal.

Duda will visit Brussels for a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg after his visit to the U.S.

___

Aamer Madhani contributed to this report from Washington.
(Bloomberg) -- The rapid growth of right-wing political forces across Europe hit Portugal on Sunday as the Chega party surged in support and quadrupled its seats in parliament.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In an early election, the center-right AD alliance took the most seats and is expected to form a government. It beat Socialists, whose vote share collapsed.

But the far-right Chega grabbed much of the spotlight with a strong third-place result. It won 48 seats in parliament, up from 12 just two years ago.

Despite winning the most seats, the AD is well short of a parliamentary majority. That means Portugal is likely heading for a minority government that may be forced to compromise on key policies to get support from other parties.

Thats going to make it harder for an administration to push through the type of transformative measures AD leader Luis Montenegro says are needed to strengthen the economy and boost wages and living standards.

One of the main selling points of the AD, which groups the Social Democratic Party (PSD) with the smaller CDS, is its pledge to cut taxes. It plans to reduce income taxes, and decrease the corporate tax rate as well as taxes on home purchases for young people. Montenegro also wants to increase the minimum wage and has pledged to tackle a housing crisis by increasing supply and reducing bureaucracy.

Some measures would need to be approved as part of the budget, in what will potentially be a major hurdle for the new government.

The big moment for the future government will be the vote in October to approve next years budget, which will require Montenegro to make compromises with Chega or with other smaller parties in the center or the left, said Ricardo Ferreira Reis, director of the Center for Applied Research and Public Polling at the Portuguese Catholic University.

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While getting policies through parliament is one challenge, the other is quite simply about survival. If history is any guide, thats a big task. Since Portugal became a democracy 50 years ago, only two minority governments have lasted a full term.

Portuguese bonds rose in line with peers on Monday, lowering the 10-year yield 2 basis points to 2.9%. That left the spread over comparable benchmark German bunds unchanged at 64 basis points. Portugals PSI benchmark stock index slipped 0.1% as of 8:21 a.m. in Lisbon.

Fifty-one-year-old Montenegro, a lawyer from the northern city of Espinho, has led the PSD since July 2022. While he has never served in government, he was the partys parliamentary leader during Portugals debt crisis, when the PSD was in power implementing a bailout program.

In the early hours of Monday morning, Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos conceded defeat in the election. Santos said the AD shouldnt count on his party for support in parliament.

That leaves Chega as Montenegros best option; its numbers would give the PSD an outright majority.

But the populist party is controversial, and Montenegro has ruled out a deal with a party that hes called racist and xenophobic. He reaffirmed the commitment after the election, though said he was open to dialog will other parties in parliament.

Even if Chega is kept isolated, with Sundays performance it cemented its position as the third-biggest party in parliament and a powerful political presence in Portugal.

Chega, which translates as Enough, is led by 41-year-old Andre Ventura. He said late Sunday that Chegas election success means it should be part of any AD-led government.

This is a victory that needs to be heard in many places tonight, Ventura said as he waved and jumped in front of his supporters who chanted victory, victory, victory.

The will of the Portuguese was clear, he said.

Chegas surge, part of a trend seen in countries including the Netherlands, France and Germany, comes just three months before European Union elections, where populist groups are expected to make further gains. Ventura has built relations with other right-wing parties, including Vox in neighboring Spain, which congratulated him in a post on X.

Chega secured 18% of the vote in Portugal on Sunday, up from 7% just two years ago.

Its appealed to a growing number of disgruntled voters by blaming successive left-wing and center-right governments for what he says is systemic corruption in Portugal. In one video on Chegas website, Ventura he said he would clean up Portugal from the Socialists and Social Democrats.

Those two parties have dominated Portuguese politics since the Carnation Revolution 50 years ago, when more than four decades of dictatorship ended.

(Updates with comment on challenges for a minority government.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
When a single insider purchases stock, it is typically not a major deal. However, when multiple insiders purchase stock, like in British Land Company PLC's (LON:BLND) instance, it's good news for shareholders.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

See our latest analysis for British Land

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At British Land

The CEO & Director Simon Carter made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for UK152k worth of shares at a price of UK3.57 each. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, at around the current price, which is UK3.68. That means they have been optimistic about the company in the past, though they may have changed their mind. We do always like to see insider buying, but it is worth noting if those purchases were made at well below today's share price, as the discount to value may have narrowed with the rising price. In this case we're pleased to report that the insider purchases were made at close to current prices.

In the last twelve months insiders purchased 92.12k shares for UK321k. But insiders sold 34.25k shares worth UK112k. In total, British Land insiders bought more than they sold over the last year. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

British Land is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insider Ownership Of British Land

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. From looking at our data, insiders own UK3.0m worth of British Land stock, about 0.09% of the company. However, it's possible that insiders might have an indirect interest through a more complex structure. I generally like to see higher levels of ownership.

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So What Does This Data Suggest About British Land Insiders?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded British Land shares in the last quarter. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. The transactions are fine but it'd be more encouraging if British Land insiders bought more shares in 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. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for British Land (of which 1 is a bit concerning!) you should know about.

But note: British Land may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE 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.
Assessing the Sustainability and Growth of Public Storage's Dividends

Public Storage (NYSE:PSA) recently announced a dividend of $3 per share, payable on 2024-03-28, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-03-12. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Public Storage's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Public Storage Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with PSA.

High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' Portfolio

This Powerful Chart Made Peter Lynch 29% A Year For 13 Years

How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

Public Storage is the largest owner of self-storage facilities in the U.S. with more than 3,000 self-storage facilities in 40 states and approximately 215 million square feet of rentable space. Through equity interests, it also has exposure to the European self-storage market through Shurgard Self Storage. The company also has a merchandise business, a third-party property management business, and an insurance business that offers products to cover losses for the goods in self-storage facilities.

Public Storage's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Public Storage's Dividend History

Public Storage has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1985, with dividends currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Notably, Public Storage has increased its dividend each year since 1992, earning it the status of a dividend aristocrata title reserved for companies with at least 25 consecutive years of dividend increases.

Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Breaking Down Public Storage's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Public Storage boasts a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 4.09% and a matching 12-month forward dividend yield, indicating consistent dividend projections. Over the past three years, Public Storage's annual dividend growth rate was 14.50%, which tapered to 6.00% per year over a five-year span. The decade-long annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 6.10%.

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Considering Public Storage's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost is approximately 5.47%.

Public Storage's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one should evaluate the company's payout ratio. Public Storage's dividend payout ratio is currently 1.06, which may raise concerns about the sustainability of its dividends. However, the company's strong profitability rank of 9 out of 10, as well as a consistent record of positive net income over the past decade, suggest good profitability prospects that could support dividend payments.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

Public Storage's growth rank of 9 out of 10 signals a strong growth trajectory. The company's revenue per share and 15.40% average annual 3-year revenue growth rate outperform 86.2% of global competitors. Additionally, Public Storage's 19.40% average annual 3-year EPS growth rate and 9.40% 5-year EBITDA growth rate outperform 72.68% and 73.07% of global competitors, respectively, highlighting its earnings growth capability which is crucial for sustaining dividends.

Next Steps

In conclusion, Public Storage's dividend history is marked by consistent growth and a commitment to returning value to shareholders. Despite a high payout ratio that may seem concerning, the company's robust profitability and strong growth metrics provide reassurance about the sustainability of its dividends. Investors considering Public Storage for its dividend potential should also weigh these factors alongside future industry trends, regulatory changes, and strategic company initiatives. Will Public Storage continue its legacy as a dividend aristocrat in the years to come? For those seeking high-dividend yield investments, GuruFocus Premium offers a comprehensive High Dividend Yield Screener to discover similar opportunities.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


HAMILTON, Bermuda, March 11, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA) looks forward to welcoming the heads of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and US Department of Treasury, Federal Insurance Office (FIO) to the third annual Bermuda Risk Summit this week.

The Bermuda Risk Summit, presented by the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA), in partnership with the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR) and EY, will take place at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club from March 13-15.

David Hart, CEO, BDA said, "We are extremely grateful for the level of support we have received from our industry partners and overseas friends. Bermudas largest and closest and trading partner remains the US, and we are honoured that no fewer than five NAIC Commissioners (including Commissioner Andrew Mais, NAIC President and Commissioner, Connecticut Insurance Department) and Steven Seitz, Director, US Department of Treasury, Federal Insurance Office are speaking at our event."

"As a sixth generation Floridian, I am so pleased to welcome back Commissioner Mike Yaworsky, Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to the Risk Summit," Mr. Hart said. "And since nothing compares to experiencing Bermudas globally significant risk market firsthand in person, I am excited to welcome the Honorable Tom Fabricio, from the Florida House of Representatives to Bermuda as a BDA speaker for the first time."

Keynotes will be provided by Bermudas Premier David Burt and Marc Grandisson, CEO, Arch Capital Group on day one, Soraya Wright, Global Head of Corporate Risk and Claims, Amazon and Patrick Tannock, CEO of AXA XL Insurance in Bermuda on day two, and Frank Schmid, Chief Technology Officer, Gen Re, as well as, Steven Seitz, Director, US Department of Treasury, Federal Insurance Office on day three.

A panel of Bermuda reinsurance CEOs will offer a unique lens into optimising capital deployment, risk management, and the dynamic forces shaping the industry's future during a panel entitled, Putting Capital to Work: A View From the Top. Other panels include Market View: Global Regulators, Lloyd's  Bermuda: A Shared Perspective, Legacy Redefined, and Securing Tomorrow: Developments in Cyber Risk Strategy.

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A full agenda is available online. We are close to reaching capacity. Register now.

In addition to innovative content, registration includes C-suite networking opportunities each day, including an opening reception sponsored by SS&C Technologies, and a Friday networking happy hour, sponsored by BermudAir. We also encourage attendees to take advantage of the BDA Connect app and book 1-on-1 networking meetings directly with other delegates. For the best experience, download BDA Connect on your phone via the App Store, or Google Play.

The BDA thanks our headline partners ABIR and EY, our gold sponsors AM Best, and SS&C Technologies, our silver sponsors Kirkland & Ellis and KBRA, our bronze sponsors Demotech, Docosoft, KPMG, Meenan P.A. and Teneo and supporting sponsors Advantage Go, Aon, Rein4ce and Walkers. Our airline partner is BermudAir and our spirits partner is Goslings.

All registered delegates qualify to receive 20% off flights on our official airline partner BermudAir, which flies to Bermuda from Westchester, NY, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Boston, Mass.

The immediate economic impact of the 2023 Bermuda Risk Summit, which had a total of 450 attendees (over 150 from overseas) including lodging, transportation, food and beverage, retail and recreation was estimated at $1.8 million, and supported 266 jobs. Far more significant were the long-term economic benefits brought about by the approximately 100+ additional visitors who flew to Bermuda for business meetings during the week of the summit.

Organising the BDAs signature events aligns with the Local and International Business Retention and Business Attraction and Investment Promotion strategic priorities outlined in Bermudas Economic Development Strategy.

CONNECTING BUSINESS

The BDA encourages direct investment and helps companies start up, re-locate, or expand their operations in our premier jurisdiction. An independent, public-private partnership, we connect you to industry professionals, regulatory officials, and key contacts in the Bermuda government to assist domicile decisions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311341086/en/

Contacts

Stuart Roberts, Director of Marketing & Communications

stuart@bda.bm | +1 441 292 7774
By Niket Nishant, Manya Saini and Echo Wang

(Reuters) - Reddit is aiming for a valuation of up to $6.4 billion in its U.S. initial public offering (IPO), the social media platform said on Monday, as it nears one of the most anticipated stock market debuts of the last few years.

The company, along with some of its existing investors, is targeting a sale of about 22 million shares, priced between $31 and $34 each, to raise up to $748 million.

The IPO, a major litmus test of investor appetite for new listings, will come more than two years after the company began preparations to go public. So far this year, the IPO market recovery has been uneven.

The targeted valuation, on a fully diluted basis, is less than the $10 billion Reddit was valued at after a fundraising in 2021.

After its launch in 2005, Reddit became one of the cornerstones of social media culture. Its iconic logo - featuring an alien with an orange background - is one of the most recognized symbols on the internet.

Its 100,000 online forums, dubbed "subreddits", allow conversations on topics ranging from "the sublime to the ridiculous, the trivial to the existential, the comic to the serious", according to co-founder Steve Huffman.

Huffman himself turned to one of the subreddits for help to quit drinking, he wrote in his letter. Former U.S. President Barack Obama also did an "AMA" ("ask me anything"), internet lingo for an interview, with the site's users in 2012.

The company's influential communities are best known for the "meme-stock" saga of 2021, when several retail investors collaborated on Reddit's "wallstreetbets" forum to buy shares of highly shorted companies such as video game retailer GameStop.

The episode torpedoed hedge funds that had bet against those stocks, and made retail traders a force to reckon with. It was also featured in a 2023 film starring Seth Rogen.

To tap into the retail base, Reddit has reserved 8% of the total shares on offer for eligible users and moderators on its platform, certain board members and friends and family members of its employees and directors.

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Such buyers will not be under a lock-up period and could choose to sell their shares on the first day of trading, potentially increasing the price volatility.

"This is a unique IPO and what happens with it is going to be partly driven by the buzz on the platform," said Reena Aggarwal, director of the Georgetown University Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy.

Weak debuts from Arm Holdings, Instacart and Birkenstock in late 2023 had chilled hopes of a recovery in IPOs as the U.S. stock market came off a deep selloff the year before.

Since the IPO, Arm's stock has more than doubled. Instacart has underperformed the S&P 500 and Birkenstock is about even with the index.

Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, J.P.Morgan and Bank of America Securities are the lead underwriters for the offering. Reddit expects to list on the New York Stock Exchange under "RDDT."

LIMITED COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

Despite its cult-like status among followers, Reddit has lagged the success of contemporaries such as Meta Platforms' Facebook and Twitter, now known as X.

The company has never turned a profit, and said in its filing earlier that it was "in the early stages of monetizing (its) business".

Reddit had an average of 73.1 million daily active "uniques" - users who use its platform at least once a day - in the three months ended Dec. 31, 2023, it said.

The company's somewhat loose approach to content moderation has also been a sticking point with advertisers.

It relies on volunteers from its user base to moderate the content posted on its forums. Moderators can decide to withdraw from their duty at any time, like during 2023, when several quit in protest over Reddit's decision to charge third-party app developers for access to its data.

"There's no question that as a public company, Reddit is going to be under much more scrutiny in terms of their platform, what's being put out on the platform and how it's being monitored," Aggarwal said.

"Regulators and policymakers are quite concerned about these issues."

(Reporting by Niket Nishant and Manya Saini in Bengaluru and Echo Wang in New York; Additional reporting by Noel Randewich; Editing by Arun Koyyur, Anil D'Silva and Devika Syamnath)
Sam Gbafa stays busy working remotely for a startup at the Reno Collective in Reno, Nevada on March 10, 2022. A February 2024 study found that workers are living further from their employers.

Remote workers are living further from the office according to a new report from researchers at Stanford University and human resources company Gusto.

The report found that the mean distance from employee residence to employer location rose from 10 to 27 miles between 2019 and 2023 and that 5.5% of employees lived over 50 miles away from their employer in 2023.

The report said, "the pro-typical employee who lives far away from his or her employer is a high-earning Millennial working in the Information sector or in Finance & Insurance."

Were never going to go back to a five-days-in-the-office policy, Stephan Meier, professor of business at Columbia University, told USA TODAY in December. Some employers are going to force people to come back, but I think over the next year, more and more firms will actually figure out how to manage hybrid well.

Remote work by the numbers

A USA TODAY Blueprint survey found that the percentage of people in each income group that were fully remote went down as earnings went up.

Those earning under $50,000 per year: 42% were fully remote.

Those earning between $125,000 and $200,000 per year: Only 18% were fully remote.

Those earning over $200,000 per year: Just over 25% dont work in an office at all.

The survey found that hybrid work is most prevalent for workers making between $75,000 and $100,000.

One-third of hiring managers said that productivity has increased due to remote work settings, according to Upworks Future of Remote Work study.

Remote work by state

Colorado has the highest percentage of remote workers at 21% while Mississippi comes in last with 5.5% of workers in the state working from home.

Contributing: Mehdi Punjwani and Sierra Campbell

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Report: Workers are living further from employers
There are a few key trends to look for if we want to identify the next multi-bagger. Typically, we'll want to notice a trend of growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and alongside that, an expanding base of capital employed. This shows us that it's a compounding machine, able to continually reinvest its earnings back into the business and generate higher returns. Looking at Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW), it does have a high ROCE right now, but lets see how returns are trending.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Illinois Tool Works:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.38 = US$4.1b  (US$16b - US$4.7b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).

Thus, Illinois Tool Works has an ROCE of 38%. In absolute terms that's a great return and it's even better than the Machinery industry average of 13%.

See our latest analysis for Illinois Tool Works

roce

In the above chart we have measured Illinois Tool Works' prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free analyst report for Illinois Tool Works .

The Trend Of ROCE

Things have been pretty stable at Illinois Tool Works, with its capital employed and returns on that capital staying somewhat the same for the last five years. This tells us the company isn't reinvesting in itself, so it's plausible that it's past the growth phase. So it may not be a multi-bagger in the making, but given the decent 38% return on capital, it'd be difficult to find fault with the business's current operations. With fewer investment opportunities, it makes sense that Illinois Tool Works has been paying out a decent 49% of its earnings to shareholders. Unless businesses have highly compelling growth opportunities, they'll typically return some money to shareholders.

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What We Can Learn From Illinois Tool Works' ROCE

While Illinois Tool Works has impressive profitability from its capital, it isn't increasing that amount of capital. Investors must think there's better things to come because the stock has knocked it out of the park, delivering a 103% gain to shareholders who have held over the last five years. But if the trajectory of these underlying trends continue, we think the likelihood of it being a multi-bagger from here isn't high.

Like most companies, Illinois Tool Works does come with some risks, and we've found 1 warning sign that you should be aware of.

High returns are a key ingredient to strong performance, so check out our free list ofstocks earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets.

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 Ascott Limited (Ascott), the lodging business unit wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), announced a 28% year-on-year increase in fee-related earnings (FRE) to $246 million, up from $192 million in FY 2022.

The announcement was made during CLIs Full Year 2023 financial results, which saw Ascott as a key contributor of FRE to CLIs overall business.

Ascott also achieved the highest number of property openings, with nearly 9,600 units turning operational in the same year. Riding on a strong momentum of travel recovery, Revenue per Available Unit (RevPAU) grew 20% over 2022 from higher average daily rates and occupancies.

It said that 77 new properties across all brands were signed in 2023. The strong growth trajectory enabled Ascott to surpass its year-end target and secured 160,000 units earlier than expected in March.

Ascott had a record year of fee earnings and property openings in 2023. The strong performance was underscored by our diverse portfolio of brands and strategic presence in new destinations, said Mr Kevin Goh, Chief Executive Officer for Ascott and CLI Lodging.

This is an important milestone to mark Ascotts transformative journey to become a global leader in hospitality, as we celebrate 40 years of service this year.

Harnessing our extensive network of third-party owners and in-market expertise, Ascott remains focused on driving asset light growth organically through management and franchise agreements.

In 2023, 38% of new agreements signed were with existing owners, a demonstration of their confidence in us. At the same time, we are seeking out transformative deals which can accelerate our expansion.

We will continue to build upon our portfolio of global brands to drive higher quality growth. This puts us well on track to achieve our target of more than $372 million in fee earnings by 2028.

Riding on the momentum of a record growth year, Ascott is strengthening its top leadership team with new C-suite appointments. These appointments, it said, will bolster and capitalise operations, commercial, strategic planning, and hospitality design efforts.

They will be part of the Ascott Leadership Council, which is led by Mr Kevin Goh, Chief Executive Officer for Ascott and CLI Lodging.

With six years of experience with Ascott, Lee Ngor Houai has been appointed Chief Operating Officer in Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), South Asia, and China.

In his new role, Houai will be responsible for leading growth and overseeing operations in these key regions. With EMEA as an emerging market with high potential for Ascott, Houai will propel Ascotts brand portfolio in the region to new heights.

On a global corporate level, Houai will take one on digitalisation, business insights and operational excellence, leading the drive for stronger alignment across Ascotts global teams to ensure cross-country synergies for streamlined processes, resource optimisation, and seamless execution.

Houai said he will enhance Ascotts regional brand presence and market share across its regional operational portfolio, which includes Ascott Park Place Dubai, Citadines Culture Village Dubai, Citadines Metro Central Dubai, Ascott Corniche Al Khobar, Somerset Downtown Al Khobar, Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh, Citadines Abha, Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat, Somerset West Bay Doha, Somerset Al Mansoura Doha, Somerset Al Fateh Bahrain, Somerset Westview Nairobi, Somerset Maslak Istanbul, and Somerset Atyrau Kazakhstan.

Ascott is tapping into our experienced leadership bench to lead the charge in our next phase of growth as a global integrated lodging operator. With our flex-hybrid hotel-in-residence model, Ascott will continue to break new ground to meet travel needs across all stay purposes globally. Having a strong senior leadership team is integral to us achieving this vision, added Goh.  TradeArabia News Service
SINGAPORE, March 11, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Singapore ride-hailing and carpooling company, Ryde, has listed on the NYSE American under the ticker symbol "RYDE". Making history as the first Singapore ride-hailing startup to undergo an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), this milestone showcases Ryde's pioneering strides in the ride-hailing sector, rooted in its homegrown values and commitment to sustainability.

Terence Zou, Founder and CEO of Ryde expressed, "Being the first Singapore ride-hailing startup to list our shares on NYSE through an IPO is a historic achievement for Ryde. This significant milestone fuels our optimism as we embark on a journey to redefine carpooling, ride-hailing, and quick commerce."

Not only breaking new ground as the first Singapore ride-hailing startup to IPO on NYSE, Ryde also proudly stands as the world's first real-time carpooling app, dedicated to sustainable transportation solutions since 2014. Rydes mission is to leverage technology to revolutionize how people and goods move from point to point. The platform provides on-demand and scheduled carpooling and ride-hailing services, as well as on-demand, scheduled, and multi-stop parcel delivery services.

Ryde strives to continuously incentivize its community to maintain high ratings and leave every ride experience better than the last. By implementing various tools like reviews and rating systems, Ryde has created a safe working environment for its drivers, and riders are assured of high standards of service and safety.

"We have faced challenges and hurdles that have tested our determination and resolve. But what has kept us going is the understanding of the impact that we have on peoples lives. Its about our drivers who find a new source of livelihood, and our riders who enjoy the convenience and efficiency of our services," Terence added.

On January 2, 2024, Ryde also introduced a 0% Commission for all its private-hire and taxi drivers in 2024. This decisive move underlines its commitment to supporting the driver community and building a fairer platform for both drivers and riders. "As we introduce 0% driver commissions in 2024, our commitment is straightforward  to empower our drivers with every journey," states Terence. "Removing driver commissions means more earnings for them, demonstrating our direct investment in the driver community."

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Leveraging the proceeds from the IPO will strengthen Rydes competitive position, propelling growth as the company ventures into new markets and invests in technological improvements. Terence Zou commented, "The use of proceeds from our initial public offering will play a pivotal role in the expansion of Rydes services globally and disrupting the incumbents in the industry."

About Ryde Group Ltd

The first carpool app developed in Singapore, Ryde has revolutionized how people move from point to point. Its mission is to positively impact the lives of all riders and drivers through leveraging technology to better facilitate the movement of people and goods.

Ryde provides on-demand and scheduled carpooling and ride-hailing services, connecting riders with drivers. Ryde also provides on-demand, scheduled, and multi-stop parcel delivery services. From its origins as a carpool app, Ryde has expanded to provide a full suite of mobility and delivery options. For more information, please visit: https://rydesharing.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240307099839/en/

Contacts

For Media Relations:

Media Team

Ryde Group Ltd

Email: media@rydesharing.com

For Investor Relations:

Investor Relations Team

Ryde Group Ltd

Email: investor@rydesharing.com

Skyline Corporate Communications Group, LLC

Email: info@skylineccg.com
Heather Kasten

The sign of a good leader is not how many followers you have, but how many leaders you create, Gandhi is quoted as saying. Leadership is a critically important concept and a constant focus for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

Leadership starts at the top and is usually the difference between a company that excels and one that struggles. The same can be said for leadership at the city, county, state and federal levels of government. At the Chamber, we are diligently working to build, resource and grow leaders in our businesses, as well as in our community. We understand that supporting and strengthening leaders is the key to unlocking new economic opportunities and is a building block of job growth.

So, when it comes to leadership, heres what you can expect in 2024 from the Sarasota Chamber:

 The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce for over 103 years has served and will continue to serve as a platform for connection, referrals and collaboration for our businesses. Building a network of relationships with our members is key to having a strong, united business community.

 The Chamber will be collaborating with many notable community groups to improve access to affordable housing, smart development and other programs focused on building Sarasotas bright future. Affordable housing is a legitimate business issue that affects our economy and the workforce of this community.

 A key resource that we provide at the Sarasota Chamber is being a source of reliable, relevant, and impactful information for the business community. Here at the Chamber, we not only see knowledge as power but also as intel that serves to arm businesses with the information they need to power their businesses. Our Shumaker Chamber University series features monthly workshops on all aspects of leadership and business acumen.

 We need to continue to develop the prosperous business climate in Florida and Sarasota. Not having a state income tax, for instance, attracts businesses from other highly taxed states to Florida. Many times, these calls come to the Chamber from businesses looking to relocate to our area. We work with our partners at the EDC to steer them to the resources they need to make a transition happen. The momentum of growth in Florida is stronger than ever with close to 1,200 people a day moving here and if Florida were a country, it would be the 15th largest economy in the world based on GDP.

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 We need to prepare our infrastructure for smart growth and development. Our transportation systems need to be constructed to better meet the needs of the working middle class. According to a study from the Tampa Bay Partnership, we have some catching up to do relative to metropolitan areas of similar sizes and with similar demographics  specifically increasing the availability of transportation options.

 We must continue the full-court press around workforce development and creating a solid talent pipeline for our employers. Through the Chambers CareerEdge programming, we partner with companies to upskill workers and create fast-track programs in the region. Our internship programs are a win-win for companies, as well as the individuals who participate in them  its a great try before you buy for both parties. Right now, Florida is creating 1 out of every 4 jobs in the country, per the Florida Chamber Foundation.

 Our Opportunities for All program will continue to build upon the success of placing minority interns with local companies and supporting small minority-owned companies through our business grant program. Building and supporting a diverse business ecosystem helps all of our local businesses to thrive. The application process for our OFA internship program is now open and available on our website.

 The Sarasota Chamber will continue to build and strengthen local leaders (adult and youth) through our Leadership Sarasota programs. This year we had a record number of applicants for this prestigious program, which is an immersive acclimation to the Sarasota community and its needs. In addition, the Young Professionals Group is an active group designed to engage professionals 40 and under with a platform of events geared towards career growth and connection.

Well be sharing more insight on all of these topics at our upcoming 2024 Annual Chamber Breakfast on Friday, March 22 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Our featured speaker is Kyle McDowell, the author of "Begin With We." He is a Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY "Best Seller" and an experienced speaker with broad national reach. Kyle will be sharing his 10 principles for building and sustaining a culture of excellence. For more information on this event and all Chamber programs, please visit sarasotachamber.com.

We have a full docket of opportunities and challenges before us in Sarasota, all of which are things that need our collective attention, engagement, and leadership in order to continue to have a strong and robust economy for us to live and work in. John F. Kennedy was quoted as saying, Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. Were working hard at the Sarasota Chamber to provide both.

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce works to cultivate Sarasota's prosperity and quality of life through our member businesses. To learn more about the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce please visit our website at sarasotachamber.com.

Heather Kasten is the President/CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and has been with the organization since March 2019. She has a bachelors degree from the University of Iowa in business administration and a MBA from Webster University. Contact her at hkasten@sarasotachamber.com

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Chamber keeping focus on supporting business leaders in 2024
(Bloomberg) -- Signas flagship property unit is close to an agreement to sell a portfolio of luxury Austrian assets to Germanys Schoeller Group, according to people familiar with the matter.

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A deal may help Signa Prime Selection AG resolve a deadlock in its broader restructuring related to a previous loan deal with Schoeller. It would also be the first major transaction with property held by Rene Benkos troubled empire since its insolvency at the end of last year.

The family investment office of the packaging and logistics dynasty has emerged as the buyer of a portfolio of properties, which include the Golden Quarter luxury store complex and the Park Hyatt hotel in Vienna, three people familiar with the deal told Bloomberg.

Signa Prime Custodian Says Property Gems May Be Sold in Weeks

Representatives for Signa Prime and its insolvency administrator declined to comment. The Schoeller Group didnt respond to a call seeking comment.

While Signa Prime had initially attracted interest from 37 bidders for the assets, selling to the Schoeller Group may help resolve a standoff with the German industrialist family, two of the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private information.

The Schoeller Group and Signas representatives have been negotiating claims related to a 200 million ($219 million) loan deal signed last year, Bloomberg previously reported. Those claims - though questioned by the insolvency administrator - have been an obstacle to raising fresh funds as they are underpinned by a broad range of Signas German assets, limiting their sale.

Signa Primes Loan From German Family Stymies New Funding Effort

Signa Prime will present the potential deal to creditors for their approval in a meeting on Monday, two of the people said.

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Efforts to present a viable restructuring plan are gaining traction ahead of a vote by creditors planned for next week. A majority of them need to sign off on a strategy that offers to pay back at least 30% of claims within two years.

Part of the plan may involve handing over the management and utilization of properties to a trustee, two of the people said.

(Adds details on Schoellers loan, restructuring plan from fifth paragraph)

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Ricky Fitchett/ZUMA Press Wire/SplashNews.com / Ricky Fitchett/ZUMA Press Wire/SplashNews.com

The resumption of student loan payments in October  after a three-year hiatus  has put a dent in millions of Americans budgets. This follows the Supreme Courts striking down of President Joe Bidens forgiveness program in June of 2023, which affected millions of borrowers.

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Total student loan debt, currently $1.76 trillion, continues to climb as a number of borrowers do not have access to debt relief, according to the Education Data Initiative. Notably, 47.9 million U.S. borrowers hold student loan debt.

Now, the Biden administration is working to draft a new plan  one which has been dubbed Plan B by experts, and which could allow certain borrowers to be eligible for relief.

According to the White House, more than 40 million borrowers would have qualified for the now-defunct debt relief program, with nearly 90% of the benefits of the relief going to borrowers earning less than $75,000 per year.

The new Plan B will be narrower than the original one. Higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz told CNBC that its possible somewhere between 4 million and 10 million borrowers will be eligible for the revised forgiveness program.

Under the new proposal, borrowers who meet one or more of the following criteria would be eligible.

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aquaArts studio / iStock/Getty Images

Borrowers Who Owe More Than They Borrowed

Borrowers with federal student loan balances that have ballooned and are now exceeding the original amount borrowed may qualify.

Nadine Chabrier, a senior policy and litigation counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending, told CNBC there are a variety of reasons this may be the case  and that, Unfortunately, it is very common.

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Darren415 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Borrowers Whove Been Repaying Loans For 20 Years or More

Another group of borrowers that might be eligible under the new proposal are those who have been repaying their loans for more than 20 years. This could help a lot of seniors who are still burdened by their student loans.

Indeed, federal debt among borrowers aged 62 and older has increased by 36.8% since 2017  and among borrowers aged 62 and older, the average debt is $41,778, according to the Education Data Initiative.

zimmytws / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Borrowers Who Attended Institutions That Havent Demonstrated Successful Student Outcomes

According to the Department of Education, this would apply to borrowers who

took out loans to attend career-training programs that created unreasonable debt loads or provided insufficient earnings for graduates, as well as borrowers who attended institutions with unacceptably high student loan default rates.

IURII KRASILNIKOV / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Borrowers Who Are Eligible for Loan Forgiveness But Havent Applied

This includes borrowers eligible for forgiveness under repayment plans such as the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan (SAVE) or targeted relief programs, or closed school loan discharges, except they have not applied for such relief as yet, according to the Department of Education.

GCShutter / Getty Images

Borrowers Who Are Experiencing Financial Hardship

This is the most recent group added under the proposal, and would address a category of borrowers with hardship that is not otherwise addressed by the existing student loan system.

The proposal outlines a set of factors that could be used to identify hardship, such as a borrowers total student loan balance and required payments relative to household income, and whether a borrower has high-cost burdens for essential expenses like healthcare or childcare, according to the Department of Education.

The administration held another session to address the question of hardship and came to a consensus on the issue at its final session on Feb. 23.

As CNBC reported, the proposed draft regulatory text will soon head to the Federal Register where the public will have the opportunity to comment and provide feedback before the new legislation goes into effect.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Student Debt Relief: Biden Wants These 5 Types of Borrowers To Qualify
WILMINGTON, Del., March 11, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Synnovation Therapeutics, a precision medicine company developing small molecule therapies optimized to achieve best-in-class pharmacology against highly validated disease targets, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase I trial evaluating SNV1521 in patients with solid tumors. SNV1521 is a potentially best-in-class, potent, highly selective and CNS penetrant PARP1 inhibitor.

The Phase I trial, which is being led by Timothy Yap, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, is designed to assess proof-of-concept with SNV1521 as an oral monotherapy in a dose escalation and preliminary efficacy expansion study. PARP inhibition is clinically validated for homologous recombination deficiency (HRD, a molecular biomarker) driven cancers; however, the safety profile of first generation PARP1 agents limits the potential of the class, particularly in combination with chemotherapy or other novel agents. In preclinical models, selective PARP1 targeting has been shown to improve both the efficacy and safety of the class.

"We believe that a highly potent and selective PARP1 inhibitor - such as SNV1521 - has the potential for both improved efficacy and enhanced safety due to its excellent physicochemical properties," said Kevin OHayer, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development at Synnovation. "Dosing of the first patient in the SNV1521 Phase I trial is a key milestone as Synnovation transitions from a preclinical to clinical stage biotech company. We are excited to collaborate with Dr. Yap and the rest of our SNV1521 study investigators on this program."

About Synnovation Therapeutics

Synnovation Therapeutics is a precision medicine company developing small molecule therapies optimized to achieve best-in-class pharmacology against highly validated disease targets. The company was founded by a world-class medicinal chemistry team with a track record of developing best-in-class therapeutics. Synnovations pipeline is built around highly validated precision oncologic targets where greater potency and selectivity and optimized pharmaceutical properties have the potential to address liabilities in existing standards of care, and meaningfully improve patient outcomes. The companys lead program, SNV1521, is a potentially best-in-class potent, selective and CNS penetrant PARP1 inhibitor is in a Phase I study. For more information, please visit www.synnovationtx.com.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311306666/en/

Contacts

Cynthia Clayton

Third Rock Ventures

cclayton@thirdrockventures.com
TD Bank has added several new products in recent years to lure merchants. Credit: Cole Burston/Bloomberg

Years after companies like Square convinced micro-merchants that they could accept payments with their smartphones , banks are starting to make the same pitch  without the need for an add-on "dongle" or similar hardware.

TD Bank, for example, last week added Tap to Pay on iPhone to a growing bundle of products that it sells to businesses. Tap to Pay, also called softPOS, enables Apple or Android handsets to accept payments from contactless cards or mobile wallets. More payment companies are using Tap to Pay to enable fast and cheap contactless payment upgrades. PayPal adopted Tap to Pay last week to enhance the products it offers to merchants. Financial institutions can also use it to reduce merchants' reliance on third parties.

"Small businesses are inundated with a number of applications to manage cash flow and back offices," said Jo Jagadish, executive vice president and head of commercial banking products, services and innovation at TD Bank, where she leads the bank's business payment strategy. "Payments is just one of those capabilities that merchants use, but it can drive usage for other products."

The bank noted a massive consumer shift towards contactless payments that started during the pandemic, creating ongoing demand for merchants to adopt contactless payment, according to Jagadish. Tap to Pay enables businesses of all sizes to access mobile commerce and banking, but is particularly useful in reaching smaller merchants, she said.

Tap to Pay is an Apple technology, but Apple is not a payment processor, creating an opportunity for other companies to sell the technology to banks or merchants. TD Bank added Tap to Pay through its collaboration with Autobooks. TD Bank is an investor in Autobooks, an accounting and bookkeeping provider, which it uses to support digital invoices, debit and credit card payments, cash flow management and accounting as part of the TD small business checking account.

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TD Bank has added other merchant services accessible via the checking account over the past few years, including Zelle and digital invoicing. All of these functions involve the mobile phone, making Tap to Pay a good fit, Jagadish said.

"The majority of our customers use Apple devices," Jagadish said.

TD Bank is upgrading its business banking operation as it faces challenges in other areas that involve technology. The bank is upgrading anti money-laundering systems amid a regulatory probe of AML practices at the bank and is also in the midst of an institution-wide cost cutting initiative . The bank's public relations office said the Tap to Pay deployment and related merchant services products are not part of the AML issues.

Autobooks clients include Citizens Bank, Zions Bank and hundreds of small community banks. It has licensed its technology to FIS, Jack Henry, NCR and other firms that sell payments and financial technology. About 50 banks are live with Tap to Pay contactless payments via Autobooks.

Another user, Centier Bank, has also used Tap to Pay as a bridge to a larger merchant product bundle. Centier, a $7.5 billion-asset bank that operates mostly in Northwest Indiana, offers accounting, checking and digital invoicing, among other merchant services.

"By using Tap to Pay, a business can support payments, sending and receiving through their bank account with us rather than worrying about a third party. We think that's an advantage for us," said Tim Coleman, senior vice president and director of wealth management and small business at Centier Bank.

Tap to Pay enables the bank to support digital payments for all merchants, regardless of size, according to Coleman. The bank's clients include about 20,000 businesses, ranging from "side hustles" to larger manufacturing businesses, with a diverse mix of other merchants. "It's an intersection of businesses. You never know where the demand is going to come from," said Coleman.

TD Bank and Centier  and thousands of other financial institutions  are battling JPMorgan Chase, the largest merchant acquiring bank in the U.S. JPMorgan recently upgraded its merchant acquiring business by launching a platform that integrates payment channels alongside a set of tools that support checkout and other functions in stores, online and in mobile apps. JPMorgan added support for Tap to Pay for iPhone in 2023, and plans to add biometric check-in and additional contactless payment features in future deployments.

All three banks compete with merchant-focused fintechs like Stripe, PayPal and Block, all of which have adopted softPOS or Tap to Pay. Adyen , a Dutch payment technology company, is using Tap to Pay to bolster its point of sale technology in brick and mortar in tandem with its e-commerce technology.

Banks can integrate new products into existing services as a way to compete with larger institutions to attract merchants, including smaller businesses, according to Mattew Golden, president of Totavi, a card consulting practice.

"The proliferation of standardized payment platforms such as Square, Stripe, Shopify and Toast means that fewer businesses are proactively making decisions about their underlying merchant acquirer; instead they are choosing a platform and then that platform is choosing an acquirer," Golden said, adding that to respond to this trend, institutions can connect businesses to newer payment technology using application programming interfaces or similar connecting technology  thus reducing the need for extensive integration.

"As always, another area where smaller institutions can succeed is in service and support," Golden said.


Adaptive, a startup founded by the team that built the open source large language model Falcon and that then worked together at open source AI company Hugging Face, has emerged from stealth with $20 million in initial venture capital round.

The company is working on technology that makes it easier for businesses to train large language models (LLMs) that are tailored to their specific needs.

The seed investment is being led by Index Ventures with participation from ICONIQ Capital, Motier Ventures, Databricks Ventures, HuggingFund by Factorial, and some individual angel investors. The companys valuation was not disclosed, although tech publication The Information previously reported that the funding round valued the startup at $100 million.

Adaptive is working on a way to improve on a process that is known as reinforcement learning from human feedback, or RLHF. This process has been a key to taking LLMs, which are initially trained from a huge amount of text to predict the next word in a sentence, and making them more useful as the engines that power chatbots, such as OpenAIs ChatGPT.

RLHF involves gathering feedback from human evaluators on the quality of an LLMs responses. The LLM is then further trained to provide answers that are more like the ones that the evaluators rate highly. But RLHF has typically involved hiring contractors to evaluate a model, often using a simple thumbs or thumbs down to grade its answers. This method is expensivethe cost of data annotation contracts make up a good portion of the training costs of LLM-based chatbots, for example and the quality of the feedback is sometimes too crude to produce good results for many business use cases of LLMs.

It is hard to get the model to do what you want, Julien Launay, Adaptives cofounder and CEO, said.

Adaptive wants to allow LLMs to learn on a regular and on-going basis from how a companys own employees or customers actually interact with the software. The next actions and responses that a user makes in response to the LLMs output is a much richer training signal in many cases than a thumbs or thumbs down given by a paid evaluator.

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Launay said that Adaptive plans to offer a package of solutions that capture the way people interact with an LLMs responses and then allows the model to be trained and fine-tuned from this data. Adaptive also provides a platform for running the reinforcement learning algorithms that tailors the model, as this process is difficult for many non-expert teams to implement. It also lets a business pick exactly what data it wants to gather, what objective it wants the model to achieve, and which reinforcement learning algorithm it wants to use to do this training. This control helps businesses gain a better handle on the trade-offs between cost and performance, Launay said.

The platform will also help companies run a process called reinforcement learning from AI feedback (RLAIF), where a separate AI model critiques the responses of the AI model that is being trained. This can lower the cost of training and result in a better range of training data than using human evaluators.

Adaptive will be entering a marketplace that is getting increasingly crowded. Platforms for RLHF training are also being offered by some of the big data labelling companies that traditionally provided human evaluators. These include Appen and Scale AI. Similar tools are also offered by Surge AI, CarperAI, and Encord. But most of these RLHF tools arent designed to capture preference data from model users once a model is deployed.

The technology Adaptive is building will work on top of any open source LLM model or any model that a business has built itself. Open source models are proving increasingly popular with companies that are seeking more control over both the output of generative AI models and ways to reduce the cost of generative AI applications. The startups technology will not, however, allow business to fine tune third-party proprietary models, such as those available from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Cohere. We need access to the model weights, Launay said.

Adaptives platform is designed to help customers test the performance of different LLMs against one another and help them monitor how these models perform once deployed. Adaptive is developing dashboards and metrics that can relate LLM outputs to key business metrics, such as whether a customers query was resolved successfully.

He said that Adaptive already has some customers using its platform, although he declined to name them. The company, which currently has only nine employees, said it is planning to use the new venture capital funding to expand its teams in both Paris, where it is based, and New York, with an emphasis on go to market and sales teams.

Launay had previously worked at an AI hardware startup in Amsterdam with Adaptive cofounder Daniel Hesslow, now the startups chief research scientist. The two later wound up working with cofounder Baptiste Pannier, now Adaptives chief technology officer, as part of the team that built the Falcon LLM family of open source models at the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi. The Falcon models impressed people with their performance for their size and the innovative training techniques its developers had used. The Falcon models have regularly topped the leaderboards that Hugging Face maintains for model performance and popularity.

The team then went to work at Hugging Face, which both builds its own open source AI models and offers a popular repository of other open source models.

Bryan Offutt, the Index Ventures partner who led the investment into Adaptive, says he was impressed by the combination technical expertise and understanding of business needs exhibited by the companys founding team as well as its energy, which he described as infectious. He said that the problem the team is trying to crackhow to tune a generative AI model for user preferencesis a technical challenge with which many companies are struggling.

He said that a challenge for Adaptive going forward will be to work with customers to find ways to incentivize the people using LLMs to provide the feedback that will be most valuable for training. If a person gives a full explanation for why they find a models response helpful or unhelpful, that is extremely valuable data for refining the model. But having to provide this kind of detailed feedback for every model response is time-consuming and would likely annoy users. So Adaptive will need to find ways to work with its customers to balance the need for feedback with the burden this places on LLM users, Offutt said.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
The objective of the national representation at FOODEX 2024 is to consolidate and diversify Costa Rica's exportable offer in the Asian market.

The event will feature attendance by more than 70,000 people from 55 countries.

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, March 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten Costa Rican companies in the food industry and The Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) will participate in the FOODEX 2024 fair with the aim of positioning and diversifying, through an Essential Costa Rica stand, the exportable offer of products with high added value such as: rum, roasted coffee, cocoa and chocolates, hot sauces, and dehydrated and frozen pineapple.

1

From March 5 to 8, the 49th edition of the event - considered one of the most important international fairs in the sector on the Asian continent - will take place in Tokyo, Japan, and will be attended by more than 70,000 people from 55 countries.

This year, the national delegation is formed by companies of various sizes and from different regions of the country including: La Paz Frozen Fruits, Costa de Oro Internacional S.A., Tropical Paradise Fruits, Gourmet Fields, Todo Natural, Florida Products, El Gusto Foods, Fructa CR, Smile!, It's Costa Rican Coffee, and Ron Centenario, El Ron de Costa Rica.

"With our participation in the FOODEX 2024 fair, we are embracing a new opportunity to diversify the export markets for the Costa Rican food industry in Asia, a market with high purchasing power and whose consumer profile demands products with excellent quality and high added value," said Mario Saenz, PROCOMER Export Development Manager.

Miguel Angel Sequeira Torres, Global Ambassador of the Ron Centenario brand, stated "we're really happy to be part of the PROCOMER-Costa Rica stand at the FOODEX 2024 fair. As a company that has Essential Costa Rica country brand recognition, we are committed to making our country visible in international markets. Our business objective, for this and the other international fairs in which we participate, is to keep expanding our exports and continue with the positioning of Ron Centenario as a global brand."

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Olga Cole, General Manager of Fructa CR, added that "for the second consecutive year we have participated at FOODEX Japan thanks to the support of PROCOMER, with the purpose of bringing our offer of tropical, natural, and healthy products to the Asian continent. We aim to reach new customers with our products while diversifying our market, confident that the high quality and variety of our products will allow us to meet our objectives. Participation is also an opportunity for us to get to know the market with a view to developing innovative products according to the preferences and habits of Asian consumers."

Prior to the start of the fair, the national delegation visited various points of sale in Tokyo with the aim of becoming familiar with the main supermarket chains, consumption habits, and trends for Japanese buyers.

In addition, as part of PROCOMER's support for participating companies, advice was provided regarding logistics for the event and on cultural matters for optimally conducting business during the visit to the Japanese market. PROCOMER also provided digital tools that make it possible to publicize the products offered and facilitate their exposure to potential buyers.

"The Asian market is of utmost relevance for Costa Rica. Proof of this is that Japan, for example, is the second most important trading partner for Costa Rica in Asia. For this reason, our participation in FOODEX 2024 is vital to continue positioning ourselves in this market," Saenz concluded.

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ten-costa-rican-companies-participate-in-asias-leading-food-fair-302085814.html

SOURCE Promotora de Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica (PROCOMER)
By Christoph Steitz

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Tesla's German gigafactory near Berlin has been reconnected to the electricity grid following a week-long outage caused by arson, the power firm in charge of fixing the disruption said in a statement late on Monday.

The outage, which began on March 5 at the site in Gruenheide, was a result of an arson attack on a nearby power pylon for which activists from the far-left Vulkangruppe claimed responsibility.

E.dis, a division of German energy network firm E.ON, said speedy weekend assembly work had enabled it to carry out a multi-hour high voltage test and get a green light from engineers.

It reconnected Tesla to the grid at 8:45 p.m. local time (1945 GMT).

Tesla said earlier on Monday that it would gradually start up systems in the factory, which employs around 12,500 staff, after the resumption of power.

"It is not yet possible to say how long it will take until production can be fully resumed," the company said in emailed comments.

Tesla said last week it expected the outage to last until March 15, while the works council chief of the electric vehicle (EV) maker's Brandenburg plant said on March 8 it would restart this week, without giving a specific date.

Joerg Steinbach, the economy minister in Brandenburg, said E.dis employees had been working in a three-shift mode to ensure electricity could flow as soon as possible.

The outage meant Tesla could not produce around 1,000 cars a day, with the factory's head saying that the disruption would cause hundreds of millions of euros in damages.

(Reporting by Christoph Steitz; Additional Reporting by Sarah Marsh; editing by Alexander Smith, Kirsten Donovan and Nia Williams)
Union Pacific sued the city of Palestine, Texas, in 2019 to nullify a 152-year-old contract to keep a certain number of jobs in the town indefinitely. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

A Texas appeals court recently declared an 1872 jobs agreement between Palestine, Texas, and Union Pacific to be unenforceable.

The ruling moves Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) a step closer to its goal of closing a rail car shop in the east Texas town of 18,000.

The 12th Court of Appeals in Tyler, Texas, issued the ruling on Feb. 22, finding that the agreement requiring Union Pacific to maintain a set number of jobs in Palestine  a pact that was signed in 1872 and updated in 1954  places restraints on Union Pacific regarding interstate commerce, which is not permitted under federal law.

It is ordered  by this court that the judgment be reversed and judgment rendered granting Union Pacifics motion for summary judgment and motion to vacate the 1955 Judgment and July 2021 injunction, according to the decision from the 12th Court of Appeals.

Union Pacific has made several legal attempts to modify or end the agreement over the years. In 1955, a Texas court ruled the railway giant was required to maintain jobs in Palestine. Union Pacific sued Palestine in 2019, again attempting to nullify the contract to keep 65 jobs in the town indefinitely.

Union Pacific is based in Omaha, Nebraska. The company has more than 33,000 employees across the country. In 2023, Union Pacific had revenue of $24.1 billion, a 3% year-over-year decline compared to 2022.

Palestine is roughly equidistant from Dallas, Houston and Shreveport, Louisiana.

Harris Lohmeyer, a retired Union Pacific employee who has led fundraising efforts to continue the court case, told the Palestine-Herald Press that lawyers for Anderson County would request a rehearing and possibly a review by the state Supreme Court.

Under the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code, this opinion and judgment are automatically stayed, pending further appeals. This means that the required employment positions at Palestine will remain in place until all appeals are completed, Lohmeyer told the newspaper. This is a David versus Goliath scenario. Twice before, we lost all the way until the last rulings, where we came out on top. All we can hope for is the best outcome for the employees.

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The 152-year-old agreement between Union Pacific and Palestine dates back to the days when the city was at the crossroads of several railroad companies that promised to keep jobs there indefinitely, according to Union Pacific.

The Palestine Car Shop is one of only two car shops on the Union Pacific Railroad that perform heavy modifications and repairs to freight cars, the company said on its website. The Palestine workforce of more than 100 employees has earned a reputation for safely and efficiently delivering quality work to their customers.

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The post Texas court sides with Union Pacific over 1872 jobs pact with town appeared first on FreightWaves.
Kevin OLeary, also known as Mr. Wonderful, recently shared a clip from Fox Business on his social media, expressing his views on the competitive dynamics between the United States and China, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) market. OLearys message was clear: All I want in terms of competing with China is a level playing field. Its time to give them the stick!

When asked about his concerns regarding Chinas influence in the EV market a decade from now, OLeary did not mince words.

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I worry about China every single day, he said, emphasizing the need for a balanced competitive environment. He advocates for the maintenance of tariffs and a strong stance against China to ensure an equitable playing field. Theres absolutely no reason why we remain the largest economy on earth, we cannot squeeze Chinese heads until we get what we want.

OLeary criticized the asymmetrical demands and benefits between the two nations, highlighting the concessions the U.S. makes to accommodate China, such as the rule of law, litigation in U.S. courts and access to financial markets, without receiving reciprocal privileges.

They ask so much from us ... and they dont give us the same in China. Come on. That makes no sense to me whatsoever, he said.

O'Leary said the U.S. should apply pressure continuously through policy and economic measures until a fair agreement is reached.

I am all for squeezing them every single day and keeping the policy tight, he said.

OLeary believes that China responds to firmness and that it is time for the U.S. to give them the stick, a metaphor for applying stricter measures to ensure fairness and reciprocity in economic and trade relationships.

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OLearys comments have sparked a conversation on the strategies the U.S. might employ to address trade imbalances and competition with China, especially in critical sectors like the EV market. His call for a level playing field resonates with broader concerns over global trade practices and the future of economic competitiveness between these two global powerhouses.

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This article 'It's Time To Give Them The Stick!'  Kevin O'Leary Wants A Level Playing Field When Competing With China  Says He's All For 'Squeezing Chinese Heads' Every Day Until We Get What We Want originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
In our weekly list of business people on the move, we highlight Palm Beach County professionals who are making a difference. These are people from across the spectrum of public and private endeavors, those working in charities, court houses, private practices and beyond. They are moving up within their industry, advancing their careers and standing out for their services within our community.

Here are this week's professional standouts:

Home service provider names president

Cinch Home Services, one of the nations leading providers of home service solutions, announces Sena Kwawu as its new president, in-home services. As president of in-home services, Kwawu will spend time with associates and Cinch Home Services business partners across all functional areas of the organizations operations and retention activities, leading teams into thoughtful strategies that will drive the right outcomes for customers. Cinch Home Services is a leading provider of home protection plans with more than 45 years of experience. Their solutions help customers cover the cost when appliances and essential home systems break down from everyday use.

Sena Kwawu

HCA Florida Healthcare adds adult spine surgeon

HCA Florida Healthcare is excited to announce the newest addition to our team, Dr. William Aaron Kunkle, a board-certified adult spine surgeon highly specialized in minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery. Dr. Kunkle will be performing surgeries at HCA Florida JFK Hospital, HCA Florida JFK North Hospital, and HCA Florida Palms West Hospital. Dr. Kunkle's commitment to advancing orthopedic knowledge is evident in his publications in Global Spine Journal, The Spine Journal, and presentations at NASS meetings.

Dr. William Aaron Kunkle

Palm Beach County tourism marketing agency adds two, one a familiar face

Discover the Palm Beaches, the tourism marketing association for Palm Beach County, recently announced two new hires. Amanda Burke joins the organization as the head of integrated marketing. Prior to joining DTPB, she worked as the director of marketing for the Florida Panthers. Angela Cruz Ledford returns to DTPB, as its director of public relations & communications. She previously worked for DTPB as its manager of public relations & communications from 2015-2019. Before rejoining DTPB, she was the chief officer of strategic communications & engagement for the School District of Palm Beach County.

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Amanda Burke

Angela Cruz Ledford

Lake Worth Playhouse executive director named

The Lake Worth Playhouse board of directors has appointed Shoshana Davidowitz as the organization's new executive director. Davidowitz has been an arts administrator for over 20 years, specializing in arts education and concert production, with experience in marketing, booking, event planning and membership and has most recently served as the education director at the playhouse.

Shoshana Davidowitz

West Palm firm elevates three attorneys to shareholder positions

Jones Foster, a private and commercial law firm based in West Palm Beach, recently announced that litigation attorneys Travis J. Foels and Spencer S. Keyser, and trust & estate litigation attorney Zachary M. Rothman have been elevated to shareholders of the firm. Zack, Travis, and Spencer joined us as lateral hires and each has made notable and consistent contributions to our team and to our clients, chairman Scott G. Hawkins said. Jones Foster is celebrating its Centennial year as a commercial and private client law firm headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. Tracing its roots back to 1924, the firm has served as an integral part of South Floridas growth and prosperity.

Travis J. Foels

Spencer S. Keyser

Zachary M. Rothman

Law firm's Boca Raton office names latest managing partner

Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough LLP recently announced that David Itskovich took the reins as new managing partner of the firms Boca Raton office January 1. He will lead the office in implementing the firms business strategies for growth and development. Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins is a full-service Am Law 100 firm of more than 1,000 attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals with offices across the United States.

David Itskovich

MediationWorks adds litigator, trial lawyer to its ranks

Delray Beach-based MediationWorks recently announced the addition of Raul Romaguera to the company as its newest mediator. Romaguera is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator. He has been a litigator and trial lawyer in Florida for over 30 years and has extensive experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts.

Raul Romaguera

If you are looking for more insight into the movers and shakers operating in the Palm Beaches, subscribe to our real estate newsletter, The Dirt, keep an eye out for stories and perspective from veteran reporters Kimberly Miller and Alexandra Clough. If you have an announcement for Business People on the Move, please send it to Pbbusiness@pbpost.com.

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best businesses, professionals, business people in Palm Beach County
(Bloomberg) -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has reclaimed a spot among the worlds 10 most-valuable companies as continued optimism in artificial intelligence thrusts the stock to record levels.

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A 14% rally last week has elevated the chipmakers market capitalization to a record, before a 2% decline in early trading Monday pared it to $634 billion. Thats still higher than that of Broadcom Inc., bringing its primary listing in Taipei back to the top 10 club for the first time since 2020.

Analysts from Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase & Co. expect the semiconductor giant to advance further amid surging AI-related revenue and strong pricing power. Investor frenzy around generative AI has supercharged a rally in global chip stocks recently, before Nvidia Corp. capped its biggest decline in nine months on Friday amid profit-taking.

Generative AI semi is an obvious growth driver for TSMC, Morgan Stanley analysts including Charlie Chan wrote in a note dated March 7. The companys overseas expansion also helps mitigate geopolitical concerns, they said.

TSMCs revenue gained 9.4% in January-February as demand for high-end chips from a wave of activity in artificial intelligence offset potential fallout due to slowing iPhone sales. Some brokerages including Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan have recently lifted their price targets for the stock by about 10%.

The options market showed that investors remain bullish over TSMCs American Depository Receipts. The put-to-call ratio dropped to a one-month low, suggesting options traders have been buying more bullish contracts than bearish ones even as its shares kept hitting fresh highs, according to Bloomberg-compiled data based on open interest.

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--With assistance from Jeanny Yu.

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FILE PHOTO: Logo of Tyson Foods is seen in Davos

By Tom Polansek

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Tyson Foods will permanently close a pork plant in Perry, Iowa, the meatpacker said on Monday, eliminating jobs for about 1,200 workers.

The company, which reaped big profits as meat prices soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, has since confronted a decline and slowing demand for some products. Tyson has announced the closures of six U.S. chicken plants in about the past year and also laid off corporate employees.

The pork plant employed about 1,200 people in Perry, which has about 8,200 residents and is located near the state capital Des Moines, Mayor Dirk Cavanaugh said.

"It's a big blow to the community," he said by phone. "It's our largest employer in the area. It's going to be tough to figure out what to do without them."

Cavanaugh said the plant is set to close on June 28.

Tyson did not respond to questions about the number of employees there but encouraged workers to apply for other jobs within the company.

"While this decision was not easy, it emphasizes our focus to optimize the efficiency of our operations to best serve our customers," the company said.

Tyson's pork business had an adjusted operating loss of $128 million in the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, down from income of $198 million in the previous year. Its sales volumes fell 2.2% while average prices slid 7.9%.

The plant in Perry slaughters about 9,000 pigs per day, said Steve Meyer, chief livestock economist for Ever.Ag. That accounts for a little less than 2% of total U.S. pork production.

In December, Smithfield Foods said it would end contracts with 26 hog farms in Utah, citing an industry oversupply of pork and weaker consumer demand. Smithfield in October said it would shut a pork plant in North Carolina, after previously confirming it would close 35 Missouri hog farm sites.

(Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Leslie Adler and Marguerita Choy)
U.S. State Wyomings New Bill Gives DAOs Legal Existence

Wyoming has become the first US state to grant legal recognition to Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). Governor Mark Gordon signed the Wyoming Decentralized Unincorporated Nonprofit Association Act, also known as DUNA, into law on Thursday.

DAOs are internet-native communities with shared goals, typically managed by code and smart contracts. Their decentralized nature has previously posed challenges for regulators, with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission successfully holding a DAO liable for legal violations in 2023.

The DUNA act grants DAOs legal existence, allowing them to enter contracts, open bank accounts, appear in court, and pay taxes. Importantly, it achieves this without interfering with the internal structure and operation of DAOs, preserving their core decentralized nature.

The new law is seen as a major breakthrough for DAOs, which have faced regulatory uncertainty in recent years. Miles Jennings, general counsel for the crypto-focused venture capital firm a16z crypto, praised the legislation, highlighting its ability to "enable blockchain projects to operate within the bounds of applicable laws without compromising their decentralization."
GreenPal mowers are available to do lawn work in Leesburg.

Have you ever wondered if you could hire a guy to mow your lawn on an app like you do with groceries and car rides?

Maybe not, but a lawn care-share app does indeed exist as of today, and it should be downloadable from your iOS or Google Play store, we're told.

GreenPal, based in Nashville, allows homeowners to find local, pre-screened lawn professionals. The company will have service people at the ready this week to trim those bushes.

How does it work?

Homeowners can list their lawns with their service date and lawn care needs.

"Vetted lawn care pros" can then bid on the properties of homeowner who sign up on the site and list their homes and availability. Based on Google Street and aerial images and any other lawn details the homeowner provides, a "vendor" will offer services much like the Rover app does when you need a pet sitter.

Homeowners can then select who they want to work with based on the vendors' ratings, reviews and price.

Once a vendor has completed the service, the lawn care pro will send a time-stamped photo of the completed work. Homeowners can then pay via the app and set up more appointments.

Also new in Leesburg: Move over Starbucks, 7 Brew Coffee is now open in Leesburg

How established is GreenPal?

After successfully launching in 250 other markets, we are excited to help homeowners in Leesburg find reliable, safe, and local lawn care, co-founder Gene Caballero said in a press release.

GreenPal currently operates its peer-to-peer concept in Chicago, Charleston, Houston, Oklahoma City, Los Angeles, San Jose, Orlando, Fresno, New Orleans, Sacramento, Miami, Louisville, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Tampa, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Denver, Baltimore, Detroit and St. Louis.

The Daily Commercial caught up with Caballero to find out how the vetting process happens. "Basically, anybody that wants to become a Green Pal vendor must be 18, have a valid driver's license and a valid Social Security number, and they have to have a valid bank account at a financial institution," he responded.

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How many workers do they employ? "We have 50,000 across the U.S," Caballero said.

As far as choosing a GreenPal: "The homeowners tell us that they rely on the ratings and reviews the most."

To check out GreenPal, click here.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: GreenPal app available in Leesburg for 'Ubering' lawn care
MANILA, Philippines (AP)  The United States is constantly assessing the need to expand export controls to stop China from acquiring advanced computer chips and manufacturing equipment that could be used to boost its military, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Monday.

The U.S. export controls were first launched in 2022 to counter the use of chips for military applications that include the development of hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence.

Last year, the U.S. Commerce Department broadened the export controls, sparking protests from Chinas Commerce Ministry that the restrictions violated international trade rules and seriously threaten the stability of industrial supply chains."

China said it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its rights and interests and urged Washington to lift the export control as soon as possible.

Asked if the U.S. was planning to further broaden the chip export controls to China, Raimondo said in a news conference in the Philippine capital Manila that it was constantly under consideration.

We look at this every single day, Raimondo said. Technology is changing faster than ever, which means we have to wake up every day and ask ourselves, `are we doing enough?'

"My job is to protect the American people and to make sure there are no sophisticated technology, including semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence technology that we have, that China doesnt have, that they cant access it and use it to enable the Chinese military, she said.

The U.S. would continue to sell semiconductors worth billions of dollars to China, Raimondo said.

I want to be clear. We have no interest to de-couple our economies, she said, but added, We cannot allow China to have access, for their military advancement, to our more sophisticated technology.

Raimondo said she was sent by President Joe Biden to Manila with a delegation of executives from 22 American companies, which she said plan to invest about $1 billion in the Philippines, Washingtons oldest treaty ally in Asia. The U.S. investments would include training large numbers of Filipinos to attain high-tech skills that could help them land high-paying jobs, she said.

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"The U.S.-Philippine alliance is ironclad. It is sustained over 72 years and we remain steadfast friends and increasingly partners in prosperity, she said.

Raimondo met President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and quoted him as saying he cannot imagine the Philippines future without a close bond with the United States."

I want to say here today, the feeling is mutual, Raimondo said. But President Biden acknowledges we can do more."

Marcos invited businesses from the U.S., the third largest trading partner of the Philippines, to invest in more than 198 planned infrastructure projects worth $148 billion.
(Bloomberg) --

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The US could further tighten controls on Chinas access to sophisticated semiconductor technologies, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said, signaling Washington may intensify its campaign to prevent Beijing catching up in military capabilities.

We cannot allow China to have access for their military advancement to our most sophisticated technology, she told reporters in Manila on Monday. So yes, we will do whatever it takes to protect our people including expanding our controls.

Raimondo, who is leading a trade delegation to the Philippines and Thailand, was asked if the US is planning to add new restrictions on the sale of semiconductors to China. The Biden administration is mulling fresh sanctions on several Chinese tech companies, including memory chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies Inc., while pushing allies to do more to curb the export of advanced tech to China, Bloomberg has reported in recent days.

Washington has taken aim at Chinas chip industry for years, imposing sweeping controls on the export of advanced semiconductor-making machines and sophisticated chips like those used to develop artificial intelligence. Japan and the Netherlands, the two key countries where chip-making equipment is developed, joined the US effort last year.

But holes still remain, particularly in the ability of Japanese and Dutch engineers to continue doing some equipment repairs, and in the flow of spare parts that are used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The US government is pressing allies including the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea and Japan to further tighten restrictions, Bloomberg reported last week.

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Meanwhile, 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, people familiar with the matter have said. The bureau is also considering restricting five other Chinese firms, the people said.

The US is constantly assessing if its doing enough to ensure that China cant use American chip and AI technologies for its military, said Raimondo, whose department is responsible for implementing trade sanctions. Theres nothing to announce for now regarding specific new restrictions, she added.

--With assistance from Clarissa Batino.

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(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.

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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.

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.

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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.)

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NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This week in New York, the Ministry of Digital Technologies and IT Park of Uzbekistan collaboratively hosted the "Uzbekistan Outsourcing Conference," which covered Uzbekistan's burgeoning IT and Outsourcing market.

Shermatov Sherzod - The Minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan

A diverse range of US-based companies interested in establishing their IT operations in Central Asia attended. Esteemed speakers included Sherzod Shermatov, the Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, and Farhod Ibragimov, CEO of IT Park, along with representatives from large foreign companies that have already set up offices in Uzbekistan.

IT Park Uzbekistan, the largest Technopark in Central Asia, is at the forefront of advancing Uzbekistan's IT and outsourcing industry. Among the initiatives introduced by IT Park to attract foreign companies are:

The Zero Risk program , which minimizes risks through comprehensive compensation plans, one year of free office space, and up to $5000 for introductory training sessions for employees;

The One-stop-shop program , enabling IT Park to assist companies with the registration of a legal entity in Uzbekistan;

The IT Visa program , granting 3-year visas to IT specialists, investors, and founders of resident companies;

The Regional Headquarters program , designed to promote and assist companies that wish to use Uzbekistan as a regional HQ;

The Virtual office program, facilitating 'office-free' registration.

Moreover, IT Park residents benefit from tax incentives, including exemptions from corporation and social taxes (up to 25%), a 7.5% income tax rate (as opposed to 12%), and a VAT waiver on imports or services.

Minister Shermatov said "We are pleased to continue strengthening our cooperation with the technology sector of the United States and present the unique opportunities offered by our country. Uzbekistan is fast positioning itself as a reliable partner ready to compete with recognized IT hubs.

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Alongside the comprehensive support we have introduced, our main asset is our educated and talented youth. Of Uzbekistan's population of 36 million, 60% are young people with an average age of 29. We already have more than 1800 residents of IT Park, and we look forward to welcoming new residents from the US."

Uzbekistan takes pride in its skilled workforce, with around 30,000 people graduating from its 65 universities focused on IT each year. Over 5 million young people in the country are proficient in English and eager to join international companies.

Since 2017, IT export revenue has experienced remarkable growth, reaching $344 million last year, and the number of IT Park residents with foreign capital has surged almost 20 times in the last two years alone. Notable foreign companies include international IT giants such as EPAM Systems, Itransition, Mightycall, and Dyninno Tas International.

Uzbekistan's ambition to transform into a global IT hub is evident. With its strategic initiatives and supportive government policies, Uzbekistan is an ideal outsourcing destination for companies seeking cost optimization and access to a pool of talented and skilled professionals.

For further information on Uzbekistan's IT market and opportunities available in the IT sector, please visit outsource.gov.uz

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2359162/IT_Park.jpg

Cision

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SOURCE IT Park
Vail Resorts (NYSE:MTN) Reports Sales Below Analyst Estimates In Q2 Earnings, Stock Drops

Luxury ski resort company Vail Resorts (NYSE:MTN) fell short of analysts' expectations in Q2 FY2024, with revenue down 2.2% year on year to $1.08 billion. It made a GAAP profit of $5.76 per share, improving from its profit of $5.16 per share in the same quarter last year.

Is now the time to buy Vail Resorts? Find out by accessing our full research report, it's free.

Vail Resorts (MTN) Q2 FY2024 Highlights:

Revenue: $1.08 billion vs analyst estimates of $1.15 billion (6.5% miss)

EPS: $5.76 vs analyst expectations of $5.99 (3.8% miss)

Gross Margin (GAAP): 50%, up from 46.5% in the same quarter last year

Visitors: 7.26 million

Market Capitalization: $8.50 billion

Commenting on the Company's fiscal 2024 second quarter results, Kirsten Lynch, Chief Executive Officer, said, "Given the unfavorable conditions across our North American resorts, we are pleased that our results for the quarter demonstrate the resiliency of our strategic business model and our network of resorts and loyal guests. The results for the second quarter were negatively impacted by challenging conditions at all of our North American resorts, with approximately 42% lower snowfall across our western North American resorts through January compared to the same period in the prior year and limited natural snow and variable temperatures at our Eastern U.S. resorts (comprising the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast)."

Founded by two Aspen, Colorado ski patrol guides, Vail Resorts (NYSE:MTN) is a mountain resort company offering luxury experiences in over 30 locations across the globe.

Leisure Facilities

Leisure facilities companies often sell experiences rather than tangible products, and in the last decade-plus, consumers have slowly shifted their spending from "things" to "experiences". Leisure facilities seek to benefit but must innovate to do so because of the industry's high competition and capital intensity.

Sales Growth

A companys long-term performance can give signals about its business quality. Any business can put up a good quarter or two, but many enduring ones muster years of growth. Vail Resorts's annualized revenue growth rate of 6% over the last five years was weak for a consumer discretionary business.

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Vail Resorts Total Revenue

Within consumer discretionary, product cycles are short and revenue can be hit-driven due to rapidly changing trends. That's why we also follow short-term performance. Vail Resorts's annualized revenue growth of 14.4% over the last two years is above its five-year trend, suggesting some bright spots.

We can dig even further into the company's revenue dynamics by analyzing its number of visitors, which reached 7.26 million in the latest quarter. Over the last two years, Vail Resorts's visitors only grew slightly, showing the company has been generating revenue growth through higher prices for both lift tickets and on-mountain dining.

Vail Resorts Visitors

This quarter, Vail Resorts missed Wall Street's estimates and reported a rather uninspiring 2.2% year-on-year revenue decline, generating $1.08 billion of revenue. Looking ahead, Wall Street expects sales to grow 10.8% over the next 12 months, an acceleration from this quarter.

Todays young investors likely havent read the timeless lessons in Gorilla Game: Picking Winners In High Technology because it was written more than 20 years ago when Microsoft and Apple were first establishing their supremacy. But if we apply the same principles, then enterprise software stocks leveraging their own generative AI capabilities may well be the Gorillas of the future. So, in that spirit, we are excited to present our Special Free Report on a profitable, fast-growing enterprise software stock that is already riding the automation wave and looking to catch the generative AI next.

Operating Margin

Operating margin is an important measure of profitability. Its the portion of revenue left after accounting for all core expenseseverything from the cost of goods sold to advertising and wages. Operating margin is also useful for comparing profitability across companies with different levels of debt and tax rates because it excludes interest and taxes.

Vail Resorts has been a well-managed company over the last eight quarters. It's demonstrated it can be one of the more profitable businesses in the consumer discretionary sector, boasting an average operating margin of 19.2%.

Vail Resorts Operating Margin (GAAP)

In Q2, Vail Resorts generated an operating profit margin of 32.5%, up 2.7 percentage points year on year.

Over the next 12 months, Wall Street expects Vail Resorts to become more profitable. Analysts are expecting the companys LTM operating margin of 17% to rise to 22.3%.

Key Takeaways from Vail Resorts's Q2 Results

We struggled to find many strong positives in these results. Its revenue and EPS unfortunately missed Wall Street's estimates as its number of visitors fell 9.7% year-on-year. That decrease was driven by unfavorable weather conditions as the company's western North American ski resorts saw ~42% lower snowfall. Whistler Blackcomb and the company's Lake Tahoe properties were particularly impacted. Total lift revenue, however, saw a 2.6% increase as it charged higher prices to its customers.



Looking ahead, Vail Resorts lowered its full-year revenue and EPS guidance based on the soft start to the ski season. Overall, the results could have been better, but we note much of the company's underperformance was due to seasonal factors. The stock is down 7.4% on the results and currently trades at $208 per share.

Vail Resorts may have had a tough quarter, but does that actually create an opportunity to invest right now? When making that decision, it's important to consider its valuation, business qualities, as well as what has happened in the latest quarter. We cover that in our actionable full research report which you can read here, it's free.
Station

Boarded-up railway arches at Waterloo station are to be turned into shops and cafes as part of a 15-year redevelopment project.

Network Rail has unveiled plans to overhaul Waterloo after drafting in Grimshaw, the architecture firm behind the 1bn renovation of London Bridge station.

Details laid out in a 210-page document reveal ambitions to replace Waterloos empty spaces with retail and pedestrianise the area outside the stations main entrance.

This area will be renamed Victory Arch Piazza and filled with hundreds of trees.

Network Rail expects the project, which is backed by Lambeth Council, to take up to 15 years and create up to 10,000 jobs.

It is not yet clear how much the stations conversion will cost, and planning permission is yet to be secured.

However, Network Rail chair Lord Hendy told the Evening Standard that he wants the private sector to fund the project, meaning it will use as little public money as we can manage.

The plans come after Network Rails five-year revamp of London Bridge, which nearly doubled passenger capacity and added around 90 shops and restaurants to the station.

The transformation was hailed a success after London Bridge remained operational throughout and the project was delivered on time.

It followed the 800m redevelopment of St Pancras International, which opened as the new Eurostar Terminal in 2007 and the 550m revamp of Kings Cross, which was completed in 2013.

Lord Hendy said: I think our combined objective is to do the same thing around Waterloo as we now see at Kings Cross.

It is imperative this station continues to evolve to ensure it is a world-class transport hub and meets the needs of the millions of passengers that use the station each year.

An artist's impression of a future station undercroft at Waterloo

Waterloo station opened in 1848 with just six platforms, with its launch coming a week earlier than planned to allow spectators to travel by train to the Epsom Derby in Surrey.

It has since more than tripled in size to become Britains third-busiest station, boasting 24 platforms and 57.8 million passengers a year.

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There will be no new platforms under the redevelopment but concourse space will be increased by 40pc to reduce congestion.

Space to park 5,000 bicycles will also be created, while there will be new station entrances on Lower Marsh and Mepham Street.

Lambeth Council, which has approved the project, is hopeful that it will bring an economic boost to the neighbourhood.

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There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, biotech and mining exploration companies often lose money for years before finding success with a new treatment or mineral discovery. Nonetheless, only a fool would ignore the risk that a loss making company burns through its cash too quickly.

Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether NervGen Pharma (CVE:NGEN) shareholders should 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. Let's start with an examination of the business' cash, relative to its cash burn.

View our latest analysis for NervGen Pharma

Does NervGen Pharma Have A Long Cash Runway?

A company's cash runway is the amount of time it would take to burn through its cash reserves at its current cash burn rate. As at September 2023, NervGen Pharma had cash of CA$15m and no debt. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through CA$13m. That means it had a cash runway of around 13 months as of September 2023. That's not too bad, but it's fair to say the end of the cash runway is in sight, unless cash burn reduces drastically. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below.

How Is NervGen Pharma's Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

NervGen Pharma didn't record any revenue over the last year, indicating that it's an early stage company still developing its business. Nonetheless, we can still examine its cash burn trajectory as part of our assessment of its cash burn situation. With cash burn dropping by 14% it seems management feel the company is spending enough to advance its business plans at an appropriate pace. Clearly, however, the crucial factor is whether the company will grow its business going forward. So you might want to take a peek at how much the company is expected to grow in the next few years.

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Can NervGen Pharma Raise More Cash Easily?

While NervGen Pharma is showing a solid reduction in its cash burn, it's still worth considering how easily it could raise more cash, even just to fuel faster growth. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. By comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate).

Since it has a market capitalisation of CA$181m, NervGen Pharma's CA$13m in cash burn equates to about 7.4% of its market value. Given that is a rather small percentage, it would probably be really easy for the company to fund another year's growth by issuing some new shares to investors, or even by taking out a loan.

How Risky Is NervGen Pharma's Cash Burn Situation?

The good news is that in our view NervGen Pharma's cash burn situation gives shareholders real reason for optimism. One the one hand we have its solid cash burn reduction, while on the other it can also boast very strong cash burn relative to its market cap. Cash burning companies are always on the riskier side of things, but after considering all of the factors discussed in this short piece, we're not too worried about its rate of cash burn. Taking a deeper dive, we've spotted 4 warning signs for NervGen Pharma you should be aware of, and 3 of them shouldn't be ignored.

Of course NervGen Pharma may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying.

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.
Semafor Signals

Insights from Tencent News, Al Jazeera, and the South China Morning Post

The News

Chinas largest bottled water company, Nongfu Spring, has become the latest firm to be targeted by a social media boycott  over its ultra-wealthy founder  with Chinese officials worried that nationalist consumers could hinder the already shaky growth of the countrys private sector.

The pushback began in February after the death of Zong Qinghou, the founder of rival Wahaha bottled water, prompted social media users to hail Zong as a Chinese patriot. This prompted unflattering comparisons with Nongfu Spring leader Zhong Shanshan, currently Chinas richest man.

Social media users called Zhong an ungrateful profit-oriented businessman, alleging a lack of patriotism because his son holds a U.S. passport  which some nationalists perceive as showing a lack of loyalty to China. They also claimed that Nongfu was using Japanese imagery in its branding, an inflammatory accusation in a country where anti-Japanese sentiment runs deep.

The repercussions have been substantial: stores across China said they would stop selling Nongfu products, and steep dips in the companys Hong Kong shares wiped about 30 billion yuan ($4 billion) off its market capitalization, according to Nikkei Asia.

Chinas government has been keen to promote nationalist economics  rewarding businesses that embody national pride and patriotism. However, several violent incidents over the last few years targeting companies seen as unpatriotic have led Beijing to step in, seeking to prioritize societal stability over the inflaming of nationalist grudges.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Expectations that leaders should be Chinese saints hurts business environment

Sources: Tencent News, Global Times

The Nongfu Spring incident highlights a paradox for entrepreneurs when it comes to the Chinese internet: social media users expect business leaders to create jobs and profit, but they are also required to be saints who represent the best of China, Hu Xijin, the former editor in chief of state tabloid The Global Times, wrote for Tencent News. However, widespread scorn among netizens towards the business community does not help Chinas economy, he argued. While the public has a right to have high expectations of business leaders, social media should be more tolerant of private entrepreneurs and focus on their economic contributions rather than legal or personal affairs. This will definitely improve [Chinas] business environment, Hu wrote, as the central government works to improve conditions following a slow post-COVID recovery.

Story continues

Beijing sees a red line when nationalism veers into societal instability

Source: Al Jazeera

Beijing wants to ensure that nationalism serves as a unifying force rather than being misused, and so will step in when it sees tensions rising too high, a Rutgers University scholar told Al Jazeera. He cited the example of a Chinese ultranationalist vlogger who caused a social media frenzy after confronting a mall store owner for using Lunar New Year decorations that the vlogger claimed depicted the Japanese flag. Many social media users said that under his argument, several other symbols  like the logo of telecoms firm Huawei  could also be considered Japanese symbols. The incident drew a response from state broadcaster CCTV, which on Weibo called the vloggers actions detrimental to individuals, companies and society as a whole.

Long-held anti-Japanese sentiment in China  over war crimes committed during the Sino-Japanese wars and Tokyos refusal to apologize  has led in the past to violent protests against Japanese car owners and police harassing women wearing kimonos. In an attempt to quell tensions, state media has run campaigns that promote positive Japanese sentiment. While Beijing supports nationalist economics, there are red lines that cannot be crossed and could lead to societal instability, the researcher said.

Its trendy to buy Chinese-made products in China

Sources: South China Morning Post, Global Times

Multinational firms in China face steep challenges from local competitors, in part because of widespread nationalist sentiment, analysts told the South China Morning Post. Local brands  primarily in the computers, smartphones, and vehicle sectors  have developed a reputation for being cheaper and more innovative than their foreign competitors, but customers are also increasingly keen on buying Chinese-made products out of national pride. Many young people also want to express things such as Im Chinese, a researcher at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics told the SCMP. Even given Chinas faltering economy, foreign companies are keen to pursue the market given its sheer size  but they are increasingly forced to maneuver around public sentiment or risk being canceled. A study cited by the SCMP found that more than half of foreign companies subjected to boycotts between 2008 and 2021 apologized publicly, including BMW, which issued a mea culpa following a viral incident last year when workers at a car show in Shanghai refused to hand out free ice cream to Chinese visitors.
One of the byproducts of the accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has been the investor practice -- for better or for worse -- of viewing AI stocks collectively. In many instances, developments concerning one company in the space can have a ripple effect, bringing a broad cross-section of stocks in the space up or down with them. That appears to be the case Monday morning, as two developments seem to be having on outsize impact on AI companies.

With that as a backdrop, foundry Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) tumbled 4.1%, social media company Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) slumped 4%, chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) dropped 3.8%, computer memory specialist Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) declined 3.1%, and semiconductor specialist Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) fell 1.9%, as of 1:32 p.m. ET on Monday.

A check of all the usual suspects -- regulatory filings, financial reports, and changes to analysts' price targets -- turned up one piece of negative company-specific news -- while surprisingly, there were a number of positive catalysts (more on that in a bit). Furthermore, troubling news about a high-profile company in the space seemed to put AI investors in a dour mood.

Image source: Getty Images.

A one-two punch

Broadcom released the results of its fiscal 2024 first quarter (ended Feb. 4) on Friday, and investors weren't particularly impressed. The semiconductor specialist generated revenue of $11.96 billion, an increase of 34% year over year, resulting in adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $10.99, an increase of 6%.

While both metrics exceeded Wall Street's expectations, management's forecast seemed to catch investors off guard. Broadcom reiterated its outlook for the 2024 fiscal year, guiding for revenue of $50 billion. Investors were hoping the company would boost its guidance after exceeding expectations for the quarter. The news weighed on many AI and chip stocks on Friday.

Investors seemed to be waiting for the other shoe to drop, which happened over the weekend. Reports emerged that a proposed class action lawsuit was filed late on Friday, accusing Nvidia of copyright infringement. Three authors sued the chipmaker, alleging that Nvidia had used their books -- along with hundreds of thousands of others -- to train its NeMo AI platform, and had not requested permission. As one of the undisputed beneficiaries of the adoption of AI, this development will be carefully watched by investors.

Story continues

This is merely the latest in a growing number of lawsuits filed by writers claiming that copyrighted works have been used to train generative AI systems without their knowledge or consent. Late last year, a group of noteworthy authors -- including George R.R. Martin, Michael Connelly, and Jonathan Franzen -- filed a similar suit against Microsoft and OpenAI, charging that ChatGPT was trained on their copyrighted works. Meta Platforms is in the midst of a similar lawsuit regarding its LLaMA AI model.

While these lawsuits are currently having a chilling effect on the development of generative AI, it's too early to tell how these cases will ultimately be decided.

There's good news

While it's understandable that investors might be concerned about these developments, not all the news is bad. In fact, there were some positive bits of company-specific news, and investors appear to be missing the forest for the trees.

Here are a few examples:

On Friday, Wells Fargo analysts maintained an overweight (buy) rating on Micron stock while raising their price target to $125, suggesting potential upside of 28% compared to Friday's close. The analysts believe the company is at an inflection point, which will become evident in the next two quarters.

AMD also got a price target increase on Friday, courtesy of Melius Research. The analysts maintained a buy rating on AMD stock while raising their price target to $265, suggesting potential upside of 28% compared to Friday's close. They cited AMD's recently released MI300X AI chip as having good prospects in data centers.

Broadcom got a pair of price target increases Monday morning. Baird maintained an outperform (buy) rating and raised its price target to $1,500, or upside of 19% compared to Friday's close. Citi analysts also maintained a buy rating on the stock and hiked its price target to $1,560, or 19% upside potential. Both analysts cited the secular tailwinds of AI as a catalyst fueling future growth.

These announcements suggest that investors should take care in painting all AI stocks with the same brush. While there will no doubt be both positive and negative developments that will impact the entire industry, each of these companies will need to execute on the opportunity and secular tailwinds represented by AI.

Meta Platforms and Taiwan Semiconductor are the least expensive among the group, selling for 32 times and 27 times earnings, respectively. Furthermore, when measured in terms of the price/earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio -- which factors in strong growth -- both stocks clock in at less than 1 -- the standard for an undervalued stock.

Each of these stocks represents an intriguing opportunity, particularly in light of the opportunity represented by AI, but investors should size their positions based on their risk tolerance and the degree of volatility they're willing to endure.

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Why Meta Platforms, Taiwan Semiconductor, Advanced Micro Devices, and Other Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Tumbled on Monday was originally published by The Motley Fool
Potential fixes for a missing link on the Virginia Central Railway Trail has gotten a thumbs up from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Local transportation planners have been looking for a way to connect the VCR trail between Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania for years, and a pair of studies developed possible solutions.

The studies analyzed various gaps in the trail, identifying the potential of building a bridge or tunnel at Interstate 95, near the Harrison Road overpass. The trail does not reach the interstate on either side yet, but the crossing would connect future extensions.

An email from the Federal Highways Administration regarding its stance on the I-95 trail crossing was introduced at the most recent policy committee meeting of the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Our engineering staff has completed a review and has advised they have no issues with the proposed project, the letter states.

The FHWA included examples of two trail tunnels  under Interstate 81 at James Madison University and at Liberty University beneath U.S. 29/U.S. 460.

The I-95 trail crossing is a likely candidate for the states Smart Scale funding program, which scores and ranks projects for state funding.

Filling the gap at I-95 is one step in the long-range plan to create a bike and pedestrian trail from Gordon Road in Spotsylvania to southern Stafford (Chatham Heights and the Belmont Ferry Farm trail) and eventually tap into the East Coast Greenway.

Talks on Stafford roads

Stafford County has two road project proposals it plans to put on display for residents this month, with one scheduled for Wednesday.

The first meeting will be held from 7-9 p.m. at Stafford High School and will address planned improvements at U.S. 1 and Enon Road, near the school. Comments can be made at the meeting or in writing.

Written comments can be sent to Adam Derrick, Transportation Engineering and Construction Manager, Stafford County, 2128 Stafford Highway, Suite 103, Stafford, Va, 22554. Emailed comments can be sent to ADerrick@staffordcountyva.gov.

The project calls for widening Enon Road from Beauregard Drive to U.S. 1.

More details on the project can be found on Staffords website.

The second meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, and will focus on designs for widening Onville Road. The meeting will be held from 6-7 p.m. at Anne Moncure Elementary School.

The Onville proposal focuses on increasing capacity and safety on a section between Worth Avenue and Hulvey Drive. The plans call for the addition of a two-way left-turn lane and sidewalks on both sides of the road.

Written comments on the Onville project can sent to Mr. Khapel Akbari, Project Manager, Stafford County, 2128 Stafford Highway, Suite 203, Stafford, Va, 22554. Emailed comments can be sent to kakbari@staffordcountyva.gov, with Onville Road Widening Public Comment in the subject line.

More details on the project can be found on Staffords website.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Dick Wadhams is a former Colorado Republican state chairman who worked for U.S. Sen. Bill Armstrong for nine years before managing campaigns for U.S. Sens. Hank Brown and Wayne Allard, and Gov. Bill Owens.
The mid-week snow storm  and most likely the last big one of 'official winter'  is set to bring heavy snow accumulations to Colorado beginning Tuesday evening and lasting into Friday evening. Upsloping winds and a long lasting snow event are possible.

Your Monday DEW TOUR moment of INVERTED-ZEN:

Recap:

Saturday and Sunday brought sunny skies and warm temperatures to Colorado's ski slopes as the last couple of weeks of official winter draw to a close  the first day of spring is March 19.

Forecast:

On Monday, expect sunny skies most of the day, but clouds will build in with moisture ahead of the arriving storm. High temperatures at base areas are expected to be in the upper 30s and low 40s, with temperatures on-mountain into the low 30s. More sun crust build up is possible on south facing slopes along with the beginnings of spring conditions.

Some light accumulations of snow are possible Monday night through Tuesday morning as moisture lifts above the state's mountains, but won't amount to much more than a dusting to one inch.

On Tuesday, expect similar conditions to Monday, but with more clouds and slightly cooler temperatures.

The ECMWF synoptic composite model for Tuesday evening shows an area of high pressure west of southern California beginning to push the jet stream north over a ridge and funneling winds and moisture into the southwest before curling back northeastward toward Colorado.

This moisture will begin to rise and cool above the state's mountains Tuesday night into Wednesday, bringing potentially 3-9 inches of accumulation by Wednesday's first chairs.

Western resorts like Powderhorn and Sunlight, and southern resorts in the western San Juan mountains (Purgatory, Silverton and Telluride), should benefit the most, but most mountains west of the Continental Divide will receive some snow by last chairs Wednesday.

Wednesday will also be a storm day and bring a lot more snow to the southern mountains before shifting its focus on northeastern Colorado and the Front Range mountains west of Denver and Boulder Wednesday night, with snow falling along a southwest to northeast line from Grand Junction to Sterling.

A corresponding low pressure following the trough will dip into northern Arizona from Utah and Nevada into Thursday, continuing to push moisture into southwestern Colorado. But it will wrap moisture counter clockwise from northeast Colorado as it stalls over Arizona, creating upsloping winds and snow on east facing slopes up and down the Front Range and Interstate 25 corridor.

Heavy snow is forecast to continue through Thursday into Friday and the Front Range is looking to see a lot of snow.

For Friday's first chairs, the ECMWF high resolution model forecasts 4-16 inches to have fallen in the southern mountains (San Juan, La Garita and Sangre de Cristo), 4-16 inches in the western mountains (Powderhorn, Aspen/Snowmass and Sunlight), 6-20 inches in the central mountains, 4-10 inches in the northwestern mountains (Steamboat), and 6-30 inches in the northern and eastern mountains, with mountains east of and along the Continental Divide seeing potentially between 24-30 inches.

The GFS American model forecast predicts even higher amounts of snow just west of Denver but also in the metro area (potentially 20 inches), and with higher amounts of up to 32 inches in the San Juan and northern Sangre de Cristo mountains, eastern Front Range foothills and peaks west of Denver.

Resorts like Winter Park, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Monarch could all potentially benefit from this storm regardless due to its upsloping nature, but Eldora and Echo are forecast to receive the highest totals due to their proximity in the east-facing slopes and east of the divide.

Long Range:

From Friday heading into the weekend, drier air and warming are forecast to reemerge as the storm exits. The potential for linger snow accumulations in the southern mountains exists, but it would only equate to a few additional inches.

Hello spring conditions, but maybe for only a short time.

Monday through Thursday next week will bring warm temperatures (highs in the 30s and low 40s), the first day of spring on Tuesday and sunny conditions ahead of the next storm around March 22.

More details will follow as this storminess is 10 days plus out.

Featured Local Savings

Today's 24 hour snow total from Colorado resorts:

Arapahoe Basin - 0"

Aspen Mountain - 0"

Aspen Highlands - 0"

Beaver Creek - 0"

Breckenridge - 0"

Buttermilk - 0"

Cooper - 0"

Copper Mountain - 0"

Crested Butte - 0"

Echo Mountain - 0"

Eldora Mountain - 0"

Granby Ranch - 0"

Hesperus - Closed for season

Howelsen Hill - 0"

Kendall Mountain - 0", open weekends

Keystone - 0"

Loveland - 0"

Monarch - 0"

Powderhorn - 0"

Purgatory - 0"

Silverton - 0"

Snowmass - 0"

Steamboat - 0"

Sunlight - 0"

Telluride - 0"

Vail - 0"

Winter Park - 0"

Wolf Creek - 0"
Over the years, News5 has talked with people who say theyve gotten the offer to become a secret shopper through a random text message, but in most cases it ends the same way:

Once the fraudster gets your information, they send a check with directions and, if you follow those directions, its a costly mistake.

It comes in a decent envelope. They dont catch onto the spellings and the verbiage. It sounds alright, said Joanna Hosford. Its got a logo on there for the store. The bank is an actual bank.

Hosford says this secret shopper letter with a check and instructions was sent to her mother-in-law Della Martinez. She suspects this started with a random text message and the mail was a follow-up. Martinez says shes glad she was stopped from following through on it.

They wanted me to go get cards and send them to them, and call them and tell them they are coming in the mail  and Im glad I have my daughter, said Martinez.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, if anyone ever tells you to deposit a check, withdraw money, and send it to someone, thats a scam. When the check later turns out to be fake, the bank will want the money back. Also, if anyone tells you to go buy gift cards and share the PIN, thats a scam, too.

Featured Local Savings

Hosford says she understands why these schemes are effective and underreported.

And then you realize, oh, its not real. Oh, my gosh, what did I think about doing? I think thats where the stigma comes in, is for the embarrassment and the shame. Its not that you got one. Its that you thought about cashing it, said Hosford.

Martinez says she just hopes her experience will help others avoid making expensive mistakes.

I have a lot of friends, and I know they go through a lot of things like this, said Martinez.

This particular scam letter used the Walmart name and logo to try to add legitimacy. Walmart has said publicly it will never solicit mystery or secret shoppers through email, mail or any other public means.

If you get one of these letters, you should report as many details as possible to the Colorado Attorney Generals Office at stopfraudcolorado.gov to help investigators hold bad actors accountable.

Patrick Nelson is the weekend morning anchor and consumer reporter at KOAA News5; patrick.nelson@koaa.com
Mateos Alvarez, the executive director of the Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition, drove to his office in Northwest Aurora every morning expecting to see a few dozen people waiting outside for services offered by his nonprofit, which helps people in underserved communities get work opportunities.

That is  until one morning in late 2022.

As I was pulling up to my office ... both sides of the street are just full, he said. We went from the normal 30 or so to maybe 150 or 200 people.

Alvarez experienced firsthand the beginning of the influx of immigrants to Denver, which led to a scramble for nonprofits and local governments in the metro area, as thousands more arrived in need of help.

Since December 2022, nearly 40,000 immigrants  who illegally crossed Americas southern border  arrived in Denver, a sanctuary city where officials decided earlier in the crisis to provide shelter, feed and transport immigrants to their final destination.

That decision has come at a staggering cost  more than $42 million, and counting. To date, the state and federal government have reimbursed Denver roughly $14 million, with the rest of the cost borne by the citys taxpayers.

Denver is surrounded by counties and cities that, like Aurora, have deliberately avoided being tagged with a sanctuary status. Some, worried about getting saddled with the costs after seeing whats unfolding in Denver, have gone further to try and deter immigrants from coming into their territories.

Nonprofit leaders said that stance has left those operating in Denvers surrounding communities scrambling to help the immigrants  and to sustain that help.

Others inferred, though they didnt it say it outright, that Denvers welcoming stance  Mayor Mike Johnston has always reiterated the city will do its best to help the immigrants, as opposed to signaling he doesnt want them arriving in the city  is the problem, as it is attracting immigrants to the Front Range and the crisis is then spilling over into nearby localities.

An overflowing bathtub

Douglas County, just south of Denver, adopted a resolution in October with this message to the rest of the region: Douglas County is not a sheltering solution to Denvers migrant population crisis.

The resolution affirmed that the county is not a sanctuary jurisdiction and called on cities and counties in the metro area, including Denver, to publicly do the same.

Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon compared the immigrant situation in the metro area to a bathtub overflowing with water and arguing the call has been to spend money on towels and mops.

Lets start by turning off the faucet, Laydon said. Until very strong communications and messaging is made in Texas and at the border that the Denver metro area is not a sanctuary area, unfortunately that faucet is going to continue to run.

The metro area is facing a massive affordability crisis, Laydon said, adding thats already making it difficult for people who live in the region to find housing.

Being a beacon to 40,000 people and saying come here when we already cant find housing for people is really challenging, Laydon said.

While Denver is a sanctuary city, most of the surrounding jurisdictions are not, he noted.

Generally speaking, a sanctuary city is a designation given to municipalities and counties that establish policies to discourage local law enforcement from reporting an individuals immigration status to federal authorities.

Compassion and refusing to declare sanctuary are not mutually exclusive, said Laydon, the Douglas County commissioner.

Its okay to say were going to enforce federal immigration law and do right by those who are coming here legally and trying to be self sufficient, he said. We also have to recognize limited resources.

Policy decisions created the situationDenvers illegal immigration crisis has affected other jurisdictions resources, and now local governments are deliberately and very publicly backing away from the sanctuary label, arguing they dont have the resources to help people.

Auroras councilmembers passed a resolution in February stating exactly that.

As amended, Auroras new resolution affirms the citys non-sanctuary status, asserting that the city does not currently have the financial capacity to fund new services related to this crisis. The resolution demands that nonprofits and municipalities should coordinate with Auroras officials before bringing immigrants into the city.

The resolution is symbolic. Since the statement is a resolution  not an ordinance  it has no enforcement mechanism, City Attorney George Koumantakis noted.

In Colorado Springs, the city council also approved a largely symbolic resolution that reaffirms it is not a sanctuary city in the hopes of discouraging immigrants from heading south from Denver.

Colorado Springs City Council President Randy Helms, supported the measure, saying he believes  as officials at the southern border do  that being welcoming has welcomed the immigrant influx.

When you offer someone free transportation, free shelter, I think its only human nature people would be drawn to that, Helms said.

Helms added: Denver is going through a struggle and are going through a crisis. We just dont want that crisis here.

El Paso County Commissioner Carrie Geitner agreed.

I dont think people want to recognize that their policy decisions created the situation that theyre in, Geitner said.

The nonprofit response

In response to the spillover from Denver, Mateos Alvarez from the Economic Opportunity Coalition started the Migrant Response Network, a collection of nonprofits that have joined together to help each other out.

In Aurora, the situation for nonprofits is different than in Denver. While Denver is a county, city and has declared itself a sanctuary city, in Aurora, thats not the case at all, Alvarez said.

From our standpoint, we have a city council and a mayors office who said its not going to help, he said. We have two counties who point the finger at each other and say, Youre responsible. 

And then our elected officials at the state level took awhile to respond to cries for help, he said.

The Migrant Response Network and fellow nonprofit Village Exchange Center wrote a letter to Colorados U.S. senators, who then sent a letter to FEMA asking for northwest Aurora to be included in the next round of funding.

Thats important because we have not gotten any funding from any city, county or state, Alvarez said.

Alvarez said the nonprofits launched the Migrant Response Network because they believe the influx of immigrants is a public health issue, and they arent getting any help from the city or county.

So, we turned inward as nonprofits, he said. We need help. This isnt just a Denver thing because theyre landing in Denver, but theyre migrating their way or walking their way over to us.

Featured Local Savings

His organization called the first meeting of the Network in January 2023 and about 15 or 20 nonprofits showed up. Now, up to 180 entities have joined.

To my surprise, we werent the only ones going through it, he said. All of our food banks in and around northwest Aurora were just being decimated.

Amanda Blaurock at Village Exchange Center said the influx changed her organizations function drastically. Notably, the influx means its food pantry went from 200 families to 700 families. It also required the group to start having security guards due to the number of people showing up at their door.

Because of the organizations location, just a few blocks from the border of Denver, its often the first stop when people enter Aurora seeking services, she said.

What is a sanctuary city?

The practical effect of a city declaring itself a sanctuary city is that the communication between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement is interrupted to some extent, according to Violeta Chapin, a clinical professor of law and associate dean for community and culture at the University of Colorado Boulder.

What that meant, and what thats typically meant in the term sanctuary city, is that local law enforcement are not going to take proactive measures to contact immigration enforcement to make them aware of immigrants in their midst, said Chapin, who has been a lawyer for 22 years and on the faculty at CU for 14 years, specializing in immigration law. Theres just not going to be sort of this proactive cooperation of state authorities with immigration authorities.

A jurisdiction declaring itself sanctuary doesnt mean Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents cant be there, she said.

In 2013, Colorado passed legislation allowing undocumented residents to get a drivers license with the idea that states are in charge of the safety of their roads and would prefer to know people are taking driving tests and have insurance.

In the same year, lawmakers passed legislation allowing undocumented high school graduates to have access to in-state tuition to Colorado schools as long as they met residency requirements.

Whether or not the designation sways people to go to a certain place really varies based on access to information, Chapin said. While a lot of people have access to information and an understanding of what sanctuary cities are, a lot of others dont have that capacity.

Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas and Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida have been explicit about the fact that they are sending migrants to sanctuary cities, according to Chapin said.

Officials from El Paso, Texas, recently told The Denver Gazette that Denver would not have been facing the crisis without the promise of free shelter and onward travel, calling it a pull factor.

Theres a pull factor created by this, and the policies in Denver for paying for onward destinations, said one El Paso official.

And a review of the timeline of immigrants coming to Denver do not fully support blaming Abbott.

While the Republican governor has relished busing immigrants to so-called sanctuary cities, Denver wasnt one of them initially. Abbott didnt begin busing immigrants to Colorado  according to the governors office  until May 18, 2023.

Thats roughly six months after Denver began experiencing immigrant surges. Indeed, the day before Abbotts first bus arrived in Denver last spring, the city had already received 10,058 immigrants, city data shows.

Chapin said theres a silver lining to all these  it has made the country collectively think about what it means to share the burden of illegal immigration.

Its not fair to focus that burden on border states just because they are geographically contiguous. This needs to be something that all of us are sort of working on, Chapin said. To some extent its been an important way to get the states to start collectively talking about how we can move our federal government to help us resolve this crisis.

Denver has certainly tried really hard, Chapin said.

I think its super important for them to continue to press the federal government to be like, This is your problem and you are failing to address it,  Chapin said.

Not officially accepting immigrants at this time

Many of the large cities and counties in the metro area adopted resolutions or statements in an attempt to sway immigrants from moving into their jurisdictions.

Lakewood

Just to Denvers west, officials in Lakewood met with Denver City and County officials to better understand the crisis and talk through options for collaboration.

Lakewood agreed to help Denver manage its crisis in ways that wouldnt tap its own resources. Its council has not met  and does not plan  to discuss making Lakewood a sanctuary city.

In the spirit of being a good neighbor, Lakewood officials agreed to add Denvers immigrant resource information to its website and assist in communicating volunteer opportunities for residents who may want to help.

Arvada

Arvada, located northwest of Denver, does not have the resources to provide shelter and other services to immigrants, according to city spokesperson Rachael Kuroiwa.

The city recognizes the challenges associated with the migrant arrivals to the Denver metro area, Kuroiwa said. Arvada also recognize that immigrants are lawfully free to move around the state for services, but the city is not equipped to assist them, she said.

The Arvada City Council has not made any action related to the immigration influx, but the city encourages community members who want to voice their perspectives on immigration policy to contact their federal representatives.

Centennial

The City of Centennial continues to monitor the migrant situation in the metro area via the Arapahoe County Office of Emergency Management, city spokesperson Allison Wittern told The Denver Gazette. The city currently does not have the resources to assist in sheltering immigrants, Wittern said.

Arapahoe County

Southeast of Denver and encompassing several cities including Centennial and Aurora, Arapahoe County is working with local and state leaders to identify regional approaches to the crisis, according to spokesperson Anders Nelson.

Funding is the biggest hurdle, Nelson said, as federal and state funds are constrained by statute and prevent the county from serving undocumented migrants.

While commissioners work on better solutions, the county currently refers migrant needs to community partners and any existing county services they are eligible for, Nelson said.

Adams County

County spokesperson Nikki Kimbleton told The Denver Gazette the local government is not officially accepting immigrants at this time.

Jefferson County

Jefferson County did not reply to requests for information about its response to the immigrant crisis.
Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) accepted a $10 million donation from local philanthropists Gina and Frank Day for the expansion if its Health Institute, a significant move in a time when Colorado is facing a gap in its healthcare workforce.

The Days donation, announced Monday, marks the largest philanthropic gift in the universitys history and will go toward new facilities and technology for training students to prepare for in-demand fields like nursing, nutrition, behavioral health, speech-language pathology and social work.

A major part of the universitys expansion includes the Health Institute Tower, a 70,000 square-foot, six-story facility that is expected to increase enrollment in health programs by 25% over the next year, according to a news release.

It will also connect to new health simulation laboratories under construction at the Auraria Campus West Classroom building. The labs are scheduled to open this fall.

MSU Denvers Health Institute was established in 2018 and will now be named after the donors, becoming the Gina and Frank Day Health Institute.

It is a collaboration of 10 departments across the university that serve students going into health-related fields, according to Emily Matuseqicz, MSU Denvers Health Institute director.

The donation comes during a time when Colorado is in need of more healthcare workers. Of the states 64 counties, 59 have regions federally named health-professional shortage areas, according to the news release.

The shortage existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, which only heightened the need for healthcare workers, Matuseqicz told The Denver Gazette.

In an effort to fill the healthcare gap, Colorado state leaders recently unveiled an infrastructure bill that would fund construction of health-education facilities at higher education institutions statewide, including at MSU Denver.

The pending legislation creates a certificates of participation to fund infrastructure projects at Colorado State University, University of Northern Colorado, MSU Denver, and Trinidad State College.

While the university will likely get money from the bill, that funding wont cover the entire cost of their institutes expansion, which is where the Days contribution comes in.

The expansion will build on the universitys goal to give students a wealth of hands-on experience as part of their education, Matuseqicz said.

We want to make the pathways for students as easy as possible for them to make their way into health-related fields, Matuseqicz said. We want them to come to our institution and have the support that they need.

A large portion of MSU Denvers student population is unconventional, meaning the average student age is about 25 and many of them are first-generation college students, transfer students and students working full-time, Matuseqicz said.

The growth in the universitys programs is expected to produce an additional 4,000 healthcare providers of color by 2030, she said.

We know that our institution matches the demographics of Colorado and its growth, she said. We also know the difference it makes when you have a practitioner who might look like you or have some of the same lived experience as you do.

Currently, they have to turn away about 150 qualified applicants each year due to capacity constraints, Matuseqicz said. The expansion will mean they can bring in more qualified students and really build a diverse healthcare workforce going forward.

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This is not the first time the Days have donated to the university. In 2014, the pair gifted $1.5 million to MSU Denvers School of Hospitality, helping them establish a Hospitality Industry Leadership major and the Day Leadership Academy.

Gina Day has a history in healthcare, holding a degree in medical technology and having worked for Boulder Community Health and the Boulder Peoples Clinic, now CLINICA.

Frank Days tie to healthcare dates back a decade, when he was diagnosed with stage-4 bladder cancer. Day was treated at the Arizona Mayo Clinic and says the chemo killed everything except me.

Frank Day is the founder of Concept Restaurants and restauranteur of over 80 properties, including Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom and Rock Bottom Brewery.

He said the students at MSU Denver have a different attitude toward education and work.

They go there because they want to, not because theyre sent there, he told The Denver Gazette Friday.

Their tuition is low, meaning they have students who generally cant afford other large universities, but that does not mean the quality of their education is poor, Day said.

Ive hired dozens of Metro students and, by and large, they stand out, he said. Some of our best employees have been people who have gone to Metro.

Gina Day agreed, saying MSU Denver students have work ethic and grit.

It makes the Days proud to know theyre helping students go into the health field and bettering their community that has given a lot to them, Gina Day said.

The contribution from the Days means a lot to the university, Matuseqicz said.

It really speaks to what everyone sees right now in terms of the critical nature of shortages in the health workforce, she said. For the state to know that there are donors out there willing to support this effort as well is huge.

Frank Day hopes their gift will make it easier for the legislature to continue to boost contributions to MSU Denver and attract more private donors, he said.

Looking toward the future, the university hopes to break ground on the tower in another 18 months, Matuseqicz said. After construction, ideally the facility would open in 2027.

The impact that this gift will have is truly enormous, Matuseqicz said. We make a lot happen here and for people to support that means a lot.

Denver Gazette reporter Marissa Ventrelli contributed to this report.
Gov. Jared Polis is flanked by Roosevelt Charter Academy Principal Kate Boyce, third from left, Colorado Springs School District 11 Superintendent Michael Gaal, and Roosevelt educators during the governors recent visit to the school.
In court documents, Corvallis police allege the Saturday, March 9 killing of a resident was the result of domestic violence and took place while the victim's children were at home.

A 34-year-old woman was allegedly fatally shot by her boyfriend in her Corvallis home, according to a news release from the Corvallis Police Department.

A Place to Sleep, episode 3: Corvallis Do unhoused people know where to go in Corvallis? Well, the city has outlined where they shouldn't be: near creeks, rivers, wetlands, sidewalks or within 20 feet of trees.

Vonetta Johnson died from an apparent gunshot wound to the head, according to authorities. Her sister, a 24-year-old Eugene resident, was shot in the head and shoulder but is expected to recover.

Two children at the home were reportedly unharmed.

Suspect Jerry Bruce Mitchell, 53, of Long Beach, California fled the area, Corvallis police allege.

Within hours, California Highway Patrol officers caught up to him just on the other side of the state border and arrested him. Mitchell is suspected of murder and attempted murder, among other allegations.

One of Johnsons children asked a neighbor to call for help after hearing gunshots and finding her mother and aunt bleeding on the kitchen floor of a duplex in the 1900 block of Northwest Highland Drive, according to a probable cause affidavit. The neighbor also reported hearing cracking noises like gunshots.

The child told the neighbor that Mitchell had gone crazy, the affidavit states, and she tried to have Siri call the police, but that didnt work, so she ran to get help.

Johnsons children later referred to Mitchell as grandpa in interviews with authorities, according to the affidavit.

Johnsons other child also called 911, according to the affidavit, which states a womans voice could be heard in the background of the call saying, Please say that mommy has been shot, and Its his aunt; weve both been shot, as well as, I cant move. Please hurry.

Although seriously wounded, Johnsons sister was able to tell responders that during her visit from out of town, Johnson and Mitchell had argued throughout the day, and the conflict flared up in the kitchen that evening, the affidavit states.

Confronting Mitchell over his treatment of Johnson, the sister alleged Mitchell pushed Johnson, who responded by telling him not to put his hands on her, according to the affidavit.

Mitchell allegedly then pulled out a 9 mm handgun and shot Johnson in the head, turning to her sister and saying, Look at what you made me do, and shooting her in the head and shoulder, the affidavit alleges.

The sister told police she didn't know Mitchell had a gun.

Johnsons sister reportedly underwent surgery for her wounds at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis. Surgeons said they didnt find a bullet or fragments in her head, indicating the gunshot was through and through, noting they found possible bullet fragments in her hair after surgery.

According to the affidavit, Mitchell is a convicted felon with a violent history in Oregon and California, including convictions for first-degree manslaughter, burglary, grand theft auto, assault with a firearm, felon possessing a firearm, and assault by a prisoner while serving time in a California prison.

Mitchell fled the scene in Johnsons white 2013 Ford Explorer, the affidavit states, but detectives tracked his cellular phone via pings to an area just south of Medford, more than three hours driving distance from the shooting scene. Subsequent pings showed Mitchell heading south on Interstate 5 toward California.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by becoming a subscriber today.

Locating the Explorer in the area of Yreka, California, law enforcement officers tried stopping Mitchell, but he refused, according to the affidavit, which states "intervention tactics were used to finally end the pursuit around midnight.

Corvallis police said the pursuit lasted 45 minutes and exceeded 100 mph at times.

A black 9 mm Smith & Wesson M&P pistol was found in the Explorer, according to the affidavit, with two bullets in the magazine and one in the chamber. Two 9 mm ammunition casings and one bullet were recovered from the shooting scene, the affidavit states.

Mitchell was reportedly booked at the Siskiyou County Jail pending extradition. He faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder, unlawful weapon use, and felon in possession of a firearm, according to court records.

Related story:
A woman is dead and another seriously injured after a shooting Saturday evening, March 9, in Corvallis.

Vonetta Johnson, 34, of Corvallis died from an apparent gunshot wound to the head, according to a news release from the Corvallis Police Department.

Johnsons sister, a 24-year-old Eugene resident, sustained serious injuries to her head and shoulder from a firearm, the news release states, noting she was taken to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. As of Monday, she was reported to be in stable but serious condition.

A Place to Sleep, episode 3: Corvallis Do unhoused people know where to go in Corvallis? Well, the city has outlined where they shouldn't be: near creeks, rivers, wetlands, sidewalks or within 20 feet of trees.

Police found the women on the kitchen floor of a residence at around 7:21 p.m. in the 1900 block of Northwest Highland Drive, the release states. Johnson's two minor children were reportedly home when the shooting happened but were not harmed.

On the way to the hospital, the injured woman identified the alleged shooter as Johnsons boyfriend  53-year-old Jerry Bruce Mitchell Sr. of Long Beach, California, according to the release, which states authorities leveraged several technologies to track Mitchell traveling south near Medford at around 10:48 p.m.

The California Highway Patrol found and arrested Mitchell following a 45-minute pursuit that exceeded 100 mph at times, the release states, apprehending Mitchell shortly after midnight. He was reportedly booked at the Siskiyou County Jail pending extradition.

Mitchell is facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder, unlawful weapon use, and felon in possession of a firearm, according to court records.

This story has been updated to include information about the arrest and fatal victim's name.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by becoming a subscriber today.
Fourteen guns were used in the Nov. 4 shooting in the parking lot of the Electric Tequila Bar and Grill on Battleground Avenue, Greensboro Police said Monday.

Police revealed those new details in a news release and said officers have recently arrested five people after more than 500 hours working on the case.

According to police, a large number of validated criminal street gang members and their associates attended a gathering hosted by the bar on that night.

Apparent gunfire struck multiple unoccupied vehicles, according to police. A 22-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man received treatment at local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.

Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan visited the business in the aftermath of the shooting and said a veteran police officer at the scene told her he had never seen so many bullet casings.

On Monday, police revealed that a total of 116 spent shell casings were submitted as evidence.

Police said the five people arrested and the charges they face are:

Khristian Lee Robbins, 21, armed to the terror of the public; discharge firearm in city limits

Aaron Alvester Hughes, 18, carry concealed gun; armed to the terror of the public; discharge firearm in city limits

Jahquez Ray, 22, larceny; armed to the terror of the public; discharge firearm in city limits

Rehman Arif, 40, resist, delay, obstruct a police investigation

Christopher Joseph Gnash, 38, resist, delay, obstruct a police investigation

As of Wednesday afternoon, Hughes was listed as an inmate in Guilford County. On Feb. 29, the day after he was arrested in the Electric Tequila case, he was charged with multiple other offenses, including trafficking opium or heroin, according to the Guilford Countys online inmate information. Bond for that was set at $400,000.

One day after the shooting, Alcohol Law Enforcement special agents arrested Electric Tequila Owner Bobby Lee Bullins and charged him with three misdemeanors: allowing affray to occur on the licensed premises, allowing controlled substance violations to occur on a licensed premise, and failing to superintend on a licensed premise, according to ALE.

He surrendered his ABC license on Nov. 7, also according to ALE.

Vaughan said the landlord canceled Electric Tequilas lease and took possession of the location.

Bullins has a court date on May 21, according to the North Carolina Judicial Branch website.
Happy Friday.

The slow-burning saga involving the resignation of City Manager Taiwo Jaiyeoba took another bizarre twist this Thursday when city officials couldnt agree about the cause.

One set of elected officials hinted earlier this week that Jaiyeoba had been asked to resign over an unspecified violation of city policy.

On Wednesday, Councilwoman Tammi Thurm told a colleague at The News & Record that Jaiyeoba resigned because of violations of city policy that have cost other employees their jobs. Other media outlets, including YES! Weekly and WXII 12, have reported that Mayor Nancy Vaughan said the same thing.

Smart speculators floated the idea that the manager had sought his own attorney  a prudent move considering the controversy over the citys handling of a domestic disturbance call at his home in December.

And yet Thursday, the city felt compelled to contradict its own elected officials, saying in writing that officials had not investigated Jaiyeoba for policy violations and could not determine whether he had in fact violated policy  whatever that may be.

The statement, per The News & Record, went on: Furthermore, the City of Greensboro is bound by strict protocols and state statutes regarding personnel privacy. As such, the City is legally unauthorized to disclose details surrounding the resignation of the City Manager or provide verification on the circumstances prompting his departure.

Only officialdom knows for sure  and theyre not saying  but thats the kind of exchange that often results when lawyers wade into a dispute.

The whole affair began when police were summoned to the managers house Dec. 28 for a 911 call about domestic disturbance. Police said that Jaiyyeobas adult daughters were involved and reported minor injuries.

No charges were filed, however, giving the appearance that the manager received preferential (and deferential) treatment.

Vaughan and Police Chief John Thompson swore that wasnt the case but opposed a judges order to release police body-cam footage that could clear that up.

That decision, by the way, has been appealed.

Then came this weeks dispute over Jaiyeobas resignation  developments that made a bad look appear worse.

Councilman Zack Matheny waded in Thursday and called for another investigation.

Two lessons can be learned  or relearned  from these developments.

First and foremost, transparency from the outset about the incident at the managers home and the unnecessary fight over the release of body cam footage easily could have averted a lot of trouble. Sunlight is the best disinfectant after all.

And second, as anyone whos ever watched Law & Order can tell you, if city officials were going to talk about Jaiyeobas resignation, they perhaps needed to get their story straight first.

Unforgettable cooking aromas

Perhaps more than familiar and old photos, aroma transports Brenda Sloan back in time to her childhood growing up on 20th Street.

A handful of families lived on the block near Thurmond Streets during the 40s and 50s. The adults were neighborly and the kids naturally became friends. People looked out for one another, and a tight-knit community formed around common experiences.

But it was the culinary talent of one man, Adam Scott, a preacher from Goldsboro, that ultimately drew them closer.

When the Rev. Scott cooked, we could smell it all over the hill, Sloan said. You could just about taste it. We all waited to hear him call out, Its ready.

Time moved on, the way it always does, and the families mostly scattered. But the memories  especially of that aroma  remained strong.

Sloan kept in touch with Ava Scott, the youngest of the Scott kids, and a series of recent events in a long friendship led them back to all things barbecue.

As legend  and longtime residents  have it, the Rev. Scott moved to Winston with his family at the behest of some of the citys most famous residents.

The Reynolds and the Hanes, to be specific.

According to the N.C. African American Heritage Association, the young Rev. Scott operated a restaurant in Goldsboro called Scotts Barbecue  also known variously as Scotts Famous Barbeque, Scotts Cafe or the Scottereta.

He began by selling barbecue slathered in his own secret sauce out of the back door to primarily white customers.

As word of his creation spread, he enclosed the porch and turned it into a restaurant; its reputation grew to the point where Scotts Barbecue rated a listing in the Green Book  a travel guide that told African Americans where they might stay (and dine) in the segregated South.

As the business was taking off, Scott was lured to Winston-Salem to cook for a few private clients. A son stayed in Goldsboro to run three restaurants and a company that sold sauce.

After settling on 20th Street, Scott and his wife, Adele, a gifted piano teacher, welcomed Ava into the family as he turned his attention to cooking for his clients.

Daddy always overcooked whenever he was catering, Ava Scott said.

It was by design. He wanted to take care of his neighbors, too, and not sharing barbecue after the aroma had wafted down the block could have been considered culinary torture.

Thats just who he was, Ava Scott said.

Despite an age gap of 20 years, Ava Scott and Sloan built a strong friendship. Big sister Brenda, Sloan said with a laugh.

So when Sloan learned that Ava, whod moved to Florida with her mother, had launched a business selling her fathers sauces, she couldnt wait to tell others.

I told her Id bet there are people in Winston-Salem who remember the Rev. Scott, Sloan said. And they need to know that his legacy is living.

Ava Scott started down the path into the family business when her mom gave her a copy of the Rev. Scotts secret recipe.

She framed it as a keepsake, and following her mothers death in 2020 she began thinking about making the sauce herself. She gave it a shot in 2022.

I dont know if it was her voice or a higher power, but there I was in the kitchen trying to make it on my own, Ava Scott said.

After an initial one-batch success, she decided to go one step further. She ordered glass bottles, labels and launched a kitchen table business that she calls her birthright.

She has several different flavors  mango, peach and the like  and barbecue sauces with such names as Adams Fire Hot Sauce and A Taste of Carolina.

(Following the death of her older brother, Ava Scotts nephews remained in the sauce business, too, by selling Scotts Barbecue Sauce.)

I just want to carry on my fathers legacy and make sure its true to his wishes, Ava Scott said.

Thats good enough for Big Sister Brenda Sloan. She never forgot the aroma and the tastes from her childhood.

I tried barbecue all over looking for something close, she said. I was always disappointed because I was looking for the same taste. His sauces made it (special.)
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Fiesta Table Video Demonstrations

Description

A variation of the more well-known Mexican tamale, this Chamorro version is characterized by its distinctive half white-half orange coloration.

History

Origin

In 1819 French explorer Louis Freycinet described a traditional way of preparing the local tamales from a bouillie (puree) of maize known as atole mixed with pork or chicken, pimento, tomatoes and lard, as well as achote. These ingredients were then cooked in an oven and served on a banana leaf. It was a food served only on special occasions and with great ceremony.

The tamales gisu itself is made of corn meal and masa harina (corn flour) but each half is flavored differently. The orange half is colored by achote (annatto) seed extract and flavored with meat such as bacon or chicken. The white half represents the starch portion of the tamale and has no distinctive meat-flavor. Unlike Mexican tamales, which are wrapped in corn husks, tamales gisu are often presented at the fiesta table wrapped in aluminum foil or banana leaves.

Evolution

Tamales are traditionally made from corn. Throughout the Spanish era and even before World War II, corn was a major crop in the Marianas, occupying large parts of cultivated land. Corn was introduced to the islands by Spanish missionaries shortly after regular visits from Mexico to the Philippines began, and it quickly replaced other local food items. The corn was grown communally, and harvested at the end of June. Husking parties with friends and neighbors were occasions to tell stories and jokes, and turn a tedious chore into a good time. The corn would be husked and the grains left to dry on mats. Later, the corn would be ground using a mitate or grinding stone (a tool also appropriated from Mexican culture).

The most popular use for ground corn was in the production of titiyas (tortilla), but corn was also boiled or roasted on the cob, or boiled with coconut milk. It is not clear when exactly Chamorros used the ground corn to form tamales, but presumably the same influences from Mexico that led to titiyas also led to the production of tamales as a popular food item.

The presence of a similar version of tamales in the Philippines (including the orange/white color) suggests that ideas about flavoring, preparation and presentation were shared as people traveled along the Manila-Acapulco-Marianas trade route. The annatto seeds used to color the tamales are from the pods of the Bixa orellana plant, which is found in many parts of Latin America and the Carribean, and is also used as a food coloring in those places.

Preparation

The white and orange parts of tamales gisu are formed separately, then wrapped together in a banana leaf, or more commonly, aluminum foil, and steamed. Served warm, tamales gisu makes a delicious side dish at the Chamorro fiesta table.

Placement on table

Tamales gisu falls into the traditional Chamorro food category of aggon, and is placed at the head of the table after the rice, bread and other starches. Other forms of tamales  mendioka (tapioca) or suni (taro) are sweet, therefore placed in the dessert section.

Recipe

Tamales Gisu: Red and White Tamales

Red portion:

 cup bacon, chopped

 cup garlic, chopped

 cup onions, chopped

Saute ingredients above and set aside. Mix the following ingredients in a separate bowl and add to the red portion, making it into a paste. Set aside.

2 cups achote (annatto) water*

2 cups cornstarch

2 cups of cornmeal

* Achote water is made by soaking annatto seeds in water. Annatto powder, produced in the Philippines is now available in stores.

White portion:

 cup bacon, chopped

 cup garlic, chopped

 cup onions, chopped

Saute above ingredients and set aside. Mix the following ingredients and add to the white portion to make a paste.

2 cups masa harina (Mexican flour)

2 cups cornstarch water

Cut up foil into serving sized pieces and pour mixture (red and white portion side by side), fold foil, wrapping each tamale and freeze.

Steam before serving.

* Recipe by Judith Guthertz from Lepblon Finatinas Para Guam: Guam Cookbook, 1985.
DECATUR  Police say celebrations at a Decatur home to mark a mans acceptance into the Army took a dangerous turn when a 15-year-old friend had the barrel of a loaded gun pressed against his head during an argument.

Christopher M. Johnson, the husband of the Army recruits cousin, is accused of wielding the gun and now is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The 32-year-old defendant, who has yet to enter formal pleas, appeared in Macon County Circuit Court March 5 and was denied pretrial release. Judge Lindsey Shelton said he posed too much of a risk to the public and ordered him held in the Macon County Jail.

A sworn affidavit from Decatur police said the incident dates to just after midnight Jan. 14 while the celebration was going on at a house in the 700 block of West Grand Avenue.

The affidavit, signed by officer Tanner Brummitt, quoted the 15-year-old victim as saying an argument erupted and a man, later identified as Johnson, had pushed a handgun against the temple of his forehead.

The new recruit had confirmed his friends version of events and said Johnson had earlier been showing off a small black handgun inside the house.

Brummitt said arriving officers had searched the home and seized a handgun from the bedroom Johnson shares with his wife.

Johnson was found and arrested March 4.

Court records show the defendant had been sentenced to 24 months on probation in October 2015 after pleading guilty to domestic battery and was ordered to complete an anger management program. In November 2017 he was sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting violating his probation terms.

As a felon, he is not allowed to possess a gun.

Johnson is due back in court March 20 for a preliminary hearing on the latest charges.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park
DECATUR  Edward K. Ellis, the Decatur man who shot himself in the foot with a sawn-off shotgun, has been sent to prison for 14 years.

The 32-year-old defendant appeared in Macon County Circuit Court on March 7 and took a plea deal that saw him admit to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Further charges of being an armed habitual criminal and being in possession of a shotgun with illegally shortened barrels were dismissed by Presiding Judge Thomas Griffith.

The weapons charges date to 6:40 a.m. on Feb. 2 when arriving patrol cops found Ellis lying on the ground in agony at the intersection of Nickey Avenue and Spruce Street.

A sworn affidavit filed by Decatur police said Ellis had tried to spin them a story about being gunned down by an unknown assailant in the area of East Grand Avenue and Brush College Road. He then claimed he had limped away and collapsed where the cops had found him. But the story began to unravel when police got to see the angle of the wound to the defendants right foot. The cops said it was obvious that Ellis had blasted himself rather than being shot by somebody else.

The picture got worse for Ellis when officers checked with his girlfriend and found out he kept a sawn-off shotgun in their home and she confirmed it was missing from its usual spot by the bedroom dresser. She also said they had argued the night before the shooting and Ellis had walked out.

Decatur Police Department officers used a K9 to track from the area where Edward had been found, said Officer Brian Allison, who signed the affidavit.

Officers were led to 4303 East Glenwood Avenue; this is about a block east of where Edward had been found. Officers then found a Riverside Arms 12 gauge double-barreled shotgun  in the shotgun were two fired cartridges. The stock and the barrels of the shotgun had been cut. The barrels were 11 inches long.

Ellis also was sentenced at the same court appearance after admitting an unrelated charge of forgery. Griffith handed down a sentence of four years but said this would run concurrently with the 14-year punishment. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution to the forgery victim of $2,297.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park
DECATUR  Armani O. Boston is accused of being part of a group who stormed a woman's Decatur home and beat her because they believed she may have assisted with a double murder, police report.

A sworn Decatur police affidavit said the home invasion in the 800 block of South Webster Street dates to July 21 and came in the wake of the slaying earlier that day of Karlondus Thomas, 19, and 30-year-old Andrell ONeal.

Their bodies had been found in a car parked near the womans home just after 5 a.m. The affidavit accuses Boston, 23, of being part of a group of several women who burst into the female victims home around 8 p.m. that day and attacked her.

Officer Lucas Bledsoe, who signed the affidavit, said police had arrived to find the victim with her shirt stained with blood and a bleeding wound to her bottom lip as well as a swollen left eye.

(The victim) said she was not able to identify everyone involved but advised that one of the individuals was Armani O. Boston, Bledsoe said.

The victim explained that a male friend of hers, understood to be Karlondus Thomas, had been brought over to her house after being killed.

(The victim) said several of the family members of the individual that was murdered believed that she had some kind of knowledge of the murder and believed she might have assisted in it, Bledsoe said.

Police had used a Facebook profile to confirm Boston's identity and she was tracked down and arrested March 4. She appeared in Macon County Circuit Court the following day on charges of home invasion causing injury and criminal trespass; she has yet to enter formal pleas.

Boston was granted pretrial release on conditions that include staying away from the victim and staying out of trouble. She is due back in court for a preliminary hearing March 27.

Raheim D. Davis has been charged with the murders of Thomas and ONeal. Davis is accused of killing them with multiple gunshots after they had been sitting together in a car drinking outside Davis home in the 900 block of West View Street.

Police reports said Davis had suddenly told the two victims he was heading back to his home to get more alcohol. But when he returned to the vehicle he was armed with a gun and opened fire.

According to police, a 24-year-old man who had also been present and was left alive in the car amid the bloody homicide scene said he was told by Davis: Youre good. Take them to the hospital.

The 24-year-old said Thomas, still in the process of dying, gasped for air and asked Davis "Why me?" The witness said Davis response was to open the car door and fire multiple additional shots inside the vehicle.

But instead of driving straight to the hospital, police describe the witness as heading over to the 800 block of South Webster street because he did not know what to do.

Davis denies the double murder charges and is being held at the Macon County Jail. He appeared for a pretrial hearing March 7 and is due back in court May 2.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park
SPRINGFIELD  Two Republicans are running to replace retiring state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, in the primary election to be held March 19.

Regan Deering, a Mount Zion school board member who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2022; and Chuck Erickson, a longtime McLean County Board member, are competing to represent the largely rural district.

The district includes all or portions of DeWitt, Livingston, Macon, McLean and Piatt counties. It reaches the outskirts of Bloomington and Decatur but does not penetrate the urban core. It is considered a safe Republican seat, meaning the primary is tantamount to the general election.

The pair are not far apart on the issues, with each espousing conservative positions across the board. But their backgrounds and experiences provide voters a distinct choice when they cast their ballots.

Erickson is an attorney who specializes in business law and estate planning. He has served on the McLean County Board since 2011 and served a stint as McLean County Republican Party chairman from 2014 to 2018.

Deering is a philanthropist and small business owner who was elected to the Mount Zion school board in 2023. It came just months after she lost a congressional contest to now-Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield. Less than two months after being sworn in to her first elected office, she announced her campaign for the statehouse.

Erickson criticized Deering for "running for office continuously," adding that she has "no government experience" compared to the more than 12 years he has put in at the county level.

"My life experiences, my background and my experience in government make me more qualified than my (opponent)," Erickson said. "If being nothing more than a perennial candidate for office is a qualification for this position, then I will lose that battle. If being an actual public servant that... has a conservative voting record is the qualification for the office, then I win this battle."

Deering dismissed such criticism, however, saying she is "not just gonna sit around and wait for somebody to tell me what to do or wait my turn."

"We all can see what's at stake this election cycle and in my career and in my personal life, I have been trying to find ways to serve my community," Deering said. "And when I see a challenge, I step up to it and I try and find a way to give back and build up my community."

Deering, a member of the family that ran Archer Daniels Midland for more than 40 years, is president of the board of directors of the Northeast Community Fund, an organization that serves low-income Decatur families.

She said, if elected, a focus for her will be "working towards financial security for Illinoisans."

"We've got to lower our taxes and work on some reforms," she said, though declining to offer specific policy proposals.

Erickson said similarly that he will be "an advocate for the taxpayer," calling them "the interest group that is always forgotten" in Springfield.

He also pointed to immigration as a concern, especially with Illinois being inundated with the arrival of asylum-seeking migrants bused here from the border by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Erickson was at the center of controversy in early January when he introduced a resolution at the county board stating that McLean County would deny services to migrants sent to the county from another city or state.

After two hours of heated debate, the non-binding resolution was soundly defeated by the full county board. Many called the proposal dishonest and accused Erickson of political grandstanding in an attempt to drum up support among conservative voters for his statehouse campaign.

Erickson denied this, saying he was just representing the views of his county board district constituents.

"In my view, those people want an advocate for their taxpayer dollars," Erickson said. "And I felt my resolution was advocating for how they want their taxpayer dollars spent."

The race between Erickson and Deering can also be viewed as a classic Bloomington-versus-Decatur clash of political clout.

Deering has the backing of Decatur's Caulkins while Erickson has several McLean County GOP power players in his corner, including former state Rep. Dan Brady and former state Sen. Bill Brady.

McLean County contains more than half the district's population; Macon County is just over one-quarter.

But Deering has a significant financial advantage, having more than $76,000 cash on hand at the beginning of the year compared to Erikson's nearly $27,000. In the months since, Deering has added more than $34,000 to her coffers while Erickson added just $3,793.

Deering and her husband, Brian, have each donated $15,000 to her campaign. Deering's mother Sally Andreas and conservative megadonor Richard Uihlein each contributed $6,900 as well.

Erickson has donated more than $4,000 to his campaign since it begin last August.

Another contrast between the two could be on approach to the job. Though a conservative, Erickson said he would be willing to work with Democrats if it made sense, pointing to how he has operated on the McLean County Board, which currently has a 10-10 split between Democrats and Republicans.

"I think they want someone who is a common-sense conservative," Erickson said. "You go down to Springfield, and yes, you stand up to the Democrats when you have to. And there's a lot of things you have to stand up to them for. But you can't take the position that you can never talk to one."

Deering, whose political awakening took place in 2021 when she spoke against mask mandates in schools at a Mount Zion school board meeting, indicated that she will more emulate the approach of firebrands like Caulkins. She said "we've got to give courage to Republicans to stand on our platform."

"One-party rule by the Democrats in Illinois has been destroying this state for many years, and compromise has not gotten us very far as far as the Republican Party," Deering said. "I mean, my commitment to the citizens of the 88th is to advocate for their concerns and their issues: lowering taxes, making sure we've got great public education, defending our conservative values and our constitutional rights, and that's what I'm going to show up and do everyday in Springfield."

The primary election is March 19.
A second child staying at the citys largest migrant shelter in Pilsen 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.

Photos: Migrant families leave NYC shelters under eviction notice
ABINGDON, Va.  Tourism officials in Abingdon are gearing up for the impending summer season with some new marketing ideas.

That includes a new digital map of the towns old and historic district that can be downloaded, according to Chad Thompson, the marketing coordinator for the towns tourism department.

People who may have trouble walking the sidewalks due to disabilities, can simply use a GPS and drive their cars to the destinations that they want to see, Thompson said.

That makes the guide an interactive experience as well, Thompson added.

This new tour guide features GPS coordinates, Thompson said.

That way, more people can experience it, Thompson said. Weve got a heavy focus on technology and updating our marketing materials.

Thompson addressed Abingdon Town Council on March 4, along with Tonya Triplett, the towns director of economic development and tourism.

A revamped website will also feature a blend of Abingdons arts culture, recreation, history, food and drink, Thompson told town council.

The tourism department recently partnered with the Barter Theatre and the Virginia Highlands Festival to advertise in Our State, a regional magazine celebrating the history and beauty of North Carolina, Triplett told the town council.

It hits all of our important parts of North Carolina that we know visitors are coming from, Triplett said.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.  The arrival of spring brings the reopening of the Tennessee Valley Authoritys seasonal campgrounds on March 15, and the return of staff to visitor centers on April 6.

TVA has more than 80 public recreation areas, including campgrounds, day-use areas and boat ramps throughout the Tennessee Valley, according to a written statement. In 2023, visitors stayed a total of 45,000 nights at six TVA-developed campgrounds.

They include Cherokee Dam Reservation in Jefferson City, Tenn.; Douglas Dam Headwater and Douglas Dam Tailwater Reservation near Sevierville, Tenn.; Melton Hill Dam Reservation near Lenoir City, Tenn.; Pickwick Dam Reservation near Savannah, Tenn.; Watauga Dam Reservation near Elizabethton, Tenn.

Full details of all camping fees and policies can be found on TVAs camping website or on the Vista Recreation website at camprrm.com.

Camping may require reservations and fees for overnight stays. Most campsites are capable of accommodating tents, pop-up trailers and recreational vehicles. Each campground provides restrooms, potable water, showers, grills, picnic tables, RV dump stations and access to nearby boating and fishing.

TVA has eight dams with visitor centers featuring displays that highlight more than 90 years of TVA history, provide information about the site you are visiting, and showcase how TVA serves the people of the Valley today.

The following four centers open April 6, and are staffed with friendly TVA retirees to answer questions and provide a firsthand experience of the TVA story.

Norris Dam  located off Interstate 75, Exit 122 north of Knoxville. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The visitor center overlooks the powerhouse, Norris Reservoir and a marina. Open April 1  Nov. 19.

Kentucky Dam  located off U.S. Highway 62 east coming from Paducah, Ky., or west from Clarksville, Tenn., operates 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center provides information about TVAs longest dam

and the reservoir  which stretches for 184 miles across Kentucky and Tennessee and is the largest in the eastern U.S. Open April 1  October 29.

Fontana Dam  located off N.C. Highway 28 near the Tennessee border. Operating hours are posted on the website. The center is also a stop on the Appalachian Trail with a shelter, showers, and public restrooms. Open April  October 29.

Raccoon Mountain  Located off Raccoon Mountain Road near U.S. Highway 64/72 west of Chattanooga and will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The centers overlook offers a spectacular view of a narrow gorge on the river. The Laurel Point recreation area is open year-round.
A giant-sized thumbtack sculpture valued at $40,000-$50,000 has been returned to a Hickory art gallery more than a week after it was stolen, according to the creator Hunter Speagle.

The 10-foot sculpture is a staple of the ATAC Gallery. The 40-pound bright red thumbtack was taken from the front of the gallery on the night of Feb. 27 and returned around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Speagle said.

No arrests have been made as of Monday, the Hickory Police Department said.

In surveillance footage from neighboring shops, a red Jeep pulls up in front of the ATAC Gallery on Feb. 27. Two individuals are seen carrying a large red object that looks like the sculpture. As the Jeep pulls away, a piece of the object falls into the road.

The base of the sculpture was recovered by Speagle near Daves Trim Shop, he said on Feb. 28.

The needle and top of the tack were missing until they were left by the front entrance of the gallery on Tuesday, Speagle said.

The tip of the needle is still missing. The needle was returned covered in mud.

Looks like they shoved it in the ground, Speagle said. Like, you know, you would with a big tack.

Speagle plans to repair the thumbtack. He added that he may simply paint over the dents left in the foam to add to the sculptures story. Speagle said each dent in the thumbtack represents a place it has traveled.

Speagle said he is elated to have his beloved sculpture back. He said regardless of the market value, the piece was priceless to him. The thumbtack is not for sale.

Speagle said he made the large thumbtack in 2002 out of cardboard, sheets of foam and acrylic.

The sculpture has been displayed in cities such as Atlanta, Georgia, and Brooklyn, New York, Speagle said.

ATAC Gallery is at 1020 Third Ave. Drive, NW.

The Hickory Police Department is investigating the theft. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Hickory police at 828-328-5551.
Spearman Police Say Watts Case Is Still Actively Ongoing

Comment by Spearman Police Chief James Ortiz:



The Spearman Police Department search for Yancy Watts is still actively ongoing and we are more than dedicated in the effort until we know he has been found.



The department has Yancy currently entered into the law enforcement data systems known as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC), Missing Persons Clearing House (MPCH) through the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS), and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).



There are also a number of missing persons online resources that have been willing to assist and give aid in the search.



Although no official request has been submitted through these sites, we do appreciate the assistance in getting the word out and most have referenced the search by providing a QR Code or Website Link to one of the aforementioned agencies.



Joined by our neighboring agencies and several independent resources that are willing to provide assistance, we will continue the search.



Yancy is described as a white male, 21 years of age, 510 in height, weighing approximately 160 lbs., with blonde hair, blue eyes, and was last seen on June 23, 2023 in Spearman, TX.



If anyone has any information that could assist in locating Yancy, please contact the Spearman Police Department.



To read public comment by Klein Investigation click



Public Comment By Lead Investigator P. Klein :

We wanted to take a moment and let all of you know since our last post of our progress in Yancy's case. We have briefed the family this afternoon.



First, as we have told you, we have now ruled out Kansas and Oklahoma. We have spread over 1,000 BOLO's to the public and governments in these two states. As well, we have communicated with LEO's throughout the two states. We have NO evidence that shows Yancy in either state.



Second, we have moved the investigation back to the North Texas area. We are developing tips sent to us over the past two weeks. It is VERY IMPORTANT that if you know something, you say something. We received 14 tips from our tip line in our office and on the net. Again, keep the tips coming! At least two have helped in the investigation.



Third, we did have some delay in the case due to the horrible fires in North Texas. We pray for those who have lost businesses and homes. God Bless you and keep you.



Again, we need the public to input any tips. You can do so by calling our tip line at 409-729-8798 x106 or sending us a DM on this site. WE READ THEM ALL.



We still deem this case solvable. We will have a public prayer session in Spearman in the weeks to come. You can meet us, and you can speak with us there if you wish.



Philip R. Klein - Lead Investigator






Uncontested Party Chairs Not Listed On Some Ballots No Issues With Contested Primary Races...



The Hill County Elections Commission met in a special session Monday afternoon, March 4, to discuss an issue with uncontested party chairs not being listed on initial ballots distributed to voters of both primaries.



Ballots used at the beginning of early voting and provided to those voting by mail did not include the names of Hill County Republican Party Chair Will Orr or Democratic Party Chair Thom Hanson. While neither had a challenger, those voters did not have the option to cast a vote in favor of their party chair.



The issue was corrected by the third day of early voting, according to information presented at Monday's meeting, and Elections Administrator Aaron Torres contacted Senior Staff Attorney Chuck Pinney with the Texas Secretary of State's Election Division and the county's election machine vendor, Hart Intercivic.



For the complete story, see the March 7 edition of The Reporter Newspaper.


"If we don't act now, future generations will wonder how digital computing was done." Photo: Shutterstock

From old Nintendo Games to digital artworks, a team of Australian archivists is working to preserve prime works while they still exist.

Curators, computer scientists and librarians have partnered with Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Swinburne University of Technology, and Griffith University Art Museum.

Leading the project is Melanie Swalwell, professor of Digital Media Heritage at Swinburne, who said preserving these creations has now become a matter of urgency.

The gravity stems from unstable media operating systems that are constantly being superseded.

What then happens is the software file that it has been made to run with often isnt supported by a new version and then has to be updated, Swalwell said.

The problem is that these born-digital artworks  art that originates in digital form, such as websites and digital photos  are on obsolete media, such as floppy disks and optical media, and rely on obsolete operating systems and hardware.

Born-digital content has not been traditionally valued once it becomes old, sometimes its because it was viewed as trivial or seen as too hard to preserve.

Components of born-digital bring special challenges:

 Magnetic computer disks suffer bit rot

 Computer hardware quickly becomes obsolete

 Software dependencies present special access challenges.

This makes opening legacy content quite challenging, and the artists involved in this work are getting older, Salwell said.

We are in a race against time to save as much digital heritage as possible and write the history of the past.

Prof Swalwell provides an example.

If an architect wants to renovate a building, they need access to a plan. If the plans require an obsolete version of software that is no longer supported, then how are they going to do this?

This is one of the challenges we are working to develop solutions to.

Collecting and preserving digital content has been put in the too hard basket, Swalwell said.

There has been a reluctance to conserve and make it accessible; many of our partner organisations didnt know how to do this.

So now we are in a position of having to play catchup.

How it is preserved

Regardless of whether it is a floppy or optical disk or cartridge, a disk image is made and then that content is emulated to make this accessible.

Emulation simulates the function of obsolete systems.

Its not just the physical storage media that presents challenges  obsolescence of computing environments is also a significant problem.

For instance, if a computer-aided design (CAD) file requires a particular version of AutoCAD 2000 which ran in Windows 95, then we need that to build environment by creating disk images of the utility software and the operating system, she said.

Prof Swalwell and her team are rolling out an EaaSI (Emulation as a Service Infrastructure) network between universities and cultural institutions.

EaaSI is a shared digital infrastructure that makes it possible to share configured legacy environments across the network.

The idea behind emulating born-digital content is to make currently inaccessible content available and accessible for our researchers.

To date, the digital team has completed three major Australian preservation projects.

The first project preserved 50 Australian computer games from the 1980s, while the other two include 32 artworks, and 50 games from the 1990s.

These are not just preservation projects, but history too. Its pretty hard to go back, if you dont have the access. We must have access to these titles if they are to be remembered.

Play it again, Sam

Formerly known as the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, ACMI is Australia's national museum of screen culture.

Based in Melbourne and funded by the Victorian Government, the museum has been collecting and preserving video and interactive art as well as a range of video games.

In 2012, ACMI partnered in the first of several Australian Research Council-funded research projects to develop ways to document, preserve and then present historical video games made in Australia and New Zealand.

Director and CEO of ACMI, Seb Chan, said part of these research projects has been technical  how to do the preservation, and the technologies to make old software playable again.

Another aspect of this has been about documenting the stories of makers and of players.

Its the combination of these approaches that makes this matter. We often display playable historical video games in our exhibitions, and they are immensely popular.

Older people reminisce about playing them as teenagers, and young people marvel at how difficult they are to play!

With a lot of contemporary creative practice and art made using software, a vast amount of this work requires digital preservation practices.

In 2022, ACMI made some Australian video games and interactive artworks from the 1990s playable in a web browser.

Participants can experience and play some of Australias favourite historical video games (via emulation) in ACMIs Story of the Moving Image Games Lab, or with EaaSI via ACMIs website on participants laptop or mobile devices.

Chan is delighted to hear from gallery staff who relay hearing many endearing conversations between grandparents, parents, carers, and children about video games on display.

For many people who have since grown up from the 1980s, games have been a significant part of their childhood and adolescence.

Even for young people today, video games are a huge part of their identity and how they think about the world.

Preservation and access

Whilst ACMI has more games and interactive art than is currently being preserved, Chan said that not all are available to play at this stage.

Sometimes this is because the technologies for playback are not yet developed, or that the work requires specific presentation methods such as VR headsets, or multiple screens or controllers.

Playable games are always on display for free in the Story of the Moving Image exhibition, and some titles are also playable on ACMIs wifi network for research purposes.

You can find playable games and interactive artworks on the ACMU website.

Thirty years of preservation

In January this year, the Australian Computer Museum Society (ACMS) turned 30.

Since that time, the member-based, not-for-profit organisation has been restoring and exhibiting computers, software, artwork and more.

ACMS president and preservationist, Adrian Franulovich said with much of the foundational history of computing occurring pre-millennium, there is little to no digital records held anywhere or online.

We need to act now to save valuable history.

This, coupled with the founding generation disappearing fast, is causing us to lose intricate and amazing skills and knowledge of early computing and how it was able to be exploited to do amazing things with major constraints. 

He believes the digital computing revolution of the last 70 years is likely to be the most important revolution in the existence of humankind.

If we dont act now, well be looking back in 20 or 200 or even 2000 years and wonder, how was all this digital computing done, similar to how generations today look back in wonder of how the Egyptians built pyramids!

Franulovich is keen for others to get involved in preservation. ACMS members attend workshops to share knowledge.

We provide workshops for members to share skills and restore both their computers and restore our equipment in a friendly environment. Theyre likeminded individuals who share their knowledge and experience inter-generationally.

He adds members have access to tools, projects and technology that they would generally only have ever dreamed about, because they are stored on the premises.

ACMS has Australias largest collection of mini computers, along with over a million sheets of documentation and thousands of disks and tapes to be imaged.

Currently we are cataloguing, restoring and piecing together thousands of artefacts.

Due to the sheer rarity, value and size of the items, many of the items we hold are potentially the last examples in the world.

Our largest single computer [IBM 1401 from 1958] weighs in at 785kg for the processing unit!

These items cant be housed by the general public and our organisation needs to be custodians of the hardware, software, periphery, and stories to educate new and future generations before its too late.
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Growing up in Okinawa, ice cream bars and popsicles were my go-to sweets during hot summer days.

While a double scoop or a soft serve was a special treat, a cold sweet on a stick offered a regular comfort food I could easily turn to whenever I needed a quick and (cheap) sugar rush.

All I had to do was to make a quick run to the drug store just 100 feet away from my home with a 100-yen coin in hand.

Another bonus was the possibility of winning another ice cream. Some popsicle brands stamp some sticks with the word  (bingo). If youre lucky and your popsicle stick has the stamp, you win another popsicle.

It wasnt only the icy treats sugar flavors that made me happy, but also the fun of knowing that I could win another. I was always anxious to get to the popsicle stick to see if it was a winner. (This get one, win one rule is still carried on by some brands today.)

More than four decades later, ice cream bars and popsicles continue to be very popular in Okinawa. At supermarket stores and convenience stores, I still see the same brands that I bought at that local drugstore. Of course, many new brands have also been introduced to offer more variety.

Listed below are some of the ice cream bars and popsicles that I like. Most of them have been around for a long time and might make Okinawans nostalgic.

Why not give them a try and satisfy your craving for cool sweets and test your luck?

*Prices vary depending upon each store. The numbers listed for the items below are what I saw at a local supermarket.

1. Homerun bar (338 yen plus tax for a box with 10 bars)

According to Nihon Ice Cream Kyokai (Japan Ice Cream Association), this was the first ice cream bar to introduce the (bingo) rule by mixing bars with printed words such as grand slam, homerun and hit.

Since its launch back in 1960, its popularity still holds today. This bar comes in different flavors like vanilla, chocolate, chocolate chip, strawberry, soda, and orange.

2. GariGarikun (68 yen plus tax)

This is arguably the most famous popsicle brand in Japan now. The brand name means Mr. GariGari or GariGari boy, which reminds consumers of the crunching sound when they eat a popsicle. It is also the name of its mascot, a cartoon boy with a big whopping mouth.

According to GariGairkun Archive, this character is an elementary school kid from Fukaya City in Saitama prefecture. He can turn into ShariShari kun, which probably refers to melting ice.

Since it went on sale in 1980, this has been loved by many kids and adults alike. GariGarikun comes in various flavors, including energy drink, cola, grapefruit, melon soda, etc. But my favorite is the most basic blue ramune soda flavor.

3. Big Suika Bar (98 yen plus tax)

Suika means watermelon in Japanese. As its name suggests, this popsicle looks exactly like a slice of the sweet summer melon. Its top portion is a red triangle, like real flesh, which includes watermelon juice, while the bottom portion is colored green, simulating the skin. To give complete the look, chocolate chips replicate the seeds.

Much like GariGarikun, this unique popsicle has its own mascot. Suikabaman is a hippopotamus superhero with a watermelon mask. Kaba means hippopotamus.

4. Yambaru Kuina chocolate flavor (80 yen plus tax)

This is a local popsicle you can buy in Okinawa. If youre expecting a popsicle in the shape of the indigenous bird, dont be disappointed. Though its shaped like a regular popsicle, the simple flavor of Yambaru Kuinas chocolate offering is nice. More importantly, some portion of the sale goes to the preservation of yambaru birds. Delicious ice cream and environmental preservation make this bar a win-win.

5. American Crunch (90 yen plus tax)

American Crunch has been around Okinawan a long time. The treat features vanilla ice cream coated with crunch biscuits and chocolate. The crispy texture of the biscuits and smooth ice cream go well together. There is a version with chocolate ice cream inside as well. This ice cream keeps the winning  tradition alive, so make sure to check your popsicle stick after devouring.

6. White (90 yen plus tax)

This was my favorite when I was a kid, and it still is. Whites sweet milky taste never failed to make me feel happy when I was in need of a pick-me-up. This is a textbook example of shinpuru daga akinai, or simple it may seem, it never gets outdated. Almost 40 years after I first tried this, I still keep coming back to this milky flavor.

7. Blue Seal Polar Bear (138 yen plus tax)

Another all-time Okinawan favorite, this ice cream bar wrapped in silver paper is related to the childhood memory of many locals on the island. The ensemble of vanilla ice cream and cocoa cookies can be addictive. Beware when you try one.

8. Soda 7 (56 yen plus tax)

To me, this is the quintessential Okinawan popsicle. Much like White, this is a very simple and ordinary popsicle with a soda flavor. Priced at about 50 yen (approx. $0.36 cents), Soda 7 saved me so many times when I had only 10-yen coins in my pocket.

9. Anpanman Ice Bar (90 yen plus tax)

Anpanman is a popular Japanese cartoon superhero with a face made from red beans. So, you may be surprised to hear that the Anpanman Ice Bar is exclusive to Okinawa.

Since it went on sale in 1990, this milk-flavored popsicle with chocolate sauce hidden inside has been making many kids on the island smile just like the cartoon Ampanman did with his bread face.
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Eisai, a famous Buddhist monk who was a driving force to introducing tea from China to Japan in the late 12th century, said Tea is a magic bullet.

About 800 hundred years later, his words have been proven right by science.

A 2015 study by the National Cancer Center Japan (NCCJ) suggested that the more green tea people consumed, the more their mortality rate dropped. The study shed new light on green tea, which accounts for the majority of Japanese tea, and drew a lot of attention from the media.

Nutrition

Unlocking the secret of green tea didnt happen overnight. Prior to the study by NCCJ, there was a researcher who dedicated half a century to studying tea.

Masashi Omori, an honorary professor of the Otsuma Womens University in Tokyo, has made many guest appearances as Doctor Green Tea on the media to enlighten people about benefits the food provides. He currently hosts Ocha Daigaku (Tea College) for the Otsuma Womens University.

What does Omori think is the reason green tea is so good for your health? In a word - catechin. To explain catechin does for health, Omori cites adsorptive nature and antioxidant effect that the nutrient has.

Thanks to its adsorptive nature, catechin encapsulates fat and prevents it from being emulsified, Omori says. In other words, catechin adheres to fat and makes it difficult to mix with water. As a result, its hard for fat to be absorbed into body. If it is not absorbed into system, fat will be released with stool.

On top of adhering to fat, catechin can also act as a filter for germs in the body, and Omori cites another big benefit - the antioxidant effect.

As we take oxygen into our system, active oxygen is created in our body, which can make our body rusty. The antioxidant effect of catechin restrains such active oxygen, leading to an anti-aging effect, said Omori.

As a result of its super-healthy results Doctor Green Tea recommends drinking green tea constantly. He said there is a limit to how much catechin a body can take in at one time, so you dont need to drink large amounts, but by drinking it constantly you will continually have catechin in your system.

New ways to consume

In 2016, Nikkei Good Day reported that both the production and consumption of green tea were dropping in Japan. The report was based on data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.

Although the report suggested a drop, many green tea beverages have come to be sold in other forms. Plus, sweets served with powdered green tea have become common.

Now, such plastic-bottled products or food with powdered green tea are popular items at convenience stores and cafes, starting with Starbucks Match Frappuccino, which blends green tea powder with milk. Omori noted such new ways of consumption have some merits.

You dont necessarily need to stick to traditional way of brewing green tea with tea leaves in a teapot, Omori said. I regularly drink Healthya, a brand of green tea sold in plastic bottle, for example. And powdered green tea allows you to absorb more nutrients than you would with tea brewed with tea leaves. In fact, 70 to 80% of nutrition is left in leaves.

The professor also explained how he sprinkles the powdered tea on anything from kimuchi to natto. He even feeds it to his dog, who is healthy and in good shape at 15 years old, according to Omori.

The Japan Superfood Association (JSA) seems to agree with Omori on the benefits of powdered green tea.

We think green tea should be consumed more as whole food, said Ayumi Katsuyama, who the managing director of JSA.

Matcha is already recognized as a super food in the states. But green tea, on the other hand, is not as versatile as powdered tea because it is normally consumed as tea leaves. If you brew green tea with tea leaves in a teapot, tea leaves will be wasted afterwards. To expand its market, we think green tea should be consumed more as a powdered food.

The difference between matcha and powdered green tea probably needs some explanation.

Powdered green tea, in general, refers to sencha in powdered from. Sencha is the most common type of green tea.

Matcha, on the other hand, is powdered tencha, which is a special kind of tea leaf that is cultivated without direct sunlight and dried without being kneaded, according to Itoen, a major green tea company in Japan.

Plastic-bottled green tea, which people can easily enjoy, or powdered tea, which is versatile like matcha and casual like sencha, may be a game changer. But Omori noted that centuries-old traditional way of drinking tea has its own health benefits, especially for beauty care.

Brewing tea in a teapot and drinking it at a veranda is very relaxing, said Omori. I can tell green teas relaxing effect is good for beauty care. As a good way to benefit from that effect, I would recommend brewing tea and enjoying it with several people.
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ATLANTA President Biden and former president Donald Trump will campaign 70 miles from each other Saturday evening, seeking to woo supporters in this crucial state in the opening salvos of the general election rematch.

The dueling appearances underscore the key role that Georgia, which holds its primary Tuesday, will play in November, after Biden defeated Trump in the state by fewer than 12,000 votes in the 2020 election. Trump decidedly won the state in 2016, beating Hillary Clinton by five percentage points.

Biden will rally voters in Atlanta, while Trump will hold his event in Rome, a city in northwest Georgia that is part of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-Ga.) district. The visits come two days after Biden delivered a fiery State of the Union address, during which he assailed Trump, though not directly by name, for threatening individual rights, freedom and democracy.

At Biden's event, he will receive the joint endorsement of three political action committees - AAPI Victory Fund, The Collective PAC, and Latino Victory Fund - and a commitment from the groups to spend $30 million to mobilize Black, Latino, and Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.

Because voters of color made up such a large portion of Biden's vote share in 2020 - particularly in key swing states - Democrats' ability to motivate and mobilize these coalitions could be determinative in November, said Shekar Narasimhan, chairman of the AAPI Victory Fund.

"This is the ballgame for Democrats," he said. "Even in states where there's a predominantly white population, the margins are so thin that, for example, getting the Hmong vote in Wisconsin may be critical to winning the election."

After reviewing data from recent elections and demographic statistics, the groups have decided to focus their combined efforts on three key states: Arizona, Georgia and Michigan.

One of the major obstacles the groups hope to overcome is a sense that another Biden-versus-Trump presidential race is a sign of stagnancy in the country.

"We really need to tell our communities that a lot has changed over the last four years," Narasimhan said. "And in that change, there is opportunity."

While Biden focuses his pitch Saturday on appealing to communities of color, Trump is expected to attack Biden on his immigration policy, more than a week after both men traveled to different parts of the southern border to make their pitch on border security.

The murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, allegedly by a Venezuelan migrant who entered the country illegally in 2022, has rallied Republicans, who have cited her death to criticize the historic number of apprehensions since Biden took office in 2021 and to portray migrants as dangerous. Before Biden's State of the Union address, Greene handed Biden a pin with Riley's name.

As Greene heckled Biden during the speech to "say her name," Biden held up the pin and said Riley had been "killed by an illegal" but then asked: "how many of thousands of people are being killed by legals?" (Experts say there's little evidence that undocumented immigrants commit more crime, and federal data shows most of those arrested at the border do not have criminal convictions.)

During the speech, Biden offered his condolences to Riley's family and called on Congress to pass a bipartisan border security bill that died in the Senate, amid widespread GOP opposition led by Trump.

"We relish another opportunity for President Trump to go head-to-head with Joe Biden and contrast his strong record of securing the border and keeping Americans safe versus Biden's open border policies that led to the tragic death of Georgia's very own Laken Riley," Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. "Today, Georgia will see the difference between a strong, focused and enthusiastic leader versus a weak, incompetent and crooked career politician."

Biden's trip to Georgia comes as part of his post-State of the Union tour of the battleground states, which began Friday in Pennsylvania. Next week, he will travel to New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Michigan.

"Our freedoms really are on the ballot this November," Biden said during a rally in the suburbs of Philadelphia. "Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans are trying to take away our freedoms. That's not an exaggeration. We will not let him."

Biden's campaign also announced that it was launching a $30 million advertising campaign as part of the pivot to the general election. In the first ad, which was released Saturday, the president directly confronts concerns about his age. The ad features Biden speaking into the camera as he contrasts his record with Trump.

"Look, I'm not a young guy," Biden says at the start of the 60-second advertisement. "That's no secret, but here's the deal: I understand how to get things done for the American people."

Trump's campaign riffed on the age question by releasing an ad titled "Not a Young Guy," that featured videos of Biden stumbling or falling down.

A Fox News poll conducted in January found that in a matchup between Biden and Trump, 51 percent of registered voters in Georgia said they would vote for Trump, while 43 percent said they would vote for Biden.

Trump's return to the Peach State comes as he faces 13 state charges in connection with his efforts to try to overturn Biden's 2020 victory in Georgia. Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis (D) launched an investigation more than three years ago after audio leaked of a call that Trump made in January 2021 to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R), in which Trump said he wanted to "find" the votes to reverse his 2020 loss.

Trump was charged in August, alongside several of his allies, and he was booked at the Fulton County jail. The sheriff's office released a mug shot of Trump that day, an iconic image embraced by his campaign, supporters and fundraisers as the former president seeks to portray himself as a victim of a weaponized justice system.

It's not clear, however, when the Georgia election interference case will go to trial. Willis is under scrutiny for having a romantic relationship with the case's lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade. A judge is considering whether the relationship created a conflict of interest or the appearance of one and whether Willis and her office should be removed from the case.

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 Beth Bogar of West Chesterfield, New Hampshire, was just finishing up a trip with her husband to Bali when things took a turn.

WMUR-TV reported that the couple ended their tour at Mason Elephant Park & Lodge, where she got to swim with and ride an elephant. But when she posed with the pachyderm for a photo, her arm got "pushed" into the animal's mouth.

"I couldn't get my arm out. I could just hear cracking and I just started to panic," she said.

Bogar was rushed to a hospital an hour away, where the surgeon was able to reassemble her arm with plates and screws. "It's gonna be a long road," Bogar said.

She noted that she knew the risks going in and doesn't blame the elephant. [WMUR, 5/6/2023]
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Given the Deep State thumb on the scale in both 2016 ("Crossfire Hurricane") and 2020 (fifty-seven heads of the "intelligence community" assure us that Hunter Biden's laptop is "Russian disinformation"), no prudent person would bet on a free and fair election in November - especially after the Supreme Court intervention. As I always say: There's no point having the greatest constitution in the world if you've got the crappiest election system in the world.

Yet, for the sake of argument, let us assume that a change in government will be permitted in America. The question then arises: will the permanent state embedded in every agency throughout Washington also permit a change of policy?

For example, the United States accounts for forty per cent of the planet's military spending, and in return produces the world's worst general staff. By way of example, here from a recent address to the Air Force Academy is Lieutenant-Colonel Bree Fram, who leads "space acquisition policy development for the Department of the Air Force" and "focuses on policy and advocacy work to develop a more inclusive military":

WATCH: The U.S. Air Force Academy hosted a transgender Pentagon official for a symposium on inclusion. Our military is focused on transgender dogma while wars rage on two continents. Here he is at a pride celebration calling for "intentional inclusivity" in the military  pic.twitter.com/6BAbEwrS4j  Spencer Lindquist  (@SpencerLndqst) February 29, 2024

"Dignity and respect is the bare minimum," instructs Lieutenant-Colonel Fram. No, it isn't. Not when you're blowing through close to a trillion dollars per annum and you haven't won anything that matters since 1945. Why should any such institution command any "respect"? After the endless unwon wars of the twenty-first century, Ms Fram's only concern is which pronouns we use to lose the next one - because "inclusion is a national-security imperative":

Really? The Taliban may be the least inclusive military on earth, and they kicked your pert transitioned butts. The short history of the Pentagon 1943-2024 is that it's an unlimited-budget version of Monty Python's "Lumberjack Song" - so butch in the first verse, and totally tranny by the end:

The decadence and unseriousness revealed by Lieutenant-Colonel Dram ought to be deeply disturbing. The planet's most lavishly funded fighting force took twenty years to lose to goatherds with fertiliser, and on the way out the door gifted them with enough hardware to make them the world's eighth or ninth most powerful military. That should surely occasion a certain circumspection. Instead, the Pentagon doubled-down on the wokery and the wankery - and, after a twenty-minute tea-break, started up the usual racket all over again, this time in Ukraine.

How's that working out for the Ukrainians? Unlike Afghanistan, it's a demographic wasteland. In 2001, the census counted 48.5 million people in the country. A year ago, it was headed down toward half that - just 29 million. Lindsey Graham and Boris Johnson may be standing shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people, but even they must have noticed there are fewer and fewer Ukrainian shoulders to stand around with, at least if you go to Kiev rather than Poland or Hungary, Germany or Ireland. On the present rate of population decline, after the war there will be insufficient Ukrainians left to rebuild the economy - or, indeed, maintain basic demographic viability. Right now, thanks to Washington, Ukraine is flush with cash and weapons, but all out of fighting-age men. From ABC News, just the other day:

The average Ukrainian servicemen [sic] is in their 40s, according to Western officials. Commanders say the older the soldiers, the more they experience chronic illness, such as ulcers, hernias and pinched nerves. Dima's assault company recently received seven new recruits ages 55 to 58. "What positions are they going to storm?" he asked sarcastically. "If he walks 4 kilometers with a backpack full of gear and weapons, he will fall down in the middle of the road."

Well, that's what happens when you have the honour to be made the site of the Pentagon's next Designated Fiasco. And yet back at home, thanks to the likes of Lieutenant-Colonel Dram and without benefit of Russian invasion, the US military is trending in the same direction:

Critical Staffing Shortage Prompts Air Force to Recruit Retirees

As goes the Air Force, so goes the Army and the Navy. Apparently, out in Flyoverland, there are few takers for a woke military that enriches generals-turned-lobbyists while you get blown up by Ahmed the "translator". "Walk a mile in my heels" doesn't really work when you've lost a leg in Helmand.

Almost twenty years ago, on page one of my boffo bestseller, I quoted the pithy insight of the historian Arnold Toynbee: "Civilisations die from suicide, not murder." Since then, the suicidal tendency has accelerated and captured every American institution of consequence, down to the local grade school.

Some readers may recall that last year, during my convalescence in Trieste, I read a memoir of that town by Jan Morris, the author and (as we said back then) transsexual:

Nevertheless, as Jan or James, he/she was an insightful and fair-minded historian of the British Empire ...oh, and of the Venetian Republic too, which I don't suppose many readers give much thought to, but it lasted 1,100 pretty good years from AD 697 to May 12th 1797. Which is over four times as long as the American republic has lasted - or, absent profound course-correction, is likely to. So I regard Ms Morris as a serious person who happened to have a fairly fundamental point of confusion on a critical aspect of life. Yet it was a serious life. As a young man not yet twenty, James Morris served in the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers in the Second World War. So, unlike higher-ranking trannies such as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 'Thoroughly Modern' Milley, Admiral Rachel Levine (America - where being a transgender bureaucrat gets you promoted to 'admiral'!), Rear-Admiral John Kirby (America - where being a press officer gets you promoted to 'rear-admiral'!), Colonel Mark Wooten (America - where pledging to 'stop hiring middle-aged white dudes' gets you promoted only to 'colonel' - so far!) ...so unlike those four-star trannies and the rest of the stellar officer class of the planet's biggest laughingstock, Jan Morris knows what it's like to serve in a won war.

We are in the end-stage of a bad soap opera, when characters and plot have jumped the tracks, and there is no Bobby Ewing waiting in the shower. Three decades ago, it was pointed out that in the end Soviet Communism proved no more lasting than the span of one human lifetime: 1917-1991. Yet America's blip of global dominance is looking just as fleeting: 1950-2020something - that last date being whenever the ever metastasizing brokeness causes total implosion. And, as things stand, the only thing the great republic (in Churchill's affectionate designation) will be remembered for is that the entirety of western civilisation slid off the cliff on America's watch. All the rest is details.

The polls today suggest that the Deep State, to get its way, will have to do far more than it did in 2016 and 2020 combined. I don't doubt that they're prepared to do that, and their plans are already in place. The question is whether those on the other side - gleefully retailing the poll numbers and reposting the latest video of the slack-mouthed drooler in the Oval Office claiming to have met with Bismarck and Napoleon at the last G7 - have plans not only to counter it but, in the event of victory, for that "profound course-correction".

Mark's international bestseller America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It. If you haven't read the book during its first seventeen years, well, you're missing a treat. It's still in print in hardback and paperback. (Buy it at a 77% discount by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 47% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR)

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Mark Steyn is an international bestselling author, a Top 41 recording artist, and a leading Canadian human rights activist. Among his books is "The Undocumented Mark Steyn: Don't Say You Weren't Warned". (Buy it at a 49% discount by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 67% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR)
MATTOON  A town hall meeting on efforts to encourage the development of additional affordable housing in Mattoon has been scheduled for Thursday, March 14.

Community members are invited to attend this meeting from 6-8 p.m. at Elevate to learn about the work of city officials in Mattoon, provide additional input, and get involved in these housing efforts.

Mattoon Community Development and Planning Director Alex Benishek said the meeting will be led with the help of Illinois Housing Development Authority staff, who have been assisting with this project.

Benishek said they will present the results of a recent online survey in which 564 Mattoon community shared their thoughts on housing needs. For example, 59% of respondents said they feel that local housing is not affordable to households earning a variety of incomes.

Attendees also will hear the results of a walking survey of housing conditions that was recently conducted with the help of Lake Land College. This survey aimed to record the conditions of the approximately 8,896 housing properties and more than 400 commercial properties in Mattoon.

"Knowing what the condition of your community looks like is very important," Benishek said. He added that information on the condition of specific properties, not just neighborhoods, can be key to obtaining grant funding for housing rehabilitation work.

Benishek said the Illinois Housing Development Authority will use the survey results and other demographic information on the community to help draft a housing development plan for Mattoon.

"It's all used to document where we are and determine the next step forward for our community," Benishek said. He noted that Thursday's meeting also will address goals for encouraging the development of additional apartments, businesses and other quality of life enhancements downtown.

City officials have been working in partnership with the Mattoon in Motion community planning group's housing committee on these efforts.

Housing committee member Melissa McDaniel, who is executive director of Coles County Habitat for Humanity, said the committee has been excited to see the Mattoon City Council take recent actions to help promote housing development.

McDaniel said these actions include establishing a zoning category for construction of compact homes, joining the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority to utilize its resources for the demolition of abandoned rundown houses, and hiring a firm to help with a marketing plan for housing development.

Regarding compact homes, Mayor Rick Hall has said he hopes this new zoning category will provide additional real world educational opportunities for students in the Mattoon High School building trades program.

"We are really excited to share information and engage with the community on housing development," McDaniel said of Thursday's meeting in the Elevate entrepreneur center on the north side of the Cross County Mall. The meeting, which is free and open to the public, includes a meal.

In addition, McDaniel said community members are welcome to attend the Mattoon in Motion housing committee's meetings at 10 a.m. on the first Thursday of every month at City Hall.

McDaniel said the committee includes representatives from the city, business community, rental property owners and other groups, adding that its recent meetings have been drawing potential housing developers.

"We have a good broad group of stakeholders," McDaniel said.

More information on Thursday's meeting is available by emailing benisheka@mattoonillinois.org.

57 US counties where homeownership has become unaffordable 57 US counties where homeownership has become unaffordable US counties where homeownership is recently unaffordable Why housing is becoming unaffordable in the US
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.
Perhaps more than familiar and old photos, aroma transports Brenda Sloan back in time to her childhood growing up on 20th Street.

A handful of families lived on the block near Thurmond Streets during the 40s and 50s. The adults were neighborly and the kids naturally became friends. People looked out for one another, and a tight knit community formed.

But it was the culinary talent of one man, Adam Scott, a preacher from Goldsboro that ultimately drew them closer.

When the Rev. Scott cooked we could smell it all over the hill, Sloan said. You could just about taste it. We all waited to hear him call out Its ready.

Time moved on, the way it always does, and the families mostly scattered. But the memories  especially of that aroma  remained strong.

Sloan kept in touch with Ava Scott, the youngest of the Scott kids, and a series of recent events in a long friendship led them back to neighborhood barbecues.

Well-known clientele

As legend  and longtime residents  have it, the Rev. Scott moved to Winston with his family at the behest of some of the citys most famous residents.

The Reynolds and the Haneses to be specific.

According to the N.C. African American Heritage Association, the young Rev. Scott operated a restaurant in Goldsboro called Scotts Barbecue  also known variously as Scotts Famous Barbeque, Scotts Cafe or the Scottereta.

He began by selling barbecue slathered in his own secret sauce out of the back door to primarily white customers. Making barbecue was a tradition in his family, and the Rev. Scott saw it as another way to augment his income.

As word of his endeavor spread, he enclosed the porch and turned it into a restaurant; its reputation grew to the point where Scotts Barbecue rated a listing in the Green Book  a travel guide that told African Americans where they could stay (and dine) in the segregated South.

Following the death of his first wife, Scott came to Winston-Salem to cook for a few private clients. His grown children, including son Alvin Martell Scott Sr., stayed in Goldsboro to run three restaurants and opened a company that sold sauce.

In Winston-Salem, Scott and his second wife Adele, a gifted piano teacher, eventually settled on 20th Street and welcomed more children including daughter Ava. The Rev. Scott continued preaching and turned his attention to cooking for his new clients.

Daddy always overcooked whenever he was catering, Ava Scott said.

It was by design. He wanted to take care of his neighbors, too, and not sharing barbecue after the aroma had wafted down the block could have been considered culinary torture.

Thats just who he was, Ava Scott said.

Legacy is alive

Despite an age gap of 20 years, Ava Scott and Sloan developed a strong friendship as both cared for their aging mothers. Big sister Brenda, Sloan said with a laugh.

So when Sloan learned that Ava, whod moved to Florida and brought her mom with her, had launched a business selling her fathers sauces, she couldnt wait to tell others.

I told her Id bet there are people in Winston-Salem who remember the Rev. Scott, Sloan said. And they need to know that his legacy is living.

Ava Scott said she started down a path blazed by her father after her mom gave her a copy of a recipe for the Rev. Scotts secret sauce.

She framed it as a keepsake, and following her mothers death in 2020 she began thinking about making the sauce herself. She finally decided to give it a try in 2022.

I dont know if it was her voice or a higher power, but there I was in the kitchen trying to make it on my own, Ava Scott said.

After an initial one-batch success, she decided to go one step further. She ordered glass bottles, labels and launched a kitchen table business that she calls her birthright.

She has several different flavors  mango, peach and the like  and barbecue sauces with such names as Adams Fire Hot Sauce and A Taste of Carolina.

(Hers is a separate endeavor from the Scotts Barbecue Sauce company in Goldsboro, which is run today by A. Martells son and grandson. A. Martell Scott Jr. notes that Avas is a different brand entirely and calls it a copycat while acknowledging that as a Scott, she (entitled) to it even though its different.)

Ava Scott, the youngest of Adam Scotts seven children, sees it differently, however. She said she wants to honor her father the same way as others.

I just want to carry on my fathers legacy and make sure its true to his wishes, Ava Scott said.

Thats good enough for Big Sister Brenda Sloan. Shed forgotten neither the tastes  or the aromas  from her childhood.

I tried barbecue all over looking for something close, she said. I was always disappointed because I was looking for the same taste. His sauces made it (special.)
It took just a short visit inside the Ramos Pizza's dining room to reaffirm Nader Sepahpur's faith in humanity.

"Look around, you can feel it," he said last week, months after buying the pizzeria at 2435 S. 48th St., in a head-scratching move. "This is a community."

The coronavirus pandemic and the politics that ensued  not to mention the social justice unrest that unfolded in the summer of 2020  had planted the seeds of doubt in a man who has always been known as an eternal optimist.

And then he took a hard look at Ramos Pizza.

"This room has a really good community," he said. "This place showed me again that people are people."

People are people 4 miles away, too  in downtown Lincoln, where Sepahpur is the longtime owner of Yia Yia's, another of Lincoln's most iconic pizza places.

But Yia Yia's pizza is to Ramos Pizza what a sleek new-model European sedan is to a classic Chevy from the American Metal muscle car era. Both have their loyalists. Both are thoroughly worshiped. And if you really wanted to argue over which is better, you could make a compelling case for either of them.

"They're both good, but they're different," says Sepahpur, who opts to stay in his own lane  the one that allows him not to have to choose  on matters of either pizza or automobiles.

Yia Yia's pizza has a thinner crust and is cooked in a stone oven, while Ramos' pizza is thicker, known for its cream cheese and is cooked in a conveyer belt oven.

There are no bad pizzas in the world  Sepahpur admits to his love for a slice of Valentino's pizza while sitting inside Memorial Stadium on a Husker Saturday  but there are levels of very good and both Yia Yia's and Ramos make Lincoln's short list.

Ramos bar manager Safairra Slaby jokingly says that Sepahpur should open another pizza place downtown that is split down the middle, selling Yia Yia's in one half and Ramos pizza in the other.

"He doesn't love the idea, but it would tell us which pizza was better," she said. "And it would be open late at night for all the drunk people."

In buying Ramos Pizza, Sepahpur wasn't purchasing another pizza place. He was buying a vibe, a place where people gather. Where everybody knows your name. Where there are no strangers.

"We're a neighborhood bar," Slaby says. "I've worked here a long time, and our regulars are the same. We all know each other."

The cobblestone bar at the entrance to the dining room is typically packed with regulars by 5 p.m. on a weeknight.

Spike and Linda  the resident historian  are there. So is Spencer. Ronnie and Christine are sipping on something, as is Ronnie's dad. And in the corner is Jeff.

It's a tight-knit group, made even closer with time and the tragedies in the past year. In fact, there's a fireplace in the back of the dining room that has a mantel loaded with photos of Ramos regulars who have died.

Last week, Julie Fisk, 54, the sister of Ramos founder Jeff Dodge, was bludgeoned to death in Pennington County, South Dakota. The suspected killer is her former domestic partner, who is alleged to have set the house on fire after killing her.

"Julie always kind of joked that we stole (Jeff Dodge)," Slaby said as tears rolled down her face. "She wanted him in South Dakota and he stayed because he had the business and he loved it here."

Dodge's death last May cast a pall on the place and set the stage for his family to put Ramos Pizza on the market.

Sepahpur treaded lightly when he heard the restaurant was for sale. At first, he had no interest. In spite of the highly regarded pizza menu that goes far deeper than just a pie  Buster's BBQ is another staple  the restaurant was in need of some renovations.

"It just needed a little love, a little cleanup and more than anything, some updating," Sepahpur said.

Ramos Pizza is in the midst of getting a new dining room floor. In addition, the restrooms are getting facelifts and kitchen renovations will come later.

Sepahpur, considered a carpetbagger by the regulars when he arrived, has worked to build relationships and showed a willingness to do what it takes to upgrade the restaurant.

"He's in the thick of it," Slaby said. "He's in the trenches with us, making it better and only changing what he has to. I think that's good for people to see around here.

"... They might have been suspicious at first, but that's gone now."

Sepahpur knows the food industry. Yia Yia's is a downtown tradition, while his burrito and Ramen restaurants were also successful.

But more than food, the native of Tehran, Iran, who is in his 60s, knows people. Sepahpur has spent a lifetime studying the people around him, and he understands what it takes to get along in life.

So, faced with the challenge of coming into the new setting at Ramos, when all eyes were upon him and the regulars were looking for indicators that their hangout was going to be changed to another version of Yia Yia's, Sepahpur has made sure to do nothing.

"I want to keep it how it is as much as I possibly can," he said. "That menu is still exactly the same. I don't even want to get new menus. The moment the menus are printed differently, someone's going to tell me the food tastes different."

Here are some of Lincoln's hidden gem restaurants, according to Reddit Daffodil Mediterranean Cuisine and Catering Lila Mae's Southern Kitchen and Lounge Heoya Afghan Village Cuisine Norm's on 48th El Potro Mexican Restaurant L's Kitchen Vung Tau Pho Grill Fattoush Restaurant Rolling Wok Blessing Thai Restaurant Super Taco Tandoor Indian Restaurant Biji's Best Panda Garden
Nathan Schwenke was just a boy the first time he went treasure hunting with his father.

He found an 18-karat gold ring and he was hooked.

"I remember thinking, 'This is amazing. This is easy,'" he said. "I learned later it's really not that easy."

It takes patience. It takes preparation. And it takes studying the history of a given piece of land. What was there before them? Not just years or decades, but in some cases centuries.

Maybe that's what makes the finds so rewarding, so worth the effort.

And perhaps that's the reason that nearly four decades later, he not only still finds himself hunting for treasure  from coins and precious gems to historical artifacts from the pioneer days  but also has made a living through the hobby.

For more than 10 years, Midwest Diggers has carved out an online niche for itself by selling treasure-hunting equipment  from metal detectors to digging tools to gold-panning essentials  to treasure-hunting hobbyists worldwide.

"We've got a pretty good following," he said.

For an investment of a few hundred dollars  the entry fee to many hobbies, really  Midwest Diggers can launch someone into treasure hunting.

"There's nowhere else that really sells this stuff," he said. "... But we're really good with folks. We don't try to ever upsell people or sell them more than what they need."

Five years ago, Midwest Diggers opened a brick-and-mortar shop at 5930 S. 58th St. The 1,200-square-foot shop, run by Nathan Schwenke's wife, Ashley, features all of the inventory one would find online in addition to an area where people can pan for actual gold and silver.

"People have fun coming in and panning for gold," said Ashley Schwenke, a former surgical nurse and people person who has made the switch to running the family business and being her own boss.

She's still not sure she's ready to go on a hunting trip with her husband and son  "I just don't think I have the patience to walk around for hours looking for lost treasure," she says  but she loves seeing what they uncover on their latest adventures.

Over the years, the finds have been noteworthy.

It was a few years back that Nathan Schwenke, scouting a section of the Oregon Trail in Southeast Nebraska, found a three-cent piece known as a trime, that dated back to around the U.S. Civil War.

In pristine condition, the coin could fetch up to $200, he said. The resale value was not nearly as important to him as the piece of history he had uncovered.

That's why he does it, he says.

"The stuff we find usually has far more historical value than monetary value," Nathan Schwenke said.

The hobby caused him to become something of a history buff while growing up. He studied a lot of Nebraska history and while not many Civil War battles found their way to the territory  Nebraska didn't become a state until 1867  there were still a few skirmishes.

There was an 1857 incident he studied where 1,000 Natives surrounded U.S. Calvary troops that were cutting across Nebraska while transporting supplies from fort to fort. A five-day battle ensued.

"This was up around the Sandhills," he said, describing the grapeshot  ammunition used for smaller weapons  that they came across.

"The stuff comes out of the ground looking literally like it was dropped yesterday because the ground preserves the area so well," he said.

Still, it's been nearly 170 years since those skirmishes took place, which would lead one to believe that Nebraska has been picked over by the treasure hunting hobbyists.

Guess again, says Nathan Schwenke.

"Nothing's ever completely picked over," he said. "There's a lot of reasons for that. You wait a calendar year  you wait for the next freeze  and that next fall you go to that area and the freeze will have pushed items back up to where you could get them.

"That happens a lot."

There are also a lot of areas that are now private farmland that have never been hunted for treasure because the owner of the farm wouldn't allow strangers onto his land.

Every now and then, the families let treasure hunters onto the land following the death of the land owner, Nathan Schwenke said.

The Schwenkes have a loyal clientele, some of whom have joined a treasure-hunting club that meets regularly.

"We have people in this club that are beginners. We have teenagers. We have someone that's 82 years old. It's a wide range of folks. We meet once a month and share our finds. Everyone brings in the stuff they found over the previous month and we do a little contests or giveaways for the best find."

It makes for a nice little community of hobbyists who feel right at home in a store that has become a second home to some. It's just what Ashley Schwenke envisioned when she started moving furnishings into the empty store in 2019.

"When I walked into this empty building, I was like, 'Wow, this is gonna be amazing,'" she said. "And it is. Everything just fell into place.

"It's definitely a proud moment. I can tell you that."

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
A fight over the bid for the states Medicaid managed care program made its way to the Nebraska Supreme Court this past week with an argument over who could sue the state.

In briefs, Healthy Blue had described the position taken by the Nebraska Attorney General's Office as a "broadside attack on taxpayer standing."

So it was perhaps no surprise that Deputy Solicitor General Zach Viglianco would start his comments there.

"It's important to emphasize at the outset what this case is and what this case isn't," he told the justices Tuesday. "It is not a frontal assault on taxpayer standing."

Nor is it a rejection of Nebraska's equivalent to the so-called "Ex parte Young" doctrine, which allows lawsuits to go forward if government officials attempt to enforce an unconstitutional law, Viglianco said.

"What this case is is a straightforward application of generally applicable sovereign immunity principles and rules of construction drawn from this court's jurisprudence," he said.

It all started in 2022, when Healthy Blue sued Jason Jackson, director of Administrative Services, and Dannette Smith, then-CEO of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, over the bid process earlier that year to provide services for Heritage Health, the state's Medicaid managed care program.

Healthy Blue had lost to three other bidders, two of which had failed to disclose hundreds of millions of dollars in payments to settle Medicaid-related investigations.

One of the two, Centene, didn't disclose a more than $490 million settlement of multiple investigations into its pharmacy benefit program for Medicaid, $29 million of which went to Nebraska.

But as the case progressed in Lancaster County District Court, the state contended sovereign immunity prevented state officials from being sued over it.

In a decision in August, a Lincoln judge rejected the argument, finding that Healthy Blue had invoked an allowed exception, taxpayer standing.

Which led to the state's appeal.

Justice Jeffrey Funke asked what relief Healthy Blue was seeking.

Viglianco said ostensibly the company was seeking to prevent an expenditure of funds by Health and Human Services, but practically it is trying to force a rebid to get a "second bite at the apple."

"They shouldn't be allowed to do that," he argued.

He said allowing Healthy Blue to proceed under a theory of "taxpayer standing" flips sovereign immunity jurisprudence on its head.

Viglianco said Healthy Blue was attempting to use a combination of sections of state law to "gin up a claim that would otherwise not exist."

Chief Justice Michael Heavican said: "So no taxpayer could bring this under your theory?"

"That's correct," Viglianco said.

On the other side, attorney James Washburn said state officials "fundamentally miss the mark here" by conflating the question of sovereign immunity (a question of whether the state can be a defendant) with a question of standing (a question of who can be a plaintiff).

"Make no mistake, the appellants are asking this court to reverse decades of precedent," he said.

Washburn said that at this point in the case it was a straightforward question of whether Healthy Blue had standing to bring its claim.

He said the state's version of the "Ex parte Young" doctrine allows for litigation against state officials when they have run "afoul of the law."

"And that is exactly what we have perceived here," Washburn said. "And Nebraska laws have stated for decades that sovereign immunity simply does not apply to those cases."

He said they're left then with the question of standing. And the taxpayer interest in the expenditure of public funds is not inconsistent with the exception that permits the state to be sued, exactly the question before the Supreme Court in this case.

Washburn pointed to Ryan v. Johnson, a case 77 years ago where the Nebraska Supreme Court concluded that suits by a taxpayer to restrain the appropriation by public officers of money for an unauthorized purpose are not suits against the state "and therefore do not implicate sovereign immunity."

"What appellants are really making here is a policy argument. They're asking this court to conclude as a matter of policy that taxpayer standing should no longer exist," he said.

He said the state cited cases from 11 other states in arguing essentially that taxpayer standing is a bad idea, at least in this context.

"It's a bedrock principle, however, in Nebraska law. It dates back to 1882 at least," Washburn said.

And in the context of contracts -- the award of contracts and the expense of public funds -- the Supreme Court has "permitted such suits to go forward by taxpayers because of the importance to taxpayers on the expenditure of public funds," he said.

Heavican asked Washburn about the state's argument that Healthy Blue is simply using taxpayer standing to get around the fact that it is a disgruntled bidder.

"As a taxpayer, my client does have standing to pursue this regardless," he said.

"So it doesn't make any difference?" Heavican asked.

"It does not," Washburn said.

The court took the matter under advisement.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
China's manufacturing sector strives to remain competitive amid headwinds

Xinhua) 08:14, March 11, 2024

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Amid challenges posed by global geopolitics and competition, China's manufacturing sector counters headwinds with a robust supply chain framework and policies fostering industrial advancement.

Over the past year, the impact of geopolitics on the global supply chain has become increasingly evident. The re-shoring of manufacturing to developed countries and rapid economic development in countries and regions like Mexico and Southeast Asia have intensified competition among nations to attract manufacturing production lines to their own territories.

It's undeniable that the production of some labor-intensive goods has shifted from China to other countries. However, because China has been deeply integrated into the global value chain, many companies that have left China end up returning, or they still need to import a significant amount of intermediate products from China.

"One must not view the shift in parts of the industrial chain as indicative of an overall trend," said Song Xiquan, chairman of Yantai Tayho Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. "China's industries are currently undergoing transformation and upgrading, reshaping their competitiveness."

Song took the country's textile industry as an example. Although certain processing enterprises have left, the industry's overall added value is increasing. In 2023, China's high-performance fiber production capacity accounted for over a third of the world's total, with a 14.4 percent year-on-year increase in export volume.

Tesla's Shanghai gigafactory has achieved a component localization rate of over 95 percent, which Song Gang, the manufacturing vice president of Tesla Inc., has hailed as a "win-win" situation for both Tesla and its Chinese suppliers.

China now possesses all the industrial categories in the United Nations industrial classification and has nurtured 12,000 "little giant" firms, over 90 percent of which are suppliers to well-known large enterprises both at home and globally. "Little giant" firms represent the novel elites of small and medium-sized enterprises that specialize in a niche market, boast cutting-edge technologies and show great potential.

Official statistics showed that China tops the world in terms of output of more than 40 percent of 500 major industrial products. China's personal computers, smartphones and solar panels contribute over half of the global production.

In 2023, China's total value-added industrial production approached 40 trillion yuan (about 5.57 trillion U.S. dollars), accounting for 31.7 percent of its GDP. The scale of its manufacturing industry has ranked first in the world for 14 consecutive years, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

The Business Confidence Survey 2023/24 published by the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad Greater China indicated that over half of the surveyed companies planned to increase investment in China in the next two years, citing reasons such as a well-established supply chain and enhanced innovation.

This year's government work report, which was unveiled this week at the national legislative session for deliberation, shows that Chinese policymakers are committed to preserving the competitive advantage of the country's robust industrial chain system and climbing toward mid-to-high-end development. The report highlighted the importance of modernizing the industrial system and developing new quality productive forces at a faster pace.

China will fully leverage the strengths of the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide to raise the capacity for innovation across the board, said the report.

The report signaled a series of measures including "planning basic research systematically" and "supporting enterprises with distinctive strengths in heading up major R&D projects," to move faster to boost self-reliance and strength in science and technology.

A senior official from MIIT said that efforts would be accelerated to supply cutting-edge and commonly used technologies, nurture leading enterprises, and enhance the industrial ecosystem. For future industries, the focus will be on laying the groundwork in key areas such as artificial intelligence for general use, humanoid robots, and brain-computer interfaces.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
When Allen Ladd walks through the front doors of the Bryan Community Focus Program each morning, its hard to tell exactly what the day has in store for him.

He could have some staff meetings, or maybe time scheduled with a student or parent depending on the day, but every day is different as a school social worker. For some things, he simply cant plan ahead.

He cant schedule when a student will have a mental health crisis and need his immediate help. He cant predict when a family will need emergency access to food or housing resources. He doesnt always know when a student will suddenly need his support during a conflict.

Crisis intervention is just something that cant be put on the calendar in advance.

No day is the same, said Ladd, who has been a social worker at Lincoln Public Schools for four years. Some days you're busy. Some days you don't get lunch. Some days, you know, it's 3 o'clock before you know it.

For Ladd, most of what he does revolves around mental health intervention because the focus program tends to have a high number of students with mental health needs for things like anxiety and depression.

But he isnt the only one in the building available to help students dealing with mental health struggles. At Bryan, there is also a psychotherapist on staff, as well as a school counselor.

We're fortunate to have all three in the building, Ladd said. So it's a three-headed monster here.

School social workers are available at every school in the district and can help connect students and families dealing with things such as food insecurity, housing issues, mental health and behavioral health problems with the necessary resources.

We're that link between the community and the schools, Ladd said.

Because most of the people who see Ladd are there to discuss hard topics, he wants his office  decorated with inspirational quotes, bright paintings and photos  to feel like a safe space, somewhere they can come and feel at peace.

I think the biggest piece is just being that person that they feel like they can go to. This safe person in the building, he said. A lot of students don't have that.

In the last 10 years, the need for school social workers has steadily risen as more and more students are seeking mental health resources, according to Andrea Phillips, coordinator for social workers at LPS. In the 2014-15 school year, LPS had 26 social workers. Now, the district has 45, which is considered fully staffed.

Part of this growth is also due to the districts expansion with the opening of several new schools in the last two years.

At the start of this school year, Phillips said there were two job openings for social workers, which were filled shortly after school began, but she hopes staffing wont be an issue for next school year as they already have multiple applicants.

Things look good for next year, she said.

While Phillips was unable to say how many students have been served by school social workers each year, she said she would assume this number has also increased over the years.

I would say the need for mental health support has gradually increased over the last, I would say, probably five years, she said.

In response to the growing need, LPS switched from having one supervisor over both counselors and social workers, to having one for each group last year.

Since the move, Phillips said they have been able to improve several processes, provide professional learning specific to social workers and build a cohesive and supportive team.

Social workers have really appreciated having the support and advocacy of a social worker in this position, said Phillips, who previously worked as a social worker at LPS.

In addition to school social workers, who are also licensed mental health practitioners, Lincoln Public Schools offers access to therapists from Lincoln-based agencies including Family Service, HopeSpoke, Blue Valley, Morningstar Counseling and Lutheran Family Services.

Plus, each of the 60 schools in the district has at least one school counselor available.

Phillips said the role of school social workers in providing mental health resources is extremely important for districts.

I think as a district, our primary role in providing mental health support is by employing social workers, which I would say across the state, across the United States, that's how most school districts meet the needs of students, she said. Contracting with other providers, I think, is kind of above and beyond for students that have barriers.

Ladd also emphasized the importance of having social workers in schools and said that having easy access to a social worker can have a big impact on the quality of life for students, as well as their ability to learn.

Being that advocate for students, being an advocate for families, and just being an advocate for the building is definitely important, Ladd said.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
WAVERLY  In about four months, towns across America will hold their very own Fourth of July parades. Local fire and rescue teams often join in the fun, hanging off fire trucks and ambulances as they ride through town.

If you find yourself in Waverly for its parade, you might see something a little less normal. They have a fire truck, too, but this one is 90 years old.

Waverly Fire and Rescue's 1934 Ford Model BB fire truck has been a prized possession of the city for many years. Showcased at local events, the truck is a window into the past.

Besides being a piece of history, the truck has quite the story of its own.

In November 1953, 19 years after the truck was purchased by the city, its engine failed on the way to a house fire in Prairie Home. Because of this, the truck was sold to Roca.

Around 1973, the Omaha Fire Department Historical Group bought and performed major engine and body restoration so it could display the vehicle at a museum in Omaha and parade it around the city.

And about 46 years later, in August of 2019, the Waverly Fire Department was contacted by Omaha, which was interested in returning the truck to Waverly.

Seven months later, in March of 2020, Aaron Hummel, a former Waverly fire chief, traveled up to Omaha, and with the help of Gana Trucking and a lowboy trailer, returned the vehicle to its home city.

"They helped go up to Omaha when we brought it home because we couldn't drive it, we couldn't run it, it wouldn't start," Hummel said.

Bringing the truck back to Waverly was the easy part; getting it back up and running proved to be more difficult.

Over the course of the next year, the truck was brought back to life under the expertise of Bruce Whitefoot, a former Waverly fire chief and antique Ford enthusiast.

"He loves working on the older Ford vehicles," Hummel said.

Bringing the truck back to life involved a lot of work, including a new carburetor, spark plugs, wires, a new rotor, fuel pumps, fuel lines and general electrical work.

"We've had some former fire chiefs that have pitched in a lot of time and elbow grease to fix it up," Hummel said.

A community project

Along with help from former fire chiefs, Nebraska businesses and members of the community donated their time and resources to repair the truck.

One big help came from Mark Schmit, owner of the Schmit Automotive shop in Waverly, who donated spark plugs, engine oil and other parts.

"I thought, oh that's cool. We'll get an old vehicle back in service," Schmit said. "Every community needs a fire department, so I try to support the fire department as much as I can."

In addition to Schmit Automotive and private donors, Waverly Glass Company also helped out, donating glass for the truck's windshield.

"It's a piece of history, Waverly's first fire truck, and it's nice that the community supports it, and the city wants to do something with it," Hummel said.

After a long process of repairing and renovating the truck, on April 10, 2021, after being gone for 65 years, the 1934 Ford was driven through the streets of Waverly once again by Bruce Whitefoot.

"It's always a joy when you get an old beast running again, that was a big deal," Whitefoot said.

It's truly a sight to see, and a physical representation of how much the design and size of emergency vehicles have changed over 90 years.

"A 5-foot-6 man struggles to get inside the cab because it's such tight quarters," Hummel said. "Most F-150s are bigger than this fire truck."

In addition to size differences, the older model had no power steering, manual windows and a hatch that opened the windshield for the 1930s version of air conditioning.

The 1934 fire truck pumped around 250 gallons a minute compared to the near 1,500 gallons in newer models.

"Humorously, that old truck probably pumped more water than any of these newer trucks over the years because it was 'surround and drown,' till the basement was full of water they just kept pouring water on it," Whitefoot said.

Firefighting techniques have since evolved to shooting water on a hot spot, which creates steam that puts fires out much quicker than water.

"It just blows your mind when you think what they had back then versus what we have now," Jared Rains, fire chief at Waverly, said. "It's great to get it back and to start sharing with the rest of the community."

Looking for a permanent home

Waverly Fire and Rescue loves showcasing the truck to the community, displaying it at local car shows, driving it around the city in different events and taking part in Fourth of July parades.

The truck has been stored all across Waverly for the last four years with the help of local residents who donated their storage spaces, garages and barns, but now the city of Waverly is asking for donations for future storage, maintenance, restoration and any other associated costs to ease the burden on others.

While nothing is confirmed, Hummel says the hope is that the city can find a permanent home for the truck.

"Waverly currently has some conceptual drawings for a potential future fire station," Hummel said. "Part of that fire station would have a museum that would house that vehicle. We're trying to buy ourselves some time so we can get that done."

That museum would include all kinds of antique gear for the public to see.

When we have tours with children and whatnot they can go through and see all this old antique stuff of what they used to do 100 years ago," Ryan Mueller, assistant fire chief, said.

Mueller shared the renderings for the future fire station, which on top of providing a space for the 1934 fire truck to be displayed, would also improve on the station they have now.

"It would allow us to modernize our way of doing things. Right now we're double and triple stacked," he said. "Trucks got bigger over the last 50 years. We're kind of condensed."

On top of improving space, Mueller said the new station would help with ventilation for gear by having its own space to be cleaned and prepared.

"Right now if we have a structure fire and we come back, it smells like smoke, and that's not the modern approach," he said.

Waverly fire truck fundraiser

Waverly Fire and Rescue is asking for donations to help it keep its 1934 Ford Model BB fire truck. Donations will be used for the storage, maintenance, restoration and insurance. It also hopes that one day to have a museum where it might store the truck and other antique firefighting equipment. To help with their efforts, contact them through their website citywaverly.com or by calling 402-786-2312.

2017 total solar eclipse: Wonder and awe as the moon darkened our sky
LANSING, Mich.  The protest-vote movement over President Joe Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war has spread to several states and raised more questions about whether a small but significant number of Democrats angry at Biden might abandon him in November.

A week after 101,000 Michigan voters chose "uncommitted" on their ballots, so did roughly 263,000 voters in the five Super Tuesday states where similar ballot options were available. Minnesota, which had the most organized effort outside of Michigan, saw 1 in 5 Democratic voters mark the "uncommitted" option, a higher percentage than the 13% who voted uncommitted in Michigan.

Organizers are watching the state of Washington's primary on Tuesday to see how many voters select "uncommitted." A "Leave It Blank" campaign has formed for Georgia's Tuesday primary that's intended to have the same effect, as is a "uninstructed" vote in Wisconsin's April 2 primary.

Supporters of the protest argue anger over the war could endanger Biden's chances in swing states like Michigan against former President Donald Trump in their likely rematch.

Biden's allies believe disaffected Democrats will return to the president's fold when faced with a choice between him and Trump, who the president's campaign argues is a threat to democracy and is planning a sweeping set of policy changes that would attack liberal priorities.

While the reasons for voters favoring unpledged delegates over Biden differ, the choice has been increasingly pushed as a protest vote against Biden's handling of the conflict in Gaza, where more than 30,000 people have been killed, two-thirds of them women and children, in Israel's offensive following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 people.

"We wanted to show that these voters not only morally matter but politically matter as well. Because if they sit out the election, which it seems like many of them might, that would have severe consequences for Biden," said Waleed Shahid, a Democratic strategist who first organized the effort in Michigan.

As Biden's supporters are quick to point out, the "uncommitted" vote isn't a historical anomaly. In 2012, more than 400,000 people cast their ballots as "uncommitted" or "no preference," expressing discontent with then-President Barack Obama's reelection.

Biden has won every state's primary contest so far and is on track to clinch the nomination this month. Still, the single-issue campaign has alarmed some of Biden's closest allies.

"Obama's results were just randomized. This is showing that there are particular groups of our coalition that are upset," said Rep. Ro Khanna, a Biden surrogate and cease-fire supporter.

In late January, Shahid circulated a seven-page memo to nearly 100 pro-Palestinian leaders and organizations nationwide with a plan to leverage Michigan's substantial Arab American population to create maximum electoral disruption.

Michigan's dual role as an early primary state and a pivotal swing state in November provided an ideal situation for attracting national media attention and influential political figures. Coming less than a month before Michigan's Feb. 27 primary, the Jan. 29 memo proposed a plan requiring a budget of approximately $237,000 to "politicize and electoralize discontent" for Biden's support of Israel.

More than 100,000 people voted "uncommitted" on Feb. 27. Khanna, the California congressman, said Biden's recent references to a potential cease-fire were a "direct result" of the grassroots movement in Michigan.

Biden announced at his State of the Union speech that the U.S. would build a floating pier to deliver aid to Gaza as Israel restricts the flow of food and other goods at land ports.

While the state's primary was a success for organizers, Shahid said his memo "had nothing beyond Michigan."

Hoping to capitalize on the momentum generated in Michigan, small "uncommitted" campaigns on shoestring budgets began to pop up across the country.

In Minnesota, organizers began making phone calls to voters just five days before the state's Super Tuesday primary, operating on a $20,000 budget. The last-minute push secured 46,000 "uncommitted" votes, comprising 19% of the total vote share and earning 11 delegates bound for the Democratic national convention.

Minnesota voter Sarah Alfaham voted in the state's Democratic primary  as she has for many years  but opted to mark "uncommitted" on her ballot.

"Joe Biden has not done enough to earn my vote and not done enough to stop the war," said Alfaham.

Marcus Casillas, 29, was one of the 51,000 people that voted uncommitted in Colorado's March 5 primary. The aerospace engineer was inspired by Michigan voters, and chose "uncommitted" rather than another Democratic candidate because "being part of a more organized protest vote seemed appropriate."

"I firmly believe that in order for me to vote for someone, they need to earn the vote," he said.

"One of the coolest comments that I've read is people saying this is the most organized they've seen Democrats in a really long time," said Asma Nizami, a spokesperson for Minnesota's "uncommitted" campaign. "We're doing it across state lines and we're doing it together."

8 cartoons debate Joe Biden's State of the Union
COLUMBUS  While most people rarely think twice about the bacon sizzling in a frying pan on the stovetop as breakfast is being made, there are others in the Columbus area deciding whether to pay rent or buy medication instead of eating breakfast, or any meal that day.

But, thanks to a partnership between Tyson Foods and a local nonprofit, those concerns are alleviated.

Simon House, a Columbus-based thrift store and food pantry, installed a walk-in freezer, with a capacity to store a truckload of frozen meat. The first such freezer in rural America  Tyson has sponsored larger units in metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Minneapolis and around California  thousands of people can enjoy protein as part of their meals, said Lucy Lutjelusche, Simon House store manager/director.

The center assists food pantries within a 100-mile radius, including cities such as Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island and Norfolk. Simon House works with organizations such as Omaha-based Food Bank for the Heartland in offering aid, she said.

Lutjelusche sees the need for food assistance every day.

Hy-Vee will call us to come and get bread, she said. We have quite a bit of people waiting at the door when we open, because they know on that day were getting bread. Its sad to say that when they come in and get that bread, they know they have something to eat that day. That means a lot to me.

Seeing the semi-trailer from United Transport pull up on Feb. 2 with about 32,000 pounds of frozen meat from Tysons Olathe, Kansas, distribution center, Lutjelusche saw a yearslong dream fulfilled.

The 500-square-foot outdoor freezer came after a visit to the Madison Tyson plant by Columbus Mayor Jim Bulkly. Learning about a grant program to provide communities with a freezer and a commitment of a truckload of protein on a regular basis, the mayor quickly thought of Simon House.

The grant application was delayed for about two years because of the COVID pandemic, but, once the path was cleared, the nonprofit was able to apply for a $110,000 grant. Unfortunately, the freezers cost had increased to $190,000, Lutjelusche said.

We sent a letter to the community and residents responded, she said. We also spoke to area churches, and then churches in Schuyler and as far away as David City learned about it, and helped raise money.

Within a few months, about $100,000 had been donated for the project, she said.

We come from such an amazing community, Lutjelusche said. They just blew it out of the water. This is huge for our community to have, and so, were very blessed.

With its installation delayed by supply issues, the freezer was installed in November 2023. All that was needed was the protein shipment.

The afternoon of Jan. 31, the phone rang in Lutjelusches office. It was a representative from Tyson Foods. Pallets of frozen meat were available for Simon House, but Lutjelusche had to get a truck to Olathe that Friday. She went to work, calling local trucking companies to see if anyone had a refrigerator trailer available to transport the food.

United Transport in Rogers had a trailer available. While it was an answer to a prayer for Lutjelusche, for Dean Krupka, it was just another day in the office. Responding to the request, Uniteds vice president picked up the phone and made one call. He asked a dispatcher if the company could send a truck and trailer to Olathe. Done.

We are primarily a refrigerated carrier, Krupka said. We have 130 trucks, so at any time we have 350 to 400 trailers scattered all over. Were down in Kansas City multiple times a day with a trailer.

While the companys route is predominantly to Texas, United Transport drivers travel the 48 contiguous states, Krupka said. If the need arises to help Simon House again, United Transport will likely participate.

Surprised that a semi-trailer full of food fits snugly in the freezer, which is 20-feet long and 25-feet wide, Lutjelusche said Simon House decided to have its first mobile food drive of the year that weekend.

On Feb. 3, hundreds of cars formed a line about a mile long to receive food. Thousands of people benefited from free boxes of canned goods and fruits and vegetables, as well as bags of perishables such as noodles and beans. Added to the haul was bags of frozen protein  maple-glazed bacon, chicken quarters, chicken breast, hamburger and pork  gifted to Simon House by Tyson, Iowa Beef Packing and other outlets.

Some of the 130 volunteers and 12 staff members helped with traffic control and delivering food to vehicles.

With a 9% poverty rate in Columbus, the need for food assistance is strong, Lutjelusche said. Families need help, as well as senior citizens on fixed income.

Hy-Vee, Super Saver and Walmart donate food items, including canned food, noodles, cereal and beans. Local churches and charities, as well as residents, offer financial donations.

With four mobile food drives planned in 2024, in addition to people visiting Simon Houses food pantry, Lutjelusche said she sees the freezer as an additional tool in fighting hunger in the area.

Lutjelusche said she was happy that Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, a Columbus-area resident, reversed his initial decision, eventually accepting a federal offer of $18 million to help provide food assistance for children during summer months.

While mobile food pantries are helpful, homebound people face new challenges, partly due to lingering effects of COVID, she said. Prior to the pandemic, volunteers  several of them retirees who volunteered their time  would deliver food to peoples homes.

We have been able to get food to those who are homebound, she said. (Columbus) Area Transit does an amazing job. One way or another, we will get food to the homebound.

In addition to providing food assistance, the 32-year-old Simon House helps people with utility payments, rent assistance, gasoline vouchers, physician visits and prescriptions.

We can help people in ways other organizations cant because we dont have the red tape they do, she said.

In the end, everything Simon House does is focused on the welfare of people.

No one, in my opinion, should go to bed hungry, Lutjelusche said.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
MADISON  Organizers of a recall effort targeting Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Monday they have surpassed the number of signatures needed to trigger a midterm election aimed at ousting the Republican state legislative leader.

After a two-month petition drive in Vos home district in Racine County, organizers said they have collected 10,700 signatures supporting a recall  nearly 4,000 more than the number required.

Matt Snorek, a leader of the recall effort, on Monday delivered two plastic totes full of signed petitions to the Wisconsin Elections Commission in Downtown Madison.

Let this be a warning to all in positions of power  fail to serve the people and you can be next, Snorek told reporters outside the Tommy G. Thompson Center.

Snorek, who lives in the Town of Burlington in Vos district, was accompanied by Republican activist Harry Wait and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Ramthun.

Recall organizers are targeting Vos because they believe he has failed to do enough in Wisconsin to challenge the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, in which Democrat Joe Biden defeated Republican Donald Trump.

The recall effort was announced Jan. 10, giving organizers 60 days to collect an estimated 6,850 signatures. Vos represents the 63rd Assembly District, which includes much of Mount Pleasant, Sturtevant, Union Grove, Yorkville, Burlington and Rochester.

Vos, who lives in Rochester, issued a statement Monday questioning the validity of the petition drive. Petitioners illegally paid people to sign, bullied students in schoolyards, and also collected signatures outside of the 63rd Assembly District, he said.

The Republican lawmaker said he and a team of supporters would scrutinize the petitions and evaluate each signature. He acknowledged that the recall effort is coming from within his own party among Trump loyalists.

Its truly sad that a group of people who didnt get their way in the 2020 election are wasting resources and effort working with Democrats to settle a political score, he said, rather than better using their time to defeat our ineffective Democrat president.

He added: While I believe my conservative record speaks for itself, I hope Republicans in Racine County will reject this misguided effort on principle alone.

Eric VanDyke, spokesman for the Racine County Republican Party, said the party does not support the recall effort and will work, if necessary, to help Vos remain in office.

VanDyke cited suspicions that the recall involves Democrats and out-of-state activists, although he agreed that there are differences that must be overcome within the GOP locally.

We need to come together as a party, he said.

No candidate has yet announced plans to challenge Vos if a recall election is ordered.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission is scheduled Tuesday morning to discuss the recall petition. Vos has 10 days to challenge signatures.

Any decision by the commission can be appealed in court.

If the signatures are found sufficient, a recall election must be scheduled for six weeks later.

It remains unclear, however, which legislative maps would be used in a recall vote.

Gov. Tony Evers earlier this year signed into law new legislative maps, which are to be used starting with the fall elections.

The state Supreme Court on Friday declined a request from Evers to clarify if the new maps are to be used before November.

Snorek said the large majority of signatures were collected within the 63rd Assembly District under legislative boundaries used in the 2022 election.

If the recall effort fails, efforts will shift to another primary challenge against Vos this August, Snorek said. The longstanding speaker narrowly survived a primary challenge in 2022 and faces another election this November.

We will transition forward and use this energy and this groundswell to continue to show the members of the 63rd Assembly District currently, Racine County, and all of Wisconsin how flawed Robin Vos is, Snorek said. Going forward into the election, hes going to have a tough hill to climb.

The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2024 1. West Virginia 2. Montana 3. Ohio 4. Pennsylvania 5. Arizona 6. Nevada 7. Wisconsin 8. Michigan 9. Texas 10. Florida Analysis: Pennsylvania moves up list of contested Senate seats in 2024
UNION GROVE  A judge has ruled against Union Grove in the villages fight to avoid more than $1 million in costs for flood-control work on the Root River.

Racine County Circuit Judge David Paulson ruled Thursday that the Racine County Board of Drainage Commissioners was within its rights to demand the funding from Union Grove.

The board kept within its jurisdiction and acted according to law, Paulson wrote. The board actions were not arbitrary, oppressive or unreasonable.

The drainage board had assessed Union Grove $1.16 million as the villages share  along with Yorkville and Raymond  to fund $3.2 million in improvements on the Root River.

Union Grove officials filed suit to challenge the organizations authority to assess costs on the village.

Village President Steve Wicklund said he would meet with his colleagues on the Village Board to discuss appealing the judges ruling. Wicklund said he had not yet read the ruling, but was aware of it.

Its a surprise, and its disappointing, he said.

Under state laws dating back to the early 1900s, drainage boards are independent agencies that collect money from municipalities to maintain waterways and prevent flooding.

Alan Jasperson, chairman of the Racine County drainage board, said the judges ruling is an affirmation that communities must pay their fair share for flood-control work.

Jasperson said he hopes Union Grove does not appeal, but rather agrees to pay the $1.16 million.

Hopefully we can simply move forward, he said. It just seems like the right thing to do.

The west branch of the Root River flows north from Union Grove into Yorkville and Raymond, carrying Union Grove wastewater discharge and storm water runoff.

Union Grove has contributed small amounts for river maintenance in the past, but when the drainage board demanded more than $1 million, the village objected.

The village filed suit last summer, joined by three local taxpayers as co-plaintiffs, in an effort to make the case that the drainage boards actions constituted unfair taxation.

Both sides appeared before the judge Feb. 28 to seek a summary judgment ruling, which is a declared verdict issued without taking a dispute to trial.

Paulson announced Thursday that he was granting the drainage boards summary judgment request, and denying Union Groves request.

In his ruling, Paulson wrote that the purpose of Wisconsins drainage laws is to promote public health and welfare by creating a system for flood control. Collecting funds to carry out that purpose, he wrote, does not constitute unfair taxation.

The village argues that the assessment is an impermissible tax on the village use of a navigable waterway, he wrote. The subject assessment is a recovery of specific, actual costs.

From wildfires to floods, photos reveal intensity of climate change in 2023
WAUKESHA  The Universities of Wisconsin plans to close UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha in spring 2025, making it the fifth two-year branch campus to close in the last 18 months due to shifting demographics and budgetary constraints.

UW-Milwaukee announced the closure Monday, saying it would instead shift to a university center model at Waukesha County Technical College, where UW-Milwaukee will eventually have a physical space on the WCTC campus. UW-Milwaukee will also stop offering associate degrees and end its College of General Studies, the academic department that oversaw both the Waukesha and Washington County campuses.

UW-Milwaukee invested in the Waukesha campus following the merging of the UW Colleges with four-year universities in 2018, including increasing bachelors degree options for students, the university said in a statement. But the new programs were insufficient to compensate for a decade of steep enrollment declines.

The closure will happen in three phases, UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone said. The first phase will eliminate the College of General Studies and provide layoff notices to faculty and staff; the second will directly transfer some programs to WCTC. Third will be creating a seamless identity with UW-Milwaukee and WCTC, where students start their careers in Waukesha and can then transfer to UW-Milwaukee.

Last month, UW-Milwaukee signed transfer agreements with the four regional technical colleges  WCTC, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Moraine Park Technical College and Gateway Technical College  to guarantee admission into UW-Milwaukee for any of those schools graduates.

Today, higher education is challenged, Mone said Monday, listing multiple universities including the University of Arizona and the University of Chicago that also are grappling with financial crises. We need to make very difficult decisions ... to avoid some of the more consequential types of decisions that we may see in the future.

The UW system announced the closure of its Washington County campus in West Bend and its Fond du Lac campus in October, and UW-Green Bay decided to end in-person classes at its Marinette campus in January. UW-Platteville at Richland kicked off the trend of closing UW system branch campuses in November 2022, having lost 90% of its enrollment over the prior decade.

After the Richland Center campuss effective closure, UW system President Jay Rothman asked all of the chancellors who oversee branch campuses to evaluate the fiscal viability of the remaining campuses.

This new partnership illustrates a forward, collaborative solution by Chancellor Mone, President (Richard) Barnhouse, and County Executive (Paul) Farrow, Rothman said in a statement Monday. I asked chancellors to review the operations of their branch campuses and develop strategies in the best interest of their communities, and this partnership maintains educational access for students while demonstrating our fiscal stewardship.

Enrollment, financial challenges

Although it still has one of the largest enrollments of any of the branch campuses in the UW system, UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha has seen a precipitous enrollment decline since its last peak in fall 2014. That year, the campus had 2,206 students. Since then, it has lost nearly 70% of its enrollment, enrolling 686 students last fall.

The finances for running the branch campuses are difficult, Mone said. It costs the same to run the College of General Studies as it does to run other comparable departments at UW-Milwaukee, but it only brings in half the revenue because branch campus students pay about $4,800 in tuition over two semesters, about half what their UW-Milwaukee main campus peers pay.

WCTC students pay about $3,200 per semester, Barnhouse said.

The UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha closure will affect more than 100 employees, including tenured faculty. The technical college said it would seek to hire some of those employees as enrollment grows, although the exact number is unknown, Barnhouse said.

Its also unknown how much closing UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha will save UW-Milwaukee, which is one of 11 UW system schools that have a budget shortfall.

(The closure is) not directly related to our overall financial situation. It is in the vein of making smart decisions going forward, knowing what the future is looking like and having the opportunity for this partnership with Waukesha County Technical College, said Robin Van Harpen, senior vice chancellor for finance and administrative affairs.

The most recent closure will leave UW-Milwaukee with no branch campuses, the first UW system four-year institution to eliminate all of the branch campuses it was allocated following the merger. It also leaves the UW system with eight remaining branch campuses.

Waukesha campus future

Future use of Waukesha Countys campus will be determined in the coming months.

The UW system has leases in place for all of its branch campuses with the counties that own them for a nominal amount and shared maintenance responsibilities. The only lease so far that has been severed is with the UW-Medford campus, which stopped offering classes decades before the UW Board of Regents voted to break the lease.

Farrow hinted Monday the county board would look to break the lease with UW-Milwaukee.

Farrow said the county board would put together a workgroup to determine how the campus, which features multiple buildings, could be used going forward.

He said the decision to close the Waukesha campus and create a center inside WCTC is what is best for Waukesha County.

When you think about the workforces that were looking at for the future, we have businesses that are saying, Paul, we have to be nimble. We have to adapt and adjust to whats going on, he said. As I sit here thinking (about) the decision that (Mone) had to make ... to say, Were going to shut this down and displace some employees  who hopefully have an opportunity to (work for WCTC)  its a challenging one. Businesses have to do it every single day. And when we look at the county, we have to be the best stewards of every tax dollar the county has.
1. Yes. The area is still in a drought, and long-range forecasts are predicting a hot, dry summer .

2. Yes. Despite modest rainfall, area lake levels are far below normal. Restrictions are likely.

3. No. Frequent rainfall has helped this spring. Unless summer is unusually dry, it should be OK.

4. No. The area was very hot last summer, but water restrictions never reached Stage 3.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say without seeing how much rain the area gets in April and May.

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Ahead of the Wisconsin Spring Election and Presidential Preference Vote on Tuesday, April 2, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reminds voters how to obtain identification, free of charge, that is valid for voting.

Valid identification for voting purposes includes a driver license, identification card, military or student ID card, etc. There is no separate voter ID. A federally compliant REAL ID card is not required for voting purposes. Anyone unsure if their identification meets the requirements should visit the Wisconsin Elections Commission website to check.

To obtain identification to show at the polls, begin online. A list of the required documents to bring to a DMV Customer Service Center is available at wisconsindmv.gov. If the required documents needed for an ID are not readily available, DMV has a process to obtain the necessary information. This process, available free of charge, may be used to quickly obtain a receipt valid to take to the polls for voting while the remaining documents or verifications are obtained.

Anyone with questions related to obtaining an ID that can be used to vote should call DMVs toll-free hotline at 844-588-1069. Questions regarding voter eligibility, poll locations, voter registration information or other election information can be directed to the Wisconsin Elections Commission at elections.wi.gov.

Start the application now at wisconsindmv.gov or at a local DMV Customer Service Center. To find a DMV, check hours, services and wait times, visit wisconsindmv.gov/centers.
During President Bill Clintons 1995 State of the Union Address, he said the following: All Americans are rightly disturbed by the large numbers of illegal aliens entering our country. The jobs they hold might otherwise be held by citizens or legal immigrants. The public service they use impose burdens on our taxpayers.

Not often do I agree with Democrats, but I must admit, I agree with President Clintons stance on illegal immigration. This policy used to be the norm for Democrats. But sadly, todays Democratic Party has veered far off course.

President Joe Bidens open border policies are costing American lives. Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was recently murdered in Georgia while on a morning jog. Her killer was Jose Antonio Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who was arrested multiple times prior, but never detained by ICE.

In Wisconsin, a loving father named Steven Nasholm was murdered by Jorge Sanchez-Tzanhau, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who should have been deported. These tragedies could have been avoided if President Biden simply upheld his oath to the U.S. Constitution and duty to defend America.

In November, Ill remember my Congressman, Derrick Van Orden, has fought diligently for border security. He helped pass H.R. 2, the strongest border bill in modern history, through the Republican-controlled House. Ill also remember the Third Congressional District Democratic candidates' silence on this issue. Ending the border crisis is absent from their list of priorities. Their complicity wont be forgotten on Nov. 5.

Jordan Briskey

Holmen
To Holmen voters: I encourage you to join me in voting for Jennifer Dieck on April 2 for the Holmen School Board.

Jennifer has been a very dedicated, level headed, pragmatic president and board member for 3 years. She reaches out to understand all perspectives of issues and strives to reach common ground that is in the best interests of the district and its future.

Jennifer is focused on maintaining a high level of student achievement, not afraid to visit classrooms to connect with students and teachers. Jennifer recognizes the high quality educators and staff Holmen is lucky to call their own and strives for competitive pay to retain and recruit.

She is committed to DEI and ensuring the Holmen community is accepting and inclusive of all. Jennifer is a true servant leader in our district and community. She leads by example and always does what is right for the district. The Holmen community is lucky to have such an active advocate and leader.

The school district of Holmen deserves you voting for Jennifer Dieck for the Holmen School Board on April 2 to continue the positive trajectory forward.

Tricia Johnson

Holmen
Editor's note: This story is one of the winning entries from the "Teach Us about Ukraine" writing contest sponsored by VOA Learning English and GoGlobal.

Hello everyone. My name is Natalia Lavryk. I am an English teacher from Ukraine. I would like to introduce you to my countryits beautiful nature and very hard-working and friendly people, who most of all want peace, freedom, and independence.

As the world watches Ukraines fight for freedom, its soldiers have become a symbol of unbreakable resistance. For Ukrainians, nothing represents that spirit more than the giant stones in the Carpathian Mountains called Dovbush Rocks.

Located on the border of Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv areas, Dovbush Rocks covers about 100 hectares. The website vidviday.ua says the volcanic giant stones once rested at the bottom of the ancient sea. They are now surrounded by green forests. Named a national monument in 1981, they are seen as a place of power and are popular with visitors seeking a mystical experience.

The rocks are named after Oleksa Dovbush, a Robin Hood-like figure, who used them as a hideout in the 18th century. As a leader of a group of rebels, he fought against the oppressive forces that ruled the area. The rocky terrain, with its numerous caves and narrow passages, provided the perfect refuge for Dovbush and his followers.

Ancient storytellers said that Oleksa was killed by the husband of his former lover Dzvinka, who turned into a rock for her betrayal. And Oleksas body was dismembered and spread throughout the mountains.

Visiting Dovbush Rocks

Last summer I visited this mysterious place with my students from the Lyceum of Otyniia, a school for students ages six to 17. The energy of this place is impossible to forget. We felt there was a special force that inspired us to do great things and build our inner strength.

The path through the cave is so narrow that, at times, it may seem that there is no way out. In some places, the distance between the rocks is very narrow, only 20 to 30 centimeters wide. In the caves between the rocks, it gets darker and you can hear the rustling of bats' wings and the echo of dripping water.

Above the cave is an unusual rock in the image of a lion. Visitors can climb on top of the lion to see the beautiful view of Prykarpattia and look for their hopes and dreams on a "wishing stone.

According to folk legend, the lion is there to guard Dovbushs buried treasure which no one has been able to find yet. It is said that after Dovbush's death, his fellow rebels hid gold taken from tavern keepers and merchants in the Odynets cave. The entry to the cave is covered by a rotating stone. One needs to say a magic word to turn the stone and open a passage to the cave. The person who knew that magic word died long ago. So the gold has been lying under the rock for more than a hundred years.

Another mysterious place is Devil's Gorge. Only 20 centimeters wide, the gorge is difficult to get through. People put a lot of effort into getting through this narrow gap because, as legend has it, they could be set free of sin.

For Ukrainians, Dovbush Rocks represents both the power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. The rock formation inspires us to rethink our place in nature, and our culture and history. It is a beautiful place where everyone should experience all its magic for themselves.

I'm Andrew Smith. And I'm Jill Robbins.

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About the writer

Nataliia Lavryk is an English teacher at the Lyceum of Otyniia in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine. Growing up in a family of educators, she always knew she wanted to follow in their footsteps. Nataliia was born in the village of Zakrivtsi, and after completing her education, she began her career as a teacher. Passionate about helping students learn and grow, she continues to inspire and support her students in their English language studies.

What do you think of this story? Please let us know in the comments.

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A new study suggests Jupiters icy moon Europa produces much less oxygen than previously thought.

The study was based on data collected by the American space agency NASAs Juno spacecraft. Juno is an orbiter that has been studying Jupiter since July 2016.

The study involved Junos instruments measuring levels of oxygen and hydrogen molecules coming from Europas atmosphere. The data showed the icy moon produces about 1,000 tons of oxygen every 24 hours. NASA said that amount would be enough to keep a million humans breathing for a day.

However, the space agency noted those oxygen level estimates were substantially less than those measured in earlier studies about the moon.

Europa is a little smaller than Earths moon. But it is still one of the largest in our solar system. NASA observations have suggested an ocean exists beneath a thick layer of ice on Europas surface. Scientists estimate the moons ocean may contain twice the amount of water as Earths oceans.

The new study is based on data Juno collected in 2022 during a particularly close flyby of Europa. The flyby is believed to have brought the spacecraft within 350 kilometers of the moon.

The research was led by teams from Princeton University in New Jersey and Marylands Southwest Research Institute. The scientists estimated Europa is producing around 12 kilograms of oxygen per second. Earlier predictions suggested the moon was releasing up to 1,000 kilograms per second.

Since Europa is believed to have a large ocean under its surface, researchers in the past identified it as a good candidate to hold the right conditions to support some form of life. That data came mainly from telescope observations of oxygen levels existing in the moons icy surface.

The new, lower oxygen estimates do not support the earlier observations. The team involved in the study said more research will be needed to confirm the latest findings.

Scott Bolton is a Juno investigator at the Southwest Research Institute and a co-writer of the study. He said in a statement that the teams new findings have a direct effect on the possibility that Europa could be habitable. While the oxygen amounts measured were much lower, the latest study gives scientists a narrow range that could support habitability, Bolton said.

Princeton University researcher Jamey Szalay was the studys lead writer. He said, The findings unambiguously demonstrate oxygen is continuously produced at the surface, just a good bit lower than we expected.

Szalay added that Junos flyby of Europa marked the first time a spacecraft was able to directly measure the moons atmosphere. We couldnt wait to peek behind the curtain of its complex environment, he wrote to The Associated Press in an email.

The researchers said the new measurements can help scientists gain a better understanding of Europa and its environment, and open the door for newer, more precise models.

Robert Ebert is a researcher at the Southwest Research Institute and a co-writer of the study. He said that even with the new results, he believes further investigations should take place to search for signs of life on Europa. Water is important for the existence of life Europa is a good place to search for water within our solar system.

NASA hopes to launch its Europa Clipper mission in October. This orbiter is designed to carry out close examinations of Europa. It will look for signs it might hold the right conditions to support life.

NASA says the orbiter plans to fly in orbit around Jupiter and perform repeated close flybys of the ice moon.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from The Associated Press, NASA, Nature Astronomy and the Southwest Research Institute.

Quiz - New Data Suggests Jupiters Moon Europa Has Less Oxygen than Expected Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_______________________________________________

Words in This Story

substantial  n. large in amount

habitable  adj. able to support life

unambiguous  n. expressed in a very clear way

peek behind the curtain  n. get a look at something not normally seen

precise  adj. very clear or exact
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 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
Torrential rains have triggered flash floods and a landslide on Indonesias Sumatra island, killing at least 19 people and leaving seven others missing, officials said yesterday.

Tons of mud, rocks and uprooted trees rolled down a mountain late Friday, reaching a river that burst its banks and tore through mountainside villages in Pesisir Selatan district of West Sumatra province, said Doni Yusrizal, who heads the local disaster management agency.

Rescuers by Saturday pulled out seven bodies in the worst-hit village of Koto XI Tarusan, and recovered three others in two neighboring villages, Yusrizal said.

Rescuers retrieved six bodies in Pesisir Selatan and three more in the neighboring district of Padang Pariaman, bringing the death toll to 19, the National Disaster Management Agency said on Sunday.

The agency in a statement said at least two villagers were injured by the flash flood and rescuers are searching for seven people who are reportedly still missing.

It said more than 80,000 people had fled to temporary government shelters after the flood and landslide buried 14 houses, while 20,000 houses were flooded up to the roof in nine districts and cities in West Sumatra province.

Relief efforts for the dead and missing were hampered by power outages, blocked roads covered in thick mud and debris, Yusrizal said.

Heavy rains cause frequent landslides and flash floods in Indonesia, where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near floodplains. MDT/AP
The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is aiming for international tourists to return to about 60-70% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019, with more than two million overseas tourists this year. Speaking to the press, deputy director Cheng Wai Tong also said that following the launch of Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) for Xian and Qingdao residents, over the past four days, the number of Shanxi tourists to Macau increased by 1.5% as compared to March 1 to March 5, while the number of Qingdao tourists increased, compared with the same period, by 10%.

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An exhibition on the natural habitats and ecosystem of Hengqin, China is being held at the Macao Science Center as part of the territorys second nature festival.

Co-organized by the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and running until March 31, the exhibition showcases pictures of the territorys ecosystem collected by a survey that concluded in 2023. A video about the survey is also screened at the venue, alongside other interactive elements.

Deputy director of the bureau, Tam Wai Fong, emphasized the close relations between Macau and Hengqin when introducing the exhibition to the Times.

Meanwhile, the 2nd Hengqin Nature Festival  to be held from March 12 to 26  aims to plant 10,000 trees in Hengqin as part of the initiative to ultimately plant 100,000 trees in the territory this year.

Residents in Macau will have the chance to participate in the tree-planting activity, provided that they register in advance using the Macau Government One Account app. They are also encouraged to view a biodiversity exhibition held in Hengqin, as well as participate in a photo contest, natural workshops and antique tree tours, among other activities.

Another highlight of this years festival is the opening of the Hengqin Erjingwan Wetland Park Promotion and Education Center on March 20. As a base for nature education, the center will provide a variety of ecological education activities and workshops for residents of Macau and Hengqin.
The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) has relayed a warning from the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that a sausage product from the American brand Johnsonville may contain pieces of rubber. IAM is paying close attention to the incident and has issued a food alert to the local food sector, requiring members of the sector to put an immediate halt to the supply and sale of the relevant product if they have it in stock. The sausage product concerned is Johnsonville Polish Kielbasa Turkey Sausage, with an expiry date of May 17, 2024 or May 18, 2024.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised artillery firing drills aimed at boosting combat readiness, state media reported Friday, days after his country vowed to take corresponding military steps against the ongoing South Korean-U.S military training that it regards as an invasion rehearsal.

Thursdays drills involved frontline artillery units, whose weapons place Seoul, the South Korean capital, in their striking range, the Norths official Korean Central News Agency said.

Kim said artillery units must take the initiative with merciless and rapid strikes at the moment of their entry into an actual war, KCNA said.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said later Friday that it had detected North Korea firing artillery into the waters off its west coast the previous day. It said South Korea will make a stern and overwhelming response in the event of provocations by North Korea.

North Koreas forward-deployed long-range artillery guns pose a serious security threat to Seoul, a city with 10 million people which is about 40 to 50 kilometers from the border with North Korea.

North Koreas Defense Ministry said last week it would conduct unspecified responsible military activities in response to the annual South Korea-U.S. military drills that began last week. Kim visited a western operational training ground last week and called for stronger war fighting capabilities.

The 11-day South Korean-U.S. drills involve a computer-simulated command post training and 48 kinds of field exercises, twice the number conducted last year.

North Korea views South Korea-U.S. military exercises as a major security threat, calling them a preparation to launch attacks on the North. Seoul and Washington officials have said their drills are defensive in nature.

North Korea has sharply accelerated its missile testing activities since 2022 in part of efforts to develop more powerful nuclear-capable weapons targeting the U.S. mainland and South Korea. The South Korean and U.S. militaries have expanded their drills in response.

Experts say North Korea likely aims to use a modernized arsenal to win sanctions relief from the United States when diplomacy restarts. They say North Korea could increase its weapons tests and dial up warlike rhetoric this year as the United States and South Korea hold major elections. HYUNG-JIN KIM, SEOUL, MDT/AP
Christopher Nolan stood as staid and nonchalant as ever as crowds surrounded him and music pulsed.

His celebration was limited to casually holding a best directing Oscar, his first, and one of seven on the night for his film.

The Oppenheimer crowd were hardly the hardest partiers at the Vanity Fair post- Oscars party on Sunday night (today, Macau time), but they hardly needed to be, their hardware did all the preening for them.

Nolans wife, Oppenheimer producer Emma Thomas, held her own statuette, for best picture, and did most of the talking as waves of well-wishers descended on the couple.

They found a couch near the dance floor with their two children and were immediately met by a woman bearing a tray of In-N-Out burgers, the signature food at the signature Oscars after-party where end-of-award-season decadence is the norm.

Nolan did have the relax-its-all-over vibe down pat.

Billie Eilish soon strode by with two friends, her best original song Oscar slung in one arm. It was the lone Oscar won by the film that has stood opposite Oppenheimer since their simultaneous release in July, but its already the second for Eilish at age 22.

The Nolan clan left early, as the party was just getting started.

The annual affair is hosted by Vanity Fair editor Radhika Jones and held at a space built between Beverly Hills City Hall and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Its one of several Oscar parties held across the city after the show. Most winners, including Nolan and Thomas on Sunday night, start the celebration at the Governors Ball, the official after-party in the same complex as the ceremony where you can get your statuette engraved on the spot.

The Vanity Fair dress code might be called loosened black tie. Many still wear their tuxes and gowns from the ceremony. Some come in more casual, but no less ornate, outfits.

Usher wore a white, sequined jacket over a bare chest. Barry Keoghan sported a similarly spangled jacket over a mesh tank top, looking not too different than his Saltburn character did when he ingratiated himself with the nobility.

The partys guest list always extends well beyond Hollywood into music, fashion, literature and sports.

Serena Williams and LeBron James, who both have had a hand in producing in recent years, each hung out on the partys patio.

The 6-foot-9 James was a star among stars as he towered over the crowd in a white tuxedo jacket and sunglasses while holding a glass of champagne. He became an instant magnet for photos.

At the entrance, where many walk their final awards season red carpet, Anya Taylor-Joy greeted Matteo Bocelli, who sang during the In Memoriam segment with his father, the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

Were you nervous to sing? You did such a beautiful job, she said.

Grazie, he answered.

Along with the ubiquitous In-N-Out, servers circulated with fried, cheese-stuffed squash blossoms and quattro formaggio pizza. Ke Huy Quan, last years best supporting actor winner for Everything Everywhere All at Once and one of the men who presented it to Robert Downey Jr. for Oppenheimer this year, grabbed a slice of the pie after walking the carpet and scarfed it down like he hadnt eaten all day.

The dance floor was closer to the center of the action than usual this year, giving the room more of a club vibe but making it harder to hear people, and to eavesdrop on conversations. The music leaned retro, with plenty of Prince and Michael Jackson.

As Earth, Wind and Fires September blasted, Jon Hamm stood sipping a cocktail at the nearest bar, half-dancing along as he hugged Brett Goldstein of Ted Lasso and chatted with Schitts Creek star Catherine OHara. Hamm later talked and laughed at length with John Mulaney, a presenter during the show. The two exchanged cheek kisses as they parted ways.

Nearby, Jeffrey Wright, best actor nominee for American Fiction, talked intently to director John Waters.

Near them, Anyone but You and Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney stood in a white gown with fiance Jonathan Davino at her side.

Outside, last years best director co-winner, Daniel Scheinert of Everything Everywhere All at Once, chatted with Sound of Metal actor Riz Ahmed, Beef actor Steven Yeun and Greta Lee, star of best picture nominee Past Lives.

At least one Oppenheimer winner got a little rowdy. As midnight approached, Ludwig Goransson, who won his own second musical Oscar for writing the films score, tore up the dance floor, shimmying and moonwalking with his statuette in one hand.

His wasnt the only Oscar on the floor. Other lesser-known faces danced alongside him, celebrating the instant invitation a win gets you, regardless of the category or your fame, to the absurdly star-studded party where the tiny statues are the real celebrities.

MDT/AP

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Pope Francis said in an interview that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia and not be ashamed to sit at the same table to carry out peace talks.

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 and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates, Francis said, adding that talks should take place with the help of international powers.

Ukraine 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 belong to the country which has been invaded.

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 Saturday that Francis picked up the white flag term that had been used by the interviewer. He issued a statement of clarification after the popes white flag comments sparked criticism that he was siding with Russia in the conflict.

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.

Francis said in the RSI interview that 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. Negotiations are never a surrender.

The pope also reminded people that some countries have offered to act as mediators in the conflict. MDT/AP
Three workers were injured and had to be transported to hospital after an accident on the construction site of the new Coloane prison. According to TDM, one of the three workers is a 53-year-old man, a non-resident worker, from mainland China, who lost consciousness in the accident and had to be evacuated. A pelvic fracture is suspected. The other two workers are from Macau and the mainland and also suffered injuries from the accident, following the unloading of a heavy item. The Labour Bureau Affairs has guaranteed support to the victims of the incident.

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Over 230 million women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation, most of whom live in Africa, according to a report issued late last week by the United Nations childrens agency.

In the last eight years, some 30 million people have undergone the procedure, in which external genitalia are partially or fully removed, UNICEF estimated in the report, which was released on International Womens Day.

The percentage of women and girls who experience female genital mutilation is declining, UNICEF said, but it warned that efforts to eradicate the practice are too slow to keep up with fast-growing populations.

The practice of female genital mutilation is declining, but not fast enough, the report said.

The practice, incorrectly believed to control womens sexuality, can cause serious bleeding and even death. Girls are subjected to the procedure at ages ranging from infancy to adolescence. Long term, it can lead to urinary tract infections, menstrual problems, pain, decreased sexual satisfaction and childbirth complications, as well as depression, low self-

esteem and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Were also seeing a worrying trend that more girls are subjected to the practice at younger ages, many before their fifth birthday. That further reduces the window to intervene, said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

Some 144 million women and girls have been through female genital mutilation in Africa alone, followed by Asia and the Middle East with 80 million and 6 million respectively, the report said. Somalia tops the list of countries where the practice, also known as female circumcision, is prevalent, with 99% of the female population between the ages of 15 and 49 having been circumcised.

Burkina Faso made the most significant progress, reducing the proportion of women between 15 and 49 who were circumcised from 80% to 30% over three decades.

The report also showed that 4 in every 10 survivors live in conflict-torn countries with high population growth rates, adding that political instability disrupts efforts prevent the practice and provide support to victims.

Ethiopia, Nigeria and Sudan account for the largest numbers of girls and women who have undergone female genital mutilation in conflict-affected countries, the report said.

Although the report hailed the progress made in some countries, it warned that the world is falling short of what would be needed to meet the U.N.s goal of eradicating the practice globally by 2030.

In some countries, progress would need to be 10 times faster than the best progress observed in history in order to reach the target by 2030, said the report.

Nimco Ali, CEO of the Five Foundation, a UK-based charity that fights female genital mutilation, said the UNICEF estimates were shocking and devastating, and more funding is urgently needed to end the practice.

We must use the last six years of this decade to finally get to grips with this abhorrent abuse of a girls human rights and save the next generation from the horrors of FGM, the Somali-born activist, author and female genital mutilation survivor said in a press release. NOHA ELHENNAWY, CAIRO, MDT/AP
Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak has said he will not tolerate any law or disciplinary violations committed by any police officers, on the sidelines of a police institute event over the weekend.

It was earlier disclosed by the Judiciary Police (PJ) that a Public Security Police Force (PSP) officer had been arrested on allegations of a major fraud.

When asked for comment on the matter by the press, the security official emphasized that any illegal behavior by members of the security forces will not be tolerated and will be treated with great seriousness.

He also said that the requirements for the conduct of security forces personnel are very strict, and any illegal behaviors will not be tolerated. In addition to being held criminally accountable, there will also be disciplinary penalties, the official added.

In spite of the PJs comments on the allegation, the Security official said that relevant details will be released on his blog  The Unceasing Alarm  as well at a later date.

Separately, a significant number of theft cases on busses and burglary cases in private residences have been disclosed by the PJ. When asked if this signals a rising trajectory and a worsening security situation, Wong emphasized that the police are on high alert for these cases. During festive periods, for example, the security forces anticipate and plan for security issues. Promotional and educational efforts are also put in place to remind the public to stay vigilant against crime and fire. As a result, the security official said, the number of such crimes has decreased in comparison to 2019.

PSP officer charged for scamming HKD500,000

A PSP officer has been charged with the crime of major fraud and is currently under investigation, the PJ has announced.

The officer, 36 and surnamed Ao Ieong, started working for the police force in 2013.

According to the PJ, in the summer of 2017, the suspect told their victim about an investment scheme concerning an education center located on Rua da Praia do Manduco. Ao Ieong reportedly claimed that one-third of the equity of the education center was then worth HKD500,000 only, with a promised seasonal dividend reaching HKD200,000.

Following Ao Ieongs repeated persuasion, the victim gave him HKD500,000 in several instalments. However, the victim never received any documentation nor dividends.

A year later, the victim was told by Ao Ieong that the education center had ceased operations and the license holder was under arrest on allegations of fraudulently obtaining government subsidies. As such, the investment could not be refunded.

The case was later reported to the PJ by the victim.

Investigations have revealed that the owner of the education center did not know Ao Ieong nor did they commence any investment scheme. It was also discovered that Ao Ieong had withdrawn HKD100,000 in cash and bought a car with HKD300,000. The remaining funds have yet to be located.

Ao Ieong, however, denies the allegations and insists that he helped the victim invest in the education center.
Fans of the 1973 Pink Floyd album The Dark Side of the Moon can travel to major U.S. cities like Chicago or New York  or else to Germany, Great Britain, Korea or Australia  to watch an immersive, fulldome video extravaganza celebrating the 50th anniversary of the landmark work.

Or they can walk into the 67-seat Madison School District planetarium at Vel Phillips Memorial High School, and see the same 42-minute show.

It sold out immediately, MMSD Planetarium director Ben Senson said of the first showings of Pink Floyds Dark Side of the Moon: 50 Years in a Heartbeat in late February and early March.

There were all these people calling and trying to get more tickets. I had to keep saying over and over that we didnt have more seats left. I figured the easier thing is to just add more dates, he said.

The show, which takes viewers on a space-age voyage of sorts, was created for the golden anniversary of one of the best-selling albums of all time. Known for its otherworldly, progressive rock innovations and its enigmatic album cover, The Dark Side of the Moon was originally released, in fact, at a press conference at the London Planetarium on Feb. 27, 1973.

The new immersive version being shown in planetariums worldwide was made by the England-based studio NSC Creative in conjunction with Pink Floyds creative director, Aubrey Powell. Designed for both longtime fans as well as a new generation of listeners ("Dark Side" purists, read the reviews), the fulldome video uses original graphics plus a boatload of scientific images  albeit altered and reinterpreted by digital artists, Senson said.

If you go Upcoming public shows at the MMSD Planetarium, 201 S. Gammon Road, include: Pink Floyds Dark Side of the Moon: 6 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m. on March 22 and 23, April 18 and 19, and May 17 and 18; tickets $20. Other public shows: Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge, March 19 and 21; "Mars: The Ultimate Voyage," April 23 and 25; "The Stars of Summer 2024," May 14 and 16. Showings at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets $6 Madison city residents; $9 non-residents. Website: www.madison.k12.wi.us/planetarium/public-events

Those are real storms on Jupiter. That really is the Great Red Spot in the atmosphere of Jupiter, he said of the images in the show. Theres a scene where theyre flying around the rings of Saturn and you see the Voyager probe looping around. Those were the real orbital paths. They took real experiences and put them into the visualizations.

Senson, who teaches astronomy and physics at Madison College and taught multiple science classes for three decades at Memorial before becoming planetarium director in July 2022, first heard about the Pink Floyd show at a national planetarium convention last year and paid for the rights through Dec. 31. So after dates in Madison earlier this month sold out, he added more show dates through May. The planetarium will be closed during the MMSD summer break, but more Pink Floyd showings might be offered this fall, he said.

Tweaking the sound

Earlier this year, Senson decided that playing the seminal Pink Floyd album on the planetariums existing stereo system would never do. So he dipped into his own pocket to upgrade to a $2,500, 5.1 audio system that heightens the listening experience. An audio engineer visited the planetarium a few days before the first show and spent eight hours tweaking the system to get the sound just right, he said.

One of four planetariums built in Wisconsin high schools in the 1960s with a grant from NASA (the other three are in Wausau, Wauwatosa and Waukesha), the MMSD Planetarium originally used a mechanical starball with an internal arc lamp to project images of the solar system until it was replaced seven years ago by fulldome video.

The facilitys current Digistar 7 system allows Senson, who designs many of his own planetarium programs, to lead viewers on a virtual journey to Mars, into a moon crater or up to a black hole.

I can literally take you anywhere, anytime, anyplace in the history of the universe, he said.

Along with special showings for school groups ranging from physics classes to art classes, the planetarium offers four public shows each month through the school year. Upcoming programs include Living in Balance - Anishinaabe Star Knowledge on March 19 and 21; "Mars: The Ultimate Voyage" in April and "The Stars of Summer 2024" in May.

The planetarium also lends out six- and eight-inch telescopes (free for city of Madison residents; $5 for others) and sells solar eclipse glasses for $5.

So what is it about planetariums that is awe-inspiring?

To me its the visual engagement, Senson said. Its why people love Hollywood so much. But you might still love reading the book.

As for "Dark Side of the Moon," Senson isnt a hardcore prog-rock fan. He was mostly familiar with the Pink Floyd album through his parents. I was 6 when the album came out, he quips.

But for the purposes of the Madison shows, he tracked down a retro Pink Floyd T-shirt at an Old Navy store, he said. Another friend picked up a "1973 Pink Floyd World Tour" hat at Walmart  yet more proof of the groups legacy.

Im not even a big Pink Floyd fan, which is the hilarious part of bringing "Dark Side of the Moon" to Madison, Senson said. But when I saw the preview of this thing a year ago  it is one of the best integrations of visuals with music that you could ever imagine.

Its not your grandpas planetarium, he added, even though they were around for Pink Floyd.
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).
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway on Monday announced the appointment of Meagan Tuttle as the new director of the citys Planning Division, which helps community members, city officials and others guide future development and growth.

Tuttle currently serves as the director of planning for the city of Burlington, Vermont, where she has worked since 2015.

I look forward to working with Meagan to build on the Planning Divisions strengths and implement the priorities identified in the Imagine Madison comprehensive plan, Rhodes-Conway said. She is a highly engaged and dedicated public sector leader who brings a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach to her work. I am confident she will be a strong addition to our efforts to create much-needed housing in Madison.

Tuttle will succeed Heather Stouder, who has served in the position since mid-2016 and will become administrative services manager for the city Department of Planning, Community, and Economic Development.

I am delighted that Heather Stouder will be moving to a new position as I thank her for her years of leadership and service with the Planning Division, and for her ongoing commitment to the city, Rhodes-Conway said.

Tuttle will join the city on Aug. 5, with an annual salary of $153,500. Bill Fruhling, a principal planner in the Planning Division, will serve as acting director beginning March 17 until Tuttle takes her position.

Thinking of spring? Here are 5 eclectic plant stores to visit The Madison Greenhouse Store Red Square Flowers Naly's Floral Shop Wildewood GROW Greenhouse
After years of political wrangling, Dane County finally will break ground on a new jail on Wednesday.

The ceremony, which is not open to the public, is set for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at 114 W. Wilson St., which is the back lot of the Public Safety Building.

The Dane County Board in January allocated another $27.7 million to the long-debated jail project, giving the green light for construction to begin.

The boards vote closed a budget shortfall that arose after the sole bid for the project, from Miron Construction, came in far over budget late last year.

The project will add a six-story, 825-bed tower next to the main jail in the Public Safety Building, ending a roughly 20-year saga over if, where and how the county would consolidate the jail.

Once built, the new tower will allow for the closing of the City-County Building jail and the South Side work-release Ferris Huber Center.
The titles of the 150 or so posters on display in the Capitols Rotunda sounded just as impressive as what might be found at a symposium of doctoral students  such as The cost of clean water: An efficiency analysis of Wisconsins water utilities or Investigating alternatives to antibiotics using phage.

Or, in some cases, the titles were intriguingly esoteric, such as Gold mountains in the pinery: Chinese Americans in rural Wisconsin, 1875-1940.

These werent the research products of graduate students, however, but examples of work by undergraduate students from each of Wisconsins 13 four-year campuses and some of its two-year centers. It was the 20th annual Research in the Rotunda exhibit, and it brought some of Wisconsins best and brightest to the center of state government.

An hour or so earlier in the same day, and just a few hundred feet away from the encircled posters, a bill-signing ceremony in the office of Gov. Tony Evers spoke to how and why Wisconsin will continue to produce research and talent to help the state, nation and world.

Evers signed into law two bills that will invest $740 million in capital projects for the Universities of Wisconsin, about half of which is for an engineering building and some dormitory work on the UW-Madison campus and the rest for a mix of projects at UW-Whitewater, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Platteville and UW-Green Bay. Also signed was a reciprocity bill to help the UW better capture tuition dollars paid by Minnesota students who attend Wisconsin campuses.

A dispute over how the UW handles diversity, equity and inclusiveness programs had delayed agreement on all three bills, but the outcome allowed legislators and UW officials alike to claim victory and to keep the projects on track.

The seven-story engineering building in Madison is the biggest single piece, with a total cost of $347 million that includes $197 million from the state and $150 million from private donors, much of which is still to be raised before work begins.

In addition to dramatically expanding enrollment over time at the College of Engineering, the building will allow expansion of key research programs. Both results will help talent-hungry businesses across Wisconsin and keep Madisons engineering college competitive within its peer group.

The timing of the bill signing in Evers office was appropriate because it corresponded with the undergraduate research exhibit, which demonstrated the breadth of student-led projects across the state.

In many cases, the topics chosen by the students reflected the regions in which their campuses are located. Innovation in agriculture, health care, natural resources, cultural issues, communication technologies and even Wisconsin history were among major categories.

The event itself was born in the early 2000s out of a larger public process, the Wisconsin Economic Summits, which identified the need for UW campuses to become better catalysts in their local economies by competing for research dollars and helping find ways to commercialize results.

Promoted by UW System President Katharine Lyall and Regents President Jay Smith at the time, the effort led to more aggressive pursuit of federal research grants and creation of a technology transfer process for largely undergraduate campuses.

That process is today housed in WiSys, which works with those campuses as needed. None of this was intended to diminish graduate-level research at UW-Madison or UW-Milwaukee, but to spur more indigenous research and student growth statewide.

Over the 20 years of hosting this event, we have featured well over 1,500 undergraduate research projects, UW President Jay Rothman said of the March 6 poster exhibits, which paired students with faculty mentors. Today highlights our commitment to having at least 25% of our undergraduate students involved in research at each of our universities by 2028.

Whether its through a state-of-the-art engineering building in Madison or individual projects from campuses such as Superior, River Falls and Oshkosh, basic and applied research can help students with their personal growth  as well as the communities in which they live.
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.
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The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said Monday it secured four agreements with Australian companies in the field of smart city solutions to accelerate the Philippine economy and create more skilled jobs.

BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang said the deals were part of the $1.53-billion investments signed during the Philippines Business Forum held during the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Australia in early March 2024.

These agreements will help not just the BCDA but the whole country to navigate toward a safe and sustainable future in terms of digital transformation and renewable energy transition. Through these deals, we will also be able to drive inclusive economic growth and create more high-quality employment opportunities for those living within the economic zones we operate, Bingcang said.

The agreements are expected to attract foreign capital and business expertise to the Philippines, particularly in critical sectors like information and communications technology (ICT), energy and infrastructure.

One key agreement is a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kaizen ANZ Pty. Ltd. for the development, design, construction, commissioning and funding of a Tier-3 Data Center in Poro Point Freeport Zone, La Union.

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The deal will provide the Philippines with a robust and scalable infrastructure for secure and efficient data storage and processing capabilities.

Another MOU signed with St. Battalion GigaFactory Inc. focuses on expanding next-generation battery manufacturing in the Philippines.

This aims to increase output from 600-megawatt-hour (MWh) to two gigawatt-hour (GWh) by 2030. The company also plans to build at least four more ready-built factories in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, generating an additional 500 jobs.

Energy Decarb Pty Ltd. signed up to deploy decarbonization solutions in New Clark City and other BCDA properties. The company will integrate renewable energy, storage and e-mobility solutions to reduce energy costs and reliance on traditional power grids.

BCDA also signed an MOU with Passenger Urban and Rapid Vehicles Solutions Inc. to explore the potential of providing electric vehicle fleets within its properties. This would encompass the design, installation, and operation of fast-charging stations.

New Clark City is a 9,450-hectare greenfield development envisioned as an inclusive, resilient, sustainable and smart city within the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone. Poro Point, meanwhile, is a 236.5-hectare prime location for investment and tourism in North Luzon, with access to an airport, seaport, and other tourism facilities, including the 65-hectare Mediterranean-inspired Thunderbird Resorts.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left the Philippines Monday to begin his five-day visit to Germany and the Czech Republic.

In his departure speech at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, the President said his trip this week would focus on deepening the bilateral relations of the Philippines with the two Central European nations.

President Marcos would meet with German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz in Berlin and Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague.

In Germany, the President is expected to formalize a joint declaration of intent to strengthen cooperation in the maritime sector, a collaboration between the transportation agencies of both nations.

The upcoming declaration aims to streamline maritime trade operations and improve the mobility of commercial vessels from Manila and Berlin.

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In Czech Republic, President Marcos would sign a joint communique to establish a labor consultations mechanism, enhancing collaboration between Manila and Prague to support Filipino worker migration.

The Department of Foreign Affairs also revealed that due to the increasing demand for Filipino workers in the Czech Republic, Prague has set an annual quota of 10,000 Filipinos starting in May.

The Presidential Communications Office said Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, who was present during the Presidents departure ceremony, would serve as the countrys caretaker while President Marcos is in Europe.

Philippine ambassador to Germany Irene Natividad said the Presidents trip to Berlin showed the countrys reaffirmation of its bilateral ties with the European nation.

I think the key to any bilateral relation is mutual or shared interests and values, Natividad said in an interview.

The Philippines and Germany have common ground in terms of establishing a rules-based international order, addressing climate change issues and related challenges, and caring for the labor sector to ensure smooth diplomatic relations, according to Natividad.

Germany has also expressed its support for the countrys peace process, especially in Mindanao, the ambassador noted, citing development projects in the region funded by the German government.

On the issue of the West Philippine Sea, Germany has always been one of the first countries to call out aggressive actions and dangerous maneuvers and incidents in our seas, Natividad added.
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THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said the remains of the two Filipino seafarers who were killed in a missile attack by the Houthi rebel group are expected to be retrieved soon as their ship reaches Oman.

The DFA also said nine Filipino seafarers from an oil tanker seized by Irans Navy arrived in the Philippines on Sunday, while two more are expected to arrive within this week.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the bodies of the two deceased Filipinos are still onboard the MV True Confidence, days after it was struck on Mar. 6 while traversing the Gulf of Aden. The Barbados-flagged bulk carrier is currently being towed to a port in Oman

The ship is being towed because it was set on fire after it was struck by a missile. It is being towed to the Port of Duqm in Oman where the bodies can be recovered. There will be a salvage operation and a search will be made for the remains of the two Filipinos so they can be sent home, De Vega said.

Among those aboard the Greek-owned vessel were 15 Filipinos. The 13 Filipino crewmen who survived the attack were transported to Djibouti onboard an Indian warship.

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Eleven of the surviving Pinoys will be returning to Manila on Tuesday. As confirmed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

We are preparing a fitting welcome for our brave seafarers upon their arrival, DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo J. Cacdac said.

Two are still injured. They are still in the hospital but their condition is improving. They will be able to come home eventually, De Vega said.

The DMW said the two injured Filipinos will be repatriated to the Philippines as soon as they are medically certified as fit for travel.

According to the DFA official, it has issued travel documents to the returning crew members, whose flight arrangements are being managed by their shipping and manning agencies.

The 11th returning crew member suffered minor injuries during the emergency evacuation of the ship.

Two of the remaining Filipino crew members of the True Confidence remain in a hospital in Djibouti City.

Their condition is stable and being monitored by medical professionals. They will be repatriated to the Philippines as soon as they are medically certified as fit for travel.

Meanwhile, recovery operations are underway for the retrieval of the remains of three crew members, two of them Filipino, who died in the missile attack.

We pray for the success of the salvaging operation so that the remains of our two fallen seafarers can be repatriated. As we continue to express our condolences and prayers to their families, Cacdac said.

The DFA issued the travel documents to the returning crew members, whose flight arrangements are being managed by their shipping and manning agencies.

De Vega said the two other Filipinos will leave either by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Six other Filipinos remaining under Irans custody are awaiting replacements before returning to the Philippines.

They are not hostages per se, because they volunteered to be left there because of the double salary offer so out of their own free will, they willingly stayed there, De Vega said, in an interview with ABS-CBN News on Sunday.

Some 18 Filipino crew of St. Nikolas tanker were in the custody of Irans Navy after the tankers seizure in January of this year.

The seizure by Irans Navy was done in retaliation for the confiscation last year of the same vessel and its oil by the United States.
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THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday served public warning it will not hesitate to prosecute and punish those who would undermine the integrity and credibility of the elections.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia raised the warning during the signing of the P17.98-billion contract for the full automation of the countrys electoral processes with South Korean service provider Miru Systems Inc. headed by its president Jinbok Chung.

The deal was called Full AutomationTransparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC) project.

The contract was award to Miru despite a call from a party-list congresswoman for the postponement of the event, citing concerns over the vote-counting machines to be used in the forthcoming elections.

Garcia emphasized that electoral sabotage is a non-bailable offense punishable with life imprisonment under Republic Act 9369 or the Election Automation Law of 2007.

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He also warned Miru and its Filipino partners against politicians and political parties who might approach them to rig the polls.

Inemphasize ko sa kanila, kung kaya nyo gawin yan, huwag na huwag nyo gawin yan under the present leadership of this Commission. We want ang pinaka maayos na elections, credible, pinaka pinagkakatiwalaan election ng 2025. Sabi ko kung gusto nyo pa mag participate sa mga susunod na procurement ng Comelec, ayusin nyo 2025 elections (I emphasized to them if you can do that, never do it under the present leadership of the Commission. We want the 2025 elections to be most organized, credible and reliable. I told them, if you want to participate in future procurements of the Comelec, make sure that the 2025 elections would be smooth), Garcia said in conjunction with the contract signing rites.

He said Miru must prove to the Filipinos that it deserves to handle the poll automation by establishing a highly credible and transparent system.

Chung vowed to comply with the rules set by the Philippine government Garcia also acknowledged the support of the South Korean government for the poll automation project.

We are pleased with the presence of the South Korean ambassador (Lee Sang-hwa) because it proves that he is supportive of this endeavor and we can trust the company that we have as partners simply because the government of Korea is very supportive of this endeavor, he said.

Garcia, meanwhile, said they are coordinating with law enforcement authorities against hackers who might manipulate the polls.

We have sent a request to the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) asking them to arrest or prevent these people from carrying out their illegal acts. I think their plans were pre-empted), he said.

The Comelec is poised to set in motion the customization of the automated counting machines (ACMs) next month. The process is expected to take at least six months.

Our goal is also to build up our company and to expand and were looking towards the future. We will not do anything that will jeopardize our future and also the election process of the Philippines. We promise, we can guarantee that we will be transparent all throughout the process. We will abide by the rules of the Comelec, of this nation, Chung said in Korean language.

Under the contract, the joint venture of Miru Systems Co Ltd, Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc. (MIRU-ICS-STCC-CPSTI) will provide 110,000 ACMs, ballot boxes; laptops and printers; and ballots..

The award of the contract to the Miru-led consortium came more than two weeks after the Comelec announced that Miru was the lone bidder for the project.

Earlier, several lawmakers, election watchdogs, and other groups urged Comelec to review the track record of Miru in the procurement of the new AES for the 2025 national and local polls, citing its alleged catastrophic failures and questioned projects in Iraq and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Miru Systems denied the allegations. The company is working with Integrated Computer Systems and St. Timothy Construction Corporation and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc. to deliver the services.

The partnership between Comelec and Miru Systems marks the first time that the Philippines will hold computerized elections without the participation of Smartmatic International, which the poll body en banc disqualified and disallowed last year from participating in any public bidding process.

House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro, the nominee of the ACT Teachers party-list group, in a statement said her concerns were born out of the critical failures experienced by Miru voting machines during elections in Congo and Iraq.

Castro also called for an immediate legislative investigation into the selection process and demanded that the Comelec defers the granting of the contract.

She added that the past failures of Miru voting machines in other countries highlight the significant risks associated with their use in the Philippine electoral system. The potential for manipulation and

corruption poses a grave threat to the democratic process and the countrys stability.

In addition, she said concerns have been raised regarding the sole lone bidder status of Miru for the Philippine election contract, raising suspicions of collusion or preferential treatment. Tailoring terms of reference to fit the capabilities of a specific vendor suggests potential corruption within the procurement process, undermining fairness and transparency.

Reacting to Mirus defense, Castro said that mere certification of completion does not guarantee the effectiveness or reliability of voting machines in real-world elections. Thorough testing and evaluation in actual election scenarios are crucial before widespread implementation.
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President Marcos left the Philippines Monday to begin his five-day state visit to Germany and the Czech Republic.

In his departure speech at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, the President said his trip this week would focus on deepening the bilateral relations of the Philippines with the two Central European nations.

President Marcos will meet with German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz in Berlin and Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague.

In Germany, the President is expected to formalize a joint declaration of intent to strengthen cooperation in the maritime sector, a collaboration between the transportation agencies of both nations.

The upcoming declaration aims to streamline maritime trade operations and improve the mobility of commercial vessels from Manila and Berlin.

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In Czech Republic, President Marcos will sign a joint communique to establish a labor consultations mechanism, enhancing collaboration between Manila and Prague to support Filipino worker migration.

The Department of Foreign Affairs also revealed that due to the increasing demand for Filipino workers in the Czech Republic, Prague has set an annual quota of 10,000 Filipinos starting in May.

The Presidential Communications Office said Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, who was present during the Presidents departure ceremony, would serve as the countrys caretaker while President Marcos is in Europe.

Philippine ambassador to Germany Irene Natividad said the Presidents trip to Berlin showed the countrys reaffirmation of its bilateral ties with the European nation.

I think the key to any bilateral relation is mutual or shared interests and values, Natividad said in an interview.

The Philippines and Germany have common ground in terms of establishing a rules-based international order, addressing climate change issues and related challenges, and caring for the labor sector to ensure smooth diplomatic relations, according to Natividad.

Germany has also expressed its support for the countrys peace process, especially in Mindanao, the ambassador noted, citing development projects in the region funded by the German government.

On the issue of the West Philippine Sea, Germany has always been one of the first countries to call out aggressive actions and dangerous maneuvers and incidents in our seas, Natividad added.
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Kyiv, Ukraine  Ukraine on Sunday angrily rejected 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 row over his comments came as officials in Ukraine said Russian shelling in the east had killed three people Sunday. A strike on a residential building in the eastern town of Myrnograd wounded a dozen more people, said Kyiv.

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.

The popes comments this weekend 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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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.

He was responding to the Popes 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 conducted in early February and broadcast on Saturday.

 WWII comparisons 

Ukrainian officials compared the statement to some of the Catholic church collaborating with Nazi Germany 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, calling on the Holy See to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

Ukraines ambassador to the Vatican, Andrii Yurash, went further, comparing the Popes 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 aired, Francis offered fresh prayers for martyred Ukraine, as Vatican officials said his call was simply intended to end fierce fighting.

But in his evening address Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed Ukraines criticism.

Ukrainians of all faiths stood up to defend their country when Russia invaded, he said. Christians, Muslims, Jews  everyone They support us with prayer, conversation, and deeds.

This is what the church is  with 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.

 Kyiv hopes Francis will visit 

Some Western diplomats joined the criticism.

Russia is the aggressor and breaks international law! Therefore Germany asks Moscow to stop the war, not Kyiv!, said Bernhard Kotsch, Germanys 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.

Later Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macrons office said he would visit Ukraine in the coming weeks, after a telephone call with Zelensky to rapidly pursue international munitions and aid efforts for Kyiv.

Macron raised eyebrows late last month by refusing to rule out the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine, a proposal widely denounced by US and European allies.

In Ukraine itself, officials reported the latest deaths.

Three people died as a result of todays shelling in the Donetsk region, said the head of the embattled region, Vadym Filashkin, 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. Myrnograd lies in the Donetsk region around 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the frontline with Russian forces.

Kyiv also said it had shot down more than two dozen Iranian-made Shahed attack drones launched by Russia across central and southern regions, including the Kyiv region.

Russia on Sunday said Ukrainian shelling killed a woman in the border village of Kulbaki, 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.
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We add our thoughts to the suggestion of diplomatic observers and strategists that the Philippines must strengthen its maritime and air capabilities to defend its territory.

The other day, one analyst suggested the government must now focus on external threats, given Chinas harassing actions towards the Philippines in the latters waters.

University professor Renato de Castro told the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City that President Marcos administration must come up with comprehensive strategies and suggested it may conduct a unilateral exploration of the countrys resources and strengthen the Armed Forces tri-service.

Maritime law expert Prof. Jay Batongbacal himself said the government must take an unconventional approach to defend the archipelagic countrys territory, stressing the major challenge for the Marcos administration is that the Philippine waters and maritime resources are being taken actively by China.

Like Batongbacal, we feel President Marcos decision to hold off on invoking the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty following the latest skirmishes with Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea was a correct judgment.

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We feel there is a need to gear up to peaceful and diplomatic solutions as regards issues in the West Philippine Sea.

All this, as Chinese President Xi Jinping called for coordination of his countrys military strategy at sea and to prepare for potential maritime conflicts.

That call underlines the urgency for the Philippines to develop its military capability to protect its exclusive economic zone  not just in the West Philippines Sea, not just the Philippine Rise east of Cagayan Valley but its entire territory.

Which means the Philippines must improve its port facilities and develop the shipbuilding industry because a credible navy has its sails on a strong shipbuilding industry.

Also within the week, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced the AFP has adopted the new Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept to defend the Philippine territory, including its EEZ.

The defense concept would allow the Philippines to project its military power into areas that must be protected and preserved according to the countrys Constitution.
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Former Miss World Megan Young issued an apology after facing criticism for fixing Miss World Botswana Lesego Chombos hair during the Miss World question-and-answer portion.

Megans well-intentioned action of brushing a piece of hair from Chombos face sparked outrage from some viewers, particularly African pageant fans.

The issue sparked after a content creator from Botswana accused Megan of racism for adjusting Lesegos hair.

In my own opinion, that presenter wasnt fixing Lesegos hair. And there was nothing wrong with her hair, the content creator stated.

The presenter wanted to kill Lesegos confidence and also show judges that it wasnt her natural hair but a wig, he added.

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In a Facebook post, the 34-year-old actress acknowledged her mistake. She explained that her intention was to be helpful, but acknowledge that she failed to consider the cultural implications.

Last night during the final, I fixed Lesego Chombos (Miss Botswana) hair on stage. I wanted to offer a helping hand but I failed to oversee the bigger picture. This coud have caused distress during that moment and I have been made aware that culturally, this is unacceptable, she said.

Megan also shared that she and Lesego had talked privately and she personally apologized to Miss Botswana in private.

To those who witnessed the incident, I also want to apologize for any discomfort or confusion my actions may have caused. It was a thoughtless and disrespectful act, and I take full responsibility for it, Megan continued.

I assure you that it was not my intention to invade personal space or make anyone feel uncomfortable. I deeply regret my actions and will strive to be more mindful and respectful in the future, she added.

Meanwhile, Lesego took to her own platform to urge her supporters to be more understanding towards Megan and the newly crowned Miss World, Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic, who also received criticism online.
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P-Pop group BINI continues to solidify its claim as the Nations Girl Group with a massive achievement on Spotify.

Just days after releasing its debut EP (extended play) Talaarawan, BINIs monthly listener count on the streaming platform has surpassed an impressive one million users.

This milestone comes hot on the heels of the groups successful single Pantropiko, which garnered over six million streams, peaked at #3 on Spotify Philippines Viral Chart, and even debuted at #38 on the Global Viral Chart. The songs vibrant energy sparked a dance trend on TikTok, capturing the attention of global K-Pop stars like Irene of Red Velvet and Ryujin of ITZY.

Members Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena tackle the youths perspective on friendship, love, and navigating through life in their first mini album that features six songs including Salamin, Salamin, Ang Huling Cha Cha, Na Na Nandito Lang, Diyan Ka Lang, and their recent hits Karera and Pantropiko.

Members of the girl group BINI during their presscon for their Talaarawan EP

We are very excited about releasing our first EP because we want our supporters to feel like they have a diary they can turn to about anything because thats the bond we have with them. Its an open communication, Jhoanna shared during a press conference for their record.

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Its key track Salamin, Salamin produced by Mat Olavides and Bojam of FlipMusic captures the feeling of daydreaming about a potential crush.

The group formally released their highly anticipated EP on International Womens Day (March 8) to align with their advocacy on women empowerment.

Our advocacy is also women empowerment. We always want to inspire women, and not just women but we want to make sure that people feel confident in their own skin. Thats why I think that March 8 is the perfect date, Mikha shared in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

The group also surprised their fans during the Talaarawan EP media conference held last Wednesday with the announcement of their first solo concert happening on June 28 at the New Frontier Theater.

Grateful and hopeful for the songs success, Johanna said, We released it in November and Pantropiko is a summer song. But we feel like the timing was perfect because it topped the charts while summer was approaching, so hopefully, this momentum continues, Jhoanna said.
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The countrys first microinsurance company, CARD Pioneer Microinsurance Inc. (CMPI), is hosting the Microinsurance Master accelerator program in the Philippines for the fourth time to share best practices in how to pursue and promote financial inclusion for the low-income market segment.

Delegates from 15 different countries are attending this years Microinsurance Master to learn from CPMIs holistic approach in protecting low-income households through simple, affordable, and accessible insurance solutions.

CPMI Board member and Pioneer Group Head Lorenzo Chan Jr. said that bringing microinsurance to low-income families in countries like the Philippines builds resiliency by providing financial protection against various risks such as death, accident, hospitalization, fire, and other natural calamities among others.

Delegates from 15 different countries attending this years Microinsurance Master with CARD MRI Founder Jaime Aristotle Alip and Pioneer Group head Lorenzo Chan Jr.

This is the fourth time that we are hosting the Microinsurance Master where delegates will not only learn from the classroom sessions but also with direct interactions out in the field with some of our partners and microinsurance customers, Chan said.

The Microinsurance Master will be held from March 4-15, 2024 at the Pioneer House in Makati.

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Chan is also the chairperson of the Microinsurance Network which is a global non-profit multi-stakeholder platform dedicated to promoting inclusive insurance to low income households worldwide. The Microinsurance Network provides thought leadership, enables the sharing of best practices and the opportunity for collaboration. Its flagship program  The Landscape of Microinsurance study provides a unique benchmark, tracking the uptake of inclusive insurance products and services, along with insights into emerging trends world-wide. Chan is likewise a member of the Advisory Committee on Climate Resilience of the World Banks CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor)  a global partnership working to advance the life of the poor through financial inclusion.

The microinsurance sector in the Philippines is experiencing a remarkable surge, as indicated in a recent report from the Insurance Commission (IC). Microinsurance premiums soared to 10.16 billion in the third quarter of 2023, marking a notable 19.6 percent increase from 8.49 billion in 2022. This surge is particularly pronounced compared to the 6.70 billion reported in the second quarter of 2023. Additionally, there has been a 2.34 percent uptake in the number of insured lives, rising from 54.99 million in the third quarter of 2022 to 56.28 million in 2023.

CPMI is a joint venture between the Pioneer group and CARD MRI, the countrys largest microfinance institution. It principally addresses the range of protection needs of the low-income population, including but not limited to coverage for calamity, agriculture, business interruption, health, accident, and loss of life.
Martinsville City Council members attended a facilitated strategic planning retreat in the Gardner Boardroom of the New College Institute Building on Friday.

After a closed session that began at 8:30 a.m., the council met for a daylong public session that centered around six key initiatives: housing, education, revitalization and redevelopment, government performance, economic development, and county relations.

Under the direction of Kimball Payne of the Berkley Group, all five members of council and City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides gathered around a conference table to discuss many of the same issues at a similar event held by Payne in May at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

Payne is a member of the International City-County Management Association as a credentialed manager and senior advisor, a retired commander in the naval reserve, adjunct professor at Virginia Tech and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University and Master of Planning and Master of Arts in Public Administration degrees from the University of Virginia.

He also served as assistant county administrator of Spotsylvania County from 1984 to 1987 and served as that countys administrator from 1987 to 2001. He then spent the next 15 years as Lynchburgs city manager before retiring in 2016.

Regarding housing, the group discussed ways to provide an environment that supports the development of safe, affordable, and diverse housing options to accommodate growth and enhance quality of life in the city.

A plan was devised to monitor city-owned property on Rives Road for possible development and consideration toward transferring ownership to the Industrial Development Authority as a working site.

The council set as a priority a goal of supporting lifelong learning and training for all residents and businesses in Martinsville as a key education initiative.

Council members discussed the need to address the reduction of blight in the city by using statutory authority to address dilapidated structures. A citizens advisory board is also meeting and analyzing tools to help resolve problems. Once this issue is addressed to satisfaction, a more comprehensive revitalization and redevelopment plan will be developed.

Ferrell-Benavides shared some of the organizational initiatives she has begun putting into motion to help improve efficiency, effectiveness, and equity at City Hall. The goal is to improve government performance and service delivery to businesses and residents by adopting new policies, procedures and practices and revising existing ones in order to support an overall culture of customer service.

The Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corp. is also housed at the New College Institute Building. Strained relations between the council and the EDC in the past has left the current council with the feeling of a need to develop its own economic development strategy.

At the work session on Friday, council members discussed ways to support business development and expansion of ways to increase the tax base, grow employment and enhance the overall quality of life.

Another strained relationship, between the city and Henry County, reached a boiling point when the council decided to revert to a town within the county in 2019. The current council ended plans to revert and now intends to embark on building stronger relations with its neighbors.

The council discussed ways to foster the rebuilding of a relationship with Henry County by developing a community engagement plan that will improve service and increase community amenities shared between the city and the county.
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.

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.
Children and teens in McDowell County who have been removed from their parents by the Department of Social Services due to abuse and neglect now have a place to stay temporarily that is more like a normal, home-like setting.

On Friday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at 219 Fleming Ave. in Marion for Megs Place. It is a house where foster children in the custody of McDowell County Department of Social Services can have a temporary home that is not an office. In January, the Marion City Council approved a rezoning for that property which allows Megs Place to open in the residential neighborhood.

The Gateway Wellness Foundation and the Live Like Megan Foundation asked for the rezoning. In January, Neil Gurney with Gateway Wellness and Amber Vess with Live Like Megan said to the City Council they intended to use this property for emergency temporary residential placement of foster children who are in DSS custody.

In the past, these children have had to stay at the McDowell County DSS administrative office on East Court Street, which is not equipped for residential overnight occupancy. These foster children have been removed from their parents due to abuse and neglect and other traumatic circumstances.

Megs Place will provide them with a temporary stay in a residential, home-like setting, rather than sleeping in someones office.

The property at 219 Fleming Ave. has a house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms and will accommodate as many as five children. Their ages will range from birth to 18 and they will typically stay two nights in the house at the most.

Like the Live Like Megan Foundation, it is named in memory of Vess late daughter. The Live Like Megan Foundation was founded by Amber Vess and her husband Randall in memory of their daughter Megan Vess of Marion and her courageous battle with cancer that lasted eight and a half years. She died in May 2020 at the age of 18.

The Live Like Megan Foundation seeks to provide hope, education and opportunity for children with life-altering circumstances.

Megs Place is the latest development in this ongoing effort.

Currently, when children come in to foster care and no placement is found, children are sleeping on a cot at DSS, Amber Vess told The McDowell News. Megs Place is a temporary home for children who are awaiting foster placement. This home will provide a bed, shower and kitchen for meals. We can house up to five children at a time, ages birth to 18. A DSS employee will be with the child at all times.

She said there will be volunteers who can assist with these children while in the home.

This home also provides a child-friendly visitation space for children to visit (with) their parents instead of an office space, she said. The goal is to lessen the trauma of removal day and thereafter by providing a safe space for the foster family to come meet and interact with the child before taking them to their home. That day is so hard because these foster parents are strangers to these children. At least, this will give them a chance to meet and feel a bit more comfortable (with the foster parents). To give them a sense of These people came for me instead of being dropped off at a strangers door. We will also be able to provide all foster children with clothes, toys and personal items to call theirs.

Megs Place and the Live Like Megan Foundation are seeking to help both the foster children and foster parents in McDowell County, of which there is a dire need.

We are striving to meet as many needs as possible in the foster community, said Vess. We have recently developed a kinship program. This allows children who can stay with a relative or family friend instead of being placed into foster care to receive funds for things like sports, school events or emergency items.

We also provide training for several aspects of the foster community. We are currently working on a curriculum that will be used to train volunteers in homes like Megs Place and across the state of North Carolina. This curriculum will be called Megs Village Training. The name was suggested from DSS Director Bobbie Sigmon, in honor of our daughter, Megan Vess, the inspiration behind Megs Place, as it takes a village to raise children and these volunteers are our village, Megans Village.

With Megs Place just getting started, it needs donations and support from the local community.

Vess said it can always use donations of new and gently used childrens clothing (from newborn to adult sizes), baby equipment, diapers, wipes, new socks and underwear, food, toiletries, toys and anything else a kid could use.

And we are always in need of fundraising and monetary donations, she added. We also are seeking volunteers who can pass backgrounds and be trained to be hands-on with the children.

At Fridays ribbon-cutting ceremony, Randall and Amber Vess were joined by the McDowell County commissioners, DSS officials, the leadership of the McDowell Chamber of Commerce, city of Marion officials and Freddie Killough, director of the Marion Business Association. Amber Vess is a graduate of the MBAs Growing Entrepreneurs Marion (GEM) program.

She said the GEM program was a wonderful help in this process and Killough has assisted her so much.

Likewise, the McDowell County Board of Commissioners has been supportive since this place is an extension of McDowell DSS.

The commissioners and the general community have been so supportive and helpful, said Amber Vess. We are so grateful. They have been so gracious.

For more information about the Live Like Megan Foundation and Megs Place, visit www.livelikeMeganfoundation.com. The email is livelikemegan18@gmail.com. You can also visit the Foundations Facebook page at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088965216190 where there are updates and information about items needed for the home.
In a shocking series of events, forty-five individuals have succumbed to ritual poisonings in the central Angolan province of Bie. The fatalities occurred between December 2023 and February 2024, as confirmed by local authorities this Monday.

The president of the Muinha commune, Luzia Filemone, expressed grave concerns over these deadly practices that persist within certain communities. According to Filemone, these rituals are often conducted to resolve familial disputes or to seek justice for deaths under suspicious circumstances.

In a disturbing revelation, Filemone detailed the process where accused individuals are forced to ingest Mbulungo, a herbal concoction, by presumed healers. This practice, intended to prove guilt, frequently results in death by poisoning.

The most recent tragedy struck the community of Ombala de Tchonga in February, where a group of twelve people ingested the toxic substance. Three of them tragically passed away on the same day.

In response to these alarming incidents, Filemone reported that local authorities have initiated numerous awareness campaigns. These efforts aim to educate the communities on the dangers of such practices. Despite these initiatives, many families continue to resist, highlighting the challenges faced in eradicating these perilous rituals.
The US has accused Zimbabwe of mistreating, detaining, and deporting its citizens who were in the country as aid workers.

USAID stated that government officials and contractors were intimidated verbally and physically while supporting civic engagement, democratic institutions, and human rights. They criticized Zimbabwes commitment to democratic reform as hollow. Zimbabwean officials have not responded to these allegations.

The US recently imposed fresh sanctions on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other officials for corruption and human rights abuses. A spokesperson for Mnangagwa condemned the sanctions as hostile and accused the US of slander. USAID Administrator Samantha Power reported incidents of aid workers being detained overnight, interrogated, and having their electronics seized. She emphasized a pattern of harassment towards US citizens over the past two years. A State Department spokesman affirmed the aid teams legal admission to support Zimbabwes democratic reform efforts, which Power deemed insincere. She pledged continued support for civil society, human rights defenders, and independent media in Zimbabwe, warning of further measures against those obstructing basic freedoms and governance.

USAIDs mission in Zimbabwe focuses on strengthening healthcare, security, economic resilience, and democratic governance.
On Saturday, former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo, acquitted of war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2019, agreed to lead his founded party into the 2025 presidential elections, as confirmed by party spokesman Katinan Kone following a central committee meeting.

Gbagbo, who served as president from 2000 to 2011, established the African Peoples Party  Cote dIvoire (PPA-CI) in 2021 upon his return from a decade abroad.

The ICC acquitted Gbagbo of charges related to his role in a civil war triggered by his refusal to accept defeat in an election. During his imprisonment awaiting trial in the Netherlands, he lost control of the party he initially established, the Ivorian Popular Front (IPF), to a former ally. Nevertheless, he maintains a substantial and devoted support base within the country.

The upcoming presidential election is anticipated to take place in October 2025. President Alassane Ouattara, re-elected in 2020, has not disclosed his decision regarding a potential re-election bid. Another potential candidate is Tidjane Thiam, the former CEO of Swiss bank Credit Suisse, who assumed the presidency of the PDCI, one of Ivory Coasts main opposition parties, in December. However, the party has not officially nominated its chosen candidate yet.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced its intention to visit Zambia in mid-April to evaluate the economic impact of the ongoing drought. With 84 out of 116 districts experiencing drought conditions, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema declared it a national disaster and emergency, highlighting its devastating effects on food production and electricity supply. The country relies heavily on hydropower, which accounts for 80% of its electricity generation.

Initial assessments suggest significant crop losses, particularly with maize, a staple food crop that requires consistent rainfall. This failure has left many small-scale farmers without a harvest. Concerns are mounting among farmers regarding their ability to generate enough income to cover their basic needs, especially since approximately 70% of Zambians depend on food grown by small-scale farmers.

While some officials, such as Yotam Mkandawire from the Grain Traders Association of Zambia, claim that the country is currently food secure, aid organizations like Oxfam warn of acute food shortages affecting up to six million people until the next growing season. President Hichilema has pledged to redistribute food from surplus areas to districts in need and has appealed for international assistance to address the crisis.

The situation underscores the urgency of addressing both the short-term needs of those affected by the drought and the longer-term challenges of building resilience against future climate-related shocks. It also highlights the importance of international cooperation in responding effectively to such crises.
Morocco is about to implement its incentive-driven offer for the development of the green hydrogen sector in line with the directives of King Mohammed VI.

The Sovereign had actually given his instructions to the government, during a working session he chaired on November 22, 2022, to put forward a Moroccan green hydrogen offer, and urged the government in the Throne Speech of July 2023 to implement the Morocco Offer swiftly and effectively to make sure the requirements of quality are observed, to leverage our countrys significant potential in this regard, and to meet the expectations of leading global investors in this promising field.

This operational and incentive-driven offer covers the entire value chain of the green hydrogen industry. It is designed to meet the needs of investors and position the Kingdom as a competitive player in this emerging and promising field, the Head of Governments Office said this Monday in the implementation decision.

This decision outlines the stages of the implementation process of Morocco Offer, the means mobilized by the State to ensure its successful implementation, and defines the roles of the various stakeholders. This offer is based on a comprehensive, practical, and transparent approach that gives investors a clear vision regarding the scope of the offer application, the land mobilization, the necessary infrastructure to develop the sector, the incentive measures, the process of selecting investors, as well as the concluding of contracts with the State, and the governance of the green hydrogen sector.

In the midst of this transformation, green hydrogen is expected to be a key energy vector and one of the main drivers of the energy transition and sustainable growth in the Kingdom. This emerging sector will also be a turning point for Moroccos economy in light of economic, social, environmental, and technological challenges.

The Morocco Offer applies to integrated projects ranging from the generation of electricity from renewable energies and electrolysis, to the conversion of green hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and synthetic fuels, as well as related logistics.

Morocco Offer aims to attract investors or investor groups interested in producing green hydrogen and its derivatives, whether for the domestic market, export, or both. The strong and active interest expressed by nearly 100 national and international investors in generating green hydrogen in Morocco confirms the countrys great potential in this field.

In view of the importance of land in developing the hydrogen sector, the State has identified one-million-hectare public land. During the first stage, 300,000 hectares will be provided to investors, in the form of plots of land ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 hectares, according to the size of the expected projects. The State will make sure, within a contractual framework, to protect and ensure the proper use of public land.
An injured snowmobiler was rescued by helicopter from near Lolo Pass on Friday afternoon.

According to the Missoula County Sheriff's Office, first responders were dispatched to a 2 p.m. report that one person in a group of snowmobilers sustained multiple injuries and was in need of rescue. Multiple agencies responded and the rider was transported by Life Flight helicopter "to a local hospital for advanced medical care."

Publicly available flight-tracking data showed a Two Bear Air helicopter en route to the Lolo Pass area around 5 p.m. A Life Flight helicopter from the Lolo Pass area landed at Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula around 6 p.m. Lolo Pass is about 32 miles southwest of downtown Missoula along U.S. Highway 12 on the Montana-Idaho border. The Sheriff's Office did not state exactly where the riders were in relation to the pass.

The agency stated that sheriff's deputies, Missoula County Search & Rescue, Missoula Emergency Services, Missoula Rural Fire Department, Two Bear Air search and rescue helicopter service, Life Flight and U.S. Forest Service personnel all responded.

In a public comment on a post by the Sheriff's Office about the rescue, a man who identified himself as the husband of the injured rider thanked first responders for their effort Friday. He cited "awesome" personnel from a variety of groups and great coordination between agencies.

The man wrote that Forest Service personnel were the first to reach his wife "30 feet off the road in a tree well" and assessed her condition and made her comfortable. Search & Rescue personnel then arrived and administered First Aid for a broken femur and other lower-body injuries. Two Bear Air rescued the woman by helicopter and transferred her to Life Flight in the Lolo Pass parking lot. Meanwhile a deputy drove the husband to the hospital.

"I would like to say thank you to all involved," the man wrote. "It is not something I would ever want to experience again but it was incredible to see the dedication of all who helped out. My wife has had a couple of surgeries and is recovering."
With the Islamic holy month of Ramadan beginning, Missoulas growing Muslim community is still searching for an adequate prayer and gathering space nearly six months after they lost access to a large house owned by the University of Montana that was used for many years.

Last week, in response to a Montana Kaimin article about the situation, the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, called on the University of Montana to establish a large prayer space for Missoulas Muslims. And following that, the University pushed back against the assertions made by the Council and said it has invested significant resources to address the problem.

It all started last summer, when the University decided it would be renovating a large house it owns on Fifth Street to turn it into much-needed housing.

For many years, the University had allowed the house to be utilized as the headquarters of the Montana Islamic Society. The home was called the International Muslim House and was referred to as a mosque by many members of the Muslim community, which is estimated to consist of around 400 to 500 people and growing. The city has been accepting refugees from countries like Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Following the closure of the house, the University decided to provide space at the University Center for Muslims to pray and congregate. Leaders of Missoulas Muslim community stated at the time that the spaces provided on campus were an inadequate long-term solution because they were so small and cant be accessed all the time. Theyve been searching for a larger space in the community but so far have found nothing.

Its still the same situation, explained Aseel Niazai, a member of the Missoula Muslim community who is originally from Afghanistan. He said that people often have to crowd outside in a hallway.

We urge the university to maintain the status of the renovated facility as a mosque that can serve the religious and spiritual needs of Muslim students, said Council on American-Islamic Relations national communications director Ibrahim Hooper. In the alternative, the university should offer a larger space to Muslims students who wish to gather and practice their faith. Forcing Muslim students to pray in a room the size of a closet and spill into the hallway is not acceptable. The University must ensure that students of all faiths have an appropriate amount of space to worship.

But Dave Kuntz, UMs director of strategic communications, noted that there are a variety of complicating factors in the situation.

The University of Montana has never operated a mosque, church, synagogue, or any other house of worship, he said. With the support of UMs Muslim students, space has been made available for prayer at the University Center for nearly a year and we are currently in discussions with students about securing long-term space that fits the their needs. With Missoulas housing crunch, there will be no changes to the Universitys efforts to return all UM-owned residences on 5th and 6th Street back to residential housing.

As a publicly-funded institution, it would be a violation of federal law for UM to operate a mosque or any other house of worship in a publicly-owned facility. Although many members of Missoulas Muslim community referred to the house on Fifth Street as a mosque, technically it was simply a gathering space. The house was also technically only supposed to be used by students or employees of the University, but over time people outside of those two groups used the space.

The house is under renovation currently and will not be inhabitable until the next school year. With demand for student housing extremely high, the university is evaluating every asset in its housing stock to try to ensure that its utilized for providing students with a safe and affordable place to live, according to Kuntz.

Right now, Kuntz said UM is providing the Muslim community with a large prayer space at the UC that is able to separate men and women (in accordance with Islamic custom) for each Fridays important prayer day.

The University will also make space available on the weekend.

We will be accommodating Ramadan each Saturday for the four-weeks of the holiday in a large space that can separate men and women, Kuntz explained.

Another smaller room has been set aside for all seven days of the week in accordance with the University Centers building hours, so there is no overnight prayer space. That space is the one featured in the Montana Kaimin article, and a photo does indeed show rugs out in the hallway.

Niazai said he and other members of the Muslim community are still trying hard to find a long-term solution.

We still need a larger space, he said.
MANCHESTER, N.H.  President Joe Biden released a budget proposal Monday aimed at getting voters' attention: It would offer tax breaks for families, lower health care costs, smaller deficits and higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations.

Unlikely to pass the House and Senate to become law, the proposal for fiscal 2025 is an election year blueprint about what the future could hold if Biden and enough of his fellow Democrats win in November. The president and his aides previewed parts of his budget going into last week's State of the Union address, and they provided the details Monday.

If the Biden budget became law, it would cut deficits by $3 trillion over a decade. It would raise tax revenues by $4.9 trillion over that period and use about $1.9 trillion to fund various programs, with the rest going to deficit reduction.

The president traveled Monday to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he called on Congress to apply his $2,000 cap on drug costs and $35 insulin to everyone, not just people who have Medicare. He also advocated for making permanent some protections in the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire next year.

Biden aides said their budget was realistic and detailed while rival measures from Republicans were not financially viable.

"Congressional Republicans don't tell you what they cut, who they harm," White House budget director Shalanda Young said. "The president is transparent, details every way he shows he values the America people."

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued a joint statement with other GOP leaders calling the Biden proposal a "glaring reminder of this Administration's insatiable appetite for reckless spending."

"Biden's budget doesn't just miss the mark  it is a roadmap to accelerate America's decline," the House Republican leaders said.

Election 2024

All of this is a chance for Biden to try to define the 2024 presidential race on his preferred terms, just as the all-but-certain Republican nominee, Donald Trump, wants to rally voters around his agenda.

Trump, for his part, would like to increase tariffs and pump out gushers of oil. He called for a "second phase" of tax cuts as parts of his 2017 overhaul of the income tax code would expire after 2025. The Republican also says he would slash government regulations.

In a Monday interview with CNBC, Trump indicated he would be willing to reduce spending for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, though he did not offer a full policy.

"There is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting," Trump said.

The interview drew Biden's attention, prompting him to tell the audience in New Hampshire that cuts were off the table: "The bottom line is he's still at it. I'm never going to allow that to happen."

House Republicans on Thursday voted their own budget resolution for the next fiscal year out of committee, saying it would trim deficits by $14 trillion over 10 years. But their measure would depend on rosy economic forecasts and sharp spending cuts, reducing $8.7 trillion in Medicare and Medicaid expenditures. Biden pledged to stop any cuts to Medicare.

Meanwhile, Congress is still working on a budget for the current fiscal year. On Saturday, Biden signed into law a $460 billion package to avoid a shutdown of several federal agencies, but lawmakers are only about halfway through addressing spending for this fiscal year.

Biden budget

Under Biden's proposal, the government would spend $7.3 trillion next fiscal year and borrow $1.8 trillion to cover the shortfall from tax receipts. Biden's 188-page plan covers a decade's worth of spending, taxes and debt.

Parents could get an increased child tax credit in 2025, as payments would return briefly to the 2021 level funded by Biden's coronavirus pandemic relief package. Homebuyers could get a tax credit worth up to $10,000 and $10 billion in down payment aid for first-generation buyers. Corporate taxes would increase, while billionaires would be charged a minimum tax of 25%.

Biden said in his State of the Union that Medicare should have the ability to negotiate prices on 500 prescription drugs, which could save $200 billion over 10 years. Aides said his budget does not specify how many drug prices would be subject to negotiations.

Biden's plan would permanently keep Medicare solvent, aides said, but as noted by Maya MacGuineas, president of the fiscal group Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, it does not appear to fix Social Security, which projections say will be unable to pay full benefits starting in 2033.

The proposal would provide about $900 billion for defense in fiscal 2025, about $16 billion more than the baseline.

The Biden administration still seeks money to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia and aid for Israel. His budget plan reiterates the supplemental funding request made last October for Ukraine, Israel and humanitarian relief for Palestinians

It also requests funding to expand personnel and resources at the U.S. southern border. Military spending over 10 years would decline $146 billion to $9.57 trillion.

Today in history: March 11 1941: Franklin D. Roosevelt 1954: Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy 1985: Mikhail S. Gorbachev 1997: Paul McCartney 2006: Slobodan Milosevic 2012: Sgt. Robert Bales 2017: Preet Bharara 2020: Harvey Weinstein 2021: Uber
How important are Indigenous stories to Hollywood? Considering the popularity of cowboy-and-Indian tropes over the past century, it is reasonable to consider that Indigenous themes are seminal to the industry.

Still, the Indigenous voice has too often been ignored, and 2024 was no exception.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences bypassed the acclaimed Lily Gladstone, Siksikaitsitapii and Nimiipuu, in the Best Actress category, though Gladstone won awards from the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild for her work in the Martin Scorsese film, Killers of the Flower Moon.

The Academy Awards also skipped over Osage composer Scott George for Best Original Song for Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People); and musician Robbie Robertson, Mohawk, Six Nations of the Grand River, for Best Original Score.

In fact, Killers of the Flower Moon, which told the story of the Reign of Terror against the Osage people in the early 1900s, didnt win any of the other seven awards for which it was nominated either, including Best Picture.

Disappointing, but not surprising.

A string of snubs

Perhaps the most egregious example in modern cinema  before the 2024 Oscars  is the lack of any significant award nominations for the late Will Sampson, who starred as Chief Bromden in the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, which swept all of the major awards.

Despite his central role in the film, Sampson, Muscogee, did not receive a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film cleaned up with Oscars at the 1976 Academy Awards, winning for best picture, actor, director, actress and screenplay, a feat that had not been accomplished since the Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert rom-com It Happened One Night in 1934.

Graham Greene, Oneida from Six Nations of the Grand River, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Kicking Bird in Kevin Costners Dances with Wolves. While the film took home the Best Picture of the Year in the 1991 Academy Awards, Greene lost out to Joe Pesci for his memorable role as Tommy in GoodFellas, another Scorsese film.

In 1971, the late Chief Dan George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Old Lodgeskins in the Dustin Hoffman epic, Little Big Man. George lost to John Mills for his role as Michael in the film Ryans Daughter. George was nominated for a Golden Globe and would take home both the New York Film Critics and the National Society of Film Critics awards for his performance.

Once considered to be the first Native American to win an Academy Award, Buffy Sainte-Maries Indigenous identity came under dispute last year. Sainte-Marie won the 1983 award for Best Original Song for Up Where We Belong from the film An Officer and a Gentleman.

Wes Studi, Cherokee Nation, became the first Native American to receive an Academy Award when he was given an Academy honorary award in 2019. Studi has had a long and versatile career with leading roles in such films as Geronimo, An American Legend, and minor but scene-stealing roles, such as his performance as the toughest Pawnee in Dances with Wolves. Hes also performed in indie films and off-beat comedies like the superhero parody Mystery Men as the enigmatic Sphinx.

Hopes had been high, however, in Indian Country for Killers of the Flower Moon, after Scorsese worked closely with the Osage Nation to recast the story from an Indigenous perspective.

International recognition

A handful of Indigenous artists from outside the United States have received Oscar nominations, and a few who have taken home the golden statue.

In 1966, Jocelyne Lagarde, Tahitian, was nominated in the category of Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film Hawaii. It was her first and only performance.

Keisha Castle Hughes, Maori, received a best actress nomination for her performance in Whale Rider in 2003. Hughes lost out to Charlize Theron for her lead role in Monster. When she was nominated, Hughes became the youngest person at that time to receive a best actress nomination.

In the Best Picture category, Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley, who are both Maori, received nominations for their film Jojo Rabbit. Waititi directed the film and received a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination for it in 2019. He had been nominated in 2004 in the category of Short Film, Live Action for his film Two Cars, One Night.

In the category of Best Foreign Film, Nils Gaup, Sami, was nominated for his film Pathfinder, which was shot in the Sami language. It is the first Indigenous film nominated in that category.

The blockbuster three-part series Lord of the Rings all were shot in New Zealand and received dozens of nominations over the length of the series and its sequels. Hammond Peek, a Maori sound engineer, was nominated three times for an Oscar for Best Sound and won once in 2003.

Peek would also be nominated for Best Sound and take home the statue for his work on 2005s King Kong.

Ra Vincent, Maori, received two Oscar nominations for Production Design, one for his work on Jojo Rabbit and one for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
Upon authorization by the Government Advertising Agency, the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) will now disseminate all National Government electronic advertisements.

Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Prof Edward Kisiangani issued this directive through a letter to the chief executive officers of state corporations, independent commissions, and public universities.

Prof. Kisiangani said this action aligns with the government policy of revitalizing struggling public sector entities and ensuring that any public-private partnership does not favor the private sector at the expense of the public sector.

In light of the foregoing, all public sector electronic (radio and television) advertisements from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that fall under the National Government, Independent Commissions and Public Universities shall be handled by the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) upon authorization by the Government Advertising Agency, said Prof Kisiangani in a letter dated March 7, 2024.

The Ministry further justified the decision by highlighting the extensive network coverage provided by the national broadcaster, ensuring advertisers a broad reach.

KBC extends its reach through 13 radio stations, seven sub-services, and two TV stations, providing coverage in both national and local dialects.

Moreover, the directive is expected to enhance the corporations funding as part of the governments revitalization efforts through a modernization framework, aiming to position it as a leading national broadcaster in Africa.

This effort requires the national broadcaster to take the lead in the dissemination of information in Kenya, he added.

The directive is also in response to a 2015 circular by the National Treasury, leading to the establishment of GAA, which centralized public sector advertising to enhance cost-cutting through procurement efficiency.

This initiative aligns with the governments goal to reduce pending bills owed to the media industry while ensuring a seamless provision of public sector advertising services.

A recent report from the Communications Authority of Kenya reveals that out of the Kes.16.1 billion spent on media advertising between July and September 2023, television received the largest allocation at Kes. 10.9 billion, followed by radio at Kes. 3.6 billion, and print at Kes. 1.6 billion.
President William Ruto has commended the Kenya Defence Forces as an institution that excellently discharges its mandate.

He said the military has been a model institution that has guaranteed Kenyas peace and stability.

Noting that the strength of a nation is dependent on its institutions, the President said the government is strengthening the Kenya Defence Forces to guarantee the countrys peace and stability.

President Ruto explained that the government is strengthening all public institutions to make them deliver on their mandate, including food production, job creation and healthcare provision, among others.

As you provide security and stability for our nation, we will work smart and hard to make sure that we deliver on our commitments to the people of Kenya, he said.

The President pointed out that the countrys security and stability, saying without them it becomes much more difficult to achieve all other aspirations.

He made the remarks on Saturday during the swearing-in of the newly appointed Kenya Defence Forces Vice Chief and Service Commanders at State House, Nairobi. The officers were appointed on Friday, March 8.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla were among those present.

The Head of State affirmed the governments commitment to a united Kenya devoid of tribalism and division.

It is my desire that we eliminate tribalism, ethnicity and marginalisation and consolidate our nation into a peaceful, united and progressive nation, he said.

Lieutenant-General Charles Muriu Kahariri was sworn in as the Vice Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, replacing Lt-General Jonah Maina Mwangi whose term ended after a 42-year career in the military.

Lieutenant-General David Kimaiyo Tarus was sworn in as the Commander of the Kenya Army.

Major-General Thomas Njoroge Nganga, who was appointed Commander of the Kenya Navy, was also sworn in.

Also present at the event were Lieutenant-General Jimson Longiro, who was yesterday appointed Vice-Chancellor of the National Defence University of Kenya, Lt-General Juma Shee Mwinyikai (Commandant of the National Defence College), Major General Mohamed Nur Hassan (Deputy Army Commander) and Major-General Luka Kipkemoi Kutto (General Officer Commanding Eastern Command).

Others were Major-General Aphaxard Muthuri Kiugu (Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy), Major-General John Maison Nkoimo (General Officer Commanding Border Security Command), Brigadier Peter Shikuku Chelimo (deputy Navy commander), Brigadier Yahya Abdi (Senior Directing Staff Navy at the National Defence College).
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has lauded President William Ruto for serving as a positive role model as a man of faith.

Sakaja added that President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua have demonstrated to fellow leaders and the Kenyan public the importance of embracing worship and openly sharing the gospel of God.

The Nairobi county boss specifically cited the National Prayer Day, where Ruto led the country in prayer at Nyayo Stadium in February of last year, following the prolonged drought situation.

Sakaja said the prayers were answered, pointing out that the rainfall resulted in bumper harvests for farmers across the country.

People laughed at us saying these fellows are praying for rain yet it is about science; but didnt God give us rain and we had the most bountiful harvest we have ever seen in the country, he said.

Sakaja credited Ruto for the increased attendance of other leaders at church every Sunday, praising him for being a positive influence and setting a commendable example.

At the highest office on land, State House, praise and worship begins there. And as MPs and governors, we have made sure every Sunday we are worshipping. Thank you for that great example, the Nairobi governor said on Sunday.
Nairobi detectives are investigating an incident where a businessman allegedly took his own life in Sunvalley estate, Langata, Nairobi. On Friday, March 8 morning, Abraham Meli, while locked inside his four-wheel-drive cara Toyota Pradoreportedly fatally shot himself in the head.

Meli, a former military personnel, was a licensed gun holder, according to both his family and the police.

Upon receiving the call, the police immediately responded to the incident and found Meli in the vehicle with a gunshot wound. The firearm he used, a pistol, was located inside the car and secured by the police.

The businessman was taken to St Marys Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead.

The motive behind the incident is currently unknown, according to the police. They mentioned that before the incident, Meli had sent a text message to his wife with the message Sunvalley, which is the same location where he resided.

The police stated that they are investigating the tragedy to determine the motive. As part of their inquiry, they plan to interview, among others, his wife and business partners.

Pending an autopsy, Melis body was transferred to the mortuary.

The authorities classified the incident as a suicide pending full investigations.
Updated at 12:23 a.m. Tuesday  NAPA  It took Benjamin Casas 30 minutes to learn of his sentence for sexually abusing five underage victims  a state prison term that potentially could keep him behind bars for the rest of his life.

On Monday morning in Napa County Superior Court, Judge Francisca P. Tisher sentenced Casas, a former Pope Valley Elementary School staff member who was arrested in October 2022, to 18 terms of 25 years to life  eight of them consecutive and the rest concurrent. The sentence, which prosecutors had requested in a Friday court filing, followed his conviction Feb. 8 on 22 counts of lewd acts on three girls and two boys younger than 14, from fondling to oral sex to intercourse.

Deputy District Attorney Kecia Lind, who prosecuted the case, estimated Casas would be eligible for parole no earlier than 2049.

Casas, who turns 35 on Thursday, also was sentenced a total of 14 more years on the remaining four counts.

The individual charges carried sentences ranging from one to 10 years. However, a 25-year minimum prison term became possible after jurors not only agreed on Casas guilt but also on four enhancements to the charges  that he targeted multiple victims, that they were especially vulnerable, that he committed the crimes with extensive planning, and that he abused a position of trust.

Andy Rubinger, Casas public defender, filed a notice of appeal later Monday, a step he had announced he would make shortly after his client's conviction last month.

Accusers testified during a 2 -week trial that Casas molested them between 2013 and 2017  both at the Pope Valley school, where he was a computer technician and handyman until 2019, and away from campus while teaching music and guitar in his spare time.

One female accuser described Casas having intercourse with her both in a school closet and in a barn at her home; her brother testified that Casas performed oral sex on him during a music lesson at Casas home.

He took advantage of me physically and mentally; he abused me for years, the female accuser said before Tisher announced Casas sentence. He told me, If you love me, youll do it. That made me mentally lose myself for years.

For almost half my life he has haunted me in my dreams, the woman continued in a halting near-whisper. Hes a burden to all of the victims and we have to live with this for the rest of our lives and hopefully find some closure.

During the trial, a second male accuser told the jury that Casas had hugged him against his will and twice touched his bare leg at the Pope Valley school in 2015. A female witness testified that Casas in 2013 kissed her and tried to touch her genitals, and a third female accuser said Casas had fondled her several times over three years at family gatherings, under the guise of tickling her.

Casas, who took the witness stand at his trial to deny the allegations of sexual abuse, spoke again Monday before receiving his sentence. His voice breaking, he denied being the wolf in sheeps clothing he said prosecutors have portrayed him to be, describing himself as a loving husband and fierce father.

I know the young adults who testified know I never manipulated, never forced, never coerced them to do anything, said Casas, who was led from the Napa County jail to the courtroom in shackles.

During Casas trial, prosecutors subjected him to more than two hours of often withering cross-examination about explicit text messages and chats recovered from his cellphone, as well as web searches on his computer that allegedly led to child sex abuse material involving boys. Casas denied all accusations of sexual abuse but admitted to cases of poor judgment about boundaries with students.

An uproar ensued in the rural community of Pope Valley following Casas arrest, as school parents attacked school leadership for not bringing the allegations to them earlier and allowing Casas to visit the school even after leaving its staff.

This recent judgment marks the end of a difficult period for our school community and our thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by this case, the one-school Pope Valley school district and its superintendent, Kim Kern, said in a statement shortly after the sentencing. Recognizing the emotional toll this has taken on many, we will continue to provide counseling services for our students and staff and maintain our lines of communication open to ensure our entire school community feels supported through this process.

District officials added the Pope Valley school will continue harassment and abuse prevention training for all staff members, along with an anonymous incident reporting system and mental health climate assessments for students and faculty  programs the school began last school year.

Prosecutors with the office of Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley earlier said Casas behavior was the source of at least four investigations since 2010. The trial included testimony not only from the five accusers cited in the criminal complaint against Casas, but also from others who made allegations that did not lead to charges  including a witness who said Casas sent him explicit text messages in 2010, when the boy was 13 and Casas 21.

Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, March 9, 2024
Protesters of the war in Gaza on Saturday marched from Jefferson Street down First Street to Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Napa, where they held a vigil in memory of the estimated 30,000 Palestinians, many of them children, who have have been killed since the war began in October.
Guwahati: Meghalaya BJP leader Bernard Marak has strongly urged authorities to swiftly terminate the illicit areca nut business in Garo Hills.

Marak emphasized the urgency of this action, citing the livelihoods of numerous families in the region who rely on their plantations.

Also Read: Assam: Police officer arrested for accepting bribe in Cachar

Expressing concern over the detrimental effects of the illegal areca nut trade, Marak claimed that it impacts rural communities, noting a significant lack of legitimate buyers within Garo Hills.

He further alleged that a group of businessmen from Meghalaya and Assam is facilitating the unlawful transportation of Burmese areca nut varieties across the Bangladesh borders, effectively dominating markets where Garo Hills betelnuts were traditionally sold.

Also Read: Three from Assam arrested in Tripura with Yaba tablets worth Rs 5 crore

This demand from Marak follows earlier calls made by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mukul Sangma for an investigation into the alleged illegal importation of high-quality dried betel nuts from Bangladesh into Meghalaya by central agencies.
Internal legal grounds being created for Armenia to apply to ICC in connection with Azerbaijan's war crimes

European Union responds to Azerbaijan statements on EU-US-Armenia trilateral meeting

Russia MFA: Friends of Armenia Network report objective is to tear Armenia from Russia, EAEU

Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri is only guarantee of Armenia's sovereignty, Russia MFA says

Siranush Sahakyan: Hard to convince international organizations to pressure Azerbaijan on Armenian captives matter

Lawyer: Ruben Vardanyan gave international resonance to Karabakh issue, earned Azerbaijans hatred

Armenian woman is appointed state minister in new Palestine government

Lawyer: Azerbaijan uses matter of Armenian captives, hostages for political purposes

Ameriabank named the Best Bank in Armenia for 2024 by Global Finance magazine

International law expert: Azerbaijan should at least promise autonomy so that Armenians can return to Karabakh

Ombudsman: There are 20 Armenians left in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia ex-ombudsman: Azerbaijan pursued goal of de-Armenianizing Karabakh from very beginning

Russia TV programs Evening with Vladimir Solovyov and Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov blocked in Armenia

US State Department to Zakharova: Turbulence in South Caucasus is fueled by Russia's actions in recent months

Russia FM: Putin was surprised by Armenia PM Pashinyan's decision to recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan

Lavrov: PM Pashinyan invited EU mission to Armenia, promising Azerbaijan that it will be for 2 months

Legislature head: Armenia will attend for first time the gathering of EU countries parliament speakers

Armenia parliament speaker: We are trying to defend our country by all possible means

Iraqi security services eliminated a high-ranking IS member

Armenia parliament speaker: Our ally Russia left us all alone at most critical moment

Lebanon to file a complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli strikes on south of country

Armenia legislature head: We are not going to concede anything that is ours

Clinton and Obama to participate in Biden's campaign fundraiser

Armenia legislature speaker to meet with Azerbaijan counterpart again

Media: Powerful explosion hits Somalia's capital city

France detains 2 suspects for sending bomb threats to lycees

Military aircraft crashed into the sea near Sevastopol

White House: US passed detailed data on terrorist attack threat to Russian Federation

Lavrov: EU mission in Armenia is turning into a NATO mission

Mash: A mass round-up of migrants began in Moscow and the region

Members of the European Council's Political and Security Committee to visit Armenia

EU envoy: We already have attracted 60M to develop Armenias educational sector

Armenia ruling force MP: We are EAEU member, in parallel we work towards integration with EU, other markets

Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia

Mahmoud Abbas approved the new government of Palestine

Labor, social affairs minister: Increase in number of 3rd and subsequent children recorded in Armenia

MP: Euronest urged EU to develop specific proposals on how to respond to Armenia's European aspirations

Armenia government humanitarian aid reaches Gaza (PHOTOS)

Armenia government makes allocations to hold events for Parajanov, Aznavour 100th birth anniversaries

Armenia to provide $300,000 to Japan for earthquake relief

Armenia MP: Euronest called on EU to increase humanitarian, financial aid for forcibly displaced Karabakh children

Yerevan ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan is founding political party

Azerbaijan ombudsperson meets with dozens of Armenians remaining in occupied Karabakh capital Stepanakert

Russia MFA spox: Armenia is being turned into tool for implementing dangerous plans of the West

Europeans for Artsakh discusses upcoming actions toward protecting Karabakhs interests

Armenia to provide humanitarian aid to 1.5 million people displaced from Gaza

Pashinyan: Some circles forcibly displaced from Karabakh are taking steps that create threat to Armenias security

Secretary General: Armenia, indeed, has not recently participated in CSTO Secretariats work

State Department disagrees with Azerbaijan comments on upcoming US-EU-Armenia meeting

President: Document to dissolve Karabakh republic was only way to save compatriots

Newspaper: Generals are gone, Armenia PM has decided to hand over some Tavush Province settlements to Azerbaijan

Volvo launches its last diesel car

US First Lady writes childrens book about her cat

Almost 1 child in 6 is cyberbullied in Europe

Foreign Ministry: Upcoming Armenia-US-EU high-level meeting not directed to any third party

Zakharova on Azerbaijan weapons supply to Ukraine: Main thing is that something similar doesnt appear about Armenia

Russia MFA spox: Future of entire South Caucasus is only tool for France

Zakharova: Everything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed

Russia MFA spox: We do not use the term Zangezur corridor

Wings of Tatev opens a new tourist season

Parliament speaker: Armenia not waiting to become EU membership candidate

Alen Simonyan: Russia needed twice as much as we needed Russian border guards presence in Armenia

Armenia legislature chair: I don't think Russian border guards will protect us if Turkey attacks

Armenia does not join CSTO statement condemning terrorist attack in Moscow Region

Armenia parliament head: What we want at this time is to get the border with Azerbaijan

No discussion at this phase regarding Armenia's EU membership, legislature speaker says

Armenia parliament chair does not rule out that Azerbaijanis will attack

Armenia has calculated the risks if Tavush Province defense line collapses, legislature head assures

Parliament speaker: No part of Armenia territory is subject to negotiation

Armenia PM, France delegation discuss processes taking place in South Caucasus

Moscow Region terrorist attack death toll rises

France lawmakers visit Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan

France ambassador, French MPs visit Armenias Sotk gold mine

Lemkin Institute expresses concern that Azerbaijan regime may get revenge upon Armenian captives

AraratBank places its 27th issue of dollar bonds

2.5-year-old girl in critical condition after falling into boiling water container in Armenias Byureghavan

Friends of Armenia Network report: Offering Armenia EU candidate status would be important signal

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Newspaper: Azerbaijan leader reprimands Armenia PM

Nikolay Konashenok, who tried to fly to Armenia, is taken into custody for 14 days for petty hooliganism

Ancient boats built with advanced construction techniques discovered in Italy lake

Iran's supreme leader receives Hamas politburo chief in Tehran

Olivier Decottignies The right of return of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians is being violated today

FSB: Primary data received from detainees in Crocus terrorist attack case confirm Ukrainian trace

Tigran Balayan to Toivo Klaar: Azerbaijan is gearing up for new aggression against Armenia

Iran's ambassador to Russia: Next meeting of 3+3 platform may take place as early as this year

Armenia nuclear plant, Rosatom Service directors sign contract on new cooling systems for plant

Armenia President: We have warm relations with Greece, this is also related to our history, principles, beliefs

Kirill Komarov: Rosatom can offer Armenia nuclear reactors with capacity of 50 to 1,000 MW

Armenia PM is presented Military industry Committee 2023 activity report

US, UK, Ukraine are involved in Moscow Region terrorist attack, Russia official says

State Department: US supports South Caucasus countries sovereignty, territorial integrity

Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia

NATO discussing possibility of shooting down missiles near alliance borders

Justice minister on returning Azerbaijani who crossed Armenia border: Political decision enabling correct positioning

Switzerland launches 10-year project of CHF 9 million in Armenia

Britain's Supreme Court rules over Assange's extradition to US

Anne-Laurence Petel: We reaffirmed France's support for Armenian democracy

Premier: Armenia has been ready to implement liberalization of visa regime with EU for long time

Nikol Pashinyan: Highways, railways, pipelines, cables must enter Turkey from Azerbaijan via Armenia
Azerbaijan bought a Sky Dew observation balloon from Israel, which is equipped with an advanced system for early detection of missiles and aircraft, Israeli media reported.

Sky Dew's mission is to detect and provide early warning of low-altitude cruise missiles, drones, and other advanced aerial threats. For this purpose, the balloon is equipped with a long-range AFAR radar. The balloon is capable of providing continuous surveillance for several days and is capable of tracking up to 500 targets with a detection range of over 250 km. It is also able to avoid disturbances from land, meaning the balloon is particularly useful for detecting low-flying threats.

The upper altitude limit of this observation balloon considerably exceeds the limits of ground-based radars, providing a greater range of visibility over the horizon.

The Sky Dew balloon is one of the largest of its kind and was developed by a joint venture between Israel's Missile Defense Organization and the US Missile Defense Agency.

The sensitive radar installed on this observation balloon is not only relatively economical in terms of resources, but also long-lasting and does not require expensive maintenance.

Data transmission between the Sky Dew balloon and its ground station is carried out over shielded fiber optic data paths.

In November of last year, it became known that Azerbaijan will buy from Israel additional Barak MX air defense systems, which are designed to protect against air threats such as planes and missiles. According to Defense Industry Europe, the amount of this transaction will be 1.2 billion dollars, reports the Israeli media outlet Details.

Earlier, the Israel Aerospace Industries "demonstrated the capabilities of the Barak MX in Azerbaijan," the tests included multiple launches of interceptors of various versions of this system.
One year after Saudi-Iranian reconciliation, China's dedication to peace still resonates in Middle East

Xinhua) 08:25, March 11, 2024

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."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
We have no wish to lead the region into a major war, whereas what they are doing knowingly or unknowingly, whether Russia or us, is leading the region to war. Samvel Babayan, former Secretary of the Security Council and former Minister of Defense of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), stated this in an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am.

"When [US Secretary of State] Blinken and the Turkish foreign minister talk about creating a single union of the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, they take out a market of 85 million people from under Russia, the borders of NATO come, reach all the way to Uzbekistan, and it is clear where they are taking. What will happen to Armenia there? Armenia needs to decide. Russia is right. They saying there are two options, but I believe that the third option is the right one, it must act in its own interest with both. Some [people] think that we [i.e. Armenia] should go, enter that union, build a logistic road through [Armenias] Meghri [city], and participate in that whole economic movement, try to integrate into that organization, which is in our interests. We are opposed by Iran, which says it is not in my interests, it is a red line to me. And I say: in 1989 you violated our red line, now we are violating it? You don't like it, do you? Well, if you don't like it, Iran should open its borders for the goods of Armenia so we can conduct trade. Armenia is losing what it should have earned through the Meghri road, you must compensate for it, you must open your market," said Babayan.

He recalled that during the 44-day war in 2020, Georgia had prohibited even bringing rescue vehicles to Armenia.

"By opening that road, we are zeroing as well the position of Georgia. Forty to 45 percent of Georgia's budget comes from the transit of oil, [natural] gas, and other goods.

If we give the Meghri road, it reduces the length of the road by 30 percent, it is a smoother road. Armenia is given money for transit on the territory of 43 kilometers, and on the territory of Georgiafor 460 kilometers.

Russia says: I am weak now, give me a place there, I will work as a guard on that road until we see what will happen," said Babayan.

To the question of what status that road will have and whether there will be Russian border guards there, Samvel Babayan responded: "It will be our transit, sovereign territory. Here the matter is something [else]. There was a railway there, but there was no motorway; we have to build it anew. Azerbaijan says, Let's build a car road.

Armenia should clarify its position. If Armenia chooses the Russia-Georgia, the Armenia-Iran road instead of the Turkey-Armenia-Azerbaijan road, then Azerbaijan says: You will give the four villages immediately. Then it will put the issue of enclaves, and the tension will continue. If we choose the second option, we automatically remain in the blockade. Today, Azerbaijan should not want for a guarantee from us on how it will pass 43 kilometers in our territory, but we should want from them a guarantee on how our vehicles, our citizens, will pass 600 kilometers on their territory. If we go with this option, Georgia will become our enemy; so will Iran. In that case a question arises: through where are we going to move ?

Now if we don't realize this, it will lead to war. Central Asia and the Caucasus is a market of 85 million [people], which now they are taking out from under Russia, with all its riches."
China's review of Australian wine tariffs progressing

China's ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, made the comment at a conference in Sydney. Photo: Shutterstock

China's review of tariffs it placed on Australian wine is progressing well, Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian told a conference in Sydney on Monday.



"Currently, Chinese authorities are reviewing and investigating our tariffs on Australian wine and things are moving on the right track, in the right direction," Xiao told the Australian Financial Review Business Summit.



A day earlier, Australia's trade minister said China would complete its review into the years-long wine tariffs by the end of March. (Reuters)
A special Court has sent Subhash Yadav, an alleged close aide of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, to judicial custody till March 22, 2024, after he was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Saturday in connection with its ongoing money laundering probe into the alleged illegal sand mining case. Subhas Yadav was arrested on Saturday and produced before the Special PMLA Court, Patna on Sunday, when he was sent to judicial custody, the ED said in a X post on Monday. Subhash Yadav was arrested late Saturday night under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following raids carried out by the agency sleuths at several locations in Bihar's Patna. Subhash was arrested following questioning by ED officials who conducted raids at his residence in Patna's Danapur locality on Saturday morning. The agency also carried out simultaneous raids at his other residential locations in Patna. Sources said that the ED officials scanned documents related to sand mining and other financial transactions of Subhash before taking him into custody. "During the search operation unexplained cash of Rs. 2.37 Crore approx. and digital devices have been found and seized from the premises of an employee and close associates of Subhas Yadav," ED said today. Subhash allegedly runs the business of illegal sand mining in Bihar. He is a prominent sand trader in the Patna region. He is also the Director of Broadson Construction Pvt Ltd. The money laundering case stems from some First Information Reports filed by the Bihar Police earlier. Subhash Yadav had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Chatra in Jharkhand. Two years ago, the ED had also raided his premises. Earlier, the Income Tax Department had conducted raids at Subhash's premises in connection with a tax evasion case in 2018. Earlier in this case, alleged syndicate member Radha Charan Sah, his son and the directors of BSPL were arrested by ED under PMLA. In February Directorate of Enforcement (ED) had provisionally attached two immovable properties to the extent of Rs. 26.19 Crore acquired by Radha Charan Sah, MLC, Bihar Legislative Council under the PMLA, 2002, in connection with a money laundering case against Broadsons Commodities Pvt Ltd. ED initiated an investigation on the basis of 19 FIRs registered by Bihar police under various sections of IPC, 1860 and Bihar Mineral (Concession, Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rule, 2019 against Broadson Commodities Private Limited and others. The agency has claimed that the illegal sale of sand is controlled by a syndicate, who, invest funds in the company and earn profit by way of illegal sale of sand which is nothing but POC. An investigation under PMLA has allegedly revealed that proceeds of crime of Rs 161 Crore has been generated by the illegal sale of sand. (ANI)
The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an autonomous society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, inaugurated its 24th Center of Entrepreneurship (CoE) - "FinGlobe" in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. According to a press release by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (IT), the launch event, held at STPI-Gandhinagar within GIFT City, saw the inauguration of the CoE and its maiden Open Challenge Program (OCP) by K Rajaraman, Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). Accompanied by Mona K Khandhar, Principal Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat, and other dignitaries, K Rajaraman emphasized the importance of nurturing startups in the fintech sector to build global-scale companies and technology platforms. He expressed his support for the FinGlobe CoE, highlighting its potential to develop solutions for the global market and bolster India's reputation as a trusted financial ecosystem. K Rajaraman said, "If we look at the economic reforms that have happened in the last 25 years, the most important reform is the tax reform. This helped in improving the health of the Indian financial system and financial sector at large. Financial institutions are all healthier because of this reform. All of them have become more prudential when it comes to managing their finances. All these enabled us to build the financial ecosystem, building trust globally." He added, "In every sector, we have to have global-scale companies and technology platforms can help to achieve that. We at IFSCA are building such regulations so that foreign investors don't face any issues when they land in India. With this FinGlobe CoE, startups will build solutions for the rest of the world. We are happy to support and facilitate this CoE." The FinGlobe CoE, established in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat, aims to catalyze the development and proliferation of cutting-edge technologies within the financial services domain, read the press release. Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, expert mentorship, and a collaborative ecosystem, FinGlobe CoE seeks to empower startups, entrepreneurs, and established players to ideate, innovate, and scale their solutions in the FinTech, TechFin, Banking Industry, and allied domains. The CoE provides 50 Plug-n-Play incubation seats to facilitate the growth of startups. During the event, five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged between STPINext Initiatives and its CoE partners, including (n)Code Solutions (IT Division of GNFC Limited), Centre for Advancing and Launching Enterprises (CrAdLE) at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, GVFL Limited, and TiE-Ahmedabad, further solidifying the commitment towards fostering innovation and growth in the fintech sector, read the press release. Mona K Khandhar lauded the launch of the CoE as a crucial step towards establishing Gujarat as a fintech hub, emphasizing its potential to deepen the ecosystem of fintech further. She also highlighted plans for a hackathon and onboarding of startups, emphasizing the state's commitment to leveraging technology, particularly artificial intelligence, to drive innovation. Khandhar said, "The launch of this CoE is an important journey towards making Gujarat a Fintech hub. All these efforts will deepen the ecosystem of FinTech further." She added, "We have also planned a hackathon and start onboarding the startups. We have a long association with STPI. The disruption in IT sector continues with the emergence of artificial intelligence and we are working to leverage this technology." Speaking on the occasion, Arvind Kumar, Director-General of STPI, underscored the organization's active role in promoting the IT/ITeS industry and startups in Gujarat, read the press release. He expressed confidence in the potential of the fintech domain and the role of the FinGlobe CoE in driving digital transformation, fostering job creation, and contributing to Gujarat's emergence as a prominent IT destination. Kumar said, "STPI is actively engaged in promoting IT/ITeS industry & startups in the state of Gujarat through its two centres in Gandhinagar and Surat. Both centres are driving digital transformation, fostering job creation, and contributing to Gujarat's emergence as a prominent IT destination in times to come." "Now, seeing the potential of FinTech domain in the state, STPI is expanding its footprint by establishing its 24th CoE in the FinTech domain at GIFT-City in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of Gujarat. This FinTech CoE will provide the requisite support like state-of-the-art incubation infrastructure, Sandbox Environment, Industry APIs, Payment Gateways, mentoring, industry & market connect to the startups," he added. The FinGlobe CoE represents a crucial investment in technology and innovation, providing a platform for startups and potential investors to collaborate, innovate, and shape the future of the financial system. (ANI)
Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise and a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) under the Ministry of Power, has entered into an agreement with the Government of Rajasthan. According to a press release by the Ministry of Power, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between REC Limited and the state government entails financing projects across power and non-power infrastructure sectors, with an annual commitment of up to Rs 20,000 crores for the next six years. The agreement, signed in Jaipur on 10th March 2024, witnessed the presence of key dignitaries including Chief Minister of Rajasthan Bhajan Lal Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, Minister of State for Energy Heera Lal Naagar, Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant, Union Coal Secretary Amrit Lal Meena, CMD of REC Vivek Kumar Dewangan, and CMDs of NTPC, Powergrid, NLC India, along with the Director of Coal India, read the press release. Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, RK Singh, and Union Minister for Coal, Prahlad Joshi, extended their best wishes for the initiatives undertaken by the Government of Rajasthan via video conference during the ceremony. The collaboration between REC Limited and the Government of Rajasthan signifies a robust commitment towards infrastructure development across the state. The financing provided by REC Limited is expected to catalyze a rapid increase in projects related to power infrastructure, metros, roads and highways, airports, IT infrastructure, oil refinery, steel infrastructure, ports and waterways, fiber optics, telecom, health sector, tourism infrastructure, agriculture, and other infrastructural projects, read the press release. Commenting on the agreement, Vivek Kumar Dewangan, CMD of REC Ltd., expressed pride in collaborating with the Government of Rajasthan to enhance infrastructure development across the state. He emphasized the partnership's aim to support sustainable growth and address the evolving energy needs of the region, along with the development of other infrastructure sectors. Additionally, during the event, MoUs worth Rs 1.6 lakh crores were signed between Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) under the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Coal with the Government of Rajasthan, marking a substantial commitment towards bolstering infrastructure development and driving economic growth in the region, read the press release. REC Limited, registered with RBI as an NBFC and Infrastructure Financing Company (IFC), plays a pivotal role in financing the entire power-infrastructure sector comprising Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Renewable Energy, and new technologies. With a diversified portfolio into non-power infrastructure sectors, REC Limited continues to play a key strategic role in various flagship schemes of the government, contributing significantly to the country's infrastructure development. (ANI)
Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, who on Sunday inaugurated 15 airport projects, including 12 new terminal buildings of almost worth Rs 10,000 crore, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that in the 75 years of independence, an airport of 2.5 lakh square feet has never been built in such a short period of time which is being built today in Gwalior. "Today, such a grand and biggest airport of Madhya Pradesh has been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the 75 years of independence of the country, an airport of 2.5 lakh square feet has never been built in such a short period of time which is being built today in Gwalior. Its foundation stone will be laid on October 16, 2022, and inauguration will take place on March 10, 2024," he said. "PM's thinking and ideology was that our state should always remain on the path of development, on the basis of that, today Gwalior air terminal worth Rs 600 crore and Jabalpur air terminal worth Rs 450 crore were inaugurated. Along with this, today the new building of the High Court was inaugurated in which the judges of the country were present," Scindia added. The Union Minister also asserted that if your heart is clean, you will sleep peacefully every day. Meanwhile, the project launched by PM Modi includes 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 on Sunday. 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. The new terminal buildings at Kanpur Airport, Rajkot International Airport, Tezu Airport and Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham were also inaugurated. The projects are aimed at augmenting passenger amenities and giving a fillip to the local economy. The 12 new terminal buildings are being developed at a total cost of Rs. 8,903 Crore, having a combined capacity to serve 615 Lakh passengers annually. These new terminal buildings are also equipped with various sustainability features like a double insulated roofing system, provision of canopies for energy saving, LED lighting, low heat gain double glazing unit, solar power plant etc. to meet GRIHA ratings.(ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has criticised Janata Dal (Secular) supremo HD Deve Gowda, saying that he has aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for his party's survival. Taking a dig at the former Prime Minister's previous statement, Siddaramaiah asked if he had forgotten that he had said he would leave the country if Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister. While addressing the teachers' Thanksgiving meeting at Kangeri on Sunday, Karnataka CM said that he was very surprised after coming to know that former Prime Minister Deve Gowda has now joined hands with the BJP. "Deve Gowda is praising Narendra Modi now. He also says that he and Narendra Modi have an inseparable relationship. I wonder why he has become like this. The same Deve Gowda had said that if Narendra Modi becomes the Prime Minister again, he will leave the country. But now, he is praising. Thus, they are following a dual policy. I never expected that a former Prime Minister of a country would say this," Siddaramaiah said. Recalling that Deve Gowda had once said that he wanted to be born as a Muslim in his next life and was always against the BJP. "Now he has aligned himself with the BJP for the survival of his party. Today, the people of the country are intelligent like you. The people of the country can check and compare their statements. No matter what decision Deve Gowda takes politically for the survival of his family, he thinks that people should turn a blind eye and support him. But now there is no such situation," CM Siddaramaiah said. The Chief Minister was addressing the teachers' thanksgiving meeting at Kangeri in the wake of P Puttanna's victory in the Karnataka Legislative Council's Teachers' constituency by-election. On P Puttanna's victory in the Karnataka Legislative Council's Teachers' constituency by-election, Siddaramaiah said, "Puttanna was confident that the teachers would support him and told that he would compete for the election. He won with the blessings of the people in 2002. He has won five times since then. He has worked efficiently as the voice of the people." On party MP and brother of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, DK Suresh's candidature from Banglore Rural in the Lok Sabha elections, CM Siddaramaiah said, "DK Suresh has been contesting from Bangalore Rural for four terms. He will win. The BJP is confident of winning in the name of Narendra Modi. Kumaraswamy had said that the alliance between the BJP and JDS would give a new direction to the Lok Sabha elections. Now people have to decide." "Even though Narendra Modi marched across the state ahead of the assembly elections, we got 136 seats. The BJP never won in any constituency where Modi campaigned. No one is as stupid as the people who think that they will win in the name of Narendra Modi," he added. The Chief Minister assured to convene a meeting with the teachers' representatives, along with the Finance Department, to discuss the teacher's issues. "People who fulfil the promises and work should be paid. Ploughing oxen should be fed, and oxen that do not plough won't be fed," he said. He also criticised the central government for the alleged uneven tax distribution. "They think that they will win 28 out of 28 in the next Lok Sabha elections. In 2023-24, 4.30 lakh crore rupees have been collected from Karnataka. But we got back only Rs 50,257 crore. This is very unfair. If this is the case, how do we develop the state. The people of Karnataka are questioning whether justice should be given in tax distribution," he said. (ANI)
The state general secretary of Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party's (SBSP) women cell, Nandini Rajbhar, was allegedly stabbed to death in Uttar Pradesh's Sant Kabir Nagar, police said on Sunday. According to officials, the incident happened at around 3 pm on Sunday at the victim's residence in the Kotwali Khalilabad area. There were multiple stab wounds on her body, they said. IG Ram Krishna Bhardwaj said that 30-year-old Nandini Rajbhar was stabbed to death by unidentified people. The incident occurred at around 3 pm. On receiving information about the incident, senior officers rushed to the spot and examined the situation. Further investigation is underway. "Prima facie, it appears to be a matter of land dispute reported about 10 days ago. Locals have named 3-4 people in the matter, but we are still looking into it," he said. Meanwhile, heavy police forces have been deployed in the area. As per the police, a woman in the locality first found the body and alerted the residents in the area. The victim's husband and seven-year-old son were away at the time of the incident, they added. Upon receiving information, a team of senior officials reached the spot. A forensic team was also rushed to the site. Reportedly, the SBSP leader's murder comes days after her father-in-law was found dead on railway tracks. A police investigation into the same is still underway. "Nandini Rajbhar has been murdered. Earlier, Nandini's father-in-law was also murdered on February 29. It was, however, labelled as 'suicide'. Nandini was fighting to get justice for her own family," the SBSP leader's maternal uncle, Ramgopal Rajbhar, said. "My niece was killed due to a land dispute. She took up the matter of her father-in-law's death, and after that, she was also murdered," he alleged. Sant Kabir Nagar SP Satyajit Gupta assured of taking action into the incident, adding that a high-level investigation will be conducted. "We will take strict action against the people involved in the alleged killing of the SBSP leader. A high-level probe has been initiated. We are further looking into it," the SP added. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to Delhi police on Sharjeel Imam's plea challenging a trial court order denying him bail in a Sedition case. His earlier bail plea was dismissed by the trial court on February 17. The division bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain issued a notice to Delhi police and granted two weeks to file a reply. The petitioner's counsel has been granted one week to file a response to the reply. The High Court has listed the matter in April for hearing. This case pertains to alleged inflammatory speeches by Sharjeel Imam in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and Jamia Area in the year 2019. He had sought statutory bail on the grounds of the period undergone in custody. He has been in custody since January 2020 in this case. He is also an accused in the larger Conspiracy of Delhi riots case. Special judge Sameer Bajpai dismissed the bail plea. It was argued that Sharjeel has been in custody for the last 4 years and it is more than half of the maximum sentence. The Delhi High Court on January 30 directed the trial court to decide his bail application within 10 days. Sharjeel Imam had approached the high court seeking statutory bail under section 436 A CrPC. This trial court began a fresh hearing on February 7, 2024. Advocate Talib Mustafa and Ahmad Ibrahim appeared for Sharjeel Imam. It was argued that he has been in custody since January 2020. It is said that he has undergone more than 4 years whereas the maximum punishment is seven years under the relevant section of UAPA. The proceedings under Sedition cases have been stayed by the Supreme Court. Advocate Talib Mustafa submitted before the high court His bail order was reserved for three months. Thereafter the presiding judge was transferred. Now the matter has been listed for fresh arguments before the current special judge. On the other hand, the bail plea was opposed by the special public prosecutor (SPP) Ashish Dutt. He had argued that while deciding the bail application the gravity of the offences also has to be considered and not the period undergone. The period of sentence under all offences should be considered by the court. SPP had also argued that the integrity and sovereignty of the country would be in danger if the accused is released on bail. On December 9, 2023, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Amitabh Rawat asked the Delhi Police to file clarification. Earlier, SPP Amit Prasad had submitted that there is some ambiguity on the provision mentioned by the defence counsel on the point that whether the accused under UAPA with multiple offences and undergone half of the sentence under UAPA, is entitled to be released on bail under section 436A Cr.pc. Advocate Talib Mustafa had opposed the submissions made by the SPP for Delhi Police. He has been in custody since January 28, 2020. Therefore he is entitled to statutory bail under section 436 A Cr.pc, the counsel had argued. On the other hand, Delhi police had said that there are multiple offences, not only one offence. Section 436 A Crpc talks about only 'an offence'. SPP Amit Prasad argued that a concurrent sentence is an exception whereas the consecutive sentence is a rule. In this way, the maximum sentence he can be awarded is 16 years, the punishment of which is restricted to 14 years. Spp has presumed that I would be convicted. It is Contradictory to the principle of innocence, the counsel argued. The counsel submitted that the applicant has been in custody since 28.01.2020 in connection with FIR of 25.01.2020 P.S. Crime Branch, registered for the offences punishable U/s 124A, 153A, 153B and 505(2) IPC and Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. It is stated that the applicant was arrested from his hometown Jehanabad, Bihar in this case on 28.01.2020 and was produced before the Patiala House Court. Since then, he has been in judicial custody after police interrogation. It is further submitted that the investigation in the matter stands concluded and a final report/chargesheet against the applicant has been filed in this case on 25.07.2020 for the offences punishable u/s 124A, 153A, 153B, 505 of IPC and Section 13 of UAPA. The Court took cognizance of the speeches/offences under section 124A, 153A, 1538 and 505 IPC on July 29, 2020, and Section 13 of the UAPA, on December 19, 2020, the plea stated. Thereafter, charges were formally framed against the applicant on15.03 2022 by Court under section 124A, 153A, 153B and 505 IPC The Supreme Court had passed the direction effectively staying the operation of Section 124A IPC and all proceedings emanating therefrom, it added. The High Court of Delhi, on 31.10.2022 directed that the trial be stayed in respect of material witnesses and only formal witnesses be examined. It is argued that the Section 436A of Cr.PC. is a wholesome beneficial substantive provision substantive one which is for effectuating the right of speedy trial guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution. It is also said that after the stay of trial in the present case by the High Court regarding the main offence of Section 124A IPC (Sedition) in light of the directions passed by the Supreme Court in S.G Vombatkere v. Union of India on 11.05.2022, the only offences remaining against the applicant relate to an offence punishable U/s 153A IPC (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) which is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to five years, 153B IPC (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration) which is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to five years, 505 IPC (Statements conducing to public mischief) which is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to five years and 13 of UAPA (Punishment for unlawful activities) which is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to seven years. (ANI)
After Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said that though Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to hold a meeting on March 15 to appoint a new person for the post, it is not "morally" right. "With a few days left for the announcement of the election schedule, he has resigned and now we have only one Chief Election Commissioner. It is very sad...On the 15th PM Modi will head the meeting to select the next Election Commisioner. As per law, it's right but morally, it's not. Even Jesus was crucified as per law but morally, it's not right,," Karti Chidambaram said on Monday. On the State Bank of India (SBI) seeking more time from the Supreme Court of India to submit details of electoral bonds, Karti Chidambaram said that it is "dangerous for democracy". "After the Supreme Court's verdict, banks should give the details of the electoral bonds to the Election Commision. But the bank is seeking time to submit the details, saying that they need time to tally. In such a situation, conducting elections is dangerous for democracy," Chidambaram said. The Supreme Court heard a State Bank of India (SBI) plea on March 11 seeking an extension of time until June 30 to submit details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India. On March 15, the Constitution bench of the Supreme Court asked the SBI to furnish details of the political parties that have received electoral bonds since April 12, 2019, and all the particulars received and submit them to the Election Commission of India by March 6. This came when the top court held the electoral bond scheme was violative of Article 19(1)(a) and unconstitutional and struck down the electoral bond scheme. As the State Bank of India (SBI) missed the deadline to submit the details, it has moved the Supreme Court to seek an extension of time until June 30 to submit the details of electoral Bonds to the Election Commission of India. SBI, in its application, said that it needs extra time to disclose details of electoral bonds encashed by political parties. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday handed over 1000 drones to 1,000 Namo Drone Didis across 10 locations across the country and disbursed bank loans to Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the Sashakt Nari - Viksit Bharat programme at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa in New Delhi. The PM also interacted with Lakhpati Didis while they shared their stories of resilience, determination and success. Speaking at Sashakt Nari - Viksit Bharat programme, the Prime Minister said, "Today's event is a historic one. In the coming years, drone technology is going to expand in the country. Innumerable avenues are going to open up for the 'Namo Drone Didis' in the country. In the last 10 years, the way Self Help Groups have expanded in the country is a matter of study. SHGs in India have created a new history in the area of women empowerment." "Drones will act as a capable channel/medium for delivery of small items like milk and groceries. Drones will also play a pivotal role in the delivery of medicines and medical samples. Namo drone didi Yojana is enabling women to become drone pilots, opening up countless opportunities for them," the PM added. Some of the drones distributed by the PM were Kisan drones manufactured by Garuda Aerospace. "It is extremely validating to see our Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modiji distributing 1000 drones to Drone Didis representing Women Self Help Groups from 22 states. Our goal is to ensure Women Entrepreneurs in rural India and Indian farmers have access to affordable Precision Agri Drone Technology and create massive employment for youth in our country" Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace said. The NaMo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi initiatives are an integral part of the Prime Minister's vision to promote economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women, especially in rural areas. During the programme, the Prime Minister felicitated Lakhpati Didis who have achieved success with the support of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission and are supporting and motivating other Self Help Group SHG members for their upliftment. The NaMo Drone Didi Initiative aims to empower rural women by training them to become drone pilots for agricultural purposes. The initiative aims to equip 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with agricultural drones to assist in tasks such as crop monitoring, spraying fertilisers and sowing seeds. (ANI)
Day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress announed candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, dealing a blow to the possiblity of alliance with the Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) held a meeting at its party office in Delhi today. The Politburo meeting is expected to strategize on the Lok Sabha elections and discuss its party candidates for all Lok Sabha seats across the country. "Every party is free to decide how they want to proceed with the elections. Now that the Trinamool Congress has made it clear that they are going to fight alone, we INDIA parties need to take a call and decide how to respond. We are prepared. In Bengal, the CPIM is prepared that we will go with all secular forces there who are prepared to come together to defeat the BJP and the Trinamool Congress," CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said, speaking to reporters on Mamata Banerjee's decision to contest solo in West Bengal. Speaking on the possibility of striking an alliance with the Congress for West Bengal as they had done in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Yechury said that the Congress "appears to be waiting" for the Trinamool Congress for "some opening." "That (seat-sharing talks with Congress) will now be worked out. It depends on the Congress what they are doing. Congress appears to be waiting for some opening with the TMC. But I think the TMC has closed all the doors," the CPI(M) leader said. On seat-sharing between the alliance partners, Yechury said, "We will start discussions today and it will continue till the election dates are announced." Notably, the CPI-M has announced its Lok Sabha candidates for Wayanad, Thiruvananthapuram, Mavelikkara, and Thrissur in Kerala. The CPI-M and the Congress are expected to see a tough fight in Wayanad, where the CPI-M has pitted Annie Raja against Rahul Gandhi. The INDIA bloc suffered a major blow when Mamata Banerjee, considered to be a strong player in the INDIA bloc, announced that her party would be fighting the Lok Sabha polls alone in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee also stayed out of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra when it passed through the state, which allowed the BJP to point out that the opposition bloc is in tatters in West Bengal. The CPI(M) has also moved a contempt petition against the State Bank of India (SBI) for not disclosing donor details in the electoral bonds case. "The SBI disregarded the directions of the court. Till the last day, they kept quiet and then they moved an application seeking more time which is not necessary. Everybody who is involved in the implementation of the electoral bond, including the former Finance Secretary has said that within a couple of hours, the SBI can provide all the information. We think it is a direct case of contempt of court and so the court must seriously consider it," Yechury said. On the Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigning from the post ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Yechury said, "This is very perplexing and disturbing. On the eve of the General Elections, for the Election Commission to resign, without giving any reason, and the fact that it was accepted so promptly also shows that something is going on, which is not healthy for a free and fair election." (ANI)
When the United States removed China's tech giant Huawei Technologies Co from its global semiconductor supply chain in 2019, anxiety gripped the Chinese electronics industry.

But there was a silver lining too. Anxiety pushed Chinese firms to work on chips for more advanced smartphones. For their part, the authorities concerned emphasized that self-reliance in key technologies is critical to the future.

What ensued in consequence over the past few years is that the whole Chinese tech ecosystem developed unprecedented capabilities that even the US probably had not anticipated or expected.

So, when Corporate China appeared to be anxious again in the wake of OpenAI's launch of its text-to-video model Sora in February, it gave me a sense of deja vu. I breathed easy.

For, I, being a dyed-in-the-wool tech reporter, am aware that nearly four years after the US ban, Huawei has already unveiled its Mate 60 series phone powered by the Kirin 9000S chip, despite the obstacles. For the uninitiated, the Kirin 9000S' performance is comparable to one- or two-year-old chips from Qualcomm, according to various testing teams.

It is by now clear that no technological breakthrough happens overnight  and no technological progress elsewhere, nor unfair policy curbs imposed by other countries, can stymie China for a long time.

So, at the people level, it helps to view technological advancements rationally and become aware of the kind of challenges China is facing. As for the emergence of OpenAI's Sora, Chinese tech fans don't need to get anxious over local firms' perceived ceding of lead to their foreign counterparts. Huawei's experience should indicate that any sense of lagging behind in the cutting-edge technology will likely be temporary.

Truth to tell, China has the ability to develop text-to-video models. It's just a matter of time before similar products emerge eventually.

To reiterate, technological evolution doesn't happen overnight. Nor is it the sole preserve of a certain company. Patience is the watchword here.

When Huawei made its chip breakthrough, it was its US counterparts that turned anxious. Many voices blamed the US government, saying its ban merely ended up accelerating China's drive for self-reliance in advanced chips.

"Perhaps the most surprising fact about the Huawei breakthrough is that so many US government leaders were evidently surprised," said Gregory Allen, director of the Wadhwani Center for AI and Advanced Technologies, in a report about Huawei's new phone.

It is as though tech anxiety is shuttling between the world's two largest economies, given that the US has always tried to make everything on its own.

But history shows no country can single-handedly drive or control the future of tech. As China always insists, in the era of globalization, any attempts by a country to impede globalization will only hurt its own interests.

As for ChatGPT, Sora and similar tech breakthroughs, their proliferation, application and commercialization are more important than their advent itself. I doubt if the US can progress on its own in these aspects.

It's worth recalling that OpenAI was founded with the intention of making the evolution of AI open. Recent developments seem to suggest that only openness and collaboration can lead to technological momentum that will benefit the global society.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hit out at the Congress and said that the 'ghamandia' alliance are afraid of the pace at which development is being undertaken by the present government in the country. Addressing the event during the inauguration of the Haryana section of the Dwarka Expressway in Gurugram, the Prime Minister said that there was a 'delay' earlier but not there is 'delivery'. The government's focus is on building high-speed corridors. "The Congress and its 'ghamandia' alliance have problems with the inauguration of these development projects. They are sleepless because of these development projects. The Congress doesn't have the strength to talk about development. When I inaugurate developmental projects, they call it the 'Chunavi strategy'. Negativity, and only negativity, is the true characteristic of Congress," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister further said that in the last 10 years country has changed so much but the views of Congress and its friends have not changed. "Only Congress and its arrogant alliance are facing the biggest problem that's why they are saying that Modi is doing work worth lakhs of crores of rupees because of elections. The country has changed so much in 10 years, but the views of Congress and its friends have not changed. The number of their vision is still the same - all negative." He further asserted that previous governments used to make a small plan and hold a small program and keep talking about it for five years. "The earlier governments used to make a small plan and hold a small program and keep talking about it for five years. Not even three months have passed since 2024, and in such a short time, the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 10 lakh crore has been laid and inaugurated," he added. PM Modi said that changing problems into possibility is Modi's guarantee, Dwarka Expressway is a big example adding that the pace of development work will increase many times in next five years, "India of the 21st century is an India of big vision. This is an India of big goals. Today's India cannot compromise on the pace of progress. I cannot think small, nor do I dream small, nor do I make small resolutions. Whatever I want... I want it big, I want huge and I want it at a fast pace because in 2047 I want to see the country as a 'Developed India'," he said. The Prime Minister asserted that fast development of infrastructure would help India become the third largest economy in the world. Earlier today, to help improve traffic flow and ease congestion between Delhi and Gurugram on NH-48, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Haryana section of the landmark Dwarka Expressway. PM Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 112 National Highway projects spread across the country worth about Rs 1 lakh crore. The 19-km-long Haryana section of the 8-lane Dwarka Expressway has been built at a cost of around Rs 4,100 crore and includes two packages of 10.2 km long Delhi-Haryana Border to Basai Rail-over-Bridge (ROB) and 8.7 km long Basai ROB to Kherki Daula. It will also provide direct connectivity to the IGI Airport in Delhi and the Gurugram Bypass. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that his party along with the INDIA bloc will register the first victory in Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "The Samajwadi Party was the first to announce its seats and start the campaign. You will see that the first victory will be that of the Samajwadi Party and the INDIA bloc...We were the first to form an alliance, distribute seats, release campaign song...," Akhilesh Yadav said speaking to reporters at a joint press conference with state Congress President Ajay Rai on Monday. Yadav pointed out that the integrated terminal 3 (T3) of the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (CCSIA) that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was built when the Samajwadi party was in power in Uttar Pradesh. "The airport and runway that was inaugurated were built when the Samajwadi party was in power in the state. It was built during Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) and was expanded during the time of the last Samajwadi Party government, whether it is Azamgar or Moradabad. Even the Lucknow airport was constructed when our government was in power," the Samajwadi Party chief said. Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Yadav said that the upcoming Lok Sabha election will be fought to save the Constitution and democracy. "The slogan Sabka Satha Sabka Vikas is the biggest lie. Where is everyone prospering? This election is on saving the Constitution, democracy, the idea of Dr Ram Manihar Lohia's socialist society and to save the rights and respect of the farmers, poor and those are from minority," the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said. In response to the BJP claiming that the candidates fielded by their party belong to the "actual PDA", Yadav took a dig saying it is good that the BJP has at least started to speak on PDA. "It is good that they have started speaking on the PDA. Those in BJP are fake PDA. How many Vice Chancellors who were appointed were from PDA? How many district officials posted are from PDA? How many directors of this University (Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University) are from PDA? The Bharatiya Janata Party is only concerned about taking the votes of PDA but not giving them their rights and respect," Yadav said. The Samajwadi Party and the Congress will contest the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in alliance with the Congress contesting 17 seats while the SP will contest 63 seats. (ANI)
The Delhi Police has registered an FIR against several individuals after a scuffle broke out over a road rage incident, which further escalated into cross-firing from both sides. A video of the incident has gone viral which shows people beating each other up with sticks and hurling stones at one another. The Delhi Police said that they received a call from the Police Control Room (PCR) at 2:33 p.m. on Sunday about firing at a lane at Sangam Vihar in Delhi's Wazirabad, following which the Station House Officer and his team rushed to the spot. After conducting an inquiry, it came to light that initially a quarrel broke out between one Shavez and Salman, both residents of Delhi's Sangam Vihar over a scooter sliding abrasively against a mini-truck, police said. The quarrel escalated into a scuffle among the relatives, friends, and neighbours of both sides which led to firing and counter-firing, police said adding that no one was injured in the firing. A total of three persons sustained injuries in the quarrel. One Mohsin has been apprehended with his pistol for allegedly firing, police said. Another accused, Arshad who cross-fired has also been apprehended, they said. The police have registered a case against all accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. The investigation is in progress. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the Bombay High Court verdict acquitting Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba and five other accused in a case in which he was accused of having links with the banned CPI (Maoist). A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta observed that the High Court's decision appeared to be "well-reasoned" and there cannot be any urgent order to reverse such an acquittal order. "There are two orders of acquittal by two different benches. Prima facie, we find that the judgment is very well-reasoned. Since on an earlier occasion, this court had interfered, we will have to honour that. Otherwise, this is a very well-reasoned judgment by the High Court," said the bench. It added, "It's a hard-earned acquittal. How many years has the man spent in jail? The law is that there is a presumption of innocence. Once there is an order of acquittal, that presumption gets fortified." On March 5, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba, noting that the prosecution failed to prove the case against him. Saibaba and others accused were arrested for allegedly having Maoist links and for indulging in activities amounting to "waging war against the country". Professor Saibaba was lodged in Nagpur Central Jail in connection with the case. The High Court on October 14, 2022, allowed an appeal filed by Saibaba and five others challenging a 2017 decision of the trial court convicting and sentencing him to life imprisonment under the anti-terror law UAPA. They were arrested in 2014. After the High Court order, the Maharashtra government immediately approached the top court in an appeal against the acquittal of Saibaba and others. The top court then set aside the acquittal order and remitted the matter back to the High Court. The top court had noted that the High Court's acquittal order rested primarily on the ground that due sanction was not taken before proceeding with the case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Now, on March 5 the High Court after re-hearing the case, acquitted Saibaba on merits and reversed the trial court's 2017 conviction. In 2022, the High Court ordered the immediate release of Saibaba and the other accused, including a journalist and a JNU student. It was noted that the sanction was accorded for Saibaba's prosecution only after the trial commenced. For the other accused, the High Court had noted that the sanction order issued to prosecute them in the case under the UAPA was "bad in law and invalid". Apart from Saibaba, the High Court acquitted Mahesh Kariman Tirki, Pandu Pora Narote, Hem Keshavdatta Mishra and Prashant Sanglikar, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, and Vijay Tirki who was awarded 10 years in jail. Narote died during the appeal process. They were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Sessions Court at Gadchiroli, Maharashtra in March 2017 for offences under various sections of UAPA and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code for alleged association with the Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), which was alleged to be an affiliate of outlawed Maoist organisation. (ANI)
In a setback to the West Bengal government, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with the Calcutta High Court's order directing a CBI probe in the Sandeshkhali matter pertaining to the attack on ED officials. The Sandeshkhali matter related to the attack on ED officials expunges remarks made by the High Court against state police. During the hearing, a bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta asked the state police about the delay in arresting Shajahan Sheikh. The top court asked the WB govt why he was (Sheikh) not arrested for so many days. WB's advocate replied that there was a stay on investigation by the court and within a day after clarification came from the court, the state police arrested the accused. The lawyer also informed the top court that seven people were arrested earlier. WB's advocate also said that allegations like state police delaying the probe were damaging. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, for respondents, gave the central agency's version, informed SC that ED officials went to the house of the main accused in a matter concerning the ration scam running into crores of rupees and the ED officials were beaten up. ASG informed the SC that some other cases had been filed, therefore, the investigation was stayed. The apex court was hearing the West Bengal government's appeal against the Calcutta High Court order directing a CBI probe in the Sandeshkhali matter about the attack on ED officials and called the decision by the High Court against the concept of federalism. Challenging the validity of Calcutta HC's March 5 division bench order, the West Bengal government also mentioned that the Calcutta High Court passed the order, uploaded it by 3:30 pm and asked the West Bengal government to comply with the directions by 4.30 pm which made it remediless. "Because the impugned order passed by the Division Bench specifically frustrates the petitioners' right to challenge the same before the top court under Article 136 of the Constitution, as the impugned order dated March 5, 2024, was pronounced by the Division Bench at 3 pm and uploaded on the High Court website by 3.30 pm, but the directions contained therein required the petitioner state to comply with such directions by 4.30 pm on March 5, 2024, which effectively curtailed the petitioners' right to avail its remedy under Article 136 of the Constitution," read the petition filed by the West Bengal government. "Because it is trite law that the provision of appeal as provided in a statute cannot be ousted by a judicial order, which has been done in the present case, and which has rendered the state government. Remediless while negating the concepts of Federalism, where without any material on record, and the basis of surmises and conjectures as well as a media trial being conducted, the Division Bench has, on its own accord, mixed several issues to pass the impugned order, which is factually and legally incorrect," the West Bengal government said. Earlier this year, in January, ED officials came under attack in the North 24 Parganas district while they were on their way to raid the homes of former Bongaon Municipality chairman Shankar Adhya and Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with the ration 'scam' case. Earlier, the Calcutta High Court transferred to the CBI the Sandehskhali case, which pertains to the attack on ED officials. After weeks of no action, on February 29, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested by West Bengal police, after which West Bengal's Basirhat Court remanded him to 10-day police custody. Following Shahjahan's arrest, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that he had been "put under the hospitality" of the state police in a bid to avoid arrest by the ED and the CBI. Tension rose in Sandeshkhali after hundreds of women on the island came out on the streets against Shahjahan Sheikh, accusing him of perpetrating sexual abuse and other excesses on them along with his henchmen. (ANI)
A plea was filed in the Supreme Court to restrain the central government from appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners as per Sections 7 and 8 of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and terms of office) Act 2023. Sections 7 and 8 lay down the procedure for the appointment of ECI members. The application filed by the Congress leader Jaya Thakur also sought direction to appoint members of the Election Commission as per the Supreme Court judgment which had directed the constitution of a committee consisting of the CJI, the PM, and the leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha for appointment. Following the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel last week and the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey, two vacancies of Election Commissioners have arisen. Advocate Varun Thakur, appearing for the petitioner, also mentioned the plea for an early hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. The bench asked the lawyer to send an email regarding this and it will look into the listing. Thakur had earlier also challenged the provisions of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and terms of office) Act, 2023. Underscoring that the Lok Sabha Election 2024 may be announced shortly, the application was filed to prevent the appointment of the next Election Commissioners under the amended CEC Act, 2023. In its fresh application, Thakur told the top court that during the pendency of her plea, in which a notice was issued on January 12, "one member of Election Commission namely Arun Goel gave resignation on March 9, 2024, which has been accepted by the President". "Given facts that election for Lok Sabha Election 2024 may be announced shortly, therefore the appointment of a member of new Election Commissioners is required immediately, for that this court has given a clear verdict in the case of 'Anoop Baranwal Versus Union of India' (March 2, 2023 verdict) about the appointment process...," the application said. "Given the facts and circumstances, the petitioner is filing the present application for the immediate direction of this court to direct the respondents to follow the norms/proceduresfor appointment of the posts of chief election commissioner and theelection commissioners, as per verdict passed by this court in the case of Anoop Baranwal," it added. On December 28 last year, President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023. The bill by Parliament said that the Supreme Court had, in response to a writ petition,, declared that the appointment of CEC and ECs shall be made by the President on the basis of advice tendered by a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and in case, there is no such leader, the leader of the largest party in the opposition in Lok Sabha having the largest numerical strength; and the Chief Justice of India. "It has been clarified in the aforesaid judgment that the said norm provided by the Supreme Court will continue to hold good till a law is made by the Parliament," the bill stated. (ANI)
West Bengal Police lathi-charged the workers of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), who were protesting against the state government over the Sandeshkhali incident, in Siliguri on Monday. The protestors raised slogans against the state government and were later detained by the police. Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation has summoned nine people, including some close aides and acquaintances of suspended Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Seikh, to appear before it on Monday in the case related to the alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali on January 5. All the accused have been asked to appear at Nizam Palace, the CBI office in Kolkata. Sheikh was arrested by the West Bengal police on February 29 and was produced in court yesterday, after his 10-day police custody ended. The Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court yesterday sent Sheikh Shahjahan to four-day CBI custody in connection with the January 5 attack on the Enforcement Directorate team in Sandeshkhali. Earlier, on the directive of the Calcutta High Court, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Kolkata Police handed custody of Sheikh Shahjahan to the CBI. Issuing a contempt notice to the CID, the high court ruled on Wednesday that the case pertaining to the attack on ED officials be handed over to the CBI along with the custody of the prime accused, Shahjahan. The court further observed that state police played 'hide and seek' in the matter. "The accused is a political influencer. The investigation should be handed over to the CBI and the custody of the accused by 4:15 pm today," the high court observed. Apart from the attack on an ED team, which was out raiding his Sandeshkhali residence in connection with the alleged ration scam, Shahjahan is also accused of land grab, extortion and committing excesses on women along with his henchmen. The women of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district erupted in violent protests and came out on the streets, accusing Shahjahan and his aides of grave excesses and atrocities. Multiple women in the island accused Shajahan and his aides of "land-grab and sexual assault" under coercion. (ANI)
Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), an ally of the BJP-led Assam government, announced the list of candidates for two parliamentary constituencies in Assam on Monday. The party leadership on Monday formally announced the list of candidates for the two seats, Barpeta and Dhubri. Senior AGP leader Phanibhushan Choudhury will contest from the Barpeta parliamentary seat, while Zabed Islam will contest from the Dhubri seat. Speaking to ANI, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, leader of AGP, said, "AGP has today announced the names of its two candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. For this, AGP's senior leader, 8-time MLA Phanibhushan Choudhury, will contest the polls from the Barpeta parliamentary seat. "While Zabed Islam, the choice of the new generation, will contest from the Dhubri seat, this announcement has been made for the upcoming elections. We hope that when AGP comes with full strength, our efforts will continue to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi the PM for the third consecutive time," he added. Earlier last week, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) had reached the seat-sharing deal for Assam for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. CM Sarma announced that the BJP would contest on 11 out of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the AGP would contest in Barpeta and Dhubri seats, and the UPPL is set to field its candidate from the Kokrajhar seat. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma further exuded confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would secure victory on all 11 seats in the polls. Taking a dig at the Congress, he added, "The Congress will be segregated. May Congress remain as a name. NDA is heading to win 400 seats." A core committee meeting was held for several states, including Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam, besides the union territory of Delhi, ahead of the meeting of the party's Central Election Committee on February 29. The Lok Sabha polls are scheduled to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday extended its interim order of stay on the trial court's proceedings till May 13 in the defamation case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over retweeting a video of a YouTuber making allegations against the BJP IT Cell. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta adjourned the matter on the request of the parties and ordered that interim orders continue till the next date. The apex court granted more time to the complainant in the criminal defamation case against Kejriwal to discuss with him the modalities of an apology that would close the case. On February 26, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, submitted before the apex court that retweeting the video, which was allegedly defamatory, circulated by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in 2018, was a "mistake." The apex court had then directed the trial court not to proceed with the defamation case against him for the time being. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief had approached the apex court challenging the February 5 order of the Delhi High Court refusing to quash the summons issued against him. The High Court had said that reposting alleged libellous content would attract defamation law. The summons was issued in a defamation complaint lodged against him for retweeting a video of a YouTuber on the social media platform 'X'. Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, had told the apex court, "There is no problem in admitting that this was a mistake if he had known that these would be the consequences." The bench had then asked the complainant in the case to take instructions on whether the case could be closed based on Kejriwal's admitting to the mistake. A defamation complaint was filed against Kejriwal for retweeting a video by a YouTuber in 2018 accusing the founder and operator of a Twitter page called 'I Support Narendra Modi' of behaving like 'BJP IT CELL Part-II'. Kejriwal retweeted the tweet, which led to the founder filing a defamation complaint against the Chief Minister. (ANI)
Congress MP Manish Tewari on Monday lauded the Supreme Court's decisive dismissal of the State Bank of India's (SBI) plea for an extension on the electoral bonds case. He commended the court's categorical order, criticizing SBI for allegedly obfuscating the matter. "The Supreme Court's order was very categorical. The State Bank was unfortunately obfuscating because the data is available at the click of a button. So under those circumstances that application was misconceived in the first place and the Supreme Court has rightly dismissed it. Now we hope that that data is provided expeditiously and the Election Commission uploads it on its website," Manish Tewari said. Earlier in the day the Supreme Court dismissed an application of the State Bank of India (SBI) seeking an extension of time till June 30 to submit details of Electoral Bonds to the Election Commission of India and asked the bank to disclose the details by March 12. Meanwhile, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury emphasized that the court's decision is in the interest of enhancing transparency in political funding, especially electoral funding. "We welcome the fact that the Supreme Court has dismissed the plea of the SBI. This is in the interest of transparency of political funding in the country, particularly electoral funding," Sitaram Yechury said. A five-judge Constitution bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra ordered that the details be disclosed by the bank on March 12. The apex court also directed the Election Commission of India to compile the information to be furnished by the SBI and publish the details on its official website no later than March 15, 2024, by 5 pm. (ANI)
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This photo taken on June 12, 2023 shows workers assembling vehicles at the general assembly line of FAW-Volkswagen in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's auto sales rose 11.1 percent year on year to nearly 4.03 million units in the first two months of this year, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed Monday.

The country's auto output during the January-February period increased by 8.1 percent year on year to 3.92 million units, according to the association.

Specifically, passenger car output and sales stood at 3.36 million units and 3.45 million units, up 7.9 percent and 10.6 percent year on year, respectively, the data showed.

Commercial vehicle output rose by 9 percent year on year to 560,000 units, while commercial vehicle sales increased by 14.1 percent year on year to 575,000 units.

The new energy vehicles (NEVs) sector maintained fast growth momentum during the first two months. The country's NEVs output reached 1.25 million units, climbing 28.2 percent compared with a year earlier. Sales of NEVs rose 29.4 percent year on year to 1.21 million units.

Total auto exports amounted to 822,000 units during the period, an increase of 30.5 percent year on year, the data revealed.

Auto sales reached about 1.58 million units in February alone, down 19.9 percent from the same period a year ago.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting of CM Helpline 1905 at the Secretariat on Monday. During the meeting, the Chief Minister talked to various complainants, listened to their problems and took feedback regarding the CM Helpline. The Chief Minister directed the officials that all the officers should take the complaints coming to CM Helpline 1905 as the top priority. He said that work should be done to make CM Helpline 1905 more effective. He said that the purpose of the CM Helpline is to provide convenience to the public. "If the complaint is not resolved, the concerned department and officers should follow it up continuously. Leave the habit of keeping long-term/technical problems pending, and work on quick resolution of problems. The only purpose of the government and administration is to satisfy the public," he said to the officials. The Chief Minister said that all the officers should regularly hold meetings regarding CM Helpline 1905 at every level. The government and administration should be accountable to the public, he said. He said that all should work with a spirit of service towards the complainants, and solve their problems quickly without keeping them pending unnecessarily. The Chief Minister, while directing all the district officials connected through a virtual medium, said that even during Tehsil Diwas, the complaints coming from CM Helpline 1905 should be immediately updated on the portal. During the meeting, the Chief Minister talked to the complainants of the CM Helpline by phone, in which complainant Bhavna Phulara of Udham Singh Nagar said that her ration card was not displayed online, due to which her Ayushman card was not being made. Phulara said that her complaint was resolved in just 5 days of complaining to the CM Helpline for which complainant Bhavna Phulara expressed gratitude to the chief minister. During the conversation with the Chief Minister, Nainital complainant Sarvesh Sharma said that there was no water in his house for many days. "While laying the new pipeline, the old pipeline of his house was broken. No officer was ready to listen. But his complaint has been resolved just a few days after complaining to the CM Helpline," Sarvesh Sharma said. Complainant Sarvesh Sharma praised the CM Helpline and expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister. During the conversation with the Chief Minister, complainant Sukhjivan Singh from Haridwar said that road construction work was done in his colony Vasant Vihar a few days ago. He had lodged a complaint on CM Helpline regarding poor road construction work. After filing the complaint, the road was rebuilt last Sunday. For which he praised the CM Helpline and expressed gratitude to the CM. Hearing the complaint of complainant Vivek from Dehradun, the Chief Minister immediately directed the District Magistrate Dehradun to resolve the pending complaint quickly. He also asked the district officials to hold regular meetings regarding CM Helpline. It was told in the meeting that as per the instructions of the Chief Minister, a system has also been made to report the officers who do not work regularly on the CM Helpline portal. Along with this, the system of message alerts regarding the communication made by the officers with the complainants has also started. Training is being given regarding communication skills training of calling executives. Also, the percentage of complaints closed satisfactorily has increased from 60 per cent to 61 per cent in the last one month. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine the Madras High Court order which held that downloading and possessing child pornography is not an offence. A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud issued notice on the plea. Chief Justice of India Chandrachud remarked that how can this order be passed as there is a clear provision for this under the act. The plea was filed by the NGOs Just Rights for Children Alliance and Bachpan Bachao Andolan. The NGOs were represented by Senior Advocate HS Phoolka. The plea has challenged a Madras High Court order of January 11, this year by the High Court of Madras, which quashed the FIR and criminal proceedings related to the downloading of child pornography and held that downloading and possessing child pornography does not amount to any offence under Section 67B of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. "The impugned order, extensively covered in newspapers, gives the impression that individuals who download and possess child pornography will not face prosecution. This will encourage child pornography and would act against the well-being of children. The impression is given to the general public that downloading and possessing child pornography is not an offence and it would increase the demand for child pornography and encourage people to involve innocent children in pornography," the petition said. Chennai Police have registered a case against the accused under Sections 67 B of the IT Act and 14(1) of the POCSO Act after they seized the phone of the accused and discovered that he had downloaded and possessed child pornography. NGOs further said that the Madras High Court erred in its reliance on the judgment of the High Court of Kerala, stating that the act of watching an obscene photo or video alone does not constitute an offence under Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). "It is relevant to mention that the present case involves the downloading and viewing of pornographic material relating to children, which falls within the ambit of an offence under Section 15 of the POCSO Act, 2012. The distinction is paramount, as the nature of the content and the involvement of minors in the material make it subject to the provisions of the POCSO Act, rendering it a distinct offence from the one considered in the Kerala High Court's judgment," read the plea. According to the petition, in India, both the POCSO Act 2012 and the IT Act 2000, along with other laws, criminalize the creation, distribution, and possession of child pornography. "It's imperative to underscore that the legal framework prioritizes the protection of children from sexual exploitation, and any involvement with explicit material involving minors is treated as a grave offence. Under various legal provisions, including the POCSO Act and the IT Act, the possession, distribution, and consumption of child pornography are considered serious crimes. It is important to note that possessing (including simple possession) is illegal (de jure) for child pornography," the petition said. (ANI)
The Telangana Traffic Police issued a travel advisory in view of the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the state on Tuesday. As per the advisory, the general public is requested to avoid roads from Panjagutta - Greenlands - Begumpet to Secunderabad Parade Grounds, and traffic congestions are expected at the surrounding roads of Parade Ground, further roads between Tivoli X-roads to Plaza X-roads will be closed. Traffic congestion is expected at the following junctions (1) Chilakalguda roads, (2) Alugaddabai roads, (3) Sangeeth roads, (4) YMCA roads, (5) Patny roads, (6) SBH roads, (7) Plaza, (8) CTO Junction, (9) Brookbond junction, (10) Tivoli Junction, (11) SweekarUpakar junction, (12) Secunderabad Club, (13) Trimulgherry X roads, (14) Tadbund x roads and (15) Centre Point, (16) Diamond Point (17) Bowenpally X roads, (18) Rasoolpura, Begumpet (19) Paradise. The public is requested to avoid MG Road, R.P Road, and S.D Road between 1 pm to 8 pm. General passengers who intend to travel by evening trains of Secunderabad Railway Station and by RTC buses through Jubilee Bus Station are requested to start early to reach the Railway station in time and also advised to utilize the Metro Rail Service, the advisory added. Amit Shah will 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 BJP is formulating strategies to win more seats in the Lok Sabha elections in the state this time. The party's top leaders have already focused on Telangana. (ANI)
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed technology that would make the missile system difficult to intercept as the payloads or warheads would be moving towards their intended targets along with the mother vehicles and multiple decoys with them, defence sources told ANI.

The number of warheads in the missile system can also be increased based on the requirements, they said.

The Defence Ministry said today that it has demonstrated the capability to conduct the first successful flight test of an indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle ( MIRV) technology.

The flight test, named Mission Divyastra, was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.

Various telemetry and radar stations tracked and monitored multiple re-entry vehicles. The mission accomplished the designed parameters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the efforts of the DRDO scientists who participated in the conduct of the complex mission.

In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said, "Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missiles with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology."

The Defence Ministry has also congratulated the scientists and the entire team, terming it an exceptional success. (ANI)
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's move to dismiss an application of the State Bank of India (SBI), which was seeking an extension of time till June 30 to submit details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India and asked the bank to disclose the details by March 12. Sitaram Yechury said that the move by the apex court will ensure the transparency of political funding in the country. "We welcome the fact that the Supreme Court has dismissed the plea of the SBI. This is in the interest of transparency in political funding in the country, particularly electoral funding. These details will be passed on to EC so it can put them up on its website for public knowledge. It will help in confirming the details of those who have bought these bonds donated to the ruling party. Then it will easily be ascertained what they got in return for financing the ruling party," Yechury told ANI. A five-judge Constitution bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra ordered that the details be disclosed by the bank on March 12. The apex court also directed the Election Commission of India to compile the information to be furnished by the SBI and publish the details on its official website no later than March 15, 2024, by 5 pm. In its February 15 judgement, the apex court had set the deadline for SBI as March 6. The apex court had said that by March 13, the ECI should publish the details of Electoral Bonds on its official website. Congress MP Manish Tewari on Monday lauded the Supreme Court's decisive dismissal of the State Bank of India's (SBI) plea for an extension on the electoral bonds case. He commended the court's categorical order, criticizing SBI for allegedly obfuscating the matter. "The Supreme Court's order was very categorical. The State Bank was unfortunately obfuscating because the data is available at the click of a button. So under those circumstances, that application was misconceived in the first place and the Supreme Court has rightly dismissed it. Now we hope that that data is provided expeditiously and the Election Commission uploads it on its website," Manish Tewari said. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday requested Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar to secure the immediate release of apprehended fishermen and their fishing boats. CM Stalin, in his letter to the External Minister, said that three mechanized fishing boats and 22 fishermen had been apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy. "I request your urgent intervention in a matter of great concern affecting our country's fishermen. The Sri Lankan Navy apprehended three mechanized fishing boats (two registered in Tamil Nadu and one registered in Puducherry) along with 22 fishermen in two separate incidents on March 10, 2024," he said. The Chief Minister alleged that the state fishermen have been harassed, and arrested and their vessels were detained while they were fishing in the traditional waters. "As you are aware, our fishermen have been fishing in the traditional waters adjacent to our nation for generations. It is the only source of their livelihood. However, in recent months, our fishermen have been harassed, arrested and their vessels are also being detained, in alarming numbers," he said. "These detentions have not only caused immense distress to the affected fishermen and their families but have also severely disrupted their only source of livelihood," CM Stalin added. He further appealed to the Union Minister to intervene swiftly and decisively to secure the immediate release of our fishermen and their boats. "Given the sensitivity of this matter, I appeal to you to intervene swiftly and decisively to secure the immediate release of our fishermen and their boats," he said. Meanwhile, seven fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of 'trespassing' in the early hours of March 10. As per the information, the seven fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for trespassing while fishing at a distance of 32 nautical miles near Neduntheevu Naval Camp, Sri Lanka. These fishermen had set sail from the Jegathapattinam barge port on March 9. The arrested fishermen have been identified as Kaliappan, Akhilan, Kodi Mari, Sheikh Abdullah, Thangaraj, Jayaraman, and Saravanan. The arrested fishermen belong to the Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, and Pudukottai districts. (ANI)
In the run-up to the elections for the state assembly and Lok Sabha, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Jana Sena Party (JSP) sealed a seat-sharing pact in Andhra Pradesh on Monday. TDP chief and former Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced that his party has 'forged a formidable seat-sharing formula' among its alliance partners. "In Amaravati today, the BJP, TDP and JSP forged a formidable seat-sharing formula. With this significant step, the people of Andhra Pradesh now stand on the threshold of reclaiming our state and paving the way for a brighter future. I humbly call upon my people of Andhra Pradesh to shower their blessings upon this alliance, and grant us a historic mandate to serve them," Naidu said in a post on X. "Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and the Jana Sena Party (JSP) have decided to contest the ensuing Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh together," a joint statement of the parties said. According to the statement, the BJP will contest from six seats, the TDP from 17 seats, and the JSP from two seats for the parliamentary elections. According to the statement, the BJP will contest from six seats, the TDP from 17 seats and the JSP from two seats for the parliamentary elections. In the assembly elections, the BJP will contest from 10 seats, the TDP from 144 seats and the JSP from 21 seats, as per the statement. The seat-sharing was finalised at a meeting held at Amaravati today following the meeting between the three parties in Delhi, where an alliance was formalised. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekawat, BJP National Vice President Baijayant Panda, TDP National President N Chandrababu Naidu and JSP President Pawan Kalyan participated in the meeting, the statement said. The statement further said that the names of the seats will be announced subsequently by the respective parties. The TDP, which was part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance until 2018, expressed interest in reviving the alliance after suffering a crushing defeat in the 2019 elections. The state has 25 Lok Sabha seats and 175 Assembly seats. Elections for Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held in April-May. (ANI)
Minister of Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, said on Monday that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government fulfilled its guarantee by issuing the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). "Did what was said. The Modi government fulfilled its guarantee by issuing the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)," Meghwal said in a post on X. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019) on Monday. These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for the grant of Indian citizenship. The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided, stated MHA. The CAA rules, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, aim to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants--including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians--who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. Following the passage of the CAA by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent presidential assent, significant protests erupted in various parts of the country. The implementation of the CAA, which has been delayed for over four years, necessitates the formulation of its associated rules. On December 27, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the implementation of the CAA cannot be halted as it stands as the law of the land. He had also accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misleading the public regarding this matter. The assurance of implementing the highly debated CAA was a significant electoral agenda item for the BJP during the previous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in West Bengal. Leaders of the saffron party view it as a credible factor contributing to the BJP's ascent in the state. Since 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been regularly seeking extensions from the parliamentary committees to continue the process of framing the rules associated with the legislation. Over a hundred individuals lost their lives either during the protests or due to police action after the passage of the law in Parliament. During the past two years, over 30 district magistrates and home secretaries across nine states have been authorized with the ability to confer Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians arriving from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan under the Citizenship Act of 1955. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs annual report for 2021-22, between April 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, a cumulative count of 1,414 individuals from non-Muslim minority communities originating from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan were granted Indian citizenship through registration or naturalization under the Citizenship Act, 1955. Under the Citizenship Act of 1955, Indian citizenship by registration or naturalization is granted to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan in nine states, such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Maharashtra. It's notable that authorities in the districts of Assam and West Bengal, both politically sensitive regions on this matter, have not been empowered with these citizenship-granting authorities thus far. (ANI)
Hundreds of protesters held a demonstration on Sunday to condemn the presence of Israeli President Issac Harzog at the inauguration ceremony of the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam, ABC News reported. The protest, which was held in front of the Museum in Amsterdam, saw the presence of pro-Palestinian people and rights groups. The museum in Amsterdam showcases 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 the 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, CNN reported. "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 Amsterdam's famous Portuguese synagogue. Herzog hailed the Netherlands's initiative to create a new Holocaust museum amid what he said was raising antisemitism around the world. "At this pivotal moment in time, this institution sends a clear and powerful statement," Herzog said. "Remember! Remember the horrors born of hatred, antisemitism, and racism, and never again allow them to flourish." Sunday's ceremony came against a backdrop of Israel's 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 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 emphasised they were against Herzog's 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 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis, ABC News reported. Herzog was among the 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 breached 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. ABC News reported that a pro-Palestinian Dutch organisation, The Rights Forum, called Herzog's 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 Sunday's 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 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. 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. 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. (ANI)
The Hamas negotiation team and Israeli authorities have not found any common ground, and specific dates have not been finalized to discuss the deal to release the hostages and ceasefire in the war-torn region of Gaza, CNN reported on Sunday. "There are 'no dates yet' for Hamas negotiators to return to Cairo to resume talks over reaching a ceasefire in exchange for hostage releases," Hossam Badran, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said. "There is nothing new," Hossam Badran said, saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to respond to fair Palestinian demands regarding Gaza's basic needs. He listed "stopping the killing, withdrawal, providing relief, and the return of the displaced people without conditions" as factors to be considered. CNN reported that the Hamas delegation left Cairo on March 7 following days of talks without an obvious breakthrough. Negotiators had hoped to have a draft agreement this week after the days of meetings in Cairo, "but it won't happen," said one diplomat familiar with the discussions, who described the last few days of talks as "very hectic." Meanwhile, Gaza Municipality renewed its appeal for humanitarian aid ahead of the start of Ramadan on Sunday evening. "As Ramadan approaches, Gaza faces a grave humanitarian crisis due to relentless Israeli aggression," a statement issued Sunday said, adding that essential services like water, sanitation, and waste management have been "severely affected." Authorities called on international organizations to assist by providing fuel for basic services, electricity generators for water wells, restarting water supplies from Israel's national water company, Mekorot, and providing heavy machinery for "waste management and infrastructure repair." Gaza is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis with a growing number of people dying from starvation and dehydration, aid agencies have warned. At least 25 people have died so far from malnutrition and dehydration in the Gaza Strip, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said Saturday. (ANI)
Guo Guoping, deputy director at the Key Laboratory of Quantum Information under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Regarded as one of the most promising state-of-the-art technologies of the 21st century, quantum technology, especially quantum computing, is expected to cultivate new quality productive forces and elevate China's position in the global technology sector, according to a leading quantum physicist.

Guo Guoping, deputy director at the Key Laboratory of Quantum Information under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlighted that quantum computing could lead to breakthroughs in traditional computing and applications across various industry sectors, thereby enhancing production efficiency, creating value, and propelling economic development.

During China's "two sessions" this year, Guo, also a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, called for strategic national planning, increased financial investment, and the nurturing of talent to advance the development of the quantum tech sector.

Origin Wukong, China's independently developed third-generation superconducting quantum computer, created by Origin Quantum Computing Technology (Hefei) Co., Ltd. in Anhui province, launched and became available to global users on Jan. 6.

By March 4, this pioneering quantum machine, powered by a 72-qubit indigenous superconducting quantum chip, had attracted over 2.77 million engagements from 104 countries and regions, executing more than 165,000 diverse quantum computing tasks. According to researchers, the top visitors were from the United States, Canada and Russia.

"This significant global engagement marks a milestone for China's quantum computing industry, signaling the operational maturity of our superconducting quantum computer industry chain in Anhui and heralding China's entry into the age of accessible quantum computing power," remarked Guo, chief scientist and co-founder of Origin Quantum Computing Technology.

The company also joined forces with the Shanghai Supercomputing Center to pioneer the establishment of a co-innovation center in the Yangtze River Delta region last year. This initiative is designed to harness the combined strengths of quantum computing and supercomputing to meet the region's computational needs and drive technological innovation.

With the global race in quantum computing heating up, quantum technology is set to significantly enhance computational speeds and capabilities, Guo said.

He said that quantum computing would revolutionize sectors like pharmaceuticals, supply chain management, and the Internet of Things, underpinning high-quality industry development and positioning China at the forefront of the next technological and industrial transformation.

Looking ahead, Guo predicted a new era where quantum computing, supercomputing, and artificial intelligence converge. He likened conventional computers to "rifles," AI-powered computing systems to "cannons," and quantum computers to "missiles." According to him, the integrated power of these technologies will create unparalleled computational capabilities in the future.
Ukraine has rejected Pope Francis's call to hold negotiations with Russia more than two years into its invasion, saying that Kyiv will "never" surrender, Al Jazeera reported. "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 on social media Sunday, a day after the pope said Kyiv should "have the courage to raise the white flag." The 87-year-old Catholic leader said in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RTS that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia, which has seized large swathes of Ukrainian territory since it launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. In part of the interview released on Saturday, the Catholic leader raised the prospect of surrender. "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 that the Vatican said was conducted in early February. Ukraine minister Kuleba called on the pope to stand "on the side of good" and not put the opposing sides "on the same footing and call it 'negotiations'." Kuleba also appeared to reference some Catholic church collaboration with Nazi forces during World War II when he said the following: "At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know this Vatican strategy from the first half of the 20th century," Al Jazeera reported. "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 added. He also thanked Pope Francis for his "constant prayers for peace" and said Kyiv hoped he 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. The foreign minister of Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, also condemned the pope's remarks. "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 Radoslaw Sikorski said in a post on X. In a separate post, Sikorski made parallels between those calling for negotiations while "denying [Ukraine] the means to defend itself" and European leaders' "appeasement" of Adolf Hitler before World War II. Andrii Yurash, Ukraine's ambassador to the Holy See, compared the pope's comments to calls for "talking with Hitler" while raising "a white flag to satisfy him." Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, also 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," he said. 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. While Pope Francis has tried to maintain the Vatican's traditional diplomatic neutrality, he has also expressed some 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. Al Jazeera reported that Ukraine has remained steadfast on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying multiple times that peace negotiations must come from the country that has been invaded. (ANI)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his stand on Sunday to begin military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, stating that Israel wants to ensure that an attack similar to October 7 won't happen again, as reported by CNN. "We'll go there. We're not going to leave. You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is? That October 7 doesn't happen again. Never happens again. And to do that, we have to complete the destruction of the Hamas terrorist army," he said. Netanyahu said the operation would not last more than two months but did not provide specifics on the timeline. The Israeli PM also defended his policies in the Gaza Strip and responded to US President Joe Biden's remark that the Israeli leader is "hurting Israel more than helping." "I don't know exactly what the president meant, but if he meant by that, that I'm pursuing private policies against 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 an interview with Politico and German media outlet Bild, CNN reported. Biden made his remarks during an interview with MSNBC that aired Saturday when he said Netanyahu "must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken" in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, said the militant group is still open to continued mediated talks with Israel after the sides failed to reach a truce agreement before Ramadan. But he also insisted that a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the withdrawal of all Israeli forces is the only way forward to an agreement, CNN reported. "We have established the most important principle for reaching an agreement, which is a comprehensive ceasefire and an end to the war on Gaza, the complete withdrawal of the occupation army from all the territory of the Gaza Strip," Haniyeh said in a televised speech Sunday. Haniyeh claimed that Israel "has so far evaded giving clear guarantees and commitments, especially on the subject of a ceasefire, that is, stopping the aggressive war on the Gaza Strip." He said hostages in Gaza will not be able to return home "without an agreement." In February, Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz warned that Israel would expand military operations into Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, if hostages were not returned by Ramadan. (ANI)
The photograph purportedly of the princess's first official appearance since undergoing abdominal surgery in January marked the conclusion of weeks of intense speculation about her health and whereabouts, fuelled by a surge in social media conspiracy theories.

The image released on Monday, accompanied by a heartfelt Mother's Day message from the princess expressing gratitude for the public's support, came under scrutiny upon closer examination.

The Associated Press expressed reservations, stating, "At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image." Agence France-Presse (AFP) attributed the withdrawal to "an editorial issue," instructing all online platforms to promptly remove the photo, as reported by CNN.

CNN said it was currently reviewing the image and has reached out to Kensington Palace for an official comment on the matter. The palace had previously disclosed that the 42-year-old princess was expected to resume public duties by Easter in late March while remaining tight-lipped about the nature of the noncancerous surgery.

During the princess's prolonged absence, online speculation reached a fever pitch, only momentarily subsiding when a photo surfaced in March showing Kate in a car driven by her mother, donning sunglasses in the front passenger seat.

Nevertheless, rumours persisted, exacerbated by other incidents within the royal family, including Prince William's unexplained withdrawal from a significant family gathering earlier in the month.

As the controversy unfolds, Kensington Palace finds itself under growing pressure to strike a balance between disclosing more information about the future Queen and safeguarding her medical privacy.

In February, the palace issued a rare statement pushing back against rumors, asserting, "We made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess' recovery, and we'd only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands," CNN reported. (ANI)
Pakistan federal cabinet is set to take oath on Monday following days of consultation on its formations, Geo News reported, citing sources. According to the sources, the oath-taking ceremony will be held at the President's House, with newly elected President Asif Ali Zardari administering the oath. Initially, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided to keep his cabinet small, however, more ministers will be inducted in the second phase, the sources said. The sources added that former finance minister Ishaq Dar will be given the portfolio of the foreign minister in the new cabinet, while Tariq Fatemi will be taking oath as a special assistant to the prime minister on foreign affairs. Moreover, the Finance Ministry will be overseen by Aurangzeb Khan, while former Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi will be given the Interior Ministry, according to Geo News. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Law will be handed over to veteran Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Azam Tarar, Attaullah Tarar will be the information minister; and Khawaja Asif will spearhead the Defense Ministry, as per the sources. The portfolio of the Petroleum Ministry will be given to Musadik Malik, while the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication will be led by Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the sources added. Ahad Cheema will be inducted as an adviser to the prime minister for the Establishment Division, while former Balochistan CM Jam Kamal and PML-Quaid's Chaudhry Salik Hussain will also join the federal cabinet, Geo News reported. Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Abdul Aleem Khan and PML-N politician Amir Muqam are expected to be included in the federal cabinet too. Moreover, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) will also be given two ministries in the federal cabinet. The oath ceremony comes a week after Prime Minister Shehbaz took the oath of office as the 24th premier of the country, while President Zardari was sworn in as the head of state a day ago. (ANI)
She further said that the detrimental impact of the Taliban's edicts is not only curtailing women's access to education and employment but also exacerbating Afghanistan's dependency on foreign aid.

She highlighted the urgent need to reverse these policies to foster economic growth and alleviate poverty in the country, Khaama Press reported.

Amiri shared a post on X, stating, "The edicts prohibiting Afghan women & girls' education & employment are hurting all Afghans. To lift Afghanistan out of aid dependency & poverty, these policies must be reversed."

Responding to Amiri's assertions, the Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, defended the Taliban's record on women's issues.

He said that the Taliban has facilitated job opportunities for women in recent years and contributed to the improvement of Afghanistan's economy, according to Khaama Press.

However, reports from various sources have indicated a significant regression in women's rights under Taliban rule, particularly in education and employment.

Moreover, many Afghan people also fear a return to the repressive policies that characterized the Taliban's previous rule in the 1990s.

The international community faces a complex dilemma in engaging with the Taliban-led government, balancing concerns for human rights, particularly women's rights, with the imperative to address Afghanistan's pressing humanitarian needs.

The situation also underscores the challenges of promoting gender equality amid political instability and conflicting priorities, Khaama Press reported.

Afghanistan is already grappling with a dire humanitarian crisis exacerbated by political turmoil and economic instability, however, the suppression of women's rights by the Taliban emerges as a critical issue. (ANI)
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Monday joined the Embassy's consular team to interview over 1,000 visitor visa applicants, according to a press release from the US Embassy. The US Embassy in New Delhi had the first of its four "Super Saturday" visa processing events, which were planned for 2024 and the US envoy came to assist the embassy team. Moreover, the consulate in Mumbai also opened its doors on March 9 for special visa processing hours. Ambassador Garcetti said, "the foundation of our US-India partnership is the network of relationships that individuals form when they work, travel, and study in the United States." "The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi opened its doors on Saturday, March 9, 2024, to interview over 1,000 visitor visa applicants. Ambassador Garcetti joined the Embassy team to support the surge and assist in the fingerprint verification process," the US Embassy said in a release. US envoy Garcetti said, "We're doing everything we can to facilitate the visa process and support critical people-to-people connections." He further stressed that the US Mission in India has increased staffing and harnessed technological innovations to meet the unprecedented demand and process more visas than ever before. Earlier in 2023, the US Embassy and Consulates in India processed a record-smashing 1.4 million US visas. "Demand across all visa classes was unprecedented, with a 60 per cent increase in applications compared to 2022," the release stated. Notably, Indians now represent one out of every 10 US visa applicants around the world. Moreover, process improvements and investments in staffing have brought the appointment wait time for visitor visas down from an average of 1,000 days to only 250 days around the country, with minimal wait time in all categories. (ANI)
Former diplomat Rajeev Dogra acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic efforts in averting a 'potential nuclear threat' posed by Russia to Ukraine, saying "clearly Prime Minister Modi played a role... had it not been for our intervention, perhaps things may have gone to a very dangerous pass." Reacting to recent reports, Dogra emphasised the positive impact of PM Modi's intervention, highlighting President Vladimir Putin's repeated expressions of positivity towards India in recent weeks. "And clearly, Prime Minister Modi played a role. He approached President Putin also. These are some of the reports which are in circulation, and it had a positive effect. In fact, President Putin has talked of Prime Minister Modi and India repeatedly in recent weeks in very, very positive terms. So had it not been for our intervention, perhaps things may have gone to a very dangerous pass," Dogra told ANI in an interview. He also reiterated what Prime Minister Modi had told Putin: "This is not the age of war.", Reacting to CNN's report, Dogra expressed deep concern over the possibility of the conflict escalating to a nuclear stage. "So today's news break in an American channel, that there was a real possibility of the Ukraine war advancing to a nuclear stage was extremely worrying, and that is why they took the step of approaching India and some other countries in order that this escalation does not reach the danger point," the former diplomat said. Reflecting on the global scenario, Dogra emphasised the need for world leaders to reconsider their actions. "Instead of that, now we are at a most dangerous situation in the world since the second world War," he remarked. Addressing concerns about NATO troops in Ukraine, Dogra urged Western leaders to step back from the brink. "There is still time for the Western leaders to think about where the world is heading and to step back from the brink," he commented. Commenting on America's role in global conflicts, Dogra highlighted the need for self-reflection. "America has been like a raging bull in the world ever since 1945," he noted, underlining the importance of responsible actions to prevent the escalation of conflicts. "There are reports that it used depleted uranium in Yugoslavia. There are reports that it used massive bombs in Afghanistan. So for America now to cry that some other country is thinking of using tactical nuclear weapons, it should look at its own house, put its actions in order so that it does not escalate, it does not encourage other countries," Dogra also said. A recent CNN report said that outreach from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other countries played an important role in averting a 'potential' nuclear strike by Moscow against Kyiv, in what would have been the first nuclear attack since the US dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki nearly eighty years before. The report also claimed that as the Russia-Ukraine war raged in 2022, the United States started "preparing rigorously" for a potential nuclear strike by Moscow against Kyiv. The Biden administration was specifically concerned Russia might use a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon, CNN cited two officials. 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. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has always condemned civilian killings and called 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 even made to the G20 communique under the presidency of India. (ANI)
Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Aleinik, will touch down in Delhi on Monday evening, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. The visit, scheduled from March 11 to 13, aims to strengthen the bilateral ties between Belarus and India. The highlight of the visit is the scheduled meeting between Sergei Aleinik and External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. The bilateral discussions are set to take place on Tuesday afternoon. Minister Aleinik's departure is scheduled for Wednesday night, marking the conclusion of his brief yet pivotal diplomatic mission to India, the MEA added. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar last met his counterpart from Belarus in Kampala on January 19 on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit. During the meeting, Jaishankar and his Belarusian counterpart, Sergei Aleinik The two leaders spoke about developments related to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Jaishankar took to social media platform X to share insights from the meeting held with Aleinik. "A useful meeting with Belarusian FM Sergei Aleinik. Exchanged views on India - Belarus cooperation in various fields. Also discussed developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict," Jaishankar posted on X earlier. India's relations with Belarus have been traditionally warm and cordial. India was one of the first countries to recognize Belarus as independent country in 1991, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). India and Belarus enjoy good understanding and commonality of views on various matters and cooperate with each other in multilateral fora on issues of mutual interest. Belarus has been supportive of India's candidature for a permanent seat at the UNSC. Belarus recognizes India as an emerging global power and seeks to develop a "strategic relationship" with India. India and Belarus have maintained high level contacts. India and Belarus maintain comprehensive partnership. Both countries have established mechanisms for exchanging views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues through Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs), India-Belarus Inter-governmental Commission (IGC) on Cooperation in Science & Technology and Commission on Military Technical Cooperation. The two countries have signed a number of Agreements/MoUs on various subjects, namely, trade and economic cooperation, agriculture, cultural, educational, media and 3 sports, S&T, foreign office consultations, IGC, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Promotion and Protection of Investments and defence and technical cooperation. The Indian community in Belarus is minuscule with around 85 Indian nationals and 476 students, mostly studying medicine in Belarusian medical universities, the MEA also said. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Mauritius on a three day state visit on Monday. In a special gesture, the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth welcomed President Murmu at the airport with full honours. "President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn arrives in Mauritius on a 3-day State Visit," the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal wrote in a post on X. "In a special gesture reflecting the exceptionally close ties between & , PM @KumarJugnauth welcomed President Murmu at the airport with full state honours," the MEA said. President Droupadi Murmu emplaned on her first State visit to Mauritius earlier today. As a significant highlight of the visit, President Murmu will be the Chief Guest at the National Day celebrations of Mauritius, marking a new milestone in the longstanding friendship between the two countries. As the sixth Indian President to grace the Mauritian National Day as the Chief Guest since 2000, President Murmu's State Visit underscores the longstanding and enduring ties between India and Mauritius. It reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthening the bilateral relationship across all sectors and deepening our close people-to-people ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement earlier. MEA official spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal Monday said that this visit will be a "new milestone" in India-Mauritius ties. "A new milestone in India-Mauritius ties! President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn embarks on a State Visit to Mauritius. President will attend the Mauritius National Day celebrations as the Chief Guest tomorrow," said Jaiswal in a post on X. Murmu will also attend the National Day celebrations of Mauritius on March 12 as the chief guest, on the invitation of the government of Mauritius. A contingent of the Indian Navy will participate in the celebrations along with two ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron - INS Tir and CGS Sarathi, the MEA release also said. President Murmu will hold bilateral meetings with the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun and Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. In addition, President Murmu will meet the Speaker of the Mauritius National Assembly, the Chief Justice of the Mauritian Supreme Court and important Mauritian leaders. During the visit, President Murmu and Prime Minister Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate 14 India-assisted projects, showcasing the growing expanse and multifaceted nature of India's vibrant development partnership with Mauritius that constitutes a key pillar of the bilateral relationship. President Murmu will also witness exchange of important bilateral agreements that seek to further strengthen the robust bilateral institutional collaboration and capacity-building cooperation between the two countries, the MEA release added. Additionally, she will address Mauritian youth at the University of Mauritius and socio-cultural organisations, members of the Indian diaspora and the Indian community at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute. (ANI)
Building bridges of friendship whilst training young minds, the ships of the First Training Squadron (1TS) comprising INS Tir and CGS Sarathi arrived in Port Louis, Mauritius on Monday. The visit also coincides with the 57th Mauritius National Day celebrations on Mar 12. As a gesture of solidarity and friendship, one helicopter and a contingent of the Indian Navy will participate in the Mauritius National Day city parade. President Droupadi Murmu is the Chief Guest for the National Day celebrations. Earlier, the ship undertook joint EEZ surveillance with Mauritius Dornier aircraft. During the visit to Port Louis, various training activities and cross-deck visits are planned. The presence of 1TS is a testament to the shared commitment to regional security and underlines the rich cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations. Earlier, INS Tir, the lead ship of the First Training Squadron (1TS), participated in Exercise Cutlass Express 24 (CE-24) held at Port Victoria, Seychelles, from February 26 to March 8. The exercise was inaugurated by the President of the Seychelles in the presence of dignitaries from India, the USA and African countries. As part of Cutlass Express, the Indian Navy actively engaged with participants from 16 friendly foreign countries. The training was conducted on theoretical and practical aspects of maritime interdiction operations, visit board search and seizure procedures and diving operations. During the sea phase, the ship's VBSS team boarded the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) ship LE Vigilant and demonstrated procedures for boarding operations. Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Mauritius on a three-day state visit on Monday. In a special gesture, the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth welcomed President Murmu at the airport with full honours. "President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn arrives in Mauritius on a 3-day State Visit," the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal wrote in a post on X. As a significant highlight of the visit, President Murmu will be the Chief Guest at the National Day celebrations of Mauritius, marking a new milestone in the longstanding friendship between the two countries. Murmu will also attend the National Day celebrations of Mauritius on March 12 as the chief guest, on the invitation of the government of Mauritius. A contingent of the Indian Navy will participate in the celebrations along with two ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron - INS Tir and CGS Sarathi, the MEA release also said. President Murmu will hold bilateral meetings with the President of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun and the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. During the visit, President Murmu and Prime Minister Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate 14 India-assisted projects, showcasing the growing expanse and multifaceted nature of India's vibrant development partnership with Mauritius that constitutes a key pillar of the bilateral relationship. President Murmu will also witness the exchange of important bilateral agreements that seek to further strengthen the robust bilateral institutional collaboration and capacity-building cooperation between the two countries, the MEA release added. (ANI)
You are here: China

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. [Photo/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.
In an official post on X, External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, shared his engagement with a youth delegation from Central Asian countries during their visit to India.

https://twitter.com/drsjaishankar/status/1767214810431934537?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw

"Interacted with youth Delegation from Central Asian countries on an India immersion visit. Happy to hear their impressions on India's blend of technology and tradition. Was particularly pleased to hear their experiences in Hindi, EAM Jaishankar tweets on X."

The delegation's immersion visit aimed to deepen their understanding of India's unique blend of technology and tradition.

Recently, a 100-member youth delegation from five Central Asian countries is on a visit to India from March 5 to 13, where youth leaders from across Central Asia will have the opportunity to see India's growth themselves.

Notably, this is the second such youth delegation visit from the Central Asian countries to India.

Moreover, they will also get insights into India's space program and will enjoy India's rich cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, in a recent post on X, India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, responded to a tweet by Home Minister Amit Shah, heralding the Modi government's notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024.

https://twitter.com/drsjaishankar/status/1767225649528529044?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw

"A promise fulfilled," S Jaishankar's response on X.

The Centre on Monday notified the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules, days before the announcement of the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections and the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. The Ministry of Home Affairs has already created a portal for the applicants' convenience, with the entire process being done online.

The CAA was an integral part of the BJP's 2019 Lok Sabha polls manifesto.

The Act, which was passed in 2019, seeks to fast-track Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians--with the exception of Muslims--who migrated to India owing to religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The applicants are required to declare the year that they entered India without travel documents. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu held a "tete-a-tete" meeting with Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jagnauth on Monday to discuss ways to further strengthen India-Mauritius bilateral relations. President Murmu also presented a RuPay card to Mauritius PM as a special gesture. RuPay card services were launched in Mauritius on February 12 this year. "Taking India-Mauritius partnership to new heights! President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn and PM @KumarJugnauth of Mauritius held a tete-a-tete meeting. The two leaders took stock of bilateral ties and discussed ways to impart further momentum to the historic & deep-rooted India-Mauritius partnership," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. In a special gesture, President Murmu presented an Indian@RuPay_npcicard to PM Jugnauth, the MEA added. As part of a three-day state visit, President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Mauritius on Monday. PM Pravind Jugnauth welcomed President Murmu at the airport with full honours. "President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn arrives in Mauritius on a 3-day State Visit," the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal wrote in a post on X. "In a special gesture reflecting the exceptionally close ties between & , PM @KumarJugnauth welcomed President Murmu at the airport with full state honours," the MEA spokesperson added. President Droupadi Murmu emplaned on her first State visit to Mauritius on Monday. As a significant highlight of the visit, President Murmu will be the Chief Guest at the National Day celebrations of Mauritius, marking a new milestone in the longstanding friendship between the two countries. As the sixth Indian President to grace the Mauritian National Day as the Chief Guest since 2000, President Murmu's State Visit underscores the longstanding and enduring ties between India and Mauritius. It reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthening the bilateral relationship across all sectors and deepening our close people-to-people ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement earlier. MEA official spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said Monday that this visit will be a "new milestone" in India-Mauritius ties. "A new milestone in India-Mauritius ties! President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn embarks on a State Visit to Mauritius. The President will attend the Mauritius National Day celebrations as the Chief Guest tomorrow," said Jaiswal in a post on X. President Murmu will hold bilateral meetings with the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun and Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. In addition, President Murmu will meet the Speaker of the Mauritius National Assembly, the Chief Justice of the Mauritian Supreme Court and important Mauritian leaders. During the visit, President Murmu and Prime Minister Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate 14 India-assisted projects, showcasing the growing expanse and multifaceted nature of India's vibrant development partnership with Mauritius that constitutes a key pillar of the bilateral relationship. President Murmu will also witness exchange of important bilateral agreements that seek to further strengthen the robust bilateral institutional collaboration and capacity-building cooperation between the two countries, the MEA release added. Additionally, she will address Mauritian youth at the University of Mauritius and socio-cultural organisations, members of the Indian diaspora and the Indian community at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute. (ANI)
The visit, scheduled from March 11 to 13, aims to strengthen the bilateral ties between Belarus and India.

The highlight of the visit is a scheduled meeting between Sergei Aleinik and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday.

The bilateral discussions are set to take place on Tuesday afternoon.

Minister Aleinik's departure is scheduled for Wednesday night, marking the conclusion of his brief yet pivotal diplomatic mission to India, the MEA added.

EAM S Jaishankar last met his counterpart from Belarus in Kampala on January 19 on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit.

During the meeting, Jaishankar and his Belarusian counterpart, Sergei Aleinik spoke about developments related to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

India's relations with Belarus have been traditionally warm and cordial. India was one of the first countries to recognize Belarus as independent country in 1991, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

India and Belarus enjoy good understanding and commonality of views on various matters and cooperate with each other in multilateral fora on issues of mutual interest. Belarus has been supportive of India's candidature for a permanent seat at the UNSC.

Belarus recognizes India as an emerging global power and seeks to develop a "strategic relationship" with India.

India and Belarus have maintained high level contacts.

India and Belarus maintain comprehensive partnership. Both countries have established mechanisms for exchanging views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues through Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs), India-Belarus Inter-governmental Commission (IGC) on Cooperation in Science & Technology and Commission on Military Technical Cooperation.

The two countries have signed a number of Agreements/MoUs on various subjects, namely, trade and economic cooperation, agriculture, cultural, educational, media and 3 sports, S&T, foreign office consultations, IGC, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Promotion and Protection of Investments and defence and technical cooperation.

The Indian community in Belarus is minuscule with around 85 Indian nationals and 476 students, mostly studying medicine in Belarusian medical universities, the MEA also said. (ANI)
ASHEVILLE - As rents rise, affordable housing remains a primary goal of city staff, city council and Asheville's community. One reader asks: what does city of Asheville spending look like for affordable housing projects?

Got a question for Answer Man or Answer Woman? Email Executive Editor Karen Chavez at KChavez@citizentimes.com and your question could appear in an upcoming column.

Community members gather at the groundbreaking of Haywood Street Community Developments deeply-affordable apartment complex, February 21, 2024.

Question: How much has the city actually invested in affordable housing in recent years?

Answer: Reader, thanks for asking. I'm sorry to say the answer is complex.

The "actually" in the question was also italicized when we originally received it. The best answer might be one that includes a breakdown of the processes the city uses to fund affordable housing, along with a recap of what recent affordability efforts have looked like and what the affordability crisis looks like for Asheville.

What does affordability mean for the city?

For most city and county projects, the term "affordable" has been defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city of Asheville defines affordable housing using area median income, with anywhere from 80% to 30% AMI being target income levels for affordable housing projects.

A building located at 115 Fairview Road on June 9, 2023, currently home to antique store Screen Door. The site is the proposed location for a 275-unit development in South Asheville.

Examples of recent projects using the 80% AMI level of affordability include the 115 Fairview Road project, which will bring 57 units rented at 80% of Asheville's area median income.

As I recently reported, Asheville's HUD metro Fair Market Rents are the highest in North Carolina, with the Raleigh metro area close behind. Currently, Asheville's one-bedroom apartments are looking at a monthly Fair Market Rent of around $1,500.

After a little bit of research, I found Asheville's metro has the third highest fair market rent for a one-bedroom apartment between North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. The high cost of living has come alongside stark increases in the living wage in Asheville, which shot up 9% this year, and now sits at $22.10 an hour.

Among communities in North Carolina and its adjacent states, Asheville's Fair Market Rent trails only Atlanta and Washington D.C.

If you want to go a little deeper, four-bedroom rentals are even more expensive here than they are in Atlanta  by about $150, according to HUD data.

A joint project between the city and a Black-owned development company to build 221 market-rate and affordable apartments just south of downtown is advancing toward a construction start.

Affordability 'myth busting': 80% AMI? Workforce housing?

To answer this specific question about affordable housing in Asheville, I caught up with Asheville's Affordable Housing Officer Sasha Vrtunski, who helped clarify some misunderstandings included context for some of the affordable housing funding systems.

Vrtunski also highlighted a term that might be antiquated given Asheville's high Fair Market Rent.

"There's a term that people use sometimes: 'Workforce housing,'" Vrtunski said. "They mean 80% to 120% of AMI. We're trying not to use that term anymore because people who work their butts off  all the restaurant workers or CNAs in the hospital  those folks are all below 80% and maybe below 60% AMI."

Vrtunski also helped me answer some elements of this question that I wasn't able to include, notably discussion of the Land Use Incentive Grant, or LUIG.

When affordable housing developers aren't facing market forces that compel a pivot to build Airbnb units, developers have previously sought and used a LUIG as another tool in their affordable housing belt acting as "kind-of like a rebate," though not technically one.

The fund is not a tax deduction or tax rebate, Vrtunski said. The grant only comes into play after developers show they're providing affordable housing approved by City Council and then they'll receive money back that would pay for the city portion of their taxes.

"The city will pay back the city portion, so they still have to pay the county taxes," Vrtunski said.

LUIG was paused during the Feb. 13 City Council meeting after the late 2023 Thrive Asheville study provided a clearer analysis of the fund, raising questions of whether its focus on 80% area median income perpetuates or exacerbates preexisting disparities in Asheville.

Median Household Income by race/ethnicity in city of Asheville.

After that presentation, city staff recommended the pause to allow further discussion of what the future of the fund looks like. Vrtunski said the pause comes as the department considers how to move forward with all affordable housing projects.

"We're not just changing one thing on its own, but we're really considering how does the LUIG fit in with the Housing Trust Fund or other projects or partnerships," Vrtunski said.

Affordable housing in Asheville from 2017 to 2024

Vrtunski also provided fairly specific numbers when it came to affordable housing projects approved from 2017 to 2024.

This information does not include funding from other public sources like Buncombe County, where the county is currently working on multiple affordable housing projects, including Ferry Road and one just off of Coxe Avenue in downtown. Both are in Asheville city limits.

Between the Housing Trust Fund, Affordable Housing Bond and LUIG, estimates for affordable housing projects are totaled around $50 million for the city of Asheville since 2017. Around $6 million still remains from the Affordable Housing Bond.

A rendering of John Walker Avenue and the 319 Biltmore Ave. development.

Housing Trust Fund

In the 2017 Affordable Housing Bond, a decent amount has been broken out into multiple affordable housing projects. Here's a breakdown of that funding.

Brian Combs, the founding pastor of Haywood Street Congregation, addresses the crowd, February 21, 2024, at the groundbreaking ceremony for Haywood Street Community Developments 41 deeply-affordable apartments at 339 West Haywood St.

However, over $8 million in Housing Trust Fund loans have been given out between 2022-2024, with the following approved for funding:

West Haywood Street Apartments: $904,000

Laurelwood Apartments: $1,500,000

Start Point Apartments: $850,000

Redwood Commons: $1,800,000

Fairhaven Summit: $875,000

Reimagining Deaverview: $1,035,000

Stewart Street Cottages: $1,052,850

Christopher Holt, Haywood Street Congregations fresco artist, hugs an attendee of the groundbreaking ceremony for Haywood Street Community Developments deeply-affordable apartments, February 21, 2024.

Land Banking

Two land banking opportunities have been created by the city of Asheville from which the city has spent around $3 million in the development of these properties.

One of the projects was the Haywood Street Community Development, which recently broke ground and will provide 41 units targeting those earning 30-50% of the area median income.

In Asheville, according to the city's 2023 appendix, 30% AMI for one-person is $17,850, and $20,400 for two. At 50% AMI, annual income is $29,750 for one-person and $34,000 for two.

The other investment is the "Talbert Lot" at 50 Asheland Avenue, where the city closed on the property for $2.5 million in 2021. The goal is to receive funding from the Federal Transit Administration to build affordable housing next to the ART station.

You can learn more about these projects at https://www.ashevillenc.gov/projects/redevelopment-of-city-owned-land/.

A joint project between the city and a Black-owned development company to build 221 market-rate and affordable apartments just south of downtown is advancing toward a construction start.

City owned land

In addition to other city bond related items, city owned land or purchased property has also been set toward affordable housing. Here's a breakdown of those projects:

Oak Hill land purchase: $444,697

319 Biltmore: $7.6 million

Due diligence on various small lots, Cedar Hill and 65 Ford Street: $602,246

LUIG

Since 2016, the LUIG fund has seen the funding of over $23 million put toward developments aiming for elements of affordability, like the 115 Fairview Road project mentioned earlier. The grant has led to 571 affordable units being included in the project language since 2016.

Interested in learning more?

As the future of LUIG is considered, the city of Asheville will soon host a community feedback session for the Affordable Housing Plan, where draft recommendations for addressing affordable housing will also be presented.

The meeting is scheduled for March 27 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Harrah's Cherokee Center Banquet Hall.

More: Asheville Amtrak plan seeks around 250K in funding; advocates to look for sponsors

More: Asheville and Buncombe County living wage increases 9% amid soaring housing costs

Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Answer Man: How much funding toward Asheville affordable housing?
A restaurant with multiple locations in East Tennessee has a building plan approved in Spring Hill, and there's speculation that the same brand is linked to a restaurant project in Lebanon that is tied to a $1.5 million incentive.

Aubrey's Restaurant was approved for a 7,636-square-foot building at 3091 Miles Johnson Parkway in Spring Hill, according to city officials.

Lebanon has also approved a site plan for a 7,636-square-foot restaurant, located at 1648 W. Main St., but that project is identified only under the code name "Central Perk."

There was speculation that Aubrey's is the brand connected to Central Perk after that name was mentioned by a restaurant operator and another resident during the public comments portion of a recent Lebanon City Council meeting where concerns were raised about the $1.5 million appropriation.

Lebanon officials have neither confirmed nor denied that Aubrey's is the restaurant affiliated with Central Perk. Efforts to reach Aubrey's personnel were unsuccessful.

The approved Aubrey's in Spring Hill

Aubrey's lists 14 locations now operating in East Tennessee, including this one in West Knoxville.

Spring Hill has not approved incentives for Aubrey's, according to City Administrator Pam Caskie.

The building plan that Spring Hill approved last year was for 7,636 square feet, the same size as the Central Perk building approved in Lebanon.

"It is a great choice to give people an alternative to a national chain," Caskie said of Aubrey's.

Caskie estimated construction could start in the spring and take 12-18 months, but the timeline is still tentative.

Aubrey's lists 14 locations now operating in East Tennessee.

Concerns expressed about incentives for Aubrey's in Lebanon

At a recent Lebanon City Council meeting, several restaurant operators raised questions about Central Perk, whether it is or isn't Aubrey's.

"What is the selection process?" Cedar City Brewing partner Kyle Shaffer asked the Council. "How do you go about selecting how much money is being given out? Why not $100,000? Why is it $1.5 million and why is there only one recipient of that money and not multiple recipients that could benefit from these funds?"

Another restaurant owner argued why use the equity to help fund new food businesses when local businesses have used their own capital.

Rick Bell

Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell defended the city's incentive, saying more and nicer restaurants is a constant demand city officials hear from residents.

"I understand where you guys are coming from," Bell said to the restaurant operators. "I stand by this incentive. I really do, because people are demanding we bring these restaurants in. We hear it all the time."

Bell stated that the $1.5 million incentive will be paid from the citys hotel and motel tax fund, generally paid by out-of-town customers.

The site on West Main Street in Lebanon where a plan for a sit-down restaurant under the code name Central Perk is approved.

Lebanon has incentivized other projects, including the Publix development on State Route 109 and the Western Plaza redevelopment on West Main Street.

The mayor described a need for an aggressive approach to restaurant recruitment, in part because the city has fewer rooftops per square mile on average than many comparable Nashville suburbs. For Lebanon to attract full-service restaurants, we have to work harder, Bell said.

"The people out here want things," Bell said. "We're going to go out and get them."

Lebanon created an Industrial Development Board, which is focused on recruiting new stores and restaurants. The board and City Council both approved the $1.5 million for Central Perk.

There was a vetting process by a third party that required Central Perk to open its books, according to Bell. The mayor provided some details about the Central Perk restaurant. They include 85-100 jobs, about 7,600 square feet of dining space and 1,700 square feet of patio space.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Aubreys approved in Spring Hill, may be connected to Lebanon project
UPDATE: Police have identified a child hit and killed by a car outside the Mall of Georgia.

Abigail Hernandez, 4, died March 10 after a pickup truck stuck her and two others as they crossed the street toward a parking lot, according to Gwinnett County police. The 18-year-old driver was trying to turn left when they hit them.

Police didnt identify the other victims but said they are a 31-year-old male and a 7-year-old female.

The original story continues below.

A child was killed and two other people were injured in a crash outside the Mall of Georgia, according to police.

Officers were called around 4 p.m. Sunday, March 10, after a car hit someone in the parking lot, near the Dicks Sporting Goods store, Gwinnett County police said in a news release.

The child was taken to Childrens Hospital of Atlanta Egleston, where they died, police said. Authorities havent released their name or age, pending notification of kin.

Its not clear what led to the crash.

Two other people were taken to Northside Hospital Lawrenceville with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Investigators said the driver stayed on scene and was cooperative.

Police didnt provide additional details but said the crash is under investigation.

Witnesses are asked to call Gwinnett County police 678-442-5653, or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477).

Buford is about a 40-mile drive northeast from downtown Atlanta.

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It's not a great time to be an American tech CEO with operations in China.

Western tech firms are getting squeezed in the world's second-largest economy.

The rise of strong local competition and growing pressure from Beijing has proven challenging.

There was once a time when American CEOs looked to China as a land of opportunity. That time may be long gone.

After years of ascending growth, some of the most powerful US tech corporations have started to slide hard and fast in the world's second-largest economy amid the new reality of doing business there.

Beijing has endorsed uber-nationalism. In turn, sentiment toward Western business has soured. That's especially so as domestic companies have stepped up as viable alternatives. And it's all created a dangerous race to the bottom to win over consumers.

It's no wonder US companies that once banked on this being the "Chinese century" are having to learn a very painful lesson about doing business in China.

The battle for tech supremacy

You need to look only as far as the tech sector to see how hard a time American companies are having in China.

Apple's been struggling to get new iPhones into the pockets of Chinese consumers, with data from Counterpoint Research showing that sales plummeted by 24% in the first six weeks of the year.

Apple announced the iPhone 15 at its "Wonderlust" event in September. Getty Images

Tesla, meanwhile, suffered a huge slump in shipments from its Shanghai gigafactory last month, with 60,365 vehicles shipped, Bloomberg reported. That's 16% lower than its shipments in January and 19% lower than the same month last year, data from the China Passenger Car Association shows.

This may not spark an immediate panic.

Apple's net sales in Greater China may have been down 13% in the last three months of 2023 from the previous year, but they still generated revenues of $20.8 billion. And Tesla hasn't been the only electric-vehicle company to get caught up in a sales slowdown.

But it does signal a real downward slide for two of America's largest companies in China. So what's going on?

iPhone anxiety

In Apple's case, there are a few things. Gene Munster, a managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, told Business Insider that the decline did have something to do with "American products falling out of favor in China."

That has certainly been the case. Last year, the Chinese government banned the use of iPhones for officials, making it less appealing to have one. Investors responded by wiping $200 billion from Apple's value.

That ban coincided with the launch of Huawei's Mate 60 Pro, a locally made 5G smartphone that many saw as a breakthrough device that rivaled the iPhone's capabilities  despite export bans preventing the use of industry-leading US components.

The Huawei Mate 60 rivals the latest iPhone. Wang Gang/Getty Images

Counterpoint's research shows that unit sales of Huawei phones climbed 64% in the same period iPhone unit sales fell by almost a quarter. "Both the US and China are becoming more isolationist. That favors domestic brands. With AI, that dynamic will likely intensify," Muster said.

In Tesla's case, a wider EV-market slowdown, which took shape last year, is likely to have been particularly felt in February, given the generally slower sales during the month's Lunar New Year festivities.

More broadly, though, the slide for both is a sign that China's battle with the US for tech supremacy is getting more serious.

For years, Chinese companies adopted a strategy of copycatting as they attempted to build consumer electronics, electric vehicles and other industries from the ground up. That meant trying to replicate what their Western counterparts did, often to an inferior standard.

That's not the case anymore. As Huawei's Mate 60 Pro shows, Chinese consumers now have a homegrown phone that offers an iPhone-like experience.

Local EV makers such as BYD are meanwhile enjoying a surge as they manage to win over consumers with vehicles that are much cheaper than Teslas.

In January, BYD reported a 43% rise in sales but lost its market leadership to Volkswagen, according to CarNewsChina. It had also cut the prices of its best-selling models by an average of 17%, Reuters reported.

Chinese EV firm BYD, which makes the Atto 3, is one of Tesla's biggest rivals. John Keeble/Getty Images

That battle for supremacy is expected to get a big push from Beijing, too.

When Premier Li Qiang set out China's 5% annual growth target at the start of the National People's Congress this month, it became clear how vital technology would be in driving that forward.

That means Beijing is expected to play a more active role in catalyzing the growth of its domestic tech sector  and squeezing any foreign entities that get in its way.

The Wall Street Journal reported that a directive known as Document 79 was being ramped up to push out Western companies. It asks state-owned companies in a range of sectors, such as finance and energy, to "replace foreign software in their IT systems by 2027."

How Western companies respond is likely to be closely watched, as China remains too valuable to lose hold of. That much was made clear when Suzanne Clark, the head of the US Chamber of Commerce, traveled to Beijing in late February to help normalize business ties.

"Normal," however, is set to look a little different from here on.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Amtrak is looking at a nationwide expansion of its long-distance routes that would, if implemented, reconnect Oklahoma City and Tulsa with cities nationwide.

The study underway by the Federal Railroad Administration coincides with ongoing efforts led by Kansas transportation officials to extend the Heartland Flyer north from Oklahoma City, where it currently ends, to Newton, Kansas.

Bryce Boyer, spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, said the new route connecting Oklahoma City and Tulsa is one of 15 proposed long-distance corridors being looked at that are too expensive to be pursued by states and would be funded with federal infrastructure funding.

These are in the early stages, they wont pop up tomorrow, Boyer said. The railroad administration is looking long-range to help solve an issue that states havent been able to do. Building lines arent cheap. But at the federal level they can do that.

Dozens of Oklahoma cities and towns were connected via passenger rail between the early and mid-1960s, but they quickly disappeared when the Rail Passenger Service Act was signed into law in 1970, ending requirements that railway companies provide passenger service.

Amtrak was created to take over passenger rail starting in 1971. Oklahoma was left as one of just a few states without passenger rail when the last route, the Lone Star, ended in 1979. Texas and Oklahoma entered into an agreement with Amtrak to restore service in 1999 between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.

Map showing possible connections should Amtrak expand passenger services in Oklahoma.

Increased ridership and support for Amtrak by President Joe Biden has led to hopes of expanding the passenger rail network. Amtrak is projected to set new record ridership and ticket revenue with 32.8 million passengers and tickets totaling $2.5 billion.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said the agency supports the efforts of the Federal Railway Administration to expand national routes.

At Amtrak we want to double the current ridership by 2040, Magliari said. The way to do that is by having more trains on current routes and more trains to more places more often.

The proposed passenger rail expansions in Oklahoma could, if fully implemented, restore Oklahoma Citys connection to the northeast rail corridor and most of the countrys major cities.

The proposed Heartland Flyer extension would link Kansas with Oklahoma City and Dallas/Fort Worth. All of the cities along the route would connect with Amtraks Southwest Chief, which serves Kansas City, Chicago and Los Angeles.

The expansion would provide passenger rail service to Guthrie, Perry, Ponca City, Arkansas City and Wichita.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said last year that hed met privately with Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. secretary of transportation, to advocate for the expansion. At the time, he said Buttigieg urged the Republican governor to continue working with his Democratic counterpart in Kansas

Amtrak currently operates a bus line that covers the gap between Oklahoma City and Newton. Magliari points to the bus ridership as proof demand exists for the passenger rail expansion.

Amtrak's Heartland Flyer is shown awaiting departure from Santa Fe Station in downtown Oklahoma City.

More: Regional transit election likely by early 2025, will fund commuter rail network

Amtrak reports 6,114 customers traveled on the overnight bus ride in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2023. Thats an average of more than a dozen people each night riding the Heartland Flyer, the bus, and then the Southwest Chief. The bus departs Oklahoma City at 9:50 p.m. and leaves Newton at 4 a.m.

Boyer said Oklahoma and Kansas are working on the second phase of studies required to extend the Heartland Flyer. That study, funded with a $450,000 federal grant and $25,000 paid by each state, is looking at what a corridor will look like to establish service to Newton.

If the extension is deemed viable, the third phase will follow with preliminary engineering studies and a look at the environmental impact of new train service. The final phase would depend on both states allocating construction funding through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program.

Passengers board Amtrak's Heartland Flyer at Santa Fe Station in downtown Oklahoma City.

Magliari said passenger rail operations plummeted during the pandemic, but the recovery time proved helpful as travelers discovered private rooms on passenger trains that they deemed safer and more comfortable than driving or flying.

Magliari said shrinking transit options and ongoing congestion both in the air and on highways are making rail transportation an increasingly popular third option. During a recent presentation to Kansas lawmakers, Magliari quoted a Detroit newspaper article that noted windshield time is wasted time.

In large parts of our country, there is no other public transportation, Magliari said. The bus network has shrunk to an almost infinitesimal size and continues to shrink under the current ownership of Greyhound. Air is very expensive, especially short distance air. People are looking for another way to travel other than looking through their front windshield.

Passengers are shown boarding Amtrak's Heartland Flyer at Santa Fe Station in downtown Oklahoma City.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New proposed national Amtrak routes include OKC and Tulsa
South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jeff Rea is encouraging a measure for St. Joseph County to streamline its tax abatement system, saying it could impede developers. Here, on June 13, 2023, he joins in the announcement that GM and Samsung SDI would build an EV battery plant near New Carlisle.

A proposed measure from the St. Joseph County Council would eliminate the countys tax abatement ordinance and replace it with a simpler application.

The county's tax abatement process now asks businesses to fill out a 37-page document. Instead, council members suggest it could be reduced to just four or five pages.

Amy Drake, whos sponsoring the measure with fellow Republican council member Joe Thomas, said their goal is to streamline the process and let developers know they can do business in St. Joseph County without a lot of cumbersome requirements.

It comes as more developers are showing interest in the farmland near New Carlisle that the county has been offering for commercial development in the Indiana Enterprise Center.

Jeff Rea, president and CEO of the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce, believes the current process could be an impediment.

Everybody that weve talked to thats navigated your process has said its really complicated, he told the council members at their committees meeting on Feb. 27. You have a reputation of being one of the most complicated in the state.

He encouraged council members to go with a simpler application. The city of Mishawaka made that switch several years ago, he said, recalling his experience with it when he worked in economic development for the city and then served as its mayor.

In Mishawaka, which modeled its system after the one in Indianapolis, he said, the economic development staff review the applications, then present their recommendations to the Mishawaka Common Council for an ultimate vote.

Simple doesnt mean there are no standards, Rea said, noting that theres a trend toward a simpler abatement process in other communities.

But Bill Schalliol, the countys executive director of economic development, asked council members to hold off on making the change.

He said state law now allows enhanced abatements that the county hadnt ever offered, and he suggested the county may want to explore them. For example, he said there are opportunities to offer agricultural abatements for personal property and real estate.

I would ask that you take a month and maybe have work sessions and education sessions or something like that, Schalliol said. Our office wasnt involved in writing this new abatement ordinance. So were kind of catching it at the back end.

Democratic council members Diana Hess and Mark Catanzarite agreed that the matter needed more time to gather input and reach some common ground.

But the Land Use Planning Committee on Feb. 27 voted 4-3 to send the measure to the full council with a favorable recommendation, with Republicans in favor and Democrats against.

That sends it to the full council for a vote at their meeting at 6 p.m. March 12 on the fourth floor of the County-City Building.

South Bend Tribune reporter Joseph Dits can be reached at 574-235-6158 or jdits@sbtinfo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: St. Joseph County Council Jeff Rea seeks to simplify tax abatement
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.
A Florida sheriffs deputy owes his life to a group of good Samaritans, who rushed to help when he was thrown into the blades of his boats spinning propeller, according to investigators.

The deputy suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office. St. Lucie is on Floridas Atlantic coast, about a 110-mile drive north of Miami.

Investigators say it happened at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9, and involved a deputy assigned to the countys Marine Unit. His identity has not been released.

The deputys injuries are consistent with being struck by engine propellers, the sheriffs office said in a Facebook post.

The St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office would like to thank the good Samaritans who witnessed this event and took immediate, life-saving actions.

Details of the rescue have not been released, but the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the good Samaritans pulled the deputy from the water.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident. A preliminary investigation indicates he was thrown out of his boat by a passing rogue wave, St. Lucie County officials said.

Sheriffs department officials report the deputy is recovering.

Like many of Floridas coastal counties, St. Lucie has a marine unit of marked patrol vessels that monitor waterways and assist vessels in distress.

In light of this incident, we want to acknowledge the very real dangers all law enforcement face while protecting our waterways and ensuring the safety of our community, the sheriffs office said.

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TALLAHASSEE  Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday recommended that Stephanie Kopelousos, a top adviser who most recently served on his campaign for president, replace Glen Gilzean as administrator of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District that oversees Walt Disney World.

The board, appointed entirely by DeSantis, still must approve it, but the governors office on Monday was already calling it a done deal.

We are glad to see her step into this leadership role as the District embarks upon the next chapter in its efforts to ensure an even and transparent playing field for the businesses that operate in Central Florida, said Bryan Griffin, communications director for the governor.

He said she has extensive state and local government experience that make her the ideal candidate to take the reins at CFTOD.

The position became vacant when DeSantis tapped Gilzean, a Republican ally, last week to replace retiring Bill Cowles, a Democrat, as interim Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Cowles retired on Jan. 31.

It remains unclear whether Gilzean has left the Disney district and if he has continued to receive his $400,000 a year salary while also taking a $205,000 annual paycheck as elections supervisor.

Gilzean has not responded to repeated requests for comment on that issue, although in an email he said he thought it was legal to do both jobs.

I am committed to ensuring a seamless transition as I conclude my duties as the District Administrator and will continue to be available as a resource during the search for my replacement, he said in a statement Friday.

Alexei Woltornist, a spokesman for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, said he had nothing to add about the governors announcement.

Democrats worry how DeSantis ally Gilzean will run Orange elections

Gilzean resigned last year as chairman of the state ethics commission when he got the Disney district job after media reports revealed that state law said he couldnt hold both positions.

This is another example of a loyal team member of DeSantis being picked, said state Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando. This is just another political appointment of a friend to a well-paid position. She is definitely more qualified than Glen, but that is still setting a low bar.

As long as DeSantis continues to operate as an authoritarian figure with complete control over state agencies, Eskamani said, the Legislature and public must continue to demand transparency and accountability.

Before DeSantis tapped her to work on his campaign last summer, Kopelousos was a senior adviser and director of legislative affairs for DeSantis.

In that role, she and other members of the governors staff reached out to state lawmakers while the Legislature was in session to endorse DeSantis for president. She and other staffers also asked several lobbyists for donations to his campaign.

Kopelousos also worked behind the scenes to get Disney World a carve-out from the governors Big Tech social media bill three years ago, when the company still was contributing to his gubernatorial reelection campaign.

Kopelousos also served as Clay County manager for eight years and was Department of Transportation secretary under Gov. Charlie Crist.

Staff writer Skyler Swisher contributed to this report.
The Erie Zoo will make securing additional financial support a top priority once again with the season underway for one of the regions top visitor attractions.

Melissa Roo Kojancie, the Erie Zoos new CEO, has said as much. During a recent interview with the Erie Times-News, Kojancic said she expects to be heavily involved in the zoos fundraising efforts moving forward, especially since the zoo receives just a small portion of its funding from the city of Erie and other local municipalities.

The Erie Zoo generated about $5.8 million in revenues in 2023, according to the zoo's own financial figures.

The Erie Zoo generated about $5.8 million in revenues in 2023, according to its own financial figures. Total expenses were roughly $5.7 million.

Here is a breakdown of those revenues, provided by Kate Philips, a member of the zoos board of directors, after the Erie Times-News requested the information.

"Relative to another similarly sized zoos we have very little government support," Philips said. "For example, Akron('s) zoo gets 57% of its revenue from local government funding, when (the) Erie Zoo receives about 3%.

"Weve survived on love and loyalty for 100 years," Philips said. "But to modernize the zoo to current (American Zoological Association) standards and provide visitors are modern zoo experience, while maintaining our deep rooted commitment to exceptional animal care and conservation, were going to need a more meaningful, sustained investment."

Visitor fees/events/attractions: $3.4 million (59% of operating revenues)

These funds include admission fees/tickets for the zoo itself; its train and carousel rides; purchases made at the gift shop and concessions; fees for various educational programs and revenues generated at the Flo Fabrizio Ice Center at the Erie Zoo.

That figure also includes general admission charges for the popular Zoo Boo event at Halloween and two annual single-day, adult fundraisers: Mane Event and Lions, Tigers & Beers.

Donations/sponsorships: $1.3 million (23%)

That figure includes various private donations for zoo operations/exhibits, as well as roughly $183,000 in corporate/business sponsorships for Mane Event, Zoo Boo and Lions, Tigers & Beers.

State grants: $830,000 (14%)

The zoo in 2023 received two grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, one for $580,000 for operational expenses and another for $250,000 to support the construction of new family/gender neutral restrooms and related projects, secured with the help of State Rep. Bob Merski, of Erie, D-2nd Dist.

Zoo officials said the grants are one-time revenues.

Local governmental grants: $174,000 (3%)

These grants include $165,000 from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, and a total of $9,000 from Summit and North East townships and Mill Village Borough.

Something worth noting: the city of Erie covers the zoo's natural gas bills as part of a years-long agreement with zoo officials, according to Renee Lamis, Mayor Joe Schember's chief of staff.

The city provided $82,000 to cover those bills for the Erie Zoo in 2023 and has budgeted the same amount for 2024, according to city financial figures.

Philips said the city pays those bills directly on the zoo's behalf, which is why that financial contribution is not included in the zoo's revenue breakdown.

Lamis added that the city of Erie pays for the zoo's insurance coverage.

"Since 2017, our insurance carrier has paid out $899,772 in claims for the zoo," she said.

Other revenues: $59,000 (1%)

This revenue includes fees the Glenwood YMCA pays to use zoo-owned parking, as well as rental fees related to the Northwest Pennsylvania Pet Emergency Center, which is located on the zoos property at 428 W. 38th St., and rental income from property the zoo owns on nearby Chapin Street.

Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on X at @ETNflowers.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie PA Zoo yearly operating revenues: Breakdown of funding
Now that court-appointed conservators are managing the finances of Bill Walker, the former head of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources has seriously whittled down the amount of restitution he owes for conspiring to commit fraud while on the job.

Walker was was ordered in 2014 to pay $572,689.14 in restitution to two federal agencies and the state auditor. A federal judge sent him back to prison once, and threatened to a second time, when he failed to make payments.

But now Walker has only $58,953.51 in restitution remaining, federal court records show. The money is owed to the State Auditors Office.

His son, Ocean Springs businessman Scott Walker, shared responsibility for repaying $210,000 of the total after pleading guilty to the same crime. Both Walkers served prison time after their 2014 guilty pleas

The Walkers owed restitution of $210,000 in federal funds that Bill Walker controlled through DMR. He gave the money to a nonprofit to buy subdivision property that his son owned in Jackson Countys Gulf Hills.

Prosecutors indicated at the time that Scott Walker was having trouble making payments on the loan, which his parents had co-signed.

A federal judge also ordered Bill Walker to repay the State Auditors Office $362,689.14 for funneling DMR money to a private foundation that he controlled. In addition, he was hit with a $125,000 fine and $100 penalty, bringing the total he owned to $697,789.14.

Walker still owes $124,611.65 on the fine.

Bill Walker avoids second return to prison

Released from prison in 2017, Walker returned for two weeks in 2018 after the judge, Keith Starrett, found he was living large rather than paying restitution. His son was helping manage his money.

Starrett was none too happy when he found out the Walkers had season tickets to Shuckers games, payments on a Mercedes Benz and Land Rover, and other steep expenses. They promised to cut expenses and step up payments,

Starrett hauled Bill Walker back into court October 2020, after the Sun Herald reported that both Walkers had stopped making restitution payments earlier in the year. Scott Walker was no longer under the federal courts jurisdiction but Bill Walker was still on supervised release from a five-year sentence.

Fed up, Starrett found that Scott Walker was misspending his fathers money  and jeopardizing his freedom. The judge ordered that a guardian be appointed to manage Bill Walkers money. Jackson County Chancery Court Judge Neil Harris wound up with the case because Bill Walker lives in Ocean Springs and chancery courts oversee conservatorships and guardianships.

Scott Walkers restitution paid in full

After a rocky start, which included Scott Walker driving his parents to an ATM to withdraw $6,000 before Christmas 2020, the conservatorship over Bill Walker has smoothed out.

Co-conservator and Ocean Springs attorney Matthew Pavlov said hes had no more problems with Scott Walker. He said restitution payments are made regularly. Pavlov said the restitution and fine payments should be finished in a couple of years.

Weve worked hard to pay it off, he said. We make sure it gets paid every single month on time.

Chancery Court Judge Neil Harris oversees the conservatorship.

Pavlov said that Scott Walker has remained close to his parents, who are growing frail. He visits often and makes sure they spend plenty of time with their grandsons. A fourth grandchild is on the way.

Scott Walker has finished paying his restitution. Wife Trinity Walker was so proud of him that she bought billboards in October 2020 announcing that he had repaid more than $325,000 in stolen taxpayer funds, including restitution owed in a separate fraud case.

She included the hashtag #thankyouscott on the billboards.
Jeanette Horne always thought she was the last in her family, but after doing an Ancestry.com test, she not only found extended family members but also learned about the turn-of-the-20th-century pension application of a formerly enslaved ancestor in Brentwood.

My dad was born and raised in Nashville," Horne said. ""He left for the Army, and never returned to Nashville. He never talked about his family. And so, the only family that I knew were his mom, and his sister. I had heard about his dad, who I knew had been a prominent civil rights attorney in Nashville but he passed away in 1950."

When her father died in 2000, Horne started trying to research her family's past.

Growing up in California, she didnt know much about Tennessee. So when she took that Ancestry.com test in 2016, she was amazed when people she was related to, but had never heard of, started popping up all over the Volunteer State.

I would dive in, get as far as I could, emotionally, and then I would back out. But, during one of those times... I found Kittie, she said, referencing Kittie Waller Sneed.

Learning about 'Black Mammy'

Jenny Calvin, whos a Sneed descendant, had been in contact with the (Brentwood) historical society and reached out to me directly.  Horne said. She found Kittie in my tree, and we had started communicating.

Until recently, Kittie Waller Sneeds story was a complete mystery. As the only Black person buried in the Sneed family cemetery, in Williamson County, descendants of the Sneed family also wondered who she was. The family's descendants oversee regular care and maintenance on the family cemetery grounds, which currently contain the graves of 112 people. Kittie Waller Sneed's headstone reads, Black Mammy. A true servant of God.

Last year, the group invited a Brentwood historical board member to their cemetery association board meeting in the hopes of learning more about Kittie Sneed.

"We started looking for information, said Kathie Greaves, a member of the Brentwood Historic Commission. One of the things I found out in our initial looking is that Kittie Sneed is the picture we have on the historic timeline on the Brentwood website. She had not been identified. She had been a nameless individual representing the Hardscuffle Community on the timeline, so its time we learned about Kittie.

The Hardscuffle Community was Brentwoods only Black community, created in 1867 by newly freed slaves. Today, all that exists of it is a plaque in the Church Street East median. Kittie Sneed was also a resident of this community.

I thought, perhaps, she was a landowner because she was the photo on that section," Horne said. "It was heartbreaking to learn that not only was she not a landowner but she died in need."

According to the Tennessee Encyclopedia, in 1860, enslaved people accounted for almost 25% of Tennessee's population. Middle Tennessee also held the largest amount of slaves during the antebellum period.

According to Brentwood City Commissioner Anne Dunn, the population in Williamson County was double that, at around 54%. The explanation: The area's large agricultural industry. Many of Williamson Countys first and prominent families, including Thomas Wilson, relied on slave labor to maintain their wealth.

The Sneed family owned numerous slaves, including Kittie. Before emancipation, slaves took the last names of their owners, so once she was sold to the Sneed family, Kittie became a Sneed.

Tracing the past

Originally from Virginia, James Sneed and his wife relocated to Tennessee in 1798 after receiving a 640-acre Revolutionary War land grant. The grants were given by the federal government to veterans and their heirs. Four of the couple's sons were also given land to build their own homes.

Kittie was originally from North Carolina but slave traders bought and sold her to James Sneed's son, Major Constantine Sneed, when she was 15, records show.

Constantine Sneed served with President Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812 and also participated in the Battle of New Orleans. After returning to Tennessee in 1825, he began to build the 9.6-acre property known as Windy Hill and started his own family.

He married his cousin, Susannah Perkins Sneed, and together, the couple would have nine children, which Kittie cared for.

I have lived within one mile of Brentwood, Tennessee, ever since I have lived in Tennessee, Kittie Sneed once said.

For enslaved people, writing and reading was prohibited, so in order to receive services post slavery, many had others transcribe their stories.

When I first read her words, I felt a lot of anger, Horne said. I cried, and I was angry because this woman who had spent her entire life working for other people was in a situation where she was unable to take care of herself and had nobody to take care of her.

When Kittie Sneed was 19, she married Zachary Sneed and had 14 children. Some died, and others were sold to different plantations. Kittie Sneed said one of her sons, Seth was taken to Texas during the Civil War and she had not seen him since.

Like most descendants of the formerly enslaved, tracing family lineage has been difficult for Horne.

According to a PBS documentary on African American genealogy, Because African American slaves were considered property, often a bill of sale  bearing just the age and gender of the person sold  is the only record for an individual living in a pre-Civil War slave holding state.

Often, there are mistakes or inconsistencies in some of the documents and that only adds to the confusion, Horne said.

I would love to be able to trace my ancestors all the way back to the motherland but having complete anonymity and being stripped of anything that can tie or relate, including names spelled wrong, makes it impossible," she said. "It could be inadvertently, but most of the time, it's just a lack of care."

Putting the pieces together

In 1892, Kittie Sneed filed an 82-page claim to try to collect on her late son Thomas's military pension. Thomas Sneed died of tuberculosis shortly after the war.

Kittie Sneed didn't have any savings or inheritance, so she needed the money to pay for living expenses, so she could survive. She was 87 at the time.

I am always sick, I have one eye, and have such pains in my right thigh that the side of my lower limb is almost useless, unfitting to do washing or such labor as I might do, she told the lawyer at the time of the claim's filing.

Through the Slaves to Soldiers project, created in the hopes of educating and preserving the history of formally enslaved men who served in the military, researchers learned that another of Kitties sons, Ephraim Edmondson, served in the 12th US Colored Infantry.

It wasn't clear if she knew this.

Kittie Sneed's claim on her son's pension was denied, and her story went unknown until the Brentwood Historic Commission got involved in the efforts to learn more about her last year.

Kittie Sneed lived to be 96. She died in 1905, and while she didnt get to reconnect with many of her children during her lifetime, generations later, her words have served to reunite her descendants, Horne said.

As I talk and reach out to those cousins or other relatives in Nashville, they grew up knowing more of that side of things, she said. It was wild just to go from that feeling of being the very last Horne to all of a sudden having multiples of cousins. Just so many people and so much love.

The Brentwood Historic Commission hopes that by researching Kitties story they will find more stories like hers. Despite such a large population of African Americans living in Brentwood during the 1800s, only a few narratives exist, historians say.

I wanted to give voice to Mrs. Kittie Sneed, not because Im Black but because she was a human being, just to give voice to those who were voiceless at the time, Historic Commission member Inetta Gaines said during an Oct. 9 reading, dedicated to Kittie's story. She could not read or write, so someone else was taking her deposition. This is a treasure for us to have.

The Sneed family couldn't agree more.

They are planning to have a cemetery celebration next year, where, for the first time, all descendants, including those of Kittie Sneed, will be welcome.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: A 118-year-old mystery: The story behind Tennessee's 'Black Mammy'
A row of oddly shaped, pink plush toys might seem otherworldly, but the stuffed creatures are actually made in the likeness of the real-life axolotl, a paedomorphic salamander that remains aquatic.

My wife and I just recently returned from a week-long vacation sojourn to the U.S. Rocky Mountain West. One memorable part of that trip was a visit to the fabled crash landing site of an alien spaceship, replete with lots of unconscious green Martians being carted away on military stretchers. Of course, it was all in good fun. Thanks for the laugh, Roswell, New Mexico.

What most caught my eye, however, was the sight of what was being offered for sale in the gift shop. It was a plush toy that was intended for children's enjoyment. At first glance, it almost suggested the make-believe world of unicorns and Loch Ness monsters. Upon closer inspection, I realized that it was the toy-maker's rendition of an honest-to-goodness, real-life creature from Mother Nature's menagerie. It was a plaything that depicted an axolotl. These amphibians have air-breathing gills protruding from their cheeks ... in their adolescence as well as in the adult version of their lives.

The sight of this toy made me chuckle. It is but one more example of Mother Nature's whimsical sense of humor.

Neil Garrison was the longtime naturalist at a central Oklahoma nature center. His email is atlatlgarrison@hotmail.com.

The pink tentacles protruding from this pink plush toy are actually depicting the external gills of the real-life axolotl, a paedomorphic salamander that remains aquatic.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big Foot, Loch Ness monster? An axolotl is a real-life animal
Republican Ohio Sen. Matt Dolan, now a U.S. Senate candidate, speaks during a press conference with Gov. Mike DeWine unveiling the STRONG Ohio bill in October 2019 to address gun violence.

Gov. Mike DeWine endorsed Matt Dolan in Ohio's U.S. Senate race on Monday, a surprise decision by the governor to wade into a competitive Republican primary.

In a letter to Ohioans, the governor and First Lady Fran DeWine touted Dolan's resume and called him a "proven conservative" who helped bring jobs to Ohio. Dolan, a state senator from Chagrin Falls, is running against businessman Bernie Moreno and Secretary of State Frank LaRose in the March 19 primary.

The winner will take on Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in one of the country's most high-profile U.S. Senate races.

"Matts service, experience, and integrity will make him the most effective voice for Ohios interests on the national stage," the DeWines wrote. "He cares deeply about the future of our state and nation. He is determined to protect America here at home and abroad, and he knows that nothing is more important to our security than a strong national defense."

The nod from DeWine came one week before the election and just days after former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman threw his support behind Dolan. The governor declined to back a candidate in the 2022 primary to replace Portman and said recently that Dolan, LaRose and Moreno would all make good senators.

"My focus this year is going to be on the Senate race and waiting to see who the Republican voters in Ohio select to run for the United States Senate," DeWine told reporters in late February. "Once that is decided, I'm going to do whatever I can to help that candidate be elected to the Senate. Republican control of the Senate is very important."

DeWine boasts deep political ties as the state's top Republican, which could give Dolan an edge in the final days of the race. But the governor also has a complicated relationship with his party: He keeps his distance from former President Donald Trump and has clashed with conservatives over COVID-19, gun reforms and transgender health care.

Moreno won the support of Trump and several of his allies, including Sen. J.D. Vance and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana. Hours after DeWine's endorsement, the former president announced that he'll visit Ohio on Saturday to help get Moreno across the finish line.

Polling and campaign behavior suggest the race remains close  a factor that likely influenced DeWine's late endorsement. A SurveyUSA poll released last week showed Moreno barely edging out Dolan, with 23% of likely voters still undecided. The pro-Moreno Club for Growth dropped an attack ad against Dolan prior to the poll's publication.

Moreno's campaign did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for LaRose declined to comment on DeWine's decision.

"Matt Dolan has a vision for the future," the DeWines wrote. "He listens. He fights. And, he knows how to get results for Ohio."

USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau reporter Laura Bischoff contributed.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gov. Mike DeWine endorses Matt Dolan in Ohio Senate race 2024
The first Haitian-American Democrat elected to the U.S. House of Representatives is calling on Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry to leave his post amid escalating gang violence that threatens to topple the Caribbean countrys political institutions.

We have to make sure that the Haitian people trust the process and that they feel that they are being protected and that the gangs will not be involved in any kind of transition government, U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick said Monday, calling during a press conference in Fort Lauderdale for Henry to hand over his post to a transitional government.

The remarks from Cherfilus-McCormick are the latest in the public conversation on the crisis in Haiti among the leaders, officials and community advocates of South Floridas Haitian community, who are watching from afar as conditions in Haiti deteriorate.

Gangs have declared their intention to overthrow Henrys government, freed thousands of people from the countrys largest prisons, taken over police stations and killed police officers. Most of Port-au-Prince is under criminal control, according to the United Nations.

READ MORE: Haitis political, civic leaders are at odds over who should be involved in transition

On Monday, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was in Jamaica to meet with heads of CARICOM governments, the United Nations and partner countries to discuss how to move Haiti forward from the crisis. Political and civic leaders from the country have all offered proposals.

Cherfilus-McCormick emphasized that criminal gangs in Haiti should not receive amnesty. She also said that the deployment of U.S. Marines was to protect the American embassy and staffers as they evacuated in Port-Au-Prince.

The gangs have consistently asked for amnesty. I believe that more people will be committed to working and fighting with the gangs if they think they are going to get amnesty, she said. If we do that, I dont believe that the Haitian people will ever believe that the international community has their best interests at heart.

Separately, Cherfilus-McCormick facilitated a roundtable with Haitian leaders from South Florida on Monday. She told reporters they would be discussing Mondays negotiations in Jamaica, as well as the Multinational Security Mission, a UN-brokered and US-backed agreement to send about 1,000 police officers from Kenya to help Haiti restore safety. Henry was on travels to Kenya sealing the deal when the most recent wave of violence broke out. He has been stranded in Puerto Rico for days.

Samuel Hinds, the Guyanese Ambassador to the United States, also participated virtually in the meeting, to discuss the CARICOM negotiations. Guyana currently chairs CARICOM.

Over the weekend, Cherfilus-McCormick and her fellow House Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Ayana Pressley and Yvette Clarke, also said in a statement that Henry should not go back to the country.

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 ones personal ambition is worth the blood of innocent Haitian lives, said the statement.

Last week, elected officials, service providers, and community leaders held a press conference in North Miami, which has a strong Haitian presence. They criticized Henry, rejected U.S. intervention and urged for Haitian-led solutions and for the American government to include Haitian voices as it navigates the Caribbean countrys crisis.
For Muslims around the world, Ramadan is not only the holiest month of the year, but a joyous time for spiritual growth, self-restraint and family gatherings. But this year, with the war between Israel and Hamas raging on, Muslims in South Florida also are turning their eyes toward Gaza.

Right now, everybody in the Muslim community has Gaza on their mind, said Tehsin Siddiqui, president of the Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations (COSMOS). This conflict affects us right here in South Florida. There are people in the community who have lost multiple members of their community, their families.

The heightened emotions have prompted at least some mosques to take extra security steps, including opting out of open houses hosted during past holidays.

As Muslims prepare for a month of fasting and prayer that begins in South Florida at sundown on Sunday, some mosques and Islamic organizations also are banding together to raise money for relief efforts in Gaza, where a quarter of the 2.3 million Palestinians who live there face starvation and some 80 percent have been displaced, according to the United Nations. After a surprise attack by Hamas five months ago that left some 1,200 dead and 240 people taken hostage, Israels counterattack has killed an estimated 30,000-plus in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials.

Theyre praying for a ceasefire, a lasting ceasefire, said Siddiqui referring to Muslim Americans. And praying for all the refugees that are in God knows how many stages and places.

Men pray during the Jumuah prayer service lead by Imam Nasir Ahmed ahead of the start of Ramadan at Masjid Al-Ansar in Liberty City.

Fasting to feel empathy

During the holy month, Muslims typically refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Fasting, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, is a vital part of Ramadan, the holy period that marks the month when Muslims believe the angel Gabriel first revealed the Quran, Islams central religious text, to the Prophet Muhammad.

Its not just about refraining from food and water, but its also refraining from all the bad habits that one may have in their normal everyday life, said Professor Mohamed Ghumrawi, assistant director of the Jaffer Center for Muslim World Studies at Florida International University. Its meant to sort of bring you back to balance. And so much of it is a very spiritual journey.

One of the reasons why Muslims fast during Ramadan is to remember those who are oppressed or suffering, and to share in those emotions.

Theres an overall mood this Ramadan where hearts are very heavy, said Ghumrawi. We have the privilege of knowing that at the end of the day, we get to have a meal. But our brothers and sisters in Gaza, they dont know if theyre going to have a meal at the end of their day.

At sundown, many Muslims break their fast at a community mosque by holding a celebratory meal called an Iftar dinner, followed by nighttime prayers that can go until late in the evening.

Normally, mosques will hold open houses throughout the month of Ramadan, inviting non-Muslim friends and community members to share the Iftar meal. Ghumrawi said the practice has been around for decades to bring more visibility to the month of fasting that Muslims partake in every year and build unity between different groups.

Security precautions

But this year, in lieu of the open houses, COSMOS and its partners have decided to support a larger Iftar dinner in Fort Lauderdale to raise funds and awareness about conditions in Gaza. Similar events, hosted by Islamic Relief USA, are also being held in Tampa and Orlando.

Were going to raise funds for the innocent children and women especially who are suffering and have no food, no water, said Naveed Anjum of the Islamic School of Miami, which is supporting the effort. How can we have all that food to eat ourselves with our children and family when we know families in Gaza, in Ramallah, in Palestine, have nothing.

The decision to forego the open houses was made out of security concerns as well as a desire to take action for Palestinians, said COSMOS president Siddiqui.

At open houses, we dont really have control over whos coming and whos not from the South Florida community, Siddiqui said.

The decision comes at the same time where tensions between religious groups are high in South Florida. In January, a Muslim conference organized by the South Florida Muslim Federation was canceled after an online campaign labeled the group Hamas sympathizers and a petition signed by over 4,000 people pressured the hotel to cancel. Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip and is one of the Palestinian territorys major political parties, has been labeled a terrorist group by the U.S. and many other Western countries.

Conference organizers called the campaign dehumanizing and ultimately rescheduled the conference for February.

Wanting freedom for Palestinians doesnt make you a terrorist  it makes you human, wrote Samir Kakli, president of the South Florida Muslim Federation in an op-ed for the Miami Herald. Weaponizing words like terrorist or Hamas against the Muslim community is no different than using any other racist trope targeting other communities.

Men listen during the JumuAh prayer service lead by Imam Nasir Ahmad ahead of the Ramadan celebration at Masjid Al-Ansar, in Liberty City, Miami on Friday March 08, 2024.

Last week at an annual community dinner organized by COSMOS, some Jewish friends and partners who typically attend did not show up, according to Siddiqui and other COSMOS leaders. The reasons were unknown, but the situation added to the feelings of division in South Florida among groups that have spent years fostering positive relationships.

I think both parties, when I say both parties is probably the Muslim community and Jewish community, are not ready to sit down and talk about this at this point, she said.

Still, many individual mosques in across Florida will continue to host the open houses as usual, according to a list on the South Florida Muslim Federation website.

And some within the Muslim community are using the month of Ramadan to take a more political stance on the war. Last month the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) encouraged Muslim leaders and organizations to reject invitations to Ramadan events held by officials who support the genocide in Gaza.

We encourage mosque and Islamic center to question relevant officials, especially members of Congress, about their stance on the genocide and educate them about the crisis, said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad in a statement.

Bad people everywhere

Some mosques have requested extra police officers to monitor the property and in some cases in the past, officers have even stayed overnight to accommodate late night prayers.

Anjum said the Islamic School of Miami has already spoken with Miami-Dade law enforcement to arrange security during Ramadan, and that the department has always been cooperative in the past.

The Islamic school, which sits on over four acres of land in the Hammocks community in west Kendall, has faced serious attacks in the past including an incident in 2015 where an individual vandalized signs and gates and left threatening items, including a ceramic skull and books on ISIS on the property. Prior to that, there was an incident where the mosque was riddled with bullets and had its windows smashed in.

The history is very evident ... there are bad people everywhere, said Anjum, whos the vice-chairperson on the board of directors at ISOM. We dont have any direct threats from our brothers and sisters in Abrahamic faith, but some demented-minded people can do anything wrong. And we were subjected to some of these hate crimes in the past.

Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian incidents have been rising at an alarming rate since Oct. 7, according to data from CAIR, which tracks Islamophobic incidents. In October, a Palestinian American boy was stabbed to death in his apartment and his mother severely wounded. The incident is being investigated by the Justice Department as a hate crime. On Florida college campuses, student attempts to speak out for Palestinian rights  including calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas  have been met with Islamophobia and obscenities in some instances, students say.

The current political situation is very tense right now, not only in South Florida, but throughout the entire country. Theres increased antisemitism, theres increased Islamophobia, said Ghumrawi.

F ood for the soul

At Masjid Al-Ansar on the Friday before Ramadan, Imam Nasir Ahmed spoke candidly about what he views as a world that has lost its way by straying from Islamic traditions. He shared conservative teachings about homosexuality and abortion while speaking about the Qurans emphasis on equality.

Here in America, in my time, I saw racism to the hugest extent ... the same way, you see the Israelis attacking the Palestinians I felt that in United States, I lived through that.

Ahmed also criticized Zionism in his service. No nation will every run the entire world, he said. Allah will not share world power with anybody.

Imam Nasir Ahmad speaks during the JumuAh prayer service ahead of the Ramadan celebration at Masjid Al-Ansar in Liberty City.

After the fiery service at the Liberty City mosque, Ahmed sat down with some members to discuss the importance of Ramadan in Islam and the benefits of fasting.

At the end of the month, you should have self-mastery. Thats the goal, Ahmed said. Because for most human beings, they have been knocked off the throne in themselves.

Member Tariq Asad described fasting as a personal transformation, a way to withhold oneself from physical desires to make room for spiritual development.

Were working on developing the soul and feeding the soul. Food for the body is eating and drinking, food for the soul is prayer, contemplating on God, being kind, Asad said. The joyous part of it is when the soul is inspired by these things. Because you feel different.

After weeks of daily fasting and self-discipline, Ramadan will conclude with a final celebration called Eid al-Fitr, to mark the end of the holy month. The holiday, which falls this year on April 10, is recognized as a holiday for students for the first time in Miami-Dade County this year. Broward and Palm Beach County school districts recognized the holiday in 2021.

This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
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. [Photo/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.
A hiker who lost a sneaker after falling and hitting his head while off-trail on Mount Washington called 911 for help, New Hampshire rescuers said.

Rescue teams set out to find the 23-year-old man from Georgetown, Kentucky, after he made a call to 911 at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, March 7, New Hampshire Fish and Game said in a news release.

Using GPS coordinates from his phone, they found him in the Ammonoosuc Ravine, rescuers said.

He had fallen down into the ravine while hiking off-trail, losing one of his sneakers and hitting his head, rescuer said. Rescuers found him suffering from hypothermia at 10:29 p.m.

He was given boots, food, warm drink, proper winter gear, and a headlamp, the release said.

Rescuers hiked out with the man to a parking area at 1:39 a.m. Friday, March 8, officials said. An ambulance took the man to a hospital for treatment.

At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is New Hampshires highest peak.

What to do if you get stranded in cold weather

When the body is exposed to prolonged cold temperatures, it starts to lose heat faster than it can produce it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your bodys stored energy, the CDC said. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature.

Low body temperatures can impact the brain and cause people to be unable to move or think clearly. However, the National Weather Service said there are ways to help you stay safe.

If youre outside in cold weather, find shelter and stay dry. Cover every part of your body thats exposed to the cold air.

If theres nowhere to go nearby, build a windbreak or snow cave for protection. You should also continue to move your body to keep blood circulating, but dont overexert yourself, officials said.

If you get trapped in a vehicle during a storm, officials said you should stay inside it and stay visible to rescuers.

Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat, the National Weather Service said. While running the motor, open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Clear snow from the exhaust pipe to avoid gas poisoning.

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A new study casts more doubt on the supposed success of an interstellar fishing expedition.

On Jan. 8, 2014, a space rock about 1.6 feet (0.5 meters) wide exploded over the western Pacific Ocean. In 2019, Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb and his colleague Amir Siraj determined that the intruder came from outside our solar system, a conclusion backed three years later by U.S. Space Command.

That would make the object, called CNEOS 2014-01-08, our first known interstellar visitor; its arrival predated by three years that of the puzzling 'Oumuamua, which zoomed past Earth in 2017.

Related: Interstellar meteor fragments found? Harvard astronomer's claim sparks debate, criticism

Loeb and his team soon decided to hunt for pieces of the interstellar meteor. In June 2023, they dragged a magnetic sled across the seafloor in the presumed drop zone near Papua New Guinea, hunting for metallic pieces of CNEOS 2014-01-08, or, as the researchers call it, IM1.

Last July, Loeb announced that this effort was a success: The expedition had collected hundreds of millimeter-scale spherules, whose discovery, he wrote, "opens a new frontier in astronomy, where what lay outside the solar system is studied through a microscope rather than a telescope."

Many other scientists weren't convinced, however. For example, Matthew Genge, a planetary scientist at Imperial College London, said that Loeb's team took an unwarranted leap in tying their spherules to the January 2014 fireball.

"Meteorite ablation debris has been found, but not from an instrumentally observed fireball," Genge told Space.com via email last July. "There never has been a micrometeorite derived from a specific fireball event, and never will be, since it is an impossibility."

Now, a new study adds another layer of doubt. Loeb's team chose their search area in part based on data gathered by a seismic station on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island, which picked up vibrations that seemed to be generated by the meteor's fiery, superfast trip through Earth's atmosphere. But those vibrations likely have a much more prosaic cause, according to the new research.

"The signal changed directions over time, exactly matching a road that runs past the seismometer," study leader Benjamin Fernando, a planetary seismologist at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, said in a statement.

"It's really difficult to take a signal and confirm it is not from something," Fernando added. "But what we can do is show that there are lots of signals like this, and show they have all the characteristics we'd expect from a truck and none of the characteristics we'd expect from a meteor."

a large group of people in blue t-shirts on a boat

Fernando and his team didn't see a fireball signal in the Manus Island data. But they did spot one in measurements made by stations in Australia and the Pacific island nation of Paulu that were built to pick up vibrations caused by nuclear testing.

And that signal was centered more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) from where Loeb's team performed their meteorite hunt, according to the researchers.

"The fireball location was actually very far away from where the oceanographic expedition went to retrieve these meteor fragments," Fernando said. "Not only did they use the wrong signal, they were looking in the wrong place."

The expedition likely found fragments of ordinary meteorites, or particles generated when meteorites hit Earth's surface and mixed with terrestrial contamination, according to Fernando's team, which will present the new results next Tuesday (March 12) at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston.

Related: Could the solar system be teeming with interstellar objects? We'll soon find out (op-ed)

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Loeb, however, is sticking to his guns. In a blog post released on Medium today (March 8), the astronomer stressed that the Manus Island data were secondary in the setting of the expedition's search zone. Rather, he and his team relied chiefly on information gathered by U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) sensors.

"We found that data from other seismometers farther away does not provide meaningful constraints, whereas the new preprint uses the large uncertainties from these other seismometers to claim that the fireball could have been anywhere across a large region if we were to ignore the DoD localization data," Loeb wrote. ("The new preprint" is the Fernando et al. paper, which has not yet been peer-reviewed.)

"But why should we selectively ignore data which accompanied the discovery of this meteor?" Loeb added. "The astronomers who dismiss the DoD data and argue that it must be entirely wrong should lose sleep at night, because their mistrust implies that their safety is not secured and their taxes are wasted on an unreliable national security infrastructure."

He also cited the odd composition of the recovered spherules, which his team found to be significantly enriched in beryllium (Be), lanthanum (La) and uranium (U) compared to native solar system material.

"Our research team's analysis of 60 elements from the periodic table shows that these spherules are not coal ash and did not originate from the crust of the Earth, the moon or Mars," Loeb wrote in the new blog post. "The 'BeLaU'-type abundance pattern is unprecedented in the scientific literature and could have originated from differentiation in a magma ocean on an exoplanet with an iron core."

He also said that his team is planning another expedition to the drop zone, to search for larger pieces of the meteor that could shed more light on its provenance. So stay tuned: We probably have not reached the end of IM1's twisty and controversial tale.
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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The Justice Department is projecting that special counsels will spend $4 million in the next fiscal year  just a fraction of the $29 million they are expected to rack up in the year ending in September.

The new estimates  contained in President Joe Bidens budget sent to Congress on Monday  come as special counsels handling criminal cases against former President Donald Trump and Hunter Biden are gearing up for as many as four trials in the coming months.

Its unclear how the Justice Department arrived at its estimate given the deep uncertainty about when and whether two complex Trump cases, both being handled by special counsel Jack Smith, will go before a jury.

The $4 million figure is merely a placeholder for purposes of the FY 25 budget, Justice Department spokesperson Wyn Hornbuckle said. The Department performs further analysis 90 days before the beginning of each fiscal year, when a Special Counsel provides the budget request for the following fiscal year.

Smiths case against Trump in Florida over his alleged hoarding of classified information at his Mar-a-Lago estate is nominally scheduled for May 20, but is virtually certain to be postponed. Intense pretrial litigation is underway in that case, and it remains unclear whether the trial will begin in late summer or after the November election.

Smiths other case against Trump, charging him with conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, was set for trial this month in Washington, but was put on hold due to Trumps appeal claiming hes immune from prosecution over acts arguably related to his role as president. That issue is set to be argued before the Supreme Court next month, with any trial in that case looking unlikely to start before late summer.

Meanwhile, special counsel David Weiss is preparing for trials in two criminal cases against President Joe Bidens son Hunter: a case in Delaware charging him with gun-related offenses and another in Los Angeles charging him with failing to pay his taxes for years. No trial date has been set in the Delaware case, while the case in California is set for June 20.

The decline in projected spending is, in some ways, intuitive: Two of the four special counsels that operated during Bidens tenure  John Durham and Robert Hur  have concluded their probes. Durham, who was appointed special counsel by Attorney General Bill Barr in the waning months of Trumps presidency, probed allegations of misconduct by Justice Department officials pertaining to the Russia probe of Donald Trump and his allies. Durhams probe netted one guilty plea of an FBI attorney, but two other individuals charged in that special counsel probe were acquitted by juries.

Hur, who is set to testify Tuesday on Capitol Hill, reviewed allegations that Joe Biden mishandled classified information and concluded that the president did not commit a criminal offense, despite a stinging assessment of his conduct and memory. Hur formally ended his assignment over the weekend, a Justice Department official said.

The other two  Smith and Weiss  are likely to have substantially completed their investigations by next year.

However, the estimate suggests the department is anticipating at least some work to carry over, a notable assessment at a time that federal judges have put up substantial roadblocks to Smiths efforts to put Trump on trial in 2024.

The projected outlays do not include all the spending that could be viewed as attributable to a specific investigation. Semi-annual financial reports for each special prosecutor often show about half an investigations spending as the kind of direct expense that would be charged to a prosecutors budget and the other half as spending incurred by federal agencies for personnel and other costs, including security.

A clearer picture of Smiths spending is not expected until the next wave of reports is released early next year.

The last set of reports, released in January, showed Smith tallying about $12.8 million in personnel, rent and other expenses on his own budget and about $11 million in spending by other Justice Department agencies in the fiscal year ending last September. That covers about a ten-month period after Smith was tapped by Attorney General Merrick Garland last November.

Special counsels are funded from a permanent and indefinite congressional appropriation that dates back to when independent counsels were authorized under a law that expired in 1999. The Government Accountability Office declared in 2004 that the appropriation remains available for special counsels now appointed under DOJ regulations.
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
Defense attorney, Ramona Martinez, 44, has worked in Las Cruces for the past 10 years, defending clients in the Third Judicial District.

Martinez is running for the Third Judicial District District Attorney, an office that is currently held by Gerald Byers, who recently announced his re-election campaign. In an interview with the Sun-News, Martinez cited frustration at the pace in which cases are prosecuted, if they are prosecuted at all.

"I am on the front lines of what is going on in the Third Judicial District and people need to be concerned," Martinez said. "Right now it's gotten to a point where it's a public safety issue. Victims deserve to have their cases prosecuted in a timely manner. That goes for the accused, too."

Martinez grew up in Tierra Amarilla on her familys ranch. She graduated from the University of New Mexico and UNM Law School. She's a member of the New Mexico Border Authority, the New Mexico Sentencing Commission, and the New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association. She is also the Southwest Regional Director for the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Supreme Courts New Mexico Access to Justice Commission, and a former board member of the Cannabis Law Section of the New Mexico State Bar.

Martinez is the owner of Law Office of Martinez-Salopek, LLC, where she is a defense attorney for criminal and civil cases.

Ramona Martinez

Martinez believes she has the experience to address an understaffed DAs office through recruiting attorneys throughout the state, and as a result, increase the number of cases that are prosecuted in the court.

"I've had a victim of violent crime who has been waiting for two years for the person to be indicted," Martinez said. "The response has been that it's just the way cases are handled. The issue here is they don't have enough attorneys to effectively prosecute the cases they have."

The implementation of New Mexico Supreme Court rule LR 3-303, or Case Managment Order, led to a number of cases being dismissed. The CMO is meant to decrease the load of criminal cases and stimulate quicker resolutions. It was implemented in the Third Judicial District as a pilot district to study the effects of the CMO. The CMO is a set of rules regarding time limits in the district court. The rule applies to all criminal cases in the district court.

More: New Mexico elections: Add these important dates to your 2024 calendar

Martinez said she would prioritize prosecuting violent and repeat offenders.

"I've had victims go through eight or nine different prosecutors," Martinez said. "Telling their story eight times is more traumatic on top of the trauma they have already suffered. I think it's time we begin holding people accountable and it's time for new leadership."

Martinez said it's the responsibility of the DA to recruit attorneys throughout the state.

"It takes leadership to actively recruit attorneys," she said. "It takes going out in the community to show that you're a leader. I would actively recruit and more importantly, I would recruit attorneys that represent the diversity of Dona Ana County."

March 12 is filing day for candidates. Early voting begins on May 7 and June 4 is primary election day.

"Ramona is the right choice for District Attorney - committed to building a legal system that safeguards our community and fosters trust among its members," Dona Ana County Commissioner Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez said in a statement.

Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or jgroves@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @jpgroves.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Las Cruces attorney Ramona Martinez launches bid for District Attorney
Editor's note: With low reading proficiency scores across the state, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin is exploring the causes and consequences of low literacy. This article is part of the By the Book series, which examines reading curriculum, instructional methods and solutions in K-12 education to answer the questions: Why do so many Wisconsin kids struggle to read, and what can be done about it?

To read other stories in the series, click here.

Wisconsin's Joint Committee on Finance approved Monday a list of four reading curricula schools can adopt to be in compliance with the state's new reading law, Act 20. The curricula approved are those recommended by the state's Early Literacy Curriculum Council, a nine-member council created to specifically evaluate K-3 reading curriculums for their compliance with Act 20.

The four curricula approved are:

Core Knowledge Language Arts K-3

Our EL Education Language Arts

Wit and Wisdom with Pk-3 Reading Curriculum

Bookworms Reading and Writing K-3

Act 20, signed into law last summer, requires curriculum to be backed by the "science of reading": a decades-old body of research that explains how the brain learns to read. It includes an emphasis on phonics, which teaches students the sounds letters make and how those sounds combine in predictable patterns to form words.

The law's changes are aimed at improving reading proficiency in the state, which has been low for years. Fewer than half of students at the state's five largest school districts are considered proficient in reading, according to state exam scores since 2018.

Part of the law's revamping of reading instruction requires schools to use specific instructional methods that are systemic and explicit by next school year. This instruction must include fluency, phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, phonics, oral language development, vocabulary, writing, comprehension and building background knowledge.

The list of approved curricula is significant because school districts that adopt one of them can receive reimbursement for up to half the cost, which can be millions of dollars. Many districts will be turning to this list as they redefine how they teach reading.

Lukicia Diggins reads with her 8-year-old granddaughter, A'aNilah Hamlin, now in third grade, at Diggins home in Milwaukee on Sept. 5. Hamlin was tutored in reading through a program launched at Milwaukee Public Schools last school year and continuing this year called Forward Scholars and was launched by Common Ground.

Committee Democrats, DPI worry list will open state up to litigation

This list was approved 10-4 along party lines with all Republicans on the committee voting in favor and no Democratic support. While Republicans were in favor of the four curricula recommended by the Early Literacy Curriculum Council, Democrats wanted to approve the Department of Public Instruction's broader list.

In February, the Early Literacy Curriculum Council released its list of four recommended curricula. About 30 curriculum vendors submitted materials for evaluation by the council, and by February, it had reviewed about half, according to a memo from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

Given how much time curriculum review requires and the swift deadlines in Act 20, the council didn't have enough time to review all the submitted curricula, the bureau's memo said.

DPI, the state's education agency, did its own evaluation of all the curricula, recommending 11. It rejected one of the councils recommendations (Bookworms Reading & Writing for K-3) and added others that the council hadnt rated.

More on Act 20: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction asks lawmakers to change deadline for implementing part of Wisconsin's new literacy law

In a letter to the Joint Committee on Finance, the DPI said the council's process for evaluating curricula had exposed the state to "an unacceptable level of risk."

Because not all vendors who submitted curriculum materials were evaluated by the council, one that wasn't evaluated could sue, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

Democrats on the Joint Committee on Finance said that was reason enough to go with DPI's recommendations. However, Republicans saw that as weak argument, opting for the four curricula from the Early Literacy Curriculum Council.

"This council, they're experts. This is what they do," said. Sen. Duey Stroebel during the committee meeting. "And I'm sorry I'm not going to look to DPI as, my god, the only people in the world who can pick the correct curriculum."

He said the committee shouldn't "water down, not give our kids the best quality curriculum" because of a "far-fetched legal theory."

More on Act 20: Wisconsin passed a landmark literacy law 3 months ago. So what happens next?

The committee's move is a "missed opportunity," said state Superintendent Jill Underly in a media release.

"The DPI's list of high-quality materials is robust, offers more support and flexibility, meets the definition of science-based early literacy detailed in Act 20 and mirrors materials recommended by other states undergoing similar changes," Underly said.

The Early Literacy Curriculum Council is required to annually recommend science-based K-3 reading curricula, so Monday's list is subject to expansion next year.

A new library at Forest Glen Elementary School in Suamico.

Why does the list of curricula matter?

Districts aren't required to adopt the approved curricula, but those will be the only ones eligible for partial reimbursement  a large incentive for districts, given the cost of curriculum adoption.

Many districts will likely make the switch to new reading curriculum, if not the four approved Monday. In the past, DPI has recommended that districts use curricula positively rated by a third-party curriculum evaluation organization called EdReports.

At least 79% of school districts surveyed by the Department of Public Instruction in 2021 said they use a curriculum that is either not rated or is negatively rated by EdReports. About 80% of school districts participated in the survey.

Districts have been waiting for the release of curricula so they can adopt new practices, train their staff and be in compliance with Act 20 by the 2024-25 school year. The Green Bay School District, for example, has been waiting for the literacy council and DPI to release its curriculum list before it buys new reading curriculum. It plans to select something for grades kindergarten through eight in March.

Danielle DuClos is a Report for America corps member who covers K-12 education for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at dduclos@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @danielle_duclos. You can directly support her work with a tax-deductible donation at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Green Bay Press Gazette Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Drive, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Joint Finance Committee approves 4 reading curriculums under Act 20
For Pizza Rustica general manager Lucas Quinan, the first Friday night of the first spring break weekend on Miami Beach couldve been just another Tuesday. And, that was the problem.

Nobody who works in South Beach businesses wanted to revisit what some called the chaos of past spring breaks. But, some Miami Beach businesses thought the citys spring break breakup threw too much business out with the chaos bath.

Quinan is in that group. Weekends at the popular pizza joint at Ninth Street and Washington Avenue usually find the outside tables occupied and a steady stream of folks satisfying the demands of meal times or munchies. With Saturday afternoons foot traffic on Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue resembling an early weekday afternoon, it was no surprise Quinan said business resembled that, too.

Were down 50%, said Quinan compared to last years spring break Friday and Saturday.

Pizza Rustica restaurant manager Lucas Quinan speaks about the effects of the City of Miami Beachs spring break measures and how they impact South Beach businesses on Miami Beach, Florida on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

Quinan found greatest fault with parking rules changes that limited or closed access at some public lots and jacked up the rates to $100 at other lots. And, drivers who want to bet on parking illegally do so with a bigger downside for a lost bet  a $516 towing rate in South Beach for non-residents.

Also, Quinan pointed out that the parking paucity left Pizza Rusticas employees struggling to find spots for their cars.

READ MORE: How is Miami Beachs Spring Break breakup going?

Good for security, (cutting down) shootings and all the stuff that happened before. Which is good, Quinan said. But, I think they have more ways to control that without closing parking lots. People cant park so people wont come. People will go to downtown, Wynwood, Brickell, but they wont come to South Beach.

Also, the DUI checkpoint on Fifth Street, the license plate readers on the Julia Tuttle Causeway and traffic funneled through a few arteries by street blockages create the kind of traffic clogs that frustrate people during Miami-Dade weekdays.

Noting the law enforcement officers from multiple agencies  they have more police on the street than people  Quinan wondered if the increased police presence alone couldve quelled out of control behavior.

Janet Alvarado, manager at Puerto Sagua, which has been serving Cuban cuisine at 700 Collins Ave. since 1962., also said her business was paying the price for the citys crackdown. On Saturday afternoon, five tables were occupied inside the restaurants north side, five people sat at the big U-shaped counter that dominates the south side of the restaurant and two outside tables had customers.

How are we going to pay rent? Alvarado said. How are we going to pay our employees? Because we dont have (enough) customers. There are customers, but few customers.

Puerto Sagua restaurant manager Janet Alvarado speaks about the effects of the City of Miami Beachs spring break measures and how they impact South Beach businesses on Miami Beach, Florida on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

While allowing were happy with the security, Alvardo said focus should be less on students coming for spring break and more on the infiltrators, the drug dealers, the prostitution, which is a bad aspect of tourism in general.

She, too, expressed displeasure with the parking rules that turned people away from the public garages, such as the one across Seventh Street from Puerto Sagua.

Alvarado said the restaurants clientele is more tourist than locals, but now, we dont have anything.

Others thought the city did what it had to do, including David Wallack, owner of Mangos Tropical Cafe, a staple at 900 Ocean Drive for over 30 years.

I was in 16 stampedes last year. I closed Mangos before the curfew, Wallack said. I was fed up with what was going on in the streets. There had to be a major change. I agree with what (the city) did.

Performers dance on stage at Mangos Tropical Cafe on Ocean during spring break in Miami Beach, Florida on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

Wallack expected next week, the second of the two weekends considered highest impact by the city, will be the litmus test of the increased security measures, but it seems, so far, to be effective.

Eliminating the shootings and fights featured on media and social media around the world from South Beach was step one, Wallack said, toward getting Miami Beach away from the chaos during the second and third weeks of March.

But, acknowledging the drop in revenue, he said, If Plan A is successful, whats Plan B to resurrect business for the area?

Wallacks answer would be starting in 2026  he believes the time has passed for getting this together for 2025  a three-day music festival with top talent to bring people to South Beach and give them a directed place to be.

As for 2024, peaceful is the order of this year, Wallack said.

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NEWPORT  City officials are trying to raise capital to fund over $500 million in needed infrastructure and capital improvements over the next five years, but a county-wide real estate professionals group warned against a recent proposal from the City Council to levy a tax on property sales of more than $2 million, as it might prevent local homeowners looking to sell from doing so.

Our average price in Newport is about $800,000 and that does not get you much, Newport County Board of Realtors President Sandi Warner said. Two million is not a mansion. Two million is just a house.

The City Council is considering asking its legislative delegation to submit a bill that would allow the city to impose a 3% tax on real estate sales over $2 million, which city administration believes would generate between $4 million and $5 million annually that could be put into a restricted, interest-bearing Resilience and Sustainability Fund.

A real estate sign notifies a pending sale on Kay Street in Newport.

The proposal received pushback when it was first discussed at a February City Council meeting, leading the council to continue the discussion to this upcoming meeting on March 13. Warner said taxes like these will chill real estate in Newport, which has been in an odd spot recently following the hot sellers market of the past two years.

Its an unusual market, Warner said. If you have a nice home and you are well-priced, you will probably get two or three offers on it. If you are throwing a number up on the wall just to see if it will stick, the buyers have been in the marketplace for longer now and they are very educated. They are not willing to pay these wild numbers that we did see two or three years ago.

'Mansion tax' in use in other cities

Warner said the type of tax the city is proposing is typically referred to as a mansion tax, as it is a progressive tax on property sales over a certain sum. A handful of states have such a tax in place, but at different thresholds and with different rates. Connecticuts legislature passed a bill in 2019 imposing a 2.25% conveyance fee on home sales above $2.5 million. New York home sellers have been paying a progressive tax on real estate transactions higher than $1 million since 1989.

In Los Angeles, 58% of residents approved Measure ULA, a 4% transfer fee on estate transactions over $5 million that increases to 5.5% on properties over $10 million, during the 2022 election. The abbreviation stands for United to House L.A., and was established to fund affordable housing projects and provide resources for residents at risk of homelessness. Since then, multiple lawsuits have been filed to argue against the tax, one of which a Superior court judged recently dismissed.

A realtor and member of the Tax Appeals board gives an anecdote about a home owner who is looking to purchasing a multifamily home he wants to rent out and says he would probably seek someone selling for under $2 mill to save. She says they don't have the buyers to support this  savana dunning (@savanaish) February 29, 2024

Although the Newport County Board of Realtors has only discussed the issue briefly, Warner said the main concern is the $2 million threshold. Of the 282 properties sold in Newport over the past year, Warner said 10%, or 30 properties, were sold for more than $2 million. This includes single-family homes, multi-family homes, commercial properties and vacant land sales.

Additionally, 455 properties in Newport that were previously assessed as being worth under $2 million are now over that threshold following the most recent reassessment.

Its unprecedented the amount of equity that homeowners have in their home in Newport right now, Warner said. Thats money that they have. If they decided to sell their home, that could fund an early retirement. That could fund moving out of state. That could fund college educations. Theres a plus side to it. The downside is it is out of reach to purchase in Newport for many locals.

Other options and a possible battle

Warner suggested a better solution might be to levy a smaller real estate conveyance tax on a wider range of property types. For example, Little Comptons Agricultural Conservancy Trust is primarily funded through a 4% real estate transfer tax on property sales over $300,000.

If the City Council plans to pass the proposed legislation onto its delegates at the State House, Warner said she expects the statewide RI Association of Realtors to fight it. The association has three active lobbyists working at the State House currently as well as a political action committee, the Realtors PAC of RI, which has contributed campaign funds to Rep. Marvin Abney and Sens. Dawn Euer and Lou DiPalma, all of which are members of the citys delegation, between 2020 and 2023.

As a trade organization, Warner said the Board will continue to advocate for its industry. However, as a member of the Newport community, she said she sympathizes with the council as it grapples with funding all of its needed infrastructure improvements.

Nobody wants to be taxed, but were being told is that there is an infrastructure need north of $500 million, and this expense is, I thought well described by Councilor Aramli, not to make Newport shining and new, this is to keep Newport going, Warner said. Nobody doesnt want to pay taxes, we dont want to see real estate slow down, but how do we raise this money? I dont knowAt some point, were going to all have to come together and figure out how to do this.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Newport explores tax on property sales over $2 million; gets pushback
The ongoing annual sessions of China's top legislature and political advisory body draw global attention with their economic and policy decisions. They also offer an opportunity to observe the application of the country's whole-process people's democracy.

The concept of "whole-process people's democracy" differs from Western models that equates democracy solely with elections. It encompasses law-based democratic elections, consultations, decision-making, management, and oversight through a series of laws and institutional arrangements.

This year, over 5,000 national lawmakers and political advisors representing diverse backgrounds have gathered in Beijing to attend the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). They fulfill their duties by bringing proposals and suggestions that reflect the public's concerns.

Yi Tong, an NPC deputy specializing in innovation strategy and science and technology policy research, exemplifies this dedication. During her seven years as an NPC deputy, she has conducted in-depth grassroots investigations and gathered numerous suggestions that have translated into 55 suggestions. These suggestions cover areas such as scientific innovation, culture, healthcare, and urban management.

In an interview with China.org.cn, Yi recounted an experience from early 2019 when she and a deputy to the Beijing Municipal People's Congress to initiate a joint investigation. This collaboration resulted in a proposal aimed at creating legislation to protect citizens' personal biometric information.

This suggestion, presented at the "two sessions" in 2019, received significant attention and was adopted by the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee.

Following these efforts, China's Civil Code was enacted in May 2020, establishing clear regulations on the collection and use of personal information, including biometric data.

"I received responses from the relevant government bodies for all 55 of my suggestions. Furthermore, the feedback on the insights I've shared in my speeches during the NPC sessions has always been swift and encouraging, often arriving within a couple of days," Yi said. "This form of democracy, which combines efficiency and quality, is indeed heartening."

A group meeting of deputies from the Beijing delegation is held at the second session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2024. [Photo by Wang Yiming/China.org.cn]

Shi Haofei, another NPC deputy, echoed this sentiment. He received a letter of appreciation from the National Development and Reform Commission in response to his suggestion about promoting a culture of innovation he submitted during last year's session.

"It wasn't until I became an NPC deputy myself that I realized our whole-process people's democracy extends beyond just the electoral period. It encompasses the entire process of consultations, decision-making, management, and oversight," Shi said.

He explained that by presenting grassroots suggestions at the "two sessions," the central government and relevant departments are equipped to make more informed decisions, noting that "our whole-process people's democracy is authentic and effective."

Zhao Ziyi, an NPC deputy and head of the Guizhou Institute of Urban Economy and Development at the Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, speaks with China.org.cn at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 8, 2024. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

Zhao Ziyi, an NPC deputy and head of the Guizhou Institute of Urban Economy and Development at the Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, highlighted another crucial aspect. "Putting people first and ensuring their role in governing the country is a crucial aspect of whole-process people's democracy," said Zhao.

As an ethnic minority NPC deputy, Zhao emphasized the importance of this democratic principle, particularly in fostering harmonious development among China's various ethnic minorities. "The different ethnic groups in China coexist harmoniously, experiencing a sense of fairness and justice because we are all masters of our country, contributing collectively to the nation's development," Zhao stated, expressing a firm belief in the efficiency and effectiveness of whole-process people's democracy.

She added that the harmonious unity among China's various ethnic groups does not suppress but rather safeguards their distinct cultures, which is deeply linked to ensuring whole-process people's democracy.

Wang Chunru, a CPPCC member and researcher at the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, believes that whole-process people's democracy embodies a distinct Chinese characteristic.

This form of democracy emphasizes the principle of collaborative discussion, where everyone's concerns and needs are collectively deliberated upon to find the broadest possible consensus, he said.

Wang Chunru (R), a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks with China.org.cn at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 8, 2024. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

Ding Shiyong, vice chairman of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC, said, "Whole-process people's democracy represents democracy in its broadest, most genuine, and most effective form. Political consultation exemplifies this by enabling the collection of diverse perspectives and achieving widespread agreement, thereby significantly aiding high-quality development and enhancing social governance."
MH370 10 years on: Could a renewed search using new tech solve the mystery of its disappearance?

A decade ago on March 8, a Malaysia Airlines flight bound for Beijing vanished without a trace, becoming one of aviations biggest mysteries.

Investigators still do not know exactly what happened to the plane and its 239 passengers, eight of whom were Europeans.

But Malaysias government said it may renew the hunt for MH370 after an American marine robotics company that tried to find the plane in 2018 proposed a fresh search.

A massive multinational search in the southern Indian Ocean, where the jet is believed to have crashed, found nothing. Apart from some small fragments that later washed ashore, no bodies or wreckage have ever been found.

Heres what we know about the deadly aviation tragedy.

What is known about MH370's disappearance?

The Boeing 777 plane disappeared from air control radar 39 minutes after leaving Kuala Lumpur en route to Beijing on March 8, 2014.

The pilot sent a last radio call to Kuala Lumpur before leaving Malaysia - "Good Night Malaysian Three Seven Zero" - but failed to check in with air traffic controllers in Ho Chi Minh City when the plane crossed into Vietnam's airspace.

Minutes later, the planes transponder - a communication system that transmits the planes location to air traffic control - shut down.

Military radar saw the plane turn around to travel over the Andaman Sea before it vanished, and satellite data showed it continued to fly for hours, possibly until it ran out of fuel.

The plane is believed to have crashed in a remote part of the southern Indian Ocean.

Theories about what happened on board range from hijacking to a loss of oxygen in the cabin to power failure. But there was no distress call, no ransom demand, nor bad weather or evidence of technical failures.

Malaysian safety investigators cleared all on board in a 2018 report, but didn't rule out "unlawful interference".

Malaysia's government has said that someone intentionally severed communications with the ground and diverted the plane.

Who was on the plane?

The plane carried 227 passengers, including five young children, as well as 12 crew members.

Most of those aboard were from China, but there were also people from other countries, including the United States, Australia, Indonesia, France, the Netherlands, and Russia.

The passengers included two young Iranian men using stolen passports to seek a new life in Europe; a group of Chinese calligraphy artists returning from an exhibition of their work; 20 employees of US tech firm Freescale Semiconductor; a stunt double for actor Jet Li; families with young children; and a Malaysian couple on a long-delayed honeymoon.

Many families lost multiple members in the tragedy.

What efforts have been made so far to find the plane?

Dozens of ships and aircraft from various countries began the search between Malaysia and Vietnam in the South China Sea, before moving to the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Australia, alongside Malaysia and China, then led the largest and most expensive underwater search ever undertaken, covering some 120,000 square km of seabed off western Australia, using aircraft, vessels equipped to pick up sonar signals, and robotic submarines.

Search vessels detected ultrasonic signals that might have been from the plane's black box and shipwrecks believed to be 19th century merchant vessels, but never found the plane.

In July 2015, a fragment later confirmed to be a flaperon from Flight 370 was found on Frances Reunion Island in the western Indian Ocean, the first hard evidence that MH370 ended its flight in the Indian Ocean.

Several more pieces of debris were later found washed ashore on the east coast of Africa. The search was suspended in January 2017.

US marine robotics company Ocean Infinity picked up the search in January 2018 under a "no find, no fee" contract with Malaysia, focusing on an area north of the earlier search identified by a debris drift study. But it ended a few months later without success.

Why is the search so challenging?

One reason why such an extensive search has failed to turn up clues is that no one knows exactly where to look.

The Indian Ocean is the world's third largest, and the search was conducted in a difficult area, where searchers encountered bad weather and average depths of around 4 km.

It's not common for planes to disappear in the deep sea, but when they do remains can be very hard to locate.

Over the past 50 years, dozens of planes have vanished, according to the Aviation Safety Network.

Could new tech shine a light on the mystery?

Malaysia's government has consistently said it will only resume the hunt if there is credible new evidence. It is now considering an Ocean Infinity proposal for a fresh search with new technology, although it is unclear if the company has new evidence of the plane's location.

Many families who lost people in the disappearance remain steadfast in their quest for answers. They argue the mystery must be resolved, not just for personal closure but also to prevent future disasters.

The disaster has also helped to bolster aviation safety.

Starting in 2025, the International Civil Aviation Organization will mandate that jets carry a device that will broadcast their position every minute if they encounter trouble, to allow authorities to locate the plane if a disaster occurs.

The devices will be triggered automatically and can't be manually turned off. But the rule applies only to new jets - not the thousands of older planes still in service.
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

DOES CALIFORNIA NEED TO TUNE UP ITS AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION?

Following a lackluster turnout for last weeks California primary election, advocates say its time for legislation to make voter registration more universal, through a process called Secure Automatic Voter Registration.

California already has automatic voter registration: The California Department of Motor Vehicles asks people whether they are eligible to vote when they apply for a license or state ID or look to provide the DMV with an updated address. If they answer yes, the DMV will automatically register them to vote, unless they opt out of it.

SB 299 would make it so that  like Colorado, Oregon and Washington, D.C.  the California DMV would automatically determine a persons eligibility to vote and, if eligibility is met, would register them, sending them a letter in the mail giving them the chance to opt out. Further, if a person moves and notifies the DMV of their new address, their voter registration would be automatically updated.

This system would substantially improve the accuracy of the voter rolls, said Neal Ubriani of the Institute for Responsive Government, an advocacy organization.

According to Ubriani, one in six Californians who are eligible to vote are not registered to vote. Thats millions of potential voters skipping Election Day, disproportionately Black, Latino or other historically marginalized groups, he said.

Its bringing people into the process who are historically left out. Ubriani said.

SB 299 doesnt just benefit voters, Ubriani said. The bill also would be benefit political campaigns, who spend a great deal of time and money getting people registered to vote  time and money that could be spent on boosting turnout on Election Day, he said.

Itzel Maganda Chavez, civic engagement director for the activist group Alliance San Diego who does voter registration outreach with marginalized communities, said that the current automatic voter registration system is not the easiest option for non-English speakers, with many unwittingly opting out of voter registration.

She said that while speaking with people in those communities, there was a common sense of frustration about not being able to participate in the electoral process.

We know that response rates and voter turnout could be much higher not only in San Diego but in the state of California, Chavez said.

SB 299 would not come cheap, though.

An analysis for a previous version of the bill, SB 846, determined that the process would lead to increased costs, according to the California Secretary of States Office.

The Secretary of States Office would require additional staff, money for translations, mailing costs and promulgation of the new regulations.

The bill would likely also result in additional workload and reporting costs to other entities, including counties and their social services offices, as well by the University of California, California State University, and the Community Colleges, according to the analysis.

CALIFORNIA CONGRESSIONAL RACES UPDATE

Via Gillian Brassil...

Sacramento-area congressional primary elections are going as expected for the incumbents.

Reps. Doris Matsui, Ami Bera, Doug LaMalfa, Kevin Kiley, Mike Thompson, Tom McClintock and Josh Harder all advanced to the general election, the Associated Press projected.

Its still too early to be certain who will join them on the Nov. 5 ballot in many races. But some match-ups are set.

Primary election results wont be official for a month. Counties must send results to Californias secretary of state by April 5. The secretary of state will certify the results on April 12.

The top two vote-getters regardless of party advance.

Election results noted here were checked at 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday. More candidates might have advanced between now and then. Who has advanced is based on AP projections. The AP also estimates the percent of votes that have been counted.

Kiley, R-Roseville, will face Democrat Jessica Morse, a wildfire resiliency specialist, in Californias 3rd Congressional District. With an estimated 64% of the votes counted, Kiley had 54.7% and Morse had 43.3%. Analysts say Kiley, a freshman congressman, will likely, not safely, win in this right-leaning district in November.

In Californias 4th Congressional District, Thompson, D-St. Helena, and Republican John Munn, a rancher and farmer, will go on to November. With 60% of the votes counted, Thompson had 62.2% and Munn had 31.6%. Thompson has never had a tough race since he was elected to Congress in 1998; analysts predict hell be safe in November.

McClintock, R-Elk Grove, will compete with Democrat Mike Barkley, a lawyer, in Californias 5th Congressional District once again. With 76% of the votes counted, McClintock had 58.3% and Barkley had 32.9%. Analysts say this district will go for McClintock, who defeated Barkley soundly in 2022, in November.

Tom Silva, a veterans program coordinator, will join Matsui, D-Sacramento, in the Nov. 5 general election. With 53% of the votes counted in Californias 7th Congressional District, Matsui had 58.1% and Silva had 31.9%. Matsui has represented the Sacramento area in Congress since 2005; she won a special election to replace her late husband, Bob Matsui, who died not long after being elected to his 14th term. She has never had a close election and wont this fall, analysts predict.

It seems likely that Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, a Republican with support from national GOP fundraisers, will join Harder, D-Tracy, in Californias 9th Congressional District. With 58% of the votes counted, Harder had 51.6% of the votes. Lincoln had 28.9%. The next closest contender had 12.3%. Analysts say Harder will likely, not safely, win in this left-leaning district.

Bera, D-Elk Grove, had five primary challengers in Californias 6th Congressional District. Republican Christine Bish, a realtor and financial investigator, was leading to secure the second slot for the Nov. 5 general election. With 49% of votes counted, Bera had 54% and Bish had 19.6%. Analysts say Bera, who was first elected to Congress in 2012, will win in November.

And leading to join LaMalfa, R-Richvale, in the general election for Californias 1st Congressional District is Democrat Rose Penelope Yee, a financial adviser. With 65% of votes counted, LaMalfa had 64.9% and Yee had 24%. Analysts say the district will pick the Republican in November. LaMalfa has not had a close election and has represented the area in Congress since 2013.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Legally binding contracts in legislative negotiations that intentionally hide the truth from the public must be unlawful and unenforceable. Taxpayers deserve more transparency from their government, not less.

- Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, in a statement announcing a bill to make non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in legislative negotiations unenforceable.

Best of The Bee:

As results continue to trickle in for the California presidential primary election, four candidates are neck and neck in the closely watched race for Sacramento mayor, via Angela Rodriguez .

Sure, California is a high tax state. But its not the highest, via David Lightman .

Thousands of Aetna members in Sacramento and beyond will no longer be able to access their Dignity Health doctors at discounted in-network rates starting April 1 if the two companies dont reach a new business arrangement, via Cathie Anderson.
Mississippi voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, March 12, for primary elections.

In DeSoto County, voters will cast their ballots in these races: U.S. president, U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District.

From polling locations to voter registration, candidates and ballots, here's everything you need to know about voting in DeSoto County in the primaries.

When are the Mississippi primary elections?

The primaries for both the Democrat and Republican parties are March 12. It comes exactly one week after Super Tuesday, during which 15 states and one U.S. territory held elections.

Polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. March 12.

Mississippi voters will head to the polls on March 12 for primary elections.

Who is on the ballot in DeSoto County?

DeSoto County voters face a mix of contested and uncontested races. (You can find a sample ballot here.)

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES

The candidates on the Republican ballot for president are:

Ron DeSantis

Nikki R. Haley

Vivek Ramaswamy

Donald J. Trump

While Haley, DeSantis and Ramaswamy have dropped out, they previously met the filing requirements and will still appear on the ballot.

President Joseph R. Biden is the sole nominee on the Democratic primary ballot in DeSoto County.

U.S. SENATE PRIMARIES

The Republican candidates for U.S. Senate are:

Ghannon Burton

Dan Eubanks

Roger F. Wicker (the incumbent)

The lone Democratic candidate for Senate is Ty Pinkins.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The Democratic candidates for Mississippi's 1st Congressional District are:

Dianne Dodson Black

Bronco Williams

Incumbent Rep. Trent Kelly is the lone candidate in the Republican primary.

Where do I vote in DeSoto County?

Residents can use this website, which has a map with polling locations. Enter an address, and the site will list your precinct.

DESOTO COUNTY NEWS: Secret Service honors three DeSoto County detectives for being among top examiners in US

How do I check if I'm registered to vote in Mississippi?

Voters can visit this website to make sure they're still registered to vote.

What elections are coming to DeSoto County after the primaries?

If the primaries go into a runoff vote, that will be held April 2.

The final Mississippi election for DeSoto County residents in 2024 is the Nov. 5 general election. The voter registration deadline for that election is Oct. 5.

Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at jacob.wilt@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Where to vote, who's on ballot in DeSoto Co. for MS primary election
A book about Betsy Mix Cowles, a "Champion of Equality," reviews the life of the the northeast Ohio educator and advocate of human rights, who for years taught and worked toward her causes in Stark County.

Abolitionist. Educator. Advocate for women's rights.

Betsy Mix Cowles was one of Stark County's strongest links to the leaders  she was one of them herself  of struggles for causes that have captured the attention of Americans for centuries.

"She was someone who, for her times, really made a mark," said Rochelle Haas of North Canton, who, with her husband, Tom Haas, and fellow researcher Tom Grove of Canton, wrote a synopsis of the life of Cowles. "She's inspiring."

Accomplishments of Cowles, as an educator in Canton and Massillon and as a leader of causes throughout the country, are uplifting to individuals who continue to struggle for racial equality, gender rights and educational opportunities for all people.

"It is hard not to marvel at the myriad of accomplishments this one woman achieved in the course of her lifetime," Haas wrote in her brief biography of Cowles, who was born in 1810 in Connecticut and died in Ohio in 1876. "She was one of the first women to graduate from Oberlin College and led a life of curiosity, learning and independence. She was a participant in every major reform movement of the antebellum period. She was a tireless proponent for abolition, education, and racial and gender equality. She refused to back down when her principles were threatened and yet still always managed to find a way to persuade, persevere, and prevail."

Despite influencing education as a teacher and administrator in both Massillon and Canton and helping to chart the course of history in the rest of the country as a leader of the abolition and suffrage movements, Cowles remains relatively unknown in Stark County to those who are not scholars or historians.

It is people who know little about Cowles that the three researchers hope to educate by looking into the life of Cowles, using her influential life to shine light on a number of other important individuals, people such as Dr. Lorenzo Whiting -- a man Cowles knew well -- who is described by Haas in her writing as "a local medical practitioner and proponent of education, womens rights, and abolitionism."

"There were a lot of interesting people who passed through Stark County at a time when there were momentous things happening in our country," explained Haas. "They fought for their principles and freedoms. These things should not be forgotten."

Betsy Mix Cowles was an educator, abolitionist and advocate for women's rights who spent time in Stark County in the 1800s, teaching and espousing her causes.

Research begins with relationship

The Toms," as Haas refers to her husband and Grove, began their research because of the commonality of causes between Whiting and Cowles, a relationship that included at its foundation Cowles' sister Cornelia and Whiting's wife Mary. Haas and Grove, both volunteer researchers at McKinley Presidential Library & Museum's Ramsayer Research Library, were fascinated by work done by Cowles, Whiting and other influential people of the Canton area.

Several years ago, the pair of researchers sought out an archive of Cowles' letters kept at Kent State University's main campus library, some of them written to Whiting about significant human rights movements in America.

"We got a chance to see the original letters, and we learned things about them and about early Canton," Grove recalled. "Many of the letters were written back and forth between Cowles and Whiting, as if they were friends."

Whiting was a doctor who would unknowingly also make history by delivering a baby named Ida Saxton, the woman who would become the nation's first lady after marrying the future president William McKinley.

And, he shared Cowles' passion for women's rights, abolition of slavery and advancement of education, Grove noted. Whiting, he said, "basically talked Betsy Mix Cowles into coming to Canton (from Massillon, where she served as a teacher and principal of the female department of the grammar school late in the 1840s)," to be superintendent of the girls grammar school and high school at the city's Union School from 1850 to 1855.

"Whiting wanted her to come to Canton to improve the educational system," said Grove, who noted her service was at a time when few women were in school administration offices.

Delving into Cowles' life

Tom Haas noted that information about Cowles is scarce, despite her enormous impact in both the county and country.

"I can't remember how we stumbled upon her. She wasn't very well known," he said. "There might have been a request for information about her."

Research began, he said, with a reading of a thin paperback book by Stacey M. Robertson entitled "Betsy Mix Cowles: Champion of Equality."

"Historian E.T. Heald has a vague reference in Volume I (of his history The Stark County Story)," noted Haas, "and we do have articles and papers in a genealogy file (at McKinley museum)."

More information about Cowles was supplied by additional newspaper articles searched in online archives and brief biographies supplied by historical websites.

"Her background coming (with her family in 1811) from Connecticut to Ohio was a fascinating trip through time," said Haas, who noted Cowles was one of the first students of the Ladies' course at Oberlin College in Ohio from 1838 to 1840, and a member of third female graduating class. "Not many women in her time attended college."

The brief bio of Cowles by Rochelle Haas hits highlights of the subject's life. She and her six siblings were raised by Sally White Cowles and Giles Hooker Cowles were brought to Ohio in a covered wagon during a month-long trip and were "raised in an environment of faith, generosity, citizenship, and community-building."

"Betsy was known for her intellect, good humor, and ability to persuade others in tactful and graceful ways. She accepted her first teaching position at the age of 17. ... Betsy had a natural affinity for teaching and became a beloved and influential mentor to both her students and fellow teachers. As Betsy became more independent, she made a conscious decision to remain single and focus on her career, travel and learning."

Cowles continued to teach in a variety of classrooms around the Western Reserve, including Massillon and Canton. Long before she came to Stark County, she was involved in the quest for racial equality and equal rights, causes that would influence her when she came to Massillon's Union School.

"At the time of Betsys tenure at the school, eleven black students were in attendance. However, a few white parents circulated a petition to force the children out, based upon the Black Laws," wrote Haas. "They hired an attorney and forced the school to dismiss the children, but again, Betsy fought back. She encouraged a lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of the law and organized another antislavery fair in Massillon, raising money and awareness, which helped lead to the repeal of most of the Black Laws."

Betsy Mix Cowles was an educator, abolitionist and advocate for women's rights who spent time in Stark County in the 1800s, teaching and espousing her causes.

Cowles became vocal spokeswoman

In both Ohio and nationally, Cowles was a vocal spokeswoman for the causes she espoused.

"In 1835, Betsys Society for Intellectual Improvement organized the Ashtabula County Female Anti-Slavery Society, which went on to become one of the largest and most influential antislavery groups in the nation," wrote Haas. "Betsy assumed the leadership role and was called by abolitionist Abby Kelley Foster 'the greatest woman on the Reserve.' This was followed by the creation of the Ohio State Female Anti-Slavery Society, with Betsy again serving as a primary leader."

She spoke at conferences advocating abolition of slavery and the granting of women's rights. Such abolition leaders as Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison are reported to have visited her home.

"She was persistant and persuasive," said Haas. "She knew how to frame issues in a way that was persuasive. She could work toward her goals without getting people upset."

Her "most prestigious position" in education was as the superintendent of the Union schools of Painesville, where she served for two years.

"She continued to garner the respect and admiration of students and colleagues, and, at the age of 50, stepped down to assume a less demanding position at the Female Seminary School in Delhi, N.Y.," wrote Haas. "So illustrious was her reputation that James Saxton, prominent Canton banker, sent his daughter Ida to attend school there. It was there that Ida met her future husband and U.S. president, William McKinley, also a student of Cowles. It was said that Betsy had such rapport with the couple that William reportedly asked Betsy for her blessing before he proposed to Ida."

Death and lasting legacy

As she aged, the researchers found, Cowles developed cataracts, a condition that required several surgeries. She became blind in one eye in 1866 and lost her sister Cornelia in 1869.

"Cowles continued to persevere, despite these setbacks. It had to have been a daunting time as the nation mourned an assassinated president and Betsy herself lost her dear sister and best friend, Cornelia in 1869. Betsy kept busy traveling and participating in reform activities. ... She continued to be inspired by the energy of young women activists and served as a beacon for many."

Cowles died at 66 in 1876 after a brief illness in Austinburg, the town in which she had grown up.

It would be easy to consider Cowles' life in a solitary sense, as one woman's considerable life of accomplishment. But, the Haases and Groves  who all claim a passion for researching history  prefer to view this notable figure as merely an example of a multitude of individuals who have lived in and left an important legacy in Stark County.

Haas plans to publish her article in some form, but also envisions telling the stories of Cowles and other area notables in other forms  expanded articles, a book, podcasts or one-act plays.

"This was a woman who figured prominently in history," she said, with her husband adding, "She was an individual that the people of Stark County ought to know about."

Reach Gary at gary.brown.rep@gmail.com. On Twitter: @gbrownREP.

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: How Betsy Mix Cowles boosted education for Stark women
This is a breaking news story. Check back to idahostatesman.com for updates.

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Nearly two-and-a-half years after Boise officers shot and killed Zachary Snow, who had a history of mental illness, the city has reached a settlement agreement with his mother.

The city will pay Melissa Walton $190,000, according to a news release. Walton sued the city in both federal and state court criticizing the way officers approached Snow.

Walton told police that Snow was depressed, off his meds and he was unarmed and accused the officers of rushing in, according to the federal lawsuit. The wrongful death lawsuit, which accused the officers of excessive force, also criticized the Police Departments handling of someone experiencing a mental health crisis.

The settlement was reached after both parties evaluated the merits of the case and the resources required for extensive litigation, according to the citys news release. The city declined to comment further.

Walton told the Idaho Statesman by phone that what she really wanted was a systemic change in the way police respond to mental health crises. But the financial cost of continuing to fight in court, the commute to Boise and the negative impact the lawsuit was having on her life made settling the best choice, she said.

Instead of the city offering her money, Walton said, she wished theyd focused on retraining officers on how to respond to someone in crisis.

Its very disheartening that their idea of dealing with this situation is to throw money at it instead of making the change, Walton said.

In October 2021, Walton, of Clarkston, Washington, contacted police with concerns that her 26-year-old son was suicidal and attempting to jump off a downtown building. Boise officers after learning Snow had a warrant out for his arrest established a plan to arrest Snow, who was sitting in an alcove near South Capitol Boulevard and West Myrtle Street, according to an investigative report obtained by the Idaho Statesman.

When the officers approached Snow with their guns drawn, he pulled out a hard black object and took a shooters stance, according to Boise police. Officers Matt Jacobs and Clifton Snodderly fired their guns, shooting Snow, who later died at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. Police later said they discovered that the object was a portable speaker.

Both officers were cleared of wrongdoing by the citys Office of Police Accountability and by the Gem County Prosecutors Office, which led the investigation by the Critical Incident Task Force thats deployed in police shootings

While all of the officers were informed by Ada County dispatch that Snow had a warrant out for his arrest, none of them knew what the warrant was for at the time of the shooting, according to the investigative report. Online court records showed a judge issued a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for an August 2021 hearing.
CEDAR GROVE  He was 18 feet tall, had a safety cone nose, a trash can hat, his name was Mr. Frosty and he raised around $7,200 for Children's Wisconsin when he melted away. He hopes to see you again next year.

According to creator Jon Voskuil, of Cedar Grove, Mr. Frosty met his maker when he melted away on March 1.

"Surprisingly, we had four people who guessed that correctly," Voskuil quipped regarding people who guessed Mr. Frosty's correct melt date. "All four had placed their guesses between Jan. 23 and 25, 2024, thus they were early guesses."

The only sign on the Voskuil front yard is a muddy puddle were the giant of good cheer once stood.

Jon Voskuil teamed up with Nate Altheimer, Michael Voskuil, Trevor Peterson and Matt Posthuma in January to create the towering snowman on his front yard at 1111 S. Second St. in Cedar Grove. In an earlier interview, Altheimer said, "We are complete amateurs, and we just decided to build a big snowman."

The builders said they enjoyed bringing out the joy of Mr. Frosty.

The team decided to contact Children's Wisconsin to use Mr. Frosty's eventual demise to help raise funds for the non-profit organization. After donating $10 to Children's, donors were asked to guess the date when Mr. Frosty would melt away into a memory.

To see the slider larger, click here.

People from around the United States participated in the contest and donated around $7,200 to Children's Wisconsin, according to Voskuil.

People from Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin donated for the cause, along with placing their guess. The first-place winner, whose name was not revealed by Voskuil, was from Maine. By the end of the contest, Mr. Frosty was just a very small amount of snow mixed with mud.

The muddy rubble remains of Mr. Frosty in the front yard of Jon Voskuils home as seen Thursday, February 29, 2024, in Cedar Grove, Wis. Warmer winter weather eliminated the formerly 18-foot tall snowman. His melting is raising funds for Childrens Wisconsin. People who donate $10 to the non-profit are then are eligible for a prize should they pick the exact day Mr. Frosty melts away.

Voskuil said he would be interested in doing the same contest again next year if conditions are right. He said if there is enough snow, they will create a bigger snowman for next year.

The return of Mr. Frosty would no doubt bring a smile to people of all ages.

Gary C. Klein can be reached at 920-453-5149 or gklein@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @leicaman99.

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Giant snowman in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, Mr. Frosty has melted away
The debate over agricultural overtime is headed back to the California Legislature, with a Republican lawmaker spearheading an effort to revert some of the recently won provisions for farmworkers.

Assemblyman James Gallagher, R-Yuba City, introduced legislation last month to retool a 2016 law that was deemed a historic expansion of overtime rules and heavily protested by agricultural business groups. Prior to the law, farmworkers were excluded from federal overtime rules and would only receive overtime after working 10 hours a day or 60 hours in a week.

The new policy took effect in 2019 and mandated a gradual phase-in of overtime hours based on employer size. Full implementation of the law will begin in 2025.

But Gallaghers bill, Assembly Bill 3056, proposes pulling back the rules and would mandate overtime for farmworkers working more than nine hours in a day or 50 hours in a week. He argues that the 2016 law did not account for the realities of the agriculture industry and is hurting both farmers and their employees.

Lets put a pause on this law and relook at what would be a better way to ensure that we are benefiting farmworkers and also the family farms that provide food for the world and provide jobs in agriculture, Gallagher said.

United Farm Workers, who backed the 2016 law, has maintained that extending overtime provisions to farmworkers is fair, and the early challenges are reflective of systemic issues in the industry.

Antonio De Loera-Brust, a UFW spokesperson, highlighted that employers are the ones making schedules and cutting worker hours.

I think its very depressing that the growers seem to try to present this binary choice between option A: you work longer hours for marginally more money, or option B: you dont make as much money, De Loera-Brust said.

As we say, we dont want to work more hours, we want to make more per hour, he added, in Spanish.

Studies on overtime law varies

Gallaghers bill has slim chances in a Legislature dominated by a Democratic supermajority, but it comes as two university analyses show different results on the financial impact of the 2016 law.

The first study, released last year by UC Berkeley, showed that the 2016 overtime law resulted in a negative financial impact for some farmworkers. The research concluded that farmworkers were not working overtime, and their take-home pay decreased because employers reduced their hours. This study aligned with previous reporting from The Fresno Bee, in which both workers and employers expressed frustration with the law.

But, a new assessment from UC Merced Community and Labor Center released this month found that farmworkers earnings have increased, even while working fewer hours. California farmworker annual earnings increased by about $3,000 and decreased nearly three hours per week from 2019 to 2022, according to the assessment.

The difference likely stems from the sample sizes, said Rodrigo Alatriste-Diaz, lead author of the UC Merced assessment.

The UC Berkeley study used data from the National Agricultural Workers survey, which surveyed between 300 to 600 California farmworkers for four years. The UC Merced assessment used the American Community Survey, which had a sample size of about 2,000 for six years.

Alatriste-Diaz said the assessment indicated the law is financially beneficial for farmworkers, but said more research is needed.

The study wouldnt be able to answer with greater depth like how its impacting workers, he said.
Attendees at a Johnson County GOP event in Kansas City were invited to pummel an effigy of President Joe Biden at a fundraiser on Friday, and many of them posted their punches, kicks, and stomps to social media, drawing mass condemnation from both sides of the aisle.

Footage posted to the right-wing social media site Rumble showed multiple attendees gleefully landing blows to a dummy mannequin wearing a Biden mask and a Lets Go Brandon T-shirt.

One woman used a black bat to repeatedly hammer the mannequins face, as though she were playing a life-size game of whack-a-mole.

BREAKING: Kansas Republican Party hosts fundraiser featuring accused child molester Ted Nugent where attendees could donate to assault President Biden in effigy.



A disgusting display designed to encourage political violence. The head of the Kansas GOP Mike Brown should resign. pic.twitter.com/K4V2EGYxH4  Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) March 11, 2024

The likeness was featured at a Johnson County Republican Party fundraiser that boasted musician Ted Nugent and former Kansas attorney general Phill Kline as headliners.

The dummy was part of a booth set up by a local martial arts studio intending to promote their self-defense class, according to the Kansas City Star and confirmed by the Kansas Republican Party.

Maria Holiday, Johnson County GOP chairwoman, said in an email to The Daily Beast that the incident was regrettable and the dummy was removed, without specifying when. She said that a mask depicting President Biden was added to an outside exhibitor interactive self defense display, without naming whether the outside exhibitor, an attendee, or event organizer had added the mask.

The mask was regrettable and removed. No one collected or solicited any funds or donations in exchange for hitting the training device.

In a statement posted to Facebook, the Kansas Republican Party claimed the person responsible is a disgruntled former member of the state party, who did not attend the event, and who saw an opportunity to capitalize on the poor judgement of the outside exhibitor.

No one from KSGOP leadership or staff attended the event or had input on exhibitors," the statement continued, adding, Its unfortunate the events took place, and even more so the former state party member created a false narrative in order to spew rhetoric and capitalize on continued attempts to divide the party. The internal fighting and false narratives within the Republican Party risk 2024 election outcomes in Kansas and across America and they must end.

The party is now under fire from both Republicans and Democrats, who argue that the Biden-bashing is more than a display of vulgar unprofessionalismthey say it promotes political violence.

Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins compared the event to when Kathy Griffin held up a replica of Donald Trumps severed head for a photoshoot in 2017.

What may seem like a joke for many will be seen by some as an expansion of acceptable behavior with potentially tragic consequences, Hawkins said in a statement.

Former Kansas Republican Party chair Mike Kuckelman denounced the incident and called on Holiday and the current state party chair Mike Brown to resign.

This conduct is shameful, and it is WRONG. Brown and Holiday must resign, Kuckelman said in a statement. He called on other Republicans to demand Brown and Holidays resignations over the incident and also invoked the Kathy Griffin incident in comparison. Please, we must speak equally as loudly in our opposition now, he urged conservatives.

I dont agree with President Bidens policies, but he is a fellow human being. No one should condone or defend this horrific and shameful conduct, he said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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On a subtropical overcast late afternoon in January, no bumper-to-bumper vehicles and no horde of pedestrians lurch across the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, usually one of the busier ports of entry in the Rio Grande Valley. Some days, thousands of people and vehicles make the northbound two-hour crossing to Texas from Mexico to work, to shop, to visit family and friends. But little is moving on this day, at this hour, on the eight-lane bridge except the southbound evening rush of pickup trucks, cars, and SUVs returning south to Reynosa, Matamoros, and other towns in the border state of Tamaulipas and farther south to Monterrey.

There is nothing much to mark this international border. No flags, no bright welcome signs. A few guards. A parking lot in a fenced area. Shabby storefronts. Money-changing shops. A diner, Frontera, seems closed, and few cars wait at the bright orange-and-white Whataburger drive-through. Up the road, large banners advertise ROPA at big-box warehouses where shoppers buy bulks of cheap used clothing to resell later at a profit.

In the distance, along an open field near the bridge, a rust-color metallic fence rises maybe 30 feet high, rounding across the weedy grounds near the rivers edge. This is a piece of the 55 miles of wall that have been installed, in separate sections, in the three border counties of the ValleyHidalgo, Cameron, and Starrat the southeastern tip of Texas.

Sections of the wall, some brown, some black, were put up over the past 10 years or so, in different parts of the valleys 100-mile river border. Some were built during the Trump administration, others in the Obama years. Theres not much continuity in the construction of the wall, which has been driven mainly by politics through four presidencies: George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and now Joe Biden.

The Way McAllen Used to Be

The highway from the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge to McAllen passes scruffy acres of winter-brown grass, cut-rate motels, strip malls, restaurant chains, humble homes, fenced-in hangars, and parking lots for the thousands of commercial cargo trucks that haul merchandise worth billions across the valleys border crossingselectronics, machinery, petroleum products, tons of fruits and produce. Trade across Hidalgo Countys five international ports of entry totals more than $33 billion, a fraction of the total annual U.S.-Mexico trade of $798 billion last year$638 billion from the 11 crossings on the Texas border.

It takes 20 minutes or so in light traffic to get to downtown McAllen, a cluster of blocks of low-rise buildings with stucco facades and flat roofs resembling border pueblos.

Its the way McAllen used to be 40, 50 years ago, 60 years ago, says state Senator Juan Chuy Hinojosa, a Democrat who was born in McAllen and brags about the citys growth, the convention center, colleges, trauma hospitals, and La Plaza Mall, the top shopping and dining center in the Valley.

Spindly palm trees, imported in the early 1900s from Sonora and Baja California, hover over streets and parks, giving McAllen a tropical look and the nickname City of Palms. A dozen or so Mexican food trucks sit by a park across from the century-old hotel Casa de Palmas, and a few yards down the street, a rustic-chic bistro, owned by a former migrant worker, serves sophisticated global cuisine. I see no campaign banners, billboards, yard signs, or bumper stickers anywhere ahead of the March 5 primary.

On a drizzly morning, downtown sidewalks are nearly empty. Boutiques display quinceanera gowns, and colorful signs in Spanish advertise perfumerias, lenses, marked-down household goods. Stalls of yellow, red, and blue artificial flowers brighten up the windows of a corner general store. Inside, a big room holds multiple aisles and shelves of baskets and buckets of artificial flowers in all colors, shapes, and sizes. Mexicans love and honor the Day of the Dead and keep their graves beautiful all year, a clerk tells me in Spanish. We sell a lot of flowers.

The Threat of the New Immigration

The border has always been the stuff of myth, mystery, and violence, and the Rio Grande Valley has its own distinctive character and history. Four counties make up the ValleyHidalgo, Cameron, Starr, and Willacythe terrain of hunters and gatherers dating back 11,000 years, when it is said the Coahuiltecans hunted animals, fished, and gathered fruit and roots. The Lipan Apaches and the Comanches arrived in Texas in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and Spanish and Mexican settlers colonized the region and built cattle ranches and vegetable and citrus farms.

Today, the valley has about 1.4 million people, 95 percent Hispanic in a state where HispanicsLatinos, Tejanosnow constitute a plurality of the population. The most recent census data shows that 40.2 percent of the states 30 million residents are Latino, compared to 39.8 percent non-Hispanic whites. Despite the presence of oil refineries, agriculture, and manufacturing, the valley is among the poorest regions of Texas. The average household income is $66,313, compared to the states $101,152. And unlike much of Texas, the valley remains Democrat. But Latinos in the border region represent less than a third of the states Latino vote. Almost twice as many live in the four largest metroplexes of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, which have Democratic majorities but are surrounded by Republican-leaning suburbs and exurbs.

Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University and scholar of American politics, looks at it this way: Hispanic communities have been there for centuries. They are integrated, have good jobs, but now that security is endangered by immigrant newcomers, many more than 10, 20 years ago. They fear they will lose the gains theyve made. The new immigration threatens the social and cultural fabric.

It is no surprise that immigration has become the hottest issue of the 2024 election. National polls show Americans increasingly favor the border wall and tougher immigration laws. A recent New York Times/Siena College survey of six battleground states showed 53 percent of respondents favored the border wall, compared with 44 percent who opposed it.

In the Rio Grande Valley, where opposition to the wall had been strong, support has doubled since 2018, according to a study by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Trump is almost certain to win Texas, where no Democrat has won statewide office since 1994 and no Democratic presidential candidate has won since Jimmy Carter in 1976. Trump could win the valley too. He made inroads there in the 2020 election, though he lost to Biden. But this year, the valley is in play.

Republicans Are Paying Attention

If you look at whats happening here around the border, President Biden, unfortunately, was very slow, has been very slow, in moving, Senator Hinojosa admits when we meet in his law office in Edinburg, the prosperous Hidalgo County seat. Hinojosa is 77, with 40 years in Texas politics. He knows immigration intimately. Born in McAllen, he had an American father and a Mexican mother. When he was five years old, he and his mother were deported and for at least a year lived in Reynosa until his father was able to bring them back to the valley.

He warns that the Republican Party is paying much more attention to the valley: They are investing and setting up infrastructure. And we now have several Republican elected officials.

A recent University of Houston poll of Texas Latinos showed Trump up by six points over Biden, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Those numbers, and the election of Congresswoman Monica de la Cruz, a Republican in Latino South Texas, have given Republicans hopes they will get a larger share of the Latino vote in 2024 than they did in 2022.

Matt Angle, a Democratic strategist and director of the Lone Star Project, a political action committee that works with Democratic candidates, says, De la Cruz lost the Hispanic vote but won on the strength of overwhelming support among Anglos. This dynamic is what the Republicans are shooting for statewide.

The valleys Republican turnout in 2022 midterms more than doubled from 2018, according to The Texas Tribune. Democrats maintained a higher turnout, but the GOP narrowed the gap. In Starr County, west of Hidalgo, where Hillary Clinton beat Trump in 2016 by 60 percentage points, Trump lost to Biden in 2020 by just 5 percent. I do believe that there was an uptick in voters that voted for Trump in 2020, said State Representative Terry Canales, 45, a Democrat who grew up on a ranch and owns 350 head of cattle, more than 50 horses, and over 600 guns. Trump is an anomaly. I think that anybody, politically, would agree with me, that hes completely different than any candidate that youve ever seen. Trump says, does, and acts in ways that youve never seen any candidate act. What I can tell you is that you can attribute that phenomenon to him. So there was growth in Republican numbers. It was because of him.

Canales points out that the Republican Party latched onto and exploited the notion that Democrats are anti-oil and gas, one of the main sources of livelihood in the valley and Texas generally. So, if that tends to be, or remains to be, a pivotal issue in the upcoming election, I believe youll see the same phenomenon, he said.



The Democratic History

The valleys allegiance to the Democratic Party dates to the early 1960s, when it was mostly segregated along economic and racial lines. There were powerful Anglos and a few Hispanics leaders, elected officials, old families with ranches and cattle money. But for many Hispanics, it was white Anglo Americans on one side and poor, powerless Hispanics on the other.

That began to change with the Viva Kennedy movement, which appealed to Hispanics and was reinforced when President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Acts of 1965. A Hispanic middle class began to emerge in the valley: more educated, better trained, more outspoken. The League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, and the United Farm Workers Union of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta grew out of the civil rights movement and gave voice to millions of Hispanics.

This was a very agricultural area then. But over the years that changed. We now have a very educated group of Hispanics here in the valley, Hinojosa says. They run businesses, they are professionals, they are doctors, they are lawyers, public officials.

Despite all that visible progress, corruption runs through the valley. The politiquera system, a Spanish word unique to the border that means campaign worker, seems entrenched in valley politics. If a local candidate needs votes, he or she goes to a politiquera, man or woman, who buys and sells votes, a pattern of electoral rigging and fraud that brought in an FBI anti-corruption force in 2014, when more public officials were convicted for corruption in South Texas than in any other region of the country, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

Corruption was part of the patron system, an arrangement or structure between the powerful and powerless common in Latin America. With more power came more corruption, and jobs depended on the boss system, says the high-level official who requested anonymity. The system works particularly well when the powerless are migrants.



Governor Abbotts Defiance

Over 2.5 million immigrants crossed the 2,000-mile southern border that stretches from Texas to California in the past year, including 300,000 in December alone. Billions of dollars have gone to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Homeland Security division that includes the Border Patrol, and billions more have been allocated to other immigration agencies. But none of that has stopped the mass incursion of people from all over the globe to the southern borderand increasingly to the northern border with Canada as well.

Last fall, President Biden, who had not been a supporter of the wall, pushed forward with plans to extend the wall on a 17-mile tract of the Rio Grande Valley. Biden also asked for power to shut down the border entirely when illegal crossings rose above an average of 4,000 a week, which is occasionally happening.

In early February, Republicans killed the first major bipartisan immigration legislation in a decade. The measure, hammered over months in the U.S. Senate, had no chance of passing either chamber of Congress after Trump opposed it, hoping to exploit the border crisis to his benefit in the presidential campaign.

For more than two years, Governor Greg Abbott, who was reelected to a third term in a landslide with 40 percent of the Latino vote in 2022, has been promoting his own stop-immigration campaign, Operation Lone Star. He has defied Biden, the federal government, and even the Supreme Court, claimingas other Republicans and some Democrats dothat Washington is not doing enough to fix the border.

Abbott has staged his campaign along the Texas border, in McAllen, in Edinburg, and lately in Eagle Pass, a town of 28,000 that voted Republican in 2022. There, near the spot where three migrants, including two children, drowned in the Rio Grande in January, Abbott holds press conferences and photo ops with visiting governors and other high-level officials. He took full control of the 47-acre Shelby Park, an entry point for masses of immigrants, and banned the U.S. Border Patrol from entering the park, where agents used a boat ramp to patrol the Rio Grande, according to The Texas Tribune. On his orders, the state has state agents lay down rolls of razor wire along the parks border to prevent crossings.

Abbott claims the states right of self-defense. But the Supreme Court, in a 54 decision in January, ruled that the federal government has sole authority over border security and ordered Abbott to allow the Border Patrol to enter the park and take down the razor wire. Abbott remains defiant.

The Asylum Onslaught

For decades most Mexican immigrants crossing the border were seeking work in California farms and in the factories of the North and Midwest. Crossing the Rio Grande, they avoided entanglements with U.S. border agents and other law enforcement. Eventually, some of the migrants returned voluntarily to Mexico, but others stayed in the U.S, joining an estimated 10 million undocumented immigrants living here.

Few sought political asylum. But that pattern changed after 2010, when many immigrants came from the Northern TriangleEl Salvador, Honduras, Guatemalatrying to escape violence, poverty, and political persecution.

Now most immigrants want political asylum. For them, the first step after crossing the border is to seeknot avoidU.S. border agents and surrender. The Border Patrol is not a problem. On the contrary, getting arrested is a necessary step to apply for asylum, now the surest way for migrants to stay in the U.S. To qualify for asylum, according to a recent report in The New York Times, migrants must convince a judge that returning to their home country would lead to harm or death. Applicants for asylum can wait years, given the growing caseloads in immigration courts. But during that wait, migrants can stay and work in the U.S. Even when their applications are turned down, many stay.

Millions of migrants pay $5,000 to $20,000 to cartels who control the human trafficking business in Mexico. They have little choice. After the dangerous passage through Mexico, they may be held up in stash houses for ransom, awaiting their chance to cross the river. Once the smugglers collect the money, the migrants are put on rafts to cross into Texas.

The lucky ones who make the crossing are held by Border Patrol agents and taken to detention centers or one-day stops like the Catholic Charities in McAllen. There, they sleep on mattresses on the floor, receive warm meals, and can take showers. McAllen used to receive more migrants than most other cities on the border, maybe 1,000 a day, sometimes more. Now, with the focus on Eagle Pass, the number of migrants coming to McAllen has dropped to 100 or so a day.

Few of them stay in the area, or they go to Houston, Dallas, and farther north to work or reunite with relatives. Other migrants are flown or bused to New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Washington, D.C., cities with liberal Democratic officials whom Abbott is forcing to deal with the crisis.

Immigrant entry flash points can pop up anywhere on the border. One day is McAllen, another day Brownsville, or El Paso, or now Eagle Pass.

The cartels choose where they want to direct people. For some reason, this port is no longer their focus. The cartels decide they would rather have people in another direction. That is the main reason why its moved over there to Eagle Pass. We are a way station. I am talking with Sister Norma Pimentel, the executive director of Catholic Charities of Rio Grande Valley, who oversees the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen. We are meeting in a small office at the back of a hollowed-out two-story building, across from the bus station, not far from wine bars and cantinas, the center of the downtown night life.

Sister Norma is 70, probably the most eminent figure in the valley. Pope Francis has praised her work with refugees and immigrants. Time magazine included her on the list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020.

But none of that is reflected in the plain rooms of the center. While we talked, we could overhear children playing below. About 100 immigrants had arrived the night before and now sat in rows at a long table in the kitcheneating area. Volunteers worked the stove, oversaw jumbo-size pots of beans, chicken stew, and white rice. Oversize carts loaded with groceries filled a pantry. Shelves held individual plastic bags containing sandwiches, fruit, and candy, ready for dispensing to migrants for their journeys.



Sister Norma was born in Brownsville. Her father from was Chiapas, her mother from Matamoros. She has always lived in the valley. At 24, with a bachelors in fine arts, her life took a 380-degree turn when she joined the sisters of the Missionaries of Jesus. In the early 1980s, she decided to devote herself full-time to work on immigration, and in 2004 she became executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. Ten years later, in 2014, when the valley was getting large numbers of immigrants, she organized the Humanitarian Respite Center. Its not a shelter, she tells me. Its for people who arrive and take off. A moment to make sure youre safe, and you get your ticket for a bus or a plane.

At the peak of the immigration wave 10 years ago, the McAllen processing facilities reached a breaking point. When I see children, when I see a mother, I see their vulnerability, and the child is crying, it breaks my heart, she said. The conditions where they are, when I saw them in the detention facility, and they were crying and asking me to help them, to get them out of there. That experience back when I started in 2014, it just broke my heart.

Which Way to Go?

Without doubt we have a problem on our Southern border, says Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, a Democrat from McAllen whose 34th district includes much of the valley. We need to send a clear message to people that you cant just show up to the Southern border and be released in the country.

He accuses Republicans in Congress of putting their heads in the sand and ignoring whats happening. The Republicans like to say that things are turning in their favor, Gonzalez said. But when you look at the numbers, we are winning every single race overwhelmingly.

Gonzalez, 56, won election to this district last year after six years representing another congressional district. They have invested millions and millions of dollars trying to target Latinos on the border, he said. They do that because in Texas, Latinos are now the majority. The Republicans know how to count, right? For them to stay in power, even at the state level, they need to convince at least a percentage, even a small percentage, of Latinos to start voting Republican. If not, they will eventually lose elections.

He continued: If they didnt have that racist, divisive element within their party, they would have a lot of Latinos, but they cant seem to shake that off. The rhetoric you hear from the Republican Party is shameful and disgraceful for Latinos. And you know, when you see Latinos for Trump, to me it is like seeing Jews for Hitler, almost, you know?

Representative Canales, a state House legislator since 2013, comes from a long line of politicians, ranchers, Democrats. His father, Terry A. Canales, his sister Gabriela, his great uncle, Jose Tomas Canales, a founder of LULAC, all served in the Texas legislature. I grew up in the middle of South Texas, and what Ill tell you is that somebody wants to say theyre more Texan than me because I have Democrat or D by my name, what I will tell you, if I had to be honest, is that I think that the limitations placed on people by putting a D or an R by their name are silly, he said. I dont think either of those defines me. And I think that in Texas, in South Texas, in particularwe run as Democrats because you cant get elected as anything else. But I dont think that were Republican or Democrat. I think were a different breed. Id like to say were South Texan. Thats our political party.

South Texans are proborder fences, proSecond Amendment, pro-life, he says: We are more conservative than your average conservative, in that we truly believe in freedom and that freedom means freedom from government, and we believe that government has no business in our private lives. We are South Texans.

Canales makes an important point. Its a point that Texans often make. They are defiantly independent and proud, traditional but visionary. Its risky to label them or try to pin them down. The valley may be an exception. It seems more of a piece. It is the border. It is binational. It honors its Mexican roots, traditions, religion, festivities. It is bilingual. It may vote Democratic but holds deeply conservative views closely aligned with the Republican Party, especially on immigration and border control, abortion, and other divisive cultural and social issues. Republicans I spoke with predicted that the valley will move in their direction in November. Democrats worried that Republicans were moving in with money and organization acknowledged that at the state and national levels they were not doing enough, not paying attention, taking the valley for granted.

It may not make a difference in the presidential race, but it matters for House seats, and for the crucial Senate race in which Democrat Colin Allred has something of a shot at defeating Ted Cruz. Just when many pundits are saying the political gap in Texas is narrowing, Republican gains in the valley would widen it all over again.
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 its only fitting that the citys 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.

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.

More: UFO sightings increase, study says

This image provided by the Roswell Police Dept. 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.

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.

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 Mexicos official state symbol, which is based on the ancient Zia Pueblo symbol of the sun.

More: 'Blazing through the stars.' UFO reported exploding over Carlsbad during storm

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.

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 Roswells public schools, and Bateman said he and fellow officers often try to greet students on their way to school in the morning.

Theyve done an awesome job with the community, Bateman said of the police force. I think were 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 Las Cruces Sun-News: Roswell Police unveil new patches with UFO, alien faces
Deputies from the Taiwan delegation expressed confidence in national reunification and shared their expectations during a group meeting at the ongoing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) on March 9.

Yan Ke, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and vice president of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, speaks at a group meeting during the ongoing second session of the 14th NPC, March 9, 2024. [Photo by Li Sifan/provided to China.org.cn]

Yan Ke, an NPC deputy and vice president of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, emphasized the unstoppable shared aspiration of people across the Taiwan Strait to forge closer ties and the irreversible historical trend toward national reunification. She stated, "We steadfastly oppose separatist activities aimed at 'Taiwan independence' and external intervention, aiming to uphold peace, deepen cross-Strait integration, and promote national reunification."

Yan highlighted that the Chinese mainland's GDP, exceeding 126 trillion yuan ($17.52 trillion) in 2023, presents vast opportunities for compatriots on both sides of the Strait. "From January to November last year, more than 6,900 new investment projects from Taiwan were approved on the mainland, with the actual utilized capital reaching $86.9 billion, a 39.9% year-on-year increase," Yan explained.

According to Yan, cross-Strait industrial cooperation has deepened, with Taiwan entrepreneurs accelerating investment and optimizing their business structures on the mainland. Taiwan enterprises on the mainland are operating with heightened confidence.

Yan further noted that in the post-COVID-19 period of 2023, cross-Strait exchanges became more dynamic, with approximately 3 million registered travelers, emphasizing the importance of continuing to foster cross-Strait communication in various sectors.

Chen Yunying, an NPC deputy and former researcher at the China National Academy of Educational Sciences, speaks at a group meeting during the ongoing second session of the 14th NPC, March 9, 2024. [Photo by Li Sifan/provided to China.org.cn]

Chen Yunying, an NPC deputy and former researcher at the China National Academy of Educational Sciences, highlighted the ambitions of Taiwan's youth to seek development opportunities on the mainland.

She noted that due to her work, she frequently interacts with well-educated young people and professionals who increasingly see the mainland as an essential foundation for their development in education, employment, entrepreneurship, or business.

"The mainland offers numerous opportunities across every province and city. Young people are keen to come to the mainland and witness its significant development firsthand," Chen said.

Chen outlined four favorable factors for Taiwan compatriots wishing to develop on the mainland: China being the world's second-largest economy, the absence of language or cultural barriers, close proximity and convenient transportation, and the variety of opportunities across different sectors. "Given the favorable development environment on the mainland, young people from Taiwan should not confine themselves to a 36,000-square-kilometer island, thereby missing out on opportunities and a future," Chen said.

Chen Yongdong, an NPC deputy and deputy head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Xiamen Municipal Committee, speaks during the ongoing second session of the 14th NPC, March 7, 2024. [Photo by Li Sifan/provided to China.org.cn]

Chen Yongdong, an NPC deputy and deputy head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Xiamen Municipal Committee, underscored the importance of policy support in fostering cross-Strait integration and national reunification.

Last year, the central authorities issued a circular on supporting Fujian to explore new ways for advancing integrated development between the two sides of the Strait and build a demonstration zone for integrated cross-Strait development.

The guideline emphasizes Fujian's role as the first stop for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises returning to the Chinese mainland, encouraging it to use its unique advantages and leading role in interactions with Taiwan.

Under this guidance, Fujian aims to pioneer in providing Taiwan compatriots and enterprises treatment equal to mainland residents and continue enhancing the well-being of Taiwan compatriots, Chen noted.

According to Chen, Fujian supports Taiwan compatriots in pursuing education, securing jobs, living, and engaging in social affairs within the province. "We welcome more students, teachers, medical workers and professional personnel from Taiwan to come to Fujian to explore better career opportunities," Chen said.

He mentioned that Fujian will continue to improve its business environment, and support more Taiwan enterprises in engaging in Fujian-Taiwan industrial and sci-tech innovation cooperation, particularly in agriculture and fisheries.
A tan and gray Netherlands dwarf rabbit perched primly on a heap of alfalfa. His name was Oakley, and this was his lucky day.

It had been a journey. Oakley was in a Wayne County animal shelter before Lily-Anne Lachnor, the agriculture teacher at Marion Junior/Senior High School, took him in for the animal science program. There he was fed, cleaned and cared for by agriculture students.

Now, one of them had decided to adopt him.

It all was done through physical and social infrastructure that Lachnor, a third-year teacher, has built on a shoestring. The agriculture program launched three years ago in response to student demand, Superintendent Ellen Lloyd said, but Marion is a small district and there was no money for big capital expenses.

Marion is one of hundreds of school districts across New York at risk of losing a huge chunk of state funding in Gov. Kathy Hochul's executive budget proposal. If adopted, the proposal would remove a key safeguard that helps districts maintain fiscal stability, even with falling enrollment.

Marion Jr/Sr High School agriculture teacher Lily-Anne Lachnor, holds a ferret, one of the many animals that are part of her curriculum. Possible budget cuts may put some classes in jeopardy.

Indeed, most districts in New York have falling enrollment, with upstate rural districts in the vanguard. The fight over this year's budget proposal comes just a year after Hochul agreed to finally live up to the state's broken but nonetheless prescribed funding formula, something school leaders have been demanding for years.

What that all means is that the Marion agriculture program has to operate on a shoestring. Lachnor went to work when she took the job, bringing in wooden pallets from nearby farms and cast-off torches from welding shops.

Students started stopping by for their own reasons: shy kids to feed the iguanas and ferrets, floppy-haired boys to handle the welding torches.

"I have students who might be valedictorian and others who were not sure if theyre going to graduate," Lachnor said. "But I can connect with all of them and have awesome trusting relationships because theres all these tools to reach them."

As long as the district can afford it, that is.

Marion would lose $1.2 million in state funding, or about 9% of what it received in 2023-24. With a cut of that magnitude, it would be difficult to maintain an agriculture program that, though popular, is not required by state education law.

To students, that is precisely the allure. A dozen live animals, shelves full of plants, lessons in pest control and floral design and many other things, and not a Regents exam in sight. "When you come into math class, you can expect itll be math," eighth-grader Taubri Myers said. "Here, it could be anything."

Issues with New York's education aid formula

Ayden Proseus, a 9th-grader at Marion Jr/Sr High School, learns stick welding during class. Budget changes could put some classes at risk for upcoming school years.

The controversy has to do with New York's basic education aid formula. It is broken in a number of different ways; some of those fractures harm school districts while others benefit them.

In the latter camp is a provision known as save-harmless. It ensures that a school district will never receive less state education funding than it did in the previous year, even if the number of students it serves has declined dramatically.

That helps explain, for instance, the fact that 97 of the 100 districts with the highest rate of per-pupil state and local funding have fewer than 500 students.

Hochul's budget would eliminate the save-harmless provision and, according to the governor, redirect money toward districts that are growing or have higher needs. The exact mechanism by which the money moves has not been made public.

State Budget Director Blake Washington said in early February that Hochul's changes represent an equitable re-allocation of resources to districts serving the students who need the most help.

"Instead of asking the question, 'How much more money are our schools getting?', it should be, 'Why do we have a formula that forces us to pay for students that dont exist?'" he said.

Aeris Maynard cares for some of the plants that make up an agriculture class at Marion Jr/Sr High School. A pink light is often used to help some plants recover better from disease. Budget changes could put some classes at risk.

Leaders of districts large and small, though, say it is misleading to focus only on the save-harmless provision without considering the aid formula more broadly.

"Theres nuances within where enrollment is going down," Webster Assistant Superintendent Brian Freeman said. "Were seeing higher-cost students coming into the system. Were seeing more students with disabilities, were having more English language learners."

Another Must-Read: Money shifting, excuses, head-scratching questions: The story behind CRC's fall

Marina Marcou-OMalley, interim co-executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education, suggested a fully updated and accurate formula would probably increase funding, not decrease it.

"My suspicion is that once you take a look at the formula and the weights in the formula and reassess the amount it takes per student, and maybe account for newcomers or increasing poverty  youll find that not only school districts need to keep what they have, but they probably need more funding," she said.

Advocacy groups and the New York State Union of Teachers are asking the Legislature to appropriate $1 million for a study on how best to update the foundation aid formula.

Washington, the budget director, called that "kicking the can." Last week, though, he signaled openness to restoring at least part of the education reductions.

Falling enrollment spans upstate districts

Whether or not this year's school aid reductions are restored, Hochul's willingness to poke at the save-harmless provision could be the first step toward a reckoning for upstate school districts that have been losing enrollment for years.

In the nine-county Greater Rochester metropolitan area, only seven school districts out of 142 have gained enrollment over the last decade; the median decline in enrollment is 12.2%.

The trend spans urban, suburban and rural districts, with different factors at play in each.

The largest, the Rochester City School District, declined from 31,000 students in grades PK-12 in 2013 to 23,000 in 2023. In response it has closed a slew of schools and next year will implement a long-planned school reconfiguration.

At the other end of the spectrum are school districts like Dalton-Nunda in Livingston County. Its 2013 student body of 758 has now shrunk to 527, a loss of nearly a third.

"By keeping the current school structure (neither allowing regionalism nor a viable process for consolidation) and lowering the funding even further (in what has long been called the nations most inequitable distribution methodology) the governor has proposed a plan that would further devastate rural schools," Rural Schools of New York State Executive Director David Little said in testimony to the state Legislature.

The proposed cuts are not concentrated among rural schools, but other districts could be hit as well. Among them is Hilton, which is slated to lose nearly $2 million in state aid.

"We had finally gotten to a point where we felt good about how public education was being funded, and then, wham, we get hit with this," Hilton Superintendent Casey Kosciorek said.

Distinctive programs at risk

Alivia Vandergrift with the class rabbit, Violet, helps care for many of the animals as part of the agriculture class at Marion Jr. Sr High School.

Marion, too, is threatened by falling enrollment on one hand and the specter of reduced funding on the other. At a recent budget hearing, district leaders said there was a "mass exodus" from New York state and asked residents to think of ways to stem the tide.

"Are you working with Marion town government and Wayne County to encourage families to stay? How?" they asked on a presentation slide.

The agriculture program is an example of such inter-community collaboration in action. Students run the town's monthly farmer's market from June to September and organize its annual Easter egg hunt in the spring.

Lachnor has developed relationships with local farms and other businesses, asking them for supplies and expertise and, in turn, lining up interns and part-time employees among her students. "Its 100% not a school project; its a community project," she said.

Sienna Mattison (red), Madelyn Frey, (center) and Jenna Kuhn, work together on an assignment during German class at Marion Jr/Sr High School. Some classes are at risk as the districts budget gets reevaluated.

Another point of pride in Marion is its improbably thriving German language program. It is directed with verve by 35-year veteran teacher Shelly Thompson, better known throughout the school as Frau.

Besides teaching all grade levels between 7 and 12, Thompson also organizes a regular trip abroad to several cities in Germany and Austria. For some students, she noted, it may be their one chance to travel abroad.

When she began teaching in Marion in 1988 there were about 100 students per grade level, she said. This year's 11th grade has 28. The district also offers Spanish and American Sign Language, but such low enrollment makes it hard to maintain three world language offerings.

In a recent 10th grade German class, boys and girls faced off in a vocabulary challenge, constructing sentences on large sheets of paper on opposite sides of the room and tossing familiar insults back and forth.

"It's such a small school; these kids have known each other forever," Thompson said. "It's like a family, which can be a good thing or a bad thing."

 Justin Murphy is a veteran reporter at the Democrat and Chronicle and author of "Your Children Are Very Greatly in Danger: School Segregation in Rochester, New York." Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/CitizenMurphy or contact him at jmurphy7@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY rural schools threatened by evaporating enrollment, budget cuts
A former assistant principal was found guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting his sister-in-law and raping her daughter, Oklahoma officials said.

Robert Brian Davis was convicted of rape by instrumentation and sexual battery by an Oklahoma jury March 8, over four years after he was charged, according to court records.

The sister-in-law told police Davis had offered her something to drink that made her drowsy and fall asleep, police told News 9.

She told police in 2019 she thought she was drugged and assaulted by Davis, according to court documents. Zolpidem was found in the womans system, Oklahoma City police said in the documents, a drug that is commonly used to treat insomnia, according to the National Library of Medicine.

When she confronted Davis about the drugging, he replied I just added peach Schnapps, News 9 reported, citing court documents.

Davis attorney did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment.

During an interview with police, the daughter said Davis, her uncle, would frequently tickle her when she was between 16- to 17-years-old, according to court documents. The girls mother told police her daughter had lived with Davis for several years so she could attend a school in Yukon, according to court documents.

She described the tickling as inappropriate touching and told Davis it made her uncomfortable and to stop, but he persisted, court documents said.

One night in January 2017, she told officials Davis came into her room while she was sleeping. He sexually touched her as she was pretending to sleep, according to court documents.

The following day, the teenage victim said she texted Davis telling him to leave her alone, according to court documents. Davis told the teen he knew he had a problem but promised this type of behavior would never happen again, according to an affidavit.

Though a similar incident never happened again, the tickling continued, according to the documents. Those incidents stopped in the spring of 2018, she told police.

Several people also told police Davis was handsy and would inappropriately touch people when breaking a hug, according to an affidavit.

Davis was the assistant principal at Norman High School at the time of his arrest in 2019, according to KFOR. He was suspended and then fired, KFOR reported. Police and local news outlets did not say when he became assistant principal, but Davis was a finalist for Teacher of the Year in 2018, according to News 9.

The jury recommended a three-year sentence. He could face up to 25 years.

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Nearly $80 million in federal grants will flood the Hudson Valley after a budget breakthrough in Washington last week.

New sidewalks in Rockland and Putnam counties. The extension of a Yonkers greenway. Program space for low-income kids in Newburgh. Funding for those and dozens of other local projects were requested by four House members and Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and tucked into $460 billion in long-awaited spending bills.

The amounts vary widely, from $500,000 for new buses in Yonkers to $8 million for sidewalks in the town of Ramapo. They are part of a tradition cherished by both parties that allows Congress members to direct federal resources to handpicked projects in their home states and districts.

These are critical investments that will help revitalize the Hudson Valley, Gillibrand said in statement on Thursday. Today, we are committing to putting millions toward upgrading our roads, modernizing our water infrastructure, and promoting economic development."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand delivers remarks as Rep. Jamaal Bowman and New York Governor Kathy Hochul look on before President Joe Biden delivers remarks as he makes an appearance at the Hankin Academic Arts Building at SUNY Westchester Community College in Valhalla, May 10, 2023.

The grants, formerly known an earmarks and now called community projects, are sometimes derided as wasteful "pork-barrel" spending by fiscal watchdogs but defended by lawmakers as prudent expenses, chosen by those who know their communities best. They also bolster campaigns by giving incumbents tangible results to tout when seeking re-election.

Having Schumer as Senate majority leader gives New York a powerful patron in the scramble for grants. His office said on Thursday that he and Gillibrand, both of them Democrats, had sponsored $58 million of the funding headed to the Hudson Valley. On the House side, Republicans are in the majority and were able to steer more to their members.

Congress banned earmarks for 11 years but revived them in 2021 with reforms in place to ensure greater transparency about how the funds were distributed. The Hudson Valley wound up with $38 million in grants the following year.

Last week's haul doubled that mark, totaling $77.8 million. Much of it was requested both by the state's two senators and the House member for the district where each grant will go. The biggest sum by far went to Republican Rep. Mike Lawler's 17th District, which got nearly $36 million for 17 projects in Rockland and Putnam counties and parts of Westchester and Dutchess.

Rep. Mike Lawler talks with his Bernard Carella of Haverstraw as he arrives for his Mobile Office Hours event at Haverstraw Village Hall Feb. 22, 2024.

Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman touted $14.6 million in grants for his 16th District in Westchester and the Bronx. Rep. Pat Ryan, also a Democrat, got nearly $17 million for his 18th District, which takes in Orange County, most of Dutchess County and part of Ulster.

Congressman Jamaal Bowman speaks at a rally against the proposed state foundation aid cuts to schools at Benjamin Turner Academy in Mount Vernon March 1, 2024. Mount Vernon is one of half of the districts in the state to receive less funding.

GOP Rep. Marc Molinaro got $27.6 million in grants for the spread-out 19th District, which spans from the Hudson Valley to the Finger Lakes region. That total included $4 million in funding for three projects in Ulster and Sullivan counties, such as work on Monticello's water treatment plant.

Added to those totals in the Hudson Valley were a handful of grants from Gillibrand and Schumer that had no House sponsor.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, center, speaks during a press conference with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in Mamaroneck on Friday, September 3, 2021.

Nationwide, lawmakers approved more than 6,000 grants totaling $12 billion. A group of Republican senators who oppose the practice tried in vain to strip them from the bills that contained them.

The spending package was passed by the House on Wednesday and by the Senate on Friday, hours before the latest deadline in Washington to avoid a government shutdown. Tangled in partisan gridlock, Congress has passed a series of budget extensions to keep the government running after the last fiscal year ended on Sept. 30, more than five months ago.

Lawmakers still have six more appropriations bills to pass by March 22 to finish the job. They aren't expected to send much more funding for the Hudson Valley. Of the region's four House members, only Lawler awaits another request: a $2.1 million grant to correct flooding in Clarkstown.

Last grants: Hudson Valley projects get $38M in grants from Congress

Many of the projects that lawmakers funded are water and sewer system improvements. Others are intersection improvements, or firehouse upgrades. Some are more unique, like the Environmental Leaders of Color program at Mount Vernon Green Tech Park, which is set to get a $1.7 million grant from Bowman.

Here are several other local projects that won grants:

Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh, $4.1 million

Sponsored by Ryan alone, the grant will enable the club to renovate unused building space so it can start three new programs. One is an early learning center that will work with low-income children to ensure they can read before they reach fourth grade. The other new programs are a teen center and a job training site for ages 15 to 21.

A $4.1 million federal grant secured by Rep. Pat Ryan, D-Gardiner, will pay for building renovations at the Newburgh Boys & Girls Club to make space for three new programs, including one focused on literacy for young children.

Yonkers Greenway, $4.1 million

Schumer, Gillibrand and Bowman obtained the funding for the latest segment this project, long championed by Schumer. It will fund a 3.1-mile recreational path through southwest Yonkers and rehabilitation of the South Broadway commercial strip.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer delivers remarks at the Yonkers Greenway off of Lawrence Street Jan. 20, 2023, as he revealed his major new push to help reconnect Southwest Yonkers with a first-of-its-kind greenway, increasing access to public transportation, revitalizing the South Broadway business district, and giving residents improved biking and walking access to NYC and Westchester.

Ramapo sidewalks, $8 million

Sponsored by Lawler, Schumer and Gillibrand, the grant was sought to improve pedestrian safety in a Rockland County community with a large Orthodox and Hasidic population that walks to synagogues on the Sabbath and religious holidays. Those residents are most at risk while walking along darkened roads with no sidewalks at night.

Lawler had requested $18 million for the project, citing 983 pedestrian injuries and 27 deaths in Ramapo in a 12-year period, from 2011-2022.

Separately, Schumer and Lawler obtained another large grant  $7.5 million  to build or repair sidewalks across the Hudson River in Putnam County, including in areas near senior centers.

Rumshock Veteran Village, $1 million

This funding sponsored by Ryan will be used to build 10 one-bedroom houses in Orange County for veterans, who can buy them at a reduced cost. The project is sponsored by the Rumshock Veterans Foundation in Highland Mills and will offer support services to the veterans to help reintegrate them into civilian life.

Community Outreach Center, Ramapo, $1.6 million

Funds from Lawler, Schumer and Gillibrand will be used to build a 15,000-square-foot community center, referred to as The Resource Hub for Disadvantaged Children, Adults and Seniors. The project is being done for the Community Outreach Center, an organization in Monsey that provides an array of social services, job placement and senior services.

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Hudson Valley NY community projects aided by $80M in federal grants
New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, his wife Nadine Menendez and two other co-defendants named in a corruption case pleaded not guilty to an additional obstruction of justice charge brought against them by federal prosecutors in an arraignment on Monday.

For the second time in less than a year, Mr Menendez, 70, entered the Daniel Patrick Moynihan federal courthouse in New York City to face an arraignment on charges that accuse him, his wife and two New Jersey businessmen, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, of participating in a bribery scheme in exchange for political favours.

After entering the courtroom just before his arraignment, Mr Menendez sat facing forward with his hands in a steeple position. Attorneys for him and his co-defendants flanked him, Ms Menendez, Mr Hana and Mr Daibes. All four were present in the courtroom.

Last week, federal prosecutors returned a superseding indictment against Mr Menendez, Ms Menendez, Mr Hanna and Mr Daibes  increasing the charges from four to 18 just two months before trial is slated to begin.

The fresh charges accuse the senator and co-defendants of obstruction of justice, among others, by attempting to repay a former co-defendant for bribes they previously accepted after learning they were under investigation.

They arrived after the former co-defendant, Jose Uribe, agreed to plead guilty to seven charges and cooperate with the governments investigation. According to court filings, Mr Uribe told prosecutors as well as the judge overseeing the cases that he lied to investigators and his own lawyer, allegedly at the behest of Ms Menendez.

US Senator Bob Menendez arrives with his wife Nadine Menendez for their arraignment (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Uribe said he helped secure a Mercedez-Benz convertible for the Menendezes as a bribe in exchange for interfering with a criminal investigation connected to Mr Uribes trucking business. He claimed that upon being subpoenaed, he met with Ms Menendez and agreed to lie that payments made for the car were a loan.

This is just a small portion of the wider corruption case against the Menendezes as well as the co-defendants.

Mr Menendez is accused of accepting bribes, including large sums of cash, gold bars and jewelry, in exchange for using his political influence to enrich Mr Hanna and Mr Daibes and benefit the governments of Egypt and Qatar.

Federal prosecutors initially charged Mr Menendez with three counts related to the corruption case but in September included a superseding indictment, to add the charge of conspiring to act as a foreign agent to Egypt. In January, prosecutors expanded the initial charges to include Qatar.

The New Jersey senator has not resigned from his seat yet, though he did step down from his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

When asked whether he would resign or run for re-election on Monday, Mr Menendez responded that he wouldnt announce it in a courtroom.

Mr Menendez and the co-defendants are scheduled to go to trial on May 6. Judge Sidney Stein declined to move the date of the trial but said it was contingent on whether or not the defence appeals the case and an appeals court issues a stay.

Michelle Del Rey contributed to this report.
Sheetz closes store near downtown Hagerstown

The longtime Sheetz store near downtown Hagerstown closed on March 3 as the company continues to build a new store along Mount Aetna Road and Dual Highway.

"We are continually evaluating our strategy in every market where we operate, and as a result, we made the decision to close the store along East Washington Street in Hagerstown," Nick Ruffner, public relations manager for Sheetz said through an email from the public relations office.

The new store along U.S. 40, farther east from downtown, is expected to open in late May.

Employees who were working at the 301 E. Washington St. store were offered jobs at other local Sheetz stores, while awaiting the completion of the new store, Ruffner said.

On March 5, workers were removing part of the gas station canopy at the old store site.

A crew removed part of the canopy on March 5, 2024, at the closed Sheetz near downtown Hagerstown as part of debranding the property. Sheetz closed the store on March 3. The company is building a new store at Dual Highway and Mount Aetna Road farther east along U.S. 40.

Ruffner said debranding work is going on at the old site through April 30, when Sheetz's lease for the site expires.

The old Sheetz site was purchased by Vertex Real Estate Investments LLC, with a Hagerstown address, in February for $675,000, according to online property records through the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

State of the City: Hagerstown officials address questions about new ballpark, parking, crime and development

Mother and daughter open Belles and Beaus hair salon in Williamsport

Belles and Beaus Hair Studio held its grand opening March 1 for the new hair salon at 307 E. Potomac St., Suite 101, in Williamsport.

The new salon opened for business on Thursday, said Karen Lowman.

Lowman owns the salon with her daughter, Kelli Sue Schonewolf. Both are from Williamsport.

Kelli Sue Schonewolf, right, and her mother, Karen Lowman, recently opened Belles and Beaus, a hair salon in Williamsport.

Schonewolf, who has 16 years experience working in hair salons, told The Herald-Mail she's wanted to own and operate her own salon for years to provide the "salon experience" for her customers.

The salon serves all ages, offering individualized hair and beard services, and facial waxing, according to a news release from the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

The salon owners plan to offer frequent specials and run raffle fundraisers to support charitable organizations, the release states. Military veterans, police, fire and EMS providers will get regular discounts, including providing free haircuts to veterans on Veterans Day.

Belles and Beaus is in a newly renovated space that used to house a Meritus Medical Lab. The salon is in a building next door to the McDonald's along U.S. 11 in Williamsport.

Salon hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays for walk-ins. Appointments are encouraged. Saturdays are appointment only. The salon is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Student of the Week winner: Herald-Mail Student of the Week: See this week's winner

Opening? Moving? Got a new hire or promotion? Let us know

If you have details on a business coming or going in Washington County, Md., or Franklin County, Pa., email us at news@herald-mail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Sheetz near downtown Hagerstown closes; New hair salon in Williamsport
Sweden conducted its first reconnaissance flights near the Russian border since joining NATO

Sweden conducted its first reconnaissance flights near the Russian border since joining NATO.

The two flights were aimed at collecting intelligence on troop and weapons deployment in the region.

Sweden's accession to NATO last Thursday was a major blow to Russia.

The Swedish Air Force last week conducted its first reconnaissance flights near Russia's border since officially joining NATO.

The two flights on Saturday were aimed at collecting intelligence information about the deployment and activities of Russian troops and weapons in the region, Open Source Intelligence experts said.

One flight was made by a Swedish Gulfstream S102B Korpen GIV-SP Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), which flew over Poland near the borders of Russia's Kaliningrad enclave and Belarus.

The S102B Korpen is a highly modified Gulfstream IV aircraft equipped with sensors to perform signal intelligence: it can scan the electromagnetic spectrum to locate, collect, and categorize signals from radars, navigation equipment, and weapon systems.

The second flight was carried out by a Saab 340 radar aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The Saab 340 is an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The mounted radar is capable of tracking ships, planes, and missiles up to 190-250 miles while at an altitude of 20,000 feet.

 #SWEDEN  #Update

New NATO member Sweden conducted the first sorties out over the Baltic Sea, along the eastern border of Poland, with a Saab 340 AEW&C Aircraft.

The missions were likely conducted to gather intelligence on Russian military activity in the region.#Itamilradar pic.twitter.com/uDGeOjzhb1  OSINT Expert (@OsintExperts) March 9, 2024

According to the Ukrainian military site Militarny, the planes are part of the 72nd and 73rd squadrons of the special aviation intelligence unit, based at Malmen Air Base outside Linkoping.

Sweden's accession to NATO and Russian military movement

On Thursday, following a handover of documents in Washington, Sweden became NATO's 32nd member.

As fears of Russia extending its aggression into the Baltic states mount, Sweden's membership gives the alliance new ways of deterring Russian attacks.

Nima Khorrami, an analyst at the Arctic Institute, previously told Business Insider that Sweden's membership "extends NATO's missile range, putting strategic locations in Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg within reach."

"This adds another layer of deterrence against potential Russian aggression, as NATO forces can effectively respond to threats in real time," he said.

Oscar Jonsson, a researcher at the Swedish Defence University, previously told BI that "Sweden is important for both safely receiving NATO troops and capabilities and by being hard to target for Russian forces while being close enough to Kaliningrad to launch long-range precision capabilities."

A Lithuanian intelligence report released this week said Russia was responding to NATO's additional members by stepping up its military presence in the Baltic region.

Russia has long accused NATO of seeking to encircle it, with Putin citing the claim as part of the justification for Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Swedish flag is raised outside NATO's office in Brussels on Monday, March 11, 2024. (Reuters - image credit)

Under a heavy, rain-soaked Belgian sky, Sweden's flag was raised Monday at NATO headquarters in Brussels to formally mark its new status as a full member of the western military alliance.

The event was witnessed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who led a delegation in Brussels that included cabinet ministers, Sweden's military commander-in-chief and the nation's Crown Princess Victoria.

Joining NATO was the "only reasonable choice" after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kristersson said in prepared remarks delivered in front of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

"After more than 200 years of military non-alignment, this is a historic step. But also, a very natural step," Kristersson said. "We have been preparing for decades, and in detail the last two years.

"With this membership, Sweden has come home."

Jess Rapfogel/The Associated Press

Sweden's official entry into NATO last Thursday  making it the 32nd member of the alliance  was held up for almost two years by Turkey and later Hungary, both of which presented a variety of objections.

Its neighbour, Finland, applied at the same time as Sweden and was accepted into the alliance last year.

Following the flag-raising ceremony, NATO released an in-house video showing Finnish Army tanks and Swedish Army mechanized infantry taking part in the alliance's exercise Nordic Response 2024, which is taking place in Norway and is meant to showcase NATO's ability to move forces rapidly across allied borders.

More than 20,000 troops from 13 NATO countries are taking part in the training.

Swedish Minister of Defence Pal Jonson was quoted in the alliance video saying his country brings a lot to the table, not only in terms of land power.

"I think we have unique competence in operating on the Baltic Sea. We have submarines. We have surface combatants," Jonson said. "We have this sub-Arctic capabilities. I think with Sweden, Finland and Norway cooperating, we're going to keep the alliance stronger here."

The formal acceptance of Sweden has military significance for Canada.

The Nordic country plans to send a reduced battalion to join the Canadian-led multinational brigade in Latvia, part of NATO's mission to deter Russia in eastern Europe.

The head of the Canadian military's operational command told CBC News last December that planning was underway for the Swedes to become part of the formation.

Sweden's top military commander, Gen. Micael Byden, recommended to the government in Stockholm in 2022 that the country commit troops to one of the NATO battle groups once the process of joining NATO was completed.

CBC News/Brian Mackay

A think-tank, the Stockholm Free World Forum, conducted a detailed analysis. In a report presented last summer, the forum said that there would be a "strategic benefit to placing Swedish troops under the Canadian-led force based on the common interests of Sweden and Canada."

In a speech in January, Kristersson outlined plans to deploy a "reduced battalion" to the brigade, which is expected to be fully operational next summer.

In a statement, the Swedish Armed Forces said that Sweden and Denmark will take turns leading a battalion that will form part of the Canadian-led brigade in Latvia.

The Danish and Swedish troops will replace each other every six months, Janes Defence News reported in January, noting that the first Swedish unit  of 600 soldiers  had been designated already and will deploy in 2025.
A street fight between teenagers near a school in Missouri has left one girl hospitalized with serious injuries.

The brawl broke out close to Hazelwood East High School in Spanish Lake, St Louis, on Friday afternoon.

Police were called to the intersection of Norgate and Claudine drives at around 2.30pm. Officers discovered one teenage girl suffering from a serious head injury.

The fight was captured on video and posted to social media where the clip has been viewed at least 14 million times in the past three days.

The video showed a fight between two girls with a large group surrounding them on the street. One girl is seen being pushed to the ground and her head hitting the concrete. Some then tried to break up the brawl but others began fighting.

St Louis County Police Department told The Independent that officers had arrested a 15-year-old girl on Saturday. She is being held by the St Louis County Family Court on assault charges.

The victim is currently in hospital in a critical condition, police said.

Neither girl has been named as both are minors.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the Hazelwood School District said it was a tragedy anytime that a child is hurt.

Bullying and fighting in the community is an issue for which we all need to take ownership and work towards a resolution for the sake of our children, the statement read. The Hazelwood School District offers our sincerest condolences to everyone involved, and will offer additional emotional support from our support and crisis team to those in need.

We look forward to continuing to partner with our community for the sake of our children. Please be kind and respectful of the families involved during this difficult time and pledge to help work toward the betterment of our entire community.

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell called the video sickening but said that his office did not have the power to act in the case.

This is a Juvenile court matter, unless it is certified and by law, certification is not our decision either, Mr Bell wrote on X, formerly Twitter. We pray the victim makes a full recovery. This is just heartbreaking.

Police have asked anyone with information related to the investigation to call 636-529-8210.
WASHINGTON  House Republican leaders are moving this week to pass legislation that would force the Chinese owners of TikTok to sell the platform or face being banned in the United States, even after former President Donald Trump came out against targeting the popular social media app he once vowed to ban.

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., the majority leader, said Monday that the House would try to speed the bill to passage under special procedures reserved for noncontroversial legislation, which require a two-thirds majority for passage. The approach reflected the bills growing momentum on Capitol Hill during an election year in which members of both political parties are eager to demonstrate a willingness to be tough on China.

We must ensure the Chinese government cannot weaponize TikTok against American users and our government through data collection and propaganda, Scalise said in his weekly preview of legislation to be considered on the House floor.

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The 13-page bill is the product of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, which has served as an island of bipartisanship in the polarized House. The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted unanimously last week to advance the legislation, which would remove TikTok from app stores in the United States by Sept. 30 unless its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, sold its stake.

But Trump, who as president issued an executive order that did exactly that, has now changed course and is vocally opposing the bill, a move that will test his ability to continue tanking bipartisan legislation in Congress from the campaign trail.

Trump on Monday offered a rambling explanation for his reversal, saying that he did not want to alienate young voters or imbue Facebook, which he considers a mortal foe, with more power.

In an interview on CNBC, Trump said that he still considered TikTok a national security threat, but that banning it would make young people go crazy. He added that any action harming the platform would benefit Facebook, which he called an enemy of the people.

Frankly, there are a lot of people on TikTok that love it, Trump said. There are a lot of young kids on TikTok who will go crazy without it.

Theres a lot of good and theres a lot of bad with TikTok, he added, but the thing I dont like is that without TikTok, you can make Facebook bigger, and I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people, along with a lot of the media.

It is not yet clear whether Trumps reversal on the issue will erode the bills broad base of support in the House, where a brewing fight over the legislation has grown tense. Many lawmakers were irate last week when TikTok dispatched its users to flood congressional telephone lines with calls beseeching members not to shut down the platform.

Trumps flip-flop on TikTok puts House Republicans in a very awkward position because it forces them to choose between supporting Trump or standing up to China, said Geoff Garin, a Democratic strategist. Voters on both sides of the aisle do not trust China to play by any meaningful set of rules and believe that China is determined to get away with whatever it can get away with, and that would apply to Chinas control over TikTok.

The legislation is one of several efforts over the past year aimed at curtailing TikTok because of concerns that ByteDances relationship with Beijing poses risks to national security, and President Joe Biden has said he would sign it. TikTok has scrambled to respond to attempts to clamp down on it, and the company said its CEO, Shou Chew, would be in Washington this week for meetings that were scheduled before the House vote.

One of the co-sponsors of the bill is Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 3 Republican, whose name is on every short list to be Trumps running mate and who is rarely caught out of lock step with the former president.

As he cruises toward the Republican nomination, Trump is wielding a heavier hand than any time since leaving office over his partys agenda in Congress. His vocal opposition to the pending TikTok legislation comes just weeks after he used his influence with Republicans in Congress to help tank a bipartisan immigration bill in the Senate that was touted as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a conservative border security bill.

But unlike the issue of immigration, the two parties are not divided over TikTok; both see a political upside to backing policies that take aim at China.

Still, Trumps advocacy against the bill appears to be having some effect. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said on Meet the Press that he was really conflicted about the ban. In 2020, Graham defended Trumps executive action against the company, writing on social media that the president was right to want to make sure that the Chinese Communist Party doesnt own TikTok and most importantly  all of your private data.

On Sunday, Graham said that he did not yet know how he would vote on the bill if it came before the Senate. I am definitely conflicted, he said.

And it is not clear what the bills prospects would be in the Senate, where Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the majority leader, has not committed to bringing it up.

In a rare display of bipartisanship in the House, the top Republican and Democratic lawmakers on the China panel have used nearly identical language to describe the risks of TikTok.

Americas foremost adversary has no business controlling a dominant media platform in the United States, said Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, the Republican chair. His Democratic counterpart, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, said TikTok poses critical threats to our national security as long as it is owned by ByteDance.

But after the bill sailed through a House committee last week, Trump lashed out on Truth Social, his social media platform, writing that if you get rid of TikTok, it will double Facebooks business. He said he did not want Facebook doing better.

Trump was banned from Facebook the day after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, and reinstated early last year.

To support his enemy of the people claim, Trump singled out grants that Facebooks founder, Mark Zuckerberg, made in 2020 to state and local election offices to help their administration of voting during the pandemic. Trump suggested that Zuckerberg, whose website was part of the Trump campaigns strategy in both 2016 and 2020, should face prison time for those donations.

On Monday, asked about suspicions that he had been paid off to change his view on TikTok after a meeting with a major TikTok investor, billionaire Jeff Yass, Trump denied it. Trump reportedly praised Yass, a large donor to the Club for Growth, as fantastic, and the group recently had a rapprochement with him after a yearslong freeze.

Through the Club for Growth, Yass has funded a major advocacy drive in Washington to stop the banning of TikTok. He and his allies have recruited several former Trump administration officials to help with the effort  including Tony Sayegh, who was a Treasury official, and Kellyanne Conway, who was a senior counselor to the president.

In the CNBC interview, Trump said he had not discussed TikTok with Yass at their meeting.

No, I didnt, Trump said, saying it had been a brief meeting with Yass and his wife. He never mentioned TikTok.

Trumps criticism of the new legislation is striking because of his move to restrict the company while in office. An executive order he signed in August 2020 said that TikToks data collection from its users threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans personal and proprietary information. It added that TikTok could be used to spread disinformation that benefited Beijing.

These risks are real, the executive order said.

Trumps administration moved to block Apples and Googles app stores from carrying TikTok over concerns about the apps Chinese ownership. But federal courts ruled repeatedly to block Trumps TikTok ban from taking effect.

David McCabe, Maggie Haberman and Sapna Maheshwari contributed reporting.

c.2024 The New York Times Company
Hungarian PM Viktor Orban (left) and former US President Donald Trump are long-term allies as seen in this photo from 2019

Donald Trump will not fund Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion if he is elected US president again, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban has said.

"He will not give a penny in the Ukraine-Russia war. That is why the war will end," the conservative premier said after meeting Mr Trump in Florida.

The former US president has pledged to end the war "within 24 hours" if elected - but provided no details.

Mr Orban is openly backing his long-term ally in the 2024 White House race.

"It is obvious that Ukraine cannot stand on its own feet," Mr Orban told Hungary's M1 TV channel late on Sunday.

"If the Americans don't give money and weapons, along with the Europeans, then the war is over. And if the Americans don't give money, the Europeans alone are unable to finance this war. And then the war is over."

He added that Mr Trump had "pretty detailed plans" on how to end the Russia-Ukraine war - but did not elaborate.

Mr Trump has not publicly commented on Mr Orban's TV interview.

At their Friday meeting in Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago mansion, the former US president praised his guest. "There's nobody that's better, smarter, or a better leader than Viktor Orban. He's fantastic," he said.

During his US visit, Mr Orban did not meet current US President Joe Biden, who is expected to be Mr Trump's main rival in the presidential elections in November.

It is highly unusual for a visiting foreign leader to schedule talks with former counterparts without calling on the current leadership.

Ukrainian forces are experiencing big ammunition shortages, as US military aid is stalled

The Hungarian prime minister has repeatedly drawn strong criticism from fellow EU leaders for maintaining close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, ever since he launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

Unlike many other Western nations, Mr Orban refuses to send weapons to its neighbour Ukraine, stating repeatedly that Kyiv is unable to win against a nuclear-armed Russia.

EU leaders are increasingly concerned that a second Trump presidency would see a significant reduction in US military and financial aid to Ukraine and also the Nato military alliance.

A $95bn (75bn) foreign aid bill - including $60bn in military assistance to Ukraine - has been stalled in US Congress because of Republican opposition.

The Republicans - openly encouraged by Mr Trump - say they will not allow the bill to clear the final hurdle in the House of Representatives without first agreeing additional funding for US border security.

Russian forces have recently made gains in eastern Ukraine, as Kyiv experiences acute shortages in ammunition.

Ukraine is critically dependent on weapons from the US, the main supplier, and other Western allies to keep fighting Russia - a much bigger military force with an abundance of artillery ammunition.